New Purex Triple Action Laundry Detergent: My Review

What does laundry look like in a household of 7?  Well, something like this.  Of course, this doesn't include all the towels, bedding, etc.

 My couch full of you guessed it, dirty laundry!

At least it is sorted right?  Btw, this is a great exercise to do with your kiddos or ask them to do.  Even my 2 and 4 year olds like to help me sort laundry.

My Mission: To have clean laundry and simultaneously put the new Purex Triple Action Detergent to the test (I used Free & Clear and Mountain Breeze).

What did I think?  As with other Purex products, the Triple Action did not let me down.  My laundry came out clean and fresh!  Again, I love that Purex products can be used in all machines (including HE - even though I do not own one) and you cannot beat their price.  They are clearly one of the most affordable laundry detergents on the market right now and my laundry and pocketbook both appreciate that!  Oh, and one of David's jeans had a funny white stain all over them.  I have yet to figure out what it was but it was completely removed once it went through the wash with the new Purex.  Thank you Purex for helping me turn the above pictures into the below pictures!

 The kids closet

My closet

So, have your ever tried Purex or tried the New Triple Action?  Let me know your thoughts.  Oh, and stay tuned for a few upcoming Purex giveaways in the new year!

Disclosure: Purex provided a free sample of their Triple Action Free & Clear laundry detergent so I could write a review (through the Purex Insiders Program).  However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own and all other Purex products were purchased by myself!

Our Christmas Socks

Every year we hang up socks for our stockings.  My husband grew up hanging up a real sock for Christmas and we like that so we have kept the "tradition" for our family.  The only main rule is that it has to be a sock that you have worn that year (oh, and soccer socks are not allowed!).

 The socks on Christmas Eve.

This year Uncle Allen and Aunt Katelin were visiting so we had a few extra socks.

Christmas Morning.

I think D's was my favorite with the baby doll attached.

Save More

Ever heard of SaveMore?  It is an online daily deal site and right now you can purchase a $10 Burger King card for $5.  And what's better is that if you sign up right now, you will receive a $10 sign up credit!  How awesome is that!!  Let me know if you find any other great deals :)

Introducing Birdie's Playhouse Children's CD Review & Giveaway

 

 *** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Jenny!

Have you heard of Birdie's Playhouse?  Former Ray Charles backup singer Birdie Mendoza has launched BIRDIE’S PLAYHOUSE and hatched an award-winning kids music CD, The Wild World of Wildlife.  The Wild World of Wildlife children's CD gets kids ages 0 to 5 to shake their tail feathers with upbeat music all about wildlife -- with a Latin twist.  Oh, and a little secret ... my kids over 5 like it too :)

I love it!  You cannot help but sway and move as you listen to this CD.  And of course, with a degree in Zoology, I love almost anything and everything that has to do with animals and wildlife.  In this CD you will learn the impact of the ivory trade on elephants, what happens when a fiddler crab's claw falls off (in a hysterical country rap), and find out about a "day in the life" of a baby iguana who really wants to “baila” (or dance).  And, if you’ve never heard a jazzy marsupial scat, give the “Wombat Scat” a whirl.  Birdie’s fabulous voice, stellar guest vocalists and clever stories will bring out the WILD in you!  Tweet tweet, Ole!

This CD includes 12 fun songs!

Thank you Birdie for creating this fun and exciting CD for both parents and children, what a gem!  All of my children (ages 2 months - 7 years) and I have been enjoying this CD.  And by the way, I love your voice and I know everyone else will too.  Want to puchase this fun CD?  Birdie has a store where you can do just that.  You can buy the physical CD or a downloadable version.  There are also some fun musical instruments and t-shirts available for puchase.  Be sure to check out Birdie's store and let me know what you find.

Now, onto the giveaway!  Birdie has generously offered one of her CD's to one of you!

Mandatory Entry:  Like Birdie on facebook, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities!

1.  Follow Birdie on twitter (2 entries)
2.  Make any purchase with Birdie (5 entries)
3.  Follow me on google friend (2 entries)
4.  Follow my google+ page  (2 entries)
5.  Follow my facebook page (2 entries)

Giveaway will end on January 10th at Midnight. Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response after 48 hours, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

 A Christmas Tradition, a birthday cake for Jesus.

This year it was peppermint!

One, Two, Three - blow out the candles!

Our family Christmas card, Merry Christmas!

This photo was taken when E was 11 days old - thanks Dusti & Tiny Prints!!

Advent: Day 25

 D's turn.

What was inside, manger

The verse: Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas!

Our Ice Skating Adventures

A few night ago we went ice skating for the first time as a family.  It was A-D as well as David and I's first turn to ever put ice skates on our feet (E still has yet to go :)!  We have family visiting and it was so fun to go together.  Aunt Katelin has skated for over 10 years so it was really fun to watch her skate.

 Here is B, she did such a great job.  She told me that when she first got on the ice it was scary but she just kept telling herself that she could do it, and she did!

 Aunt Katelin & D

 Another view

 A skating across the rink

 C was reserved at first but he also did a great job.

 David & Uncle Allen

 I look like I am going to fall down - it was fun!

C in his skates

Thanks Uncle Allen & Aunt Katelin for the wonderful gift!  Enjoy the video below!

Advent: Day 24

 A's turn.

What was inside, angel

The verse: Luke 1: 30-33

Advent: Day 23

B's turn

What was inside, globe

The verse:  Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 139:13-16

Advent: Day 22

C's turn

What was inside, friend

The verse: Galatians 5:14

Advent: Day 21

D's turn

What was inside, rock

The verse: Luke 6:47-49

Fun Randomness

 E had her 2 month check up a few weeks ago and she is a big girl, well for my family.  She is 90% height, 30% weight and her head measured 95%!

At church on Sunday

Grandma bought the kids all Holiday outfits and they wore them to church on Sunday.  The girls all have coordinating purple dresses and C has a matching purple sweater outfit.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

 

C's outfit.  We went to eat at Subway after church.

Have you seen all the posts on homemade snow globes this year?  Well, I wanted to try and make one.  My snow globe had two giftcards in it: Subway & Starbucks.

I hot glued them to the lid

 Other side

 Add glitter to the jar

 And water

 Seal the lid and your done!

Other side

It is a fun idea and was pretty easy and fun to do.

I have heard that you shouldn't leave the cards in the water longer than a week (as it can damage them) but for a short time it is no problem.

Advent: Day 20

A's turn.

What was inside, Happy Face

The verse: Colossians 3:20
Our children all knew the song for this verse, awesome!!

Chick-fil-A Giveaway: Cow Watches & Plush Prize Pack

*** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Stephanie King!

I love Chick-fil-A and the famous Chick-fil-A Cows!  You never know what they will be up to next.  Guess what?  The Cow Watches have arrived! Now in every Chick-fil-A kid’s meal you will get a really fun, cool cow watch.  There are five various styles as seen above.  To celebrate, Chick-fil-A has created the Holiday widget below.

Now, onto the giveaway!  One of you will win a Chick-fil-A prize pack that will consiste of five cow watches and two Chick-fil-A Plush Cows!

Mandatory Entry:  Take the "Holiday Quiz" and share your results in the comments below or share your family experiences on the "10 Family Holiday Activities" and let me know.  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities!

1.  Follow me on google friend (2 entries)
2.  Follow my google+ page  (2 entries)
3.  Follow my facebook page (2 entries)
4.  Follow Chick-fil-A on facebook (2 entries)

Giveaway will end on December 27th at Midnight. Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response after 48 hours, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol in IMAX theatres

Going on right now Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol will be shown in a mind-blowing IMAX experience in 300 theatres across the country. Join Ethan Hunt and his team of rogue IMF agents, in this awesome spy adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With 30-minutes of scenes shot with IMAX cameras, fans will be able to enjoy certain sequences of the movie in larger than life proportions. You will be right in the action as Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) scales the world’s tallest building; the Burk Khalifa Tower in Dubai, as this and other thrilling moments expand to fit the entire IMAX screen. As an added bonus, IMAX will offer the first previews of the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, prior to Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.  Go here to see the trailer of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.  And be sure to stop by IMAX's facebook page and like them while you are there!

Advent: Day 19

 B's turn.

What was inside, perfume

The verse: Ephesians 5:2

DaySpring Love Came Down Review, Revelation & a Giveaway

 *** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Jenn Spencer!

 I was blessed to receive the Star Tealight Holder from DaySpring for review.

 I absolutely love the dark wood and the quality of this product.  It is beautiful.  

And the Scripture verse, Luke 2:11 KJV is perfect.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 I set it up in my home next to our Nativity.  

Although, I do not have my nativity displayed all year, I will be displaying this Love Came Down product because not only is it relevant as we celebrate the birth of our King, it is relevant all year long.  I love that I will have a tangible reminder in my home of His great love.  I think I will keep it up on our mantel for the remainder of the year.

 Note the crack on my bar

I love candles.  I love the way they smell.  I love the way they make the house feel, so warm and cozy.  And I love using this holder.  You might wonder why I took a picture that includes the crack in my bar.  To me that crack symbolizes my imperfections and impurities.  But you know what?  We are washed clean by His love and forgiveness.  May we never forget the ultimate sacrifice that was paid for us.

 Look what else I received.  The Name of Jesus latte mug and Love Came Down mug.  They are simply wonderful and were such a great surprise!

 The inside of The Love Came Down mug, beautiful.

What a great way to remember some of His names.

Thank you DaySpring for your generosity and reminder of what is truly important this Holiday season.

Now onto the giveaway!  DaySpring and (in)courage have generously offered one of you a $20 gift code (Note: for this code to work, you must have a $20 minimum purchase and shipping charges will apply).

Mandatory Entry:  Leave a comment, that's it!  Please be sure and leave your email so I can contact you if you win!

Extra Entries, leave a separate comment for each extra entry.  As you can see, there are lots of extra entry opportunities!

1.  Follow me on google friend (2 entries)
2.  Follow my google+ page  (2 entries)
3.  Follow my facebook page (2 entries)
4.  Follow DaySpring on facebook (2 entries)
5.  Tell me what the message Love Came Down means to you (2 entries)

Giveaway will end on December 24th at Midnight. Winner will be selected using a random number generator and will have one week to respond (it is the Holidays!). If there is no response after one week, I will randomly select another winner.  Open to US residents only.

Disclosure: DaySpring gave me these products to review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Advent: Day 18

 C's turn.

What was inside, empty!

The verse: John 20:1-9

Our "Stretch" Snack

I saw this idea in a Disney Family Fun magazine months ago and have been meaning to do it sooner, Handy Manny Stretch, the measuring tape, frozen yogurt treats!

 What you will need: craft sticks, single-serve cups of yogurt (pink is best), red fruit leather, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

Assemble the eyes and make the tape measure on your craft sticks

 

Remove the foil cover from the yogurt.  Create Stretch's face with a small square of fruit leather and the eyes you previously made.  Insert the wooden spoon into the yogurt below the eyes.

 Insert the craft stick to make the tape measure.

 Freeze overnight or for several hours.  Cover the top of the yogurt with foil.  Remove from yogurt cups and serve!  Makes for a fun and yummy treat!

 D loved hers!

We ate them outside because they are a little messy :)

 C showing Dad after he ate an eye (yes, David is hanging Christmas lights at the same time)

 A enjoying her snack.

 B posing with Stretch.

Thank you Disney's Family Fun for the great idea.