Alyssa's B-Day Party

Alyssa decided to have a slumber party with all of her old friends that she talks to but does not see often. I figured that would be a good idea because I know all of the girls and there parents and it was a lot cheaper then a regular party. We are really tight on money right now and all we really bought was cake, pizza and popcorn.

Joe stayed away from all the girls as much as he could and Ryan liked being right in the middle of them all as you can tell. Little Aiden was there for a little bit while he was dropping his sister off for the party.

Alyssa Cake! She loves Dino's!

Well the morning after her slumber party my baby Emma was peeing blood and acting all funny. Well as some of you know Emma may be a dog but she is like one of my kids so of course I panicked. My mom came over and watched all the girls till there parents picked them up and my FIL took me to the vet. Emma had a bladder infection which cost us a pretty little penny. So much for saving money! I guess it was a good thing Alyssa's party was so cheap.

I cant forget my wonderful husband who shares a B-Day with our daughter. Thank you for being so good to us. Happy Birthday and I love you with all my heart!

Our Christmas Tree's

Yes I know these last couple post are late but my life has been crazy these last couple of months. And well like I always say better late then never!

The night we got our FAT tree thanks to Alyssa. I wanted a tall skinny one but the guy at the lot agreed with Alyssa so we ended up with the full one as Alyssa would say.

Our tree all nice and decorated!

The tree branch that we ended up with on Christmas morning.

While I was a way for my fathers funeral my tree was not watered and was as dead as dead can be. It was ugly and brown, so I took it down early. It was such a mess to clean up. I clogged my vacuum up a few times and had to take it apart to fix it. As much as I love a real tree I think next year we will get a fake one. I think our little tree was cute if only it could hold all of my favorite ornaments.

Zoo Lights

We took our kids to Zoo lights this year with a friend and her kids. If your not familiar with zoo light it's at the zoo filled with light at night and it is so beautiful. This was our first time going and let me tell you that it was COLD. We did have fun though. We got our kids these glasses that when they look at lights it shows different shapes.

He's wearing the glasses I was talking about..

Alyssa and her best friend..

I just love gnomes!

My babies!!

I was sick the next day and it lasted a week. I say it was because of how cold it was but my youngest informed me you cant get sick just because its cold outside. His teacher told him so!

Mixer

My mixer which was a very cheap one that we got when we got married 13 years ago finally broke on Thanksgiving when I was using it for mashed potatoes. Being it was a $10 mixer that has been used 1000's of times I was happy it lasted that long. Well back to my point of this post is that my husband wanted to make pumpkin bars on Christmas eve and felt he really needed a mixer so he made his own.

I have to give him credit because it worked very well!

Crayola Technology Review & Giveaway

Sometimes the best gifts are more than presents. They´re ones that inspire hours of imagination. When you give Crayola, you can give your kids more than a present, you can give them wonder and adventure as they colorfully bring their original ideas and dreams to life.

Imagine your child morphing into a coloring book character and starring in a story with a Disney Princess or Spider-Man with Crayola Story Studio or turning an iPad into an interactive coloring book with the Crayola Color Studio HD app and Crayola iMarker digital drawing tool. When kids unwrap one of these high-tech Crayola gifts this holiday, they´ll have fun, new ways to express all that inspires them!

 For the child who craves action and adventure, Crayola Story Studio: Spider-Man lets kids upload a photo and transform themselves into a superhero that stars with Spider-Man in personalized comic book they create and color. A free access code inside the kit unlocks the Story Studio application at Crayola.com/story studio. Kids can choose a super power, story-line, and one of six villains to battle alongside Spider-Man in their own web-slinging adventure. When they finish their story, they can save it, share it or print and color it. The kit includes paper, glossy cover sheets for printing comic book-style covers, binding strips and 15 Twistables® colored pencils to create three complete books.

 For the child who loves fairy tales and wonderment, Story Studio: Disney Princesses lets kids star in a fairytale with a Disney Princess. Crayola Story StudioTM: Disney Princess lets kids create fairy tales starring them and a Disney Princess! Kids upload a photo to transform themselves into a character, then create a story with their character and a Disney Princess! Story Studio includes everything kids need to create personalized storybooks and unlimited coloring pages - just print, color and bind the pages. They can choose story lines from Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, Tangled, Sleeping Beauty, and Princess and the Frog. With the free on-line access code that comes inside, Pip-Squeaks® markers and glitter glue, blank sheets and binding strips, kids create three complete story books!

 For the child who likes creative adventures, the Story Studio Adventure Maker: Cars 2 lets kids join the pages of a story with Lightning McQueen, Mator and the Cars 2 characters form Disney Pixar. The set includes 10 Pip-Squeak Skinnies markers, 3 Pip Squeak broad line markers, 2 Pip-Squeak glitter glue tubes, 30 story sheets, 6 glossy cover sheets and 3 comic binding strips to make three complete story books.

When my family and I received this in the mail we were all so excited to get to start playing with all the fun stuff we got. I know I had just as much fun with the story studio books as my kids did. It was easy to get it all set up and for my kids to use it with out help from us. This was so much fun to create and the color studio for the ipad was so neat and very entertaining for everyone who played with it. This is stuff that would recommend to anyone to get.

One of you has the chance to receive a Crayola prize pack which contains-
(1) Crayola Story Studio Comic Maker: Spider-Man
(1) Crayola Story Studio Fairy Tale Maker: Disney Princesses
(1) Crayola Story Studio Adventure Maker: Disney/Pixar Cars
(1) Crayola iMarker to use with the ColorStudio HD app for iPad
(1) Free download of the ColorStudio HD app

Now all you have to do is be a public follower via GFC- 1 entry Like Crayola´s or Griffin Technology´s Facebook pages- 1 entry
Please leave you email address so I can contact you if you are the winner of this prize pack. This giveaway will end on 01/06/12 then the winner will have 48hrs to contact me or I will have to pick another winner
"Disclosure:  The Crayola High Tech Holiday prize pack, product information and prize pack for giveaway have been provided by Crayola through MyBlogSpark."

Green Giant Giveaway

 Searching for a quick and convenient side dish? Thanks to Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Vegetables with Pasta, pleasing your entire family just became an easy fix.
 Making meal time easier than ever, Green Giant has introduced vegetables with pasta and savory sauces to their already convenient and tasty line-up of Valley Fresh Steamers frozen mixes such as-

~ New Valley Fresh Steamers Vegetables with Pasta varieties include:Macaroni and Cheese Sauce with Broccoli - classic elbow pasta and broccoli in a mouth watering cheese sauce
~Pasta and Vegetables with Alfredo Sauce - delicious corkscrew pasta with carrots and broccoli in a savory Alfredo sauce

 Steam-in-the-bag sides will have your family asking for seconds. Join in the conversation today on the Green Giant Facebook page

     Someone has the chance to win a prize pack which will contain:
     ~~2 Green Giant placemats

     ~~Broccoli stress reliever
     ~~32 oz. serving bowl
     ~~Surprise face serving spoon
     ~~A VIP coupon for the Valley Fresh Steamers with Pasta

           
                  All you have to do is-
                  ~~ Mandatory Entry- Follow me Via GFC- 1 Entry
                  ~~ Tell me what you add to your vegetables to make them more appealing for your entire family?- 1 Entry
This will end 12-29-11 at 8 P.M.. The winner will have 24hrs to contact me or I will have to pick another winner.
"Disclosure: Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers with Pasta, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark."

Alyssa & Kevin's Birthday

     Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and perfect daughter. I love you both very much!

Red Hot Holiday Trends "The Betty 10"

 Betty Crocker is here to help make cooking and entertaining easier than ever with Betty Crocker´s Red Hot Holiday Trends 2011! The food experts at Betty Crocker have selected trends that will be red hot this holiday season, and have created delicious recipes to bring each one to life. These fun and delicious recipes are sure to fire up any holiday event, and keep you toasty and warm for the New Year ahead.

Trend: Double Desserts

Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It´s a 1+1=3 kind of thing.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

                                                         Trend: Boozy Baking
From booze cakes to cocktail pies, bakers everywhere are bringing the bar into the kitchen. A titch of tequila or a skosh of scotch whiskey adds a serious shot of fun and flavor for the over 21 crowd. We´re loving these boozy baked goods!

                                               Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes
Taste for yourself what the buzz is all about! A bit of bourbon, a hit of coffee liqueur and some vanilla vodka-spiked frosting make these sophisticated chocolate cupcakes the ultimate "holiday helpers."

                                                   Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun.
Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food!

                                                  Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers
Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack `em up and watch `em go.

                                          Trend: From Cave to Kitchen
Forget the man cave. Today guys are in the kitchen making (or at least appreciating) really good food. Big food. Really good, big food that´s stacked and stuffed with the flavors they can´t resist.

                               Recipe: Mantastic Fried Chicken `n´ Waffle Sandwich
Here´s a new take on chicken `n´ waffles - made better with beer, bacon, and bourbon. It´s the ultimate manly man meal.

                                                   Trend: Skinny Cocktails
Here´s the skinny! Drinking high-calorie cocktails is so last year. The modern mixologist is shaking things up with light & flavorful cocktails.

Recipe: Skinny Clementine Martini

Add some clever sparkle to your next party. Enjoy these natural, light martinis made with fresh juice, high-quality liquor, and a splash of club soda. Lower calorie cocktails never tasted, or looked, so sweet. Cheers!

                                  Trend: Better Than Bought  
From canning to candy making, there´s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity.

Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge

Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt-a recipe to impress.

                                                        Trend: Veggie Love

Once just tolerated, vegetables are now celebrated. Omnivores and herbivores alike have discovered that veggies offer variety and great taste, and are feeling the love.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus

Hummus with fresh sweet potato packs even more plant power. Add a delicious blend of smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin to make this flavorful dip.

                                    Trend: Shareworthy & Allergen-Friendly
Allergen-friendly foods may be free from things like nuts, dairy and eggs, but shouldn´t be free from flavor. Thankfully, we´re seeing new foods and recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone - whether you´re allergy-sensitive or not.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Gather everyone around the table to enjoy this moist and delicious pumpkin bread. Made with no nuts, no dairy, no eggs, and no gluten - no kidding!

                                           Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-G
Man´s best friend deserves man´s best effort. That´s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido´s list.

 

Recipe: Dog Bark

This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog´s favorite ingredients - bacon and cheese. Bow WOW!

                                               Trend: Food Craft
The kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat.

 

Recipe: Chocolate Coal Lumps

Naughty or nice, everyone will love these easy cho-coal-late treats. Cocoa Puffs® cereal dipped in melted chocolate and marshmallows create these tasty stocking stuffers.
"I received these details from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark"

This makes me so sad and scared at the same time

I have been scared since I was pregnant with my first child of my kids being bullied at school. I have always known I would be that parent that would react first because NO ONE will mess with my kids I have always said. I also have always said that I would not ever put up with my child being a bully. My kids and I do talk about this kind of of stuff on a regular basis since they started school. They have shared many stories about stuff other people have done or have had done to them and how they have reacted if they were around when it was going on. I have to say they seem to be really good kids and no I'm not just saying that because there mine. I had all 3 of my kids young and I had people make very rude comments about that so I said to myself I will make sure my kids are well mannered/behaved kids and I have to say since they were toddlers even to this day I have got many compliments from strangers how good my kids are, there teachers have never said anything bad about them just how respectful they are, and yes I do pride myself on that. But after watching this video it made me think how sad/bad it is that we really do have so many kids like this in our world. I have always just thought that if anything bad was going on in my kids life they would come to me. We have a very open family, but this video really got me thinking what if they don't, what if they might not feel right about it, or blame them self's some how. I mean we really want to think we know everything going on in our kids life but they are out of sight for a long period of time while at school and sad to say but we cant always trust that our schools will be able or even care enough to help keep a better eye on our kids. I get weekly emails from my daughters middle school and since the second week of school it says that the bulling is constantly increasing and the email I got just tonight said they are not sure what they can do the numbers have went up so fast that all they can do now is hope parents talk to there kids and that they will have an ear and eye open to this. REALLY we have to send are kids to school to deal with this, come on they have to come up with some kind of solution. It stresses me out sending my kids to school.

Getting caught up!!

I have not done much on my blog lately, so much has gone on since October. My mom spent most of October in the ICU and it took a couple weeks to figure out what was going on with her. It came on very sudden with no warnings. We seriously didn't know weather she was gonna be OK or not and that was so very hard. A good part of the time she was in there she was totally out of it and then after her operation we thought once the sedation wore off she would be her old self again and let me tell you how wrong we were. It was a scary time for us. My mom didn't know or remember anything and didn't have any real function over her body. It is something we were not expecting at all and is rare but she came out of it. Well not totally she has a lot of bad days but the last couple day have been better. If she doesn't take her meds she can become totally unaware of her surroundings and who everyone is and lose function with her body which is a scary thought for her. She did just find out that she was approved to be on the liver donor list. She did have the doctors baffled because she has never drank beer or smoked cigarettes and she has a bad liver.

While she was in the ICU I got a call from our landlord telling me they sold our place and we had 30 days to move. Not the best time to get that news. They had a 2 bedroom we could move in to or a house in a bad school dist and so so good neighborhood so both of those were out of the question. We were lucky enough to find a bigger nicer place in the same area that cost WAY TOO MUCH MONEY, but I was in panic mode so i said OK we will take it and as much as I love this house spending $400 more every month is gonna kill us. I am not sure how were gonna make it, but I was so stressed with everything going on I just took this place. I think I am more stressed because of the holiday being here and my daughter and husbands b-day this month and not having money to buy anything for my kids. We talked to our kids about gifts and everything and they were all so sweet about it but it still can stress a person out.

Well if anyone has got this far in the post congrats! Anyways here are few pictures for me to see in the future.

                       Ready to trick or treat on Halloween..

Some of the kids on thanks giving. We had a full house of 20 people at our new place..

Making them to get there picture taken with Santa.

I think they secretly liked sitting on his lap.

The New BK CROWN Program Giveaway

IMAGINATION IS KING at BURGER KING. The new BK CROWNTM/MC Program, built to inspire every kid´s imagination and encourage kids to help choose how BK  gives back, brings families together to enjoy not just a meal but a mealtime experience.

The BK CROWNTM/MC Program comes in a fully interactive Kids Meal box. Sitting atop each box is a newly redesigned BURGER KING crown, because every kid deserves to be treated like royalty at BURGER KING! With crowns on their heads, kids can dive into the box, taking it apart, playing fun games and activities that challenge their minds, inspire their imagination and engage with the whole family.


With the BK CROWNTM/MC Program, Burger King Corporation invites kids to tell BURGER KING what matters to them most. BKC has established a fund to help support the Wildlife Conservation Society, National Parks Conservation Association, DonorsChoose.org and Have It Your WayTM Foundation. By visiting BKCrown.com, kids learn how BKC´s charitable partners make a difference. Upon entering BK CROWNTM/MC Codes and clicking on their favorite cause, each kid´s vote helps BK® choose which charity to give back to.

The fun doesn't end at the restaurant; the BK CROWNTM/MC Program experience lives on at http://www.bkcrown.com/ where kids can place their vote for how BKC should give back, as well as find more games, win prizes and enjoy interactive play.

Now tell me what kid could/would say no to Burger King? You can even get apples instead of fries or a milk or juice instead of a soda. And think of all the positive they can do with the New BK Crown Program.
              Head over to the nearest participating BURGER KING restaurant with your family for the new BK CROWNTM/MC Program. In your post, tell us which charity your child picks to help BK choose how to give back and what they liked most about the new BK CROWNTM/MC Program

Also at BURGER KING, for just $9.99 your family can enjoy the "BKTM Family Bundle" which includes a WHOPPER sandwich, WHOPPER JR.® sandwich., two small fries, two small soft drinks and a Kids Meal. Now that´s a deal worth getting together for! Limited time only. Price and participation vary. Prices higher in HI.

           One of you has a chance to treat your family to Burger King.

The BK CROWNTM/MC Program promotional prize pack will contain:
(1) $25 BURGER KING Crown Card* to purchase a kids meal featuring the BK CROWNTM/MC Program
  Entry 1- GFC public follower
  Entry 2- What do you or your child like most about http://www.bkcrown.com/
  Entry 3- "Like" the BURGER KING Facebook page and let me know your FB name
Please leave your email address with your entry so I can contact you if you happen to win. This giveaway will end  12/8/11. The winner will then have 48 hrs to contact me or I will have to choose another winner.

"Disclosure:  The BK CROWNTM/MC Program prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Burger King Corporation through MyBlogSpark."

A New Spin on the Cookie Exchange! Wanna Host a Chex Party Mix-Change

Are you ready for a great new way to prepare for the holidays? Chex Party Mix is mixing it up with a fresh idea that puts a whole new spin on the classic cookie exchange. Ditch the hours of baking and make 15 minute Chex Party Mix recipes instead - all you need is a microwave and some friends to stir up the fun.

I decided to make this for Our Thanksgiving Dinner. We had a house of 20 people so what better time then to have everyone give them a try. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the two different kinds we made. Both adults and kids were both going back for more and I have since emailed the recipes to 4 of the people that were here that night. My daughter has even requested that we make these for her slumber party coming up in a week. So instead of decorating cookies I am gonna let the girls all make what ever kind they like and then have them take some home to share with there family.

With the holiday here why not get some people together to make some of this great chex mix. The concept is simple - invite some friends over for a party and ask everyone to make enough of their favorite Chex Party Mix recipe to exchange with party guests. Taste, mix, swap, and share the recipes, putting the treats in easy DIY packages

Here  are five Chex Party Mix recipes that are just some of the fabulous 15 minute recipes that can be found at ChexPartyMix.com-

*Original Chex Party Mix - A tried and true classic of many holiday gatherings.

                          *Chex PB & Chocolate Blast - Is there really a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate? Yes, when Chex cereal is added!
*Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch - Mix things up and try this mouthwatering alternative to the beloved holiday pie.
*Hot Buttered Yum Chex Mix - A combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, honey and marshmallows blend effortlessly together in a crazy-delicious, gluten free crunchy mix.
*Chex Caramel Chocolate Drizzles - Melted chocolate, chewy caramel and a delightful crunch carry this gluten-free party mix recipe from microwave to table in 15 minutes.

One of my readers have a chance to win a prize pack that will contain:

2 boxes of ChexChex Party Mix recipes
5 featured Chex Party Mix recipes
10 takeout containers so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go
$20 gift card to purchase recipe ingredients and decorating supplies

~~Mandatory entry is be a GFC public follower- 1 entry

~~ Share your favorite ways for packaging holiday goodies- 1 entry

This giveaway will end on 12/7/11 Please leave your email address so I can contact you if your the winner. The winner will have 48hrs to contact me or I will have to chose anther winner.

"Disclosure: The Chex Party Mix-Change product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Chex through MyBlogSpark."