Can you believe it will soon be Thanksgiving? I cannot believe how quickly the holidays will be upon us. When you are looking at the doll lovers on your holiday gift guide, why not get them a doll that makes a difference? The Hearts For Hearts Dolls, empower girls to become agents of change in their communities, countries and around the world.
How do these dolls make a difference?
The Hearts For Hearts Dolls are from different countries and include; Rahel from Ethiopia, Dell from the USA, Consuelo from Mexico, and Nahji from India. Each doll has an important story to tell about life in her country, inspired by the stories of real girls who are strong, smart, courageous, and determined to rise above challenging circumstances.
For every doll sold, Hearts For Hearts Girls makes a $1 donation to their charitable partner, World Vision, a global humanitarian organization that supports children through local programs. Whether it’s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in the US, these programs help kids to thrive and succeed.
These dolls are beautiful, I recently received Dell from the USA. She comes packed in a nice box with a front flap that opens to reveal the doll and accessories. Check out my video below for an in-depth look at Dell and everything she comes with.
These dolls are helping to change the world one heart at a time, and you can be a part of that dream! We like them so much, we are adding them to our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide at Mommy Ramblings.
Giveaway:
MPA Sales is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their choice of Hearts for Hearts doll (subject to availability)! Thank you to MPA Sales for the review doll and for sponsoring this inspiring giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US residents.
Hearts For Hearts Doll Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Well, if you have a little girl in your life that is obsessed with mermaids, you can make her dream come true! Let her live out the fantasy of being a mermaid, complete with a beautiful mermaid tail.
Sun Tail Mermaid has created the world’s best swimmable mermaid tails and mermaid flippers. Their mermaid tails are soft, comfortable, and come in a wide variety of designs and colors. They are made of high quality swimsuit fabric with 4-way stretch. She can actually swim in this tail, how cool is that?
Sun Tail Mermaid’s monofins are very comfortable and virtually unbreakable. Their patented monofin is several steps ahead of everyone else in engineering, durability, comfort, and functionality. The propulsion and control is exceptional. The monofins come in a wide range of beautiful colors, so you can match your mermaid tails or look amazing wearing it alone.
Mommy Ramblings’ readers can save 10% on their order at www.SunTailMermaid.com by using coupon code: BestGiftEver. It makes a great Christmas, holiday or birthday gift!
So what do you think? Do you know someone who would love this?
This past winter, our American Bulldog, Delilah, developed a growth on the side of her neck, that grew very rapidly over the course of a few days. Having lost one of our dogs years early to Mast Cell Cancer, we took her right to the vet. He believed that was what it was, but would not know for sure until it was removed and sent to pathology.
We were very upset. I did a great deal of research and started her on an antihistamine until her surgery. Antihistamines are recommended for Mast Cell Tumors, because it can help stop them from spreading.
She came through the surgery fine and came home with an inflatable donut on her neck. About a week later we got better news than we could imagine. Mast Cell Tumors are classified in different grades and by their mitotic index. A grade 1 or a grade 2 with a mitotic index that is less than 5 can behave like benign tumors. Delilah’s came back with as a grade 2 and a mitotic index of 0. That was fabulous news, especially since the vet had thought it was a very aggressive, high-grade Mast Cell Tumor.
This meant Delilah did not need additional treatment and the average life expectancy before a recurrence was 5 years. Since our sweetheart is 7, this was great news to us. Of course, we want her to have more than 5 years, but considering what we thought we were dealing with, we are ecstatic.
The cancer diagnosis got us thinking about all of our dogs ( we have a Westie and Maltese too!) and keeping them as healthy as possible. In speaking with my vet and other pet owners, it seems cancer is so very common these days. When I see that, it makes me think that it is coming from what we are feeding our pets. With so many pet foods on the market, it can be a challenge to know which are best.
I found a dog food I really like, and wanted to share it with you. Petcurean is a family owned Canadian company that manufactures premium-quality pet food recipes; Go!, Now Fresh, Gather and Spike Treats for dogs and cats. They took the time to speak with me and recommend the best food based on our pets’ needs.
Every Petcurean recipe is created using the highest quality, healthiest and most flavorful ingredients available, selected through a trusted network of farmers, ranchers and producers, who must meet or exceed very stringent health, safety and quality criteria. All ingredients are sourced from North America, New Zealand and Australia. Petcurean does not use by-products, un-named meat or any ingredients from China in their pet food or treats.
Petcurean pet foods are sold exclusively through pet specialty retailers in the United States, Canada and more than 20 countries internationally.
$5 Exclusive Coupon Code:
If you would like to try Petcurean Pet Recipes for you pets, we have an exclusive $5 coupon code for Mommy Ramblings’ readers. Just click HERE and enter code PS105ZW997 to get your $5 coupon.
We ordered the GO! DAILY DEFENCE™ Whole Body Preventative Care for Life. The GO! DAILY DEFENCE™ recipes are nutrient packed and nutritionist-recommended to give our dogs the preventative care they need to stay strong. All 3 love the chicken flavor and we love that they have healthy food we feel good about.
Even the bag is different and has a very nice resealable strip that keeps their food nice and fresh.
Petcurean has many different pet food recipes and treats. With the wide selection of premium-quality food for dogs and cats, you are sure to find something that addresses your pet’s’ needs.
Giveaway:
Petcurean Premium Pet Food Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:We are so happy to announce that Petcurean is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a 6lb bag dog kibble or a 4lb bag cat kibble, winner’s choice!!!Open to US and Canadian residents.
Petcurean Premium-Quality Dog or Cat Kibble Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below. Good Luck!!!
Can you believe it is November 1st? I can’t, especially with the unseasonably warm temperatures we have been having in the Northeast. Regardless of how far the mercury rises, the calendar is moving forward, and the holiday season is almost upon us.
Tis’ the season to celebrate with family and your very best friends, just like Twilight, Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy. Of course, I am referring to My Little Pony and their new Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts DVD that debuted last month.
This DVD has six exciting adventures sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
Episodes Include:
Applebuck Season
Winter Wrap Up
Castle Sweet Castle
Hearthbreakers
A Hearth’s Warming Tail
Not Asking For Trouble
Bonus Feature:
Sing-Along
Shout! Factory is sponsoring a giveaway for 2 lucky Mommy Ramblings’ readers. That’s right, 2 lucky readers will each win the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Holiday HeartsDVD. Thank you to Shout! Factory for the review DVD and for sponsoring this heartwarming giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
My Little Pony – Friendship Is Magic: Holiday Hearts DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget. Good Luck!!!
Even though, we were knee-deep in our entire home renovation project, we managed to go on a quick getaway at the end of August. Fitting in a special trip before school started was just what we all needed. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Woodloch, the #1 Family Resort in America according to Tripadvisor was just 40 minutes from our house!
From the first moment of our arrival, the staff was so friendly and made our stay so much fun. Woodloch is a true family resort reminiscent of the resort portrayed in Dirty Dancing. In fact, most of the families we met on our trip, return year after year to this pristine Pocono Mountain resort. It is no wonder why, there is so much to do and activities are plentiful for kids and adults of all ages.
The meal plan is spectacular and gets the family around the table 2 or 3 times a day. There is no shortage of food and everything we ate was expertly prepared and delicious. If you have specific dietary needs, all you have to do is let them know.
When you check in, you are assigned a table in the main dining room. That table is yours for the duration of your stay, and you will enjoy all your meals there, unless you chose to eat at one of the other restaurants on site. We had a table in front of the windows overlooking the lake.
As you enter the dining room for each meal there is a character meet and greet. That was a really nice touch and just one of the many things Woodloch does to make their guests feel welcome and entertained. Every morning at breakfast, a new activity sheet is placed on each family’s dining table.
The lake has a thrilling water slide, and our kids had to try immediately after our arrival.
They did allow us to stop off at our beautifully appointed suite that had all the amenities we needed. There are laundry facilities on site, perfect for ensuring you don’t return home with bags of dirty laundry.
Everything is very structured and you can literally be doing something from them moment you wake up until you go to bed. If you prefer, you can lay out by the lake or the indoor or outdoor pool. There is a very nice outdoor splash/wading pool for younger kids and the indoor waterpark type splash zone and slide was another favorite.
The indoor pool and water slide was perfect when one of the days we were there was unseasonably cold. My kids had so much fun in the large indoor pool, splash zone and water slide. Soft, fluffy towels are provided near every pool and by the lake.
Woodloch had terrific entertainment at night. We participated in a “Block Party” on the grounds complete with carnival type games that we could play with the coupons we were given and win prizes.
There were games even little kids could play and win. We saw an amazing Billy Joel cover band that was just phenomenal! The magician and dog trainer put on great shows that entertained kids and adults alike.
We loved walking the grounds from our room to the main dining hall and activities. Woodloch also has shuttles that run all day to transport guests around the property.
They have go karts for bigger kids and adults, as well as Jr. Go Karts my little ones could drive themselves. The Jr. Go Karts were a huge hit. The indoor bumper cars were fun entertainment for everyone in the evening. A pontoon boat tour of Lake Teedyuskung with a boat captain who was a riot, was another highlight.
There is just so much to do! They have the signature Woodloch game of skill throughout the grounds and my husband had to make sure he mastered it before we left. There are kayaks, sailboats, paddleboats and stand up paddle boards that guests can take out on the lake. Bingo games, lawn games, trivia games, mock game shows, arts and crafts and so much more are available to guests.
Bumper boats, petting zoos, a gymnasium where they have fun family activities, an indoor play structure, arcade and more make for very exhausted kiddies at the end of the night. There were so many activities, we did not even get to experience everything. I guess we will have to make another trip there. Now I see why families come back every year.
The resort makes you feel so at home, you do feel like family and returning is like going home again. They do not treat you like a number, their enthusiastic and friendly staff is so genuine and they really take time to get to know you. I cannot believe how lucky we were to have discovered this jewel so close to where we live. My kids are still talking about our time there, and asking when we can go back.
They have lovely gift shops and stores on site, there are other restaurants including a deli. We stopped off at the gift shop and picked up sweatshirts, Woodloch logo toy trucks, coffee mugs, t-shirts and more to remember and celebrate our time there.
Thank you so much to Woodloch for arranging this wonderful and much-needed mini vacation for our family. Erica coordinated our trip and no detail was overlooked. If you are looking for a fun, family resort to spend some quality time with your family, Woodloch should be at the top of your list.
We have more videos on our YouTube Channel and will be adding even more. Check them out, they will give you an up close and personal look at this spectacular family resort. If you have any questions please ask in the comments, I will do my best to answer them, and if I cannot, I will reach out to the staff for you.
If you would like to book your own family getaway at Woodloch, you will not be disappointed. They have fun activities no matter what season you plan to visit. You can learn more and book your stay on their website as well as, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
So, what do you think of Woodloch Family Resort? Let me know if you have great Woodloch memories of your own. We certainly created a multitude of memories at Woodloch this past summer!
If you have a blog or business and you want to create a Facebook Fan Page but don’t know where to start, we can help. If you still have not started a blog and need help, go to our, How To Start A Blog Tutorial first.
You might wonder if you really need a Facebook Page for your blog or business. Social media is one of the easiest ways to connect with your target market or audience. A Facebook Page allows you to bring targeted content, promotions, sales and giveaways in front of hundreds of thousands of potential customers, clients or readers who are looking for what you have. It also gives you a platform to showcase photos of your work. We know a picture is worth 1,000 words. If you are an artist, photographer, restaurant owner, contractor, decorator, DIY blogger, crafter and more, post fabulous photos of your best work to attract your audience.
Bloggers should use a Facebook Fan Page to interact daily with their audience. They can do this by posting call to action posts that ask a simple question like, what is the last book they read or what is their favorite classic movie. Beyond that, all blog posts should be promoted on your Facebook Page. There are many plugins or widgets that will automatically post to your page as soon as new posts are published.
Businesses can use their Facebook Page to connect with clients and customers and improve customer service by engaging and answering any questions or concerns they may have.
So, now that you understand the importance, let’s get your Facebook Fan Page up and running. I promise, it will take only a few minutes.
The first thing you need is the name of your page. If you already have your business or blog, it is easy, just use that name. If you do not have anything and are just starting, think of a name.
Once you have your name, you might want to check on domains for that name if you don’t already have one. The reason I am saying this, is because you may be thinking small now and just want the Facebook page. However, if you decide to start a website for your business or blog later, and want a domain with that name, you might be very disappointed to find it is not available.
You can research domain names on BlueHost , if you sign up for their low-cost hosting for your website, it includes a free domain! If you do find an available domain for your business or blog, it is a good idea to purchase it while it is available.
Step one, go to Facebook. Click “HOME” on the top of your page. On the side You will see pages and then on the bottom something that says “create a page”and you click that.
After that, you will be directed to a page where you pick a category for your blog. For bloggers, photographers, musicians etc. you should choose the Artist, Band or Public Figure. If you have a cause, choose Cause or Community and so on. Just pick the best category for your page. Then, you can choose a sub-category and add your page name.
Next, it will take you to where you can enter your “About” information. Let everyone know what your page is about. You can also skip this, but the more details you have, the more people will find your page.
Now, you need to add a profile photo. I am also going to cover the cover photo here too. To add photos, you can use your own photos.
If you don’t have any that will work, you can try free photo sites like Pixabay.com. These are royalty free and can be used without any attribution. Type a word or two into the search bar and search for images. When you find one you like click on it and then save in your files.
You can then upload the images to Facebook to customize your page. If you want to add elements to your cover photo you can use FotoJet. Just upload your image and customize.
To add a title you can choose an overlay or just add text directly. Many of the features are available for free. Anything with a special icon is only available if you have a subscription. This screenshot is from PicMonkey which has a free trial or you could use FotoJet or any other photo editing software you like.
You can change colors, sizes and more to really make it your own.
When you are happy, save it to your computer and then upload to your page.
Add your page to your favorites so you can find it easily.
You can customize who the ideal audience for your page is. Do not limit your audience too much.
At this point you are ready to go, you can learn more about promotion and adding buttons etc. but the basic page is done.
So what are you waiting for? Write your first post. Good luck guys, any questions you can ask them in the comments.
Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links, if you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission. All of the links in this post are products or services that I recommend because I truly believe they are the best and would recommend them whether or not I earn a small commission from them.
Tomorrow, I have to go for two ultrasound scans. To say the least, the last few weeks have been a rollercoaster. Already dealing with having our lives torn apart for the last year, as we have had to undergo a near total renovation of our house. This required moving out, having all our belongings packed by a less than careful mold remediation company and now dealing with a less than ethical contractor who took a large deposit on work he never even started.
So, now on top of everything, we are starting the litigation process to bring this contractor and his partner (wife) to justice and get our money back. They have caused us weeks of delays and much angst. I ended up being rushed to the hospital one night thinking I was having a heart attack. They found out that, thankfully, I was not having a heart attack but tomorrow I need to have an echocardiogram to rule out mitral valve prolapse and my thyroid levels (I am hypothyroid) were very low. This could be the reason for the chest pain etc. I had my levels tested again and they are normal but the doctor felt an enlargement in my thyroid, and that is the other scan I am going for. I would love your prayers and good thoughts because I am feeling a big weary.
Speaking of being weary, motherhood itself can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Add to that health issues, and it can sap our energy as we worry about something happening to us, and what that would mean to our family. As much as we try to stay positive, those negative thoughts creep in. Since I was told there was an enlargement on one side of my thyroid, it feels that the fullness I felt from time to time in my throat, is now constant. It also feels like something is pulling from my collarbone when I turn my neck. As much as I try to push it from my thoughts, they find a way of creeping in. This morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn, and could not lie there because of the thoughts that kept coming into my mind. I had to get up and do something to try and take my mind off tomorrow.
As mothers, our lives are so full and no matter how much we get accomplished, we tend to focus on all the things we did not get done. We are so critical on ourselves. It can easily leave us feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you have even wondered if you were succeeding at motherhood. We tend to berate ourselves about everything we did not complete or do. Worse yet, social media has introduced us to hoards of “supermoms” who only make us feel worse about ourselves. We have to understand everything is not what it seems on social media, and the “supermom” you see, is probably hanging by a thread just like you are many days.
I understand that many mothers feel overwhelmed and have at least fleeting thoughts of inadequacy. That is why I want to introduce you to, Why Motherhood Matters by September McCarthy. The author has been a mom for 25 years (close to how long I have been a mother but, I have a few years more on the job, lol), like myself ,she continues to raise young children and loves her young adults.
September imparts words of wisdom and grace in key areas of Christian parenting, including faith (getting honest with your family about your need for Jesus), wellness (learning to take care of your kids and yourself), education (raising a new generation with creativity and character), and relationships (speaking to the heart of your children in unique ways). On the pages of the book, you’ll find sweet anecdotes and gentle guidance for those moments you need both a breather and a lifeline.
More About September:
September McCarthy is a writer, speaker, blogger (One September Day at www.septembermccarthy.com), wife, and a home-educating mother to ten beautiful children. Today, she juggles motherhood and being a grandmother as her older children are married with families of their own. She is also the founder and director of Raising Generations Today, a nonprofit ministry designed to equip and inspire moms to reach the hearts of their children for God’s glory.
Giveaway:
We are happy to run a giveaway for our readers. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win their own copy of, Why Motherhood Matters. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to residents of the USA.
Why Motherhood MattersBook Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules
Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
You might remember several months ago, I posted about Sesame Street’s newest characterJulia, a sweet, curious four-year-old girl with autism. Now I want to introduce you to Sesame Street’s newest Big Golden Book, We’re Amazing 1, 2, 3! by Leslie Kimmelman. Just like, The Monster at the End of this Book, We’re Amazing 1,2,3!is destined to become a Sesame Street Classic.
This book contains subject matter that is both relevant and important. It does a great job introducing children to autism in an age-appropriate way that will help them understand why some children may act differently. It teaches kids the valuable lesson that our difference are what make us special.
The book’s autism storyline was carefully research by Sesame Workshop’s early childhood experts as part of Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children.
Author Leslie Kimmelman has personal experience as the mother of a child with autism and it helped her create the character of Julia. This book is perfect to use in the classroom and at home. We really enjoyed it and it opens up a springboard for conversation. Books that provide natural conversation about important issues such as autism are such valuable teaching tools.
Giveaway:
Penguin Random House is sponsoring this giveaway. One lucky Mommy Ramblings’ reader will win their own copy of We’re Amazing 1,2,3! Thank you Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this amazing giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.
We’re Amazing 1,2,3! Book Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
When looking for a new neighborhood to move into, it serves you well to do your homework to avoid moving into bad areas. The region needs to have a low crime rate, be affordable, and have the right amenities. If you are looking to buy a house, remember you are not just buying a property, you are also investing in the neighborhood.
Here are some tips that will help you choose the safest and best neighborhood for you and your family:
Ask The Right Questions
According to the owner of Eastown apartments, ask yourself what the best features of the neighborhood are . What would make an area stand out to you?
Amenities that are within walking distance?
Trees and parks?
Active, busy areas or quiet streets?
New developments or older neighborhoods?
Anonymity or tight-knit areas?
Once you have the right picture of the neighborhood in your mind, make sure all your criteria are met when choosing a house.
Crime Rates
Using search engines such as Bing or Google, you can look up the crime statistics by neighborhood to generate information about the area you are considering. Most big urban areas have crime reports that are detailed enough to help you choose the right area. Smaller towns, on the other hand, only have general information, which might not be very useful.
Contact The Local Police
The local police department will provide you with the right information about a certain area. This will probably be your best source of information when looking into the safety and crime in neighborhoods. A police station can also help you to find out how active a community is in crime prevention.
Drive Around
Drive around a neighborhood to look for graffiti as well as other forms of vandalism like broken windows. If the homes have strong deterrents such as ‘beware of dog’, exercise caution.
Take A Look Around
Spend some time walking around the neighborhood, then take note of how the houses look: how are the front yards, sidewalks, and streets? If the people in the area make eye contact with you and smile, it is probably a safe place. Look for abandoned and vacant buildings, which might affect the property value and feel of the neighborhood.
Take several walks through the neighborhood at different times of the day to get a better idea of its highs and lows. Assess the people living in the neighborhood: are they old or college-age students?
Public Transport
Is there public transport nearby? You might need to use public transport if the cost of fuel becomes too much for you. How often does transit stop during the peak periods?
Schools
A well-kept school is a sign of a very good neighborhood. Moreover, you need to look into schools if you have kids: this should be your first consideration before you buy a house. Is the school near your house and if it is not, how will your kids be getting there?
Future Development
You can find information through the local chamber of commerce or city hall. Anticipating future developments is smart because they usually increase traffic and taxes. You need to invest in the future potential of your neighborhood if you want to decide whether the outlook is great for your family.
Property Taxes
You need to find out the current tax rate in the city you want to move to. If there is an expected tax increase, consider this amount in your moving budget.
This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.
I would like to introduce you to, The Action Storybook Bible, by Catherine DeVries and Illustrated by Sergio Cariello. This book is a great way for parents to explore God’s redemptive story together with their children.
The Action Storybook Bible tells the amazing creation story, the powerful kinds who reigned over ancient Israel, God’s miraculous gift of eternal life through his son, Jesus and more! On every page you will find God’s promise for the world.
This book has illustrations that are very different, more like a comic book, making it more relatable to kids I believe that this is very beneficial in helping kids engage with the stories and people they are reading about. If you are looking for something a bit different to share God’s incredible story with your kids, you should really check The Action Storybook Bible out.
Interactive features include:
Fifteen key episodes from God’s Word-each one loaded with several stories along with more than 350 brand-new illustrations throughout.
Short and easy readings—for children ages eight and under with rich, colorful images.
Life, Faith, Action! features-conclude every episode and invite families to talk about how God moves in the stories, how to see God in life today, how to put faith into action, and how to easily talk to God with a suggested prayer.
Hall of Fame visual index—the place to look up favorite Bible characters by discovering their icon connections and finding them in the stories.
About the Author:
Catherine DeVries has written more than twenty-five books for children, including the bestselling Adventure Bible Storybook. She lives with her family in the Colorado forest.
About the Illustrator:
Sergio Cariello is a master illustrator. He drew his first regular comic strip for his city’s newspaper at age eleven. Born in Brazil, he spent many childhood hours poring over the Portuguese edition of The Picture Bible. Sergio has worked for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, illustrating Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, and dozens more comic book characters.
What do you think of this Adventure Bible Storybook? I would love to know.
I received a copy of this Bible to facilitate my review. As always, my words and views are 100% my own.
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
