Pop-Tarts Winner!

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!

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

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

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

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!

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?

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!

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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!

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! :)