Regardless, it’s almost Christmas and I know one absolute thing I can get my kids for Christmas and it won’t fail — books. It encourages their imagination and inspires their education. And who is a reliable source when it comes to both of those things?

Scholastic. And I get to give away 3 fantastic young adult books for boys (or girls even!) as well as a special little gift.  The Eleventh Plague, Under Dogs, and iBoy!  And a $50 gift card.

The Eleventh Plague  — Book Trailer Found Here.

By Jeff Hirsch

“The Eleventh Plague hits disturbingly close to home…An excellent, taut debut novel.” – Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade for food and other items essential for survival. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues, a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank on the town bully’s family that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing forever.

Underdogs

By Markus Zusak

Before The Book Thief, Markus Zusak wrote a trilogy of novels about the Wolfe brothers: The Underdogs, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl. Cameron and Ruben Wolfe are champions at getting into fights, coming up with half-baked schemes, and generally disappointing girls, their parents, and their much more motivated older siblings. They’re intensely loyal to each other, brothers at their best and at their very worst. But when Cameron falls head over heels for Ruben’s girlfriend, the strength of their bond is tested to its breaking point.

iBoy — Book Trailer Found Here.

By Kevin Brooks

Before the attack, Tom Harvey was just an average teen. But a head-on collision with high technology has turned him into an actualized App. Fragments of a shattered iPhone are embedded in his brain. And they’re having an extraordinary effect on his every thought. Because now Tom knows, sees, and can do more than any normal boy ever could. But with his new powers comes a choice: Seek revenge on the vicious gangs who rule the South London housing project where he lives, and who violated his friend Lucy? Or keep quiet and move on? Not even the search engine in his head can predict the shocking outcome of iBoy’s actions. A wifi, thriller by YA master Kevin Brooks.

Now enter to win these and the gift card below! If you have any questions, feel free to please contact me! Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just in time for holiday travel, Choice Hotels is offering twice the rewards to guests at any of its nearly 5,000 hotels nationwide.

The company kicks off its Airline Miles + Choice Privileges Points promotion Dec 1, enabling travelers to earn either airline miles plus Choice Privileges rewards points or double Choice Privileges points for every qualifying stay with arrival between Dec. 1, and Feb. 29, 2012.

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 Taco Bell Gift Card promotion, which offers one of the best options for anyone waiting until the last minute to stuff stockings: a gift and a meal, all without having to leave your vehicle.

Tapping into the spirit of giving, Taco Bell is offering a free chicken flatbread combo with a $20 gift card purchase at participating restaurants. The brand joins the popular trend of restaurants giving back to their consumers via including an added incentive for purchase.

$10 Gift Cards are also available and no expiration or fees apply to the gift cards. The offer is valid now through December 27, 2011.

Why?

Well to start with my sister in law. Who owns a vintage clothing boutique here in Arizona — well I could see her wearing the glasses (above). She would look super fabulous in them and they are the vintage style.It would make a great gift to include in a gift basket I would be making for her, or to put in a stocking with other goodies. I know she would never ask for them because it would seem like she is asking for an unfair gift item. But think about it, glasses would not only be a usable Christmas gift, but also something very chic.

Next up is my mom. The above eyeglasses are a designer style. Something she would absolutely never pick out for herself because she is far too frugal and hard on herself. But c’mon, my mom needs to look hip and hot. And I for one know she is in dire need of some new glasses and she refuses to ask for anything for Christmas. I think it would be a great surprise for her. Plus as I said, she would look way good in them!

When it comes down to it, you don’t have to spend a lot on glasses. And you don’t have to just get prescription. I am dying for several pair of sunglasses and I don’t need a five hundred dollar pair. A nice set of cheap glasses would do just fine. And like I said I truly can’t stress enough how great of a gift this is. From a stocking stuffer or what you can deem a filler gift. You know those gifts that you need to hurry and find that will balance the budget of what you’ve spent for each family member on gifts this year?

Don’t hesitate this year to consider buying gifts that are extremely usable and logical gifts like glasses. We spend our times bending over backwards to get that one huge amazing gift, but how often does the person really use it? Probably not that often huh? And if you do consider purchasing glasses, check out GlassesUSA.com for affordable and stylish glasses this year!!!

Plus as an extra gift to you from me:

GlassesUSA.com offers a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program. Additionally, you can stay up-to-date on all GlassesUSA happenings through their Facebook page and Twitter feed (@GlassesUSA).

AND

Early Holiday Sale:
Take 20% off any frame in our iSee Eyewear collection and get free shipping within the US. Code: iSee20FS
Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

So head out and get your glasses this holiday season and don’t forget to use the discount code to save!!!!

Disclosure policy per FTC guidelines.

Thankfully Tristan is still into girly things and princesses. I know we are not too far off from saying goodbye to Disney, Ponies and all things very girly. Brodie’s time with those things seemed so short lived now that she is entirely into fashion and beauty.

Either way. Tristan got to take one of her very favorite princesses (and her sisters) out to the pool for a swim. Meet Swimming Ariel:

Water play is a splash away with the Disney Princess Swimming Ariel!  Turn the seashell at Ariel’s waist and then place her into the water to see her really swim.  Watch as her tail moves up and down to swim through the water just like in The Little Mermaid.

Ariel actually swims. And yes she swims in the water. Not deep. Just because she’s a mermaid doesn’t mean she needs to go into the deep end. It’s far too scary for the likes of Tristan and Ariel. And I’ll have to be quite honest, I think she does best in the bath.

A little info about Ariel from Mattel:

For the first time in Mattel’s Disney Princess line, girls can play out their mermaid adventures with Ariel and her two sisters, Alana and Arista! All three dolls have magical tops that change color when dipped in water and playful swivel hips that mimic mermaid-like movements.

Either way, have you ever heard of Heely’s?

Heelys are the two-in-one shoe that lets you take life at your own pace. With the wheels out, the stylish designs perform and look just like any other shoe. When you easily put the wheels in, you roll at a different speed. Heelys are about exploring your freedom, unleashing the fun and empowering you to be fearless.

So I chose my Heelys. The 7672 Wave in a gray and pink.

Here they are before I laced them up and put the wheel in.

So now that we got the basic what they look like down your question most definitely has to be the wheels. One shoe was attached with a sturdy plastic wire to the wheels and heel remove tool. The tool is super easy to use, just pop out the cover for where the heels go. There is directions attached to the shoe and inside the wheels and of course you can always find it on their site. Place the wheel into the shoe is also super easy. Just set it in there and then pop it with your hand. Nothing to violent or hard. Then just lace ‘em up and off you go. Of course I had to take a couple pictures to prove exactly what I was talking about with the feet thing. You know, me and my daughter.

So anyway I obviously tried them on. They feel great to me, a little like walking in a platform shoe as far as the wheels being in the heel area, but nothing uncomfortable or unsteady. I couldn’t figure out how in the world to skate in them and I’ll tell you this: I have to have training to walk in heels. I couldn’t really roller blade, but by goodness I can rhythm skate (old school skates). So I tossed them over to my daughter who isn’t much better in the grace department. The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. But Heely’s is pretty rad and they have videos to teach you how to skate in heely’s.

So off we went outside and Brodie took off. She walked around the car a couple times just to keep herself steady but she immediately wanted to get to cruising.

I tried to capture her on video but it would be very little of her skating since she got to moving pretty quickly and lot of you hearing her say…”These are awesome. Oh they are so cute.” And other tween phrases that means she likes them.

Good news is Heely’s is resourceful. They have all kinds of General Information, Safety PlayBook and more. That way you can check out what you are looking for in style, ways to save safe on these shoes and of course as I mentioned, the how to videos.

For active kids and adults alike I have to say these shoes would be the go to shoe for you. Even if you are not graceful like me, well that’s OK. Just go ahead and check out Heely’s because you can learn a lot on their sites. They are durable shoes that again provide for a lot of fun but are still stylish, which if you know my daughter that’s a big deal.

Be sure to also like Heely’s on Facebook and Follow Heely’s on Twitter!

Disclosure: The Greer 5 Disclosure Policy & CMP.LY Disclosure

One of the biggest keys is managing to burn more calories than you eat. So let’s work on this. With breakfast. And let’s add in some fiber with Fiber One 80 Calories.

The wait is over – brand new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal is on store shelves now! Each crunchy wheat and corn puff square in every bowl of Fiber One 80 Calories cereal has a light honey flavor – a delicious way to start your day. Fiber helps satisfy your hunger and helps you feel full, making it a great tool to help manage your weight.

With 40 percent of the Daily Value of fiber in one 80 calorie serving, Fiber One 80 Calories cereal can help curb your hunger, which can help you stick to your weight loss plan.

With great-tasting Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, there is a new breakfast option that helps you feel satisfied without sacrificing flavor!

Think about that. Less calories. Good. Fiber. Good. So you are already on the right track with a healthy breakfast. Leaving you a bit of extra room for something sweet for dessert and still probably staying within your calorie goal!

Are you hungry yet? If so, look for new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal on grocer’s shelves now! Visit http://www.fiberone.com/ for great information on healthy living and coupons for new products. Also, be sure to check out the Fiber One Facebook page and get involved in the conversation. We’d love to hear how you feel satisfied with new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal!

“Disclosure: Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

How cute are they?!

Brodie’s top and jeans came from Macy’s. It was a little more expensive then I had intended to spend but so worth it. She looks great. Her shoes are from DC Shoes. (I refuse to purchase anything less for them, these shoes are the most reliable for kids shoes.)

Tristan and Dayton are sporting DC Shoes of course and adorable outfits from The Children’s Place!