Back to School With Sam's Club and General Mills Box Tops

Back-to-School time is upon us, my daugher starts back next week! If you're like us, this is such a bittersweet time since back-to-school means the end of summer bliss, but also finds us excited about the new school year...and BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING!

For an easy solution, head to your local Sam's Club from August 11 (hey, that's TODAY!) through August 31 and you will earn cash for your favorite school through their General Mills Box Tops Program. At the Sam's Club Back-to-School event, you can get a head start on your collection and fine 6 Box Tops on particpating General Mills products. With your fav Box Tops for Education brands at a great value, Sam's Club will be your one-stop for all the supplies you need to send the kids off well fed and prepared to face the school year (at a great price)...we stocked up on our favorite Big G cereals!

I visited our local Sam's Club this week and found everything the kids needed for their school supplies including wipes, tissues, markers, notebooks, binders, pencils, and the most awesome Pentel Writing Pack with 19 useful pieces for a super low price! Love it!

In addition, Sam's Club is running a promotion for current members - if you upgrade to a "Plus Membership" from August 6-13 you can earn extra Box Tops for your school. Just visit the Member Services Desk of your local Sam's club and upon payment for your Plus Membership, you will receive a certificate for 150 Bonus Box Tops! For more information on how you can take advantage of this great offer, visit
and learn more about the great advantages of Sam's Club Membership:

www.SamsClub.com

CONTEST:
I am pleased to host a contest on my blog for a $25 Sam's Club gift card for you to help with school supplies. Please comment on this blog post and tell me which General Mills Box Top items you plan to purchase during the Sam's Club Back-to-School Event. One comment per person. A winner will be selected from all comments received via random draw. Deadline for entry is August 20, 2010. US residents only.

I received a Sam's Club prize pack of a $25 gift card and Plus Membership upgrade plus an additional package as a blog contest giveaway from Sam's Club and General Mills through MyBlogSpark participation to help facilitate my candid review.

Nature Made SAM-e Complete - Contest

I have to be honest, some days can really get to me - ya know? I try to take good care of myself in mind, spirit and body, but a little bit of life can sometimes go a long way...

From the trusted brand, Nature Made, a supplement clinically proven to naturally support a healthy mood has now become part of my daily supplement routine which also features a multi-vitamin and immunity support. SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound which helps to maintain a balanced mood. Ya know the adage that, "If momma ain't happy, then ain't nobody happy"?...well, this is definitely helping to put things into perspective for me and my family!

Nature Made SAM-e Complete helps replenish your body's natural levels of SAM-e which decrease with age. When taken daily, it can begin to help naturally restore a healthy mood in as little as 7-14 days. For more information, visit their website:

www.sam-e.com

I also wanted to let you all know about a cool campaign Nature Made SAM-e Complete recently launched called “Give a Smile,” http://www.sam-e.com/give-a-smile. They are working with Dream Factory, the second largest children’s wish-granting organization in the U.S., to grant the wishes of three children suffering from a critical or chronic illness. Through this campaign SAM-e will donate to a child’s wish for every social action you or your readers complete (like uploading an image to their mosaic). The more actions, the more SAM-e will donate. You can find out more about the program using the link above and learn how your actions lead to SAM-e donations!

I am pleased to have the opportunity to one of my readers for a chance to try Nature Made SAM-e by hosting a giveaway on my blog for a 3-month supply as well as a reusable water bottle, and journal. Please comment on my blog about what helps to put you in a better mood. One winner will be randomly selected from all entries. One entry per person. Contest deadline is August 14, 2010 12 AM.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.

Summer Breakfast Adventure with General Mills

The summer is flying by (literally) - but we're "launching" a fun breakfast adventure with General Mills cereals including Trix with Fruitalicious Swirls! General Mills has partnered with Nickelodeon's The Penguins of Madagascar for an action-packed and nutritious breakfast. We are having flying penguins all over the house - and it's so much fun!!!

Inside specially marked boxes of General Mills cereals, you'll "commence opertions" with one of five characters from The Penguins of Madagascar, who we all loved from the Madagascar movie series. Each participating cereal box has a cool plastic launcher of Skipper, Rico, Kowalski, Private or King Julien. Use the launchers to join the penguins on "missions" like Dive In, Soldier; Longest Penguin Propulsion Launcher; Clear the Wall, or Target Practice. The missions are all outlined on the cereal boxes...The characters make a great team, and the new release of The Penguins of Madagascar Operation DVD Premiere with awesome DreamWorks animation. This is the world premiere of the Penguins Crew's feature-length DVD. My kids are having a blast at the breakfast table every morning while I really appreciate the Whole Grain nutrition.
The promotion is while supplies last. Please visit General Mills websites for more information:

www.GeneralMills.com
www.GrowUpStrong.com


ENTER TODAY!: I am pleased to host a blog contest for one lucky winner to receive a Big G Penguins Prize package of a box of Trix cereal, a Penguins of Madagascar launcher, and the new Penguins of Madagascar movie, The Penguins of Madagascar Operation: DVD Premier. Please post your comment on this blog and tell me which character from Penguins of Madagascar is your child's favorite? Contest ends on August 16, 2010; 12 AM. One winner will be randomly selected. Winner will be notified by email and must be a US resident.

I received a Big G Penguins Prize Package of a box of Trix, a launcher and copy of the DVD Penguins of Madagascar Operation: DVD Premiere from General Mills and Nickelodeon through MyBlogSpark as well as a second prize package to be sent to the blog contest winner to help facilitate my review.

Cool Perfection in the Heat of Summer-Contest

Wow, is it just me...or is it really, really hot out there???

We've been hitting the local rec pool this summer for some cooling relief, but the evenings are just perfect for a cold treat. I love to add some of the new Breyers Smooth & Dreamy frozen treats to our dessert menu. They are also great to add to a picnic tote for the pool or beach! I have been a Breyers girl for a long time - nothing can compare with their all natural vanilla, in my opinion! With six rich and creamy flavors such as Chocolate Carmel Brownie, Vanilla Caramel chip, Chocolate chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Vanilla Fudge Brownie, and Triple Chocolate chip, these amazing bars and sandwiches offer a little something cold and declicious for everyone. There are no artificial flavors or colors and sport only 160 calories or less and 4-6g of fat per serving - great for helping to stay bathing suit ready!

Breyers is currently hosting a fun contest, Breyer's Wheel of Delights Instant Spin and Win, on their website located at:
http://www.smoothanddreamy.com

Be sure to visit and enter today!


My friends at Mom Central and Breyers have provided me with four coupons for a free box of the Breyers Smooth & Dreamy treats. I have four coupons to give away to my readers. Please post a comment on this blog and tell me which Breyers Smooth and Dreamy flavor you would like to try. I will randomly select four winners from all entries. One entry per person. Open to US residents only. Be sure to include a method of contact so I can reach you if you are a winner. Please post your comment by 12 AM Saturday, August 7, 2010. If winner cannot be reached, an alternate winner will be selected. Thank you for participating!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Share The Table:Delicious Meals With Barilla

Barilla Pastas and Sauces continue to be a family sanity-saver at our home! We really enjoy their delicious, light sauce recipes and wholesome pastas for our weekly pasta dinner nights. That's one of the "tricks" I incorporate into my meal planning to ensure a number of full house dinner table gatherings for us. Our schedules become hectic once school begins this fall, so I was thrilled to discover the great, innovative recipes at www.BarillaUS.com

Chef Mario Batelli really sparked my cooking imagination as I gathered the kids to help prepare a wonderfully easy and nutritious meal from his recipes available on the Barilla website. We tried the Basic Tomato Sauce with their hearty wholegrain pasta - magnifico! The sauce even has the added benefit of fresh grated carrots to help everyone get some added veggies! Serve with some fresh garlic bread and tossed salad makes for a lovely evening without stressing out the cook! Be sure to try the Barilla Whole Grain pasta and Take The Barilla Challenge - visit to learn more: www.TryBarillaWholeGrain.com
If you don't love it, you'll get a free box of your favorite Barilla Pasta.

Here are some fun tips from Mario for Sharing the Table at your home:
* Dont' begin to clear the table until everyone has finished eating - linger awhile.
* Serve dessert separately from dinner - a little later and with new place setting - so you have a reason to sit down together again.
* When conversing at the table, don't interrogate your kids - let questions come naturally.
* Linger at the table after the last bite has been eater - tell a joke or a family story.



“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Barilla and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review..”

Our Favorite Movie So Far This Summer....

Go see this movie...it's hysterically funny! Perfect for a fun afternoon with the fam to cool off from the summer heat....light and positive. Steve Carrelle is wonderful. The littlest orphan, Agnes, has my favorite line, "It's so fluffy!!!!"
3D effects are great..very colorful and interesting...

Kids Bowl Free This Summer - Expanded Locations!

Kids Bowl Free is the program that provides 2 FREE games of bowling every day all summer at over 975 locations from coast to coast and Canada...
you just need to pay for shoe rentals.

We are thoroughly enjoying the Kids Bowl Free promo offer. Several of our friends have joined on our recommendation. Bowling is the quintessential family activity - light competition, light exercise, cooler temp during the hot summer months, and educational building of math and science concepts! I have loved bowling since my childhood, so it's a natural fit to share this with my children. You can reconnect with everyone while enjoying the game: unlike video games, movies or many other activities, you can pause and talk/make eye contact while playing.


New bowling partner locations were added this week - Kids Bowl Free if you live near:

1. Chippers Lanes (Horsetooth Center) - Fort Collins, CO - Phone 970-226-6327
2. Chippers Lanes (Estes Park Center) - Estes Park, CO - Phone 970-586-8625
3. Chippers Lanes (Broomfield Center) - Broomfield, CO - Phone 303-466-9700
4. Chippers Lanes (College Center) - Fort Collins, CO - Phone 970-484-4777
5. Let It Roll - Phoenix, AZ 85020 - Phone 602-944-4401
6. Mira Mesa Lanes - San Diego, CA - Phone 858-578-0500
7. Gold Country Lanes - Sutter Creek, CA - Phone 209-223-3334
8. Jonesboro Bowling Center - Jonesboro, AR - Phone 870-972-5270
9. Bowl Newport - Newport, AR - Phone 870-897-3799
10. Albany Bowl - Albany, CA - 510-526-8818
11. Clover Lanes - Rochester, NY - Phone 585-244-1484
12. T-Bowl - Wayne, NJ - Phone 973-694-5800
13. Conway Family Bowl - Conway, AR - 501-329-2638
14. Hamilton Lanes - Hamilton Twp, NJ - Phone 609-585-2400
15. All Fam Bowling Center - Cabot, AR - Phone 501-941-3225
16. Lodi Lanes - Lodi, NJ - Phone (973) 471-7100
17. Galaxy Lanes - Fort Myers, FL - Phone 239-986-2695
18. Hickam Bowling Center - Hickam AFB, HI - Phone 808-449-5273
19. Frontier Lanes - Warwick, NY
20. Ice Lanes - Sterling, CO - Phone 970-522-3331
21. Thunderbird Lanes - Warminster, PA - Phone 215-674-8250
22. Chalet Lanes - Wisconsin Dells, WI - Phone 608-254-8727
23. Thunderbird Lanes - Philadelphia, PA - Phone 215-464-7171
24. North Bend Lanes - North Bend, OR - Phone 541-756-0571
25. Thunderbird Lanes - Willow Grove, PA - Phone 215-659-1715
26. Fireside Lanes - Citrus Heights, CA - Phone 916-725-2101
27. Thunderbird Lanes - Philadelphia, PA - Phone 215-743-2521
28. Thunder Strikes Bowling Center - Sublette, KS - Phone 620-675-8529
29. Kearny Mesa Bowl - San Diego, CA - Phone 858-279-1501
30. Meridian Bowling Lanes - Meridian, ID - Phone 208-888-2048
31. Gardner Ten Pins - Gardner, MA - Phone 978-632-0010
32. Max Bowl East - Baytown, TX - Phone 281-427-4771
33. Fire Lanes - Brush, CO - Phone 970-842-2620
34. Max Bowl North - Humble, TX - Phone 281-540-2800
35. Grandview Lanes - Van, BC - Phone 604-253-2747
36. Thunderbird Bowl (Brandon) - Brandon, MB 204-727-2695

*************

Here's What You Need To Do:
#1 - Go To www.KidsBowlFree.com
#2 - Register their family
#3 - Upgrade to the optional family pass so that up to 4 adults can enjoy the same great 2 FREE game offer every day.
#4 - Have a bunch of fun this summer spending more time with your family.

See you at the lanes!


Follow them on Facebook @ kidsbowlfree.com/facebook
**** Follow us on Twitter @ kidsbowlfree.com/twitter