Our Favorite Black Friday Deal

At a price like this, be sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare!

Walmart has an Emerson 32 inch HDTV for only $198! I have a friend of mine that is planning on staying at Walmart from 10pm tonight to get hers! Happy Shopping, Black Friday shoppers!

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We Are Thankful For...

We are thankful for you, our fans, our readers, our followers, our advertisers, our sponsors, our partners, our new, inquisitive friends, our long time friends and family that has shown your love, support, and encouragement through the years. Without you, there would be no us, and for that we are beyond grateful.

From our families to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

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About One- One Site for Your Whole Life Review + Giveaway

This review is a little different than most reviews I do, because I'm really, really over protective of my children and my personal information (like social security codes, birth certificates, etc). I am also crazy disorganized when it comes to my files. I try to keep things in one place, then I need them for an appointment, or my husband needs to update records with work, and I go for them the next time, and have to rip through the house because they're not in the file they're supposed to be in, I get uber upset, to the point of tears, then they turn up, and I put them back in the box they belong in. It's insane.

Recently I was introduced to this website called About One, and asked to log into my new account to learn about it, customize it, and post on 4BabyAndMom what I thought about it. I loved the cute intro video and felt very optimistic about the site. Check out the video here:

To log in, try it for free, and/or sign up for an account, it was super easy. It took only a few moments, but after that was when I really had to take a minute to learn the site. Don't get me wrong, the site is very user friendly, but this time of year,especially, I am a uber busy mom on the go. I can only add morsels at a time. For a new or expectant mom, I could see getting off to a great start in 'Mom-dom' by signing up for About One.. in fact, I wish this site existed when I was pregnant with my oldest!

Experienced moms have a lot to gain from About One, as well. (Especially if you have a smart phone.) I have a newer phone, but it's google based, so I cannot access anything online that most smart phones can until I get my new phone this February; until then, my phone is only a little brighter than the rest. But I digress... I love the fact that if your precious bundle of joy has to head to the ER for some reason that when they ask you for their social security number, you don't have to call your grandmother who lives 1500 miles away, because she's the only one who has it besides you. You can pull up the scanned copy of their social and give it right to the doctor there. I cannot tell you how many times I've needed my little one's social and haven't had it. I have Alex's social memorized, but I cannot get Abbie's if you paid me. That mere factor alone is worth its weight in gold.

I could see this site being especially great for moms of tweens and teens. With 900 different clubs and sports and lessons, and multiple children who use the internet regularly, About One could really help bridge that communication gap a lot of parents have with their older kids. No more fighting about events that they swear they told you about months ago, or practice they almost slept through.

I also love the fact that you can add family members to receive a newsletter of all of the events and pictures you've uploaded to About One. In the past, I've used picture sites to keep record of our special events, edited text underneath and that's how my family got the scoop on what was going on in our world. What I don't like is that I haven't been able to see if you can add family members email addresses to receive the newsletter without officially adding them to your family that you're updating. This option may be available, but I have not had the option to really search for it.

Uploading photos is super easy, and very quick. I was very impressed with this feature. I also love the bulletin board that shows up as you're adding new events, upcoming events or important information. I am still learning how to really use the site, and I know that after our upcoming move, the craziness of the holidays, and well, everything else life dished at us this season that I will be able to really figure it out and customize it completely to our needs.

All in all, the site is really easy to use, it is secure and safe, and it's available to access through your mobile phone. Three really big plusses in this day and age.

Our new friends at About One have offered a free year membership to 5 of our lucky readers!!

Here's How:
Go check out About One. Poke around and come back here and leave me a comment saying why you think you'd like to try their site. Will it help you with organization? Do you have a scatterbrained spouse that needs constant reminders? Busy kids with different schedules of sports and after school activities?? Sign up for a free trial, if you'd like.

EXTRA ENTRY OPPORTUNITIES:

• LIKE us on Facebook- 4BabyAndMom
• Follow 4BabyAndMom on Twitter
• Have Early Bird Entries? Use them now! (please leave separate entries, ie: #1, #2, etc)
• Create your own tweet or R/T the message below, or use the Share button at the bottom of this post to Tweet on Twitter (two per day, spaced out, please)

Get Organized this New Year! Enter to WIN a year membership to About One!@4BabyAndMom Ends 12/1 http://bit.ly/ggkgAT #Giveaway #Holidays

• Follow 4BabyAndMom publicly through Google Friends/Blogger
• Subscribe by Email, so you never miss a giveaway or article. (Leave your email address in your comment, please)
• Leave a comment on a post which is NOT a giveaway and tell me which one.
• Enter any of our other open giveaways.
• Post about this giveaway on your blog or website with a link back. Tell us where to read it in your comment. 2 Entries!
• Use the Share tool at the bottom of the post to book mark/fave/etc. 4BabyAndMom on your favorite social media/bookmarking sites. Leave the appropriate link(s) in your comment. You may use multiple sites for extra entries! 2 Entries!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US & Canada.  This giveaway will end on December 1, 2010 at 11:59 AM EST. The 5 winners will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. After winner validates entry, the gift code will be emailed directly to the winner. Please include a valid email address and your user id in your comment. If we cannot find a way to contact you, we will not, we will choose another winner. We do try to email all winners, but due to the volume of giveaways offered on our site, delays can be expected. If you catch your name before we email you, please feel free to contact us first. :) Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. Special thanks to Double Duty Divas and About One for extending this opportunity to us. As always, what you have read is strictly the opinion of 4BabyAndMom. Your opinions may differ.

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Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales for Wii *Review*

When I was a kid, some of my fondest memories were playing Yahtzee with my parents at the dining room table. I hope that as my kids get older they treasure and remember the time we've spent together doing fun stuff the way that I did.

I love spending time with my family. We do family game nights, and make a mess with chalk or paint or fun dough, and everyone always has a blast. We got a Wii in March this year, and since then we've been spending family time playing games both for fun, and competitively. The kids love watching me beat daddy on one sport or board, and they love it when daddy totally annihilates my record high score. It's still super new to us and we love finding new and exciting games that will keep the kids entertained and will still be fun for us.

We all win sometimes, and we all lose sometimes, and I really feel like it helps teach the kids to have fun-whether you're winning or losing. 

We were recently given the opportunity to review the brand new Wii game, Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales, rated "E" for Everyone.

Inspired by Disney/Pixar's wildly popular animated shorts of the same name, Cars Toon: Maters Tall Tales brings Mater together with Lightning McQueen and the Cars gang in a collection of pick-up-and-play games. With 30 levels, you'll have enough variety to keep everyone in your family entertained, whether you want to try death-defying stunts in "Mater the Greater," run with the bulls in "El Materdor," or help a friend with "Rescue Squad Mater." Plus both cooperative and competitive games give you the option to team up or take on your kids in a fun head-to-head family challenge. The kids will delight in the fun stories and adventures that may or may not have happened.

With a seven and a four year old at home, the movie Cars is a favorite in our house. We've had Mater's Tall Tales and Pixar Shorts on our DVR since last holiday season when they were on television for first time. Every time new shorts come up, the kids love them, and now that the Disney channel has started randomly playing Mater's Tall Tales, the fire for Mater and Cars had been reignited even hotter!

Keep them full of laughter with what we have named a 4BabyAndMom Must Have, and one of the HOTTEST games for this Holiday Season! In fact, we even bragged about it on Twitter! 

So what are you waiting for? Find this game anywhere Wii games are sold, online at retailers such as the Disney Store and Amazon and more.

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Disney Interactive Studios and received the Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales Wii game to facilitate my review."

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Some Blues that won't get you down . . .

I feel that I must come clean--I am a music junkie. Seriously. I am addicted to music; all of it. The list of music I can't listen to isn't a list so much as a statement including one genre--pointless rap. This doesn't include all rap either, just the stuff that really has no meaning or point. Point being, I am a pretty eclectic person when it comes to ear candy. Which is why I was sooooo excited to receive the opportunity to review Norah Jones' new album: . . .Featuring Norah Jones.




First off, if you've never heard her, Norah is incredible. I dare you to listen to her album Come Away With Me and not reach the same conclusion. She has an amazingly rich bluesy voice, which she mixes with a jazz/bluegrass musical vibe. Listening to her makes me want to veg out on the couch with a glass of wine and just get lost in the sound. (Which is saying a lot, because I don't even like wine!) She just has a great sound to unwind and relax too.

Her newest album hit stores in November, and it is crazy awesome! This album is a collaboration with musical geniuses from all genres. Like Rock?? The second track is the Foo Fighters (my all time favorite!!!) and Norah. Like Country?? Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson both have tracks with her as well. For those of you who like hip hop, Q-Tip and Outkast also make appearances. The list continues with many other spectacular voices, including Ray Charles!

With so many voices "featured" on the album, I wasn't sure what to expect. But this album is pure Norah, and fan of hers will undoubtedly be delighted with the sound. The first song, titled "Love Me" is an awesome throwback that instantly made me think of Patsy Cline; the moment I heard it I knew it was going to be good!

So, if you love Norah, or know someone who would appreciate some great blues tunes--stuff a stocking with this album. It's sure to please and won't break the bank either! :)



This album was provided to me at no cost by the One2One Network in order to facilitate my candid review.We were entered to win a gift card through One2One network for participating. As always, what you have read is our opinion, and your opinion may differ.

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Crisco Campaign Asks What's For Dinner?? Contest + Promotion Ends 12/31

I love the holidays! Aside from the fact that I get to spend time with family that I love, it's a time where we make a ton of ethnic food that we don't typically eat through the year. I remember going to my grandmothers for a whole spread of Spanish food, from arroz con pollo, to pasteles, to pastelillos, to pernil, my grandmother, mom and aunts would always put out a smorgasbord of stuff. As a child, I remember staring up at all of the yummy goodness, wishing and hoping I could make "that" one day.

Over the years, I've adopted and learned many of my grandmother's recipes, and I love sharing it with my family- especially my kids. When most people think of holiday food, the first thing that comes to mind is COOKIES! It's no surprise that when the cooler weather rolls in, moms all over the world start baking and using the oven. It's this time of the year that I can really stock up on all of my baking goods, including Crisco products.

I love checking out the recipes on Crisco and CriscoEnEspanol.com for great tasting appetizers, entrees and desserts.

I just wanted to share the recipe for Bocaditos de Tocineta y Queso, (Bacon and Cheese Bites), and yes, I know they're not a typical latino dish, but I had everything in the house to make these, and they were SO good!! They were really quick to make, and the ladies loved them!

INGREDIENTS:

• Oil stick Crisco ® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 / 2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon water
• Mix 1 cup Hungry Jack ® Buttermilk Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix (Just Add Water)
• 1 / 2 cup (2 oz) Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 / 4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Paprika

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

HEAT oven to 400 ° F. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

COMBINE sour cream and water in medium bowl. Add pancake mix, cheese and bacon bits. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. With a spoon, form the snacks on the prepared cookie sheet.

BAKE 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with paprika. Serve warm

*                                                 *                                             *

This season, Crisco teams up with chef Michelle Bernstein to offer Latino home cooks delicious recipes and the chance to win prizes every day!

From Crisco:

ORRVILLE, Ohio (DATE, 2010) – Crisco®, one of America's leading producers of cooking oils, shortening and cooking sprays, has joined forces with popular Latina Chef and James Beard Award winner, Michelle Bernstein, to help Latino home cooks learn new recipes and answer the age-old question: What’s for Dinner? Home cooks can log onto www.criscoenespanol.com for Chef Bernstein’s latest Latin-inspired creations and the chance to win prizes – every day though December 31, 2010. Throughout the promotion, Crisco will award more than 1,000 entrants with prizes including $20 gift cards and one grand prize including a set of gourmet cookware.

“The kitchen is the heart of the Latino home, and meals make memories and bring people together,” said Chef Bernstein, who grew up surrounded by the aromas of her mother's Argentinean kitchen. “Home cooks can rely on the full line of Crisco cooking oils, shortening and cooking sprays to help them create dishes they can proudly serve their families.”

Home cooks eager for dinner ideas can log onto criscoenespanol.com to find a wealth of recipes with Latino flair. Chef Michele Bernstein is the owner of Michy’s and Sra. Martinez restaurants in Miami and author of “Cuisine a Latina.” Chef Bernstein frequently showcases her delectable creations on shows like The Today Show and The Martha Stewart Show and has appeared as a guest judge on Top Chef. Chef Bernstein is sharing some of her own unique recipes on criscoenespanol.com, including Empanadas with Sweet Corn Filling and Papa a la Huancaina, that will inspire home cooks.

“The question of ‘what’s for dinner?’ pops up in almost every household on a daily basis,” said Maribeth Badertscher, Vice President, Corporate Communications, The J.M. Smucker Company. “But Crisco is here to help home cooks – especially busy moms – with easy, creative and tasty recipes that are sure to wow the family.”

The promotion ends on December 31, 2010 and is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. Visit http://www.criscoenespanol.com/ for complete details and Official Rules. First time entrants who register for the contest will receive a link to an online coupon.

Go visit criscoenespanol.com for more details on the What's For Dinner giveaway and contest, to learn new, exciting recipes, and develop deep-rooted holiday traditions. Celebrate the season, and celebrate your family. The contest makes it even better! Don't forget to enter every day, and share it with your friends.
 



Special thanks to the PR company that represents Crisco for presenting me with this opportunity. We received a basket of Crisco products in exchange for facilitating this article.

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Family Flick Night from General Mills! *Giveaway*

When was the last time you and your significant other went out on a date night? When was the last time you took the kiddo's too? Chances are, it's been awhile. Well, at least for us it's been awhile.

I wish we could go out on date nights more often, but financially, it's unrealistic for us at this moment. Our date nights used to be like the first date night described below, now the few times a year we do go, it's more like the latter situation.

Think about it- a baby sitter ranges from $5-12/hr depending on where you live, dinner at an Italian restaurant costs roughly $30-45, and then a movie is at least $24 in tickets alone, plus popcorn, drink and snacks, you're looking at over $100 for Scenario 1. Sure, date night could be less expensive (scenario 2) if you ask grandma to watch the kidlets, and you attack the dollar menu, then raid your drug store and buy the $1 boxes of Good 'n Plenty and hide them in your bag, but even that way it's at least $35- excluding the gas and time to drive the kids to gramma's and back home again. If you decide to take the kids, add another $10/child to the totals above.

Unfortunately, my hubby and I usually resort to scenario 3- popping on the television and renting a movie from one of those boxes at the grocery store and diving into a bag of microwave popcorn. Family movies usually consist of me and the little ones while my hubby works late. It's not ideal, but it works for us.

This November, General Mills Big G Cereals are offering a fourth scenario to encourage Family Flick Night.
Now you can earn a FREE movie ticket when you purchase two specially marked packages of Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Trix® (14.8 oz) and Reese´s Puffs® cereal (18 oz.).


After purchasing two participating cereals, visit generalmills.com/moviecash to enter the unique code found inside each box of cereal and then print your free Movie Cash certificate (good for one admission of up to a $12 value at participating theatres). To find a participating theater in your area, log onto http://emoviecash.com/dis_locator/.

General Mills (through My Blog Spark) sent our family a Family Flick Night Gift Pack in exchange for our review, and would also like to provide one of our readers with the same gift pack we were given!

One lucky 4BabyAndMom reader will receive 2 boxes of General Mills Big G cereals plus 4 Movie Cash certificates!

Here's How to Enter:
Which cereals are you looking forward to purchasing to earn e-movie cash? How do you like to make movie nights special for your family? Share with us!


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER!

Please Refer to our WINNERS PAGE for more information on how to claim your prize!!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US.  This giveaway will end on November 30, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, and all winner information will be posted on our WINNERS PAGE and on this post. After winner validates entry, the gift code will be emailed directly to the winner. Please include a valid email address and your user id in your comment. If we cannot find a way to contact you, we will not, we will choose another winner. We do try to email all winners, but due to the volume of giveaways offered on our site, delays can be expected. If you catch your name before we email you, please feel free to contact us first. :) Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn accordingly and at the discretion of 4BabyAndMom. Special thanks to My Blog Spark and General Mills for extending this opportunity to us. As always, what you have read is strictly the opinion of 4BabyAndMom. Your opinions may differ.

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