As They Grow Up

Silikids Siliskin 6oz Glass Review and Giveaway #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:53:00 +0000

At four months old my little girl slowly begun using a sippy cup. I remember how unsure of it she was and once she finally got the hang of it she would get the biggest smile like she was quite the pro at it. At almost fifteen months old she still uses a sippy cup but shows a great deal of interest in our cups. She is continuously pointing to our cups and really gets a kick out of using a straw. I eventually got her a sippy with a straw and just as soon as I did that her interest turned to water bottles and regular open top cups.

We recently got the opportunity to try out an awesome cup from Silikids. Silikids was founded in 2006 by two friends who were also mothers naturally concerened about toxic materials in children's products. Silikids is a children's accessory company that is dedicated to making safe, clean and hygienic products out of silicone. Although there are several companies that make silicone products for children, Silikids is the first company to introduce silicone sleeves for glass bottles. Silikids also offers silicone knee pads for crawling little ones as well as glass sleeves for baby food jars and adult glasses.

We received the Siliskin Glass 6oz in lime green. As the name suggests, this cup is glass with a BPA free silicone cover. Glass is known as the cleanest option for drinking and is a great alternative to plastic drink-ware. This cup is small enough for toddlers to easily hold and the Siliskin makes it easy to grip as well as provide protection to the glass itself. The Siliskin Glass 6oz comes in a four pack and can be purchased at www.silikids.com for $25.95.

I will be honest, I was a little reluctant to put this glass in the hands of my fourteen month old. I sat her in the highchair with the cup barely filled with some milk. I stood closely just waiting for a disaster to happen since flinging her cups off the side of the highchair is not an uncommon occurrence. The first couple of sips I guided her and "helped" but was truly amazed at how well she did thereafter. Here is a little video of her drinking out of her big girl cup! We will still use her sippy cup while we are out and about but while we are at home the Siliskin Glass is going to be our go to cup. Here is a short video of her using the Siliskin Glass.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One luck winner will win a Siliskin Glass 6oz cup

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Silikids and come back here and tell me which product(s) you like best

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Like Silikids on Facebook for news and updates
Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

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One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 23 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Silikids for providing a product to test.

Summers Closet Aprons #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Summers Closet is a great little online store that sells handmade designer clothing for women and children. We recently had the opportunity to test out their Aprons. We received a Grillmaster, Grillmaster Jr and one for Mr. Bear as well! I have to say these are beautifully made! They feature high quality fabric and pocket detail. We choose ours to say, "Kiss the Cook." My boys were so excited that I didn't even get to wear it yet! Austin my oldest took the adult sized and Xander wore the junior size and we made a batch of brownies. Cooking with children is so much fun and it is a great life lesson for them to learn for sure! I'm sure that we will get many years of use out of them as well because it won't be long before my big boys will be out of the house but I'll still have Jace who is growing up fast!

As you can see we had a great time making brownies together. Of course the best part was eating them!

Summers Closet has a variety of Aprons as well as robes, Mommy & Me and many other styles. They also are participating in something called Mommy's Hope. They are providing Mommy & Me Aprons to family's with Moms that are fighting breast cancer. You can donate a set or purchase selected merchandise that have proceeds going towards a set of Aprons. I love this because I lost my own Mom to her battle with Breast Cancer when I was 17. She had been sick for many years before and I think this is a great pick me up for families.

You can purchase aprons like these directly from Summers Closet as well as other beautiful clothing.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a set of Aprons from Summers Closet!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Summers Closet and register on their site. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Like Summers Closet on Facebook!

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Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

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Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Summers Closet for providing a product to test.

Ball Claw #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:52:00 +0000

I have three little boys. Two of them are not so little anymore though. At 9 & 11 we are starting to really accumulate some stuff around our house. I feel like I buy containers for all their junk and I'm still over run with toys and games. Now forget balls! They are some of the hardest things because shape wise they take up so much room if you put them into a container. With the two boys we have balls for every sport! Ball Claw is a great solution because you can hang them on the wall. They are great to hang in your children's room or even a garage if you don't want that in your kid's bedroom.

Additional information:
The Ball Claw holder is a quick and easy way to organize sport balls in any garage, basement, or child's bedroom. Preserve the life of basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, and footballs while displaying them in an organized fashion. Inside, outside, and in any kind of weather, the Ball Claw is THE way to display, organize, and preserve your sport ball collection.

My thoughts:

I really liked Ball Claw. The kids and I put all their different balls into each size to see how well they fit and it was great. They are easy for children to put their balls in and out which is a big plus. I have yet to hang mine up because we are waiting for the weather to get better. They will be going on the side of our shed so the kids can get to them easily while playing outside. I really think they are a great solution for storage.

You can purchase your own set of Ball Claws on their site or at Amazon.com.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a set of 3 Ball Claws ( (1-Basketball Ball Claw, 1-Soccer/Volleyball Ball Claw, 1-Football Ball Claw)

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Ball Claw and tell me which Ball Claw is right for you.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Ball Claw for providing a product to test.

Ready or Not, Here Comes Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:29:00 +0000

It is almost that time of year again when the flowers begin to bloom and days seem a bit longer and sweeter. It’s finally time to break out the garden planters, mini greenhouses and complimentary trellises. Spring is right around the corner making its primary debut on March 20th. This time of year greatly anticipated by nature lovers and gardening enthusiast is a time to get outside, explore and watch as everything bursts back to life.

It’s still a bit frigid in some parts of the states, but that’s alright. This is the perfect time to begin weeding and pruning in preparation for that beautiful garden most have been dreaming about for the last several months while being cooped up with cabin fever. Well, guess what - this can very easily become a reality for anyone. Even with limited space, there are endless possibilities.

Container gardening is ideal for small spaces and introduces various colors and style options to areas. These beautiful and practical planters can infuse any area with new life. Container gardens generally require frequent watering. Self watering planters include a reservoir system that ensures plants get the water they need so watering can occur less often. Garden planters are offered in frost proof as well to hold up against freezing temperatures and protect plants in colder climates so getting an early start on planting is an option.

Creating a personal garden gives a great sense of accomplishment. It’s all about the beauty and the tranquility that it brings. And it’s not just about bringing beauty to surroundings; it also is a reminder to stay close with the earth and be good stewards of the environment.

Window boxes, another form of container gardening, are a nice addition to any home. They add classic touches of elegance to windows, decks or railings. They also add instant style and glamour to an otherwise bland and often overlooked area. These boxes can easily become conversational pieces at spring socials and barbecues as they showcase bold and beautiful blooming annuals or perennials.

Choosing just the right mix of plants and flowers for a personal garden can bring a bit of spring to a home early in the season and be enjoyed throughout the season.

A Minute For Me Book Review #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:11:00 +0000

A Minute For Me : Learning to Savor Sixty Seconds by Megan McDonough is unlike any other book I've read. It is designed like a devotional but the focus is on taking time to learn more about yourself rather than learning about religion. There is a little personal story for each section than a short section that helps you to apply the thought to your life. With our busy schedules often times we don't take the time to focus on ourselves. I know I don't have an hour to devote to 'me time' that would indulgent but it is never going to happen with 3 kids and a husband to tend to. I can however take a few minutes to read a few pages and so that is what made this book work for me! I really enjoyed that I could pick it up when I had a few minutes to spare but then I could think on the Minute for Me section through out my day.

Additional information:

The high price for trying to get everything done is letting yourself become undone. A busy life is an easy place to lose you. Even in a busy life, the greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of your own attention, discovering from within what is true and authentic. For this self-discovery, exotic travel is optional. Inquiry is mandatory. A Minute for Me gives you the tools that encourage inquiry, including:

Personal short stories to motivate your own exploration and inquiry
Simple 60-second exercises to build your “self-awareness” muscle
Ideas for generating new perspectives that can easily fit into your day without changing your schedule or adding another item on your to-do list

You can think about the past, plan for the future, but the only time you experience life is right here, right now-in this very moment. A Minute for Me helps you live this moment to its fullest.
Maybe that is the ultimate exotic travel-the exploration of your own heart.

You can purchase A Minute For Me on Amazon.com. Also be sure to visit the Author Megan McDonough's website for additional information!

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a copy of A Minute For Me!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Leave me a comment telling me what you would do if you had 30 extra minutes in your day just for you!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to A Minute For Me for providing a product to test.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY in Theatres 2/17

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Disney's The Secret World of Arrietty is in theaters 2/17!

About:

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli ("Spirited Away," "Ponyo") comes "The Secret World of Arrietty," an animated adventure based on Mary Norton's acclaimed children's book series "The Borrowers."

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty's family from the home and straight into danger. The English language version of "The Secret World of Arrietty" was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom. The film hits theaters Feb. 17, 2012.

~ Lisa

Halo's SleepSack In Hospital Program!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Did you know that Halo has a great program to replace your hospital blanket with a Halo SleepSack Swaddle. Halo's SleepSacks and Swaddles are some of the most inventive products I've seen. 11 years ago when I had Austin I struggled with swaddling him in a blanket. Now it is so much easier when you can just plop them in and fasten the velcro.

Program Details:

HALO Innovations has been working with hospitals to provide SleepSack Swaddles through its HALO® Safer Way to Sleep Initiative. Today, over 800 hospitals nationwide are taking part in the program and modeling safe sleep practices for new parents right from their child’s first day of life. Leading health organizations agree that modeling proper baby care in the hospital is the single biggest influencer on how parents will care for their baby in home.

• Specially designed HALO® SleepSack® wearable blankets for In-Hospital use, made of durable fabric with easy access to monitor leads.
• FREE safe sleep education materials for parents and staff training.

You can find out more information on Halo's site here and here. If you are interested in purchasing your own Halo SleepSacks you can find them on Amazon.com.

~Lisa

Tassi The Best Way to Keep Your Hair Off Your Face! #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:22:00 +0000

I have longish hair. It comes past my shoulders. One of the biggest problems I have is washing my face and getting my hair all stuck and wet. Last week I went an had a haircut and decided on the crazy idea of bangs. (Not one of my better decisions apparently. I hate them) So now on top of the ends falling forward I have all those little wispy pieces on top getting in the way! Well thankfully I don't have to worry anymore!! I received a Tassi to try and I just love it! It is so easy to put on. The thing I like best is it isn't stiff like a traditional headband so your hairstyle doesn't suffer one bit! Tassi is basically a big stretchable band that you can tuck your hair into. It comes in a variety of colors so there really is a choice for everyone!

Here is a video showing how to use Tassi:

Play. Watch. AAHA! from RZN8 Media on Vimeo.

My thoughts:

I really liked how easy to use Tassi is. It is also compact enough that you can toss it in your make up bag or draw without it taking up a lot of space. Truly the best part though is that it isn't going to mess up your hair and it saves it from getting all wet. It really is the best way to keep your hair off your face when washing or applying makeup. I've even wore it in the shower to help keep my hair dry and off my face!

You can purchase Tassi on their website at Tassicompany.com or on Amazon.com.

WIN,WIN,WIN

Five (5) lucky readers will each win their own Tassi!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Tassicompany.com and tell me which color you like best!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow Tassi on Twitter

"Like" Tassi on Facebook

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 20 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Tassi for providing a product to test.

Get little feet ready for Spring with Umi Shoes! #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:10:00 +0000

When my four year old hears me mention Umi Shoes his little face lights up. Umi shoes are his absolute favorite brand of shoes and one that has yet to fail me. These shoes are awesome for every day wear and have always held up fantastic!!

As most of you know over this past year Umi Shoes has added Umi Baby and recently added Umi Sport. Now the Umi Sport excited my four year old beyond belief, but I know I will still be added the traditional Umi style to his collection as well. Since he is now old enough to pick out the ones he wants, he chose the Umi Sport Shane. They are very easy for him to get on and if you ask him, he says they make him run really fast!

The Umi Sport Shane has the sleek styling of a European athletic shoe but is made to withstand every thing that little feet can put them through! They are very light weight and are apparently very comfortable. These have to be comfortable since my four year old never wants to take them off! They also offer a removable, machine washable anti-bacterial footbed that helps to keep little feet fresh!

Close up of the Umi Sport Shane

Now let's talk about Umi Baby. These came out before my one year old started walking, so I opted to not give them a try for the last review. When I do a review I want to be able to test out the entire product and since he wasn't walking at the time i knew I wouldn't be able to test out every thing. Can I now say I am kicking myself? These shoes are awesome!

Little Luke has fat little feet and in the past I have had to search high and low to find a shoe wide enough and comfortable enough to fit his foot. I wasn't sure how Umi Shoes would fit him since in the past they have always fit my four year old with a slim foot perfect, but I had no reason to worry.

We picked out the Umi Baby Weelie shoe for Luke in a size 22 and they fit great. His other shoes were size 6 and his toe was slowly getting to the end so I really feel that these Umi Baby shoes offer a true to size fit! They are very easy to get on and I love the flexibility.

Here is Luke wearing his Umi Baby shoes around the house as a house slipper. This tells me that they are comfortable on his little feet since he wants to wear them ALL the time! The minute I take them off, he brings them to me to put them back on. I will admit that I am guilty of hiding them from him from time to time. That's how much he loves them.

Being a ham showing off his Umi Baby Shoes

I tried to get an action shot but that was pretty much impossible. The kid runs like crazy in these shoes and every shot I tried to get ended up blurry. I did manage to snap a quick one looking down as he was waiting for a snack to give you all an idea of how they look with pants.

This is an awesome style and can easily go with his causal every day clothes and even his dress clothes. All in all I would highly recommend these shoes for any little one out there.

If you are currently looking to add new Spring shoes for your little ones, do check out Umi! They have such a wide selection and I personally highly recommend them.

WIN,WIN,WIN

$60 Umi Gift Card

MANDATORY ENTRY:

(Please Leave A VALID Email Address)

Visit Umi and take a look around, then come back here and tell me what shoe you would get if you won the giveaway

EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry

Follow Umi on Facebook

Follow Umi on Twitter

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

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Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 27, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Umi Shoes for providing a product to test.

Blogger Call-in Conference with Commissioner Bruno & Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:53:00 +0000

On Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and OEM's Deputy Commissioner for External Affairs Christina Farrell held a blogger call in session. The focus of this session was spreading the word on being Prepared. "Be your family's first responder," said Bruno in his opening statements.

Here is a recap of the tips:

1) Make a Plan / Write an emergency plan that includes:

· The names and contact information for important people in your support network.

· An out-of-state contact (out-of-state telephone exchanges can usually be reached even when emergencies overwhelm local phone lines).

· Important health information such as allergies, special medical conditions, medications, blood type, doctors names and phone numbers and health insurance information.

· Emergency transportation and communication plans.

· Evacuation and sheltering plans and emergency meeting places.

2) Gather Supplies / Gather emergency supplies for your homes and also put together a Go Bag with a personalized collection of things you would need if you were forced to leave their home in a hurry. Examples of suggested supplies include:

· A first aid kit

· Flashlight with extra batteries

· Water and food

· Battery operated AM/FM radio

· List of medications

· Extra set of keys

· Cash

· Copies of important documents such as passports, drivers licenses and credit cards

3) Get Informed / Have contact information for a number of government, private, and non-profit service providers who can assist during emergencies. Also include contact information for personal resource providers. Resources in the OEM guide include:

· OEM

· Department for the Aging

· Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

· Hurricane Zone Finder

· Notify NYC

· American Red Cross

Question & Answers from Call-in:

1. What can the city offer to those not fluent in English during an emergency?

The Office of Emergency Management offers various preparedness guides that are currently developed in up to 23 languages. These can all be downloaded at www.nyc.gov/readyny . Further, OEM has the ability to communicate in 170 languages if needed and language assistance is available on 3-1-1.

2. What can residents look to OEM for help with in preparing for the new threats each season brings?

It’s necessary to be prepared all year round, but because different seasons often bring different types of emergencies OEM has developed specific information for these variables. Checking back to the OEM website www.nyc.gov/oem each season will offer critical tools, tips and guides to help residents prepare for extreme heat or frigid temperatures, hurricane and storm evacuation plans and special tips for pets, children and elderly.

3. Does OEM communicate directly to public schools when emergencies are present (so parents can always assume that schools are aware of situations by the time they have found out)?

OEM is in constant communication with the Department of Education, as well as all emergency agencies. However, the best way for parents to be informed as situations develop is through NOTIFY NYC (found at www.nyc.gov/notifynyc). NOTIFY NYC offers people the ability to select the types of updates you want based upon topics and regions of the city most important to you.

4. How does OEM recommend communicating plans and steps to younger children?

OEM has many tools and tips available but responsibility ultimately lies with parents to teach and instruct their children at the earliest ages. Parents should frequently practice these situations with their children and find ways to make it fun for the whole family to get prepared. Specific materials and tools to help are also available through OEM. For example, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Sesame Street teamed up to create a guide to help communicate emergency preparedness to parents and young children. The guide communicates the importance of families planning together for emergencies through activities and games that are fun for children. Another tool for older children is “Ready New York for Kids” which is also used to teach emergency preparedness in schools. All of these can be requested through 3-1-1.

5. What steps has OEM/NYC taken or updates made over last 10 years & last year?

Because of events such as 9-11, massive power outages and extraordinary storms New York City experienced over this time, OEM created a citywide incident management system which allows OEM and all City agencies to respond to all emergency situations similarly. OEM also engages in exercises to simulate all types of emergencies and continually tests response plans that have been put in place. Additional resources have been put on the ground, including CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) members who are trained to work in areas during emergencies and to educate individuals through workshops and events in the city.

For any further information or requests for guides and materials, please visit www.nyc.gov/oem or dial 3-1-1 from within the New York City area.

Keep Your Prescription Drugs Safe and Out of Reach with LockMed #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:36:00 +0000

We all know the importance of placing prescription and non-prescription drugs out of reach when there are children in the home or who visit often. Child safety features such as child proof caps are helpful but not 100% effective. Placing medicine up high on a shelf or in a medicine cabinet is a technique many use but still it is not 100% effective for those who have climbers. Children are fast and in a split second all good intentions of keeping medicine out of reach can be lost.

Another serious issue is the rise of prescription drug abuse. Did you know that an estimated 20 percent of people take prescription drugs without a doctors orders? Perhaps this is because prescription drug availability is much more common. According to The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are over 3 million U.S. teens who abuse prescription drugs. Everyday, 3,300 more children begin experimenting with prescription drugs ("A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts," 2007a).

Over the past year I have had several surgeries. Each one of them resulted in me taking a prescription drug home. All of them are up high, out of reach and have a child proof lock. However, as I previously mentioned these are all steps in the right direction but not always completely effective. I do not have many people coming and going in my home but I prefer to error on the side of caution and safeguard against them possibly ending up in the wrong hands. I was recently approached by LOCKMED to review a LOCKBAG with key lock. This bag will serve as another way of safeguarding the medicine in our home. It is also designed to fit nicely inside a purse so it will be used when we travel.

Features

Secure LOCKBAG to store your medications with a key lock that is portable and easy to take during travel.
Security Level: Class 1-2
Size Approximately 7.5” (L) x 5” (H); small enough to fit inside a purse.
Can hold approximately up to 7 prescription bottles.
Stylish White Laminated Nylon bag with a strong key lock.
Lightweight and easily fits into purses, carrying cases, or luggage to take on road trips, school, work, vacations, hospital visits, or to the Doctor's office.
Provides security and safety of medications, especially important for Narcotic Pain Medications, Insulin syringes, Sleeping pills, Rheumatoid & Cancer treatment medications, Anxiety pills, Anti-depressants, etc.
Locking up medications keeps your medical history and the medications you take very private.
Restricting access to prescription medications helps to reduce diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, especially if kids/teens are in the house.

The LOCKMED LOCKBAG retails for $19.99. LOCKMED also sells several other types of combination lock boxes as well as a BioBox Portable Fingerprint Medication Safe. In my opinion, the prices of LOCKMED's products are minute compared to a potentially harmful situation.

WIN, WIN, WIN

LOCKMED is giving one lucky reader a LOCKBAG with key lock

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
How do you currently safeguard the medications in your home?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 19 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to LockMed for providing a product to test.

~Erica~

Bootie Pies: Pedicure Boots for Posh Toes #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:57:00 +0000

It is not to often that I get an opportunity to enjoy some 100% "me time". When I do get the opportunity I almost always opt to get a pedicure. A pedicure guarantees me a good hour of relaxation, a nice massage if I choose from the massage chair and usually some peace and quiet. However, I don't want to stay in the nail salon all day and I absolutely hate waiting for the polish to dry. I have been guilty of leaving long before I should have on several occasions. In the summer leaving before fully dry is o.k., I just slip on my flip flops and I am on my way. Trying to put socks and shoes on in the winter is a tad more difficult so I am forced to wait until they are fully dry.. Thanks to Bootie Pies I have found a way to solve this problem!

Bootie Pies are warm and cozy boots that let you enjoy a pedicure in the winter as well as help cut drying time. They currently offer two types of boots, a low boot and a high boot. Both are made of suede with a faux sheepskin lining and a patent leather toe. The low boot is currently priced at $68 and the high boot is priced at $88. Before you make any judgements based on the price let me share with you how exactly they work and why I feel they are well worth the money!

How They Work:

My Thoughts: When I first received these boots I was immediately impressed. I received a pair of the Blackberry High Boots for review and was honestly surprised by how much of a casual winter boot they looked like. If I didn't know better, I would have never known their full potential of being a pedicure boot. Bootie Pies currently offers these boots in whole sizes from a 5-11. Although they recommend ordering down a size if you wear a half size I personally recommend ordering up a size. I ordered down a size and the first time I put them on they were snug fitting, I even had a bit of a hard time getting the toe to go down because of them being snug. Of course, I was trying to do it all with a sock on so this could have been part of the problem. When it was time for me to actually get a pedicure I tried them with no socks and it seemed much better, the patent toe went down much smoother as well.

Not much was said about the boots until which time I put the toe down for drying. The look on the nail techs face was priceless as she had never seen such a thing! Her as well as other customers were filled with questions and kept staring at them in awe. I think it is also important to note that it was raining when I went to get my pedicure and these boots still looked nice after trampling around in the rain. They are supposed to hold up in all weather conditions but it is highly recommended to waterproof them like you would any other type of suede shoe.

If you are looking for a versatile boot that you can wear around town before and after a pedicure, keeps your feet warm and cozy and allows you to significantly cut drying time after a pedicure, I highly recommend Bootie Pies!

WIN, WIN, WIN

Bootie Pies is giving one lucky reader a pair of pedicure boots!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Do you enjoy getting a pedicure by yourself, with a close friend/realative or with a group of girls?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

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Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 18 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Bootie Pies for providing a product to test.

~Erica~

Mirror Mirror In Theaters March 30

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:29:00 +0000

This spectacular reimagining of the classic fairy tale stars Oscar® winner Julia Roberts as the Queen, Lily Collins (The Blind Side) as Snow White, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as Prince Alcott, Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”) as the King and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the Queen's hapless and bungling servant, Brighton. When an evil queen steals control of Snow White’s kingdom, the exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright. Mirror Mirror is a spirited adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance and betrayal that will capture the imagination of audiences the world over.

Visionary director Tarsem Singh (Immortals) rewrites fairy tale history as a wicked enchantress (Roberts) schemes and scrambles for control of a spirited orphan’s (Collins) throne and the attention of a charming prince (Hammer). When Snow White’s beauty wins the heart of the prince that she desperately pursues, the Queen banishes her to the forest, where a ravening man-eating beast hungrily awaits.

Rescued by a band of diminutive highway robbers, Snow White grows into an indomitable young woman determined to take back her realm from the treacherous Queen. With the support of her subjects, she roars into action in an epic battle that blends spectacle, magic and contemporary humor in Singh’s signature, jaw-dropping visual style.

Stay tuned for more coverage and a chance to win Fandango Tickets!!

Discover Your Winter Cocktail #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:05:00 +0000

In celebration of the winter season, Robb Report presents the Discover Your Winter Cocktail. Everyone has their favorite cocktail, but have you wondered what winter cocktail fits you best? Take the Discover Your Winter Cocktail quiz and you can find out by answering a few simple questions!

Of course I couldn't resist and I took the test as well to see what my Winter Cocktail was and it came out being a Gin Winter Rose. No complaints from me since I do enjoy Gin.

WIN,WIN,WIN

Hendrick’s Gin Golf Umbrella and an amazing $20.00 Crate & Barrel Gift Card

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Take the above quiz and tell me what your Winter Cocktail is.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

■Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter
■Tweet about the giveaway (tweets must be at least an hour apart...be sure to leave the tweet link)
■Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it
■Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)
■Follow My Blog (See sidebar)
■Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Network Blogs (See sidebar)
■Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)
■Enter any of my other giveaways or leave a comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which ones

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 20, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. only.The winner will be announced in this post(and emailed)

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to PartnersHub for providing a product to giveaway

Buttery Soft Pretzels

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:49:00 +0000

My husband bought me the bread maker that I had been wanting for Christmas and since then I have been trying out different recipes. Yesterday I decided to try my hand at making pretzels. I had never tried it before but figured it couldn't be too hard. I searched around until I found a recipe and then just modified it so that I could do the dough in the bread machine.

Buttery Soft Pretzels

4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup baking soda
4 cups hot water
1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping

Directions:
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water ( I did have to add about 2 tablespoons additional water for the bread machine). Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.

When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt (optional: you can also brush melted butter on the pretzel before baking)

Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.

**As I mentioned I did modify it for my bread machine. I added the top 7 ingredients (even the oil) into the bread maker in the order that is suggested (this may be different depending on the bread maker) and just put it on dough setting and let it do it's thing. After 45 minutes, I was ready to start rolling out pretzels.

Now I just couldn't make myself leave these little guys plain. I melted some butter and mixed cinnamon and sugar together. The minute I removed the pretzels from the oven, I dipped them in butter and then in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. I did leave some without the mixture and simply dipped the tops of those in the melted butter.

These melt in your mouth and are absolutely fantastic! I am sure I will be making these again. Everyone in the family loved them and they were so easy to make!

Keep Your Children Warm and Dry This Winter with WinterKids #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:21:00 +0000

On days like today, it seems like winter is nonexistent. Here in Western North Carolina, we have seen our fair share of rain,loads of sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures this winter. After the winter we had last year, it is being embraced by many around here. However, I know that our nice weather can turn on a dime. After all, it is only February and it is still the WINTER season. Both of our kids are stocked up on snow boots, ski bibs, gloves and warm hats just in case a true winter decides to make an appearance. I personally love snow and lots of it! I am secretly hoping we get a big one sooner than later.

Did you know that there is a website dedicated to outfitting children and teens in the winter? WinterKids is the #1 kids ski, snowboard and winter shop. It is a fun website that offers ski and snowboard clothing and accessories for children sizes 0-16. They truly offer everything you can imagine and then some. In addition to jackets, fleece and hoodies, WinterKids offers snow boots, hats and scarfs and hand and feet warmers.

Planning to take the kids skiing this year? WinterKids also offers goggles, helmets and ski training aids to help keep keep your little ones safe. Personally I like the fact that WinterKids offers quality items from brands we all know and trust such as The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia, Burton, Obermeyer and Kamik just to name a few. Not only do they offer some great brands but there is a lot to choose from. There is far more than just one or two pieces to choose from per category like you sometimes find elsewhere. I also feel that their prices are very reasonable compared to other winter outfitters.

For this review we received a Boys Burton Bonded Hoodie. It has a nice fleece lining that is warm but not unbearably hot. It is still a little big for Jaydon but he didn't let that stop him from wearing it. He kept commenting on how cool the bright yellow was, maybe we will have him wear this the next time we venture into a large crowd :)! I washed this hoodie to see how well it held up and it did beautifully!

WinterKids currently has many items on sale and FREE shipping on orders $75 or more. WinterKids prides themselves on fast shipping. Merchandise is shipped within hours of an order being placed during normal business hours. If you are in need of a particular winter item for your child or you want to begin shopping for next winter, I highly recommend checking out WinterKids first.

WIN, WIN, WIN

WinterKids is giving one lucky reader the Burton Bonded Hoodie in yellow. Winner will get to pick either a big kid L or XL

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit WinterKids.com and come back here and tell me what catches your eye

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 17 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to WinterKids for providing a product to test.

~Erica~

Pillsbury Valentine's Day Ready Bake Shape Cookies #MyBlogSpark #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:14:00 +0000

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to show those who are near and dear just how much you care with a treat straight from the heart and fresh from the oven! New Valentine’s Day Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies will fill your home with love and now the magic of Disney. Whether you bake these cookies for, or with your loved ones, Pillsbury Ready to Bake Shape Cookies are perfect for bringing those you love most together on Valentine’s Day!

My four year old loves to help me bake, but some times he likes to think he does it himself. On those times I love being able to pull out the Ready To Bake Cookies and recently in the grocery store he discovered the Valentine's Day Pillsbury Ready To Bake Shape Cookies! He was super excited when he got a glimpse of these since he loves celebrating every holiday that rolls around. This are quick and easy and are done in 8-10 minutes and taste delicious!

So why not celebrate the holiday with your family’s favorite Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Disney Princesses Belle, Cinderella and Tiana. And while you are baking your way into your family’s hearts this February with new Valentine’s Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies. you can visit this link to download a printable coupon for $1.10 off of the purchase of (1) package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies today!

WIN,WIN,WIN

Pillsbury Prize Pack that includes: A VIP coupon to purchase a package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies, Cookie Jar, Cookie Spatula, and Oven Mitt

MANDATORY ENTRY:

(Please Leave A VALID Email Address)

Do you do anything special to celebrate Valentine's Day?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 9 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Pillsbury for providing a product to test.

You could win a no!no!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:18:00 +0000

Always wanted to try no!no!? Now here is your chance to win a FREE no!no!? They are giving away a free no!no! autographed by Kassie DePaiva on Twitter! What is no!no!? It is a personal and painless hair removal device.

Here's how to enter:

Go to: https://twitter.com/#!/KassieDePaiva and RETWEET: "I’ll be on @HSN Sunday talking about @nonobyradiancy #nomorehair RT to win my autograph & a no!no! I’ll pick 1 winner on 2/6 via youtube!"

It's that simple!! Good Luck!

~ Lisa

#WIN Need Candy for Valentine's Day? Try Candyfavorites.com

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:02:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Have you gotten all the sweet people in your life a little treat? If not you should look to Candyfavorites.com. They have a wide range of Valentine's Day candy including yummy conversation hearts. They offer free shipping on orders over $49.99 too! What an easy way to shop and have it shipped directly to your house. I had the opportunity to try some conversation hearts for this review and they are YUMMY! I really think they are the candy the reminds me of Valentine's Day!

Candyfavorites.com specializes in retro candy. So if are looking for your favorite hard to find candy this is a great place to search!

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a case of Conversation Hearts!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Tell me what you are doing for Valentine's Day this year!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 7 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to candyfavorites.com for providing a product to test.

Celebrate the Super Bowl Safely with Great tips from FoodSafety.gov!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Did you know that The Superbowl is the 2nd largest food consumption day after Thanksgiving? As you get ready for kickoff for Superbowl 2012 I hope that you will consider food safety. Food safety is important, the CDC estimates that 1 in 6 people suffer from food poisening each year and 3000 die from it. Don't be a statistic on the big day!

Here are some great tips from FoodSafety.gov:

Clean: When preparing party foods, wash hands and surfaces often.
Separate: Use separate plates for raw and cooked food when grilling.
Cook: To the right temperatures.
Chill: Don’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours.

I love to entertain. Something I've learned to make things easier is I often will place bowls inside a metal pan (like a disposable lasagna pan) that is filled with ice. They rest on top and it keeps them at a safe temperature. Then all you have to do is add ice through the day. Another easy way to keep food safe it to make use of your crock pot. I actually have two and both of mine have a warm setting. This keeps cooked food hot. If you need additional tips you can visit Foodsafety.gov, there is lots of information on that site as well as recipes. There is a great section called Ask Karen where you can call in, email or chat live and ask your food safety questions.

I hope you have a worry free day on Sunday Feb 6, 2012 as you watch the NY Giants battle the New England Patriots. Kick off is at 6:30 ET.

For additional information you can visit Foodsafety.gov on Facebook or Twitter!

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.

Win BIG with Mueller's Pasta Moments Photo Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Mueller's wants to get a glimpse into your favorite pasta moments and wants to know what the idea of "home" means to you. For us, gathering around the dinner table with family and a steaming bowl of Mueller's Pasta is home.

If you’d participate in our Pasta Moments Photo Contest you can enter by simply visiting Mueller Pasta facebook page and "like" them! Once you "like" Mueller Pasta you can then submit your favorite photo with pasta, including a caption that fills in the blank, “Somewhere in America, home is…” You’ll be entered to win weekly prizes, with one grand prize winner taking home a Kindle Fire!While you are there, be sure to view the other entries as well!!

For more information and official rules visit Mueller's Facebook page.

I have received a gift card as a thank you for sharing the above information

Free $50 Walmart Gift Card with Smartphone Purchase!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Through Feb. 14, Walmart shoppers will receive a $50 Walmart gift card with the purchase of any smartphone* at any store.

Whether you’re looking to start the New Year with a new phone or in desperate need of a Valentine’s Day gift idea that pays you back, buying a smartphone at Walmart is a good choice, for you and your wallet. Below are some of the new smartphones available with a free $50 gift card.

AT&T

HTC Inspire 4G

Samsung Infuse Black

Blackberry Torch 4G

Samsung Galaxy S 2

Verizon

LG Enlighten

HTC Incredible II

Motorola Droid X2

T-Mobile

HTC Sensation 4G

Samsung Galaxy S 4G

Samsung Galaxy S II

HTC Wildfire Black

Sprint

Motorola Photon

*Excludes Apple iPhone; phone must be purchased under contract

Book Review: River of Angels #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:22:00 +0000

If your like me you tend to read help or reference books and then fit in that occasional fiction book. I was excited when I was asked to read and review River of Angels because it was nice change to read a fiction book. This story is a tale of many people who live on a small island. Politics and social expectations cause many conflicts for the main characters. The author Abbe Rolnick weaves beautiful scenery through out the book. I personally fell in love with two of the characters Rosie and Monica. They are the type of people you would like to meet in real life. This story had me guessing up until the very end on what was really happening which was a pleasant surprise. I loved that it wasn't predictable and it kept me intrigued to see what was going to happen. Abbe Rolnick was able to write this story with so much description that you find yourself seeing and smelling what is going on. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

About the book:

Meet Rose and Carlos. They live on a picturesque island in the Caribbean and they are married but separated. Something is about to bring them back together. Murder and intrigue threatens to destroy the island that they love. Will Rosie’s passion and spiritual strength for her homeland be enough to pull them back together? Will Carlos lose Rosie and the land he loves to corporate greed? Will the famous caves of the island, carved into the landscape over centuries and generations of ancestors hold the key to the mystery? There is only one way to find out.

A beautiful, elegant prose will keep your mind relaxed for hours as you discover the Latino culture and the landscape of this beautiful island. The author, Abbe Rolnick, who spent 7 years in Puerto Rico, creates an intriguing tale. Her use of Spanish words throughout the text as well as their definitions, aids in the learning and appreciation of the culture she uses as a backdrop to this thriller. Perhaps the most unique element of the book is the clearly delineated characters Rolnick creates. They are all so different, yet each hold an integral role in the story. They will stay with you long after you have finished reading –definitely folks you will be glad you got a chance to know.

You can purchase River of Angels from Amazon.com. Be sure to visit Abbe Rolnick's website for additional information.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a copy of River of Angels!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Tell me why you would like to read this book.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 15 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to River of Angels for providing a product to test.

The Children's Place Giveaway Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I’m sure everyone will be dressing up their little ones in something sweet on February 14th! To share the love, The Children’s Place is hosting a gift card giveaway contest on their Facebook Fan Page. Enter to win one of four gift cards valued at $250 each. After you submit your entry, create a personalized Valentine starring your little sweetheart by uploading a photo and writing a love note!

Book Review: Take A Deep Breath #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I had the opportunity recently to read a copy of Nina Shapiro,MD 's book Take A Deep Breath. Oh how I wish this book had been around when my older two boys were babies! This book goes through breathing for babies up until age 5. I really feel that the first chapters for birth-3 months is a must read for every new parent. I don't know how many times with my three I wondered "is that normal?" Dr. Shapiro clearly defines what is normal and why babies breathe the way they do. She also goes through some common and un-common problems as well. My older two boys both had acid reflux and now both have asthma. Fortunately Jace hasn't presented any symptoms or signs.

What I really loved about this book was the question/answer sections. The questions we want answers to are already asked and then the answer is right there for easy referencing back to. At the end of each chapter Dr. Shapiro has a section where it tells you a summary, and when to worry. I really found that to be helpful. It puts the information into small bits that are easier to process.

About the Author:

Dr. Nina L. Shapiro is the Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology and an Associate Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. As the first fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologist at the medical center since it was founded in 1955; her presence has put UCLA ‘on the map’ in her field. A graduate of Harvard Medical School and Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences (cum laude), she completed her surgical internship at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital and her residency at The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, also in Boston. Shapiro completed additional subspecialty training in pediatric otolaryngology at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London and The Children’s Hospital of San Diego.

A native of New York, Shapiro has been honored with several prestigious awards including; The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Charles Ferguson Award for Clinical Research, The UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Teaching Award and The American Academy of Pediatrics Young Investigators Award among others. She was named a “Super Doctor” by Los Angeles Magazine in 2008 and is listed in “Who’s Who in America”.

Shapiro is a Fellow of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Surgeons. Other professional society memberships include: The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, The American Rhinologic Society, the Society for Ear, Nose, and Throat Advances in Children, the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, The American Broncho-Esophagological Association, Society for University Otolaryngologists, and The Los Angeles Pediatrics Society.

Shapiro lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children, and is active in several charities.
You can find additional information by visiting Dr. Shapiro's website.

Take A Deep Breath is available for purchase at Amazon.com and other major retailers.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a copy of Take A Deep Breath.

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Tell me why you would like to read this book.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily) using

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on February 14 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing a product to test.