Ready, Set...Disney Side! 
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary  #DisneySide Home Celebration box to host a party.

Our #DisneySide Home Celebration was all about Disney's Cars! The boys were super excited to get racing with Lightning McQueen & friends and celebrate all things Disney. Our Disney Side party box came with everything we needed to create a fun filled party: Disney Cars decorations, plates, cups, placemats, party cups & cupcake wrappers. Plus activities/games: Cars memory match game, Disney 100pc. puzzle, Disney Side BINGO & Pin the smile on Mickey! There were even a couple of products to assist in the inevitable clean up: All, Snuggle & Wisk. The Disney Side website was also very helpful with extra game, decor and even snack inspiration & suggestions including these fun Cars 2 Stickers.  Find everything you need to create a fabulous Disney Side Home Celebration here!  -SD

Celebrate Valentine's Day with an I See Me Personalized Book!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions are my own!

I adore personalized gifts and the educator in me loves giving/receiving educational gifts, so when I learned about I See Me personalized children's boos & gifts, I was very excited to get baby Quinn his very own personalized book to celebrate his first Valentines Day. The "Who Loves You" ($29.99) board book is personalized with a picture, the child's name as well as simple information about them and a dedication from the gift giver(s). I love that this is a board book that will be able to withstand the rough handling by a baby/toddler and be a useful keepsake in our home. My 5 year old is able to sound out and read the book to his younger brothers and is quite proud of himself each time. I See Me also carries an number of other products that can be specially personalized:  Lunchboxes / Puzzles /Coloring Books/ Placemats / Stickers  and Growth Charts! Something for everyone and every occasion!  Use the coupon code VALENTINE for 15% off through 2/4!  The last day to order for Valentine's Day delivery is 2/2!

Big brother "T" reading to baby Quinn Be social with I See Me! Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ISeeMeBooks  Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/ISeeMe_Maia       @ISeeMe_Maia Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/     #iseemebooks Instagram:   http://instagram.com/iseeme_maia Google+ :   https://plus.google.com/+ISMBooks/about

Hallmark #PutYourHeartToPaper
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Hallmark is my go-to for amazing, inspirational & unique cards for all occasions. So of course, it is where I went to look for one of a kind Valentines Day cards for all the special people in my life. Hallmark's #PutYourHeartToPaper campaign offers genuine inspiration from real live couples to help you to open up and add your feelings to the perfect card. Check out the video and the www.putyourhearttopaper.com for help creating your Valentines Day love letters! -SD

Baby's First Christmas
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

This Christmas will be Baby "Q"s very first Christmas and we will be making it a memorable one with a few keepsakes just for him!  Baby "Q" will be looking very festive in his new Little Me "Bear" Footie! His outfit features a special "My First Christmas" appliqué on the ches & adorable bear feet complete with little ears, making it the perfect gift for the newborn in your life.      Little Me is North America’s premier newborn and infant clothing       brand. Founded in 1970, Little Me is the arbiter of stylish,       fashionable and child appropriate baby clothing. We are well       known and trusted for our emphasis on delivering quality, value       safety and comfort.  No First Christmas is complete without a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament! Baby "Q"'s Hallmark Keepsake "One Cute Cookie" ornament is a christmas tree photo holder with the year, 2014 plus it comes with stickers for more detailed personalization.

Baby "Q" in his Little Me "Baby's First Christmas" footie Baby "Q"s Hallmark Keepsake Ornament

Experience the North Pole with Hallmark
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary products for review purposes.

Now you can bring the holiday magic into your home thanks to Hallmark's Northpole collection of products consisting of games, toys, cards, DVDs, ornaments, books, puzzles & lots more. We received a Northpole Communicator and a Find Me Santa Snowflake ornament and the boys love them!  They have been calling the Northpole everyday since December 1st and talking to Santa or one of his friends with their communicator. They can not wait to make their daily Northpole call and are enjoying getting into the holiday spirit.  As soon as we get and decorate the tree, the Find Me Santa snowflake will be placed front & center so that santa will surely be able to find us this year! -SD Here are a few of my favorite Hallmark Northpole products: * The Northpole Communicator Interactive Microphone ($24.95) Stay connected to the whos and whats of Northpole all season long. Every day Dec. 1 through Christmas, push the button and turn the knob to have a conversation with Santa or one of his Northpole friends. * Find Me, Santa! Snowflake ($9.95) Add your name and hang this lighted snowflake in a window, on a doorknob, or wherever you like to ensure that Santa finds you—no matter where you are. On Christmas Eve, the snowflake will glow for four hours until the jolly guy arrives. * Dance Like An Elf ($19.95) Crank the tunes and get the whole family dancing with this elf dance machine. You'll love busting a move in Northpole traditional elf styles, like "Stir the Hot Chocolate," "Build a Snowman" and "Ski Down the Mountain." * Bake Like An Elf with Recipe Cards ($14.95) Make a little happy in the kitchen, elf-style, with authentic Northpole cookie recipes and measuring tools shaped like a mitten, elf shoe and jingle bell. Illustrated recipe cards feature easy-to-make elf cookie recipes and the stories behind them

#DisneyKids Preschool Playdate Pirate Party!
*I was not compensated for this post. I received  complimentary products to host the Disnet Kids Preschool Playdate. All opinions are my own

Count Down to Christmas with the Care Bears
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary product for review purposes.

Santa Sent Me a Letter
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary product for review purposes.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Pops Up in Times Square
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is one of our all time favorite places for a fun family activity. We were invited to the grand opening of a new holiday pop-up shop in the heart of Times Square, NYC and Bearemy was there to greet and give hugs to the guests. The store is filled with old and new friends including Frozen themed stuffed animals as well as cuddly lovable Olaf as well as Santa's reindeer friends. "A" chose to stuff Toothless the dragon and chose to add a Build-A-Sound chip of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song to him and picked a red lightsaber as an accessory. We were also invited to make a special stuffed animal for free to donate to the 92nd Street Y, which promotes individual and family development and participation in civic life. The 92nd Street Y will distribute the  stuffed animals to local children in need of a teddy bear hug.  Build-A-Bear Workshop announced the opening of a new store location in Times Square in New York City. This seasonal pop-up shop will be located at 1619 Broadway, in the historic Brill Building. The Times Square Build-A-Bear Workshop store will encourage families to share in a new holiday tradition by selecting and customizing a furry  friend from a unique assortment of proprietary products, the latest licensed properties and New York City-themed merchandise. At the Times Square Build-A-Bear Workshop store, Guests can choose from over 30 animals to make. With the help of a Build-A-Bear associate, Guests add stuffing to their animal, give it a heart filled with wishes, and make a personalized birth certificate for their new furry friend. They can further customize their stuffed animals by selecting a pre-recorded sound or recording their own message on a Build-A-Sound® chip. Guests can also choose from a wide selection of unique fashions and accessories to add to their furry friends.

Elf on the Shelf Birthday Fun!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Fall is birthday season in our house. We have about a dozen birthdays we celebrate from September-November. It is sometimes hard to keep track of all the birthdays and make each one special. The Elf on the Shelf Birthday countdown and the Birthday chair decorating kit is exactly what we need to make the upcoming birthday celebrations extra special.   -SD  Santa has given special permission for his elves to share that tradition with the families who love them. The Elf on the Shelf®: A Birthday Tradition tells the little-known story of how Santa’s finest helpers celebrate birthdays at the North Pole—and how you can invite your scout elf to share that tradition with YOU! Each kit includes special instructions for inviting your scout elf for a birthday visit, and a festive birthday outfit for your scout elf to slip into before the big day!

Blast Off to School with Alex Toys
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

ThirtyMommy organized a “Blast Off to School” event to help Pre-Kindergarteners and Kindergarteners get excited about starting school.  Neighborhood families with children starting school in the fall gathered for a fun filled afternoon, of crafts, games and raffles including one for an Alex Toys Tots Art Gallery.  Parents got together to share their thoughts and tips to starting the school year off right.  The kids socialized with one another and began forming bonds that will continue to develop throughout the school year. Alex Toys “Color a Rocket” and “Monster Bubbles” helped the kids interact with one another and stay engaged.  We had great weather, great company and a great start to a brand new school year -MRM

5 Father's Day Gift Ideas for 2014
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.

Father's Day 2014 is all about gifts for daddy for his "geeky" side. He is a big Math & Science lover as well as a Star Wars FANatic. We found these 5 gifts that celebrated his love for Science, Star Wars and allowed the boys to get creative! -SD 1. Periodic Tee of Daddy Elements ($24.95)  This graphic tee is a definite conversation starter and will allow Dad to reflect on his favorite daddy moments.  2. Daddy Scrubs tumbler ($9.95) This 15 oz. double walled acrylic tumbler has an ergonomic push-on swivel lid and can be customized daily by your growing artist. 3. Vans Star Wars slip-ons ($60)- Featuring a custom graphic of the 1977 classic film poster for A New Hope, the Star Wars Collection Classic Slip-on takes the low profile, durable slip-on with canvas upper, flag label and Vans Original Waffle Outsole to a galaxy far, far away!  4. ALEX toys Silkscreen factory ($32.95)  It’s the easy and fun way to silkscreen! Simply insert the silk securely into the plastic frame, lay the stencil over, add paint and use the squeegee to slide over the stencil to imprint the design. Includes 14 stencil designs, silk sheets, bright colors of ink and easy instructions. 5. Star Wars Millennium Falcon Folding Round Chair ($34.99) Whether at a backyard barbecue or a softball game, this Star Wars Millennium Falcon folding chair offers lightspeed comfort on the go

1. Periodic Tee of Daddy Elements ($24.95) 2. Daddy Scrubs tumbler ($9.95)

5. Star Wars Millennium Falcon Folding Round Chair ($34.99)

ALEX toys Silkscreen factory ($32.95)

3. Vans Star Wars slip-ons ($60)

Celebrate with Hersheys #BunnyTrail
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I attended a preview event & received a gift basket.

Hersheys has tons of great candy inspired products to add some extra fun to your Easter baskets this year!   *Hershey's Health & Beauty      -REESE's Egg flavored lip balm (Claire's)      -JOLLY RANCHER brightly colored nail polish (Walmart)      -BUBBLE YUM lip gloss (Claire's) *Hershey's Woven Accessories include handbags, totes, wallets,       headbands, planners, key chains and hair bands. *Hershey's shirts (Hersheys Store) *Hershey's Electronics      -headphones (Amazon)      -BUBBLE YUM earbuds (Amazon) There are also tons of simple Easter basket ideas, decorations, egg holders & gift ideas on the Celebrate with Hersheys website or follow #BunnyTrail on Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest for Easter tips, memories, recipes & stories! -SD Get egg-cited for Easter with new licensed products featuring brands from The Hershey Company! Bath and body, accessories, electronics, collectibles, and apparel are just some of the wonderful surprises you can give your loved one for our favorite Spring Holiday.

Easter Critter Cups Craft

Diesel Kid Presents TEN: A Celebration of Tristin + Tyler's Birthday and a
Dance Party for Kids Big Dreams!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I  received complimentary admission and a gift bag.

"T" posing w/ the birthday boys: Tristin & Tyler We recently had the opportunity to attend the hottest 10 year old birthday party in NYC! Tristin & Tyler turned 10 and celebrated in a big way all the while celebrating family time, creativity & the happiness and fun of being kids! The celebration took place at Fuzipop: a family dance party focused on kids 6-12 years of age,  in exclusive nightclubs, that was transformed into a unique kid-centric daytime party space. "T" had an amazing time dancing, snacking and partying (glow-in-the dark style). -SD Twins, reporters and TV personalities Tristin and Tyler[tristinandtyler.com] are turning TEN with a kids dance party presented by global clothing brand DIESEL [diesel.com/dieselkid]! Diesel provided awesome mini speakers for littles to enjoy tunes from their phones or mobile devices! Additional Sponsors included: Kids Foot Locker [Kidsfootlocker.com] who provided gift cards for parents to buy cool sneakers and sportswear to keep kids active, WAT-AAH! [drinkwataah.com] kids bottled water company who provided water to keep kids hydrated as they rocked to the sounds of 9 year old DJ Kai New York Family Magazine, the ultimate guide for things to do with your family in New York City [Newyorkfamily.com] and Babiekins Magazine [babiekinsmag.com], the hottest magazine for the trendsetting child.

Need holiday gift ideas?  Traveling Mom has  got 25 of them–including 11 gifts that sell for less than $50–all vetted by TravelingMom Family Travel Experts and perfect for the travelers on your holiday gift list.  Make sure you never miss a gorgeous seasonal TravelMom eMagazine filled with the family travel news you want. Join their  mailing list today. Click the image to open the eMagazine for holiday gift ideas and tips!

Halloween Read-A-Long Scherrie of ThirtyMommy & Angie of MBA Moms cordially invite you to a Halloween Read-A-Long complete with healthy snacks and arts & crafts! Come out in your Halloween costume and join us for an afternoon of not so scary stories. Follow #HalloweenReadNYC for more info! WHEN: Saturday, October 26th (noon-2pm) WHERE: The Mysterious Bookshop (58 warren St. NYC) RSVP through EventBrite

New York: Find-a-Florist
*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

5 Father's Day Gift Ideas This Father's Day, we were on the hunt for gifts my husband would both love & use. 1.Hubby had been hinting that he really wanted a knit silk tie from Ralph Lauren (59.99), so that's  the first item we purchased. 2. To celebrate his love for everything Batman, we bought 2 pairs of Diesel boxer briefs (23.95 each) from Saks Fifth Avenue (The Joker & Bane) 3. I found an amazing Wordsearch Daddy Tie (29.95) from Daddy Scrubs The fun and playful Wordsearch Daddy Tie is made of 100% printed silk. Each tie comes in a special keepsake box, complete with the quote, “Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy.” 4. We found a great card "Me and You, Dad" handmade card (5.00) from the Love Jac company that creates unique, handmade cards that say exactly what you are thinking helping you stay connected with your friends the old fashioned way. 5. Finally, we created personalized photo coasters using our HP printer and simple art supplies (full post/instructions on the Mommy Factor blog) We had a great time shopping around and creating memorable gifts for daddy this Father's Day and we know he will enjoy all our picks! -SD

Knit Silk Tie, Ralph Lauren Joker Diesel boxer briefs Wordsearch Daddy Tie from DaddyScrubs

Me and You, Dad card from Love Jac

"A" helped make these personalized coasters for Daddy

Classic Minnie Mouse 2nd Birthday Party at the Carousel

"L" in her custom made Minnie Mouse tutu dress & Minnie Mouse ear clips

Invitations made with card stock, badge holder and break-away lanyard

Finished invitations: ready to mail

Hot glue two small black plates to one large black plate First, I created a Minnie Mouse inspired shape with black & red self adhesive jewels I bought the silver pails from Oriental Trading, the chalkboard decals from Etsy

Hot glue a red with white polka dot bow to the large black plate Next, I filled in the spaces with silver adhesive jewels and secured with spray adhesive I printed the red with white polka dot bow on address labels, cut and secured them

We used the plates to display the delicious foos: sandwiches, chicken wings & empanadas Finally, I added a red bow to the back of the shoes We wrote the names (with chalk) of the young guests on the buckets to be used for an candy filled egg hunt & to hold goodie bags

First Birthday Mustache Bash!

I decorated this table with black cardboard candelabras, mini top hats filled with cookies & mustache coasters.

I made this pennant with white paper, black letters and mustaches

This table held the top hats for guests, a candy bowl and an assortment of mustaches to choose from

This was the "Cookies & MIlk" bar with cake pops, mustache chocolates, chocolate covered oreos, flavred milk straws, milk jugs for a variety of milk (whole, skim & soy)

Snacks included, empanadas, cheese, crackers, deviled eggs and cheese sandwiches (cut with a mustache cookie cutter)

Instead of cupcakes, we had mini sweet potato pies topped with whipped cream & rice paper mustaches The LOs decorated their own cardboard bowties I created this invitation and used fuzzy mustaches for a surprise effect

The LOs enjoyed decorating their own cookies with frosting & sprinkles and eating them The cardboard castle was a hit! The LOs enjoyed decorating and playing in it Game for the parents: Name that cartoon stache!

The cake was simple black , white and a rice paper mustache Party Game: pin the mustache on 70s Burt Reynolds! Mustache gift box included: bubbles, disguise glasses, mustache tattoo, chocolate mustache pops, cake pop & a chocolate covered oreo

Cat in the Hat themed Birthday Party

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Red/white striped balloons & a giant #3 balloon over the sweets table

Red/white striped table cloths, "Thing" hats and Thing centerpieces

Blueberries & starwberries w/ marshmallows

Blue jello with red swedish fish in a large punch bowl

Cat in the Hat & number #3 chocolates

Centerpiece I personalized with "T"'s picture

Giant Cat in the Hat cut out for decor & pin the tail on the cat game

Thing cupcakes=Red velvet cupcakes w/ cream cheese frosting and blue cotton candy