Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 Movie Review

Movies

Weekends in February Kidtoons Family Matinees presents the children's movie Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 at select local theaters nationwide.

MBE partnered with Kidtoons Films for this post

It's surf’s up for Barbie™ in this special limited engagement feature movie as she returns as Merliah™, the fashionable surfing champion who’s also a magical mermaid princess! In this exciting sea-quel™ Merliah makes a splash when she heads to Australia for the ultimate surfing competition. That is, until she encounters an evil mermaid who wants to overthrow her. In the end Merliah learns that anything is possible and she really can have the best of both worlds!

To celebrate another month's quality family entertainment theater program Kidtoon Films is providing an awesome prize package that includes a Barbie Mermaid 2 Doll and an official theatrical poster from the movie to one lucky reader. Who doesn't know a little girl who wouldn't love this if you won it for her?

So let's get started. First, enter to win the prize right here on MBE. For a chance to win all you need to do is leave a comment on this post; full contest details below.

Barbie in a Mermaid 2 
Doll & Movie Poster 

Giveaway

ENDS 3/1/12 

Kidtoons Barbie in a Mermaid 2 Prize Pack, suitable for ages 3+ includes

• 1 Barbie Mermaid Tale 2 Doll with Color Changing Features
• 1 Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 Theatrical Poster

HOW TO ENTER

Just leave a comment(s) below this post, Contest ends March 1, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. Winners will be selected at random from all entries and will be notified via email.

Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost saying why you want to win this prize. Don't forget to include your Facebook and/or Twitter handle with your comment so the winner can be contacted.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook

***Bonus Entries***

You can earn even MORE chances to win each time you TWEET the message below, up to 3 times each day. Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

Tweet:

Barbie Mermaid Tale 2 @KidtoonFilms Family Movie Doll GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/7nxubfm Ends 3/1/12 #Barbie #kids #movies RT 2 #WIN

Mommy Blog Expert is excited to be one of the few blogs to be hosting Kidtoons family friendly monthly movie giveaways in connection with screenings for children in selected theaters across the U.S.

Past Kidtoons movie giveaways on MBE include: Spookley Square Pumpkin, Care Bears: Share Bear Shines, Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas, Barbie A Fairy Secret, Little Engine That Could, Strawberry Shortcake: Sky's the Limit, Olivia and the Great Outdoors, Thomas and Friends: Hero of the Rails, Babar and the Adventures of Badou: Swing Into Summer, Candy Land The Great Lollipop Adventure, Sid the Science Kid, Spookley Square Pumpkin 2011, Thomas and Friends Day of Diesels, Olivia Wintertime Cheer, and Dino Dan.

Each Kidtoons giveaway is unique, based on the monthly movie offering. But, they're always family friendly and wholesome for children, so don't miss out on entering the current giveaway as well as subscribing to MommyBlogExpert, so you'll be the first to know when next month's giveaway is announced.

LOTS More 

Family-Friendly Giveaways!

ENTER Them All HERE

FTC Disclosure: Kidtoon Films is providing the prizes and shipping for this giveaway.  However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Romantic Coffee Drinks for Valentine's Day - 2 for 1 Deal on Feb 14th

Frugal Living

As readers of this blog know, I'm a huge coffee fan and Coffee Bean is one of my favorite places to enjoy it and I often bring my kids along. 

MommyBlogExpert's Daughters Love Coffee Bean Too

So, don't drink your coffee alone this Valentine's Day. Instead, take your sweetheart or even your son or daughter with you and get two drinks of your choice for the price of one from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Image from CoffeeBean.com

This special offer is only valid on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2012. Offer valid only at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf retail locations. Not valid in Ralphs, airport and Hawaii locations. Free drink(s) must be of equal or lesser value. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash value. No rain checks. Cannot be combined with other offers.

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FTC Disclosure: I disclose that I'm a lover of great coffee and a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf fan and long-time customer of the brand. This blog did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Valentine Heart Hot Pretzels To Make With Kids

Celebrations

Here's a really fun idea to spend some quality time with your son or daughter while baking together in the kitchen for Valentine's Day.  Not only will you end up with original delicious treats that you and your family can eat, you'll be creating memories with your child that will last a life time.

MBE partnered with Wiley Books for review, post contains affiliate links

From the moment I  saw this creative Heart-Shaped Pink Pretzel Bread idea for Valentine's Day in the fanciful new book Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year by Marie LeBaron (Wiley, 11/7/11, $18.99), I knew I just had to try making these to share with this blog's readers. Watch for a separate review soon about why I like this book so much and more on its great arts and crafts projects for children to make at home and at school for just about every season and holiday.

Make and Takes for Kids Book

These darling pretzels are certainly perfect for parties and snacks on the Day of Hearts. They'd also make a thoughtful gift for a favorite teacher or even Grandpa. But they are also great for bonding children, parents and others, and to also help youngsters develop fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. From babies and toddlers who will have a blast just watching Mommy (and/or Daddy) in the kitchen working on this project to preschoolers through teens getting involved in more age-appropriate ways, don't be surprised if the whole family wants to join in.

Your child can even give these pink pretzels as valentines to their friends packaged in darling, inexpensive Valentine-themed mini cardboard bakery boxes like these.

   

My homemade bread dough, ready to shape into pretzels

Best of all these treats are unbelievably easy to make so you and your kids will probably want to bake them year-round. Full step-by-step directions are in Make and Takes for Kids. In summary, all that's required is a package of store-bought bread dough found in the frozen section at the supermarket that you roll and shape into hearts on a cookie sheet.

Just prior to popping the pretzels in the oven to bake, you use red or pink food coloring to tint the salt (coarse Kosher salt is best). If you're really adventurous you can even use your favorite recipe to make homemade bread dough from scratch using flour, water and yeast and then dye it pink like I did.

You can never take enough pictures and/or video of your kids having fun (or of their finished projects) so be sure to capture the memories for the future before the family devours these!

Shaped Heart Pretzel with tinted salt & ready to bake

A Note to Parents:  

Remember, kids should never be in the kitchen without supervision and it is the parent's responsibility to ensure the safety of your children at all times. 

I hope you'll give this edible holiday craft a try and leave a comment describing your experience. As a matter of fact, I hope you'll feel free to share your own holiday creative baking ideas suitable for kids below this post, too.

More Creative Valentine Kid Fun

Valentine Oreo Cookies

Heart Shape Red Lollipops

Love Candy Mason Jar Craft

Pink Valentine Wood Beads

Pastel Heart Paper Doilies

 

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received a copy of the book to faciliate this post. This post includes Amazon Affiliate links, Mommy Blog Expert receives a small amount of compensation, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase using one of MBE's links. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

Moms & Women Twitter Party Events Calendar for the Week of February 6 -12

Twitter Parties

Twitter Party Calendar This Week

Here's what's poppin so far this week Twitter party wise. Check back, more party info for this week will be added to the calendar below soon!

Monday, February 6

Join the #TMom #FamilyTravConf Twitter Party 9-10 pm EST. Hosted by @TravelingMoms and sponsored by @OmniHotelsPR and @TheNewYorkPass. Prizes include four (4) vouchers each good for a one-night stay at any Omni Hotel of your choice. Plus Two (2) adult 3-day New York attractions passes from The New York Pass. RSVP

Tuesday, February 7

BritMum #Love4Good Twitter Party at 1-2 pm GMT. More info & RSVP 

Valentine's Day Themed #MSNLiving Twitter Party at 4 - 5 pm EST. Hosted by @MomCentral with special guest @AndreaSyrtash and sponsored by @MSNLiving this party celebrates the new MSN Living lifestyle channel.  Six (6) parties participants will win $50 Amazon gift codes and Andrea's latest book. Two (2) winners who Tweet about this event before the party will also each win a $50 Amazon gift code and Andrea's book. Details 

The Relevant Conference #TheRelevant Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Hosted by @SarahMae Win a free ticket to #AlluMe Conference

Wednesday, February 8

American Lung Association hosts a healthy air Twitter Party from 2-3 pm EST. Prizes awarded to select party participants include merchandise from the @LungAssociation 's Online Store #FightingforAir Details

Snoopy Valentine #SnoopyValentine Twitter Party at 9 pm EST.  Hosted by @ThatsItMommy. Win one of 2  Snoopy Valentine Prize Packages. Details

Hershey's Kisses @HersheysKisses Twitter party 9 - 10 pm EST. #GNO #HersheysKisses Hosted by @MomitForward. Giveaway and RSVP


Thursday, February 9


Join the @Smarties Valentine  #IamaSmartie Twitter Party at 1 pm EST. Hosted by @Mamabzz and @jerranalley. 4 Smarties Prize Packages to be given away. RSVP

Energizer Champions for Kids Twitter Party #EnergizerCFK at 9 pm EST. Hosted by @notinsanemom Gift card prizes include Two (2) $25, one (1) $50 and one (1) $100 from Wal-mart. RSVP

Coming Next Week... 

Monday, February 13
The #MomsandBrands Valentines Day Twitter Party at 7 pm EST. Hosted by @kemiingram with prizes from sponsors like Tree Hut. Info & RSVP

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FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one. 

An Easy Edible Super Bowl Party Cheese Football to Make With Your Kids for the Big Game

Good Food 

Here's a fun and healthy treat that you and the kids can make together if you're having (or going to) a Super Bowl party on Sunday. Come to think of it, I bet this edible snack would be a real hit (I mean kick) at any occasion that involves hungry football fanatics. 

This recipe and photo, provided by my friends at the California Milk Advisory Board, calls for Monterey Jack and Blue Cheese but I think this would be really good with any other cheese you like, such as grated cheddar cheese, so definitely feel free to experiment. I hope you and your kids have as much fun making this and you do eating it.

California Cheese Football 

Recipe

Makes 1 Football

2/3 cup (6 ounces) California Cream Cheese 

2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups (8 ounces) grated California Monterey Jack cheese

2 cups (8 ounces) crumbled California Blue Cheese

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted 

2/3 cup coarsely crushed rye crackers 

In a large bowl or food processor, combine Cream Cheese, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper. Beat or process until blended and smooth. Add Monterey Jack and Blue cheeses as well as walnuts, and beat vigorously until ingredients are evenly mixed. If using a food processor, take care not to over-mix; cheese should retain some of its texture. 

Chilling is not essential; however, the mixture will be easier to shape if refrigerated for 2-3 hours. Spread rye cracker crumbs on a large plate or sheet of waxed paper. Dampen your hands with water to keep the cheese mixture from sticking to them. Pat and press mixture into a football shape; don't worry about keeping the shape perfect. Pat on cracker crumbs, pressing gently so the crackers stick. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve. 

Optional: Decorate cheese football with laces made from sour cream (or string cheese!). To pipe on sour cream, snip the corner of a plastic sandwich bag. Spoon sour cream into bag and gently squeeze out of the snipped end to pipe onto football shape. 

Readers Note: Please send me your photos if you make this yummy cheese football. I'll add them to this post with a link back to your own site. To participate just email low res JPGs no larger than 4"x 6" or 6" x 4" with requested link to janis at janis elspas dot com

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FTC Disclosure: The California Milk Advisory Board provided the recipe and photo for this post. MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.