Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon ONE (1) FREE BODYARMOR Sports Drink, any variety (16 oz)(you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Other Mothers' Sale

Other Mothers, a children's consignment store, in Boise is having a 25¢ sale on December 30th and 31st from 10 am to 3 pm. Starting at 2 pm, you can fill a bag and pay just $2. Other Mothers is located at 10422 Fairview in Boise.

Other Mothers will also have some Junior and Adults items for 25¢.

What to Do When a Stranger Takes a Picture of Your Child

I was sitting in an airplane, happened to glance in front of me and saw a picture of my son on someone else's phone. I glanced again. I was shocked and wondered why they would take a picture of him. I told my husband and he asked the people in front of us about it. They denied it and gave a random excuse. My husband was firm and said, "It's not okay." It scared and worried us that a stranger would just snap a picture of someone else's kid. I looked online and sure enough other parents that have had the same issue of random strangers taking pictures of their kids. Some parents have grabbed the phone from strangers only to see dozens of pictures of kids. Some parents talked to police about it, but there was nothing they could really do about it. The following weekend we were on an airplane again and I was sitting next to someone. I had my daughter on my lap. The stewardess came to ask the other person to move to a different seat and I glanced down to get something and noticed that on the stranger's phone was a picture of my daughter. I immediately asked her about it. The stranger said it must have been an accident and said she would delete it. I watched her delete it and move to another seat. I learned a few things from these experiences:

1. Be aware of people with phones around you - Now days, everyone walks around with their phone in their hands and has instant access to a camera. Watch around for someone who has their phone aimed at your child or seems interested in your child. Be aware of your surroundings.

2. If you see a stranger with a picture of your child on their phone or taking a picture of your child, immediately say something and let them know that it's not okay. If you catch them in the act, it's hard for them to deny it. Make sure that you also speak loudly enough that others around you can hear you too. Embarrassment can help prevent someone from doing it to someone else and help them to realize it's not okay.

3. Speak out when someone is doing something that makes you comfortable or fear for the safety of your child. If you aren't comfortable, speak out. The more we speak out, the less the practice becomes the norm.

4. Be very careful about posting pictures online. Here's a great article on why you should be safe, click here.

5. If you see someone taking a picture of someone's kid and the parent doesn't seem to be aware. Please speak out and say something. I would appreciate it and I am sure the parent would too.

You may wonder what's the big deal? The big deal is I worry about the safety of my children. I don't know why the stranger is taking a picture of my child and what they plan to do with it. I am sure other parents feel the same way too. I have a greater understanding of how celebrities feel when they are hounded by paparazzi....violated. If you do want to take a picture of someone even if you know them, you should ALWAYS ASK FIRST and be okay with whatever response they give you.

Additional Sources:

1. What to Do If a Stranger Photographs Your Child
2. What Should You Do When a Strangers Takes Photos of Your Child
3. Mom Says Stranger Snapped Pics of Her Child in Walmart 
4. When a Stranger Takes Photographs
5. Strangers Taking Pictures of Your Child --creepy or criminal?

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon ONE (1) FREE Kraft Ranch Dressing, any variety (16 oz) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories Review and Giveaway

Since it's release in 1989 and with over 25 million products sold, The Beginner's Bible has introduced young children to the stories and characters of the bible. Recently, The Beginner's Bible® was redesigned with fresh new art. With the new art and easy-to-read text, kids will enjoy over 90 Bible stories from Noah building the ark, Jonah and the whale and Jesus healing others. In 2006,
The Beginner's Bible®, was named 2006 Retailers Choice Award winner in Children's Nonfiction.

It was easy to read stories to my kids from The Beginner's Bible®. The stories were easy for my kids to understand and to hold their attention. I liked that the Bible stories were simplified for young audiences. I've been reading parts of the Christmas story in the New Testament to my children and its really hard for them to understand the story since the words are harder and more complex. I think its important to continue reading scriptures to children so that they can get used to the language and have supplements on their level to help them understand the stories and messages like The Beginner's Bible. Other supplements I've used include: felt figures, pictures, retelling after reading a verse in a simplified manner and etc. I am excited to continue using The Beginner's Bible in my home. The illustrations are also attractive to kids. It made the stories more fun and entertaining.  After reading
The Beginner's Bible, my daughter liked flipping through the pages and examining the pictures. To learn more about The Beginner's Bible, check out the following links:

• Official website 
• Facebook 
• Twitter
• Trailer / book trailer
• Amazon

Flyby Promotions and the publication company has generously donated a book for me to offer as a giveaway on this blog. You can win the book, The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories (retail value of $16.99) by entering through the Rafflecopter down below. The giveaway will run until 12 am on December 27, 2016  wherein I will select 1 winner through Rafflecopter. This is for U.S. residents only and 18+ please. I will email the winner of the book and ask for shipping information. Please respond within 24 hours or the prize maybe forfeited to another winner. Please note that if you have a won a prize from the sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win or if you have won the same prize on another blog. Please read the disclosure down below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.” 

Please note this post contains affiliate links.

Star Struck Review

Kathi Oram Peterson's Star Struck stars Mercedes Grant, who is known for her action-hero role of Stormy Ryan. Mercedes escapes to take a relaxing break in her remote cabin near Idaho's Snake River seeking relief only to find she has a cold, parents and a stalker she can't shake. She meets the town's physician, Luke Parker, and finds an unexpected illness and a friend.

To be honest, I only picked up this book because I wanted something to read and was getting tired of the books I had at home. The summary on the back and the cover wasn't engaging enough to seem interesting, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The actual story and characters were interesting and engaging. The story contained suspense, romance and action. At times the suspense felt a little forced when the author made recommendations of different stalker suspects, but the rest of the book flowed easily. I love characterizations of Mercedes' parents and Winona, Luke's 90-some year old nurse. The minor characters were just as memorable as the major characters. To learn more, click here.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Deck the Holiday with Deals

Kroger has a promotion going on called Deck the Holiday with Deals. From now until December

19th, Kroger posts digital deals that you can load to your store card. Each deal must be loaded to your card the day that its posted. Please note that this does include Kroger store and their affiliates.

Today Kroger has a deal where you could load a coupon to your card for ONE (1) Pillsbury Cake Mix. Even if you're not a fan of cake, it might be a great gift for a friend or item for the local food bank. Click here to see the deal.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon ONE (1) FREE Arnott's Tim Tam Cookies, any variety (6.2-7.0 oz ) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

When Jesus Was a Green-Eyed Brunette Review and Giveaway

Max Davis weaves personal stories, heartwarming stories of others and shares his own testimony of Jesus in his book, When Jesus Was a Green-Eyed Brunette. The book reveals how God loves us and knows us. God also shows his love through sometimes miraculous experiences or through others. Davis encourages the reader to find Jesus and allow him to change us for the better.


I enjoyed some of the experiences that Davis shared from his own life and from other people's lives. The stories were heart-warming spiritual experiences. The overall text speaks of God's love and how He really loves His children. That is an easy thing to forget in life, but important to remember. Sometimes the author had a rougher tone compared to most spiritual books that have a soft tone. The rougher tone was at times distracting. Overall, the book was interesting and I think most mainstream Christian audiences will gain something by reading it. To learn more about, When Jesus Was A Green-Eyed Brunette, click here.

Flyby Promotions and the publication company has generously donated a book for me to offer as a giveaway on this blog. You can win the book, When Jesus Was a Green-Eyed Brunette (retail value of $15.99) by entering through the Rafflecopter down below. The giveaway will run until 12 am on December 22, 2016  wherein I will select 1 winner through Rafflecopter. This is for U.S. residents only and 18+ please. I will email the winner of the book and ask for shipping information. Please respond within 24 hours or the prize maybe forfeited to another winner. Please note that if you have a won a prize from the sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win or if you have won the same prize on another blog. Please read the disclosure down below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Please note that this post contains an affiliate link.

Cheap and Easy Non-Candy Ideas For Kids' Stockings

It's hard for Santa Claus to come up with cheap and easy non-candy ideas for kids' stockings. Santa typically gets most of the items for my children's stockings at the dollar store or from the grocery store. Santa can also use Kroger Friday Freebie items to help full stockings although those are typically candy.

Santa usually asks himself two questions when looking for stocking stuffers:

1. What does the child like?
2. What does the child need?

 Here are some ideas:

1. Socks: Every kid needs new pairs of socks to replenish the lost and holey. Santa got some of the socks free and super cheap this year. Eddie Bauer sent a $10 coupon via email, a 50% off code and free shipping making two $10 pair of socks free. Santa also used a JcPenney $10 off $10 or more coupon to get a 6-pack of children's socks for $2. To find out more how to save money on clothes and/or socks, check out my post here.
2. Applesauce Pouches: My kids typically devour these in one mouthful, but they like them. I typically buy them for them for holidays. Non-holidays, I buy a jar of applesauce.
3. Coloring Books
4. Watercolor Paints
5. New Crayons (replace the broken)
6. Cheap dollar store toys 
7. Cheap dollar store books
8. Cheap hair accessories (for girls)
9. Teddy Graham Cookies
10. Animal Crackers
11. Orange/Fruit
12. Bubbles
13. Play-doh
14. Fun Bath Mits
15. Stickers
16. Bouncy Balls
17. New Toothbrushes
18. Fruit Snacks
19. New Water Bottles/ Cups
20. Markers

What are some of your ideas?

Love at First Note Review

Jenny Proctor's Love at First Note tells the story of Emma Hill. Emma steps down from being concertmaster with the Cleveland Orchestra and moves back to her hometown in Asheville, North Carolina. She soon collides with Elliot Hart, a famous You Tube piano sensation. Elliot and Emma have an awkward first meeting, but soon find that there is mutual harmony that should be explored.

I wanted to read this book, Love at First Note, ever since I saw the cover and read the summary. The story lived up to my expectations. It was a fun, enjoyable read especially for those that like music. I also liked the characters in the book. Each character had their own traits, personality, talents, flaws, awkwardness and more. The story wasn't sappy, read smoothly and kept my interest. To learn more about Love at First Note, click here. 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Kroger Deck the Holiday with Deals

Kroger has a promotion going on called Deck the Holiday with Deals. From now until December 19th, Kroger posts digital deals that you can load to your store card. Each deal must be loaded to your card the day that its posted. Please note that this does include Kroger store and their affiliates.

Today Kroger has a deal where you could load a coupon to your card for FREE 7-up. Even if you're not a fan of 7-up, it might be a great gift for a friend or item for the local food bank. Click here to see the deal.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon ONE (1) FREE Werther's Original, any variety (4.51-5.5 oz) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Heart of Gold Review

In Jeanette Miller's Heart of Gold, Ashlynn Carter feels vulnerable like the roses outside of her new home after discovering a horrible secret following her husband's death. When she moves back to her hometown, she's ready for a new start. Her new start comes off to a rocky start when a long forgotten embarrassing memory is about to resurface.

The Heart of Gold is full of drama. Some of the drama is caused by the main character, Ashlynn, who is unwilling to let others into her life and help her. At times, the drama was a little annoying and other times it motivated me to keep turning the pages. The author, Jeanette Miller, creates a vast number of characters full of personality that are easy to remember and visualize. This isn't a book I would reread over and over again, but it was entertaining enough to read once for fun. To learn more, click here.

Kroger Deck the Holidays With Deals

Kroger has a promotion going on called Deck the Holiday with Deals. From now until December
19th, Kroger posts digital deals that you can load to your store card. Each deal must be loaded to your card the day that its posted. Please note that this does include Kroger store and their affiliates.

Today Kroger has a deal where you could load a coupon to your card for FREE Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts. Even if you're not a fan of dry roasted peanuts, it might be a great gift for a friend or item for the local food bank. Click here to see the deal.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon 1 FREE Kraft Barbecue Sauce (17.5-18 oz., any variety)(you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Help U-Swirl Decorate for the Season

Come to a U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt location (in the Treasure Valley) December 1-7th from 7 to 9 pm to make a paper snowflake. The paper snowflakes will be used to decorate the store. If you put your name and phone number on the snowflake, you could win a $10 U-Swirl Gift Card.

U-Swirl is located at:

3319 N. Eagle Road in Meridian, Idaho
8184 W. Overland Rd in Boise, Idaho

Click here for more information.

Things to Do in Boise for December

Are you looking for things to do in Boise? Here's a listing of some of the events happening in Boise
(area) for December:

• November 24, 2016 – January 1, 2017 Winter Garden aGlow with the Idaho Botanical Garden (Closed on November 29 – December 1 for private parties). See a dazzling display of over 300,000 lights artfully displayed. Gates open at 6pm. To learn more and see the pricing of tickets, click here.
• December 1-17, 2016 - Downtown Carriage Rides from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Downtown Carriage rides circle from 9th and Bannock to Capitol. FREE. Click here for more information.
• December 1, 2016 - Bear's Slumber Party Puppet Show at the Boise Main Library at 10:30 am. FREE. Click here for more details.
• December 2, 2016 - Bear's Slumber Party Puppet Show at the Boise Main Library at 2:00 pm. FREE. Click here for more details. 
• December 2, 2016 - Claus 'n Paws at Zoo Boise from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Zoo Boise is offering a FREE admission day to thank the members of the community. To find out more, click here.
• December 5, 2016 - Meet Me Mondays at the Boise Towne Mall from 7:45 am to 10 am. Weekly family friendly walk/run event. Incentives and prizes for continued participation. Click here for more information.
• December 7, 2016 - Steelheads Hat Trick Winter Reading Program Kick-off Party at the Boise Main Library from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Meet some Idaho Steelheads hockey players and sign-up for the winter reading program to get FREE Hockey Tickets. Click here for more information.
• December 10, 2016 - Gift Wrapping and Ornament Making at the Cole and Ustick Libary at 2:00 pm. Come bring your gifts to wrap and make a fun ornament. FREE. Click here for more information.
• December 14, 2016 - Holiday Sing-Along at Library! at Collister from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Click here for more information.
• December 17, 2016 - Christmas Run with Treasure Valley YMCA starting at 10 am. To find out more information or to register, please click here.
• December 19, 2016 - DIY Gift Wrapping Station at the Boise Main Library. Click here for more information. 
• December 31, 2016 - Idaho Potato Drop at the State Capitol. Celebrate the coming of the new year with fireworks, live music and more. Click here for more information.

Events in RED are free.

If you have a family-friendly event in the Boise area you would like listed, please contact me through the contact page or lifeiswhatitscalled(at)gmail(dot)com. 

December Giveaways (low to moderate entry)

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog giveaways I've entered and found online. Check back often to see if I have posted more giveaways. I try and post them as I find them.

If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me. If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.

$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 1, 2016)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 1, 2016) 
Elena of Avalor Christmas Prize Pack (ends December 3, 2016)
$15 Starbucks Gift Card (ends December 4, 2016) 
Charlie the Tramp Book (ends December 5, 2016)
Bob's Red Mill Prize Pack (ends December 5, 2016)
Clairsonic Alpha Fit (ends December 5, 2016)
Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures (ends December 5, 2016)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 7, 2016)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 7, 2016)
$25 Uncommon Goods Gift Card (ends December 8, 2016)
Bear Naked Granola (ends December 8, 2016)
$100 Qdoba's Catering Gift Card (ends December 8, 2016)
Pampers Registry Kit (ends December 9, 2016) 
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends December 9, 2016)
Ball Brand Prize Pack (ends December 9, 2016) 
Holiday Prize Pack (ends December 10, 2016)
Karina Dress (ends December 11, 2016)
$25 Uncommon Goods Gift Card (ends December 11, 2016)
Six jars of Rigoni di Asiago Product (ends December 11, 2016)
Huggies Diapers and Wipes (ends December 12, 2016)
One Smithfield Coupon Book (ends December 12, 2016)
$50 Visa Gift Card (ends December 12, 2016)
$100 Payless Gift Card (ends December 12, 2016)
Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker (ends December 13, 2016)
Original Christmas Classics Anniversary Collectors Edition (ends December 13, 2016)
$50 Diapers.com Gift Card (ends December 13, 2016)
Best of Beauty Counter (ends December 14, 2016)
12 Home Run Pizza Coupons (ends December 14, 2016)
Chick-fil-a, Starbucks and Amazon Gift Card (ends December 15, 2016)
Wonderful Halos Prize Pack (ends December 16, 2016)
4moms bounceRoo (ends December 17, 2016) 
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 17, 2016)
American Girl Wellie Wishers Doll (ends December 18, 2016)
$10 Jamba Juice Gift Card (ends December 18, 2016)
$50 Amazon Gift Card (ends December 18, 2016)
$25 Vanilla Visa Gift Card (ends December 18, 2016) 
Fawn Design Bag and Eve's Tree Hoodie (ends December 18, 2016)
$100 Gift Card (ends December 19, 2016)
$100 Bob's Red Mill Gift Certificate (ends December 19, 2016) 
$50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card (ends December 19, 2016)
$100 Wild Dill Credit (ends December 20, 2016) 
Litehouse Prize Pack (ends December 21, 2016) 
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 21, 2016)
2 Packs of Huggies Diapers and Wipes (ends December 21, 2016)
Rodelle Vanilla Prize Pack (ends December 22, 2016)
When Jesus was a Green-Eyed Brunette Book (ends December 22, 2016)
Blake's Tote Bag and T-shirt (ends December 22, 2016)
$50 Pink Blush Gift Card (ends December 22, 2016) 
Hasbro Toys (ends December 22, 2016)
$25 Gift Card to JcPenney or TJ Max (ends December 22, 2016) 
$50 Cost Plus World Gift Card (ends December 23, 2016)
$100 Payless Gift Card (ends December 23, 2016)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends December 23, 2016)
Oliver Bilou Bag (ends December 25, 2016)
$50 Nordstrom Gift Card and $25 Bauble Bar Gift Card (ends December 25, 2016) 
Krusteaz Baking Kit (ends December 25, 2016) 
$100 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends December 25, 2016)
Krusteaz Cookie Basket (ends December 26, 2016)
The Beginner's Bible (ends December 27, 2016) 
$100 J. Crew Gift Card (ends December 28, 2016)
Stonyfield Product (ends December 29, 2016)
$10 Jamba Juice Gift Card (ends December 30, 2016) 
New Mama Prize Pack (ends December 31, 2016)
$50 Diapers.com (ends December 31, 2016)