Mom Reviews

Computer eye strain very high due to the digital age – WIN

July 25, 2011 by Jennifer 52 Comments

Congratulations to comment #3 Mami. You have won the VSP Experience.

Did you know computer eye strain was the number one computer related complaint? It is no wonder in this digital age, when we always have some type of tech device in front of our face. Sadly, children and teenagers (ages 8-18) are spending more than 7.5 hours a day. I have wrote several posts about turning technology off and spending more time as a family. I am guilty with staring at a computer too long and it really hits home with VSP Vision Care 3rd EyeFiles episode. Tune in and listen how we can combat digital eye strain. Simple and short steps that will help us so much.

Very interesting right? VSP is taking it one step further to help you. One lucky reader is going to win a VSP Experience. The VSP experience includes an exam at a VSP doctor (you can find a doc near you at www.vsp.com) and a Lens/Frame (or contacts in lieu of lenses and frame). The frame/lens allowance is $130 allowance -or- a $130 allowance towards contact lenses/fitting. Below please see a list of covered lens options…

– Blended Bifocals
– Progressive Lenses
– Photo chromic
– Plano Lenses
– Tints and Dyes
– Scratch resistant coating
– Anti-reflective coating
– Rimless Mounting

To Enter:

1. Leave a question in the comments section below. What would you ask an eye doctor about your eyes and technology? We will compile all questions at the end and have them answered by a doctor, so check back.

Extra Entries:

Tweet about this Giveaway

Subscribe to our Feed

Make sure to leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

Like VSP Vision Care on Facebook so you can stay updated about eye health. You will not regret it 🙂

Contest ends 11:59pm ET on August 1, 2011.

Disclosure: I am a VSP Ambassador. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

T Rowe Price and Disney launch the Great Piggy Bank – Giveaway

July 25, 2011 by Jennifer 202 Comments

Congratulations to Comment #33 Charline. Check your email to claim your prize.

Did your parents talk to you about money and ways to save money growing up? I believe the numbers can be all over the board when it comes down to yes or no. I would be in the middle. My parents very rarely talked to me about money, but I paid attention to their money habits. We were not rich at all means, but I was provided for. I knew that I wanted to be better with money when I was an adult and I feel like that I am. Thinking back though, I do wish that I would have had more conversations around money.

This is why I want to change things with my girls. My husband and I are very open about money and all the reasons we need to save. For instance, when we go in the store and the girls really want that toy hanging in the aisle, I remind them that if I gave into every toy want, our family trips would not happen. It helps to educate them one-on-one with parenting advice, but having a back-up helps strongly.

Thanks to T. Rowe Price and Disney, we now have The Great Piggy Bank Adventure. T. Rowe and Disney are committed to helping families talk about saving and spending money wisely. The online game will give kids the knowledge they need when it comes to money, all the while making it fun. Another cool feature is the kids getting to experience the interactive experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® directly online. While The Great Piggy Bank Adventure® is designed for kids from ages 8 to 14, fun-loving adults are encouraged to play with their kids and get involved in their financial education. The girls and I are having fun playing. It is so cute seeing the girls asking more questions about money and understanding why mommy has to say no sometimes.

To help kick-off this fun and interactive game, T. Rowe Price is offering one lucky reader here their very own Flip Cam!

To Enter:

1. Visit The Great Piggy Bank Adventure

2. Leave a comment below on who you plan to introduce this new adventure to.

Extra Entries:

Tweet about this Giveaway

Subscribe to our Feed

Make sure to leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

Contest ends 11:59pm ET on August 1, 2011.

Disclosure: I am working on a campaign with T. Rowe Price. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Finally a safe site for kids – Yoursphere

July 18, 2011 by Jennifer 2 Comments

The internet can be a scary place and especially this holds true for children. You hear so much about child predators and the internet is instant bait which just sickens me. My girls are limited to what they can do online and I am right there with them when they are online to ensure they are safe. With my oldest daughter M though, we are entering the stage where she wants to talk to her friends online and play games online. I have been searching for a site that would allow her to play games safely online and was recently introduced to Yoursphere.com.

We are taking things slow but I let M dive in last week. Over the next three months, I will be posting updates on my thoughts and opinions of the site.

My first impression:

– I love how secure the site is and how they double check anyone when signing up.

– The team of law enforcement force behind the site really eases my mind.

– I am not sure how I feel about her adding friends but will go deeper in thought with this over the next two months as we continue to research the site fully.

M’s first impression:

– She loves all the different games that is available to play in the virtual world.

– The object of collecting coins is really enticing for her as she is very competitive.

The concept is such a great one and much needed for tweens 8 to 12. There needs to be a safe place and I feel like Mary Kay the founder is really developing this with Yoursphere.com. As stated on their site:

Yoursphere’s priority of children’s online safety and privacy is achieved via implementation of technology, human oversight, proprietary policies including input from their Law Enforcement Task Force populated by former Secret Service, FBI agents and other law enforcement officials as well as through education and action.

I look forward to diving even deeper with M and sharing our experiences. Stay tuned. Why don’t you join with your tweens as well and navigate a safer environment. If you do sign-up, use the code: YS11-RTR8. Also join Yoursphere on Facebook to stay updated and Twitter as well.

Disclosure: I am participating in a summer campaign with Yoursphere. I am compensated for my time. As always, all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

You jumped in the pool with your clothes?

July 14, 2011 by Jennifer 4 Comments

Last weekend, as you all know, I was in Utah at the amazing EVO Conference. The entire weekend was filled with wonderful and amazing people. Not to mention, our backdrop was the beautiful scenic mountains of Utah. How would you close such an amazing conference on a note that everyone would remember and laugh about? Of course, a group of moms jumping in the pool with their clothes.

(I am the only girl on the right with white shirt)

Two photos that capture the pure essence of the pool jump. Can’t wait to do it again next year.

What crazy things have you done in the spare of the moment?

Win a trip to Texas

July 12, 2011 by Jennifer 88 Comments

Texas is a state that I have always wanted to visit. There are so many wonderful sights for families from North Texas all the way to South Texas. The sights may win you in but if not, I know the food will. Let me start you out with some good ole Texas Chili and Cornbread that I cooked tonight for my family.

The smell filled the whole house while the chili was simmering.

My grandma would be proud of this delicious cake of cornbread.

I will serve yours on a Texas sized platter.

Hang tight and I will tell you how you can win your own pot of chili and cornbread.

Since everyone of course cannot go to Texas all at one time, Texas is coming to you on their tour this summer. The dates remaining this summer are:

– Bite of Seattle 7/15-7/17 Seattle, WA
– Ohio State Fair 7/27-7/31 Columbus, OH
– Iowa State Fair 8/11-8/21 Des Moines, IA
– Minnesota State Fair 8/25- 8/28 St. Paul, MN

I love when states make it easy for families to make travel plans. Texas is opening their big hearts and inviting families to their site so they can help create the best family vacation with their trip planner. These are the family attractions that caught my eye:

SeaWorld – San Antonia

Six Flags Over Texas

Schlitterbahn Beach – South Padre Island

Texas State Aquarium – Corpus Christi

Gladys Porter Zoo – Brownsville

NASA Space Center – Houston

River Walk – San Antonio

There is one fact for sure, you would never get bored in Texas. Don’t worry either that you will get lost as Texas Tourism has a mobile app and a mobile website that can be right with you every step of the way. What are you waiting on, get to planning that vacation, but first you can enter this giveaway as you never know…. you could be a winner.

WIN: While you are waiting to see if you win the Texas on Tour, enter my chili and cornbread giveaway. I will go ahead and tell you, that you have not ate true chili until you have tried Texas Chili.

texas chili gift pack — Texas Chili Gift Pack - $50 Value

Enter:

1. Leave a comment of who you would share a delicious bowl of chili and cornbread with!

Extra Entries:

Tweet about this Giveaway

Subscribe to our Feed

Make sure to leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

Contest ends 11:59pm ET on July 18, 2011.

Disclosure: Yes, I was sent a delicious gift set to tease my family with the Texas food but I was not compensated for this post. This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Mom Reviews

Footer