Nebraska Hockey Mom

A few days a go the good people at Smarty Pants sent my 9 year old "J"a Nerf N Strike Stampede Blaster. He was to review it...do some surveys, and then he gets to keep the gun AND he gets a $20 gift card to Hasbro Toy Shop . This dang gun was SOOO much fun!!! I had a blast playing with it! I was running around the house shooting ANYTHING that moved! It was great! It is by far the best nerf gun EVER!!! When I was finally done playing with it, I let the kids play with it...but I must say...WOW!!!! When this Nerf Gun comes out, it SHOULD retail around $50. BUY IT!!! It is a BLAST!!!!! Thanks to the people at "Know it all, Smarty Pants" too!!! This was a fantastic review opportunity for ALL of us!!!!

A few weeks ago you may have noticed that Nebraska Hockey Mom got a new look! You're right...you are not seeing things! I won a drawing for a new blog makeover from...I THINK... Simply Stacie . I won that drawing before I started keeping track of my winnings and who I was winning from. Anyway, the drawing was for a new blog makeover and it was a total Godsend. It was PERFECT timing. I had just decided to move my reviews and giveaways over from the Nebraska Fillemans blog, to the Nebraska Hockey Mom blog so that my family wouldn't have to see reviews all the time, when all they really wanted to see what my family! Though...I would love for you to follow and subscribe to both if you feel so inclined!! Anyway....the blog makeover was done by Tonya Riggs at Lucky Girl Design Studio . I knew she must be wonderful with a name like Tonya! :-) And it is even spelled right!!! :-) She did a fantastic job! She was very thorough on figuring out what I wanted. I am SO new to blogging......

If you want to make a little extra on the side, you might want to apply for the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel. They are currently accepting applications! Not everyone qualifies for the program, you may be placed on a waiting list, like I was, then accepted for the program when they need people in your area. What is Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel? Once you are chosen to participate, Nielsen sends you all the information and the scanner FREE. You scan your purchases from your shopping trips, then upload that information to the Nielsen website. This earns you points that you cash in for all kinds fo goodies and gift cards! If you decide you do not want to continue with the program at anytime, you can return the scanner at no charge! There are no obligations. You can work at your own pace and on your own schedule. Go HERE to apply!!

I was recently sent the Balloonatiks: The Collector's Edition children's DVD. The paper that they sent, said I won it...but I don't remember entering the drawing. Either way...it was very interesting to say the least. I am not quite sure what to say. I will start with the low down on it. It consists of 5 ordinary teens who are transformed into rubbery, shape-stretching super hearoes who take on any of the evil-doers taht dare to threaten Hot Air City. Their names are: Flator, Squeeker, Airbrain, Sparky, Bouncer and Leaky. Apparently this is their first animated comedy-adventure, but they have two paperback books out, a series of comics and games and a website. The DVD features the voice talents of Mark Hamill, Debi Derryberry, and Billy West. The theme song was even written by Ray Parker Jr! I can honestly say I had never heard of Balloonatiks until I got it in the mail. I can't say I was missing much...but in my kids defense they did like it...and it IS a children...

Would you like to earn a little extra money? . Right now, Pinecone Research is once again accepting new registrations! You have to hurry, though, they ususally fill up quickly! . I LOVE Pinecone Research!!! They pay $3 for every survey completed and I get my money into my paypal about 24-48 hours after...I believe they also will cut checks. The surveys usually take 10 minutes or less. You don't always qualify, but it is worth it when you do! If you are not signed up to do online surveys with Pinecone Research you may want to sign up now!!

Do you like to travel? Or are you traveling to the Southwest any time soon? My family blog has a lot of locations that are great to visit! On our recent trip to Arizona, we did quite a lot...the Grand Canyon, Bedrock City, Walnut Canyon, Lake Powell and several others! If you would like to see pictures and learn more about those places, go to my family blog at www.nebraskahockeymom.blogspot.com . I am posting a little bit each night...so we haven't gotten to the Lake Powell stuff yet...so keep checking back on that blog if you want travel ideas!!!!

Would you like a FREE Mamaroo??? Don't know what a Mamaroo is??? Head on over to A Mom's Balancing Act Blog for info on it, and how to win it!!!!! Good Luck!!!!

The boys are doing a Hockey Fundraiser! If you like candles....you might like these!!! They are great candles...and it would help defray the enormous costs of hockey!!! Thanks in advance! The due date is July 31st. Jeff just gave me the info....booger! Such a man thing! Anyway...just wanted to let you all know!!! Click anywhere above for the list of candles!!!!

First Things First Kurt and Brenda Warner I was not asked to review this book....but I just read it...and I have to say it was INCREDIBLE! I was VERY impressed by what a quarterback and his wife could write!! These two people are on top of their game, literally!! For those of you who DON'T know....first...crawl out from under your rock....second, Kurt Warner is the former quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. I say former because he SAYS he retired this year...we will see...maybe it will be like a Brett Favre thing. Anyway...his wife Brenda and him, sat down and wrote this book. Not about his career, not about the money they make, not even about football...but about the crazy life they lead as a family, how they cope, etc. They have 7 kids and they talk about how they handle discipline at the different age levels...how they handle couple time...how they handl...just life in general. It is no secret that Kurt Warner is a Christian, which makes this book all the more appealing to me...

Get Ready With Freddie Get Ready with Freddie is a great tool from the Home Safety Council that helps kids and families to be prepared! It is really cute. Freddie is the flashlight...and he is also the narrator. It is a short DVD that helps kids to know the importance of being prepared. As a parent it is important to watch it with your kids, because I actually learned something from the DVD too! Especially in this part of the county, it is important to know when it is "ready to stay" and "ready to go". It is always important to be prepared wherever your "safe zone" might be. For example....lets be honest here...how many of you ACTUALLY have bottled water, flashlights, battery operated radio and canned food in your "safe zone" in your house? My "safe zone" is under the stairs. I have NONE of that stuff! In the old house, I used too...but I never got around to stocking this house with that stuff. It is also important to have s...

Bruder Toys sent me a DVD to view about their toys and how they are made. I have to say I was very impressed. I would have liked to have gotten my hand on one of their toys to feel and see for myself...but this DVD was fascinating. Have you ever watched "How is it made" on cable? I think it is on the Discovery Channel? Anyway...this DVD tells us how Bruder got started, all that good stuff, and how their toys are made. It is very interesting!!! The toys are made in Germany, and made under the most up to date conditions which are continuously inspected during production for quality and functionalism. They comply with the European and US safety standards for toys and have been provided with the CE seal of approval. Their slogan is "Just like the real thing." After seeing everything that they make and how they make things, I would have to say, I agree. They painstakingly make mini versions of the real thing. They are very tedious about basically make a mi...

The next and final installment in the Mom Bag! I will be having some giveaways of products that were in the Mom Bag coming up...so stay tuned!!! I will have other products coming up for giveaway soon too!! Okay! This next item is a Re-Useable Diaper! It is from Bummis.com . I don't know if you ever tried cloth diapers before....I have. The ones I tried were messy, and to me...not worth it...so I moved to Pampers. This cloth diaper is TOTALLy different! If these were available when my 11 year old was born, I think things would have been different. These are fantastic!! Here are some points: -It's re-usable -It's one size (8-35 lbs) -It's soft and silky...truly! -It absorbs a great amount of liquid very quickly (rayon from bamboo absorbs 70% faster than cotton) -It's very easy! -It's very easy to wash! -It's really cute! -It's made in the Tots Bots factory in Glasgow in TOTALLY ethical conditions -It's environmentally friendly! Why would we want to use...

Onward we go with more of the reviews from my Mom's Package! I have to tell you, I have had SUCH fun going through this stuff! It is ALL spectaclular!! I am going to focus on stationary tonight! I don't have any pictures, but I will be sure to give you the links to these wonderful places!! #1 The first one I will focus on is The Celebration Shoppe . The Celebration Shoppe offers custom print invitations and table decor for over 50 collections. They also started creating printables to help the hostess round out the tablescape with coordinating cupcake picks and wrappers, favor tags, placecards, napkin rings and more! #2 Paperspring Paperspring has custom made cards for all of your special moments! Baby announcements, birthday invitations, thank you cards and much more! Paperspring seems to be fantastic! -There is FREE shipping on EVERY order, -fast and easy personalization with instant online previews, -premium quality eco-friendly paper, -best printing practices in the indu...

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC . All opinions are 100% mine. program information So...recently I got to thinking....I am not getting any younger...and when all of the kids are away at school...then what? I have a degree in Business and I also have my RN. But...my RN isn't here in Nebraska, and I haven't been keeping up with continuing education, so I would have to go back to school....clinicals...the whole thing. I REALLY don't want to go into business....and I don't want to have to GO to school when the kids are all in school, I would like to hop right into the workforce again. So...that means I have 3 years before Major goes to school, and so I have 3 years to get my masters in...something. I was looking on line and I have found quite a few places that I can get that masters. USC is just one of many. The USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC offers current educators and aspiring teachers the prestige of earning a Master of Arts in Teaching...

Onward we go with the reviews of things I got in my Mom's package!! Remember...I was not compensated for any of these reviews. The reviews are my own words and my own feelings! The first thing is the Nuby No-Spill Cup! It is brillant! I love it! Major goes through his sippy cups SO fast, I am ALWAYS in need of new ones. I was ecstatic when I received this. He has used it and he loves it...and so does mommy! No spill is right! A little about it: -The spout is made of soft silicone designed to prevent drops and spills. -Has a pressure sensitive Vari-Glo which regulates fluid intake with sucking action of the child. When the child stops sucking...the valve closes...BRILLIANT! -The cup is made from clear, break resistant plastic. -BPA Free All in all, it is a fantastic sippy cup! I would DEFINITELY buy one...and should I need another one, I most definitely WILL buy this same one! Definitely worth the money!! A+++ recommendation!! My kid is HARD on things....and he has yet to hurt t...

More MOM's free stuff I received! Remember.... I received NO compensation for ANY of these reviews! The good people at Mom's just have spoiled me with fun things to try and review should I want to. A couple things I also received in the package that I will not review at this time is a gift certificate to Mabels Labels and LisaLeonard. I have yet to use the gift certificates and I don't want to review them until I see their products. As soon as I receive products though, I will let you know! But...I just wanted you to know how much I was spoiled with this huge box that was sent my way! Such fun!!! They sent me a package of Boogie Wipes ! These are gentle saline wipes for stuffy noses...they are made with natural saline....and dissolve boogies (mucus) caused by colds and/or allergies. They provide an extra soft, hypoallergenic and alcohol free alternative to a dry tissue or regular baby wipe! They didn't send me a lot of info on these wipes, other than what I wrote above....

I was sent a package while I was gone on vacation. It was from Mom Magazine which is presented by Pregnancy and Hot Mom's Club. Over the next few days I will be reviewing the items that were in my "welcome" package. I received absolutely NO compentsation for any of these reviews...infact, I was told I didn't even HAVE to review...but if I wanted to, I could...and I want to! The first thing I received was the MAM Anti-Colic Bottle. My kids have outgrown bottles, so I didn't try this myself...but let me tell you about it. -It has a leak proof cap. -It has a Patented silky soft nipple which feels like mamma's breast. This makes the transition from breast to bottle easier. -It is easy to hold because it is slim and has wide openings at both ends for filling and cleaning. -BPA Free -It is ideal for reducing colic due to its vented base which controls milk flow and balances air pressure. The company seems to be very knowledgable and state of the art. They work hard...

Bassgiraffes Thoughts is having her first bloghop! Spread the word!!!! THE RULES 1. Please follow the hosting blog- bassgiraffe’s Thoughts 2. Please visit as many blogs as possible. 3. If someone visits your blog please visit theirs back, but I know that we don’t like all blogs we visit so don’t feel obligated to follow back if you don’t want. 4. Family friendly blogs only, please. 5. You will need to link to your blog post that has the above blog-hop button. Without a post it makes it harder for people to have a proper place to comment and let you know they stopped by.

Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Daily Sunblock Review #1 of 2 I was given the opportunity to reivew Tidal Labs' Neutrogena UltraSheer Liquid Sunblock. According to Tidal Labs, this is a breakthrough liquid sunblock so lightweight that you won't believe the excellent sun protection it has. It has a water-light texture that spreads easily over the skin and absorbs quickly. It provides a smooth, non-greasy finish that works alone or under makeup. It also contains Helioplex technology for superior broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. I have only used it for a few weeks, but so far, I agree with what the paragraph above says. It is very light weight, and it spreads easily over my face and absorbs very quickly. My foundation still spreads just as well over my skin with or without the sunblock...almost like it was never put on my face in the first place. I did notice that if it says, "Shake well before use", on the bottle, you should do it. The first time I used it, I failed to d...

Love winning great prizes? Then don't forget to enter the Solo Cup Company second annual online photo contest with a grand prize of $5,000 for the best photo featuring Solo products! You'll be able to enter your favorite photos at www.SoloCups4ever.com until August 6th. In addition to the grand prize, two $1,000 runner-up prizes will be awarded at the end of the contest. By entering, you'll also have the chance to win daily and weekly prizes of gift certificates and Solo products- a great way to extend the fun of summer well into the fall!

Book: Shades of Morning Summary: Marnie Wittier has life just where she wants it. Quiet. Peaceful. No drama. A long way away from her past. In the privacy of her home, she fills a box with slips of paper, scribbled with her regrets, sins, and sorrows. But that’s nobody else’s business. Her bookstore/coffee shop patrons, her employees, her friends from church—they all think she’s the very model of compassion and kindness. Then Marnie’s past creeps into her present when her estranged sister dies and makes Marnie guardian of her fifteen-year-old son—a boy Marnie never knew existed. And when Emmit arrives, she discovers he has Down syndrome—and that she’s woefully unprepared to care for him. What’s worse, she has to deal with Taylor Cole, her sister’s attorney, a man Marnie once loved—and abandoned. As Emmit (and Taylor) work their way into her heart, Marnie begins to heal. But when pieces of her dismal past surface again, she must at last face the scripts of paper in her box, all the reg...