A Boy and his Dog

My son and his best pal "Kosha" are so sweet! They play ball, fetch, chase and even both listen to dog commands lol. It seems when my son is playing that he is a dog he actually listens! HA if this method would work in the grocery store I would be set. Our lab is the most gentle, tolerant and well behaved dog I have ever met. These two are inseparable and I think its awesome he has been able to grown up having a dog since the day he was born. Reminds me of Bobby and Ladybird from King of the Hill and oddly dog dancing might be in the future. Leave a comment if you know which episode I am talking about. lol

Halloween Fun Magazine Review

Halloween is a fun time of year in my house. Its the launch of the holiday seasons, fall and fun! Now that my son is old enough to really enjoy Halloween I want to go all out this year. I wanted ideas that worked for someone else so I could have an easy way to make Halloween fun. I love magazines, something about reading it in your hands and being able to put it in my bag when on the go to reference in the store is great.

Halloween Fun (from the Good Houskeeping, Redbook and Country Living) currently on news stands and is filled with Halloween ideas. I found many I want to try this year.  Whether you’re throwing a monster bash or just decorating to get in the spirit, you’ll find frightfully quick and easy ways to have a delightfully haunted holiday.

We made a Halloween cookie for fun after reading the magazine. My son wanted a pumpkin so I baked him one.

Look what’s inside?

*New takes on jack-o’-lanterns
*Boo-tiful cupcakes, marshmallow ghosts, mummy cakes, and other treats for little goblins
*Super-cute, simple costumes for kids—and even pets!
*Zillions of ideas for crafts and decorations for your home, from killer entrances to eerie touches throughout the house

 Halloween Fun! is available for $6.99 and can be purchased at your local supermarket, newsstand or bookstore. A digital edition is also available at Zinio.com or Nook.bn.com. For even more photos and inspiration, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hearstspecials and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/hearstspecials.

* I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was sent a free copy  for my review by the publisher/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

The Double Stroller Debate

 

Miss Ashley "chillin" in the new double jogging stroller :)

I had mentioned earlier that I feel like I am still getting the hang of this Mother of 3 thing and the fact that I have a 5 year old, a 9 month old and a barely 2 year old. I am always feeling like I can't go many places by myself with all three of them, it is just hard. JJ, my 5 year old, can walk so no big deal. It is Liam the barely 2 year old and the 9 month old, Ashley I struggle with. Liam is at the age where he is exploring his boundaries. He wants to walk, then be carried, then cry cause he wants something, then cry to be picked up, then cry to be let down. All the while Ashley really is just going with the flow hoping I don't drop her (not really) while I try to juggle her and her rowdy brother in my arms. I never bought a double stroller because I though I would never use/need one. I thought surely I would never volunteer to take them all out alone (as if) and if I did it would be somewhere there were carts handy and I could pile them in, seat belts and all. Well the whole not having a double stroller cause I don't need one for my two children who were then both under 2 years of age was insane. I mean who do I think I am Angelina Jolie?

About two weeks ago I was starting to feel like I had lost my confidence in going out with my children. Out of the blue I started to feel like the walls were closing in on me and I needed to get out and about with the little ones. JJ just started Kindergarten this fall. So technically five days a week, I only have two kids most of the day. I started to feel like I needed to get back the "mommy confidence" I once had when I had only one or two children. The reality is there are three of them and if I ever want to go out with them on my own and have a sane nice time a double stroller needed to be in my near future. I also knew that I wanted to get a used one at a great price, maybe Craigslist? So I was checking double strollers for sale in my area and found a bunch. Now to decide what I wanted/needed out of it. I looked at the traditional front seat/backseat style and thought about how when Liam is in that style he can get bored and knows how to climb out. That style has a great purpose for some situations so I am not ruling it out completely. I continued to scroll and saw the double jogging strollers. Hmmm never thought about a jogging stroller really. I mean I am not a jogger (but secretly want to be) but I could take it up someday right? I liked the idea that my two little ones would be side by side talking, sharing a snack, talking about the all birds and flowers they were seeing. I thought about how they might not get bored and actually enjoy each other. Then I thought about how they might fight (oh and they will) over a toy or a snack or someones arm is touching "their side." I decided not to focus on the ladder and knew I now wanted a double jogging stroller. I decided I might take up jogging and if I did I would need a double jogging stroller for sure. I found this one for only $40!! There were others in the $80-150 range with some more bells and whistles but that was more than I was wanting/willing to spend. So as you do with all Craigslist transactions (or at least I hope you do) we met a public place. I gave her my $40 and she gave me my freedom back with a new used double stroller.

Despite Liam's face and him not wanting to smile for me, they really do like it in there together!! 

We have had it over a week now and I am just loving it and so are the kids! I have taken them to stores, the mall, the park and I even took them out walking in it (hey I have to work up to a jogging pace). I have to say that my "mommy confidence" is coming back and it is really feeling good. And it only cost me $40.

Big Top Scooby-Doo! Movie on Blu-ray Oct. 9th

Scooby Doo is a lovable dog in my home. He is silly and loves snacks, kind of sounds like my son lol. I enjoy watching the Scooby Doo movies with my son. It reminds me of my childhood watching the cartoons on the weekend or after school. My son calls Scooby "Dooby Doo" He howls it! Too cute! This is a fun circus themed Scooby Doo full of the adventurous mystery solving antics that Scooby and the gang are know for. I like that these movies are on Blu-ray! The color and sound are great.

BIG TOP SCOOBY-DOO!

THE MUST-HAVE ORIGINAL NEW ANIMATED FILM

AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY® AND DVD WITH ULTRAVIOLET^TM  

ON OCTOBER 9, 2012

FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO

WILL TAKE VIEWERS ON AN EXCITING CIRCUS-THEMED ADVENTURE

Warner Home Video’s all-new animated feature-length movie Big Top Scooby-Doo!, which makes its debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 9, 2012. It’s a spectacle consumers won’t want to miss as Scooby and his pals join a circus in an attempt to investigate a series of werewolf sightings. Big Top Scooby-Doo! will be sold in a Blu-ray™ combo pack (includes both the Blu-ray™ and standard DVD and ULTRAVIOLET™ editions of the film), which retails for $24.98 SRP and on standard DVD, which retails for $19.98 SRP (DVD).

When the Brancusi Circus comes to town, Fred — who has always had dreams about performing under the big top — jumps at the opportunity to visit the show. Upon their arrival, Scooby and the gang learn the circus performers have been terrorized by a werewolf who has not only frightened them but has also stolen jewelry from circus spectators. The circus is blamed for the attacks and faces a potential shutdown. Desperate for help, the circus ringleader turns to Scooby-Doo and his pals. To get close to the action, they all go undercover as circus performers: Fred becoming a trapeze artist, Daphne a daring motorcycle stunt driver and Velma a human cannonball. Will they be ready to face a frightening team of circus-themed werewolves?

“Big Top Scooby-Doo! is a full-length, fun-filled adventure the entire family can enjoy together,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation Marketing and Partner Brands. She added, “Kids love to see Scooby-Doo in exciting new settings, so we put him in this colorful, circus-themed atmosphere where he’s got limitless opportunities to get into all sorts of hilarious predicaments and crazy shenanigans. If you love Scooby-Doo, this a must-have title for your home entertainment library.


*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 for my review.

 

Farm Rich Products Review and Giveaway

I love foods that are easy, convenient, and taste great. That's just what Farm Rich snacks and appetizers are.
Perfect for party appetizers, after school snacks, football game watching snacks, and more, Farm Rich is tasty and comes in a large variety of choices.

I love it when friends and family drop by, and having easy and quick foods that I can serve to them makes it even more enjoyable. Farm Rich offers meatballs, Philly cheese steaks, mini pizza slices, stuffed pretzel bites, and more. And they are a good source of protein, calcium, and trans fat free.

My family and I recently tried the Farm Rich cheese sticks and breaded mushrooms. We used ranch dressing and barbecue sauce for dipping sauces.

Made with whole white button Mushrooms and covered in seasoned breadcrumbs, they were very tasty.
The Cheese Sticks are made with 100% real mozzarella and are also covered in seasoned breadcrumbs. The cheese sticks were especially popular, and we all loved the yummy, melted cheesy goodness.

We will definitely be buying more Farm Rich products and trying other varieties These are a great choice to have on hand for our Sundays of watching football and snacking.

You can go to Farmrich.com to find out about their complete line of products, coupons and offers. The Keep'em Happy Hour Club has great coupons like the Buy One Try One for $1.50 off two coupon.


Enter to Win 2 Free Product Coupons for Farm Rich ($6.99 value each) 

Enter in the Rafflecopter Giveaway Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Oct. 4,  2012 and ends on Oct. 18, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I received free product coupons for my review.