Treat Mom to Dinner and A Movie with Papa Murphy's PIzza & "Mom's Night Out"

Is there any better way to show mom you love her than with a night out all to herself? How about if that night out included dinner and a movie?  Luckily for you, we have just the thing to help show mom how much you love her. First there’s the dinner part and Papa Murphy’s Pizza has a great offer just in time for Mother’s Day. The countdown to National Mom's Nite Out is on! On May 8th, moms everywhere will be joining together in the ultimate celebration of motherhood. No matter what your plans are for the evening, there's one place you definitely should not be - slaving over the stove! That's why we're so excited to share an exclusive National Mom's Nite Out offer from our friends at Papa Murphy's.   

Papa Murphy’s wants to help feed your family on National Mom’s Nite Out! On May 8^th, at participating Papa Murphy’s locations, you can take advantage of the Mom’s Meal Deal*. For only $12, you can treat your family to any large 2-topping pizza and your choice of 2 sides: Cheesy Bread, Cookie Dough, Cinnamon Wheel or S’mores Pizza. This is a great option for Dad to feed the kids while Mom is out celebrating, or simply a great excuse to take the night off from cooking!

See below to view the coupon and promotion details. 

Click here to view the coupon and promotion details. You can print it out or pull it up on your phone, but make sure you show it at your Papa Murphy's location in order to redeem the offer.  

After dinner is taken care of, send mom of to see “Mom’s Night Out”. There isn’t a mom anywhere that hasn’t come upon that defining moment in your life-the moment where you just want to scream and know that if you don’t get some time to yourself, just a simple evening out you can be held accountable for what might happen next. Last month I was invited to attend a special screening of “Moms Night Out” which opens in theaters across the country appropriately on Mother’s Day Weekend. The first realization that hit home for me was that I was not alone. Here in the theater I was surround by women much like myself-just in need of some precious “me” time. Together we laughed, we cried, and more importantly, we left the theater knowing that life would go on, but that we were never alone. So what is “Moms’ Night Out”?

“Moms’ Night Out” is the comedic adventures of exactly what the title suggests, a moms’ night out. As the official Mom’s Night Out website tells us, “All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? “Mom’s Night Out” is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.”  The message is simple enough but the subtext and what every parent, yes there were dads at our screening as dads can me moms too, is something that will stay with you for a long time to come. Patricia Heaton and her real life actor husband, David Hunt served as the Executive Producers of this film while Kevin Downes (Courageous) both acted and co produced.  “Moms’ Night Out” boasts the talents of Jon and Andrew Erwin (October Baby) who directed the film and features such stars as Patricia Heaton, David Hunt, Kevin Downes, Sean Astin (Goonies, Rudy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Sarah Drew, Alex Kendrick, Robert Amaya-the list goes on and on. Everyone, everywhere knows somebody, or is somebody that is in need of a night out. Now the only question that remains to be answered is where will you be on Mother’s Day Weekend?  Papa Murphy’s Pizza and a movie-it just doesn’t get much better than that.  Be sure to see “Mom’s Night Out” opening in theaters nationwide this weekend!"

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

May the Fourth Be With You!

From the Disney Store to Legoland to Disney Hollywood Studios, The Force is Strong Today

"Good bye, old friend. May the Force be with you." Obi Wan Kenobi to his former Padawan Anakin Skywalker

 So just what is “The Force” that everyone speaks of? Obi-Wan Kenobi was known to use the phrase throughout his Jedi career.

"May the Force be with you" was a phrase used to wish luck or good will, generally when individuals parted ways or the object of the expression was facing some sort of imminent challenge. The phrase implied the speaker's wish that the power of The Force would be working alongside the addressee, in order that the addressee's goals would be more effectively accomplished.

From the Jedi, the phrase originated with the ancient Je’Dail Order as "May the Force go with you." Sometimes the phrase used was simply "The Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you" was known to be used as a formal "'Goodbye' and 'good luck'" among Jedi, and members of the Jedi High Council often recited it after assigning missions to their Jedi Knights After the Great Jedi Purge it was adopted, even among non-Jedi, as a means of conveying good luck and hope before a battle, as a show of the ongoing struggle against the Galactic Empire and admiration for the Jedi Order after their failed attempt to survive the corrupt Emperor’s power struggle.

Jedi Master Odie Wan Kenobi was known to have used a variation of this phrase, telling Luke Skywalker, "The Force will be with you. Always." shortly after joining with the Force, and shortly after Luke Skywalker successfully shot a pair of proton torpedoes into the exhaust port of the first Death Star destroying it completely.

So just how did this phrase from Star Wars become a national event? May 4 is often known as "Star Wars Day".  The phrase dates back to at least 1979 on the day Margaret Thatcher was elected Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. Her party took out a newspaper ad in the London Evening News that said, "May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations."

To make sure the force is strong within you, from baseball to exhibits to celebrations at Legoland to the month long activities at Walt Disney World

Photo Disney Parks Blog

Hollywood Studios, check out some of the events that are happening across the country today and in the month http://starwars.com/events/

Can’t get to any of these-the Disney store has just what you’re looking for

This year, Disney Store is bringing the Force to Guests on May the 4th, the official Star Wars fan holiday.

Photo Disney Stores

At Disney Store locations nationwide, Guests will be introduced to the story and characters that started it all in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope with fun in-store activities, giveaways and promotions.

The first 100 Guests who visit a Disney Store location on Star Wars Day will receive a FREE Limited Edition Star Wars pin perfect for starting or adding to an existing collection.  

Kids ages 3 and up are invited to learn about the “Ways of the Force” where they can:

•  Discover the Jedi Mind Trick and learn how Obi-Wan Kenobi uses it to serve the greater good

•  Master a Lightsaber through hands-on training

•  Help Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star through an interactive experience on the Media Wall

•  Participate in a Medal of Bravery Ceremony

Disney Store will also release new exclusive Star Wars Merchandise to the current assortment of product, including talking action figures.

And now for a look at the upcoming Star Wars Rebels:

No matter where you are or how you celebrate, may the Fourth be With You today!

WANDERING ON THE DISNEY WONDER !

WANDERING ON THE DISNEY WONDER !

Woo Hoo!  The Hansen family enjoyed another Disney vacation!  We spent Spring break on board the Disney Wonder! 

   The Disney Wonder is a beautiful ship and perfect for every age in the family.  The staterooms are nice and roomy!  We enjoyed one of the Deluxe family veranda rooms.  There are so many cute hidden mickeys throughout the room. 

   We have traveled on the Disney Dream and that ship is beautiful also but the Disney Wonder now holds a special place in my heart!  This ship offers so many on board activities that you cannot do them all in a week!  The onboard theaters were amazing we even caught a 3-d movie!  My kids thoroughly enjoyed the Edge and the wave phones. They enjoyed the freedom of the ship with scavenger hunts and onboard activities with friends they made for a lifetime.  My husband and I enjoyed the adult area with the pools and live music and just relaxing in the Sun!  The on deck basketball, soccer, and ping pong kept everyone in the family busy. 

     I can never get enough of soaking up the Sun so I really enjoyed doing that while my children and husband were entertained.  I enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends.  Between lying in the Sun, meeting fellow Sun lovers and eating dinner with an adorable family, we made friends and enjoyed interacting with them every day throughout the day on the ship. 

     Our excursions were awesome on the islands we explored and Disney always makes it so easy to get from the boat to your final destination.  It was so fun to run into people from the ship on the islands!  The best part about cruising with Disney, well at least one of the best, is after a long day walking around on the island shopping they greet you back to the boat with a cool towel and hand sanitizer!  I just Love that!

     We ate, we partied, we danced, we drink, we shopped, we met characters, we played, we swam, we met friends, we made friends for life, we had family pictures taken, and we participated in a Game Show!  The Game will have to be a different article!  Don't miss it!  It is HILARIOUS! 

The worst part about a Disney cruise is leaving the ship!  The experience was so fun and so enjoyable for our entire family that you just don't want to say goodbye!  We say, "See you real soon"! 

     So if you're contemplating a Disney cruise don't think any longer!   Just figure out a time and a budget that works for your family, if it’s a 3 day or a 14 day, just do it, book it and do it!  Trust me, once you cruise with Disney you will cruise again with Disney!

Disney at Home: Coconut Curried Chicken Stew

One of my absolute favorite restaurants at Disney World (if I have to choose) is Boma – Flavors of Africa, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  It’s a favorite of mine because of the rich African flavors incorporated in every tasty dish.  Sitting under a thatched roof, surrounded by great views, this family-friendly buffet is quickly becoming a favorite for breakfast among many Disney guests, and also serves an awesome lunch and dinner.

Head there for lunch time, and try the Coconut Curried Chicken Stew.  If you are like me, and not planning to be there for a while, here’s a recipe you can try at home.

Dreaming Up Disneyland

Walt Disney walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle
© Disney

Hello, friends!

Recently I was inspired by Uncle Walt's dream of creating a place where parents and their children could have fun together. Walt Disney dreamed up the idea of Disneyland on a park bench while watching his daughters ride the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round.

King Arthur Carousel at Disneyland Park
© Disney 

"Well, it came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always daddy's day with the two daughters. So we'd start out and try to go someplace, you know, different things, and I'd take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and as I'd sit while they rode the merry-go-round and did all these things—sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts—I felt that there should be something built, some kind of amusement enterprise built, where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that's how Disneyland started. Well, it took many years … it was a period of maybe 15 years developing. I started with many ideas, threw them away, started all over again. And eventually it evolved into what you see today at Disneyland. But it all started from a daddy with two daughters wondering where he could take them where he could have a little fun with them, too."

This quote from the Walt Disney is a wonderful insight into Walt's dreams of Disneyland. Knowing that he wanted a place where parents could have fun with their children is what makes my love of Disney Parks so strong. Walt was a family man and wanted families to have fun together.

When my wife and I take our children to Walt Disney World we are instantly thrown into a magical land where we're as young and full of wonder as our kids. Each visit creates new memories for our family and we are grateful for the special time together. Walt knew a place like Disneyland would allow these special moments to take place, and they do year after year for millions of families worldwide. Thanks again, Uncle Walt. You've given us so much over the years.

Have a magical day everyone!
Bob

*This post originally appeared on MagicalDaddy.com as part of Bob's Walt Wednesdays series.

Disney Infinity 2.0! Get Ready to Assemble!

Our family LOVES to play Disney Infinity!  When I received an invitation to the Disney Infinity Live Event on Google Hangouts today, I quickly RSVP'd and told my husband the great news.  We heard some rumblings regard the release of Disney Infinity 2.0, and this invitation confirmed the rumors.  We both also heard about the possible inclusion of Marvel characters in the new version, and were pleased as punch to see Captain America's shield at the conclusion of the unlisted YouTube teaser trailer.  With the title, "Get Ready to Assemble" we could only assume that the rest of the Avengers would be making an appearance in Disney Infinity 2.0, how exciting!

Wordless Wednesday-April 30, 2014

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS:

The Letter "V"

Gayle:

Lori:

Special Thanks goes out to Deb from Focused on the Magic for

hosting the weekly blog hop!