Teacher Appreciation and a HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant contest #sponsored

Teacher Appreciation and a HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant contest #sponsored

April 18, 2013 by · 3 Comments

This Teacher Appreciation post is sponsored by Hilton and Global Influence but all opinions expressed are my own.

Many years ago I ditched a career in cancer research to stay home with my babies when they were little.  It was stressful and emotional and a definite drain on the finances but I didn’t regret it for one minute.  However, once my kids hit preschool age I found a nice 3 hour program for them to join that would give me a few minutes of peace and quiet once in a while.  Of course, I loved the preschool so much I ended up taking a job as a preschool teacher in the 2 year old classroom.  Let me just say that if you think 2 year olds are loads of fun at home, having 13 of them in one classroom is a blast…and yes I am being just a tad bit sarcastic here.  They call them the terrible twos for a reason!  I spent 4 years teaching in that classroom and gained a lot of insight as to why teacher appreciation day is so darn important!  Teachers, no matter if they are preschool teachers or high school teachers, can give our children so much if only they are provided the support and resources that they need.

Why Teacher Appreciation is Important!

teacher appreciation

What sort of things did I spend those 4 years teaching my little classroom full of 2 year olds?  Here is what they learned:

1.  To say please and thank you at snack time and to only eat the food that is put in front of them, NOT their friend’s.  When you try to eat your friend’s goldfish you risk getting bitten!
2.  Play-dough is a great way to spend free time but it does NOT belong in your ears.  Or your mouth, or your friend’s nose. One of my students ended up at the doctors office to remove a wad of play-dough from her ear.  She was not happy about that and firmly told us for weeks afterwards that play-dough does NOT go in her ear…ever!

3.  How to count to 13.  Why 13?  Because that is how many students I had in the classroom and we counted them every time we went ANYWHERE.  In fact, we counted them about 15 times a day because you would be amazed at how quickly a 2 year old can escape if you so much as blink!

4.  Children do not stand on tables….or chairs, or rocking horses, or our friends.  Our feet stay on the floor and need to be in shoes at all times.  Even if they are incredibly proud of how good a job they do at taking them off.  Especially when mom sends them in Crocks.  Moms…please do NOT send your children to preschool in Crocks!

5.  School is FUN.  If my students learned nothing else during their time in the classroom I would be okay with that as long as they left happy!

I bet you never realized how much fun your children could  have at school, right?  If you had to spend a few hours in their shoes I bet you would understand teacher appreciation day a lot better!  Teachers give up a lot of things in their dedication to our children…their time, personal finances, and their sanity to name just a few.  As parents, we need to help support our teachers as much as possible and the Hilton HHonors loyalty program is doing it’s part to help, too.

TeacherTreks_lockup

The Hilton HHonors loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide’s 10 different hotel brands, has announced the 30 finalists of its Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition and YOU get the chance to vote!   What is the Teacher Treks program?  15 teachers will get the chance to travel and  experience the subject they teach in school.  This will help enrich their curriculum and inspire their students to explore the world. Hilton HHonors developed the Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE)to help celebrate different cultures and  build stronger communities.  Teachers play an important role in spreading understanding of other cultures to our children and they can have a huge  impact on their students’ lives. Hilton HHonors is giving teachers a passport to see the world and bring their experiences back to the classroom through Teacher Treks.

A panel of judges, including K-12 teachers and other education experts selected by IIE, narrowed the competition down to 30 finalists from 20 different states.  The finalists are from Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, California, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Washington.  You can vote for the teacher you want to earn this amazing opportunity!  15 winners will receive a grant valued at $6,000 to travel to a destination of their choice; in addition to the trip, each winning teachers’ school will also receive a $2,500 grant to use for cultural activities or enhancements.  This is an amazing opportunity, not just for the winning teacher but for their entire school!

Want to help?  Individuals can cast one vote per day during the duration of the voting period.  From those that voted in the Teacher Treks competition, 10 random winners will receive one Hilton HHonors Gift Card valued at $250.    Each vote counts as one entry toward a $250 Hilton HHonors gift card.  Every time you vote you increase your chances of winning!   For more information on the 30 finalists, voting or for full Terms and Conditions, please visit www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks. Winners will be announced in May 2013.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I 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”

Filed Under: Family Life · Tagged: ,
FlexPet Helps Your Pet Stay Active Naturally #spon

FlexPet Helps Your Pet Stay Active Naturally #spon

April 11, 2013 by · 5 Comments

This guest post is sponsored by the makers of FlexPet

We all know that we should exercise. Our health is absolutely dependent on it. Well, our pets need exercise too.  According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats in the U.S. are either obese or overweight. Additionally 22 percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners said their pet’s weight was normal, when it was actually overweight or obese!

easy decorating tips for bedrooms

Summer is a great time to start exercising with your furry friend. Take a good look at your pet. Could he use more exercise? Could she be in better shape? Let’s all make a commitment to our pets health, longevity and mobility by ensuring they are getting enough exercise!

The first step is to make sure exercise is fun for your pet rather than painful. If your dog or cat is experiencing painful joints you should add a supplement like FlexPet to your pets diet. Exercising can be particularly difficult when suffering from joint pain. FlexPet is an all natural supplement that contains no Genetically Modified Organisms and offers real joint pain relief for dogs and cats. Using FlexPet is a great way to keep your pets healthy and active this summer!

FlexPet Joint Pain Relief

flexpet joint-pain-relief-for-dogs
A few key facts about FlexPet:
1. FlexPet is a chewable treat for your pet that is both good for them and delicious instead of being unhealthy pet “junk food” or even worse, some sort of pill that you have to cram down their throat.

2. It is all natural, has no known drug interactions or side effects and is GMO free.

3. Flexcin, the makers of FlexPet, really stand by their product.  You can try a 60 day supply with no financial risk! If you are not completely satisfied all you have to do is return the 2 empty bottles for a full refund, less shipping and handling, of course.

Just like people, cats and dogs need to walk, run, jump and play to maintain an ideal weight and proper musculature. Just like people, as they age these things become even more important.  Develop a routine with your pet that includes both vigorous forms of exercise like toy chasing as well as sustained gentle exercise like daily walks. You could even get creative and make a backyard obstacle course for your pet to investigate and explore. If you notice Fido or Fifi is preferring the sedentary life, a supplement like FlexPet might be just what they need to put the spring back in their step!

 

Filed Under: Family Life · Tagged: ,
Give Thoughtful Gifts This Valentine’s Day

Give Thoughtful Gifts This Valentine’s Day

February 9, 2013 by · 1 Comment

Unless you have had your head under a rock for the last few weeks, you are very much aware that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  I see tons of adds for expensive diamond rings or huge bouquets of flowers but where are the ads for the thoughtful gifts?  The romantic little gifts that have special meaning for only you and your partner?  I love to get thoughtful gifts for Valentine’s Day that remind me of a special time in my husband and I’s life together.  As the years go by, things get more and more hectic in our lives and every once in a while I want to be reminded of why we fell in love in the first place. If you are looking for thoughtful gifts for your own significant other this Valentine’s Day,  here are a few suggestions.  Remember, Valentines Day should be more about the romance than about the price tag!

Thoughtful Gifts for Valentine’s Day

1.  Make it Memorable:  While we sometimes thing that Valentine’s Day gifts need to be flashy, there are a lot of ideas that are simple to create that would make thoughtful gifts for your significant others.  You could buy a pretty frame and put in the menu from your first restaurant date.  Buy a digital photo frame and fill it with photos of your family together.  Another thoughtful gift idea that I love is to make your own photo coasters.  All you need is some tiles from Home Depot, pictures of your family, and a few craft supplies.  It’s a great way to help you remember those special moments every single day.

thoughtful gifts

2.  Make it Tasty:  My husband and I’s favorite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is through food.  Usually, this does NOT involve a fancy meal at an exotic restaurant that we have to wait 3 hours to get into.  I do not have the patience for that at all!  We either cook a meal together or sit down to enjoy a special treat together like fruit with chocolate fondue.  Other foodie ideas that make thoughtful gifts for  Valentine’s Day are special homemade spice rubs for the grilling enthusiast, a batch of homemade beef jerky for the camping or hiking enthusiast, or homemade candy for those with a serious sweet tooth.  You can also bake some delicious cupcakes and wrap them in special cupcake sleeves like I found on the Personal Creations website.  Cupcakes are all the rage nowadays and they can be quite a beautiful dessert after a homemade meal.  I seriously wish I knew how people got their icing to look so pretty…I have tried and just can’t quite get it!

 

thought gift romantic mug

3.  Make it Functional:  While romance is nice on Valentine’s Day, I prefer gifts that will get used every day of the year.  While a sexy red scrap of lace might be pretty, how much use is it really going to get?  Okay, maybe I don’t really want to know that but there are gifts that can be romantic AND get used every single day!  A coffee mug, for example, is a nice thoughtful gift if you put your own unique spin on it!  Get a mug that is painted with your names and fill it with your significant other’s favorite treat.  My husband LOVES chocolate covered coffee beans, which would be a delicious treat to fill a mug up with.

 

The most important thing to keep in mind this Valentine’s Day is that some of the most thoughtful gifts you could ever give a person cost very little!  There is no reason for you to shell out a lot of money just because the TV ads tell you to buy diamonds and pearls!  Another thing to remember is that even when you are buying small items, you can save money by shopping online with coupon codes for shops like Personal Creations.  They have a great selection of products that would make thoughtful gifts this Valentine’s Day!

It’s all about the romance, NOT the price tag!

 

This is a sponsored post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I 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”

Filed Under: Family Life · Tagged: ,
Common Sense Protection From Criminals

Common Sense Protection From Criminals

January 30, 2013 by · 10 Comments

I grew up in a small town in Connecticut and while I am sure crime existed, the most heinous thing I was ever aware of was the neighborhood teens toilet papering someone’s trees.  Now that I live in the burbs of Atlanta, I am much more conscious of crime and I find myself becoming slightly paranoid about keeping my family and our belongings safe.  Of course, there is a fine line between staying safe and becoming paranoid but common sense protection from criminals is a subject that everyone should be familiar with.  So, how can you ensure the criminals don’t get the best of you?  Here are a few tips:

common sense protection from criminals

Common Sense Protection from Criminals

1.  GPS car tracking:  I am lucky that most criminals aren’t looking to steal a 12 year old pickup truck but if you are driving something nicer than I am, consider GPS car tracking.  Locks and alarms might deter your average criminal but if someone really wants your wheels, they are going to get them one way or another.  Being able to track down the car after it is stolen is a huge help when it comes to retrieving your wheels!

2.  Take a Self Defense Class:  My son and I started taking martial arts about 6 months ago and a portion of the class is teaching self defense.  They stress getting away, not beating the snot out of somebody.  There are many self defense classes out there so find one that teaches you to break an attacker’s grip, make a lot of noise to attract attention, and disable your attacker if you CAN’T escape.

3.   Don’t let people know you aren’t home:  Protecting your home from intruders can be tricky but there are several ways to outsmart someone who wants to break in.  Try to leave lights on a timer if you are going out of town or have someone come over to pick up your mail and newspapers.  If you can vary your schedule, that is helpful, too.  Always leaving to go to the gym at 10 AM is a big tipoff that you aren’t home.  And whatever you do, DON’T announce on your social media sites that you are leaving for vacation!

4.  Buy a dog:  Okay, this might be more than you want to commit to but many criminals will completely avoid the house with a dog for the one right next door with NO dog.  Why?  Dogs make noise and attract attention.  Burglars do not want to attract attention!  Don’t want a dog?  Consider putting a dog bowl and some well used toys in the back yard to make the criminal THINK you have a dog!

5. Don’t act like a victim:  This is especially important for women!  Men who are preying on women look for those who appear weak.  The women who are insecure, look lost, have their hands full, and generally seem like they are an easy target.  Hold your head high, walk with purpose, park under a well lit lamp post and keep your hands free, preferably holding a pointy key or can of mace.  Don’t make it easy for criminals to target you.

Common sense protection from criminals means knowing what the threats are and educating yourself as to how to avoid them.  While I like to think that my middle class suburban neighborhood is completely free of crime, I know that isn’t true.  Hopefully these tips help you protect yourself, your family and your belongings from criminals!

Disclosure: ”This sponsored post was made possible by SheHeard. I have been compensated for my time and work on this campaign, however all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.”
Filed Under: Family Life · Tagged:
Kre o Transformers Make Christmas Day Fun! #HasbroKREO #spon

Kre o Transformers Make Christmas Day Fun! #HasbroKREO #spon

December 12, 2012 by · 6 Comments

When my kids were little the gifts under the Christmas tree were always toys, books, arts and crafts and other things that could be enjoyed well after the wrapping paper was torn off the presents.  Now that they are teens, their gifts have gotten a little bit different.  My daughter might love her new earings and go ga-ga over the skinny jeans and crop tops but what do you DO with them?  For my son, his main want for the holidays is more video games but I don’t really want him locked in his room and plugged in on Christmas day!  So, I try hard to find toys that are geared towards older kids to encourage actual playing, fun, and family time during the holidays.  KRE O Transformers are the perfect gift for my son to keep him challenged while building but then inspire creativity while he sends them into battle!  We recently got some KRE O Transformers to try out and he was so excited to help out with this project!

kre o transformers logo

KRE O transformers

KRE O Transformers are perfect for big kids!

 

If you aren’t familiar with KRE O Transformers, they are an absolutely wonderful way to keep very busy boys occupied and happy on Christmas morning!  These sets let your child build Transformers in either their robot stage or their vehicle stage using the same bricks.  Each set comes with action figures as well, like the Autobots and Decepticons.  Larger packages are great for putting under the tree but you can also get smaller sets as well, which make great stocking stuffers for kids 6 and up. There are some really cute packages for only $2.99 that contain mystery figures that can covert to an insect or a jet.  My kids are allowed to open stockings while we grownups wake up and drink coffee on Christmas morning so I like stockings to have fun things in them to play with!

KRE O Transformers for Christmas

My son had so much fun putting this set together!  He was incredibly impatient for my to take my photographs so he could run off and send his new Transformer friends off to battle.  Apparently there is still a war being waged in his bedroom this morning because everyone is set up in battle position!

Whether you are looking for a stocking stuffer, medium sized gift or giant present that will really wow your kids, KRE O Transformers probably has a set that is perfect for them.  You could choose the Cycle Chase set and the Decepticon Ambush set for beginner builders that are 6 and up or you could choose the large packages.  The Battle for Energon set contains bricks to build Optimus Prime and the evil Megatron.  OR you could get your child the Destruction Site Devastator which is the ultimate gift for kids ages 8 and up.  They can build 4 construcion vehicles, 4 robots, OR one giant Decepticon robot Devastator!    This gigantic play set has 560 pieces and will take my son a good long time to build!  That is time he will NOT be picking on his sister!  YAY for me on Christmas morning!

kre o transformers destruction site devestator

KRE O Transformers make the perfect Christmas Gift!

KRE O Transformers are challenging but have easy to follow directions to make putting them together easy.  And once the challenge of building is done, you child can then let their imagination take flight as battles wage and the good guys win!  Or, do they?  With these sets, I am sure their will be many more battles in the Transformer’s future….I have a feeling these sets are going to keep my son happy for a good long time!

If you want more information about these sets, check out Hasbro’s website  and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and Hasbro partnered in support of this campaign. Hasbro compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

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