Sunday, October 31, 2010

25 Things to do With Excess Halloween Candy



We have 4 kiddos and we go trick-or-treating in 2-3 different places every year. This equals a lot of candy!!!!!!  I was doing some research and found this great list of things from Parenting.com on what you can do with all of that candy!  We actually make up a bag of treats for Grandma and Grandpa every year for each time we Trick-or-Treat! My Mom loves all of the coconut candy that nobody else will eat in our house like Mounds and Almond Joy. *lol*


25 Things to Do With All That Halloween Candy
by Lauren At Parenting.com

Use It in the Kitchen:
Freeze it. Throughout the year, add it to milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream, and plain cookie dough. (For a quick milkshake, add mini Butterfinger or Snickers bars to ice cream or frozen yogurt and milk. Bonus: add a banana.)

Bake it into cakes. Try peanut butter cup cookies or brownies with fun sized candy bars inside. Or just put it on top of cakes and cupcakes, or stir it into icing. (For great recipes see recipegoldmine.com/candybar.)

Make it a (sort of) healthy snack. Fill celery stalks with cream cheese and top with Peanut M&Ms.

DIY trail mix. Open bags of little candies like M&Ms and make your own trail mix by adding pretzels, nuts, and dried fruit.
Bring it to the Thanksgiving table. Remember how your mom used to make yams with marshmallows? Try using leftover candy corn.

Adults Only:
Pair it with wine. The chocolate, caramel, nuttiness of Snickers go great with tawny ports, and the cookie-like Twix goes well with a smooth scotch (starchefs.com).

Make homemade flavored vodka. Just drop it in a bottle and let it soak for awhile to make your own homemade, creative tasting alcohol.

Put chocolates into your coffee for a quick, easy mocha.

Keep some in your purse for when you need a sugar fix, or your kid needs to be bribed.

Get Crafty:

Use it to wrap gifts. Save wrappers to decorate boxes, or garnish boxes with candies. Try stuffing it in gift bags instead of using tissue paper, or put it inside coffee mugs or any other gifts that could use some filling.

Make an advent calendar for November. Put candy in Dixie cups and cover with tissue. On the tissue, write numbers 1-30, and place the cups sideways on a large poster board to form a calendar. Let kids punch through the tissue to get their treat each day. (alphamom.com)

Use it as a learning tool. Let kids practice counting or do their math homework with little Reeses Cups or Hershey Kisses.

Turn it into a science experiment. Kimberly Crandell, who has three kids and an aeronautical engineering degree, came up with 10 ways to turn leftover candy into a learning experience. scientificblogging.com)

Plus:

Save and use next year for a Halloween wreath.

Make Christmas ornaments.

DIY candy necklaces.

Save it for a gingerbread house.

Use the wrappers for Christmas cards or decoupage.

Make a board game and use the candy as playing pieces.

Put it in a piñata for your next birthday party.

Give It Away:

Bring it into the office. It will disappear in no time.

Donate it. Bring to nursing homes, doctor's offices, and women shelters.

Send it overseas. Operationshoebox.com will gladly take donations.

Let your kids make a care package and send it to their grandparents. Your parents (most likely) were not running around the neighborhood begging for treats in a witch hat, like your kids were.

Let's Be Honest: You can always just eat it.



Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween everyone! It has been a SUPER fun weekend with my family! We have had tons of fun trick-or-treating and my husband and I actually got away for a FUN grown-up Halloween party! I cannot even tell you the last time that we got out together without the kids.  I am sooo glad he talked me into going. The best part is, we went as a Vampire and Vampiress with AWESOME costumes from Dizguise Costumes and we WON 1st place in the Costume contest!!!  We won $50 cash. WOOT WOOT! Were we scary?! *lol* My husband seriously fit the part!!!  He has been letting his hair grow for the past 2 months just so he could slick it back. hahahaha So ready for him to get a haircut now!!! He had some kind of allergic reaction to the eye makeup and it turned his eyes super scary and red. I think he is the one who made us win but I won't tell him that.  He did have 100 people tell him he looked like Ray Leota. I think they are right.


One of our friends went as Gumby and it was the most hilarious costume ever! I cracked up every time I saw him at the party!



We were one of the winning blogs from the Hershey's post too so they sent us 4 huge bags of candy to pass out to our trick-or-treaters!  This was our first time staying home and passing out candy and Emma and Josh did a great job! They were giving curbside service and not even making the kids come to the door. *lol*



We did get to take the kids trick-or-treating too. I tried to get a good pic of all 4 but it's getting harder and harder to get a good picture of them! lol



It's Aiden's first Halloween! He was stylin in our Joovy Caboose while we were trick-or-treating!!! The stroller was great for when Joshy got tired too!!!




I'm exhausted but so thankful for a great weekend with my loves!!









Friday, October 29, 2010

Warner Brothers new Zoinkify Activity Site and Ultimate Scooby Doo! Trick or Treat Bag Giveaway! Ends 11/5

Just in time for Halloween, Warner Brothers has launched a fun new site today called Zoinkify!!!  This fun, new interactive site allows you to change pictures of yourself and your children into monster characters from Scooby Doo!!! 



My favorite part about the site is that it pulls your pictures directly from your Facebook account!!  The kids and I have been playing on it all night, "Monsterfying" ourselves and then watching the funny videos!!  We were even able to upload our videos onto Facebook to share with our friends and family! 
  

After you finish your video, you receive a code to unlock more content and you earn Zoinks points which can be redeemed for digital prizes!!!

And to celebrate this awesome new website, one lucky winner is going to win the ULTIMATE Scooby Doo! Trick or Treat bag including all of the following prizes, plus MORE, valued at over $80!!!





One easy way to win!

Leave a comment here with your name and email address and tell us what fun thing you are doing for Halloween!



Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 11/5 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org


*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to the company and/or the PR Company for providing the giveaway!*


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Spook a Look Halloween Photo Contest

I have decided to put a photo of my little monkey, Aiden in the Uprinting Photo Contest!!!  He actually has 4 costumes for this Halloween but my favorite is the monkey costume because at 8 months old, that is exactly what he is, a little monkey! He just started pulling himself up to stand and every time I turn around he is getting into something but what a cutie pie he is growing up to be! If you want to enter your little one or learn more about the contest, visit Giveaway Blogs! He isn't spooky but he sure is cute!








*This is my entry into the Spook a Look Halloween Photo Contest*

 

Paul Frank and Crunch Review and Giveaway from Nestle! Ends 11/


On November 1st, limited-edition Paul Frank CRUNCH bars will be available exclusively at Target!  These sweet stocking stuffers feature holiday-themed artwork of characters from the Paul Frank Collection includng Julius the Monkey and Worry Bear!



There is a larger sweepstakes on the CRUNCH Facebook page that begins November 1st as well where Paul Frank and CRUNCH will launch the Stocking Stuffer Sweepstakes. There will be nine weekly drawings, from November 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. One winner will be chosen each week to receive one of the following prizes: A Julius Dance Machine sound system that can be used with all iPod devices; the eye-catching Neon Julius Cruiser bicycle; a $500 shopping spree to the Paul Frank store or paulfrank.com; and much more! As an added bonus, each winner will receive his or her very own month supply of NESTLE® CRUNCH® chocolate bars. Checkout sweepstakes details and how to enter online at the Nestlé Crunch Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nestlecrunch any time after Nov.1st!

To celebrate, we have a super cool prize pack to give to one of our readers!!





One winner will receive this same prize pack we received including this adorable Paul Frank Blanket, two limited-edition Paul Frank Crunch gift bars and two 12 oz. bags of Crunch jingles!!!
One super easy way to enter!

Leave your name and email address in a comment here for your chance to win!

Thanks for entering and good luck!
Giveaway will end on 11/14 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org



*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to the company and/or PR company for the review and giveaway items*


Verified Winners :)



UPrinting Business Cards #33, Jacqi
iCarly Webshow Set #13, Anonymous (Farris Family)
iCarly Sam's Remote and Truth or Dare Bear #198 Shiela G.
Hormel Prize Pack #210 Karasceviour
Miraclebody Jeans #268 Deana Hoornstra
Thomas the Train Christmas DVD #7, Ma Knorr
Jolly Holiday DVD #264 Heather Y
Angelina Ballerina #41, Amanda Miller
Diary from Peaceable Kingdom Press #115 Jolie
Trivial Pursuit 3 winners: #55, Moffatzoo; #3, Misty Pellew, #13, Sarah W

Congrats to all of these winners!
Look for more great giveaways and reviews to help you with your shopping lists coming soon!









Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Kung Zhu for the Holidays

If you're anything like me, you have been scratching your head and thinking about what to get your kids for the Holidays. My boys are pretty easy to buy for and all 3 of the older kids have put Zhu Zhu Pets and accessories on their lists!!  You might remember over the Summer when we hosted a Kung Zhu pet party courtesy of Zhu Zhu Pets and Mom Central.  Our party was an absolute blast as we played games and raced and battled all of the new Kung Zhu Pets. So many of the boys at the party had NEVER had a Zhu Zhu Pet yet all of the parents told me that they absolutely LOVED them!!! Each child got to take one of these home too!!! How exciting!!!


I wanted to share one of the videos from the party with you all so you can see them in action! We have a lot of the accessories but for the party, we played outside so we let the kids race them and battle them in a huge tennis court. We actually have the accessory though where they can battle here at home. I love this video because you can really see how much fun the boys had with their Kung Zhu pets! They were all screaming and yelling with excitement the whole time!





I am going to try *crossing fingers* to get a hold of some Kung Zhu pets to do a giveaway here at the Crazy House. I would love to get to share them with some of you!!! They are so much fun and our kids have loved playing with them!






*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. I am submitting videos as a part of a contest to win more Kung Zhu gear for my kiddos!*



Infant/Toddler Christmas Tutu Giveaway from Flowers and Beyond Ends 11/10


Families all over the globe will soon be doing fun things to prepare for the Holidays. One of those traditions we like to do every year is to get our pictures taken for our Christmas Cards!  What better way to get your little princess ready for those pictures than an adorable Christmas Tutu from Flowers and Beyond!!!

I don't even have any words for how cute these are!!  If I had a baby girl, she would have one of these for every day of the week!

 


My favorite part about these tutu's is that you can purchase most of them for less than $20. If you want to make a complete outfit you can purchase a darling coordinating top and hairbow for just a little bit more.



The cute factor just went through the roof! How sweet is this?!


I am in awe of the handmade products over at Flowers and Beyond! If you are looking for a unique outfit for pictures, parties or just because, they have you covered!


GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win a Christmas TUTU of their choice from Flowers and Beyond (up to a 2T)

Mandatory Entry:

Leave your name and email address here in a comment for your chance to win!

Extra Entries:

Be a Crazy House Blog Follower (1 entry)

Like us on Facebook (1 entry)

Like Flowers And Beyond on Facebook (1 entry)

Follow Flowers and Beyond on Twitter (1 entry)

Follow the Crazy House on Twitter (1 entry)

Grab one of our buttons (2 entries)

Blog about this giveaway OR post on Facebook or Twitter (3 entries)

Thanks for entering and good luck!
Giveaway will end on 11/10 at 11:59 P.M.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org



*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to the company for sponsoring this giveaway*









Snorg Tees Review & Giveaway Ends 11/10



I have always thought that men are hard to buy for, especially my husband. I have bought him everything from tools to cologne and I always feel guilty because those gifts are so boring when you give them over and over again.  I was given the opportunity to review something from Snorg Tees and I found the perfect Hooded Sweatshirt that suited him perfectly! I am always telling him "Drinking is not the answer" after he pops open a cold one after a stressful day at work and he often replies back "Sometimes it is the answer" so how funny that I found almost the exact same sweatshirt over at Snorg Tees!!!


Snorg Tees offers a huge line of silly (and some borderline naughty) t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts for both men and women!!






If you have someone on your list this year that is hard to buy for or already has everything, I suggest you check out Snorg Tees!!!  They have tons to choose from!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win a Snorg Tees t-shirt of their choice!

Mandatory Entry:

Leave your name and email address in a comment here!

Extra Entries:


Visit Snorg Tees and leave a comment here on one that you like! (1 entry)

Like Snorg Tees on Facebook (1 entry)

Like us on Facebook (1 entry)

Grab one of our buttons (2 entries)

Subscribe to email updates from us (1 entry)

Blog about it OR post about it on Facebook OR Twitter (2 entries)

Thanks for entering and good luck!
Giveaway will end on 11/10 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org



*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to the company for the review and giveaway items*




Barney Best Fairy Tales Review and Giveaway Ends 11/10

Barney: Best Fairy Tales




Available On DVD, Digital Download And On Demand November 9, 2010 From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Welcome to a magical land where toys transform into lifelong friends, creating laughter, joy, songs and special moments for children of all ages! Where else could the wonder and whimsy of classic stories be brought to life through music, dance and play? Come along as everyone’s purple pal Barney™, along with B.J.™, Baby Bop™ and their playground pals, revel in the adventures of heroes, foes and fanciful characters in Barney: Best Fairy Tales, a full-length DVD special available November 9, 2010 on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television, online and through live events, home entertainment and publishing. The Emmy® award-winning series, Barney & Friends™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS® and Sprout®.

About the DVD:
Once upon a time in a land of friendship and fun, a fairytale celebration had just begun! In this collection of enchanted stories, Barney, B.J., and Baby Bop share their favorite tales about Goldilocks, Elves, Tortoises and Hares. Let your imagination unfold as you delight in new dances and plays, and learn that no one is too big or too small --everyone is perfect just the way they are! With your beloved dino friends by your side, you'll be sure to live happily ever after!

Classic tales include:


Jack and the Beanstalk

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Three Billy Goats Gruff

Shoemaker & Elves

The Sharing Hen

Little Boy Blue

Three Little Kittens

Tortoise and the Hare

Girl Who Cried Wolf

DVD BONUS FEATURES

· “Super-Dee-Duper Shape” Game

What we think:

We are absolutely loving all of these new Barney DVD's!  This one is super cute especially because it includes the stories that we all have known and loved since we were kids! Thanks HIT and Lionsgate for another great movie we can share with our little one's!!


GIVEAWAY:

Just leave a comment here with your name and email address for a chance to win your own copy! These DVD's make great stocking stuffers for the Holidays!!!


Thanks for entering and good luck!
Giveaway will end on 11/10 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org



*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to HIT and Lionsgate for providing the review and giveaway items*



Voluntary Recall of Nestle Raisinets Fun Size Bags for Peanut Allergy Sufferers

Press release from Nestle:

NESTLÉ® USA ISSUES ALLERGEN ALERT ON SINGLE PRODUCTION CODE
OF NESTLÉ® RAISINETS® FUN SIZE BAGS

October 22, 2010 (GLENDALE, CA) – NESTLÉ USA’s Confections & Snacks Division is initiating a voluntary recall of NESTLÉ® RAISINETS® Fun Size Bags (10oz) with a production code of 02015748/UPC number 2800010255, which may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have allergies or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. NESTLÉ is taking this action out of an abundance of caution.


NESTLÉ® RAISINETS® Fun Size Bags (10oz) with a production code of 02015748 were distributed only in the U.S. to Target, Shop Rite and Don Quixote retail stores. Three complaints have been received to date. While this product is labeled with a precautionary statement “made on equipment that also processes peanuts,” the product should not, but may contain some peanuts that are not declared on the label.

Providing safe, high quality products to our consumers is our number one priority. We have advised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and will cooperate fully in their investigation. The only product involved is NESTLÉ® RAISINETS® Fun Size Bags (10oz) distributed in the U.S. with a production code of 02015748/UPC number 2800010255. No other NESTLÉ products are impacted.



Consumers who are allergic to peanuts and who have purchased the recalled products are advised by NESTLÉ not to consume them. Instead, NESTLÉ asks these consumers to contact NESTLÉ Consumer Services directly at 1-800-478-5670 for a full refund and discard any remaining packages. Consumers should not return NESTLÉ® RAISINETS® Fun Size Bags (10oz) with a production code of 02015748/UPC number 2800010255 to retailers. Operators are available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST and after hours for emergencies. Those with questions should contact NESTLÉ Consumer Services at 1-800-478-5670 or via email at NESTLÉcandy@casupport.com. NESTLÉ apologizes for any inconvenience experienced by our valued consumers and retail customers.









Monday, October 25, 2010

That Stinks contest and Diaper Pail Giveaway from Munchkin Ends 11/10



Munchkin has launched a fun and exciting contest for moms called, “That Stinks! – But the Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin doesn’t!”

This fun contest which is open now through December 1st will give one lucky Mom the chance to win a year's worth of housekeeping sessions because "Cleaning Stinks!-But the Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin Doesn't!" How awesome would that be?!

And if that isn't enough, if you visit the Munchkin Facebook Page and post a light-hearted story on your weekly parenting trials and tribulations to their wall, your story could be a "Fresh Friday" winner and you could win a diaper pail!!! I had one of those stinky days so here is my submission for the week!

"Went to the store today with my 8 month old in tow to return our teething tablets that were recalled....as if that didn't stink enough, as we were heading out I noticed a funky smell coming from a leaky diaper. That stunk too. What really stunk though was when I realized we left the diaper bag at home and had no spare clothes or dipes in the car...had to take him like that to pick our other 3 kids up from school (in which I had to get him out and carry him up to the school to get the kids) and on our 15 min. drive back home. Yep. The whole day pretty much stunk."





Additional information:

MOMS PREFER THE ARM & HAMMER™ DIAPER PAIL by Munchkin®
2 to 1 OVER THE DIAPER GENIE® II
Independent National In-Home Study of 100 Moms Reveals They Prefer the Arm & Hammer™ Diaper Pail Based on Overall Performance, Ease of Use and Odor Control

NORTH HILLS, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2010) Munchkin, Inc., designer and manufacturer of clever infant and toddler products, today released results from an independent research firm, which found that moms prefer the ARM & HAMMER™ Diaper Pail 2 to 1 over the Diaper Genie® II by Playtex.
An independent research firm designed and managed an in-home test of the two products during June and July 2010. Participants, which included randomly chosen mothers with children in diapers throughout the U.S., were provided with both products to test in their homes under real life conditions for seven days each. Results indicate a clear preference for the ARM & HAMMER Diaper Pail.
“At Munchkin, we always look for ways to make the lives of moms easier. ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda has been trusted for generations for odor control, so we incorporated it into our revolutionary diaper disposal system to help today’s moms maintain a nursery free of odors,” said Doug Gillespie, Munchkin Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We’re certainly proud of the steps Munchkin takes to create innovative products, and these research results are a true testament of our dedication to providing new options for parents.”
The ARM & HAMMER Diaper Pail neutralizes odors in the nursery through a patented odor control system with the power of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda at its core. For more information, visit  http://www.diaperpail.com/.


GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own ARM & HAMMER Diaper Pail RIGHT HERE!

Mandatory Entry:
Leave a comment here with your name and email address!

Extra entries:

Follow the Crazy House blog (1 entry)

Leave your "That Stinks" story on the Munchkin Facebook Page! (1 entry)

Like the Crazy House on Facebook (1 entry)

Subscribe to email updates from us (1 entry)

Grab one of our buttons (2 entries)

Blog about the "That stinks but the Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin doesn't" Contest with a link back to us and to the Munchkin Facebook Page (3 entries)

Thanks for entering and good luck!
Giveaway will end on 11/10 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org




*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to the company and/or PR company for providing us with a diaper pail as well as the one for giveaway*



Token of Love Necklace Giveaway from Sherry Saddler of Premier Design Jewelry! Ends 11/10

I love jewelry and it's always on my "list" for holidays. Second best to receiving jewelry, however, is getting to share it so of course I was super excited when a friend of mine who is an independent consultant from Premier Designs wanted to offer a giveaway here at the Crazy House!!

About Premier Designs:

Premier Designs is a direct sales jewelry company founded in 1985 by Joan and Andy Horner in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. They created the company as a way to support ministries here and around the globe, as well as provide a home-based business opportunity established on biblical principles, such as integrity and unselfish service. Through their non-traditional approach of putting people first — before profits — Premier Designs has grown into a more than 350-million-dollar — debt-free — corporation with Independent Distributors (we call them Jewelers) in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.


Premier Designs Jewelers market quality high fashion jewelry to small groups through Home Shows. They are members of the Direct Selling Association, but their emphasis is on serving rather than selling.


To kick of her exciting new business venture, Sherry is giving away a beautiful 18" Token of Love Necklace from the 25th Anniversary to one lucky reader!


This necklace is absolutely beautiful!!!  This would make a perfect addition to your collection or as a gift for someone else!

How to enter:

Leave a comment here w/ your name and email address!

Extra Entry:

Like "Premier Designs-Sherry Saddler" on Facebook (1 entry)

Thanks for entering and good luck!
Giveaway will end on 11/10 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org



*This is not a paid post. I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to Sherry Saddler for providing this giveaway item*

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Review and Giveaway from Bobbleroos! Ends 11/7

About 6 months ago, we were really excited to do a review for Mr. Bobbles Blankets. If you weren't a follower then, you can read our review Here!  We were so impressed with our blankets that we received from them and they are still among our favorites today! I was recently contacted by the company who shared that not only are they still creating awesome products, they have changed names and are now known as Bobbleroos!!!

This time around we chose to review one of their aweesome Pillow and Blanket Sets and we were so excited when it arrived!


The Pillow and Blanket sets from Bobbleroos are AMAZING! The fabrics are so soft and the prints are so much fun!!! They have the hugest variety of fabrics to choose from for girls, boys and even neutral.  We chose the blue monkey print and it is just too cute for words! It goes great with the yellow monkey blanket we already have from Bobbleroos!



In addition to blankets and pillows, Bobbleroos carries washcloths, burp cloth sets, mattress pads and even playard sheets!  They offer awesome gift ideas especially for Twins and Triplets!!!  Check out the website and you are sure to find something great for your little one or as a gift for someone else! This would be an awesome gift for the Holidays!!!


GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own pillow and blanket set in a fabric of their choice!!

Mandatory Entry:

Leave your name and email address in a comment here!

Extra Entries:

Visit Bobbleroos and leave a comment here on what your favorite print is! (1 entry)

Follow the Crazy House blog (1 entry)

Like us on Facebook (1 entry)

Like Bobbleroos on Facebook

Subscribe to email updates from us (1 entry)

Follow @ Bobbleroos on Twitter (1 entry)

Grab one of our buttons (2 entries)

Thanks for entering and good luck!
This giveaway will end on 11/7 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org





*This is not a paid post.I only share my honest opinion. Thanks to the compay for prvoding the review and giveaway items!*