Prepping my Pace for the Disney Princess Half Marathon

One week from today I’ll be running the race course through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot for the Disney Princess Half Marathon.
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Mixing my love of Disney magic with my love of running could not be a better combination.

I am beyond excited to experience what I hear is a thrilling and exhilarating race. I’m thrilled that I’ll also get a behind the scenes peek at the Run Disney phenomenon as last week I received a super magical invite in my email in box to attend the Disney Princess Half Marathon as a special media guest.

I signed up for this race last October – and even gutted out a 10K on the morning of hosting Kenzie’s 6th birthday party back in October- talk about exhausting – to secure my corral placement for race day according to my running pace.

The goal of running the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon kept me happily trying to train through the cooler winter months and I hit a 10 Miler two weeks ago running 90 minutes on the trail for my long run. Yesterday I hit the track to see how my race pace might feel – I’m hoping to run 9 Minutes per mile or faster so I wanted to run relaxed and easy for 1 mile on the track. I ran 8:30 for the mile- it felt good but was faster than I probably need to go for the race – in these distance runs super slow and steady will help me break 2 Hours for the 1/2 Marathon.

I would have done another long run last week but my kids and I were hit with bad respiratory infections – bronchitis, ears, sinus, pneumonia you name it we had it. I took off running for 12 days to get well – not ideal before a big race but the best way to get healthy is by resting. It doesn’t matter how fast I run next weekend – my super fast high school and college days are long behind me. I just want to have fun and feel accomplished at achieving my goal of running a 1/2 Marathon since becoming a Mom.

And now that I’m going with the media, they invited the kids to join me for a 5 K the day before. I have a feeling that running the 3 miles with Kenzie might be the most magical experience of all of it as she is beyond excited to run 3 miles and earn her very own super duper fancy race medal.

I’m packed and ready to go with my energy gels, sports watch, and running clothes – Next stop – Disney!

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David Arquette and Sharon Osbourne Show Off new toys from Disney Junior

Ahoy Matey! Today in New York City, celebs David Arquette and Sharon Osbourne were hanging out with Mickey and Minnie Mouse to help launch Disney’s new line of toys from Disney Junior.

Sharon Osbourne and David Arquette play the voices of Mama Hook and Skully on Jake and the Never Land Pirates. You can see photos of the new Disney Junior Toy line here.

Disney Consumer Products is introducing new toys from a multitude of brands. The line features colorful play sets, figures and feature plush from Fisher Price; role play sets, accessories, plush and dolls from Just Play; interactive board games from Wonder Forge; children’s electronics from VTech; ride-ons from Kiddieland; and bikes and scooters from Huffy to name a few.

Disney Unveils Jake & The Neverland Pirates Toys and lots more at Toy Fair

Wow! Disney Consumer Products unveiled more than 130 toys inspired by TV shows on Disney Junior . My favorites are the new toys inspired by Jake & The Neverland Pirates. My kids fell in love with that show when it was released in 2011 and their love for Jake and all things pirate runs VERY deep in our house. I can’t wait for the kids to enjoy this cool stuff – my 4 year old son will be especially excited to get his hands on  this swashbuckling pirate ship that rocks, rolls, and even sprays water from Fisher Price $44.99.

The event was quite the place to see and be seen as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were joined by special guests Sharon Osbourne and David Arquette, voices of Mama Hook and Skully on Jake and the Never Land Pirates, to treat the toy and entertainment industry audience to a fun talent show previewing new toys and upcoming content inspired by Jake and the Never Land PiratesMickey Mouse ClubhouseMinnie’s Bow-Toons, and Doc McStuffins, a new animated series set to debut on Disney Junior next month about a six-year-old girl who heals toys and stuffed animals out of her backyard clinic. Here’s the 6 year old “Doc” as a doll from Just Play – she’ll be available for Holiday 2012 at $34.99.

More Mickey Mouse Club House inspired toys

 

As far as more highlights go …  this is straight from Disney Consumer Products press release about the Disney Junior toy launch:

Key toys from the new Disney Junior toy line include:

Jake and the Never Land Pirates— A breakout hit, Jake and the Never Land Pirates ranked as 2011′s #1 cable TV series for boys 2-5, a spot it continues to hold, generating strong consumer demand for a merchandise line that allows fans to take home their favorite characters. A brand new toy line releasing in June will feature plush, role play and accessories from Just Play and action-oriented play sets and figures from Fisher Price, including:

  • Jake’s Pirate Ship (MSRP $44.99, national retailers, June 2012)— Designed after Bucky, Jake’s ship featured in the series, this swashbuckling pirate ship rocks and rolls when pushed along a surface, with Skully smartly perched on the lookout. Kids can join Jake and his crew to live a pirate’s life through multiple pirate-themed phrases and songs. To really bring the adventure home, kids can fire water out of the cannon or stage a surprise croc attack.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse —A viewer favorite, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse delivered last year’s #1 preschool telecast for kids 2-5 and inspired an imaginative toy line of space-themed play sets and figures. This year, Fisher Price has developed a new line featuring fun and interactive play sets, figures and vehicles inspired by the upcoming Mickey Mouse Clubhouse special, Mickey and Donald Have a Farm, premiering this fall. Mickey Mouse will also move like never before with a new feature plush. Key toys releasing in 2012 include:

  • Mickey’s Farm Play Set (MSRP $44.99, national retailers, Aug. 2012)— Kids can create their own fun farm stories with Mickey Mouse and his friends with this new play set that features realistic animal sounds and fun farm music. Character figures and animals can go for a spin on the dance floor, and a silly hand moves between the silo and windmill.
  • Master Moves Mickey (MSRP $69.99, national retailers, Aug. 2012)—Decked out in his freshest dance gear and ready to get down, Master Moves Mickey dances and interacts, showing off some never-before-seen break-dance moves, ending in a signature handstand. His moves are hotter and hipper than ever! Master Moves Mickey features original music tracks, funky beats and plenty of awesome humor to get the whole family up and dancing.

Minnie’s Bow-Toons —Based on a popular episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, this new series of shorts finds Minnie and her good friend Daisy Duck running Minnie’s Bow-Tique, a specialty shop which stocks only bows and bowties. Highlighting the themes of friendship, fashion and travel, DCP will introduce an adorable pink and polka-dotted line of Minnie Mouse toys including kitchen and fashion-themed role play from Just Play and dolls and accessories from Fisher Price.

  • Minnie’s Kitchen (MSRP $74.99, national retailers, Aug. 2012) – This colorful, multi-level play set has everything girls need to cook up their own kitchen adventures. Featuring multiple ‘flipping’ functions to maximize the play experience and creativity in the kitchen, the set includes a sink that flips to a hidden cutting board and dish rack that flips to a hidden blender. Girls can cook up their own treats with a frying pan to flip a Minnie-shaped pancake and flipping recipe book for inspiring new ideas. The kitchen includes Minnie’s voice and realistic kitchen sounds.

Doc McStuffins – Debuting next month, this imaginative animated series features six-year-old Doc McStuffins, who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys out of her backyard playhouse clinic. Little girls can nurture their own toys with a fun new assortment of products from Just Play, including:

  • “Time for Your Check Up” Doc Doll with Lambie (MSRP $34.99, national retailers, Aug. 2012) – Girls can bring home their new friend and sing along to the entire ‘check-up’ song with Doc as they nurture their own toys. Doc comes to life, speaking more than 10 phrases and can bring her friend Lambie to life with the touch of her stethoscope, which activates with lights and sounds.
Look for a Disney Unveils Jake & The Neverland Pirates Toys and lots more at Toy Fair on eBay - maybe you'll get lucky and find a great bargain!

Michelle Obama Hits Disney to celebrate the Magic of Healthy Living

First Lady plays tennis with local kids at Walt Disney World today. I love Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiatives to promote healthy eating and living for our kids – and to see her literally getting out there on the court with the kids.

The event celebrated the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative and recognized Disney’s efforts to promote healthier lifestyles among kids and families. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Lady and the Tramp: Free Valentine’s Day Cards & Coloring Pages

Here are some sweet and very FREE printables from Lady and the Tramp.Releasing on DVD today, The Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition Blu Ray, DVD, and Digital copy set is now on sale in stores everywhere.

If you haven’t seen this flick yet with your kids, it’s a must watch movie. My 4 year old son has seen it 3 times in the last week since we received our review copy. He adores the “doggies” and I know you will too! Such a total classic. And perfect for Valentine’s Day. My favorite scene is when they are eating spaghetti!

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Here’s a widget to help you download all the free goodies from Lady & the Tramp below. Our favorites are always the coloring pages – like the one I printed below and free Valentine’s Day cards Kenzie is clipping in this photo.

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And a favorite trailer – Bella Note!

Disclosure: Thanks to Disney for sending us a review copy of Lady and the Tramp on DVD.

 

 

Look for a Lady and the Tramp: Free Valentine’s Day Cards & Coloring Pages on eBay - maybe you'll get lucky and find a great bargain!

Free Greeting Cards with the Muppet Mail iPad App & Muppet Yourself!

Are your kids obsessed with your iPad? My kids love it – and I don’t mind letting them explore with it when they are using an app that lets them explore their creativity or other skills they need to develop. Take a peek at our video below of the Muppet Mail app:

Kenzie, my 6 year old in Kindergarten, is adoring this new app – called Muppet Mail. She creates greeting cards over & over again – all the while working on her reading without even realizing it. So, what I love best is that she gets to practice her “kid writing” aka spelling and sounding out words on her own – as she types personal messages in all of her cards.

After you create a card (birthday, get well, holidays, etc.) you can share it on Facebook, email it to a friend, or even print it out. You can even Muppet yourself with photos which is also funny and will be sure to make you laugh.

After you create a card (birthday, get well, holidays, etc.) you can share it on Facebook, email it to a friend, or even print it out. You can even Muppet yourself with photos which is also funny and will be sure to make you laugh.

Here is a recent card she made for me with Pepe – her favorite Muppet.

 Available in the iTunes app store for $2.99. 

Disclosure: We received a free download code to sample this app. As always all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Tangled Ever After Trailer

This new movie short for Tangled is incredibly fabulous and funny. My kids, husband, and I are literally wanted a sequel to it after watching Tangled Ever After before our preview showing of Beauty & The Beast 3D. I promise you will love it!

The Tangled Ever After movie “short” – all about those wedding rings -precedes the movie- it is hysterical, funny, and non stop action – mostly with antics from Pascal & the horse Maximus . Both Kyle, Kenzie, Mike and I adored it – Kenzie’s closing words when it wrapped were I want to see the next one!

Disclosure: We received free tickets to preview this film. As always all thoughts and opinions are our own.

 

 

 

Disney Junior to Introduce a new Little Girl Princess "Sofia the First"

Newsflash! Exciting princess buzz from Disney Junior today! Isn’t this little gal cute?

It was just announced this morning that Disney Junior and Disney Channel will launch anew animated series “Sofia the First,” which will feature a new little girl princess and will launch in fall 2012 with a TV movie, followed by the series premiere in 2013. The voice cast will include Ariel Winter, Sara Ramirez, Wayne Brady and Tim Gunn.

I’m sure my kids will be all over this as they went nuts for the pirate series Jake & the Neverland Pirates introduced last year so I’m sure Princess Sofia will be a hit. Here’s the scoop from the official press release:

“Sofia the First” stories are set in the storybook world of young Sofia who starts out life as a regular girl. But when her mom marries the king, she is whisked off to a glamorous, but sometimes confusing, castle world of royalty, pomp and new step-siblings, Amber and James.  “Sofia the First” will include appearances by Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (fairies seen in Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty”) as the headmistresses of Royal Prep, the academy that Sofia, along with other princes and princesses, attends.  Special event appearances will be made by classic characters including Cinderella and other Disney Princesses.

Muppets Plush Stuffed Animals at Disney Store

Aren’t these guys irresistible? They are so cute! Other Muppets Plush Toy characters include Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Rizzo and more.

Kenzie and Kyle are super excited to see the new Muppets movie after I just let them watch the Muppets Christmas special on DVD.

Kenzie’s favorite character is strangely Pepe – the prawn. She adores him and is asking for a stuffed Pepe for her Christmas list after her close encounter reviewing these fan favorites that the Disney Store sent us to review.

 

Kyle loves Fozzie – a more natural pick vs. the unusual prawn !

Take a peek at our video to get an up close look:

Disney Store Black Friday Muppets Plush Freebie

Disney will be calling Black Friday “Magical Friday” this year as 150 Disney Stores across the nation will open at midnight on Black Friday… and at select Disney Stores on Black Friday, a number of select customers will receive a FREE Muppets plush give-away (while supplies last).

The return of the Black Friday freebie! Magical! I’m not sure how many they’ll give out but it sounds like quite a bonus!

Between Black Friday & Cyber Monday an estimated 1.5 million guests will visit the retailer’s more than 200 stores nationwide and 12 million guests will visit between Magical Friday and Cyber Monday. Insane huh?

I’ll update this post with more specials at the Disney Store as soon as they hit my inbox! Good luck!