Socialize With Me

I Don't Know How She Does It. {Mani/Pedi Giveaway!}

The subject matter on this is aprospos today because frankly, I'm having one of those days where I'm not sure how anyone does it.

Yesterday afternoon I had back to back to back meetings followed by a last minute call from J, needing the kids and I to come to his office to help with a video project that due to confidentiality actual clients couldn't help in. Of course by the time we did that, grabbed dinner, got home and got kids to bed, all I wanted to do was fall in bed but I had stories due.

So I wrote and I wrote and I wrote and fell into bed at 11:30 or so, the alarm went off at 6:30 this morning because M had homework she had to finish up that she didn't have time to do yesterday.{Due to rushing to J's office.}

I got T and M out the door, mostly successfully and had hoped to get to the gym, where I can check my littles into childcare and work out and read for a bit. Just after getting my kids in the car though, I saw an email on my phone realizing I screwed up and didn't get something turned in this morning that should have been.

So the me-time I was craving was put on hold.

I admit, these days, I'm a little overwhelmed. On top of the normal household and parenting responsibilities, I've got writing responsibilities not just on my blog and elsewhere. I've only got two kid-free afternoons to get work done and sometimes when that time is filled with appointments I have to make up the writing time somewhere else, such as late nights at home or the coffee shop. Oh yeah, and remember that book project I was working on once upon a time, I think it's been 3 months since I did any work on it because I am just making it with all the other responsibilities.

The list of people I am owing emails, phone calls, letters even texts! isn't even funny and makes me feel bad and honestly, sometimes keeps me up at night because I start feeling like a bad friend.

I know that this feeling and this moment is simply a season right now and that we're still finding our school/schedule groove but I also admit that between responsibilities, children and lack of babysitting options some days, the lack of down time or a break for me is getting a little bit old.

I would say that generally speaking I get my share of me time between date nights {we do get a lot of dates, including one tonight at a college alum event!} and girls nights and such but many moms {and women, in general!} don't make time for this.

Eversave surveyed over 700 moms and 35% percent said they find time for themselves once a month and their preferred way to spend that time is pampering themselves with manicures, pedicures, facials and other spa treatments.

What do you do for me-time?

As part of their Back-to-Beauty promotion, Eversave {a group discount site} is offering one of my readers three of their deals for Colleen and Company, a Roseville, MN Aveda salon and spa. {On sale today for $40 at Eversave} The certificates would be good for the winner and two friends to go and get spa manicures AND pedicures. What's better than a girls trip for manis and pedis right?

To enter, simply leave a comment here telling me how you do it all. What are you juggling and what makes your life easier? Basically, how are you doing it all?

For a second entry, share the contest on Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment with the link in the comments.

For a third entry, become a follower on either FB or blogger or subscribe by email to my blog and leave a comment. If you already are, simply say that in the comments.

For a fourth entry, join Eversave and start receiving their daily email deals, leave a comment telling me you did so.

That's right there are FOUR ways to enter. This is a big giveaway with a retail value of over $300. One winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday, September 21 at 8pm. This contest is open to ANYONE but please keep in mind the certificates are good in Minnesota, only. You do not have to be a mom or a woman to enter.

PS In the time it took me to do this post, I have responded to emails, made lunch for my littles and packed a snack for H to bring to school. We're moments away from heading to the bus to get H off to kindergarten and then I'm hoping E and I are off for a long, relaxing walk.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all words and opinions are mine. I am also receiving my own certificate to Colleen and Company from Eversave.

Bead For Life.





Bead for Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women in Uganda. Their mission statement is: creating sustainable opportunities for women to lift their families out of extreme poverty by connecting people worldwide in a circle of exchange that enriches everyone.

Basically, Ugandan women string together beautiful (and I mean beautiful) necklaces and bracelets with handcrafted paper-beads, the Bead for Life organization in turn sells these and then pays these women fair trade so that they can better their lives and the lives of their family.

How many times a year are you invited to miscellaneous home parties? Tastefully Simple? Mary Kay? Premier Jewelry? Pampered Chef? Thirty One? The parties are all great and fun and all of us find things we love and must have. How much money would you say you spend at these parties?

Bead for Life also takes place at home parties and they have asked me to share about their organization and also the opportunity for you to host a party. I am planning on hosting one myself as well.

The premise is simple and much like you've probably already done, gather your friends, your neighbors, your family and have them come and see the beautiful, one of a kind, pieces of jewelry made with love by a Ugandan woman trying to better her life. Bead for Life sends you a party package free of charge full of miscellaneous jewelry to sell and after the party you send back the jewelry and the money collected. From now until September 30th, anyone who signs up to host a party is entered to win a trip to Uganda to meet the women who are making the jewelry and also a safari experience.

Take a wander at the Bead for Life website, if it doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.



Bead for Life has sent me a bracelet to give away to a reader. All I ask is that you consider hosting a party, you don't have to commit to me, but take a look at their site, think about it.

Leave me a comment telling me what piece of jewelry on their site you just love and you're entered to win the bracelet.

This is not a sponsored post. Bead for Life did send me a bracelet and promotional materials. I am giving the bracelet away to a reader in hopes of spreading the word on this organization I believe in.

Stonyfield Farms Event & Giveaway!



Stonyfield Farms Organic Family Love Fest

As part of its national a cross-country tour, the Organic Family Love Fest offers Minneapolis area families an opportunity to play, eat and learn with the organic experts. The event will feature delicious yogurt tastings, cooking demos from local chefs, food and nutrition information, and barnyard shenanigans for kids including Stonyfield Farm’s own automated “pooping cow” that teaches about organic farming with a hint of humor. Stonyfield will donate $1 to charitable organization Healthy Child, Healthy World for every handprint added to the event’s handprint wall.

When: Saturday, July 23

Time: 6:00 PM– 10:00 PM

Where: Minneapolis Aquatennial
Marketing Minneapolis
81 S. 9th Street #260
Minneapolis, MN

Are you a fan of Greek yogurt? How about Yo Baby products? Here's your chance to win some FREE coupons for FREE products. Simply leave a comment here with your favorite kind of yogurt {can be any flavor, brand, whatever} and you're entered. One winner will be chosen to receive a Stonyfield Farms prize package including a cookbook that includes yogurt in its recipes and coupons for free Yo Baby and Oikos Greek Yogurt. This is open to any US residents as the coupons are good nationwide, so even if you don't live in Minnesota, feel free to enter. Winner will be chosen Monday July 25!

Disclosure: Stonyfield Farms sent us a prize package including free product.

Moon Dough Giveaway!

When the package arrived a few weeks ago all four kids were super excited. Moon Dough!
moondough2
The day the package arrived. This is not posed or staged at all. They all four were really into it.

We've never had it or used it before and it was really fun!

It's called "magical molding dough" because it never dries out. It's got a really weird, sandy texture and it a lot different than most of the "doughs" we've played with before.

SpinMaster Toys makes Moon Dough and they are giving TWO readers the Moon Dough Magic Zoo playset.
july2011 045

To enter:

Leave a comment here. That's it.

Contest ends Wednesday, July 20 at 10pm.

Disclosure: Spin Master Toys sent us MoonDough and other toys to try out and play with as well as ones to give away.

Visit my blog: http://www.simplicityinthesuburbs.com/

Lego Kids Fest Ticket Giveaway!!

Lego


Now that May is here, we're even closer to Lego Kids Fest here in Minnesota.

Just a couple weeks away, they'll be here May 20-22 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. {If you are bummed because you don't live in Minnesota, check out their site for other event dates and locations including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio and Connecticut.}

This is not your typical LEGO experience and will be very different than the LEGO exhibits at the Mall of America and the Children's Museum. It's a not to be missed event for any LEGO loving kid!

H is just starting to really get into LEGO's and even received some fun sets for his birthday so we are really looking forward to going in a few weeks.

You may have heard of this event a few weeks back when they were on sale on Groupon. They sold out within hours!

They are still selling regular priced tickets: $20 for adults, $18 for children/seniors and kids 3 and under are FREE.

I'm excited to be able to give TWO tickets away to the event!

Tickets are good for the Sunday, May 22 3pm-8pm session so please only enter if you are available to go that day and time as they can not be exchanged for another session.

There are three ways to enter the giveaway but five entries possible per person, so good luck!

Trivia-
#1: What country are LEGO's orginally from?
#2: What does LEGO mean?
#3: Who is the inventor?


Additional entries-
Like my blog on facebook here. (If you already do, leave a comment here saying you do.)

Subscribe to my blog either via email or follow via google. (You can do this over here and again, if you already do leave a comment here saying you do.)

{Please leave a seperate comment with each entry.}

Contest ends Sunday, May 8 at 8pm.

For additional chances to win, visit my friend Beth's blog, AntiSupermom, where she is also giving away tickets.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and LEGOKidsFest also gave our family complimentary passes to attend the event.

Lego Kids Fest.

550x300px_nation03


Save the date!

Lego Kids Fest is coming to Minneapolis.

Dates & Sessions:


Friday, May 20th
4pm - 9pm

Saturday, May 21st
Session I: 9 am – 2 pm
Session II: 3 pm – 8 pm

Sunday, May 22nd
Session I: 9 am – 2 pm
Session II: 3 pm – 8 pm

Tickets are on sale now and if you grab a copy of the most recent Minnesota Parent you can save a few bucks.

If you have a lego-lover, this is a not to be missed event. There will be activities and events galore at the sessions and you're guaranteed to have a blast.

As it gets closer I'll be giving away a set of tickets but until then check out the event, make some plans with the little ones you know who love Legos and enjoy!!

For full information on Lego Kids Fest visit their website here.

Metropolis Resort Review and Giveaway!

Last week, J, our littles and I took a little getaway over to Eau Claire, WI! 90 minutes from home, just far enough to feel as though we're away but close enough. {For those Leinenkugels fans, the brewery is minutes away and they do daily free tours. Kids welcome too.}

We loved Metropolis Resort. We spent two nights and we were able to see and do everything (and more!)

The rooms were modern and good sized.

The water park was one of the best we've been too. With a smaller splash pad area that leads to a larger pool area for water basketball and climbing. The lazy river is always one of my favorites. And of course, what makes a water park a water park? Slides! And lots of them.

Four little kid tube slides, a body plunge slide, a large tube slide and then the good old twister slide.

Four year old H could have stayed in the pool area the entire stay. He loved every piece of it.
march2011 012


Another perk of Metropolis is the arcade. Bumper cars, go-karts, mini-bowling, a rock wall and all the games their little hearts can desire. Two year old E was definitely on the young side for this but H quickly got busy playing air hockey and bumper cars.

Metropolis Resort offers free breakfast every day and they also have several bars and restaurants on site so there really is no reason to have to leave. Our first night there H and I shared our favorite chicken alfredo pizza at Monkey in the Middle Pizza and if I could go back just to get the pizza, I would. It was that good.

Overall we had a blast. Our kids were wore out, we had fun chasing and running and relaxing at the end of the day. {Also, I took less than 10 pictures. We were that busy having fun!}

We highly recommend it! Especially to local Minnesotans who want to take a little getaway but don't want to drive too far or be away for too long. Thank you Metropolis for a great time!!

I'm happy to have the opportunity to give away a ONE night stay {standard room with 2 queens) and FOUR water park passes. An extra bonus is $10 Monkey in the Middle Pizza credit. {Eat a chicken alfredo pizza for me, will you?}

If you're interested, leave a comment here telling me why your family needs this spring getaway.

For an additional entry, share the contest on facebook and twitter and leave a comment telling me here.


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Metropolis gave our family a complimentary stay in exchange for review/giveaway purposes. However, all opinions expressed here are my own and TRUE. Winner to be chosen by random.org on Sunday April 10 at 8pm.}