Ultimate Back-to-School Twitter Party

Back to school is in 3 weeks for us. I am feeling the time crunch already. I have to get uniforms, shoes, and of course, a new backpack for my fifth grader. Well Lands' End wants to help.

Join Lands' End for the Ultimate Back-to-School Twitter Party!



Lands' End hosts will be available to answer back-to-school shopping questions and the party will feature more than 20 product giveaways from co-hosts, 5minutesformom.com.


Date: Thursday, August 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST
Location: #landsend


Save the date and log-on to Twitter for an evening of shopping tips, socializing and great giveaways!


Thanks to and

BlogHer 2010 in NYC

First I want to start by saying this blogger world is the best thing that has happened to me. In Oct 2008, when I began to blog I didn't know where this would take me. I love this mommy blogger world. And am very happy to be a part of it.

This is my story....In Nov 2008, I got engaged. Yes, finally after 9 yrs of separation from my little boy's dad (a very abusive relationship), I found someone who turned my frown upside down, and showed me how a real man treats his family. But things have not been easy for us. He returned from the military, MARINES, and started going to school. Since he was not working he racked up $20,000.00 worth of debt on his credit card. He stopped going to school and joined the police academy. After graduating, it was really hard for him to get hired. Five months later, he found a department willing to give a rookie a chance. This November will make a year since he found a job as a police officer but since he is still under probation is unable to get a second job or work side jobs. He is still racking up interest on his card, while this whole time I am still paying all of my bills (mortage, utilities, etc...) by myself. To make our luck even worse my son took a fall last year and had to be taken to the emergency room, now I have a $800 hospital bill because my insurance only covers after the deductible is met. Well my son is not a sickly child and only goes for regular well checks ups. With all of this going on, my mom had knee surgery and has been unable to work for 3 months, I am helping her with whatever extra I can. I cut coupons, match prices, and shop at thriftys to make ends meet. I am not sure how I am stretching the dollars but I am. Our wedding is on hold until we can actually pay for it.

This year BlogHer 2009 fell on the week of my birthday, July 24. I would of loved to have attended. I didn't know much about it or what happened at BlogHer but from reading all of the blog posts and stories I know I want to attend BlogHer 2010 in NYC. I have never been to NYC. There is so much to learn from all the bloggers out there. And I am ready to learn. So I, like many others out there are looking for a sponsor or sponsors.

Please pick me....




Pour Some Sugar On Me & Mommy PR are teaming up to send a very deserving blogger to
BlogHer 2010 in NYC!

Discovery Kids™ toys

I don't know about you but I love learning toys. I like for my son to play with toys that will pick at his brain, make him ask questions, or want to learn something new. Two weeks ago we took a trip to Moody Gardens, Houston, TX. We had a blast learning about animals, aquariums, and ecosystems. Discovery Kids toys are a perfect fit. This Fall, they will be introducing new items designed to inspire our kids to be creative and have fun while learning about animals, nature, science, and technology, just like on their Discovery Kids Network. Want a sneak peak at the new items?



Smart Animals Eco-systems, a new way to collect, build and play with a full set of miniature animal habitats. Each collectible Eco-Systems playset features a unique animal figure contained in a themed "hex-cubed" habitat with interchangeable accessories, and a scannable diorama card with animal information. Once you have created your miniature habitat, you can collect more and connect them in almost any direction to build your Eco-Systems world. Each of the diorama backgrounds can be scanned with the Discovery Kids Smart Animals Scanopedia (sold separately). These mini habitats include zebras, elephants, lions, and many others.
Ages 3+, suggested retail price $4.99

Discovery Kids Yuck Bugs. My son loves playing with bugs. I think it is a phase each kid goes through, it's a kid thing. So if your kids like playing with bugs this toy is perfect for them. Now they can build their own bugs. Squeeze the larva sacks to release the slimy plasma and bug parts. uuuuhhhhh, icky, sticky, but kids love them. Pick out the parts from the plasma and create a replica of a real bug or create a completely new species.
Ages 3+, suggested retail price $9.99

Discovery Kids Safari Scope. This toy takes the action outdoor and explore our world. It is an innovative telescope that uses a comfortable, binocular eyepiece to make viewing easy and fun. It also features a collapsible tripod stand and a shoulder strap so you can take it with you on your outdoor adventures.
Ages 6+, suggested retail price $49.99



Expand your animal kingdom with Smart Animals™ Figures! Collect them all and use with the Discovery Kids Scanopedia™ Electronic Talking Animal Encyclopedia (sold separately) to bring your favorite animals to life! Interactive Smart Animals figures let you hear unique animal sounds, learn fun facts and play exciting games when you use with the Scanopedia. Just touch the logo on each figure to unlock the fun with the Scanopedia Electronic Talking Animal Encyclopedia!
Discovery Kids Smart Animals and Scanopedia products were nominated for Educational Toy of the Year and named a Toy Wishes "All Star" in 2008.
Ages 3+, suggested retail price $29.99 for Scanopedia
Ages 3+, suggested retail price $4.99-$12.99 for Smart Animal figure packs sold separately



Take your Discovery adventures into the dark with these Discovery Kids™ Dual Vision Night Goggles. There’s 2 exciting ways to see in the dark: Green Glow & Flashlight!
Ages 6+, suggested retail price $14.99

Back to school is just around the corner. Let's get our kids back into the roll of things. With Discovery Kids toys our kids will learn and discover while playing. Thanks to JAKKS Pacific for sending Matt a Discovery Kids Smart Animals Eco-systems. He will be starting his collection this Fall.

Dunkadoos™ - "Magical" Growing Animals

What are Dunkadoos™? "Magical" Growing Animals, innovative plush toys that grow in water.

It was really easy. Matt took his Penguin out of the packaging. He filled the bag with water up to the line. He then dunked his Penguin in the bag filled with water. He took a small towel and dried his Penguin. Matt was amazed when the Penguin started to magically grow. This is a really fun toy for kids. It is easy for them to do on their own. The kids can really enjoy making their animal grow.

The Dunkadoos will be in stores Fall 2009. Collect them all!
Recommended Age: 5+ yrs MSRP $7.99

This will be a great stocking stuffer. I know many of us are already making our lists. Add this to yours.



Thanks to JAKKS Pacific for sending us a Dunkadoos™ for my son to play with. Meet Matt's Dunkadoos™ Penguin.

WNBA Blogger Special Offer

The WNBA is the ultimate addition to any family's live entertainment activities offering competition, team spirit and positive role models packaged in one of America's favorite sports pastimes. It's a great way to beat the August heat and head indoors for sports, entertainment, family, food and fun! SLAM DUNK! Click here to watch a short clip of what a WNBA experience offers.

One2One Network has teamed up with the Woman's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to bring you a family-friendly live entertainment experience at a great discount!

Just go to TicketMaster.com/wnba and enter the promo code WNBABLOG and experience what exciting, affordable, family-friendly entertainment the WNBA really is! Offer good through the end of the regular season (September 13).



Atlanta Dream
For the remaining regular season games (Excluding 8/23 vs LA):
Get $25 seats for $15; Get $19 seats for $12

For the game on 8/23 vs the Los Angeles Sparks
Get $25 seats for $24; Get $19 seats for $18.



Chicago Sky
Up to 34% off the regular ticket price.



Connecticut Sun
Get $18 seats for $10; $22 seats for $18; $27 seats for $23



Detroit Shock

Get $15 lower level sideline seats or $50 VIP seats.



Indiana Fever

Buy 1 ticket and get 1 ticket of equal value free.



Los Angeles Sparks

Get 15% off tickets in all sections



Minnesota Lynx

Get $8 seats.



New York Liberty

Get 33% off tickets and $10 parking.



Phoenix Mercury

Get $43 tickets for $16; $26 tickets for $10.



San Antonio Stars
Get over 50% off the gate price.



Seattle Storm

Get 50% off all Storm tickets.



Washington Mystics

Get $35 tickets for $15

WNBA Gives Back
The WNBA is deeply commited to WNBA Cares programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness (Go Red), Breast Health Awareness, reading (Fast Break to Reading Program and Read to Achieve) and youth basketball programs (Jr WNBA).