Oct 31, 2013

Make your cupcakes unique, fun and tasty with Batter Babies ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read



Batter Babies are cake batter separators made specifically for cupcakes.  With them, you can make half & half cupcakes - either flavor or color combinations.  Made of a food-grade plastic, they are reusable and dishwasher safe.  Remove before baking.  So simple to use, even children can create their favorite cupcake flavor/color combinations.

My Review :
Batter Babies take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.  A fun and fantastic way to make cupcakes into art.  My kids thought this would be a fun review to do while one of their friends' was over for a play date.  They helped me decide on what colors we were going to use for our cupcakes, then after I mixed up some yellow cake mix - I separated it into 2 bowls and added 2 different colors of food coloring.  We thought that would be colorful and fun.

Mom Loves 2 Read presents ~ Holiday Gift Guide 2013

Welcome to Mom Loves 2 Read's second annual Holiday Gift Guide Event.
This year I have a lot more experience under my belt in promoting sponsors, setting up and implementing giveaways and providing unique and thoughtful personal reviews.

For this 2013 Holiday Gift Guide I am providing my readers and faithful followers not only with a fun-filled list of amazing books and products that would make great surprise gifts for loved ones and friends this holiday season ~ But!  I am also hosting a whole stocking full of great Giveaways along with some great reviews!  So keep those computers tuned up and check in regularly as I post, promote and have a fun-filled holiday providing you with all the fun you can handle.

Starting November 1st and Running Right up to Christmas in December, the Holiday Gift Guide 2013 on Mom Loves 2 Read will be continuously bringing new product reviews, books for the whole family, favorite sponsors from past reviews, and new sponsors I'm excited to work with!  

So hang onto your virtual seats as we all go on an exciting Holiday Ride on Mom Loves 2 Read

Want a sneak peek at what is in store for you?  Here are just a few categories and products that will be featured during this Holiday Event . . .
Books for the Family
Choir of Angels
I See Me ~ Christmas Bear
Rolly Polly Monster
The Lost Medallion
Can't-Wait Willow
The Sparkle Box
Humphrey the Humpless Camel
God Hearts Me books/bibles/devotionals
Audrey Bunny 
A Bride for Keeps
Scrooge and Marley




Toys, Games & Fun
 
I See Me ~ Coloring Books
Little Passports ~ World Edition
Little Passports ~ USA Edition
Little Pim Language Learning
ABCmouse.com




For the Kids
I See Me ~ Lunchbox
winter boots from Kamik
Funbites
The Juppy



Men & Women's Gifts
winter boots from Kamik
clothes ~ Tshirts and More
  winter/hunting boots from Kamik




Pets & More
Fou-Fou Pets

 

Snacks & Food
 
 The Pasta Shoppe
Tropical Traditions
PB Crave





For the Home

candles



Music & Movies
Grace Unplugged
Standing Up!
Rhythm Bears CD
The Lost Medallion



Travel & Outdoors
 
hunting
camping
family travel made easy items





Other
 
MOM LOVES 2 READ - **FREE Ad Space GIVEAWAY**

ML2R Personal & Family Favorites
*this is a list with links to some of our favorite books, products & sites that my family have reviewed this past year that stood out above the rest - also included are the sponsors responsible for these items and direct links to those sponsors websites*
MyPerfectGift.com ~ sponsor: MPG
Little Passports World & USA~ sponsor: Little Passports
Little Pim Japanese & Spanish learning DVDs ~ Little Pim via Red Connect Online





Like what you see?  Did you click the links to read my reviews?  Go to the websites to find out more about these products?  Super!  Have any questions?  Feel free to ask - comment below or email me, I'd love to tell you more about some of these amazing sponsors & products!

This list will change weekly and sometimes daily as last minute sponsors sign up - I will be taking new sponsors up through Nov 29th for this HGG list.  



And finally . . . do you have a Holiday Gift Guide on your blog?  Feel Free to link it up here:

Oct 29, 2013

Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith ~ An Amazing Children's book Review & GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read

About Audrey Bunny

From best-selling women’s author Angie Smith ( I Will Carry You, Mended ) comes this sweet children’s book about a stuffed animal named Audrey Bunny who fears her imperfections make her unworthy of a little girl’s love. She'll learn the truth soon enough, and young readers will learn that everyone is special and wonderfully made by God.



[Also included]: The Parent Connection (last page of the book) shares discussion questions and activities reinforcing God's love for us.



Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith (lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah), best-selling author of Mended , I Will Carry You , and What Women Fear , and one of the most popular speakers and blog writers in the country. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and lives with her husband and daughters in Nashville, TN.  
Find out more about Angie Smith and her books

Delicious GIVEAWAY ~ Pasta With Personality, makes wonderfully tasty gifts ~ Holiday Gift Guide 2013

 

Welcome to Mom Loves 2 Read!
Throughout the Month of November through early December, I will be providing a lot of fun giveaways to celebrate the upcoming Holiday Season.  
Kicking off with my Holiday Gift Guide 2013 post, then adding more and more as the season draws near.

Spirituality for Kids ~ a free online program that encourages children to make a difference in the world around them! Review on Mom Loves 2 Read


Spirituality For Kids is a free online program that you and your child can do together. Don’t wait another minute!

Spirituality for Kids is back with an entertaining, self-guided program that encourages children to reflect on their actions, to see challenges as opportunities, to develop self-worth, and to activate the desire to make a difference in the world around them. 

To make sure the child is grasping the concepts, there are five “checkpoints” throughout the lessons. Each “checkpoint” is an activity that will help the parent measure their child’s understanding of the spiritual concepts covered along the way. If you notice your child is having a challenging time understanding a concept, revisit a video lesson more than once and discuss a concept together several times.

Spirituality for Kids is a completely self-paced and flexible program based upon your child’s needs. You can determine the amount of time needed for each lesson, be that a single day or stretched out over a longer period of time.

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs ~ a day in the life of a little boy with Cystic Fibrosis ~ Review & Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read

There are 30,000 children each year diagnosed and battling cystic fibrosis. There is no cure for this progressive disease. Sticky Icky Booger Bugs is the tale of a boy's battle with cystic fibrosis as he attempts to avoid the hospital. 

Kory is just like any other child. He loves recess, playing soccer and exploring his neighborhood with his best friend. With every puff, cough, and sneeze, Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun every day!


My Review :
This is a wonderful book to explain to children and parents what it is like to live every day with Cystic Fibrosis.  I love how Kory explains his daily schedule and that other than the sticky icky booger bugs, he is like nearly every other kid his age who enjoys soccer and playing with his friends.  He can run and play, he just has to take special care of his body so he can breathe better.

Bringing in Finn Review ~ an amazing story of miraculous birth and the love of family

Bringing in Finn is an incredibly moving story of surrogacy and how it created a bond like no other between a mother and daughter

In February 2011, 61-year-old Kristine Casey delivered the greatest gift of all to her daughter, Sara Connell: Sara’s son, Finnean. At that moment, Kristine—the gestational carrier of Sara and her husband Bill’s child—became the oldest woman ever to give birth in Chicago. 

Bringing in Finn: An Extraordinary Surrogacy Story tells this modern family’s remarkable surrogacy story.

After trying to conceive naturally without success, Sara and her husband Bill dedicated years to a variety of fertility treatments—but after Sara lost a third pregnancy (including the loss of twins at twenty-two weeks), they started to give up their hope. When Kristine offered to be their surrogate, they were shocked; but Kristine was clear that helping Sara become a mother felt like a calling, something she felt inspired to do.

In this achingly honest memoir, Connell recounts the tragedy and heartbreak of losing pregnancies; the process of opening her heart and mind to the idea of her sixty-one-year-old mother carrying her child for her; and the profound bond that blossomed between mother and daughter as a result of their unique experience together.

Oct 28, 2013

A Bargained for Bride Book Tour and Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read

bargained tour
a bargained A Bargained-For Bride by Marcia Lynn McClure (Novella)

Excerpt
“You’re the sweetest girl in Mourning Dove Creek, you know?” Jack mumbled as he paused in kissing Jilly a moment.

Jilly smiled. “And you’re the handsomest man in Mourning Dove Creek, you know,” she flirted in return.

Jack smiled. “I do know,” he said.

Jilly giggled. Jack Taylor was so predictable—and a little conceited. He really did think he was the handsomest man in Mourning Dove—and he was, for the most part.

Secretly, however, if Jilly ever allowed herself to be completely honest about it (which she tried to avoid), there was one other man in Mourning Dove who always crossed her mind when the subject of the handsomest man in town arose. Yet there was no lingering on thinking of that man—no sirree! Not for a moment! Not for any reason—ever. And so Jilly just kept telling Jack that he was the handsomest man in Mourning Dove Creek. Besides, it was almost true—being that the other man lived outside of town and not right in town the way Jack did

Oct 27, 2013

My Image Bracelet Maker Giveaway ~ a fun way for kids to create unique jewelry



My blogger friend over a The Stuff of Success has kindle offered to share her review and giveaway of My Image Bracelet Maker her on Mom Loves 2 Read . .. .
 
My Image Bracelet Maker

My Image Bracelet Maker is a unique craft toy that gives children (and often parents and grandparents) the opportunity to create personalized photo bracelets. The kit comes with 6 preprinted image cards, including 144 pictures, an extra strength glue stick, 18 elastic threads, 54 image tiles in 6 bright colors, a knot key tool (to make seamless bracelets), and even has a refill kit with special glitter tiles available.

Mommy Moments Mondays 10/28 on Mom Loves 2 Read ~ Time to link up those fun parenting posts again!


Welcome to another Mommy Moments Monday Hop
hosted by Susan @ Mom Loves 2 Read.
 
This is a time for Parent bloggers to support each other and share our fun and not so fun parenting moments, advice and more.
Post the direct link to your recent or favorite post that tells us about a parenting experience, advice, funny or serious happening, etc
Then spend the rest of the week, hopping around to visit other posts and leave a friendly comment!
 It's that easy!

Send Greeting Cards online with Send Out Cards ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read


We all know it’s fun to receive a special greeting card in the mail. But who has time these days to shop for one and then take it to the post office? SendOutCards is the new way to let you use the ease of sending a card via the internet, but create a real card and have it arrive in the U.S. Mail.

I was offered a chance to try this website for free for this review.  My daughter just had a birthday, and I thought it would be perfect if she made a Thank You card to send to a family member as our test.  She found this pretty floral design - then we added the wording.  It was easy to do and took only a few minutes to complete.  The card turned out just the way she wanted.  And now has been mailed out to our family through SendOutCards.com.

They make it easy and fun to quickly make a card or note and they take care of shipping it on behalf of the customer.  Cost is low, the same as any other card, except for the expense of the paper and envelope!


A fun way to send Holiday Cards too!  Might be a good idea for someone like me who tends to wait til the last minute, then find out I don't have enough cards on hand to send.  Takes only a little time to find a great design, personalize it with words that are from my own mind/heart, then pay the postage and off it goes!

You can find out more at
SendOutCards.com
Twitter - @MySendOutCards
Facebook - #/usasendoutcards

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review using Tomoson.com. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Personalized Kid's Stationary from Amy Adele ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

http://www.amyadele.com/template/images/logo.jpg 
Amy Adele stationery is perfect for notes to send to family and friends. Designs are available in incredible variety--designs include seasonal themes, fun critters, floral themes, and many, many more. The flat cards are so versatile.You can use them as invitations, announcements, thank you notes, or just to send a "hello" to a friend!

I ordered the free set of kids stationary for this review for my middle child, older daughter who just turned 9.  She loves to send notes in the mail to her friends and she absolutely loves Peace Signs.  Her bedroom is decorated in peace signs and flowers so I knew this was the perfect card design for her.

Oct 25, 2013

Mom Loves 2 Read welcomes Author Eleanor Vincent as today's Guest

Today on Mom Loves 2 Read, I welcome Author Eleanor Vincent to share a little for my readers of her experience with Grief Recovery . . .

Reflections on Grief Recovery

It’s been 21 years since my 19-year-old daughter Maya was thrown from a horse and went into an irreversible coma. Healing my grief over Maya’s death has liberated me in ways beyond what I could ever have imagined. The worst has already happened. What is left to fear?

Swimming with Maya is a crisis memoir that plumbs deeply the intense shock, grief, and anger that followed in the wake of my daughter’s accidental death. What I wrote in those pages continues to move and amaze me.

As I prepared to reissue Swimming with Maya in e-book and paperback format last spring, I read page

Baby Bullet Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read

Welcome to Mom Loves 2 Read - I have joined with fellow blogger from The Stuff of Success to bring you this wonderful giveaway . . .

Hosted by: The Stuff of Success 
Sponsored by: Baby Bullet
Thank you to all the collaborating blogs!


Set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating and feeding. The Baby Bullet Baby Care System revolutionizes the way you’ll feed your baby for the first 3 years of life! Jarred baby food is often 10 x more expensive than homemade food and jarred food typically contains unhealthy sugars, fillers, and preservatives…. EVEN when it’s labeled organic! But, with the Baby Bullet you can make AND store an entire week’s worth of healthy baby food in under 5 minutes for less than $3.00!

Oct 23, 2013

Choir of Angels Blog Tour and Review on Mom Loves 2 Read


This year’s Christmas pageant is going to be the best ever! And Riley is prepared to be the greatest Joseph the pageant has ever seen. The only person standing in his way is Sam, the class bully, but Riley knows he can get the part. What he isn’t prepared for is a lesson in forgiveness in this endearing story about sacrifice and love.

He was so ready for this moment he could barely breathe. If he won, he knew he’d be the best Joseph the pageant had ever seen.

Riley loves Christmas, and this year, he wants something special: the chance to play Joseph in his school pageant. Sam, the neighborhood bully and a talented singer, wants the part too and is crushed when Riley lands the role. Riley doesn’t care—until he learns the secret Sam has been keeping from everyone. Now Riley has a choice to make, one that will change his view on Christmas forever.

Told from the perspective of a 12-year-old boy, this charming tale reminds us that being like Christ is the most important celebration of Christmas.

Oct 22, 2013

A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read


When her student, six-year-old Mary Noel, survives a car accident over Thanksgiving break, Amber and her new friend, Paul, are determined to cheer her up during the holidays. But Mary Noel’s most painful injury is the loss of her dog. The more withdrawn Mary Noel becomes, the more Amber and Paul need a miracle—a miracle that requires the entire community’s help.

“What’s happened?” Amber asked.
“One of your students was critically injured in an accident.”
Amber let out a squeak. “Who?”

Tragedy brings heartache to the community of Apple Blossom. A car takes the life of 6-year-old Mary Noel Simmons’s best friend—her dog—and nearly destroys Mary Noel’s spirit as well. Now she lies at the hospital, traumatized and silent, while the medical bills are piling up with no way for her parents to pay them.

That is, until Mary Noel’s teacher, Amber Kellen, breaks out of her quiet, lonely life to help.

Oct 21, 2013

Use this Limited Time Coupon Code for Disney Live Tickets ~ Enter the GIVEAWAY

DISNEY LIVE!
Three Classic Fairy Tales
Limited time offer! Get your tickets today!  
$4 OFF SELECT SEATING
CODE
: BELLE
VALID OCT. 21ST–NOV. 1ST

NOVEMBER 9 TH
with performances at 2:00pm and 5:00pm

DISNEY LIVE! presents three classic fairy tales in this stunningly beautiful live stage show, see the princesses you love come to life! Follow Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on an exciting journey through the enchanted forest. Join Belle in a thrilling, action–packed, adventure with the Beast. Be amazed as Cinderella transforms into a dazzling princess just in time for the Royal Ball. See the happily ever after happen right before your eyes, live on stage, in three of the best fairy tales ever! It's a breathtaking, magnificent event that's perfect for all the princes and princesses in your life! DISNEY LIVE! presents three classic fairy tales. Share the magic with your family HERE IN YOUR HOMETOWN!


Tickets are already on sale for $57, $42, $27, and $20. They are available at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1–800–745–3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
 

AND, DON'T FORGET TO ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A 4 PACK OF TICKETS RIGHT HERE ON MOM LOVES 2 READ!!!

Disclosure: I am a Feld Entertainment Ambassador.  I receive free tickets for my family as well as for giveaways in exchange for promoting local events. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Oct 20, 2013

Mommy Moments Mondays 10/21 with Mom Loves 2 Read ~ Time to Link Up those posts all about pregnancy, kids and fun parenting mishaps.


Welcome to another Mommy Moments Monday Hop
hosted by Susan @ Mom Loves 2 Read.
 
This is a time for Parent bloggers to support each other and share our fun and not so fun parenting moments, advice and more.
Post the direct link to your recent or favorite post that tells us about a parenting experience, advice, funny or serious happening, etc
Then spend the rest of the week, hopping around to visit other posts and leave a friendly comment!
 It's that easy!

ATTN BLOGGERS, authors etc ~ Sign Ups Open for HUGE Holiday Wishlist Giveaway Event ~


 photo e4035ab9-8449-4eff-bc3c-d18e2a5d3b49_zpsfe8fdf36.jpg

Hosted by Mom Loves 2 Read


Event dates: 11/7 - 12/1
Sponsored by MyPerfectGift.com
2 Great Prizes 
~ first prize is an item from winner's wishlist up to $250 value (or Paypal/Amazon if winner lives outside US)
`second prize is item from the winner's registry/wishlist up to $25 from their "FAVORITES" section - so must have some favorites to be eligible.
Blogger Incentive Prize ~ $50 Paypal/Amazon (will be determined through a separate giveaway form)

Only taking first 25 bloggers - max 2 cohosts - FREE twitter link with sign up - additional links $2

INTERESTED?  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!


*any blogger who pays $10 or more to join this one HGG giveaway, will get 2 complimentary links in at least 2 of my holiday gift guide giveaways during the month of Nov through early Dec!

Keep Calm and wear these amazing shirts from Hank Player! Review & Giveaway #hankplayer #lovez2read

https://www.hankplayer.com/images/hankplayerspin/headerLogo.png 
We all wear clothes (at least I hope you all do!) And most of us try to find something that fits our personal style plus doesn't cost a fortune to buy.  Well, when contacted by the sponsor of this review ~ Hank Player, I was immediately excited to try some fun new shirts that are full of personality!

I of course had my son choose his favorite design, then I chose one as well.  Here is what we ended up with - and I must say we have both had quite a few great compliments from friends and even complete strangers when we each wear our shirts out in public!

Oct 19, 2013

Betty Crocker Smash Cakes ~ Cute and fun for baby's first birthday memories

When my kids were very young, their first few birthdays were such fun to plan.  Decorations, cake, ice cream and more - what theme? colors? characters would my son/daughter most enjoy?

I remember my son's first birthday ~ I had made a small cake for him to personally have then a larger cake with one of his favorite characters on it for the family to share.  He looked at the yummy cake and sunk his fingers all the way in to grab a bite.  Then, to everyone's delight and amazement - he began fussing and shaking his hands off to the side of the highchair!  He didn't want that yucky stuff on his fingers!  It was absolutely adorable and funny.  His smashed up little cake was a yummy treat as long as he could figure out how to keep his fingers clean - :)

Oct 18, 2013

Review of Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen on Mom Loves 2 Read


Just Ella Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen  
Book Summary:

A Proper Romance

Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she’d imagined.

I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me.

Oct 17, 2013

Anti-Bullying Awareness ~ Stand Up, Speak Out and Win $100 in Amazon GCs


As the mom of three, two of which have already experienced bullying by peers at school, I am always interested in promoting anti-Bullying.  

So when I was given the opportunity to help promote this great giveaway I just had to jump on in. 

Mom Loves 2 Read is not participating in the giveaway itself, but is helping promote the Anti-Bullying Awareness!

Help Stop Bullying 

Clean Teen Publishing's Bullying Awareness Month Giveaway
October is around the corner and with October comes National Bullying Awareness Month. We all have

Oct 16, 2013

Looking for Healthy School Snack and Lunch Options? Check this out!

Put a Snack Pack in a Back Pack Contest

Cedar's All Natural Snack Packs make the perfect addition to kid's and adults' lunchbox, backpack or just on the go healthy eating.  Right Now Cedar's is hosting a  “Put a Snack Pack in a Back Pack” contest to motivate YOU to put “healthy” into your kids’ backpacks!

Here are some of Cedar’s Snack Packs that are offered in 7 delicious flavors and are packed with healthy goodness:

$100 Book Blast Giveaway ~ Angus MacBain and the Island of Sleeping Kings by Angela Townsend

Angus MacBain and the Island of Sleeping Kings
  angus macbain Angus MacBain is unaware that his ancestral roots hail from an ancient sect of Scottish kings. When his dying grandfather gives him a dragon pendant, thirteen-year-old Angus learns of a legacy that will take him across an ocean to the island of Iona and thrust him into a heritage he did not know he had.

He soon discovers that his mother, whom he had believed dead, is really a seal fairy, in hiding from a dangerous enemy. To save her, Angus must undergo a perilous journey of destiny and power to battle an evil Dacian knight and those who serve him. With only his family shield and the advice of a wizened vampire hunter to protect him, Angus must navigate dangerous terrain and dark enemies, in a land where the past and the present mingle, and sleeping kings wake.

Fun Fridays for kids and parents at IAAs DROP nights - It's Love for Lexi night this friday 10/18!

This Friday is DROP night - where the Kids Play IN, while the Parent's Go OUT!
AND, it is a fundraiser night too!  
So, have a night out, support a local child with Leukemia
 and let the kids go wild at Inspired Arts Academy in Morton!

Oct 15, 2013

The Goodbye Year by Toni Piccinini ~ Loving support for soon-to-be Empty Nesters.

The Goodbye Year is an inspirational, honest, and hilarious tale of Toni’s approach to the end of an era in the Piccinini household.

For many mothers, a child’s senior year brings about a serious look back on the past eighteen. Every event—from Halloween to Mother’s Day—becomes The Last Time.

Toni Piccinini knows exactly what that’s like, and in
The Goodbye Year, she offers the loving support every soon-to-be Empty Nester needs. Think of Toni as your bossy-but-loving Italian auntie, with modern sensibilities and a packed pantry. With the wisdom she’s acquired from saying goodbye three times to her own children, she reassuringly holds your hand while encouraging you through the insanity of the college application process, the rejections and the acceptances, and the teary dorm drop-offs. Even better, she reminds every mother that the best is yet to come—freedom, creativity, flexibility, and the Me Years.