Anti-Bullying Videos for Preschoolers and Their Parents

June 18, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

Anti-Bullying

I was approached by the creator of an adorable but serious animated video created with Go!Animate. The anti-bullying video is perfect for preschool kids and since it’s free to watch and supports a message that I feel strongly about I’m happy to help promote it! I’m also grateful for the introduction to Go!Animate which I’ve quickly learned to love!

ChildrenPreventBullying, creator of Jesse the Giraffe Anti-Bullying Song is a parent and Early Childhood Consultant who has worked in partnership with parents and teachers of young children for over 20 years. She has developed the video below along with a few other short videos to help parents, teachers teach young children anti-bullying and anger management foundation skills using songs and practical strategies.

Jesse the Giraffe Anti-Bullying Song

Jesse the Giraffe Anti-Bullying Song. by childrenpreventbullying on GoAnimate

A friend of mine recently shared her boys’ Anti-Bullying video. When I knew I was going to write this post I immediately thought of them and asked her if could share it as well. Can you believe they just graduated from preschool? Enjoy!

Everyone’s Different (Anti-Bullying Video)

Have you seen any great anti-bullying videos? Comment here with the link and I’ll gladly feature it in the post! Maybe you will be inspired by these and go create your own! Please share if you do!!

Filed Under: Anti Bullying Tagged With: anti-bullying, bully prevention, Go!Animate, Jesse the Giraffe Anti-Bullying Song, stop bullying

Every 3 weeks a child is killed from a TV tip-over. #Win a SANUS TV Wall Mount

June 17, 2013 by ericabuteau 10 Comments

This is a product compensated post.

TV Safety Initiative

SANUS and Safe Kids Worldwide Launch TV Safety Initiative

Is Your TV Secure?

For many Americans, a flat panel TV is a great way to enjoy family time and entertainment. However, most parents are unaware of the safety risks that flat panel TVs pose for kids. Due to increasing size and new ultra thin designs, today’s flat panel TVs can easily tip over when bumped or pulled, toppling off of furniture and causing injury or even death.

SANUS & Safe Kids Worldwide

Bringing this risk to the forefront, SANUS, the leading designer and manufacturer of flat panel TV wall mounts, has partnered with Safe Kids Worldwide. By educating consumers on the risk of unsecured flat panel TV’s, SANUS and Safe Kids Worldwide offer safe solutions for families across the nation by reducing TV tip-over related injuries and fatalities.

The Statistics

A 2011 US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report on flat panel TV safety revealed:

A child is killed every three weeks from an unsecured TV
Every 45 minutes a child visits an emergency room due to a TV tip-over related injury
Between 2000 and 2011, 215 fatalities have resulted from TV tip-over
An estimated 17,000 people each year, the majority of which are children, are treated for injuries from TV tip-overs
Reported cases have increased almost 25% from 2006 to 2010, and over the last 10 years, injuries have increased by 31%

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sanus VuePoint F180 Large Full-Motion TV Wall Mount

The Sanus Vuepoint F180 Full-Motion TV Wall Mount provides versatility to your TV allowing you to adjust its viewing angle according to your convenience. The Sanus flat panel TV wall mount is perfect for any room and allows maximum extension. It is easy to set up and it can be controlled without any tools. Its universal mounting pattern allows the stand to fit virtually any 32″60″ flat-panel TV. The tilt swivel TV wall mount can extend up to 14 inches from the wall and is suitable for most 30 inch TVs. It is a The universal TV wall mount that can support up to 130 lbs and achieve up to 11 degrees of tilt just by the touch of your finger.

Sanus Vuepoint F180 Full-Motion TV Wall Mount:

Supports up to 130 lbs
11 degrees of tilt with the touch of a finger
Universal mounting pattern to fit virtually any 32″60″ flat-panel TV
Post-installation adjustments ensure the TV is level
In-arm cable management channel conceals cables the length of the mount
Product shipping weight in pounds:51.9
Product dimensions in inches (L*W*H):30.51*2.9*19.69

Watch for my upcoming Review Post! SANUS is sending me a wall mount for my TV too!

Filed Under: Giveaways, Parenting Tagged With: flat screen tv safety, giveaways, Safe Kids Worldwide, sanus giveaway, sanus wall mount, TV Safety Initiative, win a tv wall mount

Father’s Day Recipes from Morning to Night

June 14, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

Here are some of my favorite Father’s Day Recipes from around the web! Start the day off with specialty pancakes or waffles, enjoy a delicious sandiwch or taco salad for lunch, dip into a cool bleu cheese appetizer, spark up the grill for some delicious kebabs and finish off with a super easy Oreo ice cream cake!

Enjoy! And, Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads out there! Just click on the picture to get the recipes from the original source (including some from me of course!).

Breakfast

Carrot Cake Waffles by Willow Bird Baking

Oreo Cookie Pancakes by Minimalist Baker

Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Waffles by Celebrations.com

Lunch

Corned Beef Melts with Sweet and Sour Onions and Wilted Cabbage by Rachel Ray

Appetizers

Smoky Blue Cheese Dip by Eclectically Vintage

Barbecue Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp With Basil Stuffing by Pork Be Inspired

Dinner

My Own Chicken and Beef Kabobs

My Own Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Marinara Chicken

Dessert

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes

OREO & Fudge Ice Cream Cake by Kraft

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: best taco salad recipe, carrot cake waffles, corned beef sandwich, father's day BBQ, father's day dessert, father's day recipes, fathers day breakfast, fathers day brunch, oreo desserts, reeses cupcakes, reeses pancakes, shish kebabs

Free Profitable Blogging for Beginners Online Class!

June 13, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

Sign Up For The Free 4-Week Online Blogging for Beginners Class! Sign up Now!

Blogelina is once again offering her very popular 4-week blogging class — for FREE! Blogging for beginners online class will be held in June 2013. Learn how to make money blogging!

If you sign up for this free class, here’s what you’ll get:

A class manual – packed with 60 pages of information that will help take the overwhelming out of starting your own blog.
4 weekly online class sessions where you can ask your questions and get personalized feedback.
A FREE year of web hosting.
Blueprints, step-by-step tutorials, networking with other bloggers – Everything you need to grow your blog.
Save yourself a lot of time, trouble, and money – learn from my own experiences what to do and not to do.

Go here to sign up for the FREE 4-week blogging class.

This post contains affiliate links.

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: blogelina classes, blogging class, free blogging classes, learn to blog, make money blogging, monetize your blog

Eighth Grade Graduation, Hello High School!

June 12, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined.” Harry David Thoreau. Printed on the front cover of the Promotion Night program.

Graduation Preview

Last night my oldest child was promoted to High School! Oh boy! Where has the time really gone? I’m so proud of him for making it this far though this year has been one of the toughest in all of the 14 that I’ve been a mother. Junior High school, drama, dating, teenagers. Yikes! It’s also been one of the most rewarding as my 14 year old started his first job and, although I haven’t seen his final report card, his last progress report was at the Honors level!

He’s kicking it up about ten notches, knowing that he’s done with the Junior High stuff and about to enter High School where every grade counts toward achieving his ultimate goal; admission into the United States Air Force Academy. He has a plan, in fact, we spent hours planning out the classes he will take over the next four years to ensure his best chance for admission. He hopes to play football. He has a job. He’s done some community service and he will keep that up. He’s on the right path and I pray every day that he stays on it!!

The Graduate

Graduation Gift

Along with the items in the photo above, I included a card with a note explaining each item. Just something small to encourage, inspire and congratulate!

Pool Float

To Keep you afloat when you feel like you are sinking!

Photo Album

A place to store the memories you will create in High School!

Beach Towel

Remember to pick yourself up and wipe yourself off and just keep on going!

Sparklers

Never loose your sparkle!

Bubbles

Because there is always a little child in all of us!

Chocolate

Because, duh!

Filed Under: Parenting, Personal Tagged With: 8th grade graduation, eight grade promotion, graduation gift, parenting high schoolers

Traveling With Teens, Tweens and Electronics #Sponsored

June 10, 2013 by ericabuteau 4 Comments

This is a product compensated post. I received one 12-foot car charger from Fuse plus you to review in exchange for this post.

Traveling With Teens

Traveling with teens, tweens and even elementary school children in the car can sometimes be a daunting task. The kids fight. They are bored. There’s nothing to do. Jimmy is touching Johnny’s shoulder. And the list goes on and on. Sometimes it feels like its easier to just stay home! But, with a little planning and possibly breaking a few electronics rules that 1500 mile road trip to the Florida vacation of your dreams is not impossible!

Timing

Plan to make the trip when your kids are least restless. You could drive all night while they sleep of course but then you may be too tired to enjoy the trip! Getting up extra early and heading out when the kids can go back to sleep in the backseat may be a good option. Or, maybe they are more relaxed after dinner? Whatever works for you!

Food

Pack a small cooler with drinks and snacks such as vegetables with individual dipping cups filled with ranch dressing, a bag of cubed watermelon, light sandwiches. Have a trash bag ready and some wetnaps to keep small messes at bay.

Games

Believe it or not, even teenagers will enjoy games of “I Spy” and “See it First”. They are never too old to be on the lookout for the new things that they may seen along your route. Rewards could include small prizes or even stops at a special scenic or fun place along the way. Don’t forget to sing!

Sports

If its going to be a long trip, plan in some time to make a few stops to get your blood flowing and the kids eneregy stores somewhat drained! Love fishing? Include the poles and plan out a stop for some fishing. Remember, if you go out of state the kids can probably still fish without a license while you take a break from driving. Pack the fish in your cooler if you keep them or just catch and release for sport and photo opps. Maybe include a ball and glove for a game of catch at the park or rollerblades for a quick look around a new town.

Music

Create a playlist for everyone to enjoy on your phone with auxillary port or on a CD. Include some of everyone’s favorite songs and you can all sing along! I can’t get away with leading the A,B,C’s and Mary Had a Little Lamb anymore! And, yes, I’ve tried! Haha

Electronics

When all else fails, be prepared. I have one child with a kindle, one with a tablet and another with an iPhone. Plus, my husband and I each have our iPhone and Android based phones in the front seat. We also have a portable DVD player. I have two outlets for car chargers and a USB port but with five devices needing to be charged this still might not seem like enough. Keeping those electronics charged up means video games, music and movies are at their fingertips and I can concentrate on finding the exit I need! But how?

12 Ft Charger

We chose the Fuse heavy duty, high output Micro USB car charger. The coil cord actually reaches in the back seat (up to 12 feet!) so the kids can charge and play at the same time. There is also a USB port in the front that allows a second regular USB charger connection to be plugged in at the same time! It was a great choice and its already charged the Kindle and the tablet a few times a piece! They also have an Apple charger but I use the micro USB because we have two apple products and three USB products. We plug the apple chargers into one of the USB ports and every one is happy!

About Fuse

Fuse is a wholly owned company located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Fuse manufacturers cellular and tablet accessories as well as a variety of audio products. The brand was established in 2004 and spans through a variety of product categories including cellphone cases, screen protectors, chargers, utility cables, headphones and ear buds, Bluetooth audio and beyond. Most notably, is their officially licensed line of Harley-Davidson, Realtree and Mossy Oak cellular and electronic accessories.

Fuse is all about convergence — connecting you 24/7 to the electronics you use every day. Their products are designed to, protect, stylize and enhance your technology, add convenience and make your life easier. Fuse products are manufactured with the astute research and design and intense product testing to deliver only the best to protect and enhance your electronic device.

You can find Fuse on their Blog , Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Filed Under: Parenting, Product Reviews Tagged With: best car chargers, car rides with kids, cell phone accessories, fuse charger, iphone charger car, kindle charger car, tablet charger car, traveling with kids, traveling with tweens

Raising the Roof One Tee at a Time With Teespring #Crowdfunding

June 5, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

I was asked to review Teespring and I thought the best way to do that was to launch a campaign of my own. As many of you know, our home is a sort of our consellation prize bought with the little money we received from renter’s insurance when we had our house fire. We have slowly been making improvements when we can but our porch roof can’t wait much longer! After investing $9,000 in replacement windows and having the contractor dissappear and eventually file bankruptcy we’ve lost the opportunity to save on heating costs and the other advantages of those replacement windows. Those savings were our repair fund!

I’m not asking for a handout here, just offering you a cute t-shirt that I’ve designed and in return, we’ll use every penny of the profits for our front porch. What’s the catch? If we don’t meet our goal, the shirts don’t print and neither of us is out a dime! The tshirts are available in sizes small through 3xl. Each shirt costs $19.50 and you can reserve yours here! Let’s see what we can do! Once the campaign closes I will write an additional post with my review of Teespring and an update on how we did as well as show you what’s happening with our new porch roof if we meet our goal!

Don’t forget to SHARE this post wherever you can!!

Teespring

Crowdfunding

Teespring is a crowdfunding platform for groups, causes and communities to design and sell custom apparel. Teespring allows you to turn your t-shirt concept into reality with no upfront cost. Once you make your design your buyers fund creation of yous shirts. You get the right number of shirts in the right sizes shipped directly to your buyers. That means no risk and no hassle. Over a thousand people have already used Teespring to raise hudreds of thousands of dollars for great causees or just to pick up some extra cash.

Designing

Success Stories

Here are some cool examples of successful campaigns for inspiration:

A couple sold this “Love makes a family shirt” to raise money to adopt!
This one included children’s and toddler’s shirts to raise money for an 11-year-old to sing in a children’s choir in Hungary:
This one raised over 85k for Boston relief!

Filed Under: Fundraiser, Product Reviews Tagged With: best teespring campaigns, crowdfunding with teespring, raising money for new roof, teepsring campaing, teespring review

Please Share Your Thoughts on Step Parenting

June 3, 2013 by ericabuteau 2 Comments

Step Parenting

If you are a step parent or your children have a step parent I’d greatly appreciate a few moments of your time! The survey below is anonymous unless you choose to include your name and email for a followup interview or want your website or social media sites featured in promotions for the book I’m writing. The book’s tentative title is “Stepping Up to Parenting” and is intended to be an unbiased guide to step parenting or “dealing” with a new step parent in your child(ren)s life.

There will not be bashing but I do recognize that getting along isn’t always an option even when its ideal. I want this book to be for anyone who needs advice whether they are a step parent, biological parent or just someone who needs to know how to give love and support to one of those! I’m a step mother and the mother of two children that have a step mother figure in their lives. Neither position is always easy but both offers rewarding benefits, especially when you are armed with information and solid advice!

If you are an “expert” on this situation such as a psychologist, pediatrician, guardian ad litem, CASA volunteer, etc. please contact me to arrange for an interview via email or phone.

Step Parenting Survey

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Thank you for your time!

Filed Under: Book, Parenting Tagged With: advice for stepparents, married with stepkids, step mother, step parenting, step parenting advice, step parenting books, stepparent roles, stepparent survey, thoughts on stepparents

Congratulations Kidecals and ABCmouse Giveaway Winners!

June 1, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

Kidecals

Congratulations to the winner of the Kidecals giveaway, Sarah C! Sarah, you’ll be receiving an email from Kidecals with details on how to redeem your prize soon! I’ve also sent an email to notify you of your selection as the winner! Sarah will be receiving one “Everyday Set” of labels valued at $21!

If you are not the winner you can still save 15% off your order and all orders ship free! Use code: awesomelabels

ABCmouse

Congratulations to the winner of the ABCmouse Giveaway, Nicole of Bless Their Hearts Mom!! Nicole, you’ll be receiving an email from me with details on how to redeem your prize today! Nicole will be receiving a one year subscription to ABCmouse valued at $80!

If you aren’t the winner this time, please be sure to check out ABCmouse for a free 30 day trial!

Congratulations to you both and thank you to everyone that has entered and shared the giveaways! Watch for a bag of beauty products to be given away next week!

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: abcmouse free trial, abcmouse giveaway, kidecals discount code, kidecals giveaway

Good Hands for the Good Life with Allstate #GoodLife

May 30, 2013 by ericabuteau Leave a Comment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Allstate for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are You in Good Hands?

Have you seen the new Allstate commercial? “Good Hands for the Good Life” It's so refreshing and filled with hope and optimism! They are really doing something different. They aren't just telling you that they can save you money or answer the phone when you have an accident. No, they are dedicating an entire website to talking about the good things in life. They are celebrating with you when bad things don't happen (like a car accident) and forgiving you when they do (accident forgiveness).

Allstate Good Life has a new voice filled with optimism and celebration and is fighting off fear! Doubt and fear are the enemy! They keep you from doing the things that you want to do like taking the top off the Jeep and hitting the highway, moving to a new city, accepting a new job. Life is full of risk but the triumphs only come when we face those risks head on and celebrate our accomplishments! Turning these moments into Good Life Moments is what life is all about! And, if you are an Allstate’s customer, they want to help!

Good Life Moments

I recently wrote and entire reflection piece on how the hardest things in life can be that one turning point where everything that comes after is good and you wouldn't have had the chance to experience those things. Like my house fire. It changed my career, it gave me new perspective on life and family and it ultimately gave us the chance to create our own home from literally nothing. I didn't see it then, but that was a Good Life Moment!

Yesterday I fell into some bad luck. When I went to open my garage door as it reached fully open I heard a noise and saw the pully hanging down. There is no way to close it now. I was at first a bit discouraged but pleased because it was stuck open and that meant my Jeep wasn't stuck inside! Today when the temps were already close to 80 degrees and I was driving in the sun with my top down and doors off? You got it! Another Good Life Moment!

Last night when the chicken was ready I went to open the oven door and then handle broke and the face plate of the oven opened by the inside of the door stayed closed! Luckily with the help of my husband we were able to turn things around quickly, fix the door and then enjoyed some of the best oven baked barbeque chicken we've ever had. Good Life Moment!

I, like Allstate, always try my best to celebrate the good in things rather then to dwell on the negative. You know, the glass is half full and be grateful that you have anything in that glass at all kind of attitude? Yep, its easier to live with that mindset. I have lots of tough days with three kids, three jobs and two out of the three kids having learning and behavioral problems. I have to live in the present and I have to focus on the bright side!

Your Story

I'd love to hear about your Good Life Moments. Please share in the comments a time when you felt hopeless or just down and what changed it. That turning point is a Good Life Moment! Or maybe things just went right when you weren't expecting them to! Another Good Life Moment!