Chatting with the stars of Frozen on Broadway, embarking on an epic bus ride through the city filled with delightful surprises, and enjoying VIP treatment on the set of Good Morning America were just a few of the unforgettable moments from our recent escapade to New York City with Adventures by Disney. Yet, what lingers most vividly in my memory is the enormous, beaming smile that never left my daughter's face throughout our whirlwind girls' trip to the Big Apple, and for me, was how everything was handled for me. I am going to do two things today. 1) I am going to give you a glimpse of our Adventures by Disney Vacation, 2) I am going to go over how I booked the vacation, and why I would always book it this way. Planning my Adventures by Disney First off, I had no idea … [Read more...] about Everything to know about Adventures by Disney!
Firecracker Pop Rocks Cupcake
Here is another festive 4th of July dessert! This one actually pops in your mouth! Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes | Makes 12 For the cupcakes and frosting:Use 1 batch of Easy Yellow Cupcakes OR I like to use Funfetti Mix to give the recipe that firework effect and 1 batch of Easy Cream Cheese Frosting or a tub of cream cheese frosting from your favorite frosting brand. Make as directed. To decorate: Frost the cupcakes and top each with one 1-inch piece red licorice twist (for the firecracker stick), one 1-inch piece black shoelace licorice (for the fuse), and ½ teaspoon Pop Rocks candy (for the sparks). I also like to top with a cherry with stem still intact (think cherry bomb) Recipe modified from Real Simple Magazine. Photo also from Real Simple Magazine. My cupcakes are not … [Read more...] about Firecracker Pop Rocks Cupcake
Free Pocoyo Valentine’s Day Cards!
You can download and print free Pocoyo Valentine’s. Since these cards are Google Docs, you need to choose File, then select Print PDF in order to print. Pocoyo Valentine’s Day Card Pato Valentine’s Day Card Elly Valentine’s Day Card Loula Valentine’s Day Card … [Read more...] about Free Pocoyo Valentine’s Day Cards!
Top Tips to Host an Allergy Friendly Super Bowl Party!
This past week I was invited to attend a webinar about how to host an allergy friendly Super Bowl party and I was thrilled since my youngest is allergic to both peanuts and eggs. Holly Robinson Peete of CBS's The Talk (who is also married to former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete) generously hosted the Webinar and offered up all her tips! Holly has not one but 4 kids with food allergies so she is a pro! Here are some of the top tips that I picked up at the webinar that I wanted to pass on to you. If you are planning on hosting an party tomorrow for the big game please keep these tips in mind! There’s an app called My EpiPen, where you can create an allergy profile to send to your child’s school, caregiver, other family members, etc., to share information about your child’s food … [Read more...] about Top Tips to Host an Allergy Friendly Super Bowl Party!
Anyone Ever Fried a Turkey?
So this year “Deal”icious Dad has decided to deep fry a turkey. Anyone out there ever done this? I would love some tips or tricks you may have for us! We recently received a Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer XL and my hubby is super excited to try it out on Thanksgiving. Me, I am a little nervous. I have heard that deep frying turkeys can be dangerous. According to Masterbuilt the above mentioned fryer (which we now own) is a safe alternative. Some of the many features the fryer provides are: It is indoor and counter-top safe It can safely hold up to a 20-pound turkey The fryer can boil and steam (providing appliance versatility) So tell me, has anyone out there ever done this? Am I just being a worry wart… Deal”icious Mom’s Review Disclosure: … [Read more...] about Anyone Ever Fried a Turkey?
The Great Stuffing Debate
Every year during November a great debate starts in my house. The debate has nothing to do with politics. Instead of things heating up across the congressional aisle, our conversation is stirring across the dinner table. The subject: stuffing Bread crumbs or cornbread? Dried fruit? Nuts? Sausage? One person’s “yum” is another’s “yuck!” Yes, I said it – Stuffing! Everyone I talk to has a different opinion on how they like their stuffing! Everyone has their favorite kind of stuffing and that’s why Swanson Broth is inviting people across the country to take a side in the Great Stuffing Debate. I am a stuffing “traditionalist”. Simple is the way I like it! Four ingredients and a dash of pepper mix together quickly to make this baked stuffing – it’s delicious as is but it’s also a … [Read more...] about The Great Stuffing Debate
Printable Thanksgiving Placemat
Check out even more Thanksgiving printables! … [Read more...] about Printable Thanksgiving Placemat
Day of the Dead Coloring Page Starring Kermit the Frog
Day of the Dead 2018 or Día de los Inocentes is here! The celebration starts today and goes through Friday, November 2. We love the colorful, mosaic art that's typical of "Day of the Dead" and this FREEBIE combines it with one of our favorite characters, Kermit the Frog!! If you're talking with the kiddos about "Day of the Dead" and want an easy (AND FREE!) activity for them...now's your chance to Print out a PDF copy of the Day of the Dead Coloring Page here! … [Read more...] about Day of the Dead Coloring Page Starring Kermit the Frog
Can Someone Tell My Son He Really Isn’t Superman!
I think all the complements on my son's Superman Halloween Costume have gone to his head. He seems convinced that he really is Superman... Last weekend, we went to Disneyland's Mickey's Halloween Trick or Treat Party and Beeferoni (my 5 year old) wore his Superman costume. The complements were endless. I admit, he was pretty cute but boy oh boy was he pleased with himself! The costume itself is pretty awesome too, fake muscles and all. It is all one piece with a cape that velcros on. I loved that my son could easily walk around in it and he did not complain at all about wearing it all night. Then again, with all the people saying, "Hey, look it is Superman" and "Help Superman, Rescue us!" - I was surprised I ever got the costume off of him at all. When my niece first saw him she … [Read more...] about Can Someone Tell My Son He Really Isn’t Superman!
Three PBS Halloween DVDs for Kids
Get ready for some treats (and fun tricks!) If you're a PBS family (as we are) I bet your kids love Cat and the Hat, Word World and Sid the Science Kid. Not only do they love these shows but so do I! If you have kids in your house like mine then you will want to know about a couple SPOOK-tacular DVDs from the hit PBS series, “Sid the Science Kid” and two classic Halloween favorites from “The Cat in the Hat knows a Lot About That” and “WordWorld.” The DVDs are: BRAND NEW this year! Sid the Science Kid Sid's Spooky Halloween It’s Halloween! Join Sid and his friends as they discover how bats catch mosquitoes, why spiders are expert engineer web builders, and how skeletons make up the foundation of our bodies. The kids dress up to celebrate Halloween at … [Read more...] about Three PBS Halloween DVDs for Kids
4 Ways to Stretch Your Halloween Pumpkins
Here is a guest post from MoneyTalkNews.com that I thought would be great to share. Don't buy a pumpkin for a jack-o'-lantern and just eat the cost – save money by eating the pumpkin. Here are some cheap and simple options beyond pumpkin pie. Roasted pumpkin seeds Making your own roasted pumpkin seeds is great to do while carving a pumpkin. Find out more... Pumpkin butter Homemade pumpkin butter is delicious on toast, scones, and pancakes – and can also be used in cocktail recipes (see below). To make your own, start with fresh pumpkin puree, then add spices and flavorings. First, the pumpkin puree… Cut a pumpkin in half and remove seeds and strings. Place the cut side face-down on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until fork-tender. After … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Stretch Your Halloween Pumpkins
Homemade in America: Italian Meatloaf Recipe
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of McCormick & Company. All opinions are 100% mine. Interested in trying out one of the homemade classic recipes from McCormick.com? Please comment below and tell me what your favorite spices are to cook with! Check out the Italian Meatloaf Receipe below! We made it last night for our family dinner at it was yummy! Even my little picky eater ate it up! Plus it was super simple with only 10 ingredients - most of which I am sure you already have in you kitchen right now! Homemade in America: Italian Meatloaf Recipe We used all the traditional McCormick spices to get the flavor just right! Parmesan cheese, McCormick Italian Seasoning and tomato sauce add Italian flavor to homemade meat loaf. Serve with pasta tossed with butter or olive … [Read more...] about Homemade in America: Italian Meatloaf Recipe
Amazing Cheesecake Pancakes recipe with Pecans
Pancakes are pretty much a staple in our house. My kids could eat them every single day. Heck, I could eat some buttery pancakes with maple syrup every day. We have a new twist on pancakes for your next brunch or weekend morning. This is an amazing Cheesecake Pancakes recipe with Pecans. These flavorful pancakes are filled with cheesecake and take the cake on yummy-ness! Amazing Cheesecake Pancakes recipe with Pecans Cheesecake Pancake Recipe - Batter 2 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar 1⁄4 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped 2 tbsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 cups milk 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1⁄4 cup canola oil Cheesecake Pancake Recipe - Filling 8 oz cream cheese, softened 1⁄3 cup confectioners’ (icing) sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1. Batter: … [Read more...] about Amazing Cheesecake Pancakes recipe with Pecans
My Impromptu SURPRISE Halloween Party
Yesterday the kids and I threw ourselves an impromptu Halloween party with the help from our friends at Kmart. It was overcast and rainy..the perfect day to pick up some spooky supplies and create an entire day and evening of Halloween food and fun! Check out what we got and the festive food we made! I told my 6 year old that we had a $100 budget for decorations and food and to my surprise we got a ton of stuff for $85 (plus $5 gift card for signing up for Kmart's new rewards program!) So what did we get... I knew you would ask! For our spooky dessert we bought 2 snack packs of Vanilla Pudding $1 each, Clear disposable cups $3 and some change, and a bag of chocolate chips ($3) This is what we made... it is very simple. We call it monster pudding! We used chocolate … [Read more...] about My Impromptu SURPRISE Halloween Party
Simple Halloween Desserts
It's almost here! Make your table spook-tabulous with these three Simple Halloween Desserts! They look good and they take minutes! Make some Monster Pudding! Make some vanilla pudding and then use food coloring to dye it you desired shade of green, top it with crushed oreos. Use small clear cups and a marker to make the faces. What about some easy Witch Hat Cookies that I found over at Explore. Dream. Discover. Simply take some Keebler Fudge stripe cookies (turned upside down), Hershey Kisses attached with orange tube icing and you are all set! Lastly, stun your guests with this Candy Corn pudding I found at Craftster.org. Start with instant plain vanilla instant pudding and mixed it with food coloring. Use classic yellow food coloring gel for one layer and neon orange food … [Read more...] about Simple Halloween Desserts
How to Make Frankenstein Pops
Along with finding the perfect costume and carving a terrifying jack-o-lantern, creating monster-themed sweet treats is a Halloween highlight. The Kitchen Explorers from PBS Parents make magic in the kitchen with a team of kids in costumes and create professional-looking Frankenstein pops using only marshmallows, sticks, melted chocolate, and materials on hand in any kitchen Check out the video tutorial below to create this frighteningly fun treat! … [Read more...] about How to Make Frankenstein Pops
October is National Fire Safety Month
Fire prevention week is Oct. 7 through 13 and we're promoting awareness of Fire Safety all month. We have some tips from Erie Insurance to help you stay safe during the fall fix-up season, colder weather and upcoming holidays. CLEAN YOUR DRYER DUCTS A survey from Erie Insurance conducted online by Harris Poll, shows one in five Americans (21 percent) admit they never clean their clothes dryer ducts, unless they have a problem.Laundry is part of life’s weekly grind. But did you know that dryers cause roughly 15,500 home structure fires, 29 deaths, 400 injuries and $192 million in direct property loss each year? The most common cause of dryer fires is failure to do a thorough cleaning. Because a lint trap is not a foolproof method for catching all the fuzzy stuff from clothes, … [Read more...] about October is National Fire Safety Month
7 Tutorials to DIY Your Wagon for Halloween
If you've ever been trick-or-treating with younger kids, you know a wagon saves the day. From carting around the spoils of the night to costume accessories and even the kids, it's clutch to have one in your arsenal. But wagons tend to clash with the look of the evening. Luckily for you, we've found ways to upgrade your wagon to blend in and coordinate with many different looks. Our latest wagon upgrades are sure to save the day if you're willing to put in the work. If you've got a little firefighter on your hands, a fire truck will be the perfect stylish addition to trick-or-treating this Halloween. See the full transformation here: https://www.wholesalehalloweencostumes.com/blog/diy-firetruck-wagon-upgrade/ And if you're little one is hoping to do the work to bring … [Read more...] about 7 Tutorials to DIY Your Wagon for Halloween