We Are to Going Disney World…NOW WHAT?

To-Do Thursday: 

Photo courtesy of 1001fonts.com.
NOW WHAT? 

Is it just me or does it seem like your list keeps getting longer and you aren’t taking anything off? I know mine does. So I took a big look at my calendar and saw what was on my “must-do” list for this weekend: 

Go to Michael’s on Saturday for “Kids Craft, You Shop” Event for $2!
Very cool event for kids to do a special themed craft at your local Michaels, learn more here.

Get Ready for “Day Out with Thomas” at Grapevine (next weekend)!
Don’t have your ticket yet? Then get your discount code here!

Prepare for a trip to Disney?!?
WHAT? Yep, you got that right! My son’s wish was granted from a Wish with Wings to go to Disney World and we go in less than 90 days! Considering some good moms plan this magical trip for months and sometimes years, it’s difficult to think I haven’t planned anything yet! #uhohspaghettios

Photo courtesy of the a Wish with Wings Facebook page

So to get things rolling, I decided to ask my fellow mom experts who have thought of EVERYTHING from how to surprise their kids they are going, how to dress them, itineraries – you name it.

Wow. Man, did I learn one thing…there is SO much to learn about going to Disney World! 

So while I’m doing my homework to attempt to live up to my four-year-old’s dream vacation (did I mention it’s his FIRST vacation, too?), here’s a look at some of my favorite posts and sites to help us plan our trip to Disney World? 

Milk and Cuddles: Dining at Disney World 1 and More Dining at Disney
There’s so much to say here, she had to do two posts! Did you know you SHOULD make reservations for some of your Disney dining choices at 180 days out BEFORE your trip? Yep, it’s true and there are so many places to eat, snack and treat. And considering eating is one of our favorite past times, dining is at the top of our Disney to-do list. Shannon, gives you the lowdown on what you need to know to get your grub down on Big D (Disney that is!)

Ramblings of a Frugal Mom: Disney World Tips, Tricks and Ideas!
Dawn’s family heads to Disney each time she finds out she’s pregnant (sounds like a reason to keep having kids, right?) This DFW-based online expert knows how to do things awesome and inexpensively. She shares all her memorable tricks to make your trip memorable for years to come. 

Suitcases to Sippy Cups: What Happens When You Lose a Child at Disney
This mama knows how to travel AND with her family in tow, too. She’s done a little bit of everything from RVing, skiing, and of course, Disney. While I don’t anticipate losing my child, it is a relief that it’s happened before AND there’s a way to locate your kid. (Consider it like algebra, you don’t need it daily, but there will be a time.) 

My Crazy Savings: Looking for a Stroller Rental at Disney World?
With two kids under 5 at Disney, I’m sure there will be more time on wheels than there will be on feet. And since we will also be on a plane to get there, I’m not going to try to tote the “good stroller” to Disney or use the “cheap” one and have it die out on my on Day 1. 

Alpha Mom: 65 Things to Do & See at Disney World? 
While we won’t be doing all of these things, it was a great checklist to begin our jouney of “what to do, what to do.” 

Free Disney Font Download: without having to download a free toolbar to create some of the coolest stuff for the kids like shirts, special messages and more. 

WDW Prep School: “How to Plan a Trip to Disney World in 6 Steps, this is my one-place-for-everything from packing lists, templates and more. (She’s got things there I wouldn’t even think to think about.)

So now I ask: do you have a recommendation of must-dos for two toddlers at Disney World? If so, please let me know. Really, I need all the help I can get. And if you are a blogger, than share your link here and I’d love to add it to this “best of” Disney blog posts! 


Oh, Pumpkin! Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips

Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin! There’s a ton of reasons to love pumpkin. From its health benefits to its amazing taste, here are several recipes including my famous pumpkin bread pudding with chocolate chips (and donuts!) 

I’m not sure when a certain large chain of coffeehouses unofficially kicked off fall, but every year when the #PSL debuts on the menu, Pumpkin-poolza hits. Everything from granola to gelato gets pumpkified and for someone like me that’s obsessed with the flavor du jour, it’s my happy time.

And just in case you need a little convincing, here are more reasons why you should be eating pumpkin. right. now.

Pumpkin-Bread-Pudding

Health Benefits of Pumpkin


Pumpkin is full of reasons to enjoy it – on the inside and the outside. Full of nutrients, vitamins, and other good stuff, just eating it will make you look good too. 

Pumpkin-Health-Benefits

Here are several reasons you should be eating pumpkin:

  • Pumpkin helps your eyesight with tons of Vitamin A (200% of your daily need!)
  • Pumpkin helps your immune system with Vitamin C
  • Pumpkin helps you lose weight because it’s full of fiber (3 grams per one cup!) 
  • Pumpkin helps the heart 
  • Pumpkin may reduce cancer
  • Pumpkin helps your mood 
  • Pumpkin helps the skin 
  • Pumpkin gives you afterworkout power with potassium

Pumpkin Basics

Since all of these recipes have pumpkin in them, you’ll need to make pumpkin puree and in many cases, have pumpkin pie spice. Sure you could buy these both at the store, but when the homemade product doesn’t take too much time and tastes so much better you’ll want to do it yourself! So check out my recipe for pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.

PumpkinPuree

PumpkinPieSpice

Best Pumpkin Recipes Ever: Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips (and doughnuts) 

Even is pumpkin is good for you, sometimes you just have to enjoy it because it taste so freaking good, right? The tradition of this recipe started 10 years ago. Over time, it’s seen a little change with cranberries, chocolate chips and now a new twist with pumpkin, chocolate and oh, yes – a dozen day old donuts (preferably from Dunkin Donuts.)

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Print

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Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips


  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com

Description

Pumpkin lovers rejoice! It’s pumpkin, donuts and chocolate all in one!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 whole eggs
  • 1/4 cup vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 dozen Dunkin Donuts, cubed (my favorite)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • Butter Rum Sauce
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 pound box confectioners’ sugar
  • Rum, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a mixing bowl, blend all ingredients, except for bread and chocolate chips.
  3. Fill a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with donuts.
  4. Sprinkle choclate chips over donuts.
  5. Pour custard mixture over donuts, making sure that all cubes are submerged (push cubes down if necessary).
  6. Bake for about 1 hour, or until pudding is set.
  7. Serve with Rum Sauce, Pecan Praline Sauce or even ice cream!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding2

Some other great pumpkin recipes to try: 

Pumpkin Pie Butter

Pumpkin White Chocolate Truffles

Stuffed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

And there’s even more where that came from with the best Pinterest board ever! 

 Follow Autumn Reo {mamachallenge.com}’s board Oh, Pumpkin on Pinterest.

And don’t miss this #mamachallenge: 

Pumpkin-Trifle

Pumpkin Trifle (Part of a collection of No Trouble Trifles on Good Morning Texas)

Pumpkin Foot Scrub

 

Gift Guide: Hot Holiday Toys 2020

Working overtime to help Santa get the right gifts under the tree? This list is kid-tested and kid-approved to get you all the love. Here’s our guide to Hot Holiday Toys 2020. 

2020 has been a doozy and we all deserve something really good under the tree…especially the kids. So I’ve enlisted the help of my favorite “two elves” to help discover the best toys for everyone on your holiday list. 

That’s right – how else do you think my research panel really works? By asking the pros (i.e. the kids) to let me know their thoughts (and put it together) that’s how I REALLY find out how cool (or not so cool) the new toys each year will be.


And this year we’ve been hard at work and we want to make it fun for everyone, so we’re giving it away! YES GIVEAWAY TIME. 


MAMACHALLENGE TIP:

Make money while you shop with Rakuten! Download the plugin and see the savings as you shop. (My last check was over $500! AND Honey will tell you when prices are at their lowest (and highest.) Both of these are worth downloading to make the most of your money anytime you shop! 


See below for our Guide to Hot Holiday Toys 2020!

For Littles

Disney Juniors E-I-Oh! Mickey Feature Plush

Who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse! Sing and dance along with Disney Juniors E-I-Oh! Mickey Feature Plush to the “Old McDonald” song, the Chicken Dance and“What Animal Sound is That?” He’s snuggly and soft and will keep them busy for hours. 

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Blue’s Clues Dance-Along and You

Our toys aren’t just something to do – they’re also about being our friend. Again a toy targeted for the littles, but my kids have had just as much fun with Blue’s Clues Dance-Along and You as you dance and sing. And the guitar acts as the remote!

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Pinkfong Baby Shark Official – Baby Shark Dancing DJ – Wowwee

This one doesn’t need an introduction – it’s Pinkfong Baby Shark Official – Baby Shark Dancing DJ! Don’t hate me because you’ll be singing this later but Baby Shark does much more like teach letters, counting, and when you dance, it detects and will start dancing with you. And don’t worry, it sings more than that song, too! 

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Crayola Colors of the World Crayons

This may be my favorite item and it’s just a few dollars! Crayola Colors of the World Crayons is really showing its true colors with its COLORS OF THE WORLD CRAYONS. Kids can actually reach into the box of newly formed 24 and find colors that represent them and the people around them!  Even the names of the colors are reflective of them or blend together to find their perfect shade.

Basic Fun Care Bears

And I don’t know if this toy is for them or for me, but New 2020 Carebears ARE BACK! Yes, and more than ever, they’re reminding us to be positive, to share, and to care, right? So those of us that grew up in the 80s this was THE toy! Plus while kids are at home, this is a great gift to give them comfort and share a hug when you can’t always give the hug to the person you want! So this is a great grandparents gift! 

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Crayola Glitter Dots Keychain Craft Set

Crayola also has done a great job keeping kids busy! So this is Squish the Crayola Glitter Dots Keychain Craft Set. This is another great stocking stuffer or something they can make now and give to their friends and neighbors by leaving it at the door! You just squish the dots  into the molds to create one-of-a-kind charms in a sweet treat theme!

For Bigger Kids

VTECH Kidzoom Creator Cam

If there was a hot gift this season, this is it to me. Designed for ages 5, I’ve had fun playing with this one. This is the VTECH Kidizoom Creator Cam and it’s so cool I want one. This isn’t just a camera – it’s a tripod/selfie stick, microphone, video tools, a green screen and everything you need to be a “digital creator.” And what I love as a parent is they don’t need your iPad or smartphone to make it work! 

Crayola Marker Maker Set

With so much time at home, art projects and being able to express themselves through art has had so many benefits for kids. So here’s a gift they can use to create those beautiful works of art by making their own markers! Create your own custom colors with the Crayola Marker Maker machine, 16 Makeable Markers, Customizable Marker Labels, Color Mixing Guide, Instruction Sheet, and Assorted Inks.

Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Scrub Tub Animal Playset

And the fun with colors doesn’t stop there either! Crayola has done a remarkable job recreating fun ways for kids to have fun like with this is a Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Scrub Tub Playset. Forget flat color books – they are taking color 3D in a fun playset. Best of all, when you’re done coloring and want to do something new – give ‘em a scrub and start again! 

Hatchimals Pixies Riders

The biggest thing in toys last season was the “surprise” with toys like Hatchimals Pixies Riders and LOL Dolls as gifts within a gift. And this Christmas you’ll find this idea in so many gifts. We all remember the Hatchimals 

Hasbro Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition

We all want to call this Baby Yoda, but this is THE ONE and this is the one they’ll definitely want with this Star Wars The Child Animatronic toy. Touching the top of his head activates over 25 sound and motion combinations, including happy and excited sounds, giggles, babbles, and more, all while the figure’s head moves up and down. Plus it’s too cute!  

Pre-teens & Teens

Electric Party Pop Scooter

The big kids always seem to be the hardest to buy for. But with us all at home more, I’m all about getting them to be more active! Kids don’t really want bikes anymore, the hot gift is the Electric Party Pop Scooter! And these cooters are a party on their own! 

This is a foot activated powered electric scooter that goes up  to 7.5 mph (12 km/h) for up to 30 minutes of continuous ride time while you roll with these multi-color LED lights.

Black Label from Razor E90

And for the even bigger kids, this scooter has all the power in their hands! The Razor Black Label E90 electric scooter that features a hand operated front brake in addition to the rear-fender brake, creating a dual-braking system for better control. Plus with a higher weight limit, this is a good one for those tweens and teens.

Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure 

And last but not least, this is one game I love recommending! I don’t know what we would’ve done without the Nintendo Ring Fit! We have to keep the kids moving and with their virtual school this is a fun way to make everyone happy. It’ll make them squat, lounge, and move along with keeping count of calories. This is also one you can do together! 

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Young Scientist Plasma Globe

Kids at home means we’re all taking on teaching too. Young Scientist Plasma Globe is making science fun by showing the power of electricity by being activated by touch and sound! You might remember something like this in the early 90s – and I always wanted one!

Snapstyle Mask Maker

Of course we’ve all been in mask but we can let kids have fun with it with this SnapStyle Printable Mask maker from  If you can take a picture of it, you can make a mask of it. Kids can print their own mask that matches their clothing or show their creativity – and yes these are WHO compliant mask! 

Holiday Events in DFW 2020