What Did You Do This Summer?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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!

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.