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 …

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. …

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!
———————–
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 …

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 …

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!

 
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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

A  couple of years ago, we discovered the wonderfully illustrated book, ‘Pinkalicious‘.  It was followed in quick succession by ‘Purplicious‘, ‘Goldilicious‘ and ‘Silverlicious‘.  All four are about a little girl who is completely in love with the color pink and some character building experiences she goes through.
In Pinkalicious, It’s Party Time for Nintendo DS, players will be able to interact with Pinkalicious and explore the magical town of Pinkville, including popular places like The Bakery, Florist, Ice Cream Parlor and Stationery Store. Players help her set up  parties that mean …

This great little stocking suffer is sure to please any electronics guru in your life.  The folks at Energizer just launched the Energizer® Universal USB Charger that turns any wall or outlet into your own personal charging station.  The Energizer Universal USB Charger is compact and lightweight for easy portability, make charging all of your handheld electronic devices possible while on the go.  With the dual port charger, you can save space and time by charging two USB powered devices on one outlet.
These smartly –designed chargers work with the USB …

The latest from the producer of the Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning Classical Baby series, A Child’s Garden of Poetry ingeniously introduces the whole family to masterpieces of poetry through a creative mix of beautiful recordings and colorful animation. Featuring poems from some the world’s greatest writers voiced by today’s most respected entertainment performers, this captivating all-new HBO Family®special will be a wonderful addition to any DVD collection.

The 2011 Emmy® winner for Outstanding Children’s Program, A Child’s Garden of Poetry contains a magical mix of lyrical animation and live-action scenes that …

A heartwarming story, just in time for the Christmas season!  THE PUPPY THAT CAME FOR CHRISTMAS (A Plume Original, on sale October 25, 2011). 
All Megan Rix and her husband wanted was a baby, but life had different plans. Rix shares how the disappointment and loss in trying to build a family, led her and her husband to become a different kind of parent to a few life-changing golden retrievers – Megan and her husband, Ian, found a surprising answer when they began training golden retriever pups to become service dogs …

Care for the delicate skin of your baby with synthetic-free skincare that is safe and effective for both babies and moms. Below is a collection of products from suki® skincare that help with common issues like baby rash, dryness, and irritation:
Butter cream healing salve: Mommies and babies alike will enjoy the soothing qualities of this intensive deep healing treatment, perfect for rescuing dry, chafed irritated skin. Use on dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, stretch marks and baby rash. $24.95
Velvet moisturizing cream: Smooth and soothe bumps and protect against future dryness with …

Step aside, full lips and tan skin. These days, it’s all about drama in the eyes. A few years ago, we might have wanted plump, bee-stung lips like Angelina Jolie, suffering through stinging lip glosses and collagen injections for it. But these days the focus has shifted to another “It” facial feature – eyelashes. Stars like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Penelope Cruz are batting their way down the red carpet with these feathery eye fringes.
The trend of cosmetic products with long-term benefits has grown over the years, as consumers …

The marketing and sale of cleansers, moisturizers, cosmeceuticals, and cosmetics is a multibillion-dollar industry.  How do you navigate through the maze of products and promises?  Which combination of treatment options, potions and lotions is the real deal?
 
In an effort to separate fact from fiction, Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman, has co-authored the book   “Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin.” This comprehensive book offers an expert’s insider view on common skin conditions and treatments that really work, in addition to offering tips on how to maximize the time …

184 STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU BUY SMARTER
AND STAY ON BUDGET FROM NOW UNTIL NEW YEAR’S

Real Simple’s November issue, on newsstands now, includes a special section with all the tips you need to get ahead for the holidays this year.   (This could really save us all!)
 
FEATURING COMPLETE GUIDES TO:
 
GETTING YOUR SHOPPING DONE IN ONE DAY
Instead of aimlessly buying gifts throughout the season (a major wallet drain), use this one-day-only game plan, chock-full of surprising strategies, to cross everything off your list now. Real Simple’s tips for Christmas shopping include: Download an …

The Experts: Piero and Luigi Pirri  With over twenty years of experience, the Italian born Pirri brothers have mastered their craft in cuts, color and texture for women and men.  Piero and Luigi combine their expertise in international hair care and styles with contemporary finesse. Infusing European flair and talent, Piero and Luigi offer their unique hair styling philosophy and natural hair care products at their salons in Greenwich, Connecticut and New York.
The Products ~ Pirri Elements & Elemental Tools: 
The Pirri Elements line was inspired by the beauty of …

Scotty McCreery Performed at 45th Annual CMA Awards
RSVP Now for Live Chat on Thursday Morning

Fans can start queuing up for their chance to chat live with Scotty today, on Thursday morning at 12/11c. Scotty will be answering questions about his performance on the CMAs, his new album, and much more. Visit his official site or the Video Chat tab on his Facebook page now to reserve a spot in line.
Hope you tuned in to ABC last night to see Scotty McCreery perform on country music’s biggest night – the …

-417 Dead Sea Cosmetics Ltd. introduces a unique cosmetic development, the Vitamin Mineral Complex, a scientific combination of natural active components, like moisture-balancing minerals from the Dead Sea, energizing  vitamins and unique plant extracts, designed to assist in regenerating skin cells and preventing aging signs. All MINUS 417 products are PARABEN FREE & MINERAL OIL FREE.
 
TIME CONTROL RECOVERY A CREAM

A special intensive treatment cream fights wrinkles and signs of aging.

High concentration of retinol (vitamin A) that plays essential roles in appearance of skin, growth, development, and maintenance of healthy skin.
Collagen …

BrilliantFx contains a high percentage of lactic acid at an effective pH and incorporates this key ingredient in a formula that is unlike any anti-aging body product on the market today.  “After noticing a void in the market for an effective anti-aging body treatment and potent moisturizer for dry, cracked or aging skin, we embarked on our mission to create this revolutionary body serum,” explains Diane Zokle, co-founder of Trinity of Youth. “By using naturally occurring medicinal agents that have been used for thousands of years, we can now offer …

PRAYING FOR STRANGERS: An Adventure of the Human Spirit (Berkley Hardcover, April 2011) by author, mother, radio personality, and speaker River Jordan 
At the start of 2009, River Jordan’s sons were both about to go off to war in Iraq and all River could do was pray for their safety. To assuage her sense of powerlessness over her sons’ deployments, River made a New Year’s resolution to pray for one complete stranger every single day for a year.
River discovers that thinking of others in this way freed her from her own …

 
Tea Collection‘s 4-day sale that starts today! Tea Collection is offering 20% off Sale items for four days only–Tuesday, November 8th through Friday, November 11th. Here are the sale details:
20% off all Sale items | Code: EXTRA20YAY | Offer valid: Tuesday, November 8th through Friday, November 11th at 11:59 pm PT.  Shipping: Free on orders over $150, $7 on everything else.
This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions.  Don’t miss this chance to do some cost-saving Christmas shopping!!

Walmart will give gamers early access to play the hottest new game for the holidays, Call of Du­­ty®: Modern Warfare® 3, with tournaments in more than 2,700 stores beginning at 8 p.m. (local time) on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Additionally, gamers can earn “Mega XP” time, consisting of 90-minutes of double experience points, with every purchase of specially-marked 20-packs of Mountain Dew®, exclusively at Walmart.
Call of Du­­ty®: Modern Warfare® 3, predicted to be one of the top-selling video games for Christmas, officially goes on sale …

Remember my post about these adorable dresses from Tea?  Well, yesterday I tackled the monsterous task of sorting my girls clothing and weeding out the items that are too Summery or too small.  It took all day and I was sad about some of the items that had to go.  Take the Tea dresses for example…P1′s are too short to wear as a dress.  Now she needs to wear them with leggings, a concept she really does not get.  P2′s is just too little all the way around and now …

It is hard to believe that with Halloween come and gone, we are a mere 52 days away from Christmas.  That means it is time to get serious about all plans Holiday, especially getting those holiday cards and letters lined up.  I have been a flop these past few years regarding getting our cards out. Last year I was determined to get them done…went so far to even get them printed but when time passed and it was Chinese New Year, I decided to give up.  Then a friend of …

Christmas has come early this weekend at Sam’s Club! Starting today, members can get a head start on holiday shopping with great values on the hottest HDTVs. Shoppers looking to avoid holiday stress this year can shop early for the best gift to put under the tree – an HDTV!
Unwrap the holiday early with these limited-time HDTV specials:

32″ Philips LCD 720p HDTV $248*
42″ Vizio LCD 1080p 120Hz with V.I.A. $498
46″ Philips LCD 1080p 120Hz HDTV with MediaConnect $697*
55″ Philips LCD 1080p 120Hz HDTV with MediaConnect $998*

*Free standard shipping available on these items.
Hurry …

HAPPY FEET TWO comes out in theatres November 18th.
Synopsis: Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven—a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces. Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures—from tiny …

A few years back I introduced you to ZhuZhu Pets.  Now let me shine some light on one of their latest additions to the Zhu-niverse – ZhuZhu Babies!  Again we were offered the chance to have a party by Mom Select and these critters are so cute that I jumped at the chance.  This time, when the box arrived, it was all I could do to keep my girls out of it…they were THAT excited.
These cute additions to the ZhuZhu Pets family give your child  new opportunities to love and …

If you’re a gum chewer or have a sweet tooth, you’ve probably already seen the new Extra Dessert Delights. Extra is my favorite gum.  Their new flavors are inspired by real desserts and their indulgent flavors offer an irresistible treat for only 5 calories! The mouth-watering Dessert Delights lineup includes Orange Crème Pop, Apple Pie, Mint Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Shortcake and Key Lime Pie. I have tried the Mint Chocolate Chip and it tastes just like the ice cream!
Now there’s a new sweet flavor on …

Now that it is November, it is time to start Christmas shopping in earnest so leave it to me to help you out!  Gifts of the Season is the 3Ps in a Pod Christmas Gift Guide for 2011.  I have chosen a variety of gifts in a variety of price ranges.  Adults, Teens, Kids & Infants, Family, Household, and Stocking Stuffers, I have covered all the bases.  So check them out, visit the sites and shop, Shop, SHOP!  Be sure to stop back by now and then as I will …

N&J make beautiful kaleidoscopes in literally all sizes and varieties.  Their teleidoscope is 5.5 inches long and made of Laminated Solid Woods Teak, Padauk and Ebony. It measures 5 3/4 inches long eyepiece to ball lens and is approx 1 1/8 inches in diameter and stands approx 2 1/8 inches tall on base. Base size is 3 1/2 inches long by 1 inch tall. Suggested plate/engravable area dimensions are 3 1/8 by 3/4 tall. This product costs $39.99.
The interior image pictures are shown …

Summer travel season is in full swing and the ever changing cost of gas prices is impacting everyone.  To help with the big summer shuffle between activities for your kids and family road trips, Energizer has a deal to help make a positive impact on your gas budget.  Energizer® Lithium customers are being rewarded by helping their dollars last longer. Consumers simply purchase two packs of specially-marked Energizer® Ultimate Lithium or Energizer® Advanced Lithium batteries and you will get a $10 Prepaid Discover® Gas Rewards* card mailed …

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There are zillions of others too.  If you would like yours added to this list, just leave me a comment with …

DREAMWORKS STUDIOS and participant media
Website and Mobile site: DreamWorksStudios.com
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheHelpCommunity
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13
U.S. Release date: August 12, 2011
Cast: …

Does Your Bank Let You Voice Your Choice and Pick Your Prize?
SunTrust Facebook sweepstakes invites community to share how they want to bank, earn chance to win $1,000 W Hotel getaway
ATLANTA – Everyone likes having choices. But choice and banking are not always two terms that go together. To further demonstrate its dedication to providing banking choice, SunTrust today launches the Voice Your Choice sweepstakes on the SunTrust Facebook page. Entrants get the chance to watch SunTrust’s latest TV ad, which takes on the serious subject …