Category: giveaways

Review and Giveaway

If you enjoy checking these reviews of “hot off the presses” items, this movie will sound a bit familiar.

When this first hit the screens we had the opportunity to give out tickets to the screening, but now we have the actual DVD to giveaway!

Same great story, just the in-home version. We absolutely love finding family friendly films that we can enjoy together and re-enjoy together, so I was thrilled to add this to our movie collection.

This story line appealed to each member of our family and stayed clean enough to earn a “G” rating. Love that!

The triumphant underdog is a story that simply doesn’t get old. Seeing people come together as a team despite the odds stacked against them is an inspiring conversation starter and an encouragement on a personal level as well. The Mighty Macs does that and will easily draw your family together to cheer on this team of determined athletes.

About the Movie:

It’s 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time … and she’s about to embark on an adventure for the ages. A new era is dawning in the country and in collegiate athletics, where a national champion will be crowned for the first time in women’s basketball.

In the lead up to this historical season, major universities are preparing their game plans to win that first title. Meanwhile a tiny all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia has a more modest goal: find a coach before the season begins. Providentially, Cathy Rush is about to find Immaculata College.

Recently married, Cathy is dealing with the aftermath of a truncated playing career. While cultural norms would have her staying at home, she’s willing to do the hard work necessary to help her new team reach their goals—or perhaps she’s just trying to achieve her unfulfilled dreams through them.

From the beginning, her challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams Immaculata will face on the court. Cathy learns there is no gymnasium on campus, she receives little support from the school’s Mother Superior, and the school is in dire financial straits. To top it off, she may not even have enough players to field a team!

While it appears the Macs don’t have a prayer, all hope is not lost. With the help of Sister Sunday—a spunky assistant coach—and the support of a booster club of elderly nuns, Coach Rush creates a new game plan that just might bring the team—and the school—together.

Will this pioneer buck cultural norms and spur her rag-tag team to unexpected heights? Or will her hard-driving ways create a wedge between the coach and everyone around her? One thing’s for certain: there’s never been anyone like Cathy Rush at Immaculata!

Of course, with the DVD you get some bonus features that were interesting as well including a clip from ESPN about the movie. I definitely would recommend this film for a family movie night soon.
If you would like to enter into the giveaway to win a free copy of this movie, please leave a comment on this post with an email so I can reach you if your name is drawn. You are welcome to a second entry as well by simply sharing about this giveaway somewhere else (facebook,  twitter, etc.) and returning here to leave a second comment.
The giveaway will wrap up on Sunday night, March 4th in the evening.
Giveaway closed. Winner is commenter #4 — Melissa
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review and giveaway — Cooper and Me and the Military

Many kids struggle with the separation of a parent or other family member due to active military duty. Monique and Alexa Peters brought Cooper and his friend Trooper to the rescue in wading through this difficult time.
The story helps open up conversation for kids who might be hurting and gives them some ideas to put their worries to work. The story is cute, but my favorite part comes after the story. The authors broaden the application to include dealing with any type of separation. Talking points can give you the springboard you need to encourage your child in this area. The end of the book also includes some questions to recap the story and the lessons taught through it.
Kids will also find a fill in the blank letter they can use to begin their own letter of thanks to service men or women along with a website to look for more information on encouraging our troops.
**Please note this copy for review DOES NOT have the FINAL cover, but the winner giveaway copy will.
Their summary of the book:

Meet Trooper, Cooper’s best friend, and learn how he was adopted by Gracie and Joe and their parents, who both serve in the military. Find out how this family stays close despite being separated.
A must-read during patriotic holidays and for anyone with friends and family in the military, this book helps children know, that even when loved ones aren’t with us, they still love us and think about us. This book, along with all the other books in the Cooper and  Me series, includes these interactive features:
• A Special Memory Creation
• Life Lesson
• Connections
• Learning Together
In addition to a fun adventure, each Cooper and Me story teaches an important Life Lesson and features interactive materials at the back of the book to drive the message home.  Included are activities that help children name and process their own feelings about what they’ve read.
Not just do I get to share a review of this helpful book, I also get to give a copy away to one of my readers. If you would like to enter to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment with this post. Make sure to leave an email that I can reach you at to let you know if you have won! The drawing will go through next Friday night, February 17. You can earn additional entries by sharing about this giveaway on facebook or other online networks and then come back and leave another comment saying you did so.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Veritas Press free gift card

Veritas Press makes some absolutely amazing stuff and here is an opportunity to get it at a discount.

Every person that signs up with them (email only required), will receive a $5 gift card to use toward their curriculum purchase. Then, share the link they give you with your friends and you will get an additional $5 for each person that signs up through your link. So, this is a way to help us both out! Pleas sign up using the link below and we will both be on our way to some $$ off our next Veritas Press purchase.

http://www.VeritasPress.com/launchrock.html?lrRef=59l8t

Thank you, and enjoy!

Giveaway winner

We have a winner!

Random.org chose #8:

Giant Sis

We love sports movies in our family! It’s so hard to find GOOD family movies – but this one looks like it’s just that!

Congratulations, Giant Sis! Be sure to get back to me within the next two days with your info so I can pass it along and get that movie out to you asap. Enjoy!

Review and Giveaway: A Mile in His Shoes


For kids that struggle with special needs or whose parents find them trying to manage a diagnosis they might sometimes feel trapped into what society “allows” them to do. Now and then someone enters that scene and sees only the potential and can bring hope and opportunity where none had existed before.

When a coach of a struggling farm team stumbles on a teenage boy with an amazing pitching arm, he doesn’t let Asperger’s blind his eye to the potential in this young man. The father unwillingly lets his son go, not ready to release his protection over the unpredictable nature.

My family enjoyed the story of this bright boy that just needed a chance to shine. The story is inspiring and engaging, the actors believable, and the ending satisfying.

It could have done without the discussion of the difference between a “player” and a “playah,” although it stayed pretty innocent. And, the father’s protective role was portrayed as anger-filled at times. But, in the end the family is intact and healthy and the good guys win. A good, clean movie that we were able to watch as a family.

For more info check out their links:


And, you to can get a copy of this movie for free! I have the privilege of hosting a giveaway:
To be entered in a giveaway for this family film, please leave a comment on this post. For a second entry, share about this giveaway through some social media outlet and come back and leave a second comment. Contest open to US continental residents only. Make sure I have your email address so I can contact you as well.
The contest will close on January 29th in the evening.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or

services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it

on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally

and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance

with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the

Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Cooper and Me

Many children know that feeling of getting separated from their parents for even a few seconds and how that panic quickly sets in. They look around frantically hoping to see a familiar face and they feel suddenly LOST!

Monique and Alexa Peters wanted to help kids know what to do in that situation and created a booked that is also a teaching tool to prepare a child in case they ever do find themselves really lost.

Cooper and Bella are two pups that run out into the snow for a great time of playing and sledding, but before they know it they realize that they have wandered away from familiar territory. The story has a safe ending, but allows kids to be an observer in a sometimes scary situation. This opens up the opportunity for talking with our kids about safe practices — know your identifying information and know where and how to find help.

At the close of the book they even have questions to prompt the conversation and go beyond just a simple review of the story (which is a good habit and skill, too).

I love that this book is a cute story for kids to hear, with rhyming that they often enjoy as well (some is a bit forced, but does flow well). And, it goes beyond mere entertainment to teach an important life skill that even a young child can begin to learn.

For more information check out their links:

Cooper & Me Winter Adventure

Also, please note that $1 of every Winter Adventure book sold will go to advance research & treatment of pancreatic cancer, via the Lustgarten Foundation (http://www.lustgarten.org/)

Also, our friends at Cooper & Me will be offering an EXCLUSIVE DEAL FOR YOU:
Make any purchase of $25 or more at CooperandMe.com and get FREE SHIPPING now through December 15.
MUST USE THIS CODE @ Check Out:  COOPERBLOG

But that’s not all! 🙂 I am able to give a copy away to one reader, so if you would like to enter to win a copy of this book for a special little child in your life please leave a comment here with an email where I can get a hold of you. You may enter an additional time by sharing about this giveaway on another social media or even email and come back and leave a second comment saying you did so. I will pull from all the entrants on Tuesday night, December 13 and will notify the winner at that time. Please leave a comment and share this great giveaway with your friends!

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products orservices mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: The Christmas Lodge

Starting in November we begin to rewatch our favorite Christmas movies. We have a new one to add to the mix from now on — Christmas Lodge.

Thomas Kinkade Presents: Christmas Lodge [DVD]

Synopsis:

Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

We enjoyed this film. A heart warming tale that everyone in the family can enjoy together. We all have our own treasured family traditions and this film was a great reminder to hold tight to them and keep their memories alive. A movie with a slightly romantic story line, but not one that would keep my kids from watching. The family talks about their faith in the everyday and takes on the rebuilding of the Christmas Lodge as one that is synonymous with saving the family heritage and even a spiritual calling.In our house we enjoy watching the reality TV shows that show home renovations, so this gave us a little taste of that without the bleeped out profanity or stress of cameras videotaping amateurs.

I appreciated that the PDA did not go beyond hand holding and an occasional hug. They even emphasized that dating couples had separate hotel rooms, a novel idea in this day and age. On the other hand, I did find it a little odd as they seemed to over-spiritualize the construction project of a run down building, but the importance of family and passing on a legacy was a point well made.

The more films we have on our shelf that we can pull out without hesitation the better. And, we have been known to watch Christmas movies in July, so don’t think this is relegated to a seasonal movie only.

And, of course these fun Fly Propeller reviews often come with a giveaway, and I do get to give one of these DVDs away to one reader. So, if you would like to enter to win your own copy of the Christmas Lodge DVD please leave a comment on this post with an email address at which I can reach you. The contest will close Monday evening and I will draw a random winner at that time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Math House Games

Math should be fun. Especially with young kids, math should start as a game and always involve an interaction with an adult and the real world. Domenico Marcario designed a math product that would build on that.

Carlito C. Caterpillar’s Math House Games teach real life math concepts through activities that use everyday objects, a parent’s direction, and fun challenges for kids to get excited about.

The 20 steps, with 2 games each, are broken into three stages that lead the child through quantity (comparing groups of objects), numeration (attaching numbers to those groups of objects), and operations (adding, subtracting, etc.)

You do not follow through the steps at a predesignated speed, but rather you evaluate each child and move on once they have mastered the concepts taught in the activity.

The games are fun. The kids get to eat during the process (small items — fruit, cereal, etc.) which is always motivation in my house. 🙂 Perfect for building and early love of math.

You can order these great activity cards — $23.95 including shipping — and use them for your early elementary math student that needs some fun in their math.  These would also be a great start for a preschool curriculum to help introduce math skills in a lighthearted way that they will just soak up. If you have a preschool through 2nd grader you would enjoy this. And, if you are busy teaching older kids, one of your other older kids could easily pick this up and begin teaching math concepts to one of your other young kids.

Each card tells you clearly what you are teaching, why they should learn it, and how to get that point across. Make the most of play time!

It wouldn’t be a great review without a giveaway, and I do get to give one of these adorable sets away to one reader. So, if you would like to enter to win your own copy of these math game cards please leave a comment on this post with an email address where I can reach you at. The contest will close Sunday evening and I will draw a random winner at that time.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or

services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it

on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally

and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance

with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the

Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review and Giveaway — Jeremy Riddle

Need a lift? September has been a grueling month in our household.

Soccer in full swing, co-op and classes finding their place on the schedule, and evenings full more than empty for this fall season. I find myself dragging a bit as the days fill up.

My faith in Christ is a huge part of why I homeschool, and it needs to be a priority in my personal life if it is going to keep spilling over into the kids as well and strengthening our home.  Music is an easy way for me to stay energized and making my life one of worship. The refrain running through my head now is, “Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me.” That’s the constancy that I need to be reminded of in this crazy season. And, it’s what I want my kids to see in my each day. Love poured out on them.

Do you need this reminder, too? Jeremy Riddle’s new CD is the perfect fit to offer encouragement. Pop it in the CD player in the car when you are glad you are finally in the car, even if it is 15 minutes late. Play it in the background when you are cleaning that school room that always seems like a disaster by 9:00 am no matter how clean it started. The words are contagious and will breathe new life into your day.

I would definitely encourage you to purchase this great CD, but one reader has the opportunity to win a copy of this CD! Just leave your name with an email address that I can reach you at in the comments and I will draw a winner at the end of the day on Sunday. I look forward to getting this great new release into one of your hands!

Check out more about this great CD here:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”