Purim Jewish Holiday Family Customs Feast of Lots Festival - Meaningful & Fun for Kids & Adults

Celebrations

Tonight at sundown through Thursday evening Jews around the world of every denomination: Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox will be marking the holiday of Purim. Also known as the Festival of Lots, the holiday starts tonight because like all Jewish holidays it is based on the lunar Hebrew calendar. With all the traditional food, handmade costumes for children, fun and synagogue activities this is among my favorite of all the holidays we celebrate.

Me with my triplets wearing the Purim Costumes I made for them as toddlers

During daylight hours today many Jewish men and women are observing the Fast of Esther which precedes the joyous festivitiesand feasting that will start after the fast ends at sunset. This day of refraining from eating and drinking originates with Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai who successfully fasted and prayed to G-d to save the people from Haman's evil degree to kill the Jews.

Chocolate Chip Hamantashen cookies that I baked with my kids

Even though we're not eating today, it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of food at the moment.  In fact, I just got back from the grocery store where I stocked up on ingredients to cook and bake with for the holiday. My daughter, Mini MommyBlogExpert, is planning on baking this homemade Chocolate Chip Hamantashen Cookie recipe as soon as she comes home from school this afternoon. Then I have lots of cooking to do tonight to prepare from the festive meal we are hosting at our house for friends and family.

An interesting bit of trivia: Hamantashen cookies are triangular and are meant to mimic the shape of the wicked Haman's hat. This is also where the expression "If you do such and such...I'll eat my hat" may have originated.

Some of the home baked goodies we make will be added to Shalach Manot gift baskets of food and drink that our family will deliver to friends on Thursday, Purim Day. In fact, every Bar Mitzvah male over the age of and every Bat Mitzvah female over 12 is obligated by Jewish law to deliver a gift of ready-to-eat edibles to at least one person.

My girls model the flower costumes I made for them

Other customs of this special day include going to the synagogue to hear the Book of Esther -- in Hebrew Megillah Esther -- read out loud to the congregation. We boo, hoot and use noise makers whenever the name Haman is mentioned to symbolically overcome his wickedness. Traditionally, children and some adults dress in costumes and masks when they come to this public retelling the story of how Esther with the help of Mordechai and of course G-d's help.

Here's my youngest in the Butterfly costume I sewed for him

Tomorrow after we go to our shul (Jewish house of worship) to hear the Megillah a second time,  we'll deliver the gift baskets during the day time. Toward the end of the day we'll gather for a festive meal to enjoy food and drink together as we recall how the Jews were miraculously saved from annihilation. 

Charity is also central to Purim. So as we enjoy everything that those of us are fortunate to have, each adult contributes enough money to make certain that a poor person will also have his/her own proper meal to celebrate the day.

Our big boy is all smiles in the Bumble Bee Costume Mommy created just for him

For those of you who are celebrating how will you celebrate? Feel free to share your Purim memories from your own childhood as well as the traditions you have instituted with your own family and kids. Do you get your pets dressed up in costume like we used to do with our Boxer dog pictured here?

Purim Sameach (Happy Purim)

to Everyone Celebrating!!! 

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.

Kroger Cart Buster Deal of the Day - Exclusive Downloadable Digital Coupon Save $1.50 on Oreo

Deals

Attention Kroger Shoppers! Shop the Kroger Cart Buster event from February 26–March 10 for great values, and download exclusive, digital coupons for Kroger’s “Deal Of The Day” at www.CartBuster.com! Happy Savings!

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Today's special savings opportunity celebrates the 100th Birthday of Oreo. It's really amazing to think about it: Oreos have been around for a century! For sure, these crunchy pairs of dark chocolate circle cookies with creamy white filling inside are a tasty part of Americana and I'm betting that there's a good chance that you and/or your child are as big a fan as my family is about these classic cookies. 

Mom, Me and my Brother and Sister, Yellowstone Family Road Trip, Circa 1967

Oreos conjure up thoughts of nostalgia for me. As a Baby Boomer growing up in the 1960s I remember my mommy serving store-bought Oreos to us kids with a big glass of milk as a special treat. Mom would also pack these in our car and we'd eat them for lunch at rest stops and National Parks like Yellowstone along the way on our many family road trips, too. I even remember eating Oreos in college and drinking coffee to pull all nighters before big exams. Ah those were the days.

Oreo Cookies from Nabisco are 100 Years Old in 2012

Now a mom myself, I buy Oreos for my own kids as a special treat. They bring them to school for lunch as well as share them with friends after class. They're also a popular munchie during those late night study marathons that are so frequent now that my four teens are in high school. 

Soon my sons and daughters will be going off to college, too, and I have no doubt that they'll probably still be eating Oreo cookies as university students. I guess some things never change and do cross-over generation after generation.

With today's deal you can save $1.50 off a pack of Oreos. Take advantage of this great Deal of the Day savings opportunity by accessing and downloading your digital coupons now that are not available anywhere else but at www.cartbuster.com and only from 2/29 - 3/6.

Modern Day Oreo Cookies Are Still Classic, But Come in Lots of Varieties Now

With all this Oreo talk, I'm craving some of these cookies right now. If you decide to go out and buy some at Kroger, too, don't forget to visit Cart Buster to download savings coupons.

But, before you run out to the store leave a comment below recounting your most memorable Oreo moment.

FTC Disclosure: Thank you to Kroger for sponsoring my participation in the “Deal Of The Day” promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own. 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.

Mom & Women Twitter Party Calendar March 5-11 Schedule

Twitter Parties

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Updated 3/7/12

Here's the list of Twitter parties for the week of March 5 - March 11 that might appeal to moms and women. Lots of Twitter parties are already on this week's calendar offering family-friendly prizes. Check back frequently so you don't miss updates and additions to this list as the week goes on. Be the first to know when next week's Twitter Party schedule comes out by subscribing to MommyBlogExpert.

THIS WEEK

Monday, March 5

Don't miss the AT&T Smart Rugby Twitter Party sponsored by @ResourcefulMom at 8 pm EST #ATTRugbySmart. Prizes: 10 participants will each receive a Samsung Rugby Smart Device. RSVP

Join the #SpringFling Twitter Party chat about spring fashion trends at 10 pm EST . Hosted by @MomTrends. $2000 in prizes will be given away including baubles and a Stokke Xplory Limited Edition Blue Melange Stroller. RSVP

Tuesday, March 6

Attend the #OreoMoment Twitter Party at 1 pm EST hosted by @ShibleySmiles  celebrating Oreo's 100th Birthday.  RSVP

Come to the #MyHartstrings Twitter Party at 1 pm EST hosted by @CleverPirate #CBias.  Prizes include three $25 Hartstrings Gift Cards and one $100 Hartstrings GC RSVP 

You're invited to the @MomCentral #DimensionU Twitter Party at 3 pm EST discussing our children's education. Sponsored by the DimensionU educational program. 2 pre-party winners win a $50 Amazon gift code and 6 winners chosen throughout the party to win $50 Amazon gift codes.
 Details

Nature's Sleep Twitter Party at 8 pm EST. Hosted by @MakobiScribe and sponsored by  @Natures_Sleep. Prizes include foam pillows, mattresses, and more. RSVP

The #ButterCupBaby Twitter Party at 9 pm EST. Hosted by @ClothDiaperGeek. Prizes include a Diaper Starter Kit and more to be announced. RSVP

Texas Beef #TXBeef Twitter Party at 9 pm EST sponsored by the Texas Beef Council. Prizes include a Grand Prize (cookbook + 10 strip steaks) and 5 prize packages (cookbook, It’s What’s for Dinner apron, meat thermometer, cutting board and steak seasonings). RSVP


Wednesday, March 7

Attend this Tweetup on Time Management with @MomsLA at 10 am PST, hosted by The Show Biz Cafe. Also online elsewhere in the U.S. at 10 am PST/1 pm EST using the hash tag #MomsLAChat. Coffee and Coffee Merchandise prizes from Klatch Coffee. RSVP

Join @MomCentral at 3 pm EST to chat about National Cereal Day, morning routines & more. Pre-party giveaway of 2 (two winners) $50 Amazon gift codes. 6 winners to each receive prize pack worth $50. Also find out how to win 1 of 6 cases of Cheerios to be given away by @GenMillsBellIns #CerealDay  RSVP

Join the @MomTalkRadio  #BabyBrezzaBook Twitter Party at 8 pm EST. Baby Brezza Cookbooks will be given away throughout the party. RSVP


Thursday, March 8

Don't miss it: the #TT Twitter Party at 1 pm EST with @CIG_Lifestyle and @IdiotsGuides. Use hash tag #AskCIG to join the fun of discussing Spring Break.

Chat about wardrobes, shopping & new line of Best-Tees from Old Navy at 3 pm EST. Twitter party #BestTees hosted by @MomCentral and sponsored by @OldNavy . Prizes include 2 pre-party winners of $50 Old Navy Gift Card plus 6 winners of $50 Old Navy GC during the party. RSVP



Friday, March 9

#ForDummies Twitter Party hosted by @ResourcefulMom at 2 pm EST. Prizes: Four $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Cards, four $25 Amazon Gift Cards, four For Dummies book prize packs, and one $100 Amazon Gift Card. RSVP

Coming Soon

Monday, March 12
Mushroom Channel Twitter Party hosted by @ResourcefulMom at 8 pm EST. Nine winners will each receive a prize pack valued at $80, including a $50 Visa Gift Card for shopping.  RSVP


Thursday, March 15
The #AllYouCFK Twitter Party at 9 pm EST to learn about giving back via coupons.
Prizes include three $25 Walmart Gift Cards & one $100 Walmart GC. RSVP

Monday, March 19
Another Melissa and Doug Twitter Party at 9 pm EST with special guest Melissa. Sponsored by @MelissaandDoug with prizes. #TweeParty RSVP


Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar please email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line & including all the details and links in the body of your message. 

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend someTwitter Parties as a Guest. However, I 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.

The Gruffalo The Wiggles Kids Movie

Movie

Now in Theaters Plus DVD Toy Giveaway

Weekends in March Kidtoons Family Matinees presents the children's family-friendly movie The Gruffalo at select local theaters nationwide.

MBE partnered with Kidtoons for this review and giveaway

The Storyline

This is the sweet animated story of a mouse who goes into the dark forest where he soon encounters a fox, owl and snake. The mouse tells this trio of creatures that he's here to visit The Gruffalo, a scary and ugly beast with giant tusks and a poisonous wart on his nose. Good thing there isn't really any such thing as The Gruffalo because the mouse has made this whole character up in his little mouse mind.

Giveaway details below - FIVE (5) Prize packages to be awarded

To celebrate another month's quality family entertainment theater program Kidtoon Films is providing a fun, huge prize package that includes The Gruffalo book, DVD, rhyming game and official theatrical poster from the movie to one lucky reader. I'm betting you won't have to think very hard to come up with a least one kids who wouldn't be thrilled if you won this for them.

Enter Our Giveaway

Now, before you go to see the animated family friendly film, you're invited to enter the giveaway contest below.

The Gruffalo

Prize Package Giveaway

**5 Winners Get Everything Pictured**

 

Each of 5 Prize Package winners receive

• 1 The Gruffalo Book
• 1 The Gruffalo DVD
• 1 The Gruffalo Rhyming Game
• 1 The Gruffalo Kidtoons Movie Poster

How to Enter Giveaway

Just leave a comment(s) below this post. Contest ends April 3, 2012 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only. FIVE (5) 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 email address, Facebook and/or Twitter contact info in the comment section so the winner can be contacted.

Optional Extra Entries 
Earn extra entries to win for doing one or more of the easy options listed below. Just be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert (MBE) to leave an additional comment after each individual extra action you do to confirm so we can record all your additional chances to win.

1. Follow @mommyblogexpert on Twitter

2. Like @mommyblogexpert on Facebook

3. Follow @kidtoonsfilms on Twitter

4. Like @kidtoonsfilms 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:

The Gruffalo @KidtoonFilms Family Movie DVD Book Toy GIVEAWAY - 5 WINNERS! http://tinyurl.com/7dgtuhz Ends 4/3/12 #kids #movies

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

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, Dino Dan, and Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2.

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!

Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

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.

Nordstrom Rack Orange Fashion Bloggers Tweetup Event Celebrates Store Grand Opening March 1st

Shopping

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All photos in post by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Mini MommyBlogExpert in Fedora with Michael Kors Trench Jackets

My fashionista daughter, AKA Mini MommyBlogExpert, and I had the time of our lives at the awesome shopping spree #RackOpening Tweetup we were invited to attend.  This was a private hosted event just for a small group of fashion bloggers including us last night at the Nordstrom Rack store in Orange, California ahead of the Grand Opening to the public, tomorrow March 1. You can get more details by following us on Twitter @MommyBlogExpert and @OutletsatOrange as well as liking both Nordstrom Rack Orange and MommyBlogExpert on Facebook for more information about the grand opening celebration.

Special Sweets Served to Us Bloggers Matched the Juicy Handbags!

Juicy Couture Bags...

and Juicy Couture Sweat Pants & Jackets

This was a truly memorable evening with Orange Blossom Drinks, fancy sweets, and all kinds of sushi and other appetizers served by waiters while we shopped. Talk about feeling pampered! But, as you might imagine, shopping with a teen girl can still be challenging and downright not fun. At the same time it can also be a real opportunity for you to bond with your big girl.

Luxe & Edgy Betsey Johnson Jacket

And bond we did -- with my 14 year-old daughter filling in as my personal shopper and fashion consultant we picked out a stunning dress for me in the official MommyBlogExpert color: spring green. Then my daughter found some really hip separates for herself as well as picked out a skirt and some tops for her triplet sister who had to stay home and study. For sure, we both agree, that the colors and textures are bright and bold this season and you can find them all at the Nordstrom Rack at Orange.

Calvin Klein Suede Flat Shoes

All the photos above and below are just a sampling of all that's currently available at the new store. With the Rack's ample and colorful stock for spring, you'll likely find something to suit everyone's taste in your family. Watch for a separate post soon with the three of us modeling all the gorgeous finds we brought home from this fab shopping spree.

Men's Dress Shirts from Many Popular Designers

I've lived in L.A. many years and am a huge Nordstrom fan. However, this was my first time in a Nordstrom Rack. In case you didn't already know they're an off-price chain offering many well-known and coveted designers including names like Juicy Couture, Marc Jacob, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Coach and many more that we all love.

Tutus for Little Girls in Cheery Colors for Spring

The Nordstrom Rack we shopped has clothes, accessories and shoes for women, men and kids. Truly, we were impressed with the wide selection for teens and women. The men's section -- typically lacking at stores like this that sell designer brands for less -- wowed us too.

Mini MommyBlogExpert Walks out of Store Loaded With Great Finds

Nordstrom Rack at Outlets in Orange - Grand Opening March 1, 2012

FTC Disclosure: My two daughters and I each received gift cards to purchase the clothes and accessories of our choice as well as a goody bag for attending this Tweetup. This blog did not receive any 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.