Merry Christmas to You & Yours

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Yes, I totally put that photo in our Christmas cards this year. Ha! That's my little family, being goof balls as always. So why not just show us like we really are.

I am taking a break from blogging, tweeting, and other such for a few days. I want to relax and enjoy Christmas with my family. So I wanted to take the time to tell you all Merry Christmas!

I hope that you enjoy the holidays with your family, and you'll probably see me around next week.

Wednesday Blog Hop- I'm Co-hosting!

Happy Hump Day!!

...and rest assured, because its all down hill from here. In a good way!

;)

<a href="http://www.mommyonlyhastwohands.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll263/Lynhea/Humpdaybloghopbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Its Hump Day!" /></a>

This is another midweek blog/twitter/facebook hop! But only link up just 1 of the three!  And its so incredibly simple but the rules have changed a little.

I have a guest host: PS Mom Reviews

Every week there will be a new guest host!

1. Follow your two hostesses with what they link up on the linky form, which could be twitter, blog or a facebook page.
2. retweet/facebook this hop. You can do this with my tweet button in the top left corner of this post or on the bar at the bottom of this page.

3. Follow who ever follows you! Of course you might have to initiate a follow by following people on the linky, but still its really easy and simple!

That is it!!

If you would like me to follow you, leave a comment and your URL to your blog, twitter or facebook page! 

It would be nice if you displayed the button in your post or blog sidebar. I just ask you only link up Family Friendly Blogs, Twitter or Facebook accounts only. I will make sure its family friendly!! Link up and have fun, after all the week is half way over....

P.S. I have a giveaway linky right under the blog hop linky. Link up your giveaways there. I will delete any linkies to giveaways if they are in the wrong linky form.

Silver Spring Network’s “SmartGrid” Luncheon

A few weeks ago I was invited to a Columbus area bloggers event. Mom Central was organized the event to bring Mom Bloggers together with Silver Spring Networks and AEP Ohio to teach us more about "SmartGrid" Technology. We had a lovely family style lunch at Alana's in Columbus. They specialize in locally sourced foods. Everything was so good, the atmosphere was great, the food was delicious, and I walked away stuffed!



I'm not located in Columbus, OH, but I'm not that far away. And this program is something that will soon be making its way across Ohio. It's starting in the Columbus area, because of their demographics and how well they compare to national demographics needed for this program.

"SmartGrid" Technology, you might be wondering what in the world I'm talking about. Well, I knew very little when I first heard about the event. I did a little research and learned so much more from Silver Spring Networks and AEP Ohio. In short SmartGrid is changing the way we use, pay for, and conserve electricity.

Right now when you use electricity in your home, you are not in direct control of what you're spending. Of course you can do little things like setting the air conditioner a little higher in the summer (or turning it off), making sure lights are off in rooms that aren't occupied, and unplugging electronics that aren't in use. Those things will all help save electricity, which is good for everyone and your pocketbook too.

Electricity prices change constantly, your usage changes from day to day, and you're not billed until the end of the month. So you have no idea from month to month what your bill will be (unless you're on a budget plan or something). There are very few other things that we do this with. You wouldn't walk into a grocery store and check out without knowing your total each week, then get a bill at the end of the month. It doesn't work like that. That said, why do we do this with electricity? When you buy groceries you know what you're spending each time. And that's what AEP Ohio and Silver Spring Networks are trying to change with electricity usage. They are ultimately leaving it in the users hands.



"SmartGrid" is putting an electronic electric meter in your house essentially. You can see the electricity that you are using. "SmartGrid" is a way to address needs in this country. Most of our power plants are old. Terry Flora from AEP Ohio told us that 60% of them will need to be replaced in the next 10 years. That is a huge number. It's going to be a big not only for the companies but also affect us as users. "SmartGrid" is a way for users (like you and me) to monitor our own electricity use each day, in fact you can view it down to 15 minute increments. This will help you to quickly figure out where/when you are using electricity in your house.

Using "SmartGrid" not only helps our world, but by being aware of when/how you are using electricity you can save your family money by changing some of your habits. AEP Ohio in their pilot program has different options for users. There are different ways that you can help conserve electricity and save a few dollars.

What we will really like about "SmartGrid" when it takes off and hits a bigger market is the ability to check your electricity usage in your home, through texts, e-mails, their website, and phones as well. Not only will you be aware in real time, but the power company is also aware. It will help them to better pinpoint power outages and fix them faster. And in the future you'll be able to see how much savings you can get from controlling energy usage in appliances and even electric cars. Things that need charged can be set to charge at "off-peak" hours (like in the middle of the night).

It was wonderful to learn so much about the new "SmartGrid" technology. It's something that I'm exciting about seeing in use. And they are saying this is a thing of the future. This is where utilities are headed. In AEP's *truck* we were able to see first hand the benefits of "SmartGrid". And we also learned some other ways that we can help to conserve electricity. CFL light bulbs are a great place to start. They use less electricity and put out just as much light as regular bulbs. And many home improvement stores will dispose of them, so you don't have to worry about that. In my own experience, though, they last so much longer that it won't be a concern very often about disposal.



I could go on and on. There were so many interesting things that we learned in just a few hours. If you are interested in more information, especially if you live in Ohio, be sure to check out the website www.gridsmartohio.com.



 

 
*Disclosure: I wrote this post after attending an informational luncheon on behalf of Silver Spring Networks and Mom Central Consulting and received a gift bag and gift card as a thank you for taking the time to participate.*

Monday Blog Hops

Only 5 more days to Christmas! I have all my shopping done, the presents are wrapped, and I just need to finish up making goodies to take places. But never fear I still have some fun things in the works for my blog over the Christmas vacation. So, make you sure you check out my giveaways going on now. I will be posting some great ones too. Enjoy!

 

Friday Blog Hops

Presents to wrap. Cookies to bake. Christmas is only a week away. How are you getting ready?

DidiPop Goes to Hawaii CD Review + {Giveaway} (CLOSED)

Inspired by a family trip to Hawaii, children's singer/songwriter Deborah Poppink, aka DidiPop, has released her newest album DidiPop Goes to Hawaii. With songs like "Wowie Gozowie (Goin' to Maui)" this new CD will definitely put you in a tropical mood. And your kids will love dancing along to the fun energetic beat.

Deborah Poppink shines as in children's music with her abilities as a songwriter, performer, and music teacher. She has traveled the world and performed all over. The new CD DidiPop Goes to Hawaii is a great addition to any child's music collection. The track list for DidiPop Goes to Hawaii is Wowie Gazowie, Coconut Candy, Kapalua Bay, Way Up High, Mango, The Hawaiian Alphabet Song, The Keiki Hula, Hop-a-loo, I Like Pigs, Sugar Can Train, Isabella Is, Cowabunga, Going Home. This is such a fun creative way to document a great Hawaiian vacation.



My son and I both enjoyed this CD. It's something that families can enjoy together. The lyrics and music is very catchy. We love to dance along to the songs. I enjoyed learning more about this person called "DidiPop" and I think you might too. Her website is full of information about her music, and the FAQ is definitely fun to learn more about who she is.




Buy It: The DidiPop Goes to Hawaii CD is available at www.didipop.com, iTunes.com and Amazon.

Win It: I have one copy of the DidiPop Goes to Hawaii CD to give to one lucky reader.

To Enter:
Tell me something that you like or found on her website. Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can't find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*"Like" my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I've made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win kid's music CD "DidiPop Goes to Hawaii" from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/255hv7o #giveaway

 
This giveaway is open now through Sunday, December 26th. I will post a winner on Monday, December 27th.

>Open to USA & Canada only!<


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith Levande DVD + {Giveaway} (CLOSED)

Meredith Levande has become well known in the children music industry for her fun, upbeat songs. Meredith Levande made her debut album 5 years ago, Monkey Monkey Music. She recently released her second CD called What are the Odds? And now she has taken her upbeat songs and created a high energy DVD Monkey Monkey Music: The Videos with Meredith Levande.

The Monkey Monkey Music DVD features 15 fun songs from the original Monkey Monkey Music CD by Meredith Levande. She wanted to use this DVD to get kids up and moving. The music is energetic and so easy to dance along. The DVD makes the music come to life in a new way that kids will love.




We have enjoyed Meredith Levande's Monkey Monkey Music CDs and I think the Monkey Monkey Music DVD is just as great. If you like DVDs for your kids that are fun, engaging, and get them up and moving this one is definitely for you.



 
Buy It: The Monkey Monkey Music DVD is available on their website or Amazon.

Win It: I have one copy of Monkey Monkey Music DVD for you too win.

To Enter: Tell me something that you like or found on their website. Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can't find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*"Like" my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I've made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win a Monkey Monkey Music DVD from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/3644j6h #giveaway

 
This giveaway is open now through Sunday, December 26th. I will post a winner on Monday, December 27th.

>Open to USA & Canada only!<


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

Wednesday Blog Hops

Today my goal is to get some new reviews and giveaways posted for you guys. I feel like it's post-holiday letdown around here already. Most of my giveaways closed Monday, because I was hoping to get prizes out before Christmas if possible. Now there's not much to enter. But you can rest easily, I will be busy putting up new posts today with some great giveaways too!

 

Monday 12/13/10 Winners!

I have lots of things closing today, because I'm hoping you'll get the prizes in time for Christmas. I can't guarantee anything, though.

The winner of the Cradle Rock CD is...

#17 - Penny W

The winner of the Progresso Lemon Pepper Panko is...

#5 - Lisa

The winner of the Thomas & Friends Adventure Pack 4-DVD Set is...

#50 - Lisa (lmk360@...)

And the winner of the Magical Unicorn Pillow Pet is...

#124 - Lisa (qtpies7@...)

Congrats to the winners! I guess it was your lucky day if your name is Lisa, with a little help from random.org. :) An e-mail is already on its way to you. You will have 48 hours to respond, or I will draw a new winner. Thanks for entering! 

Be sure to check my blog for the other giveaways going on now.

It’s Santa Claus! CD by Ben Rudnick & Friends Review + {Giveaway} (CLOSED)

Just the thing to put you and your kids in the holiday spirit. Ben Rudnick and Friends finally came out with a holiday CD entitled "It's Santa Claus!" Rudnick makes children's music without giving into the "children's music" genre. He likes to make fun music that children and parents can enjoy together.

For years now people have been asking Ben Rudnick and Friends when they are coming out with a holiday album. It was time, so they developed their own special "It's Santa Claus!" CD. On this album is a Ben Rudnick original "It's Santa Claus!" plus other holiday songs your whole family will recognize, such as "Jingle Bells," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Let It Snow," "Frosty the Snowman," "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Auld Lang Syne," and "Greensleeves."



We enjoyed these fun, fast-paced Christmas songs on the album. It's definitely music that my son can enjoy and dance along to. But I love it as well. I'm happy about the upbeat Christmas songs that we can move with. You'll definitely want this one to add to your kids' stockings this year. You can listen to some samples of this CD at http://benrudnick.com/santa_claus.


 
Buy It: "It's Santa Claus!" by Ben Rudnick and Friends is available for purchase on their website or Amazon.

Win It: I do have one copy of the "It's Santa Claus!" CD for a lucky reader! (And we'll try to get it to you in time for Christmas.

To Enter: Tell me who you'd like to win this one for. Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can't find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*"Like" my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I've made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win "It's Santa Claus!" CD from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/34sk5q5 #giveaway

 
This giveaway is open now through Sunday, December 19th. I will post a winner on Monday, December 20th.

>Open to USA & Canada only!<


 
*Disclosure: I was not paid to post this, but a product was provided to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

Cradle Rock CDs Review + {QUICK! Giveaway} (CLOSED)

Cradle Rock is a great way to bring the music you love to your kids. They created lullabies from a variety of well-known music artists. The songs are meant to be great for kids to enjoy, but it's not the kiddy music you're used to. This is music that parents and children can both enjoy together.

Cradle Rock currently has three albums available. They have Cradle Rock Country with lullaby versions of songs recorded by Johnny Cash. Cradle Rock Pop is lullaby versions of songs recorded by Michael Jackson. And finally there is Cradle Rock Country with lullaby versions of songs recorded by Kenny Chesney. They are also working on new albums. Soon you will be able to get titles such as the Eagles, Black Eyed Peas, US, Carrie Underwood and Pink Floyd.

The songs on the Cradle Rock CDs are all soft and soothing, perfect for babies and young kids. It's done with a keyboard/synthesizer. I enjoyed the music, but to be honest the only album that I really knew many of the songs on were the Johnny Cash one. I did enjoy the songs that I knew, but if you aren't familiar with the other music it's not a good way to first listen to it. There are no words, and if you don't know it you might not hear the melody very well. However, these were perfect for my son to listen to at night to fall asleep. He loves music of all kinds, and this is a fun way to introduce him to some new stuff.


 
Buy It: The Cradle Rock CDs are available on their website or Amazon.com as well.

Win It: One lucky reader will win a Cradle Rock album of their choice- Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, or Kenny Chesney.

To Enter:
Tell me which CD you would choose if you win. Be sure to include your e-mail address, so I can contact you when you win. (If I can't find an e-mail address in your profile or in your comment, I will draw a new number for the winner.)

Extra Entries: If you'd like to, you may earn extra entries for doing each of the following. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. You must do the above (main) entry first, and then you can do these others.

*Post about the giveaway on your blog and leave the link here. (2 entries)
*Subscribe to this blog by RSS feed or feed reader.
*Subscribe to this blog by e-mail.
*Become a Google Friend Connect Follower (or you already are). (2 entries)
*Grab my button and post if on your blog. (2 entries)
*"Like" my fan page on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Be my friend on Facebook. (2 entries)
*Follow me with Networked Blogs (2 entries)
*Enter my other giveaways, then come back here and let me know which ones you entered. (Each good for an extra entry, so you could get as many extra entries as giveaways you entered.)
*Follow me on Twitter.
*Post about this giveaway on Twitter and leave the link here. You may do this once a day until the giveaway ends. I've made it easy, just Cut & Paste:

Enter to win a Cradle Rock CD from @psmomreviews – http://tinyurl.com/2a23hw9 #giveaway

 
This giveaway is open now through Sunday, December 12th. I will post a winner on Monday, December 13th.

>Open to USA & Canada only!<


 
*Disclosure: This post was written for Family Review Network & Cradle Rock who provided the complimentary products to review and giveaway in exchange for my honest opinions.*

Friday Blog Hops

Have you had a good week? I hope so. I've had a busy one. And I'm finding myself making my to-do list longer and longer. I'm sure I'll get to everything eventually.

My son decided he needed a to-do list for himself this morning. His includes things like get dressed, eat breakfast, get the dog food, play UNO with Mom later, and some other things. Too cute! At least he has some things to do and also look forward to today.

What's been on your to-do list that you're hoping to accomplish today?