29 Gifts - Day 26 - Buttercup's 4th Birthday (and a Give Away!)

This post was going to include a recipe for Sweet Vanilla Pecans. It was going to include my give away and an invitation (pleading?) to help get my numbers up by sharing my blog with those around you. It was going to be those things - but it's not.

With her Pop at about six months - wearing a dress that I wore as a baby

It's not because it is Buttercup's 4th birthday. She is spunky and clever and sharp as a tack. She challenges us at every turn - both delighting and... well, challenging us beyond what one would think endurable. With her three older brothers, our lonely-only girl often holds the reins. She comes by it honestly. She adores her brothers. She delights in being big sister to Mr. Magoo. Above all, she is Absolutely. Awesome. 

Music with Aunt Tibbie at around 15 months

And her biggest, number ONE hope and plan and wish for her 4th birthday is to ride in her car seat like you would ride in a booster seat. She doesn't want to have to wear the shoulder straps like the youngest kids do. And she has been talking about this dream for months.

And getting a hat crocheted for her, which I will work on getting her this weekend. So without further ado, I give you, the Ages and Stages of Buttercup! (The give away stuff follows after that.)

With Grandma Jo - around 20 months

Uh... around 2 years

Not long before Mr. Magoo was born. She still dresses herself most of the time.

Dancing. About 2.5 years

Almost 3 - she decided that this was THE only way to
pose that was acceptable.

Just after her 3rd birthday

Just before we moved from MD - with the girl she considered to be her best
friend - Mary (who was 8 and humored her with kindness.)

The Give Away Stuff:

In honor of having such a wonderful family, all the many birthdays going on in our house this time of year, and how truly blessed I am, I am doing my first-ever give away when I reach my 40th follower. So if you are reading my posts, but never really signed on as a follower, please do. If you are signed on, would you encourage others to follow me as well - or if not, send me a message telling me what I can improve to make me worthy of following (be kind - it is Christmas, after all!)? 

But here is what you will be given away, and ways to enter: 

The Deadline:

I'd LOVE to have enough followers by Saturday, December 8, 2012, 11:59 p.m. - midway between Bruiser's and Buttercup's birthdays, that way I can get the goodies in the mail pronto and they'll still make it before Christmas!

Possible Entries:

I'll drop your name in The Hat if you... 

• are signed up as a follower 
• leave a comment answering one of the three questions below (you can answer each question for up to three entries - and please be honest, I can take even negatives if given with the spirit of helping someone improve and not just for the sake of being unkind)
• order from my Cocoa Nutty Goodies page (above) for each item ordered
• contact me to make an order (promote a healthy lifestyle), sign up as a distributor (best value!), or get information about Young Living Essential Oils (and pass it on!)**
• refer someone who enters the drawing through one of the above means (have that person leave a comment saying that you referred them) (each referral gets a separate entry)

*No purchase is necessary to enter or to win*

** DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

The three questions:

1. What sort of information and content would you like to see and/or read about on a blog such as this one?
2. What do you think of the content and appearance of the blog as it is now?
3. Tell me about one of your favorite Christmas memories - the one that makes you smile even when it crosses your mind in the middle of 115-degree heat in July in the Desert of New Mexico

The Prize:

On December 10, 2012, I will draw at least one, possibly two (if I reach 60 followers) names to win a customized goody box. The goody box will include items from Cocoa Nutty Goodies, a Blockbuster gift card worth $10, and some other items of Christmas cheer that I have not yet determined because I brainstormed all of this at 3 a.m. on a Saturday night. (Bear with me, I have never done a give-away before, remember??)

The "Gift" part that brings this into the 29 Gift Challenge:

Regardless (or should I annoy my mom and other language geeks out there by saying, "IR-regardless"... haha!) of whether or not I end this contest with 40 or 60 followers, I will send:

• a care package, similar to what the winner will receive (minus the $10 Blockbuster card, plus a $10 prepaid phone card or iTunes card, depending on my wonderful husband's opinion), to a military man who is far from home and family during the Christmas holiday (i.e.: deployed), 
• and I'll take a tin of Christmas cheer and goodies to the local firehouse and police department. 

(I have to check the legalities on the local first responders part of this, but I'm pretty sure I can take them a plate of cookies and goodies! If I can't, I'll send two military care packages.)