Metta World Peace and Yo Gabba Gabba - A Match Made in Heaven?

August 22, 2012, 5:30 am

≫ Next: The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure and Kenn Viselman's #GGGRated Movement

≪ Previous: Back-to-School Means Eating Healthy, plus a Giveaway! Courtesy of @Walmart.away!

I watch basketball because the hubster is a big LA Lakers fan. There are a few basketball players that I actually enjoy watching off the court, and one of those players is Metta World Peace (the player formerly known as Ron Artest). He is hilarious to listen to and I like that it seems that he has no filter when it comes to public speaking. Much like Charles Barkley.

Anyhow, I heard that he was going to be on Yo Gabba Gabba (a fave in our home), and the hubster emailed me a clip of it today! Check it out:

And on a side note... am I the only one that would enjoy the NBA teams doing stunts like the Harlem Globetrotters do? I mean, how much more enjoyable would it be to watch them do all kinds of tricks going up and down the court, shooting baskets, etc? If they were to do so, I would probably VOLUNTARILY watch basketball games. I would also like them to all wear those sneakers where you have to pump the little basketball on the shoe to make them jump higher.

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The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure and Kenn Viselman's #GGGRated Movement

August 22, 2012, 11:44 pm

≫ Next: So. Cal. Event - 3rd Annual “When I Grow Up Day!” at Pretend City (@PretendCity)

≪ Previous: Metta World Peace and Yo Gabba Gabba - A Match Made in Heaven?

There aren't too many kid movies out there are that are truly kid movies. By that I mean there is nothing sinister, no violence, nothing scary, dark, etc. The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure is truly a kid movie.

In theaters Oogust 29th

About The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure

The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure is a simple story of a loving friendship, a surprise birthday party and a BIG adventure...It’s a beautiful day in Lovelyloveville. It’s Schluufy’s birthday and the Oogieloves (Goobie, Zoozie, and Toofie) along with their friends J. Edgar, Windy Window and Ruffy, are organizing a party (Ssshh! It’s a secret). Everything is going along just perfectly until J.Edgar trips and loses the last five magical balloons in all of Lovelyloveville - OH NO!!!

The Oogieloves immediately take action and set out to find the magical balloons in time to save their friend’s party. Along the way they meet some very interesting characters indeed, including Dotty Rounder (Cloris Leachman); Bobby Wobbly (Carey Elwes); Milky Marvin(Chazz Palminteri), Rosalie Rosebud (Toni Braxton) and Lola and Lero Sombero (Christopher Lloyd and Jaime Pressly). Can these new friends help them recover the magical balloons and get back to the cottage in time to celebrate Schluufy’s surprise birthday?

Event Recap

We started off with a breakfast (totally delish) and then I left my mom and the kids behind to decorate a lunchbag while I walked into the theater to sit down with none other than Kenn Viselman - creator and producer of The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure.

About Kenn Viselman

Kenn Viselman founded The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company (TibECo) in 1995 after being recognized as the mastermind behind the marketing success of Thomas the Tank Engine. He was the driving force behind the rebirth of such children’s classics “Eloise” and “Noddy.” Under Viselman’s leadership, TibECo became one of the world’s most successful and admired children’s entertainment companies. Viselman was a producing partner behind the phenomenon known as “Teletubbies,” one of the most successful children’s brands in history.

In addition to producing “Teletubbies” in association with Ragdoll for the Western Hemisphere, Viselman’s efforts include the top-selling soft toys, puzzles, games, books, videos, clothing and ancillary products. Viselman helped to conceive and oversee all of the company’s PR and advertising campaigns for each of its award-winning products.

Kenn Viselman was full of stats, facts and everything in between. He shared with us his mission to do something different than other kid movies have done. He made an interactive movie for kids! So perfect for kids that can't sit still in their seats, parents who want to get out of the house and tire their kids so they'll nap on the way home, and families who could use a little bit more activity during their day. He made The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure with the intention of making it GGG Rated meaning there is no violence, no foul language (including "stupid"), nothing like that. There is no tragedy scene where a character's mom dies within the first few minutes of the movie. All you have is a pure movie, with no mean intentions. Just a way for the kids to find a solution to their problems.

This is the purest of any movie that I have seen. It's cutesy, fun, energetic and the I hope that Kenn's GGG Rated movement catches on because I would love to be able to go into a theater for a kid's movie and know that they are going to be able to watch it comfortably without having to worry about the characters saying the word "stupid" or "idiot" (which I DO NOT like), have the characters fight with each other, have someone die, etc. It's nice to just sit down and watch a movie then feel good afterwards. Kenn has made The Oogieloves the first of its kind and I can't wait to see how other parents respond to it too.

LMVL Insider Info
Kenn shared with us that this movie is one of three Oogieloves movies in the works. Coming up are: THE OOGIELOVES IN THE BIG FAMILY ADVENTURE (2013) and THE OOGIELOVES IN THE BIG HOLIDAY ADVENTURE (2014). Oh, and also, don't expect to see any Oogieloves toys in stores anytime soon. Kenn has said that he has no interest in making Oogieloves toys. Which to me is kind of a bummer because I know my kids like that extended movie experience we get when we head to the store to get a toy relating to the movie. He did say though, that sleepwear will be available Fall 2013. There will also be an Oogieloves series in 2015. The currently Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure also has a soundtrack available on iTunes ($9.90).

Connect with The Oogieloves here:
Facebook: FB.com/The-Oogieloves-in-the-BIG-Balloon-Adventure
Twitter: @TheOogieloves

With Kenn Viselman

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to see The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure as a member of the press. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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So. Cal. Event - 3rd Annual “When I Grow Up Day!” at Pretend City (@PretendCity)

August 23, 2012, 9:22 am

≫ Next: Frugal Friday - Bayside Restaurant offers a luxurious meal with an affordable price tag (@Bayside_Newport)

≪ Previous: The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure and Kenn Viselman's #GGGRated Movement

Pretend City's 3rd Annual "When I Grow Up Day!" is this Friday, August 24th.

"When I Grow Up Day!" at Pretend City is a great way to encourage kids to discover new professions and discuss how they can be whatever the want to be when they do grow up (might not be a bad idea for *almost* grown-ups either). There will be professionals there to talk with the kids about their profession, what schooling was needed, etc. Professionals confirmed for tomorrow include:

Angels Baseball Player (he's now retired)
Doctor
Personal Trainer
Shoe Designer
Dentist
Firefighter
Policeman
Lifeguard
Chef
Hairdresser

But there will be more and I hope to see you there tomorrow. I'll be there with my two kids. Maybe my oldest kid will get an idea of what he wants to do. Right now he just wants to do whatever Daddy does so he can "buy something for you, Mommy". I'll have to get him to write down those words and then get it notarized. That should count as an official contract, right?

Pretend City Children’s Museum

29 Hubble

Irvine, CA 92618

Phone: 949.428.3900

Fax: 949.428.3908

@PretendCity

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Frugal Friday - Bayside Restaurant offers a luxurious meal with an affordable price tag (@Bayside_Newport)

August 24, 2012, 5:00 am

≫ Next: "They're Just Like Us" - Poncho de Anda and Mamás para Huggies campaign #HuggiesLatino

≪ Previous: So. Cal. Event - 3rd Annual “When I Grow Up Day!” at Pretend City (@PretendCity)

I had the pleasure of lunching at the wonderful Bayside Restaurant earlier this month. Right off the bat, it's the type of restaurant that I would LOVE to visit with the hubster. It's classy, friendly, super clean and each morsel of food was absolutely scrumptious.

Situated near the waterfront, it captures the cool ocean breeze making it a premier spot for a long lunch with friends, or a fun evening out with family (including the kids). Bayside Restaurant also offers complimentary valet and self-parking, which in my book is a big plus.

I was invited to sample their special two course prix-fixe Summer menu created by Executive Chef Paul Gstrein. Chef Paul Gstrein attended culinary school in Austria before coming over to the US and working with fine-dining masters such as Wolfgang Puck. He brought his experience and artistic creations to Bayside Restaurant and now goes around creating deliciousness such as the ones below.

Bar Area

Bayside Restaurant is a Dining as Art restaurant. They host a rotating modern art exhibit that features works which enhance the ambiance. The art displayed is also available for purchase. Their happy hour, from 5 p.m. until close, is enhanced with jazz entertainment. A wonderful place to meet up after work! Now... on to the food.

At first glance, it was apparent that vegetarians are not Bayside's target market. Every entree on their menu had a type of meat in it. I began my meal with the Puree of Green Pea with Mint Soup at the suggestion of our server. I almost went with the Summer Salad, but I'm so glad I stuck with the soup. It was absolutely delicious. The mint was not overwhelming and it went great with the little rolls they served. It was thick, but not overly so.

Puree of Green Pea with Mint Soup

Because they did not offer a vegetarian item on their entree list, our server offered to have a fusilli pasta dish made. She brought out pasta with parsley, olives and other veggies. It looked delicious, it tasted fresh, but I didn't finish it all. I had just finished reading the desert menu and I wanted to make sure that I would have room for it. So I finished off all the veggies in my bowl (they were seasoned and cooked fabulously) and ordered some black coffee.

Vegetarian Fusilli Pasta

I was given the dessert menu to glance over and order from. Every item on the menu sounded delicious. My favorite items to devour next to bread and butter are desserts. I LOVE every type of dessert (but not really crazy about chocolate) and I have been known to go out for dinner and just have coffee and cake. So my eyes run down the menu and then I see that they have a dessert trio. I swear, if I was eating alone I so would have ordered it. I didn't then because I would have felt greedy and that is the last impression that I want to give. I finally decided on the bread pudding. I figure that if a restaurant can pull off a classic dish, then everything else will taste just as good. That's also why I tend to favor vanilla ice cream. I love classic dishes and I couldn't think of anything more classic than bread pudding.

Bread Pudding with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce

What you see above is what I devoured. Their bread pudding is the most decadent dessert that I have ever consumed. It is not overly sweet, perfectly moist and the vanilla ice cream appears to be house made because it was super creamy. I've made plans to go back just for the desert. Next time, I plan on taking the hubster and having him try their tiramisu. It's his favorite dessert and I have no doubt that Bayside's version will be just as good as my bread pudding.

Tiramisu

I took pictures of other dishes that my companions had (some of the meat dishes) and compiled them into this Google+ album. Hop on over and feel free to drool over Bayside's beautiful and delicious dishes.

Their two course prix-fixe Summer lunch menu includes a starter and an entree for only $19.95. They also offer a three course prix-fixe Summer dinner menu that includes desert for only $39.75. I would highly recommend you make plans to visit Bayside Restaurant and try their Summer menu items before they are replaced with Oktoberfest items in September. It's a perfect place (and price) for a date night or a lunch date. Above all, please save room for coffee and dessert. Share if you must, but promise me that you will have some of their desserts.

Bayside Restaurant

900 Bayside Drive

Newport Beach, CA

949-721-1222

{Website} BaysideRestaurant.com

{Twitter} @Bayside_Newport
{Facebook} Facebook.com/Bayside-Restaurant

Thank you Bayside Restaurant for your generous lunch invitation.

I was invited to sample the two course prix-fixe Summer menu as a member of the press. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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"They're Just Like Us" - Poncho de Anda and Mamás para Huggies campaign #HuggiesLatino

August 24, 2012, 10:10 pm

≫ Next: The One Where I Show You What I Look Like Without Makeup #bestofme

≪ Previous: Frugal Friday - Bayside Restaurant offers a luxurious meal with an affordable price tag (@Bayside_Newport)

As a non-celebrity, it's easy to think that "they" have it easier than us. In my head, all the movie and tv stars live in an IKEA commercial where everything is spotless, clean and bright. My chat with Poncho de Anda changed all that last week. I was brought back to earth as we discussed diaper duties, how babies change their lives, and how he and his wife prioritize their marriage.

Image courtesy of Huggies

About Poncho de Anda

Poncho de Anda is one of the most beloved US Spanish-language TV personalities, and is currently the host of Univision’s “Dale con Ganas." Throughout his career, Poncho has interviewed a great number of celebrities and personalities in the entertainment industry such as Shakira, Thalía, Maná, Alejandro Sanz, Armando Manzanero, Robert de Niro, Julio and Enrique Iglesias and Angelina Jolie, among others. In 2007, Poncho was awarded the Premios Sin Limite USA 2007 award in NYC for Best TV Host. That same year he also received the FAMA award for his work as host of “Miss Universe 2007.”

Webcam Image - Poncho de Anda

As Huggies Spokesparent, Poncho de Anda, and his lovely wife, Lina Amashta, are testaments to the lengths that they go through to raise their own children, clean up after them and change diaper after diaper themselves. During our teleconference with him, he spoke of his enduring relationship with his wife and how they make it a priority to spend time with one another. They send their kids to bed at 8 p.m. and enjoy time with one another every night. He commented how their relationship started with just themselves, and in the end that's how it's going to be as well.

On fatherhood, Poncho said, "You will not understand fatherhood until you are there and living it."The same could be said for motherhood and it's so true! You can read every book out there, but you won't know what it's truly like until your living it.

And in case you're wondering, Poncho and his wife always carry around Huggies diapers and wipes. And like most of us, third on his list when packing the diaper bag is food. Isn't it just like kids to get hungry the moment they step out of the house? In the words of People magazine, "they're just like us!"

Huggies wipes aren't only used on the babies though, Poncho uses them himself - he wipes off make-up after a long day in front of the camera.

It was refreshing to talk to him about his life as a parent and really relate because him and his wife go through the same struggles of raising kids. I look forward to working on this Mamás para Huggies campaign and I hope that you follow me on this ride.

Visit FB.com/HuggiesLatino to learn more about Huggies and see more Poncho de Anda webisodes.

This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Huggies. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

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The One Where I Show You What I Look Like Without Makeup #bestofme

August 24, 2012, 11:33 pm

≫ Next: Gearing up for a fight with the Hubster.

≪ Previous: "They're Just Like Us" - Poncho de Anda and Mamás para Huggies campaign #HuggiesLatino

A while ago I talked about transparency and my blog. I vow to bring you the best of me, and the best of me is usually caked with make-up. I'm going on over a decade of fighting with my skin to show the best of me. What I have so far is years and years of damage. Acne scars, large pores, combination skin... everything. It took a very long time to come to terms with my skin, feel beautiful and forgo make-up every once in a while.

I have tried everything under the sun to fix my skin. At this point, it's more about keeping it under control. The last thing I want is to go into my thirties without a clue on how to take care of my skin and find something that works. So as I go on trying new products, I'm looking forward to trying Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair products.

About Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair

Whether you have age spots, or environmental damage from the sun, NEUTROGENA® Rapid Tone Repair is designed to meet the needs of women seeking fast results and healthier looking, more radiant skin. Each product in the line is clinically proven to help fade the look of dark spots, and discoloration -‐ leaving behind more luminous skin. So now you don’t have to worry about hiding behind your makeup— let your skin breathe and show the best you!

The line’s gentle formulas feature exclusive Accelerated Retinol SA technology, combined with Vitamin C, to deliver even skin tone, fast:

• Vitamin C -‐ Gently helps diffuse the look of brown spots, evening out skin tone
• Retinol SA -‐ Diminishes the appearance of age spots
• Hyaluronic Acid -‐ Helps moisturize, replenish and rejuvenate the look of skin
• Glucose Complex -‐ Helps boost skin’s surface activity for faster results

I was lucky enough not to have endured years of teasing on account of my skin issues. The hubster loved me and saw through the mess that that my skin was. He never once mentioned it and I believe that he had a big part in me finally being comfortable enough to walk around with naked skin. This week I went three whole days without makeup. I honestly cannot remember the last time I did that. I didn't pick up lip gloss, moisturizer, cheekie... nothing. I walked around looking like this all day:

See the shininess? The large pores? Mind you, this picture was taken at 5:30 a.m. and already I had a desire to slather on the creams, powders, etc. My skin has been years in the making, but under all of that, my self-esteem has been years in the making too. My skin issues have helped me become the woman that I am today. Strong, brave, courageous and willing to bear it all to everyone who reads this post and sees the picture on every social site that I belong to. I thank Neutrogena for giving me the extra push to write this post because it's definitely not something that I would have done on my own.

This post is compensated and in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Neutrogena.

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Gearing up for a fight with the Hubster.

August 26, 2012, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Guest Post: Doctor’s 5 Tips How to Avoid Getting Sick Over Labor Day Weekend

≪ Previous: The One Where I Show You What I Look Like Without Makeup #bestofme

The hubster and I can foresee a big fight that will happen. It will be one of those fights where the marriage is tested, the entire relationship will be questioned and there will be no winners. If I "win" the fight, I'll feel horrible about the outcome, and vice versa. So what is this big fight going to be about? Our kids leaving vegetarianism.

When the hubster and I agreed to have a kid I remember telling him that we would raise him vegetarian. The hubster, on the other hand, remembers it a bit differently. He remembers telling me that they would have an option to be vegetarian.

I have to admit, I've had a lot of control over my kids' eating habits. My oldest didn't touch dairy until well after his second birthday (possibly his third birthday). He had a vegan birthday cake on his first and second birthday. He consumes dairy on an almost daily basis now and because of that, my youngest has had dairy since he's been able to chow down cheese.

Because I've had so much control over what the kids eat, I am going to find it a big pill to swallow if/when they decide to consume meat. I have discussed with the hubster that they MUST watch the PETA videos, and every other video out there that discourages eating meat. To me, my being vegetarian goes beyond health reasons. I've seen enough KFC videos where they throw chickens against the wall to kill them to be able to consume chicken without guilt. Being vegetarian is a bond that the kids and I have and it is going to devastate me if they decide to be carnivores.

At this point, it's the small elephant in the room. As the kids get older and the hubster wants to share meat meals with them it will become the large elephant in the room. I can't tell you how it's going to go down, but all I know is that there will be no winners.

Have you come across fights like these yourself? How did you handle them?

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Guest Post: Doctor’s 5 Tips How to Avoid Getting Sick Over Labor Day Weekend

August 27, 2012, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Nesquik® Recipe | Receta de Nesquik® (via @ElMejorNido)

≪ Previous: Gearing up for a fight with the Hubster.

Labor Day is around the corner and families are planning their last minute vacations and day trips. The last thing you want is for your kid to get sick when they are supposed to be enjoying themselves during this holiday weekend. Plus, if your kid gets sick it’s more likely you and others in your family will get sick too. Dr. Yael Halaas, an ear nose and throat doctora, came up with these great tips on how to avoid getting sick over Labor Day weekend.

1. Sanitize everything!
One of the first ways to ruin a vacation together is catching a cold on the plane. Carry antibacterial wipes and wipe down every surface you may touch on the plane. Wipe the belt buckle, food tray and latch, volume control, and armrests. The airline crew cannot clean all these surfaces between flights which can harbor contagious viruses and bacteria.

2. Wash your hands
Wash your hands especially before touching your own or a loved one’s eyes, nose or mouth. When traveling, it is impossible to avoid contact with surfaces that many others may have touched. To avoid those bugs contaminating your family, wash your hands.

3. Be proactive
On family vacations with everyone close together, take Cold-EEZE at the first sign of a cold to shorten the duration, minimizing the amount of time you are sick to better enjoy your vacation. Cold-EEZE zinc lozenges have been found to decrease the duration of colds by nearly half. Also, by shortening your cold, it minimizes the chances of spreading the cold onto your family members.

4. Be prepared
Carry medications with you to minimize the impact of a cold or illness so you can all still enjoy your trip. Useful medications include analgesia like Tylenol or allergy medications for adults and children. Adults may also want to have some decongestants handy just in case.

5. Be healthy
Good hydration, good nutrition and exercise go a long way to giving the body the support it needs to stay strong.

This is not a sponsored post. Dr. Yael Halaas is an ear, nose and throat doctor. She’s been featured on round up/lifestyle and breaking news segments on The Doctors, FOX News and ABC New York. She has been quoted in US Weekly, Men’s Fitness & Fitness Magazine.

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Nesquik® Recipe | Receta de Nesquik® (via @ElMejorNido)

August 28, 2012, 6:30 am

≫ Next: The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure - A Movie Review

≪ Previous: Guest Post: Doctor’s 5 Tips How to Avoid Getting Sick Over Labor Day Weekend

envuleto de nesquik, crema de cacahuate y platano

Food image courtesy of Nestle

Nesquik® Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap

Makes 2 servings

2 tablespoons NESTLÉ® NESQUIK® No Sugar Added Chocolate Flavor Powder
1 tablespoon fat free milk
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1 soft taco-size flour tortilla, slightly warmed
Ground cinnamon

COMBINE Nesquik and milk in a small bowl; stir until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. PLACE banana in center of tortilla; sprinkle with cinnamon. Drizzle with Nesquik mixture; roll up and cut in half.

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Envuelto de Nesquik®, crema de cacahuate y plátano

Rinde 2 porciones

2 cucharadas de Polvo de Sabor Chocolate sin Azúcar Agregada de NESTLÉ® NESQUIK®
1 cucharada de leche sin grasa
1 cucharada de crema de cacahuate cremoso
1 plátano
1 tortilla pequeña de harina, ligeramente calentada
Canela molida

COMBINA el NESQUIK® y la leche en un recipiente pequeño. Agrega la crema de cacahuate y mezcla bien. PON el plátano en el centro de la tortilla y espolvoréalo con la canela. Rocíalo con la mezcla de NESQUIK®. Enróllalo y córtalo por la mitad.

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own
Esto no es un post patrocinado. Todos los pensamientos y las opiniones siguen siendo míos.

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The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure - A Movie Review

August 29, 2012, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Mamiverse.com packs their bags for Festival People En Español #TargetatFestival

≪ Previous: Nesquik® Recipe | Receta de Nesquik® (via @ElMejorNido)

In theaters Oogust 29th

Movie Review

We had the opportunity to see The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure earlier last month during an event they hosted in Los Angeles. I took my mom, my kids and my nieces. We had a total of four kids ages 6 and under and 3 out of the 4 really, really liked the movie.

At first glance, these characters reminded me A LOT of the Teletubbies. My kids aren't old enough to have watched Teletubbies, but I remember very much what a trend they were back in the day. There is a vacuum cleaner who talks, a mirror who gives guidance, a pillow who is celebrating a birthday and a fish who is the grumpy traveler. The balloons also talk, but not very much. The characters' names are like tongue twisters (sometimes the movie feels like a long tongue twister) and very cutesy. It also makes it a little hard to remember their names because they sound so familiar - Goobie, Zoozie, and Toofie. Kenn really understands his audience though because the kids in the theater were going crazy for the characters, especially when Toofie's pants slip down.

Throughout the movie, there are butterflies that float across the screen signaling the beginning of a dance number and inviting the kids in the audience to dance along with the characters in the movie. The moves they demonstrate do not require a lot of space to do them in, so it's perfect for kids to just jump out of their seats and do the moves. My 14 month old LOVED these parts the most. He is a huge fan of music and dancing and this movie was right up his alley. My 4.5 year old son, however, is very much like an old man in a little kid's body. He wasn't crazy about the interaction they asked for and was quite content to sit there and watch the movie without dancing along with everyone else.

I enjoyed this movie because my kids liked it. I do like that Kenn made a great effort to engage the parents too by bringing in some star power like Christopher Lloyd, Toni Braxton, Jamie Pressly and others. The movie seemed to be about 15 minutes too long for my 14 month old, but that's probably just because he's so young. My nieces loved watching Toni Braxton's character (probably because she is ultra-girly and diva-ish). My favorite scene was watching Christopher Lloyd and Jamie Pressly close out the main story line with their Spanish dance number. It's great to see such great actors step out of their comfort zone for the kids. It's also great to see a movie like this one that introduces different types of music to kids (Spanish, 50's, R&B, etc.).

I do encourage you to get out there and see this movie. It's best for young kids (8 and under) who like music and dance. You won't be worried about having the kids sit still for the movie because they'll be encouraged to get up and dance, and when the movie is done you'll have kids who will be ready for a nap! Win-win.

Quotes
"Goofy Toofie pick up your pants" - said to Toofie every time his pants fall down.
"Your name totally sounds like candy" - said to the characters by a "real person"
"But they flew away due to their helium density" - said by Goobie

Connect with The Oogieloves here:
Facebook: FB.com/The-Oogieloves-in-the-BIG-Balloon-Adventure
Twitter: @TheOogieloves

With Kenn Viselman

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to see The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure as a member of the press. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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Mamiverse.com packs their bags for Festival People En Español #TargetatFestival

August 30, 2012, 1:18 pm

≫ Next: Nestle @ElMejorNido Backpack and Products #Giveaway!

≪ Previous: The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure - A Movie Review

Mamiverse.com will be attending the super cool Festival People En Español Presented by Target. Festival People En Español is an event celebrating Hispanic entertainment, culture and community in San Antonio, Texas, this weekend (September 1 – 2) and includes music performances by the biggest names in Latino music: Daddy Yankee, Luis Miguel, Prince Royce, Tito “El Bambino”, Larry Hernandez, 3BallMTY, and Banda Los Recoditos.

If I were lucky enough to be able to attend, at the top of my list would be Luis Miguel. He's a classic that continues to belt out the soulful music year after year.

But wait, you LIVE near San Antonio, Texas? Well Festival People En Español is offering visitors two days of free, open to the public events including the opportunity to catch exclusive Q&A sessions with celebrities and telenovela stars, hear tips from leading industry experts on topics ranging from fashion to wellness, and interact with favorite brands. Go here to find out more.

Mamiverse.com Twitter Parties

To celebrate the pride and passion of the Hispanic community Mamiverse.com has developed a series of articles and Twitter parties devoted to beauty and style, music and culture that will inform, inspire and engage both readers and Festival attendees.

Join Mamiverse.com on an exciting, weekend-long Twitter party celebration for a chance to win fabulous prizes including 16 concert tickets, $900 in Target gift cards and more:

‘Glamazon’ Twitter Party on Thursday 8/30 at 9-10pm EST on what it means to be beautiful (both inside and out) as women, Latinas, and moms.

Virtual Make-Over ‘Salon’ on Saturday 9/1 at 3-4pm EST will mirror a ‘Beauty Day’ with your bestie, on-site make-up tips, techniques, etc.

El Mundo Baila Twitter Party on Sunday 9/1 at 3-4pm EST will focus on the Latin music featured at Festival, including favorite songs, pictures of key moments in artists lives, etc.

Click here to RSVP on Facebook. Hashtag is #TargetAtFestival.

Here's an added bonus:

In addition to the giveaways, [Mamiverse.com] is hosting a Tweet-a-thon! The participant who tweets and retweets the most using the hashtag #TargetAtFestival including a link to our Twitter party events on FB, or a link to one of our People en Español-related articles from today through the end of the Festival by midnight September 2nd will receive a $100 giftcard.

The first Twitter party is scheduled for TODAY! Hope to see you there.

Images courtesy of Latina Bloggers Connect. This post is compensated and in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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Nestle @ElMejorNido Backpack and Products #Giveaway!

August 31, 2012, 5:30 am

≫ Next: Sorteo de Nestle @ElMejorNido - mochila y productos

≪ Previous: Mamiverse.com packs their bags for Festival People En Español #TargetatFestival

Nestlé is doing something wonderful. They are going above and beyond their food products to engage multi-cultural families. This time, they have developed bilingual books, tips for Hispanic parents and event a lunch box menu contest! I hope that families take advantage of these new resources and keep la cultura alive!

Win $1,000 for Your Family and $1,000 for Your Child’s School!

Lunch Box Contest: Moms can submit and exchange their favorite lunch box menu ideas for a chance for both the winner and their local school to each receive $1,000. The exchange and contest runs until September 21. More details and official rules can be found at Facebook.com/ElMejorNido.

FREE Bilingual e-Book

Nestlé has designed and produced a series of bilingual books. The first book “Poppy’s Best Day Ever,” is available as a FREE downloadable PDF at www.elmejornido.com. The new book “Poppy Learns Something Special” will be distributed in a free, bound paperback version in various retailers.

Tips for Parents

Nestlé has developed a series of tips (“Consejos Familiares”) that Hispanic parents can follow to promote bilingual learning and help children stay connected with their cultures, which will be available on Facebook and the El Mejor Nido website.

Nestlé Giveaway

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This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

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Sorteo de Nestle @ElMejorNido - mochila y productos

August 31, 2012, 6:00 am

≫ Next: OC Event - Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood pre-screening at @PretendCity!

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El Mejor Nido de Nestlé celebra el regreso a la escuela con un concurso de lonchera (lunchbox) y mucho más.

¡Gane $1,000 para su familia y $1,000 para la escuela de su hijo!

Concurso de ideas de lunch (lunchbox): Las mamás pueden enviar e intercambiar sus ideas favoritas de menú para el almuerzo (lunch) de sus hijos por la oportunidad de que tanto la ganadora como su escuela local reciban $1,000. El intercambio y el concurso se realizarán hasta el 21 de septiembre. Los detalles y las reglas oficiales estarán disponibles en Facebook.com/ElMejorNido.

Libro electrónico bilingüe GRATIS

Nestlé ha diseñado y producido el segundo libro de una serie de libros bilingües. El nuevo libro “Poppy Learns Something Special” (Poppy Aprende Algo Especial) se distribuirá gratuitamente en una versión de tapa blanda en varias tiendas minoristas, mientras que el primer libro “Poppy’s Best Day Ever” (El Mejor Día en la Vida de Poppy) se encuentra disponible como un archivo PDF de descarga gratuita en elmejornido.com.

Consejos Para Padres

Nestlé ha desarrollado una serie de “Consejos Familiares” que los padres hispanos pueden poner en práctica para promover el aprendizaje bilingüe y ayudar a los niños a mantenerse conectados con su cultura. Estos consejos se podrán consultar en Facebook y en el sitio web de El Mejor Nido.

Sorteo

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Contenidos de la mochila del Sorteo. Valorado a más de $50.

Un (1) envase de Nesquik ®
Una (1) botella sirve fácil de NESTLÉ ® LA LECHERA ® DULCE DE LECHE
Una (1) caja de NERDS ®
Una (1) lata de Media Crema ®
Dos (2) envases individuales de Nescafé ® ™ MEMENTO
Un (1) cupón válido para una bolsa de cortesía de Hot Pockets ® Snackers
Un (1) cupón válido para una botella de Juicy Juice ®
Un (1) cupón válido para un paquete gratuito de agua NESTLÉ ® PURE LIFE™
Un (1) estuche de lápices
Un (1) paquete de lápices
Una (1) caja de marcadores
Una (1) caja de lápices de colores
Un (1) cuaderno
Un (1) libro de cupones de Nestlé
Un (1) libro bilingüe para niños
Cinco (5) Recetas

Esto no es un post patrocinado. Todos los pensamientos y las opiniones siguen siendo míos.

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OC Event - Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood pre-screening at @PretendCity!

August 31, 2012, 8:00 am

≫ Next: My 1000th post. Thank YOU for your support.

≪ Previous: Sorteo de Nestle @ElMejorNido - mochila y productos

I'm sure that by now you've been hearing about the new PBS show, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, that is airing next Monday.

My 4.5 year old son has been catching some of the action on the PBS Kids app and he really enjoys it. They sing, they dance, they re-did the "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" song. It's modern, and I think it's going to be a great addition to the PBS family.

Pretend City, because they are also partnered with PBS, is hosting an exclusive pre-screnning of Daniel's Tiger's Neighborhood this Saturday, September 1st!

Pretend City Children’s Museum

29 Hubble

Irvine, CA 92618

Phone: 949.428.3900

@PretendCity

Screenings are at 10:30am and 1:30pm in the community room.

The education department at Pretend City will also have some related programming that day to facilitate discussion about the show between parents and their children.

Hope you can make it!

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My 1000th post. Thank YOU for your support.

August 31, 2012, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Britax #Giveaway - add-ons for your car! Courtesy of @SafeConBritax.

≪ Previous: OC Event - Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood pre-screening at @PretendCity!

Hola,

I just wanted to thank you for stopping by whenever you got the chance to say hi, read my posts, enter the giveaways, watch the videos, catch up on local events, discover new movies, etc. It means the world that you have stuck by me through the hard times (like my Deddy passing away) and the good times (hello Walt Disney World!).

As this journey continues, you will continue to see sponsored posts (but hopefully you won't see them as such), transparent reviews and my honest to goodness thoughts and opinions on whatever I'm writing about. I am dedicated to YOU, readers, and I will never lie to you. Heck, I showed you what my post-baby body looks like in a bathing suit and what I look like without make-up, right? You'll always know where I stand.

Right now I'm staring at a couple months work of fitness that I have to pump out to get a totally rockin' body and I'll show you before/after pictures later. Also coming up are more giveaway ('cause I really, really like giving stuff away), cool events to attend during the upcoming holiday season and whatever else comes my way that I find interesting - and I hope you will too.

Many hugs and kisses to each and every one of you. You make my blog possible. Without your support, I would just be up way too late at night and too early in the morning, writing, with my kids yelling behind me and it would all be for nothing.

XO,
Pattie

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Britax #Giveaway - add-ons for your car! Courtesy of @SafeConBritax.

August 31, 2012, 10:48 am

≫ Next: Cue wolf whistle for the Britax B-Agile Double Stroller. Yes, it's THAT hot!

≪ Previous: My 1000th post. Thank YOU for your support.

It's that time of the month again... no, not THAT time - it's Britax giveaway time! A while back I had the pleasure of visiting their beautiful headquarters in New Jersey (where their car seats are made) and one of the meetings that we had featured their different accessories.

We saw every accessory that they offered, but the one that stood out the most was the vehicle seat protector - both in a good way and in a bad way. You see, I can totally use a seat protector right now. My beautiful Britax car seats are digging in big time into my seats and I'm worried about what it's going to do to my car's resell value. However, I remember reading somewhere that it is not recommended for add-ons (such as a head support, pillow rest, vehicle seat protector...) to be used in conjunction with car seats. I brought this up to the folks at Britax and they surprised me with this bit of information - all of their car seat add-ons are crash tested in/with a car seat! Pretty amazing, right?

I encourage you to read more about the products that we're giving away this month and enter to win BOTH of them via the entry form below. It's a Britax accessory prize pack worth $50!

About the BRITAX Vehicle Seat Protector

The BRITAX Vehicle Seat Protector offers an engineered, non-slip material for best-in-class car seat crash performance while providing protection to the vehicle seat from spills, debris, and compression. The BRITAX Vehicle Seat Protector is waterproof and easy to clean with raised edges on all sides to keep spills and debris contained, and a front seat guard that hangs over the vehicle seat to protect it from muddy shoes. The Vehicle Seat Protector is also LATCH compatible and crash tested and approved for use with BRITAX car seats.

Product Features

Engineered, non-slip material for best-in-class car seat crash performance
Crash tested and approved for use with BRITAX car seats
Raised edges to catch spills and debris for easy clean-up
LATCH compatible
Designed for full coverage of the car seat base to minimize vehicle seat indentations
Front seat guard protects the front of the vehicle seat from child’s shoes
Waterproof and easy to clean

About the BRITAX Back Seat Mirror

The BRITAX Back Seat Mirror provides a view of your rear-facing baby at any angle while allowing installation to adjacent vehicle head restraints. The shatter-proof, extra large mirror is convex to reflect a head-to-toe view of baby. The adjustable attachment straps allow the mirror to securely attach to most vehicle head restraints, while its soft-feel frame design has a sleek, modern look.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. The information provided for this post is because I am a Brtiax Latina Advisory Board Member and Blogger. As always, all opinions, ideas, and stories are my own. Images courtesy of Britax.

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Cue wolf whistle for the Britax B-Agile Double Stroller. Yes, it's THAT hot!

August 31, 2012, 11:25 pm

≫ Next: Have teenagers, will pay for cell phone. Why not use Net10 Wireless and save some money? #levantateun10

≪ Previous: Britax #Giveaway - add-ons for your car! Courtesy of @SafeConBritax.

As a mami, I find that certain products will make me want to whistle at them (yes, in a totally attraction/admiration type of a way). One of these products is the beautiful piece of stroller art pictured above. What you are seeing is the Britax B-Agile Double Stroller in black. Were I to shell out the cash for this particular stroller, I would get it in red because I would want it to stand out as much as possible. Kind of like getting a red car so the cop stops you and not the person driving the black car who just sped past time 30 miles over the speed limit.

So what makes this double stroller so caliente? Just look at these product features:

Product Features

Quick-Fold with Automatic Chassis Lock
Lightweight aluminum frame
Less than 30.5 inches wide to fit through standard doorways
Height adjustable handle
Large under seat storage with access through front foot rest
Two additional storage pockets behind seats
Separate large canopies with ventilation windows
Front swivel wheels are lockable
No re-thread, adjustable, five-point harness and head pad with reflective binding
Infinite seat recline positions
Linked parking brake locks both rear wheels
CLICK and GO integrated adapter system works with BRITAX CHAPERONE and B-SAFE infant car seats
All-Wheel Suspension provides for a smooth ride
Included Accessories: BRITAX CLICK and GO infant car seat receivers

My favorite part of the features list is the fact that it fits through standard doorways. When was the last time you saw a side-by-side stroller do that... with ease? I always see parents struggling with their wide strollers trying to navigate them through over-priced shops at trendy malls. I'm sure they're thinking... oh, why didn't I shell out the extra bucks for the Britax? Plus, did you notice the 50 pounds weight limit per seat? Awesomesauce. That means I could be hauling my enormous 4.5 year old's butt next to my 14 month old. Not bad.

I saw this beauty first-hand and it was absolutely gorgeous. The B-Agile Double Stroller is basically two B-Agile strollers put together, and if you really can't go wrong if you decide to get it. It retails for $499.99, which is a big chunk of change, but if you use it several times a week, it will pay for itself. Plus, it'll have a higher re-sell value and you can use it to attach your Britax Chaperon or B-Safe infant car seats too. Pretty great, right?

This kid seems to be enjoying it... I'm sure yours would too!

Find out more about Britax, their beautiful strollers and car seats, here. I agree, some of the items are an investment, but you'll love them every single time you use them, see them and show them off. You can always put them up on a resell site after your down with them and recoup some of the money you spent on them. Trust me, you will never regret buying a Britax product.

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Have teenagers, will pay for cell phone. Why not use Net10 Wireless and save some money? #levantateun10

September 1, 2012, 12:26 am

≫ Next: Disney Welcomes Arrival of First Disney Baby Store in Glendale!

≪ Previous: Cue wolf whistle for the Britax B-Agile Double Stroller. Yes, it's THAT hot!

Have you heard about Net10 Wireless yet? I hope you haven't because I want to be the first to tell you about it. This way you'll get super excited and then you'll go tell your friends that you heard it from me, first!

Anyway, Net10 Wireless is this really cool concept where there are no contracts, you get your choice of super cool phone models (including those that run on Android), and this:

Coverage on the best networks such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.
Up to half the cost of plans with contracts
Unlimited calls, text, and Internet to Mexico and other countries including cell phones
Available in over 90,000 stores across the USA including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Walgreens, CVS and Radio Shack.

It's especially great for families with teenagers because you can shell out $50 for an airtime card and have the phone and data services available to them - unlimited! That price cannot be beat. At least not without a contract.

I had the pleasure of taking the LG Optimus Net out for a ride. I had my 14 year old nephew set it up using the easy activation process detailed in the little booklet that it comes with. It took only a few minutes and it was up and running. Trust me, if a 14 year old can do it, then so can anyone else.

But for the life of me, I could not find my airtime card to actually get it up and running! I know... I know. So sorry! That part will have to come later. For now, I'll tell you about the great LG Optimus.

Phone Features

Because the LG Optimus is an Android phone, it comes pre-loaded with all the great Google Apps like Google Calendar, Google Talk, YouTube, etc. It has Android 2.3 Gingerbread as the OS version. The LG Optimus Net is a full-featured smartphone that has the amenities of all other new smartphones with a touchscreen, virtual QWERTY keyboard, Swype, and a 3.2 megapixel camera/ camcorder.

Additional Product Features

3G speed offers quick and easy connection speeds.
Wi-Fi connectivity for Internet capability on the go (additional fees may apply).
Bluetooth compatibility for wireless communication with a Bluetooth-enabled device.
3.2" HVGA color touch screen provides a clear view of your text messages, pictures and videos.
Store contacts, photos and videos using its 4GB internal memory; microSD card slot (media not included).
3.0MP digital camera with digital zoom captures detailed still images.
MP3 player
Hands-free speakerphone (especially useful here in CA with the hands-free/no text law)
Vibration alert notifies you of incoming calls even when you've silenced your phone.
Up to 5 hours talk time and up to 10 days standby with included lithium-ion battery.

I do like how chunky if feels in my hand and how easily it maneuvers. A light swipe will get you from one screen to the other. It's easy to organize the apps and thanks to its battery charger with removable cable, the phone can be hooked up directly to a computer and have music uploaded to the phone! I like being able to sync the Calendar app on the phone with the Google Calendar on my computer so I can take it with me wherever I go. I also like that it's not pre-loaded with dozens of games. Honestly, I have a smart phone right now and the last thing that I do with it is play games. I take loads of pictures and videos with it, but I don't play games.

This smart phone is made for both adults and teenagers. It's so easy to customize, easy to use and even easier to afford thanks to the flat rate/no contract deal with Net10 Wireless.

Visit www.levantateun10.com for more information about Net10 Wireless service.

This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Net10 Wireless. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

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Disney Welcomes Arrival of First Disney Baby Store in Glendale!

September 4, 2012, 2:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Have teenagers, will pay for cell phone. Why not use Net10 Wireless and save some money? #levantateun10

The Disney family is expanding and guests are invited to welcome the arrival of the first Disney Baby Store in the United States in Glendale, CA on Saturday, September 8, 2012. To commemorate the occasion, the first 100 babies to arrive at the store will receive FREE Disney Baby Mickey Mouse ears, plus a free gift for each of our first 500 guests.

The premiere Disney Baby Store provides an exclusive array of products to help families celebrate baby’s magical moments throughout the day such as playtime, bathtime, on-the-go, getting ready, mealtime, dressing baby, baby’s first, and in the nursery. In addition to shopping at the store, guests can find all the Disney Baby products in the new online boutique at DisneyStore.com/disneybaby.

Date: Saturday, September 8, 2012
Time: 10:00 a.m. - Disney Baby Store Grand Opening Ceremony with ribbon cutting
12 p.m. – 4p.m. Meet and Greet with Winnie the Pooh and friends. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
*Characters alternate every 30 minutes. Character appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Disney Baby Store at The Americana at Brand

889 Americana Way

Glendale, CA, 91210

Follow Disney Baby on Twitter: @DisneyBaby.

"Like" Disney Baby Facebook.