So we all know about my children and their lack of a Christmas list.  It sucks.  And because I’m a single mom and shopping with two children in tow is impossible, guess what I do?  I shop online.

I’m sure you find that hard to believe.

But I do.

I’ve been doing it since I moved out of my parent’s house the second time and the kids and I found ourselves in Richmond with no support system, meaning I had no baby sitter so that I could go shopping.  My co-workers deemed my office Santa’s Workshop as I would have everything delivered to work and would tuck it away in boxes in the corner and then as I got closer to Christmas, I would lock myself in the conference room for days during my lunch hour until I got it all done.

Christmas Eve, I would load everything in the trunk of my car, and after the rug rats would drift off to sleep with vision of sugar plums dancing in their heads, I would go out to the car and lug everything in.

Pure genius I tell you.  And luck.  I’m so grateful that I’ve always worked for companies who are family friendly and understood my situation.

I still shop online even though technically I could go out and shop during the day while they are at school, but let’s get real.  It’s cold outside.  And there are crazy people out there.  And I would have to get dressed and make myself look presentable.  So unless the deal is crazy good, I’m not leaving the comfort of my home.  Period.

But, becuase I’m kinda thrifty, I shop around comparing prices and making sure that I’m getting the best deal.  I have a budget for both of my kids and if I can save some money on what I buy them, then I can buy them more.

I love the thoughts I have in my head.

So, when I heard about SHOP.com, I was elated!  SHOP.com is a comparison shopping site specifically designed for women that allows you to shop from over 2,000 merchants all in one place. Purchases can be conveniently made using one universal “shopping cart” to buy everything at one time or by clicking over to participating merchants’ sites.

Did you catch that?  They show you who has what and for how much and then?  They take it one step further.  You can add what you want, from some other site, to your SHOP.com shopping cart and make ONE purchase.

Is that not awesome?  Seriously.  They have over 20 million products.  Do you think that I could find something for these children there?

You bet I can!

Additionally, SHOP.com provides expert advice, shopping tips, and articles, while giving easy ways to save money via price comparison tools, coupons, and rebates.

Um hello?  SHOP.com, where have you been all my life? I swear I spent over 2 hours and you don’t want to know how much money tonight while perusing the site.

So, if you’re stressing, trying to save a buck or two, or just want to see a REALLY cool shopping website, I highly recommend that you get yourself to SHOP.com now.

You can thank me later.  (Or just ask me for my address and purchase something from there and send it to me.  Whatever works.)

Until next time…

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Everywhere you turn now-a-days, young girls are continually bombarded with the wrong messages.  From TV shows to music, I shutter to think what my 9 year old deems right and wrong.  I’ve had to limit what she watches on TV because, come on now… do I really want her to think that high school should resemble 90210?

I think not.  (And it stinks, because I actually like that show.)

Dannah Gresh, apparently saw the problem, too, and wanted to offer a solution.  A best-selling Christian author, Gresh is debuting her first mainstream book series for tweens - Secret Keeper Girl.  This four book Christian series explores issues relevant and age-appropriate to today’s girls ages 8-12.  I even passed it on to some of my younger youth kids at church.  In this socially advanced world, it’s awesome to know that Secret Keeper Girl is there as a guide to younger girls as they transition into modern teenagers.

The book itself is appealing to young girls starting with the cover and then later on inside with the rules for being a secret keeper girl in the back.  There is a website that accompanies the series which allows the girls to find recipes for food mentioned in the story.

And the really nice thing about these books?  Each of them has a “Girl Gab” Q&A section.  It helps lead to conversations between mothers and daughters about making the right decisions in life… and I think that’s cool.  I have no earthly idea how to start conversations with my children short of barking that they shouldn’t do something.

So if you want a book and website that will encourage your daughter and help them dress modestly and not succumb to peer pressure, I highly recommed The Secret Keeper Girls.  Samara loved it and even went through her plumber’s test this morning, a feature on the website, to make sure her jeans weren’t riding a little low.

While it seems a little on the funny side, nothing made me happier than to know that maybe, just maybe, she’s listening.

Until next time…

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I do. I love books. I love adult books. I love kid books. I love all kinds of books from paperback to hardback, ones with their covers ripped off, and ones with the pages dog eared.

So when Team Mom sent me books from The Secret Mountain publishing group, I was ecstatic. And I was even more thrilled when I learned that each of the titles comes packaged with a CD filled with music that accompanies the story.

I learned when looking over the information that many of The Secret Mountain’s titles have won prestigious awards and really? It’s not a shocker.

I was sent Dream Songs Night Songs: From Belgium to Brazil (which is newly released) and this story is written in 3 different languages. We loved it when we read it (even the 11 year old) because it’s always fun to speak in a different language. We also received Down at the Sea Hotel and A Duck in New York City which was my personal favorite. I love everything about New York and reading about the duck and his experiences in the Big Apple made me smile, as did the bright and colorful illustrations.

Now that my kids are older, we don’t have the night time routine that we used to, but we used to read stories every single night. There were nights that they just didn’t want to go to bed… “Just one more story mommy,” they would plead, and I would give in and read “just one more”.

While my children were a little old for the CDs that came with the books, I thought they were very cute and catchy songs that little ones would enjoy and they weren’t the type that adults would scream if they heard that song one more time, which is always a plus.

so how about you? Do you still read to your kids? Do you have a nighttime reading routine? We’re going to get back into one, soon, because I miss my reading time and my kids need a little more.

Make sure you check out the books by The Secret Mountain. Your kids (and you!) will be sure to love them!

Until next time…

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In June of this year a new company opened it’s doors online and welcomed visitors.  Fortunatley, for me, they found my site and wanted to know if I would be interested in helping them promote theirs an I am ever so grateful.

I’m not sure how it is in your home, but if it’s anything like mine, the nursery was decked out and as the children have gotten older, the decor changes.  Of course it does.  The kids are no longer happy with bunnies and suns and the like.  But for me, someone with no interior design capabilities, I’m unable to look at the kids’ rooms and know exactly what to hang on the walls.

Soon, it’s not going to matter for my daughter because her walls will be filled with every poster she can find of Zac Efron, the Jonas Brothers, and Hannah Montanna, but we have some time before that happens.

There’s nothing I love more than to see art hanging on a wall.  I appreciate it even though I couldn’t tell a Monet from a VanGough but that’s okay.  Prints, watercolors, paintings, photos, it doesn’t matter.  It all spruces up a room.

Magic Pumpkin Art serves a purpose more than just decorating a room.  Magic Pumpkin Art stimulates your child’s imagination with delightful children’s wall decor featuring enticing designs and content that is expressive and creative.  Each print from Magic Pumpkin Art is a substantial cotton canvas stretched over a wooden frame.  From adventurous safari prints to wall art for the sports enthusiast, or pretty, floral designs for your young lady, Magic Pumpkin Art will be enjoyed for years to come.

And it’s so true.  Here’s the one that Samara will find under the tree this year.  Don’t you think that’s fabulous?  I do.  In fact, I have a hard time deciding which one is my favorite on the site, but this one ranks right up there and I can’t wait to hang it up, along with another one that I will order and see how it looks on her wall.

I’m sure it’s going to brighten it up more so that it is now, and for a little bit, I can keep the wall clear of the latest heart throbs.  (Although, I’ll let her keep her NKOTB poster up.)

Magic Pumpkin Art is also a Mom owned business and in today’s world, we’re seeing more and more mothers in business.  We’re smart women and just because we have families, it doesn’t diminish that.  It also allows us a way to make money at the same time as being there for our children.  I don’t think there’s anything cooler than that and a far cry from where our mothers were years ago.

So why is Christine Vogensen, mom to a busy two-and-a-half year old in business?

“I’m looking for some great art for my kid’s room…” That’s what I said to my girlfriend as we walked around the mega mall.  It really bothered me that I couldn’t find any great art for my kid’s room.  That’s how I started Magic Pumpkin Art.  I was a mom with a problem.  My child is bright, curious and creative.  I wanted to give him something fun to look at in his room that we could enjoy together for years.

Problem solved with Magic Pumpkin Art.

So now you get a chance to have some of this fabulous art for your child’s room!  All you need to do is visit Magic Pumpkin Art’s Website and take a look around.  Make sure that you check out “Being a Girl is Fun” because those are some of my favorites.  After you’ve done that, come back here and leave a comment on this post letting me know which one is your favorite. I’ll draw the winner on Monday, November 24th and that lucky commentor will win a print of their choice from Magic Pumpkin Art.

That simple.

You don’t have to be a blogger to win, just make sure that I have a valid email address for you so that I can notify you if you’re the winner and the winner will be chosen at random.

Want another way to win?  Blog about the contests going on over here and link back.  Post another comment with the link to your post and you’ll be entered to win again.  (And while you’re posting about the great giveaways going on here, how about posting about The Housewife’s Holiday Gift Guide giveaway that’s going on too?  Might as well share all the love!)

Now go look.

You’re going to love what you see!

Until next time…

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Reading is something that I have always loved.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been reading to my children, and depsite the fact that they are now almost 12 and 9, I’m still reading to my children.  We’ve gotten lost in so many worlds through books that all of us have over active imaginations.

The difference between my children and I is that I could read forever and be completely happy whereas they don’t like to read on their own.  If I’m not reading to them, it’s like pulling teeth.  Many times, when I get books to review, I am torn with emotions because I know that it’s going to be bitter sweet. I’m going to want to sit there and open the pages and look at the illustrations and want them to read them to me, but it won’t work out that way.

I’ve heard alot about Barefoot Books via the internet in years past and when I was contacted to review some of their books, I jumped at the chance.  I don’t care how old you are, children’s books are still amazing things to read.  They take on a life of their own, especially the good ones, and I can often find myself escaping, if only for a little while.

I received “The Boy Who Grew Flowers” by Jen Wojtowicz and read it from cover to cover the moment I ripped open the package.  The quality of this book is enough to get even someone who doesn’t take time to notice these things excited.  The pages are beautifully illustrated, the paper high quality, and the story wonderful.

Even know, as I sit here with the book in front of me as I’m writing, I am turning the pages in awe of what I am looking at.  That in itself is enough to draw me in.

The story was one that both of my children enjoyed.  They’ve even leafed through the catalog and selected a few books that they would like for Christmas.  And for us, we were able to spend a little bit of time, together, with a good book.

Barefoot Books are comparable in price to what you would pay for a hardback book at one of the bookstores and while I can be frugal and not be willing to pay full price for anything, the price on these books are worth every single penny.

So, I want to share with one of you the amazing books from Barefoot Books.  They have been gracious enough to supply one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to their store.

So here’s what you need to do.

Visit Barefoot Books and leave a comment letting me know a title that appeals to you. It doesn’t have to be the one that you would buy if you win, as you can change your mind over and over again until you check out.

I’ll leave the drawing open until Friday, November 21st and then draw the winner.  You don’t have to have a blog, but you do have to provide me with a valid email address so that I can contact you.

I think you’re going to like what you find.  I know I did.  And I’ve already got a list of things that I can get for Christmas.

And with that being said, there are going to be more giveaways this week because we’re approaching the Christmas season and I know that we’re all looking for things for gifts for those on our lists.  So make sure you subscribe and check back…

Until next time…

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There is part of me that’s waiting for my daughter to grow out of Barbie.  She’s always been a Barbie fan, but I know that at some point in time, it’s not going to be cool anymore.  I can remember when one Christmas, everything she got was Barbie.  She loved it.

However, when Barbie and the Diamond Castle arrived on our doorstep, Samara was overly excited.  It was all I could do to calm her down, get her to finish her homework, and then allow her to watch the DVD.  And after it was over, we went to my boyfriend’s house where she sat down with his four year old and watched it again.

I’ve lost count at how many times we’ve watched this movie, so based on Samara’s reaction, the movie was a hit.

Barbie movies over the years have continued to improve and impress me.  There are defined plots and while we have many movies that my kids love, I just can’t stomach them. Barbie and the Diamond Castle isn’t one of them.  A few days after we received the movie, I sat down with the girls to watch it as well.

As with Babrie movies of the past, I was swept into imagining my life as a princess, just like Barbie, with the clothes, the castle, and of course, Prince Charming.

If your daughter is into Barbie, or princesses, then I definately recommend picking up Barbie and the Diamond Castle.  It would make a great Christmas present for your daughter and it comes highly recommened by the girls in this household.

And make sure that you check out the website for more on Barbie and the Diamond Castle where there is more Barbie fun, including instructions to host a Princess Sleepover.  We’ll be working on that one real soon.

Until next time…

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