The Creepy Kid Next Door

So I'm one of those overprotective parents that won't let the kids leave our yard.  They are only 4 and 6 and I don't think they need to be roaming the neighborhood.  Apparently I'm the only one on the block that feels that way because every day there is a variety of children in the alleys, on the streets, etc.

Of course my daughter hates me for it and throws a fit because all her other friends get to leave their yards.  And I don't know what it is, but there is not a great selection of kids in these parts either.

Anyway, so there's a boy that looks to be about 6 or 7 who lives about 3 houses down on the other side of the street.  Yesterday he came over and was playing outside with my kids.  Then they asked if he could come in and play and I asked if it was okay with his parents and he said yes (although who knows if he was lying.)  But, when it was time for him to go home because we were about to eat and it was getting dark, the kid wouldn't leave!  He kept messing with buttons on things, tools, you name it.  But he wouldn't leave!  David kept nudging him towards the door and finally he kind of gave him a gentle push out.

Then today, the kid became downright creepy!  I went to pick A up from school and when I left L was napping and David was in the shower.  I ran a quick errand afterwards and when I got home, David informed me that L had let the boy in the house and they were playing downstairs.  (This isn't the creepy part.)  So David sent him home and told him he was not allowed to come in without an adult's permission and that L was in trouble for letting him in.

About 20 minutes later, David runs to the store, so his truck is gone.  I hear a knock at the back door and it's the kid.  I block the door and tell him that the kids are not allowed to play today and he will have to come back Monday.  He just keeps staring at me and it was like he was trying to get past me.  I finally closed the door and went into the living room.  Two minutes later I go into the kitchen and I see him standing outside the back door.  Two minutes after that he's staring in the kitchen window.  Three minutes after that he's staring in the kids' bedroom window.

I closed all the blinds and texted David to hurry because it was creepy.

Sure, I probably could try to handle it on my own, but I'm always afraid of other parents getting mad at me, so I try to avoid speaking to their kids if it's outside of me teaching.

Crap, I just saw him walking by the side of the house... I gotta hide!

Timmy Time: Timmy Needs a Bath DVD Giveaway!!!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

"Grab your rubber ducky and get ready to soak in some lamb-tastic good fun as preschool favorite Timmy Time™ returns for an all new family-friendly, good-hearted release, Timmy Time: Timmy Needs A Bath, available on DVD January 24, 2012 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. 

With slapstick humor and not a single line of dialogue, Timmy Time follows a day in the life of barnyard preschoolers. With diverse animal characters along with a rich and colorful nursery school backdrop, Timmy and his friends learn life lessons that every preschooler needs to know. Whether fleeing bath time, becoming a walking collage, being bitten by the cleaning bug or engaging in a paint war, Timmy and his pals always bring joy, heart and a little silliness to any situation.

Timmy Time™ is part of Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming for kids ages 2-7 and their families, which airs in more than 99 million U.S. homes. The show is created by Aardman Studios, the Academy Award^®-winning creators of Wallace & Gromit™ and Shaun the Sheep™.

DVD SYNOPSIS:

Enjoy some good clean fun with Timmy and his friends! Adventures with mud, glue and paint leave Timmy in some sticky situations. This clever little lamb uses his creativity to make tub-time fun and turn a paint fight into a masterfleece! Timmy cleans up and discovers the most fun of all is being with friends! Soak up the good times with Timmy…just don’t forget to wash behind your ears!

Episodes:

• “Timmy Needs A Bath”
• “Sticky Timmy”
• “Tidy Timmy”
• “Timmy Goes Camping”
• “Timmy The Artist”

DVD BONUS FEATURES

· Timmy’s Tune #2 – Music Video

· Shaun the Sheep Bonus Episode: Supersize Timmy"

Family Time Factor:  This is very basic, and I think works best for toddlers.

MOTR Grade: B+

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

One lucky winner will receive a copy of this DVD!  Contest runs through February 6, 2012 and ends at noon central time.

To enter:

1) Tweet this giveaway.  Suggested tweet: Check out this #giveaway from Lionsgate and @hamsterkitten! http://bit.ly/AsLyFd #TimmyTime

     Post link below.

2) Share link on Facebook or blog or any other site and post link below.

Thanks & good luck!!!

I Can Be Proud of Myself

All my life, the only person who ever made me genuinely feel like they were proud of me was my Grandma J.  She would tell me everytime she saw me and I could feel that she really meant it.  On one other occasion out of the blue my ex grandfather-in-law told me he was proud of me because he was amazed by my wealth of computer knowledge and my ability to teach it to him.  That was a great moment for me.  Aside from that, the only time anyone has really told me they were proud of me was when I told them this story and they'd say, "well of course WE are proud of you too."  Yeah, that doesn't count.

I spent about the first 28 years of my life worrying about what other people thought about my choices and decisions, only to have them be unsupportive and over-critical. 

When I decided to leave my husband, you'd think I had just murdered someone.  Apparently being unhappy your entire life is more important than the "shame" of being divorced.  Someone once told me that it is better for children to "come from a broken home than to live in one."  I definitely agree with this.  I want to provide a positive role model for my children and I want them to know that they don't have to suffer their whole lives if they are unhappy just because some people put a negative connotation on divorce.  I want my daughter to become strong and independent and realize that her life doesn't need to revolve around men.  She can accomplish anything she wants in life by herself.  I want my son to grow up in a positive environment to break the cycle of anger and treating women as second class citizens.

If this makes me a selfish demon, that is NOT my opinion of the situation.  As you know if you follow my blog regularly, you know that in August I was offered a job to teach at a community college.  I couldn't believe it.  I have wanted to teach since I was a child, but I could never put my finger on what age I wanted to teach until I actually went to community college and it was my best educational experience by far.  The people actually are choosing to be there and although I like kids, it's nice not having to teach these students right from wrong.

I absolutely LOVE my job.  Sure, I'd love to do a million other things as well, but I would never want to not teach.  I achieved this job because I went to school and chose to pay attention in my classes.  I finished my associates in two years, while working and paying for classes out of my own pocket.  When I finished my bachelor my daughter was 1 and my daughter was 3.  I started my masters the fall after that.

I could have been like many other people I knew and chosen to party and drink and then later drop out.  I could have decided that having kids meant I had to wait until they were grown and gone to finish my education.  But I didn't. 

And how are my kids now?  AWESOME!  Sure, being 6 and 4 they have their issues, but no more so than any other kid.  They smile all the time, they laugh, they're happy, they love being around other kids, they are soooo loving and are constant affirmations that I am making good choices with my life.

So, to draw this to a close: two years ago I realized that there was no point in living my life to try to meet up to someone else's standards.  I wanted to be happy, I wanted my children to have a positive life experience and I wanted us to enjoy our life together.  I am proud of myself and I don't need anyone else to be proud of me.  And that's a good feeling.

What to Expect... GIVEAWAY!!!

If you're unfamiliar with the What to Expect series, I'm curious to know how long you've been in a coma.  What to Expect When You're Expecting has launched an entire spectrum of products, resources, support and books for new, expecting and not so new parents.

Of course, the most familiar was the book that started the whole phenomenon.  What to Expect When You're Expecting is a book that takes you from the idea of making a baby all the way through what happens after the baby is born.  It gives helpful tips, great descriptions and of course- what to expect!  I read this back in 2005 when I was pregnant with my first and it was fantastic!  It helped me realize what things were normal in regards to symptoms, the progress my baby was making each week and even tips for birthing and after.  And now that I'm expecting my THIRD and it has been almost 4 years since my son was born, I find it just as interesting to read about it all over again.  I'm experiencing a few new symptoms that I didn't have with my first two and of course, they are in the book!

Included in this giveaway will also be What to Expect the First Year and What to Expect the Second Year.  These are just as helpful as the original pregnancy book as they help guide you through the insanity that is parenting!!!  Kids don't come with an instruction manual, but this is as close as you can get!!!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

TWO lucky winners will receive a copy of each of the above mentioned titles!  Contest is open to US residents and ends January 5 at noon central.

To enter:

Like What to Expect on Facebook.

For additional entries:

1) Follow What to Expect on Twitter.
2) Post a link to this giveaway on any site and comment with the link below. 

Thanks and good luck!!!

The Help blu-ray review

I was so excited to see this movie!  I remember seeing the trailer for the first time in the theater and thinking it looked great!  I am super anti-racism and also anti-rich snobby people who think they are better than everyone, so this flick sounded right up my alley.

So, I couldn't really find one to watch it at the theater with me... apparently I don't know anyone that thinks that kind of movie is a must see.

Hallelujah, I saw it on Blu-ray when it came out!!  Emma Stone plays an aspiring journalist who decides to write a book from the perspective of the help, the black women who do pretty much everything in the households of these uppity white people.  Some of these women raise the children from birth, yet get cast aside like they are nothing.  It was not a new idea by any means to put the plights of the pre- civil rights movement atrocities in the public eye, but the way this was done was quite clever, touching and humorous at times.

Fortunately there were a couple of the employers who weren't complete scumbags.  The characters were all very well developed, casting was great and it held my interest the entire way through!

Family Time Factor: There are several adult themes and some language, so I would say 13 and up.

MOTR Grade: A

The Help is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray!!!

I Said No! by Zack and Kimberly King (book review)

One of the more difficult parts of parenting is talking to your kids about the "touchy" subjects.  As a parent, it is our job to let them know things about life, but how do you go about talking about them?

This book came at the perfect time for me.  My daughter is now 6 and there have been some questionable things happening when she is at her dad's and I felt like now is the perfect time to talk to her about inappropriate touching.  I can't be around her all the time and therefore I am going to have to hope that she can keep herself safe when I'm not there.

"I Said No! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping private parts private" gives the perspective from both a mother and her son's point of view.  Zack attended a slumber party where his friend asked him to touch his privates and told him all the cool kids do it.  Zack realized this was a red flag and tried to tell his friend's mom, but she did nothing about it.  Zack hid out in the bathroom and told his mom immediately when he got home the next day.

This book goes over things for children to say, red flags and green flags and people who are allowed to see your privates.  Also, it gives ideas on what to do if someone is inappropriate with you.  This is great because students are not born with the realization of what is okay and not okay when it comes to privates.  I remember when my daughter was around 2 or 3 and she had a yearly exam with her pediatrician.  He asked my permission to check her over and told her that he asked my permission because no one should be allowed to look at or touch her privates without her permission unless it is mommy or daddy.

Okay, so now that I've told you all the great things, I will give you my only beef with this book.  I didn't like the little pauses for discussion.  Of course I planned to discuss the book with my child, but I didn't need the prompts.


MOTR Grade: A-

I definitely think this is a book every parent should have in their collection and it should be read several times as your children get older.

Loopeez Shoe Tying Aid Review and Giveaway!!!

Do you have a child that is in the process of learning how to tie shoes or you are ready to have them learn?  If you've ever tried to teach a child how to tie shoes, you know it can be very challenging and time consuming!

I tend to buy my kids velcro shoes, but I know at some point they will have to learn and this is a really great way to teach them!!  I didn't learn how to tie my shoes until I was in kindergarten and I recall how much effort the teacher put in to trying to teach me- it was like a rubiks cube!

"Loopeez is a mom invented product that revolutionizes the way kids learn to tie shoes. Loopeez is the first shoe tying aid to teach directly on the child's shoe and teach BOTH methods of tying. With Loopeez, parents and kids can learn to tie in a fun way eliminating the frustration of shoe tying. Kids love the cool designs and colors and parents love how fast they work. Kids learn to tie in minutes. Loopeez are also great for special needs, Autism, stroke, arthritis and one handed tying."







GIVEAWAY DETAILS:


Loopeez is giving one lucky reader a set for their child!  If you have a girl, you will receive the swirl design and if you have a boy, you will receive the army design.  Just let me know when you give me your address which you prefer.  Giveaway ends January 2 at noon central.

And if you can't wait to see if you win and want one now, Loopeez is currently offering FREE SHIPPING if you order through their website.

To enter:


Like Loopeez on Facebook.


For additional entries:
1) Post a link to this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter and put the link in a comment below.


Good luck!!!






I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Colorforms Magic Fashion Show Review

This is something I would have LOVED getting as a gift when I was young.  I was obsessed with paper dolls, dressing up my Barbies and toying with fashion ideas.  The idea of something as cool as this toy would have blown my mind and given me hours/days/weeks of enjoyment!  Although it is designed for ages 3-8, I think 3 might be a little too young to handle this toy because some of the pieces are more delicate.  And as far as age 8, I'd probably bump it up to 10.

"Colorforms is the classic toy brand that has inspired young kids to follow their own imaginations for over 60 years. We’re looking for bloggers to review our newest product -- Magic Fashion Show. 

Designed for girls ages 3-8 years, the Magic Fashion Show playset lets them become a head designer of their own fashion shows. They can dress runway models "backstage" in different outfits and accessories, and then send them along a circular catwalk to show off each new ensemble under a real working spotlight. The product comes with five standing figures and plenty of Colorforms' Stick-Ons play pieces to create hundreds of different outfit combinations, allowing up to five kids to play together and participate in a real fashion show experience!"

This would make an excellent Christmas gift and since it's not very commonly come by, it will be a toy that all her friends won't have and then they can be jealous!

MOTR grade: B+

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Kipsy Toy Review & Giveaway!!!

I am stoked beyond stoked about this giveaway, People.  When I first saw the pitch for this product I think a couple brain cells in my head exploded I was so excited!  It is a genius idea and I for one, can't believe no one hasn't thought of it yet (if they have, I've never heard of it!)

If you've never used bribery with your kids, there is something frightening about you.  We all use bribery in one way, shape or form at some point in our lives.  We bribe people with smiles, money, goods, promises of eternal love and friendship... whatever it may be, bribery is a long running tradition because it works!

Enter the Kipsy Toy.  But, this is a geniusly masked bribery.  You have a book about Kipsy and his magic beans.  You read the story, you put the magic beans under the pillow and if the child has achieved his or her goal/task, a surprise appears to replace the beans!  And the great thing is, you can do this for as long as you want until the behavior has changed.  (Shall we have a long discussion about behavior modification?  I'll start by talking about Pavlov's dogs and you chime in when you get it...  okay, just kidding.)

This is perfect for correcting the bedtime habit behaviors like getting out of bed constantly for no reason, staying in their own bed all night or throwing a fit at bedtime.  You read the story to the child, let them have the doll for snugglies and they put the beans under their pillow.  In the morning if they were good, they get a prize!  Personally, I think if they were bad you should place a severed head under their pillow, but apparently most parents (and child protective services) disagree.  

When I was young, say 4-6, I had a habit of sneaking in my parents' bedroom every night.  I was good at it!  I could pick the lock, I could get in the water bed and be so quiet, they never woke up.  I think the final straw was when I snuck in and threw up in their bed.  But anyway, my dad solved this with two things: a dead bolt and bribing me with toys.  It's amazing how much less scary the boogie man is when there are toys involved.  It did work, however.  

I'm anxious to try this with my son, but herein lies my only worry: I have two kids and if I let one lie with the doll, the other will throw a fit.  I'm sure it can be solved with a "too bad," but that's my only issue... but then again, I could order another doll.

Long story short, I have nothing bad to say about this.  As a mother and educator who has experience with children from birth and up, I can say this is one of the best product ideas I have seen in a long time!  I am strongly opposed to punishment as a form of behavior modification and much prefer positive reinforcement.  This would be a great gift to give to a parent who is having a hard time with a child at bedtime or a great gift for the child themselves!

"Getting young children to go to bed and stay in their own bed can be a challenge!  Kipsy and the Magic Beans is a fun bedtime sleep aid for children in fairytale form. The set includes a storybook to read together, a soft doll to sleep with, magic beans and incentive toys.  Parents read the story and plant a magic bean under the child’s pillow.  The child knows to keep the bean warm and toasty by sleeping on the pillow overnight. In the morning, the bean has magically turned into a toy! Perfect for childhood transitions – switching beds, starting school, life changes, or sleeping in a new place."

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Kipsy Toys has been awesome enough to offer one of my readers the Kipsy Doll package that includes the doll, book, 5 magic beans and 5 prepackaged incentive toys.  Open to US residents only and giveaway ends December 20 at noon central time.

To enter:

Like Kipsy on Facebook.

Additional entries:

1) Tell me who you would give this to and why.

2) Tweet or post a link to this tab on Twitter and/or Facebook and post the link below.  Please try to use @hamsterkitten and #kipsytoys if you post on Twitter.

Good luck!!

Hell Hath No Fury Like This Lady Without Her Meds!!!

So I need to vent.  As you should all know if you follow my blog, I'm bipolar.  Well, I have been without one of my meds for almost two weeks.  Here is why:

When I moved from my last town in August, I had several months worth of pills left.  Well, thinking it would be a quick and painless transition, about 3-4 weeks ago, I tried to set up an appt with a local psychiatrist to get my meds refilled.  Well, apparently their office only accepts appointments with a referral.  Having my old doctor fax my information to my new doctor was considered a referral, but apparently this process is taking a long time and a lot of pointing fingers in the delay, but I can't make an appt. until the information is received by the new doctor.

In the meantime, I've been out of one of my medications.  You are often warned about the side effects of quitting psychotropic drugs cold turkey, so I decided to make an appointment with a general practice doctor in the same building.  So, I got in today.... and that doctor... wow.  I've never wanted to walk out of an office in my life and it took all my willpower not to!  She was super rude, wouldn't make eye contact and didn't understand why I couldn't wait for an appt with the psychiatrist.  She just kept asking if I was suicidal.  I really wanted to tell her that I'm homicidal, but she didn't seem like the type of person who gets sarcasm or jokes of any kind.  Long story short, she lectured me, told me she wasn't comfortable with it and told me I should try to make an appt with the psychiatrist.

Well, let me tell you.  At this moment, I hate everyone and everything.  I've felt this way since like two days after my meds ran out.  I could literally give a 5-10 minute speech on why I hate every person I know (except my kids.)  Do I actually hate them?  I don't think so... maybe one or two... but at this point in time, I want to stab them all from their left eyebrow to the dimples in their knee caps.  I get mad at the TV, I get mad at the wind.  I'm in a constant state of rage and it makes me pity those around me.  Add to this that I can't sleep and when I do I am having vivid dreams of pointless things.  I wake up 80 times a night and give up around 6am when I don't have to be up until 8.

So, no DOCTOR, I am not SUICIDAL, but how about you take your cracker jack box degree back to where you came from (she's new to the clinic) and learn something called empathy... and tact... and being around other human beings.

FAIL.

The Toddler from H-E- Double Hockey Sticks

My son...

*sigh*

He has been going through a loooooooooong phase- we are talking like 8 months or so long- where he cries over EVERYTHING.  You tell him no, he cries.  You tell him it's dinner time, he cries.   You ask him to put his shoes on, he cries.  Well, I've gotten to the point where the crying doesn't bother me.  First I tried putting him in time out because we all knew it was crocodile tears.  Then I tried sending him to his room until he was done crying.  I didn't get mad, I would calmly tell him to go into his room and he could come out when he was done crying.  So, of course this resulted in him coming out two seconds later because he had turned off the waterworks just as easily as he turned them on.

Figuring that it is a phase, I have just kind of accepted it and try to ignore it because I know that he is trying to get attention.

Well, instead of letting that phase die out, he has decided to escalate it- to ear piercing screams.  He intertwines these screams with his usual crying, but throws some even louder sobs in.  And of course, it's still over the same little things.  He smacks his sister in the face, he gets caught, he cries (and screams).  He gets caught jumping on the couch... you get the picture.  So, to his room he goes where he has now decided to start kicking the walls and throwing things during his tantrums.  As much as I would like to go in and knock his block off, I just ignore it.  I know he is trying to get attention out of it, but I refuse to give in.  And believe me, it is HARD.  He is a mama's boy, so when he has legitimate reasons to cry, it breaks my heart... but when he throws these crying/screaming tantrums, I just think, "what am I doing wrong?"  Where have I gone wrong in my parenting that he has decided to take this route when he's upset.  My daughter never went through this phase. 

I'm at my wits end... do I invest in earplugs or try to take him back to WalMart... any advice??

Leading Lady Bra Review & Giveaway!!!

Holiday Gift Guide- Perfect Gift for New or Expecting Moms

Being pregnant can cause lots of changes to a woman's breasts- good and bad.  But one thing all women know is that sometimes the best friend a woman can have is a comfortable bra (forget diamonds)!

Leading Lady is here to help! 

"Leading Lady is a premiere intimate apparel company dedicated to creating comfortably functional, remarkably affordable, stylish and easy-to-wear bras, camis and sleepwear. A family owned and operated business, Leading Lady has been expertly tailoring nursing and full figure bras for top brands and retailers across North America for more than 70 years. For the first time, Leading Lady’s comprehensive line of nursing and full figure intimates – including sexy stretch lace wire-free and underwire bras, supportive and seamless sport and yoga bras, and cozy sleep and leisure bras – can be purchased directly on LeadingLady.com.

Leading Lady is proud to celebrate “Leading Ladies” everywhere through its products, programs and philanthropic activities. Leading Lady is dedicated to arming new moms with the support – physically, intellectually and emotionally – they need to nurture their babies through breastfeeding and committed supporting a variety of organizations and issues relevant to women across the country. Follow Leading Lady on Facebook and Twitter"

I was fortunate enough to be able to try two of these bras myself!  I tried the cotton front-closure leisure bra and the lightly molded crossover leisure bra.  The latter is super cute, but the former is HEAVENLY!  I can not explain how comfortable this bra is!  And being a front-hook closure, it is very easy for nursing, but can also be worn any other time as well!  It provides better support than a sports bra, but is just as comfortable.  And the best part about Leading Lady's bras is they are offered in such a huge range of sizes that there is something for everyone.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Leading Lady has been awesome enough to provide one of my readers with a free item of their choosing!  Winner will receive a code for the free item plus free shipping (free shipping applies to continental United States only.)  Winner will be chosen at random December 8th at noon central.

To enter:

Like Leading Lady on Facebook.

Additional entries:

1) Follow Leading Lady on Twitter.
2) Tweet this giveaway including a link and @LeadingLady along with @hamsterkitten and if you have room include #giveaway.

Good luck!!!


Leading Lady provided me with free products, however my opinions are my own.

No Shirt for You!

I apologize for yet another post about friendship.  This is just something that is really getting under my skin and I have to vent to someone, anyone... which leaves the one or two people who may read this.

I consider myself to be a good friend.  If you are in need, I will give you anything I can to help.  I try to be there whenever someone asks, and unless I can't afford the gas to get there, I drop everything to be there.  I know there are a couple instances I may have borrowed things and not returned them, but I am either still intending to (money) or we stopped being friends and I stopped caring about returning something and ended up passing it along to someone else.

There have been times when I had $20 to my name and spent it buying a friend groceries.  I've helped people move, I've FOUND people places to move!  I've given countless hours of requested advice and kept my mouth shut at times I knew it wasn't my place to say anything.  I've taken a friend's word only to be stabbed in the back, I've trusted people that shouldn't be trusted...

And yet again, I reiterate that I know that I'm not perfect.

But what bothers me is this:  I have a couple friends who have been my friends for years.  I can't get them to answer my texts... I can't get them to respond to me on Facebook unless I post something on their wall.  I don't know why, that's just how it is.  I have people that used to be my friends, but now won't even be my friend on Facebook for something that I can't even remember that I did to upset them.  I know I shouldn't care because they are obviously not real friends, but I do care.  You know those people that you call when you are super upset about something and need a shoulder to cry on?  I don't have one of those.  I wish so badly that I did, but I don't.  I have people that call me and rant or cry for hours and I listen.  *sigh*  I just feel like everyone should have SOMEONE they can turn to for comfort, joy, a laugh, a girls' night out, whatever it may be...

So I don't know if this is a shame on me for whatever I may have done wrong, a shame on me for giving second, third, fiftieth chances and holding out hope that my friends are better than they actually are... or is it actually a shame on them... for being crappy friends?

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure DVD Review

After the reaction my son had the first time he saw Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I have become a loyal fan! Therefore, any DVD that comes out is a must have!

If you're unfamiliar with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, it's one of the staples on Playhouse Disney and is geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. Both my kids love it. I think it's very educational. Kids learn letters, numbers, colors, vocabulary, but don't realize it because the show is so fun!

"This November, parents and their preschoolers are invited to blast off with Mickey and pals on a rocketship full of fun in Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment’s newest release of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure, a new, full-length intergalactic adventure that takes the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy – into outer space on a search for the ultimate space treasure. Packaged with a surprise, never-before-seen “Goofy’s Thinking Cap” episode and fun, glow-in-the-dark space-themed stickers, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse:
Space Adventure will be available for purchase as a 2-Disc (DVD + Digital Copy) Combo Pack
November 8, 2011.
 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure is a 45 minute, full-length space-themed escapade, geared
for kids 2 to 5 years of age, that invites young viewers to discover outer space and use their problem- solving skills while they watch. In this specific adventure, Mickey and pals head to space where they tour
the Moon, Mars and the Rings of Saturn as well as meet new alien friends while on the hunt for a unique
space treasure." 

Family Time Factor:  Sometimes I catch my 5 year old watching this, but I could never voluntarily get her to say she wants to watch it with her brother.  I also find it unenjoyable to watch, but it definitely keeps my son entertained!

MOTR Grade: B+

The Great Christmas Debate

So yesterday David and I find ourselves talking about Santa and gift giving.  I don't really like the idea of promoting the idea of Santa because it is not what Christmas is about.  But, I don't want my kids to feel like they aren't normal and not give them gifts, so I have told them that they get gifts because Jesus isn't around to give birthday gifts to, so they get gifts instead.  Yes, it may sound weird, but I just want them to know that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, not some guy in a red suit giving out presents.

But, my goal to not get them into Santa quickly faded when my daughter was 2 and everyone (including my then in-laws) felt the need to talk about Santa all the time to them around the holidays.  What did you ask Santa for?  Have you been good so Santa can bring you presents?  Blah, blah.  So, I just let everyone else do the Santa talking and I just never mention him.  I don't put "from Santa" on their gifts, they are just there.

So the debate is that David was raised that once the tree was up, gifts would start getting put under the tree from mom and dad and they would stay there until Christmas morning when they would be opened.  However, "Santa" would bring one BIG gift on Christmas Eve night and they would be surprised at what it was in the morning when they woke up.  Then they took turns opening everything.

What my family did was on Christmas Eve, mom and dad gave us a gift from them, then when we woke up Christmas morning, we were excited to see all these presents under the tree that were not there before.  The only things under the tree before Christmas day were gifts from relatives or the siblings to each other.  Then, we took turns opening everything.

So, we have the agreement on taking turns opening things.  But, I like the way my family did it better and he likes the way his family did it better.  There is no right or wrong, but if you know me, you know I like getting my way... which I probably will... but I'd like to hear any suggestions on ways to combine both traditions or what your family might have done differently!

Let Me Explain My Butt

For years, I've been overweight... some years... borderline Hindenburg. 

But what I hate most is ... my butt!  (Or my rear end for those of you who find that word offensive.)

I have often compared it to one "person" and one person only: the penguin in Batman Returns.  Remember how Danny Devito looked in that pantyhose material stuffed with filling?  He had this really weird shaped body, but if you specifically remember what it looked like when he was in his lair underground and didn't really wear much in terms of clothing and it seemed like he had flesh colored spandex pants... yeah, that's what my tush looks like!

I don't even know what shape you would call it!  Square?  Whatever it is, I hate it.  Last year I lost 45 pounds (don't get excited for me, I've pretty much gained it back) and guess what- my butt was still a square!!


What is the deal???  I hate it!  I don't think I'd opt for a flat hind end, but seriously... what kind of cruel joke is God playing on me when my butt can only be described as that of the penguin from Batman?

*sigh*

A Case of the Blahs

I don't know what my deal is lately- I don't think that it is because winter is coming and people get that seasonal depression thing because the weather has actually been unseasonably nice here and I do love the holidays, so I have that to look forward to.

But lately, I just feel so blah.  I love my job, but I don't feel like going to work because it seems mundane.  I do go, but I feel like I'm boring my students and sometimes when I talk about whatever subject we're on a little voice pops into my head saying, "geez, I can't even focus on what you're saying it's so boring!"

Then there's my blog.  I have a whole bunch of things I could be blogging about, topics floating around in my head, but I just don't feel like it.  I don't think I'd have the zip and zest in my writing that I feel like I should.

I usually post status updates on Facebook a couple times a day... but lately I've gone days without.... it's blah.  I don't have anything witty or interesting to tell the world.  I'm blah.

Nothing seems exciting, every day is just like the last... I'm not in the least trying to say I have a crappy life- quite the opposite, things are going so well in my favor that I should really take the time to sit back and enjoy it!  But I can't... cause I'm blah.

BLAH.

V Season 2 on DVD!!!

"In episode 9, Anna tries to bliss a human. She is elated that she can control humans the same way she does Visitors. Now she simply has to bliss the humans into listening to her in order to gain total control of Earth. If aliens were to come to Earth, do you imagine they would be peaceful or manipulative and treacherous like Anna, what would you do? Would you trust them until given a reason not to or would you distrust them until proven otherwise?"

Well, I tend to not trust anyone ever anyway, so I don't think I would completely trust them.  But, I would be nice to them until they gave me a reason not to be.  I'd like to think that if aliens came to Earth it would be mostly for a fact finding mission and not to take over our planet because they had used up all the resources on theirs.  But, if that is why they come, I think we will be done for.  Our government can't make up its mind or agree about anything, and I'm assuming the aliens would be on a unified mission.  By the time we know what hit us, we'd have all hidden under desks and cried until we were annihilated.

Check out V Season 2 on DVD and Blu-ray!!!


“I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote V Season Two on DVD."

Keep Families Safe with Master Lock Giveaway!!!

Holiday Gift Guide: Perfect for Students or Parents!

Master Lock has a long history of making high quality super-superb items!

This fall, they are highlighting ways to keep family members' possessions safe from intruders, thieves or children who can't keep their hands out of stuff that isn't theirs... (even adult children!)

"October [was] Crime Prevention Month and Master Lock is sharing tips to encourage families to prevent and deter crime. With more than 13 million Americans affected by crime each year, it is essential that people are always aware of what they can do to protect themselves, their things and others. Master Lock has created a series of simple tips to help families change their safety mindset, be aware of their surroundings and take small precautions to stay safe during Crime Prevention Month and beyond."

Also:

"October [was] also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Master Lock has come out with some great pink products that are also in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. These locks are perfect for use at the gym, during an awareness walk, or for kids to bring to school for their lockers, sporting activities etc. Master Lock also created a facebook game that families can play to raise money for the cause."

Giveaway Details:

Master Lock is offering my readers a chance to win their Security Chest.  One reader will be chosen at random at noon central on November 21st.  The Security Chest is a great way to hide and secure your valuable such as documents, money, small electronics, jewelry, medications... anything small that you wouldn't want stolen!





To enter:

Tell me what possession you have that you would be most upset about being stolen.

Additonal entries:

1) Like Master Lock on Facebook.
2) Tweet this giveaway and use @hamsterkitten.  Post link below.

Thanks and good luck!!

V Season 2 on DVD!!!

"Hobbes constantly calls Ryan out as a traitor even though his treachery has far worse consequences. Not only has Hobbes killed humans, he slept with Erica and then indirectly caused the death of Erica's ex-husband Joe. Have you ever been in a situation where someone regardless of their own actions kept pointing out what you were doing wrong? How did you bring this to light or work around it to move forward?"

This is hard for me to come up with my own response. I guess the best example would be with my divorce.  My ex constantly pointed out that I should be the one punished because I left him.  That was his rationalization and comeback for everything.  It doesn't matter that his actions drove me to it and his actions afterwards regarding the children were far worse than me leaving, which ended up being best for everyone and the kids haven't been happier!  I couldn't bring it to light to him because he doesn't listen to me.  And I moved forward by getting everything made legal.  Hooray!

Be sure to check out the second season of V on Blu-ray and DVD!!!



  
“I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote V Season Two on DVD."