Holiday Gift Guide

Review: LeapPad3 Learning System

October 21, 2014 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
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I’ve heard from several of my readers that would like to know more about the new LeapPad3. LeapFrog has graciously sent a LeapFrog3 and some of their popular games for us to review and let you know our thoughts!

I have to tell you my first thought upon taking it out of the box. HOORAY for no batteries! It has a rechargeable internal battery like adult tablets! We have the original LeapPad and it goes through batteries like crazy, so having the internal battery is very important to me.

The new LeapPad3 is a Wi-Fi accessible tablet that provides access to kid-safe web experience and over 1,000 age appropriate, educator approved games. Right off the bat, it includes 10 games plus you get your choice of another downloadable game!

My favorite thing about all LeapFrog products is that it’s not just a gaming system. When my kids play, they are learning! We’ve been using our LeapPad3 to enhance my younger 2 daughters learning while I’m homeschooling the big kids. I know that they are safe, engaged, and learning, and that makes me happy. The girls do like to play some games on my iPad but not all are learning games, so I really try to limit those. I’d much rather them be playing with the LeapPad3.

A neat feature of the LeapPad3 is that it auto-adjusts the level that your child needs to be on to keep them challenged or to back off if they aren’t ready for a concept yet. Their progress is remembered from game to game and book to book!

My daughters both agree that Octonauts is the best game to play on the LeapPad3. It has some of their favorite characters and they enjoy the games. If you have games from previous versions of the LeapPad, they will work on the LeapPad3, so no worries about that!

We are definitely impressed with the LeapPad3 and I’m considering getting a 2nd one so both my girls can play. LeapPad3 is equipped for peer-to-peer games over Wi-Fi, so you can play safely with friends across nearby Wi-Fi–enabled LeapFrog devices using the included Pet Chat and Pet Pad Party apps. Or, extend the fun on LeapFrog Kart Racing, Roly Poly World, Arturo’s Bug Adventures, Go Gopher Go and more (sold separately). I would definitely recommend keeping this item in mind when you create your holiday wish lists.

Big thanks for LeapFrog for sending us the product to review. For more information, you can check check out LeapFrog.com or find this product on Amazon.com.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

October 30, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
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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!

Last week we went over what to expect at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. This week we will discuss what to expect at the second special holiday event at the Magic Kingdom: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place from 7:00 pm until midnight on select nights in November and December. For 2013, the dates are November 8th though December 20th. After December 20th, the parade and fireworks will be part of the regular daytime festivities at the Magic Kingdom. 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. After 7:00 pm, only guests with a wrist band will be allowed to remain in the park. The Christmas 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 Very Merry Christmas Party begins, you will have a few options. First, you will want to be on Main Street at 7:00 pm. Why? It snows! It isn’t real snow, but it certainly looks like it. There is something extra magical about watching it snow in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Throughout the park, there will be snack carts with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. The carts at the front of the park tend to be busiest, so make your way to the back of the park for a minimum wait.

Next, you can meet characters that are only available for meet and greets during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (some are also available during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party). For 2013, characters include Santa, Duffy, the Country Bears, Scrooge McDuck, Phineas and Ferb, Anna and Elsa, the seven dwarves, Aladdin and Abu, Jasmine and Genie, various princesses with their princes, Winnie the Pooh characters in Christmas attire, and Mickey and Minnie in Christmas attire. There are also a few dance parties with various characters. 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.

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show features Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, and Mike Wazowski. It is a 20 minute show in which Stitch is on a special mission to track down Santa. This show is usually crowded in the beginning, but the last few show times are much less crowded.

Celebrate the Season Show is another 20 minute show featuring Mickey and friends singing and dancing about Santa coming to visit. Much like A Totally Tomrrowland Christmas Show, the last few show times are much less crowded than the earlier ones.

Once Upon A Christmastime parade is always voted one of the best parades at Walt Disney World. This parade features all your favorite Disney characters, toy soldiers, dancing reindeer, and of course Santa. As with the other two shows, the second parade is less crowded than the first.

Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season is the Magic Kingdom’s Christmas themed fireworks specular. I won’t give away all the changes, but I will say that if these fireworks do not put you in the Christmas spirit, then I don’t know what will!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a great way to meet different characters and see special dance parties, parades, and fireworks. However, the tickets are expensive, some of the same characters can be seen at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and the same parade and fireworks can be seen at the Magic Kingdom the week of Christmas without the need for a special ticket.

Have you been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? What are your thoughts?

Tasty Tuesday: How To Make Tie Dye Marshmallows

October 29, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
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If there is going to be a chocolate fountain at any of your holiday parties this year, or if you just think your guests would enjoy the fun festiveness marshmallows offer, you are going to want to pay attention. This holiday season, why not add some charm to your marshmallows with a pop of color? Below, you will find out how to make your very own Tie Dye Marshmallows, perfect for celebrating the holiday season in colorful style. Take a peek!

Ingredients:

Large, white marshmallows
Food coloring
Small bowls
Toothpicks
Cupcake cups
Water

Directions:
1. Begin by adding 2 drops of the your food coloring choices to individual bowls.
2. Add ¼ cup of cold water to each bowl. Mix well so the food coloring blends with the water.
3. Insert a toothpick into each marshmallow. This will act as your holder when you dip it.
4. Begin dipping by placing the bottom portion of the marshmallow into the mixture and hold it for 5-7 seconds. If you wish for brighter color, just add an extra drop of coloring and mix. Do NOT soak it in the mixture longer as it will just soften the marshmallow and make it sticky and soggy.
5. To allow the extra mixture to run off and allow the marshmallow to dry, set it onto a cupcake cup to dry.
6. Once your marshmallow is relatively dry, you can dip it in the second color. To do this, move the toothpick to the opposite end of the marshmallow (the recently colored side) and repeat the process in a new color.
8. Place the marshmallow in a clean cupcake cup so it can continue to dry.
9. Allow your marshmallows to dry for one hour before using.

Now all you need to do is gather your freshly colored marshmallows in a bowl or place them on skewers for dipping. They make not only a tasty treat, but can actually add some color and décor to your party as well. Give this simple DIY project a try and see how fun it can be to tie dye your very own marshmallows.

Elf On The Shelf Presents Birthday Elf?

October 24, 2013 By MommyOctopus 4 Comments
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I had to do a double take today as I was looking through the top selling items on Amazon and came across Elf on the Shelf A Birthday Tradition. That is definitely not what I expected to see. From the description:

In Santa’s Christmas village, the elves have their own special way of celebrating birthdays – a tradition that goes back thousands of years. Now, at the request of children around the world, Santa has given special permission for his scout elves to share that tradition with the families who love them. But an elf cannot come to a birthday party unless it is invited. The Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition tells the little-known story of the North Pole tradition and includes special instructions for families to invite their scout elf for a birthday visit. The book also includes a special Claus Couture Collection birthday outfit just for the elf.

Hmmm… I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one. Definitely a great marketing strategy. I just don’t really like the idea. What are your thoughts of the Elf on the Shelf reaching out towards birthdays now?