3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

Six Redheads

Kindergartners, Photos, Ruby Tuesday, Toy Vehicles, Toys, Wooden Toys

Here is a photo of our kindergartner with one of his newest obsessions . . . Automoblox! They are modular cars whose parts can be interchanged to create new and different vehicles.

One of the cars came with two painted figures and the other came with four. All six have black bodies and red heads . . . thus six redheads!

If you'd like to see more Ruby Tuesday photos, go visit Mary at Work of the Poet!

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New 3G2S Series: Sponsor Report

Blogging, Blogging Resources and Networking, Shopping, Sponsor Report

I have decided to start a new series to give feedback about the sponsors I work with to offer you, my readers, relevant product reviews and fun contests. If you read my blog, then you most likely know that I like to keep a generally positive tone, whether I am writing a personal post or an article that contains criticisms about a product.

The reason I am starting this series is not a very positive one. In the past 3 or 4 months, there has been a noticeable increase of sponsors, both small businesses and large corporations, not coming through with the contest prizes for my readers. For one reason or another, they have failed to deliver the promised prize to the winner without any explanation after months of following up on my part.

For example, one company made an agreement to send a prize worth $150 to our winner. The contest ran for nearly the entire month of August and I have been trying to attain the prize for the winner since the beginning of September. Since then, I have emailed the sponsor 7 times and messaged the sponsor 3 times on Twitter. The sponsor did acknowledge one of the Twitter messages and one email, but still almost 4 months later, my reader still does not have her prize. Now would you as a consumer want to purchase from a business that is not upstanding and does not value your taking the time to read about their product and to visit their website? As a blogger, would you want to promote this company's product?

This is the only editorial post that will be part of this series. The reports will consist of the date the contest ended, the prize promised, the company's name, and how many attempts I made to contact that company. Also, so that these posts are not completely negative, I intend to highlight the companies that have been especially upstanding . . . ones my readers take the time to write me an email about stating how quickly they received their prize and how happy they are with the product.

I truly wish more bloggers will take a stand and post something similar on their own websites. I really do want my readers to know that I did make an true effort to get their prizes to them, I appreciate their taking the time to read my blog and enter my contests, and I hate that they have been disappointed. I am not worried about burning bridges because I am unlikely to ever want to work with a company again that is not honorable. I am not concerned about potential sponsors not wanting to work with me because my reports will only list the exceptional sponsors I have had the pleasure to work with and the sponsors whom I have been chasing for at least two months and have still not produced a prize without an explanation.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, as it is something that I feel very strongly about.

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Giveaway: Frito-Lay "Party in a Pinch" Gift Basket Prize Pack

Finger Food, Frito-Lay, Giveaways, Party Planning, Snacks

Whether you are throwing a holiday get-together or a tailgating party, Frito-Lay offers a vast variety of better-for-you snack foods that are sure to be people pleasers. Keeping these snacks on hand will make any party less stressful. They are also an easy choice if you need something to bring to a party as your contribution.

Here are some tips for throwing a successful Holiday party provided by Frito-Lay:

Ambiance is everything – Keep a playlist of festive music easily accessible or stock the stereo with CDs so it’s ready at the push of a button…literally. Add a few scented candles and presto…instant ambiance!

Let guests add their touch – Keep a box of ornaments on hand and ask your guests to add one to the tree.

No clean-up necessary – Stock-up on a supply of holiday-colored paper plates, napkins and utensils to lessen post-party clean-up. And if the house is tidy before you head out for the day, there’s no scrambling once they arrive!

Stock the pantry – Have some “better for you” Frito-Lay products on hand to lessen the stress of “what to fix?” and allow for more time to visit with your guests. Frito-Lay’s Tostitos Scoops or Baked! Scoops -- with a delicious dip -- are true crowd-pleasers. Serve on a festive platter or dish and presto! …festive snacks ready to share!

Entertain with ease – Always have several fun board games accessible to keep guests entertained. And a few kid-friendly movies or simple crafts will keep the little ones busy while the adults socialize.

Thank you to Frito-Lay for providing a book and a Frito-Lay gift basket for our contest prize and for sending a book and a gift basket to me as a thank you for participating in this campaign.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Frito-Lay Gift Basket Prize Pack (up to a $40 value) containing the following . . .

Assorted Frito-Lay Snacks
One jar variety of Tostitos Dip
Large Chip Bowl
The Last Minute Party Girl by Erika Lenkert

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:
Take a look at the long list of Frito-Lay Snacks. Then leave a comment telling me which Frito-Lay snack you are always happy to see at a party. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND FritoLay.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)

Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

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Review: Mariah Carey Christmas Classics - The Yule Log Edition (DVD)

Christmas Carols, Christmas Music, DVDs, Mariah Carey, Music Videos, Music/CD Reviews, TV/Movies/DVDs Reviews

In anticipation for the incoming blizzard yesterday, my family decided to hunker down in the house for some quality family time. I did a little baking and then we worked on some jigsaw puzzles while we listened to Christmas music by Mariah Carey.

This music DVD is part of Sony Music's Yule Log series, in which Christmas music plays along to one of three holiday scenes. You can choose to listen to holiday music with either a yule log burning in the fireplace, the inside of a cozy cottage decorated for the holidays, or an evening outdoor snow scene with a cabin lit from within. We played ours on a Sony Playstation console rather than a DVD player, so we had difficulties figuring out which button would allow us to switch between the scenes. We ended up just enjoying the fireplace, which is the default scene.

Because this DVD is meant to play in the background, I do wish that there were more than ten holiday songs. Since we were not sitting with our attention focused on the television as we would if we were watching a movie, the music seemed to end quickly.

There are at least 17 different Christmas Classics - The Yule Log Edition DVDs available. Artists include Celine Dion, Kenny G, Kenny Chesney, and more.

I think these DVDs are a great idea for a hostess gift because they are ideal for playing in the background and creating some ambiance during a holiday party. I also think these DVDs would be perfect to send to someone who cannot be home for Christmas due to work or being away at school.

In addition to the Legacy Recordings Store, you should be able to find these holiday music DVDs on Amazon.com and at your local music retailer.

Thank you to Sony Music for providing us with a sample Yule Log DVD to review.

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Free G-Force Printable Puzzles & Activity Sheets

Children's Movies, Christmas List, Free Printables, Mazes

If you've picked up the movie G-Force for a child in your life for an upcoming gift or if your child is already a G-Force fan, then here are some fun activities that your child will surely enjoy . . .

These three printable activity sheets include a form for your child to create their own Christmas gift list, a Spot the Difference game, and a G-Force maze.

To Print: Make sure your printer is on and ready to print. Click on any image to enlarge. Then right click on the image and select print.

Thank you to Click-Communications for providing these free printables to share with my readers.

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My Photos (W/E 12-19-09)

Food, Photos, Weekly Winners

Am I in a photo slump? Hopefully, Christmas will bring us joy, togetherness, and interesting photos! :P

"Compromise"

"Care For a Little Bubbly?"

Thank you for taking the time to view my photos this week! If you'd like to play along or see more great photos, stop by to see Lotus at Sarcastic Mom.

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Review: Braun ThermoScan Thermometer & Vicks GermFree Humidifier

Appliance Review, Cold Remedies, Health and Body Product Reviews, Humidifiers, Infant/Toddler Product Reviews, Reviews, Thermometers

For the past 6 to 8 weeks, our family of five has been taking turns having cold and flu symptoms. Luckily, I was the only one who seemed to really have a sick-in-bed full out flu. We did have a couple of instances of high fevers with the twins though.

I can't say how thankful I was to have the Braun ThermoScan ear thermometer handy. Even though I like our non-invasive Exergen TemporalScanner, this Braun takes a temperature in about 1/3 of the time. It literally takes just 3 seconds to get an accurate body temperature reading.

Even though the child who was sick would be a little cranky, they never minded having their temperature taken. The ear piece is shaped so it would be difficult to insert the thermometer in too far. To take a temperature, simply turn the unit on, push the power button again to clear the last reading off the screen, insert the thermometer in the ear, and then push the button conveniently located on the back of the thermometer. In about 2 to 3 seconds the thermometer beeps and you have your reading. It really is quick and painless.

There are two features about the Braun ThermoScan that really impressed me. The first is that the tip is pre-warmed so that reading is quicker and more accurate. The second is that this thermometer comes with a hard cover that fits over the full length of the unit. This cover also has a place to store the disposable lens filters, which is extremely convenient. I love that there is no need for a separate carrying pouch.

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In addition to fevers, we have had a huge problem with stuffy noses for both twins and a little cough and congestion for our daughter. They would both wake up crying during the night from these symptoms. We would have to use saline drops in their noses to try to give them some relief from their discomfort.

When we began using the Vicks V3900 Pediatric GermFree Cool Mist Humidifier, it was like night and day. Both twins woke up a fewer number of times during the night and, when they did wake up, they were not crying, distressed, and rubbing their noses. Our daughter also rarely woke up coughing. The only protest the twins had was the soft hum emitted by the humidifier, but they became accustomed to it after just one night.

Our children's bedroom is rather large, but having this humidifier on the lowest setting was enough to keep the air from being too dry and to fill the entire room with scent of the Vicks Vaporizing Pads. Running this humidifier has also helped prevent nose bleeds that result from over-dryness. On the lowest setting, this unit is very quiet compared to other humidifiers.

There were several things that really impressed my husband and myself about this humidifier . . .

1) It was extremely easy to set up and only weighs 7lbs.

2) It barely uses any water, unlike warm mist humidifiers. The 1-gallon capacity is more than sufficient.

3) Also unlike warm mist humidifiers, the room did not smell musty like a swamp.

4) This unit has a UV light and a boiling action. This eliminates the worry of mold, bacteria, and fungi that could live in other humidifiers, which is a concern of ours because some members of the family are allergic to mold.

Both these products made such a difference for our children's cold symptoms. In turn, this helped with the problem of my husband and I being continuously sleep-deprived.

The Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer retails for $49.99 and the V3900 Vicks GermFree Humidifier retails for $79.95. I have only been using these two products for a few weeks, so I cannot attest to their longevity. It is my opinion that, if they will last for several years, then both products are worth the investment. You can find both these products at Walmart, Walgreens, Amazon.com, and major drug stores nationwide.

Thank you to Braun for sending us an ear thermometer and Vicks for sending us a humidifier to use for this review.

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Giveaway Winners: The Jimmies Music DVDs

Contest Winners

Today we will be determining the two winners for The Jimmies DVD contest!

Out of 44 entries, our two winners are . . .

#32 - packerfantimmy

#28 - erma (erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net)

Congratulations to our winners! I will be sending out official email notifications right away. Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prizes. Happy Holidays!!