First 25 People Get Up to $25 or Choice of Gift from American Greeting/Photoworks

American Greeting has a special for the first 20,000 people.  You can choose a free book, card pack, calendar or a $25 coupon.

I just used the $25 off one and made a free cup.  I had to pay $6.95 for shipping but it's a great deal!

Sprout Baby 33% Off Cyber Monday Discount Through Wednesday Night

From today through Wednesday evening, Sproutbaby.com, the web's leading provider of eco-friendly baby products, will offer a full 33% off everything in its store, including biodegradable diapers, organic baby foods, reusable feeding utensils, toys and much more. For all orders over $75, free shipping is included for anywhere in the continental U.S. To obtain the discount, simply enter "333" at the checkout prompt. This code will expire Wednesday evening at 12:00 p.m. midnight PST.

Sproutbaby offers a wide selection of certified, family vetted, expert approved, eco-friendly baby products at affordable prices. Given the option to choose reusable, biodegradable and nature friendly products, Sproutbaby has found a wide world of new parents who prefer green products and environmentally sustainable options to standard baby care items found in children's boutiques or the grocery store.

 

This Week's Kmart Bluelight Teasers 12/5 to 12/6

Ready for more Bluelight specials at Kmart? 

Here they are:

• All 14k gold Birthstone Baby Charms $29.99 (reg $69.99)
• Mushabellies $14.99 (reg. $24.99) 
• 4 piece table tennis table $99.99 (reg. 149.99)

All day offers:

• Saturday: Small Wonder Blankets & Wonderkids Thermals – BOGO Free 
• Sunday: Men’s 3pk Fashion Brief or 2pk Micro Knit Boxers or Musical Card Boxer $5 (reg. 9.99-12.99)

Don’t forget to follow @KmartDealsnNews and use the #KmartBLS hashtag for a chance to win every day! For more info & rules: http://tr.im/KmartBLS. Good luck!

National Military Family Association’s New Resource

As a volunteer of the National Military Family Association, here is a new press release:
ALEXANDRIA, VA – November 30, 2009 The National Military Family Association unveiled its redesigned and improved website at www.MilitaryFamily.org. Not only does the website have a fresh new look, it also reflects the most up-to-date information for military families and their supporters.

The Association’s user-friendly website serves as a valuable resource for military families, whatever their needs may be. It also allows military family supporters to learn more about the needs of the military families in their community and what they can do to help. Information on the website is organized in six subject areas: Get Info, Speak Up, Participate, Your Benefits, Our Programs, and Publications.

Get Info

Gain insight into the military lifestyle. This section is rich with information on many issues military families deal with, including mental health care, deployment, and education.

Speak Up

The Association has long been speaking out on the issues that affect military families, but we know that military families are their own best advocates. Learn more about current issues and how we can work together to influence policy-makers. We explain governmental decisions that affect military families and offer resources to help understand the impact of those decisions.

Participate

Whether visitors are part of a military family or just want to support the military families in their community, features here allow users to contribute to the Association’s mission, whether it is by becoming a member, donating to support an initiative, or joining our Volunteer Corps.

Your Benefits

Here you’ll find a military family member’s guide to understanding and navigating their benefits. In addition to general information on benefits like TRICARE, there is specific information for wounded warriors, survivors, and retirees.

Our Programs

Find out more about our Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program, Operation Purple® Program, and awards.

Publications

The Association produces several publications to keep our supporters and military families in the know. Learn about the Association’s research on military families and find the online versions of our various publications.

About the National Military Family Association

Military families serve our country with pride, honor, and quiet dedication. The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening and protecting the families of the men and women currently serving, retired, wounded or fallen. We provide families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA with information, work to get them the benefits they deserve, and offer programs that improve their lives. Our 40 years of service and accomplishments have made us a trusted resource for military families and the Nation's leaders. To learn more, visit http://www.militaryfamily.org/.

Little Skink's Tail Book Review by Janet Halfmann

This is truly a delightful book after having a chance to read it to my girls.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and the story is fun yet educational.  Little Skink takes his little audience on a journey among many different animals to find a new tail.  The way Ms. Halfmann presents Little Skink's path is interesting, playful and fun.  I like how Ms. Halfmann utilizes the story to teach children about animals and the various tails each one has.  Seeing how Little Skink and his tail are involved in this tale of pursuit is sure to captivate any child.  Laurie Allen Klein's illustrations really piece the whole story together.  I think it will also increase imagination as the children might try to imagine themselves with a different tail just as Little Skink does.

Ms. Halfmann has been writing children's books for more than 20 years.  Little Skink's Tail is her 28th book.  This book was dedicated to her granddaughter which makes it even more speical.  Ms. Halfmann used to be a manager, editor and writer of coloring and activity books for Golden Books so she has plenty of experience on what children like.

The back of Little Skink's Tail has three pages dedicated "for creative minds."  Once you purchase the book, the pages can also be photocopied or downloaded for use.

• Footprint Activity Map
• Adaptations: Why do animals have tails?
• Tail Matching Activity

Each page provided a laugh by my two year old and the six year tried to read the words she knew.  I would recommend this book to any child!  My girls loved it!

If you want more information on this book or any other book offered by Sylvan Dell Publishing, click HERE.

One newer option that I was not aware of are eBooks.  This is great for kids who do love to be on the computer as it allows them to read their favorite book right on the computer!  Click HERE for more information.  Since I had the hard book and access to the eBook for Little Skink's Tail, I was able to compare. There were no differences in the quality or ability to read and another benefit of having an eBook is it takes up less space!

Little Skink's Tail received many awards/recognition:

• 2009 Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award
• 2009 FPA President's Award Best Children's Book
• 2009 Mom's Choice Awards GOLD:  Best Three Children's Books of 2009, Children's Picture Book-Animal Kingdom, Educators' Choice
• 2009 Florida Recommended Summer Reading List

Sylvan Dell Publishing has many other features outside of books and gifts, they also offer resources for teachers and librarians, parents and homeschoolers and children.

I particularly loved the area for children.  There were fun learning games, activities for creative minds, teaching activities, audio books and much more!

Interested in any author signings and events, Sylvan Dell Publishing has them listed HERE.

What was the most surprising gift you've ever received?

Thinking back to what was the most surprising gift I have ever received would be a toss up.  Thanks to TwitterMoms and Target, I had to take some time to think and reflect on the answer to this one.  Being 41, I've had a lot of Christmas memories to ponder.  My earliest memory would be the arrival of a baby brother 34 years ago.  He didn't arrive on Christmas but December 23rd was pretty close!  That one big event altered the path of many lives which produced many more memories.

I could also think of many others like marrying in Hawaii three year's ago at Thanksgiving and finding out I was pregnant right around Christmas or just all the years spent with my beautiful girls.  To choose one that sticks in my mind of the most recent present, there would be two with this one coming in second with my in-laws.

I watched a grown man reduced to tears as he opened a photo book I put together by Blurb that contained the military history of his father during WWII.  I not only utilized photos he had on his father but I added the military records and photographs that related to where he was during that time period.  The inside jacket included a picture of my father-in-law with a dedication.  He was so proud of that book that he ordered multiple copies for everyone in the family to include the extended family.

Right before that, I also watched my step-mother-in-law tear up as she opened a box that had a personalized black and white photo of her and her sister as little girls talking to Santa.  I "stole" the photo from her picture blog and had it made as a surprise.  She also ended up ordering more for her family members.

I have to say the most memorable present was finding out my dad was cancer free.  He was battling an advanced stage of colon cancer. He waited too long to go in when he had the initial warning signs and symptoms so this meant aggressive treatment.  I had a boss that was so good to me and allowed me to spend most of my summer there helping out.  He had radiation and chemo therapy which followed by a surgery to remove what they could.  He was a trooper and for being 70 at that time, amazing!  He was still mowing the yard and was active. I don't know how he did it but he did.  Three years later, he was with me while my husband was deployed to Iraq and after a battery for retests, he was still cancer free.  Christmas, three year's ago, was the best!

Giving is the most special time of this season and to be able to give such a heartfelt gift is better than any gift received.

What is your most memorable time?  Enter at TwitterMoms!

My Plans for a Frugal Christmas & Holiday Ideas with TwitterMoms & Staples

I started out half the year thinking about how to be more frugal with Christmas given we have five kids and three sets of parents. I was losing track of the ways I was going to make this an inexpensive yet nice Christmas so I went to Staples, picked up a cheap handy journal to keep my lists of money making opportunities ranging from surveys, buyer advantage programs, bank debit programs and other opportunities.  TwitterMoms and Staples has put together a challenge for moms to share how they are saving money.

When I think of Staples, I always rememeber my step son taking the "That was easy" button and blasting it in my ear last year for Christmas.  Staples is another great place to pick up some of those high tech gifts or even office supplies or furnishings.  An avid printer might appreciate a big supply of cartridges.  A hopeless direction finder would love a new GPS (my sister for example)!  Not only can you get your presents but you can order wonderful personalized cards, calendars and one of my favorites, gift card holders.






Deals for Busy Moms This Holiday Season Check out This Week's Deals!

About this TwitterMoms Blogging Program

Looking for more creative ways to save money?  Zazzle, if you are creative, is a great venue for making items with no costs out of your pocket. I started in the political arena and ventured into other areas such as business cards, children's products and invitations. Not quite a year later, I've made over $2,000 which has been handy for customized photo gifts and cash. This will definitely take care of a few gifts.

My latest real time frugal Christmas deals/buys.

Customized Wine Labels:

Use these to customize and accompany the wine to explain the vintage, type and other wine maker notes:

Mypoints.com is a quick way to make points to turn into gift cards and more. If you buy a lot on the internet, definitely use this site as the points add up fast! They also offer other incentives to earn points ranging from surveys to games to referrals. The points accumulated will amount to one gift off the book for Christmas in a Macy's gift card! 

My bank offers debit card rewards so whenever we click that debit button, we add on more points. Utilize those cards especially if it's via a free account! These points will knock off two more gifts in the form of two gift cards from The Gap for those hard to buy for teens:

I'm trying the survey route as many bloggers note are worthwhile along with Swagbucks but I haven't quite got the hang of that one so I'll keep moving along as a snail's pace.

Take advantage of cosmetic type freebies if you use products such as Clinique or Lancome. They have nice free items that can add up to a nice gift basket:

My employer also provides thank you for a good job points to spend with a company in exchange for gifts.  It's been a good year and here is what I'm purchasing as gifts:

I know that one isn't necessarily fair as not everyone gets a perk such as that from their employer but it's to show an opportunity that I could spend on myself but am choosing to use towards making the holiday more frugal.

My Coke Rewards points can add up quickly if you an avid Coke fan as we are.  Thanks to TwitterMoms, I took part in an earlier opportunity where I received an additional 500 points which quickly bumped up our Coke addiction points.  Not sure what I'll purchase yet but it's looking like a $50 gift card.

This year, I will also bake to save a little from purchasing some of the higher priced YET very good baked items.  I posted previously about some really simple but elegant looking from AllYou.com.

CreativeGiftWrapping.Com has very elegant and sophisticated packaging to add the final touch to your gifts.

Have you ever noticed how many bloggers have giveaways? If you have the time, enter! There are some really nice giveaways and given the volume, you are bound to win something eventually!

Colts Won 11-0!!!!

All I can say is.....

Yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Gift Card Savings at Kroger, Publix and CVS

This week, Kroger, Publix and CVS are all having gift card purchase incentives.

Kroger - 11/27 - 12/13

• Buy $100 of participating gift cards and get $10 off at the checkout with your shopper's card plus save .10 per gallon with every $50 eligible gift card purchase.

CVS - 11/29 - 12/5 

• Buy three American Express Prepaid Gift Cards and get $10 extra bucks. 
• Buy Prepaid Master Card or Visa Cards for $4.95.  Normally $9.95.

Publix - 11/29 - 12/2 

• $10 off a purchase of a $50 BP Gas Card. 
• $10 off the purchase of $50 worth of iTunes Gift Cards. 
• Free $10 Publix Gift Card with the purchase of $100 worth of American Express Gift Cards.

Good deals to save a little money for gifts or even to use yourself.

What Is Your Preference for Entering Giveaways?

Survey Results - GlowDay.com

Great Christmas Gift Idea for Kids Who Loves to Cook

My six year old took up a love for cooking after seeing Ratatouille.  She has custom aprons that I made her from Zazzle but I haven't bought her anything like this.  I'm really considering this because it's so cute.

Even though it's $63.95 at http://www.cooking.com/, I think it's too adorable to pass up and it is made of up all recycled or earth friendly material.  The set includes:

• Large Silicone Mixing Spatula
• Silicone Pastry Brush
• Large Poly Spoon
• Whisk
• Nylon Cookie Turner
• Nonstick Rolling Pin
• Kitchen Timer
• 6-pc. Measuring Spoon Set: 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 tbsp, 1 tbsp
• 6-pc. Measuring Cup Set: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, 1 cup
• 3-qt. Mixing Bowl with Lid
• Bear Cookie Cutter
• Flower Cookie Cutter
• Butterfly Cookie Cutter
• Adjustable Child Chef's Apron
• Child Chef's Hat
• 2 Oven Mitts

The lesser expensive one's look great too.  There are a variety to choose from so it's going to be really hard figuring out what to buy her.


This custom pizza kit has:

• Large Silicone Mixing Spatula
• Silicone Pastry Brush
• Nylon Pizza Cutter
• Nylon Pizza Server
• Nonstick Rolling Pin
• Large Nylon Plastic Knife
• Tomato Cutting Board
• Set of 4 Party Hats and Aprons

Putting these in a kid's theme bowl or box would make a decorative finishing touch.

U.S. Forces Assist Iraqi Businesswomen

As I read through the DefenseLink site, this story caught my eye primarily because it's a rarity that anything good comes out in the mainstream media on our Armed Forces and Iraq.  Contrary to what one might believe, there are hundreds if not thousands of more stories such as this.  We have and are continuing to do good both in Iraq and Afghanistan in spite of an obvious neglect of sharing these news stories.

By Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio


CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq, Nov. 19, 2009 – Women in Iraq have struggled for centuries to carve out a life of their own. Even with the advent of democracy, that struggle continues, and without attention and assistance, there is no telling how prolonged it may be.

Army Capt. Ann Demapan takes a few photos of the rugs at a factory managed and staffed entirely by Iraqi women near Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, Oct. 16, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Gavriel Bar Tzur

With that in mind, Task Force Pathfinder members of the 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team visited a rug factory managed and staffed entirely by women in Gharraf, a town north of Nasiriyah in Iraq’s Dhi Qar province. The factory employs more than 100 women, all experts in the art of weaving fine rugs.

The women proudly displayed their hand-woven rugs, some of which take more than three months of daily weaving to complete. In addition to offering the rugs in local markets, the women will sell their rugs to coalition forces here.

Army Spc. Reya Russell, a civil affairs soldier from Buffalo, N.Y., described the interaction with the women as “an eye-opening experience.”

“I experienced first-hand how these women are striving to be more self-sufficient in their society, despite so much hardship,” she said. Many of her comrades on the visit shared her sentiments and were impressed by the women.

“The women took such great pride in their work,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Alde of Jacksonville, N.C.

The factory has been in business since 1994, but only recently restarted operations after being disrupted by the war. The improving security situation and renewed interest in their rugs has prompted the ladies to return to their work.

As the Army’s first unit to perform the “advise and assist” mission in Iraq, the brigade’s mission is providing military support to building civil capacity in three southern provinces. Women’s initiatives – a vital part of that civil capacity – are an essential ingredient for promoting stability in Iraq.

Key to this mission is the cooperation among the provincial government, the State Department-led provincial reconstruction teams and the soldiers on the ground with Task Force Pathfinder.

Built around the core of 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, Pathfinder incorporates civilian experts, professional engineers and civil affairs units as it works hand in hand with the provincial reconstruction teams to develop projects and training programs that help Iraqis address a wide range of concerns.

(Navy Lt. j.g. Christopher Deluzio serves with the Task Force Pathfinder public affairs office.)

Other Memorable Pictures:

Respite Child Care Expands to All 50 States for Parents with Deployed Reservist/Guards Spouse

Great news for those with a deployed spouse or a soon to be deployed spouse:

Respite Child Care Expands to All 50 States By Samantha L. Quigley

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2009 – It’s a few hours a month, but the break the Armed Services YMCA Respite Child Care program provides parents with a deployed spouse always is welcome. And since the program’s Oct. 1 nationwide expansion, many more parents will benefit.

The Armed Services YMCA, as part of a Defense Department contract, provides health and wellness opportunities, including the Respite Child Care program, for reserve-component servicemembers and their families across the country through their local YMCAs.

This means deploying Guardsmen and reservists and their families are eligible for a full YMCA membership for three months before deployment, the 12 months of deployment, and three months after, said Mike Landers, deputy national director of the Armed Services YMCA.

"This entire health and wellness contract was designed for them because they don’t have the infrastructure that the active-duty families that live near major military installations have,” Landers said. “So the YMCAs, the Pentagon thought, would be a great place for them to be able to connect with other Guard and reserve families who have their same circumstance.”

The Respite Child Care program, part of that contract, provides up to 16 hours of child care for families of deployed Guard and reserve personnel. It’s meant to be a “short break” for the parent or guardian responsible the child’s care, Landers said, and not a substitute for full-time or daily care.

“The respite care was designed to be an opportunity for the mom, whose husband is deployed, or the [dad] whose wife is deployed, to be able to drop their kids off to just have a little peace and quiet, to go to the commissary, to go shopping, to do whatever they need to do,” Landers said.

During the first year, however, only the families in 10 pilot states were able to take advantage of the program, which must be offered through state licensed and certified programs and is free to parents. More than 220 children were served. Since Oct. 1, when the program expanded to all 50 states, another 200 children have taken advantage of the program.

“We saw a pretty significant uptick in the demand during the month of October,” he said. “There are hundreds and hundreds of YMCAs that are now signed up to do this. I think we’ll see a big uptick for the remainder of the year.”

Armed Services YMCA officials said they would like to see those using the program establish a monthly routine. This, they explained, makes it easier for the participating YMCAs, since most don’t have much excess capacity in their child care programs.

Complicated Olive Oil

I've heard so much about olive oil being the oil of choice but never really paid full attention to why and what the differences are between the types of olive oil.  In the past, I chose whatever what cheapest and now, come to think of it, it's whatever Publix has for the BOBO event.  I never really thought about it until I received this MomSelect Holiday Product Pak that contained a very nice bottle of California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

I started reading the product brochure that even was nicely presented in color.  There are many choices when picking olive oil and here is a guide:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is top grade and the costs the most.  When this type of oil is true extra virgin oil (EVOO), it cannot have any flavor defects (i.e. moldy olives which can make the oil smell musty).  This oil must taste fruity and has to meet rigid standards set by the International Olive Oil Council.  Within the US, unless it comes from California, you can't be certain they meet the standards since California is the only state that has legally adopted the standard that is sold in that state.  Just because it may state it is Extra Virgin Olive Oil, it's not always true. 
• Virgin Olive Oil may contain slight flavor defects and has a higher acidity level which may affect the flavor in comparison to Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• Pure Olive Oil or Olive Oil has been refined to remove defects and has had a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil added to add flavor.
• Light Olive Oil is similar to Pure Olive Oil but is made from refined Olive Oil that gives it a lighter flavor.  Note that the light is only in the flavor and does not have a reduced caloric or fat count.
• First Cold Press, which I have never heard of, is the first pressing of the olives done by a hydraulic press at a temperature less than 80.6 degrees.
• Pomace Olive Oil is obtained by mixing solvents into the olive pulp that is a byproduct of the milling process.  Heating the pulp than allows additional extraction of the oil.

If interested in learning more, you can join the California Olive Ranch newsletter, their blog, become a Facebook fan or follow on Twitter.

How about some great recipes?

Romesco, Arugula and Grilled Oniontime

Recipe courtesy of Chef Bill Briwa from The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone St. Helena, California

Ingredients - See recipe for Almond Romesco Sauce

• 1/4 cup romesco sauce•
• 2 Tbs mayonnaise
• 4 1/2-inch thick slices crusty bread
• 3/4 cup arugula
• 1/2 cup grilled sliced onions
• 2 grilled chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Mix together the Almond Romesco Sauce and the mayonnaise until smooth. Reserve.
2. Spread one side of each piece of bread with the Almond Romesco mayonnaise.
3. Place half of the arugula on 2 of the bread slices and top with half of the grilled onions.
4. Slice each chicken breast and place on top of the onions.
5. Moisten chicken breast with any remaining Almond Romesco mayonnaise.
6. Place remaining 2 bread slices, Almond Romesco mayonnaise side down, on top of each sandwich and cut in half from corner to corner.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Whatever your Olive Oil needs are, www.californiaoliveranch.com has what you need.  Cook's rated California-Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil #1.

Contact me if you would like a special free shipping code.

Note:  I was provided one bottle of California Olive Ranch Olive Oil by MomSelect. I was not compensated any other way for this post.

50 First Guests at Toys-R-Us 11/29 Get to Purchase a Zhu Zhu

50 first guests at 7 am at your local Toys-R-Us will be getting to purchase a Zhu Zhu  .....

Family Fun Activity with Playmobil Advent Calendar: Knight's

Today, I received my MomSelect Holiday Product Pak that included this creative Playmobil Advent Calendar Knight's Duel Chevalier.  I cannot begin to explain why this is a hit in our house as I have a gamer husband who is also a history buff and a six year old who loves whatever daddy loves.  It's 90 pieces of what can be family fun if you put it together as a family.  I think if I had to put it together by myself, I wouldn't have had as much fun.  The pieces that go in the boxes are made of plastic but the wall calendar, boxes and stage to get them on are made of cardboard.

It's an easy kit even though the sound of putting together 90 pieces may be daunting but to show how easy it is, the instructions are via pictures and no words are needed.  My oldest helped assemble the boxes, my husband put the boxes on the calendar and the girls played with the pieces.  I was reluctant at first after opening the box and seeing all the pieces but once we started building, it became fun.  It's the family gift that keeps giving and I can only imagine how excited they will be opening a box each day to put together the play scene.  There is even enough room to hide a piece of chocolate in most of them.  What a surprise treat for them!

It really fits easily on the wall and the boxes will hang with no problems.  It's cute and fun.

If you are looking for a new family tradition or just some good family fun, they are inexpensive. 

The only con might be durability since the boxes are made of cardboard.  You will want to be careful when opening and closing them as well as putting them on the calendar.  All in all, it's a great way to have fun and start a new family tradition.

*Note:  I was provided the Playmobil Advent Calendar to review by MomSelect.  I was not compensated any other way.

Hape Toy & Rebelette Sale at HauteLook Ending in 70 Hours

HauteLook has a great collection of Hape Toys at even greater prices.

Rebelette is also on sale.  If you haven't looked at HauteLook, you really should join as they offer great samples.  I always price check before I buy and they have been considerably cheaper every time.