4/29/12: St. Margaret's Acceptance Ceremony

Here is Evan at Church today.  St. Margaret's did an acceptance ceremony for all 1st graders in religious education.

 They each got called up and received a necklace.

 Here is Evan showing me his necklace.

Here he is with his friend Tanya.  They take religious education with John and Tanya's dad Nick who is Evan's Godfather. 

 Here are the proud teachers/Dads with their students.

Then we went out to dinner with Nana, Papa, Nonna, and Nonno to celebrate.

4/29/12: Imagination Movers Rock-o-Matic Show

We got to go to see the Imagination Movers at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston yesterday.  We watch them on Disney Junior so it was great to see them live.  What a fun show!  Their motto:

“Reach high, think big, work hard, have fun!”

 Here are the kids ready for the show.

 This was the kids first real concert.  The show was like a rock concert.  They also played some cool music that the adults enjoyed too like Rock This Way.

 They are really talented musicians and started this group with songs they created for their kids in 2003.  They are New Orleans friends – Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty” Smith. Two years later, they became a kid's music sensation.

 Here is Rich.  He came out in to the audience and the kids got to slap hands with him.

Here is some video:

What a great show!

Disclosure:  We were provided 4 tickets to the show for review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

4/29/12: Happy Blogoversary to Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog!

I can hardly believe that on April 28th it was my Blogs 4 Year Blogoversary! 

Wow how time flies, and how far we have come.  Here was my Welcome Post 4 Years ago!

4/27/12: alternaVites Kids Giveaway and Review

CONTEST CLOSED:  Congratulations Diane for winning!

We got to try alternaVites Kids vitamins recently.  Just as the name says, it is an alternative to a traditional vitamin.  alternaVites for kids is the only children’s multivitamin & mineral designed to be sprinkled on the tongue.  Think of a Pixie Stick or Fun Dip.  Read on to win a one month supply and get a discount code. 

Lauren loved it!

 Evan loves pixie sticks so he liked it too.  However I think he would like the Raspberry Cotton Candy flavor better.  We received Strawberry Bubble Gum which isn't his favorite flavor.

 You sprinkle it on your tongue and then let it dissolve and keep doing this till the whole dose is done.

 You can also mix it in to yogurt, shakes, smoothies, or pudding.

 How is the product unique?

• It melts in your mouth

• One-of-a-kind crystal powder delivery form

• Contains 0 grams of sugar

• Free of aspartame and high fructose corn syrup

• Does not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.

• Is carefully formulated with ingredients that do not contain the major food allergens (egg, milk, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish)

• Has no animal products or by products

• Certified kosher pareve
Use the discount code moms20 to get 20% off of your order at the alternavites.com

Here are more details:

 Here is the Strawberry Bubble Gum one month supply we received.  I tried it too and liked the taste.

Here is how to enter to Win a Month's Supply of alternaVites Kids!

1 entry for each item:

Mandatory Entry:

- Tell me what flavor of alternaVites Kids would you like to try the most from the alternaVites Website.  (comment section at the bottom). Note if you are logging in anonymously please include your email so I can contact you.  Make sure you see comment posted.

Additional Entries Optional:

- Like Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog on Facebook and then comment here that you did.

- Subscribe to Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog (and verify the subscription to be valid) and leave a separate comment that you did.

- Subscribe via Google Friend Connect to Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog (on the Right hand side) and leave a comment that you did.

- Already a subscriber (thank you) then leave a comment stating you are.

- Share this link on your Facebook page and leave a comment here stating you did.

- Follow me on Twitter @galiberti If you already follow me, just leave a comment here that you are a Follower.

- Tweet this Giveaway (you can do this daily): #Win a one month supply of @alternaVites Kids Vitamins from @galiberti http://bit.ly/IeDZHp #Giveaway

Contest closes Thursday, May 17th, 2012.  US residents only. 

Winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Disclosure:  I received alternaVites Kids for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

4/25/12: Ditson's 2nd Annual Walk-a-Thon for Healthy Living

Our Spring Fundraiser is a Walk-a-Thon for Healthy Living.  I love this idea, the kids get to learn about healthy living, go outside to enjoy walking, and have a great time!  Plus they raised $11,000!  Here is the 1st Grade Class.

 I got to organize the event this year with my Co-Vice President.  We had the kids make pennants in Art class, plus write/draw something that represented healthy living.  Plus we had raffles for the kids with sports equipment and gift certificates to area businesses.  I was lucky enough to get GymStreet USA and Ellen's School of Dance to donate.  Here I am with Evan!

 Evan all excited to go on his walk.

 You have to stretch before you exercise.

 Here they are all stretching.

 Coming round the bend.

 Evan walking with Daddy.

 Then they all got a juice pop and water.

 Evan's class.

 Kids from his class enjoying the snack.

 We had signs posted around the walk.

 Each class made a pennant for the banner.

 What a great day!

I can't wait till next year!

4/24/12: GymStreet USA Parent's Night Out - Kids Movie Night

Trying to get out for a date night with your significant other and can't due to lack of baby sitting?  I have the solution for you and a treat for Mom for Mom's Day.  Movie Night at GymStreet USA.
May 4th 5:30-9:00 pm - Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

More details:So, what is Movie Night? Well it's where you purchase a ticket for your child and/or their friends, drop them off at GymStreet USA and they get to watch an age appropriate movie, along with the following:

•Movie (ages 4-13) – Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
•Dinner (pizza & drinks)
•Snack (popcorn of course)
•Activities: inflatable jumper time, gym games, tumble trak, foam pit, relay races, parachute (younger ages), dodge ball or volley ball (older ages) and much more!!

During movie night, we want all of the kids to be comfortable, so each child is allowed to bring the following:

•Sleeping bag or something comfortable to lie on, like a blanket
•Pillow
•Appropriate pajamas
Because of the amount of time the kids will be at GymStreet during Movie Night, only ages 4 and above can attend.
Pricing:
•Non-Members: $25.00
•Members: $20.00
•Additional Siblings: $15.00
•Tickets NOT purchased 24 hrs in advance will be subject to an additional $10 fee
To reserve your tickets, please visit our facility or call us at (978) 694-9678. Also, all children must have a signed waiver if you’re not a current member of GymStreet USA.

More about the movie from my previous post:

Everyone’s favorite chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore, and their female companions, The Chipettes, have the time of their lives during a family vacation they’ll never forget in ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED, debuting on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on March 27 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.The hilarious live-action comedy will also be available as an exciting “Island Adventure” edition on Blu-ray and 2-Disc DVD, filled with tons of fun for the whole family to enjoy. 

The Chipmunks, Chipettes and their caretaker Dave Sevelle (Jason Lee; “My Name is Earl”) embark on a trip of a lifetime aboard the Carnival Dream cruise ship. Seeking fun and excitement, the Chipmunks turn the luxury cruise liner into their own personal playground. But the ultimate vacation quickly becomes a disaster when the Chipmunks, Dave and Carnival cruise pelican mascot, who turns out to be the chipmunks’ old manager, Ian Hawke (David Cross; Megamind), accidentally fall overboard and find themselves ‘Chipwrecked’ on a remote island. Stuck in an unfamiliar territory, the six furry castaways are separated from Dave and must figure out a way to survive on their own for the first time in their lives.

Written and produced by husband and wife duo Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED features a star-studded voice cast with Justin Long (Dodgeball) as Alvin, Mathew Gray Gubler (“Criminal Minds”) as Simon, Jesse McCartney (Horton Hears a Who!) as Theodore, Christina Applegate (“Up All Night) as Brittany, Anna Faris (What’s Your Number?) as Jeanette, and Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”) as Eleanor.

Alvin and the Chipmunks has received several awards including five Grammy Awards®, two Kids Choice Awards®, and an American Music Awards®, among others.

Disclosure: I receive discounts on my daughter's Gymnastics in exchange for posts for GymStreet USA.

4/22/12: Dizzy Dancer Giveaway and Review

CONTEST CLOSED:  Congratulations Rhonda for winning!
Have you heard of FurReal Friends Dizzy Dancers from Hasbro yet?  My kids have and they love playing with them.  Read on and you can win one!

I got to see these for the first time at Toy Fair at the Hasbro Mr. Potato Head Party.

We have the Twirlicious Collection RozPawz Pet:

The idea is simple.  Put the Dizzy Cord in, pull it out, and watch them spin.

Here is Evan trying it out.  Please note he is wearing an Angels hat because that is the baseball team he is on.  We are really Red Sox fans.

 Lauren spinning hers.

Here is some video of Lauren showing us how it works.  I love when she says "Watch and learn".

They love seeing where they can make her spin.  Here she is on top of a marker.

We also have PeneloPaw.  See her spinning on the kitchen table in our doll house.

Even on top of the coasters.

And on a car.

Here is a very short video of this:

And spinning together.

Here is how to enter to Win a Dizzy Dancer of your very own!

1 entry for each item:

Mandatory Entry:

- Tell me which Dizzy Dancer you like best on the Hasbro Website.  (comment section at the bottom). Note if you are logging in anonymously please include your email so I can contact you.  Make sure you see comment posted.

Additional Entries Optional:

- Like Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog on Facebook and then comment here that you did.

- Like Hasbro on Facebook and then comment here that you did.

- Subscribe to Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog (and verify the subscription to be valid) and leave a separate comment that you did.

- Subscribe via Google Friend Connect to Evan and Lauren's Cool Blog (on the Right hand side) and leave a comment that you did.

- Already a subscriber (thank you) then leave a comment stating you are.

- Share this link on your Facebook page and leave a comment here stating you did.

- Follow me on Twitter @galiberti If you already follow me, just leave a comment here that you are a Follower.

- Follow @HasbroNews on Twitter and leave a comment here that you are a Follower.

- Tweet this Giveaway (you can do this daily): #Win a Dizzy Dancer from @galiberti http://bit.ly/JrFm5u @HasbroNews #Giveaway

Contest closes Saturday, May 12th, 2012.  US residents only. 

Winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Disclosure:  I received these Dizzy Dancers for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.