Debbie and Friends "Variety Show" Review and #Giveaway

Debbie and Friends has released their third recording entitled "Variety Show". This album is upbeat songs telling a story with a sing-along style that is fun for both kids and adults. I found the mix of songs to be quite enjoyable. There are some songs that parents and grandparents will most likely recognize (like "Purple People Eater") sung in a new and updated style. There are fairy tale songs like "Cinderella" and "Snow White."

My kids and I were toe-tapping and singing along in no time at all. I enjoyed the music and didn't find it to be an obnoxious kid-style. It's well-written music that appeals to people of all ages. If you'd like to take a listen, there are samples to listen to online.

If you would like to watch any of Debbie and Friends videos, check out the Debbie and Friends You Tube Channel.

And here is a sample video of one of my favorite songs, "Cinderella."

And I have terrific news for Coolestmommy's readers. Debbie and Friends is giving away a copy of "Variety Show" to one of my readers. Enter below using the Giveaway Tools form. Giveaway ends on Valentine's Day, so enter soon.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of "Variety Show" for the purpose of my review. No other compensation was given and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday - Cool Pool

Life is not measured

by the number of breaths we take,

But by the moments

that take our breath away. 

This pool was at my hotel when I was in Ohio for the OCALI autism conference. 
It was amazing to see--it's stainless steel. I didn't get back down in the daytime with my camera, but it shines and reflects the water in the sunlight. 
Beautiful!

Wordless Wednesday - Shoeboxes

Life is not measured

by the number of breaths we take,

But by the moments

that take our breath away. 

Our church participates in Operation Christmas Child every year. 

Here are the kids praying over the boxes that we sent out. We traced a few and found out our boxes went to Mexico this year to spread the Good News of Jesus and to provide a Christmas for kids who wouldn't have any otherwise. 

If you've never participated, I encourage you to check out the program. It's not too late!

Getting Crafty with Borax Sweepstakes

Have you ever used Borax for your crafts? I've used it for years to make better bubble solution. Would you like to share about your Borax crafts and be entered to win $500? Just enter here and share how Borax helps make your house even more beautiful. 

About the Sweepstakes

Get crafty with 20 Team Mule Borax. There are so many ways 20 Mule Team® Borax can help beautify your home, learn how to get crafty and get entered to WIN $500!

 Disclosure: I am a Purex Insider and am entered to win a prize for sharing with you. 

Enter to Win a Fitness Tracker and One Year of #Purex Crystals

Do you like to enter sweepstakes? I do!! 

Here's an opportunity to enter to win a Fitness Tracker AND a Year's supply of Purex Crystals. 

As a Purex Insider, I've had the opportunity to try Purex Crystals and I love them. 

Good luck. 

About the Sweepstakes:
Stay fit & fresh this year with help from Purex. Enter to WIN a Basis Fitness Tracker & a year’s supply of Purex Crystals! Purex Crystals do not interfere with moisture wicking fabric; they work great for all your sportswear! Let Purex help you stick to your resolution this year. Enter clicking the photo above for your chance to WIN!

Balloonacy Show at The Rose Theater

Balloonacy Information:

Date/Time: Jan. 18 - Feb. 1 --  Saturdays at 10:30 am

  Additional performance Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 pm 

  The show is 45 minutes long. 

Location: The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam Street, Hitchcock Stage

Show Specifics:  Theater • Pantomime comedy

Tickets: $10 general admission

Call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online at www.rosetheater.org.

Rebekah and I got to have a GMO...I'm sure you wonder what that is. Well, a GNO is a Girls Night Out, so we had a GMO--a Girls Morning Out. I had the opportunity to see a preview show of Balloonacy, the new show at The Rose Children's Theater. It's done on the small "Black Box" stage, the Hitchcock Theater. You can read about the show below, but the ages recommended were from 2-8. Since I have a 7 year old, I thought she would be a better critic than me. I did that 'terrible parenting' thing and took her out of school for the morning so we could attend. I wouldn't take her out of school if she was behind, but she's not and I believe a lot more learning happens outside of the classroom. I'm a bit rogue that way. 

We had a BALL!!! We went to the show together and she put the money in the parking meter for me. Then after the show, we took our friends from Family Fun in Omaha to peek in at the main stage, then she and I got lunch. She picked Fazoli's since it's not dad's favorite and he couldn't meet us for lunch. Then back to school just as her class was coming back from the lunchroom. (Nice timing--go me!)

Show Summary:

Balloonacy explores the power of friendship. A solitary old man is steadfast in his silent routine until a mischievous balloon finds him and insists on becoming his friend. Through all the ups and downs of a new relationship, the balloon teaches the old man to play again.

This sweet and inventive tale is packed with physical comedy especially suited for very young audiences. 

Thoughts from Rebekah, the critic.

(Mom's note: We were at a preview show with four classrooms of head start preschool aged kids. Keeping in mind it was about 5 kids to 1 adult, we had a great panel to help review the show.)

Rebekah liked the show from the start. She wasn't sure the kids should be shouting things at the character of the old man, but as soon as he 'saw' the audience, she started laughing (because she knows that isn't normally done in theater) and started shouting her encouragement as well.

I especially liked her 7 year old wisdom, "Mom, these preschool kids don't know when you are told to raise your hands, you need to wait to be called on before shouting out your answer." Because she's SOOOO much older then them. (Insert mom laughing and trying to pretend it's just a cough.)

The show is spectacular and beautiful in its simplicity. We got to talk to the director prior to the show (we happened to sit by him) and got his perspective on this show. The staff at The Rose is committed to finding ways to engage even the youngest children in theater. Wow! I was impressed. He shared some of his vision to have children attending live theater from the time they can walk so they can have that experience that isn't found anywhere else. And after seeing this show, I have caught the vision, too. If you have younger children (or even older ones you can take to the theater), I don't think you'll be disappointed. The theme is universal--a person alone can be lonely, but a friend can make the darkest day brighter. 

It's geared towards young people, but anyone who was ever a child will enjoy it as well. 

Disclosure: I was provided the opportunity to see a preview show in exchange for my review. No other compensation was given and all thoughts are my own. 

$50 PayPal #Cash or Amazon #GiftCard #Giveaway - Open Worldwde

Do you enjoy all things online? Do you prefer shopping from the comfort of your home instead of going out and fighting the masses? Do you enjoy playing games online? Do you like getting free things? I'm excited to be able to promote a place online where you can do all of these things--and maybe even win something. 

Play2Shop is a site unlike no other. If you love playing games, getting free stuff and shopping at 1000's of online stores, Then you are going to love this site. The best part is that you never have to download any of the games. Just click on them and play away. Play2Shop makes it so easy to earn points. I am such an online game fanatic. I think my favorite game is the Gem Swap but You can find your own favorite game to play when you Play2Shop.

This month there a giveaway where you can enter to "RACE A FERRARI". The title is called Burn off Some Steam After the Holidays and RACE A FERRARI. You can enter the sweepstakes for this HERE. It is so simple to answer. All you need to enter is your email and name. I do not know about you but I have always wanted to drive a Ferrari. I have the need for speed.

I really like getting cash back and that I love this site. You can get from 2-10% cash back. You can cash in your points for free stuff. You can join in on all of the fun by signing HERE. 

 Now it is giveaway time~

• One reader will win their choice of a $50 PayPal cash or an Amazon gift card.
• Must be 18 or older to enter.
• Winner must be a member of Play2Shop at the time of the giveaway or prize will be forfeited.
• This giveaway is open WW (Worldwide).
• This Giveaway will end 2-14-2014 at 7 p.m. EST

Enter using the easy Giveaway Tools widget below and Good Luck to you!

 

Entry-Form

Disclosure- My Blog is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great #Review

Weight loss--I'd love to drop a few pounds.

Diet -- count me back out.

I'm not one who likes diets...I don't do them. I have negative willpower.

When the opportunity arose to review this book, The Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great, I jumped at the chance. Want to know why? Because this book is compiled by doctors who are moms. This is their 'insider trading' to weight loss. I also liked the title of the chapters, and a few really caught my eye. Boosting Your Self Esteem, Boosting Your Mood, Looking Your Best. They seemed to 'get it' that sometimes your thoughts are as important as the number on the scale. You need to feel beautiful--because you are beautiful!

From the publisher:
The Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great is the fourth book in the successful Mommy MD Guides book series. Our new book features more than 700 tips that 50 doctors who are also mothers use to slim down, shape up, fight fatigue, boost mood, look great, and live better!Our books and website feature tips that doctors who are also mothers use for their own families. They're experts--squared! Our mission is to help moms raise healthier, happier families. 

My readers can save 25% on all of The Mommy MD Guide books at MommyMDGuides.com and receive a free gift.  You can follow Mommy MD Guides on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

While it is primarily a diet/weight loss book--complete with scores of recipes. I have just purchased the ingredients I needed to make a few this week...including a French Onion Soup that will be so yummy during this arctic blast the country is currently getting.

I haven't made it through every chapter, but I've really liked everything I've read so far. I've skipped around a bit, but I like the way the tips are informative and educational. There's charts and lists to use to help with weight loss. The format is so easy to read--and can be done in small blips of time. You know how it is as a mom--you're busy and lucky to grab 30 seconds of 'free' time. Well, in that time, you can get through another tip or two in the book.

Remember to enjoy your discount and free gift!

Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of the book in order to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

New Years Resolutions? Check out A Mom's Guide to Home Organization

Would you like to get a little more space to spare? 

Do you have new years resolutions involving cleaning or decluttering?

I found the right book for you (and me). 

I will be receiving a copy of "A Mom's Guide to Home Organization" to review and will be posting about it later this month. But I wanted to make you aware of the book and let you know that you can purchase it online if you'd like to read it, too. 

From the publisher:Are you frazzled by your family's hectic schedule and chaotic household? Then try Debbie Lillard's "A Mom's Guide to Home Organization." This book walks you through simple processes and tips for organizing your time, your stuff and your space. The second half of the book addresses how to teach your children the life skill of being organized. Written by a busy mom for busy moms.

I'm looking forward to finding new (and better) ways to control the chaos in my home. I'll be sharing soon...

Monster Jam 2014 #Review

Monster Trucks lined up ready to go.

This gives you an idea of how big those trucks really are.
(Zombie Truck & Pit Crew Member)

Imagine yourself as a parent of a child with autism. And imagine discovering that child is so sensitive to sound that he can hear pencils scratching on paper, the hum of a fan that is 'silent' and voices down the hallway talking 'out of earshot'. 

Then imagine that your child is older and you are now a blogger and you're asked if you want to review a monster truck show. As a 'girly-girl', you think it's kind of funny and tell your family that we could go if we want to. Then imagine this son saying, "Which monster truck show is it?" (I'm thinking--there's more than one?!?!) And imagine when you say Monster Jam his face lights up and he says, "That's the show with Grave Digger and El Toro Loco...and the Hot Wheels truck. I think I would like to go to that with you!" Imagine that you--the person who never misses a beat and always has SOMETHING to say--is speechless. 

If you can imagine all of that--you are living my reality. 

I'm still a little stunned at the whole thing. So today, we had the wonderful opportunity to go see Monster Jam 2014. Wow!! And when Nathan became worried this past week about the noise, we told him he needed to take his earplugs (we all wore them) and we had to stay for the first 30 minutes for Mom to get pics for the blog. Then we can leave. Guess what--he made it to the very end and even debated standing in the (very long) line for photos. We ended up not standing in the line and went for a little snack after the show. 

Nathan with his custom earplugs.

But still smiling during the loudest part..with hands over earplugs and ears. 

Rebekah loved the Dalmation car (Monster Mutt is the official name). And the driver (a girl) won the race and almost won the freestyle. 

There's even Motor Cross and BMX and all kinds of other events. But the Monster Trucks is the main event. 

Overall, it was a fantastic show. It was loud...and chilly because they have to leave the doors open to air out fumes and to get the trucks in and out. But earplugs and a coat and we were good. In fact, we look forward to Monster Jam 2015 when we can go again. 

Freestyle (Iron Man)

Wheelie Competition

Disclosure: I was provided free tickets to this event in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.