Teachers Need More Respect #TeachersChangeLives #CGC

I knew teachers worked hard for measly pay, but it was not until I worked at a school that I realized just how much they do for our kids.  We get our children ready and send them to school hoping that they learn and succeed, but sometimes we forget just how much work that takes and that our teachers have classrooms full of kids that they are trying hard to guide.

Teachers come to school early before any students are there, they get everything ready for the day.  They stay late after everyone has gone to get a head start on the next day, or to grade homework.  They come back to the school in the evenings and on the weekends to make their lesson plans, and no they don't get paid over time.  Some of them also volunteer their time to tutor and do other after school programs because they love to see children grow and learn.  These men and women sacrifice a lot of their time and patience with our children, we need to make sure that we are doing our part to work with these teachers and help them.  Make an effort to have good communication with your child's teacher, if she sends a note home, read it and answer her either via note or phone call.  If a teacher wants to meet with you, its important, good or bad, make an effort to make that meeting happen.   Make sure you check with your child to see if they have homework, or have brought home any important papers.  Get involved in your child's school more, if you can help the PTO or volunteer in the classroom, trust me they could use a hand with just about anything. And more importantly, don't treat school as a free babysitting service that is supposed to teach your child everything they need to know.  Learning happens in the home too and teachers have lots of students in their classroom, they can't always work with everyone as much as they would like.  Teachers also spend money out of their pocket to purchase things that they need in the classroom.

Office Depot has an awesome program where you can adopt a classroom and make a donation across America!



How to Donate to a Teacher
Go to Teachers Change Live website HERE
Click on the teal "Donate to a Teacher" box on the Teachers Change Lives website, which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website Follow the corresponding steps from there




I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Happy's Review and Giveaway #TheHappys

The makers of the popular ZhuZhu pets have done it again, created another amazing product your kids will LOVE.  The Happy’s are an amazingly adorable and remarkably real new line of interactive motorized plush pets!  These cute little guys will encourage hours of imaginative play.

My kids were so excited when we got our little guy in the mail.  They could not wait to try him out.  We put batteries in little Chance and away he zipped.  We got a fun yellow ball too and the kids had a blast figuring out everything this little pup could do.

These fun little guys really play with you and do everything from doing tricks to chasing after their ball.  And just like like real puppies and kittens, they love to spin, sit, pounce and play.  These toys are perfect for boys and girls and would make awesome birthday presents.  Another cool thing is that kids can even train to do even more tricks by using the interactive Happy Treats.


The Happy's retail for $19.99 and can be found in stores such as Target, Walmart and Toys R Us.

GIVEAWAY
One of my lucky readers will win a Happy's of their very own, all you have to do is follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Disclosure:  I receives a product for the purpose of this review, no monetary compensation was provided.

Kids Eat Free with Paying Adults Today {April 24th} at Olive Garden

Olive Garden is once again supporting the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Foundation and its mission to show children the value of their education and inspire their future. So today, April 24 for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, the restaurant is inviting families to participate by offering one free children’s menu item (children under 12) for every adult entrée purchased using the coupon which is available at OliveGarden.com/coupon.

And now that women make up almost half of today’s workforce, this is an especially great opportunity for mothers to introduce their daughters to the workplace at a young age.


Olive Garden truly has a lunch or dinner option for everyone in the family.  For kids: Adventurous little guests can create their own pasta dish or enjoy favorites like Pepperoni Pizza and Cheese Ravioli. o All kid’s meals are served with the choice of a drink and side, including better-for-you options like 1% low fat milk and grapes or steamed broccoli.  For adults: Guests can choose from a selection of customizable, affordable lunch and dinner options, all part of Olive Garden’s most comprehensive menu evolution in history.  Olive Garden’s Cucina Mia menu allows guests to create their own entrée from a variety of six pastas and five made-from-scratch sauces for only $9.99 every day, and its new lunch menu offers more meal combinations and expedited service for busy guests.

Natural Seasonal Suffering Relief With Zarbee's #Icanbreathe

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Zarbee’s Naturals. I received a promotional item and a product sample as a thank you for participating

Spring is by far my favorite season, even though this years is pretty chilly.  The one thing that drives me crazy though is seasonal suffering.  My daughter suffers all spring, congestions, headaches, terrible nose bleeds.  I know I have to give her something to give her some relief and Zarbee's Naturals is made will all natural ingredients like Butterbur to combat congestion.

Between softball, cheer and all the other fun stuff our family does, my daughter spends A LOT of time outdoors and I hate seeing her suffer.  Zarbee's promotes easy breathing, is a great solution to congestion, promotes respiratory health and helps us maintain an active outdoor lifestyle.  This will not make you jittery or groggy or give you that nasty cotton mouth.  I also love that is is available over the counter at my local CVS pharmacy as well as at Target, this makes it also a convenient choice.  Zarbee's Naturals Seasonal Relief is intended for adults and children 12 years an older and a 10 tablet package has a suggested retail price of only $8.99.

Zarbee's has launched the Seasonal Relief Project.  Visit their site and print out a $3 off coupon, or request a free sample.  Then come back to their site and get some great tips on natural congestion relief for both indoor and outdoor.  Also, if you have trouble locating the product, they have a store locator tool right on their site.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Mother's Day Giveaway from Helen Ficalora {Valued at $290} @HelenFicalora #MothersDay

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you haven't started thinking about what you would like to give that special lady, now is a great time to check out all the beautiful jewelry that Helen Ficalora has to offer.

Helen Ficalora has a large selection of gorgeous gold jewelry that comes both in 14 karat and 18 karat.  Her jewelry is classy, elegant and really timeless.

Right now you can win something special for your mother just in time for Mother's day.  I am hosting a giveaway for a beautiful gold chain and charm.  The chain is an 18 inch 14 k yellow gold chain valued at $125 and the charm is also 14 k and is valued at $165, making this giveaway total value $290!

You can purchase additional charms with birthstones to go with the Mom charm to make the necklace even more beautiful and personal!

In addition to my giveaway, Helen Ficalora is hosting another great giveaway on their facebook page HERE. Enter both for an even better chance of winning!

GIVEAWAY:

To enter my giveaway all you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complementary product in exchange for this review, no monetary compensation was exchanged.

Label Daddy Discount Offer

Label Daddy, The number one solution for labeling your belongings! Remember to label all the clothing, sports equipment and other personal belongings your kids bring to school, camp, sports leagues, day care, and other places.  Label Daddy labels keep your belongings from getting lost or mixed up with others. These labels are super durable peel-and-stick washable labels -- they're washer/dryer safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe and UV resistant!  Label Daddy labels are also fun and attractive. You design your own labels! . . . Pick from many colors, sizes and logos, including Disney and Marvel characters, MLB, NBA, and NHL team logos, other sport and fun logos, and more. Our exclusive laminated coating gives labels an extra layer of protection and is a must for camp! These labels are made in the USA and shipped directly to you worldwide.

Save 10% on Label Daddy labels! - Save 10% on your entire Label Daddy order.
Use code USFAMILY10 at checkout. http://www.usfamily10.labeldaddy.com

White Sox Hold First Family Sunday of 2014 Season

The Chicago White Sox will host the first Family Sunday of the 2014 season on Sunday, April 13. Family Sundays are presented by The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, and this week’s game vs. Cleveland starts at 1:10 p.m., with a pregame autograph session from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

This is the second year of Family Sundays, and will cover all 13 Sunday home games. Family Sundays include a free pregame autograph session with select current and former players, postgame kids run the bases (weather permitting) and additional entertainment on the concourse such as arts and crafts, face painters, caricature artists and balloonists. Children also have the opportunity to take a photo with the new White Sox “broadcast dashers.”

Family Sundays feature seats in Bleacher, Outfield Reserved, Lower Corner and Premium Upper Box sections for just $15. Upper Box and Upper Reserved Seats are available for $10, and Upper Corner tickets are priced at only $5. Parking is only $10 at each Family Sunday game.

Sunday’s game will wrap up an event-filled weekend at U.S. Cellular Field. Friday’s 7:10 p.m. game is College and University Night, along with a “K Zone For Sale” game. The “K Zone For Sale” allows fans with Section 154 tickets to get a free shirt and K-card on games that Chris Sale starts. Meanwhile, the first 20,000 fans to Saturday’s afternoon game will receive a 1983 White Sox fleece blanket. Saturday also is Girl Scout Day at U.S. Cellular Field.

Buffalo Chex Party Mix

If you are looking for an awesome party snack idea, Chex has a new buffalo recipe for you to try out.  Here is what you will need:

Ingredients:

4 cups Rice Chex cereal
4 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Parmesan-flavored crackers
2 cups pretzel twists
6 Tablespoons butter
2 1/2 Tablespoons Franks Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 teaspoon celery seed

Directions:

1.  In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, crackers and pretzels; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in hot sauce and seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.

2.  Microwave uncovered on High 4 to 5 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container

For more info as well as nutritional information visit their site here.