Growing Up Mo' Reviews

Madeline at the White House- Book Review + Giveaway

2011-01-19T13:50:00.000-08:00

We are a "reading" household. I read for pleasure quite a bit but even more than that, I read to the kids all of the time and have since they were babies. We love love love books!

My 7 year old daughter Sophie and I *met* Madeline years ago, courtesy of the library. We both loved the lovely rhyming of the story, the pictures and the actual content. We now own several Madeline books.

The newest in the Madeline series is Madeline at the White House. It hits book shelves January 25, 2011. It hit our hands a few days ago : ). Sophie and I wasted no time in checking it out. I read it to her the first time and now, she reads it to me (with assistance here and there). Once again, Madeline does not disappoint and takes us on a journey to a new place (for us).

Official Summary: Madeline and friends are off to enjoy a wonderful American adventure. The White House in Washington, D.C., is their destination, where they are the guests of the president’s lonely only daughter for the annual Easter Egg Roll. Cake and ice cream, dress-up games, and scary stories told in the dark are capped off by a magical nighttime tour of the capital’s most famous landmarks, before it’s time for the twelve little girls in two straight lines to say, “Au revoir, America!”

Guess what? I am giving away THREE copies of Madeline at the White House- woot woot!!!!

To enter:

Leave me a comment answering this question- where should Madeline travel next?
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
US residents only.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, ~~January 28th~~ February 4th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: Penguin Group/Big Honcho Media provided me with a review copy and giveaway copies of Madeline at the White House. I was in no way for this post- all opinions are my own.

Old El Paso taco night (a giveaway) (Updated)

2010-10-28T19:05:00.000-07:00

Winner winner- congrats to Brooke! Please check your email for further instructions. Comments closed.

There are two family meals that are guaranteed winners- spaghetti and meatballs AND tacos.

The other night we had tacos in crunchy shells with all the fixin's and before I could even snap a shot, the kids were inhaling their food lickety split. Seriously, it was like they hadn't eaten in days. Each kid had a minimum of TWO tacos- that's how much they like them. If they didn't make such a mess with the tacos and the rice, then we might have tacos EVERY night for dinner.

I would love to say that we have a designated taco night every week, BUT that would require me to "plan" and lately, my "planning" has been out the window. Maybe this will help me plan better, lol.

To satisfy your Mexican style cravings, the Old El Paso® line up of products includes chilies, dinner kits, dips and sides, enchilada sauce, refried beans, seasoning mixes, shells, taco sauce and salsa. The Old El Paso taco seasoning mix selection includes flavors like Burrito, Cheesy Taco, Chili, Fajita, Taco, Mild Taco and even a seasoning with 40% less sodium.

Personally, we use the 40% less sodium seasoning packs : ).

Visit Old El Paso for news and great tips, recipes and more. In addition, you can click here to download a printable coupon for $0.60 off of any TWO El Paso products.

To help you plan a family taco night, I am giving away ONE "Family Taco Night" Gift Pack. The Old El Paso family taco night prize pack includes a packet of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, a Cactus Chip & Dip Serving dish, a set of 3 Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes and a $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings.

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know if you already have a designated family taco night. If so, what night of the week is it?
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
US residents only.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, November 5th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: The coupon, information, and prize package for the giveaway were all provided by Old El Paso through MyBlogSpark.

Strawberry Shortcake DVD (2 giveaways) (updated)

2010-10-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

Winner winner of Glimmerberry- Nancy, Tara, Audrey.
Winner winner of Berrywood- Lissa, Tara, Nancy.
Check your email, ladies! Comments closed.

My daughter loves Strawberry Shortcake. ~~So does my 4.5 year old son but don't tell his daddy : ).~~

The latest Strawberry Shortcake DVD's to hit the store shelves are Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie and Strawberry Shortcake: Berrywood Here We Come. Needless to say, my children were all too anxious to tear open the cellophane and watch these DVD's. It comes as no surprise to me that they thoroughly enjoyed these shows and continue to ask to watch them!

Here is a synopsis of each DVD.......

Winter is coming and it’s time for Strawberry and her friend to celebrate! A full-length CGI feature film, Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie follows Strawberry and friends as they prepare to celebrate the coming of winter with a secret gift exchange and a festive winter ball. But, when someone destroys their decorations and the girls all carve the same design in the Glimmerberry Ball lantern event, they have some mysteries to solve in an endearing fun-filled adventure.

Lights, camera, action! In Strawberry Shortcake: Berrywood Here We Come, Strawberry and friends head to Berrywood to visit Strawberry’s movie star friend, Limelight. When they arrive, they’re shocked to see not everything is glitz and glamour. They must come together to help Limelight realize that everyone can shine – because everyone is a star! In part two, Hooray for Berrywood! Strawberry and friends bring their Berrywood experience home and help re-open a local theater. By working all together as a team, they’re sure to make a berry-good movie!

Both the Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie DVD and the Strawberry Shortcake: Berrywood Here We Come DVD are available for the suggested retail price of $14.98 U.S.

Guess what? I am giving away THREE copies of EACH DVD- woot woot!!!!

To enter:

Leave me a comment, any 'ole comment will do.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
US residents only.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, November 5th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: Twentieth Century Fox provided me with a review copy and giveaway copy of Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie and Strawberry Shortcake: Berrywood Here We Come. I was in no way compensated for this post- all opinions are my own.

"Date Night" Prize Pack (giveaway) (updated)

2010-10-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

Winner winner- congrats to Eunice! Please check your email for further instructions. Comments closed.

We have three beautiful, young children.

Going on a "date night" can sometimes be difficult due to our social schedule, activities, birthday parties, playdates and baseball games. Not to mention the fact that sometimes our "babysitter" is not available (my MIL). Or get this- sometimes, we are too TIRED to go through all the effort to make a Date Night happen. This isn't a bad thing- it just doesn't happen often enough.

Sometimes, we make Date Night happen at home, after the kids are in bed for the night.

This is my "Date". We got dressed up this time for our Date Night at home- NOT!!!! This picture was taken at my girlfriend's wedding : ).

Anyhoo, Wanchai Ferry and Macaroni Grill have come out with these awesome, delicious boxed dinners where you just add the meat and everything else you need to make a yummy meal is included. We've used these before - my kids love them, they are easy to prepare and best of all, they taste good.

They offer many flavors to choose from! Enjoy an Asian escape with Wanchai Ferry restaurant-inspired dishes by simply adding your own protein to delicious entrees like Cashew Chicken, Spicy Garlic Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Kung Pao Chicken. Or bring the romance of Italian cuisine to your kitchen with Macaroni Grill favorites such as Chicken Piccata and Angel Hair Pasta, Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta, Chicken Alfredo with Linguine, Garlic & Herb Chicken Penne, and Chicken Marsala with Linguine.

For more information and dinner tips, visit WanchaiFerryAtHome.com and MacaroniGrillAtHome.com. And be sure to follow Macaroni Grill on Twitter and “Like” the Facebook page to keep up with all of the latest news on your Macaroni Grill favorites!

In addition, feel free to share this online coupon for $1.50 off two packages of Wanchai Ferry and/or Macaroni Grill Dinner Kits with your readers!

So, I have a "Date Night" Prize Pack for ONE lucky reader. The Date Night prize pack includes one Wanchai Ferry dry dinner kit, one Macaroni Grill dry dinner kit, and a $25 Visa gift card that you can use to create a magical date night at home.

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me about your first date with your significant other/spouse.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
US residents only.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, November 5th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: The products, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me from Wanchai Ferry and Macaroni Grill through MyBlogSpark.

V8 V-Fusion + Tea (a giveaway) (updated)

2010-10-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Winner winner- congrats to LaToisha! Check your email for further instructions : ). Comments closed.

My kids are pretty decent when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables.....maybe not every vegetable, but they do OK by me. However, when an opportunity arises where I can get more of the "good" stuff in them, then I jump at it. Even better when they don't realize that they are getting the good stuff.

Enter a new product(s) by V8: V-Fusion+teas.

V8 V-Fusion +Tea is a refreshing juice beverage with the fruit-and-veggie benefits of V-Fusion plus the natural antioxidants of green tea, providing a delicious, lower-calorie option for afternoon refreshment (just 80 calories per 8oz serving). It comes in three flavors: Raspberry Green Tea, Pineapple Mango, and Pomegranate Green Tea.

The best part, besides tasting delicious? Each 8-ounce glass of V8 V-Fusion juice provides a 1/2 cup of vegetables and 1/2 cup of fruit. How awesome is that? AND, my children love it! Although, I do dilute it a tiny bit with some water because of the sugar content but that's OK.

Would you like to try it?

I have one V8 V-Fusion + Tea gift pack to giveaway (like the one pictured above).

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me how many servings of fruits and veggies you consume per day.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Extra entry for "liking" V8 V-Fusion on Facebook.
US residents only.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, November 5th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: V8 V-Fusion + Tea provided me with a review copy and giveaway copy of the new products pictures above. I was in no way compensated for this post- all opinions are my own.

Modern Family- Squee!!!! (a giveaway) (updated)

2010-10-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Winner winner- congrats to Mendie! Check your email for further instructions : ). Comments closed.

Next to Glee, Modern Family is my all-time favorite show to watch. In a time of my life where I am super-busy and I am having to give up watching other shows, I made the wise decision that I could just NOT give up Modern Family. I absolutely ADORE this show and it never fails to make me laugh every. single. episode.

I keep trying to decide which cast of characters/family is my favorite, but I can't although I identify with Claire (played by actress Julie Bowen) and Phil (played by actor Ty Burrell) and their 3 kids the most. My husband is in love with Gloria (played by actress Sofia Vergara) for obvious reasons : ). I also love love love "pee my pants love" Cameron (played by actor Eric Stonestreet).

One of my all-time favorite episodes from last season is the Valentine's Day one, where Claire and Phil decide to have a little fun and "role play" a bit, with disastrous, HILARIOUS consequences. OMG, I laughed so hard while watching this episode.

So, it brings me extra special delight to offer this giveaway for you guys.

One person will win the a DVD copy of Modern Family: The Complete First Season.

Be prepared to laugh your tushie off.

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me who your favorite Modern Family character is, or which episode really made you laugh, or if you have never seen the show. Talk to me internet peeps!
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, November 5th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: Twentieth Century Fox provided me with a review copy and giveaway copy of Modern Family: The Complete First Season. I was in no way compensated for this post- all opinions are my own.

Calling all Glee Fans! (Giveaway) (Updated)

2010-09-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

Winner winner chicken dinner! Randy, you are the winner of this giveaway. Please check your email for shipping details. Thanks and congrats- Lisa.

OK, I have to be honest with you.

I have received Glee: The Complete First Season, to review for you.

However, time is very short these days and I have not watched the DVD at all. I don't really need to since I saw every single episode of Glee the first time it was on TV. I loved it then, I am sure I will love it now.

Did I mention that I love Glee? ~~And Mr Schuster's hair~~.

I made sure my DVR was fired up every week to record Glee in all of it's glory. For realz.

One of these days, I will have some free time yeah right to re-watch all the "old" episodes of Glee. For now, I am looking forward to watching some of the "Special Features" of this DVD set, like the full length audition pieces, Meet Jane Lynch, Making of a Showstopper and more!

I know there are LOTS and LOTS of Glee fans out there (duh). Might you want to be one of the lucky readers to win your own copy of Glee: The Complete First Season?

Yep, I have one copy to giveaway.

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me who your favorite Glee character is, or which episode really stood out to you, or if you were in Glee Club/Choir in high school or ~~maybe the Glee member you most want to make out with~~. Talk to me internet peeps!
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday October 1st. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: Twentieth Century Fox provided me with a review copy and giveaway copy of Glee: The Complete First Season. I was in no way compensated for this post- all opinions are my own.

Yoplait Splitz Gift Pack (Updated)

2010-09-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Angela, you are the winner of this gift pack. Please check your email for details. Thanks and congrats- Lisa.
I had hoped to share a picture of my kids eating the new Yoplait Splitz product out on the market, but they ate it too quickly for me to capture the money shot. What can I say - they love yogurt, in any shape or form. The newest Yoplait product was no exception.

Yoplait Splitz is a good source of calcium and vitamin D, with no artificial flavors or sweeteners and no high fructose corn syrup and only 90 calories- yippee!

For an even “cooler” experience, just pop a Yoplait Splitz in the freezer and in a few hours you can enjoy a cool, creamy cup of authentic frozen yogurt. Available in three delicious flavor combinations including Strawberry Sundae, Strawberry Banana Split, and Rainbow Sherbet, Yoplait Splitz is sure to have your family screaming for more- at least my family screamed for more.

Would you like to try it out?

I have one Yoplait Splitz gift pack to giveaway. It includes what you see below (the bag is pretty awesome!):

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me which flavor of Yoplait Splitz they would most like to try.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Extra entries for "liking" Yoplait on Facebook and following them on twitter.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday October 1st. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/. Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: Yoplait provided me with the free product, information, and gift pack through MyBlogSpark. Opinions are my own!

Nanny McPhee Returns- Review + Giveaway

2010-08-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

We watch movies. At home.

We rarely take the kids TO the movie theater because let's face it, it's darn expensive to go to the movies nowadays. Throw in the popcorn, a drink, and maybe candy and you have come close to paying for our house mortgage. OK, not really, but it does cost a lot to take a family of five to the movies. Let's just ignore the fact that the youngest of our crew isn't really into watching movies just yet.

Universal Pictures invited my family to a special preview screening of the new movie Nanny McPhee Returns. Before the offer could be retracted, we quickly accepted!

For the first time as a family, my husband and I took our older two children to the movie theater, all together (we left the toddler at home with Grandma). It was so much fun and the kids were so excited (probably because we let them stay up way past their bedtime!).

The movie was delightful and funny and so entertaining, even for me and the husband (Actress Emma Thompson is brilliant as Nanny McPhee). I was just as enthralled with the plot as my children were. It was awesome to sit in that dark movie theater, watching them watch it, hearing them laugh and giggle and whisper way too loudly about "the pigs and the burping bird and the Nanny who looks mean but isn't mean". Both our 6.5 year old and 4.5 year old were enraptured the entire time- so were we.

Afterwards, I asked my daughter what she thought of the movie. She said: I love it. Can we own it?!

When I asked both kids what their favorite part was, it was impossible for them to list just one thing. They relived the movie on the way home and laughed some more. All in all, it was a great family movie and one that I wouldn't mind seeing again. I know my kids want to see it again, already.

Official Synopsis:
In Nanny McPhee Returns, Oscar®-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world.

In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave.
Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle and a statue that comes to life to a tree-climbing piglet and a baby elephant who turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons.
Nanny McPhee Returns opens in movie theaters today, August 20th.

I have a Nanny McPhee Prize Pack to giveaway to THREE winners. Each prize pack will include:

Youth T-Shirt
Notebook
Crayon Wheel
Lunchbox

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me if you need Nanny McPhee to pay a visit to your home!
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday September 3rd. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US Residents Only.

Disclaimer: Universal Pictures provided our family with the invitation to the special prescreening of Nanny McPhee Returns as well as the gift packs. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Date Night DVD- Review + Giveaway (Updated)

2010-08-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Comments Closed and Winners Picked! Congrats goes to Tirah (The Doll) and Stacy!!!!

OK. Let me keep this review short and sweet.

Go get this movie NOW.

It was hilarious and engaging and real. It kept both me and my husband laughing and laughing some more. We could totally relate to the main characters as parents of young children just wanting to spice up their weekly date night. What was so funny to me is that before the movie began, my husband was SO skeptical about it being any good, talking trash before the credits even rolled. Within 5 minutes, he was smiling and laughing and agreeing with me that "this was going to be good".

And it was.

We enjoyed every. second. of. this. movie. You will, too.

Lucky YOU- I have TWO copies of this movie to giveaway!

To enter:

Leave me a comment telling me about your best date night!
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday September 3rd. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US Residents Only.

Disclaimer: Big Honcho Media provided me with a preview copy of the Date Night DVD and giveaway copies for the winners. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Seventh Generation Back-to-School Prize Pack (Updated)

2010-08-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

Comments Closed and Winner Chosen- congrats goes out to DeGood (Kerrie)!

You see these three, cute kids?

They are ALL heading off to some form of school very soon here whatever will I do with myself on the two days that they ALL are in school? Happy happy dance dance- squeeee!

I will have a 1st grader, a pre-schooler, and a toddler in Mother's Day Out.

Besides me taxiing them here, there, and everywhere, my three beautiful children, who like to play with other kids, roll around on the playground, and stick dirty hands in their mouth will most certainly bring home their fair amount of germs and share them with us and their siblings. Germs Galore!!!

In an effort to help parents and schools minimize the germ-factor, Seventh Generation has put together a Back-to-School prize pack for ONE of you lucky readers.

Included in the Back-to-School Prize Pack are the following: Seventh Generation backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (one for home and one to donate to your child´s classroom), disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and paper towels.

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know who this would be used with- a child, a grandchild, at work, etc.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday August 27th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US Residents Only.

Disclaimer: The Seventh Generation product, gift pack, and additional gift pack to give away were all given to me from Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Bob Books- Review + Giveaway (Updated)

2010-08-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

Comments Closed and Winners Chosen- Congrats goes to Barcardi Mama (Nancy) and Quitecontrary1977 (Mary).

Have you heard about Bob Books?

Bob Books are a great tool to help emerging readers enhance and reinforce new reading skills. Did you know that students on average lose up to 30% of their reading skills over the Summer? I guess the old adage of "use it or lose it" applies here.

We received these books to review and we love them, especially Sophie, my 6.5 year old daughter who will be starting 1st grade soon.

We have been using the kindergarten flash cards to review "sight words" and she can already read ALL of the Kindergarten books; we have since made our way halfway through the First Grade set, all in two days time. In fact, she will bring the sets to me and ask to practice and will stay focused on the task at hand until I tell her "that's enough". I would venture to say that she enjoys the books more than I do, and that's saying a lot!

About the Books:

From the #1 bestselling learn-to-read program come two brand-new sets focused on learning and practicing Sight Words.

Sight Words are words that are recognized by sight rather than sounded out, in order to achieve reading fluency. They are the most frequently used words in the English language, and are often unable to be read phonetically (“was”, “are”, and “out” are examples). Bob Books Sight Words feature the top Sight Words in two sets – one for kindergarten and one for first grade – in order to allow parents and children to read, learn, and practice easily and enjoyably.

Each Sight Words box includes 10 original books, 30 flashcards, and a parent guide. Soon your child will be saying “I read the whole book!”®.

The Bob Books would be great for parents, grandparents, and even childcare/school teachers.

Guess what! I am giving away of the following to TWO winners:

A Bob Books lunchbox
Copy of Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten
Copy of Bob Books Sight Words: First Grade

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know who this would be used with- a child, a grandchild, at work, etc.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday August 27th. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US Residents Only.

Disclaimer: Big Honcho Media provided me with a preview copy of the Bob Books set. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

all® Oxi-Active™ Laundry Detergent Review & Giveaway (Updated)

2010-07-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Winners Selected: Sponge423 and Mama_Sass- Congrats ladies and check your email for further instructions! Comments Closed.

I have three kids.

They are messy, especially the boys, although the girl is not immune to mess.

Their clothes are regularly stained with food, dirt, paint, crayons, blood, and the like. I abhor doing their laundry because it takes an Act of Good to get all the stains out. Really, keeping their clothes stain-free could be a full-time job....you know, if I didn't have the three of them to take care of.

Enter a laundry detergent that eliminates one step of laundry- soaking out the stains.

all® Oxi-Active™ Laundry Detergent

New all® Oxi-Active™ laundry detergent delivers 2-in-1 advanced cleaning power and cleans better than the leading Oxi liquid detergent on tough stains like grass. Containing innovative all® Oxi-Active™ Stainlifters, all® Oxi-Active™ is the most powerful all® product on the market.

Anyhoo, I had the opportunity to try out the new all® Oxi-Active™ Laundry Detergent and I have to say that I really like it.

Features of this product:

Delivers 2-in-1 advanced cleaning power
Vibrant whites and bright colors
Safe for both traditional and high-efficiency washing machines
Cleans better than the leading Oxi liquid detergent on tough stains like- grass, blood, wine, grape juice, coffee with milk, chocolate ice cream

I am all about eliminating steps in the laundry room, yet still having clean, stain-free clothes. Now, if this bottle of detergent came with a laundry fairy that folded the clothes as well, then I would be over-the-moon with happiness!

Wanna try this out for yourself (the laundry detergent, not the laundry fairy)?

Enter to win your very own bottle of all® Oxi-Active™ Laundry Detergent (two winners)!

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know what stains give you the most trouble : ).
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday July 16th, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US Residents Only.

Disclaimer: all® Oxi-Active™ provided me with review product and giveaway products. I was not compensated in any other way. Opinions are entirely my own.

Good Earth Review and Gift Pack Giveaway (Updated)

2010-06-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

The winner is *Lissa*! Congrats girl- email me your information, pretty please.

Doesn't that look yummy? It was delicious and I made it with the help of this:

I KNOW. That first picture doesn't look like it was something made from a box, does it? I am actually leary of cooking from boxes because ya'll know I like to MAKE STUFF, but this looked interesting to me, plus the convenience factor was nice, too. Even better, my kids snarfed it down. My husband, who normally comments that boxed dinners have too much sodium or that they are only OK, remarked: "WOW, this is REALLY good. I mean, really good."

I agree with him. I do believe I will be purchasing some of these in the very near future.

But wait, this is just not ANY ole boxed dinner/dry dinner kit. Check out the deets:

100% whole grain (I added some whole wheat pasta to what was included as I knew my family would like it and we would want more pasta)
no trans fat
no artificial flavors
no artificial preservatives
no MSG
just add meat and, voila! Dinner is served.

Coming to stores this June, Good Earth dry dinner kits offer a selection of four delectable meals: Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta, Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp with angel hair pasta, Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto and Tuscan Chicken with penne pasta.

It does not get any better than this, I tell you.

So would ONE of you like to win a Good Earth Gift Pack that looks like this:

To enter this giveaway:

Leave me a comment letting me know which dry dinner kit sounds best to you. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday July 2nd, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US Residents Only.

Disclaimer: Good Earth provided me with the free product, information and gift pack through MyBlogSpark™. Opinions are my own.

CSN Stores- Check Them Out!

2010-06-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of CSN Stores? Checked it out yet?

They are an online store, selling literally thousands, maybe millions, of items. They have 200+ stores that sell their wares through CSN. Cookware, children's furniture, Christmas decorations, kid's toys, bedding, baby stuff, luggage, home decor, and MORE.

From bathroom vanities to fitness equipment (ya'll know I'm big on fitness) to grills/grilling accessories to my favorite category of goods- cookware.....they carry it all.

So if you like shopping and who doesn't or if you are in the market to buy something for yourself or for someone else, then seriously consider giving CSN Stores a look see- I am positive you can find something there that meets your needs.

Peace Out friends!

Pillsbury Family Pizza Night (giveaway)

2010-05-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

Updated: We have a winner- Christie (ropp.5@wright.edu)! Check your email for further details and congrats.

Who doesn't love pizza?

My entire family loves pizza - duh.

As my kids get older (they are 6.5, 4, and 1.5 years old right now), I want to incorporate a family night, where we have something special that we don't have all the time and possibly play games. As I am typing this, I am realizing that I don't have to wait until they are older, I can do this now.

I am a genius, I tell you.

Anyhoo, pizza + family games = good times. Right?

First, we took some Pillsbury Pizza Crust.

I loaded up some yummy toppings, baked for a little while and then we had this.

And this.

Each member of my family had a slice of both pizzas. Much to my surprise, my two older children proclaimed the BBQ Chicken Pizza as their favorite and my husband proclaimed the pepperoni pizza as his favorite- I thought for sure it would be the other way around.

We never got around to playing Pictureka. We'll just blame it on a too busy of a day. The kids were exhausted from a carnival at the church and then swimming at the pool, yes swimming!

Guess what?

I have a "Family Pizza Party" prize pack to giveaway to ONE reader. Included in the pack is a VIP coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Pizza Crust and Pictureka!, the find it fast game from Hasbro.

To enter to win the "Family Pizza Party" Prize Pack:

Leave me a comment answering the question- what activities do you like to incorporate into family pizza night......or, what your favorite kind of pizza is......or BOTH. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday May 14, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

In addition, all of you can visit http://www.pillsbury.com/products/meal-solutions/default.aspx to save $0.40 when you purchase two packages of Pillsbury Pizza Crust today!

Disclaimer: Pillsbury provided me with the VIP coupons, online coupon link, information, and prize packs through MyBlogSpark.

Simply....Go-Gurt (giveaway)

2010-04-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: Winner winner chicken dinner! The winner of the Simply...Go Gurt Prize Pack is Cheryl F (The Lucky Ladybug). Please check your email for further instructions.

My kids love yogurt, in any shape or form.

Yoplait has introduced a new yogurt product to the market- Simply....Go Gurt. New Simply… Go-Gurt is made from simple ingredients moms look for and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. Each convenient portable yogurt tube contains a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Simply stated, Simply… Go-Gurt is a good-for-you, low fat yogurt snack that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

New Simply… Go-Gurt is available in two kid-friendly flavors, Strawberry and Mixed Berry.

And it tastes good! My children liked the regular Go Gurt products but now that I know there is a better, healthier option available, we will be purchasing that instead.

Giveaway: a "Simplify Your Life” prize pack that includes a coupon for a free sample of Simply… Go-Gurt*, a pocket Etch a Sketch, a weekly planner and a seat back organizer.

*This coupon offer for free Simply… Go-Gurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.

To enter to win the "Simply Your Life" Go-Gurt Prize Pack:

Leave me a comment, any ole comment. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday May 7, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Simply…Go-Gurt Savings

Additionally, Yoplait has a customized micro site that's loaded with great tips and 30 free coupons, so the first 30 readers who click on the “Try It Free” tab will receive a coupon for a free package of Simply…Go-Gurt!*

After the 30 coupons are claimed, the micro site will include a link to a $1.10 off coupon so everyone who visits can share in the savings.

First 30 folks to visit that site can and should collect their coupon for a free Simply....Go Gurt.

How cool is that?! You can enter to win the giveaway but at the same time, the first 30 folks to visit the link above can claim a coupon for a free Simply...Go Gurt.

Disclaimer: The Simply… Go-Gurt, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

Earth Day: Live Green Together (a giveaway)

2010-04-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: Winner winner chicken dinner! Random.org chose comment #2 as the winner- Carolsue. Check your email for further details and congrats.

Earth Day is Thursday April 22nd, 2010 and is a day for us to become more aware and show appreciation for the Earth's environment. I don't know about you, but maybe we should be doing this every day. Something to ponder.

Cascadian Farm wants you to join the celebration by pledging to follow a few eco-friendly tips on Facebook. Choose from eight different pledges, ranging from reusing clothes to reducing your speed while driving on the highway, and find the one that fits your lifestyle. For each person that signs a pledge now through May 31, 2010, Cascadian Farm will donate $1, up to $40,000, to the Organic Farming Research Foundation, which fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems.

How wonderfully cool and awesome is that?

Go ahead and click here and sign the pledge that is right for you. It is easy and quick and it is for a great cause. I already did it because I am good like that : ).

Dedicated to organic goodness since 1972, Cascadian Farm products are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically engineered ingredients. With your help, we can all live greener together. Besides, who wants all those yucky chemicals on the foods you and your family eat? NOT I!

Visit http://www.cascadianfarm.com/ to learn more and download a $1.00 coupon today!

Even better, I have a "Live Green Together" prize pack that Cascadian Farms is going to provide to one lucky reader that features Cascadian Farm cereals and granola bars, including: Fruitful O’s cereal, Cinnamon Crunch cereal, Chocolate Chip Chewy granola bars, Dark Chocolate Almond Granola, Dark Chocolate Almond granola bars, Oats & Honey granola, and an eco-friendly grocery bag.

Can we all say YUMMY?!

To enter:

Leave me a comment and let me know what changes your family has made (or plan to make) in an effort to live greener. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday April 30, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Disclaimer: Cascadian Farm provided me with the products, information, and prize packs through MyBlogSpark.

Giveaway: Alvin and The Chipmunks The Squeakquel (3 DVD copies)

2010-04-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

Update: Comments Closed. Winners of this giveaway are Lissa, Lobbyman, and Norabubora. Please check your email for instructions on how to receive your DVD's and congrats!

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL (released March 30, 2010)

When a concert mishap lands Dave in the hospital, the Chipmunks take a break from superstardom and enroll in school to fit in with kids their age. But they soon face some stiff competition when they meet the Chipettes — a beautiful, talented trio of chipmunks discovered by Ian, the boys’ evil ex-manager!

My 6 yr old daughter and 4 yr old son LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie. I would have to say that they have watched it no less than 10 times since we received it. They dance, they sing, they pretend they are chipmunks (so cute). The music isn't half bad to my adult ears but the most important part is that my kids enjoy this movie over and over again. This is a movie that will bring enjoyment to the entire family.

I have 3 copies of Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel to giveaway!

To enter:

Leave me a comment, any ole comment. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday April 23, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Disclaimer: Twentieth Century Fox provided me with a preview copy of this DVD. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Giveaway: Strawberry Shortcake Berryfest Princess (3 copies)

2010-03-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Dophine Girl, Audrey, and scg00387@yahoo.com- check your email! You have won a copy of this DVD and I need your addresses so that these can get mailed out to you. Congrats!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: THE BERRYFEST PRINCESS MOVIE

In the latest CGI installment featuring the character’s new look, Berry Bitty City is preparing for the annual Spring festival, and Strawberry Shortcake has just been appointed Berryfest Princess of the joyous celebration. Along with her berry best friends, they must work together to ensure the festival and parade are the sweetest events the town has ever seen. 64 minutes. (Retails $19.98)

My 6 year daughter loves loves loves Strawberry Shortcake. Within minutes of receiving this in the mail, it was playing in our DVD player. It is your typical Strawberry Shortcake movie- cute, colorful, and fun. My daughter has since requested to watch this DVD every. single. day. Amazingly enough, my 4 year old son enjoys watching it, too!

I have 3 copies of Strawberry Shortcake: Berryfest Princess to giveaway!

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know who this would be for- a daughter, granddaughter, as a gift, for yourself, etc. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, March 19th, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Disclaimer: Twentieth Century Fox provided me with a preview copy of this DVD. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Giveaway: Ironman Armored Adventures Vol 2 (3 copies)

2010-03-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

UPDATED: Jay, Karissa, and Cheryl- you have all won copies of this DVD. Please forward your address and phone number to growingupmo@gmail.com within the next 48 hours. Thanks!

Kick off the new year right and prepare to blast off with boy-genius Tony Stark when “Iron Man: Armored Adventures” Volume 2 flies onto DVD January 5 from Marvel Animation, Method Films, Genius Products and Vivendi Entertainment! Jam-packed with six all new high-octane episodes, join the adventures of Tony and his friends as they risk it all facing bigger challenges, more secrets, more showdowns and two new chaotic villains, Living Laser and Madam Masque. Using the latest technology and a little teamwork, it’s up to the teenage prodigy and his ever-evolving, adaptable armor – including the unveil of two brand-new suits – to save the world from evil whenever duty calls. (Retail value: $16.95)

My 4 year old son, who just so happens to be into superheros and action figures and "anyone who saves the day", very much wanted to watch this DVD. I previewed it first and thought it might be a little too old for him- he thinks differently, ha ha. So I have watched it, he has not, although that will change this weekend. I am almost certain that he will love it. I won't be surprised if he starts going around calling himself Tony or Ironman!

I have 3 copies of Ironman Armored Adventures Volume 2 to giveaway!

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know who your kids' favorite superhero is. Please include a valid email address for contact purposes. NO email address, no winning.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, March 19th, 2010. Winner will be chosen via http://www.random.org/.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Disclaimer: Twentieth Century Fox provided me with a preview copy of this DVD. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Chocolate + Cheerios = Yummy (a giveaway)

2010-01-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

I love chocolate and I love Cheerios.

Put the two together and I am in HEAVEN. In fact, I am sitting here, typing out this post, with a bowl of chocolate cheerios next to me. It is difficult to concentrate on the post because um, hello, the chocolate cheerios are calling my name and they are so delicious!

Chocolate Cheerios is low in fat, heart healthy*, has 100 calories per serving, contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving (at least 48 grams recommended daily), and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Made with real cocoa, Chocolate Cheerios can help your family start the day off right with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that is sure to make you smile!

Did I mention how GOOD they taste? Do I have to share these with my kids? I'm not sure I could stick to just one serving.

ALERT ALERT ALERT!
I have ONE Chocolate Cheerios Gift Pack to giveaway to ONE Lucky reader. It looks like this:

It includes a box of Chocolate Cheerios, a nifty chocolate brown cereal bowl, a loofah sponge, chocolate bath salts, soap and body wash. How awesome is that?!

To enter:

Leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite Cheerios flavors (regular, honey nut, multigrain, etc). Please include a valid email address for contact purposes
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or for tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on Friday, February 8, 2010. Winner will be chosen via www.random.org.
Winners will have 48 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Disclaimer: Cheerios, information, and gift packs were provided by Cheerios and MyBlogSpark.

Good News Alert- Cereal!

2010-01-20T17:55:00.000-08:00

I love eating cereal for breakfast, sometimes for dinner or an evening snack. However, I am not a big fan of all the sugary crap. OK, maybe I like the sugary stuff an eensy-teensy tiny bit, BUT I severly limit the amount of sugary cereals my kids have to choose from at breakfast time.

General Mills sent me the following information about cereal. Since I am a huge cereal lover, I just had to pass it on to you.

GOOD NEWS ALERT

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children´s diets.

Other cereal benefits:

Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children´s diets.

Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child´s diet today.

More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

General Mills also announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

How awesome is that?! Even better, if you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals. For more information about kids and cereals, please visit Cereal Health and Wellness.

Go ahead, check it out!

Disclaimer: this information and free cereal coupons were all provided to me by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Oprah Magazine DEAL/STEAL!

2009-12-14T06:26:00.000-08:00

I love Oprah and I love her magazine and right now, you can get a ONE YEAR subscription at amazon.com for only $5.00. Right. this. very. second.

FIVE DOLLARS, people.

That ONE Starbucks Venti Mocha Latte with an extra shot of espresso that you are drinking right now costs about the same.

You can buy a subscription as a gift for someone else or do like I did, and buy a gift for yourself!

The offer is good through this Saturday, December 19th and is also good on renewal subscriptions- SCORE!

Let me know if the comments if you decide to drop the five bucks on a subscription and for whom : ).

Happy shopping!

Klutz Sale!

2009-12-07T23:16:00.000-08:00

Now through December 16th, Klutz has having a huge sale- 25% off of your entire order.

I love Klutz products- they are educational, fun, colorful, and creative! My daughter loves them. If you are looking for a unique gift for your child for this Christmas (or a future birthday), then you should definitely check Klutz out.

Important Details:

- The coupon code is HOLIDAY25 and expires on 12/16

- Onetime use per email address

- Not to be combined with other offers

- Expires 12/16/09

- Valid only at Klutz.com

Barefoot Books Sale

2009-11-25T19:28:00.000-08:00

I'll keep this short and sweet.

I love books.
I love children's books.
I love www.amazon.com.
I love Barnes & Noble.
I especially LOVE Barefoot Books for children's books.
They are the hot diggity diggity bomb.
Unique, creative, artsy, worldly.
You must check them out.

They are having a BIG Thanksgiving Sale.

20% of all purchases PLUS free shipping on purchases over $35 (make sure to enter "FESTIVE" at checkout).

Now though Mon, November 30th.

So yeah, click here on my Barefoot Books link and check them out! And yes, I "sell" Barefoot Books, but not really to anyone else but myself except for today cuz it's a SALE and I LOVE LOVE LOVE these books and can't recommend them highly enough.

Now, go shopping : ).

If you're interested in recommendations, then let me know in the comments!

At Home with Friends, Joshua Bell CD (Giveaway, Recipes)

2009-11-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

UPDATED: Bombtastic Belle is the winner of this giveaway. BB, please check your email for details and get back with me within 72 hours- thanks!

The giveaway details are towards the bottom.......

Between now and Christmas, my days are going to filled with lots of eating, drinking, and socializing exercising and going crazy, but shhhhh, don't tell anyone. some of might actually think I have it all together. Any of you who have visited me on a regular basis knows that I LOVE to cook especially when my 3 children are whining about dinner and the baby is clinging to my legs- it's the best, for realz.

Anyhoo, I thought I would share with you guys some recipes that have landed in my email box.

Have you ever heard of Sandra Lee? Yeah, she's a popular one, isn't she?

I have not made any of these recipes yet and they are not on my holiday menu for Thanksgiving. However, I am thinking I just might need to plan a dinner party for my friends sometime soon so that I can have a good reason to whip up the heaven-ness that are these recipes. Make sure to come back and visit in the next two days because I will be posting a few more recipes in quick succession.

So, who wants to come?! Who's bringing the wine?

Oh yeah, scroll down for details about a giveaway to go along with the recipe fun!

Pork Roast and Cranberry Dressing - Entree
Prep 15 minutes Cook 5 to 6 hours (Low) Stand 15 minutes Makes 6 servings

1 1⁄2 cups frozen chopped onions
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 3-pound boneless pork shoulder roast
2 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning
1 can (16-ounce) whole cranberry sauce
1⁄2 cup dry white wine
1 cup vegetable broth
1⁄4 cup butter
1 box (6-ounce) pork stuffing mix
3⁄4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine onions and celery. Sprinkle roast with steak seasoning; place on vegetables in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry sauce and wine until combined. Spoon over roast in slow cooker.
Cover and cook on Low heat setting for 5 to 6 hours.
Transfer roast to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over high heat, bring vegetable broth and butter to a boil. Stir pork stuffing mix and dried cranberries into pan. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
To serve, mound some stuffing on center of plate. Spoon a portion of celery, onions, cranberries, and accumulated juices from slow cooker over stuffing. Top with sliced roast.
Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Money Saving Slow Cooking, by Sandra Lee Copyright © 2009 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
You have an awesome recipe to try, now you need some good music for your party. Right?

I love Joshua Bell. Nice, classical music. Some songs upbeat, others at a slower tempo. Regardless, I was pleasantly surprised to actually enjoy listening to his album I typically listen to what my husband calls wiggity-wiggity music. The music soothed my soul and I felt so peaceful after listening to his CD. In fact, some evenings, I just loop his album and listen to it over and over.

If you want to check out the sounds of Joshua Bell, then click on the Streaming music player: Pop Up Audio
I am fortunate enough to be giving away ONE copy of At Home With Friends, Joshua Bell.

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave me a comment.

Leave me a comment.....let me know what you are doing for the Thanksgiving holidays- staying at home, traveling to visit others or the like.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar).
For tweeting about this contest.
Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends Friday, December 4th at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected via www.random.org and notified via email (must leave a valid email address). Just a side note....I have had lots of entries lately with no valid email address present. Please leave your email address as part of your comments. If you win and i have no way of contacting you, then you don't really win. Thanks guys!!!!!
Winner will have 72 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Review, Giveaway)

2009-11-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

UPDATED: The winners of the Ice Age DVD are Audrey @ The Lewis Four, Jenny (jennyb78@comcast.net), Dolphin Girl (kccuties@gmail.com), Christy (scpalmer6@hotmail.com) and Jennie (abookishmom@yahoo.com). Congrats and check your email!

The newest Ice Age has hit the shelves!

Twentieth Century Fox sent our family a review copy to check out this newest title and let me tell you, my 3 yr old and 6 yr old loved it! They giggled, they danced, they laughed some more and have since requested to watch this movie time after time. I even enjoyed watching the movie.

In the coolest Ice Age adventure yet, Manny and the herd discover a lost world of ferociously funny dinosaurs, including a cranky T. rex who’s got a score to settle with Sid! Meanwhile, Scrat goes nuts over the beautiful Scratte, but is she trying to win his heart – or steal his acorn?

The coolest animated comedy of the year, Ice Age 3 Dawn Of The Dinosaurs features hilarious performances from Ice Age veterans Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), John Leguizamo (The Happening), Denis Leary (“Rescue Me”), Queen Latifah (The Secret Life of Bees), Seann William Scott (Planet 51) and Josh Peck (“Drake & Josh”), along with newcomers Bill Hader (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Kristen Wiig (“Saturday Night Live”), Jane Lynch (“Glee) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead).

So what do you think? Would you like to win your very own copy of Ice Age 3? How about this......

I am giving away FIVE COPIES of Ice Age 3- wahoo!!!!!

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave me a comment.

Tell me if this would be for you or for your kids to enjoy!
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar).
For tweeting about this contest.
Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends Friday, November 27th at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected via www.random.org and notified via email (must leave a valid email address).
Winner will have 72 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

A review copy of the DVD was provided by Twentieth Century Fox's PR group. No monetary compensation was paid for this review.

Cooking Light Magazine Subscription (giveaway)

2009-11-09T18:21:00.000-08:00

Update: #11, Mendie of The Little LadyBug that Could is the winner. Congrats Mendie, check your email!

I love the magazine Cooking Light.

Period. The end.

Noone is paying me to say this. The magazine has NOT contacted me saying that they would like to sponsor a giveaway. There has been no PR contact.

I just like this magazine so much and I love to cook.

I like it so much that I am going to give ONE of you lucky readers your very own yearly subscription. Yes. Really. I am paying for it myself.

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave me a comment.

Tell me what your favorite cooking magazine is and why.
Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar).
For tweeting about this contest.
Leave separate comments for each entry.
Contest ends Wednesday, November 11th at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected via www.random.org and notified via email (must leave a valid email address).
Winner will have 24 hours to contact me with their address or another winner will be selected.
US residents only.

Who likes going to the movies (giveaway)

2009-10-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: The winner is Bev at Merry Weather. Congrats and check your email!

I very much enjoy going to the movies- sitting in the dark, watching previews, munching on salty popcorn, drinking a diet coke. It's a shame that I don't get to do it more often but having 3 kids in five years kinda sucks the life force out of you, doesn't it?! Or maybe just me.

Regardless, when the moon and the stars align and my husband and I are able to sneak away to a movie, I am once again reminded of how much I enjoy it. And now, General Mills has made it even easier!

Starting in November, you can receive a free movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of General Mills’ Cereals. After purchasing two cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the code found inside each box of cereal and print your free movie certificate good for admission to any movie.

Participating brands include select sizes of: Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Trix and Reese’s Peanut Butter Puffs.

To find a participating theater near you, log onto
http://emoviecash.com/dis_locator/.

Say what?! General Mills is giving away a free movie ticket for purchasing just TWO of the listed cereals? Consider that a done deal. I wonder if there is a limit, my kids are eating nothing but Honey Nut Cheerios and Lucky Charms for the next month.

To kick off this new promotion, I am giving away a "Movie Moments Prize Pack", that includes 4 e-movie cash certificates ($12 each) and one (1) free coupon for a General Mills cereal.

Free movie tickets AND a box of cereal?! It doesn't get much better than that, folks.

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave me a comment. Tell me what your favorite movie is or maybe about a special movie moment. Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or tweeting about this contest. Leave separate comments for each entry. Contest ends Friday, November 6th at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected via www.random.org and notified via email (must leave a valid email address). US residents only.

General Mills provided me with the free coupon, information, and prize pack through MyBlogSpark.

For all you kitchen lovers (review, giveaway)

2009-10-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: Scott/nynekats is the winner. Scott, check your email!

Ya'll know I love to cook, right? I am the Master of my Kitchen Domain and I love it. Now if only I could find a kitchen fairy to clean up after me......

Anyhoo, I am always on the search for new recipes to try out, to tweak, to finesse to my own cooking preferences. General Mills has launched a new recipe site called Tablespoon.com, a place where you can find, save, and share recipes you’ll love.

I hear angels singing right now, do you?

Not only is it the newest home of 25,000+ recipes, but you can also:

print coupons (they change monthly)- wahoo!
add your own recipe creations
rate recipes and review them
multiple search functions available- by cuisine, by certain ingredients, by cook time, by course, by rating, etc. How cool is that?

I invite all of you to go check it out and take a look around.

And now I get to giveaway a Tablespoon.com gift pack, that includes a stainless steel measuring cup, measuring spoons and two pot holders.

I have already broken in my set and all of these items are quickly becoming my favorites in the kitchen!

To enter this giveaway, all you got to do is leave me a comment. If so inclined, tell me what your favorite recipe of all time is : ). Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or tweeting about this contest. Contest ends Friday, November 6th at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected via www.random.org and notified via email (must leave a valid email address). US residents only.

I received this kit, information, and giveaway from General Mills and MyBlogSpark.

ShooShoos for Baby (Review & Giveaway)

2009-10-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Comments Closed- Winner: comment #28 Darrell

I love baby shoes.

I love keeping my baby's feet warm and protected and giving him just the right amount of support (but not too much support) for his developing feet. I think soft-soled baby shoes are the way to go with infants that are just learning to walk. But you gotta find the "right" soft-soled baby shoe.

I think ShooShoo's fits the bill.

I like ShooShoo's baby shoes because:

They come in so many cute styles! Like this one and this one and this one.
They stay on baby's feet.
They keep his toesies warm.
The bottom of the sole is soft suede and doesn't slip on the floor.
He cannot pull them off- SCORE!
They are easy to put on.
Economical prices ranging from $12.95 to $24.95 (for toddler shoes). Plus, they always have shoes on sale- now who doesn't love a shoe sale?!

This is the pair I picked out for Little Anthony.

Isn't he stylin' and profilin' in these cute shoes? Look, they even match his outfit- HA! Of course, the best part was watching his cruise around like a big boy with his new shoes on.

Guess what? I have ONE pair of ShooShoo's to giveaway- Woot, woot!

To enter:

Go to the ShooShoos website, take a look around and let me know which ones you like. Leave a comment on this post.
Additional entry for blogging about this contest- must link back to ShooShoos and this post.
MORE entries for tweeting about this contest or for following me (click on "Follow" on the left side bar).
You must leave a valid email address in order for me to contact you if you win. No email, no win!
Open to US and Canadian residents.
Contest ends Friday, October 30th at 11:59 CST. Winner will be picked via www.random.org and notified via email.

Good luck!

A pair of "review" shoes was provided by ShooShoos.

Once in a Blue Moon (Review)

2009-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

About the Book : While she was growing up, twelve-year-old Lindsay had to look after three-year-old Kerrie Ann. When their mother was arrested and imprisoned for drugs, the girls entered foster care.

Nearly thirty years later, Lindsay owns a bookstore in the California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay. Adopted by a loving couple, she’s still trying to reconnect with her long-lost sister. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has led a very different life, bounced from one foster home to the next. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of her own little girl.

When the sisters are finally reunited, the two very different women clash. As Lindsay and Kerrie Ann engage in the fiercest battles of their lives—while each embarks on a journey of the heart with the unlikeliest of men—they are drawn together.

OK, I wish I could give this book a glowing review but it's going to be more lukewarm than glowing.

I liked the book well enough- the plot seemed thought out, the writing was easy to read, the characters almost believable. However, this book was not a page-turner for me. A page-turner book, to me, is one of those books that you can't wait to pick up to read and you don't want to put down until you are done.

I am a mother of three children and the only time I have to read is in the evening, right before bedtime. I would pick up this book, night after night, only to fall asleep fairly quickly. In addition, the plot was just a little predictable for my tastes and did not keep me on the edge of my seat.

I know, I know, I really do like sharing with you guys when I find GREAT books, but unfortunately, this is not one of them. If you are looking for "light Summer reading", then this book will fit the bill.

Review Book Provided by One2One Network.

Klutz Fancy Friendship Bracelets (Giveaway)

2009-10-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

UPDATED: Darrell and One Frugal Lady are the winners - congrats and check your emails!
I love being able to give stuff away it's so much fun!

Through a PR contact of mine, I was given the opportunity to check out Klutz's newest artsy creation, Fancy Friendship Bracelets. We have used Klutz products in our home in the past- my daughter loves all the bright colors and various ways to CREATE things with her own two hands. As a non-artsy-craftsy parent, I love Klutz products because everything you need for a project is bundled all together, PLUS it comes with instructions.

Need I say more?

As for the Fancy Friendship Bracelets, we have not broken the package open just yet, but that's only because my daughter had a birthday a few days ago and she is inundated with birthday gifts and playing with all of those new toys. To be honest, I almost want to keep this "toy" for me! It takes me back to my younger days, back when friendship pins and friendship bracelets were all the rage and we would spend countless HOURS making bracelets.

With supervision, I think my daughter could master the easier bracelets. I think children ages 8 and up would be able to do this with minimal supervision and for older kids, completely on their own.

The official description: Introducing Fancy Friendship Bracelets, the original Friendship Bracelet’s new best friend! Klutz started with super-simple instructions for a flock of all-new bracelet designs. We added five different colors of cord and more than 200 sparkling beads. Then we threw in some stylish charms for good measure. The result is even better than we hoped.

Guess what?

I get to give TWO prizepacks away. Each prizepack includes TWO Fancy Friendship Bracelets book, one to keep for yourself/your child and one to share with a friend. These would make a great birthday or Christmas gift......

How cool is that?!

All you got to do is leave me a comment. Extra entries for following me (just click on "follow" over there on the left side bar) or tweeting about this contest. Contest ends Friday, October 30th at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected via www.random.org and notified via email (must leave a valid email address). US residents only!

Crooner, Swooner (A Review)

2009-10-14T19:12:00.001-07:00

Harry Connick, Jr. is easy on the eyes and easy on the ears.

His latest album, a cover album, is velvety-smooth, classic Connick sound. He cranks out some oldies but goodies, my favorite being Besame Mucho. This album has songs that you will recognize, sung by the man himself, with elegance, style and grace.

Go ahead, check it out. Harry's new album (we're on a first name basis, did you know) is already available for purchase.

Harry can croon to me anytime!

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

*A Review Copy of this CD was provided to me by One2One Network.

Coupons for FREE General Mills Food

2009-10-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Comments Closed. Winner: Steph from One Day, One Dollar at a Time

Anyone remember my trip to the General Mills headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota? I had a rocking good time cooking in the Betty Crocker test kitchens and learning about all things GM (that's General Mills in layman's terms).

GM sent me home with some awesome coupons, one set for me and one set to give to a lucky reader. Who's up for winning coupons for FOOD? Something that ALL of us need and use?!

ONE winner will take home coupons for:

Free, one box of Wanchai Ferry or Romanos Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites Dinner Kit (any flavor, up to $5.68)
Free, one package of Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree (any flavor, up to $8.90)
Free, any flavor Yoplait Frozen Smoothie (up to $3.74)
Free, one package any variety Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers frozen vegetables (up to $2.83)
Free, one box any variety Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables (up to $2.32)
Free, one can any Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls (up to $3.50)
Free, one package any Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust (up to $3.36)
Free, one can any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits (up to $2.52)

This giveaway will run for ONE week, closing at 11:59pm CST on Sunday, October 18th. A winner will be drawn via www.random.org and notified via email. Please make sure to leave your email address! Only US residents. Extra entries for following me on my NEW review/giveaway blog or tweeting about this contest.

All you have to do is leave a comment. Since this is a new blog, and maybe some of you are new around here, introduce yourself and let me know where you are from.

Good luck!

And don't forget to come back and visit- I have some more giveaways in the next few days/weeks!

Welcome!

2009-10-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Of late, I have come across some awesome items to review and/or giveaway. In an effort to keep my parenting blog as clutter free as possible and more focused on my family, I decided to create a "review" blog (that's what this would be).

I will have some fairly cool stuff to giveaway in the next few weeks, at least I think it's cool. Come back and check often or even better, become a follower and bookmark this page. If I was more technically savvy, I would have all kinds of ways for you to follow me. Maybe, one day.

Peace out!