A few weeks ago, while watching the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, I had a fun party planned. It was not an Olympic Party as you might assume. Instead, it was a party to watch a commercial or two being held during the Opening Ceremonies. What could be cool enough to warrant such a party, you ask?  This.  Just watch and see….

What could interrupt a party of this type and force some extra creative thinking on my part?
SNOW….multiple inches of the white, fluffy, cold stuff.  Normally, for most …

I just posted an article over on the incredibly helpful Top Mom Blogger.  Head on over and take a look!

We all do it sooner or later – question if we want to host our own blog. For me, it came last year while I was switching from Blogger to WordPress. When I added self-hosted to the mix as well, I was a little afraid that the learning curve would be too steep. Thankfully, I chose my hosting company well and I have had very few issues.
But how …

Right now through the end of March, you can run over and get 4 FREE Dr. Seuss book digital downloads from Kidthing!   How perfect for my new Sony Reader!
The titles offered are:
:: Hop on Pop::
:: Horton Hears a Who::
:: Green Eggs & Ham::  (My favorite!)
:: The Cat in the Hat::
So here is what you do:
1. Download the FREE kidthing 2.0 application.
2. Go to the “Store” tab, enter “KTCODE-NEA5RAA” into the search engine and hit ENTER.
3. Add the 4 books to your cart
4. Go to checkout and download your books for …

It’s time to celebrate Spring mommies-to-be! On March 10, Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect will hold its second seasonal Virtual Baby Shower, hosted by celebrity broadcaster and mom, Jillian Barberie Reynolds.
Moms can join Jillian in this daylong celebration featuring online games, tons of prizes, advice and more. They can even invite their friends to participate and make new friends, too. Jump in at anytime, or stay all day!
Jillian recently had her second child in January and a baby shower of her own in December. Some of her tips for …

I am so not a gossiper.  Seriously.  Just not my thing.  But when I was given the chance to share something really Juicy with you, well this was one time I just could not pass it up.  That is right, I am truly and honestly a Tropicana Juicy Insider!
So what does a Tropicana Juicy Insider do, pray tell? Well, this means I get to do a couple of things.  I get to try out the great new Tropicana Juicy Rewards program and tell you all about it!  You have yet …

Are you one of those collecting the furry little critters known as Zhu Zhu Pets?  And have you seen the adorable little Zhu Zhu Babies?
Well Baxter, an exclusive Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamster baby, will come packaged as a Collector’s Edition item with the initial release of the Zhu Zhu Pets™ video game for Nintendo DS™.  But hurry because this Collector’s Edition will be produced in limited quantities and will be available only until they sell out.
When does it come out, you ask?  March 23rd, 2010 and it will be available …

Last week, I told you to quit whining and get rid of the laundry and Badger Mom wanted to know how many items her kids actually needed, anyway.
Instead of just replying to her comment, I thought it would be best to write a post with my answer.   Now, please understand that everyone’s needs are different, but this should be the bare bones of each person’s wardrobe.
You need to sit down and plan how many outfits each member of your family needs. Most families wash the laundry once a …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!!
In case this is your first visit to the Goody Round Up, it is posted each week.  If you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if you wish to send in your contest listing, feel …

Several times over the past couple of years, I have talked several times about how my girls have become huge fans of the Barbie DVDs (as well as myself, surprisingly). P1 and P2 probably think they are Barbie, truth be told, so each time she comes out with a new DVD, they are in love with it, dancing around and singing the songs after the first time they see it.  P3 is now getting right in line with them too.
Mom Central recently let me know that the Sing Along with …

Gaylord Opryland Resort
February 2010

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky.  Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom,  The Not-So-Blog Blog, Sweet n Sassy Girls, Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy, Mom Start, Fairytales & Puppy Dog Tails,  What’s that Smell?, MomDot, Green Mama’s Pad, What Mommies Need, Here and There and Wordless Wednesday for more terrific WW!

These images were …

JUST IN TIME FOR NATIONAL PANCAKE MONTH
AUNT JEMIMA FROZEN BREAKFAST SAVES THE MORNING

WHILE NATION FACES WAFFLE SHORTAGE, CONSUMERS FLIP FOR PANCAKES!
MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ (January 27, 2010) — February is National Pancake Month, giving pancake lovers across the country the perfect reason to start the day off right with a warm breakfast. With the nation currently facing a hot breakfast shortage due to the lack of frozen waffles, Aunt Jemima® Frozen Pancakes offer families the perfect path to delicious pancakes.
“It’s time to l’eggo your Eggo,” says Eric Hintz, Category Manager …

I am sure you are all familiar with this ‘little’ ol’ company and signage to the left. You may not be as familiar with the signage here on the right.  So here is the story:  Once upon a time, there was a lovely man named John who worked for Walmart in a very unique position.  He was very forward thinking and created a very select and hand picked group of social media savvy moms and called them the Eleven Moms (as there were, at one time Eleven of them.)  …

This contest has closed and the winners are announced HERE.
Thanks to everyone whoo enjoyed our little inpromptu giveaway!  Watch for our Mother’s Day one in April!
I love to read but rarely have time these days.  However,  32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching was a quick and easy read, written in short, entertaining chapters by someone who knows.  I have seriously laughed and cried the whole way through the book. Written by Phillip Done’, his tales from the elementary trenches are both heartwarming and hilarious at …

Brainy Baby DVD’s are more than just your ABC’s, let me tell you!  Created with the intent of providing something reality-based and intelligent – for both parents and children, Brainy Baby was started in 1995. Their videos now feature multi-ethnic children, toe-tapping original music, nursery rhymes and instrumental classics and their product line now includes over 100 product offerings including videos, CDs, books, games, and toys!
A brand new study found that “The Brainy Baby Company today announced the results of a study conducted at the University of Texas, Austin, which …

This contest has closed and the winners are announced HERE.
Thanks to everyone whoo enjoyed our little inpromptu giveaway!  Watch for our Mother’s Day one in April!

NEW Patented FRUBI SHADES® are protective eyewear created for children ages 0-6.  Soft and malleable with a velcro closure in back, they provide a fun and safe way to filter out the harmful UV rays that cause us all to squint.  Made with ULTRAGUARD POLYCARBONATE® lenses, they offer serious (maximum) protection for the eyes of the children you love!
As we age, our natural eye lenses …

Remember me mentioning Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s impending DVD release of LeapFrog: MATH ADVENTURE TO THE MOON next week?  Well here is your fun Math tip for the weekend.
TIP #5:  Count-down for Launch!

You and Your Kids can pretend to be rocket ships set for launch.  Practice counting down to blast-off!  You can make the challenge as easy or difficult as you want remembering that you don’t have to start counting down from 10.  You and your kids can count down by ones (e.g., 17, 16, 15, 14…) or  Practice counting …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!!

In case this is your first visit to the Goody Round Up, it is posted each week.  If you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if you wish to send in your contest listing, feel …

When you are a Mom, many of your passions take a backseat to run after our kids, be a bit of all things to all people, try to keep our homes spotless sanitary, be the room mom/PTA President/school volunteer/literal soccer mom, and generally try to have everyone where they need to be in a timely manner. So, to all of us “passionistas” out there, and as a celebration of things that take us out of everyday stress, Prilosec OTC, a leading over-the-counter heartburn treatment, dreamed up the “Official Sponsor of …

Ahhhh Twilight.  I know it surprises many that I love it so.  I started loving it a bit backwards for me….I saw Twilight (after it came out on DVD, I might add) then immediately began to consume the books in semi-record fashion.  And my fascination with the Twilight Saga, I must admit, is vast and complex.  Team Edward?  Yeah, all the way.  Kristen Stewart as Bella… works for me.  Billy Burke as Charlie….you bet!  And as much as I love the movie, yeah, the director…hmmm, not so much.  After I …

Have you heard the news?? Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s impending DVD release of LeapFrog: MATH ADVENTURE TO THE MOON has caused the folks at Lionsgate Home Entertainment to do a ‘Count’down to the DVD release on February 23rd by offering up Math Tips aimed at easing a child’s fear of math and making learning fun.  I know I could have used those myself!!  Below are the first three tips for you to see if you can get the kiddos excited about math and the DVD release on Tuesday!

TIP #1:  Math …

This cool looking flag was seen as a view from our window at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel during BlissDom then adjusted using my new Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4. (Don’t worry ~ I have tons more to show and tell about BlissDom!)

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky.  Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom,  The Not-So-Blog Blog, Sweet n Sassy Girls, Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup, coming to you straight from BLISSDOM!!

In case this is your first visit to the Goody Round Up, it is posted each week.  If you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if you wish …

This giveaway has ended and the winner has been drawn – Congratulations to #30…. Eileen!!!
Thanks for all who participated!
Well, it is almost February 7, 2010, the date when you and your family gather around the TV to watch the most anticipated football game of the year ~ the Super Bowl.  And NO SuperBowl is complete without some really great food to snack on, right?

Our favorite recipes vary from year to year.  This year I received an adorable Old El Paso Green Chiles prize pack from Old El Paso and …

I find it rather humorous that on National Go Red for Women Day, it is also…..
World Nutella Day : February 5, 2010!

Happy World Nutella Day!
Join the celebration!

Learn how to participate

Check out the action at the World Nutella Day Fan Page on Facebook!
Follow our Twitter stream @nutelladay for updates

Follow live Tweets with the event Twitter hashtag: #nutelladay
Get creative with more than 400 Nutella recipes
Some tips on how to Host a World Nutella Day party at home

New to Nutella? Learn what the fuss is about

Nutella is more than just a “chocolaty hazelnut …

Did you know?
Heart disease threatens more women’s lives than any other health issue. Right now, 1 in 3 women is affected by cardiovascular disease.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Heart disease can be prevented, and we can help save women’s lives!
That’s why we’re joining the American Heart Association this month and speaking up for the women in our life! You can help save lives too!
Today, February 5th, is National Wear Red day. Speak up to save lives and have fun while helping to fund education, outreach and research …

The flurry of red, white, and pink cupid and heart cut-out decorations in stores and classrooms signals the rapid approach of Valentine’s Day. If choosing a thoughtful gift to display your affection to your Valentine sends you into a panic, turn to Mom Central’s second annual Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for an array of gift suggestions for men, women, and kids. In addition to using it as a resource for gift ideas, you can enter to win giveaways each week for all of the featured products!
Three of the exciting giveaways …

Having a Chinese child has changed many things in our home from the Holidays we celebrate (Chinese New Year, for example) to some of the meals we eat.  One instance here is the fact that I include rice in many more of our meals than ever before.  Now lately, with my emotional ups and downs and what have you, I have been trying to buy the items for meals that are quick and easy so Brett doesn’t have to come home and having to cook the entire meal himself.
Well, recently …

The bliss of Blissdom was founded in 2008 by Allison Worthington of Blissful Media. Alli wanted to give the beautiful partners she knew from her magazine Blissfully Domestic and throughout the blogosphere a conference that was a little different: one that lacked hot-button topics and negativity. Instead, Alli wanted to create an uplifting gathering in the heartland of Tennessee, for women who wanted to share lots of support and encouragement to build blogs that fit their lives, personal goals and values. A smaller, meaningful conference, in the warm and welcoming …

I was just  included in the Neosporin Lip Health 3-Day Challenge thanks to Mom Central and since I am a HUGE fan of  Neosporin products and have infamously dry lips, I could not have been happier to take part.
The Neosporin Lip Health 3-Day Challenge is easy and takes almost no time. Essentially, you use two products: Neosporin Lip Health Daily Hydration Therapy and Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy. You use the hydration therapy at least once during the day and you dab on the overnight renewal therapy before …

Image compliments of Hoodie1313

Well, this day just keeps getting better and better.  After being woken up at 5 by my Hubby and the cat, things were going alright for a a while.  Then the children started getting up for school, and yet, things were going smoother than they have been.  Until it was time for P1 to brush her hair.  I guess she brushed her hair as well as she ever does and yet she was shockingly compliant when it was time for me to double check her …

You know how I love China’s Orphans. After all, they gave me my P3!  Now, of course, times have changed and it is difficult to get a healthy child from China but there are many, many children still available with what could be very remediable medical conditions here in the US and other economically advantaged countries.  Of course, you really want to be able to bring home a child who has had all of the loving care possible, just like my P3 – Not an easily guaranteed thing.

Well, at …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!
Welcome to the end of January and the beginning of February!!

In case this is your first visit to the Goody Round Up, it is posted each week.  If you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, …

As you have likely heard by now, Kurt Warner ~ Quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals ~ has chosen to retire.
“Obviously, it’s been 12 unbelievable years, some of the best years of my life, but I want everybody to know that I’m just as excited about the next 12, that I’m excited about what lies in front of me. I’m excited about spending more time with my family, and seeing what God’s going to do next.”
Such a classy guy.  I  have nothing but the greatest respect for a man with that …

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December  2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of   Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula.  Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns …

Is this not precious??  She was born January 7th.  Way to go Mama!  Cannot wait to head down to San Antonio and see them!

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky.  Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, Fabric Creation,  The Not-So-Blog Blog, Sweet n Sassy Girls, Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy, Mom Start, The Morris Bunch,  What’s …

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JULIE, #2!!
Let me introduce you to Zulily,  a new private-sale shopping site for children’s boutique brands. Two smart dads of small children listened to their wives (They also happen to be the entrepreneurs who changed the ways diamonds were purchased with a little company called Blue Nile.) and created Zulily.
Zulily is formally opening to the public TODAY, January 27, with 72-hour sales that will offer up to 70% discounts on adorable children’s boutique brands. Basically, it’s the personal shopper busy moms always want and …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!
So hard to believe that it is almost the end of January!

The Goody Round Up is posted each week.  Remember, if you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if you wish to send in your …

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo…or as it is still know at my house, the Fat Stock Show.:)  Believe it or or not, it is held in Fort Worth Texas.:)  If you have never been, well, you have missed out for sure!
More than 925,000 visitors and exhibitors are expected to pass through the gates to enjoy Fort Worth’s most attended event. Ranchers, farmers and the general public will gather from throughout the U.S. and more than 50 foreign countries to view in excess of 22,000 head of livestock that …

Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner have teamed up yet to again, this time to support Save the Children, an organization to help children living in poverty here in the U.S.
Frigidaire’s new Spin & Win game gives you the opportunity to win gift cards for spending quality time with your children. They’re giving away a prize every day.  Plus, you could also win a brand new Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer!
Best of all, once you’ve registered to play, every time you spin, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children, as part …

As you likely know by now, I love Build a Bear.  Not only do they make adorable plush of top quality but they also are incredibly generous, most especially to those in need.
Each year for the past seven years, Build-A-Bear Workshop, through their yearly Huggable Heroes searches, Build a Bear has honored and rewarded 58 kids for doing amazing things to make a difference and help others.  This year, ten Huggable Heroes, between the ages of eight and 18, from the United States and Canada, will be selected …

What a fun surprise to get an email the other day from Soft Scrub Team saying, “Congratulations!  You Have Been Chosen as a Soft Scrub Club Capitan!”  Not only will I get a chance to interact with some of the other uber cool Moms and Bloggers out there but I will get to try out the latest Soft Scrub brand products and tell YOU about them.  I will also have the chance to share some great giveaways with you as well so watch for this logo.  You never know what …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!
And since it is the new year, time to go win some stuff, right? Right!
The Goody Round Up is posted each week.  Remember, if you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if you wish to …

We are having a bit of a cold snap….. it is supposed to be something like  11 degrees tomorrow.  This is Texas….we do not do cold like this.:)  Nevertheless, it got me thinking about when I lived in Idaho, Utah and Quebec and some of the drives I have taken trough wintery, icy conditions.  Here are five great new tips to help preserve your car and keep the family safe while on the road this season:
1.      In today’s economy, parents are looking to hang onto the …

In this part of Texas, we do not get much in the way of snow, especially at Christmas time.  Well 2009 went out of it’s way to keep us on our toes with snow on both Christmas Eve and New Years Day.  The Christmas Eve snow was really icy and made the roads treacherous but the kids made sure to enjoy it.  New Years Day snow was, as seen in the images above, big, wet, fluffy flakes – perfect for a snowman or snowball fight.  The kids were so sad …

Okay, back in the saddle after the Holidays.
Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!
And since it is the new year, time to go win some stuff, right? Right!
I will endeavor to list this regularly each week again.  Remember, if you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by …

Are you a baker?  I may not be Betty Crocker but I do like to bake.  Last August at BlogHer, I got to try some of this yummy, nummy Pillsbury Easy Frost frosting in a can.  It was smooth and creamy and just like (or better) than the sort you buy at the store on the cake aisle above the boxed cake mixes.
The makers of Pillsbury baking products announce the “Pillsbury Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting Challenge,” and call on all dessert lovers to unlock frosting fun, think creatively …

TurboTax®, the nation’s No. 1 rated, best-selling tax preparation software from Intuit Inc. is conducting its third annual nationwide search for America’s Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction. The parents of one lucky baby, born in December 2009, will win $5,000.
To enter, parents or legal guardians should submit a photo of their baby born between Dec. 1-31, to www.cutesttaxdeduction.com. The deadline for submissions is January 7, 2010. Judges will select 10 finalists, and America will determine America’s Cutest Last-Minute Tax Deduction and the $5,000 grand prize winner!!
Disclaimer: I received no compensation for …

As the only male in a house full of females, my wife asked me to play the new Family Fun Football game for Wii and let her know what I thought of it.  Now, I love football, so I eagerly accepted the challenge.

This game was rated E for everyone by the ESRB.  They described it as:

This is a football game in which players can select a team of “cartoony” children or mascots and compete in an entry-level football experience. Players can use power-ups (e.g., “Speed Boost” and …

Meet Marie, the newest member of our family.  P2 recently had her birthday and one of her gifts from Mom and Dad was a cat of her own.  Marie had been well loved by her previous owner but her owner passed away, leaving Marie and a few other cats homeless.   I wish we could have taken them all but alas, we could not.

Iams Home 4 The Holidays has the mission to help place 1.5 million pets in loving homes by January 4th, 2010 and that is coming up …

 
It was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie, flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, “Now what’s the matter?” With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with …