Gloves in a Bottle

Cool Moms Rule is giving away a prize everyday in honor of their new feature, Book Reviews. Today, they are giving away Gloves in a Bottle. I have heard nothing but great things about this lotion. I think this is some lotion I need. I wash my hands all the time at work and the soap is very harsh. Regular lotion does not help to moisturize my hands. I have tried some other types of lotions but I really think Gloves in a Bottle would be the best to try. I hope I win! This contest ends today! But remember to visit everyday for a new prize.

Backup Those Files

5 Minutes for Mom and Western Digitial are giving away a Passport External Hard drive. I know it is for backing up files and photos but other than that, I am stumped. I know it would be great to own one. I will just need to get help from my father or my brother. This contest ends Friday, Oct. 5

Freshly Baked from Georgie Tees

Freshly baked is a new blog from the women at georgie tees. Here is a little description straight from Freshly baked, "freshly baked is your source for all kinds of tasty treats, from yummy recipes to satisfying stories to tempting tips."

Doesn't that sound like a great new blog to bookmark. I did and you should too. Right now they are having their first ever giveaway! You can win a fabulous Modern Union diaper bag filled with great baby items. Just leave them a comment and tell them that lace sent you. This contest ends on Friday.

Stroll Baby

Homemom3 is giving away a Chicco Stroller. These strollers are everywhere. I hope to win one. A stroller would really come in handy with 2 kids.

Skimbaco Giveaway

So a Blonde Walks Into a Review and Skimbaco are giving away a $100 shopping spree to Skimbaco. There are so many great things to find there. Take a look before Sept. 30 when the contest ends.

Is Your Child Dilatory?

Drea and Elizabeth from DE Reviews and SA Tees are giving away a t-shirt of your choice. My niece is definetaly Dilatory.

Dilatory = Tending to cause delay.

This giveaway ends on Friday.

Warm Biscuit Bedding

How would you like to win $50 to spend in a vintage children’s store? Kailani of An Island Life is holding a giveaway to Warm Biscuit Bedding Company. Stop by before September 28th for all the details.

Fall Into Reading

It is Autumn and there is nothing better than curling up with a blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and a good book. I love to read! I have always loved reading. I think this love was passed down from my Mom. She was always reading. My Dad likes to tell of the time we drove across the country from Michigan to California and my Mom saw none of it. Her nose was firmly stuck in a book. I have also read many books while traveling long distances in the car.

Katrina at Callapidder Days has begun the Fall Into Reading Challenge. I discovered her blog late into her Spring reading challenge, so this time I thought I would participate. I have won a few books from some very generous people on the internet. I think all of these will go on my list. I also have a few books that I have tried to read for several years.

Here is a list of books that I plan on reading. I don't have any idea of how many books I can read by Dec. 21. I think I will leave some room for books I discover along the way.

• Let Them Eat Cake - Sandra Byrd (I am currently reading this one)
  
• Split Ends - Kristin Billerbeck
• The Potluck Club Takes the Cake - Linda Evans Shepherd, Eva Marie Everson
  
• (I think might read the ones before this one if the library has them)
• Return to Me - Robin Lee Hatcher
• The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks (this has been on my to read list for a few years)
• Nectar in a Sieve - Kamala Markandaya (also been on my to read list for a few years)
• Inkdeath - Cornelia Funke (This can't officially be on my list. It does not release until sometime in 2008)
  
• A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
  
• (This is a stretch. I don't think I will ever finish this book. I have tried to read it for years. It was a gift from my brother. I have read chapter 1. )
• The Other Mother - Gwendolen Gross

Recently Added

• Auralia's Colors - Jeffrey Overstreet (Thank you Deena)
  

I think that looks like a good list. I will update with more books if I find some to read. And to be honest, A Tale of Two Cities will never get read. I think it will always be just a book sitting on my book shelf perpetually stuck at "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . ."

I am most excited to read Inkdeath. Why is it taking so long to finish getting published? Why do I not speak German? (it is released next month in Germany) I have been waiting for this book for about a year now!

Pink Dyson

5 minutes for mom is giving away a Pink Dyson. Who wouldn't want to vacuum all the time using this great looking vacuum. It not only looks great but part of the proceeds of the Pink Dyson is given to breast cancer research. This contest ends Oct. 1.

UncommonGoods are in Style

Shak in Style and UncommonGoods are teaming together to giveaway a $100 g.c. to UncommonGoods. I love this store. I have never bought anything from there but I drool over many things. This contest ends Sept. 27.

Here are some great items you could choose:








And many more items.

Add a New Sense to Bean Bags

I love to play bean bag games with kids. You can practice balancing, body part naming, throwing/catching skills, etc. There is so much you can do with bean bags. The Therapy Shoppe has added a new element to the bean bag, scents. Their bean bags use all natural organic herbs, lavender, camomile and mint. You can win a set by going to My Two Boys before Sept. 26.

Hug Your Bug Today

Drea and Hug a Bug Baby are giving away a gauze wrap. I have never tried a wrap baby carrier. I have tried pouches, ring slings, and mei tais. I think this might be the last category to try. I might be wrong because I am still new to baby wearing. Can you even wrap a 3 year old or an 11 month old? I use all of the other carriers with the 3 year old but I seem to think the wrap is for little babies. Let me know if I am wrong. I would love a chance to try a wrap out and then possibly save for future babies of my own or for friends' future or still little babies. This contest ends this Saturday.

To find out more about the wrap itself and Drea's review go to Reviewed by Drea or Hug A Bug Baby.

Happy Anniversary It's Write Now

Do you see that awesome IPod? Do you want to win it? If you do head on over to It's Write Now. Emma is giving away this great looking IPod because it is her 3 month anniversary. Here is where you can enter. Good Luck! This contest ends on Oct. 31.

Monk & Neagle is Here!

The CD is out TODAY! Go check out Monk & Neagle. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD. I think my favorites are: Beautiful You, Into Orbit, The Twenty-First Time, Hallelujah, Jesus and What Soldiers Do. I think I might have named the whole album. Seriously, take a listen they do not disappoint.

I want to thank BooMama for introducing me to this great band.

Buy it here and here and here.

How do I FIT it In?

How do I fit in time for exercise while watching my nieces? Usually my exercise time consits of dance sessions. In the summer it is walks with my 3 year old niece strapped in the mei tai. Let me tell you a walk around the block with an extra 30 something pounds is very tiring.
A game of running in circles and hide and go seek are some other exercises I suggest.

I actually just bought a new bike. A Suede by Giant. I love it! When there are no kids around my mom and our friend take to the roads. We all just got new bikes. I had not ridden a bike in years. I am loving bike riding again. Although my tail bone is not so happy lately.

I could use some new shoes and exercise clothes from Ryka. I think Parent Bloggers can help me with that.

Bebe Belay

Ok, I don't know how to do the accent mark. But anyway, Have you ever forgotten a bib or pulled a bib from the diaper bag and it was covered in last weeks sweet potatos? Are you tired of picking up that toy or binky every few minutes? I think Bebe Belay would be perfect. It is a tether system that you can use for binkys or bib clips to turn any towel, paper or otherwise into a bib. Mom Views and Bebe Belay are giving away 4. This contest ends on Sept. 16.

I can't post a picture from the library computer but head on over to look at them. They are great.

Book Giveaway

Enter to win the complete set of Terrestria Chronicles on the HSB Company Porch!

A Couple of Contests

Sorry about the quick post but I'm still out of town and on a computer at the library.

Mums the Word and Zutano is giving away a $150 gift certificate. I love the colors and styles of their clothes.

Mums the Word and Natural Pod are giving away the best giveaway ever. Are you tired of all of the recalls? I certainly am. Everytime the baby puts a toy in her mouth, I wonder if in a few years I will here about a recall involving that toy. Am I endangering her mental capacity and health by letting her play with her toys? Are they SAFE? I used to only think about the size of they toy not about what it was made with and painted with. I hate having to second guess toys and toy manufacturers. I really want to win the $100 gift certificate to Natural Pod.

From Dates to Diapers is giving away a Rockin' Baby sling. There are lots of them I like but I think I might like the White Shadows sling the best. Although, I will probably like something better tomorrow.

Out of Town

I am out of town this week and can't seem to get the laptop to work. I do have access to a computer at the library though and I will try to continue my posts. I hope I don't miss out on some great giveaways.

Tummy to Tummy

If you are new to babywearing or just need a little help there is a DVD that you might be interested in. Musings of a crunchy domestic goddess is giving away the DVD Tummy to Tummy. I am still relatively new to babywearing. I have some homemade pouch slings, a ring sling, and a mei tai. I am still trying to figure out how to do a side carry in the mei tai. I just can't figure it out. I think this video would be great. Maybe it would show me what I am doing wrong. Then I can pass it on to some other babywearers I know. This contest ends Wed., Sept. 12.

Blush

Mom4Life is giving away a Blush Topless Undershirt. I actually have been looking at several different brands of these. Blush is the most affordable ones I have seen. These are great undershirts to wear when you are pregnant or even when you are not. I am in the not category but I would still love to have one. This would be perfect for a layering look or for keeping my belly from showing when I raise my arms. Or even to keep my belly from showing when my niece tries to lift my shirt to see my belly button. Head on over to Mom4Life before Wednesday, Sept. 12. There are several different ways to enter this week.

Rockin' Slings

I love to wear my nieces in my mei tai and my ring sling. If you love to wear your babies or have never tried babywearing, head on over to Adventures in Babywearing. She is giving away a Rockin' Baby Sling. I love these. They have great fabrics. This contest ends 10pm Monday, Sept. 10.

Here are some of my favorites:

Huggalugs

Z Recommends and Bediboo are giving away two pair of Huggalugs of your choice. Two readers will win. I have never tried the Huggalugs brand but I have tried another brand. I also make my own with this great tutorial on Flickr. Head on over to Z Recommends. The contest ends on Sunday, Sept 9.

It's Pay It Forward Time

It's time for another round of Pay It Forward Book Exchanges. There are some great books this time. Right now there are about 13 blogs participating. I'm sure more will be added. You can find all of the rules and how you can participate at Overwhelmed with Joy. You can also find all of the other participating blogs there.

Here are a sampling of some of the books you can win:

• Uncharted by Angela Hunt
• Bittersweet by Cathy Marie Hake
• Dirty Sugar Cookies by Ayun Halliday

And many more. Contest ending dates vary.

Hanes Has You Covered!

Mama Loves Giveaways is giving away 10 prize packs of Hanes goodies. Take a look at all of the products in the giveaway. There are sets for boys and sets for girls. This contest ends Thursday, Sept. 13.

Baby Signs * Update*

*Update* This is the last time to enter.

Prizes for this week are:

• From Chicago Moms Blog and One True Media a one year subscription to One True Media
• Signing Time Board Book
• Grand Prize: Series 2 Signing Time DVD volumes 1-3

This ends on Friday Sept. 15.

My Two Boys and Signing Time are giving away several Signing Time products. Signing Time is launching their second series of DVDs on Sept. 17. Have you seen this program? I love it. It has great songs, great actors and it teaches sign language. I have taught both of my nieces some basic signs and they enjoy watching this program. My 3 year old niece often asks how to sign different items throughout the day. I use an asl sign language online dictionary to find the sign I don't know how to sign.(Here is another one) She loves watching the people on the computer demonstrate the signs. If you want to begin or continue learning signs with your children, visit My Two Boys to find out how you can win some great Signing Time products. This is a multi-week giveaway. One giveaway each week for 5 weeks. Week three ends this Friday, Aug. 31

Zrecommends and a Giveaway!

Have you visited Z Recommends? Why not? You should. It is a great review site about kids products that have been thoroughly tested by it's main product tester Z. The founders and writers of the site are Jeremiah and Jennifer McNichols who are in their own words, "obsessive product appraisers, invested online community members, occasional consumer crusaders, and tireless blog enthusiasts."

I have really enjoyed reading about the many products they have reviewed. Here are a sampling of some of my favorites:

ZRecs Expeditionary Force: A Trip to Ikea, Part I (I have yet to go to Ikea but am going soon)

Reinvent the Blanket Fort With the Fortamajig (This post had me making blanket forts with my niece. I had not made one since I was little and had forgotten about them)

Cooking Connections: Making Play Dough (I was that formerly skeptical reader and now I make all of my play dough with my niece of course)

Independence Day: "Keep Safe" Attachment Helps Kids Stay Close But Free (I actually made one of these from a never used grosgrain belt after reading this post)

You can find many more great posts by visiting Z Recommends yourself. If you visit now you could have the chance at winning a Kaboost seat booster. Z Recommends and Kaboost are giving away one Kaboost in your choice of colors. All you have to do is leave a comment on the post telling them about the worst high chair or booster seat you have ever encountered. If you don't want to wait to see if you won, you can purchase your own Kaboost with a 10% off coupon code found on the left hand side in the Z direct coupon code section (under the advertisements) Make sure to read the other comments. You might start to appreciate your nice clean seats at your own house. This contest ends at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, winner will be randomly chosen.

You can read Z Recommends review of the Kaboost here. There is also a great video of the product in action.

My Little Piggy's

So a Blonde Walks Into a Review is giving away a $100 gift certificate to My Little Piggy's. This store has some great items. I think I am having a shoe thing right now because I keep finding all these cute shoes I want for my nieces or for myself. They also have some great and cuddly looking blankets. To find out how you can win, visit So A Blonde Walks Into a Review. This contest ends Sept. 10.

Here are some cute things I found:

Becca Booty Burgundy

Binki Terry Cloth

MORE SHOES!

Adventures in Babywearing (I just love this blog) and Vincent Shoes (I love these shoes) are giving away a $50 gift certificate to Vincent Shoes. I am so excited to win these shoes. My niece will love it. Shoes are one of her favorite things. Along with dancing. By the way, you can see a video of her dancing last year by scrolling down a little bit. It is so fun. Back to the contest. It ends Sept. 6


I love these:

Martin

Sam




Love

SHOES!

I Should Be Folding Laundry and Tales from the Scales are giving away your choice of Ryka

I think I would pick these:


shoes. I love Ryka shoes. This contest ends on Sept. 5 at 9pm cst.

Learning Tower

Superdumb supervillain is giving away a Learning Tower. This is the contest I want to WIN! I hate to even tell you about it. But I will be nice and give you links and info. This contest ends on Sept. 30. Winner will be announced in Oct. So be watching for my name to appear on the site as the winner.