$100 Amazon eGift Card or PayPal Cash Giveaway

FROG Reviews and Ramblings has signed up to bring you another great CASH GIVEAWAY to round out the year. What a great way to win some extra $$ to start your New Year! Scroll to bottom of the page to ENTER TO WIN $100 AMAZON eGIFT CARD OR PAYPAL CASH GIVEAWAY!

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Welcome To The $100 Amazon eGift Card or PayPal Cash Giveaway!

Giveaway: 1 lucky winner a $100 Amazon eGift Card or PayPal Cash. The event is running from December 1st to December 25th. The giveaway is open Worldwide everywhere PayPal is negotiable-Must be 18+. read more


December Cash Event 

December Cash Event

FROG Reviews and Ramblings is super excited to bring you another AMAZING chance at a big cash prize! We have partnered yet again, with some great blogs to bring you this DECEMBER CASH EVENT! This is the last BIG giveaway for 2024. We appreciate you stopping by our blog all year and entering each giveaway. Be sure to stop in next year to see what we have for you!

Don’t forget to subscribe to FROG Reviews and Ramblings by clicking on the right side of this page, so you don’t miss out on future  read more


Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

Photo by Lisa Fotios: https://www.pexels.com/photo/child-painting-with-brush-15272442/

The holiday season is a time for family, fun, and festive activities. One of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit is by creating Easy Christmas crafts for kids! Not only are crafts a great way to spend time together, but they also help kids develop important skills like creativity, coordination, and patience. Whether you’re looking to decorate the home, make homemade gifts, or simply enjoy a cozy day indoors, these fun and easy Christmas crafts are sure to bring joy to everyone.

This craft is simple and fun, and the kids will love creating their own version of Santa! read more


Daily Bonus Words for December

Below you will find the Bonus Word of the Day for each day of December


Earn a Degree as a Stay-at-Home Mom

Being a stay-at-home parent contemplating a return to formal education comes with its own set of thrills and challenges. How do you strike a balance between learning and family responsibilities? This comprehensive guide from FROG Reviews and Ramblings aims to give you a roadmap through this significant transition, focusing on practical tips and resources.

Consider Online Learning

The educational landscape has changed significantly in the digital age. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, online programs offer the luxury of flexibility, allowing you to tend to your family and study from the comfort of your home. Similarly, local educational institutions often have tailored options, such as evening or part-time courses, that can accommodate your unique needs. Do your research to find an accredited institution that aligns with both your academic and financial plans. read more


Essential Guide for Parents of Children with Special Needs


Image: Freepik

Understanding what tires you out both emotionally and physically is the first step toward effective self-care. Once you identify these triggers, you can develop coping mechanisms to mitigate them. For example, if your child’s medical appointments are a significant source of stress, consider teaming up with another family member to share the responsibility. read more


7 Practical Tips for Keeping Your Kids Happy and Engaged Indoors

7 Practical Tips for Keeping Your Kids Happy and Engaged Indoors

1. Consider Your Children’s Traumatic Experiences read more


Canning Cranberry Juice

4 12 oz bags cranberries
7 quarts water
(Sugar if you want)

  • 4 — 12 oz bags fresh cranberries
  • 7 Quarts water
  • Sugar (if you want to add it…personally I don’t add)

Clean and rinse cranberries.    Add cranberries to stockpot with 4 quarts water.   Boil for about 10-15 minutes until berries are popped.   Drain them.(I use metal mesh strainers…but you can use cheesecloth also).  Save juice…set aside.  Take drained berries and add them back to pot with 2 quarts of water.   Boil again another 10 minutes or so.   Drain again…setting juice aside.   Take drained berries and add to 1 quart of fresh water.   Boil another 10 minutes.  Drain. Now your cranberries will start loosing color. Add all of your juice that you’ve set aside together into stockpot.  At this point you should have about 7 quarts of juice. read more


Preparing Soil for Garden

Image by Dirk (Beeki®) Schumacher from Pixabay

A successful garden starts with good soil. In this article, you’ll find tips for preparing your garden’s soil with proper techniques. Before planting anything, it is important to make sure your soil is healthy, nutrient-rich, and well-draining. Here are some tips and techniques for preparing soil for your garden.

TEST YOUR SOIL

The first step in preparing your soil is to test it. You can buy a soil testing kit at a garden center. Personally, I just went to my local Lowe’s and bought one for about $15. A soil test will tell you the pH level of your soil, which is important because different plants have different pH requirements. It will also tell you the levels of important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, so you can make any necessary adjustments. read more


Dealing with Pests in Washington State

Image by Gabriel Avellaneda from Pixabay

The state of Washington is home to a ton of different pests that can be problematic for homeowners in general.  You will encounter everything from rodents to termites and all little nasty creepy crawly things in between.  In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the pests found in the state and what homeowners can do to prevent and control them.

I know the one critter or pest that nobody wants to think about is bedbugs and/or termites.  In my humble opinion, those are the two most damaging pests. read more


Teaching Kids the Importance of Saving: Tips and Strategies

Saving is an essential tool to teach your children/grandchildren. Gather some great tips here!


Raising Teenage Grandchildren: A Guide To Keeping Your Sanity

Raising Teenage Grandchildren: A Guide To Keeping Your Sanity

#grandchildren, #raisingkids, #family, #socialmedia #parenting,


Grandparenting Teenagers: A Laugh-Out-Loud Survival Guide

Raising teenage grandchildren can be a wild ride. One minute they’re sweet and innocent, the next they’re slamming doors and rolling their eyes. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are a few tips for surviving the teenage years with your grandkids:

  • Stock up on snacks. Teenagers are always hungry, and they’ll eat you out of house and home if you’re not careful. Make sure you have a steady supply of chips, cookies, and energy drinks on hand at all times.
  • read more


    Who Doesn’t Love Games?!!

    Do you love gaming?  We live in a world where people do most things digitally.   Playing games is one of the most popular things to do in our family.  We love to play physical games as well as play them digitally. I’m fairly certain that everybody has their own game they enjoy playing on their phone or computer. My personal favorite way to play games is on my phone and or laptop.

    To be honest though, there’s not many websites that have the type of games I enjoy playing.  Have you ever played the games that have Hidden objects in them?   That’s my all time favorite style of game!  I am not embarrassed to say I am a little addicted to this type of game.  There is one particular game called Seekers Notes Hidden Mystery that I have been playing for about 5 years.  My husband plays war games on his phone and plays live with guys from all over the world.   read more


    Grandparents Raising Teenagers / Update

    It has been months since I gave an update on raising our 2 oldest granddaughters.  

    I will start with a quick recap of how we got to this point in life.  About 8 years ago, our oldest daughter started her fight with addiction and she brought her girls to live with their Papa and I.  If you would like to know the beginning of that story, I have put a link to that blog post here

    It seems as though my  home is full of hormones and teenage drama.  I love having the girls here, but wow!  Teenage girls can really test your patience!  read more


    Simple Ways to Supplement Your Child’s Education at Home

    Simple Ways to Supplement Your Child’s Education at Home #kids, #education, #children, #teaching, #raisingkids, #backtoschool


    How To Help Children Face Life’s Extraordinary Challenges

    How To Help Children Face Life's Extraordinary Challenges #children, #kids, #challenges, #raisingkids, #grandchildren, #struggles, #rolemodeling, #kidsplaytime, #refresh


    A Daughter’s Tale

    So my middle child had to write a paper about somebody she admired. I am humbled to share with you the article she wrote for her college class. When I read what she wrote, she had me in tears, because she chose to write about me. As a mom, we pray that we have an impact on our children’s lives as they reach adulthood. We pray that we haven’t messed them up, but that we have helped them become responsible , productive adults and then parents. As I read what my daughter had written, I realized that I had made a larger impact on her life that I had ever realized. I pray that you enjoy hearing her heart and her words. I would love to hear feedback from you at the end of this story in the comments section! read more


    Buckeye Cookies

  • 1 Box Fudge Brownie Mix
  • 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup Butter, melted
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 Cup Peanut Butter
  • 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    Combine brownie mix, butter ,cream cheese, and egg in a bowl , blend together using a mixer.
    (if you have a Kitchen Aide, I strongly recommend using it as this is a thick batter!)
    Scoop onto cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper. You will use either a scoop for this or teaspoon with generous amounts. Bake cookies for 14 to 15 minutes.
    While cookies are baking, mix powdered sugar and peanut butter in another bowl. Shape this into small balls about 1 inch big. As soon as cookies come out of oven, place the peanut butter ball in the middle of the cookie.
    Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Start melting these at about 1 minute at a time. Pull the bowl out, stir it and place back in microwave for another minute, continuing until they are melted. Spoon a small amount over the top of the peanut butter ball on cookie. Let cool, and enjoy!
    Makes about 24 cookies.


  • read more


    How My Blog Has Developed Over Time

    I realized the other day that I have been blogging for 7 years as of December of this year, 2021.   It really doesn’t seem as though it has been that long.  As the saying goes, where has the time gone?   The funny part about blogging , at least my blog, is that it began with me doing one thing and then within a year or so of that, morphed into something else. I started out reviewing products for some sellers that I was working with directly and as the years went by, it has become a blog about me raising my grandchildren and all things related to parenting and/or grandparenting.  I tend to do a lot of giveaways on my blog, simple because I enjoy giving out free stuff to my followers!    read more


    Sore Throat Tea

    I found this recipe someplace on the internet one day as I was scrolling. I wish I could give credit where it is due, but I simply don’t recall where I found it.

    My husband has always made what our kids have called “honey tea” when they were sick with chest colds and/or a sore throat. This is an elevated version and it makes it simple to have on hand for when somebody gets that Fall/Winter time crud! You know when what I am talking about, your throat is extremely sore, your coughing you fool head off and your chest is burning with congestion! read more


    Road Trip Activities for Kids of All Ages!

    Tips for traveling with teenagers, small children and toddlers


    UPDATE: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

    Natalie, 13 yrs old & Angela, 14 yrs old

    It has been months since I wrote a heartfelt blog post.  I find myself feeling all kinds of crazy emotions lately, so I figured now was a great time to start getting back to what I originally created this blog around. I am a grandparent raising grandchildren.   The crazy part of that statement is that I am only one of 2.7 million grandparents that are currently raising grandchildren!

    Just to give a quick update.  I am married to an incredible husband and we are getting ready to celebrate 25 years of marriage in a couple of months.  About 6 years ago our 2 oldest granddaughters came to live with us.  Our oldest daughter, their mom, has addiction issues in addition to some mental health things going on.  She has always been a great mom and so when she felt herself making some bad choices and running from some things that had happened in her adult life, she brought the girls to her dad and I.  I have always respected her for that choice, as she never drug her kids through the ugliness. read more


    Grandparent Types

    I wonder how many types of grandparents are out there? What category do you fit into?

    I figured I’d take a few minutes today and write about some of the different types of grandparents, my husband and I are.   I really think we’re run the full gamut of grandparent types. We are “parents” again to our oldest 2 granddaughters, we’re “weekend grandparents”  to the twins, “full time get to see them every day” grandparents to our middle daughter’s children, and across the country “don’t really know us” grandparents to husbands grandchildren from 1st marriage.    read more


    Embark on a New Adventure in Retirement by Returning to School

    Image via Freepik

    Retirement no longer means stepping away from personal growth, as many individuals choose to return to school during this phase of life. Whether reigniting a long-held interest or learning something entirely new, pursuing education in retirement can be both rewarding and fulfilling. It offers opportunities for personal enrichment, deeper engagement, and a sense of purpose. However, essential factors must be considered before enrolling to ensure that this new educational pursuit aligns well with your retirement lifestyle.
    read more


    Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop

    We are so excited to bring you my ALL TIME favorite blog hop of the year…the SUPER STOCKING STUFFER GIVEAWAY HOP!!


    Daily Bonus Words for November

    Autumn

    1. Autumn
    2. Harvest
    3. Crisp
    4. Cozy
    5. Grateful
    6. Bonfire
    7. Leaves
    8. Sweater
    9. Amber
    10. Pumpkin
    11. Chili
    12. Cider
    13. Apples
    14. Frost
    15. Acorn
    16. Twilight
    17. Spice
    18. Orchard
    19. Cranberry
    20. Wander
    21. Lantern
    22. Maple
    23. Savor
    24. Hearth
    25. Scarf
    26. Rain
    27. Cobweb
    28. Starlight
    29. Gather
    30. Foggy

    November Cash Event 

    Happy November! If holiday shopping is on your to-do list, maybe this will help! Enter our $100 Cash Giveaway! This event is HOSTED by The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It and sponsored by fabulous bloggers, authors, and Etsy shop owners! Click Your Way Over To Our CoHosts! FROG Reviews and Ramblings, Get Your Holiday On, Deliciously Savvy, Blessed is He, Author Jill Chapman, Ottawa Mommy Club, Versatileer, Saving K, KaSonndra Leigh Designs, It’s Free At Last,

    The Writer’s Blog read more