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Betty Crocker Fruit-Flavored Snacks Win & Give (Giveaway)

Posted on March 7, 2010 9:55 pm by TheAngelForever

Right now, the world economy is in a tough spot. Even during these penny pinching days, people all over are working hard to help others. Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I learned about the new project that Betty Crocker is working on. They have joined efforts with One Lap Top per Child to help provide laptops for children in Africa.

Participating is easy thanks to the Win and Give campaign. With this new program, children can help in an easy and fun way.

More about the program:

With specially marked boxes of kid favorites – including Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers, Fruit by the Foot, and Stickerz & Shapes – your child could win one laptop to keep and Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks will donate another to a child in Africa.

Each day from now through May 30, 2010, one laptop prize will be awarded to a U.S. winner. For every laptop won, one laptop will be donated to an African child through One Laptop per Child, an organization that creates educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. For your chance to win, simply enter the unique online code printed on participating Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snack packages on www.WinOneGiveOne.com.

We were sent two boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snack. The boys enjoy them and they bring back fun memories from my childhood. One of my all time favorite snacks growing up were the strawberry Fruit by the Foot. There is just something fun about them, plus are a low calorie snack.

Giveaway:

Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker, one lucky reader will win two boxes of Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks and a $25 donation to One Laptop per Child will be made on your behalf.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Answer one of the following questions: What have you done to encourage your children to help others? -or- What is your favorite experience that has been with helping others?
1 Bonus Entry – What is your favorite flavor fruit snack?
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Betty Crocker Win and Give Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use): Win Betty Crocker fruit snacks and have $25 donated in your name to One Laptop Per Child from @TheAngelForever http://bit.ly/bMHKBy
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of January/February/March. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries

To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today March 7th and ends at 10:59 EST on March 21, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I received two packages of Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks with the Win & Give game pieces on them. In addition to this, $25 has been donated in my name to One Laptop per Child. No other compensations was given. The opinions expressed in the review are my own feelings about the promotion.

Categories:
Blog Tour charity giveaway Product review

Rainbow Brite is back

Posted on March 1, 2010 11:29 am by TheAngelForever

Flashback to the 80’s and what toys do you remember? A few that crop up in my mind immediately are Care Bears, Pound Puppies, He-Man, Cabbage Patch Kids, Nintendo and of course the very colorful Rainbow Brite who was created by Hallmark (a little known fact).

Did you know that Rainbow Brite is back for her 2010 debut?

Yes, you read that right. In February 2010, the new revamped Rainbow Brite doll collection was released in Toys R’ Us and Target stores. Availability, free games/activities and more can be checked at http://www.rainbowbrite.com. Once again you can see Rainbow Brite and her two loyal friends Moonglow and Tickled Pink, and their companion horse friends Starlite, Shimmer and Sunriser.

Once again Rainbow Brite is back empowering children to use their imaginations for adventure she spreads her message of courage, kindness and hope.

Yes, I have two little boys, but I am still happy to share a piece of my childhood with them. Thanks to Mom Select, my family and friends received Rainbow Brite CD packs that include Rainbow Brite games and activities.

Be sure to head over and check out the 2010 version of Rainbow Brite and friends. There is nothing like a little nostalgia from your childhood to make you smile.

Disclosure:I did not receive any compensation for this post. MomSelect supplied me with the Rainbow Brite CD packs for my family and friends. All opinions are 100% mine.

Categories:
Blog Tour looking back me moments

X the Text

Posted on December 20, 2009 8:34 pm by TheAngelForever

It was only a few months ago that we added texting to our cell phone plan. Even before that, I never understood how and why people would text while they are driving. It still bothers me to this day when I see a fellow driver talking on their cell phone without a hands free set. If something is that important that you need to text or hold your phone, pull over! Thankfully, texting and talking on a cell phone without a hands-free option is illegal in my area. I love this law and wish that more states would join in.

When I was asked by Mom Central to participate in the Allstate Foundation Safe Driving Blog Tour, I jumped at the opportunity. I am very passionate about this cause and want to expose more people to it.

Thumbs Up Campaign

The Mission:

Allstate’s "X the TXT: Thumbs Up to the Safest Holiday Ever" campaign challenges teens and parents alike to make the pledge not to text and drive. By joining the cause at www.causes.com/thumbsup, you’re pledging to put your cell phone down behind the wheel. For each person who takes the pledge, Allstate will donate $1 to the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) – a collaborative network of national organizations and federal agencies that serve youth and focus on youth safety and health – for safe teen driving programs.

As part of the campaign, a 30-city "X the TXT" tour kicks off this holiday season during which teens and their families can add their thumbprints to a pledge banner as a public commitment not to text and drive.

I already did my little part. I went to the cause page and pledged not to text behind the wheel. For your safety, passengers in your car, and other people around you when driving please head on over to pledge and $1 will be donated by Allstate to the National Organizations for Youth Safety. Please go over and help to support this fabulous cause and remember to keep your thumbs up off your cell phones this holiday season and beyond when you are behind the wheel.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of The Allstate Foundation. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Categories:
Blog Tour

Munchkin Math DVD Review & Twitter Party

Posted on December 15, 2009 9:41 am by TheAngelForever

As a teacher, I often find myself thinking ahead on items that I buy for my two boys. Not only should it be fun, developmentally appropriate and safe, but I look for an educational component. Of course, not everything has this, but it is definitely high on my list. Just call it the teacher in me!

Growing up, I always loved math and science. Unfortunately, the reality is that many people are often scared of these two areas, math in particular. I recall having students that would tell me that they probably would not get a topic in school because their parents were not good at the subject area. Let me tell you, that is a tough mountain to climb once that thought has been put into a child’s head.

My oldest son, NHL, is six and loves all things Math. He will often ask to write math equations for fun. When I was asked by Mom Central to review a Munchkin Math DVD I immediately signed up for the blog tour. Here is a little bit about Munchkin Math:

Created by a teacher and Mom of 3 young boys who understands the importance of everyday learning, Munchkin Math enhances mathematical skills by reinforcing important concepts like counting money and telling time. A product of Standout Math, a math and vocabulary curriculum taught in over 30 states in Elementary schools, Munchkin Math helps children across the country get a head start in school. Targeted at preschool and early-elementary school children, the curriculum uses a unique multi-sensory approach, combining oral, visual, and kinesthetic activities that help kids understand and remember what they learn.

Munchkin Math’s three titles, Shapes!, Telling Time!, and Counting Money! each focus on foundational math concepts and use interactive rhymes, chants, and hand movements to keep kids engaged in the lessons.

Our Thoughts:

We received the Counting Money! (ages 3-9) DVD to review. Watching as a teacher, I like the way the DVD was set up. Wendy Miller, the creator of Munchkin Math, has an introduction that explains to children why money is important. She uses children in the DVD along with herself to actively engage her young viewers. Keeping the dialogue simple and using a lot of rhyme, rhythm and repetition along with easy props helps to bring home the message. I also liked the use of real math vocabulary and practices. A hands on approach is fabulous, especially for early elementary ages children.

Another item that I liked was the list of topics that was included on the DVD when you started. You can pick one area, or simply play the entire DVD from start to finish. The Munchkin Math – Counting Money! DVD includes the following areas:

Coins – The Coin Name Game

Dollars – Dollar Chant

The Dollar & Cent Signs

Trading and Sorting – Make a Money Worm – Money Worm Song

Money has become a hot topic with my 6 year old son. NHL now understand that each coin has values. The catchy songs on this DVD will definitely assist him in learning about money and the importance of being able to count what you have with you and the change you receive after a purchase.

Where to purchase: The Munchkin Math series is now conveniently available at Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, BJ’s Wholesale Clubs, and Amazon.com.

Munchkin Math Twitter Party:

In addition to the Blog Tour, Mom Central is also running a Twitter giveaway between December 9 and December 16. Anyone who posts using the hashtag #MunchkinMath will be entered to win one of three Munchkin Math DVD sets, which include all three Munchkin Math titles. Example tweets:

Give your child a head start in math with Munchkin Math DVDs. RT to enter to win 1 of 3 prize packs! #MunchkinMath

Giveaway: Kids get a head start in math with Munchkin Math’s Shapes, Telling Time, and Counting Money DVDs. RT to enter! #MunchkinMath

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Munchkin Math and received a sample DVD to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Categories:
Blog Tour Educational nhl Product review

The importance of Child Car Safety

Posted on December 6, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

With the holiday season moving into full swing, families across the country are in the car and on the go. Whether you’re driving across the country to visit family or across town to holiday shop, it is important that your child passengers are riding safely and that child safety seats are used correctly.

AAA estimated that 30 million people travelled this Thanksgiving holiday alone and, for many, this is just the beginning of the holiday hustle and bustle. Now is the time to utilize the Child Car Safety tools provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council to learn more about proper car seat use and installation. You will find informative resources that include instructional videos.

Have child passenger safety questions that you need answered before you travel over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s? NHTSA is always available to answer your questions online through Facebook and Twitter.

Why is this so important to me? Back in July 2006, we were driving to the store. My husband was driving our van, I was in the passenger seat. In the back seat was my mother and almost 3 year old son NHL. We were on a six lane major road and had a green light. As we passed through the intersection, another car going the opposite direction made an illegal turn into us.

Our van went flying across six lanes of traffic while up on two wheels. After doing a 180 degree turn, we stopped in the grass looking back in the opposite direction. Someone was watching over us that day. On a regular day, oncoming traffic is usually heavy in the other direction. We were not hit by another car, we missed the center median (or I would have been a goner). The adults in the car were shaken up and my mother really hurt her back. The person in the car that jumped out of his seat with no complaints was my son thanks to his car seat. The car seat below had to be replaced since we were in a collision and the kiddo helped to pick out a replacement pattern.

From day one, we took our car seats to a local dealer that had a specially trained car seat installer. Thanks to him, we knew our LATCH was done correctly. My then three year old is now a thriving 6 year old in first grade because his car seat did it’s job.

Remember, kids are precious cargo, so make sure your car seats are installed properly and buckle up when you hit the roads.

Disclosure: I am a member of Global Influence and asked to participate in their LATCH Cross Country Blog Tour. As a parent I felt it was extremely important to share these recources with others to protect all children that ride in cars.