Memories Monday

I am thankful I have a decent memory. I can recall events and just individual moments as far back as preschool. I can recall the way the play ground looked, my classroom, my tap dancing lessons and the spot we put our stuff into our own cubby hole. I have thousands of simple moments that I do not ever want to forget. The one thing we have that is just ours is our memories. These are the precious things we have and need to share to keep them going. Of course not all memories are wonderful but even the scary ones can teach us something. I know for a fact that a bed frame, a plank of wood, rope and empty paint buckets will not turn you into Huck Finn floating down the river! I will share that story more one of these times. I am sure Sam and our older brother would get a laugh or two out of that one.

I want to make a regular habit of writing down my memories of childhood, adulthood and now as a mother. I would like to invite you as readers and some of you that are also bloggers to be apart of Memories Monday. Each Monday I will post a topic of something family friendly that you may have a memory of and I would like you to share it with everyone. I will have a Linky List next Monday for everyone who blogs to share their stories on.

I am a huge History buff and I always find it fascinating when a diary or notes from people living in a different era are found. Maybe one day someone will find all my posts and laugh, cry and learn a little about what it was like to live my life. Each of us is creating a story as we live our daily lives and I want you each Monday to take the time to write down just a portion of that story to share with us all.

Since most of us are getting ready for school year to start I wanted to ask what is your favorite memory of Kindergarten for you or your child's year in Kindergarten?

My Story:
I have a funny and embarrassing memory from Kindergarten. One day while I was out playing on the playground during recess my shorts got snagged on screw that was sticking out of a jungle gym and it ripped my shorts open. I was mortified that other kids could see my undies! I had to run back to the classroom my hands covering my bum to tell my teacher. Thankfully she called my mom who quickly brought me new shorts to wear. My mom was always there to rescue us kids anytime we needed her to. I was very embarrassed for quiet some time and always made sure to be careful on that piece of play ground equipment.

Leonardo Get Out of My Dreams!

Have you watched the movie Inception? The one with Leonardo DiCaprio and how he can manipulate dreams through dream invasion. I have seen it a few times because I find dreams fascinating. I could go on forever about the crazy and surreal dreams I have had over the years. The earliest repetitive dreams I have had I can recall from about age 7. Some dreams feel so real the are almost like a memory of a life not lived. Its creepy! When I was pregnant I would have this terrible dream at least 3 times a week about water, waves and a huge flood. It was intensely powerful. I can recall many details of the dream. I have had those types of dreams to that are blissful happiness. Those kinda dreams are awesome.

Since watching the movie Inception I have had three occurrences where I have had a lucid dream. Lucid dreaming is when you are in the middle of a dream you become aware that it is not real and that you are dreaming, but yet remain asleep and still in the dream. In the movie Inception Leonardo explains this concept to his costar Ellen Page to her by telling her you can always know if your dreaming if you do not remember how you got to where you are. Its strange but makes sense to me.

Well this is where things got very Inception in my dreams. Three times in the last 2 months I have been in the middle of a sad, stressful or scary dream and suddenly my brain tells me that I am ok, this is not real, you are dreaming since you do not know how you got here. Literally in my dream I start to yell "I dont know how I got here, This is just a dream!" Then in my dream I am overwhelmed with a calmness and a feeling of just letting go of what was trying to overcome me. Then after what in my dream feels like 5 or 10 minutes of realizing I am actually dreaming and being fully aware that I am, I wake up.

I thought Garfield could lighten the mood!

This is so odd to me! I have been dreaming vividly since I was about 7. I am sure before then that is just the age I can recall some of them. Most people have a dream they remember only once in a while. For me it feels like when I go to sleep a TV is turned on in my head and I dream a different world. I feel some times its a curse to dream so much and other times a blessing. I often write down the super detailed and intense dreams I have and hoping one day to turn them into short stories.

For now all I have to say is:

Leonardo Get Out Of My Dreams!

Now that you know my creepy dream side of my personality what is something about you not many people know?

Homer can always cheer me up!

Summer Giveaways from Bausch + Lomb

 

I know many people wear contacts daily and some people for special occasions. My husband wears them daily and sometimes I forget he even needs them. I am sure he doesn't ever forget since every day he was so rinse them with solution. We recently had the chance to try a sample of BioTrue. He has used this brand in the past but I am always seem to buy him ones I find on sale and with a coupon. That's why I am frugal lol!

There are a few Bausch + Lomb Sweepstakes I wanted to share with everyone:

Biotrue™ Fan Feedback Giveaway

Contact lens wearers, we want to hear your feedback! Simply visit the “Feedback” tab on the Bausch + Lomb Facebook page to answer our monthly eye-care related question and share your opinion with others.  One winner will be selected weekly through September 6, to win a free years supply of Biotrue!

To learn more about the Biotrue “Feedback” Tab, please visit: http://on.fb.me/n6R4Er

SofLens® Daily Score Sweepstakes

Put your luck to the test in time for back-to school with the SofLens Daily Score Sweepstakes. Daily winners through September 30 will receive a SofLens-branded sport tote bag and the opportunity to be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $5,000 scholarship!  To enter, simply fill out the entry form at the SofLens Daily Score website.

To learn more about the SofLens Daily Score Sweepstakes, please visit: http://bit.ly/qTImWJ


** I was sent a free sample size BioTrue and a reusable bag for sharing this sweepstakes with everyone.

The Smurfs: A Magical Smurf Adventure on DVD Review

 

I have loved the Smurfs since I was a kid. The cute song, the quaint little village they live in and of course the individual characters that make up the Smurf family. Some of my favorites are Brainy Smurf, Smurfette and Lazy Smurf. I still to this day quote "I Hate......." in my best Smurf voice if we have to do something no fun or boring. My husband cracks up since he was a Smurf fan too. I try not to say it around my son since the last word I want him to learn is hate. But in Smurf fun its a cute inside joke to my hubby and I. 

With the new Smurf movie coming out there has been a lot of buzz around the cute little blue creatures. I was excited to see the old cartoon come to DVD just in time to remind myself about the old version before seeing the new movie and sharing a classic cartoon with my son. 

He loved the opening song like I used to. We held hands and danced around, it was super cute. We found him a Smurf stuffed toy at Toys R Us on clearance for mess than $5 and when you push his hand it plays the theme song! How cool is that. He grabbed his stuffed Smurf and we sat down to watch the cartoon. He watched for a bit and pointed out that Azrael was a kitty cat. Then he fell asleep on the couch and I continued to reminisce of a time when I was a kid watching the Smurfs! One of my favorite episodes was on this DVD.
"Smurf Me No Flowers"
Lazy is led to believe that he has only a few days left to live, encouraging him to do some physical feats he hasn't thought of doing before.

Taking a nap with his Smurf

The Smurfs A Magical Smurf Adventure 2 Disc DVD is available now from the WBShop.com

Synopsis:   
Get your Smurf on with this 2-disc set of 10 Smurftacular Episodes! In a hidden village dwells a clan of magical creatures, living in mushroom houses and taking showers with dewdrops. They’re those international celebrities known far and wide as the Smurfs -- and they’re back on DVD. This itty-bitty powder-blue crew, including Brainy, Lazy, Vanity and Smurfette, is led by the wise, gentle and 542-year-old Papa Smurf. Gargamel, the local evil wizard, is forever scheming against the tiny team but our little friends outsmurf him every time! The Smurfs may only be three apples high, but they left miles of smiles on the faces of Saturday morning cartoon fans from 1981 to 1989!  Smurf it up again with this colorful collection of superior Smurftainment!





*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free a copy of the Smurf DVD  for my review.

I See Me Books: The Super, Incredible Big Brother Book Review and Giveaway

 I love anything that reminds my boys that they are brothers and being good brothers is an important job. Recently we reviewed a personalized book The Super, Incredible Big Brother from I See Me personalized children's books.




Here is a description of the book from their web site:
The perfect gift for a new big brother! The Super, Incredible Big Brother book from I See Me! comes personalized with big brother's name and the name of the new baby. The book reassures big brother that he is loved and appreciated... and it rewards him for helping out and being a "super star" with his new sibling. It comes with a coordinating Super Incredible Big Brother award medal with a place on the back to write the proud big brother's name! Written by award-winning children's author Jennifer Dewing and Illustrated by award-winning artist Jill McDonald, this hardcover book is an adorable, whimsical and fun-filled personalized story.

This book is great. JJ loved the fact that his name was written and read throughout the entire book, not to mention Baby L had a few mentions too. The story is very motivating and uplifting, reminding your child what a big and great job he has ahead as a big brother. The book rhymes and the illustrations are so darn cute, two things that really draw me into a children's book. The coolest thing for JJ was that it came with a "metal" that he has proudly been sporting all over town letting everyone know what a great big brother he is!
  
I recommend this book to anyone who is about to add a new member to their family or any child who is about to become a sibling. I See Me children's books also has more than just big brother or big sister personalized books. A few of my other favorite books are My Very Own Fairy Tale book and The World According To. Check them out.

GIVEAWAY

Win a Personalized Book from I See Me. 

You can select from The Big Brother book, The Big Sister book, My Very Own Name book, My Very Own Fairytale or the My Very Own Pirate book.

 To Enter This Giveaway:
 
Who would you win this personalized book for?

 *Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if not in GFC profile*

 

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on. 

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*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts July 31, 2011 and ends on August 15, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provide the item in this review for free by the company or PR firm representing them. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others