Jolly Mom

Promote Your Giveaways: Giveaways Galore!

2010-09-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Link up your giveaways!

Please make sure to link directly to the giveaway and list the name of the giveaway along with the expiration date. Don't forget to stop by Go Graham Go to link up over there as well!

Wordless Wednesday: Adventure Bound.

2010-09-01T00:01:00.002-04:00

State of the Kid: Teaching Kids the Value of Money in a Tight Economy {Giveaway}

2010-09-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

Do you want to know what kids think? I mean, what they really think about their everyday life? Want to know what activities kids are most enjoying during family time? What are their dreams and expectations for the future? What they aspire to do as adults, what they think the world will be like, and what new technologies will affect their lives? These are the questions that Highlights Magazine is asking kids in their 2nd Annual State of the Kid Report.

For example, the “2nd Annual Highlights State of the Kid” survey reveals that allowance has declined drastically from 10 years ago. The 2010 State of the Kid from Highlights magazine showed the most common allowance range for ten-year-olds was $3 to $ 5 (40.8 percent). In addition, more than 90 percent said they had to earn their allowance, indicating parents are teaching kids the value of money.

The average allowance for a 10-year-old boy in 1990 was $8.50 a week, according to a Rand Youth Poll. Average allowance for a boy at 10 in 1999 was up to $16.90 a week (http://www.usatoday.com/life/lds001.htm).

The survey results, in their entirety, were recently released on August 17 at a press conference in D.C. To download the report, click HERE.

See What Kids Think:

As a parent, how do you determine allowance? Has the economy impacted your process?

WIN IT!

One Jolly Mom reader will win a one year subscription to Highlights Magazine!

How To Enter:
1. Leave me a comment letting me know how you determine or will determine your kid's allowance.
Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.stateofthekid.com and www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Highlights AND Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.
8. Like Highlights on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.

This giveaway will end on September 14th, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on this post. US entries only, please.

Highlights Magazine provided me with a one year subscription as a thank you for spreading the word about the State of the Kid. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Winners!

2010-08-30T17:58:00.000-04:00

I have announced winners for the following giveaways {click on the links to see who won}:

Nanny McPhee Prize Pack 3 Winners
OrganWise Guys Summer Fun Kit
Ice Cream Challenge Kit
Wee Ride Bike Carrier
Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion
Breyers Coupons
Music, Music Everywhere DVD

Congratulations to all of the winners! As always, all of the winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize.

Dessert Quesadilla: My Peachy-Avocado Delight {Recipe}

2010-08-30T17:01:00.006-04:00

We only recently became avocado fans, but I am so glad that we did. Not only are they uber healthy, but they are seriously good eats! Avocados have only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices) and they are sodium and cholesterol free. Better yet, they contain nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Most people eat avocados in a savory dishes like guacamole or sandwiches and salads, but I like to eat them in sweet dishes too. I came up with a dessert quesadilla that features the creamy, luscious texture of avocados and one of Georgia's namesakes--the peach. Mike dubbed it "Piera's Peachy Avocado Delight" so that's what I'm sticking with LOL! Anyhow, this is a sweet little treat that is truly delicious, easy to make and the bonus? You can feel good about you and your kids eating it.

Ingredients:
2 large whole wheat tortillas
1 avocado, peel removed
1 peach diced into small cubes
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
2 tbsp sugar plus a little more for sprinkling
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter
powdered sugar

Directions:
Using a hand mixer, cream together avocado, ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread the avocado mixture onto the tortillas and add the diced peaches to one half of the tortilla {will make it easier to fold later}. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar over the peaches and fold tortilla in half. Spread top side of tortilla with butter and place buttered side down on preheated griddle over a medium-high heat and grill until the tortilla starts to brown and crisp. Butter the other side while it is in the pan. Flip and continue grilling until other side is done. Remove from griddle and dust with powdered sugar. Makes 2 quesadillas..

I wrote this post while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Camp Carnival: Award Winning Youth Program Aboard Carnival Cruise Ships!

2010-08-30T14:15:00.000-04:00

One of the most impressive amenities aboard the Carnival Fantasy and all Carnival cruise ships is the attention they pay to kids and families--from fun, family friendly activities throughout the ship to their youth programs. Today, I want to specifically talk about Camp Carnival--an award-winning children's program for children 2 to 11.

The kids are split into three age groups: 2-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds, and 9-11 year olds.

Safety is a huge concern for Carnival. For the young kids {2-5 years old} parents are given a complimentary cell phone. If anything happens to your child while at Camp Carnival {i.e. child gets sick, misses parents, etc} then they call you. You can also call them to check on your child. Parents must also check their children in and out of Camp Carnival. I think the 9-11 year olds have the option of signing themselves out IF PARENTS give permission. Camp Carnival is open from 10 am to 10 PM. Parents are free to bring their kids anytime during those hours and there is no charge. You can leave your kids for any amount of time--from 30 minutes to hours. After 10 PM, they also offer paid baby sitting services at the center.

You could call Camp Carnival a "daycare", but it is really so much more. Camp Carnival is an activity based program.

It is not a place where kids are just baby sat. No. Camp Carnival is a place where kids are provided fun and educational activities throughout the time they are there. They provide you with a daily itinerary, which lets you know exactly what they will be doing and at what time. In Lucas' age group {2-5}, they did crafts, face painting, Bear Cuddly {like Build-a-Bear} Workshops, children's parties, scavenger hunts, talent shows, and so much more.

Excerpt from Camp Carnival's Activity Schedule for 2-5 Year Olds:

Lucas making a Bear Cuddly at a Camp Carnival event:

For the older kids, Camp Carnival offers a computer room, video games, crafts, parties, and more. The 9-11 age group is also taken to the pool to swim, to play mini-golf, and to other areas of the ship for fun activities.

Camp Carnival offers parents an opportunity to spend some alone time on the ship while their kids also have a great time with their new cruise friends. Now, unfortunately for me...Lucas did not want to stay at Camp Carnival. Well, let me rephrase...he wanted to stay, but he did not want me to leave. This is not Camp Carnival's fault though. Lucas has never been in any daycare/preschool program before. Both Mike and I work from home so there is no need. Anyhow, he stayed at Camp Carnival twice for about 45 minutes, but then he would miss us and ask for the camp counselors to call us to pick him up. Hopefully, next time we go on a cruise he will be more accustomed to preschool and we'll be able to take more advantage of Camp Carnival because it truly is a great program. The camp counselors are amazing. They are all so welcoming to the kids and parents and they are just FUN. They tried over and over to help Lucas feel comfortable--they were awesome. They also made both Mike and I feel comfortable leaving Lucas. That's saying a lot coming from two parents who have never left their child in a daycare/preschool program.

Maurisa Van Niekerk, Youth Director

Tour Camp Carnival

Stay tuned for more posts from our Carnival Cruise vacation and for cruising tips and advice! In the meantime, make sure to follow Carnival on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on their ships and booking, visit them at Carnival.com!

Thank you to Carnival for providing the complimentary 7-day cruise as part of their Mom-bassador Program. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Hilarious Hijinks of the Good Natured Great Dane Marmaduke Out on DVD 8/31! {Giveaway}

2010-08-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

The fire fighting Dalmatian isn’t the only working dog in town – there are many other types of heroic doggies, from the Seeing Eye dog to the St. Bernard Mountain Rescue ranger. In Marmaduke, the Great Dane tries to so save his friend from drowning, just like Newfoundlands do with people in real life.

Leaping out of the doghouse and onto the big screen, the hilarious hijinks of the good-natured Great Dane Marmaduke barks its way onto Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack and DVD Single Disc August 31.

An all-star cast of voice talents, including Owen Wilson (Marley & Me), George Lopez (“The George Lopez Show”), Kiefer Sutherland (“24”), and Fergie (The Black Eyed Peas) lend their voices to the dog-out-of-water tale about what happens when the lovable oversized pooch is unleashed in an idyllic seaside town. When Marmaduke (Wilson) moves to a new neighborhood with his family, the super-sized teenage dog soon discovers he just doesn’t fit in—literally! Marmaduke can’t help being a one-dog wrecking crew, causing fur-flying chaos wherever he roams. But, with the help of his friend, Carlos the Cat (Lopez), Marmaduke may just get out of the doghouse, fall in love, and surf off into the sunset.

Just in time for some end of summer fun, Marmaduke Blu-ray Combo Pack (a two-disc set of Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film) comes packed with laugh-out-loud special features including more surf dog fun in Cowabarka!, canine casting, the Marmaduke Mayhem gag reel, deleted scenes, and more. The Marmaduke standard DVD will also include deleted scenes and featurettes.

Now, take a look at some well known pet professions and pick up Marmaduke out on Blu-ray Disc and DVD August 31st!

Border Collies – Border Collies are often used for herding sheep and other livestock on farms because of their natural pack instinct. They take direction well even from a distance which makes them ideal for working. They will also protect their charges from predators like wolves and coyotes.

St. Bernards – St. Bernards have a long history serving as rescue dogs, especially in the mountains. They are known for their size and strength which helps them rescue people who have been trapped. St. Bernards are comfortable in the cold and have a keen sense of direction so it is no wonder they were often used in avalanche territory.

Newfoundlands – These dogs are also often used for rescue but are more suitable for doing so in the water. Newfoundlands are excellent swimmers because of their webbed feet and their water-resistant coats make them likely lifeguards. This makes them particularly common aboard lifeguard boats and out at sea.

Dalmatians – Dalmatians are often associated with and were used in iconic imagery of the firehouse. They were originally engaged by firemen to clear the path for fire trucks that were pulled by horses because of the congenial nature of both animals. Even though horses are no longer employed the canines have stuck around to guard the house and the firemen.

Bloodhounds – As their name might suggest, these dogs have an excellent sense of smell, not just for blood. While in the past this skill may have been used for hunting, bloodhounds are often used as tracking and search dogs for missing people, drugs, etc.

Beagles – These intelligent dogs may be small but don’t let their size mislead you. Because people aren’t automatically wary of them, beagles can be used in places like airports and train stations as detection dogs. Their sense of smell is excellent for uncovering drugs, explosives and other forms of contraband.

German Shepherds – German shepherds are loyal and smart and can be trained to do a number of tasks. They often serve as guard or enforcement dogs for the police. So even though their size can intimidate this can be useful for cops and the military that need to instill fear in suspects.

Labrador Retrievers – Labs are athletic and usually friendly creatures which make them great for working as guide dogs. They have are a known to be intelligent and mature at a young age so they can trained to assist the visually and hearing impaired.

WIN IT!

Two Jolly Mom readers will win Marmaduke on DVD!

How to Enter:
1. Leave me a comment telling me what is your favorite type of dog breed.

Extra Entries:
2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.

This giveaway will end on September 13th, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on this post. US entries only, please.

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

CVS Coupon Matchups & Best Deals

2010-08-29T11:58:00.000-04:00

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the best deals at CVS this week! For the full list, please make sure you stop by Moms By Heart!

Dawn dish liquid $.97
-$.25 from 8/29 PG
Final Price: $.74

Pampers diapers or Easy Ups jumbo pk $8.88
-$1.50 from 8/1 PG (exp 8/31)
-FREE wipes with diaper purchase from 8/1 PG (exp 8/31)
Final Price: $7.38 for diapers and wipes

Covergirl cosmetics from $2.99, B1G1 50% off = 2/$4.49
-$1 from 8/29 PG, use two
Final Price: as low as 2/$2.49*
*qualifies for $10 rebate

Pepperidge Farms cookies 2/$5
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.50

Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo 22-30 oz 2/$3
-$1/2 printable HERE
Final Price: $1 each

Nabisco Wheat Thins or Oreos $1 each
-$1/2 printable HERE or $.75/2 from 8/8 SS
Final Price: as low as $.50

Kraft salad dressing 2/$4
-$.55 from 8/29 SS
Final Price: $1.45

Pop Tarts or Rice Krispies Treats 2/$4
-$1/2 from 7/11 RP - Pop Tarts
-$1/2 from 8/15 RP - Rice Krispies Treats
Final Price: $1.50

M&Ms 9.9-12.6 oz 2/$5
-$1 from 7/25 RP - Pretzel M&Ms
-$.50 from 8/29 RP - good on 12.6 oz+
Final Price: as low as $1.50*
*spend $10 and get a free NASCAR Die Cast car set - see pg 4

Purex 29-38 loads $3.99
-$2 ECB
-$.35 from 8/15 RP
Final Price: $1.64

Spend $15 in beauty products and get a free charm
ECB Deal: Spend $10 on any Maybelline eye or lip and get $3 ECB
Great Lash mascara $5
-$1 from 8/8 RP or printable HERE
-$3 ECB on two
Final Price: 2/$5

Revlon cosmetics, beauty tools or fragrance from $1.99, B1G1 50% off = 2/$2.99
-$1 from 8/15 SS, use two
Final Price: as low as 2/$.99

Conair Hair Appliances from $7.99
-$5 ECB
Final Price: as low as $2.99

Schick Hydro razor $8.99, B1G1 free
-$5 from 8/8 SS, use two
Final Price: two for FREE

Venus Embrace or Breeze razor $9.49
-$5 ECB
-$2 from 8/29 or 8/1PG
Final Price: $2.49*
*qualifies for $10 rebate

Crest or Oral B Pro Health products $3.97
-$2.50 ECB
-$2 from 8/1 PG - good on rinse
Final Price: FREE with $.50 profit!

Oral B ECB deal: spend $10, get $5 ECB
(4) Oral B Indicator toothbrushes @ $2.99 = $11.96
-B1G1 free from 8/15 RP subtracts $5.98
-$5 ECB
Final Price: 4/$.98

Nature Made Cholest Off 60-ct $7.99
-$4 ECB
-$3 printable HERE
Final Price: $.99

Tylenol Precise $5.99
-$2 CVS printable HERE
-$2 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.99

Philip's In-Ear headphones $6.99
-$6.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE

Kleenex $.99
-$.50/3 from 8/15 SS
Final Price: $.82 each

Walgreens Coupon Matchups & Freebies!

2010-08-28T16:17:00.000-04:00

These are the best deals at Walgreens this week. A HUGE thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the list. Make sure you stop by her blog to see all the matchups for the week!

Tostitos $3.99, B1G1 free
-$1 from 8/1 SS, use two
Final Price: $1 each

Campbell's Select Harvest or Chunky soup 2/$3 (with insert coupon)
-$1 printable HERE - Select Harvest
-$1/2 printable HERE - Chunky
Final Price: as low as $.50 each

M&Ms 9.9-12.6 oz $2.49
-$.50 from September coupon booklet
-$.50 from 8/29 RP
Final Price: $1.49

Life Savers bag candy 6.25-7.7 oz $2.29, B1G1 free
-$.50 printable HERE, use two
Final Price: 2/$1.29 or $.65

Nabisco cookies or crackers single size $.79
-$1/2 printable HERE
Final Price: $.29

Reynold's Wrap aluminum foil 57 sq feet $2.99 (with insert coupon)
-$1 from 8/8 SS
Final Price: $1.99

P&G Register Rewards deal: spend $10, get $2 RR
{Scenario}
Febreze Flameless Luminary Starter Kit $11.24 (sale price)
-$4 from 8/29 PG
-$2 RR
Final Price: $5.24
do this transaction on two separate occasions and submit for $10 rebate HERE
Final Price: two for $.48!

{Scenario}
Swiffer Wetjet starter kit $19.49 (sale price)
-$2 RR
-$5 from 8/29 PG
-FREE refill wyb starter kit coupon from Homemade Simple coupon booklet
Final Price: starter kit and refills for $12.49

-Penway 3-subject notebook $1.49
-2-pocket folder with prongs 5/$1 (with insert coupon)
-Corner Office legal or steno pads $.49 (with insert coupon)
-W brand packing tape with dispenser $.99 (with insert coupon)
-Mead envelopes 40-100 pk $.69 (with insert coupon)

Axe shower gel or detailer $3.99
-B1G1 free from 8/29 RP
Final Price: 2/$3.99 or $2 each

Head & Shoulders from $4.99, B1G1 50% off= 2/$7.49
-B1G1 free from 7/11 SS (exp 8/31)
-$1 from 8/15 RP
Final Price: 2/$1.50 or $.75 each!

Crest Clinical toothpaste or Glide floss $3.99
-$2 from September coupon booklet
-$.75 from 8/29 PG
Final Price: $1.24

Select Colgate toothpaste $2.99
-$2 RR
-$.75 printable HERE
Final Price: $.24

Listerine Total Care, Advanced or Zero 500 mL $2.99
-$1 RR
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $.99

Revlon Emery Boards 10-ct $1.59, B1G1 50% off = 2/$2.39
-$1 from 8/15 SS, use two
Final Price: 2/$.39

Rimmel Cosmetics 40% off - sale prices:
lip liner or eyebrow pencil $2.09
eyeliner from $2.39
trio eye shadow $2.99
lipstick $3.17
natural bronzer or pressed powder $3.29
-$1 from 8/29 RP
Final Price: as low as $1.09

Lady Speed Stick $1.99 (with insert coupon)
-$.75 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.24

Pond's Towelettes 30-ct $5.99, B1G1 free
-$1.50 printable HERE, use two
Final Price: 2/$2.99 or $1.50 each

Bayer Aspirin 24-ct 2/$3 (with insert coupon)
-$1 from 8/1 RP or printable HERE
Final Price: $.50

Irwin Naturals Healthy & Hair plus Nails Supplements 60-ct $10
-$10 RR
Final Price: FREE

W Perfection Tampons 8-pk $1.99
-$1.99 RR
Final Price: FREE*
*if you're a member of the Prescription Savings Club, you'll save 10%, making this a money maker

Carmex Moisture Plus lip balm $2
-$2 RR
Final Price: FREE

Breathe Right strips 10-pk $4
-$4 RR
Final Price: FREE*
*free sample comes with $1 coupon - making this a money maker if you have it!

Select GM cereal $1.99
-$1/2 from 8/22 SS
Final Price: $1.49

Softsoap body wash 2/$7
-$5 RR on two
-$1 from September ALL YOU magazine or $.75 printable HERE
Final Price: 2/$.25

Domino Sugar 4-lbs $1.99 (with insert coupon)
-$.50 from 8/29 RP
Final Price: $1.49

Weekend at the Movies with Jolly Mom! {Giveaway}

2010-08-28T16:15:00.000-04:00

Babies, one of the most talked about movies of the year will be available for purchase starting tomorrow, August 29th exclusively at Target. Plus, it is already available for rent on Video On Demand! I don't know about you, but I cannot wait to see this movie! Not only does it look adorable...I mean...it's babies...but it is also such an interesting movie. Seeing babies from all around the world...growing up in their cultures. It's just fascinating.

Just in case you've never heard of the movie Babies. Here's a synopsis for you:

Babies travels the globe following 4 children from vastly different corners of the world in their first year of life, featuring babies from Namibia, Japan, Mongolia and the U.S. The documentary is a life-affirming and universal celebration of the innocence and magic of babies, proving that that if you surround a baby with love it doesn’t matter what culture you’re from or what child-rearing practices you follow.

Watch the Trailer:

Another must-see movie that came out last week is $5 a Day. I'd never heard of this movie before I was offered a chance to review it, which is surprising since it has an awesome cast. It stars Sharon Stone, Amanda Peet, Peter Coyote, Christopher Walken, and Dean Cain. Awesome, huh?!

Synopsis: Nat (Christopher Walken, Oscar® winner, The Deer Hunter) is an eccentric conman – a hustler content with a life of schemes and underhanded deals. He lacks one thing: a reconciliation with his son, Flynn (Alessandro Nivola, Jurassic Park III), who has ceased trusting his father long ago. But Nat’s time is growing short: he has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. True to form, Nat cons Flynn into joining him in a cross country journey to an experimental medical facility. Short on money, but not on imagination, the two realize that to reach their destination they can spend no more than $5 A Day. They come up with increasingly ridiculous schemes to keep within their budget - but there is a distance of emotion as well as miles to cover. Are they on the path towards a father-son reunion?

Christopher Walken is true to form in $5 a Day. He is superb. Funny. Poignant. Amazing, as always. Both Mike and I really enjoyed $5 a Day. It was funny and touching...a feel good movie. I highly recommend it!

Available wherever DVDs are sold and at Amazon.com $19.99for the DVD and $21.99 for the Blu-ray, the film is available via digital download.

And, for the kids {and parents too}--Tom and Jerry are back in an original movie called Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes! This is such a cute movie and it is the perfect movie for the entire family to enjoy together! Parents will love seeing their favorite childhood duo--Tom and Jerry--and kids will fall in love with the dynamic duo as well!

SYNOPSIS: Tom and Jerry set out on one of their biggest adventures yet when they visit London to help solve a series of jewelry heists that leave Scotland Yard completely befuddled and a beautiful singer named Red framed for the crimes. However, it’s going to take one of history’s greatest fictional detectives, Sherlock Holmes along with his loyal assistant Dr. Watson, to find the real thief.

The renowned crime-fighting team is joined by another world-famous duo, the lovable, ever-squabbling Tom and Jerry. Little do they know that finding clues and cracking the case will be elementary compared to keeping the peace between the raucous cat and mouse as they scamper, scurry, scoot and speed along the streets, alleys and rooftops in the name of justice.

Tom and Jerry’s favorite pals, including Tuffy the mouse, Butch the dog, Droopy and others, round out the motley crew of characters and possible suspects in this brilliant fusion of classic detection and energetic animation.

DVD bonus material includes How to Draw Tom and Jerry – Your favorite cat and mouse made easy through a Professional Illustrator’s step-by-step instructions.

Available wherever DVDs are sold and at Amazon.com for $14.99.

WIN IT!

One Jolly Mom reader will win Babies on DVD!

How To Enter:
1. Leave me a comment letting me know what you love the most about babies and children in general.
Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.

This giveaway will end on September 12th, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on this post. US entries only, please.

New ProMist Mop by O-Cedar is a MUST HAVE!

2010-08-28T15:08:00.000-04:00

Years ago, I used to be a big fan of those mops with the disposable cleaning cloths and built-in floor cleaning solution {i.e. the Swiffer}. They were easy to use and extremely convenient. Then, I became aware of other issues that are more important than convenience like using earth friendly products. So, I started making my own household cleaners and as a family we started to adopt less wasteful ways. That was the end of the Swiffer Mop in my house. That's why I was ecstatic when I was introduced to new ProMist Mop!

The ProMist Mop by O-Cedar is a new wet or dry cleaning system that can be used with either reusable microfiber pads or disposable microfiber pads. The washable microfiber pads can be used over and over again and can be machine-washed up to 100 times. Plus, for those really messy jobs--you can also use semi-disposable pads, which can be washed or thrown away. The ProMist also accommodates refill cloths such as Swiffer Sweeper Dry Cloths and Wet Cloths.

The best feature of the ProMist is that it comes with a refillable bottle that allows YOU to choose your own cleaning solution! You can use whatever cleaner you want--store bought, homemade, or even just water.

* Wet clean the floor without a bucket. No more cleaning the floor with dirty bucket water!
* Choose your own cleaning solution
* Or use water only for a chemical-free clean
* Use an eco-friendly mixture of vinegar and water {this is what I do}

How It Works:

For a list of retailers that sell the ProMist, please click HERE. Before you buy, make sure to print out your $5 rebate HERE!

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Unique & Affordable Activity Sets and Games for Kids: Peaceable Kingdom Press {Giveaway}

2010-08-27T00:01:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite ways to spend quality time with Lucas is by doing a quiet activity together. Whether it's a craft, a preschool aged project or playing a board game--it's always fun and relaxing to spend that time with one another--focused on the activity and on each other. That's why I have fallen in love with a company called Peaceable Kingdom Press. They sell the cutest original games, stickers, and craft kits for kids. From mermaids and dinosaurs, princesses and pirates--Peaceable Kingdom Press offers something for every child.

Peaceable Kingdom Press sent me four products to try out and they have all been a hit!

We received the Race Car Sticker Pack, which comes with 100+ reusable stickers and two scenes {a racetrack and garage}.

The cool thing about this sticker pack and ALL Peaceable Kingdom Sticker Packs is that the stickers are actually reusable cling stickers. These are activity kits that can and will be used over and over again. Lucas just loves this sticker pack! We actually took it with us on our cruise vacation recently--that's how much he loves it. Plus, it is a perfect travel toy--or even to have on hand anytime you need to keep a preschooler engaged like at a restaurant. It even comes packaged in a handy little tote!

The Sticker Kits come in a ton of various themes and are priced at only $9.99!

Lucas loves to play memory games and all these construction so I knew he would love the Construction Zone Match Up Game & Puzzle! This set comes with 24 extremely durable and large game pieces. One one side of the cards are illustrations of various construction vehicles--dump trucks, bulldozers, etc. The other side of the card is actually a puzzle piece so it is really two activities in one! Youngest players can play by matching the cards face up and of course older kids can play the traditional {and always fun} memory concentration game with the cards facing down. When your done playing match or memory, turn the cards over and try to figure out the puzzle!

These also come in a variety of themes and are priced at $14.99.

Peaceable Kingdom Press is also known for their original board games for kids--several have even won awards. They sent us the Milk & Cookies Spin & Go Board Game and it has been a hit with Lucas since the day it arrived. He literally wants to play this game all.the.time. This is a great board game for preschoolers because it doesn't require any reading skills so they are able to play along.

Includes:

* 48 tiles
* 1 game board
* 1 spinner
* 4 cookie jar markers

How to Play:
To start, players open the board and lay out the tiles in any random way, leaving the center space open. Players each choose a cookie jar marker and place it in the center of the board. Spin the spinner, move your marker and collect a tile. Get a milk carton, go again! Collect and replace tiles until one player wins! For a more challenging game, set up the board the same way, only each player chooses 1 or 2 types of cookies to collect. It’s a more complex version for kids 6+ who are ready for a bit of a challenge and don’t mind if their cookie crumbles!

Not only is this just a cute game...I mean who doesn't love milk and cookies...but it is also educational. It teaches kids about counting, colors, strategic thinking, and a lot more.

Peaceable Kingdom Press also sells craft kits--we got to try out the Glow-in-the-Dark Light Switch Covers. This kit comes with 3 covers that fit standard single light switch plates, 48 glow-in-the-dark stickers, and double-stick adhesive tape. Basically, kids decorate the switch plate covers with the adorable stickers and then attach the covers to switch plates around the house. This is such a cute and rewarding little craft perfect for both younger and older kids! Priced at only $4.99, these kits are also a true bargain!

Peaceable Kingdom Press has truly become one of my new favorite companies. Not only do they offer games and activity kits that encourage kids to be imaginative, but they are also educational and affordable. Plus, Peaceable Kingdom Press puts so much thought into every aspect of their products--down to sturdy storage boxes their products come in. They truly think of everything.

WIN IT!

One Jolly Mom reader will win a variety of Peaceable Kingdom Press products!

How to Enter:
1. Visit Peaceable Kingdom Press and leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite item {besides the ones that I reviewed}.
Extra Entries:
2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.pkpress.com and www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.
8. Like Peaceable Kingdom Press on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.

This giveaway will end on September 10th, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on this post. US entries only, please.

Take the Walmart Back-to-School Savings Challenge!

2010-08-26T00:01:00.004-04:00

School is officially back in session and surely if you have a school-aged child--you have begun or will soon begin shopping for school supplies. The thing is...where to shop? Just one look at the ads from last weekend's major office supply stores and it is obvious that everyone is having some big sale.

The problem is that I don't want to have to drive to all over town to several different stores to get the best deals. The answer? Walmart. Right now, Walmart is basically guaranteeing that you'll find a better price at their store. If someone else does have a better price, Walmart will actually adjust the price at the register {make sure to bring the ad with you though}. Walmart sent me a $50 gift card to take their Walmart Savings Challenge and comparison shop among my local stores. These are some of the back-to-school promotions Walmart is running right now:

· Avery Durable View Binder - 1 inch - $2.50
· Pink Eraser by Peachtree Playthings - 2 Pack - $1
· 2-Pocket Folder with Prongs (Brads) - $0.20
· Bic Brite Liner Highlighters - 5 Pack - $1.50
· Bic Mechanical Pencil (7mm) - 10 Pack - $1.50
· Black & White Composition Book- 100 sheets - $0.25
· Crayola Colored Pencils - 12 Count - $1
· Crayola Crayons - 24 Count - $0.25
· Crayola Marker Classic Broad - 10 Count - $1
· Crayola Marker Washable Broad - 8 Count - $2
· Dixon #2 Pencils - 24 Count - $1
· Elmer’s School Glue - 4 Oz - $0.25
· Elmer’s School Glue Stick Twin Pack - $0.25
· Index Card 3x5 Ruled - 100 Count - $0.44
· Sharpie Fine Black Markers - 2 Count - $1
· Spiral Notebook Wide Ruled - 70 Sheet - $0.15
· Texas Instruments 84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator - $90
· Mead Reinforced Wide Ruled Filler Paper - 150 Sheet - $2.50

First, I took the Walmart list and compared the prices to this past Sunday's ads and then I went shopping. I wasn't able to find all of the products in the various ads, but what I did find...Walmart pretty much blew everyone out of the water!

Check it out!

Crayola Marker Classic Broad - 10 Count - $1 at Walmart

Crayola Colored Pencils - 12 Count - $1 at Walmart

Crayola Crayons - 24 Count - $0.25 at Walmart

3 for $5 at Office Max

Elmer’s School Glue - 4 Oz - $0.25 at Walmart
Elmer’s School Glue Stick Twin Pack - $0.25 at Walmart

$0.39 at Walgreens

Spiral Notebook Wide or College Ruled - 70 Sheet - $0.15 at Walmart

$0.39 at Walgreens

These three weren't in stock at my local Walmart so I couldn't get a picture in store, but I did find the prices at other retailers. Again, Walmart's prices were better!

Mead Reinforced Wide Ruled Filler Paper - 150 Sheet - $2.50 at Walmart
$3 at Office Depot

Black & White Composition Book- 100 sheets - $0.25 at Walmart
$0.50 at Office Max

Index Card 3x5 Ruled - 100 Count - $0.44 at Walmart
$0.49 at Office Max

I bought a bunch of school supplies and barely even made a dent into my $50 gift card LOL. So, I bought Fall/Winter clothing for Lucas as well! I got him 4 pairs of pants, 5 t-shirts, and two pairs of pajamas. All for under $50. Walmart pretty much rocks.

I say, if you're still shopping for school supplies, sit down with your Sunday paper this weekend and compare prices with Walmart. If any of the prices are cheaper elsewhere, take the ad to your local Walmart and have them adjust the price at the register. That way you can get all your shopping done at one place and get the best bang for your buck!

Walmart also has some great back-to-college prices and sample shopping lists that can help with your shopping. Visit www.walmart.com/backtoschool for more info!

Walmart provided me with a gift card to take their Savings Challenge. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Promote Your Giveaways: Giveaways Galore!

2010-08-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday: The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round...

2010-08-25T00:01:00.002-04:00

Making Your Own Baby Food Just Got Easier: NEW Make It Easy System by Infantino! {Giveaway}

2010-08-25T00:00:00.003-04:00

Making your child's baby food just got a whole lot easier with Infantino's new line of mealtime products called Make It Easy.

This is really a system designed to take the guesswork out of making your own baby food. There are seven products in the line plus a cookbook called Starting Solids, written by worldwide culinary expert and bestselling author, Annabel Karmel.

The Make It Easy System includes the following products:

Stackable Food Pots – These stackable food pots are perfect for storing fresh baby food. The pots clip together for easy storage and are see-through so you can tell what food is inside. 6 months+

Steam Release Micro Dish- This Micro-cook dish ensures healthy cooking for babies. Cooking food in a microwave is a healthy way of cooking as it helps to retain all the nutrients. The lid has an easy valve system to let the steam out of the container. There is also less waste as the bowl is an ideal size for a baby food portion. 6 months +

Mash & Serve Bowl – The Food Masher & Bowl is great for use at home or out and about. For instant baby food, simply mash banana, avocado, peach or pear on its own or with a little breast milk or formula. It’s perfect for making individual portions for baby. 6 months +.

Double Decker Mealbox – This Lunch Box makes it easy to store baby purees & finger foods. The double layer storage box ensures that food doesn’t get squashed and with a spoon & fork included, it’s easy to feed your baby when you are out and about. 9 months +.

Freeze Tray – This large Food Cube Tray works to store small portions of your baby’s food. By preparing food in batches and freezing it in the food cube tray, you need only cook once or twice a week. Ideal for weaning. 6 months+.

Fresh Food Mill - This Food Mill is ideal for making smooth purees for young babies as it gets rid of tough fibers, which are difficult to digest, in foods like dried apricots and sweet corn. 6 months +.

Fill & Freeze Puree Pops – Sucking on something cold will help soothe sore gums when baby is teething. These ice lolly molds are ideal for making fresh fruit lollies from pureed fresh fruit and pure fruit juice. 9 months +.

Of course, all of the products are BPA FREE and safe! I know that making your own baby food can seem like an arduous task, but it really can be simple if you have the right tools. The Make It Easy line is really ingenious because it does exactly that by giving you everything that you need to start making your own baby food and it truly simplifies the entire process. Plus, the products are super cute too--they are modern and come in a variety of fun colors--love them! This would make a fabulous gift for a new mom too!

Buy It: Find the Make It Easy system exclusively at Babies R Us starting this month.

WIN IT!

One Jolly Mom reader will win a variety of Make It Easy products!

How to Enter:
1. Visit Infantino.com and leave me a comment telling me what other product you'd like to try out or share your best baby feeding tips and tricks.

Extra Entries:
2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.infantino.com and www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Infantino AND Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.
8. Like Infantino on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.

This giveaway will end on September 8th, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on this post. US entries only, please.

Carnival Fantasy Cruise Ship: They Don't Call It a "Fun Ship" For Nothin'...

2010-08-24T00:02:00.003-04:00

So, we are officially back from our 7-day Carnival cruise vacation and we are all going through some major "fun ship" withdrawals. Seriously, when Carnival dubbed their ships "fun ships"...they meant it. There was so much to do aboard the Carnival Fantasy that we didn't even come close to doing it all.

Every night, you receive a copy of the "Fun Times", which outlines everything that is going on the next day. Every night, after dinner--we would always head back to our stateroom to browse the "Fun Times" and to check out the new towel animal that would be left on Lucas bed. It was one of the highlights of our day!

The Fantasy offers something for everyone. There are the obvious things like the Pool

The Waterworks area

The Casino

Ping pong tables, mini golf, and, even life size board games!

Shopping galore...

The many bars and lounges. From piano bars to comedy clubs to dance clubs...the Fantasy had it all! Believe it or not, there's even an art gallery and art auctions with complimentary champagne.

The Universe Lounge is where all the evening shows happen and this was one of our favorite things to do! We never missed a show...even Lucas went with us and he loved them too. Unfortunately, due to copyright laws I couldn't take any pictures, but the shows were wonderful. They had everything from Broadway style shows to juggling comedians to an amazing Beatles tribute show called Ticket to Ride.

Of course, there is dinner, which is an event in itself. The menu changes every night and the wait staff is exceptional.

Plus, they are so. much. fun. Every night, they put on a little show...from singing to dancing. Check them out!

And, on our 7-day cruise we had two elegant nights. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up and see everyone else on the ship dressed to the nines!

What I listed above is only a small portion of all the fun activities aboard the Fantasy! There are triviathons, bingo, karaoke, dance classes, tea parties, laser tag, game show contests, round the clock live music, and so much more.

However, if you just want to relax and unwind...you can do that too. There are many places on the Fantasy to just chill out like the adults-only Serenity deck and several lounge areas to name a couple!

There's even a quiet library area with books and board games that can be checked out.

Plus, there are a ton of things for the kids to do sans parents...from Camp Carnival to dance clubs just for tweens and teens to arcades and more. More on kids' activities coming soon in a separate post.

Stay tuned for more posts from our Carnival Cruise vacation and for cruising tips and advice! In the meantime, make sure to follow Carnival on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on their ships and booking, visit them at Carnival.com!

Thank you to Carnival for providing the complimentary 7-day cruise as part of their Mom-bassador Program. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Huge Back-to-School Sale at Nautica & Giveaway!

2010-08-24T00:02:00.001-04:00

Back-to-school season is officially upon us! By now, pretty much all children across the country have started school and I know many parents are still trying to get their kids outfitted for the school year. Shopping the sales is a must! Fortunately, Nautica is having a huge back-to-school sale right now! Buy one get on 50% off when you buy two items from the same style category! This is a great deal especially considering that Nautica is known for quality. Their clothing lasts and lasts, which is exactly what you need in kids' clothing.

Nautica would love to offer one lucky Jolly Mom reader the chance to dress their kid with some serious pizzazz by offering one reader the chance to win one full children’s outfit from Nautica.com (valued at up to $100)!

WIN IT!

One Jolly Mom reader will win a children's outfit from Nautica.com valued under $100!

How to Enter:
1. Visit Nautica.com and let me know which children's outfit you would get if you won this giveaway. Remember, the total must be right UNDER $100.
Extra Entries:
2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.nautica.com and www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Nautica AND Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.
8. Like Nautica on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.

This giveaway will end on September 7th, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on this post. US entries and 18 and up only, please.

The prize was provided by Nautica, but Nautica is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of Nautica. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Sometimes You Just Want Some Pie NOW.

2010-08-24T00:01:00.001-04:00

You guys know that I love to bake, but sometimes there just isn't the time to bake. Sometimes you just want a yummy, warm pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...now. And, when that urge hits...what can you do? Eat a Banquet Fruit Pie. These single serving little lovelies are really tasty and have half a serving of real fruit inside. You can heat them up in the oven or microwave and serve them however you like. These are also wonderful to have on hand for unexpected guests!

The pies come in three classic flavors: apple, peach, and cherry berry. Best of all, the pies retail for about $1 or less a pie! From August 26-28, before the Labor Day holiday, 650 select Wal-Marts nationwide are offering in-store demonstrations with free samples of the pies topped with Reddi-wip! To find out if your local Wal-Mart is having a demo, please check with the store manager.

Find the new Banquet fruit pies at your local supermarket in the freezer section or check the Where to Buy section at Banquet.com.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received free coupons to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Change the Story of Cervical Cancer: Get the digene HPV Test

2010-08-23T12:03:00.001-04:00

Cancer is scary. Very scary. To me, the scariest thing about most cancers is that you don't know how to prevent them or even worse...doctors don't know how to cure them. Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among women. The good news is that it is preventable. We know the cause. HPV {human papillomavirus}. Better yet--HPV testing can identify if you have one of the "high-risk" infections on your cervix that can cause cervical cancer. The test can be done at the same time as your pap test. Here's the thing though--not all doctors automatically do the test. You have to speak up and ask for it. You have to be your own health advocate.

If you are 30 years old and up, get the test done! Why does age matter?

Although HPV infections are extremely common in women under 30, they usually go away on their own before they cause problems. Thus, medical guidelines do not recommend routine HPV testing in this age group.

Cervical cancer is most common in women who are older than 30, because HPV infections are more likely to be persistent at this stage. That's why it's now recommended that women age 30 and over get a regular HPV test along with their Pap.

Key Points Every Woman Should Know!

When used along with a Pap to screen women 30 and older, HPV testing more accurately identifies who is at risk of developing cervical cancer than the Pap alone. Here's why:

* The Pap test (or Pap smear) has helped diagnose many women with cervical cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. A trained lab professional looks through a microscope at a sample of your cervical cells to determine if any abnormalities are present that could signal the presence of disease. Pap
testing should begin at age 21.
* The digene HPV Test – which can usually be run by the lab on the same sample of cells used for the Pap – uses molecular technology to detect the presence of high-risk types of HPV, which is what causes cervical cells to become abnormal in the first place.
* For women over 30 years old, who are most at risk of cervical cancer, getting both tests provides the best assurance of finding cervical disease before it becomes cancer. Studies show that, on average, the combination of the digene HPV Test and the Pap identifies 95-100 percent of advanced cervical disease (CIN 2, CIN 3, or cancer). It is important to remember, however, that the presence of HPV does not mean you have cervical disease. An additional exam is needed to determine whether disease exists.
* It is recommended that younger women (20-30), in whom HPV infections are common but usually temporary, get an HPV test only if their Pap smear looks "inconclusive" or "borderline," to help their doctor or nurse determine whether further examination is needed.

HELPFUL WEB RESOURCES ON CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION
www.theHPVtest.com - Web site focuses on the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through HPV screening and Pap testing. Site includes frequently-asked-questions, patient stories, and tips on “what your test results mean.”
o Follow on Twitter: @HPVinformed
o Facebook page

Other Resources:

www.theyellowumbrella.org – The Yellow Umbrella Organization is founded by cervical cancer survivor and “rocker” Christine Baze, who takes her music and story on the road to educate women about cancer prevention. Also, visit Christine’s www.savethehooch.org site to purchase a Yellow Umbrella make-up kit to raise money for cervical cancer prevention.
www.HealthyWomen.org - HealthyWomen is the nation’s leading independent health information source for women. Recently listed as one of Forbes’ top 100 websites for women, healthywomen.org has resources on many women’s health issues, including comprehensive info on cervical and gynecologic cancers.
www.pearlofwisdom.us - The Pearl of Wisdom™ Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer is a global partnership to raise awareness of tools for preventing cervical cancer and advocate for making them available to girls and women worldwide.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed in this article are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

Carnival Cruise Shore Excursion #3: Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands

2010-08-22T17:16:00.000-04:00

Our third and final stop on our Carnival cruise was Grand Turk and honestly...it was our least favorite port. Partly because we were exhausted from two back to back beach days and both Mike and I were sun burned {ouch!}. Partly because we had been seriously spoiled from the absolute beauty of both Blue Lagoon Island and Half Moon Cay. Don't get me wrong...Grand Turk is very pretty. The water is clear and there are beautiful coconut trees lining the beach...

but...our other two stops were SO MAGNIFICENTLY BEAUTIFUL. Maybe if we'd stopped at Grand Turk first then our experience would have been different? Either way...don't let me discourage you from Grand Turk. Like I said it is a beautiful place and getting to the beach area is super quick and easy so that is a huge plus. The ship docks right there and all you have to do is walk down a short pier to reach the beach. Easy peasy!

For those of you who like to shop...there is shopping aplenty in Grand Turk! Diamonds, gemstones, jewelry, handcrafted souvenirs, apparel, duty-free shopping, and much...much more. I think I read that the Grand Turk shopping center is like 45,000 square feet!

For the thrill seekers, you have to check out the FlowRider! It is basically a surfing ride that creates an artificial wave utilizing a pair of high-pressure water jets that produce a thin, two- to three-inch layer of water moving over a pre-formed and cushioned surface at high speed.

Or, you can lounge by the pool at the famous Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville! You can use their pool free of charge and they of course serve food, drinks, cocktails and more so this is a great place to just kick back and relax the day away.

I think that if we'd rented one of Margaritaville's Poolside Cabanas, we would have had a much better day in Grand Turk! Check it out:

- Air-conditioned, private poolside cabana
- Up to four people
- Outdoor shower
- Private deck with loungers
- Waiter service from Margaritaville Restaurant
- $129 per day. You rent these through the Shore Excursions desk on the Carnival cruise ship.

Stay tuned for more posts from our Carnival Cruise vacation and for cruising tips and advice! In the meantime, make sure to follow Carnival on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on their ships and booking, visit them at Carnival.com!

Thank you to Carnival for providing the complimentary 7-day cruise as part of their Mom-bassador Program. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

9th Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest!

2010-08-21T19:38:00.000-04:00

The 9th Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest officially kicked off last month, but there is still time to enter!

o Families can foster creativity in their children in the kitchen and download an entry form at www.Jif.com. Entries close on October 22, but the first 250 “Early Bird” entries received by September 15 will receive a Jif gift pack with product and back-to-school essentials.

o For the first time entrants can now submit their entries in Spanish. Spanish entry forms are available at www.JifenEspanol.com.

o Sandwiches will be judged on the following criteria: creativity, taste, appearance, nutritional balance and ease of preparation.

o Five semi-finalists will be selected to compete at a live judging event in New York. One grand prize winner will win a $25,000 scholarship fund. Four runners up will each receive $2,500 scholarship funds.

o This past year’s winner was Rachel Granillo, 10, of Clovis, CA, paired the Jif Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter with apples, grapes and chicken combined in a lettuce wrap, called “PB & Fruity says ‘Let Us Rap.’” (Recipe and images available)

Another great contest by JIF! The Jif Moms Voice Their Choice Contest gives moms (or those inspired by one) a chance to share stories about the choices they make for their families.

o Adults can visit www.Jif.com to submit an essay – 250 words or less – answering one of the following questions:

1. How do you, as a Mom, make the best choices for your family?
2. How have you observed a Mom making the best choices for her family?

o One grand prize winner will win a trip to New York City to serve as a judge at the final 9th Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest event in March 2011.

For more information or to enter either {or both} of the contests, please visit JIF.com!

I was not compensated in any way for this post. All opinions expressed in this article are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

On Our Way Home...

2010-08-21T18:10:00.000-04:00

We are on our way home. The sun has set on our amazing cruise vacation. Look for more posts in the coming weeks with more information on our cruise and lots of tips for those of you who are thinking about taking your first cruise!

In the meantime, make sure to follow Carnival on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on their ships and booking, visit them at Carnival.com!

Thank you to Carnival for providing the complimentary 7-day cruise as part of their Mom-bassador Program. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

CVS Coupon Matchups and Best Deals

2010-08-21T17:58:00.000-04:00

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the best deals at CVS this week! For the full list, please make sure you stop by Moms By Heart!

P&G ECB Deal: Spend $25 on select products, get $10 ECB
Puffs tissues $.99
-$1/6 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: $.82 each

Duracell AA, AAA 20-pk; C, D 8-pk; 9V 4-pk $9.99
-$1 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: $8.99

Charmin Big Rolls 16-pk $9.99
-$1/2 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: $9.49

Bounty Extra Soft 12-pk $9.99
-$1/2 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: $9.49

{Scenario}
(2) Charmin or Bounty $19.98
(6) Puffs $5.94
= $25.92
-$2 coupons
-$10 ECB
Final Price: all for $13.92!

L'Oreal cosmetics, skin, sun, hair from $1.99, B1G1 50% off = 2/$2.99
-$1 printable HERE - any L'Oreal product, use two
Final Price: as low as 2/$.99

Fuze, Powerade or Vitamin Water 10/$10
-$5 ECB on ten
-$1/2 from August ALL YOU magazine - Vitamin Water Zero
-look for Fuze tearpads next to product $.75/1
Final Price: possible money maker!

Select Nabisco crackers 2/$4
-$.75/2 from 8/8 SS
Final Price: 2/$3.25 or $1.63 each

Starbucks Doubleshots single drinks 2/$3
-B1G1 free printable HERE
Final Price: 2/$1.50

Starbucks Frappucino single drinks 2/$3
-$1 printable HERE
Final Price: $.50

Sour Patch or Swedish Fish candy 14-16 oz $3.29 B1G1 free
-$4/6 from 8/8 SS
Final Price: 6/$5.87 or $.98

Mentos Gum15-ct $1.79, B1G1 free
-$1/2 from 7/18 SS
Final Price: 2/$.79 or $.40 each

SC Johnson ECB Deal: Spend $10, Get $3
Glade Sense & Spray $5
-$3 printable HERE or from 8/22 SS
Final Price: $2

Glade Plug Ins Lasting Impressions $5
-$3 printable HERE or from 8/22 SS
Final Price: $2

Glade Fragrance Collection Candle or Reed Diffuser $5
-$2 from 8/22 SS
Final Price: $3

{Scenario}
(2) Lasting Impressions or Sense & Spray $10
-$6 coupons
-$3 ECB
Final Price: 2/$1

-Paper Mate Grip Pens 3/$1
-Sharpie Permanent Markers 3-pk or Highlighters 4-pk 2/$3

Select Maybelline mascaras: Spend $10 get $3 ECB
Maybelline Falsies $6
-$1 from 8/8 RP
Final Price: $5

Maybelline Great Lash $4
-$1 from 8/8 RP
-$3 ECB wyb both

Final Price: both for $5!

John Frieda or Biore ECB Deal: Spend $15, get $5
John Frieda $5
-$3 from 8/22 SS - if Root Awakenings is included
Final Price: $2

Select Biore products $6
-$2 printable HERE - via email
Final Price: $4

{Scenario}
(3) John Frieda products $15
-$9 coupons
-$5 ECB
Final Price: 3/$1

Got2b Hair Stylers from $5.99, B1G1 free
-$2 from September ALL YOU magazine or
-$1 from 8/1 RP
Final Price: 2/$2.99 - assumes one All You coupon & one insert coupon

Garnier Fructis $3.33 - spend $15 get $5 ECB
-$1 from 8/8 SS, use five
Final Price: 5/$6.65 or $1.33 each

Mitchum deodorant 2/$5
-$1 ECB on two
-$1 from 7/18 SS (exp 8/22) or $.75 from 8/22 SS
Final Price: as low as $1 each

Blink eye drops $7.99
-$7.99 ECB
-$1.50 printable HERE or $1 from 8/15 RP
Final Price: FREE with $1-$1.50 profit

Crest Pro Health Clinical Gum Protectant toothpaste, floss or rinse $3.49
-$2.50 ECB
-$1 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: FREE

Five Star notebooks or binders from $5.79
-$5 ECB on $15
-$2 from 8/8 SS - Flex Hybrid binder
-$1/2 from 8/8 SS - any

Gillette Pro Glide razor $9.97
-$5 ECB
-$4 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: $.97

Arm & Hammer 2-in-1 Dryer Cloths 40-ct $4.69, B1G1 free
-$1 printable HERE, use two
Final Price: 2/$2.69 or $1.35 each

Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent 50-oz $6.99, B1G1 free
-$1/2 printable HERE
Final Price: 2/$5.99 or $3 each

Lays potato chips $3.99 B1G1 free
Final Price: $2 each

Walgreens Coupon Matchups and Best Deals

2010-08-21T17:56:00.002-04:00

These are the best deals at Walgreens this week. A HUGE thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for compiling the list. Make sure you stop by her blog to see all the matchups for the week!

School Supplies
$.39 (with insert coupon)
-Penway Filler Paper 130 sheets $.39
-Paper Mate Write Bros pens 10-pk $.39
-Paper Mate mechanical pencils 5-pk $.39
-Penway pencils 10-pk
-Clean n Natural Hand Sanitizer 2-oz
-Penway pencil sharpener
-Penway 24-pk crayons
-Penway 12-pk colored pencils
-Penway 8-pk jumbo crayons
-Penway highlighter
-Corner Office Writing Tablet 100-sheets
-Elmer's School Glue
-Sharpie Permanent Markers
-Car Eraser
-Cap Erasers 15-pk
-Pink Erasers 2-pk
-Corner Office 5-tab dividers
-Penway 1-subject notebook
-Colored index cards 70-ct
-Poly Portfolios with prongs
-Select Scotch mailers
-Crayola posterboard 22x28
-Penway ruler or protractor
-Scotch transparent tape

Other
-Memo or Composition notebook 6/$1
-Penway 2-pocket folders 5/$1
-Penway Carry-All Pouch $.99
-Corner Office Dry Erase Markers 4-pk $.99
-20-pk stick pens $.99
-4-pk gel pens $.99
-Splash color binder $.99
-Penway 5-subject notebook 180 sheets $1
-Penway composition book 80 sheets $1
-It's Academic Stretchable book cover $1
-Fiskar scissors $1.49
-Poly sheet protectors $1.99
-Penway mechanical pencils 20-pk $2.99
-Splash retractable gel pens 10-pk $2.99
-Select backpacks $9.99, B1G1 free

Paper Mate 4-pk retractable pens or Uniball 207 Gel pens 2-pk $2.49
-$1.50 from August coupon booklet
Final Price: $.99

Hershey chocolate bars 6-pk or Honey Maid graham crackers 2/$6
-FREE Jet Puffed marshmallows wyb both
-$1/3 Hershey, Honey Maid and Jet Puffed from 6/27 SS
Final Price: 3/$5

Ben & Jerry's ice cream pint $4.79, B1G1 free
-$1/2 from 8/15 RP
Final Price: 2/$3.79 or $1.90 each

Starbucks ice cream pint $4.79, B1G1 free
-$1-$1.50 from 8/8 RP, use two
Final Price: as low as 2/$1.79 or $.90 each

Arm & Hammer Super Scoop litter 2/$10
-$3 from September ALL YOU magazine
Final Price: $2

Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner 2/$4
-$.75 printable HERE
Final Price: $1.25

Glade Premium Room Spray, 2-oz Soy Candles or Scented Oil Candle refills 2/$5
-$1 printable HERE - room spray
-$2/2 from 8/22 SS - soy candles
-$1 from 8/22 SS - candle refills
Final Price: $1.50

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes 35-pk or Kitchen Cleaner 2/$5
-$1 from 8/8 SS
Final Price: $1.50

AirWick FreshMatic Compact starter kit $3.99
-$4 from 8/8 SS or printable HERE
Final Price: FREE

Mitchum deodorant $1.99
-$1 from 7/18 SS or $.75 from 8/22 SS
Final Price: $.99 - $1.24

Reach toothbrush or Listerine mouthwash 500 mL $2.99
-$1 from August coupon booklet
-$1 from 8/1 SS
Final Price: $.99

Select Crest 3D White products: toothpaste, toothbrush, rinse 3/$9
-$4 RR on three
-$1 from 8/1 PG: toothpaste or toothbrush, use three
Final Price: 3/$2

Pampers diapers jumbo pack $8.99, buy two
-$1.50 from 8/1 PG, use two
-$3 RR on two
-FREE Pampers wipes wyb diapers, use two
Final Price: 2 diapers & 2 wipes for $11.98

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste $4.29, B1G1 free
-$1 from 8/8 SS, use two
Final price: 2/$2.49 or $1.25 each

Crest Pro Health Clinical toothpaste or Glide floss $3.99
-$2 RR
-$1 from 8/1 PG
Final Price: $.99

Nivea for Women Body Wash $5.99, B1G1 free
-$1 from 6/20 RP, use two
-FREE mens body wash wyb two women's body wash coupon from 7/25 RP (exp 8/25)
Final Price: 3/$3.99 or $1.33 each

Benadryl 20-24 ct $4.49
-$1 from 8/8 RP
-$5 RR on two
Final Price: $.99 each

Alaway Eye Drops $12.99
-$5 RR
-$4 from 8/8 SS or printable HERE
Final Price: $3.99

Pepsi product 12-pk 12-oz 3/$12
-$5 RR on three
Final Price: 3/$7

Select Kellogg's cereal or Pop Tarts 8-ct 2/$5
-$2 RR on two
-$1.50/2 printable HERE - cereal
-$1/2 from 7/11 RP - Pop Tarts
Final Price: as low as $.75 each!