Dr. Seuss' Birthday is March 2nd - Local DFW Events!

If you haven't heard yet, it's Dr. Seuss' Birthday on March 2nd!

There are lots of fun activities and events happening in the #DFW area and across the US, not to mention online of course as well! 

Like this one, where you can get 5 NEW Dr. Seuss Books for only $5.95 PLUS a FREE gift & FREE Shipping (this week only)

For my local, Dallas / McKinney / Collin County, readers - here's a roundup of some of the fun local events you can attend while the world celebrates our favorite man, Dr. Seuss' birthday! 

#1. Dr. Seuss Extravaganza at the Sci-Tech Center - Frisco, TX

 

Date: March 3 & 17th, 2014 from 10am-12pm

Details: Get ready for some wacky, zany fun and help us celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday! Activities include: One Fish, Two Fish art project, make some gooey Oobleck, do some math and paint with apples with this "Ten Apples Up on Top" inspired art collage.

#2. Read Across America Green Eggs & Ham at Barnes & Noble - Plano, TX

Date: Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 12pm

Details: Join us Sunday, March 2 for The NEA's Read Across America, featuring the exclusive B&N edition of Green Eggs and Ham. Storytime and fun activities. Location: Barnes & Noble: 2201 Preston Rd Suite E, Plano, TX 75093

#3. Cat In The Hat Read Across America - Half Price Books (multiple locations)

Date: Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 3pm

Details: Each year, young and old alike celebrate Read Across America Day on March 2 in conjunction with Dr. Seuss' birthday. Join your fellow bookworms in-store for a special Dr. Seuss Storytime on Sunday, March 2, at 3 pm

#4. Sensational Seuss at Haggard Library - Plano, TX 

 

Date: March 11, 2014 at 2pm

Details: Watch the Lorax, play an egg game, make a striped hat and smile in the photo booth!

#5. Sensational Seuss at Schimelpfenig Library - Plano, TX

Date: March 12, 2014 at 2-3:30pm *a come and go event*

Details: Create a cat in the hat mask from a paper plate!


Have fun celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday and making new memories with Dr. Seuss and your family this year! 

I'll leave you with some fun quotes that I grabbed from http://www.mamiverse.com/ from Dr. Seuss that they say can "change your life." :-)

 
Are YOU planning to attend any Dr. Seuss Events in your hometown? Tell me about it!

Getting Ready For Our #DisneySide Pirate Birthday Party!

Yarrrg Matey!

Oh, excuse me. I think I may have gotten a little carried away with the preparations for my #DisneySide Pirate Party!

I am super excited to announce that I was chosen from thousands of applicants to host a Disney Side @Home Celebration!

The box full of #DisneySide surprises may have arrived a little worse for the wear (see photo above), but all the contents were luckily stowed safe and sound inside the American Tourister Luggage (the official luggage of Walt Disney World Resort) - which was my gift for hosting the party!

This @Home Celebration Kit came at the perfect time, as my daughter's third birthday party was around the corner, and her request for a Pirate themed birthday party fit exactly into MY idea of a #DisneySide party. 

Growing up in Southern California, you'd think I would have frequented Disneyland often, but due to the cost, and my parents being hard working individuals, we only went a handful of times before I was an adult.

I remember my favorite part of Disneyland, by far, was the Pirates of the Caribbean ride!  So, it's only fitting that my daughter would also share a love of all things PIRATE!

Yo, Ho, Ho, and stay tuned for awesome photos from my #DisneySide Pirate Birthday Party!


Disclosure: I received free products from MomSelect and Disney Parks in order to host this Disney Side @Home Celebration. All opinions expressed are 100% my own and not influenced by the complimentary products received.


 

Get Healthy Skin With Dial® Vitamin Boost Body Wash + Giveaway

Yum!  

Can I say that about a Bath & Body product?

This NEW Dial® Vitamin Boost Body Wash smells amazing and is so silky soft in the shower!

Infused with lotion and the natural humectant Vitamin B to moisturize your skin with the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and soft.

Honestly, I haven't purchased a Dial® Body Wash in years.  For some reason I always think of Dial® as being for men. Not sure why.  However, this Vitamin Boost Body Wash is great for either men or women, as the scent is just simply fresh and delicious! 

Please ignore the water spots in my shower - heh, heh!

I know I liked to TRY new products for FREE before purchasing them, so I figured I'd give you the chance to do the same.

Would you like to WIN a coupon to try the NEW Dial® Vitamin Boost Body Wash for FREE before you decide whether or not to commit?

Enter To Win

Two Winners will receive (1) coupon for a FREE Dial® Vitamin Boost Body Wash

• Giveaway ends March 7th, at 11:59pm
• Open to US entrants 18+
• (2) Winners will be chosen at random from all eligible entries

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FREE Shipping Code + Up to 60% off at Crazy 8 Kids Clothing

I don't know why, but whenever a kids clothing company offers FREE SHIPPING, I'm in!

I'm not sure if it's more frugal to shop during a percentage off sale, or during free shipping, but anyway, thought I'd pass along the discount to you:

For a Limited Time ONLY, Crazy 8 is offering  Up to 60% off Everything for Baby at Crazy 8!
Plus, use the following code for Free Shipping at Crazy 8 with code GOSPRING
 

Valid: 2/19-2/23

Tots & Toddlers $400 Value Giveaway! Ends Feb 26

I am so excited to bring to my fantastic McKinney Mommas' Readers this awesome giveaway, especially geared towards those mommas, like myself, with young kiddos!
 
This Tots & Toddlers Giveaway features many great items for mealtime and nap time. Enjoy healthy snacks on the go and take all the comforts of home with you while traveling with your child with these convenient, Eco-friendly, life-simplifying items.

---

 

Piggy Pajamas

Website | Facebook | Twitter

2 Mini-Me sets, an Infant and a Toddler size - Retail value: $119.90

Winner may choose the print.

Mini-Me pajama sets are 100% organic cotton, and not treated with any chemicals. They feature adorable 2-piece styling "just like Mom and Dad's pjs", down to the teeny chest pocket, and coconut shell buttons. The comfortable and long lasting printed waistband reads "Piggy Brand" and will hold up to years of washing and wear. Our cotton is the highest quality, GOTS certified organic, and is extra-soft and stretchy thanks to the rib-knit weave.

The "three little piggies", Jennifer, Kacy, and Stacy, started Piggy Pajamas to bring comfort and whimsy to pajama drawers everywhere! Our pjs are the softest around, and are made of thick luxurious organic cotton that stretches and moves with you. They are the perfect blend of responsible indulgence! For more information visit piggypajamas.com.

Yummi Pouch

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Yummi Pouch 2 sets of 6 reusable food pouches - Retail value: $30

Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches encourage healthy snacks for active kids. Our eco-friendly food pouches are freezer safe, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and can be filled with healthy blended snacks and easily taken on the go, no spoon required. Our vision is to help moms and dads prepare healthy snacks for their active kids. Yummi Pouches are perfect to be filled with nutritious smoothies and purees prepared in batches, frozen or refrigerated, and easily consumed on the go. For more information visit yummipouch.com.

*You can check out my personal review of Yummi Pouch here at McKinney Mommas! I'm a fan! *

The Shrunks

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Indoor Tuckaire Toddler Travel Bed - Retail value: $79

(includes Air Mattress + Carry Bag + Electric Pump)

The Toddler Travel Bed is perfect for sleepovers, travel, and for kids transitioning to a big bed. Kids feel secure and cozy, and right at home, thanks to the portable air bed’s unique design – standard sized crib sheets and blankets tuck into the inner air mattress. Constructed with the safest materials, The Shrunks Travel Beds are Phthalates-safe, BpA-safe and Lead-safe.
At The Shrunks, we believe that kids are cool. Creating stuff that makes bedtime fun and safe for them, wherever they are, is what we love to do. For more information visit theshrunks.com.

oogaa

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2 oogaa, baby silicone mealtime sets - Retail value: $33.98

Babyhood is a brief and precious time and we think it should be brilliant! Oogaa is all about kicking back against dull, plain and ordinary.That's why the stuff we make is bold, bright and engaging. We aim to enthrall your offspring – and make life as a parent easier too. For more information visit oogaa.com.

milkdot

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milkdot tangerine Stoh lunch tote - Retail value: $25

Stöh is a modern yet practical solution for a lunch bag that combines clean and simple design with features perfect for stowing your favorite food, drink and utensils and cool enough for the whole family to carry too. Sleek and timeless, Stöh is perfect for anyone looking for a stylish way to carry their meal on the go. It also folds flat for easy storage after use – making it the perfect travel companion. For more information visit milkdot.com.

Pura Stainless

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1 Pura Stainless Kiki bottle - Retail value: $19.99

 (Winner can choose color and size - 5oz infant, 11oz infant, or 11oz sippy)

Pura is proud to offer the only 100% plastic-free feeding and drinking bottles on the global market. In addition, our bottles were designed with the Baby Grows... Bottles Evolves(TM) philosophy. All Kiki bottles transform from infant bottles to sippy bottles to water bottles as the child grows allowing for years of use. We are proud that our patented bottle system also operates with a wide range of industry leading nipples and spouts so Mom never has to use a inferior bottle because junior prefers a specific nipple!

Pura was conceived with a simple notion... to provide the safest and most adaptable juvenile feeding and adult hydration solutions to consumers around the world. We are proud to combine market-changing innovation with an award winning eco-progressive business model. Pura has been recognized with twenty one product and business awards propelling our brand into more than 35 countries. For more information visit purastainless.com.

The Patchwork Bear

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Keepsake Memory Clothes Bear - Retail value: $89

Everyone has favorite clothes saved away, full of stains and memories: baby/kids clothes, sports jerseys, college/team uniforms, race shirts... We preserve those memories and transform treasured clothes into a custom Patchwork Bear. For more information visit thepatchworkbear.com.

* I really love this idea! I can't wait to try this out once my third (and FINAL) daughter grows out of a few of her hand-me-downs that each sister before her has worn! *

Enter to win this Fabulous Gift Set! Retail value: $400

• This giveaway is open to the US and Canada. 
• Each page you follow is an additional entry

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All-Natural Ready To Bake - Jen & Joe's Cookie Dough - Review

I don't like to have tons of sweets in the house.
Why? Well, because we'll eat them all, of course.

So, that's why I jumped at the chance to try out Jen & Joe's Cookie Dough - gourmet cookie dough ready-to-bake in your freezer!

Each box is broken up into individual servings, so you can bake just one cookie, or the whole box!  I found myself baking only 2-3 at a time which was SO much better than having a dozen cookies sitting on the counter, just begging to be eaten.

Jen & Joe's has six delicious flavors, and honestly they WERE all delicious:

• Chocolate Chunk
• Chocolate Spice
• Oatmeal Toffee
• Lemon Drop
• White Chocolate Wasabi
• Snickerdoodle 

Made with all-natural ingredients, like butter, sugar, real eggs and no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors - you can feel good about indulging in a few tasty cookies without all the junk you'd find in many of the store-bought varieties.

I sure did! 

While everyone in our family liked EVERY flavor, a few of us had one or two flavors that we absolutely LOVED and really satisfied our sweet tooth!

Here are our our TOP THREE favorites:

My Favorite - Oatmeal Toffee

 

Please don't get me started, or I'm gonna go back two for myself right now! This gooey, chewy delightful cookie was packed with caramel/toffee ribbons of flavor and reminded me of creme brulee in cookie!

The Hubby's Favorite - Chocolate Spice

This is a very unique chocolate goodie, with some exotic star anise, clove, cinnamon, (maybe cardamom?) spices that really set this chocolate cookie apart from the rest. 

Gamma's Favorite - White Chocolate Wasabi

Photo courtesy of: Jen & Joe's Cookie Dough

Now, our Gamma is a big recipe contest winner, and has been invited to judge food competitions and the like, so she has a very well seasoned palate.  She really appreciated the earthy flavors the Wasabi imparted to this cookie.

* * * 

I think this is my new favorite way to bake cookies. The dough is already prepared, no need to make a mess, and if you have last minute guests coming to visit or a playgroup snack to make, you will have all-natural, freshly baked cookies, ready to serve, in 12 minutes or less! 

To find out where Jen & Joe's Cookie Dough is sold near you, visit them at: http://www.jenandjoes.com/ or LIKE their Facebook Page to stay up to date on all the delicious news they have to offer. 

Warner Bros. Valentine's Quiz & DVD Giveaway!

It's the month of Loooooove, no?

Whether it's your spouse, partner, kid or parent - Warner Bros. has some awesome DVDs that are perfect for the WHOLE family to celebrate this month of L-O-V-E.

What's better? Warner Bros. and McKinney Mommas are teaming up to give you a chance to WIN one of your favorite DVD's right here!

• Poet at heart? Check out the Peanuts Collection!
• Lovey Dovey PDA sort of person? There's the Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection!
• Love still a mystery to you?  Scooby-Doo has got you covered!

Take this fun quiz to find out which Warner Bros. cartoon character has got your heart! (plus you can use the results to enter to WIN at the bottom of this post)




.................after you figure out who your Cartoon Crush is, think about your main squeeze in REAL life, and go make them one of these fun recipes for Valentine's Day! 




Now, onto even more fun stuff...........the GIVEAWAY! 

~ GIVEAWAY ~ 

Win (1) of the following Warner Bros. Valentine DVD's 

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Deluxe Edition,  A Charlie Brown Valentine, Bugs Bunny’s Cupid Capers, Happiness is... Peanuts: Friends Forever, Elmo Loves You, Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection, Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: For The Love Of Snack

 DETAILS:

• To enter, complete the Rafflecopter Entry Form below.
• Giveaway ends February 26, 2014at 11:59pm
• Open to US entrants, ages 18+
• Each household is only eligible to win One (1) Valentines Day DVD Chosen at Random via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
• The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please. 

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Disclosure: Warner Home Entertainment supplied these materials McKinney Mommas to create this post/giveaway.  

FREE Kids Meals on Valentine's Day - McAlister's Deli

Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers. It's for the WHOLE family!

• WHAT:

Take your family to participating McAlister’s Deli on Valentine's Day - February 14th, 2014 and snag free kids meals with the purchase of an adult entrée, all day!  Yummy choices for kids include: Kids Spud, Cheese Pita Pizza, Mac & Cheese or PB&J.

• WHEN:

Friday, February 14th

• WHERE:    

McAlister's Deli 2107 Eldorado Parkway
Suite 105
McKinney, TX US 75070
 
For more participating locations, please visit: www.thesaxtongroup.com/locations


Feeling generous? Want to share the love with friends or coworkers? McAlister’s Deli also has special Valentine’s Day cookie trays available for $18.95!

Valentine's Day PicturesOnGold.com Personalized Locket Review/Giveaway

It may be due to the fact that I'm pregnant.

On the other hand, it may be that this gift idea is really just that special and sentimental!

I found a company, PicturesOnGold that allow you to build your own locket, complete with a personal inscription and color laser photo - a perfect gift for Valentine's Day, a birthday or any other special occasion. 

Keep reading to find out how to WIN your own customized locket!

The ordering process was simple, no need for a graphic design degree to figure out how to design a beautiful keepsake locket!  

The "Interactive Locket Designer" makes it simple to click and choose from dozens of clip art graphics to engrave on the front, categorized by themes like:

• Valentine's Day
• Mothers
• Religious 
• Sports
• Animals and more...

Then, you can choose what you want on the left and right inside the locket.  You can choose a photo on each side, or a photo and inscription (up to 100 characters), or just an inscription. 
I loved that I could get a FULL color laser photo engraved, so I don't have to worry about a paper photo falling out or fading over time. You can also choose black & white laser, or a paper photo if desired. 

I couldn't get a great photo of the finished locket, the actual quality of the laser photo engraved in my locket is MUCH better than what is pictured above. For some reason my camera made the photo look grainy and a little pixelated, which it's not in actuality.

I decided to design a locket for my first born daughter. Something she can cherish as a keepsake for years to come. Like I said, I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy, but I teared up when designing this locket for her.

The finished quality of the locket I received is honestly 10 times more beautiful than the website or "Interactive Locket Designer" shows.

So if you're wondering what your wife, best friend, daughter, sister or grandmother would love to receive for Valentine's Day - you will be the talk of the town after giving her a personalized locket from PicturesOnGold.com. 

Don't Miss A Thing....

• LIKE PicturesOnGold.com on FACEBOOK
• FOLLOW PicturesOnGold.com on TWITTER
• PIN along with PicturesOnGold.com on PINTEREST
• BE INSPIRED by PicturesOnGold.com on INSTAGRAM

Order a personalized locket right away, you can use my promo code to get 10% off your order! Promo Code: {valentine2014}

~ GIVEAWAY ~

Prize: Customized Sterling Silver Heart Locket 

($249 Value)

 

• Giveaway open to US and CANADA Residents 18+
• Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on February 25, 2014
• Please note that the prize will not ship until after the holiday
• To enter, complete (1) Mandatory Entry Task on Rafflecopter Entry Form below - all tasks are optional.

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Best Hot Wing Recipe & Jalapeno Popper Dip + Giveaway!

Well the Super Bowl may be over, but one of the biggest sports events has just begun.

The Winter Olympics!  Did you watch the opening ceremonies in Sochi last night?  I did, and my goodness was it beautiful - wow!

I figured that if you can make hot wings and yummy dips for the Super Bowl, why not have some yummy finger food for your Winter Olympic viewing parties, right?

Well, here are some recipes you can use whenever the finger-food mood strikes ya - including (in my opinion) the Best Buffalo Hot Wing Recipe around!

My Laundry Smells Better Than Yours! Purex® Crystals Giveaway

My husband and daughter both have sensitive skin, so I have to use a natural Free & Clear laundry detergent that is free of any perfumes, dyes or irritants when washing all their laundry. 

My problem with this is that my OWN laundry doesn't get to have that delicious, just washed, clean laundry smell that I love so much - and I'm not going to buy separate laundry detergent just for my youngest daughter and myself, because that's a waste of money.

I finally found a solution.  NEW Purex® Crystals Mountain Breeze laundry softener & freshener poured into my laundry at the start of the wash along with my free & clear detergent infuses an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G scent and softness that my laundry otherwise doesn't have!

Keep reading to find out how to win free products from Purex® and McKinney Mommas!
 

Just a little half cupful makes my entire load of laundry smell like a fresh, well fresh mountain breeze I suppose! Heh, heh. Plus, it's made from 90% natural ingredients, so that's a bonus.


I'm a mom, so honestly my clean laundry doesn't get put away in drawers all that often, so I have to do the sniff test to be sure the outfit I chose today was from the clean pile.  

Today, I had a hard time deciphering the already worn once clothes, and newly washed clothes after using Purex® Crystals because they all STILL smelled that wonderful! 

I'm in love with this yummy smelling laundry enhancer. Honestly, I'm looking forward to my 5 outfit changes today (that's about average for most mom's right?) because they're all going to smell so clean.

Okay, enough about me bragging about the smell of my laundry. Here's the part you were waiting for........................  

To celebrate the release of NEW Purex® Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze,
Purex® often hosts some fun giveaways and sweepstakes on their Facebook page - like their "Find Cupid's Teddy Bear on Purex.com" Sweepstakes, where you can win $50 bucks - ends Feb 28th!

So, follow Purex on Facebook here and check in daily to find new ways to win!

..........and that's not all!  Enter McKinney Mommas' 2nd Chance Giveaway below for your chance at a FREE bottle of Purex® Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze!

~ McKinney Mommas' 2nd Chance Giveaway ~ 

(3) Winners will receive a FREE 28oz Bottle of Purex® Crystals Fresh Mountain Breeze

• Giveaway is open to US entrants 18+
• Giveaway ends on Feb 21, 2014
• Complete Rafflecopter entry form below for your chance to win

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