Category Archives: Play

2012 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

A Boys Weekend in Long Beach
This was our sons first car racing experience

This weekend I sent the boys off to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long for a testosterone filled weekend with friends and family. My son is usually noise sensitive so I was a little concerned about how he would react to the loud engines. Luckily they handed out ear plugs at the event.

Turns out his favorite part was watching the cars drifting. He was even cheering them on!

Make Some Cookies and Help California Schools

milksweeps

Help California schools by joining the Real Seal Appeal
In these economical times we don’t all have the resources to make cash donations to school, but there are other ways you can still help
Before my daughter even started school this year, the school was already asking for donations, I don’t blame them because California schools need lots of help. But for some it’s hard or impossible to write a check to help, they have to find others ways they can participate, whether it’s donating time or participating in one of the fund raisers. I love it when things are simple, like when grocery stores donate a portion of the proceeds to local schools.

Well here’s another way you can help, Real California Milk recently launched the Real Seal Appeal! Sweepstakes! Next time you are in the grocery store look for products with the Real California Milk seal and collect them for your child’s school.

To help get your list started check out this delicious Pumpkin Nut and Chop Cookies recipe perfect for the fall season.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Real California butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. In large bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy; add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla, beating well after each addition. 3. Sift dry ingredients into separate bowl; gradually add to pumpkin mixture until well-blended. 4. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. 5. Drop batter by heaping teaspoons onto lightly buttered cookie sheets. 6. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until edges are golden brown. 7. Cool on wire racks and store in airtight container.Makes 2.5 to 3 Dozen Cookie.

The Real Seal Appeal! Sweepstakes is a great way to help California schools when you don’t have the extra cash to donate.
From October 1, 2011-December 31, 2011, the California Milk Advisory Board will be challenging Southern California elementary classrooms, schools and students to collect Real California Milk
seals from milk and dairy products for a chance to win up to $2 million in cash, Scholastic books and other prizes.

This is a great, easy fund-raising opportunity for schools, with top prizes being $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 for three schools each – and 2,595 other schools will be awarded $500. (Not too shabby!)

So visit Scholastic And Real Seal Appeal and help your child’s teacher get started. (There’s coupons, too!) Or log onto RealCaliforniaMilk.com, follow them on Twitter @RealCalifMilk, or on Facebook.

This is a sponsored post

blogher, sony and hanging out with good friends

This year I was totally unprepared for BlogHer, wait I think I say that every year. But this it, I really mean it. So much that I contemplating ducking out early before it even started. We were in a whirlwind this summer with too much going on and not enough time to get any of it done.

But I’m glad I made the trip to see old friends and make new ones.

And I have to thank Sony and Kimberley Blaine for an amazingly fun and relaxing Moms, Photos & Fun event. I had a blast taking a break and I can’t wait for Brian Smith to reveal his masterpieces.

Using the panoramic option on the Sony Cybershot

mommy time out: last man standing lifetime movie premiere

This past week I had a chance to take a little break from all the mommy happenings, curl up on the couch and watch a movie. I needed the rest, since I injured my foot and needed to get off it. Luckily I was sent a screener copy of the new Lifetime movie premiering today, Monday, June 6 at 8pm.

The Last Man Standing is my favorite type of movie I love action thrillers and especially love them when they have a female lead. Last Man Standing is about a happy suburban wife and mother (Catherine Bell) who has been concealing her dark past as a military-trained special-ops agent from her family and friends until her husband is mysteriously kidnapped. She’s then forced to use her military training to save her husband and protect her daughter and uncover the mystery that has been haunting her for years. Mekhi Phifer and Anthony Hall co-star alongside Bell.

You can check out the movie preview online on MyLifetime.com.

Without giving away any real details – if you love thrillers, females that can kick butt, technology and a little mystery you will love The Last Man Standing.

Personally after seeing this movie I was telling my husband wouldn’t it be cool if they had a fitness class that teaches you all those cool special ops moves. Knowing how to take control over a situation physically seems like a pretty cool trait to have.

The Last Man Standing premiers tonight, MONDAY on Lifetime at 8pm, be sure to check your local listings for the correct channel.

P.S. I really want one of those computers…

protect your computer with avast! and enter to win a sony reader

I have this incredible knack of breaking down computers, catching viruses and burning up hard drives, it’s a talent, well more like a curse. I can guarantee that if there is a broken down computer in my house or one with a virus it’s probably owned by me. And my talent discriminates no one even my previous work computers have become victims.

It drives my husband crazy, I’ve gone through about three laptops compared to his one and his wasn’t even brand new when he purchased it. So whenever I need to buy a new computer he quickly updates it with the latest virus protection software most often before I’m allowed to do anything else.

I actually think most of my issues are cause by my heavy internet use and download addiction, while I’m careful to not download suspicious emails I do use a lot of open source software from the web, download a tone on e-books and other great tools – all in the name of improving my business, life and/or dinner choices.

hp goes tech at espn wide world of sports complex

HP Creates Hands-On Experience for Youth Athletes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney

Last week I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with the family in Orlando, FL for ESPN and the unveiling of the HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

First I have to say the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is HUGE and so is the Disney World area – totally trumping the size of Disneyland. The kids had a blast and so did we!

A little about the HP Field House
After a tour of the grounds of the ESPN sports complex the HP Field House was announced. It’s a 165,000 square foot, multi-purpose facility that accommodates any indoor sport and has been a cornerstone of ESPN Wide World of Sports since it opened in 1997. HP has enhanced the facility with touch-screen kiosks and one-of-a-kind, ready while you wait imaging area.

Beyond the HP Field House guests can interact with seven customized kiosks throughout the complex. The new HP TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PCs will guide users to field assignments, schedule updates, display game photos and video highlights, as well as provide general complex information. Sport fans, players and coaches alike can all create and share personalized avatars. These tailored avatars can be customized with your preferred jersey colors, skin tones and hair color.


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