The New Disney Store

I decided to be brave and venture out with my two monkeys to the new Disney store in North Star Mall. I'm glad I went because the kids enjoyed being there and we discovered a lot of neat features they've implemented.  I have to say the employees and PR people we met were very friendly and enthusiastic and ensured we had a great visit. Shopping at Disney is now even more of a magical experience.

At first glance, it doesn't seem terribly different, but you quickly discover a couple of gems in the store.  Looking down at the floor, you'll see a sparkly blue winding path that you can follow through the store. It leads to my favorite new feature that I"ll share in a minute. First we came upon the Disney princess castle. Needless to say my monkey princess wanted to call that home for the duration of our stay. You can go through a small opening to the enchanted mirror. Grab one of the princess wands (only 3 princesses were featured at the time) and wave it in front of the mirror to see a video clip of that princess appear in the mirror.

Next we saw the Cars Ridemakerz station, which seems like it'd be fun and a favorite of older kids. It has power screwdrivers hanging from above 4 workstations where you can completely design and build your own car. Since my monkeys are still little, we took a short peek at it and then continued along the path. Bro Bro monkey loved the plush animal display that was built to resemble Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. There was a tunnel they could crawl through and gears on the lower shelf that you could turn and make the buckets above you spin. Bro Bro monkey also created his own game of 'in one foul swipe, knock down more stuffed animals than mommy can pick up at one time'.

Finally, we arrived at the gazebo area (my favorite) with a small table and a large screen for movie clips. There's a large touchpad device where your kids can choose what movie they'd like to see different clips from. It's very easy for little ones to use and as a bonus, the display above it shows how long until your chosen clip will play so you can continue shopping and get back in time to watch your video. At the table were 4 child size chairs with coloring pages and crayons. The gazebo is lit up beautifully and is an enjoyable place to stop for a bit.

Throughout the store are also translucent trees that appear very ethereal. They also randomly display different noticeable Disney icons and fireworks for special occasions. Above the shelves along the walls is a skyline that incorporates local landmarks. We saw the Alamo, Riverwalk, and Tower of Americas. If you're in San Antonio or another store that's newly opened or been remodeled I encourage you to take a step in and check it out. The North Star Mall location will have a grand opening celebration on June 18th from noon to 4 pm. Mickey and Minnie will also make an appearance at the mall center court on that date.

San Antonio Disney Store Opening

If you live here in the San Antonio area, there's some great news. A new Disney store is opening at North Star Mall this week. Wednesday, June 8th, at 10:00 am, San Antonio's newest Disney store will be open to the public. In 2010, Disney Store 'unveiled an innovative, highly interactive new store design' that claims to offer 'the best 30 minutes of a child's day'. Some of the features that appeal to my monkeys are the Disney Princess Neighborhood & Disney Princess Castle with Magic Mirror, the Pixie Dust Trail, and the CARS Ridemakerz Neighborhood.

If you can make it, I highly encourage you to go. The first 250 guests will receive FREE Mickey Mouse ears and one lucky child will “Unlock the Imagination.” Also, ten percent of the first days sales will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I had the opportunity to preview Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in IMAX 3D this week. Overall, Dadda monkey and I really enjoyed it. It had a good story, compelling characters, and great action scenes (though maybe a tad too many). We wisely decided to leave the monkeys at home not just because of the late hour, but because it's rated PG-13. Some people think I'm over protective, but I'm just not comfortable with my children seeing violent scenes at these young ages.

On Stranger Tides was a lot more action paced and not quite as juvenile as the second and third installments of Pirates. The scenery is fantastic and the movie keeps you looking forward to what happens next. As the viewer, you get to go along on the adventure with Jack Sparrow and it's a long, tumultuous journey. To be honest, I felt it was about 20-30 minutes longer than it needed to be. That could also be because I'm used to watching short condensed children's shows or because we haven't been to a movie in eons. Along that line, some of the 3D effects were spectacular, but they got sparser and more mundane as the movie went on until the end of the movie where they picked up again. I'm not sure this movie warrants paying the extra money to watch it in 3D, but I do recommend you see it. Also, Dadda monkey didn't like Penelope Cruz's character. I didn't mind her, but there was a sub-story that started to intrigue me when they encountered the mermaids, but it doesn't seem to have come to a satisfying conclusion.

As with the other Pirates installments, this one left open ended so I won't be surprised to see a 5th one. If you liked the previous Pirates movies, you'll enjoy this one just as much if not more and even if you haven't seen the previous ones, you'll be able to jump right into this story.

Flies, Flies, Everywhere

We had a BBQ yesterday that went pretty well. For some reason Daddy monkey's coworkers don't feel the need to RSVP to our gatherings so we never know if we're going to have 2 or 20 so we always have leftover food. This time I think we have about a dozen burgers left and a few chicken breasts. I completely forgot to make the sweet potato fries so our abundant supply of them is my fault. We bought a new fire pit that has a table top option so that gave us an extra surface for guests which we really needed. The weather cooperated and it wasn't overbearingly hot. However, the flies around here have gotten worse.

Every year around this time, we have to leave our fly swatter out because the flies are everywhere! As a friend put it, each time the door opens and closes, we gain about 5 flies in the house. They're a horrible nuisance and unfortunately there's no great solution to reducing their presence. I've tried hanging clear bags of water (I don't think that worked at all) and we have a bug zapper. I consider it a success if I don't let the flies live long enough to make it upstairs. Of course for the BBQ, they decided to join the party. We've also have a bad wasp problem this year (in the whole neighborhood, not just our house), but we only had a couple of them appear yesterday. The flies are driving me crazy though. I wish they had a fly version of the mosquito repeller's that supposedly work for about an acre of land.

We have family visiting next week so I can't wait to put the fire pit to use and hopefully that will repel the flies a little. We're trying to enjoy the new deck as much as possible and I love spending time out there. Monkey girl asks to eat outside a lot and unfortunately we've had to say no more than we'd like to because of those pesky flies. I wonder if putting candles on the table would help. We'll have to experiment a bit more I guess and see if anything helps. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I honestly haven't meant to neglect my blog this much. We've just added quite a few more things to our schedule and my days seem very regimented. I've also been trying to get to bed earlier. We joined the local YMCA so I could start exercising regularly. Both monkeys are going to The Little Gym one day each. We still have playgroup once a week and dance classes start for Monkey girl in a couple of weeks. Even small things like getting all the plants watered each morning is time consuming. However, I'm seeing results in my little garden. I have a couple of cherry tomatoes turning red, a large tomato growing, the grapes are getting bigger, and the blackberries are ripening. There's even a few more strawberries starting to grow. The pool opened too so we've been going there a few days a week. I love summer time, but it's starting to feel exhausting. I can't wait until our beach vacation in July!

Back to the YMCA...If you haven't been to the Y in a while, you might want to check it out. When we joined we made an appointment with a trainer to do a strength test and set some goals. It was pretty informative and really made me excited to get started. Additionally, they (I'm saying 'they' even though I'm not sure it's available everywhere) have an automated program called Activtrax. The trainer input my strength test results, along with my goals, and it sets up a routine for me to do each workout. It starts with a small warmup, then resistance training followed by some cardio.I just completed my first week and feel great. More importantly, I think I'm seeing results. I do feel better every time I go, even if it's just a mental thing. I'll post more, I promise, but for now I'm off to bed so I can head back to the Y in the morning.

Glade Spring

With a couple of dogs and toddlers running around the house, I love finding products that can help my home smell fresh and nice. Along that line, Glade has introduced two new limited-edition home fragrances, Bring on the Blossoms™ and Sparkle of Spring™. I was lucky enough to get to sample two of their products in these fragrances, the premium room spray which retails for $2.99 and the Scented Oil Candle in a decorative glass holder which retails for $3.49. 

The room spray, Bring on the Blossoms, was a unique light floral scent that made me instantly think of warm weather (not that we're having a shortage of that) and enjoying gardens in bloom. I guess it's been a while since I've bought new room spray because aside from the pleasant scent, my favorite feature was the twist and lock nozzle. Dadda monkey likes to leave room spray out where it's handy, but that means the monkeys frequently get their mitts on them. I love how simple the lock feature was and that it was built right in.

The scented oil candle in Sparkle of Spring was my favorite item. I LOVE the scent and the decorative glass holder was beautiful and fit right in with my decor. It's currently in my bedroom because I wanted to enjoy it there while I relaxed, but it's been in the family room for a while as well. The scent is harder to describe, but it's also very light and springy with it's citrus tones. 

It is the perfect time to freshen your home with citrus and floral fragrances and spruce up your wardrobe with new styles that reflect the joy that comes along with sunny, longer days. Entertainment journalist and co-host of E!’s Fashion Police, Giuliana Rancic1 has partnered with Glade® to inspire women to update their look this spring and celebrate the budding season. Rancic is an expert in today’s fashion and shares firsthand how surroundings, especially in the home, can help set the mood and she has a few tips for us.

How to Step into Spring:

In order to help other women rejuvenate their look and surroundings, Rancic shares her top five tips to stay on-trend and feel fresh and exhilarated in time for spring. 

* Reinforce Ruffles. Spring is all about feeling pretty and feminine, and designers are pumping up the volume with ruffles. Whether on a throw pillow, journal or jacket, this season we’ll be seeing gorgeous fabrics and textures draped and ruffled into fabulous creations.

* Revitalize Home Fragrance. Glade® Limited Edition Spring Collection fragrances refresh the home and wipe away the doldrums left behind when winter fades. “I love the Glade® Sparkle of Spring™ Premium Room Spray,” says Rancic, “because the hints of citrus create an energized vibe during the day and the fresh scent is a simple way to make my home more inviting for family and friends.”

* Bright Colors, Fresh Look. Cheerful citrus is perfect for those bright spring days. Take advantage of the season’s uplifting hues and make lips pop with orangey pink lipstick.

* Wake Up Happy. Start the day with colors that awaken your senses. Make your bedroom environment happy with a bright, cheerful new duvet or throw.

* Go for Geometric Jewels. Cool, geometric shapes are everywhere this spring. Clean, straight lines and bold color accents make a perfect pair. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a lot to achieve this look. “I love a good bargain and recently found a pair of bold emerald green earrings for just $8!” says Rancic.

I thought her tips were great and really fall in line with the season and people's optimistic, energized moods. Glade's new products also correlate well with these sentiments. Here's a little more information on these great new products. They've also been great additions to the monkey household.

The Glade® Limited Edition Spring Collection is available now through July in the air-care aisle of food, drug and mass-merchandise stores such as Target, Walmart and many more. The manufacturer suggested retail price for the Glade® Limited Edition Spring Collection is:

* $3.49 for Glade® Candle 4 oz. Jar

* $2.99 for Glade® Premium Room Spray

* $3.49 for Glade® Scented Oil Candle Decorative Glass Holder

* $3.49 for Glade® Scented Oil Candle Refills; contains four refills

* $3.49/$5.49 for Glade® PlugIns® Scented Oil Refills; available in 1- and 2-count

Celebrate the season with these two fresh new fragrances from Glade® in bright, fun packaging that looks as good as it smells:

* Sparkle of Spring™ - Fresh and citrusy with zesty lime, ginger and vanilla notes.

* Bring on the Blossoms™ - Fruity and floral with a medley of jasmine, rose, peony and sandalwood.

For more information about the Glade® Limited Edition Spring Collection, visit www.glade.com.

Thanks to SC Johnson and Family Review Network, I have two of the same products I tried for one of my readers.

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

1. Let me know which scent appeals to you more OR what your favorite glade product is.

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.
5. Place my button on your blog/website and leave a comment on this post that you've done so.

This giveaway will remain open until April 23, 2011 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.

The Poteet Strawberry Festival

First I'd like to mention that I LOVE strawberries. Since I moved here a few years ago, I'd been hearing about The Poteet Strawberry Festival. I don't know why it's taken me so long to go to this berry special festival. Sorry, I've been on a Strawberry Shortcake binge since Monkey girl's birthday is coming up. Anyways, this year I was determined to go, in part because I actually found out about it before it happened this year. It's only a 3 day event and we decided to go on Saturday. We looked up where Poteet was and low and behold, it's only about 40 minutes from us.

We got there Saturday morning and discovered it's much like a county fair with all the carnival rides and vendor booths. Dadda monkey found a mirror maze, which I also loved as a little girl, and he wanted to take Monkey girl. So the two of them went in there first and they were doing great until Monkey girl paused to wave at me and then plowed right into a glass wall. She was okay, though her nose was a little sore, so Dadda monkey carried her through the rest of it. After that she rode her first solo ride, a bubble whale. After a few times around the circle, she yelled to us that she was done, but she didn't get upset as the ride continued on and she patiently waited for it to come to a stop. We were proud monkey parents. Poor Bro Bro monkey didn't get to do much, but we did find a bounce house that they both enjoyed. Bro Bro monkey also started to get a little fussy. I don't blame him since he wasn't involved in a whole lot there and we were there at his normal nap time.

Unfortunately Bro Bro's fussiness meant that I didn't get to peruse the vendor section much, but we did grab a genuine Poteet strawberry hanging plant on our way out. It already has a couple of strawberries growing on it. Although I guess I'm supposed to pick them off when they just start to turn red because the two that were already red are starting to get a little mushy sitting on the soil.

I'm really glad we decided to go early on Saturday because on our way home, we could see that traffic heading to Poteet was horrendous. It was an enjoyable day and we'll definitely plan on going again next year, especially since we know what to expect now.