Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight

Well here we are, chilling on the couch waiting and waiting and waiting some more.  Kristina has been on the fence about Santa for the last year or so, well exactly actually.  Her and her friends were discussing at school last year after Christmas.  Shes up in bed, wide awake, and we are dog tired.  She has to be really out though before we go into operation Santa or it will be us that blows it for her.

We are ready, everything is ready, just need to set it all up and then we can finally go to bed.  But enough about that, we are so excited and so are the kids.  This is the first year that Brandon actually gets it, he is so excited and has been talking about it for at least a month.  Singing Christmas carols, talking about Santa and just plain old being excited.  Kristina's excited to, for sure, but nothing like a 4 year old.

Well from our family to yours, many Merry Christmas mornings and have a great new year!!!!!  I will be back after some much needed family time, maybe next year ;)

Last minute gift ideas - HEXBUG

When we got this box of goodies in the mail Brandon was over the moon and we spend the whole day playing with them.  We got a box chock full of HEXBUG's and both of the kids have been playing with them non stop since.  They are a great stocking stuffer, the bugs are a lot of fun and you can get the big tracks for them to run around in and they can jump at each other and flip over.

They are even a lot of fun for me and I am not a big play on the floor kind of Mama, not all day at least.  We played on the floor all day, setting up the tracks, playing with the bugs, redoing the tracks so they were cooler and doing it all over again.  When Kristina got home from school she was over the moon, "I always wanted these" she loves them and I love that they can play them together even though they are 5 years apart.

There are so many different sets you can get, there are glow in the dark sets, habitats and battle bridges.  I love that when your kids really get into this you can get them more sets and just add onto your existing sets.  So cool and even Brandon was taking pieces off and adding new ones.

HEXBUG's are available in many stores for the Holidays and I am sure you can pick them up after the Holidays as well for some great Birthday gifts to have stashed away!  I know that both of my kids would like even more :)  Personally I just love the bugs, lots of fun!

We are down to crunch time folks

Well, we are 4 sleeps away, I can't believe how fast Christmas has come his year.  I know I know people say that all the time but this is the first year that it has snuck up on me this fast.  I guess its because we have so much going on right now.  Between working 30 hours a week, couponing, blogging and raising two kids and a small husband :) we have been crazy.  I am certainly not complaining but man oh man we are busy :)

I know that we are not alone though and that this is the life of so many.  Because so many of us Moms feel like this we all need to have an arsenal of great, simple, fast and easy recipes that we can whip up on a moments notice.  That's how I have been feeling on my days off, oh no its 4:30, Kris will be home soon and I still haven't taken anything out for dinner, what are we going to have. 

Baking too, holy cow, we do so much more baking this time of year and how so you fit it all in with the shopping, wrapping, visiting and everything else that has ended up on your to do list.  Well with only 4 more sleeps I have some great recipes to share with on behalf of Life Made Delicious!

How easy and delicious do these would be, and they double as a great gift!

Christmas Handprint Cookies

Ingredients:


1 pouch (496 g) Betty Crocker* Sugar Cookie Mix

1/2 cup (125 mL) butter or margarine, melted

1 egg

Food colouring

Method:


•Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) for shiny metal baking sheet or 350°F (180°C) for dark or non-stick baking sheet. Stir cookie mix, melted butter and egg in medium bowl until soft dough forms. Chill dough until firm.

•Depending on the size of the hand, take 3 tbsp (45 mL) to 1/4 cup (50 mL) of cookie dough and shape into ball. Place child's hand on ball and press down until handprint is taken. Using metal lifter, transfer to baking sheet.

•Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from baking sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

•Paint handprint with a mixture of 1 tsp (5 mL) water and 3-4 drops favourite food colouring.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own!

Jumpstart with a Giveaway

Jumpstart has been on Fun and Funky Mommy before, and they are here again because I love them!  For review they sent Brandon some new Wii games.  Brandon loves playing Wii but gets frustrated with lots of the games because they are meant for adults and older kids.  Jumpstart has a few games that are great for Brandon's age, almost 4. 

The first game we tried out was Crazy Karts and Brandon went crazy for it.  He loves other car racing games but gets frustrated quickly because there are to many different buttons to push and he just ends up stuck straight on a wall and can't do anything,  He picked up on what to do with the new Crazy Karts game right away and had so much fun with it.  He wanted to play it all day.

•Create the ultimate contender from over 250 combinations of high-speed karts and quirky drivers

•Speed through 12 thrilling tracks packed with tight corners, steep drops and crazy obstacles

•Become a Crazy Karts champion and earn codes to unlock special prizes at JumpStart.com

The other game we got to try out was Pet Rescue, he had fun with it but it was no competition with Crazy Karts.  It had much more learning aspects, which I loved, and Brandon didn't even notice lol.  I love that its worked in without the kids even realizing that they are learning.  He does play this game, for sure, and he does like it but nothing beats cars to an almost 4 year old :)

Join the JumpStart friends on an adventure designed for little hands and big imaginations! The first learning game for preschoolers ever offered on the Wii™, JumpStart Pet Rescue is packed with over 80 fun-filled lessons and activities designed for 3-6 year olds. As players explore a jungle, beach, neighborhood, town and pet land on a mission to rescue lost pets, they practice over 75 essential skills including pre-reading, memory, listening and more.

Along the way, kids can earn special virtual rewards, adopt and care for cuddly pets and design the perfect avatar. And, the JumpStart characters are on hand to guide kids every step of the way so that even the youngest players can finally enjoy the excitement of Wii™ gaming.

One of my lucky readers is going to win their choice of either Krazy Carts or Pet Rescue for the Wii!! 

To Enter:

Tell me what else is available through Jumpstart!

(This must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win Krazy Carts or Pet Rescue for the Wii from Jumpstart @Funfunkymommy  http://tinyurl.com/7ndcp2m


***** Contest will end on December 30th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada and the USA*****

Happy Holidays from Disney Junior

We, and by we I mean Brandon, are so excited for Christmas.  Brandon talkes about Santa and Christmas everyday and of course Kristina, Kris and I are excited but man this is the first year Brandon has actually gotten it and its awsome.  I love when his eyes just light up and how magical it all to him.  Kids really do hold the magic of Christmas. 

Kristina is a bit less into it this year, I guess its the age.  Shes 9 now and still helped decorate and seems excited but just not as much as in past years.  Other than the advent calender the one big thing she is getting excited about these days is Christmas shows and movies.  She will even watch ones that are more geared towards little kids.  Christmas shows are Christmas shows and I love that we can all watch them together as a family!

Kris has about 6 Christmas movies on the PVR and I am sure more will be added.  Disney Junior has some great ones!   We missed the first 2, did any of you catch them?  How were they?  Here is the schedual

Snow Day Saturdays – Every Saturday from 9am-12pm

Jake & the Never Land Pirates – December 3rd


Stella and Sam – December 10th

Handy Manny – December 17th

Imagination Movers – December 24th

Be sure to help your little ones get into the Christmas spirit by watching these, I know we will definetly be watching the next two, at least PVR ing them :)  You can also check out these great e-cards on the Disney Junior site to make with your little ones!
 

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own.

Burt's Bees with a Holiday Giveaway

I have been a fan of Burt's Bees for a while now, as I am sure you have noticed as they have been on the blog a few times!  They make a very affordable natural product line with a vast selection of products.  There are some that I can't live without.  In the Summer you won't find me without the after sun soother, love it! 

For review this time I was sent a few different products from Burt's Bees.  It was the Burt's Bees facial care set and it included replenishing lip balm, peach and willowbark deep pore scrub, and soap bark and chamomile cleansing cream.  I also got the eye cream and daily moisturizing cream from the sensitive skin line which I am loving.  The lip balm I have had before and love it, it moisturizes really well and doesn't feel all waxy like some do. 

I always wash my face in the shower in the morning and not at night, I know, bad for my skin but I am to tired at the end of the day :)  I have only used scrubs though so I wasn't a fan of the cleansing cream because it didn't really feel like it was all coming off and didn't leave that fresh clean after for me.  The scrub though is amazing and I use it everyday.  It leaves my skin feeling so clean and fresh. 

The sensitive skin line is awesome.  I have very sensitive skin so I love when companies come out with a line like this.  The eye cream was given to my MIL as I don't need eye cream, right?  ;)

The daily moisturizing cream though is my new daily cream.  It feels so nice on my skin, not greasy at all and doesn't cause any breakouts :)  The only thing I would change about it is that its a pump bottle and if you use a full pump you have way to much and its a waste.  I use about a half pump but it would be nice if the amount that came out was a lot less.  Nobody would need as much that comes out.

Burt's Bees has lots of gift packs for that hard to buy for person on your list and some great stocking stuffer ideas.  I know a little girl who will be getting some lip tints this year :)

One very lucky Canadian reader will win a $150 basket of goodies!!! 

To Enter:

Like Burt's Bees on Facebook

(This must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win $150 worth of Burt's Bees @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/7vqcumg


***** Contest will end on December 20th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada ONLY*****

Equal sweetner at McDonalds #CBias @McD_Canada #EqualCanada

Brandon is a huge McDonald's fan, huge, just like any other almost 4 year old I guess.  Its yummy kid friendly food and a toy, usually an awesome toy that Brandon loves and I don't want to throw out right away :)  Even though Brandon and I usually just hit the drive through for an iced coffee and cinnamelt for me and cheeseburger with fries, juice and a toy for Brandon he does love to go inside when given the chance.

For a special treat I took Brandon to McDonald's on Friday and when we pulled into the parking lot he asked why we not go through drive though, in four year old speak.  I thought it would be a good way to spend an hour to go inside, have lunch and play for a while to burn off some energy.  He loved it.


Watching the kids play always motivates Brandon to eat faster and not lollygag.  He was so excited to get up there and play and I was remembering how when I took Kristina as a little girl there.  Brandon kicked off his boots and took off, I could have left and he would have been happy until dinner time.  Kristina on the other hand was so scared to go up high.  She was so scared of something, I still don't know what but she took a good year of going there to be able to go up on her own.



I gotta tell you, its a lot more fun for kids up there than for me, I am afraid of heights lol.

Our lunch was great as usual but once I finished my chicken burger I moved onto my cinnamelt, my favorite by far.  I chowed down, it was delicious as usual, but then when I was done I happened to look at the top of the box and noticed the best before sticker on the top.  I had noticed these before because they are right on top of the box, the date was for two days before.  So upon a closer look, maybe I was crazy, it did say served by November 30th at 12 something. 



At this point one of the employees came into the play area so I asked her over and showed it to her and asked if it was just miss tagged.  She figured it might be but wasn't in the kitchen today so told me to head up to the counter and ask them.  It had tasted fine so I figured it was just miss tagged and went up when Brandon was done eating.  I showed it to the cashier explaining the date and asked if it could have just been tagged incorrectly.  She didn't know so she asked the swing manager.

The swing manager asked me if I wanted my money back and I said that I just wanted to know if it had expired two days ago and she said yes, sorry it did.  So of course I said then yes I would like my money back.  I was just kind of stunned and asked if it would make me sick or anything and she said it would probably be fine and gave me my money back.  I understand that mistakes happen, to everyone, and all the time, but I had hoped for more of a reaction from her that I had just eaten something that had expired two days before hand.  I wouldn't have been to worried if it was a few hours but two days...

I also asked when I ordered if they had equal sweetener as an option and they didn't so I skipped the tea and just had a diet coke.  Check out Equal on Twitter and facebook.  All they had was sugar and another sweetener, it would definitely be nice to have another option available.  Also, the best thing about this restaurant, how clean the play are is, I love a clean play area or I don't go back and this one is soooo clean!  We love it!  Follow McDonald's Canada on Twitter here!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias

Loose Button giveaway

I love getting mail, I get review items and coupons and samples with coupons in the mail all time time, even the kids love checking the mail.  If you don't review things or coupon to get samples etc the mail may be kind of boring for you.  If you want to liven it up a bit you need to check out Loose Button!

At Loose Button, our mission is to help customers discover, try and purchase quality beauty products through a unique shopping experience. Our team comprises of talented individuals who bring a diverse set of experiences from the fashion, publishing, retail, social media and technology industries. We are passionate about creating great experiences, and have been recently featured on Flare , Globe & Mail and National Post for our work.

Our service, Luxe Box, is an exciting and new subscription service that allows members to try beauty products in the comfort of their own home before buying them full-sized. Members receive 4-5 hand-picked deluxe sized products in a chic box every month, delivered to an address of their choice. Members also get exclusive access to beauty tips and tutorials that teach them how to make the most out of their products.

I got the November Loose Button Box for review and its awesome, Kristina and I are still fighting over who gets what.  The only thing I won't use is the loose tea, I am only a red rose tea kind of drinker.  So I gave it to Kris's Aunt who loves loose tea and she loved it.  She didn't even know what kind it was, tried it out and loved it.  Now Teaopia probably has a new customer :)  That's how it works!

You get to try out new products, with sample sizes so that you can see if you like them before you go out and buy the entire bag or package.  I love all of the makeup it came with.  There was some great sparkle eye liner from Lise Watier, some lip treats by Mereadesso, two perfumes by Paco Rabanne, one for me and one for Kris, as well as the tea and some Benifit Cosmetics facial cream!

This Canada only giveaway will be a quick one so that you can get your address in in time for the December Loose Button box!

To Enter:

Go to Loose Button and tell me one of the brands that they work with that I havn't mentioned here

(This must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- like Loose Button on Facebook

 - add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win a box from Loose Button filled with sample sized goodies from top name companies @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/7rv4wpz


***** Contest will end on December 10th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada ONLY*****

Brother labelers make my OCD self very happy - AND a Giveaway

When my girlfriend was hounding me about how she got me the best Christmas present of all time, to bad when I showed her the awesome label maker I got to review from Brother Canada I ruined her idea :)

She knows me well and knows how OCD I am and how I could literally label everything in my house!  With couponing lately I have started a bit of a stockpile, some are starting to call me a hoarder ;)  Rumors are going around that you won't be able to stack coupons soon so I want to get as much as I can, that I will use before it expires, and my pile is starting to get to an ok size. 

I ended up picking up some bins to store smaller things in and so of course I wanted to label them so that I wouldn't have to pull them all down to see what was inside of them.  The label maker that I received is the PT-1100SBVP and its amazing.  Not only does it print out words, it even has 72 built in symbols to make your labels just a little bit more fun.  Check out my label for my medicines :)

The Brother label makes are one of the best brands out there.  That is the brand that my girlfriend was going to buy me.  They are very well known with great quality and priced products.  I am loving my Brother labeler and so is Kristina, she wants to label all of her stuff, I hope shes not as OCD as me :)

One very lucky Canadian reader is going to win a Brother PT-1100SBVP labeler just like I got!

To Enter:

Go to Brother and tell me what other product of theirs you would like to have!

(This must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win a scrap booking label maker from Brother @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/ctacjo6


***** Contest will end on December 15th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada ONLY*****

Dyson rocks it out again!

I have loved my Dyson DC24 since I first turned it on and vacuumed a strip of my old nasty carpet.  Once I saw what it could pick up a day after I had vacuumed with my old vacuum was the last time I have used any other vacuum.  I am hooked, what can I say.

I did have a bit if a scare yesterday though.  My Dyson lost suction, it wasn't picking up anything and was making a funny noise.  It sounded clogged and I could feel down one of the hoses that there was stuff stuck in there.  I was pretty sure they would warranty it but sometimes warranty's sound all great until you actually need them and then they really suck.  Not the case with Dyson at all. 

I had never registered my vacuum, not an issue, talked to a real person in less than a minute.  He was so kind to me and helpful!  He had talked me through taking the hoses off and unclogging them in under 15 mins and it was good to go.  I was soooooooo happy that I didn't have to send it away and wait the 7-10 days to have it back, which is very fast, but nobody wants to be without a vacuum.  I even noticed that one of the hoses was showing some wear while I was taking them out and he is shipping me a new one out right now. 

I was 100% in love with Dyson before and now I am even more in love with them even though I didn't even know I could be!  I love when a company really stands behind their products!!!  I am sure this is one cleaning device that any woman would be happy to get for the Holidays!!!

PS- this post was not in any way sponsored or asked for but I just wanted to share my great experience with all of you!

Wow them, easily!

It's time to start all of that Holiday baking, well if you haven't already that is.  I know that I should have started, and wanted to start, about 2 weeks ago but still haven't.  It always creeps up on me this time of year just how much there is going on and how much there is to do in such a short amount of time.  You not only have all of your regular daily food to cook you have to bring appies and desserts to school functions, staff parties and nights out not to mention the gifts and fancy party clothes to pick out!

We don't always have time to whip up a few dozen treats the night before your child tells you that they are signed up to bring treats to school.  What about when you work all day and need to take an appy out for after work?

What all of us need is a stack of easy recipes that we can call on when we are stuck like that!  I also love baking in advance, which I am still trying to do, freeze it all and then you can pull it out and ice it etc the night before or the morning that you need it.  I am thinking that sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies will be great like this.  You pop them out of the freezer and then ice them, soooo good. 

The Life Made Delicious site, that I am sure you have checked out by now, has lots of great easy Holiday recipes on it now.  There is also another one called three steps to wow and its fabulous!  Time to break out the printer or old school pen and paper and mark down your favoties!  You start with Pilsbury cookie dough or some Pilsbury Cresent rolls dough and add a few quick and easy things.  Here are some of my favorites!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

TinkerBell on Disney Junior

Brandon uses his imagination all of the time!  Hes a big play on his own kid, probably because I was big on that from the beginning.  I have always believed that if you are always entertaining them they will always need you to entertain them.  I am not saying that I don't play with him, at all, but just that its so good for him to play on his own.  With his sister at school all day hes like an only child for a lot of the day.  Also even when Kristina is home you have to remember that they are more than 5 years apart so as much as they do play together they also have lots of play time apart.

Brandon will talk to his toys and talk back for them, he plays a lot of dress up, and makes make believe houses and forts.  The other day, the entire day was spent playing Buzz and Woody.  Daddy was Woody all day and Brandon was Buzz all day.  It worked into everything and lasted all day lol!

Have you seen TinkerBell Fridays this month?  TinkerBell is over 100 years old now, she was first introduced in 1904, how crazy is that.  I remember when my brother and I were little and my mom took us to see Peter Pan in the theatre and my brother thought that if Peter Pan could fly, he could fly.  So with my horrified mother watching he jumped up on the arm rest of the seat and jumped off as high as he could, during the movie.  Obviously he didn't fly but it sure stuck with us and just goes to show you how imaginative kids can be.

Each Friday Disney Junior will air a different TinkerBell movie PLUS they have a brand new “Pixie Hollow Game” coming to http://www.disneyjunior.ca/

What do you do to ignite your kids imagination?

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own!

Free Yogurt!

I can't believe I went almost 2 weeks without posting!  I have gotten a little coupon crazy!  Ya my husband thinks I am a little crazy, well a lot crazy actually.  I have started collecting, trading and of course redeeming.  Its been a lot of fun and I don't know if its because I have an obsessive personality or what but I have become quite addicted to it.

The hottest coupons are FPC (free product coupons) and you would think that because its giving you a free item that these coupons would be really hard to find.  They are really easy to find if you know where to look!  Even if you don't coupon per say I would think these would be pretty hard to throw out.

Life Made Delicious products are always known to have coupons on them.  There were the taco kits with free cheese, now there are some with $4 off beef or chicken.  There was the Hamburger Helper with the free veggies and the granola bars and fruit snacks with free juice, and now there is cereal with free yogurt!  You can check out all of the Life Made Delicious offers here!

On specially marked packages of General Mills cereal you get a free coupon for yogurt!  As much as I love a good coupon it has to be for something that you will use, and when its for a free product, even better!  I have already collected a few of these.  I buy cereal all the time, preferably when its on sale and I have a coupon :) but to pay $3 or $4 and then get a coupon for free yogurt worth $4 or so how can you not stock up and get lots!

Yes I guess I am turning into a bit of a hoarder.  I have always, when I had the money, bought a few of things that I knew I would use before they expired and were on for a great deal.  Now that I use coupons I stock up even more :)  It can be bad but when its an amazing deal you just have to do it, assuming you have the room and will use it or donate it before it goes bad!  Be sure to watch for these great coupons on your favorite cereals and check out the easy recipes on Life Made Delicious as well!

Disclaimer: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Posterjack

My husband has a very close knit family.  I don't know if I have shared our living arrangement before but we live on a large chunk on land with some of my husbands family.  His Nana and Papa have a house down past the pond near the bottom of the property, Kris and I have a house at the top and across the driveway Kris's Aunt and Uncle have a house with a basement suite where Kris's Mom lives.  Usually when I tell people about this they ask me how we can do it.  Family 24/7 :)

To be totally honest I love it.  I have come to love Kris's family as my own and we spend a lot of time with them.  When Kris's cousins come to visit their parents (his Aunt and Uncle) all of our kids play together and if we didn't all live here the kids wouldn't be as close as they are and that's pretty important to me.  Also when Kris's Sisters come over to visit we get to see them the entire time they are here and can still come and go for naps etc as we need, just a hop skip and jump away.

Party because of this, Brandon is very close with his two cousins who come to visit every other weekend or so.  He calls them his kids and talks to them or about them on a daily basis.  He loves them to bits and so we have some pictures of them up around the house, on the fridge and I wanted to get one for his room.  When I was contacted by Posterjack I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get a big picture of Brandon and his boys done up.   How cute are they?

When it arrived Brandon couldn't have been happier.  He wanted it hung right above his bed and he loves looking at it. Its made very well and is so much better than a framed picture in my opinion!  I love it, it looks like art and we will have it for years to come.  It will make a great memory one day when he is to old to remember having matching pjs with his boys!

Poster Jack would make a great Christmas gift for your partner or even a Grandparent.  I know that my Mom would love to have a canvas of the kids hanging in her living room.  Maybe I will have to add that to her list!  Be sure to check out Posterjack, they don't just have canvas prints either!  You can see them on Facebook and Twitter as well!

November and December winners

December Jumpstart giveaway

I can't believe I forgot to pick a winner!!!

The winner is 67. Tannie's Chatter said...


Daily Tweet


http://twitter.com/#!/tannieschatter/status/150083317260230656

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011 9:21:00 PM



tanandjosh@telus.net

December 20th 2011

The winner of the Brother Labeler is comment number 99

99. Emma said...


I follow you publicly 1/2 entries
benjifiliso@hotmail.com
Sunday, December 04, 2011 2:07:00 AM
 
The winner of the Burts Bees basket worth $150!!!  is comment number 112
 
112. janice budgell pollard said...


email subscriber

janicebudgellpollard at hotmail dot com
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 7:14:00 PM
 
Dec 13th 2011

The winner of the luxe box from Loose Button is comment number 2

2. Lisa KH said...


I've subscribed to Fun and Funky Mommy newsletter.
weezi_k@hotmail.com
Saturday, December 03, 2011 11:08:00 PM

Dec 8th 2011

The new winner for the skillet and Hamburger Helper is comment number 302

102. C Wilson said...


tweeted mailto:cacch71@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/Carolineinbc/status/133916993341493248
Tuesday, November 08, 2011 6:52:00 AM

The new winner of the Invisalign chair is comment number 69

69. robynl said...


http://twitter.com/#!/rlee1950/status/135195133841907713
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
Friday, November 11, 2011 7:21:00 PM

Dec 1st 2011

The winner of the Invisalign teen chair is comment number 57

57. ginette4 said...


daily tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ginette4/status/133964179806765056
anger_family @yahoo dot com`
Tuesday, November 08, 2011 11:51:00 AM
 
The winner of the Hamberger Helper and veggies is comment number 94
 
94. ksceviour said...


I follow on twitter & tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ksceviour/status/130756414091182080
ksceviour@hotmail.com
Sunday, October 30, 2011 2:24:00 PM
 
The winner of the $50 to Uncommon Goods is comment number 5
 
5. Terra H. said...


follow your blog via gfc #2
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 11:51:00 PM
 
Nov 2011

The winner of the crock pot is comment number 161

161. Debbie said...


daily tweet

http://twitter.com/#!/mommakoala/status/134278017760509952

mommakoala(at)cogeco(dot)ca

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2011 6:36:00 AM


The winner of the Betty Crocker cook book is comment number 238

38. renee said...

http://twitter.com/#!/nicjosemm/status/124789939517931520
Friday, October 14, 2011 3:14:00 AM
reneetaylor@sympatico.ca

The winner of the pink racecar from Raspberry Kids is comment number 79

79. andalene said...

I also like the Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote in grey. abrennan09@hotmail.com
Saturday, October 08, 2011 10:15:00 PM
 
The winner of the entire Live Clean Baby Soothing Relief Collection from Live Clean is comment number 117
 
117. Sweet Panda said...


tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/124944837203075072
sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com
Friday, October 14, 2011 1:29:00 PM
 
The winner of sand and play set from Green Toys (US Only) is comment number 18
 
18. Christina said...

I "like" Fun and Funky Mommy on Facebook (Christina F)
Sunday, October 09, 2011 4:58:00 AM
ChristinaAileenF@gmail.com
 
The winner of the two tees from Hank Player is comment number 47
 
47. robynl said...

Like you on facebook(Robyn Lee)
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 12:23:00 PM
 
The two winners each winning two packs of Shoo Zoos are comment number 16 and 36
 
16. Paula M-B said...


Subscribe to Fun and Funky via email
pjkmitchell at hotmail dot com
Thursday, October 20, 2011 9:33:00 AM

36. Diana said...


dt
http://twitter.com/#!/goldiez/status/128255665117478912
goldiez at hotmail dot com
Sunday, October 23, 2011 4:46:00 PM

Crockpot is celebrating 40 years with a Giveaway

For the modern at-home chef, Crock-Pot® Designer Series slow cookers are designed for today’s lifestyle. These 6 quart programmable slow cookers feature programmable settings, dishwasher-safe stoneware and a gasket lid for added comfort and handling. The hide-away easy lifting handles tuck completely into the base and rectangular body shape allows the design to stand alone – and with a sleek brushed stainless steel finish, they look great on the counter.

I have a crockpot but its ugly.  I know stupid reason for not using it very often but I don't have room to leave it on the counter and wouldn't if I did have room because its ugly.  Because its always in the cupboard I never think to use it.  Well now I don't have an excuse not to use my crockpot as often now that I have the new 6.0 Qt. Crock-Pot® Designer Series Slow Cooker

• 6.0 Qt. / 5.6L oblong slow Cooker – ideal for 6-7 people
• Removable stoneware for easy serving and cleaning
• Tempered glass lid
• Digital timer counts down cooking time
• Auto-shift to Warm setting when cook time is complete
• Dishwasher safe lid and stoneware
• Rinse-Clean™ stick resistant coating for easy cleaning
• Programmable cooking time from 30 minutes to 20 hours
• Gasketed lid
• Brushed stainless steel finish
• Integrated Handles and Cord Storage
• Model # SCCPBP600S-CN
• MRSP $89.99. Available at Sears

Did you know . . . ?

• Anything goes: Although slow cookers are known for traditional dishes like roasts and beef chili, you can cook almost anything—from crème brule to lamb shanks—in your slow cooker.

• Celebrities love them too: Reese Witherspoon brought her Crock-Pot® slow cooker onto The Ellen DeGeneres Show to showcase her favourite dish, coq au vin.

• Meal ideas are in the palm of your hand: The Crock-Pot® brand’s iPhone App helps you decide what’s for dinner with hundreds of slow cooker recipes right at your fingertips.

• Red ruled in 1971: The first Crock-Pot® slow cooker featured the iconic glass lid, with a bright red exterior and basic crock interior.
The last thing I made in a crockpot was my apple butter.  If you don't know what apple butter is its applesauce simmered down to be extra thick and sweeter than apple sauce.  Its sooooo good.  Here is a link to the recipe. 

I know I see my friends always posting their favorite crockpot recipes on facebook.  Whats your favorite recipe?  I have a quick giveaway!  One of you can with this 6.0 Qt. Crock-Pot® Designer Series Slow Cooker, it will end on Saturday night though so be quick!

To Enter:

Tell me your favorite Crockpot recipe

(this must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win a  6.0 Qt. Crock-Pot® Designer Series Slow Cooker @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/cxotehw


***** Contest will end on November 12th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada ONLY*****

Invisalign Teen with a giveaway worth up to $7000

Every time I take my kids to the dentist I cringe.  Not because I don't like the dentist, I do, they are great, but I am worried about Kristina, her teeth and my pocket book in the next few years.  Sometimes the dentist will tell me bits and pieces about what he thinks is going to happen with Kristinas teeth but he says its hard for him to know for sure until her mouth stops growing and the teeth finally stop shifting.

Ultimately it looks like she is going to need some sort of intervention teeth wise.  They are definitely crowded and there isn't enough room in their for all of her monster teeth.  I thought that it would be better to do something about it now before they all go crooked but the dentist says that we can't.  All I can do at this point is research what I want to do when the time comes and try to save a whole lot of cash!

When I learned of Invisalign I was pretty intrigued.  Basically what Invisaline is is an alternative to the classic treatment of crooked teeth, metal braces.  Metal braces can be very painful, they can scratch your mouth, you get food stuck in them, when they are tightened I have heard that its very painful and of course they don't look so great and don't make you feel so great when you have them.  Of course this isn't to say that braces are not a great product just that there are some flaws with them. 

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete and you achieve the confident smile that you've always wanted. The best part about the whole process is that most people won't even know you're straightening your teeth.

Invisalign is not only available for adults. The new Invisalign Teen was developed with leading orthodontists who understand the unique treatment and compliance needs of teens as well as their active lifestyles.  Every patient’s needs are different and there are many factors that determine the cost of Invisalign treatment. But, in most cases, Invisalign is comparable in costs to traditional braces, is covered by most dental insurance plans, and affordable financing options are always available. 

Invisalign’s treatment capabilities are not limited to mild/cosmetic cases – Invisalign can help correct a broad range of cases: Overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crossbite, overbite and underbite.  Treatment time is about the same as with metal braces and in some cases, shorter.  Invisalign treatment is also ideal for busy parents because there are never any emergency appointment from broken wires/brackets; it requires fewer appointment (because you get your sets in advance) and less chair time (for those uncomfortable tightenings)

My brother had braces as a child as well as the hated headgear!  He was definitely made fun of by his friends, and maybe me, kids are mean.  I couldn't imagine watching my child go through that.  Its hard to deal with bullying in the first place but when you can prevent it, possibly, by going another route I would totally do that.  Also how annoying would it be to go to the orthodontist every few weeks and then having to get in right away when you have troubles.  I barley get any sleep as it is because I have to much to do and then to fit in all of those appointments, no thanks!

Something else that I was very happy to see was that I could have Kristinas teeth done with Invisalign in my own town.  Its available in so many places, there is a place on the site, here, that you can go to and see if its available anywhere close to you.  Its available at so many orthodontist and dentist offices and they are able to do it for you right there.  I guess unless you ask about different options everyone just assumes that braces are the only thing available.  Not anymore!  Make sure you ask your dentist or orthodontist and check out Invisalign!

I have a giveaway as well for one of you!  You can enter on all of the blogs but you can only win on one!  You can enter to win your own Invisalign foldable outdoor sports chair!  The best thing you can enter to win?  A full Invisalign treatment worth up to $7000!!!  You can enter to win the treatment here and all of the rules and regulations are found here!  I will be entering and would love to win so if you don't want to enter feel free to skip this one :)

To Enter to win the Invisalign foldable outdoor sports chair:

Tell me how the Invisalign Teen treatment benefit you

(this must be done for additional entries to count)

Additional Entries:

- add my Fun and Funky Mommy button to your blog (2 entries)

- follow me publicly (2 entries)

- subscribe to Fun and Funky Mommy

- like me on facebook (leave your first name and last initial so I can find you)

- blog about this giveaway with a link to me

- follow me on twitter @Funfunkymommy AND tweet about this giveaway for one entry (can RT daily for another entry)

***Feel free to Retweet this***

Win an Invisalign sports chair and a full teen treatment worth up to $7000 @Funfunkymommy http://tinyurl.com/3auqpwy


***** Contest will end on November 18th at 8:00 PM. I will use Random.org to choose the winner. The winner will have 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Make sure that your profile is set to public or that you include your email in your comments because if I can't get a hold of you can't win! Contest open to Canada ONLY*****

Disclosure - I am participating in the Invisalign Teen program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Align Technology, Inc.  I received compensation as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are my own.