Can I Get A Quick Favor Today, Blog Readers?

January 31, 2011 by 17 Comments

Update: Thank you very much for voting. We came in second. :)

Good morning, friends! Did you all have a good weekend? I hope so. We went to the Houston Auto Show and the boys had an absolute blast. I heard the words, “Cars, caaaars, caaaaaaars, woooah!” more than you can imagine. Good times!

I come to you this morning asking for a quick favor. Do you like the photo above? I love it and the two subjects in it. You might remember that it was taken by Larami Serrano Photography awhile back. Right now, she is having her Best of 2010 contest and we are in the running. The voting ends today. It’s super easy. Just click here and vote for number one by clicking next to the number one in the poll and voting. We would really, really appreciate it if you like this photo as much as us. I think Larami captured a wonderful moment between father and son just perfectly (and, coincidentally, they were looking at cars in traffic at the time). If we win, we’ll get a free session and a free print.

Thank you so much! I have the best blog readers around.
 Shannon

Filed Under: about us, Kieriosity Korner, Larami Serrano Photography, Photography

2011 Houston Auto Show Ticket Giveaway

January 24, 2011 by 18 Comments
2011 Chevrolet Volt
(one of the many cars you can see this year at the Houston Auto Show)
Hi everyone. Did you have a good weekend? I did. My husband and I had a much needed weekend getaway and tomorrow it’s back to reality. I am excited though and am looking forward to the Houston Auto Show this week. It starts on Wednesday, Jan. 26 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 30 at Reliant Center.

My husband and I attended Houston car show many years ago when we were still dating and really enjoyed it, but I am really looking forward to taking my two little boys to the show. They love anything and everything with wheels and all of the colorful and cool cars will make their week for sure. There will be more than 600 of the newest vehicles in every automotive segment. One of the highlights I am looking forward to is the arrival of the modern electric car era. We, along with other 2011 Houston Auto Show attendees, will be able to get a sneak peek at the next generation of vehicles before they arrive at dealerships. For those opting to go on the weekend, there will be a Kids’ Fun Zone with fun for the entire family.

You can see the complete vendor list here. Tickets are $10 (cash only) for adults and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Check out how you can receive $2 off weekday admissions and get all of the information about the 2011 Houston Auto Show at houstonautoshow.com.

Houston Auto Show Days and Hours:
Dates: Wednesday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011
Wednesday-Thursday : 12 Noon-9:30 p.m.
Friday : 12 Noon-10 p.m.
Saturday : 10:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sunday : 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
(There will be no admittance 45 minutes prior to the close of the show)

WIN!

One Potamus Prefers reader will win a family four pack of general admission tickets (a $40 value) to the 2011 Houston Auto Show. To enter, just comment below with something you are looking forward at the show. You can receive one extra entry by tweeting about this giveaway and following me on Twitter @PotamusPrefers.

Rules: This is a 24 hour giveaway and the winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email (be sure to leave an email address in your comment if it’s not in your public profile) shortly after 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24. You must claim by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25 or another name will be chosen. Also, you must be able to pick up the tickets before the show at will call at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX as they will not be mailed. Good luck! Hope to see you there.
Shannon

Fine Print: My family will be attending the show and received complimentary tickets to do so. The giveaway prize is also being provided by the Houston Auto Show.
Filed Under: giveaways, Houston Auto Show, Houston Auto Show Tickets Giveaway, Houston car show, Houston events

H-E-B Eat Better Recipes & $20 GC Giveaway

January 19, 2011 by 149 Comments

Raise your hand if you resolved to eat better in 2011 and you’re sticking to it. Well, good for you! H-E-B wants to reward you for your efforts and help you menu plan with their recipes. Not only that, they are running a fun Eat Better Sweepstakes right now and you have a chance to win free groceries for an entire year or one of five free family gym memberships.

We love the selection at H-E-B and, since one is nearby, we make several trips a week there to stock up on staples such as bananas and almond milk. We also love their fresh cheeses and meat and when they have their samples out. We love to try before we buy.

Check out their site that features Eat Better Recipes on HEB.com and add some of them to your online recipe box. For every recipe added and every recipe reviewed, you will be entered into the sweepstakes. The grand prize is free groceries for a year and the first prize (five will win) is a family gym membership. To start a recipe box on HEB.com, just create an online account then look for recipes that you would like to prepare and save them to your recipe box. Once you have prepared and tried the recipe, you can review it by clicking “review this recipe” and filling in the information.

Full details and rules about H-E-B’s Eat Better Sweepstakes can be found here.

Win: Update: Congrats to #134 mandala.

 Potamus Prefers readers have a chance to win a $20 H-E-B Gift Card! For the first (required) entry, check the Eat Better Recipe page and then leave a comment on this post mentioning which recipe you would love to whip up in your kitchen and try out.

If you’d like extra entries (after the required entry is completed), please leave a comment on this post for each entry: 

1. Subscribe to our feed by email for two extra entries (sidebar).
2. Become a Potamus Prefers Facebook fan for one extra entry. 

3. Follow @HEB on Twitter then Tweet about this giveaway. You get one entry for following them. Bonus: You can tweet once per day for one extra entry per tweet.
4. Become a Facebook fan of HEB (like) for one extra entry.
5. Follow Potamus Prefers through Google Friend Connect (sidebar) for one extra entry.
6. Follow Potamus Prefers on Twitter for one extra entry.
7. Tell me something you learned from their website for one extra entry.
8. Share this giveaweay on Facebook for one extra entry.

This giveaway is open to residents U.S. only and will end January 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren’t a blogger or if it isn’t part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply.
 Shannon

Fine Print: I received a $20 gift card from H-E-B and they are also providing the giveaway prize. No other compensation was received.

Filed Under: Eat Better Sweepstakes, giveaways, H-E-B, healthy recipes, HEB.com

Prilosec OTC Deal & $100 AMEX GC Giveaway

January 14, 2011 by 1,355 Comments

Doesn’t this casserole look tasty? Oh, it was (green chiles and all)! Hubby and I love experimenting with recipes that include all kinds of spices and seasonings, but sometimes we pay for it with indigestion and heartburn. Heartburn sufferers (raising my hand) know that it is certainly no fun. It’s also no picnic when I have to avoid my favorite foods like Italian and Mexican cuisine for fear that I will have a heartburn flair up. It’s a good thing that both my husband and I have been Prilosec users for several years now. When I heard about a really fantastic deal right now for those that purchase Prilosec OTC, I knew I had to share with my readers.

All you have to do is buy two 42-count packs of Prilosec OTC, and they’ll send you a $25 gift card. This deal is only good through Feb 15, 2011, so don’t miss out! Click the graphic below for full details.

Win: Update: Congrats to #969 ky2here. You won and have been emailed.

Guess what? Potamus Prefers readers have a chance to win a Prilosec OTC prize pack that includes a $100 American Express Gift Card so you can splurge on your favorite foods without fear of heartburn! For the mandatory entry, please tell me your favorite guilty-pleasure food (due to a glitch where part of the post was lost, if you entered before this part was added, you are still eligible to win).
If you’d like extra entries (after the required entry is completed), please leave a comment on this post for each entry: 

1. Subscribe to our feed by email for one extra entry (sidebar).
2. Become a Potamus Prefers Facebook fan for one extra entry. 

3. Follow @PrilosecOTC on Twitter then Tweet about this giveaway. You get one entry for following them. Bonus: You can tweet once per day for one extra entry per tweet. Please use #POTCBOGO so others will know about this great deal!
4. Become a Facebook fan of Prilosec OTC (like) for one extra entry.
5. Follow Potamus Prefers through Google Friend Connect (sidebar) for one extra entry.
6. Follow Potamus Prefers on Twitter for one extra entry.
7. Tell me something you learned from their website for one extra entry.

This giveaway is open to residents U.S. only and will end January 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be posted on this blog (in this post) and will be e-mailed (please be sure to leave an e-mail address if you aren’t a blogger or if it isn’t part of your profile). You will have 72 hours to reply.

Looking for more chances to win and find some other great blogs that feature reviews and giveaways? Check these out:
Being Allison
Moody Mama Says
A Moms Impression
The Not-So-Blog
I Could Use a Deal
3 Garnets 2 Sapphires
Eighty MPH Mom
She Scribes
The Divine Miss Mommy
Kiddies Corner Deals
Blessings Abound Mommy
My Silly MonkeysEmpowering MommyBabes and Kids
Shannon
Fine Print: I did not receive compensation or a product. The prize pack is being provided by Prilosec for the giveaway.

Filed Under: $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway, giveaways, Heartburn Relief, Prilosec, Prlosec OTC

Chuggington Die-Cast Trains Are A Big Hit!

January 12, 2011 by 3 Comments

By now, you know that my boys love trains and cars. Recently, they discovered the show called Chuggington. They really like the show so you can imagine their pleasure at receiving the new Chuggington Die-Cast Toys. They got the Training Yard With Loop Playset (that we received to review) as well as several trains and the Wilson Carry Case (thanks to Santa).

My husband couldn’t assemble this set quickly enough for the boys and when that first train shot down the track, the boys squealed and clapped. They wanted to play with it for hours. My youngest says, “Chug Chug, Chug Chug!” all of the time when he wants to play with his Chuggington toys or watch the show. They really enjoy watching it on Playhouse Disney. They love Koko  and even when the entire set is not out, they will play with the individual die-cast cars. When I saw that the Wilson Carry Case was on sale before Christmas at Toys”R”Us, I ran out and got it so they’d have a place to keep their new trains.

If you aren’t familiar with Chuggington from Ludorum, it’s a really cute train-centric series that is on the Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney in the U.S. As far as the die-cast toys go, there is a big assortment of collectible Chuggington characters available and several sets to choose from. The individual trains are sturdy little toys that stand up to daily toddler and preschooler play.

Training Yard with Loop Playset Product Information
The Training Yard with Loop Playset is truly an action-packed experience! Engines plummet down the spiral track,  shoot through the launcher and race through an exciting 360°  overhead loop! Motorized engine launcher propels up to  two  engines through the loop.  Includes a die-cast Wilson engine and a Vee figure.

All in all the boys adored the Training Yard with Loop Playset. It is quite load, but I guess I am used to loud toys by now with two little boys and two dogs. Also, I have found that with boys my sons’ ages, we have to help them play with this particular set as it comes apart somewhat easily and they don’t realize they have to be gentle with it to prevent that. We just keep it put away and bring it out to play with during family play time until they are older. An older child might know how to easily put it back together when it comes apart during play, but my boys aren’t able to do that yet without help.

These trains and the accompanying sets are definitely something to look into and this is another idea of what to spend those holiday gift cards on!

Buy: The Chuggington Die-Cast toy line is available at Toys”R”Us (online and in stores) and the Learning Curve Shop. Ages 3 & up. MSRP is $39.99.
 Shannon
Fine Print: We received the Training Yard with Loop Playset to review. The other items mentioned were purchased by us. No other compensation was received and the opinions are our own.

Filed Under: Chuggington, Chuggington Die-Cast Toys, Gift Card Gifts, Preschool Toys, Reviews, Toddler Birthday Presents, toddler toys
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