Concerned Parenting: Online Classes for College Credit-Yay or Nay?

Photo by Tatiana Syrikova from Pexels

High school students who are about to graduate and enter into college have a lot on their plates. Many of their friends might be moving away to different states for school, and your children are likely overwhelmed by all of the different options. One of the paths on which they may choose to travel is that of an online course. What are some of the benefits, disadvantages and considerations to keep in mind?

Little Caesars HOT-N-READY PIZZA-N-WINGS deals

Picking up a large, HOT-N-READY pizza from Little Caesars is so easy, why even a mime can do it! No calling, no waiting, just a large, pepperoni pizza, fresh out of the oven, whenever you walk in! And don't forget to add a delicious order of our HOT-N-READY Caesar Wings!

Busy with shopping? Why not stop to pick up the Little Caesars HOT-N-READY PIZZA-N-WINGS during the holidays and save yourself some time and money!  And I'm here to help you out with a $10 Little Caesars gift card giveaway! Little Caesars pizza is one of our good ole stand bys when we are out and don't have time to make dinner after a long day of errands. And their HOT-N-READY pizza makes it perfect to get in and get out quickly.

You can find more information about Little Caesars here:

Little Caesars Site

Little Caesars Store Locator

Little Caesars Facebook

Little Caesars Twitter

Giveaway CLOSED - The winner has been notified via email and confirmed.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a $10 Little Caesars Gift Card. This giveaway will end December 30th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

See's Candies #Giveaway - Ends 12-29

“Countdown to Christmas” Sweepstakes Details

• U.S. residents only

• End Date: 12/25/12 @ 11:59pm PDT

• The sweepstakes is only available via online – including mobile/tablets.

• Link to Enter

Description

• Set-up like an Advent calendar, it includes multiple daily “Instant Winners” & one “Grand Prize” at the culmination of the sweepstakes.

• Once a basic registration form is filled out to enter, visitors will be directed to the Advent calendar to click on the current day to see if they’ve won.

• Instant winners will be awarded gift card prizes varying from $5 to $100.

• If the visitor does not “win”, they receive a “treat” such as dessert recipes or crafts that can be printed or shared on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

• The grand prize drawing will be held at the end of the promotion. The grand prize is a “Lifetime of Chocolates” – i.e., 30 years’ worth of approximately 1 pound of chocolate per month.

My Take:
Oooh my, do I love chocolate! And See's Candies is definitely now top on my list for shopping chocolates. I'm a big lover of toffee and couldn't believe just how crisp and fresh See's Victoria Toffee was. It comes as one large piece to help preserve the freshness and I will tell you it works perfectly! I will confess I ate the entire box myself, I didn't share a single piece it was that good.  One of my favorite things about See's is that they offer such a wide selection of offerings not just by price point and type, but also occasion.  I was able to get a really cute box of lollypops for a baby shower I helped throw recently and they even came with little It's A Boy stickers I got to attach to them.  I got their individual bars to use in the kids stockings which I am sure they will love come Christmas morning.  And the final product I got was a Fall box (which is depicted in the picture below, but the link is for the now Winter version) that is similar to the sampler boxes you see in stores around the holidays.  I have to say though this box had a much better variety and I actually liked everything that was inside, usually there is always something in them I can't bring myself to eat.
 

Victoria Toffee 
Mary See's secret recipe, combining real butter, pure sugar, and plump roasted almonds on the inside, with a heavy drenching of See's creamy milk chocolate and chopped almonds on the outside.

Snowman Candy Bar Gift Pack
Gift pack includes two Milk Chocolate, one Milk Chocolate with Toffee Nuggets and one Dark Chocolate with Almonds.

New Baby Lollypops
See's Gourmet Lollypops are all dressed up for the party in an adorable New Baby box. Included 'It's a boy!' and 'It's a girl!' stickers can be used to customize for the occasion.

Winter Wonderland Box (I actually had the fall version of this box)
Scotchmallow®, Butterscotch Square and Milk Chocolate Foil Balls are nestled inside a sweet gif.

Giveaway CLOSED - The winner has been notified via email and confirmed.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a $25 See's Candies online credit. This giveaway will end December 30th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

#WBHoliday Movie Collection Blu-ray #Giveaway - Ends 12-18

Ho Ho Ho, it’s the holiday season and that can only mean one thing... Shopping!  But finding presents for your loved ones can be no easy task!  That’s why Warner Bros. has come up with their awesome Happy Holidays Blog App featuring some classic and new movies out on Blu-ray sure to please everyone from your teeny nephew to grandma wrinkles!

Included in the app above:
-Holiday Movie Challenge! Are you a true cinephile? Then take the WB Holiday Movie Challenge! Keep your movie skills sharp with this awesome quiz! Ready. Set. Go!
-Decode-A-Scene Game! Time is running out! Can you figure out what movie scene is slowly being decoded in front of your eyes? The sooner you figure it out the more points you earn!
-Holiday Survival Guide! Throw an epic holiday party this season! We have some awesome tips to make you look like a total holiday master!

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection, Classic Christmas Favorites, or a Dr. Seuss’s Deluxe Holiday Collection on Blu-ray! (Prize will be chosen randomly from the above Blu-ray titles!). This giveaway will end December 19th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor. 

Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Holiday Chills and Thrills on DVD

Perfect for your stocking stuffer needs! I don't know about your kids but mine love Scooby-Doo, and to be honest so do I. It's actually my favorite childhood cartoon. We had some great laughs watching the 13 spooky tales on this DVD compilation.

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE SPOOKY WITH WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT’S DVD RELEASE OF SCOOBY-DOO! 13 SPOOKY TALES: HOLIDAY  CHILLS AND THRILLS

DVD Features 13 Holiday-Themed Adventures Including a Brand-New 22-Minute Scooby-Doo Holiday Movie

It’s holiday high-jinks and merry-making escapades with Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Holiday Chills and Thrills, the all-new, must-have animated collection. This compilation is comprised of 13 action-packed classic Scooby-Doo! adventures that promise to get viewers into the spirit of the season and includes a brand-new 22-minute Scooby-Doo! holiday movie titled Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays. Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: Holiday Chills and Thrills will retail for $19.98 SRP.
 

In the all-new Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays, Scooby and gang face a chilly and frightful holiday season when they try to solve the mystery of a sinister snowman, which has come alive in a downtown area and appears intent on destroying an old and revered toy store. The gang sets out to help kids in a children’s home as they put on a Christmas pageant in The Nutcracker Scoob. In There’s No Creature Like Snow Creature, Scooby and the Mystery Inc. team travel all the way to a Tibetan mountain resort that’s being terrorized by a mysterious snow creature. In Toy Scary Boo, Scooby and his friends encounter living toys that have taken over a store. These and many other exciting mysteries await Scooby-Doo fans in this not-to-be-missed collection!

Featured Mysteries:

Disc 1:

• Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays 
• A Scooby-Doo! Christmas
• Tenderbigfoot
• Snow Job Too Small
• The Nutcracker Scoob, Part I
• The Nutcracker Scoob, Part II
• A Scary Night With a Snow Beast Fright

Disc 2:

• Scooby-Doo Meets Laurel & Hardy AKA The Ghost of Bigfoot
• There’s No Creature Like Snow Creature
• Rocky Mountain Yiiiii
• That’s Snow Ghost
• Whatta Shocking Ghost
• Toy Scary Boo
  

The WotWots #Giveaway - Ends 12-28

Preschoolers won’t be able to resist the brand new cuddly toys from the world famous children’s series The WotWots, produced by Pukeko Pictures and seen regularly on The Hub.  The super soft and cute SpottyWot and DottyWot plush are available for a limited time only and are the perfect way to get cuddly with these alien siblings.

The WotWots is an enchanting, learning-based pre-school series that follows the adventures of SpottyWot and DottyWot, alien siblings from outer space.  The delightful pair have come to Earth to explore and to marvel at the extraordinary diversity of life on the blue planet. The show celebrates this joy of discovery and demonstrates the positive values that are the building blocks of a true and enduring friendship. The WotWots has been internationally successful and showcases the extraordinary diversity of life on the planet Earth as the pair explores various environments such as a zoo, a farm and the seashore in the first two seasons. For more information about The WotWots visit www.wotwots.com.

My Take:
Until I was approached to host a review and giveaway of The WotWots dolls I had actually never heard of them.  So I figured if I was going to do a review I should look them up and see what the show was all about.  The WotWots can be seen on The Hub here in the US, and you can also catch some of the videos on their website online. I will have to say it's a very unique show, and it's definitely geared towards pre-school age children. My kids are a little bit too old for the show, but if they were pre-school aged I am sure they would have loved it. And as a parent I liked how it had a positive theme. I'm always looking for this sort of cartoon for my kids with all the inappropriate ones that are on TV now days.  So if you have pre-school age kids be sure to check out The WotWots.

Buy it: 

The bright and vibrant 12” plush toys are available exclusively on Amazon for $14.95 and are presented in eco-friendly and reusable packaging in keeping with the environmentally rich values of The WotWots.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win their choice of a SpottyWot or DottyWot doll. This giveaway will end December 18th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Moshi Monsters invade McDonald's Happy Meals

MOSHI MONSTERS^™ HAPPY MEAL™ PROMOTION LAUNCHES IN THE US

Collect Moshi Monsters’ Happy Meal Toys in McDonald’s restaurants
December 14 to January 10

Starting December 14, the monstrously popular kids hit, Moshi Monsters, will invade McDonald’s restaurants throughout North America for a Moshi Monsters Happy Meals promotion.  The special program will give fans from coast-to-coast a chance to get their hands on exclusive Moshi Monsters toys for four weeks during the holiday season. 

One of eight different colorful characters from the Moshi Monsters universe will be featured in every McDonald’s Happy Meal, including an all-new, top-secret mystery Moshling to be unveiled as part of the month-long promotion.  The collectible figures (exclusive to McDonald’s) will include fan favorites Katsuma, Poppet and IGGY along with Furi, Jeepers, Shishi and Luvli, while supplies last.  Each Happy Meal also comes with a free 3-day membership to MoshiMonsters.com.

With over 70 million registered users worldwide, Moshi Monsters is an online world of adoptable pet monsters for boys and girls ages 6-12.  Children choose from one of six virtual pet monsters that they can create, name and nurture. Once their pet has been customized, young players can navigate their way around Monstro City, taking the daily puzzle challenge to earn ‘Rox’ (virtual currency), playing games, solving Super Moshi Missions, personalizing their room, showing off their artwork, reading stories and communicating with friends in a safe environment.

Following its huge online success, Moshi Monsters has expanded into the physical world with a range of products, including best-selling toys, the number one-selling kids magazine in the UK, a top-five music album, books, membership cards, trading cards, video games and much more.

Annoying Orange - Laugh out loud fun!

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for unique gifts to have on hand. The products in the Annoying Orange line are perfect for just that. They are both creative, and a lot of fun to play with. I received one of the Annoying Orange Talking Playfaces and used it for our white elephant party at church.Everyone had so much fun playing with it, I couldn't believe the way they kept stealing it from each other during the game.

Annoying Orange Talking Playfaces

Kids can snuggle up with their favorite Annoying Orange kitchen crew character with the new Talking Playfaces. With a click of a button, the soft and squishy Playfaces say funny jokes, puns and classic phrases from the Annoying Orange series.  At 12” in size, they are easy to take on-the-go or fun to hang out with at home. Ages: 4+. SRP: $14.99. Sold at Toys R Us.

 

Annoying Orange Fresh Talking Target Game

Take aim at an annoying target with the Annoying Orange Fresh Talking Target Game. Kids can easily hang the board in their desired location…and let the playing begin!  Annoying Orange and the Kitchen Crew challenge players with funny jokes and heckles like, “Hey! Hey Player! What kind of throw was that?!” This set includes six balls for endless play (and great for multiple players).  Ages: 4+. SRP: $21.99. Sold at Toys R Us.

 

Annoying Orange and Midget Apple Molded Earbuds

Decorate your digi-gear with these toothy attachments. The headphones have an in-line mic and feature mini-Annoying Orange or Midget Apple earbuds. Ages:10+.SRP: $14.99.Sold at Toys R Us.

 

Annoying Orange and Midget Apple iPhone Cases

Annoying Orange and Midget Apple will be coming to an iPhone near you this holiday season. iPhone hard shell case featuring your two favorite fruits for iPhone 4/4S. Ages: 10+. SRP: $14.99. Sold at Toys R Us.

Talking Fresh Squeezed Annoying Orange Plush

Each fresh talker is soft plush with photo-realistic features to reflect the characters who everyone knows and loves! With a soft squeeze, these kitchen crew members come to life! Includes TRY ME  feature, so you get to hear the same jokes and puns from the YouTube series such as “I’m not irritating, I’m an Orange!,” "Hey...hey Apple!" and "Two’s company, cheese is a crowd.”  Available in all new styles. Ages: 7+. SRP: $9.99. Sold at Toys R Us.

Annoying Orange Talking Kitchen Crew Collectible

These plastic talking collectibles are textured with detail and include TRY ME feature to hear the classic jokes and puns from each Kitchen Crew member. Each 2.5” figure is packaged in a gift-like window box for added collectability. Collect them all: 4 Orange styles, Pear, Midget Apple, Marshmallow and Passion Fruit. Available in all new styles. Ages: 7+. SRP: $9.99. Sold at Toys “R” Us.

Wanna Go Back to School? How to Balance Work and Education As a Parent

Photo by Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Lately, many people are finding their employment prospects are dim. Fortunately, the unemployed still have a few paths to follow to improve their marketability. One path that many unemployed people choose is going back to school. Unfortunately, this prospect is difficult for a lot of people. Going back to school is especially hardest on working parents. Luckily, options exist for anyone who wants to go back to school. A working parent must be smart with their time, but it can be done. If you've found yourself wondering if you should take the plunge, then are five tips to balance your work and school schedule.

Whole Fruit® Sorbet is Better for You!

Made with chunks of real fruit, Whole Fruit® Sorbet offers a great tasting treat!  It's available in seven refreshing and fruity flavors that deliver a healthier dessert option this holiday season.

•          Fat-free
•          Dairy-free
•          Gluten-free
•          Soy-free
•          Made with real fruit

Shutterfly Photobook #Giveaway (2 winners) - Ends 12-15

Photo books are a great way to share life's happenings and make great gifts for parents, grandparents, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, the holidays and more. Make sure you check out the Shutterfly Photo Books: The Best Gift Ever video to see just one fun way you can create and share a Shutterfly Photo book.  I'm actually planning to make a book for my husband and kids with all the pictures they took on their summer vacation. I can't wait to see the surprised look on their faces when they open their gift and look through all the great memories they made together!

Win it:  2 lucky readers will each win a code for an 8x8 hardcover photo book (20 pages) (shipping not included). This giveaway will end December 16th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US & Canada.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Novica's New Gift Finder with $40 Credit #Giveaway - Ends 12-19

Novica recently announced the launch of their new Gift Finder feature. What a great way to quickly and conveniently find that perfect gift for that special someone in your life.  I love how they have broken it down starting with larger groups like Gifts for Her and Gifts for Him, or you can be even more specialied like Gifts by Price, Home Decor Gifts, Gifts for Animal Lovers, or even Gift Suggestions by category. I like to browse around for gifts when I have time, but when I'm in a hurry I love having the option to quickly narrow down my search results.  Novica has done a great job of making this easy to do.  You can see a few of the great ideas below!

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a $40 credit to Novica.com. This giveaway will end December 20th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Sneaky Ways to Encourage Reluctant Kids to Go to College

While some parents are fine if their children decide to pursue a vocational career, others really want their youngsters to head to college after four years of high school. Essentially, no one can really be forced into attending college. But still, many ways exist for sneakily encouraging your teenagers to attend college. If you feel out of options, it'd be best to read on!

Applebee’s Gift Cards - FREE $10 Bonus Card with every $50 with #Giveaway - Ends 12-20

• Applebee’s has expanded its popular FREE $10 Bonus Card with $50 in-restaurant purchase of Applebee’s Gift Cards deal. Now, guests who purchase $50 in Applebee’s Digital Gift Cards at www.applebees.com or through the Applebee’s Facebook page receive a FREE $10 Digital Bonus Card – the same 20 percent value available to guests who purchase gift cards in participating restaurants.
• From Dec. 1-24, Applebee’s is also doling out $100 in FREE Digital Gift Cards every day on Facebook on Twitter. Simply “like” and “follow” Applebee’s on Facebook and Twitter to keep track of the daily in-restaurant assignment and post photos of you and your friends meeting that day’s challenge at your neighborhood Applebee’s to qualify.
• Applebee’s Digital Gift Cards can be customized by uploading a photo or a personalized audio message. A variety of festive card designs, as well as original Applebee’s social media fan art designs, are also available to choose from.

Win it:  One lucky reader will win a $25 Applebee's Digital Gift Card. This giveaway will end December 21st at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.

Ice Age Continental Drift Blue-Ray/DVD

Ahoy, Matey! Pirate Films for the Whole Family

Ahoy, matey! Blue Sky Studios unveils a brand new chapter in one of the most successful film franchises of all time. Bringing together the visually epic and the emotionally powerful, ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT sets sail on Blu-ray™ 3D, Blu-ray™, and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on December 11, just in time for the holidays.

The largest addition to the “crew” in Ice Age: Continental Drift is a band of pirates led by Captain Gutt and his first mate, Shira. They join the pirate ranks of many other swashbuckling tales, including Muppet Treasure Island, The Pirates! Band of Misfits and, of course, Peter Pan.

Muppet Treasure Island

The Muppets came back in a big way in this action packed movie based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s infamous novel, Treasure Island. Kermit the Frog and his motley crew set sail on the high seas to find a treasure only to engage in war with some pretty ruthless pirates.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Even pirates want recognition! Despite several failed attempts, The Pirate Captain takes his crew out on a mission to claim the most booty and win the coveted Pirate of the year Award. The film features the voices of some serious British acting royalty like David Tennant, Martin Freeman and Hugh Grant.

Peter Pan

Practically everyone knows the tale of Wendy, Michael and John Darling who are whisked away to mystical Neverland by the boy who will never grow up, Peter Pan. With the help of their new friends, the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell and, of course, Peter, they are able to bring down the evil Captain Hook and return home.

The Goonies

This epic adventure featured some of the 80’s best loved actors like Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman and Sean Astin, hot on the trail of legendary pirate One-Eyed Willy. If they can avoid capture by the notorious Fratellis and find the treasure in time, they might be able to save their hometown from a wealthy country club’s hostile takeover.

Hook

Years after his adventures with the Lost Boys, Peter Pan is a hardened litigator with absolutely no memory of his time spent in Neverland. So it’s not going to be easy for him to find his footing when Hook kidnaps his children and demands a rematch.

The Princess Bride

Was any movie ever as romantic as this tale of true love so great, it could not even be derailed by death?  Kings, castles, swamps, giants, con artists, wizards and, of course, pirates, make up this amazing, beloved film, which recently celebrated its 25^th anniversary.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

Everyone is back and then some! When Scrat's nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn gives way to earth-shattering consequences, a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid begins. In the chaos, the herd is separated from their friends and family and the only way home seems to be through a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them. 

Win it:  One lucky reader will win an Ice Age Continental Drift prize pack including a copy of Ice Age Continental Drift Blue-Ray and Ice Age ice cube trays. This giveaway will end December 18th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure:  Thanks to PR Firm/sponsor I was provided with this product(s) for the purpose of my personal review. This blog post is not a paid post and the honest opinions stated are my own. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, entry via Facebook like is completely optional. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prize delivery from the sponsor.