Dream Big, Little Pig review

Corinne and I recently received a copy of Kristi Yamaguchi's new children's book, Dream Big, Little Pig. Did you know that Kristi Yamaguchi (you know, the world-famous skating champion) started skating as a physical therapy treatment for her medical issue of club foot? When I found that bit of knowledge out, it put a whole new spin on the obstacles that she must have overcome to achieve the dreams that she has, and caused me to understand the storyline with a new perspective. So I settled down with my 5 year old on our comfy couch to read about Poppy the pig and her dreams of doing something FABULOUS...

And what a sweet story it is! Poppy is surrounded by family and friends who support her no matter what she tries. She KNOWS that she is destined for greatness and never gives up. I adored the cheering of her best friend and grandparentsI can imagine that Kristi must have a similar support team in her own life. To achieve all that she has is downright amazing.

Did you know that she founded the Always Dream Foundation in 1992 to support children in their education and recreational activities? Did you know that the trophies and awards she has received in her athletics have to compete with the goodwill she's involved in as well?

I'm happy to endorse this lovely book written by Kristi Yamaguchi and beautifully illustrated by Tom Bowers. A portion of every book purchase will go towards the Always Dream Foundation to support its early childhood literacy initiative.

Winner of the Jumpstart membership!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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!

Getting in Shape...

Ugh. I am out of it. Shape, that is. I may be close to the same size I've always been, but the distribution and type of weight that I'm carrying is not. (i.e. I have a soft and squishy butt and belly...)

So when Lindsay Brin contacted me to review her set of exercise dvds for moms, I jumped on that email. (Well, I didn't jump, I kind of sleepily nodded...).

I just did day 1 of the Core Metabolic JumpStart with Corinne. It kicked my ass.
BUT. In a good way. Seriously, I know that if I can keep myself on task and keep alternating these videos, I will be in shape by BlogHer11 in August. I WILL. That is my goal and I am not going to let this opportunity pass me by.

You shouldn't, either! Lindsay has a discount code for anyone who wants to purchase her dvd set. You can receive 30% off of her 60 Day SlimDown System by using the code "60daydvd30".

You can also receive a FREE copy of her Stroller Pump Workout by liking her on Facebook!

She has dvds for any stage of your life, including pregnancy and post-natal. Plus, I found her personality to be friendly and encouraging without being annoying. (That's saying a lot. I am easily annoyed by athletic instructors...) Lindsay also has a personal blog where she's writing about baby #3 and moving and all the joys of motherhood. I always like supporting fellow bloggers. :)

Let me know if you're taking the plunge into getting fit! I could use all the camaraderie I can gather!

Mad City Chicks Giveaway

Edited to add:

Ok, my apologies. I made a drawing video and picked the winner and haven't uploaded the results because I am unorganized and unprofessional. But that's why you love me. Right?

RIGHT?!?

Without further ado, the winner is Rebecca!! Congratulations! Enjoy getting all beautiful and clean without icky chemicals and maybe, just maybe, I'll get around to posting that video drawing. Oy. My week has been nuts...



A while back a bloggy friend, Julie from Julie's Rants, sent me a box of bath goodies to try out.

(All of this soap reviewing is starting to feel like the universe is implying something...)

Nevertheless, I forged on with MORE BATHS just for you guys. That's how I roll. Anything for my blog readers. (Fist to the chest and OUT). So, for 2 weeks I abandoned my previous new-found soap loves to try out the natural soaps and oils from Mad City Chicks San Marcos.

I received 2 soaps, lip balm, a cleansing facial oil and a handmade wash cloth. After using them all, I will admit that I adore using the facial oil for removing my make up. LOVE it. I still like to use my facial cream for extra moisture (it's winter!) but I can see how it might not be necessary for everyone. You would think that putting "oil" on your face would cause your skin to be, well, OILY. Surprise! It's not. There is something about the combination of the natural oils that are used ("carrier oils" which don't clog pores) that leave your skin moisturized but not slick. Love it!

My kids loved the bar soaps because they are GONE. Gone! I got to use the pink glycerin goat milk soap twice before the little rugrats demolished it! Needless to say, they thought it smelled nice.

Julie has generously offered a lovely gift box of natural soaps and accessories for one lucky reader! Just enter below and we'll pick a winner on March 7.

Good luck!

Ways to Enter:

~ Comment!

~ Visit their Etsy site and tell me what product looks interesting to you.

~ Follow me on Twitter.

~ Tweet this giveaway!

~ Subscribe to my blog!

Free Sessions at Pump It Up!

Hey parents: President's Day is tomorrow! Check out this media release for information on a cool offer!!


"Chicago-area residents now have the opportunity to CHOOSE an energy provider! Spark Energy is a multi-state provider of low-cost electric service offering significant long-term savings to current ComEd customers. Learn more at http://www.sparkenergy.com/ .

To Celebrate, Spark Energy in Chicago Offers a FREE Session of Jumping Fun at Pump It Up!
This President’s Day – Monday, February 21st – many children will be off of school and moms will be searching for kid-friendly activities. Spark Energy in Chicago will be offering a downloadable coupon for a FREE session of jumping fun atdesignated Chicago-area Pump It Up locations.

How to download the coupon – available beginning at 5:00 p.m. CST on 2/19:
· Like Spark Energy in Chicago on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SparkEnergyChicago

· Click on the Offers tab to download and print the Pump It Up coupon for ONE free session of jumping fun for Monday, February 21st – one coupon per adult – while supplies last!

· Present the original printed coupon to one of the designated Pump It Up locations (see coupon for locations) and receive one free session of jumping fun."






I occasionally receive compensation in the form of gift cards and products for posts. However, the opinions I share are solely my own

HomeAway Smushed Mah Face

Did you watch the Superbowl? Did you?Did you watch it for the game or for the commercials? Both? Yeah, me too.

Remember the one for Home Away - Ministry of Detourism? I didn't EITHER, until I went to their site and smacked my head because OF COURSE I remembered their commercial! Who could forget this?



Even cooler is that they have options where you can insert your face into the commercial! Check out my version...

You can make your own, too! I think I may go back and smash a couple of pics of my husband. Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" like a smushed face on a glass wall...





Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post but all opinions are my own.