Animated Photo Cards

Thursday, 24 January 2013

A great idea for Valentine's Day - sending personalized animated or 3D photo cards from Snapily.com for only 99 cents - including shipping!

The cards retail from Snapily.com for $3.99 + $2.30 for shipping; so 99 cents (including shipping!) is a great deal.

The personalized animated cards allow you to view 2 photos in the space of a single photo. A simple flick of your wrist reveals one image after the other. The personalized 3D photo cards frames a single photo in a design revealing depth... no glasses required.

I really like the look and uniqueness of the animated cards - I sent Joe one of these cards when he was deployed a couple of years ago and it was a nice surprise for him. We also have a few of the 3D ornaments. 



The code VAL99 will actually work on ANY of the cards, not just Valentine's Cards. The code is valid through midnight (MST) Jan 28th. 

 

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Wendy's Wonderful Kids

Sunday, 19 February 2012

“Wear” the Beef with Wendy’s Retro Style T-shirts to

Make a Difference for Foster Children

WHAT:  How can you make a difference? Let us count the ways. Now Wendy’s® is giving you two easy ways to support children in foster care:

• Get creative by designing your own T-shirt on WendyThreads Design Studio, a new Facebook app where you can mix and match graphics and colors to create a unique tee. The grand prize winners will receive $5,000 and have his or her shirts sold to benefit Wendy’s Wonderful Kids™, the signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption™.
• Through March 31^st, purchase the bright yellow vintage-style T-shirt that regained popularity in last year’s “Where’s the Beef?” TV commercial for $20 at http://www.wendys.com/shirt/.* A portion of the proceeds will go to the DTFA to benefit its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

  *T-shirts are being sold and produced by The Marco Corporation. Access their site via Wendys.com.

 

WHEN:  Wendy’s is calling on all fans to rock the chain’s retro-style T-shirts through purchase from The Marco Corporation on Wendys.com and fan-created tees through a Facebook design contest, WendyThreads.  On the online contest, fans can submit their designs through February 29^th, when they will then be put to a vote, with the top 10 styles reviewed by celebrity judges Trey Songz, Erin Andrews and Whitney Port.  The celebrity judges will select three grand prize winners to receive $5,000 and have his or her T-shirts produced and sold by Homage LLC.  Wendy’s will donate $4.25 from each shirt sold to benefit children in foster care. The winning T-shirts from the Facebook contest and the retro tees will be available for purchase until March 31.

 

WHY:  Your support will help 137,000 children in foster care in North America find permanent loving homes through adoption. More information about Wendy’s Wonderful Kids and the Wendy’s Company listed below.

 

About Wendy’s Wonderful Kids

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids finds permanent adoptive homes for foster children, many of whom have waited years to join a family. To date, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids has awarded more than $7 million in grants to adoption agencies and organizations, and those funds have been used to find permanent adoptive families for more than 2,200 foster care children – and counting.

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Chore Chart

Monday, 16 January 2012

I haven't yet used a chore or behavior type chart with Kayla, or Lucas, but there's no time like the present to start!

I think the biggest issues we're having right now is keeping their playroom clean, and getting through the pre-bedtime routine. It feels like it's just a constant verbal reminder from us ... "ok get your pjs on ... stop doing that...stop fooling around... time to brush your teeth...pick up your toys...put this away...you know where this goes....you know that doesn't go there..." We sound like a broken record.

So we're trying this Chore Chart in the hopes that a visual chart will help them follow through on what they need to do without falling in to the 'nagging parent' trap. I know I could've tried this a long time ago by just creating my own chart, but I'm lazy (and not creative) like that. Besides, why re-create the wheel when this 100% free, pre-made chore chart is out there for me to use!

I can select a theme based by age and then there are different options for the chores you want filled in on the chart. You can also assign each chore to certain days of the week each one needs to be one. It can either be printed off or used online. When used online there are different sticker options that can be used when the chore is complete.

At the end of the week you pick the result of whether they did a great job or need improvement based on how well they did completing their chores. There is also an optional point system for additional rewards. You can assign each chore a 'moolah' point - the points go in the 'moolah bank' where you can assign different rewards based on their points.

Here's hoping this will bring about a positive change in helping Kayla and Lucas be more responsible for doing what they need to do ... without us calling after them every 5 seconds.


This is a sponsored post from Mom Select and Goal For It.

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Animated Valentine Cards

Thursday, 12 January 2012

I really like the 3D ornaments I ordered from Snapily for Christmas. The kids also got a kick out of seeing their pictures on the ornaments I ordered for them. Right now Snapily has a couple of sales going on in just in time for Valentine's Day.

Their new Favor Cards are a fun and unique version of traditional children's Valentine's cards. Just like the boxed cards you buy at the store, these cards are small enough to fit in a wallet but they can be personalized with 2 images that can be either animated or in 3D. What a fun twist on Valentine day cards to hand out to classmates!

You can buy one pack of Favor Cards (contains 20 cards) and get a second pack for 75% off! Just use the promo code LOVE75 through 2/14. This promo code offer is also good to use on business cards too.

If you want a fun card idea to give your child(ren), or other loved one, for Valentine's Day, you can use promo code HOT2OFF for $2 off. (This promo code is good for ANY item on the website.) Photo cards (which are also personalized with your picture and a choice between animated and 3D) priced at $3.99 would be $1.99. Promo good through 3/30. (The offers can't be combined but can be ordered separately.)

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Free Entrance (& Lifetime Pass) at National Parks

Friday, 6 January 2012

Every year the National Park Service has several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks.

The first one for this year is Martin Luther King, Jr weekend - Jan 14-16.

For those who might not know, the National Park Service offers a life-time pass for those with a permanent disability. The Access Pass can be obtained, for free, in person; or for $10 by mail.

This pass allows the person with a disability and up to 3 adult guests (children under 16 are always free) free admittance to per-person fee parks, and free entrance for sites that charge per vehicle.

Go here for more information on the Access Pass.

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Lone Star Steakhouse "Miracle Cake" Program

Saturday, 17 December 2011

Lone Star Steakhouse launched the “Miracle Cake” program in March to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of their Triple Chocolate Miracle Cake to Children’s Miracle Network. Through the sale of their cake, the organization reached their $100,000 fundraising goal in November and is rededicating their commitment to Children’s Miracle Network by setting a goal to raise an additional $100,000 during December.

The funds raised in local restaurants stay in those communities benefiting the nearest Children’s Miracle Network Hospital funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of the 17 million children treated each year.

 

In December, guests can either purchase a slice of Triple Chocolate Miracle Cake to help raise funds or make a donation to the organization. Lone Star will give guests that donate any amount over $1 during December a free appetizer card for a future visit.

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Free Shipping at Snapily

Friday, 16 December 2011

If you still need to order holiday cards check out Snapily! Through December 31st Snapily is offering Free Shipping with promo code SHIPFREE. I love free shipping codes. 

I was surprised to see how many different cards they have available. I love the 3D effect cards - too cool! - and the best part is you don't even need the 3D glasses. These are my favorite of what they offer.

I also came across some great gift ideas like the personalized backpack tags. Kayla is rough on her backpacks so she's getting a new one for Christmas; this would be a great addition. I also like the option of creating my own bookmarks. You can create bookmarks with personal pictures and messages. What a great idea for teachers! You can even use your images to create a personalized ornament. Hung with a high quality ribbon, the ornaments slight movements will show off images of your loved ones in 3D depth OR flip Animation. Great for the grandparents ... or for people who seem to have everything already and you can't figure out what to get them. Personalized photo gifts seem to make anyone happy!

The Holidays are approaching faster than I can keep up with! A few months ago I thought I was going to be on top of things .. but here I am, doing last minute things! Need to do better next year!

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For Arlynn's Sister

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

For Arlynn's Sister ... not sure if you're still reading my blog or not, but I hope you'll see this post meant for you!

A couple weeks ago you left me a comment asking my permission to use something for a school project, but there was no email associated with your comment or blogger account.

I went to your blog (your sister is adorable, BTW!) and couldn't find an email there either. I was going to leave you a comment on your blog but it doesn't appear you have comments enabled. So I have no way of contacting you, that I could find anyway, except by posting on my blog for you.

So if you see this please leave me a comment with your email ... or just email me mdbeau98 at yahoo dot com so I can reply to you.

Thanks!

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The Hellmann's Chicken Challenge

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Chicken breast and tenderloins are a staple in our house and I admit I usually end up sticking with the 'tried and true' and 'quick and easy.' (Although I do have drumsticks in the slow cooker right now!)

Hellmann's is on a mission to change up the dinner menu monotony and I'm looking forward to getting out of the recipe rut and trying some new meals. Hellmann's and Best Foods mayonnaise have launched the first-ever Chicken Challenge - a series of head-to-head chicken dish challenges to help diversify weekly menu planning.

Each week 2 recipes will go up against one of the most popular recipes on Hellmann's - Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Try one of the recipes each week and cast your vote for your favorite. I think the first recipe I'm going to try is the Chipotle Lime Chicken (although the Parmesan Crusted Chicken is still in the lead!)

While you're there checking out the newest recipes and voting, you can also enter a weekly sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 4 $250 grocery gift cards. And... if there are more than 10,000 entries the value of the cards will double to $500!

"Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Hellmann's® prize package in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place. All opinions are my own."

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Search for Most Beautiful Eyes

Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. They have recently launched the "Most Beautiful Eyes Contest." This contest allows children across the country the chance to become the face of the Star Pupils program in 2012 and win a $25,000 scholarship.

Now through Aug 31st you can enter photos of your children ages 0-17 to the Prevent Blindness America Facebook page. The program is designed to support the Star Pupils program, the signature vision and education platform for Prevent Blindness America. The goal is to help 5 million kids through preventative vision care.

Now I just need to figure out which pictures I have of Kayla and Lucas that best shows off their blueberry eyes so I can submit them in the contest! Any suggestions?!

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WideAwake.Org

Saturday, 25 June 2011

WideAwake is a Dallas-based non-profit created with the vision of providing funds to small grassroots organizations around the world with demonstrated passion toward the poor and a high sense of stewardship. 100% of gifts donated are used to fund the project. Volunteers and private donors give of their time and money to allow for each donation to go directly to the project in need.


All of their Affiliates undergo an application and vetting process to ensure that they are ethically run and efficiently operated.

An example of one of the projects is the Yamini Foundation. This foundation seeks funding to provide a healthy meal a day to students who are in a school for the mentally handicapped. The lunch they receive at school is the only sustenance that many receive each day.


Baby Sign Language - a free community for sign language education - is having a giveaway to bring awareness to WideAwake. Through Jun 29th they will feature goodies from around the world as daily giveaways. If WideAwake reaches 1,100 Facebook likes there will be a grand prize giveaway valued at $600.

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My Fellow American

Having a daughter with Down syndrome and being part of the 'special needs' community of 'life' has made me more aware of not only misinformation surrounding her diagnosis, but also of discrimination against those with disabilities. Which of course I will bring awareness and fight against and stand up for my daughter.

Discrimination has always made me uncomfortable whether it be against religion, race, sexual orientation, gender, or nationality. I don't think it's fair, or right, to discrimination a whole section of the population because someone who did something happens to be fill-in-the-blank. I had those same beliefs after 9-11 when there was a lot of Muslim backlash in America. All people who follow one religion in particular should not be discriminated against because of what terrorists did.

My Fellow American is a social media project asking people to pledge and spread the message that Muslims are also 'our fellow Americans.' It "seeks to change the narrative - from Muslims as the other, to Muslims as our fellow Americans.

Here is the trailer for the movie My Fellow American:


The voices heard in the film are actual excerpts found on youtube, and were a small sample of such comments from various public figures, including law makers, radio and television personalities, and leading religious leaders.

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