Power Chord Academy™, the nation’s leading summer camp for amateur and pre-professional musician training, is excited to announce new locations for Summer 2010!

Brand-new destinations are launching in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Houston, and St. Louis, in addition to established session locations in New York, Chicago, Boston, San Diego, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington DC!

Summer 2010 marks the 12th year of our original program, and promises to be our biggest, most exciting summer ever with expanded facilities, renowned recording and video production, amazing mystery guests, and Power Chord Academy’s world-class staff!

About Power Chord Academy:
Since its inception in 1999, Power Chord Academy has witnessed an exponential growth directly attributable to the intrinsic value of its acclaimed curriculum, where dedicated musicians ages 12-18 are put through the most inspirational, educational, and intensive weeks of their young careers.

PCA attendees experience a week of virtual rock stardom!  At Power Chord Academy, music and creativity are larger than life.  Students professionally record a CD single with an established producer, shoot an MTV-caliber music video with a renowned director, and perform several huge concerts for awestruck friends and family.  Students also receive guidance, inspiration, technical pointers, and exclusive performances from some of today’s most prominent and influential bands and industry executives.  This is truly a dream experience for teen musicians.

Our sold-out 2009 Summer Sessions included performances and special guest appearances from MXPX, Ministry, Rocket From the Crypt, Avail, Mae, Something Corporate, Hot Water Music, Riverboat Gamblers, The Lives of Famous Men, Dr. Manhattan, Totally Michael, Pretty & Nice, Aushua, The Black Rabbits, Cave In, Kayo Dot, Tsk Tsk, Crystal Antlers, Dressy Bessy, Statewide Emergency, Thee Oh Sees, This Time It’s War, Best Fwends, Buffalo Killers, Junius, Peelander-Z, Souljourners, Clouds, Tweak Bird, The Popo, Kinch, Mini Mansions, The Brakes, The Vandelles, Lord Jeff, Lozen, and many more!

For complete information, please visit Power Chord Academy on the web at http://www.powerchordacademy.com

Shared by: The Plus Size Mommy

Prepare to blast off with boy-genius Tony Stark when“Iron Man: Armored Adventures” Volume 2 flies onto DVD January 5 from Marvel Animation, Method Films, Genius Products and Vivendi Entertainment! Jam-packed with six all new high-octane episodes, join the adventures of Tony and his friends as they risk it all facing bigger challenges, more secrets, more showdowns and two new chaotic villains, Living Laser and Madam Masque.  Using the latest technology and a little teamwork, it’s up to the teenage prodigy and his ever-evolving, adaptable armor – including the unveil of two brand-new suits – to save the world from evil whenever duty calls.

Over the holidays my family and I had the chance to review this great DVD. My sons and my husband just loved it. They had been looking forward to it ever since I was asked to review it. It was a nice treat to curl up with a bowl of popcorn and watch it all together when the snow is falling outside, and goodness knows we have had a ton of snow ever since!

Now you can also win a copy of this DVD for your family(3 winners). Here is how :

1. Fave my site on momfaves – comment and let me know you have = 1 entry
2. Tweet the following on Twitter (up to 3 times per day)  ” Win Iron Man 2 on @plussizemommy  ’s blog here :  http://digg.com/u1Nj0b    ”               – (up to 3 entries per day)comment with tweet thread and please leave separate entries.
3. FAN my Facebook page : you can do that by clicking on “Follow this blog” over on my sidebar or by going to Facebook and following The Plus Size Mommy.- Comment and let me know you did = 1 entry.
4. Use stumbleupon, technorati, digg for this site/post.  - comment letting me know which you have done = 1 entry per way.

This giveaway starts NOW and will end on Feb. 27th at 8PM EST. 3 Winners will be posted to this site by the 28th. Winners will not be contacted and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. 3 Winners will be chosen via random.org.

You must be a subscriber to this blog to win, as with any of my giveaways.

Good Luck, and Thank you for entering.

The Plus Size Mommy

*disclosure – I was sent the Iron Man Vlm. 2 dvd free to do this review, and also the 3 giveaway copies are also being sent at no charge to me.

SouthPeak’s food-serving-simulation video game Fast Food Panic on Wii and Nintendo DS . In honor of the game’s release, I wanted to extend a special giveaway to you. A very special custom made, burger-shaped plush CD-holder!

Overview:Create the best restaurant in the world by cooking up yummy dishes, making yourcustomers happy, greeting them when they stop by, and keeping your restaurant squeakyclean in this vibrant and fast-paced restaurant simulation game. A top-quality restauranttakes a lot of work, and your waitress will need help—keep the place clean, makedeliveries, ring up customers, and more.Features• Work against the clock to turn your restaurant into the best in the world• Beyond cooking minigames – Juggle making delicious food, keeping everythingspotless, greeting customers, and helping your waitress to improve yourrestaurant’s popularity• Prepare yummy dishes including steaks, pasta, burgers, pizza and more!• Take care of VIP customers who will push your service and cooking skills to thelimit• Replay each level from Story Mode in Free Mode and challenge your high score• Unlock more than 10 fun cooking mini-games to further hone your skills• Three levels of difficulty for beginners and master chefs alike.

This game is made for Wii and DS platforms.

Now for the giveaway: TO be clear.. This giveaway is for an exclusive Hamburger CD case ONLY, no game is included! (pictured above). TWO winners will be selected.

1. Tweet the following = ” Win an EXCLUSIVE Hamburger CD case from @plussizemommy  ’s blog here :  http://is.gd/7wKpR   ”            you may tweet up to 3 times per day = 1 entry per tweet, separate comments please.
2. follow me on twitter = 1 entry  (I am @plussizemommy)
3. Use stumbleupon, technorati, digg for this site/post.  - comment letting me know which you have done = 1 entry per way.
4. Fave my site on momfaves – comment and let me know you have = 1 entry

This giveaway begins NOW and will end on Feb. 9th, 2010 at 7PM EST.  TWO winners will be chosen via random.org.

Winners MUST be subscribers to this blog. Winners will NOT be contacted so if you enter to win, please check back for the winners post around 2/10.

Thank You for entering and Good Luck!

The Plus Size Mommy

*The prizes were sent to me FREE from South Peak games.  I will be paying for shipping to the winners on my own. I was not otherwise compensated for this post.

February 1997 – I was 21 years old and pregnant with my first child, which was to be born any day.  After being 2 weeks late and dancing in my belly for what seemed to be eternity to anxious me, he decided to be born. A precious baby boy. He was bald at birth but then grew the curliest blond hair I had ever seen. He was adorable. Smart, cute, and just a gift from God that I will cherish forever and ever.

Fast Forward to December 2009 – My baby boy now 12 year old son, who will be 13 in February is going to his VERY FIRST DANCE at school next week. I cannot believe the days have passed and this day is already here. I used to tease him all the time about liking girls. (You see my son is painfully shy) So to get a smile out of him over a girl is such a sight to see. Thank goodness this isn’t a dance where he has to ask a girl to go, it is during school time and is in place of their holiday party. There will be a dj and some snacks and dancing (boys and girls standing around looking at each other and dancing until like the last 1/2 hr. where some of the not as shy girls MAY dance and then by that time it will be time to go home). The school district we go to tries to “ease” them into the school dance bit and boy/girl bit. Which is fine with me.

I just cannot believe the day has actually come. When I think back at my baby boy dancing in his crib to nursery rhymes and lullabyes and now he will be dancing to Lady Ga Ga, Taylor Swift, Pink, Black Eyed Pea’s, Soulja Boi and Snoop Dawg.  And this isn’t even like Prom or Homecoming but as a mom I still sit and wonder about how this day seemed to creep up on me so quick and before I know it he WILL be off to Prom.

As a mom this is yet another bitter sweet moment we go through. Pulling yet another twig from our nest and allowing our baby birds to venture out to real life events.

I am planning on buying him a new outfit to go to the dance in. I think it will just make me feel better and closer to him to have some shopping time together. It says on the letter home from school “dress in the holiday spirit” but I guess like a snoopy, Charlie Browns Christmas outfit wouldn’t be too cool for this (something I could’ve got away with dressing him in when he was 2)  guess maybe new jeans and hoodie or a nice sweater or something. I am sure he will show me the “appropriate” dress for Tweens/Teens.

I am gonna give him a big hug before school next Friday and tell him I love him and send him on his merry way. Then as he gets on the bus I will probably cry until almost the time I need to go and pick him up (don’t want him to know).

If you have little boys (or girls) at home (or even the big ones) give em’ an extra tight hug and kiss cause soon they will be crossing over yet another milestone through life and your love will help you all get through the bitter sweet times

I just cannot believe my baby boy is going to his first school dance!

The Plus Size Mommy

Congrats to the 3 winners of the “Little Spirit” DVD , you will enjoy this DVD and I hope it helps you get in the Spirit of the Season!!!

1. Farrah
2. Patti Bright
3. Kelly

Winners, Please email me your addresses to claim your prize, my email is xbeth@yahoo.com. You have 48 hours to claim. Please put in the subject line Little Spirit Winner, so I know what giveaway you won. (I appreciate it).

THANK YOU to all who entered and Congrats again to the winners  ;)

The Plus Size Mommy

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• New Winners Drawn !!!! (theplussizemommy.com)
• Winner of NuSkin for Men (theplussizemommy.com)

Congrats to –  firefly3 , You are the winner of the Wii game of “My Baby First Steps” !!!! you have 48 hours to claim your prize by emailing me at xbeth@yahoo.com  with your name and address.

Thank you to all who entered.

Enjoy!

The Plus Size Mommy

Oceana’s Adopt a Creature set offers online shoppers up to 6 sea creature cookie cutters and 4 sea creature plush toys they can virtually adopt in someone else’s name. Gift recipients receive an adoption certificate, creature facts and a sugar cookie recipe with the cookie cutters.  You can view all creature options at http://www.oceana.org/adopt.

This year as part of our 2009 Adopt a Creature program we are teaming up with one of our youngest supporters to help promote our holiday program. 12-year old sea turtle advocate Casey Sokolovic was a finalist for our Ocean Heroes contest this year and has an inspiring story volunteering for a local sea turtle rescue center in her home state of North Carolina. As part of her efforts, she baked thousands of sea turtle cookies and held bake sales that raised over $3,000 for the protection of these beloved creatures. In her honor we have created a special sea turtle adoption package valued at $200. For more information on Casey you can visit our Ocean hero page: www.Oceana.org/heroes.

When adopting a sea creature :

Online visitors will first be presented with images of the 10 different adoption choices that support Oceana’s campaigns.

Cookie Cutters – Dolphin, Octopus, Penguin, Polar Bear, Sea Turtle and Shark

Plush Toys – Dolphin, Hammerhead Shark, Killer Whale and Seal

Donation Levels*

For $35: cookie cutter, recipe card and personalized adoption certificate 

For $50: plush creature and personalized adoption certificate 

For $75: cookie cutter, recipe card, framed personalized adoption certificate and an additional gift from Oceana or a plush creature and framed personalized adoption certificate 

For $100: complete set of cookie cutters,  a framed personalized adoption certificate and an additional gift from Oceana 

For $150: complete set of plush creatures and a framed personalized adoption certificate

For $200: The Limited edition ‘Casey’ Sea Turtle Kit, which includes a 22-inch plush sea turtle, a sea turtle cookie cutter, a sugar cookie recipe, a personalized framed adoption certificate, a sea turtle fact card and a note from Casey.

*Donors become Wavemakers and will receive Oceana’s electronic newsletters

FROM ME :

We received a dolphin from Oceana. It came with a cute certificate of adoption that is framed.  Also, there are papers with the other animals you can adopt. My daughter really loved her dolphin and I love that these animals and everything you buy such as the cookie cutters and other items are going to a GREAT CAUSE. When I was in High School, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. To this day, I still think about it every once and a while. Although I doubt I will ever be a Marine Biologist, I still like to be a part of causes that support ocean life.

This makes a fantastic Holiday present and serves 2 purposes. One as a cute present for a child or ocean animal lover on your list, and 2 the money raised from the sale going to help the animals.

The Plus Size Mommy

* I was sent the dolphin kit from Oceana in order to do this review. It came to me FREE of charge.

A former elementary school teacher, Lori Jordan-Rice set out to create a children’s book series that was entertaining and educational, with a back-to-basics approach to U.S. history. Her two new books, Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor (Synergy Books, October 2009, 978-0-9821601-4-5, $12.95) and Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus (Synergy Books, October 2009, 978-0-9821601-5-2, $12.95) usher in an imaginative new series featuring a fictional classroom full of memorable modern day characters alongside historical figures such as the pilgrims, the founding fathers of the United States and, of course, Christopher Columbus. 

Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor (book one) follows Tyler, a boy who hates school—that is, until he unlocks a secret trapdoor beneath his desk in Miss Trimble’s classroom. Tyler unexpectedly falls into a mysterious basement filled with old books and guarded by a magical talking dog named Barnabas Bailey. His new companion takes him back in time, guiding him through American history firsthand and teaching him life lessons along the way. 

In the second book of the series, Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus, Tyler continues his travels through time with his trusted canine companion, Barney. As they witness Columbus as a boy, a young man, and finally sail aboard the Santa Maria with Columbus himself, Tyler realizes that even a great explorer can face setbacks before reaching his dream He learns he has to believe in himself to achieve his goals of playing on the school basketball team and delivering an oral report on Columbus in front of the whole class. 

Kids can visit www.MissTrimblesTrapdoor.com to write to main characters Tyler and Barney, as well as for helpful educational links, crosswords and word searches. The books are perfect for kids ages 6-12.

*I was sent these books to review and for my children to review on my blog. These books were sent FREE of charge to me.

The Plus Size Mommy

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History is larger than life — and twice as funny — in this monumental comedy sequel.  Ben Stiller (Meet The Parents, There’s Something About Mary) stars as Larry Daley, a former night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, where the exhibits come alive after dark.  But now Larry’s nocturnal friends are being retired to the archives of the Smithsonian Institution, luring him back for a hilarious, all-out battle against a cranky Egyptian Pharaoh who plans to take over the museum… and the world! From returning director Shawn Levy (Cheaper By The Dozen), the film also stars Amy Adams (Enchanted), Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting), Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers), Hank Azaria (“The Simpsons”), Ricky Gervais (“The Office”), Steve Coogan (Tropic Thunder) and Jonah Hill (Super Bad).

Monkey Mischief
The limited edition “Monkey Mischief” double DVD boasts a second disc including over 30 minutes of entertainment complimenting the bonus materials featured on the first disc, including cast and crew commentary, six deleted scenes with an alternate ending, a gag reel, and more.  The holiday two-pack DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $34.98 U.S.

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

The Night At The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack includes a high definition version of the film with over one hour of laugh-out-loud special features – including an interactive museum scavenger hunt game, gag reel, 12 deleted scenes with an alternate ending, featurettes including “Cherub Bootcamp,” “Phinding Pharaoh With Hank Azaria” – a Digital Copy and a standard DVD. The pack is available for the gift-giving price of $39.99 U.S.

HERE are some coloring pages for your children to enjoy!

FROM ME :

I absolutely adore these movies. My whole family does. We watched this movie recently and it was just as great as the first one. My favorite part/character – The Easter Island talking head was in it again telling the dum dums to give him some gum. I love that guy. This time around there is Amelia Earhart, Abe Lincoln, Napoleon, and many other great historic characters. My kids actually learn from these movies because the characters that they don’t know, after the movie they end up looking up, So I love that benefit from it. My 4 yr. old daughter wasn’t as “into” the movie as my 10 and 12 yr. old sons. So I would suggest this movie for ages who can understand it a bit more, say 8 and up. I cannot wait to see if they make another one with even more new characters. I guess we will wait and see.

NOW YOU CAN WIN!

LUCKY me and LUCKY YOU! I have 3 copies to give away to 3 of my lucky subscribers!!! Way cool right?! And this is JUST coming out on DVD to the public on Dec. 1 , so you will get a chance to win before you can buy, and you will receive your DVD soon and hopefully before Christmas!!! (no guarantee’s though).

I am really excited to give you the chance to win so you can share this great DVD with your children and family.

Here is how you can WIN :

• 1. Vote for this site on DIVINE CAROLINE (button to the right) = 1 entry
• 2. Tweet the following : ” Win a Night at the Museum NEW DVD  here :    http://is.gd/535RV     ” = up to 3 times per day, separate comments, get up to 3 entries per day. Please be sure to leave tweet thread.
• 3.  Comment and tell me 1 thing that gets you into the Holiday Spirit each year  = 1 entry (up to 3 total)
• 4.  Comment and tell me who your favorite Historical character is ? = 1 entry (up to 3 TOTAL)

This giveaway begins NOW and 3 winners will be chosen by random.org on Dec. 8, 2009 at 7PM. Winners will be posted to this site. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes by emailing me your home address.

Thank you for entering and Good Luck !

The Plus Size Mommy

*A copy of this DVD was sent to me for Free to enable me to conduct this review. Also the copies for the winners are provided at no cost to me.

A young boy embarks on the holiday journey of a lifetime in the city that never sleeps in the charming animated movie Little Spirit: Christmas In New York, debuting on DVD October 13 from Genius Products and Curious Pictures.  Moving to a new house in a new city is never easy, but when Leo’s dog (and best friend) Romona is accidently lost in Central Park, Leo is determined to find his furry little friend in time for Christmas. Feeling lost and alone, a magical spirit takes him on an incredible adventure and Leo soon learns that this new city isn’t as scary as it seemed – and that the true meaning of Christmas may just be found in the people he meets along the way.  Little Spirit: Christmas In New York features the voices of Danny DeVito (Deck the Halls), Lucy Liu (Kung Fu Panda), Brenda Song (“The Suite Life of Zach & Cody”) “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams and Freddy Rodriguez (“Ugly Betty”) – as well as music by country music sensations Faith Hill and Duncan Sheik.  An enchanting tale the whole family can enjoy this holiday season, the Little Spirit: Christmas In New York DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $16.95.

FROM ME :

We really enjoyed this holiday movie. My daughters were mesmerized by the magic it brings. It is really a cute little holiday movie that your children are sure to love. I loved that there are a lot of voice’s that I recognized. It is a fun treat to watch with your children while eating a bowl of popcorn and getting into the holiday spirit!

Now you can WIN !!!

I am able to offer 3 winners this movie to share with your family this holiday season! Winners must be subscribers to this blog in order to be eligible to win. Here is how you can enter :

• Vote for this site on DIVINE CAROLINE (button to the right) = 1 entry
• Tweet the following : ” Win a Holiday DVD to get your into the Holiday Spirit here :   http://is.gd/534Qm    ” = up to 3 times per day, separate comments , get up to 3 entries per day. Please be sure to leave tweet thread.
• Comment and tell me 1 thing that gets you into the Holiday Spirit each year  = 1 entry (up to 3 total)
• Comment and tell me what you are Thankful for this year = 1 entry  (up to 4 total)

This giveaway begins NOW and 3 winners will be chosen by random.org on Dec. 3, 2009 at 7PM. Winners will be posted to this site. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes by emailing me your home address.

Thank you for entering and Good Luck !

The Plus Size Mommy

*A copy of Little Spirit was sent to me for Free to enable me to conduct this review. Also the copies for the winners are provided at no cost to me.