Homeschool is HARD! Just Saying!

Wow, what did I get myself into? Every morning is a struggle not to lock myself in my room. The "mom, can we have a day off" or "mom, really we have to do this?" is getting real old. The fighting with me and the fighting with each other is giving me a headache EVERY DAY! We have a schedule to follow but my oldest has to fight it every day.

Homeschool is not this wonderful experience I was hoping for, that is for sure! My youngest, well loves doing the school work but she loves picking on her brother more. Then my son feels the need to pick back so then the rest of the day is "MOM...she hit me, Mom...he called me a brat". Really...this is not what I wanted to do everyday. I have even threatened to put them back in the school out of desperation for them to get along. My son's response was, "Then I will get myself suspended"...WTF!

I really wanted this experience to be awesome learning adventure for all of us but it's not.  Everytime, I say let's sit down and do this assignment the rolling eyes start plus all the negative comments. I think they really thought Homeschool was FUN and didn't have to do school work. Haha fooled them huh!

What happens now? Not sure. The schools around here are either overbooked (waiting list)or just horrible. We are on 2 schools waiting list and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something opens up for next school year. There is only 2 more weeks left so I know we will all get through all this but I'm telling you Homeschool is fricken HARD!

This will be me soon!

Louis Vuitton Giveaway Event~ May 12-June12

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Along with our hosts:

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Present this Louis Vuitton Giveaway Event!

Giveaway will run May 12 12:01 am EST thru June 12 11:59 pm EST

You have a lot of chances to WIN! Complete the mandatory entry and unlock the bonus entries.

Bonus entries are Facebook likes.

Wait for the Rafflecopter to load and enter below:

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May 7-14 Magical Mother's Day Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the 

Magical Mother's Day Giveaway Hop

sponsored by Planet Weidknecht and

Going Crazy!! Wanna Go??!!

Dozens of blogs have joined together to offer you bunches of prizes!

After you enter my giveaway here, be sure to visit 

each participating blog below to enter all the giveaways!
The giveaway begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 7, 2012 and
ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 14, 2012.

MY GIVEAWAY IS...

Cook'n Recipe Organizer

Read my REVIEW HERE! This is a foodies dream. I think every household should have this recipe software. I highly recommend this product.

a Rafflecopter giveaway If you want to learn more please watch this video:

.
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Click here to see the blogs participating.

Educational Opportunities for Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads

Those of us who have been, or are, stay-at-home moms or dads know that it is at least a full time job. For those stay-at-home parents who wish to further their education, the most daunting task may be to find the time.

The biggest difference between a full-time job and being a stay-at-home parent may be that those employed full time have a set schedule and a steady income. The stay-at-home mom or dad doesn't have the luxury of knowing what's going to happen and when. Nor are they being paid for their work. Not monetarily anyway. Time and money may prevent many parents from taking advantage of educational opportunities.
Stay-at-home parents can take advantage of the flexibility, both location and scheduling, that online classes can provide. Internet courses allow parents to work on course work any time their schedule allows, and they can be completed at home. There is no travel to a campus or classroom involved. You can learn more about the flexibility of online classes here.

Online schools are usually cheaper than traditional colleges as well. Tuition may be less expensive, but students attending an accredited online school are eligible for federal financial aid programs and online institutions offer scholarship opportunities.

Although the U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions or programs, it does publish a list of those that have received accreditation. In order for students to know they are receiving a level of education recognized by the education community and employers, their search for an online degree program needs to begin with accredited institutions of higher learning. Completing an accredited online degree program ensures the diploma earned will be worth the investment of time and money.

Whether stay-at-home moms and dads are seeking educational opportunities to make them better parents and homemakers, or they wish to enter a new career outside the home, there is an online school to accomodate them. The main decisions for stay-at-home moms and dads are what they wish to study, what kind of program they want to attend, and finding the right school to meet personal education goals.
Educational opportunities abound on the internet. Just about any topic that comes to mind is available for study via distance learning. There are vocational technical programs as well as university programs available through internet courses.

The tougher part may be making a decision on which opportunity to pursue and which program to attend. The program choices are:

• Certification programs can provide entry-level job opportunities or provide introductory knowledge on a specific topic.
• Associate degree programs require about 60 credits to graduate. People choose this opportunity to gain admittance into a bachelor's degree program, advance in their career, or to gain entry-level employment.
• Bachelor's degree programs usually take approximately 4 years to complete. A bachelor's degree is the minimum required in many professions. It is also required if the desire is to continue on to a master's degree or PhD program.
• Master's degree and PhD programs educate students on a specialization within a career field. Master's degrees provide graduates with options within the industries that require their area of expertise. A PhD is the highest academic degree given. Most often PhDs use their degrees to teach at the university level or conduct research.

There are many education opportunities stay-at-home moms and dads can take advantage of. It really depends upon individual interests and goals.

Stay-at-home moms and dads have plenty of educational opportunities to choose from, particularly if they look to accredited online schools. The flexibility of online degree programs are attractive to stay-at-home moms and stay-at-home dads. There are a myriad of online certificate and degree programs available that will fit into their busy schedules and won't break the family bank.

May Day Giveaway Hop- Vizardz Photo Light Box Giveaway

Welcome to the May Day Giveaway Hop

hosted by

DeDa Studios & Espacularaiesa

A fun group of blogs have gotten together to celebrate May Day with a giveaway hop!

Please make sure to visit each blog on the Linky to enter to Win!




PinkMama's Place is pleased to be able to giveaway a Vizardz Photo Light Box or Night Light!  

Please read REVIEW HERE.  I love my photo box. 


Also GREAT NEWS Vizardz is running a Mother’s Day Special: discount of 40% with Free shipping on entire order (no minimum required) use HAPPYMOM during check out to redeem the discount. The offer is valid until May 15 2012.


Want to order one for MOTHER'S DAY then go to http://www.vizardz.com/ and make sure to enter HAPPYMOM to get your 40% off with Free Shipping! a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclaimer: PinkMama's Place and the May Day Giveaway Hop Event Bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

Louis Vuitton Purse Giveaway: FREE Blogger Event SIGN UP NOW!

Madame Deals is offering a Louis Vuitton Purse Giveaway – SIGN UP HERE 

Please make sure you let them know PinkMama's Place sent you!

You will need to PROMOTE the event which runs May 12- June 12th.  The more blogs that sign up more exposure for everyone!

Mother's Day FUN~ Python Printables Review: 2 Thumbs Up!

In my house Mother's Day consists of me working then coming home to a wonderful dinner and lots of LOVE from my family but we really don't do much more than that.  Well this year might be a bit different since I was able to review Mother's Day Printables Packet.  There are all kinds of cute games we can play together (one I can play with my hubby...wink wink) and some cute printables that the kids can fill out.  All good family fun!  I LOVE the LOVE COUPONS!  


We are going to PLAY this one for sure: 

I would like them to do this one too (maybe I can get a CLEAN house out of it): 

If you want to have some Family Fun on Mother's Day ( some can be used anytime by the way!) then I suggest Python Printable Games to the rescue! The Mother's Day Printables Packet contains 20 games that retails for $19.95. 

•  Mother's Day Trivia
•  Mother's Day Left-Right Gift Exchange
•  Mother May I?
•  Mother's Day Keepsake Kids' Craft
•  Hot Actors Trivia
•  Around the House Tidy Up Hunt
•  I Love You In Any Language
•  The Color of Music
•  Tangled Tongue Twisters Tango
•  Crazy Cookie Recipes
•  Famous Moms and Daughters Celebrity Trivia
•  Sexy Scavenger Hunt for Mom and Dad
•  Champagne Trivia
•  Survival of the Fittest party game
•  Nasty British Food Trivia
•  Pretty Pony Print-Out Paper Dolls for kids
•  Romantic Coupons for Mom and Dad
•  Flowers Trivia
•  Homemade Matinee Kids' Acting Game
•  Chocolate Trivia 

Some games are suitable for just kids, some for teen to adult, and some for adults only (for Mom and Dad to enjoy in the evening!). There is something for all ages and tastes. Many of the games can be used on other occasions -- the games don't come with restrictions or time limits. You can keep these games forever and reuse them for other parties, so games that might not be useful now may come in handy later! 


PinkMama's Readers can get a 25% off code- PINKMOMMA25 (good until May 5th) so get your Mother's Day Party Games TODAY with this code!


Also if you SIGN UP for their Newsletter you will get a FREE 30-page game pack plus exclusive coupons and freebies every month.  SIGN UP NOW


Ways to CONNECT Python Printables:
Follow on Twitter: @printable_games
Like on Facebook: Python Printable Games

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Shoplet Roaring Spring Notebooks/Pads Review

When the Mail Man came knocking on my door with a box from SHOPLET I was so excited to open the box.  I was not disappointed for sure.  I love office supplies and SHOPLET ROCKS with their products.  

My kids and hubby took off with a couple of the items but I asked them for their REVIEW of the products they stole from me LOL!

My Hubby LOVES the  Roaring Spring Environotes Sugarcane Notebook  he enjoys the SIZE which is  9 1/2" x 6" Ruling: College Number of Sheets per Pad: 80.  He is an artist and he takes this notebook now when he meets his clients because he says he can draw on the sheet plus put all their info on it right there for them to see.  He loves the feel of the paper too- very smooth that's why he likes drawing on it.  So I guess when he gets done with this notebook we will need to get him a new one!  He couldn't tell me anything he didn't like so we give this notebook a 5 STAR!.  The best part I like is it's produced from sustainable sugarcane fiber- how awesome is that!  

My Son took over the  Roaring Spring Landscape Format Writing Pad College Ruled  because he wanted write his stories on this size paper. This pad is 11" x 9 1/2"  with 40 pages. We are homeschooling these days and he has a lot of writing to do.  He doesn't like spiral notebooks and he says he likes how wide it is and the length.  He said it fits perfectly on his desk.  I have never seen a note pad like this and I would use it for sure.  I asked if there was anything he didn't like about it and he said- HE LOVES IT!  5 Star for sure.

I was thrilled when I saw the  Roaring Spring Wirebound Notebook 3 Subject because I knew this would be PERFECT for myself.  It has 3 different colors, I can tear out the pages if needed, and also has a pocket so I can keep things in the notebook.  I use the purple for home-school, the blue for household schedule, and pink for my blog!  It goes everywhere with me now.  I love the fact its made from recycled paper.  Makes me feel better when I'm using it!  I give this  paper notebook a 5 Star!  I also couldn't come up with anything I didn't like.

If you are looking for a notebook online I highly recommend all the paper notebooks/note pads I got to review!

We also got to review a product that we were all a bit uneasy touching at first LOL! Roaring Spring Elephant PooPoo Paper

Yes, that says POOPOOPAPER- it's made from Elephant Poo!  When I took it out of its package of course I sniffed it and NOTHING!  It's Recycled and odorless- way cool!  It's a cute little notebook that fits perfectly in my purse and I was able to review the INSPIRE theme.  

About the Company~  and Shoplet carries this product!

Roaring Spring supplies products produced with different sustainable papers. These included recycled papers, sugarcane fiber paper, and poo papers.

• Recycled Papers
  1. Roaring Spring uses papers made from post-consumer waste.
  2. Post-consumer waste, if not recycled, would typically end in a landfill.
  3. Most of the Roaring Spring recycled items contain a minimum of 30% PC waste.
  4. Recycled paper comes in both white and colored versions.
• Sugarcane Fiber Paper
  1. Sugarcane fiber is waste material from the sugarcane refining process.
  2. This waste material is then used as pulp tp produce fine paper.
  3. The result is a smooth, bright sheet produced at very green paper mills.
  4. We produce sugarcane items in both white and canary options.
• Poo Paper
  1. Poo paper is the ultimate recycled product!
  2. Poo paper uses the fiber that is recovered from actual animal poo.
  3. Odorless and clean, we carry poo paper from elephants, cows, horses and donkey.

Disclosure:
I received the above mentioned products from Shoplet.com in exchange for an honest review which I have provided.

My Baby is 8- What am I going to do NOW?

I know my body is not going to produce anymore babies (boohoo but that is another post on another day)so it hits me the other day like "smack in the face" that that Lil Mama is no longer my little baby! She can't really fit in my lap anymore, she is so independent, and it seems like the less she needs me. I felt a bit sad for a...... second! But then I remember back when they were babies and I think I like the path we are going- forward!

I love my sleep and when I had babies in the house I never slept sound. I always anticipated them waking up so I never allowed myself to really fall in that deep sleep. But NOW wow I sleep like a baby...LOL! That's been happening for about 3 years now.

I love reading ADULT books (no not porn- something other Dr. Seuss)and enjoy them. We always have reading going on in our house but now I can read my books while they are reading their books.

I have other kid smells and things to deal with but I can at least get their help cleaning the mess, babies not so much help! Plus dirty diapers were gross and I'm being honest that I'm so happy that is not been on the daily agenda for a long time- don't miss that!

What am I going to do now..... I'm going to enjoy 8-16 (or 13 with Lil Mama) because I know after that I'm going to have real problems and WISH I had a baby not a teenager!

 Love my kids! They keep me going and striving forward everyday!

Earth Day Birthday~ Win Custom Airbrushed Grocery Bag

Can you believe this is the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day? Do you think things have gotten better or worse? The Kids are Grown, Now What?, Planet Weidknecht and Going Crazy, Wanna Go? are bringing you this giveaway hop. Each participating blogger is holding a giveaway for an earth friendly product worth at least $20.  Go forth and enter all of these wonderful giveaways and let us know what you are doing to celebrate Earth Day 2012!                   PinkMama's Place will be giving away a CUSTOM GROCERY REUSABLE BAG~ you get to pick the design you want on the bag!!!!  

 The GROCERY BAG will be bigger than the one in the picture.  My hubby did this bag for our daughter and she loves putting her books in it!  Please check out my husband's website~ Mr Airbrush Hands a Rafflecopter giveaway