Mary’s Son: A Tale of Christmas (Cross Dove Publishing), winner of three Mom’s Choice Awards, is a modern-day story in which a mysterious old man named Nicholas shares the true meaning of Christmas with two young people. Sarah Stone is an 11-year-old rich girl who lives “on the hill” amid butlers, nannies, housekeepers, and a father who is too busy for her. Jared Roberts is a 13-year-old tough kid from the “sink” on the other side of town where he and his gang barely survive broken families.

Both Jared and Sarah …

Squinkies 2™: Adventure Mall Surprize! for Nintendo DS™ is now available. Released in late October, Squinkies fans will adore the fun and easy-to-learn gameplay set in fantastic, all-new environments, and of course, those cute, squishy, squashy Squinkies!
In Squinkies 2: Adventure Mall Surprize! players have a very important job to do: invite the Squinkies scattered throughout the newly opened Adventure Mall to the Squinkies party! To find them, players will explore the game’s four colorful locations: the Aquarium, Food Court, Wedding Castle, and Amusement Park. Along the way, kids will meet …

With about 2 weeks left until Christmas, many people are busily holiday shopping online. In 2010, more than $36 billion dollars was spent in online shopping over the holiday season and this year, it’s expected billions will be spent again in online shopping when all is said and done. However, before you log online and start making like Santa, there are 7 simple and easy tips for you and your entire family this shopping season thanks to the team at SafetyWeb.com.
1. Use a credit card – with common sense. Never give …

There is no a better time of the year than the winter holiday season to involve children and teenagers in charitable giving and teach them why the old adage, “It is better to give than to receive,” is true.  World Vision offers five great ways for parents to lead by example and teach their children the true spirit of the holidays:
-    Consider do-it-yourself gifts, like no-sew fleece blankets that you can make with your children. Donate those blankets to a local homeless shelter.
-    Cherish the stories of your family. Have …

Max’s Magical Journey, a children’s book written by Annette Kelly and illustrated by Scott Pross depicts a precocious young dog whose perspective is changed through a visit to a working cowboy ranch.
 
You can not go wrong with Max. He is a delightful well-mannered dog, always polite, positive and eager to learn. In this volume, you will have great fun with Max as he travels to a cowboy ranch and learns an amazing array of new skills in the dazzling American Southwest. Children bond with Max immediately, delighting in his various …

Seven-year-old Olivia has just moved to a new house — the same house where a lonely monster named Burrufu lives hidden in a secret attic. One night, unable to resist the smell of delicious cookies, Burrufu sneaks out and is discovered by Olivia. The two soon learn that you can find friendship in the most unexpected places. ‘My Monster Burrufu‘ is a story of overcoming fear, a curse, and a most unusual monster who learns from a little girl how to trust his heart.
A chapter book aimed at 8-to-12 yr …

I have an exciting trip to offer you – check out this terrific prize!
WAR HORSE wants to send you on a journey home for the holidays! Jingle your way home by entering now through Sunday, December 11th. Tweet a holiday message to your friends and loved ones with #WarHorseMovieAD for a chance to win and you could ring in the New Year with family and friends!
 

 
Not on Twitter? No problem!  You can still enter! Send a holiday greeting to WarHorseSweeps@thainteractive.com along with your first and last name and a daytime …

The soft, quilted Balboa Baby® Shopping Cart Cover provides a clean and secure environment for babies. The Balboa Baby® Shopping Cart Cover creates a comfortable “nest” for baby with a 360 degree germ free zone. Combining simplicity and convenience, the Shopping Cart Cover features four elastic corners that secure Cover to the cart while providing easy one-hand installation. Toy loops allow you to attach baby‘s favorite playthings, and an extra wide safety strap comfortably keeps baby secure while attaching Cover to shopping cart or high chair. And unlike other bulky …

If money for Christmas is tight this year, there are things you can do to ease the burden yet keep the Christmas spirit alive. Set a budget and stick to it. A good way to make sure you stick to it is to use cash. If you leave your checkbook and credit cards at home, you will not spend more than you have. Consider it a chance to be creative, unique and genuine. Christmas on a budget can be the best one you have ever had.
Gifts of Time
There are better …

Buckeyes
Buckeye making has become a yearly tradition in our family. My daughter gets so excited when I announce that today is buckeye making day. We make three to four batches every year so we have plenty to share. I purchase inexpensive tins or buckets at the dollar store and fill them with these homemade treats to include as part of the teacher gifts we present to our children’s teachers each year. I hope you have as much fun making and eating these tasty treats as we do!
Ingredients:

1 ½ cups peanut …

The unique HALO® SleepSack® wearable blanket is the Safer Way to Sleep. It replaces loose blankets in the crib that can cover your baby’s face and interfere with breathing. In addition to helping your baby sleep safer, the HALO SleepSack wearable blanket helps your baby sleep better, too. It’s a warm cuddly blanket they can’t kick off, ensuring baby sleeps soundly throughout the night. When baby is sleeping safe and sound, moms and dads can rest easy.
Used in hospitals nationwide, the Halo SleepSack wearable blanket is the number 1 choice …

The 2-DVD Collector’s Edition of Dale Evans: Beyond the Happy Trails interviews family and friends who celebrate the life of Dale Evans and Roy Rogers and their influence on American culture. It follows the trials and triumphs of Roy and Dale as they celebrated life, but also struggled with the death of multiple children. Despite being a destitute, divorced, single-mother at age 16, Dale went on to be a role model for millions of young girls. She starred in more than 100 movies and television shows and authored 28 inspirational books, …

CONGRATULATIONS to Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy
Thanks to all who participated!
Accessory Connectz™ are the new, inexpensive and simple way to accessorize flip flops, headbands and pet collars! After selling flip flops and headbands for many years with attached accessories, I knew this product would be the perfect solution for moms on a budget! While our Connectz™ straps are comfy, they are also multi-purpose and functional. Once having your straps placed on your desired item(flip flops, headband, pet collar), you can virtually clip or pin any accessory you would like …

Have you heard about Disney’s upcoming summer movie, BRAVE?  Here is some info and the new trailer.  BRAVE hits theatres everywhere in Disney Digital 3D on June 22, 2012!  I cannot wait!
 
A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, “Brave” uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the impetuous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late.
 
BRAVE (In Disney Digital 3D™)
Disney•Pixar
Website & Mobile …

Deep from outer space comes a band of alien misfits — led by the curious and lovable Olly Oogleberry — on a mission to save earth and all its people, places and things from the impact of a gigantic asteroid. Come along for the ride as Olly and his friends race across distant galaxies to redeem himself from his mischievous past – and in the process, discover an amazing new world of earthly wonders.
The Fabulous Adventures of Olly Oogleberry follows this lovable alien on a mission to save Earth from the impact of …

Have you seen the Muppets yet?  I haven’t due to my headaches (but I have great news on my Migraines for you soon).  It is doing so well in the theatres!  How about some fun facts about it?

FUN FACTS
BY THE NUMBERS
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN — Disney’s “The Muppets” is the 7th feature film featuring the Muppets.
MANY MUPPETS — More than 120 Muppets appear in the film.
STEPPIN’ OUT – The film tapped 60 dancers to perform with Jason Segel and Amy Adams for the “Everything’s Great” opening musical performance.

Hollywood Blvd. was …

Wondering what to do with your kids when they are off on holiday vacation? Look no further than these NEW, kids activity eBook shorts, brought to you by Adams Media. These quick-reference activity guides keep kids happy and having fun, whether you are taking the long way to Aunt Bertha’s for the holidays, trying to keep them busy on a rainy day, or want to get them outside (and out of your hair!) for an afternoon. Feel free to join in—or allow these handy guides to finally let you check …

The Many Adventures of Pengey Penguin by John Burns is about a charming and precocious penguin, whose curiosity leads him into trouble almost as much as his need to find his true home and the love within.  Pengey is a tiny little orphan penguin, with a rather large voice! In this children’s story Pengey can speak human.  Because of his extraordinary gift, he often finds himself in trouble-from being ostracized by his fellow penguin flock once orphaned, to fleeing a greedy Mad Scientist in Brazil, to learning how to fly …

CONGRATULATIONS to #59 Jennifer C, #22 Nan, and #53 Ann Marie Walker!
Thanks to everyone who participated.  Watch for new and exciting giveaways in 2012!
 
By now, we are all in some stage of prepping for the Holiday Season. But are there some unwanted visitors coming into your home as holiday prep is under way (and I’m not referring to the in-laws:)??   A sneeze on the doorknob or phone, dropped pie on the floor and dirty cutting boards sitting in the sink could all spread germs among friends and family. But cleaning …

by Heather Dugdale of http://www.recoveringworkingmom.com/ 
It’s that time of year where mommies over-schedule and over-commit themselves only to add a trip in the middle of the madness.
Here’s what I learned about holiday traveling with kids:

Don’t do it!  Tell your relatives they can bring their @$$es to your house until the children can pack and drive themselves.
If you decide NOT to heed #1, try these “tricks”:

1. Separate clothes. Pack kids’ clothes in gallon size plastic bags separated by child, by day.
2. Make sure the children pick the outfits or you will surely choose clothes they …

SendOutCards is an Internet-based service that is simplifying people’s lives.  Sometimes referred to as the ‘NetFlix’ of the Greeting Card Industry, this can totally simplify the card purchasing and mailing process.  Most people don’t send as many cards because of 3 reasons:

it’s too time consuming
cards cost too much
most times, people forget!

When you need to send a card to someone, go online to SendOutCards where you’ll find 15,000 cards in 150 different categories.  Or, make your own card out of a digital picture, which could be your business card image, company …

 SunRidge Farms offers a wide variety of delicious and sustainably-made organic and natural snack mixes, nuts, confections and more.
The ones I have tried (All my new favorites)are:

Organic Chocolate Almonds – The organic almonds are batch roasted and then covered in creamy organic chocolate that’s grown and harvested on sustainable organic farms. Crunchy and sweet, the chocolate almonds are the perfect touch to your dessert table.  Ours are dark chocolate, making them not too sweet and the perfect after-dinner treat.
Tamari Roasted Mixed Nuts – A premium and deluxe blend of all-natural …

Travel to Tomorrow is a new young adult book by author and illustrator Angela Sage Larsen. It is a story about time-traveling and friendship, and chronicles the adventures of five high school girls in 1955 who wake up one morning, finding themselves 55 years into the future. The characters, who all have very diverse personalities, must work together to get back to 1955. The book is the first of five titles from Angela’s family-friendly “Fifties Chix” series.
In 1955, five high school classmates Mary, Judy, Maxine, Beverly and Ann are assigned …

Last December I shared with you a fun thing – Record a Story: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.  My girls loved it.  In fact, they loved it so much, they could not wait to get it out and listen to it over and over (and over and over…) again.  And I don’t even mind listening to my own voice on the recording.:)
They come in all sorts of themes ~ Christmas, Princess, Bedtime, Dora, Thomas, you name it.  There is bound to be just the right theme for your little cutie. …

As a mom, it is my job to find good, quality movies for my girls and my husband and I to watch together.  We used to be able to count on Disney and animation to automatically provide us with family friendly movies but that is no longer the case.  Every film has to be weighed and stand alone on it’s own merit these days.

Disney, Disney/Pixar and Dreamworks are all good places for us to start, as well as Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart’s  Family Movie Night.  Thanks to Walmart and …

Brave Irene is a wonderful Children’s book and is the perfect Holiday gift that will excite parents and kids equally.  Written by William Steig and the 1986 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, it has just been re-released as a Book & CD Set.  The set is read by the multi-talented Meryl Streep.

Brave Irene is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker’s daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn’t feeling so well and can’t possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she’s made for the duchess to wear that very …

Say Anything Family Edition is a lighthearted game that will get your family talking and laughing in minutes! This family-oriented version of the popular party game gives players the chance to settle important questions like, “Which celebrity would make the worst babysitter?”, “Where’s the best place to have a birthday party” , or “What magical power would be the coolest to have?”. Then players try to choose which answer the judge will like best.
 
The best thing about Say Anything Family Edition is that there are no right or wrong …

Pipsqueak Boutique is an online shop filled with adorable baby and children’s gifts.  Launched in 2005 after the birth of the owner’s first niece, the owner of Pipsqueak Boutique, Jennifer has the amazing job of choosing the most unique products for babies.
“My criteria is simple: it has to be high quality, affordable and unique enough to pass the “giggle test”.”
Some of the best things they carry are personalized children’s products.  These include books, CDs, name trains and puzzles as well as a wide variety of personalized clothing, Baby’s First Christmas …

CONGRATULATIONS to #67 Julie!
Thanks to everyone who participated.  Watch for new and exciting things to come in 2012!
It’s hard to believe in a few short weeks, the Christmas holidays will be upon us. Around our house, it’s the chance to take life a little slower (with the kids out of school), spend time with family and friends and at some point in all of that, hopefully to bundle up with a bowl of popcorn and a good movie. (I want to see Breaking Dawn sooooo badly but that will have …

 
 
I love to take my family to live events – the Circus, Disney on Ice, sports events and musicals – so when I read about this great discounts through Ticketmaster, I knew I had to share it with you!  We have a trip planned to Disneyland 3 weeks into January so I cannot take advantage of these great prices (gotta save my cash for Disney!) but maybe you can!
Ticketmaster, a Live Nation Entertainment company, announces Holiday Ticket Deals, the companies largest ticket promotion of the year. Throughout the United States …

CONGRATULATIONS to Jill Myrick!!!  Check your email.:)
Thanks to all who supported me with this great project!
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Remember how I mentioned earlier this month that November is National Adoption Awareness month?  Well, as we are wrapping the final days of November, I want to share a special thing from Jockey…yes the underwear folks.  This November, as part of Jockey Being Family® – Jockey’s commitment to adoptive families across North America – they’re celebrating National Adoption Month by helping to provide a little extra comfort to adoptive families.
To show their commitment to adoptive …

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you all had a wonderful day full of family, food and fun!!  I am so grateful to have my blog as an outlet and a chance to ‘meet’ wonderful people like YOU!!
Now it is BLACK FRIDAY and most people focus on the deals and discounts that are available for shopping, but there are actually lots of free stuff to be claimed.  I mean, you’re going to spend a lot of money on Black Friday; it’s only fair a few of those merchants give something back.  Check …

Great News! This year you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to take advantage of big savings on Thanksgiving Day at Walmart.com. All day long, you can get great online-only specials with free shipping to home or stores on the hottest gifts.  According to Deloitte, nearly half of America is expected to shop online for gifts (Deloitte, 2011)[1]
Also on Thanksgiving Day, you can preview Black Friday in-store specials on Walmart.com to plan your shopping trip for the big day.  You can access store-specific maps at http://localad.walmart.com/Walmart, or by …

CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle Frame!!!  (Check your email)
Thanks to everyone else who participated!  Have a Crafty Christmas!
————————–
I am a very crafty soul. I love to make things from different mediums, especially gifts for the Holidays. One of the most fun places that I get ideas and patterns from is You Can Make This (YCMT), from those talented twins, Kim and Kris.  They are as adorable as the site is inspiring.  If you have not been to their site, you have a treat in store!
I was lucky enough to be given two …

In the upcoming movie Disney’s “The Muppets,” Kermit the Frog sets out on a cross-country, around-the-world drive in hopes of getting the Muppets back together one more time. In celebration of the upcoming theatrical release of the movie, which opens nationwide on November 23, 2011, Alamo Rent A Car is launching the Alamo® Get The Gang Back Together Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will receive $5,000 cash towards a dream vacation to reunite with his or her own group of friends.
 
In Disney’s “The Muppets,” one of the film’s stars, Amy Adams, …

Just wanted to let you know that Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams from American Idol Season 10 just released a fun, jazzy duet version of  “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” It is available for download this week.  Here is a buy link for the single, and their video.  Enjoy!

That cute Lauren Alaina of American Idol fame, recently performed for President and Michelle Obama for PBS’s “Country Music: In Performance at the White House,” joining other famous names like Lyle Lovett, James Taylor, Darius Rucker and the Band Perry for the seventh installment of the “In Performance at the White House” series. Lauren joined Dierks Bentley for a duet of country classic “Always On My Mind,” and gave new life to Loretta Lynn’s hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”  The special is set to air TONIGHT Wednesday, November 23 at 8pm …

 
Hi ho, friends! With Disney’s “The Muppets” coming to theaters soon in their brand new, big-screen comedy adventure, it’s time to answer that all-important question:
WHICH MUPPET ARE YOU?
Don’t worry, this won’t involve turning green or growing fur, all you have to do to find out is answer the following questions:
Question 1: What do your co-workers often find in your e-mails?
A) Hi ho! A simple and friendly greeting.
B) A joke. They may not need it, but they’re going to read it!
C) A demand, a self-flattering remark, and a reference to yourself …

 
Let’s face it.  No matter how far in advance you prepare, little kitchen blunders can still sneak up on you and throw you off course during the holidays. This Thanksgiving, Real Simple wants to help you avoid the worst of the messes and mishaps.
Thanksgiving 911 is their online hub for all your Thanksgiving emergencies. Whether your turkey won’t defrost or your pie crust keeps cracking, RealSimple.com has all the tips you need for a trouble-free Thanksgiving.
Also, come on and join them tomorrow, Tuesday, November 22nd, between 3:00 and …

Every year for the entire month of November we learn about the brave voyage the Pilgrims made and the important friendship that formed between the Pilgrims and Indians in my kindergarten classroom. I chose to dress like Indians for our family Thanksgiving feast because the kids can get creative with their art. As we learn about the Indians I teach them a few writing symbols the Indians used and the kids use them as they decorate.
For the headband and necklace I dye uncooked noodles. Pour rubbing alcohol and a few …

Most people think holiday gifts are meant to be wrapped with a bow, but the truth is that more than 800,000 people around the world were impacted by gifts last year through World Vision’s Gift Catalog that didn’t come with decorative paper or ribbon.
“The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to honor a loved one and give a gift that has real-life implications on a family in need,” said Traci Coker, World Vision Gift Catalog national director. “As little as $16 can feed a family in the US for a …

Ready or not the Holiday season is upon us  and it’s TIME TO SHOP!  As you know, one of my favorite places to shop for kids’ clothes is Tea Collection!  Tea Collection will be having a special Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale featuring $15 dresses for girls and $15 pants for boys valid 11/25 through 11/27.  Here are some of my absolute favorite gift ideas:
For girls, I love the Pinata Stripe Dress!  This dress was inspired by the brightly colored striped pinatas in Mexico.  The dress is made of 100% cotton …

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline and her daughter, Francesca Serritella, are the best of friends – 99% of the time. They’re number one on each other’s speed dial and they tell each other everything – well, almost everything. They share shoes and clothes – except one very special green jacket, which almost caused a catfight. In other words, they’re just like every mother and daughter in the world. Best friends and occasional enemies. Now they’re dishing about it all: their lives, their relationship, and even their carb count.
Lisa …

Holiday Travel.
It’s a beating, no two ways about it.
But it CAN be simplified.  It CAN be made better.
The folks over at Travel Products.com have come up with a wonderful set of articles, all relating to Holiday Travel and how to make it better.  Below are a few tips from their articles:
Save the gift-wrapping for after the flight. Don’t waste time wrapping presents before you leave – security might have to unwrap them when you go through the checkpoint. You can wrap the presents once you arrive, or you can pack …

Break free from the ovals and explode onto the pavements, beaches and off-road areas of some of the most beloved NASCAR® sanctioned race tracks. The thrill in re-discovering familiar tracks with a new twist gives NASCAR Unleashed™ a completely unchained stock car experience. See the sights, feel the salty ocean breeze and blast past the lofty skyscrapers; it’s a whole new world of NASCAR racing! Players will fight their way to be the best as NASCAR Unleashed brings the fun and excitement off the track and into your house.
Main Features:

All-Star …

 
DreamWorks Pictures’ “War Horse,” director Steven Spielberg’s epic adventure, is a tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War. “War Horse” begins with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him. When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets—British cavalry, German soldiers, and a …

Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the talented team behind Disney Animation Studio’s global blockbuster Tangled, will premiere a delightful new animated short film spotlighting the royal wedding of Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) and Flynn Rider – a.k.a Eugene – (Zachary Levi) in front of each screening of Beauty and the Beast in 3D, which opens on January 13, 2012.

By popular demand, Greno and Howard are bringing back some of Disney’s most beloved characters when Tangled Ever After picks up where Tangled left off. The Kingdom is in a festive mood …

The Oh Nuts brand is a nationally recognized one stop shop for everything in dried fruits, nuts, chocolates, candies, related confections (both finished products and raw ingredients,) custom and pre-configured gift baskets for any occasion, (real or imagined)—even hard to find items like sugar-free and organic products.
 

Not only do they have an extraordinary line of confections but you can customize a basket of goodies to suit any occasion, recipient or budget—without turning yourself into a basket case in the process. They have specialty baskets for most every religious and secular …

Written by Barbara Cameron and released in October 2011, A Time for Peace is the third and final chapter in her series Quilts of Lancaster County.  Based upon time Barbara spent in the Amish community of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, she has woven this tale of fiction bringing her characters to life.
…Jenny Bontrager tells herself she should be happy: she has converted to the Amish faith, married her true love, Matthew Bontrager, and is mother to his three children. But she longs for a child – just one child – of …

As the winter months approach, it can be difficult to find fun activities for children to do indoors.  But even a rainy day can go from the ordinary to the officially amazing!  Challenge yourself – and your children – by trying to break a Guinness World Record!
In honor of Guinness World Records Day today, Thursday, November 17th, here are a couple of record-breaking ideas that are easy to do at home, and may even get you in the book!

 
For more ideas on how to spend a record-breaking day with your …