Surviving a Sick Day with Pfizer Pediatric Products and 20th Century Fox Films {$25 Target Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway!}

This post has been sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and 20th Century Fox. All thoughts and reviews are my own.

There are quite a few reasons why I'm not a huge fan of winter around here, but one that is extremely high up there on the list is germs.

It seems as though no matter how much we wash our hands or how many times I sanitize the house, once the cold weather is here, the coughing, sneezing, and sniffling isn't far behind.

While it's one thing for me to be annoyed at my own runny nose or sore throat, seeing my children under the weather manages to pull at my heartstrings time and time again. If there is a mom that can look at her offspring when they are ill and not want to do everything remotely possible to take away their suffering, then I haven't met her yet.

Therefore, when Sick just got real.™ and my kiddos are under the weather, it's a no-brainer that I'm going to do all I can to get them feeling better as fast as possible.

Ultimately, the best that we can do is be by their side to comfort and love them. Hold their hand reassuringly, rub their back soothingly, give the biggest and tightest hugs whenever needed (and sometimes even when they're not).

But why let cold symptoms make things worse when there are companies and products available that make it easy to give more than just sympathy? Around here, I go directly to the medicine cabinet (or to Target to restock) and reach for the high quality Pfizer Pediatric products that I know I can trust: Children’s Advil®, Children’s Robitussin®, and Children’s Dimetapp®.

Ease those aches and pains while reducing a child's fever fast with Children's Advil, a great solution for kids ages 2 to 11. Children's Advil comes in several great-tasting flavors, including Sugar-free Dye-free Berry, Bubble Gum, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit and Dye-Free White Grape.

(Similarly, for the younger crowd, Infants' Advil White Grape provides unsurpassed fever relief among OTC pain relievers with a syringe for easy dosing for children 6-23 months.)

Formulated just for kids, Children’s Robitussin Cough & Chest Congestion non-drowsy daytime formula helps break up chest congestion, while the long-acting nighttime formula relieves coughs and runny noses to help kids get the rest they need.

Finally, Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Cough tackles a child's most bothersome stuffy and runny noses, all while working to relieve cough, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes for ages 6+.

Along with my arsenal of Pfizer Pediatric products, the one thing that my girls most look forward to from my sick day survival kit has to be a fun, entertaining movie from 20th Century Fox films. There's no better way to stay relaxed and resting than by wrapping up in a blanket on the couch with an adorable movie on the television to take your mind away from your sniffles!

Most recently, my kids have been loving every minute of the newest installment in the Ice Age films, Ice Age Collision Course.

All of our favorite prehistoric heroes are back and cooler than ever in this all-new animated adventure that's mammoth-sized fun for the whole family. The entire herd — including Buck, Manny, Ellie, Sid, and Diego — work together on a hilarious journey filled with nonstop action and colorful new characters, in order to survive the global Scrat-tastrophe!

What are your best tips for surviving a sick day? You can find out much more about finding relief for your child's next illness at the Sick just got real.™ website as well as on Facebook.

You'll also want to take advantage of some great Cartwheel coupon codes that will provide 10% off Pfizer Pediatric products and select 20th Century Fox DVDs at Target through February 20, 2017: Children's Robitussin, Children's Dimetapp, Children's Advil, and Ice Age Collision Course.

This cold and flu season and beyond, be prepared by keeping your medicine cabinet stocked with Pfizer Pediatric products and your DVD case filled with 20th Century Fox DVDs. The sooner your child can be rid of their coughing and sniffling, the sooner you can go back to disinfecting to keep the next round of germs away!

One person will be even more prepared to do just that, because...

One lucky person will win a Sick Day Survival Kit*!

*Survival Kit includes (1) $25 Target gift card, (3) Pfizer Pediatric products (Children's Advil® Suspension, Children’s Robitussin® Cough & Chest Congestion, Children’s Dimetapp® Cough & Cold) and (1) 20th Century Fox DVD (Ice Age: Collision Course, The Sandlot or The Peanuts Movie).

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Eliminate the Drama of Being Sick with Advil Cold & Sinus {$25 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!}

This post has been sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

Confession time: I don't get a flu shot.

Every year I make sure that my daughters each get one and I pat my husband on the back when he gets his and I nod agreeably with my mother and my friends and everyone else who does... but, me? No, thank you. I know that it's supposedly completely false that getting the shot is what makes me sick the following day, but that was my experience for so many years in a row that I've just stopped. It is what it is.

I'm knocking on wood that now that I've written this it doesn't mean that I'm going to spend much of 2017 sick with the flu.

In the event that we do get sick, however, it's best to be prepared. Whether it's a cold, sinus pressure, a sore throat, or more, the drama of not feeling your best can lead to all sorts of disruptions in daily life. It's hard enough missing school or work, but no one wants to have to cancel on an evening out with friends, date night with your significant other, a weekend getaway, and more.

Therefore, here are my top five tips for cold prevention as well as feeling better and relieving the drama of an illness as quick as possible...

1. De-stress.

Easier said than done, of course, but when you are stressed out, you are more likely to get a cold (and it makes getting rid of one more difficult). Too much stress elevates the cortisol levels in your body, which hurts your immune system, and also cuts down on the cells that work to defend your body from illness.

Whether you are fighting off an oncoming sickness or trying to find relief from one that has hit, try to find the time to relax!

2. Rest.

This is a no-brainer, right? Unfortunately, many of us try to stick to our regular routine and "tough it out" when we're sick, but that can just make your body even more rundown. Instead, when at all possible, curl up in bed, pull up the covers, and sleep, sleep, sleep so that your body can do it's thing fighting off the illness.

3. Stay hydrated.

Water is always the best choice, but if you aren't a fan of plain H₂O, try yours warmed up with lemon and/or honey. The average adult human body is made up of around 65% water, so don't deny yours what it needs!

4. Add moisture to the air.

If your home doesn't have a built-in humidifier (or even if it does), turning on a vaporizer or humidifier in the bedroom can help loosen congestion and make it easier to breathe. Just make sure you do a better job than I do of remembering to keep your machine clean or else you'll just be circulating dirty water into your air!

5. Advil Cold & Sinus.

When your cold or flu symptoms become too much, why would you turn to anything but the #1 pharmacist recommended brand for cough, cold and flu combinations? Advil Cold & Sinus is the number-one selling pain reliever combined with a powerful nasal decongestant to provide fast relief so you can continue on with your day.

There is definitely no reason to be more miserable than you have to be when you're sick, so I like to be prepared with Advil Cold & Sinus on hand to stop those crummy symptoms in their tracks. And clearly I'm not the only one, as people have been trusting Advil Cold & Sinus for powerful, non-drowsy relief of their tough cold and sinus symptoms for over 20 years!

Ask for it at your local pharmacy counter and find out more on the Advil Respiratory website and on Facebook.

This cold season and beyond, take care of yourself as best you can to hopefully avoid as many sicknesses and illnesses (and the dreaded flu) as possible. Your body is counting on you!

Thanks to the generosity of Advil Cold & Sinus, one person will be prepared to head to their favorite drugstore and fill up their medicine cabinet just in case, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 Visa prepaid gift card!

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K'NEX Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set {Review & Giveaway}

There are certain brands of toys that you mention the name and people just nod knowingly, fully understanding how much fun kids have with them without you having to explain. These are the items that inspire creativity, boost a child's imagination and lead to an all-around fun time whenever they are brought out... which is time and time again.

And parents everywhere can agree that one name that is universally-loved by both boys and girls of all ages is the always-inventive and original K'NEX. Is there a child around that doesn't love building and imagining with these unique small connectors? Or a parent that doesn't appreciate the way that K'NEX provide the strong educational aspects of building, balance and critical thinking in with the fun and entertainment? I think not.

Needless to say, we were excited to take K'NEX to a whole new (motorized) level with the arrival of the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set.

While we have played with a wide variety of amazing K'NEX products in the past, I wasn't familiar with their Thrill Rides line of products. But as soon as I saw that these innovative sets provide the ability to have a working amusement park right in your own home, I knew that my theme-park-loving daughters would be excited.

It was time to see the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set in person so that they could start building their own miniature carnival!

Upon opening the box, I began to feel apprehensive about the 344 K'NEX parts and pieces included in this set until I remembered two things. First, my kid love K'NEX. So the more pieces, the better!

Second, K'NEX always includes large, clear, colorful step-by-step instructions that show exactly where every last piece is to go for their creations. No worries!

Together, Big Sister E, Little Sister B, and I took our time snapping these small, colorful, uniquely-shaped pieces into place and, before we knew it, began to see a ferris wheel take shape right before our eyes.

As we snapped the last rod and connector into place and sat back, all three of us were a bit in awe that there was a 2-foot tall ferris wheel right in our living room!

All that was left to do was move the switch on the motor (hint: insert the two AA batteries, not included, before the construction process. We were a little too excited to get started building and then found it a little tricky to access and open the motor to put in the batteries after the fact) to start the ferris wheel turning.

My kids were amazed that this motorized, rail-driven rotating ferris wheel can spin both clockwise and counterclockwise at two different speeds at the flip of a switch. Just take a look at this set in motion!


As we have found in our past experiences with K'NEX, the details included in this set really come together perfectly! I'm sure that the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set could have been a bit less complex and more simple to construct, but that that would have been so much less fun!

My girls love that there are little seats throughout (that are just the right size for the people from other building sets to fit on) and that the intricate design truly looks like a real ferris wheel. They have continued to have a great time playing theme park each time they sit down with this set and I have no doubt that this ferris wheel will be taken apart and rebuilt time and again in the future.

Recommended for builders ages 7+, the Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set has a suggested retail price of $34.99 and can be found at your favorite retailer, directly from K'NEX, on Amazon, and more. You can also find out more about this and the full line of amazing K'NEX products by visiting KNEX.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Thanks to the generosity of K'NEX, one person will also get to enjoy seeing their child imagine, build, and create their own carnival as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set
from K'NEX!

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A big thank you to K'NEX for providing a Revolution Ferris Wheel Building Set for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Strengthening the Bonds of Family with red rock traditions {Review & Giveaway - 2 winners!}

Recently I came across a question posed on a popular social networking site: How would you describe life in one word?

While there were, of course, a handful of tongue-in-cheek answers given, it was the number of honest responses along the lines of unappreciated, unfair, chaos, struggle, and complicated that gave me pause.

How have we gotten to the point where life is viewed as so... difficult? I'm not claiming that every situation, event, encounter, and day will be as favorable as others, but I do strongly believe that life is what you make of it and spreading goodwill doesn't have to be a huge task. Take the time to send a handwritten card to a friend, give your kids an extra hug as they head off to school (even if it embarrasses them) or call your mom out of the blue. You know she'd appreciate it.

Essentially, why not celebrate and enjoy life as much as possible? In particular with those that are nearest and dearest to your heart — your family? Invest your time, show your affection, encourage daily, create memories... it's all so important when it comes to keeping families strong.

Which is exactly the mission and belief of one of my new favorite companies, red rock traditions.

Created to strengthen the bonds of family relationships through the sharing and celebration of traditions, red rock traditions offers an array of products designed to make the most out of spending time with our loved ones. Who doesn't love a company that can not only offer amazing items for your family (or to give as beautiful gifts), but who is determined to help you share stories, conversations, laughter, and memories?

Whether you are specifically shopping for something to celebrate an upcoming milestone, start a new holiday tradition for your family, stay connected with loved ones across the miles or more, red rock traditions has so many options on their user-friendly site to choose from. There really is something incredible for each and every occasion... or just to make every day a bit more special!

Although there were numerous items throughout red rock traditions' site that I adored, it wasn't long before I zeroed in on their 'thankful hearts' category. In my 10 years of parenting, I've found that there are some qualities that are easier to "teach" than others and that reminding my children to be thankful doesn't come as easy as, for example, nudging them to say please or thank you.

Therefore it was no surprise that as soon as I saw the Gratitude Tree, I was smitten. The combination of the beautiful metal tree on its wood stand with the simplicity of the notes of gratitude hanging from the branches? Perfection!

Gorgeous, right? And what better way to not just think about gratitude, but to actually write down what you're thankful for and hang it on display — and then walk by and see it over and over again!

As soon as the box from red rock traditions arrived on my doorstep, I couldn't wait to get it open to see the Gratitude Tree in person.

I always appreciate when a company puts in extra effort to package their products well to minimize the possibility of damage and red rock traditions went even a step further. Multiple boxes, bubble wrap, Styrofoam... all carefully layered around this gorgeous tree.

With no assembly required, it only took deciding on where to place this Gratitude Tree before it was making a stunning statement in my home.

After a quick explanation to my children (and husband) that the chic little leaves were there to write (or draw) a short message about someone or something we were grateful for, it warmed my heart to see them stop, on their own time, to make an addition when the moment felt right.

My heart may have completely melted at Big Sister E's first leaf, "For a home and a very loving family."

Overall, I can't think of anything that I would change about the Gratitude Tree and have loved the reactions that it has received both from my family as well as from guests. What a great piece of art that is also a simple reminder for being grateful for what and who we have in our lives.

Whether you are purchasing an item for your own family or are shopping for a delightful gift for an upcoming birthday, holiday, wedding, baby shower or more, red rock traditions has unique and creative options that you won't find elsewhere. The quality is superb, prices are affordable (the Gratitude Tree retails for $69), and each item will bring a smile to your face every day as it aids in helping knit your family closer together.

Find out more about all of the amazing options that red rock traditions has to offer to strengthen your own family connection by visiting redrocktraditions.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Also, thanks to their generosity and eagerness to spread the love and joy to others...

TWO lucky people will win their choice of a Gratitude Tree OR any one red rock traditions product of their choosing up to $50 in value!

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Thank you to red rock traditions for providing a Gratitude Tree for me to review as well as prizes for two lucky giveaway winners. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Lance Sandwich Crackers Keep Kids Fueled for After School Activities! {Review & $25 Visa Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway}

With yet another first day of school coming and going (or only a short time away) for kids across the country, parents everywhere are working to get back into the school year routine.

No, I'm not talking about packing lunches or hurrying to the bus stop on time. I'm talking about the frantic search for items needed for group projects, the scheduling of car pools, the hunt for a missing soccer cleat, the rush to get to piano or violin lessons on time, and more.

Sound familiar? That's because it's no secret that it isn't so much school itself that moms like me have to focus on, it's the after school activities that have us running. Whether your kids are playing sports, practicing their instrument, attending a club, meeting with Boy/Girl Scouts, or more, they all kick off with a snack.

My own children arrive home from school near-starving and ready to devour anything and everything in sight, so I'm always sure to have a delicious, wholesome, satisfying option waiting for them. If it is portable and perfect for on-the-go as we head out the door, even better.

Which is why this year they will be fueling up with a variety of sandwich crackers from Lance!

For more than 100 years, Lance has been fueling America with its sandwich crackers – two crunchy crackers with an incredible filling in the middle. With more than 20 varieties that are made with baked, crispy crackers and freshly ground peanut butter and real cheese, Lance sandwich crackers are perfect for the entire family to enjoy just about anytime, anywhere.

In short, moms love that Lance sandwich crackers are made with wholesome ingredients and are packed with protein, fiber, and whole grains, while kids love the taste and the way that Lance lets them stay fuller longer. I don't know how these could be any more perfect as an incredible snack choice to keep kids fueled for each and every after-school activity they may have!

Did I mention that there are five grams of protein in each package of these ToastChee and Whole Grain sandwich crackers and four grams in the Toasty sandwich crackers?

So whether my girls are popping these into their lunchbox or grabbing them as we head out the door for swim team practice, they'll be ready to keep their bodies going (and their mouths from complaining about being hungry... for at least a little while)!

Along with the classic ways that Lance has clued-in to what moms want in wholesome snacks, I love that they have continued to stay on top of things as the years have progressed. They now not only steer clear of preservatives and have removed trans fat and high fructose corn syrup, but they have launched new products such as their great gluten-free options.

These have all the real peanut butter and cheddar cheese flavors that Lance fans have come to expect, just now in the perfect bite size gluten free form!

If you're in the market for a convenient, great-tasting, and nutritious way to satisfy your family after school (or anytime!), be sure to turn to Lance. Their full line-up of products is available at retailers across the country (hint: use their product locator to find your nearest store), where each box of sandwich crackers and cookies contains eight individually wrapped packages of six sandwiches.

To find out much more information, nutrition facts, other products, and more, visit Lance.com and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be able to see how quick, easy and tasty it can be to keep their kids fueled and ready for after-school activities as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 Visa gift card and prize pack of Lance sandwich crackers!

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A big thank you to Lance for providing sandwich crackers and compensation for me as well as a prize pack for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Summer Fun with Kemps Craveable Ice Cream Flavors {Giveaway - 5 winners!}

This post is sponsored by Kemps, but my love for their ice cream is all my own!

While spring was coming to an end and the hot days of summer began to roll in, this year I focused on staying realistic about what the season would entail.

Although I'd like to say that I pictured leisurely, relaxing days — the kids are out of school, so we'll have plenty of time to enjoy the park or go on a picnic or just kick back and play in the yard, right? — I also knew that the various camps, sports, lessons, classes and events that my girls were signed up for would greatly impede on that daydream.

Therefore, I wanted to be sure to carve out plenty of those carefree moments, for myself as well as for my family. After all, when we all look back, the most memorable days are going to be the ones spent together laughing and having fun, right?

Plus, this summer I found my inspiration in a unique location. Instead of spending time planning, organizing and preparing, I simply opened up my freezer and had the answer: Kemps ice cream.

There’s nothing more special than spending quality time together in the summer, whether just the family or with a few friends. So why not make it even sweeter by adding in one or more of Kemps' craveable ice cream flavors?

Think it might be difficult to find one that the whole family will enjoy? Not when Kemps has 40 delicious flavors to choose from that are smooth and creamy and loaded with delicious add-ins!

Chocolate lovers will find bliss in delicious flavors like Moose Tracks Double Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and Old Fashioned Toasted Almond Fudge. Candy lovers will adore unique offerings like Pearson’s Mint Patties, Nut Goodie and Salted Nut Roll. And around the holidays we can all celebrate with our families with tasty bowls of Pumpkin Pie, Candy Cane and Holiday Vanilla!

We opted to try two new-to-us flavors recently and there is no doubt that the Caramel Cow Tracks and the Double Caramel Cookie Crunch have been a huge hit.

Whether we are hanging out after a long, hot day or are enjoying the company of amazing friends, there is just no comparison to the old-fashioned goodness of Kemps ice cream. The only negative is when you look down at your empty dish or realize in dismay that your cone is quickly disappearing!

Ready to kick back with your own scoop of Kemps deliciousness? In celebration of July being National Ice Cream Month, FIVE lucky winners will receive $5 coupons for Kemps ice cream so that they too can kick back and have a summer filled with creamy goodness!

Entry is easy! Simply visit Kemps here and then leave a comment below telling me which of their incredible flavor(s) you would like to try first. This giveaway ends on July 20, 2016 at 11:59pm CST!

Providing Protection, Moisture and Flavor to Lips Everywhere: ChapStick {Review & Prize Pack Giveaway}

While the majority of people think of the same common items that are must-haves when heading out the door (e.g. phone and wallet), there is one more essential that I need with me at all times: lip balm.

Whether I'm heading out to run errands, taking my girls to play dates, meeting friends for coffee, going to dinner with the whole family or more, I just can't take the feeling of having dry, cracked lips.

Not to mention that this everyday essential also protects and visibly improves the appearance of my lips at the same time, so is it any wonder that I've gone as far as to attach a pouch specifically for my lip balm right onto my keychain? Now there's no chance that I'll be out and find myself wishing my favorite beauty product was there, too!

As you can see, this great little portable pouch isn't just designed for any old lip balm, it is perfectly sized for the one legendary beauty staple that has held my lips' loyalty year after year: ChapStick.

With a specialized formula for every lip need, ChapStick is the tried-and-true product that is found in purses and pockets from coast to coast (and across the world)!

It is no secret that ChapStick helps us achieve moisturized and hydrated lips no matter our age or the season (it is especially a must in the cold, dry winter air!), but did you know that there is an entire collection of ChapStick products, each with their own specialized benefits?

From focusing on relieving dryness to providing a silky feeling to offering a sweet flavor, I was looking forward to expanding my ChapStick horizons to see more of what the full product line contains.

My lips were tingling as soon as I opened the box!

Starting with the ChapStick Classic Range in Original, Strawberry, Cherry, and Spearmint, I was immediately pleased that these were indeed the lip balms that I have always known and loved. As the brand was created more than 100 years ago, there really is no need to look elsewhere for the #1 name in protecting and moisturizing lips!

Keep it Original, toss in fun fruity flavors like Cherry and Strawberry, or keep it fresh with Spearmint; these ChapStick Classic Range varieties are perfect for each and every day.

When you know that your lips are going to be taking on the elements than usual, ChapStick Sun Defense offers a conditioning formula, including sun protection with SPF 25. Winter, spring, summer and fall, this unique ChapStick prevents and temporarily protects chafed, chapped or cracked lips. Don't even think of hitting the slopes this winter without it!

If your lips do end up needing a little extra TLC, however, ChapStick Medicated is the perfect answer. Whether you are feeling under the weather or just need that extra boost of hydration, ChapStick Medicated quickly soothes and seals in moisture with a light, protective barrier to help heal dry, chapped lips.

For an extra boost of hydration, the ChapStick Moisturizer collection (I sampled the Raspberry Crème, Original, Green Apple, and Vanilla Mint varieties) feature special moisturizing ingredients such as Aloe and Vitamins that leave your lips feeling soft, supple and silky in winter or summer.

I love that these are not only delicious but that their ultra hydrating formula really does leave my lips feeling like they have locked in some extra saturation!

Finally, if you are looking to treat your lips to a refreshing and fruitful getaway, the ChapStick Tropical Paradise Collection is the solution to bringing the islands with you wherever you go.

These tropical inspired, fresh fruit flavors are reminiscent of warm weather and an island breeze and come in amazing Mango Sunrise and Aloha Coconut varieties (the latter is available exclusively at Walmart stores).

No matter if you prefer original or fruit flavors, need traditional or extra protection, or simply are like me and don't leave home without the go-to lip balm product that always keeps lips soft and smooth, there is a ChapStick flavor and formula for everyone. Which one is right for you?

To find out more about these and all of the other fantastic ChapStick products available, be sure to visit ChapStick.com and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be prepared to keep their lips soft and protected for quite some time to come, because...

One lucky person will win a complete ChapStick prize pack*!

*Prize Pack contains one each of the following ChapStick varieties: ChapStick Classic Range in Original, Strawberry, Cherry, and Spearmint; ChapStick Moisturizer in Raspberry Crème, Original, Green Apple, and Vanilla Mint; ChapStick Tropical Paradise Collection in Mango Sunrise and Aloha Coconut; ChapStick Sun Defense; ChapStick Medicated.

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The ChapStick® product, information and monetary gift have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.