Monday, December 30, 2013

Life Is Crazy And I Am Done!

Have you ever just wanted to rip your hair out and scream?

Have you ever felt like the path you are being made to travel isn't one you want to travel?

Have you ever just wanted to crawl into a dark hole and stay there until....?

Have you ever felt that the direction your life is taking makes you feel like you are at a stand still?

Have you ever just wanted to scream, stop the world I want to get off?

UGH...that is me right now. I am not happy, I am not sad. I just am!

This time of year is difficult for many but usually I can just plaster the smile on my face and get through it.  Lately, it isn't as easy.

Praying that 2014 is a year where I get answers. Where I take control. Where I find happiness. Where I feel strong and where life's blessings can be seen again! I vow to remove the blinders I have put on for the past two months and allow the love in my heart to bloom and grow. Usually I am able to see the beauty in everything. Currently, not so much!

Here's to you!
Here's to me!
Here's to us!




Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters Was AWESOME!



EXPERIENCE THE MOST HEROIC ADVENTURE
OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Join the Quest of a Lifetime, Packed with an
All-New Motion Comic and Collectible Cards, on 3D Blu-ray
Deluxe Edition December 17 and Digital HD™ December 3
Synopsis
The magical, mythical adventures of teenager Percy Jackson — son of the Greek god Poseidon — continue in this heroic, action-packed thrill ride!  Out to prove he’s not just a “one-quest wonder,” Percy and his demigod friends embark on an epic, cross-country journey into the treacherous Sea of Monsters, where they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate evil. With time running out, Percy must find and bring home the fabled Golden Fleece, which has the power to save his world...and save us all!

Special Features
PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS 3-Disc 3D Deluxe Edition/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD
  • PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS – Blu-ray 3D Theatrical Version
  • PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS Blu-ray with the following special features: 
    • Tyson Motion Comic
    • Collectible Character Cards
    • Back to Camp Half-Blood
    • It’s All in the Eye
    • Deconstructing a Demigod
The 411 by Maria:

It's not often that I feel the second part of a movie is a good as the first. 

In this installment Percy Jackson, who is the son of Poseidon, long to fulfill his destiny as a demigod. He again teams up with his demigod friends but this time on a mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which is in the possession of a giant cyclops.  Without the fleece, Camp Half Blood and its inhabitants will be iniulated. 

This is an action filled movie with some killer effects and the lead Logan Lerman who seems much more mature in this movie can definitely carry the lead male role! This is a young actor to watch.

Kids 8- 15 will love this movie as well as anyone who enjoys action packed tween movies. Very creative film merging fact and fiction allowing an interest in Greek Mythology which is part of the current Core Curriculn in schools anyway. 

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion as part of the Fox Home Entertainment Insiders.

The Final Book in The Beautiful Series by Christina Lauren





Lots of news to share this from bestselling author CHRISTINA LAUREN!
****
The latest novella in the Beautiful series is on book shelves everywhere. Fan favorites Chloe and Bennett have come a long way a since their blazing conference room romps in Beautiful Bastard.
Now in BEAUTIFUL BEGINNING you’re invited to wedding of the century…if they even make it down the aisle!  If you have not received your copy please let me know!
&
Gallery Books is proud to announce that
Christina Lauren’s new series Wild Seasons will debut next June with
SWEET FILTHY BOY!

The 411 by Maria: 

The only one from the Beautiful Series that I read was Beautiful Player which I absolutely loved. Beautiful Beginning is the end of this series and a book I had no trouble getting through in a day. It was a quick read about Bennett and Chloe's wedding and everything that leads up to it. 

There is a fair amount of hot teasing, sizzling romance and shenanigans as you would expect in a wedding party. 

Bennett want to cease having sex with Chloe until after the wedding but their very active sex life is making that idea a difficult one to abide by as is his sexy Chloe who is doing everything she can to break him of sexless mission.

If you enjoy series books, this is a fun one to get yourself involved in.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy for my honest opinion.

Christmas in a Nut Shell 2007


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Christmas was so much fun. I did get to do some of the things on my list.

The kids were super excited and their enthusiasm made it impossible for anyone not to jump on their bandwagon.  We got ready for bed as usual but this time we put out some oats and sparkles for the reindeer to find our door. I told them I was going to leave the sliders open for Santa since our chimney is currently boarded up.  They eagerly threw out the oat, sparkle mix and as I closed the door Handsome asked about the cookies and milk. I put the little Santa table in front of the door with a plate a mug of milk on it. I told them to each place a cookie on the table and then gave them carrots to also put out because the Mall Santa told them the reindeers love them.

We brushed our teeth, said our prayers adding the soldiers who are fighting for us and missing Christmas with their families and down they went. They slept fairly well for kids who were excited about presents. I on the other hand couldn’t sleep at all and started a new book (Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen) by nightlight.

About 5:30 an hour after I finally feel asleep the boy woke up with a “all done with sleeping Mommy?”

“Ummmm no I’m actually not baby.” I told him.

He asked for milk and to watch TV. I was actually surprised that he had forgotten about Santa coming but got his milk and set him up with Blue’s Clues  introduction to Joe in his bedroom. One down. Goddess woke about 10 minutes later and walked into the room to watch TV.  It is 5:45 and we are up. It is dark, the moon is still very high in the sky and the kids are up super early but not asking about presents or Santa? What gives?

The Teach hears the TV and starts putting on the Christmas tree lights, gets the train running and tells me to start up the video camera. I press record and walk away just as Handsome walks toward the living room calling “Dad.”

He notices the presents and you can hear him on the tape saying, “Woooo look at all these presents.” Then he heads over to the cookie and milk table and says “Wow, look at that!”
We bring the Goddess in and ask if they want to see what Santa brought. They of course say, “Yeah!” together.
So the opening frenzy begins. We watch the sky go from dark to light, and torn paper fills the room along with sounds of “wow, look, yes, cool, woooo” Who needs big words really??

I could have wrapped some empty boxes really because I think my son was just happy ripping paper.
About 85% of what they got was opened and played with for at least, oh I don’t know 3 minutes before they handed over something else to open.

The morning consisted of opening, untying those annoying metal twisty ties, ripping tape, loosening plastic bands and bagging up trash.

The kids had an awesome time and some of their gifts were, Shrek the Third DVD, some games for VSmile, the Loving Family doll house, Dora kitchenvarious Diego and Rescue packs (which are down from $37.99 to $18.99 – that makes me want to spit) , a doll carriage (thanks to Tia Marta), Leapster (Tia Marta), Disney princess tent, the coolest guitar (Tia Marta gift)  and too many other things to mention. They were very taken care of.

My favorite gift was my Christmas card from my husband. Don’t get me wrong..I love the food processor, Sims games, digital picture frame, Lost 3rd season DVD set and whatnot but I am a card person and it is nice to read something that reminds you that you are loved. Sometimes the littlest gestures make the biggest impact. I love that he got me a card and hopefully took the time to really read it as he says he does. This card says everything I need to hear and it gave my heart a nice big bear hug.

Monday, December 23, 2013

A Beautiful Christmas Story Of Giving - The Christmas Owl by Angela Muse

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The Christmas Owl” is the latest book from AngelaMuse. Angela was born into a military family, which meant she had to get used to being the "new kid" in school every couple of years. It was hard for her to make new friends, but she soon discovered she had a knack for writing. In high school, Angela began writing poetry and song lyrics and, after becoming a mom in 2003, she continued her storytelling to her own children. In 2009, she wrote and self-published her first children's book. Since then, she has published several additional children's picture books – as well as her first young adult romance novel! – through Amazon’s independent publishing platforms, CreateSpace (for print books) and Kindle Direct Publishing (for e-books).


 

The 411:

We have read this book at least 10 times in the past week. In this story an injured owl looks for help from other animals. Although they are all nervous and leery of him, they do help him and eventually he recover. On his way back to his home Christmas Eve and every year after, he makes passes by all his animal helpers homes and repays them with gifts to thank them for their kindness when he needed them most.

I believe this is a beautiful story that everyone should read to their children at least once and the amazing artwork from Helen H. Wu, just adds to it.

Disclaimer: We received a complimentary copy for our honest opinion.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Christmas In The 60's WTF?

One of my favorite Websites BuzzFeed has this posted on their You Tube Channel. 
Check it out.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Angry Birds Go! Toy and App! Awesome Giveaway #rafflecopter #giveaway

Unless you have been living under a rock you know about Angry Birds the massively popular app that started a whole new line of toys. There have been Stuffies, blocks, etc, but now there are a whole new line of toys by Hasbro.




ANGRY BIRDS™ GO! TELEPODS™ PIG ROCK RACEWAY™ Set (Age: 5+; Approximate Retail Price: $29.99; Available: Now) Race head-to-head to topple the pirate pigs! Slingshot your kart through swinging obstacles and avoid the pigs to be the first to the finish line. Continue the racing action on your mobile device by using the included TELEPODS base to teleport your kart into the new ANGRY BIRDS™ GO! app. Set includes two karts featuring favorite ANGRY BIRDS™ characters, one of which is exclusive to this set.


 

ANGRY BIRDS™ GO! JENGA® PIRATE PIG ATTACK™ GAME (Age: 8+; Players: 1-2; Approximate Retail Price: $29.99, Available: Now) Set sail as you battle pirate pigs in the new ANGRY BIRDS GO! JENGA PIRATE PIG ATTACK GAME. Race head to head against your rival to destroy the pirate ship! Slingshot your kart down the slope to capture the victory flag and take down the pirate pigs. Players can also unlock ANGRY BIRDS GO! in-app content with a special code in each pack.

We received an ANGRY BIRDS™ GO! TELEPODS™ PIG ROCK RACEWAY™ Set to review and are so excited to share it with you.






We LOVED how easy it came out of the box. No ties, wires, rope or string held it in the box just some cardboard! Hope toy companies take note!  We must admit, that we did take some time putting it together. There are directions but for some reason, Goddess and I had some issues. We knew how it went together but couldn't get it to snap into place for some reason. When we got it we high fived and started playing right away.


Here is what happens when the car passes under the TNT. Both piggies went flying.
There is two tracks and two cars. Each kid places their car on a track, pushes but button and sends their car down the track. The winner get's bragging rights.
   
Here is the Pirate Pig guarding his booty!




Goddess loved the App! She has played it every day.


We think this makes a perfect Christmas Gift for 2013. Order from Hasbro or Amazon

Please enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclaimer: We received a complimentary product for our honest opinion. Hasbro will be supplying the giveaway product to a winner from the US

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The Beatrix Girls Rocking Into A Giveaway

Wow! We are in love with the Beatrix Girls! How could we not be? They all have their distinct personalities and they rock! The Beatrix Girls are a band made up of Lark, Ainsley, Chantel, and Brayden. My daughter and I love music but especially female vocalists and girl bands so this is right up our alley.



When we got the box containing Chantel I thought Goddess would be disappointed because she told me she was really hoping to get Brayden. She loves her purple hair and her blue dress but she quickly asked if we could review Chantel so that she could play with her.


Here is our unboxing video



Chantel is a beautiful doll with a lovely red sparkly dress, sparkly necklace and bracelet. After our quick video and photo shoot she took off with Chantel and another doll to play saying that she looked like the mom of another one of her dolls.


  Isn't she pretty!?



Sweet, anytime my kids are playing "unplugged" I am a happy mom!


Enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for my honest review. A complimentary product was sent over for my review and one will be provided by the sponsor of this giveaway.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Blu-ray Giveaway #rafflecopter #PercyHeroes

Hey everyone, I am so excited to host this movie along with FHEInsiders and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. We love the book and the movie for The Lightening Thief and I can't wait to read and watch Sea of Monsters!

If you are or have yet to become a fan of the series, jump on board and find out why this book is even being covered in the ELA Core Curriculum in schools.  It is a great story about a hero.

Synopsis
The magical, mythical adventures of teenager Percy Jackson — son of the Greek god Poseidon — continue in this heroic, action-packed thrill ride!  Out to prove he’s not just a “one-quest wonder,” Percy and his demigod friends embark on an epic, cross-country journey into the treacherous Sea of Monsters, where they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate evil. With time running out, Percy must find and bring home the fabled Golden Fleece, which has the power to save his world...and save us all!

We are currently in the midst of a snow day and I just printed out these movie inspired activity sheets and now I am adding them here for you to print out.







 I can't wait to share these with the 6th grade teachers in my district! They have been covering Percy for a month.

Please enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received to host this giveaway courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment. I am part of the FHEInsider group.