An Iowa Mom

Happy Halloween!

Yikes ...

Yowwsers ...

Holy Kaamolie ...

 

Boo?

Sorry.  Didn't mean to scare you! 

Just wanted to say ...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I_Blog Conference Ticket Giveaway!

Giveaway Has Ended!  Laura is our winner!  Congratulations!

Last night, after asking her to share the new coloring markers with her sister, my sweet Emily threw a conniption fit like I haven't ever seen before.  Think about it.  I have four children, and have seen more than my share of meltdowns ... and the magnitude of this temper tantrum was a first for me. 

Yeah ... it was that crazy!

She cried and screamed as she sat in her 7 minute timeout, which was extended by that amount each time she refused to apologize for her unacceptable behavior ... bringing her to a 56 minute naughty spot visit.  At one point she belt out, "I CAN NOT wait until you leave.  Until you just go to that blog meeting of yours and stop being so mean to ME!"

And those words brought a smile to my face.  Yup, they sure did ... because guess what?

I CAN'T WAIT EITHER!!!!!! 

Next weekend, November 5-7, I'm heading west to the I_Blog Conference in Perry, Iowa.   It's been in the making since the inaugural conference that I had to miss last November.  Let me tell ya, I've been so darned excited to attend this one I can't even find the words to express it.

First of all, getting to spend three days and two nights at the incredible Hotel Pattee in Perry, would and should make any person down right giddy.  I had the honor of visiting and touring the hotel with Jody and her family while I was treated to brunch at the hotel.  It was truly unlike any place I've ever been to.  The theme rooms make it so much fun! 

There are an array of many awesome speakers and sessions that will take place over the three days in which the conference is being held.  After years of blogging , I think I've talked about everything in my life ... except for what color undies I wear on Tuesday's.  Wait, I'm sure there is a post out there somewhere on that.  Anyway, Paula Reece (my roomie at the conference and the writer at Boogers & Burps) will be sharing tips about how to overcome writer's block.  I just know that this will give me the knowledge I so desperately need, so I can become a more regular blogger again.  I'm also looking forward to learning how to make my photos a little more pleasing to the eye and exciting for you all to peek at.  Oh, and how I can make social networking work for me ... since right now, all it does is suck me into playing games ... while I should be BLOGGING. 

Ahem.

So ... as you can see, whether you're an old fart of a blogger, like myself ... or a novice ... there is a wealth of information at this conference for the taking.  You just have to get there!

And because I love you all so much, I'm happy to share with you ... <drum roll please> a chance to win a ticket to the conference!!!!  That is a $199 value, people!

SWEET!

So, if you're a blogger ... or have ever considered becoming a blogger ... you MUST enter to win this awesome prize.  Just leave a comment below and tell me which session you'd be the most excited to attend.  That's it.  That easy.  But attending will change your blogging life for the better ... forever!

I'll draw a winner on Monday morning at 10am CST.  The winner will be notified by email. 

Please keep in mind that the prize is for a free ticket to the conference.  Lodging for the event is not included.   However, you can check out the Facebook Page for I_Blog to find a roommate, which cuts the cost.  :)

Stepping Back: Happy 10th Birthday Drew!

 

HE DID NOT ....

 

JUST DO THAT!!!

 
Uuuummmm ... yeah, he did.

I don't know which is worse, the fact he put his face into a cupcake, or that he did it while it was perched upon a Princess plate?

Just sayin'.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW-BE-DOO!

We love you!

**  If I were a good mother (and blogger), this would have been posted back on August 31st, when Drew actually turned 10 years old.  Hey, at least I blogged it!  And I'm not even two months late.   That is called success in my book!

Dean's Cheesy Pretzel Dip Giveaway - Week 3

Giveaway Has Ended!  Nanc Schmidt is our winner!  Congratulations!

Whoops!  I guess I got a little side tracked and didn't post this giveaway as soon as I should have!  Leave it to me, right?  I do apologize!

Anyway, I've been enjoying the heck out of the Dean's Pretzel Dip.  It's quickly becoming one of our faves, and I hope you have given it a try too.  We all know that Deans dip is perfect for any occasion, but Thanksgiving is just a month away.  The perfect time to win the Party Pack!

 Leave a comment below and answer the following question:

 

If you win the Deans Dip party pack - will you ...:

a. Have Family Game Night
b. Invite Some Friends Over And Have a Twister Party
c.  Include It With Your Thanksgiving Feast

All entry comments will be entered and a winner will be randomly selected to win Dean's Dip Party pack complete!!!  This includes FREE Deans Dip coupons, pretzel tin with mini pretzels, chip & dip tray, Twister game board,  chip clips, and the reusable bag.

Contest ends on Friday, October 29th.  Good luck!!

* I was given Dean's coupons and items in exchange for this post.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.  Prizes will also be supplied by Dean. *

A House Full Of Teachers

This morning as we were getting ready for school, it became time to put on our shoes.  As both of the girls slipped on their sneakers, Molly began to whine because I insisted on tying hers.

Molly:  MOM!  I know how to tie. 

Me:  I know you do, but when you are going to school, I want them to be tight and knotted so they STAY tied.

Molly:  Did you tie Emily's shoes in kindergarten?

Me:  Yes.  She didn't learn how to tie until the end of her kindergarten year.

Molly:  And I know how to tie at the BEGINNING of the year.

Me:  Keep in mind that Emily teaches you how to do a lot of the things that you wouldn't know how to do at this age if it weren't for her.

Molly:  Yup, just like the boys teach me bad words.

Yeah ... kinda.  I guess. 

Dean's Cheesy Pretzel Dip Giveaway - Week 2

Giveaway Has Ended!  Amy Flege is our winner!  Congratulations!

The winner has been chosen for the Week One giveaway, but the fun is not over yet.  There are still two more weeks to win!!  Sweet, huh?  Well, it has to be a three week gig, because Dean's Cheesy Pretzel Dip is just too good to chance someone not hearing about it.  Hopefully, within the three weeks, all of my readers will have popped in and had a chance to WIN!

So, WEEK TWO ... here goes:

Whats your favorite Deans dip recipe @ Deansdip.com?  

Head on over to DeansDip.com  and look 'em over, then come back and leave a comment telling me your favorite!  Not real hard ... but so rewarding.  Not only will you find some new ideas, you will also be entered to win some chip clips and a reusable bag. 

 

The lucky winner will be drawn on Friday, October 8th. 

At that time ... the BIG DADDY of a giveaway will be announced.  And just an FYI ... I will be using the entries from Week 1 and Week 2 as additional chances on the Week 3 giveaway!  Basically saying, if you comment on this giveaway, you will have an extra chance to win the grand giveaway! 

Good Luck!

* I was given Dean's coupons and items in exchange for this post.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.  Prizes will also be supplied by Dean. *