Your Fun Family

Have You Tried FRESCHETTA By the Slice?

2011-04-25T09:09:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by FRESCHETTA®. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was recently given the opportunity to try the new FRESCHETTA® By the Slice . I love that when you have a craving for pizza you can easily make a slice without being tempted to eat a whole pizza.

Come on and admit it! How many times have you sat down to eat some pizza and then all of a sudden you realize how much you actually ate? Buying pizza by the slice helps you take care of that pizza craving without the temptation of over eating.

FRESCHETTA By the Slice comes in BBQ Recipe Chicken, Vegetable Medley, Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom, and Six Cheese Medley. I love spinach and mushrooms on pizza so I was very pleased with my choice.

Many microwave pizzas come out soggy or taste like cardboard. Freschetta By the Slice still has a nice fresh taste. I was also very surprised at how well the crust turned out! I will definitely keep a few of these in my freezer. They are perfect for those nights when you need something fast but you do not want to just eat junk food.

Who knows maybe they will also help us in our goal to get in shape in time for our friends wedding on a tropical beach! We can get rid of the pizza craving without eating a whole pizza!

Do you want the chance to try Freschetta By the Slice? Not to worry, We will be starting a giveaway tomorrow!!!

Easter Carrot Napkins

2011-04-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

Check out this cute Easter place setting that a friend showed me! How adorable would these carrots be on the dinner table this Easter?

This will be an easy and no mess craft for Easter. Think about how proud the kids will be to show them off to the relatives.

You will need...

Orange Paper Napkins
Green Pipe Cleaners
Green Plastic Utencils

Instructions...

Open up the napkin and refold it into a rectangle
Take the bottom right corner and fold it up to meet the top of the napkin. It should end up left of center.
Place the plastic utensils just inside of the point created at the bottom where the fold was made. The utensils should lay diagonally so the tops stick out at the top left point.
Fold the left of the napkin over the utensils and continue rolling up the napkin to form the carrot.
Wrap pipe cleaners around the top of the carrot to secure the napkin leaving the ends to stick up like leaves.

Depending on the size of your napkins you may have to change the angle of the utensils when you wrap them.

Walgreens Helps Families Save Money

2011-04-20T04:01:00.001-05:00

This is a compensated post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

For years, we have seen how much money we can save by buying our prescriptions in their generic form. Many people do not look too closely at the rest of their daily spending though. Those quick little trips to the store during the week can add up to a ton of money!

I hate sending James to the store for anything. He always falls for the flashy packages and brand names. No matter how hard I try, he does not learn. I, on the other hand, pride myself on saving money. I can go in a store and know exactly which products work the best and have the best deal. I am a shopping master!

Recently, I was asked to review a Walgreens brand product. I chose the Walgreens Brand Oil-Free Acne Wash . Years ago we used to buy the brand name version but over time we forgot about it. Now that we have a house full of teenage girls we need more skin care products!

Just as I thought, the second the package came James headed off to the bathroom with it. He pampers himself a bit more than other men! As soon as he was done he came out and proclaimed, "This is just like the stuff we used to get!". I just smiled and laughed to myself. The brand name version costs $6.49 and the Walgreens version is $4.99. Someday, he will realize that there is no need to spend a ton of money on brand names. All that money adds up!

When it comes to saving money Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products are there to help families get the most with their money. I am surprised that they have not come out with medicine cabinets with locks yet. I think I have about $400 worth of stuff in my cabinet. I am always looking for a deal so the first place I look is at Walgreens. I love that the Walgreens brands have the same main ingredients as the expensive brand name versions and they are a fraction of the cost!

Every time you buy a Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Product a donation is made to the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ so you are not only saving money but you are helping someone less fortunate!

Paper Mache Easter Egg

2011-04-19T12:43:00.000-05:00

Do you remember doing these at school when you were a kid? This would be a great craft to make with your kids this Easter.

Kids love getting messy and making things. Paper Mache falls right into there. My kids love doing paper mache crafts. They have fun sitting around the table together and we have great conversations.

Paper Mache is also a cheap craft that also recycles old newspaper. All you need is old newspapers cut into strips and the paste. To make paper mache paste simply mix flour with twice as much water.

To make this project you cover a balloon in at least 4 layers of paper mache. When the paper has fully dried (a day or two) cut a circle to form a window like opening in the egg. You can then decorate the inside and outside of the egg.

If you do not want to paint the egg you can use colored tissue paper on the first and last layer. Then you will already have a pretty colored inside and outside. Most people fill the egg with Easter grass and add plastic eggs and chicks. You can decorate yours any way you want. You could also leave the egg whole and paint them like pretty Easter eggs.

Baseball Stats Software

2011-04-14T10:43:00.007-05:00

Spring is here so it is time to play ball!

There is not too much to do in our little town so we get a very good turn out at our high school sporting events. The games become a nice place for locals to unwind and catch up on what is going on in the community.

Baseball and Softball seasons have started and I can not think of a better way to spend an afternoon with the kids. It is starting to get nice out so we are able to walk to the games after school and enjoy some sun while routing on our team.

I was given the opportunity to review baseball stats software. I am friends with our local baseball coach so I decided to give it to him.Statillac Baseball Stats Software takes the work out of recording stats and turns baseball back into all fun and games like it should be. With this program you do not have to be a math whiz to figure out stats. You can just enter in your numbers and the program will do all of the work for you. With little effort you can create game stats, game and season reports and then you can even export reports to a PDF.

Statillac Stats Software comes in baseball, softball, and football. It costs just $99 and even has a 2 game free trial so that you can see how easy it is to get great results.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Giveaway - Exposed Envy Decorative Bra Straps

2011-04-13T08:16:00.000-05:00

This new product is AWESOME! You have no idea how excited I was when I received my two sets of these!!! Exposed Envy takes the old problem of exposed bra straps and makes them something beautiful with decorative bra straps.

The biggest problem that I had with them was that I did not have anything that showed off the straps as much as I wanted. They are beautiful and really need to be shown off! I will now have to go shopping to find something to wear them with. I love shopping so it will not be too torturous! Then I will be finding somewhere to go so I can sparkle!

Women everywhere have tried to keep their bra straps from popping out of their clothes for years. You find yourself constantly checking and tucking your straps back to where they should be. Then there are the annoying people that keep telling you that your bra strap is showing. All of that can be fixed with Exposed Envy. Why didn't I think of this?

Exposed Envy bra straps come in a style and color to match with everything you own and they are fully adjustable and easy to wear.

THE GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive their 3 sets choices in the comment and a $15 gift certificate for Exposed Envy!
This giveaway limited to US residents and ends on April 19th.
*Enter more of our Current Giveaways and get extra entries!

HOW TO ENTER

Check out the Exposed Envy website and tell us in a comment your three choices. 1 choice each for Rhinestone Bra Straps, Fabric Sparkle Bra Straps, and Printed Bra Straps.

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: "Like" Exposed Envy on Facebook
1 Entry: Follow Exposed Envy on Twitter
1 Entry: Tweet this: I want to win decorative bra straps from @exposedenvy and @YourFunFamily #giveaway http://bit.ly/fV7Ta1 (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Giveaway - $100 Simply You Jewelry

2011-04-12T08:31:00.000-05:00

We have an awesome giveaway today! I am really excited about this one and I know you will all love it!

Simply You is a direct sales jewelry company that has been in business in Canada for years. Women love that they can get fashionable jewelry at a great price. The best part is that you get a lifetime replacement guarantee! You maybe saving a ton of money but you are still getting a great product.

Simply You is now available in the US and to celebrate we are having a giveaway! Now we can all buy this great jewelry! Simply You is really taking off in the US so they also need advisors. If you have been looking for an extra income and want something to get excited about then this might be what you have been looking for!

Simply You is a passionate and driven company, with a focus on impacting the lives of women and a few good men. They invite you to "CREATE YOUR OWN STYLE." Whether it's being an advisor and earning a lucrative income, being a Hostess and earning free jewels, or shopping for an accessory wardrobe that is simply your own. They value the fun in creating Wow with their amazing jewelry, fabulous Hostess Program and a ground floor business opportunity.

THE GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a $100 Simply You gift certificate!
This giveaway limited to US residents and ends on April 17th.
*Enter more of our Current Giveaways and get extra entries!

HOW TO ENTER

Check out their fashion jewelry and then come back here and leave a comment that tells us which piece of jewelry you love.

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: "Like" Jewelry Parties on Facebook
1 Entry: Follow SimplyYouNL on Twitter
1 Entry: Tweet this: I want to win $100 in Simply You jewelry! #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/gcj0ng (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Hair Flairs - as seen on Oprah Winfrey

2011-04-04T08:36:00.004-05:00

Unless you have been under a rock, you know that sparkle is hot right now!

Women love to stand out and shine so products that sparkle are popping up everywhere. Adding a little sparkle to your hair can give you a surprising pop of glamour.

There are a lot of cheap hair products out there. You know you have seen them! They do not look very good and from the second you put them in your hair they start falling out.

Stylists everywhere are using professional Hair Flairs to create incredible hairstyles. Trina Marr was interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey show on Jan 28th and was wearing Sparkle Gold Hair Flairs. Oprah loved them! You do not have to go to the salon to get Hair Flairs though. You can buy them online at a great price and easily add them to your hair yourself!

Hair Flairs are a Tie-in Hair Tinsel that creates the look of Hair Bling. They even last 2 - 6 weeks! You can shampoo, condition, and blow-dry like normal and not worry. They can even be flat-ironed to 410 degrees F! This is a professional product so you do not have to worry about loose strands either.

Hair Flairs Tinsel comes in 20 colors plus they have Crystalz and Feather varieties! To keep up with all the excitement like Hair Flairs on Facebook!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Mini Laser Anti-Gravity Mouse

2011-04-04T08:05:00.005-05:00

Are you sick and tired of the mouse pad on your laptop and hate the old-fashioned miniature mouse? Then you are not alone!

I am always on my laptop and I have been dealing with these issues for years! I spend so much time on my laptop that I often have to stop working because I am sore from my fingers to my shoulders.

I love my laptop but the mouse pad absolutely kills me. There really is not anything laptop creators can do about it, but it just is not comfortable for regular usage. I have tried the old fashioned miniature mouse but that really is not much help. It helps my shoulder since it is off to the side but it still makes my wrist sore.

I was recently sent a Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse w/ Anti-Gravity Comfort Pivot by Smartfish Technologies to review. It really stands out from any other mini mouse. It has the convenience of being wireless but it has a more natural movement so you do not get the soreness from having your hand and wrist clenched in the same position!
More info from Smartfish:

The ErgoMotion™ pivot system reduces your risk of Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) by adding motion! The magic of the function is how it naturally adapts to your hand motion rather than the other way around! While all other computer mice require your hand and wrist to remain in a fixed position, the Whirl™ Mini pivots naturally as you move, automatically changing it’s angle infinitely to match your wrist and hand. The mouse will lean, swivel or pivot with your movement so your hand and wrist are never in a fixed position, creating the most comfortable and healthy mousing experience ever. This mouse rocks!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

It’s fun to stay at the Hil-ton Ho-tel!

2011-04-02T09:01:00.002-05:00

This post brought to you by Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Even though I was just born in the 70s and I was too young to party disco style, I still remember dancing around the house to the songs. Disco may no long rule the world but it still makes you get up and dance. There is just something happy and energetic about disco. It reminds you to have fun and think back to when life was simple.

Branson, Missouri always has great shows but on May 13th they will be having a 70’s Supershow featuring Village People, Maxine Nightingale & Janice-Marie. This sounds like it will be quite a show! There are still plenty of disco crazy fans out there that will be dancing the night away.

The best deal that weekend will be at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing where you can get 2 tickets to the 70's Supershow and a 1 night stay starting at $219.00. The tickets for the show are over $50 each so that means you can get a beautiful room at a great hotel for less than $119!

I would make a whole weekend out of it though since there are so many sites to see in Branson. I would love to check out the Haunted House, Hollywood Wax Museum, and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. I would also like to check out the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. The only down side to Branson is trying to decide which shows and attractions you can fit into you trip!

If you could make it to the 70's Supershow, what Village People song would you look forward to the most? Would it be “YMCA,” “In the Navy,” “Macho Man,” or maybe "Can't Stop The Music"?

Giveaway - VeggieTales: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter

2011-03-29T20:04:00.005-05:00

Families everywhere have been going nuts over the Veggie Tales every since they were first unveiled. They have entertained children everywhere while adding in Christian moral themes and Biblical values and lessons.

VeggieTales: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter is an all new Easter story that reminds kids and families of the true meaning of Easter and reminds us all of the importance of helping others in need.

DVD Synopsis

It’s Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade is hunting for a way to help others. She cooks up a plan to save the old theater with a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20-foot robot rabbit to perform “Up With Bunnies.” Now there’s only one thing missing – the star of the show! When word spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava (Melinda Doolittle) is arriving to perform in her hometown church’s Easter service, Marlee schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee’s dreams – or will she discover the true meaning of Easter and what helping others is really all about?

THE GIVEAWAY

Three (3) lucky winners will receive a copy of VeggieTales®: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter DVD!
This giveaway limited to US residents and ends on April 12th.
*Enter more of our Current Giveaways and get extra entries!

HOW TO ENTER

Comment and tell us why you love the Veggie Tales!

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Tweet this: Win one of 3 copies of VeggieTales: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/hwbdAY (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Giveaway - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

2011-03-29T19:30:00.007-05:00

If you have not heard of the New York Times Best Selling trilogy, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies then maybe you are a zombie!

I have been hearing a lot of buzz about Steve Hockensmith’s final installment of the series, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After. That is why I was so excited to be able to receive a copy to review and three (3) copies to giveaway!

The original book spent more than 50 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and pioneered a bizarre microgenre of monster mash-up literature. Now that the final book is out everyone is going crazy for it! Whether you love Austen, horror, or literary mash-ups you are sure to love this series.

This maybe my favorite quote about the series...

“Has there ever been a work of literature that couldn’t be improved by adding zombies?”—Time

Check out the video trailer they created for the book!

THE GIVEAWAY

Three (3) lucky winners will receive a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After!
This giveaway limited to US residents and ends on April 12th.
*Enter more of our Current Giveaways and get extra entries!

HOW TO ENTER

Comment and tell us what novel you think could be improved by adding zombies.

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Tweet this: Win one of 3 copies of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/hYmzqm (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Nutella Breakfast Party

2011-03-20T18:21:00.005-05:00

When was the last time you had some Nutella? Our family loves Nutella so when I was asked by MommyParties to host a Nutella breakfast party I said YES!

Morning are always crazy around here. My girls are not morning people so we are always behind schedule. It would be easy to just skip breakfast but kids need a healthy breakfast to help them through their school day. Nutella helps us create a fast healthy meal that kids will actually eat.

As soon as the party package arrived I started to think about who to include for the party. Where could I find busy moms that know all about trying to fix a fast healthy breakfast? Then it hit me... The women that work in the offices at our local milk hauling company know all about the importance of a healthy breakfast. So I brought the party to them!

Our Nutella party was a big hit! As soon as the first couple of ladies came into the conference room to check it out, word got around fast and everyone came in to get some. I served healthy whole grain breads, Nutella, strawberries, and bananas. The rich and creamy Nutella mixed with fresh fruits is a delicious combination. The big hit of the day was the wrap with a whole wheat tortilla.
Nutella hazelnut spread is a terrific option for individuals with peanut allergies. The spread does not contain peanuts or peanut ingredients, nor does the product come in contact with peanuts during manufacturing.

Free products and branded items were provide for the party free of charge by Nutella through Mommyparties.

Giveaway - Die Cut Business Cards

2011-03-20T13:44:00.005-05:00

Who wants die cut business cards? I love getting new business cards. I have a few different business cards but I keep finding that I need more.

I do not like business cards that are crammed full of information. They look cluttered and are not very memorable. The best cards stand out and have just the information that you need. For this reason, I have multiple business cards.

I have a card that I hand out to other webmasters and bloggers, a card that I hand out to potential readers, and a card for potential advertisers. I also have cards for my two other websites. That may be a lot of cards but when I give someone a card I want it to fit with why I am giving it to them.

I love the die cut business cards from UPrinting! The full color front and back printing helps them really stand out but when you add on the die cut shapes you become unforgettable.

THE GIVEAWAY

Prize Details: 250 Die Cut Business Cards for One (1) Winner
Size: 1.75” x 3.5”, 2” x 3.5”, or 2” x 2”; 2.5” Diameter (Circle)
Die Cut Business Cards (Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded Single-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle);
Card: 14pt Cardstock Gloss / Matte / High Gloss (UV), or 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
on a 6 Business Days Turnaround; Front Only or Front and Back printing
Restriction: Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only.
Giveaway Ends March 25th

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive business cards for hosting. For more information about business cards, please visit http://www.uprinting.com/business-cards.html.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave us a comment below telling us what shape you prefer.

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: "Like" UPrinting on Facebook
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Tweet this: I just entered the Die Cut Business Cards #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://twitthis.com/24p8st (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Storyland Yoga DVD

2011-03-17T22:59:00.004-05:00

Many moms find it hard to find time to stay in shape when they have small kids. Kids can keep you very busy. What little time you have "to yourself" is actually spent trying to get caught up on cleaning and laundry!

I found it was easier to just get them involved in the workout. It can kill two birds with one stone. You get a little workout in and they get tired out so just maybe they will head to bed early and you can sneak a glass of wine before bed! My kids favorite was sitting on my legs while I did leg lifts. They make great weights!

We were recently sent a great yoga video for kids. It is called Storyland Yoga and young kids love it! Storyland Yoga makes learning yoga fun and engaging. It is even more fun when mom gets involved!

We found it to be a fun way to introduce yoga to kids and get them more active. Yoga also helps kids relax and focus. I think we all agree that today's video game generation needs a lot more focus!

Storyland Yoga can be purchased on Amazon.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Baby Bond Nursing Accessory

2011-03-17T22:47:00.008-05:00

For years, there has been a lot of debate about mothers nursing in public. Some people are completely against it and believe that it should only be done in private.

As a mother that nursed her babies, I am all for nursing anytime and anywhere your baby gets hungry! What can be more natural and loving than a mother feeding their baby?

When I nursed my babies I always used a baby blanket. I hated the balancing act that would accompany it though! You would have to try to feed a baby and keep checking to be sure that the blanket was not exposing you. Once your baby starts moving around and grabbing things that can become more of an uncomfortable situation rather than the beautiful bonding moment that it should be.

I have seen some nursing blankets that hang on you like an apron but the baby is still completely covered and there is still the chance that accidental exposures will occur.

We were recently sent a new innovative product called Baby Bond. What an awesome product! Once again I am sitting here wondering... Why didn't I think of that?

Baby Bond is more like a sash that just covers you up so your baby is not buried under a hot blanket. You can even watch your beautiful baby while you bond! Baby Bond fits close to your body so you do not have to worry about being exposed. It has an ingenious little slit that allows you to feed while still covered up.

Baby Bond comes in a size and color for everyone. You can go bold and stylish or just opt for something simple. BabyBond is machine washable, 100% cotton, comes with a removable burp cloth and is made in the USA.

This is a great product that mothers everywhere have been waiting for. Great things happen when women create products for women!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits

2011-03-14T19:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Ashworth College. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many military families go through a tough transition when they go back to civilian life. It is even harder now because there are so few jobs out there. The Post 9/11 GI Bill can be a big help!

The Post-9/11 GI Bill helps veterans that served on or after 9/11 get the training they need to move ahead with their civilian life. The bill not only pays for your college but if you choose to get your degree at a lower price school you can pass on any unused money to your spouse or descendants! I think that is incredible.

Many of todays college students are opting for a less traditional experience because they need to continue with working full time so they can still make ends meet. Online colleges are proving to be a fast growing trend. They can still be very expensive though.

Ashworth College is completely online and is 50% less than the average accredited online school. You could have the flexibility of an online school, receive federal grant money, and if you use the Post-9/11 GI Bill you could have some money leftover to transfer to a dependant. Talk about a win-win situation!

Ashworth College could help you graduate and not be buried in debt in the process.

Guinness Irish Stew

2011-03-14T09:12:00.000-05:00

This Irish Stew is fantastic. The Guinness adds a nice richness. Make sure to check out our Irish Soda Bread to go with it.

I love this Irish Stew and I can not wait to make it this year. It is one of the few things that the whole family loves.

The main difference between this recipe and others is the Guinness and the Marmite. Marmite can be found in most grocery stores these days. If your grocery store has a section with import goods then it probably has Marmite. I have never really had trouble finding it. It adds to the richness in flavor and can be used in other dishes that has a beef based sauce. There is no meat in it but it has a beefy flavor.

Ingredients

2 lbs Stew Meat (beef or lamb)
salt
pepper
rosemary
flour
3 garlic cloves
olive oil (can substitute vegetable oil)
1 red onion
1 leek
small package baby carrots
10 potatoes
4 cups beef stock
1 heaping tablespoon Marmite (yeast spread)
1 can Guinness beer (reduce beef stock to 2 cups)
Mushrooms

* You will want to start in small batches of meat so when
you fry the meat the sides do not touch and they can fully
brown. The browning adds a lot of the flavor.

* If you are using a big pot on the stove instead of a slow
cooker you can make it all in the big pot. If you make it on
the stove use a lid. Make sure to keep it low so it does not
burn and stir it from time to time.

Directions

1. Place a small batch of the meat in a bowl and toss it with
enough flour to completely coat. The flour should look dry.

2. Brown the meat in a pan with hot oil. Set the meat in the
slow cooker. Continue until all of the meat is browned.

3. Add the onions, garlic, and rosemary to the pan and fry
until they start to brown.

4. Add in some of the beef stock. As it comes to a slow boil
scrape the bottom of the pan to get up the brown pieces
that stuck to the bottom. Again, this is a big part of the
flavor. Mix in the Marmite.

5. While the stock is simmering to loosen up the brown
pieces you can start to cut up the rest. Make the
pieces whatever size you like. You can peel the potatoes or
leave the peel on. Put them all in the slow cooker.

6. Put all the rest of the ingredients, including the
simmering stock, into the slow cooker for at least 3 hours.

Spring is coming to Pier 1

2011-03-13T09:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.

It seemed like Winter went on FOREVER but now finally Spring is almost here! I could not believe it when I saw that Spring officially begins on March 20th. I am so excited!

We have a lot of plans this Spring. We have a lot of yard work waiting for us and then we can start planting. I can not wait until the flowers start coming up. We really love spending time outside. Once it gets warm we hate being stuck inside. Even when I have work to do on the computer I like doing it outside on the patio.

Every year we add a little more to our yard so the new Spring line at Pier 1 has me all excited too! We have a nice patio table and chairs already but I would like a few chairs that are more for relaxing. I love the idea of outdoor papasans! We fell in love with papasans all over again last month when we redid the girls reading room.

If you sign up for the Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter you can get lots of great ideas on making your outdoor area more fun and beautiful. This year, I want to add some new lanterns and maybe some bright and colorful outdoor dishes.

If you live in the Dallas, Atlanta, or NYC areas you will deffinitely want to check out the Pier 1 Tweetups! I am soooo jealous that they will not be coming to Madison! I would have had a blast... and probably would have ended up with a car load of stuff too!

Bobby Long - A Winter Tale

2011-03-12T14:42:00.000-06:00

The movie Twilight made a lot of people famous but one of them was not even in the movie. Bobby Long, a young British singer-songwriter got a nice boost in exposure when a song he wrote was sung by Robert Pattinson.

After crazed fan girls heard "Let Me Sign" sung by Robert Pattinson in the movie Twilight they wanted to know more about the music. Bobby Long has a rough yet warm sounding voice, writes hauntingly poetic lyrics, and then adds in a really catchy chorus. This has been a real recipe for success for him. He is a man with a ton of talent and personality.

When I was sent A Winter Tale to review I really enjoyed it but actually seeing Bobby Long perform live was awesome! James and I have gone to many concerts together over the years but I think this is the first time that we were shocked by how good it was.

*Rant- I am so sick of artists that can not actually sing or write a good song even if their life depended on it. Auto-Tune could possibly be the worst invention ever to hit the music industry! I have gone to way too many concerts just to find out that the artist sounds horrible live and they have absolutely no personality!

Seeing Bobby Long live brings the music alive. He has such a great personality and when he sings he takes you along on the journey. You do not merely listen to the music, you feel it!

I was amazed while watching the audience. Normally, people walk around and talk with others during concerts. As soon as Bobby Long started singing everyone went silent. It was as if the entire room could feel the music and they just wanted to sit and take it all in.

Check out the video below to hear some of Bobby Long's music and hear him talk about the album.

You can also find more info on the Bobby Long website and follow Bobby Long on Facebook or Bobby Long on Twitter

I received a CD and free concert tickets for review purposes.

Dive into the season’s sexiest swimwear

2011-03-11T01:01:00.001-06:00

This post brought to you by Express. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many people made a New Years resolution to get fit and now that Spring is on its way many people are wishing they stuck to their resolution!

Now that March is in full swing we may be too late for New Years resolutions but there is still time to get ready for swimsuit season! You just need to get yourself motivated and keep moving forward. The Spring 2011 Swim Collection may be just what you need to get motivated!

Express has some great deals going on for some really hot women's swimwear! I love the monokini style. They are perfect for moms that might want to look sexy and still be able to hide a few stretch marks! They keep you a little more covered yet I think they look much sexier than a regular bikini.

Express has great deals on swimwear right now. You can find everything from the monokini, string bikini, strapless, and halter bikini styles.

I love the bright colors this spring! You can chose from bright solids, graphic prints, nautical-inspired stripes, sleek metallic, and even reversible styles so you get more style for your money. They also have many styles with the added glamor of flirty ruffles, sexy self-tie sides, beaded embellishments and polished metal hardware.

The best part about shopping online is that you can buy the tops and bottoms in different sizes so you really get the best fit!

So how great are these deals? The monokini in the picture is only $35.92 and the pareo wrap is only $24.43! Can you believe that? I have spent twice that much for a suit that does not even come close to looking that good!

You can also find swim shorts for men and all of your accessorizing needs with Express spring essentials so don't forget the sandals, tote bags, sunglasses and hats.

Don't forget to also sign up for Express e-mail for a chance to win one of ten $200 Express GiftCards. For more info check out the sweepstakes rules.

Giveaway - Cinnamon Burst Cheerios Gift Pack

2011-03-01T08:36:00.005-06:00

We have another great cereal giveaway! We love Cheerios and we love cereal with cinnamon so we were really excited when we found out that there was a new Cinnamon Burst Cheerios and that we would get to do a giveaway for it.

I love that this gift pack also includes a 4 pack of cereal bowls and another travel cereal chiller! We can never have enough cereal bowls in this house. By the time the kids have left for school and I can finally eat, there are never clean bowls left! We already received a travel cereal chiller from a past giveaway so now my two youngest can each have one of their own!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a Cinnamon Burst Cheerios cereal gift pack that includes a box of Cinnamon Burst Cheerios cereal for you to try, family 4-pack of cereal bowls, travel cereal chiller and a cinnamon scented candle.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends March 10th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

*Products for me to review and for this giveaway were all provided by Cheerios through MyBlogSpark.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave us a comment below telling us what helps you start your day off with a smile.

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: "Like" Cheerios on Facebook
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Tweet this: I just entered the Cinnamon Burst Cheerios Gift Pack #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://twitthis.com/hapcys (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Giveaway - Big G Cereal & Hot Wheels

2011-03-01T07:56:00.004-06:00

Have you seen the new Big G cereals with Hot Wheels inside?

When you head to the grocery store look for new specially marked boxes of Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Reese´s Puffs, and Cookie Crisp. You´ll be able to "gas and go" with a good breakfast and one of four custom-designed collectable Hot Wheels pullback racers. Each car also contains a code to unlock an exciting online racing game!

As you all know our family LOVES cereal giveaways. We go through tons of cereal so what could be better than free cereal? When I was asked to do this giveaway I figured that the girls would be excited about the cereal but not care too much about the cars. I could not have been more wrong!

My girls immediately pulled the cars out of the boxes. They did not race the cars though. They did however send the cars racing across the kitchen so the kittens could go nuts racing after them. The kittens LOVE the cars!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a Big G Hot Wheels gift pack which includes 5 boxes of participating Big G cereals, all with collectible Hot Wheels® pullback racers.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends March 10th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

*Products for me to review and for this giveaway were all provided by General Mills & Hot Wheels through MyBlogSpark.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave us a comment below telling us which Big G cereal is your favorite.

EXTRA ENTRIES

3 Entries: Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post.
3 Entries: "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It's new!)
2 Entries: Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it.
1 Entry: Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
1 Entry: Tweet this: I just entered the Big G Cereal & Hot Wheels #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://twitthis.com/kr4fgs (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
1 Entry: Follow this blog on GFC - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
1 Entry: Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
1 Entry: Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Ola Loa Multi-Vitamin Formulas

2011-02-24T09:51:00.004-06:00

Have you seen Ola Loa Multi-Vitamins? They are perfect for anyone that wants a healthier vitamin or has trouble taking their vitamins.

How many times have you gone to the store and just stared at the vitamins thinking about how many you would have to buy just to get everything you need? You could spend a fortune on vitamins! There are shelves and shelves of stuff and how do you know what you really need?

I used to get a box that contained little pouches with around 8 pills in them. You were supposed to take one pouch a day. I would have to take a break in between swallowing them all because I would start to feel sick!

I was recently asked to try some Ola Loa Multi-Vitamin Formulas and I found them to be a really great idea. It is a powdered drink mix so taking them is super easy even if you have trouble swallowing pills. They come individually packaged so you can throw them in your purse and never have to worry that you forgot to take them.

From the website...

OLA LOA multi-vitamin mineral products were created with your health and continued well being in mind. Whether you are choosing our ENERGY Super Multi for superior vitality and antioxidant protection, our KIDS Multi formula, our REPAIR Formula for unparalleled bone and joint support, or our SPORT all-natural thirst-quenching hydrating drink formula for active people, you can be sure you are getting the most healthy and complete nutritional formulas available. Our product formulas were created by Richard Kunin, M.D., a nutrition-oriented physician and Orthomolecular specialist with 30+ years of experience in nutrition medicine and practice. Dr. Kunin pioneered the use of vitamins and minerals in today’s medical practice.

For more info and to keep up to date you can "like" Ola Loa Multi-Vitamins on Facebook.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

How Long Till Spring?

2011-02-24T09:20:00.003-06:00

Why can't winter be over yet?

Mother nature has been teasing us lately. We keep going through a loop of freezing cold, tons of snow, sunny warm weather, and then back to freezing cold.

She did change it up a bit this time though and added in a few days of freezing rain. There was a thick coating of ice on everything.

We have gotten sick of the bad weather and decided that since we are stuck inside we might as well start Spring cleaning and home improvement projects early this year. Maybe when it finally gets warm we will have a lot of it done and we will be able to sit outside and enjoy it more!

So far we have rearranged all the bedrooms and the front room, got some new bookshelves, replaced our back door and changed the locks to our house. The biggest project has been moving around the desks. James got a new desk for his office so everyone else in the house upgraded since the desks got passed down to the next child. It ended up being a lot of furniture moving and made me hate staircases!

We still have a lot of decluttering and organizing to do but I hope to get everything done before the weather outside is nice enough to have the windows open. Then we can start painting some of the rooms.

Big Kahuna Original Gourmet Blend Seasoning

2011-02-23T17:47:00.007-06:00

How many times have you found a restaurant that serves something incredible and you wished that you knew their secret? No matter how hard you try you are unable to even come close when you try it at home!

I was recently asked to try Big Kahuna Original Gourmet Blend seasoning and I was immediately interested! Finally, a restaurant that sells their seasoning so you can make incredible food at home. The only problem now is deciding if you will share your secret to great tasting food or keep everyone else guessing!

In the early 1960's BKW started as a small family owned business. After wowing family and friends with their wings for years they finally started a small take-out restaurant near the University of Tennessee campus called Big Kahuna Wings. Just 2 short weeks after opening they competed against big names like Hooters, Spicy's, and Buffalo Wild Wings. The gourmet blend of seasoning helped Big Kahuna Wings win BEST WINGS in Knoxville at the annual "War of the Wings".

BKW seasonings come in 7 varieties and can be purchased separately, all together, or in a big 5lb tub! They also have some great recipes on their site. I really want to try to the BIG KAHUNA DEEP FRIED TURKEY because we love our turkey with some spice!

To keep up with BKW you can "like" BKW Seasonings on Facebook too!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Giveaway - A Silken Thread

2011-02-21T08:31:00.006-06:00

Who wants to win a copy of Brenda Jackson's new book? We have 3 copies to giveaway!

Brenda Jackson has been writing romance novels for years and her readers have been very anxiously awaiting this new one! A Silken Thread will be available tomorrow (February 22nd) and I have to tell you that it is definitely worth rushing out to get it.

A Silken Thread introduces us to Erica Sanders who has found the man of her dreams and can not wait to marry him. Her mother, on the other hand, will do anything to stop the wedding so she decides to dig up some dirt. While looking into Brian's past, Erica's mother finds something that she was not prepared to find. She finds a devastating betrayal that rips both families apart.

Can the families get past all of the secrets and lies? Will Erica and Brian find their way back to each other? You will have to read the book to find out!

THE GIVEAWAY:

Three (3) lucky winners will receive a copy of Brenda Jackson's new book A Silken Thread.
Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends March 15th.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling us why you think you would love this book.

EXTRA ENTRIES
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (Our page is new so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered to win a copy of A Silken Thread @YourFunFamily #giveaway http://bit.ly/gx6oHv (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Raisels - Healthier Alternative To Candy

2011-02-17T09:02:00.005-06:00

Do you have trouble keeping candy out of your kids mouths? It seems like an everyday thing here in our house. It seems like everyone is handing out candy these days. I will not even get into how much junk food James brings home on a regular basis! I keep the house full of fruits and vegetables to snack on but kids like having that extra sugar.

We were recently sent a healthier alternative to candy and it was a big hit in our house. Raisels are real golden raisins with a sour fruity coating that makes them taste more like candy. They are a great way to sneak in some healthy fruit while your kids just think they are getting a treat.

Honestly, it was not actually a big winner in the beginning. My kids did not want to try them because they believe that the only good raisins are the ones that are baked in a cookie.

I had some work to do so I snacked on a few while sitting at my laptop. Just a few moments passed before the girls arrived and asked to try one. They are so predictable! I knew that as soon as I had some they would all want to try them.

They have that very sour flavor which is a big hit with most kids today. Every time something comes out with "sour" on the label kids race to try it! Even now just thinking about them makes my mouth pucker up.

My girls have morning snack time in class and the Raisels are perfect! They get lots of questions about them and everyone in the class loves them.

Raisels come in Sour Orange Burst, Sour Lemon Blast, Sour Peach Pucker or Sour Apple TKO!

Check out the Raisel website for more info about where to buy Raisels. You can also find Raisels on Facebook.

We were given free products to review but all opinions are 100% my own.

Shmirshky: the pursuit of hormone happiness

2011-02-17T08:10:00.005-06:00

I receive a lot of books to review but this one hit home. As soon as I saw the title I wanted to read it! I am turning 37 this year and I have a lot of questions about what is coming in the future.

Shmirshky: the pursuit of hormone happiness is an incredible resource for all women. There are so many myths and misconceptions about menopause and most women find it hard to have an open dialog about it. Add to that the fact that not every woman will have the same problems going through menopause. This book gives women some much needed answers and it is all delivered with a little humor.

Shmirshky was written by Ellen Sarver Dolgen under the pen name "E" which stands for everyone. This book is a must read for all women that have questions about what to expect when going through menopause. It takes away the mystery behind it all and empowers women so they do not have to feel alone in their experiences.

Women need to stop feeling like menopause is a dirty little secret and talk about it with friends. All women go through it and we should all be able to share our experiences along the way.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Giveaway - $50 at Red Envelope

2011-02-07T06:44:00.006-06:00

We have a great giveaway for Valentines Day!

I have been having a blast shopping on the Red Envelope site. The only problem is deciding on just one thing! They make shopping for your Valentine a snap. If you are one of those people that are always looking for the perfect gift, you will love the huge selection. For those of you that might have trouble picking out gifts or just do not know what your Valentine might like Red Envelope can help.

They have personalized gifts, unique finds, and even some heart felt gifts. You can find jewelry, adult games, and a beer making kit all at the same store so you are sure to fine the perfect gift no matter who you are shopping for!

Who wants a deal? Red Envelope also has some great coupon codes.

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will get to pick out $50 worth of merchandise from RedEnvelope.com

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends February 11th.

*The giveaway prize and a gift for me were provided by Red Envelope.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling us what you would choose from the Red Envelope site.

EXTRA ENTRIES
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (Our page is new so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Follow @RedEnvelope on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered the $50 at Red Envelope #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/e9BKJf (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Super Bowl Home Party Games

2011-01-27T08:37:00.005-06:00

The Super Bowl is coming up really fast! What do you have planned?

The Super Bowl is the second biggest day for food consumption and it is the most popular for at home parties. People tend to get competitive with their Super Bowl parties. They want to have the best party around. So what makes a great party?

Planning the menu and all the cooking can be stressful so if cooking is not your thing do not hesitate to purchase ready made dishes. The little extra you spend is well worth it if you can eliminate that stress and spend more time with your guests.

After you make your decisions on food you need to think about how long people will be at the party. Are people coming early? Will there be a lot of drinking? If people have a lot to drink during the game you will want a way to keep them at the party for awhile so they can drive home safely.

Printable Super Bowl Party Games can add a lot of fun to the party and give your guests something to do before and after the game. We were recently sent this Super Bowl Home Party Games pack to review and we love it! There are 17 high quality printable games including 4 games for the girls that hate football!

Every good party has things to keep people busy. This printable party pack has something for everyone. I am sure that men will love the party games for girls. Girls that hate football will stay busy so the men can watch football without interruptions!

This Super Bowl Party Games Pack sells for $19.95. Once you purchase the games you will be able to download the games so you can print as many as you want as often as you like!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Giveaway - Progresso Souper You

2011-01-20T13:20:00.008-06:00

We are at day 20 of the new year, how many of your New Years Resolutions are still going strong?

I must admit that I have slid backwards a little bit. I still have my eyes looking forward though and I am still trying.

I may have a few discouraging moments but then I regroup and get back on track. Resolutions do not really fail until you stop trying. I love that no matter what happens each minute that passes gives you another chance to start again.

One of my goals this year is to get healthier so this Progresso Souper You Giveaway came just in time! I was recently sent this same prize pack and an assortment of Progresso Soups. As soon as they came I warned everyone in the house to back off. These soups are mine!

I love the Progresso Light Soups! They come in 40 delicious flavors with 100 calories or less. These are not those watery plain soups. They are chunky soups with lots of flavor! Eating a low calorie lunch will be easy with Progresso.

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a Progresso Souper You gift pack that contains a VIP coupon for a free can of Progresso soup, as well as a yoga mat, water bottle, set of aerobic bands, sport headband and two sport wristbands

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends February 3rd.

*Products for me to review and this giveaway were all provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling us which Progresso soup you love or which one you would like to try.

EXTRA ENTRIES
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (Our page is new so this is 3 entries!)
* "Like" Progresso on Facebook
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered the Progresso Souper You #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/fKSauV (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.
You can also enter The big Progresso Souper You Debut for a chance to win a full makeover in NYC!

NMEDA Qualified Dealers

2011-01-18T09:00:00.001-06:00

This post brought to you by NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Families are faced with tough decisions everyday. We do the best we can, but often we do not even know where to begin. Taking care of aging or disabled family members can create huge changes in your life. You want the best for your family but you do not know where to begin.

One of the biggest and most costly issues is finding a vehicle that helps get a disabled person out of the house and back into a more normal life. Every disability is different so every person has different needs. This makes finding what you need more difficult.

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association. They do not sell anything so there is nothing pushy about it. They just want to help educate people and help people find a qualified dealer for their vehicle needs. NMEDA has Dealers AND Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealers. QAP dealers are part of a nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. You can trust that the work they do will be up to the best standards.

NMEDA helps elderly and disabled people get back in the drivers seat and back to a more independent life. Dealers work one on one with people to customize a vehicle with the customers unique needs. I was surprised by how close the nearest dealer is. Check out the NMEDA site and find how close one is to your home.

Peanut Butter Playdough

2011-01-17T09:22:00.000-06:00

Every time I tell someone that we made Peanut Butter Playdough people want to know more about it. My kids LOVE playing with it. The best part is that they get to eat what they create. Kids love edible crafts!

Peanut Butter Playdough is perfect for those cold or rainy days when kids are stuck inside.

Usually, kids hate being stuck inside on those boring days, but they will love playing with this stuff! I love that I always have the ingredients on hand for just such emergencies!

Peanut Butter Playdough

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, using your hands.
Dough should feel soft and pliable.
Form shapes and be creative!
You can add other foods like M&M's or peanuts for eyes, mouths, etc
Storage: This MUST be stored in an airtight container.

If you want this to be a small portion of another snack you can have your kids make small things that can be put on top of graham crackers or apple slices. They could also place their creations on bread.

My kids love doing this "craft" because it is edible, fun, and they can be creative. I hope you will try these. They can be a lot of fun.

A Spicy Super Bowl Sunday

2011-01-13T21:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

The Super Bowl is coming up pretty fast. Do you know what will be on your Game-Day Party Menu?

I was recently surprised to find out some Super Bowl statistics. Super Bowl Sunday takes 1st place as the day with more at-home parties. I was surprised to find out that it beat out New Years Eve. It also beats out Christmas to win 2nd place in day of greatest food consumption. Only Thanksgiving can beat it on more food getting stuffed in our faces.

Like Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl has people keeping with some traditional foods. When you think about Super Bowl foods you think about pizza, chili, hot wings, finger foods and dips. It is rarely a day of fancy culinary dishes. When I think about Super Bowl foods I think spicy and I LOVE spicy foods.

In our house Super Bowl Sunday will be full of the traditional foods and a bottle of TABASCO® Original Red so we can spice it up a bit. I love putting it on pizza. The mix of vinegar and red pepper added to the cheesiness makes it Pizza Perfected.

Almost every meal I make is served with a bottle of hot sauce. I normally get upset when someone pours some sauce all over the food I make. I feel like I spent all that time to make a delicious meal and they won't even taste it under the sauce. Tabasco does not cover or change the taste of food though. It just makes the flavors pop. It awakens your food.

I put it on everything! I hate Mac & Cheese but put a little hot sauce on it and I will eat it up. I love waking up and smelling coffee but when I smell a fried egg with TABASCO® Original Red I am in heaven! My perfect egg is fried over easy so the yolk and Tabasco mix to form a yummy sauce that covers everything. Call me crazy, but I even add hot sauce to stir fry!

Start Talking - A Girl's Guide

2011-01-13T16:27:00.004-06:00

Mothers everywhere dread certain conversations with their daughters. I hear questions all the time from women wondering what they should say and how to even start the tough conversations. It can be very uncomfortable for both mother and daughter.

I recently received a copy of the book Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. This book can be a great tool for mothers and daughters. You can sit down with your daughter and let the book start the conversations.

Often daughters are too embarrassed to ask questions and mothers do not know how to respond. The book gives you the questions and the answers so the hardest parts are already taken care of. Start Talking features more than 113 questions girls ask every day about everything from periods, sex, relationships and guys to eating, body image and more.

I always recommend that mothers and daughters set aside regular time for talking. It helps bring you closer together so when a problem or concern does arise your daughter is comfortable coming to you. Start Talking can aid in developing those regular conversations. You can sit down together with the book and then discuss the topic together.

My oldest daughter and I like to have our talks while walking along a trail by our house. Being out of the house makes it feel more private and like it really is our own special time together. We also benefit from the added exercise!

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Save on Baby Formula

2011-01-11T21:01:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I look at how much baby formula costs, I wonder how we ever managed to afford it!

I nursed all of my babies as much as possible but there was a point where I would have to stop. With my first daughter, I needed to go back to work. My second daughter ended up in the hospital with RSV and was not allowed to nurse. After a week in the hospital she refused to go back to nursing. By my third daughter, I had stopped working and I was able to nurse her for a full year.

Nursing your baby can save you a ton of money but it is not always possible. They estimate that parents spend over $2000 a year on formula. That's a lot of money! While you may have no choice but to buy formula, you still have some big choices in what kind of formula to buy.

Parents always want the best for their kids but does costing more mean it really is the best? When it comes to infant formula cost means nothing. All infant formula must meet strict FDA-regulations that ensure that the formula contains everything your baby needs. So go ahead and look for the deals and be confident that your baby is still getting everything that they need.

Bright Beginnings baby formula can save you hundreds of dollars and you can even get free shipping on some orders if you buy on diapers.com. You can also like Bright Beginnings on Facebook to learn more about their affordable formula choices of Premium Milk-Based Formula, Gentle Milk-Based Formula, Organic Infant Formula, Soy Infant Formula, and Soy Pediatric Drink.

Aurorae Northern Lights Yoga Mat

2011-01-10T06:20:00.000-06:00

We were recently sent a Northern Lights yoga mat and Yoga Strap by Aurorae Yoga. I loved the colors as soon as I saw it. The sunny blend of colors are calming yet still energizing which makes it perfect for Yoga. I also love the Golden Sun Focal Icon. As a focal point it is pretty hypnotic!
We all know that looks are not everything though so I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that this Yoga mat is very high quality. It is a great thickness that allows for very comfortable movement and yet it is still easy to roll and take on the go. This mat will last a very long time.

Yoga is best when connecting with nature and this mat really keeps nature in mind. It is made with eco safe material. It is biodegradable and it is Phthalates free.

Aurorae Yoga has a full line of Yoga products that get top reviews on Amazon. If you are looking for a new Yoga Mat to aid in those New Years Resolutions you will really want to check these out!

New Year, New Vacations

2011-01-08T19:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

One of my goals in the new year is to find more time to relax and travel. We have not taken a vacation as a whole family in many years. In the past we used to joke that we did not take a yearly vacation, we would completely move every year!

We have moved across the country a couple times and moved to other cities more times than I care to count. We have actually been in this same town for 3 years! That is huge for us. James changed jobs so now the constant moving has stopped. It does lead to some boredom though.

As much as I hate moving, I do love the adventure of discovering new places. That is why I have created the goal to travel more. I got to go on a couple all expense paid PR trips this year but they were much more extravagant than I could afford! Branson seems more like a place that we could afford and still have a great time.

It seems like there is something for everyone in Branson. We would have to spend a day at the Titanic museum and another day at Ripley's Believe It or Not. We would have to stay at least two nights so that we could enjoy a dinner cruise and the IMAX Entertainment Complex. I would really like to take my kids to the Branson Scenic Railway. I loved seeing old trains as a kid and going on train rides so I would love to share that experience with my kids.

The hotel choices in Branson provide something for everyone too. The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing look beatiful and have reasonable rates. I also love their specials and packages. Maybe the kids could stay home one weekend and we could take advantage of their Bed and Breakfast or Romance Package. I am sure that James would probably prefer the Golf Package though!

My New Years Resolutions

2011-01-07T08:18:00.000-06:00

I have not done any New Years resolutions in years. I always told myself that they were silly and that nothing ever changes. This year I put my foot down and told myself to shut up! Obviously, if you tell yourself that nothing will ever change then it WILL NOT.

This year, I really want to make some big changes, and what better time to start than New Years?

This is going to be MY year! I have spent years putting everyone else first. I still love my family and my family time will always be a huge priority but I am putting myself first for awhile!

I have a lot of little New Years Resolutions this year but they all come back to the same idea of putting myself first. This is the year of self improvement!

I am no longer going to sit back and watch as the days fly by. I am changing the way I think. I have always had big goals but I have set them aside while I take care of others. Now I am putting those goals in the front of my mind and everyday I am doing something to help me reach those goals.

Some of the goals include diet and exercise so this is not going to be easy but I am ready for a challenge!

Welcome to Parenthood and Win

2011-01-06T23:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of BabyDiaperSurvey.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you ever miss having babies? I love that my girls have become such strong and self sufficient young ladies. I have so much more freedom to enjoy what I like to do without having to spend every minute taking care of children.

I can relax or catch up on work while they finish dinner. They do not need me to help them with homework. They can do most things without even needing me. I love being able to be me again, but every once in awhile, I just miss having babies.

I miss watching them sleep. I miss holding them as they fall asleep. I miss all of those first moments. I do not miss the nights up crying or the dirty diapers though!

When I watched the Welcome to Parenthood video I had one of those moments. It really brings back all of those memories and emotions. Now it is your turn. Okay moms watch this video to win .

Just watch and then take the survey for a chance to win $1000! There is no spam and nothing unethical. Just a quick survey gets you a 1 in 500 chance to win.

So who wants to get in on those great odds? Take this survey for a 1/500 chance at $1000.

Cinch! by Cynthia Sass

2011-01-06T11:51:00.006-06:00

I was recently sent Cynthia Sass' new book Cinch! You may remember her as the creator and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling Flat Belly Diet. Since millions of people are starting their New Years Resolutions of losing weight and getting healthy, this book fits right in.

Yesterday, I saw Cynthia on Rachel Ray. It was a great show that covered all kinds of new diet and exercise products. We have all seen some crazy products out there that claim to work miracles but actually do nothing!

Rachel Ray had on guests that tested the products for 30 days and then reported the results. Cinch! was one of the only ones tested that actually showed results! The woman that tested it had lost 20 pounds.

Cinch! is not one of those "Miracle Diets" that claim that you can lose weight super fast without even trying. If those diets actually worked the world would be full of skinny people! There is no magic pill and there is no miracle diet.

Even the word diet is not reality. You can not just go on a diet and then go back to regular life. That is why so many people just gain the weight back again. You have to make a lifestyle change that includes what you eat and exercise.

Cinch! makes it simple and gives people what they really want and need. You will not find any calorie counting in this plan. Cinch! relies on a simple 5 piece puzzle. Once you learn how to create meals with the 5 pieces you can easily create the 4 meals a day in the plan. Cinch! even gives you all the recipes you need for the full 30 day plan!

This is exactly what I have been wanting! There is even a 5-day Fast Forward plan that helps you drop a few pounds fast so you have that motivation you need to keep going. It is hard to keep doing a diet when you do not see some kind of results right away!

I do not know about you but this year I am really going to make a change and this plan is at the top of the list!

I was sent a free copy of the book to review as part of my involvement with One2One Network but all opinions are my own.

New Years Resolutions

2011-01-06T09:42:00.004-06:00

New year, new you?

It is day 6 of the new year! How are your resolutions doing? Every year people decide to start the new year off with some big changes, but how long do they last?

Traditional resolutions include weight loss and getting fit along with other health concerns like quitting smoking. Those are some huge lifestyle changes! Most people make resolutions without fully thinking about how big of a change they are really going to have to make.

The first step is to recognize that your resolution is a huge change. You will need to have a battle plan. You can not just sit back and hope that you will be able to do it. Take ownership of it and make it more tangible. See it more as a goal and realize that there are steps needed to reach that goal. Then create your own battle plan with the steps you need to take to reach your goal.

Bad habits are hard to break! They say that it takes 28 days to break a habit. That is a 28 day war going on inside your head! I assume that means 28 consecutive days... so if you mess up do you have to start all over? No wonder it is so hard to really change your life!

You may slip up a few times or even hundreds of times. The key is to get back on track and keep trying!

So are you doing any New Years resolutions this year?

Giveaway - Crayola Pop Art Pixies

2010-12-20T20:18:00.013-06:00

This has been a great month for giveaways so I have been behind in writing more about our trip to New York with the Crayola Pop Art Pixies. Do not worry I still have a ton of pictures to share. In the meantime who wants a Crayola Pop Art Pixies giveaway?

As soon as we got to New York we attended a VIP Premier Party. We got to learn all about the Pop Art Pixies and do a few of the kits. My girls love the kits and plan to do a few more over Christmas break from school. We love Crayola products and these Pop Art Pixies kits make creating fun and easy!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a Crayola Pop Art Pixies kit which includes, Skye’s Water Bottle Kit, Skye’s Wind Chimes Kit, Tatum’s Decoupage Glass Plate kit, and Naomi’s Color Glow Lamp kit.

Open to U.S. Residents. Giveaway ends December 31st.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

*Crayola has provided the products for this giveaway and gave my girls and I an all expense paid trip to NYC to attend the Pop Art Pixies event.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment below telling us which Crayola Pop Art Pixies product you think your child would like the most.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered the #Crayola Pop Art Pixies #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/gHpdlo (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Christmas at Pier 1 Imports

2010-12-20T16:01:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

I can not believe that we only have 9 days left before Christmas! If you are as busy as I am then you are WAY behind schedule too!

I have tons of baking left to do and a few presents are still needed. The gifts that are still needed are for people that are hard to buy for. You know the type! They do not need or want anything but you still really want to get them the perfect gift.

I love Pier 1, it is full of beautiful and fun gifts. I start to drool when I enter the store. Everywhere I look, there are things that I really want. You really can find holiday gifts for everyone there.

Pier 1 is one of the only stores that James and I both love shopping in. He does not always have the best taste when it comes to decorating but I can be pretty confident when he shops there. You really can not go wrong.

My love for Pier 1 started when I was little and I discovered Papasan Chairs. That was one of my first purchases when I got my first apartment! Since then I have counted on them for beautiful and interesting decorative pieces. Every time I redo a room I stop there for the finishing touches.

When I needed a pedestal table, I knew that they would have one that I would love. When I got a beautiful new coffee table and I wanted the perfect iron candle centerpiece for it, I went straight to Pier 1. I paired an incredible 5 candle holder with beautiful multicolored scented candles and loved my new coffee table even more.

Okay, now I really need to go shopping. I got myself in the mood! While you are out shopping this year keep in mind that you can make a Toys for Tots donation right at Pier 1. You can also help out Toys for Tots by "liking" Pier 1 Imports on Facebook. For every new fan they get, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots!

Giveaway - Chex Party Mix

2010-12-20T08:10:00.005-06:00

When was the last time you checked out Chex Party Mix recipes? I have always loved the original Chex Mix recipe so I never really looked at any of the other ones. As we get close to the holidays I have been checking out new recipes. I can not believe how many Chex Party Mix recipes there are!

While you are at Walmart doing holiday shopping, make sure to look for some free Chex Mix recipes. You will find Chex Lemon Buddies as well as the new Chex Apple Pie Snack Mix and Tex Chex Party Mix recipes! There are also four gluten-free varieties of Chex cereal so even people with gluten restrictions can enjoy Chex Party Mixes.

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a Chex Party Mix gift pack including 1 box of Rice Chex, a measuring cup set and a Chex Party Mix tote bag.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 31st.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

*Products for me to review and for this giveaway were all provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave us a comment below telling us what Chex Party Mix recipe from Walmart or from the Chex website you would like to try out.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered the Chex Party Mix #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/iaHyGx (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Wet Ones Healthy Hand Zone with Bill Nye

2010-12-09T11:13:00.004-06:00

Did you know that Wet Ones has Antibacterial Hand Wipes? They are just as effective at killing 99.9% of germs as hand sanitizer but they can also clean up messes and dirty kids!

Wet Ones teamed up with Bill Nye The Science Guy when they launched Wet Ones Healthy Hands Zone on their website. You will find Bill Nye doing some awesome science experiments about germs in the Germ Lab. You can also find more information about the Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes

All of the experiments can be done at home with your kids so you can teach your kids about germs while you are having family fun! Along with the videos, you will also find the complete instructions so you will not have to worry about if you caught everything in the video.

Wet Ones recently sent us an awesome package full of everything we would need to do the science experiments and video tape it. I have been very sick though and I can not speak without constant coughing. This means that my kids are going nuts because they have to keep waiting to try out the experiments!

As soon as I am better I will be posting the videos we make of our experiments. It can't last much more than 2 weeks can it? I am going crazy here! I wish I would have brought a huge container of these wipes when we went to New York. Maybe I would not have gotten so sick! I tried my hardest to not breath near the coughing people on the plane but I guess it did not help!

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes
Features and Benefits:

* Kills 99.99% of germs
* Hypoallergenic and enriched with skin-conditioning aloe
* Perfect for quick clean-ups of dirt and messes
* Available in two great scents - Fresh Scent and Citrus

Available in three convenient forms:

* 40 count canister
* 15 count travel pack
* 24 count individually wrapped singles

NBC Community / Stop-motion Animated Christmas Episode

2010-12-08T15:58:00.007-06:00

I just finished watching tomorrow's stop-motion animated Christmas episode of the NBC show Community and I LOVED IT! It has the look of an old Christmas classic with crazy twists that keep reminding you that this is not another sweet and boring Christmas story, this is Community.

Community is full of characters that are funny and likable, but a little bit nuts. They are all very different and come from different backgrounds, but they are forced to come together and make the best of it.

In the Christmas episode Abed finds that everyone is in stop-motion animation and he decides that it is a sign that he must find the meaning of Christmas. The group gets concerned that he is delusional so they call in Professor Duncan. Together they go on a journey to find the truth.

Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas is a magical and hilarious journey that you will not want to miss! Make sure to watch the special Christmas episode of Community on NBC which airs this Thursday (12/9) at 8 pm EST/ 7pm CST.

Are you still not convinced? Then check out this clip!

I was given access to an advance viewing of the show to review through One2One Network.

Giveaway - Savvycents Wallet

2010-12-08T14:32:00.009-06:00

I have to tell you that this wallet was perfect for our recent Crayola trip to New York! I never bring my purse when I go on work trips. I barely have enough room for everything I bring as it is!

I already have to fit my camera bag in my carry on and then I have my laptop bag to lug around too. In the past I have just kept my license, bank card, and cash in my pants pocket. I got a Savvycents Wallet right before my trip so I put it in the outer pocket of my laptop bag. I was able to fit everything I needed in the wallet and keep it all neat and organized. For once my boarding pass was not all crumbled up!

My purse is always a huge mess and this wallet has REALLY helped. I usually take ages to find what I am looking for but when we went to a concert the other day I knew exactly which compartment in the wallet had my tickets. There was no last minute worry as I searched for tickets!

The Savvycents wallet looks great plus it has an accordion file system complete with labels that you can add. It is perfect for keeping track of things like coupons and receipts. It has a place for your checkbook and compartments for your license and 6 other cards. I am loving how organized I am now!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a Savvycents Wallet.
Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 21st.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

HOW TO ENTER

Leave us a comment below that tells us what you like best about the wallet.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* "Like" Savvycents on Facebook and make a new comment.
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Follow @Savvycents on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered the Savvycents Wallet #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/fEr237 (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Giveaway - Udderly Smooth

2010-12-07T08:21:00.006-06:00

Just in time for these cold winter days, our new giveaway is for those of us that have trouble with dry skin during the winter.

As soon as our package from Udderly Smooth arrived my girls were excited. I was not home at the time so they called me to tell me that a package arrived and it had cow spots all over it! They were already in love.

I was sent the Udderly Smooth Udder Cream (my favorite), the Moisturizing Lotion with Vitamin E (my daughters' favorite), and the Shea Butter Foot Cream with pump (I love the convenience of it having the pump!). They really do have a product for everyone!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive an assortment of Udderly Smooth products.
Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 21st.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

HOW TO ENTER

Leave us a comment below that tells us which Udderly Smooth product you would most like to try out.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* "Like" Udderly Smooth on Facebook and make a new comment.
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Follow @udderlysmooth on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: I just entered the Udderly Smooth #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/e1RP8b (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Giveaway - $100 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card

2010-12-06T07:47:00.015-06:00

I am very excited about our new giveaway! I knew everyone would want to get in on this one! My family really loves Bass Pro Shops. They really do have everything families need to have fun outdoors. They even make being indoors more fun!

If you have been following us for awhile you know that we live in a small town in Wisconsin where everyone loves being outdoors. We have a huge rustic backyard and we love going camping as a family.

Bass Pro Shops help you create incredible adventures outdoors! They have something for everyone in your family. You can find fishing, boating, camping, hunting, archery, auto & ATV, outdoor items for kids, clothing, shoes & boots, products for your home, and gifts.

The product on their site that I would be most interested in right now is the Butterball Electric Turkey Fryer! I was skeptical at first but it has incredible reviews from people saying that it is better than the real thing. I have always wanted to try deep fried turkey but I am too chicken to try making it. The electric fryer would be perfect for people like me. I also wonder what other meats you could do in there!

This year, when you are stuck thinking of a last minute gift there is no need to spend hours worrying about what to get or shopping store to store. Bass Pro Shops has gift cards that would be perfect for anyone!

Bass Pro Shops Gift Cards can be redeemed for online purchases , catalog orders, and purchases made at Bass Pro Shops retail stores.

You also have the added convenience of choosing between a physical gift card being mailed to the recipient or getting an email gift card so that you really can send a last minute gift and not be late!

Bass Pro Shops gift cards are conveniently available at your local grocery store’s Gift Card Mall, or online at GiftCardMall.com
You can personalize your Bass Pro Shops gift card by adding a photo of the gift recipient’s best “catch” online at GiftCardMall.com
A Bass Pro Shops gift card gives a recipient the opportunity to get what they want when they want and can be the perfect last minute gift, whether you’re buying at your local grocery store or online.
Gift cards have no expiration date. Gift cards have no dormancy, Inactivity, or Service fees.
Gift cards will be replaced if card is lost, stolen, or damaged for remaining value with satisfactory proof of purchase.

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a $100 Bass Pro Shops gift card! Winner will get the choice of having a gift card mailed out to an address in the US or having an email gift card sent.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 14th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

HOW TO ENTER

You must go to the Bass Pro Shops website and then come back here and tell us what product you would want from their site.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Enter all of our Current Giveaways and comment here telling us what giveaway you entered. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
* "Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* "Like" Bass Pro Shops on Facebook and make a new comment.
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Follow @YourFunFamily on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Follow @Bass_Pro_Shops on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Tweet this: Enter to win the $100 Bass Pro Shops gift card #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/eZUvGd (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Tweet this: I want to win a (fill in with your product choice) from @Bass_Pro_Shops & @YourFunFamily this Christmas! http://bit.ly/eZUvGd (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Facebook, Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Giveaway - Mozaïk Entertain With Style

2010-12-04T15:37:00.009-06:00

You may have seen these awesome products recently on WEtv´s Designing Spaces. Mozaïk expert Jennifer Lucas showed everyone watching how your table´s appearance can still be stylish and sophisticated when you use plastic!

How many times have you entertained at your home and you did not have enough place settings to go around? What do you do? No one wants to spend a ton of money on place settings that they will rarely use. There isn't the extra room to store more china anyway!

Mozaïk has come up with the perfect solution. Plastic dishes that look beautiful! Mozaïk has everything you need to create a beautiful table with place settings, serving dishes, and even an appetizer set. The best part is that it is affordable since it is all made out of plastic! It is affordable enough to toss out if you do not have room to store it, but us frugal girls will love that they are sturdy enough to wash and reuse over and over!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive the Mozaïk "Designing Spaces" prize pack which includes Mozaïk´s new Service for 8 kit (full 40 piece set), serving utensils, platter and bowl.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 14th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

Mozaik provided free products for review, information, and the gift pack through MyBlogSpark.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment that tells us when the Mozaïk place settings could help you out .

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Enter all of our Current Giveaways. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
*"Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
*Tweet this: Enter to win the Mozaïk Entertain With Style #giveaway @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/foNJ4S (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Giveaway - Electric Scalp Massager

2010-12-02T12:07:00.009-06:00

The holidays can be very stressful! This time of year we try to fit extra work, shopping, and family traditions into an already very busy life. This year, many families have added financial stress also!

Our minds, bodies, and even our families, need us to take the time this holiday season to relax and regroup. While we can not afford to get a professional massage everyday we can find other ways to relax. We can even give a free gift of relaxation to someone we love. Who would not want a nice foot massage after a long day of work or shopping?

The good people at MassageTable.net have provided an Electric Scalp Massager for me to review and one for the winner of this giveaway! As soon as I saw this one I knew I wanted to participate. We have some that do not vibrate and we love them, so I really wanted to try this one!

Scalp massagers give you an incredible feeling of relaxation but to get the best result you should have someone else do it for you. The Electric Scalp Massager gives you a more relaxing feeling even if you are stuck using it yourself. The tines on this one also move so that you can also use it on sore body parts like ankles and knees.

THE GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive an Electric Scalp Massager.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 14th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment that tells us what you do to relax when you start feeling stressed.

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Enter all of our Current Giveaways. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
*"Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
*Tweet this: Win an Electric Scalp Massager @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/dJhbWY #giveaway (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.Sponsored by Tomoson.com

United States Trivia Printable Games

2010-12-02T10:02:00.005-06:00

The awesome people from Python Printable Games have given my family another printable game pack to review!

Python Printable game packs are perfect for teachers, community centers, churches, home school families, or anyone that has kids! You simply purchase the game pack of your choice and then download all of the fun games. You can then print as many games as you need any time you want!

The game pack that they gave us to review this time is the United States Trivia Pack and it is $19.95 for all 50 of the trivia games. Each state has it's own trivia game. There are 15 questions per state, totaling 750 questions. Quizzes cover state nicknames, trees, flowers, capitals, history, funny facts, bizarre laws and local customs and more.

Once again Python Printable Games has come up with a fun way to get kids learning!

For those of you looking for freebies, Python Printable Games has provided a few free printables.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Giveaway - Old El Paso Family Taco Night

2010-12-02T09:01:00.009-06:00

Do you have family taco nights? At our house taco nights are usually last minute meals but they are always enjoyed just as much as when we spend hours in the kitchen.

There are certain staples that every kitchen should have. In our family that includes everything needed to make tacos. There are days that we are just sick of the usual meals. Days when there is not a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Days when I forgot to defrost anything for dinner. These are the days that we have tacos.

Actually, we just had tacos the other night. I have had a very bad cold so I have not cooked anything for a long time. My family was sick of leftovers so James decided to cook the one thing that he loves to eat and is willing to actually cook... Tacos! The girls were very happy too!

The next time you have a family taco night you should check out the El Tacodor website for a free printable dinner game. It will really get your family talking and having fun! You will also find ways to enter your child's school into a monthly sweepstakes to win 30,000 Box Tops!

The information, products for review, and prize pack were provided by Old El Paso through MyBlogSpark.

THE GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive an Old El Paso “Family Taco Night” prize pack which includes a packet of original Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, a Cactus Chip & Dip Serving dish, a set of 3 Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes and a $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends December 12th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways! (extra entries!)

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment that tells us what kind of taco family you have. Is your family more adventurous? Which recipe would they most like? Double-Layer Tacos or Chicken Ranch Tacos? Or do you have a more traditional taco family and you like your tacos done the old school way? Do you have your own special way of making tacos?

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Enter all of our Current Giveaways. (1 extra entry per giveaway entered!)
*"Like" Your Fun Family on Facebook. (It was just created so this is 3 entries!)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
*Tweet this: Win an Old El Paso Family Taco Night @YourFunFamily http://bit.ly/fqm3mJ #giveaway (Can be tweeted twice a day at least 3 hours apart)
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of. (Daily entries)

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Crayola Weekend in NYC

2010-11-22T08:52:00.006-06:00

The #Crayola Pop Art Pixies party weekend has ended and we are all back home. It was incredible but it all flew by so fast!

The girls loved making the new Pop Art Pixies craft products. We only wish we had more time to really perfect them. We will have to head out to the store and buy some more. I will be showing you all of the fun products in future posts. I am still a bit worn out right now and I have a TON of pictures to go through.

The trip was like a dream. They really did a great job of making the girls feel very special. It was like rock star treatment all weekend long. As much as the girls hated that it flew by so fast they are very glad that they no longer have cameras in their face every time they turn around.
I am very thankful for this awesome trip Crayola provided us with. They gave us star treatment the whole time and they gave me the opportunity to create wonderful memories with my girls. We will never forget the incredible weekend we shared together in NYC.

Day 1 - #Crayola NYC

2010-11-20T06:23:00.008-06:00

Our first day in New York for the Crayola event has been incredible!

I was worried about having to change planes in Chicago but it was no big deal. The only problem with the flights was that I had to sit next to some unhygienic guy with a cold. He spent the whole flight sniffling loudly and wiping his nose with his hands.

I came very close to handing him one of our travel tissue packs and telling him to blow his nose. I thought that might stir up more germs though. The whole way to New York I was leaning into the aisle trying not to breath his air.

The drive to the hotel was crazy! There is no way that I could drive here. The roads were completely packed full of cars. I loved what our driver said, "To drive in New York you have to have a big bumper and good insurance". He gave us a very informative and very entertaining talk about the city.

Soon after we arrived, we went to meet up with everyone for dinner and the Pop Art Pixies VIP Premiere Party. The girls and I had a blast making crafts together and meeting the other mothers and daughters!

After we get back home I will be posting about all the great Pop Art Pixie crafts that we make while we are here. You will not want to miss it!

All travel arrangements for this trip and the products were paid for by Crayola

The Club No One Wanted To Join

2010-11-18T14:01:00.004-06:00

Everyday there are tragic news stories that get forgotten. We are all guilty of it. We get so used to seeing these things in the news. Even though we feel horrible for the people involved there is always a new story the next day.

As soon as I was asked to review this book I knew that I would say yes. I am a very busy person so I honestly did not pay much attention at first when the story broke on the news about Madoff. All I heard was blah blah blah about some filthy rich guy.

I did not actually start watching the news until I saw an interview of an old man that lost everything that he worked his whole life for and was forced to take a low paying job just to make ends meet. That is when I paid attention and cared about the case.

I was very dissatisfied by the fact that I rarely saw any more interviews of the people that lost everything. I felt for these people. These were not people of privilege. These were people that actually worked hard, saved their money, researched what to do with their money, and then were robbed of everything they had.

I am glad to see that the people that lost everything got their own voice. That is what I would have liked to see more in the news. I had no interest in seeing more of the "poor little rich man" that was going to have to go to jail or his "poor little wife" that he thought should not have to lose the money she is used to having.

The Club No One Wanted to Join – Madoff Victims in Their Own Word is an incredible book that gives the often forgotten victims their chance to speak out and to help others from suffering the way they are.

For more information about the book and to purchase it you can find it here.

The Canadian Tenors - The Perfect Gift

2010-11-18T13:04:00.006-06:00

Are you looking for some new holiday music? I have the album for you!

There is just something about baking cookies with family and listening to holiday music. Years and years of great memories are created this way. Those old albums bring back some great memories but after awhile you want something new!

I am so glad that I was asked to review The Canadian Tenors album The Gift. It makes me want to start baking with my girls right away! It will be a wonderful addition to our holiday music. The only problem that I see is that my girls will probably tell me to stop singing along. That happens usually anyway!

The Perfect Gift

1. O Holy Night
2. Instrument Of Peace
3. Silent Night
4. The Prayer
5. Wintersong
6. Huron Carol
7. The Perfect Gift
8. Ave Maria
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. O Viens Emmanuel ( O Come Emmanuel)
11. What Child Is This? (Carol Of The Bells)
12. Hallelujah

If you are looking for some great holiday music you really need to check out this album. They are also on tour right now! To find out more about The Canadian Tenors check out their website. You can listen to some of their music and even check out some videos.

I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own. I did receive a free CD to review.

Reclaim Your Inner Woman

2010-11-18T11:22:00.007-06:00

It seems like the second you become a mother you start to forget about the woman you were before. Your time is spent taking care of kids and cleaning the house so there is little time spent on yourself.

I remember many days where I would be busy chasing after little kids all day and trying to fit in some learning so I was lucky to even find time for a shower. As soon as the kids took a nap I would race to shower and get dinner started. As wonderful as life seemed on those old TV shows, it just is not reality!

As women, we are the fabric that holds together our families. We need to set aside some time for ourselves so we can come back refreshed and ready to take on more crazy days.

We also need to feel good about ourselves. Is there something that you used to do that made you feel pretty? Don't stop doing it just because you are a mom! Your kids need you to feel good about yourself. They learn a lot about self worth by watching how their parents feel about themselves.

I was recently asked to pick an item from Lingerie.com to review. As soon as I got the email I started thinking about how busy I have become and how much I have lost of that inner woman. I think of myself as a mother but I want to get more of that fun woman back.I picked out the Charmeuse & Sheer Net Chemise By Shirley of Hollywood. It is very pretty and it is a great price! I was surprised by the vast selection. They really have something for everyone. The even have a huge selection of plus size items.

The prices might be great but the best part of it all is that you can do it all online so there is no need to feel awkward or deal with that creepy man that always seems to walk around lingerie stores. You can take your time and find what you want for a great price and have it all shipped to your house.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Norah Jones - ...Featuring

2010-11-18T10:52:00.003-06:00

We were recently sent the new Norah Jones album ...Featuring. I love her voice, so I could not wait for the album to arrive. She is not like most female singers today... She can actually sing!

She has such a beautiful sounding voice and has so much emotion when she sings. I love her new album! It is full of songs that she made with multi-platinum selling and multi-Grammy Award winning singer’s. You get to hear another side of her. The songs cross from jazz to country, hip-hop to rock. The album shows just how versatile she really is.

...Featuring Track Listing:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

You can find more information about Norah Jones and her new album ...Featuring on her website, Facebook and her You Tube Channel.

I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own. I did receive a free CD to review.

Clic-It Smart Diaper Bag

2010-11-18T09:12:00.004-06:00

Our lives get busier everyday and we are always on the go. Smart phones are taking over the world so it is about time that a company listened to what moms need and created a smart diaper bag!

Diaper bags have come a long way from what they were when my girls were babies. The one diaper bag that stands out in my mind was a vinyl Tigger bag. There was no mistaking it. It screamed out to everyone around that it was a diaper bag.

Once my girls were older they came out with attractive diaper bags that did not scream mommy. They still had the classic design with one big open compartment and two little spots for bottles.

Finally a company named Clic-It has created a "smart diaper bag". Someone obviously listened to what moms want before they designed this bag! They could have just filled it up with compartments and made a huge bag that mothers would lug around but they didn't.

Why do women tend to have a lot of purses? It is because you need different things according to where you are going and how long you will be gone. Diaper bags are no different. Instead of having a bunch of different size diaper bags, Clic-It allows you to attach just want you need.

The Clic-It smart diaper bag features:

* Quick Release Clip System
* Two front pockets
* Large back pocket
* Two side bottle pockets
* Two interior pockets
* Stroller loops
* Easy-wipe interior
* Seven quick release posts
* Large, removable changing pad
* Zip-off messenger flap (converts to tote)
* 2-in-1 Adjustable shoulder strap & belt
* Size: 11.5” x 17.5” x 5”

Available Accessories:

* Clic-It Bottle Holder
* Clic-It Insulated Tote
* Clic-It Pacifier Case
* Clic-It Diapers & Wipes Case
* Clic-It Organizer Pouch
* Clic-It Gadget Case
* Clic-It Key Ring

We received a Clic-It Smart Diaper Bag and a couple of the Clip-It accessories for review. We loved them, but we do not have any babies anymore so we passed it on to a couple we are friends with. They love the bag and people are always stopping to ask them about it.

Would you like to win one? Enter Clic-It’s “Gearing Up for Baby” contest for a chance to win a Clic-It diaper bag and accessory package (total value: $117.00). Contest ends December 24th.

4 Days Until Crayola NYC

2010-11-15T18:16:00.005-06:00

The #Crayola NYC trip is coming up really fast and we are soooo Excited about it! My 3 daughters and I will be flying to NYC Friday morning and returning Sunday.

They sent us some of their awesome new Pop Art Pixies Shadow Box kits to make and bring with us. When we arrive in NYC we will attend a VIP Premiere Party where we can show off the shadow boxes we made. I can't wait to meet the other blogging mommas!

Saturday we will be brought around NYC to see the sites. It is top secret though so we have no idea what all we will see. I am really curious about where they will take us!

I will be taking TONS of pictures and Tweeting all about it so you will want to keep checking back for all of the fun! Make sure to follow us on Twitter so you do not miss anything!!!

The products and all travel expenses are provided by Crayola

Printable Fall and Thanksgiving Games

2010-11-14T14:39:00.000-06:00

The great people over at Python Printable Games have given us another pack of printable games to review! We loved their Halloween games so we were really excited when we found out that we would be able to review the Thanksgiving pack.

The Fall and Thanksgiving printable pack is $19.95 for over 50 games. These are not just some cheaply designed printables. They are high quality and would be perfect for classrooms, family gatherings, or just some family fun. Once you purchase the pack you can print as many as you want.

The pack includes games for kids and adults. You can find scavenger hunts, trivia, party games and craft activities suitable for Fall Harvest and Thanksgiving: even NFL games for the guys to play in the evening!

Check out this page for a couple free Thanksgiving printables and a $5 coupon that you can use to purchase the full game pack.

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: 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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

One2One Network Blissdom Giveaway

2010-11-14T09:30:00.000-06:00

Have you ever thought about going to Blissdom? Honesty, I never really thought about it until I got the email from One2One Networks telling me about the giveaway. I love working with them so I decided to check out what it was all about.

I love going to blogger events but I have never had to pay to go so I never look at any info about the conferences that you have to pay for. I have never spent any money on this blog and I have done everything I can to stick to that. It may sound odd but I have gotten this far without having to spend any money on advertising or anything else so that has become my "thing".

I think this video summed it all up for me. As soon as I saw the video I knew that I REALLY wanted to win the grand prize so that I could go. Check out this video!

BlissDom Conference 2010 from Blissful Media Group on Vimeo.

Pinecone Turkey Placecards

2010-11-13T16:42:00.000-06:00

Remember being in school and making pinecone turkeys?

They are still a great craft for kids to make at Thanksgiving time. They are cheap to make and kids get to have fun and be creative. I think that I would still have fun making them.

You can make some as decorations or you can make them into placecard holders for your Thanksgiving dinner too. Kids will love making this craft even more when they learn that everyone will see them and they will be used for the dinner table.

For an added treat the kids can write on the back of each one. Just a few things about the person who is on the card that they are thankful for. What a great way to start a dinner of thanks!

Giveaway - Take the Hunger Out of Dieting

2010-11-06T16:28:00.004-05:00

My girls LOVED the cereal-on-the-go container that we received for this product review and giveaway. The on the go container has stacking compartments that hold an ice ring, milk, cereal, and fruit. The cover also has a pop out spoon!

One of the hardest parts of dieting is figuring out what you can eat when you are away from home. The cereal-on-the-go container helps you have something that tastes good and is good for you when you are on the go.

How many times have you cheated on diets because you were always hungry? Fiber helps satisfy your hunger so it´s easier to eat less and lose weight without feeling as hungry. Fiber One Original cereal is a tasty way to start your morning on the right track with 0 grams of sugar, 14 grams of fiber, 60 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving.

THE GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive the Fiber One "Help Take the Hunger out of Dieting" prize pack which includes 1 box of Fiber One Original cereal, a cereal-on-the-go container, food scale, water bottle and notepad for tracking what you eat.

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends November 19th.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways!

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment that tells us about a past diet craze that left you hungry or tell us about what you have found that keeps you from feeling hungry when dieting.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Thankful Tree

2010-11-04T12:28:00.000-05:00

Making a Thankful Tree could become a wonderful family tradition that your family will love for years. It is a wonderful project that keeps kids giving thanks all November long. This Thankful Tree is made using a branch and regular paper. The paper is cut into leaf shapes and then painted. You can make your Thankful Tree out of anything. All that matters is that you make it together and give thanks.

First you make your tree and then you can start adding your leaves or hands. Everyday the members of your family get to write something that they are thankful for and then add it to the tree. By the time Thanksgiving comes along you have a big full tree.

This one is made from construction paper and displayed on a window. You can get creative and make your Thankful Tree out of anything. You can cut out hand prints or leaves for your tree. It is all up to you.

If you have a small family you may want to add more than one a day. Make sure that you all discuss the things you are thankful for as you do it. That is the best part.

NESCAFE Dolce Gusto

2010-11-03T22:00:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Nestle Dolce Gusto. All opinions are 100% mine.

Check these out! I LOVE coffee but what really stands out to me about these machines is how beautifully they are designed. They would definitely be a stand out piece on any kitchen counter. My kitchen is decorated in old Coca Cola items and signs with red accent pieces. The second I saw the red NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Circolo machine I fell in love. It looks like it came straight out of the future.

The new NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machines takes the high pressure normally found in coffee house machines and puts it on your kitchen counter. You can have that perfectly frothy milk at home without all the work and mess. You can make iced or hot drinks in 8 different varieties. There is even a Custom Control Lever that lets you create exactly the froth, heat and strength that you prefer.

I absolutely love that there is no need for a steam wand. I hate the mess steam wands can make and cleaning them is no fun either. These machines do it all so I could even let my kids use it.

Fifty readers on divine.ca got to test and review the Dolce Gusto. I am sooo jealous! If you would like more info you can check out the NESCAFE Dolce Gusto reviews and check out the video below.

Dry Food Dispenser from CSN

2010-11-02T08:15:00.003-05:00

As soon as I saw this I knew my girls would love it! They have not been so excited about something coming in awhile.

CSN Stores gave us the opportunity to pick out another product to review. I have to tell you that I LOVE shopping on their sites. The only bad part is having to choose what to review. It really is a hard choice!

There are 200+ CSN stores that cover everything you could imagine. I love that most products have free shipping. This means that you can shop from the comfort of your home and still get a great price. Christmas shopping will be much nicer this year!

The product I picked out this time is the Zevro Dry Food Dual Dispenser in Red. It is such a good deal that we were able to get two of them to review. List price on these is $56.24 but on CSN you save a whopping $21.29 so they are only $34.95 each! That is a 38% savings!

My girls go through a ton of cereal and while cereal is good for them, it takes up way too much space in my cupboards. We had a counter that looked a bit empty so I was able to put two of these next to each other. My kitchen has red accent pieces so these were a great addition!

Now the girls love cereal even more because it is so fun for them to get their own cereal. They love using the dispensers to fill up their bowls. Plus they love how cool the dispensers look. They are also a big hit when other kids come over!

It is November!

2010-11-01T09:07:00.004-05:00

I am really celebrating the coming of November. What an exciting month this will be!

At the top of the list is the Crayola blogger event that my daughters and I were invited to. We got an all expense paid trip to New York and the event itself sounds like it will be a blast!

I am also getting $500 in photography from BabyPhotographers.com I can not wait to get some awesome photos of my girls!

I will be working with Wet Ones and doing some fun science experiments designed by Bill Nye the Science Guy. There is even a flip cam involved!

My oldest daughter and I got free tickets to see Never Shout Never! She is sooo excited about that one! I love seeing concerts with her!!!

There will be some great giveaways & reviews, and we will start some awesome holiday ideas and recipes. You will definitely want to check back often so you do not miss any of it!!!

New Carmex Healing Lotion

2010-10-29T18:01:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by Carmex®. All opinions are 100% mine.

We were recently asked if we would review some Carmex products. I had no idea that they just came out with a healing lotion and healing cream. When you think of Carmex you think of products for your lips. I just assumed that was what I would be receiving.

We have a house full of lip products so I was not too excited right away. However, I think that the sock gremlin has gotten bored with just stealing socks because I seem to be buying stuff for chapped lips all the time. As soon as I buy stuff my kids can never find it again.

When the package arrived I was very excited to find out that it was the new Carmex® Healing Lotion and Carmex® Healing Cream. Every once in awhile I have to hide a package as soon as it comes so that I can actually check it out and review it before it disappears. This was one of those times!

I came home to find that James had already opened the package. This is the first sign of trouble. Usually he has very little interest in what I get. I then told him to leave the stuff alone until I could check out the products and write my review. I also put them back in the package and hid them.

The next morning I found the travel size missing. The following morning I found the Carmex Healing Creme missing. I guess James really liked it! James runs car care stores and is always driving back and forth between stores and checking out cars. His hands get very dry and he goes through a lot of lotion. He must love the Healing Lotion because I have never seen it again. I assume it is in his work vehicle.

I have been using the Carmex Healing Lotion everyday. I love that it has Aloe and Vitamin E. It absorbs into your skin right away and you can feel it working. A lot of lotions just feel like they sit on the skin. The Carmex Healing Lotion is not sticky or greasy at all yet it feels like there is layer of protection that keeps the moisture in your skin. A lot of products that are sold for very dry skin have a strong odor. The Carmex products just have a light scent that faintly smells like the lip products.

Your hands can really show your age and dry wrinkly hands make you look much older. As soon as I put the lotion on, my hands look younger. It reminds me of the Everybody Loves Raymond episode when the wife says that women have a midlife crisis too. They just start slathering lotion all over.

The new Carmex Healing Lotion and Carmex Healing Cream can be found at your local Walgreens store, Walgreens.com, or Drugstore.com.

Brownie Pops

2010-10-29T08:59:00.006-05:00

These Brownies On A Stick from #BakingWithBetty are a perfect addition to any party. They are a ton of fun for kids to make and will make your party table look beautiful. I love when party food does double duty as food and decoration. It saves time and money!

Brownie Pops

1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
16 craft sticks
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips (4 oz)
1 1/2 teaspoons shortening
Assorted Betty Crocker® Decorating Decors candy sprinkles

Heat oven to 350°F. (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray. Make brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
Place brownies in freezer for 30 minutes. Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies. Cut brownies into 16 bars, 4 rows by 4 rows. Gently insert craft stick into end of each bar, peeling foil from bars. Place on cookie sheet; freeze 30 minutes.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High about 1 minute; stir until smooth. If necessary, microwave additional 5 seconds at a time. Dip top 1/3 to 1/2 of each brownie into chocolate; sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Lay flat on waxed paper or foil to dry.

This photo is of the group of ladies that I worked with when going around to all of the stations. They wanted a photo of us all holding our Brownie Pops.

What Now?

2010-10-25T22:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ashworth College. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many families are dealing with hardships caused by a bad economy. People are often forced to take a lower paying job than they had before just so they have some kind of income. It is becoming more rare to find people that actually love their job.

While you may have to keep a job that you are unhappy with, that does not mean that you have to give up and just accept it as your only choice. People are turning to Online College more than ever before. Taking online courses gives you the ability to get the higher education needed for your dream job while still being able to work and pay the bills.

National Education Report is a television series that talks about the latest educational information that is useful to students and professionals today. In May public and cable stations around the globe showed Ashworth College Featured by National Education Report. The episode discusses how students today need affordable and convenience choices for education. Ashworth provides a good education with all the support you need plus the added benefit of being online so you can fit it into your work schedule.

The curriculum is self paced and the tuition is up to 88% less than a regular college. There are no student loans to worry about after graduation and the tuition covers all of the books and course materials. They even offer zero-interest financing with a low monthly payment plan . You probably spend more each month just going out to eat.

The usual problems of money and time have been eliminated by online colleges so what program would you be interested it? The most popular career choices of people taking online courses include : Medical Billing, Web Design, Bridal Consulting, Interior Decorating, Human Resources, Marketing, and Early Childhood Education.

Check out the Ashworth Video Gallery and see how people just like you found their dream job by taking online courses.

KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit

2010-10-24T10:21:00.008-05:00

We were recently sent the new KT Tunstall album Tiger Suit to review. I really like KT Tunstall and the new album has a great sound. We have really enjoyed listening to it. I must say that it makes cleaning the house a lot more fun. Turn it up loud and start moving!

KT is a multi-platinum Scottish-born singer-songwriter. You may not know her well but I am sure that you have heard of some of her previous hit songs including the Grammy-nominated "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," "Suddenly I See," Other Side of the World" or "Hold On".

Tiger Suit was released on October 5th and her first single "Fade Like A Shadow" is already a Top 20 hit on the radio. KT will be on tour this Fall (10/31-12/1).

If you would like more info about her new album Tiger Suit or would like to see where she will be on tour you can check out the KT Tunstall website. You can also check out an album preview.

I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are 100% my own. I did receive a free CD to review.

Giveaway - Lawry's What's Your Flavor?

2010-10-21T12:19:00.006-05:00

I really got excited about this giveaway. My family loves being in the kitchen and trying new recipes. We have gotten bored with the dinners we have been making so this package came just in time to spice things up!

I could not believe how huge the Pyrex dish was! I have quite a few 9x13 ones because I end up having to use two of them when I make food for my family. The dish in this giveaway is so huge that I only need the one pan. Plus it has an awesome cover!

My family has really enjoyed making dinner with these new Lawry's products. They are a fast and easy way to spice up dinner time.

THE GIVEAWAY

1 huge Pyrex dish plus lid and a set of skewers.

Marinades

Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ gives meat a delicious sweet and sour flavor with a touch of Szechuan heat

Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato includes extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers and the perfect blend of herbs

Seasoning Mixes

Asian Style Beef & Broccoli - This easy to prepare stir fry meal will remind your family of their favorite Asian restaurant. The dish combines beef, broccoli and seasonings with a hint of garlic. Serve it over rice and you have a complete, satisfying meal.

Chimichurri Burrito Casserole - Lawry´s gives the familiar Burrito casserole a new twist with this traditional Latin American sauce. With a few simple fresh ingredients, mealtime just got a lot more exciting.

Mediterranean Sundried Tomato & Garlic Chicken - Add a taste of the Mediterranean to your family´s casserole. This easy to bake casserole combines chicken, pasta, tomatoes and Feta cheese to easily make a flavorful meal any night of the week.

Tuscan Style Chicken Marsala with Garlic and Basil - Chicken Marsala is a restaurant favorite, but it might not make the menu at home. This effortless version comes together on your stovetop with just a few fresh ingredients. Flavorful garlic and basil gives this meal its own Tuscan flair, perfect for serving over pasta or rice.

HOW CAN YOU ENTER?

A recent Lawry´s survey found that your choice of flavor says more about you than you think.
Giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ and ends November 4th at midnight. Lawry´s products, information and additional prize pack to give away were all provided by Lawry´s through MyBlogSpark.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways!

To enter this giveaway you must tell us...

What´s your flavor?

Joyous Joiners - Tart Flavors
If you are one for tart flavors, you tend to be extremely happy overall, particularly with your family, finances, work/life balance and even your health. As a Joyous Joiners you are an extrovert who loves to entertain at home, find it very important to join in social events in your community and are active on the greatest number of social networking sites.

Self-Assured Adventurers - Spicy Flavors If your preference is for spicy flavors, consider yourself a confident, adventurous individual with a passion for travel and cooking. You are the biggest risk taker and although impulsive, you are not reckless - as a Self-Assured Adventurer you also tend to be resourceful, analytical, and most able to "look at the big picture."

The Sweet Lifers - Sweet Flavors
As a Sweet Lifer, home and family are close to your heart. You are the kindest and most loyal, although you probably wouldn´t admit that as you are also the most modest. As an individual that prefers sweeter flavors (honey and fruit-infused), you are influenced by your parents, enjoy family entertainment, and consider yourself spiritual.

The Conventionalists - Savory Flavors
Your passion for savory flavors shows you have an enthusiasm for politics, enjoy camping and hiking and love outdoor barbeques and American cuisine. Along with the other Conventionalists, you tend to be more introverted than the rest of the groups and often describe yourself as a homebody.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Free Halloween Printables

2010-10-21T11:54:00.003-05:00

We have a fun freebie for you all today! My girls LOVE holiday coloring pages and I love printable coloring pages because it allows me to make multiple copies of each page so there is no arguing.

Python Printable Games has given my family their Halloween Party Games Pack to review and I am amazed by how high quality they are. The package has well over 50 Printable Halloween games. They have games for kids, teens, and even adults. These printables would keep any Halloween party fun and exciting!

Python Printable Games has also allowed me to share some free Halloween coloring pages with you. In addition to the coloring pages you will also receive a $5 voucher that you can use to get their Halloween Party Games Pack at a reduced price. At $19.95 it was already a great price!

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Giveaway - Melissa & Doug Play Food

2010-10-18T09:29:00.005-05:00

Our newest giveaway is perfect for little kids that are learning about their food groups. Kids love pretend play. Melissa & Doug Play Food can be used to teach about healthy foods and food groups or just for a fun day or pretend shopping and cooking.

THE GIVEAWAY

Four wooden crates contain twenty one colorful durable wooden pieces representing each of the food groups! Making it easy to plan a well balanced diet, this wooden set features items from the five food groups, plus oil. Includes watermelon, corn, milk, cheese, cereal, fish, egg and much more!

Open to U.S. Residents 18+. Giveaway ends October 31st.

Don't forget to Enter all of our Current Giveaways!

HOW TO ENTER

To enter this giveaway check out all of the Melissa & Doug pretend kitchens products and tell us what you think your child would like most.

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Follow @playkitchen on Twitter (2 entries)
*Make a tweet that includes a link to their site. (2 entries)
*Like Pretend Play Kitchens on Facebook (2 entries)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
*Blog about this giveaway and include a link back to this post and Play Kitchens
*Sign up for the Play Kitchen newsletter on their site. (This will also get you an instant $5.00 Off Coupon!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

This Product Was a Free Giveaway Sponsored by Tomoson.com

On The Go Floss Alternative

2010-10-18T08:22:00.007-05:00

We were recently sent a couple BrytonPick packages to review. They are such a neat little invention. Once again I am left wondering why I never thought of this!

I don't really like flossing. There is just something gross about the string and the pile of string with food left on it that you have to dispose of. I love that the BrytonPick is easy to clean and there is no gross string to throw away.

The BrytonPick is made of very thin flexible stainless steel with a plastic grip in the middle. The stainless steel makes it germ resistant so you can quickly rinse it in hot water and put it back in the convenient credit card sized carrying pouch that fits right into your purse or wallet.

How many times have you been out in public and got food stuck in your teeth? Picking at your teeth with your fingernails is disgusting and there are so many germs under your nails. How do you get the food out of your teeth in public? Many times I have found myself trying to discreetly get food out of my teeth with a straw. I hope that people just think I am drinking but it probably looks strange.

The BrytonPick has come in very handy a few time already. I keep it in my purse I can quickly clean my teeth no matter where I am. You can find the BrytonPick at many Walgreens stores and at Pathmark, drugstore.com, SUPERVALU, CVS, Meijer, Amazon.com, Winn-Dixie, Publix, 7-11, and Race Trac.

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Jack O'Lantern Cake

2010-10-13T19:12:00.005-05:00

We made a really cool Halloween cake at #BakingWithBetty and I knew you would all love it!

When I saw this cake my first thought was that it was adorable but they must have used a special pumpkin pan. I have way too many things in my kitchen already so I would not be buying a pumpkin pan. I was very happy to find out that there was no need for a special pan.

So how did they make this awesome Jack O'Lantern Cake? All you need is a 2-quart round casserole or 2 1/2-quart ovenproof bowl. This cake is made out of two half circles that are put together.

I fell in love with this idea right away. Why didn't I think of that? Think of all of the cake possibilities! It would be perfect for a kid that is into sports. You could decorate the cake to look like any ball.
Jack O’Lantern Cake

2 boxes Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® devil’s food or white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs or egg whites called for on cake mix box
2 containers (1 lb each) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
Yellow and red food color
1 green flat-bottom ice-cream cone
Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® chewy fruit snack rolls (preferably the green kind)

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour 2-quart round casserole or 2 1/2-quart ovenproof bowl. Make 1 box cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs or egg whites. Pour batter into casserole.
Bake devil’s food cake 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, white cake about 1 hour 10 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes. Remove cake from casserole; place rounded side up on cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Make and bake remaining cake mix using same casserole or bowl.
With sharp knife, carefully slice piece from top of each cake to make flat surface where cakes will be placed together to form pumpkin shape. (Cake scraps can be saved and added to another recipe such as pudding or trifle if desired.)
In medium bowl, place frosting; tint with 9 drops yellow and 6 drops red food color to make orange frosting. On plate, place 1 cake, rounded side down. Spread 2/3 cup of the orange frosting over cake almost to edge. Place second cake, rounded side up, on frosted cake to make round shape. Frost entire cake with remaining orange frosting.
Trim ice-cream cone to desired height for stem; place upside down on cake. Cut out eyes, nose, mouth, vines and leaves from fruit snack rolls. Place on frosted cake to form face. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Advanced Technological Education Television

2010-10-13T18:25:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ATETV.org. All opinions are 100% mine.

Has new technology passed today's job applicants by? Everyday you hear about people that are unable to find work because of the failing economy but there are many career fields that have trouble finding anyone qualified for the work.

Many people are just sitting around hoping that a job will come along. Others are getting out there and finding out what jobs are hiring and how they can get those jobs. As the world is becoming more computerized there is a huge need for people in technology fields.

We have heard for years that there is a shortage of people in the healthcare industry but you never think about all the people needed to run the computers and to update all of the systems in hospitals. We know that even farming has become high tech with computers and GPS on farm equipment but we never think about the people needed to run the stuff.

ATETV is a website that is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. They provide free web-based videos that showcase the seemingly endless career choices in technology fields. If you are a highschool student, parent, or just thinking of a career change these videos could provide you with the information you need.

These videos are paid for by a grant from the National Science Foundation to attract young people into the Science, Engineering, Math and Technology fields. The Labor Department has found that soon there will be a huge shortage of people trained for technology fields. The videos help show people all of the exciting high tech careers are out there and how to get the career of their dreams.

If you or someone you know loves Science, Engineering, Math or Technology you need to check out these great videos! You can find information about fields like underwater robotics, laser technology, aviation mechanics, wind-farming and high-tech agriculture.

Giveaway - Halloween Spooky Cookies

2010-10-10T07:40:00.011-05:00

We have another great Halloween giveaway. Check out these beautifully decorated cookies! Mackenzie Limited will be giving one of our lucky readers their Halloween Spooky Cookies.

The Halloween Spooky Cookies include 10 oversized cookies in bats, pumpkins, witches hats, ghosts, and a huge haunted house. They are gently spiced gingerbread cookies and they look fantastic!

These cookies would look great on any Halloween table!

Enter all of our Current Giveaways

This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ and ends on October 20th at midnight . The giveaway prize and one for me to review were provided by Mackenzie Limited.

HOW CAN YOU ENTER?

Your main entry will be to tell us what your favorite Halloween costume was.

EXTRA ENTRIES

*Follow @MackenzieLTD on Twitter (2 entries)
*Like Mackenzie Limited on Facebook (2 entries)
* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Truly Fogless Shower Mirror

2010-10-10T07:10:00.000-05:00

We were recently sent the Fogless Shower Mirror by Toilettree Products and we love it!

Over the years there have been many mirrors that claim to be fogless and they have all fallen short. Some were not fogless at all. Some needed strange chemicals to be wiped on them. Some had cheap suction cups so they kept falling down. Toilettree Products listened to everyone's complaints and created a better product.

I love that the mirror is low profile so it takes up little room in the shower and that it has a little shelf to hold a razor, sponge, or tweezers. Other great features include the removable squeegee to wipe away water drops, rust proof material, shatter proof acrylic mirror, and soft silicone that adheres to the shower wall without any damage.

So what else makes this fogless shower mirror so different? The mirror easily detaches so you can fill it with hot water from the shower. This creates a truly fogless mirror.

There is one more feature that my family loves... The mirror has an adjustable frame so it can accommodate people of different heights. This is especially useful since James is over a foot taller than me!

This Product Was a Free Giveaway. I was given a free product to review but my opinion is 100% my own.

Current Giveways

2010-10-09T21:05:00.022-05:00

Hurry up and enter!

All giveaways end at midnight.

Giveaway - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (ends 4/12)
Giveaway - VeggieTales: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter (ends 4/12)
Giveaway - $100 Simply You Jewelry (ends 4/18)
Giveaway - Exposed Envy Decorative Bra Straps (ends 4/19

Don't forget to check out all the fun we had at our blogger events!

Crayola NYC Pop Art Pixies Party Weekend
Baking With Betty Baking in the Betty Crocker Kitchens

Stuffed Bell Peppers

2010-10-07T12:21:00.004-05:00

I often share great recipes with all of you wonderful readers. Today will not be one of those days. Today I will share a story of failed recipes.

Over the years James has mentioned many dinners that he would like me to try making. Usually there is a reason that I have not made these dinners before! In this case it is because I have always HATED bell peppers.

I finally gave in a few months ago and made Stuffed Bell Peppers. Having never made them before, I went to the web for recipes. I usually hate the recipes I find and just use them to come up with my own ideas. In this case I was clueless so I searched many websites until I found what they most had in common.

I found quite a few websites that called for the bell peppers to be blanched. I blanch the orange peels when I make Candied Orange Peels and it takes away the bitterness so I went ahead and did it.

In the end the meal was extremely blah and flavorless so that was a big mistake! I hate wasting food so I went out and bought some more bell peppers. The blanching process made the sauce very watery so I decided to turn it into a soup. My family really liked the soup so at least all was not lost!

Recently I found myself with some huge bell peppers so then came round two in my battle with Stuffed Bell Peppers. This time I decided to ignore all the recipes and do my own thing like normal.

I mixed up the ground beef with oregano, garlic, and rice. I stuffed the bell peppers and placed them in my slow cooker. I then poured tomato sauce around them and let the slow cooker do it's thing.

After a few hours the house smelled wonderful and everyone was ready for dinner. I was very proud of the fact that I did another good deed of cooking something I hated just to make James happy.

Then it happened... I was horrified to find that James does not actually eat the bell pepper. WHAT!?! I did all of that for him to just eat a pile of beef with sauce on top?

Screw that! From now on I will just make Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup. Why waste all of that time and energy when I could just throw it all in one pot and be done with it? I actually liked the soup at least!

Bottega Verde now in the U.S.

2010-10-07T10:20:00.002-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Bottega Verde. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are one of the millions of women that are going crazy over natural beauty products I have some great deals for you today!

Bottega Verde started as a small herbalist store in Tuscany, Italy back in 1972. They created great products and became Italy's Largest Cosmetics Brand. Now thanks to the internet their products have become available to the U.S. market.

Bottega Verde has everything you could need from head to toe. Their facial cleansers, masks, scrubs, and anti-aging products are all made with natural ingredients.

I love natural beauty products like these. If you are one of the millions of women looking for something new you really need to check out Bottega Verde!

My favorites are the Nature's Best products that come in Almond, Aloe, Bioeco, Shea, Musk Rose, Olive Oil, and Honey. They are full lines of products for your whole body. You can choose which natural ingredient fits your skincare needs.

So where are the great deals?

Right now Bottega Verde has four great offers. First you can receive a sample package for only $4.99 which includes Foot Mint Deodorant Cream, Cherry Blossom Body Wash, and Musk Rose Face Day Cream. The second deal is one free Olivo Body Butter with Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil when you make a purchase. Deal number three is the free shipping when you order at least $29.95 in products. The last deal helps you get even more for your money. Six of the best selling Nature's Best products are at 20% off.

Giveaway - Monster Cereal Prize Pack

2010-10-02T09:28:00.009-05:00

This new giveaway made my girls very happy. They love when we do cereal giveaways since every time we do giveaways we also get the same items for ourselves to review.

As soon as I opened the box my girls picked out which cereal they each wanted. There are three boxes so they each got their own. My youngest snatched up the tote bag as soon as she saw it. Who knew cereal could get them so excited!

THE GIVEAWAY

The Monster Cereals prize pack which includes one box each of Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry cereal, a special trick-or-treat tote bag and a $10 Target gift card to purchase Halloween goodies or more cereal.

This giveaway ends October 10th at midnight and is limited to US Residents. Free products, prize pack and giveaway have all been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

Enter all of our Current Giveaways

HOW CAN YOU ENTER?

Your main entry will be to tell us which monster cereal is your favorite.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

What Should I Review?

2010-09-30T17:20:00.003-05:00

Look at this awesome bunk bed with a slide! Why didn't they have these cool things when my kids were little? I love looking through all of the CSN Stores that are online. There are over 200 stores that cover everything you could imagine.

I am once again faced with a tough decision. I must go shopping on the CSN Stores and choose another product to review. How will I make such a hard decision? Life is rough!

I have been wanting a small kitchen meat slicer. I lost track of my food processor somewhere between here and Arizona. I also love decorating the house. Then there is James who needs to set up a home office.

CSN has toys, cookware, home office, fitness, outdoors and even shoes and bags. They have everything you could think of. You could even find furniture like an ottoman coffee table.

So what on Earth will I decide on?

Well, I guess you will just have to wait and see!

Crazy Cell Phone Prices

2010-09-30T16:47:00.002-05:00

Is it just me or are have cell phone rates been going crazy lately? We already hated our cell phone company because they kept us stuck in a plan even though our new town rarely got a signal.

They originally had a $10 charge for each additional phone in the family. Now they raised the rates a ton so we finally had enough!

I spent this morning shopping around for rates online and was shocked by how crazy cell phone companies are. Do they think we are stupid? Maybe they just love the fact that we all think we can not live without a cell phone.

I got a huge laugh when I was looking at one company's rates. They had an wonderful graph showing all of the plan options and prices. After looking through all of the plans I found the one we would need. It was a family plan that included unlimited everything.

The next screen informed me that even though the plan I chose was way more than the rest since it was the unlimited everything family plan, I would have to pay an extra $50 to have unlimited everything on all of the phones. Ummmmm HELLO, if the plan is the highest price because it is an unlimited minutes family plan then why would I have to pay even more to add on the unlimited minutes?

In decided to continue just to see how much it would actually come to in the end. I found that each phone added on would be an extra $50. Why would I choose such a ridiculous plan? I have looked down on pay as you go phones in the past but now that there are ones with unlimited everything for a fraction of the price I might just choose one of them!

BH Cosmetics Eyeshadow

2010-09-30T14:20:00.003-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of BH Cosmetics. All opinions are 100% mine.

What kind of makeup shopper are you? Do you go to discount drug stores looking for the cheap stuff and hope it does not look at cheap as it is? This allows you to afford more makeup but does it look good?

Do you swear by the expensive stuff and go broke trying to look your best? Maybe you buy the expensive stuff but have to stick with little choices because you can not afford more colors.

I am sure that there are many women just like me that have a little of everything sitting around but use barely any of it! I have some really expensive stuff that I never wear because I feel like I should save it for a special night. I have some cheap stuff that I wanted to try but they look like crap so I never use them. Then there is the mid-price range that looks "okay" but I really do not have a lot of color choices.

I really like eyeshadow but I get stuck in a rut and just wear the same stuff all the time.

I would really like to try the BH Cosmetics 120 colors professional eyeshadow palettes. They have 2 layers of brilliant "highly pigmented" eyeshadow that is bendable with strong staying power. They are priced $29.95-$34.95 and give you endless color possibilities.

Giveaway - Make Your Own Candy Kit

2010-09-30T11:33:00.010-05:00

Did you see our review of the Make Your Own Gummies Kit and wish you got to try it? Now is your chance! Glee Gum is giving one of our readers the kit of their choice.

The winner of this giveaway will get to pick which kit they would like to receive.

Which kit would you like?

Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit
Make Your Own Gummies Kit
Make Your Own Chocolate Kit

This giveaway ends October 17th at midnight and is limited to US Residents 18+ in the continental US

Enter all of our Current Giveaways

HOW CAN YOU ENTER?

Your main entry will be to tell us which kit you would prefer.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* "like" Glee Gum on Facebook
* Follow @GleeGuy on Twitter
* Follow this blog - If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed and make a new comment.
* Add Your Fun Family to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav Your Fun Family on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

A New Look With Glass Tiles

2010-09-30T10:55:00.004-05:00

Are you sick of your bathroom but you are unable to completely redo it? Many families are facing the same thing right now. You can easily give your bathroom a beautiful makeover with a fresh coat of paint and some tiles for accents.

You know you look at those beautiful bathrooms in the magazines and dream of having an incredible bathroom. Wall to wall expensive bathroom tiles can cost a fortune but you can create a beautiful dramatic look at a fraction of the price by just adding tile accents.

I was looking at some beautiful low cost tiles at GlassTileStore.com and found this photo of a great dramatic bathroom that has one wall tiled to create a unique look at a much lower cost than tiling the whole room.

They have a tile and look for everyone. They even have large glass tiles and subway tiles.

Winner - Die Cut Business Cards

2010-09-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

We have a winner to announce in the Die Cut Business Cards Giveaway!

The winner is Marilyn's Money... Congrats!

Thank you to UPrinting for sponsoring this giveaway and providing us with tons great of products and giveaways.

I Can Decorate Soon!

2010-09-26T12:43:00.005-05:00

It is freezing outside today! I hate feeling cold and I hate the thought of how many more months of cold are ahead of us. Soon there will be snow and I will just hibernate inside for the winter. The only thing that I can look forward to is all of the holidays coming up.

I love decorating for the holidays. It makes the house look so pretty and it makes the house feel so cozy. Since we are stuck spending so much time inside over the winter I want it to be as nice as possible.

A lot of my decorations are getting older so I think that I will be getting some new ones this year. I was checking out BedBathStore.com and found some really cute decorations. I love the ghost door or window panel in the Halloween Home Decor section. How cute are those little ghosts!?!
Thanksgiving is coming soon so I also checked out the Thanksgiving Tablecloths. It think this one is nice and traditional.

They had some really cute doormats in the Christmas Home Decor section too. Since the kittens shredded my last one I guess I will have to buy a new one again! I can not wait to start decorating for the holidays it really is a nice pick me up during those cold winter blah days.

Hamburger Helper Get Together

2010-09-26T08:20:00.000-05:00

I have loved working with General Mills over the last couple years. I have gotten to review so many new products and do great giveaways for them. The best part has been getting to go to the General Mills headquarters for Baking With Betty. So when they asked me if I wanted to host a Hamburger Helper get together I of course said yes.

I had a conversation while on the Baking With Betty trip that sums it all up for me... A few of us ladies were telling a woman that worked at the General Mills headquarters that everything about the place was so amazing that it would be a dream job for us. The woman got a huge smile and then whispered, "Trust me it really is our dream job!".

Okay, back to the party! We live in the middle of nowhere so people love coming to our house for bonfires. Our backyard is perfect for it and our trees have a seemingly endless supply of falling branches.

This has been a nasty summer of heat, humidity and swarms of mosquitoes so we have not been able to have many gatherings. Now that fall has come we snatched up the chance.

Hamburger Helper was a perfect meal for a chilly fall bonfire. It was not really cold out but there was a chill in the air so eating a nice hot, hearty, and cheesy pasta dish while sitting around the fire was perfect.

I received 5 boxes of Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper, 1 box of the new Honey Mustard Chicken Whole Grain Helper, Hamburger Helper ceramic serving bowl, Hamburger Helper foam hand, product info and coupons. My girls LOVE the Cheeseburger Macaroni one. They beg for it all the time.

I invited friends of my kids and their parents. The kids got to run around and play in the yard and the parents got to sit and relax by the fire. Everyone loved dinner and had a great time. A few parents were surprised by how good the food was and how much you can change it by adding a few ingredients that you already have around the house.

The gathering started in the kitchen. I had everything set up on the island so people could see what was being made and get some coupons. I had two boxes made like normal for the more picky kids and then I changed three of the boxes a bit. The one box of Honey Mustard Chicken was only enough for everyone to get a taste but most people loved it.

One of the boxes I made with onions, jalapenos, and tomatoes because I had way too many left from the garden. I then added onions, crumbled bacon, and mushrooms to one. In the last one I added a package of frozen carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. I also made Bisquick drop biscuits to go with it. They all tasted great and the variety kept everyone happy. It was fast and easy to make so I was happy too.

We had a great get together so thank you Hamburger Helper!

Giveaway - Die Cut Business Cards

2010-09-23T13:01:00.000-05:00

People are always trying to find a way to stand out in a crowd. These awesome Die Cut Business Cards will achieve that for you. I have received piles and piles of business cards but there are only a few that stand out in my memory. Do you want your business card to sit at the bottom of a pile or do you want to get noticed?

I have gotten a few sets of free business cards from UPrinting but I have always wanted to get some of the Die Cut ones. As part of this giveaway I will also get some of these free and I can not wait!

THE GIVEAWAY

250 Die Cut Business Cards for One (1) Winner
2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.75 x 3.5” (slim card)
Die cutting options available: Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle
Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Matte, or High Gloss; 13pt Cardstock Uncoated
Color: 4Color Front, Blank Back; 4Color Front, Black Back; 4Color Both Sides
Limited to US residents only 18 years old and above
Ends September 30th at midnight

HOW CAN YOU ENTER?

Your main entry will be to comment on which die cut shape you prefer.

EXTRA ENTRIES

* Blog about the giveaway and include a link back to this post. Make a new comment here with the URL to your post. (This is 3 entries!)
* Follow this blog - It is on the left sidebar. If you are already a follower it still counts. Make a new comment here that includes your follower name.
* Subscribe to the RSS Feed (left side bar) and make a new comment.
* Add the Your Fun Family Blog to your blogroll. Make a new comment and be sure to use your URL when you post it. (This is 2 entries!)
* Fav the Your Fun Family Blog on Technorati and make a new comment.
* Follow us on Twitter and make a new comment.
* Share this giveaway post on Kirtsy, Digg, Twitter, Stumble, or anything else you can think of.

Each one counts for one entry so each should have a separate comment. It must include the link where it can be found to count.

I will be deleting comments that do not follow the rules so others get a fair chance. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win! If I can not find your email address on your comment, profile, or website you can not win.

Make Your Own Gummies Kit

2010-09-23T08:29:00.005-05:00

Glee Gum recently sent us a Make Your Own Gummies Kit to review. They have three kits in which you can Make Your Own Chewing Gum, Gummies or Chocolate. We chose the gummies kit since my girls LOVE gummies.

From the minute the package arrived my girls were interested. That found it very interesting that there was seaweed in the box. Kids never think about what is really in the foods they eat. They love gummies though so they decided to not freak out after discovering the seaweed.

Make Your Own Gummies Kit includes: sour mix, colored and flavored sugar, powdered seaweed, seaweed, molding starch, instructions and the story of carrageenan.

I loved that the kit is not just fun but it is very informative also. I try to sneak in a lesson any chance that I get and this kit started some great conversations.

I also really love that Glee Gum uses all natural chicle for its gum base. Most gum companies use synthetic
gum bases.

In this case natural ingredients are not just better for you but they are better for the environment. Rain forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate but using natural chicle gives these trees a reason to not be cut down. If the people living in these areas can make a living collecting chicle from the trees they will not cut them down to earn money.

Want to learn more?

The Glee Gum website and newsletter both have educational information that is fun for kids too. You can also search for Glee Gum Products at a store near you.

TiVo Premiere and Slide Remote

2010-09-21T09:49:00.000-05:00

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

Have you checked out the newest in TiVo technology? I was astonished and now I want a new toy! Most of you have realized by now that I love electronics. I know most women want jewelry but not me, I would love it if I would get gifts of electronics.

We have a DVR from our cable company and I just always figured that TiVo can not be that different. Wow, was I way off! When I checked out the new TiVo Premiere I found that while it has the same recording and pausing of live shows that I love it can do so much more.

How many times have you left the house and forget to set a recording? You can schedule a recording from your laptop or cell phone! Never miss the new Fall TV shows. AWESOME!!!

TiVo has the world's largest on-demand video store. You can access their online partners (Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, BLOCKBUSTER On Demand, and more). You can even access online content like YouTube, podcasts, Pandora, Rhapsody, Music Choice, Live 365, Picasa and Photobucket.

TiVo has also thought about the fact that today's busy person not only needs to record programs for when they have more time but they also need to be able to take them with them. This system allows you to transfer recordings to your laptop, iPod, iPhone, PSP, or other mobile device so you can watch your shows anywhere! LOVE IT!!!

I am sure that you want to know about that remote in the picture. I know I did! That is the TiVo Slide Remote. It slides open to expose a full QWERTY keyboardso those awesome online features will be a breeze!

Make sure to Enter to Win the "30 Slides in 30 Days" Sweepstakes and then become a Facebook Fan.

Heavenly Hair Kit

2010-09-21T08:19:00.005-05:00

We were recently sent the Heavenly Hair Kit for review. It is one of Scientific Explorer's new hands-on beauty kits. You can have a fun and educational spa experience with your little girl using any of the new kits. Along with the Heavenly Hair Kit, they also have a Bath Fizzer Kit, Shimmer Soap Kit, Blissful Body Mist Kit, and a Lovely Lip Balm Kit.

I love that this kit also teaches kids about their hair. They can learn why their hair looks the way it does and how it grows, what makes it curly or straight, why it's a certain color, and more. It also includes tips from pros on how to choose the perfect cut and style for your face and hair type.

My girls love the Heavenly Hair Kit and now want to try out the other kits. I think their favorite part is the hair wrap. It really adds to the pampering yourself feel of it.

Heavenly Hair Kit Includes...

shampoo base
conditioner base
thickener
pink dye and fragrance
hair wrap
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
brush
activity guide

My girls love having girl spa nights. We sit around and do facials, nails, and do our hair. It is great fun and we get to spend time together talking and making memories. These kits are a great way to start this kind of tradition and also have the opportunity to add in some learning.