Mama Mama Quite Contrary

I really enjoyed doing my Me Challenge Giveaway last month.  It was nice to be able to offer a surprise to a reader who took the time to validate my existence with a comment. Plus, I got the added bonus of reading about all the interesting places you have traveled.  (Who knew there was actually a World's Largest Frying Pan ?! ) Since that was a lot of fun, I thought it was time for another giveaway!  Most of you know that Vivi is heading to her local public kindergarten at the end of the month.  Given my recent gripes about the supply list , it is clear that our schools need a lot of help.  That's why I have decided to give away: Two $25 gift certificates to Donor's Choose . Here are the rules: To enter, please leave a comment telling me your favorite children's book and why you love it. Because Donor's Choose is for US based schools, this giveaway is only open to residents of the United States. The winners will be chosen at random on Monday, August...

Ladies and Gentleladies, we have a winner of the Halfway There Giveaway! Lucky number 4 is....   MONICA!!!! (I can not get the random number widget to appear on my blog but my husband can verify that I used it!) Congratulations!  In a weird twist of blogland serendipity, Monica and I recently discovered a shared hatred for amusement parks which she noted on her blog.  Now I can encourage all of you to check out her really funny chronicle of family life at And I'll Raise You Five . But wait, there's more! I am giving away three runner-up gifts to help you help someone else.  Those randomly selected winners are: #14:  Marcia at 123 Blog #26:  Superjaxster #12:  Holly Ann Congratulations winners!  Please email me your mailing addresses so I can get your prizes out to you. Now I'm off to the Y for some me time.

At the beginning of the year, I made a commitment to myself and to Dollimama  (my fellow blogger and mother of twins) to take a few minutes each week for myself.  I promised that I would blog about what I did every Friday and link up to her site.   As it turns out, I was great at taking the time for myself but not so good at blogging about it.  (I know you are heartbroken to have missed my weekly missives about the YMCA.) Do not despair, fair reader, I am here to redeem myself.  I am participating in the: Cue the wild cheering and applause! I am giving away a little "me time" care package. While I won't give the specifics (who doesn't love a surprise?), the package will include something you can do for yourself, something you can do with a friend, and something that will help you do something for someone else.   To enter, please leave a comment telling me the most interesting place you have ever traveled. For a bonus entry, become a follower of this bl...