OMG she's at it again! iPod touch giveaway

Living On Love and Giveaways has the newest generation iPod Touch that she did not need and is giving away!  Seriously??  WOW.. this is our gain if we win.  All we have to do is do a few entries and hope that we win!  I need to let you know that if you win, you owe me!! :)   Just kidding!!  I will congratulate you ... and go to my room and cry! 

Good luck everyone!

WOW... Where did the time go?

I have been SOO focused on entering giveaways, I have neglected writing.  Shame, shame, shame on me.  I will say that my efforts to enter have been very fruitful!  From The Keurig coffee maker, Zuvo water purifiers, Soda Stream, beautiful keyletttes, Digital picture key rings, books for liittle miss, gift cards, t shirts, shoooot.  My Christmas is almost done :) 

It has been great.  I am still entering giveaways and really enjoying the new blogs I happen upon.  There are so many out there with such wonderful things to say. 

I am re-learning how to save money, make money, etc.  Just today we needed new rechargeable batteries.  Well, they were on sale at Target for $9.51.  PLUS each one had a offer to redeem for a $10.00 itunes gift card.  Can you say cha-ching??  They paid us to take them PLUS we have 2 Christmas gifts!!  (these make great stocking stuffers, wouldn't you agree?

So... I apologize for not having anything to write about.  Well... I've got a lot to write about, just have not had the time :)

Gosh I love these blogs!!  You ladies rock!!  You can visit any of them on the side of my blog.  I'm sure there is somthing you will find you need.  If not, please feel free to use my email address and enter on my behalf :)

Happy Halloween everyone!

Living on Love and Giveaways: A Facebook Giveaway! $30 Walmart Gift Card

Living on Love and Giveaways: A Facebook Giveaway! $30 Walmart Gift Card:

Who does not want or need this? I certainly do!! Go show her some Facebook love and enter to win!

PRINTABLE HALLOWEEN / FALL HARVEST GAMES - REVIEW

 Halloween is almost upon us and yet, I've not done a thing to get ready for it.   As I wondered what I could do that was different, imagine my excitement when Python Printable Games  asked me to review their Halloween party games and Halloween printables .  I was thrilled and could hardly wait to go online and check them out!  There are games for young children, as well as for the teen crowd and adults.

There are coloring pages, trivia, scavenger hunts, match games, the list goes on.  There are over 50 printable sheets available for you. Python Printable Games is selling this awesome package for only $19.95 ( that is a bargain considering you get over 50 printables that you can download and keep)!  I am thinking about printing some of these out to put with the candy I hand out for Halloween!

My little angel is going to have a great time with the coloring pages!  She is almost three years old and loves the color.  The match games are going to be fun as well. 

Oh, and the package is not just for Halloween / Fall Harvest.  Also included are  printables for Thanksgiving.  I can so see my nieces and nephews having fun with this while they are waiting for the dinner to be served!  I plan on having some cute prizes for the winners of each round of games I plan to do! (You know.. the winner gets to do the dishes.. JUST KIDDING!)

Python Printable Games also have a link for FREE coloring pages and a $5.00 coupon HERE!  (Wow, that would bring your price down to under .29 a game)! 

The way I see it, you can't go wrong here!    Head on over to download your FREE coloring pages and $5.00 coupon  HERE and then be sure to order the Halloween printables while you are at it!

This Product Was a Free Giveaway 

Curious George, anyone?

My friend at Have Sippy Will Travel  has a super low entry giveaway for NJ and PA.  Come on peeps.. you have a great opp if you live out that way to go see Curious George Live.

Scoot on over there and enter!!  You have a really good chance to win!

Trim Tread

OK... I'm only doing this b/c I really want to win them!!  Katie over at Mommy Katie is hosting a giveaway on these shoes.  Now, those who know me, will wonder if I have totally lost my mind by wanting these (seeing how I have trouble standing upright without falling) ... but I really do want these!

So.. if you are reading this.. head on over to Mommy Katie and enter to win.  In order to win you must use my email address... no, really, you do!  OK FINE  enter with your information and when you win, you can just give them to me for Christmas... (by the way, I want the black ones)

Good luck!

I hate having my picture taken

I really do... It's amazing how the camera put weight on you... so if 3 are pointed at you, do you gain 30 pounds in your picture?  Well, I'm going with that one!  ('cause surely I don't really look like that... do I?)

Just kidding... I know better!  But back to my point.  I hate having my picture taken.  Now I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully  made.. but my aging face and sagging body parts did not get that memo!  I did, however, find a picture my hubby took whilst we were on vacation last week, that I fell in love with...

This one right here!---->

Now, isn't that the sweetest look we are sharing? 

Well, I think it is, but the back side of the look is she was trying to put sand down my shirt!  The little monkey!!

hmmm... I think I will take all of my pictures looking up like that.... you can't tell my neck wrinkles that way..

Incorporating Fun into Your Child’s Daily Activities

Having three girls that are now in their twenties, I feel sometimes that I failed miserably when they were little girls and young teens. As a young mom who worked full time and commuted a long distance, I just didn't have the energy to devote to them as I should have.  I was fortunate to get a do-over with our now almost three year old.  This little girl keeps me laughing (even when I should be scolding).  Everything is a game for her. 

When she was a few months old, we started teaching her to communicate with us via sign language.  By the time she was 8 months old she could tell us she wanted milk.  At a year old she could tell us she wanted milk, water, juice, to eat, or wanted more, please and thank you.  Unfortunately, a friend of mine also taught her to sign "it wasn't me, it was her".  Yeah, she has used that one as well!  Children are so amazing and such sponges.   With her being able to communicate with us, it eliminated a lot of frustrations.   My oldest was so impressed she decided to do this when she had a child.  Her son is now learning to "say" milk.

The little girl loves to sing.  It can be anytime or anywhere.  She had me join her in song as we walked through a Wal-mart.  Heaven forbid if I forget my “microphone”.  But not to fear!  She will pull one out of her make believe backpack and hand it to me.   We sing songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle, Twinkle, The Alphabet Song, you know the normal stuff! Microphone in hand!  Anytime, anywhere!   What a great way to help with memorization!

We also love to have tea parties.  She will crawl up in my lap and ask me if I would like some tea.  Why yes, I would!  So she reaches back into her handy dandy make believe backpack and wah-lah!  I have a nice cup of tea.  She is quick to warn me that it is hot and I need to blow it and be careful.   The tea is scrumptious and really hits the spots!  We use this time to work on table manners. 

We have taught her to count to 30, sing her ABC’s and spell her name all while getting dressed and putting on shoes to go “to work”.  You see, we run a few home businesses from our house and one of them is putting flamingos in yards of unsuspecting “victims”.  She helps us count the “critters” as we place them in the yard.   Helping us collect them at the end of the rental is another venture in counting.  This little lady will be counting to 50 before we know it!  She can already count by two’s up to 10.  Did I tell you she is only 2-1/2?

Left and right is no challenge for her anymore!  We have her tell us which way we should turn when we are driving about.  While sitting at a light, we will ask her which way we need to turn.  Do we turn left, or right?  She nails it every time!  One day she saw something at a store she wanted.  We were trying to ignore it and she was adamant that we look on the left and see it.  Guess what... it was on the left. 

Cooking is always fun with her.  Play-doh is our friend!  She can come up with the most delicious looking delicacies.  Bringing us dinner while we work is her greatest joy!  Her pizzas are the best in the house!  She can get a little possessive of the rolling pin sometimes, but that’s ok.  We are working on the sharing issues!   It is also a great time to reinforce learning colors.  She is learning that yellow and blue make green!  Also learning all colors mixed together turn a yucky brown!

Her garden was amazing this year.  She had her own little plot and was diligent to make sure it was weeded, watered, and basically well taken care of.  Her Abby-Cadabby gardening set was top notch in helping with weeding!  She looked so darn cute in her gloves.  The joy in her face as she was able to finally pick her first tomato and cucumber was priceless!  Talk about a feeling of accomplishment!  She got to watch these plants grow from seedlings to food on her plate! 

Cleaning time is fun time as well.  We make it a race to see who can pick up the most toys.  The winner gets a high five!   At one time she was afraid of the vacuum cleaner but we have coaxed her to help us push it and now she enjoys helping us suck up that dust bunny!   The step stool is always nearby when we are unloading the dishwasher as her job is to help put the dishes away.  While it does take longer than doing it alone, the pride she feels in helping is worth that time!

She helps us take care of our little dog, Mickey.  We take him for a walk a few times a day and she enjoys telling me the colors of the cars that pass us.  Sometime we call out the numbers on the mailboxes.  She is a sharp little lady.  We try to make everything an opportunity to learn. 

Speaking of our dog, she will use him as her shopping buddy, as her baby (and wrap him up in a blanket), and as her best friend.  This little dog is amazing with her.  I’m still waiting for her to try and bottle feed him!  She will be quite a mommy when she grows up!  She will read to him and quiz him about what she has "read".  Not unlike us.  We take turns reading.  She enjoys "reading" back to us.  She runs her finger under each word as she speaks.   

While we don’t have a lot of inventive new ways to play, we enjoy the time we spend with her and learning from her as well! 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and The Hub blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Day at the beach...

is relaxing

peaceful

fun

reminds me of God's majesty. 
(And sometimes I need to be reminded).

Is just what I needed to refresh and de-stress!

Thanks mom!!  I really enjoyed the vacation with my family, my mom, and Aunt Bea!  It was much needed and greatly appreciated!

Wordless Wednesday

She wants to be a doctor when she grows up....  I told her she needs to be so that she can support us when we get older LOL

Meet Me On Monday

Meet Me On Monday blog hop

OK... I have 5 questions to answer :)

Questions:

1. What is the best dish you can make?
hmmmm... that's a tough one... I guess Id have to say my macaroni salad is my most requested dish

2. How often do you change your sheets?
I'm supposed to change them??  Just kidding!! weekly!

3. What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?
I would have to say from Richmond, VA to Novia Scotia, Canada

4. What is your favorite fruit?
Watermelon... love me some watermelon

5. Would you rather have breakfast for dinner or dinner for breakfast?
Breakfast for dinner... love me some breakfast

The World Is A Stage

And Malia is more than happy to perform.  How many two year olds can sing Bohemian Rhapsody word for word.. in tune, no less.  She cracks me up!   Here is a short clip (I don't want to bore you with the longer ones.. Sadly, she did get distracted by her ice cream cone but you get the jist.  (Hopefully it will play... I'm technically challenged)