Winner! Big G Curvy Straws Prize Pack

Congratulations to post #6, Karin who said, "I follow thru networked blogs. #2"  Thanks for following Karin!  Enjoy your prize!

Winner! Libby's Single Serve Fruit Cups Giveaway

Congratulations to post #8, ToyStory who said that "pears" was their favorite fruit.  Thanks to all who entered, I really appreciate you all reading and following my blog!

Kids Say The Darndest Things

I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with my little guy Joey today.  It's always nice to go out with just one kid.  I feel like I actually get to enjoy some precious moments that are usually too rushed or chaotic to notice.  First we went to a birthday party for one of Joey's classmates.  Then we headed over to Kohl's so I could use my 30% off coupon to stock up on K-Cups.  (FYI: if you catch them on sale with a coupon, it comes out to just over $8.50 a box... in case you're wondering!)  Shopping with just one child is like a dream come true for me. (Second only to shopping alone, obviously!)  But really, it's actually fun to go with one.  I try to involve them in a lot of the decisions, asking their opinions on colors, styles, etc.  Keeping them interested is so much easier than trying to distract them from the fact that we are still in the store.  So that's what I did with Joey at Kohl's tonight.

First we shopped a bit in the ladies department.  I tried on a few pieces, wasn't happy with most, except for a shirt that Joey told me was a "beautiful color," so that one I bought.  Next, we headed on over to the girl's department to grab a new bathing suit for Katelyn.  That kid outgrows everything in about 2 weeks, I swear.

Finally we were ready to go collect our stash of K-cups, so we walked past the boy's department, where I was convinced to buy Joey a new baseball shirt.  If a $5 shirt keeps him happy, fine.  At least it's 30% off.  Trekking on, I walked hurriedly past the candles, picture frames, and intimates.  Joey was walking sort of alongside me, stopping to look at this and that along the way.  Before I could tell him not to, he was grabbing onto a great big flower-print padded bra, at which he ever-so-innocently (and loudly) said, "This is pretty for you, Mom.  You could put your boobs in it."

I told you, I love shopping with my kids.  It's like shopping theater.  I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

Big G Curvy Straws Review & Giveaway

Did you know that simply drinking the leftover milk from cereal bowls may help kids work towards fulfilling their body’s daily dairy, calcium, and Vitamin D needs? I sure didn't, but I'll be sure to encourage my kids to drink their milk all the way to the bottom of the bowl before declaring breakfast over.  And what better way to slurp down to the bottom of the bowl than with the new Curvy Straws, available in-pack of specially marked boxes of Big G cereal! With these collectable, connectable Curvy Straws, children of all ages can enjoy mixing and matching to build bigger, colorful straws all while helping them work towards stronger bones and muscles through increased calcium intake!

My kids were super excited to receive a special prize pack from MyBlogSpark and General Mills.  They especially love the Curvy Straws and Glow cups!  And our prize pack came with one of our favorite cereals: Cinnamon Toast Crunch!  Here's a little info about how to get your own Curvy Straws:

• Be sure to collect all six different colorful straws featuring beloved Big G cereal characters
• Participating Big G cereals include Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms®(16 oz.), Reese’s® Puffs (18 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Trix®(14.8 oz) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz)
• Made with more whole grain than any other ingredient, Big G cereal, combined with a ½ cup of milk, can help provide a great start to your family’s day.

Whether you use one or connect them all, the fun with Big G Curvy Straws doesn’t have to stop when you reach the end of the bowl. Simply grab another serving of ice cold milk, and slurp away! Need more cereal to go with your milk? Make sure you head on over to this link to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off of the purchase of (2) boxes of participating Big G cereal today!

MyBlogSpark and General Mills is offering my readers a chance to win their very own prize pack including the following:

• 1 box of a participating Big G cereal
• 1 Curvy Straw
• 1 ‘spilt’ milk bowl
• 2 glow cups
• 2 tangle toys

To win, leave a comment on this post telling me what your family's favorite General Mills Cereal is.  My standard giveaway rules apply and are posted below:

• Become a follower of Thou Shall Not Whine (3 extra entries!) *Just click the little "follow" button on the right-hand sidebar, then leave me 3 additional comments stating, "follower #1, follower #2, etc."
• Follow my blog on Facebook (2 extra entries) *click on the networked blog button on the right-hand sidebar, then leave 2 additional comments stating that you did!*
• Grab my button and display it on your blog (2 extra entries!)
• Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back to it. (2 extra entries!)
• Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post. (leave an additional comment here to count as your entry!)

This giveaway starts now and will conclude on  Monday, April 16th, 2012. Winner will be selected via Random.org and contacted via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided at no cost to me through MyBlogSpark and General Mills.

Libby's Single Serve Fruit Cups Review & Giveaway

My kids love fruit.  They usually eat fruit with every meal, and would probably eat just fruit for every meal if I let them.  It's not always easy to have my fridge stocked with fresh fruit each and every day, so I often have some canned and packaged fruit available in my pantry.  That way, I can just reach in the pantry, grab a fruit cup, and toss it in the lunch bag.

Recently I was asked to review a new product available from Libby's.  They now sell single-serve fruit cups in a variety of delicious flavors.  These cups are generous portions for both my little fruit lovers and for me!  No refrigeration necessary, these are super convenient to keep on hand for busy mornings when I don't have time to wash, slice, and package a serving of fruit for each of my kids to enjoy with their lunch at school.  I've even tossed one into my lunch bag now and then when I'm pressed for time.

What good would this review be without a giveaway?  Not good at all.  The folks over at Libby's have a prize pack for one of my lucky readers including 3 Single Serve Fruit Cups of each of the 4 flavors, for a total of 12 cups.

To win, leave a comment on this post telling me what your family's favorite fruit is. My standard giveaway rules apply and are posted below:

My standard giveaway rules apply, and are posted below:

• Become a follower of Thou Shall Not Whine (3 extra entries!) *Just click the little "follow" button on the right-hand sidebar, then leave me 3 additional comments stating, "follower #1, follower #2, etc."
• Follow my blog on Facebook (2 extra entries) *click on the networked blog button on the right-hand sidebar, then leave 2 additional comments stating that you did!*
• Grab my button and display it on your blog (2 extra entries!)
• Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back to it. (2 extra entries!)
• Leave a comment on a non-giveaway post. (leave an additional comment here to count as your entry!)

This giveaway starts now and will conclude on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012. Winner will be selected via Random.org and contacted via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure:  I received products at no cost to me from the company mentioned above for the purpose of this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.