Christmas Fun!

A Fun Christmas with Family and Friends

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Review and Giveaway

Creating Memories is extremely important to me and I try to capture everything by taking as many pictures as I can. My point and shoot camera is always with me, along with my phone which can enables me to capture those quick pictures. The problem lies with now that I have all those pictures downloaded on my computer, what to do with them?!? I have never been a big scrapbooker, but I know people who love it. Scrapbooking never caught on for me until now, I have discovered a great company...My Memories Digital Scrapbooking. Everything done digitally! They have great scrapbooking kits and various layouts. You can also make calendars, videos, cards and photobooks.

Here is a sneak peek at one of my projects.

It is so easy to use and the possibilities are endless in letting your memories tell a story! Check out their video on YouTube.

As a special for all of our readers, My Memories is giving you a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value! Just use the promo code STMMMS31763.

To find out about digital scrapbooking and all the latest news from MyMemories, Check out their blog, Like them on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter.

One lucky reader is going to win their own copy of the Digital Scrapbook software!  Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.Mandatory entry is to visit their website and leave us a comment telling us which is your favorite page layout design or theme.

What are you waiting for? Go have fun creating your own digital scrapbook!

Learning Resources Review and Giveaway

Do your kids love learning as much as mine?  Do you have trouble finding toys and games that are educational, yet fun at the same time?   Learning resources "is a leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms and learning toys for the home. For more than 25 years, the company has been a trusted source for educators and parents for quality, award-winning educational products."  Just visit their easy to navigate website and you will be amazed at how many wonderful products that your child would be interested in and benefit from.

Now I don't usually like to brag about my kids (5 and 7), but they are extremely smart.  They are both several grade levels ahead in reading, writing, and spelling.  However, I will be the first to admit that they both could use a little extra help when it comes to math.  For as smart as they are, they both seem to have a hard time with their simple math facts.  They can figure out longer problems that include basic math facts, but it takes them a long time.  As a mother and a teacher, I feel that it is important that kids know their basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division math facts.   I also think they should learn them so that they can answer without hesitation.  

The Minute Math Electronic Flash Card is helping them both reach that goal.  This fun little math game, encourages them to practice daily.  It even has them challenging themselves to beat their best score.  So far my 7 year old has received 13 out of 13 correct in one minute.  She has now set a new goal to get 15 out of 15.    Hear is a little more information about the Minute Math Electronic Flash Card from their website:

Encourages practice of operations (add/subtract or multiply/divide) and early algebraic skills related to equations and the commutative property

Offers a 60–second timed mode and a low–pressure untimed mode, plus 3 levels of difficulty

Reinforces arts of the equation through color–coded screen frames

Provides positive, corrective feedback—both visual and auditory

Durable, triangle–shaped unit with volume control measures 5.5"H

Requires 3AAA batteries, not included

For individual practice, or for 2–5 students answering together

Grades 1–3   

 

Would you like to own your very own Minute Math Electronic Flash Card game?  Thanks to Learning Resource, one lucky reader of Between the Lines is going to win one.  Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Upcoming Disney Films!!!

I am so excited to be able to give you all a sneak peak of the new Disney Films that are planned for 2012!  They all look like they are must-sees, but then...aren't all Disney Movies?!? 

January 13, 2012

February 17, 2012

March 9, 2012

April 20, 2012

May 4, 2012

 June 22, 2012

August 15, 2012

September 14, 2012 (Digital 3-D)

October 5, 2012

November 12, 2012

Merry Christmas!

From Our Family To Yours, We Wish You A Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Unique Baking Techinques

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

Every year, the question always comes up about whether or not to put up a real or artificial tree in our house. As I was growing up, we always had a real tree. There is just something about having the scent of the tree in the house during Christmas. After I married, we decided to try an artificial tree. We found a very pretty one and have used it several years. But each year, its debated in our house whether to venture out to find the perfect one. We have had our issues with the real ones in the past. After talking my husband, several years ago, into going to a tree farm and cutting down our own. We had issues getting it in the stand and low and behold as soon as it was decorated it decided to come tumbling down. So, we had to start all over to decorate it. Needless to say, the following year, it was back to the artificial. This year I decided I wanted a real tree again. I wanted the scent of the tree in the house, just the way my dad loved the smell. My dad passed away this year and it's our first Christmas without him, so I thought this would allow a part of him to be with us this Christmas. I once again talked my hubby into going to cut down our own tree. One very cold Saturday morning, we headed out for breakfast, then ventured out to the tree farm. Our girls were very excited and had the best time walking up and down the rows of trees to find the perfect one.


And yes, we found the perfect one for our house. The house smells like Christmas!

I think this will be a yearly event. I hope my girls cherish these moments and always have something to look back on, the way I do. What are your traditions? Do you put up a real or fake tree? Or do you skip it all together?

Give the Gift of Soda Stream this Holiday Season

Although my husband is the big soda drinker in our house, I love a good diet soda every once in awhile. I tend not to buy my favorites because I just enjoy it and he NEEDS it to get through the day. However, now thanks to my SodaStream, everyone can enjoy their favorites at the fraction of the cost and calories! I will admit that I am still excited about my SodaStream maker even though I've had it for a year. I have talked about it to all my family and friends and have encouraged them to go out and purchase one. For those of you unfamiliar with SodaStream, let me fill you in.

To create your own SodaStream system, you first must pick the Soda Maker that fits your needs the best. SodaStream offers 7 different Soda Makers. They basically serve the same purpose, but the more expensive models are stainless steel and/or provide dishwasher safe bottles. Check out the Fountain Jet, Genesis, Pure, and Penguin Soda Makers HERE.

Once you’ve chosen your Soda Maker, it is time to choose your flavors. SodaStream provides such a great variety of flavors that you’ll definitely find some that you love. They offer regular and diet, but don’t let the regular fool you. SodaStream uses Splenda in their flavorings, so your calorie intake is significantly less than a regular can of soda. Check out this information from their website:

How does SodaStream nutrition stack up against national brands?

With a SodaStream home soda maker and over 30 delicious regular, diet and caffeine-free sodamix flavors to choose from, you'll enjoy freshly made, great tasting soda that fits your health and diet. Regular flavors contain no high-fructose corn syrup, and diet flavors are sweetened with Splenda® brand sweetener, not aspartame.

Tale As Old As Time

Disney's Beauty and the Beast is coming back to theaters this January in Disney Digital 3D!

I have loved this movie since I was a child and I cannot wait to share it with my two girls.  I cannot wait to see how it looks on the big screen...in 3D!!  In case you are one of the unlucky ones who hasn't seen this amazing film, here is the new trailer.

And don't forget some fun coloring pages for the kids...or yourself!  Enjoy!!!

Oscillococcinum Review and Giveaway

'Tis the season for sneezing, coughing, fever, headache, and fatigue.  In other words, flu season is upon us.  The hardest part of getting the flu is there is no medicine that the doctor can prescribe.  Oscillococcinum, or Oscillo, is a homeopathic medicine that can help reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms. Fortunately, my family has not had to use it yet, but I'm glad that I have a box on hand just in case. 

"Nip Flu-like Symptoms at the First Sign!  Flu is highly contagious and can put you out of commission for more than a week. There is no “cure” for the flu, but the key is to relieve symptoms that make us so miserable at the first sign.  The moment you start to feel achy or run down is when Oscillo can start working naturally with your body to relieve flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and fever. Oscillo has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the severity and the duration of flu-like symptoms, helping you feel like yourself again. Oscillo has no side effects and is packaged in individual doses, so it’s easy to carry with you and take as you need it. It’s sweet-tasting, melt-away pellets dissolve quickly under the tongue and require no water, chewing, or swallowing, and it’s safe for ages two and up."

Relieve Your Child’s Cough Naturally and Safely, Without Drowsiness or Sleeplessness

"If the common cough is an inevitable part of your child’s winter repertoire, then Children’s Chestal cough syrup should have a permanent position in your home. With no artificial flavors or colors, this honey-based cough syrup is one of the safest and tastiest options for relieving all types of common coughs. Safe for children ages two and up, this non-drowsy medicine works by coating the throat with the sweet, natural goodness of honey, temporarily soothing throat irritation, while its blend of safe homeopathic medicines loosens chest congestion, thereby making coughs more productive for a speedier recovery.

Be the first to know about cold and flu outbreaks in your area before they strike in your home. Just enter your zip code in Boiron’s Cold and Flu Tracker at http://www.oscillo.com/flu-tracker to find out your region’s risk level."

If you are interested in trying Oscillo, you can find it at your local grocery store, Walgreens, or CVS.  One lucky reader of Between the Lines will win their own box of Oscillo to try.  Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Don't Miss Rizzoli & Isles Tonight

Did you catch last week's Rizzoli & Isles?  Did it make you miss high school?  Not really?  Yeah, me neither.  What about Jane and Casey though?  Will there ever be more?  I, for one, hope so.  Although Jane has her good friend and partner Maura, I hope to see some more permanent relationships.  I also can't wait to see what Melody has in store for tonight's episode.  Make sure to tune in to tonight's  All-New Episode at 10/9c on TNT.   In tonight's episode "The world of competitive dance turns deadly when the mother of a star performer is stabbed to death at a competition. Jane and the team search for clues, but they soon realize something is off about the woman's history. Korsak has his hands full when his stepson is accused of shooting a cop. Recurring guest star LOLITA DAVIDOVICH appears as Korsak's ex-wife, Melody." 

If you haven't seen the show, you can check it out here http://bit.ly/lnDvyi!

ABOUT RIZZOLI AND ISLES TV SHOW (from their website):

Based on characters created by best-selling crime novelist Tess Gerritsen, RIZZOLI AND ISLES stars Angie Harmon as Jane Rizzoli, a tough-as-nails Boston police detective, and Sasha Alexander as Maura Isles, a smart, impeccably dressed medical examiner from a privileged background. Despite being complete opposites, the two women share an offbeat chemistry and strong working relationship that has helped them bust some of Boston’s most notorious criminals.

Lorraine Bracco stars as Jane’s demanding and intrusive mother, Angela. Lee Thompson Young is Detective Barry Frost, Jane’s somewhat green partner. Bruce McGill plays Detective Vince Korsak, Jane’s seasoned former partner who resents her being paired with Frost. And Jordan Bridges is Jane’s brother, Frankie Jr., a patrol cop who hopes one day to become a detective.

As the second season of RIZZOLI and ISLES opens, Jane and Frankie Jr. are each recovering from bullets they took during a siege at the police station. As Jane struggles to overcome scars that are more emotional than physical, an old flame – Sergeant Major Charles “Casey” Jones (Chris Vance – Dexter, Burn Notice) – comes back into her life.
Jane and Maura will take on a number of intriguing cases this season, including a murder carried out during a Revolutionary War re-enactment, a killing in a professional baseball team’s locker room, a complicated case involving a surrogate mother and a case involving the Salem witch trials. Jane will also face the return of serial killer Charles Hoyt (Michael Massee – Flash Forward), who takes a special joy in tormenting her.

Rizzoli & Isles - 'Don't Stop Dancing, Girl' by thewbdotcom

“I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Rizzoli & Isles."