Here are your first healthy, fun and stylish steps to prepping for the holidays from MTNightout3

If you’ve ever looked through the pages of Parents Magazine , Parents Latina, family fun and other amazing editorial magazines that bring you bright photos of products and brands you’re going to love what’s new for the holiday and beyond.

After attending a hosted event for moms curated by our friends at momtrends. I’m sharing how I experienced a list of brands in real life just to bring you a moms influential insight on some goodness you will love!

Now of course if you’re a parent you know that the start of school and change of seasons bring on sicknesses and the FLU. Well BoironUSA introduces us parents to more healthy days and less sick days with their homeopathic medicines. Boiron medicines do not contain any of the ingredients questioned by FDA for use in children under 4. They’re best know for the top selling flu medicine Oscillococcinum and the line of cough and cold relief medicines including chestal and cold calm. *We all know that it’s that time of year.

–

When you’re on a roll to happy healthy holidays you want to do it in style this is where JCPenney steps in. They have just launched a new lifestyle brand : Peyton & Parker. You can get your hands on the amazing new brand by shopping the store exclusively or on line Peyton & Parker by JCP

–

I’m personally in love with home decor and even enjoy adding the kiddos toys (because it is a part of our lifestyle) into the homes setting, which is why http://www.vtechkids.com/ are our go to for quality, sustainability, fun, learning and style. It is actually the world leader in innovative educational products that enrich your child’s development. We’re especially highlighting the electronic learning products that include baby walk alongs to the KidiZoom Smart watch DX2 for holiday gifting.

–

Fun and play is always great but with holiday fun also comes lots of family outings and delicious food. If your babes are eating meals they’re probably exposed to different foods and textures. It’s recommended to introduce them to a probiotic that will reduce fussiness due to occasional digestive upset while developing a healthy digestive and immune system; which is where http://www.culturelle.com/ comes in.

Culturelle is a pediatrician recommended brand based on a 2016 survey among pediatricians recommending a kids probiotic brand. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat , cure or prevent any disease, but contain safe and gentle ingredients that work naturally with your baby’s body.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration.

This post is sponsored by MOMTRENDS

Our favorite road trip summer snacks

We have been on the go this summer as many of us all have. I mean, we’re all trying to squeeze in the joy of the sun before (not going to say it) you know what happens.

Being on the go with the kiddos means packing snacks for those quick hungry moments.

We’ve discovered imagine snacks – a delicious yogurt crunch blend. Also available in different flavors such as cheddar . We truly enjoyed the yogurt sweet biscotti taste …. so much so that K would have preferred to keep it to herself .

Imag!ne snacks

We also discovered that the delicious KIND co has “KIND KIDS” ! Exciting and delicious all wrapped in one small package.

KIND KIDS

I discovered my go to snack after receiving a shipment of the assorted blended brittles. The Softer than brittle brand has been around for 60 years and developed by a family recipe. I have been enjoying this snack with my morning coffee or matcha as well as when we’re on the go during this summer.

NYC weekend weather teaser in Style

We’re still waiting for spring to officially arrive here in NYC, but somehow she gave us a peek over the weekend.

Yes it’s April and we’ve passed through spring break so shouldn’t we be well on our way to a forecast view of 60’s and above. Nope, not this year!

We had a little break in the weather and experienced a 77 degrees high Saturday, over the weekend, which was perfect for our agenda. V, K and I were invited to an early Mother’s Day event hosted by Hey Mama and Michele Watch . We were able to preview the amazing new styles of watches and interchangeable bands, perfectly designed for the special mothers in our lives.

K had her eye on one particular style and I’m hoping she shares her thoughts with daddy. Isn’t it great to have little fashionistas with such style, by your side… if you’re lucky in that department we’d love to see in the comments below :)) ⬇️

We would also love to invite your mini to the TwinDollicious and The Fashion class party… we’re we’ll be making awesome backpacks!

Fashion Party / Design contest

V & K both enjoyed the stroll to BobO restaurant located on 10th street – downtown NYC; while sun gazing, chatting. We enjoyed brunch with friends and made new ones…. and couldn’t resist the cotton candy treats and flower wall.

#Twinmamas 💙💕💙💕

Photos: @stevilou

Our adventurous Midwinter break staycation

What is a staycation?

Perhaps you’ve heard the term used loosely many a time. This could be because many people have different definitions of what a staycation is. We define a staycation as a time spent at home without obligations, schedules and deadlines just to catch up on things that we’d like to do for fun, maybe time to lounge and sleep in and definitely enjoy the goodness of our city.

In the case of our Twindollicious crew; we made sure to get out and enjoy the Spring teaser weather during our Winter break staycation.

We visited the Brooklyn Botanical gardens for a magical scavenger hunt throughout the gardens. This fun day was hosted by our friends at Mommynearest. The kids were able plant a Paperwhite to take home.. we can’t wait to share the progress and growth :):)

Our next adventure included a Day in Times Square in the heart of the big apple at the NatGeoEncounter ! The kiddos were all able to enjoy an interactive experience of 3D underwater activities along with an opportunity to be on a big Billboard in Timesquare.

V & K also learned a new skill during their vacation; which is so fitting to their personalities. We were given the opportunity to create an animation video provided by Goldfish . The girls create not one but 2 scenes of interactive moving goldfish.

1 the first creation included V & K as chefs prepping a goldfish meal for themselves when a sneaky puppy comes along to enjoy the meal. TwinDolliciousInstagram (shared here on Instagram)

2. The second creation included a goldfish parade, with confetti and moving floats.

It was so great to help support the NY International Children’s Film Festival. The children enjoyed 13 short films created by artists. After each film ballots were filled to rate their favorite films. It is always amazing to be able to surround children with art and culture.

NYICFF

We enjoyed sharing our top Staycation choices. If Grandmas house in PA was option we would link ticket info to that show; but til next time we hope you’ll take a visit to some of our favorite places during your visit or staycation in NYC.

Please enjoy a way to melt away the boredom with this fun Snowman maze worksheet. For more engaging learning activities, go to Education.com!

We were excited to partner with them in order to bring our little readers some fun!

Animation Tales make wonderful social stories

Have you ever wondered how an animation tale is made?

You’re correct if your first answer was to take a few snap shots but the best part are the props!

We were delighted to be invited to the NY International Children’s Film Festival which runs from Feb 23 – March 18th. Even more exciting was that Goldfish was a sponsor.

Our Twindollicious team received a package filled with things that only a professional animator would recognize… so I thought;

V & K were so excited to get their hands on everything that they immediately began to research the directions and other animation ideas.

Together we opened up the box to reveal

Markers

Claytoons

Stencil cutters

Clapper board

Pipe cleaners

Googly eyes

Almaloy wire

Sellemer snap shot

And of course a package of Goldfish crackers

Checkout our unboxing on the channel

Twindollicious video along with our animation by V & K using all of the props to create a Goldfish Parade

Travel to Panama; live, grow and build at Kalu Yala

Have you ever wanted to travel to a destination on a tropical island, learn all about the island, and really live the lifestyle? Well, in the heart of Panama there is Kalu Yala. Today, I’m going to tell you more about this destination as well as The truth about Kalu Yala .

The history of Panama and its people surrounded by oceans and rainforests in beautiful Central America holds sustainable land outside of the big city. The Same big city that is famous for their 48 mi waterway which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Also known as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

In this beautiful country lies a study abroad program offering students the opportunity to study, work and love in a sustainable town. Just 50 minutes from the city and 35 minutes from the airport within the town of Los Brazos Valley you’re able to live and learn about the importance of agriculture, farm to table culinary arts, architecture; comparing to building a life and lifestyle that we all wish was paved already except with the hands and minds of talented scientists, engineering this village as part of the new urbanism project.

Since 2010 students have been given the ability to conduct research project on sustainable living. As of 2015 the Kalu Yala institute has had 48 states 25 countries and 150 colleges indulge in the classes offered; which again covers the study of business, architecture, biology, culinary arts, design thinking, community development…. the many talents we should all naturally have to live life on the lands of Kalu Yala or in the big city.

The institute of Kalu Yala does have a few Kalu Yala problems, but it continues to become a more sort after lifestyle for students to study. Their dynamics of allowing the students to live and learn has brought press and media interests. Yet, no other experience can be taken away than one of your own personal one. Kalu Yala allows for you to gain the experience of an interned young professional. You are allowed to explore your passion in the real world with other fearless leaders.

In my opinion it takes a leader to travel abroad at any time during your studies but to actually build, live and create during modern times takes on a memory of its own. The Panamanian River Valley where the institute is built holds fertile land rich in biological diversity. With a location as perfect as this, entrepreneurial spirits are lead to grow through networks of team building and practices.

As our family plans to embark on a trip to Panama I’ve collected some important things to do for everyone. It’s always great to add education, adventure and fun to your travels.

Do you want to build a mozzarella snowman?

Hello NYC it’s snowing again! Well, it is January. V & K enjoyed another cooking experience…. this time at Eataly Downtown, NYC at Tower 4 WTC.

Their weekend cooking classes are so kid friendly. The demonstration area is set in the back kitchen in front of a huge with a great view. This weekends menu included making fresh mozzarella; which took me down memory lane to when I sat in front of a cheese factory on the Amalfi coast eating hot freshly made mozzarella – YUM

The simple ingredients are so easy to repeat:

1 gallon of milk

1 1/2 teaspoon citric acid

1/4 teaspoon non-GMO rennet dissolved in a 1/4 cup cold water

1/3 cup of salt

1 large pot for heating

1 large bowl of cold water to place the shaped mozzarella in to cool off and serve

The delicious process of creating mozzarella was so easy and fun! Once the last pinch was made and all of the balls were cool and formed the girls took 3 of their very own pieces and placed them on an icicle pop stick, 1 piece of carrot, a few sunflower seeds and 2 bread sticks to make….. a snowman . Which they did not want to eat; but instead savored on a separate piece of mozzarella.

The awesome NYC /Italian feeling can be captured At Eataly . Our downtown friends at Fidi also has a calendar for upcoming classes.

We can’t wait to share more of these fun adventures on a new project with MomLifeTV

This is how we roll in the holidays!

The holidays are approaching fast; are you ready?!

As a mom who has the job of starting off the holidays by hosting Thanksgiving dinner I was super excited to get in the spirit by attending Momtrends holiday soirée.

The beautiful hosts pictured here by the Oventure tree, and styled by Cents of style…. (just one of the fabulous brands in attendance)

organized an event for us Mom and Lifestyle Bloggers to get our gifting ideas in gear. All guests were greeted at entry with gift bags that were made to fill as we visited each brands table.

There are so many holiday gifting ideas that are available for everyone and offered by these brands. I enjoyed meeting the reps personally as I visited each table. I also loved participating in fun challenges such as the Riders by Leestyle challenge

and the create your own cheese platter at Jalsberg .

It wouldn’t be a fun moms night out without a delicious glass of wine in hand as you walked the room. Noble Wines display of sweet, delectable wines were in attendance doing just so!

It wouldn’t be a night of holiday cheer without giving back. This is why every guest in attendance donated a toy or two to Second Chance Toys .

Well, Now that we’re all geared up and full of ways to share something new with our friends and family …. let the holidays begin!

Some of the amazing brands listed here will help you get your holidays in order as well..

Name BubblesPearheadBoxed WaterRed Velvet NYCManiorPediLiving proof incAtmosfxKidzbopThimblepressHasbro

I took a step into Royal Caribbeans future

If you’ve ever been on a Royal Caribbean cruise you’ll appreciate what’s coming soon! If you’ve yet to travel Royal Caribbean you’re going to be amazed at what this cruise line has to offer and need to book a trip right away!

It’s about that time for our family to take our winter excursions. We usually head south or cruise our way through the NYC winters when it becomes too much. So when given the opportunity to check out all of the new developments with Royal Caribbean I was ecstatic!

Changes and amazing upgrades to the already incredible ships will include checkin with camera recognition, vessels larger than before, state rooms that allow you to remain in doors and out all at the same time. The best part was the App service… yes, RC cruises will be at the top of the tech charts! Many features will be Coming 2017 into 2018!

Amazing bathrooms within all staterooms

Twins in the kitchen prepping more than Food

Is it ever too early to ask your children what would you like to be in the future? Well,  how about NO the answer is no and in fact it is probably the best thing to begin asking them as early as 4 years old,  While you’re at it take lots of notes and begin researching as soon as your kiddo responds with an answer.  V & K have been consistent with their future plans…maybe a tinker change here or there but clearly their futures will include a business owned together and some form of beauty and entertainment to help people feel beautiful.  This is why when given the opportunity to experience a kids chef for the day at the ICE Culinary education center, in collaboration with the NYS 529 Education planning professionals we had to attend.

That is a double dosage Twindollicious style load of information along with experiences to get a jump start on making those future goals closer to reality.

Did you know that when parents of multiples begin the application process for their children their finances are automatically viewed as cut in half which allows for qualification to assistance if needed?

Also did you ever wonder how much debt USA is in student loans? Over 1 trillion dollars.  I’ll say that a perfect way to lower this deficit is by starting a 529 plan. How about contacting a representative to guide you through the easy 1,2,3 step process.

We were so over joyed with all of the positive information that each child now has a NYS 529 plan that can be used for College (Universities) or any Professional school; such as culinary school….which by the looks of V & K’s experience will be here before we know it.