Playground for Parents

"We watch our children too closely...

 

 

until the one time you don't..."  Those are the words of Paul Kruyer. And that one time for the devastated Kruyer family was just two days ago. Their two year old daughter, Iysha, is now dead, having drowned in the family's backyard swimming pool on Wednesday. Her tragic death, and her father's words in a letter to a local tv station, remind us all that we can never be too vigilant about water safety.

 

We have lived in a house with a pool for three years. When we had the pool renovated, I actually had the depth decreased, from over 9 feet, to now about 5 feet. My husband and I are not avid swimmers, and I wanted to be able to stand up in that pool at each and every point. If I needed to jump in to save my child, I needed to know I could also save myself. You may think that was a bit extreme. My peace of mind was worth more than whatever I did to affect the resale value of the house.

 

When we have a friend or two over for a swim, the house rule is one adult per child. If the adult needs to leave the pool temporarily, their kid needs to get out too. Sorry if your participation in a game of marco-polo was abruptly interrupted. I have yet to host a swim party because of my concern about pool safety, but I am finally planning one for next month. Added to the party budget is the expense of a lifeguard, maybe even two. Because I know how easily we as parents can get distracted once we are engaged in conversation, laughing it up with our girlfriends, or taking a "quick" call on our Blackberry.

 

I've seen kids dropped off at pool parties. I've seen parents retreat from the sun to go inside, leaving their child in the pool with the expectation that she'll be fine because "she swims like a dolphin." I've been asked to watch someone else's child at a swimming pool, and I apologetically refuse. I can't closely watch my child in the shallow end, and simultaneously watch your child in the deep end. And I wouldn't ask you to do it for me, because your eyes can't look in two directions either.

 

The doors to the house are alarmed. The pool is gated. And yet I am still highly cautious, praying that we never have to bury one of our children, or their friend.

 

Read the Kruyer story, watch the video. Have fun in the pool, but please be careful. And be vigilant.

 

 

I Should NOT Have A Nanny

I married for love, not money. I don't have a sugar daddy (and if I did, I wouldn't tell you). I went to college for nine years to earn my doctorate degree, but afterward was a stay-at-home mom for seven years. I have another kid in private school. And we live in expensive California. So, what in the hell was I thinking when I hired a nanny last year?!

 

Oh yea, I was thinking that I couldn't bear the thought of leaving my precious infant in a room full of other babies, forced to share the attention of a caregiver I didn't know, not to mention sharing all the freakin' germs too. So, when returning to work part-time, I hired a nanny to care for Munchkin. In fact, I hired her a couple of months BEFORE I returned to work, so she and the baby could bond, and so that I could spy on her. Did I mention that the nanny also cleaned, picked up my older daughter from school or camp, and got the baby to do things she wouldn't do for me or daddy?

 

But, today I had to tell our nanny that we have to let her go. I cried. I tried to compose myself. I cried again. She hugged me, twice. I feel bad and guilty and embarrassed, and worried about her quickly finding a replacement family. Not that we can ever be replaced, because I'm sure we are her favorite family ever, and my baby was the most perfect baby she's ever watched. I postponed it as long as I could. But, when daycare cost half of what I pay the nanny, I just could no longer justify it. In the past, I often heard people say that they worked to pay for childcare. Now I get it.

 

The good news:  after an exhausting search, I found a daycare that I feel really good about AND actually has availability. Mind you, this was after I contacted the two daycares that come the MOST recommended in my area, only to find out that one terminated their infant program due to budget cuts, and the other has a 1.5 year waiting list (so, basically I should've signed Munchkin up when she was a mere fetus). The past couple of weeks, I have toured facilities that smelled like crap-filled diapers. The fresh kind. And other daycares that smelled of Pine-Sol. Like there was an industrial explosion of cleaning chemicals. I was surprised by the number of workers in the centers that didn't smile or greet me - that looked like they didn't care if they earned their $8 per hour taking care of kids or stocking clothes at Forever 21 (at least there, they'd get an employee discount).

 

Finally, I toured a daycare where the employees in each room shook my hand, greeted me warmly with a smile, and the tenderness toward the children there was obvious. The caregivers in the infant room are grandmothers, who proudly told me that they spoil the babies and love them up. That's all I needed to hear. Where do I sign? Now that Munchkin is a bit older and mobile, I feel more comfortable with the daycare setting. She doesn't seem as small and fragile, and the socialization will be good. If she were also verbal, that would be preferable. But, waiting for her to be able to string words together so she can tattle on whoever does her wrong, is not an option. The other good news is that the nanny took it well, and is optimistic about finding other work. I'm still going to really miss her. And not just because she also did the ironing.

 

Money may not buy you happiness. But, it pays for a nanny.

 

Father-In-Law Day! July 30th

 

He wears black dress socks with his white sneakers.  He tells the same stories over and over as if it's the first time. And he laughs at his own jokes. Loudly. Um, not your husband, honey. Your father-in-law.

 

But, he always greets you with a warm smile. He loves you like his own, despite your faults (and according to his wife, you have many faults). And he taught your husband that a little chivalry goes a long way.

 

Be sure to wish him a Happy Father-In-Law Day on Thursday, July 30th. Wow, you're even more thoughtful and considerate than his OWN kids. You really are the best daughter-in-law ever to walk the planet. Yep, Father-In-Law Day. Seriously, people. I couldn't make this stuff up.

 

 

Back to School Extravaganza!

 

The sales have started and you've been bombarded with tv and newspaper ads. Back to School is already in motion, and you're still getting used to being able to sleep in. Take a deep breath, mama, because I'm about to get you hot and bothered over school supplies - fun, funky, hip school gear, and tasty stuff too.

 

The Back to School Extravaganza starts this Saturday, August 1st! Playground for Parents has tons of stuff to review and giveaway - personalized backpack, sleeping bag, lunch tote, duffel bag, shoes, and MORE - including the latest in healthy AND yummy snacks (taste-tested by yours truly). For drooling preschoolers to rowdy college students. And even stuff fit for mom.

 

As if that wasn't huge enough, I've teamed up with the ultra-fab Barefoot Mommies and Monsters in My House, to offer you even more great stuff to win!!  Hello - does TJ Maxx, Crazy Dog T-shirts, Sharpie and Oreck grab your attention?! You get extra entries to my giveaways by hopping over and entering theirs. It all starts on August 1st. 

 

Some of you may be thinking, "I never win, so I don't enter." Come on by anyway, to find out what's hot and take advantage of some special discounts.

 

Hope to see you back on the Playground this weekend, for the start of a spectacular giveaway contest, and multiple ways to enter! Subscribe for extra entries. Post the Back to School Extravaganza button on your blog (left sidebar). Tell your mommy friends. Let's go back to school with a bang - and some great deals! I'll let you go back to sleep now.

 

 

 

Salvaging This Summer

It's the end of July, and I hang my head in shame. For at least three weeks, I have meant to get this list out to you, for inspiration and information. And for three weeks, I have instead been rounding up giveaways for the enormous Back to School Extravaganza, and hanging out with Brooke Shields. My saving grace is that hopefully you have at least one more month of summer to enjoy, and another soul can be saved from Guilty Mama Syndrome.

 

Back in June I posted an article, with the help of mommy blogger Heather, about making a list of summer family activities and projects. We make a list for everything else. It makes sense to write a goal sheet for fun stuff too. So, my eight year old created her summer wish list, we compromised and revised (no to another Disney Cruise to Bahamas, yes to a local trip to Legoland), wrote it down in pen, and finalized it with a secret handshake...

 

The problem was, we put the list somewhere and didn't look at it again for the whole next week. We lost precious time, but were not going to be defeated. Brilliantly, we wrote the activities down on a huge Hello Kitty calendar, with stickers and glitter pen, so we couldn't miss it....

 

Except, we did miss it, because the calendar was too big to hang up, so it stayed closed on my daughter's desk. Another week of plans gone poof.

 

Finally, determined to reach the end of summer and give my kid something concrete to share at show-and-tell, I wrote the list out on the family calendar. It's big as day, sitting prominently on our office wall. Now, we can't miss it unless we walk out the door with our eyes closed - at which point we'd likely run right into the calendar anyway.

 

Below are the projects and fun stuff on our list - all do-able, manageable, and economical. It really has helped to keep me in check, ensuring that our family spends time together and makes the most of time-off (trips to Target don't count, I guess). And just as important, it means less deposits to my guilt bank.

 

What were your initial summer plans, forgotten when the increasing temperatures started making you feel hot and lazy? A lemonade stand? Taking baby to the aquarium? Playing tic-tac-toe with sidewalk chalk? Write it down, calendar it, commit to it. You have a few weeks. There's still time!

 

 

Stewart Summer Camp

 

1. Movie Nights (mommy, daddy, daughter get to take turns picking their favorite flick, pop some popcorn, and call it a night. Mom will undoubtedly be choosing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - the one with Johnny Depp, of course)

2. Pajama Day (my favorite. As far as I'm concerned, there can't be too many of these on the calendar)

3. Breakfast Outside (yea. This one involves food, survival, and nature, as we attempt to battle rabid squirrels over our pancakes)

4. Cooking (preferably something involving warm chocolate)

5. Picnic (again with the food, I know. But, "food is fun")

6. Puzzle Mania (have to put my ego in my back pocket, because the kid is so much faster and better at these 300 piece Spongebob puzzles than I am - I hope I get to do the edges)

7. Game Nights (reminder of just how competitive I am, and how far I will go to SMASH them and win! Umm, while role-modeling good sportsmanship, of course)

8. Manicures (whose idea do you think this was?)

9. Beach (we live in California, a relatively short drive away from the beach, but we rarely go to the beach. I know, it should be against the law)

10. Go to the Skirball Museum (she missed the school fieldtrip because she was sick. Her parents may not be as fun as going with her entire class, but we'll be just as loud)

 

 

Giveaway! Gourmet Fancy Fortune Cookies!

 

If all fortune cookies tasted this delicious, I'd eat Chinese food more. Fresh, crisp, and in a variety of sweet flavors - these cookies make you not even care what the paper fortune says inside, because you're already feeling lucky.

 

Introducing:  Fancy Fortune Cookies. I won't list all of their outrageous flavors here, because I really want you to check out their website. But, I'm going to tease you just a bit...how about double chocolate, or cool cappuccino...You're feeling "fortune-ate" to know about this site now, aren't you? An array of cookies are available in traditional, fruit, and "exotic" flavor categories. AND, they come in a multitude of colors that can match the color theme of your special event.

 

Fancy Fortune Cookies sent me my choice of cookies to sample. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that this chocoholic selected their chocolate-covered fortune cookies, which were exceptional. The coconut fortune cookies were one of my favorites too. I truly enjoyed them all, as did my husband and daughter (I have a vague memory of letting them taste at least one, before hiding the bag). I have to admit, I found the thought of a fruit-flavored cookie to be a bit questionable. They were hands-down the best fortune cookies I've inhaled delicately eaten.

 

Whenever possible, I try to give a little background info about the creators of the products I review. Their personal stories are often inspiring. I gotta say that this particular "how I got started story" is quite different from the rest, starting with the crazy ideas of a clown. "I quit my job as a professional Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey clown. Yes! I was a clown with the "Greatest Show on Earth." In fact, you can still see my picture in the World Book Encyclopedia under the word "clown." Then, I set aside my own children's TV show... I turned in my notice and left my job in October of 1990 to the shock and laughter of my family, the TV station and my friends. Little did I know that I was trying to break into one of the most unusual and secretive food industries you could imagine. I was literally the first non-Chinese person to EVER begin actually making and manufacturing my own fortune cookies in gourmet flavors and colors. I called 8 different Chinese fortune cookie companies back in late 1987, and tried unsuccessfully to find any one of them that thought my idea of flavors and colors was a good idea. Finally, my 9th contact was willing to listen to me. For the next 2 years we painstakingly experimented and created tens of thousands of bad looking AND bad tasting batches of fortune cookies. It was a frustrating and expensive learning curve. Finally after a bazillion cookies -- we "cracked the code." Since 1987 I've invented a total of 17 different, delicious, and turbo-charged flavors used by many companies, restaurants and businesses across the U.S. My goal is to make literally the best-tasting, best-looking and most memorable fortune cookies on the market."

 

I have a funny feeling that your next fortune will say: "you are about to enjoy the best fortune cookies you've ever had, and you will send some to Nina at Playground for Parents."

 

Wanna Buy It?  Check out the fabulous gourmet flavors and colors of cookies at Fancy Fortune Cookies.  And here's a great concept - their lab will also create any flavor you want!

 

Wanna Win It?  Fancy Fortune Cookies is offering one very lucky reader the flavored cookies of their choice (excluding chocolate covered)! 

Come out to play with a Giveaway!

Visit Fancy Fortune Cookies. Leave a Comment telling me what flavor you'd love to try. Comments must be received by 11:59pm (PST) on August 7th.  One winner will be selected by Random.org. Winner will be notified via email, and will be announced here.  Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you (and make sure it doesn't go to spam) - I'd hate for you to miss your prize. Winners have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of U.S. and Canada. Good luck!

 

Increase your chances to win!  For more entries, you can: 

1. Subscribe to my blog (located on the top, right side of this page).  After you've subscribed, leave a comment and let me know.  Be the first to find out about Giveaways and parenting info!  Are you already a Subscriber?  Just leave a Comment and say, "I subscribe!"
2. Blog about this Giveaway and link back to Playground for Parents.  Leave a Comment, with the link to your post!
3. Post my blog button on your site!  Leave five separate Comments with your blog link, for five entries!! 
4. Email a friend about this Giveaway and cc me: PlaygroundMail@aol.com. Leave a Comment for your extra entry!
5. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me, or advertise on my site! Just leave me a Comment and let me know you've done so.
6. Follow me on Twitter  AND tweet about the Giveaway! Leave the link to your tweet in your comment.
7. Leave a comment on any NONgiveaway post on my blog, and come back here and let me know you did.

* Be sure to leave a Separate Comment for EACH entry. That's EIGHT total ways to enter this fantastic contest! 

 

Reminder:  Check the top left corner of this page for other fantastic Giveaways! Hurry, they end soon!

Many thanks to Erin at Fancy Fortune Cookies for providing this Review and Giveaway!

Congratulations to lucky winner, Lorie (#64)!

Small Talk Six: Talents I Wish I Had

In "Small Talk Six," a topic is provided by MomDot, and bloggers respond by posting their list of six words, photos, videos. It gives our fried mommy brains a great opportunity to think about something random, something other than planning playdates and correcting homework we've long forgotten how to do. Today's topic:  "6 talents you wish you possessed.”

 

Here are my six...

 

1.  Cooking. Let me be more specific - the kind of cooking where you're able to "make something out of nothing." Sure, I can follow a recipe. And I can heat up the prepared food I buy religiously from Trader Joe's. But, what I wish I could do is cook without having to measure, or be able to throw random ingredients together and create something edible. I'm not saying I'd cook dinner all the time if I had this talent. My husband does most of the cooking now, and that's the way I like it. I'd just like to be able to do it if I had to, like on a deserted island.

 

Speaking of my husband, he has this talent. I have looked in the cupboards over and over (as if something I wanted to eat was going to magically appear after the third time), until finally I declare, "there's nothing here to eat and I'm staaaarving!" At which point he has gone into the kitchen and made me a barbeque chicken pizza with sauteed red onions. From scratch. Show-off.

 

2.  Debating.  I wish I had a bunch of useful facts in my brain (instead of the hodge-podge of mush that currently resides there), that I could articulate convincingly at a moment's notice. I wish that I could say witty, impressive things spontaneously during a discussion or argument, instead of 24 hours later. I would no longer have to bear thinking, "I wish I had said that!"

 

3.  Juggling.  Not the kind that involves working at a circus, although that would be kinda cool. I wish I had the talent to juggle being a mother, wife, blogger, product reviewer, psychologist, and photographer - to feel like things are somewhat in balance. Because right now I feel like the balls are everywhere, and I'm slipping on them.

 

4.  Shopping. At Target, and sticking to the list. I wish I had the talent for going into that damn store and just getting the Honey Bunches of Oats, paper towels, and Earth's Best baby food. Because that certainly wouldn't add up to the $100 that I end up spending in there every time. How do you not get something from the dollar bin?! That HAS to be a talent.  

 

5.  Singing. I've said it before, and I'll say it each time I'm asked about something I wish I could do. I wish I could sing, even if I remained undiscovered. At the very least I could enter karaoke contests and not just delusionally think I sounded great. 

 

6.  Playing an instrument. I was going to say play the piano, but any instrument will do. Even the drum would be particularly hot. I was the kid that tried every instrument, including the freakish accordion. Only problem is, I usually quit too soon. My biggest childhood regret is that my parents didn't force me to stick with it. I imagine that being able to play an instrument now would make me sexy and sophisticated. I'd be the life of the party...or at least playgroup.

 

 

You knew this was coming - what's YOUR six, or four, or even just one talent you wish you possessed?  Chances are, I'll wish I could do that too.

 

 

Is It Common Sense?

 

My eight year old has been waiting for this movie ALL summer. She announces every billboard of the movie that she sees as we drive to camp in the morning. And mind you, it's always the same billboards that we're passing. "Look mom, there's the movie!" (uhh, yea, you mean the same sign we saw yesterday, and the day before, and the week before that?).  Finally, this weekend, her wait is over, and I need to come up with about $50 just to pay for a couple of tickets and a bucket of popcorn. Since discovering a kids' media website, however, I do feel more prepared - whether this flick will also be entertaining for us parents in the theater, or if I'm likely to see a lot of texting on iPhones lit up in the darkness.

 

The new kid's flick: G-Force. But, more importantly, the helpful website we can use again and again: Common Sense Media.

 

I feel like I'm the last one to know about this site (and if you knew about, shame on you for not telling me!). There is A LOT offered here, and I haven't even scratched its surface. But, in a nutshell, Common Sense Media provides reviews of kids' movies, games, websites, television, books and music.  Everything entertainment related can be found right here at our fingertips, which is a good thing as we try to protect our kids from the evils of media (and those diabolical toy commercials). Ratings are provided from 1 to 5 stars. They even slap a label on the show that indicates the appropriate viewing age, or "no kids" (e.g. Bruno - duh). Details are given on how both parents and kids rate it (not surprising that parents and kids often don't rate the same movie, the same number of stars). Now there's a new feature allowing you to personalize the site for the specific age of your child, making it quicker and easier to have information relevant to your family.

 

It's easy to navigate and comprehensive. The suggested kids' reading list alone has categories such as "best coming-of-age tales," "best friendship stories," and "emotional stories."  There's an entire advice section covering everything from kid internet safety and social networking, to celebrities, cartoon violence, and the influence of Jon and Kate (you didn't think you were going to get far from that topic, did you? don't be silly).

 

As the parent, you get to provide a review on the site for others to see, give it a star rating, express any concerns, and even grade it. Yea, mama, your chance to pretend you're Siskel and Ebert on the internet.

 

Are you a teacher? The site offers a free media program for your school.

 

"Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the media and entertainment lives of kids and families. We exist because media and entertainment profoundly impact the social, emotional, and physical development of our nation's children. As a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, we provide trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume."

Being dragged to see planning some quality family time to see G-Force this weekend? Nothing like talking guinea pigs in 3-D. Check out Common Sense Media's review of G-Force. And based on the review I read, don't forget to charge the battery in your iPhone.

UPDATE: To Wean or Not to Wean

An update on my post about whether I should wean my baby due to my medical needs: for those who read it, commented, or just gave a damn, I think I finally reached a decision...

 

Let's call it a compromise. Munchkin is 10 months old. Breastmilk or formula is recommended until 12 months. So, a fair split down the middle that will a) cause the least amount of guilt for me, but b) won't compromise her nutrition, is to wean her at 11 months. Well, at least that's how I've justified it, so just let it be. The strategy is to have Daddy, Nanny, or Grandma give her the bottle with the foreign substance before I do. Because I imagine that if I try to give her something other than the breast, she will look at me like I have lost my mind (which I have, but she doesn't need to know that until she's 16).

 

After getting lots of opinions, advice, and reassurance, both here and on Twitter, I've decided to wait on the cow's milk (something to do with allergies), and postpone the soy milk (something to do with estrogen), and try rice milk first. Actually, I sent Daddy to the store to get vanilla soy milk a couple of weeks ago. He came back with the wrong thing (gee, that's a first), and got plain soy instead. Munchkin was having none of that, and I can't say I blame her. So, rice milk - and a prayer - are next. When our first daughter was a year old, it took numerous trials to find the product that she would agree to drink. I'm not expecting instant satisfaction from Munchkin either. Those little creatures can be quite discriminating. You should see her with the baby food.

 

Now if I could just remember the strategy for weaning. I slightly recall that you start with the daytime feedings, and night time is the last to go? With my first kid, I was prepared for a drawn out process, but it was over in just two days. In fact, I was so engorged and in pain, I was begging the kid to nurse. You'd think after all I'd done for her, she'd grant me a little relief. But, there was no turning back and the ingrate totally snubbed me. I was ultimately forced to go to the doctor for some relief.

 

Just think, in a blink of an eye, the kids will be way past determining what kind of milk they like. They'll both be choosing what type of wine they prefer, as they sit across from some jerk who's hoping they drink just enough of that wine to get inebriated, so that he...

And I thought I wasn't ready for weaning.

 

 

Giveaway! Book Bouquet!

Gift giving really shouldn't be as stressful as it is, wouldn't you agree? The budgeting, the shopping, the wrapping (try as I might, I still can't make a decent bow)...and God forbid you should forget the gift receipt, or else your gift may end up at the person's next garage sale or the White Elephant office party. Books are always a great gift idea - you can feel like you're being generous AND improving our nation's literacy rate at the same time. But, a gift card to the bookstore is a bit cliche, and a book with bookmark is a bit unimaginative. What to do?

 

Introducing:  Book Bouquet. "Book Bouquet combines all kinds of books with gift items and gourmet foods to create novel gift baskets for all occasions. The first book bouquet was created over ten years ago for a cancer patient. Today, get well gifts are still one of the most popular categories of gift baskets that Book Bouquet sells. The "Boredom Buster" get well gift was Book Bouquet's most ordered gift basket in 2008. 

Books are always the right size and color, and our gift baskets take book gifting to the next level. As the maker of all our gift baskets Book Bouquet is also able to offer custom touches like balloons, cakes, stuffed animals and of course, extra books that can be added to any of our gifts. You can even design your own gift basket at our create a custom gift basket page.

Gifts are shipped just about everywhere. We also ship to all military apo addresses and offer a military gifts section. Every gift from Book Bouquet is made to high standards. Each order is treated as though it is for a family member and every gift includes a card with the customer's personalized message. Book Bouquet gift baskets offers unique gifts for baby, kids, birthday, get well, sympathy, housewarming, for men, for women, for work and for special occasions. Our gifts are always the right fit for any event."

 

What's that? You want to send me a Book Bouquet for being so inspiring and informative on this blog? Ahhh. I do need to read more. Just make certain my basket has a book AND chocolate. Or a book about chocolate. You get the idea.

 

Wanna Buy It?  Visit Book Bouquet and check out their great selection of gift baskets, starting at under $35!

 

Wanna Win It?  Book Bouquet is offering one very lucky reader a $50 gift certificate to use toward any gift!  Send a book bouquet to yourself (you certainly deserve it, mama), or have it sent to someone special - remember, Grandparent's Day is coming up soon! 

  

 

Come out to play with a Giveaway!

Visit  Book Bouquet. Leave a Comment telling me your favorite gift basket. Comments must be received by 11:59pm (PST) on July 31st.  One winner will be selected by Random.org. Winner will be notified via email, and will be announced here.  Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you (and make sure it doesn't go to spam) - I'd hate for you to miss your prize. Winners have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of U.S. Good luck!

 

Increase your chances to win!  For more entries, you can: 

1. Subscribe to my blog (located on the top, right side of this page).  After you've subscribed, leave a comment and let me know.  Be the first to find out about Giveaways and parenting info!  Are you already a Subscriber?  Just leave a Comment and say, "I subscribe!"
2. Blog about this Giveaway and link back to Playground for Parents.  Leave a Comment, with the link to your post!
3. Post my blog button on your site!  Leave five separate Comments with your blog link, for five entries!! 
4. Email a friend about this Giveaway and cc me: PlaygroundMail@aol.com. Leave a Comment for your extra entry!
5. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me, or advertise on my site! Just leave me a Comment and let me know you've done so.
6. Follow me on Twitter  AND tweet about the Giveaway! Leave the link to your tweet in your comment.

* Be sure to leave a Separate Comment for EACH entry. That's SEVEN total ways to enter this fantastic contest!! 

 

Reminder:  Check the top left corner of this page for other fantastic Giveaways! Hurry, they end soon!

Many thanks to Kim at Book Bouquet for providing this Giveaway!

Congratulations to lucky winner, Cori (#212)!