About Tamera

I'm a happily married mom of five: one boy and four girls. They range in age from eight to seven weeks. I'm a student in elementary education and am about two years from graduating! I love to read, make crafts of all kinds, and do artsy things (including making pretty foods)!

Giveaway: Colortime Crafts and Markers

May 19, 2012 By Tamera 36 Comments

My kids are very much little artists (as my walls can attest to), so I was excited to let them try out this canvas bag to color!

About Colortime (from their website):

Hi – We’re Colortime Crafts and Markers™. Many of you know us from our days at the Cotton Warehouse on Long Island in the early 90′s. Our Warehouse was a gathering spot for Wearable Art creativity. In addition to offering garment blanks and trimmings, our classroom hosted Colortime Crafts and Markers™, which we developed for birthday parties, scouts, and camps.

Our customers were always asking if they could take some Colortime Crafts and Markers™ with them when they were visiting. We realized we had a wonderfully creative and positive wearable art concept that children and adults can do and enjoy anywhere. Our customers kept coming back and telling us how easy, clean and fun it was to create Colortime Crafts™.

The rest is history. Since 1990 over 2 million children and adults throughout the country have enjoyed Colortime Crafts And Markers ™ and proudly display their keepsakes. So make your next event one that will be seen and talked about for a long time. Explore our website or give us a call to find out more about our programs.

Giveaway: Colortime Crafts and Markers

The coupon expires on August 25, 2012.
The Free Shipping: Free ground shipping on orders over $60. In the continental US. Only for retail, web-based orders, placed on our website. Not to be combined with any other offers and discounts.

To get the free shipping, use code FRSH11W.

The giveaway: Colortime is doing a giveaway via our Facebook page. It is a weekly fan giveaway. Here are the instructions:
Each week Colortime Crafts and Markers will randomly draw 3 lucky FANS who will receive a special craft package, which includes a Colortime color-your-own “Recycle Tote Bag” and three special permanent Colortime FABRIC MARKERS. All you have to do to be eligible is to “like” and become a fan of Colortime Crafts and Markers on Facebook.
The winners’ Facebook name will be posted each Monday on the Colortime Crafts and Markers Facebook page. We will send you a message on Facebook informing you that you won. Look for it, and if your name is a winner, you can also send us an email message to info@colortime.com with your full name and address and in either case we will ship your prize within 2 weeks.
Rules:

1) You must be a fan of Colortime Crafts and Markers Facebook page.

2) Once you win a prize, you are not eligible for additional prizes for this promotion for 12 months after the prize has been awarded.

3) Prizes not claimed within 2 weeks will be forfeited.

My Thoughts

My kiddos absolutely LOVED this! They took turns using the fabric markers on the Recycle Tote and had a blast! The picture is of my almost 5 year old! My three year old preferred drawing on her own canvas bag (I had some small ones from a craft store) and the fabric markers worked great on it too! Even my toddler was able to take the marker lids off and color on the bag! It was so much fun! I think I’ll have to use them as crafts/goody bags for future birthday parties! My kids even used them to draw on paper and that worked fine too! Now if only my kiddos didn’t use them as regular markers and draw on their clothes…

REQUIRED COMMENT: Tell me what item(s) you like best from their website!

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 Colortime Crafts and Markers 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 June 2nd

OPEN TO: USA Only

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent items by Colortime Crafts and Markers to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: Crafts & Games, Crafts and Hobbies, Eco_Friendly, Giveaways, Just for Kids, Living and Lifestyles, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: Bandanas, Bibs, Colortime, crafts, Ecobags, Fabric Markers, Headwraps, parties, recycling, scouts, Totes, Tshirts

Review: Mollymocassins.com

May 12, 2012 By Tamera Leave a Comment

I love reading websites, so checking out one was okay with me!

About Mollymocassins.com (from their website)

Our purpose is really very simple: to encourage and inspire young children to discover the wonder and amusement of the “every day.” By combining new technologies with old-fashioned wisdom, we hope to capture their imagination and build their curiosity, enabling them to notice and connect with the world surrounding them through “adventure”stories, activities and games. Our lead adventurer is Molly Moccasins, whose positive attitude and clever curiosity takes her on many adventures, sometimes right in her own backyard, and never too far from her everyday reality.

Adding story-related activities and games enhances enthusiasm not only to learn while children play, but also to exercise their innate sense of wonderment. The versatility of mollymoccasins.com allows young adventurers to easily navigate between and within any of the stories, games or activities, while the experience of the site encourages them to create their own stories and games in their everyday lives.

mollymoccasins.com is a unique digital book series and online experience where young children can explore, with or without adult guidance, and learn that every day brings the possibility of a new adventure.

My Thoughts

I like that the stories are a series, and that they play on their own, no having to push the next page button. The words highlight on the bottom, so if they are a fast reader, they can follow along. You can choose to turn off the sound or the highlighted words. It has some nice extras, such as printables, picture puzzles (that you can adjust the level on), connect the numbers, splash coloring, story painting and activity pages. You can buy each book for 99 cents! Then you can download them as apps, ebooks and audio books! Pretty cool! They aren’t really short stories either! You can give story gifts to someone else and every book bought gets a book donated to a child in need. Fantastic!

Sign up!

You can buy one story at a time for 99 cents each (with all of its games) or you can go ALL ACCESS for $29.99 here.

Filed Under: Homeschooling, Just for Kids, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews, Teachable Moments Tagged With: apps, Connect the dots, dress up, ebooks, giving, Matching, Molly Mocassins, music, Online Books, online games

Review: Reading Kingdom website

May 5, 2012 By Tamera Leave a Comment

I was excited to try out a new site that would help my kiddos read better and Reading Kingdom sounded like a great one to try!

About the Reading Kingdom (from their website)

The Reading Kingdom is a fun, easy-to-use online program that teaches children 4-10 years old how to read and write to a third grade level.

Most kids can do this online reading program on their own after just a few lessons
It’s fun and children enjoy doing it
It’s created by Dr. Marion Blank, one of the world’s top experts in literacy
It works with any other curriculum a child may be using
It’s the only program to offer customized online reading instruction for each child
And, it’s the only system that teaches all 6 skills needed for reading & writing success!

Our commitment to online reading for kids is based on our patented six skills method for reading success. These skills include sequencing, motor skills, phonics (phonemic awareness), meaning, grammar and reading comprehension. Our online reading for kids program is ideal for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, special education, homeschool, and English as a second language. The Reading Kingdom online reading for kids program is an ideal supplement to existing curricula, as well an excellent independent curriculum. Our online reading for kids program is also a great educational alternative to other entertainment options. In fact, most children refer to the Reading Kingdom as a reading game, since it is so fun to play. We’re proud that our reading programs for kids are thought of as reading games (especially by kids!).In addition to our online reading for kids program, we also offer a number of additional, low-cost materials and books that complement our online reading program. Please visit The Reading Kingdom Store for reading products and discount opportunities for our award-winning online reading program for kids.

My Thoughts

I had my four and a half year old daughter try this out, to see how well it worked for the lower end of the age range. First they test your kiddo to see where they are at (with no help from you whatsoever). My daughter did pretty well with them, they stopped pretty soon after she started getting bored. When she did get a little bored, she was able to pause it until she was ready to start back up (you have 15 minutes to pause). My three-year-old wanted to play too! I was proud of how well my daughter has done. Then they start in on reading lessons that are like games. Pretty cool as a curriculum, but I know my little girl was more interested in getting to the games! I think this will help her out a ton and I’m looking forward to getting my older kiddo on, to see how she does!

Buy it!

You can go here to sign up!

Filed Under: Homeschooling, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews, Teachable Moments Tagged With: 4-10 years old, cognition, curriculum, early childhood education, education, First grade, grammar, Homeschool, kindergarten, kingdom, learning, management of dyslexia, marion blank, meaning, Motor skills, online reading, online reading programs, phonemic awareness, phonics, preschool, reading, reading comprehension, Reading game, reading games, reading instruction, Reading Kingdom, reading programs, Reading success, reading writing, Second grade, Sequencing, teach child, Third grade, website

Giveaway: Greased Lightning Super Strength Cleaner

April 28, 2012 By Tamera

My kids are a mess (probably because there are five of them), so any cleaner that helps clean up the mess is a FAVORITE!

About Greased Lightning (from their website)

It works fast on practically everything in and around the house offering superior cleaning and stain-fighting in a flash. The super strength formula tackles tough set in stains, but is versatile enough to be used for everyday, not so tough task cleaning. Inside and out, Greased Lightning makes your entire home sparkle. Greased Lightning cleans in a flash!

Wipes our built-up grease and grime. Use on grates and grill covers.
Tackles anything in your garage: tools, engines, even grease mowers.
Cuts through dirt, mud, and clay to help keep outdoor play equipment clean.
Eliminates hard-to-treat wine, juice, and food stains from fabric.
Pre-treats ink, grass, blood and make-up stains. A couple of squirts zap laundry clean.

Before

My Thoughts

This is fantastic! I used it on my ceramic stovetop and it worked great! It was smelly, so I was glad that I had the vent and fans on! Phew! It only takes a little, which is awesome! The directions suggest gloves and safety glasses, so I thought it’d be better suited to a very well-vented area or outside!

After

Buy it!

You can find where it’s available here. It’s available at most major retailers!

Win it!

One lucky 3 Boys and a Dog reader will win their own Greased Lightning Super Strength Cleaner!

REQUIRED COMMENT: Tell me your biggest mess!

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 Greased Lightning 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 May 12th

OPEN TO: USA Only

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent items by Greased Lightning to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: Giveaways, Homemaking / Housekeeping, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: Built-up grease, Clean grates and grill covers, Clean outdoor equipment, Clean tools, Cleans fast, Greased Lightning, Hard-to-treat stains from fabric, Pre-treat fabric, Super Strength, Tough Set-in stains

Review: Crest Glamorous White Toothpaste and Intensive Professional Effects Whitestrips

April 26, 2012 By Tamera Leave a Comment

I’ve always thought that my teeth weren’t perfectly white like the commercials, so I was intrigued enough to try these out!

About Crest 3D White (from the website)

A 3D White smile is a smile that turns heads. It’s magnetic, alluring, and most importantly, attainable.

The 3D White Difference

New Crest 3D White is a collection of products that work together to give you a brighter smile—plus the health benefits you expect from Crest and Oral-B. Each product in the 3D White collection works uniquely to give you a stand out smile.

Whiten

The six different Crest 3D White Whitestrips teeth whitening systems such as Crest 3D White 2-Hour Express Whitestrips use the same enamel-safe ingredient dentists use to give you whiter teeth by getting at the stain build-up below the tooth’s surface. The level of this type of whitening varies per product, so you can decide which is best for your 3D White smile.

Clean

The Crest 3D White line of toothpastes such as 3D White Advanced Vivid Enamel Renewal Toothpaste give you whiter teeth by removing surface stains, while the Oral-B 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush removes plaque buildup on a daily basis, helping to maintain the beautiful smile that 3D White Whitestrips can give you.

Protect

A 3D White smile doesn’t end with brushing alone. When you add Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse to your brushing routine, you’re actually protecting your teeth against future stains, helping to ensure your 3D White smile stays that way.

Radiant Results

Incorporate the entire 3D White collection into your daily routine for a standout smile all year long. Every time you flash your brilliant 3D White smile, you’ll stand out. Heads will turn, and you’ll leave an unforgettable impression.
Crest and Oral-B offer the transformative power of a 3D White smile to people everywhere, without the confusion or trade-offs of other whitening products available today, and with the health benefits you expect from Crest and Oral-B.

My Thoughts

So, first off, they have this cool thing on the website here where you can whiten your teeth. It’s super cool! I love the toothpaste! My teeth are getting whiter! I tried the whitestrips out and it made my teeth sore for the day, but they were fine the next day! I even have an awesome gag reflex, so I was worried about the strips, but I made it the whole two hours! Phew! I think this is a great way to have whiter teeth!