Friday, February 11, 2011

Hallmark Recordable Storybooks {Review & Giveaway}

Hallmark{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Julie!}

There are aspects of our bedtime routine that vary around here, but one thing that always stays the same is that Big Sister E has to have my husband read her books before she goes to sleep. If I even attempt to volunteer, I'm turned down flat with a, "No. Daddy!" as I'm sent on my merry way.

I'm not offended and, in fact, love the bond that my husband has with each of our girls. But the part that makes things difficult? That's when he has to go out of town for work, something that happens fairly often. He isn't gone for weeks or months on end, but a few nights every week or every other week, meaning the kids are left with all mom, all the time.

Big Sister E accepts me reading her books on those nights, as she doesn't really have a choice, but I know that she misses having her father around and the comfort that she receives from having him read to her.

Which is why I adore the concept of Hallmark's Recordable Storybooks and the way that they have the ability to have a wonderful book read no matter how large the distance between loved ones.

Recordable StorybooksIs there anyone that doesn't know the name Hallmark? Having spent the last 100 years helping people stay connected and best express their feelings, there is so much more available than just the greeting cards that are most commonly associated with this brand.

Whether you're stepping foot inside a Hallmark Gold Crown Store or searching their easy-to-browse website, finding the next gift, wrapping paper, ornament, album, card and more couldn't be easier and you know that you're going to be happy with what you find.

Which is exactly why as soon as Guess How Much I Love You, the classic, award-winning tale of unconditional love, arrived in Recordable Storybook form, I knew that it was going to be perfect for my husband and daughter to share.

Guess How Much I Love YouFrom the outside, this appears to be a beautiful hardcover copy of a children's book that I've known and loved for years. But one look inside the front or back cover, and there are simple step-by-step instructions as to how to turn this into something that can be cherished for a lifetime.

children's booksRecording each page really couldn't be much easier. With only two buttons (record and stop) you simply turn to the chosen page, press record and wait for it to verbally cue you to begin, read the page through slowly and clearly, and press stop. After a quick pause, your words begin to repeat back, allowing you to decide if you approve or would like to give that page another try.

After you've repeated the steps throughout the rest of the book, voilĂ ! To be sure that little fingers don't accidentally press the record button and negate your work, there is even a switch inside the battery compartment that can be moved to the locked position to keep your words safe for the future.

As I had explained to Big Sister E that she would now have a way for Daddy to read her a book even when he wasn't there, she was thrilled to help him get it recorded and ready for listening.

gift ideaLater on, when my husband asked Big Sister E about the book to confirm that she knew what would happen when she opened it, she replied, "I know what it's for, Daddy. It's for when you're gone and I'm feeling sad because I miss you."

Who knew I was going to get teary-eyed over a children's book?

I love the full concept of these, I really do. By taking literary favorites as well as original Hallmark stories and including the recordable aspect, these books are just such a great gift idea.

From family members living far away to a parent being deployed to a token of affection perfect for a holiday, there are more than a dozen Recordable Storybooks (with new ones like Goodnight Moon coming soon!) available to help stay connected always - your reading lasts even if the batteries are changed!

Looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift? Look for these high quality, colorful and unique Recordable Storybooks in your nearest Hallmark Gold Crown store with a retail price of $29.95. And if your child is still searching for the cutest valentines to pass out to their friends, don't miss the Classroom Valentines on Hallmark.com - with your child's picture right on them, they're not only personalized but really cute! And by entering the promo code CLASS25, you can even receive a 25% off discount!

Thanks to the generosity of Hallmark, one person will get to enjoy a way to make bedtime special no matter how far apart they are, because...

One lucky person will win a Guess How Much I Love You
Recordable Storybook from Hallmark!


To enter to win: Visit Hallmark and tell me which of their Recordable Storybooks you think the child in your life would love the most.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you follow Hallmark on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Hallmark Recordable Storybook (ARV $30) to hear the voice and love in person! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/ihk8mP #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Hallmark. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 4th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Hallmark for providing a Recordable Storybook for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

774 comments:

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Jen said...

I love hallmark! These books look so cute!

Colette S said...

I would get Guess how much I love you. I love that book.

Colette S said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/SpiritRun/status/36105579747475456

Colette S said...

follow blog

Colette S said...

have button on blog roll

TheAtticGirl said...

My child would love Goodnight Moon!

TheAtticGirl said...

I follow hallmark on twitter @atticgirl76

TheAtticGirl said...

I like hallmark on facebook

TheAtticGirl said...

I follow you on twitter & tweeted:
http://twitter.com/atticgirl76/status/36113896326569984

TheAtticGirl said...

I follow you on GFC #2

TheAtticGirl said...

I'm a thanks mail carrier fan on facebook #1

TheAtticGirl said...

I'm a thanks mail carrier fan on facebook #2

TheAtticGirl said...

I have your button on my scrolling sidebar #1
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TheAtticGirl said...

I have your button on my scrolling sidebar #2
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TheAtticGirl said...

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Becky Barrett Beitzel said...

my kids would love Counting Kisses!!

hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

Becky Barrett Beitzel said...

i like them on FB @becky barrett beitzel

hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

Becky Barrett Beitzel said...

I follow via GFC @Amatuer Mommy (it may still state "LoveCubed" I just switched over)

hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

Becky Barrett Beitzel said...

I follow via GFC @Amatuer Mommy (it may still state "LoveCubed" I just switched over)

hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

#2

Becky Barrett Beitzel said...

i am an email subscriber

hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

Becky Barrett Beitzel said...

i like you on FB @becky barrett beitzel

hiccupapparel at yahoo dot com

#2

wigget said...

they would like On the Night
You Were Born

wigget said...

subscriber

wigget said...

entered energizer giveaway

wigget said...

entered Build-A-Bear Workshop giveaway

wigget said...

entered The Bag Holder giveaway

wigget said...

entered The Popcorn Factory giveaway

wigget said...

entered PJ Greetings giveaway

Jennie Yuen said...

My little one would like All the Ways I Love You ( with the bears)
sweetcivic604 (at) yahoo (dot)ca

Jennie Yuen said...

I follow Hallmark on twitter @jennieyuen
sweetcivic604 (at) yahoo (dot)ca

Jennie Yuen said...

Following you on twitter and tweeted: http://mobile.twitter.com/jennieyuen/status/36126006670524416
sweetcivic604 (at) yahoo (dot)ca

t.lee said...

I would love to get All The Ways I Love you for my nephews who are moving far away.

t.leetreats(at)gmail(dot)com

t.lee said...

Follow Hallmark on twitter (@tleetreats)

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t.lee said...

GFC follower (1/2)

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t.lee said...

GFC follower (2/2)

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t.lee said...

Google Reader subscriber (1/2)

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t.lee said...

Google Reader subscriber (2/2)

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t.lee said...

Subscribe to your emails (1/2)

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t.lee said...

Subscribe to your emails (2/2)

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t.lee said...

Fan on Facebook (Tori Lee R) (1/2)

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t.lee said...

Fan on Facebook (Tori Lee R) (2/2)

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t.lee said...

Have you button on my blog (1/3)

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t.lee said...

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t.lee said...

Have you button on my blog (3/3)

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t.lee said...

Follow you on twitter (@tleetreats) & tweeted

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debbie said...

I like the we're not scared of anything book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

gfc follower 2
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Trena said...

I think my daughter would really love the All the Ways I Love You book.

raindrops9276@yahoo.com

Trena said...

I like Hallmark on FB.
Trena C.
raindrops9276@yahoo.com

Trena said...

GFC follower.
raindrops9276@yahoo.com
1

Trena said...

GFC follower.
raindrops9276@yahoo.com
2

Trena said...

E-mail subscriber.
raindrops9276@yahoo.com
2

Trena said...

I like you on FB.
Trena C.
raindrops9276@yahoo.com
1

Jennie Yuen said...

I have your button on my blog http://brandonyuen.blogspot.com/p/test.html (1 of 3)
sweetcivic604 (at) yahoo (dot) ca

Jennie Yuen said...

I have your button on my blog http://brandonyuen.blogspot.com/p/test.html (2 of 3)
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Jennie Yuen said...

I have your button on my blog http://brandonyuen.blogspot.com/p/test.html (3 of 3)
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Jennie Yuen said...

Following you on GFC (1 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

Following you on GFC (2 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

I subscribed via RSS (1 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

I subscribed via RSS (2 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

Email subscriber (1 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

Email subscriber (2 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

I liked you on Facebook - Jennie Y (1 of 2)
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Jennie Yuen said...

I liked you on Facebook - Jennie Y (2 of 2)
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Bethany C. said...

I think my daughter would also like Counting Kisses.

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said...

gfc follower

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said...

subscribe to feed in google reader bradley dot bh at gmail

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said...

subscribe to rss feed in google reader, bradley dot bh at gmail
2

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Bethany C. said...

email subscriber

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said...

like you on fb bethany cardone

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Bethany C. said...

entered amazon/june cleaver

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Janelle said...

I think I'd choose "All the Ways
I Love You". They are all special books...it's hard to decide.
xjanelle at hotmail dot com

Janelle said...

I follow Hallmark on twitter (@jkomaran)
xjanelle at hotmail dot com

Janelle said...

I like Hallmark on facebook
Janelle K
xjanelle at hotmail dot com

Janelle said...

Follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/jkomaran/status/36146520940093440
xjanelle at hotmail dot com

Janelle said...

I follow with GFC
jkomaran
xjanelle at hotmail dot com
1

Janelle said...

I follow with GFC
jkomaran
xjanelle at hotmail dot com
2

Janelle said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber (subscribe with this account:xjanelle@gmail.com)
xjanelle at hotmail dot com
1

Janelle said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber (subscribe with this account:xjanelle@gmail.com)
xjanelle at hotmail dot com
2

Janelle said...

I'm a facebook fan (Janelle K)
xjanelle at hotmail dot com
1

Janelle said...

I'm a facebook fan (Janelle K)
xjanelle at hotmail dot com
2

Lisa Noel said...

I have been trying to win one of these for months because my oldest son wants to record one for my youngest son and I think they'd both love "we aren't a fraid of anything"

Lisa Noel said...

follow Hallmark on Twitter

Lisa Noel said...

Like Hallmark on Facebook.

Lisa Noel said...

follow and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/lisanoel03/status/36150226720923648

Lisa Noel said...

Google Friend Connect

Lisa Noel said...

become a fan on Facebook.

Lisa Noel said...

subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email 2

Lisa Noel said...

become a fan on Facebook 2

Lisa Noel said...

Google Friend Connect 2

Debra said...

I would love to own Hallmark's "All the Ways I Love You"

Debra said...

I wish there was a LOVE button on Facebook, but I "Like" Hallmark on Facebook (Debra Sweeps)

Jamie H said...

Guess How Much I Love You and Goodnight Moon are my girls' two favorite stories so it would be hard to choose between the two!

Saph said...

I like All the Ways I Love You

Saph said...

following hallmark on twitter

Saph said...

following on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/walkwithme/status/36156144481214464

Saph said...

following on GFC
#1

Saph said...

following on GFC
#2

Julie said...

my daughter would love my little princess
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

like hallmark on facebook
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

like you on facebook #2
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

get your emails
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

get your emails #2
hybgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

follow via GFC
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

follow via GFC #2
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

entered gnomeo and Juliet giveaway
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

entered pro flowers giveaway
hbgarden@aol.com

Julie said...

entered build a bear giveaway
hbgarden@aol.com

Shiela said...

My kids would love Goodnight Moon

shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiela said...

I follow Hallmark on Twitter

shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiela said...

I like Hallmark on FB

shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiela said...

I follow you on GFC -1

shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiela said...

I follow you on GFC - 2

shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiela said...

I follow you on Twitter - 1

shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiela said...

I follow you on Twitter -2

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Shiela said...

I follow you on FB - 2

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Candice said...

My son would love Thank You GOd for Everything.

candice126 at gmail dot com

Candice said...

Like HM on Fb - Candice Y

candice126 at gmail dot com

Candice said...

Entered PJ Greetings

candice126 at gmail dot com

LittleBird said...

I would love the princess one for my little princess! coeyncass at hotmail dot com

Candice said...

Entered Dinosaur train

candice126 at gmail dot com

LittleBird said...

I like Hallmark on twitter @cferder

Candice said...

Entered Build a Bear

candice126 at gmail dot com

LittleBird said...

I have liked Hallmark on Facebook cassandra webber ferder

Candice said...

Entered leapfrog

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LittleBird said...

I follow you on twitter @cferder

Candice said...

Entered Cool Care

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LittleBird said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Cferder/status/36177774582435840

Candice said...

GFC follower 1

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Candice said...

GFC follower 2

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Candice said...

RSS feed 1

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Candice said...

RSS feed 2

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Candice said...

Email sub 1

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Candice said...

Email sub 2

candice126 at gmail dot com

robynl said...

it would be My Little Princess since her room is decorated in Princess items such as bed, clock etc.

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

Candice said...

Like you on FB _ Candice Y

candice126 at gmail dot com

Candice said...

Like you on Fb 2 - Candice Y

candice126 at gmail dot com

robynl said...

follow Hallmark on Twitter as rlee1950

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

Like Hallmark on facebook
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

entered the $100 Amazon giveaway

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

entered the Leap Frog giveaway

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

LittleBird said...

I also entered your build a bear contest

robynl said...

follow you on twitter as rlee1950 and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/rlee1950/status/36179554447917056

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

robynl said...

follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect.
I do as primrose

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

Jessica said...

my kids would love Counting Kisses!!
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

hallmark fb fan
jessica tang
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

robynl said...

I subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

My first pick would be the upcoming "Goodnight Moon." That was my favorite to read to my granddaughter. I hope they eventually do "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" or "Where the Wild Things Are." Lots of potential with this and the TV ad for it is wonderful.

Jessica said...

followed you on gfc - jessica
#1
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

followed you on gfc - jessica
#2
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

robynl said...

am a fan on Facebook of yours

yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

Jessica said...

your RSS subscriber on google reader - jessica
#1
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

your RSS subscriber on google reader - jessica
#2
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

your fb fan 2
jessica tang
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

Following Hallmark on Twitter @oneinpurpose.

Jessica said...

entereed $100 amazon gift card from june cleaver giveaway
jessicatang90 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

entereed rumbatime giveaway
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Jessica said...

entereed leapfrog giveaway
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Jessica said...

entereed cool care giveaway
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Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/oneinpurpose/status/36181311437807616

Jessica said...

followed hallmark on twitter
@hongdoufantuan
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

Jessica said...

your email subscriber 1
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

GFC entry #1

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

GFC entry #2

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

email subscriber #1

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

email subscriber #2

Jessica said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/hongdoufantuan/status/36180304762769408
jessicatang90 at hotmail dot com

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

button on blog entry #1: http://oneinpurpose.blogspot.com

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

button on blog entry #2: http://oneinpurpose.blogspot.com

Mimi to Tee and Bee said...

button on blog entry #3: http://oneinpurpose.blogspot.com

Miranda said...

I would pick My Little Princess for my daughter.

Miranda said...

Entered Leapfrog giveaway

Miranda said...

Entered Amazon giveaway

Miranda said...

Entered watch giveaway.

Miranda said...

Follow and tweeted:
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Miranda said...

Follow on GFC

Miranda said...

subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email

Miranda said...

Have your button:
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Debra said...

I entered your Swim Spot Giveaway

LaDonna said...

I think my grand daughter would like My Little Princess.

ladonna.eller@yahoo.com

LaDonna said...

I like Hallmark on Facebook.

ladonna.eller@yahoo.com

LaDonna said...

I follow with GFC.

ladonna.eller@yahoo.com
1

LaDonna said...

I follow with GFC.

ladonna.eller@yahoo.com
2

LaDonna said...

Subscribe via e-mail.
ladonna.eller@yahoo.com
1

LaDonna said...

Subscribe via e-mail.
ladonna.eller@yahoo.com
2

LaDonna said...

I like you on Facebook.
ladonna.eller@yahoo.com
1

LaDonna said...

I like you on Facebook.
ladonna.eller@yahoo.com
2

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I like Guess How Much I Love You!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I subscribe to you!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I subscribe to you!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I like you on facebook!
tonya stutzman filleman
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I like you on facebook!
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jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I have your button!
jtfilleman@cox.net
www.nebraskahockeymom.blogspot.com

a little bit of everything said...

"Counting Kisses" looks like a cute book to record for my granddaughter

a little bit of everything said...

Already a follower on google friend connect

a little bit of everything said...

I am displaying your button at: http://robertapm28.blogspot.com/p/blog-buttons.html

Peggy said...

We would like the Counting Kisses book

Peggy said...

http://twitter.com/#!/mycraftingworld/status/36216226971795456

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