Home Maid Simple

Tag: family

  • 2012 Holiday Gift Guide {Giveaway}

    2012 Holiday Gift Guide {Giveaway}

    Welcome to Home Maid Simple’s 2012 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway.
     
    Throughout the year I’ve been blessed to try out many different products, and read some amazing books. At this time of year, I want to give back to you, my readers.
    You can follow links to reviews and Features from my 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, in the tab at the top of the page.  There will be new features each day this week.
     
    You can enter to win the following prizes in the Rafflecopter below.
    Please show my sponsors some love!
     
    For Baby
    *Winner chooses color and can have a name embroidered
     
    For Children
     
     
     
    For Girls Like You Magazine
    For Teens
    The Deliverer by Jason D. Morrow
    The Deliverer: Book One in the Marenon Chronicles
    currently free for the Kindle
    Choice of Tote from Keepsake Crochet
    Photobucket
     
    For Adults
     
    $50 gift card to Jack Franklin Ties
     Inline image 3
     
    Cucumber Melon scented bubble bath, body wash, lotion, and body spray

    Photobucket

     

    For the Family

    WipeOut3 for Xbox 360 Kinect

    Angry Birds Trilogy for Xbox 360

     

    1 Grand Prize Winner will receive 1 of each of the above prizes!
    2 Winners will receive a $50 gift card to Jack Franklin Neckties and an Il Volo CD
     
    Open to US residents only, 18+. All entries will be verified. This giveaway is in no way associated with facebook or twitter. Home Maid Simple is not responsible for delivery of the prizes (though I will work my best with the companies to see that the winners receives their prize).
     
    Enter using the Rafflecopter. If it’s not loading wait a bit or refresh the page
     
  • Our Top 15 Family Favorite Games #ATVIFamGames

    Our Top 15 Family Favorite Games #ATVIFamGames

    *I was compensated with an activision gift package to help promote this event. All opinions are my own, and not influenced in any way.  I received this opportunity as a member of Business 2 Blogger. This post contains affiliate links.

    Before sitting back to relax and watch the Live Activision Family Game Summit, I thought I’d take a moment to tell you our families Top 5 favorite Games!

    The Kids Top 5

    1. Hide and Go Seek. A total riot in our house! I love the minimal work I have to put into finding as I reach 10, and Princess C jumps out of her hiding spot “Here I Am!!!”
    2. Kick the can. Oh man, sometimes I wish Mark hadn’t taught them this one yet. We had an empty #10 can flying around our living room for a couple days, until I confiscated it for Halloween candy.  I see many future games of this, but played outside when the weather is warm.
    3. Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey
      for Wii.  We bought this for Princess V a couple years ago, and she really loved it. Now all 3 Princesses enjoy playing it. We found out there’s even a 2 player version, which leads to a lot of fun for Princess V and Princess C.

    4. Hungry Hungry Hippos, for Ipad. Mark recently downloaded this, and the girls have had a lot of fun playing it. We used to have the actual game, but half the hippos were falling apart, and the little balls were getting thrown around. I may need to look into finding a new one.
    5. Chutes and Ladders. A classic, easy game for all of us to play together. I especially like that this game teaches us turns, and that we don’t always win.

    Mom’s Top 5

    ABSTRACTS: "The Game of Absurd Logic"
    1. Scrabble. I’ve always enjoyed a good old game of scrabble. Building vocabulary, and finding just the right spot to squeeze in a word and win major points!
    2. Abstracts. Probably my favorite game of all time! I grew up with this one. I was so excited a couple years ago when I found a used copy at our local thrift store. This is one I think everyone should have.  It helps build teamwork, and because of it’s date, you can learn about some interesting things/people/places.
    3. Clue. Always a favorite! Once I learned how to keep track of all the clues, it became even more fun.
    4. Imaginiff. This has quickly become a favorite over the last few years. Finding out what you’re family really thinks of you, can be hilarious!
    5. Risk. This is one I always enjoyed playing with my brothers…for days on end. We’d set it up, and then become very protective of it as we played for days on end, between chores, school and homework. Some nights, especially on vacations we would stay up all night just to finish playing.

    Dad’s Top 5

    1. Mario Kart Wii.  Who doesn’t love this? Especially when you can party with the whole family.
    2. Scene It DVD. Always a fun one, and there are so many versions you can find the perfect fit for your family. I’m partial to the Disney Scene It
    3. The Great Dalmuti. One of the best card games ever. We attempted to make and market our own version once, based on biblical authorities.
    4. Life. Again, a classic. Driving through life, getting married and having kids pop into your car whether you wanted them or not.
    5. The Legend of Zelda(All of them).  You do know why we named our son Lincoln right? So we could call him Link of course!  Well, that’s one reason at least. A fun clean game for the family, with a princess to round out the genders.  For the time being the kids enjoy asking Daddy to play so they can watch.

    What are your Family Favorite Games?
  • Renew Family Game Night with Activision #ATVIFamGames

    Renew Family Game Night with Activision #ATVIFamGames

    This Tuesday join in on Activision’s Family Game Summit.  If you live in or around New York City, you can attend the LIVE event!!  (and they even have childcare provided!)
    If like me, you live on the other side of the country, you can attend the event online.  How cool is that?
    In case you can’t read all that tiny writing, here is what you need to know
    RSVP/Register online at www.activision.com/family
    Date/Time: Nov 13th at 1pm. If you’re going in person, the doors will open at 12:30.
    Located: Metropolitan Pavilion, 2nd floor
    Online? Follow @ATVIFamily  and #ATVIFamGames
    Hope to “see” you all there next Tuesday! Let’s bring back family game night!

    I personally love family game nights. My family could always, and still is found sitting around the dinner table playing games. Some of my favorites as a kid were scrabble, Parcheesi, clue, and snirts.
    I’ve found it difficult to play games with my kids now, though, because of their age, and desire for more technology.  Our oldest loves playing on the Wii, and at 6 years old, is pretty good at manipulating the remote.  Our 4 year old loves computer games (we like starfall, and PBS kids).  What I really love though is that they all like to play together. Even if they only play one at a time, they will gather around and watch and wonder when it will be their turn. I’m hoping to learn of some more kid friendly games that my kids can all play together, as well as ways to get the whole family in on some fun!

    Do you have a family game night?  

  • Holiday Cards with Modern Greetings {Review + Free Photo Book}

    Holiday Cards with Modern Greetings {Review + Free Photo Book}

    Is it too early to send out Christmas Cards?  Not if I call them Holiday Cards!!!

    In the past Mark and I are usually late getting our Christmas cards/letter out, or we just all together skip it. There is so much that seems to go on between Thanksgiving and Christmas, that the cards usually get put on the backburner here.

    Not this year!

    We took our family photo in early October (like the 1st weekend of October!). Let me tell you, getting a good picture of all of us was extremely difficult…..

    Thanks to Modern Greetings, I now have holiday cards in hand, with envelopes ready to send out!  I really enjoyed making our cards this year.  Modern Greetings had hundreds of designs to choose from.
    What I loved the most though, was that after choosing a design, we could then edit, add to, take away, change fonts and colors to really make it our own.

    A few Pluses for Modern Greetings

    • Nice web design. Easy to navigate to create the perfect card
    • Many options to choose from.
    • Reasonably priced
    • Will address and mail your cards for you!!!

    What I didn’t like

    • I couldn’t use some of our pictures in certain designs because of low resolution. Not exactly their fault, but I’m no techy. Having a tutorial to teach someone like me how to make it work, would be great! Having an FAQ or some tutorials for other issues people may encounter would add great value!

    Modern Greetings offers more than just Holiday Cards too!  There’s announcements, stationary, invitations, and photo books!  As a special to my readers, Modern Greetings is offering you a Free Photo Book!

    How to get your Free Photo Book
    Go to This Page, and enter your email.
    Modern Greetings will email you instructions to redeem your photo book
     
    *I received products at a discount to assist in this review. All opinions are 100% my own honest feelings.
    
  • Chase Danger Super Spy: Pirates of Pineapple Island {Book Review}

    Chase Danger Super Spy: Pirates of Pineapple Island {Book Review}

    Chase Danger Super Spy
    Pirates of Pineapple Island
    By Chad and Lisa Olivera
     
    About the Book: Join 7-year-old super-spies Chase Danger and Princess Ali Bali in their 2nd
    adventure. This time, the two heroes have to rescue magical pineapples and Ali’s
    brother, Aiden, from the dreaded pirate Captain Looney.  2nd in a series of Chase
    Danger, Super Spy books. Full color illustrations by Adam Goodman. 

    About the Authors: Lisa and Chad Olivera are an Author and
    publishing team from California. Published works include the Chase Danger, Super
    Spy Series: Book #1 Mystery of the special Sauce and book #2 Pirates of
    Pineapple Island. Lisa works with young children as a Special Circumstance Aide and
    Chad is a musician, composer and children’s theater director. They live and work
    in Santa Clarita California. As a family they enjoy writing books, going to the
    beach, watching movies and going on Geocaching adventures. Please visit them at
    http://www.chasedanger.com/ and “LIKE”
    them on facebook for exciting updates.

    My thoughts: Or more accurately, my kids thoughts. They loved this even more than the first book. Now when I ask them if they want to read Chase Danger, it has to be the Pirate Princess one! I’m sure it has something to do with having 3 Princesses in the house. As much as we loved The Mystery of the Special Sauce, adding in a Princess, Pirates and Pineapples, took my kids to another level of joy in reading. Again, I just love the reading theater that comes along with the book.  The voice of the characters, and sound effects brings the adventure to life.
    As a parent, I like the family aspect this book teaches. Our families are important, and even if we don’t always get along, we still love them.

  • 5 Things I’m Grateful for – Think About It

    5 Things I’m Grateful for – Think About It

    BWS tips button
     
    Welcome to our Think About It Thursday Meme. Every week we talk about something new, different, and mostly thought provoking. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, and sometimes it’s just rambling.
    For more Think About It Thursdays visit my cohorts co-hosts Mumfection and Tim and Angi’s Blog
     
    This weeks Topic
    What 5 Things are you most Thankful for?
     
    Halloween is now behind us. It is November, and for most that means lots of family, baking and traditions; at least in the US. I realize Canada already celebrated their Thanksgiving (thanks for going with this topic anyways Eschelle!).  My group of mommy bloggers and I decided we would take the whole month of November to talk about Gratitude, Giving Thanks, and Thanksgiving in general.
     
    For me, there is so much I am grateful for, but I’ll try to stick to my top 5 today.
     
    1. My family. Immediate, extended, in laws, and ancestors. They all mean so much in my life. My parents, I don’t think could have been any better. They care about all their kids, and no matter what are always there for us – through the ups and downs. My husband, I love with all my heart. He makes such a wondeful Daddy to our kids. He works hard because he knows it’s important that I raise our kids. My kids because well they are just little miracles. The joy they can bring to any room, and smiles they can put on anyones face, just warms my heart. My in-laws, because I don’t think I could have gotten any better. They are truly an amazing couple full of love! And of course all my cousins, aunts, uncles, sister inlaws, brother inlaws, you all are so unique. You each inspire me to be better in different ways. 
     
    2. My religion. I don’t mention it often here, but I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka Mormon.  Yes this is the religion of my parents. No, we don’t practice polygamy. Yes I don’t drink alcohol, tea or smoke. No I am not forced to be a stay at home and under my husbands tyrannical rule. Yes I chose to stay at home and be a mom to my kids because I believe it’s important (and I don’t have a tyrannical husband). No, actually I do believe in the Bible. Last and to me the most important thing because nothing else matters, is that YES I do believe in Christ. I believe He is the Son of God. I believe He came to earth to show us the path to return to Heaven. I believe in doing good to all men. I believe Christ gave His life for each one of us, because He loves us each individually and knows each of our own personal sufferings. My religion is who I am. It is what shapes what I do. And I am so grateful I have it in my life, because I have felt so much joy through the knowledge I have from it.
     
    3. My baby brother.  Right now he is serving a 2 year LDS mission in Boston. I miss him like crazy. When he was little, he was my tickle buddy. We always had a blast together. And now he is serving others for 2 years. Giving 2 years of his life for something more important. He has set an example for my family that I love. I will deal with missing him for 2 long years, because he is blessing the lives of others. Last week my dad found a voice recording of my brother and sister that they must have sent me when I was just in college. They missed me, wanted me to visit soon. And they loved me. Seriously, I just have some awesome siblings that I love.
     
    4. A roof over our heads. I may complain about the mice, or the sloping floors, or the carpet in the kitchen. But when it comes down to it, I’m just grateful we have a roof over our heads. That my family has shelter from the elements. That we have heat to take away the cold nights. Rooms to sleep in, and beds too. A kitchen to cook in. I have a house, and it sure beats being homeless!
     
    5. Modern technology. Ok I’m not that big into tv and the latest gadgets, but I do love modern technology and the access it gives us. I get to send my voice to thousands of you through this blog and it’s many social media platforms. I get to connect with people I haven’t seen in years. I have been able to make new friends, that I probably will never even meet, but that encourage me every time I struggle with something. I love that modern technology can bring families spread over the world all together. My brother just created us a family site on myfamily.com  It is awesome! My older brother who I don’t stay in contact with as much as I should, I now feel close to again. Modern technology is a wonderful tool, when used for good.
     
     
    Now it’s your turn! We’re not picky really, just try to stay with the theme of gratitude, grab our cool button (made by Mark), and link up below! We love reading your posts, and hope you enjoy ours.
    

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  • Wreck-It Ralph the bad guy that’s tired of being bad!

    Wreck-It Ralph the bad guy that’s tired of being bad!

     
    Ever feel bad for the bad guy? I do a lot. Maybe I have a thing for bad guys…no, no that’s not it. I just want them to make better choices!
    I was so excited to see a preview for Wreck it Ralph the last time we went to the movies. I turned to Mark and nodded my head (our signal that we want to see that one during previews…), and I got a weird look in response.  I think it will be a fun one to take the kids to.
     
     
    Like Wreck-It Ralph on Facebook
    Follow Wreck-It Ralph on Twitter
     

  • Twelve Months by Steven Manchester {Book Review}

    Twelve Months
    by Steven Manchester
     
    About the Book: What would you do if you only had 12 months left to live? For Don DiMarco this was the case. Diagnosed with colon cancer, Don wasn’t ready to go. There was so much life to live still, that he realized he hadn’t really lived life yet.
     
    “Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.”
     
     
    About the Author: Steven Manchester is the published author of Twelve Months, Pressed Pennies, The
    Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books
    under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. He is a husband and father to four.
     
    My thoughts: Loved loved loved Twelve Months! In fact I loved it so much, I told my mom twice about it. There were times while reading Twelve Months I forgot it was a work of fiction. It read almost like an autobiography – First person perspective from Don, with flashbacks to his childhood days. Twelve Months is an inspiring story of a life well lived. It makes you reflect on your own life. Really, what would you do if you were told you only had 12 months left to live? How would you spend that time? I know for me, I’d let the dishes go undone and spend more time on the floor with my kids. I’d stop dreaming of things, and start doing them. I would work as hard as I could to leave my family and friends with memories instead of heartache.
    Aside from the deep meanings behind Twelve Months, Steven has added a little humor and culture into his book. I thoroughly enjoyed the small references to New England life (blowing raspberries at those Yankees, lol!). The inside look of a veteran and what they must deal with internally while their loved ones try to help and support. These small touches bring more depth and real life to Twelve Months.
     
    You can purchase a copy from Amazon

    Visit Steven on his website www.StevenManchester.com

    *I received a copy of Twelve Months for my honest review. All opinion are 100% honest. Thank you Steven for letting me enjoy this book!

     
  • My wee lil’ Pirates {Wordless Wednesday}

    My wee lil’ Pirates {Wordless Wednesday}

    It be International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

    I’ve never seen my kids so excited as when I started saying Ahoy, Avast and Land Lubber this morning. I’ve got 3 Princesses, but don’t let them fool you. They be Pirates at heart.

    Ye may start callin’ me Cap’n Mom now. Princess C has already taken to it.

  • At the end of a long trip…

    At the end of a long trip…

    Give your kids some Glow Sticks.