Going Christmas shopping? Let the TIA help you find SAFE toys!

What is one of the main things parents want for their kids? Safety! I am happy that companies are getting smarter about wanting better quality and safer toys for our children!
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is our industry's trade organization: the one that hosts Toy Fair in February in New York, and the one who has led American toy makers through the new toy safety testing laws and standards they must meet. The TIA is reaching out to moms to help us understand how to buy safe, and great, toys. I think this is important to share with you as you are considering toys for your Christmas shopping lists.
The TIA have created two websites for consumers: Toyinfo.org (provides you with all the information you need to choose the right toys for your family. From toy safety facts to free downloadable play guides, this exciting new site is a one-stop resource for caregivers and parents to discover everything about toys and play) , and Toyawards.org. ToyAwards.org showcases the top toys in 11 product categories that have been nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), recognized as the “Oscars” of the toy industry. Not only will you discover which toys the experts think are best, but for the first time, kids and parents can register for one (or more) of 12 prize packages, and can also vote for their favorite toys.
Celebrating it's 10th Anniversary, the TIA wants to share the finalists with us! Here is some of the TIA's holiday gift ideas/suggestions:
Trio Building Set from Fisher Price $30.00
This is a great set of pieces to encourage kids to use their imaginations, and creativity while building. This set is made easy with clicking bricks, sticks and panels, where the pieces just snap together. The kits come with suggested designs, but kids can make their own creations, too. That is what makes this kit so fun, because kids can make it their own. Includes 100 pieces in a convenient storage tub. I love that I can bring our tub to Grandma and Grandpa's house, or to a friend's house who doesn't have toys for my kids to play with. The top of the storage container makes for a great base to build upon. I like that the Trio building sets all work together so kids can collect all of them and mix them up a bit.
Mythbusters Weird Water World from Elmer’s Products, Inc. SRP $19.99
SCRABBLE SLAM Card Game from Hasbro Games SRP $6.99
UNO Moo! from Mattel SRP $19.99
This is an adorable and fun game from Mattel, UNO but with farm animals. Kids match the colors or animals in this fun game of UNO Moo! If you get a farmer, you are in luck, because he is wild. The first player to get all of their figures back in the barn wins.
Be sure to watch out for the skunk, because he will "skunk you." I think this is a great game for toddlers and preschoolers, because it teaches colors and numbers.
Laugh & Learn Learning Farm from Fisher-Price SRP $79.99
Plus other great toys: Check them out here.
TIA wants families to feel confident in the toys they buy, and they'd like to be a reliable resource for us when we need the latest in toy safety tips and news from the toy world. I am so thankful for this list, and it is very helpful when searching for a gift for my kids, or for gifts for others on our lists. I urge you to share this information with others needing ideas for the Christmas shopping. Let this Christmas be a "safer" one for our kids.

This review was provided from Team Mom and the TIA, which provided me with the information to share with my readers. I was given the information for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Mom Central's 2nd Holiday Gift Guide (giveaway)

Mom Central is hosting their second annual Holiday Gift Guide. Not only does Mom Central give fabulous gift ideas for the entire family, they are also posting new giveaways each week for many of the featured products!
Three exciting giveaways they'll be including over the next few weeks are:
Pandora Bracelet: These versatile bracelets allow you to customize your look through numerous charms that you can add or change to match your outfit. Create a tradition with family and friends by giving charms for different celebrations and milestones after presenting the bracelet as the original gift this holiday season.
Daisy Rock: Debutante Electric Guitar Starter Set: A starter kit for young girls who aspire to be rock stars! The set includes all she will need to begin her musical adventure: an "atomic pink" guitar, 10 watt amplifier, electronic tuner, guitar strap, picks, string winder, polish cloth, and an instructional DVD.
Cuisinart Rice-Plus Multi Cooker: Perfect for the cook in the family, this new kitchen appliance from Cuisinart makes much more than just rice! Ideal for homemade soups, oatmeal, steaming veggies, and slow-cooking, the Multi Cooker will make preparing those hearty winter meals easier than ever. Fun features include pre-programmed menu options, a programmable finish time and an automatic "keep warm" setting that activates after your cooking is completed.
Hurry over to Mom Central to enter into the amazing weekly giveaways through their Holiday Gift Guide!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Think Christmas...Think Tiny Prints!

I am the kind of person who likes the idea of sending out Christmas cards, thank you cards, birthday cards, etc.; however, me liking the idea...and doing it are two separate things. Being a busy mom of four, home schooling two of my kids, and running a household...life is a bit busy. I am so thankful for the wonderful company of Tiny*Prints! What a time saver to go to their site, pick out the card design that I like best, and add a few photos to it. They even have a LIVE CHAT button if you have any questions. Tiny Prints has a Personal Shopper Service (free until Nov 15th), to help you make the choices for your card selections, too!

I like that Tiny Prints has a great selection of new Christmas cards, and they even have 2010 edition available (for the big-time planners). Tiny Prints have some new styles available like the Photo Collage cards, Tri-fold holiday cards and Pop-Up Christmas cards. Tiny Prints have so many great options to chose from, and I think most everyone could find exactly what they want in a card. Uploading photos to use in the card is easy, too. I had no problems uploading pictures that I wanted to use. I couldn't finish my card order yet, so I saved my work until I am ready to order. I love that feature of Tiny Prints. With your card selections, you can change the words or sayings on the card, too (on most cards). That way you can personalize your card even more!

Tiny Prints also has Photo Books and Photo calendars. I think these would make great Christmas gifts, especially to the people in our lives that have "everything," and you don't know what to give them.

If you haven't ordered or purchased your Christmas cards yet, I would highly suggest you stopping by Tiny Prints! I think they have so many styles to make so many people happy and satisfied!

You can follow Tiny Prints on Twitter, too!!

Mom Central's Holiday Giveaway

Mom Central is a great community to be apart of! I have had such a great time getting to know the ladies behind Mom Central, as well as helping launch their blog tours. Not only have I learned a lot about different products/websites, I have enjoyed the "perks" of being on the Mom Central Team of Mom Testers. I am happy to let you know Mom Central's First Annual Holiday Gift Guide launches today!
Mom Central put up a Holiday Gift Guide for him, for her, for baby/toddler, for tweens, for teens, and even for pets. There are several products that I already own to give to my kids and nieces and nephews. I found a couple of fantastic ideas for my husband, even, but I'm not telling, he occasionally reads my blog, lol.
In conjunction with the Gift Guide, Mom Central is also having a ton of giveaways (prizes worth hundreds of dollars)! One every day from today, December 3, through December 18! In order to enter you need to register at the Mom Central Testing Panel (click link), then you comment on each post each day. There are ways to get extra entries, like Tweeting the giveaway or emailing friends. Just leave a second comment after you have earned your extra entry. Sign up today for Day 1, December 3rd: Deck the Halls and 'Tis the Season Gift Packages; Day 2, December 4th: We're Expecting Gift Package; Day 3, December 5th: Green and Global Gift Package; Day 4, December 6th: Family of Photogs Gift Package; Day 5, December 7th: For Grandparents Gift Package; Day 6, December 8th: Baby on Board Gift Package; Day 7, December 9th: Toys for Toddlers Gift Package; Day 8, December 10th:Little Book Lovers Giveaway; Day 9, December 11th: Being a Kid - Boys' and Girls' Gift Packages; Day 10, December 12th: Furry Friends Gift Package; Day 11, December 13th: For Tweens - Boys' and Girls' Gift Packages; Day 12, December 14th: Teenage Fun Gift Package; Day 13, December 15th: Health and Well being Gift Package; Day 14, December 16th: For Him Gift Package; Day 15, December 17th: For Her Gift Package; Day 16, December 18th: Family Night Gift Package
Head over and sign up, log in, enter to win! Mom Central is super! Thanks Mom Central!

Christmas time is here...

It was a great day yesterday! We went to church in the morning, and fellowship with our church family. I found out that my uncle is home after a major surgery, so that was a Praise the Lord! He had surgery on his brain to remove blood build-up from a fall he had this summer! Scary stuff! My Dad went through the same ordeal about 10 years ago. When my Dad went through the surgery, he didn't have an easy recovery, though. Anyway, I was so happy to hear that my uncle is doing great.
We came home for lunch, and made our "left-overs" into very tasty food. I had a left over roast, and neither Terry and I are big time left-over lovers....especially dry roast. Terry made up his own version of BBQ sauce, and we added some water, shredded the beef, and made a scrumptious Shredded BBQ! It was so tasty! I put mine on buttered toasted bread. Am I making you hungry? I wish there was more left-overs...isn't that funny? Well, at least I will know what to do next time we have roast. Terry is great with making new recipes from scratch.
After lunch, Caleb and Madelyn took their naps. By the way, Caleb is doing amazing with potty training! He is keeping his underwear dry at naps now! He insisted on wearing underwear to church Sunday morning. He had not been away from home in underwear yet, just pull-ups. He just keep insisting on underwear. So, we let him do it, but prepared ourselves with back-up clothing. He made it through the rides to and from church, and for the duration of church. Not only that, he made it through nap time dry, and kept it dry after nap when we went to get our Christmas tree! I am so proud of him!! I am so relieved for us, too~~
Speaking of getting our tree...it was a chillier day for it. I am so glad we got our tree earlier this year! I would love to keep it right after Thanksgiving~if possible, so we can enjoy it longer.
We have been going to the same tree farm for 3 years. It is a bit pricey, so I would like to find something cheaper. I am not a fan of the long silky needles (they are messy and the ornaments are hard to put on). I love the Scotch Fir, but those are way to pricey. So, we went with the Blue Spruce. We get the small needles, and it is very fragrant. I love it! Here are some pictures of our tree searching and cutting.
Caleb was very cold, and was not very happy...so he looks really sad in this picture.
He was a little happier in this picture because Dad said he can help cut the tree down...then, we can go home.
Caleb loves any opportunity to help out his Dad.

Nathaniel loved that he could help push the tree over. Doesn't it look like he is working tough?
Cutting the netting from the tree...
Caleb helping cut the netting, Madelyn watching in amazement...
Look how Madelyn is watching as she holds on to Daddy...so sweet!
Nathaniel was "caught" in the web-o-net. He can be such a card sometimes. :)
My three little darlings! They were so thrilled to have the tree up. We got really ambitious and decorated the whole tree, the living room, and pulled out all the other decorations! I can't believe it is all done!
Nathaniel was getting the lights all ready for stringing.
Leave it to Nathaniel to make a "chore" into something fun! He is so funny!
Nathaniel helped Terry string all the lights on! They put up 3 long strands~ one set is blinking lights.
Madelyn loved the lights. She sat right in them and was just dazzled by them!
I love this picture. She put the lights over her head and just clung on. It was like the lights were her blanket. Isn't her little hand clenched cute?
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...can you tell Terry was a rock climber? Those tools work super on our chimney with no mantle!
Maddie got to put the star on the tree.
Caleb got to place the star at the top.
Nathaniel had his turn to put the star at the top.
Terry even got his turn to work with that Star. No, I didn't take a turn. I am not so sure my belly would allow me to get very close to the tree with leaning in.

Merry Christmas from our family to you!

Thanksgiving

It was a great Thanksgiving. We left on Wednesday night, around 6:30, to go to Terry's Mom and Grandma's house. We had to take our truck because we had a load of things to bring up to store at Terry's brother's house. It was a tight fit with 3 kids in the back seat, Lena (our dog) on the floor~ among a few bags and backpacks, and Terry and I in front. We made it work, though. We stopped for supper at one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants. It was good food, and while we ate we had good entertainment from a magician on the TV. He was pretty amazing to watch! I always wonder how they do those tricks! Madelyn liked watching these 3 guys at the table next to us. They tried to make her smile and wave, but I think she was playing shy. Caleb noticed a table with a man and woman sitting at it. He saw that they were speaking in sign language to each other. He was fascinated with them. I told him that is another great reason why we should learn signing, so we can communicate with them, too.
We made it to Terry's family about 10 PM. It was great to get there and visit for a bit with Terry's Mom and Grandma. His Grandma just got out of extended hospital stays. Her health hasn't been that great, and she has gone through 3 surgeries in 4 months. She is healing from a terrible fall, so she looks a bit beat up. I am glad she can be home now, and do her healing in the comfort of her own home.
The kids got to bed past their bedtime, but it was the holidays. Madelyn had never really done well sleeping away from home, and Wednesday night was a rough one for her! She woke up screaming, we pulled her into bed with us, and she crawled all over me crying. After fighting with her for about 20 minutes, my MIL came to get her. She did get her to sleep sitting in the chair, and put her back in the pack-n-play. It didn't seem long after that when Madelyn woke up again. I was so tired...not being in my own bed, being preggo and uncomfortable, and dealing with a non-sleeping daughter....all combined to cause lack of sleep. Fortunately, when my MIL went to work on the turkey, Madelyn and Caleb went upstairs with her, and I went back to bed (on my MIL water bed). So, I did get a few more Zzzz's. My parents came around noon with my niece. It was great to see them, too. Terry's uncle, girlfriend, and each of their boys came for lunch, too. It was a good crowd. My MIL did a super job with the meal, too. It was nice to have a new celebration arrangement this year! For the last 4 years, I hosted a Thanksgiving meal at our house for whomever could make it~ plus a potluck. I really didn't feel up to hosting this year~ being 8 months pregnant. I did bring the turkey, and make the green bean casserole, but I feel like I should have helped more. Thank you to my MIL for being so wonderful and hosting Thanksgiving this year! It was so great to be with you and my parents this year!
We came home on Friday afternoon. We stopped by my parent's house because Nathaniel went home with them on Thursday night to spend the night. Him and my niece wanted to have more time together. We got home about 4, and I was heading out at 5:30 to meet my friends from High School (whom I haven't seen since August). It was so wonderful to go see them and reconnect. Talk time with them~ minus the distraction of children~ was wonderful! The time went way too fast, as always, but I will take it! I am really looking forward to when we get together next!

Feeling Tired...

I know that I am in my eighth month of pregnancy, but lately I have been so extremely tired. I do have to say that my arm/shoulder is a little better. I just hope that my pain stays minimized until the end of pregnancy. I am sorry I am not doing a whole lot of personal posts lately...just been really tired. I will try to visit around the blogosphere come this weekend, and write more personal stories. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are going to my husband's mom's home. My parents are going to be there, too. So, we get the best of both families! My husband's Grandma is home from a long extended stay from the hospital, so it will be great to see her, too.

I (promise) to write more later, but I need to get me, and this wonderful miracle growing inside of me~ to bed.

Remembering to Thank those who have served or who have dedicated their life to serve. Thank you troops for protecting and fighting for our freedom!