In the past I have made mention to the fact that I am not a huge fan of cooking, especially for picky small children.  Baking on the other hand, is a whole other thing.  So, when I was offered a recipe book from the fine folks over at Nielsen-Massey Vanilla, makers of some of the finest vanillas in The World, well, my mouth started to salivate and of course I said yes.
Well, did I have a surprise in store for me.  Thankfully it was a fun one!
Nielsen-Massey …

Do you collect Box Tops? Although I have always seen Box Tops on many of the products I bought, I did not really pay attention to them until last year when I got to visit General Mills. What a great program for schools to earn a little extra money!   And I love that it it is a way for me to teach my girls about saving money, giving and something akin to coupons all rolled up in one.
Right now, our buddies at Target® have a special promotion …

The nice folks at Chex® along  with My Blog Spark sent me a great gift pack the other day. It included a Lock-n-Lock 4.2 qt plastic storage container, a 2 cup plastic measuring cup with a lid, a set of measuring spoons that measure all the way up to 1/3 cup, a set of recipe cards for making gluten free goodness using our favorite Chex® Cereals, and a coupon good for a free box of Gluten Free Chex Cereal. I call that a pretty great package!
There …

Here are the final winners:
Jennifer #135
Arla #51
Tammy #186
Shelia #374
Thank you to everyone who participated. I loved all of your fun comments and replies.
I truly have THE BEST READERS !!!!
Can’t wait to see what is next!!

Sears Hometown Stores are celebrating 17 years with a celebration sweepstakes extravaganza! In the common Sears spirit, Sears Hometown Stores are celebrating this special occasion by doing what they do best: Giving back to their customers!
Hurry though because the sweepstakes will run only through July 31st, 2010. Customers of Sears Hometown Stores, …

Welcome to the new 3Ps in a Pod Weekly Giveaway Roundup.  In trying to decrease my migraines and stress in my life and simplify some things, the weekly round up will now be a place you want to be!  Come by each weekend (a clean Mr Linky sheet will be up each week and you can list your giveaways to your little ol hearts’ consent!  They will remain on the blog permanently so you can even check the previous week’s links too whenever you …

Welcome to the new 3Ps in a Pod Weekly Giveaway Roundup.  In trying to decrease my migraines and stress in my life and simplify some things, the weekly round up will now be a place you want to be!  Come by each weekend (a clean Mr Linky sheet will be up each week and you can list your giveaways to your little ol hearts’ consent!  They will remain on the blog permanently so you can even check the previous week’s links too whenever you want.  So have fun and lots …

In honor of Mother’s Day, Kim from What’s That Smell? and I have put together a gift guide to help you find that perfect gift for the mom on your list, and maybe even provide YOU with some ideas for things that you would like to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day this year so you can drop some hints for your family.
We have 4 different categories of gifts and with such a wide variety of great gift ideas, you are sure to find …

In honor of Mother’s Day, Kim from What’s That Smell? and I have put together a gift guide to help you find that perfect gift for the mom on your list, and maybe even provide YOU with some ideas for things that you would like to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day this year so you can drop some hints for your family.
We have 4 different categories of gifts and with such a wide variety of great gift ideas, you are sure to find …

In honor of Mother’s Day, Kim from What’s That Smell? and I have put together a gift guide to help you find that perfect gift for the mom on your list, and maybe even provide YOU with some ideas for things that you would like to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day this year so you can drop some hints for your family. (Hints always help me get what I want!)
We have 4 different categories of gifts and with such a wide variety of …

Over the past five years, America has truly demonstrated its power to persevere.  From Hurricane Katrina to the economic crisis, Americans have stepped up to help one another in the face of difficulty.  This makes 2010 the perfect year to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Energizer Keep Going® Hall of Fame – a program dedicated to honoring ordinary  people with unstoppable energy. …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!!
So, so sorry to have been AWOL for a while!

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 …

In honor of Mother’s Day, Kim from What’s That Smell? and I have put together a gift guide to help you find that perfect gift for the mom on your list, and maybe even provide YOU with some ideas for things that you would like to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day this year so you can drop some hints for your family.
We have 4 different categories of gifts and with such a wide variety of great gift ideas, you are sure to find something that she will love. …

This video says it all – Win a LapTop, Give a LapTop & Change the World, One Child at a Time.

Often children have warm and giving hearts and are willing to give when they have the opportunity.  P2 is even like that when she sees an opportunity to give, all by herself.  Heard the term ‘would give you the shirt off her back’?  She just came from Heaven that way and what a delight she is for it.
Of course, P2 and her sisters love and adore Betty Crocker’s Fruit Flavored …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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!
——————————————————–
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 …

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. …

Well, it’s been a great couple of weeks, and we were able to donate some wonderful toys to some needy children. Again this year, our Because It’s Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway is a success because we had very generous sponsors who helped support and charities and provided prizes for the giveaways.
For each prize pack, the entries were tallied in the order the gifts were revealed, so while the counts for each post started over at #1, we added them all together in the orders below.
Prize Group 1 …

Toys are very important for all children so if you can get a toy that they enjoy and encourages exercise, that is a decided plus.  Add to that the fact that said toy is safe, fun, made in the USA, and made from recycled plastic milk cartons and you would really have a great toy.
Meet that great toy.
I give you the Purple Jump Rope from Green Toys.
Top features:

100% cotton rope
Handles made from 100% recycled plastic
6 ft adjustable rope
Super safe: no phthalates or BPA
Made in USA

Crisscrosses, can-cans and double-unders are all …

It is not unheard of for a child to request an animal for Christmas ~ a kitten, a dog, even a horse.  However, when the Holiday has passed and the novelty has worn off, sometimes that is when the problems begin.  Well Hasbro to the rescue.
This cute little pooch is a whole lot less trouble the traditional sort.  He is 8 x 8 x 11 inches ; 1.4 pounds and soft as can be.  He comes in White, Pink and Light Blue but that is only the beginning.

Meet I-DOG …

Don’t you just love Build-A-Bear Workshop?  It is a fun and happy place that becomes magical to your child as they  build their own furry friend.  They carry everything from traditional Teddy Bears to Zoo Critters, Donation Animals to clothing for them all, Build-A-Bear really has so many different choices and allows for such personalization that you are sure to find the perfect Christmas gift for each person on your list.  In fact, Santa may even shop there…they are that good!

While I have yet to have the opportunity to build …

Books have always been a wonderful thing for me to have.  My parents always read to me and books were something that could transport me from this world  into another.  Now, even as an adult, this magic is something I love to share with my own children, especially special books we read only during certain times of the year.  Brought to us by the wonderful folks at Leaping Antelope Productions and by Marilee Joy Mayfield and Tracy La Rue Hohn, The Snowman’s Song is a Christmas Story that we can …

Bella Sara….the name synonymous with beautiful and magical horses who are loved by children – especially girls – world wide.

Bella Sara™ is a magical world of horses where children can expand their imaginations through play. Originally launched in Denmark by Gitte Odder Braendgaard through Conceptcard, Bella Sara inspires and empowers children with positive messages and the magic of North of North.  Published by Seattle-based game company Hidden City Games, Bella Sara began as a trading card game that has since expanded into an international product line. With three set releases …

Can you believe that the Play-Doh brand is over 50 years old? Now known for the ability to give hours of colorful, creative play, Play-Doh was first introduced in 1956 and for quite some time, it only came in white.(You could win a Trivia Contest with that knowledge!)  Now owned by Hasbro under the Playskool division, Play-Doh has continually come up as The toy to get by children around the world.  In f 2003, the Toy Industry Association even named Play-Doh to its “Century of Toys List”.  That really says …

Welcome to our special Thanksgiving Day edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!
After all of the Turkey and Stuffing and Pumpkin Pie has been cleaned up, sit down, relax and put your feet up and surf a bunch of fantastic giveaways.  Don’t worry…you can still hit the Black Friday specials!
Anywho, time to go win some stuff, right? Right!
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 …

Build-A-Bear Workshop really amazes me with depth of their creativity and the generosity of their hearts.  Every year they have something or someone new that will light that spark in a child’s eye, and more accessories than imaginable to dress them up in.  Kids really love and need a special friend that is all their own -  I know my girls sure do – and Build-A-Bear makes quality and unique toys that can hold up to all of the loving a child can give them.
This is especially important this time …

I love tacos and happily enough, it is a meal where no one complains and everyone is happy ~ maybe that is why I like them so much…hehehe!  Our girls are getting old enough that Family Home Evening or Family Game Nights can be a lot of fun so when I heard about the El Tacodor Game, well, I made sure I signed up to learn more.
Thanks to Old El Paso and MyBlogSpark, we received coupons and a gift card to purchase our favorite taco ingredients plus information on the …

The next gift in our Because It’s Christmas Kids and Charity Giveaway is from one of a well known and well loved brand, Playskool.  And I cannot imagine many boys who would not love a Nerf Vortex Mega Howler NFL Football.   So head on over to Kim’s blog, What’s That Smell? and enter your heart out!

“Mo-om, are we there yet???”  If you have kids and take them any further than next door, you have likely heard this in one form or another.  Well, have I found the cure for that – and no, I do not mean extra Benadryl all around!;)
Meet TravelKiddy, our next giveaway in the Because It’s Christmas 2 Kids and Charity Giveaway.  TravelKiddy is a company that has taken a fun and amazingly simple approach to the issue of traveling with children and trying to keep them entertained.  Jen, the Momprenuer behind …

November is National Adoption Month. Most of you are well aware of my love and appreciation for the adoption process.  My blog first started due to adoption in fact.  Sooo, I decided that I would place some special emphasis on Adoption and share some stories and resources that you may or may not know about, okay?

Ahh, my 3 P’s. Each one of them came into our family in a very special and different way for which I will be forever grateful.
P1 was via the Gift of Domestic adoption through …

Spunky Sprout.com, a company who is a firm believer in  doing good and charitable deeds, is our next sponsor for Because It’s Christmas 2 with their Splat Floating Ring Toss toy. What child would not enjoy playing with this in the tub?
So head over to What’s That Smell? and enter to win all of the toys in Group One!