I apologize for not updating sooner, I have been battling pneumonia and have been very unwell. Fortunately I'm on the mend, and should be playing catch-up with work and blogging this weekend.
So look for a whole bunch of contests to get started this weekend, with a short turnaround so they end before Christmas!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Still Battling with Leftovers? Fear not! #FamilyMeals @Conagra @Whrrl @Collectivebias
Check out these leftover fritters!
You don't really need a recipe or anything. Just pour some Wesson cooking oil into a pan and heat it up, stir your leftovers together and form them into patties, coat in panko or breadcrumbs, and drop into the oil. Fry until golden, remove and place on paper towels to blot some of the oil, allow to cool a tiny bit and then enjoy! Simple and delicious!
That's the best thing about leftovers, in my opinion! Being able to throw them all together to create something that tastes awesome and slightly different than the original meal. In our house, nothing trumps the day-after-thanksgiving sandwich made with all the delicious leftovers. Last year, I had to work on thanksgiving! So we did a whole meal the next day just so we'd have leftovers!
Now, I'm looking towards Christmas dinner, and trying to think of all the yumminess we'll make with the leftovers!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
~Winner~
Today I've got 2 winners to announce!
First is Rebecca, commenter #32 selected by Random.org who said
First is Rebecca, commenter #32 selected by Random.org who said
- I entered your Kidtoons giveaway!
- I follow you on twitter @momdram
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Hot Holiday Toy: Zibits Review and Giveaway
Since I featured a "girl" gift last, it's time to show you something for the little guys in our lives (and the big guys!) When our zibits arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, my son immediately knew what it was. These are most definitely a "gotta get me" toy for the holidays this year. The best thing is, you can find them at target, toys r us, walmart, etc. I think that makes it so much easier to pick up these smaller gifts that truly are tons of fun.
I always question whether these super-hot toys are worth their money. When I was a kid, I begged my mom for months and months for one of these dolls I saw in commercials. The doll would roller skate! Now, keep in mind that it was the mid-80s, and regulations were a lot more relaxed than they are now. So these commercials showed this dolly just skating along the sidewalk. So I just knew if I could only get one for myself, we would be skating together all day long! Well, I finally got the doll, and you know what? The dang thing wouldn't even stand up, much less skate! The weighting was off, the movements too jerky, etc. It was a very expensive lesson.
Bogey never got a roller skating dolly, so he expects all his toys to work the way the commercials tell him they will. We watched the Zibits video here. Bogey cleared off the kitchen table and we opened the package. It took him all of 2 seconds to get the toy in motion. The remote control for these is simple and intuitive. He played with his robot for almost an hour before he even wondered where his after school snack was! The Zibits really delivered, and that makes me a happy mom.
One of Bogey's favorite things to do with it is to put it on the floor in the kitchen and wait for Dare to notice it. As soon as Dare rushes forward to pick it up, Bogey sends it moving in the opposite direction. Then the boys play chase until (predictably) Dare loses interest and runs away to chase the dogs.
Zibits are available, like I noted above, at major retailers. That makes adding them to your holiday basket simple! Even more simple is their reasonable price. In a time when most of the hot gifts for kids are very expensive, it's so nice to see a popular toy that delivers on its promises and doesn't rob you blind. You can purchase a Zibits for the guy in your life for $9.99.
And it gets better! Zibits wants to gift one of my readers with their own robot! This would be a great start to a Zibits collection for any kiddo. To enter, just do the mandatory entry below and then you can complete any of the extra entries as well. Just leave a separate entry for each.
Mandatory entry-
Tell me one toy that was super popular when you were young, and whether it delivered on its cool factor. Make sure you leave me a way to contact you (if you're a follower and you have a public profile, that'll do).
Extra entries-
Become a GFC follower (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway, leave me a link to the tweet (1 entry each, can be done 3 times a day, 2 hours span between tweets, please)
Visit the Zibits website and tell me which robot is your favorite (1 entry)
Join me on networked blogs (1 entry)
I always question whether these super-hot toys are worth their money. When I was a kid, I begged my mom for months and months for one of these dolls I saw in commercials. The doll would roller skate! Now, keep in mind that it was the mid-80s, and regulations were a lot more relaxed than they are now. So these commercials showed this dolly just skating along the sidewalk. So I just knew if I could only get one for myself, we would be skating together all day long! Well, I finally got the doll, and you know what? The dang thing wouldn't even stand up, much less skate! The weighting was off, the movements too jerky, etc. It was a very expensive lesson.
Bogey never got a roller skating dolly, so he expects all his toys to work the way the commercials tell him they will. We watched the Zibits video here. Bogey cleared off the kitchen table and we opened the package. It took him all of 2 seconds to get the toy in motion. The remote control for these is simple and intuitive. He played with his robot for almost an hour before he even wondered where his after school snack was! The Zibits really delivered, and that makes me a happy mom.
One of Bogey's favorite things to do with it is to put it on the floor in the kitchen and wait for Dare to notice it. As soon as Dare rushes forward to pick it up, Bogey sends it moving in the opposite direction. Then the boys play chase until (predictably) Dare loses interest and runs away to chase the dogs.
Zibits are available, like I noted above, at major retailers. That makes adding them to your holiday basket simple! Even more simple is their reasonable price. In a time when most of the hot gifts for kids are very expensive, it's so nice to see a popular toy that delivers on its promises and doesn't rob you blind. You can purchase a Zibits for the guy in your life for $9.99.
And it gets better! Zibits wants to gift one of my readers with their own robot! This would be a great start to a Zibits collection for any kiddo. To enter, just do the mandatory entry below and then you can complete any of the extra entries as well. Just leave a separate entry for each.
Mandatory entry-
Tell me one toy that was super popular when you were young, and whether it delivered on its cool factor. Make sure you leave me a way to contact you (if you're a follower and you have a public profile, that'll do).
Extra entries-
Become a GFC follower (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway, leave me a link to the tweet (1 entry each, can be done 3 times a day, 2 hours span between tweets, please)
Visit the Zibits website and tell me which robot is your favorite (1 entry)
Join me on networked blogs (1 entry)
Comment on another post on my blog (not a contest) and tell me where (1 entry each post commented on)
Add me to your blogroll (3 entries)
Blog about this contest and leave me a link to the post (3 entries)
Add me to your blogroll (3 entries)
Blog about this contest and leave me a link to the post (3 entries)
Enter another of my contests and leave me a comment stating which one (1 entry)
Add this contest to a contest linky (cannot be a link already posted on) and show me where (2 entries)
This contest will close at 11:59pm CST, on Thursday 12/9. Winner will be selected using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. Contest open to US mailing addresses only. Prize fulfillment is the responsibility of the sponsor.
Add this contest to a contest linky (cannot be a link already posted on) and show me where (2 entries)
This contest will close at 11:59pm CST, on Thursday 12/9. Winner will be selected using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. Contest open to US mailing addresses only. Prize fulfillment is the responsibility of the sponsor.
I received no compensation for this post. Zibits did send a toy our way for us to play with. All opinions shared are my own (and Bogey's!) and have not been edited or shaped by anyone else. A big thanks go to Zibits for joining in!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
A new event, with CSN and more!
I know we're all in the midst of our holiday prep, but I wanted to let y'all know of an event I'm having in the new year. The event is Terribly Terrific Toddler Phase: Surviving and Thriving the Chaos! I have many great sponsors lined up, but I wanted to let you know right away about a couple who have gotten involved early! CSN, I'm sure you know the joint, has come on board to help out. I love CSN because you can find nearly anything you're looking for at one of their hundreds of stores. Part of Surviving and Thriving with toddlers is returning your focus to all the facets of life that fall to the wayside when you've got a new baby. Self-growth, community, home improvement, etc. And CSN can certainly help you find anything you might need for the home improvement areas, as they've got everything from counter height stools to ceiling fans and picture frames.
Ironically, all 3 are on my list of things to purchase in the new year. We've got a fantastic island in our kitchen that goes largely unused. I'm looking for some counter height stools that we can use for the kids to eat their breakfast at in the mornings before school. I'm really digging these
Ironically, all 3 are on my list of things to purchase in the new year. We've got a fantastic island in our kitchen that goes largely unused. I'm looking for some counter height stools that we can use for the kids to eat their breakfast at in the mornings before school. I'm really digging these
As for some of my other sponsors, I don't want to spoil any surprises, but I'll give you a couple names just to give you a clue what's coming (most with contests!). Some of my sponsors so far are EyeQ, Sanuk, Giani Granite, Eden Fantasies, Shatobu, Baby Hip Hugger, and some books, dvd's, toys and games. Should be a really great event, so stay tuned!
Soon, I'll have an event button posted that you can obtain extra contest entries by putting up early. So be sure to check back often!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Holiday Road Tripping #DiscountTire
Many of us will soon be embarking on our holiday road warrior journeys. With my own family spread from coast to coast, and us smack in the middle of it all, we do our fair share of road tripping. Sometimes it can be stressful (like when we drove from Nebraska to New Mexico with a 6 month old, had a blowout on the interstate, and arrived to discover I was suffering from a raging kidney infection!), and sometimes it's poignant (like when we made the same journey with a 6 year old and a 4 year old to visit my grandma in what will likely be the last time I see her).
But my favorite road trip was funny, poignant, stressful, scary, and amazing all at once! During my 3rd (and final!) year of law school, we decided to take the kids to Disney World. Only, wait. Wasn't I in school? And pregnant? And facing finals? And dealing with high risk pregnancy issues? Of course. So let's go ahead and drive 28 hours down to Florida!
So why is this my favorite road trip memory then? Well, because we came together as a family during the trip in ways we'd never done before. The kids learned a lot about working together in the backseat. How to share their space, manage their wants when they conflicted with others, and how to appropriately complain. I know, right? There's an appropriate way to complain? Sure, there is! The best way to complain is in a polite tone of voice that makes a request and not a demand!
One of my favorite things about road tripping is getting to eat food we don't normally have. We don't have Steak n Shake, Whattaburger, Waffle House, or Dunkin Donuts. So of course, we humored pregnant mama me with stops at ALL of the above! For me, the actual road trip was nearly as much vacation as being in Disney (notice I did say nearly!). The time spent with each other in close quarters was time spent talking, laughing, grumbling, napping, and getting all caught up on each other's thoughts.
Another awesome thing about this roadtrip is that we've learned from all our past mistakes. Such as.... get a car checkup before you leave! Duh! If we'd thought to do that as newlyweds 10 years ago driving an infant across the country, we could have avoided a blowout on the busy interstate!
So, as you set out on your holiday road trips this year, be sure to enjoy the opportunity to bond and enjoy your family. But most importantly, don't forget to have routine maintenance on your car before you go!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Discount Tire blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card and be entered for a chance to win a prize valued at $1,000. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
But my favorite road trip was funny, poignant, stressful, scary, and amazing all at once! During my 3rd (and final!) year of law school, we decided to take the kids to Disney World. Only, wait. Wasn't I in school? And pregnant? And facing finals? And dealing with high risk pregnancy issues? Of course. So let's go ahead and drive 28 hours down to Florida!
So why is this my favorite road trip memory then? Well, because we came together as a family during the trip in ways we'd never done before. The kids learned a lot about working together in the backseat. How to share their space, manage their wants when they conflicted with others, and how to appropriately complain. I know, right? There's an appropriate way to complain? Sure, there is! The best way to complain is in a polite tone of voice that makes a request and not a demand!
One of my favorite things about road tripping is getting to eat food we don't normally have. We don't have Steak n Shake, Whattaburger, Waffle House, or Dunkin Donuts. So of course, we humored pregnant mama me with stops at ALL of the above! For me, the actual road trip was nearly as much vacation as being in Disney (notice I did say nearly!). The time spent with each other in close quarters was time spent talking, laughing, grumbling, napping, and getting all caught up on each other's thoughts.
Another awesome thing about this roadtrip is that we've learned from all our past mistakes. Such as.... get a car checkup before you leave! Duh! If we'd thought to do that as newlyweds 10 years ago driving an infant across the country, we could have avoided a blowout on the busy interstate!
So, as you set out on your holiday road trips this year, be sure to enjoy the opportunity to bond and enjoy your family. But most importantly, don't forget to have routine maintenance on your car before you go!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Discount Tire blogging program, making me eligible to receive a $50 gift card and be entered for a chance to win a prize valued at $1,000. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Rayovac helps moms rock!
Rayovac is hosting a contest to win $1000 for Christmas shopping! All you have to do is "like" them on facebook, here!
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