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 …

When I was offered the chance to review the delicious Pillsbury Orange Sweet Rolls, how could I say no? Quick to make and delicious to eat, there is nothing like eating them fresh out of the oven . . . all soft, gooey, and warm. You also put on the icing yourself so you control how much or how little you want and with a family like mine, that is really important. Some, like P1, want little to no frosting (is the child sick?) then there is P2 who is …

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 …

I know I usually announce the winners on the actual post but I have several to do and I am short on time so without further adieu,…
Chinese New Year Giveaways
Uncle Sam Cereal -Congratulations Kim @ What’s That Smell? – You win both boxes!!!!

32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny – Congratulations Kelly Deaton!!
FRUBI Shades – Congratulations 7 karen M!!

Other Stragglers
YOU Can Make That! -  Congratulations karen M!!
Kroger Gift Card – Congratulations judy brittle!!
Success as a Foster Parent: Everything You Need to Know About Foster Care – Congratulations MtnGirl!!

Congratulations …

Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars is gearing up to start on March 22nd and as usual has a great cast of stars and dancers to present.  I was happy to see that I knew most of the stars and that many of my favorite dancers would be on this season.  Here is the rundown:
Aiden Turner from All My Children will dance with Edyta Sliwinska
Buzz Aldrin of NASA fame will dance with Ashly Costa
Chad Ochocinco from the Bengals dances with Cheryl Burke
Erin Andrews from ESPN dances with …

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 …

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 …

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!
Trying to lose weight and eat healthier?  I know I sure am.  Well, if you have not tried Uncle Sam cereal, you really should consider it.  What, you did once years ago?  You think it is a Granny cereal?  Bahhh!
Seriously, my Mom has eaten this for years and we all love it.  As you can see from the nutritional data, it is full of fiber …

Did I tell you?  Guess what!  I am a General Hospital Brand Ambassador!!  Of course I was really excited when I received the email from  Mom Central and ABC Daytime saying that I have been chosen as a General Hospital Brand Ambassador!  I’ll be getting the inside scoop on the latest news and happenings in Port Charles, and of course I’ll get to share them with all of you!

I know, I know…a Soap Opera.  Well, I have a special tie to this Soap Opera. You see, when I was little, sometimes my Mom …

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 …

Suave Kids® has launched the Wash Them Grow Sweepstakes, with chances to win awesome weekly prizes of a Family e-Keepsake Kit and the Grand Prize of a family vacation to Orlando!  Who wouldn’t love that!?!?  Simply head over to WashThemGrow.com to play a fun online trivia game and receive an automatic entry into the Suave Kids® Wash Them Grow Sweepstakes. You can enter daily from January 18th until February 22 and literally watch your baby grow online as you progress through the milestones of …

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 …

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 #4:  Since It’s the Weekend — Make it a game night!

Playing number-related, age-appropriate board games, such as Chutes and Ladders, can help support many math-related skills.  For an important twist, help your child practice saying each number he or she lands on and passes by with each roll of the dice. For example, if your child is on 23 and rolls a …

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 …

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 …

Chivalry is alive and well!!  I  so thrilled and loved reading all of the replies you left!!
So without further adieu………
#25 – Rebecca
#30 – dispatcher _ kristy
#34 – Roxann
#121 – Kate @ ParentTrend
#172 – Shannon
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
If you get this information before you hear from me via email, please contact me at 3girlzmama at gmail dot com and include send me your name, shipping address, size and color request and we shall get them sent out to ya!!

Thank you to everyone who participated!!!

You may have seen the Dockers Men Without Pants commercial …

Oh! Nuts is a family-owned business that has been serving up great gift and goodies since 1992.  Take a look at the huge assortment of fresh and yummy candy, chocolates, and gifts offered at Oh! Nuts, including beautiful chocolate flowers, candy kisses, specialty candy, dried fruits and nuts,  rich flavored chocolates, sugar-free candies, and you will soon have a hard time choosing!  We were sent a selection of Onion Garlic Pistachios,  Assorted Pastel Jordan Almonds, and Roasted Salted Cashews and let me tell you ~ they were DELICIOUS!

Want to get …

Bear Portraits (Little, Brown & Co/ Nov 2009) is a beautiful ‘coffee table’ book full of photographs by Jill Greenberg that you have to see to believe.  The cute guy on the front cover is rather deceiving compared to what you can find inside.
Her previous ‘animal’ book was Monkey Portraits.  In Bear Portraits, Greenberg “…seeks to capture the awe that they inspire…” and capture that she does.
Because these are trained bears, she is able to get up much more close and personal than we would normally be able to see …

Rebelle by Daisy Cook is a hot new brand for Tweens. Daisy sent us two Friendship Bags, both Butterfly-style, one Victorian Pink and one Victorian Blue. Friendship Bags are super cute handbags that are wearable, shareable, and detachable. You can Mix, Match and Trade with your best friends and that is exactly what my daughter did with our samples.

They come as what appears to be a single purse with several great pockets and one big zipper down the center.  Unzip the center zipper on both purses then put your blue …

Well, Happy Chinese New Year!!

Remember Chinese New Year is the celebration of a new lunar year. It is a fifteen day holiday that starts on the evening of the second new moon after the winter solstice. This is sometime in January or February each year. This holiday ends with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.

In China, this holiday is also called Spring Festival since it marks the change in the weather from bitter cold to the coming of warmer weather.  Kinda the Chinese version of Punxatawny Phil.
Looking …

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year as it is sometimes called, is a time for family, fun, and friendship.  As part of our family is Chinese, we celebrate this fantastic holiday and decided to share it with you as well!
Here is how it will work: Beginning tonight, I am hosting a a great CNY Gift Guide.  During the next two weeks, I will continue to add other wonderful gifts that you might want to consider giving (or getting!) as a gift yourself.  The actual Giveaways start being listed on …

Wanna be one of the Cool Kids??

Check out Business2Blogger!!

What is B2B?
Well, to the Blogger, it offers some of the greatest paid writing opportunities that are out there before they are gone.  (read more / sign up)
For the Businessess, it gives a great free way to connect with the many different Bloggers and writers and get their products and services promoted. (read more / get started)
So who put this all together?  Some very cool people….no seriously, v*e*r*y cool…..
Holly, Jay, and Shauna

So how do I know Holly, Jay, and Shauna ??
Well, …

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 …

Well, we know who is playing and the hype is building daily.  Super Bowl party planning is in full swing.
While you may not be thinking about the dangers of buzzed driving this time of year, you or someone you know will likely be attending a party where alcohol is served. So whether you’re rooting for the Colts or the Saints,  (Remember, I want them both to win – Who Dat!? AND luv me some Manning!), there are some things you need to remember to keep yourself and your loved ones …

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 …

This giveaway has ended and the winner has been selected – Congratulations #101  ASHLEY!!!!
Thanks to all who participated!

Are you ready for some football?!!  I said, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??!!  Who Dat?  Go Colts!! Come on Saints!!
Well, whoever you are cheering for at this Superbowl while you are having fun and choosing your favorite commercials, be sure you have the all of the best Game time foods to enjoy.  (Poor Brett…I am away at BlissDom and he has a church meeting with P2 that night…maybe he and I can …

The giveaway has ended and the winner has been drawn – Congratulations to #28 Jo!!!!
Thanks to all who participated!!
When people come together for a party, any party, chips and dip are practically a requirement.  Potato chip and  Tortilla chip lovers alike have one thing in common – the search for a great dip. Dean’s® Dip recently gave me some vouchers to try out their dips so that I can share my thoughts with you about them as well as my honest opinion.
For our New Year’s Eve party, we tried their French …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

*****and the winner is….#40 RENEE from What Mommies Need!!!!******

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Thank you everyone who participated!  I loved reading all of the great stories!
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For me, It’s hard to imagine life without books.  From my earliest days of looking at picture books, reading has shaped my life.  It distracts me by taking me on fantastic adventures, continually educates me, allows me to expand my imagination and so much more.
Over the years, technology has changed the way many of us do a lot of things, including reading.  Not only has it made reading more accessible, …

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 …

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 …

This contest is closed and the winner is #86,  Karen M!!!!
Congratulations Karen!
Thanks to everyone who participated. If you liked this, wait until you see some of my upcoming surprises!!
We all need to save money these days, right, even in this new year? Well have I got a giveaway for you!!
One  lucky reader will receive a Prize Pack with:  free coupons from Toll House (chocolate chips and cookie dough), Carnation Evaporated Milk and Breakfast Essentials, Stouffer’s, Juicy Juice and Boost Kid Essentials, as well as products from Wonka and Rasinets. We’ll …

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 …

One of the coolest things under our tree this year is some Melissa & Doug play food.  It’s the Slice and Bake Cookie Set and my 3 year old will love it!  This thirty piece wooden set includes twelve cookies, twelve cookie toppings, an oven mitt, spatula, knife, cookie tray, and cookie tube.

The Melissa & Doug toys are incredibly sturdy and well made.  The  Bake Cookie Set even has a durable dough tube for storing the serviceable velcro cookies (cool, huh?).  Its paint is non-toxic, tested safe, and lead free. I just wish …

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I have just now discovered the POURfect bowl collection and let me tell you, it is cool!  No, I did not misspell it ~ POURfect is correct.  It;s name comes from it;s many, many uses. It’s a measuring bowl, mixing bowl, and pouring bowl all-in-one. To you and me, that equates to one really great thing - fewer dishes to clean and lots more shelf space.  It also means less chance of spills and dirty counters.  I think I am in Heaven!

POURfect bowls can be used to measure small amounts from …

If you are you a fan of Dancing With The Stars like my Mom and I, you know that getting taught to dance by one of the Pros would be both a dream and a nightmare, all rolled into one.  They really put their Stars through major workouts, day after grueling day and before the Stars know what’s happening, they are out there on the floor shimmying with the best of them.  I have also seen how fit and trim they become too.  Who wouldn’t with that kind of daily workout …

Remember when I shared with you about the Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation chain of restaurants? Included in the information about the Resaurants and giveaway was information about the crEATe contest  and I thought that you might like to know that voting is now open for the top 10 creations!

If you’d like to see what your fellow diners came up with and vote for the creation that you think looks the best, stop by the crEATe contest .
Voting is open until 12/31 and the grand prize winner will be announced on January 8, 2010. …

“At Progresso, we craft all our soups, broths and foods from authentic recipes using only the highest quality ingredients. We are dedicated to making better taste better for you. We believe that food should always be delicious, and there is no reason that delicious food can’t fit within your diet. At Progresso, we love great food. It’s been our passion for more than 50 years.”
Progresso’s new High Fiber line offers four great-tasting varieties, all with no added MSG*, no artificial flavors and seven grams of fiber per serving. With 28% …