Jolly Mom

Link up your giveaways!

Please make sure to link directly to the giveaway and list the name of the giveaway along with the expiration date. Don't forget to stop by Go Graham Go to link up over there as well!

Do you want to know what kids think? I mean, what they really think about their everyday life? Want to know what activities kids are most enjoying during family time? What are their dreams and expectations for the future? What they aspire to do as adults, what they think the world will be like, and what new technologies will affect their lives? These are the questions that Highlights Magazine is asking kids in their 2nd Annual State of the Kid Report.

For example, the “2nd Annual Highlights State of the Kid” survey reveals that allowance has declined drastically from 10 years ago. The 2010 State of the Kid from Highlights magazine showed the most common allowance range for ten-year-olds was $3 to $ 5 (40.8 percent). In addition, more than 90 percent said they had to earn their allowance, indicating parents are teaching kids the value of money.

The average allowance for a 10-year-old boy in 1990 was $8.50 a week, according to a Rand Youth Poll. Average allowance for a boy at 10 in 1999 was up to $16.90 a week (http://www.usatoday.com/life/lds001.htm).

The survey results, in their entirety, were recently released on August 17 at a press conference in D.C. To download the report, click HERE.

I have announced winners for the following giveaways {click on the links to see who won}:

Nanny McPhee Prize Pack 3 Winners
OrganWise Guys Summer Fun Kit
Ice Cream Challenge Kit
Wee Ride Bike Carrier
Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion
Breyers Coupons
Music, Music Everywhere DVD



Congratulations to all of the winners! As always, all of the winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me to claim their prize.

We only recently became avocado fans, but I am so glad that we did. Not only are they uber healthy, but they are seriously good eats! Avocados have only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices) and they are sodium and cholesterol free. Better yet, they contain nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Most people eat avocados in a savory dishes like guacamole or sandwiches and salads, but I like to eat them in sweet dishes too. I came up with a dessert quesadilla that features the creamy, luscious texture of avocados and one of Georgia's namesakes--the peach. Mike dubbed it "Piera's Peachy Avocado Delight" so that's what I'm sticking with LOL! Anyhow, this is a sweet little treat that is truly delicious, easy to make and the bonus? You can feel good about you and your kids eating it.



Ingredients:
2 large whole wheat tortillas
1 avocado, peel removed
1 peach diced into small cubes
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
2 tbsp sugar plus a little more for sprinkling
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter
powdered sugar

Directions:
Using a hand mixer, cream together avocado, ricotta cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread the avocado mixture onto the tortillas and add the diced peaches to one half of the tortilla {will make it easier to fold later}. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar over the peaches and fold tortilla in half. Spread top side of tortilla with butter and place buttered side down on preheated griddle over a medium-high heat and grill until the tortilla starts to brown and crisp. Butter the other side while it is in the pan. Flip and continue grilling until other side is done. Remove from griddle and dust with powdered sugar. Makes 2 quesadillas..







I wrote this post while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.

One of the most impressive amenities aboard the Carnival Fantasy and all Carnival cruise ships is the attention they pay to kids and families--from fun, family friendly activities throughout the ship to their youth programs. Today, I want to specifically talk about Camp Carnival--an award-winning children's program for children 2 to 11.

The kids are split into three age groups: 2-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds, and 9-11 year olds.

Safety is a huge concern for Carnival. For the young kids {2-5 years old} parents are given a complimentary cell phone. If anything happens to your child while at Camp Carnival {i.e. child gets sick, misses parents, etc} then they call you. You can also call them to check on your child. Parents must also check their children in and out of Camp Carnival. I think the 9-11 year olds have the option of signing themselves out IF PARENTS give permission. Camp Carnival is open from 10 am to 10 PM. Parents are free to bring their kids anytime during those hours and there is no charge. You can leave your kids for any amount of time--from 30 minutes to hours. After 10 PM, they also offer paid baby sitting services at the center.

You could call Camp Carnival a "daycare", but it is really so much more. Camp Carnival is an activity based program.

It is not a place where kids are just baby sat. No. Camp Carnival is a place where kids are provided fun and educational activities throughout the time they are there. They provide you with a daily itinerary, which lets you know exactly what they will be doing and at what time. In Lucas' age group {2-5}, they did crafts, face painting, Bear Cuddly {like Build-a-Bear} Workshops, children's parties, scavenger hunts, talent shows, and so much more.




For the older kids, Camp Carnival offers a computer room, video games, crafts, parties, and more. The 9-11 age group is also taken to the pool to swim, to play mini-golf, and to other areas of the ship for fun activities.

Camp Carnival offers parents an opportunity to spend some alone time on the ship while their kids also have a great time with their new cruise friends. Now, unfortunately for me...Lucas did not want to stay at Camp Carnival. Well, let me rephrase...he wanted to stay, but he did not want me to leave. This is not Camp Carnival's fault though. Lucas has never been in any daycare/preschool program before. Both Mike and I work from home so there is no need. Anyhow, he stayed at Camp Carnival twice for about 45 minutes, but then he would miss us and ask for the camp counselors to call us to pick him up. Hopefully, next time we go on a cruise he will be more accustomed to preschool and we'll be able to take more advantage of Camp Carnival because it truly is a great program. The camp counselors are amazing. They are all so welcoming to the kids and parents and they are just FUN. They tried over and over to help Lucas feel comfortable--they were awesome. They also made both Mike and I feel comfortable leaving Lucas. That's saying a lot coming from two parents who have never left their child in a daycare/preschool program.

The fire fighting Dalmatian isn’t the only working dog in town – there are many other types of heroic doggies, from the Seeing Eye dog to the St. Bernard Mountain Rescue ranger. In Marmaduke, the Great Dane tries to so save his friend from drowning, just like Newfoundlands do with people in real life.

Leaping out of the doghouse and onto the big screen, the hilarious hijinks of the good-natured Great Dane Marmaduke barks its way onto Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack and DVD Single Disc August 31.

An all-star cast of voice talents, including Owen Wilson (Marley & Me), George Lopez (“The George Lopez Show”), Kiefer Sutherland (“24”), and Fergie (The Black Eyed Peas) lend their voices to the dog-out-of-water tale about what happens when the lovable oversized pooch is unleashed in an idyllic seaside town. When Marmaduke (Wilson) moves to a new neighborhood with his family, the super-sized teenage dog soon discovers he just doesn’t fit in—literally! Marmaduke can’t help being a one-dog wrecking crew, causing fur-flying chaos wherever he roams. But, with the help of his friend, Carlos the Cat (Lopez), Marmaduke may just get out of the doghouse, fall in love, and surf off into the sunset.

Just in time for some end of summer fun, Marmaduke Blu-ray Combo Pack (a two-disc set of Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film) comes packed with laugh-out-loud special features including more surf dog fun in Cowabarka!, canine casting, the Marmaduke Mayhem gag reel, deleted scenes, and more. The Marmaduke standard DVD will also include deleted scenes and featurettes.

Now, take a look at some well known pet professions and pick up Marmaduke out on Blu-ray Disc and DVD August 31st!

Border Collies – Border Collies are often used for herding sheep and other livestock on farms because of their natural pack instinct. They take direction well even from a distance which makes them ideal for working. They will also protect their charges from predators like wolves and coyotes.

St. Bernards – St. Bernards have a long history serving as rescue dogs, especially in the mountains. They are known for their size and strength which helps them rescue people who have been trapped. St. Bernards are comfortable in the cold and have a keen sense of direction so it is no wonder they were often used in avalanche territory.

Newfoundlands – These dogs are also often used for rescue but are more suitable for doing so in the water. Newfoundlands are excellent swimmers because of their webbed feet and their water-resistant coats make them likely lifeguards. This makes them particularly common aboard lifeguard boats and out at sea.

Dalmatians – Dalmatians are often associated with and were used in iconic imagery of the firehouse. They were originally engaged by firemen to clear the path for fire trucks that were pulled by horses because of the congenial nature of both animals. Even though horses are no longer employed the canines have stuck around to guard the house and the firemen.

Bloodhounds – As their name might suggest, these dogs have an excellent sense of smell, not just for blood. While in the past this skill may have been used for hunting, bloodhounds are often used as tracking and search dogs for missing people, drugs, etc.

Beagles – These intelligent dogs may be small but don’t let their size mislead you. Because people aren’t automatically wary of them, beagles can be used in places like airports and train stations as detection dogs. Their sense of smell is excellent for uncovering drugs, explosives and other forms of contraband.

German Shepherds – German shepherds are loyal and smart and can be trained to do a number of tasks. They often serve as guard or enforcement dogs for the police. So even though their size can intimidate this can be useful for cops and the military that need to instill fear in suspects.

Labrador Retrievers – Labs are athletic and usually friendly creatures which make them great for working as guide dogs. They have are a known to be intelligent and mature at a young age so they can trained to assist the visually and hearing impaired.

How to Enter:
1. Leave me a comment telling me what is your favorite type of dog breed.

Extra Entries:
2. Blog about the giveaway and link to www.jollymom.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.
3. Subscribe to Jolly Mom by reader or email or follow on Blogger
4.One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Jolly Mom on Twitter and Tweet about  the giveaway. Make sure to leave your Tweet url in your comment.
5. Add the Jolly Mom button to your sidebar
6. Stumble this post (the post, not the site)
7. Like Jolly Mom on Facebook. Leave me a comment letting me know that you did and include your Facebook name.




The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.