Read. Write. Mom!

Children’s Christmas Books- #BookishCountdown

Posted on December 19, 2012June 26, 2021 by Mandy

Would you LOOK at all of these amazing children’s Christmas books? Each night since December 1st, my son has been opening a book before bedtime as we participate in A Bookish Countdown To Christmas, thanks to HarperCollins Children’s.

My son has excitedly ripped into each day’s gift and he has been thrilled with every book received so far! It’s been a wonderful way to make some precious memories with him, reading to him something about Christmas each night before bedtime as we count down the days.

We’re a little more than halfway into our books, and I will show you our final collection once Christmas is here, but I was so excited about how well this has been going that I just had to share an update!

I received books from Harper Collins Children’s to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

Berenstain Bears Christmas Books Giveaway

Posted on December 17, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

I think out of all of the picture books in my library, the Berenstain Bears’ series is definitely one of the most popular. This holiday season, HarperCollins Children’s offers two great books for kids to enjoy during the most wonderful time of the year, both written by Stan & Jan Berenstain, creators of the popular children’s book series The Berenstain Bears. We received both of these copies as part of the Bookish Countdown to Christmasthat we are participating in, and I guarantee your children will love them both!

The Berenstain Bears’ Old Fashioned Christmas- Stan & Jan Berenstain

Christmastime is here! The Bear family is visiting Grizzly Gramps and Gran for the special holiday. This year they’re going to celebrate the old-fashioned way! With no TV to watch or video games to play, the cubs enjoy learning all about Gran’s Christmas figurines, listening to Gramps’s player piano, and even cutting down their own tree. Decorating the house and singing merry Yuletide songs fills everyone with the holiday spirit. This is Christmas the way it was meant to be celebrated.

Nothing Ever Happens At The North Pole- Stan & Jan Berenstain

There’s a lot going on at the South Pole! There are slippery slopes and frozen floes and wild animals all around. But when one penguin goes looking for adventure, he doesn’t see anything exciting at all going on. Could it be he’s just not looking closely enough?

GIVEAWAY

I have a copy of each book to give away to TWO lucky readers! To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends December 21, 2012 at 12:00 AM EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with these books to facilitate this post and copies to give away. All opinions are my own.

VTech InnoTab 2S WI-FI Learning App Tablet

Posted on December 17, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

Last year my husband and I seriously contemplated buying our son a learning tablet for Christmas. They were all the rage and by the time we had decided to purchase one, they were nowhere to be found and all sold out online. I was so disappointed, but I decided I would try again this holiday season. Thanks to Mom Central, I was recently chosen to review the new VTech InnoTab 2S with my son and if you are considering purchasing one for your own child or a child you know, I think you should know something right up front.

They will love you for it!

I wish a thousand times I had my camera ready as I called my son into the room to show him the VTech InnoTab 2S. There were gasps, screams of excitement, and a smile so big I thought he would implode right where he was standing. After we opened the packaging, we quickly got to work registering the tablet and setting it up, which will take you a few minutes to do. You will need access to a computer in order to register the tablet and download the VTech Learning Lodge Navigator software. The final step was setting up the WI-FI connection in the Settings Menu.

So what exactly are kids getting with the VTech InnoTab 2S? This tablet has an E-Reader, an MP3 Player, Rotating Digital Video Recorder and Camera, Photo Viewer, Video Player, Art Studio and Microphone, plus access to hundreds more apps in the Learning Lodge Navigator download center. The InnoTab 2S comes loaded with 15 apps plus 2 free downloads. It features 2GB of onboard memory and an expandable SD card slot available to accommodate SD cards up to 32GB and comes with 2 styluses. If you have children who have to share, this tablet can store up to 4 user profiles and one guest.

E.B. setting the date on the InnoTab 2S

So what are my son’s favorite features? He loves the camera and the Art Studio software. He actually had this tablet figured out before I did! He loves to show me the funny pictures he takes around our home and I love the fact that this tablet is really capturing his attention, all while being so portable enough to take along just about anywhere.

What I also love about this tablet is that it’s WI-FI capable. There is no need to purchase a million game cartridges to use with this because everything can be downloaded right to the tablet through WI-FI. Of course, extra game cartridges are available should you decide you want to go that route. Our VTech InnoTab 2S came with one cartridge to get us started.

Besides the WI-FI capability, I also love the fact that my son can read e-books on the VTech InnoTab 2S. The e-books can be purchased and downloaded from the Learning Lodge Navigator. While all of the games and other apps are loads of fun, I also appreciate that he can get in some reading practice with this tablet.

Overall, my son and I are both extremely pleased with the VTech InnoTab 2S tablet. It’s easy for kids to use, easy for grown-ups to add apps, features a bright screen with appealing graphics and is totally portable. I would additionally suggest purchasing the AC adaptor or rechargeable battery kit because it is not included. The InnoTab 2S retails for $99.99 and is recommended for children ages 3-9.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for VTech and received a VTech InnoTab 2S to facilitate my review.

K-Cup Packs Countertop Storage Drawer Giveaway #YourPerfectCup

Posted on December 17, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

This holiday season, you may be having lots of friends and family over for parties and get-togethers. If you’re like me and have a small kitchen, finding room on your countertops for one more thing is nearly impossible! The K-Cup® Pack Countertop Storage Drawer is the perfect accessory to your Keurig because it keeps all of your K-Cup packs stored neatly and uses very little countertop space.

Not only is this great to have for yourself, but it’s also the perfect gift for that coffee lover who already has a Keurig or may be receiving one for the holidays. And what’s a storage drawer without some great K-Cup packs to go in them? Visit Green Mountain Coffee online and use promo code CELEBRATE8162 for 15% off storewide! The code will be valid starting December 7th through December 31st, and cannot be combined with any other keycode discount.

GIVEAWAY:

Would you like to win a K-Cups Pack Countertop Storage Drawer for yourself? I have one to give away to one lucky reader! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends December 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM EST. U.S. Only. Void where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Perfect Winter Boots

Posted on December 16, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

Are you a fan of wearing boots? I haven’t worn boots since I was a teenager. I have a couple of pairs of ankle boots, but I’ve really been on the hunt for a pair of regular boots that will go with many outfits and not make me look ridiculous because I am so short.

While browsing around at Brantano, I found several pairs that I think are really cute. So what are my specifications for a perfect pair of boots? First, the heel cannot be too tall. Again, I am under five feet tall, so anything higher than a two inch heel will only make me look like I’m trying to hard. Secondly, I also have to think about where the top of the boot will hit my leg. I’m definitely not looking for a pair that goes above the knee. Something that hits around two inches below the knee would be perfect. I’m also looking for a boot that has a wider calf area.

Clearly, I don’t want much, right?

What I love about Brantano’s boot selection is that I can narrow my preferences down to just about any of these specifications. No having to wade through pages and pages of boots I’m not interested in and can’t possibly wear! Whether it’s size, color, heel height, or boot style, Brantano makes it easy and quick to find exactly what I’m looking for. I also happen to think their prices are pretty great!

Have you found your perfect par of winter boots yet?

This post brought to you by Brantano. All opinions are my own.

Gardening Supplies Make Great Holiday Gifts

Posted on December 15, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

The weather outside may be frightful, but for the gardener or yard maintenance enthusiast on your holiday gift list, tools and garden accessories would be so appreciated for when the weather turns warmer and they can start enjoying their hobby outdoors once more. Hayes Garden World offers just about anything you can imagine for your garden or backyard, such as tools, decorative accessories, and gardening supplies. They also offer products for bird feeding, setting up vivariums, and aquatic ponds.

Garden benches make a perfect gift for the gardener who enjoys sitting back and admiring all of their hard work. They are beautiful and add such a decorative touch to any backyard. Hayes Garden World offers a variety of sizes and brands to choose from.

Even if you aren’t into gardening but still like to maintain a beautiful yard, Hayes Garden World also stocks backyard accessories the whole family can enjoy. Many families love to enjoy backyard barbeques, and Hayes Garden World has a wide variety of charcoal and gas grills for all of your grilling needs. Don’t forget to check out their fabulous selection of grilling accessories! Perhaps you like to enjoy an evening around a warm fire visiting with friends or family. Consider purchasing a chiminea, patio heater, or fire pit for entertaining.

Hayes Garden World also offers a wide selection of gifts and products for inside the home, ranging from wall art, kitchenware, and rugs. Still not sure what to get someone on your list? Gift vouchers are a perfect solution so that the recipient can choose exactly what they like.

This post was brought to you by Hayes Garden World. All opinions are my own.

Holiday Travel Safety Tips From #Lifelock

Posted on December 15, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

December is such a busy month due to the holiday season. During this time, travel definitely picks up, which also puts you and your family at risk to identity thieves. Nothing can ruin a holiday faster when traveling than becoming a victim of theft. This month, LifeLock offers several excellent tips for protecting yourself while traveling during the holidays.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Before traveling, make sure you have phone numbers for your bank, credit cards, and personal emergency contacts.

Take pictures of important travel and financial documents before leaving home in order to help recover them if they become lost.

Alert your bank and credit card company that you are traveling. Banks often times limit access to funds if they see suspicious activity. This has happened to me once before. Our family took a vacation in another state and our bank actually called us to ask if we were aware of the charges being made because they were being made in another state.

TRAVEL SAFELY

If traveling by plane, place your purse or wallet under your body while you sleep. It may not be comfortable, but it’s better than not having them when you reach your destination.

When going through airport security, place your wallet inside your bag rather than leaving it exposed in the bin.

Wear shoes that are easy to get on and off if you have to go through airport security so that you can keep your attention on your belongings and not be distracted.

If you are a woman who carries a purse, consider a “cross body” style that you wear on you to keep your belongings as close to you as possible while keeping your hands free so you can be more alert to your surroundings.

DON’T OVERLOOK THESE TIPS

Be sure and utilize your hotel’s safe box for storing all of your valuables.

When using public Wi-Fi, consider logging in using a VPN (virtual private network). If you do not have a VPN, one can be purchased for about $10 a month. Logging in via a VPN can help limit the information you expose when using your laptop to access the internet via public Wi-Fi.

Designate both a meeting spot and meeting time before separating from your travel companions. If anyone in your group fails to appear, this can be a warning sign that they are lost or in danger.

Can you think of any other great travel safety tips? I’d love to hear them in the comments.

Be sure and follow LifeLock on Facebook, where you can enter the LifeLock For Life Sweepstakes and also on Twitter. There, you will find even more great tips for keeping your identity safe.

I wrote this post as part of a compensated blogger ambassadorship for LifeLock. All opinions are my own.

The Elf On The Shelf

Posted on December 10, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

Meet “Sprite”. Yes, he’s kind of scary looking in a clownish kind of way. Yes, he is homemade. And YES, this is our family’s “Elf on the Shelf”.

Don’t laugh.

I said, don’t laugh!

OK. Laugh. Because we do. I discovered Sprite while going through some boxed-up toys from childhood a couple of years ago. It was around the time that the Elf on the Shelf craze was catching on, and when I saw him, I instantly wondered if I could pass him off as a “sort-of Elf on the Shelf”. My son is not stupid and he catches on to things pretty fast, so I knew this was probably not going to go over well with him. His teacher at the time had the real deal in their classroom, so he would know the difference. I’m sure you might wonder why in the world I just didn’t go out and buy one. Well, $30 for a tiny little elf that only showed up every December just seemed like a frivolous expense I couldn’t justify. I know…I’m such a scrooge!

I can proudly say now I’m glad I didn’t cave and buy the real thing. This little elf was handmade for me as a little girl by a dear family member who has since passed on. Thankfully, she got to meet my son right before she passed away. She was awesome, cool, and so great to talk to. She is dearly missed. And what did E.B. think? He thought it was funny. I typed up a little note from Sprite letting him know that he would be hanging out until Christmas. Each day, I moved Sprite so he would be somewhere different when E.B. woke up. Now, I don’t pull out all of the stops and make our elf do naughty, cutesy things like I have seen on the internet. Let’s face it, this working mama is doing good to remember to move Sprite at all.

So, Sprite made his appearance last week and he’s currently sitting under the Christmas tree because, oops, I forgot to move him. Two days ago. I’m guessing at E.B.’s age, this whole Elf on the Shelf thing might be funny for another couple of years. I’m convinced this child doesn’t believe it at all and is just going along with it to amuse me.

Do you do the Elf on the Shelf for your child? Maybe something different? I’d love to hear about it!