We let our girls (now 11 and 14) to both get cell phones in 6th grade. Both spend all day at volleyball tournaments 2 weekends a month. Their dad is always with them, but if he had to leave early the girls would have a way to contact us. The other moms and dads on the girls’ teams look out for all the girls too. I have the cell numbers of the parents, so that I can contact them if needed.

No cell phones broken, Phone chargers go missing. One was replaced — I think the tween left it at a hotel.

ipod

My teen got an ipod at 9. I thought she was too young, but the grandparents insisted. She proved to be very responsible.

My tween got one at 8. She was younger and needed more hand holding as far as downloading songs.

My 7-year-old desperately wants one, but I am holding off. He is so-so in the responsibility arena. He still listens to CDs in his bedroom, while his sisters only listen to itunes.

itouch

I won a itouch. I have barely seen the darn thing! My tween always seems to have it. She has downloaded a dizzying array of apps. She likes playing games. My youngest likes watching pre-approved by me YouTube vidoes.

The itouch comes in handy when we travel to swim meets, volleyball tournaments, etc. Since it is too hard to share a device, we set up a schedule of show gets the itouch for the entire day. There is no argument since the kids know that who has the itouch next.

Nintendo DS

My tween got one when she was 9. The teen got one when she was 11. Both play with them intermittently. My youngest was the lucky recipient of a DS that I won. I gave it to him for his 6th birthday with a few games. He plays with the DS the most. He and his sisters share Mario and Nintendogs games.

Age 6 is really too young, but I was tired of him pestering his sisters for a turn. It is impossible to share a DS. The games are too long.

Now, the only thing I have to worry about is where the various chargers are!

Want to add your voice to this conversation? Head over to BitMoms!

My tween and teen were keyed up all week in anticipation of going to the volleyball tournament. The tween wanted to pack before I had done laundry. The teen wanted to pack her props — she likes to get her teammates to participate in skits/a variety show while at the tournament each year.

Suffice it to say, the girls did not get on Yoursphere much last week. With homework, projects, and preparation for our road trip to all-things-volleyball, I didn’t press the issue. I want Yoursphere to remain. Mom might be a Yoursphere Test Drive Mom, but the kids should play Yoursphere when they want to.

My tween did mention that she played a game in Our World. She wasn’t very specific…you know how tweens can be?! But, she liked the game. I asked her if she would play again. She gave it a thumbs up!

Yoursphere is FREE to join!! I have a FREE code for you to use should you decide to sign up your kid, tween, or teen: YSMC-0051. For everyone who signs up using the code I will be entered in to a drawing for a gift card. Remember, it is FREE to sign up for Yoursphere. You can sign up using code YSMC-0051.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

For as long as I have known my husband he has talked of a trip to Vegas. For our honeymoon we toured Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Beach trips and a trip to the Bahamas, were highlights in our pre-kids days. Once we had kids we tended to stay close to home. Twice we have traveled to Disney. But, Las Vegas remains my husband’s must-see destination.

Is Vegas on your list of places to visit? Would you like to win a trip to Vegas? I know I would. I entered the contest — Temptation is Beautiful sweepstakes. This sweepstakes was super easy to enter.

After entering my name, etc., for a chance to win a trip to Vegas, I took a Temptations quiz. Now, don’t worry the quiz is very tame and fun. Nothing racy about it.

The prizes are something else, too! Each day a tempting beauty basket will be awarded. Be sure to get in your daily entries. The Grand Prize will be a tempting trip to Las Vegas for you and 3 of your friends with $1,500 in spending money!

Be sure to take the Temptress Temperature — the site’s interactive quiz. I took mine. I was relieved to find that my temperature was…
…just right. What a relief!

Don’t forget when you finish the Temptress Temperature to share your temperature with your social networks…you know…your buds on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Are you “hot, hot, hot” or “cool as a cucumber”! Let your friends know. If you share your score with your friends you will get bonus entries in the Temptation is Beautiful sweepstakes.

When you enter the Temptation is Beautiful sweepstakes, leave a comment to let me know what your Temptress Temperature was.

Fine print: This contest is for U.S. residents only.

I have a few Indian dishes that I like. On our trip to England this summer, I met up with my friend from primary school at an Indian restaurant in Hammersmith, London. Before ordering I asked my friend what she recommended as a “safe” dish for me…she steered me towards a platter with a variety of Indian dishes…most were mild or medium.

Other nationalities of food are foods that I would try once and never have again. Ethiopian is one such food. I visited the Red Sea in Washington, D.C., many years ago with college friends. One friend loved Ethiopian food. She schooled us on what to and what not to order. I pondered the menu. Thought about one item. Settled on a safe choice. All our meals arrived arranged on a huge circular platter. The waiter did not tell us which entree was which. All looked runny, soupy, and either brown, yellow, or green. The one dish that was recognizable was the one with a hard-boiled egg floating in it. I ate my green soupy entree with heaping quantities of thick, doughy bread. The next day I could hardly move — I felt as though my stomach might explode with the bread I had eaten. I never returned. I stick to Mexican, Italian, and Chinese for my adventurous dining needs.

Chinese food is one of the foods that my children love. Our small town does have a Chinese takeout, but it is not in our family budget to eat out every night. Wanchai Ferry meals are available in the freezer section at Target. We tried Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken one evening between swim practice and volleyball practice. My family all commented that the Wanchai Ferry meal was delicious.

Last fall I was part of a blogger trip to General Mills’ facility in Minneapolis. While at General Mills, I had the chance to sample a few new products from General Mills. General Mills has created a product for on-the-go families — Wanchai Ferry. I don’t know about you, but when I am on the lookout for a go-to meal for my family, I want a meal that is tasty and nutritious. Wanchai Ferry is just what I need when I need to serve a meal to my hungry family.

Wanchai Ferry frozen entrées are also available in three other delicious varieties including Shrimp Lo Mein, Spicy Garlic Chicken and Sweet & Sour Chicken. Additionally, all of the entrées have no added MSG!

Would you like to try Wanchai Ferry meals? There’s a $1.50 off coupon available at http://www.wanchaiferry.com/. For meal tips to enhance the Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée check out their website at: http://www.wanchaiferry.com/MealTips.aspx.

Would you like to win a Wanchai Ferry “Perfect Night In” prize pack? The prize pack that includes one VIP coupon valid for a free package of any of the Wanchai Ferry frozen entrees, a set of great Asian-inspired rice bowls, chopsticks, bamboo placemats, flavored fortune cookies, and a $25 Target gift card. One comment = one entry. Enter now!

• What is your quick meal for busy nights? Leave a comment.
• Subscribe to this blog via reader. Leave a comment.
• Subscribe to this blog via e-mail. Leave a comment.
• Follow me on twitter. Leave a comment.
• Fan my blog on Facebook. Leave a comment.

I was provided with a product, information, prize pack, and giveaway from Wanchai Ferry through MyBlogSpark. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends April 12 at 11:59 p.m.

I don’t remember being bombarded by scantily clad models, ads for weight loss pills, and media degrading to women in my teen years. Come to think of it as a teen in England at an all girls Catholic school, I barely thought of myself as a teen. I wore a school uniform everyday and had a few outfits for weekend wear. I have no recollection of other girls commenting on how I looked. Did I mention that I wore one pair of shoes to school and then changed in to another pair of schools once I got to school? We all looked the same in our brown pleated skirts, cream blouses, brown v-necked sweaters, and school ties.

Not so for preteens and teens today. My girls have each been teased over some aspect of their dress and appearance. The sad fact is that some girls need to make themselves feel better by teasing and belittling other girls.

I wanted to pass on some information to any moms of preteens and teens out there…

The Dove mission is to reach 5 million girls with self esteem programming by 2010. Since 2005, the brand has reached over 3.5 million girls globally. In fact, every time you buy Dove beauty care products your purchase supports the Dove Self Esteem Fund. This fall Dove launched the “Thank you for Making a Difference” program to thank supporters for building girl’s self esteem and to invite everyone to share their stories about making a difference in self esteem.

As a “Thank You for Making a Difference”, Dove will donate $1,000 to a national charity that supports self-esteem around the Holidays, on behalf of all our self esteem supporters including you.

Musings from Me readers?  Want to win a Dove prize pack? The Prize Pack features a Dove plush terry bathrobe, a Dove body wash, a Dove mist, and two True You guidebooks — one for Mom and one for daughter! Enter now! One comment = one entry.

- Leave a comment about what you have done to raise the self-esteeem of a girl in your life.

- Subscribe to this blog via reader.

- Subscribe to this blog via e-mail.

- Follow me on twitter.

- Tweet this giveaway: @MusingsfromMe is giving away a Dove prize pack and a mom-daughter workbook! Enter now: http://tinyurl.com/yabfsqy!

- Fan me on Facebook.

I was given the Dove prize pack and two copies of the mom-daughter guide as part of this promotion. Giveaway ends December 4 at 11:59 p.m. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

After Thanksgiving dinner...

As a former foreigner, I now claim Thanksgiving as a my holiday.

As a child Thanksgiving was celebrated intermittently. When in America, do as the Americans do.

As a freshman in college, far away from home I was taken in by English friends of my parents. I trekked from Amish Country PA to Edison, NJ, via taxi and train. My memories of Thanksgiving involve dozing off repeatedly on my host’s couch — too many all-nighters. Eating a deli sandwich that was easily 6 inches tall. Attending a Thanksgiving feast at the Jewish day school where my host worked. Sampling a stuffing biscuit that resembled and tasted like a hockey puck at the feast. Thanksgiving dinner? I have no recollection of eating it…possibly because I slept through it? I did visit my old elementary school while I visited — Menlo Park Elementary School. My 4th grade teacher was at school working…Mrs. Flood remembered me as there were not many kids who transferred out of school mid-year to go back to England.

As a new college graduate, I spent Thanksgiving shuttling between my parents who moved to MD while I was in college and my in laws house. My parents did Thanksgiving lite, while my in laws did Thanksgiving on steroids. Turkey large enough to feed 20…sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on tops…stuffing biscuits not like hockey pucks…pies (pumpkin, apple, pecan, and always a layer cake. The in laws do not mess around with their food when it comes to Thanksgiving.

As a mom and a noncook, I don’t mind not cooking Thanksgiving dinner. This year we celebrated at my parents house with a meal purchased from Safeway — yum and very labor saving. My in laws were sick so we had to miss the Thanksgiving dinner. My FIL brought part of the meal to our house so we wouldn’t go without.

I wonder what Thanksgiving will be like next year…or when the kids are in college…or when the kids get married…

One tradition will remain…I will always be thankful that I am an American citizen!

What was your Thanksgiving like? Leave a comment and let me know.

One more day of my Blog Anniversary! Giveaways that end tomorrow…Dino Train CD, TJ Maxx, Movie Tickets, and more.

Do you know what happens December 1? My Holiday Gift Guide starts. More reviews, more product listings, and more giveaways!

Things that make me say “Ohm.”

- when my teen is giving me the rolled eyes.

- when my preteen can’t locate the thing I just handed her a minute ago.

- when my kid runs around my dining room with a light saber AND a ninja sword.

So during my day I have many moments when I want to say “Ohm.” I want to regain control over the mess…the chaos…the disruptions. I cling to the moments of calm to keep me centered through the moments of chaos.

Chaos equals our M-F afterschool schedule. Two playing volleyball. One swimming. One doing soccer, basketball, and t-ball. Not to mention clarinet, math facts, middle school homework, spelling tests, physical therapy exercises, and a host of other things I cannot remember, but will recall in the middle of the night when I wake up in a panic. I really need an “Ohm” for the middle of the night panic sessions!

Of course while my kid, preteen, and teen are at school I have no need for “Ohm.” During the school day I am a picture of relaxation and calmness. Me = not a care in the world. I sit and drink decaff coffee (I know, I know…it is a sad state of affairs, but necessary) and write posts and follow twitter and choose winners and enjoy the heck out of whatever it is that I am doing.

My calm day ends as a trio of whirlwinds run in to the house. You never know which kid will be surly and not want to talk to me. It surprises me when a kid who rarely talks after school is clamouring to tell me all about his or her day. And then there are the squabbles over who will hold the remote control, who will choose the channel, or who is talking too loud so that the dialogue from a mindless kids’ show can be heard. Scream away kids as the kids’ show can be watched without hearing the words as the plotlines are so predictable.

Sometimes my peace and quiet is shattered by a forgotten homework assignment or a lost textbook or a request for an obscure school supply — protractor or trifold display board anyone??

So why am I posting about my need for “Ohm”? Go here to find out!

GIVEAWAY FOR MUSINGS FOR ME READERS! The giveaway will help you relax and renew at home and includes:

- coupons for 4 free containers of Oikos organic Greek yogurt

- a reusable Oikos tote bag

- the “Take- 5″ Anti-Stress spa kit from Earth Therapeutics, which includes a loofah massage sponge, Anti-Stress massage soap, a body brush, Anti-Stress massage lotion, and a soothing gel eye mask.

Enter to win the Oikos Greek Yogurt Relaxation Pack by leaving a comment. One comment = one entry.

- How do you relax? I curl up with a good book.

- Follow this blog via reader.

- Follow this blog via e-mail.

- Fan Oikos on Facebook.

I wrote this post as part of the Stonyfield Oikos Greek Yogurt contest. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends November 16 at 11:59 p.m.

From the moment I heard about the game, I. Had. To. Have. It. To find out how I got EA Sports Active AND why I am a nut when it comes to getting the thing that many would consider unattainable, read this: Got EA Sports Active

My obsessive compulsive-ness garnered me 3 copies of the game. No, that’s not a typo. I got one to keep, one to give away at a house party (post to follow), and one to give away to a lucky reader of mine. It could be you!

I’m hosting a giveaway for a brand spanking new game on my newly redesigned site. Still have a few tweaks to do here and there with the redesign, but I sigh sweetly when I log on to this site. If you are here for the first time I hope you come back and visit. I’ll have more giveaways to come in the next few weeks.

But, back to EA Sports Active… I love this game and it is not because I got a free copy. Nope. I love this game because I sweat buckets when I work out. I’ve been doing the treadmill/elliptical/rowing machine thing for months if not two years at my local health club and I never sweat like this. I’m talking sweating through a t-shirt sweat.

The workout is something I have never done before. Well, to be honest I did buy a Kathy Smith video (have I mentioned that I am an old fogey mom?) from Borders when my oldest was a baby in an attempt to lose baby weight. The concept was a good one, but the reality was that the TV was either off OR on Sesame Street and the Teletubbies. I just never got around to exercising at home until now.

EA Sports Active is a wii game where you customize your character. You can participate in various exercises guided by an on-screen trainer — a guy or girl of your choice. I chose a girl trainer. She is very supportive and encouraging. My fave activities — in-line skating, kickboxing, and running. There is a 30-day challenge workout, which I tried for about a week, but I prefer to pick the exercises that I know I will do rather than half-heartedly do a workout routine.

If you want to win a copy of EA Sports Active, here’s what you can do. Don’t forget to leave an e-mail address so that I can contact you.

1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite exercise. One entry.

2. Subscribe to this blog by feed reader. Leave a comment. One entry.

3. Follow me on twitter. Leave a comment. One entry.

4. Tweet about this giveaway using this tweet: Get in shape this summer with #easportsactive. Win a free copy from @musingsfromme http://tinyurl.com/mhb5zh. Leave a comment. One entry.

Not sure you will win a copy. Want a copy right away? Go to Amazon.com

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. You must include an e-mail address in order to be considered for the giveaway. Giveaway ends: June 25, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.

Janice and Susan from 5minutesformom.com are hosting the Ultimate_Blog_Party_2009. Mommybloggers, daddybloggers, mompreneur bloggers, and other bloggers can post about their blog on the 5 Minutes for Mom site at the Mr. Linky links.

Over the next week I plan on visiting AND commenting on other blogs. If you are stopping by, Welcome! Don’t forget to leave a comment letting me know you stopped by!

So, without further ado the questions and answers that you might have about me and this blog…

Who am I? I am MusingsfromMe (formerly Mom on the Run) a 40-mumble something SAHM to three children. My children provide me hours of enjoyment as well as much to blog about.

I twitter as MusingsfromMe

I blog at http://www.writingmylifeoneblogatatime.blogspot.com/

Who do I blog about?

Coach Dad — husband; father; high school English teacher turned administrator; Coach of Sporty Daughter’s volleyball team; quiet, albeit puzzled supporter of my current blogging and writing pursuits

Crafty Daughter – bright, headstrong, talented, headstrong, creative, oh and did I mention headstrong, 13-year-old daughter who is a member of a travel volleyball team

Sporty Daughter — funny, musical, finder of all things lost, voracious reader, always active 10-year-old daughter who plays on a travel volleyball team and swims yearround

Adventure Boy – Star Wars obsessed, wii playing, kindergarten learning 5-year-old who played soccer, basketball, and t-ball for the first time this year

Minivan — Our second home on wheels. This van gets us to volleyball matches, swim meets, and Pizza Hut on those nights I cannot face cooking. Stores everything from soccer chairs to ZipNGoBlanket, newspapers to Car_DVD_Player, and clothes to pillows.

What do I do? I’m the Preteen Editor at TypeAMom. I contribute articles to TypeAMom.net, MomSpark, and Addsyou.com. Lately I have guest posted at JessicaKnows, SpookiezSpot, and at http://www.blog.geezeo.com/. If you need a guest poster, I would be glad to oblige.

Oh, and there are a couple of items I have my eye on over at 5_Minutes_for_Mom …

19 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores
Provided by: Shoot-Me-Now

21 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores
Provided by: Agoosa – Funny Name, Sound Advice

22 — $50 gift certificate to Target Stores
Provided by: Beginner Baby Blog

What? You don’t like Target!? I’m 30 minutes from a Target so don’t get there very often. This is just as well since I spend too much money at Target. A gift card would certainly help my bank account.

Other items I have my eye on as prizes…

10 — One copy of “Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”Provided by: Author & professional speaker, L. Diane Wolfe www.spunkonastick.net

58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
Provided by: Moms Who Think

44 – $15 Usborne Books gift certificate
Provided by: Moving Forward

72 – $10 gift card to McDonalds
Provided by: Shop with Me Mama

See you around the bloggie block!