Dannon Activia Giveaway!

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Dannon has offered to sponsor a giveaway!  One winner will receive a branded lunchbox, tote bag, and a mug with a spoon!  Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Book Review & Giveaway: The Cardboard Girl: Gives Bullying the Flick

Bullying is a pervasive problem in this country. Some of you may have experienced it as a child and/or are attempting to help your child with the problem. My classmates and I had a terrible problem in both the 4th and 5th grades due to one girl who made our lives a living hell. This girl was the stereotypical “big, mean bully”. I remember how the teachers would not help us when we asked for help and I even remember the names of the teachers who completely dismissed us. Working in an elementary school, I certainly do not want to be considered as an adult who doesn’t listen.

I teach students every year about bullying, respect, tolerance, etc. I find that books are a wonderful way to get the kids talking. I am always on the hunt for new books that talk about bullying. You never know when a particular book is going to impact a child. “The Cardboard Girl: Gives Bullying the Flick”, written by Marika Spaseska, is a fictional story about bullying. There are three main characters – Cora, Erin, and Brooke. Erin is a young girl being bullied by Brooke. Cora is a witness to the bullying. She attempts to provide advice, encouragement, and stand by Erin while she is trying to cope with this problem. Cora is an exceptional child in that she wears a cardboard out in her magical cubby house and uses her special powers to help other children.

I liked the fact that this book is so different than other books on bullying. I wish I had magical powers to be able to help others! The book does a nice job depicting the internal struggle that a student feels in deciding whether to stay silent or ask for help. As Cora is in the book, I was frustrated with Erin’s inability to speak up for herself due to fear and lack of confidence. I also think the author did an excellent job relaying the fact that a child who is considered a “bully” may not be someone who is a happy, confident, child. They may be quite unhappy. Brooke’s character made me think about my own experience as a child. The issue of bullying was considered normal and a “kids will be kids” situation. We were not taught how to deal with it. I spoke up for myself more than Erin. Looking back on my childhood, I can definitely see that the girl in my class who tormented us did not know how to be a good friend. She was huge compared to us; thus, she was probably self-conscious. On top of that, who knows what her home life was like.

About the Author:
Marika Spaseska was born in Macedonia, which was formerly Yugoslavia. She moved to Australia when she was two years of age. She began working on a journalism degree and then switched to Social Work. She has worked as a social worker for 17 years. She was inspired to write this book as a result of her niece’s experience with bullying.

Marika Spaseska has kindly offered to sponsor a giveaway for a free copy of The Cardboard Girl!

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Book Review: Every Man Sees You Naked: An Insider’s Guide to How Men Think

Men and women are complete mysteries to each other at times.  My husband and I have been together for almost 17 years and there are still times when we look at each other in complete bewilderment. 

Every Man Sees You Naked, written by David M. Matthews, is a book that explains to women what men think about and what they want.  Matthews states that essentially men are motivated by sex and money (the latter because men believe this will make them more appealing to women and ultimately lead to more sex!)  Every Man Sees You Naked is not supposed to be deemed as an intense breakdown of men’s psychological functioning.  This book is meant to be a brief, straightforward, and entertaining explanation of how men think. 

Included in this book are the following topics:

The disconcerting truth about why guys ask you out
The surprising things men like, and what they really hate
What men truly look for in a woman
What guys secretly want in bed
Why men cheat
How to know when a guy is lying
The “dirty little secrets” the men in your life are keeping
The 4 biggest myths about men
How to understand “Man-Speak”
What motivates guys to behave in the odd way they do
Who “man’s best friend” really is
Why almost everything you believe to be true about men…isn't

This book is hysterical, but it also makes a ton of sense.  Matthews is quite straightforward, even causing me to say, “holy crap” while reading Chapter 6in several parts.  I might have also been blushing.  This book has been a great conversation starter with my husband and friends.  My husband agreed with most of what was discussed in the book, with the exception that women with short hair are considered “cute” instead of “beautiful”.  I have relatively short hair ;)

I recommend this book if you are looking for a quick and entertaining explanation into the mysterious goings-on in a man’s brain.  It will certainly get you talking with other people.

About the Author:

David M. Matthews' career in Hollywood has been varied, to say the least.  He served as Musical Director for 3 years on the CBS soap, "The Young and the Restless," for which he won an Emmy for Outstanding Musical Direction & Composition.  During his tenure at "Y&R," he also executive produced a popular album containing performances by several of the show's stars, distributed by Nuance-MCA Records. 

He then moved on to sitcom writing, where he penned scripts for "The Nanny" and "Living Single," as well as staff writing and producing gigs on "For Your Love" and "Half & Half."
 
Subsequently he successfully teamed with filmmaker, Michael Bayouth, on the screenplays for "A Howl In One" and "Kidnight," and helped produce the  soon-to-be released documentary, "A Musical Journey To Freedom."  He has continued to write music for TV and film, composing the underscore  and main title music for "Valhalla," "The Last Frontier," "Western Avenue" and "Wave Babes," to name a few.

 *Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this book.  I received a free sample for the purpose of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

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Book Review: The Snowman’s Revenge

Fall is upon us and before we know it, it will be time for winter.  Our kids will be out in the cold, building snowmen, having snowball fights, and leaving their wet clothes throughout the house once they get cold enough to want to come in.  Do you and your children watch the Frosty the Snowman movie each year?  It is a classic that we love!

When I see snowmen in other families’ yards, the snowmen typically have smiles on their faces.  You do not typically see a frowning face or even an angry face for that matter!

The Snowman’s Revenge, written by Mark Smythe, tells a different kind of story.  In this story, a typical snow day provides the children the opportunity to build a snowman.  He appears quite happy initially; however, once the children go inside to warm up, he quickly becomes upset that he is left alone.  The poem tells of the snowman’s plot to seek revenge upon the children and what occurs once he is inside the house. 

 

My daughter and I really enjoyed this book.  I LOVE the illustrations by Mike Motz.  It’s a clever story and I liked the way that the words were creatively printed on the page.  For example, as the snowman is sliding through the snow, the words are printed in a wavy pattern in his path.  I thought this story was a nice break from the happy-go-lucky snowman stories of the past.  The snowman is ticked off!  I almost felt bad for him! 

This is a great story overall and I highly recommend it!  I believe I could even incorporate this story into one of my lessons with my students – how when you attempt to seek revenge, it can backfire in your face J

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received a free sample for the purpose of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

 

Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Bowl Cleaner Review

Cleaning the bathrooms, particularly the toilets, is the most detested chore in my house.  I am the lucky winner of this chore lottery.  My husband won’t touch the toilets.  He hasn’t touched them in 15 years, I don’t expect him to start now.

I have been a fan of Scrubbing Bubbles products from SC Johnson for years.  They are a brand in which I have total confidence.  I recently received one of the brand new Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Toilet Bowl Cleaners to review.  Once attached to a clean toilet, all you need to do it attach the 360 degree action sprayer to the side of the toilet.  Tap the pedal and walk away!  The cleaner continues to work to fight hard water marks (which we often get), toilet rings, and lime scale.


The action sprayer was so easy to attach to the toilet and I was happy to see that the whole bowl was covered when I sprayed it.  You only have to gently tap the pedal.  It is so simple to use!  I press the pedal once in the morning and once at night (it is recommended to press the pedal twice a day).  My toilet is staying clean!  There is no more tough scrubbing!

The starter kit, which costs $9.99, includes a sprayer, a base, and one refill can.  The refill, which costs $3.99, can last up to one month.  I think this is an extremely reasonable price!

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received a free sample as a BzzAgent and for the purpose of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

"Redirect": Book Review & Giveaway (THREE WINNERS)

Self-help books and self-help programs are multi-million dollar businesses.  I have never met anyone who does not need help in one area or another in their life.  Whether the problem is dealing with a divorce, current or past abuse, gaining confidence, understanding and helping children, etc.  You name the problem, there is a book written that says it can help you.  The majority of these strategies and programs have never been empirically tested.  Why do people buy them?  They hope and pray that this new book/strategy/program will be the key to solving their problems. 

Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change, written by Timothy D. Wilson, discusses the fact that people spend an immense amount of money on these programs each year, only to have them not work.  Wilson discusses the fact that people make sense of the world, their lives, and daily issues by telling themselves stories.  The manner in which we view life and our perceptions of what happens to us are shaped by previous stories we have told ourselves.  He proposes that people can change their lives by altering their self-narratives.  Wilson evaluated this theory himself and observed positive results with college students.  Wilson then discusses how this theory can be applied to larger societal issues. 

I found this book fascinating.  I love trying to understand what makes people “tick” and why they act as they do, treat people in the manner they do, and how they view life overall.  Wilson’s book makes sense to me.  I would love to use the “story editing” strategy with students.  Typically, people believe that early intervention is the key to working with children.  If the story-editing approach was used, how many students would not have to go on meds? Attend separate behavioral programs? Improve their relationships and not pass on environmental risks to their children?  It is amazing to think that a simple thing as changing your self-narrative could impact your life so strongly! 

I found the discussion of "happiness" very interesting.  What makes a person happy and content with life?  What makes people have "half-full" or "half-empty" perspectives?  Wilson states that the quality of one's social relationships has a great deal to do with one's level of happiness, which makes sense to me.  Wilson stressed that "money does not buy happiness", which is evident even in the wealthier families that I have worked with.  I think, "Boy, it certainly would make a few things easier though" ;), but no, it is not going to make every problem magically go away.  No matter how hard you wish it to. 

Overall, this book has given me so much to think about and really sparked some conversation with my family and friends.  I would highly recommend reading it!  It is well-written and easy to read.  It will have you thinking about your own self-narratives and what could be re-written!

Thank you to the Hachette Book Group for allowing me the opportunity to review Redirect.  The Hachette Book Group has kindly offered to sponsor a giveaway.  THREE winners will receive a free copy of Redirect! 

Please complete the Rafflecopter entry form below!

Costume Discounters Review

I am very frustrated each year when I attempt to shop for a new Halloween costume to wear to work. The local stores seem to sell fewer and fewer costumes that cover your rear end. I then have to spend an entire afternoon driving from store to store searching for a halfway decent costume. I end up spending through the nose for a costume I will probably wear maybe once or twice that I do not even like that much simply because it is more appropriate for work.

I was happy to find Costume Discounters! Costume Discounters is an online site that provides discount costumes. They have a HUGE selection of costumes for the entire family! Whatever theme you are looking for, they have the costume! I love the fact that their prices are inexpensive and Halloween does not have to break the bank.

I was recently given the opportunity to review one of their costumes. It was really hard to choose which one! I have always liked 50’s Halloween costumes, but I have never found an adult size one in the stores. I chose the Frannys Fifties Frock Costume. As you can see from the picture, the costume is a bit too big for me. But, I like it regardless because I don’t have to worry about covering myself up in front of the staff and parents at school! I can just enjoy myself with the kids!


My daughter and I have really enjoyed browsing through the costumes for both her and my son.  There are so many possiblities!  So many costumes to choose from! 

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received a free product for the purposes of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own. 

Shop with Become.com!

Become.com is a website that allows you to compare prices of products amongst sellers, connect to sites, and make your purchases. They feature every shopping category imaginable, such as clothing, health and beauty, and baby to name only a few. Become.com also has a deal and coupon section. You will find coupons for numerous major stores, including Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Kohl’s.

You can find products for the entire family on Become.com. My daughter’s favorite colors are pink and black. In typing in “Pink Black Backpack”, a whole page of pink and black backpacks appear. There is no longer a need to search from site to site to try and find one she likes!

You will be impressed by the sheer number of results you receive in your search. For example, you can be specific and search for Euro Pillow Covers or Yellow Queen Bed Sheets, and pages upon pages of products appear. Even though there are numerous pages of websites for you to look at, they are all in one place for you to comparison shop. You can then browse from one central location.

Become.com is an easy to navigate site. You can specify your search by brands and material in order to target the product you need. I would recommend Become.com for people who want to minimize the amount of time they are spending shopping online.

*Disclaimer: I received monetary compensation for this post.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

Win a $350 Kohl's Gift Card with myreviewsnow.net!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of MyReviewsNow.net for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My husband and I are not “impulse-shoppers”for large purchases, particularly if we are buying new appliances or technology.  We research the product and read reviews before we commit to the purchase.  If we want to make sure we are making the right decision, this can take some time.  We are visiting websites, reading reviews, and then trying to weigh our options.  It’s definitely time consuming.  It is for this reason that when I am purchasing a small item, I typically do not research it.  I just do not want to invest the time.  I have WAY too many other things to do.

myreviewsnow.net is a website that helps shoppers with this particular issue.  Myreviewsnow.net presents online shoppers with different product options as well as reviews – all in one website!  There is no longer a need to shuffle and research through web pages.  You can visit one location, shop for products, and read your reviews at once. 

I know everyone out there loves saving money and loves a great giveaway!  Myreviewsnow.net is giving away a $350 gift card to Kohl’s!  You can do some serious shopping at Kohl’s for that amount of money!  You can enter this contest by simply “Liking” myreviewsnow.net on Facebook as well as tweeting the message “I love to #shopathome online!”  Those are two extremely easy entries!

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#Mompact: Paci-Plushie Pacifier Holder Review and Giveaway

My son loves his pacifiers. We call them “binkies” in our house. I know the day will come when the Binky Fairy will have to come visit our house to take the binkies away to the newborn babies, but until then, we allow our son to have his binkies in the car and at night.

My son recently received a Paci-Plushie Pacifier Holder to review. The instant I removed the Milo the Monkey Paci-Plushie Pacifier Holder from its package, my son’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. He could barely contain his excitement! I wasn’t sure whether he was going to want it hanging in front of his face, but I was so wrong. He instantly fell in love with Milo! We just need to say, “Where’s your monkey binkie?” and he replies, “Oo…Oo…Ah…Ah…Ah”. My son has not wanted to sleep with any stuffed animals yet, but that has changed since Milo the Monkey arrived!

The Paci-Plushie is simply adorable. The Paci-Plushie has a rubber ring attached to it, which fits easily around a pacifier (one is included with the Paci-Plushie). The rubber ring allows for you to easily remove the pacifier in order to swap it with another one. Also, the pacifier is 100% BPA and Phthalate free! Should the stuffed animal need a wash, simply detach it from the pacifier and throw it in the washer! There are eight different Paci-Plushie animals from which to choose. Each are so adorable and would make a great baby shower gift!

You can see from the photos below that my son is so happy with his Milo Paci-Plushie!


The Paci-Plushies website is adorable and contains a list of all the compatible pacifiers, which are basically all pacifiers. While perusing the website, I was so happy to see that Paci-Plushies gives back to the community by donating all of the wholesale proceeds from the sale of Lovie the Lamb to The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a Carefree Childhood.

Follow Paci-Plushies on Facebook!

Paci-Plushies is sponsoring a giveaway here at Tidbits From A Mom! One winner will receive their choice of a Paci-Plushie Pacifier Holder! They’re so adorable and your child will love it! You can enter below by completing the Rafflecopter form. After you complete the form, you can move on to the next blog in the Mompact Giveaway Hop!

Dannon Danimals' "Rally for Recess" Campaign & Giveaway

Do you remember what recess was like when you were young?  Do you remember what you used to play?  It felt so good to get out of the classroom, stretch your legs, run off some energy, and just have time to have fun being a kid. 

It’s disheartening to hear that recess time is being cut in schools across the country.  Many schools are doing this as a result of lack of resources.  This is alarming due to the nationwide issue of obesity we presently have.  It is recommended that children receive 60 minutes of mild to strenuous activity each day.  Removing recess or reducing the amount of time children have for recess obviously does not help to address or solve the obesity issue. 

Dannon Danimals, makers of the healthy on-the-go dairy drinks and low-fat yogurts, recognizes the importance of having an active lifestyle in order to maintain good health.  Dannon Danimals is launching a nationwide campaign called “Rally for Recess”.  “Rally for Recess” involves healthy competition among schools.  Five lucky schools will win new playground equipment and an all-day recess celebration!  Special codes can be found on Danimals packaging through February 8, 2012.  Purchasers may use these codes to register and enter to win.  The top five schools with the most codes registered in each of the categories will win.

Visit RallyforRecess.com to read more!

I have more cool news!  Dannon is sponsoring a giveaway here for a branded soccer ball with a branded drawstring bag!  Please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form to enter!

Book Review: The Santa Club

I dread the day that my daughter asks the question, “Is there really a Santa?” I want her to stay young and always believe.  The Santa Club, written by Kelly Moss, is for children who are old enough to ask the question.  Reading this book with your child will help them turn from the “receiver” into the “giver”.  It also discusses why Santa is associated with Christmas and who the first Santa was.  Your child will be inducted into the very special Santa Club and will receive an official certificate.

I love the concept of this book and how it really helps children understand who Santa was in the past and is now.  I have never seen a book like it.  Children love being members of clubs, particularly those in which they need to be a certain age to join.  Inviting children to be members of The Santa Club makes them feel special.    

The main questions that are addressed in the book are “Is there a Santa Claus?” and “Is Santa Claus real?”  I think that Kelly Moss did a phenomenal job answering these questions in a developmentally appropriate and sensitive manner so that children of all ages can understand.  The illustrations are wonderful and captivating.  The inclusion of a certificate making my daughter’s membership to The Santa Club official is a nice touch. 

I hope that I won’t be using this book with my daughter for another couple of years.  However, when she’s ready to ask these important questions, my husband and I will be prepared to explain things to her.  She can then become an official member of The Santa Club and enjoy the excitement that my husband and I feel. 

Visit The Santa Club website to purchase the book!

Follow The Santa Club on Facebook!

Thank you to The Cadence Group for providing me with the opportunity to review this group. 

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Review: 101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child

Although my daughter loves her dolls and Barbies, she loves computer time. She uses the Kidzui browser and if I let her, she would play an endless number of games. Kids are definitely addicted to technology nowadays. I see it at work with the students. They talk continuously about how they spend their time at night – playing games online or on their game systems.

101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child, written by Steve and Ruth Bennett, is a book that contains 101 activities that will have your children using their imaginations and creativity, instead of staring at a computer screen. The activities are categorized in the following manner: At Home; On the Road; In the Kitchen; Anytime, Anyplace; and Out & About.

The majority of the activities require minimal supplies and they are all items that are common in the home. There are also many activities that only require your time. These activities in particular are great when you are in the car or sitting in a waiting room and you need to pass the time.

My daughter enjoys this book. When she first received it, she immediately grabbed the book and began telling me what games and crafts she wanted to try. This book came in handy when Hurricane Irene blew in and we lost power for the day. My daughter’s favorite activity has been the “Sensational Salon”, which involves setting up your own little salon. In addition to styling my hair, my daughter included a manicure and makeup consultation for me. This was great mommy-daughter time.

We have a list of the activities she would like to try. I look forward to making our way through the list and creating some new memories!

About the Author:
Steve and Ruth Bennett currently live in Cambridge, MA and have two children. They are the authors of 365 TV-Free Activities You Can Do WIth Your Child and 365 Outdoor Activities You Can Do With Your Child, which have sold a million copies. Steve Bennett is the founder of AuthorBytes, which is a company that develops websites, blogs, apps, and more for authors and publishers. Ruth Bennett is a landscape architect, specializing in children's play areas, public parks, and university quadrangles.

Visit the 101 Offline Activities website to read more and purchase the book!

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received a free copy of the book for the purposes of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

Spooky Buddies DVD/Blue-Ray Combo Giveaway!

Any movie with the Buddies is a favorite in our house. They are great family-oriented movies and a perfect choice for having movie night with the family. I am so happy that Disney’s adorable Buddies are back in an all-new Halloween movie! Disney’s Spooky Buddies is being released on September 20, 2011. Budderball, Rosebud, Buddha, B-Dawg, and Mudbud are on another exciting adventure with some new friends – Pip, Zelda, Rodney, and Skip. The Buddies and their new friends must stop Warwick the Warlock to save the world!

Please check out the widget below! Included in the widget are tips to help care for the “buddies” in your home and fun activities for your kids and their “buddies”! Also, the Spooky Buddies widget has an exclusive “Buddy” quiz so you can find out which one of the Spooky Buddies would be your Buddy!

I am so excited to be able to offer one of my readers a free DVD/Blue-Ray combo pack of the Spooky Buddies! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

Book Review & Giveaway: It's Your Kid, Not a Gerbil

For the past few years, I have been an “on the go” mom.  Are there seriously any mothers out there that are not on the go??  I race from one place to another (typically 5-10 minutes late) and even when I am home, I am on the move.  It has been exhausting and I have been trying so hard to simply stop and enjoy my family.  This is not easy for me.

I was immediately captured by “It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil – Creating a Happier & Less-Stressed Home”.  I have often felt that we are racing on a gerbil wheel, but have not figured out a way to change it.  Dr. Kevin Leman, author of “It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil”, encourages parents to minimize the number of extracurricular activities in which children are involved and make plenty of quality time for family.  He also discusses the importance of parents prioritizing how they spend their own time.  He encourages parents to evaluate whether they are on the gerbil wheel and what distracts their attention from their children/family.  Dr. Leman uses personal stories from his own family to support his beliefs. 

Dr. Leman makes an excellent point about the importance of “getting off the wheel” and spending time as a family.  The time you have with your family is precious.  As parents, we don’t want our kids to grow up and only have memories of a hurried family life.  We don’t want them to grow within a stressed environment.  We need to spend time together, creating memories, and simply enjoying each other. 

I couldn’t help but feel guilty at one point in the book when Dr. Leman discusses his belief that there should be one parent at home when raising a child.  After the birth of both of my children, I was home for a little while and then I returned to work.  There are moments when I wonder what it would be like to be home permanently and I feel the pangs of guilt.  However, I do know that everyone is different and what is right for one is not necessarily right for another.  As I read the book, I spent a lot of time contemplating how my family spends time together.  My daughter only has one extracurricular activity one day per week and she will soon be starting CCD.  I think these commitments are completely appropriate.  I would LOVE to be able to go to a class or go out to dinner with friends, but I do not.  I am always home at night and on the weekends.  My husband and I do attempt to spend quality time with our kids.  I think that in order for me to retain my sanity, I need to have a couple hobbies for myself, such as blogging.  I do this primarily at night so that it doesn’t detract from my kids.

About the Author:

Dr. Kevin Leman is a licensed psychologist, humorous radio and television personality, and speaker.  He is the author of forty-one books.  He has appeared on Oprah, The View, Today, Good Morning America, and CNN to name a few.

Dr. Leman’s book is a great book for helping parents put things in perspective and understand the importance of time with your family.  The Tynedale Publishing Company is offering one of my readers a free copy of “It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil”! 

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes Review & Giveaway!

My daughter woke up yesterday with a little bit of a stuffy nose.  By last night, she was even more congested.  Ugh!  It is only the beginning of September and this is the first full week of school she has had.  Returning back to school shoots waves of anxiety through me, primarily because of germs. 

I don’t like to nag my family, but I harp on my daughter about hand washing.  When she gets sick, her asthma is out of control and I certainly do not want her spreading it to my son, husband, and I.

I recently received a Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes pack that contained a 24 count box of individually wrapped single wipes, a 15-count travel pack, and a 40 count canister.  Wet Ones are 99% effective in killing germs and are great to use when soap and water are not available.  In addition to the fact that they are just as effective as gel hand sanitizers in killing germs, they are useful in cleaning dirt and grime off your hands.  Wet Ones are hypoallergenic and contain aloe; therefore, they won’t irritate the skin.  This pack also contained an informational sheet about germs, back-to-school health tips from renowned pediatrician and author Dr. Sears, and a survey result sheet. 

I like that the hand wipes are have a fresh scent and are not overpowering.  I also like they are gentle on the skin.  Both of my children have sensitive skin and I can relax knowing that they can use them whenever they want.  I absolutely love the fact that Wet Ones are sold in a variety of packs.  I tuck the individually wrapped wipes in my purse and my daughter’s backpack.  I placed the travel pack in the car and I keep the canister in my desk at work.  Not only do I use them for my hands, but I use them to clean off my phone (staff members often use it) and my table where children sit to talk and play games.  You never know when you are going to need a wipe!  Our family seems to use them often!

Wet Ones has teamed up with Bill Nye the Science Guy to teach kids about germs.  You and your children can watch videos and interesting science experiments at his Wet Ones Healthy Hand Zone!

In order to help you and your family with going back-to-school and fighting the germ war, Wet Ones has kindly offered to give one of my readers the same pack that I received.  This included the 40 count canister, the 15-count travel pack, and the 24 count box of individually wrapped single wipes!

 Please fillout the Rafflecopter Entry Form below! 

Minute to Win It Party Supplies Review

My daughter’s birthday isn’t for a few months, but she has already decided that she would like to have a party at home with some of her girlfriends. I haven’t had a birthday party at home in years. Due to the number of kids invited, I arrange to have a party typically at her gymnastics facility or a place that paints ceramics with the kids. I have to admit that I had a little moment of panic when I thought about all the kids at my house. I know…that’s weird, but that’s me. I thought, “What do I do with all those kids??”

I have been searching for fun, cool game ideas and I was excited to find the Minute to Win It Party Supplies at PartyGamesPlus.com! In addition to the fantastic game ideas that are presented, The Minute to Win It Party Supplies include printables for you to create a great themed party. The printables include invitations, candy bar wrappers for favors, contestant badges, cupcake toppers, and minute money for game prizes, and more!

I have been stressed in the past by the cost of birthday party supplies and I was pretty impressed by the fact that you can print these supplies straight from your computer for such a low price! Then, you can compliment the printable party supplies with red, white, and blue decorations - those are easy enough to find!

Even though my daughter is still young and the Minute to Win It printables and party games are found on the Teen party page, I still think this theme is appropriate for kids and can be used to have a great party. The website has a ton of party ideas for toddlers, kids, teens, as well as adults! It has certainly relieved my pre-birthday party anxiety and for that, I am grateful.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Winners!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the following giveaways!  Here are the winners:

Something Borrowed DVD - #27 Robin Quick

Rizzoli & Isles Forensic Science Kit – #37 rj7777

Falling Skies Survival Kit – #10 Shannon

3 Month Membership to MathBlaster.com – #3 Ann

The winners have all been contacted and have 48 hours to confirm their win!  Thank you to everyone who entered these giveaways!

The Peaceful Housewife Natural Household Cleaner Recipes e-book Review & Giveaway!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I am a tad bit of a clean freak. Ok…maybe more than a tad bit. It seems as though I am constantly cleaning something. Believe it or not, I find it relaxing. I’m also so proud of my home when I am done and I feel as though I am fighting the germ war for my kids for one more day. The one thing that I do not like about cleaning is inhaling the fumes and knowing I am possibly getting chemicals on me. I admit that I need to use “greener” products and become more conscious of green living.

The Peaceful Housewife Natural Household Cleaner Recipes e-book is full of natural recipes for creating your own household cleaners. The recipes include those for laundry and dishwasher detergents, stain treatments, dish and hand soap, carpet cleaner, glass cleaner, multipurpose household cleaner, and more! All the ingredients are natural and most are products (vinegar, baking soda, etc.) that we have at home. Some of the product categories, including Pest Sprays, Oven Cleaners, and Makeup Brush Cleaners, have multiple recipes that can be used.

Since I often have to spray spots on the floors and doors, as well as toys, I decided to review the Multipurpose Household Cleaner. I simply needed hot water, white vinegar, alcohol, and dish soap for this recipe. So easy! I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I didn’t have to scrub and the dirt/spots were cleaned immediately! I look forward to trying more of the recipes!

In addition to selling natural, eco-friendly products, The Peaceful Housewife is a website full of information and tips, so please check it out. If you like what you hear, this e-book can be purchased HERE!

Jenny Deramo, the author of The Peaceful Housewife Natural Household Cleaner Recipes e-book, is generously offering TWO of my readers a free copy of this e-book!

To enter this giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below!

Kidlandia Fine Art Print Review

My son’s bedroom has really been lacking in the way of pictures or any kind of personalized décor. I was excited to find Kidlandia, which is a company that specializes in personalized items for children. Their products include wall art, apparel, mugs, placemats, blankets, puzzles, and more! The wall art and décor products immediately caught my attention! Kidlandia has adorable wall art and décor that are perfect for decorating any child’s bedroom or playroom. There are so many design themes to choose from, including popular characters such as SpongeBob, Disney Princesses, Cars, Toy Story, and more.

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to review one of Kidlandia’s fine art prints. I chose to review the Cars print. My son has a newfound love of the Cars movie. “Car” is one of the few words that he can say, so when he says it, he is very excited!

Once you choose the product you would like on the Kidlandia website, the personalization process begins. I was so impressed with Kidlandia’s website overall and how easy the process was to personalize the art print. I was able to include the majority of our family members’ names in the print. I was given the option of including more cars, trees, buildings, etc. and renaming areas on the print. For example, the large rock formation in the middle of the Cars print is called a “Butte” and once you assign a name to that area, it is labeled, “So and So’s Butte”. I had assigned my husband’s name to this area and I knew I would never hear the end of it if I kept it that way, so I changed it to simply “Rock”. Once we received the print in the mail, my husband admitted he was happy with the change!

Upon receiving the print in the mail, my son squealed so loudly and was saying “car” over and over again. He was delighted with his new picture for his bedroom. He didn’t want to take his hands off of it! He doesn’t yet understand the personalization, but I love that this is something meaningful that he will one day be able to smile about when he looks at it.



As I visited all the pages on Kidlandia’s website, I instantly thought of a list of people for whom I could purchase gifts. There are so many cute choices! As I’m sure most people do, I love to buy personal and meaningful gifts for my family members. However, finding the right gift can sometimes be hard, particularly when you are under the pressure of time. Purchasing a personalized gift from Kidlandia takes no time at all and will certainly put a smile on a loved one’s face!

Thank you so much to Kidlandia for providing me the opportunity to review one of their products.

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I received a free product for the purposes of this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Monday Hops!

World of Ink Tour – Book Review: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

I have always been fascinated by Egyptian history. I can remember roaming the exhibits of the Smithsonian several times in utter awe. I love watching National Geographic specials and learning about the culture, artifacts that have been recovered, past rulers, and the belief system.

In The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, written by Fiona Ingram, Adam and Justin, two cousins from South Africa, are headed to Egypt for a family vacation with their aunt and grandmother. The boys are eager for adventure and they do not have to wait long before adventure and mystery find them. Once a peddler slips a sacred object into Adam’s pocket, a whirlwind of mystery and danger begins. Adam and Justin learn quickly that Dr. Faisal Khalid is willing to do anything to obtain the sacred scarab. As they travel to various destinations, Adam and Justin learn more about the scarab and why it is so important.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is a wonderful adventure and reminded me so much of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries that I read as a young girl. I believe this book could be used by teachers as a supplement to curriculum on Egypt. Educators know the importance of engaging learners, particularly through the use of books, and I definitely feel that this book will take hold of students’ interests. I was so pleased to learn that the author has completed the next book in the series. I look forward to reading more about Adam and Justin’s adventures.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Follow Fiona Ingram on Twitter and Facebook!

More about the author:
Fiona Ingram currently lives in South Africa. She has been a freelance writer for fifteen years. Fiona began telling stories at a young age in order to entertain her three younger brothers and their friends. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab was created after a trip to Egypt while accompanied by her two nephews. You can read more about Fiona Ingram’s background on her website and her blog.

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I received a free copy for the purposes of this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Party Planning Checklists Review

It is well documented here that I am most successful in maintaining organization when I keep checklists handy and use planners. I rely on these checklists when preparing for birthday parties and holiday celebrations. There are so many details to figure out and it can be overwhelming. I am a visual person and I like to see things printed out and organized in front of me.

I was recently able to review a set of Party Planning Checklists that are sure to help me this holiday season. This set of checklists is a comprehensive planning tool!  They will help anyone with planning snacks, beverages, and meals as well as keeping track of the list of ingredients that need to be purchased.  They also help you develop a schedule for when you are going to cook/prepare the food as well as how to plan the decorations for the tables.

I love that I can hand over the checklists to my husband so he can view all the details for himself and easily assist in the preparations! Using these checklists will make party planning an easy and efficient task. 

I would highly recommend using a Party Planning Checklist for your next party or holiday gathering!

*Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

UPromise Celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a Contest!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My husband and I have been members of UPromise for years now.  After recently viewing our statement, I was so pleased to see how it is paying off.  We are well on our way to supporting our daughter’s education.  My husband and I are vigilant about purchasing products from companies that support UPromise and it is obvious that my daughter will reap the benefits. 

UPromise is having its 10 year anniversary!  In the past ten years, UPromise’s rewards program has given over $600 million dollars in college savings to its users!  That is simply amazing!

In order to celebrate, UPromise is generously giving away $20,000 to users who share a story that reflects how a parent has supported a child’s dream.  If you would like to participate, you can submit your dream for your child by visiting www.upromisetodream.com and then vote for others’ stories by “liking” them.  Ten winners will receive $1,000 and one grand prize winner will receive $10,000! Read the dream wall official rules to learn more!

Personally, for my children, I dream that they grow to be adults that are healthy, happy, and successful in achieving their personal goals.  I would love for them to take the moral and family values that my husband and I have tried to show and teach and embrace them.  I would love for them to live life to the fullest and “dance like no one is watching!”  I wish them the confidence to face their challenges.  I wish them peace of mind and heart.

I would LOVE for you to leave a blog post comment here and let me know what your dream is!!

Friday Hops!