Friday, June 22, 2012

Brave at the Studio Movie Grill - A Review

Pixar's latest animated movie 'Brave' opens in theaters today, but my family and I were treated to a sneak peak a week ago at the newly opened Studio Movie Grill in Wheaton.

Studio Movie Grill opened last week at 301 Rice Lake Square. The theater features eight movie screens and a menu with more than 100 food and drink options that moviegoers will be able to eat right at their seat in front of the big screen.  Waiters take your order and serve the food just like in a real restaurant.  Before your movie experience, you can enjoy a drink at the full service bar in the lobby.  I'm thinking this would be great for a Girls' Night Out.  With specialty drink choices like Extra Long Island Iced Tea, Dragonberry Mojito, Kahlua Mudslide, plus margaritas, and a variety of beers and wines, there is something to please everyone.  Of course they also serve non alcoholic choices as well, including soft drinks and coffee.

After cocktails, take a seat in one of the roomy and oh so comfy VIP seats in the theater and share an appetizer or dive right into an entree from a menu of standard grill fare or gourmet pizza.  Heathly choices include large freshly prepared salads, fruit and vegetable trays or maybe a black bean burger with a side of sweet potato fries.  There is a special kids menu and the obligatory popcorn also. Each seat is equipped with a built in tray table for your dining.  Then just sit back and enjoy the movie.  If you need refills, just press the red button on your tray and a server will be there momentarily.  And all of this goes on without disturbing anyone or blocking their view. 

We really enjoyed the movie and TC was giggling with delight throughout most of it.  I loved that Princess Merida is portrayed as a spunky, tomboy who refuses to adhere to custom and enter into an arranged marriage.  Someday her Prince will come, but it will not be one of the dorky, goofs that have been chosen for her.  Let's hear it for a girl with a mind of her own and a bow she knows how to use.  Brave also has an important message for moms and daughters to keep the lines of communication open.  There are a few scary moments...read great big growling bear, with scary teeth...that might scare the bejeezus out of some kids, heck, it startled me!  TC on the other hand just laughed and shoved more food in his mouth.

As in most fairy tales, Brave is not without the evil witch who lives in a cottage in the forest.  But this time the spell is cast on the Queen and not the Princess and there is no handsome Prince to reverse the black magic.  I won't ruin it for you, but it is a fairy tale so think happily ever after, that's always guaranteed.



Thank you Studio Movie Grill  for providing us with a great Media Night experience!  

My family received complimentary admission as well as appetizers, dinner and beverages.  All opinions are my own.
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Tales From Day Camp

Wow, I've been away a long time!  I have so much to say and so little time lately.  I'll get to all of it, I think...maybe...eventually...I'll try.  We're lovin' summer here on The Avenue!  School is out, which makes my work easier...somewhat...who am I kidding!  I have no time!  For anything!  Augie Dawgs and I have switched things around a bit for the summer.  I go to her house while the boys sleep in, so she can get to work nice and early and get home at a reasonable hour.  So yeah...picture this...ME...draggin my butt out of bed at 5:30ish to be at her house at 6am!  It's OK, keep laughing, I'll wait until you're done.  Enough already, it's NOT that funny!  I CAN get up early, occasionally.

My days consist of waking the boys by 7:45, feeding them breakfast, making sure they're dressed and ready to head out the door by 8:40.  TOF is attending Day Camp at the park district everyday until 4 and TC has a solo class on Wednesday and Thursday from 9-11.  Oy that's a long post in itself!  Soon!  But today I want to share a story TOF told me in the car the other day.

Mema, my friend Juan at Day Camp has a magic eye.

Oh really!  What is so magic about his eye?

Well he can take it out when he wants to!

REALLY?

Yeah, and one time he took it out on the bus when we were going to the zoo and it rolled away.

It rolled away?

Uh huh, but it was OK because someone found it and they wiped it off and Juan just put it back into his head.

How does one even respond to that?  Fact or fiction....you decide.

Enjoy this beautiful first day of summer!  I'll be back with more soon...I hope.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Mott’s® Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks

Summer is on its way and with that comes a schedule jam packed with play dates, summer camp, and road trips.  With all these activities planned, there is one thing your kids are sure to need … great tasting snacks! Fortunately the Mott’s® taste that kids love is now available in yummy fruit flavored snacks! Available in Assorted Fruit and Berry varieties, Mott’s® Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks are the ideal blend of great tasting and quality ingredients that will make both kids and moms happy.



  • Made with real fruit & vegetable juice* and natural colors and flavors
  • Available with year round Double Box Tops
Mott’s® Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks are great on-the-go, so whether your family is lounging by the pool, playing in the park, or hanging on the beach this summer, Mott’s® has snack time covered! Visit http://bit.ly/MottsCoupon to download a printable coupon for $0.60 off the purchase of (1) Mott’s® Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks today!



*Made with pear, apple and carrot juice concentrate. See package for complete details. Not intended to replace fruit or vegetables in the diet.

 Disclosure:  The product and information have all been provided by Mott’s® through MyBlogSpark.
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Monday, June 18, 2012

New Pillsbury® Baguette Chips

Looking for ways to spice up your snacking routines? Pillsbury knows just how you feel and wants to awaken your taste buds with their new Pillsbury® Baguette Chips! These hearty chips are sliced from oven baked bread and topped with savory seasonings bringing the unique and contemporary flavors of Italian Cheese & Herb and Cheddar Sun-dried Tomato to gourmet snack chips. The delicious flavors and perfect texture of these crispy chips can help you round out any recipe.


  • Enjoy Pillsbury Baguette Chips for a wide range of occasions: eat them alone, add a bit more flavor to your favorite dip, spice up soup, or add some crunch to your salad! 
  • With 130 calories per serving (21 baguette chips), and 50% less fat than regular potato chips*, Pillsbury Baguette Chips are delicious snack chips that you can feel good about eating
If that’s not enough to get your mouth watering, then check out these delicious chips for yourself.  To download a printable coupon for $0.75 off one package, visit http://bit.ly/PBCcoupon today!



*Pillsbury Baguette Chips (5g fat per 29g serving); regular potato chips (11g fat per 29g serving).  See nutrition information for sodium content.

Disclosure:  The product, and information have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.
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