"Project Natal" Xbox 360: It's All Fun And Games

I've heard rumors about "Project Natal" for Xbox 360 (pronounced Nay-tall), no controllers, no wires, just your body and your avatar..... really? Yes, Really!

My family and I were invited to a "sneak peek party" to play their first version of "Project Natal". Let's start with the name. In case you haven't heard of this from your kids yet- you will soon enough it'll be the new hot item to have and on every holiday wish list. Project Natal sounds a little like a science experiment crossed with a blockbuster spy movie starring Matt Damon. And that alone is intriguing to me. So hubby, neenie (g'ma), 10yr. old gamer, and I were off on our first "Project Natal" experience. We were greeted by the really friendly Project Natal Team of gals and given (to keep) a new handy dandy FlipCam to record ourselves while playing. We did not disappoint, silly we were!

Flip video coming soon....

It looks like we're going the hokey pokey I know, but by the looks on our faces you can see how much fun we were having. We were playing the only game they were sharing with us for now, Dodge Ball. More games will be released and another get together for playing is coming soon, I hope! My family had 3 generations at the party, this is fun for Grandparents, Parents, and of course kids~ It is so nice to find activities for kids to be interacting with adults that is fun for everyone and best of all it keeps you active!!!

*Warning: not recommended for couch potatoes!

Check out these posts from two of my ladies.....

So You Think You Can Mom?

And my sister's post with FlipCam video:

Moving Pictures

Thank you to The Project Natal Team for letting us be part of the Xbox 360 family!

We can't wait to play together again soon~

SV Moms Group LA and OC Bloggers Event

Ten Things I Learned At The SV Moms Group Event

• # 1 SV Moms Group announced the soon-to-launch Orange County Moms Blog

• # 2 SV Moms Group is one class act. They are commited to blogging education as well as the blogging community. These Mom Bloggers are a powerful group of women. I enjoyed meeting so many new faces and getting face time with bloggy friends.

• # 3 All this time I thought I needed Starbucks and all I needed was a Tassimo by Bosch Carmel Skinny Latte....."you had me at hello"
  
  
• # 4 Have you seen Stride Rite lately? They are cuter than ever, you've got to see the new Jessica Simpson line!
  
  
• # 5 There's a new cop on the block, err internet: Bitdefender, Internet Security. Maximum Security, Maximum Speed. This has it all people.... antivirus, antispyware, ID theft protection, antispam,file vault, gamer mode, IM encription, and my favorite parental control! Totally affordable-awesome. Keep your eye out for their newest program Bitmoms.com launching soon, the security resource for online moms. Bitmoms is an interactive website and social network to make the internet safer for families.
  


• #6 Inside The Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel is ENO, a wine, cheese, and chocolate tasting room. ENO features more than 300 wines.

• #7 Check out these nifty iGogreen gadgets at iGo.com. I was given a crazy cool Charge Anywhere... where have you been all my life?!?!?!

• # 8 A pair of Skechers Shape-ups were given to me and I will keep you posted on my results. I can't wait to shape up while I walk.
  
  
  
• # 9 New Cinnabon makes cupcakes! Delish.... enough said.

• # 10 Ju Ju Be - This is not your Mother's Diaper Bag!
  Yes, it's true.... Ju Ju Be makes the best diaper bag out there but I quickly found out (after winning one, love door prizes!) they make the best BAGS period, even if your not carrying diapers. I admit I quickly thought of my sister with a two year old to give my newly acquired Ju Ju Be bag to. But when I got it home and really got a good look at it I realized this is the perfect companion BAG to any family with kids (mine is 9). This BAG will hold so much the features are many. Let me explain a few of the "diaper bag" features that I will re purpose to work for my family.


• There is a memory foam changing pad that will be a perfect seat cushion for me at my son's baseball games. How awesome is that idea?!?!?!
  
• Bottle pockets with Thinsulate by 3M will fit bottles of water or Gatorade perfectly, and keep them cold to boot.


• There is a mom zippered pocket in front that will keep me organized with enough room to hold my phone, camera, flip, keys, and son's handheld game. I never have to loose my keys again.


• The entire bag is machine washable, air dry.


• They offer a Lifetime Warranty, (I didn't know those still existed)


• The inside is large enough to hold a beach towel or two, the inside has AgION, antimicrobial lining stops odor and prevents bacterial & fungal growth and is eco friendly! Which means a wet bathing suit will not ruin anything. YAY

~It is safe to say, there is a new Ju Ju Be in the family~

Photos courtesy of Carla Duharte Razura babyjidesigns.com

Want a chance to win a

Ju Ju Be of your very own?

Here's your chance... click here to find out how!

Enter the Real Mom Giveaway (a bag a week)

Got Milk? Yes We Do!

Building a strong family is one of my jobs as a mom.
Milk makes it easy for me. I know at every meal I'm giving my son stronger bones and a great source of protein. Chocolate milk is a great option for a sweet treat or with an after school snack.

And speaking of after school, thanks to my new friends at whymilk.com for the invitation to hang out and Chill after school in "The Backyard" of the swanky W Hotel. The W has created a hybrid ice skating rink right in their own Winter Wonderland Backyard The kids had a great time playing, ice skating, and of course drinking milk....... all on a perfect sunny California day.

I'd like to share with you

The Great Gallon Give

Just launched, a program to help make it eaiser for moms everywhere to put milk on their family's table in 2010.

Want to help?

Calling all Facebook Fans

Help families in need by passing a virtual gallon of milk to friends on Facebook (Facebook.com/MilkMustache.) For every virtual gallon passed, $1 (up to $100,000) will go to Feeding America.

A gift for you...

Click here for your free milk with purchase coupons

Remember when your mother used to say "Drink Your Milk"? Lucky for my generation, it seems Grandmas are more involved than ever with their grandchildren.
I'd like to raise a glass to my Mom for raising milk loving kids and grandkids-

Thanks for everything you do Mom, I love you! We couldn't wait to pose for our Milk Mustache photos
Check out this great post from my sister in real life....

aka Shutter Sister, Tracey Clark.

Thank you Chris Polk for making us feel like "stars" for a day. Our Milk Mustache photos were taken by the awesome Mark Davis. Thank you to Brian, I look forward to meeting you some day. Abby, Sarah and Shannon you gals are great, thanks for having us!

Welcome My Old Friend

Dear Friend... 2010,

It's a new day.

As I tried on 2010 to see how it felt, I recognized the warm embrace just as if I've been here before. I do admire you, all shiny and new. Thank you for all the gifts you'll bring to my life. I look forward to the exciting adventure you have for my family. I am giddy to begin making memories each 365 days we spend together!

I am strong, I am ready, and I am so glad you're here!

Disney Holiday Magic

Disney On Ice

Presents

Worlds of Fantasy

Believe it or not, I have never been to a Disney on Ice show. My family and I are very excited to see tonight's opening show at The Honda Center. Our family has made this a Christmas gift!This holiday treat is an event we will be sharing with grandma, cousins, aunts and uncles. There is a princess pre-show that starts at 6:30pm. The feature show begins at 7:30pm and is 2 hours long with an intermission.

Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy will be at The Honda Center, Anaheim, December 22-27; Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, December 30- January 3; and The Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, January 6-10, 2010.

Special promotion for HappyHourMom readers use the

coupon code MOM when ordering tickets.

You will receive 4 tickets for $44.

Order online www.disneyonice.com or www.ticketmaster.com

or by calling (800) 745-3000

*Opening night all tickets are $12. (all seats excluding front row and VIP)

Tickets prices are $16.,$20., $25., $45., $65.

Disneyland's Newest Princess

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog are coming to Disneyland. To meet and greet the Royal couple, check the Times Guide when you arrive at Disneyland Park

Click here to read about Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!!!

Special Offer for Annual Passholders~

Visit Disneyland before November 22 and receive a free movie ticket voucher to see

Walt Disney Pictures

The Princess and the Frog

at a participating theater near you only between 12/11/09 and 12/31/09.

Wicked Fun for Everyone!

Wicked Family Fun ~ Disney Style!

I love looking back at our Halloween memories year after year... remember these? (click here)

This was Kaia Rae's first official year Trick or Treating... as she toddled to each candy station instead of saying trick or treat she would ask "pleeease"- so sweet!

Nick collects candy with a character from Meet the Robinsons.

~Fairies of all ages are still granted permission to find their inner magic~

"Oh, look at the sky Mom!!!! How did they do that????"

My response "Disney thinks of everything," of course!

"SPOOKY SKY"