Saturday, May 5, 2012

7 Months and Counting

 Love this smile

Not only is it Cinco de Mayo today, but Miss E turns 7 months!  Have I told you how much I love this baby!  I am so blessed to have five children.  We are gearing up for our Live Below The Line challenge next week - stay tuned.

E and I this afternoon.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Build A Dream Playhouses Review & Giveaway

*** Giveaway Now Closed ***
Congratulations to Rochel S!


Have you heard of Build A Dream Playhouses?

The cardboard box has been an outlet for children’s creativity for years. Build a Dream Playhouses have yet to find an adult that cannot recollect a childhood memory of playing in a box.  I agree!  I have lots of memories of playing in boxes.

From traveling through time, to flying through space, to sailing the open seas, a child’s imagination allows a cardboard box to transcend all that is material.  THAT is the essence of Build a Dream Playhouses.  They supply the blank canvas for children to paint their dreams.  Cardboard allows their products to be colored, painted, decorated, and customized to please every child’s dreams.

Check out two of the many products they offer

 The Cosmic Cruiser

The Dream Machine

We have the Cosmic Cruiser.  It arrived in a large, flat box.  The children and I removed the pieces and then their masterpiece was underway.  I debated whether I should guide their coloring, markering, etc. and in the end I decided that I wanted it to be "their" creativity.  After all, that is one of the beauties of these products.

 A opening our box

 
 All the pieces spread out

 D was super excited that she was able to make it her own as well.

 C getting started

A finished view of our cruiser

 She may be little but she can do BIG things!


C chillin' in the Cruiser

The kids have been playing with their Cosmic Cruiser for months now.  They have not been the gentlest on it either and it has remained durable - a big plus in my book!

 A after 4 months of play and still having a blast.

I love the imaginary play that the Cosmic Cruiser encourages - trips to the moon, other worlds, even to Grandma and Grandpa's house!  Thank you Build A Dream Playhouses for encouraging young minds with very fun, affordable, and practical products.

I think B is headed for the moon here.

Assembly of the Cosmic Cruiser does not require any tools.  The pieces fit together with slots and tabs and directions are included.  There is also a short video that you can watch on-line for assistance.  I definitely recommend checking out the video for assembly help because he shows you how to prep the parts so they fit right together - with just the printed instructions and no knowledge of how it all should go together, it is not completely clear how to do this first step.  With the instructions and the video, assembly was actually easy.

What about E?  She went for a ride to the moon and loved it.

Now, onto the giveaway!  You can win your very own Build A Dream Playhouse!  Winner can choose either the Cosmic Cruiser or The Dream Machine.  Note: If you have already won a Build A Dream Playhouse on another giveaway please do not enter this one.  This is for those who have never won one before. 

Mandatory Entry:  Like Build A Dream Playhouses on facebook, that's it!  Let me know and 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.  Follow me on google friend (2 extra entries)
2.  Follow my google+ page (2 extra entries)
3.  Follow my facebook page (2 extra entries)
4.  Follow me on Pinterest (2 extra entries)
5.  Follow me on twitter here (2 extra entries)
6.  Follow Build a Dream PH on twitter (2 extra entries)
7.  Would you pick Cosmic Cruiser or Dream Machine? (2 extra entries)

Giveaway will end on May 20th 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:  I won my Cosmic Cruiser on another blog giveaway!  Thanks to Build A Dream Playhouses for sponsoring this giveaway on my blog.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Purex & O Magazine


Purex has teamed up with Oprah Magazine to bring you a fantastic deal: 1-year subscription to O Magazine for only $10!  You can check it out here.  This promotion ends May 25th at 5pm PST.

Disclosure:  For every 5 subscriptions that come from my link (above), I will earn a $5 Amazon gift card.  Thank you if you decide to purchase a subscription.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Garnier Fructis Campaign


I am a member of BzzAgent!  I was chosen to participate in the Garnier Fructis Campaign.

Check out the goodies I received.

I have been using the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Shampoo & Conditioner (for Dry, Damaged Hair) exclusively now for a few weeks.  These products are formulated with fortified fruit science - three weightless nutritive fruit oils (olive, avocado and shea).  My hair does not feel as dry as it used to, it has a richer texture and I think it has an added shine!  I personally really like the scent.  And I really like the fact that the bottles are "greener", not just the color - they are also made with 30% recycled plastic and are recyclable themselves. 

E and I this morning

Have you tried Garnier Fructis yet?  What do you think?

Disclosure:  I received the above items for free in participating in this campaign.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

Date Knight


Local friends - May 8th Chick-fil-A will be offering a Mother-Son Date "Knight" in the Austin areas.  I love it!

Have a Special "Date Knight" the Chick-fil-A Way!  Sign ups are limited.  Go here for more information.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Go Express & Sling Be Gone

Last night we went to see a Round Rock Express game.  We had so much fun.  And even though they lost we stayed to the end :)  They had a family Expo so the kids were able to get lots of extra goodies.

 E, Me and B
E didn't really like sticking her head in the cut out

 A and B had their faces painted.

 Beautiful Butterfly

 David and the kids at Spike's Dog House

 C (in his new shades) and happy D

 Enjoying the game

And in other family news, B is cast and sling free today!  Woohoo, she is super pumped about being able to swing, ride her (new) scooter and bike, and many other things!

B made this balloon this morning.  I love it.
She drew a picture of her with the words, I am all beter (she meant better!)

Cravings: Desiring God in the Midst of Motherhood Review & Blog Tour



About Cravings:
Cravings is a collection of card-size devotionals based on the Psalms. They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood.

Each card contains a scripture for the day, a “thoughtlet,” and an action idea. As moms crave the sweet morsels from God’s Word, they can draw a card from a delectable Cravings holder—a pink cupcake!—that also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. Versatile enough to fit with any feminine décor in a dining nook, a prayer closet, a kitchen--wherever you‘d want Scripture at your fingertips. If you find you need Cravings around the home, just one may not be enough!

Cravings can be a mom’s daily devotional, a supplement to her regular quiet time, or even doubled up during the day. The set of 40 cards offers over a month’s worth of Cravings in whatever way serves the spiritual needs of individual moms.

My Cravings is right above my bed
My bedroom is where I do the bulk of my reading.

My Thoughts:
I love my Cravings devotional!  I really like the idea of helping, encouraging, and equipping mothers to connect with God.  Who doesn't need the Lord?  It is true that motherhood can be very busy and sometimes things are left forgotten or there just doesn't seem to be enough time for it.  I have been guilty of this with my relationship with the Lord.  You know what though, we all have 24 hours in a day.  It is up to you and me how we choose to spend it.  If I do not have enough time in my day for things that I hold dear or deem a priority I am probably making some poor choices - at least this is what I am finding.
 
I love the cute cupcake holder design.  I have a funny story here.  After I first set-up my Cravings Devotional cupcake on my bed, D came into my room right away.  She asked me about my new cupcake and if she could have a bite.  She went right up to it and tried to lick the frosting - it was too cute :)

 D determining that my devotional is not edible - for those wondering.

I really like the topics discussed some of which include love, anger, fear, joy, weakness, play, health, gossip,  perspective and so much more!  I also really like that these cards can aid you where you are at.  You can take a thoughtlet and meditate on it that day or even a week.  I love the call to action ideas that take it one step further, don't just talk about it or think it but do it!  I have not finished my devotional yet but it has been a pleasure to incorporate into my life!

About the author:
Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog at www.carebaileyonline.com. 

Link to buy: http://ow.ly/arFQM

Blog Tour:
Check out the rest of this Blog Tour here.

Win a Minute-for-Mom gift pack from Carey Bailey! "When I became a mom I lost my God time," says Carey Bailey. "I couldn't figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God's words of encouragement that I was starving for"

And Cravings--The Devotional was born. Celebrate with Carey by entering her Minute-for-Mom Giveaway!


One grand prize winner will receive:
  • $50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)
  • $50 gift card to Victoria's Secret® (For something pretty.)
  • $25 gift card to Bath & Body Works® (For a little spa treatment.)
  • 2 Sets of Cravings - The Devotional (For you and a friend.)
  • Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)
Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on Carey’s blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

Looking for ways to connect w/ God in the midst motherhood? Check out @CareycBailey's Cravings-The Devotional! http://ow.ly/arFSP @litfuse

Disclosure:  I was blessed to receive my own Cravings: Desiring God in the Midst of Motherhood for review.  All opinions expressed are 100% mine.