Christmas Break!

Well, Christmas is in 3 days! Only 3 days! I can't believe it's here! I know Jaden is super excited, but I think I'm just as excited! LOL We are going out of town for the holiday weekend so there won't be any blogging until at least Monday. I sincerely hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families! I'm going to leave you all with some Christmas laughs!

Merry Christmas Everyone, from my family to yours!

Big Hugs,

Tammy

Create a realistic photo of catching Santa in your home! ICaughtSanta Review/Giveaway

Tomoson.com

 ICaughtSanta is a fun way to provide solid proof that Santa visited your house on Christmas eve! In 3 east steps,  anyone can create their own photo showing Santa in their own living room!

First, you take a picture of wherever you want to "catch" Santa. I personally chose our living room since that's where our Christmas tree is. Then you upload the picture to the website. Then you choose your favorite Santa from the options and insert it on your photo! All that's left to do is add a fun holiday border if you want one, and then email, download, or print your picture. Or you can choose to send your Santa photo over to a store near you for in-store pick up! 1 photo is $9.99 to create! As a bonus for my readers, you can get 25% off your photo by using the code SAVE25 at checkout! What a fun family memory and a great way to keep the magic of  Christmas alive for your children!

As a bonus, 5 lucky readers can win their own free Santa picture! Simply enter to win yours on the Rafflecopter below! Good luck!

Enter to win a Peak Auto Electronic Back-Up System!

Are you still looking for a Christmas gift for a friend or family member and you're drawing a blank? How about a Peak Auto Electronic Back-Up System with color LCD screen? Better yet, how about winning one so you don't have to buy it? LOL Head on over to Raising My 5 Boys and fill out the Rafflecopter! You just may win it! (If I don't that is! LOL) Let them know Lucky Emerald sent ya!

Weekend fun!

I love to do activities with my son! I am always looking for things around town or close to home that are fairly cheap or free for us to do. I remember when I was younger, my mom was very creative in finding activities for my sister and I to do, and it definitely made for some good memories and happy times in my childhood. These are the things I'm trying to give my son. I want him to look back fondly on his childhood. I feel that all the things my mom introduced me to made me a more well-rounded adult.

Which brings me to this weekend! This morning, Jaden went to Storytime at the Library. They are doing their Thanksgiving activities and I excited to see what craft project he will bring home to hang on the refrigerator! It may sound silly to some people but I look at all the finger paintings, coloring pages, and construction paper crafts and see a little budding artist! Then at some point today, I thought we would make construction paper chains with fall colors! Yesterday, Jaden and I did a project together that was really fun and also taught Jaden to be giving and caring during the holidays. We wrote letters of encouragement to soldiers in Christmas cards!  We are definitely a family who supports the military since my husband served in the US Navy and Jesse's brother is currently serving our country in the US Navy as well! So when I found a service that accepts and the distributes the cards, I decided it would be a great project for Jaden and I! If you are interested doing this project with your child(ren), here is the info you need.

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are teaming up for the fifth year to distribute greeting cards to members of the US Armed Forces and veterans during the 2011 holiday season. Here's how you can help!

1. Make or purchase the cards you'd like to send. Up to 15 for individuals, up to 50 for a school/classroom project. Consider making your cards non-denominational to take into account the varying beliefs of service men and women. You do not need to write "Any Soldier" on the outside of the card envelope.
2. Bundle your cards or place them in a large envelope.
3. Mail the cards to:   Holiday Mail for Heroes   PO Box 5456,   Capitol Heights, MD   20791-5456
4. Postmark your cards by December 10. If your cards are not postmarked by the date, they will not be delivered to soldiers.

Jaden and I wrote a short thank you in each card, included a patriotic sticker, and Jaden signed his own name to make it as personal as possible. I went to the post office and got a large flat rate envelope, put our bundle of 15 cards in it, and paid the flat-rate of $4.95 to send it.

It was a fun but also educational project! And we did it together! Now I need to plan out our next project!

Until next time,

Tammy