Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Coming Soon: Apple TV GIVEAWAY

Jodi Whisenhunt — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:14:36 +0000

Famous Free Samples’ Apple TV Giveaway Event

Sign-ups are now open for Famous Free Samples’ latest giveaway event!

This event is free to join with an announcement post. If you don’t wish to post the announcement, please send the $5 non-post fee to tiphero@gmail.com
You’ll receive 1 free link for participating (either Twitter or Pinterest)
Additional links (RSS/Email, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest) are available for $5 each
Sign-ups for this event end on May 20th
Event runs from May 22 – June 5
Prize: An Apple TV (in the form of a $100 Apple Gift Card)

Please send all payments to tiphero@gmail.com as a “gift” via PayPal.

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The post Coming Soon: Apple TV GIVEAWAY originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Coming Soon: Closet Maid Organizer GIVEAWAY

Jodi Whisenhunt — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:54:19 +0000

Hosted by: Everything Mommyhood

Seeing Success Already with #NSNation Week 2 #sponsored

Jodi Whisenhunt — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:30:21 +0000

I don’t weigh in every day, because if I do, I obsess and get anxious. So I wait for my weekly date with the scale. After just 2 weeks into the Nutrisystem program, I almost hoped my date would stand me up. I think I just worry it’s not going to work. Actually, I think it’s that I simply cannot believe that eating so much regular food could drop any weight. But guess what? I’m down another 3 pounds!

On day 1, I weighed in at 152.4, and today my scale says 146.4! I’m so excited to see results happening so quickly—and I still can’t believe that real food eaten in the right way really is making a difference in my weight and health.

Before I go on raving about this program, let me make a quick confession. Last Friday, the very day I cheered about losing those first 3 pounds, I woke up craving a Whataburger Chophouse Cheddar Burger. Um, yeah. I did my morning routine, had a Nutrisystem breakfast entrée and a protein shake. But by mid-morning snack time, that burger craving was too strong to resist, and yes, I caved. I took the kids to Whataburger for lunch. That burger was sooooo tasty! But I didn’t eat it all. I found myself full after eating about 2/3 of it and some French fries (yes, ugh, I had those too), and I put it aside. I felt so guilty!!! I finished the day well with an Nutrisystem dinner entrée and dessert—like I needed dessert after having a greasy burger.

Well, the next day I read more of my program booklet where it discusses learning to eat out again. Now, I know I’m nowhere near that point, but I like to prepare for what’s ahead, and I was still feeling guilty for my cheat. So anyway, it turns out that a plain, small-sized burger on a whole grain bun is not necessarily a no-no. In fact, a burger patty is one of the Nutrisystem dinner entrees. What IS the big no-no is all the cheese and sauce and “stuff” you put on it. My Whataburger was double meat with cheese and grilled onions on a non-whole grain bun, and my fries were, well, fried. In the future when I’m craving a burger, I can choose a healthier option with lean beef, whole grain, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and raw onions. That will still satisfy a craving but it can be worked into a well-balanced day. I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but knowing that I don’t have to completely cut out foods I truly enjoy (albeit they’re not the greatest for me) helps me feel better about being able to eventually transition off the program. I feel like I won’t be deprived of those bad-for-me goodies.

That may sound strange, but being disallowed to enjoy cheat foods from time to time has been a bane of my weight loss struggles in the past. Sometimes I just want a burger, you know? And when I’m told I can never have one again, I rebel and then mess up in a big way. So this is one thing I’m loving about Nutrisystem—that I’m learning the right way to eat ALL foods. And no, I’m not going to be eating burgers every day, but I’m learning the right way to do it if that happens to be on the menu—like when I’m at Disney in September. (By the way, even with that Whataburger, I still came in under 2,000 calories for the day!)

I haven’t had any other cheats since last Friday, and I’m still enjoying all the meals. Well, almost all of them. I’m not thrilled with their tomato-based pasta sauces. They remind me of Spaghettios, which I’m not a big fan of. The Alfredo pasta sauce was not real satisfying either, but a little extra garlic and some pepper perked it right up. A couple of the dishes I’ve really liked were the turkey medallions with mashed potatoes dinner entrée and the lunch melts, which resemble Hot Pockets (but a whole lot better & made with real food). I know I’m off to a great start here, and I can’t wait to see continued progress. Please continue to follow my journey here, with new #NSNation posts each Friday.

I am being provided the Nutrisystem Women’s SUCCESS Select Program free of charge as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program in exchange for blogging/twittering/facebooking about my weight loss journey while on Nutrisystem. No other compensation has been offered. All statements and opinions are my own. Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program.

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The post Seeing Success Already with #NSNation Week 2 #sponsored originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

Jodi Whisenhunt — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:30:14 +0000

Please welcome a very special Guest and dear friend of mine, Charlene Hanyzewski of 3D Travel Company! Charlene is a longtime Disney fan who successfully homeschooled all three of her now-grown children. She is not only a Travel Specialist with 3D, but she is also the coordinator for The Ultimate Field Trip! Learn more about Char at her Facebook page or contact her at (219) 923-4139 to book your next Disney vacation!

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

Late 2012, amidst the spectacular opening of the New Fantasyland over at Magic Kingdom® Park, and Test Track at Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ unveiled an attraction I’m looking forward to during my next Walt Disney World vacation in September—The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow. Now, I know this is not the main reason you book a Disney vacation—it’s more of a B Ticket attraction—however, B Ticket attractions have a great place in my Disney experience.

I also happen to be a Captain Jack fan.

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow makes great use of high-tech project mapping technology using every square inch of available space, immersing you, IF YOU DARE TO JOIN, into a world where you can be tested by sea storms! Take the Pirate’s oath and join the crew! Stomp your feet and sing “Yo Ho, Yo Ho.”

Kids love this sort of thing—and I do too! One reason I keep going back to Walt Disney World is because I can let loose, sing “Yo Ho, Yo Ho a Pirate’s Life for Me,” or “it’s a small world” a dozen times if I feel like it. I can skip to my next destination, wear a hat with Mickey ears, and sprinkle pixie dust all over if I want to, and not be judged!

It’s hard to miss this…

..but in case you’re looking for it on the map, it’s between Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and Toy Story Midway Mania on Pixar Place.

Disney stays consistent. Like other Park attractions, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow features a queue, preshow, and then the show. Take a look behind the scenes with the show’s Imagineer designers at the creation of The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Char!

Today’s Takeaway:
Now, are you rough and tough enough to join Captain Jack’s crew? Take this test from Pirate_freak at nerdtests.com to determine your pirate character, discover your pirate name at Pirate Quiz, and then visit Talk Like a Pirate to learn some pirate lingo.

According to the nerdtest, “You are a pirate, and proud of it. You are a little cruel sometimes, however. By the way, you are Davy Jones.”

And according to the Pirate Quiz, my name is

My pirate name is:

Mad Bess Flint

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. Like the rock flint, you’re hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you’re easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

And to that I say Aaaarr, matey!

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Recess
SKILL LEVEL: All in good fun!
*A few of the words/questions may not be appropriate for young children. Parents, use your own judgement.

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The post The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Citizens of Hollywood

Jodi Whisenhunt — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:30:20 +0000

*** Warning: The below material is excerpted from a published book. Do NOT copy. ***

I’ve been ill this week and was not able to write up a new article for today. So instead, I’m giving you an excerpt from MAGICAL MOUSE SCHOOLHOUSE: Learn While You Play at Walt Disney World Resort (page 131)! I hope you enjoy this peek into the book! Remember it’s still on sale at Amazon for just $11.65.

“Welcome to Hollywood!” Since opening day in 1989, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM Studios), a cast of living characters has greeted, entertained and interacted with Guests as they walk along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.

The Citizens of Hollywood were the brainchild of Imagineer C. McNair Wilson. He referred to the troop as Streetmosphere, because it was an avenue of entertainment that, true to Disney style, plussed the street performance experience and enhanced the atmosphere of the Park. Disney’s Hollywood Studios placed Guests right into the movies, and when the actors, wannabes and talent agents are right there among them, visitors are fully immersed in what the Park represents.

My family has been pulled into the act a couple times now, and it really makes our whole day! One time, my teen son was wearing calf-high black socks with white Vans and athletic shorts. Teen fashion says it’s stylish, but Studios Mogul Shelby Mayer disagreed so firmly he gave my son $1,000,000 to buy new socks. Too bad it wasn’t legal tender.

On our most recent visit, German film director Otto Von Bonn Bahn and actress Dorma Nesmond were busy shooting a scene. Poor Dorma couldn’t get the lines right, though, and was very easily distracted by all the handsome men walking past. Meanwhile Otto feigned frustration at the interruptions and shouted in a thick accent, “No pictures, please!” while, of course, posing debonair for Guest photos.

The back story for each character is unique, but all are set around the year 1947. The actors research the time period, learning the hit songs of 1947, Academy Award-winning films of 1947, and other information pertinent to that era, so they can stay true to character. Go ahead! Try to stump them. They’ll have an answer for you even if they have to make it up.

Studios Central has a complete listing of the current Citizens of Hollywood roster, complete with bios and film snippets. Check it out, and next time you’re at DHS, play along. After all, when you enter those gates, you’re in the movies!

Today’s Takeaway:
One million dollars is a lot of money, especially by 1947 standards! My son could have bought a whole bunch of socks with that.

Today, teach your kids the value of the dollar. U.S. dollar bills measure approximately 2-1/2 inches by 6 inches. Make play money by cutting out green construction paper rectangles with those dimensions. Decorate your currency as you desire. Maybe instead of George Washington, you might draw Mickey Mouse (as we learned to draw him last week), or place a sticker in the center.

Assign varying amounts to your “dollars” and arrange them in stacks. You may also want to create coins using gray construction paper for quarters, dimes and nickels, and orange for pennies. To make “coins,” simply trace the shape and cut it out.

While the children are busy making money (haha!), have one parent place Post-it Note pricetags on food and grocery items in your kitchen. One million is probably too much to work with, so why not give each child $100 in play money. Discuss with them the things you buy when you grocery shop. Ask them to list things they think they would need or want. Then send them shopping in your kitchen pantry.

Let them shop one time without much assistance to see if they can “purchase” all their items with their $100. How’d they do? Take time to discuss estimating costs and budgeting. Help them rework their lists and give it another try.

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Economics
SKILL LEVEL: Elementary

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The post Citizens of Hollywood originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Mosaic Reviews: Bardin & Marsee Waterproof Bible

Jodi Whisenhunt — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:07:30 +0000

I got to review a product this month that the whole family had a blast testing! It seemed almost blasphemous, though, because we were literally putting a Bible through the ringer. And I do mean the ringer—we dunked it in the bathtub, left it out in the rain, dropped it in mud puddles, highlighted passages, tried to tear pages, wrote in it, scribbled on it, played catch with it, left it in a bag of baseball gear, read it in a tent, splattered cooking oil on it—I think that’s all. Why would we do all this to a Bible? Because the publisher asked us to!

The Bible I received is the Waterproof Bible (King James Version, New Testament plus Psalms and Proverbs) from
Bardin & Marsee Publishing. The creators designed it when their own need arose. Being active, outdoors people, they wanted to be able to take God’s Word with them on hikes, camping trips, canoeing adventures, or other activities, but were afraid to damage their good Bibles. After all, leather may come from cows, but it just doesn’t take too many beatings, and that onion-skin paper, well, the name says it all.

So what they came up with is an ultra-durable product that can pretty much take whatever torture you or nature can dole out. Everything wipes clean. Nothing stains the cover or any of the pages. The binding is sewn and then glued with special waterproof materials, so there’s no concern for it simply falling apart. The cover and pages can be bent but not torn. Dry highlighters retain vibrancy and do not smear. Ball point pen even left permanent marks, but we had to make sure the ink was dry before closing the page.

The only drawback is the time it takes to dry out the book if it gets completely submerged in water (like a lake or the beach…or even the waves of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon!). When we dunked ours in the tub, we made sure it got a thorough soaking. We then squeezed it out, as is advised and set it out to dry. For about the next 24-36 hours, water droplets continued to ooze from between the pages, although the Bible felt dry to the touch. It was weird! I think the Bible would still be usable while it dries, but you probably wouldn’t want to pack it in anything you don’t want wet.

Overall, I think it’s a wonderful product! No complaints here. Available in New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs as well as complete Bibles, in ESV, KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NLT translations, and are customizable. Visit www.waterproofbible.com to see all options and to learn more about the product.

As the overwrap says, “The durability of the WATERPROOF BIBLE gives you the freedom to take God’s Word with you anywhere—boating, traveling, camping…with worry free confidence that your Bible will withstand the test of time.” Now you can confidently take God’s Word into God’s world and be inspired anywhere!

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The post Mosaic Reviews: Bardin & Marsee Waterproof Bible originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Wordless Wednesday: The Letter K

Jodi Whisenhunt — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:30:06 +0000

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The post Wordless Wednesday: The Letter K originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Tiggerific Tuesday Trivia: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster

Jodi Whisenhunt — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:00:20 +0000

Did you know today’s Tiggerific Tuesday Trivia about the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster?

The Fender Stratocaster guitar at the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster entrance is 15 times normal size. To celebrate the first anniversary of the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster attraction, Walt Disney World built a Stratocaster in the parking lot make out of Chevy Corvettes!

Photo via purchased Disney PhotoPass stock photo CD

get the InLinkz code

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The post Tiggerific Tuesday Trivia: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza

Jodi Whisenhunt — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:30:57 +0000

Photo via Disney Parks

Disney’s Hollywood Studios pays homage to stars of both the silver screen and the small screen. One very special area honoring past and present television greats—one that is often overlooked—is the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza.

Located outdoors along the northeastern side of the American Idol Experience/Sounds Dangerous building, facing the serene shore of Echo Lake, and open daily during regular park hours, is a very unique garden. Plants, however, are not ornamental here; bronze busts are!

Photo used by permission from wdwnews.com, Scott Miller, photographer

On display at Hall of Fame Plaza are strikingly detailed, sculptured likenesses of celebrity icons who have had such a big impact on television’s success through the years that they’ve been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. The exhibit rotates the featured icons periodically. TV legends currently in the gallery are

Lucille Ball
Oprah Winfrey
Bob Newhart
Dick Clark
Bill Cosby
Andy Griffith
Walt Disney

Today’s Takeaway:
Sculpt a doll! The Doll Makers Dream Polymer Clay Art Dolls by Amanda Day blog offers a 45-step tutorial (with photos accompanying each step) in creating a doll face with polymer clay. Whether you intend to make a permanent, baked clay creation or simply experiment with Play-Doh, her techniques are simple to follow.

Photo from Doll Makers Dream

Older or more artistically-inclined children may want to work with polymer clay. Younger students may find Play-Doh more workable. When your doll face is done, use yarn, doll hair pieces from a craft store, stuffed animal “fur” fragments, or other materials to create hair and decorate your doll.

Steps 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-24, 25-28, 29-32, 33-36, 37-40, 41-45

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Art
SKILL LEVEL: Middle Grades, High School

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The post Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Merida’s Royal Coronation at Walt Disney World Resort

Jodi Whisenhunt — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:11:42 +0000

Photo provide to me by Disney PR

Photo provided to me by Disney PR

On this day before Mother’s Day, the famous mother-daughter duo from Disney∙Pixar’s Brave joined the entire Disney Princess court in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World‘s Magic Kingdom for one grand regalia! In a touching moment of love and respect that highlighted the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, Queen Elinor crowned her daughter Merida, officially inducting her into the Disney Princess royal court.

Photo provided to me by Disney PR

Olympic gymnastics gold medalist and all-around champion, Gabby Douglas, hosted the celebration accompanied by her mother, and shared her personal story of strength, perseverance and courage to win gold. Also on hand to join in on the festivities were British singers Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland, who celebrated their inner princess by performing an original song on stage.

Photo provided to me by Disney PR

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The post Merida’s Royal Coronation at Walt Disney World Resort originally appeared on Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. Think outside the textbook and expand your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment! ©2012 Magical Mouse Schoolhouse