Portable North Pole Review:

 

 

Happy Holidays!!! Yup, they have officially started. With the start of the Holidays, I know that if your anything like me you are telling your kids if you don’t be good Santa will not be coming.. Or you will be on the naughty list! I’m so guilty of doing this!

 

I don’t know if you have heard of Portable North Pole or not, but it is a super cool website. You can visit it, and get a video made and sent to your child via email, or portable device. They just ask a few questions, to make it a bit more authentic. Then within an hour or so they send a link of your video to your email. You can get all of this for FREE!

 

Then there is the PNP Premium Video with this you get a bit more stuff such as Santa riding is sleigh in the video. A personalized Christmas Carol, a peek at Santa’s magical periscope, and more! This one only costs $3.99 and 5% goes to the Children’s Hospital.

 

You can also get a personalized letter from Santa with a sprinkle of Christmas Magic. It comes in Red or Green printed in color on a soft double-sided good quality paper. All this for $19.99.

 

There are a few more options as well. Plus they offer things like a phone call from Santa, a letter from Santa, Bundles with a letter, call, nice list, and video from Santa. So many options its hard to choose. Coming soon they are going to be offering personalized Christmas Carols, and Ringtones. Along with a Mobile App.

 

Bet those elves are very busy right now!

 

Great way to boost the spirit of Christmas in your home!

We got the Premium Video for Middle Monkey. The look on her faces was priceless when she figured out that Santa had sent her a video. It was very authentic looking if you are a child between 0-10… My almost 11yr old, knew it was not the real Santa, but played along for his sisters. Santa did a small introduction with a song specifically for Middle Monkey, and then went into what she needed to work on. Then he took her on a tour of his workshop, and a quick sleigh ride! It was super cute, I would totally recommend it to anyone!

 

The other two monkeys got the regular video, and they to where in shock to get a video from Santa. It was awesome to watch! This is an amazing experience for all three of them! We will definitely be doing this again next year.

 

 

You can find Portable North Pole on Facebook and Twitter too!

 

 

*I was given a code for a free premium video experience in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkey’s!

Sears Review

 

 

 

With the Holidays upon us, it is time to think about decorating again! What is more fun than decorating for the Holiday’s? Putting up all those fun lights, and pretty things around the house, to help you with your holiday cheer.

I don’t like to have to go to many places when shopping for my decorations, since I usually have 3 kids tagging along. Therefore, I like to go to a place that is going to have all my decorating needs. Sears Cheer Headquarters is just the place! Whether your looking for outdoor decorations, lights, tree’s, wreaths, or more!!!

 

I headed off to Sears to look over the selection I was given to choose from. I was happy to see that they had Village accessories and pieces. I collect things for my village every year. I’d like to make it a huge one eventually! This year I was able to pick up a couple pieces for my village and a new building with the gift card I was given for this review. Check out this amazing carousel I’d love to get next year!!!

 

 

Another great thing about shopping at Sears for my decorating needs is that all my purchases give me back money. I have the Shop Your Way Rewards. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and so worth it. You get 10 points for every $1 you spend, and there is no minimum amount to redeem!

 

 

 

Now for the best part!!!

One of my lucky readers can have a chance to win a $15 Sears Gift Card…

This one is a fast turn around, so be sure to enter and tell all your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

*I was given a gift card to Sears in exchange for my review as part of the Smiley360. All opinions are 100% mine or my moneys.

 

Pinypon Review & Party…

 

 

With Christmas upon us.. I’m sure your child has been asking for all kinds of things. I know mine are struggling with what to put on their Christmas List. As a parent it is hard to keep up with the latest trend though, or what is new. With my three kids I know this is VERY hard to do.

 

 

We recently got the chance to show off a new toy. Since we always have an annual Christmas party for the kids. Where they invite their friends and we decorate cookies, enjoy punch, and if there is snow.. go sliding. This year their was no snow, so we played with toys instead.

 

 

What was this toy you ask? Pinypon was the new toy we got to show off. They are new to the market this year. So what are these Pinypon’s you ask? They are mini dolls that are interchangeable. You can swap their dresses, accessories, and hairstyles! So many combinations, for hours of fun! These come with little pieces, so they are recommended for children ages 4-7yrs old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each guest at our Party got a Pinypon figure. Then we had a random drawing for one lucky guest to get a Pinypon Caravan. This is a fully loaded house on wheels for your Pinypon. This has so many hours of fun written on it! Their imaginations will come alive! The Caravan also comes with some dolls. The girls were super excited to see when they opened it up, that they could actually put water in the pool. The best part you can get this for $19.99. In my book very reasonable for a toy of this size. It kind of reminds me of a Barbie car, only for little dolls.

 

 

 

After they decorated their cookies, they all gathered round, and played with the caravan, and talked about their different Pinypon’s. They really seemed to enjoy playing with them! I think these will be a great hit this Christmas!

 

Then before leaving we had the chance to raffle off another toy. The Nenuco Doll, was our next item to give away! The doll we got was the Baby Blows Bubbles. When you squeeze its arm it blows bubbles.  We had lots of happy girls leaving the party that day! As well as happy mommies, cause we sent home some coupons as well!

 

 

What a great afternoon of fun, and smiles. We really enjoyed playing with our friends, and being able to give a few items away to them! Hope everyone had a great time!

 

You can find more about Pinypon on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also find Nenuco Famous Toys on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

 

*Thanks to Pinypon Parties and MommyParties for providing us with the product to have our party in exchange for our honest opinion and review. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkey’s!

 

 

 

 

 

Kikkoman Review:

 

 

Do you use Soy Sauce? It’s a staple in our house. We use it in our Chinese cooking, marinades, and so much more. Recently I was asked to try out Kikkoman’s Soy Sauce, try using it with a chicken in a brine.

 

So I went out to the store and got a whole chicken…

 

 

 

Bought a thing of Kikkoman Soy Sauce (notice how big it is)

 

 

 

 

Mixed up my brine recipe supplied by Kikkoman.. You can get the recipe here.

 

 

Looks kinda scary doesn’t it?!

 

 

Left my chicken in the fridge overnight…

 

 

Then put it in my rotisserie for a couple ours, and this is what came out…

 

 

 

 

I have to tell you! I was so surprised!!! The brine made the chicken so MOIST! I have never had such a juicy breast piece of meat. It was amazing!

My only complaint was that it was rather salty. Even after rinsing it off really well, I felt that it was still really salty. I need to figure out how to get that part down, and then we are in business!

 

My family was very impressed with the chicken, and so happy to eat it! We will absolutely be brining more of our meat in the future!

Go here for a brine recipe for your turkey!

 

You can find Kikkoman on Facebook and Twitter.

 

*I received a coupon for a free bottle of Kikkoman Soy Sauce in exchange for my honest review as part of Smiley360. All opinions are 100% mine and my monkeys!

The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

November 19th, 2012

Outside my window...

It is cool, and frosty..

I have to get used to it,

I suppose.

Is that time of year…

 

 

I am thinking...

Wow, how can it be almost Thanksgiving already?!

This year seems to be flying by…

 

I am thankful for...

All the wonderful blessing in my life.

 

From the learning rooms...

This week we are on vacation..

Starting our first week off with a trip

to see a Play.

What about you?!

Want to see what else we are up to, stop by our blog here.

 

 

From the kitchen...

Tonight we are having Homemade Pizza!

Yum, we do love our pizza around here.

 

 

I am wearing...

My jeans, teal shirt, and sneakers

 

I am creating...

Lists, next 6 weeks of curriculum,

blog posts, crafts,

and so much more!

 

I am going...

To be super busy these next few weeks..

but in a good way.

However, not so busy I can’t

stop to enjoy life!

 

I am reading...

Nothing right now..

 

I am hoping...

to get some things accomplished that I really need to get

done.. and some organizing!

 

I am hearing...

My kids scrambling to finish breakfast,

so we can get out of here.

 

Around the house...

Laundry, decorating our outside tree, organizing..

 

One of my favorite things...

Spending time with my family!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

A play, drop off our OCC Boxes, Visit my gram, Library, cooking, decorating,

watching Christmas movies.. and visiting with family! I can’t wait!!!

 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

 

The Homeschool Mothers Journal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• In my life this week…

I have been laying kinda low..

We finished up some school stuff,

and now we are on Vacation for a couple weeks..

Middle Monkey has been sick all week…

I’ve been torturing my kids with Christmas Movies..

 

• In our homeschool this week…

We worked on our regular school…

Finished up a few projects,

and are done with another 6 wks..

Now we are on vacation for a couple of weeks.

(not that doesn’t mean I won’t come up with things for them to work on)

If you would like to see more of what we have been up to..

Check out our school blog… (I will get that caught up this week)

 

 

• Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Do what works for your family..

Not someone else’s..

We are all different!

 

• I am inspired by…

My children everyday!

 

• Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We are staying home most of the week..

Going to see a play tomorrow (Junie B Jones)

I can’t wait.. These plays are usually really good!

Maybe a visit to see my grandmother…

Thanksgiving day it will be just us, and my mom, and gram…

Then maybe on Friday we will see one of my cousins that I haven’t

seen in like 6 or so years..

I think that is it for this week..

 

• My favorite thing this week was…

cuddling with my kiddo’s and watching Christmas Movies!!

 

• What’s working/not working for us…

Everything seems to be going quite smoothly for us now..

However, we are in a huge need of a vacation..

So that is why we are taking 2 weeks this time, instead of one.

 

• Questions/thoughts I have…

Any special plans for the Thanksgiving Holiday?!

 

• Things I’m working on…

Putting together the next 6 weeks..

I didn’t want to have to do it while on vacation this time..

but I couldn’t get it done before.

Oh well!

Plus I’m decorating for Christmas!

 

• I’m reading…

Nothing right now…

 

 

• I’m cooking…

Tonight we had chicken and gravy over toast!

 

• I’m grateful for…

The amazing people I have around me..

 

• A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

 

Be So
Happy That

When Others Look

At YOU

They Become Happy

TOO!!!

–Author Unknown

Kylie Minogue’s “The Abbey Road Sessions” CD Review:

 

 

 

We are huge music fans in this house…

 

If we don’t have music going on our computer, TV, or Ipod, it’s a rare moment. Lol!

 

We recently got a CD by Kylie Minogue’s “The Abbey Road Sessions” to try out. I’m sure you have heard the name again since she is a global icon and popstar. When it arrived in the mail, we ripped open the envelope. I had to go somewhere that afternoon, so I decided to bring it with me, and listen to it. Popped it in the CD player, and off we went.

 

I found her CD to be very uplifting and easy to sing along too. I really enjoyed it. Easy to jam along to, so prefect for my car. I love to have up beat music in my car. That way when I need to let off steam, I can just crank the music and sing along.

 

You may have recently found Kylie Minogue on Dancing with the Stars, or the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this past week.

 

 

 

On Kylie Minogue’s “The Abbey Road Sessions” Cd a celebration of 25 years of music, you can find the following tracks:

 

• All The Lovers
• On A Night Like This
• Better The Devil You Know
• Hand On Your Heart
• I Believe In You
• Come Into My World
• Finer Feelings
• Confide In Me
• Slow
• Locomotion
• Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
• Where The Wild Roses Grow
• Flower  (written years ago, following her battle with breast cancer)
• I Should Be So Lucky
• Love At Frist Sight
• Never Too Late

 

You might know the song “Locomotion”, as it is quite popular. I love to sing along to this song!

 

If  you would like to purchase her CD, you can get it at Amazon.

 

 

*I received a copy of this CD in exchange for my honest review as part of One2One Network. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkeys.