Avon Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to
Lynne B.
Winner or the Avon Reed Diffuser and Color Palette.
Check back often at DoubleBugs for more fun opportunities!

Game night for New Years Giveaway!

Christmas is Just about here and that means New Years is right around the corner. If you are anything like our family we tend to ring in the new year having fun at home. The restaurants are always packed, and we aren’t big party fans but we love to be around family. We are hoping that 2009 brings good health and happiness for everyone.
My favorite thing to do is a game night on New Years Eve. It is so much fun to get all your favorite snacks and drinks, watch the New Years specials like one in Times Square and just enjoy each others company. Put on your comfy clothes and have fun.
So to get ready for New Years I have put together a fun bunch of goodies to give my readers to have their own family fun night. It beats getting out in the cold and is a great alternative so everyone can enjoy.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!
Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful comments and recipes!

Family Fun Night Package Will Include:
*Uno Flash Game (this is such a fun game!)
*2 Free 1lb bags of M&M’s
*Two boxes of Orville Butter Popcorn
*The Mummy Movie (new release)
*Canon SD PowerShot 1000 (perfect for capturing movies, pics and memories)
*400 Free Prints for Snapfish

Heres what you gotta do!

Leave me a comment on what your favorite family thing to do is along with a fun snack recipe.  Let me know what your New Years Resolution is!

Leave me and email so I can contact you if you win

Contest Starts December 18, 2008 and Ends December 28 2008

If the winner does not respond within 2 days a new winner will be chosen.

Good Luck!

I love my new HP laptop

In case you haven’t heard about my poor dilapidated laptop, you can read about it here. I was busy lamenting over the cost of a new one, but I desperately needed one. I do all of my blogging on the thing, and it was almost 6 years old. I had reached a point that I had to plug my desktop computer monitor in to see what was on my laptop. The keyboard had been replaced, the port where you plug in to charge had been soldered 3 times, and the hard drive had been replaced. I still sort of miss it, but I am in love with my new HP laptop! And, she is a real beauty, right down to the awesome shiny silver touch pad (  the little things excite me).  The fact that it works makes me happy, but its all the details that has me all giddy inside .   This laptop is such a real treat for me, and it even has a built in web cam!!  The widescreen display is awesome, and editing my pics is so much easier now.   I have watched a couple movies on it and just love putting on my headphones to listen to music.  The battery lasts forever which is nice for a busy mommy like me, I can bring it with me through the house, which is nice when you have two busy toddlers.  Thank you HP for such a wonderful product!

I have the HP Pavilion dv5-1138nr Entertainment Notebook PC

Here are the specs!

Mid-size laptop: The HP Pavilion dv5-1138nr is a mid-size laptop, with above-average processing power and everything most people need for basic computing, entertainment and online communication. This model has premium features including powerful dual-core processing, a DVD SuperMulti drive, built-in webcam, the Mesh Imprint finish and data loss protection.

Dual core/64-bit processing: This laptop features the dual-core 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 processor. The Core 2 Duo has two processing engines that work together, giving this processor much more power than standard 2GHz processors. This processor built on 64 bits architecture, enabling it to handle twice as much information as older 32-bit processors.

* This laptop features 4GB of DDR2 system memory—enough for the most demanding users, gamers and multimedia professionals. DDR2 is slightly faster than DDR, the previous standard in system memory.

* Data travels to the processor along the frontside bus. The faster data travels, the faster everything works. This laptop features a 800MHz frontside bus.

* Processors search for the same data over and over. L2 caches keep this data neat, organized, and nearby so it can be retrieved more quickly. This 2MB cache gives the processor a boost.

Hard drive: This hard drive features a 250GB capacity—plenty of space for your music, movies and multimedia. This drive’s data disks spin at 5400rpm. The faster they spin, the faster the data is read and written.

Blazing-fast wireless N: Built-in 802.11abgn wireless LAN lets you take advantage of the speed of the latest and fastest networks, as well as networks using the most popular standards.

DVD SuperMulti drive: Use this drive to burn DVDs and CDs to share your files, music mixes or home movies. You can even burn DVD-RAM discs—specially-formatted discs that let you drag and drop, or write and rewrite your files up to 100,000 times.

Widescreen display: This laptop features a gorgeous 15.4″ high-definition widescreen display with 1280 x 800 pixel (WXGA) resolution. Your documents and movies will look fantastic.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1: Featuring the elegant Aero interface, this is the operating system for homes with advanced computer needs. You’ll be able to use your laptop more effectively and enjoy new entertainment experiences—all with the benefit of added security and reliability. This 64-bit edition is for serious computer users who have advanced high-performance needs and are running a computer system with a 64-bit processor.

Audio/video: This laptop features Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with up to 1759MB of shared video memory, which is drawn from the main system memory. This video memory is perfect for watching movies and videos or light gaming. Built-in Altec Lansing speakers provide compelling 3D sound.

Media card reader: Seamlessly transfer images from your digital camera or camcorder. This 5-in-1 reader is compatible with Secure Digital, xD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and MultiMedia Card.

ExpressCard/54 slot: This laptop supports ExpressCard, an emerging standard in smaller, faster PC card solutions. The slot is also compatible with ExpressCard/34. Use it to add memory, graphics upgrades, security devices and more.

Built-in webcam/mic: Stay connected to family, friends or business associates wherever you go. Video chatting face-to-face is easy with the built-in camera and microphone.

Instant cinema to go: Enjoy digital movies and music within seconds with the press of an external button and HP QuickPlay. You can then control everything with the included remote.

Software bundle:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) with Service Pack 1, Works, Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), and Internet Explorer
Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (with 60 days of live update)
Vongo
HP Smart Web Printing
HP PhotoSmart Essentials
HP QuickPlay
CyberLink DVD Suite
Muvee autoProducer
Adobe Acrobat Reader
HP Games powered by WildTangent

Cheekeyes Winner

CONGRATULATIONS

TO

Cindi H.  Winner of the Cheekeyes Giveaway!   She chose the African Animal Set!

Check back often for more great ideas, musings and giveaways on DoubleBugs!

Long day

I love the Christmas holidays, but it sure can be tiring when you are a mommy. I wish that I was Mary Poppins some days lol. Don’t you just wish you could wiggle your nose and the house would be cleaned, the laundry done and put away, a full course meal on the table, dishes done, gifts wrapped, shopping done? A girl can dream cant she? If only there were about ten more hours in my day, I think I could get it done and have time for a long bath, a massage and a 4 hour nap. This sounds good, but then somebody pinched me.

Joobles to Delight Your Little One This Holiday

I often  think that simple toys are the better choice for little kids.   It allows them to use their imagination and they don’t tend to overstimulate their little brains.   Sometimes less is better.   I am a huge fan of eco-friendly toys, not only because they are safer for the environment, but more importantly, safe for our children.   I think this world is exposed to enough chemicals!

I am always eyeballing all those cute little knit toys that I see.  Some of them are just too expensive for my budget, or are poorly made.   I was recently introduced to Joobles, and they are adorable!   Each with a little personality of their own, these cute and cuddly critters are a perfect snuggle companion for your special little someone.   Bubs, the youngest of my twin boys, is my snuggle bug and the one who takes his blanky to bed.   When I first got “Cally the Cat” he was very quick to give it a nice big hug.  I love Joobles!, they are soft, and so squishy which makes snuggling up with them irresistible.  They have just the right amount of stuffing, and are so well made and you can just tell they were handcrafted with all the important details.

About Joobles

Where do Joobles come from? Started by a Peruvian family — a mom, a dad, and their daughter — this company provides work and hope to hundreds of rural and urban Peruvians all over the country. Small groups of impoverished workers are trained to run their own small businesses making hand-knit clothing and accessories.  In addition to providing much needed employment, they train workers throughout Peru in such valuable skills as quality control and production planning. Fair Indigo also works with this company’s charitable arm by donating free breakfasts and school supplies to children of the workers

Each incredibly soft animal is made with eco-friendly dyes and organic cotton grown in Peru. Calley the Cat stands 11” tall (as all the friends do) with adorable whiskers and a huggable green and yellow body. For parents hunting for eco-friendly toys, all of the Joobles are made with cotton grown without the use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or other chemicals. Eliminating these chemicals is not only better for baby, but also for workers and for the environment.

PowerPump Gas Rewards and one-stop shopping at Safeway

I know with us officially being in a recession, that money is tight with a whole lot of people.    I know that I am out scouring the papers for coupons, checking the internet for coupon codes, and trying to eek every drop of gas out of my tank before I have to fill up again.  Thankfully, the gas prices have dropped a little bit.

I know a lot of the grocery stores in my area offer fuel perk rewards and such, for your purchases and many of these stores allow you to buy gift cards to your favorite shopping places and in turn you earn money off your gas purchases.

Safeway has some of these great ways to save money!  Safeway and its family of grocery stores (Vons, Dominick’s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Pavilions, Carrs and Genuardi’s) are helping to make this holiday season a little easier on the pocket book. Shopping with Safeway’s Club Card offers the opportunity to earn gas rewards whenever you grocery shop, buy prescriptions, and even gift cards.   Most significantly, you can earn double Power Pump Gas Rewards for every $100 in gift cards purchased with your Club Card at Safeway stores. This is perfect for the holidays because you can give gift cards to people’s favorite places and save yourself a little money at the pump.   This is especially useful if you are like my family and do a lot of travel during the holidays.

Check it out and see if there is a Safeway store near you and keep your credit cards from smoking this year.

Delgo, When two worlds collide

Experience A Little Peace & Goodwill This Holiday Season – Animated Style Delgo brings messages to life in fantasy action adventure

This movie looks like it might be a good film to take some of the teenagers too this holiday season.   The animation looks pretty cool and the characters remind me of Shrek.   The first thing that came to mind when I watched the trailer is Lord of the Rings meets animation.   I had to chuckle a few times during the preview because the movie does have some humor thrown in.   This one will be an interesting one to see!  You can view the trailer here.

About the Movie

Releasing in theaters December 12, Delgo’s impressive voice cast includes Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Delgo), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Princess Kyla), Anne Bancroft (exiled Empress Sedessa) as well as Chris Kattan (Filo), Val Kilmer (Bogardus), Lou Gossett Jr. (Nohrin King), Michael Clarke Duncan (Lockni Stonesage Council), Kelly Ripa (Kurrin), Burt Reynolds (Delgo’s Father) and Sally Kellerman (Narrator).

The story takes place in the magical land of Jhamora which is divided between two cultures – the Nohrin, winged masters of the skies, and the Lockni, the terrestrial tribe who harness the mystical powers of the land.  When Delgo (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), a reckless Lockni teenager, forms a forbidden friendship with the spunky Nohrin Princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt), hostilities between the two peoples escalate, setting the stage for an exiled empress (Anne Bancroft) to exact her revenge and reclaim her rule.

Falsely imprisoned, Delgo and his best friend, Filo (Chris Kattan), must put aside their differences to join forces with a sworn enemy, Bogardus (Val Kilmer), and travel to the mysterious land of Perran to rescue Princess Kyla.  Here they encounter fanciful creatures and discover more than just a kidnapped princess, they learn the value of different cultures and the importance of working together.

About Fathom Studios

Atlanta-based Fathom Studios has been creating award-winning computer animation since 1991. A division of the interactive agency Macquarium Intelligent Communications, the studio focuses on developing original content for television, film and the Internet through passion and creativity. Delgo is an independent movie and Fathom Studios’ first animated feature. The film was recently awarded “Best Feature Film” at Anima Mundi 2008 by an audience of approximately 100,000. Delgo is rated PG and has a running time of 90 minutes.

Cute Cuddly and Smart…Smart-E Bear

My boys are just at the age where they are interested in music and singing songs and are growing leaps and bounds in their development. Sometimes with their short attention span it is hard to hold their interest to any one thing for very long, before they are on to the next. So any toy that holds their interest for longer than a few minutes is simply at the top of my list.

I am a huge fan of toys that inspire imagination or toys that actually teach the boys something so it is a learning experience. So many toys today have batteries but I swear they are there only to annoy parents rather than provide anything useful. I was recently introduced to SmartE Bear and I instantly fell in love with him and everything about this soft, smart, cute and cuddly bear. This bear is simply brilliant (literally!).  Designed by Intellitoys in a joint effort with Kids Preferred, SmartE Bear combines a little bit of the traditional with technology and brings your child a fun and interactive toy that can tell stories, play simon says, or even sing them to sleep. Together they created the newest software tucked in a very soft bear, dog and cat. These technology-friendly pals are simple to program and easy to customize.  You simply connect SmartE to your computer and you can download songs, stories and a whole lot more!

One of the boys’ favorite songs is “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” so I went in and downloaded it onto the bear and played it for them. Neither one of them wanted to put it down after that, and well when I put “Jingle Bells” on there, Mommy had a hard time getting the bear away long enough to adjust the volume.

This one is definitely a keeper and well I found myself playing with SmartE well after they went to bed.  It is just so much fun!  This would make a really fantastic gift for the holidays and is sure to put a huge smile on any kids face.   I know my two just love it!

Smart-e-bear • $79.99 • Ages 2+
Designed primarily for non-reading 2 to 6 year olds, smart-e-dog, cat or bear encourages children to discover and explore through a library of literally thousands of award-winning songs, interactive stories, educational games and other content that parents can selectively purchase through the Internet and download to the toy with a super-easy USB connection. Measuring 13” tall, this plush pal utilizes electronics about the size of a deck of cards. The squeezable, adorable animals will enchant little ones with their “smarts” from hearing a song to reading a story to playing a game. There’s always something for kids to discover as the software changes and grows with the child’s interests from the nursery to kindergarten.

DoubleBugs is offering its readers the chance to win a SmartE Bear, Dog or Cat of their choice!

All you have to do is visit SmartE, take a little tour in the Learn more section and check out all the fun things you can download.  Come back here and leave me a comment on what you would download if you won a SmartE and which one you would choose.

Leave me an email so I can contact you if you win

Good Luck

Deadline is December 17, 2008

His First Solo

The boys are now starting to sing songs and it is soo adorable to listen to them. I thought I would share a little clip of Bubs singing his absolute favorite song “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” Enjoy!

« Previous Page — Next Page »