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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Cars 2 : Review and Giveaway


School holidays suck.

School holidays plus Christmas plus the twin tornado celebrating a birthday all at the same time is the universe's way of laughing at my expense.

Speaking of expense...

Christmas presents x 3 kids plus birthday presents for the Twin Tornado all within 2 weeks of each other is enough to deplete my wine slush fund emergency savings to a figure that can be counted on one hand.

Seriously, what kind of idiot has twins within 2 weeks of Christmas?

Don't answer that.

So while I was hyperventilating about the state of my pitiful Christmas booze fund while adding up the insane cost of presents that would likely be discarded and/or broken within a week...I received the new Cars 2 on DVD and Blu Ray, plus some awesome Cars 2 toys.  All, conveniently, a week before Christmas and just over 2 weeks before the twins' birthday.

Being a mere 4 days in to the epic school holidays from hell, I ripped that DVD open as if it was a Tiffany & Co box, screaming for the kids to come see what Mummy had got them, before planting them in front of the TV.  I seriously considered gaffa taping them in place, but there was no need.  They were virtual zombies.

I couldn't even wait a week so that Santa could give it to them, not when I was already strung out and on my last nerve.  The toys, however, they've been saved for Friday when Mstr2 and Miss2 morph into well behaved, vegetable loving, toilet trained Mstr3 and Miss3 (it's my dream, let me have it for another 2 days okay?).

I'd like to say that I got a lot of housework, Christmas shopping, meal preparation, bill paying - hell, even internet browsing completed while the kids watched Cars 2.  But I didn't.  I sat there with a glass of wine and zoned out, silently preying to the Vodka Gods that they would remain enamoured with it for the duration of the holidays, affording me at least 2 3 1 viewing per day.




And I'm delighted to report that so far we're on track.  If they ever product a live version of the movie, my kids could easily take the place of the main characters, as they're starting to sprout the lines verbatim.  Seriously...Pixar, have your people call my people and we'll do lunch and crunch the numbers.


Anywho, here's what you need to know about Cars 2 :

  • It's kiddy friendly
  • It's about cars
  • It's animated
  • It's funny
  • It has an awesome range of merchandise and toys
  • It has a pop-up tent that even I an idiot could assemble, and is large enough for an adult to hide in, with gratuitously mentioned wine, while the kids roam wild and feral and take over the house
  • It's long enough to allow you to drink a decent portion of wine to calm your nerves that have been shredded by school holidays and the stifling Summer heat in a house without air conditioning, unless you count the confined space of the bedroom that is not worth chancing with you and all three kids because someone will find your secret chocolate stash, someone will find your makeup, and the other one will be elbow deep in your face cream, and all three will be eaten and smeared over the carpet.

 Are  you getting just how much I was hanging out for this DVD?

I'm not ashamed to admit that I totally bypassed the whole "Santa said you have to eat your broccoli if you want to play outside" in lieu of "Lightning McQueen said that you had to eat your broccoli if you want to play with him while watching the DVD".  It has much more credibility in the face of 3 and 6 year olds trying to come to terms with the fact that Santa won't be visiting again for another 11 1/2 months, while Cars 2 is here for them every single day.

Every. Single. Day.

I may also have lead them to believe that the ending may change each time they watch it, because someone else might win the big race.  It helps add to the suspense. Of course I am totally screwed when they wise up to the fact that Mummy does not control what happens on the DVD.  Until then, they think I am awesome for letting the good guys win every time, heh.



But enough of me rubbing my school holidays salvation in to those of you still struggling (because I totally have other blog posts to come where I get to continue that).

Thanks to Porter Novelli and Disney Pixar, I have an awesome prize pack to give away :

Cars 2 on DVD and Blu Ray, plus a Lightning McQueen pop-up tent (a new one, not the one I've been hiding out in for the past 2 weeks).


For your chance to win :


Comment below (one entry for each)

1.  Your school holidays "Do" (mine is to ensure your liquor cabinet / survival supplies are fully stocked prior to the onset of the holidays) 

2. Your school holidays "Don't" (mine involves red cordial intended for Vodka cocktails being left unattended long enough for the kids to demolish it...straight up...it was a hellishly feral 24hrs, let me tell you) 

3.  Tweet this competition

4.  Share this competition on Facebook

And once you've done that, go ahead and fix yourself a drink.  You deserve it.




The fine print
Entry is open to Australian residents only
Maximum four (4) entries per person
Entries close midnight (WST) Thursday 12 January
Winner posted on the blog Friday 13 January
Winner has seven (7) days to respond before I curse like a trooper and carry out a re-draw


Entries close midnight (WST) Thursday 12 January


111 comments:

  1. Do: send the kids for a week to summer camp or for a holiday at their grandparents
    Don't: leave them be lazy around the house

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do - Set aside  some  "ME" time after the hectic Festive season!
    Don't- Leave Christmas shopping for the last week!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Do: Stock up on wine and get some of those new fancy pancy cocktails like the Long Island Ice Tea..for a treat!

    Don't: Look directly at the kids at ANY time..otherwise they will start whining!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tweeted (LazyPepper) & FB'd. :) Nice blog..I'm liking it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do get extra yoga classes in before the break. Om, om, om. You are going to need it.
    Dont presume its gonna be an easy ride 'cos it won't!

    Shared on facebook - check.
    Drinks organised for later on - check!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do: Enforce bootcamp style tactics on teenage stepsons to teach them how the world works (ie dishes fairy/ washing fairy does NOT exist.... nor do bins empty themselves.

    Don't: Let the 'can I' hours (which are ineviteable during school hols) get to me "can I... can we.... why not... i'm bored" (insert whiney voice)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Do leave some food in the fridge for the next day
    Dont bring all your friends around to eat the food

    ReplyDelete
  8. Leave the house or you get I'm Bored
    Don't feed them raspberry anything. 

    ReplyDelete
  9. Do make sure the pantry is packed
    Don't try grocery shopping with the kids!

    Have tweeted
    Fan on Facebook too

    ReplyDelete
  10. Holiday Do: Line up playdates and stock up on water balloons. Playdates halve the pain when 50% of them are at someone elses house!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Holiday Don't: Lollies and raspberry codrial. Bored + hyper = disaster

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, have tweeted @gherkkerry have shared :)

    School holiday do's.
    Having a car to venture out,
    staying calm and not to shout!
    Movies, bowling all fun things,
    Munchies and cool drinks you bring.


    School holiday donts.
    Dont get grumpy and upset,
    make sure games inside you get.
    Dont give to many sweets
    or all your energy they will deplete.
    Dont have more children visit
    more running around,
    you will have to commit.
    Dont lose the key to the liquor cabinet
    for all the weeks ,you will regret!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. DO bring out the card and board games (for BORED) children and adults!

    ReplyDelete
  14. DON'T let kids invite friends around all the time to swim in the pool or you'll end up on constant lifeguard duty!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Shared via Twitter popeyes_girl_22

    ReplyDelete
  16. Do get on and read parental parody and dont end up the babysitter for looking after your kids class mates

    ReplyDelete
  17. Holiday Do's seek out inexpensive or free activities. ie. pool, parks, walking trails, beach.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Holiday Dont's . Dont let them veg out in front of the TV or video games ALL day long.  No more than 1-2 hours a day ( c'mon you need your brekkie cartoons and after dinner movie)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Do's - Take my daughter swimming on the giant slide.... wooosh!
    Dont's - Leave the tv remote lying around near my 8 month old son, he literally eats it

    ReplyDelete
  20. Do: invest in some quality earmuffs & insist on outside time
    Don't: invite the neighbours kids to help keep them entertained... it just equals more noise and mess!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Do: Ensure you've picked up your local free guide for what's on!
    Don't: Hand out too much coloured ice blocks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Do:  Encourage grandma to spend as much time with the grandchildren as possible - preferably at her house.         
    Don't: Drink yourself into oblivion.  There are other ways to deal with children.                                                                                                                                                 

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tweeted here:
    https://twitter.com/#!/klftpg/status/154462751366987776 

    ReplyDelete
  24. Shared on Facebook (Karen Freeman Comper)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Have tweeted and Shared.
    Do: go to the park (or alternative activity) at least once a day.
    Don't let the kids out of bed before 8am.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Have tweeted and shared :)
    Do have the "Activity craft basket" well stocked
    Don't let the kids "help" do the washing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. School holiday do? Its alllllllll about Nans.  A bit of Nanna/grandchild bonding is a very special thing, and allows me to bond with a cappuccino and a gossip mag.
    Don't? Make promises you can't keep about what your doing or where your going.  That means no telling the kids what we're doing until 5 minutes before we leave, unless of course your needing a carrot to dangle for room cleaning, manner minding etc.

    ReplyDelete
  28. School Holidays Dos - have lots of activities planned, keep the kids occupied - School Holidays Dont's... say we'll do that tomorrow and not follow through - 2 months can be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Don't feel like you need to entertain them everyday give them space. And a walk or scooter ride or frisbee in the park is easy & popular!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Make sure I have arranged lots of play dates (ie lobbing the kids on someone else) HAHA! and returning the favour of course :P

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dont - forget to give the grandparents lots of notice holidays are coming up, so they don't miss the chance to visit (and babysit) by going off on one of those grey nomad jaunts!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Do - research local free activities
    DONT - go out with snacks and drinks with 5 kids or it will cost a fortune!
    Shared on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  33. Do: Ensure you arrange prior to the holidays that they'll have a steady stream of activities to keep them from the dreaded "B" word - Boredom! Things like picnic at the park, play dates with friends, cinemas on discount days, local library holiday programs, etc.
    Dont: Promise them anything and then not go through with it. Unless of course you actually like to be bombarded a million times with "Awww mum, but you promised!!!!"

    ReplyDelete
  34. Have tweeted (twittername queenofcomps) and shared on Fb (FB name Michelle Vamvas)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Do: Kids sent to Grandma's for lomg periods of time, lots of Chic flix and goodies for me whilst home alone ;)

    Don't: Let the kids know where your taking them or you will just be harped at which in turn will drive you to the bottle lol

    ReplyDelete
  36. Do: enjoy the precious time with the kids.

    Don't: invite the inlaws to stay!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Have tweeted and shared on FB

    ReplyDelete
  38. Shared on FB and tweeted - my son LOVES Cars and Cars 2

    ReplyDelete
  39. ooh forgot my Do and Don't:
    DO: have heaps of craft stuff on hand for when the kids are driving you mad
    DON'T: forget the promises you make to the kids cause they will never forget and will nag you incessantly until you cough up!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Do - book vacation care
    Don't - invite 'extra's' for sleepovers! 

    ReplyDelete
  41. Shared on twitter - @mandachic
    Shared on facebook 

    ReplyDelete
  42. Do- meet up with other families for dinners etc (children of similar ages can entertain themselves better), visit Nanny and Pa's (children tend to be on best behaviour- something to do with the treats??), make sure Santa gives children movie tickets or tickets to attractions at holiday destination.
    Don't- forget to book the children into holiday care for a couple of days if needed, be conned to have everyone else's children over for the holidays while their parents are at work (cheap babysitting)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Do - ensure all craft items purchased are age appropriate
    Don't let said craft items be completed on the new dining table!

    Liked and shared

    ReplyDelete
  44. liked and shared ob facebook and twitter

    ReplyDelete
  45. my dos are making sure the grand parents are not working lol my donts are count down the days till there back at school lol

    ReplyDelete
  46. Do: accept play dates. Two adults are better than one. (Someone to share the wine with.)

    Don't: take on baby sitting for friends while they just pop out to the shops. (I can hear them laughing now as they enjoy their freedom at my expense.)



    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. DO: Have a plentiful supply of duct tape.

    DON'T: Say "later" because you will be nagged incessantly til it is "later" and you are on the brink of homocide.

    ReplyDelete
  48. 1.  Your school holidays "Do" Visit the Library for great free activities  

    2. Your school holidays "Don't" have any candy in the house or sugary drinks 

    ReplyDelete
  49. Do - fake illness one day, get parents to pick up kids,  lie in bed with bottle of wine and watch dvds all day
    Don't  - forget to do this!
    Tweeting and sharing, now where's my glass?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Do-Take school holidays with Grandparents, that way you get help with feeding, cooking, washing entertaining etc.

    Don't- Forget the wine!! To block out the nagging from Grandparents, who say the holiday is too noisy.

    ReplyDelete
  51. To Do spend more time with grandchildren,
    Don't give the little darlings to much sugar don't forget to give a big kiss and hug when they leave
    i have tweeted and
    shared on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  52. DO: Fun things. Coz they're only little once.
    DON'T: stress out coz the house is a total disaster zone. See "Do".
    tweeted (as @sconeonamission )

    I love your idea to substitute Lightning McQueen for Santa to do things. I reckon it'll get stuff done!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Do -check out whats on in local area to entertain the kids
    Don't - let kids eat too much junk food
    shared on fb and twitter 

    ReplyDelete
  54. DO: Go to the beach, hit the gym a  bit (nice cold aircon there as well :p) and stock up on singlets
    DONT: Let your little brother have a sip of one of your beers, he thought he was actually drunk on one beer :S
    http://twitter.com/#!/bomberrobbo18/status/155069619596558337

    ReplyDelete
  55. We are homeschooling so at the moment we dont have any set school holidays...but I so wished (only sometimes!) that we did.
    If we had time to ourselves we would...
    Do - go to the beach every day so they sleep better at night
    Dont - stay at home for long periods of time
    Shared on Facebook and Twitter :)

    Cheers
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  56. Do -  Try to keep to some sort of a routine (especially bed-time)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Don't  - Promise to do something and not do it (you will be harassed to within and inch of your life)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Have shared on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  59. Alicia @ The Semi Rural LifeJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Do - Get out of the house at least once per day.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Alicia @ The Semi Rural LifeJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Dont - make promises that you know you wont keep

    ReplyDelete
  61. Take advantage of free holiday stuff-libraries and shopping centres have good stuff as well
    dont-stress about the state of the house-it just isnt that important:-0

    ReplyDelete
  62. Do= make sure you have loads of craft supplies and bits and pieces to make things
    Dont - agree to having more than 4 friends at once because its way too noisy !!

    ReplyDelete
  63. cAtch up with friends and let the kids ahve some fun as it is HOLIDAY time to relax and have a few laughs and to sit down and watch at DVD of cars together as a family.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Do - have fun and enjpy your mornings walking around the house in your jamas til 10 lol
    Dont -  go to the theme parks - everyone else has the same idea and they are packed
    Shared on FB

    ReplyDelete
  65. Do -share childminding with friends to give each of you a day off
    Don't - do your day on a rainy day.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Do - find local free activities in the area
    Don't - go to crowded shopping centres just to go shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Do - take you kids outside for activities, camping, fishing - exhaust their energy levels
    Dont - let them veg out too much in front of tv, computers and screens
    shared on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  68. Do have a plan - Days out, days in, activities,  time with friends
    Don't go it blind you will regret it everyone will get bored and annoyed turning the holidays very unpleasant. Don't forget to buy wine and reward yourself for keeping it together. 

    ReplyDelete
  69. DO - Ensure the Grandparents are in close proximityDON'T make appointments with doctors and the like

    ReplyDelete
  70. Do try and keep the kids out of hair lol I have 4 under 7 , not going to happen !!! but seriously try and keep them as busy as possible, puzzles, park, riding bikes, dvds, craft activities anything to limit their boredom and then fighting !!!!

    Don't have high expectations, a day out WILL involve crying and tantrums just accept it and move on, much easier then getting upset about it lol

    ReplyDelete
  71. have also shared on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  72. DO- a dvd a big pkt off chips =4 kids sitting down munchin out quite for an hour lol DONT-spend all day in the sun with no sun screen lol

    ReplyDelete
  73. DO:  get active by playing outside
    DON'T: give out to many lollies and never take kids shopping

    ReplyDelete
  74. tweeted   https://twitter.com/#!/jasmine_07/status/155583433291218944

    ReplyDelete
  75. DO: Get the kids to help clean the house


    DON'T: throw away important documents or future heirlooms

    ReplyDelete
  76. do get gran to babysit at least twice
    dont forget  to send their PJ's

    ReplyDelete
  77. Do: Practice the art of deep breathing throught the challenges. It will help you see the light at the end of it all.
    Don't: Forget to try and enjoy it while they're still around, because one day you'll be complaining of an empty house.

    Shared on Facebook :)

    ReplyDelete
  78. Do: Buy some kiddie swimmers to get ready for beach season!
    Don't: Forget sunscreen at the beach! 

    ReplyDelete
  79. Don't go trying to scrub the nail polish the kids painted on the walls with a scourer...
    Do put up the bowl of dry dog food that your child thinks are lollies..

    Shared and liked xxx

    ReplyDelete
  80. have tweeted and shared
    do get some sleep ins on the holidays
    dont get to used to it!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Do make a list of lunches ready for school
    Dont forget the Cars 2 game for LeapPad for travelling

    ReplyDelete
  82. Do : spill out the box of Legos on the lounge room floor and walk away from the rushing crowd.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Do set the kids up outside with shaving cream to draw in.
    Don't forget to hide your expensive lipstick from the 2 year old.

    ReplyDelete
  84. school holidays Do not give in to the kids show them whos boss and Don't loose your temper ...

    ReplyDelete
  85. Do... plan lots of fun activities for the kids to prevent boredom fights :)

    ReplyDelete
  86. Dont... let the rain get you down, must get outside to play!

    ReplyDelete
  87. tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/meadowsgrove/status/156612199253688320

    ReplyDelete
  88. School Holidays DO avoid the shops AT ALL COSTS
    School Holidays DONT go to the shops if it can be avoided!!!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Do: send them to the local Recreation centre for a fun filled day of activities
    Dont: let them swim unattended!!

    ReplyDelete
  90. "do let them become besties with the dog"
    "dont let them and the dog dig holes and then both come running inside"

    ReplyDelete
  91. Have tweeted and shared on Facebook
    DO encourage kids to help dad in the garden
    DON'T let them come inside (after gardening) with shoes , especially after cleaning the house

    ReplyDelete
  92. My School Holidays dos:
    Make sure you have all the preparations done for this in the last week of term :P
    -Let kids take turns each week to invite one friend over, essential and it may get (reciprocal) rid of one of your kids for a day
    -Do basic "cooking" eg icing on arrowroot bikkies with lolly faces, sandwiches with cookie cutters
    -Playdoh and painting and kiddie pools for "outside kids mummy is hungover!!"
    -Borrow a baby for the day ONLY if you have a newborn niece/nephew/cousin etc- that is totally fun particularly if you have a teenage daughter, and again reciprocal "get rid ofs" for your son/daughter would love to visit the said baby...

    DONT

    -Have a sleepover EVER! Imagine staying awake all night?? I helped a relative once- Not for me Thanks. Ever. Again.
    -Ever think that because pools are cheap now to get one in the holidays- get it done during the term if you must, you dont want to hear "is it ready yet???" I'd rather the Simpsons "Can we have a pool Dad?" times 1000
    -Let your kids stay inside all the holidays- it might be easy spending a few bob on iTunes or Blu Rays to shut them up but seriously a new basketball hoop or mini skateboard ramp or trips to the beach will be better for their health and your own mental well being
    -Dont just dump your kids to their Grandparents all the time- at least take one sick day to spend quality time at a museum or aqarium, kids dont forget that stuff!

    Thanks for the opportunity and Im a High School teacher with toddlers of my own so would love, love, love the cars pack and hey its my Birthday soon....

    Lots a Luff and Stuff
    Amanda from Amanda's Mummy Jeans xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  93. Do remember the spare nappy and wipes when out
    DONT forget to lump the kids on hubby and get out of the house! kid free!

    ReplyDelete
  94. DO organise lots of playdates and sleepovers for your four kids
    DON'T organise as many for your house!

    Shared on facebook
    shared on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  95. Do:  Pay attention to what your children are doing when they are very very quiet.
    Don't: leave super glue near your 5 year old child that is playing hair dressers with the neighbours kid.

    ReplyDelete
  96. do - ensure there is an emergency stash of chocolate
    don't - run out of chocolate

    also shareed on twitter and facebook

    ReplyDelete
  97. tweeted and shared
    Do hug my kids every day
    Dont Forgte to praise good behaviour

    ReplyDelete
  98. DO marry/partner a school teacher so HE can keep the kidlets amused at least half the time.
    DON'T schedule gynae surgery for early January when you're not allowed to go swimming for at least two weeks afterwards.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Do: Curse the people who think that school holidays means they can have a break from running Gymbaroo classes and playgroups.
    Don't: Do it to their face or you won't be welcome back in term one.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Do: set up the blow-up pool and make the most of the (few) warm days of Sunmer
    Don't: let your 19 month old play on the carpet while trying to toilet-train her

    ReplyDelete
  101. DO: 
    Make sure you have PLENTY of activities for the kids to get involved in.
    DONT: 
    Have a pale blue carpet if your 3 yo has 5 minutes alone with a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of talcum powder!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Do: Make aquaintences with the grocery online site
    Don't: Give into to demands for the secret stash of chocolate

    *Have shared on Facebook and liked on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  103. Do - Have plentiful alcohol supply for when children are in bed (Hell, you can start when they are getting 'ready' for bed!)

    Don't - Forget to buy alcohol ;OP

    ReplyDelete
  104. Oh and Shared on FB and Twitter :0)

    ReplyDelete
  105. Shared and liked on Facebook and tweeted

    ReplyDelete

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