Mommy Has to Work

Budweiser Clydesdales headed to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving

November 11, 2015 By Marijean

The visiting Budweiser Clydesdale horses parade around the parking lot at the Anheuser-Busch Fairfield Brewery, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Fairfield. Patrons were treated to photo opportunities with the horses and samples of Budweiser beer at the event. (Steve Reczkowski/Daily Republic)

Article copied from actionewsjax.com

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be visiting the Jacksonville Anheuser-Busch brewery from Nov. 24-Nov. 29. Visitors will be able see the Clydesdales in their stable, see the full hitch parade and take walk-through tours of the brewery.

The Clydesdales are celebrating their 82nd anniversary, according to a release from Budweiser, and their Jacksonville visit is part of a nationwide tour. The Jacksonville brewery is located at 111 Busch Drive. Here is the full schedule of the Clydesdales’ visit:

Budweiser Clydesdales Stable Viewing
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Sunday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.

Budweiser Clydesdales Full Hitch Parade
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5 – 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 27, 3 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28, 12 – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29, 12 – 2 p.m.

Tour Center Walk-Through Tours
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 3 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Marijean

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

Vtech InnoTAB MAX Review

November 10, 2015 By Marijean

My children love technology. They are always playing games on the computer, or watching videos on my iPad. I have been asked to do a review on the InnoTab MAX and I think it is a wonderful tablet for children!

About this Tablet:

VTech InnoTab MAX (Ages 3 – 9 years; MSRP: $99.99) features:

· Powerful dual-core CPU with up to six times the processing power of previous generations
· High resolution 7″ multi-touch screen
· Built-in rechargeable Lithium battery
· Includes VTech Kid Connect™, which allows children and parents to exchange voice and text messages, photos, drawings and fun stickers in real time between the tablet and a smartphone
· Educational bundle of eight apps that can be downloaded after registering the tablet on the Learning Lodge® app store
· Additional apps include My Magic Beanstalk, Movie Maker, Art Studio and Wonder Cam MAX
· One free Toca Boca app and two additional free apps can be downloaded from the Learning Lodge
· Huge existing library of age-appropriate apps plus hand-picked Android learning games
· Progressive learning content that adapts to a child’s skill level
· Kid-safe Wi-Fi and Web Browser so kids can explore online games, videos and websites that have been pre-selected by VTech
· Parental Controls which allow parents to manage their child’s apps, web access and tablet time
· Progress log so parents can follow their child’s learning development
· Handle, flip and fold stand and tough cover to protect the tablet; cover is removable for a grown-up feel
· Available in blue and pink

The Learning Lodge is filled with apps, videos & music to download. I love the amount of apps that there are for my children to enjoy, and that they aren’t crazy expensive. If you also want to buy cartridges they make lots to choose from. The Learning Lodge is also very easy for parent and child to navigate. This also comes with VTech Kid Connect, which is the InnoTab version of a texting app. It essentially lets kids send messages and cute pictures to friends and family via the Kid Connect app for iOS or Android. I have the iPhone so I put the app on and my daughter and I can send text messages and cute pictures to each other!

You can also set a timer for how long they are on the internet for, and what sites they are allowed to go on. To me this is a great and safe function for young children.

The only issue that we didn’t care for, the back of the tablet seems to get very warm if my children play it for more than an hour. It only bothers them if they have the back part flat on their legs, or have their hand on the back of it. Also, make sure to do a Firmware update after you download your apps, I didn’t know to do this and my downloaded apps wouldn’t open at all until I did the update. Once I updated all was good! I also love that this comes with a wall charger. Once my kids are done playing it, I just plug it in to charge the battery.

This would be a great gift to give your child for the holidays! You can find this on Amazon for $89.99 right now. You can also add cool accessories to it such as headphones and a carry case. VtechKids also has this on sale for $84.99. This comes in color blue or pink.

Connect with VTech:

· VTech InnoTab MAX page.

· VTech Twitter page.

· VTech Facebook page.

“The product has been provided by VTech so I can experience it with my family; however, the thoughts and opinions are all my own.”

Marijean

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

Christmas Classics Collector Editions on BLU-RAY™ & DVD now available!

November 9, 2015 By Marijean

ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
SANTA CLAUS & FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
CELEBRATE 45 YEARS OF HOLIDAY JOY
WITH COLLECTOR’S EDITION BLU-RAY™ & DVD
FEATURING ALL-NEW BONUS CONTENT
IN STORES NOVEMBER 3RD

Do you recall when you were small…and reindeer flew, snowmen spoke, and Santa came to town? On November 3rd, kick off the holidays with the family favorites from the Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Collection featuring the Blu-ray and DVD release of SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN! ® 45TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN 45TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION and THE ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION GIFT SET featuring all-new bonus material, including singing, fun facts, crafts and more!

These beloved Christmas classics have warmed the hearts and hearths of families for 45 years. Whether you are celebrating lasting family traditions or making new memories, no holiday is complete without gathering your family around the living room for the most popular holiday specials in television history!

Also available is an all new The Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Collector’s Edition Gift Set. This must-own collection features the 45th Anniversary editions of Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town and Frosty the Snowman, plus Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, Frosty Returns, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, The Little Drummer Boy, and Cricket on the Hearth!

About the Titles and Bonus Features:

Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town! 45th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

Create joyful memories with this delightful tale of the original Santa Claus–Kris Kringle. Discover the true meaning of Christmas with this classic story that the whole family will enjoy

ALL-NEW Bonus Features:

Be an Artist and Create – Learn to draw Santa and Topper the Penguin from DreamWorks Animation’s Director of Character Animation Joe Vance. Plus, craft activities for the whole family.
Kringle Jingle – It’s a holiday tradition to sing carols with friends and loved ones. With this musical feature, some adorable young children lead the singing of the classic holiday song, “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town.”
Santa Special Delivery – In honor of the 45th anniversary, enjoy a peek inside Santa’s mailbag to learn 45 fun and interesting facts about the Rankin/Bass holiday special and the Christmas holiday.

Frosty The Snowman 45th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

Celebrate the season with Frosty the Snowman, and share this beloved, original classic story of how the world’s most famous snowman came to life one day. This anniversary edition has new special features that will make Frosty the Snowman a hit for the whole family. Sing, laugh and create wonderful holiday memories for years to come.

ALL-NEW Bonus Features:

Be an Artistand Create- DreamWorks Animation’s Director of Character Animation Joe Vance teaches viewers how to draw Frosty and Santa from this holiday classic. Later, his wife, Joanie Vance, a Kindergarten teacher, joins in and provides instructions for some fun and festive art projects to create using the newly made character drawings. This is a great way for the whole family to spend time together around the holidays.
Magical Melody – Sing along to the thumpety, thump, thump sounds of the popular tune, Frosty the Snowman
Frosty Snowflake Surprises – In honor of the 45th Anniversary of the Rankin/Bass holiday special, enter a magical winter wonderland to learn 45 fun and interesting facts about everyone’s favorite snowman and this wonderful time of year. There are also some surprises along the way from an adorable bunch of helpful kids.
Also includes the 23-minute holiday special Frosty Returns!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition

Celebrate 50 years of “The Most Famous Reindeer of All” with this Original Christmas Classic® told and sung by Burl Ives! Relive the magic when Rudolph visits the Island of Misfit Toys and Santa asks Rudolph to guide his sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Classic Bonus Features:

Rudolph Unwrapped – Learn 50 Fun facts about the creation of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Sam the Snowman’s Sing-Alongs – Sing along with two of the most beloved songs from the TV Special: Holly Jolly Sing Along and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sing Along.
Pop Up Book – Watch the pages come to life as Sam the Snowman tell you the story of Rudolph.
Learn to Draw – Sketch classic characters Rudolph, Hermey and Bumble.

The Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Collector’s Edition Gift Set

Share the wonder and the joy of these seven timeless stories with your children and grandchildren…creating new memories and holiday traditions that you will cherish through the years.

Gift Set Includes:

Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town!® 45th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
Frosty The Snowman 45th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
Plus Frosty Returns, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, Little Drummer Boy, and Cricket on the Hearth!

Click here for some fun printables for your children!

Order your copies today here!

Marijean

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

“Casey’s Bright Red Christmas” Book Review

November 9, 2015 By Marijean

I am always looking for new children’s books for the holidays. My kids love Christmas, and are always asking for new Christmas themed books right around the holidays. When I was asked to review this book, I knew that they would love it!

Here is what the book is about:
Casey’s Bright Red Christmas Written by Holly Dufek, Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn | Octane Press | Ages 4-8 | 32 pages | Hardcover | $14.99 It’s Christmas time at Happy Skies Farm! Tillus the worm, Big Red, Sammy and the rest of the team are excited to celebrate the season. But Casey the farmer is busy working: feeding animals, repairing fences and planning for the year ahead. With so much to do, Casey wonders if she’ll have time to prepare for the holidays. That’s when Tillus and the team unite to make this Christmas extra special for their busy friend.

This book is a hardcover, and is beautifully Illustrated. My son loves tractors and trucks, so this was a great book for him! He was so excited to see what Casey and her friends were going to do on the next page. My daughter loves anything and everything to do with Christmas, and really enjoys reading, she has read this book about 5 times so far this week. They loved that Casey’s friends all pitched in to help her when she wasn’t feeling well. This book will be a great addition to any child’s home library.

For more about “Casey & Friends” books, and to add it to your christmas library, 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.

ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER HOSTS 10th ANNUAL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

November 9, 2015 By Marijean

Celebrate the joy and magic of the holiday season at the 10th Annual St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular on November 14, 2015! Holiday shoppers, families and visitors are invited to attend the action-packed day of free family fun and musical performances!

St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular!

The annual holiday celebration kicks off at 2 p.m. with free festivities and family-friendly entertainment. Visitors will enjoy ice skating, magicians, holiday photo opportunities, games, giveaways, costume characters, holiday entertainment and more. Additionally, St. Johns Town Center retailers will offer holiday shopping opportunities, in-store promotions and specials throughout the weekend.

Main stage entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with dynamic holiday performances, including a show-stopping finale by headliner, Bea Miller. The Main Stage is located in the Town Green in front of Maggiano’s Little Italy on Midtown Parkway.

Bea Miller will be performing at this free event!

For Holiday Spectacular’s grand finale, Santa will lead the crowd in an official countdown to light the dazzling 32-foot tree and kick off an energetic fireworks finale at 8 p.m. Santa will then be available at the Santa House near Dick’s Sporting Goods to hear holiday wish lists.

WHERE: St. Johns Town Center
4663 River City Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32246

WHEN: Saturday, November 14

EVENT
HIGHLIGHTS:

2 p.m.- Family Activities Begin

6 p.m.- Main Stage Performances Begin

7:10 p.m.- Bea Miller Performs

8 p.m.- Santa Arrives and Lights the Tree