Lego Friends Giveaway

It is so nice to see that Lego is taking an active initiative to include more products that aren't so "male-centric". Not that little girls aren't into Star Wars or Pirates and Aliens. I mean, I have 6 year old girl who loves all of those Lego sets. But they are definitely geared more towards boys.

The Lego Friends line has several building sets that are actual BUILDING sets and not just token pink pieces here or there. The set themes include home, fashion design, animal care, and an invention studio to name a few(Though I do wish they weren't quite so pink and purple so that the boys won't call playing house a "girl thing")!


Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg has offered this Lego Friends Heartlake Vet set for one reader to help announce their new event, Lego Friends Weekend. Here's some information about the event:

Grab your friends and join the fun during LEGO^® Friends Weekend at LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center Chicago Friday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.!

During LEGO Friends Weekend, guests can hit the town with LEGO Friends Olivia, Emma, Andrea, Stephanie and Mia and explore Heartlake City, the hippest hangout for these five mini-doll pals.

Guests are also invited to:

· Help design and build a large scale model of Heartlake City;

· Join in on a scavenger hunt adventure;

· Belt out a tune in our karaoke sing-off;

· Enjoy free ice cream in the Café (while supplies last); and

· Take home LEGO Friends prizes and giveaways (while supplies last).

Interested in the Giveaway? Enter below to win this awesome set:

Heartlake Vet - Retails at $39.99

The kit includes:

§ 2 mini-doll figures: Mia and Veterinarian Sophie

§ LEGO Animals: Horse Bella, dog Scarlett and hedgehog Oscar

§ Accessories: Thermometer, clipboard, ice pack, stethoscope, spoon, syringe, registration chart and flower accessory pack with 12 flowers, 4 butterflies and 4 ladybugs

*Suitable for children ages 6 to 12.

To enter giveaway (please leave a separate comment for each entry!):

~ Like Legoland Discovery Center on Facebook.
~ Follow me on Twitter.
~ Tweet about this giveaway and link back.

We'll pick the winner on Friday, February 10! Good luck to everyone!

Snow White in Chicago

A Fairy Tale Valentine's Day for the Whole Family at

Emerald City's
Snow White
as Performed by Professor TJ Barker's Troupe of
Theatricals

Once again, Emerald City will be bringing smiles to families with their new production, Snow White. It's the classic tale with a couple of spins! Running from Jan 21 through May 20 at the Apollo Theatre (2540 N Lincoln Avenue), Snow White is sure to be a show that everyone will enjoy.

If you are planning on attending this February, consider the weekend of February 11-12 when you can use the code SNOW for a Buy-one-Child Get-one-Adult-free discount!

Upcoming Emerald City Holiday Events:

Saturday, March 17 at 10:30am--St. Patrick's Day at Snow White: See the Show in GREEN-D

Sunday, May 13 at 1:00pm--Mother's Day at Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,
Very Bad Day

Winner of the Disney on Ice Tickets!

Congratulations to.... Night Owl Mama! I hope you have a great time at the show!

Between Interruptions

As I read Between Interruptions, a collection of articles edited by Cori Howard, I often found myself nodding in agreement at the frustration women can feel throughout the course of Motherhood. That's not to say that I always agreed with the sentiments behind the words. In fact, many of the stories were written by professional, full-time working mothers, which is a path I have never experienced. Though I did shift from a full-time job to a 4 day work week when my eldest child was born, I never had a "career". And as I found myself having to find a THIRD daycare provider for my son within 15 months of his life, my husband and I decided that we could make the one-paycheck for our family work instead of subjecting him to continually being uprooted. So some of the references were a bit out of my range of understanding, but I was definitely able to empathize with the conflict that a mother would feel when she is torn in so many opposite directions.

Some of the pieces were absolutely heart-wrenching. The agony of a mother who feels so removed from her life and is drowning in PPD just broke my heart. Listening to the detachment she felt for other women who are enveloped in their children simply made me want to reach through the pages and hug her.

Overall, the collection was well-done. I honestly sat down and read the entire book in two sittings. I was that interested.

If you're looking for honest opinions of motherhood, I highly recommend this book. This is no glossed-over, Pollyanna-version of mommies in pearls and lipstick. Between Interruptions is a book that intrigues and inspires and I am very happy to have read it.

Disney on Ice in Chicago Giveaway

Once again, Chicagoland will be visited by princesses! Beautiful and heroic, funny and kind, your child's favorite princesses will enchant and entertain... all while wearing ice skates!

Come and see the newest Disney on Ice performance at The Allstate Arena or United Center and enjoy their fabulous discount rates (4 tickets on weeknights for $44 or $4 off of weekend shows -Use the code MOM at checkout when purchasing through Ticketmaster ).

OR, you can enter to win a 4 pack of tickets through this giveaway!

2 chances to win –

1. Winner will receive 4 tickets to Opening Night of Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream at Allstate Arena or the United Center!

2. A second winner will receive a $40 gift card to Hair Cuttery...

Disney on Ice and Hair Cuttery have teamed up to bring you an enchanting offer in Chicago. The Disney on Ice Princess Package includes a shampoo, blowdry, updo and special princess finish with a tiara at your local Hair Cuttery salon. Also receive a savings coupon for Disney on Ice merchandise ($5 value). You can add the Princess Package to your order on Ticketmaster when purchasing tickets to Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in Chicago or Rosemont.

You can also use the $40 gift card to Hair Cuttery to purchase other services at your nearby Hair Cuttery.

Read on to see how to enter:

There are 3 ways to enter the giveaway:

1. Comment and tell me who you'd bring to Disney on Ice in Chicago.

2. Tweet about this giveaway using the hashtag #ChiDisneyOnIce and include the link on your comment. (2 tweets a day).

3. Post about this giveaway on Facebook and link back. (2 posts a day)

We'll pick the winners on Friday, January 20th.

Good luck!

Mixbook.com

I know that there are many different sites available where you can create photo books and photo projects, but have you ever heard of the custom photo books by Mixbook.com? At Mixbook, you can create a completely unique and personalized photo book with results akin to an old-fashioned scrapbook. Your own style and design. Your own photos and memories captured in just the layout that you have envisioned in your mind's eye.

Sound intriguing? Go check them out! In fact, if you act before January 15, you can get 2 calendars for the price of 1!

*disclaimer: This is a compensated post, but all opinions remain my own.

Tasty Treats from Bien Fait Cakes

I never considered myself a fruitcake lover (other than my husband), but I was proven wrong this winter.

Wait. That sounded a bit odd.

What I meant to say was, I now like to EAT fruitcake. At least, I like to eat it if it's from Bien Fait, sender of delicious deliciousness from Vermont.

How can you go wrong with breads like this?

You can practically FEEL the moisture on your screen, can't you?

We were sent 4 different varieties to taste test and explore and all of us had individual favorites.

Mine was the Bourbon roll (naturally.)

Though the Maple Pecan* was tasty, too...

I don't normally order baked goods online, but for the quality of what we received, the prices make for a good present or special treat for yourself, without going overboard on your credit card. They use no preservatives and many of their ingredients are local grown, too.

Check out them out at http://www.bienfaitcakes.com/ and see for yourself!

* I say "peh-cahn" because saying "pee-can" just doesn't sound very appetizing, does it?