Go Graham Go: Parenting | Recipes | DIY | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews | NC Mom Blog

 Sweepstakes
Nestle Family wants to make sure that one lucky family wins a dream vacation as well as a spa day or night on the town for mom and her friends!  They are giving away $10,000 total in the Nestle Mother's Day to Remember Sweepstakes.  Make sure you sign up by May 31st in order to be entered to win.  You can enter daily as soon as you sign-up.

Coupons and Gifts
Nestle also has some adorable "Love Coupons" that you can print off for mom.  She can redeem them for things like a family game night.  When you print off the "Love Coupons" you will also be able to print off up to $12 off of some of your favorite Nestle products.

Family Night In
I know that one way we try to save money around here is by having a Family Night In.  Sometimes we will rent a movie or just watch a movie we own that we haven't seen in a while.  We have even rented movies from Amazon before (watch them through our computer linked to our TV).  It is fun to pick up a few different types of candy as well as popcorn and make it a special event!  This could be a fun way to celebrate Mother's Day just hanging out with the ones you love.

I was not compensated for this post.  Nestle provided the giveaway. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.


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Thank you for stopping by!  Feel free to link up your family friendly giveaways.  Link directly to your post and let us know what you are giving away.  Head over to Jolly Mom for even more!



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I'm sorry Mr. Linky is looking weird today, but I added some words to my post and it deleted the links that people had placed. So, there's an old Mr. Linky up for you to check out other WW and a new one for your to post your link.



Strawberry Trifle Recipe and Square Foot Gardening to Come!







Wordless Wednesday Participants

1. Stefany @ ToBeThode 2. Mom Start 3. Amy @ Marvelous Mommy 4. Jessica @ Piece Of Me 5. Ms. Latina w.Linky 6. ~Melody @ 6 Feet Over~ (My Hand Painted Life) 7. Cindy @ This Adventure, Our Life 8. mistie -1st pageant 9. Kristi {at} Live and Love...Out Loud (w/LINKY!!!) 10. The Caribbean girl 11. Arizona Mama 12. The Jacobsen Family 13. A Lot of Loves 14. GrammyMousetails-Faythe_mystery continues 15. Babasfarmlife- 16. Simply Delicious

17. Modern Mom 18. Cafe au lait 19. Pie 20. Maria @ LSS 21. Liza (mcn) 22. Liza (yacb) 23. Coupon Saving Family - Having So Much Fun (with Linky) 24. Harriet LINKY 25. Tammy @ LoveMy2Dogs 26. Run DMT 27. Tara @ Feels Like Home (sensory tub) 28. valmg @ Mom Knows It All - with linky 29. valmg @ From Val's Kitchen - w/ linky 30. Stephanie @ Geezees 31. Shelley's Swag 32. Pat. @ Here And There - w/ linky

33. Kelly @Our family ramblings 34. Lauren @ Hobo Mama = General adorableness 35. Kristie 36. Green Momma 37. Dee@ Two Of A Kind... 38. Melanie @ Whimsical Creations 39. Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) 40. In Everything (another belly ) 41. Newlyweds (Reality Snaps) 42. melinda @LookWhatMomFound...and Dad too! 43. blueviolet@ A Nut in a Nutshell 44. Southern Domestic Goddess 45. Deb @ WebSavvyMom.com 46. 3 generations 47. Musings From Mt Rogo

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Another great gift idea this Mother's Day is Vivabox!  This is a one stop shop that puts together a wonderful package that you can choose.

I was sent the "Photo Art" Vivabox for review.  What I am impressed with the most is how much the Vivabox costs.  The Photo Art Vivabox retails for $84.95 and you receive a Gorilla Pod as well as a 16" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas of one of your photos!  I know that to have a gallery wrapped canvas that size from a photographer could easily cost you $100 or more.  The Gorilla Pod by itself usually retails for about $21.95.  So, together, you have saved!


How it Works
Just head over to the VivaboxUSA.com site and check out the different options for purchase.  If you decide on the Photo Art Vivabox your gift recipient will receive the Gorilla Pod as well as instructions in a cute box.  Once your recipient has taken the perfect photo they hop back onto the Vivabox website and plug in their redemption code.  For the Photo Art redemption, you need to make sure you are ready with a photo because I didn't see a way to come back to it later.  I actually had to end my session because I wasn't ready and then had to contact customer service to get my code renewed.  Also, if you are using the Photo Art Vivabox you need to make sure you have a high quality camera and have the settings correct.  Because the canvas art is so big, it needs to be a quality photo.

You can edit the photo once inside the Vivabox redemption area.  It allows you to see how your finished product will look even after it has been gallery wrapped (important to keep in mind when you are cropping your photo).  5-7 days later you should receive your finished product!

I have not received my finished canvas at this point because I am still working on the perfect picture (maybe this particular Vivabox isn't the best idea for a perfectionist)!  Overall, I have been pleasantly surprised by the value and how the Vivabox is so nicely put together.  I would definitely recommend this to family and friends who were stumped for ideas on gifts.  Prices start at $29.95  and gift ideas are abundant!


This product was provided free of charge by Vivabox. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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In about 2 weeks I will be speaking at a Free Social Media class in my hometown.  I was asked to be a part of the "blogging" series.  While I am happy to help out others who may want to know more, I honestly want to be able to tell them what they want to know.  After thinking about this for 2 months I finally thought, "Why not just ask readers of my blog"?  I wish I would've thought of this sooner!  I am happy to post any answers here for everyone to read and even post the questions I can't answer so that we can all "cry out for help"!


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I know that we all scream for ice cream, but we really scream when it is only $.31!  Baskin-Robbins is coming back with their $.31 scoop night tomorrow evening (4/28).  Just head over to your local Baskin-Robbins from 5pm-10pm to get in on the deal.  The offer is good for any flavor.
Giving Back
Baskin-Robbins is also donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  The NFFF helps support the family members and co-workers of fallen heroes.  Tomorrow night there will be local firefighters at your Baskin-Robbins event to teach families and children about fire safety and to enjoy some ice cream with neighbors.


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We were sent the Celtic Woman Songs From the Heart CD a few months back and have really enjoyed it.  My husband has confiscated it to his car, so I haven't been able to enjoy it as much!


If you are looking for a Mother's Day Gift idea for the music loving mom, sister, or friend in your life, this is a special CD!  I know that the sound of Celtic Woman isn't for everyone, but we really enjoy listening to and watching them when they broadcast their performances.  Songs From the Heart features familiar songs like "Amazing Grace," "Fields of Gold," "You'll Be In My Heart," and many more.  My favorite is "Amazing Grace".  I just love how well their voices blend!  They always seem to sound angelic.  Also, make sure to check out Celtic Woman's tour dates.  It would be wonderful to celebrate Mother's Day by seeing them live!

You can purchase the CD from Amazon, iTunes, or even in stores near you for about $12.  What a great gift idea for under $20!

Keep up with Celtic Woman on Twitter and Facebook.


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 Many of you have entered the Aller-Ease contest going on here and at many other sites around the blogosphere.  By the way, today is the last day to enter here at Go Graham Go.  This giveaway has been a ton of fun because I have gained a lot of knowledge from the tips that have been offered from all of my readers.  The Motherhood has compiled a list of all of the best tips to share with you all!  These tips are broken down into sections of your house to make it easier.


Kitchen/Bathroom

Bathtubs and sink drains are hotbeds for bacteria with about 100,000 per square inch in the tub and 500,000 per square inch in the sink drain(i).

• Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Then, scrub stainless steel sinks and counter tops to remove stains.
• Unclog slow or stopped drains with effervescent antacid tablets and white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run hot water.
• Clean and deodorize your microwave with sliced lemons in a bowl of water. Steam off stuck-on food while leaving a fresh lemon scent after microwaving for a minute or so.
• Tackle mold and mildew stains with a simple toothbrush and mouthwash.
• Remove scuffmarks from ceramic tile with rubbing alcohol.

Bedrooms

Beds are hotspots for dust mites, dust mite excrement, mold spores and fungi. In fact, your mattress can double in weight every 10 years due to microscopic allergens that accumulate inside(ii).

• Strip off all winter bedding and protective bedding. Then flip your mattress and sprinkle baking soda on it to absorb odors. After you vacuum the baking soda, cover both mattress and pillows with Aller-Ease allergen filtration bedding to protect against dust mites and other household allergens.
• Remove dust from blinds with a damp fabric softener sheet to eliminate the static that causes dust to stick.

Laundry/Closets

An average of 100 million E. coli bacteria are found in the typical load of undergarments(iii).

• Launder undergarments in water above 150 degrees, and try to make it the last load of the day. To eliminate transferring germs, wash your hands afterwards. When you’re done, run a light cycle of bleach and water between loads to eliminate any lingering bugs.
• Treat ring-around-the-collar with shampoo. It’s specifically made to remove body oils and is gentle on fabric.
• Reduce clutter by asking family members to sort their belongings and clothes into three piles: keep, toss and donate. Keep in mind, if you haven’t used/worn it for six months, you probably don’t need it.

Living Room/Family Room

TV remote controls are among the most frequently handled and most bacteria-ridden items in the home.

• Use a germicidal wipe on remotes, door handles, telephones and any other item that is frequently touched, especially when the kids are sick.
• Polish hardwood furniture with a 2:1 mixture of olive oil and lemon juice.
• Use a lint roller to remove dust from hard-to-clean fabric lampshades.
• Clean windows with a vinegar and water mix, and use old newspapers rather than cloth or paper towels.
• Wash windows horizontally on the inside and vertically on the outside.If they streak, you know which side to rewash. Clean windows out of direct sunlight, or they'll dry too fast and streak.
• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets before vacuuming to remove any odors left by pets, kids or stinky feet.


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It is so nice to receive flowers, especially when you are not expecting them.  A few weeks back 1-800-FLOWERS.com surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as well as a sweet gift book titled  Celebrating Mom.  I was spotted as a Sentimental Mom by Piera from Jolly Mom as well as 1-800-FLOWERS.com.  These flowers were waiting on me when I came home from a family members funeral, so it was perfect timing as well.


This Mother's Day would be a great time to check out what 1-800-FLOWERS.com has to offer.  They have gifts on sale right now starting at $19.99 and up.  They are also offering Free Shipping and No Service Charge on all Mother's Day Gifts right now.  My flowers came from a local florist and were beautiful and fresh.  I know you may worry about ordering flowers over the Internet, but rest assured that they can use local florists!  Why is this good?  Well, what if you wanted to send some fresh roses to your mother who is 3 states away?  You can do it quickly and with confidence by using 1-800-FLOWERS.com.  Your mother may even recognize the friendly face delivering her flowers if she is familiar with the local florist.  The Celebrating Mom book would also be a nice touch.  It was written by the CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.com, Jim McCann, and features real life accounts of motherhood that have been collected over the years from customers.

Enter the Spot A Mom Contest and win a trip for 4 to Hawaii
From now until May 2nd you can submit your entry for a mother who deserves to be recognized this year.  Share your story with 1-800-FLOWERS.com Spot A Mom Contest and she could win a trip for 4 to Hawaii!  There are also daily prizes being awarded.

This product was provided free of charge by 1-800-FLOWERS.com. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.


1. Head over to 1-800-FLOWERS.com and tell me what specific item you would pick out for your Mother or a mother you know this Mother's Day. Make sure to leave your email address in the comment (used only to contact the winner. If your email shows up on your blogger account then do not worry about leaving it).

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about this giveaway and link to www.1800flowers.com and www.gograhamgo.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.

3. Subscribe to Go Graham Go by reader or email or follow on Blogger

4. One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow 1-800-FLOWERS and Go Graham Go on Twitter and Tweet about this daily. Make sure to leave your twitter name in your comment.

5. Become a fan (press the "LIKE" button) of 1-800-FLOWERS and Go Graham Go on Facebook.  You will also receive a 20% off discount.  Make sure to leave your FB name in the comment.

6. Add the Go Graham Go button to your sidebar

7. Stumble this post (the post,not the site)

This giveaway ends May 17th at 11:59pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this post. US entries only please.

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I never really noticed having a smelly washer until we decided to upgrade to a front loading energy efficient model.  Now, we sometimes have a smelly washer issue on our hands!  I am glad to know that it isn't just our washer.  Once this started happening I actually "googled" and found out that this is a common problem among front loaders.  Mildew and fungus can build up in the seal portion of the washer which can lead to the smell.  If you don't have a front loader, I'm sure you have smelly towels!  If you let your wet towels sit in the hamper for a while thay start to grow mildew and stink!  So, what do you do?


We had the chance to review the Smelly Washer Cleaner and found that it did a great job!  There are a few steps, but it does what it is meant to do.  First you have to clean your washer using the Smelly Washer Cleaner.  Once you have completed this task you can move on to cleaning your towels.  The bottle takes you through the process which take a few hours.  It is nice to have regular smelling towels again!  Smelly Washer Cleaner removes the odor and also removes the odor causing residue from you washer that mold and bacteria grow on.

The bottle retails for about $16.99 and has enough for 24 treatments inside.  If you break that down you are only paying $1.40 for a clean smelling washer, towels, and clothes.  It is definitely worth checking out if you have tried other treatments that have left you less than satisfied.

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Save $15 on Avatar DVD wyb you spend $25 on any of these products: Limit 1
All Laundry Detergent 2/$7
Keebler or Nabisco crackers, cookies 5/$5
All General Mills cereal $2.44
Maxwell House Master Blend Coffee 34.5oz $5.99
Quilted Northern Ultra Plush 12pk $6.99
Coke 12pk, 12oz cans 3/$11
Haagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry's icecream 14-16oz 2/$6

Big Top Cupcake Bakeware or Perfect Brownie Pan Set $19.99 Get $3 ECB Limit 2

$4 ECB wyb (2) Revlon, Nailene or Fing'rs artificial nails (excludes glue) psa $3.89

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Covergirl Lashblast Fusion Mascara $9.99 Get $2 ECB Limit 1

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Spend $15 Get $5 ECB wyb these Biore, Curel, John Frieda or Jergens Products Limit 1
Jergens Natural Glow $8
John Frieda Collection (psa $6.49)
Jergens moisturizer 16.8-21oz, Curel lotion 13oz, Biore cleansers or pore strips $6

Spend $20 Get $5 ECB wyb these L'Oreal Products Limit 1
L'Oreal Skin Genesis, Age Perfect Pro-Calcium, Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair or Collagen Filler $14.99
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Schick Hydro 3 or 5 blade system $8.97 Get $6 ECB Limit 1

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Get $5 ECB wyb (2) CVS/pharmacy Suncare products psa $4.99 Limit 1

Rapid Lash $49.99 Get $10 ECB Limit 1

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Softsoap or Irish Spring Antibacterial refill 40oz or bar soap 8pk. $5.49 Get $2 ECB Limit 2

Get $10 ECB wyb Crest Whitestrips, 3D White Vivid 10ct, 3D White Professional Effects 20ct. or Advanced Seal 14ct. Limit 2

Colgate Pro Clinical toothpaste 4oz $3.99 Get $2 ECB Limit 2

Pampers Diapers or Easy Ups jumbo pk. $8.49 Get $1 ECB Limit 1

Crest 3D White Vivid 4oz or Oral B 3D White Advantage toothbrush $2.99 Get $1 ECB Limit 2

CVS/pharmacy Multi-Purpose Solution twin pk. 24oz total $9.99 Get $3 ECB Limit 1

24 HR Prevacid 28ct. $18.99 Get $4 ECB Limit 1

Depend Underwear, briefs, guards or belted shields $11.99 Get $2 ECB Limit 5

Gas-X 48-50ct, or Benefiber chewables 100ct, powder 58-62 doses or stick packs 28ct. $9.99 Get $3 ECB Limit 1

Softsoap or Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz. $2.99 Get $2 ECB Limit 2

Zyrtec orginal 10mg tablets 45ct. or Liquid Gels 40ct. $24.99 Get $5 ECB Limit 1

Buy One Get One Free

Softsoap Ensembles


Other Deals

Lysol Healthy No Touch system $9.99

B2G1F Reeses peanut butter cups (89 cents)

Huggies or Pampers wipes, 2/$5

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This pregnancy has been very different in many ways.  My size is completely different this time around (smaller luckily) and all of my old maternity clothes are not fitting.  I have been blessed with a friend who let me borrow several of her items, but I still have had to buy many new things.  I was excited when I found out that Moody Mamas was going to be available in Target!  It is so hard to find fashionable maternity clothes and they offer some adorable options.


Moody Mamas started offering their clothes for purchase yesterday online!  They sent me an adorable puff sleeve dress that is super comfortable and cute (dresses are always so much easier when you are pregnant).  All of their clothing is made from comfy fabrics and the styles are from the runway.  Moody Mamas clothing is also available in Plus Sizes.  I love the look of the V-Neck Dress with Pockets offered on the Target website!  Right now prices range from about $13.98 to $44.99.


Of course, you can still purchase items from the original Moody Mamas website.  There are many more options available on their website.  I honestly think that they have some of the cutest dresses around!  If you are a nursing mother they also have a selection that you need to check out.  I love the precious cap sleeve night gown!

This product was provided free of charge by Moody Mamas. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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"How far apart are they going to be," a mother asks me as I am heading out the door from the Doctor's office.  When I tell her that they will be about 3.5 years apart she smiles and lets me know that her two are about the same.  "It will be hard at first, but you will get used to it.  You will definitely be a referee," she says to me politely.

At this point, I suppose I was trying to not think about how hard it might be adding a second child to the mix.  So, I want to know what your advice is.  I know that there are things headed my way that I have no idea about.  What helped you with the transition to two?



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Oceanhouse Media has released two new apps for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that help celebrate Earth Day in a way that only Dr. Seuss could appreciate!

The Lorax

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not,” is what the Lorax's message is in this book by Dr. Seuss.  Just like the many Dr. Seuss apps before this, you and your kids will love the illustrations that come straight from the book.  This is a perfect book for Earth Day, as the message is all about caring about the planet and the creatures living on it. You can can choose to have the book read to you or you can read it yourself.  You can also touch many other images on the page to hear their names (words zoom up as you hear the word spoken).  The Lorax is available in the iTunes store for $3.99.


Lorax Garden


This game is not just for kids!  I have fun planting seeds and watering the Truffula Trees until they grow.  Once they are finished you can plant them in the forest!  You can design your own trees and flowers.  As they game moves on you are faced with different challenges as each forest location has different needs.  You can even save your creations and share them as postcards with your friends and family members.  All of the artwork is inspired by Dr. Seuss so if you are familiar with the book, you will like this even more!  Lorax Garden is available for $2.99 in the iTunes store.




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Happy Earth Day and Happy 1st Birthday to one of Graham's favorite friends, Grant!  Feel free to link up your family friendly giveaways.  Make sure you are linking directly to the giveaway post and tell us what it is.  When you are finished head over to Jolly Mom for even more!






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I am in heaven with the way the weather has been lately.  I see all over Facebook image after image of my friends and their kids playing, eating, and hanging out outside.  Spring is one of my favorite season's because it invites you to be more active and spend time outdoors.  The weather also reminds me and my husband that we could use some good outdoor furniture!  We have some pop-up camping and beach chairs, but they just aren't as nice or comfortable as an outdoor set would be.


We have been looking into the possibilities of expanding our deck in order to have a more inviting area as well as looking at some different options for furniture.  The problem is that this takes a pretty big budget!  With a new baby on the way there's not a lot of room for extras.  When I heard about the $1000 giveaway that Outdoor Furniture Plus was holding I was definitely excited to share it with you all (maybe I am the only one in this position of outdoor paradise dreaming, but I'm thinking not).  The best part is this contest is a simple one.

How to Enter:

1. Head to Outdoor Furniture Plus and enter your First and Last name as well as email address.  You will also receive a 5% off coupon good for anything from the site.

2. Double your chance to win by becoming a fan of Outdoor Furniture Plus on Facebook.  Leave them a message telling them you heard about the contest from Go Graham Go if you have a chance.  Once you are a fan you will receive a 10% off coupon good for anything from the site.



I have my eye on some of the Teak Furniture!  I love the Teak Sun Bed chair.  This would be great for those days when I am finished working in the garden and would like to relax.  I also think that every porch needs a quality rocker.  The Teak High back Rocking Chairs would be perfect with a cold glass of lemonade!  What do you think you would choose if you won?  I could day dream for days!



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 Not so Wordless... but this deserves an explanation:

I walked into Graham's Sunday School class to find this!  His teacher said he started lining up the chairs.  When she asked him what he was doing he said he was making a train.  Next, he said "All Aboard" and all the children and his teacher had to climb aboard the "train".  Sorry about the heart faces, but I wasn't sure how the parents felt about their children being posted online.






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Mother's Day is right around the corner and I'm sure that gift ideas are springing into your heads already!  We generally like to involve photos in our Mother's and Father's Day gifts.  When you have children that are ever changing, grand-parents and parents love to have cherished memories to keep with them.


Blurb offers some absolutely gorgeous photo books that look worthy of display!  I know that I have created photo books from the drug stores before that have been cute, but nothing as fancy as this.  The wonderful news is that Blurb has books that fit every budget starting at $4.95.  All you have to do is download the Blurb BookSmart software and add in your own pictures and customize the text.  There are layouts already created so you don't have to worry about being a genius on design.  If you are a blogger, there is a Blog to Book option that you might find fascinating.  Another great idea would be to compile a cook book full of your family's favorites for a special wedding or birthday gift.  If you are a photographer, this could be an inexpensive and easy way to display your work.


I think Blurb offers a gorgeous product that is sure to be treasured for years to come.  You can never go wrong with memories!  Blurb offers flat rate shipping at $6.99 for up to 5 books and several different sizes. 

I was not compensated in any way for this post.  Blurb provided the giveaway. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.



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