I know there haven’t been too many postings on the blog this past week and a half.  It’s been craziness around here.  Last week 3 out of 4 kids were sick (2 had ear infections) and then one of them ended up in the ER for a breathing treatment for pneumonia.

She’s doing much better and we have found out that she has asthma which is causing her to get so sick when the other kids heal pretty quickly.  She was ridiculously cute in the hospital though and had us laughing like crazy after she had some steroids and other medicines.  They made her very goofy!

So on top of all of that, we had a birthday around here!  My favorite (and only) son turned 7 on Tuesday.  I’ll be posting more about that in a few days.  We had a Star Wars theme birthday party and it was a ton of fun!  Lots of great ideas to share with ya’ll!

Hope ya’ll are having a great week and that your family is staying healthy!

This is another guest post by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  When she is not helping plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Click here to contact her and she’ll help you find the best rates for your magical vacation!  

There are two special holiday events that take place in the Magic Kingdom every
year: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  For both events, guests will need to purchase a special ticket to attend. Today we will go over what to expect at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place from 7:00 pm until midnight on
select dates in September and October (and sometimes the first few days in November as well). Guests are allowed to wear costumes to the event. This is the only time that adults are allowed to wear costumes in the parks. Ticket prices vary depending on what night you go; however you should expect to spend between $55 and $70 per ticket per person. Although the party does not begin until 7:00 pm, guests with tickets to the event will be allowed to enter the Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 pm. When you enter the Magic Kingdom, you will receive a wrist band and a trick or treat bag. After 7:00 pm, only guests with a wrist band will be allowed to remain in the park. The Halloween festivities won’t begin until 7:00 pm, so between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm is the perfect time to visit your favorite characters, eat at your favorite restaurant, or ride your favorite rides.

When Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins, you will have several options.
First, you can meet characters that are only available for meet and greets during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (some are also available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). For 2013, these characters include Jack Skellington and Sally, the seven dwarves, Monsters Inc. characters, Tarzan, Terk, and Jane, Aladdin and Abu, Jasmine and Genie, various princesses with their princes, Winnie the Pooh characters in Halloween costumes, the Fab 5 in Halloween costumes, and, of course, various villains.

Second, there are various trick or treat locations and trails throughout the Magic
Kingdom. One thing to keep in mind, the trick or treat bags that are given out when you enter the park are small and get heavy easily. If you plan on doing a lot of trick or treating, you might want to bring your own larger bags.

For 2013, there are three dance parties: the Villains’ Dance Mix and Mingle,
Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball, and Woody’s Happy Harvest Roundup. The characters at these events usually do not sign autographs or pose for pictures with guests. However, they do mingle and dance with guests. It’s a more relaxed way to meet characters rather than standing in a long line and being rushed along.

There is also limited edition merchandise and food and snacks. Merchandise
usually consists of pins, shirts, mouse ear hats, etc. For 2013, snack options included candy corn soft serve, pumpkin waffle sundae, specialty cookies and cupcakes, and hitchhiking ghost popcorn buckets.

The highlight of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is Mickey’s Boo To You
Halloween Parade and Hallo-Wishes Fireworks Specular.  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a great way to meet different characters and see special dance parties, parades, and fireworks plus trick or treat in the Magic Kingdom. However, the tickets are expensive, the villains might scare some small children
(I know my three year old is terrified of Jafar), and the party lasts until midnight, which is know is way past most kids bedtimes. I know my three year old would never last that late.

Have you ever been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? Did you think it
was worth it? Would you do go back? I would love to hear your thoughts!

As I’ve told ya’ll before, my crockpot is practically my best friend.  So many different ways to use it and it is happy to cook all night while I sleep 🙂

Here’s a super simply egg casserole recipe that we’ve been using for a couple months now.

For starters, cook a pound of bacon.  While it’s cooking, chop up your onion, peppers, mushrooms, or whatever else you’d like to include.

Throw some washed potatoes through the food processor to make hashbrowns.

Layer the items one by one, with a layer of cheese in between.

Whip up your eggs using your handy dandy stick blender.  Toss in a little salt, pepper, and milk and pour your eggs on top over everything.

Cook about 6-8 hours on low.  Enjoy!

I love the Brown Bear books.  They are a staple in our house and we have given them often as gifts.  Head on over to Amazon and you can grab the Bear Book Readers Paperback Boxed Set for only $12.54.  This includes all 4 of the popular bear books!  This would make a great holiday gift set!

Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle’s classic Bear books have been a hit with children, parents, and teachers for many generations and have sold more than eleven million copies. With a 6″ x 9″ trim and a classic beginning reader layout, these books give children a more “grown up” version to read by themselves.

This boxed set of all four beloved bear books in paperback invites readers to enjoy Bill Martin Jr’s rhythmic text and Eric Carle’s stunning illustrations in a brand-new way!

This is another guest post by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  When she is not helping plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Click here to contact her and she’ll help you find the best rates for your magical vacation!  

Walt Disney World Resort offers over 20 different resorts on the Disney property.  Finding the right one for your family’s needs and budget can be a little overwhelming.  Disney Resorts are broken down into four basic categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas.  Here is a basic overview of what each category has to offer to help you narrow down your choices:

Value Resorts:  All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, and Art of Animation are all included in this category.  All Value resorts offer quick service food court dining, pizza delivery to your room, bus service to all Walt Disney World Resort areas, multiple pools, playgrounds, and an arcade.  Standard rooms feature two double size beds, a mini fridge, and a coffee maker.  These rooms can accommodate up to four guests plus one child under the age of three in a crib and are an average of 260 square feet.  Family suites at All-Star Music and Art of Animation feature two bathrooms and a kitchenette, can accommodate up to six guests plus one child under the age of three in a crib, and are an average of 520 square feet.

Moderate Resorts:  Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness are all included in the category.  Dining options at Moderate Resorts include quick service food court dining, limited meal and pizza delivery to your room, and a casual dining (table service) restaurant.  Some Moderate Resorts offer limited water launch service to select areas, but all offer bus service to all Walt Disney World Resort areas.  Resort recreation includes multiple pools, water slides, playgrounds, and an arcade.  Some resorts also offer bicycle and watercraft rentals and health clubs.  Standard rooms feature two queen side beds, a coffee maker, and a mini fridge.  Some also offer a small fold down bed.  The average size of a standard room at a Moderate Resort is 314 square feet and can accommodate four or five guests plus one child under the age of three in a crib.  The Cabins at Fort Wilderness accommodate up to six guests and one child under the age of three in a crib and feature a full kitchen.

Deluxe Resorts:  Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Boardwalk Inn, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary Resort, and Wilderness Lodge are all included in this category.  Dining options at Deluxe Resorts include quick service food court dining, full menu room service, and up to four causal (table service) restaurants.  Character dining is also available at some Deluxe Resorts.  well as water launch service from some resorts to varying destinations and monorail service from some resorts.  Resort recreation includes multiple pools with water slides, playgrounds, an arcade, and health club.  Bicycle and watercraft rentals are also available at some Deluxe Resorts.  Standard rooms feature tow queen beds, a coffee maker, and a mini fridge.  Some also offer a day bed.  The average size of a standard room at a Deluxe Resort is 344-440 square feet and can accommodate four or five guests plus one child under the age of three in a crib.

Deluxe Villas: Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Kidani Village- Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Old Key West are all included in the category.  Deluxe Villas are Disney Vacation Club villas.  They are first offered to Disney Vacations Club members, then the remaining rooms are released to the public about six months before check in date.  The Deluxe villas have a full kitchen and washer and dryer.  They also offer most of the dining options of the Deluxe Resorts.  Resort transportation and recreation is also the same at the Deluxe Resorts.  Depending on the floor plan of the villa (studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, or three bedroom), the number of guests a villa can accommodate varies between four and twelve guests plus one child under the age of three in a crib.

Do you have a favorite Disney resort or resort category?  I would love to hear what you think about the Disney resorts!

Did ya’ll see Disney’s newest princess? This is totally going to be under our Christmas tree this year since one of my daughters also has this name! Can’t wait to see the movie Frozen!  Now check out Disney’s Anna of Arendelle Doll!

Below is another guest post by my friend, Tanya!  Hope this helps give you some ideas!

The cost of costumes continues to rise every year and your kid only wears them once! And let’s face it, you want to try to be original…we all know the kids with the cutest most unique costumes always get more candy! The last couple of years we have been making our son’s costume and they are always a hit! Here are some of my ideas we have done in the past and also a list of websites that offer tons of ideas as well!

Zombie- take an old shirt and smeared fake blood on it (found at the dollar store) or I’m sure Kool-Aid would work well. Take the “bloody” shirt and roll it around in the dirt (free in your yard). Then take some scissors and slash the shirt all up. Get a make-up kit (I think it was a couple of bucks) and make flesh and fun stuff on the face and make the hair all crazy! If you don’t want to spend money on the make-up kit you can use what make up you have at home and make the face look “dead”.

Vacationer-this is what my son is going to be this year! Very simple—he has a little Hawaiian outfit and we will put some sunscreen on his nose and some red blush on him as if he was sunburned. We add some black socks with his sandals and a little toy camera or binoculars! You should have most these items at home and won’t have to spend anything!

Clark Kent-put a Spiderman shirt under a button-up collared shirt and leave it a little unbuttoned. Attach a cape to the back and wear a little pair of glasses. (I took those funny glasses with the nose on them and cut everything off, $1 at the Dollar Store). And as a final touch, part the hair to the side.

Chuckie- take a pair of overalls and put a multi-colored striped shirt underneath. Cut out some letters that say Good Guys and attach to the overalls and wear a little pair of sneakers. I found some red hair spray at the Dollar Store and drew some scars and freckles with eye liner.

Popeye-this is actually a lot easier than you think. You can make a sailor hat from a paper bag. Then I bought some wide red ribbon and used it for a collar on a black t-shirt. I found some large buttons (or whatever you have on hand) and attached to the shirt. I drew the anchor tattoos onto his arm and gave him a NON-USED corn pipe and a can of spinach! VERY EASY!

35 Halloween costumes for Kids-this site also has a link for Toddler costumes as well!! Lots of ideas such as an 80’s rocker, Rainbow Connection, Sunshine, Twister and much more

29 Halloween costumes for adults-now the parents have to have fun too! They have a really cute Wilma and Fred costume—which you could incorporate your kids for Bam Bam. They also have jolly green giant, Waldo and more!

Many Costumes-this site has TONS of ideas! Masks, Girl and Boy ideas, 39 LAST MINUTE ideas, Fantasy and some funny ones.

30 Unexpected DIY Costumes-here are 30 really neat and unique costumes for kids and adults…a moose, bat, art work, cell phone and a great group idea….Paper, Rock, Scissors!!

25 homemade costumes from recyclable items-for all the “GREEN” people out there…and not the Jolly Green Giant…all these costumes are made from recycled times and recycled Halloween Costumes from the past.

Easy Kid Costumes-this site features some easier costumes for the kids—a lego, hot air balloon, an owl and more.

40 Pop Culture Costumes on a Budget-one of my favorites on here is Zoolander!

I hope this gave you some inspiration for you and your family to make the perfect costume! Let me know how much candy you get from one of these ideas!! I can tell you from experience, we end up unloading half way through! 😉