Promise to Make a Difference

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer within her lifetime.

Two years ago one of those eight women was my mother. And while she's doing wonderfully today it's become my personal mission to support breast cancer research and raise awareness. Which is why supporting companies like Yoplait is crucial as they've donated more than $22 million to the breast cancer cause through Save the Lids.

For every pink lid mailed in by December 31, 2009, Yoplait will donate $0.10 to the Susan G. Komen for the cure, up to $1.5 million with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000.

It's easy to help. You can visit Yourlidmatters.com to create online lid collection teams and engage and inspire your friends family and colleagues to join the cause.

And to one of my readers I offer a "Promise to Make a Difference" gift pack* which includes a free coupon for Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt, a breast cancer awareness bracelet and a leather jewelry case as pictured above.

If you'd like to win this great gift pack simply leave me a comment telling me how you support breast cancer awareness and or research and you'll be entered to win. One winner will be selected at random from all comments received by November 2.

*Gift pack courtesy of MyBlogSpark and Yoplait who also furnished me with a gift pack

Family Fun at Disney on Ice and a Special Offer

I know where I’ll be the weekend after next. My twins, who are both big Disney fans, and I are positively geeked to be heading to the Everett Events Center for Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy.

The Deets:

Worlds of Fantasy showcases beloved characters from Disney/Pixar's Cars, Disney's The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, as well as a live debut of the magical cast of new Fairies from the 2008 release of Walt Disney Pictures Tinker Bell DVD.

In a captivating "fairy tale" segment, audiences will enter into the wondrous world of Pixie Hollow and meet the Disney Fairies from Tinker Bell. The entire ice floor will transform into springtime, as the fairies' magical role in the mysteries of nature is finally revealed. From wheels to waves, Pride Lands to pixie dust, your family's favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents World of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories.

What’s that you say? You have no plans and your kids will never talk to you again if you don’t take them. Well I’ve got just the thing for you. Everett Events Center has a special offer:

4 tickets for $44
click here and enter "mom" to purchase


Special Bonus! Disney Princess Pre-Show: Arrive up to one hour early to tour our dazzling display of gorgeous gowns.

Hope to see you there

Yoplait Delights with a new yogurt treat

Delights parfaits are the latest in Yoplait's line of lowfat yogurt treats. At only 100 calories per serving and totally portable, these incredibly creamy, melt in your mouth goodies are the perfect snack anytime of the day.

A great new twist on an old fave,Yoplait pairs two decadent flavors for a match made in heaven. The lemon torte is absolutely to die for (totally taste like pie filling, y'all) and with 3 other flavors including Chocolate Raspberry, Triple Berry Cream and Creme Caramel you're sure to find your favorite in the bunch too.

Cheers to Yoplait for coming up with a line of delicious treats to help win the war against sweet tooths and expanding waistlines everywhere.


Go check 'em out. They're now available in major grocery stores. And be sure to grab a coupon too http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=58158&ci=1&c=GM&p=mtiwHNq8.

Chicco - Talking Vacation Car Giveaway ******Updated with winner

*********Congratulations to lucky commenter number 12, Nad!

Having just come back from a family vacation, I know the stress of wanting to keep children entertained while in transit.

Prior to our first time traveling with the twins several years ago, I asked everyone and read everything I could get my hands on in an effort to make sure that we weren't those parents(you know the harried, sweating, stressed out parents with the unhappy, bawling kids). It was then that I came upon the best recommendation I could have ever imagined. That recommendation: To bring a brand new toy that the kids have never seen - worked like a charm.

Enter the brilliant minds at Chicco and their Talking Vacation Car. Yay for Chicco for being in tune to what we parents and our kiddos want and producing some of the highest quality, fun and educational toys for babies and kids.

The Talking Vacation Car is a convertible car with flashing headlights and working wheels that not only helps your child develop language skills in English and Spanish, it has 3 different modes to help them discover new words, complete stories and solve riddles. It's bright,colorful and full of fun sound effects to keep the kiddos (don't worry parents, there is volume control) entertained. For children 18 months and up the Talking Vacation Car will be yours (and your childrens)best travel buddy.

And you can win one here. Simply leave a comment telling me your best (or worst) vacation story and you'll be entered to win. One winner will be chosen at random from all comments received by 7/28.

For extra entries
1 entry - Tweet the contest
2 entries - Blog the giveaway

Please be sure to leave a comment for each entry method and a valid email address so I can contact you if you've won.

Special K Protein Shakes (Review & Giveaway!) ***Updated with winners

**** Congrats to Encheva, Lisa, Angela R and justme.

I’m a Special K fan. As someone who's actively trying to watch her weight, I have been for a while. Their cereals, particularly the Chocolatey delight and Red Berries, have been mainstays in my pantry. It’s a brand I’ve come to know and trust. So you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to try Special Ks new protein shake.

The shake arrived in the evening and as much as I (and my kids) wanted to tear into it that evening I decided the true test would be to have it the following morning, on my way to work. On an empty stomach.

The shake was well worth the wait. With its rich, creamy, decadent chocolate flavor the shake felt like a real treat. The part of me that loves everything chocolate found myself craving another. Of course what I’m learning is that I need to be more in tuned to how I’m really feeling and not to just eat because something tastes good. And what I really felt was full. Surprisingly so. I really did not expect that a shake would make me full. I’ve tried other meal replacement shakes before and was hungry within five minutes. Not so here. The shake kept me full for a good couple of hours which was perfect for me because I tend to like to eat smaller meals and/or snacks every few hours instead of 3 large meals.

Each shake contains 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber (which I'm sure accounts for why they're so filling). The French Vanilla and Strawberry flavors are 180 calories, the Milk Chocolate is 190, which for you Weight Watchers folks like me is only 3 points.

Want to try the goodness for yourself? Click here for a coupon for $1.00 off of a 4 pack (good through 7/30/09). You'll find them in the diet and nutrition aisles of your local grocery store (I've seen them at drugstores too)

**And, the Kellogg’s PR folks graciously allowed me to give away shakes to 4 lucky people. Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite Special K or Kelloggs product and you’ll be entered to win. Winners will be selected at random from all comments received by July 7th.
Please be sure to leave a valid email address so that I can contact you if you're a winner

The Wiggles Live! - Review & Giveaway****Updated with Winner

***********Congrats to commenter number 1, Annie!

One of my favorite memories is of driving home after work with my not quite 2 year old twins watching the Wiggles DVD on the portable player. Although they had a rather limited vocabulary at the time, they would sing their little hearts out chanting "Go,Go,Go,Go,Go" and bobbing their little heads.

I got such enjoyment from seeing their delighted little expressions in the rearview mirror. And so began our love affair with the Wiggles. We had to start our weekend days after the Wiggles came on in the morning. Our DVD collection grew exponentially as did the Wiggles themed toys and gear.

On more than one occasion, I caught myself singing "Fruit salad, yummy yummy" or "Where's Jeff ?" at work. Truthfully, I think I got as much of a kick out of them as the kids did. They were songs we could all sing along to. It was good clean, wholesome family fun. Months later when I discovered the Wiggles were coming to the Tacoma Dome I was overjoyed and quickly purchased tickets for our family.

The day of the show, hubby and I were like teenagers about to attend their first rock concert. Seriously, we were so jazzed to be able to experience the Wiggles live with our little fans.

The stage was set amazingly,resembling the tv show to a tee. I was suprised at how excited I got when Greg, Murray, Anthony and Jeff (I know there is a new Wiggle now...forgive me) arrived on stage in The Big Red Car. We danced , we sang, we wore out our throats hoping Dorothy would come to us and get roses. It was great fun spending that family time being silly and enjoying the show.

And I'd like for one of you to share that same experience with your family. Comcast Arena has graciously offered four tickets for the July 17th, Wiggles Go Bananas show in Everett, WA. To enter: simply leave a comment with your favorite thing about the Wiggles. One winner will be selected at random from all comments received by July 10th,11:59 PST.

For extra entries (each counts for 1 entry)
1) Tweet about the contest
2) Blog,post to FB, or if you don't do either, email your friends and family about the giveaway

**Please be sure to leave a valid email address and comment for each entry method completed.

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Program

I love that Cheerios Spoonful of Stories Program has given away more than 35 million children's books by distributing them in cereal boxes and partnered with First Book, a non profit organization that provides books to children from low income families.

In my book (I couldn't resist),Cheerios deserves major kudos for this. Thus I'm doing my part to support their efforts by bringing this contest to you.

Cheerios is hosting it's 3rd annual Spoonful of Stories New Author Contest. Entries are being accepted through July 15, 2009 and will be judged on appropriate story and content for ages 3-8 , emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness and read-aloud potential(additional details can be found here

And whether you're an aspiring author or simply someone who loves to read aloud with your children I've got a cute set of books from the Spoonful library to offer including "The Great Dog Wash" from the first years winner.

Simply leave me a comment letting me know your favorite children's book and you'll be entered to win. One winner will be chosen at random from all comments received by June 15th at 11:59 p.m. PST.