Cars, Trucks and Teething Rings

Day out with Thomas the Tank

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:06:00 +0000

A Larger than Life Train for the Ride of Their Life. Thomas the Tank Engine is coming to the Whitewater Valley Railway on June 14 - June 16 and June 21 - 23.This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends series. Children will take a ride along with their favorite engine friend on his latest adventure and participate in Thomas-themed activities including:

* A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
* Meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
* A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets
* Storytelling
* Video viewing and much more

Thomas the Tank Engine is coming to the Whitewater Valley Railway on June 14 - June 16 and June 21 - 23. Get Your Tickets Today! http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=13800&pl=thomas13&REFERRAL_ID=dowtsplash

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:12:00 +0000

Forget about yesterday, today is #FreshMade! Each day we have a choice, a choice to do the same old routine or do something unique and different. What have you wanted to do for a long time? 2013 is almost halfway over and it’s time to do something new. It’s time to grow, it’s time to make your dreams a reality.

Chick-fil-A is helping you make today #FreshMade, by creating new menu options that you can feel good about! They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap all under 430 calories made with premium ingredients.

Take your taste buds to greener pastures.

Enter to win coupons to try these fabulous new options! If you can't see the Rafflecopter entry system below, click "Read more"!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLANES: Coloring and Connect the Dots!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

My boys have been talking about PLANES a lot recently, especially Little Man! He's so in love with Cars and keeps telling me all about "the new Plane movie that has eyes like Lightning and Mater!" These great new coloring sheets mean excitement all around for him and I'm happy to be able to share them with you as well!

Disney’s PLANES releases in theaters everywhere on August 9th!

Disneynature's "Wings of Life"

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 01:18:00 +0000

Spring is in the air! Clocks will "spring" forward this weekend for daylight savings time and butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and bats take flight in stunning high-definition in Disneynature's "Wings of Life," available April 16, 2013 on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital and On Demand. This up close look at the world of winged creatures and their life-sustaining relationship with flowers is directed by Louie Schwartzberg (“America’s Heart & Soul”) and narrated by Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep.

Little Angels: Prayers for Every Day Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:06:00 +0000

Little Angels is a faith-based series created just for preschoolers. The stories focus on eight Little Angels who are guardians, teachers, and companions to twins Alex and Zoe. Throughout each book, children will learn practical lessons, values, and biblical truths in an engaging and appealing manner.

This new book of prayers features twins Alex and Zoe and their guardians, the Little Angels. More than 50 simple rhyming prayers cover a typical day and the typical worries of a young child. From waking in the morning to going to sleep at night, from thanking God for a meal to praying for His comfort when afraid, the prayers here will help little ones to see that any moment is a good moment to talk to God. Relevant Bible verses are scattered throughout the book as well. This book is the perfect way to teach children about prayer and the ways God cares for us each day.

What we thought!

Little Man has deemed this as his book since it arrived. He carries it all over the place and loves for me to read to him out of it. I like that it's sturdy, it's getting a lot of use! I also like that the prayers are "short and sweet" and with repetition I'm guessing they'll stick in little minds easily! I also like that there are Bible verses in there too, for the very same reason.

Win It!

One lucky reader will win a copy of Little Angels: Prayers for Every Day, thanks to FlyBy Promotions! A perfect gift for a loved one or addition to your own child's bookshelf! Simply use the Rafflecopter entry system to enter. (If you can't see it, click "read more" to open the extended post.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Noizy Bandz

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:27:00 +0000

Noizy Bandz children's wristbands are musical, educational and a whole lot of fun! Watch your children light up as they hear the music and fun sounds coming from their wristbands that they control. The first of its kind, expect more from your silicone bandz -- check out Noizy Bandz and hear the music at www.noizybandz.com!

Great for all ages and all occasions. Have a Birthday party? Give a musical Happy Birthday band instead of a card kids just go crazy for them!

Click here for an exclusive NoizyBandz coupon!

Hidden Dangers In Your Baby's Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:31:00 +0000

Via Column Five for Healthy Child

VeggieTales: The Little House That Stood Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:46:00 +0000

The three little pigs have just moved to Cabbageville and need a new place to live. As the local builders of Cabbageville present the piggies with plans for their new home, only one builder is followed the wise plans from the “Master Builder’s Handbook!”

Will the piggies make the right choice for their houses and choose the one built on a firm foundation? This hilarious parable reminds us that God’s blueprints for our lives allow us to stand strong in life’s storms.

Also included is the story of “The Good Egg of Gooseville”, where we meet Mayor Humpty, Little Bo Peep and all the loved storybook characters. Together they learn how to be a good neighbors and lend a helping hand to those in need.

What we thought!

VeggieTales: The Little House That Stood is available today, March 5, 2013. When it arrived, the kids were all excited to put it in and watch it. We're all big VeggieTales fans here! The kids love dancing around to the new songs and listening to the stories.

Win It!

One lucky reader will receive a copy of this brand new VeggieTales DVD! Simply use the Rafflecopter entry system below! (If you can't see it, click "read more" to be directed to the extended post.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Gerber Life Bring Dreams to Life Video Contest & Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:27:00 +0000

The Gerber Life “Bring Dreams to Life Video Contest” is a video contest with a $10,000 Gerber Life College Plan grand prize. Do you ever wonder what your child will be when he or she grows up? A teacher? A musician? A doctor? Gerber is encouraging parents to share their child’s dream with them through video! The Gerber Life Bring Dreams to Life Video Contest gives parents the perfect opportunity to “show and tell” their story and earn a chance to win a $10,000 Gerber Life College Plan.

Head over to the official Gerber Life Facebook for your information about the video contest and be sure to check out www.gerberlife.com for more info!

Entering the Bring Dreams to Life contest is simple:

•Step 1 - Take a video of your child (who must be 8 years or younger) telling what he or she dreams of being when they grow up.

•Step 2 - Log onto the Gerber Life Facebook page between February 25 and April 1, 2013 and submit your video to the Bring Dreams to Life contest.

•Step 3 - Share your child’s video with friends and family on Facebook to get votes for a chance to win a $10,000 Gerber Life College Plan. Videos with 100 or more votes will qualify for the final round.

Win It!

One lucky winner will win a $25 Visa gift card as well as a Gerber Life Calculator and Pen! Enter using the Rafflecopter system below. If you can't see it, hit the "read more" link to open up the full post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I was sent a gift card from the above company in return for this post. No other compensation was received.

Lego KidsFest 2013 - Louisville, KY - 2 Tickets to Give Away!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:04:00 +0000

LEGO KidsFest is coming to Louisville, Kentucky!

The LEGO® KidsFest is a giant traveling LEGO® expo coming to Louiville’s Kentucky Exposition Center April 5 – 7, 2013. This hands-on, educational, all-ages LEGO® extravaganza features millions of LEGO® bricks not to mention lots of construction zones, dozens of life-sized LEGO® models and displays, LEGO® Ninjago and LEGO® Games, group builds such as Creation Nation, live LEGO® Master Builders, and so much more covering three acres of space.

There are several sessions available, as you can see below. Each session is the same, it gives everyone an opportunity to check everything out!

Friday, April 5, 2013

4 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm

Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm

Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm

This event is at the Kentucky Exposition Center. You can find our more about the event on LegoKidsFest.com.

Want to go??

For a limited time, you, my followers, may use a unique SAVINGS code to SAVE $2 per ticket.

TICKET Giveaway - I have been given the opportunity to sponsor a ticket giveaway for one of my followers to win (2) tickets to for the opening night session on Friday, April 5, 2013 (4-8:30pm). No purchase necessary, must be 18 to enter. 1 entry per day. Entrants must provide their email and phone number to enter. Winner will be randomly chosen by USFG on Friday, March 15 and notified by email. Winner tickets will be available for pick up at Will Call on the night of the event.

Now, get to it! Enter to win Lego KidsFest tickets!

As part of the contest, please LIKE LEGOKidsfest on Facebook and follow @LegoKidsFest on Twitter!

Disclaimer: LEGO® Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO® Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." Visit the virtual LEGO® world atwww.LEGO®.com. LEGO®, the LEGO® logo, and DUPLO, are trademarks of the LEGO® Group. © 2011 The LEGO® Group.

This giveaway is sponsored by LEGOKidFest and USFG. My family will receive tickets in exchange for posts as well as event attendance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

nabi 2 - a tablet for kids

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:06:00 +0000

I happen to have done my taxes already and I knew ahead of time that I was going to be spending that money on some not-so-fun things. I had been scoping out this just for kids tablet, the nabi 2, and knew I wanted to get one for each of the boys with a little bit of "fun money". (Because, let's face it, we really don't have much of that any other time of the year!) As a blogger, I tried to find real parent reviews on it before buying, but there weren't really any that I could relate to. They were more techy-bloggers and seemed to have a bias toward one brand or another and that's not what I was looking for. I thought I'd put up a little something that might help others find what I was looking for in my initial searches!

Out of the box:

The nabi 2 doesn't have any sort of charge and you can't turn it on. That was slightly irritating because the boys were with me when I bought them and, of course, wanted to check them out right away. We let them charge and one seemed to charge WAY faster than the other. That other one still seems to have some quirks, it doesn't turn on very well and doesn't like to charge.

Set up:

After it had charged and I got one of them to turn on, I found it really easy to use. Everything was pretty self explanatory. I set up the "mommy mode" account and put in Little Man's name (because his had charged faster and was the first one I did). I did have to run an update on each of them, but that was easy. I went into "Mommy Mode" and clicked the icon. That's it, it did everything it needed to do.

When I went to set up Talker Man's, I wanted to make sure I could use the same "mommy account" for both of them, it just seems easier that way. I could, thank goodness, and it was simple. For the second one, instead of doing "set up account" there was a "sign in" option.

Use:

Little Man just turned 3 in November, but has had plenty of experience using my phone so he knew pretty well how to work it. He watches a lot of the videos (Thank you, Fuhu, for putting Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on there!!) and does some of the games. The learning segments are too advanced for him so far and I haven't searched around for many apps that are more his age level. He does really enjoy the puzzles, so that's a plus!

Talker Man turned 6 earlier this month is able to do some of the educational stuff and plays a lot of the games and gets onto Cartoon Network and watches his shows on there. He also really likes all the music that's available. He's not quite as into it as I thought he would be, surprisingly enough. I thought he'd be the one to enjoy it more, but he's kind of on a Minecraft kick and that's what he wants to do most of the time.

Little Miss Princess turned 2 at the end of December and she gets in on the nabi 2 as well. She can watch her videos when one of the boys is willing to share. I didn't get her one, she wouldn't get much out of it at this point.

Semi-techy stuff:

Nabi 2 has an Android operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich), which I love, it's familiar for all of us. No complaints there. I like that there's the button in mommy mode to easily update the tablet and if there's a problem, you can use "nabi MD" to get immediate answers to the problem you may have come across.

App Zone 2.0: With over 500, mom-selected, kid-approved apps, App Zone 2.0 is the only curated App store made just for kids. App Zone 2.0 isn't just a website link to an aggregator of apps, it is a tried, tested and approved grouping of apps hand picked by our community of moms and dads. Search by Create, Entertain, Learn, Play and Read categories and rely on our parental guidance filters to know it's the right app for your kids!

nabi cloud: Your content anywhere. nabi™ Cloud does more than just store your content - it backs it up! Effortlessly keep your apps, games, music, movies and photos in nabi™ Cloud and never set up a second nabi again. It's automatic - sync your content to nabi™ Cloud and see it magically appear on your nabi! 2GB FREE storage, upgradable to 50GB.

nabi sync: nabi™ Sync is a PC or Mac application (available for download) that let's you synchronize your photos, music, movies and more, and transfer them to and from your nabi. Your stuff...made easy. No wires, no SD cards - simply install the application on your computer and sync. Easy!

For parents:

Yes, you can use it too! It has several things already loaded (Skype, etc) and from what I can tell, it can be used for Netflix too. I haven't tried it all out yet, the kids have been using them so much and I haven't had the time to sit down and really figure it out. I bought them for the kids, so they're using them more than I do at the moment.

How it's holding up:

You can bet I got the store replacement warranty on these. I love my kids, but they can sometimes be a little rough on things. They've been dropped, they're fine. One's screen got colored on with a black marker -- a little baby wipe and it came right off, it works fine. They've gotten sticky and fingerprinty and wipe off cleanly. I should really get screen protectors, but so far they still look great! I wish there was an option to put their names on them somehow, there's always an argument over whose is whose, and of course the one that's charged is the one that's always everybody's. The dead one apparently always belongs to the kid who doesn't want to play. ;) I see they have some accessories coming out that look pretty nice! There are different colored bumpers that would probably help with the "whose is whose" issue, and the headphones would be a huge plus, especially when they're both trying to play games in the car.

What we think:

So far I love it. We've only had them for a couple of weeks, but I really don't have complaints. I wish they had Play Store on them to get some of the other apps that they enjoyed on my phone, but it's not really that big of a deal to us because there's so much other stuff to do on there. I love that they can watch everything in the video sections that they can get to and I don't have to worry about them stumbling onto anything bad on You Tube. We do wish it had Curious George on there, that's one show they all enjoy and can't get to on their tablets, but you can't have them all! I'm very pleased with my purchases and I'm glad I could get one for each boy, because I can only imagine the fights that would be had if they had to share!

Disclaimer: I bought these myself, with my own money. No compensation was received.

Wordless Wednesday: Hello Kitty!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:17:00 +0000

Diversity On Demand - Plus $25 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:29:00 +0000

It’s never been so easy and convenient to explore and share the inspirational, educational and entertaining Black History Month programming On Demand on cable. Whether viewed on a small screen such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone or on a big screen in the comfort of the living room, opportunities to celebrate Black History Month are taking a decidedly 21st century turn. It’s all available, instantly, to digital cable subscribers with a push on the remote control or with a quick download.

Multiethnic shows and movies available On Demand in February and beyond include:

Milestones In Black History:There are several offerings that examine the history of the struggles and strife, the tragedies and the triumphs of African Americans in the U.S., from the time of Lincoln to the Civil Rights era, including “Lincoln: American Mastermind.” For children and adults alike, there’s “The Tuskegee Airmen,” recounts the true story of how a group of African- American WWII pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest U.S. fighter groups in history, and “First to Fight: The Black Tankers of WWII.”

Profiles In Courage:The biographies of influential African Americans come to life in dramatic profiles and stories of individuals who may be less known but perhaps should be more so, such as legendary baseball great Curt Flood in the documentary “The Curious Case of Curt Flood” and the five wrongly imprisoned teens in “The Central Park Five.”

Drama movies like “Flight” starring Denzel Washington and “The Help” starring Viola Davis, and TV programs such as “House of Lies” starring Don Cheadle, showcase award-worthy performances from notable African-American A-list actors. Viewers can also get a close look at what it’s like living in the cross fire of America’s drug war in the Emmy Award–winning miniseries “The Corner.”

Pride, Passion and Pain:For sports buffs, there are important shows that exemplify the contributions and struggles of athletes, such as “Joe Louis: America’s Hero...Betrayed,” and “Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football.”

That’s Entertainment:Music aficionados can celebrate the true artistry of entertainer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte in “Sing Your Song,” then laugh along with “Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy.”

Viewers everywhere can share their passions for Black History Month programming and see what’s waiting for them on Diversity OnDemand!

Win It!

One lucky winner will win a $25 Visa gift card as well as $10 Cable Cash to use towards On Demand! Enter using the Rafflecopter system below. If you can't see it, hit the "read more" link to open up the full post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Unleash the Power of the Female Brain

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:21:00 +0000

There was a powerful knock at my door this morning, at about 8:30 am. I, of course, hadn't showered yet and was nowhere near being out of my tshirt and comfy pajama pants, but who am I to ignore a knock at the door? It was the FedEx guy! For once he stuck around and didn't just knock and drop the package on the doormat. Oooh no, not today! (Any day that I'm fully dressed for the day, those are the days they're hitting the bottom of the stairs by the time I get the door open!)

Anyway, he hand delivered this intriguing new book (released February 12, 2013) written by Dr. Daniel Amen. Dr. Amen is one of the world's leading experts on the brain and bestselling author of over 30 books.

You may be asking yourself, "Why are you telling me this now, you can't possibly have read the whole thing and be reviewing it on the same day you got it, right?" Nope, definitely not. See, it can sometimes take me awhile to get through a book. Not because I'm a slow reader, I LOVE to read and can power through a book in no time at all, but with work and kids, it takes longer for me to get through one these days. I don't want it to take me a month to read and then get around to telling you about it when it's so fresh on the market at this very moment!

This book, based on the largest gender brain study ever done, offers a breakthrough guide addressing the issues women ask about the most including hormones, fertility, pregnancy, menopause, weight, stress, anxiety, insomnia, and relationships.

Based on research from Dr. Amen's clinical practice, Unleash the Power of the Female Brain identifies at least five strengths of the female brain: empathy, intuition, collaboration, self control and appropriate worry. But with each strength, comes a potential dark side, such as a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, and being unable to turn off their thoughts. In the book, Dr. Amen shares a step-by-step program to help women optimize their brain strengths and overcome their vulnerabilities to achieve greater health, energy, and lasting happiness. Dr. Amen says that by harnessing the power of their very unique and incredible brains, women can change the world.

In Unleash the Power of the Female Brain, you'll learn:

-That Male Brains and Female Brains Are NOT the Same - And Why You Should Care
-How to get your Brain Ready for Babies
-How to Unlock the Secrets of Love and Sex
-How to Keep Your Daughter's Brain Safe During the Teenage Years
-How to Soothe the Female Brain: Overcoming Stress, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, and Insomnia
-Getting Back In Control: Overcoming Cravings, Obesity and Addictions
-Healing from Toxic Relationships, Past Emotional Trauma, Memory Problems, Brain Injuries, and Chemotherapy
-Why Women Live Longer

Doesn't that just sound fascinating? I'm excited to cozy up with it after the kids go to bed. Sounds like a good Valentine's Day to me!!

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Happy Valentine's Day [from Chasing Mavericks]

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:18:00 +0000

I'm sorry, I really couldn't let this Valentine's Day go by without some Gerard Butler. Really.

Wordless Wednesday: Chuck E Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:50:00 +0000

Chuck E. Cheese on a rainy Sunday in February at a 2 year old's birthday party with no one helping me keep an eye on all 3 of my kiddos...there were definitely no words! We survived..and so far there are no illnesses to report!

Thomas & Friends: Full Steam Ahead 3-DVD Gift Set GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:00:00 +0000

"Thomas, Thomas, Thomas!" That's what echoes through the backseat when we come up on a train crossing the tracks across the road. It sounds more like, "Momas, Momas, Momas," from Little Miss Princess, but the intention is there ;) She and Little Man both LOVE Thomas and trains in general, so hearing about the upcoming release of the newest Thomas & Friends: Full Steam Ahead 3-DVD gift set is enough to get all of us excited! Let's not forget another important feature of this set...it comes with a bonus collectible toy!

An addition to our DVD collection AND the train collection, all in one box? We're all over that! It's to be released by HIT Entertainment and Lionsgate on February 19, 2013.

This set will feature the following 3 DVDs:

Thomas & Friends: Team Up With Thomas
Everyone’s favorite true blue engine, Thomas, is back with friends old and new in four fun adventures on the Island of Sodor in Thomas & Friends: Team Up With Thomas. This DVD is enhanced with CG animation and a live-action host, Mr. Arkwright, who welcomes viewers with a smile and a fun project for Lady Hatt’s grandchildren. Thomas, Edward, Toby, James and the rest of the engines introduce young engineers to Hank, a big, strong, new engine and Flora, a lovely new lady steam engine. Together, they take us along on their tasks around the island. Be careful: trouble may lie around the next bend. But one thing’s for certain – you’ll always come home with a brand new friend!

Thomas & Friends: Wobbly Wheels & Whistles
Travel along with Thomas for a wonderfully wobbly and wheel-spinning good time! The No. 1 blue engine has bridges to cross and tracks to uncover in these exciting adventures. When Victor gets overloaded with too many tasks, can Thomas help him let out steam? And while trying to get Scruff as clean as a whistle, will Thomas have to get his own wheels dirty? Just when things seem to be rolling along, will Ol’ Wheezy make a wobbly mess of Thomas’ special delivery? Hold on for exciting surprises waiting to be delivered just for you!

Thomas & Friends: Railway Friends Synopsis
All aboard for six all new adventures with Thomas and his engine friends in Thomas & Friends: Railway Friends. Meet Thomas’ best friend Percy, attend a festive winter party at the wharf, take a wrong turn on a mistaken shortcut and see Thomas worry about his squeaky brakes and strive to become a ‘Really Useful Engine.’ Filled with charming characters and heroic displays of loyalty, responsibility and friendship, this DVD will be a treasured addition to any home entertainment library.

Win It!

Here's your chance to win this new Thomas & Friends DVD collection. Simply click "read more" if you can't see the Rafflecopter entry system!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Signazon Birthday Party Banner Review

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:57:00 +0000

With Talker Man's 6th birthday party having occurred this weekend, one of his requests was for a Happy Birthday banner. Little Miss Princess had had a Hello Kitty banner and he was incredibly jealous that hers matched her party theme and he'd been asking if he would have one too.

It just so happened I was given the opportunity to check out Signazon.com, a site where you can create your own custom banners for anything and everything you could possibly need a sign or banner for. They have some awesome vinyl banners available for birthday and holidays as well as business quality options.

As you can see, the banner matched his party theme perfectly without having to make it obviously "Angry Birds" themed. I love, love, LOVE the colors and the quality was fabulous. He was very excited to not only have his own birthday banner, but that it had his name AND age on it! It was the perfect size for where we put it and everyone who saw it was impressed and asked where we found such a thing.

We used ours indoors, obviously, because it's February in Indiana, but this can be used outdoors as well. It'd be great to have at a summer party where guests are outside playing or milling about doing activities. I'll definitely be keeping Signazon in mind for other parties and events. It's exactly what I ordered, it shipped quickly and it's just overall impressive!

To find out more about our other party decorations, you can check out the party supplies post!

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

Angry Birds Party Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:57:00 +0000

We had a super fun Angry Birds birthday party for Talker Man's 6th birthday. He had an absolute blast and was blown away by the decorations from www.birthdayinabox.com!

We got a deluxe party kit and it included:

16 Angry Birds Space Napkins
8 Angry Birds Space Cake Plates
8 Angry Birds Space Cup
1 Angry Birds Space Tablecover
8 Lime Forks, 8 Lime Spoons, 8 Lime Knives
1 Red Streamer
1 Lime Streamer
1 Birthday Candles

I was so happy to be able to find everything I needed, all in one spot and at a SUPER affordable price! I didn't have to drive all over town either, it all shipped to our door! It was all a complete surprise to the birthday boy too, he knew he was getting an Angry Birds Space cake, but had no idea I'd been able to find all the party-ware to match!

He loved the streamers, I swear sometimes I think that's his favorite part of any party..getting to race through the streamers near the door!

With Birthday In A Box, you get everything you need. Some sets have banners and all kinds of extras as well. All you need to do is add an Angry Birds game or craft to it and you're ready for a party!!

You can find more party pics on the party page and info about some other decorations on the birthday banner page!

Disclaimer: I was sent product from the above company in return for my honest opinion and review. No other compensation was received.

An Angry Birds Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:56:00 +0000

This weekend was a busy one! Someone here turned 6!! That's a pretty exciting birthday, as they all are, and Talker Man decided on an Angry Birds theme. He LOVES to play the game and it's the subject of many Lego creations and imaginative play--not just the app game play.

We had an amazing time and he had a fabulous birthday! Are you interested in the party decor? You can find out more about the Angry Birds tableware and accessories on this party post and the awesome birthday banner on the party banner post! My mom and little sis made his cake custom just for him, with the birds he requested. The birds are all made out of marshmallow fondant and imagination!

TaxSlayer Promo Code

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:42:00 +0000

I've used TaxSlayer.com for the past few years to get my taxes filed easily and correctly. I love that it's all online, there's no software to purchase and that they're done correctly. I've never had a problem using it or had any problem with errors or my taxes being rejected. I go back to it year after year, and this year I have a promo code to share with you all to help save you some money if you choose to use TaxSlayer too!

Redeem promo code TSFB13 to save 20% on your Federal return! (New customers only)

Keeping kids entertained during winter

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:25:00 +0000

By this time in the season, parents may be running out of ideas as how to keep their children entertained and out of trouble while it is too cold to go outside. So as you count down the days to warmer weather, consider these activities to keep your children occupied just a little while longer until the snow melts.

Get them involved: Children like to get involved with family activities. Colder weather is the ideal time to create some warm traditions. Consider including your children in things such as cooking and baking. True it may require a bit more of a time investment from you at the very beginning but the memories you create with your children and the joy you share will be priceless. Maybe you can invent a fun game as you sort the laundry. Through this you get a little bit of help, but you also develop a sense of self sufficiency and independence that will help your child later in life.

Play Games: Winter time is the perfect for playing games and building intellect through the critical thinking involved. Today not all games require several players. There are many fantastic online games, including flash games, available through sources such as YTV.com. These games are free and available online they are great for children to play at any time that they declare that they are bored. They feature some of their favourite characters from TV programs and with dozens to choose from, here is something out there for everyone. Best yet, you can play them anywhere with an internet connection, so they can play the games at friends’ houses and even when grandma and grandpa babysit.

Read books: Reading is instrumental to the development of a child’s intellect and for their imagination. Nurturing a love of reading can be one of the greatest things that a parent can do for a child. If your children are little use this time to read stories to them at special times such as bedtime. This will help improve not only their smartness but it will be a great tradition to share. If your child is older, encourage them to get lost in a good book. This does not have to be expensive. Visit your local library for a large selection of free books.

Get Active: Physical activity can do wonders for a child’s present and future health. There are plenty of wintertime activities that are fun for children, such as sledding, skating or skiing. Use this time to teach your child a new sport. If going out into the cold is not really your style, there are plenty of indoor activities that will keep you toasty warm and active at the same time. Some examples of healthy indoor activities include volleyball, basketball or swimming. The winter months are also the time when many spring and summer activities start their sign up procedures. It is best to sign up early and not miss out on some fantastic opportunities that are available in your community.

Wordless Wednesday: Batter Licking Starts Early!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:38:00 +0000

(It's actually peanut butter frosting..I turn my back for a second to put it on the brownies, and this is what I find!)

Why you should try contacts for the first time

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:04:00 +0000

When you first start to realise that you have a problem with your vision, you immediately know that glasses are in your future. That is fine; glasses are a great accessory and a much needed tool to function in everyday life. However, they are not ideal for all situations, sometimes contact lenses are a much better choice. Many people are scared to try contact lenses for the first time, but forget what you heard. Contact lenses are important in your life, and the following are just some of the reasons why you should not be afraid to give them a shot.

There is a right contact lens out there for you: Many people with more complex vision problems are afraid that they will not be able to find a contact lens that will be right for them. Do not worry; there are lenses out there for all sorts of conditions. For example there are lenses designed for people with dry eyes as well as for people with astigmatism, an example of that would be Acuvue Advance for astigmatism. Even if you have sensitive eyes, there is a variety of lens options that are sure not to irritate them.

Taking care of your contact lenses is easy: True, there is a little more care involved in taking care of your contact lenses then there is in taking care of your glasses. With some contacts you have to take them out daily and rub them with a cleaning solution. This will keep them clean and comfortable and will allow you to use the same pair for a couple of weeks. However, if the daily maintenance is too much of a hassle, or simply your eyes are very sensitive, try out a daily contact lens. These types of lenses you open fresh every day and throw away at the end of the day. It does not get easier than that.

Contact lenses are more versatile: Some activities are not ideal to do while wearing glasses. For example when riding a roller coaster, you may want to be more focused on having fun, than to keep your glasses on your face. Swimming with glasses, can be very difficult, if not impossible as well. Unless you have prescription sunglasses, wearing contacts may be the better choice when outdoors. With contacts you can easily slip on a pair of cheap sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun while driving or partaking in outdoor activities.

They are not trendy: Like it or not, the style of popular glasses is subject to trends popular at the time. We associate the 1950’s with cat eyed glasses in women, and the 1970’s with the big aviator sunglasses. However, when looking at your pictures from the past you do not want everyone to guess what decade the picture was taken in only on the basis of the glasses that you are wearing. By having contacts you always look like yourself and people will only be able to guess the decade based on your hairstyle.

$25 Visa Gift Card and Movie Swag Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:03:00 +0000

Don't miss your opportunity to enter the giveaway for Escape From Planet Earth goodies and a $25 Visa gift card! It ends tomorrow, do get in your last minute entries ASAP! :)

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