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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

So we are coming into the Holidays and you really want to fit into that little black dress that you always get so many complements on but if you one more piece of dry roasted chicken or a salad, you will lose your ever-lovin mind.   Well let me give you a few tips that help the whole family and a couple of great recipes that will provide some variety and yet help you stay in control and be ready for the little black dress.
Here are some great tips from Dr. …

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 …

For the first time ever, Walmart is offering customers an early, exclusive preview of its most highly sought-after Black Friday specials.  Customers who sign up at Walmart.com or Facebook.com/Walmart will be the first to receive an early preview of its specials on the widest assortment of top electronics, toys, apparel and more.
 
Hot Electronics and More
Super Saturday features savings on popular electronics and household items, while supplies last or until midnight Saturday, including:

Sanyo 42” Class LCD TV, $398, was $448
Vizio 42” Class LED TV, $498
LG 47” Class LED TV, $698
Nook Color, …

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!!

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 …

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 …

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 …

About a week before Christmas, I got an email from Santa saying an  extra special surprise for P1, that he knew she would be extra thrilled by, would be arriving in time for Christmas.
What? You didn’t know Santa used email?  Oh he’s up on all that technical stuff these days.
Anyway, as I was saying, I knew she wanted it badly and had put in an extra special request with the Elves at Mattel early in the season but when I had not heard back, I was not anticipating it being …

Synopsis
Mama returns in an entirely new experience that will challenge your creativity. Join Mama and her award-winning formula of addictive, stylus-based activities as you sew, mold, paint, cut and much more. Crafting Mama is the only dedicated crafting game that features 40 different craft projects so you make a new creation every time!

Huge variety of crafts.

Features

Use your stylus as your master crafting tool as you sew, glue, fold, cut, pin, paint, hammer and more.
Includes 40 different projects across a huge variety of crafts: make …

As you can see there are all sorts of ways to make your kids mouth happy from the makers of Colgate.  From a Dora toothbrush that is mechanical to two big kid brushes that have either a circular part to help get those hard to reach places and another with longer outside rubber brushes for your gums.  Then there are 3 types of toothpaste…regular Sponge Bob, Watermelon, good for 24 hours and Pop Stars with little strips of mint.  We shall see who likes what ….anything for better brushing, right …

What would Christmas be without Hersheys?  Oh sure, there is always other chocolate but Hersheys has something special about it that makes Christmas special.  Is it that it comes shaped like Santa?  Or that it has reindeer on top of the Rolos?  Who knows?  It just is that Hersheys is a household name and brings something warm and sprinkley with it.  Hersheys.

Did you know that personalized Christmas tree ornaments are a wonderful way to record memories of life’s events and activities and a thoughtful way to show how much you care?
They’re not only beautiful Christmas tree decorations, but unique keepsake gifts that capture a snapshot in time of precious memories and the events of ones life.
It is true.I have ornaments for my tree from almost every place I have been and all of the important events of my life.  And as I open them each year, the …

The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book includes over 200 colorable illustrations to help the reader learn to identify over 80 species of fish. Each illustration is accompanied by a complete description of the fish, including the scientific, common and Hawaiian names. Their anatomical features, coloration, body designs, feeding habits and reproductive strategies are also explained in a fully illustrated section devoted to these topics. In addition, an overview of coral reef ecology is provided to help the reader understand the relationship …

Tabletop Shuffleboard is a fun and easy version of the full size version. All hands on deck for this modern take on a classic boat game: A lacquered, four-foot board shuffles indoors to let up to four players take aim with 16 multi-colored sliders made from tumbled stone. Includes table accelerator powder and eight self-adhesive balancing cushions for creating a level playing surface. Made in Canada and China.  Ages 8 and up. Up to 4 players or teams.
The accelerator powder makes a bit of a …

Even though the holidays are all about spending time with those we love, it seems that we spend half the season running around town shopping for gifts, dreading the big family dinner, comparing yard decorations across neighborhoods, counting calories, not counting the growing numbers of your credit card debt, tearing out our hair, and all in all being kind of a Grinch.
This article won’t solve all your problems, even though I wish it would.  What it will do, however, is present you with a list of DIY gifts that will:
a)      …

Santa is cute and I have always liked the Jolly Green Giant. Here they have teamed up to wish you a Happy Holidays.

This book was written by a 7 year old and as one might think,  it does go right along with the song…On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me….here is where it changes…..a Poodle in a Dog House… and the hilarity builds and builds from there.
Emma,the author, even gathered up a gang and created a cd that she included in the book plus a kareoke version to use.  I tell you, it is hysterical.  I cannot wait to have THIS gift opened on Christmas morning!!

This precious little board book has been written for children reading ages 4-8 by Amy Parker and illustrated by Marijan Ramljak.
In the tradition of A Night Night Prayer, also written by Amy Parker, this precious little child wanders through the house on a snowy Christmas night offering a prayer of thanks and blessing. His thanks are not of the ordinary however.  They are of each of the wonders that played a hand in the Christ Child’s birth.  The child finishes with thanks to God for the greatest …

As a child, my dad read this story (along with Luke 2) EVERY year.  And since I heard it EVERY year, and have a good memory (prior to my migraines and children at least) I could recite both ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Luke 2 by heart.
Recently I was given a fun opportunity to try the Record a Story Twas the Night Before Christmas book.  At first, I was beginning to think it was not too fun and was going to throw it against the wall you see because …

A book beautifully illustrated by Joy Marie Dock and written by T.J. Mills, The Twelve Blessings of Christmas is a delightful celebration of the season, bringing out the best of blessings that make Christmastime so joyous. Memories, friends, music, faith, kindness, beauty, warmth, love, giving, peace, and faith-each blessing is highlighted with kid-friendly crafts, old-fashion recipes, poems, and music, right up my alley. Sprinkled throughout are tidbits of history behind each blessing adding a richness and appreciation for how …

My Mom taught me early on that Lenox was one of the quality brands in China and giftware items.  Forty some odd years later that still holds true as I purchase and plan for my daughters and help them to learn about quality today.
P1 had a not so hot soccer season but she played it through with out whining and complaining.  We were really proud of her and we want this little Mickey to represent playing your hardest and with quality even when things were not going your way.
Lenox even …

These bunny slippers are a cozy favorite. They’ve got classic styling and high quality construction, which make for great wearing almost anytime. We offer these bunny slippers in a wide range of sizes for women, men and children. Overstuffed for comfort, they feature wireframe adjustable ears, a cotton ball tail, and distinctive pink detailing, all of which make make them the best such slipper design we’ve seen to date.
The classic Bunny Slippers come in a wide range of sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for …