Winners

Hope all of you had a good Christmas, were still enjoying family time since my husband had some time off of work.  I have some winners to announce so here we go:

Winner of the Eucerin giveaway is #222 Angela Lemmon

Winner of the NOVICA Gift Card is #39 Tracy Robertson

If you were not a winner this time try your luck again, I'll have plenty of giveaways coming up!

Merry Christmas!

                  

Wishing all of you the greatest of Holiday Seasons, with lots of love and laughter.  

Don't Let Cookies Have All the Fun! #MealsTogether #CBias

There is no reason for cookies to steal the spotlight this holiday season, you can make your kids lunch more special by making and decorating some awesome Tyson Chicken Nugget creations.  My daughter and I were shopping at Sam's Club yesterday (You can see the whole shop by clicking here) and they had a demo where you could build a chicken nugget snowman.

This lady was showing the shoppers how to build and decorate their snowman.  My daughter was excited to make hers.

There were lots of condiments to choose from but she decided to just stick to ketchup.

Here is the finished product.  I have to tell you, the nuggets were delicious, very moist inside.

We grabbed some Tyson Chicken Nuggets to take home and show her little brother the fun new project.

At home we gathered some condiments to decorate our nuggets with.  We chose ketchup, ranch and mustard but you can also use barbecue sauce, or if you are brave maybe some hot sauce.  We also grabbed some toothpicks and pretzels (not pictured) to accessorize with.  You can also use some little cut up carrots or celery. 

Someone could not wait until his nuggets were decorated, he was too hungry so he sneaked one!

This is a "snowman on some snow" created by one of my kids.  Looks like the ketchup came out a little too fast! That is ok, I'm sure it tastes great.  They are not big fans of mustard so this little guy is just Christmas red....and lots of it.

 Here is what I made, a nugget raindeer and snowman complete with pretzels for legs, arms and antlers, ranch eyes and buttons and ketchup for Rudolph's red nose.

Time to eat, and they ate every bite.  I'm guessing that this will be an activity we do every time we have chicken nuggets for a meal.  I am already creating Easter nugget creations in my head.

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Tyson #CBias #SocialFabric

Restoring Faith in Humanity #26acts

I have held off posting about the tragic events that just happened in Connecticut for several reason, but the main one is that it really effected me.  Maybe its because I have a kindergartner, or maybe its because I work at a school and see these little faces every day, either way I really couldn't, and still can't get it our of my head.  Just the other day I was picking up my kids from school and was waiting in the main entrance of their school along with many other parents, when this man walked in that I had never seen there before.  His jacket was a little ripped up and he was walking fast, had sort of a bewildered look on his face.  He walked right past us and down the hall of the school, where we are not supposed to go until the bell rings.  I'm not even sure if anyone else noticed him walk in, but my instinct was to just keep watching where he was going and what he was doing.  Maybe I'm paranoid but how easy would it have been for anyone with a gun to just walk right in and no one pay attention....  Needless to say, the man knew one of the staff and everything was fine but am I the only one out there in this mama bear mode where all I can think about is the safety of my kids?  It makes me sad that I live in a world like this.  The school my kids attend feels safe to me, all outside doors are always locked during school hours and visitors have to use a buzzer to be let in.  There are security cameras and the staff is always alert to what is going on, BUT there is always a chance that something can happen just like anywhere else.  I am also sad that now I have to look at people as potential threats to my kids.  This man was doing nothing wrong and yet I assumed the worst.  I don't want to live like that, especially right now during the holiday season. 

I stumbled on this 26 Random acts of kindness thing that I wanted to share with you.  Apparently Ann Curry is calling on people all over the world to do 26 random acts of kindness to honor the 26 people killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.  They can be small or big, and people are already doing them.  There is a facebook page you can visit for some more information and pictures https://www.facebook.com/26acts and there is another article with pictures HERE.  People are doing things like putting flowers on random cars, bringing mall Santas gift cards for coffee, putting quarters in gumball machines for kids to find and so much more.  I think I am going to do this, it sounds fun and its a great way to honor the victims.  So I am going to attempt this, hopefully I come up with enough creative ideas.  Does anyone want to join me?  If you do a random act of kindness and you want me to put it on my blog or FB page, please shoot me an email at agnesrhodes2@diaryofasahm.com, I will be posting mine too.

Winners

I have the winners chosen for the TeenyMates prize packs.  They have all been emailed and I am waiting on a reply.  In no particular order they are:

Jessica Beard
Denise Stout Holcomb
and Liza

Please check your email!

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Open

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Open Dec. 25 for the First Time;

Free Child Admission with Paid Adult Dec. 17 - Jan. 7

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (Dec. 17, 2012) – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is celebrating the holidays by opening to guests on Christmas Day for the first time in 45 years, and offering a holiday gift to visitors: one child age 11 and under free with the purchase of a paid adult admission Dec. 17 through Jan. 7.

Guests can enjoy the holiday sights and sounds of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s second annual “Holidays in Space” now through Jan. 1. The Visitor Complex is adorned with a stunning array of holiday decorations and features daily visits and storytelling with Santa and Mrs. Claus through Dec. 24, as well as heartwarming performances of favorite holiday songs by strolling carolers. As an international ensemble of astronauts celebrate the holidays 225 miles above on the International Space Station (ISS), Visitor Complex guests can learn about the holiday traditions of each of the ISS partner countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

To take advantage of the free child with paid adult admission special, please mention the offer at the front gate ticket plaza when purchasing tickets. The offer is not available for advance purchase. For more information, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com/holidays-space.aspx or call 877-313-2610.

In addition, the holidays are the perfect time to share mankind’s greatest achievements and future of the space program with the entire family. Visitors can get rare behind-the-scenes access to areas of Kennedy Space Center that have been off limits to the public for decades. The KSC Up-Close Tour Series includes tours of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Launch Control Center (LCC), and Launch Pad. The VAB tour has been extended through 2013 and the LCC and Launch Pad tours are confirmed through Mar. 31.

Open to the public for the first time in more than 30 years, the VAB Tour provides visitors a look inside the 525-foot-tall structure – one of the largest buildings in the world – where the Apollo rockets and space shuttles were assembled. The Launch Control Center Tour allows guests inside the Firing Room, where NASA directors and engineers supervised all of the launches for the space shuttle and Apollo programs. For the first time in the 50-year history of Kennedy Space Center, the Launch Pad Tour takes visitors to one of the launch pads from which the space shuttles and Saturn V moon rockets were launched.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features many attractions and year-round interactive programs, including meeting real astronauts. The standard bus tour, included with admission, explores the history of the Apollo moon and space shuttle programs with panoramic views of Kennedy Space Center, the VAB’s exterior and a stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where visitors see an authentic 363-foot Saturn V moon rocket and relive the historic Apollo missions that saw man land on the moon.

Other Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex attractions and activities include Shuttle Launch Experience, an incredible simulated journey of vertically launching into space and orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle, as well as the Astronaut Training Experience ^® (ATX^®), Rocket Garden, two IMAX^® theaters, Astronaut Encounter, Lunch With an Astronaut, U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^® and Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted.

In addition, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the future home of the space shuttle Atlantis, with a multimillion-dollar exhibit scheduled to open in July 2013.

For more information on Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Complex, please visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

Kansas City Artist Donates Proceeds to Newton Families

A simple two-color sketch created by Kansas City artist Jeremy Collins was created as a letter of support and solace to the parents who lost children in the Sandy Hook school shooting. But the massive emotional response to the work of art has the Internet abuzz as many found an outlet and realization of their own unexpressed feelings within the black and red lines.


The sketch shows a single red figure crumpled in a chair in an absolute embodiment of desolation and intense sadness. Behind the figure with hands resting on the shoulders, offering comfort is an endless line of figures. The sketch, which was drawn through a barrage of tears, evokes a similar response in the thousands of people who have chosen to share it on their Facebook pages. As of Sunday evening the number of "likes" has reached 31,892.

“As a parent of a kindergartner, I, like many have been stricken with grief over this week’s tragedy. My sketch was a response that I couldn't keep inside,” Collins explains.

 Due to the overwhelming response to his artwork, Collins has put prints up for sale and will be donating 100% of the proceeds to the Newtown families to help pay for funeral costs, offering a unique opportunity for the nation to have a work of art to visually show their support as well as give financially to the families in their darkest hour. Collins’ goal is to raise $5,000 per family through the sale of the prints.

Collins' work has been seen in the pages of such renowned publications as National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal and Patagonia to name a few. Jeremy Collins is available for interviews and can be contacted directly at 816-582-9577. For more information on his artwork please log on tohttp://www.facebook.com/JeremyCollinsArt. 

Treat Someone Special to Spa Kalahari

Oh yes it is crunch time with Christmas just a little over a week away.  If you are still looking for a great gift for someone special, or something for the whole family, consider a winter getaway to Kalahari Resorts where you can relax and be pampered at Spa Kalahari.

While the kids enjoy all the water slides and activities, you can enjoy a pedicure, massage or hot stone massage, facial or one of their other services.  All their services are available for guests 16 and older but they also offer a teen facial.  Check out their December specials:

• 50 minute Glowing Warmth Massage - $90
• Express Facial - $50
• With any manicure or pedicure greater than 50 minutes, receive a mini Opi Polish to take home with you. (Color choices are limited to in-stock options.)
• Product feature of the month: 20% off all hair care products.

Kalahari Resorts would also make a great couples retreat, the spa even offers a couples massage.  What a great way to unwind from all of the holiday hustle and bustle.

Give your family the gift of memories this year and book a getaway in the amazing Kalahari Resort.  Just click here to visit their website.

**This contet is sponsored by Kalahari Resorts, all opinions are my own**

Hickory Farms Partnership with Share Our Strength

One of the things that I try to do every year when shopping for Holiday gifts is to try and buy from companies that give back in some way.  Hickory Farms has a partnership with Share Our Strength (SOS) which is a leading national nonprofit organization that works to stamp out childhood hunger.  Now giving can feel even better because for each Party Planner gift box sold this holiday season, Hickory Farms will donate $5 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. To date Hickory Farms and its customers have donated $1.9 million.

Hickory Farms also has a partnership with Operation Gratitude which is a national nonprofit that creates care packages for military men and women and their families.  They currently have eight products that they offer free shipping on to military APO and FPO addresses, including the “Home for the Holidays” gift basket pictured below.

Not only does Hickory Farms do their part to give back to the community but they are a Holiday tradition in so many homes, with their huge selection of products it is easy to see why.   From small boxes to large baskets, their specialty foods and holiday food gifts are perfect for any budget and for everyone on your list this year.  Their quality, freshness and value are what makes Hickory Farms stand out from the rest.  For more than 60 years they have been providing holiday shoppers with options that not only present beautifully, but also taste delicious and their Signature Summer Sausage was recently rated the #1 Summer Sausage in America, winning the Masters of Taste Gold Medal for Superior Taste, in 2011.

Christmas is just around the corner and if you are still wondering what to get for someone on your list, visit Hickory Farms online by clicking HERE and check out everything they have to offer.

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms. 

Need a Gift for a Little Gamer? #UbiPoptropica #spon

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps


Christmas is less than two weeks away and I am still not done with my shopping.  I always get them some new Nintendo DS games to put in their stockings so I was on the hunt for something new and kid friendly.  My kids love their Nintendo DS systems and I love them too, especially while waiting for Dr. appointments, or on long car rides.  If you are looking for a great game for your kid this Christmas, you have to check out Poptropica.  The virtual, on-line world of Poptropica is now available for the DS so your kids can take it where ever they go.  Although they had not played the online version of this game, they absolutely love it for DS.  They got to create a character and play in a virtual world filled with mini games and puzzles to solve.  You can style your character however you want too, change their clothes and hair, its really customizable.

Key Features in the game include:

• Find items to unlock new places and challanges as you explore the virtual world and the islands
• You can display all the items you find in the Poptropica Museum
• Unlock mini-games
• Create a one of a kind character

This game is great for kids, its challenging and non-violent, it has a lot to offer and they don't get bored with it since there is always new stuff to unlock.  It was created by Jeff Kinney, the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, so if your kids are a fan of his books they are sure to love this game.  My kids think the characters are super cute too.

This game is rated E for everyone and is available for purchase for $29.96 on Amazon.com, it is also eligible for free 2 day shipping with Amazon Prime.

You can also purchase this game at Toys R Us for $29.99

Hello Diamonds Giveaway

Giveaway Sponsored By: Elitemama and Say Hello Diamonds

Say Hello Diamonds, The Look of Real, The Price of Faux.  Say Hello Diamonds offers a wide selection of fashion earrings, necklaces, bracelets and accessories. Say Hello Diamond's best seller, The Pantina Earring, have been featured on The Today Show and Good Morning America as picks for diamond studs that look unbelievably real but don't have the cost that breaks your wallet.  They are great earrings for everyday wear, or you can dress them up for a night out.  Diamond studs never go out of style!

The Pantina 2 carat studs (4 carat TW) are made of replica stones that go through a rigid selection process in which weight, cut, shine and durability are analyzed before it can be called a Say Hello Diamond.  Each replica diamond is polished and beautifully packaged.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a pair of Pantina Earrings. Open to the US and will end 12/20. Must be 18 years and older to enter the giveaway. Enter the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. Good Luck and Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Colortime Crafts Giveaway

ColorTime Crafts Giveaway Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

If you are looking for something to keep your little ones busy while they are on Christmas break, check out the great selection that ColorTime Crafts has to offer.   ColorTime Crafts is a great resource for fun, easy craft activities that are ideal for group crafts, kids' birthday party crafts, T-Shirt crafts, and more! Their craft ideas for kids include t-shirts, pillowcases, backpacks, tote bags, eco bags, bandanas, and head-wraps, that children will love to decorate with their special Colortime Crafts and Markers™ quick-drying permanent fabric markers and economy marker packs.  They have keepsakes specific to boys and girls, as well as religious, holiday, and plush toy items! They also offer a great wholesale program and free coloring pages! View the full ColorTime Crafts review on Pea of Sweetness.  

Visit the ColorTime Crafts Website, “Like” them on Facebook (they do a giveaway weekly!), and Follow them on Twitter! Use Code 15for30C on their website for 15% off retail purchases. (Coupon must be entered at the time of purchase. Offer not valid on sale items and may not be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer expires on April 21, 2013.)

 Thank-you to our amazing co-hosts: Giveaway Gator , Couponing with Integrity, and Mommy Lesson Plans and all of the awesome participating bloggers! About the Giveaway: This giveaway begins on 12/11 at 12:01am and ends on 12/25 at 11:59pm (times are EST) and is open to US residents ages 18+ Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter. The Prize: One lucky winner will receive a Recycle bag as described/shown in the ColorTime Crafts Review and set of markers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours. Diary of a Stay at Home Mom is not responsible for shipment of the prize.

Fun Without Leaving the House

There are some of us who prefer the quiet solitude of our homes, and would prefer nothing more than to curl up with a hot cup of coffee or tea and just watch life pass us by.  However, this isn’t the lifestyle of choice for a lot of other people. How then will you be able to find a compromise between staying in and relaxing, against going out and painting the town red? Needless to say, different people will have different expectations and views on what fun means. Having said that, it is still possible to find something for each and everyone to do at home.

Play family games

A lot of families are busy working and being busy with life that they forget the importance of spending quality time just being a family. There are lots of games that parents can play with their children, from quiet board games like chess to guessing games like Pictionary and Taboo. However, if you’d like to rest away from the riot of playing with hyperactive kids, you could try heading online and playing a quiet game of  Online Bingo at Ladbrokes. This way, there’s sure to be something for everyone in the games department, regardless of age.

Indulge in a hobby

We all need hobbies. Hobbies are the things that keep us grounded as we juggle the harsh demands that life may dole out. Contrary to conventional belief, here are lots of different hobbies that can be done indoors. There are timeless hobbies like coin and stamp collecting, or baking and cooking, which are things that will not only relax your mind, but do you a lot of good in the long run. Regardless of your interests and likes, there’s bound to be a leisure activity that you’d like to turn to when things get too crazy in the office.

**Disclosure:  This post contains sponsored content**

NOVICA Has Gifts for Everyone {Giveaway}

If you are still stumped on what to buy for someone on your list, you have to check out NOVICA's new gift finder option.  Weather you are looking for jewelry, home decor, clothing or something to decorate your home with for the season, they really have it all.  In fact their customer's only complaint is that they have such a large selection it is hard to choose.  The new Gift Finder option makes shopping super easy.  All you have to do is move your mouse over the Gift Finder tab on the upper right and a menu comes down with categories which make shopping much simpler.  You can choose by price or by who you are shopping for.

Why choose NOVICA for your gifts this year?  Because the items they sell are hand crafted by artisans from all over the world.  They are beautiful one of a kind pieces that are great conversation starters.  NOVICA gifts will connect you with another part of the world and the hands that created your special piece.

I just placed an order for a beautiful infinity scarf, when I checked out it still said it would be here before Christmas Eve, so there is still time to place an order.

One of my lucky readers will win a $40 Gift code to use at NOVICA.com, all you have to do to enter is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure:  This content is sponsored by NOVICA, all opinions are my own.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs for Family Fun

If you are looking for something fun and exciting to do with your family, come and check out Rockford IceHogs Hockey  Even if you are not a big hockey fan, you are sure to have a great time, the games are high energy and very exciting and a great family experience!  

Check out Top Shot, an interactive hockey inspired shooting game located on the main concourse, and test your hockey skills.  You can join the IceHogs Runts Club and take your little one down to the tunnel to high-five all the players as they walk off the ice, then escort them out on the ice to help pick up chuck-a-pucks.  Don't want to go down on the ice? You can purchase Chuck-A-Pucks and take part in one of the most exciting intermission activities where you have the opportunity to win $500 Oink Outfitters bucks and other prizes. Every IceHogs game offers tons of contests and raffles for the whole family! So come check out the Rockford IceHogs, the proud American Hockey League Affiliate to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Check out the IceHogs website HERE for schedule of games, to purchase tickets as well as find out about all the special stuff they have going on like giveaway nights.  Tickets start as low as $8!!

Eucerin 12 Days of Skin Tips {Giveaway} @EucerinUS

Tis the season to moisturize! With a New Year right around the corner, it’s never too late to take charge of your skin. As you reflect on the past year and look forward to the next, commit to putting the health of your skin first. Skin stress that appears during the holidays can be the result of a lack of moisture, especially if you live in a colder climate. 

Here are 12 days of skin tips to give your skin the beautiful and healthy-looking holiday glow it deserves: 

1)      Cold, dry, winter weather can be tough on your hands, wear gloves to help keep them protected against harsh winter elements.

2)      Keep your showers short and sweet and use lukewarm water. Bathing for long periods in hot water can cause skin to lose natural oils and nutrients.

3)      Winter can wreak havoc on your skin because there is less moisture in the air, low humidity. Give your skin a boost and run a humidifier at night to help add moisture.   

4)      Relieve dryness associated with frequent hand washing by washing with lukewarm water, using a gentle soap, and applying moisturizer right after drying your hands.

5)      3 steps to revive dry feet. 1) Remove dry, flaky skin with a pumice stone. 2) Apply a rich moisturizer, like Eucerin’s Aquaphor Healing Ointment before bed. 3) Throw on a pair of socks to lock in the moisture and go to sleep!

6)      Try Eucerin Calming Crème (with oatmeal) to help dry, itchy skin this season. 

7)      Chemicals and allergens in certain makeups, perfumes, soaps, and detergents can cause skin irritation. Avoid products that you know have irritated your skin and use gentlecleansers!

8)      Snow reflects sunlight, making it important to wear an SPF product like Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30 all year round for protection from UVA and UVB rays.

9)      Coarse fabrics can cause itchiness if you have sensitive skin. Go for something silky!

10)   Getting a full six to eight hours of sleep is important for your overall well-being and helps your skin look its best. Get to bed early to get plenty of shut-eye

11)   Tame chapped lips. For lip hydration, try applying a few drops of olive oil and honey or pick up Aquaphor Lip Repair + Protect SPF 30.

12)   Wind can act like sandpaper when constantly hitting exposed skin. Protect skin with a rich moisturizer and bundle up with hats and scarves.

This month Eucerin wants to give my readers a chance to win another great gift pack which includes:

Eucerin Smoothing Repair Dry Skin Lotion, Eucerin Professional Repair Extremely Dry Skin Lotion, moisturizing gloves, a pumice stone, and a $100 Visa Gift Card!

All you have to do to enter is follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Eucerin, all opinions are my own, Diary of a Stay at Home Mom is not responsible for prize shipment.

Need a Little Getaway? #Kalahari

It is about this time each year that I am longing for a little time away from all the running around.  I would love to go on vacation, but going somewhere far and expensive is just not in the books right now.  I love that we are so close to Wisconsin Dells and I cannot wait to book our mini-getaway at Kalahari Resorts.

Kalahari is Wisconsin's largest water park and has something for everyone from toddler to adult.  Their brand new state-of-the-art kids play zone, Tiko's Watering Hole, is a 5,000 square foot play area specifically designed for little ones.  It features slides and even a 200 foot lazy river specifically designed for them.  The indoor park also features America's first indoor super loop slides and their indoor theme park is over 100,000 square feet of family fun.  

If you are looking for a way to have some fun with your family, you really have to check out the special that Kalahari has going on right now just for my readers, click HERE to check it out!  And if you are looking for a great Holiday gift that wont clutter your toy room, surprise your kids with the gift of family memories by taking them to Kalahari Resorts.