New Years 2021 Times Square Virtual Celebration

New Year's Eve

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Broadcast Tonight

It's definitely an understatement, but what a year it has been! Who doesn't want to celebrate the end of 2020 -- the year none of us will ever forget -- and think optimistically with hope and positive vibes as we turn a new leaf toward the future to begin 2021? 

Mommy Blog Expert in Times Square 2018

To start the new year out on an upbeat note, you're invited. Join me for the first-ever virtual Times Square New Year's Eve biggest party of the year in New York via Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest broadcasting on ABC beginning at 8pm EST.

The World's First Storytelling Machine

The pandemic has inspired many innovations demonstrating the USA's creative adaptation and resilience in the age of social distancing and mask wearing. As a final coda to the year that was, Kia Motors America, the Official Sponsor of the 2021 New Year's Eve Countdown, has put together a  truly inspiring celebration uniting us all together from coast-to-coast.

Since 1907, the New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Times Square has been a tradition, experienced in real life over the years by millions of people including yours truly. But, 2020 has been an exceptional year and the world will be celebrating much differently than any of us could ever have imagined by necessity to protect our own health, loved ones, and even people we don't know. 

Images by Kia Motors America

In actuality, the countdown to 2021 began in early December with the all-new Kia Sorento SUV driving crew setting out on a nationwide tour to tow and deliver the iconic 2021 New Year's Eve numerals to One Times Square in Manhattan in time for the traditional Ball Drop at midnight Eastern Time. 

National Geographic photographers joined this unique road trip tour to large cities and small towns in 15 US states from California to New Jersey and New York documenting and capturing the upbeat footage of America's people and places along the way. You'll get to see snippets from that magical sea to shining sea journey when it airs throughout tonight's TV show broadcast.

MBE's Janis Brett Elspas, Kia and Times Square

To symbolically honor and recognize all frontline workers across our nation for their unending devotion and hard work -- literally putting their own health and lives on the line -- throughout the pandemic, Kia is transporting a representative group of these heroes and their families to Times Square for a safe, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity New Year's Eve celebration. 

The Kia campaign continues through the end of January project on the north facade of One Times Square digital displays beneath the iconic New Year's Eve Ball and 2021 numerals.

Times Square marks the beginning of the greatest story that’s yet to come. Where will 2021 take you? #StorytellingMachine #KiaNYE #KiaSorento pic.twitter.com/CWWrqpTMhr

— Kia Motors America (@Kia) December 24, 2020

"Like everyone," explains Russell Wager, director, marketing operations, Kia Motors America, 
"We are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to new opportunities that 2021 will bring. New Year's Eve marks a fresh start and a new beginning. It's another chance for us to write our own story. The Kia Sorento, with its rugged capability and comfortable and flexible interior is perfectly equipped to take you anywhere your story leads."

From the start of the road trip on December 1 through the Times Square New Year's Eve event, Kia has and will continue to adhere to CDC recommended protocols regarding face masks and social distancing guidelines. Though the Times Square event is physically not open on New Year's Eve to the public, viewers are invited to watch the broadcast live safely at home with your families, while it happens. 

About Kia Motors America

Based in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America is considered as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. In addition to Official Sponsor of the 2021 New Year's Countdown, Kia also is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA. A complete range of vehicles, including cars and SUVs assembled in the USA in West Point, Georgia, are sold through a network of nearly 750 U.S. dealers. Learn more about Kia by visiting their website, as well as following the brand on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The War With Grandpa Movie Review Giveaway

Movies

MBE partnered with Universal Pictures for this story. This post contains affiliate links.

A Mom's Family Movie Review

The pandemic may still be keeping many movie-goers out of theaters this holiday season but if the big screen isn't open where you live, there still is a silver lining inside that gray cloud. Never before has there been such a high volume of quality feature films for viewers in quarantine to watch while one safely social distances at home. 

Robert De Niro At His Best

Since we could all use a good laugh right now, I'm excited to share that no one has to miss out on this one. The War With Grandpa (Universal Pictures, 2020), a new comedy with some silly but fun holiday scenes, is now On Demand and was just released today on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital. Robert De Niro -- who has six children and four grandkids in real life -- stars in the title role as Grandpa. 

Like a fine wine, multi Academy Award-winning actor De Niro just gets funnier and wackier with age. After more than a half century of entertaining, at 77 years young, few fans will disagree that he's still going strong. De Niro most definitely is in his element here as the cranky, curmudgeonly newly widowed grandfather who moves in with his daughter Sally (Uma Thurman) and is soon butting heads to hilarious effect with sixth-grade grandson Peter (Oakes Fegley).

Rated PG, the all-star cast also includes Rob Riggle, Christopher Walken, Cheech Marin, Jane Seymour and other notable performers. With a ensemble like that joining De Niro, this movie should engage kids, parents, and grandparents with multiple storylines targeting each generation of viewers.

They couldn't be more opposites. It's the old school wise-cracking grandpa vs the new cool and ornery tween grandson in a non-stop prank-a-thon that will have everyone chuckling and ribbing each other across the generations non-stop while watching the story unfold. Who will win this battle? Will there be a happy fairytale ending for grandpa, grandson, or either of them? I'm not going to spoil it: you have to see this to find out how the story ends. 

With so many extended family members living in close quarters with loved ones in real life in 2020, a family comedy like this will not only entertain us. It also can help make light of the current quarantine circumstances, potentially putting things in perspective and helping us all enjoy family time together more as well as laugh at ourselves.

You know we love giving away family-friendly movies that we think you'll enjoy. So, keep reading to find out how you can be the lucky winner of MBE's exclusive giveaway of The War With Grandpa Blu-ray DVD to watch at home. 

Can't wait to own this new comedy movie?  BUY NOW on Amazon. 

GIVEAWAY

The War With Grandpa

New Blu-ray DVD 

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the brand new The War With Grandpa Blu-ray + DVD + Digital movie to enjoy at home. To enter this movie giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends January 4, 2021 at 11:59 pm EST. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

The War With Grandpa 

ORDER NOW  

In time for Christmas!

About The War With Grandpa

Based on the award-winning book by the same name, authored by Robert Kimmel Smith, The War With Grandpa Blu-ray + DVD + Digital is now available in-stores and online. Brought to audiences via Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, it has a run time of approximately 1 hour, 34 minutes. To learn more visit the official site, as well as follow the movie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

DISCLOSURE: Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Christmas Holiday Kids Books Review + Giveaway

Books

MBE partnered with Simon & Schuster for this story. This post contains affiliate links.

New Holiday Children's Titles

Colder, shorter days and much more time spent indoors during Christmas and the holidays are the perfect time to introduce young children to the wonderful world of reading. Having raised four kids who all love to read for pleasure, including triplets plus one more all born in a year, I know by experience that reading to babies and toddlers is quality time well spent. 

Raising Kids Who Love to Read

Good books for little ones, like my picks from both prolific writers such as Sandra Boynton and new authors in Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing's 2020 Holiday Gift Guide make great holiday gifts as well as fun stocking stuffers. 

Reading fun books regularly to boys and girls, of course, creates precious memories that you and your kids will treasure for a lifetime. What's more is that reading kids literature is also essential to building language and writing skills as well as setting a strong foundation for learning across all subjects during the early school years.

Holiday 2020 Simon & Schuster Gift Guide

Guess what? It's snowing holiday books! From sturdy board books for babies and toddlers, to beautifully-illustrated books that will captivate preschoolers and kindergartners, there is a snowstorm of new Christmas holiday titles available online and in-stores to choose from this season.

• Christmas Parade
• Hurry, Santa!
• My Very Merry Ugly Christmas Sweater
• If It's Christmas and You Know It
• Peek-A-Boo Little Reindeer
• All The Little Snowflakes
• Christmas Makes Me Feel Pine Green!
• Santa Mouse Christmas Surprise

Christmas Parade (12/15/20, Ages 3-6)

by Sandra Boynton 

Boynton has been a kids' favorite author for several generations and was among my own children's most beloved writer-illustrators. In her latest book Boynton again tells a hilarious tale via her wacky characters and iconic drawing style. Who doesn't love a parade, right? With the in-person Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the New Year's Day Rose Bowl Parade --and many others -- canceled across the USA because of the pandemic this year, there's no better opportunity to keep the love of parades alive for kids growing up today than with this book.

Hurry, Santa!  (9/15/20, Ages 1-5)

by Tomie dePaola 

For kids who celebrate Christmas, there is no important superhero character associated with this holiday than the big guy in the red suit and long white beard. If your child is disappointed about not getting to sit on Santa's lap this year, this book will make them smile and even laugh. It's the story of Santa getting all suited up for dashing with his reindeer and sleigh through the skies of the world delivering gifts to all the good boys and girls, but then something happens... he really has to go potty. For those still in diapers or older kids who love potty references and jokes, this sturdy book is a keeper. 

My Very Merry Ugly Christmas Sweater  (9/15/20, Ages 3-5)

by Jeffrey Burton, Illustrated by Julia Green 

What adult hasn't gotten in on the crazy ugly holiday sweater gags at one time or another? And let's not forget, kids have an appreciation for Christmas ugly sweaters, too. In this book, children will get into the act of celebrating the ugly duckling of all yule tide attire: the infamous ugly sweater. This is an interactive book with no device or app required featuring a soft, plush touchable sweater on the cover and touch-and-fee elements throughout its pages.

If It's Christmas And You Know It  (9/15/20,  All Ages)

by Hannah Eliot, Illustrated by Carol Henning 

When your family reads this, I'm betting that both you and your kids won't be able to get the familiar classic tune If You're Happy And You Know It out of your heads. Paging through this entertaining, beautifully-illustrated book -- starting with its shinny glittery cover -- children will be dazzled by reading, clapping and singing a whole new, fun Christmas song that's all about the season.

Peek-A-Boo Little Reindeer (9/15/20, Ages up to 4)

by Yu-Hsuan Huang

Kids love peek-a-boo books and there are plenty of surprises for them to reveal as they lift the each felt flaps in this board book. The story revolves around a sweet little reindeer who is the bearer of gifts for all his animal friends. Children get in on the holiday giving fun, excitement, and element of surprise as they peek at all the presents the reindeer delivers to each of his special buddies.

All The Little Snowflakes (9/15/20, Ages 1-5) 

by Cindy Jin, Illustrated by Dawn M. Cardona

Snowflakes are one-of-a-kind, each one an original art design of nature. This rhyming board book features pretty die-cut snowflakes on every page celebrating what makes snowflakes and winter so beautiful. After you've read this book with your child, the kids will probably be in the mood go outside and play in the snow or if you don't have snow where you live, get out some white papers and kids scissors and make some paper snowflakes together.

Christmas Makes Me Feel Pine Green! (9/15/20, Ages 2-5)

by Ximena Hastings, Illustrated by Mette Engell

Scratch and sniff is the name of the game in this jolly Crayola Christmas scented board book. From a freshly cut Christmas trees and decorated Christmas sugar cookies with sprinkles to hot apple cider and more -- just about all the familiar smells associated with the holiday season are there for kids to enjoy and you read this book together.

Santa Mouse Christmas Surprise (9/15/20, Ages 1-5)

by Michael Brown, Illustrated by Elfrieda De Witt

This is another old-fashioned rhyming interactive title for the younger set that they'll want to read with you again and again. In this novelty lift-the-flap board book kids will meet and follow Santa Claus' littlest helper wherever he goes. Where is Santa Mouse hiding now and where will Santa's 4-legged side kick be hiding out next?

With so many great choices for kids from 1- to 5 years old in this wonderful collection of all-new holiday books, you'll likely want to buy several of these for each of the readers-in-training in your life.

 

Giveaway

Read on to learn how you can enter to win ALL the kids board book titles in this holiday prize package!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win a prize package which includes all 8 board books (total ARV $60+) featured in this review.

Simon & Schuster
Holiday Kids Books

MBE Giveaway
on Instagram

How to Enter to Win this Giveaway

To enter the giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents only and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends December 23, 2020 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing is providing the prize package and is responsible for delivery to winner. Good Luck to everyone who enters to win this Holiday Kids literary prize!

More About Simon & Schuster

Founded in 1924, Simon & Schuster, is a subsidiary of ViacomCBS. With worldwide distribution, the company publishes 20,000 new titles annually under 35 different imprints. To learn more about their huge collection of literature for youth, visit Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. To stay up on what's new for all ages of kids from 0-14, as well as follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

DISCLOSURE: Mommy Blog Expert participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Chipotle Avocado Toast Wreath + Sweepstakes

Good Food

MBE partnered with La Morena for this sponsored story. This post contains affiliate links

Chipotle Avocado Toast Holiday Wreath + La Morena Sweepstakes

Who would have thought that the majority of 2020 would have been impacted by a worldwide pandemic? Now that we're into the holiday season there are many things we can't do safely, such as gathering with extended family and friends this year. It sure is looking like Christmas entertaining with be scaled down, but that doesn't mean smaller celebrations can't be just as fun and meaningful.

Make the Season Bright & Memorable

While you may not be able to engage in family traditions that you've be doing for years, perhaps generations, the good news is you can and should still make this season memorable as you celebrate the holidays at home with loved ones. 

Besides, with all that extra time at home together, it's all the more reason to enjoy each other's company as well as to dine on delicious, festive homemade food that's easy to make.

Avocado Toast, still all the rage on Instagram, was the inspiration for this Christmas food idea. How about trying this new south of the border-inspired Chipotle Avocado Toast Holiday Wreath recipe I just created? It's easy and fun for both kids and adults to make, plus it's a great family activity to spend some quality time together in the kitchen.

Chipotles and Aztec Culture

Fun Fact: Chipotles are actually smoke-dried jalapeno peppers, which because of their food preservation qualities, were favored in cooking by ancient cultures such as the Aztecs in Mesoamerica. The Spanish word chipotle is derived from the Nahuatl (language of the Aztecs) "chilpocti" which means smoked chili. 

Recipe

Chipotle Avocado Toast Holiday Wreath

Prep Time 30 minutes or less
Recipe makes 2-4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 Ripe avocado
• 1 T. Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 T. Lemon or Lime juice
• 1 can La Morena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
• 1 can La Morena Whole Pickled Jalapeno Peppers
• 2 Bagels sliced cross-wise
• Pomegranate arils, chopped avocado & green onion for garnish

Preparation

1. Make guacamole by mashing 3/4 of one large avocado in a bowl, reserving the rest for garnish. Alternately, you can use a cup of ready-made guacamole.

2. To mashed avocado, add garlic powder, lemon juice, salt/pepper and 1 tablespoon of La Morena Adobo Sauce (reserve remainder of sauce and the chipotle peppers to serve on the side as a dip).

3. Spread guacamole on sliced and toasted bagels, leaving the center open on each half to form a wreath shape.

4. Chop the remainder of the avocado in tiny chunks and add to top of guacamole to for texture.

5. Finish by sprinkling pomegranate arils around the wreath, then slice a thin piece of a green onion leaf and gently tie into a bow.

6. Serve with La Morena Pickled Jalapenos along with a bowl of the remaining Chipotle Peppers and sauce for dipping. 

Enjoy making and eating this delicious Chipotle Avocado Toast during the holidays. To spread some cheer, consider preparing a plate of these as a surprise Christmas snack for someone in your community, too. 

Enter to WIN
La Morena's Sweepstakes

Keep Your Family Healthy &
Cook for a Family in Need

#WeCanWithLaMorena

More about La Morena

La Morena peppers, hand-selected for quality and prepared with the authentic homestyle flavors of Mexico, are available at Safeway, Shoprite, Stop N Shop, and other select supermarkets. For more about the brand and to enter the We Can With La Morena Sweepstakes running through December, visit the official website. For more La Morena inspiration visit them @LaMorenaUSA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, too.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Kids Smartwatch Camera Wireless Earbuds

Toys

MBE partnered with L.O.L Surprise! for this campaign. This post contains affiliate links.

New Kids Tech Accessories Review & Giveaway

What kid doesn't love surprises, right? Especially L.O.L. Surprise! toys from MGA Entertainment's children's collection? Just in case you haven't heard already, this is a popular global brand that is on many youngsters' holiday gift wish lists this year. That's because once again -- for three years running -- L.O.L. Surprise! won the toy industry's coveted 2020 Toy of the Year Award and several other top honors at the Annual Toy Industry Awards.

Those imaginative L.O.L. Surprise! fashion-forward dolls celebrating individuality and creativity have inspired a continuing pipeline of other new brand-inspired fashion accessories, playsets and more. Among the newest additions to the growing collection are the L.O.L. Surprise! Kids Smartwatch and Camera and the L.O.L. Surprise! Wireless Earbuds. 

Both tech devices are fully-functional, affordable kid-friendly versions for ages 6+ of the smartwatches and wireless earbuds that teens and us moms and dads wear and love. Best of all both the smartphone and wireless earbuds, which are sold separately, come with batteries already installed  and fully rechargeable via USB cables.

L.O.L. Surprise! Smartwatch With Camera

This is a good option as a first smartwatch for mini fashionistas, wanna be influencers, and girls in general who embrace the L.O.L. Surprise! style.  With a range of smartwatch capabilities, including still/video forward-facing and selfie cameras and more, this stylish tech savvy watch retails for less than $60.

In fact, the new LOL Surprise! Smartwatch combines many of the features you'd expect in a high tech smartwatch: dual cameras with the ability to upload images and videos from the watch to a computer as well as games, and a fitness tracker all wrapped up in an all-in-one device that's also kid friendly. Rechargeable, this water-resistant smartwatch can be worn as a watch on the wrist or transferred to the included clip/stand case to clip to a backpack or clothing; it can also stand up on its own on any flat surface.

LOL Surprise! Smartwatch, Camera & Game Features

• Smartwatch equipped with camera, adjustable pink glitter watchband, clip/stand, Micro-USB cable, and a quick start guide as well as detailed easy to follow directions for use are all included
• Updateable with LOL Surprise's latest software via USB and a computer, the smartwatch allows kids to set the date, time, language, volume, and brightness as well as name their devices
• Calendar/Timer function provides an alarm clock to set, a calendar to mark with special occasions, a timer, and a stopwatch
• Viewable stats track a child's activity progress and store all the reward trophies won from playing games, fitness activities, and interaction with M.C. Swag
• Communicates exclusively with other L.O.L. Smartwatches within a 50 feet range with the messaging ability to send pictures, emojis, recorded voice messages and silly voice effects 
• Dual camera makes it possible to shoot still photos or videos in either point of view (POV) or selfie modes and add emojis which may be viewed later or shared with other LOL Surprise! Smartwatch users within range, plus there's room to store up 3,000 photos or 30 minutes of video
• The Games Menu includes educational and fun digital games ranging from learning to tell time to solving math problems, playing tic tac toe and a tilting screen and ball game activity
• Available in three progressively more difficult levels these included games pave the way to unlocking additional features and earning rewards
• The Fitness Menu gets kids off the couch, encouraging more physical activity in fun ways, not only with the activity tracker, but also through the Treasure Hunt, Dance With Sprints and Sprints Says pre-loaded activities
• Pre-installed battery (non-removeable) is rechargeable via the USB port on a computer or laptop (not included) which powers the smartwatch for up to 8 hours of usage
• Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP: Windows 7, 8, and 9; and MacOS X 10.13, 10.14

L.O.L. Surprise! Wireless Earbuds

L.O.L. Surprise Wireless Earbuds

Another new and exciting tech-based item in the LOL Surprise collection is this set of fully functioning rechargeable LOL Surprise Wireless Earbuds with built-in microphone -- that unlike the pricey adult earbud versions -- are priced at under $50.  

These are a fun option for kids who may have their own smartphone already or who have parent-approved access to mom's or dad's mobile device. From answering/hanging up calls to listening to music to accessing the voice assistant, and other perks, these wireless ear buds for kids are really cool. No wonder they're selling out so fast.

LOL Surprise! Wireless Earbuds Features

• A pair of wireless earbuds with soft tips, stylish portable charging case, Micro-USB cable to case, Micro-USB cable for earbuds, an extra set of ear tips for smaller ears, and simple directions to get started are included in the box
• The 3D stereo ergonomically-designed ear buds especially for kids, clearly marked right and left, are equipped with a multi-function button to turn on/off, answer calls, reject calls, play/pause (left earbud only) music playing on your device, and next (right earbud only) to skip through the song tracks
• Status indicator light and microphone as well as earbud charging ports on each earbud are also included
• Both earbuds may be used together for one device or separately for two different devices  
• Compact hot pink palm-sized charging case includes charging station slots for right and left earbuds; a charge indicator light which flashes red while charging and turns off when completely charged (about 45 minutes); and a USB charging port on the bottom which you connect to with the included USB cable and to your laptop or computer (not included) 
• After pairing, easily and quickly connect your device with its wireless connectivity turned on to your LOL Surprise Earbuds
• Rechargeable pre-installed batteries (non-removeable) are included which can be recharged via the USB port on a computer or laptop (not included) 
• Fully charged earbuds deliver up to five hours of continuous use on one charge with five charging cycles stored in the case for a total of 25 hours of battery life. The earbuds also can stay charged in standby for as much as 360 hours when stored in the charging case

With such hot and exciting new items for kids, I'm excited to announce another giveaway exclusively for MBE's loyal audience, thanks to  L.O.L. Surprise! and MGA Entertainment who is providing a cool prize package featuring both products featured in this review. Scroll down for details on how you can enter for the chance to win the L.O.L. Surprise! Smartwatch Camera and the L.O.L Surprise! Wireless Earbuds for a special child in your life. 

GIVEAWAY

L.O.L. Surprise!
Smartwatch Camera & Wireless Earbuds

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to L.O.L. Surprise! and MGA Entertainment, one (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win a prize package including both the L.O.L. Surprise! Smartwatch Camera and the L.O.L. Surprise! Wireless Earbuds. For this giveaway Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, enter by visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest is open to US residents and qualifying winner will be selected at random. Hurry this giveaway ends December 19, 2020 at 11:59 pm EST. L.O.L. Surprise! is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner. 

Good Luck to Everyone Who Enters to Win!

More about L.O.L. Surprise!

Learn more about the brand's extensive L.O.L. Surprise! collections by visiting the official website as well as following LOL Surprise on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

DISCLOSURE: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that allows our site to earn compensation for including referral links within our posts to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.