Update: Congrats to Molly Caple! You won this giveaway.

Yes, this is one of those sponsored posts. But there’s a GIVEAWAY. So I figured it was worth it for readers….

Hain Celestial Group is offering a bunch of healthy snacks and free coupons to help spread the word about their a cool program called Take a Healthy Bite out of Reading”. One MotherOfBun reader will win an assortment of natural and organic products from Hain Celestial Group, including Garden of Eatin’ blue corn chips, Health Valley granola bars, Earth’s Best Tots juice boxes and coupons for free jar of MaraNatha nut butter, free 32 ounce West Soymilk and free Earth’s Best Sesame Street frozen pizza. (Total Value $25)  To enter, leave a comment on this site by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 17. Entrants must be from the United States and 18 years or older.

Hain Celestial has teamed up with Barnes & Noble to help inspire reading through healthy eating. The “Take a Healthy Bite” promotion is a receipt redemption program, where you send your receipts for any products from Garden of Eatin’, MaraNatha, West Soy, Earth’s Best and Health Valley in exchange for gift cards from Barnes & Noble - $5.00 card for $15 worth of product and $10 for $25 worth of product. There is also a sweepstakes element and one lucky parent will win $500 worth of free books from Barnes & Noble for their local school library.  To enter this giveaway go to this site!

You can also go to a www.takeahealthybite.com for healthy snack tips and kid friendly recipes from Keri Glassman, R.D. and sign up for the “Healthy Way of Life” newsletter to receive valuable coupons.

So I just realized that I can no longer post giveaways on this blog since a certain ad network says I can’t. So I’ve taken the previous post down. And instead I’ll just give you a link to the giveaway via my review blog. Here ya go!

Anyone who entered on this site is still eligible. So no worries there.

This week we have two giveaways! One for you and one for your child!

Giveaway # 1
Eric Ruhalter saw that when it comes to parenthood, and describing certain experiences, words within the English language can only get us so far. That’s why he wrote, “The KidDictionary: A Book of Words Parents Need But Don’t Have.”

The book is a funny read. (Here’s a Youtube video of it.) And you’ll probably be able to relate to quite a few of his stories and words. This week he’s giving away a copy of his book to one MotherOfBun reader.

Giveaway #2
LeapFrog has launched 1 Million Reading Hours in conjunction with the NEA’s National Reading Month. Pledge to set aside at least 10 minutes a day to read with your children. The national goal is 1 million reading hours committed! We can do that, right? Right! This is where you can win a LeapFrog Tag reader and five books for yourself as well as an expanded memory LeapFrog School Tag reader plus 10 books to give to your local library.

For either giveaway, please leave a comment. If you want to participate in the LeapFrog giveaway, also let us know how much time you’re pledging in the LeapFrog 1 Million Reading Hours Campaign. Both drawings will close at the end of the month. Anyone 18 and older can enter. Must be a United States citizen. And always, feel free to go to MotherOfBun Reviews to leave a comment and increase your odds. Good luck!

First up. A big “thank you” to Kristie for redesigning my site. She’s a huge talent and is great to work with.

Alrighty then… We’ve got two prizes for this week’s giveaway:

The first prize is for a bundle of three gift certificates for “Joy of Cooking” frozen meals. (Do not go to their site before lunch or dinner – especially if you have work to do. With meals like ”Creamy Chicken Florentine and Meat Lovers Lasagna” you won’t be able to concentrate on anything but the image of these yummy foods!) Seriously. Joy of Cooking! You will drool!  And hope there’s leftovers you can enjoy the next day.

The second prize is the Little Einstein’s dvd, “Race for Space!” (”Adventure full steam ahead!”) The images are vibrant, the characters fun and there’s lots of kicky songs that will have your preschooler dancing.

Remember that RoC giveaway. I admit I still haven’t drawn a winner. I’ve been working all weekend on writing pieces for other sites. I’m thinking I’ll keep it open until Wednesday. (People who’ve already left a comment last week are def still in the running!) Four winners will receive two of RoC’s amazing anti-aging products.

To enter these contests leave a comment on this post and let me know what product you’re interested in (or all). You can always go to MotherOfBun Reviews to increase your odds o’ winning. Also, the first two giveaways? Are for US residents only. And you must be at least 18 to enter. Good luck. 

Oh and? There’s a cool online product called DreamBox to help kids (k-12) sharpen their math skills. My son and I recently got a chance to check out the site. (All in all. Very clever and fun.) Interested in what other’s said? Go to PBN tomorrow to get the final wrap-up.

Giveaway Monday is a bit late this week. But no worries. We’ve got another great product to give away. Its a little something to help turn back the time. RoC RetinolCorrexion Deep Wrinkle Serum and Night Cream. These products are a great one-two punch for aging skin –apply RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum at night after you’ve finished cleaning your face, then the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. The products can be found at nationwide drugstores for about $19.99 a piece.

Four winners will be chosen to receive the combo. (Hey, that’s a value of $40! More with tax.) Anyone 18 and older can enter. Simply post a comment with your email addy to this site by Saturday, February 21. Feel free to increase your chances of winning by leaving a comment on Midwestern Mommy Reviews as well.

The people at Johnson & Johnson have much to celebrate these days. As of 2009, they’ve been helping parents take care of their babies for 50 years. Plus, they’ve also recently launched two new products from the No More Tears line. There’s now a Johnson’s Bubble Bath & Wash as well as a Head-to-Toe Foaming Wash.

Need to stock up on some baby supplies? Or know someone who does? Johnson & Johnson is giving away a gift basket of goodies to one lucky Midwestern Mommy reader. Simply leave a comment on this post. As always, the contest is open to people 18 years and older. Contest ends the evening of February 7. Feel free to pop over to Midwestern Mommy Reviews in order to increase your chance of winning.  

Planetjill is offering YOU $10.00 off your purchase! Just enter “mommyblog” when you check out of the site.

Earlier this month, I waxed poetic about how much I love, love, LOVE my Planetjill necklace. Seriously, I wanted to shout that out from the roof top. But being it was cold outside and I’m lazy, I took to my computer instead.

Many people expressed an interested in Planetjill jewelery and well… You’ve spoken. And Planetjill founder Jill Schiff has heard you! This week she’s giving you a chance to win a Planetjill necklace. This one in fact. How SERIOUSLY AWESOME is that?

A bit about this necklace? Sterling silver charm and chain. The square-frame is about dime-sized. The chain is very durable and can withstand a grabby toddler. You chose your favorite photo to be placed inside. Planetjill will take care of the rest. There is a slight weight to the pieces. This is good because your charm will stay in place. Oh and if you’ve got more than one child (or grandchild or niece or nephew or cherished pet) you’d love to show off? You can always add more charms! (Oh and charms are very well sealed so if you forget you’re wearing your necklace and jump in the shower? You’re safe.)

Planetjill has a host a great gift ideas for Valentine’s Day for men and women. (Not just photo charms but monogrammed charms and if you check out the “new collection” you’ll see ALOT of really great pieces there too.)

Once you see a Planetjill piece you’ll become a big fan. But don’t just take my word for it. Julia Roberts, Maria Shriver, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, Reese Witherspoon, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Cher, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Mariska Hargitay and Joely Fisher are also huge fans too!

TO ENTER: Leave a comment here or at Midwestern Mommy Reviews. (Or leave a comment in both places to increase your chance of winning.) Anyone 18 years old age and older can enter. Winner will be drawn Feb. 1 and notified via email.

This week Bloggy Giveaways is hosting a Blog Carnival. Go to their site for a gigantic list of cool stuff other bloggers are also giving away.

Congrats to out to Christine who won the Super Bowl Giveaway!

If you aren’t Christine don’t dispair, because this week there’s a new giveaway. (And trust me, the prize is one that would be welcomed at any Super Bowl party.)

Some very cool peeps want to get the word out about Pizza Hut’s  All Natural pizzas. (Made with a multi-grain, hand-tossed crusts, all natural meats, cheeses and a sauce from vine-ripened tomatoes.) So I’m giving out $20 gift cards to three winners. Just leave your name and email addy in the comments section. (And if you want a second chance to win, go to Midwestern Mommy Reviews and leave a comment there as well.) 

Entrants must be 18 and older and this giveaway is for those in the US. You’ve got until Saturday evening (Jan. 24th) to enter. A winner will be notified on Sunday.

We recently tried Pizza Hut’s newest endeavor. And it is mighty tasty. It was Seth-tested and deemed “awesome.” You can trust a pickey first grader. They know what’s yummy, right?

This Christmas season I was a lucky recipient of a Planetjill necklace. And I love it so much I want to shout it from the rooftops. But since it is far too cold outside, I’m just going to write about it instead. K?

I was familiar with the Planetjill brand before getting my necklace. So when I saw the box, I knew that the quality would awesome and whatever piece I was about to get would be something I’d love. And it WAS. But I have to tell you… When you get your very own piece and it contains one of your favoritest photos from you child’s infancy? Well, I got all teary-eyed.

The design of the necklace is florally-inspired. (Every photo I have taken doesn’t seem to capture the beauty of the necklace, so here’s a photo from the Planetjill site.) The sterling silver chain (with lobster clasp) is very sturdy – definitely a plus if you have grabby babies and toddlers in your life. (Something I hadn’t thought about until a few weeks ago.) And? There are a few extra links in the chain to adjust the length. The charm has a bit of weight to it. And I never realized it but the weight helps to keep it in place. It doesn’t bounce around when I walk or clean. I rarely take it off because its so comfortable, that I forget I’m wearing it. (I hope I don’t sound all sales-y. I just really have become a big fan!)

Seriously, the lovely person who gave me this? Earned a ton of brownie points with this one. (I may compose a poem about how much I adore her for this. Or name my next child after her.) I’m indebted to her and Planetjill founder Jill Schiff for creating such a beautiful idea. I’ve already been purusing the site and am salivating over a certain bracelet. (Hubby? Are you reading? Mother’s Day made easy! I’ve got an awesome photo of you and ”the boy” from Christmas that would work great in a bracelet. We could give your mom one too!)

Although change is the one of the few constants in life, a mother’s love is one constant that will never change. Seth, whether he’s graduating from college or bringing his first child home from the hospital, will always be my baby. And I love how this necklace is a poignant reminder of that. 

(Here’s where gushing stops and info about a giveway begins.)

I’m giving away one Super Bowl Party Pack jammed with tons of cool stuff. The kit, valued at about $250.00, contains: football; beverage pail; snack helmet; two key chains; two hats; two Super Bowl t-shirts; five coupons for free Pepsi 24 pack drinks; and five coupons for free Frito Lay products.  Leave a comment here or HERE between now and Saturday, Jan. 17th. You must be 18 to enter and live in the US. Winner will be drawn randomly and notified by January 19th.

As I embark on my 37th year of life, there’s one gift I’d love to have.

I’d love to quit the anxieties and negative thoughts that constantly ping-pong in my mind. I’d love to not feel self-conscious and awkward when I talk to people. I’d like to learn how to accept myself – faults and all.

Like most women, I am my toughest critic. When it comes to the ugly and hateful things I often say to myself, I realize I’d never say those things to someone else. In fact, if someone else were to say the same things to one of my friends or a family member? I’d give that person a verbal ass kicking.

A few days ago, my mother-in-law took me aside. She said she thinks I’m too hard on myself. That I downplay my strengths. I shouldn’t put myself down so much. I don’t know my worth.

That’s true. 

So as I celebrate one more year under my belt. I hope to find inner peace. I hope I’ll learn how to gauge my strengths and accept my weaknesses. I hope to stop berating myself for mistakes everyone makes. I hope to quiet the nasty inner voice that tells me I’m not good enough, attractive enough, smart enough or just plain “enough.”

Life is too short. And I hope that next year, at this time, I can celebrate a rebirth of sorts.

Wish me luck. I’ll need it.

***

(We interrupt this post to pimp the projects I’ve been working on…) Now that the holiday season is upon us, may I recommend Wii’s Littlest Pet Shop game? Or maybe head over to Parent Bloggers Network to find out what’s being said about Hotwheels’ newest toys and three stories about a little fairy named Eve. Oh and a fellow St.L blogger (and friend) is being spotlighted on St. Louis Blogger’s Guild. Check it! And there’s a giveaway for a WordWorld bucket of blocks at my reviews site.

The support I received after this post was amazing. (Thankfully, the scary ordeal is no longer “scary” nor an “ordeal”.) But I wanted to thank everyone who took time to read the post and comment. So I’ll be thanking a group of people as a part of each post until I’ve thanked everyone.

So thanks to: Todd, Sarah and the Goon Squad, Alissa, Baltimore Girl, Veep Veep, Jen, Ruth Dynamite, Ali, Christine, Jess, Ben, Damselfly, Shandon Fowler, Toni, Chris, Josh, All Adither, Issa and Kyla.

The first of the Twilight movies makes its debut today (I say “first” because from what I hear more are planned) for the general public. And there’s many of us eager to to hit the theaters.

I never got into the Harry Potty er uh, Pottery, er uh POTTER (typos but I’m keeping them) books but I remember watching some women rave about the story line. I had no intention of reading the books and no intention of making even a feeble attempt at understanding the ”why” surrouning the hoopla.

So when the Twilight frenzy started I rolled my eyes and thought, “Oh Crap. More of this?” But this time I thought I’d read one of the books, but only so I could tell people exactly WHY I didn’t like it. Yes, I was expecting to find Twilight trite and cliched. I was expecting a headache from all of the eyerolling I’d do.

So I bought a copy and started reading. And I got a headache. But that’s only because my eyes were so strained — I couldn’t put the freakin’ book down! Sure I did do some eye rolling and mumbling at the beginning but it soon sucked me in. Course what didn’t hurt? Was finding out that Robert Pattinson is playing Edward Cullen. So having a beautiful face to put with the character kept me reading. He’s so… dreamy.

After I read the books, I thought about becoming a vampire — if this were an option. I think I’d be interested in taking that step. I mean really, look at the pros!

1.) At the time you are bitten, you no longer age. You could be 19, 25, or 30 forever. No looking old and decrepit for YOU! Think of all of the money you’d save on Botox and Oil of Olay.

2.) You don’t need sleep anymore. Think of all of the time that frees up. You could take on a second job, read lots of books, learn different languages and musical instruments.

3.) You don’t gain weight. Ever. Think of how much mental energy that would free up for so many women!

4.) You morph into a supermodel with a rockin’ bod. According to the Twilight books, the transformation gradually changes your features somewhat so you look totally hot — all the more to lure your prey.

5.) No more periods. A menstral cycle is one of constant change. Since your body will no longer change? No cycle. No PMS! No cramps or migraines! No worries about accidents!

6.) You move with grace and fluidity. That a big plus for those of us who can fall UP the stairs. Plus? You are superfast and strong. Carrying that 35 pound bag of dog food to the car is much easier.

Course there are some cons:

1.) You can’t eat real food anymore. You now have to take down people or deer and suck blood. Your beloved chocolate will now taste like dirt.

2.) Since you don’t age, you have to invent some excuse as to why you can’t see your loved ones and friends anymore. Cause when your little sister’s shrunk 4 inches, while sporting blue hair and dentures? Well, she’s gonna wonder why you still look like a 20-year-old unlined, Victoria’s Secret model. She may be the teensiest bit resentful of that.

Um yeah, that seems about it for the cons.

What do yo think? Are you planning to see the movie. (Am very eager to see it because I hear they’ve stayed true to the book and hearing that ALWAYS makes me happy.) What do YOU think of the frenzy?

Served up fresh this week: Buying presents for boys? May I recommend Hot Wheels? Don’t forget a chance to win a Disney dvd for the little ones. And while the kids are engaged, why not browse through Amazing Baby or pamper yourself with Obagi. Oh, and the St. Louis Beacon spotlighted a few of us St. Louis moms and dads. (A big, squishy, puffy pink THANK YOU goes to Kristen for making it sound like I have more than 2 brain cells and know what I’m talking about!)

The support I received after this post was amazing. (Thankfully, the scary ordeal is no longer “scary” nor an “ordeal”.) But I wanted to thank everyone who took time to read the post and comment. So I’ll be thanking a group of people as a part of each post until I’ve thanked everyone.

So thanks to: Kimberly, Atherton Bartleby, Karen Andrews, Amanda, Gina Maria, Mike G, Karen, Maria, Rachel, MamaLiz, Antique Mommy, Kimblahg, Avalon, Kristen, Kateanon, Lisa Milton, Mp, and Suburban Turmoil.

He flits around the room, from one activity to the next. He’s always moving and talking — as if there’s something internally and eternally propelling him noisily onward. Unfinished pages of coloring books fill his art drawer. He is impulsive, often interrupting others’ conversations. He has trouble following directions. He’s easily distracted. And he’s easily frustrated. He wears out other kids his age.

But he’s also a fast learner. He excells in math. He can hyperfocus when he immerses himself into something of great interest. He has an amazing memory. He can quickly grasp some abstract concepts like God and the soul. He has a big heart. He seeks out ways to be helpful. He is eager to please. He’s snuggly. He is kind to his friends and family. He’s charming. He has a generous nature. He has a large number of interests. He has so many wonderful qualities. 

This is my son. And in May, a doctor confirmed what I’d (and a few of his teachers) suspected for awhile — he has ADHD. We had put off going the medication route but we finally agreed to try it out. 

For now, it is working. He’s still the same active little person. His personality and sense of humor hasn’t changed at all. He’s definitely not one of those “over-medicated zombies” you hear about. But at least now he is able to pay attention in class. He is now able to stay on task. When he’s working in a group setting, his classmates don’t have to keep redirecting him. His teacher doesn’t need to keep going over directions and redirecting him either. She’s able to focus on the other kids who need her help.

I’m not saying medicating your child will make all of your problems go away. No way! In fact, he isn’t on the medicine during holidays, weekends or during summer vacation. But it has helped him harness that energy. When he gets older, he will determine whether or not to remain on medication. He will have to learn how to adapt his behaviors, how to channel all of that energy into constructive and positive endeavors without relying as much on medication.

Did you know that Albert Einstein, Ansel Adams, Bill Gates, Earnest Hemmingway, Steven Spielberg, Leo Tolstoy, Socrates, Bethoven, Mozart, Abraham Lincoln, Galileo, the Wright Brothers and Virginia Wolff all have (or had) ADHD? When they combined their energy with their passion for their respective fields, they became legendary.

Now as a parent, it is my job to help Seth discover his passion, nurture his strengths and to help him adapt. There’s no doubt in my mind that he has limitless potential to go with that limitless energy.

Someday he may ask me to take down this post. He may feel it an invasion of privacy. But for now it will stay. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. And I want others to see that too. He has ADHD. It is something he’ll have to learn to work around — like so many others have done before him. Having ADHD is not the end of the world.

In may aspects…. it is merely the beginning.

I wrote this post because the more I researched ADHD, the more I realized there’s a stigma there. (Some people don’t believe in ADHD and think it is a matter of crappy parenting.) If you totally disagree with my way of thinking, that’s perfectly ok. Am interested in hearing all points of view. Just please know I don’t consider medicine the “quick fix”. For now its one of the tools we’re using. (Along with teaching him organizational skills and a few other things.)

The support I received after this post was amazing. (Thankfully, the scary ordeal is no longer “scary” nor an “ordeal”.) But I wanted to thank everyone who took time to read the post and comment. So I’ll be thanking a group of people as a part of each post until I’ve thanked everyone.

So thanks to: Anissa, Linsey, Patrick D, Wendi, Julienne, Heidi, Carolyn Bahm, Chelle, Jenny, Kelli, Moosh in Indy, Canape, Sandira, Sheri, Mistie, Califmom, Kim, and Sweetney.

Served up fresh this week: Win a little something cool to keep you warm from Lands’ End. Enter the giveaway here! And speaking of giveaways, Parent Bloggers Network is giving you  a chance to win a free children’s book from Positive Spin. (I’m working on this campaign!) Check out the books and enter here. Also, don’t schedule any gyno surgical procedures before you read this.