Staying Connected with the Galaxy SIII

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Since Alex switched to 2nd shift last month, we have all be adjusting to our new schedule and not having daddy home in the evenings for dinner, homework, and bedtimes. For the big kids, it’s not such a big deal, but the little ones really enjoy their daddy time and they do get more during the day however at night, sometimes they just need a quick daddy fix. In order to stay in touch and get that quick fix while daddy is at work, we have been using the Tango App on our Samsung Galaxy SIII phones.

Tango allows you to make free voice and video calls and text message. We have been using it quite a bit to video chat with daddy before bedtime and it has been a great tool.

We have also taken advantage of the video chatting on the Galaxy SIII so daddy is also included in important moments and milestones, like watching Miss Ellie walk across our living room last night.

Here’s a screenshot of a video chat I had earlier with Alexander.

He thinks it’s really cool to sit in one room with one phone and call mommy on the other and be goofy!

Once again, technology wins and helps make my life easier and keep our family connected!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Midwest Savvy Moms program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

Chicago, Media Events / Press Trips

Chicago Toy & Game Fair #ChiTag

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I have been trying to make it to the Chicago Toy & Game Fair for the last 3 years yet something has always gotten in the way. This year, nothing is stopping me! I am loading up the van with the family (minus Zack who will be hunting) and we are heading south to Chicago at hitting up the Chicago Toy & Game Fair the weekend of November 17-18 at Navy Pier!

I am excited to introduce the kids to all kinds of new toys, check out the giant-sized games such as Bananagrams, Perplexus, Doggie Doo (which is a HUGE hit in our house), and more. There will also be an opportunity to me the Moshi Monsters which I know Alexander will be thrilled about! Oh and I can’t forget about the free contests and game tournaments, speed stacking demos, and sooo much more!!

You can get your tickets to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair for adults $10 and Children ages 3-13 $5 children under 3 are FREE! Click here for ticket info and a $2 off coupon.

Here are some great pictures from the 2011 Chicago Toy and Game Fair!

You can check out more awesome pictures from ChiTag 2011 HERE.
Continue reading Chicago Toy & Game Fair #ChiTag →

Totally Random

Oh happy day

Anne Younger Leave a comment

Right now, I am as happy as a kid in a candy store, except this is my virtual world so it would be more like an online candy store!
Right before we moved into our new home, Alex and I had a long talk. For the past 5 years, Alex has worked 3rd shift, Sunday-Thursday nights from 10pm-6am. In those 5 years, we added to more children to the mix which has left me with A LOT of sleepless nights. I have been the sole caretaker of all 4 kids for the last 5 years from 9:30pm to about 3/4pm the following day.
It has been exhausting to say the least.
For 5 years, I have either slept alone or shared the bed with whichever child couldn’t sleep that night or with a baby who just felt the need to nurse around the clock.
Again, I repeat, it has been exhausting.
So, right before the move, we discussed Alex moving to 2nd shift which would mean he works 2pm-10pm. We thought this would work better for all of us because we would both be able to get some sleep and we would get to sleep next to each other, he would have more time to spend with the little ones in prior to going in to work and he would still be able to see the older kids, because lets face it, teenagers rarely go to sleep before 10! We also thought it would be better for our relationship as well because we would be able to spend more time together.
Yes, 2nd shift would mean he wouldn’t be able to attend after school activities and programs and I would be the lone parent attending but he could take PTO or vacation when it came to the really important events the kids would have throughout the year.
Needless to say, after all of the talking and contemplating, he contacted his employer to let them know that he was interested in moving to 2nd shift.
And we’ve been waiting, not so patiently, for an opening to be posted.
Then tonight, when he got to work, he sent me a text….
“They posted second and third shift batchmaker positions!”
Needless to say….I was elated!
He put in his application and gave it to his supervisor.
Now we just have to wait for it to get approved and find out when he will make the move.
I.CANNOT.WAIT.
5 years of 3rd shift is just too much when you have little kids.
I am looking forward to being the wife of a 2nd shift batchmaker!

Live Your Best Life #CloroxLounge

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As a mom, I have always tried to encourage my kids to do their best and be themselves in every aspect of life. I want my kids to try new things, be fearless, and have fun. I want them to play sports and participate in activities just for the experience, not to be competitive. No matter what, I always want my kids to live the best life they can. I admit, when it comes to myself…..I have my faults. I am capable of living a better life, however it is something that I have definitely struggled with over the years. I always put my family first and often leave myself out of the equation. I know that I need to take more time for myself and do more for myself, but it is a constant struggle. I need to commit to living my best life every day, in all aspects of life! I have so many goals that I hope to achieve someday and I would like to accomplish them sooner, rather than later. Right now, the only thing holding me back is that I have 2 little kids that are at home with me and they devour a great deal of my time and I also have 2 older children who steal as much time with me as they can too. Any suggestions for what I can do in the short term?

How would you like to join all of your O, The Oprah Magazine favorites for a day dedicated to you and living your best life? Clorox is sponsoring the O You!, The Oprah Magazine even in Los Angeles and you can enter for a chance to win tickets to the event! All you have to do to enter is play games and enter the sweepstakes at The Clorox Lounge. Every time you play one of the Games for Thrones, you will be entered to win one of 10 Kindle Fires with an ), The Oprah Magazine subscription AND the grand prize of round trip airfare to Los Angeles complete with two nights hotel accommodations, airport transfers and admission to O You! You can enter up to 12 entries a day!

On October 20, 2012, O will take over the Los Angeles Convention Center at L.A. Live, located in downtown Los Angeles. Join all of your O, The Oprah Magazine favorites, including Gayle King, Suze Orman, Martha Beck, Peter Walsh and more, for a truly memorable day of learning, inspiration and fun!

Disclosure: I was compensated for writing this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and The Clorox Lounge blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.

The Big Layaway Giveaway from KMart

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

Tis the season to start procuring those holiday gifts, and if you are like our family, you might shop on a budget and do you best to curb those big expenses. One of my favorite things to do when shoping for friends and family for all those gifts we give at Christmas, it to start early and take advantage of free layaway programs.

The nice thing for us, is that we live a hop, skip, and a jump away from the only KMart store in town and also one of the only retailers left these days that offers layaway YEAR ROUND!

Right now at KMart, you also have the chance to win Kmart’s Big Layaway Giveaway!!

What does that mean?

Simple, if you put your purchases on layaway, and you are automatically entered and have a chance to win your remaining balance paid off!!!

I am planning to start our holiday shopping next weekend and I know that I will definitely be taking advantage of the layaway program and am keeping my fingers crossed that I will win the BIG layaway giveaway so we can make this Christmas, our first in our new home, a truly special one for all of us!