Win a $3800 HomePlace Structures swingset

New Holland, PA - The possibilities are endless. Experienced Amish craftsmen at HomePlace Structures, a family business, can bring dreams to reality for the young and young at heart.

You ask for it and they can build it - playhouses, play sets, garden buildings, garages, gazebos, cabins, pergolas, cottage gardens, Victorian houses, pool houses and castles. And that doesn't begin to mention the many different ways they can be customize them. The items are custom-built, very much like a real home.

HomePlace Structures ships its playhouses, play sets, garden buildings and gazebos nationwide.

The pre-cut kit is their least finished kit and requires the most amount of carpentry experience to install after it arrives.

If a pre-determined delivery site is accessible, they can bring the unit already assembled. The unit will arrive fully built, and driver will place it exactly where you want it.

HomePlace Structures has assembly crews to install products. Those units are shipped as either pre-cut or modular kits and are then assembled by the delivery crew after they arrive on site.

Detailed assembly manuals are available for all products that are sold as kits.

Carl Smucker, spent seven years as President of Auntie Anne's Inc. (a national retailer with 450 stores), has been founder of HomePlace Structures for 12 years.

"Our company's name, HomePlace Structures, was born out of the warm memories that I have of the home where I spent my childhood days. As the youngest of eight children, I was taught early on the meaning of hard work and the need to build quality into everything I do," says Smucker.

They want products to be durable and functional, but they also offer a variety of styles, colors and options so the structure uniquely fills special needs.

HomePlace handcrafted products are built with care. They are built to last. They say "quality is a way of life" and customer satisfaction is "always our top priority."

HomePlace Structures is proud to help make dreams come true for Make-A-Wish children.

The company has a legacy of quality, integrity, honest business dealings, and value. With their commitment to not be undersold, you know you are always getting the best value for your money. Many items are on sale through June 30. Financing is available.

And the best part is you can win a Mountain Range Swingset valued at $3862.00. The finished product features a 5-foot by 5-foot by 6-foot deck, two 7-foot swing beams, a rock climbing wall, a climbing net, a ladder, a slide, and numerous other features. This kit will be shipped to the winning customer’s residence within the continental U.S. Assembly is required. A full-color assembly manual will be provided.

You can order a free catalog online or call toll-free 866-768-8465.

For more information go to MomDot , Skip to my lou or HomePlace structures.

Up again Paw Paw, up again

Kristen and her Paw Paw play in the water to escape the summer heat. She loves to get in the pool and could stay there all day.

Children found safe in N.C.

Prayers have been answered.

After almost 24 hours, two missing children have been found alive, and as well as can be expected, on Roan Mountain in Mitchell County, N.C., after spending the night in national forest lands. Searchers didn't stop looking for them even after an Amber Alert was issued as a precautionary measure early this morning.

The two children, Alexander Lee Suddeath, 6, and his sister Heidi Elizabeth Suddeath, 4, lost their parents as they were returning to a public parking lot after a hike. They are from Kingsport, Tenn.

The U.S. Forest Service said a child's shoe was found about a mile from where the siblings were last seen, leading searchers to the children.

Amber Alert issued for two children after search

Mitchell County Sheriff`s Office in N.C., issued an Amber Alert after search and rescue teams who were called to the scene yesterday afternoon worked throughout the night with no sign of the two children.

Alexander Lee Suddeath, 6, and his sister Heidi Elizabeth Suddeath, 4, became separated from their parents as they were returning to a public parking lot on Roan Mountain.

Alexander Lee is a white male, approximately 4-foot, 7-inches tall, and weighs 55 pounds. He has sandy brown hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, navy blue shorts and croc shoes. He has a scar on his right eyebrow.

Heidi Elizabeth is a white female, approximately 3-feet, 3-inches tall, and weighs 38 pounds. She has light brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink skirt, a purple shirt and croc shoes. Heidi has a scab on her right elbow.

If you think you have any information regarding these children or the abduction, please contact the Mitchell County Sheriff`s Office at (828) 688-3982, or call 911 or *HP immediately.

Do what you would want others to do if it were your child and you were the parent awaiting word - get involved. Help save these kids if you can.
Everyone else, please pray for their safe return.

Baskin-Robbins has new treat for Fourth of July; win ice-cream cake

Baskin-Robbins has a new Grab-N-Go ice-cream treat that's sure to please your chocolate sweet tooth this Independence Day.

Brownie a la Mode is a decadent dessert with layers of mini-chocolate caramel cups, fudge brownie pieces, and caramel on chocolate ice cream which sits on a base of crushed chocolate cookie. It serves up to 10 people.

And if that doesn't sound good enough, it is advertised for only $9.99 so you can enjoy it with your friends at your Fourth of July celebration.

Baskin-Robbins is also doing another special with GameStop. They're making it more affordable to spend time as a family this summer with Family Night In Sweepstakes.

GameStop wants to make your Family Night In, the best nights of summer. They're giving 100 families free dinner and a Baskin-Robbins® cake for dessert. That’s 10 per week!

You have to go to your local GameStop store on any Tuesday between now and September 1 and buy or trade in an old title for any new family title and you will be entered to win.

Ten families each week will win a $25 dinner, a Baskin-Robbins® Brownie a la Mode ice-cream cake, and four TWIX® singles.

Isn't it time for you to spend more time together and have fun on Family Night In?

Fisher-Price gives away Precious Places DVD

Little girls love playing princess. The new line of Precious Places movies are full of magical surprises. Princess Sirina and her friends discover unique strengths and the magic of teamwork. Episode one is the Princesses Save the Ball. Precious Places is a world of imaginative fun that will keep your litle girl busy for hours. To order your free copy click here. Don't forget to change the country in the top right corner.

Grandkids cool off in the pool on a hot Carolina day

Tyler, Dylan and Kristen love to play in the pool at our house. They can stay in there for hours at a time.

There's still time to plan for Father's Day on Sunday

Walmart has specials for dad through Saturday.

• Magnavox Blu-ray player $128
• Blu-ray discs at a two-for-$20
• Sanyo 37-inch LCD HDTV $398
• $398 Dell Inspiron Black Notebook Computer
• $69 Canon Pixma Ink Jet Photo Printer with Fax
• $128 Garmin nuvi 250, 3.5 inch touch screen GPS
• $149 Royal Oak 30-inch Deluxe Charcoal Grill
• $100 Karcher 1,550 PSI Pressure Washer

Free treats and savings for dad.

• Free frozen yogurt at all TCBY stores
• Free Love It-size sundae at Cold Stone Creamery Free entree with online buy one, get one free entree coupon at T.G.I.Friday's
• Free $10 coupon when you eat at Outback Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse for Father's Day
• Free family activities/summer camp through July 5 at BassProShops
• Free appitizer and chance to win a trip to Napa Valley at CarrabbasItalianGrill in exchange for your submission of thoughts about your father here.
• Free card and win Aveda gift sets for dad
• Free portrait coupon at PicturePeople
• Free 14oz. Hand-Spun Milkshake on June 20th at most Chick-fil-A
• Free DVD FishingWthMelTillis
• Free Burger at The Counter for Dads on Fathers Day on Sunday
• Free order of spaghetti with meat sauce and a free piece of cheesecake at The Pasta House Company for dad.
• Free commemorative pint glass with any beverage purchased for dad on Saturday and Sunday at BJ’s restaurants.
• $10 off $20 purchase at Buca di Beppo on Sunday
• Free shake with the purchase of an entree at Johnny Rockets (print out a coupon here)
• $10 gift card for dad good for next visit when you treat your father to dinner at Outback Steakhouse Saturday or Sunday
• $50 in Rewards Cash Rewards from Sears by mail when you buy $50 worth of pants for dad. Go to SearsWebSite for details.
• Fee-free weekends this summer: June 20-21 (Father’s Day weekend), July 18-19, and August 15-16. The entrance fees being waived at 147 sites usually charge admission ranging from $3 to $25. Destinations include the Grand Canyon, Cape Cod National Seashore, Valley Forge National Park and Everglades National Park and each park offers their own specials as well. For more information go here.

I will add more as I find them.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, and those who fill the slot.

Win a 3-in-1 bouncer, slide and pool for summer fun

Moms know best and so far they have praised this toy.

Karen, from Texas said, it's, "perfect." Dana, from Florida said, "Absolutely love it!" Stephanie, of Tulsa, OK, just said, "fun, fun, fun." And Donna, of Fort Myers, FL., said, "Love this toy!

PlayHouseBouncers has given one of these 9.5'W x 13'L x 6'H indoor/outdoor bouncers to Erika at ChicShopperChic to giveaway to one of her readers on June 25 just in time for lots of summer fun.

Survival Bouquets© are a hit for end of year presents

It makes me proud when my grandsons want me to help make their teachers a Survival Bouquet.

I created the first one when my eldest grandson, Tyler, was completing kindergarten. He is now officially a sixth grader and his brother, Dylan, is a third grader.

I am so proud of the fine young men my grandsons have become. After each boy had received their awards at the end of school graduation, it was their turn to give. They beamed with pride giving their presents to their teachers, and they both got a big hug from a teacher who was nearly in tears.

Now, the boys get a well deserved vacation. I'm sure to spend more time with them the next couple of months, because they love to come to grandma's house.

I don't know where the time has gone, only that when it's gone, we can't get it back. That's why I hold each moment with my grandchildren so close to my heart.

Can I ride in the big seat?

It breaks my heart when babies get their feelings hurt and cry. So my husband and I have learned it's easier to distract them and keep everybody happy.

One day we went to our grandson's baseball game and Kristen got in the truck so she could play and be cooler. One thing she played with was strapping herself in the "big seat".

When it came time to leave she got strapped in and started chiming, "Paw Paw, Paw Paw" asking to ride in her brother's seat.

As hard as it is to say no to that sweet, innocent face, this was one time Kristen had to be told no - gently of course, for her own safety.

It didn't take much to get her mind on something else, then she got into her Graco car seat and we all had a great day without a fight or tears.

Free Fisher Price DVD

Fisher Price is offering you a free GeoTrax DVD. Shipping is also free.

Click here and don't forget to select the country at the top right corner.

Only one per household.

The waiting period is 12 to 14 weeks.

Rainy day sand play indoors

We had several rainy days in North Carolina, and my grandchildren, Dylan and Kristen, who love to play outside, had to be entertained indoors.

I remembered my grandsons had brought me some sand from their first trip to Myrtle Beach a couple years ago and decided to make an indoor sand box.

I pulled out a shallow container to put the sand in and provided some kitchen items to play in the sand and they played for hours.

Since the project was a hit with the sand I had on hand, I sent grandpa to the store for a bag of sand to make the sand box more fun next time.

When the kids were done playing, I put a lid on it and carried it to the garage and Dylan vacuumed the floor.

It was a nice memory and a fun day.

5 scooters to be given away

The Toy Report has five kick scooters to give away to five lucky readers - three Mini Kicks and two Maxi Kicks, thanks to Kickboard® USA, the official distributor of the award-winning Mini Kick, http://kickboardusa.com/.


The 3-wheel Maxi Kick scooter is for kids ages 6 to 10. It has a lean-and-steer mechanism rather than turning, almost like a skateboard, and a pilot stick rather than handlebars. The price for the scooter is about $149.99.


The 3-wheel Mini Kick scooter is for kids ages 3 to 5. It also has a lean-and-steer mechanism, but it has handlebars. The price is about $74.99 for this scooter. The younger kids like it because it's like the Maxi Kick.

Wii and iPod giveaway at Christian Personal Finance

Christian Personal Finance is celebrating their second birthday, and you are getting the presents. They are giving readers a chance to win a Wii and an iPod, but hurry, the giveaway ends tonight at at 11:59pm CST.

Honored to review "The Triumphant Child"

I was so excited when I received an email on Tuesday with the subject line, "Congratulations you'll be receiving The Triumphant Child book.

"The letter thanked me for my interest in reviewing their book, The Triumphant Child - A Practical Guide For Raising 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

It continued, "the response to our TwitterMoms offer was truly overwhelming and we are delighted to advise that you were one of the first and qualify for a free copy of the book to review. We have asked our shipping company to dispatch your book today and you should be receiving it in the next week or so."

The email ask that once I read the book and wrote a review that I email them a copy.

"Of course please also feel free to post your review to TwitterMoms.com, your blog, twitter, facebook and anywhere else you like!"

They even offered to arrange an interview the the authors - Dr Olson Huff or Nicole Rawson-Huff - for my review.

I am so honored. My blog is still a work in progress and I have this wonderful opportunity. I only hope I can fulfill my obligation in a satisfactory manner.

Grandkids grow too fast, I already miss them

My husband and I are so lucky to live near our grandchildren. I feel sad for the grandparents who miss out on the opportunity to share in the lives of their grandchildren.

From birth, to crawling, their first tooth and first step, we have been there to share the joy. We have taught them to ride a bike, and bait a fishing hook.

We have attended their birthday parties, school and church plays, and sports games.

We have gone to carnivals, the circus, the lake and mountains, and soon we hope to take them on vacation to the beach.

But, the years have flown by. Our oldest grandson is already eleven. And our youngest grandson is eight. It seems they were babies like their sister not too long ago.

Where has the time gone? I already miss the days that have passed. We can't get them back. We have to make the best of what days we have with them while they are still young, because they don't stay young for long.