I would love if you want to help spread the word about Video Thursday and participate. Just grab the Video Thursday button on my sidebar and post one of your favorite videos, either personal or one circulating around the web. Don't forget to link up so I can check out your video!
Aloha Fridays are brought to you by Kailani from An Island Life. Over there in Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So Kailani thought that on Fridays she would take it easy on posting, too. So, for Aloha Friday, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Answer my question and put one of your own up on your blog. Link up and check out other blogs that participate at An Island Life. If you host giveaways on your blog, do you (or would you) notify the winner if you are going to choose a new winner if they have not responded to you within the time that you allow to claim it?
I normally notify the winner by email and give them three days to reply - which is a generous amount compared to some. In that email I state that if they do not reply within the three days I will choose a new winner. I have only had to do it a handful of times but one winner got pretty upset with me that I chose a new winner. She thought that me notifying her that she missed out, which I did as a courtesy, was like me rubbing it in her face, which wasn't my intention at all. I just thought that she should know. So, my question is: If you host giveaways on your blog, do you notify the winner if you are going to choose a new winner if they have not responded to you within the time that you allow to claim it?
Children everywhere have been enjoying the lovable animal based characters that Richard Scarry has written about in his children's books for the last forty years, myself included. The Scarry books have sold over 150 million copies! I so remember reading these books in grade school, and it is a great pleasure to be able to share them with my own children. Scarry's most popular series of books was about Busytown. Just this last weekend Cookie Jar Entertainment launched Busytown Mysteries on CBS. I was able to get my hands on a copy of the show that aired last Saturday morning and share it with my boys.
The Busytown Mystery series stars some of Scarry's most beloved characters such as, Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm. Children get to follow these familiar characters around while they are solving some of the everyday mysteries that need solving in Busytown. The lovable characters of Busytown Mysteries engage children to use deductive reasoning skills such as Who? What? When? Where? and Why? Children will love the fun storylines like "Where is Mr. Frumble's pickle car?" and "How can they find a lost parrot find its owner?". You can be sure that the Busytown characters will find out and in the process your children will help solve the mysteries too.
The fun and learning does not stop there! BusytownMysteries.com is a fun and interactive website that allows kids to explore the different neighborhoods in Busytown and interact with the Busytown characters. There are 14 different games and activities that are designed for preschoolers. Benji, who is 4.5, was super excited to get on the site and check it out. He did find the navigation a bit difficult at first but once I showed him what to do and how to do it, he moved right along, checking out all the Busytown neighborhoods. One of the interactive parts of the site is a feature called "My First Email" that allows your preschooler to email their progress to pre-approved friends and family addresses. This would be a great way to show off the skills to grandma and grandpa, or any other interested family member.
Below is a video clip with my sons' giving me their opinion on Busytown Mysteries right after they watched the show. Oscar, my 6 year old, absolutely loved it! Benji did as well he just didn't express it to me as much as Oscar did. It was obvious to me while they were watching the show that they were truly engaged and definitely trying to help the Busytown characters solve the mysteries. They were shouting out their suggestions to the characters - too cute! The remainder of the clip entails Benji trying out the interactive games on BusytownMysteries.com. This was our first look ever at the site so this was the part where we were still exploring the layout and how the games worked.
To get your kids Saturday mornings started off in the right direction you should definitely go check out the Busytown Mysteries series and see what its all about. A good time will be had by all as you flashback and remember these lovable characters from your own childhood when you see them brought to life. You can watch Busytown Mysteries on CBS weekend mornings in the Cookie Jar TV Block of children's programming. Go to http://www.cookiejartv.com/schedule.html to check when the series is airing in your area.
*One2One Network has provided me with a copy of the Busytown Mysteries series, featuring one episode. I was provided this copy for the sole purpose of giving my honest opinion and experience from viewing the series. I was not compensated in any other way for this review.*
Sorry it has taken me so long to get up this weeks Video Thursday. We had a pretty big windstorm last night and the power was out for the night. Thank God that it came back on before the kids had to get up and get ready for school!
I would love if you want to help spread the word about Video Thursday and participate. Just grab the Video Thursday button on my sidebar and post one of your favorite videos, either personal or one circulating around the web. Don't forget to link up so I can check out your video!
What does everyone think of this aggressive soccer player? She seems pretty cut throat to me!
Emilio climbed into one of the baskets that I have in the family room that hides toys. The boys had a ton of fun pushing and pulling him around in it. Boys are so silly sometimes!
My boys love their Wii, me too, and lucky for us we were given an advance copy of the Jump Start Escape from Adventure Island game for review. I have reviewed other Jump Start games and I was really excited for Oscar and Benji to try this one out. Unlike the first Jump Start Wii release, Pet Rescue - which was directed at age 3-5, Escape from Adventure Island is targeted for age 5-9. This game is designed to encourage math, reading and critical thinking skills. Oscar has easily mastered all of the levels on the Pet Rescue game and I have been looking forward to a new game that is a bit more challenging for him.
I loved the concept behind this game! It reminds me of any other adventure game, kind of like Super Mario Galaxy, which the boys love. Escape from Adventure Island begins with your little explorer and Frankie crash landing their blimp on Adventure Island. The blimp is broken and in order to complete the game the player needs to collect white sand dollars through completing the game missions. The white sand dollars are then traded for helium tanks that are needed to fix the blimp. While on Adventure Island the player will also complete gold challenges to earn gold sand dollars, which can be traded for new clothes and new parts for the players house. You can still expect to play with the familiar Jumpee's and choose your Jumpee clothing, just like in the online Jump Start and the Pet Rescue games. There are also Punk Punks running around, similar to Mario's Goomba's, that are there to distract you. One of Oscar's favorite parts of the game is stomping on the Punk Punks.
Benji, who is only 4.5, did find this game to be a bit challenging. He mostly played changing his Jumpee's clothes. For now I think that he is probably better off playing Pet Rescue. However, Benji does enjoy watching Oscar, who is 6, play. Oscar did pretty well. Some of the math is a bit challenging but Oscar is a pretty fast learner. I liked watching him play because I got to see first hand how he copes with solving difficult problems. As well as get a feel for where he is in learning some more advanced skills. With a little guidance he was cruising through some of the first levels and really had a wonderful time. Below is a screenshot of one of the math levels that Oscar found really fun.
There are two different modes that the player can choose, Story Mode and Practice Mode. In Story Mode your job is to help Frankie fix the crashed blimp by playing different games and unlocking new clothing and house parts. In Practice Mode you can practice all of the educational games and improve your learning skills. Oscar prefers Story Mode when he is playing. He gets so excited every time he earns a new helium tank! He also really enjoys collecting all of the sand dollars by completing all the new levels. Each level doesn't take a huge amount of time to complete but he is extremely satisfied with himself after he earns his sand dollars. For those that have little boys you know that completing levels means EVERYTHING. I hear my boys making up levels for random every day things, like racing up the stairs, little boys = obsessed with levels.
The two main hubs in the game are The Island Hub and the Scuba Hub. The Island Hub games all take place on land and the Scuba Hub the games all take place in the water. Oscar's favorite hub is the Island Hub. He found the Scuba Hub a bit difficult to navigate with the Wii controller. He had a hard time getting his Jumpee to get where he needed to go. It only happened a few times and on one level in particular. I tried to help him out but I suck at navigating video games so I was really no help. I know that he will get better at it as long as he sticks to it. Oscar has a tendency to want to give up if he can't figure it out within the first few tries. Something we have in common....
Here are a couple of different videos ( sorry about the picture quality ) of Oscar playing some of his favorite levels. He was so busy playing that he wouldn't turn around to answer a couple of questions that I asked him so he sounds a little muffled. Basically, he is having way too much fun to listen to what his mom has to say right now.
Oscar has a great time playing Escape from Adventure Island. I think that this game is a wonderful addition to the Jump Start family of games. With over 150 learning games all packaged in an engaging play world its hard for kids not to have fun while learning. Oscar played for two hours straight the first day that I introduced it to him. He was so excited about each level that he completed he just had to keep playing. He played equally as long the second time that he played the game too.
Jump Start Escape from Adventure Island will be available at major retailers nationwide on November 17th for $29.99. The ESRB has rated it "E" for Everyone. For additional info about this game you can check out the Jump Start.com.
*Jump Start has provided me with an advance copy for the sole purpose of reviewing Escape from Adventure Island and providing my honest opinion of the game with my readers*
I LOVE this song! Such a reminder of high school...
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!
Congratulations to Anne J who has won the $20 Gift Certificate to Twists and Facets! Anne J has three days to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen to take her place.
As a multitasking mom I am super busy, as are you. We all know that we are the best example for our children. I know that I try my best, but I am only human and I am bound to slip up once in awhile. One thing that I have pledged not to waiver on is keeping my mind on the wheel when driving. No texting while driving, period. After all, this is just as serious as drunk driving.
TheMotherhood has initiated this PSA, Moms Sends the Message, to get as many moms as possible to join them in reducing distracted driving. I have become one of the Mom Sends the Message Embassadors in order to help them get as many pledges as possible. Here is some great info taken from the Mom Sends the Message site:
Keep Your Mind on the Wheel SIGN THE PLEDGE!
Our Pledge
Driving while distracted can be more dangerous than driving drunk.
As moms, we want safer roads.
We know the time has come for us all to recognize the risks of distracted driving, to be more responsible and to mind the wheel.
Here is what we pledge:
We pledge to model safe behavior when we drive.
We pledge to set firm house rules on texting and phoning while driving.
We pledge to help spread the word on the dangers of distracted driving.
Here is what we ask for:
We ask for the dangers of distracted driving to be included in drivers’ education classes.
We ask for innovations in technology to help solve the problem.
We ask for laws to make it illegal to text and drive.
We ask for enforcement of existing distracted driving laws and consequences when the laws are broken.
By working together we will make everyone safer.
If you sign the pledge by noon EST Monday November 16th, you will be entered to win one of THREE Mini Dell Laptops that they have to giveaway!
To enter the random drawing (with a deadline of Monday, November 16 at noon EST) entrants must do the following things:
When you sign up be sure to grab some of the awesome buttons that they have created to help you spread the word.
Thats it! I hope that you take the pledge and also spread the word about Mom Sends the Message. A great example to set for your kids that are into texting or for those as young as mine that will one day be completely immersed in this super techno crazed world that we live in.
That's right people, its actually been a whole entire year to the day that I started blogging. What a year its been! I remember when I didn't have a clue as to what a blog was or what it entailed. I had no idea what I was in for!
When I started blogging I thought that I would just post once a week. I was only going to spotlight cool things that I found on the web that I either had or thought would make for great gift ideas. I signed up on all the listing places and one of them was the Mom Bloggers Club. I was all over that site, greedy for more info. When I started I had no comments, no visitors - nada. I joined a Follow Me club and tried to keep up with following all of these different bloggers. I never commented on their posts or anything. I just didn't know any type of blog ettiquette what so ever.
One blogger in particular kept coming back and commenting on my weekly posts. I thought to myself that this lady must really think I'm awesome! Little did I know that this blogger was just being friendly, and maybe, just maybe she wanted me to comment back on her posts too. Actually, I don't even think that it crossed my mind at all. I mean, I only blogged once a week!
Anyways, my initial reason for starting this blog was to kill some time and learn all about social networking while I was waiting for enough cash flow to start my own business online. Then as I read more and more blogs I wanted to become a review blogger. I had no idea how to accomplish this but I knew I had to start with posting a whole lot more often than once a week! From there I just read as much as I could and learned how to become a review blogger. I also started joining in on the blog carnivals and incorporating my family life into my blog. Through all of my changes, that same blog friend, mentioned earlier, rang true and continued to comment on my posts. Over the last year she has watched me grow from someone who was really uncomfortable with the idea of blogging into the blogaholic that I am today. Through all the posts, when I decided to add more me, when I joined my first blog carnival, when I shared milestones, when I posted about my insecurites as a mom, and even now as I have been too busy to read other blogs these days, she was there. Commenting and making me feel the bloggy love with her jokes, her positive comments and her friendship. She taught me how to be a better blogger. For this, I am thankful.
Who is this wonderful blog bud, you ask? Everyone knows her, everyone loves her, the one and only - Blue Violet. In honor of my blogoversary Blue Violet has graciously agreed to let me ask her a couple of questions about blogging.
I swear that almost always when I go to post a comment on someone's blog Blue Violet has been there. I barely have time to visit the ten or so favorites that I have - so I have always wondered just how she can visit so many blogs.
Here are my questions:
How in the world do you find the time to read and comment on as many blogs as you do? (when I think about it the spokesperson for Micromachines flashes in my head, lol!)
Blue Violet:My kids are in college so I have all kinds of time to spend on the computer. I didn't even have the internet when my kids were young.
What is your advice to me, or anyone else, to get a ton of bloggy buddies, especially those that like to leave comments?
Blue Violet:I can't tell you why people comment on my blog, but a lot of the commenting I do comes from building a relationship, a bloggy friendship. I care what my friends write about and I want them to know it, so I leave a comment. I comment on every post that I read, and I read a lot!
Do you use Google Reader to read all your favorite blogs?
Blue Violet:I almost always use google reader to read the blogs and then I click through from there.
All though I know that I have a lot more to accomplish as a review blogger I feel that what I need to work on most this upcoming year is improving my blog friendships. I have gotten so busy with reviews and giveaways that I have had no time to focus on blog hopping and reading all about whats up with my favorite bloggers. I want to focus more time on them and making new blog friends. I hope to post more of me than I do now. I aspire to be more like Blue Violet and comment reguarly on all my blog friends posts. This is my goal.
A toast to bloggy friends old and new! Bottoms up!
I just learned how to capture screen shots of the winning pick on my Random.org widget! I am so excited to show everyone the winning entry number this way. This will be the way I do it from now on. Yay!
The first is for the $30 gift certificate and free shipping from Bodylicious Bath and Body Care. Congratulations to Terra H.
This one is for the Set of Brownie Bites from Michelle's This and That. Congratulations to Annemarie!
Both winners will have three days to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn at random. Thanks to everyone who entered these awesome giveaways!
There is still time to enter these great giveaways:
Aloha Fridays are brought to you by Kailani from An Island Life. Over there in Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So Kailani thought that on Fridays she would take it easy on posting, too. So, for Aloha Friday, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Answer my question and put one of your own up on your blog. Link up and check out other blogs that participate at An Island Life.
Did you celebrate your blogoversary in any way? If so, how?
I celebrated by writing a post about my past year as a blogging novice as well as my goals for this year. I also did a quick spotlight featuring my longest bloggy bud - Blue Violet. I will be posting it a little later on today. I know that some celebrate this milestone and some don't. That's why my question is, did you celebrate your blogoversary in any way?
I would love if you want to help spread the word about Video Thursday and participate. Just grab the Video Thursday button on my sidebar and post one of your favorite videos, either personal or one circulating around the web. Don't forget to link up so I can check out your video!
Oh, this poor guy! Gotta feel bad for him :( She couldn't just run off like all the other girls she had to add the slap in the face. Proof that a man should never propose to a woman in public unles he is 100% certain that she is going to say yes.
On my birthday we took a brunch cruise around Lake Union, in Seattle. I had never done it before and it was an awesome experience. We didn't have a sitter for Emilio so we brought him along. One of the most interesting things was navigating through the Montlake Cut. The Montlake Cut is a canal that links Lake Washington to the Puget Sound. I have lived in or around Seattle all of my life and I had no idea that this even existed! One of the coolest things is that as your going through the Cut you can read all of the banners that people have painted along the cement walls of the cut. Below are some pics of what I saw in the Montlake Cut.
I don't know about you, but with three kids in the house I go through yogurt like crazy! I have at least three different types of yogurt on hand at any given moment in my refrigerator. Right now I have, GoGurt, Yo Baby and Yoplait Trix yogurt. The kids just can't get enough. I have to say though I personally never developed a taste for it. I don't know what it is but there is just something funky about it. I have tried almost every yogurt under the sun and I just can't get over my distaste.
I keep trying to overcome it though because I know just how healthy eating yogurt can be. The active coultures help aid in proper digestion, which in turn can help you maintain a healthy weight. Yogurt is also a great way to get your dairy in if your not big on milk. Well, I wish I liked yogurt, but I just don't. I do keep trying it every so often though because I do think that one day I will find the perfect yogurt that will tantalize my taste buds.
But, if you are like me and you buy a ton of yogurt, even if its not for yourself, I thought that you might be interested in learning about Yoplait Fiber One yogurt. I know that I am always looking for ways to watch my weight and Yoplait Fiber One yogurt would be a great low calorie high fiber snack to indulge in. Yet another reason I need to keep trying to develop a taste for yogurt. Here is a little bit more info about the product:
About Yoplait Fiber One 50-calorie yogurt
Yoplait Fiber One 50-calorie yogurt is the only leading nonfat yogurt with 50 calories and 5 grams of fiber.
Available in four flavors – Strawberry, Vanilla, Peach and Key Lime Pie – Fiber One 50-calorie yogurt is a delicious snack that is good for you, contributes 20% of the recommended daily value of fiber and is a good source of calcium as well as vitamins A and D.
Instead of munching on boring lower-calorie foods, you can now snack with zero guilt on Fiber One yogurt, a tasty way to help watch waistlines and keep calorie counts in check.
Fiber One 50-calorie yogurt features a ‘Hungry Girl Seal of Approval’, the first nationally distributed yogurt to receive this endorsement.
Yoplait Fiber One 50-calorie yogurt is available in the yogurt section of grocery stores nation-wide
Everyone can give a big "Thank You" to Yoplait who has graciously provided me with the opportunity to share this microsite that will provide all PPM readers with:
· Useful weight management tips from best-selling author and food expert Lisa Lillien, a.k.a. Hungry Girl
· Additional product information about Fiber One yogurt
· A downloadable $1.00 off Fiber One yogurt coupon
Only the first 50 readers will have the opportunity to sign-up to receive a coupon for a free 4-pack of Fiber One yogurt
Click on the green Try it Free button in the upper right hand of the pic below:
*Yoplait provided Pretty Pink Momma with this opportunity, information and product samples/coupons.*
Just wanted to let everyone know that Sarah Osborne, who was the winner of the Ultimate Birthday Gift Giveaway has gotten back to me and claimed her prize.
I always randomly select the winner for all of my giveaways and this was no exception. Sarah enters a ton of my giveaways on an ongoing basis and just actually won the Sugarhouse Ink giveaway last week. She is super sweet and it made my day to find out that the winner of the Ultimate Birthday Gift Giveaway was one of my regular readers.
Here's what I really wanted to share with you about Sarah which adds a little special twist as to why I think that she was fated to win. As you know I had to put off the drawing of the winner until today due to my own crazy circumstances. I emailed Sarah to let her know that she was the winner, like all of my winners, and I was so shocked to find out her response.
In fact, today is Sarah's actual 21st Birthday! So how cool is it that she won the Ultimate Birthday Gift Giveaway on her actual birthday! Not to mention the fact that I ran this whole Birthday Bash because I was having a milestone birthday. Sarah is having a milestone birthday of her own!
Anyways, I think that the cosmos secretly had it planned for her to win because all the randomness that happened to me that delayed the date until today is just plain funny that a winner would be picked with all of the surrounding circumstances.
Well, Happy Birthday Sarah! I hope that you enjoy all of your winnings and celebrate hard core for your 21st. Enjoy all of your Birthday Gift Giveaway swag. I hope that winning this giveaway helps contribute to a 21st birthday that you won't ever forget.
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