Microsoft is giving away three once-in-a-lifetime trips that you can check off your bucket list!

From now until November 21, show Microsoft how you #GetItDone in their new Facebook contest. You and a friend could win a trip of a lifetime to one of the most happening cities in the country, lots of Microsoft swag, and of course, your office in a cloud with over fifty Office 365 winners. 

All 17 Austin-area Chick-fil-A^® restaurants will honor local military personnel and their families with Military Appreciation Day on Monday, Nov. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. All active military personnel and those who have served in the past are invited, along with their immediate family members, to enjoy a free meal at a local Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Each store will have a map for military to show where they have served, as well as a table with representatives from the University of Texas student organization Caring for Camo, which sends letters and care packages to servicemen and servicewomen overseas. Customers will have the opportunity to write their own letter, as well as purchase Caring for Camo merchandise, such as wristbands and t-shirts. Anyone who makes a Caring for Camo purchase will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich.

The free Chick-fil-A meal offer is only available for dine-in customers. Meal offerings vary by restaurant.

“It is such a pleasure for the Austin-area Chick-fil-A restaurants to honor our local military families on this special evening,” said Jamie Harris, franchise Operator of the Chick-fil-A at I-35/Slaughter. “We want to extend our gratitude to those who have honorably served our nation, along with their families, in the simplest way we know how: with great food. Thank you for your service and dedication to our nation.”

Monday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. 

All participating San Antonio-New Braunfels area Chick-fil-A restaurants (dine-in only)

To find a Chick-fil-A Restaurant, visit Chick-fil-A.com/Locations

All 23 San Antonio-New Braunfels area Chick-fil-A^® restaurants will honor local military personnel and their families with Military Appreciation Day on Monday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. All retired and active duty military personnel are invited, along with their immediate family members, to enjoy a free meal at a local Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Each store will have a map for military to show where they have served, as well as entertainment for guests. The free Chick-fil-A meal offer is valid with a military ID or proof of service and is only available for dine-in customers. The offer includes a choice of the Original Chick-fil-A^® Chicken Sandwich Meal, Chick-fil-A^® Nuggets (eight-count) or Chick-fil-A^® Nuggets Kid’s Meal (four-count).

“It is such a pleasure for the San Antonio-area Chick-fil-A restaurants to honor our local military families on this special evening,” said Mark Wasserman, franchise Operator of the Chick-fil-A at Medical Center. “The military legacy in San Antonio is powerful. We want to extend our gratitude to those who have honorably served our nation, along with their families, in the simplest way we know how: with great food. Thank you for your service and dedication to our nation.”

Monday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m.

All participating San Antonio-New Braunfels area Chick-fil-A restaurants (dine-in only)

To find a Chick-fil-A Restaurant, visit Chick-fil-A.com/Locations

With the holidays around the corner we are all looking for fun and unique gift ideas and boy do we have one for you! Not only was this amazing item on the Animal Planet “Extreme Fishing Show” but they also featured it on another Animal Planet show “Top Hooker!” What item are we talking about? The one and only – the 34″ Radio Ranger Remote Control Fishing Boat!

 Even my girls would love to win this amazing little boat. It looks like it would be hours of fun for any child or adult for that matter.

Not only is it almost three-feet long, but this is the biggest RC Boat that RCFishingWorld.com offers! Guaranteed fun for kids and adults alike, this would be a fabulous gift under the tree. Meet the Radio Ranger by clicking PLAY BELOW.

The Radio Ranger RC Fishing Boat includes: The 34″ Radio Ranger RC Fishing Boat

• The RC Fishing Pole, Fising Line, Bobber, and Hook, Line Release Pads
• A Boat Stand
• Transmitter and batteries
• 7.2 Volt 1800mah Boat Battery and wall charger
• 1 Extra set of propellers

Plus, it is READY TO GO RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX,! Read more by checking out RCFishingWorld.com or check out Blog with Mom’s full review!

Win it! A RC Fishing World Giveaway

Giveaway Details:

• This giveaway will run from 11/08- 11/28
• Is opened to entrants 18 years of age and older and are located in the US
• All entries must be in the entry form and will be verified
• To see full disclosures, see the disclosures at the bottom of the entry form

**DISCLOSURE** Central Texas Mom is acting as an advertisement for the Sponsor and is not responsible for prize. This event is brought to you by Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 through Advertise with Bloggers! If you are interested in sponsoring an event like this, please contact Advertise with Bloggers.

If you do not know about The Hunger Games, you must have been living under a rock! The excitement and anticipation has been building since my family walked out of the theater last year. And now it is here, only days to go before November 22nd is here and excited moviegoers will be waiting in long lines to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns home to District 12 along with fellow winner Peeta Mellark. Shortly after returning home, they must embark on a “Victory Tour” of the districts, leaving behind their close friends and family again. On the day of the Victory Tour, President Snow threatens Katniss’ best friend and pretend cousin, Gale Hawthorne, outraged after she and Peeta broke the rules of the 74th Hunger Games that allowed them both to win. During the tour, Katniss senses that a rebellion is brewing in the districts, but the Capitol is still firmly in control as Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, known as a Quarter Quell, an event taken place every 25 years – a competition that could change Panem forever.

In this Hunger Games, the tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors, making all the other Games look like child’s play. As Peeta and Katniss end up in the arena again (as the only victors of District 12 with the exception of Haymitch), this time surrounded by experienced and vicious killers, President Snow is determined to eliminate them and destroy the rays of hope and the sparks of rebellions brewing up in the Districts. Now Katniss and Peeta must do whatever it takes to defeat their foes and come out on top once again and ignite the flames of rebellion in Panem.

In celebration of this exciting moment in history, I have been given the opportunity to give this super cool The Hunger Games: Catching Fire prize pack to one of Central Texas Mom readers!

 The Catching Fire prize pack is:

Enter to win The Catching Fire prize pack!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was obtained for this post. I received a complimentary Catching Fire prize pack to facilitate this post and giveaway. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I took my girls to see Turbo when it came out at the movies! What is better than getting a copy of Turbo to watch in your own home? Winning a 2014 Camaro LT!

Fox Home Entertainment is launching the Dreamworks animated movie Turbo on Blu-ray/DVD on 11/12 (Digital HD was made available on 10/22) and to celebrate, you now have a chance to win a brand new 2014 “Blu-ray Blue Metallic” Chevy Camaro.

Starting this week, the top-selling Turbo Racing League app will play host to a four-week tournament where players will have a chance to win a free Digital HD download of Turbo. One lucky grand prize winner will win the 2014 “Blu-ray” Metallic Camaro LT with white racing stripes, valued at $30,000.

The Turbo Racing League app has logged more than 30 million downloads worldwide, and is the #1 racing game on all mobile platforms (iOS, Android, Windows Mobile). For Fox Home Entertainment release of Turbo, the app was just updated with all-new features such as: 2 brand new film racers — users will now be able to play as Turbo or Whiplash!

If you aren’t one of the 30 million, you can download the app here and join in the fun!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/turbo-racing-league/id604752655?mt=8

New York and Austin, TX – November 6, 2013 – El Rey Network in association with FactoryMade Ventures, today announced the production start of  “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” the first scripted original to air on Robert Rodriguez’s new genre-busting cable network set to debut this December. Based on his cult classic film of the same name, the supernatural crime saga, hour-long series (which will premiere on El Rey Network in Q1 2014) began filming in Austin this week with Rodriguez set to direct the first two installments.

The 10-episode serialized drama, created, directed and executive produced by Rodriguez (Sin City, Machete, Desperado) and based on the 1996 cult classic he created with Quentin Tarantino, will feature a principal cast including: D.J. Cotrona (Dear John, G.I. Joe: Retaliation) as Seth Gecko, the role that famously launched the film career of George Clooney. Zane Holtz (Holes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) stars as Richie Gecko, and Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera, Sons of Anarchy) plays Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez, a new character created for the series. Don Johnson (Django Unchained, Nash Bridges) joins in a recurring role as Sheriff Earl McGraw. Other cast will be announced in the coming weeks.  Miramax, producing studio and distributor of the original film, is distributing the series internationally in all territories with the exception of Canada, China, India and UK.

Rodriguez said: “If the movie’s the short story, the series is the novel.” He added: “We have assembled an amazing cast and crew, and viewers can expect to be part of a wild ride when the series premieres on El Rey Network next spring.”

Rodriguez is joined in the Executive Producer ranks by Carlos Coto (who is also showrunner); and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.  Diego Gutierrez is writer and co-executive producer.  The gritty look and feel of the series will be brought to life by production designers Steve Joyner and Caylah Eddleblute, set designer Jeff Adams, director of photography Eduardo Mayén and costume designer Nina Proctor.  Special effects team will be spearheaded by Bob Trevino.

Based on the thrill-ride film, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” is a supernatural crime saga centered around bank robber, Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard “Richie” Gecko (Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) after a bank heist left several people dead. While on an escape route to Mexico, Seth and Richie encounter former minister Jacob Fuller and his family who they take hostage.  Using the family RV to make a run for the Mexican border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is unknowingly populated by vampires, and forces them to fight until dawn in order to get out alive. The series deepens the tone of the film, adds new characters and backstories and expands the Mesoamerican mythology behind the vampires.   

“From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” is an El Rey Network production in association with FactoryMade Ventures. 

# # #

About El Rey Network:
El Rey Network, launching December 2013, is a new 24-hour English-language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. The network’s action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action, horror/sci-fi and next-generation sports. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, it will serve as a platform for diverse and riveting storytelling. El Rey Network awakens the renegade in everyone and has been created for viewers who won’t check a box. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Communications Inc. 

About FactoryMade Ventures:
FactoryMade is an entertainment business incubator founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.  The company builds and produces IP-based media franchises, content experiences and production/distribution platforms by leveraging its strong ties to the Hollywood creative community and partnering with global brands and investors. FactoryMade’s ventures include El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros studios with Robert Rodriguez as well as a joint venture with the leading Mexican wrestling league, Lucha Libre AAA. In addition to working with corporate partners such as Telefonica and JCP, they previously spearheaded the creation of Hasbro’s film business (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Battleship) and television business (Hasbro TV Studios, the Hub Network with Discovery Communications), and developed retail’s first integrated digital gaming and commerce platform with HSN called HSN Arcade.

About Miramax:
Miramax is a leading worldwide film and television studio with a library of more than 700 motion pictures. The Miramax library holds some of the world’s most original and acclaimed independent films including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, Chicago, Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, No Country for Old Men, Kill Bill Vols. I and II, Life is Beautiful, Reservoir Dogs, Sex, Lies and Videotape, Cinema Paradiso and My Left Foot – as well as scores of commercially successful films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bad Santa, and the Scream, Hellraiser, Scary Movie and Spy Kids franchises. Collectively, the Miramax library has received 284 Academy Award® nominations and 68 Oscars®, including four Best Picture awards.

It has been 3 years since we had gone a really family vacation and this year it was looking like it would end up being 4 years. But at some point when paying our bills it dawned on me that I had Southwest Airline reward points and we could use that for a hotel say on the beach!  I love the beach. I honestly don’t care what beach it is, any beach as long as I can wake up in the morning and drink my coffee watching and hearing the waves crash against the sand. Its like being in heaven!

Honestly my first choice of location would have been portaranzas because I know it. I have been there countless times. But there just were no options at all with my rewards so I moved along to Galveston. I have nothing wrong with Galveston at all, it’s just that I had not been there since I was really young and there was no beach that I recalled. Just a sea wall, that did not sound like my idea beach watching situation.

It was really nice a quiet, I would imagine it is because of the huge downpouring rain that the whole state of Texas was experiencing during out trip. In addition to that it was the end of September and kids were in school. Apparently not mine, but I figure what is one single day going to hurt. They had an elevator to get you to your floor and close to it they had a trash shoot. That was so cool! Since Holiday Inn Club Vacations is a time share program they do not have a cleaning service. So it was nice to have some where to dispose of your trash. The kids thought it was really cool too.

You open up the door and this is what you see. A great kitchen that has everything you could possibly need. And we put it to good use. I have no problem at all cooking while n vacation and prefer to actually. You save so much more money by not going out to eat. I cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, breakfast: eggs, toast & bacon. Then the rest of the time we snacked on treats or leftovers.

They had a little package of condiments. It would get some one started 🙂 but not enough for this family of five. We thought the little salt and pepper shakers were cute.

Washer and dryer in your room….. omg! This was so cool. And seriously came in handy with little baby spitting up so much we ran out of clothes! They also supplied us with a small amount of laundry soap as well as dish and dishwasher soap.

This is what you would consider the dining room table. We did use it and it was nice to have.

The living room had a fold out couch, which is where the girls slept. There was a flat screen tv and a dvd player. This came in handy at night. The first night we stayed we drove around a little, went to WalMart to get some food supplies and then it started lightning and thundering as storms were moving in. It was exciting to watch from the third floor but it did not help with kids wanting to go to the beach. At Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort they have an area where you can borrow DVD’s. This was great! Hubby and the 2 older kids went down to the front desk area and borrowed several movies. It worked out great!

From the living room there was a glass sliding door with a very nice sized balcony. They also had several chairs and two tables. From the balcony you could see the beach as well as the very easy to navigate boardwalk. The boardwalk was one of the best I have ever seen. We too a stroller on it with out a problem at all.

In the bathroom there is a huge glass shower and a jetted tub!! Wow. I had never seen my girls so excited to take a shower.

Our bedroom had a king sized bed. It was really comfy. A huge picture window looking out to the beach and a door to the balcony.

Baby checking out the view from the bedroom and trying out the king sized bed.

The view from our room was amazing. You’d wake up in the morning and right from your bed, without moving you could see the beach! It was just what I had always wanted.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort was a great place to take  your family.

At the checkin desk they also have a mini store to buy items that you might need such as medicine, sodas, snacks and beer. They also have 2 computers that you can use to get online and a printer as well. There is also a very nice gym.

There was another room off the main office that has foosball, air hockey and other games. They show movies on a screen nightly for people to get together and watch. It is a great idea if you want to get out and mingle or looking for a different family experience!

This is where we went to borrow the DVD’s. They also loan out books as well.

The pool looked great! The infinity pool was really pretty. There were some rooms that walked right out into the pool area. Ans the view of the ocean is still amazing from this point of view. They also have a decent sized hot tub as well.

Would I go to Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort again?

Yes! In fact we  had planed to stay there for 3 days 2 nights, but we were having such a great time that we added and extra night stay. Though, it is a little more expensive than what we have ever paid before I do feel in this situation you do get what you pay for!

About The Holiday Inn Club Vacations^® Brand

The Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand was created in 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 30 years of proven success.

The Holiday Inn Club Vacations flagship property in Orlando, Fla., located next to Walt Disney World_® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn® founder Kemmons Wilson. A 1,450-acre golf, water park and sports resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort includes more than 2,400 villas with the ability to expand to 4,500 villas.

Other resort locations include Lake Geneva, Wis., Panama City Beach and Marco Island, Fla., Brownsville, Vt., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Gatlinburg, Tenn. Galveston, Texas and Las Vegas, Nev. Holiday Inn Club members, owners of timeshare intervals at Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts, enjoy access to these ten resort locations, plus IHG’s network of more than 4,600 hotels. Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to look for opportunities to expand their Member Resorts to top North American destination locations.

For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations and reservations, visit www.hiclubvacations.com. For our latest news, visit www.facebook.com/hiclubvacations, www.twitter.com/hiclubvacations, www.youtube.com/hiclubvacations and www.pinterest.com/hiclubvacations.

I am so excited about the release of this new trailer! It looks like it is really going to be great. Very interesting to see all the cast, new and old. 

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The beloved characters from the original “X-Men” film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from “X-Men: First Class,” in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future. 

The film is set to open on Friday, May 23rd, 2014 in 3D.

Do you recall your mom saying, “I’m going to lose all my hair because of you”? Well at the time it may have been an empty threat but I really am losing all my hair because of my kids!

Seriously, I don’t completely blame them. It’s not 100% their fault. Well…. maybe it is. I love my girls and I would not trade them for anything in the world. They are the sweetest most loving children I know. And they are literally my pride and joy.

Mommy just wants her hair back!

They say you can lose up to 60% of your hair within two to three months postpartum.  The hair loss usually peaks 3-4 months after delivery. I am having a hard time believing that I have only lost in 60% of my hair. My baby is 5 months now so now I guess I am the odd woman out.  It honestly feels like I may have to go wig shopping soon!

I have read that, this hair loss is temporary and hair loss returns to normal within six to twelve months. 6 to 12 months?  To a mommy with a five month old that sounds like an eternity! That is 182 days to 365 days. Yes, I probably would count the days if I had time.

If you know me well, you know that I spend little to no time fixing up my hair.  Normally I have it up in a hair clip. I wasn’t always this way. But once I started having children it made the chaotic life I had just a tiny bit more simple. But now I can see my scalp with my hair up. And I feel like everyone is looking at me.

So, I will wait this out because it is the only option I have. I guess the only positive thing to come from this situation is, I have 2/3 less hair to wash now!

Have you lost hair postpartum?

How did you deal with it? I would really love to know!

How would you like to make your little one’s baby food?  One machine can help you do that and so much more!  Allow us to introduce you to Babymoov’s Bebedelice Multi-Function Baby Food Processor!

The Bebedelice:

• heats and reheats bottles and small jars
• sterilizes bottles
• cooks fresh food without losing its vitamin content, even fish, poultry and meat!
• blends
• defrosts and preserves.
• Easy to use with its 2 control buttons 
• Stops automatically and alerts you via its 2 alarms (visual and sound)
• Includes graduated measuring cup and a set of tongs
• BPA-free

The Bebedelice retails for $119.99, but you can purchase one for as low as $80 on Amazon.  
Just click HERE to view this great sale!

Enter below to win two Halloween books for your children. The winner will get the books before halloween. Giveaway ends Monday 10/28 at 9PM CST.

Giveaway!

Must be 18 years or older to enter.  Open to US Only.  Prize will be shipped via sponsor Coupons and Freebies in TX.  Central Texas Mom is not responsible for prize shipment.  This giveaway is not in association with Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Pinterest or any other social media outlets.