Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Real or Fake Christmas Tree



This is my dilemma what do I want? We currently have a fake tree that we've had for a couple years that some of the branch's are broke on. The sad thing is the branch's broke the same year we bought the tree. I am tired of having to rig up the branch's so my tree looks decent and don't feel like doing it this year. So I am thinking of getting a real tree this year. I think my boys would love getting to go out and pick our tree instead of just pulling it out of the box. My fears are that having a real tree may affect my asthma or the boys allergies. I am also worried about our cat eating the tree he already tries to eat the fake one.

So I am curious what are your thoughts on this subject?

Real or Fake which would be the best for my family??

Holidays and Catching Up

I want to start off by saying I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Everyone came to our house for Thanksgiving this and once again I realized that I need a bigger house. I am very behind on reviews and giveaways and I am so sorry about that; but my computer had to be reformatted due to a virus so I was without a computer for awhile and now I am way behind on things and I apologize to everyone for that. I am going to be doing my best to get everything up on here ASAP I have a event that starts on December 1st so my focus is on it at the moment. Then it will be play catch up. If you need me for anything please email me and I will get back with you.

Thank You All
~Mama Anderson

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sorry I'm Behind

I must start off by saying if your waiting on a review I'm sorry but I have fallen behind. The past few months has been one big headache and it's carrying into this month. We have had our electric shut off without warning, latch on my truck window break almost causing the window to fall off, basement flood again, Bubba's Rabbit died, Pumpkins teachers dad pass, hubby had to have an emergency colonoscopy, my dad had to have three biopsies and they believe he has cancer in this thyroid, Pumpkin is dealing with ear infections and they believe that they are affecting his hearing so were at the doctors getting them checked frequently now. We also are looking into getting Bubba tested for ADD so I am constantly on the run and at the doctors with someone. The lord is putting me through many tests and I'm trying to keep my head up and not fall into a depression. I am trying to stay strong for my family while getting all my reviews done as well. So please bear with me and your stuff will be done as soon as I can.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Sponsor Spotlight: Savvy Rest


So lately with all the health issues that are arising in my family I am trying to find ways to help make my family healthier and that includes using more greener products. That's why I got excited when I found Savvy Rest, the company that gives us healthy alternatives to the traditional bedding that is on the current market.  Savvy Rest offers only the finest organic mattresses, organic mattress toppers, sheets, mattress pads, and pillows.  By making their mattresses from natural latex rubber, certified organic wool and certified organic cotton you know what you are sleeping on and can rest assured it is healthy.  

Savvy Rest has a wonderful commitment to each of there customers: 
  • Purity: there materials are natural, nontoxic, certified and independently tested
  • Comfort: every Savvy Rest organic mattress is customized for the customer
  • Integrity: they treat customers with honesty and respect
  • Value: Savvy Rest will long outlast a conventional store bought mattress




 I got the privelage to review Savvy Rest's Contour Pillow. I chose this pillow because I am one who needs typically two pillows to sleep. I liked the shaped of the contour pillow and thought that it might help me cut back on using so many pillows at night. This pillow is a soft dunlop molded shape that has a higher rounded edge along its length for extra neck stability. The lower edge allows you to change positions easily when needed and the center hollow gently cradles your head. The only problem I encountered with this pillow was it had a strong smell of latex at first, but as time passes the smell seems to be fading away.

This has become a favorite pillow of mine very quickly and i'd love to try there other Oragnic Pillows. I'd also like to try some of there other products like the mattress topper. I love a nice soft bed and I think adding a topper to our mattress would accomplish this for me. Make sure you stop by their website and check out all there great products and maybe purchase some for Christmas they'd make great gifts!!


    Wednesday, November 16, 2011

    Sponsor Spotlight: Restaurant.com


    If your like most people with the economy lately going out to eat is a once in awhile thing. It is just to expensive to take a family out to a nice dinner anymore and truthfully even out for fast food. That's where restaurant.com comes in. You are able to buy local restaurant gift certificates at a fraction of the normal cost and best part the print them at home so no waiting for them to come in the mail.

    I was tickled when resturant.com agreed to allow me to do a review of a $25 Gift Certificate and give one away as well. I am one who loves to go out to eat and lately its not something that we do. With having a family of 4.5 (since Sweet Pea is just starting to eat table foods I won't count her as a whole) it gets to be expensive to go out to eat. One way we have found to cut cost and save bringing home a ton of leftovers is by having the boys spilt a meal.

    But still with the holidays coming up and money being tight why not consider buying gift certificates at a discounted price. So that way you save money, get your gifts bought all from the comfort of your home. No standing in big lines and having to deal with finding a parking spot or your way through a big crowd.

    A great program that Restaurant.com is doing that starts tomorrow is there


     Feed It Forward Program:
    What is it?
    Feed It Forward is there holiday giving celebration, founded to revive the gift of giving after the economy crashed in 2008. From November 17th to New Year’s Day, consumers can give FREE Restaurant.com $10 gift certificates to anyone. There’s no catch or gimmick. It’s free to give and free to receive. Feed It Forward encourages everyone to experience the gift of giving, regardless of economic circumstances. They believe giving lift spirits, spreads joy and strengthens community.

    How does it work?
    Consumers can give up to 40 FREE $10 Restaurant.com gift certificates per day during the duration of the program. The giving can be done through Facebook or the Feed it Forward site.

    Want to win your own $25 Gift Certificate to Resturant.com along with some other great prizes go here and now...

    I was not paid in any way to give this review or giveaway. The review item was sent to me free of charge. All opinions are mine and my childrens alone. I try to be honest and fair when giving a review.  

    All For Love Valentine's Event




     Attention, Attention, Attention
    ~Ladies and Gentlemen can I get your attention for a moment...

    I'd like to make an announcement about a great event coming up that is looking for great bloggers like yourself...
    Valentines Blog Event



    hosted by


    Rules to Participate:
    • You must get at least a $25 prize/package together to be given away during the event
    • You must display the event button in your sidebar from now until event ends
    • If you are willing to help spread the word about this great event, it is completely free to participate!


      So hop on over to either Mama Chocolate or Real Mom Reviews and sign up today!!


    Mama Chocolate 


    Tuesday, November 15, 2011

    Wordless Wenesday

    Teething Bling Review & Giveaway


    Do you have a little one who is cutting teeth and wanting to stick everything in their mouths? Well that's where I currently am with Sweet Pea. She is 9 months old and has all the signs of teething but no teeth yet. Anything and everything she can currently stick in her mouth to chew on she does.


    Beat the Winter-Break Blues as a Family

    Beat the Winter-Break Blues as a Family
    Sponsored Article submitted by Kathleen Thomas on behalf of Primrose Preschools

    Just because the weather is getting colder and wintertime is just around the corner does not mean the good times have to come to an end. Although more activities will be enjoyed inside, there are still a wide variety of activities you and your family can do to beat the winter blues. From the first snow of the year to the last, regardless of what the weather may be doing outside, here are ten great indoor activities you can do on a budget to ensure the fun doesn’t stop when the snow starts to drop!

    1. Indoor Playgrounds: One of the newest trends popping up across the United States is that of the indoor playground. These indoor gyms consist of anything from bounce houses to jungle gyms and all in climate controlled environment. In many instances, these indoor playgrounds often advertise on a number of daily deal sites as well making admission easily affordable for everyone!

    2. Make Your Own Play-Dough: Especially if you have younger kids who enjoy playing with Play-Dough, this is a great and inexpensive idea to pass the time away. There are a number of easy to make recipes online that you can print off and use. Also, with the addition of a little food coloring, your kids can make your play-dough just about any color they would like.

    3. Malls: Although you may not have the money to go on a shopping spree is no reason to avoid the local mall. Many malls today have areas for kids to run around and play on a myriad of toys. These areas are free, highly supervised and allow your kids to run around burning off a lot of steam from being cooped up in the house during the winter. Although the mall hopes you spend money while you are there, you can take advantage of these play areas without spending a dime.

    4. Tea Time: While you are at the mall, be sure to check out their calendar of events. IN many cases, individual merchants will also have free events for kids throughout the year. Whether it is a “Princess Tea Time” put on by one of the department stores or a “Wildlife Adventure Story” at one of the Outfitter retailers, many of these events are also free and a great way to have your kids be entertained, learn something new or a combination of the two.

    5. Building a Dollhouse/Fort: Whether you have recently purchased a large appliance for the home or know someone who has and may be looking to get rid of the box, what better use of a huge appliance box than building a beautiful dollhouse or an impenetrable fort. For kids with a healthy imagination, cutting a door and a couple windows into one of these big boxes will keep your children entertained for hours. They can also have a blast decorating it in any way they would like.

    6. Goodwill Donations: As kids grow up, they tend to grow out of their clothes year after year. A great way to give back to the community as well as teach your family the importance of charity is to round up the clothes they no longer wear and donate them to Goodwill or any number of other charitable organizations. It may also be a good idea to walk through the organization and meet some of the people running it so your kids can learn how their old clothes can do a lot of good for other people.

    7. Dress Up: Whether you pick up a few things from Goodwill, or just let your kids wear your old clothes, dressing up and pretending can be another great and inexpensive wintertime blues beater. Whether it is old suits and ties or fancy dresses and costume jewelry, your kids will have a blast pretending to be like mom and dad.

    8. Making Candy: Many of the local hobby shops sell candy molds for relatively inexpensive prices. With a few bags of milk chocolate chips, and some sucker sticks, you can easily make and decorate a number of different chocolate suckers. For those who prefer to stick just with candies, you can forego the sticks and just make chocolates. Either way, this inexpensive activity can be fun for the whole family and tasty to boot.

    9. Indoor Water Parks: This may be one of the more expensive options on the list, but many of these parks runs specials throughout the summer in preparation for the slower winter months. They also advertise across the daily deal-type sites, so if you keep an eye out throughout the year, you may be able to pick up some passes for dirt cheap. Most kids love swimming and going on waterslides. With these indoor parks, this no longer has to be a summertime only activity.
     


    10. Visiting Senior Centers: In keeping with the looking out for others activities, nothing may brighten up a person’s day then to see some smiling kids coming to visit them. Many people in these senior centers no longer have any children in their lives, so even a short hour visit could mean the world to those folks. This is also a great opportunity for your kids to learn from the residents as well about how life used to be 70 or 80 years ago.
     

    It is inevitable that winter will be here before we know it. Talk to your kids about what they would like to do when it is too cold to be outside and plant some of these ideas in their heads now. Also, don’t be afraid to have them come up with some ideas of their own. Together with the suggestions here and what you and your family come up with, one thing is for certain: you are about to have a great time this winter!

    Monday, November 14, 2011

    Freaky Pets Review & Giveaway


    Do you ever feel like your kids have two sides to them; one a nice cute loveable side and then a mean cranky side. I know mine sure are like that and it's like a switch gets flipped and wham I have the opposite of what I did 5 minutes ago. Well I was excited when I heard about these awesome little pets that have a cute and cranky side to them just like my boys.


    CRANKY w/ Papa

    Let me introduce you to: Freaky Pets. These awesome stuffed animals that you are able to turn inside out to bring out their cranky side or cute side. I wish I could as easily switch my boys as you can these pets. Bubba and Pumpkin were instantly in love with these guys as was I. Not only are they a cute stuff animal but you can play with these guys online as well.


    CUTE

    Pumpkin got Wallco to review and Bubba got Warto. They both carry these guys around with them to their grandparents houses and to show friends. They got our little neighbor boy interested in them and playing the online game now as well. Bubba and Pumpkin love to turn their guys into cranky guys and have them destroy cities that they build out of blocks.



    There is also a really cute story that I got to preview that goes along with the Freaky Pets. It was about how the one little guy PuffPuff was having a hard time trying to learn something new. But what he learned was that it was ok for him to use his cranky side and cute side to get a routine done. Once he finished it he taught his friends the routine and then they all showed their parents.



    These are really cute animals that would make some Great Christmas Presents for boys and girls. Check here to find a local Hallmark retailer by you.
    I was not paid in any way to give this review or giveaway. The review item was sent to me free of charge. All opinions are mine and my childrens alone. I try to be honest and fair when giving a review.  

    Monday, November 7, 2011

    Made With Love Giveaway Event

    Made With Love Giveaway/ Win 1of 2 Dress Up Prize Packages  #madewithlove




    Do you have little one's that love to pretend and dress up whether it be boys or girls? Then do I have a couple great prize packages lined up for you!! But first off let me:

     

    Welcome you to the Made With Love Event: hosted by The Reynolds Mom and Seventeen Sirens! This event features at least $25 or more in handmade prizes on each of the participating blogs.


    I've got some great sponsors lined up for this event!! These would make some great Christmas Gifts!!

    Package 1 Girls Dress Up:

    *All Dress Up Couture: Tutu Dress of Choice (ARV $30)
    *My2lilpixies: Minnie Bloomer Set up to Size 24 months (ARV $16.95)

    Total Prize Value: $46.95

    Package 2 Boys Dress UP:
    *Woo Who: Red Gnome Hat (ARV $10.00)
    *BayleeBug Designs:
    Veterinarian Outfit (ARV $25)
    Total Prize Value: $35.00

    Please make sure you check out all the sponsor spotlights for ways to earn extra entries!!
    Be sure to go through the linky below and enter for your chance to win!

    This giveaway is Open to the US ONLY

    Good Luck!



    Made With Love: BayleeBug Creations Sponsor Spotlight


    I got the pleasure to work with BayleeBug Designs for the great event Made With Love that I'm participating in. Teresa makes some of the cutest things for kids. She has so many cute and unique items that she makes for kids and lots of cute girls stuff too.

    Teresa makes really cute veterinarian costume for kids to play dress up in. I got the pleasure of reviewing one of her veterinarian costumes. She was able to make it so that both my boys can wear it which is great!!

    Teresa takes her time and pays attention to detail while making all her items. It shows in the products when you receive them. The stitching on the boys veterinarian costume was proof of that. You couldn't see and of it and was done with a nice heavy thread as well so the stitching won't come lose from being taken on and off or from washing.
    For now leave a comment below telling me something you would love to have from "BayleeBug Designs" - when the giveaway starts this will count as an extra entry.  You will simply have to click “I DID THIS!” beside “Comment on BayleeBug Designs Spotlight Post” on the entry form.

    Disclosure: I was not paid to give this review. The review item(s) was sent to me free of charge. All opinions are mine; and I try to be honest and open when giving a review.  

    Made With Love: Woo Who Sponsor Spotlight


    I got the pleasure to work with Woo Who for the great event Made With Love that I'm participating in. Melissa makes some of the cutest little outfits for kiddos and the best part outfits for boys as well. I know that dress up is typically classified as a girls activity, but I disagree. I think boys should be able to play dress up as well because it great for them to use their imaginations and pretend to be other people or characters.
    Melissa makes really cute Gnome and elf costumes for the whole family. I got the pleasure of reviewing one of her red Gnome hats with a yellow mushroom embellishment on it. Pumpkin feel in love with this hat and wears it all the time even for dinner. He loved running around pretending to be a Gnome he thought it was cool.

    Melissa makes her hats with a heavy and sturdy felt which makes them nice and durable for kids. She also has some really cute embellishments that she can add to the hats. My boys are very rough on stuff so it was nice to know that the Gnome hat was able to hold up to some wear and tear from my crazy boys. Bubba and Pumpkin were taking turns wearing while watching Gnomeo and Juliet it was so cute!!

    For now leave a comment below telling me something you would love to have from "Woo Who" - when the giveaway starts this will count as an extra entry.  You will simply have to click “I DID THIS!” beside “Comment on Woo Who Spotlight Post” on the entry form.

    Disclosure: I was not paid to give this review. The review item(s) was sent to me free of charge. All opinions are mine; and I try to be honest and open when giving a review.  

    Sunday, November 6, 2011

    Puppies vs Babies Which Is Cuter??

    This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies. All opinions are 100% mine.
    Have you heard of the newest online contest going on right now to see which is cuter Puppies vs. Babies? Well just thinking about this question really makes my head start to spin. Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love babies seeing how I have three children of my own as of right now and worked at a daycare for 5 years 3 of which were in the nursery. But I also have a HUGE soft spot in my heart for those adorable cuddly little puppies hence I have 2 dogs.
    PvB-CuteDar-Green-300x250-Backup.jpg

    I know some people hands down would say babies are cuter and others puppies...
    But for me its a draw because I love them both so much!! Well I must say that I do have the cutest baby and puppy right here in my home!!

    But which would you choose??
    Well now is your chance to let the world know which you think is cuter Puppies or Babies. Hurry and Cast your Votes today!!! From now until November 23rd you can vote daily and the winning puppy or baby will receive $5,000!

    So I am curious which you voted for Puppies or Babies leave me a comment letting me know....
    Visit Sponsor's Site

    Friday, November 4, 2011

    Fun With Food Friday

    Tomato Basil Soup

    
    Well it's getting to be that time of year to start making all those yummy soups and I am happy to be bringing you a very yummy recipe sent in by: Andrea S.



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    - Depending on the amount of soup you'd want, get between 25 and 30 large, ripe tomatoes. (These also come in cans if you don't want to peel them yourself).
    - Peel the skins off all the tomatoes, and put them in a large pot with the juice on low heat.

    - Sprinkle in some pepper. This is done to taste, so don't go overboard here because you can always add some later if needed.
    - After the tomatoes have been simmering on a low heat for around 45 minutes to an hour, use an immersion blender or scoop the still-whole tomatoes into a blender and puree.
    


    - Put about a cup and a half  of whole basil leaves in a food processor, and grind them up. This is to taste though, so add slowly until you reach the desired basil-ness. Add to the soup. You can also use dried basil if fresh is not available to you.


    - Continue to let the soup simmer, the thicker and less watery it becomes.


     Enjoy this wonderful soup with Grilled Cheese or some fresh sourdough bread.
    Make sure you hop on over to Mama Chocolate and Little BGCG and what they cooked up this week.