2 Monsters and A Princess

New Winner

2012-01-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I had a couple winners not reply to their emails.Instead of trying to run another giveaway (these items were from the blog hop giveaway),I decided to do a quick giveaway instead via facebook.The new winner is Rachel Colley for the Uglee Pens and Big Wet Wipes.Thanks to everyone for entering!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I Love Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks with Giveaway 2/2

2012-01-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Have you tried Ocean Spray fruit snacks? I buy fruit snacks for the kids,but I had never tried these before.When I was offered a chance to try them as a member of My blog Spark,I figured,why not,it is something we use and buy weekly anyway.

I will be the first to admit,I don't normally like fruit snacks.My children ask for them all the time,and don't seem to care one way or the other which kind they get.I have always found them to be too gummy for me.I don't like gummy candy anyway,so I don't even bother trying them most of the time.I knew the kids would be glad to test them,so when the package arrived,I open a box of each flavor and let them have some for an after school snack.I noticed they wanted to try the Berries and Cherries first,so after they finished them,I asked what they thought.The boys were quick to say they wanted more,while the princess wanted to try the other kind.I let them try both,just to get an opinion and they were just as pleased with the Assorted Fruit.

Everyone loved these so much,and the kids harassed me to give them more so often,that I just had to try them myself.Expecting to eat one or two and not finish them,I tried them while my daughter ate lunch.I went for the assorted version and was impressed with the flavor right away.I tried a couple more before I realized that not only did they taste good,they weren't gummy at all! These are the softest,chewiest fruit snacks I have ever tried.Made with real fruit juice and containing 100% of your daily Vitamin C,you can't go wrong with these gluten free snacks that even contain double box tops all year round!

Truth be told,by the time it was all said and done,I think I ate at least a box of these myself.I guess they knew what they were doing when they sent me 6 of them to try! Now they are going to do the same for 4 of my loyal readers. Enter on the form below for your chance to receive the same prize pack I did..3 boxes of each of the 2 flavors.Each box contains 10 packs..so 4 of you will get 60 yummy single serve packs of these to enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.Giveaway items are provided by the sponsor and they are responsible for shipping all prizes.Opportunity,information and prize provided to me as a member of My Blog Spark***

Diamond Candles Looking for Review/Giveaway Hosts

2012-01-23T00:24:00.000-08:00

If you don't know about Diamond Candles,you are missing out on one of the things on my Valentines Wish List.These super cute candles contain a hidden ring inside every jar.Burn your candle for a great scent.then see what ring you get inside.I am so excited to tell you they are currently looking for bloggers to host reviews and giveaways of one of their amazing variety of scented candles.Go now to sign up for your chance to try these..I did!

Good luck!!

The things they teach our kids at school...

2012-01-18T23:13:00.000-08:00

My oldest son is 10.Right before Christmas break,he came home with a paper for me to sign so he could watch the sex education video at school.Now,anyone who knows me knows I am a little overprotective with my kids.I was a little unsure if I wanted him to watch this or not,but then I remembered the kids when I was in school doing the same thing.What I remembered most was the boys being grossed out by the whole period thing and the girls being scared to death of getting pregnant.

Going by my previous experience,I signed the note so he could participate...epic fail on my part.I was expecting him to come home saying how he never wants to see that again and how gross it was and so on.When he came on the door that day,you can imagine how disturbed I was when he began to tell me all about his video.The class began with them coming up with all the names that people call a mans genitals.I have no problem with the word penis,my boys know what it is and what it does and that has never been an issue.I do,however,have a problem with my 10 year old son telling me some of the other names mentioned,like balls,d*ck,boner and many more words I don't believe he even knew existed until that day.I was none too happy to hear they had this as a discussion topic and it went on for a few minutes with them all laughing and carrying on about the words they heard.

Needless to say that was enough for me,but it wasn't over yet.He then proceeded to tell me how he had learned about boners and wet dreams! Now I am not going to say that the issue of an erection has never come up before.I have 2 healthy boys and I am not stupid enough to believe that they haven't started to explore that area and what happens there.I am a firm believer in telling them to keep it private,but I refuse to make them believe it is dirty or wrong to explore themselves.However,I did not want the issue of a wet dream to be brought up to my 10 year old child.We were not informed about what would be in the movie,and had I been he would not have watched it.I have to accept part of the responsibility for being too trusting with the school,but trust me that will NOT happen again.My youngest will not be watching this video next year,because he skipped a grade he would be only 9 when he saw it.There is just no way that is going to happen.

Have your kids viewed this movie yet? Do you plan to let them? Just as a suggestion,maybe check with the school and see what exactly your child will be viewing before you make your decision!

Using Goal For It to Tame the Chaos

2012-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

Trying to keep everything done in my house is a little like working at the circus.Between the kids,husband,bunny and myself,the work never seems to end.My children are famous for leaving their clothes on the floor and their books and toys everywhere else.I end up telling them every day to pick up this or put away that,and I know they have enough common sense to do it on their own.

When I saw the opportunity to tell you about the fun way to keep track of chores and goals with Goal for It,I knew it was something I wanted to try.I started by creating my free account and then starting a Chore Chart for each of the kids.

You select the name,age and gender of the child you are making the chart for and then select a design from categories like wheels,cute critters and storybook,action,adventure and aliens and more.Next you add the chores you want to be done,the number of days and the amount of "moolah" earned for each chore.The "moolah" is cash that can be turned in for rewards that you choose.I used mine to allot time for video games and computer use,which are the first things to go when they don't do their chores now.

The process is very simple and I was able to create the charts in minutes.I set my email reminder to once a week,just in case I forget to update,and am good to go.Whenever I come back to add the completed chores,all I have to do is click the easy to use button,select a reward sticker,and go on to the next one.I can keep track of all their chores,all the time,in just minutes a week and the results and rewards are clear to us all.

To help with the rest of your charting needs,Goal For It offers,behavior charts,to do lists and more! You can keep track of charts and lists for everyone in your house in one easy place.The gender and age based charts allow for a personalized experience and the individual rewards can vary from one child to another as appropriate.

I really liked my experience so far,and the kids seem to like that they can earn more gaming and Internet time instead of the set amount they had before.Of course,I set the rewards so they can earn more,but still not too much.I plan to add more reward options in just a minute and update a few chores too.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.This is a compensated post as a member of Mom Select,however I am using the product and the mentioned opinions are based on my actual experience.***

Oscillococcinum For Flu Symptom Relief

2012-01-15T00:32:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest reasons I hate the winter season is sickness.I hate to be sick,and it's even worse when the kids are sick too.I can't lay around and sleep,I have to get them up,make breakfast,get them ready for school and out the door before 8am.By then the husband is strolling in from work and saying how hungry he is while I am trying to take a quick nap before Reagan gets up to start her homeschooling lessons.Of course this ends with me getting breakfast for the three of us before he goes to bed and we start our day.Doing this all with a headache,cough and runny nose is more than I want to deal with some days and I just turn off the alarm and take the day off.I can't do this every time,or the kids would miss way too much school,so having something that helps is a huge plus.

I haven't been sick recently,but my husband started feeling bad one night and I told him to try the homeopathic Oscillococcinum I was just sent for review.I know that's a long one,but they call it Oscillo and so will I in this post.Created by Boiron,this is said to have no side effects,no drug interactions and works naturally with your body.Designed to treat body aches,headaches,fever,chills and fatigue,simply pop open the tube,pour the pellets in your mouth and let them dissolve.Each package contains 6 tubes for quick and easy dosage.These are intended for adults and children over two,so you can use them for almost anyone in the family.

He agreed to try it and took a total of 3 doses in about a day and a half.It says every six hours but he would forget and ended up taking them about every 12 instead.By the end of the second day he was feeling better and didn't need anything else.I was surprised by this,usually it takes a few days to get rid of the flu or those annoying viruses the kids bring home from school.We haven't had to use Oscillo again,but I plan to try it the next time someone gets a headache,fever,or a case of the ick to try and stop it before it gets started.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I was sent a sample item in order to write a fair and honest review.No other compensation was received***

Staying Warm With Stoner Couture

2012-01-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

I hate winter.I hate rain and ice,I don't want a white Christmas,I don't like the cold.When I am forced to have to go out in it,I still want to look good and be comfortable.I have the worst time finding something I like,at a price I can afford and in a color I want that fits my "style".

This year I got a little help with this from Stoner Couture.I actually found this company through another blog and contacted them about a review.I was excited when they agreed because I really wanted to get this ..

The Ladies Long Sleeve Sophia Sweater Wrap is so soft and comfortable.The length is perfect for wearing with a cami or tee and the poly cotton blend moves with you instead of bunching or clinging.This looks amazing with black slacks,a light grey cami and a cute pair of boots,or thrown over a short dress with a sharp set of heels.

Even though I really wanted this wrap,because I contacted them for a review,I didn't want to be too pushy.When my new favorite blog sponsor asked me what I wanted,I told him a few of my choice pieces,but told him to send me whatever he wanted and I would be happy.Now came the hard part..waiting on my surprise box!

When this package arrived,I was amazed at everything he sent me.The box contained,not only my favorite wrap,but a selection of other items to keep me warm this winter too,like the black zippered hoodie with an orange leaf logo on the back.I am not normally a person who chooses orange,but it works against the black.I am a fan of hoodies for the ease,comfort and variety,but this has to be the softest one I have ever had.I asked for a larger size,because, as a large chested woman,I always have issues with my tops fitting everywhere else but pulling or stretching at the bust.I didn't need to worry though.Their sizes are generous and even though I asked for a larger size then I actually ended up needing,I have still worn it tons of times,it is so comfortable!! I throw it on to run to the store,grab the mail,get the kids to and from school,clean the car and more.I can slide up the sleeves if needed and toss my wallet,keys and phone in the pockets for hands free needs.

I was sent a Stoner Beanie in black that my husband snagged right out of the box.He isn't a supporter of the cause,but he loved the fit and warmth of the beanie and uses it every night for work.

I was sent 2 of the flexfit hats in the greatest combo of bright green on black and an SC Logo Hoodie that my brother n law begged me for.He is a big guy,so I wanted to see how it held up to him.The hoodie was a 2X and fit perfectly.He didn't care for the white color because he was afraid of getting it dirty,but he has been sporting it often anyway according to my sister.

I have had no tears,fading,frays or other issues even after multiple washes,and the softness hasn't changed a bit in any of the items.The zippers are nice,not a cheap plastic thing and the stitching is perfect.I have no complaints and have heard none from anyone I shared the review items with.The deilvery was fast,browsing the site is a snap,you are supporting the cause if you choose and if not,you can still find a variety of other items including their private label, body care and nutrition selections.

**All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive the mentioned sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.NO other form of compensation was received.***

Princess Reagan Style on A Budget

2011-12-31T02:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't done one of these in awhile,until Reagan mentioned it the other day.I decided to change it up and show you not only her outfit choices,but the cost of them and how blogging and entering giveaways helps me let her dress however she wants.Here is a look of her newest outfit creations.

Reagan on the left is wearing her Hannah Montana skirt on sale at Walmart I believe for $5

Pink hooded top with rhinestone accents (you can't see them in the pic) from Kmart $8.99

Striped tights I got at Walmart for her costume and she loves wearing them 3.98

Outfit total-$17.97

Candyland dress is actually a costume dress but she decided to be a witch this year and added this to her wardrobe instead.I let her wear what she wants as long as it is isn't skimpy or over/under dressed.

Costume was a review product thanks to Costume Supercenter, so it cost me nothing but the time I put into my review and post.
The tights are actually the two pattern type,you can't see because she is a little short for them but the top half has a striped pattern and the bottom is polka dot.I don't remember where she got these but I think they were around $8.
The shoes were bought from Walmart for $9.98
Outfit total with shoes-$17.98 and a review

The top was a giveaway win from Illeanas Boutique that she personalized herself-free.
The jeans you cannot really see but they are these cute Rainbow Glitter Jeans from Lord and Taylor.

Retail price was $40,I paid $11.99 on sale.

The Penelope Mack Flocked Satin Coat and Hat is from Lord and Taylor as well.This was normally $74.00 but was on sale for $22.19! Plus,I won a gift card in a blog giveaway and used it on these and some other items so I didn't pay anything out of pocket for them!!

Outfit total-$34.18 including the coat and hat!
Out of pocket-$0

These are some of the examples I use when people ask me why I spend so much time on my computer.Have you found any great deals or won something wonderful lately?

My New Nephew

2011-12-31T01:41:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to introduce you all to my new nephew Robert.He was born Thursday afternoon and came Friday at around 7 where his aunt Manda was waiting to snatch him up.

He weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces,but you wouldn't tell by looking at him.I got to hold him and love him and even change his dirty diaper..haha.That's alright though,I don't mind.He is so quiet and makes this little soft crying sound.I could have stayed there all day but I had to come home and take care of my own little heathens.I can't wait to bring him here to visit me for a couple of days..I'm so excited! He is my second nephew and I couldn't love him more.

Natural House Cleaning Products Giveaway

2011-12-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

Check out this Instant Win Game I'm participating in...

2011-12-26T21:01:00.000-08:00

Check out this Instant Win Game I'm participating in...

***I post about items I use,enjoy,like and love.All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.Giveaway items are provided by the sponsor and they are responsible for shipping all prizes.***

I am so happy it is all over..no more drama!

2011-12-26T01:45:00.000-08:00

I love my family and enjoy getting together with everyone for the holidays.That said,I am so glad it is all over.It never fails,when you get that many people in a confined space for a long period,someone is going to annoy someone else.The younger bunch in my family always seem seem as if they need a drink while the older ones all sit and chat about them.It is all out of love I am sure,but the generation gap is so big between us.The piercings and tattoos always draw comments from at least one person during the day and someone is sure to have an issue with how much cleavage is showing or who did what at the family dinner.Don't get me wrong,we have a good time,but someone always seems to leave with hurt feelings or a bitter attitude toward the day.

Going to my husbands family is just as bad.They are different in their ways then I am,so it always seems to be something.They cook "country" style,which is usually too salty or just not my thing,so I am always left hungry after a meal.My husband is a twin and it is usually us,his twin brother and his family,their parents and occasionally a few aunts and uncles in the mix.My husbands mother is one of those people who have to have a word in everything.You can be talking about your own children and she thinks she needs to get in her two cents.This irritates the hell out of my sister in law and,because she isn't our mother,we both have issues handling with her.Our husbands,on the other hand,just deal with it because "that is how she has always been".This is always causing conflict in one of our houses when she decided to speak her opinion.We speak back and then she runs to our husbands to complain or try her point with them,You cannot tell this woman no.She will do what she has her mind set on ,even if it is a waster of her time or money.Aside from that,she isn't too bad and i have been trying to go to these things with him instead of staying home like I have the last 2 years.

I am just glad it is all over.I have no more plans and am going to enjoy myself and my family while I have the chance this week.Happy Holidays!

Santa Came to Our House Last Night

2011-12-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

I finally got the children to bed about midnight last night...after hours of waiting for the time to come because they were driving me crazy.They were so excited to wake up and open presents that they didn't even want to go to sleep.We finally set out cookies and soft mints for Santa,along with notes from the children and off to bed they went.My oldest son wouldn't go to sleep and kept creeping out of bed to "go to the bathroom" or "get a drink".Finally around 3am the house was quiet and I had time to take a nice,long,hot bath with my new Body Shop Cranberry Bubble Bath.So nice..

I crawled in bed a little after 5 and slept until I was roused from dreamland at a little after 9..ugh.I knew I had to get up though,since we told them they could open their presents when they were all awake.They saw the missing cookies and letters and the new presents under the tree and got a little excited,but when they turned around and saw the picture of Santa standing by our tree and reaching into his bag for gifts..they didn't know what to say.My boys claimed not to believe in Santa last night but after seeing that today,they aren't sure what to think anymore.

How was your Christmas morning? Do your kids still believe in Santa?

Merry Christmas !!

2011-12-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you. I hope you all enjoy our holiday as much as I did!!

Chestal Review and Giveaway 1/10

2011-12-23T10:08:00.001-08:00

Even though it is the start of a new year,we are still due for some cold weather before it's all over.In my house the kids are usually pretty healthy until that back and forth weather where it is freezing one day and sunny and warm the next.That seems to be the time the sniffles,coughs and runny noses start around here.I don't like to rush into giving my kids medications,but when they can't sleep from coughing,then it is time to do something.

This time when my kids began to cough and cough in the middle of the night,I gave them a dose of the new homeopathic medicine I was sent to review.Childrens Chestal is recommended for children between the ages of 2 and 12,so all three of my kids were able to take this.I really liked being able to give them the same medicine at the same time instead of keeping track of different ones for different ages.The honey flavor was different from the usual fruit varieties and I didn't hear any complaints about it from the goof troop.I was surprised to see that within an hour of taking this all three were sleeping soundly with no coughing to be heard.Normally when they take cough medicines the coughing lessens but is still there.

You can check out Boirons Cold and Flu Tracker to see the risk level in your region so you will know what kind of germs are headed your way.You can buy Chestal at Walgreens,CVS,Whole Foods and some local health food stores.

One of my readers will win the same full sized bottle of natural Childrens Chestal to try for themselves.Evter on the Rafflecopter form below.Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***I post about items I use,like and love.All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.Giveaway items are provided by the sponsor and they are responsible for shipping all prizes.***

I Caught Santa Review and Quick 5 Winner Giveaway

2011-12-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas is just a week away.I have mostly finished wrapping gifts,my plans are made,visits scheduled and I have a little bit of time to relax.Well,as far as Christmas is concerned anyway.This year I marked some of the kids gifts from Santa,like I always do.My boys laugh at me because they haven't believed in Santa in ages,but I still try and convince them he is real for my daughter.Being 5,Reagan still believes a little,but not as much as she used to.I want her to hold on to that little girl fantasy just a while longer,so I was thrilled when I received the chance to make her believe with I Caught Santa.

With the fast,easy to use process,you can create something a child will treasure forever.Simply select the photo you want to use,add your character and print or share..that's it! You now have a photo of Santa putting presents under your tree or any of the other 20 poses available.With such a variety of options,it should be easy for anyone to find a pose that fits with their room,making it look as if Santa was really right there! This is perfect for Christmas morning to leave beside the empty cookie plate and milk cup,or to arrive in the mail a few days after Christmas with a note from Santa.

Of course,if you are looking for a different occasion you can try the Easter bunny,Tooth fairy or Cupid options as well.This is so much fun for the little ones or the young at heart.5 of my wonderful readers will get to try this themselves with their own code thanks to I Caught Santa!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can see some of their customer photos for examples or ideas on how to use this product.

***I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Giveaway items are provided by the sponsor and they are responsible for shipping all prizes.***

Natural House Presents Flushy,Sinky and Trashy

2011-12-14T23:03:00.003-08:00

If you are like me,you are always on the lookout for great deals and items that help make your life easier,With the house,kids,work,school and whatever else is going on,there is never enough time in the day to do everything that needs done.Thankfully,I was sent some wonderful items from Natural House to help me regain control of my home.The natural household cleaning products are not only easy to use,but they are eco-friendly too.Containing non-toxic pro biotic cleaning agents,these Natural House cleaners are strong enough for commercial use,yet gentle enough to use in your home for even the dirtiest messes.

The first product I tried was the Flushy.One thing I noticed right away was the lack of chemical smell.I hate trying to clean something and trying to hold my breath while I use it for fear of inhaling toxic chemicals or odors.I did notice some sort of smell while using this toilet cleaner,not really a bad smell, but a change in the air.I had candles burning and was able to smell this over them,but they weren't in the same room as me either.The packet began to dissolve and right away you could hear a slight fizzing sound.The cleaner spread over the bowl and after letting it set for a few minutes I was able to grab the brush and clean it up in seconds with no hard scrubbing involved.This was a nice change and made cleaning my toilet a snap.I let my sister use one and she wasn't as impressed.She said it did help,and she was glad to avoid the chemicals,but she had to scrub a little.I am not sure if this has to do with the water treatment at her home or not.

I used the Sinky in my kitchen first.I always have issues with the kids putting bowls with cereal in them or some other nonsense in the sink and it is constantly draining slow.I tossed in a packet of the cleaner,followed the simple directions and within minutes seconds the foaming action began.I let it do it's thing for about as long as it took to take out the trash and grab the mail.When I returned,I ran more hot water in the sink to rinse and my drain was clear with no backup at all! I admit I was surprised by this.The Sinky dissolved the gunk with ease.

Trashy was the last item I tried.I wasn't sure if this one was gong to do any good. Honestly,trash cans are gross and no matter what you use,cleaning them is no fun.I was determined to give it a fair shot,though,so I sprayed some into my kitchen container and waited for it to work as instructed.This was great for me.Not only did I not have to scrub my can,but the probiotics keep working until the next weekly treatment,so each time,I will have even less mess to deal with.

If you are looking for natural cleaning products at an affordable price,I suggest trying these for your household needs.You can purchase the Natural House products directly from the site or on Amazon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.

And the Christmas cards begin

2011-12-12T02:24:00.000-08:00

I received my first card of the ear Saturday.It was from my wonderful cousin Sara and her husband.I am always happy to get new cards as Christmas draws near and can't wait to see who's arrives next!

This is my card.Isn't it different.I like the straw ribbon around it for added style (although I realized after I typed that line,I cute most of the ribbon off in the photo) It is supposed to be down the left side and ties in the center.Now I need to get mine in the mail!

My Christmas Tree

2011-12-12T00:36:00.000-08:00

Well I told you all about my issues getting my tree standing this year,so you might as well see the mostly finished product.I still need to find matching candy canes,and I am looking for a different tree topper,but this will have to do for now.

This was my year to design the tree.My husband is a fan of using all the different bulbs,lights and other decorations we have when it is his turn.On my years,I have the matching tree design.This year I used the white of the tree combined with red,green and gold.I grabbed some beautiful gold ribbon with holly at Walmart for $5.I added the red,green and gold solid colored bulbs and a few assorted random bulbs to match.My sons made a couple of them,some are characters like Snoopy and Charlie Brown,and of course the ones I made.

My Tree Troubles

2011-12-12T00:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I mentioned before,but we took the Christmas decorations out of our shed to put them up last week.We always start with getting the tree up and then decide on lights and decorations for the house.We got out our tree,went through the whole process of bending the branches and getting it to look right and put it in the stand.I noticed that it seemed a little unstable,but figured it was just that we had a live tree last year and it had been awhile since I saw this one.My husband and I started to put the lights on it and it began to lean..and lean..we tried to fix the screws in the stand (it is one of those metal ones) but that didn't help.The stand we had for the live tree was way too big for the base of the artificial tree,so that wouldn't work either.Finally after getting annoyed and taking a break,my wonderful husband says,"Let's just get a new tree for this year."

I hadn't planned to get another tree right now because we are in the middle of remodeling and were planning to grab a bigger one that would fit after we finished with the living room.Then, he tells me Walmart has a white tree with colored lights on sale for $40.I love white trees.Needless to say,within minutes he was on his way to grab one.

Of course,this was for me,so it couldn't be that easy.My husband arrives at Walmart to find they have none of the white trees with colored lights,only the white tree with white lights.Thinking that I wanted colored,he tries to text and call me,which I missed due to chasing after the children for one thing or another.He finally gives up trying to reach me and buys it anyway.As luck would have it,I call him as he is headed home to tell him I wanted colored in response to his text,but instead of taking him up on the offer to go back,I told him to just bring it home.

It was very simple to assemble and within minutes it was standing and had my glittery red tree skirt under it.I decide to finish it later,that was enough for my nerves in one day.It is not as big as I would have gotten,but it is only for this year.Next year my husband will no doubt find something else he wants (Ok that really means me but I have to blame him for something right?)

The Post Office Solicits Gifts for Postal Carriers

2011-12-12T00:11:00.000-08:00

I received the craziest thing in my mail Saturday.I was flipping through my normal stack of junk,bills,review items,giveaway wins and the other random stuff I get in the mail when I came upon this.I folded over the part that lists the address for their privacy.

I had to go back and read it again to make sure I had read that right.This was a note from the post office,stuck in my mail,with my mail carriers address attached asking me to send them something at Christmas...really? I mean,don't get me wrong,I appreciate getting my mail as much as the next person,especially since I started blogging and entering giveaways,but to be asked to "send a token of my appreciation" and given their address right in my mailbox..that's a little too much of you ask me.What happened to the days of giving gifts because you wanted to instead of because the office,school,church,group or something else is doing so? Not everyone can afford to give to everyone they know for the holidays.

What do you think? Is it just me? Did you get a similar note in your mail this week?

Betty Crocker Red Hot Holiday Trends

2011-12-09T19:18:00.001-08:00

Looking for some fun and interesting recipes to make this holiday season.Well look no more.Betty Crocker
is trying to make your life easier with the Betty 10 Red Hot Holiday Trends.

	Trend: Double Desserts Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It’s a 1+1=3 kind of thing. Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

	Trend: Boozy Baking From booze cakes to cocktail pies, bakers everywhere are bringing the bar into the kitchen. A titch of tequila or a skosh of scotch whiskey adds a serious shot of fun and flavor for the over 21 crowd. We’re loving these boozy baked goods! Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes Taste for yourself what the buzz is all about! A bit of bourbon, a hit of coffee liqueur and some vanilla vodka-spiked frosting make these sophisticated chocolate cupcakes the ultimate “holiday helpers.”

	Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun. Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food! Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack ‘em up and watch ‘em go.

	Trend: From Cave to Kitchen Forget the man cave. Today guys are in the kitchen making (or at least appreciating) really good food. Big food. Really good, big food that’s stacked and stuffed with the flavors they can’t resist. Recipe:Mantastic Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich Here’s a new take on chicken ‘n’ waffles - made better with beer, bacon, and bourbon. It’s the ultimate manly man meal.

	Trend: Skinny Cocktails Here’s the skinny! Drinking high-calorie cocktails is so last year. The modern mixologist is shaking things up with light & flavorful cocktails. Recipe: Skinny Clementine Martini Add some clever sparkle to your next party. Enjoy these natural, light martinis made with fresh juice, high-quality liquor, and a splash of club soda. Lower calorie cocktails never tasted, or looked, so sweet. Cheers!

	Trend: Better Than Bought From canning to candy making, there’s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity. Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt—a recipe to impress.

	Trend: Veggie Love Once just tolerated, vegetables are now celebrated. Omnivores and herbivores alike have discovered that veggies offer variety and great taste, and are feeling the love. Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus Hummus with fresh sweet potato packs even more plant power. Add a delicious blend of smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin to make this flavorful dip.

	Trend: Shareworthy & Allergen-Friendly Allergen-friendly foods may be free from things like nuts, dairy and eggs, but shouldn’t be free from flavor. Thankfully, we’re seeing new foods and recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone – whether you’re allergy-sensitive or not. Recipe: Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread Gather everyone around the table to enjoy this moist and delicious pumpkin bread. Made with no nuts, no dairy, no eggs, and no gluten - no kidding!

	Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-G Man’s best friend deserves man’s best effort. That’s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido’s list. Recipe: Dog Bark This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog’s favorite ingredients – bacon and cheese. Bow WOW!

	Trend: Food Craft The kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat. Recipe:Chocolate Coal Lumps Naughty or nice, everyone will love these easy cho-coal-late treats. Cocoa Puffs® cereal dipped in melted chocolate and marshmallows create these tasty stocking stuffers.

* I was provided with this information from Betty Crocker as a member of My Blog Spark.No compensation was received,I just wanted to share the fun with you.

Christmas Gift Ideas-Make Your Own Chocolate Kit Plus Giveaway

2011-12-07T19:59:00.001-08:00

I love finding fun things to do with the kids.This is so much more simple in the summer when they have the park,pool,bounce house and the fun of outside to occupy their time.In the winter,when it is cold and dreary,nobody really wants to be out in all that,so we look for things to do indoors instead.

I have tried to come up with my own crafts and activities,but because I am not that creative on my own,I prefer finding fun things from unique places for them to do.One of our recent attempts was making chocolate with the Glee Gum Make Your Own Chocolate Kit.

Included in this package was everything you need to make 8 ounces of dark chocolate.There was organic cocoa butter,cocoa powder,confectioners sugar,starter crystals,temperature indicator,paper candy liners,instructions and the story of chocolate pamphlet that tells how chocolate originated.

The kids enjoyed trying the cocoa beans.The taste was very strong but expected for what it was.I think they liked being able to taste it right out of the shell.My daughter didn't care for it but the others said it wasn't too bad.We made the candy as directed and then on the bottom of some of them I added crushed chocolate wafer cookies and crushed Oreos for a little variety.

The process was very simple and the instructions outlined exactly what to do.I didn't get a chance to take pictures of the process as I did it because the chocolate starts to harden and I wanted to get it in the candy cups in time.I wish I would have had a pan for these so they would have turned out round like intended but the kids didn't care what they looked like.,They had a blast getting to make and eat their own chocolate candy.

These all natural,educational and eco-friendly kits are available in Make Your Own Gummies,Chocolate and Chewing Gum kits.We tried the Make Your Own Gummies Kit last year.It was more fun to do than the chocolate one,probably because you had to pour the melted gummy mix into molds,but not as tasty for me because I like chocolate.
You can search here to find a store near you or order online for fast and easy access to these great kits.Plus one of my readers will win their own kit.You can choose the chocolate like mine or one of the other 2 available kits.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.Giveaway items are provided by the sponsor and they are responsible for shipping all prizes.***

3 Cheers for Centsable Momma

2011-12-07T10:20:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to take a moment to thank Corrie from Centsable Momma.I had won a giveaway prize from her and there were some issues with receiving it.I won't go into details because the situation was handled quickly,but I did want to let you all know how great this fabulous blogger was at doing everything she could to see that I received the promised prize.

As a blogger myself,I know how frustrating it can be if a winner doesn't get their prize.I had this happen to me once on this blog and I felt so bad that I couldn't fix the issue for the winner.I am pretty sure it cost me a reader because I have not seen the person leave comments or enter giveaways since.We all know bloggers are not responsible for making sure your prize arrives,but it is always nice to see one go above and beyond to help you.

THANKS AGAIN CORRIE!!!

My Oral B and Crest Mommy Party Experience

2011-12-06T23:28:00.001-08:00

As parents,we all make certain choices that work best for us.My sisters are always calling or texting me to ask what I did about this or how I taught the kids to do that,because mine are older.When I was given the opportunity to hold an Oral B House Party,I knew this would be another one of those areas where they wanted my opinion.Getting your children to brush their teeth can be such a headache.My kids never want to brush,but they want to play in the water and spread toothpaste from floor to ceiling.One of their biggest complaints is that brushing is boring or the toothpaste "tastes gross".

I have always tried to keep it interesting with bright colors,fun characters and flavor variety to make my day a little less chaotic.When I received my box from Oral B and Crest as a member of Mommy Parties, I was surprised by how many fun items they sent.We received the Cars II DVD,microwave popcorn and movie theater boxes,gift bags for their party favors,tooth brushes,toothpaste,mouth rinse,flossers,gummy vitamins and more.

I was able to make cute little take home bags for each of the guests.We had a wide variety of ages present,so some of the bags had Disney princess and Cars toothbrushes and flossers,while others had Oral B Pro Health.Guests received coupons to save on some of the party items,a sample pack of gummy vitamins,a toothbrush,toothpaste and flossers to take home with them.The Pro Health For me paste is great for kids 2 and older so I don't have to have different tubes pf paste for different kids.That has helped cut down on some of the mess in the kids bathroom.

The kids loved seeing what they had received and because I had marked their names on the bags,the process was smooth and stress free.The little kids loved the characters on their items,which is a super way to keep them interested in brushing.The older kids like the bright colors of their new Pro health For Me brushes.The only complaint I heard was the lack of style for the tween girls.I love the flossers the most of anything in the box.I have always hated the rolls of dental floss that get pulled out,wrapped around something or are impossible to tear.Needless to say,flossing was something that I didn't push as much because it was such a hassle.Now with the Crest Pro Health Floss Picks and Oral B Stages Flossers,this is no longer an issue.The kids can grab a single-use flosser,clean their teeth and drop it in the garbage,no fuss..no muss!

The kids were excited to watch the movie and eat from their fun popcorn boxes so we settled down to start the show.I enjoyed viewing the movie with them,even if they did talk a bit too much for me.I didn't really think I cared for the first one,but after seeing Cars II,I am a bigger fan than I originally thought.

You can find Oral B on twitter or facebook to find out more,see specials offers and follow the fun every day.Crest is also on twitter and facebook so be sure to follow to find out about the next fun thing going on there.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.I was provided with a variety of items to share with party guests and try myself.No other form of compensation was received.***