Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Karate Kid

Owen qualified to test for his green stripe belt in Taekwondo....he was sooo soo soo excited.  I'm not going to lie, I was a bit nervous.  I mean he had to kick, and break a board, for the first time EVER!  Yep, no practice, just step up and go.

I watched one by one as the kids in front of him went...the first kid, yeah, it took him a few tries.  The other 2-3 were pretty good with it, but knowing how timid O can be at times, I just knew he was going to tell them that he was good, and didn't need to try and kick a board.

Then...it was his turn....he jumped right on up, ran over, and then.....


Yep, that's right...my little karate kid did it perfectly!  We are so proud of him...he completed all of his tests perfectly.  He also had to do his 17 form moves, say words in Korean, and complete the 3 steps of sparring....and every single one, were perfect!

We will find out on Friday if he gets his green striped belt....and I have no doubt that he will!!

Way to go O!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Us - Fall 2013

Pictures of "us" don't happen very often....and pictures of 'us" where we are all smiling and looking in the same direction (notice I'm not even saying looking in the right direction) NEVER happen....so imagine my surprise to look through my camera card and find this..

 
Now of course I wish I had taken a little extra time and worked on my hair, and put on a little bit of makeup...but oh well!  So to the nice man who walked by us talking, and asked us if he could take a picture of us with my camera - thank you from the bottom of my (our) heart(s).

This was taken at Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville, VA (about 45 minutes from us).  This was our second year going and we had a ton of fun.  I promise a detailed post with all of our pictures soon (I know...I have 30483094 posts that I have promised you...I will sit down soon and play catch up).

I have two giveaways that are live right now, make sure you go enter them HERE (ends 10/25) and HERE (ends 10/28).



Monday, October 21, 2013

Warner Bros. Spook-Tacular Movie Giveaway

I must say, I'm a big fan of Halloween....who doesn't like to play dress up and act like a kid, and be rewarded with candy??  I may or may not have extra Halloween costumes just sitting in my closet...just in case!! ; )



About Spook-Tacular Movies!

What is the best part about Halloween?
The pumpkin carving? The costumes? The free candy? All are amazing, but whether you are the bunch that loves dressing up and scaring the neighbors or you plan to stay-in, Warner Bros. has a line-up of Spook-Tacular Movies to get you in the holiday spirit. From classics like It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Scooby-Doo The Goblin King to Adventure Time – Jake the Dad, you can count on a spook-tacular selection that the entire family can enjoy!
Before you and the kids take the neighborhood by storm, get in the mood by sharing some spooky stories! Download copies of the Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF, fire up the flashlights, and gather in a circle..... this Halloween it's STORY TIME! Perfect for kids ages 7 to 73!



Why you will LOVE the Warner Bros. Spook-Tacular Blog App:
 
• Which Spooky Family Are You? QUIZ - Is your family all about the candy and costumes? Or are you pumpkin-carving crazy? Take the quiz to find out which spooky family YOU are!
• Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF - It's simple... Halloween is not Halloween without spooky story time! Print out a copy for everyone, sit in a circle, and have everyone craft their own spooky story!

 

 
 
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win one of the DVDs listed below (Prize will be chosen randomly.)
 
• Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Run for your Rife!
• Regular Show – Fright Pack (V4)
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Deluxe Edition
• Tom and Jerry: Tricks and Treats
• Bugs Bunny’s Howl-oween
• Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King
• Tom and Jerry: Halloween Hijinks
• Sesame Street: Elmo Says Boo!
• Adventure Time – Jake the Dad (V5)
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer - This is a sponsored post.  Warner Bros. provided the materials for this post.  This giveaway is open to US & Canada only.  Please no P O Boxes.  Each household is only eligible to win 1 WB Spook-Tacular Family Movie [CHOSEN AT RANDOM] via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - We lost one!

It's official - last Wednesday evening O lost his first tooth!!!



Most kids lose their first tooth - O pulled his out! ; )  It was hanging by a thread and I have no clue how he did not lose it during football practice.


He was soo excited, he immediately wanted to go to bed so the Tooth Fairy could come.....but his crazy Mommy had to take some pictures first!!


 
 
Then it was off to bed....O decided to put his tooth on his bookcase next to the bed vs. under his pillow. He said he didn't want the tooth fairy to miss it!!  He was so excited the next morning to wake up and find a glittery dollar bill!! (Sorry, we had school so no AM pics).
 


Friday, October 11, 2013

Lovable Labels - 10th Anniversary Sale!



Lovable Labels is your #1 source for durable personalized labels, tags, safety products and much more. By recognizing the unique personality in every child, Lovable Labels inspires children to take better care of their belongings.  Our durable products withstand the dishwasher, microwave, washer, dryer, and the greatest test - your child!

I have a few of their products and I LOVE them!!  I'm actually going to pick up a few labels for O's teacher to use in the classroom during this sale. 

This sale started yesterday and runs until Saturday October 19, 2013!!

So, just what can you expect during this anniversary sale??? 


- 10 days of deals
- offering 50% off our most popular products
- offer runs from October 10, 2013 - October 19, 2013
- We will be launching surprise new products

- Sign up for our newsletter to get our daily offers delivered right to your inbox - Sign up HERE

- To check our daily deal of the day, check out our 'gift tree' HERE

This is the best time to stock up...or think of Christmas presents!!  I'm going to get some to help make labeling school supplies 10 times easier next year and as I said before I'm going to pick up a pack for O's teacher.  They label EVERYTHING in school!! 

I'm pretty sure everyone with a school aged child has struggled with labeling their supplies...it is not as easy as it looks to label 48 sharpened pencils.  Trust me, I've done it!  I will definitely be picking up these:



You do not want to miss this sale!!!  Head on over to Lovable Labels now to check it out!


Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.  I will be compensated with a product for this post.





Thursday, October 10, 2013

Pacific Rim Blu-Ray Giveaway


 
 
About Pacific Rim:
 
Go BIG or go EXTINCT!
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim is an epic science fiction film set in the 2020s. Earth is at war with Kaijus; colossal monsters from an inter-dimensional gateway on the Pacific Ocean floor. Humanity unites to fight these huge monsters by creating the Jaegers: gigantic humanoid robots that are controlled by two pilots whose minds and memories are linked. The story takes place in the later days of the war, following Raleigh Becket, a former Jaeger pilot called out of retirement and paired up with newbie pilot Mako Mori in a final effort to defeat the Kaijus!
 
 
Pacific Rim is released on Blu-ray & DVD Oct.15!
 


 
 
Why you will LOVE the Pacific Rim Blog App:
 
Pacific Rim: CONTROLLABLE GIFs - Move & click your mouse across the GIFs to control the Giant Kaiju and Massive Jaegers!

Pacific Rim SUPERFAN QUIZ - How do your movie smarts stack up? Do you consider yourself to be a movie superfan? Take the quiz to find out!

Pacific Rim SOUNDBOARD - Pacific Rim features epic battles between the Jaegers and Kaiju! Play with SFX from the movie, create your own battle clashes, and save mankind from the apocalypse!

Make sure to enter to win a copy of this on Blu-ray using the Rafflecopter form below!

Giveaway Guidelines:  Each household is only eligible to win 1 Pacific Rim Blu-Ray via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.  Open to US & Can. Residents - No PO Boxes.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure - This is a sponsored post.  The assets included within this message were delivered to me to promote Warner Bros..  Warner Bros. supplied these materials.
 


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Three can be Rough!

Brynnleigh turned 3 on Friday....and we spent all weekend celebrating her special day!!


And after a weekend full of celebrating, Brynnleigh has found out that...


Three can....


be rough....very rough.


Yep...that's a big ol' goose egg at the top left of her head.  Her first day of being three at preschool and she decided to pick a fight with the concrete - guess who won? 

Luckily she's still funky and feisty and her head is going down.  We may have to invest in some protective gear if being three stays this way!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Rufus and Ryan Go to Church - Book Review & Giveaway!


This is such a cute book!!  Rufus and Ryan Go to Church is a great board book for kids age 2-5.  It helps explain in a fun kid tone what happens in Church. 

In my opinion, church can be a scary for little kids.  It' a large room filled with a lot of people (hopefully) and can be intimidating to little ones.

I knew this would be great for Brynnleigh (3) as our original church had to close down almost 2 years ago.  We have been trying a few different churches to see where we fit and I can sense her fear as we walk into the doors.  She's not afraid of church, she just does not know what to expect.


The illustrations in this book are fun and inviting.  B loved just flipping through and looking at the pictures herself.

We will continue to read this book weekly (at the least) as we search for our new church family to help ease the transition for B and help her feel more comfortable.  I might even need to go find her own Rufus!!
 
Here are the facts:
 
Rufus and Ryan Go To Church!
In Rufus and Ryan Go to Church!, four-year-old Ryan explains to his stuffed monkey, Rufus, what is happening as they attend church on Sunday morning. He lets Rufus know when it’s time to sing and to pray and to be quiet. Author Kathleen Bostrom brings a delightfully light touch to the text as she provides an introduction to an experience that most children are exposed to long before they understand why. And children everywhere will relate to the idea of explaining their surroundings to their favorite companions as they go about their daily activities.
This is just one of the first titles in a new series of inspirational books for preschoolers.

About the Rufus and Ryan
Rufus and Ryan is a new series of books for preschoolers, featuring Ryan, an energetic little boy, and his stuffed monkey Rufus. Basic Christian and church concepts serve as the foundation of the series, with an additional focus on character traits and development. The text is presented in young Ryan’s voice as he teaches Rufus about the concepts he is learning himself. Each story is about 150 words, using age-appropriate vocabulary and themes.
Also available now, Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers

About the Author
Kathleen Long Bostrom is a published children’s author in both the Christian and trade markets. She has a Master’s in Christian Education and a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching, and she has worked in children’s ministry for many years. Kathy and her husband, Greg, have three grown children and live in Illinois.

About the Illustrator
Rebecca Thornburgh began illustrating children’s books full-time in 1996 and today has almost 100 books to her name. Rebecca’s vibrant watercolors have been showcased in previous Ideals titles, including the new edition of The Story of Christmas. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two daughters.
 
Rufus and Ryan Go to Church!
Written by: Kathleen Long Bostrom
Illustrated by: Rebecca Thornburgh
Publisher: Ideals Books
Board book
$7.99
Available at IdealsBooks.com
 
Brynnleigh's review....well she gives Rufus and Ryan Go to Church a big thumbs up!!
 
 
Want this book for yourself?  You can purchase it HERE or enter to win one below using Rafflecopter!
 
 
Make sure to follow them on Facebook too!!
 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Brynnleigh the Model




Owen likes to steal our camera and take pictures....and while I should not allow him to touch my super nice Cannon camera, I think it is good for him to explore his artistic side.  So, I allow him to touch it, use it, whatever, as long as the strap is around his neck.

Sunday night he was taking pictures of Brynnleigh....and who knew that a 2 year old would strike a pose, or two?  She was eating it up....every single second!


A bunch of these are blurry, but to be the work of a 6 year old and a 2 year old, I think they are pretty darn good.  I mean shoot....97% of my pictures turn out blurry myself!


This one, O claims he was getting a picture of her hair bow...I love her eyes in this one

Oh, and you can never forget the "hold your foot" pose!

So if anyone is looking for a 2 year old (soon to be 3 - as in this Friday...ahhhh) model or a 6 year old photographer - I have some good ones for you! ; )