Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Laverty style

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!  Enjoy :~)

P.S.  For some reason you cannot see all of the screen so you can click this link to see it better...http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/LMi19nGH0aKIBoaZ3gSk

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

25 Days of Free Christmas Music

Amazon is at it again! You can get 25 free Christmas songs this month with a new song every day. I know my husband will love the first one!



http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=pe_158420_21974290_pe_b4_t/?docId=1000453281

The Game Of Your Life

My poor blog is suffering these days. Thanks for sticking with me and I will try to do better in the future!

Today's posting is about another Family Movie Night brought to you by Proctor & Gamble and Walmart. Our family loves these movies and puts in on the calendar and makes a point to sit down as a family and watch them together.

Friday, December 2nd, "The Game of your Life" will be showing at 8/7c on NBC and stars Lea Thompson (from Back to the Future and Caroline in the City). Below is the synopsis of the movie and you can see the trailer here. Mark your calendar!

"When industrious high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a prized scholarship to the prestigious Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD), his future breaks wide open. The opportunity to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and alongside the country’s most creative minds will certainly propel him into a successful career as a video game designer. That is, if he can pass the infamous freshman project that eliminates more than half of the class within the first three months.

Paired with brilliant yet socially awkward teammates Phillip and Donald, the trio persuades Sara Ramirez – a determined and striking team leader with whom Zach has a history (and possibly a future) – to join their team. Working off-campus in the teched-out Lincoln Alley loft, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. But as the group becomes entrenched in the project, Zach learns that his father Billy, a widower, is facing growing financial woes at home. To help out, Zach accepts an opportunity to work directly with Marcus Bentton on a secretive side project that seems too good to be true. The effort requires nearly all of Zach’s time and energy, which he should be devoting to the project. Struggling to keep it together, Zach is torn between his responsibility to his team, his admiration for Bentton and a chance to help his father.

Everything comes to a breaking point when Zach’s team threatens to remove him from the group and the deceptive truth behind Bentton’s project comes to light. With the guidance of Professor Abbie Lambert, Zach must make a decision that not only affects his future, but the lives and livelihoods of the people around him as well. It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions."

Who is Simon Miller?

Remember last month how I highlighted Family Movie Night! Well, they have a new movie...Who Is Simon Miller? and it will be on August 6th at 8/7c on NBC. It's an action-packed thriller about one family's mission to find out the truth about their father.

The Millers were an ordinary family living an ordinary life. That is, until the day Simon Miller went missing. Now wife Meredith, daughter Sarah and son Kevin must embark on a perilous mission to find him. But what they soon discover creates more questions than answers. This heart-pounding thriller takes you on a family's journey and tests the limits to which the Millers will fight for each other-putting their trust, loyalty and forgiveness to the test.

Check out the trailer and mark your calendars! We will be serving up some goodies and having a Family Movie Night at our house on August 6^th and my girls are excited for this kid friendly thriller!! Plan your movie night with your kids!

Family Movie Night

Have you seen or heard about any of the Family Movie Nights movies that Proctor & Gamble and Walmart have been showing? We have been able to watch several of the movies. The most recent movie "Truth Be Told" starred Candace Cameron Bure (from the TV series "Full House") who played the role of a Marriage Counselor. All of the movies that we have seen have been geared for the entire family to watch.


They have a new movie, "Field of Vision", that will be shown on Saturday, June 11th at 8/7c. It's a compelling story about the challenges and rewards in doing the right thing and stars Faith Ford (from the sitcom "Hope and Faith"). Looks like a great movie for our kids! You can see a preview here.

According to the Family Movie Nights webpage:

"Walmart and P&G have partnered to create the Family Moments initiative to help moms and families better connect with each other. Family Movie Night is a part of that movement to provide meaningful entertainment for the entire family.

During Family Movie Night, you can be confident that the programming on their screens will be fun and action-packed, without the worry of having to dive for the remote to change the channel when inappropriate ads or other content comes on. Soundtracks for the films also feature top producers and artists. The day after airing, a special 2-disc DVD/CD bonus pack will be available for purchase exclusively through Walmart.

By providing this block of time, Walmart and P&G are striving to reconnect families across the country that are bombarded by busy schedules and the lack of programming that's appealing to everyone. Tune in and see what the buzz is about."

Mark your calendars and sit down with the entire family for a good quality movie. We actually enjoyed the humorous commercials as much as the movie! Pop some popcorn, add some hot tamale candy (something my mom always does :~)) and lay out a blanket with pillows to make some memories with your kids!

Summer Reading Programs = free books

It's getting closer to summer! I don't know about you but I'm ready for some sunshine and some down time for the kids. We haven't had much of a Spring and I'm ready to start wearing Capri's and T-shirts! I am so tired of sweaters and jeans. The kids are so ready for a break from homework and reports. Bring on the sunshine and summer!

The one thing my kids have always loved is the summer reading programs that are offered by local book stores. My oldest is getting too old for them though! Bummer!! Why do they have to grow up so quickly!? There are several bookstores that participate and who doesn't love a free book!

BORDERS
Borders has the Double-Dog Dare Challenge for kids 12 and under to read 10 books and get one FREE! Go here to print the form and here to see a list of books that your child can select from for their FREE book.

BARNES & NOBLES
They have the Imagination's Destination Summer Reading Program. Kids read any 8 books and record them in the journal. You can download the form and see the list of free books that they can choose from here. They also have some activity pages you can download for both parents and educators.

HALF PRICE BOOKS
Last year Half Price Books offered a Summer Reading Program called Feed Your Brain. I couldn't find any information on their website with summer's 2011 information. So, check their website in a week or two and you should be able to find out the details. Last year, the program gave out free Half Price Books gift cards to kids who read for 15 minutes or more each day for at least 5 days. Seemed like a great program but we did not take advantage of this one since it's not in our immediate neighborhood.

CHUCK E. CHEESE
Chuck E. Cheese offers many incentive program. Kids can earn 10 tokens for reading every day for 2 weeks. Go here to see a list of all the programs that they offer and to print the reading log. They have logs from "potty training" to "no nose picking" where kids can earn FREE tokens! Seriously!!

PUBLIC LIBRARY
Check out your local library because most libraries offer a summer reading program. Our library offers a free book as well as a chance to put your name in for several different drawings like a $50 gift certificate to the mall or a giant stuffed animal.

If you would like to quickly print off some free bookmarks, go here or here and then print them on cardstock. Cut out the bookmarks, punch a hole in the top and then tie on some yarn or funky ribbon. Your kids will love having a new bookmark that you've quickly handcrafted for them!

Reading is a great way for kids to soar! They get to experience adventures, solve mysteries and learn in the process. Shh! Don't tell them about that last part. Help your kids develop a love of reading and reward them this summer by participating in one or more of the summer reading programs!

Scared of Sharks?

There is a great inspirational movie coming out next month that's on our list to see. Soul Surfer, the movie, is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton and her encounter with a tiger shark while surfing.

The film features AnnaSophia Robb as she protrays Bethany Hamilton in her fight to recover and get back on the waves. Bethany had a natural talent to surf so her world was shaken after this shark attack. Also starring, Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt as her loving parents & the talented musician, Carrie Underwood, as her youth group leader. Sounds like a great cast to me!

Included in the movie are two songs performed by Britt Nicole who is a favorite music artist of Madison. Britt Nicole has thought-provoking lyrics that she tends to write with specific people in mind but that are applicable to all.

Bethany Hamilton is a great role model for daughters and has several books available that would be good to add to your daughters library. Go here to watch the trailer of this must see movie that will be in theatres everywhere on April 8th!

A Little Chuckle For Your Day

It's been far too long since I've posted a picture of my cute girlies. I got them these fun lip lolipops for Valentine's Day that we all got a kick out of. I thought those of you who are faithful viewers would like this. Have a great day!!

Safeway's at it again!

Back in August before school started I was able to stock up on the Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks for my kids' lunches at about $0.25/box at Safeway! Well, you can get them for the bottom line price of $0.09/box right now! They also have a great deal going on the Nature Valley Granola Bars...$0.57/box! Here's what you need to know to get the deal but keep in mind that this deal only last until January 8th at Safeway!

Purchase Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks: Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, or Fruit Stickers Between 12/27-1/23 (The $0.09/box price is only good through 1/8 at Safeway!!)

Buy 3, receive $1 off-your-next-order (This is a Catalina coupon that prints after your purchase)
Buy 4, receive $2 off-your-next-order
Buy 5, receive $3 off-your-next-order

Buy (5) Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks $0.99 each

use (1) $1/3 printable-bettycrocker.com or pillsbury.com

use (1) $0.50/2 printable-coupons.com or 1/2 General Mills insert
Pay: $3.45 out of pocket
Receive a $3 Catalina coupon
Bottom line: $0.45 total (or $0.09 a box!)

Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.77, limit 6 w/ in ad coupon ends 1/8

buy 5, receive $3.50 OYNO Share w/mom

use (1) $0.50/1 printable -coupons.com or smartsource.com

use (2) $1/2 printable-bettycrocker.com or pillsbury.com or

use $0.75/2 from GM 1/2

Total OOP: $6.35, and receive $3.50 Catalina

Final Price: $2.85 or $0.57 each

Just a reminder for those of you who *Swagbuck, you can print some of the coupons above from there and then you'll get more swagbucks! Go to the Earn tab and then select Coupons. My Safeway had plenty in stock to choose from and they even had a healthier chose Fruit Roll-up called Simply... It is made with more than 90% fruit juice and I found it on the top shelf plus it was included in the sale!

*Interested in learning about Swagbucks, see my post "Are you Swagbucking to Christmas?" Now that Christmas has come and gone I can share what I was able to get with my Amazon cards. I got a Small Stereo/Cd player for my oldest daughter which she loves, 3 DVD's (2 of which were new releases marked down to $10 - The Karate Kid & Ramona and Beezus**) and a CD. Not bad for $75 in Amazon gift cards I earned while searching the net! Read my post!!

**I highly recommend Ramona & Beezus! This was a great family movie and gave me a better understanding of how my youngest tends to think :~) I'm hoping they will come out with other Ramona movies.