Because I Said So Reviews

Saver or Spender? - PASS week seven

2010-11-29T22:10:00.005-06:00

My fourteen-year-old, Savannah has always been a saver. She saves all her money from birthday presents and allowance. She doesn't usually save for anything in particular; she just kind of tucks it away for future use. When a movie comes out that she really wants to see, she knows she'll have the money to buy a ticket, or when she sees a shirt she wants to buy, she knows she'll have the cash to purchase it because she doesn't spend frivolously on everything that comes her way.

My twelve-year-old, Jackson, on the other hand, well, let's just say that money burns a hole in his pocket. If he's got a dollar, he's got to find something to spend it on. Immediately! It doesn't matter what it is; he's just got to spend that money.

If being a mom of six has taught me one thing, it's that all kids (and adults too) are different. Like most folks tend to be either night or morning people, I think most individuals are also programmed to be savers or spenders. However, even spenders can learn how to save.

Jackson is slowly learning how to save for things that he wants. It goes against his nature, but he's learning that saving can be rewarding. He recently saved up for an iPod. It took him a year to save enough, but he managed. What can help your teens (and even younger kids) save is a chart. When charities do fundraisers, they set their goals and draw a chart that they color in as their funds get higher and higher. It's nice to have that visual reminder of how far you've come and how much farther you have to go in order to reach your savings goal. My teens like going online and seeing how much they're accumulating on their PASS cards. It's a convenient way to keep track and have that visual reminder of how much is being saved.

As an adult, I don't save for particular things I want so much as I save for a "rainy day". You just never know when your car's going to break down, your furnace is going to go out, or your washing machine is going to start hopping across the floor, spewing suds everywhere. It's nice to have that little cushion of money tucked away for those unexpected expenses that have a way of surfacing.

How do you encourage your teens to save? What ideas do you use to make saving money a little less painful? What kinds of things do your teens save up to buy? Join in the discussion here!

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

photo from alancleaver_2000's Flickr stream

Decorative Picture Pillow with Canon

2010-11-29T13:14:00.000-06:00

I was given a Canon PIXMA MG6120 printer (that’s a mouthful. I prefer to simply call it “awesome”) to try out. It’s a very cool, sleek-looking printer, and it’s wireless which is totally awesome because the space under my desk already looks like a huge tangle of snakes. Who needs anymore cables and wires, right?

One of the coolest things about this printer is how it works with Canon PowerShot or EOS cameras. It has Full HD Movie Print software which enables you to easily freeze the perfect frame of video footage and print a picture from it. Have you ever watched a home movie and thought, ‘Man, I wish I had a photo of this!’ ? I’m forever juggling my video camera and still camera, trying to get both the perfect pictures and great video of the kids. This printer is very cool for just this reason. Although the Canon PowerShot will never replace my SLR camera, it is kinda cool because it’s so tiny. It’s the size of a cell phone so I keep it in my purse all the time, just in case one of the kids does something like shove a carrot up his nose and I must capture it on film.

This printer is user-friendly and super-easy to use. It takes individual ink cartridges which saves you money because you only have to replace the individual color cartridge that’s empty instead of a whole, big one. And not only can you print great, clear, full-color photos with this printer, but you can use it for a variety of cool craft projects. I lack the Martha Stewart gene so I’m incapable of making anything crafty, but I received a pillow with a picture of my kids on it, printed with the Canon PIXMA MG6120 printer. If you have the ability to do something crafty, you must watch this video with the instructions! These would make awesome Christmas presents!

Christmas Spending - PASS week six

2010-11-23T19:12:00.000-06:00

I just realized that Christmas is like a month away! We have just over a month to get ready! Eek! Thinking about Christmas shopping got me wondering how you handle this with your teens? Are your teens responsible for buying gifts for family members? Do you give them money to use? Do they use their own money? Do you exchange gifts with multiple family members or do you draw names and have only person to buy for?

In years past, I've done all the shopping for everyone. This year, being a newly single mom to six kids in this economy, things are going to be different. This year, I'm stressing the meaning of the season. We're talking about the joy of spending time with family. We're remembering that the thought behind the gift is what is important.

I've enlisted my teens to help me come up with gift ideas for our family and friends that won't cost a lot of money and will be fun to put together. I've also asked my teens to help talk the little kids out of their I NEED Everything I See on TV attitudes. And finally, I keeping making sure that everyone in my family remembers those less fortunate. We recently got together with friends and packed shoeboxes full of gifts for Operation Christmas Child. The kids had fun picking out toys and items that will benefit children who have nothing. And hopefully, the lesson that we don't need to spend tons of money that we don't have in order to have a nice Christmas sunk in.

What do you do to keep holiday spending in check? How do you install this in your teens? Share your thoughts here!

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

photo from alancleaver_2000's photostream

Peapod Delivers!

2010-11-17T10:44:00.008-06:00

I love Chicago. I love everything about this city. Except the weather. I hate the weather. I loathe it. I detest it. And the thing I hate most about the weather is driving to the grocery store in it. Not only does it suck to drive in snow, but pushing a cart through a slushy parking lot, loading grocery bags into my van while my fingers are numb and then UNloading everything when I get home and trudging slush into my house with every trip from my van is the worst. Since I have six kids and, for some reason, they think they need to eat every day, I have a lot of groceries and have to make a lot of trips from the car to the house. By the time I’m done, my snot is frozen, my hands are numb, and I can’t feel the lower half of my body.

Enter Peapod. With Peapod, I do my grocery shopping online in my nice, warm house. It is SO easy! And after your first order, it’s even easier because your list is saved online and you can use that basic list of items you frequently buy and just add and subtract anything you want to change. If you have any special needs, you can shop from a narrowed down list of products, for example, a gluten-free list, a peanut-free list, or a Weight Watchers list. It’s really awesome!

And after you’ve searched through Peapod’s sales and you’ve compiled your shopping order, you select the day and time frame in which you want your items delivered. Then voila, like magic, the guy shows up at your door with everything neatly bagged, like items put together, ice cream still frozen solid, bread unsquished, produce fresh as can be. All you have to do is open the door so the delivery person can set your bags on the table for you, and then put the food away. (Unless you’re like me and your kids eat it before you can even unbag it.)

I had the opportunity to tour the facility with Tony Stark. Tony is the authority on produce! This guy knows his stuff. In fact, he explained to us why Peapod has several separate refrigerated sections, each with their own climate control, for the fresh produce alone. People are afraid to let someone else pick out their produce for them. They feel the need to look at, smell, and squish each piece of fruit and they think that they’ll end up with brown, mushy bananas if they let someone else pick out their produce for them. Wrong! I’ve ordered from Peapod many times and I’ve always gotten better produce than what I find at my local grocery stores. ALWAYS!

Peapod has many of their own foods too. I had the chance to try their guacamole (among other things) and ohmygosh, it was the best guacamole I’ve ever had. YUM!

And the best part, of course, is that you never have to set foot out in the cold, snowy, nastiness that is Chicago in the winter. It all comes to you! Want to give Peapod a try? Now you can save $5 when you spend $20 on Thanksgiving Staples. Just in time for Thanksgiving you can stock up on the random things you might need - like spices, herbs, broth and sides. Save $5 when you spend $20 on select Thanksgiving staples.

All you have to do is:
Add $20 in select items to your cart
Choose the delivery day and time that works for you
Enter PPFAN28 when you check out.

This offer only lasts until 11/21, can only be used once per order and cannot be combined with any other offers. You have nothing to lose! Try them and you’ll be hooked. You’ll wonder why you waited so long to give Peapod a shot and you won’t want to go back to shopping the old fashioned way.

If I'd Only Known - PASS week five

2010-10-26T13:38:00.000-05:00

"If I'd only known then, what I know now." Have you ever said these words? Is there something you know now that you wish you had learned when you were a teen? I wish I had learned the importance of establishing credit. That wasn't something that even crossed my mind as a teen. Even as a young adult, I didn't consider its importance. When I got divorced, however, I found myself in a tough position. I couldn't even switch the cable bill to my name because I didn't have any credit. I had to start from ground zero. I applied for and received a credit card. I started using it for gas. Every time I have to fill up my van, I use this card. Then, when I get my statement at the end of the month, I pay the entire balance with the money I have in my budget for gas. A friend of mine whose husband suddenly died, found herself in a similar position because everything was either in her husband's name or both of their names, jointly.

Now, I'm not saying that no one ever taught me about establishing credit or setting up a budget. My parents probably tried to teach me, but the lesson never sunk in. And now, here I am in my forties, just trying to establish a little credit.

I'm teaching my teens the importance of credit as well. Not that I want them to have a credit card now, but it's not too early to start preparing them. I tell them that they need to have wise spending habits if they want to buy a house in the future. Banks won't loan them money for a house if they overspend and don't pay their bills in a timely manner. And even though my teens are not considering buying a house or even getting a credit card at this point in their lives, they can certainly establish wise spending habits now.

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

Breakfast Traditions

2010-10-26T10:48:00.000-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

Do you have any yearly morning rituals? I remember, as a kid, my mom would wake me and my sister up early on New Year's Day. She'd have the TV trays set up in the family where we'd get to eat the breakfast she'd prepared while we watched the parades on TV. It was a real treat until I was old enough to realize that getting up early was just wrong, even I was allowed to eat in the family room while watching TV.

Nowadays, my kids like to make me breakfast in bed for Mother's Day. I remember one year in particular when they made me pancakes despite the fact that we were out of eggs. The pancakes were, ummm, interesting. That was the same year the older kids gave the baby breakfast while I stayed in bed. They fed him a can of pineapple. A whole can. As you can imagine, his poor little butt burst into flames every time he pooped for the next week. Ahhh, good times, good times.

Do you have any breakfast traditions? If so, what are they? Leave me a comment here to be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from Kellogg's and BlogHer!

For a second entry, you can:

· Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)

· Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)

· Sweepstakes ends 5 PM EST on November 1, 2010.

Winners will be selected via random draw
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

photo from ciccioetneo's Flickr stream

Halloween Fun

2010-10-25T10:10:00.002-05:00

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts.

I love making my kids' Halloween costumes. I don't sew, but I'm pretty good with duct tape and a hot glue gun. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not all that good with a hot glue gun as I always seem to burn my fingers when I use one. Anyway, I love coming up with creative ideas for costumes. Here are a few I've made in past years...

The Whack-a-Mole costume I made for Austin a few years ago

The Marge Simpson costume I made for Savannah a few years ago

Here's a young Jackson, dressed as Jimmy Neutron.

I think it's fun coming up with creative ideas for costumes. It sure beats the kind I had as a kid. You know, the plastic costumes that tied in the back and the hard, molded plastic masks with the little rubber bands of death that would always snap you in the face. These masks always had those little slits in them for the mouth and we'd stick out tongues out and cut them on the sides of the hard plastic. Ahhh yeah, good times, good times.

This year? You want to know what my kids are going to be this year? Well, I don't have all the pieces of their costumes in place quite yet, but I'll give you a hint. The kids will probably build a rocket, or fight a mummy, or climb up the Eiffel Tower. Maybe they'll discover something that doesn't exist, or give a monkey a shower...

What are you or your kids dressing up like this Halloween? Share it here for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for NINE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com exclusive offers page !

For more information, go to the official Pop-Tarts site HERE!

Winner of Legoland Tickets

2010-10-21T00:37:00.001-05:00

The random winner of the Legoland tickets is -

17Celestial said...
OMG I would LOVE these tickets!! My kids have been begging me to go there, but it never seems to be in our budget. We drive past there every weekend and every weekend they ask when we are going :) This would make them SO happy to be able to go...FINALLY!!! I have 3 kids and myself so 4 would be absolutely p-e-r-f-e-c-t.

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping information. :)

Keeping Track - PASS week four

2010-10-20T22:30:00.003-05:00

When I let my teens get Facebook accounts, I told them up-front that they had to add me as a friend. That was the deal. It’s not that I have this burning need to invade their privacy, but I wanted to monitor their online activity. As teens, I think my kids are entitled to a little freedom, but that freedom comes with the responsibility to use it wisely.

That’s why I like PASS from American Express. It gives my teens a little freedom. They don’t have to ask me for money any time they want or need something. It also puts the responsibility of using the card wisely in their hands. They have X amount of money to last a month. They can spend it on what they like, but if they run out before their next allowance date, that is their problem, not mine. Plus (and this is the best part), it lets me check up on them. I can login as the parent and see their spending activity online. If I notice what I would consider poor spending habits, I can discuss this with them, tell them my concerns, and listen to their reasons for sending money the way they are.

With PASS, I also control how much money they have to spend at any given time. I’m not going to give them more money than they can manage. They get to reap the benefits of learning to manage their money without the threat of getting into serious financial difficulties.

In checking my teens’ accounts tonight, I can see that they both have a nice size balance on their cards. My son has off-campus privileges this year and has used his card to go out to lunch twice in the last couple months. My daughter used hers to buy a snack and a shirt while on a shopping trip to the mall with a friend. Mostly, they’re saving their money right now. And that’s okay by me!

How do you monitor your teen's spending habits? DO you monitor them or do you think that's an invasion of their privacy? Join in the discussion by leaving me a comment here.

For more information about PASS, the prepaid reloadable card for teens from American Express, go HERE.

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

Bowl of Goodness

2010-10-19T22:57:00.003-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

What's your favorite meal in a bowl? I would say cookies, but I guess cookies aren't typically served in a bowl, huh? I guess my favorite is chicken and dumplings. Mmmmm, just looking at that picture makes me want some. I know what's for dinner tomorrow! Especially in the cold winter months, I love chili, chicken soup, beef stew, Italian wedding soup, lentil stew, gumbo, and oatmeal. Anything warm and filling is good on a chilly day. (Although I could easily move to California and eat salads year round. Just sayin'.)

I used to grab a bowl of ice cream a lot of evenings, but a couple years ago, I replaced the ice cream with cereal. It satisfies my craving for something sweet, yet instead of giving me a ton of fat and calories I don't need, it gives me vitamins, minerals and fiber that I do need. And now that I have diverticulosis, I've been pretty diligent about getting at least twenty-five grams of fiber every day.

So, what's your favorite meal in a bowl? Leave me a comment here to be entered into the drawing for $100 Visa gift card from Kellogg's and BlogHer!

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

photo from jordanmit09's Flickr stream

Pop-Tarts Pumpkin Pie

2010-10-18T10:00:00.007-05:00

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts.

The kids and I got to play with our food to create a Pop-Tarts recipe. The kids' idea was to take a Choc-0-Lantern Pop-Tarts, cover it with orange frosting, and then top it with another Pop-Tarts which has been cut into a Jack-o-lantern shape. Simple, fun, cute, and festive, no? But did I listen to them? Nope. I had a better idea. And by better, I mean much more complicated. (Sometimes, I get this idea I'm a Food Network star. I'm not.)

My idea was to use these limited edition Pop-Tarts to create a chocolate fudge crusted Pop-Tarts Pumpkin Pie. We crumbled 6 Pop-Tarts into a bowl.

Then we added half a stick of melted butter to the crumbled Pop-Tarts. We mixed it well.

Then we pressed the chocolate fudge Pop-Tarts crust into a 9 inch pie plate.

The kids helped me to mix the pumpkin pie filling.

We poured the pie filling into the Pop-Tarts crust and popped the whole thing into the oven. Smell that? Mmmmmmm!

The finished product! Chocolatey Pop-Tarts pumkin pie!

What's your favorite Halloween/fall recipe? Share it here for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for NINE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com exclusive offers page !

For more information about Pop-Tarts, go to the official Pop-Tarts site HERE!

Legoland!

2010-10-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

The kids and I were invited to check out Legoland Discovery Center outside Chicago. I’ve driven past this place many times and every time, I’ve thought to myself, I should take my kids here. But I’d never gotten around to actually doing it. So, for the first time since the place opened, the kids and I paid a visit to Legoland.
My youngest four, ages 4-12 loved it! My teens weren’t quite as impressed although they did admit that it looked like a fun place to work. From the minute you walk in Legoland Discovery Center, you’ll be impressed. Actually, scratch that, even before you walk in the place, you’ll be impressed! There’s a giant giraffe posted at the entrance that welcomes you inside. Once inside, you’ll see Einstein and a guard made of Legos who has a little um, how to put this delicately…he has a little flatulence problem. The kids find this absolutely HILARIOUS!

Walk a little farther and you’ll be amazed at a Lego replica of Chicago complete with Buckingham fountain, the SEARS (not Willis) Tower, and Navy Pier. (Try to find two R2D2s, a Lego Batman, and a bank robber amid the skyscrapers.)

When you’re done admiring mini-Chicago, take a walk in the jungle. You’ll see all sorts of animals (and Indiana Jones!). It’s impressive!

You can get your picture taken with Lego creations, go for a ride on a dragon through a castle filled with Lego creations, build your own model in a Lego workshop, find out how Legos are made in the factory tour, see the fun Clutch Powers 4D movie, go for a whirl on the Technicycle, and take a break for some lunch while the kiddos play with buckets of Legos, race their vehicle creations down ramps, and run around the play area.

Legoland does birthday parties too! The best part about having your birthday party at Legoland is - no kids running around like maniacs all over your house, no shopping for supplies, and no clean-up!

The folks at Legoland gave me 4 tickets to give away on my blog. Legoland Discovery Center is located just outside Chicago in Schaumburg. If you're a local reader, leave me a comment here and I'll choose a random winner on Friday, October 22. Good luck!

I was given free admission for me and my kids to check out Legoland.

Mobile Meanness

2010-10-14T15:20:00.002-05:00

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and LG Text Ed

Each comment left on this post benefits DoSomething.org with a $0.50 donation!

I was watching TV when my phone buzzed, signaling a text message.

Can u drive me to the mall plz?

The text was from my teenage daughter. My daughter who was sitting five feet away from me. To say the way we communicate has changed since I was a kid is a huge understatement. Yes, the amount of technology at our (and more importantly, at our children’s) fingertips can be overwhelming and scary. Stories of teens committing suicide, or being beaten over mean texts they’ve received flash across the news. It’s enough to make parents think twice about letting their sons and daughters have cell phones at all.

I don’t personally think that taking phones away from kids is the answer. But giving your teen a phone and turning them loose with no supervision isn’t a good idea either. Texting can be a great communication tool. Texting lets parents and their children stay in touch, it’s a convenient way to ask your spouse to pick up a gallon of milk on his way home from work, and it helps you to avoid hour-long conversations with that one long-winded friend everyone seems to have.

But, as with anything good, there’s a bad side too. The way to avoid the negative aspects of texting is by communicating with your teens about what’s appropriate and acceptable and what isn’t. It’s your job to talk to your teens about being mean to others through texting. There have always been bullies; this is nothing new, but texting gives the bullies a new, more anonymous, way of ganging up on others. Make sure your kids know that they should never text anything that they wouldn’t say to someone’s face. I tell my kids that if they’d be embarrassed if I saw a text they sent, then they probably shouldn’t be sending it. Likewise, if they’re ever on the receiving end of mean texts, they need to confront the sender face to face. Oftentimes, texts can be misunderstood and if there’s ever a problem, it’s best to talk about it in person to avoid further miscommunication.

Texting can be a great way of communicating if you keep a few things in mind. Explain what’s expected of your teens, set boundaries, discuss stories in the news of kids who have been the victims of bullies, and repeat your talks about treating others with respect in all areas of communication. Oh yeah, and maybe get a text to English dictionary so you have a clue what your kids are talking about when they write "MMK" or "@TEOTD".

Have your kids experienced "Mobile Meaness"? What have you done to help them respond if they experience it? Each comment left on this post benefits DoSomething.org with a $0.50 donation!

Can't Live Without It

2010-10-12T11:17:00.001-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

There are some foods I make for dinner that I know my kids will always eat. Macaroni & cheese, hamburgers, spaghetti, tacos, and chicken & dumplings are staples in this house. Then there are those hit-or-miss meals... "But you guys ate the lasagna when I made it last month and you loved it!" "What? Since when do you hate green beans?" "What are you talking about? You like BBQ pork!" Of course, none of this applies to my 4-year-old Brooklyn who doesn't consume anything but peanut butter, mac & cheese, cereal, and chocolate milk. Oh yeah, and candy! Can't forgot that important food group. :::shaking head:::

The same thing happens at breakfast. Some days, my kids like eggs. Other days, notsomuch. Some days, yogurt is good. Others, no way. But I know that cereal is one choice they'll never turn down. Cereal and granola bars are my go-to food choices for breakfast because I know my kids will eat it. Every time. The younger kids like their cereal in these little plastic bowls with straws attached to them. They can drink the milk when they've finished the cereal that way.

My personal go-to food for breakfast is coffee. Actually, it's more like cream and sugar with a little coffee flavoring, but it still works. What's your one go-to breakfast item that you and/or your kids can't live without. For a chance at a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what breakfast item you can't live without. Is it a special coffee mug? Fruit? A certain cereal?

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

But I Neeeed It! - PASS week three

2010-10-07T01:37:00.003-05:00

“But Moooom, I neeeed this!” Have you ever heard your teenager utter these words after you’ve told them that you won’t buy a certain item for them? How do you teach your children the difference between wants and needs? I continually talk to my kids about wants and needs. When they tell me they need something, I’ll ask them, “Are you sure you need this? Or do you just want it?” Usually, they take a minute to think about it and decide that they don’t in fact, need the new video game, the designer jeans, or the toy.

I have to admit that my kids have a decent understanding of the difference between wants and needs. Maybe it’s because we’ve rarely had extra cash to spend just for fun. When I told my teens that I couldn’t afford to send them to Washington DC with their classmates, sure they were disappointed, but they also understood that our financial situation was not the same as some of their friends. But honestly, even if I had more money than Oprah, I wouldn’t give my kids anything and everything they wanted. That, in my opinion, doesn’t teach them a thing about financial responsibility. How is a child (or even an adult, for that matter) supposed to learn the difference between things they need and things they simply want if everything is always given to them?

Before I got my teens the PASS card from American Express, I bought them what they needed (and occasionally, an inexpensive luxury they wanted like a couple songs on iTunes or a clothing item.) But now, I’m putting an allowance on their reloadable PASS cards and it’s totally up to them what they want to spend their money on. Now that they’re the ones responsible for deciding what to spend money on, they’ve become a lot more frugal about their spending. I see them weighing the pros and cons of each possible choice. The other night, my daughter was considering buying a song for her iPod. It was $1.29, not a purchase that would break the bank. Still, she thought about it and decided she didn’t really need it on her iPod since she could listen to it on YouTube whenever she was on her computer.

So far, I’m very glad I’ve given my teens the responsibility to handle their own money. And I like that PASS is letting me do so safely because I know my teens can only spend as much as we’ve put on the card. They can’t rack up a crazy debt and their money is protected if they lose the card. Plus, we can both easily manage their account online. To learn more about PASS from American Express, go HERE.

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

The Morning Rush

2010-10-05T22:49:00.003-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

It's a well-established fact that I hate mornings. I don't do anything well in the morning. Well, except for sleeping, that is. That is the one thing I'm very good at in the morning. Because I'm allergic to mornings, I've come up with a couple tips to make things a little less painful in those wee hours.

1. Coffee. Drink a cup the minute your feet hit the floor. Or, better yet, start an IV drip of coffee as soon as your alarm goes off.

2. Do as much as you can the night before. Make sure homework is completed and signed, backpacks are ready to go, and lunches are made. Set out clothes for little kids to eliminate an hour-long battle of what to wear. (This next one pertains to my 6-year-old) - attempt to find 2 matching shoes and lock them in a safe so he'll be able to locate them in the morning. If you can't find 2 matching shoes, try to at least find a left and right shoe of pairs that look similar.

3. Don't make things more complicated than they need to be! You don't have to braid your daughter's hair every day. Tell her to brush it in the car. Or let her go with it messy and hope she starts a new trend. And you don't need to cook a 12 course meal. Fruit, yogurt, toast, Pop-Tarts, cereal! Quick, nutritious, quick, yummy, quick, inexpensive, quick, filling, and quick!

4. Drive the kids to school in your pajamas. Don't worry about anyone seeing you. If they do, they'll probably be jealous they didn't think of it first. You can shower and get dressed later. After your own bowl of cereal and a couple more cups of coffee.

So, what things do you do to make mornings a little easier? For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here with your practical advice on making mornings less hectic.

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

Kellogg's Winner - week five/take two

2010-09-30T23:41:00.002-05:00

The winner of week five's $100 Visa gift card from Kellogg's and BlogHer didn't claim her prize, so the alternate random winner for week five is...

35 Deb said...
tweetedhttp://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/24053438517

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize!

V-Fusion Winner

2010-09-30T10:54:00.002-05:00

The random winner of the cooler filled with V8 V-Fusion + Green Tea is...

Cara! said...
Haven't tried this but seems fantastic!

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me back at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping information.

Kellogg's Winners for Weeks 6 & 7

2010-09-30T10:45:00.002-05:00

The random winners for weeks 6 & 7 ,for the $100 Visa gift card from Kellogg's and BlogHer are...

106 Sori said...
I make sure there are healthy snacks for the ravenous after school munchies.

79 Angel Jacklyn said...
TWEETED THE GIVEAWAY @ http://twitter.com/kytah00/status/25559985237 kytah00@yahoo.com

Congratulations!!!

Time to Slow Down & Enjoy

2010-09-28T14:06:00.004-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

I've told you how much I hate mornings and how I don't do a very good job getting up and making my kids a hot breakfast during the week. But the weekends...ahhh, the weekends, are a different story. When I'm not awakened by my evil alarm clock, I'm a much more pleasant person. When I don't have to rush anyone off to school, I have time to cook breakfast and the kids have time to actually chew and taste it before gulping it down.

On Sundays, after church, we come home and cook Belgian waffles, or monkey bread. We cut up fresh fruit, fry up some bacon, and pour glasses of icy cold orange juice. My kids all help with the preparation. I love teaching my kids to cook. My daughter, Savannah is taking a foods class in high school this year. She's come home from school and told me, in disbelief, "Mom, the other kids didn't even know how to peel a potato!" Or, "No one else knew how to dice an onion!" I'm glad, by the time my kids leave the house, they'll possess basic cooking skills and won't have to eat popcorn for dinner every night. Now if I could just get them to help me clean up the kitchen...

So, how are weekends different in your home? Are they difference? For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what kind of traditions you have for weekend breakfasts?

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

photo from Or Hiltch's photostream

Cash, Check, or Charge - PASS week two

2010-09-27T01:05:00.006-05:00

What is the currency choice for your teens? My teens operate on a cash system. When they get money for their birthdays, it’s generally cash. When I give them money for doing extra things around the house or watching their younger siblings, I pay them with cash. It’s convenient when paying for snacks at school, the occasional off-campus lunch, movies with friends, a shirt at the mall, or popcorn at the football game. My kids don’t usually order things online and when they do, they pay me in cash and I turn around and use my credit card or Paypal account to place the order. Why would they ever need another way to pay for anything? At least, that’s what I first thought when I was asked if I’d like to try out the new PASS card by American Express for my teens.

The more I thought about it, however, the more I liked the idea of PASS. For one thing, I can easily load their allowance to their cards online. I love that because I rarely have more than a couple dollars on me at any given time. It’s super-easy for me, as a parent, to manage their accounts and add funds to their cards from my computer. The kids can manage their accounts online as well, which is important for teaching them how to handle their finances. If your teens do order things online, they can use their PASS card to do it.

PASS is safer than cash because if your card is lost or stolen, you’re not responsible for fraudulent purchases, and American Express will replace the card free of charge. About three years ago, my daughter lent a large amount of money to a less-than-responsible acquaintance who didn’t pay her back until I got involved and informed this girl’s mother. And still, Savannah was never reimbursed the full amount. It was an expensive lesson learned. I think, with their money on a PASS card, it would be less likely that my kids would feel pressured into lending money to a friend.

That’s not to say that PASS would work for everything. They don’t accept cards like this at my kids’ school to pay for lunch. My kids either need to use cash or a PIN attached to a lunch account into which I deposit money. Sometimes, my kids will still need to use cash. But I do think PASS can be a great tool to help teach your kids about managing money and sticking to a budget, as well as a convenient way to pay for many things.

How do your teens pay for their purchases?

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

I Don't Do Mornings

2010-09-20T22:51:00.006-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

When I was a kid, my mom would get up, have her coffee while reading the paper, pay the bills, water her garden, make a few phone calls, cook me and my sister a hot breakfast, run 5K, learn a foreign language, discover life on another planet, and shave her legs all before 5:00AM. I, on the other hand, slept. And slept. And slept. And hit the snooze. And slept. And slept. And hit the snooze. Well, you get the idea. My mom would come in and whip the covers off me. I'd sleep. She flip up the window shades. I'd sleep. She spray my face with water. I'd sleep. She'd yell at me to get up. I'd sleep. She'd dump a bucket of water on me. I'd get up, but I wouldn't be happy about it and I'd make sure everyone with whom I came in contact experienced the full extent of my unhappiness.

Not much has changed. My mom still gets up before the birds. I still hit the snooze a dozen times before dragging my butt out of bed and shuffling through the house with my eyes closed. I'm thirty-ten years old. I'm pretty sure it's safe to assume I will never be one of those dreadful morning people. However, I have to admit, there's a part of me that would really like to be a morning person. I'd love to get up and have time to shower and dress before my kids woke up. I'd love to sit down with them and have a nice conversation over a hot, cooked-to-order breakfast. But that's never going to happen. I've accepted it. That's what dinner is for.

My mornings are always going to be rushed. I'm always going to wait until the last possible second to get out of bed. I'm probably always going to be less-than-pleasant in the morning. Hot breakfasts will always be reserved for weekends and special "Breakfast for Dinner" nights. But I'll still insist my kids eat something before heading off to school. Sometimes it's yogurt or a piece of fruit. Sometimes it's frozen waffles. Sometimes those waffles are even eaten frozen. Literally. Seriously, Clay ate a frozen waffle straight from the freezer and dipped in mayonnaise. Gag! But most often it's cereal. Cereal with milk is lower in calories than say, bacon & eggs, a croissant, or a bagel with cream cheese. Cereal is fortified with vitamins and minerals your kids need. In fact, I know my kids wouldn't come close to getting the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals without their morning bowl of cereal most days.

I'd love to say that I make sure our mornings are chock-full of quality, bonding time, but it would be a big fat lie. I save the quality time for moments when I'm actually awake and functioning. Mornings are spent quietly rushing around, eating a quick breakfast, and getting out the door. Sometimes the kids even have their backpacks, glasses, homework, and shoes when they leave the house!

So, how do you make sure you spend quality time with your kids in the morning? What do you do to ensure your kids eat a healthy breakfast? For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know how you start the day off on a positive note.

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

Creative Commons photo is from g_kat26's flickr stream

The Money Talk - PASS week one

2010-09-19T22:18:00.005-05:00

I've been wanting to talk to my teens about money for some time now. When I was asked if I'd be interested in trying out the new PASS card (not a credit or debit card, but a prepaid, reloadable card geared to teenagers from American Express), I checked it out and decided that I was definitely interested in trying it with my two oldest children. I thought PASS might fit into my plan to teach my teens about managing money.

So I sat my fourteen and fifteen-year-olds down and talked to them about high finance. Okay, so maybe it wasn't high finance, but I did have a money talk with them. I told them (especially now that I'm a single mom) how important it is to stick to a budget. I explained that I didn't have money for extras and that if they want to go to the movies or have lunch off-campus with friends, then they'd need to spend their own money on those kinds of things. There's a difference between wants and needs and even little kids can learn this.

I discussed possible ways for my kids to earn their own spending money. I've personally never liked the idea of tying an allowance to chores. I've always believed that my kids should help out around the house (cleaning their rooms, setting the table, washing dishes, putting laundry away, etc.) because that's what families do. Every member of the family pitches in to make the household work. When everyone works together and does their part, things run smoothly and there's time for fun. In return, if my kids wanted to go to the movies, I'd give them cash. If they wanted something that wasn't necessary like a new cell phone case, a video game, etc., I'd usually tell them to put it on their Christmas list, but sometimes I'd go ahead and buy it for them. I didn't give them an actual allowance. Now, I'm not saying you're wrong if you do tie an allowance to chores. There are arguments for that way of thinking as well. I just never did it myself.

However, now that my two oldest children are teenagers, I want to give them a little more freedom and responsibility. I want them to have the freedom to handle their money. There are very important, life-long lessons to be learned in this. And I want them to have the freedom to spend it as they see fit. Yes, I even want them to make little mistakes and learn from them now when we're talking about $20 as opposed to when they're adults and we're talking about $2,000.

On the flip side, I'm giving them more responsibility. Although I'm not directly tying their allowance to chores, I am expecting a little more help from them in return for a monthly allowance. Since I'm a single mom of six, I'm one busy lady and asking my teens to take out the garbage, mow the lawn and babysit the little kids now and then helps me out tremendously. I don't mind paying them in return. And I want them to be responsible for saving their money and setting aside a portion for tithing.

Over the following weeks, I'll be writing more about helping my teens to develop a spending plan. I'll let you know how these PASS cards fit into my teens' money plans. Check back here on Monday for the next post. In the meantime, if you want to look into it yourself, you can go HERE to get information about PASS from American Express.

I am working with American Express on this project. As always, I'm writing my honest accounts and opinions.

Sonic Winner - Take Two!

2010-09-17T16:54:00.003-05:00

The winner of the $50 MySonic gift card didn't leave her email address and never came forward to claim her prize, so I've chosen an alternate random winner.

Anissa said...
I've only had the Limeades at Sonic (cran is my fav!) but I do like chocolate ice cream w/ raspberry topping (not sure if that's an option there but I love it).
August 26, 2010 9:35 AM

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize. :)

V-Fusion + Green Tea = Yum!

2010-09-16T19:03:00.003-05:00

I've written about V8 V-Fusion a few times over the past couple years. I just really love this drink, both for myself and for my kids. I think it's a great, easy, (not to mention delicious) way to add more fruit and vegetables to your diet. And now, V8 V-Fusion has come out with a new version that includes the antioxidant goodness of green tea.

I love the V-Fusion without the tea so when I was asked to try the new flavors with green tea, I jumped at the chance. I love these new flavors just as much as the original ones! I personally think these have a little bit "lighter" taste. The tea flavor is there enough to notice it, but it's subtle and doesn't have a bitter aftertaste. It was the perfect amount, in my opinion. I think these new juices with green tea are crisp and refreshing. My favorite is the pomegranate followed by the raspberry. Austin was the only other one in my family who tried the V-Fusion + Green Tea (mostly because I wouldn't share). His favorite flavor was the pineapple mango.

Like the original V-Fusion flavors, the new ones with green tea don't have any added sugar, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It's good stuff that tastes great! (And they're yummy mixed with rum.) ;)

I have a cooler with one bottle of each of the three new flavors with green tea (pictured above) to give away to one random commenter.

No duplicate comments

Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.

Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail. If no email is provided in your comment, I'll announce the winner on my blog.

Winner will have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Life Just Got a Lot Busier!

2010-09-15T00:10:00.004-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

I love having my kids home during the summer. I enjoy the laziness of summer - no schedules to speak of, no homework, no extracuricular activities. I love being able to roll out of bed when I'm ready to wake up instead of when my alarm clock goes off. I love being able to make impromptu plans with my kids. But summer vacation lasts about three weeks too long, in my opinion. Out of immeasureable boredom, my kids start inventing games like Beat my brother over the head with a drum stick and Throw toys all over the family room until someone trips and sprains an ankle and Let's scream and fight until the little vein in mom's neck sticks out and she disappears in her room with a bottle of wine.

It's a Catch 22 though. The kids are out of your hair and in school, but now you're back to the crazy busy school year schedule. How on earth do you transition between the lazy days of summer to the go-go-go schedule of the school year?

A couple weeks before school started, I adjusted my kids' bedtime, gradually making them go to bed earlier so it would be easier getting up on time for school.

I established a routine and made a chart listing everyone's chores and when they needed to be done. No longer do my kids have all day to take out the garbage or make their beds. With school and homework and sports now, we all needed to get more organized to make sure we had time to accomplish everything.

We no longer have all morning to lie around in our pajamas, eating breakfast whenever we feel like it. Our mornings are pretty rushed, so I always have several boxes of cereal on hand. My kids can get their own breakfasts and I know they're eating something healthy that will fill their tummys and tide them over until lunch. I always buy several boxes when it's on sale or when I have a coupon so it makes for a very inexpensive breakfast at that.

I've started planning out my dinners ahead of time. In the summer, I can just wing it and throw something together when we get hungry, but during the school year, between helping the kids with homework, and taking them to football practice and cheer, etc., I need meals planned and prepped ahead of time.

I have a hard time sticking to a schedule. I don't like my life so planned and regimented. I'm really more of a "fly by the seat of my pants" kinda gal. But, I have to admit that during the school year, a schedule of sorts makes things flow a lot more smoothly.

What do you do to transition between lazy summer days and school days? For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and give me your best tip for transitioning to the busy school year.

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

Kellogg's Winner - Week Five

2010-09-15T00:07:00.001-05:00

Here's the week five winner of the Visa gift card from Kellogg's and BlogHer!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

28

Amanda said...
Highlight of the summer was a 3 week trip to South Korea to visit husband's family. Kids are 13 and 10 and loved meeting extended family!

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize.

Kellogg's Winner - Week Four

2010-09-14T23:59:00.002-05:00

Here's the week four winner of the Visa gift card from Kellogg's and BlogHer!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:139

139 Nicole said... Bananas and yogurt are our go to breakfast food when we are rushed!

Congratulations!

The Summer Highlight Reel

2010-09-07T13:46:00.001-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

Even though I was too sick to squeeze in any last minute excursions the last two weeks before my kids returned to school, I did manage to do a lot of fun activities earlier in our summer vacation. This year, I bought a pass to our local pool and the kids and Iwent several times a week throughout the summer.

We took a couple trips downtown Chicago that everyone enjoyed. One time, we spent the day walking around the lakefront, Millennium Park, and Grant Park. The other time, we saw a play at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and spent the rest of the day playing at Navy Pier, shopping, eating lunch, and riding the giant Ferris wheel.

We went to dozens of baseball, softball, and hockey games. We enjoyed many an evening, relaxing in our backyard while toasting marshmallows over a crackling fire pit. We even went camping in the tent I pitched in our family room. What? There were no mosquitoes or bears, and we had running water and air conditioning! I’m telling ya, that’s the way to camp!

And we spent a week in the Outer Banks, NC. We’d wake up, grab our bowls of cereal and fruit and head out to the huge deck that overlooked the ocean. We’d eat outside and enjoy the cool breeze while listening to the surf pound the shore. Ahhh, just thinking about it is making me want to go back.

So, what was the highlight of your summer?

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what the best part of your summer was.

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

Disney on Ice Princess Classics

2010-09-02T00:35:00.004-05:00

Disney on Ice is coming back to the United Center in Chicago September 8 - 12! I cannot wait to see the show, Princess Classics! Yes, I know I've seen Disney on Ice a couple times in the past year, but it never gets old. Each show is different and magical in the way that only Disney can be.

Go to Ticketmaster.com enter coupon code MOM in the MC Promotions Box to get a 4-pack of tickets for only $44! Or save $4 on all weekend shows. See the following flyer for details, but hurry because just like when the clock strikes twelve for Cinderella, this show will be gone and the magic will be over come September 13.

And here's a coloring sheet you can print for your little princess.

I'm working with Feld Entertainment to spread the word about the show and the discount available.

Sonic Real Ice Cream Winners

2010-09-01T21:55:00.002-05:00

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

30
72
62

The first prize winner of a $50 MySonic gift card is -

30Dawn said...
We just had Sonic open close enough for us to visit this summer. We love the tots and going for any of the slushes during happy hour.

Favorite ice cream in this household is mint chocolate chip, although that coconut cream pie shake that you mentioned sounds yummy.

The two second prize winners of a Sonic lunch box filled with a "Keep it Real" ice cream t-shirt, a $5 MySonic card and some other goodies are -

72 Ellie said...
Reeces Peanut Butter Cups blast with extra reeces and extra whipped cream. I don't even want to think about the calories when I eat this (at least once a week!).
August 26, 2010 8:03 AM

AND

62 Mommy La said...
I love hot fudge with vanilla ice-cream yummy!
August 26, 2010 2:04 AM

Congratulations to all three of you! You have 48 hours to email me back at mom2my6pack@aol.com before I randomly choose an alternate winner.
P.S. Bring me back a root beer float!

Kellogg's Winner - Week Three

2010-09-01T21:42:00.003-05:00

The Week Three (Snap, Crackle, Pop!) Winner is.......

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:140

140Anonymous said...
http://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/22382348313 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me back or an alternate winner will be chosen. Thank you to everyone who commented! Keep checking back in the coming weeks for more chances to win!

Breakfast on the Go!

2010-08-31T15:01:00.005-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

This morning, I must have hit the snooze button at least eight times before crawling out of bed. I looked at the clock and realized I had 20 minutes to wake up the little kids, get them dressed, fed, and off to school. Oops. I’d like to say that this morning was just an isolated incident, but unfortunately, it happens more often than I care to admit. I stay up until 3:00AM or so most nights to work in peace and quiet, but it makes it awfully hard to wake up on time in the morning.

Still, even with the rushing around, I hate to send my kids off to school without something in their stomachs. I mean, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Breakfast is when you break your fast of 8-12 hours. Decades of studies have shown that kids who eat breakfast are more alert and do better in school. Kids who eat cereal regularly, get more vitamins and minerals than those who don’t since cereal is fortified with essential nutrients, and cereal consumers, on average, have lower BMIs.

So, as hectic as our mornings sometimes are, I insist they eat something, even if it’s just a banana or a granola bar hastily consumed in the car, on the way to school. On the crazy-busy days, we usually grab Pop-Tarts, granola bars, a piece of fruit, string cheese, baggies of dry cereal, graham crackers, Go-Gurt, or even cookies. What? Cookies have eggs in them. They’re totally a breakfast food!

So, what’s your go-to breakfast when you’re in a hurry to get out the door in the morning?

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what your go-to breakfast is on hectic, rushed mornings!

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

2010-08-24T10:45:00.001-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

I love cereal. I really do. I've never been much of a breakfast eater though simply because breakfast time comes way too early for me. But I like having a bowl of cereal as a snack in the evening when my sweet tooth tells me I must have something sweet now! I've got to admit - I like "kid cereal". I like Eggo cereal and Corn Pops. I also love Special K with red berries. But now that I've been diagnosed with diverticulitis, I'll be switching to All Bran or Fiber Plus. You know, now that I'm officially "old", I've gotta keep those bowels moving with whole grains filled with the goodness of dietary fiber. Ahem.

My kids love pretty much any kind of cereal I buy. My oldest son has never liked cereal at all (I know, how unAmerican!), but my other five kids love it and eat it almost daily. I think our collective favorite is Rice Krispies. I mean, who doesn't love Snap, Crackle and Pop, right? But the reason we love Rice Krispies isnt because it talks to us, oh no. The reason is because of the deliciousness that comes when you mix the Rice Krispies with marshmallows and butter. Mmmmm! Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what your favorite cereal is!

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

Kellogg's Winner - Week Two

2010-08-23T20:30:00.004-05:00

Here is the Kellog's $100 Visa gift card winner for Week Two (What Did You Do This Summer?)

Here are your random integers, generated without replacement: 71

Norma said... My daughter is grown, but I'd love to spend a day with her at the horseraces :)bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)comAugust 21, 2010 4:12 AM

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com before another winner is selected. Thank you to everyone for commenting! Please keep checking back for more chances to win in the coming weeks!

Kellogg's Winner - Week One

2010-08-23T20:25:00.003-05:00

The Week One (What's For Breakfast, Mom?) Winner is.......

Here are your random integers, generated without replacement:

284

js22 said...
We eat cereal if we have time. No time, then we grab a granola bar on the way out of the house!

Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.

August 16, 2010 2:04 PM

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to email me back or an alternate winner will be chosen. Thank you to everyone who commented! Keep checking back in the next weeks for more chances to win!

We All Scream for Sonic's Real Ice Cream!

2010-08-23T18:34:00.001-05:00

Want a fun way to end your summer? Have an ice cream social with friends! Sonic gave me a gift card so my family could try out their real ice cream. We invited some friends and made a night of it a few weeks back. I looooove me some Sonic! I'm pretty sure I could live on their strawberry limeades and tots. They've got yummy real ice cream, not the fake stuff that some places serve. Four words - coconut cream pie shake! I know! And don't forget about their root beer floats! Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned root beer float. And the best part about having an ice cream social at Sonic is - you don't have to clean your house and backyard and there are no sticky ice cream messes to clean up afterwards. Yep, that's me, always thinking.

My kids and their "cousins" (my best friend's kids)

Mmmm root beer floats!

It's a cup of plain vanilla for the little ones. I know, they're exciting.

She ended up wearing more than she ate, I think.

Want to win your very own Sonic ice cream social? Tell me what your favorite ice cream concoction is for a chance to win a $50 MySonic gift card so you can host your own ice cream social with real Sonic ice cream! And I have two second place prizes to give away also! A Sonic lunch box filled with a "Keep it Real" ice cream t-shirt, a $5 MySonic card and some other goodies. I'll choose three random winners on Monday, August 30th.

No duplicate comments.
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
(1) First prize - $50 MySonic gift card
(2) Second prizes - Sonic lunch box, "Keep it Real" ice cream t-shirt, and $5 MySonic gift card

What Did You Do This Summer?

2010-08-18T18:23:00.007-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

I love having my kids home for summer break. I enjoy the lazy days of sleeping in, no homework, no making school lunches, and no schedules to speak of. In the summer, I don't have to set my alarm; instead I just roll out of bed when ~~my kids' fighting~~ the sun wakes me.

But, as summer winds down and my kids' boredom increases, I get anxious for the routine that school provides. That's a nice way of saying, "Ohmygosh, if I hear my kids fight one more time, I'm gonna lose it!"

The most fun thing my kids and I did this summer was take a trip to the Outer Banks, NC. The twenty-four hour drive there was less than fun, but once we arrived - ahhhh. We had the best time! We spent long hours in the ocean and hanging out together in our rented beach house. In the morning, we collected seashells on the beach. At night, we took walks together in the sand. We curled up in the lounge chairs on the deck and ate dinner in the evening while listening to the sound of the surf.

Despite our awesome vacation, I just know when the kids go back to school and their teachers ask, "What did you do over summer break?" my kids are going to say something like, "We played in the sprinkler in our backyard!" But that's okay because it's not so much where you go or what you do that matters. It's those little moments of fun and laughter with each other that they'll remember.

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what you like to do with your kids as summer winds down.

No duplicate comments
Blog about it and include a link in the comments here for a second chance.
Tweet about it and include a link in the comments here for another chance.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 or over.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
For more official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

What's for Breakfast, Mom?

2010-08-10T21:01:00.011-05:00

This is sponsored content by BlogHer and Kelloggs.

I get up at 3:00AM, weed the garden, work out, shower, slip on my dress, heels, and pearls, then tie on my stylish, ruffled apron as I head to the kitchen to whip up a batch of eggs benedict and maple-glazed French toast made from freshly baked baguettes. As I greet my six children, one by one, I motion with my gleaming spatula for them to take a seat at my perfectly set table, complete with neatly pressed linens and fresh flowers from my garden.

Yeah right! And then the alarm clock goes off and interrupts that little fantasy! In reality, I don't go to bed until 3:00AM and then I sleep as late as possible until the noise from my fighting kids makes me drag my butt out of bed. One of the little ones will ask me what's for breakfast. I'll make monosyllabic grunts as I gesture in the general direction of the Corn Flakes and the Apple Jacks, while shuffling toward my coffee maker.

Yep, that's pretty much my breakfast routine during the summer. And you know what? I'm ok with that. I know my kids are getting a decent breakfast with vitamins and minerals they need, it's something they can fix all on their own, and I know they're going to eat it because they like it.

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave me a comment here and let me know what your breakfast routine is! I'll choose a random winner on Monday, August 16.

For official rules, go HERE.

And for TWENTY-THREE more chances to win, check out the other bloggers at the BlogHer.com Kellogg exclusive offers page!

Mom’s Breakfast Club was started to help educate moms and families about kids’ cereal and share the scoop on their nutritional benefits and ingredients. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.loveyourcereal.com/.

77Kids Do Good

2010-08-09T20:18:00.001-05:00

On July 17th, I had the chance, courtesy of 77Kids by American Eagle, to join some other fabulous bloggers with my kids and serve lunch to the families staying at a local Ronald McDonald house. 77Kids is a fun new clothing line for kids by American Eagle. As part of their advertising, they chose to empower 77 bloggers in 11 cities across America to do some terrific pay-it-forward acts. Our group chose to serve lunch to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Hyde Park. It’s really amazing what RMH does for families of sick children and they rely heavily on donations to make it affordable for families to stay close to the hospital where their child is receiving treatment.

It was a really fun day! My kids and I have decided that we need to volunteer more often. It sure makes you feel good to do good for someone else!

Here we are, starting to set up lunch.

Savannah working hard

The little ones notsomuch helping, but having fun nonetheless

The kids took time to make thank you cards for all the people who work at the house

Brooklyn thinking that something looks pretty good on the counter

What I would give for this big ole kitchen!

We got to make new friends and enjoy some treats!

Yes, yes, I know I can’t ever put my phone down. I was tweeting about the event!

What a great day! And what a great reminder to get out there and do something nice for someone else. You never know how far your kindness will spread! Thank you 77Kids by American Eagle for this great opportunity!

The Emperor's New Clothes Winner

2010-07-15T22:50:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry. I forgot to post the winner last Friday. The random winner is number 1.

Megryansmom said...
OH! I have such grand plans to go see this...a train ride, then a water taxi to Navy Pier. Hope I win!

Congratulations! Contact me at mom2my6pack@aol.com for your tickets! Enjoy!

The Emperor's New Clothes at the CST

2010-07-05T03:13:00.001-05:00

The kids and I went to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier last week to see The Emperor's New Clothes. If you've never been to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, you need to put it on your list of things to do this summer! It's a cool little theater right in the middle of Navy Pier and now through August 29th, they're presenting a show for the entire family.

The Emperor's New Clothes is a fun new musical the whole family can enjoy. It's a fresh adaptation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale. From the CST website, "The frivolously fashionable Emperor and his opinionated daughter Sam just can’t get along. But with the help of some colorful characters and not-so-colorful threads, the two come to see themselves—and appreciate each other—for the first time. This world premiere CST Family musical based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale promises to warm the hearts of children and adults alike!"

And why not make a day of it? Go to the show, have lunch at Bubba Gumps (or one of a zillion other places on the pier), ride the Ferris wheel, shop, explore, and have fun! I'll help you out! Leave me a comment here for a chance to win a family 4-pack of tickets to see The Emperor's New Clothes at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater! I'll choose a random winner on Friday, July 9th. Good luck!

Purity Ring Winner

2010-07-05T02:27:00.000-05:00

The random winner of the purity ring is...

pednurse said...
What an awesome idea!

June 17, 2010 10:16 PM

Congratulations! Please email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize.

Worth Waiting For

2010-05-26T21:35:00.006-05:00

I had the chance to check out these purity rings from Cornerstone Jewelry. Savannah, who is as big a sucker for jewelry as her mom, picked out a ring that says "true love waits" in Hebrew so she knows what it says, but other people who see the ring don't necessarily know.

Cornerstone has a variety of different designs in English, Spanish, Hebrew and Greek. You can find rings in both sterling silver, and white or yellow gold. Each purity ring comes packaged in either a velvet pouch or a gift box and includes a commitment to purity card. I like the idea of teaching our young kids that they are sanctified or set apart from the rest. It can never hurt to make sure our children know they are loved and are special and that they don't have to go along with what "everyone else does" just because.

Check out Cornerstone's purity rings and other jewelry like bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. A lot of their items can be personalized too! These would make awesome confirmation gifts! Some things are just worth the wait.

Cornerstone Jewelry is giving away one sterling silver, 6mm wide band, inscribed with the Hebrew word "Kodesh" which translates as "Sanctified" in English. Leave me a comment here for a chance to win. I'll choose a random winner on Friday, June 25th. Good luck!

Three Time's a Charm?

2010-05-13T22:59:00.002-05:00

Why can't I give away this $200 Visa gift card?

No one has claimed it yet, so here's the third winner of the $200 Visa gift card from Arm & Hammer and BlogHer...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:507

Donna said...
I am shocked. I have always used Tide but even tho I have 2 bottles I am going to the store and get a bottle of this to try. I have 3 grandkids that visit every weekend and they just love puddles and anything they can do to get dirty. Thanks for the testimonal and especially the pictures.Fingers crossed that I win the money. Donna from NE Indiana

Congratulations and PLEASE contact me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize!

WINNERS!

2010-05-10T16:57:00.002-05:00

No one has claimed their prizes, so I have a new crop of winners here. If you're a winner, you have until Wednesday, May 12 at midnight central time to contact me at mom2my6pack@aol.com.

The winner of the Jawbone bluetooth wireless headset is...

True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

35
35GNSD said... All the pleasures of a good blue tooth.. >I would love to have this to reduce my morning insanity of conference calls, and rushed schedules!This looks so cool and super flexible!

The winner of the V8 V-Fusion picnic at the beach set is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

57

Laura A said...

I liked v-8 fusion on facebook

The winner of the Disney Earth Day goodies is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

55

Anonymous said...

I love Disney!! I had to buy the pink princess shopping bag and the muppet water bottle!

T.S. Timmons

The winner of the Pong cell phone case is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

22

Susan said...

Hi Dawn,

I also keep my iPhone in my bra. It's a perfect place, except for the radiation issue. This product sounds awesome.

The winner of the $200 Visa gift card from Arm & Hammer and BlogHer is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

274

QueenPathways said...

That's the most amazing thing I've seen. I have to try it!

Congratulations everyone! Please contact me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize!

WINNERS

2010-05-06T10:30:00.002-05:00

Here's the winner of the $200 Visa gift card from BlogHer and Arm & Hammer -

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

165

Timestamp: 2010-05-06 15:29:06 UTC

165jennifernm said...
I love OxiClean and money!

Congratulations! You have 48 hours (10:30AM central time on Saturday, May 8) to contact me at mom2my6pack@aol. If I haven't heard from you by then, an alternate winner will be chosen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last call for the following winners to claim their prizes. If I don't hear from you by 10:30AM central time on Saturday, May 8, alternate winners will be chosen. You can email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com.

The random winner of the Pong cell phone case is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:29

Anonymous said...
Ummmmm....yeah, about that huge laundry list of stuff. I have a blackberry and I keep it in my pocket all day, everyday. Haha. I would love to have this! I've been looking for a case, and this sounds like the one for me!! =]Amanda R.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winner of the Earth Day goodies from Disney is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:30

JoDee said...
What an awesome give away

Winners!

2010-05-01T00:29:00.000-05:00

The random winner of the Pong cell phone case is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:29

Anonymous said...
Ummmmm....yeah, about that huge laundry list of stuff. I have a blackberry and I keep it in my pocket all day, everyday. Haha. I would love to have this! I've been looking for a case, and this sounds like the one for me!! =]Amanda R.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winner of the Earth Day goodies from Disney is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:30

JoDee said...
What an awesome give away

Congratulations! Please email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping information. :)

V-Fusion Picnic at the Beach!

2010-04-24T19:41:00.008-05:00

I've written about V8 V-Fusion before. The first time I saw it at Campbell's HQ last year, I turned up my nose and said something like, "Ew, vegetables do NOT belong in juice! Gross!" However, my fellow bloggers insisted the juice didn't taste like vegetables and urged me to try it. I'm so glad I did! I love this stuff! It's delicious which is reason enough to like it, but it's also got a full serving of fruit AND a full serving of vegetables in every 8 oz. glass!

My four-year-old, Brooklyn's food groups consist of chocolate milk, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, and candy. She's my sixth. I gave up long ago. What can I say? I'm a bad mom. Anyway, I love that I can give Brooklyn a glass of V-Fusion and rest assured that she's getting at least two servings of fruits and vegetables in a juice that she likes to drink. I know, I know, we're supposed to have 4000-some servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, but let's be realistic here. How many of us really do get the recommended amount? This is an easy and delicious way to sneak in two servings daily.

And V8 V-Fusion is 100% juice with no added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors or flavors. You can definitely feel good about serving this to your family! And now, V-Fusion is available in 6-packs of 8 oz. cans which are perfect for sticking in lunch boxes or taking along to the park, zoo, or a picnic at the beach.

Want to give V-Fusion a try? You can print a coupon for $1 off HERE!

Leave me a comment here to win this awesome beach tote/cooler filled with goodies from V8 including beach towels, two 6-packs of V-Fusion and The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers cookbook which gives great tips to make classic meals a little healthier for your families. "Like" V-Fusion on Facebook HERE and leave me a comment letting me know for another chance to win. Open to residents of the U.S. No purchase necessary to win. I'll choose a random winner on Friday, May 7.

I was given a beach tote with V-8 to try out and review, but was not monetarily compensated for my review. As always, my opinions are my own and are always honest.

Jawbone ICON

2010-04-24T13:34:00.000-05:00

Need an idea for Mother's Day? The new Jawbone ICON lets Moms multi-task by giving them hands-free connectivity. You know, because that's what moms do. They multi-task. I don't think I ever talk on the phone while just sitting down. Never. I clean the bathroom, wash dishes, fold laundry, pour cups of juice and make grilled cheese sandwiches, and tell the kids they can't bring the sandbox into the house all while talking on the phone.

But do you have any idea how many times I've inadvertently disconnected my friends and family while talking on the phone and doing some other task? I think I disconnect my mom nearly every time I talk to her. And at least half of those times it's by accident. Kidding. Just kidding, Mom! Seriously though, I'll have the phone cradled between my shoulder and ear while I fold laundry and I'll turn my head to ~~yell at the kids~~ tell my kids something and suddenly I hear a dial tone. How often does this happen to you?

The Jawbone ICON bluetooth headset is good to use around the house, but it's even better for driving. You have to have a hands-free device to talk while driving in Chicago (and many other states and cities). And now that my oldest kids are just about to driver's ed age, I'm especially conscious of my behaviors while driving. I want to make sure they pick up good habits from me.

I first wrote about the Jawbone 2 about two years ago. I really liked it at the time I reviewed it. The only thing that bothered me about the unit is that the talk button was inconveniently located, in my opinion. I inadvertently hung up on people often with the older model. The new ICON is awesome though! It's smaller than the original Jawbones and super simple to use. The talk button is now in a location where I don't accidentally press it during a conversation. The ICON comes with several customizing options, including an earloop and several earbuds for perfect fit. And, of course, it still comes with NoiseAssassin which blocks out background noises really well. Your caller won't hear the kids in the background fighting over the last piece of pizza! It's amazing! Seriously, you have to try it!

I've got a new Jawbone ICON "The Bombshell" (pictured at the top) to give away to one lucky reader! Leave me a comment here with how you'd use this to multi-task to be entered. "Like" Jawbone on Facebook HERE, then leave me a comment saying you liked them for another chance to win. I'll choose a random winner on Friday, May 7th. No purchase necessary. Contest open to U.S. residents.

I was given an Jawbone ICON to review, but was not paid to write about it. As always, my opinions are my own and are always honest.

MORE WINNERS!

2010-04-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Minimize Morning Madness gift basket from Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:17
Timestamp: 2010-04-24 18:50:08 UTC

Pam said...
A maid would be wonderful ... but that won't happen here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The winners of the $25 Safety Tats gift cards are:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:20
10
Timestamp: 2010-04-24 18:55:00 UTC

Caryn said...
I just became a fan! I have 5 kids under age 7 and it is so hard to keep a hand on all of them when we go anywhere. These would really come in handy!

AND

Tara said...
I'd love to give these a try... money's tight so I haven't purchased any yet, but I think they'd be great for my 4 year old son, who has non-verbal autism and likes to wander.

Congratulations to all the winners! And thank you to everyone who checked out these reviews and/or left comments!

Winners, please email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your contact information.

Pop-Tarts Winner!

2010-04-22T15:05:00.003-05:00

The winner of the $100 Visa gift card from Pop-Tarts and BlogHer is

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:9
Timestamp: 2010-04-22 20:04:53 UTC

akhughes said...
I like to have a bag of homemade frozen pancakes on hand for a quick, but hot breakfast.

Congratulations! You have until Saturday, April 24 at 3:00PM central time to email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping information. If I haven't heard from you then, I'll choose another random winner.

Celebrate Earth Day with Disney!

2010-04-20T11:34:00.002-05:00

Disney has come up with some fun new products for Earth Day! Hurry in to a Disney store near you or order online HERE because these products are only here until Earth Day, April 22.

The little alien plush would be eternally grateful if we took steps to make this planet greener.

The new Save Planet Earth totebags are made from seven recycled bottles! It's a pretty cool, sturdy tote, if I do say so myself! I can't believe they're made from old, melted down, plastic bottles!

The hard cover journal is made from recycled paper.

And the aluminum bottle can reused indefinitely, saving the earth from hundreds of plastic water bottles over time.

And remember, Disney Store guests who bring in six plastic bottles or aluminum cans on Earth Day, April 22, will receive a free Disney’s “Friends for Change” and Oceans (the new Disneynature film) hat made from recycled plastic bottles (while supplies last)!

And leave me a comment here for a chance to win a gift pack of these Earth Day products from Disney!

Pong Phone Case

2010-04-19T11:34:00.000-05:00

I was sent a Pong iPhone case to try out. It came at a good time as the case I'd been using had just broken. So, I slipped it on and thought - Yep, it fits my phone. It seems really sturdy. So what? What makes this case any different from any other case out there?

So, I took a look at their website. The first thing I read on the site is "Proven to reduce cell phone radiation." Cell phone radiation? Radiation? As in "Put this lead apron on while we take your xray so you don't mutate" radiation? Ok, clearly I'm clueless because I've never even considered radiation exposure during the 8 million times I use my cell phone every day. I'm probably the only person over the age of 5 who was unaware of the threat of radiation from cell phone use. Naturally, after hearing this news, I packed up the kids and headed to our underground cave away from all harmful substances. And sunlight. And fresh air. And Justin Bieber songs.

So, I researched and after reading several articles on the matter, came to the conclusion that although there may not be any concrete proof that cell phone use can cause cancer in your brain and other areas around your ear, there haven't been many studies done. Long-term studies haven't been conducted and I believe the studies that were done, took into consideration, average cell phone use, not people who spend hours a day on their phones. And what about kids who start using cell phones in grade school? What about their long-term exposure starting while they're young and more suseptible to the radiation? My friend Mimi's son died from brain cancer. My best friend's brother is battling brain cancer now. It's not a pretty thing. This information ~~freaked me out!~~ enlightened me.

I not only use my cell phone frequently, but when I'm not using it, I keep it in my pants pocket. I also sleep with it right by my pillow because I use it as my alarm. After reading these articles, a part of me wanted to drown my phone in the hot tub again. But let's be realistic here. I know, I know, generations of people got along just fine without cell phones, but I don't really want to go that route. There's got to be a way to have and use a cell phone, but cut down any potential risks too.

Which brings me back to the Pong case. It's designed to direct cell phone radiation away from your head. Using technology that I don't understand, Pong redirects your cell phone's radiation while maintaining full signal strength. I can attest to the fact that the case doesn't interfere with my signal at all. And testing has shown the Pong case to to reduce specific absorption rate for the iPhone 3GS by over 60%. (Wired Magazine witnessed testing of the Pong case and confirmed their claims HERE.)

* Using a Pong case could reduce the amount of radiation absorbed into your head while talking on your cell phone.

* Also, texting and emailing instead of talking on the phone can cut down radiation going into your head.

* Holding the phone away from your head a couple inches helps too. Or better yet, put your cell on speaker phone.

* Don't store your cell phone on your body (like carrying it in your jeans pocket all day long).

* Don't let your young children talk on your cell phone or play with it and pretend they're talking. Studies have shown that the smaller, developing brains in children absorb much more radiation than does an adult and since long-term studies haven't been conducted, it's better to be safe than sorry. Talk to older children about reducing the amount of exposure to them.

* Keep in mind that smartphones like iPhones and Blackberrys with 3G, 4G, etc. can emit spikes of radiation frequently, not just when you're talking on them.

* Use your landline at home and save the cell phone for emergencies when you're out.

Right now, the Pong case is available for the iPhone and Blackberry Curve. It's a sturdy silicone case that has protected my phone from ~~my klutziness~~ the effects of gravity. At $59.95 for the iPhone and $49.95 for the Blackberry, it's a little expensive for a case that doesn't even come in pink (only black or green). But the fact that it could help cut down your chances of being exposed to unwanted radiation and the health risks that come with it, makes it worth it in my book.

Readers can save $10 on a Pong case by using code "HGIMT" at checkout! Also, Pong is giving away one Pong case (your choice of iPhone or Blackberry case) to a reader. Leave me a comment here for a chance to win. Friend Pong Research on Facebook HERE and leave me a comment saying you did it for a second chance to win. Twitter about Pong and leave me a comment for every tweet you send out for even more chances to win. Contest open to residents of the U.S. No purchase necessary to win. I'll choose a winner on Friday, April 30.

I was given a Pong case to review, but have not been paid to write about it. As always, my opinions are my own and are always honest.

Safety Tats Tat-Builder

2010-04-16T12:52:00.002-05:00

I've talked about Safety Tats a few times on my blogs. They remain one of my very favorite "created by a mom" products. For those of you new to Safety Tats, they're tattoos that contain your cell phone number (and other information, if you wish). You can apply them to your child's arm while you're out at the water park, Disney World, the museum, the mall, any place where your child might become separated from you. If you've ever had a child wander off or get separated even for just a minute, you know the heart-stopping fear that floods every fiber of your being. With Safety Tats, you can rest assured that if your child wanders off, you're just a phone call away from being reunited.

Safety Tats, which were awesome to begin with, just keep getting better. Creator, and mom of three, Michele came out with Quick Stick Write-On tattoos. These are my favorites! They're made with a proprietary tattoo material, Tateck®. These ultra-durable skin safe applique "tattoo" stickers are waterproof and will last an extra long time -- up to two weeks -- until you are ready to remove it. I use them on my little kids whenever we're out in a crowd. They were a life saver when we went to Disney World! (It's hard watching six kids at once!) Plus, you can use the included pen to write your cell phone number on the tattoo. This way, if grandma takes the kids on an outing, she can write her number on the tattoo and if dad has the kids for the day, he can put his cell phone number on them.

Now, they've come up with another cool idea - Tat-Builder, a design-it-yourself option! There are over 100,000 possible combinations. Users can select icon, background color, message, borders and add their own two lines of emergency contact information or special medical alert. You can't put a price on the value of keeping your kids safe, but at less than a dollar a tattoo, these are absolutely awesome!

They're easy to order! Just click the button on my sidebar. Stock up now for summer trips to the park, the zoo, and the pool! Save 10% off orders of $15 or more now by using discount code M26PackTatBuilder at checkout! Offer good until May 1st, so hurry!

Want a chance to win one of two - $25 Safety Tat gift cards? Friend Safety Tat on Facebook HERE, then leave me a comment with your contact information. I'll choose a winner on Friday, April 23rd! Contest open to U.S. residents. No purchase necessary to win.

I was not paid to write about Safety Tats. My opinions are my own and are always honest.

Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean

2010-04-15T22:48:00.006-05:00

I was given the chance to try this Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean shower cleaner. Unfortunately, it didn't come with someone to do the cleaning for me. Hey, I can dream, can't I?

So I tried it. I have mixed feelings about this cleaner. First, it comes with a continuous spray trigger that operates on batteries. I personally didn't think this was necessary. I've never gotten a hand cramp from spraying cleaner in my shower. I don't need a bottle of cleaner that has batteries, enabling you to squeeze the trigger and spray continuously until you release the trigger. But if you like that kind of thing, refills are available so you can refill the bottle and replace the batteries as necessary, indefinately.

One of the cool things is that it smells good. I cannot stand the smell of most cleaners (especially bleach ones which burn my eyes and nose), but this one was surprisingly pleasant. It foams up pretty well too. And it did a good job of cleaning the glass and chrome areas of my shower. Here's the "before", soap scum encrusted picture. Well, the picture isn't soap scum encrusted. My shower wall is. You know what I mean.

Here's the "after" picture. In fact, this picture was taken 3 days and probably 12-14 showers later. The idea of this cleaner is that it continues to work for 4 days, keeping your shower surfaces free from soap scum so you have to clean less. I think it really does work quite well on glass surfaces. (the picture doesn't do it justice)

On the walls and floors of my shower, it didn't do such a great job. Then again, I have a very cheap shower made of a very thin plastic and that may have something to do with it because nothing, quite frankly, cleans the walls and floors too well.

But I do like how this Extend-A-Clean creates a barrier on your shower surfaces, keeping them clean for days. The less time I have to spend cleaning, the better, in my book. Really, all of us busy parents could use products that would enable us to spend less time cleaning. I personally think the best way to do that would be strapping the kids into little LaZBoys with 5-point harnesses so they couldn't destroy the house faster than we could clean it. But good bathroom cleaners help too!

And to help minimize your morning madness of packing lunches, signing homework, getting the kids up and dressed, making coffee, reminding the kids 50 times to pack their backpacks and remember their instruments and put on their shoes and stop hitting their sisters and, well, you get the idea. In between all that, it's hard to find time to even take a shower let alone clean a shower! So Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean Power Sprayer has a Minimize Morning Madness gift basket for one lucky reader. Included in the gift basket is a bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean Power Sprayer, a travel alarm clock, a big coffee mug, Starbucks Via, and a waterproof notepad! Just leave me a comment here about what would make cleaning easier for you and I'll pick a random winner on Friday, April 23. Contest open to U.S. residents. No purchase necessary to enter.

I was given a gift basket to try the product, but have not been paid to write about it. As always, my opinions are my own and they're always honest.

Breakfast on the Fly!

2010-04-09T08:01:00.000-05:00

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Kellogg’s® Pop-Tarts® Toaster Pastries

My teens are not big breakfast eaters. They would never eat eggs, bacon, cereal, toast, or the like before noon. Not that I'd ever get up and cook that for them before noon either. I'm not much of a morning person myself. Oftentimes they grab a quick, convenient breakfast to eat on the way to school. Here's a recipe I tried with my kids. Don't worry, it's nothing fancy or Alton Brownish. Anyone can make this. All you need is a box of Pop-Tarts (I used the unfrosted strawberry ones), a knife, and either a jar of peanut butter or a brick of cream cheese.

Spread peanut butter on one Pop-Tarts toaster pastry.

Top with a second Pop-Tart and cut in half. Now you have two peanut butter and strawberry jam Pop-Tart sandwiches.

Brooklyn, my child who only eats macaroni & cheese, and chocolate milk tried them.

They get a thumb's up from her! It's a miracle! She likes them!

The other way I tried making a Pop-Tart sandwich was with cream cheese.

Mmmm, strawberry cream cheese Pop-Tart sandwich!

So, what's your go-to breakfast for the kids? What to do you grab when you need to eat breakfast on the run? Leave me a comment about it for a chance to win $100 Visa gift card.

For more information about Pop-Tarts, go HERE.

For nine more chances to win, check out the BlogHer.com special offers page!

For official rules, check HERE.

And don't forget to leave me a comment here with your go-to breakfast ideas to enter the drawing for a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

Who Says Pop-Tarts Are Just For Breakfast?

2010-04-02T10:08:00.000-05:00

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Kellogg’s® Pop-Tarts® Toaster Pastries.

Want to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer? Check out this fun treat you can make for your kids! Actually, your kids can even help make these. They're easy, fun, and yummy! You can find the recipe HERE (along with a picture of what it's supposed to look like!

You need Strawberry Milkshake Pop-Tarts, ice cream, and sprinkles. (I made some with Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tarts too!)

According to the recipe, you're supposed to cut the Pop-Tarts into quarters. I tried it that way, but had a hard time working with the small pieces. Julia Child I'm not. So, I just cut the rest of them in half.

Then you scoop some softened ice cream onto the Pop-Tart.

Top with a second Pop-Tart section and roll the edges in sprinkles.

Wrap in plastic wrap and throw in the freezer.

Take out and enjoy!

Yum! Nothing hits the spot like an ice cream treat after playing outside all day!

What's your go-to breakfast for the kids? Leave me a comment about it for a chance to win $100 Visa gift card.

For more information about Pop-Tarts, go HERE.

For nine more chances to win, check out the BlogHer.com special offers page!

For official rules, check HERE.

And don't forget to leave me a comment here with your go-to breakfast ideas to enter the drawing for a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

It's Mud Season!

2010-03-23T22:32:00.006-05:00

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Arm & Hammer.

Yay, it's spring in Chicago! You know what that means? Mud. Lots and lots of mud. The giant glaciers have finally melted and we're left with a big ole boggy mud pit. The weather is warm and my kids are itching to go out and play.

I look at my kids who are behaving like animals that have been caged since November. I glance out the window at my mucky, muddy backyard. I look back at my kids who are hitting each other with the remote control and gnawing on the couch. The decision is obvious.

"GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!" I bellow. I know they'll come inside looking like they've spent the afternoon wrestling in a mud pit, but I don't even care about the ruined clothes I'll have to throw away. ~~I need a break for crying out loud!~~ The kids need fresh air!

Have at it, kids!

Jackson's pants are so encrusted with dried mud, they could stand on their own.

I have no clue how the hood of Brooklyn's sweatshirt got muddy. Maybe she was lying in the yard making mud angels.

Filthy

And here's Clay's shirt. Clay wiped his ketchup-mouth on his shirt. Clay doesn't know the difference between his shirt and a napkin.

Arm & Hammer with Oxi Clean to the rescue!

This stuff is thick! It's a thick, dirt-busting gel, and it works! I LOVE Oxi Clean and haven't found anything better to get my kids' clothes clean. And, believe me, with six kids, I'm a laundry expert! I do four loads of laundry a day, every day just to keep up! Plus, Arm & Hammer with Oxi Clean Power Gel has a fresh, clean scent (for those of us who buy things based on fragrance.)

Check it out!

Oh, it IS pink!

Nice and clean

Even Clay's ~~napkin~~ shirt is clean!

I don't have to throw out their clothes after all. I can't wait for baseball season! Bring on the sand and grass stains!

Leave me a comment here for a chance to win a $200 Visa gift card from BlogHer and Arm & Hammer with Oxi Clean!

For official sweeps rules, check out BlogHer.com rules page.

For more information about Arm & Hammer with Oxi Clean, go HERE.

And check out the other reviews for more chances to win on BlogHer.com special offers page!

The Vintage Pearl Winner

2010-03-08T09:59:00.003-06:00

Here is the winner of the $50 gift certificate from The Vintage Pearl!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:117

Number 117 was my favorite comment too!!! Gotta love anyone who can quote The Princess Bride!

117DeeDee Skidee said...
I love the circle of love and the dainty drops birthstones!
The battle of wits has begun. It ends when you decide and I win. Now, a clever girl would leave you a clever comment, so you should clearly pick this comment to win. However, only a great fool would choose the most clever comment. You are no great fool, so you should clearly not choose this comment to win. But I would have known you were not a great fool, I would have counted on it, so you can clearly choose this comment to win!
YOU'VE GIVEN EVERYTHING AWAY! I KNOW WHO THE WINNER IS!
The winner is... What in the world can that be?

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com for your prize. :)

The Vintage Pearl

2010-03-01T00:56:00.000-06:00

I love jewelry! I think jewelry is my favorite "can't go wrong" gift. I especially love jewelry that showcases my love for my children. For years I wore a necklace with these six birthstone babies that represented each of my kids. Unfortunately, the chain for these particular charms was super-fine and fragile and I broke it several times a year. I got tired of replacing the chain and finally stopped wearing it.

Recently, Erin from THE VINTAGE PEARL brought my attention to her personalized jewelry and I fell in love! Her jewelry is gorgeous, her pictures are awesome, her website is beautiful and so easy to order from, plus she likes coffee. :) Erin started The Vintage Pearl as a creative outlet while she stayed home to raise her children, and over the years, it's blossomed into a pretty great business. I mean, she's got a gazillion followers (not to mention awesome photography) on her BLOG!

My only problem with her jewelry was deciding which one to get! She's got many unique pieces and each is lovingly crafted with attention to detail. She uses sterling silver and makes each piece to order so you can personalize your favorite design with your kids' names and/or birthstones.

She was able to stamp all six of my kids' names on this necklace! I love it and wear it nearly every day. People compliment me on it all the time. This is a perfect Mother's Day gift, in my humble opinion.

And, coolest of all, Erin has a $50 gift certificate for one lucky reader! Check out her website and tell me which is your favorite design. Leave me a comment here and I'll choose one random winner on Friday, March 5.

Chocolate Lovers Month

2010-02-09T22:58:00.000-06:00

February is Chocolate Lovers Month at Dunkin' Donuts. (Although every month is Chocolate Lovers Month, in my opinion.)

Some of the delicious new menu items include:

The new Triple Chocolate Donut, a chocolate cake donut topped with chocolate frosting and milk chocolate chips

The new White Chocolate Latte, served hot or iced, topped with whipped cream and a mocha swirl drizzle (I can vouch for this one! It's SOOOO delicious!!! Mmmm, writing this is making me want another one. If we weren't getting 15 feet of snow right now, I'd run out and get one. Dunkin' Donuts really should deliver!)

The Triple Chocolate Muffin, loaded with chocolate chunks and chips

Dunkin' Donuts' brownie, topped with creamy chocolate icing, white chocolate shavings and chocolate drizzle (YUM-O!)

From February 8 through 11, Dunkin' Donuts Facebook fans are encouraged to post a photo of themselves with their sweetheart and share their story of how Dunkin' Donuts helped brew their romance. One winner will be selected to become Dunkin's "CupiDD's Pick of the Week" and receive a $60 Dunkin' Donuts card. (Sixty bucks could buy a lotta coconut coffee with cream and sugar and veggie eggwhite flatbread sandwiches which are my FAVES!)

Go HERE to become a fan of Dunkin' Donuts on Facebook and enter the contest to win a $60 gift card!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!!!

2010-02-08T22:05:00.000-06:00

Monster Jam®, the world’s premier monster truck series will take place in Rosemont, IL at Allstate Arena this Feb. 12 - 14, featuring freestyle and racing competition. This weekend’s show will feature Grave Digger and for the first time in Chicago, Nitro Circus will be competing!

The Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits on Sunday, February 14th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM gives fans the opportunity to get a view of the trucks up close and meet the drivers of the massive monster trucks. Free Pit Passes are available at Advanced Auto Parts or they can be purchased for $5 the day of the show at the box office.

Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

And here's a discount code for my readers good for $5 off ADULT tickets! Just use code: MOM at Ticketmaster HERE. The discount is good for the shows on Saturday Feb. 13, at 2PM and 7:30PM as well as Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2:00PM. Tickets for children under 12 are always just $10 and do not require a code to purchase. This time around, there is no line “MC PROMOTION” to enter the discount code in. Simply enter the code in the PROMOTIONS OR SPECIAL OFFERS LINE. The discount is NOT valid on the $50 or $30 price levels. And as with all of our discounts and offers, double discount are never allowed.

Get your tickets now because prices go up $2 the day of the show. Oh and from I understand, you need to bring earplugs because it gets LOUD!

Disney on Ice

2010-02-03T00:25:00.006-06:00

I went to Disney on Ice tonight at the ~~Rosemont Horizon~~ Allstate Arena. It's not too late to get tickets for Chicagoland shows! They have performances through the 7th. You can still use the discount code: MOM at ticketmaster for a 4 pack of tickets for only $44.

As always, it was a fun-filled show that everyone enjoyed! Here are a just a few pictures of the many, many different characters in the Let's Celebrate show.

Minnie & Mickey, of course

Jack Skellington who was joined by Cruella DeVille, Captain Hook, Jafar, Maleficent, and the evil queen from Snow White.

Cinderella & her prince

The newest Disney princess, Tiana

Lilo & Stitch luau

the gang from Toy Story

a bunch of characters

another character

Fire Safety Winners!

2010-02-03T00:14:00.003-06:00

I'm sorry I'm just now posting the winners of the fire safety products and a signed copy of Firefighter Dayna's book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. I've been without a computer for a while, but my wonderful computer geek friend has resurrected it from the dead and I'm back in business now!

So, here are the random winners...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

54
50

The winning comments came from:

The Sadler Family said...
We talk with our 4 year old about:
1. Knowing how & why to call 911 & knowing our address.
2. Have an escape plan / practice it with the alarm chirping.
3. Never go back in the house after we go to our meeting spot if there's a fire. Leave your toys.
4. Keep towels and papers away from the stove and toaster.
5. Feeling a closed door before opening it with the back of our hand if the smoke alarm is beeping.
6. Staying low / on hands and knees/going backwards down stairs and feeling along the wall to exit the house.

AND

50amy said...
I worry about fire safety and have a couple of alarms; one on each end of our one story home. But the thing that really freaks me out is carbon monoxide poisoning. I heard about that family last week that just thought they had the flu but really they all almost died because of carbon monoxide poisoning! So scary!
I'd love to win this and help my little daughters understand more about fire safety and what to do in a dangerous situation.
Thanks Dawn.

Congratulations and thank you for your patience! Email me with your shipping addresses at mom2my6pack@aol.com so I can have Firefighter Dayna send these out to you. And for more fire safety tips, activity sheets, crafts, and videos, visit Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog's website HERE! :)

Disney on Ice Winner!

2010-01-27T23:36:00.002-06:00

The winner of the 4 pack of Disney on Ice tickets is...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:12
Timestamp: 2010-01-28 05:37:53 UTC

12Jen K. said...
Hope to win these tickets my daughter would love to go! She loves all princesses!

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your tickets.

And remember everyone, you can still get a discount on your Disney on Ice tickets by using code: MOM at ticketmaster.

Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (Valid Monday-Thursday and Friday Matinees, excluding holidays) and save $4 on all weekend shows by logging onto http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and entering the coupon code: MOM.

United Center in Chicago January 20-31

Allstate Arena in Rosemont February 2-7

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

2010-01-24T22:21:00.005-06:00

*****I forgot to write that I'd choose the 2 winners on Friday, Jan. 29th*****

Tango (Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog's friend) along with fire safety items from Firefighter Dayna and First Alert.

I know a lot of my readers have young children. Did you know that the very young (those under five) have a much greater risk of fire related deaths than other children? The group accounts for 11% of fire-related deaths~ the highest population for any age group (United States Fire Administration is the source). Scary, isn't it?

Firefighter Dayna Hilton has written a fire safety book for children and my readers will have the opportunity to win a special edition copy of the book and audio book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. These limited edition copies will be signed by Author Firefighter Dayna Hilton and her son, Michael, who is also featured in the book. In addition, copies of the book will be “pawed” by Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog!

Firefighter and nationally recognized fire safety expert, Dayna Hilton, known as “Firefighter Dayna” to millions of children and their caregivers, is the author of this critically acclaimed award-winning children’s book. The book has been credited with saving several lives. Inspired by her work as a firefighter and her four-legged friend, Sparkles, Firefighter Dayna created a heart-warming story about Sparkles. As children learn of the adventures of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, they learn valuable fire safety tips enabling them and their families to keep fire safe. These tips include recognizing the firefighter as a helper and a friend, knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm, learning how to crawl low under smoke, and understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map.

Two winners will each also receive several life saving products from Firefighter Dayna and First Alert, including a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, Tundra™ Fire Extinguishing Spray and escape ladder. This prize package is worth over $100! To enter the contest, simply share what you do to help keep you and your family fire safe. And check out Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog's website for more helpful information, tips, videos, activity sheet, and photos HERE!

Let's Celebrate!

2010-01-22T13:00:00.005-06:00

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! It’s one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends! Enjoy a winter wonderland with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, a Halloween haunt with the Disney Villains, a Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses, including the newest Disney Princess Tiana; a Very Merry Unbirthday Party, and more in a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivals from around the globe. Come join the party when this spectacular ice show visits your hometown!

Disney on Ice is here in Chicago now!

United Center in Chicago January 20-31

Allstate Arena in Rosemont February 2-7

I'm so excited to go to this show! I really, really enjoyed the last Disney on Ice show I attended and this one looks even more spectacular, if that's possible. I can't wait to take pictures for my blog! Hope to see you there! And here, to make it easy on your pocketbooks, is a discount code for you!

Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (Valid Monday-Thursday and Friday Matinees, excluding holidays) and save $4 on all weekend shows by logging onto http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and entering the coupon code: MOM.

Want to win a 4 pack of tickets to the Feb. 2, 7:00 show at the Allstate Arena? Leave me a comment here with your favorite Disney character and I'll choose a random winner on Wednesday, January 27. Before leaving a comment, check your calendar and make sure you'll be in Chicagoland and can make the show on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00. Good luck!

Suave Winners

2010-01-17T22:37:00.003-06:00

Here are the winners of the Suave goody bags o' products!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
91
117

91kckarla said...
Just yesterday I was trying to tell my boyfriend that Suave products are great. I said that he could save a bundle of money and get the same quality of some of the high end product lines if he would give it a try. I just love Suave products.

117Tracy said...
I love Suave, I have been using their lavendar vanilla since I first found it. Doesn't everyone buy by smell first?

Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping addresses so I can mail these out to you as soon as possible.

And for those of you looking to try out new styles, check out celebrity stylist, Luke O'Connor's suggestions for recreating the glamorous hairstyles from Hollywood's leading ladies at the 2010 Golden Globes!

THE LOOK: Old Hollywood Glam Waves
Glam waves are always a hit on the red carpet, but Penelope Cruz took them to the next level with old Hollywood flair.
To re-create at home:
* Wash and condition hair with Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner.
* Apply Suave Professionals Extra Hold Styling Foam to towel dried hair to create body.
* Take a dime size amount of Suave Professionals Extra Hold Gel and apply along the hairline.
* Part hair on the side and blowdry the top back and over to the side, leaving the remaining hair slick to the head.
* Take a 1.25-inch curling iron and spiral wrap two-inch sections to create large waves throughout the whole head of hair.
* For the structured wave off the face, take the front hair and wrap forward around the curling iron to give lift on top, keeping the hair off of the face.
* Seal hair in place with Suave Professionals Freeze Hold Hairspray.

THE LOOK: Volumninous Tuck
Tina Fey’s witty banter and comedic comments weren’t the only reasons people turned heads towards her on the red carpet. Her hair spoke volumes about her red carpet fashion.
To re-create at home:
* Use Suave Professionals Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner in the shower.
* Apply Suave Professionals Volumizing Root Lifter Spray Gel to the roots on towel-dried hair.
* Blowdry the hair smooth and straight.
* Use a medium round brush to achieve side swept bangs.
* Back comb (tease) a three-quarter to one-inch base over the whole head to create added volume.
* Gather the hair into a center ponytail two to three inches below the crown and secure with an elastic band.
* Tease the ponytail wide and spread out as much as possible. Then, lightly brush the surface of the hair to smooth out.
* Spray the hair with Suave Professionals Extra Hold Hairspray.
* Gather the ends and pull under to the base of the elastic and pin to secure.

THE LOOK: Classic French Twist
A winner both on screen and on the red carpet, Drew Barrymore stunned with her gorgeous and clean French twist.
To re-create at home:
* Shampoo and condition hair with the Suave Professionals Sleek line.
* Apply a dime size amount of Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream and comb through the hair. Create a high side part and blowdry hair smooth and straight.
* Take a dime size amount of Suave Extra Hold Styling Gel and run it through the dry hair for extra hold and shine.
* Brush both sides of the hair back to the low center. Start twisting the hair, holding close to the head and lift as it twists. Use hairpins to pin at the seam of the hair.
* Tuck the exposed hair tips back into the center of the twist.
* Finish the look with Suave Professionals Freeze Hold Hairspray.

LUKE O’CONNOR CELEBRITY HAIR-STYLIST
Luke O’Connor is owner of the exclusive LuKaRo Salon in Beverly Hills and is a consultant/spokesperson for Suave.Luke was responsible for creating Debra Messing’s lovely locks every week on the set of NBC’s Will & Grace for which he was nominated for an Emmy and won the most coveted, namesake award at the Hair and Make-Up Guild. Luke’s other celebrity clients include Jena Elfman, Julia Louis-Dryfus, Blake Lively, Becky Newton, Diane Keaton, Ashlee Simpson, Brooke Shields and Lucy Liu.

LuKaRo, which opened in 1992, is named after Luke and his wife, Rona, a color specialist. Beyond extraordinary talent, the salon is noted for its warmth and lack of pretentiousness. Born into a family that left Italy to open up hair salons in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Luke is dedicated to expanding his talent and creativity to provide women with the most up-to-date hair care services and more importantly, advice.

Suave's New Year, New 'Do Party

2010-01-10T23:55:00.003-06:00

Suave hired a hair stylist and sent me shampoo, conditioner and styling products so I could check them out. I had a few friends over for a "Ahhh, The Holidays Are Over And It's Time To Rest And Be Pampered" party. We had a ton of fun (as you can see from the pictures and videos). And I'm in love with Suave's new Almond and Shea Butter moisturizing shampoo and conditioner! It's smells good and I'm one of those weird people who buys shampoo, lotion, body wash, etc. based solely on smell. If I like the way it smells, I'll get it. If I don't, forget it. This shampoo not only smells good, but it leaves your hair totally soft and shiny.

Suave also has a new Aloe Vera & Ginseng volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and a Rosemary Mint invigorating clean shampoo and conditioner. I tried the Rosemary Mint ones and loved them too. They remind me of Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo. It's a really refreshing shampoo and helps wake me up when I use it in the morning.

And Brooklyn got her very first hair cut (not counting the one Clay gave her) Friday night at my Suave party! Check out the pictures!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

And, for my readers, I have 2 bags full of Suave goodies to give away! Each bag contains the same products my guests received - a bottle of shampoo and conditioner in each of the 3 new fragrances/formulas! Plus Volumizing Spray Gel, Healthy Curls Mousse, my personal fave, Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream, and Weather Protection 365 Hairspray. Everyone at my party raved about the hairspray!
Leave me a comment here and I'll choose 2 random winners on Friday, January 15. Contest open to U.S. residents.

*Suave did provide me with a hairstylist, hair products, and refreshments. I was not paid to write about my experiences. I always give my honest opinion about products.

Sony Reader Winner

2009-12-19T23:43:00.002-06:00

Thank you to everyone who left a comment about a literary moment that moved you. I enjoyed reading all the comments. In fact, some of your comments moved me! And I've acquired a nice "must read" list from you as well. Thank you! But alas, I could only choose one comment to win the Sony Reader. So, without further ado, here is the winner of the Sony Reader...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:359

Shannon said...
I love to read, but now that I have kids most of my reading is to them. One of my favorite books that is written as a kids book but touches a parents heart is "Let Me Hold You Longer." By Karen Kingsbury. It talks about how as parents we make such a big deal about "First's" but how "last" events go unnoticed, the last bottle, last time you carry your child, the last time you have to give them kisses in the night, etc. It's a serious tear-jerker. I love it!

Congratulations! Please email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping address so I can send you your Sony Reader! I hope you enjoy it!

Kraft Winners

2009-12-17T01:42:00.002-06:00

The winners of the Kraft basket o' goodies are.......

April M said...
I would be thrilled to see Kraft provide more gluten free recipes. Some of their products are naturally gluten free and it would be great to find some easy recipes for those of us who can't eat gluten (wheat, barley and rye).

Cropaddict said...
I love how they are so helpful on the facebook page answering questions. I also like the ease of getting to the recipes on the website.

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping address so I can make sure these are sent out to you right away.

And thank you to everyone for your helpful feedback and suggestions!

Words Move Me

2009-12-14T22:48:00.003-06:00

Words Move Me. That's the name of Sony's new literature community - WordsMoveMe.com. There, you can share with others your favorite pieces of literature and what impact they had on you; how they moved you. I was all set to share some of my favorite parts of classic books, but when I tried to recall specific works that moved me, my mind went blank. Gone were the discussions about books I'd read in high school, Farenheit 451, The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, Romeo and Juliet, To Kill a Mockingbird, and A Tale of Two Cities. I couldn't begin to tell you what The Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men was about. (Hey, I have 6 kids and they really have drained my memory stores.)

I did, however come up with a few quotes that have stuck with me. Yes, they're mostly from humor books. What can I say? I like to laugh. I don't like to read anything too deep or anything that takes too much brain power. I like light, quick reads, romances, and humor these days. I mean, when you have to put the book down 4000 times (during the first paragraph alone) to fill sippy cups, pick kids up from kindergarten, break up fights over crayons, and clean up spilled apple juice, you don't want to have to go back through a tutorial on who's who and what's going just to pick up where you left off.

Oh, who am I kidding? I mostly just read classics like One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie these days.

Ready for the really cool part? I have one Sony Reader Pocket Edition ($199.99 value) to give away to one lucky reader. I like actual books. I like the smell of books. I like the feel of them. I like to turn the pages one by one. I don't think anything will ever replace that, but I have to admit, this thing is pretty cool. It's small like a cell phone, but it holds up to 350 books! This would be awesome for travel, commuting, or just for around the house. Whenever I pick up my kids from school, I sit there in the parking lot, playing solitaire on my phone while I wait for them to come out. How great would it be to pull out this Sony Reader and dive into a good book?

To enter the contest, leave me a comment here with a literary moment that moved you and why. Did it make you think, smile, laugh, cry? Did it make you angry, happy, sad? Tell me about it and I'll choose a winner from your comments on Friday, December 18. And check out WordsMoveMe.com to see what others have to say about words that have moved them. You might even get some good ideas for books to read!

Contest open to U.S. residents. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning are not increased by a purchase.

* Sony has empowered me to participate in this campaign and I have been compensated with a Sony Reader Pocket Edition.

It's a Jungle in Here!

2009-12-14T22:47:00.008-06:00

How to keep your kids' brains from turning to mush (and retain your sanity) during winter break...

1. Take trips to the library to get books for your children of all ages. Keep them interested and learning even when they're not in school. Quiet reading time is a great way to help kids settle down and get ready for bed in the evening.

2. Family movie night! Rent or check out from your local library, a new movie or an old classic to watch together as a family. Make some popcorn, sit back and enjoy!

3. Play a game together! There are a bazillion fun board games out there. Have a Monopoly, Clue, Taboo, or Pictureka night! If you don't like board games, try your hand at Rock Band for Wii, PlayStation or XBox. For younger kids, check out VTech's V Motion for video game fun!

4. Keep active! There's nothing worse than a bunch of kids stuck indoors because the weather outside is frightful. Load up the kids and take them to the bowling alley, the skating rink, indoor rock climbing, or an indoor play place.

Younger kids can keep active with VTech's new line of Jungle Gym toys. You may have seen them in stores while Christmas shopping. These are awesome and I wish they made them for older kids as well. Think about it - this time of year when the kids are cooped up inside because it's too cold and snowy to go out and play (unless you're fortunate enough to live in a land of sunshine), kids can make you bonkers. They need an outlet for their boundless energy or they'll explode. VTech's Jungle Gym toys are perfect for that! Your ~~little ball of energy~~ toddler can pedal away on the Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike and not only will he expend some energy, but he'll get healthy exercise too. And because this is not just a bike, but a learning toy, he'll have fun learning letters and counting animals while he does it.

VTech gave me a huge box of Jungle Gym toys to donate to my church's nursery. I brought them in 2 weeks ago and the kids in the nursery had a blast playing with them. I wanted to take pictures to show you, but of course, I forgot my camera. Ugh. Then, last week I set my camera out so I wouldn't forget it. I overslept and missed church altogether. Grrr. So, you'll just have to take my word for it that toddlers love these toys! Toddlers are, by definition, active, and these Jungle Gym toys combine physical activity, learning, and fun. You just can't beat that combination.

In addition to the Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike, there's an adorable Bouncing Colors Turtle, a Monkey Moves Smart Seat, and Twist and Learn Gorilla Pals that will keep your little ones, interested, engaged, learning, exercising, and having fun while doing it! You can check out the whole line of Jungle Gym toys HERE. And if you're on Facebook, you have to check out VTech's fan page HERE! There, you can find information about deals, giveaways, and sales on the latest VTech toys!

You can check in with the other VTech Voices (MommyMandy, the VTech Mom, Pilar Clark) to get their tips on how to survive the holidays too.

* I am being compensated for working with VTech on some promotions and did receive Jungle Gym toys to donate to my church, however, as always, I only give my honest opinions on products I review.

A Tisket, A Tasket, A Kraft Goody Basket

2009-12-10T14:06:00.004-06:00

Do you see all the goodies in this basket? Mmmm marshmallows! And marshmallows are fat-free, you know, so you can eat ~~an entire bag~~ a lot of them without feeling too guilty.

OK, for those of you who saw how I cook a turkey (SEE HERE), you know that I can use all the help I can get when it comes to holiday entertaining. Kraft to the rescue! They've relaunched their Facebook fan page, an interactive place to share recipes and tips with other folks. You can find exclusive Kraft recipes, holiday ideas, and even scheduled Facebook chats with the experts from the Kraft kitchens! You can find their Facebook page HERE.

Not a fan of Facebook? No problem. Kraft also has a YouTube channel! This is perfect for us visual learners who would rather see a video demonstration than just read a recipe. You can find their YouTube channel HERE.

Don't have time for that? Still no problem. You can just follow Kraft on Twitter for the latest recipes and ideas! You can find their Twitter page HERE.

Sooo, check them out and let me know what you're most interested in hearing about. Want more recipes? More how-to's on the YouTube channel? More coupons, easy dinner recipes, kid pleasing faves? What do you LIKE about the pages? What do you not like? Let me know in the comments section here. I'll choose 2 random winners from the comments on Wednesday, December 16 and they'll each receive a gift basket full of the following goodies...

* 4 delicious holiday recipes from the Kraft Foods Kitchens
* a Zak Designs garlic peeler
* an HA Mack olivewood mixing spoon
* NEW Velveeta Rotini and Cheese Whole Grain
* Planters cocktail peanuts
* Planters pecans
* Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate
* Stove Top,
* Honey Maid cinnamon crackers
* Jet Puffed marshmallows
* Oreos,
* Kraft salad dressing
* NEW Maxwell House Blend coffee
* NEW Ritz Brown Sugar Cinnamon crackers
* NEW Wheat Thins Flatbread crackers

Oh yeah! And don't forget to click HERE and send our your FREE holiday greeting ecards! For every greeting you send, Kraft will donate 10 meals to Feeding America!

*I did not receive any compensation or products for this post.

Band-Aid & Neo To Go Winners

2009-07-10T14:44:00.004-05:00

Here are the random winners of the waterproof Band-Aids/NeoTo Go sets! Thank to you everyone who left a comment!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

51
98
35
12
8

51Anonymous said... Would love to try the Neosporin spray! And one can never have too many Band-aids!! SPepper22

98 Kymy K said...
Now that my twins are 2 & it's summer I have been meaning to get something like this for the car. Too bad every time I stop in the band-aid isle they start screaming at each other, me & any passersby because the cart stopped & I say screw it!

35 The Bear and The Bug said...
Would so love to win these! My daughter calls Band-Aids "boo boos." I think we used half a box the other day on my son's invisible boo boos.

12 Tina said...
I have 4 kids in the 4 and under age range. Read: bandaids are still magical healers in my house! Thanks for the opportunity!

8 The Cohen's said...
Nice, what mom doesn't need this for their toddlers and older kids?! :)

Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping address. :)

I Am Stuck on Band-Aid...

2009-07-07T00:10:00.006-05:00

I remember, back when I only had 2 or 3 kids, taking them to the doctor for their check-ups. As they sat there, their little legs dangling over the side of the table, I noticed their shins were covered in bruises and scrapes. "Great, the doctor is going to think I beat you guys," I remember muttering to myself. Instead, the doctor came in and reassured me they were normal. He went on to tell me it was the kids with no bruises on their legs that he worried about because they likely sat around watching tv all day instead of going outside to play and get scrapes.

So, I'm here to tell you that scrapes and scratches are part of childhood. When you have ~~stupid~~ adventurous kids like mine, bruises and scrapes abound! See exhibit A...

That's why I always have a supply of Band-Aids on hand. They come in handy when my older boys think up idiotic things to try and they're invaluable when the little kids come to me with invisible owies that need Band-Aids. Somehow, putting a Sponge Bob Band-Aid on a tiny microscopic scratch makes it all better! Not to mention, the time I use the Band-Aids on actual cuts and scrapes that need covered. And especially during the summer, when the kids are out getting dirty every day, their owies definitely need to be covered. Seriously, it amazes me how dirty my kids get in the summer. I think they're getting tan until they take a shower and their "tans" wash off.

Band-Aid has a new product that is waterproof (a MUST when you spend several days a week at the pool!) and has antibiotic ointment right on the pad. These help prevent infection and heal boo-boos faster than regular bandages.

Another product I have to keep on hand especially in the summer, is Neo To Go. It's a small spray container of Neosporin that's convenient to take along in your purse, diaper bag, or tote bag of necessities for the beach, pool, zoo, park, etc. My kids love it because it doesn't sting. I love it because, when we're out and the kids get hurt, there isn't always soap and water around, and this kills germs to help prevent infection.

Johnson & Johnson has 5 sets of waterproof Band-Aids plus antibiotic ointment AND Neo To Go to give away to 5 readers. Just leave me a comment here and I'll choose 5 random winners on Thursday, July 9. Contest open to U.S. residents only. You must check back here Friday to see if you won and you have 3 days to email me with your shipping address. Good luck!

Baby Einstein Winner!

2009-06-25T00:54:00.002-05:00

The winner of the Baby Einstein products is...

Number 86!

86 The Mommy said...
Baby #4 (referred to as the Little One on my blog - and as the Last One by my DH) would certainly appreciate this!

Congratulations! Please email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping address. Thank you to everyone for checking out these cool DVDs and toys from Baby Einstein!

Attention Fans of Lands' End

2009-06-22T22:56:00.005-05:00

I've done several giveaways for Lands' End because I really love their products and enjoy passing them onto my readers. Now I'm letting you know that Lands' End is on Facebook! You can become a fan HERE.

Click the link now. I'll wait. Really, you need to become a fan right away because Lands' End will be counting down the days (June 30th to July 4th) to the 4th of July with special giveaways. All you have to do is become a Lands’ End Facebook Fan and then you can enter the contest via an entry form on Lands’ End’s wall. Each day Lands’ End will randomly select fans to win great summer items.

Day 1: Vertical Stripe Rugby Towel

Day 2: Stadium Blanket

Day 3: Soft Side Cooler

Day 4: American Flag

Day 5: Open Top Natural Tote with American Flag Embroidery

Baby Einstein

2009-06-20T22:47:00.003-05:00

As some of you might recall, I got to visit the Baby Einstein headquarters in CA this past winter. I learned about the Baby Einstein DVDs and toys and how the company was started by a stay-at-home mom in her basement. (I love that part!)

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the Baby Einstein videos and have probably enjoyed them with your little ones and/or put baby in front of one so you could take 20 minutes to shower and change the clothes you've been wearing for 2 and 1/2 days. But did you know that some Baby Einstein videos now include a "Grow with Your Baby" feature. The Grow with Me mode offers a second viewing option on the same DVD. It contains spoken words and additional content to entertain toddlers and prolong the life of the DVD.

It also features the new "Select a Segment" option which gives parents the choice of viewing shorter segments of the DVD. You know, when it's almost bedtime and the kids are begging for a video. You want them to be able to sit down, settle down, and enjoy their DVD, but you don't want them staying up to finish the whole thing. This is perfect! Just play a segment for them! They get to enjoy their video and you get to say, "All done! Time for bed!" without them saying, "Huh uh, it's not done. See? There's still more, Mommy!"

These new features are both included on Baby Einstein's World Music DVD. The World Music DVD introduces your little one to the beautiful sounds of music and different cultures from around the world. From the African djembe to a Celtic harp from Ireland, you and your baby will delight in the sounds and rhythms of Baby Einstein's World Music.

And I have a Baby Einstein care package to give away to one random winner! It includes the World Music DVD, a Sweet Dreams Mimi board book, a Playtex sippy cup, a Playtex divided dish (both featuring Baby Einstein designs), and a Baby Einstein Teeth and Tug Pal. Just leave me a comment here and I'll choose a random winner on Wednesday, June, 24. Good luck!

Whimsy Rings

2009-06-02T22:33:00.005-05:00

I have a love of jewelry. I especially like unique pieces like the vintage button ring my friend Lotta gave me at BlogHer last year. Check them out HERE. And, of course, the macaroni necklaces my kids have made me over the years. And I adore these rings from Whimsy Worldwide. These rings are so unique and fun! They showcase the totally popular, collectible Trollbeads, Pandora and Chamilia glass beads. You can change the beads to match your outfit or mood. If you have a Pandora (or similar) bracelet, you already have an array of beads that fit into this ring. You can have fun switching them whenever the mood strikes! If you don't, you'll soon fall in love with collecting these beads and showing them off on your Whimsy ring!

I do think these rings are on the pricey side ($125 - $399), but the fact that you can change the bead makes it versatile so it's like you're getting more than one piece of jewelry.

At first I was a little afraid to try and open the ring to switch beads because I didn't want to break it, but they're amazingly strong and durable. And they're made of 100% reclaimed sterling silver and 14 karat gold. Reclaimed meaning there's post industrial waste, just dormant metals and gems. This was a conscious decision by ring designer, R. Craig Whitten in an effort to help counter the effects of the top toxic polluter in the U.S., the mining industry.

You can shop online HERE or click HERE to find a retailer near you.

Suave Winners

2009-05-22T10:06:00.002-05:00

Here are the winners of the Suave haircare products!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

78
1
48

78Jennie in Ohio said...
oh oh pick me pick me :)

1 thoughts and ramblings said...
Am I first?? woot woot!pick me, pick me!

48 Winona said...
Love love LOVE Suave hair care products - I used my Suave volumizing shampoo this morning!

Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping information. :) Thank you to everyone for commenting!

T-Mobile Mom to Mom Quiz

2009-05-19T22:44:00.001-05:00

We actually used T-Mobile for our family plan for Joe, Austin, Savannah and me until I recently got my iPhone. Now I have a separate "work account" for my iPhone, but Joe, Savannah & Austin still use T-Mobile. I've never had a problem with T-Mobile's service and every time I've had to contact them for any reason, I've gotten a courteous, actual English-speaking person on the phone without having to navigate an automated voice system for an hour and a half. Sooo, when T-Mobile commissioned me to take this quiz and pass the results on to you, I happily agreed.

Then again, I love taking these kind of quizzes. I had fun with it! And I wasn't surprised at all about the results. The question/answer that cracked me up the most said something like this...
Your son tells you he's embarrassed to be seen with you picking him up from the theater, you....
(I chose the option that read), "Hang out the window, waving and calling to him and his friends while blasting The Jonas Brothers." Hee hee!

You can click the following link to take the quick 10 question quiz and find out your parenting style.

T-Mobile Mom to Mom Quiz: "

Take the fun, Mom to Mom quiz and discover your parenting style.

V-8 V-Fusion Winner

2009-05-19T00:22:00.002-05:00

And the winner of the case of V-8 V-Fusion juice and the LL Bean tote bag is......(drumroll).......

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:247
Timestamp: 2009-05-19 05:21:42 UTC

247Laurie said...
We absolutely love V-8 Fusion!!
May 18, 2009 9:05 AM

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping address. Thank you to everyone for leaving a comment!

Easy Summer Hair with Suave

2009-05-17T15:41:00.006-05:00

I had the chance to meet celebrity hairstylist, Luke O'Connor back in October at the Suave Glamor Reel Moments. He cut and styled my hair (and the hair of my fellow blogger moms) and he gave us tips for creating easy, yet gorgeous styles. And because he used all Suave products (my personal favorite is the Sleek line), I was able to recreate my style without breaking my budget.

Here are some of Luke's tips for easy, beautiful hair for those special summer events like weddings, dinners out, and BBQ get-togethers...

Get Salon Gorgeous this Summer Sans the Salon Price Tag

While we may not all have Hollywood budgets, you can still look like you do! Suave® Professionals® offers salon-quality products that help you create your desired ‘dos at affordable prices.

(Luke O'Connor and me)

The Look: Stunning and Simple Side Bun
Take your regular bun from blah to WOW with a chic side bun, a popular red carpet look. It's easy to achieve this classy, modern take on the Hollywood tradition that will have your style turning heads wherever you go.

To re-create at home:
· For smooth and frizz-free locks, prep hair with Suave Professionals Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner.
· Next, give hair body and control by applying Suave Professionals Extra Hold Styling Foam to damp hair.
· Gather the top layer of hair and pin up at the crown. Blow-dry the rest of hair in sections using a medium round brush to lock in volume. Unpin hair at the crown and blow dry in 1 inch sections using the round brush.
· Blow dry bangs by rolling the hair around the brush away from the face and directed to the side for swooping bangs. Keep side-swept bangs locked in place with Suave Professionals Extra Hold Gel.
· Next, take a 1.5 inch curling iron to curl the large sections of hair.
· Finally, gather hair into a pony tail and loosely twist down to create a low chignon off to the side. Secure with pins and let loose pieces fall naturally for a look that's effortlessly chic.

The Look: Glamour Curls on Cue
Everyone loves the look of loose, gorgeous curls. Structured curls with a middle part gives the look a modern edge – and you can make it happen in the comfort of your own home.

To re-create at home:
· Stock your shower with Suave Humectant Shampoo and Conditioner so curls will have added shine and brightness.
· Next, apply Suave Professionals Extra Hold Styling Foam to damp hair to give body and control. Be sure to blow dry hair upside down to achieve maximum volume.
· Once hair is completely dry, flip back up and create a center part. Take 1 to 1.5 inch sections of hair and spiral wrap around a 1 to 1.25 inch curling iron to create neat curls.
· For superior style and control, lock in the look with Suave Professionals Freeze Hold Hairspray.

The Look: The Half-Up for 100% Style
A fun look that gives the best of both worlds, try wearing your hair half-up. This method is a sophisticated update to the traditional look, giving hair a gorgeous volume.

To re-create at home:
· Use Suave Damage Care Shampoo and Conditioner in the shower to condition, revitalize and protect hair from over-processing.
· Take the top section of hair and blow dry back with a medium round brush.
· Then, pull bangs forward with the round brush and point blow-dryer at hair from underneath, curling bangs up with the brush. Part hair on the side. Blow dry the rest of hair until dry and then curl with a one-inch curling iron (for looser curls, use a larger curling iron).
· Next, tease the crown of the hair with a comb, using a downward motion to create beautiful volume on top. Smooth teased crown with a comb and secure this section of hair in the back with bobby pins or sparkly barrette for a little extra glam. Use Suave Professionals Freeze Hold Hairspray to keep hair in place all night.

And for my readers, I have 3 sets of Suave products to give away to 3 readers. Each set includes a bottle of Suave shampoo, Suave conditioner, and a styling aid. Just leave me a comment here and I'll choose 3 random winners on Wednesday, May 20.

Lands' End Winner & Free Shipping

2009-05-17T14:08:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry I forgot to post the recipient of the $100 Lands' End gift card on Friday when I randomly picked a winner. Without further ado...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:255

255 Mom of Army Brats. said...
love the slenderizer swimsuits, when I finally have this baby I will need it!
May 13, 2009 10:16 AM

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com to claim your prize. :) Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my blog and leave me comments!

Lands' End is launching "The Island", a virtual island getaway. Amidst the backdrop of a private island paradise, you can scroll through the multiple Lands’ End swimwear collections (including our Swimwear That Slims, high-performance Aquaterra Separates, Beach Living Separates and Resort collections) in a fun and highly-interactive format . Also, all your finds can be easily shared with friends and family through built-in share tools for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Digg and email.

Also, since a real island is definitely better than a virtual island, Lands’ End has launched a sweepstakes offering a trip for four to Barbados. Visitors can enter daily for a chance to win HERE ending midnight (CST) on May 31, 2009. The prize package also includes a Lands’ End Swimwear package for four, round-trip airfare and transportation, and meals.

And finally, right now, everyone can get free shipping on their entire order through May 25 by visiting Lands' End and entering the following at checkout:

Promo code: ISLAND
Pin number: 5262

I Coulda Had a V-8!

2009-05-12T14:20:00.002-05:00

When I was at the Campbell's headquarters a couple months ago, they served us a delicious breakfast. Along with the yummy food, they had a variety of drinks out for us to try. I looked at the V-8 V-Fusion and thought, "Ewww! There's just something so wrong about drinking vegetables!" Another blogger overheard me and insisted it didn't taste like veggies, so I gave it a try. I LOVED it! I mean, really LOVED it! I tried the pomegranate blueberry flavor and it was so good! It doesn't taste even a little bit like vegetables! I was so surprised. I mean, I don't like tomato soup. I don't like tomato juice (not even with vodka). Yuck! But this stuff is GOOD!

Later in the day, we were able to taste test all the flavors of V-Fusion and they were really de-lish! The coolest part is that each 8 ounce glass has a full serving of fruits and a full serving of vegetables! So, if you have kids like mine, this is great news! Brooklyn ate a tablespoon of peanut butter and a jelly bean she found in the couch, for lunch yesterday (don't ask). Needless to say, although her diet is high in sugar, ketchup, and chocolate, it's somewhat lacking in actual food and nutrients. But, she loves juice! So I know if she drinks a glass of V-Fusion, she'll get 2 servings from the fruit and vegetable group and that makes me feel good! Plus V-Fusion doesn't have artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. Now that's something any mom can feel good about!

Since my Campbell's trip, I've been buying V-Fusion regularly for my kids (and me). This is a product I feel really good about giving to my kids and I try to keep it on hand. Try it for yourselves with this $1 off coupon HERE!

For my readers, Campbell's is offering a case of the new V8 V-Fusion® 100% juice varieties and an embroidered V8 V-Fusion® L.L. Bean tote and boat bag, a retail value of: $75.00. Just leave me a comment here and I'll choose a random winner on Monday, May, 18. Good luck!

Lands' End Swimsuits!

2009-05-09T16:52:00.006-05:00

Well, ladies, it's that time of year again. Time to dig out the ole swimsuit and see if it still fits. And if it fits, you have to make sure the elastic is still intact. There's nothing worse than putting on a bathing suit only to have the elastic disintegrate into a poof of dust as you stretch it over your hips. Not that that's ever happened to me or anything. Oh yeah, and it's also a good idea to check for areas that have become transparent and/or pilled from sitting on cement pool steps while watching the little kids dog paddle back and forth under the hand rail. Of course, if you have a Lands' End swimsuit, you won't have to worry about disintegrating elastic or thin areas of fabric because their suits last and look gorgeous year after year!

Because I'm abnormally pear-shaped, I have a really hard time finding suits that fit me. One of the big reasons why I love, love, LOVE Lands' End suits is because they have such a wide selection of separates so I can get different sizes to fit my top and bottom. Lands' End swimsuits come in a huge selection of styles and sizes. They've got everything: Slender Suits designed to flatter a variety of body shapes and make you appear slimmer, Mix and Match Separates (perfect for pear shaped people!), one pieces, tankinis, swim shorts, swim skirts, mastectomy suits, cover-ups, bikinis, custom suits, and more! They even have swim tops with underwire that hold "the girls" up where they belong so those of us who have nursed half a dozen kids don't have to tuck our boobs into our shorts. They seriously have something for everyone.

Since Lands' End first sent me a swimsuit to review last year, I've been a happy, loyal Lands' End customer. Their clothes are high quality and last forever. You'll be able to wear your Lands' End swimsuit for many, many seasons! Need help finding the most flattering suit for your body type? Lands' End has a YouTube channel with videos addressing your concerns. Check it out here!

And for my most awesome readers, Lands' End is offering a $100 gift card to one lucky winner so you'll be able to hit the beach in style and with confidence. Just leave me a comment here and I'll choose a winner on Friday, May 15 at midnight CT. Good luck and in the meantime, check out the Lands' End catalog HERE and pick out your favorite swimsuit!

Peek Winners

2009-03-28T13:00:00.002-05:00

Here are the 2 random winners of the Peeks!

144 Stephycce said...
Ohh I'd love that!!All my friends are big on texting and I can't afford to add it to my already cheap prepaid phone LOL.And checking email away from home would be great to help with the 50 emails from the school LOL.Stephy

71 Dawn said...
I would LOVE to try out the Peek. My husband and I have been talking about upgrading our phones and getting internet/e-mail capabilities on them. I think having the Peek would be nice b/c I am not tied to any contract. Plus, I think getting a peek at a $50 price is cheaper then upgrading my current phone to something like a blackberry and paying for the additional internet charge.

Congratulations! Email me at mom2my6pack@aol.com with your shipping address by Tuesday. :)

Peek-a-Boo

2009-03-24T02:07:00.001-05:00

This past month, I've been able to check out and play with Peek. What's Peek, you ask? Well, let me tell you. It looks kinda like a phone. But it isn't. It's this nifty new device that lets you email and text. The cool thing about Peek is there is no contract to sign. You don't have to commit to a 2 year (or any length!) contract. With Peek, you get unlimited email and texting for only $20 a month! And the device itself sells for $50.

When I first considered trying out Peek, I couldn't figure out who it would appeal to. I mean, the people who can't go a few hours without checking their email or texting friends probably already carry a Blackberry or iPhone or some similarly equipped phone, right? So what other people would like to be able to email and text without the telephone option? Then I looked at my daughter who was texting me from 5 feet away. Bingo!

Plus, I think this is a great option for those who don't want to commit to a contract where they're locked in for any length of time. Peek is really user friendly; it's very simple to figure out, which would appeal to anyone who doesn't want to mess around with a complicated smart phone. It may even work well for those who do have a phone (prepaid perhaps) and don't want to upgrade to a smart phone, but would like the option of checking email. For $20 a month, you can have unlimited email and texting in addition to any phone plan you may already have.

So, how does it work? Well, when you're out and about, you can read and respond to email. When you get back home and log on, your mail will still be in your inbox. I happen to like this because I can go through my mail and double-check that I'm not missing anything. I talked to some friends who really didn't like that, however. They said they didn't want to return to their computer only to see a full box of mail. They'd like mail that's been opened with Peek, to disappear from their inbox. I will admit that I use AOL and I'm not certain it works this way with every browser, but it's something to think about.

I personally think that Peek is a little slow. It takes time for messages to show up after you click on them and it only goes out for mail every 5 minutes or so. I'm used to my Blackberry which is super-fast, so the slowness of Peek irritated me. Today, however, Peek is coming out with an upgraded version called Peek Pronto and as the name suggests, it's supposed to be a faster version of Peek with more options and capabilities.

Because I'm used to a different device, it was strange typing on the Peek, however it does have a full qwerty keyboard and the keys are raised and spaced nicely so I think most people would have no problems. It features a jog-dial on the right side which makes navigating through your email easy. The display is also nice. It's large, well-lit, and the text is easy to read. The unit itself reminded me of a very slim calculator. It's roughly the size of my Blackberry, but it's thinner. I wasn't overly impressed with the battery though. I had to charge it almost every day (more often than my phone).

Overall, I think Peek is a nifty gadget that works well, but it isn't for everyone. If you want to simply email and text, and you don't want any contracts, then check out Peek. It's an ideal solution for you. If you're going to be going on vacation and don't have a laptop (or don't want to drag one with you), Peek would be a great device to have in order to keep up with your mail while you're away. When you return from vacation, you can just stop using it and, more importantly, paying for it, if you want. If you want phone capabilities, Peek is probably not for you. If you want to be able to check your Facebook, surf the web, and blog, then Peek is not the device for you.

Want a chance to try out a Peek? I have 2 cherry red Peeks to give away to 2 readers! Leave me a comment here and tell me how you think Peek would fit into your life and I'll choose 2 random winners on Friday!

Soap Winners

2009-02-28T18:01:00.002-06:00

Here are the winners of the Goat's Milk Soap...

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
13
259
100
Timestamp: 2009-03-01 00:01:29 UTC

Those comments came from:

13 -T- (I Have One of Those Lives) said...
Sounds awesome! I'd love to win a bar!

259 bjtstl said...
This soap looks yummy! (but I promise not to eat it if I win)

100 Mike, Adrienne and Lincoln said...
I would love to try this! It sounds wonderful!

Congratulations! Please email me at Mom2My6Pack@aol.com by Monday night with your choice of soap and shipping address.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment! :)

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

2009-02-24T13:26:00.002-06:00

PJ is a homeschooling mom of 8 who lives a simple life on several acres of land where they keep gardens and dairy goats. Each family member is involved in making goat's milk soap (Well, except the baby.) Everyone has a job to do from milking the herd of Alpine goats, to mixing ingredients, making the soap, cutting them into thick, chunky bars, and stacking them to cure. You can read about them HERE and HERE.

They sell thick (6 oz.!) bars of their soap in a ton of different fragrances like coconut (my favorite smell on earth!), black raspberry, clean cotton, Fiji Island (YUM!), lavender, oatmeal milk & honey, and many, many more! As PJ says, "when people come to visit us, I can't guarantee my house will be clean, but I know it will smell good!" I can imagine how yummy her house smells because my house smelled great just from one bar of soap!

They have a soap for everyone, including those who want an organic castile soap, unscented soaps, and even loofah soaps!

I'd never used any kind of goat's milk soap before and I was surprised at how much the bar lathered. I don't know why, but I didn't really think it would. It's also surprisingly moisturizing! My skin gets so dry in the winter, but I could tell a difference after using this soap for a week. It's really creamy. Check them out HERE!

PJ is giving away 1 bar of her homemade goat's milk soap (winner's choice) to 3 lucky winners (open to residents of U.S. and Canada). Leave me a comment here and I'll choose 3 winners on Friday, Feb. 27!

Also, between now and March 10, when you place an order, get a FREE bar of soap (your choice)! Just mention my blog in the special instructions section of the order form! How cool is that?

I Coulda Had a V-8 V-Fusion!

2009-02-19T19:49:00.001-06:00

When I was at the Campbell's headquarters a couple weeks ago, they served us a delicious breakfast. Along with the yummy food, they had a variety of drinks out for us to try. I looked at the V-8 V-Fusion and thought, "Ewww! There's just something so wrong about drinking vegetables!" Another blogger overheard me and insisted it didn't taste like veggies, so I gave it a try. I LOVED it! I mean, really LOVED it! I tried the pomegranate blueberry flavor and it was so good! It doesn't taste even a little bit like vegetables! I was so surprised. I mean, I don't like tomato soup. I don't like tomato juice (not even with vodka). Yuck! But this stuff is GOOD!

Later in the day, we were able to taste test all the flavors of V-Fusion and they were really de-lish! The coolest part is that each 8 ounce glass has a full serving of fruits and a full serving of vegetables! So, if you have kids like mine, this is great news! Brooklyn ate a handful of conversation hearts for lunch yesterday (don't ask). Needless to say, although her diet is high in sugar, ketchup, and chocolate, it's somewhat lacking in actual food and nutrients. But, she loves juice! So I know if she drinks a glass of V-Fusion, she'll get 2 servings from the fruit and vegetable group and that makes me feel good! Plus V-Fusion doesn't have artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. Now that's something any mom can feel good about!

After taste testing the different V-Fusion flavors, we got to make smoothies using V-Fusion, frozen fruit and yogurt. If you have kids who don't like to eat in the morning, this is a great quickie on-the-go breakfast (or after-school snack). You can also add a scoop of protein powder to it and voila! you're set until lunch! I personally think the V-Fusion would taste good with rum. But not for breakfast. Most days.

Did you know that V8 juice is 76 years old! Well, the stuff you buy isn't that old. It's made fresh every day. But it's been around for 76 years. Now you know. And if you go HERE, you can get a coupon for $1.00 off V8 Fusion!

Oh and speaking of coupons (and other money saving ideas) go to Campbellskitchen.com to get easy meal ideas for under $10! Who couldn't use this resource?

HP Winner

2009-02-11T22:06:00.002-06:00

Thank you to everyone who left a comment about the HP Photosmart Wireless Printer! Here's the random winner.....

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:492

Halye said... I would use this to print pictures, wirelessly,of course!!

Congratulations! Enjoy your printer!!! :)

And it's WIRELESS!!!

2009-02-02T23:40:00.001-06:00

I got one of THE. MOST. AWESOME. products ever to review last week. It's an HP Photosmart C6300 All-in-One printer! This thing has so many cool features, but the best one is it's WIRELESS! That means I never have to get up off the couch! How cool is that?

Seriously, the printer I'd been using just stopped working with my laptop one day. I have no idea why and I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Every time I needed something printed, I had to send it over to the desktop and wait 2 1/2 weeks for my desktop to turn on so I could print it. And then, when I clicked "print", it usually printed off a dozen strange pages before it got to my document. I tried to print a boarding pass a couple months ago and had to print 15 pages about Komodo Dragons first. I have no idea

Needless to say, I was thrilled to try this HP printer out! I have never been disappointed in an HP product and this was no exception.

Savannah pulled the printer out of the box and set it up by herself in no time. All I had to do was pop the included CD in my laptop and voila! I was good to go! And, did I mention it's WIRELESS?!

This printer holds both regular paper and photo paper AT THE SAME TIME! You don't have to change it out to go between printing photos and printing say, boarding passes, or copious amounts of information on Komodo Dragons. Not only that, but when you print a picture, it automatically prints on the photo paper which is very cool for people like me who would never remember to select "photo paper" every time she wanted to print a pic!

You don't have any pictures on your laptop because they were taking up too much space so you have them on a memory card, you say? No problem! You can insert your memory card directly into the printer and print our your pics! And these pictures look just like pictures that are printed professionally. They don't look like you printed them at home. I was amazed! And, it's WIRELESS!

Can you tell I totally love this printer yet? OK, another feature that I like is that it uses 5 individual inks. If your kids print out 50 pages of green Komodo Dragons, for example, you only have to replace an affordable green ink container, and not an entire expensive color cartridge.

And, and, and, check this out! Go to HP.COM/CREATE to find hundreds of free project templates for posters and business cards, calendars and greeting cards, stationary, scrapbooks, party decorations, and many, many more. You can print out party invitations, table decorations, banners, goody boxes, thank you notes and more in a coordinating design for easy party planning, for example.

And it's WIRELESS!

Honestly, I really, really love this printer and I have a feeling I've just begun to discover all it's capable of. You will be seriously impressed with this HP Wireless Photosmart C6380 printer!

AND I HAVE ONE TO GIVE AWAY HERE! To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me how you would use this printer - or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at 12:00 a.m. (PST) on Wednesday, February 4th, and will end Tuesday, February 10th at 11:59 p.m (PST). Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Want more chances to win? Go to the BlogHer site HERE! There are 8 chances to win total! Check it out!

****************************************

Edited to say: The contest doesn't start until 12:00 AM (PST) on Wednesday, February 4th. Comments left before that time will not count. Please stop by tonight at 12:00 AM Pacific (that's 3 in the morning for you east coasters) or later. The contest runs until February 10th. Thanks!

****************************************

Campbell's Soup Trip - part #2

2009-02-02T09:18:00.006-06:00

OK, I see that the video I uploaded still hasn't processed. I can't even count how many times I tried to load this thing. Ugh. OK, let's try this again.....

I liked his tips on "skimming the scum" and blanching the noodles beforehand. I'd never thought to do that with the noodles!

Did you guys know that Campbell's also owns Pepperidge Farm (YUM!), Prego pasta sauce, Pace picante sauce, and Swanson's broth? I had no idea. As Stacy Debroff from Mom Central said, "If you are what you eat, I'm a good part Campbell's!"

We were privileged to be the voice of moms everywhere and the people from Campbell's took a lot of time to listen to us. They know what dinner time is like and they're committed to finding solutions.

They showed us these pictures that women had drawn when asked the question, "What's dinnertime like at your house?" LOL! How often does it happen that you look at the clock, realize it's already 4:00 and you have no clue what you're going to do for dinner? :::raising hand::: I go in spurts. For a while I'll be really good and pull something out of the freezer the night before and know what I'm going to make. Then, I'll go for a while doing the whole "it's 5:00 and everyone's hungry and asking me what's for dinner and I have no clue! McDonald's?"

Campbell's has tried to help moms around the world with the dinnertime dilemma. Think of how many Campbell's cookbooks are out there with quick and simple recipes. There are TONS of them full of recipes where you take half a dozen ingredients, mix it up, cook it and voila - a nice dinner is served.

But they haven't stopped there because we not only want quick and easy solutions, but we want our dinners to be healthy as well. Now Campbell's offers more than 85 reduced and lower sodium soups. They also have 124 soups with no MSG if that's an ingredient that bothers you. All of their Healthy Request soups and kids soups meet the government's criteria for "healthy" foods. The kids soups contain 110 calories or less, 3g of fat or less, 0g trans fat, 480mg sodium, are a good source of vitamin A, and have no MSG and no artificial preservatives or flavors.

We were able to do a blind taste test of some of these kids soups (chicken and stars & princess shapes). We tasted the original soup and the lower sodium variety. I got one right and one wrong. It was really hard to tell the difference. I don't know how they kept the flavor so good without artificial ingredients or MSG, but they did, and kids will love the taste while you love the lower sodium content.

In addition to the lower sodium content, they've added whole grain pasta to many soups and they've reformulated several Pepperidge Farm items as well. You can now get whole grain goldfish without artificial colors and flavors too, for example. I was impressed with the variety of healthier options offered.

I'll leave you with a simple slow-cooker recipe that's super-quick and easy to prepare and tastes yummy!

BEEF TACO CASSEROLE

prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 7 to 8 hours

2 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Creamy Tomato Ranchero Soup
1/2 cup water
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
8 corn tortillas (6-inch) cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese ( 4 ounces)
3 green onions, chopped
sour cream

COOK beef in 2 batches in large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to separate meat. Pour off fat.

MIX beef, soup, water, tomatoes, and tortillas in 3 1/2 - 5 quart slow cooker.

COVER and cook on LOW 7 - 8 hours*. Stir in cheese. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and serve with sour cream.

* or on high for 4 to 5 hours

Serve with a crisp, green salad topped with Pace Picante sauce, and cornbread for a complete meal the whole family will love!

Stop back in later this week for information on V-Fusion!!!

Mmm Mmm Good

2009-01-30T19:41:00.007-06:00

Campbell's Soup invited 11 bloggers...

MomCentral.com

Table4Five.net

ThisMamaCooks.com

MomAdvice.com

Busymom.net

Fromdatestodiapers.com

ThisFullHouse.com

Momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com

Momof3girls.net

MomViews.net

and your truly

out to their world headquarters in Camden, NJ to talk with us about some of their products. Although bad weather on the east coast messed up a lot of our travel plans, we all made it out there ok. Eventually. Thankfully, my flight was just delayed a couple hours and I was able to pass the time ~~at the airport bar~~ texting my friend. OK, so I had a drink at an airport bar too. I even showed off my article in Good Housekeeping to one of the gentlemen there. In fact, I gave him my card and told him to pass it on to his wife. Yes, yes, I am shameless. Meanwhile, there was another guy at the bar who was drunk and telling everyone about his 3 ex-wives.

When it was time to board the plane, I was one of the last people on (because I hate getting on early and just standing there waiting for people to put their stinkin bags away and SIT DOWN!) So, I walk to my seat and who is sitting in the seat next to mine? That's right - the drunk guy with the 3 ex-wives. Thankfully he passed out 2 seconds after take-off. I shoved him against the window and had a decent trip.

I thought my driver was going to have a heart attack walking out to the car. I'm probably the most out of shape person you'll ever meet, but this guy was breathing so hard, I was like, "Can I just carry my suitcase? Please? Do you need to sit down or something?" Yikes!

So, I got to the Four Seasons hotel in Philadelphis (gorgeous hotel, btw!), got all checked in, and ordered me a cheesesteak 'cause when in Philly... It was as big as my head and I could only eat half of it, but it was de-lish!

I don't know why I feel the need to take pictures of every hotel room I stay in, but I do!

Huge bed to myself and you know what I did in my sleep? I piled pillows up against me as if they were Brooklyn. @@

Nice big bathroom with no toothpaste globs in the sink

My basket full of goodies from Campbell's. Yum!

Thursday morning we jumped on a bus and headed over the river to New Jersey and Campbell's. When we got there, a fire alarm was going off so he had to sit tight for a while. I personally thought it was refreshing and nice outside despite the fact the natives said it was freezing. (It was 35 degrees) I just laughed at them and said, "I can get a suntan in 35 degrees!"

10 of the 11 of us. Deb joined us a little later.

On the bus, ready to go!

I just thought this was a cool sculpture.

There were so many really cool looking buildings, but I didn't have any time to sightsee.

I have a ton to share with you about Campbell's, so I'm going to spread it out over a few days. For today, here's Chef Tom Helsel with a demonstration on how Campbell's makes their chicken soup. Yum! I wish you guy could smell this video. Mmmm, it smelled SO good in this kitchen! It's like watching Food Network and he's got some great tips for making yummy homemade chicken soup if you feel inspired to do more than open a can.

(I'm sorry if this video isn't working right now. I've been trying to get it to load since 9:00 last night. I fell asleep waiting for it to process. If it still isn't working, I'll mess around with it some more tomorrow.)

Fireproof Winners

2009-01-24T01:34:00.002-06:00

Here are the winners of the Fireproof DVD!

Here are your random numbers:
274
34
398
189
450
19
44
378
69
520
279
523
468
9
403
205
347
322
101
186
Timestamp: 2009-01-24 07:34:12 UTC

274 My Semblance of Sanity said...
There is also a book - a workbook of sorts called the LOVE DARE - We were given the book by friends who saw the movie, but I don't want to start it until WE see the movie!It's making HUGE changes to many marriages, and in today's world...that's saying something!

(I swear this was entirely random!)

34 Jen said...
I would love to win this DVD. Thanks! :)

398 Rose said...
I would love to see this movie. We still haven't seen it. We just don't go to the theater very often, way too much $$$ involved. It's why we have a 60" tv, lol.

189Jodie Walter said...
i would love to see this

450Amanda E said...
I really want to watch this movie - I loved Facing the Giants! Crossing my fingers that the random number generator picks my number!

19 JourneytoFamily said...
Oh I'd love to win one of your giveaway copies! I've been wanting to see this movie.

44 Lisa said...
I would love to see this movie, as I am struggling with my marriage as well. I just hope and pray that I can remember to check back here for the winners list. Thanks again and I pray that your situation improves according to God's will.

378 Cassandra said...
I would love to see this movie! It looks really good.

69 Tina B. said...
I'm reading the book, The Love Dare, and it is AWESOME! Would love to see the movie that inspired the book!

520 Janna said...
I'd love a copy - I heard such awesome things about this movie. I come from a firefighter family - Dad's retired and my brother is a captain. I'd love to pass it on to them after I've watched it!

279 MistryUnique said...
Alright - I'm afraid that lusting over Kirk Cameron might distract me, but I'll take that chance...:D~ Misty

523 Rachel said...
I've heard this movie is amazing! I'd love to have a copy:)

468Becky said...
We saw this movie in the theater. It's great and I love the humorous little tidbits with the next door neighbors! I would love to win a copy for our church library

9 Amanda said...
I so want and NEED this movie!!!! You and Joe are in my thoughts!

403 debbie said...
Your giveaways are awesome!

205 Denise said...
I would love to win this movie. I cant see my husband watching it any other way. So please pick me!

347 Chawksgirl4ever said...
would love to win one of these thsnks jnb in ca

322 Firelizards said...
Wow! 20 copies? Maybe I can win one! :) Thanks!

101 .:Bree:. said...
I hope and pray things get better for you!DH and I were going to see it in the theater, but never made it. A friend recommend we see it, and I want to, but buying it (or winning it) would be the best! :)I hope I win!*hugs*

186 akhughes said...
I pray that God will heal your marriage and you will be able to stay together, not just to stay together, but because God has given you love for each other and knit your hearts together.

Congratulations! Please email me HERE with your shipping address by Monday night. If you didn't win, I hope you'll consider either buying a copy or renting one when it comes out on the 27th.

Oops!

2009-01-21T02:10:00.003-06:00

Oh crud. I screwed up. Shocking, I know. I meant to write that I'd pick a winner for the Johnson's giveaway and the PTA gift card giveaway on Tuesday, January 20th. I accidentally wrote the 27th in my posts, however.

Since I already picked and posted the winners, I'm going to go with them. However, since I wrote that the winners needed to check back in on the 27th and would have 2 days to contact me, I'll wait until the 29th to hear from them.

I'm so sorry about the confusion. Boy, I wish my brain worked as well as it did before I had kids.

Winners!

2009-01-21T02:01:00.002-06:00

Here is the winner of the Johnson's Baby gift basket!

Here are your random numbers:
56
Timestamp: 2009-01-21 08:01:07 UTC

Aleta said...
I thought I was done with 'No more Tears' and now I'm due with #4 in March!!! LOL! Would love to win this gift basket!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And here is the winner of the gift card for the PTA movie store!

Here are your random numbers:
54
Timestamp: 2009-01-21 08:04:04 UTC

DeT said...
I never knew all that--thanks for the education. I'd love to get the kiddo some more videos. He's just now getting addicted to television so anything to encourage the habit is appreciated.

Congratulations to both of you! Please email me HERE with your shipping address by Thursday night so I can get these sent out to you right away!
Thank you to everyone for reading and leaving comments! :)