Ultimate Blog Party 2011 with 5 Minutes for Mom

I'm ready to Ultimate Blog Party with 5 Minutes for Mom!! Remember to follow @5minutesformom and watch hashtag #UBP11 on Twitter.

I'm a mom to 2 boys that loves blogging, leave me a comment, give me a follow Google Friend Connect, and I'll be over to see you and follow back. Also Follow on twitter at @lifesandcastle & facebook. Check out my giveaways in the left sidebar & check back for some exciting ones coming.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/31/11

Thanks for stopping by Giveaway Linky Thursday. Check Out:

• 4/07 Zhu Zhu Pet
• 4/15 Walmart Gift Card

Stop by The Night Owl Mama to Thursday Giveaway Linkup.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/31/11

1.	JEWELERY! Custom Hand Stamped Bling! (Worldwide) 4/02	13.	Oreck Steam It 4/30 US/Can
2.	NOM: Dinosaur Train DVD 3/31	14.	Raw Gaia Green Clay 4/20 WW
3.	NOM: PHOTO Blanket 4/14	15.	Simple Green Organic Kit 4/7 YS/Can
4.	NOM" RIO Nintendo Wii games 4/14	16.	Tropical Traditons Lavender Gift Set 4/17 US/Can
5.	NOM $50 Happy Easter Store	17.	Udderly Smooth 4/19 US Only
6.	Holy Land Prize Pack Giveaway	18.	The Vintage Pearl $50 GC 4/12 WW
7.	JCAH-THREE Patterns of your choice 4/8	19.	Born 2 Impress Serta Mattress 5/1 US
8.	The Whole Family Cookbook 4/8 WW	20.	SBH- $40 GC to CSN (4/2)
9.	8x10 print of choice ends 3-31	21.	SBH- Socks4Life $20 GC (4/4)
10.	Dragonfly Soaps 4/15 WW	22.	AiATF - Dinner Drama $25 GC - 4/1
11.	Grateful Body Organic Skincare 4/10 US/Can	23.	AiATF - EA Sports Active 2 for Wii - 4/4
12.	Mudpuppy Barnyard Floor Puzzle 4/e US/Can	24.	AiATF - $25 Amazon GC - 4//4

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

$10 WalMart Gift Card Giveaway

Notice the lack in giveaways around here the last week or so? I've been caught up in Spring Fever, Family Time, Outside Time, Home Cleaning, etc. One big goal was saving my video and pictures from my computer (Over 15 hours of video.) After by passing the bullet from a virus, it became my #1 goal.

So I'm not rich but, do want to offer a $10 WalMart Gift to one of my blog readers to use on anything. You may have some photos you need to print or what ever.

RULES: Winner has 5 days to respond to my email (leave email or make sure it is availble in your profile.)
Open World Wide.
Must Complete Mandortary entry.


*Follow Google Friend Connect and comment.


Extra Entries:

*Blog about the giveaway linking Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)

*Follow me on twitter & tweet once a day: " #Win a $10 WalMart Gift Card @lifesandcastle http://t.co/NuwuN6p ends 4/15 #giveaway"

*Become my face book fan.

*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)

*Enter any giveaways from the The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.

* Get my regular button (2 entries )

*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)



Disclosure: Sponsored 100% by me:)

Pteranodon Family World Tour Adventure

Our favorite Dinosaur Family is on a World Tour Adventure. Traveling on the the Dinosaur Train the Pteranodon family meets a new characters, locations, and learning interesting facts along the way. One particular new character is Gilbert, the conductor nephew. My son says he likes that they get to sleep on the train. Can we sleep on a train?:)

The Pteranodon Family World Tour Adventure DVD is 100 minutes of scientific facts, fun, that sparks children's interest in life science and natural history. Certainly a DVD worthy of your child collection. My three year old is glued this DVD and tells me lots of dino facts he has learned.

The hit television series Dinosaur Train® airs daily on PBS KIDS!! In addition to the television series, there is also a DINOSAUR TRAIN interactive website at PBSKIDS.org/dinosaurtrain. Buddy, Tiny and Mr. Conductor guide children as they discover natural history and the science of paleontology through fun games and activities.  For information on the DINOSAUR TRAIN geocache program—a fast growing adventure game that inspires families to get out and discover treasures together.

Dinosaur Train on PBS: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/
The Jim Henson Company: http://www.henson.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hensonparents

Disclosure: Sample DVD was received for my families honest opinion & review from company or PR. No other compensation was received.

Wordless Wednesday 3/30/11

Yesterday, we spotted an Alligator Snapping Turtle crossing the road. I saw it last week, but did not have my camera with me. It seems to be staying in a creek down the road from our home.

Dinosaur Train & NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

March is National Nutrition Month®, a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year's National Nutrition Month theme, “Eat right with Color,” encourages everyone to remember to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day.

A healthy diet is important to us all, just as it was to Dinosaurs many years ago. With the month of March focusing on nutrition, it’s the perfect time to look at some great ideas and resources provided by The American Dietetic Association to eat a healthy diet! And, we invite you to to teach your child how to prepare a vegetarian (herbivore) picnic filled with great food and fun by visiting Dinosaur Train on the PBS parent’s site: http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html



To help parents, the American Dietetic Association provides many resources available at www.eatright.org/nnm. They even have a downloadable PDF listing 25 healthy snacks for kids, including these five great ideas:
1. Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.

2. Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins. Enjoy your “ants on a log.”

3. Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.

4. Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.

5. Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy sandwich.



Next, Buddy can help you and your child prepare a vegetarian (herbivore) picnic. The Have A Brachiosaurus Picnic activity http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/handson/picnic.html helps young children to learn what foods fit into an herbivore's diet (fruits and vegetables); reminds children about the importance of hand washing before eating; and also creates an opportunity to discuss why all animals need to eliminate waste from their bodies (a.k.a. “poop”).
The downloadable PDF file, available at http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/activities/pdfs/picnic.pdf, provides the ingredients to prepare Brachiosaurus Picnic, with fun food items on the menu, including:
o Brachiosaurus Super Salad: The kids will have fun tearing up green leafy veggies into bite-size pieces and mixing ranch dressing with green coloring to make a tasty topping.

o Sauropod Sandwich: With a plastic knife, cut pieces of whole wheat bread in the shape of a favorite dinosaur and spread with cheese spread or peanut butter.

o Herbivore Herb and Spinach Spread: Mix frozen spinach, dried onion soup mix, sour cream, celery sticks and crackers

o Green Juice – fill a child’s plastic cup with apple juice and add green food color to make a green beverage fit for an herbivore.

And as we all know, digestion is a very important part of keeping healthy for both humans…and dinosaurs back in the day! http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/videos/video-dinosaurpoop-song.html to watch the video clip of the song “Every Dinosaur Poops” and talk about why every animal needs to go, and what would happen if the animal didn’t poop out the parts of the food its body didn’t need.


Another fun way to explore “poop” is with Uncle Milton’s new Dinosaur Train Dino Poop Kit, just one of a range of new science themed toys geared to make science more interesting, engaging and accessible for children. With the Dino Poop kit, kids can discover what the dinosaur had for lunch! Did he have fish or did he eat a plant? Once kids find pieces of what he ate, they can put them together to create their own fossil imprint to figure it out! It’s OK parents, it's not real poop…it's soft, pliable dino dough! Available at Toys”R”Us (SRP: $7.99, ages 4+) The hit television series Dinosaur Train® airs daily on PBS KIDS® (check local listings).


Disclosure: This information is shared/created from DINOSAUR TRAIN & http://www.360-comm.com

Twitter Hop Tuesday 3/29/11

Make new friends & gain followers with Twitter Hop Tuesday. Please follow host @lifesandcastle & @Nightowlmama we will follow back. If you don't mind please retweet/share so we can all gain more friends and participates:) Follow & follow back if someone follows you. Lets help each other #twitterhop
Linkup your Twitter URL, not your blog page URL.

Twitter Hop Tuesday 3/29/11

1.	@lifesandcastle	14.	Hip to be Mom
2.	@Nightowlmama	15.	@Erika105
3.	Turning the Clock Back	16.	@SpuddyBuddies
4.	@katekaboodle	17.	@DragonFlySweetN
5.	Sprout's GREEN Family (@sprout5)	18.	North On Harper
6.	Gift Baskets from Wicked Wicker	19.	Mommy Loves Giveaways GOLLOWS BACK
7.	Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3	20.	Berk's Girl: Sweets, Eats & Life's Treats
8.	Pawberry Lane	21.	Going Green with Noah via @MelanieMMel
9.	@NancysBlessings	22.	Have Sippy Will Travel
10.	Cuzinlogic	23.	@TheAmateurMommy
11.	@chasingsupermom	24.	@SleepyTyson
12.	@bonmay - FOLLOWS BACK!	25.	Mallery's Deals
13.	@emandelsmom

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Earth Hour 2011

Earth Hour 2011 will take place at 8.30pm (all time zones), Saturday, March 26.

IDEAS FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE THROW AN EARTH HOUR PARTY!

20 SIMPLE “BEYOND THE HOUR” IDEAS TO COMMIT TO FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET

WHAT IS EARTH HOUR?
Earth Hour is driven by the global community’s will to protect the planet we share. Earth Hour’s exponential growth – from a single-city initiative in 2007 to a global movement across 128 countries in 2010 – is indicative of the growing desire for a cleaner, healthier world that is gathering momentum by the hour. At 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March 2011, Earth Hour will mark a moment of global contemplation to go beyond the hour; a collective commitment by individuals throughout the world to be the ongoing change they want to see in it.



Earth Hour 2011 will ask the world to:
· Switch off your lights for Earth Hour at 8.30pm, Saturday 26 March 2011 and celebrate your commitment to the planet with the people of the world

· Sign up and Share stories of your actions that benefit the planet on earthhour.org

· Sustain your actions beyond the hour – www.beyondthehour.org

HOW DO WE INVOLVE OUR CHILDREN?
In a bid to extend the message to young children and their caregivers, the Earth Hour organization has appointed the globally loved animated character Pocoyo as the first Global Kids’ Ambassador of Earth Hour, Beyond the Hour. Pocoyo will reach out to millions of preschool-aged fans across the globe, fostering “Learning through Laughter,” to inform children about environmental issues.

Parent and their caregivers can find a fun activity book, promo, screensavers and wallpaper at http://www.pocoyo.com/earth_hour_2011.html

At the recent Beyond the Hour press conference in Singapore, Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley commented “Everyone has the power to make change: a CEO can change an organization, a 7-year-old can change a classroom, and a president can change a country. What we are announcing today is just the beginning. It is through the collective action of individuals and organizations that we will be able to truly make a difference, which is why we are urging people across the planet to share how they will go beyond the hour this Earth Hour.”

Chloe Nicol, a 7-year-old girl from Australia, is guiding her school to increase recycling and reduce energy waste. The school now also shuts their blinds instead of using air-conditioning to cool the rooms.


Nathi Mzileni, a 15-year-old boy from Swaziland, was inspired to take action in 2010 when he realised his town did not participate in Earth Hour. He started a group at his High School called Green Enviro to educate people about climate change, and this year will single-handedly make Earth Hour a reality in his town of Shimunye, Swaziland.

Parrys Raines, a 15-year-old Australian girl, has convinced her school to install water filling stations and provide each student and teacher with a reusable stainless steel drinking bottle to reduce plastic bottle waste.

Parents, caregivers and their children EVERYWHERE can support the initiative by throwing an Earth Hour Party Celebration to help spread the word on saving our environment. We’ve included some easy tips for the perfect party, enjoy!
· Make invitations out of recycled paper or send an email invite.

· Use organic and locally sustained food.

· Serve finger foods to skip using plates and utensils, and use cloth napkins that can be washed and used again.

· Make dishes that don’t require the oven or electricity to prepare.

· Be creative with food, licorice ends can be cut off to make edible straws for the kids.

· Family craft project - decorate canvas shopping totes with eco-friendly paint, old buttons, etc.

· Have a nighttime, outdoor, eco friendly scavenger hunt by flashlight - hunt for garden tools, seeds, egg cartons, etc. Once the items are found, explain how they are used for recycling and to save our environment.

· Have a recycled book exchange for the kids and adults, instead of favors.

· Have fun and remember to have enough candles and flashlights for everyone to see!

We look forward to you supporting Earth Hour and helping Pocoyo make children everywhere aware of the initiative. Please let us know if we can provide any additional information.
And check out the Earth Hour Video at:



“20 SIMPLE IDEAS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO HELP CHILDREN TO GO “BEYOND THE HOUR”, AND HELP SAVE OUR PLANET!”
At the centre of the Earth Hour is the symbolic collective action of lights out on March 26.

Yet Earth Hour is about much more than just switching off the lights. It’s about switching to a more sustainable lifestyle. Being mindful, using less, making everyday choices to reduce our environmental footprint.
If you want your kids to be environmentally responsible when they grow up, you've got to teach them while they're still young
Here are some tips for going beyond hour. Big or small, through all our efforts combined, these changes will help make a difference.
Turn off lights and appliances at the wall when not in use

Explain to children that lights, TV’s and computers use energy, and that it is in short supply! This is an easy way to reduce wasted energy and carbon. If you switch off just one appliance at the wall you could save 99 pounds of greenhouse gas! Ask your child if he can imagine what 99 pounds might look like, and show him/her some examples – like twenty 5 pound bags of potatoes!



Stop using plastic containers

Explain to your child that every bottle they throw in the trash sits in a big pile at the local dump. Have your child help you pick out fun, brightly colored refillable or reusable containers.



Make recycling fun!

Make recycling fun by inventing games such as tossing non-breakable recyclable items into trashcans at a short distance! Use recyclable materials in craft projects, for example use cardboard to make masks, or paper to make airplanes! Create art projects such as paper mache and mosaics. And donate discarded items to charity!



Have a candlelight family and grab a blanket if it’s cold!

Once a week, have a candlelight family hour and tell stories or play games instead of watching TV. And if it’s cold, wear an extra layer of clothes or snuggle up under a blanket to read books.



Use the sunlight to warm up a room

The house pet knows this and you kids will enjoy it too. Open blinds and drapes on a sunny but chilly day and enjoy the glorious warmth that pours in through the windows!



Close drapes and blinds when it’s too hot!

In the summer heat, turn down or off the air-conditioner to save energy by teaching children how they can keep from getting hot and sticky by closing the drapes and blinds to keep the room cool. They will enjoy their playtime better and parents will save money too!

Watch your water use

Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh water, and of that, two-thirds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice-caps! Teach kids water-wise habits at home at a young age. Turn off the water while brushing teeth, take shorter showers, and no water-hose fights in hot weather!



Throw a green birthday party

Kids parties generate a lot of trash. Email invitations; choose reusable kid-friendly cups and plates; and create a craft activity for kids to take something home instead of wasteful goody bags.



Walk more

Walk to pre-school with your kids! It’s fun to spend the extra time with your children, great exercise and you save on gas too.



Take public transport when you can

Buses and trains ease congestion, reduce emissions, and allow you to relax with your kids. Relax and read a book together instead of driving the car!



Car pool

Double the efficiency of your car by carpooling to pre-school!



Buy earth-friendly back-to-school products

It’s always fun shopping for supplies. Choose recycled pencils and notebooks, PVC-free shoes, hemp backpacks, organic cotton clothes, or re-used clothing where possible.



Take a reusable cloth bag when you go shopping – decorate bags with your kids!

Did you know that American use 380 billion plastic bags every year? In addition to being manufactured from non-renewable fossil fuels, plastic bags degrade extremely slowly. Buy a canvas bag, and decorate it with recycled items!



Buy local, seasonal produce

Take the kids for a fun morning out and buy produce at your local Farmer’s Market! Explain how far much of the food you buy has travelled before it reaches your table. Food produced locally costs less to process and transport, and it’s fresher and better for you.



Cut down on meat

Try to eat a little bit less meat by having the children help you to make one extra vegetarian meal each week. It takes only about 723 gallons of water to produce 2.2 pounds of wheat, but 3250 gallons of water to produce 2.2 pounds of beef.



Plant natives in the garden

Enjoy some fresh air with the children in the garden and plant native plants! Kids might like to have their own miniature size garden box to tend! Use native plants, they require less water, care and maintenance. Plus, you will be creating the ideal conditions to attract native species to your backyard or balcony by creating a habitat for them.



Start a compost

What kid isn’t fascinated with worms? Create a worm composter! Almost 75 per cent of household waste is compostable. Composting not only saves landfill space, but recycles material and saves money on fertilizers. Worms to speed up the process. Ask the children to fill the composter with food scraps and in a few months, they will see how the “garbage” becomes rich dirt they can help you spread around to make the garden grow.



Grown your own fruit and vegetables

Watching things grow is exciting! Reduce your footprint and have your kids help you grow their own veggies. Let them choose seeds, plant and tend them together. Fresh veggies are good for you and for the earth. No packaging and no food miles!



Install a rainwater tank

See how much rain you can catch! Secure your own water supply and collect water for use in the garden. Rainwater is free, so parents, that means a reduction in bills too!



Share your tips with friends!

Have a weekly contest with friends to see who did the most to help save the planet!



Disclosure: Following information is shared on behalf of www.360-comm.com

Winner!!

Thanks everyone for entering. Congrats!! to the winner of The First Years GumDrop Gift Pack giveaway. I will be contacting you shortly.

Fishing Adventure 3/24/11

We had a great fishing adventure yesterday. The winds was strong, the boat was loud from my children, and we caught a few fish. The fun of the event is getting out with my family and teaching my kids the joys and pleasure of fishing. Fishing makes me feel free and happy. I love to see natures beauty and I love to see the smiles on my little faces.

You know sometimes someone has to fall out of the boat. My 20 month old son learned that this trip:) He kept playing with the boat paddle and leaned to far out of the boat. He cried for like 30 seconds and then was laughing again, trying to get back into the water. His older brother was seriously a nervous wreck, worried for his brother. He was all wet in the last picture, my poor baby.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/24/11

Thanks for stopping by Giveaway Linky Thursday. Check Out:

• 3/25 The First Years GumDrop Gift Pack
• 4/07 Zhu Zhu Pet

Stop by The Night Owl Mama to Thursday Giveaway Linkup.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/24/11

1.	$25 Target Gift Card-Low Entries	10.	The Vintage Pearl $50 GC 4/12 WW
2.	Skoy Cloths ~ Ends Today	11.	Boon Inc Snack Ball (04/01) US only Low Entries!
3.	Yogi Bear DVD 3/25	12.	NCMO3-CrunchyNYummy Organic Fruit ALL FLAVORS 4/8
4.	boogie wipes 4/4	13.	NCMO3-Goodnight Sweetheart Couples Edition LOW ENT
5.	Appetite For Reduction 3/25 US/Can	14.	NCMO3-SnorgTees LOW ENTrIES
6.	Dragonfly Soaps 4/15 WW	15.	TaraplayswithPaper pendant 3/28 low entries
7.	Grateful Body Organics 4/10 US/Can	16.	Born 2 Impress Serta Mattress 5/1 US
8.	Mudpuppy Barnyard Floor Puzzle 4/4 US/CAn	17.	$50 Jockey Gift Certificate (4/16)
9.	Simple Green Organic Cleaner 4/7 US/Can	18.	$50 SwimSpot Gift Certificate (4/23)

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Wordless Wednesday 3/23/11

5Minutes For Mom & Go Graham Go, Mom Start, Jolly Mom, Two of A kind, Working on a full House and many more wonderful sites, sign up, and share your Wordless Wednesday.

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Mission Tour + Win

Vaseline®. Did you know that 77% of women with dry skin say it makes them physically uncomfortable—and over half think about it every single day? That’s why Vaseline® Intensive Rescue is on a mission to rescue dry skin and deliver one million good skin days before the end of winter!

As part of their mission, Vaseline hit the road with the Dry Skin Patrol—a five-woman team comprised of a dermatologist to the stars, a Hollywood actress and 3 influential bloggers who suffer from dry skin. The Dry Skin Patrol ventured across the country to 4 destinations, like snowy Aspen and Duluth, MN, where they put their skin to the test.

If you haven't already- follow the Dry Skin Patrol at http://on.fb.me/bvsBHt and watch what happened as they exposed their skin to the harshest winter elements, while conquering thrilling cold-weather activities! Here on Facebook you can read blogs, watch videos, and keep tabs on each stop of the tour. Plus, you can enter for a chance to win one of four amazing winter experiences - ending March 31!

My take:

As spring is closing in and summer, I see the benefits of Vaseline Intensive Rescue far past winter. Days out on a boat fishing can leave your skin parched in cold or warm weather. Seems that every trip my hands are especially dry and scaly as old fish scales. I prefer the Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion, because of it not being greasy. Greasy lotion does not cut it with me.

Vaseline has always been a trusted product in my family. My uncle works making concrete products daily. Regular Vaseline is his must use daily skin regiment. "You would never know by seeing his hands, the harsh work he does with them."

Disclosure: A sample product was received from company or PR for my honest opinions. All opinions are my own.

Twitter Hop Tuesday 3/22/11

Make new friends & gain followers with Twitter Hop Tuesday. Please follow host @lifesandcastle & @Nightowlmama we will follow back. If you don't mind please retweet/share so we can all gain more friends and participates:) Follow & follow back if someone follows you. Lets help each other #twitterhop
Linkup your Twitter URL, not your blog page URL.

Twitter Hop Tuesday

1.	@micmin107	19.	QT - FOLLOWS BACK!
2.	@longwait4bella	20.	MAMA TO 4 BLESSINGS (FOLLOWS BACK)
3.	Adrienne May	21.	Sleepy Tyson
4.	Ourfamilyworld	22.	Cuzinlogic
5.	Confessions of a Frugal Mind @JulsB20	23.	@DragonFlySweetN
6.	@Nightowlmama	24.	@dnbuster
7.	Our Mom Spot	25.	@pawberrylane
8.	@LindsayFreebies / followsback	26.	@addeviant (follows back)
9.	@Erika105 - Follows Back	27.	Mommies Point of View
10.	@FrugalNavyWife	28.	@NorthOnHarper
11.	@sheenatatum	29.	Long Island Mom x 2
12.	Sprout's GREEN Family	30.	Texas Type A Mom
13.	@Chitownchica	31.	Have Sippy Will Travel
14.	Hip to be Mom	32.	Flip Flop Mama
15.	@teramuse	33.	@XmasDolly
16.	@lomargie - Follows Back	34.	@zelmarl from Zelma's Workshop
17.	Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3	35.	My 3rd Baby @EllieAdorn
18.	Spuddy Buddies

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Winners!!

Thanks everyone for entering. Congrats!! to the winner of the Power Capes giveaway & Yoplait Kids Prize Pack. I will be contacting you shortly.

Green Eggs, Snake & Cake

Eventful St. Patrick's Day, carried my children to Burger King to play on the playground. Son encounter an playground bully that told him he could not slide & pushed him, he told me the little boy with the green shirt. There were ten little boys with green shirts on. I said very loud "show me who." So without an positive bully id, I told him to go back and tell boy to stop being a bully. So apparently the trouble maker calmed down when he realized I was looking for him.

After a little shopping we headed home to find a monster dead snake below our house.

The we had green eggs & some one's 30th Birthday Cake.

ZHU ZHU PET GIVEAWAY

                

Zhu Zhu Pet Rock Stars Hamster - Ryder

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern April 7, 2010
Open US  winner has 5 days to respond to my email.
Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it.
MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.

Mandatory Entry Follow my blog Google Friend Connect


********EXTRA ENTRIES***********

*Blog about the giveaway linking Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet (1 time per day)
" #giveaway Zhu Zhu Pet Giveaway @lifesandcastle http://t.co/2bGCQgY #win 4/7"
*Become my face book fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (3 entries)
*Enter any giveaways from the The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.
* Get my regular button (2 entries)
*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)

Disclosure: This post is 100% funded out of my pocket and no sponsor participated.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/17/11

Thanks for stopping by Giveaway Linky Thursday. Check Out:

• 3/17 Power Capes
• 3/18 Yoplait Prize Pack
• 3/25 The First Years GumDrop Gift Pack
  
  Stop by The Night Owl Mama to Thursday Giveaway Linkup.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/17/11

1.	NOM: Xbox Kinect Your shape fitness Evolved 3/25	9.	Appetite For Reduction Cookbook 3/25 US/Can
2.	2 Eye Shadows from Jenulence (Low Entries) 3/31	10.	Crazy Egg Easter Crayons 3/20 US/Can Low Entries
3.	$100 Target Gift Card 4/23	11.	Beautiful Lampwork $40 3/19 US/Can
4.	3 Winners Purex Crystals 3/30	12.	Born 2 Impress Serta Mattress 5/1 US
5.	Taraplayswithpaper pendant 3/28 low entries	13.	Win 20 Uncut Sunday Coupon Inserts 3/23
6.	Simple Green Organics 4/7 US/Can	14.	Yogi Bear DVD 3/25
7.	Dragonfly Soaps 4/15 WW	15.	Le Creuset 7 Pc Silicone Spatula Set W/Stoneware Crock (US) 3/30
8.	Mudpuppy Barnyard Floor Puzzle 4/4 USCan	16.	$60 Gift Cert. 200+ Stores! (US/CAN) 3/19

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

News & Winners!!

I'm missed Wordless Wednesday today, computer was in the shop with an virus. Just got it back this afternoon and time to find some winners:

Thanks everyone for entering & thanks to the winners for following the rules to enter. Just a note 2 people had a chance to win but, they did not follow the rules. I do check.

Congrats!! to the winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off gift pack & Organized Living $25 giveaway. I will be contacting you shortly.

Twitter Hop Tuesday 3/14/2011

Make new friends & gain followers with Twitter Hop Tuesday. Please follow host @lifesandcastle & @Nightowlmama we will follow back. If you don't mind please retweet/share so we can all gain more friends and participates:) Follow & follow back if someone follows you.

Linkup your Twitter URL, not your blog page URL.

Twitter Hop Tuesday

1.	@HaveSippy	16.	@PartyFantasies
2.	@Nightowlmama	17.	@bonmay - FOLLOWS BACK!
3.	@FHSfreebies	18.	@SpuddyBuddies
4.	@LindsayFreebies	19.	@randomcitymouse
5.	collyn23	20.	@LibbysLibrary
6.	@AmateurMommy	21.	Pretty Nameless
7.	@judywhaitlive4	22.	@grandmasezso
8.	@collyn23	23.	@DragonFlySweetN
9.	@sprout5	24.	@Erika105 - Follows Back
10.	@Oneblonde	25.	@lomargie - Follows Back
11.	Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3	26.	Cooperating 4 Boys
12.	Yours to Win	27.	@TheReynoldsMom
13.	@Clairity	28.	@ninemoremonths
14.	@MisfitMommaAKA	29.	Grace
15.	@MisfitMomma

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

RadioShack & HEXBUG - Nano Bunnies!!

Hexbug and RadioShack wanted to remind me Daylight-Saving Time is the perfect time to change the batteries in my smoke detectors, while setting my clock forward. RadioShack has everyday batteries and special 3 VLithium cell batteries.

Now get ready for The Easter Bunny HEXBUG Nano $4.99 in a clear egg shell exclusively from RadioShack or radioshack.com. Available for a limited time!! They are sooo cute and the only bug/bug bunnies I will allow in the house.

Disclosure: I was surprised with a cute bunny bug. Sharing just because:)

My Precious Kid

CHILD SAFETY  & BABY GEAR STORE  - Is your child safe and protected?  My Precious Kid Child Safety Products and Baby Gear protect your children and give you peace of mind. Child ID Kit is the product that started My Precious Kid. Products for your baby, children, adults, pets, the elderly, and children with special needs.

Join My Precious Kid on face book. Some of my favorite items, but really they have so many great items hop over and checkout the must have family safety gear:

Disclosure: Post was shared for opportunity to win prize from My Precious Kid, no product or compensation was received.

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/10/11

Thanks for stopping by Giveaway Linky Thursday. Check Out:

• 3/14 $25 Organized Living
• 3/17 Power Capes
• 3/18 Yoplait Prize Pack
• 3/25 The First Years GumDrop Gift Pack
  
  Stop by The Night Owl Mama to Thursday Giveaway Linkup.

Giveaway Linky Thursday

1.	Mars Needs Moms Movie PRize Pack ENDS TODAY! 3/10	21.	Mommygaga - ToeBlooms Infant Floral Foot Accessories 3/15
2.	$100 Target GC 4/23	22.	Mommygaga - HappyFamily Organic Foods Pack 3/15
3.	Clairol Color Blend (EASy ENTRy) 3/16	23.	Mommygaga- Philadelphia Candies Gourmet Chocolates 3/21
4.	Boogie Wipes 3/13	24.	Mommygaga - Purex Fabric Softener Crystals 3/18
5.	Peter Rabbit (LOW ENTRIES) 3/12	25.	TM- 5 Little Bunnies Book & CD 3/23 (US/CAN)
6.	Spike Seasoning 10 pack 3/20	26.	TM- Tropical Trad. Coconut Oil 3/13 (US/CAN)
7.	Returning to Cloud-9 Giveaway 3/11	27.	Multibionta Vitamin Prize Packs-2winners-3/16(Can)
8.	America's Test Kitchen SLow Cooker REvolution 3/21	28.	Endless Summer - Revitalize Natural Facial and Skin Treatment from Ecco Bella - WW - 3/23
9.	$25 ToysRus Gift Card 3/22	29.	Chicobag Flourish Sling 3/16 US/Can
10.	SUPER LOW ENTRIES etsy flower hair bow 3/26	30.	Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles 3/15 US/Can
11.	bambi Diamond Edition 3/10	31.	Beautiful Lampwork 3/19 US/Can
12.	NOM: Mars Needs Moms tshirts 3/10	32.	Crazy Egg Easter Crayons 3/20 US/Can VERY LOW ENTRIES
13.	NOM: Raisels Variety Pack 3/15	33.	Savvy Cents Wallet US/Can LAST DAY TO ENTER
14.	NOM: Hayneedle $35 Gift card 3/15	34.	Stella & Dot $50 GC 3/16 CANADA ONLY
15.	MOST: The Deluxe Edition DVD (LOW ENTRIES) 3/12	35.	Appetite For Reduction 3/25 US/can
16.	100 Custom Postcards (SUPER LOW ENTRIES) 3/15	36.	Sweet2Save: $5 Starbucks Gift Card! (Ends 3/17)
17.	Sixteen Cities (3 CDs) LOW ENTRIES (3/18)	37.	CHEERIOS GIFT PACK 3/14 *LOW ENTRIES*
18.	Songs4Worship 2CD/DVD (3 WINNERS) 3/18	38.	Born 2 Impress Serta Mattress 5/1 US
19.	DriSeatzzz Carseat Pad/Protector	39.	Nuts 4 Stuff--Vitalicious Sampler Box--3/26
20.	Mommygaga - Kiddie Catch-All Car Toy Organizer 3/11	40.	Scentsy - 3/10 - VERY VERY LOW ENTRIES

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

New GumDrop Pacifier + Gift Pack Giveaway

The new GumDrop Pacifier is now available. Hitting the selves at Babies 'R' Us, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide. The GumDrop Pacifier has the same nipple shape as the Soothie, one-piece silicone, BPA Free, Latex-Free pacifier trusted by hospitals. Nipple shape design baby love, stays clear of baby's nose and light weight.

The First Years pacifier attacher saves parents from lost, dropped pacifier. Attaches to clothing with strong clasp that works with most pacifiers. Convenient velcor latch pacifier case attaches to strollers, diaper bag and more. Holds 2 pacifiers and each pack contains 30 wipes. Safely cleans pacifiers, teething toys, bottles, cups--anything you want safely cleaned for your baby. 

WIN both sizes of pacifiers and the accessories and pacifier wipes.

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern March 25, 2010
Open US  winner has 5 days to respond to my email.
Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it.
MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.

Mandatory Entry Follow my blog Google Friend Connect and tell me your favorite The First Years product with link to it.

********EXTRA ENTRIES***********

*Blog about the giveaway linking The First Years & Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow @TheFirstYears @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet (1 time per day)
" #giveaway GumDrop Pacifier + Gift Pack Giveaway" @TheFirstYears @lifesandcastle http://t.co/ZPZOgmt #win 3/25"
*Become my face book fan.
*Become a The First Years Facebook Fan (2 entries)
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter any giveaways from the The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.
* Get my regular button (2 entries)
*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)

Disclosure: Prize Pack was received & giveaway were all provided by company or PR.

Wordless Wednesday 3/9

5Minutes For Mom & Go Graham Go, Mom Start, Jolly Mom, Two of A kind, Working on a full House and many more wonderful sites, sign up, and share your Wordless Wednesday.

Winner!!

Thanks everyone for entering. Congrats!! to the winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off gift pack  giveaway. I will be contacting you shortly.

Twitter Hop Tuesday 3/8

Make new friends & gain followers with Twitter Hop Tuesday. Please follow host @lifesandcastle & @Nightowlmama we will follow back. If you don't mind please retweet/share so we can all gain more friends and participates:)

Linkup your Twitter URL, not your blog page URL.

Twitter Hop Tuesday

1.	@lifesandcastle	17.	@Erika105 -Follows Back
2.	The Mama Report	18.	@freedomRail
3.	@mommatori82	19.	@OrganizedLiving
4.	@NightOwlMama	20.	Ourfamilyworld
5.	@Clairity2	21.	I Luv Saving
6.	@spuddybuddies	22.	@greenmissionmom
7.	@MisfitMommaAKA	23.	@DragonFlySweetN
8.	@MisfitMomma	24.	Sweet T Makes 3 - Follows Back!
9.	@Abbyland2010	25.	@LisaNoel03
10.	@judywhaitlive4	26.	@shopinpjs
11.	@Harvest42morrow	27.	blessedcouponer
12.	@bonmay - FOLLOWS BACK!	28.	@HaveSippy
13.	kitkat	29.	@brandyellen
14.	@randomcitymouse	30.	@TheSurvivalMama
15.	Cuzinlogic	31.	@momsreviews
16.	@marilynjaegly (MarilynsMoney)

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Juicer Intentions

For a while my husband and I have debated a juicer. Finally my son made the decision for us. After watching Curious George he said he want one of those thing so he could have his veggies and fruit in a cup to drink. All for healthier eating habits, we went to the store that day and bought one. I let him pick out fruits and vegetables to use.

We got home set it up and started adding veggies first. Carrots and a stalk of celery, small taste and he said "that's sour." That's what he says when he does not like something. Husband drank it and we proceed to make fruit drink this time. Apple, strawberry and banana, it tasted pretty good.

Thing about this juicer banana does not juice, it just build up in the juicer. If I watched the end of Curious George where the kids do experiments, I would have known that. I had to chop food to go through the slot, it actually took more time than I realized and more fruit & veggies to get juice. I know there are some juicers that take the food larger. Well at least my son gets a kick out of it.

Adding stuff to it was my son favorite thing. I had a hard time getting him to drink much. $29.00 cost for the Black and Decker Juicer at local Wal Mart, not bad. If I was to make more juice I wouldn't mind if it could handle larger fruit pieces, but it's cool for us.

Disclosure: Just sharing our family experience.

Kidorable Children's Art Contest

Draw, paint, sculpt, or collage your favorite Kidorable theme! Enter your child’s artwork of frogs, ladybugs, pirates or any other Kidorable style, and you could win the entire collection in his or her favorite style (size range: 'my first' to 6/6x in raincoat, 2 in boots)!
Have a look here and choose your favorite! http://www.kidorable.com/cart/All-Styles
Scan or take a photo of your artwork, and send a .jpg (under 1mb) to contest@kidorable.com. Get your submissions in starting February 21st until March 7th. Voting will continue for one week. The submission with the most 'likes' wins! The winner will be announced March 14th. for more information visit Kidorable on facebook.

Disclosure: Nothing received, just sharing:)

Yoplait Kids Prize Pack Giveaway

Yoplait Kids has an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D, a good source of protein and the delicious taste kids demand. It also contains 25% less sugar than the leading kids´ yogurt, and has no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Yoplait Kids yogurt is a snack you can feel confident about serving to your kids!

With tasty flavor options, as well as calcium, vitamin D and protein to help build strong bones, Yoplait Kids yogurt is sure to be popular with parents and kids alike. A great value at just $2.00 for a pack of four, this yogurt comes in three delicious flavors, including Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Vanilla. Kids will love finding their favorite friends, like Dora the Explorer, Lightning McQueen from the hit movie "Cars" and the Disney Princesses, on every cup.

visit http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/76ee/ to download a printable coupon* for $0.50 off the purchase of one (1) four-pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt today!
*This coupon offer for a free four pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee.

Yoplait Kids has also partnered with well-known mom-blogger, Christine Coppa, Mama's Boy blogger at parenting.com and author of Rattled! (Broadway Books, 2009), who has developed helpful snacking tips for moms with young children including:

Tips about healthy snack ideas
Tips about portable snacks
Tips about making snack time fun

I received a Yoplait Kids prize pack & one reader will win the same prize pack. Perfect for accompanying this fun everyday snack, the Yoplait Kids prize pack includes a coupon for Yoplait Kids yogurt, a foldable travel cooler (to take your yogurt on-the-go), a cool four-piece spoon set, a power magnet picture frame, trendy alphabet-shaped "Kiddie Bands", a great big bounce ball and a "My First Scavenger Hunt" card game for some after-snack fun.

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern March 18, 2010
Open US  winner has 5 days to respond to my email.
Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it.
MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.

Mandatory Entry Follow my blog Google Friend Connect and tell me the challenges you have getting your children to eat wholesome snacks or your favorite Yoplait Product?

********EXTRA ENTRIES***********

*Blog about the giveaway linking Yoplait Kids Yogurt & Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow @YoplaitYogurt @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet (1 time per day)
" #giveaway Prize Pack "Game,Ball,Travel Cooler,More" @YoplaitYogurt @lifesandcastle http://t.co/2xQiVqt #myblogspark 3/18"
*Become my face book fan.
*Become a Yoplait Facebook Fan (2 entries)
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter any giveaways from the The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.
* Get my regular button (2 entries)
*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)

Disclosure: Prize Pack was received & the coupon, prize pack, information and giveaway were all provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

Puppy survived double Death

According to ABC News, Survived shot to foreleg "LIVED". Then a Shot to the HEART, STILL LIVING!

Giveaway Linky Thursday 3/3/11

Thanks for stopping by Giveaway Linky Thursday. Check Out:

• 3/07 Pillsbury Prize Pack
• 3/14 $25 Organized Living
• 3/17 Power Capes

Stop by The Night Owl Mama to Thursday Giveaway Linkup.

Giveaway Linky Thursday

1.	What Would Jen Do nachomama tshirt ends 3/4	21.	$60 Disney Basket, Ends 3/2
2.	$25 CSN Gift Certificate- Ends 3/10	22.	Asha Butterflys: King Tut DVD/Book 3/17
3.	MOST: The Deluxe Edition DVD (3/12)	23.	Asha Butterflys: Dvd/Book Giveaway 3/17
4.	Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil (3/8)	24.	Asha Butterflys:: Navy Carriers DVD/Books 3/17
5.	$25 CSN Gift Code 3/9	25.	Skin MD Natural Lotion Giveaway 3/6
6.	Purex Crystal Softener 3/9	26.	What Would Jen Do summer giveaway ends 3/16
7.	TMF - $125 Family Coupon Bundle 3/7	27.	Angie's Country Candles Goodie Box 3/9
8.	NOM: Hayneedle Gift Card Giveaway 3/15	28.	The Monster on Top of the Bed
9.	NOm: $20 Chili's Gift Card Giveaway 3/7	29.	Amateur Mommy LOW ENTRIES
10.	Nom: Bambi Diamond Edition 3/10	30.	TFTN CrazyDog Tee (3/4) Low Entries
11.	Asha Butterflys:: Round About Sleeves	31.	TFTN - BabyBond - 3/18
12.	Asha Butterflys:: The Portable Pediatrician 3/8	32.	Eden Bath & Body (4 winners!!!) Ends 3/30
13.	Asha Butterflys:: Little Engine That Could 3/9	33.	$100 Hayneedle - The Crave to Save - Ends 3/20
14.	Asha Butterflys:: General Mills Giveaway 3/10	34.	Exergen Temporal Scanner
15.	Lauren Nicole Hand Stamped Mommy Necklace (3/19)	35.	Custom Hand Made TUTU 3/12
16.	Asha Butterflys:: Sixty-Nine Book 3/15	36.	$50 GC SwimSpot 3/12
17.	NOM: Free Cupcake Giveaway! 3/5	37.	$25 GC to my Etsy shop - Worldwide - Ends 3/9
18.	$100 Target GC 4/23	38.	Serta Mattress 5/1
19.	Train of Thought Game (3WINNERS) 3/7	39.	3 Event Giveaways - 3/26
20.	Clairol Color Blend (EASy ENTRy) 3/16	40.	SHABBY APPLE DRESS GIVEAWAY!!! Ends 3/10

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Winner!!

Thanks everyone for entering. Congrats!! to the winner of the Fantasy Jewelry Box $25 giveaway. I will be contacting you shortly.

Wordless Wednesday 3/2/11

Laudry Room Pest

Pest in sons hair after fishing

Winners!! + a Note

Thanks everyone for entering. Congrats!! to the winners of the Build A Dream Playhouse & Soft Clothing for all Children. I will be contacting you shortly. Note: Make sure you do mandatory entry, or actually follow on facebook, twitter, email if you say you do. I do check and someone missed their chance to win because they did not do one of those. I really hate it but it is not fair to the sponsor, other readers, or me.