Cow's Can't Jump Review/Giveaway!

We were recently sent Cows Can't Jump by Dave Reisman. 

Cows Can't Jump comes in 2 versions, board book and paperback. 

You can even preview some sample pages of the book HERE.





Upon arrival, Landon was excited to sit down and start reading!  He loves to read to his sister and this is a great book for beginner readers; as there aren't many words on each page, making it less confusing! 

I've actually overheard Landon the past few days reciting certain phrases from Cows Can't Jump so I know he's taking something from it! 

The pictures in the book are also great!  I love the simplicity of this book as it fits both of my children and their ages, 5 and 2. 

"Vibrantly illustrated, Cows Can't Jump will help young readers learn diverse and dynamic words, while absorbing a subtle yet powerful message that builds self-esteem and teaches respect and humility."

You can buy your very own Cows Can't Jump here at Jumping Cow Press (Paperback $7.99 or Boardbook $11.99) or from, Amazon.com and Barnes & Nobles. 

One lucky reader will have a chance to win their own paperback copy of Cows Can't Jump right here on It's A Mom Thing! 

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Follow It's A Mom Thing by Google Friend Connect (on right hand side of blog) and leave a comment.

Optional Entries: Leave a separate comment for each method of entry.

1) 'Like' Cows Can't Jump on Facebook
2) 'Follow' Cows Can't Jump on Twitter
3) Like It's A Mom Thing on Facebook

Blog about this giveaway using the link for this post - 2 entries (make sure to leave a link to your post in 2 separate comments)

Please remember to leave your email address with each comment, or make sure your profile has it there!

This giveaway will end July 13th, 2011. Open to US residents only. Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email. Winner must respond to email within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.

Thank you to Jumping Cow Press for sponsoring this review/giveaway here on It's A Mom Thing!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

You will need:

2 cups cooked rice

3 cups cooked chicken pieces

6 slices swiss cheese

10 slices ham, cut up

2 cans cream of chicken

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

10 saltine crackers

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp parsley

First you will spray the bottom of a 9x13in baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Then spread your cooked rice on bottom, followed by cooked chicken.  You will then layer your slices of swiss cheese on chicken and cut up ham on top of cheese.

Mix together the 2 cans of soup, milk & sour cream.

Spread mixture on top of ham.  Crush crackers up and mix in the rest of the dry ingredients.  Sprinkle on top of soup mixture.

Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes.

ENJOY! :-)

Follow Me Tuesday Chickadee!



It's Tuesday again, which means....Follow Me Tuesday, Chickadee! 

I will be posting a couple giveaway's this week so please be sure to check back for your chance to enter :-)

I like to post reviews/giveaway's, as well as parenting talk, recipes & crafts!

Say Hi Sunday! Blog Hop

It's that time again!  Time for Say Hi Sunday Blog Hop! 

Inspiring Women

I thought I'd share a few women who I have recently been inspired by.

Kathy Ireland
Candace Cameron Bure
Oprah Winfrey - as if you didn't think I'd include the ole 'O'!
Ellen Degeneres

Then there are a few 'Mom Bloggers' who I'm inspired by

Amy Bellgardt (founder of Mom Spark & Mom Spark Media)
Laura (Founder of TipJunkie)
* I'm sure there are a few others but I can't think of them all right now!


So what do these inspiring women have to do with me and my life? Entrepreneurship!


(insert *sighs* of unreasoning here...haha)


en·tre·pre·neur/ˌäntrəprəˈno͝or/Noun
1. A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on financial risk to do so.
2. A promoter in the entertainment industry.

The more I read on these women, and women of the like, I can't help but to think that it's something I'm reaching for. Sure I blog, I'm up to 170 followers which I'm excited about! And blogging isn't just sitting in front of the computer like some think. I actually email companies and ask them if they would like to send me a product to review on my blog. I've actually gotten quite a few things in return by doing this. I'm not sure what that would fall under but I'm assuming something along the lines of 'marketing & public relations' both of which are important in business. Therefore, I like the idea of entrepreneurship and business. It's like people try and tell you, you should do this or you should do that with your life. Or, you're not doing anything with your life...when, what do they really know about you and your life? When you tell someone what you want in life and what career path you want to take - they look at you with some dumbfounded look as if you won't make it. Really, I'd like to think people would be more open-minded because I'm not the first person to look at this word and think "Hey, that's something I'm interested in" - isn't it obvious that the people I've listed are also in business for themselves? I'm sure they all had people telling them they aren't going to make it, and who knows, maybe I really won't make it far but I think I've done pretty good thus far; as all my life experiences up to this point, are experiences I'm sure could help others who have been in my shoes before. Not to mention, I'm all about learning and surrounding myself with people. Which leads me into...


motivational speaking!


Another word most people around me would look at and think "Yea right, you, motivational speaking? Doubt it!" I've got to find a way to get into this! The pastor at our church said I needed to get more involved, which IS the truth and I want to, so I can start by sharing my story with others in a small group and possibly leading to a bigger group. I know my story thus far can change lives and I know this because my story deals with an everyday occurance - depression/suicide. I truly believe more so now than ever, that it's up to YOU on how you live your life. Not the other guys - even though at times, the words spoken to a person can break them down which I've found this true through my own experiences...words can make you feel worthless no matter who says them.


I've forgotten Who we are living for and it's time to take a step back and reprioritize my life.  I'm ready to do something for myself, but also for our Father and for the family that He has given me.  I'd really like to take 'It's A Mom Thing' to the next level of blogging - not sure just yet what that next level is, but I'm thinking offering advertising/sponsoring soon. I will probably try to get more followers before doing so however, but it's definitely something I'd like to look into.  I'd love to make it to a blogging conference, and am praying hard about the next Bloggy Bootcamp coming to Atlanta.  My mom lives in a surrounding city so I would stay the night with her instead of getting a hotel room, I'd like to anyways :-)

Do any of the bloggers have any tips as to how to 'stretch' your blog and go to the next level? 

Petcakes Giveaway WINNER!

Congratulations to the winner of the Petcakes giveaway! 

mikoto127 said...

I think Blueberry Buddy is the cutest ♥
June 8, 2011 10:36 AM

Thank you to everyone who entered and look forward to a couple more giveaways on the way :-)

Also, the past 2 days I've been having problems with Blogger and leaving comments on some of my recent commenter's blogs!  I'm sorry about that! 

Toddler Talk Thursday

This is my first time participating in Toddler Talk Thursday over at The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom! 

This week's topic is, Vacationing with a toddler! 

Our first time vacationing with a toddler was when my son was around 1 1/2 years old.  It was a 9 hour trip from FL to SC to visit my family back home.  He did quite well!

This last time we went back home we had both of our kids, at the time 11 months and 4 years old, we split this trip up into 2 days because I was following my Memaw.  Our 11 month old wasn't very happy about traveling but our 4 year old has always been pretty good about it.  I've learned a few things since then, that I will be sure to include our next trip this year. 

I saw a while back - somewhere in blogging land - a neat idea of having a 'travel fun kit'.  Basically, I keep a container filled with little activities/books that the kids can play with while riding in the car.  Some of the things I include are, those Crayola Wonder Color (I think that's the name) books that the markers only color on the special paper, small hand held games, small puzzles that can be put together on a lap board, etc.  We recently upgraded our vehicle and got a mini van that came equipped with a DVD player - thank God for that right?!  I really think that will be coming in handy this years trip ;-)  I'd also like to say that bringing along a pillow and blanket from home would be ideal.  Both of our kids have their own blankets and 'special' pillow that will come along on long road trips.  It helps make them more comfortable about being away from home! 

Another important thing, every time we stop to eat, we make sure to stop somewhere we can go in and eat so we can all stretch our legs.  I'd also recommend stopping at rest areas to stretch little legs! 

Since this is my first time participating I'm not sure if this topic has been covered but, I'd like to see more ideas of fun activities to do with toddlers over the Summer.  One thing we've been doing, story time at our local Library!



$15 Walmart Gift Card WINNER!

The winner for the $15 Walmart Gift Card is....

Michelle! 

Anonymous said...



Michelle from At Home With Michelle- http://homewithmichelle.blogspot.com/

I like Cascade on facebook:)

Thank you to everyone who entered and please stay tuned, I have a couple more giveaway's to post this week! 

Glass Block Jello

Glass Block Jello!

4 3-oz. packages Jello (coordinating colors)

2 packets unflavored gelatin

1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

First, you'll bring 5 cups water to a boil.  Combine 1 cup boiling water with 1 package of Jello, stirring until dissolved.  Place the dissolved Jello in one of the prepared containers (spray containers down with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in Jello mixture).  Do this with the remaining packages of Jello. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

When Jello has set, bring another 1 1/2 cup water to a boil.  While water is heating, sprinkle 2 packets of unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup of cold water.  Allow to stand for approximately 4 minutes.  When water is boiling, pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over the dissolved gelatin and stir to combine.  Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix well.  Allow to come to room temperature.

Spray a 9 X 13" pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Carefully cut the colored Jello into cubes and gently toss to combine in the pan. 

Pour the cooled milk mixture over the colored Jello and rearrange some of the colored Jello, if necessary.

Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill overnight.  Cut into squares or various shapes using cookie cutters!

Landon & Eliza's Birthday Party!

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures from Landon & Eliza's birthday party last Saturday!  We've all been getting over a pretty nasty cold (which reared it's ugly head at us the day of the party), which should explain the lack of posts all week!  I don't remember ever having an upper respiratory infection and I do believe that's what got me...yep, I believe I'll call myself Doctor Mom ;-)  Just kidding! 

The banner I made from this tutorial!

The party table set up!  Sorry no close ups, but I had clear cups filled with M&M's, Skittles & Sour Patch Kids as well as pretzel rods (not believing I didn't get any pictures of them!)

Just a few tissue pom-poms I made for decorations!

Gift table!

Yummy fruit!  Love fruit!

Glass Block Jello!  (Recipe to come :-)

Birthday Girl & Birthday Boy opening gifts!  Landon wasn't feeling good by this point :-/  Poor little guy!



Rainbow Cake!  So pretty! (Recipe to come :-) 



Landon and his very first school teacher, Ms. Jenny!  We were so thankful she was able to make it :-)



The Birthday Boy and myself :-)  Sadly, no pictures of the Birthday Girl and myself :-( 

Say Hi Sunday - BLOG HOP!

This is my first time participating in the blog hop! 

Firefox on my computer has a virus so I'm using Internet Explorer, something I'm not use to at all so if any of my posts have misspelled words or look funny, that may be why!  (Or it's lack of sleep.... =)

Thank you for stopping by, and why you're here, don't forget to check out my current giveaway's located to the right! 

Remember to Enter!

Don't forget to check out the current giveaway's I have going on right now!

You can always keep up with the giveaway's by looking to the right hand side where it has listed

Current Giveaway's!

Currently there is:

$15 Walmart Gift Card

PetCakes

I'm also linking this post up to Relax & Surf Sunday!

 

Library Storytime!

I wanted to take a minute and talk about the local library.  I've known for quite a while now that our local libraries have story time/toddler time.  I haven't been going like a lot of moms I know around here; until now that is.  This was Eliza and I's third time going and it's been nice!  

I've not been going out much and well, have been depressed about not doing anything!  But, I've come to realize that sitting around isn't going to get me anywhere and it sure isn't going to help the matter any.  

Story time is a great way to get out of the house and do something with the kids.  Although, Landon is in school when I take Eliza, and that does get to me a little.  But, I did sign him up for the reading program the library puts on during the summer.  He loves to read, as does Eliza!  I will post next week about a great way to earn FREE books too! 

We're lucky enough to have 2 very local libraries and as we've only been doing the Wednesday morning story time, I'm thinking about starting to go to the Thursday one at the other library too.  I really don't go out much so story time just seems to be a good way of getting out and interacting for the both of us, Eliza and I.  

How many of you have attended your local library's story time/toddler time?  Is it something you enjoy too or would think about doing? 

Tuna Cakes - Tasty Tuesday's

I was needing some new recipes to try out at home.  I've been getting bored with the same ole same ole.  So, I went on a search and found something very new to our household!  TUNA CAKES!

You will need:

2 cans light tuna, drained, flaked in bowl

1 pkg stuffing for chicken

1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

3/4 cup water

1 carrot, shredded

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp sweet relish (OPTIONAL - we don't like it so we had none)

Mix all of your ingredients together.  Then refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Spray some cooking spray in a pan on medium heat.  Using an ice cream scoop, make your tuna cakes!

Press down on top of tuna cakes, to flatten.

Cook approximately 6 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides.

  

These were surprisingly good!  Definitely will be having this again, and what a great way to 'hide' those vegetables!

(I found this recipe at Kraft Food and Family!)

Petcakes Review/Giveaway!

 

We were recently sent Series 2 PetCakes, from Well Made Toys, to review.  These cute little guys come with a 'frosting' hat wrapped in a fabric cupcake wrapper.  Each PetCake comes out of their wrapper making for a neat little surprise!!  

Upon arrival, Eliza inspected the PetCakes to see what they were all about.  The Series 2 PetCakes include, Honey Cakes the bear, Bamboo Berry the panda, Roco Coco the raccoon, & Nutty Nicky the squirrel. 

PetCakes make great birthday, Christmas & and any other holiday gifts! They could even be incentives for good grades or good behavior. 

 

My daughter was excited  to see the small 'pets' hidden inside of the cupcake wrappers!  There is also a set of Series 1 PetCakes, 4 cute puppies. 

 Each PetCake retails for $14.99 and can be bought in the PetCakes online store or Toys R Us.

*Now one lucky reader will have a chance to win one (1) of their very own PetCake!* 

Mandatory Entry: 

Follow It's A Mom Thing by Google Friend Connect (on right hand side of blog) and leave a comment.

Optional Entries: Leave a separate comment for each method of entry.

1) Go to the PetCakes website and leave a comment telling me which Petcake you'd like most.
2) Like PetCakes on Facebook. (You can let them know It's A Mom Thing sent you if you'd like :-)


3) Like It's A Mom Thing on Facebook 

Blog about this giveaway using this link - 2 entries (make sure to leave a link to your post in 2 separate comments) 

Please remember to leave your email address with each comment, or make sure your profile has it there!

This giveaway will end  June 22nd, 2011.  The prize cannot be sent to a P.O. box and is open to US residents only.  Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email.  Winner must respond to email within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.

Well Made Toys provided me with the PetCakes to review and are sponsoring this giveaway!  They will also be handling the shipping of the prize.  Thank you to Well Made Toys for providing this package for review and giveaway prize!