Savannah's Cadbury™ 'High Tea' Party Was a Hit #CadburyHighTea

Disclosure: I received a party kit as part of a promotional program with Cadbury and MomSelect. The views shared are mine and mine alone.

Tea, anyone?

Each and every day I look at my girls, I see that they are growing up so fast.  What ever happened to the days when I could scoop them up in my arms and cradle them against my shoulder.  Now, I am lucky if I can wrangle them up and cuddle them, without them squirming around. :-)  Not only can I see the physical changes of the girls, but they are each developing their own personalities and traits that make them unique.  Arabella is still our cuddler, and can spend hours playing with her dolls and stuffed toys.  While Savannah is more creative, wanting to do arts and crafts or use her imagination during play time.  Just the other day, she filled a wagon full of toys and proceeded to give them a tour of our house, making sure to stop and point out some of her favorite toys or rooms in the house (her bedroom and the playroom).  As I listened in to her tour, I couldn't help but smile at her detailed accounts of how she acquired certain toys, and why she likes them so much.

So, when it came time to plan for our Cadbury High Tea party with her friends, I knew she would want to be in on all aspects including the invite list, menu, games, etc. :-)  It took us two weeks to plan and shop for the party, and last Saturday, Savannah, along with five of her friends and Arabella gathered at our house for a tea party fit for a princess.  You can't have tea (even pretend) without cookies.  And, Savannah spared no expense on choosing just the right ones to serve her guests --- Italian cookies from her favorite bakery in CT.  The day before the party, she took a drive with Daddy after work to pick up a sampler of Italian cookies.  

I ended up making cold cut finger sandwiches -- ham and cheese and turkey and cheese, while dessert was provided by Cadbury and Mom Select.  As part of their Cadbury High Tea Party campaign, I was sent a sampling of Cadbury ice cream bars, along with hats and fascinators in a variety of colors, and even a fancy china tea set, for my daughter and her friends to enjoy.  Savannah was able to buy her Italian cookies with the gift card that was also sent, to help pay for party supplies.

What is a party without an invitation?  I showed Savannah a few sample invitations online that we could either print out or re-create.  But, she opted for a more fun invite.  Having had a tea party last year with her friends, we used one of the photos from our party and printed it onto stock paper.  Then, on the blank side, we added the party details.  Not only could the girls receiving the invites be reminded about last year's fun party, but they could also look forward to new memories, as they, too, were growing up, and taking on their own identities. :-)

Because some of the guests were little, I opted to let the girls use plastic tea sets for their tea party, while the moms in attendance got to sip tea from the beautiful and oh so elegant china tea set that was sent to me for the party.  The girls didn't mind, as they were more interested in trying out the different hats and fascinators, to find the one that best coordinated with their outfits.  The moms and I looked on, and couldn't help but smile, yet feel a little sad, as we watched our little girls having a tea party and acting all grown up.  

While the girls acted all prim and proper through the tea serving, cookie sampling and snacking on their finger sandwiches, they reminded us they were still little girls, once I brought out the Cadbury Ice Cream Bars to enjoy.  Out of the four Cadbury Ice Cream Bar flavors sent: Vanilla Chocolate, Caramello, English Toffee and Royal Dark, the girls all agreed that the Vanilla Chocolate was their favorite, while the moms, on the other hand, were fans of the Royal Dark Cadbury Ice Cream bars.  Have you tried Cadbury Ice Cream Bars?  If so, which one did you like most?   Once the ice creams were enjoyed, the girls wrapped up their tea party, and began saying their goodbyes.  But, Savannah, being the gracious hostess, told each of the guests to expect another High Tea invite next year! :-)  That's my girl! 

While Savannah and her friends made for great photo ops for the moms, leave it to Arabella to go crazy eating her Cadbury Ice Cream bar, and being the hot ticket of the party.  She made the moms giggle, as we realized that even though our daughters are growing up, they will remain our little girls forever! :-)  Thanks Cadbury and MomSelect for letting Savannah and I host an elegant, yet oh so fun High Tea party, fit for princesses!


Disclosure: I received a party kit as part of a promotional program with Cadbury and MomSelect. The views shared are mine and mine alone.

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I Am Excited to Announce That I Am An Official VIP Tick Tocketeer!

It is official.  I was just named a VIP Tick Tocketeer.  And, as such, I will be  your “go-to” resource for all things Tickety Toc! What is Tickety Toc you ask?  Watch this short video to learn about a cute animated series, which my girls can't get enough of, that airs daily on Nick Jr.

More About Tickety Toc

"Seen daily on Nick Jr., Tickety Toc follows the everyday adventures of 6-year-old twins, Tommy and Tallulah, as they work to “chime the time” and keep everything running smoothly in Tickety Town.  Traveling through the special Tickety Toc clock, where Tommy and Tallulah live, audiences enter a fantastical CGI world of eclectic characters and tag along on exciting escapades filled with slapstick surprises.  Tommy and Tallulah’s strong “can do” spirit often produces an unanticipated outcome, but their individual approach to sticky situations and joint resourcefulness always shine through and save the day!  Through the twins’ madcap adventures, Tickety Toc explores teamwork, social responsibility and problem solving – important concepts for preschoolers as they learn and grow.

TicketyToc.com

On the new website, www.ticketytoc.com  fans enter Tickety Town through the Tickety Toc Clock, where they can play games, watch videos, unlock rewards and participate in other fun activities with the series’ stars. In each new activity, preschoolers must help the twins fix, fetch and find things, all before “Chime Time.” The site is programmed to reflect the exact time of day, so wherever fans are in the world, on the hour, every hour, they can take part in Chime Time. Consistent across the TV series and website are Tommy and Tallulah’s strong “can do” spirit and the key themes of teamwork, social responsibility and problem solving.   

Also, a unique timer feature on the site puts the power to set screen-time limits squarely in parents/caregivers hands. The feature on the new website lets parents set the amount of time their young charges can stay “connected,” from 5 to 30 minutes. When the sand in the hourglass runs out, Tommy and Tallulah appear to let the child know the session is over and it’s time to move on to something new.   In addition to its “timely” timer feature, the rich and engaging website, based on the fun, vibrantly colorful TV show, was developed in HTML 5, rather than Flash (the standard format of most sites for preschoolers). This progressive step allows access to all elements of the site – including the timer! – across multiple devices."

---Stay tuned in the coming weeks/months when I will be sharing more about Tickety Toc, including DVD and toy reviews...and so much more!---

 

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"Amelita" -- The Second Album Released by the Court Yard Hounds #CYHAmelita (Review)

Disclosure: I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

Do these two women look familiar?  If you are scratching your head trying to place them, then let me help you out.  They are Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, the two sisters from the old country band, Dixie Chicks, which were popular a few years back.  Since going their own ways to have families and explore different music avenues, these two sisters teamed up again to release their second album titled, "Amelita," under the new band name the Court Yard Hounds.


“We’re a band, not a side project. We like our sound, and we’re going to continue to do this, and share something new this time around.” Emily Robison couldn't be more clear about the game plan for the Court Yard Hounds, the group she and sister Martie Maguire head up, as they get ready to release their second album, Amelita.

Containing 11 new tracks, Robison and Maguire took a different approach with Amelita than their debut album in 2010. This album contains a new perspective, which is due in part to time passed since Robison’s divorce. “I’ve been freed of all of those time-heals-everything kind of things,” says Robison. “Now, I’ve opened up to other ideas and ways of looking at life and the world. I think it’s not only a more hopeful album, but it’s more… well fun." 

"I love this band...the way we explore new aspects of ourselves and what we can expect from each other, both musically and as people," says Martie. "We are close. Plus, being on the road and being in the studio is like my spa from the everyday challenges of just being a mom.” 

After recently being sent a digital download of their new album to listen to, I couldn't wait to find some quiet time from the kids to listen to each and every one of the 11 tracks.  Here is the track listing:

Amelita Track Listing:

1. Sunshine
2. Amelita
3. The World Smiles
4. Aimless Upward
5. Guy Like You
6. Rock All Night
7. Phoebe
8. Divided
9. Gets You Down
10. Watch Your Step
11. The Road You Take

I was a fan of these sisters when they were a part of the ever popular band, Dixie Chicks, but, then never followed up to see what they were up to next.  Then, I started a family of my own, and listening to country radio in the car was replaced by playing lullaby or children's music in the car. :-)  So, as you can imagine, I was excited to first hear that these wonderful ladies were singing again, and turning out new albums.  

While I had hoped to listen to the entire album in one sitting, I ended up having to space out my listening time over a few days, as the girls kept waking in the night due to illness and needed my attention.  But, when I was finally done listening to all 11 tracks, I couldn't wait to listen to them again.  I could pick up similarities to sounds heard during their Dixie Chicks days, the Court Yard Hounds' are definitely making a name for themselves with the release of this album.   The sisters don't hold back in sharing personal stories that fans can relate to, especially if you are a mom. :-)  

It was hard for me to choose just one favorite song, as they were all unique and enjoyable to listen to.  But, the first three songs, especially "Amelita," I found myself going back and listening to.  What a great way to unwind after a crazy day with the kids -- pour a glass of wine, put my feet up and listen to the new "Amelita" album from the Court Yard Hounds.  It can't get any better than this! :-)

Stay up-to-date on the Court Yard Hounds' happenings by following them on Twitter and Facebook:

• CYH on Twitter
• CYH on Facebook
• Emily Robison on Twitter
• Martie McGuire on Twitter

 

 --Buy Now --

Amelita: Court Yard Hounds is now available for purchase on CD or digital download from Amazon or iTunes.


Disclosure: I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

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We Had a Blast at Our Bomb Pop Party #BombPop #Sponsored

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Bomb Pop. I received  product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

"For more than 50 years, Bomb Pop (an official sponsor of Little League^® Baseball and Softball) fans have enjoyed the sweet, frozen blast of fruit flavor in the classic red, white and blue Bomb Pop."

Ring-a-ding-a-ding...ahh, this is attempt at sounding like an ice cream truck driving by.  Remember the catchy music that your local ice cream truck would play back in the day?  For some reason the one truck we had visit the neighborhood's sound system always sounded like it was about to give up.  But, even so, all the kids in the neighborhood could make out the sound and knew that the ice cream truck was on its way past our doors.  My brothers and I would rush to find our mom and ask her for money.  She would always tell us to look in our piggy banks for our allowance money.  Pressed for time, we always told her we would pay her back, and so she would give us each a dollar.  Then, we would rush out the door and wait at the end of the driveway for the ice cream truck to arrive.  Even though we knew what we wanted -- the Bomb Pop -- we would take a minute to peruse the menu which was made up of pictures of the ice creams on the side of the truck, with the prices written in marker. :-)  Ahh, the good 'ole days.  After we each got our Bomb Pops, we would gather with the kids in the neighborhood either in our backyard or neighboring backyard to enjoy our ice cream treat, and then play until our moms would call us in.   I sure do miss those summers! :-)

But, now that I have children of my own, I get to share some of my fond childhood summer memories with them.  Even though we don't live in an area where the ice cream truck stops by, I make a point to stock our freezer with novelty ice creams favorites from my childhood to share with them.  If you were to reach into the ice cream bin in the freezer, you will probably pull out a Bomb Pop.  Not only is it my favorite ice cream, but it has also become my husband's and children's as well. :-)  So, when I was recently approached by the folks at Mom Central Consulting to host a Bomb Pop Party with my children and their friends, how could I resist.  And, to sweeten the experience they would send along boxes of Bomb Pops for my to hand out to the kids and their parents.  Come on, I couldn't leave out the parents, as I knew that they would get nostalgic, as do I, when I see a bomb pop -- and, they did!

So, a couple of weeks ago, before we were hit with another cold, which we are still reeling from, I invited the neighborhood families over for a mid-summer backyard bash, which included a BBQ, pool party and outdoor games.  Who knew that spending quality time outdoors with your children and neighbors could be so much fun.  We started the party at 1PM, and sent the last guests home a little after 9PM -- after the last S'more was roasted. :-)  

In addition to Bomb Pops, I was also sent Bomb Pop coupons, keychains and squishy Bomb Pop Baseballs to distribute to my guests, a fun Bomb Pop bean bag toss game, which was a hit with the kids, and a $50 prepaid gift card which I used to purchase additional party supplies.  And, while our Bomb Pop Party happened a couple of weeks ago, kids in the neighborhood are still talking about it, while parents have since stocked their freezers with the different Bomb Pop varieties, which include:

The Original Bomb Pop

Flavors of Cherry, Lime and Blue Raspberry fill the famous fins that make this the ultimate frozen treat.

NEW! Hawaiian Punch^® Bomb Pop 
Enjoy your favorite Hawaiian Punch flavors of Fruit Juicy Red^®, Orange Ocean^® and Green Berry Rush^®, frozen in the iconic Bomb Pop shape!

NEW! Sour Wower Bomb Pop 
Pucker-up for the serious sourness of Grape, Green Apple and Blue Raspberry.

The Original Sugar Free Bomb Pop 
The Original Bomb Pop everyone loves, now sugar free.


To learn more about all the Bomb Pop varieties, as well as find a retailer near you who carries Bomb Pop products, click here now -- http://www.bombpop.com/.   We have already been asked by neighbors if we will be having another Bomb Pop party next year.  And, my response to them...most definitely!  Any excuse to stock the freezer with Bomb Pops and enjoy great company with family and friends outdoors during the summer -- why wouldn't I?! :-)  With the summer winding down, why not consider getting your family and friends together for one last hooray and enjoy quality outdoor time together.  And, make sure you have Bomb Pops on hand to help guests cool down.  I bet you will find yourself and other adults reminiscing like I was about enjoying Bomb Pops when you were growing up, and how they part of your summers, let it be bought off an ice cream truck in your neighborhood, or at your local little league field.  If you have never tasted a Bomb Pop, then make a point to pick up a box this summer, and get ready to share memories for years to come with your family, as you continue to buy and enjoy these tasty frozen treats. :-)

--BUY NOW--

Bomb Pop flavors are available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.99 for a box of 12 pops.

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Bomb Pop. I received  product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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Kohl's Is Your One Stop Shop for Your Child's Back-to-School Needs #Sponsored

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl’s. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I was like a kid last holiday season -- not because I was counting down the days until Santa arrived, but because we were getting a Kohl's right down the street from us, and it was opening on Black Friday, of all days.  Now, I know what you are thinking?  Getting excited over a store?  Well, if you live in my area of CT, the quiet corner, you are limited when it comes to shopping.  The closest mall is about a 40 minute drive away.  So, when I heard back in early 2011 that they would begin breaking ground during the summer of 2012, I couldn't wait for the ribbon cutting. :-)  And, while others were heading to their local malls on Black Friday, I was standing in line at Kohl's waiting for their doors to open.  And, since then, I have been shopping here for all my family's needs, as well as for gifts for family and friends. 

If you haven't shopped a Kohl's store, you are missing out.  Not only do they carry quality brands when it comes to clothing and accessories for the whole family, from babies through adults, but they also have a home section with kitchen items and decor, a jewelry and perfume section and more.  Kohl's is truly a one stop shop for all your shopping needs.  And, I never leave empty handed here! :-)  Just the other day, Savannah wanted to go shopping for a gift for Arabella who had been sick.  She asked if we could go to Kohl's.  How could I say, "No."  Once there, she got into the cute wagons with the child seat in front, and directed me to the toy section in the back of the store.  Once there, she picked out a $5.00 Kohl's Cares Curious George stuffed plush toy, along with a fairy princess doll.  We couldn't resist shopping the clearance racks for end of summer finds, and to stock up for next season.  

Once all was said and done, and we had been rung up at the register, I ended up saving over $150, as well as earned $40 in Kohl's cash, to use during a future shopping trip.  We will definitely be heading back soon, as Kohl's has become our back-to-school clothing stop for the kids -- and, this year is no different.  I am most looking forward to saving $$$ by combining my Kohl's Cash and Kohl's credit card discounts for greater savings!  How about you?  Will you be shopping Kohl's this back to school season? 

Stay tuned in a couple of weeks when I will be sharing useful back to school shopping tips, as well as more about my own personal experience shopping Kohl's for all of my family's Back to School needs.

To find a Kohl's near you, or to shop online and have items delivered directly to your door, click here now -- http://www.kohls.com/.

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl’s. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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I Was Chosen as a Boys & Girls Club (BGCA) Back-to-School Ambassador! #Tools4BTS #Sponsored

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

  

 

 

 

I am so excited to announce that I was chosen as a Boys & Girls Club Back-to-School Ambassador.  What makes this title so special is my personal connection with the BGCA.  If you follow my blog, then you have probably seen and read half a dozen posts about the Boys & Girls Club, and how I used to attend after school and summer programs, as well as enjoyed family nights and other special events at my local club.  Were you a member of your local Boys & Girls Club growing up?  If so, what did you think about it?  I loved spending time with friends from school, as well as others who attended other schools, while participating in fun programs like arts and crafts, cooking, indoor and outdoor sports, or just hanging out in the game room.  And, come the summer, you would find my brothers and I here, either enrolled in their summer programs, or meeting up with friends for a swim in the indoor pool on those hot summer days.  And, when I was old enough for a job, the first place I looked and started working at was our local Boys & Girls Club.

And, now 30 yrs. later the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is still around and offering a safe and nurturing environment for children of all ages to hang out after school and during the summer.  Parents love having a Boys & Girls Club near them, as it is a great alternative to after school childcare, and much more affordable.  I would rather enroll my child in programming here, than have them sit at home with a babysitter. I loved my time at the Boys & Girls Club when I was young, and know that when my girls get older and head off to school, that they, too, will enjoy all the fun after-school programming our local Boys & Girls Club will have to offer them.  But, in the meantime, we can enjoy fun family activities like pizza and swim night, movie night and even their annual father/daughter dance.

Stay tuned in the weeks ahead, as I will be sharing some great "Back-to-School" tips to help make the transition back to school for the kiddos and yourself a little easier.  In the meantime, if you beginning your back-to-school clothes shopping with the kids, why not consider shopping at jcpenney.  Not only do they offer affordable clothing to meet any budget, but they are also partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of America for the ‘jcpenney cares round up campaign.’ "In the month of July, if you round-up your purchase to the nearest whole dollar while shopping at jcpenney, you can help make a difference in supporting after school programs at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. 100% of donations raised will go towards BGCA.

 

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America or the  Jcpenney ‘round up campaign’ – click here now: www.greatfutures.org/backtoschool

 

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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"Hope Conquers All" by Sona Mehring -- Sharing Inspiration Stories from CaringBridge #Sponsored

Disclosure:  I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CaringBridge. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

This past May was a joyous time for my family and I as I celebrated 5 years out of cancer treatment for stage 2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and was told by my oncologists that I was now considered in remission.  If you or a close family member have experienced a life changing illness like cancer, then you know how a diagnosis like this can turn your whole world upside down.  But, one thing that got my family and I through the cancer treatment journey was journaling and sharing updates on my condition through CaringBridge.  It was easy to set up my own personal CaringBridge page to share with family and friends, and I loved logging in daily to read supportive messages left.  They really did help me get through those tough days. 

"For more than 15 years, the nonprofit CaringBridge  has served as a lifeline of hope, bringing together families struggling with illnesses and tragedies. CaringBridge is now used by over 500,000 people a day, with 44 million unique visitors over the past year.  

Sona Mehring, the founder of CaringBridge wants to share these important collections of stories to inspire hope through her new book, Hope Conquers All. Ranging from young children with cancer, to adults waiting transplants, these first-person accounts share the importance CaringBridge had in their personal journeys. For uplifting tales to share with those who are in need of love and support, or even to just reflect on how brave these individuals were through such troubled times, learn more about Sona Mehring's book and how to purchase here:http://caringb.org/hope."

I will definitely be picking up a copy of "Hope Conquers All" to read, and share with my family.  Will you?


Disclosure:  I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CaringBridge. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. 

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