Friday, August 31, 2012

The Paralympics games: Cheer on the Paralympic Athletics

I know everyone knows about the Olympics games, but did you know their is a Paralympics too?  

International Paralympic Committee logoThe Paralympic games are events of  multi-sport event for athletes with physical, mental and sensorial disabilities (this is different from Special Olympics). This year is the fourteenth Paralympics games.  They are held after the Olympic Games every four years.  They are governed by the International Paralympic Committee.  This year there will be 20 sports on the program.  Some of my favorite are the wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball and Equestrian.     

 The 2012 London Summer Paralympic Games will be held between August 29th and September 9th 2012.

Here is a video of the Sitting Volleyball and how it's played 





Watch the Athletics on the Youtube channel Paralympic Sport TV

The USA Paralympic Athletics need your encouragement and support. They need to know we are all rooting for them to win.  There are many ways to show your support from the comfort of your own computer. Lets all get together and cheer them to gold.   

One way to show you care is to Follow Paralympic games on Facebook.  You can also send a shout out to the USA Paralympic athletics on Twitter.  

To find out more about the Paralympics Click Here

Here is my cheer for the Athletics "Big G, Little o. Go. Go. Go USA!"

Monday, August 27, 2012

Back to school breakfast essentials: NEW Betty Crocker Cereal Muffin Mixes giveaway

Is your family cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs®? Do they crave Cinnamon Toast Crunch® and Reese’s® Puffs too?  Well then get ready to enjoy these flavors in a completely new and exciting way, out of the bowl and straight from the oven! New Betty Crocker® Cereal Muffin Mixes are inspired by Big G cereal favorites Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, and Reese’s Puffs, and are sure to be a fun way to re-mix your morning meal routine.

Whether your family is gathering around the table for breakfast or simply grabbing a bite on-the-go, new Betty Crocker Cereal Muffin Mixes will provide a tasty and convenient way to jumpstart your day.    

Can’t get enough of these mouthwatering muffins? Click here to download a printable coupon for $.80 off one package of any variety of Cereal Muffin Mix.


Here is what my family thought:
My family loves eating Gereral Mills cereal, but some times when we are on the go it can be hard if not impossible to bring a bowl of cereal with us.  Now we can have the best of both worlds, cereal and muffins.  New Betty Crocker® Cereal Muffin Mixes have the taste of the cereals we love jam packed into a delicious muffin.  




 Here is me on a Saturday morning mixing up New Betty Crocker® Cereal Muffin Mixes.  They were easy and fast to make.  Just add water, 2 eggs and oil (or if you want them to be healthier add apple sauce instead of oil).


My Little man loved the Reese’s® Puffs muffins.  They are chocolate with a hint of peanutbutter crumble on the top. 


 As many of you know our Mare Bear cannot speak, but she has ways of getting her point across, and she definitively let us know what muffin she wanted.  When we set the Reese’s® Puffs muffins in front of her she grabbed in and shoved it into her mouth, but when I offered her something else to eat she closed her mouth.  So I offered her another bit of Reese’s® Puffs muffins and she opened her mouth again.  This girls has good taste and knows what she likes and she likes Reese’s® Puffs muffins.



 My Oldest enjoyed all three flavors, and said the Cinnamon Toast Crunch® one taste just like the cereal.



Is your mouthwatering for this muffins yet? Click here to download a printable coupon for $.80 off one package of any variety of Cereal Muffin Mix.


Back to school breakfast essentials: NEW Betty Crocker Cereal Muffin Mixes giveaway

Now what you been waiting for...
The giveaway 
Closed the winner is Tawnya



    Your Prize Pack will contain:
    • Box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal muffins
    • Box of Cocoa Puffs cereal muffins
    • Box of Reese’s Puffs cereal muffins
    • Apron
    • Tumbler
    • Spoon
    • Therm O Snack



Here is how you enter:  
Mandatory:
  •  Follow me on Google and leave a comment stating you are following me.
  • leave a comment stating 


Additional entrees:
 
  • Additional entrees: 
    • Share this Giveaway on your facebook page and leave a comment.
    • "Like" Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment.   
    • "Like" Betty Crocker's Facebook page and leave a comment here.
    • Follow Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment here.
    • Follow Nowamomof3 on Twitter and leave a comment here.
    • Follow Betty Crocker on Twitter and Leave a comment here.
    • Leave a comment on any other story on my blog for one additional entree. 
RULES: Maximum of 8 entries per person. The giveaway will end on September 10th at midnight.  I will randomly pick a winner at random.org on September 12th.  I will notify the winner by e-mail and posted winners first name or user name on my blog.  The winner with have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.  You must be 18 years or older and a US resident to enter.  



Disclosure:  The giveaway, prize pack and information were provided by General Mill through myblogspark.  I received a sample of product to review.  All opinions expressed her are my own and were not swayed by receiving products.   I am not held liable for failure to deliver prize pack.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Transition from crib to a toddler bed

It can be so hard to realize your baby is not a baby anymore, but a Toddler.  My Little Man is almost 2 years old, and it is time for us to get rid of his crib and move him to a big boy bed.  For safety reasons we need to make sure he doesn't start climbing out of his crib because he can hurt himself.

I was so worried about My Little Man's transition to a toddler bed.  I worried he would repeatedly have to put him back in this bed or he would get out of his bed during the night and make messes.  I worried about pretty much anything I could worry about.  And you know what...  It was all for nothing.

For the first two nights he went right to bed like he always did, and when it was time to take a nap I laid him in his bed and he went to sleep.  Sometimes I think I expect to little of him.  He is more than capable of understand it is time for bed and he is to sleep in his bed in his room.

Tips to a smooth transition:

  • Make a plan on how to transition from crib to toddler bed with your spouse.  You two must agree for this to work.
  • Pick a date to start
  • Don't make a big deal about the transition.  We moved the side rail of the crib when he was not around.  Then we showed him his Big Boy bed and I read him a story on this bed.  We only said twice to him "You have a big boy bed now".
  • When it is time to put for him to go to bed stick to the same routine you always had.
  • If they come out of the room tell him it is bed time (once), then take them back to bed.  Place them in their bed and leave (even if they are crying).
  • If you child keeps coming out of his room keeping taking them back to their room, you can your spouse can switch off if you need a break.  
  • Keep in mind: this is just a phase and if you stick to your plan he will be sleeping in his bed soon.


UPDATE:  One night he did try to come out of his bedroom but I stuck with the plan.  I told him it was bed time and took him back to his room placed him on his bed.  I gave him a kiss goodnight and shut the door.  He did this 5 times that night.  I finally gave him to dad (he was upstairs playing video games) and asked him to take a few turns.  This time we put him to bed and waited by the door.  When Little Man opened the door we were right there to turn him around and put him back into bed.  He only tried it two more times, and realized we were a united front so he gave up and went to bed.  We have not had any more issues since that night.

Disclosure:  This is a story of what worked for our family.  It is meant as a means to help other parents with transition their child from a crib to a toddler bed , it is also only meant for children that have been sleeping in a crib in their room for a long period of time.  Each child and parent is different and will expediences difference results.

Back to School giveaways and tips with Purex


Get Ready for Back To School with Purex and Win!


You can enter the Purex Back To School Shopping Sweepstakes for a chance to win $1,000 for all of your Back To School shopping needs. While you're at it keep your clothes Bright, White and Clean with a FREE year's supply of Purex UltraPacks and fresh with Purex Crystals.


Click Here to visit the Purex contest page

Want to Win even more?

You can also have a chance to win up to 10,000 just by clicking "like" on the Purex Facebook page.  The more people that "like" Purex's Facebook page this summer the higher the cash prize.  Check out Purex's Facebook page for more detail


Want some money saving tips for Back to School?

Purex also has some great ideas on how to stretch your pocketbook when it come to back to school.  Click here to read their article "5 Tips for Back to School Savings".  It is a insightful article and is short enough to read in 3 minuets or less. 

How to help your child move from summer time to study time?

I know this is a hard transition in our family, but Purex has some great ideas on how to help your child succeed in this area.  Click here to read their story "Summer time to Study Time". 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

$20 Target Gift card,Crayola Dry-Erase Crayons, and Cheerios giveaway


With only a few short weeks before school bells chime and you’re back in your weekday morning routines, now is the perfect time to stock up on your kids’ school supplies and on-the-go breakfast favorites. With Crayola® and General Mills teaming up at your local Target, you’ll be sure to pass back-to- school prep with flying colors.






Available exclusively at Target Stores during the month of August:

  • Purchase specially marked Nature Valley® Crunchy Granola Bars, Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel® Pastries, and Big G Cereal packages and you could save up to $5 on Crayola products
  • Participating Big G cereal boxes will feature a fun Crayola coloring activity on pack
  • Save on General Mills products when you purchase specially marked Crayola 64-CT Crayons
This back-to-school season will be as easy as 1-2-3 with a little help from General Mills, Crayola, and Target, the one-stop-shop for all your back-to-school needs! Head to the front of the class and check out Grocery Savvy where you’ll find even more coupons for back-to-school, recipes, and a special 2012 “Grocery Savvy Crayola® Back To School” Sweepstakes! Be sure to enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win one of the 700 Crayola® 8-count Washable Dry Erase Crayons or one of 20 Crayola® Dry-Erase Activity Centers Zany Play Edition.

Here is what I think:

My family is a General Mills family.  We love to eat General Mills cereal for breakfast everyday.  My favorite is Cheerios Peanut butter flavor.  Marebear likes Trix and Lucky Charms.  As for Little Man, he goes crazy for Lucky Charms; when he sees it in the store he brings it to me and says "eat".  My Oldest will eat any General Mills cereal, and changes on which one is his favorite.  


Since Mare bear has has a hard time using her fine motor skills, her occupational therapist wants her to work on her pincer grasps.  One of the best ways for kids to work on their pincer grasp is to pick up small food like Cheerios.  Since she like to eat Cheerios she is motivated to pick them up and eat them.  As you can see not all the Cheerios make it to her mouth, but the skills involved in her trying are priceless. 
  

Our family has also enjoyed Crayola for many years.  So when I was asked to try out Crayola New Dry Erase Crayons, I said YES!  My Little Man has been coloring since he was 13 months old. He loves to express himself through the art of coloring.  Crayola New Dry Erase Crayons come with an  eraser cloth and a built in sharpener.  They are also bigger than a typical crayon so it make it easy for little hands to grasp.   


We used the coupon on our Cherrios box to save $2.00 off a Crayola coloring activity on pack at our local Target store. We also bought a Dual side dry erase board set.  I really like this set because it is the perfect size for my Little Man to carry around everywhere he goes.



Now what you been waiting for...
The giveaway 

Closed The winner is Colleen 


    Your Prize Pack will contain:
  • A box of Cheerios
  • $20 Target gift card
  • 8-CT Crayola Dry-Erase Crayons





Here is how you enter:  
Mandatory:
  •  Follow me on Google and leave a comment stating you are following me.
  • leave a comment stating how you plan to take advantage of this special promotion to tackle back-to-school shopping this year?


Additional entrees:
 
  • Additional entrees: 
    • Share this Giveaway on your facebook page and leave a comment.
    • "Like" Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment.   
    • Follow Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment.
    • Follow Nowamomof3 on Twitter and leave a comment
    • Leave a comment on any other story on my blog for one additional entree. 
RULES: Maximum of 8 entries per person. The giveaway will end on August 31th at midnight.  I will randomly pick a winner at random.org on September 1st.  I will notify the winner by e-mail and posted winners first name or user name on my blog.  The winner with have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.  You must be 18 years or older and a US resident to enter.  



 Disclosure:  The product, gift pack, information, and additional sample have been provided by Crayola, Target, and General Mills through MyBlogSpark .  All opinions expressed her are my own and were not swayed by receiving products.   I am not held liable for failure to deliver prize pack.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

New Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies and relaxation giveaway

Dreaming of a brownie that will satisfy your sweet tooth craving to help you stay on track? New Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies, combine your favorite dessert flavors: chocolate chip cookie AND brownie! When you’ve got brownies on the brain, but don’t want to over-indulge, this moist and chewy chocolate chip cookie brownie is the perfectly portioned 90-calorie snack.



  • Each serving provides 20 percent of the Daily Value of fiber (5g)*
  • Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor features semisweet chocolate chips in a cookie-batter brownie topped with a dark chocolaty flavored drizzle
*3g of total fat per brownie.
New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies: Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor make the perfect afternoon pick-me-up, satisfying your chocolate cravings at work or at home. We recommend keeping a supply at your desk or kitchen snack drawer (that’s what we do!).


So what did I think of them....





I can say one of the reasons why I am not able to stay at my goal weight is because of my sweet-tooth.  I crave sweets from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed.  My favorite drink is Sweet Tea, and my favorite snack is chocolate chip cookies.  

I was excited to try New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownie: Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor.  I like the size of each bar, they are small at only .89 ounce.  I think they are the perfect bite size.  

In my opinion the most important part of a brownie is the taste, and New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownie: Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor taste delicious.  They are like eating a soft chocolate chip cookie.  They are just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth and since they are only 90 calories they will help me to maintain my weight loss plan.


 You can win a Fiber One Survival kit just like the one I am showing in the photo.  It includes this cute red tote, water bottle, ear buds, stress ball, and  tiny can of turf



My Oldest really likes the taste of New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownie: Chocolate Chip Cookie.  He begged me to try a bite and ate the whole brownie in one bite and asked for more (teenager, they are never full).  

New Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownie come in three delicious flavors: 
Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Fudge Brownies, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies.

I cannot wait to go to the store and try the other flavors.

You can also check out Fiber One® 9 on Facebook

Now what you been waiting for...
The giveaway

Closed The winner is Emily



    Your Prize Pack will contain:
  • 1 box of Fiber One® 90 Calorie Brownies, the Chocolate Chip Cookie flavor
  • Survival kit including:
    • Brain Stress Ball
    • Water Bottle
    • Ear Tube Buds
    • Office Turf
    • Mini tote bag

    Here is how you enter:  
    Mandatory:


    Additional entrees:
     
    • Additional entrees: 
      • Share this Giveaway on your facebook page and leave a comment.
      • "Like" Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment here.
      • "Like" Fiber Ones Facebook page and leave a comment here.   
      • Follow Nowamomof3's Facebook page and leave comment here.
      • Follow Nowamomof3 on Twitter and leave a comment here.
      • Leave a comment on any other story on my blog for one additional entree. 
    RULES: Maximum of 8 entries per person. The giveaway will end on August 29th at midnight.  I will randomly pick a winner at random.org on August 30th.  I will notify the winner by e-mail and posted winners first name or user name on my blog.  The winner with have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.  You must be 18 years or older and a US resident to enter.  



    Disclosure:  The giveaway, prize pack and information were provided by General Mill through myblogspark.  I received a sample of product to review.  All opinions expressed her are my own and were not swayed by receiving products.   I am not held liable for failure to deliver prize pack.

    Tuesday, August 14, 2012

    Back to school shopping deals at Office Max


    Not only are my kids in school, but I am also talking an ASL course at the local community college. 

    I have done many major shopping trips to prepare for this school year, but the one I am still talking about is my trip to Office Max. I like to watch the ads when I go shopping for back to school. On August 11th I went to Office Max to shop their ad and I scored big.

    I purchased the following:
    3 packages of Papermate Pens 10 package. bags for .10 cents each
    3 packages 24ct. crayons for .05 cents each
    2 Number 2 pencils 10 packages .10 cents each
    3 packages of filler paper 100 count .50 cents each
    1 clear Zippered Binder Pocket .50 cents
    2 Basic Poly 3 Prong Folder . 50 cents each
    5 composition notebook for FREE when you spend $5.00
    ( I bought a bottle water to drink)
    My total came to $3.95 cents
    WOW, what a deal. I have enclosed a photo of all my supplies so you can see all that I got for under 4 dollars.

    Disclosure: This shopping experience is not typical, it was due to a specific ad for my local Office Max.  Anyone that shopped at this store was able to take advantage of the sale.  I did NOT receive any free products for this post.
    .