Bounce Houses Now Bouncing At Brandcation

I am at Brandcation and the theme is adventure, and it wouldn’t be complete without having a little kid like fun.  For me, I live vicariously through my own boys, and just love to see them get a kick out of having fun.  With up coming Winter months, it gets harder to entertain them and well, wear them out.  I have always wanted to get them a Bounce House.

As a kid growing up I never even had the chance to get in one of these things.  Every kids event we go to, they always have the big commercial bounce house, and it seems to be the center of attention.  My boys love these things and it is a great energy release for them.

So while I am having great fun here at Brandcation, we are getting the chance to win one of these fabulous bounce houses for our kids courtesy of Bounce Houses Now.  I think it would be a great addition to our big empty playroom downstairs, and perfect for our gigantic back yard in the warmer months.  An inflatable bouncer like this would be fun for all the kids in our neighborhood, and I would be the mom of two very thrilled four year old little boys.

Bounce Houses Now, has a ton of bounce houses to choose from, for both residential and commercial use.  They have everything you can imagine on their site too, and I would love to have one for my boys.  They are all pretty cool looking.  DO they make these things for adults????

So if you see me standing on my head or doing something crazy and out of the ordinary, it is so I can bounce in the door from Brandcation with a very special surprise for my kiddos!  Wish me luck!!!!

Bing Our School Needs Contest Voting Phase!

Education is one of the biggest and most important things that we can give our children so that they can be successful in their life.  It is the best gift that we give our children in hopes that they can flourish as individuals.

Bing is showing its commitment to education by helping teachers and students by providing them with the financial support needed to ensure their success in learning.  Bing will be giving away up to $1.1 million dollars through its Our School Needs contest.  In a bid to win $100,000 for their school, parents, students, and teachers around the country have been sending in essays, photos and videos to Bing to tell them what their school needs. The entry with the most votes wins $100k, and 3 others will each win $50k. The voting phase starts Friday, October 29 and runs through Sunday, November 7. America will be asked to vote on the 15 Our School Needs finalists as determined by the panel of judges. The winners will be announced Tuesday, November 9.  Be one of the first 30,000 to vote for your favorite finalists each day and receive a $3 donation code to redeem for the classroom project of your choice!
This hits so close to home, so do know that your votes matter!  I used to be an early development teacher and there were so many budget cuts that I found myself dipping into my own pocket to get the kids the books and material they needed for successful development.  There are so many great teachers, and sometimes there just aren’t enough resources.  In the schools near me, teachers and parents have set up classroom donation lists where parents bring in two of a particular item so their is a surplus of much needed supplies.

When I watched some of the videos and read some of the stories, all of them touched me in some way.  But Bear River Charter School, a K – 8 school in Logan, spoke to me because of the importance of books in my own children’s lives that I found getting them a new library is something that is like winning a million dollars.  Up to date books in every subject is great for little imaginations, and children who read are smarter, have better language skills and go far in their education.

If you want to help our schools out, casting your vote for a school in need is a wonderful start.  You never know the young minds you are helping to shape (maybe the next president or the one who finds the cure for cancer) just by clicking a button.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bing and received a gift card and DonorsChoose.org giving code to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Brandcation Im On My Way!

In just four short days, I will be hopping on a jet plane to head to Orlando to have an experience of a lifetime, and I will be sharing it with some of my fellow bloggers.  What’s this you ask?  I am going on a one of a kind Brandcation vacation!    I cannot even begin to tell you just how excited I am to slip away and create some lasting mommy memories.

November 4th-7th, I will be spending fun filled days swinging from the trees and flying across the swamps (literally) and enjoying it in the company of 30 other bloggers.   The theme of this Brandcation is adventure, and I must admit I am not the most adventurous person, when it comes to getting out, but I was very excited to see what is in store for me.

Our main sponsor of this fabulous event in Kissimmee, Florida is Global Resort Homes, who is providing us with some very beautiful homes to stay in.   Global Resort Homes is a really great option for your family if you plan to stay in the Orlando/Kissimmee area and comes with some wonderful perks that a hotel cant offer you and at a pretty affordable rate.  You have all the amenities of being at home like a kitchen, washer and dryer (makes packing light easier), your own private pool, and you are close to all the major attractions.  This the house that I will be staying at, and I can hardly wait!  Talk about a mommy oasis!

Friday

Our first full day we will be swinging from the trees and I will be screaming for my mommy in a one of a kind ziplining adventure on Florida EcoSafaries We will be above it all on an aerial nature tour – a network of cables designed so we can fly through Pine Flatwoods and over forested wetlands, home to native Florida wildlife including alligators, black bears, white tail deer and the endangered Florida Panther (just as long as I stay above it all!)  This is where you need to pray for me, I am afraid of heights, but I’m so excited!

After a fun filled and exciting day we will head back to our wonderful vacation homes to get ready for an evening filled with mystery and who done it at Sleuths Mystery Dinner.  I have always wanted to play detective, and it reminds me a lot of playing the game Clue when I was a kid.  Either way it should be a complete blast.

Saturday

The following day we will gliding through the Florida wetlands on wildlife tour.  I will be taking my first ever airboat ride thanks to Boggy Creek Airboat Rides.   Our airboat tour will start with a quiet travel down a natural canal viewing exotic birds, turtles and the Florida alligator in their own natural environment. Then we will fly like the wind into the swamps  traveling up to 45 miles per hour!  Not only am I a lover of being out on the water, but I love the chance to view wildlife in their natural habitat. 

The day wouldn’t be complete without seeing one of Florida’s natives the Alligator!   After our boat ride we will be heading to Gatorland.  This is a 110- acre park, where you can get up front and personal  with thousands of alligators & crocodiles.  They have an aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, award-winning gift shop and one-of-a-kind reptilian shows including the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-close Encounters Show.

We cap off our night with yet another wonderful dinner at Arabian Knights.  This theatrical production at Arabian Nights features riders and acrobats performing with more than 60 horses, including  Walter Farley’s Black Stallion.  I love watching horses, and I think they are so majestic, I can hardly wait to see this wonderful production.

Sunday

I will be heading off to Disney World with the remaining bloggers to get my fill of pixie dust and the magic that Disney has to offer, before heading back home from what will seem like a dream.  I will get to experience Disney from a more adult perspective yet act like a big kid.  I can hardly wait to get some of those chocolate dipped rice krispie ears.  If you haven’t ever tried them, then you simply must!

Monday

I will be heading home to my wonderful family and will get to share more of my adventures with you.

Thank you to MomDot for setting up such a wonderful and creative event and to Global Resort Homes for helping to make our stay in Florida a wonderful one!  See you all in Florida!   Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Wordless Wednesday

The Boys At The Pumpkin Patch

I Got It Mom!   Ooomph!

Iowa’s Cornucopia Tour Celebrating Our Farmers

I was recently invited to Iowa By the Corn Growers Association to experience first hand how some of our foods (not just corn) make it to our table and the wonderful farmers who make our foods a reality.  I think many consumers waltz right into their local markets pick up their hamburger or vegetables and lack much appreciation on how it got there.  Let’s face it, we are a high demand society and we want it all right now!

We took a look at agriculture’s past, explored a modern farm (including a combine ride to harvest the crop), raced around Iowa speedway in an ethanol (one of the food industry’s by-products) powered vehicle, and enjoyed the tastes of a local winery and stepped into the kitchen to cook with Chef Terri Kohl.

Our first stop was The Machine Shed for a little breakfast before we made our way to Living History Farms.  The breakfast was out of this world and cinnamon rolls as big as your head.  You can see I am not kidding!

We headed on to Living History Farms where we would learn the history of the changes of how farming was then and how it is now.  Living History Farms was designed to help make the general public aware of the importance of farming and how it has helped our country develop.  It was interesting to see the major differences in how they farmed then vs now.  I actually admired the simplicity of farming that once was, and can appreciate the magnitude of today’s farming industry.  If you think about it, our local farmers are now feeding hundreds of thousands of people, versus feeding a small town or family.  We met Bill a 24 year old Percheron horse, saw the way they used to cook on an 1800’s stove, and shelled corn the old fashioned way.

I have discovered that corn and farming are huge in Iowa along with soybeans, hogs, and ethanol production.  Iowa farmers are taking corn and turning it into food, feed for livestock, fuel and fiber.  In 2009, they produced 2.4 billion bushels of corn (BILLION with  a B).  That is a lot of corn!  And why Iowa? Iowa has some of the best growing conditions for corn, really awesome soil, and a ton of livestock which equals a lot of poo.  And we know that poo (manure) is a great way to fertilize!

After our tour of Living History Farms we visited the Couser family farm where we talked about corn and stepped out on to the field to ride in a combine and harvest a little corn. We learned from family farmer Bill Couser, who was awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award for 2010 in Iowa recognized for outstanding efforts in protecting the environment. He talked about nothing going to waste and how they can take 1/3 of their corn production and get valuable parts from it to feed livestock, make oils, and get ethanol, making that third go a really long way!  I was amazed at what you can do with just corn!  We then met some of the cows that eventually get turned into one of the many  foods to eventually feed our families.  I was a little sad to know how short their lifespan is, but I am not ready to give up my steak or hamburger, so it has to come from somewhere.  The ride in the combine was really interesting, if you wonder how they clear out those massive fields of corn.  And if you think a combine is a cheap piece of farm equipment, think again!  Farmer’s pay upwards in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars to own this piece of equipment, and for some, that’s more than their own home costs!

After our visit to Couser farms, we were in a race, to get to the Iowa speedway, where we got the chance to fly around the track in an ethanol powered vehicle.   Ethanol is produced primarily from corn and used as an additive in gasoline.  I am not much of a thrill seeker, but racing at 109 miles around the track, was awesome, but I was glad to eventually slow down.  The video I took, didn’t do it justice, and it is faster than I would ever go.  I cant imagine racing around the track at almost 200 miles per hour!

The day ended with a trip to Jasper Winery and gave our palates a work out tasting different varieties of wine.  I am not usually a big wine drinker but I did find a favorite or two.  Then it was back at our hotel to digest the wealth of information served up for the day.

The following morning we had the pleasure of breakfast with Dr. Ruth MacDonald who is a Professor and Chair of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University.  She was only with us a short while, and was answering some of our pressing questions about food, nutrition and safety.  It was here that we asked questions about anything food, including the debate on HFCS (high fructose corn syrup).  I wish we could have listened to her speak much longer, because she provided us with a wealth of food based knowledge.

After breakfast, we were off to Ador Kitchens to prepare a fell course meal with Chef Terri Kohl.  We all divided into groups and created a meal fit for a king, which included Cider Sauced Apple, Walnut and Bacon Stuffed Iowa Pork Chops, 3 Bean with Sweet Potato Chili (this was my group and it tasted fantastic!), Leek Cremini Mushroom and Roasted Corn Risotto (all I could picture was Hells Kitchen  LOL), and Spiced Apple Dumplings for Dessert!

Time to Eat!!!!

After our meal we were off to get back to our families with a new appreciation of the foods we eat, how they get here, and the farmers that make it happen.  I wanted to send out a huge thank you to The Iowa Corn Association for inviting me to Iowa to experience the farming industry and to all the Farmers, our Guides at Living History Farms, Jasper Winery, the Machine Shed, Chef Terri Kohl, The Ladies With Iowa CornPR,  Iowa Speedway, and anyone I have missed for welcoming our group of bloggers into your world that is farming, and experience first hand what farmers do to feed us.

Wordless Wednesday Pigs and Pig Tails

Here piggy piggy!

They really do curl!

Logitech Mouse Winner

The Holiday Grind

I am usually one who loves the holidays, but it seems like every year the mood to get festive grows less for me. Have you noticed that when you walk into the stores, that the Halloween section is almost on clearance and the shelves are being stacked with Christmas items? I dunno about you, but I am not ready for the Holiday grind in many ways.

With finances being tight for everyone, the constant retail reminders can almost be down right depressing. I feel like I have little time to look forward to the holidays because they are here before my kids go trick or treating and I am so sick of them before the time they actually arrive. My kids have forgotten about Halloween and are already asking me about Santa.

You see it even with the clothing industry. I couldn’t find a Fall jacket for my kids because by the time they actually needed them and I had the extra cash, they had already clearanced them out or had none! The world might end if I can actually buy Fall clothing in Fall.

I fear that we are rushing through our lives at the speed of lightening and for what? I am not really sure. I wonder if the push to do it all before is hurting our kids and society and over satisfying the urge for instant gratification? Think about it….what would happen if we all just slowed down? I think that it would cause mass chaos because we are all so used to moving at the speed of light!

Holiday Guide 2010 Get Ready To Shop!

The leaves are turning, the weather is still a bit warm and brightening our days, but the holidays are right around the corner.  So even though there is no snow, it’s time to sing your Fa La La’s and get ready for a little holiday shopping and cheer!

DoubleBugs will be offering a 2010 Holiday Gift Guide for your online shopping needs! The savings guide will run from November 5 – December 31st.

These will consist of amazing Holiday gift ideas for everyone in the family, discount codes and even some holiday giveaways!

Next to each Holiday Gift Guide post until December 31, 2008, you will see the 2010 Holiday Gift Guide tag next to it.

If you would like to be featured in the 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, please email me at laurie@doublebugs.com. We will have some great gift ideas, discount codes for your shopping needs and even some fun giveaways!

My Ultimate Family Vacation

Sponsored By

Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your ultimate family vacation.  As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine and Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.

Do you ever dream about where you would want to go if you travel? Often times, being a family of 4, it is a financial burden to take a vacation. If I could dream up the perfect vacation, I think it would involve taking a Disney/adult cruise to Alaska to view the Northern Lights and do some whale watching. I have always wanted to photograph some of the most beautiful places in Alaska. Being a mom, I would love for it to be a fun vacation for my boys where they could enjoy some of the fun activities that would appeal to them, but not take away from enjoying the vacation as an adult. I would take my parents with us, because we have never formally been on a vacation together when I was growing up, so I would love to give that to them as a gift. I would spend a few days on whale watching expeditions, since this is a passion of mine and I went when I honeymooned in New Zealand. I would photograph the glaciers, and take pictures of sunsets over the lakes and fiords. I couldn’t think of a more perfect vacation than that. It would be a place where the boys could have fun, but we could relax. I think vacations should be about your passions and the things you love in your life, including your family!

Don’t forget to enter the  “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, for a chance to win your own ultimate family vacation. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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