Wordless Wednesday

What we can learn from the Grinch

“And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?

It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

My daughter and I have already watched the Grinch (the original & Jim Carrey’s version) about six or seven times already this December. I think there is much to be learned from the Grinch’s story and Cindy Loo Hoo, who despite the community’s fear and disgust with the Grinch, decided that he wasn’t so different from them all after all.

I love the passage above the most from the book, for me it’s a friendly reminder of what the holidays, and Christmas is all about. As a young professional and single mother, the holidays are extremely stressful and I worry about money and being able to get my daughter a few nice things. And then there are my nieces. And my sisters. And my Mom. And my co-workers. And a few close friends. Ahhh!! It’s overwhelming because I like to give meaningful nice gifts to those I care about…and they often carry hefty price tags. And every year I end up in debt over the holidays, regardless of the budget I create for myself. It’s easy to get caught up in the holidays, and I’m guilty of forgetting what the holidays really mean to me and my family. My daughter and I spend Christmas Eve and Christmas together, just the two of us, making cookies and watching movies, and dancing of course. And it’s those moments: setting out cookies and milk for Santa, and when I tuck her in to bed Christmas Eve night that reminds me of what Christmas is all about.

I often doubt my ability to provide for all my daughter’s needs and wants being a single mom. I’m spread t-h-i-n and I have to sacrifice on a daily basis. Christmas isn’t about the gifts; it isn’t about shopping till I drop. It’s about the memories, it’s about love. Under the tree will be full, heck my whole house will be full of Christmas spirit this year because I am blessed; I have a beautiful, happy, kind, healthy child who I am crazy about. She inspires me, she makes me laugh, and she may be the wisest person I know. She is my gift every single day. And that’s not something you can buy in a store.

Happy Holidays from our hearts to yours

ROCKETTES Boston Christmas Spectacular Giveaway Winner Announced!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER: BRANDON! Happy Holidays & Enjoy the show!!

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I am still in awe from watching the Rockettee’s Friday at the Wang. I have to admit prior to the show I wasn’t in a very jolly mood…the holidays, and especially Christmas, tend to stress me out to the max. Walking into the show I wasn’t sure what to expect, and by the time the red curtains closed my jaw was on the floor. The show was ah-ma-zing!! And the Rockettee’s sure did deliver their signature leg kicks! From the glitz and glamour to the props and singing the show was DYNAMIC, we all had a blast!!! I’m happy to announce a 25% discount to the Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular AND a GIVEAWAY to the Wednesday December 28^th show!!! Details below:

For any non-peak show below, I am offering a 25% discount code!!

Select a NON Peak Performance between Sat, Dec 7^th – Dec 28^th for your 25% off discount:

12/2/2011 at 8 pm	12/16/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/3/2011 at 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm	12/17/2011 at 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/4/2011 at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm	12/18/2011 at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm
12/7/2011 at 2 pm	12/20/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
12/8/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm	12/21/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm
12/9/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm	12/22/2011 at 5 pm, 8 pm
12/10/2011 at 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm	12/23/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm, 8 pm
12/11/2011 at 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm	12/26/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/13/2011 at 7:30 pm	12/27/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/14/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm	12/28/2011 at 2 pm, 5 pm
12/15/2011 at 2 pm, 7:30 pm

Bolded Performances = Peak Pricing/no Discount    

Enter Promo Code: ROXMOM11
*Offer is not valid for Gold Circle - $130 seats, for which there are no discounts. There is a 8 ticket limit on this event.
Pricing                                                Peak                Non-Peak
Orchestra (Pit & Rows A-D):             $130.00                 $130.00
Orchestra (Rows E-O center):            $99.00                    $89.00
Orchestra (Rows E-O sides, P-EE):    $83.00                   $73.00

Mezzanine:                                       $83.00                   $73.00

Balcony (Rows E-J):                      $83.00                   $73.00
Balcony (Rows K-S):                          $74.00                   $64.00
Balcony (Rows T-Z):                          $58.00                    $48.00
Balcony (Rows AA-FF):                     $29.00                    $25.00

Prices include a $3.00 Facility Fee.

You can purchase tickets by visiting: www.citicenter.org/radiocity and using promo code ROXMOM11. Offer is not valid for Gold Circle - $130 seats - 8 ticket limit.

Deets on the show:

This holiday season, THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR® starring THE WORLD-FAMOUS ROCKETTES® returns to Boston… and if you’ve never seen it before, this is DEFINITELY the year to go!  Playing the City Performing Arts Center-Wang Theatre Friday December 2^nd – Wednesday, Dec 28^th!

This year’s show features brand-new scenes and songs, spectacular new sets, dazzling new costumes, an amazing 50-foot LED screen, and an unforgettable new finale!  You’ll marvel at the incredible precision dancing of The Rockettes® in beloved scenes like the legendary “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the stunning reenactment of the first Christmas in the “Living Nativity.”  And you’ll adore the new number “Christmas in New York,” featuring a chorus of Broadway-style singers and a life-sized double-decker bus! This year, through new technology and jaw-dropping new special effects, Christmas becomes more magical than ever before!

Now for the GIVEAWAY! One lucky reader wins 4 tickets to the Wednesday December 28^th performance at 5pm AND a MEET & GREET before the show with the ROCKETTTEE’S!!!

Mandatory Entry – Leave a comment below and tell me who you’d bring to the show!

Additional Entries: (Please leave a new comment for each extra entry)

1.       Follow Mommy Glow on Facebook

2.       Follow me on Twitter - @MsAlexandraV

3.       Tweet about this giveaway (1 tweet daily – leave link): Enter to win 4 tix to the #Boston Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular from @MsAlexandraV ends 12.9 http://bit.ly/vTvDKm #Giveaway

4.       Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall

5.       Follow Mommy Glow via Google Friend Connect

*Contest ends Friday December 9^th at 4pm!! After winners are announced they have 24 hours to contact me.

*Winner will be chosen by Random.org. Tickets will be available at the Will Call at the Wang on the evening of the show.

If you are in Boston I highly encourage you to enter! It’s a remarkable show, suited for those young and old! Be prepared to break out into kicking after you watch the performance!

Disclosure: I received four tickets. All opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

Where is the love, the love, the love?

I’ve read so many anti-valentines updates today, and they’ve all rubbed me the wrong way. I’ve spent the past 2 Valentine’s Day with my significant other, but this year I’m single. And before today I was feeling really bummed about it. I mean, you can’t escape the reds and pinks and flowers and cards and candy. I was like, come ON already!! I was entirely salted that I was spending this Valentine’s Day without a boo by my side to enjoy this hallmark holiday with. And when I woke up I was all my all black everything status. No happiness here, just gloominess. Then I had a change of heart. I told myself my emotions determine the mood. This can either be a good day or I can spend the whole day miserable. So I put my black dress back, and instead chose a cream one topped off with a light pink scarf. And I decided that today was going to be a good day. Who friggen cares that I don’t have a boo today. I’m not going to curse all the couples I see. Love is a beautiful beautiful thing. And if people are lucky enough to find it than that’s glorious. We need to stop the hate, and appreciate!! We should all remember the wonderful people in our lives that we love and that mean something to us. This is a day not only for lovers, but this is a day for love in general. 

my daughter this am

I am so so blessed to have a awesome 5 year old to call my daughter and I love her to pieces. She is my valentine today and always. I turned my frown around when I saw her hair standing up in bed as she perked up and said mommy, its party day at school! She lights up my life, and makes me truly appreciate my ability to love and be loved.

And know what else I love about this hallmark holiday? Super awesome valentine chocolate will be discounted tomorrow! Hollller!!

Happy Holidays

© Mommy Glow

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, happy, and warm holiday. 

Wherever you may be on this holiday may your hearts be full of love and laughter.

Happy Holidays

iCaughtSanta Giveaway!!!

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! Can you believe Christmas is on Saturday?! It really crept on me this year. Luckily I’m done with my shopping…except for 2 gifts I’m hoping to get before Christmas. My tasks now are wrapping everything!

I want share something great I came across called iCaughtSanta and it’s just in time for the Holidays!

What if you could stay up all night and catch Santa Claus in the act?  Well now you can....

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.

In three simple steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus and print it as proof… or share it via email, Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.

To find out more about iCaughtSanta visit them at: http://www.iCaughtSanta.com

I have the wonderful opportunity to giveaway five, yes FIVE FREE codes to use to get your own iCaughtSanta photo!! And they are just in time for the Holiday!!!

So enter today and receive a FREE iCaughtSanta photo!!

Mandatory Entries:

-Publicly follow Mommy Glow via GFC

-Leave a comment letting me know what your favorite part of the Holidays are. Please be sure to include contact information so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries:

1 entry - Take my button and put some Mommy Glow on your blog

1 entry - Follow me on Twitter: @YoungFabMama

1 entry - Tweet about this giveaway:

“I just entered a #giveaway to win an #iCaughtSanta photo from @YoungFabMama http://bit.ly/eTbxmq (ends 12.22)"

Because of how close Christmas is this giveaway ends on Wednesday December 22nd at 12pm. At the close of the giveaway one winner will be chosen at random using random.org and notified via email and/or twitter. Only regulations with the giveaway are that you need to live within the United States.

Good Luck!

I Am Thankful

I am thankful

This was my fist Thanksgiving that I spent without  my family. Let me re-phrase, without blood family. I was fortunate enough to spend it with wonderful friends whom have become family, and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for each breathe I am able to take.
I am thankful for my ability to love and be loved.
I am thankful for all those whom have hurt me and those whom have supported me. I am thankful to be alive.
I am thankful for every new day I am able to experience with my daughter.
I am thankful for my health and my daughter's health.
I am thankful to be a woman, a mother, a friend. 

I am so thankful for my ability to create life and my wonderful daughter.

This Thanksgiving I reflect on life and on love.

I peer into the eyes of my daughter and see endless possibilities.
And for that,
I am grateful.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday.