Mommy Has to Work

“The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish” Book Review #poutpouttour

November 16, 2015 By Marijean

If your children have not read any of the Pout-Pout Fish books, they are missing out! These books are adorable and perfect for ages 2-6 (Grades Pre-K – 1). My 4 year old son absolutely loves these books, as well as my 7 year old daughter. I was asked to write a review on the newest book “The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish.”

This is the latest hard cover picture book in this series, which came out on September 8, 2015. Mr. Fish is trying to find the perfect presents for his friends, but he just isn’t having any luck. He’s so busy shopping for everyone that he almost forgets the true meaning of the holidays-surrounding yourself with those you love.

My children (and I) loved this book. The Illustrations are very colorful and they loved the rhyming words in it. We love the message that is sent in this book, that the holidays are to be with the people you love, not about giving the perfect gift.

Here is the the Book Tour schedule, if you are in the area please go check it out!

Book Tour Schedule

Author Deborah Diesen
November 14, 3pm – Square Books, Oxford, MS
November 16, 3:30pm – Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, NC
November 18, 4pm – Vero Beach Book Center, Vero Beach, FL
November 19, 7pm – Little Shop of Stories, Decatur, GA
November 20, 4pm – Octavia Books, New Orleans, LA
Illustrator Dan Hanna
November 15, 11am – WORD Books, Jersey City, NJ
November 16, 4pm – Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville, KY
November 17, 4:30pm – Towne Book Center & Cafe, Collegeville, PA
November 18, 4:30pm – Cover to Cover, Columbus, OH
November 19, 4:30pm – Lake Forest Books, Lake Forest, IL
November 21, 12pm – Anderson’s Book Shop, Naperville, IL
November 21, 2pm – Anderson’s Book Shop, La Grange, IL

About the Author & Illustrator

Deborah Diesen (www.deborahdiesen.com) grew up in Midland, Michigan, and started writing poems at a young age. She has worked as a bookseller and a librarian, and now works for a small nonprofit organization, but her greatest joy comes from writing for children. She lives with her family in Grand Ledge, Michigan.

Author, Deborah Diesen

Dan Hanna (www.danhanna.com) has over ten years experience in the animation industry, and his work has appeared on BBC America and the Cartoon Network. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Illustrator, Dan Hanna

Click here to visit the Publisher’s website.

You can purchase this book for your child’s home library from these retailers:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Indiebound

Twitter Handles: @MacKidsBooks, @prbythebook

***I was given a product in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on my experience with the product. I am not affiliated with the company and everything in this review is my opinion.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

THE MAKING OF A FESTIVE FOREST: SEA OF TREES STARTS SPROUTING AT SEAWARD ORLANDO #SeaWorldChristmas

November 14, 2015 By Marijean

How DOES one plant and decorate a Christmas tree in the water, much less 114 of them? Holiday designers at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration™ have been busy creating the dazzling “Sea of Trees” — 114 giant, illuminated trees in the park’s center lake — in preparation for the holiday special event opening next week.

A returning fan favorite, the “Sea of Trees” is the dazzling centerpiece of the 200-acre park that is decked with holiday lights, décor, shows and attractions.

This video shows the behind-the-scenes creation of the festive forest.

SeaWorld’s dazzling Sea of Trees features:

1. Almost 8 miles of garland

2. 14 miles of cable that control the choreographed lights

3. It would take over 3 million household Christmas lights to create our Sea of Trees performance

4. Over 100 lighted trees

5. Heights ranging from 10 to 22 feet

6. Trees are planted in up to 14 feet of water

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is included in park admission and takes place Nov. 21-22, 27-29, & Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-31.

Visit SeaWorldOrlando and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest details about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2015 #MVMCP

November 13, 2015 By Marijean

If you are a big Disney fan like I am, one thing not to miss are the holiday parties! Each year Disney World, on select nights, has Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is definitely a party filled with magical fun!

For 20 special nights, guests can delight during this cheery, family-friendly event. Party-goers embrace the joys of the season while sipping cocoa, catching a “snowflake” and enjoying merry shows, fireworks, carolers and special character meet and greets at Magic Kingdom Park.

This after-hours party is a special- ticket event offered select nights between Nov. 8 and Dec. 18, 2011, and features a sleigh full of merriment:

Queen Elsa’s transformation of Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus
An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season”
Live entertainment featuring Disney characters, including the “Celebrate the Season” musical stage show
Meet and greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters throughout Magic Kingdom
Complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa
A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Holiday performances by the acclaimed contemporary a capella group VoicePlay in Tomorrowland
Many popular Magic Kingdom attractions open for family-friendly fun

For more Information, and to purchase your tickets in advance, please click here.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

DISNEY•PIXAR’s “FINDING DORY” Trailer and Poster Released!! #FindingDory

November 12, 2015 By Marijean

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), the film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton. “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past.

FINDING DORY swims in theatres everywhere on June 17th, 2016!

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U.S. Release Date: June 17, 2016

Voice Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton

Director: Andrew Stanton

Co-Director: Angus MacLane

Producer: Lindsey Collins

“Finding Nemo” won the 2003 Academy Award® for best animated feature; the film was nominated for three additional Oscars® (original screenplay, original score, sound editing). It was also nominated for a Golden Globe® Award for best motion picture–comedy or musical. In 2008, the American Film Institute named “Finding Nemo” among the top 10 greatest animated films ever made. At the time of its release, “Finding Nemo” was the highest grossing G-rated movie of all time. It’s the fifth highest grossing animated film worldwide. The film has more than 19 million Likes on Facebook, and Dory—with more than 25 million—is the most liked individual character from a Disney or Disney•Pixar film.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

PINE BROS. Softish Throat Relief Drops Review

November 11, 2015 By Marijean

I am always keeping cough drops in my house & in my purse. Sickness hits my family a lot so I always like to be prepared. I like to keep sugar free lifesavers or hard candies with me as well for when my mouth gets dry which happens often. I heard about Pine Bros. Throat Drops and I was excited to give them a try.

HISTORY OF PINE BROS.

Pine Bros. was started in 1870 by Herman Pine. If you don’t know the name, it’s probably because Pine Bros. popularity peaked in the 1970s, after having been sold to the Life Savers Company in the 1930s.

After the 1970s, Pine Bros. was sold by Life Savers and acquired and resold to a number of other companies.Just recently Pine Bros. was acquired by the owners of Airborne. Much time was taken to find the original packaging and use the original recipe. This product is also now made entirely in the United States.

3 different flavor varieties, and they come in bags or convenient containers.

The flavors of these drops are Black Licorice, Wild Cherry and Natural Honey. They come in Value Sized bags which give you 32 drops, and also come in convenient container which holds 26 drops. I love the container since I can just put it in my purse or keep in my car. The bags are great for keeping at home.

What I think is unique about these drops is they definitely are “softish!” They aren’t too soft and not too hard, more along the lines of a hard gummy. I tried all of the flavors and they all tasted great. Each of them have a nice mild flavor, not overpowering like most hard candies or cough drops. They are all natural, vegan and gluten-free.

Wild Cherry flavored Throat Drop

These drops did come in handy this week because my throat has been very scratchy. They really did make my throat feel better and soothed it. I like that these drops aren’t meant for a cough and I can take them just to soothe my irritated or sore throat. These drops are also all natural and aren’t full of artificial ingredients which is a huge plus! Here’s the complete list of ingredients for the Wild Cherry throat drops: Gum Acacia, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Glycerine, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor, Colored with Elderberry Concentrate, Sunflower Oil and Carnauba Wax.