About Erika

Erika writes from North East Pennsylvania, near the beautiful Poconos Mountains, where she lives with her husband and five young children. She has a Master of Science in Reading Education from Barry Dominican University. In 2008, after more than fifteen years in the education field, she “retired” to begin a new career as full time mommy and home educator. A world she felt so foreign to but now has embraced as a total lifestyle for her clan.

Giveaway: Arm and Hammer Plus OxiClean Laundry Crystal Burst Power Paks

January 13, 2013 by Erika

I have to be honest ladies, I make my own soap and love it. Mainly because it is economical and I can dictate how much scent I add to my detergent. When this product arrived I thought I was going to be working with what I always did in the past (pre-soap making times) but boy was I wrong. First it came at an excellent time, right around when things were pretty busy with Christmas and activities making it hard to keep up with laundry and not to mention not having time to make my own soap. This product was a life saver! It is so efficient! Making the guess work of laundry easy-peasy! I was able to stay on top of laundry during the holidays without much effort which, as you can imagine, made this mom very happy! I love how clean and soft the clothes came out and that they smelled fresh! I didn’t think the scent was too strong at all and my son who has allergies didn’t have a problem using this product at all. I was pleasantly surprised with this product and I know that I will be purchasing another bag again!

Product Description:
ARM & HAMMER® Plus OxiClean® Crystal Burst Power Paks combine the power of OxiClean® Stain Fighters and ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda in a new crystal form. This formula contains many active stain fighting ingredients that tackle a variety of stains, including dirt, grass, blood and oil. Each ARM & HAMMER® Plus OxiClean® Crystal Burst Power Pak is 99% active and provides 4-in-1 performance:

Unique, Deep Cleaning Micro-Crystals

Removes Tough Stains

Brightens and Whitens

No Measuring Required

Just toss one in the washer and the single use pak dissolves quickly and goes to work within seconds, gently bubbling to provide deep cleaning and stain fighting power to leave your laundry with a great fresh scent. No more mess. No spills. No more heavy, bulky bottles. It’s better in every way.

Want a chance to give this product a try in your home? Here is your chance! Just follow the directions below:

Win it! TWO (2) lucky readers will win one pack of the Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Laundry Crystal Burst Power Paks

REQUIRED: Tell me why you would like to try this product out by leaving a comment.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post. Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on January ____

OPEN TO: USA & Canada

*DISCLAIMER: I was provided with a bag of this product at no cost by Edelman PR firm in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Homemaking / Housekeeping, Organizing, Parenting, Review and Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: arm & hammer, arm and hammer, clothes washing, clothing, crystals, facebook, housekeeping, Laundry, laundry detergent, laundry solutions, Micro Crystal, oxiclean, Oxiclean Laundry, Power Pak, Stain Fighter, washing clothing

Giveaway: Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Plus Scent Laundry Detergent

January 11, 2013 by Erika

We normally make our own soap. Mainly because our second son has atopic Eczema and breaks out in rashes in the middle of the night if we aren’t careful with what comes in contact with his sensitive skin. We tried other “sensitive skin” soaps to no avail so we resorted to making our own “organic” soap at home. When presented with this possibility of reviewing a product I was hesitant but thought, “let me give it a try, we love all other Arm & Hammer products” and I am glad we did. Finally, a soap we can buy at the store that truly does not affect the skin of our Josef! I was so glad because during the busy holiday season I was running around and had limited time and was unable to make my soap in time. Luckily this product arrived in the mail, that very same day! I went ahead and braced myself for an itchy boy but voila – no itch and no rashes! This product truly is for sensitive skin children AND it actually has a nice clean scent (most sensitive skin products smell like nothing, which I hate). I already bought a second bottle to keep around for his clothing. I highly recommend this product for any household with a person, like my son, who cannot handle regular soaps for his clothing and sheets.

Product Description:

At last, the laundry solution that sensitive skin has been waiting for! A groundbreaking detergent designed for sensitive skin that smells great, too. This advanced dye-free laundry detergent is specially formulated to work in both standard washers and today’s energy-conscious High Efficiency (HE) models and it has a fragrance designed and clinically tested to be gentle on sensitive skin. Helps eliminate tough dirt and odors—all with a light, skin-friendly scent that leaves clothes smelling great.

Want a chance to give this product a try in your home? Here is your chance! Just follow the directions below:

Win it! TWO (2) lucky readers will win one bottle of the Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Plus Scent Laundry Detergent

REQUIRED: Tell me why you would like to try this product out by leaving a comment.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post. Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on January ____

OPEN TO: USA & Canada

Filed Under: Eco_Friendly, Giveaways, health, Homemaking / Housekeeping, Parenting, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews, Safety Tagged With: arm & hammer, eczema, housekeeping, Laundry, laundry detergent, sensitive skin, sensitive skin soap, skin conditions, wash, washing

Giveaway: Madagascar Jumpstart

December 13, 2012 by Erika

My kids have been enjoying JumpStart and Math Blaster for over a year now, they love it! I was excited to hear that the creators of these two award-winning educational games had the brilliant idea to launched a new partnership with DreamWorks and included a new interactive Madagascar land inside of JumpStart called the Central Park Zoo. There are so many new things to learn and enjoy with this new game therefore when I asked them if they would be interested in extending our subscription and playing with the crew from Madagascar, they literally jumped up and down!

We are big Madagascar fans around here; we can’t help it the movies are HILARIOUS! {but Afro-Circus has to be the funniest they they have ever done}. As soon as we got the green light to give this new feature of JumpStart, my two kids ages six and seven were willing to do all the extra chores they needed to ensure computer time! {isn’t that awesome?}. Even my smaller children ages four and two love to watch their older sibling play this game where they get a chance to navigate through a virtual world and go into this new Madagascar area where they get to collect coins and stars by playing various games to later trade them in for items like vehicles, clothing, and more for their avatar.

Besides the fact that the kids enjoy their time on JumpStart, I know that they are learning and interacting in a safe online environment while playing educational games that are age-appropriate. My kids really enjoyed the new Madagascar area but they also love the Enchanted Sanctuary where they can hatch and raise their own dragons!

There is a section of the game which is for older children than mine, probably around 3^rd to 5^th graders would be interested in checking out FutureLand and Uncle Milton’s Scienceland which my kids tried but aren’t just quiet ready for alone. It could be done with me sitting next to them though. My kids love that all of the zoo animals and characters from the movie are present and accounted for, especially the hilarious Penguins which get their own underground headquarters! I also love the new European train ride is a great way for children to explore a little geography and other cultures.

Lastly, the Central Park Zoo features fun facts and puzzles about the zoo animals and their natural habitats, so there is even a dash of Science in this wonderful game. And once the online time is up, they have a section where you can print out worksheets that go with what your children experienced! (which I totally love) Really, I can write more but I don’t want to keep you from trying it out for yourselves, I promise you your children will love this game!

Buy it! You can buy a subscription for JumpStart!

Win it! One lucky reader will win any ONE (1) 3 month subscription to JumpStart!

REQUIRED: Visit the JumpStart’s Facebook page and tell me something you liked about the video preview.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 and JumpStart3D on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like JumpStart and 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post. Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on December 27th

OPEN TO: USA & Canada

*DISCLAIMER: I was provided with a JumpStart membership at no cost by JumpStart in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

Filed Under: 3 Boys & A Dog General Posts, Early Years, Gaming, PC, Wii, PS2, DS, Giveaways, Homeschooling, Just for Kids, Review and Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: avatars, Central park zoo, Child Age, DreamWorks, educational, educational games, entertaining, entertainment, Giveaways, jump start, JumpStart, Jumpstart 3d Virtual World, kids ages, Kids Enjoy, Madagascar, online games, online learning, Park Zoo, Play Educational Games, virtual world, world

Giveaway: Catholic Family Gifts

October 9, 2012 by Erika

Our home is definitely not lacking in the Catholic books and resources department but not until I received this beautiful book did I realize we didn’t have much for the little ones. Tons of books for the adults and older kids but not for the small folks of the house who balance us out 4:4. When I opened the box the book came in the kids were drawn to the the vivid pages. The book is larger than a kids book but not too big or fat for my kiddies to lug around the house as they discover something new. The pictures are bright and vivid and the text is easy for children to read and comprehend. It is written with little ones in mind so they have smaller vocabulary but the message isn’t lost. The stories and events found in the Bible are depicted with much care. In addition, you will find useful information on Church History, the lives of the Saints, and the basics of Catholic beliefs and practices. It really has been a very needed book and welcomed as a supplement for our homeschool. Now I can use it to share with the kids and supplement my curriculum with ease.

R41 Giveaway: Catholic Family Gifts

Product Description:

Fascinating stories and captivating illustrations delight children as they discover and explore -the basics of the Catholic Church! Here are:
-The great people and events of the Bible
-The life and message of Jesus
-The history of the early Church
-Lives of the saints
-Fundamental Catholic beliefs and practices
-And more.

This kid-friendly resource is the ideal read-aloud text for kids in kindergarten through second-grade. It’s one that has third- and fourth-graders happily proclaiming, “I can read it myself!”; Unlike most encyclopedias, the format is similar to a storybook, with information presented in a topical style rather than alphabetically.

Whether they’re listening or reading, youngsters will keep an eye out for Icthus, the friendly fish who acts as their guide throughout. Parents, grandparents, and godparents: This is a perfect First Holy Communion, Christmas, or birthday gift. Librarians, catechists, classroom, and homeschool teachers: This is the solid, Catholic -entertaining! -resource you’ve been looking for.

Hardcover, 176 pages.

Buy it!

You can buy this Catholic Encyclopedia today for only $21.95!

Win it! One lucky reader will win any ONE (1) item from this list !

REQUIRED: Visit the Catholic Family Gifts Facebook page and tell me something you liked about the video preview.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like Catholic Family Gifts and 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post.

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on October 26th

OPEN TO: USA

*DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this product for free from Catholic Family Gifts to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own and the gift received does not weigh in on my honest review of this product.*

Filed Under: Giveaways, Homeschooling, Just for Kids, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: bible, books, Catechism, catholic church, Catholic Family, CCC, Children, Church History, education, encyclopedia, family, family life, gifts, history, Homeschooling, kids, lives of saints, Picture Books, read aloud, reading, retelling, Roman Catholic, roman catholic church, Saints, stories, story telling

Giveaway: New Babar – The Complete First Season on DVD

July 31, 2012 by Erika

I am very picky about what my children watch when they are sitting in front of the TV, I tend to like shows that are very sweet and gentle because I want to keep them young as much and as long as possible. We love the sweetness and innocence of Babar and it’s little moralistic stories. I was even able to talk to them about one of the episodes and a bad decision Babar makes when he is trying to please everyone and creates chaos instead. It was a great opportunity for them to analyze the situation and for me to prompt them to think this through and wonder what other options would have been better choices. Then I asked them to think about a situation which they could relate to Babar and each of the older two children were able to share an example. I really love this classic series for our home and I am happy to make the addition to our family’s DVD collection. They are really a perfect fit for this age group!

I remember Babar being aired when I was younger but I was very impressed with the quality of these remastered episodes. If you have never heard of Babar and would like to see how sweet this little show is, you can visit YouTube and see Babar Season One Intro. My children are ages two to seven and they all loved watching the episodes on this First Season DVD.

Season One consists of thirteen digitally restored and remastered episodes as follows:

(1) Babar’s First Step, (2) City Ways, (3) Babar Returns, (4) The City Of Elephants, (5) Babar’s Triumph, (6) Babar’s Choice, (7) Race to the Moon, (8) No Place Like Home, (9) An Elephant’s Best Friend, (10) The Show Must Go On, (11) To Duet or Not to Duet, (12) The Missing Crown Affair, and (13) The Phantom.

Buy it!

You can buy the classic series on Amazon for $14.99!

Win it! One lucky reader will win a copy of the First Season of Babar!

REQUIRED: Visit the Babar Facebook page and tell me something you liked about the video preview.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like Babar and 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post.

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on August 14th

OPEN TO: USA

*DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this product for free from Entertainment One to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own and the gift received does not weigh in on my honest review of this product.*