Sunshine and Sippy Cups

Educational Insights Giveaway!

Happy holidays you lovely readers! Feelin’ lucky? Then enter to win some great prizes for kids in my newest holiday giveaway – get all of the details below. And then take a minute to enter to win all of the other fun prizes I’m giving away this month too – all located in a big list over in my sidebar. Have fun and good luck!

Welcome to the Educational Insights Giveaway!

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Sponsored by: Educational Insights

With small children – spending some time reading and working on math skills can make all the difference for them during classroom time. Often times as parents, we are not always fully aware of what their skill sets should be, or how to practice with them. Educational Insights offers an assortment of high quality and interactive learning products that encourage kids to learn through interactive play. Krista over at Savory Savings recently had a chance to review the Hot Dots Jr Let’s Master Kindergarten Reading and Math sets and shared her thoughts in a review. These skill building sets start at the Pre-K age group and go through third grade. The program promotes building base skills and then moves into more challenging lessons to promote forward thinking and prepare them for the next level.

Would you like to win a Hot Dots Jr. Skill Set (in the grade and lesson of your choice)? If so, use the Giveaway Tool below. This giveaway is open to US residents only, ages 18 and older. One entrant per household. This giveaway will run from December 6, 2013 through December 20, 2013 at 11 PM CST

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Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 5, 2013 Filed Under: Giveaways | 1 Comment

How to Raise Healthier, Happier Children

One of my favorite quotes about parenting is this one, “Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.” – David Bly. I was so terrified to become a mom, and had a long, winding road that brought me to motherhood. But this quote was one I clung to – there are a lot of small things that, really, in the long run, don’t matter that much. Whether I cloth diaper or use disposables, whether I buy the coolest new baby gear, whether I know the “best” ways to do every thing… Well, she’s still going to make it through in one piece. The more important thing in the whole world to me is that she grows up to be kind. Someone who treats others with understanding and compassion, who gives back to those around her, who does her small part to make the world a little brighter and better. Oh yeah – and I want her to be funny. :) Which she totally is. So, I try to set the best example that I can, apologize when I’m wrong, and explain when I make mistakes. And along the way, I hope I’m teaching her some important lessons about living healthy and happy…

“The Best Way to Make Children Good is to Make them Happy” – Oscar Wilde [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 4, 2013 Filed Under: Parenting | No Comments

How to Bring Home a Little Elf Magic…

I admit it. I’m one of those moms who totally get into the spirit of Christmas. We decorate like crazy – We have more decorations on the outside of the house than anyone in the whole neighborhood, and more decor inside the house than anyone I know. And I totally love traditions that remind me of all the magic the holiday held for me as a little girl – writing letters to Santa, filling stockings on Christmas eve, watching sappy old holiday movies as a family. And one new tradition we started last year that is definitely a keeper is to bring some Elf Magic to our lives during the month of December.

Elf Magic is the original – the first Elf tradition to be introduced and sold as a complete set. And what I like best is that unlike some of other elf traditions out there, that use other elf figures – Elf Magic really focuses on your child bonding with their Elf. In some other traditions the story is that the elf loses their magic if your child touches him, or that the elf is watching to report bad behavior to Santa. I love the way they put it…

Elf Magic captures Christmas spirit you can hold in your hand and feel in your heart. [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 4, 2013 Filed Under: Holidays, Celebrations | No Comments

Join Me & @NGKids for a #WeirdWednesday Twitter Party

What’s weird but true about you? On December 4th, National Geographic is encouraging everyone to share via social media some weird but true facts and photos about you, or your world – using the hashtag #WeirdWednesday! To celebrate all of this fun weirdness, we’re hosting a super cool Twitter party, where you can get more eyes on your weirdness. Because really – the only people who aren’t weird are the ones you don’t know enough about, right? :)

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 3, 2013 Filed Under: Blogging Resources | No Comments

Tips to Avoid Stress and Find Your #HolidayZen this Season!

‘Tis the season for… Stress? Well, for some people, there’s more stress than sparkles during the holidays. Which I hate find a sad thing, since Christmas is my very-most-amazingly-super-duper favorite time of the year. Even with the craziness, it fills me with serious happiness. And now that I have a little one to share it with me – and at 3 years-old this year, she’s really big enough to appreciate it all – it’s even better. But, since I know not everyone is able to easily manage the stress of the holiday rush, I’m super excited to be sharing tips and tricks to help – during an amazing Twitter party happening on December 4, at 1p ET / 12p CT / 10a PT. Keep reading to learn more, RSVP, and be eligible to win some awesome prizes!

Finding your own Holiday Zen… [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 3, 2013 Filed Under: Blogging Resources, Holidays | No Comments

How to Get the Best Gifts & Best Deals at Best Buy

I made my list, and checked it twice – then picked it all up at Best Buy! Obviously I’m a little bit biased about Best Buy, since I’ve been part of their amazing WOLF {Woman’s Leadership Forum} Blogger program for over a year now. But the reason being part of that program made me fall in love with them is because I learned SO much about Best Buy that I didn’t know before! I would never have thought to buy my washer and dryer there, since I didn’t realize they carried them. But just a couple of months ago I did – and even after searching everywhere online, I couldn’t find a better deal than Best Buy. I learned about their awesome Geek Squad assistance {which has saved my life quite a few times now.} I learned about their My Best Buy points system, where I earn bonuses by shopping with them. And did you know they have a price match policy too?

The amazing team at Best Buy sent me a gift card to do my holiday shopping with them this year. They wanted to see what real moms really have on their list this year. Instead of them telling us which gifts to tell you about, they wanted us to show off the stuff we were truly excited about. So, I printed out my rewards certificates on MyBestBuy.com, tucked my gift cards into my wallet, and grabbed my Christmas list, and headed out over the river and through the woods, to our closest Best Buy store.

Holiday Shopping at Best Buy Rocks [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 2, 2013 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

How to DIY Holiday Centerpieces Using Wine Bottles – Tutorial

I love DIY home decor. And I love it even more when you can personalize your home on a budget. So I am totally in love with the super fun ideas in this new video from Sabrina Soto, on ULive.com. She’s so fun to watch – really upbeat and bubbly, and just very real. She always has really good tips to share – but this is one of my favorites: It was originally filmed as tips for Thanksgiving, but all of the ideas totally work for any season or celebration. Check out this amazing centerpiece she made from super simple materials –