Thank you to our veterans!

Honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Freedom isn't free--it costs the lives of countless servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives so we can live ours without tyranny.

Thanks to all the veterans who have served or are currently serving.

We remember your sacrifices.

Winners of No Work Spanish

Congratulations to the TWO winners of No Work Spanish Audiobooks. #7 Nebraskamom and #4 Nebraska Fillemans each won a copy of an audiobook.

Congratulations to both of you!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Regarding the rapture that some thought would be Sat. 5/21/11...I for one was not suprised that he was wrong--AGAIN!!!

Here's a billboard that went up Sunday in Greensboro, NC.



District Music Festival 2011

Guess who is going to State Music Festival???

Yup, BOTH my boys. They both got a superior rating for their playing. Andrew moved up to a Level 3A (much harder than the 2B) this year and while he was feeling the pain of the more difficult songs and theory, he managed to play almost flawlessly. I was extra-proud because we walked in 25 min. early (they tell you to be 15-20 min. early) and his judge is standing in the hall waiting for kids to arrive. She was SOOOO ahead of schedule. So he walked into the building, to the room and had to play without mental prep time. I was worried! He made a couple small errors but kept playing like a champ.

Then we got even better news last week. Both boys scored over a 90% on their theory so they BOTH receive a Certificate of Excellence in Music Theory. Andrew got a 95%. That's amazing because his practice theory test two weeks prior was only a 65%. He studied hard and we taught him some of the things he didn't know yet.

The great news doesn't stop there--Nathan managed to get a 100% on his theory test. Wowza!!!! He also gets his name listed in the Music Teacher Newsletter. I'm so proud of both of them. This fall we'll get to take a 'working' vacation and spend a weekend at the state music festival. Always a fun time (well, for us it is--there's a little bit of stress and pressure on the boys, but we work in a ton of fun, too).

Finally, before photos were done, Rebekah needed to have a picture with her brothers. Andrew had already escaped to change into comfy clothes so here's a proud Rebekah with Nathan.

Winner of Bogart Family Resources Copywork

Congratulations to comment #3, the Nebraska Filleman's who won the Bogart Family Resources Copywork book.

Remember to check out my other giveaways for your chance to win!!

TheraBreath Review and Giveaway

TheraBreath was a unique review opportunity for me. I've tried other halitosis/bad breath items before without much success. Many of the other things I've tried tasted so bad that I couldn't even use them.

What a refreshing change!! TheraBreath has a mint flavor that isn't overpowering, but tastes nice. I was sent the Toothpaste, Oral Rinse (like mouthwash) and the Mouth Wetting Lozenges. The Toothpaste & Oral Rinse cost $10.50 each; while the Lozenges are $13.00.

I've been battling a sinus infection off and on since February. One symptom I have is lots and lots of coughing. I'm so sick of cough drops I could gag on them. I started using the Mouth Wetting Lozenges in lieu of cough drops off and on during the day. It was nice to have a decent flavor, know I was wetting my mouth and throat and still fighting off the incredibly bad breath being caused by the infection. While it didn't always stop my cough (not what they are designed to do), it was just nice to have something other than a cough drop in my mouth.

What I really appreciated most is that it is dentist approved oral care (won't damage teeth), yet it helps reduce and solve the problem of bad breath. My husband said it did help freshen my breath. Most of all, I liked the clean taste in my mouth.

If you'd like to see videos regarding Dr. Katz and the TheraBreath products, visit their You Tube Channel. In addition, get more information at the TheraBreath Blog.

Win TheraBreath Mouthwash to try for yourself.

**Mandatory Entry**

Follow TheraBreath on Facebook and on Twitter. If you do not have both accounts, indicate that in your entry.

PLEASE NOTE: You must leave a way for me to contact you. If you aren’t a blogger, use the anonymous comment form to enter and leave an email.

*You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*

**Bonus Entries**

{Leave separate comments for each entry}

1. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect (current followers, too) {1 entry}

2. Subscribe to my blog {1 entry}

3. Follow Coolestmommy on Twitter {1 entry}

4. Follow Coolestmommy on Networked Blogs (Found on right sidebar) {1 entry}

5. Follow Coolestmommy on Facebook (Click "Like" on the right sidebar) {1 entry}

6. Add my blog to your blog roll/sidebar {1 entry}

7. Email three friends with the link to this giveaway inviting them to enter. Remember to cc me at coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com {2 entries}

8. Tweet about this giveaway {can be done once per day} {1 entry per tweet} You can use this:

@Coolestmommy has a #giveaway of TheraBreath Mouthwash you can #win. Two Winners!!! Ends 5/30 http://bit.ly/iSFsDJ

**Rules**

•Giveaway ends Monday, May 30, 2011

•Winners will be chosen via Random.Org. and contacted by email

•Winners will have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen

• Open to addresses in the United States

This is a Mama Buzz review. I received products to sample or the purpose of this review.

2011 Autism Puzzle Walk

Thank you to everyone who supported us this year in the Autism Puzzle Walk. With your financial help, our team came in either 5th or 6th. I can't tell you how much that means to each and everyone of us in our family. Additionally, your words of support and encouragement lifted my spirits during the down times when I thought I was doing this for nothing. And to my extra-special friends who helped me shuttle children and care for them when I was in meeting central and for those who came out to help stuff 750 resource bags, your help and commitment meant more than words can express to our entire community.

As a member of the Walk Committee (like us with the Storm Troopers?) and in charge of 'printed materials', I am thrilled to say that while the numbers are not yet final, we have raised over $45,000 so far this year. Money raised stays here in our state and is used to help fund events, outings, scholarships and helps put on the annual Autism Conference. I was blessed to attend that conference this year and the knowledge I gained in just two short days put me years ahead of where I was before I went.

 

Sean & I were hard at work starting at 6 am. We met the U-haul (yup, it took a U-haul to get all the stuff to the walk this year) and helped unload---with help from MANY other dedicated individuals. The kids were brought by a friend at the start of the walk. They had a ball. More bounce houses this year, face painting, carnival games, parachute fun, more Star Wars Characters (including R2D2), a stage show and DJ kept the party rolling all morning long.

Rebekah LOVES the bouncy slide--and--

She loves the Star Wars Characters (even though she's never seen the movie). 

I have very few photos of Andrew. He was mainly on his own. But he liked our walkie talkies with headsets and got one of the spares working. Here he is fiddling with it while Rebekah gets her face painted. He had a great time 'helping' us out.

Here's Nathan on the walk...

Rebekah the Dalmatian.

My friend's kids with Nathan & Rebekah. She and her husband came to the walk to help 'watch over' my children. Then they took all five kids to a playplace for lunch and brought them home for me. Following that huge energy drain, their family went to the zoo with relatives. UGH! I don't know how she kept going--but I am eternally grateful for her help so I didn't have to worry about the kids while I was working.

Another shot of the committee (or those left at the end of cleanup).

Another fantastic year and we're looking forward to next year already. Thank you again to all of our friends and family who supported is in so many ways. Without you, Sean & I couldn't have been a part of the magic of the day.

Giveaway added for No Work Spanish (2 winners)

 

I'm so pleased to announce that No Work Spanish has offered to give away two copies of their audiobooks. One winner will win "Poster Girl" and one winner will win " Yaks March on Washington".

Please go to the original post to enter.

Happy Mother's Day 2011

Sean found this for me. Too cute to keep to myself.

Happy Mother's Day!

No Work Spanish Review and Giveaway TWO WINNERS

I don't know about you, but when I was in High School, I took French as my foreign language. While I loved the language and how it is the 'Romantic' langauge, I would say that long term I should have taken Spanish. When I was offered the opportunity to review No Work Spanish, I jumped at the chance.

The principal is that you listen to a story in English, then in Spanish. As you hear it repeatedly, you begin to pick up more and more of the language. It's how we all originally learned our first language. I think it's an excellent way to pick up a second (or third or fourth) language.

We've been listening to the stories in the car as we travel to and from appointments. While it's proved a bit too difficult for my 4 and 9 year old, my 13 year old is slowly picking up words. (Great news for me because he starts Spanish at school in the fall.) I think the product is geared more at people who are high school aged and older. But, it can't hurt anyone to be exposed to another language. My 9 year old is picking up bits anad pieces and while the 4 year old doesn't seem to pay attention, I know some is being absorbed. I sort of anticipate her just blurting out some Spanish sentences someday.

You can order both of these books from No Work Spanish for only $21.95--a complete bargain! You can also try it free before you buy.

Win One of the Audiobooks Here (Two Winners)!!

**Mandatory Entry**

Check out No Work Spanish online and let me know if you would choose Yaks March on Washington or Poster Girl if you were the winner (first winner receives title of their choice and second winner receives the other title).
PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to be a blogger to enter this contest, but you must leave a way for me to contact you. Use the anonymous comment form to enter and leave an email.
*You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*


**Bonus Entries**
{Leave separate comments for each entry}
1. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect (current followers, too) {1 entry}
2. Subscribe to my blog {1 entry}
3. Follow Coolestmommy on Twitter {1 entry}
4. Follow Coolestmommy on Networked Blogs (Found on right sidebar) {1 entry}
5. Follow Coolestmommy on Facebook (Click "Like" on the right sidebar) {1 entry}
6. Follow No Work Spanish on Facebook {1 entry}
7. Add my blog to your blog roll/sidebar {1 entry}
8. Email three friends with the link to this giveaway inviting them to enter. Remember to cc me at coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com {2 entries}
9. Tweet about this giveaway {can be done once per day} {1 entry per tweet} You can use this:
@Coolestmommy has a #giveaway of No Work Spanish audiobooks you can #win. Two Winners!!! Ends 5/16 http://bit.ly/imaeFS


**Rules**
•Giveaway ends Monday, May 23, 2011
•Winners will be chosen via Random.Org. and contacted by email
•Winners will have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen
• Open to addresses in the United States

This is a Mama Buzz review. I received a copy of the two audiobooks from No Work Spanish for the purpose of this review.

CLOSED: Bogart Family Resources Penmanship Review & Giveaway

My boys have terrible penmanship. Let's just be honest. So when I was asked if I wanted to review a penmanship workbook, I was all over it!!! Nathan uses the Handwriting Without Tears system and I was so surprised to find out that was a penmanship book option from Bogart Family Resources. Andrew (and next year Rebekah) use the Zane Bloser writing method.

I was able to download a Zane Bloser book for Andrew to work with and a Handwriting Without Tears book for Nathan. What I was drawn to was the scriptures involved and the ability to pick things with a Christian flair. In particular, the All Things Bright and Beautiful book had scriptures to go with the stanzas of the song plus color pages and more.

In addition to the copywork you can purchase, you can download a book for free called "What About Penmanship." This ebook helps parents make penmanship choices for your family and includes some free copywork pages. Also, members (who sign up for the mailing list) of our mailing list receive a $5 coupon that they can use to receive any of our copywork titles for free. We send out exclusive, free copywork lessons to our members, deep members-only discounts on new titles, and other great savings.

 With the copywork books priced between $2.95 to $4.95, it's an excellent resource not only for homeschooling families, but also for parents who want to help their children improve or stay on top of handwriting. I'm thinking of getting more for summer vacation.

Would you like to win a copybook?

**Mandatory Entry**

Check out Bogart Family Resources online and let me know which copybook would be your first choice (this is the book you will receive if you win).
PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to be a blogger to enter this contest, but you must leave a way for me to contact you. Use the anonymous comment form to enter and leave an email.
*You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*


**Bonus Entries**
{Leave separate comments for each entry}
1. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect (current followers, too) {1 entry}
2. Subscribe to my blog {1 entry}
3. Follow Coolestmommy on Twitter {1 entry}
4. Follow Coolestmommy on Networked Blogs (Found on right sidebar) {1 entry}
5. Follow Coolestmommy on Facebook (Click "Like" on the right sidebar) {1 entry}
6. Follow Bogart Family Resources on Twitter {1 entry}
7. Follow Bogart Family Resources on Facebook {1 entry}
8. Add my blog to your blog roll/sidebar {1 entry}
9. Email three friends with the link to this giveaway inviting them to enter. Remember to cc me at coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com {2 entries}
10. Tweet about this giveaway {can be done once per day} {1 entry per tweet} You can use this:

@Coolestmommy has a Penmanship Book #giveaway you can #win. Ends 5/16 http://bit.ly/9E6AHq

**Rules**
•Giveaway ends Monday, May 16, 2011
•Winners will be chosen via Random.Org. and contacted by email
•Winners will have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen
• Open to addresses Worldwide


This is a Mama Buzz Review. I was provided a copy of the copybook to try and no other compensation was given. The opinions expressed are solely my own.