Disney on Ice - Let's Celebrate!

So, we see a lot of Disney shows. I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in a program from Mom Central and Feld Entertainment, and my family has received many a free ticket.

This week, we went to the Let's Celebrate show here in St. Louis. And it is by far the best live Disney show I've seen.

Not only did we celebrate unbirthdays with Alice in Wonderland...
Not only did we celebrate Christmas and Valentine's day...
Not only did we see every.single.Princess, even the newest Princess Tiana...
Not only did we see Buzz and Jessie and Woody...
And Tinkerbell was there...

But we also celebrated Halloween with Jack Skellington and all the Disney villans! That one act had to be my favorite by far. The music was great, the skating was great, the action was great. And how often do you get to see all those villans together? Cruella DeVille, Jafar, the Evil Queen and witch from Snow White, Captain Hook, and plenty of goblins made for a very fun scene.

Of course, Evie's face lit up at the sight of the Princesses. That had to be the best moment of the night, just watching her face, mouth in an "O." She danced and clapped and sang along. Just perfect - BURST!

You can still purchase tickets to Let's Celebrate for this weekend's performances. Click here, and use coupon code MOM in the MC Promotion box to get four tickets for $44.

Zhu Zhu Pets

Zhu Zhu Hamsters from Jim Britton on Vimeo.

Have you heard of Zhu Zhu Pets? Picture cute, cuddly, energetic little hamsters - without the mess and fuss of a live pet. You can see them in action at our house in the video above.

A few months ago, Mom Select offered to send me a Zhu Zhu Pets party pack. It included eleven of the little hamsters, plus a hamster habitat. And what did I have to do in return? Host a party to give them away! So I happily agreed.

The enormous Box O' Hamsters arrived during nap time one day, but Evie and Chris tore into it when she woke up. Right away, Evie fell in love with her hamster. She squealed as it zoomed around the kitchen floor and yelled "Oh, no!" when it darted under the sofa. We met my family for dinner later in the evening, and she insisted on taking her new pet with us! And the next morning when we woke up, she headed into the living room and began playing with him again. Seriously, this little guy has kept her occupied way more than the average toy.

And the hamster habitat we received was cool, too. It included a funhouse, tunnel and wheel, ramp and spiral slide, adventure ball, surfboard and sleep dome, U-turn ramp and skateboard, and a hamster car and garage. Somehow, the hamsters know what room of the habitat they are in, and make appropriate noises - like snoring in the sleeping dome.

The entire habitat is easy to set up, but pretty large. We had to move our kitchen table to make room for it! But you can choose the pieces that work for you, creating a customized home for your Zhu Zhu pets. Everyone's favorite accessory seemed to be the car (kids and parents both flipped for this one.) I thought the adventure ball was the best. Watching Evie's pet zip around in it made me remember the hamster I had as a child. Plus, it stopped him from getting stuck under the couch!

The party was great! It was so much fun to watch the kids playing with the hamsters and habitat. Everyone took a pet home, and I've received great feedback. One of our little friends still sleeps with his hamster in a shoe box next to his bed! (Mental note: the pet bed and blanket would make a great Christmas gift for him!)

Since our party, my sister watched a news story that Zhu Zhu pets are going to be THE hot item this Christmas. And they're already among the top hot-selling toys on Amazon.com. After trying them ourselves, I know why!

Oh, and special thanks to my friend Jim Britton for shooting and editing the video of our party!

Four Days of Giveaways - St. Louis Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Zing Zang Zoom

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages - the circus is coming to town!

St. Louis will be hosting Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's show Zing Zang Zoom at the Scottrade Center. The performance is a mix of magic and traditional circus arts, so you shouldn't be surprised if a four-ton elephant disappears before your eyes! Tigers and elephants and Arabian horses will join human performers like human cannonballs and highwire acts to delight and amaze you. It promises to be The Greatest Show on Earth!

And every ticket holder is invited to the free All Access Preshow, which begins at 6:00pm. It will give you a chance to head down to the circus floor to meet the performers, get autographs, try on costumes, and clown around. Get it, "clown around?" Oh, but I digress...

St. Louis show dates are:
Thursday, October 15 @ 7:00pm
Friday, October 16 @ 10:30am & 7:00pm
Saturday, October 17 @ 1:00pm & 5:00pm
Sunday, October 18 @ 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Mom Central has graciously provided my family with tickets for this thrilling event. I can't wait to see Evie's face amid all the wonder under the big top! I've also been provided with tickets to give away to one lucky family! Simply leave a comment on this post letting me know your favorite circus animal. Be sure I have your email address so I can contact you if you win! One random winner will receive a 4-pack of tickets for the opening night (October 15th) show. This contest closes at midnight on Saturday, October 3rd.

If you don't win, I can still let you in on a great deal:
To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com. You can receive four tickets for $44 for any Monday-Friday performance, or $4 off tickets for all weekend performances by entering the code MOM in the "MC promotion" box. A minimum purchase of 4 tickets is required, but additional tickets can be purchased at $11 each during the week and $4 off on weekends. Offer not valid on Celebrity Circus, Front Row, or VIP seating. Cannot be combined with other offers. Service Charges, facility and handling fees will apply.

Good luck! Of course, I'll tell you all about it, but I hope to see you there!

**This contest is closed to new comments. Congratulations to Alaina @ Three Ladies and a Dad, who won tickets for her family! Thanks to everyone who participated.**

Four Days of Giveaways - Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters

I am eight months pregnant. Obviously, I'm not hiking the trails. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a healthy snack right here in front of my computer.

My Blog Spark recently sent me a Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters "Snack Pack." And I love Nature Valley. When I was still working, there was a little shop in the lobby of my office building that sold snack-type foods. I used to start my morning with a yogurt sprinkled with mashed-up Nature Valley crunchy granola bars. Oh, yum.

So I tore into these bags. I received all four varieties - Roasted Cashew, Nut Lovers, Roasted Almond, and Honey Roasted Peanut. These little bites are a blend of roasted nuts, whole grain oats, and a touch of honey. It's been less than a week, and all that's left is half a bag of Nut Lovers. I've popped these nuggets in my mouth for breakfast, had them as a snack while watching TV, and served them to other moms in my playgroup. They are so good! Crunchy and salty and sweet all at the same time. I like that they're tasty, but also pretty healthy. It's nice to get a decent amount of fiber and protein from your snacks! And I can pronounce every ingredient on the list!

The "Snack Pack" also included a sling backpack, stainless steel water bottle, flashlight and binoculars. You would have thought it was Christmas! Chris snatched up the water bottle, and Evie has taken over the flashlight and binoculars. The poor sling backpack has been relegated to the closet...

I have an additional "Snack Pack" for one of you! Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite season in nature, and I'll choose a random winner to receive the prize pack. This contest closes at midnight on September 30th.

Good luck! And if you live in the St. Louis area, stay tuned tomorrow for another chance to win free stuff! Don't forget to enter my other contests from this weekend here and here.

**This contest is closed to new comments. Congratulations to Martha, the winner, who said "Omg, I've totally got to get in on this one. I'm a Nature Valley freak, I eat the granola bars constantly. Fall is of course my favorite season. Cool and rainy, with the lovely bonus of halloween :D." Thanks to everyone for participating!**

Four Days of Giveaways - Dole Jarred Fruit

Okay, so we probably should all eat more fruit. It's is low in calories, but high in fiber and nutrients. And if you're worried about H1N1 (like my husband,) you will be happy to know that adequate Vitamin C intake can help maintain a healthy immune system. Plus, fruit just tastes good!

I prefer fresh fruit, but it's not always convenient or cheap. Dole Fruit in Plastic Jars is an easy, all-natural way to get your fruit fix. No cutting, slicing, or peeling - the multi-serving jars are resealable and contain ready-to-eat fruit. Dole makes several varieties including Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple Chunks, Tropical Fruit with Papaya and Pineapple (our favorite,) Sliced Peaches and Mixed Fruit.

I received coupons for two free jars along with a recipe wallet. We snacked on a jar, and used another to make Caribbean Cream Pops. They were so good - and full of that healthy fruit we should all be eating!

Caribbean Cream Pops
1 jar (24.5 oz.) Dole Tropical Fruit
1 c. mango or papaya nectar
1/2 c. light coconut milk
1 small ripe banana, peeled and sliced
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. honey

Measure 2 cups drained tropical fruit. Combine tropical fruit, nectar, coconut milk, banana, cream cheese and honey in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour mixture equally into popsicle molds or 3 oz. plastic cups.

Place on tray and freeze about 1 hour, until partially set. Insert 1 wooden stick into center of each cup; freeze 2 hours longer or until firm.

At www.DoleMagic.com you can find tips and more recipes to help incorporate fruit every day as part of a healthy diet. You can also enter for a chance to win a trip for three to Maui!

I have an additional Dole coupon wallet to give away, including coupons for (2) free jars of fruit, as well as recipes. Simply leave a comment letting me know your favorite fruit by midnight September 30th. I'll choose a random winner to receive the coupon wallet.

Good luck! Stay tuned tomorrow for more prizes! Yesterday's contest can be found here.

**This contest is closed to new comments. Congratulations to Jenn @ A Country Girl's Ramblings, who won the coupon wallet. Thanks to everyone for participating!**

Four Days of Giveaways - Yoplait Whips!

There are so many fun things about blogging - capturing this beautiful and fleeting time in my life, making new friends, getting my feelings out. But recently, I've discovered another perk - FREE STUFF!

I've been fortunate enough to have a few companies send me products to try. And this is to your benefit, because you may get to try them, too! For the next four days, I'll be posting reviews and giving away the items I review.

First up is Yoplait Whips! Now in all honesty, I've tried this yogurt before. It's light and airy and tasty, but I always thought the texture was a little off. This doesn't make any sense, but it seemed greasy - too much air or something. So I stuck with the custard-style yogurt, which is my favorite.

But then I noticed the commercials for frozen Whips! I wondered how that would taste, when lo and behold, Yoplait offered to send me a Summer Cool Down gift basket. The basket included coupons for free Whips! as well as a cooler tote, popsicle molds, and color-changing spoons.

I used the coupons about a month ago and bought a Strawberry Mist and a Chocolate yogurt. (There are a ton of other flavors including Key Lime Pie, Orange Creme, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Burst, Peaches 'N Cream, Raspberry Mousse, and Vanilla Creme.) I stuck them in the freezer. And I loved them!

Pregnant women and ice cream go together like, well, pregnant women and ice cream! But I feel a lot healthier chowing down on a yummy frozen yogurt. Whips! have a great texture when you freeze them - smooth and cool. These are seriously my new nighttime indulgence. And one I can continue guilt-free once Ethan is born!

If you'd like a chance to win a Summer Cool Down gift basket of your own, please leave me a comment telling me your favorite indulgent treat. Be sure I have your email address to contact you if you win. This contest closes at midnight on Wednesday, September 30th. Two random winners will receive a gift basket.

(US residents only. The free coupons included in the basket are not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.)

Good luck! Stay tuned tomorrow for another chance to win free stuff!

**This contest is closed to new comments. Congratulations to Alex @ The Jones Family Journey and Ashlee @ Across the Branch, who won the gift packs. Thanks to everyone for participating!**

Your Voice - Grandparent's Day

Chris and I both come from big families, and we love it. The only downside is that Evie has so many relatives who live far away! Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins... We frequently use our web cams to keep in touch, which really helps her "know" these people she can't see often.

A few weeks ago, I received an email newsletter that included information about a new, FREE service. It's called Your Voice, and it allows you to record and send voice greetings. I like that the recipient can listen to the greeting over and over, and even download it for safekeeping. We used it at the end of August to record Evie singing Happy Birthday to Chris' dad. It was really easy, and certainly brought a smile to his face! And to mine! (Evie is a LOUD singer!)

You simply dial a number, record your message into the phone, and send the greeting by email. You can find instructions and record your greeting here: http://www.grandparents.com/gp/yourvoice/getstarted1/index.html?navbar=menu-activities

National Grandparent's Day is this Sunday (September 13th,) so it's the perfect time for you to try this service, too. Your child could sing a song or say "I love you!" If you're a grandparent yourself, you could tell a story about your grandchild or read one of their favorite books. Plus, it's a fun way to capture your child's voice! I know I will treasure these recordings as Evie gets older. It's better than a Hallmark card!

A Magical Night

Last night, we saw Disney On Ice 100 Years of Magic. In a word, it was spectacular!

Of course Evie was excited. She woke up in the middle of her nap yesterday and yelled "Ice!" then went back to sleep. I asked her later what she was dreaming about, and she said "I dreaming about ice by the Princess' feet. I dreaming about skating." Later, when we were in line to enter the arena, Evie pretended to skate until we were admitted. Chris and my mom held onto her hands as she slid her feet and tried to twirl around the floor.

The show was so much fun! As you grow up, you lose some of the wonder at the world around you. But watching the performance through the eyes of a child made me feel kind of like a kid again. Evie was excitedly clapping along to the music. She loved each of the characters, especially Genie who did flips. And she loved when they reenacted the It's a Small World ride, pointing and squealing at the lights, the Eiffel Tower, and Mickey flying in a hot air balloon. I found myself smiling and "oohing and ahhing" along with the crowd.

Evie sat next to my mom, and it made me so happy to watch them together. For my mother, who never saw the Ice Capades as a child, this was a long-held dream come true. For much of the performance Evie sat on her lap, where I could see both of their faces light up at the same time. Oh, Snow White! Oh, Jiminy Cricket! Oh, Nemo! Oh, Pinocchio and the whale!

It really was a magical night, and Evie didn't want it to end. We stayed until most of the crowd had left so Evie could dance to the music playing over the loudspeakers. And as soon as she woke up this morning, the first words from her mouth were "I wish we could see Biz-en-ey On Ice again next week."

There's still time for your family to attend a show and experience the same wonder we did. You can purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 for weekday shows or receive $4 off weekend tickets by logging onto http://www.metrotix.com and entering the coupon code MOM.

St. Louis Show Dates:
Thursday, September 3 @ 7:00 PM
Friday, September 4 @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 5 @ 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, & 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 6 @ 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

We received free tickets, dinner, and a goody bag courtesy of Mom Central and Feld Entertainment. Although these are fantastic perks, this review is straight from the heart!

Disney on Ice Contest & Coupon Code

Disney on Ice is presenting 100 Years of Magic here in St. Louis! And we will be attending the show on opening night! Evie loves all things Disney, especially the Disney Princesses and Disney Bingo, so I know this night will be special. We've watched a few trailers for the show online, and she is completely excited. Evie smiles and claps and yells for each character by name. I can't wait!

And even better, our tickets are free. That's right - gratis, no charge, keep your wallet in your pocket. But don't be jealous. I'm not leaving you out!

I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away to the opening night (Thursday, September 3) show at the Family Arena! Simply leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Disney character. Be sure I have your email address! In honor of Cinderella, this contest ends at midnight on Monday, August 24th. I'll announce the random winner on Tuesday.

Since I'll only have one winner, I also want to pass along a special offer for those of you who don't win. You can purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 for weekday shows or receive $4 off weekend tickets by logging onto http://www.metrotix.com and entering the coupon code MOM.

St. Louis Show Dates:
Thursday, September 3 @ 7:00 PM
Friday, September 4 @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 5 @ 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, & 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 6 @ 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

I hope to see you at the show!

Look Good...Feel Better

Right now, cancer treatment is at the forefront of my mind. So Mom Central couldn't have picked a better time to tell me about the Look Good...Feel Better program.

Look Good…Feel Better is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Inc. and the National Cosmetology Association. This free, national public service program helps women cope with the appearance-related changes of cancer treatment through workshops across the country, self-help materials, and other free information.

Along with the confusion and fear of a cancer diagnosis comes cancer treatment, which often involves hair loss and other appearance-related changes. My mom said today that it's not her cancer that's hard to deal with - it's all the side effects that come with her treatment.

In honor of its 20th anniversary, Look Good…Feel Better is asking women cancer survivors to submit their stories of how the program helped them cope with cancer as a way to inspire others who may currently be undergoing cancer treatment. Entries will be featured on the Women of Hope is Beautiful blog to help educate others. In August, Look Good…Feel Better will choose five women with the most-compelling stories to receive a trip to New York City for a makeover and a trip to the DreamBall, a black-tie gala and the program's largest annual fundraiser, held each year in New York City.

Anyone can visit the site to view entries, make comments and show their support.

If you know anyone undergoing cancer treatment, or cancer survivors who can help inspire others, please tell this about this amazing resource.

Mamapedia

If there's one thing I've learned about being a mom, it's that I don't have all the answers. So when MomCentral asked me to review a new site for mothers, I jumped at the chance.

Mampedia is a free site for mothers of children of any age. It has over a million answers to questions by moms, answered by other moms who have been there. The site is updated daily and easy to search.

Want summertime arts & crafts ideas? At what age should you let your child ride a bike to school? Should you buy a Jumperoo or an Excersaucer? How can you get your baby to sleep at night? What kind of non-toxic cleaning products really work? You can find answers to these questions, and many more at Mamapedia!

I searched Mamapedia about a week ago for suggestions for good family movies. We took a trip to Ohio over Memorial Day weekend, and I needed something to keep Evie busy during the long drive! I found some great suggestions from other moms, and our trip was a breeze! (The couple of Barbies we brought along helped, too!)

The next time you're wondering "Is this normal?" or "What should I do about this?" check out Mamapedia. And don't forget to post an answer if you can help someone else!

Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars Review & Giveaway

Being a woman is hard work. Being a mom is hard work. Between the whole IVF-thing and chasing around a two-year old while pregnant, I think I deserve a little break. So when the nice people at My Blog Spark offered to send me a spa gift basket (sponsored by Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Bars,) I happily accepted.

My gift basket arrived with pretty wrapping and it was full of goodies! It had a bath pillow (which Evie has taken over,) a chocolate-scented candle, handmade chocolate soap, chocolate bath salts, chocolate lotion, and the Chocolate Mocha Fiber One Bars. Could they have thought of anything else to make me happy?

I first tried Fiber One Bars in my cousin's pool last summer. They were so sweet and yummy, and they took the edge off my hunger. (Um, they still didn't stop me from pigging out on Thai food later that night!) And, most impressively, due to all that fiber they were only 2 Weight Watchers Points. Chris and I were hooked and we now buy them in bulk at Sam's Club. I've tried other brands, but they all have some sort of tree bark in them that hurts my teeth. Trust me, just buy the Fiber One brand.

I love this new Chocolate Mocha flavor. They really do taste like a mocha - only you're getting 35% of your daily fiber. I wish I could say I enjoyed the new bars while soaking in a hot bath with my new bath salts and candle, but that would be a lie. The truth is that I only ate two bars before the box disappeared. It seems Chris is a fan of this new flavor, too.

Before you get all jealous of my spa basket, you have a chance to win one, too! Just leave me a comment before Saturday, April 4th and tell me why you need a spa break. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll choose three random winners to receive the gift basket above.

Good luck!

Crafts 'n things

You probably don't know this, but I received a sewing machine for Christmas. You see, I love all things "crafty." Right now, my obsession is felt food. I am working on a teapot and cups, as well as a cake stand and cake slices. I wanted to be finished in time for Evie's birthday, but better late than never, right?

There's something about cold weather that brings out the Martha in me. I guess we're all hibernating indoors and we have more time for being creative. Plus, Rachel loves crafts, too. We could spend hours (um, actually we do spend hours) just talking about projects!

But sometimes I need a little help and inspiration. That's why I was excited to hear about Crafts 'n things free monthly newsletter. Not only does it give great ideas for home decor, gift giving, and gardening, but each subscriber has the opportunity to sign up for "Win It!" for a chance to win fantastic craft-related prizes. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

So what about you? What kind of crafts do you enjoy?

My M&Ms

Oh, my bloggy friends, I have so much to tell you!

Christmas was great - Evie woke up without a fever and had a great time opening her gifts. We had a wonderful day with my family, then packed up and headed to Atlanta to spend time with Chris' family. We had a great visit, Evie played with her cousins, and we had an unexpected phone call that we made it into a February IVF cycle! More to come on all of this later...

But, I'm going to ease back into the bloggy world and tell you about the cute little candy you see.

A few weeks ago, the nice folks who make M&Ms offered to send me a few bags of My M&Ms. Basically, they allow you to make customized M&M candies. You can choose your own colors and messages and... wait for it... PICTURES to be printed on M&Ms. Since Evie's birthday is just around the corner, I jumped on this chance!

The ordering process was easy - I clicked on the colors I wanted, typed in three different messages, and uploaded a photo of Evie. I think these are going to make perfect favors for her party! You know Evie is my little Candy Girl, so imagine how excited she will be to see her own sweet face on candy! My mom saw them today, and loved them - what Grandma wouldn't?

Now I have to figure out how to package them as favors. Any ideas? We're having a tea party theme.

Ultimate Party Meatballs

This is a busy season of the year. We have pictures to take with Santa, shopping to complete, cards to mail to everyone we've ever known, gifts to wrap, and parties to attend. On top of all this, we often have to bring a dish to those parties.

This Sunday, I tried a new recipe. Actually, it was so easy that Chris made it while I was in the shower. Yes, girls, it really is that easy!

I wasn't sure how it would turn out. But let me give you some insight into the popularity of these tiny gems: Evie and her little friend Andrew (who is about sixteen months old) inhaled the meatballs. Chris and I tried to figure it out yesterday, and we figure they ate about five apiece! That's a lot for their toddler tummies!

The adults liked them, too. The meatballs were more savory than sweet, which surprised me, and they made a great addition to the buffet spread! Chris made them in the crock pot, so they even kept warm on the drive to the party.

Ultimate Party Meatballs
1 16-ounce can Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 12-ounce bottle Heinz® Chili Sauce
1 2-pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-size meatballs

Place meatballs in a slow cooker. Combine sauces and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 4 hours on HIGH.

Alternatively, you can combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Makes 30 appetizer servings. Enjoy! You can find more easy party recipes and planning tips here.

Lisa hosts Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays over at Blessed with Grace. Visit her for more yummy recipes!

Build-A-Bear Giveaway!

Halloween is over, so my thoughts are turning to Thanksgiving and... I can't even believe it... CHRISTMAS!

I know it wasn't too long ago that I was complaining about rushing the season. But the leaves have turned their beautiful fiery colors and most have fallen from the trees. Just yesterday, Evie and the girls next door raked leaves and jumped into the piles. Though it's been warm, there's a change in the air. It's feeling like scarves and hot chocolate and Christmas lists.

Oh, Christmas lists!

This year, I have to be particularly careful with the money we spend. So I must make good choices about toys for Evie. Instead of a toy with only one function, I want to purchase toys that inspire play. I can't tell you how many expensive toys we have around the house that Evie just ignores. Things like art supplies and dried lentils and scraps of ribbon and empty boxes keep her attention - go figure.

Most of all, I lean toward an "experience" rather than a thing. Attending The Backyardigans LIVE show was a better use of our money than if we had bought a toy. I know a membership to The Magic House will certainly be a gift this year.

Recently, Evie and I had the opportunity to attend a Mom's Mixer at Build-A-Bear Workshop. I had a great time talking to other "Mommy Bloggers" while Evie made a bear. Actually, Evie ran around wild while the other moms and very, very sweet Build-A-Bear employees helped me keep an eye on her. By the end of the event, everyone in that store knew her name!

While we were there, I kept thinking about how Build-A-Bear perfectly fits my idea of a great gift. It's an EXPERIENCE and you take something tangible (a new best friend, even) home with you. We also had the opportunity to meet and talk with Maxine Clark, the company's founder and Chief Executive Bear. She is warm and friendly, and has such an evident passion for her work. For her, it's all about the experience of making the bear - choosing the perfect little bear, warming up and kissing its heart, helping stuff, brushing it, and shopping for clothes. They've even expanded their line of $10 bears, so almost everyone can afford this experience.

Bloggy Friends, I am the "bearer" of good news! One lucky reader will win a $25 gift certificate to make your very own stuffed friend at Build-A-Bear. Simply leave a comment on this post before Friday, November 14th, telling me the best gift you received as a child. Don't forget to include your email address so I can notify you if you win. I'll choose a winner at random to receive the gift certificate.

Go "fur" it!

**This contest is closed to new comments. The winner has been contacted, and will be announced within 24 hours. Thanks for participating!**

Noodleboro Review & Contest

Remember all the fun you had playing games as a child? I loved Candy Land and Clue and Life (as long as I was the banker!)

As an adult, I still love to play games. Did you know Chris and I have NEVER lost at Trivial Pursuit? When we get together with the Hubmeiers, we have great fun playing rowdy games of Balderdash, Cranium, and Guesstures. And we L-O-V-E card games! Hearts, anyone???

I recently had the opportunity to review a new game from Playskool Games. It's called Learning to... Listen Pizza Palace Game, and it's part of their new Noodleboro series. This line of games focuses on teaching children important social skills like listening, manners, and sharing. And they do it in a fun way!

The game is for players age four and up, so Evie hasn't had a chance to play yet! But the game also includes a book and audio CD that she's been enjoying.

The game itself is super-cute. Basically, the parent is the customer who orders a pizza. The child has to listen to the order and build the pizza with the correct toppings. Once enough pizzas are built, the chef hat reaches the giant hat and everyone wins! There are also teamwork and timed versions for variety.

Now that the weather has turned cooler, I can't wait to have friends over for a game night. This game will certainly be on the agenda for children!

Want a chance to WIN your own Noodleboro game? Mom Central is raffling off 200 games. Visit this link to enter.

The Circus is Coming to Town!

The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to St. Louis! And we are going to see it!

I know I went to the circus as a child, but I don't have a clear memory of the Big Top. I only vaguely remember some kind of glow-in-the-dark toy I got. But I'd like Evie to experience the magic of the circus. I can already imagine the acrobats and elephants and clowns.

So when I heard Ringling Bros. and Barnam & Bailey is bringing their show to St. Louis in November, I decided to purchase tickets. Grandpa will be in town, too, so we'll make it a family affair! I hope this is the start of a new tradition!

I wish I had known a year ago about the Baby's First Circus program. If I had, this very special "first" for Evie would be FREE! But I do know about a discount code (MCC - pass this on!) that gives you a 20% discount on tickets for the following shows:

Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA - Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

Stay tuned in November - I'm sure we'll have a story and lots of pictures!