Colortime Crafts and Markers

Have you heard of Colortime Crafts & Markers?  Since 1990, over 5 million children and adults have loved creating t-shirts, pillowcases, backpacks, tote bags, bandannas, and more for parties, slumber parties, and scout meeting with their permanent fabric markers!  They provide their customers with the opportunity to entertain their guests with a creative activity that becomes a permanent keepsake.  They are also a licensed vendor of the Girl Scouts of America.

They offer free downloadable coloring pages here and a "Birthday Club" here with special incentives.

Get 15% off all orders with Promo Code: 15USFG when you check out at colortime.com.  Let me know if you pick something up for the Holidays!

Lunchtime with E and Nuby

E has been eating a lot lately!  Seriously, some days she puts away more than A, B or C.  We have been loving our Nuby products.

Here is E getting ready for lunch, she is a bit excited.

E with our new Nuby Feeding spoons.

We started off with some applesauce.  Love the grip and extra length that these spoons provide.

Then comes the nuggets.  E is becoming more independent.

It is nice to have a fancy cup to wash everything down.  Notice that E can grip this flip-it cup with no problem.

 Last one

 Some more water

E in love!

Nuby Feeding Spoons - I love that these spoons have long, easy-grip handles which help make feeding times easier.  This will also come in handy as E becomes more and more comfortable using her spoon herself.  Our six pack has fun colors and designs which is a nice addition.  And of course, all Nuby products are made of safe, durable, nontoxic materials - these spoons clean up easily with warm water or you can just pop them in the top rack of your dishwasher and voila!

Nuby No-Spill Mega Flip-It - Our purple flip-it cup is designed for babies 9 months and older and has been perfect for E.  It holds 12 oz, which is a great size.  This two-in-one cup design features a new soft sipper straw which has been great on E's gums and as she is getting new teeth.  It has an easy-to-use flip cap.  This flip cap help keep everything clean and protects the straw from contamination when not in use.  I love that E can easily grip this cup and use it independently.

Nuby Solid Feeding Set - We love our pink Nuby feeding set.  Our pink frog plate has been great for giving E a bit more independence at meal times.  She has really gotten into feeding herself and this has been a great way to encourage that.  Our plate is durable and can withstand daily use (and the occasional drop from the high chair - just keepin' it real).  The same can be said for everything in this set!

Thanks Nuby for some awesome products!  Remember you can connect with Nuby on facebook, twitter, and pinterest as well. 

Disclosure:  I did not receive any compensation for this post, although as part of this program I may receive items to sample or review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Book Review: Your Life Without Limits

Your Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic is an inspiring read to say the least.  I actually read the digital review copy on my ipad.  This is the first book that I have read digitally so that was pretty unique and fun for me and I felt pretty technologically savvy.

For those unfamiliar with Nick's story, he was born without arms or legs - something his parents and the doctors were not expecting.  He had numerous tests done as a baby and no one could figure out why he was born without limbs.  I am so impressed with Nick and his story.  I appreciate that he is willing to go deep and share his thoughts and very intense struggles - and how one can overcome them!  I am inspired by his attitude, his zeal for life and his remarkable faith.  This book is a true inspiration and really encourages everyone to live their life to the fullest.

You can check out Nick's website here.   Want a sneak peek of this book, go here to download the first chapter!


Disclosure: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Turkey Day Run

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We were able to go down to my parents and celebrate with family.  And I was able to run another 5K, I know it took forever but I did it :).  A, B, and C participated in the Kids K run and then afterward I ran the Turkey Day 5K.  It felt so good to complete another 5K all before 8am on Thanksgiving morning.

 

The kids right before their race!

 B finished 1st of our family

Followed by A

 And C.  I love their medals and goody bags :).

 Here I am right before the race.

 And on the way home, still a bit pink!

Thunderstruck Giveaway & Basketball Game App

*** Giveaway Now Closed ***

Congratulations to Dealsfan32!

Ready for another giveaway?  Warner Bros. is proud to announce the release of Thunderstruck on DVD and Blu-ray December 4th, 2012, along with the Thunderstruck Blog App!  Keep reading for a chance to win a Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Download).

A little about the movie: NBA superstar Kevin Durant plays himself in this action-packed family film about a basketball star who switches talent with a klutzy 16-year-old fan.  When Brian (Taylor Gray) magically switches basketball skills with his hero, Kevin Durant, he becomes the star of his high school team...while Kevin Durant suddenly can't make a shot to save his life!  But with the playoffs approaching, Brian learns that being a true winner means working hard at your own game, and he tries to make things right in time to prevent a catastrophic end to his hero's season.



Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win a Thunderstruck Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Download).  

Mandatory Entry:  Follow me on google friend, 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 so don't be shy!

1.  Share your results from the Free-Throw Challenge game (2 extra entries)
2.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)
3.  Follow my facebook page (2 extras)
4.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extras)
5.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extras) 
6.   Download the 7 Thunder-ific Tips for kids and post your favorite in the comment section (2 extras)

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

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Warner Bros. for providing this information and sponsoring this giveaway.

Two Giveaways End Tonight

Just a reminder that two of my giveaways end tonight at midnight!  If you haven't entered you might want to do so, time is running out.  What is up for grabs?

Enter to win a Melissa & Doug Trunki here.

And an exclusive Friends Prize Pack here.

Good Luck!

Fifty Three Dresses

That is how many dresses my friends and I tried on at my latest crowdtap Old Navy Sample Share Party!  And 53 is a lot my friends :).  I was so blessed to take 3 of my friends shopping for a free dress at Old Navy and we had a blast.

 Heading out the door, coupons in hand

 In store with three amazing friends

 Selecting some dresses

Some of the sweater dresses

 At first glance, it looked like there was not a huge selection.  But after pulling out numerous dresses to try on I realized that they really did have a nice selection of dresses from sweater dresses, to sleeveless dress, patterned and solids - there really were lots of options.

 My dressing room :)

 I like this picture because it shows some of the variety available.

 While I liked this dress, I did feel like a bit of a zebra (I suppose that does go with my degree!).  And I do not think horizontal stripes are flattering on me, at least not right now!  So this is our zebra photo...

 I liked the colors and feel of this dress but I didn't choose it for myself.

 The winning selection - loved all these dresses on us!

 Here we are in them!!

 Headed to the check out

 With me now...

 Thank you Kristen.  You were awesome!

Our fun snowman photo!

So I often get asked, "How in the world do you get these amazing sample opportunities and free products?".  And the answer is - crowdtap!   Crowdtap is an online community that allows you to sample products and earn cool rewards for interacting with top brands.  Interested in signing up, just go here.

A big thanks to both Crowdtap and Old Navy for this sampling opportunity!  I was blessed to receive an Old Navy dress of my choice and take 3 friends along for dresses of their choice.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Kelly Kits

Have you heard of Kelly Kits?  Kelly Kits encourage art play using a variety of creative tools & materials beyond color books!  I love that their kits are appropriate for children ages 2 - 102 :).  They are a perfect holiday gift for creative kids!  And right now, Kelly Kits is having a site wide sale where all products are 10% off.  Get your favorite little artist a years worth of art kits or a special gift pack with 5 activities that explore the five disciplines of art: drawing, painting, print making, collage & sculpting!

Be sure to check it out here and let me know what you purchase!

The Orb Factory - Giving Back

Remember my post on The Orb Factory?  The Orb Factory is a provider of many craft and activity products.  They have been around for 21 years!  Their products are sold in over 50 countries and they have become a recognized and trusted name in the toy market. 

They currently have a great campaign going on that I wanted to tell you about - it is about giving back!  For every new facebook fan and twitter follower that they receive through the whole month of November, they will donate one toy to a child in need.  What a way to give back this Holiday season.  So if you haven't already, please take a moment to like them on facebook here and follow them on twitter here.

Click here for more information on their giving back campaign.

Reading Eggs

Have you heard of Reading Eggs?  Reading Eggs is an interactive online reading program that helps make learning to read interesting and engaging for kids.  It includes online reading games and activities as well as songs!  Reading Eggs helps motivate children to keep exploring and to keep learning and reading.

This program was developed by a highly experienced team of teachers, writers, animators and web developers working together.  This program is suitable for children ages 3 through 12 focusing on a core reading curriculum of skills and strategies essential for sustaining reading success.

Right now, Reading Eggs is offering the first two weeks of the entire Reading Eggs curriculum for Free.  What are you waiting for, check it out here today!

Art by Kelly Michelle

Remember my post on the Etsy shop Art by Kelly Michelle?  Well, she is having a quick giveaway that I wanted to tell you about.  Right now you have the chance to win a set of Christmas bookmarks, a set of Christmas gift tags, and a set of butterfly stickers!

Go here to enter the giveaway and check out all the details.  Good luck and please let me know if you win.

Give the Gift of Sports Illustrated Kids this Holiday Season

Have you heard of Sports Illustrated Kids?  It is THE magazine for boys and girls who love sports!  It presents sports the way kids want to read about them: with great action photos, easy-to-read stories about star athletes, helpful instructional tips from the pros, and humor, comics and activities.  SI Kids is a great way to encourage kids to read, and it has won highest honors from the Association of Educational Publishers and the Parents' Choice Award.

Right now, you can receive an entire year of SI Kids in print and on tablet for only $19.95!  You can subscribe Here.

Need more reasons to give the gift of SI Kids this season?

1.  It's a great stocking stuffer.
2.  It promotes reading for children who are reluctant readers.
3.  Each issue is full of exciting stories, photos and games that kids are sure to enjoy!
4.  No gift wrapping - it is delivered straight to your door.
5.  It is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year through.

And if you want to keep up to date with the latest you can like SI Kids on facebook here!

Treat - Free Cards

Have you heard of Treat?  Treat is Shutterfly's exciting new greeting card brand that makes it easy for people to create and send one-of-a-kind greeting cards!  Treat cards are perfect for holidays, birthdays, congrats, thank yous and every occasion in between.  Love that it is fun, easy and personal :).

Now onto the Free part!  Yes, your holiday checklist just got shorter.  Create and send a personalized greeting card from Treat for FREE.  Whether saying thanks for Thanksgiving, wishing a best friend a holiday birthday or simply sharing the holiday cheer with a just because card, Treat lets you create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to impress.

Hurry though - this offer for one free Treat card is good only today (Monday 11/19) and tomorrow (Tuesday 11/20).  Use code TREATBLOGR and let me know what you make!

Disclosure: I will receive 20 cards for promoting this special campaign.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

A Splash of Color

Have you heard of Benjamin Moore Paints?  My latest Bzz Agent campaign is with them!  I had the privilege to pick out a gallon of Aura paint, any color I wanted, and use it to upgrade our home.  We chose to add a splash of color to our back room, soon to be the children's new room.

 My Bzz kit - Coupon for free gallon of paint, color options, small can of Aura paint and extra coupons to share

 My local store

I was impressed with the variety of paint offered and helpfulness of the employees.  The only down side I have to say about this paint is the cost, $70 gallon is a bit steep but the quality is amazing!

 We picked a light shade of brown called Kangaroo

 The kids painting their first wall!

 So, what do you think?  I love this color!

The paint was extremely easy to apply and I was super impressed with the low odors.  It looked so great we also only needed one coat - awesome!

Disclosure:  I received the above products for free with my Bzz Kit for participating in the Benjamin Moore Aura Paint Campaign.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Pinypon Party Fun

Have you heard of Pinypon? They are interchangeable mini-dolls.  You can mix and match everything - dresses, accessories, hairstyles and even faces!  The kids and I were selected to have our own Pinypon party.  These Pinypon dolls are suitable for girls, ages 4-7.

Check out all the goodies we received!

A closer view.

We received 12 Pinypon dolls, 2 Pinypons caravans, and 2 Nenuco Baby Dolls, and lots of coupons - everyone received a Pinypon and we were able to raffle off a caravan and baby doll!

We had a lot of fun getting ready for the party - decorating and getting all the food ready.  We served our own version of On the Road Trail Mix, Fashion Makeover Cupcakes, and Cuties!

 We omitted chocolate chips due to a guest having an allergy and used fun star marshmallows - this was a huge hit!

 Kid approved...

 The cupcake bar - lots of sprinkles!

 As guests arrived they played a Pinypon scavenger hunt.

Find a Pinypon picture and trade it in for an actual doll.  If you look closely you will see some Pinypon's hiding.

 A and B were pretty excited to get their own caravan.

 And our own Nenuco baby out of the box!

 And let me just say, that C was uber excited that they have a boy doll.  I know that these are mostly intended for girls but he had a fun time joining in.

Handing out the first doll.

And the next...

You see the theme, yes - everyone got one!

 The cupcake bar in action...

 

Yeah for cupcakes.

And the raffle winners are:

 M won the Nenuco baby doll.

 And our friend E won the Pinypon caravan, she was a bit excited.

The girls had a lot of fun trading different pieces and really making the dolls unique and their own.  The hair, head, body, legs and accessories are removable and interchange between figures.  Each head also has two expressions - one of the front and it can be reversed - the kids loved that.  I enjoyed hearing some of their names - Lemon, Lime, Ellie, Orange, Princess, and Watermelon just to name a few.  So in short, these dolls were a lot of fun and the kids had a great time playing with them. 

A few of their dolls after trading.

 

Another finished doll

So now that you know a bit more about Pinypon, what do you think?  Would your kids enjoy playing with these?  You can check out Pinypon on facebook here and twitter here.  And to learn more about Nenuco you can find them on facebook here and twitter here!

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to MommyParties and Pinypon for allowing us this opportunity and providing us with the amazing Pinypon kit (included Pinypons, Pinypon caravans, and Nenuco baby dolls).  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.