LaptopTelevision Archive at Laptop Television Mom

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Celebrating my Daughter’s Birthday with Abby Cadabby

Sept. 30 is a very special day in our house. It’s my daughter’s birthday, and this year we celebrate FOUR wonderful years of parenthood. I can’t wait to help my little girl blow out four pink candles and remind her how much I love her!

On a lighter note, I just have to say this: shopping for a four-year-old girl’s birthday is a blast. I might have gone a little overboard, but she is getting practical gifts (new jeans and a Fall jacket) and the totally impractical (pink junior golf clubs and a new Barbie doll). All are wrapped in pink Princess paper, and I hope all are enjoyed.

There is one more special gift on the way, the newest Sesame Street DVD called"Abby in Wonderland" featuring the adorable Abby Cadabby, which is available on Sept. 30. I was lucky enough to get a preview copy at this year’s BlogHer conference in San Francisco. (Wrote about the amazing Sesame Street suite HERE.) If you need a gift for a little one who loves pink fairy wings and has a vivid imagination, you can’t go wrong with Abby’s latest adventures!

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 29, 2008

in The Kid

. 2 Comments

Celebrating my birthday at Disneyland

Listen up, LTV Husband! Here’s how I want to celebrate my next birthday!

NEWS FLASH: In 2009, Come to a Disney Park on Your Birthday and Get In Free!

Press Release Says: Everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort
theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free, as Disney Parks
embraces a newly identified family-travel trend called "celebration
vacations."

Disney parks are the ultimate setting for any celebration, turning a
special occasion into a magical Disney experience. And with the
opportunity of free admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland
Resort theme park on your birthday in 2009, it’s even more special. All
it takes is a valid ID including proof of birth date. Guests can get
more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at www.disneyparks.com.

LTV Mom Says: Book my plane ticket now, I’m going to Disneyland in February 2009! Here we come, Mickey!

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 18, 2008

in Trying to be Cool

. 0 Comments

My friends are so cool!

Wow, it turns out I have very cool friends (way cooler than I will ever be). Here are two recent blog posts worth your time:

My Day with Martha
Many of my fellow bloggers from New York City Moms Blog and New Jersey Moms Blog were invited to attend a taping of the Martha Stewart Show on Sept. 17. One of them — Deborah from Jersey Bites — even made a guest-appearance on the Food Channel Blog.

Guest Celebrity Blogger Leslie Segrete
You may know her from TLC’s While You Were Out and Trading Spaces, but the the bloggers at Graco sat down with her for this Q&A on their blog. Very cool, Erin!

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 18, 2008

in Trying to be Cool

. 1 Comment

SNL: Tina Fey as Palin, Amy Poehler as Clinton

Brilliant. I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler… and, even though I make a point not to blog about politics, I am (still) a Hillary Clinton supporter. If you happened to miss the SNL skit with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler at Hillary Clinton, click HERE to watch the clip.

In addition, a great recap and transcript can be found on the Silicon Valley Moms Blog, written by my friend at Techmamas.

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 14, 2008

in Politics

. 1 Comment

9/11: In memory and honor

Please, let’s remember this historical day together.

– Visit the 9/11 Digital Archive HERE.
– Visit the news archive HERE.
– Remember the day via photos HERE.
– Discover the NY Times "Portraits in Grief" found HERE.

Regardless of your political beliefs, let’s band together to remember and honor those who died on this tragic day.

God Bless America.

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 11, 2008

in LTV Mom Headlines

. 0 Comments

WINOS Pick of the Week: Ceago Del Lago Cab

My husband
and I were introduced to a wonderful new wine over the weekend. Our
friends shared a fantastic Cabernet from Ceago winery in Lake County, Calif. The winery says
the wine tastes of "red cherry, mocha, cinnamon and spice." I
agree, and more importantly, I thought it was drinkable, flavorful and very
complementary of the dinner I served.

This cab was
a great addition to my self-proclaimed gourmet BBQ (think steak burgers, and
potatoes with arugula, bacon and Gruyere cheese). The cab was smooth and
easy to drink. I highly recommend it, and think it would be good with or
without food.

After
our party finished the bottle, I decided to research the
winery online. I discovered the grapes are grown in the unique style of Biodynamics. According to the winery web
site: “Biodynamics is a science of life-forces, a recognition of the basic
principles at work in nature, and an approach to agriculture which takes these
principles into account to bring about balance and healing. Biodynamics is an
ongoing path of knowledge rather than an assemblage of methods and techniques.”

In my mind,
the most important part of biodynamics farming is that “no use of chemically
synthesized fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fumigants, no hormones,
antibiotics, growth regulators or GMOs.”

Finally, the
winery also says “each farm is a living entity and has its own
individuality.” As a Midwestern girl who
loves her California wine, I love this
motto and I love this wine.

The Ceago winery is open for tasting and tours, or you can order wine HERE. Enjoy!

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 7, 2008

in WINOS Pick of the Week

. 1 Comment

Project Runway: Diane von Furstenberg

If you read my blog, you know I love Project Runway and the gorgeous Heidi Klum. Well, I have to say, last night’s episode was the ultimate because it featured one of my favorite designers, Diane von Furstenberg. She is one classy lady and one of the few designers where I love everything in her collections. She invented the wrap-dress, and her clothes are consistently flattering and stunning to even a curvy woman.

Ms. Diane was the star of last night’s Project Runway as she greeted the contestants and welcomed them into her studio. The challenge was to make an outfit to fit in her 2008 Fall collection called "Foreign Affair" and the best part is she allowed the designers to use her fabrics.

I have to say, it was the best Project Runway fashion show this season. I thought the designers did a great job capturing the DvF spirit and class. (Well, most of them tried to capture her class.)

Now, here is the best part… the winning dress, created by Leanne, is available for American Express cardholders. If you have an extra $650 in your wallet, you can order the dress HERE. Of course, if you want to try a DvF dress at a slightly better price, check out the DvF section on Bluefly.com.

(Thanks to Blogging Project Runway for the photo.)

Published

LaptopTelevision

on September 4, 2008

in Laptop Television

. 1 Comment

Shawn Johnson and David Letterman

In case you missed it, here is a clip from Shawn Johnson’s appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. Other appearances this week: leading the pledge of allegiance at the DNC and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno!

Published

LaptopTelevision

on August 27, 2008

in Shawn Johnson

. 1 Comment

Movie must-see: Young at Heart

I have a 3-year-old. I have a husband. I have a home. I have a full-time job. I do NOT have time to see movies in the theaters. Sigh.

Regardless, many months ago, I saw a segment on the Today show highlighting a choir comprised of fantastic senior citizens called the Young at Heart Chorus. This choir is now featured in a heart-warming movie called Young@Heart. I was lucky enough to see the movie en route to vacation… and was not ashamed to cry on the plane. Tears of complete laughter… and tears of sincere sadness.

I tell you this: see this movie. It’s a great look at how important and how impactful senior citizens can be to our lives. This group of singers — belting out contemporary music from Coldplay to Bruce Springsteen to The Ramones — proves that people have something to share regardless of age. (You will never laugh as hard as I did to seeing 80 and 90-year olds singing "I wanna be sedated.")

The documentary reminds us that ALL people need to feel valued, loved and worthy. Many of the choir singers are dealing with serious health issues, and they choose to attend choir practice because they need to feel like they have something important to contribute to society.

As the movie progresses, we learn that the singers are working toward a concert in a major theater. To practice and prepare, the choir performs at a local jail, and the talent and the honesty they share had the prisoners (and me!) in tears. We also share in the sadness and angst when choir members die before the big concert… and how the compassionate and brave singers rally to ensure the show will go on.

Okay, I am gushing. But it’s no secret that I have a soft-spot for senior citizens. I find them wise, experienced and valuable. See this movie, and you will agree.

Published

LaptopTelevision

on August 25, 2008

in Film

. 4 Comments

Shawn Johnson wins GOLD on balance beam!

I loved watching the Olympics this year. I wrote about Shawn Johnson multiple times, and she made her country so proud. She is an Olympic medalist who won with grace, style and humility. The United States, and her hometown of West Des Moines, are very proud of her performance and sportsmanship.