How to get your kids in the kitchen and make Turkey Cake Pops


I love for my kids to help in the kitchen.  Whether it be chores like washing dishes or FUN, like making these awesome cake pops, it gives your child a sense of responsibility.   Most children have a break from school during Thanksgiving and this is the perfect opportunity to get them in the kitchen and make some delicious treats. I give you cake pops!!!  These Turkey Cake Pops are easy to make and kids love them!  You can make some now and make some to to have at your Thanksgiving dinner.  I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did,  This is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids to work as a team, teach about measurements, and a very tasty art project!

Box Duncan Hines Butter Golden Cake Mix
2/3 cup Cream Cheese Frosting
1 bag Vanilla Candy Wafers
2 (14-ounce) bags Milk Chocolate Candy Melts or Wafers
Vegetable Oil
Pretzel Sticks (broken into 2cm sections)
Thanksgiving Feather Sprinkles
Yellow Peanut M&M’s
Edible Black Pen
Orange Candy Coated Rainbow Chips
Heart Shaped Sprinkles
Lollipop Sticks
Treat bags
Large piece of Styrofoam
Foil
Double Boiler

Lay out a couple of ungreased pans, set aside. Cover a large piece of Styrofoam with foil, set aside. Prepare and bake cake according to package directions. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Break apart cake and place in a large bowl, then crumble completely. Stir in frosting, then blend together with hands until you have the texture of play-doh. Melt a small amount of vanilla candy wafers in a small bowl, set aside. Roll cake into an oval shape. Dip tip of lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert a little ways into the ball. Lay flat on pan. Repeat until all dough is used. *You will need to melt your vanilla candy wafers every so often to continue use. Place in fridge for 1 hour. While cake balls are chilling, break pretzel sticks into 2cm sections, set aside. Just before removing from fridge, melt 1 bag of milk chocolate candy wafers along with 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a double boiler. Remove 5 cake pops at a time from the fridge. Carefully, remove from pan and dip most of cake pop in the melted candy. Use a spoon to drizzle the candy coating near the stick. Tap cake pop on the side of the pan so excess will drip off, then use your finger to smooth out the back. Carefully, insert 2 sticks into the bottom sides of turkey for legs. Place in styrofoam. Melt candy wafers as needed to continue use. Pour leftover melted candy in a bowl and save. Let cake pops sit for several hours to set. Reheat leftover hardened candy in bowl and use to seal any cracks in coating with the tip of your finger. Place back in styrofoam to harden. Dip end of feather sprinkles into melted candy and place on back of turkey making sure to hold for a couple of seconds to set. Dab a small amount of melted candy on the back of the peanut M&M’s, then place in center of turkey for face making sure to hold for a couple of seconds to set. With an edible black pen, make eyes. Dab a small amount of melted candy on the back of the orange chips and place on face for a nose making sure to hold for a few seconds to set. Dab a small amount of melted candy on the back of the heart sprinkles, then place upside down under the nose making sure to hold for a couple of seconds to set. Let sit for a few hours. Place a treat bag over each cake pop and tie with ribbon.

*You will need 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil for each bag of Chocolate Candy Wafers.
*Mike’s Candies or Candy Corn can be used in place of the feather sprinkles
.


SHARE:

Handy.com Solving Problems

Handy.com Solving Problems


For anyone looking to find professionals to help them around their home, the search can be long and frustrating. Finding good, quality help seems like an impossible task. That was the issue that 19-year-old college student Osin Hanrahan was having. From this issue, he and a fellow college classmate found a solution to this problem.

Osin had been buying and developing apartments in Eastern Europe. He was having trouble finding quality handymen to help him with his business. A few years later, Osin met Umang Dua while they were both attending Harvard Business School. Umang expressed how he was having the same issues finding quality workers. This is when the idea of handy.com was born.

The idea behind handy.com is to be the connection between household service professionals and those who need their services. Currently, this website is available in 35 cities located in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The cities are larger in size such as Chicago, London, and Toronto.

The types of services that are provided cover four categories. Those are plumbing, electrical, cleaning, and handyman services. This provides a wide variety and should suit the needs of most people. The wide variety is a definite plus.

The process of scheduling a service seems fairly streamlined. The website states that it takes roughly 60 seconds to complete your transaction. This does seem to be the case as basic information is needed to complete your request. You need to enter what type of service you are requesting, how long you think it should take, and when you need your service done. Before you pay for your service request, a quote is given so you know the exact cost before anything is set in stone.

All professionals that are available through handy.com are screened and checked before they are added to the system. All and given a background and identity check. This does give some piece of mind that all employees are worthy and will be reliable.

Handy.com offers a 100% money back guarantee, they have customer service available 24/7, and they state that their rates are affordable. When it came to customer service, it was a bit tough to get in touch with an actual person. There is no phone number listed on their site and to even get closer to getting a phone number to call, you will need to create an account on the site. There is a large frequently asked questions section that does answer most questions and concerns but having a number to call would be nice.
SHARE:

How to celebrate National Pumpkin Day

If you love pumpkin spice, NOW is the time to get your Captain Morgan Jack O' Blast and make these delicious drinks!  
Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast is the first pumpkin spiced rum to ever hit shelves, as a blend of Caribbean rum and everyone’s favorite fall flavors - including fresh pumpkin, cinnamon and other autumnal spices. Whether you’re preparing for your Halloween party or carving Jack-O-Lantern’s with friends, Jack-O’Blast is the perfect way to toast to the pumpkin holiday. Happy National Pumpkin Day!  Enjoy!


Orange Pumpkin Smash 
·         1.5 oz. Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast
·         2 oz. orange juice
·         2 oz. club soda
DIRECTIONS: Combine Jack-O’Blast and orange juice in a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with club soda and enjoy.

Jack-O’Lager
·         1 oz. Jack-O’Blast shot
·         4 oz. Lager 
DIRECTIONS: Drop shot of Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast in a glass of lager beer and enjoy.


Blasted Brew
·         .5 oz. Jack-O’Blast
·         .5 oz. Cannon Blast
DIRECTIONS: Shake ingredients over ice and strain into a shot glass.


Please drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive.
SHARE:

Jack O' Blast Hot Chocolate with Toasted Marshmallows

Fall is in the air! ahhh  We know what that means.  All things pumpkin.   This spiked hot chocolate is sure to satisfy your pumpkin craving.    Make a large batch so all your friends can enjoy.  

This recipe makes two (2) servings

Ingredients:
  • 1 oz. Captain Morgan's Jack-O-Blast Spiced Rum (each mug)
  • 1 oz. Bailey's Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream (each mug)
  • 2 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 4 1/2 tbsps Dark Chocolate syrup
  • Marshmallows

Directions:
  1. In a medium sauce pot over low heat, add two (2) cups of heavy cream and four (4) tablespoons of dark chocolate syrup, stir ingredients until the heavy cream is a rich chocolate brown.
  2. Remove the pot from the heat source and divide the hot chocolate into two mugs.
  3. Add one (1) ounce Bailey's Pumpkin Spice Irish cream, and one (1) ounce of Captain Morgan's Jack-O-Blast Spiced Rum into each mug of hot chocolate.
  4. Top each mug with three (3) medium size marshmallows, then torch marshmallows using a baker's Crème brûlée torch, or place the mugs onto a cookie sheet and brown the marshmallows in the oven using the broil setting. 
  5. Serve.
Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive
SHARE:

Handcrafted Gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalog Giveaway

Sorry for the inconvenience, but the sponsor has asked for the giveaway to be taken down.  My sincere apologies for those that have entered.
Handcrafted Gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalog Giveaway
Host: Dorky's Deals
Sponsor: World Vision
Prize: Handcrafted Gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalog ($530 RV)
Since 1996, the World Vision Gift Catalog has grown in popularity as a gift-giving alternative. Over 650,000 people were helped through funds generated by the Catalog last year alone. The 2016 World Vision Gift Catalog contains more than 250 poverty-fighting gifts, ranging in price from $16 to $39,000, that improve the quality of life for struggling children and families both in the U.S. and around the world. Want to see where your money goes? Check out this video from World Vision to learn more. Why pick up a generic gift at the store when you can get beautiful gifts handmade by artisans around the world? Aside from giving a unique handmade gift, when you shop the World Vision Gift Catalog, you are also helping to fight poverty and improve the quality of life for children and families around the world. For more information check out Dorky's Deals full review here. To order from World Vision’s Gift Catalog, call 855-WV-GIFTS or visit the 2016 World Vision Gift Catalog online. Enter below for a chance to win 6 beautiful handcrafted gifts from the 2016 World Vision Gift Catalog. A $530 total retail value. This giveaway is open to US residents ages 18+ only and ends 10/30/16 at 11:59 PM EST.

Good luck!  Handcrafted Gifts from World Vision Giveaway ($530 RV)

SHARE:

Getting In On The Ground Floor: Seeing The Stars Before They're Huge

Everyone loves the classics. At least, everyone pretends to love the classics for fear of appearing uncultured. If you devote a lot of time to seeming to be a cultural maven, you'll even know the little bits of info that trip others up. Did you know, for example, that Peter Pan wasn't written as a good guy? Do you refer to Romeo and Juliet as a great romance, despite the fact they both die completely unnecessarily?


The classics are fine and have their place. They are classics for a reason, of course. The entire works of Shakespeare and the music of Beethoven were edgy and new once. They have stood the test of time and thus became classics. But now, they're the past. Unless we come up with some new classics, cultural historians will just look back on this decade as being when all the greats died. How depressing would that be?


So there's a lot to be said for getting out there and seeing what's new before it becomes huge. Seeing something different, that pushes boundaries, is essential so that art forms can move forward. Whether it's visual art, music or drama, there's something to be said for the classics. But step outside the comfort zone, and you'll find there are great works being made today, too.


Music: Go See An Unsigned Band


Image from Flickr


Do you recall the first time you heard your favorite group or singer? For many of us, we came to them late, hearing their third or fourth album, or a single from it on the radio. We then went back through their back catalog and realized: "Yeah, I love this new stuff. But the debut album is life-changing!".


How exciting would it be to get in on the ground floor with a band like that? Unsigned bands play all the time, all over the place. And by going to see them you may hear some uninspired dirge - but you also might see the new Beatles before they become huge.


Drama: Not Everything Worth Seeing Is On Broadway


Image from Wikipedia


Broadway is the home of the big stage show with plays, musicals and more selling out nightly. Many people now appearing in Hollywood blockbusters have come from those stages. Many more make a great living appearing on those stages. But before a show hits the big theaters, it often has to prove its mettle in smaller houses. Sometimes, even with established stars. Buying Off-Broadway tickets is a chance to see something innovative before the creators lose control of it.


Movies: The Independent Scene Holds Real Wonders


Think of your favorite actor, and all the great films you've seen them in. These days, they make one or two films a year. Back when they were new, they often had to make at least twice that to earn a living. And so they have long, long filmographies.


Image from Wikipedia

Many of those movies never got to the big multiplexes, and were instead arthouse classics. If there is a small independent cinema near you, go and see something today. Ideally, you won't have heard of any of the actors in it. If you like that film, keep an eye out for the stars in other movies - you'll have a chance to see some excellent films.
SHARE:

Crayola Air Marker Sprayer Giveaway

Welcome to Crayola Air Marker Sprayer Giveaway, you can read more about my review 
ONE WINNER wins a Crayola Air Marker Sprayer Sponsored by: Crayola Hosted by: Night Helper Open to: USA only 18yrs. + Start date: 10/11-10/17 12am est. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: We reserve the right to make revisions, to cancel, or suspend this contest for any reason. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the US 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. Night Helper Blog (and any other blog participating) is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.
SHARE:

Alice in Wonderland Exclusive Giveaway

Alice in Wonderland Exclusive Giveaway

Reviewz & Newz is helping to promote this exclusive giveaway. Lots of great prizes with an estimated retail value of$400.
Alice in Wonderland Exclusive Giveaway
Welcome to this awesome giveaway of an Alice in Wonderland Exclusive prize package Giveaway hosted by Life with Heidi! You can enter for your chance to win this prize pack that includes: 
 Alice in Wonderland Pin Set $69.95
Alice in Wonderland Pin Set $69.95 Alice Doll $129.95 Alice Doll $129.95  Alice Tea Set $199.99 Alice Tea Set $199.99 ARV: $400

Alice Through The Looking Glass on DVD 10/18

Disney presents the spectacular live adventure Alice Through the Looking Glass. Bring the journey home October 18th on Digital HD, Blu-ray™ and Disney Movies Anywhere. 
The all-star cast from the 2010 blockbuster is back with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter who’s desperately searching for his family; Anne Hathaway as Mirana, the kind, mild-mannered White Queen; Helena Bonham Carter as Iracebeth, the short-tempered, big-headed Red Queen; and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, the heroine at the heart of the story. Sacha Baron Cohen joins the ensemble as Time, a magical being that is part human, part clock, and the late Alan Rickman—to whom the film is dedicated—is the voice of Absolem, the blue Monarch butterfly who metamorphosed from the blue caterpillar “Alice in Wonderland.”  
Disney’s Spectacular Adventure “Alice Through the Looking Glass”
Journeys Home Oct. 18 on Digital HD, Blu-ray™ and Disney Movies Anywhere
Step through the magical looking glass and behind the scenes
to discover how filmmakers created this riveting return to the whimsical world of Underland!
Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” forever changed the landscape of children’s literature; Disney’s animated “Alice in Wonderland” embraced this fantasy world filled with peculiar characters; and Tim Burton directed a visually-stunning, live-action film that mesmerized audiences worldwide. On Oct. 18, 2016, the enchanting and beloved franchise that has captivated generations of adventurers continues when the movie arrives home on Digital HD, Blu-ray™, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand. In “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” the all-star cast from the 2010 blockbuster is back with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter who’s desperately searching for his family; Anne Hathaway as Mirana, the kind, mild-mannered White Queen; Helena Bonham Carter as Iracebeth, the short-tempered, big-headed Red Queen; and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, the heroine at the heart of the story. Sacha Baron Cohen joins the ensemble as Time, a magical being that is part human, part clock, and the late Alan Rickman—to whom the film is dedicated—is the voice of Absolem, the blue Monarch butterfly who metamorphosed from the blue caterpillar “Alice in Wonderland.” Fascinating, in-depth bonus features invite in-home audiences to further explore the whimsical world of Underland. Three-time Oscar®-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood reveals the creative process behind the film’s ornate costuming; P!nk provides on-set access during production of her “Just Like Fire” music video; Sacha Baron Cohen showcases his quirky new character, Time; and Director James Bobin offers insightful audio commentary and introduces five, never-before-seen deleted scenes.
Giveaway Details: 
This giveaway will run from October 9 12:00 am est. - November 1, 2016 Open to US Only and you must be 18 years or older to enter.  
One winner will receive this Alice in Wonderland Prize Package Giveaway !
Good luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
SHARE:

WonderCostumes Giveaway



This blog has teamed up with Bloggin’ Mamas for this amazing prize giveaway. We were not compensated for this posting.

 Since 2005, WonderCostumes has specialized in selling costumes and accessories for the whole family. Located in sunny Miami, Florida, the company ships to countries world-wide and are renowned for their excellent customer service and competitive prices. Whether you are looking for brave superheroes, enchanting princesses or spooky Halloween ghouls, Wonder Costumes has the selection to fit your needs and desires. Find your ideal costumes quickly and without hassle anytime throughout the year—for school plays, festivals, parties, or any themed event!  What costume would you buy if you won?

Connect with WonderCostumes Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
 Now for the Giveaway! One lucky winner will receive $100 credit to WonderCostumes with free shipping. This is open to US residents, age 18 and older. Sponsor responsible for prize fulfillment. Refer to Giveaway Tools for terms & conditions. Giveaway begins October 8th, 2016 at 9pm Eastern and ends October 13th, 2016 at 11:59pm Eastern.
Dis­clo­sure: Blog­gin’ Mamas is being com­pen­sated for man­ag­ing this give­away, but is not respon­si­ble for prize ful­fill­ment or ship­ment, nei­ther are any of the blog­gers involved in this give­away. This give­away is in no way affil­i­ated, endorsed, or asso­ci­ated with Face­book, Twit­ter, Pin­ter­est, Insta­gram, or any other social media out­let. All opinions are those of our own.
SHARE:

Two Winners $100 Best Buy Gift Card

Reviewz & Newz is helping to promote this giveaway.  Reviewz & Newz is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Disclosure: Tom's Take On Things is participating with UnitedHealthcare on this promotion, however all opinions are 100% his. Participating bloggers helping promote the giveaway are not being compensated for this post.

 We all have questions about choosing the right health plan. We all have concerns about choosing the right one that will give us the most benefits. We all have fears about affording the right plan to cover us and our family in the ways that it must provide us the best coverage. Why not find out about the health plans from UnitedHealthcare? and see if they fit your needs, and the needs of your family and win some great prizes in the process. UnitedHealthcare makes it easy to find the information you need, and thinks everyone should be aware of all the options that their health plan offers, and how to get the information you need for procedures and benefits that you and your family needs.   There are 4 stages of the quiz which are all super fun, and easy, and not only can you win the $100 Best Buy Gift Card being given away here, you can win the $100 weekly prize on the UnitedHealthcare site, or the $500 monthly prize they are giving away as well. Tom's Take On Things, and participating bloggers are going to be promoting a chance for all of you to win a $100 Best Buy Gift Card, with one winner at the end of October, and one winner at the end of November. 

With the screenshot above you can see the beginning of the quiz, you must complete the whole quiz, and enter the promo code: tomstakeonthings when you are done and hit enter as in the screenshot below. Then come back daily here, to get more entries to win the $100 Best Buy Gift Card. You can take the quiz daily, and be entered to win for all the prizes being given away. Just come back, and start the process again! Stage 1: Answer a few quiz questions about health care, even if you don't know it, UnitedHealthcare will tell you the right answer! Stage 2: Play a matching game surrounding the three different types of health care accounts—try and match the different types of accounts you can have. Stage 3: Use our slide configurator to learn more about premiums versus out-of-pocket ratios. Are you a math wizard? even if you are not, test your ability and choosing the best answer! Stage 4: Use our ranker to organize what you think would be the least expensive option to the most expensive if you couldn't go see your Primary Care Physician. This promotion runs for 2 months! I know, lot's to keep up with, but every one of the wonderful bloggers helping and Tom's Take On Things will keep reminding you of the giveaway. Part 1: runs from 10/8 - 10/31 and will have a $100 Best Buy Gift Card Winner Part 2: runs from 11/1 - 11/30 and will have a $100 Best Buy Gift Card Winner  
SHARE:

Top 6 Must Have Subscription Boxes

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, THERE IS A SUBSCRIPTION BOX SERVICE FOR IT.


Monthly subscription box services are super popular right now. Whatever you're into, you can get it, delivered straight to your mailbox. Check out some of the awesome and very convenient subscription services I have found for you. 


Birchbox- Birchbox is the original beauty box. It is $10.00 per month, or you can pay in full for the year. They send you a customized beauty box of items based on a profile you fill out and what you are most interested in receiving. They also offer a male box subscription. If you like the products you receive, you can purchase them from their shop, and get points which are equal to actual dollars to spend in their shop. So that's a big fat bonus. If you're going to buy products, you should do it where you get rewarded. 


Dollar Shave Club- Razors. We all need them, and they aren't cheap. Dollar Shave Club offers a variety of options, and one of them is actually $1.00, but you are required to pay for shipping costs. The other options don't require shipping fees and, are all under $10.00 per month. If you don't need a monthly supply of razors, you can choose a plan that meets your grooming needs. The first month is free, so it can't hurt to try it out. You have nothing to lose. They also offer a wide variety of gels and creams that can be added to any order. For everyday shavers this seems like a heck of a deal. 


LootCrate- This is a gamer's fantasy box. Your "crate" is $13.95 per month, plus shipping. You will get a variety of items such as, collectibles, comic books, candy, or shirts. Every month you are dazzled by your favorite geeky loot.


BarkBox- This is a subscription service for your best friend, your dog. They send treats, grooming products, or toys based on your dog's size. Prices varies between $19-29 per month. This is a great way for you and your puppy to try new things and not spend a ton of cash. 


Bulu Box- This is a health, fitness, and weight loss subscription box service that sends 4 to 5 sample items each month to see what works for you with your fitness goals. As weight loss and health needs vary for everyone this seems like a great way to try new products based on your profile. Samples vary from vitamins, snacks, ointments, or teas. It is $10.00 per month and also has a store you can purchase from that gives you rewards. 


Fabletics- This is a stylish athletic wear subscription service that allows you to pick an outfit every month for $49.95. New styles are offered monthly, and you do have the option to skip if you aren't interested that month, as long as you tell them you are opting out. They are very on-trend outfits and have a variety of options to choose from. Your first outfit is only $25.00, so if you live in yoga wear, this box is certainly worth trying. 

All of these services, and so many more, make it fun to go to the mailbox again! I can't wait to see what's waiting for me today.
SHARE:

Spectra S1 Double Breast Pump


 Did you know that many insurance companies will now cover a brand new breast pump for expecting and new parents? That's right! There's no need to spend hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket for a new pump. A new, name-brand breast pump can be yours and there are services out there that will do all the work for you - including billing insurance and shipping the pump to you for free. Edwards Health Care Services is one of these organizations and they believe that all women should have access to breastfeeding equipment. So, they make the process of obtaining a breast pump simple. All you have to do is fill out their online form or give them a call. One of their Breast Pump Concierges will take care of verifying your insurance, getting a prescription from your doctor and communicating with your insurance company on your behalf. Once they verify the order with you, they'll ship the breast pump for free right to your door. Easy, right?! Edwards Health Care Services is offering one lucky reader a Spectra S1 Double Breast Pump with tote and cooler! The S1 with tote and cooler is a “deluxe” pump and would incur an upgrade fee when ordered through insurance, but they want to ensure you have everything you need to get started on the right foot. You can learn more about Spectra pumps by following their Facebook page. breast pump for free Here is some information about the Spectra S1:
The S1 Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump with inbuilt rechargeable battery is available. Providing all the features of the S2, with the addition of an inbuilt rechargeable battery. This means that you are now able to benefit from the efficiency, power and performance of a hospital grade breast pump, without compromising on portability.
  • Super quiet
  • Closed system – hygienic for you and baby
  • Night light & timer
  • Everything you need for double pumping
  • Powerful, adjustable suction
  • Letdown mode and fully adjustable program to best suit your body
  • Slow-flow teats suitable for newborn feeding
  • Inbuilt rechargeable battery
Open to the US only, ages 18 and up. Ends at 10/20/16 at 11:59 PM EST. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good Luck!
Disclosure: One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector and notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Void where prohibited.
SHARE:

Thomas and Friends Bike Giveaway

Reviewz & Newz is thrilled to help promote this giveaway!  I hope my readers will enter and share.


Do you have a Thomas and Friends fan who's ready to learn to ride a bike? Dynacraft has the perfect solution! They recently introduced a 12 inch Thomas and Friends bike with training wheels that is just adorable! You can see this bike in action and find out more about it at Thrifty Nifty Mommy.

Bike Description:

The cute racing shield and wheel covers will help your little train enthusiast feel like a conductor as he rides the Dynacraft Thomas the Tank Engine Boys' 12" Bike, which features a customized frame with fun themed graphics. The bicycle also features a talking Thomas and a whistle play feature for fun. Adjustable training wheels help you customize the bike to your child's needs. A rear coaster brake helps keep your little rider in control of the action. Product Highlights
  • Thomas the Tank handlebar shield and wheel covers will help your child imagine he is driving the train engine around Sodor Island
  • Adjustable training wheels help keep your little rider in control while adapting to his needs
  • Fun customized frame has themed graphics and is made to look like Thomas
  • Talking Thomas and whistle play features will entertain your little one as he rides around
Open to the Lower 48 US States only, ages 18 and up. Ends at 10/20/16 at 11:59 PM EST. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good Luck!
Disclosure: One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector and notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Void where prohibited.
SHARE:

The Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill

Reviewz & Newz is happy to help promote this giveaway!

We're huge fans of the Step2 Company, aren't you? Kim from Thrifty Nifty Mommy recently had the chance to review the Happy Home Cottage & Grill and her daughter just loves it. Check out her full review to see the details! You can also watch her review here:
The Happy Home Cottage & Grill was recently released in PINK and is available exclusively at Toys"R"Us. Here are some details about it:
The Happy Home Cottage and Grill by Step2 is a toddler's dream playhouse that resembles the home, plus it has a grill! Little ones can pretend play as they are grilling, cleaning and welcoming guests into their very own home. The realistic and charming exterior of this kid's cottage will look great in any backyard. The outdoor fun never ends with this outdoor kid's playhouse. Made in USA of US and imported parts from China. The Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill (In Pink) Features:
  • Working Dutch door and shutters
  • Molded-in flower box perfect for real or fake flowers
  • Interior includes kitchen seat, fireplace, wall clock, play phone, built-in shelves and kitchen table and faucet
  • Open design keeps kids visible
  • Exterior features pass-through mailbox and realistic doorbell (requires two "AAA" batteries, not included)
  • Charming design with realistic stone and wood finish
  • Built-in floor with drain holes
  • Adult assembly required
To celebrate the launch, we're giving one away too!

Open to the continental US only, ages 18 and up. Ends 10/19/2016 at 11:59 PM EST. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!
Disclaimer: One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector and notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Void where prohibited.
SHARE:

Absenteeism - Absences Add Up

Depending on where you are – your kids have likely been in school for a month or two already. Have they missed any days during that time? How many? Is that even something you think about regularly? When they did miss – you probably did everything you needed to do to ensure that they stayed caught up, right? Unfortunately, there are kids out there who do not have that luxury and they are falling behind. A student who misses just two days of school each month — 18 days total in the year — is considered to be chronically absent. However, many parents don’t realize that, even when absences are excused or understandable, absences add up and can greatly impact a child’s education. In the United States, more than 6 million children are chronically absent from school each year. Key Takeaways for Parents
  • Every absence matters.
  • Absences matter as early as elementary school.
  • Absences matter whether they are excused or unexcused.
  • Students who miss just two days of school each month, or 18 days in a year, are more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and math and less likely to graduate from high school.
Tips and Suggestions
  • Keep track of how many days of school your child has missed.
  • Figure out why your child is absent from school.
    • Are they dealing with a chronic illness like asthma?
    • Are they being bullied or struggling at school?
    • Are they staying home to help care for a family member?
  • Visit AbsencesAddUp.org to find help addressing the underlying cause of your child’s absences.
    • Ask teachers and community leaders for advice and specific resources in your area.
    • Don’t be afraid to reach out to other parents in your area to ask for help and share tips.
  • To prevent absences in the future, consider enrolling your child in a mentoring or afterschool program.
  • Understand the impact of each absence on your child’s future.
    • A student is chronically absent even if they miss only two days of school each month (18 days per year), whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
    • Chronic absenteeism can affect students as early as elementary school.
    • Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to read on grade level by third grade.
    • Students who cannot read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
One third of parents surveyed admit that they could do more to ensure that their child attends school every day. There are many reasons why students miss school when they don’t have to. Some are struggling in the classroom, while others may be having trouble with bullies, or dealing with challenges at home. Children who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are less likely to read on grade level by the third grade. Students who cannot read at grade level by the third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Your child’s daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. And while some challenges to your child’s school attendance are unavoidable, it’s important to understand the impact of each absence. SPREAD THE MESSAGE! The best way to ensure success for our kids? Get them to school every day. Visit AbsencesAddUp.org for tips #AbsencesAddUp Every day in class = 1 day closer to graduation. Learn more about ensuring our kids' success at AbsencesAddUp.org #AbsencesAddUp
SHARE:

The Best Standing Desks


Lift 24




Standing desks are tending now, and for good reason!  They are so versatile and you can step to you desk, do what you need to do and move on to you next task.  ErgotronHome sent me two standing desks to try out and I love them both.   


Lift 24

The Workspace™ Lift24 is an adjustable-height laptop stand that converts any surface into a standing desk. Want to sit? No problem! Just detach the tray to bring with you to your favorite chair where it can rest on your lap, providing extra space for a mouse, touch pad or notebook. This desk retails for $199.95


Hub 27




The Workspace™ Hub27 is a slim cabinet with a channel to plug in & charge all your devices—laptops, phones or tablets. A true space-saver, this organizer also doubles as a wall-mounted standing desk: just flip its door down to create a handy worksurface. Sort mail, make notes or do some computing, then close it up to conceal its contents. Retail: 349.95

My favorite things about these two desks are that they are compact, easy to use, and fold away for easy storage! 

Which desk is your favorite?

This giveaway will have two winners!  Please use the Rafflecopter form below.  Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It for hosting this hop!  Make sure to check put these other bloggers and your chance to win more prizes!
SHARE:

Heroboys Gift Pack

heroboysplaytime-11 Finding quality toys for boys can sometimes be difficult. Boys toys all seem to be the same, they lack that qualities we are all trying to teach our boys to have. Crissi and Ed Boland, an entrepreneur duo knew there was a need for a product that is a positive model in the boys’ toy market. After seeing the encouraging influence American Girl dolls have had on young girls, the couple with two young boys of their own created an equivalent toy for boys, Heroboys. 2 HeroBoys are a collection of six 18-inch action figures (the same size and structure as American Girl dolls), and each has his own back story of the transformation into a superhero. Unlike other Superheroes, their powers focus on positive things like helping the environment, having manners and being kind to others. producthires40_2 Their story is told with a periodic comic book subscription delivered right to kids in the mail. With honorable values and upstanding morals, the HeroBoys line is unlike any other toy currently on the market for 3-10 year old boys.theheroboys They are meant to use children’s love of superheroes to celebrate adventure, imagination, and limitless potential, while reinforcing positive values, values we learned from our parents: honesty, loyalty, humility, compassion, and diligence. heroboysproduct-14 The HeroBoys brand is part of Whimzy Entertainment, a company founded by parents dedicated to providing quality, developmentally meaningful content to children through toys, games and media. They are dedicated to creating products and brands that foster joy, creativity, learning, and development in children and producing products that are fun and useful for a child or parent. They won’t make anything just to try and sell it. heroboysprint-36 They are available at HeroBoys.com or on Amazon.. The Goal of Heroboys is to let young boys know: “There is a hero in every boy.” heroboysgiftappac One lucky winner will get a HeroBoys set of their choice which includes one 18-inch hero, with corresponding t-shirt, cape & mask and HeroBoys issue 1 comic. The retail value of the prize is $107.Giveaway is open to US only and ends on 10/23 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!
Disclosure: All opinions are 100% mine. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network.All opinions and experiences are Conservamom‘s. Open to Continental US residents only , must be 18+. Confirmed Winner(s) will be contacted through email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor will be responsible for product fulfillment to winner(s) of the giveaway. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Elia At Conservamom Save
SHARE:
© Reviewz & Newz
Blog Design by pipdig