McDonald's and My Family: AND a giveaway!

 That would be my "Yeaaaaah, baby! I would most definitely like a Shamrock Shake, please!" look. I mean, what's not to like? I would like to thank St. Patrick for chasing those snakes out of Ireland or whatever he did hundreds of years ago so that McDonald's could make a minty shake of goodness every spring.

 Miss Lori (SMILE!) was a brand ambassador for the McDonald's "Moms Nutrition Panel." She gathered some of the mom bloggers in Chicagoland at a local McDonald's to discuss the healthier options available for our families at this classic American institution. I happily admit that I frequent McDonald's with my family. We take advantage of their dollar menu items when we are in a rush for time without extra cash to spend, but my kids' favorite McDonald's meals (and I'm not even joking here) are the Southwest Salads... withOUT the dressing! (Well, Corinne likes a little dressing on hers...) 

 It was really nice to hear the different options available for families who are trying to treat their children without overloading them with calories, sugar or sodium. Though McDonald's is obviously not the HEALTHIEST choice in the line up of restaurants available, they are continuously moving towards a menu that is up front and helpful for us all. Not all fast food restaurants can claim to be so forward-thinking towards health, and I give McD's a lot of credit. The main difference I have noticed and am grateful for is the calorie information that you will find beside every food item on their menus. Just look up at the boards! It's all there, in black and white, so no one can claim ignorance of the crazy high calorie number on some of their items anymore. You can also find all of the nutritional information on the backside of every tray liner or on the McDonald's Website.

 Mcdonald's very generously provided me with several vouchers for 4 of their healthier options including the Premium Chicken Sandwiches, Premium Salads, Fruit Smoothies, and Fruit & Walnut Oatmeal. My kids' eyes bugged out when I brought home a salad for each of us. It was as though I had told them we were having a gourmet treat at a 5 star restaurant. :)


I just so happen to have 4 sheets of vouchers that McDonald's provided to me so that I can give them away to some of YOU! I will pick two names and each person will receive 8 vouchers total (2 free item vouchers for each of the foods listed above).

These vouchers are valid only in the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana McDonald's restaurants. You must be 18 or older to enter.

To Enter:

~ Comment below! What is your favorite McDonald's food? (Healthy or not, I don't care!)


THAT'S IT. That's all you have to do. :) One entry per person, please, and I will pick two winners on Thursday, April 11 via Random.org

Good luck!

*Though McDonald's provided me with lunch and coupons to review their product, no monetary compensation was received and this review/giveaway is being done of my own desire. All opinions are my own.

Updated with Winner:

 
Congratulations to Julie and David Lobner! Enjoy!!

Legoland In Schaumburg introduces a Star Wars Exhibit! AND a giveaway!

(Giveaway closed: Winner posted at the bottom!)
My family has been to Legoland in Schaumburg many times over the past few years but it had been several months since our last visit. I was thrilled to see the new addition of the Lego Friends corner and an updated luncheon area. The kids were thrilled to see their newest exhibit:

STAR WARS!!

 Schaumburg is the first of all of the Legoland facilities to host a Star Wars exhibit of this nature.

 Hands-on activities include driving your own pod-racer...

 ...Helping a Naboo Starfighter escape from the hangar...

 And assisting the Gungans defeat the droid army. Pretty cool, right?

There are still the building workshops and the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride in addition to all of the regular activities that are crazy fun for the kids to enjoy. But if you have a Star Wars fan, you simply HAVE to check out this new exhibit at Legoland Discovery Center!

I just so happen to have 4 tickets to give away to one reader!

To Enter:
(must be over 18 years old)

1. Just comment below and tell me who the biggest Star Wars Fan is in your house!
2. Share this giveaway on any social media site (Twitter/Facebook/Google+/etc.) and link back here (on a separate comment, please!)

I will pick the winner via Random.org on Tuesday, March 26. Good luck to all and may the force be with you!

And the winner is.... #18: Mep from "Not to Brag." Congratulations! I hope that you and your kids enjoy the tickets!

Thank you to all who entered! I have other giveaways coming up soon!

Monster Truck Jam in Chicago!

It's that time in Chicago again! Time to rev up your engines and head to the Allstate Arena for some...

Monster Truck JAM!!!

I truly cannot convey to you how much my family has enjoyed attending the Monster Truck Jam these past few years. I am bummed that we may not be able to make it this time due to other scheduling conflicts (that I am desperately trying to work around, because my kids LOVE THIS EVENT) but I am happy to announce that I am still able to offer my readers 4 free tickets to the opening night show at 7:30 on Friday, February 8th! Follow the directions on how to enter below and ACT FAST because this giveaway will end on Friday, February 1st!!

For anyone else who wants to go, you can use this code for some amazing discounts. (be sure to read all disclaimers and fine print):

Save 33% on adult tickets to all shows Feb. 9-10 with code MOM.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/dr1gv7

Kids tickets are always just $10.

Offer Not valid on Opening Night.  Discount does not apply to VIP or Gold Circle seats.  No double discounts.  Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply. All tickets $2 more day of show.

To enter the Giveaway:

~ Comment below and tell me if you've ever been to a Jam before or who you would bring.

~ To earn 1 extra entry, share this giveaway on one social media site of your choosing. Be sure to link back to this giveaway and to provide a link to your share on a second comment. (i.e. 1 comment for every entry).

Each person entering has a total of 2 chances to win. You must be over 18 to enter and provide a valid email address in the comments. I will contact the winner via email by Feb 2nd. Winner must respond back within 24 hours or I will have to pass the opp along to someone else, due to the time sensitivity of this event.

Good luck! The giveaway will end on Midnight (CST) on February 1st.

EDITED WITH WINNER:
(I used 1-12 entries because there were replies within comments that did not count as full entries)

Congratulations to comment #2: "aismeg"

I hope you enjoy the show!

Novica Gift Card Review and Giveaway

I am really excited about the next item I am reviewing! I was given a $50 gift card to Novica, an online site that represents dozens of artists and artisans from underprivileged countries. The company has truly changed the lives of these people and their communities by promoting their artwork through the world. (I highly recommend reading through their Mission Statement and the Artist Testimonials. It will touch your heart.)  After searching through the site for a while and admiring the lovely items for sale; there were some beautiful necklaces that would have looked great on ME and some absolutely stunning wall artwork.

But what captured and held my attention were these necklaces made by Ralph Ashong, a carver from West Africa whose life story touched me as much as his artwork did. I carefully chose a necklace for my husband titled "Life's Questions." The artist writes about the meaning:

"Life does not provide all the answers to all the questions we face. Persevere until you get answers to your questions,"

Patrick has always had a "signature" necklace to wear. The most recent necklace was one that I purchased for him about 4 years ago for his birthday. It was a fish hook carved from coconut shell that was just absolutely awesome. When the string finally, FINALLY frayed (after 4 years of CONSTANT use) he said that it must mean that it is time for a new signature necklace. When I saw this necklace, it spoke to me and said "This one. This is for him!"

I hope that he likes this new one enough to make it The One!

I have a $50 gift card to give away to one reader to use towards a purchase through Novica. It can be used for the entire purchase or towards a larger purchase, if you find that your heart is set on something a little more expensive. There are plenty of items from the jewelry sections to choose from but don't forget to look through all of the housewares and decor, too!

To Enter: (be sure to include your email address in a comment or else I will have to choose a different winner. As always, this giveaway is open to only people 18 years or older.)

1. Simply comment and tell me which item or type of item you would choose. It's as easy as that!

2. One extra entry per person if you help to promote the Novica company online in whatever way you feel most comfortable. (i.e. if you like a necklace like I did, link to that necklace on Facebook/Twitter/Google+/etc. and tell your followers about this giveaway so that they can have a chance to win as well). Then come back here and comment again with the link to wherever you shared.

You can enter until midnight CST on January 25. I will pick one winner using Random.org on Saturday, January 26.

Good luck!!

Be Our Guest... a giveaway to the Chicago Shakespeare production of Beauty and the Beast

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is providing yet another fabulous source of live entertainment for your family this summer! My family has been privileged to attend several shows over the past few years at the Shakes and are so excited to catch Beauty and the Beast which will run from June 28 through August 26th. With a run time of about 75 minutes, it's the perfect length for the smallest of all theater-goers with a show topic that will interest both the young and the young at heart.

You can purchase tickets via their box office or enter below to win a packet of 4!

To Enter Giveaway:

~ Comment below about who you'd bring to see the show!

~ Tweet about this giveaway and link back.

Best of luck to all! Contest ends at 12 midnight CST on Sunday, June 24.
______

Edited with winner:

The winner is #2, "newhere6303". Congratulations and enjoy the show!



*winning 4 tickets may only be used from June 28 through July 13 and are subject to availability. I have been given tickets in exchange for a giveaway but all opinions of the Shakespeare Theater are my own.

A collection of Affresh for you!

I have a confession: I am not a good housekeeper.

My family is laughing right now, because, well, DUH.

Anyway, it is a given that my household and the items within it suffer because I find little joy in cleaning, especially in the kitchen! I hate kitchen grease and gunk.

When I agreed to try out the new kitchen/household cleaners by Affresh, it was with an ulterior motive. I knew that if I had to try out new products that I would be forced to, well, CLEAN.

Today found me scrubbing appliances with the Affresh Kitchen and Appliance Cleaner. My blender (which normally sits beside my stove) was filthy. I didn't really want to put my fruit into anything so gunky...

This does not do it justice. It was that slimy goo that gets all dusty. You know what I'm talking about. GROSS.

I kid you not when I say that every bit of gunky, gooey kitchen grime wiped off after just a few sprays of the Affresh. Product #1 is a HIT!

I am currently running the Affresh Washer Cleaner in my washing machine which was, not surprisingly, getting kind of foul-smelling... Before I know it, my kids will actually have clean-smelling clothing! Will wonders never cease?

You can win a box of the same awesome cleaning products that I am testing, too!

Prize will include:

Affresh dishwasher cleaner
Affresh washing machine cleaner
Affresh stovetop cleaner
Affresh appliance cleaner
Affresh stainless steel cleaner
Fresh Flow produce preserver

To win your own box of goodies, follow the directions below and I'll pick a winner via Random.org on May 24.

Ways to Enter (please write a separate comment for each entry):

1. Comment about which product you are most interested in.
2. Tweet about this giveaway linking to @justanothermom and @WhirlpoolCorp. You can do this          twice a day but be sure to comment for each entry!
3.  Follow me on Twitter
4. Subscribe to my blog(s)

Good luck and thanks for reading!

Updated with winner #11, Vicky! Congratulations and enjoy your cleaning supplies!

Disclaimer: I was given these products to review but all words and opinions remain my own.

Disney Live! ticket giveaway!!

Disney Live! is presenting a new show called Three Classic Fairy Tales, coming to the Rosemont Theatre on March 16-18. You can purchase discounted tickets for Non-VIP tickets using the code MOM at the Ticketmaster checkout. This code is valid for these shows:

March 16 10:30 am

March 17 11:00 am & 5:00 pm

Opening Night Fri. March 16 6:30pm performance tickets are just $10!

OR, you can enter below to win a family pack of 4 for the Friday, March 16^th @ 6:30 pm or Saturday, March 17 @ 5pm performances (your choice!)

Ways to enter:

~ Comment with who you'd like to take (1 entry)

~ Share this giveaway on Twitter, 1 comment/entry for every Tweet, as many tweets as you'd like! Please use the hashtag #ChiDisneyLive3FairyTales and link back.

I've seen a few Disney Live! productions and they've all been very well done. If you have a princess loving child in your life, this is definitely something you'll all enjoy!

This is a speedy fast giveaway so your chances of winning are awesome. I'll pick the winner on the night of Sunday the 11th, so get busy entering ASAP!!

Comments are closed. Winner will be announced later tonight....

Home Run Inn Pizza giveaway

We have a Home Run Inn Pizza place near our home. We LOVE their restaurant pizza. LOVE IT. So, when I was asked to try out the new personal sized frozen pizzas by Home Run Inn, I immediately said YES YES YES!

Oh my gosh, people: This is some TASTY pizza!

I tried the Ultra Thin Sausage and my only complaint is that it was too small! I know that it was meant as a personal pizza or an appetizer, but MAN, I wanted more! Of course, that's really the problem with pizza, isn't it? Overeating! The 6 inch pizzas range from 280-380 calories per pizza. So really, a bigger pizza wouldn't be doing my thighs any good. But it was GOOD.

I LOVE PIZZA.

If you love pizza, you can enter comments below for a chance to win coupons for 5 free 6-inch pizzas from Home Run Inn. We'll pick the winner on Friday, March 2nd.

Ways to Enter (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

~ Tell me how much you love pizza!
~ Tweet about this giveaway and link back.
~ Follow me on Twitter @justanothermom
~ Talk about this giveaway on any social media site and let me know where...

Good luck! It's totally worth the effort. TRUST ME.

"It's a Big World, Little Pig" Book Giveaway

Oh, how my daughter and I love Poppy the Pig!

She's such an adorable little character. So spunky and sweet.Corinne and I have read the new book by Kristi Yamaguchi, "It's a Big World, Little Pig" several times since receiving it a few weeks ago. She likes to find the good luck charm on every page and try to pronounce the lucky greetings that Poppy learns from her new, international friends. "Hoo-roo" from Australia is her favorite, I do believe. You can't blame her. It's fun to say: Hoo Roo. Hoooo Rooooo....

In fact, Corinne liked it so much, that when we were reading about Ms. Yamaguchi on the back cover, she decided that we just had to tweet her. And I quote:
Awwww.... Right?

When a book inspires a child to reach out to the author, that's saying a lot!

You can win your own copy of "It's a Big World, Little Pig" by entering our giveaway!

Ways to entery - Please enter a separate comment for each entry:

~ Comment! Just tell me you'd love to read this with someone you love. :)
~ Tweet about this giveaway using @justanothermom in your tweet.
~ Follow me on Twitter.
~ Follow @kristiyamaguchi on Twitter.

We'll pick the winner on Friday, February 17. Good luck!

Lego Friends Giveaway

It is so nice to see that Lego is taking an active initiative to include more products that aren't so "male-centric". Not that little girls aren't into Star Wars or Pirates and Aliens. I mean, I have 6 year old girl who loves all of those Lego sets. But they are definitely geared more towards boys.

The Lego Friends line has several building sets that are actual BUILDING sets and not just token pink pieces here or there. The set themes include home, fashion design, animal care, and an invention studio to name a few(Though I do wish they weren't quite so pink and purple so that the boys won't call playing house a "girl thing")!


Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg has offered this Lego Friends Heartlake Vet set for one reader to help announce their new event, Lego Friends Weekend. Here's some information about the event:

Grab your friends and join the fun during LEGO^® Friends Weekend at LEGOLAND^® Discovery Center Chicago Friday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.!

During LEGO Friends Weekend, guests can hit the town with LEGO Friends Olivia, Emma, Andrea, Stephanie and Mia and explore Heartlake City, the hippest hangout for these five mini-doll pals.

Guests are also invited to:

· Help design and build a large scale model of Heartlake City;

· Join in on a scavenger hunt adventure;

· Belt out a tune in our karaoke sing-off;

· Enjoy free ice cream in the Café (while supplies last); and

· Take home LEGO Friends prizes and giveaways (while supplies last).

Interested in the Giveaway? Enter below to win this awesome set:

Heartlake Vet - Retails at $39.99

The kit includes:

§ 2 mini-doll figures: Mia and Veterinarian Sophie

§ LEGO Animals: Horse Bella, dog Scarlett and hedgehog Oscar

§ Accessories: Thermometer, clipboard, ice pack, stethoscope, spoon, syringe, registration chart and flower accessory pack with 12 flowers, 4 butterflies and 4 ladybugs

*Suitable for children ages 6 to 12.

To enter giveaway (please leave a separate comment for each entry!):

~ Like Legoland Discovery Center on Facebook.
~ Follow me on Twitter.
~ Tweet about this giveaway and link back.

We'll pick the winner on Friday, February 10! Good luck to everyone!

Disney on Ice in Chicago Giveaway

Once again, Chicagoland will be visited by princesses! Beautiful and heroic, funny and kind, your child's favorite princesses will enchant and entertain... all while wearing ice skates!

Come and see the newest Disney on Ice performance at The Allstate Arena or United Center and enjoy their fabulous discount rates (4 tickets on weeknights for $44 or $4 off of weekend shows -Use the code MOM at checkout when purchasing through Ticketmaster ).

OR, you can enter to win a 4 pack of tickets through this giveaway!

2 chances to win –

1. Winner will receive 4 tickets to Opening Night of Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream at Allstate Arena or the United Center!

2. A second winner will receive a $40 gift card to Hair Cuttery...

Disney on Ice and Hair Cuttery have teamed up to bring you an enchanting offer in Chicago. The Disney on Ice Princess Package includes a shampoo, blowdry, updo and special princess finish with a tiara at your local Hair Cuttery salon. Also receive a savings coupon for Disney on Ice merchandise ($5 value). You can add the Princess Package to your order on Ticketmaster when purchasing tickets to Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in Chicago or Rosemont.

You can also use the $40 gift card to Hair Cuttery to purchase other services at your nearby Hair Cuttery.

Read on to see how to enter:

There are 3 ways to enter the giveaway:

1. Comment and tell me who you'd bring to Disney on Ice in Chicago.

2. Tweet about this giveaway using the hashtag #ChiDisneyOnIce and include the link on your comment. (2 tweets a day).

3. Post about this giveaway on Facebook and link back. (2 posts a day)

We'll pick the winners on Friday, January 20th.

Good luck!

Disney on Ice Giveaway!

Special Savings Offer and Activity Card from Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream

If you need a little something extra for the stocking or tree think about tickets to Disney On Ice Dare to Dream! It is a great gift for excitement on Christmas and a lasting memory. The Gift of Memories download tells your little princess she’ll be attending the show and lets her create her own princess crown. The best part is - it’s quick and easy – use the below discount and gift download to print everything you need right now. No additional stores to stop at or lines!!!!!

You’ll get 4 tickets for $44 on Weekday Shows or Save $4 on weekend shows. Simply use code MOM on through this Ticketmaster link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/rz25sx

ONE FAMILY WILL WIN 4 FREE TICKETS TO USE FOR ANY PERFORMANCE! LIKE or SHARE THIS POST WITH YOUR FRIENDS TO ENTER.

Comment below to tell me what you have done!

I’ll email the winner Saturday morning/night so you can download the Gift of Memories activity card for an extra special Christmas!

Playing at:

Allstate Arena Jan. 26 – 29 & United Center Feb. 1 – 12

You’ll get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime! Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to the Chicagoland Area!

(So sorry to do a cut and paste blog post from the media release, but this is a last minute give away and I am BUSY!)

$250 American Express Gift Card Giveaway

I have a giveaway for a $250 American Express gift card on my Mommy Blog!! Be sure to check it out!!

No Name Meats Giveaway and Review

You gotta give credit to a company that is so sure of its products' quality and value that they actually choose the name of "No Name" for its company's NAME!

As they say, "Amazing Taste: No Name needed."

I just love clever but simple advertising phrases.

Especially when they're right.

Their food IS good. My family was sent 2 coupons to try out chicken and/or steak for dinner one night. Sadly, our store didn't have the steak varieties, but we brought home 2 varieties of No Name's chicken and popped them in the oven. An hour later, and the house smelled divine! Everyone, including my picky eater, enjoyed the chicken. Moist but not gooey (Gooey=death for our finicky child), they were absolutely delicious!

No Name has offered up a great giveaway for one reader: Coupons for a free package of steak, a free package of chicken and $5 off of any additional product! No Name is available in most Jewel and Meijer stores, but you can check their local availability on their site.

Mandatory Entry:

~ You must follow No Name Premium Meat and Seafood on Facebook and comment on their site that you are there from Just Another Review Blog's giveaway.

Extra Entries:

~ Follow me on Twitter.
~Subscribe to my blog(s).
~ Tweet about this giveaway.
~ Link back about this giveaway on any social media site and leave a link back, please!

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!!!

Good luck! We'll pick the winner on Monday, November 28.

Comments are closed:

Winner is #11, Vicky! Congrats and thank you to everyone for entering!

Tenzi Review and Giveaway

As many of you know, I homeschool my 3 children. During the days, we do varied activities to encourage different thinking skills. One new game we've been playing is a dice game called Tenzi that I received as a review. Tenzi is one of those games that is fun because of its simplicity in instructions and game play. The entire family can play it (even the 6 year old) and the entire family has fun while doing so.

With several ways to play, the basis of the game revolves around each player rolling ten dice to achieve a goal. The goals can be to roll the same number on all of your dice before everyone else or to roll collections of certain numbers. It encourages my kids to think quickly, recognize the numbers in dot form and to manipulate their fingers and hands on something other than a video game remote... We've even gone so far as to design our own games that include quick adding and patterns within the different dice colors.

At $14.95, Tenzi may be that extra present you need for that hard-to-shop-for person in your life.

Want to win your own Tenzi game in time for Christmas? Then follow the directions below and Good luck! We'll draw the lucky winner on Monday, Nov 21!

To Enter:

MANDATORY: Like Tenzi on Facebook.

Extra entries:

~ Follow me on Twitter

~ Subscribe to my blog(s)

~ Tweet about this giveaway and link back (once a day)

Good luck!

*I was given this product in exchange for my honest review.

Chicago Toy and Game Fair Giveaway!!

I am so pumped up about attending the 2011 Chicago Toy and Game Fair (i.e. CHITAG)! My family had an absolute blast last year. We found tons of games and toys that the kids not only liked but actually LOVED. 2010's Christmas morning found my children opening Catan's Settlers of America, Munchkin, a Razor Rip Rider 360 and Razor spark scooter, Strawberry Shortcake's remote control car, and Top Trumps (to name a FEW), all of which were discovered at CHITAG. So I am definitely attending with a pen and paper and camera (and maybe even a few bags in case we find something we just HAVE to have that day) to keep track of the Must Have items of this year.

CHITAG also hosts a truly unique contest for children, too. It's called the Young Inventor's Challenge. If you have a kid who is into creating new games and toys, or just has a wild imagination, why not enter him/her in the Challenge and see if one of their crazy ideas is the next Big Thing in the Toy and Game world? Did you know that if your child enters to participate in the Young Inventor's Challenge, your entire immediate family can enter the fair for free? It's such a cool way to inspire your children to think outside the box!

Excited to attend? Wish that you could go, and wish that you could go for FREE?

Well, it just so happens that CHITAG has generously extended the offer of Free Family Weekend Passes for my readers! And not just one pass. But one pass for every week leading up to the fair! FIVE WINNERS!

All you need to do is enter below, as many times as you can (please follow the rules) and I will continue to pick from the list every Friday as it grows! This means that you will basically have 5 chances to win a family pass for every single comment you enter below.

Don't know if you're 100% sure about this event? Don't know if playing with toys all day will appeal to your children? (HA!) Check out these pictures and see if you change your tune:

The Toy and Game Fair is being held at Navy Pier in Chicago on Nov 19-20. Sat hours are 10am-6 pm and
Sun hours are 10am-5pm.

To Enter for a chance at 5 different Family Pass Drawings for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (parking is not included) (please enter one comment for each entry!):

~ Comment below! You can say hi or tell me your shoe size or why you want to go. Surprise me!

~ Follow me on Twitter

~ Follow ChitagFair on Twitter

~ Tweet this giveaway and link back. 2 entries a day!

~ Subscribe to my blog(s).

~ Spread the word about this giveaway on any other social media site that you belong to and link back!

Good luck! We'll start picking the winners this Friday night (Oct 14), so get cracking as fast as you can for the first chance to win a family pass. But if you aren't picked, just remember this: 4 more chances to win!


First winner on Friday, October 14 is Clementine! Congratulations to her! For everyone else, there are still 4 more drawings, so keep on entering!

Second winner on Friday, October 20 is Lceel (Lou)! Congrats, Lou! For everyone else, are still 3 more drawings, so keep on entering!

Third winner on Friday, October 27 is Steph! Congrats! For everyone else, there are still 2 more drawings! Good luck!

Fourth winner on Friday, November 4 is Heather. Congrats, Heather! For everyone else, there is still 1 more drawing. Good luck!

Fifth winner is MeghanW. Congrats, Meghan!

Contest is closed.


*disclaimer: I was given a pass to attend the Chitag with my family in compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Musselman review and giveaway

When we received our basket of delicious goodies from Musselman's, I had GRAND PLANS. Plans, I tell you! Plans for slowly devouring the individual packages of strawberry applesauce myself. Plans for creating the unique salsa recipe they provided for the 4th of July and documenting it all with gorgeous pictures of joyful family members reveling in my awesomeness. Plans! Plans! Plans!

Man makes plans and God laughs, right?

Well, har-dee-har-har.

After some camera issues and other small malfunctions, I had to go with a different choice. Especially since my daughter had eaten most of the applesauce by that time...As usual, her favorites are the applesauce/fruit combinations. Mine involves anything with the Apple Butter. Mmmm... apple butter....

Musselman's has offered an assortment of their delicious sauces and apple butter for one reader. (picnic basket not included).

Follow the directions below for entries. We'll pick the winner on August 15! Each item you do counts as a separate entry. Please leave a different comment for each one!

Ways to enter:

~ comment! Easy as Apple Pie.

~ Visit Musselmans.com and tell me what you'd like the most.

~ Follow me on Twitter or this blog.

~ Tweet, post, Facebook, or spread the word about this giveaway on any other social media site and link back. (no limit! Have fun spreading the word, but please leave a comment for each entry!)


Good luck!

Coffee Mug giveaway

One of my new "favorite things" is my specialty coffee mug by GoPromos.com. I can't think of a better wayt to start my day than with a hot cup of coffee, served with smiles from my family...

(picture here)

...especially since they're in picture form. Nobody can speak while I'm drinking. Ahhhh....


Want your own cool mug?

Then enter below and I'll pick a winner via our fancy method of Name in A Hat on Monday, August 15. Each item you do counts as a separate entry. Please do a different comment for each one!

Ways to enter:

~ comment! Easy as pie.

~ Visit GoPromos.com and tell me what you'd like the most.

~ Follow me on Twitter or this blog.

~ Tweet, post, Facebook, or spread the word about this giveaway on any other social media site and link back. (no limit! Have fun spreading the word, but please leave a comment for each entry!)


Good luck!

Legoland Discovery Center giveaway

Edited to announce that the winner (via the "even or odd" game with my son) is Mom24!

Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg Illinois* is presenting a new adventure just in time for Memorial Day weekend ( Friday, May 27 – Monday, May 30 *Special Holiday Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 pm)
The press release boasts:

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is an indoor family entertainment destination with over 2 million LEGO bricks and nine attractions including: Model Builder Workshop; Jungle Expedition; Dragon Ride; Technicycle; LEGO 4D Cinema; Build and Test; LEGO Factory Tour; and MINILAND featuring iconic Chicago landmarks. For Memorial Day weekend, Captain Clutch, LEGOLAND’s swashbuckling sailor, will lead the way as guests hunt for treasure and build their own pirate sword out of LEGO bricks. You can witness the sack of MINILAND as 1,000 pirate minifigures lay siege in a LEGO Pirate Ship model; and if you keep your pirate wits about you, you might just make off with some booty of your own! Guess how many bricks fill the LEGOLAND treasure chest, and you could take home your own treasure chest full of LEGO brick.

Located at the Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Rd. in Schaumburg, LEGOLAND Discovery Center is 30 minutes from downtown Chicago by car. Adult Admission is $19. Child Admission is $15. Special annual pass and ticket offers are available at www.LEGOLANDdiscoverycenter.com. Last guest admission is two hours before closing. Extended hours are available on school vacation days and national holidays. Visit www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com for updated daily opening times. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a part of the Merlin Entertainments Group.


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I wish I could take my family to Legoland over Memorial Day weekend because my children had such a blast the last time we visited. Alas, I will be drinking wine coolers at the Indy 500 sans children... :)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

But Legoland has graciously invited one reader from here to experience the fun with their family!

Enter below to win 4 tickets to the Memorial Day celebration. I'll pick the winner on Tuesday, May 24.

Good Luck!

Ways to enter:

~ comment! Easy as pie.

~ Visit Legoland Discovery Center's website and tell me what you'd like to check out the most.

~ Tweet, post, Facebook, or spread the word about this giveaway on any other social media site and link back. (no limit! Have fun spreading the word, but please leave a comment for each entry!)

*This giveaway is only applicable for the Schaumburg Illinois location!

Jumpstart Giveaway

I have had a long-standing love affair with Jumpstart.com. My daughter loves their programs on the computer and Wii and so does my niece. For the 3-8 age range, it's a great collection of educational programs that are still really, really fun for children to use.
Jumpstart now provides a new math program called Math Blaster. We've played Math Blaster as a homeschooling family for a few years now on a cd-rom and Nintendo DS. The game basically follows a character through several levels (beginning with addition and subtraction) of math problems to complete the missions. Unfortunately, my computer is quite temperamental this winter and I haven't been able to utilize the Math Blaster on Jumpstart as of yet. We're working on getting the computer happy again. Until then, I stand behind Jumpstart.com and my prior knowledge of Math Blaster. It Rocks!

Playing Jumpstart!

The good people of Jumpstart.com would like to offer a 6 month full-membership which includes their new Math Blaster option for one reader! Simply comment below and we'll pick the winner on Tuesday, April 5.

Good luck!

Extra entries for:

~ following me on Twitter or Google Friend connect above...

~ every Tweet/Facebook link/other social media site you post about this and link back to. Just let me know what you've done with a link, please! One mention per site, per day!

No more new entries! Will post winner tomorrow morning!