Hoops (A 5th Grader's Essay)

Braden is preparing for his 5th Grade writing test. In doing so he has been practice writing a few essays. I ran across the following and decided that it needed to be posted here at The 4-Crow's, after all this blog is about living, laughing, LEARNING, and loving from our nest.(I am not going to correct any grammatical, punctuation, or other errors. Please remember he is in 5th grade. It is so hard when he is doing these assignments, not to correct everything and make it my own words with my own grammatical corrections, but I know he has to learn. I am rather proud that I might not be the only writer in my family- fingers crossed that he will be the one to figure out how to make the big bucks, who knows, maybe it will be writing or even shooting HOOPS!)

Hoopsby Braden

My first time to learn something was when I was 8. I just learned to shoot baskets, in Basketball. And while I was shooting I became better and better at it.
Even if I missed I'd put it back up. And sometimes for training I shot Free Throws, played Knockout, played horse, and even around the world. I know that stuff was easy stuff because mostly you shoot closer towards the basket.
But not for me because I'm good at 3-Pointers. But Here's a lesson the closer you get the better you make it. And also what I learned was to dribble.
When I started dribbling was probably when, I guess out in the driveway. I mean usually you learn when your in your Basketball practice. But the main thing is don't start crossing or under your legs until someone teaches you.
But the important way to play Basketball is play with courage or talents. And I'm not saying as talent as in watching NBA player's be showoffs. but the most Important things of things be yourself.

Cooper and Me and the Military: Book Review & Giveaway

I can only imagine, read, watch, listen and pray daily for our military troops and their families. I do not have a close family member currently deployed. My niece's fiance will soon be going to Afghanistan, and I have a cousin who will be going to England. I have had lots of family members who have been in active military duty and would do it again if asked. They have never regretted their decision to serve our country. You may even remember at Thanksgiving this past year when we had my friend/Kaybrie's ballet teacher and her girls over for Thanksgiving dinner. Her husband Charlie was due home anytime from Iraq, but kept getting delayed. I am proud to say that I have also taught my children to respect and pray for those who serve and protect us and those who stand by them daily, their families.

When asked to review the new Cooper and Me book, written for children by Monique and Alexa Peters, I was so excited. It was another opportunity for me to share with my children about the life of those in the Military. Here is an overview 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."

If I haven't said it before, I love these books. I love the use phonics, rhyme and the illustrations. Cooper is so adorable. My daughter loves him also, these books are a wonderful addition to our library.

Here are a few additional places to go and learn more about these books:

Website: http://www.cooperandme.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooper-and-Me-Inc/214695101924101

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/cooper_and_me

Now, which one of The 4-Crow's readers would like a copy of this book to add to their own library? All you have to do is fill out the easy Rafflecopter entry form below! 

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.”

Today's Post...

...is at The RHOK!

It's a month for HEART's in more than one way! 

Love and Health.

Today I am showing you my crafty side for love and giving!

I tell you about Secret Cupid at my nest, a craft that we will be making at Braden's Valentine Party, and show you once again the candy cane lollipops that I made for Kaybrie's birthday party and will be making more for Valentine's Day! 

Won't you join me today as Mrs. Hart at The RHOK?

Fabulously Five

Our littlest Crow turned FIVE yesterday! Oh my how time flies! 

Five years ago our family was made complete- a beautiful 7lb 8oz, brown eyed, brown curly haired princess was given to us by God to love and raise. She gave us a little scare in the beginning when she didn't cry, but once they made her she has let her voice be known ever since! 

We love you Kaybrie Jayne Crow! 

We pray that this year is Fabulous just like you!

 I just had to share her latest pictures that were taken at school- aren't they the sweetest? 

Perfect for our little princess, right?

The dessert table at her birthday party!

The hot cocoa bar!

The lollipops I made- yes, I love Pinterest!

She saw an infomercial on TV the Saturday before her party- she had to have cake pops!
Thankfully I have a friend who has a George Foreman like cake ball/pop maker! Thank you Sarah B.

The BEST Birthday present in the WORLD...an American Girl Doll!
Meet Kayleigh
(this might just be THE name, its last for two days now)

Yes, I think she had a pretty Fabulous 5th Birthday and we look forward to all the changes that this next year bring to us...only six more months until Kindergarten!

BooHoo!

A "Super Chick" T-Shirt Giveaway

Do you remember voting for me on Facebook for the "New Chick" T-Shirt for Happy First?

Well, your votes were counted and I WON!!! Yay!

Here is the winning design!

CuTe, huh?

Did you happen to see me on the news this past Friday morning?

Pretty good for live TV, right? Well I thought so.

Thank you all so much for your votes. I am so excited to help Turn Tulsa Pink through March 31, 2012 with a portion of the proceeds of this shirt. Oh, and if you buy online right now its free shipping! How cool is that?

Debbie at Happy First has given me two shirts to give away. One for my readers here at The 4-Crow's and the other for my readers at The RHOK (giveaway starts Wednesday, Feb 1). 

Wow, you get two opportunities to win! 

Double Cool!

(The size I have to give away at both places is a Large, I grabbed the largest that the shirt comes in. If the winner needs a smaller size, I can get it for you.)
Now, who wants to be a "Super Chick" in this awesome shirt? All you have to do is a few clicks of the easy Rafflecopter form.

Bertolli® Premium Meal Soup: A Review

With my family flying in and out of our nest a minimum of 3x per day, meal times together are a challenge! We rarely get to sit as a family, and time for making a meal is usually spent on homework or other household chores. Anything I can find to make meal time easy and stress free is a huge blessing. Bertolli® has done just that. Bertolli® sent us a coupon for a bag from their Meal Soup line for the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge. I chose the Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta Soup for our meal. It was filling and satisfying. We had an incredible meal in just three simple steps. 

1. Pour contents of bag into a sauce pan and add 1 cup of water.
2. Bring to a boil on high heat, stirring occasionally. 
3. Reduce heat and cover, simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. 

That's it. Easy Peasy! I had dinner ready in 18 minutes, start to finish- that included making grilled cheese and setting the dinner table! My kids wondered if I were getting sick when they got to drink out of the "good" glassware! LOL!

Just the bag of soup, a saucepan, and a cup of water! EASY!

Look at all those vegetables!

Table ready- except for napkins!

Daddy Crow's plate...the soup paired with grilled cheese, yep that's how we rolled this meal for Daddy and the kids!

Awww...This is a priceless photo! (yes, my head was bowed also)

I didn't get to have a grilled cheese. I paired my soup up with a salad! My favorite way to eat soup! Yum!

Look the soup is gone before the sandwich. Winner!!!!

My family loved the soup. I was very impressed personally. As one who is counting calories right now and looking at nutrition labels on everything I loved that this particular meal boast 20g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving with 290 calories. One bag serves two, so I didn't get the complete serving, but it was plenty for me. The Bertolli® Meal Soup's are found in your grocer's freezer section. You can also visit this link to find a grocer near you who carries this product.

Here is more information on the soups from Bertolli®:

· Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are hearty and fresh-tasting with vegetables, meats, pasta and herbs individually flash frozen at the peak of freshness.
· Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in the frozen aisle, and can be prepared on your stove top in minutes.
· With robust flavors and rich textures, new Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in four varieties: Chicken Minestrone, Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, and Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables.

Be sure to like Bertolli® on Facebook and follow them on Twitter! If you try out this soup, let me know how you like it!

Facebook: facebook.com/Bertolli
Twitter: twitter.com/Bertolli
Website: villabertolli.com

Disclosure: I was compensated by Bertolli® to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.

Vineyard Music: I Love Your Presence- Live from Phoenix Review & Giveaway (Digital Download)

My family loves music, especially Christian music. I am pretty sure I have told my readers this before and probably will again and again! We got the opportunity to review the above CD via digital download and loved it as well. 

From the website: "We believe that the Vineyard continues to have a unique voice and quality in the broader Church's experience of worship. We believe that the songs, words and expression of our worship are different because they are informed and infused with Vineyard core values -- intimacy, accessibility and authenticity. Our music is not written from within a vacuum; it comes from the trenches of local Vineyard church ministry as they seek to experience engaging the Kingdom of God in their local communities. Our founder, John Wimber, said that our worship leaders should be ministers first and musicians second. We still believe this is a vital emphasis for us. We make it our aim to instill this servant's heart deep into our Vineyard worship community."

Vineyard Music is not a music company, rather a non-profit worship ministry. They just want to help the local church experience God rather than be profit driven. Powerful, huh?

Who would like to have a digital copy of this album? One of our readers will be blessed with their very own copy. All you have to do is fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below.

Website: http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DiscoverVineyard
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/VineyardMusic
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-love-your-presence-live/id491711353

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."

*Open to U.S. Residents Only

Today's Post...

is at The RHOK!

How exactly does a RHOK Star go from this...

 to this...

to this...

 and finally to this?

I guess you will have to check out my post at The RHOK today to find out!

A Mile in His Shoes DVD Review & Giveaway

Sunday is our family day. After church we have lunch, then we try to either play a game, catch a game or watch a show or movie. This past Sunday we opted to to "help" Moma Crow out and review a family movie. We popped two batches of popcorn, settled in the living room dressed in our pj's and enjoyed family time with a movie that spoke to all of us. As parents the movie taught us to never doubt the abilities of our children and never hold them back because of our fears for them. Our children learned that they should not take any gifts they are given lightly. That God blesses each and everyone of His children with immeasurable gifts and talents.

The movie "A Mile in His Shoes" is from the director of "Angels In the Outfield". It is an inspiring story about a special boy with Asperger's sydrome with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book "The Legend of Mickey Tussler".

I love that this movie carries the Dove Foundation- family approved seal and that Thomas Kinkade presented the movie along with his beautiful eye for creation. We need MORE movies like this!!!

Which one of our reader's would like to own their very own copy of this DVD? All you have to do is go to the EASY Rafflecopter form below and enter! A few extra entries can be earned. Giveaway ends 12:01 AM January 25, 2011.

Mile in His Shoes (DVD Released 1/10/12)
Website: http://www.watchgmctv.com/video/mile-his-shoes#biography
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mile-In-His-Shoes/270101973014772?sk=wall
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2T0BFetH4
Dove Foundation Review: http://www.dove.org/reviewmasterframe.asp

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.”

*Open to U.S. Residents Only

Uh Oh, Watch Out World, Fresh Breath in the Nest...

Sometimes being an 11 year old just isn't fair. It's that awkward stage between being a child and a teenager. What really stinks is smells. Even worse, when your Moma constantly tells you about it and now is putting it on her blog for the world to read. You see the one smell that constantly reeks is bad breath. No matter how much he brushes, flosses, or uses kids mouth wash it just doesn't go away. Maybe its because he is losing and gaining teeth so fast that the tooth fairy can't keep up- yes, the tooth fairy still visits, we have a four year old sister who has yet to lose any teeth.

When Crowdtap offered me the opportunity to review the new LISTERINE Total Care Zero Mouthwash, I jumped on it. It has ZERO alcohol and a less intense flavor than prior LISTERINE'S.

All four of us can use this!

The new formula does the same that the LISTERINE Total Care including:

• Restores enamel
• Helps Prevent cavites
• Streghtens teeth
• Kills the germs that cause bad breath
• Freshens breath
• Cleans the whole mouth 

Here is a video I shot of my son trying out the new LISTERINE Total Care Zero. (I promise, I did get on to him for leaving the water running afterward.)  We found that the LISTERINE Total Care Zero still has a little burn at the beginning so you know that it is working, but it goes away. Our breath also still feels fresh and clean within a few hours after using.

Are you ready to try it now? If so click here for a $1 coupon. Let me know how you like it!

Disclosure- I received the product I reviewed free of charge so I could do an honest review. I did not receive any other compensation. My reviews are 100% my own and others may have different opinions. A BIG thanks to Listerine and Crowdtap for the opportunity to do this review!

Do You Have Giveaways on Your Blog? Have You Signed Up for Rafflecopter Yet? Their Giving Away an iPad2 or a Kindle Fire!

Shampoo Warning. Please Share with All of Your Friends!

I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner!!!!!

I use shampoo in the shower!

When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my entire body.

Printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning,

"FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY."

No wonder I have been gaining weight!!!

Well! I have gotten rid of that shampoo and

I am going to start using Dawn dish soap instead.

Its label reads,

"DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."

Problem solved!

If I don't answer phone calls, texts, tweets, Facebook messages, or respond to blog comments, you will know why- I'll be in the shower!

Ha Ha- you really thought I had a serious post going on here didn't you? 

My Aunt Gracie sent me this in an email and I modified it just a wee bit. 

It really goes along well with my current 20 in '12 Goals with the weight loss challenge, I started a Biggest Loser Challenge today at work. Yep put in $5 to hopefully be one of two with the largest % of weight loss from January 9th to March 1st. 

We will see...