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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Go Super Hero with The Marvel Experience Dallas

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As a mom of a 6-year-old boy, we’re all about the superheroes. Which is why it’s no surprised we’ll be at the front of the line at Fair Park in Dallas on Jan. 15…

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The Marvel Experience is a first-of-its-kind, hyper-reality attraction that covers over two acres and encompasses seven colossal Domes, a life-size Avengers Quinjet, the world’s only 360-degree, 3-D stereoscopic full-Dome attraction and a state-of-the-art 4-D motion ride.

The-Marvel-Experience


As agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in training, guests of The Marvel Experience will swing with Spider-Man, smash with Hulk, fly with Iron Man and more, all in preparation for an epic battle alongside Marvel’s biggest Super Heroes in a fight against Red Skull, M.O.D.O.K. and an army of evil Adaptoids. The Marvel Experience incorporates next-generation interactive technology including augmented reality, multi-person gaming and RFID progress tracking so you can see yourself in action. Everything happens with bleeding-edge technology and advanced computer animation. There’s nothing else like it. Not only does the audience get to join the adventure, in the end they may even become heroes themselves.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The Marvel Experience www.themarvelexperiencetour.com.

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Making Time for Your Us

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This is a sponsored post. 

When you’re a mom, the idea of “me time” doesn’t exist.

By nature it doesn’t happen without being planned and when it does – with a girl’s night out or just even a few hours to get your toenails done, you barely have enough time to breathe, much less really enjoy it before you get back to being mom (and all the fun that goes with it.) Recently, I was sitting with a group of women and about half of them confessed they sometimes schedule a night out at a nearby hotel just to take a shower, watch TV, eat dinner and sleep – without anyone else.


Recently, I was sitting with a group of women and about half of them confessed they sometimes schedule a night out at a nearby hotel just to take a shower, watch TV, eat dinner and sleep – all by their lonesome – and they love it.

The-Reos

While I would love a little more “me time,” I’ve realized what is really missing is “us time.”

Between kids, work, events, after-school stuff, family obligations, and a little time we set aside for sleep, there’s not a lot of time left for me and the hubs. And I know we aren’t the only couple that doesn’t make time for themselves. Like “me time,” it seems that being good parents means putting your kids first. But actually it’s quite the opposite.

As parents it is our job to take care of our children’s basic needs all while instilling good values and difference between right and wrong. However, we’re also supposed to provide them  a good example of what love is. How you should let people treat you and likewise how you should treat others.

The-Reos

That why I’m really making this year an opportunity to make my relationship a priority. I saw on Instagram where one woman made a challenge to have 50 dates with her husband in 2014 and took one photo at each one to record the memory. For us then sounds difficult, but I think it’s the best way to make my family even better in 2015.

For my husband and me,  traveling, just the two of us, has been the best way to get us to spend time together without distractions. From getting married on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, hitting the slopes in Whistler, or eating our weight in pasta throughout Tuscany,  we’ve made some big memories together. 

The-Reos

So to start off 2015 with a bang, I have a mega date travel date that you definitely want to enter for…an all-expense paid weekend trip to Cancun!

Cancun-Giveaway-ad

Sandy beaches, ocean waves, fresh daiquiris, and real-deal tacos are the best way to enjoy any day, especially together with your loved one!

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Italian Night In Date Night

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Disclaimer

I love the holidays, but after all the hustle and bustle of traveling, eating grandma’s stuffing and sleeping in beds other than my own, there’s nothing better than coming home to enjoy the comforts of my own house in front of the TV watching a movie, enjoying a glass of vino while biting into the perfect meal. For our family, Italian cuisine is the one we all love so if you are trying to make us all happy, it has to have pasta, bread or cheese it in.

Michael-Angelo-Italian-Night-In #ad


Too bad I’m not in the mood to cook for five hours to make marinara sauce, my famous lasagna or cut fresh noodles. However, a quick trip to the store and less than an hour in the oven, I can have the ideal Italian night in without the work.  And you can too with Michael Angelo’s.

Michael-Angelos-Entrees#Ad

As a third-generation Italian-American family, company founder Michael Angelo (yes, that really is his name) and his mother Sara loved entertaining and felt that the most memorable evenings can be held around the dinner table while eating copious amounts of delicious food. In honor of these simple, yet satisfying dining occasions, Michael Angelo has created quick, yet delicious dinner options based on family recipes that can warmed up in your oven and to your table in less than an hour. And best of all, the meals are made of 100% natural ingredients with NO preservatives just like you’d expect homemade should be.

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Even with the kids, we were able to enjoy a nice family evening playing Scopa, an Italian card game while nibbling on our antipasto platter I had made to start off the dinner’s events. We followed up with both the meaty lasagna and buttery  shrimp scampi (the gal at the grocery store had almost demanded I buy it because it was so good) and then followed by an Italian sweetie of canoli. We paired our meal with a light Rioja and finished the evening watching a very apropos A Roman Holiday. The evening may not have been just like dinner in Rome, but it was close to it in my living room in Texas.

Michael-Angelo-Roman-Holiday#ad

Want to enjoy your own “Roman Holiday” with Michael Angelo’s meals? You can with this incredible giveaway!

  • Voucher for 2 Michael Angelo’s Multi-Serve Entrees of your choice
  • $50 Walmart gift card to purchase side dishes, salad, dessert, or perhaps some Italian wine to accompany your Michael Angelo’s entrée
  • Ferrero Rocher Chocolates
  • Wine Bottle Opener & Charm Set
  • “Scopa: the Italian Card Game”
  • 2 DVDs of Italian Classics – Roman Holiday and Under the Tuscan Sun – to enjoy after dinner

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Michael-Angelo-Two-Thumbs-Up-#ad

Jackson Gives Michael Angelo’s Two Thumbs Up!

Winter Break Learning Fun at the Perot Museum

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DisclaimerAre you fretting what you will be doing with the kids after Christmas until school opens again in the new year? Never fear! There are many things to do in Big D including experiencing a whole new learning journey at the Perot Museum! Just take a look at some of the fun happening at this amazing museum – perfect for all ages! In celebration of its birthday and to thank visitors for two wonderful years, the Museum is offering a free hot cocoa with each purchase of a dessert in the Museum Café (offer valid Dec. 1 – Jan. 4).

Winter-Break-learning-Fun

Special Exhibit: 2theXtreme: MathAlive! (through Jan. 4, 2015)
Snowboard through a mountain pass, design your own video game, attempt an Ollie on a virtual skateboard, master engineer a modern city and capture a snapshot of yourself in 360-degrees. Then challenge a friend in a mountain bike race, jump into a ‘binary dance party,’ or program and control Curiosity, NASA’s next Mars rover. Those are just a few of the approximately 40 unique and interactive experiences offered up as this traveling exhibition brings to life the real math behind what kids love most – video games, sports, fashion, music, robotics and more. Innovative technologies and hands-on activities create interactive and immersive experiences that spark a passion for math and provide a formula for fun. 2theXtreme: MathAlive! is free for museum members and requires a surcharge along with purchase of general exhibits admission for non-members.


Robotics
By popular demand, the robot arena in the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall will get a fresh, expanded look come Dec. 6. The robotic stations will increase from 4 to 16, allowing more visitors, young and old, to “play and learn” a wider variety of activities including challenges and competitions, which will be refreshed on a regular basis. The Museum also is introducing new robot types, including those with wheels, tank tracks and grippers. Four stations will be dedicated to the hugely popular robot programming, and four preschooler stations will have lower, 24-inch tables to engage the youngest Einsteins in age-appropriate activities. An additional eight stations will give visitors an opportunity to compete in challenge-based activities such as “Freeze Tag” and “Clean Sweep.”

3D films in The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience
Don your 3D glasses and get ready for adventure in the Perot Museum’s 297-seat state-of-the-art digital theater. To view trailers and the film schedule, go to perotmuseum.org.)

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Live Winter Wonderland Demonstrations (daily Dec. 20 – Jan. 5)
Beginning Dec. 20, as part of the Perot Museum’s 2nd birthday celebration, Museum educators will roll-out special seasonal demonstrations that will run throughout the holiday season.

From live shows with cold habitat animals from the Dallas Zoo, to experiments with super-cold liquid nitrogen, the Perot Museum takes birthday festivities to a winter wonderland extreme:

  • Hear a winter tale read aloud at Story Time, daily 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (NOTE: Dec. 24 11:30 a.m. only)
  • Animal Adventures with the Dallas Zoo, Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1 and 2 p.m.
  • Fruit DNA Extraction, daily 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Extreme Freeze Liquid Nitrogen Demonstrations, daily 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.(NOTE: Dec. 24 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and no programs on Jan. 5)
  • Snow: Polymer Science, daily Dec. 26 – Jan. 3 at 5 p.m.
  • Science on the Spot featuring wintry demonstrations, daily 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

New Year Sleepover (Jan. 3 from 7:30 p.m.-8:30 a.m.)
Go behind the scenes at the Perot Museum with after-hours access to intriguing exhibits, exclusive demonstrations and hands-on discovery. And ring in 2015 with a special New Year’s film, plus count down the hours with New Year’s-themed crafts and science experiments. Every child gets a small winter plush bear toy to take home. A late-night snack and light breakfast round out the experience. Designed especially for children ages 6-12, sleepovers are $50 per child and $35 per adult chaperone. Registration closes Dec. 30.

EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS
NOTE: Special hours for Perot Museum members are from 8:30-10 a.m. Mondays through
Saturdays and from 10 a.m.-noon Sundays. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Wednesday, Dec. 24 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 26, and Saturday, Dec. 27 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28 (noon – 7 p.m.)
Monday, Dec. 29 – Tuesday, Dec. 30 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 31 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 1 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.)

TICKET PRICES
$15 for adults (18-64)
$12 for youth (12-17) and seniors (65+)
$10 for children (2-11)
Free for children under 2.
General exhibit hall admission is always free for members.

Admission to the theater is $5 for a short film (20 minutes) and $8 for a long film (40 minutes) for adults, students, seniors and children. For members, admission to the theater is $5 (short film) and $6 (long film). All children under 2 are free.

2theXtreme: MathAlive! is free for members. Non-members pay a surcharge along with purchase of general exhibits admission for a total admission cost of $21 for adults (18-64), $17 for youth (12-17) and seniors (65+), and $15 for children (2-11). All children under 2 are free.

Parking – Pricing is $8 per car when paid on-site (at box office, ticket kiosks or upon exiting the lot) and $3 for Museum members (at box office or lobby kiosk only).

Perot Museum
2201 N. Field Street
Dallas, Texas
214-428-5555
perotmuseum.org

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Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Service People

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It’s important to make sure to say thank you, but at the holidays it’s especially important to go the mile to let people who make your world rock like your kid’s teacher, postal worker, hairstylist and the nice neighbor down the street.

After much feedback from service works and caretakers, I’ve  learned a lot about what is right and what is wrong about gifting at the holidays.


Rules of gifting:

      • No candles or lotion with fragrance
      • No food
      • Love things that are homemade like something you or your child has made.
      • Doesn’t have to be expensive to be thoughtful!
      • It’s all about the presentation.

NEIGHBOR/HOSTESS

Breakfast basket (More great basket ideas using baked goods from your grocery store!)

Cookies from Tiff’s Treats warm cookie delivery (Download Free Printable/Editable Chalkboard Labels from LifeYourWay.net )

Jenny-Bread-Basket-Hostess-Gift

TEACHERS

Amazon gift card template Amazon gift card template (link to printable)

Target gift card template (Target gift card template (link to printable)

MAILCARIER

All gifts must be under $20 rule (Per USPS)

Chick-Fil-A Calendar (Only $10 on sale right now) Millionaire candy (with printable)

HAIR STYLIST/SALON

Sanitizer (printable)

Merry & Sprite (printable)

DOGWALKER/LAWNMOWER/HANDYMAN
Gloves (printable)

Starbucks gift card

BABYSITTER

“Mistle Toes” nail kit

Cash card (how-to video fold dollar bill into a tree)

Fox4-Gifts-for-Caregivers

Rule on Tipping: You can either be a tipper each time for your services at 20% or a full-cost of service at one time.

Win $25 gift card from Bakery Because  to make your own bakery-themed gift basket at your local grocery store and share your creation at #givebakery!

The Give Bakery Because it’s Gifting Made Delicious program encourages people to visit the bakery department of their local grocery store to find a variety of treats that can be gifted to all the special people in their lives. With simple creative packaging, a baked good can become a personalized (and delicious) gift. It’s simple, easy and affordable—no baking required!

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Follow Autumn Reo {mamachallenge.com}’s board HOLIDAYS: Gift Ideas on Pinterest.

Holiday Fun for Everyone at the Hilton Anatole’s Sparkle

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During the holidays is a great time for the family together and enjoy all the fun things to see and do – especially in Big D.

Sparkle-Outdoors

We have light amazing displays, a Santa that shoots fireworks as he backflips on an ice rink, roller coasters with snow sledding, and even millions of pounds of ice carved just like Frosty the Snowman. While they are all fun, there’s something to be said with all the work you go to for a few minutes of fun. Then there’s always the issue with trying to figure out what “thing” is going to make everyone happy all at the same place. And if you have little ones, waiting in line doesn’t make a good start to any outing.


Ice Rink-Anatole-Dallas

This weekend our family was able to enjoy a holiday staycation to enjoy SPARKLE, courtesy of the Hilton Anatole. The experience proved to be a great solution to getting the whole family in the holiday spirit!  Sparkle “Christmas at the Anatole” gives families exactly what they need: holiday fun for everyone in one place and all indoors!

MamaChallenge-Sparkle-Anatole

Best of all, you don’t have to spend the night to enjoy the magic of Sparkle! You can come to the event everyday with a new agenda of fun including:

  • Indoor Ice Skating Rink (skates included)
  • More Than 1.2 Million Holiday Lights
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundlets
  • Light Shows every half hour
  • Santa’s Hilltop Slide
  • Velcro Stocking Jump Wall
  • Live Holiday Shows from Le Theatre De Marionette
  • Storytelling by Rudolph
  • Bounce House Village
  • Food Trucks (prices additional)
  • Kids’ Crafts
  • Face Painting ($3)
  • Live Entertainment
  • Hockey Clinics for Kids
  • Origami by “Paper for Water”
  • Pictures with Santa (Saturdays & Sundays ONLY from 6-9 pm) – $10 each
  • Breakfast with Santa (Saturdays & Sundays ONLY)!

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For the complete daily schedule of all the fun (including pet friendly days, yuletide yoga and even some karaoke), click here.

The kids couldn’t have been happier all afternoon and then to snuggle up in our room for a family movie night in our Christmas PJs! Then we woke up to enjoy Breakfast with the Santa! (To follow all of our fun at Sparkle at the Hilton Anatole, follow MAMACHALLENGE on INSTAGRAM!

 

A photo posted by Mama Challenge (@autumnreo) on

SPECIALS NOT TO MISS: On weekdays, you can get one free kid’s admission ticket to #SparkleAtTheAnatole for each new, unwrapped toy donation. And right now, until Dec. 15, you can get 50% off your ticket to Sparkle when you use the code: MAMACHALLENGE! And you can also win a family four-pack to Sparkle on mamachallenge.com! (see below to enter!)

Sparkle-at-the-Anatole-MamaChallenge

SPARKLE! TICKET PRICING (excludes tax)

Adults 13- 64 $19.95 plus tax

Children 4 – 12 & Seniors 65+ $15.95 plus tax

Children 3 & Under Free

***Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent in Sparkle at all times.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA (Price includes breakfast with Santa, Sparkle! tickets and applicable sales tax)

Adults 13- 64 $39 Children 4 – 12 & Seniors 65+ $31 Children 3 & Under Free

Children 4 – 12 & Seniors 65+ $31Children 3 & Under Free

Children 3 & Under Free

Sparkle2014Logo_BasicLogo SPARKLE HOT LINE AND BREAKFAST WITH SANTA RESERVATIONS: 214-761-7814 or samantha.waugh@hilton.com. 

www.sparkleattheanatole.com


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While Sparkle runs until Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, you shouldn’t let this experience pass you by!

Mama Challenge’s Top Holiday Hot Toy List 2014

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Affiliate links included. This is not a sponsored post, but a carefully curated list of the best toys for your kiddos for 2014!

MamaChallenge-Holiday-Hot-Toy-List

 


What to give, What to give…it’s a question only Santa has the real answer for.

Until now.

I’ve scoured the Earth (and the Internet) looking for the best toys for girls and boys of all ages to get for Christmas this year.

Six Months – 1 Year
Fisher-Price Little People Musical Preschool
There’s so much to do at The Little People Musical Preschool—and toddlers are the ones that make it happen! They can make ‘bubble-bubble’ sounds come from the aquarium, make the dino roar, the hamster treadmill squeak, or send Eddie and Mia–and even the teacher figure down the slide. And when kids head for the rug and press the buttons, the whole place comes to life with lots more sounds, phrases and songs! More than 35 sounds, phrases and songs!
$25

Age 6– 12 months
Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce, Stride and Ride Elephant
The Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce Stride and Ride Elephant Toy is an ideal tool to help aid your child through the beginning stages of development through active play. This toy features vibrant colors that your child is certain to love looking at. The Fisher-Price elephant will allow your young one to bounce up and down, giving entertainment through physical movement. The toy will help steady baby’s steps. This musical elephant will also allow riding foot-to-floor. This elephant will make a wonderful friend for your young one to play with for hours at a time. The Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce Stride and Ride Elephant Toy will play lively music for your child to listen to.
This toy also offers colorful lights plus fun sounds and phrases. With its cute wobbly bumblebee, playtime is even more fun.
$50-$54

Age 2
My Custom Thomas and Friends Engine with Book
Exclusive to the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway website and catalog.
Is your little conductor energetic? Bashful? Or maybe he’s a little cheeky engine like Thomas? My Custom Engine gives him the opportunity to express his unique personality and join the world of Thomas with his very own customized engine and storybook— where he’s the featured hero! Choose your engine style, color and name and number
$35

Age 3+
Fisher-Price Thomas the Train – TrackMaster Avalanche Escape Set
Fast and powerful motorized engines that make for the most action-packed Thomas adventures of them all! In this play set watch as Thomas makes his way up a 30 degree incline before crossing an avalanche gap and racing down the other side. Redesigned TrackMaster engines feature enhanced power and performance, driving Thomas to greater speeds, taller heights and bigger adventures.
$64.99

Age 3-9
LeapFrog LeapPad3 Kids’ Learning Tablet
LeapPad3 is the high-performance, fun-packed Wi-Fi tablet that allows kids to learn and play in a way that’s just right for them. Access the most engaging learning library for kids’ tablets, with 1,000+ educator-approved games, apps, eBooks, videos and more. (Sold separately.)
With Wi-Fi and LeapSearch powered by Zui, children can explore kid-friendly web content that is 100% pre-screened and approved by learning experts. Features a lithium ion rechargeable battery, 4GB memory, parent controls, light-touch capacitive screen, two cameras and video recorders, and more.
$89.95

Age 3
The Happys
The Happy’s are an amazingly adorable and remarkably real line of interactive motorized plush pets! From doing tricks for Happy Treats to racing after their Chase & Play ball, The Happy’s really play with you! Just like real puppies and kittens, they love to spin, sit, pounce and play. Appealing to boys and girls, kids can even train The Happy’s to do more tricks with the interactive Happy Treats. The new, brightly colored Happy’s are in stores now and make the perfect gift for kids this holiday season!
$15-25

The Amazing Zhus
These mesmerizing mice have certainly cast their spell on kids of all ages and they’ve been performing their signature vanishing act on Walmart shelves everywhere. For their next trick, they’re going to be pulling some pretty amazing prizes out of their hats…holiday shopping sprees!
$25-$35

Age 3
Disney Frozen 2-in-1 Castle & Ice Palace Playset with Olaf
Inspired by the Disney film Frozen, this expandable 2-in-1, fashion doll play set opens to feature the beautiful manse in Arendelle that Anna calls home and the majestic ice palace Elsa resides in (dolls sold separately). Anna’s half of the play set is the perfect place for the loveable character to call home. Take the airy staircase upstairs where Anna can get ready at her vanity, complete with chair and perfume bottle. Elsa’s half features a massive room with her translucent blue “icy” throne, complete with a special spot to rest her scepter. Elsa stays beautiful with a vanity of her own, which doubles as a bed and has a beautiful printed blanket.
$119.99

Age 3
Bluebee Pals
Bluebee Pals is a huggable plush toy that sings, reads and answers phone calls. The advanced technology includes lip synchronization allowing the animal’s “mouth” to move while singing and reading your child’s favorite storybooks or learning apps. You can even surprise and entertain your family and friends when you use your Bluebee Pal as a wireless speaker phone! Bluebee Pals are available in 5 adorable characters: Leo the Lion, Lily the Lamb, Winston the Puppy, Riley the Zebra and Sammy the Bear. You can find Winston the Puppy at Toys ‘R Us this holiday season and the whole gang is available on www.bluebeepals.com.
$64.99

Age 3
Disney Princess Deluxe Talking Dolls
This Merida Deluxe Talking Doll Set will hit the bullseye with your Brave young princess. Twirl Merida’s hand to hear her recite lines from the movie. The set includes the three cubs plus her trusty bow and arrow and target. Characters available: Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Rapunzel (Tangled), Merida (Brave) and Tiana (Princess and The Frog).
$29.95

Age 3
Disney Store Star Wars Talking Action Figures
Lord Vader would like to have a word with you. The striking Sith has a Lightsaber in one hand and the other ready for a Force choke, so you may want to watch what you say around our fully articulated talking figure. Characters available: Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.
$29.95 (on sale for $20)

Age 4
Jada Toys Sofia and Walking Minimus R/C Vehicle
Explore the land with Disney’s Princess Sofia the First and her horse Minimus R/C. With you, Sofia and Minimus can do anything! Minimus’ wings flap as he walks
Fun audible dialog between Sophia and Minimus
$34.99

Age 4
Big Hero 6 Baymax Rocket Fist + Mask Combo
Put the power of Baymax in your hands with the Baymax Rocket Fist. Easy reloading and fun launching up to 10 feet in distance – and soft material on the fist makes it safe, and fun to play!
$19.99

Age 4
Big Hero 6 11″ Deluxe Flying Baymax with 4.5″ Hiro Action Figures
Large and in-charge, this massive Baymax is ready to fly into battle using all his great
weapons and features. Towering at 11” inches with a soaring 18-inch wingspan, the Deluxe Flying Baymax features 20 points of articulation, multiple lights, sounds and other fun features such as a launching rocket fist. Baymax comes with a 4.5” Hiro Hamada figure, which when attached to Baymax’s back unlocks additional flying sounds that vary.
$59.99

Age 5
Barbie Endless Curls Doll
Barbie® always delivers the very best in hair play and this year is no exception. With three different types of no-heat curling tools (two irons and a set of traditional rollers) girls can easily create countless styling possibilities, transforming Barbie® doll’s hair without heat or water
$24.99

Age 5
Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye Fairy
A WALMART ‘CHOSEN BY KIDS’ TOY! Flutterbye Fairies can really fly and now they even light up the sky! The Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye Fairy Doll magic is brighter than ever before with rainbow lights that shine as she soars. Just give your Flutterbye a gentle whirl to see rainbow lights and skirts that twirl! By pressing the button on her decorative base, she will magically lift off into fairy flight. Guide the flutterbye fairy toy rainbow movement as she floats just inches over the palm of your hand. If you raise your hand gently, she will fly higher. Lower your hand and she will follow your lead. Your Flutterbye Fairy’s beautiful dress is surrounded by a colorful aura of rainbow light. Delight in the Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye Fairy Doll magical glow as she glides around your room! Only Flutterbye Fairies can bring the magical experience of real fairy flight to life!
$39.97 (on sale for $25.00 online)

Age 5
Zoomer Dino
Control him if you can! Boomer is the incredible Zoomer Dino Toy that only you can tame! With real dinosaur movements, sounds and incredible dino-sense abilities, Dino can detect when you’re nearby and interacting with him. But watch out! Just like a real Dino he can get angry, spin around, chomp and roar! Using True Balance Technology, Boomer perfectly balances on two wheels as he roams freely, exploring your home. Use your hands or the included controller to tame his Dino nature and build your friendship. But, don’t make him mad by pulling his tail! He doesn’t like it! He might even let out dino-sized burps and farts! Become a true dino master and control him if you can with Zoomer Dino!
$79.88

Age 5-12
Orbeez Body Spa
Need a little ‘me’ time? Just imagine what it’s like to sit in a luxurious room chair full of the soothing softness of Orbeez! It’s an Orbeez fantasy come true! Ahh… sink into the calming comfort of the Orbeez Body Spa and recharge! The perfect holiday gift for young girls, the sophisticated Body Spa chair comes with 6,000 comforting Orbeez and a vibration device help her relax and melt the day away! Use the chair anytime, and add the Orbeez for a special spa touch!
$49.99

Age 6
Uncle Milton Jedi Telescope Star Wars Science Kit
Kids can tap into their mystical energies with the Jedi Telescope, a 2– in-1 telescope with a Star Wars image viewer. The Jedi Telescope provides kids the opportunity to see the Star Wars planets up close AND use the telescope to see real stars and planets in their own night sky! The Jedi Telescope operates like a real telescope and features built-images of Star Wars planets. The Jedi Telescope includes educational material about planets and spacecraft in Star Wars and the real world.
$29.99

Age 8
American Girl Isabelle “Girl of the Year”
Meet Isabelle, our Girl of the Year! She’s an inspired dancer who discovers her own way to shine. The 18″ Isabelle doll has sparkling hazel eyes that open and close, and long blond hair styled in double-twists for dance class. Your girl can even add a pop of color with special pink-tipped highlights that she can attach to Isabelle’s hair! Share the wonder of the holidays! From November 24, 2014 to December 18, 2014, for every American Girl doll purchased, American Girl will donate one 18-inch doll to Children’s Hospital Association.
$120

Age 8
Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote Control Flying Car
Expand your little one’s toy collection with this Orange/Blue Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote-Control Flying Car. Kids can live the thrill of seeing it take to the skies and fly with this versatile unit. The Hot Wheels remote-control car offers a cool combination of on-ground R/C performance, including proportional ground steering, and the aerial performance of a plane. It is durable and lightweight, allowing it to perform impressive aerial maneuvers and fly up to 150′ in the air. The two-in-one flying car toy promises enough action to keep your child excited and interested. Flying car toy can soar up to 150′ in the air!
$50

Age 8
SpruKits Halo The Master Chief Action Figure Model Kit, Level 2
SprüKits, the new poseable action figure model kits require NO no glue, scissors or paint. SprüKits are designed with the most advanced injection molding technology available, parts snap together without glue, paint or scissors, as is typically expected in a model kit. For beginners to those seeking an intense challenge, three different levels offer construction play for all skills with increased complexity and build time, delivering a larger figure with sharper details, increased articulation and poseability. From
Batman, Superman, and the Joker, in total there are 13 characters from DC Comics, Microsoft’s Halo® and TV Tokyo’s mega hit LBX franchise.
$19.99

Age 8
Make Your Case – Case Maker
Create and design two real cell phone cases or design one of the four ready-made cases to match every mood and outfit! How does it work? Simple. Push the plunger into the Case Maker and fill your mold with your chosen color. Once the mold has set, you can bling a selfie, decorate your pet or favorite musician’s picture or more. Compatible with iPod Touch 5, iPhone 4/4s, iPod Touch 5/5c/5s and Samsung S3/4. Also comes with gems, stickers and design sheets.
$24

Ages 6+ 
Skyalanders Trap Team Starter Pack for XboxOne, $54.99

Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Superheroes Starter Pack for PS4, $74.99

GameStop is THE PLACE to help holiday shoppers find and purchase their favorite gaming and tech items affordably and simply.
This season GameStop has deals for the gift-givers and gamers alike, from new consoles to your favorite tech items.

They also have deals on games of all kinds and for all systems for EVERYONE in the family. You can save as much as $30 on some titles! And you know what’s really hot this year? Games that feature interactive figures like Skylanders, Disney Infinity and Nintendo’s just released amiibo (uh-mee-boh). GameStop has deals on them all. And because we know that shoppers want to stretch their dollars – GameStop has a buyback program, a PowerUp Rewards credit card and a layaway option. They can match your buys with your budget and give you the best shopping experience.

You can check out the GameStop Holiday Hub for more information about deals and products.

And for the gamesters: 

Ages 10+
Jenga Giant Wood Stacking Game
The classic Jenga game, but MUCH BIGGER and can stack to over 3 feet high. Sturdy box for easy storage and transport.
$110

Ages 8+
Rummikub
The original fast-moving, family-fun tile game. Each player starts with 14 tiles displaying a number ranging from 1 to 13 in four colors. Tiles must be placed on the table in sets of either “Groups” or “Runs” Be the first player to eliminate all the tiles from your rack to win!
$17.99

Ages 4+
Barbecue Party Game
It’s Barbecue Party, the game that decides who will be grill master or dinner disaster! Choose your card to see what you get to put on the grill for dinner, but watch out! This temperamental grill may jump, causing all the food to fall off. The winner is the first player to get 3 items off the grill before the food takes a spill. 2 or more players.
$24.99

Ages 4+
Jumping Jack Game
Kids will jump for joy when they meet Jumping Jack, the world’s cutest bunny! Spin the spinner to see how many carrots you get to pick from Jack’s bunny hill, but don’t make him jump! If Jumping Jack jumps out of his hole on your turn, be sure to catch him. If he’s not caught, then whoever has the most carrots wins the game. 2-4 players.
$24.99

Ages 7+
Wordsearch
The race is on with Wordsearch! The game is played on a uniquely designed circular board that rotates as you search for new words. The first player to find the selected word marks it with colored tiles. With twists and turns that allow you to remove words found by your competitors, this fast paced game will have you searching for the win! Game includes 20 different word search puzzles and is good for years of fun.
$24.99

Ages 4+
Wordsearch Junior Game
Wordsearch Junior is the sequel to the popular Wordsearch! game. The Junior version teaches kids reading, spelling, matching and sportsmanship while providing hours of exciting fun! With three different learning levels, children as young as age 4 can join in the fun by matching patterns and can then move up to words with picture hints, while older children can play with word-only clues. Game includes 6 matching pattern puzzles, 6 picture hint puzzles and 6 word-only puzzles for years of learning and fun.
$24.99

Ages 3+
Elf on The Shelf Hide and Seek Game
The Elf on the Shelf is hidden but the music that you hear will help you find him. Someone hides Elf and then everyone tries to find him! The first player that does, gets to put a gift in their sleigh and the first player to get 3 gifts in their sleigh wins!
$14.99

All Ages
Springfree Trampoline
Considered the “World’s Safest Trampoline, Springfree’s one-of-a-kind design eliminates 90 percent of the impact areas on traditional trampolines by replacing the springs, frame and rigid enclosure with fiber-glass rods, a soft-edge, and flexible enclosure. Springfree was created by an engineer and father of three, Dr. Keith Alexander, following 14 years of injury prevention research. With 10 minutes of jumping on the trampoline equivalent to a 30 minute run, so it’s a fun way for the whole family to enjoy exercise. At Springfree they’ll take care of everything from delivery to installation and with three locations with Plano, Frisco and NOW Southlake, they’ll make Christmas a cinch!
$1,449

But where’ giving one away to one lucky person!

(Winner must live in the DFW delivery area for installation OR pick item up from one of three DFW SpringFree locations.)

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Be on Santa’s List Each Monday with $500 Christmas Shopping Spree {Giveaway}

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SponsoredPostDisclaimer

Right now my life is all about lists.

Lists of what the kids want for Christmas. Lists for what I’m getting for relatives. Lists of all the things I haven’t done yet that have to be complete before the end of the year.


But the one list that is on the bottom of the pile is MY LIST. The things I’d love to have if there weren’t bills, kid wants, and responsibilities in the way. You know MAMA’S SANTA LIST.

Santa-List

And I’m not talking like a million dollars – I mean $500 to do what I wanted with no regrets or obligations except for me to enjoy them.

Right now you can enter to win your own $500 Christmas Shopping Spring!

Every Monday in December a new winner will win a $500 Visa Gift Card!

Shave the Date: Movember Ends Nov. 30 {Giveaway}

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The handle bar.

The pencil thin.

The Pizza Inn.


Actually, I can go on for days of all the different kinds of mustaches that you’ve probably seen this month throughout Movember.

Some of them good. Some of them not so good.

Movember

Started  as an effort in Austraila in 2013, Movember has grown to a 21-country effort that in 2013 had more than 219,000 participants and raised more $23 million. And let’s not even begin to count all the amount of hair that was cut when it was over.

However, it’s not really about the beards.  Remember Movember is about getting men to talk about men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.

But when it’s all said and done…thankfully many men will take it off (we hope) and The Boardroom is ready to help us all do it in style.  A proud supporter of Movember, Nov. 29 & 30,  men will receive 50 percent off an Express Shave with a $5 donation to the Movember Foundation.  The Boardroom is also hosting a ‘Celebrate Movember’ contest, offering Facebook fans the opportunity to win free weekly mustache trims and a free Benchmark haircut service. For each contest entry received, Boardroom will donate $10 to the Movember Foundation.

Movember

With 12 locations in DFW, including: Dallas, Addison, Las Colinas, Plano, Frisco, Fort Worth, Southlake and Highland Village, the Boardroom Salon for Men was created to provide a cool, comfortable, masculine place for men to get a great haircut, shave, facial or other spa service – the ultimate relaxed grooming experience for men.

But I’m making sure for one lucky man is rewarded for his moustache-growing with either a free Benchmark haircut or a free Hot Lather Shave (both valued at $55). What a great gift for that special man!  

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Move Over Elf on a Shelf…Roaming Reindeers are Here! {Giveaway}

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I was provided a complimentary copy for purposes of this review. However, my comments here are all my own. Affiliate link is included. 

I could spend all night looking at those Elf on the Shelf ideas on Babies Rabies. Unfortunately, I can’t keep up the pace of the creative ideas on a daily basis or add one more thing to my “after the kids go to bed” list.

Thankfully, another mom felt the same pressure and gave us parents another alternative to the Elf.


Roaming-Reindeer-Kit-Horizontal

Angela Meju’s Christmas keepsake and children’s book, Roaming Reindeer™, is a tale celebrating teamwork, good manners and the holiday season, and serves as a fresh, new Christmas tradition for families and classrooms around the country.

Roaming Reindeer™ is centered on Gus and Sam, two of Santa’s reindeer, who decide to help Santa by visiting little girls and boys to report back on who is naughty and who is nice.

When the pair realize there isn’t enough time to visit all of the children, they call on their friends for help. The reindeers are sent off in pairs of two and are assigned a home to visit. Reindeer 1 is in charge of going back to Santa to report naughty children while Reindeer 2 stays to keep watch.

Roaming-Reindeer-Kit-Insider

The gift box set comes in a keepsake box which includes a Reindeer 1 and Reindeer 2. They stay in one place in the home together – until the kids are naughty, so Reindeer 1 leaves to give Santa a report. Children and siblings will keep a close eye to make sure their reindeer stay together until Christmas Eve, when they leave to help Santa deliver presents—until returning next year to keep watch! Retail cost is $34.95 and is available at Amazon. 

Roaming-Reindeer-Kit

Author Angela Meju is a nurse who currently lives in Austin with her husband and two children. She was inspired to write Roaming Reindeer™ to create her own Christmas tradition with her children, whose excitement and anticipation of Santa’s arrival grows every year.

Win your Roaming Reindeer Kit!

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