Krispy Kreme Celebrates Heroes!

My Dad has always been my hero. He was a firefighter when I was a child (he's retired now and spends his days writing manuals on how to be a firefighter) and he could fix any problem in life (except my boy craziness phases when I was 13, sorry Dad!). I have never forgotten how if someone was in trouble, he would leap into action. 

One day while we were sitting in church and my eyes were wandering, I saw a little old lady look ill. I dug my elbow into my Dad's ribs and gestured her way, and off he went. He never, ever hesitates to help someone in need. 

I've always looked up to him proudly, proud to be his daughter and proud to have such an amazing man in my life.

He also taught me how to be incredibly sarcastic. 

A humorous hero, the best kind.

In honor of National Superhero Day on April 28th, Krispy Kreme is celebrate the real-life heroes in your life with giving you a free dozen donuts when you buy a dozen. Pick up a dozen and deliver it to your local fire station, or visit your police station. The heroes in our life deserve to be celebrated!

Check out the press release: 

"Krispy Kreme® Offers Central Floridians a Dozen Ways To Honor Everyday Superheroes
On April 28, Pick up a Dozen Doughnuts and Honor A Local Hero with a FREE Second Dozen

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 23, 2014) On April 28, people of all ages will celebrate National Superhero Day with capes and costumes in honor of their favorite superhuman or villain. Krispy Kreme wants guests to celebrate this occasion with a FREE dozen doughnuts for the real-life, everyday heroes among us.  

Visit any of the five Krispy Kreme shops in Central Florida on April 28 to buy a dozen doughnuts and get a FREE dozen Original Glazed® doughnuts to share with the unsung heroes in your life.  No coupon necessary. Offer not valid at grocery or convenience stores.

Krispy Kreme encourages fans to join in the festivities and recognize the unheralded heroes who live in their communities and serve the public as police officers, fire fighters, military, teachers, doctors, volunteers, and more. 

Daytona Beach

980 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Open 24 hours

Melbourne

2040 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935

Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday) and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)

Winter Park

1031 S. Orlando Avenue (17-92), Winter Park, FL  32789

Open 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sunday – Thursday) and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)

Millenia

4080 Millenia Blvd., Orlando, FL 32939

Open 24 hours

Kissimmee

5310 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway (192 / Mile Marker 11.5), Kissimmee, FL  34746 
Open 24 hours

Join in the conversation with @KrispyKreme on Twitter #HeroAppreciationDay, or visit HeroAppreciationDay.com.

ABOUT KRISPY KREME

Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD) is an international retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed ® doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme is proud of its Fundraising program, which for decades has helped non-profit organizations raise millions of dollars in needed funds.

Today, Krispy Kreme can be found in over 800 locations in more than 20 countries around the world.  Get connected to Krispy Kreme at KrispyKreme.com, www.hotlightapp.com,  foursquare, Facebookand KrispyKremeDoughnuts on YouTube."

Coming to Orlando!

Living in Orlando has it's perks, major perks. I love that there is always something to do when my kids tell me, "I'm bored!"

The latest coming to Orlando and I am SO excited about it!

Check out the latest from Merlin Entertainment! 

From the press release: 

"Project Update from Merlin Entertainments PLC for Three New Orlando Attractions Coming Spring 2015
The leading U.K.-based family entertainment company, owner of LEGOLAND Florida, is bringing three of its best know global visitor attraction brands to Orlando - The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and Sea Life aquarium

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 16, 2014)– With less than a year to grand opening, Merlin Entertainments PLC (Merlin) is gearing up to introduce three of its exciting global brands to the Central Florida region, with the launches of The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE aquarium in Spring 2015 at I-Drive 360 on International Drive.
Merlin, the second largest visitor attraction operator in the world, already operates LEGOLAND Florida, the highly successful theme park uniquely targeted at families with children under 12, which opened in 2011.

The Orlando Eye, the cantilevered observation wheel at the heart of the complex, will be a little sister icon to London’s world-famous landmark, providing breathtaking views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules.

Madame Tussauds, the world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction, provides visitors with the ultimate fame experience and its signature red carpet treatment. Madame Tussauds showcases incredibly detailed and lifelike wax figures that lovingly pay tribute to the most influential celebrity and historical figures of our time.

SEA LIFE Orlando will offer a new wave of underwater adventures with beautiful displays of colorful fish, sharks, jellyfish, sea horses and more, that turn the traditional aquarium observation on its head. Winding tunnels, floor-to-ceiling tanks and bubble aquariums provide an immersive experience for children and adults alike. Additionally, the aquarium, known for its strong conservation efforts, will have unique educational components for young marine life enthusiasts.

“The success of LEGOLAND Florida has underlined to us the potential for Merlin’s high quality global attractions in Central Florida; and particularly in Orlando, undoubtedly the best and most exciting location for family entertainment anywhere in the world,” said Nick Varney, Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainments PLC. “We believe that this is an exceptional group of attractions which will not only provide three quite different new experiences for visitors; but also together add an exciting new dimension to what is already available in the region.”

“We are very excited to be bringing some of Merlin’s best-loved global attractions to International Drive. SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds have already proven their popularity with audiences across North America; and in Europe and Asia,” added James Paulding, Head of Openings for North America, Merlin Entertainments. “From 2015, these two, together with the unique views from the Eye will become must-do experiences for every visitor to Orlando.”

All three attractions are scheduled to open in Spring 2015, in addition to numerous shopping and dining options in the complex, adding a new dimension to Orlando’s world-class entertainment options.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 100 attractions, 10 hotels/3 holiday villages in 22 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 60 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 20,000 + employees. 


Merlin has twenty attractions and one hotel in North America  - including two stunning LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Florida with its theme park, water park, and LEGOLAND California theme park with water park, SEA LIFE aquarium and themed hotel; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions in New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Hollywood; LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Kansas City Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; and Westchester, New York; Toronto, Canada; and SEA LIFE aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth; the Mall of America in Minneapolis and Charlotte – Concord - underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information."

Hunting for Easter Eggs w/ Pixar

I love Easter. There's something fantastic about the whole thing.



Pixar Films has released this cute short video where you can join the hunt for Easter Eggs!



How many hidden gems can you find in your favorite Pixar Films?

Hunting for Easter Eggs w/ Pixar

I love Easter. There's something fantastic about the whole thing.



Pixar Films has released this cute short video where you can join the hunt for Easter Eggs!



How many hidden gems can you find in your favorite Pixar Films?

Letting Go… Kinda

Last week, I was brave enough to take 7 little girls to Epcot for the day (not alone, don't freak!) for a special visit.  My oldest was one of those 7 girls.

And I'm not really sure how to explain it, but something shifted that day for the two of us.

It happened when we went to Turtle Talk with Crush and the kids got to sit on the floor in the front while the parents sat on the benches behind them. Roo and I got separated and normally I would be right behind her on the first bench, close enough to touch. This time I was back on the third bench on the opposite side of the room.

And inside, I kinda freaked.

I was all the way away from my big girl, at Disney! She wasn't in my reach, she wasn't near me… she could have been in Africa for all I was feeling.

I managed to wiggle around and able to score a line of sight on her and I could breathe a bit better.

That's when another parent in our group made a comment… something about the umbilical cord.

Roo is seven years old.

She's a fantastic seven year old that has a good head on her shoulder. Plus, she's with her friends (and just as a side note, Roo will not let me kiss her goodbye when I drop her off at school if other kids are around… heartbreak, huh?) and for a second, I thought… maybe I could take a step back (but not too many, hey, I'm not stupid!).  Maybe I could let the umbilical cord out a little and give her some freedom.

And it all completely shifted in me.

She's grown up.

She doesn't need me hovering over her and holding her hand all the time. She needed time to be with her friends and explore, and learn, and be a kid without a maniac Mama beside her worried about everything.

For the rest of the day I hung back. She walked in front of the group, holding hands with her friends… she rode with them on rides while I was two cards back. She did her thing with her friends and I just tagged along a few yards back.

It was so odd… but so needed.

I needed to realize that my baby, isn't a baby anymore.

She's grown up!!

And I'm sure you know, this breaks my heart, but I'm just neurotic and weird, but you know that!

When we parted ways with her friends, she was happy to hang out with me and hold my hand, and to ride rides with just me.

And I felt like I took a huge step as a parent while she took a huge step as a kid.

And I think… that maybe I'll be okay.

Birds of Paradise DVD Review

I really wish I could tell you that my daughters don't watch a lot of movies… but they do.

We watch movies all the time!

It's a family thing, really. We pile into one bed, pop some popcorn, cuddle up under a blanket and hit play.

The latest DVD to hit our movie night was Birds of Paradise. Birds of Paradise is a movie about Jack, an average sparrow bird who isn't very happy with who he is. When he is covered in paint by accident, suddenly he is a whole new bird, an exotic bird at that. Now that he is camouflaged, he can impress the beautiful Aurora, a canary that finds herself without a cage. The story follows Jack and Aurora on their adventures and Jack learns that it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, but it's what's inside that matters!

 

Included on the DVD, available only at WalMart, you get bonus features included: Bringing the Characters to Life and a sneak peek at minuscule shorts. 

Birds of Paradise features the voice talents of Drake Bell, (from TV's "Drake & Josh), Ashley Tisdale (TV's "High School Musical"), Ken Jeong (Despicable Me 2), Jane Lynch (TV's "Glee"), Jon Lovitz (The Benchwarmers), Keith David (Free Birds) and Dallas Lovato (Snowflake And The White Gorilla)!

You can purchase your own Birds of Paradise DVD at WalMart today!

I have a copy of Birds of Paradise to giveaway to one lucky reader! All you need to do is tell me what you favorite movie night snack is!

Easy, huh?

This contest will run until April 15, 2014 and is open to US Residents.

Good Luck!



I received a copy of this DVD for review purposes. All opinions are 100% mine.  

IESODO DVD Review

Roo is a big bird girl, meaning she loves anything to do with birds. She has numerous stuff animals, apps on bird calls, books on how to draw birds… You name it, she's got it.

We recently got asked if we wanted to review some faith based animated DVDs with birds, we jumped on it. 

Two of Roo's favorite things in one DVD, Jesus and birds. 

The brand is IESODO, which stands for "the way of Jesus." and they have a handful of DVDs with episodes revolving around Bible Stories.

From the press release: "Meet Iesodo (pronounced Yay-Sa-Doe), a wise dove whose name means "The Way of Jesus"! He and his lovable feathered friends live in the Holy Land in a beautiful Cypress Tree on the shores of a vast Lake (or as we know it, the Sea of Galilee). The birds are an unlikely group of friends, and though they have their differences, they have one thing in common: since they met Iesodo, their lives have never been the same!"

The series is super cute and each DVD comes with a theme: love, believe, and faith. The girls really enjoy watching them and I love that they are learning great faith based lessons and bible stories! 

Their website has great trailers, music videos and fun activities! Make sure you check it out for more information. 

I received these DVDs for review purposes. All opinions are 100% mine, Thanks.