Mega Bloks are beginning to become a staple in our house, Colton loves them and Michael is hugely into the smaller legos that you build into cars and trucks.  So when we were asked to review the Blok Squad Construction Site I was thrilled! 

The Block Squad Construction Site is made for kids 5 and up, so Colton is a little young for this type of Mega Blok, but he is good about not putting toys in his mouth so he can watch Michael build, and play with the vehicles (GENTLY, we have to remind him) after they are built.  Kids can do so many play scenarios with this set since it comes with a few different construction vehicles. 

1. 4×4
2. Track Loader
3. Road Roller

This set is compatible with the other Blok Squad Vehicles so your kids can collect and combine them all (we also have an police set).  Some of the other themes are Fire, Police, Construction, Space, Speed Boat, Beach Patrol, Trooper, Army Military, and many more!

The Blok Squad Construction Site includes 295 pieces and retails for around $19.99.  This is one set I would get since you do get so much in it vs some of the lower priced sets that you do not get as many vehicles or pieces. 

Where to buy:  Amazon, Toys R Us, toysrus.com, Walmart, and walmart.com

FTC Disclosure:  Many thanks to Mega Brands for providing my family with this set to review.  All opinions are my own, honest opinions, and I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Coupons.com Printables
$8 off Baby Alive
$8 Transformer KreO
*NEW* $2 off Angel Soft Toilet Paper
$1 off Cats Pride Cat Litter
$.40 Frigo Cheese Heads
$2 Leap Frog DVD

Betty Crocker Coupons

$2 off Woolite on Facebook

$2 off Sara Lee Deli Meat

**HOT** $3/1 Huggies Slip On Diapers

$.55/1 Baily’s Coffee Creamer (This is my FAVORITE)

BOGO Free Ocean Spray on Facebook

This is a question that I have been getting a lot- and well the truth is I have been dealing with some personal things and just was not quite ready or willing to share them with everyone.  I do not normally post about personal stuff since my blog is about couponing, freebies, and saving money– but after the stressful day I have had and many thoughts about writing this post to let everyone know where I have been, I decided it is time.

So here goes nothing.

After almost four years of marriage and lots of marriage counseling I had had the last straw with my husband and made him leave, I am not going through the lovely divorce process at the moment and let’s face it– it is taking it’s toll on me.

Right now I am working two part time jobs, selling 31, and going to school Full Time– oh and don’t forget my little guy– and being a mom 24/7 to Colton.  So ya, right now I have a full plate so yes my blog has been put to the side and yes I am coming back.  Right now I need to focus on Colton and school though so that is what I am doing.  I have been posting here and there, mostly on Facebook- but I do plan to come back full force when I am ready.

I guess I decided to write this post because today was just one of those days that I really just wanted to crawl back in bed and not really deal with everything.  But I am a mom so crawling back in bed isn’t an option and staying home from school today would not have been a good idea since than I would get behind in my classes and that would stress me out even more.

I was just sitting in my chair fuming over everything that had happened today- pretty much stressed out and angry to the point that my chest was starting to hurt.  It would have been a really good time to hop on an eliptical and just run until I felt better or if weren’t freezing just run until I couldn’t run any more and than walk home- the thought of running to get rid of my fustration is making me feel better.  Or maybe crying would help…

So I am sure now you are wondering– what happened today that you are so stressed out?  Honestly, normally I just blow things off and don’t let them get to me like this.  It wasn’t one specific thing and I think what topped everything off was hitting my elbow on the corner of dresser.

So step by step here is how my day went:
1. Colton woke up at 6 AM when we could have slept until 9 AM today.
2. My house is a mess- this is common theme for my house nowadays, but this adds a significant stress to me when I am not home enough to keep up with things.
3. It’s cold and I do not like walking to class in the cold.
4. I thought my Dr’s appointment was at the office right down the street– nope it was at the office like 25 minutes away.
5. I didn’t get a great report at the appointment.
6. I called the pharmacy, waited on hold for like 10 minutes and they said they didn’t get my perscription yet.
7. I waited an hour and called back and they said they STILL did not receive the perscription so now it is after business hours and I have to wait until tomorrow to get the meds.
8. Oh and THAN I hit my elbow on the dresser- at which point I completely break down into tears.  Not because my elbow hurt, but because I was so stressed out and that just put the icing on the cake.  Colton comes in and starts jumping on me because he doesn’t realize that mommy just needs to be alone for a minute.
9. And than there is the stress of trying to find and internship and preparing my cover letter and resume.  Since I kind of had a few free minutes after Colton went to bed I decided to try to work on it a little more.  Well after seeing someone’s real cover I decided the cover letter I spent three hours on sucked — but again I just couldn’t even come up with something to write.
10.  Oh and as I was getting ready to go to bed Colton peed through his diaper and needed changed and the sheets changed.
11.   But I think what REALLY started everything off on the wrong foot was my EX saying he wouldn’t switch weekends with me.

So lets vent that one a little-  He pretty much sucks.  Like really if I need anything it seems like he does not want to help or does everything he can to make me miserable.  I got a little job helping out at Track meets at the college I go to.  I won’t make a lot of money so it really isn’t worth it for me to pay a babysitter since I’ll end up paying out more in babysitting than I will make.  And than there is the whole thing where I won’t see Colton the whole weekend for 3 weeks in a row because this weekend Adam has him for visitation, the next weekend is a 3 day track meet, and than the following weekend he has him again.  If he would just switch me than #1 I won’t have to pay a babysitter and #2 I will get to spend at least one of these weekends with Colton.  But fighting with him is the worst– and to be honest I know he does it on purpose because he knows it will upset me.  He can pretty much do whatever he wants– why can’t he just for once do something for ME and willingly switch weekends with me.

OH WAIT- and now it is coming to me.  He did this same thing the entire time we were married.  Why would I expect any different of him now.  If I wanted him to do ANYTHING- even something as simple as going to my grandparents for dinner- he would fight with me and fight with me until one of two things happened he just really didn’t do it or he would give in and go.  And by that point I had already been so upset about him not going and the fight I had to have with him that it really wasn’t :nice: of him to even go.  It wasn’t doing me a favor at the point because I was already over the fact that he was a douche.

And here it is…

The day I finally mustered up the courage to just end things- and really end them- I was not sad, I was not mad, and I was not upset.  I was relieved.  I felt relieved to NOT have to deal with him and his problems on a daily basis and I felt relieved that I didn’t have someone constantly putting me down and making me feel bad.

Divorce sucks, but living in a loveless, unhappy marriage sucks more.  Even as stressful as today was, I am glad I made the decision to end things when I did.  The marriage had been over for so long it was really just crazy to continue on and be unhappy.  Plus he was being mean to me in front of Colton, and that just isn’t something I want my son to see or think is alright.

I apologize if this isn’t written the best and is really like all over the place- I just needed to get everything out and this is how it came.

Unedited by Jessica

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Disney On Ice is coming to Cleveland again AND with a NEW show Dare to Dream, which includes characters from the Disney movies Tangled, Princess and the Frog, and Cinderella.  We had a great time when we went to the last Disney on Ice show, Mickey’s Magical Journey, Colton was captivated the entire time.  His friend Hannah said “I don’t want to be ANYWHERE but here, this is SO cool!” while we were there.

If you haven’t experienced a Disney on Ice show it is really something you need to do (I don’t care how old or young you are!).   The ticket prices are really comparable to movie tickets with the coupon codes.  You can use code FAM6 to save $6 off your ticket in advance or you can use code FAM4 to save $4 the Day of the show.

The cheapest tickets are $15
-$6 with Code FAM6
=$9 per ticket!
Movie tickets are like $9.50 now, right?

Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths!  Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss.  And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true.  All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime!  Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!For a sneak peek at the show, visit http://www.disneyonice.com

Since I LOVE to save money I wanted to share my insight from the last Disney on Ice show I went to- I am not sure if this one will be the same way, but hopefully it is and this will help you save some money. 

First- The snow cones at the last show were $13-$15 depending on what cup you got.  Well you can get FREE refills at the Snow Stand.  So what we did was got one when got there and than had it refilled at intermission.  The snow stand is not where you buy the souveniers, but was a seprate stand that only had snow cones.  The guy at the souvenier stand said he would refill it if he wasn’t busy, but the snow stand was right by our seats (at the Covelli Center) so we just went there to get it refilled.

Second- When we left the show they were selling these bags of souveniers for $10 CASH- of course I did not have $10 cash so I couldn’t buy one to see what was in it, but considering the “Light up spinny toys” were $22, $10 for a grab bag of souveniers seemed like a deal if you needed to bring something home for a sibling or something

Third- The concession stands were open, the drinks from them are cheaper than the drinks you buy at the souvenier stand, they just don’t come in the souvenier bottle.

And Fourth- I bought the light up spinny toy and bought the general Mickey Disney on Ice one so I can bring it back to the next Disney on Ice show.  I wasn’t all that keen on spending $22 on the toy, but when I saw Colton’s face light up when I gave him the spinny light up toy, I was glad I bought it for him

So now you know how you can save some money while you make memories at Disney on Ice with your family… How about a giveaway?

One lucky Jessica Loves to Save Money reader will win a Family Four Pack of tickets to see Disney On Ice Dare to Dream at the Quicken Loans Areana.  Giveaway ends 1/4/12 9 PM Eastern Time. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC Disclosure: Many thanks to Allied Marketing and Feld Entertainment for teaming up with me for this giveaway.  I received complementary tickets to see Disney on Ice with my family.  This is not paid post, all opinions are my own, honest opinions.

Make imagination your destination!  Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch.  From Ariel’s enchanting undersea kingdom to Never Land with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell, you’ll be captivated by the music, beauty and laughter in a journey so magical, you’ll never want to go home.www.DisneyOnIce.com.

I took our family to see a Disney on Ice show a few months back and Colton LOVED it.  He was captured by the “magic” and I was so happy to be there with him  If you have not been to a Disney on Ice show, this is definitely something to spend the extra money on and take the kids to see. 

Right now you can save $8 per Ticket with Coupon Code FAM8, good up until December 14th, or if you buy your tickets December 15-18th you can use coupon code FAM4 to save $4 per ticket the weekend of the show. 

How: Redeem in person at the Covelli Centre Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

OR you can WIN a Family our Pack of tickets to see Mickey’s Magical Adventure. The winner will receive 4 vouchers good for reserve seats, you must redeem your vouchers at the box office. Good for any show December 15th-18th at the Covelli Center.

How to enter: Comment below with each entry, one comment = one entry. This giveaway ends on 12/9 at midnight and the winner will be notified via email.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why YOU want to win. (this is a random drawing your answer will not increase or decrease your chances).

Extra Entries:
Like Disney On Ice on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway- use the tweet button it makes it super easy. One entry per tweet max 2 per day please.
Follow @Disney_On_Ice on twitter

Follow Jessica Loves to Save Money via Google Friend Connect
Like Jessica Loves to Save Money on Facebook
Follow MoneySavingJess on Twitter
(1 Entry Per tweet, up to 3xs a day)  Tweet about this giveaway (Use the Tweet Button, it is much easier!)
Share this giveaway on Facebook with a link back to the giveaway
UNLIMITED: Add this giveaway to any Giveaway Link Up (Share the link of where you listed it please)
Enter any other Jessica Loves to Save Money Giveaway (one entry per giveaway you enter)

FTC Disclosure: Many thanks to Allied Media for providing my family tickets to see this Disney on Ice Show and the prize for the giveaway. This is not a paid post, all opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions.

If you remember last year around this time One Kings Lane had an awesome $15 credit for new sign ups– than they stopped it– well IT’S BACK new sign ups can score a $15 credit!  So that means any item under $15, you just pay shipping.  This is a great opportunity to pick up some cheap, but SUPER NICE Christmas gifts. At the very least, sign up now and grab your $15 credit

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents FULLY CHARGED, the all-new, 141st ELECTRIFYING edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®!  Ringling Bros.® powers up audiences with acts from all over the globe, featuring breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that spark the imaginations of Children Of All Ages!  Clowns from the world-famous Clown Alley charge the audience’s funny bones, while megawatts of thrills explode out of the ring, including The Human Fuse who rockets across the circus skies igniting the power of the people.  And of course, amazing animals spark the audience’s awe and wonder.  Experience the current of excitement at Ringling Bros. Fully Charged!

Right now you can save $8 on each ticket to see Disney on Ice in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena with code FAM8.

OR you can WIN a Family our Pack of tickets to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey FULLY CHARGED . The winner will receive 4 vouchers good for reserve seats, you must redeem your vouchers at the box office. Good for any show Oct.19-23, 2011 at Quicken Loans Arena.

How to enter: Comment below with each entry, one comment = one entry. This giveaway ends on 10/14/11 at midnight and the winner will be notified via email.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why YOU want to win. (this is a random drawing your answer will not increase or decrease your chances).

Extra Entries:
Like Quicken Loans Arena on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway- use the tweet button it makes it super easy. One entry per tweet max 2 per day please.

Follow Jessica Loves to Save Money via Google Friend Connect
Like Jessica Loves to Save Money on Facebook
Follow MoneySavingJess on Twitter
(1 Entry Per tweet, up to 3xs a day)  Tweet about this giveaway (Use the Tweet Button, it is much easier!)
Share this giveaway on Facebook with a link back to the giveaway
UNLIMITED: Add this giveaway to any Giveaway Link Up (Share the link of where you listed it please)
Enter any other Jessica Loves to Save Money Giveaway (one entry per giveaway you enter)

FTC Disclosure: Many thanks to Quicken Loans Arena for providing my family tickets to see this Disney on Ice Show and the prize for the giveaway. This is not a paid post, all opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions.

Colton LOVES anything that comes in a pouch, so when we got a box of the new Gerber® Graduates® Grabbers™ Squeezable Fruit and Fruit/Vegetable Pouches he was thrilled to try them out, and in fact could not even wait for me to take the pictures of them. 

I love that they are a super convenient, healthy snack that he can have on the go (which with working, going to school and selling Thirty One, that is all the time!).

Gerber® Graduates® Grabbers™ Squeezable Fruit and Fruit/Vegetable Pouches have:

•  Made with 100% natural fruit or fruit and vegetables
•  No artificial flavors or colors
•  Excellent source of antioxidant Vitamins C & E
•  2 servings of fruit or fruit/vegetables per pouch*

and come in 5 Flavor Combinations:

·         Banana Blueberry

·         Apple, Pear & Peach

·         Apple & Sweet Potato with Cinnamon

·         Pear & Squash

·         Apple, Mango & Strawberry

The Gerber Graduate Grabbers are a great addition to the Gerber Graduates family, so be on the look out for them at stores near you!

Make imagination your destination!  Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch.  From Ariel’s enchanting undersea kingdom to Never Land with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell, you’ll be captivated by the music, beauty and laughter in a journey so magical, you’ll never want to go home.www.DisneyOnIce.com.

I remember going to see a Disney On Ice show as a teenager with my sister’s Girl Scout troop as a teenager.  I still remember how magical it was and what a great time I had.  And now, 10 years later, as a mom I am looking forward to bringing Colton to see Disney on Ice so he can experience the “magic”.  If you have not been to a Disney on Ice show, this is definitely something to spend the extra money on and take the kids to see. 

Right now you can save $6 on each ticket to see Disney on Ice in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena with code FAM6 you can use this on the $15 Tickets and get them for just $9 each, which is about the cost of a movie. 

OR you can WIN a Family our Pack of tickets to see Mickey’s Magical Adventure. The winner will receive 4 vouchers good for reserve seats, you must redeem your vouchers at the box office. Good for any show September 29- October 2nd.

How to enter: Comment below with each entry, one comment = one entry. This giveaway ends on 9/22 at midnight and the winner will be notified via email.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me why YOU want to win. (this is a random drawing your answer will not increase or decrease your chances).

Extra Entries:
Like Disney On Ice on Facebook
Like Quicken Loans Arena on Facebook
Tweet about this giveaway- use the tweet button it makes it super easy. One entry per tweet max 2 per day please.
Follow @Disney_On_Ice on twitter

Follow Jessica Loves to Save Money via Google Friend Connect
Like Jessica Loves to Save Money on Facebook
Follow MoneySavingJess on Twitter
(1 Entry Per tweet, up to 3xs a day)  Tweet about this giveaway (Use the Tweet Button, it is much easier!)
Share this giveaway on Facebook with a link back to the giveaway
UNLIMITED: Add this giveaway to any Giveaway Link Up (Share the link of where you listed it please)
Enter any other Jessica Loves to Save Money Giveaway (one entry per giveaway you enter)

FTC Disclosure: Many thanks to Quicken Loans Arena for providing my family tickets to see this Disney on Ice Show and the prize for the giveaway. This is not a paid post, all opinions are 100% my own, honest opinions.