Brave, a grand adventure full of heart and humor, looks like a great movie for moms to go see with their daughters.

This movie uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where Merida, determined to carve her own path in life, defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late.

Opens June 22, 2012.

My Chicago kids not only love Legos, but they love playing with all of their Lego minifigures. They create different scenes with Legos and then tell different stories by adding Lego minifigures to their Lego creations.

My kids are too young to see Marvel’s The Avengers, but they are sure to love the new Avengers toys from Lego.

Marvel’s The Avengers minifigures from Lego include the Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye. New Avenger Legos also include the Avenging Cycle, the Cosmic Cube, the Helicarrier, and the supersonic Quinjet!

First Look: Avengers Toys from Lego

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 5

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS hits theaters everywhere on May 4^th!

Disclosure: I’m a Disney blogger. Information and pictures are from Disney.com.

Skating in the Sky at the John Hancock Observatory

My family loves to travel. We love the adventure, the scenery, the change of pace, and the change of space. I love not having to do the dishes and the laundry.

Before we moved to Chicago in 2005, we used to visit Chicago for many weekend getaways. But since we moved to Chicago six years ago, I never considered actually vacationing in the city…

…until I received an email from the Talbott Hotel, telling me all about their fun Skate in the Sky package.

A few email exchanges and phone calls later, my family was all set to experience the Talbott Hotel’s Skate in the Sky package.

Talbott Hotel Lobby

Definitely designed with kids in mind, the Talbott’s Skate in the Sky package includes an unforgettable experience at the John Hancock Center’s ice skating rink, located 1,000 feet above the city on the 94th floor. The package also includes…

• One night stay the Talbott Hotel
• No wait tickets to the John Handcock Observatory
• A Chicago Blackhawks keepsake book
• A Talbott Tumbler (travel mug)
• And breakfast credit of $15 per person

94th Floor of the John Hancock Observatory

We had an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G fun-filled family bonding time together. Here’s the quick overview of our mini Chicago vacation…

1. Took the train into the city.

2. Checked in at the Talbott Hotel.

3. Walked over to the John Handcock Observatory.

4. Ice skated in the sky!

5. Walked to the movie theater.

6. Stopped on the way for sushi.

7. Saw (and loved) The Lorax.

8. Walked back to the hotel under sparkling city lights.

9. Slept.

10. Slept in!

11. Had the most relaxing breakfast at the hotel.

Relaxing breakfast at the Talbott Hotel

The Talbott Hotel

The Talbott Hotel is truly a charming, full service, luxury boutique hotel. Before we arrived, I was a little concerned that my kids might be too rambunctious for the Talbott. I was worried my kids would be too loud and too active for a boutique hotel.

I was totally wrong. The Talbott Hotel is extremely kid-friendly and family-friendly! The staff immediately engaged with my kids (even showed my boys how to prank call the front desk using the old fashion phones in the lobby).

Checking out our view from the Talbott Hotel

We stayed in a spacious one-bedroom suite, which included a separate bedroom and living area. When we were out, the staff set up and turned down two portable twin beds in the living area. When we returned to hotel that night, my boys were jumping for joy when they found chocolate on their pillows. They told me they were ready to move in and never leave the Talbott Hotel.

The World’s Highest Ice-Skating Rink

From January 1st through April 8, 2012, the John Handcock Observatory is home to a 900 square feet synthetic ice skating rink. My boys loved it so much that they skated both days during our two day Chicago vacation.

If you live in Chicago or plan on visiting before April 8, I highly recommend skating there with your kids. Each 25 minute skating session is only $5 on top of regular observatory admission fee and you can rent skates for one dollar!

Skating in the Sky at the John Hancock Observatory

Disclaimer:  We were invited to stay at the Talbott Hotel and experience the Skate in the Sky package free of charge. Opinions are 100% our own.

When I was younger, I used to think Branson was where people went on vacation to see shows when they retired. It wasn’t until I was asked to blog about Branson that I realized how many of Branson attractions were extremely kid and family friendly.

I never realized Branson had so many things my family loves to do like biking, caving, fishing, hiking, go-carting, and canoeing.

They even have a water park!

I also didn’t realize Branson was so close to the Ozark Mountains. My family would love to off the beaten path to hike, fish, and explore Roaring River State Park just outside of Branson. With a rustic lodge, swimming pool, nature center, hiking trails, bike paths, and some of the best trout fishing in the region….it sounds like a perfect summer vacation.

Did you know Branson was so close to so many outdoor adventures?

Disclosure: This blog post was sponsored by DiscoverBranson.com. Opinions are 100% my own.

Ever since I joined Pinterest, I’ve started making more crafts with my kids. Somehow, seeing bright visuals of how my crafts may (or may not) turn out is giving me the courage to craft more (I’m kind of craft challenged).

So when I saw these fun crafts, in honor of the DVD Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked being released on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on March 27 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, I thought I’d step up my game and try a few of these crafts with my boys.

See below how you can win a copy of the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download Combo Pack.

Paper Photo Frames

Using pictures from our last vacation, I’m going to have my boys make homemade picture frames as Father’s Day gifts this year. Instead of drawing a house, I’ll have them draw something related to our vacation (the shape of Florida, the beach, a canoe, etc). This craft looks like something I can easily manage. Using pictures from the past year, I think I’ll make one myself for my son’s next birthday.

Homemade Play Dough

Homemade play dough is something I have avoided in the past, mainly because we have accumulated so much play-doh over the past 8 years. But now it’s really time for me to get rid of all of the hard play-doh and make homemade play dough with my boys. It seems all I need is salt, water, flour and food dye (who knew it was so easy).

Homemade Soap

Soap making? This has always sounded daunting to me, but I’m going to try it with my boys. If it all works out, I’ll have my boys give bars of soup to their grandmas for Mother’s Day.

I’ll be using Kaboose‘s easy homemade soap recipe.

Pin It To Win It!

Are you on Pinterest? Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Parenthood.com are hosting a contest on Pinterest!  Participants will be entered to win a copy of the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download Combo Pack.

To enter, pin your crafty, DIY chipmunk ideas here and use the hashtag #chipwrecked.  Parenthood.com will re-pin your idea and contact you via Pinterest if you are a lucky winner!

When I was young and single, St. Patrick’s Day was all about going to an Irish pub. But since I started a family, St. Patrick’s Day has not been a big deal in our house.

Until this year.

This year, my kindergartener fell in love with St. Patrick’s Day: the leprechauns, the gold, the leprechaun booby-traps, and all thins green. So I partnered with Cheryl’s cookies and The Popcorn Factory to have a little fun with my boys.

We created a pot of gold out of construction paper and hung it on our front window (you know, so the leprechauns could see it).

Then, we waited.

The first mysterious package to appear on our porch (from a leprechaun of course) was a 2 gallon bucket of  premium GREEN popcorn from The Popcorn Factory. My little was amazed to see popcorn tinted green for St. Patrick’s day and could not wait to bring the bin of green popcorn to school the next day to share with his classmates.

And yes, he was convinced the popcorn came from a leprechaun.

A few days later, we received another package, this time from Cheryls that said “It’s Your Lucky Day”.  We opened the box to find a buttercream frosted shamrock cookie and $5 gift card.

Now my kindergartener loves St. Patrick’s more than ever!

Be sure to visit Cheryl’s on Facebook to see all of their springtime specials!

While my kids walk around signing songs from Lady Gaga, the Black Eye Peas, and Taio Cruz, I’m very happy listening to the latest CD I received to review: The Very Best of Neil Diamond.

The Very Best of Neil Diamond

Who doesn’t love Neil Diamond? Sweet Caroline. Cracklin’ Rosie. I’m A Believer. They are classic!

You can find these songs, plus 19 other best-loved hits and signature tracks in his only collection that draws from his entire singing career.

Did you know that Neil Diamond has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide, with a remarkable track record of 16 Top Ten albums, and 37 Top Ten singles? Like I said before, who doesn’t love him! Neil Diamond is a 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, was recently announced as a 2011 Kennedy Center Honoree.

Here’s the track list…

1. Forever In Blue Jeans

2. Beautiful Noise

3. Love on the Rocks

4. Cherry, Cherry

5. I am…I said

6. Sweet Caroline

7. Cracklin’ Rosie

8. Play Me

9. I’m a Believer

10. Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon

11. Holly Holy

12. Solitary Man

13. Song Sung Blue

14. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers (with Barbra Streisand)

15. Hello Again

16. Red, Red Wine

17. If You Know What I Mean

18. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show

19. Pretty Amazing Grace

20. Kentucky Woman

21. Shilo

22. America

23. Hell Yeah

To preview of all the songs on The Very Best of Neil Diamond head on over to the iTunes Neil Diamond preview page.

Although life is often busy and my family’s schedule sometimes get too hectic, my husband and I each find time to spend special alone time with both of our children. It helps us stay connected individually with our boys and brings us closer together as a family.

When the Chicago Children’s Theatre asked me to attend the premiere of The Houdini Box, a children’s play based on the book by Brian “Hugo” Selznick, I knew it would be the perfect next date with my 8 year old son. We got dresses up, pick up dinner on the way, and had a fabulous night at the Mercury Theater.

We Loved It!

It was such a joy to be at the theater with my son.

The Houdini Box is musical adventure about Harry Houdini and a young boy named Victor. Victor is huge Houdini fan and rigorously practices magic by locking himself in closets, holding his breath under water and walking into walls.  After a chance encounter with Houdini, Victor receives a special box that just might contain the secrets of Houdini’s great success. The show includes a creative set and hilarious puppets.

Chicago Children's Theatre Houdini Box

See the Houdini Box!

The Houdini Box will be at the Mercury Theater until March 4 and will then move to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie from March 14 – 25, 2012. For tickets and information, go to chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

Disclosure Level 1: Tickets for the Houdini Box were provided to us free of charge.

From Friday February 10th until Sunday February 12th you can download TJ’s Picture Dictionary for FREE from the iTunes store.

TJ & Pals, an interactive preschool website, is hosting a 3-day giveaway of their newest educational app for kids. See what Smart Apps for Kids, Apps for Homeschooling , Best Apps for Kids, and The iPhone Mom have to say about this app.

Other TJ & Pals iPad apps include TJ’s Remember, a fun memory game that can be played on three levels of difficulty with six colorful themes to choose from, TJ’s Seek & Find, an app that develops children’s pre-reading skills, and TJ’s Art Studio, the perfect app for any budding young Picasso.

My boys and I have been invited to a media open house at the Rock & Roll Arts Academy in Highland Park, where they will be showcasing their non-traditional music class offerings and jam sessions.

You and Your Kids Are Invited to Join in the Fun!

This open house is open to the public on the following days…

• Thursday, 1/19, from 5 pm- 7pm
• Friday, 1/20, from 3-7pm
• Saturday, 1/21, from 11am-4pm

Families are invited to bring their little ‘rock star’ (or stars) to the Rock & Roll Arts Academy, located in the lower level of the Highland Park Community House at 1991 Sheridan Road, to make music videos on-site (for free) to see if they can take home the title of Coolest Kids on the North Shore.

The videos will be uploaded (via YouTube) to the Rock & Roll Arts Academy Facebook Page, where the video with the most ‘LIKES’ by January 27th at 5pm, will win a free Birthday Party that Rocks, complete with private live concert ($400 value), and the title of January’s “Coolest Kid on the North Shore!”

There will also be a hands-on instrument petting zoo, signing sessions, raffle prizes, dance contests, and food and refreshments and more.

Did You Know?

I had no idea the Rock & Roll Arts Academy even existed before I received this invitation.

It’s the North Shore’s hippest rock clubhouse for kids ages four months to 13 years offering classes where kids and their parents can learn origins of Beatles’ songs, dance to the psychedelic sounds of The Grateful Dead and say “Hey Now!” to the songs of Bob Marley! It’s the opposite of “Baby Mozart” and we’re hosting an Open House event to showcase jam sessions, instruments and more.

Did they know I was a huge Grateful Dead fan?

Fun!