Hi, I’m YoungMommy, and I’m a Crayon Snob

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on April 13, 2009

As a homeshool mom, I am constantly on the lookout for toys that offer value in several different ways. Couple being a homeschool mom with hard economic times, and the need to find the best value is even more important.

Crayola has been a trusted brand that has always provided true value to our activities. In fact, I’m kind of a Crayola snob. No, really! I will only use Crayola crayons and will not buy any other brand for my kiddos. You know the crayons that the kiddos get at restaurants with their kids’ menus? If they’re Crayola, they come home with us. If not, my kids have to leave them behind! I know, I can be a mean mom!

Coloring is one of those activities that keeps my kiddos occupied, day or night. Today they were introduced to a new way to color… They spent a good chunk of the late afternoon decorating our sliding glass door with Crayola’s new Window Crayons. And then Noah decorated his face and tummy with these super creamy crayons… But, it was cool ’cause the creamy color washed right off!

The Window Crayons are part of the brand new line of items that Crayola released this Spring, with the majority retailing for under $10. But it’s not only price that has made the Crayola aisle the number one in-store destination for gifts under $25 – it’s also the belief that parents are providing children with the tools to power their imaginations and enable endless everyday play.

Speaking of endless play, you can enter to win a box of all of the new Crayola goodies below, worth over $80!!



*Crayola Beginnings Baby Slide & See
*Crayola Beginnings TaDoodles Ta-Doodler
*Crayola Beginnings Tub Time Tracers
*Color Surge Camp Rock
*Crayola Sidewalk Crayons
*Pip-Squeaks Colored Pencils
*Pip-Squeaks Glitter Glue
*Crayola Color Switchers
*Crayola Window Crayons


Here’s how to enter:
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  • Leave me a comment on this post, by 9pm on April 30th, letting me know which of the Crayola products above you are most excited to introduce to your kiddos. (You can click on the pictures to see a better view, with a description and the price.)

  • You may enter a second time by telling me all about your kiddos favorite passtime. Do they like to draw their favorite animals on the sidewalk? Or perhaps they enjoy fingerpainting… I would love to hear about whatever it is they like to do.

  • For additional entries feel free to grab my button and place it on your sidebar, send a tweet, or leave the link to this giveaway on your blog or Facebook page. Be sure to leave me a separate comment with a link to your blog, tweet, blog or Facebook page.

  • You may also subscribe to my blog feed for yet another entry, and leave me a comment saying you did so. You must remain a subscriber during the entire duration of this giveaway.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random and will be notified via email, so make sure you leave a valid email address in your comments.

For craft ideas, coloring pages, and even some great resources for parents AND teachers, check out The Official Crayola Site.

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We CAN Make a Difference!

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on March 15, 2009

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If 5,000 people sign the #HungerPledge by Tuesday at 12 noon CT, Tyson Foods, Inc will donate enough food to feed 560,000 children in need.

I pledged. Will you?

Go to PledgetoEnd Hunger.com and help make a difference!

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There’s no place like home…

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on February 9, 2009

BlissDom was a blast… I really can’t wait to share pictures and tell you all about it. I got to hang out with some of my bestest friends on this here internet, and I met so many amazing women, who I can now call real-life friends.

But, boy am I basking in the glow of being home! I felt that heart-stopping anticipation as I saw Ray pull up at the airport to pick me up, and I was thrilled to wake up to my kiddos wanting to snuggle with me. Early, I might add! There is nothing like a big hug from the people you love the most.

Does absence truly make the heart grow fonder, or is there really just no place like home?

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You can make money using affiliate programs

by Christine - From Dates to Diapers on February 7, 2009

I am often asked about how I monetize From Dates to Diapers, and how others can do it, too. I do advertise, but since I am on a panel about affiliate marketing, with Lori and Tara today at BlissDom, I would like to tell you about how I use affiliate programs to bring in a little pocket change.

While affiliate marketing does not work for everyone, banners on my sidebar and text links within posts can be seen most often here at Dates, especially around a holiday in which I created a special gift guide. I am very cautious to not bombard my readers with tons of affiliate links or flashy buttons, but include a link or two that may bring something valuable to you – my reader and friend.

If you would like to use affiliate links to begin monetizing your site, I would suggest that you sign up with the following affiliate programs.
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  • Share-A-Sale – boutique shops
  • LinkShare – clothing and accessories, department stores, entertainment, family, toys and games, home and living
  • Affiliate Future – travel, gifts, health and beauty
  • Logical Media – samples, coupons
  • Pepperjam – clothing, toys and games, furniture
  • Amazon
  • .
    Remember to consider that affiliate marketing may not work for you, nor is it guaranteed to make you lots of money. In fact, it is hard work researching the programs and finding those that do work for your site and readers. It does take time, but if you stick with it you will eventually make something…. Even if it’s just enough for a cup of coffee!

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    “I’m good” – Super Bowl Pepsi Max Commercial

    January 30, 2009

    Tweet Unfortunately I will miss the Super Bowl this Sunday. I am only disappointed because I really enjoy watching the commercials. Who doesn’t, right? I mean, isn’t this like the only day that you don’t set your TiVo just so you can forward through the commercials? Come on, be honest! Because I am such a [...]

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    Joyful

    January 29, 2009

    Tweet Written by Henry van Dyke in 1906, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee is one of my absolute favorites! It’s such a happy song, don’t you think? This is truly a “hymn of trust and joy and hope”. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts [...]

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    I hear ya!

    January 29, 2009

    Tweet Wow! I knew ya’ll would have an opinion and offer help with my little bloggy identity crisis, but you really came through for me. You gave me your honest opinions in the poll, in the comments, via email, on Skype, and even in person. After hearing all of the various opinions ya’ll had (some [...]

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    Lots of great stuff to win!

    November 10, 2008

    Tweet I mentioned that I have a ton of great giveaways coming up, right? Well, how about a couple of extra entries in to each of them? That’s right… I have decided that if you grab my button below, post it on your blog’s sidebar, and sign the Mr. Linky below with your blog’s url, [...]

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    Contests to Enter

    October 26, 2008

    Tweet ———- ———- There is still time to register to win a trip to Washington D.C. for four, and $1,000, from Dial Complete!All you have to do is create your own video, with your kids, and submit it at www.campaignforcleanhands.com.

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    The Women

    September 9, 2008

    Tweet I have an amazing group of girlfriends… Women who would drop everything for me. Women who laugh with me and cry with me. Women who listen to me babble about everything from my kiddos to my inner struggles. Women who I am honored to call my friends. It is with these friends that I [...]

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    Just about Flip time…

    September 4, 2008

    Tweet Oh man, you all had so many good ideas for a family fun night with the kiddos. It has been a very difficult decision to choose a single idea and award only one of you with the Flip… I wish I had 244 to give away! One of the most endearing idea was to [...]

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    If we only knew…

    August 30, 2008

    Tweet It hasn’t even been two years since we moved in to our house, but our floors have already taken quite the beating. I don’t even want to begin to think of what is lying beneath the carpet. With six kids running in and out all the time, I can only imagine the dirt and [...]

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    Baby Showers

    May 26, 2008

    Tweet Two of my cousins are having babies this summer. My sister is also due in September. Babies… Yay! Since babies are coming, so are baby showers. I don’t know about you, but I love going to these little parties. Showering mommy-to-be with the perfect baby gifts for the new little bundle is so much [...]

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    Circus Camp

    May 26, 2008

    Tweet Do your kiddos attend summer camp? Last year Julia went to a music and drama camp at church and the twins attended a sports camp. Both were day camps at church so I felt good about it, and they all had a blast. My kiddos will probably attend camp at church again this summer, [...]

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    Pardon the dust!

    May 21, 2008

    Tweet I wanted to let you all know that things may be kinda crazy around here for a few hours… It seems that From Dates to Diapers can’t be seen by anyone using Internet Explorer. Apparently an error message pops up. My lovely and talented friend, Ali, will be re-working my template until she gets [...]

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    If I Only Had a Bump!

    May 20, 2008

    Tweet You’re Invited! Celebrate your new addition with a free 3 oz. cone* of our newest addition – Soft Serve. For: Expectant mothers. When: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Where: Select Baskin-Robbins stores across the country. Print out the invitation and take it to your neighborhood Baskin-Robbins to receive your [...]

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    HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

    May 11, 2008

    Tweet The most important job in the world doesn’t offer an hourly wage or days off or paid vacations. But it does offer real feelings, shining faces, bedtime stories, small victories, priceless memories, and many wonderful priceless moments of joy… Always remember, there’s no more important job in this world than the one you do [...]

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    Welcome!

    May 8, 2008

    Tweet Hello! If this is your first time here at From Dates to Diapers, or you found me from the Good Day links at CBS13.com… Welcome! Please take a moment to look around. I am currently featuring my Mother’s Day gift guide – You can get there by clicking the button on the left. I [...]

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    What do you think?

    May 6, 2008

    Tweet So, what do you think of the new and improved From Dates to Diapers? My good friend Ali, from Mission Field Designs worked hard at making my place more appealing and easier to navigate. Do you like it?

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    Web Roundup

    April 26, 2008

    Tweet It’s been quite some time since I have listed some of the giveaways and other great things happening out in the blogosphere. Here are some you may want to check out… Carissa has a friend who is gathering adoption stories to add to her hew book. Head over and read the letter from Deanna. [...]

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    I’m a Slacker

    April 10, 2008

    Tweet Well, more of a procrastinator really. I am finally here to inform you all of the winners of my last two giveaways! The newborn handmade diaper and snappy cover, from Mandi’s Menagerie, was won by Sherry G who said…“Hi there, My favorite item in the shop is the butterfly girls dress and top. I’m [...]

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    March 26, 2008

    Tweet Make sure you check out Alex Casey Baby… They have such a wide variety of items from which to choose! I just posted the discount code, so it’s time to shop! I also wanted to let you know that Kristin, at An Ordinary Life, is hosting a dekoposh giveaway… Run over and enter to [...]

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