April 1st

April

Fool's

Day!!!

he he sorry, I wish! But if you can find a deal for that I will be your best friend for life!

10 Tips to winning prizes!

This year I have been introduced to the wonderful world of product reviews and giveaways I myself have started entering contests. I have been very lucky over this past year. I have won quite a few contests from Broadway tickets for four to a Wall-E dvd that made one little sick girl in our house very happy!

In this process I have picked up a few tips I thought I would share with you that have I believe increased my odds in winning.

1. The first tip I want to share is make yourself memorable. When you leave a comment don't just put "pick me or I want to win." Well hello who doesn't want to win? Type in something memorable such as a funny statement or rave about the product they are promoting. These raves really make the company happy which in turn makes the blogger look good! Almost every time I have put a quirky little comment or a sincere rave about the product I find that I have been chosen as the winner!

2. My second tip would be to only enter contests you really are interested in winning. If it is something you are just not all that interested in leave it. I guarantee there is someone else out there that would be thrilled to win it. This is a waste of your time and of the promoters of the contest.

3. My next tip seems like common sense but you would be surprised how often this is not done. FOLLOW the directions! Every contest has their own guidelines to enter. Make sure you read what they are. Some will say to go back to the product website and pick your favorite item while others will ask things like how many kids does the owner of this shop have? If you don't follow the directions chances are your entry will just be overlooked.

4. This tip may be the most important, leave an email address in your comment section. If the blog owner or runner of the contest has to hunt down how to get a hold of you your entry has a good chance of being skipped for one that is more easily accessible.

5. Here are some places to check out for giveaways that are listed to enter

Prizey

Mom Giveaways

Etsy Giveaways

Pay attention to giveaways or contests you read in magazines or other places. The Wall-E dvd Erin won from a coloring contest in Disney and Me magazine! I once won tickets to see Dragon Tales live. I saw the listing for it on an advertisement board at my daughter's preschool. I called the number and asked them to enter me. The next week they called back with 4 second row tickets to see Dragon Tales live!!

6. Don't get discouraged because you are not winning. You cannot win them all and every person that enters contests goes through a dry spell. Keep at it statistically you are sure to win eventually.

7. You can't win unless you play. Don't look at a contest and think (sigh) what are my chances anyway. Honestly your chances are as good as the guy that entered 5 minutes ahead of you and may be picked as a winner. I just got contacted that I won a dvd set from a company letting me know my chances were good for winning as only 3 entered! So what are you waiting for go enter!

8. Don't guilt the promoters of the contest to pick you by saying something like I come here every week and I never get picked. Trust me this is annoying and you won't get picked again by laying on guilt.

9. Do say things in your comment such as I would love to win this because Boon baby products are by far one of the most superior products out there. Thank you so much for providing us with a chic alternative for baby gear. You guys rock! Yes some brown nosing does help you win. Trust me I have the winnings to prove it. . .

10. My last tip have fun and always make sure you thank the promoters of the giveaway. I can tell you personally as a promoter of contests we LOVE to hear a happy winner!

Breakfast time

Please ignore the messy kitchen in the background, but isn't this the cutest site? My two girls eating their morning cereal.

Happy Abby dance

Okay I know I am usually on here bragging about my kids and their accomplishments but I gotta share a Happy Abby dance.

I gotta 97% on my history midterm paper (read this in a sing song voice and imagine me doing the cabbage patch!)

Contest alert

Because I like entering contests so much I think once a week I will let you guys know about at least one fun contest I have found to enter. This is my alert for this week. Mittens worn by Bella in Twilight! Just click on the word mittens to get to the contest being held by Luxaholics.

Contest alert

Want to win this? This is a huge mega prize from Kids Creations! Check out this dad blog to find out how. It is a bit more than just leaving a comment. You have to actually put a post about it on your blog but hey this is a $5,000 prize! Click here to enter.

I would love to win this for the girls to play with in our yard! Is this the coolest fun outside toy? I have very fond memories of the swingset we had growing up. Fun fun!

Five Faves

Top five of my eclectic faves, a little of this a little of that. . .

-Princess Bride inconceivable. My husband and I too this day say the phrase from this movie "I do not think that word means what you think it means." Love it!

-Pretty Woman, although this movie is not one of my faves. This song makes me sappy as the words if you listen to them were exactly the words to my situation when I fell for my hubby. I was not looking for any kind of a relationship but I couldn't deny he was my Mr. Right...girly sigh ;)

-Shawshank Redemption. I can't put my finger on what it is about this movie but I just could watch it over and over. Maybe it is the classic underdog story? I'm not sure but it is the perfect cast and just so well done!

-Family Stone. I went to see this one with a bunch of girlfriends. This was one that I actually laughed out loud so loud I surprised myself! My favorite line You have a freak flag you just don't fly it. HILARIOUS!!

-Pearl Harbor.This was an incredible love story and actually broke my heart more for the tragedy of what happened to all those there that day.

Answer to the mystery wrinkled white mess

For those of you that guessed Jordan's tuxedo shirt DING DING DING! You are right. This is his tuxedo shirt he handed to me along with the rest of his laundry in his bag from his band trip this weekend. This shirt was underneath his swim trunks that were of course wet and smelled of ocean water. Any takers on wanting to try to iron out all the wrinkles in this shirt?

Above is a picture of Jordan needing to get out the door to a band concert. He hates to be late and this is him trying to tell me to put the camera down and get out the door to his concert. This is probably the same face he would make if he knew I had posted this picture. he he evil laugh...he deserves it after the chore he just gave me!

Guess what this is

Take a guess what this is....

answer coming soon.

Looking at things from a different angle

These pictures are actually taken moments from each other. I am going to get all Philosophical here on you. (yes I am still taking that class) Isn't it amazing how you can look at something in a different light and it looks completely different? I think these pictures are both beautiful of these cherry blossoms for two completely different reasons. Ahhhh I am so ready for Spring! Instead of being so bummed about the overcast days we have here in Northwest I am choosing to be grateful for the beauty all this rain gives us here. I have to say it does make me so grateful for the days when the sun does peek out from behind the clouds. I find myself with my eyes closed head back soaking up the Vitamin D. These pretty cherry blossoms are one of the things I am grateful for today, so your turn what you are you grateful for today?

Snowy Owls by Regan Meyer

My Report is about snow owls. Snowy owls are the heaviest, most powerful owls in all of North America. Their feathers are white, like snow white, and that's why they're called "snowy owls." Their eyes are yellow. They are also called snowy owls because they live in snowy areas. It eats rats, mice, fish and big birds. It lays eggs. This owl is very active. This bird was used for the movie "Harry Potter" as Hedwig. I think Snow Owls are exciting because they don't seem nocturnal.

Jordan has changed a bit too...

2006

2009

So sick of SICK!

*****just a quick update Erin is better today, yippee!


So our house has been a home full of sickness for a while now. This site is one that I have seen often following behind Jordan as his nose seems to be an unending faucet.

Then Christian picked up a horrible cough that I thought would knock me right out of our bed. Thank goodness it ended after about a week.

Today our baby Erin has a fever that just doesn't seem to want to go away. I woke up to her throwing up in my doorway to my bedroom. Poor baby!

So needless to say we could use some prayers that the get well fairy would come to our house and stay for a while!

Five Faves

Okay I thought it would be fun to do a top five list so here goes

My top five movie moments (in no particular order)

-I absolutely love movies that break into a great musical moment such as this scene in the movie My Best Friend's Wedding. This makes me crack up every time!!

-Or how about this one from 13 going on 30? Don't you just love it?

-Dirty dancing infamous Nobody puts Baby in the Corner scene. Okay this is just a classic that couldn't be missed.

-I think Mandy I spent one whole summer watching Grease I and Grease II every single day. We both absolutely adored these movies. Who knows this may have been when our love for musicals started? It's so hard to choose but this may be my favorite from the Grease movies.

-This one seems to be fresh in my mind since I just watched it this weekend with my girls but I have always had a soft spot for orphan Annie! The 1982 version of this movie will always be the one I prefer. I still remember my mom taking me to see this and just full of movie happiness!

Okay that's my top five hmmm I should have said my top five musical movie moments maybe next time I will do other kinds of movies ;)

Flashback

Going through some old pictures and just had to share picture from Christmas 3 years ago. Look at how sweet these sisters look!!

This is Christmas picture from this year. Wow they have changed a lot! Their growing up...

Papa Murphys

As I am waiting my turn to order my pizza for dinner tonight. Yep lazy rainy pizza night at the Meyer house anywhooo here is the conversation going on with the Papa Murphy's employee and man ordering pizza:

Man: What are your guysis (yes this is how he said it not a typo) special tonight?

PME: Well we have a Family style Pepperoni pizza for $8.99.

Man: Huh?

(okay at this point I will save you the suffering I had to endure of having this repeated 5 times)

Man: Okay I want the Pepperoni for $8.99 'cept I want to add three other toppings.

PME: I don't think I can give it to you for that price if you add three other toppings.

Man: Well that is what I want. I want to pay $8.99 and get that there pepperoni pizza with three other toppings.


Okay I gotta know are there really people in the world this dense? This was painful to just stand there and have to listen to! Or does this really work to get the pizza you want and negotiate your price. In the end this poor kid was the only one working there taking orders, money, and making pizzas. I think he ended up giving it to him so he could move along the line. Oye who knew it does work...

Her Majesty

My latest conversation with Erin:

We were painting out nails and Erin and I had the most interesting conversation.

Erin: Were Jordan, Regan, and me all born on the same day?

Me: No you know that Jordan first, then Regan and then you.

Erin: Your fun you know that mommy?

Me: Awww thanks Erin your fun too.

Erin: Is being a mommy fun because your the boss applesauce?

Me: Laughing uhhh that's part of it but there is much more to it. I love you guys your fun! You will understand when you are a mommy some day.

Erin: I am not going to be a mommy.

Me: Oh? Really? I didn't know that why not?

Erin: Because I am going to be a princess.

Me: Really?

Erin: But don't worry mommy I will still love you when I am a princess.

Me: I'm so relieved. So what kind of princess are you going to be?

Erin: I don't know yet but I will live in my kingdom and be a princess for a whole year!

Me: Can I come visit you?

Erin: I'm not sure I will have to ask.

Me: Okie dokie after you are a princess will you be a mommy then?

Erin: I think I might be too tired.

Ohhh the rough life she leads.

X marks the spot

I came outside the other day to see what the girls were up to playing in the yard with a friend of theirs. My mommy radar went on when I heard the garage door open. I thought uh-oh what are they up to?

I came outside to find them digging in the yard with one of daddy's shovels. I said just what are you guys doing? They said there was an X here so we just knew there must be treasure down there so we decided to dig.

Don't worry I put a stop to it and no one was hurt. Yep that's right the X was the spot the city works people left with spray paint in the yard to let us know not to dig as there were cables underneath!

But wouldn't it be cool if life were actually that cool that someone came a sprayed a spot and you could find treasure? Ahhh these two little girls and their imaginations!

I am now THAT mom!

So life with a teenager is tons of fun. I have to say I am quite grateful that my 16 year old son is a really good kid and has made really good decisions thus far. My biggest issue I have with him is his disorganization. His favorite thing to say is "What's the big deal mom?" So this leads me into my story,

Hmmm let's start from the beginning a couple months ago Jordan let me know he had a weight lifting competition on Sat. the 7th in capital of Washington. Okay good got it. Now fast forward to this past week on Monday Jordan says mom I think I have to play for the pep band on Saturday night too so I am not sure what to do about it.(His band teacher informed him if he wasn't there for the game he would lower his grade to a C, that's all we need a C in BAND!) The reason for this last minute announcement is that the basketball team has been in a play offs and the game was just scheduled that week. I told him you will need to talk to your band teacher and let him know you have this other event scheduled and paid for. The rest of the week goes by with every day an excuse of why he didn't get around to getting all the details worked out including a permission form he needed to have turned in. We are now at Friday the event is the next day and we still do not have all the details worked out. What is a mom to do?

So I went into the school around lunch time to discuss with office how to get the permission form I needed and leave messages for teachers and get it worked out. As I am talking to the staff they of course have no earthly idea of any of these activities and are pretty much no help. I look out over the campus at this time and see Jordan walking by into the cafeteria. I try calling him on his cell phone which I guess he decides to ignore. I then run after him into the cafeteria. He is standing in line waiting for his lunch I run up behind him, he turns around and with eyes as big as saucers says WHAT are YOU doing here? I told him I need to get these details all worked out where is the permission form, have you spoke to the band teacher, your weight lifting coach. He assures me he will get it all taken care of and hurries me out the door. The girl standing next to him in line looks at me real interested. I glance her way. She says I like your purse! I then smile and say Oh well thank you! Jordan is horrified and says Would you PLEASE leave?

I then leave and think to myself that appearance in his cafeteria is punishment enough...chuckling to myself.

He he yep I am now THAT mom.....


****By the way Jordan scored 1st place in his weight division at the competition!

Reading Conner

Regan made a Reading Corner in her bedroom for both her and Erin. Don't you just love it? Doesn't it look like a great place to snuggle in and read. Her sign is my favorite part!

Happy Birthday Mandy!

So I couldn't decide what picture to put up and decided on this one b/c it cracks me up! Mandy asked Christian to take this picture of her and Gary sitting here when we were in Vegas. Christian said okay here you go click. Was this what you had in mind Mandy? Next time I wouldn't ask Christian to be your photographer ;)

Nice pic huh? he he!

Jordan has some info he wants to share

Hello everyone I wanted to ask for your help in my fundraising. My church group is participating in the 30 hour famine an event that benefits World Vision. They in turn take the money to help feed and care for impoverished children around the world. The event has participants fast for 30 hours to try and understand what its like for impoverished children to go through day after day. If it helps donations are tax deductible. Any donation is greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate post your email address in the comments and I will send you a donation email. If you don't feel comfortable posting it I understand.

**posted by our 16 year old son Jordan

Roller Skating

I decided the other day it would be fun to take the girls roller skating. It really was both of their first times going. We started out the day everyone clinging to the wall for support. This roller rink actually had no railing to hold onto so it was the wall or nothing. Erin went around one time and after
falling down and getting back up falling down and well you get the point. She ran, sat down and starting yanking her skates off saying I'm DONE! I told her nope we are going to give this more of a try you will get the hang of it. She SLOWLY but surely got a little better. She decided her best technique was to run with the skates on. Whatever it seemed to work for her. I was thrilled to see within 30 minutes Regan found her balance and just took off. She loved and it and is already begging to go back!

Happy Birthday Maggie

Last week on one of the days Erin was home with me we worked on making a birthday cake for Maggie. Yep our dog turned 6 this month. No she didn't get a piece. We all ate some though for her ;).

Dilema

So what would you have done?

Here is the what happened yesterday when I ran out to the grocery store. I was finished with my shopping, I put my cart away and as I was walking back to my car I noticed two little teeny feet swinging outside an open car door. I turned back around to get a better look and there was a 2 year old all by herself in the car with her infant brother in the back seat crying and a puppy. I looked all around hoping the mom was just returning her cart. No such luck I was the only adult in the parking lot. At this point I am angry. Who does this?

So what would you have done?

I was not sure what to do next so I told the little girl to get back in her seat and I buckled her in. I then ran inside to tell a worker in the grocery store what was happening. She called on the intercom for the owner of the car to come up front. As I was walking back out the mother came up and said is there a problem, I own that car? I looked at at her and said do you realize your two babies are in that car alone? She said yeah I was just going to be real fast. I explained to her you can't do that!!! She just seemed annoyed and went back to her shopping.

When I went back out to the parking lot the little girl was running after the puppy in the parking lot. Uggggh I knew I shouldn't have just left them myself either!! Thankfully another man had pulled up and was putting them back in the car and calling the police.

Do you think I/we over reacted? What is the right thing to do in such situations? Keeping in mind here it is always easier to decide what you would have done when you are not in the present situation. It is a lot easier to be the Monday morning quarter back.