It's the little things...

I've got a case of cabin fever, and have obviously been having a little of the mean reds too, so I've decided to reflect on the little things that make me happy.

February is a short month, but I'm sure that if I write about one thing per day that makes me smile, my spirits will be soaring before I know it!

If you join me in my venture by posting a comment for every day through February 28th, I'll do a drawing for a free children's book!

(Yes, I'm promoting those Usborne books again. They really are great!)

So today's thing that makes me smile is PJ's motivated laugh. It's not the belly laugh he makes when I tickle him, but the sound he makes as he's making his way over to me when, say, I look at him across a room and smile. It's this sucking in/breathing out combination that sounds a lot like the noise you hear when you move your straw up and down inside the lid of your medium Diet Coke at McDonald's. Love it!

How about you? What's one little thing someone does that makes you smile?

Photo gifts and more!

Check out my CafePress store to find photo gifts like these:

Know someone who's having a baby soon? Want to send thank you notes for baby gifts you've received? These little blank note cards are the perfect way to do it!




Use these larger blank cards to send a note to a friend. In this age of Facebook and email, it's so nice to receive a hand written note in the mail. It's a lost art, I think. I love to send cards and letters to friends to let them know I'm thinking of them.

"It's your birthday. Get a little crazy." That's what it says inside this cute card featuring a photo of my nephew, Michael, in one of his sillier moments. (Don't worry - that's water in the glass. No children were intoxicated in the shooting of this photo.)

To view these gifts and more, click here, or on the CafePress icon over there to the right.

And, of course, there are lots of fun books and more on my Usborne site. If you're looking for activities to do on winter days inside, check out the sticker books, kid kits, puzzles, search books and more! Click here to visit my Usborne Books & More site!

Books make great gifts!

We're headed out to spend Turkey Day with Patrick's family, but before we go, I wanted to let you know about an amazing sale that's going on this weekend.

For three days only, Usborne is having a sale that's so good, we consultants shop at it ourselves!

Click on the picture below to check out the hundreds of titles Usborne has. You're sure to find something for all the children on your list!

Sale begins Friday, Nov. 28th at 12 A.M.

and ends Monday, Dec. 1 at 10 P.M.

A very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Fall in love with Usborne Books

You're Invited

to a Mystery Hostess E-show!

This season, "fall" in love with Usborne Books,

and have a chance at being the "hostess"

and getting all the FREE books just for making a purchase!

Buy gifts for your family and friends

and be entered into a drawing where you

could be the one who receives all the hostess benefits!

No invitations to send out,

no house to clean,

no snacks to buy or prepare!

Just some great books for you, just in time for the holidays!

How easy is that?

Place an order between now and November 14, 2008

by clicking here

(Be sure to use this link to be entered in the drawing)

I will draw a name at random after all orders have been placed

and then contact the winner!

Any questions? Need help picking the perfect book?

Leave a comment or email me and I'll be happy to help!

Want extra entries into the drawing?

Here's how:

Make at least one purchase for the initial entry and

~Get 1 extra entry if that purchase is a new title

~Get 2 extra entries if that purchase is a value pack

~Get 10 extra entries for booking an e-show or home show through me

~Get 2 extra entries for spending $25+

~Get 4 extra entries for spending $50+

Good luck!

And feel free to pass this email on to anyone you know who may be interested.

The more people who participate in the show,

the more FREE BOOKS

you have the chance to win!