Is it a boy or a girl? (Plus Giveaway)

No, I'm not pregnant, but I know when I was, I could not wait to find out what I was having.  Us mommas know its so hard waiting for that ultrasound when they can finally tell you if you are having a boy or girl....unless that is, you have a stubborn little one that crosses their legs.

Intelligender is a fun new way to find out what you are having as early as 10 weeks into your pregnancy.  It is a simple urine test you can take in the privacy of your home.  So you can know 10 weeks before that 20 week ultrasound.

IntelliGender's Gender Prediction Test™ is a simple urine analysis similar to the pregnancy test you took a few weeks ago. It uses first morning urine and a proprietary mix of chemicals which reacts with a combination of hormones to indicate the gender of your baby. It can be performed as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy (six weeks from the first day of the missed period). It is an easy test to perform and provides quick results in-home so the news can be shared right away.
This test has an 82% accuracy and its meant to bridge that curiosity gap between finding out you are pregnant and your 20 week ultrasound.  You can purchase Intelligender for $29.95 at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid or Babie R Us or you can order on their website.

The Intelligender company also offers a full line of products, IntelliCeuticals, for babies and new moms, such as massage oils, episi-prep cream, clear-away cradle cap, and so much more.  The have even been kind enough to offer one of my winners their very own Intelligender test as well as the Clear-away Cradle Cap, here is how to enter:

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Folloe this blog via Google Friend Connect, leave me a comment letting me know you are a follower and don't forget your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win!

Additional Entries:
Follow me on Twitter +1
Follow Intelligender on Twitter +2
Like me on Facebook +1
Like Intelligender on Facebook +2

This giveaway is open to US Only and will end at midnight on 6/15, winner will be selected at random and emailed.  Winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.  Good Luck!

I received free products for review purposes, all opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review***

Poor Old Guy

Once upon a time, there was this table in my basement....

He was stained, dirty and a little warped....and ok, maybe he was once a desk

So I sanded him and sanded him and the stains just would not go away.  I decided to give him a nice coat of dark mahogany stain.

Then I painted his top an off white color

And distressed him just a little....and now he is like new, just a little bit warped still ;)

And then there was this old man, left on the curb in the rain...

So I brought him home....just wait until you see how he has changed!

More Quackers Please!

Ok, so remember when I told you all we got some new baby chicks and fuzzy baby ducks?  Here is a picture to refresh your memory...

Well these guys got really big really fast and now they look like this....

Yup, they're swimming in a giant plastic tub, and we have four of these loud messy creatures, so you would think this would have been enough for me.  Well I went to buy them some food and came home with this

I know, I don't know what I was thinking, but seriously have you ever tried to walk past a giant container full of tiny, fuzzy ducklings and not take one (or more) home with you?  Try it, I bet you can't.  So there you go, say hello to Blackie and Lightning, names not chosen by me.

Rock N Learn Review and Giveaway

Some of you may have read my previous reviews of the Rock N Learn DVDs, but I really just can't tell you enough wonderful things about them.  My kids (3 and 7) watch them a lot, and I catch myself singing along to some of the songs.  If you are not familiar with Rock N Learn, they are a series of learning DVDs as well as CDs that teach your kids everything from phonics, to math, to counting money, and even foreign languages.  They feature animated, colorful characters, great music and they really work.  I know you have heard at least once in your life that if you need to memorize something, sing it to yourself.

This nursery rhymes video puts a new spin on the classics to make favorite rhymes come alive. Brother and Sister Goose join Mother Goose to present 43 rhymes using upbeat, pop-style music sung to traditional and new melodies. The playful geese lead kids through each rhyme, teaching them about being safe, using manners, and accepting responsibility.




I thought that my son might be a little too old for this DVD, since he tries to watch "big kid" shows with his sister sometimes, but he loved this.  He sang along with the songs and has asked to watch it since, which does not always happen.  This DVD is recommended for ages 2-5 but I can see children younger that that enjoying it as well.

Rock N Learn is again offering one of my readers their choice of DVD or CD!  Here is how to enter:

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect, leave me a comment along with your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win.

Additional Entries:
Follow me on Twitter +2
Like me on Facebook +2
Subscribe via Email +2

This giveaway is open to US only and will end at midnight on June 5th.  Winner will be chosen at random and contacted through email, winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.
Good Luck!

New Blog Hop: Saturday Social

Welcome to the very first Saturday Social!  I don't like blog hops that have tons rules that you have to follow so I will make this super easy.  The only rule I have is that you follow this blog in order to participate.....that is it.  The rest is up to you, link up your blog and follow whoever you want to follow.  Ok I lied here is another rule: NO ADULT CONTENT....FAMILY FRIENDLY SITES ONLY.


I will be in the first spot and will follow you back (it might take me a little while to get to everyone so bear with me), so please leave me a comment after linking up so I can make sure I follow you back.

If you would like to grab a button please feel free to do so, this will only make the blog hop a bigger success because it will let others know to come here and link up. The button will stay on my left sidebar or you can get the code below:



<center><a href="http://agnesrhodes.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k176/cynicangel2/Cup_of_Coffee-thumb-400x328-27.jpg"/></a></center>

Lots o' Winners!

Yay!  Its Friday, its not raining, and I have winners to announce!

First the two winners of the Kidlandia $40 gift code

Winner #1 is #50 markcristy3378
Winner #2 is #29 Caroline

Winner of the 360 gear shirt is #16 Tamiv

Winner of the $50 gift card to Morestrollers.com is #36 Deanna

Winners of the Chicken Soup for the Soul My Dog's Life/My Cat's Life are
Lisa and Marjorie

Lisa I have no email address for you, please contact me....all other emails have been sent!
Congrats!

ResVitale Review and Giveaway

Every time I turn on the TV there is some sort of commercial for a wrinkle cream or face cream that promises that you will look years younger.  I just don't understand how these magical creams work, to me it makes more sense that results come from vitamins and supplements that you put into your body.  The people at ResVitale knew exactly that when they developed their line of revolutionary products.

Familiar with the French Paradox -- the notion that, despite a diet rich in high-fat foods, the French exhibit a remarkably low incidence of heart disease compared to Americans -- Dr. Joseph Maroon contributed to the research and development of the Resveratrol molecule. This potent polyphenol, found in red wine grapes, is believed to activate the SIRT1 'longevity gene,' causing a slowing in many of the degenerative effects associated with aging. A renowned neurosurgeon and triathlete, Dr. Maroon's innovative findings struck home and fueled his desire to combat the aging process

ResVitale products have been developed to do things such as reduce hair loss, increase energy, flush toxins from your body, promote healthy sleep and so much more.

ResVitale is giving one of my readers their amazing Keratin Enhance, sold exclusively at GNC stores, a $39.99 value.  The latest innovation in “beauty from within” supplementation, Keratin Enhance combines bioactive Cynatine® HNS Keratin sourced from New Zealand along with Biotin and Resveratrol.  Keratin Enhance™ provides a nourishing blend of science-backed ingredients for supporting and maintaining healthy, youthful hair, nails and skin

Here are some benefits to using Keratin Enhance

· Patented Keratin

· Easily absorbed in the body
· Helps reduce hair loss
· Promotes healthy & strong nails
· Promotes the strength, volume & shine of hair
· Reduces fine lines and wrinkles in skin
· Hydrates and nourishes skin

Want to win?  Here is how to enter:
MANDATORY ENTRY:
Visit the ResVitale website and browse their product line, then come back here and tell me what other product catches your eye.  Don't forget to include your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win.

Additional Entries:
Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect +1
Follow me on Twitter +1
Like me on Facebook +1
Subscribe via email +1
Like ResVitale on Facebook +1
Follow ResVitale on Twitter +1

This giveaway will end at midnight on June 8th.  Winner will be chosen at random and emailed.  Winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.

I received free products for review purposes, all opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review

Every kid needs a Blankee

My son has had a special blanket that he still drags around, since he was born.  Its soft, and fluffy, and special.  It helps him fall asleep, and makes him feel better when he is sick or gets hurt, and he looks so darn cute snuggling with it.  I dread the day he decides that he is too old for his blanket.  I think that every kid needs something soft and snuggly to cuddle with, and My Blankee has a blanket for every kid.

Weather you want something timeless and classic like a soft pink or blue Blankee...

Or if you like something more modern

Or even better yet, something a little different, more colorful and sure to make any kid happy.

Luca Charles Soussan was born on the 23rd of September in 2002. Shortly after his birth, Luca Charles was diagnosed with a skin condition commonly known as Eczema, as well as with Asthma. Due to his condition, his father, Serge Soussan, who has been in the fashion industry, as a designer for over 20 years, was inspired to develop a collection of hypoallergenic fabrics, like the Dot Velour and the Luxe collection to accommodate Luca and others who share the same condition. The moment of realization hit when Luca Charles uttered his first words: “my blankee.”

There has been a few times when we thought my son had lost his blanket, this usually came to our attention around bedtime, and we had to search the house and cars for it.  At those times I always wish I had bought him an extra one (the same kind of course) just for that emergency, and I can no longer find that kind of blanket anywhere.  For that reason, I suggest purchasing two, an extra one to stash away in case your child's favorite blankee gets misplaced.

“I love my little blankee,

I take it wherever I go

It keeps me warm and cozy

at home or on the go.”

Lil' Teammates Winners!

I have three winners to announce for the Lil' Teammates giveaway, each of them winning 3 figurines of their choice.  So here they are in no particular order:
#35 Shannon
#16 Katrina
#18 goldangel69

Congrats to my winners, emails are going out in just a few minutes!

Missing Musical Monday?

Hey everyone, today's Musical Monday is on my Facebook page only due to the fact that embedding was disabled on the video, but you do not want to miss this one.  It is HILARIOUS, a literal video....you can check it out here.

Kidorable Backpacks Rock! Get 20% Off Until May 31st

I know I have told you in the past about how much we love Kidorable here at our house.  My kids look foreward to rainy days just to that they can wear their rain gear, and how can they not, Kidorable has the cutest stuff around.  They have a huge selection for girls and boys of rain boots, raincoats and umbrellas.  Not only that they also offer so many other items such as towels, hats, gloves hangers and the cutest backpacks.

These little backpacks are just the right size for toddlers and pre-schoolers ( roughly 10” x 8” x 6”)  They are made of PVC so they're easy to wipe off and clean up and the straps are adjustable.  There are pockets both on the outside and inside, so you little one can fill them with all their favorite treasures.

These cute little backpacks are priced at $23 each but if you buy before May 31, you can get 20% any backpack by using the code SUMMER33 at checkout.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dogs Life/ My Cat's Life Review and Giveaway

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are moving and inspirational books full of true stories about real people and real situations.  These books just make us feel good about life.  There are two new books for all of us animal lovers.

101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Feline Family Members
"From kittenhood through the twilight years, our feline companions continually bring joy, love, and laughter to the lives of their "staff." This collection of 101 new stories captures the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our cats — from the laugh-out-loud antics of kittens and tear-your-hair-out escapades of teenage cats to the more mature adult years and final stages of life. Stories cover each age and stage with all the fun, frustrations, special bonds and routines involved. The book also holds a special chapter about grieving and recovery when our feline friends leave us."

101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Canine Companions



It's a dog's life. This collection of 101 new stories focuses on all the memorable ages and stages of our lovable canines' lives. Starting in puppyhood and covering a range of middle and senior years to the twilight and end when our dear friends leave us, this book captures the entire experience of living through the natural life cycle with our dogs. All dog lovers will laugh, cry, and recognize themselves and their furry friends in these heartwarming and inspiring stories of puppy antics, teenage rebellion, adapting to an aging dog and, finally, having to say goodbye.

If your four legged friend is more like a family member, you will love these books.  One of my readers will win a copy of each, here is how to enter:

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect.  Leave me a comment with your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win.

Additional Entries:
Follow me on Twitter +2
Like me on Facebook +2
Subscribe via email +2

This giveaway will end at midnight on May 26th, winner will be chosen at random and emailed.  Winner will have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.

I received free books for review purposes, all opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review

Winners

I have some winners to announce this morning.  First the Winner of the Auto Cool...
#13 Romapr

And the Winner of the Pirates of the Carribean giveaway is...
#1 Pierreandre75

Congrats, emails have been sent!

Bing Rewards Program

Thank you to BING for sponsoring my writing today. To learn more about BING Shopping Rewards, click here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I do a lot of "searching" on the internet, everything from recipes to things my kids ask me questions about (Mom, what kind of bird is that?)  When I use Bing for my searches I get more results that are relevant to my search topics.  Often times I need a photo for a blog post or something for inspiration on a project, I can use the image option that Bing offers to get just the right image.  We also check directions and maps quite a lot.  My husband goes to different job sites often, most of the time we check how far and where they are, so this is a handy tool that Bing offers.

The internet has simplified finding information, but it has also simplified shopping, at least for me.  I love online shopping.  Now don't get me wrong, I love to go to stores and look around.....but usually its not so much fun when you have two bored kids with you, so when I know what I need, I go to online shopping.  The best part is I can usually find some sort of discount code, either for a percentage off, or free shipping...its like finding something great on the clearance rack....makes you feel good.  Sometimes online shopping offers deals that you can't find in the stores.  Books for example, call me old fashioned but I like to read actual books with pages, but bookstore price tags are not that awesome.  I turn to online stores to find great deals on my favorite books.

Bing now offers a shopping rewards program where you can earn credits for searching and using the different features of Bing.  When you save up some credits, you can cash them in for gift cards, use them to buy stuff or donate to charity.
There are two ways to start earning credits.  Head on over to Bing.com and complete the registration form.  Install the Bing Bar toolbar then watch your credits add up.  You can  track your credits and progress with the Rewards credit counter which is on the top right of the Bing.com header.  When you sign up, you will automatically get 250 credits.

When you have racked up a good amount of credits, just head to the Redemption Center and start shopping!  Totally easy!
 

So we went camping....

Last Saturday we took out Girl Scout Troop camping.  The G.S. Camp we went to has an indoor camping facility as well as the traditional tents.  Since the weather was crummy and we had quite a few girls who were completely new to camping, we used the indoor facility.  It was a blast!

Here is a pic of some of them sitting in my truck waiting on the rest of the girls to arrive...this is before the rain

And this is the somewhat creepy monkey by the front door...much creepier in the dark

We went on a hike, in the rain, and explored the platform tents and teepees at the campgrounds.  Some of the girls were concerned that we were lost.  That sign in the middle picture says "CAUTION: Future World and Local Leaders at Work and Play"

We got our stuff settled in the bunkroom and got ready to play some games.  Since this was a Camporee event, there were other troops there, some stayed the night and others just came for games.

We got an award for the fastest time in the spoon race

We acted Silly

Painted nails

played some more

Captured a prisoner from another troop

Don't worry, we returned her

We even found a tooth.  After checking everyone we came to the conclusion it was not one of ours.

It was some awsome girl bonding time!