Winter Break Nintendo Style

 

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone enjoyed survived the holiday break with their kids home from school.

We fared well thanks to the geniuses at Nintendo.

It was a cold, windy, and even snowy break here in the DC area. We got out of the house every day but the times that we were hanging out inside were bearable, if not enjoyable, because the Twofer had a plethora of new Nintendo games AND two Nintendo 3DS systems as well!

The girls got Mario Kart Wii (WITH the steering wheel) from their aunt and uncle.

This is the game they have been asking for over and over again and it did not disappoint! Driving with the steering wheel is too much fun and at one point they had to kick me out!

They got LEGO Harry Potter from Santa.

I didn't play this with them but I could hear the cheers and cries as they moved up in 'years' at the Hogwarts school. For any Harry Potter fan, this game is a must. (Cloak and wand not included.)

They got Wii Party from Santa as well.

This I did play and there are actually a gazillion games all packed into one neat little box. Tons of different games to choose from with games for one to four players. Just make sure your wii remotes are fully charged or have new batteries because this one will keep them busy for a while!

And they got Nintendo 3DS systems with two games each from our friends at Nintendo!

Each of them received Style Savvy and Nintendogs & Cats games. Style Savvy is for the fashionista in all of us as we create outfits for ourselves and for the customers that visit our boutique.  Nintendogs & Cats has been a blessiing for this family as we are putting off getting a REAL pet for another year (I hope). Though I can see the girls have a knack for teaching their pets tricks, and being responsible for feeding and loving them...so, we'll see if I wait a whole year.

It wasn't ALL electronics.

I feel the need here to tell you that we did a LOT more than electronics over break. We went to the aquarium, we went swimming at the indoor pool, we visited with family, and we played tons of board games. But if there is a week to allow more screen time than usual, this was the week we were doing it and I'm glad we had a collection of new games to play.

What did YOU play this holiday?

Janine

Disclosure: Some of these games were purchased and some were given to us as part of my being a Nintendo Ambassador and I have explained where they came from in the post. All of the opinions expressed are mine and this post was not required, reviewed nor approved prior to being published. Also, some links are affiliate links.

I will not live in fear

I wrote this on Facebook this morning after learning that the schools in my Connecticut hometown were on lock down again, after a suspicious person was seen at a train station. I know the police and administrators in that small town want to make the community feel safe. Our own school system here in Maryland had a police presence this morning, the first day back to school after Friday's tragic events. But all I kept thinking, I cannot live like this. I cannot live in fear.  And that's when this spilled out of my fingers. For whatever it's worth, I'm going to keep coming back to this in the coming year.

I refuse to live in fear. I will accomplish this by embracing every moment, for better or worse. I will let those I love know it. I will focus on what matters. I will be present yet respect the future. I will keep an inventory of all I have to be thankful for. I will live with gratitude.

Make a Backyard Obstacle Course to Keep Kids Outside

Need a fun outdoor activity to do with the kids?

Build a backyard obstacle course!

Build a backyard obstacle course

Pull out your patio chairs, garden tools, scooters, toys, and other stuff packed away in your garage (note: this is a good excuse to clean out the shed or garage), and let the kids go to work creating spaces to climb, jump, and ride around the yard.

Here's a quick one we did when the cousins were visiting on a day off from school:

Learning to Love Rinsing with the Listerine #SweetSmart Challenge

It has been three weeks since we started the Listerine Sweet Smart challenge and I have to say, it's been a success!

First, the girls were great at incorporating the Listerine Smart Rinse into their dental routine.

Second, because they were so good, they earned themselves new tooth brushes.

Third, even I got better at maintaining the new routine!

 Rinsing as an Olympian on Halloween!

Why it's important to rinse

As a parent whose children have already had cavities, and now have orthodonitc devices in their mouth, I know the importance of keeping teeth clean. The expanders they have in their mouths are helping to create room for their adult teeth, but they are also a hotbed of food and junk that I just know will make it difficult to avoid cavities. Rinsing with Listerine means the rinse reaches where brushing and flossing can't. It also washes away the food particles they ARE able to brush and floss off their teeth.

We learned a few things about rinsing during this challenge...

60 seconds is a LONG time. To battle the urge to spit until the 60 second mark we hummed songs as we swished. Just don't look at each other while humming and swishing or you are sure to spit it all out during a giggle.

Track your progress as encouragement or if you want to offer a reward. We were given this handy white board calendar to use. Instead of tracking an entire month, we used it to mark down a week's worth of rinsing for every member of our family.

*progress on this calendar may have been enhanced (Mom wins!)

We like variety. To improve the likelyhood that you and your kids will maintain a routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing, load up on different flavors of toothpaste, Listerine rinse, flossing thread, and different types of toothbrushes. It's fun to experiment with different flavors and makes it a little more interesting.

Check out www.listerinekids.com for more ideas and a coupon off Listerine Smart Rinse.

Janine

Disclosure: I received free samples and compensation in exchange for participating in the challenge but all opinions are my own and this post was neither reviewed nor approved prior to being published.

Disney as an Adults-Only Destination... YES!

Today we are snuggled in just waiting to lose power while hurricane Sandy approaches.

But just a week ago I was at Walt Disney World to preview the New Fantasyland, and I'm channeling those warm memories as I write this.

I was invited for a media tour of the New Fantasyland expansion that has taken place in Magic Kingdom. I was invited to bring the family but we just couldn't work it out with our schedules.

So, I went alone.

YES I DID!

And?

It was awwwwesome! (I totally sang that)

I was actually down there with a group of bloggers, many of whom I've had the chance to get to know over the years and others I had the pleasure to get to know. You see most of them couldn't work it out to bring their families and we realized...

We could go on all the roller coasters our kids refuse to go on!

Like the Rockin Roller Coaster!

Partay like Rock Stars at Hollywood Studios dude.

We also realized it was the International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT.

OMG!?!

If this isn't the best reason to visit Disney without kids, than I don't know what is.

Yummy Mummy Drink

All of the countries have exotic food offerings and unique drinks that range in price between $5 and $15.

It was such a fun way to experience Disney. Something very new to me and something I want to do again with my husband and possibly for a girl's weekend.

Who's in??

Of course the highlight was being able to be one of the firsts to experience the New Fantasyland. But that needs a post all to itself.

For now, start planning your adult Disney trip and let me know if you need any tips.

Janine