End of Summer + Giveaway

The end of summer is officially here. School started for most of my kids and we've had to dig out the sweatshirts and socks to help keep us warm enough on the cold Idaho mornings. It's a new chapter in our lives but that means it's time to celebrate and today we are doing that with an amazing product - The Mighty Mug.

If you're a parent like me then most likely you deal with spilled drinks. But then, who am I kidding, we all have clumsy moments where are cups get away from us. That is why I was so excited when I learned about the new Mighty Mug. Finally, barware that won't fall! It's like a miracle. The Mighty Mug is designed to stick to a flat surface so that it must be picked directly up to move and cannot be pushed over. This has been a lifesaver for keeping myself hydrated over the last two weeks as it's the first cup that I've felt comfortable keeping next to my sewing machine and computer during the day when the kids are around. It will even stay standing on my hardwood floor if I set it at the foot of my chair which is awesome!

There are only two downfalls that I can see with this cup. First that it must be hand washed. And second, that there aren't more sizes. I can easily see me using a smaller version of this cup for my kids at the table. It would be so much easier then regular cups while still teaching them to drink like an adult. Please Mighty Mug, work on this for us moms!

Do you think the Mighty Mug sounds fantastic? Then here's an opportunity for you. Today you can enter to win a $30 gift card to Mighty Mug so you can try out these fabulous cups for yourself. To enter simply use the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

And now that you've entered here at Kerrific make sure you go check out all the other great prizes to help you celebrate the End of Summer. A huge thank you to LeahSay's Views & Planet Weidknecht for putting together such a great group of bloggers and prizes! Happy Monday!

Too Cool for Drool with I See Me! + Giveaway

Sometimes the hardest people to buy gifts for are the little people that don't really need anything but that you really love and want to buy something special for. For those hard to buy for individuals I highly recommend a gift from I See Me! This is a great company that has everything from growth charts and lunchboxes to an amazing selection of books all personalized for your special someone. Today I am excited to have partnered with I See Me to bring you a feature of their newest addition - the My Very Own Trucks Personalized Book.

I am just in love with the My Very Own Trucks book we were sent and I can't wait to give it to my son for his birthday next week. As usual, I See Me has outdone themselves with fun, bright pictures, an interactive story, and the flawless personalization that makes this book something that will be treasured for a lifetime.

You'll want to make sure you check out this and all the other amazing books at I See Me! Then once you do, enter to win your Very Own Trucks book using the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Now that you've entered our giveaway here at Kerrific, make sure you enter to win all the great prizes during the Too Cool for Drool hop. The Mommy Island & The Kids Did It have done a great job of putting this all together!

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A Comfortable Baby for Fall

I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition.  Consult your pediatrician before making changes to your baby’s diet or if you have concerns related to your baby’s digestive health. Please see the product label/website for acceptable use and benefits. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY123 or through the Contact Us link on Reguline.com or Enfamil.com.

Fall is on its way in and with that means a changing of schedules for back to school. This year, our house is going to be much quieter with a second grader, a kindergartner, and two preschoolers. That means, at least until the new baby arrives, G and I are going to be home by ourselves. What a change that will be!

With just the two of us here it's going to be extra important that we work to keep each other happy and comfortable. One of the ways we have recently improved the comfort status of little G is by trying out a sample of Enfamil® Reguline™. This specialized formula was designed to promote soft, comfortable stools and to help support digestive health making it a great option for many babies.

Like most Enfamil® formulas, Enfamil® Reguline™ contains complete nutrition for babies through their first year of life. As an extra bonus, this formula is designed to help promote soft stools in infants. It has a blend of two prebiotics. Prebiotics are a type of carbohydrate, also found in breast milk, that help feed the good bacteria in the digestive system and are often recommended for children and adults with digestive and weight management problems. Having experienced a recommendation of prebiotics for multiple of my children I can agree that having it included in a formula is a good way of adding them to a small child's diet then many of the other ways the doctors have suggested.

 

I love having a happy baby and I know you will too. Life is better when all is well on the inside. Once your comfy make sure you take the time to curl up with your baby and enjoy some snuggles. They grow up much to fast so don't miss out!

I received product and compensation for this sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mead Johnson Nutrition. All opinions are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition.

Fall Fashion for Children + Giveaway

With fall fast on the way it's time to start thinking about revamping the kids' wardrobes. With all my kids Gymboree is a great place for me to shop for quality clothing for all my kids in one easy to navigate location. With all the great styles the hardest part is narrowing my cart down to what we really need. This is one of my favorites sets this season and it's even uniform friendly which is a bonus at our house!

Being MVP is hosting a Gymboree giveaway but you can win here at Kerrific too. The giveaway is for a $250 gift card and would definitely make for a fun Gymboree shopping spree! To enter simply fill out the form below. Happy shopping!

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Fun Fit Ideas for Mom & Kids

As a mom of five kids I know that it can be very hard to take time to care for yourself while still giving the very best to your children. Although taking care of yourself is an important part of succeeding as a parent it is often one of the first things neglected when times get rough. Today I want to share with you five easy ways to care for yourself by helping your physical fitness while enjoying time with your children.

Jumping - When was the last time you got on the trampoline with the kids? I know, for me it's been a while but it's one of the things I am excited to do again after this baby arrives. My kids love playing with mom and dad on the trampoline or in the bounce house. Both are great fun and playing games like dead man and crack the egg will create memories that you and your children will cherish for a lifetime.

 Walking - Going for a walk is a simple way to stay physically fit with your kids. It's easy to load even the smallest of kids into a stroller or baby carrier and go enjoy the fresh air. Walking your kids to school or the park is a great way to make sure you're getting enough exercise. Or, if you're really feeling adventurous, try walking to the grocery store or the mall. With the cooler air of fall here now is the perfect time to start a walking routine.

 Play Catch - This is an activity that I used to do with my dad. There is nothing like spending an evening playing catch in the yard. If you have a large enough family, or friends you can recruit, then a game of kickball is a great option as well. It's not hard and doesn't take any special equipment but will give you some quality time with your kids while giving you the exercise your body needs.

Ride Bikes - This is an activity that our family is looking forward to doing together. At this point I still have more little kids that can't ride their own bikes then I do ability to carry them on or behind an adult bike but bike rides are another great memory from my childhood. There is a lot you can see when riding a bike and it's a great way for kids to explore their neighborhoods with their parents.



Yoga - Yoga is a great option to do as a family. This is probably our favorite fitness activity because it's great for kids of any age and something that doesn't take a lot of planning ahead. Yoga can be made to fit any skill level and helps with strengthening, flexibility and relaxation (to name a few) so everyone can benefit. My children's favorite part of the yoga experience tends to be trying to tip mom over as she tries to balance but it's all in good fun and we really do have a great time together. As a bonus, I always feel better and sleep better after spending a little time on a yoga mat.

While you and your little one are out and about and moving make sure that you are protected from any diaper leakage with Pampers Cruisers and their three Extra Absorb Channels. You'll notice a difference in the amount your child is weighed down by their diaper and you'll love that a donation is made to families in need when you use Pampers. You're child will love that they stay in place but flex and move with them as they enjoy spending time with the ones they love most!

This review was made possible by iConnect: Influencer Management and Pampers. 

I received product free of charge, but all opinions are 100% mine.

FREE Disney Backpack!

Get the school year started on the right foot with a free Disney backpack from Reebok! Just purchase any children's footwear, use the code FREEBAG at checkout between 8/21 and 8/23, and Reebok will give you a free Disney backpack!

Offer: Get a free Disney backpack with the purchase of any children’s footwear at Reebok
Valid: 8/21-8/23
Code: FREEBAG

Two by Tia Perkin + Giveaway

"Two!" is a funny little rhyming book about what it's like to spend a day with a toddler - from food eaten off the floor to a child running out the door!

As a mom, this book was all too true. My kids thought it was hilarious and claimed "we never acted like that", oh but they did. I think this book would make a wonderful baby shower gift. Let's give mom a little preview of what she needs to be prepared for.

Purchase from Amazon

Praise for the Book "Tia does an awesome job in this book capturing the funny antics of a two year old and putting them on paper in a way that is funny for your child and even more funny for mom and dad!...If you want a cute book to read to your child(ren) and get a good laugh yourself (maybe cry a little because of your frustration? LOL!), this is a really cute one for the whole family. This book has made it to the frequently read shelf!" "It's a book I don't mind having to read to my daughter over and over and over and over again. Every toddler's library should include this book. Well done!" ""Two" is ingenious. Ostensibly a child's board book, it looks like one, feels like one, and reads like one with its primary vocabulary and rhyme. And yet anyone who's been a parent or sibling of a two-year-old will recognize the characteristic behaviors, grimace at the memories of them all, and then smile. You can't help but smile, perhaps in relief that you did survive this year."

  Author Tia Perkin Tia Perkin is a three-time Emmy-Nominated Graphic Artist and Arizona native. She wrote this book for her now three-year-old twin sons. "Two!" is her first book.

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$25 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/2/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Hangin’ On To Summer + Giveaway

Are you ready for school to start? I know I am but my kids are taking advantage of every moment of summer that they can. One of the fun things they have learned to do this summer is to ride a big boy bike and it's something that we are still spending a lot of time doing! Recently we were asked to try out Turbospoke - The Bicycle Exhaust System. Needless to say it's been a big hit!

Installing the Turbospoke wasn't too bad. Admittedly I handed it off to hubby to figure out but he was pleased that the instructions were simple and all the instillation tools were included in the package. We did have a slight problem because we had a tiny bike and the brake was in the way of the system but with some minor adjustments we made it work.

Of course hubby also had to try out the noise level in the house. It was a little much there but once we got the bike outside the kids had a ton of fun! All the neighbors were checking to see what was going on as we rode down the sidewalk and we got smiles and lots of interest from more then a few neighbors.

Today I am super excited to announce that Turbospoke has agreed to give two Kerrific readers sets of their very own Turbospoke Systems to help their children's (or husband's) summers to hold on a little longer. To enter, please use the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Now that you've entered here make sure you hop along to all the other blogs that want to help extend the length of your summer. This amazing hop was organized by Planet Weidknecht and LeahSays’ Views so make sure to tell them thanks as you're making your way around.

The 2015 Back 2 School Event is LIVE!!

Andersons Angels, This Mama's Life, and The More The Merrier (me) are all ready for school to start! To celebrate, they have teamed up with the best group of awesome bloggers and fantastic sponsors to bring you great products to help you get back into the school year swing of things! ONE WINNER will walk away with this whole prize package! The Prize Package includes items from these sponsors:

Little Passports - $15.95 ARV

BIC - $30 ARV

Juice In The Box - $23.98 ARV

Precidio/ Multiflasking - $26.98 ARV

French Toast - $42.94 ARV

Blum Gear - $32.57 ARV

National Geographic - $40 ARV

Mabels Labels - $42 ARV

Crunch Pak - $15 ARV

Snyder of Berlin - $30 ARV

Crispy Green - $15 ARV

Office Depot - $15.95 ARV

ThinkBoard Pack - $25 ARV

Sugar Bowl Bakery - $30 ARV

These are great items that will surely help your students head back into the classroom! Are you ready to enter? It’s simple! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools Form below. There are plenty of entry options, and the more you do, the better your chances of winning are!

Entry-Form

The 2015 Back 2 School Event is open to all legal residents of the United States who are 18-years-old or older. This event will run from 12:00am EST Monday, August 17, 2015 through 11:59pm EST Monday, August 31, 2015. Best Of Luck!

Disclaimer: The More The Merrier, Andersons Angels, This Mama's Life, and all the participating blogs are not responsible for the fulfillment of the prizes. The sponsors will send the prizes directly to the winner. We are also not responsible for any unfortunate accidents that may result from the use of any of these products.

The Fight for Finn + Giveaway

The story of baby Finn and the Blumenthal family is one of hope, strength, and courage that resonates deeply within all of us.

When Sleeping Baby appeared on the hit ABC show Shark Tank, they shared their story of losing a child and how they were able to overcome their struggles largely with the help and encouragement of their sweet customers. The Parkers were flooded with emails from supportive fans… including one woman, Kelly Blumenthal.
Kelly had just discovered she was pregnant with a child who had little to no chance at life due to potentially terminal heart defects. The Blumenthal family had to make plans to terminate the pregnancy based on the recommendation from doctors who conveyed the severity of the baby’s condition and his inevitable fate.
After watching Stephanie share her heart and story on Shark Tank, however, Kelly was renewed with a sense of purpose and drive to see her little one survive and give him a chance at life. Stephanie shared Kelly’s story on the Zipadee-Zip Facebook page and their Sleeping Baby Fans surrounded the family in an overwhelming outpouring of prayer and support during the pregnancy.
Finn is now 5 months old and is ALIVE, well and pretty darn ADORABLE too! In many respects, the Blumenthal family has since become part of the Parker family and they hold a special place in the hearts and prayers of tens of thousands of the Sleeping Baby Fans.

Fight for Finn Giveaway

Sleeping Baby wants to thank their fans for their outpouring of prayer and support with a very special Fight for Finn Giveaway!
5 lucky winners will be chosen to receive a Zipadee-Zip of their choice and 10 winners will receive a Little Sailor teether.

Enter through the Rafflecopter below!

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Order the Limited Edition "Finn" Zipadee-Zip & Flying Squirrel Now!

Watch the Finn Video!

Kidgets for Budget Kids

With back to school upon us, it is time to reevaluate the family budget. I can hardly believe that this is E’s last year of school but at the same time I am so thankful that we have almost made it to the end. As we tackle this last year as a family it is going to be extremely important that we stay on top of the budget and keep our debt to a minimum so that as we look toward a future of a new job in a possibly new location we do not have school debt holding us back. That is why I was so excited when Family Dollar asked me to share some information about their value brand, Kidgets.

Kidgets are a great buy for anyone who is counting pennies (and many of those that are not). Kidgets’ diapers not only provide excellent leakage protection for little ones with stretchable sides and a cloth-like outer cover but they also include a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back. There aren’t many brands left that can say that which makes Kidgets truly one of the few. Whether you are buying diapers for one kid or three, Kidgets is a great option that can make a huge difference in your family’s budget situation this school year and beyond.

One last note, the other thing I love about Kidgets is that while I am out picking up these practical diapers I can also grab many of the other things on my list at our local Family Dollar. They have a good selection, are close to home, and are one of the few places where it is actually easy to find what I need. If you have never checked out your local Family Dollar store I highly recommend finding your nearest store and stopping in for a visit soon!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Dollar

Picking the Perfect Name for Your New Business

Did you know that Kerrific has a big surprise? That’s right! Are you ready …

We’re expanding! Soon you’ll be able to find all of Kerrific’s favorite children’s items at our new storefront. We are so excited about this new adventure and want to share all the fun with you, and we will soon, but first we want to introduce you to some amazing websites that are helping us along the way. For now we want to share some of the things we’ve learned about starting, or expanding, a business. We all know there is a lot to think about but here are some of the items we feel are most important – or at least top priority.

1. Know what you want to do. For us that means that we want to make all of the products we love and don’t know how we’d live without available to our friends and family in south east Idaho and beyond.
   
2. Specialize. For us this means that everything in our store will be for children from birth to age eight and their mothers. We’re excited to be including everything from maternity clothing to basic necessitates for starting kindergarten. It’s going to be a great place for parents and their children. It really doesn’t matter what you choose but make sure it is specific enough that people will know what to expect when they approach your business in person or online.
3. Make a time plan. One of the hardest things about starting a new business is deciding how quickly you would like to have it up and running. Some people want that date to be tomorrow while others like to have a year or two to plan out all the little details. Whatever works best for you set a goal and stick to it. When you have a goal of when you would like to open your business it becomes easier to set a timeline of goals of how you would like to get things done.
   
4. Make a budget. Yes, this is one of the most important things but I put it as number four because a budget is much easier to make if you know what you want to do, how you are going to specialize and what kind of a time line you are looking at completing it on. Budgets very greatly by business but knowing what you need to spend, how much you have currently available, and how you plan to make up the difference is a very important part of making your business successful.
   
5. Pick a name. This may seem like a little thing but picking a name is very important because you want something that will last. Pick something memorable. Something unique. You want people to remember your name - make sure it’s different from all the rest. If you’re struggling to find a name then you might find inspiration from Name.Kitchen’s “Iam ______” video series.
   
6. Secure a website. Once you have a name one of the first things you should do is buy a website domain. I was just introduced to ‘not.com’ domains and I love how unique they are on the internet. If you are looking for something that will stand out this is an option you should look at. You can find a list of domains being released soon here and then don’t forget to claim your name here once you find the perfect fit.

We hope these tips have helped and would love to hear about your tips, trick, and business success. Feel free to comment below with anything you’d like to share.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Name.Kitchen.

20% off at Label Daddy for Back to School

Are you ready for Back to School? You can Save 20% on Label Daddy labels for all your Back to School needs!  This is THE BEST deal available on Label Daddy, the number one solution for labeling your kid's belongings!  Remember to label all clothing, sports equipment, electronics, and other personal belongings your kids bring to school, camp, sports leagues, day care, vacation, and other places.  Label Daddy labels keep them from getting lost or mixed up with others.  

These labels are super durable peel-and-stick washable labels -- they're washer/dryer safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe and UV resistant!  Label Daddy labels are also fun and attractive.  You design your own labels!  Pick from tons of colors, sizes and logos, including Disney and Marvel characters, MLB, NBA, and NHL team logos, other sport and fun logos, and more.  Their exclusive laminated coating gives labels an extra layer of protection and is a must for camp!  These labels are made in the USA and shipped directly to you worldwide.  

Remember, Save 20% on your entire Label Daddy order  -  this is the best discount available anywhere. Use code USFAMILY20 at checkout.  

Young Adult Book Hop + Giveaway

It's time for another great book review and hop here at Kerrific. This time we want to feature books for Young Adults. At our house we believe that reading is something for every age and love that all our children love to read! It's a great activity for any day and, thanks to a great local library, is something that we can do for free!

Today our featured book is A Sapphire Season by Lynn Morris. This is a story of beautiful Lady Mirabella Tirel who prefers to take a practical approach to love. She's enduring London's Season only to secure a suitable engagement and begin a life in the country. Little does Mirabella know that Sir Giles Knyvet, her best friend, is secretly in love with her and is striving to become a man deserving of her love.

This is as far as I've gotten in the story thanks to some unexpected interruptions but so far it's amazing! The secret crush effect in this book is done perfectly and almost makes me miss my high school years. Oh to be young and in love ... I'm glad I'm happily married ... but for all of you young adults dreaming of someday, this is a great read that may make you look twice at some of your close friends.

Ready to read? You can enter to win your very own copy of A Sapphire Season by filling out the form below. Can't wait? You can buy the book on Amazon today!

Entry-Form

Now that you've entered here, make sure you hop along and check out all the other great books featured during this hop!

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Nature of Grace Boxed Set by S.R. Johannes + Giveaway

 

The NATURE OF GRACE books have hit many of the top young adult/teen and thriller best seller lists including: Best Debut, Movers and Shakers, Top 100 in Thrillers, and the Top 100 in Teen Action Adventure books. This new "Nature of Grace" Exclusive Box set is for readers who love wilderness thrillers. 16 year old Grace grew up in the woods determined to make a difference in the North Carolina wilderness. When she comes across conservation threats, she uses her survival and wilderness skills to stop them, no matter what the cost. In addition to being a thriller/mystery - other book themes include conservation, nature, animals, survival, wilderness, endangered animals. The box set includes all 3 boxes in the Nature of Grace (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, and Unstoppable). It also includes an exclusive short story, Unspeakable from Mo's perspective) as well as the original Untraceable before it was changed. The box set also includes a large section of Special Extras that include interviews with the author, characters, and additional information on the nature and animal conservation the books support.

Untraceable (Book 1) - When Grace's forest ranger dad disappears on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, & nature to prove he’s alive. Torn between a hot boy and cute ex, she heads into the wilderness to find her dad. Soon, she is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder.
Uncontrollable (Book 2) - When Grace enters the Red Wolf Reintroduction Program. When wolves start showing up dead, Grace must work through her fears and hunt down clues to find out who is sabotaging the wolf program and why. Little does she know, she is being hunting too.
Unstoppable (Book 3) - When Grace moves to the Everglades to live with her grandmother, Birdie, she makes new friends with Dylan and his girlfriend, fellow animal activist, Sadie. After finding an injured Florida Panther, she stumbles upon a large roadside zoo illegally filled with a variety of endangered and exotic animals. There, she and her friends are kidnapped by the ruthless owner and dragged deep into the Everglades for a hunting challenge. Only this time, Grace is the prey.
Unspeakable (Short Story from Mo's perspective) - When Mo sees a strange girl in the woods, he follows her. He soon realizes they are both in a dangerous position and may not get out alive. Untraceable's Original Ending - Never released before!
Exclusive Extras - including author interviews, character interviews, insider scoop on the series, and additional animal and nature conservation information on the issues covered in the series.

Sale!! From now until August 16 the complete box set is only $0.99.

Amazon

Praise for the books: "A Modern Day Katniss" -Reel Life with Jane "A suspense-filled mystery with surprises that keep you guessing all the way to the end."- IndieReader Kirkus Reviews called this teen series "a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance"!

Author S. R. Johannes S.R. Johannes is the award-winning author of the Amazon bestselling Nature of Grace thriller series (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, and Unstoppable). She is a winner of the IndieReader Discovery Award in YA, an IPPY a Silver Medalist for YA Fiction, a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Best Young Adult Fiction, and a Finalist in US Book News Best YA Book. Since leaving Corporate America, she has followed her passion for writing and conservation by working with The Dolphin Project, the Atlanta Zoo, other animal rescue organizations, and by weaving conservation themes into her books. Currently, she lives in Atlanta, GA with her two Doodles, English-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

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$100 Book Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 8/31/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway