Sunday, November 25, 2012

Alphabet

When I noticed my monkeys didn't know how to navigate around the computer (using the mouse and arrow keys)  as well as other kids their age, I decided to look into games that would help them learn to work with the computer. Monkey girl has gotten really good at it and I've bookmarked the Nick Jr., Disney Jr, Sprout, and Barbie sites for her on my toolbar. Bro Bro monkey is getting there and enjoys just watching his sister play, but they both love this alphabet 'game' that I found. It's really cute, colorful, and informational in a way that the monkeys enjoy. I love that I can feel good about the educational value of it and that they choose to sit together and play it. If you have pre-schoolers, this has been a great site for us.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from our Monkey family to yours! So far, most of the dinner has been made or is in the oven. On the menu for us:

  • Cajun turkey breast
  • Oven roasted turkey breast
  • Sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Corn souffle
  • Sizzled green beans with crispy prosciutto and pine nuts
  • Berry nut freeze
  • Wheat rolls
  • Pumpkin cheesecake
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Pecan pie
  • Apple crisp
Everything's looking good so far. We're watching the Redskins play on TV and will be eating around 6 after it ends. Dadda monkey is still trying to convince me we should eat earlier, but it's Thanksgiving DINNER for a reason. It's also the way I grew up and it's hard to get me to change my ways. It's just us this year (and every year since we've been together), but it's nice to have a day to just be together with no place to be and have a chance to reflect. We're really thankful for our healthy children, our friends and family, the roof over our head, and the delicious meal we're going to have. Hope your Thanksgiving is as special as ours has been.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Devine Acres Farm


We're looking forward to our first visit to Devine Acres Farm this year. We're also planning to get our tree there. This will be our first experience chopping down our own tree (let's hope no one loses a finger). You can even get a coupon for $5 or $10 off a tree. On top of the fantastic Christmas trees, they're also offering Pancakes with Santa! That will be another first for the monkeys. Below is some more information about it.


Courtesy of Devine Acres Farm and US Family Guide:

• CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY HOURS •
Open Wed - Sun - Noon until 6pm
Beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 23 - December 16
No admission if purchasing a tree
Families coming out just to enjoy the farm are $5 per person, 2 & under are free.


Christmas Special Event: Pancakes with Santa
December 1st, 8th and 15th

Two seating times available: 9:00am and 10:00am

$12.00 per person ticket includes:

    A hearty pancake and sausage breakfast!

    Live Christmas music!

    A choice of milk, orange juice, hot coco or coffee (additional drinks are $1.00 each)

    A memorable visit with Santa.

    Great photo opportunities!

    A scenic hayride through the Christmas tree fields.

    Visit our farm animals.

    Play on the playground.

    Family game stations

Our Christmas Trees:

Choose and cut your own tree right out of our fields! We grow three varities of trees including Leyland and Arizona Cypress. We have beautiful Leyland Cypress trees ranging in size from 3-12 feet tall for $8.00 per foot. We also grow Elderica Pine trees ranging in size from 4-9 feet tall for $8.00 per foot. Hayrides, saws for cutting, shaking and bailing are all provided. We even sell the stand. All you need is your Christmas spirit and your camera.

We also have a large selection of gorgeous 5-10 foot Fraser Firs shipped directly to us from North Carolina priced individually based on size and quality. Displaying them in the shade and keeping them in water assures their freshness.

 Save $5 to $10 on Fresh Cut Christmas Trees at Devine Acres Farm http://www.sanantoniokidsguide.com/coupon.php?bid=10878&dealid=978

It all sounds terrific and we can't wait! This will kick off the start of our Christmas season, which I refuse to officially start until after Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving always sneaks up on me. I just realized yesterday that I have just over a week to plan and prepare. On one hand, it's just our immediate family so there's not too much to prepare, but I like making sure the monkeys have a traditional Thanksgiving even if there's not extended family to join us. One of the things I like about our local HEB grocery store is that they have this great cajun turkey that comes as just a breast. No stuffing turkeys for me! We'll get a second one for the monkeys because it's too 'picy' according to Bro Bro monkey.

Dadda monkey and I always argue over what kind of stuffing to have. He likes a cornbread stuffing, but it's too dry to me. My mom always made a sausage stuffing, which I like better, but it's still not quite my cup of tea so I'm going to try something new this year like an apple stuffing. See, I haven't even narrowed down which one. The rest of our table will be rounded out with green beans (again, not decided on variety), corn souffle, berry nut freeze, rolls, and gravy. For dessert, pumpkin pie and either apple pie or pecan pie. I wish I had more people to feed because I love gathering with family for the holidays and I love baking (ie: more pies). I'm sure come Christmas time, I'll be tired of baking with all those cookies, but Monkey girl loves helping me and every year we've tried new recipes and come up with some great new cookies that will be added to our repertoire for the future. However, that's a story for a future post. Good night for now (I must go plan my shopping list)!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

'Tis The Season For Shopping!

I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I love getting my gifts figured out as early as possible. Believe me, I will NOT start decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. It even annoys me that the stores are opening for Black Friday shopping earlier and earlier. I read some stores will be open early Thanksgiving evening, which makes me feel bad for the employees as well as consumers. Let everyone enjoy their families/days off for the holiday and don't even give people a choice of ending their festivities early to go shopping.

This Black Friday will probably not see me participating unless I find a good deal for a smart 3D DVD player online. There's nothing we need so I'll be sleeping in Friday morning (well as much as my monkeys let me anyways). As much as I try to stay on budget, the holiday season always does me in. I find it so hard to pass up a good deal, especially when it comes to the monkeys. We limit the Christmas gifts they get from us to 3 each (akin to the story of the three wisemen), but there's no set limit for gifts from Santa. I've already purchased the 3 they'll get from us and Santa should be nearly done too as long as his helper (yours truly) can stop herself from any more purchases. On the bright side, I'm mostly prepared for Christmas. I need to figure out a gift for Dadda monkey's father and my sister, but otherwise, we're done! So bring on the holiday season, I'm ready!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Sesame Street Live

Sesame Street Live - Elmo Makes Music is now on tour and is coming to San Antonio for 3 shows November 13-14. Thanks to US Family Guide, you can get $3 off each ticket by visiting this link or using the code USF at ticketmaster.com. My monkeys are hoping to go see it and it should be a great show.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Heart of Christmas

Just in time for the holiday season comes a beautiful heart-wrenching story that will have you looking at your own life in a new light. The Heart of Christmas was a fantastic movie that touched the Monkey family even more so because of the connection to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Though it was before Dadda monkey and I got together, St. Jude played an important role for his step-brother. As a result, it's a charity that's near and dear to our hearts. Every year we try to make a donation to St. Jude. Before watching this movie, I had no idea there was going to be so much focus on how wonderful this hospital is.

Anyways, back to the story (I'm not a movie critic so I won't go into the acting, producing, etc...), it follows the life of a little boy named Dax, his family, and a mother who reads their blog. Dax has a form of leukemia and his family is blessed to be admitted to St. Jude. You follow the roller coaster of emotions as Dax goes through his treatment and watch his family's support. The mother blogs about it to keep her friends and family updated and a neighbor (struggling with her own family life) begins reading it. It's based on the true story of Dax Locke and I'll warn you now, if you're anything like me (ultra emotional when it comes to children with life threatening illness) have a box of tissues nearby. I think I cried through a quarter of the movie. At the end they show pictures of the real Dax. I love special touches like those to really bring the movie to life.

I don't want to reveal too much about it because you really need to watch it for yourself to get the full effect. It does a great job portraying the struggle of families connecting to each other and taking time to appreciate the small moments. This is really the perfect time of year to watch this story and reflect on your own family/life. Take a moment to cherish the memories you make with your family this holiday season and value this time together.

Two Mommy 2 Monkeys readers will have an opportunity to win this DVD for themselves.

How To Enter:
(The first step is required for your first entry. Any steps after that reward you with an extra entry.) Leave a separate comment for each entry.
This giveaway, and subsequent shipping, is only offered within the United States.

1. Let me know if you've had an experience with St. Jude or just tell me that I'm not the only cry baby when watching these movies based on true stories.

2. Become a follower of my blog, Mommy 2 Monkeys, and leave a comment on this post that you've done so.
3. 'Like' the Mommy 2 Monkeys Facebook page and leave a comment on this post that you've done so.
4. Follow me on Twitter and leave  a comment on this post that you've done so.


This giveaway will remain open until November 11,2012 at midnight central time. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. I will post the winner on my blog and also email the winner (please make sure your email is visible on your profile or post it in your comment). The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or I will choose another winner via Random.org. Good luck!

Disclaimer:

Mommy 2 Monkeys was provided with a sample for the purpose of this review and the opportunity to hold a giveaway for my readers. No other compensation was received and the views expressed here are my own. 


Thursday, November 1, 2012

Halloween Sugar Crash

I let the monkeys stay home from school (pre-k) today because we were exhausted from Halloween night. The idea of gettting them dressed, fed, loaded in the car, and in their seats on time did not appeal to me. So we all slept in. Even my early riser, Little Red Riding Hood, slept late. Blame the sugar rush crash for our lethargy this morning. Anyways, we had a great night and I hope you all did as well!