Thursday, March 31, 2011

Photoworks is closing + $30 for FREE!

That's right, Photoworks is closing its virtual doors and unless you save your pictures now, they'll be gone forever.  But Photoworks knows how much we all cherish our photos and they are making sure everyone has the opportunity to save their photos!

You can transfer your Photoworks pictures over to Shutterfly.  It's super easy, all you have to do it log in and with the push of a few mouse clicks, you're done.  In addition to saving you're pictures, you'll receive $30 to spend at Shutterfly!!  ROCK ON!  $30 to spend at Shutterfly is like giving a kid $30 in a candy store!

So don't delay - check your e-mails or go right to photoworks.com and start the transfer!

I received an e-mail from Photoworks with this offer, I do not know if the same deal is available to everyone but I would assume it is.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Blog Bash 2011 ~ I'm Participating!!!

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I am super excited to announce that I will be participating in the Blog Bash 2011 3-day event!
Event Dates: June 22 - 24
I am searching for sponsors, so if you have a product you'd like featured during this event, please contact me at darwinsfrg@gmail.com

Are you a blogger who would like to participate?
You can find more information at Family Approve.

Good Friends Just Click - Blog Hop


Let’s be friends, link, click, and connect! No rules!

Now just follow as many as you can on the link below and become friends- because you know, blog friends are some of the best friends you can have in life -just ask us! 


Leaving comments is a plus on your way to new friendships. Stumbles, Tweets, and FB Likes are a great way to show love too! 
Sorry folks!  I have tried and tried but I just can't seem to get the HTML for the linky to work.  You can click the button above and you'll be taken to one of the hosts pages that contains the linky.  Happy hopping!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Mailbox Monday Blog Hop ~ March 28, 2011




Welcome to Mailbox Monday!! A blog hop to boost your subscriber count! 

Hosted by This Mama Loves Her Bargains and A little of this A little of that…
Here’s how to join in the fun:
  • Add your blog link to the linky
  • Subscribe by email to the two hostesses. They will return the favor.
  • Visit the other blogs on the list and subscribe by email to the ones that interest you. Leave them a comment with your blog link so they know you are subscribing from Mailbox Monday. Don’t forget to confirm your subscription!
Everyone is welcome to participate. Each week a new linky will be generated so make sure you stop by on Monday’s to add your blog.

The Mailbox Monday Blog of the Week is Frugalaloplis which takes the #3 spot on the linky. Next week, we will choose from this week’s participants for the Blog of the Week.



CLICK HERE FOR THE LINKY CODE

Betty Crocker ~ Banana Sunday Cake

BANANA SUNDAY CAKE
Found at: Betty Crocker
I saw this scrum-dili-icious looking dessert in my Facebook news feed from Betty Crocker. Bananas. Chocolate. Caramel. The most perfect combination of all time! I'm tucking this recipe away to use for those warm weather picnics that are coming up. I love that it's so simple yet different from the standard picnic treats we all are used to enjoying year after year.

(Click the photo above to visit the recipe at bettycrocker.com)
1box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
1cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 medium)
1 1/4cups water
1/3cup vegetable oil
1teaspoon almond extract
3eggs
1/2cup almond brickle chips
1/2cup chocolate-flavor syrup
1/2cup caramel topping
Chocolate or vanilla ice cream, if desired

  1. 1
    Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease and flour, or spray with baking spray with flour, bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan.
  2. 2
    In large bowl, beat cake mix, bananas, water, oil, almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan. Sprinkle brickle chips evenly over batter.
  3. 3
    Bake 30 to 35 minutes (36 to 40 minutes for dark or nonstick pan) or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  4. 4
    Just before serving, drizzle each piece of cake with chocolate syrup and caramel topping; serve with ice cream. Store cake loosely covered.

    I was not compensated for this post. I saw it and thought my fabulous, loyal
    readers would enjoy the recipe!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

FREE Cupcake or Cookie at Barnes & Noble!



Looking for something FREE to do?  Take the kids to B&N to play at the train table in the children's area and then visit the cafe to treat them to a FREE cupcake or cookie!  Each kid will need their own Kids' Club membership, which is also FREE!  You can SIGN UP if you don't already have a Kids' Club membership.  Already have your membership?  Click HERE or click the image above to print your coupon(s)!

EXPIRES: 3/28/2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Facebook Like You Back - Blog Hop

Are you looking for new Facebook pages to follow and new friends who like your page? Then join us!

  1. Add your Facebook page to the Linky below (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all). Please link up directly to your Facebook page only. All other links will be deleted.
  2. Click on the Facebook link for the 6 hosts and “like” them on Facebook. Leave a comment on their wall and they will like-you-back.
  3. Like as many more Facebook pages as you want, leaving comments with links so they’ll know where to like-you-back.
The Facebook Page of the Week is Frugal ExperimentsIt takes the next spot on the Linky under the hosts and will get a shout out on each of the hosts’ Facebook pages! Next week’s page of the week will be drawn from all of the entries from this week’s hop.
Have you upgraded your Facebook Page? With it, you can use Facebook as a person (yourself) or as your page. But, as a page, if you Like another page, it won’t count in their totals. So, please, switch to “Use Facebook as yourself” before you start going through the list Liking other participants.
Tips: Sometimes legitimate comments are marked as spam by Facebook. To find them, go to your page and click onHidden Posts (under your profile pic).

Monday, March 21, 2011

AAP: Toddlers in rear-facing seat until Age 2

From Parenting.com -

New AAP Car Seat Safety Guidelines: Rear-Facing Until Age 2


In a new policy statement published in the April 2011 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age two, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat, which can be found on the back of the seat. Many parents currently choose to flip their child to forward-facing around his or her first birthday.
Previously, the AAP advised parents to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible, up to the maximum limit of the car seat, and this has not changed. But it also cited one year and 20 pounds as the minimum for flipping the seat, which many parents and pediatricians interpreted as conventional wisdom on the best time to make the switch. The new policy clarifies the AAP’s recommendation, making age two the new guideline—a real game-changer for parents of toddlers.
A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention found that children under age two are 75 percent less likely to die or to be severely injured in a crash if they are rear-facing. Another study found riding rear-facing to be five times safer than forward-facing.
“A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body,” said Dennis Durbin, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatric emergency physician and co-scientific director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and lead author of the policy statement and accompanying technical report.
Plus:
 Car Seat Mistakes You May Be Making

___________________________________________________________________
So tell me, what is your opinion on this?  I am a huge stickler for carseat safety and I'm always up for doing things that will keep my kids safe.  I was shocked by some of the comments on CNN.com about this new guideline.

Mailbox Monday Blog Hop ~ March 21, 2011




Welcome to Mailbox Monday!! A blog hop to boost your subscriber count!Hosted by This Mama Loves Her Bargains and A little of this A little of that…
Here’s how to join in the fun:
  • Add your blog link to the linky
  • Subscribe by email to the two hostesses. They will return the favor.
  • Visit the other blogs on the list and subscribe by email to the ones that interest you. Leave them a comment with your blog link so they know you are subscribing from Mailbox Monday. Don’t forget to confirm your subscription!
Everyone is welcome to participate. Each week a new linky will be generated so make sure you stop by on Monday’s to add your blog.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Elmer's #GlueNGlitter - Spring Kids Art

Each season and/or holiday we try to have the kids complete an art project to send to their Great MumMum.  She lives in a wonderful assisted living center and loves showing off her room decorated in wall-to-wall art from the kids.  We have done everything from wooden wall hangings (which can be purchased for $1 at most craft stores) that the kids paint, coloring pages, construction paper cut outs and more.  For Spring I wanted to do something a little different.  I decided to do a "Spring Scene".  We went to WalMart to buy our supplies and actually did our project while at a hotel...it was so simple and kept the kids occupied for a while...and that is always a good thing!

Supplies:Elmer's Bi-fold Foam Board
Elmer's Glue Sticks
Elmer's 3D Glitter Paint Pens
Elmer's Construction Paper
Scissors

STEP 1:  Cut out the shapes you will need.  I didn't use a pattern for anything, just cut free hand
Flower tops, flower stems, flower leaves and the sun
Tree trunk and tree top
I traced & cut out the kids hands to use as "grass"
Step 2:  Use the Elmer's Glue Sticks to attach the shapes to your foam board.



Here is what your project will look like after all pieces are glued on:
Looks cute but it needs some GLITTER to make it POP!
Step 3:  Use Glitter Glue Pens to decorate your foam board!  Have fun with it and go wild!




TADA!  Finished Project!

I think I'm going to add a current picture of the kids in the center of the tree, but I'm undecided yet.  What do you think?

This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias.  All opinions expressed within are 100% my own.  

Friday, March 18, 2011

Orange Flavored Carmex Moisture Plus™ Lip Balm



Carmex has really outdone themselves this time!  If you like orange cream flavored things you will most certainly agree with me.  Carmex sent me a sample of their new trial, Orange Flavored Carmex Moisture Plus™ Lip Balm.  So I was laying in bed, sick with the flu, and my hubby brought the mail in to me.  I was so excited to see my little package with the new Carmex lip balm.  First of all, who doesn't love to get a package in the mail!?  Second of all, my lips were so dry, chapped and sore from being sick that it was the perfect opportunity to give the new flavor a try!

Like all other Carmex products, this one was easy to apply, was smooth and creamy.  It felt so good.  So of course I was eager to see how the new orange flavor was.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I was expecting a strong citrus flavor but was treated to what I can only describe as a creamsicle!  I liked that it is a nice subtle flavor that doesn't make me feel like I raided my 3yr old daughter's cotton candy flavored princess lip gloss.  It's just enough so that when I naturally lick my lips I think to myself "Mm, that tastes pretty good!"  Also, the Moisture Plus must be doing its job because my lips were healed and feeling back to normal after 1 day.

So Carmex peeps, the new trial Orange Flavored Carmex Moisture Plus™ Lip Balm gets TWO THUMBS UP from me!

I am a member of the Carmex Blog Squad and received a sample to facilitate this review.  No other compensation was received and opinions expressed within are 100% my own.

Take a break from aftertaste with a FREE sample.

Add nothing but taste to your morning cup of coffee with a FREE pint of Breve Crème coffee creamer, brought to you by your friends at Vocalpoint.

http://gotaf.socialtwist.com/redirect?l=jyi5

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

30% OFF Coupon: Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap Outlet, and Banana Republic


Get Your 30% Discount Coupon Here for "Gap's Give and Get Program"
Habitat for Humanity is proud to be a partner in Gap’s Give and Get program. Download your coupon here to get a 30% discount of your total purchase at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap Outlet, and Banana Republic Factory Stores. Shop March 17 — 20 and Gap will donate 5% of your total purchases to Habitat for Humanity. Share this email with your friends and family — and use it as many times as you like, March 17 — 20. Download today to help Habitat build safe, decent and affordable homes in partnership with families in need of housing!
Click HERE for your coupon!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Guest Post: Homemade Pot of Gold Matching Game



Here is a quick and easy learning game you can make
for your child for St. Patrick's Day. I used felt to make it, but you could 
easily swap it out for construction paper if you prefer. 

Cut some circles from yellow, orange, or gold felt. 
I used a round cookie cutter as my stencil.

Take the circles and cut them down the middle in different patterns. 
Think zig zags, curves and angles. 

Next I made a stackable rainbow puzzle. 
Cut a curved shape out of your base color and cut each consecutive piece 
a little smaller than the last. With some clouds to finish it off, it's adorable!


I covered an old ice cream cup with black paper for a
 "pot of gold" to hold all of the game parts. 

Sit down and have a blast matching and
stacking with your little leprechaun.



About  The Tomato and The Duck:
Tomato Mama is a SAHM to Pickle who is 3 years old. Tomato and Pickle spend their days doing arts and crafts and exploring the world. Tomato Mama has a huge obsession with felt and spends a lot of time thinking about coupons. Duck Momma is also a SAHM with 6 month old "Goose". She loves cooking, crafting, and spending time time with her little girl. They spend their days learning about the world through art, music, food, and any other activity momma dreams up! She is new to motherhood, but is loving every minute of it.

Thank you, Tomato Mama, for sharing this awesome tutorial with my readers!  I can't wait to make one of these for my kids :-)

Good Friends Just Click - Blog Hop

GFJC Blog Hop
Let's be friends, link, click, and connect! No rules!

Now just follow as many as you can on the link below and become friends- because you know, blog friends are some of the best friends you can have in life -just ask us! Leaving comments is a plus on your way to new friendships. Stumbles, Tweets, and FB Likes are a great way to show love too! Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you around soon-(like every Tuesday!)
A Mom's Take, Queen B, Dealicious Mom, Mom to Bed by 8 and Guest Host Simple Wyrdings!






Britax Frontier 85 Review & Giveaway

I *really* want to win this Frontier!!!

Britax Frontier 85 Review & Giveaway

Monday, March 14, 2011

Mailbox Monday ~ A Blog Hop ~ March 14, 2011



Welcome to Mailbox Monday!! 

A blog hop to boost your subscriber count!



Here’s how to join in the fun:
  • Add your blog link to the linky
  • Subscribe by email to the two hostesses. They will return the favor.
  • Visit the other blogs on the list and subscribe by email to the ones that interest you. Leave them a comment with your blog link so they know you are subscribing from Mailbox Monday. Don’t forget to confirm your subscription!
Everyone is welcome to participate. Each week a new linky will be generated so make sure you stop by on Monday’s to add your blog.

Your blog *must* have a place for people to e-mail subscribe.
We will be subscribing to everyone’s blog who participates. If there isn’t an e-mail subscribe option, your link will be removed from the linky.

The Mailbox Monday Blog of the Week is Shining to Save which takes the #3 spot on the linky. Next week, we will choose from this week’s participants for the Blog of the Week.

Help us spread the word about Mailbox Monday! Write a post for your blog and add the blog hop code.
Let’s have fun and meet (and read via email) some new blogs!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Mobile Mum - App Review & Giveaway

Two weeks ago we had a very unfortunate accident.  Our fur kid of 7 1/2 years, a Black Labrador Retriever, bit my son's face which resulted in emergency surgery.  Approx. 1/2 of his upper lip was gone.  The plastic surgeon essentially worked a miracle for my little man.  He was able to change the orientation of the wound and the only "sacrifice" is that the opening of my son's mouth may be ever so slightly smaller.  Folks let me tell you, there is two small visible scars that we believe will fade and not be noticeable in time.  There will not be a need for another surgery!!  And, the opening of his mouth is just fine.  My son is healing well and hasn't skipped a beat.

While all of this was going on, we had to keep my 3yr old daughter entertained.  My parents and my father-in-law were at the hospital with us.  Everyone took turns keeping my messy princess busy.  One thing that was annoying is that the hospital cable only had one cartoon station.  That particular station does NOT have kid friendly cartoons at night.  She had played the iPad throughout the day and also played with various peoples iPods and iPhones.  It never ceases to amaze me at how these little kids can navigate their way around this new technology!  She had been a trooper all day and had been really well behaved.  We were out of ideas and she was getting tired.  Then it hit me.  Mobile MUM!

I had downloaded the app a few days prior and played with it myself but I hadn't shown the kids yet.  The hospital had free web access so it felt like I had just found the golden ticket!  The nurses brought my daughter some nice warm blankets and we made her a make shift bed on the love seat in the waiting room.  It worked like a charm.  We got my daughter to sit down, relax and watch some shows before she drifted off to slumber land.  (By that time it was 11pm-ish.)
Fell asleep while watching a program from Mobile MUM.

You're now asking yourself, "What IS Mobile Mum?", right?  Let me explain:

Mobile MUM is the Most Fun Children's Entertainment Environment Ever. With enchanting games (note: games currently available only on iPad) and the Best in KID's TV, Give your Kids Something Great to Play!. Mom will love the intuitive player and the kids will love having their favorite programs at their fingertips. Mobile MUM mixes the best in educational entertainment programming and unique interactive games, providing hours of fun.

ABOUT MOBILE MUM
Mobile MUM is available on the iPad, iPhone, Android and Online
· Mobile MUM lets mom choose from many preschool shows for their child to watch
· Enchanting and educational games are mixed with the video for the most fun KIDS interactive environment.
· The program is simple for Mom to set up, and easy for a child to use

· Sample of programming available on Mobile MUM
o The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That
o Sid the Science Kid
o Pocoyo
o Mighty Machines
o Animal Atlas
o Busytown Mysteries
o Pajanimals
o Noonbury and the Super 7
o Chloe’s Closet
o Will & Dewitt
o Hopla
o Dive Olly Dive
· Sample of game's available on Mobile MUM (ONLY AVAILABLE ON iPAD – Coming Soon to iPhone & Android)
o What’s Shake “n”?
o Sandy Shapes
o Hide & Peek
o LINO



My honest feedback and personal opinions:

Pros:

It's so user friendly, especially for my 3yr old.
Full episodes with no commercials.
Fun games that my 3yr old is able to do.
It's convenient - gotta love modern technology!
You can repeat the same game/show by pressing "again again", select a new game/show by pressing "new new" or see more of the same program by pressing "more more".
There are shows to please both my 3yr old and my 5yr old

Cons:

The kids are unable to choose which game or show they want.  I understand the concept of why it is the way it is (the shows/games are randomly selected) but trying to explain to my 3yr old that I can't control which show is on wasn't so easy.  It was easy enough to change the show but the load time was frustrating for her.

That being said, it did not, has not and will not deter us from using the app.  It's such a minor non-issue and a personal opinion.  We love it anyway and you may love the way it is!

WIN A 3 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION

Would you like to give Mobile Mum a try with your toddlers and preschoolers?  The kind folks at Mobile MUM are going to award one of my readers with a 3 month subscription!


Mandatory Entry: Visit Mobile MUM on Facebook and "like" their page.  ** PLS. INCLUDE A VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR ENTRY**

Bonus Entries:

1 Entry Each:  Follow me via any social media.  GFC, RSS, Facebook, Networked Blogs, Twitter, e-mail subscribe
1 Entry Each:  Leave a relevant comment on any non-giveaway blog post or give me a shout out on my FB page.
1 Entry: Follow Mobile MUM on Twitter.
1 Entry/Tweet - Include @Mobile_MUM @BlackOlive03 in your tweet.

Good luck!

The giveaways ends 3/27/2011 at 11:59pm EST.  The winner will be chosen via random.org and will be notified via e-mail and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

I received a 6 month subscription in exchange for this review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  No other compensation was received.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Easy Kid Craft: Construction Paper Leprechaun


Do you like doing crafts with your kids but you aren't particularly crafty or don't have a lot of extra time for long, involved crafts?  For me, I fit in the "not particularly crafty" group.  Yet I thoroughly enjoy doing crafts with my kids.  The good news is that kid crafts can be super simple and quick and still be fun and cute.

My husband's grandmother is in an assisted living home 5+ hours from us so we don't get to visit often.  She absolutely adores when we send her crafts from the kids to decorate her room.  So for St. Patrick's Day I decided to have the kids make some simple Leprechauns out of construction paper.

How to make a simple construction paper Leprechaun:



Supplies:
Scissors
Glue Stick
Construction Paper - Colors of choice
Markers/Crayons

Step 1:  I freehand drew the shapes on the construction paper and cut them out to use as a template.  My kids are 3 & 5 so I traced and cut the shapes out myself in effort to keep the craft simple and easy!  

Shapes include the following:  Circle for face, Hat, strip for hat, buckle for hat, beard

Step 2:  Kids use the glue stick to attach the shapes 



Step 3:  Kids draw face on Leprechaun

Artwork by 3yr old daughter - Leprechaun or Angry Birds Pig?

Tips:  I cut all the shapes and had everything prepped the night prior to doing our craft.  Or if you prefer you can have the kids trace and cut the shapes themselves.  Depending on you child's age you can have them write a little message at the top of the page.  My daughter is just learning to write, so I made the dots and she traced.  If you want to dress up the project, you can make it really pop by adding glitter to the hat.

Have fun and may the Luck of the Irish be with you!