Last night we made Christmas ornaments using a kit from Creativity for Kids Faber-Castell.  The kit is the Holiday Memories Ornament Frames.

I have had the opportunity to play with professionally review =} quite a few of the Creativity for Kids Faber-Castell products.  And I have LOVED them ALL!  As with all of the kits I have received the frame kit came with EVERYTHING need to make the craft project.  Just open the box and have fun.  I love how my boys can use their imagination.  There is no set way that the craft has to be completed.  They can truly be CREATIVE!

The Holiday Memories Ornament Frames kit includes…

• 4 assorted wooden ornament frames w/attached wire
• assorted beads and gemstones
• 6 colors of glitter
• craft glue
• paint brush
• ribbon
• “designed by” stickers

Here are the boys and I finished masterpieces…

Creativity for Kids Faber-Castell is also offering a giveaway during Countdown to Christmas @ My Three Wisemans.  One lucky reader will win ONE craft kit of their choice from www.creativityforkids.com.

• Just head on over there now, take a look around and then come back here and tell me which kit you would like to have (you can change your mind if you win).

For extra entries:

*Mention this giveaway on Twitter linking back to my blog (@my3wisemans).
**Mention this giveaway on Facebook linking back to my blog.
***Blog about this contest linking back to my blog.
****Subscribe to my blog feed.  If you already are just mention it in the comments.

Just leave a separate comment for each one you do…

The fine print:
Two winners will be picked and contacted via e-mail on Friday December 18th.
Please follow the rules. If not I will delete the comment. Sorry!
US mailing addresses only, please. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you leave a valid e-mail address so I can reach you if you win.
I will give the winner until December 21th to reply back to me, if I don’t hear from you I will choose a new winner.

With 24 days left until Christmas the boys and I read A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe Illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe.  This was a great story with beautiful pictures.

The book is written in flowing rhyme, and tells about an older tree that knows he has grown too big for any family to pick for their Christmas tree.  This makes him very sad.  The forest animals are all very thankful for what this tree gives to them year around and one night while he is sleeping they all decorate him and make him into a beautiful Christmas tree.

This is a wonderful story about giving, friendship and love.  A Wish to be a Christmas Tree would make a great addition to your families Christmas library.

A huge thank-you to Sleeping Bear Press for sending us A Wish to be a Christmas Tree!  They also sent two copies for me to give to you!!! Below are a few ways to get your name in the mix for your chance to win a copy of the book.

• Just leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite Christmas book was as a child.

For extra entries:

*Mention this giveaway on Twitter linking back to my blog (@my3wisemans).
**Mention this giveaway on Facebook linking back to my blog.
***Blog about this contest linking back to my blog.
****Subscribe to my blog feed.  If you already are just mention it in the comments.

Just leave a separate comment for each one you do…

The fine print:
Two winners will be picked and contacted via e-mail on Friday December 11th.
Please follow the rules. If not I will delete the comment. Sorry!
US mailing addresses only, please. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you leave a valid e-mail address so I can reach you if you win.
I will give the winner until December 14th to reply back to me, if I don’t hear from you I will choose a new winner.

Since I have been going to my “new” (I have been there for close to two years now, so I guess it isn’t new anymore) church, I have been listening to more Praise and Worship music.  So, when I was asked to review the new CD A More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz, I jumped at the offer!

The title song is BEAUTIFUL and has such an important message for girls of this generation.  Jonny Diaz sings about how all of the make -up and fancy clothes are not what make us beautiful.  Here is a video and words of the song; A More Beautiful You…

JONNY DIAZ
MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU
LYRICS

LITTLE GIRL FOURTEEN FLIPPING THROUGH A MAGAZINE
SAYS SHE WANTS TO LOOK THAT WAY
BUT HER HAIR ISN’T STRAIGHT HER BODY ISN’T FAKE
AND SHE’S ALWAYS FELT OVERWEIGHT

WELL LITTLE GIRL FOURTEEN I WISH THAT YOU COULD SEE
THAT BEAUTY IS WITHIN YOUR HEART
AND YOU WERE MADE WITH SUCH CARE YOUR SKIN YOUR BODY AND YOUR HAIR
ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY THEY ARE

THERE COULD NEVER BE A MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU
DON’T BUY THE LIES DISGUISES AND HOOPS THEY MAKE YOU JUMP THROUGH
YOU WERE MADE TO FILL A PURPOSE THAT ONLY YOU COULD DO
SO THERE COULD NEVER BE A MORE BEAUTIFUL YOU

LITTLE GIRL TWENTY-ONE THE THINGS THAT YOU’VE ALREADY DONE
ANYTHING TO GET AHEAD
AND YOU SAY YOU’VE GOT A MAN BUT HE’S GOT ANOTHER PLAN
ONLY WANTS WHAT YOU WILL DO INSTEAD

WELL LITTLE GIRL TWENTY-ONE YOU NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD COME
YOU STARVE YOURSELF TO PLAY THE PART
BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THERE’S A MAN WHOSE LOVE IS TRUE
AND HE’LL TREAT YOU LIKE THE JEWEL YOU ARE

SO TURN AROUND YOU’RE NOT TOO FAR
TO BACK AWAY BE WHO YOU ARE
TO CHANGE YOUR PATH GO ANOTHER WAY
IT’S NOT TOO LATE YOU CAN BE SAVED
IF YOU FEEL DEPRESSED WITH PAST REGRETS
THE SHAMEFUL NIGHTS HOPE TO FORGETS
CAN DISAPPEAR THEY CAN ALL BE WASHED AWAY
BY THE ONE WHO’S STRONG CAN RIGHT YOUR WRONGS
CAN RID YOUR FEARS DRY ALL YOUR TEARS
AND CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THIS BIG WORLD
HE WILL TAKE YOUR DARK DISTORTED VIEW
AND WITH HIS LIGHT HE WILL SHOW YOU TRUTH
AND AGAIN YOU’LL SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF A LITTLE GIRL

~~~**~~~**~~~*~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~

The rest of the songs on the CD are just as wonderful.  I love that you can hear the acoustic guitar in so many of the songs and Jonny Diaz outstanding voice.  All of the songs are so uplifting!  I would highly recommend this CD.

I have FIVE copies of A More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz to giveaway to my readers.  Just leave me a comment telling me what you think of the song and/or video of A More Beautiful You.  I will pick 5 winners on the Friday the 23^rd of October.

For extra entries:

*Mention this giveaway on Twitter linking back to my blog (@my3wisemans)
**Mention this giveaway on Facebook linking back to my blog
***Blog about this contest linking back to my blog and www.jonnydiaz.com
****Subscribe to my blog feed.  If you already are just mention it in the comments.

Just leave a separate comment for each one you do…

The fine print:
A winner will be picked and contacted via e-mail on Friday October 23rd.
Please follow the rules. If not I will delete the comment. Sorry!
US mailing addresses only, please. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you leave a valid e-mail address so I can reach you if you win.
I will give the winner until October 27th to reply back to me, if I don’t hear from you I will choose a new winner.

A few weeks ago I met the author of the new cookbook Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms,  Jane Doiron, on Facebook.  She sent me a copy of her book to do a review of on my blog.  What a great cookbook!!!

This is a must have for ANY busy mom out there.  As you know I am a stay at home mom.  I often joke that I am a stay at home mom that rarely stays home…lol!  And the last few months I have found myself even busier, with doctor visits and volunteering at all three of the boys schools.  I find it hard to find the time to make home cooked meals for my family.  But since I have read and used Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms I have to agree with what the back of the book reads…”The new approach to meal planning that will simplify your life!”

This cookbook contains 140 mouth watering recipes that Jane Doiron has broken down into easy steps to be able to make ahead by freezing, pre-assembling or quick reheating.  If the recipe calls for freezing Jane has also included directions for thawing and reheating.  I love the ‘helpful tips’ that are located in the front of the book.  The recipes range from Soups and Salads to Appetizers and Main Dishes to Side Dishes and Desserts and Breakfast and Brunch.

I couldn’t wait to try out a few of the recipes and the first one that I tried was the Chicken Parmesan found on page 121.  It was scrumptious and the whole family LOVE it!!!  I served it with some frozen hot bread that I heated in the oven and had a simple but healthy home cooked meal in no time.

With these ‘Make-Ahead’ recipes you can cook when you have time and then enjoy home cooked meals even when you have homework to help with, football practice, a soccer game, and cupcakes to bake for the PTO bake sale all in one night.

Zooni has some of the most fun baby items I have ever seen.  All of the items are adorable, from the hats, mittens and socks.  Zooni hat and mitten products are made from custom-made yarns and lined with soft fleece or jersey material.

I was lucky enough to have a pair of their new ConFEETi 3D animal socks (the Teddy Bear) sent to me to review.   I was hoping that they would be big enough to fit Andrew but they weren’t.  But no fear, my adorable nephew Jack was able to use them.  I love the cute 3D ears, feet and tails that stick out on each sock.  And I really love that the tail and back feet were also 3D on the heel of the sock…so cute.  The ConFEETi 3D animal socks are very soft and have rubberstamped soles so little ones learning to walk won’t slip.  I also think the packaging for the gift set is too cute.   The gift sets are sold in a group of three (boys or girls) in a circus theater box with animal cut outs.   You can also purchase individual pairs of the socks.

For more information about ConFEETi 3D animal socks or other adorable Zooni products go to www.zooniwear.com.

Thank you to…

for the opportunity to do this review.

I believe that music can be a wonderful way for children to learn.  That is why I love the CD that was sent to us from Songs for Saplings.  We were sent Questions with Answers Vol. 1: God and Creation. What a great way to teach your children about God. The songs in the CD are catchy and use repetition to reinforce Biblical truths.  The songs ask and answer questions about God, such as: Who is God? Who made God? Has God ever had a Beginning?  Will God ever die?  The answers are all straight from scripture.  My boys loved dancing and singing along with the upbeat songs from the CD.  I even found myself singing with them!

Songs for Saplings offer four great CD’s.  Songs for Saplings: ABCs, Questions with Answers Vol. 1: God and Creation, Questions with Answers Vol. 2: The Fall and Salvation, and Questions with Answers Vol. 3: Christ and His Work.

I really like what they said on their website about reaching children; “It is our prayer that this music will continue to work around the world so that children can continue to hear these great truths from scripture. That they can learn about their God, how he cares for them, and that they can learn to love him more.”

I find out more about Songs for Saplings and how you can buy CD’s for your children check out their website…www.songsforsaplings.com

Awhile back I was contacted and asked to do a review for GlassesUSA. GlassesUSA is an international company with two offices: one in New Jersey which is their headquarters and one in Israel.  Their eyeglasses are produced at both facilities in order to provide customers with top quality lenses in the hottest frames available!

I was thrilled to say “YES!”   This was a true blessing as Josh was in desperate need of a new pair of eyeglasses.  He was wearing his safety glasses from work that he had pulled the ’safety’ guards off of the sides.

The ordering processes couldn’t be simpler for ordering your prescription glasses.   The web site is easy to navigate and find what you are looking for.  There are options to help narrow your choices like Material, Gender, Lens Type and Price Range.

GlassesUSA offers a HUGE selection of eyeglass frames.  The hardest part of the ordering process is picking a pair out of the large selection!  Josh choose the Alexander Black frames.  He loves them.  They were made with his prescription that I sent GlassesUSA from our eye doctor.  The frames are Semi Rimless and Josh is very happy with how sturdy they are and since he has a very strong prescription he can’t believe how light weight the glasses are.  The prices are also very affordable.

I was happy to hear about how much GlassesUSA care about giving to society.  GlassesUSA believes that everyone should have access to vision care and that “Seeing properly shouldn’t be a luxury - it should be a necessity.”  Most optical stores restock returned glasses.  All of the returned eyeglasses to GlassesUSA are donated to various organizations around the USA, who redistribute them to people all over the world who can’t afford vision care!

Josh in his new glasses

I hope that you will take the time to look around at the GlassesUSA website.  Josh and I couldn’t be happier with the glasses from GlassesUSA.  I am pleased to announce that if you enter this code…Mommy5 you will get 5% off your final order! The code never expires!!!

Thank-you to Hillary for contacting me and working with me to post this review.   

~~Contest closed~~

Caleb has been fighting eczema for quite awhile now, with little to NO relief!  We have tired COUNTLESS products.  Most all of them burn and irritate his skin upon applying them.  As a case of  “the cure is worse than the disease”.   With some products we have seen some improvement at first but then the eczema get worse again.  Some have been very expensive and do nothing at all to help.

So, I was thrilled when I saw the e-mail requesting for me to do a review for SkinFree products.

A Little About SkinFree Skincare:

*SkinFree products are 100% natural and were specifically formulated by pharmacist Julie Hilton.  She has over 30 years experience in pharmacy, compounding and natural skin care formulation.  She developed the products for people with extremely sensitive skin, allergies, or those with disease states which cause the skin to break down.

*SkinFree products have received a Toxicity Rating of  ‘0′ from the Environmental Working Group.  (Did you know that there is a national class action suit filed against MAJOR baby skincare manufactures for including toxic ingredients in there products?)  SkinFree products are safe to use on newborns to geriatrics.

* SkinFree soap has received the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance.

*Most lotions that we buy only contain 5% oil and the other 95% is water, additives, preservatives, and fragrance.  Super Moisture Body Balm is 100% rich butters and natural oils.  While looking at the ingredients of a national brand lotion the first one listed is WATER.  The back of the Super Moisture Body Balm from SkinFree is Olive Seed Oil.   I also read ALCOHOL and ISOPROPYL as ingredients.  NO WONDER CALEB’S SKIN WOULD BURN!!!  There is NO alcohol in the Body Balm.

Where to buy SkinFree skincare products:

Currently specific CVS/pharmacy stores on the east coast and in 2500 Walgreens stores and www.walgreens.com.

You can find the full line at www.skinfree.net and a broad selection at www.durgstore.com and www.cvs.com.

My Thoughts on the products that we used:

Niaouli Butter Stick — This has been great for my rough heels.  My feet feel great after I use it.

Lite Moisture for Blemish Prone Skin — LOVE IT!  I talk about it a bit in the video.

Watch the video below for my thoughts on the other products we used.

WIN A $30.00 Gift Certificte from SkinFree!!!

This one is simple…

Go to www.skinfree.net take a look around then come back and tell me about one item you would like to try, by leaving a comment on this post.

For extra entries:*Mention this giveaway on Twitter linking back to my blog (@my3wisemans)

**Mention this giveaway on Facebook linking back to my blog

***Blog about this contest linking back to my blog and skinfree.net

****Subscribe to my blog feed.  If you already are just mention it in the comments.

Just leave a separate comment for each one you do…

That gives you an opportunity for 5 different entries. GOOD LUCK!!!

CONTEST CLOSED!!! I used Random.org to choice a winner, #8 was chose…Courtney is the lucky winner!

It is that time of year again, time for spring cleaning.  I’m not sure about you, but my least favorite spring cleaning job is windows!  And we all know that cleaning the inside windows isn’t half as bad as cleaning the outside.  Well, Windex has come up with an all-in-one glass cleaning tool, to help make the dreaded outside window washing chore a whole lot easier; Windex All-In-One!

The Windex All-In-One makes cleaning outside windows a breeze with three easy steps.

SPRAY window and cleaning pad with garden hose.
WIPE window with cleaning pad.
RINSE window with garden hose. No need to hand dry.

Yes, it is that simple!!!  Don’t believe me; check out the video at http://www.windex.com/all-in-one.asp.

Still don’t believe me?  Well, how about if I give one of my blog readers a Windex All-In-One kit to try out for themselves?

That’s right one of you will be the lucky winner of a Windex All-In-One starter kit that includes a poll that gives you an Eleven foot reach and a cleaning pad that cleans up to 20 windows.

1) Just go to the comment section of this post and tell me; what is your favorite part about the Windex All-In-One?

2)      Mention this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook and get an extra entry.

3)      Blog about this contest for an extra entry.

So, there you have it three chances to win!

CONTEST CLOSED! I picked a winner with random.org and #5 is the winner! Congrats to Lori!

Now how would you like a chance to win a 4-pack of Plaster Pets? (one of each pet) Well, one of you will be the lucky winner!

• Just click here to check out www.creativityforkids.com.
• Come back to my blog and in your comment tell me which one of the pets is your favorite!
• I will pick one lucky winner next Friday the 22nd after 8:00am.