Super Powered Stuff

Enter to win a Jillian Michaels Wii Fitness Game

2010-12-20T16:57:00.000-08:00

My sister really wants this and I'd LOVE to win it for her for Christmas. I am currently in the middle of Jillian Michale's 30 day Shred video and it is awesome!

Shop with me Mama is giving away 3 copies of this Wii game. I hope she picks me!!

click here to enter. Ends 12/22

Win Ma Mi Skin Care

2010-11-24T16:16:00.000-08:00

This is such great timing! I am totally in the market for some new face products, and I really want ones that are anti-aging and family friendly.

Maybe I can even win some Ma Mi Skin Care products on A Happy Hippy Mom! Check it out and maybe you can win!

Black Cat Cookies

2010-11-24T16:14:00.001-08:00

Here is my autumn cookie treat. They are supposed to be "Black Cat Cookies" and they look like it. Sorta.

Black Cat Cookies (from cooks.com)

1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/3 cup water
2 eggs
1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
M & M's (plain)
Red hots

Beat together peanut butter, eggs, and water. Gradually add cake mix. Mix well. Form dough into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheet. Flatten balls with bottom of glass dipped in sugar. Pinch out 2 ears at top of cookie. Add M & M's (eyes) and red hots (nose). Press fork into dough to form whiskers.

Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.

Robbi's M&M Cookies

2010-07-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

The recipe calls for M&Ms (and I had a ton from a couponing deal a few months ago), but it should work just as well with chocolate chips. I made 3 batches of these cookies within 2 weeks. And other than giving to my auction recipient, I didn't share. At. all.

Yum.

Robbi's M&M Cookies

Original Recipe Yield 5 - 6 dozen

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces

In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies.
Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 9 to 11 minutes, (I like to take them out a bit early before they brown).

Brownie Swirled Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies

2010-07-23T19:25:00.001-07:00

I have a new favorite ~~cookie~~ cooking blog. Picky Palate has won me over. And I am determined to eventually try all the ~~dessert~~ healthy recipes.

Check out these scrumptious treats that I made for my new auction winner!

Brownie Swirled Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies. 'nuff said.

If you need to find me this summer, I'll be in the kitchen. (Or the gym.)

Getting ready for summer

2010-06-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Although it still looks like late winter here in the Northwest (non-stop rain!), I only have 13 days of work left. Summer is coming! And I hope expand not only my repertoire of recipes, but also my cooking techniques this summer. CSN stores has over 200 online stores, and a wonderful range of products: from toys and cookware to sofas!

I am really excited about this indoor smoker. I can't commit to a large outdoor smoker, but my son and I fell in love with smoked chicken this year. And I've been searching everywhere for an inexpensive way to smoke meat in my own kitchen.

One reviewer even said that they used this smoker while camping. Since I have 2 camping trips planned for this summer, I can't wait to try it out there as well!

Hopefully I will get some awesome recipes, rubs, and deals on meat so I can experiment all summer long. Thank you CSN stores for letting me try it out!

Cranberry Chews

2010-06-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Coconut-Cranberry Chews
3/4 cups butter at room temp
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. grated orange peel
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 cups dried cranberries
3/4 cups sweetened flaked dried coconut

1. In a large bowl, mix butter, sugar, orange peel, and vanilla until smooth.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture, stir to mix, then beat on low speed until dough comes together, about 5 minutes. Will be very crumbly. Mix in cranberries and coconut.

M&M cookies!

2010-05-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

Robbi's M&M Cookies

Original Recipe Yield 5 - 6 dozen

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces

In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies.
Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 9 to 11 minutes, (I like to take them out a bit early before they brown).

Science Summer Camp

2010-05-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

I am having the worst time deciding on a summer camp for my 6 (almost 7) year old this summer. But I may have found the answer! The Mom Jen is giving away a one week science summer camp through Champions. I sure hope I win!!

Win a Macy's Gift Card

2010-04-23T20:20:00.001-07:00

Win a $50 Macy's Gift card at Blessings Abound!

I'm already imagining what I would buy... :)

Win Baskin Robbins ice cream

2010-04-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

Go over to Blessings Abound to win $20 worth of Baskin Robbins gift certificates.

Yum!!

Snickerdoodles

2010-04-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

Snickerdoodles
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Combine ingredients in mixer
2. Roll into balls
3. Roll balls in a bowl of cinnamon-sugar
(4. optional step- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm)
5. Bake at 375 for 12 minutes

Busy Mom's Bible Review

2010-04-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

I was so fortunate to receive a Busy Mom's Bible from Zondervan last month.

This Bible is gorgeous. 2 colors of pink and small enough to be convenient but large enough that I can still read it. Throughout the Bible are inserted pages on what to do if you have 1 free minute, 5 free minutes, or 10 free minutes to study God's word.

My only complaint is that there are no "directions" as to how to use these mom's moments. That would have been helpful. Overall, very pretty and a great gift for any mom!

Win a $25 Amazon card

2010-02-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

To celebrate her blog's new face-lift, My Life My Journey is giving away a $25 Amazon card. Check it out here!

TOSCA Kitchen Faucet Giveaway

2010-02-20T22:05:00.000-08:00

Win a TOSCA Kitchen Faucet here. Since I think our sink faucet is from 1948, I would sooooo love to win this!!

Click here to enter.

Lots of Giveaways at Mommy Mandy

2010-02-19T18:51:00.000-08:00

Mommy Mandy is hosting a ton of giveaways, I'd love to win any of the following:

a $50 Gift Card to Safeway

DownEast Basics outfit

2 Souplantation Meals

Princess and the Frog Soundtrack

Toasted Coconut Shortbread Cookies

2010-02-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

Toasted Coconut Shortbread
Adapted from Bon Appetit, April 2004

1/2 cup (about 1.5 ounces) unsweetened shredded coconut*
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 6 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature**
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (Updated: for unsweetened coconut, the smaller amount; sweetened, the larger amount)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 325°F. Spread coconut on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until coconut is light golden, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Cool completely, then grind in a coffee grinder, food processor or blender until coarsely ground.

Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Mix in salt and vanilla. Beat in flour in 2 additions. Stir in toasted coconut. Gather dough together, flatten into a disc and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 1 hour. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out dough disk on lightly floured work surface to scant 1/4-inch thickness. Using 1 3/4- to 2-inch-diameter cookie cutters, cut dough into rounds. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Gather dough scraps and reroll; cut out additional cookies.

Bake cookies until light golden, about 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely. (Can be made ahead. Store airtight at room temperature up to 1 week.)

Win a Flirty Apron

2010-02-05T21:06:00.001-08:00

Win a Flirty Apron at Blessings Abound!

I could really use this! Ends 2/8

Win a Flirty Apron

2010-01-02T22:46:00.001-08:00

Win a super cute Flirty Apron (like to replace the one that recently became unwearable!!) at The Mom Reviews.
Click here to enter. Ends 1/8.

Gingerbread Men

2009-12-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread Men Cookies (clever name 'eh?!)

3 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)
1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
1 Tbsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses (can anyone tell me what sulfured molasses is???)
1 In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.

2 Cream the butter. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in eggs and molasses. Gradually add the flour mixture; combine on low speed. (You may need to work it with your hands to incorporate the last bit of flour.) Divide dough in thirds; wrap each third in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Before rolling out, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.

3 Heat oven to 350°. Place a dough third on a large piece of lightly floured parchment paper or wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate again for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to cut out the cookies. Make shapes with cookie cutters.

4 Transfer to ungreased baking sheets. Bake until crisp but not darkened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let sit a few minutes and then use a metal spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Win Sanita Clogs

2009-12-05T15:15:00.000-08:00

I'm in the market for a pair of clogs. I have yet to find some that actually fit my feet, are comfortable, and that I can afford.

So... I'd love to win some awesome Sanita Clogs!
Enter at A Kindred Spirit's Reviews.

Win a Britax Parkway Booster

2009-12-03T21:43:00.000-08:00

We've been struggling recently with our booster seat situation. Both kids are moving up in car seat sizes, and we don't have the seats for them!

So I'd love to win the Britax Parkway Booster on Life with 5 Monkeys and 1 Ape!
Click here to enter. Ends 12/16.

Win a Springfree Trampoline

2009-12-03T21:06:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't this trampoline be so much fun!

Enter at Barefoot Mommies. Ends 12/14.

Win a gorgeous Rwandan basket

2009-11-29T16:31:00.000-08:00

Win a gorgeous Rwandan basket at Lattes and Life.
Click here to enter. Ends 11/30.
Our sponsor child lives in Rwanda, so this would be especially meaningful for us to win!

Win a Safeway Gift Card

2009-11-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

Win a $50 Safeway Card at Fabulessly Frugal Mom!
Click here to enter. Ends 11/9.
I love Safeway and hope to win!

Win Eleven Shoes

2009-10-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

A chance to win a pair of my favorite kids' shoes ever!
Win Eleven shoes at Red Sox Mom!
Click here to enter. Ends 11/1.

Win an eToys giftcard!

2009-10-30T12:32:00.001-07:00

Ben's Momma is hosting a giveaway for an eToys giftcard.
Too much fun with Christmas rapidly approaching.
Click here to enter. Ends 11/1.

Safeway Giveaway

2009-10-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Safeway is one of my favorite stores. Not only because it is only a few blocks from both my home and work, but also because of the double coupons and great sales. I am usually shopping at Safeway several times per week.
Maybefrugal has a fabulous giveaway for 5 $50 Safeway gift cards to promote the stores new lower prices! I would so love to win one of these!
Click here to enter. Ends 11/2.

CSNBaby giveaway

2009-10-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

My blogging bud Sue at My Home Wellington has a super fun giveaway right now.
Win a cool diaper bag and jumbo size puzzle map of the USA from CSNBaby.
Click here to enter. Ends 10/31.

Moroccan Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes

2009-10-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

Moroccan Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes
(from my friend Sally)

1/4 c AP flour
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 lbs)
coarse salt and ground pepper
2 T olive oil
1 med onion, diced
1 piece (2-4 inches long) fresh ginger
2 cinnamon sticks
1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
2 medium sweet potatoes (1 lb total) peeled and cut into uniform chunks
pinch of saffron (optional)

1 c couscous
cilantro sprigs for garnish

Place flour in a wide shallow bowl. Season chicken with salt and pepper; dredge in flour, shaking off excess. In a heavy 5 quart pot, heat oil over medium high. Add chicken and cook until browned; transfer to a plate. Add onion, ginger, and cinnamon to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to soften. Return chicken to pot. Add broth, sweet potatoes and saffron. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sweet potatoes are tender, 10-15 min. Discard ginger and cinnamon. Stir in lemon juice, ane season stew with salt and pepper. While stew is simmering, prepare couscous according to package instructions. Serve chicken stew with couscous, garnished with cilantro.

Win Ice Age 3 DVD

2009-10-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

I need to win this one folks. When my kids first saw the preview, I told them we'd see the movie. When the movie came out at our near-by 2nd run theater, I told them we'd see the movie. After weeks and weeks of telling them.... it never worked out and we never saw the movie. So now I'm gonna try to win it for them!
Win Ice Age 3 at Tiaras and Tantrums.
Click here to enter. Ends 10/16.

Win a Shred Sled

2009-10-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

Win a Shred Sled at Mom's Focus on Cyber World.
Click here to enter. Ends 10/15.
I would sooooo love to win one of these for me (I mean my son!).

Win Eleven Shoes

2009-10-09T07:50:00.001-07:00

Win a pair of Eleven shoes from The Mom Reviews.
Click here for entry. Ends 10/12.
These shoes are so wonderful!!!

Win a Maxi Kick Scooter

2009-10-08T22:55:00.000-07:00

Win a Maxi Kick Scooter from Parenting Pink.
Click here to enter. Ends 10/11.
Wow! My kids would absolutely adore this for Christmas!!

Another Safeway GC giveaway!

2009-09-19T22:21:00.001-07:00

Win a $50 Safeway gift card at Frugal in Virginia!
Click here to enter. Ends 9/27.

Win a $50 Safeway giftcard

2009-09-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! $30 Weekly Grocery Challenge is giving away Safeway gift cards!
Click here to enter. Ends 9/23.
I sure hope I win!

Win a Layers Clothing Gift Card

2009-09-19T14:16:00.001-07:00

Win a $100 Layers gift card at 7 Clown Circus.
Click here to enter. Ends 9/25.
One of my favorite blogs. Some of my favorite clothes. Perfect combo! ;)

Win a Plasma Car

2009-09-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Win a PlasmaCar at Simply Being Mommy!
Click here to enter. Ends 9/11.
My kids would have so much fun with this!

Win a Dick's Sporting Goods Gift Card

2009-08-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

Win a Dick's Sporting Goods Gift Card at Mom Trends.
Click here to enter. Ends 9/4.
Think of the great stuff I could get for my son!

Best Oatmeal cookies

2009-08-31T16:20:00.001-07:00

This is the recipe from a fellow adoptive mom that I hang out with on a forum. These really are the best!

Best Oatmeal Cookies Ever
Contributed by: Kelly CA
INGREDIENTS
* 1 c. Brown Sugar
* 1 c. Granulated Sugar
* 1 c. Butter
* 2 eggs
* 2 tsp. Vanilla
* 2 Tbs. Milk
* 2 c. Flour, sifted
* 1 tsp. Baking Powder
* 1 tsp. Baking Soda
* 1 tsp. Salt
* 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
* 2 c. Old Fashioned Oatmeal
* 1 12oz. bag chocolate chips ( caramel swirl chips are best, if you can find them, or 1/2 choc chips 1/2 butterscotch chips are also good)

DIRECTIONS
-Preheat oven to 350.
-Beat butter and sugars together till creamy.
-Add eggs, vanilla and milk, mix well.
-Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
-Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix well.
-Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips.

Drop a heaping tablespoons of dough onto silpat or parchment-lined baking sheets.

Butter the bottom of a glass and then dip the glass into turbinado sugar. Press sugared glass onto each cookie to slightly flatten. Re-dip glass in sugar before pressing each cookie.

Bake ten minutes or until edges are brown. I like these to be well caramelized for extra crunch. These are crispy cookies and VERY delish. The large sugar crystals on the top of the cookies add such a wonderful crunch.
When cookies are done, remove to rack to cool and store in a child and mom-proof safe. Try not to eat the whole batch.

You can also add nuts and/or shredded coconut, if you like. If you add coconut, the cookies will lose their yummy crunch, though.

Win a Shred Sled

2009-08-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

Win a Shred Sled at Mom Trend.
Click here to enter. Ends 9/3.
What a great gift this would make for me my son!

Win a Flirty Apron

2009-08-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

Win a Flirty Apron at The Last Blog on Earth
Click here to enter. Ends 9/3.
I'm so excited to find another apron giveaway since I really do need a new one!

Win a Jessie Steele Apron

2009-08-26T12:36:00.001-07:00

Win a Jessie Steele Apron at Verging on 40.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/28.
I love these aprons and my current one just disintegrated. So it would be great timing if I won.

Win a Laptop Lunch Box

2009-08-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

Win a Laptop Lunch Box at Kids Travel Happy.
Click here to enter.

Win $15 Amazon Card

2009-08-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is having a great giveaway sponsored by Got Free E-Cards. You can win a $15 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com! Stop by before 11:59pm ET on August 23th and enter to win!

Back to School Extravaganza

2009-08-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

So many great prizes!!

Win a $50 Gift Card to One Small Step at Playground for Parents.
Click here to enter.

Win a backpack at Kids Travel Zone at Playground for Parents.
Click here to enter.

Win a $30 Kroger Gift Card

2009-08-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

Win a $30 Kroger Gift Card at Momma Young @ Home
Click here to enter. Ends 8/22.
I love my Fred Meyer store!

Yummy & Fun Subway Giveaway

2009-08-10T11:27:00.001-07:00

Subway is one of the only fast food places I allow our family to go. I like the fresh veggies and watching them make my meal.
Win a Subway GC and prize package from 3 Kids and Us.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/15.

Win a Layers Clothing Gift Card

2009-08-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Win a Layers Clothing Gift Card at Donna's World.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/22.
The clothes look fabulous!

Win Bummas Cloths

2009-08-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

Win Bummas Cloths at Donna's World
Click here to enter. Ends 8/23.
I hope I can win these for my friend's new baby!

Win a $50 Visa Gift Card

2009-08-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Win a $50 Visa Gift Card and Scott product coupons presented by Scott Common Sense at 3 Kids and Us.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/15.
Think of all the great ways to use this one!

Win an Amazon Gift Card!

2009-08-09T22:35:00.000-07:00

Win a $15 Amazon gift card at Seriously Amber Lynae!
Click here to enter. Ends 8/15.

Get Cool for School Preschool Giveaways!

2009-08-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

These are so awesome! They are a combination of some of my favorite products ever!

On the Get Cool for School Day 5 Preschool Bundle, you can win an Ufadil clothing product, See Kai Run Shoes, Tag Jr. by Leapster, and lunch box by Baby Box.
Click here to enter at Life Starring Me and the Kids.

On the Get Cool For School Day 7 Preschool Bundle, you can win See Kai Run Shoes, Happy Green Bee clothing, and a bag from Stephen Joseph
Click here to enter at Life Starring Me and the Kids.

Back to School Bash is awesome!

2009-08-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

The prizes at the Back to School bash are so great! I'm having fun entering and hope to win big for my kids (and myself!) this summer!!!

Some of the prizes I'd love to win include:
Vincent shoes at Kiddies Corner Deals

Dream Sacks robe at Pour Some Sugar On Me.
My whole family would love the Plasma Car at Pour Some Sugar On Me too!

Win See Kai Run Shoes

2009-08-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Another opportunity to win these great shoes!!
Win See Kai Run Shoes at 5 Little Monkeys!
Click here to enter. Ends 8/15.

Win See Kai Run Shoes

2009-08-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

Win See Kai Run Shoes at Leslie Loves Veggies.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/19.
These are my favorite little kid shoes ever!

Win a Back to School Giveaway #10

2009-08-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

Win 3 sets of Melissa & Doug Play Food, 30 day supply of Fancy Fortune Cookies, and a Leapster 2!
Click here to enter at 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires. Ends 8/24.
We'd love ALL of these!!

Book Review: Sheep in a Jeep

2009-08-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

Sheep in a Jeep
One of my all-time favorite board books, Sheep in a Jeep perfectly blends short rhymes (pre-literacy skill) with short sentences and fabulous rhythm. The adorable pictures and amusing story make this a true winner. But to top it off, it introduces higher-level vocabulary into a seemingly toddler story, making this board book good for many ages. I think it is much better than the other "sheep" books.

I can recite this story from memory, in my sleep, while doing somersaults It's that good. ;)

Win a Back to School Giveaway #8

2009-08-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

Win a Ufadili product, shoes from See Kai Run, Tag Jr., and Monogrammed Lunch bag from Baby Box.
Click here to enter at 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires.
Ends 8/24.
Wow! We could totally use ALL of these prizes!

Win a Back to School Giveaway #1

2009-08-07T22:06:00.001-07:00

Win a Kolobag laptop bag and 4 GB Mimobot Flash Drive.
Click here to enter at 3 Garnets and 2 Saphires.
Ends 8/19.

Win a Back to School Giveaway #9

2009-08-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

Win Kokopax carrier, Cherry Hill labels, Ruffle Pants at 3 Garnets and 2 Saphires.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/24.
Adorable stuff for my family and friends!

All Chidren's Furniture Toy Giveaway

2009-07-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

Melanie at Adventures of the Reluctant Housewife is hosting an All Children's Furniture Toy Giveaway! You could win:

The Step 2 Par 3 Mini Golf Course

To win simply click over to Adventures of the Reluctant Housewife and help her pick some bunk beds for her kids. Good luck!

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

2009-07-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card at Saving like CRAZY.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/1.
I'm saving up for something BIG on Amazon. ;)

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

2009-07-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card at My Red Apron.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/23.
Oh, the things I could use this on.... ;)

Win See Kai Run Shoes

2009-07-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

Win See Kai Run Shoes at Donna's World.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/24.
These are fabulous kids' shoes!

Win a Layers Clothing Gift Card

2009-07-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

Win a Layers Clothing Gift Card at Flying Giggles and Lollipops!
Click here to enter. Ends 7/29.
These are great clothes and I'd love to win.

Win Relastin Ultra Emollient

2009-07-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

Win Relastin Ultra Emollient at Flying Giggles and Lollipops.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/30.
My aging skin could use this.

Win Fancy Fortune Cookies

2009-07-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Win Fancy Fortune Cookies at 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/30.
Perfect for our Fancy Four Year Old Party coming up!

Win an adorable tutu!

2009-07-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

Win a tutu from Tutu Girlz at Mission Mommy!
Click here to enter. Ends 7/17.
What a treat this would be for my daughter!

Enter to win a Scooter

2009-07-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

Win a Mini or Maxi Scooter at Momtrends.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/31.
My daughter would adore the Mini and my son the Maxi. How fun!

Enter to win a Lands End GC

2009-07-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

Win a $100 Lands' End Giftcard at Momtrends.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/31.
I love this store!!

Baron von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident

2009-07-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Baron van Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident

How could I resist a book whose first two sentences are:

Baron von Baddie was a genius.
An EVIL genius.

I could almost feel my super powers surge as Captain Kapow came onto the scene and stopped the Baron's robot from stealing ice cream cones.

This book is filled with cut-out style pictures, clear focal points, humor, and action. The comic-book style is appealing to all age levels. There are very few words per page; the illustrations tell a large part of the story. Filled with rich vocabulary, this book would make a great addition to any library!

Win a DreamSacks nightgown

2009-07-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

Win a short cami nightgown from DreamSacks at Tout-est-des-roses.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/28.
Since I now get soooo hot at night, I would love one of these! And the eco practices of the company are awesome!

Lots of giveaways at MomStart

2009-07-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

Some great new ones!

Win a Jumbo Hopscotch Splashmat at MomStart.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/31.
My kids would have a blast with this!

Win a pair of Simple Toddler Shoes at MomStart.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/31.
My daughter would look great in these eco & kid friendly shoes!

Win Fancy Fortune Cookies at MomStart.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/27.
Perfect for my daughter's "Fancy Four" year old party!

Win Fancy Fortune Cookies

2009-07-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

Win 100 Fancy Fortune Cookies at I Like It Frantic.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/15.
These would be SO perfect for my daughter's "fancy four" birthday party this fall!

Win a Build a Bear GC

2009-07-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Win a $25 Gift card to Build A Bear at I like it frantic.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/22.
My kids would love a new furry friend!

Win a gorgeous Swatch

2009-07-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

You can win a fabulous Full Blooded Unisex Watch from Swatch sponsored by Jomashop at both This Mom Can Shop and I Like It Frantic.
Click here to enter at This Mom Can Shop. Ends 7/21.
Click here to enter at I Like It Frantic.. Ends 8/7.
I would be so excited to win this and show it off at work in the fall!

Win See Kai Run shoes

2009-07-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Win See Kai Run shoes at Icefairy's Treasure Chest.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/20.
My son had a pair of these when he was little. They were by far our favorite pair of shoes. Ever.

Win a great organic shirt/onesie

2009-07-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

Tout-est-des-roses is giving away a choice of organic shirt or onesie from East 4th Street.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/21.
I'd totally choose the woman's shirt. And not just because I have no babies at home.... ;)

More great giveaways I found today.

2009-07-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Enter to win a Eureka Tent at Peanut Butter & Smelly's Dad.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/20.
We are going camping later this summer and still don't own a tent. So this would be perfect for my family!

Enter to win a Plasma Car at Peanut Butter and Smelly’s Dad.
Click here to enter. Ends 7/10.
My son would think this is the coolest mode of transport EVER.

Enter to win a PlayHouse Bouncers WaterSlide at J Leigh Designs.
Click here to enter. Ends 8/3.

Can you imagine the summer fun we could have with this???

Enter to win a Griddler

2009-07-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Win aCuisinart GR-4 Griddler from Look What Mom Found...and Dad too! click here to enter. Ends 7/21

Review: Tale of Despereaux

2009-07-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I got this book from the library after learning that it would be an animated film this winter. I figured that The Flash would want to see the movie when it comes out, and being the educator-mom that I am, I would pre-teach to the movie.

Pathetic?

I know.

What I did not anticipate, however, was how excellent this book would be.

The Newberry Medal on the front cover should have tipped me off.

The Tale of Despereaux

I know, yet another book about a mouse. I think this is our 4th mouse chapter book this year. What can I say? The mice just seem to rule the world.

Something you should know about me: I am a fairy-tale fanatic.

Proof? How's this:
-I idolized Ariel from The Little Mermaid and attempted to draw her and the characters for years. I memorized every line from that movie and wanted to name my first born after a character in the movie.
-I woke up at 4am to watch Princess Diana and Prince Charles marry in 1981
-I took a class in college on Fairy-Tales, from the French department (mon Dieu!)
-The theme song from the Princess Bride was the first dance song at my wedding

Need I go on?

This book has it all. A knight (read: mouse) attempting to rescue a princess (aptly named: "Pea") from a villain (read: rat) in a dungeon (read: dark prison) of a castle (read: castle).

Although longer than the other chapter books I've read aloud, I did not want to stop reading each night. I just wanted to stay up late and keep reading and reading. Darn these great books!

The narrator treats the reader as a confident, and addresses the reader periodically throughout the tale. "Reader, do you know what 'perfidy' means?" And then the author actually (shocked gasp by all teachers) tells the reader to look the word up in the dictionary. (I know, I know. I went to the computer and looked it up in dictionary.com because I don't even own a paper dictionary)

Many giveaways at Live, Love, Laugh with Leslie

2009-07-06T19:01:00.001-07:00

to celebrate her 27th birthday (and just because she likes to give things away) there are so many things on her blog!

Win an item from Ellembee, ends 7/10

Win Silver Earrings from Handmade by Crafty Jules, ends 7/15

Win jewelry from Cici's Beaded Art Shop, ends 7/27

Addicted to Couponing Target GC

2009-07-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

Win a $10 GC to Target at Addicted to Couponing. Since Target is in walking distance from my home, I'd use this one quickly!

Giveaways at Saving Money for a Wedding

2009-07-05T19:35:00.001-07:00

Win a $25 GC to Macy's at Saving Money for a Wedding. The family needs some shoes. Come on and help me win! ends 7/13

Win a $25 GC to Walgreens at Saving Money for a Wedding. This is a great prize for a Walgreens addict such as myself. ;) Ends 7/26

Great giveaways at MomStart

2009-07-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Win a Hexbug at MomStart! My son would looooove to receive one of these!

Win $25 Gift Card to Marshall's at MomStart. Bargain shopping at it's finest.

Win a Street Surfings Wave LX skateboard at MomStart. In theory this would be for my kids. In reality, it would probably be for me!

Win a Piggy Paint GC at MomStart. Perfect for my daughter's little nails!

Win $30 GC for Skin Free at MomStart. I really could use some chemical free night cream for my sensitive skin.

Win a Walgreens Prize package at MomStart. This package includes forehead thermometers, magnets, mug, and $10 GC! Perfect since Walgreens no longer has their rebate program.

Win a Time Out Pad at MomStart. You cannot know how useful this would be in my home. It counts down the amount of time the child has left in time out and even makes a noise if the child gets off the pad!

Macy's $25 giveaway

2009-07-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hubby needs some new shoes. Badly!

This would sure help pay the bill! ;)

$25 Macy's Gift Code from Silver's Heart

Skin Free Giveaway

2009-07-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

$30 of products at Skin Free at Good Mourning Glory!

Ever since reading "Gorgeously Green", I've been trying to switch my beauty products to natural, fragrance and chemical free. This company believes in these same things and I hope to win!

Movie review: Up

2009-07-05T10:31:00.001-07:00

My mother recently took the family to see this movie. In 3-D no less!

Great movie. Totally appropriate for kids 6+, although may be most enjoyed by adults. My kids were scared during the "night time scene" (that said, they were scared during the tractor tipping night time scene in Cars).

Nary a dry eye in the theater by the end of the film.

4.5 stars.

Teva giveaway to enter

2009-07-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

Teva giveaway at Beautiful Calling

I've always loved this brand of shoes for myself. If I win, I'd have trouble deciding between shoes for the kids and for myself!

Enter to win a pair of Eleven Shoes

2009-07-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

Win a pair of Eleven Shoes An Optimistic Beauty.

These shoes are the best! My son has a pair already and gets tons of complements. I'd sure like to get him another pair for the fall!

Amazon giveaway to enter

2009-07-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card at From Pigpen to Paradise

I'm saving up for an iTouch so I could use this for sure!

Made By Survivors

2009-07-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

A while back I received a gorgeous pair of earrings from Made By Survivors. This company helps to empower victims of human-trafficking, and those at high risk by providing them with sources of income.

The Made by Survivors store is full of wonderful jewelry, bags, and paper items. If you are looking to buy a handmade gift for a great social cause, this is the place to go!