Showing our #Disneyside

*I received free products from Disney Parks and Momselect in order to host a Disney Side @ Home Celebration. As always, all opinions shared are my own. *

I never imagined we would be a family that loved going to Disney parks...sure, I loved the movies growing up, but had never visited as a young child. We live near a major theme park packed with roller coasters, so the draw for us isn't the thrill of the rides, it's the magic. I love watching the joy on the girls' faces as they experience a new adventure, meet a new character, and stretch their imaginations. I love the memories we make as a family, the stories we still talk about of our three visits so far...of what we loved most and what we want to do again. So when I was approached to host a Disney Side party, I was excited - what a great way to let the girls have some friends over for some fun and at the same time share our love of Disney!

We decided to have a crafty party highlighting our love of Mickey and Minnie. In preparation, the girls made Mickie and Minnie water bottles and bookmarks with Disney Duct tape. The bookmarks stood proud on the top of our goodie bags for the guests. They may not look perfect, but I wanted the girls to have the fun of helping. They decorated the bottles and made the bookmarks, and we're so proud of themselves!

Next we provided oversized coloring pages from various Disney movies as "placemats" to help entertain the guests while they waited for food or the next activity. As with most kids 5 - 8 this was a big hit!

After some pizza, we let the kids decorate their own cupcakes with piping bags. It was so fun to watch some carefully create a design while others investigated how much frosting a single cupcake could support!

We finished the party off with a series of games: Mickey Go Fish, Disney Bingo, Disney Word Search, and Guess What Disney Character I Am?! The guests circulated through each activity station. Everyone seemed to have fun, but the best feedback I saw that our party was a success was when none of the guests wanted to leave! A party is always fun, especially when you throw in a little Disney Magic!

Thanks again to Disney Parks and Mom Select for sending us a Disney celebration box of goodies to help with our party. 

Speak out against the DARK Act - Just Label It!

I have long been a firm believer in whole food, local and organic when possible, and I strongly believe we as consumers deserve to know what is in our food. As such, I am a big proponent of GMO labeling. There is much to be concerned about on that front, and often I feel helpless to do anything. Today I am asking you to help our voices to be heard. If not now, it may soon be too late.
Rep. Mike Pompeo is expected to reintroduce his anti-labeling bill, the DARK Act, (Deny Americans the Right to Know) any day now. The DARK Act threatens both national and state GMO labeling efforts across the country.

The bill would preempt any state labeling laws while making it much harder for the FDA to ever mandate national GMO labeling. TAKE ACTION NOW and tell Congress to reject this dangerous bill: http://justlabelit.org/take-action/take-action-congress/

 @Rep. Peter DeFazio and @Sen. Barbara Boxer were recently joined by @Chef Tom Colicchio to reintroduced their bipartisan legislation, the Genetically Engineered Food Right To Know Act. Unlike @Rep. Pompeo’s DARK Act, this legislation would require that the FDA require national labeling on all GMO whole foods and foods that contain GMO ingredients. Please tell congress to support the Genetically Engineered Food Rigt To Know Act, NOT the DARK Act:http://bit.ly/1vdAzbN

Together we can make a difference!

Little gifts everyday

Has it really been a year since I posted?

*Dusts off the old blog*

As It is January, I have been working on coming up with my word of the year and reflecting, planning, and so on. The past year I have been blogging in my head all along, but I do want to try and actually post again this year :)

I thought this cute snow drawing Sweetpea left for me on our hurried predawn exit was a good place to start. An adorable gift to come home to after a long day.

What are you feeling grateful for today? How have you been? Let's have a nice hot cup of something and catch up... <3