It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “I.”

Happy Thursday!

I’m thankful for the Internet, for my kids imagination, and for inspiration. What are you thankful for?

“I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am to have been the winner of this giveaway! This was the greatest thing to happen to me in a long while. Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30. Needless to say, what little money that I have goes towards medical expenses and caring for my daughter. I can no longer afford many luxuries that I was once able to and when I slipped on my new North Face jacket today, I actually felt normal. I want to extend my sincere thanks for that. You will never know how happy that you made me!!!

Thanks for all that you do..”

Congrats Darcie!  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Thanks for being a special part of The Mommy-Files.  I hope The Mommy-Files is able to positively touch each person who visits in one way or another.

This morning, I was talking to another blogger online. She is a wonderful person who works really hard to promote her blog and make it the best that she can. She was telling me about a site that we both belong to – Top Mommy Blogs. As many of your know, I work really hard to promote my site on Top Mommy Blogs. Apparently, for the first time I am discovering that you can leave comments on the site you vote for.

She discovered that someone left her a comment saying she didn’t deserve the position she was in just because of her giveaways. First of all, that is rude to say to anybody. Secondly, that is really rude to say to a mom who is busting her hump and spending time, energy, and often times money to give you the opportunity to win something – free of charge!!!

I spent some time consoling her and then became curious as to who left comments on my site and how they rated it. I found one comment that gave me a 1/10 rating – what the heck? Here is the comment the person left, “I’m surprised that this blogger is #5! Not impressed at all with the way she runs her site.” I looked up the name on my comments for my blog and only one person matches this name – it’s not a name like John or Jennifer. This person has only left comments on my personal posts. So I’m not sure why they would have left a comment like this?

I tried to not be irritated by it, but now I’m blogging about it, so it must have irritated me enough. First of all, I work my rear end off on my blog. And yes, sometimes it takes a little while to get back to people via email.  I don’t always get to respond to personal comments, but I sure try to.  Ask many of my readers.  That is something I find important – to build a relationship with the people who visit my site.  If someone leaves a comment on a personal post, I try my best to respond.  I know how it feels to follow a blog you love, leave tons of comments, and never hear anything from the blogger.  I still get that with bloggers I know.  I try to be different though.  I work hard to create a site that is family friendly, personal, and has topics that others (hopefully) can relate to.

I appreciate all of the positive and uplifting comments left. Word to the wise. Realize that your comments are read by somebody and most likely will affect that person in one way or another. I’ve talked to bloggers whose feelings were hurt by mean comments, sometimes leading to tears. If you can’t say anything nice, you have 2 options. (1) Stop visiting the blog or (2) don’t say anything at all!

“Scarecrow and Mrs King: The Complete First Season” was released today, March 9th 2010 by Warner Home Video.  The DVD features all 21 episodes from the show’s debut season in a five-disc Collector’s Set.  The set retails for $39.98.  This Emmy Award-winning popular action series first aired in 1983 on CBS and lasted for four successful seasons! 

“Fans have been asking for Scarecrow & Mrs. King to be released on DVD for several years,” said Rosemary Markson, WHV Vice President, TV and Special Interest Marketing. “We are delighted to finally bring this wonderful series to consumers. Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner as Amanda and Lee are one of television’s most charming and memorable couples, and we know fans will be thrilled to own this complete season one release.”

Format: Full Screen, Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
Language: English (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 5
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010
Run Time: 966 minutes

I received a copy of “Scarecrow and Mrs. King: The Complete First Season” on DVD to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

P.S. Brian is in the first row towards the left.  Can you see which one he is?

This morning, Brian woke up on his own (early), got dressed, and made his own lunch.  I was so impressed with my little man!  He sliced his own cheese for his sandwich, dressed it up with mustard, and put together his lunch.  He is getting so big!  Where did the time go?

I recently reviewed the Ore-Ida Steam n’ Mash Potatoes and they were so easy to prepare and tasted so good. We love garlic in our household, so we tried the Garlic Seasoned Steam n’ Mash Potatoes. They are really yummy with steak, meatloaf, pork chops, chicken…you name it. Not to mention they are so easy to prepare.  The Steam n’ Mash Potatoes take less than 15 minutes to cook and in four simple steps, you’ll have a yummy dish that leaves everyone wanting more!   You simply steam the specially-designed bag in the microwave for 10-12 minutes, pour the steamed potatoes into a bowl, add milk and butter, and mash them to your heart’s content.

Ore-Ida recently introduced a new variety of the Steam n’ Mash Potatoes – Cut Red Potatoes.  These are a creamier, skin-on mashed potato variety with a restaurant feel to them.  The Steam n’ Mash Cut Red Potatoes will serve 7 people at only 70 calories per serving.  Plus, there are no calories from fat as packaged.  Steam n’ Mash Potatoes are available in four different flavors, including Cut Russet Potatoes, Cut Red Potatoes, Cut Sweet Potatoes, and Garlic Seasoned Potatoes.

Ore-Ida is also famous for their French Fries, Tater Tots (perfect for Tater Tot Casserole), Hashed Browns, and Roasted Potatoes. You can find Ore-Ida products in the frozen section of your grocery store. Products typically retail for $3.59 each (however, I’ve found some pretty good sales on them from time to time).

GIVEAWAY

1 lucky reader on The Mommy-Files will win a coupon for a FREE Bag of Ore-Ida Steam n’ Mash Potatoes!

WIN IT

- Tell me in a comment what flavor you’d love to try if you won.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

- Vote for The Mommy-Files on Top Mommy Blogs (simply click on the button on the sidebar for a daily entry) – 1 ENTRY (daily)
- Vote for The Mommy-Files on the Web’s Top Giveaway Blog (click, select The Mommy-Files, and vote) – 1 ENTRY
- Follow The Mommy-Files on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
- Tweet about the giveaway – 1 ENTRY DAILY
- Become a Fan of The Mommy-Files on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
- Follow me through Google Connect (new on the right side of the blog) – 1 ENTRY
- Subscribe to my blog – 1 ENTRY
- Add my Mommy-Files button to your blog and include the URL – 1 ENTRY
- Comment on any Non-Giveaway post on The Mommy-Files – 1 ENTRY per post comment (no limit)
- Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 ENTRIES

RULES:

- Contest will close at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010! Any entries after this time will be deleted!
- Contest open to U.S. residents only.

I received a coupon for a complimentary Steam n’ Mash product from Ore-Ida to facilitate a review. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

At GourmetGiftBaskets.com, you will find a wide variety of Gift Baskets. You’ll find Gift Baskets for all occasions, including Anniversary, Baby, Birthday, Congratulations, Corporate, Get Well, Housewarming, Just Because, Love and Romance, Sympathy, Thank You, Wedding, Holiday, and more! Gift Baskets can include Chocolate, Fruit, Steak, Pizza, Tea and Cookies, and more! There are so many ways available to make your perfect gift basket through GourmetGiftBaskets.com! You’ll get great customer service and wonderful gift baskets from GourmetGiftBaskets.com!

GourmetGiftBaskets.com is now available on Facebook. On Facebook, you’ll learn about specials, promotions, and contests going on year round!

GIVEAWAY

1 lucky reader on The Mommy-Files will win an Easter Sweets and Treats Gift Basket from GourmetGiftBaskets.com!!!

WIN IT (MANDATORY ENTRY)

- Become a Fan of GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Facebook. Then leave a comment saying you came from The Mommy-Files site and what your favorite gift basket is on their site.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

- Vote for The Mommy-Files on Top Mommy Blogs (simply click on the button on the sidebar) – 1 ENTRY
- Vote for The Mommy-Files on the Web’s Top Giveaway Blog (click, select The Mommy-Files, and vote) – 1 ENTRY
- Follow The Mommy-Files on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
- Follow GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
- Tweet about the giveaway – 1 ENTRY DAILY
- Become a Fan of The Mommy-Files on Facebook – 1 ENTRY
- Follow me through Google Connect (new on the right side of the blog) – 1 ENTRY
- Subscribe to my blog – 1 ENTRY
- Add my Mommy-Files button to your blog and include the URL – 1 ENTRY
- Comment on any Non-Giveaway post on The Mommy-Files – 1 ENTRY per post comment (no limit)
- Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 ENTRIES

RULES:

- Contest will close at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010! Any entries after this time will be deleted!
- Contest open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

I received an Easter Sweets and Treats Basket from GourmetGiftBaskets.com to facilitate a review. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

We have 3 boys (ages 6, 4, and almost 2) and going out to eat can be challenging.  We go out to eat maybe twice a month in a sit-down restaurant – nothing fancy with candles or quiet and peaceful music – lol!  I don’t feel like we have completely mastered the art of eating out with little kids, but we’re getting there.  Believe it or not, there are some tips we’ve found to make the adventure enjoyable!

(1) Go out to eat before the kids get hungry and tired.  Being hungry and tired is a bad combination I’ve found in the men in my life.  For my husband, he gets growly when he’s hungry and tired, so I just keep my distance until he’s eaten or had sleep.  With my boys, when they get hungry and tired, they get loud, hyper, and out of control.  So, to have a successful eating out experience, it’s ideal to go before the dinner rush.  Any time from 4:30-5:00 is good on the weekend.  5:30 seems to be when people make their dinner rush to restaurants around town.  During the week, I try to give them a light snack before going out to eat.

(2) Order ahead of time.  This is one of the best ways we’ve found eating out to be successful when going to familiar restaurants.  We’ve done this with PF Changs, Terriyaki, and other restaurants.  We have the Internet and can access the menu online.  We call the restaurant from the road (unless it’s up the street, then we call from home) and place our order.  When we get to the restaurant, we are seated and our food arrives in 5 minutes or less.  This is great to do during the weedays.  I wouldn’t recommend doing it at big restaurants (i.e. PF Changs) during the weekends.

(3) Bring coloring books and crayons.  You can either call ahead to see if the restaurant has a children’s menu and crayons or bring your own.  When kids get bored, mischief happens.  In a restaurant, there are tons of opportunities for mischief, including pulling sugar packets out of the container and scattering them on the table and floor, shaking salt and pepper shakers on the table or floor, digging ice out of the cup of ice water, sliding off the seat under the table and trying to escape to explore the new surroundings, and making lots of noise.

(4) Bring a snack.  I can’t tell you how many times we’ve ordered and it seems like an eternity before the food actually comes to the table.  To avoid having the kids get into things, I try to remember to put snacks in the diaper bag.  Snacks include Goldfish, pretzels, Cheez-Its, and Honey Nut Cheerios.  I give each boy his own bag (1 for George as well – lol) and this seems to hold them over until the meal comes.

(5) Order for the kids first.  If you aren’t sure what  you want, order for the kids first, look through the menu, and then order your entree when the server returns.  This way, the kids will have their food sooner and can start eating instead of getting into things.

Like I said, I have not perfected the art of eating out with kids, but have found these tips to be helpful to our family.  What are your tips for eating out in a restaurant with kids?

Day 42 – The boys finally had the chance to break the wishbone from Thanksgiving – lol!  I’d say it was pretty dried up by now!  Can you guess who made the wish?  Brian broke the bigger piece off, but they both made a wish!

Day 43 – I’m so glad I married someone who knows how to fix things.  George took apart the faucet, replaced a few parts, and gave us a better looking, cleaner faucet to use in our kitchen sink. Thanks babe!

Day 44 – What can I say?  He loves Green Jello!

Day 45 – Sam is serious when it comes down to eating bananas – lol!  He also loves his Elmo jammies!

Day 46 – We love it when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit!  Grandma loves reading to the boys and is awesome to cuddle with.  Grandpa loves going for walks, playing with them, talking about birds, and hugging his grandsons!  We love you guys and are glad you came to visit and come often!