Featured Friday 3 LATE

This week I'm running in behind but, I want to give recognition to 3 of my favorite blogs. Each week I will name 3 special sites to visit. These sites contain ladies of wisdom, tips, fun, content and old fashion hospitality I like to visit.

These 3 bloggers write with passion and their message flows like music. These sites are way beyond giveaways and advertisements. Following on facebook also, you will be glad you did.

Simply Stacie
Network Witches
I like it Frantic


That's this week 3 can't wait til next weeks Featured Friday 3

Winner HearthSong Sand Digger

Congrats to the winner of the HearthSong Sand Digger, your going to love digging up fun with it.

Can You Believe This?

I wanted to remind everyone the about the giveaways ending today and show what I made. Can you believe this!! The first one pictured was the 2nd one I made and then the 3rd and the 4th. The first attempt is not picture, but it is at my cousins house and she loved it at her baby shower.

Vanilla Joy

One of my favorite Blogs is Vanilla Joy, I have visited Kelsey's blog since I've been blogging and love it. The Content of the blog is great I really enjoy seeing Kelsey scrap booking ideas, recipes, and a little of everything. Visit Vanilla Joy Blog an be inspired by Kelsey's Creativity get tips from her great links below.

“craft organizer”

“craft storage”

“craft room furniture”

“craft room organization”

“scrapbooking furniture”

While your visiting enter the great giveaways located in the left sidebar like:

*Learning Resources Sky High Scoops Game

*Step2 Play Up Double Slide Climber

Good News 5/26

I will be adding the good news I find tonight and some great contests on this page. Feel free to check back later for new links.

First good news, I made some Diaper Cakes. Oh yes I got some creatity flowing:) Pics soon..

*Remember here a couple weeks ago I told about the exciting Guidegraft Creation Station Center givaway at The Ethertons, the review and giveaway is now up and will end on May 31, at 11:59 PM EST.

*Western Union launched “Return the Love”- a national Mother’s Day Campaign for $50 to 5 winners at Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House. Ends May 31, at 11:59 PM EST.

Immunizations

It's terrible for parents to watch there little one have shots. Yesterday, I took my boys to the doctor and they are doing great both in the 95 percentile for their age. It was time for the immunization shots for Matt.

I personally hold off their my baby immunization to the last possible minute to give it to them. The truth is I'm scared what is being pumped into their bodies and I scared not to give it to them. Waiting to the last minute especially for the MMR Shot. You've probably heard all the stories over this shot and the controversy for the Autism related cases they claim it brings on. Does anyone know for sure? No, but I still worried and I'm worrying about Matt taking this one. It will be due in a few months.

I waited as long as I could to give it to CC, hoping his little body could handle it better with more age. The night he took that shot his fever shot up sky high, unlike any of the other immunizations. I kept packing him full of Tylenol and wrapped him up real warm. I'd never been so scared. Eventually the fever broke and for two days after I had to keep giving him medication to keep it down. I think one of the biggest concerns is keeping the fever down as, fever can fry your brain and kill you.

Now with all the medication recalls you worry about this too. Children are left sore, gruchy, feverish, and confussed. Vaccination are scary for parent and child, there are so many what ifs.

Wordless Wednesday

5Minutes For Mom & Go Graham Go and many more wonderful sites sign up and share your Wordless Wednesday

Winner!!

We have a winner for the $30 gift certificate to Dezign With A Z. Thanks everyone for entering.

Women in the Boat #6

SNAKES!! I don't like snakes or alligators for that matter. I can tolerate if they stay on their side of the pond or river. Some times that is no the case. Riding down the river husband says "do you want to fish over there?" The truth is yeah I like to but, I don't like to be the one to tie to the limbs. On numerous occasions your greeted with a big mouth! Yes, a big mouth COTTON MOUTH MOCCASIN. Mouth flared and fangs ready to show you who the boss is. My response certainly Mr. Snake let me out of you way.

One of the first time I experienced this my head was inches away from this mad snake and certainly drop down in the boat. This snake hanging there in the limb 5 foot above the water. Snake do climb.. Honey you need to bring some anchors, but yet I still get stuck with the rope to tie. There is nothing like a snake in your face to get the blood flowing.

Good New 5/24

What would you fill your freezer with? Answer for me is "Nestle ice cream" my son & I love the drumsticks, as I mentioned before there are several websites that you will have the opportunity to win a GE® 13.7 CU. FT. Frost-Free Upright Freezer worth $530 giveaway item from Sams Club and the giveaway is made possible from Nestle. What a wonderful opportunity thanks to Nestle Skinny Cow--Yummy! I would fill it half way with ice cream and the other half with veggies causes that would make it all good!.

Mom Dot Giveaway
Accidental Mommies Giveaway
3 Kids n Us Giveaway
I could use a deal Giveaway
My Wooden Spoon Giveaway
Mommy Goggles Giveaway
Mom Generations Giveaway
Consumer Queen Giveaway
Outnumbered 3 to 1

Good News 5/23

Looking around I found some cool giveaways and I'm still adding so check back tonight and I know I will be post where you can have a chance to win a freezer!!

The first one happens to stop at The Ethertons. Get this a POOL!! Just in time for summer!! Above ground 12ft portable pool from Sun Enterprises. Hop on over and enter because it ends tonight.

Ends to night too, 5 people will win $50.00 Visa Gift Card, Western Union Return the Love Giveaway going on at A Latte In The Morning.

Guidecraft Safari Bookshelf Giveaway

My son loves to read and while getting ready for bed he picks out the books he would like us to read. Now thanks to Guidecraft he has a convenient place to keep all his books and easier access to them. He had a plastic storage box full and they all fit into this bookshelf.

Finding his favorite books is more organized,convenient and he is learning the responsibility of taking care of his books. He loves books and has so much fun, with us reading together.

The Guidecraft Safari Bookshelf is beautiful designed and assembly is easy. The cloth shelves are more expandable than traditional wooden bookshelves allowing more books to fit on each shelf. It is sturdy, both wooden sides are connected with center rods and a solid wooden bottom in the bottom. A screwdriver is the only necessary tool to construct.



Guidecraft makes child friendly furniture and each piece is beautiful craved and painted. The quality design element is full of life and enchanting, bring play and imagination to life.

Each Guidecraft product is properly tested so you can be sure you will receive a quality product that will be treasured. We are so pleased to have the opportunity to try the Guidecraft Safari Bookshelf.



Thanks to Guidecraft for being a sponsor of our May to Play Event & Carefree Days of Summer Event. Guidecraft will give one of my readers a Guidecraft Safari Bookshelf.

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern June 27, 2010
Open US & winner has 48 hrs 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 is to visit Guidecraft and tell me what other product you love.

Entry should look something like this or basically be detailed:

Safari Rocking Chair @ www.guidecraft.com

OR

Safari Rocking Chair blue elephant, clouds on the arm, zebra striped legs".


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

*Blog about the giveaway linking Guidecraft
& Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect
*Follow Guidecraft Blog (2 entries)
*Follow @Guidecraft @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet(2 times per day)
*Become my face book fan.
*Become a Guidecraft face book fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter Night Owl Mama or I Like It Frantic giveaways one entry for each you enter.
*Add the May to Play Button to your blog

Disclosure: Please note this giveaway was presented by Guidecraft & I received a Guidecraft Safari bookshelf to review. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Guidecraft Safari Rocking Chair Winner

Know I've been dragging around announcing the Guidecraft Safari Rocking Chair winner but, wow it's been busy around here. So thank you everyone for entering and for being patience with my dragging butt:) If you did not win this one, I'm posting a new giveaway for a Guidecraft Safari Bookshelf in a few minutes, stop by and check it out.

Featured Friday 3

I want to give recognition to 3 of my favorite blogs. Each week I will name 3 special sites to visit. These sites contain ladies of wisdom, tips, fun, content and old fashion hospitality I like to visit.

Bridgette @ Groschen Goblins - I love to visit her site, she has always been very nice and great networking. Her site has grown fast and it's due to her wonderful personality and hard work since starting her site in January.

Amanda @ My Life with Rats and More - Amanda has pet rats and you never know what she will write about next, just recently she share some of her creative talents with us from pottery, sculpture, & more. Stop by and enjoy her site.

Cindy @ This Adventure, Our life - Cindy spills over with creativity from designing onesies, to her talented photography skills of her beautiful daughter. I love her blog header:)

That's this week 3 can't wait til next weeks Featured Friday 3

FRIENDLY FRIDAY

Thank you to our Wonderful Sponsors of Friendly Friday.

Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier

Christi at Frugal Novice

Charla at Healthy Home Blog

Link up & find new friends.
Follow & leave a comment.
Make sure to be friendly and return the favor:)

Cemetery Humor

You will seriously find this a little ironic.

Today I spent the day with my mom and the kids. We visited the cemetery where some of our friends are buried, one recently. Only 40 years old and he is a full time dad to a five year old daughter and her mother is not in the picture. It was so heart breaking to think of this child losing the main support and loving comfort that she had only known.

Well his mother was my mom's closest friend and I thought the world of her also. They were good people, love to cut up, laugh and joke.

Well I happened to look down and find a tool laying on the ground. The tool was a socket but, being out of mind and thought at the time from being at the cemetery I called it a nut. So, I continue to look at the ground and asked dumbly "Momma you reckon there are some nut laying out here." Momma starts to laugh and says I bet there are quite a few nut laying out here. So instead of total sadness we had a little Cemetery Humor:)

Wordless Wednesday

5Minutes For Mom & Go Graham Go and many more wonderful sites sign up and share your Wordless Wednesday

Funrise Strong Arm Tonka Dump Truck Giveaway (closed)

My boys love Funrise's Tonka Strong Arm Dump Truck!! You know Tonka & dump trucks have always been fun, now they have been transform in the the ultimate fun dump truck with sound, lights and action. My boys have Vroom Vroom this dump truck everywhere and loves the rumbling grawl it makes. Best part NO BATTERIES and Tonka Strong Arm Dump Truck is a 2009 iParenting Media Award winner.

Realistic sparks fuel imaginative play and excites my children, I think this is a very creative spin Tonka added. The rev, rev grawl is superb for boys and guys of all ages;) Pulling lever to make sound then squeeze the trigger for dumping. Check out the little clip I added in so you can see how it works.



Funrise was very kind to send us Tonka Strong Arm Dump Truck to try and will be giving one to one of my readers. Thank you Funrise for being a May to Play Sponsor.

RULES: Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern June 5, 2010 Open US amp; winner has 48 hrs to respond to my email. Leave your email in 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 is to visit Funrise and tell me what other product you love.

Entry should look something like one of these with details:

I like the strong arm dump truck @ http://www.funrise.com

OR

I like the Tonka Strong Arm Dump Truck, movable dump and sounds and lights & Sparks flying.

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

*Blog about the giveaway linking Funrise & Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect
*Follow Funrise_Toys & @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet(once daily 2 entries)
*Follow & tweet { Enter to win @GazillionBubble Photo Contest $1,000 Toys 'R Us Gift Card and more! http://bit.ly/9UJyCj! } once daily leave (2 entries)
*Become my face book fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (3 entries, must be confirmed)
*Enter any giveaway I have or Night Owl Mama or I Like It Frantic giveaways one entry for each you enter.
*Add the May to Play Button to your blog


Disclosure: Please note this giveaway was presented by Funrise & Tonka Strong Arm Dump Truck was sent to my family to try. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Funrise Gazillion Bubble Photo Contest

How would you like to win $1,000 Toys 'R Us Gift Card?

*Four Monthly Winners will be awarded a $250 Toys "R" Us gift card!
*Grand Prize Winner will be awarded a $1,000 Toys "R" Us gift card!
*ALL WINNERS will receive a "Summer Fun Package" filled with Gazillion Bubble Products

All you have to do is take a picture of enjoying Gazillion Bubbles!
For official rules and to enter visit Funrise Gazillion Bubbles Contest. The contest will end on July 23, 2010.

Me4kidz Medibag Giveaway "closed"

When packing the car for vacation or just everyday outing are you emergency prepared? You never want a cut, scrap or burn, but when it happens you can be ready with a me4kidz medibag complete first aid kit. I love these preparedness kits and think other parents will find them just as handy.

I keep my kit in the bathroom available and ready in case of an accident. While on the trip the other day I was thinking I wish I had put it in the car.

Products include organized hard cased bag and kid friend bandages, along with products for eye irritations, burns, insect stings and much more. The me4kidz medibag is sure to be a family must have safety product and is an iParenting Media Hot Award Winner. Oh! they also carry pet safety kits for pet parents:)



Me4kidz will be giving a medibag to one of my readers. Thank you Me4kidz for being a May to Play Sponsor.

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern May 31, 2010
Open US amp; winner has 48 hrs 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 is to visit Me4kidz and tell me what other product you love.

Entry should look something like one of these with details:

I like the Medibag @ http://www.me4kidz.com/medibag.htm

OR

I like the Medibag that contains bandages with crayons on them. Basically, I need detailed description.


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

*Blog about the giveaway linking Me4kidz
& Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect
*Follow @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet(2 times per day)
*Become my face book fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter any giveaway I have or Night Owl Mama or I Like It Frantic giveaways one entry for each you enter.
*Add the May to Play Button to your blog
*You can tell me a fact or something in one of the kits at Me4kidz for (2 entries).

Disclosure: Please note this giveaway was presented by Me4kidz . I own a medibag and thought it would be a great item to share. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Featured Friday 3

I want to give recognition to 3 of my favorite blogs. Each week I will name 3 special sites to visit. These sites contain ladies of wisdom, tips, fun, content and old fashion hospitality I like to visit.

*Twee Poppets, Chelsea has a very great and fun blog. You must check out her baby boy here:) He is too cute!


*Look At It As Adventure, Peggy is a mother and grandmother, she blogs real and from the heart. You will learn something about heart and family here.


*I don't Know Why I Laugh Sometimes, Kinsey just graduated and I know why she laughs, she has such a great personality. I laugh from her out going fun opinion, and she writes so positive.

That's this week 3 and if you noticed Peggy and Kinsey is mother & daughter aren't they cool. Can't wait til next weeks Featured Friday 3

Friday Follow !! Love it!

Thanks for stopping by! I love finding new and interesting blogs and while here enter to win one of my fantastic giveaways located on my left side bar.





Thank you to our wonderful Friday Follow Hosts One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! Thanks so much I love it:)




IN THE WORDS OF OUR WONDERFUL HOSTS:
Welcome to a SPECIAL edition of Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

We're so excited to announce our First Sponsor of Friday Follow. Please grab BOTH buttons after linking up. By grabbing our sponsor button you help us to promote this new venture and keep Friday Follow going strong for everyone.

Here's how YOU can join the Friday Follow celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Grab the Friday Follow and Sponsor buttons and include both on your Friday Follow blog post.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

As hostesses, we realize the time required to participate in Friday Follow. Due to the overwhelming number of entries each week, we understand everyone, including ourselves, may not be able to follow every blog. To keep it fun, follow what you can at your own pace. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued participation!

Notice on the Noodle Head Giveaway

I had marked only for US Entry, but it is also open to Canada:) So enter away and good luck everyone.

More "May to Play"

We did it again!! Another day at the beach and exploring historic sites. Sometimes you just have to break free and have family fun or every day life can eat you up. Putting family first makes life worth living and we are never Guaranteed tomorrow and children grow up way to fast. Here's some pics of our latest trip:)

Noodlehead Review & Giveaway "closed"

Art work fun made possible with Noodle Head Young Picasso Canvas Painting Kit. My son and I loved painting up fun with superior acrylic paints that came in the kit. We painted on 2 small canvas that measure 5" x 7" and one large canvas 16" x 20" canvas.

Using the plastic pallet makes mixing paint easy like a professional artist. He was so intent on painting and letting his creative style flow. Even I myself found I have a little painting talent:) Yes! this is one fun product to share with children and so glad we had the opportunity to try the Noodle Head Young Picasso Canvas Painting Kit.

Noodle Head Toys was very kind to send us Young Picasso Canvas Painting Kit to try and will be giving one to one of my readers. Thank you Noodle Head Toys for being a May to Play Sponsor.

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern May 31, 2010
Open US & Canada amp; winner has 48 hrs 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 is to visit Noodle Head Toys and tell me what other product you love.

Entry should look something like one of these with details:

I like the Picasso Canvas Painting Kit @ http://www.noodleheadfun.com/index.cfm?%3D2VN%20VOV4DX%5E%20THFBB4E%2A0%3DVM1IS%3AZ%5B%5F%3BNQH41KT%20%0Aurle

OR

I like the Picasso Canvas Painting Kit with 2 brushes, paint and 3 canvas. Basically, I need detailed description.


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

*Blog about the giveaway linking Noodle Head Toys
& Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect
*Follow @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet(2 times per day)
*Become my face book fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter any giveaway I have or Night Owl Mama or I Like It Frantic giveaways one entry for each you enter.
*Add the May to Play Button to your blog
*You can tell me another product from Noodle Head Toys you like for (2 entries).

Disclosure: Please note this giveaway was presented by Noodle Head Toys & Young Picasso Canvas Painting Kit was sent to my family to try. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

"May to Play" Out of the Blue

Mid-Week we got a wild urge. No planning at all grab some clothes, packed up toys, and got in the car. We head out for a 2hr drive to the beach with the kids 10:30 am, no planning. It was the boys first time to see the beach and our first official trip of a family of four.


We had such a wonderful time looking for shells, splashing in the water, and building a sandcastle. Little Matt loves to demolish sandcastles so it's a wonder we even got one half way together. After we left the beach we had a picnic at the park area and meet the squirrels. All I can say this was another perfect event, they ran up and begged for cookies, we ran out of cookies so they ate nut from the Snickers Bars. It's true squirrels love Snickers and CC loved feeding them.


So then we did a little site seeing before we headed home. We had the beach to our selves mid week and everyone still in school and at work. It was like we had our own personal beach, oh and did I mention we were on an Island. OH YEAH!

Hasbro Gator Golf Review & Giveaway "Closed"

Everyone that calls or comes by my son tells them or makes them play Gator Golf. It is the perfect toy to have. It does not require batteries and 1 child can play by themselves or two can play. Any toy in my book that does not require batteries is wonderful. Hasbro Gator Golf can be played indoors or out.

The gator waits for the ball to go in to it's mouth, the mouth shuts, and then the ball flies back up in front of the gator for another putt. The mouth on the gator has to be opened by hand, then it holds open. This is repeated thoughout the game.

"I personally would love if gators mouth would open on it's on, yeah I'm Lazy", but it makes no difference to my son. Overall it is a very fun product and my son really enjoys it. Again, "NO BATTERIES REQUIRED" I love that!

In 2008 Gator golf transformed from the traditional green gator and debut a new bright orange. Hasbro Gator Golf comes with all equipment needed for play. Two kid size golf clubs, two balls and of course a gator. Keep track of score with points counter right on the putter.

Hasbro was very kind to send us Gator Golf to try and will be giving one to one of my readers. Thank you Hasbro for being a May to Play Sponsor and for so many wonderful family friendly games and toys.

RULES:
Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern May 31, 2010
Open US & winner has 48 hrs 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 is to visit Hasbro and tell me what other product you love.

Entry should look something like one of these with details:

I like the Gator Golf Game @ http://www.hasbro.com

OR

I like the gator golf game, love the bright organe gator and it has green & yellow balls with it" Basically, I need detailed description.


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

*Blog about the giveaway linking Hasbro
& Life Is A SandCastle (5entries)
*Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect
*Follow @FamilyGameNight @lifesandcastle on twitter & tweet(2 times per day)
*Become my face book fan.
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*Enter any giveaway I have or Night Owl Mama or I Like It Frantic giveaways one entry for each you enter.
*Add the May to Play Button to your blog
*You can tell me another product from Hasbro you like for (2 entries).

Disclosure: Please note this giveaway was presented by Hasbro & Gator Golf was sent to me to try. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday

5 Minutes For Mom, Mom Start & Go Graham Go and many more wonderful sites sign up and share your Wordless Wednesday

Winner!!!!!!!

Just drew the winner for the GourmetGiftBaskets.com Mother’s Day Butterfly Tea Time Gift Basket. The contest only ran for a couple of days and still had 378 comments. Thanks so much for everyone taking your time to enter. Wish I could give everyone one of these beautiful gift basket, but there is only one winner and that is:

Women in the Boat #5

We went fishing this weekend. Had lots of fun together an caught some Perch and Brim. I was just wondering what every ones fish bait preference is?

My favorite bait is a white curly tail jig, "I love casting out to the bank under that perfect tree, mossy edge, or next to a stump. All in hopes of the water whirl and a bass to hit. No bass today but, the White Perch and Brim have been hit my little jig pretty good.

Now with catfish in a pond I go with chicken liver, shrimp, or worms. I found some ponds the fish won't touch liver and another where they prefer liver. Weird how ponds are so different with the fish's taste.

All this fishing going on with my 3yr old in the boat. So, in between ducking so his jig isn't taking out my eye. A moccasin heading toward us, a little turtle popping up around us, ducks flying over, 2 squirrels play in the tree and the smell of honeysuckle in the breeze today was a beautiful day. The boat is still hooked up might go tomorrow too!:) Hope Everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a beautiful day and we have been fishing. Home now and we have a winner for the Snorg Tees Giveaway. The luck winner is: