Update: Holiday Gift Guide

I'm excited to announce I'm partnering with Educational Insights and Learning Resources!

I've made many inquires to various companies and am awaiting replies.

I am still taking Submissions for my 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

I hope to feature gift ideas in the following categories:

• Children's Gifts
• Men's Gifts
• Women's Gifts
• Family Gifts
• Pet Gifts
• Stocking Stuffers

If you are interested in sponsoring my 2016 Holiday Gift Guide, please contact me at dpapsis2@gmail.com

**There are a number of options available!

I plan to publish product reviews ASAP with backlinks to product and/or company pages and original photographs with social media amplification.

All sponsors and/or products will be featured in my Holiday Gift Guide and on my social media sites; as well as my permanent Sponsors Page.

I plan to publish my completed Holiday Gift Guide by Monday November 21st for maximum traffic and exposure in line with the Holiday Shopping Season. (Think Black Friday and Cyber Monday).

Come Visit Maine's Largest Independence Day Celebration!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

If you're in Maine. Stop by and say "Hi!" at the Winslow Fourth of July Celebration.

We'll be there with Pony X-Press Amusements July 2nd thru the 4th.

For a complete list of what's happening visit Winslow Family Fourth of July Page!

Caesar the camel will be there to visit at Fort Halifax Park on Sunday!

The Petting Zoo and Pony Rides will be open every day: Saturday thru Monday.

• There's a lot of great entertainment scheduled. 
• Plenty of food and vendors.
• Fun for the whole family!

The finale will be on Monday when one of the best fireworks displays in the state takes place on the Fourth!

Hope to see you there!

You can follow Caesar and all of his friends on Facebook at Pony X-Press Zoo!

Orlando: Planning Our First Family Vacation!

I'm excited to announce our first family vacation is going to be to Orlando, Florida!

Orlando: Here we come!

I've been to Orlando Studios and Islands of adventures when I was maybe 13; but, I have never been to Disney World. We are thinking of visiting for a week sometime mid to late September or early October.

This is something my Mom has been talking about for a couple years now- taking her only granddaughter (our daughter, Renee) to Disney World. Mike and I are going too!

Disney's Magic Kingdom

Our little princess is growing so fast! She has already outgrown her summer clothes and we had to buy more just this past week. Yikes!

I'm excited to see places I will probably never be able to visit at Disney's Epcot!

On our list of places to visit:

• Magic Kingdom Park
• Epcot
• Disney's Animal Kingdom
• SeaWorld

Of course we'll get to see the King of the Jungle, himself!

How often does anyone get to see rhinoceroses?!

Check out some of the animals at SeaWorld via AnimalVision anytime!

• Penguins
• Turtles
• Stingrays

No matter which week we pick it's going to be just like summer is here: 75-80 degrees or hotter and sunny.

DinoGame by TOOKKY

DinoGame is recommended for ages 3-10. My daughter is 5 years old and had no interest in playing the game; but, loves the dinosaurs! I think the same could be said for her age group in general, as I volunteer in her classroom once a week and in general, I don't see the attention span for this game.

I'm sure there are a few who would be the exception to this rule; however, I would say as children get older they might be more interested in the game itself. For now the dinosaurs are cool enough on their own!

DinoGame Comes with 12 sturdy dinosaurs, as you can see my girl made off with a few before I could snap a shot!

 

Features:

• DinoGame by TOOKKY comes in a cute carrying case to store all the dinosaurs and board in.
• The board comes in 4 pieces and fits together like a puzzle.
• 12 dinosaurs are nicely detailed, and beautifully colored.
• If they don't stand up, just bend their legs a little until the do.

 

Information in the ebook on T-Rex.

How to Play:

• Each person chooses a dinosaur.
• Read and review the dinosaur facts in the ebook sent from TOOKKY.
• Take turns asking trivia questions.
• Each time the player answers a trivia question about their dinosaur correctly, they move ahead one space.
• The first player to the end wins!

 

Trivia Questions

Pros:
High Quality Dinosaurs
Fun Trivia

Cons:
The game board is quite flimsy
I wish the game came with a booklet for those who did not have internet access.

The figures are really of nice quality and come in a nice carrying box or case, great for taking on a trip or visiting friends. If you would wish to view the product I reviewed you can see it here: DinoGame

Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated in any other way.

April: Upcoming Kids Building Workshops

Register the kids on Home Depot's website and secure a spot for Saturday April 2, 2016 from 9 am - 12 pm. Build a Butterfly House at Home Depot!

Register to Build a Butterfly House!

•  Join Home Depot's hands-on workshop with your child and build a butterfly house to welcome some fluttering insect friends after a long winter. After the butterfly house is built, your child can decorate their project with paint.
  
  
• All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last.

http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops

Spring is here and the birds are singing!  

Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build this cool Birdfeeder.  

Register for this Project on Lowe's Build & Grow.com

 

•  Join Lowe's hands-on workshop with your child and build a Birdfeeder to welcome some of our feathered friends back after a long winter. After the Birdfeeder is built, your child can decorate their project with the included stickers.
  
  
• All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative patch while supplies last.

 

Saturday, April 9 (10:00 AM)

Registration Opens March 28th

http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/clinics

Build Monster Jam's Blue Thunder!

What and When: This Saturday, March 12 at 10 am Lowe's is hosting one of their Build and Grow Workshops featuring Monster Jam Monster Trucks!

I love when stores give back and support local communities. These initiatives help bring families together too. The toy truck being built this weekend is Blue Thunder.

Stock Photo from Lowes.com: Kids receive an apron, their building kit, and get a space at a table to build.

Building projects are suggested for ages 6+ but with help kids can often start significantly younger. Any adult can take their child for these building projects.

• Build Confidence. 
• It's a bonding experience and can be lots of fun for the whole family.
• Kids learn responsibility when they learn how to use tools.
• Free, family fun.

The Finished Project: Blue Thunder Monster Jam Monster Truck

Space is limited! 
Register via Lowe's Build and Grow Website. http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/

Review: Inspired Basics Vertical Moscow Mule Mug with Bonus Cocktail Recipe E-Book

LIFETIME GUARANTEE! Before buying your Moscow Mule Mug make sure you do your research! Inspired Basics backs their Moscow Mule Mugs with a Quality Guarantee.

NO TIN or NICKEL LINING here! This Mug is 16 oz. Stunningly Beautiful and Handcrafted. It is a Hammered Copper Mug With 100% Pure Copper. The handle is welded for easier cleaning. Riveted handles are harder to clean around rivets and by nature attract bacteria Posing potential health hazards and are also notorious for leakage.

BONUS! Inspired Basics Vertical Moscow Mule Mug comes with a Special 37 Page Cocktail Recipes e-Book - Valued at $19.97 for FREE (e - book download details inside the box). Use with a variety of Cocktails Not Just Moscow Mules. Use with Vodka, Ginger Beer, Martini and many more beverages. Of course you can always use these mugs for making your favorite "mock-tails" too ;)

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS & SPECIAL PEOPLE! Gather friends and family for fun Times - Great For Weddings, Special Occasions like Anniversaries. Makes an awesome gift and looks stunning with your drink-ware. Elegant Copper Cups for both indoor and outdoor fun.

Remember Copper Moscow Mule Mugs Are NOT For Microwave Use and are NOT dishwasher safe!

Disclaimer: I received this product in order to facilitate my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated in any other way.

Hosting a #Sponsored #FolgersParty in December!

December 12: I know what I'm going to be doing- Drinking coffee with some family & friends and enjoying some baked goods!

It came! It came!

The mail is here!

We all know the jingle. There has been contests to revamp their ad in years past. "The Best Part of Wakin' Up!" I can't be the only one who looks forward to Folgers annual holiday contests!

All the #FolgersParty Supplies & Swag from HouseParty for a Fun Holiday Brunch!

Now onto planning the goodies and confirming with my guests ;) 

Cookies, donuts, cheesecake, brownies ... What should I bake?

Sure it's called Brunch but 3 o'clock doesn't mean it needs to be fruit salad does it? I'm not sure that would go well with coffee anyway! Ha ha!

Maine's Santa Hustle welcomes Freeway Maine's Only Reindeer!

I've never run in a 5K before! I'll have to put that on my Bucket List!
Every year many dress up as that jolly old elf, himself to raise money for charity!

http://www.santahustle.com/new-england/

Freeway the Reindeer and Baby her companion (a European Fallow Deer) made an appearance for the Santa Hustle at the Maine Mall in South Portland this morning in Maine!

I have had the joy of growing up around many animals. My father and stepmother own a traveling petting zoo, many ponies and a variety of animals for people of all ages to enjoy.

Their website is in need of updating. Their link is http://ponyxpresszoo.com/

You can follow Freeway and her friends on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Pony-X-Press-Zoo-362614660297/?fref=ts

LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen #Giveaway - Step2 #FanFriday!

Enter to win a LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen from Step2 on their Facebook Page!

Like and Enter to win the LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen in Winner's Choice of color!
https://www.facebook.com/thestep2company/timeline

The Step2 LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen comes in the winner's choice of blue and green or maroon (ARV $179.99)!

Features include:

• Realistic "stainless steel" oven, microwave, and refrigerator
• Four electronic features: toy microwave, stove top, overhead light and phone to increase interactive play
• Frying pan and boiling pot activate frying and boiling sounds on front burner, enhance make believe fun
• Special silverware drawer and two "wicker" storage baskets for kitchen toy accessories
• 33-piece accessory set included (colors of accessories and play food may vary)

The Step2 LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen is recommended for children ages 2 and up.

Do you want to purchase The LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen for a child on your Christmas list? It is now On Sale for $119.99!

Check it out Here! http://www.step2.com/p/LifeStyle-PartyTime-Kitchen