GIVEAWAY! Crayola and Lisa Loeb Show You How to Get creative & Win

Creativity matters. It´s a skill that all children can learn and when it´s practiced every day, kids become the critical thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders in the classroom, and they´re better prepared for professions of the 21st century.

Crayola wants every child to be creatively alive, so they´re inviting parents "Inside the Crayon Box," for a special live chat with celebrities and trusted parenting experts that will inspire and spark ideas to expand your child´s creative thinking. If you find yourself looking for new ways to inspire your children to express their ideas and build their creativity, you´ll want to join us to learn and share!

The first "Inside the Crayon Box" live chat is Wednesday, March 7 at 9 p.m. EST. Join Crayola and musician, children´s author and mom, Lisa Loeb for a 45-minute live streaming video chat on the Crayola Facebook Page. Lisa, best-known for her number one hit "Stay (I Missed You)," will share as personal stories, practical advice and ways she brings a little creative play into every day for her daughter. We want to hear from you - participants can ask Lisa questions during the event, too! We hope you will share the information about the first Crayola "Inside the Crayon" live chat with your readers on or before Wednesday, March 7th so they may plan to attend as well.

Interested in the topics to be covered during the chat?

• Why Does Creativity Matter? Creativity is not about who´s the best artists or becoming an architect. It´s a way of thinking that encourages kids´ original ideas and develops their confidence.
• Growing Up Creative. Lisa will share stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged.
• Simple Tips. Easy Ideas. Like most moms, Lisa juggles a lot. She´ll share simple, easy ways she sparks her daughter´s creativity as part of their daily routine.

Check out some great Crayola videos here:

Creativity Matters

 Inspire

"Creativity Matters" Just in case you miss the Crayola "Inside the Crayon Box" event, you can also check out the Crayola YouTube Channel where the session will be posted.
To learn more about the tools from Crayola that make it easy for parents to help children develop their creativity www.Crayola.com and like Crayola on Facebook!

Also, be sure to check out Lisa´s book Lisa Loeb´s Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs (Sterling Children´s Books, 2011) available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Sing, laugh, and play with pop Lisa in this fabulous collection of ten of the silliest songs ever. Fun activities, games, and recipes accompany whimsical songs. Take Lisa's Silly Sing-Along with you wherever you go and get the high-spirited good times started. Includes a 10-song CD recorded by Lisa! 

                                                                **GIVEAWAY**


I am excited to be able to offer my readers a great giveaway too!   One lucky reader will win the whole shebang below so don't forgot to comment, tweet and Facebook about this great contest: 
 

One winner will receive a Crayola "Inside the Crayon Box" prize pack that contains:

• My First Crayola Washable Crayons, Markers & Stampers: just the right size and shape for little hands, toddlers can create bright and colorful designs with no caps to lose or no messy ink pads
• Crayola Mess Free Color Wonder Tiny Tube: with over 10 ft of coloring, perforated activity pages, a carry-along handle and the ability to store markers inside, kids can color at home or on the road; markers magically appear only on the special Color Wonder paper, not on skin
• Crayola Crystal Effect Window Markers: turn an ordinary window or mirror into a colorful crystal canvas and create amazing effects on an unexpected surface that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth
• Crayola Washable Kaleidoscope Chalk: experience sidewalk art in amazing new ways, by drawing designs, putting on the 3D Kaleidoscope glasses and watching as creations pop up off the ground
• Crayola Dry-Erase Bright Crayons: a dry-erase drawing and writing tool for kids that´s washable, smudge-proof, odorless, and will never dry out
• Crayola Dual-Sided Dry Erase Board: a two-sided board that makes it fun and colorful to share eye-popping messages or track soccer schedules

Healthy Greek Yogurt Parfait

It is that time of year when we start to think about the potential for fewer fleece jackets and more shorts and even short minis!  After my last business meeting I needed to come up with some new snacks to satisfy those before-gym, late afternoon and after-dinner sweets cravings.  I came up with a great, quick new recipe to curb those hunger pangs, tame the sweet tooth and provide enough protein and energy for a boot camp workout.  Here you go:

one  5-6 oz container of fat free plain Greek yogurt (brand of your preference)
1 small apple, pear, banana or kiwi (again, your preference...you could choose another fruit too!)
cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons of instant or quick cooking oats
1 tiny packet of Sun Crystals (optional)

Chop up the fruit with knife or use food processor or hand blender.  Mix in oatmeal.  Sprinkle cinnamon liberally to taste on chopped fruit/oatmeal and mix well. If desired add Sun Crystals.  In alternating layers place yogurt, and chopped fruit/oatmeal.  Top with fruit.  Freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour for more ice cream like consistency. I like to tote it with me when I am working in one of those freezer cups and it stays cool all morning till I am ready to eat it.  Enjoy! 

More Great Grocery Coupons

Here are some more grocery coupons to save you money this week including a bunch from Sarna, Walmart, Hormel, Honey Bunches of Oats and more!  Hope this helps your budget.