QuirkyFusion

K’NEX Brand Waxes Nostalgic with KISS and Yellow Submarine Figures

Christy — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:08 +0000

I didn’t grow up with K’NEX; the brand launched when I was in my 20′s. But for some reason, it feels like a toy I played with growing up. In fact, I think K’NEX appeals to adults, as well as kids, due to the ability to build large, complex motorized sets, such as roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, and – the set I want – a 6+ft tall working grandfather clock. So, it’s both surprising and natural that K’NEX has begun a focus on creating small figures that will have the most appeal to the parents and grandparents of young K’NEX fans. The two that have caught my eye are The Beatles Yellow Submarine figures shown on the left and the KISS figures shown below.

The K’NEX buildable figure packs including KISS and The Beatles members each have four band members, instruments, and a package that doubles as a themed stage. The sets are aimed at ages 5+ and will be available at Target.com and knex.com in the fall. No word yet on pricing.

I imagine these sets will be pretty popular with music fans, and collectors this holiday season!

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Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2012 Family Highlights

Christy — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

I could write a novel about the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration this year. I had an absolutely amazing time, and so did my family. I have more coverage to come, but here are some of the highlights for the kids. It’s not surprising, given their mom, but my kids just love Walt Disney World.

Make your own digital scrapbook

Disclosure: We attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at our own cost. Lodging, park tickets, and other amenities were included in the registration fee at a significantly reduced rate.

The Real Victims in the "Mommy Wars"

Christy — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:31:37 +0000

Last night, I enjoyed an evening with some amazing women as we celebrated National Mom’s Nite Out. These ladies are smart, savvy, and have a diverse range of parenting styles. They are members of Boston Parent Bloggers, where we mingle reasonably happy with each other without worrying who is breastfeeding, babywearing, co-sleeping, homeschooling, avoiding screen time, using time outs, working from home, working out of the home, or focused entirely on family and home. Sure, it comes up, and members may bond more over their like-minded choices, but unlike the media would have you believe, we’re not a divided camp. We support each other and the choices we make.

Parenting columnist Barbara Meltz was just wrapping up her discussion of protecting our children’s privacy. She was sharing her experiences with her own son who was uncomfortable when he felt her public parenting advice too closely mirrored their experiences at home. She asked us to think twice before sharing our kids names and photos. I (privately) chatted with her before her talk as she had noticed that I use pseudonyms on my blog. I have thought about these very issues, and have come to the decision that I’m comfortable sharing pictures (but not all pictures), but not names. It is certainly a question of safety, but more a question of respecting my children and the telling of their stories. After Barbara fielded some questions, one of the attendees asked about a newly released Time Magazine cover with an article called, "Are You Mom Enough?" I am deliberately NOT linking to that story here because just the title alone displays a pathetic attempt at sensationalist "reporting," but it is a piece about attachment parenting and Dr. Sears.

I have not read the article, honestly, but I have spent the past day feeling angry and sad about the situation. I’ve seen response after response to the article from parents who are militantly pro-breastfeeding, parents who think co-sleeping is a crime, parents who think attachment parenting is for whack jobs, and parents who think that not following attachment parenting is child abuse. Most of the actual blog posts are bashing the continued media drama over "mommy wars" and the idea that there is one correct way to parent. And I agree with that. Enough already. But, who cares? Because all I can think about is that cover image: an attractive young mom in skinny jeans and a tank top with nipple bared. Next to her, standing on a stool, is her 3-year old son (who, coincidentally, looks much older), staring at the camera while sucking on her breast. She’s got one arm wrapped around him as she stares defiantly at the camera. His arms hang by his sides. And in all of this passionate debate about the "right" way to parent, all I keep wondering is, who thought this was a good idea? Who thought that this little boy would be OK with this if he was old enough to make an informed decision? And why is it OK to use an innocent child as a grenade in a non-existent battle for the best parenting award?

Regardless of your feelings on long-term breastfeeding, at some point, don’t you have to wonder how this kid will feel when his friends see this picture? Can you imagine a picture of yourself (especially a boy) at 3 years old sucking on your mother’s breast being circulated around your high school? And whether or not you think breast feeding is a sexual act, I can guarantee that there are some very happy pedophiles out there today with this new picture in their inventory. It’s not a natural pose they’re standing in, unless she normally has her son pull a stool up to her chest for a snack. The bottom line is that this kid is being exploited. He’s being exploited by his mother to make a statement, and by Time Magazine to garner page views.

The ongoing battles we insist on fighting about the right way to parent are a waste of time. There is no right way to parent, as it’s an individual relationship that exists between the adult and the child, made only more unique by overall family dynamics. I have only two children, but they are as different as night and day. As such, I parent them differently. I discipline them differently. And I love them differently. And because I love them so very much, I strive to do no harm. I fail on a regular basis, when I lose my temper or run out of time or put my work before them. I do the best I can. So that is why I can say without judgment that while this mom undoubtedly adores her little boy, she failed him. She made a bad choice that will haunt him, and most likely her, as they move into the future. What saddens me is she that failed him in the very act of defending her way of loving him. In a seemingly blind effort to prove that her way is good and right (why should we ever have to prove that to anyone other than our children?), it seems that she may have missed the bigger, long-term view.

So, here’s the deal, fellow moms. In honor of Mother’s Day, can we stop placing public judgment on our varied parenting choices? Because when we hurt a fellow mom, we hurt a child. When we lower the self-esteem of another mom, she will undoubtedly pass that insecurity along to her children. And when we’re pushed to defend our parenting approaches, sometimes it’s the people we love most who are hurt in the crossfire. I think there’s a little boy who has just been caught in the crossfire thanks to Time Magazine. Hopefully, he’ll be able to heal from the injury.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with an Odyssey Early Brunch Cruise

Christy — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:54 +0000

It’s not always easy to find a special way to celebrate mom on Mother’s Day. She doesn’t always need anything, and getting together can mean a lot of work for everyone involved. That’s why I’m excited for this particular giveaway. I’ve got two sets of four tickets (each set has tickets for two adults and two kids) for the Mother’s Day Early Brunch Cruise on the Odyssey. Here are the details for the cruise on May 13:

Boards at 9:30am from Rowe’s Wharf and cruises 10-12pm. This cruise features an extensive brunch buffet menu, a jazz duo for entertainment and spectacular skyline views on the inner and outer Boston Harbor. This particular cruise also includes one complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa for adults over 21, a flower for mom, balloon artist, goodie bags, ice cream sundae bar and open soda/juice bar for kids. The all-inclusive price per person is $85.03, children are $44.32.

Winning is easy. Just leave me a comment below telling me one word you’d use to describe your mom, or being a mother in general. Don’t forget to enter your info into the Rafflecopter Widget. We’re on a tight turnaround on this giveaway, so make sure to keep an eye on your email on Thursday for my winner notification. Please reply ASAP. I’ll then pass your info along to the sponsor who will send you an email confirmation for your prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This prize is offered by Entertainment Cruises. I have received no compensation and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Happy Mother’s Day from The Meat House (Giveaway!)

Christy — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:47:12 +0000

When I was first introduced to The Meat House, I envisioned a butcher shop where I’d pick out choice cuts of meat under the guidance of an expert butcher. That’s not quite how things went down.

I was greeted with some of the highlighted items of the day, including samples. In case you can’t tell, this is a lovely assortment of fresh-baked biscotti. There were plenty of other samples scattered around the store. Dangerous.

The Meat House carries an array of imported items, including these gorgeous beverages. You’ll see later that I just couldn’t resist the French Lorina Pink Citrus Lemonade. And, although it’s ridiculously pricey, I will be stocking up on a few bottles when I return. For special occasions, of course. They also have pastas and other items from around the world.

Despite the appeal of the imported goodies, I was even more impressed by their support of local businesses. As you can see, they stock a wide assortment of Stonewall Kitchen items. They also have some cookies from Dancing Deer. But I was most excited about the treats from even smaller local bakeries, one of which is nut-free. Yay! The Meat House carries plenty of gluten free and sugar-free items, too.

Now, as fun as the desserts are, this is really a shop for those who love to cook. Here you can see the Borsari seasonings. The Meat House carries an assortment of sea salts, some beautiful vegetables, fresh-baked breads, condiments, spreads, and, of course, plenty of meats. I opted for their special Maple Bourbon marinated steak tips, which were just as delicious as the name suggests.

Here’s my final haul and every bit of it was delightful. I definitely want more of the tips, the Lorina soda, and that Mitchell’s Buffalo Dip I picked up for my husband, but ended up devouring with pita chips. I will admit that the items are pricier than you’d pay in a regular store, but you do pay a premium for gourmet items. Hopefully my Buffalo Dip and Pink Citrus Lemonade addictions won’t end in financial ruin!

Right about now, you’re probably drooling, or jealous, or both. Don’t worry. I’m not that mean. The Meat House wants to give one of my readers a special Mother’s Day Gift – a $75 gift card! The Meat House is located primarily in the Northeast US, but has some other locations as well. Please take a moment to make sure they’re close enough to you.

Ready to enter? Leave me a comment and let me know what item you think you’d HAVE to buy (don’t forget to enter on the widget). You can see more of their standard products on their website if you want to daydream about spending your $75 gift card. Keep in mind that because so many of their items are locally sourced, you may find a different selection in your local shop than I found in mine.

*Due to a technical glitch, this giveaway has been extended by 24 hours.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: We received a gift card from The Meat House to facilitate this review. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

We’re Going to Disney World for Disney Social Media Moms

Christy — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:07:00 +0000

We’re off to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and I am so incredibly excited. I had the pleasure of attending the first Celebration in 2010, but wasn’t able to bring the family. This year, we’re all going and I know the kids are going to have a fantastic time. Disney knows how to throw a party!

We held off telling the kids until I was just too excited to wait another moment. It was Easter afternoon and we had just enjoyed dinner together. We had started with a really nice day and everyone was in a good mood…

I don’t know what I expected, but that wasn’t it. And if you were busy watching Bug try to figure out when we were going and how long we’d be there, watch it again with an eye on LadyBug.

Disclosure: We are attending the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at our own cost. Lodging, park tickets, and other amenities are included in the registration fee at a significantly reduced rate.

Foodler Online Restaurant Delivery Service Review

Christy — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:30:10 +0000

When I move to a new home, I’m a bit obsessive about finding places nearby that deliver or have unique food options. We’ve been living here almost 8 years and I’m still on the hunt for great takeout. Foodler is one way to not only discover places in your area, but to place orders online.

When you arrive at the Foodler.com website, you enter your zip code and start searching. The site can display the closest restaurants on a map, or list them by cost, rating, distance, or delivery fee. Each restaurants has a full menu, including top rated and most popular food items. You can choose the food you want, schedule a delivery or pick up days in advance, and pay for the order (with or without tip) all on the website or through your mobile device. If the restaurant doesn’t deliver to you, you can place an order for pick up.

You may be wondering why you’d use Foodler rather than just calling the store directly. Submitting your order online can help avoid any mistakes that could happen in a noisy restaurant environment. Foodler also offers specials, and you can earn "FrequentFoodler Points" that can be redeemed for prizes or even free food. You can give gift cards and your recipient will be able to choose their favorite food.

Your choices with Foodler will depend on your location. We don’t have any food delivery options, but my favorite Indian food place is available for take out. I placed an order for my birthday dinner using FoodlerBucks, which are like credits on your account. I earned an instant rebate for my first order with the restaurant (more FoodlerBucks to use on my next order!) as well as FrequentFoodler Points. I was able to select a time for the food to be ready and pay for the order online. My husband picked up the food on the way home.

If I’m being honest, I don’t love the actual website. It feels a bit old-school. But other than that, I was pretty impressed. There’s even an option to do a group order. You invite guests, everyone places their own order, and then it is delivered as one order. Everyone gets their share of points, too. Since you can plan ahead, I think this is a great option for a game or movie night with friends.

If you live near a metropolitan area, I’d recommend trying Foodler. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and it’s easy to use.

Disclosure: I received an allowance of FoodlerBucks to try the service through my relationship with Boston Parent Bloggers. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Polenta Traffic Light Treats with Country Crock

Christy — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:40:59 +0000

This post is sponsored by Country Crock. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

It’s no secret among my friends that I love entertaining. I enjoy getting together with friends and family, and I like being a host. The problem is that I also love baking, but feel like I need to serve healthier options, especially when kids are involved. When Country Crock reached out to me with some absolutely adorable recipes via the Clare Crespo Cookbook, I knew it was an opportunity to make something with vegetables that still allowed me to have some fun.

We were doing a Pixar-themed party, so I immediately decided on the polenta traffic lights as an homage to Cars. They’re easy and cute and seemed like something my family would eat.

The ingredients are very simple: Country Crock spread, red/green/yellow bell peppers, a roll of polenta (I found it in the case with the refrigerated pasta and sauces near the deli), and some fresh rosemary. The Country Crock spread has fewer calories and less saturated fat than butter, so it’s an easy way to keep the recipe on the lighter side. The polenta itself is fat free (it’s made from corn meal). You slice the polenta the long way into four pieces. Shave a bit off each of the end pieces so they lie flat. Wash the peppers and remove the sides/rib. You want to cut small circles (1 1/2"-2") in each of them. I used a medicine cup (well washed, of course) to cut the circles.

The recipe has you mixed salt/pepper/herbs in with the Country Crock and then spread them on the polenta. I had selected an herbed polenta to start with, so I just put Country Crock on it and on the back of the peppers. Arrange the peppers in traffic light fashion (red, yellow, green). If you haven’t mixed in the herbs, sprinkle with rosemary at this point. Bake for about 30 minutes in a 400 degree oven. The polenta will start to turn golden brown around the edges.

We served the dish with some warm marinara sauce which was pretty good. I sampled some of the polenta without and liked how crispy it was around the edges. It was a cute way to integrate a healthier snack into the theme of the party. The cookbook has all kinds of adorable recipes. My favorite was a mushroom gnome, but I was pretty sure no one was going to eat a mushroom, no matter how cute he looked. There’s also a wagon made out of an eggplant. I have one in the fridge, because I’m dying to try it out.

Are you looking for quick and simple tips and recipes to make serving veggies more fun? Download the free Clare Crespo Cookbook here for fun and whimsical recipes your family is sure to love!

Day 5 – Win Yummy Treats from Cakes for Occasions

Win Tickets to Disney on Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey

Christy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:58:06 +0000

It’s no secret that I enjoy Disney on Ice, as we’ve reviewed several of the shows and given away tickets, as well. Over April vacation, we’ll be attending Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey, which covers some old-school Disney including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch, Peter Pan, and 101 Dalmatians. I can’t wait. These are great movies that my kids love, but aren’t particularly scary. Yay!

We’ve also got some tickets to give away for the April 19th 7pm show at the DCU Center in Worcester . Four to be specific. And they’re really good seats. Plus, they’re with us. =}

To enter, leave a comment below telling me which of the Disney movies mentioned above you’re most excited about in the show. Don’t forget to add your info to the Rafflecopter widget.

Also f that date doesn’t work for you, I’ve also got some special kid ticket offers:

1^st Offer: Kids Tickets $10 – Friday Night: Ticketmaster | Disney On Ice | Kids Tickets $10
2^nd Offer: Kids Tickets $10 – Saturday Night: Ticketmaster | Disney On Ice | Kids Tickets $10

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: We received a family four-pack of tickets as well. We received no other compensation and the opinions contained in this post are my own.

Healthy Babies: Taking Things for Granted

Christy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:12:33 +0000

Last week I had an ultrasound done at a local hospital (and, no, I’m not pregnant). I’ve had more than a dozen done over the past few years with two at-risk pregnancies and various other things that crop up. The ultrasound tech was a student, and it just may have been her first ultrasound on a living person because she didn’t really seem to know what she was doing. Her instructor was very involved and I endured some extra prodding and waiting as they walked through every step of the process. This somehow distracted me from the fact that this is the very same room I was in when they had to look for a heartbeat after I started bleeding in my pregnancy with Bug.

After the ultrasound, I asked to use the bathroom. When they brought me to the door, I hesitated, but it was once I was inside with the door closed that I started to hyperventilate. I remembered that room. I remembered finding the first of many blood clots in the toilet due to my sub-chorionic hematoma. I remember yelling that I had just lost the baby. And I remember my aunt, a nurse at the hospital, hugging me and assuring me that it was going to be OK.

I took a moment to calm my breathing while staring in the mirror at the person I’ve become since that day. A mom, among other things. And then I closed my eyes and pictured Bug’s face, proof that my nightmares from the past had not come true. I thought of Bug and LadyBug, playing together, fighting together, testing my patience. I think I healed a little more on that day by unintentionally facing that place, although I hope I never stand in that room again.

Later, as I went to visit my mom who was recuperating in a room upstairs, I passed the old maternity ward where both kids were born. That made me smile. Those were the good memories. Seeing my mom, who was one of the few people who really understood the trauma of my first pregnancy, brought tears to me eyes. I think they were, in part, tears of relief that I don’t need to revisit that time again.

Thinking back on both the stress of my pregnancies and the anxiety of the hospital visit last week, I want to remind people again to not take healthy pregnancies and babies for granted. It’s certainly of no help to anyone to spend your pregnancy worried about all of the things that can go wrong, but I do urge people to notice the things that go well. And to truly celebrate hearing the heartbeat for the first time, seeing your baby via ultrasound, and each healthy check-up you have. Enjoy those moments for yourself, but also for those who can’t have them.