Review Requests and Freebies - My Promise to You!

In light of the new law coming in to effect regarding the disclosure of freebies and compensation from companies and today’s article in the LA Times on the same subject, I thought it was time to address this head on in how I deal with it here.



My promise to you as a reader is to always be honest in my reviews and recommendations on this site. It’s simply not in me to write something I won’t stand behind. I’ll never recommend a video game, activity, toy, food or anything else for that matter that we don’t currently use or would use ourselves in our home.


One of the benefits of being a blogger is that you are like a reporter (without as many barriers and no one to answer to except your readers). I am constantly being approached by companies and PR Firms asking if I would like to have free samples of products in hopes that I will review them or to attend their events. This is no different than what happens in the world outside of blogging. I know this because I have been on the other side, working at a PR Firm, approaching reporters with the offers of free samples. It’s just the way the world works. I’m also savvy enough to know that just because I don’t like something, doesn’t mean someone else won’t. I don’t have an interest in “slamming” a product or service… I just don’t want to waste my time with negative posts. I have received products that we tried and I just wasn’t enthusiastic enough about the product (sometimes it just comes down to feeling the product is way over-priced) to write a post about it. You’ll notice with every post I will share the story about how we heard about the product (whether it was a purchase on our own or it was a part of an event) and I always make an effort to tie it in to show why I am passionate about it.


I really appreciate being approached to review the products because I simply don’t have the budget to purchase and experience so many things without receiving them that way.


If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email me!

Read more...

Konami, Frogger and Bloggers

Last week we were invited to a Mom Blogger event up at the Konami Headquarters in El Segundo. Oh my gosh! It was such an amazing and fun experience for the boys! We have family video games nights frequently so I think I was just as excited as the boys to be hanging out at the headquarters of Konami.

I’ll be profiling a few of the recently released and upcoming games we had the opportunity to test out over the next week, but I’m going to start with the smash hit favorite by a long shot according to my boys – Frogger Returns. Yes, it’s a complete throw-back to the original Frogger released 25 years ago! I’m not sure if it was the novelty of a “simpler” game that the boys loved playing it for, or if it was the fact that it was a frog as the main character (Brett’s favorite animal has been frogs for years). Convincing Brett to play another game that day was tough as he was mesmerized by the Frogger game. He kept saying, “My Dad played this game 20 years ago!” I’m not sure how he knew that, but it was cool to see a remake of an old game be so exciting to my son. There’s just something about the simplicity of the way video games used to be that is still just plain cool. I was proud of Brett, my little gamer for enjoying the old- school game so much.

Frogger Returns is downloadable as an App for your iPhone (& iPod Touch) right now (click here), downloadable on Wii Ware right now and will be available to download for the PS3 through the PlayStation Network later this month.  If you're a parent who is a little video game challenged, this will be one where you can show your kids you actually CAN plan video games, just not the 4-D ones!

Enjoy!

*Be sure to check back later this week... I'll be doing my first giveaway!!!  You won't want to miss it!

Read more...

Ahh, The Holidays are Finally Here!

There are a few things that really make it feel like the holiday season is here. Since we don't have snow here in Southern California, I look to more superficial signs of the holidays like the arrival of the Christmas parade at Disneyland (yesterday!) and the availability of my beloved Peppermint Mocha Coffeemate at the grocery store. Note I busted out the snowman cup from Starbucks too!

What things symbolize the arrival of the holidays to you?


*This was in no way a compensated or even requested endorsement. Believe me, I wish it had been! :)

Read more...

Thanksgiving dinner for less than $20?

Yes, with a small bit of planning ahead it is very possible! I promise! I happened upon a deal last week that floored me… $0.37/pound for frozen Turkeys at Fresh & Easy. If you calculate that out, you can get a fifteen pound Turkey (plenty for a small family dinner) for $5.00! This is probably a good time to note that I bought one, then went back another day and bought a second Turkey for Christmas Dinner because the deal was too amazing to pass up. Since I’m not cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, I’ll be making the traditional Thanksgiving dinner for our family of four the day after. I’ll post the actual recipes next week (including how to make my Mom’s world famous gravy!).


I wasn’t planning on purchasing everything so far in advance, but when I saw the deals and did the math in my head I knew it was a fantastic deal that wouldn’t necessarily be around for long! Below are items I actually purchased so I know the prices are 100% accurate. Don’t believe me? Cruise on over to the Fresh & Easy site and check out the prices for yourself!


Here’s the shopping list (including the prices at Fresh & Easy just to make it simple) for Thanksgiving dinner:


1 -15 pound Jennie O Frozen Turkey--------------- $5.07


Green Bean Casserole
French’s Fried Onions ----------------------------------$2.49
1 can – Cream of Mushroom Soup -----------------$.59
2 cans – Green Beans ----------------------------------$.69 x 2


Cranberry Sauce
1 can jellied cranberry sauce --------------------------$.99


Stuffing
1 Box Mrs. Cubbison’s Seasoned Dressing-----$1.49


Mashed Potatoes
48 oz. Golden Potatoes --------------------------------$3.28


Candied Yams/Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes (whole/fresh)-------------------------$2.99


                                                                         _________


                                                                                $18.28 total
 (leaves extra for misc. ingredients most have on hand)

Read more...

Random Act of Kindness

I treasure the moments as a mother when one of my children does something filled with compassion. Its times like that that I take notice that I really AM raising my boys well. Last weekend Brett did something so truly touching that I fought back tears - tears of joy, tears of sadness and tears of pride in what a wonderful little boy he is. It really was a small little gesture he did, picking up a sippy cup that had fallen for a toddler in a stroller. But it only took one glance from me to realize this wasn't just any little girl, she was a triplet born to two parents who have been to hell and back - the Cobles. Read more details about their story here.

If you're not familiar with this family, they have a story filled with more pain that I as a mother can even fathom to think about for more than a few minutes without sobbing. Two and a half years later my heart breaks to think about it. That fateful night we were driving on the very same freeway and saw the signs on I-5 about the terrible car accident at Oso Parkway. Chills ran up my spine as I saw that sign and I clearly remember saying a prayer for who was involved in the accident (I tend to do that, even with Ambulances). It wouldn't be until the next morning that I heard how heart wrenching it really was. That night the three Coble children died and their mother survived the accident (along with her mother in the passenger seat). Katie, Kyle and Emma would forever be etched in my mind. The fact that my name is Katie and I have a son named Kyle made me feel bonded in a way to this family even though I had never met them. To this day I can't go past that part of the freeway without taking a deep breath and wishing I could send Lori strength to heal from her loss. On days when my boys are acting up, I step back and think of how lucky I am that I can still hug my little boys.

One year after the accident Lori delivered triplets. Those three children are angelic gifts sent to help their parents carry-on. I hope they don't see their legacy as a burden, but instead see it as inspiring and magical.

I've read horrible comments about the Cobles, people judging them on their actions after losing their children, choosing to have more children being one. People can be so cruel. My wish for them is that they find the peace they so deserve, they have found the strength to go on and they deserve every single ounce of beauty life has to offer.

And when I saw my son Brett participating in a small random act of kindness for a family that deserves it so much made me one dang proud mom.




*Lori, if you ever stumble upon this and read it, please know that for every cruel person or comment, there are atleast a thousand more of us wishing the world for your family!

Read more...

Disneyland Freeway Exit Confusion

By now I'm sure it is more than a little obvious to you that we go to Disneyland way more than I'll admit (cough, cough atleast 52 times a year...) but with the recent construction/changes I a bit embarrased to admit I really don't know the best exit from the I-5 anymore! Coming from south OC it used to be an easy exit on Disney Way... But now that dumps you in to a roundabout detour around the park because the original parking entrance is intermittently closed! We've taken Harbor to Ball and in that way, but it lacks the easy access to the parking lots that Disney Way offered.

I'm thinking it might be time to track down a castmember to find out the skivvy on parking and what Disneyland has planned for the future (I've heard rumors about another massive parking structure but wonder how the trams would work...)

So my real question to you is this... How do you access the parking lots and what are your reasons for the routes you take?

Read more...

Pampered Pooch

Our dog is the best dog on the planet (no really). I haven't come across other dogs that work so hard to try to figure out what you want them to be doing. It was clear from day one when we brought him home that all he ever wanted was to be a part of the family. Long car trips were no biggie to him... As long as he was included. He's turned many children's fear of dogs to a love of dogs... He really is awesome...

But the other morning I caught my husband doing something that just had me laughing hysterically - giving him two bacon and two eggs from a snausages package for breakfast. I mean really? This from someone who thinks it's okay to give the kids goldfish crackers for breakfast...

Apparently this occurs every morning like clockwork! I didn't think anyone would believe me about this so I snapped a picture as evidence...

Do you do anything for a pet that you think it pretty silly? I'd love to know we aren't alone...

Read more...

Mickey's Magical Christmas

I was so excited when my husband brought home the newest Mickey's Christmas DVD... Mickey's Magical Christmas. It's the most recent in a long line of our household favorites... Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas & Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas. Just a fun little tradition around our house that helps build the Christmas spirit since we don't get snow here in Southern California!


We'll be watching it this weekend during our family movie night!


Have you seen it yet? Love it? Don't have it yet? Click here:Mickey's Magical Christmas



.

Read more...

Goodbye beloved oats...

Dear Oats,

I really loved the years we spent together. Snacking on granola fought off many episodes of hunger when I was too busy to make a meal. Blueberry Oat Bars from Starbucks have been a guilty pleasure for me over the last few years. The oatmeal breakfast bars, need I say more? My oatmeal infused body wash was supposed to soothe my troubled skin. I'll truly miss my Oatmeal with brown sugar. Goodbye Cheerios (at least the kids can still eat them!!!).

But yesterday I was tested for allergies and I'm afraid you, my dear Oats are the culprit. I must go cold turkey and stop the endless allergic reaction my body is having now that I know you are the problem.

Best of luck to you in your future endeavours...

-Katie


P.S.
If you are a parent reading this and you even suspect your child may have food allergies... Make an appointment! I can't believe I waited so long!

Read more...

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is one of these... (from Disneyland used for cleaning up after the parades, etc..,).

I'm thinking it would help cleaning up the toys on the ground left by my kids.

I'll look forward to it, you're the best!

Love,

Katie

P.S.

Sorry the picture is blurry, but they are so fast my camera couldn't keep up!

Read more...