CrAzY HoUsE

Valentines Day Dinner Made Easy! Easy Pork Ribs Slow Cooker Recipe With Aunt Sassy's Sauces!

2012-01-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

I love to try new recipes for my family so when 2 bottles of Aunt Sassy's Sauces showed up, I knew I had to make some extra special for my family to eat. We received the Original Honey and the Cracked Black Pepper sauces from Aunt Sassy's Slightly Naughty line and we were definitely impressed!!! These sauces were totally yummy straight from the bottles so I knew they would be good cooked up on some meat!! Not only is it good on meat but it's also the PERFECT dipping sauce!!!

I am a big fan of chicken so the rest of my family eats it all of the time to appease me so I thought I would make them something new with our new sauce so I went with a super easy pork ribs recipe that can be made in the crock pot. I love crock pot meals and this would could not be easier and I have to say, it was a big hit! I hope you try it out and let me know what you think!

This would make an AWESOME recipe to make your sweetie on Valentines Day! Forget fighting the crowds and making reservations...make him/her their own romantic dinner right at home!!!

Easy Slow Cooker Pork Ribs Recipe

Ingredients

Pork or Beef Ribs

Salt/Pepper

1 Bottle of BBQ Sauce

Directions:

1.) Wash the meat and salt and pepper both sides

2.) Put the ribs in a baking dish (I'm lazy so I line the pan with foil first to cut down on clean-up) and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 15 minutes on the other side.

3.) Pour 1/4 of your bottle of bbq sauce into the crock pot and place the ribs inside. Dump another 1/4 of the bottle over the top of the ribs.

4.) Cook in the crock pot on high for 6 hours.

5.) Take ribs out of crock pot and return to the baking pan. Dump the other 1/2 of the bottle of bbq sauce over the top and throw them back in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

6.) Take out of the oven and enjoy with your favorite side dishes! I made my honey his favorites. Grandma's fried potatoes, baked beans and his favorite vegetable medley with cheese sauce! YUM!

Easy as can be! If you aren't going to be home for over 8 hours, throw them in the crock pot in the morning before you leave the house but cook them on low instead! These ribs are so tender, they will just fall right off the bone!!

*I received the sauces to try in this recipe free of charge to review. All opinions are my own, This is not a paid post*

Flash Giveaway!

2012-01-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since we have done a FLASH giveaway but since Facebook changed all it's rules, we can't do it the same way we used to........but we can still do it right here! So as a big fat thanks for all of your support, one lucky winner is going to win a $15 Target Gift Card and $10 Paypal cash. A 2nd runner up will win $10 Paypal cash. If you are in the US, I will mail the card to you....if you are international, I can email you the code. Hurry up and enter though, you only have until Sunday at midnight!!!! Thanks for all you do to keep us going!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Angie's Kettle Corn Giveaway Ends 2/2

2012-01-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day is coming up in just a few weeks and as the Head Room parent of my 1st grader and 4th graders classrooms, I like to find treats that I think their classmates will love. I am the "over-achiever" who always wants to go above and beyond for my children but at the same time, I think it's important to balance nutrition and health in there as well. Introducing Angie's Kettle Corn! When this awesome bag of yumminess showed up on my doorstep, I was super excited because we are big fans of popcorn........and after I took one bite, I was hooked. I wasn't so sure about the kids because they had never had kettle corn but judging how fast the bag disappeared, I would say it was definitely a hit at our house!

What we received was the Angie's Kettle Corn Valentine Pack which is available at Target Stores right now for $5.99!! The package comes with 20 individual bags as well as some super cute valentine stickers so you can give the gift of this salty, sweet treat!!!! The stickers were super funny too, like the one you see to your right that says "My <3 Pops 4 U." How cute is that?! But the real treat is inside of the bag. My kids started out by filling out about 10 of the stickers to gift to their teachers but as the bag with the rest of the kettle corn dwindled, I noticed the teachers pile getting smaller and smaller until it was all gone! HA! The kids love taking Angie's Kettle Corn to school for snack-time and even in their lunchboxes for a lunchtime treat! Rarely do I find a snack that all 4 children enjoy but Angie's Kettle Corn has definitely stolen their hearts!!!! I don't mind either because each pack is only 70 calories AND this awesome stuff is cholesterol free, certified gluten free, contains no trans fat AND it contains whole grain. What more could a Mom ask for?! (Oh yea, MORE Angie's Kettle Corn!)

They definitely hit one out of the park with this stuff. It's a perfect balance of salty and sweet that our entire family adores. Now the only problem is, what are we going to do when it's all gone?!?!?!?!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win their own Angie's Kettle Corn prize pack!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 2/5 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Wordless Wednesday...The Mother/Son Sports Dance!!!

2012-01-25T03:41:00.000-08:00

Showing him not to mess with Mama!

Leave a comment here with your link and I will be sure to hop over and do the same!

Redbox Movie Awards Facebook Game Ends 1/29

2012-01-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

We are big fans of Redbox and were so excited when a kiosk finally came to our local McDonalds. It is such a convenience for us not having to drag 4 kids into a movie rental place to rent movies and it's even better that we can even pre-order the movies we want from Redbox making it even easier to rent the movies we want!

Now you can have even more fun with Redbox with the Redbox Movie Awards Facebook Game In this game, you can vote for you who you think will win the awards and if you guess accurately, you could win free Redbox movie rentals for 1 month or 2 or 3 years! That's a LOT of movie rentals and my family would go crazy over a big win like this!!! So hop over to the Redbox Facebook page and check it out! I received a free movie rental code today just for "liking" the page!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to receive 3 free movie rental codes from Redbox!

Just leave a comment here and you will be entered to win!

Giveaway will end on 1/29 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*We received free movie rental codes for posting about this from Redbox and Smiley360. All opinions are my own, no compensation was received*

Zeiss Lenses

2012-01-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

If you wear glasses than you probably understand the frustration that comes along with having less than perfect eyesight. I have had glasses since I was pretty young and my oldest son had to get glasses when he was in kindergarten!!! If you are in the marekt for eyeglasses, you must check out the Educational Tools from Zeiss!!! These tips were created to enable those who wear eyeglasses to better understand their vision correction needs, ensure they egt the most of out of their next eye exam and receive the best lenses to regain sharp vision!

One of my favorite parts about the Educational Tools was the page regarding "Facts to Know about Vision and Lenses. I copied some of the information and posted it below so you can get an idea of what kind of useful information you can find on the Zeiss site!

Know The Three Os:

An Optometrist performs eye examinations and writes prescriptions for corrective lenses. Most Optometrists can diagnose and treat many medical eye conditions and prescribe certain medications.

An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor treating the full range of eye diseases and conditions. Ophthalmologists perform surgery for cataracts and other eye conditions.

An Optician fills the prescription from the optometrist or ophthalmologist and specializes in fitting eyeglasses and providing lenses to correct vision problems.

Based on your vision test, an eye care professional will prescribe the optimum lenses to help you regain sharp vision.

Children should have eye exams:

At ages six months, three years and when beginning school.

Every 2 years (even with no vision issues) to check for early signs of eye disease.

Adults should have eye exams:

Every two years, even with no vision issues.

Annually starting at age 40 as your eyes start to experience natural age-related vision changes.

When selecting eyeglasses for your vision correction, you will also be choosing your eyeglass frames, the type of lens and lens coating. Be sure to let your eye care professional know about the activities you participate in when wearing glasses.

Not all lenses are created equal. Zeiss Individual® is the first progressive lens to integrate how your frames, face and prescription work together for a one-of-a-kind lens that is precisely personalized for the wearer. ZEISS technology is used to create these customized progressive lenses, which are clinically proven to be preferred by consumers over conventional progressive lenses to improve their vision and quality of eyesight.

Ask your eye care professional about the lenses he/she has recommended for you, and how the lenses meet your vision needs.

Know your coating options:

Anti-reflective: Reduces reflections to a minimum for crisper, clearer vision in all lighting situations.

Anti-scratch: Provides optimum protection against scratches which can interfere with vision.

Anti-static: Repels dust and dirt so lenses stay cleaner longer.

Hydrophobic: Dirt and moisture slide off the surface, so the lens is quicker and easier to clean.

PureCoat® by ZEISS: This high-tech coating offers all-round protection including hard anti-scratch coating, anti-reflective coating, and the anti-static function all in one.

UV coating: Some lens materials block 100% of harmful UV rays. Those that don’t require a coating or treatment that offers full UV protection.

Additional options include:

Self-tinting lenses: Tint reacts to changing light, darkening in the sun and clearing indoors. Self-tinting lenses like PhotoFusion® by ZEISS also offer full UV protection.

Polarized lenses: Sun lenses that filter out almost all glare created by sunlight reflected off of water, snow and other surfaces.

The right lenses and coating options for you depend on your lifestyle, work and leisure activities.

Care for your lenses. Don't leave your eyeglasses in the sun or near a heat source as this can damage the

coating and frames. Keep your eyeglasses in a protective case when not in use.

For more information and helpful hints, visit the Zeiss website today!!!

*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zeiss through MomSelect*

Peppered Chicken and Herb Vegetable Soup....YUM!!!!

2012-01-19T05:11:00.000-08:00

This is definitely what I like to call "soup season" so I am always looking for new soup recipes to help warm us up on these cold, winter days! Our "go-to" soups are chili, potato soup and vegetable soup but you can only eat the same foods so many times before you get tired of them so I have been on the lookout for a new soup to try. While participating in a blog hop, I came across Dailymothering.com and that is where I found the yummiest recipe for a chicken vegetable soup!!! I am not a big fan of pork or beef so this is an AWESOME alternative!! Thanks Daily Mothering for this awesome recipe!!!

Peppered Chicken and Herb + Vegetable Soup

Chicken Vegetable Soup (for short!)

Ingredients:

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 potatoes, rinsed and chopped

2 cups green beans, rinsed and chopped

3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1 large onion, peeled and diced

1 1/2 cups celery, rinsed and chopped

2 2/12 cups carrots, peeled and chopped

1 cup frozen peas

1 can corn

3 tbsp butter

1/2 gallon + 3/4 cup water

1 can chicken broth

2 1/2 tbsp McCormick Chicken Base (or 2 bouillon cubes)

3 tbsp all purpose flour

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

To prepare chicken, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt 2 tbsp butter in the microwave. Pour half of it into a glass 8″ x 8″ square baking dish, and sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper evenly over the butter. Place chicken breasts on top of the melted butter. Pour the remaining butter on top and then sprinkle evenly with more salt and pepper. Cover dish with foil and bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until internal temperature just reaches 165 degrees F. Take dish out of the oven, uncover, and allow to cool completely. Then cut or shred the chicken into small bite-size pieces.

After that is done, prepare the vegetables. In a large pot, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add celery, garlic and onion and saute on medium for 3-4 minutes. Add 1/2 gallon water, potatoes, carrots, chicken base, chicken broth, and vegetable bouillon and stir until blended. In a small dish, combine 3/4 cup water and flour, wisk together and microwave for 30-60 seconds until thick. Stir and then add to the pot with the other ingredients. Set on high until boiling, then reduce to a medium simmer for about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add green beans, corn, peas and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 25 m inuites on a low simmer. Serve.

This is a delicious vegetable soup with chicken that you HAVE to try! Seriously. It is going into our "go-to" recipe box for sure!!!

What's your favorite soup?

Justmensrings.com Giveaway Ends 1/29

2012-01-17T15:41:00.000-08:00

It's the season of LOVE and with Valentines Day right around the corner, couples all over the world will become engaged, renew vows and some will be saying "I Do" for the first time. If you are in this category or if you just want to surprise your significant other with something special, Justmensrings.com has you covered this season!!!

We received the Tungsten Black Ceramic Coated Ring with Polished Edges and it is super nice. It is a nice twist to the traditional ring and really stands out. My husband loves the black on the silver and it definitely gives it a great look. I like it because it's unique, just like my awesome husband!!!

We are big fans of Men's Tungsten Wedding Rings and Justmensrings.com has a huge selection! This is a great choice if you are looking for a nice ring on a budget because the price is low and the quality is high! They also offer a large selection of different styles so whether you are a more traditional type person or you like a little bling, they really have something for everyone!!!

Another great choice if you are on a budget is the Men's Titanium Wedding Bands! You can choose from one of their plain titanium bands or you can go for one of the more jazzed up styles. Titanium is lightweight and durable and it's very comfortable!

Justmensrings.com also offers a large selection of Argentium Silver rings that I LOVE! The one below is a flat satin band with an angled edge and centered groove. The 6 round pave diamonds makes this ring unbelievably charming and sophisticated.

No matter what kind of ring you are looking for, definitely check out Justmensrings.com! Their selection and prices will not disappoint you!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their choice of a non-designer ring up to $90!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 1/29 at midnight

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided by the company and/or representing PR firm*

General Mills Whole Grain Giveaway! Ends 1/29

2012-01-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

We here at the Crazy House love cereal and not just for breakfast!! It's not uncommon to see the kids munching on dry cereal for a snack or even eating bowls of cereal and milk before bed around here. They get it honest because I have always been a big cereal eater and I don't mind the kids enjoying it so much because if you get the right varieties, you are actually giving your child important foods that he/she needs like whole grains!!!

We all know by now that whole grain is extremely important for us and the Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with a whole grain listed as the first ingredient and now every cereal with the white check has more whole grain than any other single ingredient with the same great taste. You will see “whole grain” as a part of the first ingredient on the ingredient list, indicating that whole grain is the first and most prevalent ingredient.

More on Whole Grains.....

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of “The Doctors,” identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for nutritional cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting enough whole grain. Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words “whole grain” are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Here’s how to determine if your cereals have whole grain as a first ingredient:

With all the health messages facing grocery store shoppers, it can be confusing to translate what appears on food labels into nutritional needs, and hard to determine which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day’s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.

Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.

Don’t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don’t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help with choosing products with whole grain, General Mills developed “Fast Lane for Whole Grain,” an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios®, Lucky Charms®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Honey Nut Cheerios® and Total®.

For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the “Fast Lane for Whole Grain” sweepstakes, visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win a prize pack that includes 5 boxes of cereal from General Mills!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 1/29 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

Big Changes!

2012-01-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let you all know of some BIG changes around here! In case you haven't noticed, we are now on our domain! If you want to visit us now, you can do so by just typing in http://www.crazyhousereviews.com/!! We are so excited about this change and I hope it will make it easier for you all to get to us now!!! We are also working with a blog designer and we will soon have a whole new look as well! Our Facebook Page and Twitter has stayed the same though so if you don't follow us there, be sure to do that ASAP so you don't miss any of the fun we have coming up!!!

Handmade Valentines Day Cards from Hearthsong! Giveaway Ends 1/25

2012-01-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

If you have children who are in school, you know all about Valentines Day parties at school and everything that goes along with it. I have noticed over the past several years that the store-bought cards are getting worse by the year! They are cheap, impersonal and downright cheesy. My solution? Homemade Valentines Day cards!!! Handmade cards are so much better and more personal and thanks to Hearthsong, we were able to make a boatload of fun Valentines Day Crafts giving my kids a chance to let their creative juices flow!!

The Valentine Kit comes with everything you need to make all kinds of goodies and with the weather getting pretty nasty here in Ohio this week, it was the perfect time to stay inside in the warm house and make crafts!

The Valentine kit includes:

• 30 sheets of 9" x 12" construction paper (15 red, 15 white)

• 24 white heart-shaped doilies

• 12 red heart doilies

• textured tissue paper (in red, white and pink)

• 32 full-color floral hearts

• pages of stickers

• Colorful glitter

• Glue stick

You can order the kit alone or you can add stickers and the decorating chalks to get an even greater deal!!!! Regardless, the supplies you receive are enough to make so many different crafts!! My daughter and her Grandma literally spent over 5 hours making fun crafts and they had so much leftover that my sons are going to be able to make some things to take into their classes as well!!!

These are the suncatchers that my daughter made with this kit!!!

She also made a TON of Valentines Day cards for all of her classmates at school!!! 25 to be exact!!!

Here is a card and envelope...how cute are these?!

She even made a cute little heart basket that she filled with candy! This is going to make a great gift for her teacher!!

If you don't want to go through yet another year of cheap Valentines Day Cards from the store, definitely check out this kit from Hearthsong!!! You and your children will have so much fun creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces that they can hand out to all of their friends!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win the same awesome kit that we received!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end at midnight on 1/25

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Kidney Infection. False Alarm.

2012-01-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

So last night was interesting to say the least. If you remember, a few days ago I mentioned that I had been having some really odd symptoms that were resulting in panic attacks. Things have really not being going too bad for me up until last night though. I woke up around midnight with the following symptoms:

*Heart Racing

*Chills

*Pain on both sides of mid-Back

*Dry Mouth

*Nausea

*Stomach Pain

So of course I do the one thing I shouldn't do and that is Google it! I stuck in my symptoms and low and behold, every article that popped up indicated that I was suffering from a Kidney Infection. I was up for several hours and because we finally got snow last night, the kids had a 2 hour delay for school but as soon as they got on the bus, I made hubby take me back to the ER to get checked out. Imagine my surprise when 30 minutes later, they tell me that my urine test came back completely clear and that my kidneys were just fine. WHAT?!?!?! I would have bet a million dollars that I was finally going to get a diagnosis and I am so confused as to what is going on with my body! I know something isn't right and it is so frustrating!!!! Have you ever been through anything like this? I am trying to make sense of it without stressing but I am a firm believer in the fact that we know our own bodies and we know when something isn't right and it's so hard when even the Doctors can't figure out what it is........or they won't take the time. So I guess that's one more thing ruled out and the hunt for an answer continues. Yipeeeeeeee!

Dormia Pillow Review

2012-01-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but having the right pillows on my bed is super important. There is nothing worse than getting an uncomfortable pillow and subsequently tossing and turning all night because you can't get comfortable!! I am so obsessed with my pillows that I will actually take one of ours with us when we go away on trips just so I don't get stuck in that situation. Having said that, I am always on the lookout for new pillows that help keep me comfy at night so I was excited to receive a new pillow from Dormia!!!

The first thing I noticed about the pillow that we received was that my head sank right down into it and it actually conformed to my head. It was so nice and comfy!!!! The next thing I noticed was that the 2nd night we had it, it disappeared onto my husband's side of the bed!!!! So after a quick argument, I won and got my new pillow back!

With 4 kids, there is nothing more valuable to me than a good night's sleep and Dormia definitely helps me in that department! Now I just need them to send me one of their mattresses and I will be all set! :) If you are looking for some awesome pillows, look no further! Dormia offers the Memory Foam Contour Pillow, Memory Foam Conforma Pillow and the Latex Foam Pillow. All 3 are excellent choices especially if you are craving a good night's sleep!!!

Be sure to follow Dormia on Twitter and Like Dormia on Facebook to keep up with all of the new stuff that Dormia has to offer!!!

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review item was provided by the company and/or representing PR firm at no cost*

Express Scripts and Walgreens

2012-01-11T13:02:00.001-08:00

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

If you are a customer of Walgreens and you use Express Scripts then you are already aware of failed negotiations between the two companies over the past year. After nearly a year of unsuccessful negotiations, the contract between the 2 expired and as of January 1, 2012, Walgreens is no longer a part of Express Scripts' pharmacy provider network. This includes all Walgreens pharmacies nationwide as well as the Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York City area. Obviously this is an inconvenience to the many customers who now have to drive farther away to get their medications at different pharmacies. We have used the same pharmacy for as long as I can remember because it's close and because they already have all of our information. Changing would be a pain so I can definitely see why customers are peeved! It's a shame that Walgreens and Express Script were not able to come to some agreement. Express Scripts is not doing their customers any favors by eliminating Walgreens from their plan and if anything, it is costing their customers more money and hassle which I just don't understand.

Among the steps that Walgreens is taking to limit the burden on its customers, they are offering perks through the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. Through the club, an individual can join during a special promotion this month for $5, or $10 for a family membership. Members can receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and generic medications and more than 400 generics are available with a three-month supply for less than $1/week. An individual can purchase an annual membership for just $20 or $35 for the entire family. Other benefits include discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies. You can also receive bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services.

Keep up with the latest by following Walgreens on Twitter and by "liking" Walgreens on Facebook!

Finally Home to Family

2012-01-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks Giveaway Ends 1/22

2012-01-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

My kids are HUGE fans of fruit snacks so they are always on our weekly grocery list. The older 3 like to take them in their lunches and I like to take them on the go for our toddler. They are inexpensive and convenient, which is always a plus! So of course my kids went crazy when 6 boxes of Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks showed up on our front porch!!!! We received 3 boxes of each flavor, Cherries and Berries and Assorted Fruit. The Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks are made with real fruit juice and natural colors and flavors and one pack is only 80 calories! Best of all, they are gluten free and provide you with 100% of your daily value of Vitamin C!!! They also contain Box Tops which is a major bonus as we are huge supporters of the school's box top program!!!

I have to admit. I am not a fan of fruit snacks myself but these are pretty good!!! Our toddler LOVES them and actually stands at the pantry door and cries for them, no joke! Check out their Facebook Page today to keep up with all the good stuff!!!

GIVEAWAY

4 lucky winners are going to win their own prize packs containing 6 boxes of Ocean Spray Fruit Flavored Snacks!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored Snacks, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ocean Spray^® through MyBlogSpark

Kikin.......UGH!

2012-01-10T12:31:00.000-08:00

So over the past couple of weeks blogging has become a nightmare for me because my computer has been running so slow!!! Since I was home today with some "spare time" I figured I should tackle it and see what was going on. We have 3 elementary aged children who play on our family computer pretty regularly and then of course our almost 2 year old "plays" on it as well so really I had no clue what could be wrong.

I started looking into it and when I went into my tools, I found this program on my computer called Kikin and after doing some investigating, I found that this was most certainly our problem. I am not really even sure what it is, I just know it's some kind of add-on or plug-in. I am not a computer tech person but I found after some investigation that it is some type of program that tracks your internet usage and then creates ads based on your usage. This must also be the culprit of all of the pop-ups we have been seeing as well!!! Seems pretty sneaky to me, however it got on my computer, but I was able to get it off quickly and easily in the "add and remove programs" feature in the Control Panel.

Any of you ever had this trouble? I can't believe how much faster our computer is running since I got rid of this and all the pesky toolbars that somehow got downloaded! I am thinking Santa should have brought me a new computer for Christmas.....one that my little stinkers can't accidentally download stuff on to!!! I must have had 10 different search engines and toolbars. Uggggggggggh.

Sure glad it was an easy fix though!!!

Naked Baby

2012-01-10T03:58:00.000-08:00

Having 4 children is wild and crazy enough as it is but throw a naked baby in the mix and you have all kinds of crazy going on! Seriously. I am going nutso with this constant battle to keep our almost 2 year old dressed! He strips down as soon as I get him dressed and remains completely naked for a good part of the day. As soon as I see him, I put his diaper and his clothes back on him but then after my back is turned, I will come back to find him naked, streaking through the house yet again. My favorite part is when he will walk up and throw his diaper right at me as if to say, "You thought I couldn't do it, huh?!" So how DO you get a toddler to keep their clothes on?! Awesome question that I don't have the answer to! LOL Here are some things I have tried without any success:

*Onesies.....these worked for a short while but soon Aiden had mastered the snaps. When he cannot get the buttons off, he just takes his arms out one at a time. Little booger.

*Turning the diaper around backwards.....another fail. If he pulls hard enough, he can just slip them down.

*Overalls....not even overalls could stop this guy! He loves to be naked and it's like he is just daring me to get him dressed anymore.

*Tape..........Yep. I even tried good ole Duct Tape. Hey, they say you can use it for anything and everything, right?! Wrong. Duct Tape was easily torn off by my little super baby and then we just had another mess!

The only thing that he CANNOT get off is zippered sleepers. These are great.......if you put them on backwards!!! We can also do 1 piece rompers that button...if we put those on backwards too. Luckily he only strips down at home so this works for us. I obviously would never take him out into public with backwards pj's on but since we don't have a problem while we are out and about, this will work for us now. Did you ever had a baby who refused to keep dressed? What worked for you?!

Panic Attacks. Yikes.

2012-01-08T05:53:00.000-08:00

I apologize for my absence lately but boy have I been going through some crazy stuff. Ever since New Years, I have been having some crazy symptoms that have really upset my life.

It started on New Years Day with weird cramps in my left calf. They felt sort of like charley horses and then continued several times throughout the day. The next day, the cramps continued and my leg started to hurt. I also started having this weird pain in my chest. Because of my families history with blood clots and my own personal history with a blood clotting disorder, I have to admit.......I started to freak out. I have only had a couple of real panic attacks in my life and I wouldn't wish them on anybody in the world but I started having them this week. Bad. My heart would start to race, I would not be able to catch my breath. I shook like I was freezing to death. I was dizzy. It was really scary. So I finally decided to go to the ER to get checked out.

As soon as I gave them my symptoms, they automatically suspected a blood clot. They ran an EKG of my heart and did a series of bloodwork to determine if there was a clot in my leg. They also did a chest xray to make sure they weren't missing anything. I was there for several hours and to my surprise, everything came back normal!

Since that day, I have continued having the cramps in my left leg, the pain in my chest has continued and I have had massive pressure at the bridge of my nose and up into my head, causing some really bad headaches. I am at a loss that the Dr's did not find anything at the ER. The symptoms are very real and very scary yet nobody seems to think they are a big deal. My family keeps telling me I am just a worry wart and it's all in my head but the symptoms I have been experiencing are not made up. LOL It is so frustrating trying to tell people how I am feeling to just hear back that I am just being paranoid!!! But they would be paranoid too if they had experienced what I have! During my first 3 pregnancies, I had 6-8 mini strokes that my midwife just blew off and during my 4th pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder. I had to take a daily dose of asprin which worked great but I still worry that some day I am going to have a full blown stroke from a blood clot and that is so scary for me to think about!!!!

So I am going to find a good Dr. tomorrow and hopefully find out what the heck is going on. I pray it's only minor. But that's where I have been...I am still working on a lot of great stuff behind the scenes including a birthday bash coming up! I will try and do a better job of emailing back too, just understand that right now, my email inbox is very scary looking!!! LOL

Have a great week!

A Couple Winners.....

2012-01-03T03:44:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post the latest round of winners. Be on the lookout for more exciting reviews/giveaways coming up in the near future!!!

Vintage Couture: #314, Shelly Peterson

Jack's Pizza: #2, Amanda Lynn

Joovy Tricycoo: #604, Anne Ly

Joovy Scooter: #289, Danielle Mobley

Baby Bedding Zone #20, Caitlin Reed

Prince Lionheart: #273, Heather R

Buckley Boo: #172, Melissa Miller

Frosted Toast Crunch Giveaway Ends 1/15

2012-01-02T06:38:00.000-08:00

We love cereal around here and it's not uncommon for us to eat it as a quick breakfast or even a snack. We always have a big variety in the house because everybody has a different favorite but we all have a new favorite cereal in common now, Frosted Toast Crunch!!!

Frosted Toast Crunch is a yummy new breakfast cereal that packs 11 grams of whole grain and 9 grams of sugar in each serving, making it an excellent way to start the morning. I love this cereal as much as the kids because it's got that sweetness that I crave but knowing that it has so much whole grain and the fact that the kids are getting their calcium with the milk, this is really a great choice when I don't have a lot of time to cook a nice, hot breakfast. There are mornings that we will be running late and just won't have the time to spend on a big breakfast and cereal is a great alternative. When you can find a cereal that the whole family loves, that just makes it even better. Frosted Toast Crunch is also great on the go! We pack it in our little guys snack container when we are going to be out and about and it's a great snack for him!!!

If your kids love cereal, this is definitely one you will want to try when it hits the shelves this month!!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own super fun prize pack including:

*Spilt Milk Bowl

*Lickety Spoon

Frosted Pitcher

*Frosted Toast Crunch Cereal

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 1/15 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

Frosted Toast Crunch, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own

RAZ 2011....Giving Back

2011-12-30T05:52:00.000-08:00

I have always said that if you want to give yourself a truly awesome gift for Christmas, do something for someone else and that still holds true today. I personally feel that the best thing you can do for yourself is to help others because there is just no substitute for how you will feel at the end of the day!!!! Having said that, we are HUGE givers this time of year. We don't do it to toot our own horn or to get a pat on the back but we do it because it's the right thing to do. If we have extra, I feel it is our obligation to share what we have been blessed with. When I was asked to participate in the RAZ program, A.K.A. Random Acts of Zhu, I didn't know what to expect. All I knew is that last year, the program had donated thousands and thousands of toys around the country via 100 bloggers and we were so excited to be a part this year! Being that we have never participated, all I know is that we were told we were going to receive some Zhu Zhu pets from Cepia and we were to donate them as we saw fit.

I was shocked when the Fed Ex guy brought more than 20 boxes to our house the 2nd week of December! He kept coming with more and more and when it was all unloaded, I just sat there in shock because I knew how many children these were going to be able to provide gifts for and it overjoyed my heart!!!!

We got right to work, opening up the boxes and sorting out the toys. It was a big job to get these boxes into the house and off the porch and we needed everybody's help, from the youngest to the oldest!!! I believe this is important because this is how we teach our children to be givers too!!! We involved our entire family and it was such a blessing for me to see our children working hard to make other children's Christmas a little happier!!!!

When it was all said and done, we had about 100 Zhu Zhu pets and accessories that were able to be donated to over 30 children!!!! We had so much fun sorting them together and getting them ready to donate!!!

After we got them all opened and sorted, it was time to box them up and get them to our local Angel Tree Program!!! I could not have done it without the help of my amazing husband! He worked so hard getting everything boxed up and ready to deliver!!!!

I want to thank Cepia, the maker of Zhu Zhu Pets for this amazing opportunity. Not only were we able to donate the toys to 2 different programs in our community but we were also able to do a couple of anonymous "Secret Santa" deliveries to some very special little girls and it seriously made me feel like a million bucks. I wish I could have seen all of the faces of those children on Christmas morning!!!

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. All products were given to us free of charge from Cepia to donate as we saw fit*

Aerobie Megatop Giveaway Ends 1/15

2011-12-30T04:50:00.000-08:00

Now that our children are getting bigger, it is becoming extremely difficult to find toys that they actually enjoy playing with, especially our 9 year old son. Companies have children so hooked on electronics that toys are almost a thing of the past but I still spend a lot of time looking for toys for our children because I think playtime is so important. Awhile back we reviewed the Aerobie Skylighter Flying Disc and I have to say....it is still among the top toy that is played with by our two older boys. Recently we had lots of tears when it landed on a part of our roof that we can't really get to but it was all smiles when it came down in a storm a couple of days later. So naturally I was really excited when I was asked if we would review the Aerobie Megatop!!

The Aerobie Megatop is such a simple yet super fun toy that will keep your children occupied for hours! It can be used both indoors and outdoors and is recommended for ages 8 and up. The Megatop is a high-performance, precision-crafted spinning top that can achieve spin rates of over 3,000 rotations per minute. It also comes with a catching plate for tricks and a Spin-Booster to speed up and prolong spinning. For less than $10, you can't go wrong here!!! Our children love this toy and the boys have spent countless hours already playing with it!!! You can click HERE to see a video of the Megatop in action!!!! I love simplicity and anything that keeps my children occupied is a winner in my books!!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win their own Aerobie Megatop!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 1/15 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Cashin in the New Year $190 Paypal Giveaway Ends 1/2

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hostessed by Home Grown Families and Mama to 4 Blessings with the help of several other fantastic group of bloggers we bring you Cashin' in the New Year! This giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Friday 12/30 and will run until Monday, 1/2 at 11:59 PM (all Eastern times). One winner will receive $190 Cash into their paypal!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Years Quick Food Ideas

2011-12-29T06:12:00.000-08:00

Our participation in the Hormel Foods Extended Blogger Program is coming to an end but don't be sad because we have been asked to participate again so I will continue bringing you great recipes and ideas from Hormel Foods into the New Year. YAY!!! I have really enjoyed sharing the recipes and hope you have benefited from some of them!!! If you missed any of them, please feel free to click the "Special Groups" link at the top of the page for a full listing!!! This is one of our favorite programs to have participated in because it has really spiced things up for my family in the kitchen. We get so tired of the same old foods and this has been a great way to try new things!!!! For my final post of the year for the program, I thought I would share some of our favorite Hormel Foods that are easy and ready to take to your New Years get togethers!!! Sometimes it's hard to find the time to make things so if you are short on time, these are great choices!!!!!

First of all, Lloyds Barbecue is an awesome choice!!!! The selection is HUGE and most of the foods are ready to go within minutes! You can click HERE to see a list of all of the choices they offer! Our personal favorites are the Lloyds Woodfire Barbecue selections!!! You can choose from Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken (My fave!!!) or Beef Brisket!!!!

Have you seen the Hormel Party Trays?!?! I love these because they are in a case as soon as I walk into our local Wal-Mart! I can run in, grab what I need and get out within minutes and best of all, they are ready to eat!!! Depending on what your grocery carries, you can choose from a huge variety depending on what your tastes are!!!!

If you are entertaining children, Hormel Snac* Cups are the perfect choice! Kids love these because they are delicious and parents love them because they don't make a mess!!!! Filled with Hormel® pepperoni, Sargento cheese and Keebler crackers, this is the perfect choice for kids!!!

Don't forget the MegaMex line of Mexican foods! Our favorite has to be the Chi Chi's Snackers! They are really convenient and come in mild, medium and nacho cheese varieties! The Chi Chi's salsa is also super easy to use......just dump the jar into a dish and you have ready-to-eat salsa! You can add cheese to the salsa and cook it in the microwave for a yummy warm mexican dip or you can keep it cold and add in a package of cream cheese for a delicious cold dip!!! We absolutely LOVE their tortilla chips too, especially the Round Yellow Tostado Chips!!!! These are so crisp and yummy, just like the one's you get in a restaurant!!!!

What is your favorite party dish for New Years?!?!?!?!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Bloggers Program. No compensation was received, all opinions are my own*

Are you a Review Blogger?!

2011-12-28T12:07:00.000-08:00

I know a lot of our readers are bloggers themselves so I wanted to pass along this information! Lovable Labels is looking for bloggers who are interested in doing a review and giveaway for their Friendship Pack! Each blogger will receive the Friendship pack which includes a variety of 120 personalized name labels PLUS the Friendship Sample Pack which includes 40 labels which you can personalize and gift to a friend or sibling! How awesome is that?! Just click HERE and fill out your info!! Priority will be given to the first 50 bloggers who sign up so hurry up and sign up if you are interested!

Not a blogger?! Well you are in luck! We will be hosting our own review/giveaway here at the Crazy House very soon! Keep an eye out!!!

What to do with Leftover Ham!

2011-12-28T05:35:00.000-08:00

If you have hosted many parties this holiday season, you have probably been battling leftovers. I recently shared with you how much ham we have been eating around here and shared a few new recipes with you in case you were looking for a new one to try. In addition to the great ham recipes we have tried though, we have also been trying to find some new ideas for leftovers. Rarely do we eat an entire ham so we always have the dilemma on what to do with the leftovers. I know for Thanksgiving my Mom made both a ham and a turkey and we had half of a ham leftover. She simply stuck it in the freezer and we recently reheated it for a quick and easy dinner of simple ham sandwiches. It was really quick and the ham still tasted great!!! If you have an abundance of ham leftover, here are a couple easy recipes from Hormel Foods that you can try to help get rid of some of it!!!

Deluxe Baked Potato with Ham

Ingredients:

1 large russet potato

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup Hormel® Cure 81® Sliced Ham, diced

2 tablespoons sour cream

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Pierce potato with fork; wrap in paper towel. Microwave on HIGH (100%) 6 minutes or until softened.

In shallow dish, place potato; split lengthwise. Mash butter into hot potato pulp. Sprinkle with ham; top with sour cream. Season with salt and pepper.

Ham Scramble

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2 cups Cure 81® Boneless Ham, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped green onions

8 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 English muffins, split, toasted and buttered

Directions

In large skillet, melt butter. Add ham and onions. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until onions are tender.

In bowl, beat together eggs, sour cream, cheese, salt and pepper. Add to ham mixture. Cook, without stirring, until mixture begins to set on bottom.

Draw spatula across bottom of skillet to form large curds. Cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are set, but still moist and glossy. Serve immediately over English muffin halves.

You can also chop ham up and put into omelets and soups, heat it up and serve on buns for a quick sandwich or re-freeze it to use later. What do you do with leftover ham????

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own*

Not Another Ham!!!

2011-12-28T05:23:00.000-08:00

This time of year is typically reserved for certain foods and Ham is a big one right now! I have prepared several hams in the past several weeks so when my husband's work gave him yet another for Christmas, I thought it was super funny when the kids said, "not another ham!!!!" So I knew I had my work cut out for me to find a new recipe because the usual just wasn't going to cut it this time!!! I already made the Ale and Apple Glazed Ham from the Hormel Foods website but I also knew there were TONS of ham recipes on the site so I searched until I found another recipe that I thought my family would love!! I found the Apricot Glazed Ham recipe and figured this would be a great recipe because it only requires a few ingredients and it looked super yummy! I made it for our Christmas Day brunch for my family and it was a HUGE hit!!!!

Apricot Glazed Ham

Ingredients:

5 pounds Cure 81® Boneless Ham

1 (12-ounce) jar apricot or peach preserves

2 tablespoons Di Lusso® Dijon Mustard

2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar

Directions

Bake ham according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in bowl, combine preserves, mustard and brown sugar; mix well.

Remove ham from oven 30 minutes before end of baking; drain any liquid. Spoon or brush preserve mixture over ham. Return to oven; bake 30 minutes longer. Place ham on serving platter; thinly slice.

Heat any remaining preserve mixture; serve alongside ham as dipping sauce, if desired

This recipe is super easy and it was definitely a winner in our house! If you are looking for a new recipe for baked ham, definitely try this one out!!!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own*

Pamper Yourself in 2012 with EdenFantasys!

2011-12-28T05:10:00.000-08:00

*Please Note: This is a G rated post but some of the links contain adult material*

If you remember back several weeks ago, I wrote about EdenFantasys new product line. Most people think of EdenFantasys as just another adult store but when I found out that they were going to start carrying other products, I am not going to lie.....I was super excited!! I am always on the lookout for new health and beauty products not to mention my favorite, makeup, so I was stoked to place an order and try some of their new products out!!!!

I purchased 2 of their new makeup sets including the Bronzed Goddess and the Lounging Poolside face palettes!! I kept one for myself and gifted one to my daughter.......I figured this would be motivation to keep her out of my makeup! LOL This makeup is great! It goes on so easily and it stays on, which is one of the biggest things I look for in a good palette. I also love the colors, as I am a more neutral kind of girl. These palettes include eye shadow, blush and tinted lip glosses!!!

I also purchased the mineral beauty bronzer and was definitely impressed with this product! It blends together easily and goes on so perfectly. I love the soft glow it gives the skin and for just over $20, it's a steal!!!

My daughter and I are both obsessed with lip gloss so I also purchased the winter wonder lip gloss trio set! I stuck this in my daughters stocking and she was so excited when she opened it for Christmas. And lucky for me, she offered me one of them since she got three and this stuff is awesome! It looks great and I'm not going to lie......it tastes pretty good too!!!! The gold shimmer is my favorite but my daughter really loved the pink icicle and vanilla frost!!!

Since I have now tried the makeup, next I am looking forward to trying out some products from EdenFantasys bath and body line!!! They carry a shaving cream for just $3.99 and they carry the Vanilla Snow Woman Glistening Trio that includes a body wash, body mousse and a lip gloss!!!! I know I would LOVE this set so it's going on my wish list!!!

I would also love to get a couple of gifts for my hubby because EdenFantasys carries tons of products for men too! I am thinking I might get him the Yes! cologne for men! It's only $13.99 which really sweetens the deal!!!

I am super excited to place an order for some of these new products!! Don't forget you get a free gift with every order and right now you can get free shipping on orders over $25!!! Score!!

*I am a part of the EdenFantasys Blogger Program and receive gift cards to try out new products. All opinions are my own*

Personalized iPhone Case from Zazzle Giveaway Ends 1/8

2011-12-28T04:08:00.000-08:00

I love Zazzle for so many reasons but mostly because they offer high-quality, personalized gifts for just about every occasion. I recently received a personalized ornament from Zazzle and I loved it so much! It is my favorite ornament on my tree and I have gotten so many compliments from family members on what a great idea it was! Zazzle carries so many more great gift ideas though, among my favorite are their personalized covers!! We have so many friends and family members who have recently purchased iPhones and everyone in our house owns an iPod so these cases were right up our alley!!!

Our 8 year old has been wanting a personalized case for awhile now so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get her one!! The website was super easy to use and within minutes, we had placed our order for this awesome case for her!!!! We just took a photo off of our computer and turned it into the perfect gift for her!!!!

The iPhone cases come where you can completely personalize them from start to finish by adding photos, text and logos of your choice!! Because you can personalize them yourself, the possibilities really are endless!!! I must have played around with the site and made over a dozen different cases just because it's so neat to see your photos come alive!!! We love personalized gifts and this is definitely one that any loved one would find special and practical!!!!

If you are still looking for that perfect gift for someone special, definitely check out Zazzle!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win their own personalized Case Mate case!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 1/8 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided by the company at no cost*

I'm Baaaaaaaaa-ack!

2011-12-27T16:25:00.000-08:00

Hey beautiful fans and friends! I just wanted to let you know that I am back from my bloggy vacation and I have some great stuff coming up for you in the coming weeks so thanks for sticking around and I look forward to hearing from you all sooooooon! It's been a crazy week with the kids all home from school and my husband home from work (I'm not used to cooking 3 meals a day, LoL) so I am definitely ready to get back to this Crazy House and get a break from my real one!!!!!!

Hope you all had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

What do you Give?

2011-12-20T07:10:00.000-08:00

This is the most special time of year for me because I love to give. Not just to my friends and family members but I just love to give to anyone and everyone that I can. We don't have a ton of extra money to give. My husband works but we sacrifice so that I can stay home with the kids. But still, we give what we can, when we can and I think that's an important lesson to teach our children. I am very overwhelmed this time of year because I can't stand the thought of children going without. Even now as I type this, my mind is going a mile a minute trying to figure out how we can find donations for 2 boys who will not have anything for Christmas without our help. I couldn't sleep last night because I know I have to find a way to help this family. Being so close to Christmas, most places are tapped out for donations and we have personally already bought for half a dozen kids in our community this year so we just can't buy for anymore. We also participated in the RAZ program (more to come on that later) but that only provided gifts to girls so we were left with a lot of boys to buy for as well.

I recently heard an elderly lady talking about how hard she had it the past year. Her health was failing and her money supply was depleting. She said she was thrown deep into poverty yet she made the decision to "adopt" a child for Christmas. She told the story of how she kept telling herself she was crazy, there was no way to afford buying gifts for a child but she said something in her heart just told her she needed to. And after she gave the child the gifts, she made the statement that "Even in my state of deep deep poverty, it was a heart-changing moment when I gave those gifts to that family. Giving to someone who was even poorer than me made me feel rich."

And I guess that's kind of how I feel. We have been blessed to the point where we have never went without. Our children have always had the things that they need and we have somehow always found a way to give them the extra things that they want too. But we know what it's like to not have a lot and being able to help others who are in desperate need is very heart-warming and rewarding. When I see my kids gathering up gifts to provide to children who would otherwise have nothing, I feel extra blessed to know that my kids would give up their own things to help other kids in need. In all of the parenting screw-ups that I have found myself in, I look at them and figure I must have done something right!

What do you give? Is there anything special you do this time of year to reach out and help others??

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

2011-12-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

This has been the craziest week already...........and it's only Tuesday! *LOL* I am just sitting in shock that Christmas is just a few days away. Where did December go?!?!?! It seems like we just had Thankgiving yesterday and now all of a sudden it's Christmas. Craziness! And I don't know about you but I always sit here the week of Christmas and think of all of these things I need to get. Even though I have been done Christmas shopping forever now, I keep thinking of all of these small things that I need to pick up this week. I am so happy that the kids will be on vacation from school sooooooooon! (Ask me if I feel the same way next week after they have been home for a week!) lol

Today is also my hubby's birthday which I am really excited about. I cannot imagine having a birthday this close to Christmas and according to my husband, it's definitely stinky. He said he has went his whole life with his birthday just blending in with the holidays and that makes me so sad. We celebrate birthdays BIG in my family and each of our children have a special day that is all about them. I cannot imagine not making a HUGE deal about my kids birthday, no matter when it was....I mean seriously, even as an adult, I love my birthday because that's MY day. I think everybody should have at least one day out of the year where they feel especially loved and appreciated so today is that day for my wonderful husband....plus, I get to brag that he is one number higher than me in age until my birthday next September. LOL But I always try to make his birthday special because he basically said he feels like he has gotten the short end of the stick his entire life and I hate that for him. Nobody's birthday should be forgotten so I will be busy busy busy today while he is at work, making sure that his day is special even if he is stuck at work for 12 hours!!!

Do you have any family members who have birthdays close to the holidays? What do you do to make sure their day is special?

PartyLite

2011-12-19T23:01:00.001-08:00

This post brought to you by PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes. All opinions are 100% mine.

PartyLite has been around for as long as I can remember and is the world's #1 direct seller of premium candles and home-fragrance products. Sold through home parties and on-line in the U.S. and in 17 other countries, there is a PartyLite party going on somewhere in the world every 18 seconds.....I thought that was pretty cool!!! PartyLite has close to 60,000 sellers worldwide and more than 12 million people attend PartyLite parties every single year. That's a lot of partying!!! And PartyLites aren't just parties, they are FUN parties that can bring friends and associates together for one reason....to buy PartyLite candles! People love the way that PartyLite candles look, smell and burn so it's no wonder they are so popular!!

If you host a PartyLite party, you can earn a slew of Free products which is a major perk. I love to have parties just because I love to entertain and to have my friends and family members over for good company and good food and PartyLite seems to be a good reason to host a party! Hosting a party also helps you redecorate your own home at little or no cost by earning you scented candles, candle warmers, home decor accessories, reed diffusers and more! !! PartyLite also tends to have a lot of sweepstakes too like their PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes where they just gave away lots of cool prizes! Check out the PartyLite Facebook page to keep up with the latest and greatest in PartyLite products and to find out about special monthly offers online for party hosts and guests!!! You can also check out their albums to view the newly released PartyLite Winter/Spring 2012 Catalog!!!

Vintage Couture Giveaway Ends 1/1

2011-12-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

Cute kids clothes are always in my radar and when I find a company that carries cute clothes for boys and girls, I am there! Vintage Couture (Formerly My Vintage Baby) is one of those companies!!! I have been a fan of Vintage Couture for several years now and if you go through my kids closets, you are bound to find several items from their various lines. Last year we got our daughter's Easter dress from Vintage Couture and it was a HUGE hit! We had so many people stop us and ask us where we got it...it was definitely a winner. But they don't just make cute girl clothes.......their boy clothes are so over-the-top cute that I can't stand it. Our little guy has several outfits from Vintage Couture and we love them so much that when given the opportunity to choose something to review, we decided to get him another outfit! We were going to our daughter's Christmas program at school and thought this was the perfect outfit for him to wear! He even has a jacket from a different VC outfit that was perfect since it was pretty chilly out!!!

A little about Vintage Couture:

Vintage Couture is a unique children's clothing company with clothing for infants, girls (up to size 14) and boys (up to size 16) and even Moms!!! They also carry coordinating 18" doll clothing, headbands, hairbows and diaper bags!! They are a direct sales company, which means women all over the US join their team and sell their product; thus creating their "own business" and earning an income while having fun!

Currently, our Fall/Holiday and Winter collections are for sale- and their fall/holiday collections are buy one get one free! Trista Sutter from ABC's the Bachelorette is one of their designers- a part of the profits from her collection goes to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!! . I love this as I have a brother-in-law who suffers from Juvenile Diabetes so we especially love to support companies that contribute to JDRF!!!

There is just so much to love about Vintage Couture!!! You don't want to pass them up and you definitely don't want to miss out on their Buy One Get One Free deal! Check out their website to check out their full lines!!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own outfit from Vintage Couture!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end at midnight on 1/1/12

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Merry Christmas To You Giveaway Ends 12/25

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Merry Christmas To You Giveaway! I am thrilled to be a part of this fun giveaway!

What is the prize you ask?

1 winner will win a $500 gift card to Morgann Hill Designs Etsy store, Braggingbags {US ONLY}

1 winner will win $50 Paypal cash! {Open worldwide, must have a Paypal account to win}

I have been newly introduced to this awesome shop and I am in LOVE! Here are some of my favorite things!

Personalized Family Tree

We could really use one of these awesome dry erase boards in our Crazy House and I LOVE the rustic look!

Or how about one of these Love of my life personalized rings?!

It's safe to say that I would have no problem at all spending $500 at this shop!!!!

How can you win?

Enter the Rafflecopter form below!

About the Sponsor:

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Party!!!

2011-12-18T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well we survived our Christmas party today that we hosted and I have to say, it was a hit!! All of the planning and work was well worth it when I got to see my family all together, having a fun time, laughing and enjoying being together!!! My parents kept all 4 kids overnight last night so hubby and I could get some last minute shopping done. We went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Red Lobster, and boy was it good! After we ate, we headed out to pick up the things that we still needed to get for the party and then we came home and enjoyed the peace and quiet........we don't get that very often!!!

We got up early this morning and got to work! There were things we could have done ahead of time (that we didn't!) so we had a lot do. My husband hasn't had a day off in so long it's not funny but he helped me so much today and didn't complain a bit! He helped me cut and clean veggies for our vegetable tray and helped me decorate too! I am so thankful that I have a great husband that helps me!!!

We kept things so simple!!! We ended up making a simple vegetable tray, sliced oranges and a cheese tray! We also ordered 8 pizzas from our favorite pizza place and then everybody brought a dessert!

My sister also made this awesome pasta salad from Hormel Foods! The guys loved it so I thought I would post the recipe for you all!

Ingredients:

1 (7.75-ounce) package Classic pasta salad mix

1/2 (8-ounce) package Hormel® Pepperoni

1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes

1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained

Directions

1.Prepare pasta salad according to package directions. Stir in pepperoni, tomatoes and olives; toss to mix well. Cover; refrigerate.

This was a big hit at the party! Our husband's LOVE pasta salad..... this stuff definitely got eaten up fast! If you are looking for an easy recipe to use as a side dish, pasta salad is a great choice!!

After we got done eating, we hung out and the girls did crafts. The boys all went outside and played Nerf Flag Football in the mud! They thought that was awesome and they made my mud room a really muddy room! LOL But that's ok....I am just glad they had so much fun! The craft kits came from my mother-in-law...she ordered them from Oriental Trading and the girls had a lot of fun!!!! I have to say though...they made a big mess. Crafts are good. Unsupervised crafts is really messy. LOL

After the kids got done playing, it was time for presents. I don't know if you all have seen the video floating around Facebook but I was really inspired by Jimmy Kimmels challenge of giving your kids a gift that they really wouldn't want. I have been watching the videos on YouTube and thought they were hysterical so we set it up for all of the kids at the party today. I hid their real presents and gave them the funniest stuff! We gave all 3 of the girls acne products. It's funny because all 3 of them are 8 years old and they were definitely not happy with getting acne medicine for Christmas!!! We gave Drew a bag of clementines and Josh got a stack of Barney DVD's. My oldest nephew is 13 and always talks about wanting to be a chef so we gave him some old spatulas and some half-filled bottles of spices. My 11 year old nephew is big into sports so we gave him some old soccer shin-guards and a pair of dirty old baseball pants. It wasn't as funny as some of them that I have watched on the Jimmy Kimmel show but nevertheless, it was pretty funny and the kids were really relieved when they got their real gifts!!!

What an awesome weekend. I soooooooo love this time of year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. I do not receive any compensation for posting and all opinions are my own*

Unique Gifts for Everyone!

2011-12-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

I am always on the lookout for unique gifts for my friends and family. I am not a fan of gift cards because most of the time I find them to be very impersonal and it's as if you are saying, "I didn't want to take the time to find something you really like so here's a gift card, find something yourself." I know that's really not always the case because I do enjoy getting a gift card from time to time but not all of the time. My mother in law got us a gift card to our favorite restaurant for Christmas and that was awesome because we LOVE to eat there and she also bought me one to my favorite clothing store as well. This was ok with me because she took the time to get the gift cards to places that we really like but sometimes I think we overuse gift cards and it's unfortunate because there are places like Zazzle where you can get personalized gifts for everybody you need to buy for!!!

I think Teachers are extremely hard to buy for because we don't know them on a personal level so I love Zazzles selection of teacher gifts!! They offer everything from totes to mugs and even t-shirts. Nearly everything they offer can be personalized so you are giving your childs teacher a unique gift that they will actually use! I remember when my daughter was in 1st grade, she came home and says to me, "Mom! Every single kid in the class got our teacher a candle for Christmas!!!" LOL How unfortunate but honestly, sometimes when you don't really know someone, it's hard to guess what they would enjoy receiving as a gift!!!

Our children are really into gadgets these days as well so I was super impressed with their selection of accessories! We got all 3 of the older kids iPods for Christmas and Zazzle has an awesome selection of iPod Touch Cases!! You can choose one for anybody on your list or if you don't find one that you like, you can create your own!!!!!

Grandparents are another group of people who we find it hard to buy for!!! What do you buy people who already have everything?! Photo Gifts are an awesome alternative to another tie or ornament! This year we bought my mother-in-law a personalized necklace and a canvas portrait of the children. I thought this was so much more personal and I know these are things she will enjoy much more than our typical gifts!!!!

Who do you find it most hard to shop for?!?!

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own*

Great Holiday Deals at Sprint!

2011-12-15T13:00:00.001-08:00

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

For a limited time, but just in time for the Holidays, Sprint is having a 3-day-sale on Android™ powered EVO 4G devices!!! Right now you can get the HTC EVO 4G or EVO Shift for FREE only on the Sprint site Here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY If a FREE phone isn't enough for you, you can also get waived activation for new lines of service and free shipping from Sprint as well!!! Click the link to check out the great features these phones have!!! I have some friends who have these phones and they LOVE them!

We are working on getting our daughter a new cell phone for Christmas and this would make a great gift. I am going to be looking into how the Sprint service is here in our area before I make a decision. Not very often do you find a place where you can find top-of-the-line cell phones for FREE though! If you have been looking to buy a new cell phone for yourself or for a loved one, definitely don't miss out on this deal!!! Cell phones are topping the holiday lists this year and these look like great phones to have!!!

Antipasta Party Platter from Hormel Foods

2011-12-15T08:08:00.000-08:00

We are down to just a couple of days before the get together at our house and what a crazy week it has been. On top of Dr's appointments for our 6 year old and our 8 year old's Christmas program at school tonight, my dryer just broke.....can you say NO TIME?!?!?! With 6 people in our house, I simply cannot go without a dryer so on top of everything else, I am going to have to take a couple trips to the laundromat...all before our party on Saturday. Ack. It wouldn't be such a big deal if the party weren't at our house but seeing as how that can't be changed at this point, I guess I just need to get it together and get things in order so I can make things go as smooth as possible. I am still looking for party tray ideas for our party since we are going casual and I found another on the Hormel Foods recipe finder that I am going to try out. It seems really easy, just need to add the stuff to my grocery store list, which I also need to get done sometime today or tomorrow. Lucky for me, Hormel sent me the olives and peppers this month so that only leave a few other ingredients to snag up for this colorful platter! Tis the season!!!

Antipasta Party Platter

Ingredients

1 (7.85-ounce) package Peloponnese® Country Gourmet Mixed Olives, drained

1 (7.85-ounce) package Peloponnese® Kalamata Pitted Olives, drained

1 (16.5-ounce) package Peloponnese® Roasted Red Peppers Whole, drained and sliced

20 slices Muenster cheese

20 slices DI LUSSO® Genoa Salami

20 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

1 loaf ciabatta bread

Directions

1.On large platter, arrange mixed olives, kalamata olives, roasted peppers, Muenster cheese, salami and mozzarella cheese. Serve with ciabatta.

Seems easy enough and I am sure the fellas will love this one!!!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own*

iCaughtSanta.com Giveaway Ends 12/21

2011-12-15T03:52:00.000-08:00

We have 4 children aged 9 and under so Santa is still very much a big part of Christmas around here. Having said that, this year our 8 and 9 year olds both have started to ask a lot of questions about Santa and I have seen they are growing more skeptical by the day...especially because so many of their friends at school no longer believe! (BOO!) So I knew I had to step it up this year and do something that will respark that magic so I was so excited to be chosen to do a review for iCaughtSanta.com!!!! Actually, I was jumping up and down and cheering because I know this is going to be over-the-top and there is NO way my kids are going to question me anymore...at least not this year!

How it Works:

You upload a photo of your own to use as the background picture. I played around with the demo but ultimately decided that I need to wait until Christmas Eve to make ours because that's when we actually put presents under the tree. After you upload your photo though, you then have a choice of a number of different Santa's that you can put into your photo....I was worried that it wouldn't look real but I was wrong!!! You can choose from a number of Santa's who are doing a number of things, from putting presents under the tree to enjoying the milk and cookies your kids left out for him!!!

Here are a few examples from their gallery!! I love how REAL they look!!! And you can put one of the borders on yourself and can even make it a gift from Santa. My mind is racing trying to figure out how best to do this.....I am so excited!!!

Here is one of the poses you can choose...Santa getting into his sack!!!

I like this one because it's as if Santa sees you taking the picture of him!

What a great idea someone had to include their dog in the picture!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! If you are looking for a way to make Christmas magical this year, don't miss out on iCaughtSanta.com....So Totally Awesome!!!!! Use Code Save25 for 25% off your order!!!!

GIVEAWAY

5 lucky readers are going to win their own codes to create their own iCaughtSanta photo! After 30 people enter, another 5 will be chosen for a total of 10 so what are you waiting for?!?!?!?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thansk for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 12/21 at midnight

Winners will be chosen at random via random.org

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

Winners!

2011-12-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

This list is long overdue and I apologize for that........things have been SO CRAZY around here that I have just been emailing winner's and forgetting to post them here for everyone to see. All winner's have been emailed. If you see your name on this list and you did not receive an email, shoot me one ASAP to sarahlewis06@aol.com!

As a reminder, the companies are directly responsible for shipping you your prize. If you do not receive it in a few weeks, PLEASE don't hesitate to email me! You are not being a bother....it is my job! I want to make sure you receive your prizes!!!!

BuckleyBoo Panda #172, Melissa Miller

Mens Wedding Rings #259, Jill Miller

Canvas4Life #12, Jennifer Maxson Pierson

Matilda Jane Clothing #1031, Christa Umphrey

Another list will be coming your way very soon!

Jack's Pizza Giveaway Ends 12/28

2011-12-14T05:16:00.000-08:00

We here at the Crazy House love pizza so we were really excited that we recently had the opportunity to try out some Jack's pizza!!!

About Jack's Pizza:

In 1960, in the small town of Little Chute, Wisconsin, a man named Jack had a vision to create the perfect pizza...JACK’S® Pizza was born! Back then, pizzas were handcrafted with the perfect combination of meats, sauce, and cheeses. Jack started his pizza kitchen in the family garage and delivered the pizzas using the family car, a 1949 Plymouth with one bucket seat. Yes, times were pretty simple back then and JACK’S Pizza was just one of life’s simple pleasures. Today, JACK’S strives to continue the tradition that began in 1960 to provide pizza lovers everywhere the same great quality and taste they deserve. Taste a slice of the Midwest! Taste JACK’S! You can find JACK’S® Pizza at your local grocery, drug and convenience stores, as well as at select Sam’s Club stores.

We were really excited when our package came in the mail......it had everything we needed to have our own pizza party including a coupon for free pizza, a pizza cutter, plates, napkins and even a Jack's t-shirt! When I told the kids we were going to have a pizza party, they were super excited and even went to the store with me to pick out our pizza!

We got our Jack's pizzas from our local Wal-mart and they had several varieties to choose from! We ultimately chose 2 pizzas, the Naturally Rising Cheese Pizza and the Naturally Rising Pepperoni Pizza. We chose these two because we have had the original Jack's pizzas before but never the Naturally Rising so we wanted to try something new!!! We also saw a half-n-half pizza which is going to be on our list in the future. It was half cheese and half pepperoni which would be perfect for us!

I like to always include fruits and veggies on our menu, even when we are having pizza so we had pizza, salad and fruit for our Jack's pizza party!!

And what did we think?

The Jack's pizza was definitely yummy!!! I loved the crust and it had the perfect amount of toppings on it. I guess the kids must have agreed because both pizzas got gobbled up really quickly!!! There wasn't too much sauce and there was plenty of cheese and the pizza cooked in under 20 minutes. We like our cheese browned so after the pizza was done I just flipped it over to broil for another minute to get the cheese just perfect!!!!

We are definitely looking forward to trying out more of Jack's Pizza!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own Jack's Pizza prize pack!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end at midnight on 12/28

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Holiday Party Platter with Frosted Fruit

2011-12-13T03:30:00.000-08:00

Can I just tell you how busy we have been this month?! I cannot believe that Christmas is really less than two weeks away!!! I think it has really snuck up on us because we have been so busy. We have already been to 3 holiday parties and we have a couple more to go before the month is over. This weekend we are hosting the kids Christmas party at our house so I have been on the lookout for new recipes to make. We have decided that this party is going to be very simple......everybody is supposed to bring a snack item/appetizer, a dessert and then we will be ordering pizza from our family's favorite pizza place! Hormel Foods sent me a sweet holiday tray that I am dying to use so I have decided to make the Holiday Party Platter with Frosted Fruit!!!

Holiday Party Platter with Frosted Fruit

What you Need:

1 Hormel® ham, turkey, and cheese party tray

2 pounds fresh fruit

1/4 cup pasteurized liquid egg whites

1 cup sugar

Notes

1.Frosted fruit can be made two days ahead and stored uncovered in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.

Directions

1.Arrange meats and cheeses in outer edge tray compartments. Place crackers in center compartment.

2.Brush fruit lightly with egg whites. Transfer to wire rack set on wax paper. Sprinkle with sugar, using fingers to turn fruit, until lightly coated. Gently shake off excess sugar. Let fruit dry uncovered at room temperature about 2 hours.

3.Serve meats, cheeses and crackers with frosted fruit.

Can you say YUMMY!?!?! I have never heard of frosted fruit, have you?!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own*

Gift Card Weekend

2011-12-12T02:03:00.001-08:00

This post brought to you by Gift Card Weekend. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is the perfect time of year for gift cards and they are often on our holiday lists for those who are difficult to buy for. Just in time, fans of Gift Card Weekend are going to have the chance to WIN gift cards of their own!!!! All you have to do is like the Gift Card Weekend Facebook page, enter your info and you could win!!! Increase your chances by inviting friends!! Every "like" that you influence gets you another chance to win!

Gilbert the Gift Card Machine will be giving hundreds of gift cards away throughout the month of December including $25 Applebees gift cards that they will be giving away daily from December 10-18!!! Once you become a fan, be sure to check back often because they are giving away over $10,000 in gift cards in December that can be used towards the Gift Card Weekend! Participating stores include Giant Eagle, Marriot, Spa Finder, Lowe's, Buca di Beppo, Adidas, Bass Pro Shops, Applebees, Sephora, Subway, JC Penney's and Regal Cinema!

Gift Card Weekend is a once-a-year event where participating retail partners give featured offers for gift cards purchased during the holiday season and redeemed from January 6-January 8, 2012.

Arizona Monte Carlo Sandwich

2011-12-11T04:20:00.000-08:00

I love a good sandwich and I was super excited to find this recipe for the Arizona Monte Carlo Sandwiches on the Hormel Foods page! It would be perfect for those nights that the kids have sports games or dance or whatever else they are into because I can have these ready when the come in off the bus!

Arizona Monte Carlo Sandwiches

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

3 large eggs

1 cup milk

8 slices whole wheat bread

1 (4.25-ounce) can CHI-CHI'S® Whole Green Chilies, each cut in half lengthwise

4 slices smoked ham

1 small avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1 cup shredded colby cheese

CHI-CHI'S® Salsa, if desired

Directions

1.Heat oven to 400ºF.

2.In 15x10x1-inch baking pan, heat butter in oven until melted.

3.In shallow dish, beat together eggs and milk. Dip 4 slices bread into egg mixture, coating both sides. Arrange slices over butter in baking pan. Top bread evenly with chilies, ham, avocado and cheese. Dip remaining 4 slices of bread into egg mixture, coating both sides. Place on top of sandwiches.

4.Bake 8 to 15 minutes or until sandwiches begin to brown. Turn sandwiches over with wide spatula. Bake 10 minutes longer or until puffed and browned. Cut sandwiches; serve with salsa.

Easy and Yummy!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family blogger program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own*

bloom zen Stroller Pre-Order Going on NOW!

2011-12-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

If you are in the market for an innovative, high-quality stroller, the wait is over! bloom is launching the newest and coolest stroller on the market, the bloom zen™ all-terrain stroller and bloom yoga™ newborn nest!!! bloom zen and bloom yoga delivers the world’s slimmest folding, full-size all-terrain stroller and revolutionary newborn travel system. Available in early 2012, exclusively in the America's, the bloom zen will be available in 2 different colors; monochrome (I love the sleek and chic look of this color!) and CMYK with reversible pads in cyan, magenta, yellow and black. (Can you say FUN?!)

There are so many features that I love on this stroller but my favorite has to be how compact you can make it! With 4 children, we don't usually have a lot of spare room for storage so this would be PERFECT! Freestanding when flat-folded, zen is designed for multi-directional wheeling without the need to lift (much like a

rollable suitcase), and can be easily stashed in a closet, car trunk or other tight spaces.

Another cool feature is the zen's lighting system. That's right folks. The zen comes with the first-ever fully integrated solar lighting system. Located at the front of the stroller frame, a safety light can be activated to shine either full-beam or flashing hazard lights, with an auto switch-off after two minutes. The light is powered by three AAA batteries, rechargable by environmentally sound solar panels. I keep thinking how awesome this would be for those late-summer-night strolls we love to take!! The bloom zen also has a cool line of accessories including a pvc-free rain cover, a sturdy cup holder, a uv mosquito net, a luxurious foot muff and reversible cushions and mattresses. Car seat adapters are also available.

All I can say is that baby gear sure has changed since I started having babies nearly a decade ago! I would have LOVED to have had something like this.....you all know I am totally obsessed with cool baby gear and this is as cool as it comes! Since I do have a baby who LOVES going on stroller rides, feel free to go ahead and pre-order this for me if you don't have a baby to order one for.

The bloom zen™all-terrain stroller will retail for $799 and the bloom yoga™ newborn nest will retail for $250. available in the USA in early 2012 at Giggle and selected bloom specialty retailers nationwide.You can preorder now by going to the bloom website and filling out the pre-order form! Be sure to "Like" Bloom on Facebook too so you can keep up with this exciting new launch!!!

P.S. It's ok to drool....I won't tell anyone. *wink wink*

Slim-Fast 3.2.1 Plan

2011-12-09T18:01:00.001-08:00

This post brought to you by Slim-Fast. All opinions are 100% mine.

I can remember Slim-Fast products being around for many many years. My Mom used to buy the Slim-Fast shakes when I was a kid and when I became an adult and struggled with my weight, I tried the products as well but now I am learning how much the products have changed over the years and I am really excited to try Slim-Fast out again with their 3.2.1 Plan! After having 4 children over the past decade, my body needs some serious work and this might be the plan I have been looking for. I don't have hours to spend at the gym and I don't have a fortune to spend on expensive food so Slim-Fast seems like a valuable alternative!

The 3.2.1 Plan includes the all-new shakes plus a flexible and easy plan to allow you to fit it to your lifestyle. The plan includes a daily allowance of 3 nourishing snacks (nuts, fruit, veggies or the Slim Fast 100-Calorie Snack Bars, etc), 2 Slim-Fast shakes or Meal Bars, and 1 balanced meal. The all-new, better-tasting Slim-Fast shake flavors include Creamy Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Rich Chocolate Royale, Cappuccino Delite and Strawberries n' Cream!

I was able to try out one of the shakes for myself and I chose the Creamy Milk Chocolate shake. I was really surprised that it wasn't chalky tasting like other brands I have tried. I bought a case of it so my husband could try it out too and we also got a box of the Chocolate Peanut Caramel Meal Bars which were really yummy! I am always willing to try out a new weight-loss plan and the 3.2.1 Plan seems like it might work for me, especially now that the holidays are here and we have been eating way too many goodies!!!! I also found that you can get coupons for the shakes by "liking" Slim-Fast on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/slimfast! You can find the new Slim-Fast shakes in the pharmacy departments of grocers and retailers nationwide including Wal-mart, Kroger, Target and Safeway. You can also purchase online on Amazon.com and in the Slim-Fast Facebook Store!

Joovy Tricycoo Giveaway Ends 12/18

2011-12-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas is right around the corner and we wanted to get our little guy something he could ride around on but he isn't quite big enough for a tricycle yet because his short little legs just won't reach the pedals.....and then I remembered seeing this awesome ride called the Tricycoo from Joovy and I knew we had to have it!!!

About the Tricycoo

The Tricycoo can be used for children as young as 18 months and is a perfect way to introduce your child to balance and coordination, one step at a time. The concept is that your child doesn't need to steer, pedal or balance on their own...they simply enjoy the fun and independence of their first tricycle while you guide them with the removable parent push handle. When the handle is engaged, the parent push handle overrides the steering on the Tricycoo and it has 4-positions, being adjustable from 32.5 to 38 inches!!

While your child is getting used to the idea of balancing and holding on to the handlebars, the front wheel pedals can be unlocked; this allows the pedals to spin freely without force and “go” without the need to pedal. The removable ‘baby surround arms’ safely enclose your child on the seat and the fold down footrest gives more stability to the child when riding. This gives them confidence and support while they perfect their balancing.

The Joovy Tricycoo is first class all the way – unlike most tricycles with blow-molded wheels, the Tricycoo sports injection-molded wheels with urethane treads. Parents love these wheels because they roll quietly on most floors. For additional fun, the Tricycoo is equipped with a bell on the handlebar and a large rear basket for take- along play. The Tricycoo frame is constructed of steel and it supports a child up to 44 pounds.

When your child masters the first phase on the Tricycoo, you’ll be ready to remove the parent push handle, ‘baby surround arms’ and fold up the footrest. The front wheel pedals can be locked to allow the child to pedal using their own power. Now you can smile and watch as your child pilots their Tricycoo all by themselves.

Assembly is required.

And what do WE think?

Ahhhhhhh. I love love love the Tricycoo. Er, I mean our son does. Seriously though, we put it together in the morning before our little guy got up and when he came out and saw it, he went crazy. He wasted no time at all and hopped right on and says to me, "GO!"

My favorite part about the Tricycoo is the value. You pay $99 for a product that is going to grow with your child for a long time and not only that but Joovy has made sure that they built the Tricycoo with products that are going to last! I have full confidence that Aiden is going to get to enjoy his Tricycoo for a long time! After he gets a little bigger, we will remove the push bar and he will be able to ride it on his own and I love that!!!

I also love the fact that the parent push bar is adjustable......sometimes when we go to the park, our daughter likes to push Aiden around and this makes it perfect because we can adjust the height so she can comfortably push him and then it's easily adjusted when she decides she has something better she would rather do.

I will say...when they write that "Assembly is required" they aren't kidding. When I opened it up and saw all the pieces, I decided I had better wait until the next day when my husband was off work so he could tackle it. He had it together in no time at all, but my husband is also very good at this type of thing....I am sure I could have done it but it would have taken me much longer!!!

The finished product was well worth the wait though!!!

I think every toddler needs his/her own Tricycoo!! This ride looks amazing under the Christmas Tree!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own Joovy Tricycoo!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/18 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Giveaway was provided at no-cost by the company and/or pr firm*

Prince Lionheart Toddler Bundle Giveaway Ends 12/18

2011-12-08T03:46:00.000-08:00

You all know how much I LOVE Prince Lionheart so I am super excited to be bringing this AWESOME giveaway to you, just in time for the holidays!

Prince Lionheart is going to give one lucky reader an awesome bundle pack that includes a Universal Drawer Organizer, boosterPOD and a 2-Stage Seat Saver!!!!

Universal Drawer Organizer:The Universal Organizer will keep things tidy, while keeping frequently used items at your fingertips. The versatile four row tray design saves space in pantries, keeps drawers neatly organized, or stands alone on countertops for immediate accessibility. A removable divider is perfect for smaller items such as utensils or small household gadgets. Can store cutlery, spices or other pantry items and office supplies once Baby grows.

boosterPOD: Never have I seen a more comfy and easy to use seat on the market! Its dual strap system attaches the boosterPOD® securely to chair and offers a comfortable 3-point child safety harness. It's non-toxic, waterproof and easy to wipe clean. This is definitely a must-have and is perfect for on the go!!!!

2-Stage SeatSaver: This product rocks! In stage 1, the bottom tray is used alone with rear facing infant seats. In stage 2, the back attaches to the bottom tray for use with forward facing toddler and booster car seats!!! Its high-density foam construction prevents depression damage that is caused by car seats. The bottom tray keeps all cars seats level and in proper position, and the kick plate protects upholstery from shoe scuffs. Works with all LATCH compatible car seat systems and fits all automobiles.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win all 3 of the products listed above!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 12/18 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This giveaway was made possible through my participation in the Prince Lionheart Elite Writers Group. All opinions are my own. No compensation was received*

Smiley 360

2011-12-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

I was really excited when I saw that Smiley 360 is going to be giving away some iPad2's for the holidays and definitely wanted to share with all of you! By signing up here, you have the chance to win one!!! Sign-up is quick, easy and best of all...FREE!

Smiley 360 is a great way to receive products to try out for free so if you have been wanting to try something like this and you like free stuff, this is the time! Just click HERE and it will take you directly to the sign-up page! If you sign up and win that awesome iPad2, I want to hear about it!!!!!

Cuties National Launch Plus New Website!

2011-12-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

This is one of our favorite times of year because our family LOVES clementines....we have already started buying them by the crate at our local grocers and our kids are going through them like crazy. They are so healthy and tasty and I love how easy they are to peel.....it saves me loads of time because my kids can peel them themselves! And now, we have something more to be excited about!! Starting this month, the Cuties California Clementines and Mandarins are available coast-to-coast for the first time ever!!!!

In conjunction with the national launch, Cuties® has also introduced a new, interactive website created especially for kids and proud parents to celebrate the cute things kids do. The site (www.CutiesKids.com) will showcase parent-uploaded videos and pictures, featuring kids doing what they do best: having fun, acting silly and of course, being oh-so adorably cute. Bragging rights aren’t the only prizes parents can win by uploading images of their kids: Cuties® is giving away a college scholarship worth $150,000 to the star of the cutest kid video.

Cuties® is also teaming up with DonorsChoose.org, a not-for-profit organization that lets contributors across the country fund classroom projects posted by public school teachers on the DonorsChoose.org website. For every video uploaded, users will receive a $10 DonorsChoose.org gift card to use towards any classroom project of their choice. Weekly winners will receive a $500 DonorsChoose.org gift card and the winner of the grand prize will receive a $5,000 card. Cuties® is committed to kids and educationand will continue the charity gift card giveaway up to $100,000 in addition to the individual college scholarship prize.

In addition to school contributions, Cuties® will award daily and weekly prizes for the first 18 weeks, leading up to one grand prize winner. Participants will be able to share their videos using their social network platforms, and the winners will be determined by the number of online votes.

• Daily Prizing: Forty-one video contestants per day will each have a chance to win a Cuties® T-shirt, beanie, lunch box, tumbler or plush toy.

• Weekly Prizing: One video contestant per week will win a $500 DonorsChoose.org gift card to use to fund a project of their choice in addition to an active game console.

• Grand Prize: One grand prize winner will be awarded a college scholarship worth $150,000, a $5,000 DonorsChoose.org gift card to use to fund a project of their choice and aseason’s supply of Cuties®.

To submit a video of your kid, or to watch some seriously cute videos, log on to CutiesKids.com

About Cuties® Brand

Thanks to their small size, sweet flavor and easy peelability, Cuties® are naturally kid-friendly. And with their high nutritional content, they’re a big hit with parents, too. Available from November through May, Cuties® offer a variety of nutrients per serving including: fiber, potassium, protein, calcium, vitamin C and folate. Cuties®is a joint venture between Paramount Citrus, Sun Pacific and Fowler Packing. For more information, visit http://www.cutieskids.com/.

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own*

Guest Post: Tis the Season....for Head Lice?!?!?!

2011-12-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

I received an email today that I thought was worth sharing with all of you. While we know that head lice can show up anytime of the year, I think it's especially bad in the winter because of hats and coats that are stored so closely together in schools, daycares, etc. I know that my children have to share very small lockers with 3-4 other students and all 3 of my elementary aged children have had to go to the clinic this year for headchecks because someone in their locker had head lice. Hopefully this article from Adie Horowitz, owner of Licenders will help a little bit!

Adie’s tips for lice prevention

Know the “lice” time of year

Winter: Travel time, clothing layers, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.

Summer: Camp, play dates, travel, hats, road trips

Prevention products: peppermint is a deterrent scent to the bug, many shampoos/conditioners contain this ingredient

Once per week throw backpacks, hats and jackets in the dryer for 20 minutes

Educate children on the importance of not sharing hats, hair-bows, jackets and gloves

Check your children frequently for head lice, it’s much easier to get rid of if you discover it at an early stage

About Adie Horowitz

Adie Horowitz, the founder of Licenders, is a mother who felt like she had nowhere to turn when her children were diagnosed as “having lice.” As an informed mother, Adie insisted that there must indeed be alternative methods for removing lice without using highly toxic products that were in the marketplace. With significant research, Adie created her own lice removal process and product to handle her household problem. Within the next three months, Adie’s services were in such high demand by mothers that had heard of her lice removal process and its success that she was faced with the need to open an official business to help others in need.

Adie Horowitz applied for and won the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition to fund Licenders. A successful entrepreneur, mother, mentor, role model and speaker, Ms. Horowitz's vision includes creating jobs and serving communities throughout the nation.

I would like to thank Adie for the valuable info and hopefully it will help some of our readers out!

Joovy Scooter Giveaway Ends 12/18

2011-12-07T05:20:00.000-08:00

When I first started having children, I knew I had to get all of the essential gear but what I found left me upset and disappointed. Low-quality, uncreative baby products left me wishing there was a company out there that understood what parents today are looking for....and then along came Joovy!!! After we had baby #3, we tossed everything we had and said we weren't having any more children so when baby #4 came along, I had to start all over buying baby gear again and boy was I excited that I had found Joovy.

I started out with the Caboose because I could use the stroller for both the baby and our younger son and we used it every day. It was so nice being able to have an innovative double stroller that both the little guys could ride on. The Caboose made me so excited that I knew I had to have more Joovy so after that, I became the proud owner of the Nook high chair and the Room play yard! Joovy saw us through some of our biggest milestones....first trick or treating, first birthday. After that, I got all of my friends hooked too so if you were to walk into any of our homes today, you are bound to see Joovy somewhere!!! Joovy products continue to impress me so when I needed a new single stroller, I knew exactly where to go!!!

Since Joshua has really gotten too big for a stroller, we really have no use for the Caboose anymore so I really needed a single stroller to get Aiden around in. Since he is almost 2, sometimes when we are out and about, it is necessary for me to put him in a stroller to keep track of him so I knew I needed a high quality stroller that was easy to fold down and light enough to get in and out of the car on a regular basis. When I saw the Joovy Scooter, I knew I had found what I was looking for!!!

More about the Scooter

*Super Comfy Ergonomic Push Handle

*Affordable

*Durable Fabric, Fun Colors

*Adjustable and light reflective 5 point harness

*Huge canopy, cup holder and zippered pocket for parents

*Giant basket

*One hand recline system that locks in infinite positions all the way down to near flat napping position

*Swing open bumper bar can be used as a car seat adapter for all Graco infant car seats

*All wheels have sealed bearings for great handling and easy pushing PLUS 4 wheel suspension to help smooth out the bumps

And what did we think about it?

We LOVE the Joovy Scooter! Everything about it makes it perfect for us. I love the cup holder and the zip pocket because it gives me a place for my drink plus a pouch to keep things like my cell phone in when we are out for a walk. This allows me to be able to keep both hands on the stroller. I also love the HUGE basket below. I take my strollers shopping a lot so I need that extra storage space!!! The stroller is so easy to unfold when we are ready to use it and lightweight and easy to fold back down when we are ready to call it a day. And I love how easy it is to push around...it glides across the pavement when we are outdoors and it's easy to maneuver when we are out and about in stores getting our shopping done.

Assembly was also very simple....of course, I had a helper!!! Honestly though, even with an almost 2 year old trying to help, I had the Scooter together within 20 minutes.

We are looking forward to celebrating some new memories with our little guy in our new Joovy Scooter! I love it and am so excited to add it to our Joovy collection!!!

BUY IT!

Right now the Scooter is on sale for $99.99 (Regularly $159.99) so if you are in the market for an awesome stroller, snag this one up quick!!!!!

GIVEAWAY

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 12/18 at midnight

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Giveaway was provided by the company at no cost*

Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches #TysonGoodness

2011-12-05T12:50:00.001-08:00

You all know that we aren't called the Crazy House for nothing....our house really is crazy. With a toddler and 3 elementary aged kids, our lives are loud, crazy and most of all, BUSY! All 3 of our older children play sports year-round so our evenings are especially hectic. The kids get off of the bus and act like they haven't eaten in a week and most evenings we have less than an hour to get everybody fed and dressed and ready to get out the door to wherever it is we have to go that night. Soccer season is especially crazy because all of our kids except for the baby plays soccer....the kids get off the bus at 4:05 and we have to be out the door by 4:45 to make it on the field in time for their 5:15 games. Some nights we don't get home until nearly 8p.m. so not only do we have to get the kids a snack when they get home from school but that snack has to be filling enough to hold them over until we get back home in the evenings. Having said that, we were absolutely THRILLED to get to try out the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches!!! I took the kids to our local Wal-mart Supercenter to go shopping and they were super easy to find! We purchased 3 boxes of the regular variety of Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches and 3 boxes of the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches with Cheese!!!

First of all, we love how easy they are to make!!! My kids can come home from school, pop these in the microwave and they have a nice hot snack within just a couple minutes. And not only are they easy to make, but they actually taste surprisingly good. I have had frozen sandwiches before but none that taste this good. The buns do not get soggy and they heat all the way through. The Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches have also become a staple in my hubby's lunchbox!! He doesn't get a very long lunchbreak at work and these are great for him to eat at work! He takes along an apple and a bag of carrots and he has himself a great lunch! The kids said that they wish they had a microwave at school so they could take the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches for their lunches too!!!

If you are looking for a great after-school or anytime snack, check out Tysongoodness.Com to find a Walmart store near you!! Right now you can buy 2 Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches at a participating Walmart and receive a $5 Walmart Gift Card. You and your readers are eligible for this offer! You can read all the details here!!!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Mom Spark Media. All opinions are my own

EdenFantasys New Product Line

2011-12-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

*Please Note: This is a G rated post but some of the links contain adult material*

I know when most people think of EdenFantasys they think of it as just being an adult store but now they are branching out to include tons of new products! I already knew they carried things like lingerie but I was super excited when I found out that they would now be carrying beauty and body products and even makeup!!!!!!

EdenFantasys is carrying a lot of great products that would be awesome gifts for the holidays so this is definitely a good time to check them out!

My lips are always awful this time of year so I am definitely eyeing this Lip Lovely Set! It includes lip scrub and a lip treatment to keep those lips soft and healthy! I also love the gift box it comes in!!

Looking for stocking stuffers? Check out this Winter Wonder Lip Gloss Set! I might have a small obsession with lip gloss to this is right up my alley!!! I can think of a few people on my list who would love a gift like this!

Here in Ohio, winter does a number on our skin! That's why I am loving this hand cream set!! This would be a great gift for hard to buy for people on your list including teachers and those people who seem to already have everything!!!

EdenFantasys now offers so many great products that would be perfect under the tree! I am so excited to start shopping in their new products for myself and hopefully find a couple last-minute gifts too!!!

*This is not a paid postl. All opinions are my own. I received a gift card in exchange for my review. EdenFantasys is an online retailer that carries a variety of products including sex toys but they also carry so much more! You can visit their website to check out their full line of products*

Sterling Anabella Curtains Giveaway Ends 12/18

2011-12-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

Holiday Gift Guide: Matilda Jane Clothing...Giving it Away for the Holidays! Giveaway Ends 12/14

2011-12-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

I love cute clothes for my kids and since I only have one little girl out of 4 children, you could probably imagine her closet. I often joke around saying God only gave us one daughter because he knew we couldn't afford more than that! I love some of the girls clothing I have found through the years but Matilda Jane takes the prize! Oh my goodness, are the clothes from Matilda Jane ever so cute!

I took some time to browse the Matilda Jane website and boy did I find some great gift ideas for the holidays! My daughter always asks for new clothes for Christmas so I was looking for something special for her. I love the modern look of Matilda Jane clothing...this is one of my favorite outfits! I could definitely see my 8 year old wearing this!

I also have 2 nieces who are the same age as my little girl and they all seem to have the same style of clothing...they would all love something like this!

And guess what really makes Matilda Jane rock?! They have boy clothes too!!!

If you love seriously cute kids clothes, definitely check out Matilda Jane!!! One of their fabulous dresses would make a great holiday or anytime gift!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win a really special prize from Matilda Jane. 1 dress to keep for a special little girl in your own life and 2 to give away! That's right. What better way to celebrate the holidays than having the chance to spread the love!!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway will end on 12/14 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

BuckleyPanda! Giveaway Ends 12/14

2011-12-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

I love toys that can also educate my children so I was really excited when I learned about a company called BuckleyBoo!!! We received the cutest little panda bear from them and our little guy LOVED him from the first time we took him out of the box. I wondered if he would just play with it for a day and then leave it behind like he has so many other toys but I am so excited how much he loves to play with this toy! He carries it around the house and he will sit with me for hours watching me buckle and unbuckle the straps. I am almost looking forward to the next stage where he can learn to do it himself! LOL He has mastered the buckling part but then he will hand it off to me to unbuckle it for him...again and again and again.

About BuckleyBoo

BuckleyBoo is a growing collection of award-winning developmental stuffed toys co-created by a child psychologist and grandma that encourage cognitive development and sequential learning through matching, buckling and unbuckling. Plus BuckleyBoos are adorable and cuddly and are sure to become your little one’s new favorite friend!

From the age of 18 months to four-years-old, children will embark on a developmental journey with BuckleyBoo where each mastered task serves as a springboard for the next level of learning:

Stage 1: Matching - Children first learn to visually scan and match the brightly patterned ribbons on their BuckleyBoo - polka dot to polka dot, stripe to stripe.

Stage 2: Buckling - At eighteen months, children are ready to buckle, but they cannot yet unbuckle, which makes BuckleyBoo, for a time, a toy to be shared between parent and child. At this stage, the child will likely leave all the other buckles in their environment alone; now they have their own buckles with which to play.

Stage 3: Unbuckling - At three years, children have both the physical strength and the problem solving skills to buckle and unbuckle and they will happily do for hours on end. Children will also begin to integrate their lovable pal into their world of imaginative play.

Apparently, Buckley IS pretty great to snuggle with too!! Our little guy carries him around everywhere....even to naptime!

The 17” BuckleyPanda retails for $29.99 and the 12” for $19.99 (a great stocking stuffer!) and is available online at http://www.buckleyboo.com/ as well as specialty toy, education and gift stores (see the website for all product pricing and list of local retailers). Other BuckleyBoo animals include a lion, monkey, dog, bunny, bear and more!

The BuckleyPanda would make a great gift this holiday season!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own BuckleyPanda!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/14 at 11:59 p.m.
Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Children and Crime

2011-12-02T03:48:00.000-08:00

There are often hard topics to talk about with your children and for me, crime is one of them. I can remember my parents watching the news when I was a child and the things I would see would frighten me. I can recall laying in bed, scared to fall asleep after hearing my parents talk about things that were on the news that night or that week. I can vividly remember when I was a teenager and a girl was kidnapped and killed while jogging in a neighboring community....I was so scared and it haunted me for weeks and months afterwards. I remember getting off work as a waitress and running to my car because it was dark and I was scared. Even after they found the man who did it (He had freaked out and shot and killed himself) I remember still being frightened simply because it was so hard for me to believe that there were people capable of doing such terrible things to other people. I was born and raised in small town Ohio and I can probably recall every murder that has happened in our area throughout my lifetime. Most were domestic or the deaths were a result of a fight. Never can I remember anything happening like you see in big cities. Random acts of violence just don't happen here....not until now.

This week, our community was rocked by a double homicide. In a small neighboring town in Mercer County, Ohio a father and his daughter were found murdered. They were bound with duct tape and shot to death. The man was an elderly man who depended on a wheelchair to get around. His daughter was his caretaker. Little details have been shared but they believe robbery was the motive. This was just a couple of days ago and everywhere you go in our small little town, this is all that is being talked about. Crime doesn't just affect the victims and their families but when something like this happens, it rocks the entire community. It takes away citizens sense of security, their peace of mind. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit fearful. I am taking extra precautions to lock the windows and doors, even when I am home. A truck pulled into my driveway yesterday and I didn't know the man who came to my door. He rang my doorbell and came and knocked on my other door. I was home alone with the baby and I had swooped him up and was hiding in the dining room. After I saw the truck pull away, it took me a minute but I was like "Am I really hiding in my dining room?" It was a very real moment for me when I realized what this crime has taken away from so many people here. If the person(s) responsible for this crime are capable of taking the life of an elderly man in a wheelchair and his daughter who sacrificed her life to care for him, they will stop at nothing....and that is what scares me the most.

I have been very careful not to talk about this in front of my children. I was really worried kids would be talking about it at school or on the bus but thankfully they haven't heard about it yet. I don't want my kids to live in fear. I want them to be able to be children without being scared and insecure. I think I need to teach my children ways to be safe and to be aware of strangers but at the same time, I need to leave out specific details because like I said, I don't want them to hear of things like this in our community and be scared.

What do you think? Do you think it's best to talk about things like this with your children or are some things better left unsaid?

Switching up Holiday Sides

2011-11-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

Have I told you lately how much I love Thanksgiving? I have said that a billion times this month, I know, but I am so sad to see it coming to an end. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving volunteering at the community Thanksgiving dinner and spending time together. There is nothing better than getting to be with my family and sharing the things that we are most thankful for. We have been so blessed and it's a great time to reflect back on the year and everything we have been blessed with!! I love being a part of the Hormel Foods blogger program and I am loving this month's topic on side dishes!!!! I hope you all have enjoyed all of the side dish recipes we have shared so far but we aren't done yet! Hormel Foods has given us a challenge!!

The Challenge:

We all have traditions in terms of holiday side dishes. Whether it is a mashed potato recipe passed down from your great-grandparents or homemade stuffing you whip together at the last minute each year, it’s easy to stick to what you’re familiar with. This year, we challenge you to spice up that typical holiday side by adding in a new ingredient to your tried and true item. Get creative and surprise your guests with something original; you may just create a new family tradition your children will use as adults!

I wasn't sure about this challenge. My family is very traditional and we have eaten the same foods year after year for as long as I can remember. So I played it safe. I made a batch of our regular tried and true mashed potatoes and then made a second dish in which I threw in shredded cheese and Hormel Black Label Bacon.

The verdict?! It was a HUGE hit! Of course there were a couple folks who just can't toss tradition out the window but this is going to be a new dish we make quite often!!!! And the greatest thing was how easy it was. I made the mashed potatoes just like normal until the end when I tossed in the bacon pieces and cheese. Mmmmm.

How about you? Are you up for the challenge?

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended blogger program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own!

Holiday Gift Guide: Mens-wedding-rings.com Review & Giveaway Ends 12/14

2011-11-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

In all of our pre-holiday polling, we found that one of the gifts that a lot of women would like to give their husband's for Christmas this year is a new wedding band and I thought, what a great idea! When my husband and I got married 11 years ago, we bought him a nice gold wedding band but for some reason unknown to us, he developed an allergy to gold and was unable to wear it ever again. I know that he really wanted a wedding band and has been completely frustrated that we never found another one that he could wear without breaking his finger out so we were so excited to try out a ring from Mens-Wedding-Rings.Com!!!

We chose a tungsten ring and I was THRILLED when it arrived. I did not tell my husband it was coming so he would be surprised when I gave it to him and surprised was an understatement!!

I chose this particular ring because I have heard really great things about Tungsten regarding it's strength and durability which is important because of my husband's line of work. I also loved this style because my husband is more of a traditional kind of guy so this ring fit him perfectly!!! I would definitely recommend the mens tungsten ring if your husband loves attractiveness and simplicity!! My husband has gotten so many compliments from this ring!!!

If you are looking for other styles, mens-wedding-rings.com has you covered!

If Tungsten isn't your thing, check out the mens diamond wedding ring! Mens-wedding-rings.com offers a large line of diamond wedding bands for men for just about every style! I love the styles with white gold but they also offer yellow gold as well!

Mens-wedding-rings.com also offers an awesome mens titanium wedding band. If I wouldn't have went with the Tungsten, this would have been my second choice! Titanium is really lightweight and durable so it is becoming very popular in jewelry, especially wedding bands! Titanium is a beautiful metal so it's no wonder it has grown in popularity in the past several years!

If you are looking for a mens gold wedding band, mens-wedding-rings.com has an awesome line of those as well! I love gold and this is really similar to the original wedding band my husband had!

If you are looking for some really great rings at affordable prices, definitely check out mens-wedding-rings.com!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win their choice of a non-designer ring up to $90!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/14 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Holiday Gift Guide: Canvas 4 Life Giveaway Ends 12/11

2011-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

I love taking pictures of my family but sadly, it seems like they never make it off of my digital camera. When I have time though, I love to print them out, blow them up and hang them on my wall. I love canvas prints so I was really excited to do a review for Canvas 4 Life! I enjoy professional photos but I REALLY love candid pictures that show my kids personalities and I have so many of those that I have taken myself. I couldn't believe how easy it was to turn one of these fabulous shots into an awesome canvas for our family room at Canvas 4 Life!!!!!!!

The Canvas 4 Life website makes it so easy to turn any photo into a beautiful canvas!! I created our canvas from start to finish. I was able to upload our picture, choose a size...I even got to choose the coating and the frame depth. I have never created a canvas so I was a little bit nervous but when it arrived, I was in LOVE! I couldn't wait to hang this awesome canvas of my four favorite people!!! It looks so great in our family room and I cannot tell you how many compliments we have received from friends and family members. The canvas itself is flawless and easy to clean. I loved it so much that I got on their website and ordered another as a Christmas gift the very same night I received ours!!! Just a few days later, the new canvas arrived! I can't believe how quickly they can create these prints and get them into the customers hands.

Canvas 4 Life really makes it easy and affordable to create a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special!!! If you have someone on your holiday list that is difficult to buy for, definitely check out Canvas 4 Life!!!

Buy now and receive 20% off their already low prices using code CRAZYHOUSE!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win their own $25 Gift Certificate to Canvas 4 Life!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/11 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Party Time!!!

2011-11-25T14:34:00.000-08:00

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this time of year. Spending time with my family and friends is more important to me than anything else in the world and it seems like November and December are just full of opportunities to get together with my friends and loved ones! I love love love this time of year and I couldn't be more excited for the things to come to finish off 2011!!!!

Thanksgiving was such an awesome day for us! We started out yesterday by going to the Civic Center in Lima, Ohio and volunteering for their community Thanksgiving dinner. It was one of the most amazing acts of love that I have ever encountered. Over 2,500 people were served an awesome Thanksgiving feast and I felt so thankful to be able to be a part of it. There were people there from all different backgrounds, all different situations. I had the opportunity to walk around and visit with some of the people who were there and I loved being a part of making their Thanksgiving a special day and listening to their stories. I had people share with me how they had just lost their jobs and how things were so tough for them and I couldn't help but just feel extra thankful for the blessings we have been given over the past year. Seeing homeless men and women looking for a warm place to sit and enjoy a meal was very sad for me but being able to serve them brought me so much joy. The guy who was in charge of the volunteers told us when we came in that what we received out of the experience would depend on how much we put into it and he was so right!!! I felt so good knowing that we had made a difference in some of their lives and even better, that my children could see how fortunate they really are. My 6 year old really put a lot into the experience and I was really proud of him. He did whatever they asked of him, even the dishes!!

After we were finished, we went back to my parents house for our annual Thanksgiving feast! We were starving after serving that awesome meal to everyone at the Civic Center!! We had a wonderful meal and then it was time to SHOP! My husband and I went with my Dad to a Christmas auction and then we braved the craziness at our local Wal-mart. Let me just say....never again! I have never seen people be sooo mean!!! I saw people stealing stuff out of other people's carts and one lady got her hand stomped and her watch broke right off her wrist. It was really silly what people were doing just to save a few dollars. We gathered up the items we went to buy and then had to stand in line for over an hour just to checkout!!! The entire store looked like the picture below....people were everywhere!!!!

Now that all the crazy is over, it is time for me to start focusing on the other holiday parties we have coming up! I am the head room parent for 2 of my kids classes at school so I am busy busy buying up holiday party supplies. We bought all of the stuff for the goody bags for their class Christmas parties today and now my little guy and I are going to fill them up and get them ready for their parties. I know they are a few weeks away but I have so much to do, I just feel like I need to do everything ahead of time so I am not going crazy the night before. Plus, we are already having Christmas with my husband's family NEXT WEEKEND!! I am pretty sure I have everything ready to go for that but I will double check my list next week and make sure.

WHEW! How was your Thanksgiving? Did you venture out for some Black Friday deals?

Holiday Gift Guide: Personalized Ornaments from Zazzle Giveaway Ends 12/4

2011-11-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

You all know how much I love personalized products so of course I was thrilled when I was contacted by Zazzle to do a review of their Personalized Christmas Ornaments!!! I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to order our yearly ornament so this was the perfect opportunity for me to do so! We love to get a special ornament each year that is personalized just for our family and the kids absolutely love this tradition as well!

First of all, the ornament was so easy to make! It literally took me 10 minutes to add a picture and text, set it up the away I wanted it and get my order placed. I am not sure I have ever seen such an easy process! I made ours on a super nice square ornament with red ribbon. I added a picture of our children along with the text, "Merry Christmas, 2011" and now I am just chomping at the bits for it to arrive!! Ornaments make such awesome gifts for those hard to buy for people on your list! Teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

If you are looking for high quality, customized ornaments, definitely check out Zazzle! Their HUGE selection will amaze you and they are offering some great FREE SHIPPING deals right now!!!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win their own personalized premium Christmas Tree Ornament from Zazzle!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/4 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and Giveaway were provided by the company and/or representing PR firm at no charge*

World Vision Giveaway Ends 12/5

2011-11-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

This is an awesome time of year to give to others in need. I love to reflect on the blessings that we have been given and it makes me feel good to turn around and bless someone else who has not been as fortunate. I know what it is like to struggle and wouldn't wish that feeling on anybody so whenever I have the chance to give, I do it with an open heart and I can only hope to pass that along to my own children.

World Vision is one of those organizations that I have the utmost respect and admiration for. I remember last year when my kids came running in from school and telling me that they needed all of my spare change because they were raising money at school to buy people cows and chickens. Of course I laughed at them and said they must be mistaken...that was, until I read the World Vision brochure that they had brought home with them. They were, in fact, collecting money to provided livestock and other means of living resources to donate to need families around the globe. And if you think about it, it makes a ton of sense. You can give a family $100 worth of food that might last a week but for $100, you can also buy them things like a goat and 2 chickens that will provide a family with large amounts of milk and eggs for a long period of time. For $500, you can provide a family with 13 farm animals....Thirteen farm animals can save families from hunger! With this truly life-changing gift, you’ll provide ample protein and vital nutrition — including milk, eggs, meat, and more — for years to come. As the animals multiply, families can sell surplus food for extra income. A bountiful and enduring blessing!

But World Vision doesn't just offer the opportunity to feed families. They offer educational resources, clean drinking water and medical care. A donation of $1,000 can fully stock a health clinic! And while you may look at these prices and think, I can't afford to donate $1,000 for something like this....you can! They also sell shares of these gifts so while you can't give $1,000....maybe you can get 10 people together to each give $100. Or you can get a community together to each give $1! Think about what an impact that could be. I live in a community of around 10,000 people....Imagine if each person just gave $1....that would make such a significant impact on so many lives!!!

You can even choose to give help to someone right in your own country. There is an entire page, for instance, of ways you can help families in the U.S. !!! For just $50, you can provide $300 worth of necessities to a needy child including clothing, shoes, etc. With 1 in 5 children in the U.S. living in poverty, think about what a tremendous gift this could be!!!

And now, World Vision is making it even easier to give!!!! You can now consider giving gifts to your loved one's from the World Vision's Gift Catalog. Not only will your loved one be receiving an awesome gift, but the proceeds will go to make a difference in the lives of children and families living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world!!! With a financial contribution, the gift giver selects one of 36 items that can be given to someone on a holiday gift list and at the same time help a person in need. Visit the World Visions Gift page where you will find a selection of gifts with this two-for-one benefit!!!!

I received a beautiful Artisan Beaded Necklace from World Visions! It was hand crafted in Thailand and can be worn in so many different ways! I wear it as a single strand and my daughter wears it as a double stranded necklace and a multi-stranded bracelet!!! This is just one of the many gifts you can give to someone while helping others at the same time!!!

Check out The True Spirit of Christmas Tour Facebok page too! For the third consecutive year, World Vision staff will be traveling across the world this December to see the impact that goats, sheep and other gifts have on families and children.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner is going to win the same Artisan Beaded Necklace that we received!!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/5 at 11:59 p.m

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*This is not a paid post. All opinions are my own. Review and giveaway were provided at no cost by the company and/or representing PR firm*

Ham and Baked Bean Casserole

2011-11-20T08:13:00.000-08:00

I told you I am not a big fan of green bean casserole, but I do love baked beans. My Mother-in-Law makes the best but I have never been able to duplicate her recipe. I don't know what it is that she does to them but they are SO yummy!!! I have been looking on the Hormel Foods website for a recipe for baked beans and while they only had a few, I did manage to find one that I think my family would approve of!! Total prep time is under 15 minutes which means this one is extra sweeeeeet!

Ham and Baked Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

1 (28-ounce) can Boston-style baked beans

1 medium onion, finely diced

4 slices Cure 81® Boneless Ham, diced

Directions

1.In microwave-safe casserole, stir together beans, onion and ham; cover. Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (75%) 6 minutes or until steamy hot. Let stand 2 minutes.

Very simple! Very yummy.

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Family blogger program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own*

Tokii.Com

2011-11-20T04:16:00.000-08:00

When I got married 10 years ago, I was really young and had no clue how hard it would be to make our marriage work. But marriage is a lot of work. You have to learn to listen, to communicate and to really care about how your spouse feels. You have to learn the things that make your spouse happy, the things that make them tick. For those who think marriage is easy, I advise you to think again. In a time where life is busier than ever, it's no wonder so many marriages are falling apart. People just don't take the time to connect anymore. I have even found with my own marrige that we are often doing our own thing instead of spending time together. I might be on the computer while my hubby is watching tv or playing games on his iPod. Since we love this technology so much, we were really excited to be introduced to Tokii!

Tokii is an online resource that allows couples to interact and explore one another through the use of a unique social platform. It's what I would describe as a social networking sites......for couples! They offer a large line of DiscoveryGames that allow couples to answer questions and guess how the other person is going to answer!!! With the holidays now upon us, I have been playing around on the Holidays and Travel page. I decided to play a couple of the games solo and I like that because after I answer, it tells me how the rest of the Tokii community answered as well! My husband and I played a little of the "Hosting Thanksgiving" game together and it was funny to see how we both answered. For me, the best party of hosting Thanksgiving is having everybody in the family there together. Of course hubby answered FOOTBALL!!

Here is an example of how the website looks....you can see where I answered a question and then I had the option to guess how my hubby would answer! Of course between these 4, wouldn't most men say the Superbowl?! *LOL* After I finish answering, my husband can answer the questions and he gets to guess how I answered and then we can compare answers!

Tokii offers couples to explore a large range of topics including things like spirituality, military, parenting, newborns, weddings, etc. One of my favorite pages so far has been the Friends and Family page! It really allowed my husband and I to explore our thoughts on the different bonds of the family. The Bonds of Growing up game allows you to explore your own childhood, determine how birth order affects a person, etc.

Another favorite feature of mine is the Trading Post where you can swap favors! Here is something I just proposed to my husband! I am offering to cook him his favorite dish in the world for supper tonight, Shrimp Scampi, if he will do the dishes after! Now he can either accept or decline my offer!!!

Tokii is a really fun way to keep couples connected, especially if you spend a lot of time apart. I think we could all use a little extra ways to help keep things creative and fresh when it comes to our relationships and Tokii definitely allows you to do that!!! Sign up for a free account today and start discovering!!!

Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwiches

2011-11-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a great time to eat......but what on earth do you do with all of the leftovers?! I can only handle them so much before I get sick of them so I have been looking at new ways to handle the leftovers. Check out this recipe for Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwiches from Hormel Foods!

Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cranberry sauce (I skip this ingredient, I am not a fan)

4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices sourdough bread, toasted

1 pound Jennie-O Turkey Store® VIP® Turkey Breast, thinly sliced and heated

1 cup mashed potatoes, heated

1 cup prepared stuffing, heated

1/2 cup turkey gravy, heated

Directions

1.Spread cranberry sauce on each slice toast. Place turkey over cranberry sauce; top with scoop each of mashed potatoes and stuffing. Pour gravy over potatoes and stuffing. Serve immediately.

How about that?! Your entire Thanksgiving meal on a sandwich!!!

*I am a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Blogger Program. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own*

BK Crown Program Giveaway Ends 12/4

2011-11-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite places to go in town with the kids is Burger King because it's so family friendly. Not only do they have the playroom in the back of our local BK, but they also offer some really great kid-friendly menu items as well. It's so funny that we were actually at Burger King last week when I received the opportunity to participate in a review/giveaway for the BK Crown Program and I am super excited to share it with you all too!!! Our children LOVE the new Kids Meal boxes and couldn't wait to get home and register on the website so they could choose their favorite charity. They really have some great one's listed but ultimately they chose one of the Environment Charities!!!

More about the Program:

IMAGINATION IS KING™ at BURGER KING®. The new BK CROWNTM/MC Program, built to inspire every kid’s imagination and encourage kids to help choose how BK® gives back, brings families together to enjoy not just a meal but a mealtime experience.

The BK CROWNTM/MC Program comes in a fully interactive Kids Meal box. Sitting atop each box is a newly redesigned BURGER KING® crown, because every kid deserves to be treated like royalty at BURGER KING®! With crowns on their heads, kids can dive into the box, taking it apart, playing fun games and activities that challenge their minds, inspire their imagination and engage with the whole family.

With the BK CROWNTM/MC Program, Burger King Corporation invites kids to tell BURGER KING® what matters to them most. BKC has established a fund to help support the Wildlife Conservation Society, National Parks Conservation Association, DonorsChoose.org and Have It Your Way™ Foundation. By visiting BKCrown.com, kids learn how BKC’s charitable partners make a difference. Upon entering BK CROWNTM/MC Codes and clicking on their favorite cause, each kid’s vote helps BK® choose which charity to give back to.

The fun doesn’t end at the restaurant; the BK CROWNTM/MC Program experience lives on at http://www.bkcrown.com/ where kids can place their vote for how BKC should give back, as well as find more games, win prizes and enjoy interactive play. Also at BURGER KING®, for just $9.99 your family can enjoy the “BK™ Family Bundle” which includes a WHOPPER® sandwich, WHOPPER JR.® sandwich., two small fries, two small soft drinks and a Kids Meal. Now that’s a deal worth getting together for! Limited time only. Price and participation vary. Prices higher in HI.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader is going to win a $25 Gift Card to Burger King!!

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!
Giveaway will end on 12/4 at 11:59 p.m.

Winner will be chosen at random via random.org

*The BK CROWN^TM/MC Program prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Burger King Corporation through MyBlogSpark