I have to say that this is a giveaway that excites me to no end.  Because one of my favorite places in the world is the craft store.  I can walk in and browse the aisles for hours, getting inspiration, stocking up on my favorite supplies and just imagining all the cute crafts I can create.  It’s actually a place the hubby tries to keep me out of at all costs because let me tell you, I can spend some money at the craft store!

But, we came up with a way for one lucky winner to be able to get their craft on….on us!  Yes, that’s right!  That project you’ve been thinking about – get ready to do it ! The creation you’ve been putting off – now’s the time!

Because we’re giving away a $50 Michael’s Gift Card!

Sponsored by Mary and Luna

Hosted by Copy Kids and Koupon Krazed

The slogan on the image about is totally right!  I dare you to walk into Michael’s without having your creativity inspired!  And to make it easy for you to do it without worrying about the cost, we want to give one lucky reader a $50 Michael’s Gift Card!  If you need some ideas on what to create, you can check out my craft section here.  I totally {heart} crafting and whether you’ve awesome with crafts or have never crafted before, you’ll be able to follow my simple tutorials.  I promise you, if I can do it, you can too!

So, who’s ready to get their craft on!  I’d love to see what the lucky winner makes!  You might just inspire ME!

Entry is super easy thanks to Rafflecopter.  Just use the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on May 28, 2013.  Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only, 18+.  The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  We received no compensation for this post.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all other social media sites are in no way associated with this giveaway.

Sponsored by Vonny of LA

Hosted by Copy Kids and Koupon Krazed

While you’re heading to different places with the kids, you might jusst need a mommy survival kit.  And that’s exactly what we’ve got for you!  This giveaway event is all about simple indulgences that are also everyday essentials.  You see, we start off with a $25 Starbucks Gift card to help you get up and going.  After all, your days of driving through carpool with your PJ’s on are over for a while!  But once you’ve had your coffee and arrived at your destination, you’ll need some reading material for while the kid play!  So, we’re also giving away three compact magazines!  You’ll be able to enjoy mini versions of Glamour, In Style and Harper’s Bazaar – all perfectly sized so the will fit in our last item…..the Vonny Shoulder Strap Bag!

So, let’s recap.

$25 Starbucks Gift Card to start your day…

Magazines to read so you don’t loose your stylish look after a summer with kids…

And a Vonny Shoulder Strap Bag to carry it all!

Sounds like a pretty awesome way to chase away those end of school year blues to me!  Do you agree?

If so, enter using the easy entry form below!  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on May 28, 2013.  Giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada, 18+.  The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  We received no compensation for this post.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all other social media sites are in no way associated with this giveaway.  Please see the Rafflecopter form for full terms and conditions.

Here’s four of our favorite ways to indulge in special summer time fun without a huge price tag!

Bowling Deals

If your kids are like mine, they love to bowl!  And the bowling lanes love to help them do it for less!  Our local AMF Bowling Alley offers 2 free games per day!  Yes, every day all summer long!  And no, you don’t have to buy additional games to take advantage of it!  And do you know how long it takes kids to bowl two games?  If you have multiple kids that can especially be a good deal as you can make it an afternoon outing!  So check out your local bowling alley and ask what types of deals they have for kids during the summer!

Movie Deals

Movies are another way to pass the hot summer days.  And more and more movie theaters throughout the country are introducing kid-friendly deals that you don’t want to pass up!  Our local theater has a movie morning every Tuesday and Wednesday all summer long where kids can enjoy a special movie for just $1!  That’s an awesome deal and something for your kids to get really excited about!  So, call your local movie theater and ask if they have summer deals that are similar!

Sports Deals

Most cities have a minor league baseball team.  And most minor league teams love to have events where kids can come for free (or in exchange for some canned goods).  Whether it’s family night with discounted tickets or a night where you can get in the game free if you bring canned foods for your local food bank, baseball games can be tons of fun for the whole family and have great summer specials!  Look into your local team’s schedule!

Outdoor Deals

Most outdoor areas that charge have weekly deals during the summer where you can visit for free.  We have the local NC Arboretum here where you can go free the first Tuesday of each month.  This is a great way to get the kids outdoor and pack a picnic while allowing them to really get in touch with nature.  Chances are you have a place that is similar locally and they love to have special days where the cost is little or nothing to get in!

All of these activities are great ways to pass the summer days and with the low prices attached, I feel like a super mom knowing that I’m choosing activities that my kids and my wallet will love!

But now, I need your help!  Tell me, what summer kid’s deals do you take advantage of in your area?

Now, you may remember that I reviewed a 6 cube organizer a while back. And it’s perfect for our living room.  But it the kid’s rooms, it’s not quite big enough.  I need something with more storage space for all the toys!  And if you’re the same way, the we’ve got a great giveaway for you!

Welcome to the ClosetMaid Let’s Get Organized Giveaway!

Sponsored by ClosetMaid and Hosted by Mom Does Review and her fabulous blogger friends.

Cubeicals^® Storage Organizers are a convenient wat to hold hobbies, toys, media and office supplies. They are designed to work perfectly with ClosetMaid^® Cubeicals^® Fabric Drawers.

This amazing piece features 12 cube opening that offer many storage possibilities.  They can help eliminate clutter and maximize space while creating storage and display areas for any member of the family.  You can place the storage organizers horizontally for vertically to fit perfectly into any space and add in color with a wide array of Cubeicals Fabric Drawers!

The Organizer includes 6 individual back panels to give a finished look and is easy to assemble.  It’s made of laminate wood for durability and is CARB 93125 compliant!  So, rest easy knowing that your storing items safely in your home!

We want to give a very special thanks to ClosetMaid for offering a 12 Cube Cubeical Organizer and 6 fabric drawers to one LUCKY Reader!

So, are you ready to stop worrying about summer time storage?  If so, enter below!  It’s super easy thanks to Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on May 31, 2013.  Giveaway is open to US residents only, 18+.

No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to US, 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. My blog is NOT responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Welcome to the $100 Gas Card Giveaway!

The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug is so excited to have partnered with several of our amazing bloggy friends to bring you this $100 Gas Gift Card Giveaway! ONE winner will receive a $100 Gas Gift Card to the Gas Station of their choice! That could really come in handy for your summer vacation!  Or where your travels take you this summer!  After all, we know you have enough to worry about while traveling and we don’t want paying for the gas to be one of them.  Instead, one lucky winner will get to sit back and relax at their destination of choice!

So, who’s ready to get in the car and go!  If you are, let us take the sting out of gas prices with this awesome giveaway.  After all, summer is all about fun but you have to get to where you’re going for the adventures to begin!

 Entry is super easy thanks to Rafflecopter.  Just use the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on May 30, 2013. Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only.  The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  We received no compensation for this post.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all other social media sites are in no way associated with this giveaway.  Please see the Rafflecopter form for full terms and conditions.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

For all intents and purposes, summertime is here.  Yes, school is still going on this week but it’s half days.  What that means for me is that I have tons of time with the kiddos.  And while that is super awesome, I’m needing to find some ways to pass a little bit of the long summer days.  Now, during the school year, we have TV time together only on the weekends because bed times during the week keep us from being able to indulge.  However, now that early morning wake up calls are not a part of our daily routine, we’re taking advantage of some special time together and starting up our summer time tradition of pre-bedtime togetherness!

Now, to be honest, this doesn’t always happen right before bedtime.  Because TV snuggle time can sometimes be spontaneous.  But no matter when it happens, the important thing to us is that we have great family shows that we can watch with the boys.  And that is why we have turned to Netflix.  Because just like snuggle time, our shows don’t always appear on a schedule and when the inclination hits you to spend time together in front of the your favorite show, you need to be ready, right?

With Netflix, we can watch our favorite shows anytime and anywhere!  From the iPad to the computer to the DVD player, our favorite kid’s shows are available at the push of a button!  And since Netflix now has shows from Hasbro, Disney Jr., Cartoon Network and PBS, we’re guaranteed the very best of family entertainment!

Making things even easier, Netflix also has a dedicated kid’s section that has tons of family favorites that are appropriate for children ages 2-12, making it the perfect solution for our family.  Both J-Man and MillerBug have instant access to the shows they love, like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally and Jake and the Neverland Pirates for MillerBug and Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Johnny Test for J-Man!  And in case I see shows that I don’t know about, Netflix has teamed with Common Sense Media to provide ratings, reviews and information so that I can easily make choices for my kids!

So, no matter the time of day, I can access the shows that my kids love instantly.  And the great thing is, it does’t matter if I’m at home, in the car, on vacation or simply outdoors, when the mood for great kid’s shows hits, I’ve got the perfect solution!

So, back to our summertime routines.  We’re starting a new tradition this year and it’s called the Fender family Netflix wind-down hour. Right before the kids go to bed, they each get to pick a show.  MillerBug goes first since he goes to bed earlier.  He can choose where he wants to be and which parent he wants with him and then snuggle up and watch his favorite Jake and the Neverland Pirates episode or choose something new from their numerous selections, like Curious George or Thomas & Friends: Go Go Thomas.  Once he has had his 30 minutes, the whole family helps put him to bed.  Then J-Man gets his one on one time with his show of choice (which seems like it is always the Suite Life of Zach & Cody).  At the end of the night every member of the family feels like they have had a special bonding time that’s all about them.  And that makes it the perfect way to end every summer day!

So, we’re now bonding over Netflix and creating new memories as we giggle together during impromptu snuggles while watching some of our favorite shows.  For me, these are the moments that I’ll never forget.  And we’re discovering them with the help of Netflix.

To have instant access to your kid’s favorite shows, be sure to download the Netflix app to your iPad today or discover how you can stream shows and movies to your computer, gaming device, mobile devices and more!  Then start making your own summertime memories that include family moments brought to you by Netflix!

———————————————–

What are you watching on TV with your family? Netflix has family favorites from Disney, Disney Jr., Hasbro, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks that are available to stream anytime, anywhere.

And streaming is easier than you think! Download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device, go to the website on your computer – and you’re in business. Check it out here!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

Now, if you’ve followed me much since I discovered my love of crafting you know that my supply of choice is Mod Podge.  I just love how a little bit of Mod Podge and some cool patterned papers can change something boring into something really amazing!  And I’ll be honest, I happen to be on a candle kick right now. So when I saw some beautiful glass candle holders on sale at Michael’s, inspiration hit me.  With a few packs of tissue paper, my trusty Mod Podge and the glass holders, the kids and I were able to create gifts that everyone will love!  Here’s how you can make them too!

What You Will Need

Glass Candle Holders

Rubbing Alcohol

Cotton Balls

Mod Podge

Foam Brushes

Tissue Paper

Candles

How to Make It

Start by cleaning the outer surface of your glass with your rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.  This helps give you an even surface and allows the Mod Podge to stick better.

Once your holders are prepared, spread on a thin coat of Mod Podge using your foam brush.  **Tip: I found that it was easier to get the surface even if you covered about a third of the holder, smoothed on your tissue paper and allowed that portion to dry before doing the next third.  This allowed me to create a cleaner look.**

Next, gently place your tissue paper onto your candle holder.  Keep in mind that tissue paper is very fragile so do not try to pull it to smooth out wrinkles.  Instead, use the base of your thumb to gently flatten out any bubbles or wrinkles.

Trim off any excess tissue paper, leaving just enough to fold over the bottom to give your candle a seamless look.  Repeat this process for all your candle holders using different patterns of tissue paper.  Once all your holders are complete, use your foam brush to gently add a layer of Mod Podge over the tissue paper.  I chose to do this is two sections, top and bottom, so that I had more control over the process and didn’t have to worry about the edges sticking to my paper as they dried.  Make sure you turn any edges under on the top and bottom of the candle holder and also secure the seam where your two sides meet.

After covering your entire candle with Mod Podge, allow it to dry completely.  The Mod Podge will create a shiny barrier over the tissue paper and take away the look of wrinkles and bubbles.  Once your candle holder is completely dry, place a candle inside of it.

The beauty of these candle holders is not only can they be made completely unique by choosing amazing patterns but with the thinness of the tissue paper, when you light your candle, the light reflects through the paper in a gentle glow, creating a look that is stunning!

So, don’t pay tons of money for candle holders that are less that individually you!  Instead, get creative, find a pattern you love and then turn your plain candle holder into a spectacular centerpiece that provides the perfect look that you’re going for.

What You Will Need

1 Pound of Trout (Fresh and Cut into Fillets)

1 Teaspoon of Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

1 Teaspoon of Lime Juice

1/4 Cup of Sliced Almonds

1/2 Teaspoon of Butter

How to Make It

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees.  While it is warming up, prepare your trout.  Start by rinsing it in cool water (this reduces the fishy taste).  Then lay in in a foil liked baking dish.

Next, sprinkle a small amount of sea salt and pepper on top of each fillet and then pour your olive oil across them.  Use a brush or your fingers to smooth your olive oil over the top of the fish ensuring that it’s covered completely.  Finally, squeeze a splash of lime juice onto each fillet.

Once your trout is prepared, set it aside.  Add your butter to a small saute pan and allow it to melt.  Then add in your almond slices.  Stir them frequently so that they begin to turn dark brown but do not burn.

Once your almonds are brown and crunchy, remove them from the heat.  Add a tablespoon of almonds to the top of each piece of trout, pushing them down into the fish gently to keep them in place.

Bake your trout for 20 minutes or until it flakes apart easily.  Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool prior to serving it.  Then add it to your plate with a side of vegetables for a light, summer dish that has a delicious crunch!

Enjoy!

People always tell you that everything changes when you have kids.  Well, the two biggest changes that I’ve seen in my life since having my two boys are messes and money {flying out the door that is}.  You see, I had this vision of what having children would be like.  They would always be perfectly groomed and never spill anything!  And magically, they wouldn’t cost a cent!  This was my vision of motherhood.  And then I actually became a mom.

And from that first moment I learned that when you have children, you have constant cleaning to do.  They can’t drink from a supposedly spill-proof sippy cup without leaving a big puddle behind! And meal time?  Well, you might as well just plan to deep clean your table each night after they are done.  So, for years now I’ve been on the quest to make cleaning up after my boys easier.  I’ve tried different things and I’ve tested out about every product on the market.  But this was starting to get expensive.  So, I sat down to figure out a way to save time and money when cleaning up after my little mess makers!  Because I just knew there had to be a better way.  With this mission in mind, I headed to Walmart to see if I could find a way to stop dreading any activity that included food or drinks in our home.

Now, my current defense against messes is having tons of paper towels and bath tissues on hand.  Because, honestly, where do most of the messes happen in your home?  If you’re like us, they are in the kitchen or the bathroom!  So every time I make a trip to Walmart, I have to pick up more paper items and this trip was no different.  I headed straight back to the paper products aisle that I am so familiar with and started looking for the best deals.  I’ve always been a fan of Scott and the Scott Shared Values program because it allows me to get high quality products for great prices (and even occasional coupons).  So, I immediately zeroed in on the Scott products.  And when I saw that there was a special bonus on my favorite brand, I knew I had found my mess and money solution!  Because right there on the pack was a $4 Vudu credit (more on that later) that made purchasing Scott Paper products an even better value instantly!

After of course adding my value pack of bath tissues to the cart, I headed to the paper towels because, as I said, you need help cleaning up the messes in the kitchen too!  Without any prompting at all, MillerBug headed straight for the Scott Paper Towels and grabbed them.  You know, even if he is a little mess maker, at least he’s learning the right way to clean up after himself!

Once we had added these essentials items to our cart, we were ready to complete the rest of our shopping trip.  For me, I have to know that I can clean up the messes before I purchase the items that make them so feeling confident that I had the best products to eliminate messes in my home, I finished up my list and headed to the checkout.

Now, I was already feeling pretty good about my mess fighting purchases and the amazing prices that I had gotten them at but something else was still bothering me and that was how to teach my children that cleaning up after themselves could be fun.  I thought the whole way home and played around with a few different ideas.  But once I got home and opened up the Scott Paper Towels and watched MillerBug (unsuccessfully) try to rip them apart, an idea came to me!  What if I got the boys to create place mats for the dinner table out of these super strong Scott Paper Towels?  This was a solution that would solve many of my problems!  First, it would give them something to do while I cooked dinner.  Second, it would protect my table from their messes.  And third, it would make cleaning up a snap!  So, armed with the idea I gave each child two paper towel pieces  and some markers and while I created dinner, they went to work.

Both of the boys were so excited to get to create their own place mat that they didn’t even see what they were really doing – making the clean up process easier!  And let me say, the Scott Paper Towels held up to even the most enthusiastic artwork, convincing me that they could stand up to equally tough messes!  And once they were done creating, all I had to do was place their plate on top of their freshly created place mat and they were ready to eat!

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I didn’t feel the need to watch them closely as they ate and flinch at every item that spilled off their plates.  Instead I was able to sit down and enjoy my meal, knowing that at the end of dinner time, clean up would be as easy as folding up the paper towel to keep the mess inside and tossing it into the trash!  Then all I would have to do is send them to the bathroom to wash their hands and clean them off with the bath tissue and after dinner clean up would be complete!

At the end of dinner time, I was so excited about the time that I didn’t have to spend cleaning up (both the table and the boys), that I figured I’d reward them with a movie!  And since I had my $4 Vudu coupon from my Scott packages, it was a treat I could give them cost free!

Now, if you have not discovered Vudu yet, it’s a mom’s best friend!  With it you can instantly stream movies and TV shows to you computer, tablet, Xbox and more!  And since after a day taking care of kids, all I want is a little quite time, it’s the perfect solution for me!  So, we easily redeemed our credit by visiting the Vudu Scott Shared Values site.

And then found a movie that both the boys would enjoy by browsing their extensive selection!

And while we were browsing for them, I saw several movies that would be the perfect way to end my day once they were tucked snugly into bed!  So, we popped the popcorn, started the movie and enjoyed a well earned treat.  Even I was able to enjoy it knowing that I could relax since the cleaning had already been done!

And at the end of the day, both the boys and I had learned some very valuable lessons.  We had learned that messes happen but they don’t have to be hard to clean up.  We had learned that by using a little creativity, a solution could be found for any sticky situation.  We had learned that it’s important to have a brand of paper towels and bath tissues than can stand up to messy little boys.  And we had learned that when it comes to the messes than happen in the kitchen and bathroom, you can never have too much Scott Brand Paper Towels and Bath Tissues!

And those were lessons that made my life as a mom easier and cleaner.  That’s something I can’t help but like!

To see more of my experience shopping for Scott Brand products, be sure to check out my Google+ album here.  Then run, don’t walk, to the paper product aisle at your local Walmart to start making your kitchen and bathroom a mess free zone!

Sponsored by Cariloha Bamboo and hosted by Mom Does Reviews

One Lucky reader will win a Bamboo Sheet Set of their choice!

So, what is it about Cariloha bamboo sheets that sets them apart?  Our natural bamboo fibers are woven into silky-soft fabric that’s twice as soft as cotton, giving customers the most comfortable bedding on the planet.

The are:

• Softer than 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton.
• Machine wash cold. Do not use bleach or fabric softener. Tumble dry on low heat, remove promptly, warm iron if necessary.
• 100% Viscose from Bamboo
• Hypo-allergenic

So Why Choose Bamboo?

There are a number of reasons!  It’s Soft: Cariloha bamboo apparel, bedding and bath goods are twice as soft as cotton.  It’s Cool: Bamboo is 3 degrees cooler than cotton and wicks moisture away from your body. It’s Clean & Green: Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic and the most sustainable resources on the planet.

Just listen to what the critics are saying!

“Environmentalists hailing bamboo as the new ‘It’ plant for saving the earth.”– New York Times

“Because it is so exotically soft, bamboo is often marketed alongside luxury fibers like silk and cashmere.” – Wall Street Journal

So do you want to win an awesome, soft and comfy set of Bamboo sheets?  Here’s your chance!

Entry is super easy thanks to Rafflecopter.  Just use the entry form below!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on May 25, 2013.  Giveaway is open to US only, ages 18+.  The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  We received no compensation for this post.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all other social media sites are in no way associated with this giveaway.  Please see the Rafflecopter form for full terms and conditions.