100 Books in 100 Days

Brady finished preschool last Thursday, so summer vacation has already started in this neck of "the woods".  I wanted to make this summer really special for my family and wanted to intentionally plan some activities for the boys and myself to do.   So, we have started this week "strong" and I hope to continue with this same gusto as the summer continues!

Last summer we had season passes to a local amusement park, and we definitely got our money's worth from those passes, but this year we chose not to purchase those passes.  We decided that we wanted to explore other places without having the thought, "but we have season passes, let's just go there!"  I am not saying that it is "bad" to have a season pass to anything; we just wanted to try something different this year (and we will probably get season passes again next year - because we did have a LOT of fun!).

So, what is on our plate this summer?  I don't have it all laid out yet, but I do know that it will include some "themed" weeks, bowling, watching some free movies, going to story-time at the library, swimming at my sister's house, playdates, soccer camp, and going on various "field trips".

I got the idea of having themed weeks over at "Life as Mom"  - she creates a "home camp" for her kids and calls it "Camp Wannlaffalotta."  I am using some of her ideas as a springboard for use with my own kids.  This week, we focused on the "Oceans of Fun" theme.  We have checked out LOADS of books from the library, made many crafts, had fun with food and watched a few videos!  It has been a lot of fun, and I have been pretty flexible about it too.

We have SO many library books in our house - some from this week's theme and some for next week's theme.  When I was looking at all of these books, I said to myself, I bet that we will read over 100 books...in 100 days.  Today is day 4, and day 100 will be August 31st.  I figured that I would make it easy on myself as far as the ending point to my 100 days...and that is how I chose the beginning date...and it really does not completely matter, because I am sure that we will read 100 books before August 31st anyway!

Here are some of the books that we have read so far this week - and notice that they are not all ocean themed:

1. Henry and Mudge and the Tall Tree House by Cynthia Rylant
2. Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble by Cynthia Rylant
3. Disney's the Aristocats
4. The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
5. 10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle
6. Duck, Duck, Goose by Tad Hills
7. Yummiest Love by Lisa McCourt
8. Otter on His Own: the Story of a Sea Otter by Doe Boyle
9. Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea by Lisa Wheeler
10. Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
11. Exploring the Deep Dark Sea by Gail Gibbons
12. Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea   by Marcus Pfister
13. Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale by Marcus Pfister
14. The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole
15. Pickles to Pittsburgh by Judi Barrett
16. The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett

We are well on our way to 100 books!

So, what are you doing this summer?

WINNER for Spring Brunch Anyone?

Thank you to all who entered the Spring Brunch Giveaway, sponsored by McCormick Spices!

I used www.random.org to choose a number and comment #2 won....

CONGRATULATIONS to TCC who won the Spring Brunch Giveaway!  I will be contacting you soon to get your information!

If you did not win this week's giveaway, stay tuned for another giveaway coming soon, also sponsored by McCormick!

Have a great weekend!

Giveaway: Spring Brunch Anyone?

I was SO excited when I was contacted to participate in a Spring Brunch Program sponsored by McCormick.  I  enjoy cooking and I already use McCormick spices, so this was right up  my alley!  When I opened the box that arrived on my doorstep, I found all of the spices and food coloring that you see below!  Pretty amazing!  Although I have not had the time to host a Spring Brunch yet at my house...I am looking forward to using these spices in some yummy recipes that my family will enjoy!  There are a few recipes that look delicious on McCormick's website which include, Spiced Springtime Sugar Cookies and Cheesy Bacon and Egg Casserole or maybe this Stuffed French Toast!  Plus, I have quite a few other recipes that make good use of the spices that were sent to me...I am excited to get into the kitchen and cook!

Would you like to receive this same package of spices on your doorstep?

If you said yes, then leave a comment on my blog and tell me which of these spices you use regularly/most often. I will close the comments on Friday, May 27th at 9pm and then I will randomly choose a winner!  Please be sure that I am able to contact you if you are chosen as the winner!  Comments left on facebook do not count as an entry.

Update: Blogger is seeming to have problems with allowing people to leave a comment on blogs at the moment.  I am not sure what they are going to do to fix it yet, so if you would like to leave a comment, please hang on while we see what is going on!  You can try leaving your name and url if you would like - I have heard that it might work that way....

Crest Pro-Health Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway that I held for the Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean toothpaste and mouthwash.  I chose the winner randomly using Random.org, and the winning entry was #5.


Congratulations to Uniquely Me!!!!!  I will be in contact with you soon!


Stay tuned for more giveaways coming your way soon!

Review and Giveaway: Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean

Things have been a little busy around here with parties to plan and parties to go to, and changing our diet to one that is more healthy, so blogging has not been at the top of my list of things to do.  However, taking care of my teeth does not get pushed aside during these busy times.  It definitely stays on my list of things to do! Enough dental work has taken place over the years, and I am really trying to take better care of my teeth! (Wish I did that when I was younger!  Oh well - you live and learn!)

A few weeks ago, I was sent the Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean toothpaste and mouthwash.  They work together to fight plaque and gingivitis while providing an invigorating clean!  I was interested in knowing what this "Invigorating Clean" would feel like, so I was happy to try it out!  Well, I have to say that after using the toothpaste, my mouth and lips felt fresh and a nice tingly feeling was left behind.  I really did enjoy it - and I am still using it!  I had to have Dawson try the mouthwash, because the Crest brand does not work well in my mouth...it gives me sores in my mouth (I have to use another brand that starts with an "L"...and that brand gives my husband sores in his mouth!).  He liked the mouthwash - it worked great and his mouth felt tingly - kind of like the toothpaste!

So, would you like to try this out?  If so, you can enter my giveaway for the Crest Pro-Health Invigorating Clean toothpaste and mouthwash! Who wouldn't like some free toothpaste and mouthwash - one less thing to put on the grocery list!  So, read below for the details of entering!

To enter this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment on my blog and you can let me know what brand of toothpaste you are currently using (comments on facebook will not count)

2. This giveaway will end this Friday, May 13th at 9pm.  I will then choose the winner and contact you - so make sure that I am able to get in touch with you in some way.

Good Luck!  I will be having some more giveaways late this month, so stay tuned!