Happy Birthday Art Pack Giveaway!!

Today is Nani's 7th birthday!!  While I will write more a little later about my first-born, my baby, my angel.....I wanted to get this very special giveaway up!
Nani is having an "artist-themed" birthday.  And in honor of that birthday, Nani and I thought it would be fun to share her birthday theme with an art pack giveaway!

In this art pack, the winner will receive:
A watercolor pad
A construction pad
(2) packages of stencils
(1) package of paint brushes
(1) box of markers
(1) box of water color paints
(1) box of pastels
(2) art canvases

The giveaway will end at midnight on Saturday, December 17th and will be shipped via Priority Mail on Monday, December. 19th to hopefully arrive in time for Christmas!
To enter:
(Please leave a separate comment for EACH entry)

1)  Share your favorite birthday theme that you did either for your child or that you had.  (1 entry)
2.  Share a favorite birthday memory (either yours or for your child)  (1 entry)
3.  Follow my Facebook Page - The Toy Box Years  (2 entries)
4.  Follow me through Networked Blogs (2 entries)
5.  Share this giveaway on your Facebook page or blog about it (and leave a link)  (4 entries)
6.  Leave a birthday wish for Nani or Christmas greeting on the wall of my Facebook page (4 entries)

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Guilty Pleasures and Giveaway #7

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE PAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAYS LISTED AT THE LINK ABOVE!!

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I have my guilty pleasures.  I'll admit it....I enjoy some good reality TV every now and then. Although, recently, since My Marine has been gone....I get carte blanche with the remote and the DVR.  If it's worth watching, I'll DVR it. 

For awhile there it was The Bachelor.  A train wreck that I couldn't turn away from.  I am anxiously awaiting The Bachelorette with Ali.  DVR Worthy?  At least for the first few episodes.

After the Bachelor came Dancing With the Stars.  Not every season sucks me in.  This season is no different.  I'll watch as I flip through other shows.  I really got turned off by Kate Gosselin's constant whining, Ocho Cinco's bravado, Pamela Anderson's boobs, and Jake's constant teary eyed declaration of love for Vienna.  (Gag!)  DVR Worthy?  Not. 

Next comes American Idol.  I will admit that I LOVE American Idol.  As someone who appreciates music, this is one show where I love seeing all the raw talent.  This season however is one huge yawn.  I initially had this one set to DVR for every audition and the first few episodes.  But lately, I'm just really disappointed with this show in general.  I need me some Adam Lambert or Daughtry.  DVR Worthy?  Not anymore.

And finally, The Marriage Ref.  If you haven't seen this show, you really should watch it.  It's a cross between Divorce Court, Seinfeld, and anything on Comedy Central.  Couples plead their case (which could be anything from a cigar store Indian in the dining room to who cooks dinner) before a panel of celebrity judges.  Some of the panel has included Jerry Seinfeld, Donald Trump, Alec Baldwin, and Sarah Silverman.  My Marine and I watch this show every week and have never been disappointed.  Watch it once and you won't be either.  DVR Worthy?  4 thumbs up!!  (My two, and hubby's two!)   

But the bottom line is we all have our guilty pleasures.  For some it's chocolate, books, crafts, purses, shoes, or jewelry.

Which brings me to Giveaway #7!

Gen over at Girls and Sunflowers makes some beautiful handmade jewelry.  She recently contacted me about doing a giveaway of some of her jewelry.  I jumped at the chance and she sent me pictures of the beautiful earring/bracelet/necklace combo that she created just for this giveaway!

Aren't these pieces gorgeous??  I'm sad I can't enter my own giveaway!

For a chance to enter: 

1)  Leave a comment sharing what your guilty pleasure is (1 entry)
2)  Visit Gen's Etsy Store and leave a comment about what other pieces you like from her collection (1 entry)
3)  Visit Gen's blog Girls and Sunflowers and become a follower (1 entry)
4)  Follow me through Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)
5)  Follow me through Networked Blogs or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)
6)  Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)

Giveaway ends on 5/14

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Tracy Beckerman and Giveaway #5

You may remember that in January, I started a personal reading challenge for 2010. 

One of the authors that I read was Tracy Beckerman who wrote "Rebel Without A Minivan."  She quickly became of one my favorite-est (yes, that really is a word) authors -- especially when she responded to my email about my review of her book and sent me an autographed copy!

Anyway - I regularly stalk read her blog. She really is such an inspiration to me - both as a mom and a writer/blogger.  I just love her honest look at suburban family life -- especially with such humor. 

Well, in reading her blog, I found out that on Sunday, May 9th (which also happens to be Mother's Day), CBS Sunday Morning will be doing a story about the legacy of humorist Erma Bombeck featuring author, blogger and modern day Erma, Tracy Beckerman of “Lost in Suburbia.”

I've already set my DVR!

I wanted to share this with you because if you haven't read of Tracy's blog or her book, you really should.  It is some of the funniest stuff I've ever read.  You can find my review of her book here.

Which brings me to Giveaway #5!

In honor of Tracy's appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, I will be giving away a copy of her book, "Rebel Without A Minivan"

So, how to win:

1)  Let me know if you've read anything by Erma Bombeck (1 entry)
2)  Visit Tracy's blog and leave a comment letting me know you visited, left a comment or became a follower (1 entry for each one)
3)  Follow me through Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)
4)  Follow me through Networked Blogs or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)
5)  Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)

Giveaway ends on 5/12!

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I've Been Banned and Giveaway #4!

It's gotten to that point.  It's official.  I've been banned.

Before My Marine left for another weekend of training, I was told that I was not allowed to shop in any more craft stores, garage sales, or thrift stores.  Until I've completed at least 5 projects.

He thought he had the best of me.

He was wrong.

I took that as a challenge -- and thought, "Only FIVE projects?"  He really doesn't know me very well, does he? 

He doesn't know that some of them, like the hair bows, t-shirts, and cards are ongoing projects.  There will never be an end to those.

What he didn't say was that they had to be BIG projects.  It just had to be ANY project.  (Cue evil laugh....)

So bring it on Marine.....bring it on!

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Project #1 of 5 -- Painted Tiles.

Valerie, over at the Frugal Family Fun Blog, posted about this fantastic project - painted ceramic trivets.  (If you haven't visited, you really need to go visit Valerie! She has the GREATEST ideas for frugal family activities and crafts!)

So, I decided that this is what we were going to make the grandma's for Mother's Day. (Because you know they just eat this stuff up!)

I picked up the tiles at Lowe's for about .30 each.  I already had the paint and paintbrushes, so all we needed to do was find the time - which we did during Nudgie's nap.

Such concentration!!

Nani's finished tiles

Mommy's finished tiles

Once the paint was dry, I sprayed them with a couple coats of sealant and glued some cork onto the back.

So take that!!  One project down -- four to go!


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Which brings me to giveaway #4! 

Since I've been in major craft mode lately, I decided to offer one of my readers this little craft pack!

One lucky reader (and their child/ren) will win 2 packs of multicolored foam sheets and an activity bucket full of foam shapes, beads, and everything needed for some rainy day fun!

So, how to win:

1) Share with me your favorite rainy day activity with your child (1 entry)

2) Follow me through Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

3) Follow me through Networked Blogs or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

4) Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)

Giveaway ends on 5/11!

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Random Monday Thoughts and Blog Giveaway #3

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Mayhem in the Ukranian Parliament....

Apparently the folks in the Ukrainian Parliament didn't agree with some of the topics of discussion and started throwing tomatoes and smoke bombs at the leadership. Isn't it funny how in the 21st Century, that there when you get so angry that all you can think of to do is throw smoke bombs and tomatoes? I suppose, compared to the alternative, it's not a bad choice.

Gee - think we can get Congress to try something like that?

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In local news....Remember Deputy Cletus from the infamous high school tasering incident that I wrote about earlier has now resigned. First smart move you've made Cletus!

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Last Monday I hosted a playdate for my fellow MOPS table leaders and their kids. Everyone, except one mom, showed up. I had a total of 8 moms and 15 kids under the age of 5 in my home. Amazingly, all the kids got along great and played very well together! My house looked like all the toyboxes threw up, but I loved every minute of it!! Great way to start the week!

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There is nothing like a lecture from your mechanic to make you feel total shame. It pales in comparison to being lectured by your parents.

I got an engine light on my Jeep the other morning. I panicked, like I always do, and thought the worst -- a HUGE repair bill. Turns out that my Jeep was severely overdue for an oil change. Now, before I get a lecture from all of you too, I - normally - am on top of this stuff like white on rice. But for some reason, this time around, I just kept pushing it off and pushing it off until the Jeep could take no more. So I took it to our garage and hoped for the best.

One oil change and one lecture later, the engine light no longer taunts me.

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And here is Blog Birthday Giveaway #3!

These three decorative plates with inspirational quotes.

Live, Love, Laugh

Faith, Family, Friends

Dream, Believe, Hope

I just love inspirational quotes, don't you??

One of my readers will be the lucky winner of these three plates.

So, how to win:

1) Share with me your favorite inspirational quote and if there's a reason why it's your favorite (1 entry)

2) Follow me through Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

3) Follow me through Networked Blogs or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

4) Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)

Giveaway ends on 5/10!

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I Got An Award and Blog Birthday Giveaway #2!

What a way to start off the month and my Blog-Versary (Or Blog Birthday, or whatever you want to call it!)
Julie, over at A Journey, Not A Race chose me as the Blogger of the Week!  I'm just so honored!!  Thanks Julie!(Please be sure to head over to Julie's blog and return some love!)

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And now for my second giveaway!

Aren't these canvas prints gorgeous??

I have a set that I want to hang in our bedroom (once we complete redecorating).  I just LOVE them! 

They are a wonderful reminder to keep God in my daily thoughts!

And I have 3 sets to give away!! 

Three of my readers will win a set of these prints!

So, how to win:

1)  Share with me your favorite Bible verse and if there's a reason why it's your favorite (1 entry)

2)  Follow me through Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

3)  Follow me through Networked Blogs or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

4)  Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)

Giveaway ends on 5/9!

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