Thursday, September 30, 2010

Mind Your Manners

I'm over at The Chicago Moms today. Be a dear and leave me a comment there, it's the polite thing to do.


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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show



Exclusive Halloween Savings...
SAVE $5 per ticket!*
for the show on Sun., OCT. 31
at 12:00 PM by using code TREAT
*Exclusions apply. See SPECIAL NOTES for details.

Coming to the Rosemont Theatre
Fri. OCT. 29 - Sun. OCT. 31!

SPECIAL OPENING NIGHT OFFER!
TICKETS $15!
Fri. OCT. 29 at the 6:30 PM performance.
[NO CODE REQUIRED. Excludes Front Row ($67.50) and VIP ($47.50) seats.
No double discounts. Cannot be used for prior purchases or group sales orders.
Service charges, handling and facility fees may apply.]

Abracadabra! It's Disney Live! presents Mickey's Magic Show!

Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends come together with
world-class magicians to perform magic from legendary Disney films
right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella's rags
into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the spectacular levitation of
Aladdin's Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia.
Join Donald and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and many more for a
one-of-a-kind stage show you'll never forget. Mickey's Magic Show is a
whole new way to experience Disney Magic with your family!

CLICK HERE to purchase.
Use code: TREAT

HURRY! Great Seats Are Going Fast!
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000

*SPECIAL NOTES
SAVE $5 offer excludes Front Row ($67.50) and VIP ($47.50) seats. Seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular performances sell out quickly, so act now! This special eBuzz offer is only available online and by phone only thru Thu. OCT. 21. This offer is not valid at ticket outlets. This offer may not be combined with any other offer and does not apply to group sales orders or prior purchases. This offer is valid only for performances noted above. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

Disclosure: As a Feld Family Activator I was offered complimentary tickets and opportunities to attend private FFA pre-show events.
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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

CSN Preview

You've heard me mention before that CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from great cookware to beautiful wardrobes to chic lighting pieces. I've been browsing the site again, trying to come up with ideas for Christmas gifts.




Maybe this train set for the boys?


Or this waffle iron for Augie Dawgs?
Whynot would love this bag game!

Come back soon to see what I've chosen. Now I have some serious shopping to do.
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Friday, September 24, 2010

Friday Fragments-TV Version

Mommy's Idea

I love the the new fall TV season is finally here, it may be the only thing about fall that I love. But even with the DVR there just aren't enough hours in the day to watch all the shows I'd like to. So many conflicts and some nights there's just nothing to watch.

Monday night had me watching The Event and Hawaii Five O and taping Chase at another time as Whynot was watching football and baseball and the channel surfing makes for a confused DVR.

The Event could be what fills my LOST gap. Sort of a LOST Flash Forward combination. Lots of jumping, so I really have to pay attention. And Blair Underwood, well I've been a fan since LA Law! It leaves me wanting more and so I may be sucked in for another six years.

Tuesday night was NCIS, I wasn't a serious watcher in the past, but I've heard a lot of good things about it so I thought I'd check it out. Wow Mark Harmon is old. I know, so am I am, but still, he's old! I think I might add NCIS Los Angeles next week if I can fit it in. I watched Parenthood, what's not to love about this show? Almost makes my crazy life on The Avenue seem a little normal. Didn't watch Detroit 1-8-7, heard it was good, feeling like I missed something. I'll have to try to squeeze it in somehow. Have to make room for The Good Wife. Glad I'm not in Julianna Marguilles' shoes, that's a tough choice to make, Mr. Big who is sort of an arrogant jerk trying to mend his ways or a relationship with the boss. Hmm.

Wednesday's shows were all on the DVR. Two hour back to back Law and Order SVU, which I somehow managed to watch in the wrong order. DOH. Next week (I think) is the premiere of Law and Order Los Angeles. I also taped The Defenders. Thumbs down! It had potential, it was set in Vegas, I love anything Vegas. This show, not so much. Jim Belushi is not his brother. And he's old. And IMO very crass and unrefined. He's a funny guy, serious drama is not his thing. Sorry I missed Undercovers, it looked cute.

Thursday, ah the long awaited Thursday! Grey's and Private Practice. Love love love. But this week, a little disappointing. Not enough detail to bring us up to speed from last season. Is Maya fine now? And two weddings that almost weren't, too predictable. I taped CSI to watch later this weekend with Whynot, so hush, no spoilers.

Friday is a slow night for my must see TV, just CSI NY and I'm a little upset that CSI Miami has been moved to Sunday. Football will mess up the start time and the DVR won't pick up the whole episode. I should probable learn to Hulu and I wouldn't have that problem.

I don't have a water cooler at work, heck I don't even have coworkers, but I'm wondering what this season's much talked/twittered about show will be. What's on your viewing card this season?




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Thursday, September 23, 2010

You Capture-Flowers

Welcome to my garden!

This is my funstruction crew! I don't think they are union carpenters and they certainly aren't legal to work yet!



You have to stretch your imagination with me today. These aren't full fledged flowers yet, they are my buds. Get it? Flowers, buds, buddies. Cut me some slack my stomach is doing flip flops and I am so tired. At any rate, these are my buds and with any luck, a whole lot of fertilizing and love they will bloom into the most beautiful flowers you've ever seen. And I the ever proud gardener Mema, will step back, admire my work and maybe the world will be a better place because I was important in the life of a flower child.

This post is part of Beth's ongoing series of beautiful photography, go check it out!

Photobucket
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Febreze Set & Refresh Giveaway


Want to spend more time doing the things you love and less time on keeping your home smelling fresh?

Stop living with cones! It’s Febreze to the rescue with the new Set & Refresh, a revolutionary fragrance system that keeps your house smelling fresher, longer! When using scented cones just isn’t enough, Febreze has got you covered with six new, long-lasting fragrances.

Found in Walmart’s new Air Care aisle, Febreze Set & Refresh is the only product of its kind to slowly release the same amount of scented oils over time. With Febreze Set & Refresh in your home, you can breathe a sigh of relief that your home will smell fresh and clean for days! It has a slim and contemporary design so it blends well into any room. And it uses no plugs or batteries so you could pretty much put it anywhere, even in your car. You just place the scented oil refill cartridge in the Set and Refresh to activate it. That’s it! You can control the amount of scent simply by opening or closing it.


Febreze Set & Refresh is available in 6 fresh scents:

* Meadows & Rain
* Spring & Renewal
* Linen & Sky (pictured above)
* Hawaiian Aloha
* Thai Dragon Fruit
* Apple Spice & Delight (limited edition)

Each cartridge should last about 30 days. You can learn more about Febreze Set & Refresh & get coupon here.

The Giveaway:

One reader will receive 3 $5 Walmart giftacards, just leave a comment below telling me the scent you like best from the list above.

It's that easy!

For extra entries:

  • Follow my blog publicly through Google Friend Connect.
  • Tweet about this giveaway.
  • Enter this giveaway into another giveaway linky on another blog or website. Then leave me the link to where you posted it in the comments.
  • If you want to stumble, plurk, digg etc. have at it, just leave me a comment with the details.
This contest will end on Tuesday, Sept. 287th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and notified by email.


Disclosure: Febreze provided me with the Febreze Set & Refresh Kit, information, and three $5 Walmart gift cards to giveaway through MyBlogSpark.
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Monday, September 20, 2010

Uprinting Die Cut Business Cards Giveaway

Updated 9-29-10 Congrats to the winner Lori!

I've teamed up with UPrinting to bring you the chance to win some very creative business cards.



What say you? No need for business cards! Really? Well maybe you don't need traditional boring business cards but there are many uses for custom printed little paper cards that have nothing to do with business.

Nametags
Tickets to an event
Tiny greeting cards
Bookmarks
Daily student awards
Inspirational cards
Save the date cards
Coupons
Punch cards
Membership cards

Now that I've convinced you, here are the details:

250 Die Cut Business Cards for One (1) Winner

* 2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.75 x 3.5” (slim card)
* Die cutting options available: Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle
* Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Matte, or High Gloss; 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
* Color: 4Color Front, Blank Back; 4Color Front, Black Back; 4Color Both Sides

Limited to US residents only 18 years old and above

To Enter:

Visit UPrinting and leave a comment telling me which die cut shape cards you would choose and what you would use them for.

To increase your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following.
Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!
Remember to leave one comment per entry and an email so I can contact you in the event that you are the winner.

  • Follow my blog publicly through Google Friend Connect.
  • Tweet about this giveaway.
  • Enter this giveaway into another giveaway linky on another blog or website. Then leave me the link to where you posted it in the comments.
  • If you want to stumble, plurk, digg etc. have at it, just leave me a comment with the details.
This contest will end on Monday, Sept. 27th. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Disclosure: For hosting this giveaway with UPrinting.com,
I am also receiving 250 business cards.
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Saturday, September 18, 2010

Relax and Surf Sunday

Welcome Everyone!

If you've surfed over from Shibley Smiles, you know that I am the featured blogger at Relax & Surf Sunday this week.

BWS tips button



I'm so glad you took the time to visit. Please make yourself comfortable, help yourself to some virtual refreshments and look around. Surf wherever you'd like. Be sure to leave me some comment love before you go, so I know you were here. Click up at the top to follow, I follow back and you definitely want to come back bright and early Monday morning to enter a great giveaway. Go ahead and subscribe to my RSS feed, I love to watch the numbers go up ;)

I've listed a few of my favorite posts, to sort of give you a feel of what goes on here at The Avenue.

This Betty Crocker post got some 3000 hits in one day!
We do lots of crafts on The Avenue.
Sometimes I give advice to teens.
And to parents.
You can also find me blogging at The Chicago Moms blog.

Thanks for visiting, stop by anytime, the door is always open on The Avenue and I love the company.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

You Capture-Photographer's Choice







I love the way these pictures turned out!

I love that his eyes match the chocolate cake.

I love that I didn't have to be the one to clean him up after his first bites of chocolate cake.

I love that his mom and dad flipped for who would clean the toddler and who would clean the high chair.

I love being a part of this little one's life.

I'd love for you to head over to Beth's and check out this week's You Capture.

Photobucket
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Happy Birthday TC!

Happy Birthday My Dear Sweet TC!

TC, today at 10:52 pm, according to your pediatrician, you will magically transform from a baby into a full fledged toddler. Umm well not exactly. Oh sure, it's your birthday, and you're one. You stopping eating baby food months ago. Same with formula. You gave up your bottle at 11 months and drink all liquids out of a sippy cup or straw.

You have eight teeth and haven't found a food you dislike. Unless of course it's on the end of a spoon held by someone else. You very much prefer to feed yourself. You have no idea how difficult that is for someone as anal as your Mema. I should own stock in wipes and paper towels.

Your typical day goes something like this:

  • Arrive at Mema's at 6am
  • Go back to sleep until anywhere between 8:30 and 9:30-ish
  • Diaper change
  • Breakfast or as we like to call it "the beginning of the feeding frenzy"
  • Playtime. You love Little People and Duplos, oh and anything with wheels.
  • About 11:30-ish we start lunch. You'll eat whatever it is your brother is having only more.
  • At noon, your brother gets on the bus, you get another diaper change and go down for nap
  • Your nap usually lasts 3 hours.
  • 3:00 p.m. Rise and Shine, diaper, snack and more playtime.
  • 3:30 Pa gets home from work and gives you another snack
  • 3:40 TOF gets home from school and you're on snack #3
  • 5:30 Mommy gets home from work and you and your brother go home for dinner
  • 7:30 is tubby time
  • and by 8 p.m. after a cup of milk you're back in bed for the night :)

Your 1 year check up isn't until Friday afternoon and I can't wait to hear your stats! You're wearing a size 4 diaper and 24mth clothes. You're a very tall baby. Your hair is very fine and wispy and sometimes it looks a little red. On Friday you're also going to get your very first haircut. According to some old Polish Proverb it's bad luck to get your haircut before your first birthday and we don't mess with stuff like that.

You can clap your hands and wave and do so big. You can say Mama, Dada and ada (for Pa). Sometimes it sounds like your calling your brother by his name, very loudly, much the same way all of us do. And your brother, you are so crazy in love with him, as he is with you. You're very strong willed at times, ha big surprise there. You are very much a toddler. Except for that toddling part. You absolutely refuse to walk unaided. You'll push a wagon or truck or even the sides of the corral, but you won't let go and cruise on your own.

Happy Birthday TC, enjoy your first taste of chocolate caaaaaake tonight!
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Feed Our Kids Well

Fear not Moms, help in preparing nutritious meals
for your family is on the way!





Ragu Old World Style Traditional Sauce now has 2 servings of veggies in every half cup! Available soon in major retailers nationwide, the healthy, great tasting Ragu Old World Style Traditional pasta sauce that is already a kitchen staple has a new, naturally thicker recipe.

Healthy, delicious and now with a naturally thicker taste the whole family will love, Ragu Old World Style Traditional Sauce is a perfect component to pulling together quick and tasty meals during this busy time. Ragu wants you to be among the first to try out their great new recipe, visit them on Facebook for more details.



Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragu prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.
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Monday, September 13, 2010

Keeping Our Marriage Exciting



It takes a lot of work to avoid boredom and to maintain the spark in our marriage, so Whynot and I frequently go out on dates with each other to have some fun. Sunday night was one of our date nights. Normally we take my vehicle and Whynot drives, just because.




The radio is on, I'm enjoying the scenery, not really paying attention to his driving when the car lurches forward and abruptly changes lanes. I grab the oh shit bar and calmly say to Whynot, "I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to change lanes on a bridge!" He replies to me, "Yeah, well I'm pretty sure that guy shouldn't be driving a car if he's dead!"

He has a point.

I think it's safe to say there is never a dull moment around here.
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Sunday, September 12, 2010

Football Schmootball


There's only one football fan here on The Avenue and it tisint me. Oh I fake it well if the Bears have a chance of making the playoffs. Not this year :( So as Whynot makes an even larger impression in the couch cushions, I chose to shop til I drop with Augie Dawgs as she spends Durwood's hard earned money and do a little Sunday Strolling around the Blogosphere. Always nice to meet new friends, so go check out some of these bloghops, unless of course you like football and then, well just have an nice day.

Sunday Strolling Blog Hop

BWS tips button



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Friday, September 10, 2010

Friday Facebook Funnies

If Facebook existed many years ago these are some status updates we might have seen.











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Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Wheels on the Bus


It’s that time of year again-Back to school. Ridiculously long lists of hard to find school supplies, early mornings, lunches to pack, running out the door so as not to miss the school bus.

The. School. Bus.

My local paper just ran another story of a child unknowingly left behind on the school bus. A sleeping 4 yr old girl on her way to preschool-picked up at her grandmother’s house.

WHOA, that scenario strikes entirely too close to home!

You can read the rest over at The Chicago Moms, where I am hanging out today. Come keep me company and please leave a comment.

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

For the Sake of Science

We and by we I actually mean TOF. We conducted a simple messy scientific experiment here on The Avenue today.

Hypothesis: Can baby powder travel faster than the speed of light?

Equipment: One 4 year old boy with an active imagination, one container of Johnson and Johnson's Baby Pure Cornstarch Powder, one playroom approximately 20' x 15'

Procedure: Mema must leave the room just long enough to run upstairs to get TC out of his crib and coo and guffaw good morning at him.

Safety/Risks: Where do I even begin!?!?!?!?!

Results: Disastrous! Imagine walking down the stairs and smelling a strong and yet very familiar smell. Looking up to see the room encased in white smoke clouds. Doing a quick scan of the room and noticing baby powder six feet deep covering every square inch of said room. Every toy, every book, every surface. Feeling your blood pressure rising. 130/80, 145/92, 168/98, 3892/574!

Discussion: Why, for the love of God why?!!?!?!?!

Conclusion: Inconclusive. I'm not sure that baby powder can travel faster than the speed of light, however I do know that baby powder in the hands of a 4 year old can travel faster than a Mema up and down a flight of stairs. I also know that it takes much longer to clean the baby powder out of every flippin nook and cranny in the above mentioned playroom than it did to create the mess in the first place.

Now someone please pass me some Benicar before I have a stroke!
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Friday, September 3, 2010

A Skunkous Among Us

My blog has been hijacked by TOF today to convey this special message.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday, we went out for pizza and then we took a walk around the block and guess what?

We saw TWO skunkis.

And then we had to be very quiet so we wouldn't get them frightened or else they would fart pee on us and it would be very smelly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So there you have it folks, sage advice from a 4 yr old. Do not frighten the skunks so they don't fart pee on you!

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone!
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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Entomology 101-Hexbug Nano

Suffering from sleep deprivation caused by another annoying bout of insomnia and anxiety, I needed to keep things low key here on The Avenue to preserve what tiny bit of sanity I still had left on a rainy morning.

I let the kids play on the floor with creepy crawly bugs, for THREE hours and I did nothing to stop them. I even joined them for a bit.

I'm not talking about your ordinary household variety, creepy, crawly bugs. Please, I may be crazy but I'm not neglectful.

The bugs we played with were HEXBUG Nano, tiny, collectible, 1-3/4" energetic micro robotic bugs that use the physics of vibration and robotic intelligence to skitter along and explore their environment on smooth surfaces.

Each HEXBUG Nano comes in a test tube and is assigned it's own unique serial number and point value system. Older kids or moms and dads can register their Nano at Hands and Stars and play games, learn about science, build their own virtual Nano, and see how other players are doing.


TOF tearing into the big box.


Cool accessories and rare mutant Nanos.


Although recommended for ages 3 and over, my friends needed help with the habitat assembly.


But assembly was easy for me and no nails were broken.


They played for THREE hours without fighting and based on that alone
I give Hexbug Nano two thumbs up. I'd even do cartwheels if I could.

Disclaimer: MomSelect sent me a huge box full of Hexbug Nano test tubes, habitat sets and enough extra pieces to bring sunshine on a rainy day.
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September Morn

September, you forgot to check your attitude at the door. There's no room for it here so you best pack it up before it causes more problems.

You very rudely announced your arrival at 2 am this morning. Was it because I fell asleep a half hour before you got here? Is that it? You were pissed off that I didn't stay up to greet you and you had to make your presence known?

Seriously, you had to pick on a poor defenseless 11 pound puppy? Making her all itchy and scratchy so that her discomfort woke me up. Which in turn caused my mind to race with anxiety.

Even though she is on a preventative regimen that in all likelihood should make her glow in the dark, I couldn't help but think, oh God she has fleas! She has fleas and they are all over my house. We're all going to itch. Fleas lay 2 billion eggs a minute.

I had to jump out of bed and check poor Bella for those pesky fleas!

AT TWO AM!

The poor dog thought I was nuts. I checked her belly and all four armpits.

AT TWO AM!

In a dark kitchen!

I just gave her an oatmeal bath last week and she got her topical. The weeds are bad, it could be allergies. I considered giving her more benadryl. Maybe I should just give her the prednisone the vet prescribed, even though it makes her pee her cage and eat like there is no tomorrow.

My gawd why is it so hot in this house? What the hell is that thermostat set on?

It's 2:30 and it feels like 90 degrees in here.

No sense going upstairs to sleep, heat rises. Why is it so hot in this house!?!?!

At least it's cooler in the family room on the couch. But ugh this couch is not very comfy. I'll just check my email and Facebook.

It's 3:30, I need to get some sleep. Oh great now it's raining, no pouring. That's going to make for a lovely day! I need to sleep!

Back upstairs, I toss and turn for what seems like forever.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I hear is Glitter Gurl and Parker in the kitchen. What the huh? What time is it?

It's 6 am...rise and shine. It's still raining. Great!

Why is it so hot in this house? What the hell is that thermostat set on?

Oh yeah, Bella, she doesn't have fleas. Just my overactive imagination getting the best of me.

And September, I know you just got here, but hurry along to the part of the month where fall arrives.
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