Box Tops for Education with Pillsbury and Totinos

It's that time again! Time to prepare to go back to school. Are we ever really ready? Well the great people at My Blog Spark have helped make it a little easier with this awesome Top This Prize Pack which includes a 3 ring binder, highlighters, glue sticks and snacks from Pillsbury Toaster Strudel and Totino's Pizza Rolls. The pack also includes a certificate worth 10 Box Tops for Education! Wow! Some great stuff to kick off the school year. And right now you an enter to win 5000 bonus box tops for your school here from Totino's and Pillsbury!

Now's your chance to win your own Top This Prize Pack! There are four ways to win. One lucky winner will be chosen. Here's how to enter:

1) Comment to this post telling me what your favorite thing about the first days of school are.

2) Follow LA Mama on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including "@anlamama" in your tweet! Leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your tweet URL.

3) Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your blog post URL.

4) Follow the L.A. Mama blog and leave a comment to this post telling me you did so or already do.

This contest will end at 12:01 PM on August 10, 2009. One winner will be chosen via Random.org. Good luck to all!

Keep Kids Safe with SafetyTat

This summer has been all about the outing for us. There is so much to do in L.A. and we've been taking full advantage. But let's do the math here- with my husband in Basic Training that leaves one me + 3 kids + crowds... Yeah, I'm outnumbered. That's why I love these child safety ID sticker "tattoos" from SafetyTat. Genius. I'm able to write in my contact information on the tattoo just in case one of my little guys (or girl) wanders off, making me just a phone call away. The great thing about them is they come in lots of cool kid-friendly designs so my children are actually eager to put them on (and my 3-year-old is reluctant to take them off).

Right now SafetyTat is offering L.A. Mama readers 15% off an order of $15 or more with code LaMama (case-sensitive). AND they have very generously offered a sample pack of SafetyTat Quick Stick Write Ons to 3 L.A. Mama readers. Here's how to enter:
1) Head over to SafetyTat and leave a comment to this post telling me which SafetyTat sticker you and your children would like to try and how you would use it.
2) Follow LA Mama on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including "@anlamama" in your tweet! Leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your tweet URL.
3) Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your blog post URL.
4) Follow the L.A. Mama blog and leave a comment to this post telling me you did so or already do.
This contest will end at 12:01 PM on August 6, 2009. Three winners will be chosen via Random.org. Good luck to all!

Give a Day, Get a Night

Sage Hospitality is offering a free room at their 53 hotels across the country to anyone who can prove they have completed 8 hours of community service. To be eligible you must provide a letter from a nonprofit organization/registered 501(c)3 verifying service. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance and taxes apply. Offer ends December 20, 2009. For more information, click here.

Free Fish Taco at Long John Silver's Today (7/14)!

Wondering what's for lunch? Stop into Long John Silver's today for a free Baja Fish Tacos until 2:30! Limit one per customer, no other purchase necessary. Enjoy!

Free Photo Package from The Picture People

Kids grow up so fast that it seems like if you blink they shoot up an inch. That's why I like to take lots of pictures to preserve precious memories. And when a deal like this comes up, I'm on it! Call or visit The Picture People to schedule a studio session at through July 25th, and receive a free portrait package that includes one 8 x 10, two 5 x 7s, and eight wallet-sized portraits (you must use the same image). Click here for details.

Oh Thank Heaven...

It's 7-Eleven's 82nd birthday but YOU get the gifts! Stop by a 7-Eleven store today for a free 7.11oz Slurpee! And this year, the world's first convenience retailer is adding a little something extra: "As an extra birthday bonus, this year’s colorful “Happy Birthday!” cups feature a Slurpee Nation rewards code worth 2 rewards points, enough to enter the 7-Eleven Day instant win game online at http://www.slurpee.com/." Enjoy!

We Had Him by Dr. Maya Angelou

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing

Now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind

Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace

Sing our songs among the stars and and walk our dances across the face of the moon

In the instant we learn that Michael is gone we know nothing

No clocks can tell our time and no oceans can rush our tides

With the abrupt absence of our treasure

Though we our many, each of us is achingly alone

Piercingly alone

Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him

He came to us from the Creator, trailing creativity in abundance

Despite the anguish of life he was sheathed in mother love and family love and survived and did not more than that

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style

We had him

Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was our's and we were his

We had him

Beautiful, delighting our eyes

He raked his hat slant over his brow and took a pose on his toes for all of us and we laughed and stomped our feet for him

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing

He gave us all he had been given

Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Blackstar Square, in Johannesburg, in Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama and Birmingham England, we are missing Michael Jackson

But we do know that we had him

And we are the world.

Happy 70th Birthday, Old Bay!

Old Bay Seasoning has been a staple in my family's kitchen for as long as I can remember. We've used it on catfish, chicken, crab legs, shrimp- you name it and Old Bay probably seasoned it. Today, in my kitchen, nothing's changed. Old Bay adds incredible flavor to family recipes handed down and some I've picked up along the way.

For over 70 years Old Bay has been blending 12 herbs and spices to create it's zesty signature flavor. While my favorite is still the original seasoning, the line has expanded to include Blackened, Lemon & Herb, and 30% Less Sodium seasonings. Whichever you like, I've found that you don't need to add too much else, which makes my life easier- love that!

To celebrate Old Bay's 70th birthday, I'll be giving away an Old Bay gift bag (including seasoning, seafood steamers, beach bag, towel, and keychain/bottle opener) to one lucky reader!

There are 4 ways to enter, but only one of each entry method will be allowed per person for this contest:
1) Head over to Old Bay and leave a comment to this post telling me what recipe you would love to try or have tried and love.
2) Follow LA Mama on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including "@anlamama" in your tweet! Leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your tweet URL.
3) Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment to this post with a link to your blog post URL.
4) Follow the L.A. Mama blog and leave a comment to this post telling me you did so or already do.
This contest ends at 12:01 PM on Thursday, July 16, 2009. One winner will be chosen via Random.org. Good luck to all!

Free Stuff

• Free GeoTrax DVD from Mattel


• Free Sample of Pure & Natural diapers from Huggies


• Free Aveeno Nourish hair care sample

I needed this...

Last night I dreamt that Kenya and I had visited a water park. He got a call he had to take so I went to the restroom. When I came back he was gone. I walked up to the slide we had planned to go on, but he was not there. So I went on it anyway, thinking I'd just catch up with him afterwards. But instead of having fun as everyone else seemed to be, I only felt scared and alone. To make matters worse, when I got off the slide, Kenya was still nowhere to be found.

It doesn't take a genius to analyze that dream at all. I woke up in tears, missing K more than ever. But I stumbled upon this prayer today and so glad I did. It helps to know that other women have been through this and understand my feelings.

Blog Hop!

Welcome to An L.A. Mama, blog hoppers. My name is Bree and I am an Army wife and mother of three. This is my newest blog but I also run Pink Green Chick. Here you will find family-oriented product reviews, giveaways, things to do in and around Los Angeles with the kiddos and my own adventures in and around L.A. (with and without my husband, but always with my kids).

Day 9

I think yesterday was the hardest yet. I know it's only been a week and some change, but I think it's starting to sink in that this is not a vacation with the boys/see you in a couple of days kind of deal. I haven't heard his voice since Friday and I'm missing it like you would not believe. Which is funny considering how irritated I used to get with his late night recording sessions. Isn't it crazy what you miss when people aren't around?

Ok, enough of that. Let's talk progress. So far I have stayed true to my word! Every day this week the boys and I (Ajani is at her father's for the week) have spent at least one hour at the gym followed by lunch at the park. The routine is out working great. By the time we get home everyone is nice and tired which gives me time to get things done around the house. Busy is a good thing!