Welcome to Mailbox Mondays!!

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


<a border="0" href="http://darwinsfrg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/Darwinsfrg/MailboxMonday-2-1-1.jpg" /> </a>

Hosted by Simply Stacie, 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 three 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.

Help us spread the word about Mailbox Monday!  Write a post for your blog and add the blog hop code.

Let's all have fun and meet (and read via email) some new blogs!!

Borders DOUBLE-DOG DARE Summer Reading for Kids 12 and under

That's right, Borders has DOUBLE-DOG DARED your kids, ages 12 and under, to read 10 books this summer.  After they've completed reading their 10th book Borders will give them one FREE book!

Rules:

* Read 10 book - any ones you like (No Purchase Necessary, you can use books you already have or borrow from the library!)

* List the books read on the printed form

* Parents sign the form and use it as a coupon to redeem a FREE book!

Here is the list of FREE books you will have to choose from:

Ramona the Brave
Miss Daisy is Crazy
Flat Stanley
Dear Mr. Henshaw
The Ruins of Gorlan
Hoot
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Johnny Tremain
The River
Kristy's Great Idea

Even if your kids are too young for the books listed above, I say go for it and pick one to add to your home library for a later time.

I believe that teaching children early on that reading is fun is so very important.  My children are too young to read on their own yet but they look forward to their bedtime books every night.  I hope that they continue their love for books as the years go on.  Programs like this one Borders is providing are a great way to keep reading fun!

So make sure you check it out.  It's FREE.  For more information and to print the form click HERE.

Welcome to the Social Parade

I'm participating in the Social Parade hosted by Smart and Trendy Moms.  Thanks for stopping by my pad.  Look forward to meeting everyone and visiting your blogs.  Make sure to leave me a comment so I know you were here.  I will follow you back :-)

For information on joining the Social Parade, click the button in this post.

Beautiful Creatures Review & Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDED

I love music.  It has always been a big part of my life with my family displaying amazing musical talents.  Most often you will find me listening to Country music but I like all forms from Irish Folk to Raggae to Alternative Rock.

My kids, ages 5 and 2 1/2 have inherited my love of music.  They both love to dance, "play" the piano and sing.  Needless to say, when I was given the opportunity to download and preview the Beautiful Creatures CD I was very excited.  The Beautiful Creatures CD features parent friendly South African children's music.

Here is a little blurb about the music:

Beautiful Creatures was formed in South Africa in November 2004 by Alan Glass, Ed Jordan and Paul Choritz who felt there was a need for ‘Parent Friendly’ children’s music. Using the best session musicians, actors and singers in the country, Beautiful Creatures prides itself on being uniquely South African with a positive global message.

The last five years have seen the release of seven Beautiful Creatures albums.  BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, MORE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES and EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES featuring fun educational songs about African animals. BEAUTIFUL ME, an album dealing with emotional development for children, tackling issues such as sibling rivalry, anger management, self-confidence and diversity. BEAUTIFUL BEDTIME, songs that take your children through the routine of getting ready for bed. Winding down, bathing, brushing teeth, putting your p-jays on and story time. And BEAUTIFUL CREATURES OF THE SEA, fun sea creature songs that deal with conservation. 2009 saw the release of BEAUTIFUL LULLABIES featuring 10 down tempo songs to get your baby to sleep.

Learn more about Beautiful Creatures HERE. 

 My kids and I have been enjoying the music for several days now.  My daughter, 2 1/2, asks me to play it over and over.  She simply cannot get enough of it.  The music has very catchy beats and rhythms that are sure to make Imagination Movers "Knit Knots" tap his foot!  The lyrics are fabulously done.  They are silly and fun, very kid friendly.  The kids and I continue to have great laughs while listening to the CD.  At the same time it teaches the kids simple lessons.  For example, in Lorenzo the Luckiest Lizard the song talks about Lorenzo being small and hiding, that it's best to leave him alone.  The songs are the perfect length.  Long enough to get the kids up and bouncing around but not so long that they lose interest.  There are a few slower songs that are perfect to help kids wind down.  

You can go to Beautiful Creatures website to listen to a short snippet from each song by clicking HERE.  I highly recommend it.  The CD is available for download on iTunes.  It would make a great gift for any of the little loves in your life!

But wait, there's more!

Beautiful Creatures is graciously giving one of my lucky readers a download of this CD.  

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Main Entry ~ Tell me what music you remember listening to as a kid.  For example, I have fond memories of totally getting my groove on to Disco Duck :-)  This entry must be done before any of the bonus entries.

Bonus Entries ~

* Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect.

* Subscribe to my blog via e-mail  (2 entries)

* Follow me on Twitter

* Tweet once a day (1 entry per tweet and leave link to tweet)

@beauticreatures Parent Friendly Children's Music #GIVEAWAY http://tiny.cc/vfltb @BlackOlive03 #BeautifulCreatures

* "Like" A little of this... on Facebook  (Please leave first name and last initial in comment)

* Blog about the giveaway and leave link to your post (5 entries)

* Follow Beautiful Creatures on Twitter

* "Like" Beautiful Creatures on Facebook (Please leave first name and last initial in comment)

* Follow Beautiful Creatures Blog using Google Friend Connect.

Giveaway ends 6/11/10 at 11:59 PM.  The winner will be picked using random.org.  They will be notified via e-mail and will have 48hrs to claim their prize.

GOOD LUCK :-D

I received a complimentary download of the CD for this review.  No other compensation was received.  All of the opinions were honest and my own.  If you have questions about the products mentioned in this giveaway, please contact the company directly.
COMMENTS CLOSED
And the WINNER IS...

Jenna Wood said... 4

Email subscriber 2
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com
May 29, 2010 12:55 AM

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Tuesday Tag Along

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for Tuesday Tag Along!  What's special about today's Tuesday Tag Along?  Today you not only get to follow A little of this A little of that... but you have the opportunity to enter my very first blog giveaway!  Check out YooHoo & Friends Review and Giveaway.  Good luck and thanks for your support!  :-)

Now.  Back to Tuesday Tag Along.  Here's how it works:

*  Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
*  Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
*  Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)
*  If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!
*  Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.
*When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)

The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!

There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!

Tuesday Tag-Along Blog Hopper of the Week:
Note: To be eligible to be Blog Hopper of the Week, you MUST place the Tuesday Tag-Along button somewhere on the main page of your blog or website (and since I'll be checking for it manually, I must be able to actually find it). If the randomly-drawn winner does not meet this condition, a new winner will be randomly selected. If you do not want to place the TTA button on your site, you are still more than welcome to join in the blog hop, you will just not be eligible to be the Blog Hopper of the Week.

Each week, one blog will be chosen randomly from all the links, and that lucky blog will be placed in the desirable second slot for the following week's MckLinky!

This week's lucky blog hopper is #76, Beth Z. Congratulations!

YooHoo & Friends Review and Giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDED THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of our newest family members, Sunny and Rino.  We adpoted Sunny and Rino from a wonderful group called YooHoo & Friends.  They say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression and that was no problem for these little fur balls!  It was love at first sight.

Sunny and Rino are absolutely adorable.  Once they arrived at our home they were passed around as everyone ooo'd and aaah'd over them before the kids snatched them up for themselves.  The dog thought for sure we adopted these new furry friends for her.  Since their arrival I have heard the children playing in their rooms with squeals of delight.  My daughter has been carrying hers, Rino, around with her everywhere.  They've even had a visit with Grandma.

I found the YooHoo & Friends plush animals to be very soft to the touch and exceptionally cute.  Give them a squeeze or hug and you'll hear different sounds.  Sunny roars and Rino plays a little chime.  We took some time to sit down and visit YooHoo & Friends online to learn about the animals we received.  I was excited to see my 2 little ones so interested in hearing more about their YooHoo & Friends.  My kids are a little young to really get into the interactive rooms available with YooHoo & Friends, but I can see myself tinkering around while enjoying some down time.

YooHoo & Friends would make a great addition to any family.  Pick one up for your favorite grad or that special someone celebrating a birthday.  They can be purchased at many florists, gift shops, major zoos and chain retailers such as Hallmark and Claire's.

YooHoo & Friends are the product of Aurora World Inc. and they've graciously agreed to offer one of my lucky US readers the chance to win a YooHoo & Friend!

Enter to win this giveaway by completing the following:

Mandatory entry to be eligible to win ~ Go to YooHoo & Friends website and tell me one fact about Sunny or Rino.  Please include your e-mail address in your comment.

One Entry Each:

*  Follow A little of this A little of that... blog using Google Friend Connect.

* Subscribe to A little of this A little of that... via e-mail.  You must verify your subscription for your entry to be valid.

*  Follow A Little of this A Little of that... AND YooHoo & Friends on Twitter.  Please include Twitter name in comment.

*  Tweet about the giveaway once a day, leaving link the to your tweet in comment.  (One entry per tweet)

Enter to WIN @YooHooFriends #giveaway http://tiny.cc/ofbf0 @BlackOlive03 #sunnyandrino

*  Facebook "Like" YooHoo & Friends  Please comment with first name and last initial.

*  Facebook "Like" A Little of this A Little of that...  Please comment with first name and last initial.

*  Create a FREE account at YooHoo & Friends Please include e-mail address used to register in comment.

*  Blog about this giveaway, including a link to the blog post in your comment.

Giveaway ends June 8, 2010 at 11:59pm EST.  Winners will be chosen randomly using random.org and will be notified by e-mail.  Winners have 48hrs to claim their prize or another winner will be picked.

Aurora World Inc. sent me two 5" plush YooHoo Friends for this review.  Opinions given in this review are honest and my own.  No other compensation was received.  If you have any questions about Aurora World Inc. and YooHoo & Friends you may contact the company directly.
GIVEAWAY ENDED ~ GOOD LUCK!

 
AND THE WINNER IS: 

Forget Shyness Reviews said... 50

tweet

http://twitter.com/forgetshyness/status/15033765970

May 30, 2010 6:37 AM

Congratulations!

A Heavy Heart

I believe that my 10 year old Orange Tabby cat, Nugget, is missing.  I think he some how slipped out of the house the other day, possibly when we had company.  Nugget is a very timid cat, afraid of his own shadow and has asthma.  He will never survive outside on his own.  That is what upsets me so much.  The thought that he could be injured or suffering breaks my heart.

I've called the municipal office, the police station and the local AWA.  No one has reported or turned in my lost kitty.  Guess I'll be making signs and hanging them up around town.  Sigh.  :-(

Come home little Nugget.  Your buddy, Simon, is missing you terribly.

What is a good shopping day?

A good shopping day to me is saving more than I spend! Here is a break down of my shopping trip to CVS this morning:

Regular Price:
1 Aussie Styling Spray       $  2.99
1 Herbal Essences Spray   $  2.99
2 DiGiorno Pizzas              $13.98
                                       ----------
TOTAL                            $19.96 
 
Coupons Used:
Aussie                             - $  1.00
 Herbal Essences             - $  2.00
DiGiorno                         - $  1.00
4 Extra Care Bucks         - $  4.00
DiGiorno Sale                  -$   6.98
                                      -----------
TOTAL DISCOUNTS     $14.98

Total Out-Of-Pocket Paid:  $  5.40 ($0.42 tax)
Received 4 Extra Care Buck on receipt    

So that's like spending $  1.40 for the list of products above.  I will be rolling my ECB's into other CVS bargains



                                         

Wordless Wednesday

Young Love

ColorInc Gallary Wrap Canvas Giveaway & Coupon

I'm entering to win an 11"x14" Gallary Wrap Canvas at Tidy Mom. You can enter to win, too!  Not only is ColorInc offering two of Tidy Mom readers a canvas, they're offering 25 4x6 prints FREE to everyone.  For the coupon code, visit Tidy Mom!  The giveaway ends May 25 @ 5pm CST.

It's Tag Along Tuesday!

Here's how it works:
Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)

Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.

Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)

If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!

Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.

When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)

The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!

There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!

Exciting News!!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

2 Day BONUS deals at Toys R Us.

This is a great time to stock up on birthday gifts and rewards to stash away for a later time!

ZhuZhu Pets ~ Buy 2 get the 3rd FREE. Offer valid for Scoodles, Winkie, Nugget and Jilly only.

Fisher-Price Little People Preschool Toys ~ Buy 1 get 1 FREE.   Regular prices from $9.99 - $39.99

For more great 2 Day BONUS deals at Toys R Us, look here.

It's a Social Parade!!

Last week went so well, they're doing it again!

Smart and Trendy Moms is hosting this Social Parade for socializing and gaining new followers!

How it works.
Grab the link-up button and post It's a Social Parade!! Wednesday Link-up. Every Wednesday a new linky will be posted with that weeks exchange info.

This week is Google Friend Connect Round Up!!
To participate:
Follow the blog in the first spot via Google Friend Connect. I will follow all on the linky! All blogs participating must post about Social Parade and link to that on the linky:)
Link-up your blog post for "It's a Social Parade" that you made on your blog. This week you need to include your fanpage link in the post for others to Like/Fan you back.
Follow as many as you like commenting on their POST as you do so they can follow back!
If you do not make a post and link that up, it is unlikely that someone will search around for a post to comment on.

DO NOT LINK TO THIS POST UNLESS YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN SOCIAL PARADE-YOU MUST LINK TO YOUR POST ABOUT SOCIAL PARADE

50% off any Frappuccino ~ Printable Coupon

Going to Barnes & Noble?  Print this coupon to get 50% off any Frappuccino blended beverage with a cafe purchase.

Coupon expires 5/17/10

What's your favorite Frappuccino?  Mine is a Java Chip Frap.  Mmmmmm.

FREE Dunkin Donuts Coffee

Who can resist an opportunity to get FREE Dunkin Donuts coffee??  You have not one but TWO chances to score some delicious DD coffee.

Rumor has it that tomorrow, Tuesday, May 11th,  Dunkin Donuts will be offering a FREE small iced coffee to their customers.  Participation in the promotion will vary by location.

You can also sign up for Dunkin Perks program, which is free, and get a coupon for a FREE medium beverage.  You'll get a second FREE medium beverage on your birthday!  You can't beat it!  Enroll here.

It's a Social Parade and You're Invited!

Smart and Trendy Moms is hosting this Social Parade for socializing and gaining new followers!

How it works.
Grab the link-up button and post It's a Social Parade!! Wednesday Link-up. Every Wednesday a new linky will be posted with that weeks exchange info.

This week is Google Friend Connect Round Up!!
To participate:
Follow the blog in the first spot via Google Friend Connect. I will follow all on the linky! All blogs participating must post about Social Parade and link to that on the linky:)
Link-up your blog post for "It's a Social Parade" that you made on your blog. This week you need to include your fanpage link in the post for others to Like/Fan you back.
Follow as many as you like commenting on their POST as you do so they can follow back!
If you do not make a post and link that up, it is unlikely that someone will search around for a post to comment on.

DO NOT LINK TO THIS POST UNLESS YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN SOCIAL PARADE-YOU MUST LINK TO YOUR POST ABOUT SOCIAL PARADE

Button Swap Blog Hop

Guidelines:

1. Grab the A little of this A little of that... button ( <--- over there) and put it on your blog/blog roll. Leave me a comment while you're there and I'll grab your button and add it to my blog roll too!

2. Add the blog hop list (instructions below list) to your Button Swap Blog Hop post on your blog. Be sure to include the guidelines so all the buttons you swap with others will be returned by them grabbing yours as well. *Be sure to include your button's copy code in your Swap Post.

3. Link your blog post up to the blog hop. (You only need to link up once and it will show up on all the hop lists on all the blogs participating).

4. Then start visiting the other participants! Grab their button and add it to your blog sidebar or blog roll, and leave them a comment telling them your visiting from the BSBH party! Be sure to return the favor to anyone visiting you.


*Tip for having lots of buttons swap success - don't wait for others to come to you, go to them first!*

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Giveaway from Feisty Frugal and Fabulous

Try your luck and see if you win a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe for your favorite little one(s).  Little Tikes has generously partnered up with Feisty Frugal and Fabulous to give one of her lucky readers a Cozy Coupe!  All of the details for entering can be found at Feisty Frugal and Fabulous.

This giveaway ends May 4th at 9pm CT.

Duncan Hines Giveaway from Baby Loving Mama

Who could resist this delicious giveaway??  Baby Loving Mama is hosting a giveaway for a Duncan Hines Spring Basket valued at $50!

Click over to Baby Loving Mama to see how you can enter to win!

Contest ends 5/17 at 11:59pm.

It's a party and you're invited!

Jenn.nu works for Eden Fantasys where she connects with bloggers to host reviews and giveaways.  Now Eden Fantasys is going all out.  Jenn.nu will be  hosting Twitter parties every two weeks, starting tomorrow, Monday, May 3rd at 8:00pm EST and will continue until 10:00pm EST.

Joining the party is quite easy.  The first thing you need to do is set up a Twitter account if you don't already have one.  The next thing is to follow @kissmykitty (dare I admit it took me a whole day before I caught on to that?? ) on Twitter.  Be online and logged in to Twitter between the hours of 8pm and 10pm every other Monday.  Join in on the conversation and when you tweet use #edenfantasys so you can be eligible to win prizes.  

During these parties you will have the chance to win a $25 GC to Eden Fantasies or one of two sex toys that Jenn.nu will be giving away.

Remember, the first party is tomorrow, Monday, May 3rd, at 8:00pm.

For further details, visit Jenn.nu and even enter a Eden Fantasys giveaway that she's hosting right now!  Good luck and hope to "see you" at the party!

J. Leigh Designz Giveaway

This giveaway is for a Step2 Neighborhood Fun Center Playhouse and is being hosted by J. Leigh Designz.  Let me tell you, this is one *hot* giveaway.  The amount of traffic it's pulling in is huge.  There are already 2290 entries and counting!  There are several ways to enter, so check it out and see if you could be the lucky winner!

How much FUN does this look???  ENTER HERE
Retails for $349.99

Stock Photo from Step2
Contest ends May 17th at 11:59pm