Winners & Contests coming up

I am sorry that I am behind in my contest winner announcements. If you don't know, I had skin cancer removed from my ear. I had gone through surgery and recovery, and I am still trying to get back into the swing of things. Anyway...without further ado, here are the winners. I will be contacting all winners, but if you see this before I contact you, feel free to e-mail me your name/address, and which contest you won.

The Mixer (Betty Crocker) giveaway: Samantha Rae
Mag-Tagz (necklace and tagz) giveaway: Jeff & Mandee
Music for Kids (instrument) giveaway: Kristie
Hero Book giveaway: Anna
Kids Cards (pre-made cards) giveaway: justicecw

Thanks to all the generous sponsors for the giveaways, and thank you to all who entered the giveaways! Congratulations!

Here are some contests coming up....so, be on the look out and be sure to enter!
Personalized Name Pillows e-book
baby/kid moccasins (from Sweeden)
Hallmark cards (4 winners)
motivational/positive thinking DVD
children's book (2 winners)
kids "talk" cards
chocolate treats
popcorn
fun kid's projects
online games
and books....

Tux fitting for a handsome ring bearer to be!

Caleb is going to be the ring bearer in my brother's wedding in a few weeks. Terry and I brought him in for his tux fitting two days after my surgery. I was kind of out of it, still, and I think I may have had a bit of OD when we went out to my parents afterward for dinner. However, the fitting went well. Caleb had just woken up from a nap, so he wasn't totally chipper. He wasn't in a bad mood, just tired and wanting his mom. Here are the pictures of the fitting. I wanted to share them, because Caleb looks so cute and handsome!
He was having fun putting on the pants. He is really getting excited to escort two of his cousins down the aisle.
Isn't he adorable?
Still a bit sleepy. I will have to make sure he gets plenty of sleep the night before the wedding. Hopefully he will cooperate OK, and that he will be excited to walk down the aisle on the wedding day.
I love his smile. He is such a great looking boy!

I am sorry, I feel so behind in my blogging of personal stories, things going on, what we have been up to....funnies, etc. I am going to post about those over the next few days. I just haven't had as much time, nor the drive (due to lack of energy) since I have become a mom of 4, and after I had the surgery for the removal of Melanoma. I am really trying to get back into the swing of things!
I can't believe that I am a week behind posting a very special day....but, since it is so late (time wise) tonight, I will post it in the morning. That will give you a bit of suspense! :)

Double Daring Books for Girls (Challenge) Book Shower!

I am thrilled to be a participant in a book shower for the authors of the new Double Daring book for Girls! Andrea J. Buchanan & Miriam Peskowitz have compiled a whole book of double daring adventures, crafts, stories, sports and knowledgeable facts to encourage all those daring girls to put themselves to the challenges. It is a great book to learn new things, and try your hand at the activities and crafts! Even my son had a kick out of the Math Tricks and used them to stump his peers and his teacher.
The Double Daring Book for Girls is a follow-up to the bestselling book: The Daring Book for Girls, and has all new material. Girls will learn how to play football, catch a fish, make a labyrinth, learn about the Chinese New Year, how to make a scarecrow, what words impress, the Nobel Prize, learn about the origin of phrases and idioms, being a detective and much more!
I have really enjoyed reading this book, and some of the contents brought me right back into my childhood days, and the fun things my friends and I did and learned about.
I think the Double Daring Book for Girls makes for a great book for any homeschooling family because you can use so much of the information and activities in your studies. Did you know that you can learn how to paint a room, how to build a raft, make antique paper, how to make a rope ladder, and learn about the history of the bicycle....all found in the Double Daring Book~ Plus so much more!

I was asked to host a dare on my site to help promote this great book, and also participate in the book shower for the authors. So, I thought it would be fun to make our own piñata out of papier-mâché as something to dare my readers to do, but instead, I have decided to make a snow globe. I know winter is over, but who says it is too late to make a gift for someone. I personally love homemade gifts, and love to give them to people. So, I am daring you, my readers, to make a snow globe. I will give you the directions that are in my Double Daring Book, and you can make one. I would love it if you could post this on your site, link to me, and let me know you did it. I think it sounds like fun! I will work on my globe this week. I am actually going to ask my 10 year old son to make one with me. (even though he is NOT a girl). I will post the picture later this week of what my globe looks like. What a fun craft, huh? The Double Daring Book for Girls is packed with such fun craft ideas!

Here is what you need to do to make a snow globe: (taken from the book)

1. You need a glass jar with a lid that screws on tight. (even a small baby food jar)
2. Fun doodads that will fit inside the jar and glued tightly on the inside of the lid. (plastic dolls, game pieces, Legos, etc.)
3. Glue, or clay that is strong enough to keep the doodad connected to the lid. (hot gun glue, super glue, modeling clay, or florist clay)
4. Glitter
5. Water
6. *Optional: glycerin, to make the water a bit thicker so the glitter moves slower.

First, glue the doodad to the lid of the jar with the glue of choice. Modeling clay will even hold the doodad. Set aside to dry fully, and make sure it is really sticking. Then, when the glue is dry, fill the jar most of the way to the top with cold water, leaving some room for air. Add a few teaspoons of glitter and *glycerin*. Close lid tight, and shake. Once you have the right amount of water and glitter, take the lid off and dry well. Put some glue on the inside of the lid, and glue it tight to the jar. You can hold it with clay, too. Allow the whole thing to dry before shaking.

That's it! Doesn't it sound like fun!? I think you should make a snow globe with me! Your kids can really have fun with this project, too!

Here is a quote from the authors:
Daring is all around us. It is in girls who break barriers and girls who help out friends. It is in girls who scale mountains and girls who speak their minds. It is in girls who make things and girls who ask questions, girls who set their sights on adventure and girls who find adventure in their own backyards. Daring is about finding your journey and following your dreams—getting off the sidelines and getting in the game, whatever your game may be.
So fire up your inner daring, turn the page, and remember the daring girl credo: Enjoy yourself, learn new things, and lead an interesting life.
Go on—we double-dare you!
Andrea J. Buchanan & Miriam Peskowitz

So, you have been officially DARED!! Will you take the challenge and join me in making a snow globe?

You can purchase the Double Daring book for Girls online at Amazon, and you can also look in your local bookstore. SRP: $26.99

Baby Bunch has "hatched" a nest with eggs~

Baby Bunch has such creative and fun gift sets to offer for special occasions. I have been thrilled about all of their products and I get so excited to let others know about them!
They recently just came out with their baby nest eggs! I love this set and I am excited to share it with you! You will find 3 little "eggs" sitting in a nest. You can choose either 3 pink eggs or 3 blue eggs. These "eggs" are actually 3 pair of organic cotton baby socks (0-6) month size.

Sitting on top of the "eggs" is the mother bird, which is a spice-scented sachet for your dresser drawer. I love the creativity of baby bunch, and I can highly recommend checking out their site for all the products they offer. I am sure you will find a great gift idea for a new mom for her baby, welcome baby gift, or gifts for moms or friends(like the garden set, spa set, or the kitchen set).
The nest (eggs and bird) are wrapped in plastic wrap, tied with a ribbon, and has a birdie gift tag for personalizing your gift. Retail price is $19.95.

I think this set came out at the perfect time! Spring is in the air, and so are the nest eggs!

Dog Days of Summer: Movie review

A NOT-SO PERFECT TOWN’S FLAWS ARE
REVEALED IN THE INSPIRING THRILLER
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Will Patton and Richard Herd Star in the Drama
Debuting on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment on April 21

From executive producer Rick Eldridge (the award-winning family feature The Ultimate Gift) comes the heartfelt drama Dog Days Of Summer. Eldridge, CEO of The Film Foundry, creates a poignant masterpiece centering on the discovery of truth and a journey of restoration. Dog Days Of Summer debuts on DVD April 21 from Anchor Bay Entertainment for the suggested retail price of $19.97.
Movie guide has called the film, “One of the best cutting edge movies to probe the human condition.” Ted Baehr praises it as “reminiscent of Ray Bradbury.”
Obie Award-winning actor Will Patton (A Mighty Heart, Remember the Titans) stars as Eli Cottonmouth, a stranger who captures the attention of two boys and leads them on a journey that soon begins to uncover the secrets of a quiet southern town. As Eli recreates the true essence of the community by building a miniature model of the city, the boys are shocked to discover their town isn’t as perfect as it seems.
The film includes supporting performances from Richard Herd (“Seinfeld,” “Star Trek Voyager”), Devon Gearhart (Changeling), Colin Ford (“Journeyman,” Push) and R. Keith Harris (Junebug, The List).
Shot entirely in historic Edenton, North Carolina, DOG DAYS OF SUMMER was produced and directed by first-time helmer, Mark Freiburger, and was based on an original screenplay by Travis Beacham and Christopher J. Waild, all 2005 graduates of the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Dog Days Of Summer, which has garnered The Dove Family Approved for 12+Seal, includes “The Dark Room” bonus featurette.
Synopsis
A perfect town. Or so it seems. Then one summer, a mysterious stranger arrives with a simple proposition and a powerful secret. The newcomer, Eli Cottonmouth, bewitches the townsfolk with his charm. His intentions concern the town fathers, and his secrecy captivates two curious boys.
As Eli recreates the true essence of the community by making a miniature model of the town, he uses the boys as his eyes and ears to gather information. Armed with his ancient camera, they snap pictures of small town life.
With each new photo, Eli changes the way the boys look at their town. Their childish wonderment is shattered as the boys' eyes are opened to what’s really happening. Eli's hidden agenda shocks the townspeople and threatens the existence of the entire community.

Fun contest to enter!!

TWO people will each win a full set of five No-Cry Solution books – autographed! You can keep them for yourself, give them to a friend, or hold your own give-away contests on your blog or website!

The No-Cry Nap Solution *NEW*
The No-Cry Sleep Solution (for babies)
The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers
The No-Cry Discipline Solution
The No-Cry Potty Training Solution

HOW TO ENTER:

Choose a line or two, or a complete except from any of Elizabeth Pentley's books. (Lots of excerpts on her website - take what you want!)
Quote it on your blog, website, newsletter, or Facebook page.
~ Include the title and author, PLEASE. ~
Send the link to: elizabeth@pantley.com
That’s all ~ you’re entered!

Winners to be chosen at random on July 15, 2009.

Thomas & Friends: Live On Stage!

The beginning of May, our family went to the Thomas & Friends Live! on Stage: A Circus Comes to Town, thanks to MomSelect for the tickets! I was chosen to receive four (4) comp tickets in the mail, and was able to pick the time and location to the Thomas & Friends show that our family wanted to attend.

Here is our family outside the Target Center getting ready to go inside.
Dad with the little ones. Nathaniel opted out of this show. He is 10 1/2, so Thomas isn't something he is very interested in anymore.
Mom and the kiddos.
Here is the stage before the show.
Madelyn loved having popcorn with Dad. She had fallen off of a chair backward before the show, so she was a bit sad. She didn't let a chair ruin her evening, though.

This is a picture of Sir Topham Hatt with the train engineer. They were singing a song together.
I liked that this show was a musical. It was fun hearing new songs, and seeing the characters come alive. The show is about Thomas making a big mistake and how all the engines on the Island of Sodor must work together. Everyone is preparing for the big event under the Big Top, and Thomas must prove he's a really useful engine once again.
There is exciting adventures along the way, and meeting more people (townspeople from the Island of Sodor). Percy, James, Gordon, and Thomas join Sir Topham Hatt to welcome a colorful cast of circus performers in an engaging story that demonstrates the importance of friendship and cooperation...especially when Thomas is in trouble.
Here is the circus car, along with 3 of the circus cast: trapeze artist, strongman and the clown.
Here is a picture of three characters singing in the rain.

This was a fun part, the strongman was twirling the trapeze artist, and she went up high in the air.
It was a great show, and my kids are wanting to go again! Thank you MomSelect for the wonderful family outing...and memories made. We were fortunate to go with some friends of ours, and their two children. It was a great evening and lots of fun!

For times and locations of a Thomas & Friends show near you, visit the Thomas & Friends event page.

Happy Heinys (review)

I think that cloth diapering is such an economical and safe way to diaper your baby. Parents can save so much money if they cloth diaper, especially if they have more than one child. I was asked to review Happy Heinys, which is a USA made company ran and operated by Linda Byerline. She started the business with her daughter, Sarah, wearing the Happy Heinys. She wanted to start a business that she could run from home, reaping the benefits of a stay at home mom.
The quality of the diapers is super! Happy Heinys are specially hand sown by dedicated seamstesses. I like knowing that the diapers I received were made by someone and not a machine. I got an orange and blue One Size Pocket diapers. With each diaper, is 2 micro fiber inserts: One small and one large insert. You may use either 1 insert or both or more as needed depending on how heavy your little one wets. I think this is a great concept, because all children vary in their bladder size. There is plenty of room to add the inserts, and the flap closes well over the inserts. Happy Heinys also carries hemp stuffins, which also fit well into the one size diapers. One Size diapers are available in 22 different colors and several different prints. The fabrics have been tested to last up to 12 hours at night for most babies.

Happy Heinys uses only custom milled fleece for their diapers.

From Site:

There are no leg casings, which make better fitting diapers and contain messes better without leaving red marks on your baby's legs. They are designed so the only thing that touches your child's delicate skin is the soft fleece.
Happy Heinys are available in a variety of solid colors and fun prints. Happy Heinys solids and prints have been tested for 12 hours or more at night with absolutely no wicking for most babies. The solids have a 100% poly laminated outer layer and will work better overnight. The prints are now custom made for us with the same fabric as our solids diapers in order to reduce leaking and wicking.

Happy Heinys pocket diapers come in several different styles. Pocket diapers with Aplix brand velcro tabs or you can also have optional snaps added to the tabs for "extra security". Once your baby gets a little older, they may try to pull the velcro tabs open so we've added the optional snaps to combat the issue.
Our pocket diapers also come in a one size fits all style. You can choose from the Aplix tabbed One Size Diaper or the Snap tabbed One Size Diaper. The snaps version is our newest release and quickly becoming a favorite.

Happy Heinys One Size Pocket Diaper has won the iParenting Media Award! Award-Winning One Size Reusable Diaper! Happy Heinys have also been featured on TLC and Time.

I think that the Happy Heinys are a great cloth diaper for your baby, and I am so happy that these diapers are made in the USA by moms who care about our babies!

Barbie: Thumbelina movie and products

Barbie has gone "Green" in the celebration of Earth month (April) by creating an eco-friendly packaged product line up and eco-themed toys. I was excited to review a few of the eco-friendly Barbie products, and share them with you.
"Barbie Presents: Thumbelina" is the new DVD starring the classic character, Thumbelina, but with a new tale. Here is what the synopsis is:
Thumbelina lives in harmony with nature in the
magical world of the Twillerbees that’s hidden among
the wildflowers. At the whim of a spoiled young girl
named Makena, Thumbelina and her two friends have
their patch of wildflowers uprooted and are transported to
a lavish apartment in the city. Here they learn of
construction plans that threaten to destroy the land of the
Twillerbees! Harnessing the magic of nature,
Thumbelina sets out to prove that even the smallest
person can make a big difference.
This was a cute movie, with a good message. I thought that some of the language between the characters was a little demeaning at times. I think this movie is geared toward the older kids (ages 7 and up) just because of how the girls talk to each other. However, the message is that Makena is spoiled, so really her character is portrayed accurately. Otherwise, I think the overall message is a good one about confidence and teamwork. Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 for ages 3 and up.

The Thumbelina-themed toy line features a doll in 100%
recyclable packaging and a solar-powered gardening set with seeds for planting. Each garden activity features a flower pot, peet pellets, two seeds packets for grass and flowers, and an innovative solar-activated character to guide light to the garden. The wings of the doll move back and forth, which displays that it is getting the right sunlight. Packaged in 100% recyclable cardboard, girls can watch their garden grow with this easy-to-use playset.
My kids and I had fun planting the seeds. You have to let the water soak into the peet pellets, and that can take some time. Then, you stick the seeds into the dirt. The grass grows quickly, and it was fun seeing my children's reaction to their "garden."
Suggested Retail Price: $15.99 for ages: 3 and up.

My kids really had fun playing with the Barbie Blooming Thumbelina Doll! Thumbelina has her purple wings and stands inside of a pretty, glittering flower. You can pull down a button and the flower will close around her. Then, you push the button, and the petals open to see Thumbelina.
Consistent with the DVDs eco-friendly theme, all packaging is made of Kraft paper and consists of 100% recyclable cardboard, and the toy line includes special instructions to girls for recycling their packaging. I really think the doll is made with quality, and I like that she can be played with without the wings and petals, too.
Suggested Retail Price: 17.99 for ages 3 and up

Beautiful Blossoming Babies are so cute, and smell wonderful! These adorable
Twillerbabies are tiny babies that nestle inside a pretty
flower. Each Twilllerbaby sits upon a scented flower
pedestal that doubles as a wearable bracelet so girls can watch over their Twillerbaby wherever they go. Girls can also take out their Twillerbaby so they can play with her. There are six different Twillerbaby flower varieties for girls to collect, including a dahlia, daisy, hydrangea, rose, sunflower and tulip. My daughter loved wearing her Twillerbaby on her wrist and taking her out to play. I think this toy would make a great stocking stuffer or a goodie bag filler for a birthday party. Of coarse, this gift would be great just because.
Suggested Retail Price: $5.99 for ages 3 and up.

Here is a fun website that your kids can play a garden game, make a movie poster, learn how to make a flower crown and throw a Thumbelina Tea Party, get coloring sheets, and more.

Kids Cards Review & giveaway!

I love helping promote Mom invented products/websites! One product that I have just been introduced to is KidCards, created by an Ohio mom: Melissa Marra.
KidCards are books of pre-assembled cards that kids can tear out, color, fold, and give away. Each card has an unique design for different occasions: birthdays, get well, thank you and more. There is 20 cards and 20 envelopes in each packet of KidCards.
My kids loved picking out their own card to color. They had a lot of fun looking at all the different designs on the cards. The quality of the paper is great! The paper is thicker. All the paper is white, so kids can use any color to brighten it up for that special someone. KidCards also has a special Christmas edition booklet that comes with 15 pre-designed cards. I think that KidCards is a great product and fun activity to engage your child in. You kids will be encouraged to send cards to people for special occasions, and "just because" occasions. KidCards just won a 2009 iParenting Media Excellent Products Award in the Books Category, and I think that award is well deserved!
Here's what the iParenting reviewers had to say about KidCards:
What are the most positive characteristics of this book?
-The best characteristic of this product is that it promotes creativity and imagination. It gives the child the chance to create something for someone else with a personal touch. It gives a guide to work with, but allows the child to be as creative as they choose to be.
-There were many choices of cards and envelopes to use with the cards. The choices were plentiful and worked well for many occasions. The spiral binding was great for flipping through the pages.
-What a great way to teach children good social etiquette. With this product children learn the importance of empathy and helps them think of others on special occasions. These cards can really make a difference in someones life, especially knowing that it came from a young person.

KidCards would make a great gift to give a child, and it is the gift that keeps giving.
CONTEST!
Would you like to win a packet of KidCards? You can pick out which volume you would like to win (volume 1, volume 2 or the Christmas edition). This contest is open to those in the United States and will end on June 1, 2009. To enter, go to KidCards and learn more about the mom inventor, Melissa Marra. Come back here and comment about something you learned about her. You can have extra entries for doing any of the following: blogging this contest, adding my button to your site, subscribing to my feed, commenting on other posts, visiting daily with a comment, tweeting, etc. Just be sure to leave comments for the extras you do to get the credit you deserve! :)
Do you want to purchase some KidCards? I was given a code to give you to give you a bonus with your purchase! When you go to KidCards, click on Buy Online, then enter the Penny Promotion Code "Blogger Bonus" in the box. When you purchase 2 or more books, you will get the crayon set AND watercolor paint set for 1 Penny! What a great bonus!
Thanks KidCards, Melissa Marra, for the review of your great products! My kids love the pre-designed cards and have fun making the cards their own.

Hero: Becoming the man she desires (book review) & giveaway

You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.

But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them.

What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.

Are you ready to accept the challenge?
You can purchase the book at Randomhouse online.
Author Bios:
Fred Stoeker is a best-selling author of several books, including Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics, the president of Living True Ministries, and a popular conference speaker who challenges men to become sexually pure, to reconnect in true intimate relationship with their wives, and to train their sons to become godly men. A graduate of Stanford University, Fred lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife, Brenda, and their children.
Mike Yorkey, a writer living in Encinitas, California, has collaborated with Fred Stoeker in all his books for the Every Man’s series.
Jasen Stoeker is a popular conference speaker who challenges young men to be heroic in their relationships with women and to be a Christian, rather than just seem like one. Jasen is a graduate of Iowa State University with degrees in Computer Engineering and Computer Science and now lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife Rose.


Leave a comment about something related to the book to be entered to win. Open to everyone in the US, contest ends on June 1, 2009. Feel free to do the extra credits for extra chances to win. (see previous contest posts)

Energizer Photo Contest (win a trip)!!

Going traveling may be out of the plans this year with our economic money crunch, so people want to be creative with their summer plans.

People need a new “perspective” on summer travel – the chance to look at a trip from a different “angle,” in a fresh “light” with renewed “focus” … the perfect solution: a budget-friendly photography vacation. You can make that summer trip to the zoo or the park look like a safari vacation! You can make a camping trip look like you are on an adventure!

You can enter your photo sessions in the second annual “Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest” for a chance to have your photo appear in an Energizer® Ultimate Lithium ad in the venerable National Geographic Magazine!! Plus you can win a National Geographic Expedition for two to the Galapagos Islands...now that is a grand vacation!
It doesn't matter if you are a top notch photographer or a grab the camera and snap that photo of your daughter with chocolate pudding all over face, all skill levels are encouraged to enter!! The contest runs until June 30 and photographers can visit nationalgeographic.com/lithium to enter a photo in one of six thematic categories: animals/wildlife, nature, travel, people and cultures, weather and inspiration/Keep Going.

Go enter those photos! You have nothing to lose, but much to gain if you win!