Dec
2014

Our #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate was Regal!

categories: Disney-Inspired Party Planning, Disney-Inspired Treats, Reviews, Sponsored

#DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

We’re always ready for a Disney Party. So, when the Disney Parks Team and MomSelect asked if our family would like to host a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate, we said, “YES PLEASE!”

A few weeks later, Disney Parks and MomSelect sent a magical box in the mail with the following wonderful products for me to share with our playdate guests.  Although I didn’t pay for the items, my thoughts and opinions shared with you are my own.

Check the fun stuff out!

#DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

And there was more!

#DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

Talk about exciting! After exploring through the box of supplies, I got to work planning our playdate! I started with the food!  If I was going to have a house full of young children, I must have snacks!

#DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

My supply box gave the kids Disney Princess Fruit Snacks, Cliff Kids Protein Bars and Crunchmaster Cheezy Crisps to get the snack table started.  Since the décor items given to me were mostly Sophia the First themed, I decided to go with a princess theme.  I added Sofia the First amulet grapes and royal donut puffs to complete our snack table. (I have to say that I saw not only kids, but adults, snacking on the Crunchmaster Cheezy Crisps. They were surprisingly really good!)

Since we had our Disney Kids Playdate in the afternoon, I supplied lunch for our friends and their parents.  We went with Disney’s suggestion and made Sofia’s Seashell Mac and Cheese.  The pot was emptied without a shell left behind!

Partying like Princes and Princesses

We invited twelve little princes and princesses to attend our royal event.  However, we ended up with eight royals ready to have fun.  The Disney Parks Team and MomSelect sent me pages of fun activities to do with the children.  So many that the day few by!

#DisneyKids Preschool PlaydatePrincesses started their fun with a bit of Disney Junior coloring and quickly moved on to Twirling Tiaras. (Freeze dance to Sofia the First music with the girls wearing paper tiaras on their heads.) Then the boys joined the girls in making Disney Junior Straw Banners, followed by a serious round of Disney Side Bingo! I was surprised how many of the Disney locations the kids knew!

Disney Kids Preschool Playdate

After bingo ended, we moved on to Bauble Bites!

Using Fruit Loops for jewels and licorice laces, fabulous AND delicious necklaces were created!

DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

All of the activities made our Disney Kids Preschool Playdate time fly by!

Before leaving everyone chatted while watching a Disney Vacation Planning DVD.  It was fun to talk about our previous vacations and discuss upcoming vacations.  Half of the families at the playdate had previously vacationed at Walt Disney World with their children and the other half had yet to go. I loved being able to “talk Disney” with the moms and it was a wonderful seeing all of the children playing together throughout the day.

Disney Kids Playdate

      These pretty princesses had a wonderful time at their Disney Kids Preschool Playdate! Thank you Disney Parks and MomSelect!


Dec
2014

Qramz Charms ~ A Fun Stocking Stuffer Idea

categories: Sponsored

Although I received Qramz Charms from a friend, this is considered a sponsored post. I did not pay for the items. My review of the product comes directly from my experience and my children’s experiences using and playing with Qramz Charms and Bands!

It’s not a common occurrence that I blog about an item that isn’t directly related to Disney.  However, a friend of mine created Qramz Charms and sent my children a few charms and bands in the mail. I have to say they loved their new charms!  I thought Qramz Charms were a pretty cool concept and I can imagine them hanging on in a ton of places.  Honestly, I immediately thought, “awesome stocking stuffer idea” and wanted to let you all know about them.

Qramz Charms open by squeezing the top and bottom of the charm together.  After the squeeze, attach! This is Gavin, my seven-year-old son’s little fingers squeezing the Smiley bead.

charms

Since we received a Rainbow Bands 6-pack, the kids started by putting the charms on the bands first. Both Victoria (3 years old) and Gavin (7 years old) loved Qramz Charms with the bracelets.  Although the bands are adorable and little ones would love them, Qramz Bands and Charms are NOT recommended for children under the age of three, as the beads are a choking hazard.

Qramz Bands

The charms were really easy for Gavin to put on the bracelets.  The nice brother that he is, Gavin, put together a band and charm for his sister. I thought Victoria would have chosen the “skull with bow”…it reminded me of Pirates! She went all pink and chose the pink bead with pink flower.

Then the creative part started. Gavin tried to attach them to everything.

The charms worked on cords really well ~ think headphone cords.  Gavin tried them on his shoelace but we didn’t like the way they fit.  The charm looked great, but didn’t feel as secure as son a band or cord. Gavin didn’t want to chance loosing this cute little owl.

Qramz Charms

He wanted so badly to put them on his bike spokes that we trudged through the snow and into the shed to pull out his bike.

Qramz Charms

He was so excited that these little guys fit perfectly. Now all we have to do is wait for spring…

Qranz Charm on bike

If you have a bike arriving under the tree this year that will need a bit of personalizing or a set of headphones for a Princess ready to show her style, check out the different kind of Qramz charms are available on their website.

http://qramz.com/

Qramz-Collage-2

It’s Cyber Monday, so I won’t take a moment more of your time.  Get shopping and we’ll be back to talking Disney on Wednesday.


Nov
2014

Decorating the New York City Disney Store for Christmas

categories: Disney Shopping, Disney-Inspired Travel

Disney Store NYC www.mouseearsmom.com

Thanksgiving Day is over. Time to pull out those sparkly decorations!

I LOVE decorating for the holiday season! My two little Mouseketeers are so excited to open storage containers and unwrap treasures Mommy has collected over decades. Christmas lights accent the memories hanging on our Christmas trees (all four of them.) And Daddy braves the weather, climbs the ladder and gathers as much patience has he can while our little ones “help.”

While we just started decorating at our home, Disney Store in New York City’s Times Square was beautifully decorated for the Christmas season last week when I visited the city.  Some of you may not be able to travel to NYC this holiday season so I just have to share the Christmas transformation with you!  It’s beautiful and of course a bit “Frozen!”

NYC Disney Store www.mouseearsmom.com

On the first level of the store, a magical Mickey Mouse wreath added some festive charm to the traditional Mickey and Minnie balloons that are a staple in Disney’s NYC store.

NYC Disney Store Christmas

Nope. This castle is not located in a Disney park.  It’s found on the second level of the Disney Store in Times Square!

It’s possible that Elsa had a hand in the icy transformation of the castle, because I found “Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post And Sauna” nearby.

Frozen NYC www.mouseearsmom.com

Sven was hanging out there! Can you imagine trying to take him home?

Sven in NYC www.mouseearsmom.com

Inside of Oaken’s children participated in a free coloring project of Mickey and Minnie Mouse masks. The kids were having a blast. I checked out the décor instead!

Oakens NYC www.mouseearsmom.com

“Yoo-Hoo!” Big Christmas Decorating Time! (sorry couldn’t help it)

Seriously, look at the size of the ornaments hanging from the ceiling!

NYC Disney Store www.mouseearsmom.com

All joking aside, the Times Square Disney Store location is bubbling over with festive holiday décor that is truly a treat for the eyes.  If you have the opportunity to visit New York City this Christmas season, add Disney Store on your “Must Do” list.  If you’ll be too busy preparing for the holiday, I hope you enjoyed this little peek into the store!

Happy Decorating Everyone! Will you be adding a Disney touch to your castle’s holiday décor?


Nov
2014

Let’s Talk Turkey at Disneyland Park

categories: Disneyland vacation tips

A Turkey Dinner at Disneyland

I love Turkey!

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and that’s when we all talk turkey in the U.S.  But for me, I’d love turkey any day of the year.  At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (my home away from home),  Liberty Tree Tavern serves the most delicious traditional Thanksgiving dinner year round.  But what’s a turkey-loving girl to eat when she visits Disneyland Resort in California?

This Thanksgiving, Disneyland Hotel will be hosting a sold-out Thanksgiving Day celebration from noon to 6:00 pm. The character dining experience is an all-you-can eat buffet featuring traditional Thanksgiving favorites and some not-so-typical Turkey Day offerings like king crab legs and chilled poached shrimp. It sounds fabulous, but when you’re visiting Disneyland Resort during any other day of the year, where should you go for a great turkey meal?

River Belle Terrace

River Belle Terrace

Located within Disneyland Park, River Belle Terrace is tucked away in Frontierland.  The restaurant offers a wide variety of American cuisine. I’m not a connoisseur of Disneyland food but stumbling upon this exquisite quick-service location was a delicious find and a pretty one at that!

Let’s take a look inside!

River Belle Terrace www.mouseearsmom.com

It was quiet at the time of our visit, so only one side of the cafeteria style restaurant was open.  We had most of the dining area to ourselves! Of course, I captured a few photos to share with you. The décor of the dining area was beautiful! Although the restaurant is located within Frontierland, it closely borders New Orleans Square. The décor and design of the restaurant show French inspiration with a touch of Victorian grace.

 The center of the inside dining area featured this stunning display!

River Belle Terrace www.mouseearsmom.com

Here’s a close-up of the light fixtures and wallpaper found in the dining area. Aren’t they beautiful? I’d love to take one of the lights home for my little princess’s room!

River Belle Terrace Light Fixture www.mouseearsmom.com

Yes, it’s beautiful, but how was the food?

I purchased the Home-Style Turkey Dinner for around $12 (US). The turkey dinner consisted of flavorful turkey with turkey gravy, perfectly roasted potatoes, southern prepared veggies and a super yummy buttermilk biscuit. It was delicious! My only suggestion would be to add stuffing!

Next time your visiting Disneyland Park, if you love turkey like do, try River Belle Terrace. It won’t disappoint!

In the meantime, I hope your Thanksgiving Day is blessed with good food and the warmth of great friends and family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

If you’d like to check out River Belle Terrace’s full menu, visit https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/river-belle-terrace/

 


Nov
2014

Sofia the First Premiere Party

categories: Disney-Inspired Party Planning

Sofia the First

Thank you House Party and Disney Junior! I received free supplies to host this fun little party for some special Princess Sofia fans!

Before “Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy” premiered last night on Disney Channel, we partied like royalty at our very own Premiere Party!

Guests were greeted upon entering our castle with jewels to adorn the necks of a few lovely princesses.

Sofia's amulet craft Mouse Ears Mom.com

(Check back soon for a craft tutorial to make this simple Sofia the First amulet-inspired necklace!)

A feast of sweets were prepared for the royal occasion.

#SofiaTheFirstParty Curse of Princess Ivy

Purple cupcakes with purple icing looked lovely with Princess Sofia, Rapunzel and Princess Ivy treat toppers. House Party and Disney Junior supplied me with the lovely graphics to use for my treat toppers.

Bejeweled Princess Parfaits

Princess Bejeweled Parfaits

These Bejeweled Princess parfaits were made with fat-free Greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries and the yummiest vanilla granola. They were a big hit!  One little princess even requested to bring one home with her!

Princess Ivy Butterfly Sugar Cookies

Sofia the First: Curse of Princess Ivy cookies

Princess Ivy’s butterflies flutter about throughout the entire show, so I decided to feature them on the treat table.  Luckily House Party gave me a Wilton butterfly cookie cutter so it was easy-peasy!

(To make Princess Ivy’s Butterfly Sugar Cookies, I dipped the butterfly sugar cookies in dark chocolate and added a purple hard shelled chocolate candy.)

Time for some entertainment!

Sofia the First Party supplies

The kids all gathered at the beginning of our party to read the story of “Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy.” This storybook, that we received as party of our party pack, was beautifully illustrated.  If you enjoy reading before bedtime, I’d really recommend this one!  I’ve already read it three times to the kids and now Victoria likes to “read” it to me too!

Butterfly Hair Clip Making

Sofia the First Party

The girls enjoyed creating their own hair clips, while the boys took off to play Disney Infinity!   The mommies kicked in to help with the glue gun!  Here’s a look at Victoria and Mommy’s clips once we glued on the finishing touches.

photo (63)

We had so much fun at the party that we didn’t get to the stickers and placemats until this morning! As soon as Victoria woke up this morning, she got to work!

Sofia the First Party

The kids had a blast at the premiere party! And they loved the “take home” stickers, posters, crowns & tiaras!

#SofiaTheFirstParty

Thank you House Party & Disney Junior!

Did you watch “Sofia The First: The Curse of Princess Ivy” last night?  If not, check your Disney Channel listings, I’m certain it will be on again soon!  We already watched it again this morning!