Midwestern Mommy Reviews

If You Build It...

2009-06-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months, I've hinted about some new projects in the works. A few of you might know I started writing about marriage and St. Louis for The Examiner. Recently, a friend and I also launched a new site called StLFamilylife.com.

Kristie and I are hoping you'll check out StLFamilyLife.com and let us know what you think! We're an online magazine devoted to parenting within the St. Louis area. We touch based on childcare, products, friendships, romantic relationships, sex, education, fun stuff for you to do and alot of other topics.

From now on, my product reviews will be posted to StLFamilyLife.com. My giveaways will also be featured there. Here's hoping you'll stop by and visit.

Oh and if you want to contact me with product reviews or anything else, you can still do so at motherofbun at gmail dot com

Take care!

Tap Into Money-Saving Solutions With PUR

2009-06-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes our tap water tastes sort of gross. I drink ALOT of water. Water flushes out the system but what's the point, if your water isn't so clean?

The costs of bottled water can add up. I was eyeing a PUR Water Filtration product but hadn't gotten around to doing any research. But then a few weeks ago, I was offered one and asked to review. This? Made. My. Day. Of course I said, "Sure."

I started doing the research.

Did you know that PUR Water Filtration not only saves you money but also eliminates up to 3,200 plastic water containers annually? It can also help you save up to $600 a year.

And back to the part about drinking CLEAN tap water. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 20% of Americans’ lead exposure? Is from drinking is tap water. But if you've got a PUR filter, no worries. They can reduce many contaminants, including lead, microbial cysts and 99% of pharmaceuticals. (Oh yeah, did you know that there can be traces of pharmaceuticals found in tap water. Yes! Now you know why you should never flush meds down the toilet!)

The pitcher was easy to put together. And the water did taste a bit cleaner. Usually if I put a glass of unfinished water in the fridge to keep it cold, it starts to taste "stale" after a few hours. Wasn't the case with the PUR pitcher/filtration system.

And if you're a tea drinker, you also know how odd tasting water can affect the taste of your tea, lemonade or Kool-Aid. This product can filter that tap water so you can enjoy these beverages.

The PUR pitcher also came with some small bottles of a concentrated flavor so you could add a subtle taste to your water. While this is a great idea, I have had a difficult time getting the flavoring to work. It fits on the underside of the lid. A push of a button is supposed to release a tiny amount into your water. But so far, I haven't gotten it to work. But honestly? I don't do alot of flavoring anyway.

I've seen the cost of the pitcher at anywhere from $15 to $20. So the price is great and we'd gotten alot of use out of ours.

Dad's Day Gift Idea

2009-06-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is coming up. And if you've got a dad in your life who loves wine, here's a way to take a vineyard with him. Check out the Little Barrel website. Lots of clothing for everyone. There's even baby stuff!

Jif's Natural Peanut Butter Is A Big Hit At Our House

2009-05-27T06:07:00.000-07:00

"So how do you like the peanut butter?" I ask my son and his two friends a week ago. The trio had decided on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for an afternoon snack. And as of this question, the kids were eating quietly - a rarity for these very verbal moppets.

"Mmmm Good," said my son as he continued to gobble up his sandwich. "Good," said another little girl. The third child said, "this is delicious." Each one asked for another sandwich.

I'd been trying Jif's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread. So far it passed the kid test. Later on my husband tried the peanut butter. He didn't say anything right off. When I put the Jif Natural Creamy peanut butter back into the fridge, I stuck it next to the other peanut butter we were using. Figured a taste test would make things interesting. I didn't get a chance to do a side by side comparison with the kids or my husband. The Natural peanut butter jar was empty within three days. The other stuff? Remained. (And yes, it was opened, so they had a chance to try the stuff out.)

I get to taste the Jif Natural Creamy Peanut Butter. (Their PR peeps were kind enough to send me a small jar.) And it is pretty yummy. Smooth and creamy. Makes me want to make some peanut butter cookies. Doesn't that sound great? Mmmmm.

So overall? The peanut butter was a solid hit amongst my crew. Since peanut butter is a pantry staple at my house, I'll be buying more of Jif's newest product very soon.

Vote Now! Vote Often for Kellogg's Plant A Seed Program

2009-05-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

This message is sponsored by MomCentral.

This past winter, during the 2009 Super Bowl, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes debuted a commercial calling everyone who was watching to action. The commercial was for the Plant A Seed program.

The gist of the commercial and the program is to focus on how everyone can make a difference in building stronger communities and enriching a child's life. Kellogg's wants to remind us all that kids of any age, size, and background are filled with a tremendous amount of promise and potential. And we need to give kids a place to REALIZE this.

So, 50 fields across the US are to be renovated. There have been many nominated thus far. And now Kellogg's needs YOU to help choose which fields are the most deserving. What better way to keep families (kids and parents) active and engaged? The hope is that these fields will once again become places of fun and foster a sense of community.

So click on www.frostedflakes.com to view the fields and find out more as to why these places are deserving a ball field makeover. Voting ends May 31st!

Pulverize Poison Ivy With Ivarest (Giveaway!)

2009-05-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

If you've got kids who love to explore the outdoors (or you yourself like to do so) odds are at some point in time you're going to come into contact with some poisonous plants and need a little something from the Ivarest Poison Ivy product line.

Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam is a very effective cleaner that when used immediately after exposure (or once a rash has begun) can combat the effects of poisonous plants. According to the company, "If used soon after exposure, Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam’s special combination of cleansers lifts oily plant allergens from the skin surface to be easily washed away, minimizing any reaction and stopping the rash from spreading."

Sounds good to me. But if you've already come across the plants and you're starting to get the "itchies" the company also offers Double Relief Treatment Cream. According to the company, "As the only poisonous plant treatment that contains both an antihistamine and an analgesic, Ivarest Double Relief Formula helps stop the reaction and quickly soothes the skin. The product also features calamine to dry out the rash. Its greaseless formula is tone-neutral and easily removed with water.

Ivarest Poison Ivy Cleansing Foam retails for $5.97-$8.99. Ivarest Double Relief Formula retails for $4.37 - $6.99. Both products are available at select drug stores, supermarkets and mass retailers nationwide.

And now three MotherOfBun Reviews... Readers will each recieve these two products. Simply leave a comment on this post. Winners must be in the US and 18 years of age or older. Deadline is May 29, 2009.

Comfort Select Pillows Are Customized And Comfy

2009-05-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

When my hubby and I were dating, I'd often ask my husband, "why'd you pick me?" He'd reply, "Its an off-the-rack kind of world. When you go to the store, no designer has created an outfit specifically for your tastes and size. Some clothes will fit great, others not so much. You just find what you want that's the best fit for you. And then you go with it. Same with romantic relationships - you find the best "fit." And same with pillows -- you find kind that works best for you. Right?

Well, until recently, I assumed that worked with pillows too. But I was wrong.

I'm far more picky about my pillows than my clothing. And I did have a pretty great pillow. But when offered a FREE Comfort Select pillow, I was curious and ok, a little greedy. Wouldn't life be even better with TWO awesome pillows?

Comfort Select pillows are tailored for each person. Once I agreed to write about the pillow, I went through a 20 minute conversation with a very nice Comfort Select pillow specialist who asked me questions about what position I tend to sleep in most often, what kind of pillow firmness I like, allergies, if I sleep warm and if I have neck problems. (There were probably some other questions I can't recall right now.) Based on my answers, Comfort Select was able to create the pillow for me.

It took a few weeks to make. And when I got the pillow, I was very excited. The first night with my pillow had me tossing and turning a bit. But it only took me a night to get used to it. (Usually it takes about 3-4 nights to get used to any change in my sleep environment. And that change can be something like sleeping with a heavier blanket or with the air purifier at a higher or lower setting.

I've been using the pillow ever since. Sometimes I sleep warm. With the old pillow, I'd often wake up sweaty. The new pillow wicks away the moisture, so I don't wake up with a whole side of my face touching damp pillow. (That's kind of a gross way to wake up.)

I've even begun taking my pillow with me on trips. I love my customized pillow. And since there are silver strands in the pillow to combat dust mites and other allergens, I wake up feeling better (aka less nasty headaches) each morning too!

If you are a person with allergies or any sort of neck issues, you'll definitely want to check into this kind of pillow.

The pillow was given to me for free by Comfort Select. In return I wrote a review.

Get A Taste Of The Past With Pepsi Giveaway

2009-05-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Pepsi and Mountain Dew are firing up the "wayback machine" by offering special retro formulas of the beverages, giving fans (literally) a taste of the past.

Pepsi is giving away a retro throwback pack valued at $150 and featuring a Pepsi Throwback Trucker Cap, Pepsi Tin Lunch Box, a Retro Clock Radio/CD Player, a USB Lava Lamp as well as a Pepsi Throwback and a Mountain Dew Throwback. (Groovy!)

Can ya dig it? If so, leave a comment here to enter. You've got to be at least 18 to enter and live in the US. You've got until May 24, 2009 to enter. If you're eager to try the old formula? Well, the throwback beverages are can be found nationwide for another month or so and are available in 20-oz retro designed single-serve bottles and 12-pack cans.

Good luck!

Winner is Leslie. Congrats Leslie.

iCarly Releases Season 1 Dvds

2009-04-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Odds are if you've got kids and cable/satellite) you've heard of iCarly. Miranda Cosgrove plays Carly, a girl from Seattle who lives with her big brother and hosts a fun on-line show with the help of her two best friends. The name of the webshow? iCarly.

The television show has grown into Tv's top series amongst kids (ages 2-14) drawing an average of 5.6 million viewers an episode. My son Seth? Is one of those rabid fans.

Recently, dvds of the first season of the Nickelodeon hit were released. We received the season 1 volume 2 dvd. (The one pictured here.)

Seth was more than happy to watch and review. He's seen alot of the episodes countless times but still... It doesn't matter. He loves to watch.

Disc 1 contains episodes such as iAm Your Biggest Fan, iHeart Art, iHate Sam's Boyfriend, iDon't Want to Fight iPromose Tech-Foots and iGot Detention. The second disc contacts iStakeout, iCarly Saves TV (the extended version) iMight Switch Schools, iFence, iWin a Date and i Have a Love Sick Teacher.

You might recognize Miranda. She was the very clever little sister on Drake and Josh. And as with Drake and Josh, the story lines center predominantly on the kids. You can buy this dvd online at Amazon for $18.99.

Can 10-10-10 Transform Your Life?

2009-04-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

We make decisions everyday. Some are easy but others? Not so much. That's why you might want to check out Suzy Welch's book 10-10-10.

According to the sleeve on the book's jacket, the book is "a transformative new approach to decision making. 10-10-10 is a tool for reclaiming your life at home, in love, and at work. The process is clear, straight forward and transparent."

Basically, when you make a decision, ask yourself how will this affect you (and others, if others are affected) in the next 10 minutes. Then ask yourself how this will affect you and others in 10 months. Then ask yourself how this would affect you in 10 years.

Welch explains in the book that idea came to her while vacationing in Hawaii. (Over the years, she's refined the technique.) When she first began to share her theory with friends and family, the response was overwhelmingly positive and over time, strangers were starting to ask her about this theory.

She gives many an example throughout the book and talks about how you can apply this decision making process to pretty much any delimma you encounter. According to Welch, "All in, 10-10-10 markedly decreases the days when parenting feels haphazard and overwhelming." Another person in the book claims, "It's just like a GPS device: it keeps us on track."

So what did I think of the book? Well, I'm not exactly sold. Alot of times you can't predict the future. Well, I'm a bit skeptical. Life changes in an instant. And I'm not in the same place emotionally that I was 10 months ago or even six months ago. So alot of my decisions and outlooks are going to be different. And you never really know what kinds of life-changing events are coming your way.

I do like the fact that it makes you stop to think about your actions long term. Doing so definitely gives one more clarity. And that's a wonderful thing.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

PR In Your Pajamas? Here's How...

2009-04-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

You've got this fabulous product. And you KNOW the public is going to love it -- if they knew it existed. This is where a little public relations know-how can help you. This is also where the book PR In Your Pajamas can help you.

PR In Your Pajamas, written by Elena Verlee, is a practical guide that can help the many business owners who don't have the big budgets needed to hire a public relations agency. Verlee's book can help those pr novices seeking media attention and help you outline your public relations action plan.

The guide, which is written in a clear, concise way helps explain what grabs the attention of a reporter. The book and also addresses how public relations differs from advertising as well as why great public relations can be more effective. Need to learn how to write press releases and talk to the media? Check out the book. You can also read up on how to identify opportunities and how to develop a rapport with those writing about your product or service.

Verlee knows her stuff. She's been in the biz for ten years now and runs her own international public relations firm.

So you may know how to approach a writer but which media entities are the best fit for your product or service? Which places are looking for a product or service like yours? Verlee has a new endeavor out now called Moms Media list. For more information on that click HERE.

For more information check out her site, PR In Your Pajamas. Her blog can be found HERE.

The Household Guide To Dying - A Novel Approach to Life

2009-04-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

Delia is a mother, wife, lover of chickens and an advice columnist. She also has cancer and has been told there's nothing else that can be done for her. In her final months on this earth, she thinks about all of the years she'll miss with her family. And she can't help but wonder, will her husband be able to run the household as smoothly as she does? Who will help her daughters plan their weddings someday? She decides to write a book to help not just her family but those people who are dying and the loved ones left behind.

Debra Adelaide is the author of The Household Guide to Dying (The book is named after the book Delia creates.). Her other works include The Hotel Albatross, Serpent Dust and Acts of A Dog.

Adelaide's book begins with Delia fully understanding that her time is limited. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she takes a very practical and proactive approach. She starts to make the most of her last few months. And we learn much about her present as well as past in the process.

Delia is a very strong woman and throughout the book we learn why. We learn about her time as a young single mother starting out in a new town, her courtship with her husband, the death of her first child, her career path, her experience as a mother of two daughters as well as her time as a cancer patient. We see she's done alot of living.

I did find the book confusing at times. I've got to know exactly where and when a story takes place. I normally assume a story takes place today and the character lives in the United States unless stated otherwise. While this story takes place "today" it doesn't take place in the United States. There were alot of references that left me puzzled as to the time and place. I didn't sort it out until I read the author's bio and realized the story takes place in Australia.

For me, this confusion takes away from the story. (What's a "shandy?" And when she mentions living in a "caravan" I can't help but wonder, if she means a Dodge minivan?) The ability to bond with the main character is lost because I'm too busy wondering about the details.

But once I was over the confusion, I did develop an affection for the character. She seems like a REAL mom. She curses in front of her kids. She worries. She wonders. She's driven crazy when her daughters fight. She seems like the kind of woman I'd be friends with.

All in all, this book is not a light-hearted romp. It deals with a heavier subject. But for those people who want some substance to their story? This fits the bill.

This post was written on behalf of Mother-Talk.

Social Skill Builder - Software for Life Skills

2009-04-08T23:59:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest challenges in parenting a child with ADHD or autism is the social aspect. I've talked with friends who are in the midst of raising children with ADHD as well as friends raising children with autism many a time. This is a subject we often address.

Some kids have a difficult time understanding social cues. Others don't quite understand what is appropriate behavior in varied social situations. And still others just have a problem with impulse control. And these difficulties lead to a social awkwardness for the child as well as those people they deal with. The end result can quickly become one where a child feels isolated and ill equipped socially.

That's where http://www.socialskillbuilder.com/ and their software can help. The Social Skill Builder software helps kids learn about proper social skills in a fun and positive way. The software starts out with a map that has images of common public and private places. A child can choose the place and level of difficulty before beginning the game.

First a video of a common circumstance is played. Then children are asked a few multiple choice questions. If the child answers wrong, no big deal. The software provides gentle help and gives a "reward" when the question is answered correctly. The segments are short. And after each session children get to play a quick game.

Want to reinforce proper behavior while riding in the car? No problem, there are video scenarios for that followed by a question/answer session. What if you're planning to go to a movie? Or want to show your child the correct way to wait in the pediatrician's waiting room? Simply click on the appropriate topic. Your child can see positive (as well as negative) behavior demonstrated.

My son has ADHD and has a difficult time controlling his impulses. He also has a difficult time controlling his emotions if he feels hurt by a friend. We sat down together to watch the scenarios and work through the answers. He enjoyed watching the situations where the kids would act out and was quick to point out what about the behavior was wrong and why. He seemed to take great pride in the fact that he knew how to act accordingly. He was also able to tell me what the proper behavior was in the situation.

One of the biggest battles is that some kids don't know how to act appropriately. But then again, some (like Seth) do but at times get so excited that this knowledge seems to fly out the window. We have gone through several of the situations a few times, hoping that a reminder will help. (He's not a bad kid. Just has lots of energy and doesn't always know how to constructively channel it. But then again, that's what we parent are for, yes?)

I highly recommend. Actually, I think even regular kids could benefit from this social skills software. It could even be an interesting tool to use in a classroom.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

For A Good Cause...

2009-04-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

April is National Volunteer Month! And Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is encouraging people to get involved through its “30 Ways in 30 Days” campaign. Simply visit www.rmhc.org/volunteer to get daily tips on how you can help. Or use the charity’s
new partnership with VolunteerMatch to find other opportunities in the area.

RMHC is also spotlighting volunteers and asking people to share their own stories through an online community powered by Facebook Connect. For more information on the campaign, including the daily tips on how to help or to share a personal story, visit www.rmhc.org/volunteer.

Action and Veggie Adventure All In One Site!

2009-03-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

At the farm, on the road or in the kitchen! The makers of Hidden Valley Salad dressing are on a quest -- they want kids to not just eat their veggies but learn to LOVE to eat their veggies.

They've created a website, Love Your Veggies and have included a lighthearted games section. (Personally, my favorite game to play has been to use the garden hose to spray off any unwanted critters who are trying to eat my crop! There's something so rewarding in making a little hungry bug scurry away! Seth's favorite game is driving the tractor to get the veggies in time.)

The site is great way to remind kids that eating veggies is an important part of staying healthy. (Plus, it serves as a reminder to us parents that a great way to get kids to eat veggies is by adding a bit of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.) The games are geared toward younger kids but really any one of any age can play... The games are quick and easy to play. And any one of any age will enjoy the fun sound effects and graphics! Give it a try today.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com

KY's Newest Product - "Intense" (?)

2009-03-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

KY Brand has been helping couples "get it on" since 1917. Obviously, they take YOUR sex seriously - even if you aren't.

And now they've got a whole new product out there designed to help women get all "hot and bothered" in that oh so hormonal way. (And we ain't talking PMS.) The product? KY Intense Arousal Gel For Her.

When asked to try this product, I thought, "Eh why not?"

Directions are included with the product. But basically? You or your partner, massage a small amount of the clear gel into a certain, ahem, area during foreplay. The product, which smells to me like peppermint, is supposed to make that area feel warm at first and increase sensation, resulting from a more intense and pleasurable sexual experience.

According to the company's testing, 90 percent of couples experienced increased sensitivity. While I did experience a warming effect, it was mild - not as strong as I thought it would be. Although it did leave the area slightly more sensitive, it wasn't enough to really affect the sex.

We ended up trying the product a few times but basically, my overall experience was a bit underwhelming. I mean, it did increase sensitivity but not to a distinguishable point.

The average retail price is $24.99 for the .34 oz pump which gives you about 20 uses per package. And fear not, if you love your lube, the product can still be used with other KY products.

Giveaway Monday - Ecostore's Plant-based Products

2009-03-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

No more nasty chemicals! That's what Ecostore USA's non-toxic Household Cleaning, Baby, Pet and Personal Care Products promise.

Ecostore's gone back to basics, which means getting back to nature and using only plant-based ingredients. In other words, no toxic petrochemicals, lauryl or laureth sulphates, propylene glycol, dyes, parabens, or cocamide DEA.

Recently, I was lucky enough to try the baby body wash and baby shampoo. I had my little man also try it for good measure.

What did he think? Well, I have to admit something first. Being that Seth is a manly-man kinda boy and can read pretty well, I had to take off each bottle's front lable. I knew that if he saw the photo of the baby on the label, followed by the words, "Baby Shampoo", or the little girl and baby and the phrase "Baby Body Wash" he'd be forever prejudiced.

He tried both in the shower a few weeks ago. He, like his mama, is very particular about scents. He loved the scents of both. Both products quickly lather. Both quickly rinse away. This is a good thing. There's nothing worse to a little boy than his mom saying, "Dude, there's still bubbles in your hair. Get back in the shower and stand under the water some more." We didn't haven't that problem with either product.

Some products do dry out his skin, so we do have to watch, at times, what he uses. But he definitely didn't end up with dry itchy skin after using Ecostore products.

As for me, I also loved the scents. Since my skin is very prone to breakouts, I have to watch what products I use. (Because with certain shampoos, I'll notice my neck starts to breakout. Bah!) But I had no problems with either products. Both rinse clean and leave a subtle scent.

In the end "the boy" ended up claiming both products as "his" and put them in his bathroom. That's quite a testimony as to what he thinks. Being that he hates to bathe, I'll take any help I can get!

The company is giving away a $25 EcoStore gift certificate to one lucky MotherofBun reader. I'll also be giving a way a "refreshing Vanilla bath soap" made by the company to a second place winner. Just leave a comment here or on the other blog. You must live in the US and be at least 18 to enter. The drawing closes on April 30th, 2009. Winners will be notified via email. Good luck!

Mighty B is Mighty Entertaining

2009-03-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

A little girl named Bessie Higgenbottom is on a quest to collect every badge in Honeybee history. (Honeybee scouts are sort of like the Girl Scouts of America.) Why? Because she has heard that if you do so you can become a Mighty B superhero.

Can you blame the girl? Who DOESN'T want to be a superhero?

That's the premise behind the Nickelodeon cartoon Mighty B. Recently I was asked to review "The Mighty B - We Got The Bee!" I wasn't familiar with the show so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the eight episodes included on this dvd. Amy Pohler does a great job as the voice of Bessie, the quirky little girl with a big heart and boundless energy.

My son quickly got into the show and has asked to watch it again and again. And while I got a kick out of the first few episodes, I had to turn it off. Bessie is squirrelly. So is my son. So Bessie+Seth = far too much squirrelly for me to patiently handle. But I can see why a high-energy kid like Seth would get into the story. Her energy, enthusiasm and silly voice hold a kid's interest.

If you're going to let your kid veg after a hard day of school and homework, I'm thinking this is a great show to let them watch. Bessie is always willing to help others out and try new things. She is not undeterred by the clique of mean girls she often encounters. No violence. No inappropriate stuff. Just Bessie delving into one adventure or another.

Make 'Em Laugh (An Entertaining Documentary)

2009-03-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes its nice to sit on the couch, turn on the tv and be entertained. Sometimes its nice to sit down, turn on the tv, be entertained and LEARN something.

If you like your tv time to be a bit more productive, I highly recommend, "Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America." The three DVD collection is a documentary that discusses the funniest moments in American entertainment. Hey, American History that could be alot of fun to discuss at the water cooler or at a happy hour!

Make 'Em Laugh is hosted by Billy Crystal and narrated by Amy Sedaris. The six-hour series contains snippets of performances, biographical information, and more to demonstrate how much our politics and society plays America's comedy evolution. From slapstick and satire to sitcoms, the show explores all kind of different comedy genres.

The series compiles the best of the best humor (the snappiest wisecracks, and the mst incisive, biting satirical jokes) that's come out of American culture. And the best of America's best talent is featured too -- like Charlie Chaplin, Lucille Ball, Woody Allen, Joan Rivers, and Jon Stewart. (Seriously? The list goes on and on!)

There's also extra feature interviews with comedians discussing comedy. (This aspect was my favorite part!). Roseanne Barr talks about the different between being on sitcoms versus doing stand-up. James L. Brooks talks about “The Simpsons”. Carol Burnett talks about Lucille Ball. Joan Rivers talks about the talent of Bill Cosby.

Don't let the fact that its six hour length deter you from watching. The episodes are an hour long so you can watch over several days or weeks. The dvd package costs about $25 and would be a great gift for a film student or even those wanting to get into the realm of comedy. (It would be nice to show this to my son, an aspiring comedian who thinks there's nothing more to comedy than fart jokes.) Or even if you're just someone who loves to learn, (like me) you'll find yourself tuned in.

Its "The Big One" For SpongeBob!

2009-03-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

Is it weird that whenever I see a pineapple I can't help but think of SpongeBob Square Pants? (Sing it with me now... "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?")

SpongeBob has a newly released dvd, "SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob vs. The Big One". The dvd includes six episodes of the show that aren't on any other dvd's. And if you love Johnny Depp, (or actually his voice)? You'll get a kick out of the first episode where he plays a surf guru.

My son LOVES SpongeBob. Almost every weeknight, Seth can be found in front of the tv, eyes glazed over, watching SpongeBob. (What? He gets to watch it while I make dinner.) SpongeBob is much appreciated when a certain little boy is sick and doesn't have the energy to move. Or when he's tired from a hard day of school and outside play and just wants to "veg out" a bit.

And this dvd was a big hit with him. If you've got a SpongeBob fan, I highly recommend. The dvd would actually make a great addition to anyone's Easter basket. (My son would take this video over some jelly beans any day!)

You can buy the dvd on Amazon for $13.99 if you click HERE.

Big bedtime excuses from little minds

2009-03-14T15:38:00.001-07:00

It never fails. We go through my son's bedtime ritual. We make sure teeth are brushed, jammies are on and boy is showered. If time permits, there's a book chosen and read. As I kiss him goodnight the whining starts. So does the other stuff.

Seth seems to think sleep is for the weak. And over the years, he's added all sort of tricks to his bag. What are they? I will list...

1.) "I have to poop." (Amazing how his bowels work.)

2.) "But I'm SURE I'm going to have a bad dream."

3.) "But I'm so thirsty (or SO hungry.)

3.) "But I can't sleep alone. The mosters will get me."

4.) "But I'm scared of the dark."

5.) "But I'm scared of the noises." (Usually there aren't any.)

6.) "But I'm... LONELY!" (Pack your bags, we're going on a guilt trip!)

These are a few that come to mind right now. So I'm really excited to see the reviews for a product that can be found at http://www.sylvaniaonlinestore.com via http://blog.parentbloggers.com. Sounds like the SYLVANIA PalPODzzz portable nightlights might be able to nip that issue in the bud.

This post was written on behalf of Parentbloggers and this weekend's blog blast!

Crest Advanced Seal Whitening Strips Deliver

2009-03-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

I remember when Crest Whitening Strips came out. At the time I was using bleaching trays and at one point, got a chemical burn on my gums from the stuff I was using. (NOT fun. My gums turned purple.) So when the strips came out, I was very, very happy.

I typically buy one or two boxes of the Premium strips a year. I like my teeth white. And over the years, have gotten alot of compliments on my teeth. I'd like to keep that going. The early whitening strips were ones you left on your teeth for 30 minutes, twice a day. They slipped around alot. (Even when talking.) You couldn't drink anything while they were in your mouth and you'd end up tasting the whitening gunk they use. But over time, Crest has introduced some newer products to the line, like "Advanced Seal" that are greatly improved.

Advanced Seal offers a form fit, no slip, and clean removal. This is a good thing. I like that the strips are on one sheet. They stick to teeth very well. Once applied, they won't slip. If you've ever sneezed with a whitening strip in your mouth, you know how important and appreciated this aspect is. Plus, when you take them off, most of the whitening gunk comes off your teeth as well. Not all of the gunk comes off of your teeth but most of it.

Overall, the strips do deliver on their promise. And you do begin to see results within a few applications. Plus, unlike some whitening systems, it is safe for enamel AND its an affordable way to whiten teeth.

The strips can be found at many a store where personal products are sold.

Lubriderm - Intensive Repair For Dry Skin

2009-03-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

You know that total body dry skin feeling? When your skin feels as if it is three sizes too small for your body? Bah! I hate that.

I had alot of that this past winter. So when the pr peeps for Lubriderm offered to send some lotion my way, I was more than happy to review. The product sent? Lubriderm Intense Skin Body Repair lotion

The Lubriderm brand has been around for about 50 years. And the products can be found across the nation in discount stores like Target, Wal-Mart and even smaller drug stores. I confess, its been years since I've bought Lubriderm lotion. With all of the lotions and potions that come my way via review, I don't have to buy too many personal care items anymore.

The lotion's premise is that it helps dry skin heal itself. This formula, contains some sort of HydraRelease™ technology. So did the lotion do what it said it would? Did it "provide 24 hours of continuous moisture and strengthens skin's moisture barrier for softer, smoother, healthier skin."?

Within one application, my skin felt far better than it had in awhile. After two more applications, I didn't have to use it each day. Now I'm only using it here and there. My skin feels far softer and looks much healthier. Plus, it doesn't have an overly greasy feeling. It rubs on easy, absorbs fast and doesn't have an overpowering scent.

Overall, I highly recommend. I'd forgotten how great this product is. And I'm very happy I rediscovered it this past winter.

Teens Get (Discover) "Current" With Money Management

2009-03-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was talking with a friend who has a teen son. Of course the subject of how expensive teens are (and how they view money) came up. Although I'm not "there" yet (my son is almost seven), it seems the "money talk" is just as tricky and awkward for parents as the "sex talk". How much do you tell them in their preteen years? How much later on? And how do you get them to act responsibly when it comes to this facet of their lives. I mean, it is something they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. How do you teach them to handle money in a productive, positive way?

Current by Discover can help parents. Basically? Its a (cool looking) debit card for teens. Plus, you (and they) can set spending limits, track and manage spending through email, text messages and online statements. If you've got teens with jobs, they can also load their paychecks onto the card through direct deposit.

The card also comes with advanced security features like $0 fraud liability. Lost or stolen cards can be temporarily suspended or deactivated, and card members can get an emergency replacement card.

The company also sponsors a financial literacy program across high schools nationwide through its Money Smarts Program. I don't know about you but I think alot of high school juniors and seniors could benefit from a little basic money management course. And just before they fly the nest and start their college years.

For more information on the program, click HERE.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Giveaway Monday - Books and toys!

2009-03-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

This week we have two giveaways! One for you and one for your child!

Giveaway # 1
Eric Ruhalter saw that when it comes to parenthood, and describing certain experiences, words within the English language can only get us so far. That's why he wrote, “The KidDictionary: A Book of Words Parents Need But Don’t Have.”

The book is a funny read. (Here's a Youtube video of it.) And you'll probably be able to relate to quite a few of his stories and words. This week he's giving away a copy of his book to one MotherOfBun reader.

Giveaway #2
LeapFrog has launched 1 Million Reading Hours in conjunction with the NEA’s National Reading Month. Pledge to set aside at least 10 minutes a day to read with your children. The national goal is 1 million reading hours committed! We can do that, right? Right! This is where you can win a LeapFrog Tag reader and five books for yourself as well as an expanded memory LeapFrog School Tag reader plus 10 books to give to your local library.

For either giveaway, please leave a comment. If you want to participate in the LeapFrog giveaway, also let us know how much time you're pledging in the LeapFrog 1 Million Reading Hours Campaign. Both drawings will close at the end of the month. Anyone 18 and older can enter. As always, to increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit MotherOfBun and leave a comment to increase your odds. Must be a United States citizen. Good luck!

Prevent The Flu - Don't Miss Out On The Fun Stuff!

2009-03-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

I never thought, as an adult, that my social life would revolve around the social lives of our teen babysitters. Typically, we have three teens who we call on to watch Seth when we go out. And trust me, its not uncommon for us to stay home because all three had plans.

That's the thing... Teens are active, social, beings. They want to be out and about. See and be seen. So that's why former American Idol finalist Brooke White teamed up with infectious disease specialist and author of Germ Proof Your Kids, Dr. Harley Rotbart, and The Clorox Company. The purpose? To launch I Don't Want to Miss..., a flu education and prevention program.

Maybe you didn't realize this, but the CDC has recommended that even teens get the flu vaccination each year. And getting the word out about such things is the program's goal. In fact, there's a contest teens can enter. Just submit a 45-60 second video entry to the brightly colored website. Let them know what sorts of activities they don't want to miss out on why they need to take precautions (like handwashing) during flu season.

One lucky teen will win an acoustic concert from former American Idol finalist Brooke White at his/her school! A second place winner gets a guitar autographed by Brooke White herself! But hurry! Entries due on March 11! Winners announced next month.

Or just check out the site for more details on the contest. Or even tune in to find tips on staying healthy this time of year.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Giveaway Monday (No go)

2009-03-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

The giveaways I had scheduled for this week? Sorry but it ain't gonna happen. I've got a child who's been sick for three days. There's even been a visit to a clinic and then onto an ER this morning to boot! And its looking like he won't be up for school tomorrow either. Blah.

Tune in next week.

Empowerment is a mere click away

2009-03-01T20:33:00.001-08:00

A pr contact of mine (Hi Brittany G!) recently sent me an email that contains some very important info. Just thought I'd share a part of her message with you all.

The recent activities surrounding Chris Brown and Rihanna are unfortunate but they do shine a spotlight on domestic violence and provide an opportunity to increase awareness about the issue and resources available to help those in need. The Allstate Foundation’s Web site, ClickToEmpower.org, is a great resource for victims and survivors of domestic violence. On Wednesday, February 11, it launched a complete redesign of the site. This site is for “Real People with Real Stories.” We want to hear from you and what you have to say.

As part of the redesign, you will see more information and tools on the site such as how to:

· Find Resources – Navigate through the site to get information on domestic violence, how The Allstate Foundation helps to financially empower women and where to get help.
· Start a Conversation – Have something to say? Want to share a story with the community? Now, you can sign up for an account and start the dialogue with other members through the Click To Empower forum.
· Spread the Word – Upload buttons and banners to your personal profile pages or forward a message to a family/friend to show your support to end domestic violence.
· Engage with Social Networking Tools – Add Click To Empower to your Facebook or MySpace page. You can also view a series of YouTube survivor stories. The stories are told by the very women who survived abusive relationships and showcase The Allstate Foundation’s support of economic empowerment.

I hope you will check out ClickToEmpower and find it a useful resource.

Teeccino is Tee-rific

2009-02-27T11:03:00.000-08:00

Recently, I came across an product that really caught my interest -- a coffee that's not really a coffee. Its sort of a coffee but it is herbal and doesn't contain the caffeine nor the acidity of regular coffee. The herbal coffee drink is called Teeccino.

I was intrigued by the product because I've recently cut caffeine from my diet. (When I'd drink it in the morning, I felt like a zombie in the afternoon and early evening.) But my big problem is I like to drink something in the morning, whether its green tea, coffee, or soda. Enter Teeccino.

The first flavor I made was Mediterranean Almond Amaretto. From the packets I've tried, each coffee smells very fresh and robust as you open the packet. (If you read my reviews often you know one of the first things I notice is scents. And whether something smells good or bad.) And the coffee smells amazing when brewed. Seriously. I was happy to just sit and smell the coffee. When I tasted the herbal coffee I was really surprised. It DOES taste like coffee. My other favorite is the Mediterranean Mocha. And my mother-in-law (who LOVES coffee) is eagerly awaiting the Maya Caffee I just sent her.

If you tend to drink your coffee without cream or sweetners, then you will want to drink Teeccino the same way. But I found that I didn't need nearly as much cream or sugar as what I use when I typically drink coffee. I think this is a good thing. Less calories in my cup! And? You can brew it and serve it like you would any other coffee. Want an expresso? Go for it! Want to try it with your french press? Can do. You can even make iced coffee drinks.

For coffee lovers who have problems with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, fibrocystic breasts, Diabetes and Insulin Resistance Syndrome, a product like this is a Godsend. Also, people who enjoy a cup of coffee at night with dinner or after will still be able to sleep later on.

Click HERE to find a store that sells Teeccino near you. And give it a try yourself!

Giveaway Monday!

2009-02-23T13:01:00.001-08:00

We’ve got two prizes for this week’s giveaway. The first prize is for a bundle of three gift certificates for “Joy of Cooking” frozen meals. (Do not go to their site before lunch or dinner – especially if you have work to do. With meals like ”Creamy Chicken Florentine and Meat Lovers Lasagna” you won’t be able to concentrate on anything but the image of these yummy foods!) Seriously. Joy of Cooking! You will drool! And hope there’s leftovers you can enjoy the next day.

The second prize is the Little Einstein’s dvd, “Race for Space!” (”Adventure full steam ahead!”) The images are vibrant, the characters fun and there’s lots of kicky songs that will have your preschooler dancing.

Remember that RoC giveaway. I admit I still haven’t drawn a winner. I’ve been working all weekend on writing pieces for other sites. I’m thinking I’ll keep it open until Wednesday. (People who’ve already left a comment last week are def still in the running!) Four winners will receive two of RoC’s amazing anti-aging products.

To enter these contests leave a comment on this post and let me know what product you’re interested in (or all). You can always go to MotherOfBun to increase your odds o’ winning. Also, the first two giveaways? Are for US residents only. And you must be at least 18 to enter. Good luck!

Dream Big, DreamBox Learning

2009-02-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

One of the things that attracted me to my husband was that (don't laugh) he's awesome at math. He got a college scholarship based on his math abilities. His dad was a chemistry professor. Its in his genetics! I've always hoped our spawn would inherit the "good at advanced math" gene or at least balance out my "horrible at advanced math" gene. But I've always figured it can't hurt to hedge my bets. That why I was very, very excited about the prospect of reviewing DreamBox Learning system.

DreamBox Learning is a website filled with lots of interactive games -- all in the name of strengthening kids' math skills. The curriculum was designed for kids at a math level of kindergarten to second grade and "adheres to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards," claims their site.

When I explained the concept to my son, he was very excited. He's six years old. It was a big thrill to see his name on the screen. And he took a full 10 minutes to choose his password and avatar. (Oh the choices!)

The games are part of a number of adventures. And if you get tired of pirates, you can always go to the pets or another section. Seth especially liked the dinosaur section. That's where he spent most of his time. And he liked that every time he answered a question right, a funny sound effect and graphic would appear. Seth really enjoyed earning coins after successfully completing a mission. I explained that he could then use them on certain carnival games. But he kept wanting to save them.

The voice on the website was clear and easy to understand. (The DreamBox Learning characters are very cute and fun by the way.) The directions were also given in a concise way. My son, who has a problem following directions sometimes, had no problems following directions when he worked on the site.

From what I read of other Parent Blogger Network Reviews, quite a few people were able to let their kids play independently. Seth is a kid that finds it very difficult to sit still. He demands ALOT of attention and interaction from those around him. Suffice to say, Seth wasn't one of those kids who played DreamBox by himself. But that's definitely no fault of DreamBox. In fact, Seth and I enjoyed snuggling up while he played the game. It was a nice way to calm down from the day.

Also, other reviewers received an email after sessions. The email would let them know what concepts their child had mastered. Oddly enough, I didn't get these emails. I did get the "I miss you" emails though. (Dude. If its a great day? His little butt is outside.) But I was able to log into the Parent Dashboard and see his progress and find out how much time we'd spent on the site.

I was surprised by the vivid graphics and how responsive the learning system is. I am impressed by how the program adjusts the degree of difficulty for the child based on his or her ongoing performance. It not just reinforced what Seth already knows but it was set up in a way to give him a gentle nudge toward learning new things.

All in all, I found it to be a solid, clever site. Subscription plans for the site start at $8.33 a month. If you want to explore it before you buy, you can get a free two-week trial.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Evaluating Johnson & Johnson's newest products

2009-02-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

See this gift basket of Johnson & Johnson products? Dawn S. won! Congrats to Dawn. Thanks to all who entered.

And now for the review... I recently test two J&J products. The first one is the Johnson & Johnson's head-to-toe foaming wash. The second is their baby bubble bath & wash.

Johnson & Johnson's has been helping people take care of their babies for 50 years now. The products are tried and true. They've got a good, solid reputation, manufacturing baby care products with a "no more tears" formula. I used them with Seth. In fact, it didn't really occur to me to buy a brand other than J&J's when it came to his skin.

But how did these newer products stack up?

The baby bubble bath & wash smells wonderful. It bubbles up easily in the water and it didn't leave a ring around the tub. Sometimes bubble baths make the tub very slippery and slimy which isn't very safe. I didn't have that problem with this product. I had my son test the product and he loved the bubbles' smell as well. The only problem? He's six and the fact that this wash is for "babies" offends his delicate sensibilities.

I'm really wishing Johnson & Johnson would use the same product but repackage. Use a bright blue bottle and put a skate board or soccer ball on the label and call it something like, "Boys Rule bath wash." You know, something quasi-macho for all of the boys out there ages 4-10. You do bright pink packaging and something girl-y for the girls. Tada! A whole new market just opened up.

As for the head-to-toe foaming wash? The pump works easily. When you smooth the foam between your fingers or various body parts, its doesn't make your fingers (or again, other body parts) too slippery. Plus it rinses off easily. The last two points are important because when you've got an itty-bitty baby, you've got to keep a hand on them at all times.

All in all, of the two products, I think the foaming wash would be best for tiny babies. The bubble bath is better for toddlers and preschoolers. And well, anyone who enjoys a good bubble bath.

Life is alot like a circus...

2009-02-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

One of Seth's most treasured memories so far is one with his grandparents at the circus. From what I heard, he was mesmerized by the performances (and a bit scared of the clown). And how could he not be? He'd gone to a Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey show!

This year, they have got even more amazing shows planned. And since this is a family event, they're offering a very family friendly ticket price -- four tickets for $44. They've also got a program I wrote about last year called Baby’s First Circus.

To take advantage of the first offer, enter the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels (like http://www.ticketmaster.com).you/ must purchase at least four tickets. Additional tickets are $11 each. Check the site for restrictions.

Here's a list of where they plan to be:

* Newark/East Rutherford/Uniondale/NYC Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents "ZING ZANG ZOOM" on March 5 - April 13 (Though the offer is not valid on performances from April 10 - 13 at Madison Square Garden)

*Washington D.C./ Fairfax, VA/ Baltimore, MD Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will present a different performance called "Over The Top" March 18-April 19
* Philadelphia (ZING ZANG ZOOM) May 13-May 25
* Phoenix (ZING ZANG ZOOM) June 24-June 28

* Houston (Over The Top) July 15-July 26

* Anaheim/LA/Ontario (ZING ZANG ZOOM) July 8-August 2

* San Francisco (ZING ZANG ZOOM) August 12-August 23

* Dallas/Ft. Worth (Over The Top) July 29-August 16

* Sacramento (ZING ZANG ZOOM) August 27-August 30

* Kansas City (Over The Top) September 16-September 20.

As for Baby's First Circus (if you are interested here's the post from last year.)? The program was created with U.S. parents and babies (12 months old and younger) in mind. If you go to the Ringling Bros site, you can sign up to receive a voucher for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. performance, (valid for any date, any place) as well as a personalized certificate for baby.

How cool is that? All of the new sights, sounds, smells and sensations? Talk about serious baby brain food!

From what I hear, people are raving about the shows. So check it out for yourself.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Giveaway Monday - Four Chances To Win!

2009-02-17T14:13:00.001-08:00

Giveaway Monday is a bit late this week. But no worries. We’ve got another great product to give away. Its a little something to help turn back the time. RoC RetinolCorrexion Deep Wrinkle Serum and Night Cream. These products are a great one-two punch for aging skin –apply RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum at night after you’ve finished cleaning your face, then the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. The products can be found at nationwide drugstores for about $19.99 a piece.

Four winners will be chosen to receive the combo. (Hey, that’s a value of $40! More with tax.) Anyone 18 and older can enter. Simply post a comment with your email addy to this site by Saturday, February 21. Feel free to increase your chances of winning by leaving a comment on Midwestern Mommy as well.

Send A Friend A Virtual Sweet This Year!

2009-02-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

When the hubby's cousin, Amanda, started to feel tired and just generally unwell, she blew it off. She was too busy to see a doctor. But those vague symptoms never went away. Eventually, as her symptoms worsened, she did see a doctor. She found she had Ovarian Cancer and that it had spread. She fought a brave, strong fight. But last Easter the cancer won. She was in her 30's.

Sarah, my neighbor and a dear friend also was diagnosed with ovarian cancer many years ago. Luckily she caught it early. And she went on to have more children. And this week? She's enjoying some sun and fun in Vegas.

Two different outcomes. One disease. But this Valentine's Day you can help further the research of Ovarian Cancer. And its pretty easy and sweet! Give a friend a sweet that won't settle directly on the hips or bum! (Trust me, she'll thank you when she's trying on that new swim suit this season.)

Go to the Electrolux Web site, and create a unique virtual cupcake. Then, send it to loved ones this month. Let Electrolux know and they will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) for every cupcake sent!

Plus, your goodwill could win you a front-loading washer and dryer from Electrolux! How cool is that? Go give the site a gander!

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Mel B "Totally" Kicked My Butt!

2009-02-10T13:14:00.001-08:00

You know the Spice Girls, right? So then you know Mel B.

Mel is always looking fab. But I have to admit, when I first heard she was doing a fitness video, called Totally Fit, I was skeptical. I wondered, "Is this another celebrity, repackaging some old moves with new music?" I've been using workout videos for YEARS. As in since high school. So I know a few moves. And I'm always on the look-out for a great fitness video that's got some new moves.

I'm happy to report that Mel does keep some of the more effective"classic" moves. But she also incorporates some new ones as well. And if I could say one thing to Mel B now? It would be, "Damn, girl! You know your stuff."

I've done the workout a few times now. (The sections are broken up so you can tailor the work out to your liking.) And I am sore for days after each time. Yet she makes it look easy. No wonder she has that rockin' bod. She is in fabulous shape! I breath in? I'm sore. I open a door? I'm sore. She really knows how to maximize moves and time while target some muscles I'd forgotten about. And once I get to a point where I can finish the video and not be so sore? She has advanced moves (and an advanced cardio section) to challenge me.

And like alot of the great fitness vid hosts, Mel B shows alot of energy and enthusiasm. And I love her accent. Especially when she says "to-ally fit!"

But the big question I always wonder as I review these tapes is, "But is this fun enough to stick with?" And "what kind of results will I see?" Check back with me in a month. I'll let you know. Until then, there's a great sale on Amazon for Totally Fit. Check it out.

Snugglefests and "Seth Sandwiches"

2009-02-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

Some people show love with gifts. Others "love" with food. Our family? We show our love with lots of "family snuggles" and a little something called a "Seth sandwich with a little Abbeydog on the side."

The hubby and I have always been pretty affectionate with each other. So when our Abbeydog came into the picture, we'd often spend weekend mornings "loving on Abbeydog." This meant letting her lay in bed with us, preferably (for her) between Marc and me for maximum attention.

When Seth came along, he stole the spot between hubs and me. But by this point, Abbey preferred the foot of the bed anyway. So the weekend family snuggle-fests have continued.

The other maneuver started when Seth was an itty bitty baby. Marc would often hug me while I had Seth in my arms. We called this a "Seth sandwich". Often Abbey would let out a "what about me" bark, walk up to us and nose in between our legs. The "Seth sandwich" was amended to "A Seth sandwich with a little Abbeydog on the side."

How does your family show your love? Parent Bloggers Network wants to know. They've teamed up with Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education. The foundation is hosting a Selfless Love contest. PBN wants to hear about how you and your family show your love toward each other. You have until tonight Sunday, February 8 to post and include links to: http://www.insureyourlove.org as well as http://blog.parentbloggers.com. Go to their site and read a few of the entries. You may find some great ideas or get a giggle. Don't forget to email parentbloggers@gmail.com to let them know you've participated.

This post was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Social Media Tips From NSTeens

2009-02-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

This past fall, as part of the St. Louis Bloggers Guild, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel on cyberbullying. As I started to research the concept, how kids can protect themselves and what parents can do, I became more and more worried. Seth is only in first grade now but he loves to play games on my computer and at certain sites.

And it sounds like some of the cyberbullying is starting earlier and earlier. Gulp. Over the course of my research I did stumble upon some sites that can help adults, tweens and teens. One of which is Netsmartz.org. And another, brought to you by Netsmartz.org is called NSteens. The site, which is also in Spanish, educates teens and 'tweens on how to be safe and smart on the web.

Much the info is very basic (Don't use your real name or address. Be careful about the photos and stories you post online.) but that's exactly what alot of kids need to know. The basics. Just those few tips can go a long way. The site contains videos, comics, interviews with other kids and a design and layout that's very user friendly.

And it also addresses issues like "if you set your page to private, is it really private?" It also addresses the consequences of posting stories that make you look bad. (These days college admissions people and business will check personal pages. Are they going to get the wrong impression?)

The advice is actually very good for alot of us adults out here in cyberspace. It was fun spending time on the site. And its definitely a great resource for parents of kids who into social media.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Monday Giveaway with J&J

2009-02-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

The people at Johnson & Johnson have much to celebrate these days. As of 2009, they’ve been helping parents take care of their babies for 50 years. Plus, they’ve also recently launched two new products from the No More Tears line. There’s now a Johnson’s Bubble Bath & Wash as well as a Head-to-Toe Foaming Wash.

Need to stock up on some baby supplies? Or know someone who does? Johnson & Johnson is giving away a gift basket of goodies to one lucky Midwestern Mommy reader. Simply leave a comment on this post. As always, the contest is open to people 18 years and older. Contest ends the evening of February 7. Feel free to pop over to Midwestern Mommy in order to increase your chance of winning.

Green is good (Green Works wipes? Even better!)

2009-02-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

A trusty little package from Clorox couldn't have come at a better time. Recently we had some company over. The arrangements were made at the very last minute. The house was a wreck. And when I started thinking about clean up duty? I remembered this marvelous little package of Green Works wipes I'd gotten the day before.

Personally, I use alot of wipe products because they are quick and easy. And since Green Works products started appearing on Target stores, I've been buying more and more of the product lines. So I was happy to try Green Works wipes. Like wipes from some other brands, these are great to clean surfaces like door knobs, light switches, faucets, sinks, and toilet seats.

The Green Works wipes can be used on surfaces you wouldn't traditionally think about as well. Like your leather couch. (You know, when you find your child didn't listen to the "no food in the living room" rule, snuck off to watch tv and accidentally spilled yogurt all over the leather couch.) Or wooden banisters or to even spot clean hardwood floors. There's no bleach so there's no stripping of the material or wood.

Oh, and there's no residue left behind either! So if you want to clean your faucets or remote control? You won't have that dry, icky feeling on your fingertips.

While the wipes don't disinfect, I love that they are biodegradable and free of petrochemicals. Plus they aren't tested on animals.

Green Works products can be found at most stores that sell cleaning supplies. (Like my ole fave, Target.)

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

We have winners!

2009-01-31T13:06:00.000-08:00

Remember that Pizza Hut giveaway from last week? Well, we have winners! Congrats to Maria Joy, Stefani and Shania. If a gift card isn’t claimed by this coming Friday, the alternate, Dawn Taylor, will get a card.

As for the Planetjill giveaway held this past week? Heather won. Congrats

And don’t worry. There’s another giveaway scheduled for Monday. Check back then to see what’s in store.

Earn Your Stripes!

2009-01-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

"If you build it, they will come."

While reading about Kellogg's Frosted Flakes "Earn Your Stripes" program, I couldn't help but think about that famous line from Field of Dreams.

The gist? Kellogg's is calling upon YOU. During the Superbowl on Sunday, a commercial called "Plant a Seed" will focus on how everyone can make a difference in building stronger communities and enriching a child's life. This call to action is part of the Earn Your Stripes (Tm) program.

The message? Kids are filled with a tremendous amount of promise and potential. And we need to give kids a place to REALIZE this. So, 50 fields across the US are to be renovated. What better way to keep families (kids and parents) active and engaged? The hope is that these fields will once again become places of fun and foster a sense of community. Check out this site for more info. (Am assuming the site will be ready by Sunday. So if you don't see much on it now, check back later.)

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Giveaway Monday - Planetjill necklace!

2009-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Planetjill is offering YOU $10.00 off your purchase. Just enter "mommyblog" when you check out of the site.

Earlier this month, I waxed poetic about how much I love, love, LOVE my Planetjill necklace. Seriously, I wanted to shout that out from the roof top. But being it was cold outside and I'm lazy, I took to my computer instead.

Many people expressed an interested in Planetjill jewelery and well... You've spoken. And Planetjill founder Jill Schiff has heard you!

This week she's giving you a chance to win a Planetjill necklace. This one in fact. How SERIOUSLY AWESOME is that?

A bit about this necklace? Sterling silver charm and chain. The square-frame is about dime-sized. The chain is very durable and can withstand a grabby toddler. You chose your favorite photo to be placed inside. Planetjill will take care of the rest. There is a slight weight to the pieces. This is good because your charm will stay in place. Oh and if you've got more than one child (or grandchild or niece or nephew or cherished pet) you'd love to show off? You can always add more charms! Plus the charms are very well sealed. So if you jump in the shower and forget you're wearing your necklace? No worries.

Planetjill has a host a great gift ideas for Valentine's Day for men and women. (Not just photo charms but monogrammed charms and if you check out the "new collection" you'll see ALOT of really great pieces there too.)

Once you see a Planetjill piece you'll become a big fan. But don't just take my word for it. Julia Roberts, Maria Shriver, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, Reese Witherspoon, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Cher, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Mariska Hargitay and Joely Fisher are also huge fans too!

TO ENTER: Leave a comment here or at Midwestern Mommy (Or leave a comment in both places to increase your chance of winning.) Anyone 18 years old age and older can enter. Winner will be drawn Feb. 1 and notified via email.

This week Bloggy Giveaways is hosting a Blog Carnival. Go to their site for a gigantic list of cool stuff other bloggers are also giving away.

The DC 24 want to share their Inauguration Day experience with YOU!

2009-01-23T10:43:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, more than one million people filled the Washington Mall to watch President Obama be sworn in as our 44th leader and first African American President.

Twenty four of the people lucky enough to witness the event were fifth and sixth graders from the Frazier Preparatory Academy in downtown Chicago. The kids are known as the DC 24.

Luckily for those of us who didn't get to go, the kids have blogged and posted videos of their experiences at Share My Inauguration, sponsored by The McCormick Foundation. We can live vicariously through them! They've gotten a chance to see the city, test their reporting skills by speaking with other people at the inauguration and even interview Robin Roberts of Good Morning America.

The site also lets you get to know a bit about these kiddos. The 24 were chosen based on "a written essay, grades, test scores, an oral interview, and citizenship", according to the site. After being selected, "students participated in a weekly civics course where they learned more about the Constitution, our election process and African-American history."

Check out the site. Its very uplifting. I don't know these children but I'm so proud of them for what they've achieved. No doubt, this is an experience they'll all share with their own grandchildren someday.

This post was written on behalf on MomCentral.com.

Greatest Snow on Earth? Indeed!

2009-01-20T12:54:00.001-08:00

The first time I skied, I hated it. We'd gone to Lake Tahoe. The snow had melted the day before. The green routes had been packed down from everyone skiing on them. And then it refroze. So my first experience wasn't much more than falling down repeatedly on a very high, icy mountain. I ended up breaking my tailbone. Yeah, not fun.

I didn't really want to go ever again. But the hubby, who LOVES to ski, talked me into trying it again. This time we went to Park City Utah. I still have a t-shirt from that trip that says "The Best Snow on Earth." The skiing was pretty great. So, yes I think they have a right to brag.

We'd decided on the Park City trip as we watched kindergartners zigged and zagged effortlessly down the mountain, that we'd take our kids skiing someday. We wanted to get our kids started early so they'd feel comfortable on the skis and slopes. We planned to go every year. But then we had a child. Reality (and the cost of raising a child) slapped us upside the head. We decided we'd try to go every other year.

So while we've taken our son skiing to other places, it just hasn't been the same as our Park City experience. We were planning a trip this year to Park City but then I found out I was pregnant. (And skiing at least for me, is prohibited.) So we eagerly await next year's trip.

If you or the kids are new to skiing? There are some wonderful, patient (and HOT) ski instructors. The are even kiddie ski schools that will keep the kids busy with lessons while you tackle some blacks. (Or greens in my case.) And there are many a fabulous restaurant. This is good because after a great day of skiing? You tend to come off the mountain HUNGRY.

If you are are looking to plan a Park City vacation (or want to just dream about one for now) visit this cool adventure blog written by women who have a passion for Park City. You can get lots of info on lessons for you and the kids, other activities, (there's tons to do) resort services, snow reports and tips for making the most out of your trip.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com.

Three $20 Pizza Hut gift cards up for grabs!

2009-01-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

When Pizza Hut announced their new All Natural pizza, made with a multi-grain, hand-tossed crusts, all natural meats, cheeses and a sauce from vine-ripened tomatoes, I was pretty excited. We love Pizza Hut. But I do feel a bit guilty some times after I place an order. I often thought it would be awesome if someone could make a healthier pizza.

Well, I'm guessing Pizza Hut had other customers with the same ideas. (Only those people must have expressed that sentiment, unlike me.) And viola -- a healthier alternative!

We tried Pizza Hut's newest product last week. In fact, since it was just Seth and myself, we ordered a half cheese and half sausage/mushroom pizza. Seth wolfed his pieces down in record time. This very picky, first grader deemed it "awesome".

The All-Natural pizza didn't seem as greasy as the typical Pizza Hut pizzas we've ordered in the past. Overall, the All Natural tastes alot like the others. (The meat seemed slightly saltier to me.) So at least you know you won't be sacrificing taste for health. (Click here for nutritional info.)

Unfortunately, there was only three pieces left by the time we finished. Seth awoke early the
next day to eat his remaining piece for breakfast. I'd put my remaining slices in the freezer and had Pizza Hut for lunch today. Hmmmm. Just like the regular stuff, it freezes well and tastes pretty good when it is reheated.

Pizza Hut wants YOU to try their new pizzas. So I’m giving out $20 gift cards to three winners. Just leave your name and email addy in the comments section. (And if you want a second chance to win, go to Midwestern Mommy and leave a comment there as well.) Entrants must be 18 and older and this giveaway is for those in the US. You’ve got until Saturday evening (Jan. 24th) to enter. A winner will be notified on Sunday.

Move over chips, Mama's got a new bag (of snacks!)

2009-01-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Kellogg's Special K line has two very, very tasty new snack products out. And just in time for those who might be tempted to toss that New Year's resolution to eat healthy or lose weight.

I was recently sent some Special K Italian Herb crackers as well as the Special K Multi-Grain crackers. I gotta tell you. Oh. My. Gawd. I LOVE these crackers.

The Multi-Grain crackers were packaged in single servings. One bag of the slightly sweet, yet salty and buttery tasting crackers contains 90 calories. My son even liked these. In fact, the crackers were is snack of choice. So he took these to school three times. And one day, when he wanted to take his lunch, I was out of bread. These crackers were a great substitute. Add a cheese stick, grapes, a milk and a cookie? You've got a nutritious lunch that takes a minute to throw together.

He wasn't as thrilled with the Italian Herb crackers but that was entirely ok by me. The taste of these crackers remind me of tomato soup. Only you get a satisfying crunch too. The flavor is zesty but not overpowering.

And actually? I had a really difficult time trying to eat only one serving. I wanted to keep eating, and eating, and eating. (And well, I did just keep eating, and eating and eating.) But hey, they too are loaded with eight grams of whole grains a serving. So its healthier and? You'll stay full longer.

My ob/gyn recently told me that in order to offset the first trimester nausea, its helpful to eat something at night before bed. I don't want to gain 60+ pounds like I did my last pregnancy, so these are the products I've been snacking on at night.

Sadly, I just finished off both boxes late last week. But both products are on this week's grocery list. Move over potato chips. Mama's got a new bag! (Of crunchy snacks.)

Blogger was compensated to write this post. The post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com.

Manage your meds with the help of Drugs.com

2009-01-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

Although I have been compensated to write this post, that fact did not affect my opinion of this service.

When I found out I was pregnant, I started panicking. Had the medications I'd been taking affected the newly growing fetus? If so, how? (Oh, my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!) It took awhile to wade through all of the info on two of the allergy meds. And what about the Ambien? Plus I take a pill for hypothyroidism. And what about the medicine I'd taken a few days ago for a nasty migraine? (Insert a bunch of "Oh my God's" here too!)

I would have LOVED to have been able to go to ONE website to get straight answers on this big issue. (Especially since I was getting conflicting info on several sites.) That was before I found out about Drugs.com

Drugs.com is a site that can help you manage your family's and your medications. Registering is free and easy. And once you set up your account, you can begin listing your meds. (You don't have to know exactly how to spell the med -- type in the first few letters, and a list of meds pops out.) Chose your med, enter the dosage amount as well as a few other details. Then viola! A new page will pop up listing lots of important information about the drug as well as any known warnings and news articles for the product.

For example, I input my Armour thyroid medicine. And immediately found there are several other medications used for hypothyroidism as well. Course when I saw the user rating, I was happy to find my medication had the highest rating. (I had been wondering if I should switch to a different medication but I guess not!)

And if there are medications you are thinking about using but want to research first? You can do so here. Also, the service isn't just for prescription meds. You can obtain information on over-the-counter medications as well. (So if you're curious about that Benedryl...)

Often, when I'm at the pharmacist, I'm in a rush as is the pharmacist. Drugs.com is a great way to get the info I need, when I can take the time to do my research.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com.

Superbowl Prize Pack

2009-01-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

You gotta love Super Bowl parties. Lots of friends, food, and football. Pepsi and Frito Lay have joined forces to create a Super Bowl Party Pack jammed with tons of cool stuff. The kit, valued at about $250.00 contains:

• 1 football
• 1 beverage pail
• 1 snack helmet
• 2 key chains
• 2 hats
• 2 t-shirts
• 5 Pepsi 24 pack coupons
• 5 Frito Lay coupons

You can give away the t-shirts, hats, or key chains as attendance prizes or keep for yourself. (Personally, I'd be using a keychain and hat to bribe my son to help clean the house before hand.)

I'm giving one pack away. All you have to do is leave a comment here or at http://www.midwesternmommy.com/ between now and noon on Saturday, Jan. 17th. You must be 18 to enter and live in the United States. Winner will be drawn randomly (I write your names on a sheet of paper, deposit into a bowl and my son draws the name.) and notified by January 19th.

Ok. Now that I'm thinking of Frito Lay, I'm thinking potato chips and would some yummy, salty chips taste SO awesome right now? Mmmmm. Oh and a Pepsi. A real Pepsi. A combo of Cola-y sweetness and salt. Mmmmm....

Good luck!

Get fresh and stay fresh

2009-01-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

I hate it when I have to throw out a half a container of grapes or box of cereal. Why? Because if we didn't eat it, that means I just overpaid for that item. And I hate to waste money, energy or food. (I come from generations of German stock who believed efficiency was next to cleanliness and godliness.)

I guess the Ziplock people felt the same way. Not only do they now have a "freshness shield" built into some of their products but they've also created a new feature on their website, called "Shelf-Life 101".

This newest feature gives you an idea of how long certain foods stay fresh as well as tips on how to keep your food as fresh as possible. How cool is that! (Especially with rising grocery costs and dwindling disposable income.) Check out this neat little page here and look in the lefthand column.

Let Safeway reward you!

2008-12-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

Recently my husband and I were discussing the family budget. I mentioned that (especially this summer when gas prices were crazy) there's less discretionary income this year than last. Just the basics seem to cost more than they did last year.

And shopping for Christmas toys? Does it seem prices increased there too?

Either way we, like alot of other families, are seeking out opportunities were we can get more value for the money. And for those who have Safeway stores in their area? Well you've got an extra opportunity! If you are more inclined to purchase gift cards (like me) you'll be happy to hear that this season, if you buy gift cards, you can double your PowerPump Rewards.

Here's a locator so you can find out if your local Safeway store is participating

Also, earn additional rewards with every $100 you spend on gift cards. And according to their site, more than 300 gift cards count toward earning those PowerPump rewards.

And while you're at Safeway's site take a gander at the recipies, party planning tips, and even holiday activity ideas. (The kids are out of school for the holiday. Let's face it, you need SOMETHING to keep them occupied.) And if you need grocery delivery? They got your back there too!

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Winner of Pilsbury giveaway

2008-12-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Pilsbury giveaway is Stacy!

Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who has been participating in the giveaways. More are in store for 2009!

Nature's Gate: gateway to healthy beauty products

2008-12-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

Every night before I go to bed, I apply lotion to my hands. This ritual began years ago when my son was itty bitty. My hands had gotten so dry and chapped from all of the handwashing I was doing (thanks to all of those dirty diapers I was changing).

I have a ton of products in my nightstand. But the one I've been using alot these days is Nature's Gate Organic Fruit Blend Body Lotion in Pineapple.

For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, Nature's Gate creates natural, (certified) organic personal care products. Their main goal is to keep your skin healthy by using natural ingredients and connect with communities. How cool is that?

The lotion isn't too thick or creamy. It has a nice consistency that is easily rubbed into the skin, drying quickly. A few minutes after application, I can always tell the lotion is still on my skin but it feels somewhat like a thin protective layer. Some people might not like that but I don't mind at all. But the best aspect for me? Is the smell.

Usually when lotions claim to smell like a fruit, they often smell like a hint of fruit with a heaping helping of chemicals. That is definitely not the case here. This stuff smells so much like real pineapple that after I've applied and and I smell my hands? It almost makes me want to bite my hand off. Yeah. That good.

Another cool component is that the company is working with WaterAid to provide Asian and African communities with clean drinking water. Plus, the products are paraben free, Phthalate free, and there's no animal testing.

Go to Nature's Gate website for a full listing of product lines, where to buy and more about the company's vision.

New Monday Giveaway!

2008-12-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

Just in time for that big holiday family meal! I've got a Pillsbury gift package featuring:

*Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts,
*Two 9-inch glass pie pans
* A pie server,
* Pie-top cut-outs
* A CD-ROM with photos and recipes of Pillsbury pie favorites!

The Pillsbury peeps want to remind you that pies are a classic dessert to any holiday meal. And they don't have to involve alot of time and effort.

Leave a comment with your email address. Anyone can enter. (As in this isn't just open to those in the United States.) Just do so by Saturday Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. The winner will be notified that weekend. Anyone above the age of 18 can enter.

MomCentral's guide to gifts

2008-12-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

Some people were born to shop. Some people have this knack of being able to pinpoint the perfect gift for any person. Some people can sniff out a bargain from a mile away.

I don't fall into any of these categories. I'm always struggling for ideas. I usually take the lazy way out and get gift cards for everyone. But this year? I've got MomCentral's gift guide to point me in the right direction.

MomCentrals' gift guide is organized into several categories like "women" "tweens" "toddler" and even "pets". There's even a "giveaway" category.

The site is easy to navigate and pretty responsive. Also, there are ideas for every price range. Wanna spend less than $50 on "him", well they've got you covered. Are you out of gift giving ideas for your teen, but still want to stay within the $100-130 range? MomCentral can offer up some suggestions.

So save yourself some time and mental energy this Christmas season and check out their gift-giving suggestions!

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Positive Spin

2008-12-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

There’s a little girl fairy by the name of Eve
She loves to eat candy and play make-believe
Her wings are multicolored. Her smile is bright
Her heart is big, filled with love and light.

I'll spare you any further rhyming on my part. But suffice to say that I recently reviewed three children's books published by Positive Spin Press. All Hallows Eve, Winter's Eve and Christmas Eve all feature a sweet little fairy by the name of Eve who lives in a fairy glen ("as most fairies do"). The books were written by Lisa Sferlazza Johnson and illustrated by Lisa's husband Tucker Johnson. The Johnson's are also the founders of Positive Spin Press.

Now, for a spot of info about each book:

*Hallow's Eve - The little fairy, who loves candy is sad that she can magically make any on her own. Her friend Jack comes up with a solution. They set about the glen, visiting houses, collecting treats on Eve's behalf. When presented with the candy, Eve is thrilled and remembers the toys she's made and gives each fair a shiny new toy.

* Winter's Eve - Eve's little glen appears to be a very diverse community! Eve's friend's observe various winter holidays within their cultures. As her friends travel they send Eve messages, letting her know where they are and a bit about how they are celebrating.

*Christmas Eve - Santa needs some help and asks Eve for some assistance. But Eve is worried. Her talents lie in magically creating small toys. Santa comforts her by letting her know that it is not the size or grandness of the gift but of the spirit intended. He mentions the birth of Jesus and the inspiration behind the Wright Brothers.

The main character Eve is endearing. I think alot of children can identify with her innocence, and
vulnerability. I do like her generous spirit. My son liked Eve because she reminds him of Chloe and Natalie, two little neighbor girls he's good friends with.

The story lines are cute and creative. But there are times where the rhymes felt a bit awkward. (Although the idea to tell the tale in a rhyming style is an interesting one.)

Overall, my little guy enjoyed the stories. His favorite (and mine as well) has been the Halloween story. Although I did like how Winter's Eve ended up giving us the opportunity to discuss the idea of diversity and how important it is to respect other people and their cultures.

If you're looking for more information about the author and the books, visit this site.

This review was written on behalf of ParentBloggers.

Shop till your keyboard drops.

2008-12-09T08:22:00.000-08:00

So I'm browsing through Shop.com, and then it hits me. This is a very dangerous site.

I say that with love, people. As in, they have EVERY-freaking-THING you could think to buy on one site. Different lines of make-up? Check. Electronics? Check. Shoes? Check.

SHOP.com is on-line, one-stop shopping site that provides thousands of products from thousands of merchants. This means you can forgo the crowds, lines and screaming children you'd typically have to tolerate were you to leave your warm, cozy house. (Plus, if you're not at the mall, its much easier to avoid the siren call of those cookie, pretzel and ice cream places.)

First I started searching and comparing prices for some of my favorite beauty products. Then I went on to find tons of yoga dvd's and boys' pants. After a bit, I started searching for random items to see if they have them. Input "stapler" and you'll get 1172 matches. Try "pickles" and you'll find all sort of items -- from cookbooks, t-shirts and party invitations to children's books and everything in between. (And different kinds of pickles too.) Oh, if the bird in your life is bored? They sell bird toys. (In fact there were 947 matches for that search.)

They have everything but the kitchen sink. Oh wait, the DO sell kitchen sinks!

But Shop.com also has a plethora of other features. There are links to weekly deals, holiday music, listings of merchants that offer free shipping, coupons and contests. If you click on "my shop" they can provide shopping ideas, keep track of your purchases and make product recommendations.

The site is well-organized, easy to navigate through and responsive. And I had a fun on-line experience. After awhile I did find ONE thing they didn't seem to have. That would be "prairie dog decor". But I won't hold that against them.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Word World Giveaway Winner

2008-12-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

The winner for the Word World giveaway is... Ashley.

Thanks for leaving a comment everyone. There's more giveaways set up for this month. Stay tuned for those!

"True North" wants to hear your story

2008-12-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

The gymnasium of my high school was packed that day in May of 1991. There was a sea of purple gowns with matching hats and gold tassels. Proud parents and grandparents sat on bleachers fanning themselves. The back doors were open to let in air, yet revealed a promising sunny day.

At the podium, our superintendent gave a speech. I still tear up when I think of it today. He said we needed to be true to ourselves. We needed to find our "true north". It really resonated with me and its been that little piece of advice that I've always kept in my heart.

For some people, following their "true north" can result in an amazing journey that can inspire others or leave the world a much brighter place. It doesn't have to be the story of one person, it can involve a number of people.

Have you found your "true north"? Do you have an interesting story to share? True North wants to hear! Visit this site. Tell your story in less than 300 words. And if chosen, your story could be made into a 60 second video to be shared on Oscar night (February 22). Here are the legal terms and the questions most commonly asked.

Good luck!

The post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Easy way to make saving a Priority

2008-12-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

I went Christmas shopping for my son, nephews and niece yesterday.

Is it me or have you experience "sticker shock" at the register too? I paid the bill then checked the receipt in the car. No mistakes. It really WAS that much money. And quite honestly? I didn't get much for the amount I spent.

But it seems this has become the new "normal" -- whether it is in the grocery store, Christmas shopping or paying the doctor or dental bills.

But there's a website that can help lessen the financial load. You can earn and redeem points for travel and hotel stays. And you can do the same when it comes to those holiday gifts and eating out. The program? Priority Club Rewards.

Priority Club has partnered with a number of hotels, airlines, rental car companies and a plethora of major online retailers like Target and Old Navy. The premise is easy. You sign up. And when you spend, you earn points that you can use later.

According the the site, redeeming points is easy and there are many ways to earn extra points without having to spend extra cash. Plus, points don't expire and there aren't any blackout dates. To find out how you can start saving NOW, go to www.priorityclub.com. (This could be a very easy way to fund next year's holiday shopping!)

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Word World giveaway! (And review too!)

2008-12-01T16:18:00.000-08:00

From the first few minutes of watching Word World, my son was hooked. His eyes grew big. He sat still and watched the entire episode. This was a very big deal. This child isn't one to sit still.

The show became one of his daily favorites. After a few episodes he started pointing out different words when we'd read. I'd ask, "where did you learn that word?" He'd say, "When I was watching Word World." Awesome!

This is why Word World holds a special place in my heart. The characters are lovable, the story lines are cute and the song for the show is snappy. ("Let's Build a Word!") Many of the objects within the story are made out of letters. For instance, see the dog in this photo? His face is the "D" and the rest of his body is the "o" and "g." They do this with the characters and even places where the friends live like "Log" and "Barn". Creative, yes? So when given the opportunity to review a few of their products, I was all, "yeehaw!"

We were sent both the Word World Pull-Apart WordFriend plush cow and pig. (Upon opening the boxes, my son immediately grabbed them and ran to his room.) The fabric of each animal is soft and smooth. The eyes of the characters are securely fastened, the stitching is strong. And magnets, which are sewn in, are strong enough to attract the letters needed. Plus there's a bonus DVD included with each animal.

The animals are meant for kids three and older. At first I wondered why. These are durable little toys. But my guess is that the manufacturers have to exercise caution. But its a cute toy that looks as if it can easily be thrown in the wash when necessary.

We were also sent the Word World Bucket Set for the House. (They also have a barn set.) This has been one of those toys I was holding off on opening. But my son was begging and begging me to open it. Once I got the go-ahead from the pr company (I wasn't quite sure this was for us.), I opened it up. Seth immersed himself into project and started building with nary a request for food, drink, or anything else. (Which is highly uncommon.) I helped him with a few parts and we had a lovely time building the fence and attaching the slide to the

The toys are aimed getting children ages three to five. But even older kids (like my son who's six) get a kick out of the toys. The toys are sold at Target.

Win some Word World Mega Blocks for the budding reader in YOUR life! Just leave a comment (along with your email addy) here between now and Sunday (Dec. 7) at noon. Anyone can enter.

Lands End Giveaway Winner

2008-11-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

Congrats to out to Tuesday Girl. She won the most recent Lands' End giveaway.

But fear not, there's a new giveaway this week. And its got something to do with Word World.

P.S. Lands' End is having a little sale - check out their St. Nick's Pick!

What do Wii think of Littlest Pet Shop?

2008-11-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

Littlest Pet Shop seems to be all the rage these days. Although my son hasn't gone crazy over the toys like alot of other kids, he has expressed an interest. So when Parent Bloggers Network was asking for people to review this game, made my Electronic Arts, I figured, he'd be very interested.

I mean, the Littlest Pet Shop is a game where you can take care of and dress your pet. (And no housetraining!) YOU get to choose and there are so many options. He LOVES creating different Mii’s and naming them on the Wii. He and his friends love to see who can make the ugliest Mii and change the features of each other’s Mii. This would be right up his alley, yes?

At first he was very excited. The characters and sound effects are cute, the game's colors are vivid. Seth really got a kick out of naming his pets and choosing accessories at first. We were having lots of fun with the game until a navigational issue frustrated the boy. The boy does not do well with frustration and quickly gave up. I couldn't figure out how the screen worked either. So at that point, he lost interest and wanted to play his old favorite, boxing.

But unlike boxing, a game that gets my child all riled up, this is one of those games where you can sit down with your child, talk and play. And with 32 pets to collect and name as well as feed and dressed? There’s lots to do. I can completely understand its appeal.

I'm sorry to say that my little guy didn't get as much out of the game as I'd hoped. But I'm thinking this is an excellent game to pull out the next time he has a playdate who IS into Littlest Pet Shop. (Sometimes another kid's enthusiasm rubs off on the boy.) And if you've got a youngster in your life who's wild about these little creatures and has a Wii? This would be a good bet. The game retails for about $39.79 on Amazon.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network. For more reviews, go here for a list.

Lands' End Giveaway (And the scoop on a few of their products too!)

2008-11-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

As soon as it arrived, I knew exactly what it was. And I knew my son would be thrilled. "It" was a big box from Lands' End. The item I knew he'd go crazy over was the Wheeled Duffel Bag. (I wondered what he'd think of the Kids' slippers too. But I'll get to the slippers later.)

My boy has a thing for luggage. BIGTIME. He loves to travel. So on those days where his wanderlust kicks in but there's no place to wander? He'll pull a wheeled suit cases around the house, his a toy lap top computer slung across his shoulder and announce he's going on a business trip. Like dad.

While the duffel bag is targeted toward grown-ups, my little guy saw bag and claimed it as HIS . Then he started "packing." He shoved a number of Star Wars toys into it along with stuffed animals, a few stickers, a juice box and one pair of pants then declared himself ready to go on a trip.

From a parental perspective? The material and stitching on the duffel seem very durable. The wheels roll smoothly and the handle is very solid. Actually, you can press a button to allow the handle to turn with your wrist. This is helpful when it comes to lugging your bag through an airport and over curbing.

The bag is roomy. Even with all of the junk Seth "packed" it still looked rather empty. I think we could actually fit the boy in the bag. (Smuggle him on board and save a few bucks on air fare. Sweet!)

I wouldn't recommend stowing your lap top in the duffel bag or any breakables. But a bag like this is ideal when you're trying to cram alot of casual clothes into one bag. (I don't think a full bag would fit into an overhead bin though. I could be wrong.)

As for the Kids' Fleece Slippers? He loves them. There's all sorts of designs for boys and girls. Not just animals like penguins and bears but other cute designs. I thought perhaps he'd find the animal design "babyish" but he found them amusing and fun. The fleece fabric make them soft, warm and comfy. Plus? the bottoms of the slippers have some traction to help with the "slip and slide" issue.

Women 's Re g ular Terry Travel Slippers with Bag comes in four colors and includes a cute little pouch in which to store your shoes. The material is soft on the outside and inside. But I have to tell you, they didn't "wow" me. In fact, while they did fit snuggly around my foot, they dug into my heel as I walked. I had to take them off after wearing them for awhile because they were getting uncomfortable. (If I was sitting, it was ok. They kept my feet warm. I just don't do much sitting.)

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Lands' End is giving YOU the chance to win your choice of these three products. Leave a comment with your email address. Anyone can enter. (As in this isn't just open to those in the United States.) Just do so by Saturday, Nov. 29 at noon. The winner will be notified that weekend.

Winner of Winnie the Pooh movie giveaway

2008-11-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

Remember this past week's giveaway? Here are the winners: Abbey -- Tigger and Pooh's Super Sleuth Christmas Movie. Amanda Sue and Mandee -- Friendly Tails movie.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to all who left a comment. This coming week we've got some Lands' End stuff to giveaway. Stay tuned...

Obagi Skin care

2008-11-19T20:55:00.000-08:00

You know what was really stupid on my part? Spending much of my teen years and 20's in the sun and/or tanning booths -- all for the pursuit of a golden tan.

I'm paying for that now... So recently, I decided to get a few photofacial treatments. I showed up excited by the vision of clear, beautiful, even-colored skin that would be mine! All mine! Imagine my dismay when I was told I couldn't start my session -- the antibiotic I'd been taking would make my skin super sensitive which could result in blisters and scaring. Oy.

But that's ok. Because for the next few weeks, I've got a new little something in my skincare arsenal -- Obagi's Condition and Enhance line, And while I'm just starting the product now, I can't tell you exactly what I think just yet except that I like how the products have the step numbers on it. And so far, my favorite product is the creamy sunscreen.

But you'll have to check back in a few weeks. I may even have "before" and "after" photos.

Three Disney DVD's = Three Winners!

2008-11-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

This week we've got two dvd's little ones will love. Two winners will be selected for Disney's My Friends Tig ger & Pooh: Friendly Tails. One person will win Disney's My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Sup er Slueth Christmas Movie. You can enter to win these for your own brood or you save them as Christmas gifts. Its all up to you.

Just leave a comment with your e-mail address to enter. (This contest is for those living in the United States only.) A winner will be drawn by noon on Saturday.

Hot Wheels Keeps Kids Busy (Yeay!)

2008-11-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

My little man's love affair with Hot Wheels began early. He used to carry at least one car everywhere. In fact, a few years ago, while at his an annual check up, the nurse and I realized he was up four pounds from a visit that took place two months prior. And then I noticed a Hot Wheels car in his back pocket. And then another in the side pocket of his cargo pants. Upon further inspection, the nurse and I realized he'd been able to stuff 11 cars in his pants! (Shaving at least three pounds off of his weight.)

So when the opportunity came up to review the newest toys from Hot Wheels, I was practically jumping out of my seat with excitement. Although he hasn't played with his cars lately, I wondered if Mattel’s Hot Wheels Power Loop Stunt Zone and the Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set (shown at left) would re-ignite his interest. The quick answer? Oh yeah, baby!

I would not recommend trying to put the tracks together when its about 5 p.m. and you've been slogging through the day on about four non-consecutive hours of sleep. My brain was dead, I was crabby and the boy was antsy. The directions are basically pictures of the process. But sometimes it was difficult to figure out what part goes where. This made for a tired, crabby, very frustrated mommy. Plus, you are supposed to attach rubber bands to various parts of the track, but the bands are already on. And I kept thinking maybe we were supposed to add extra rubber bands or something because why on earth would they tell you put put these bands in certain areas if the bands are already on?

At one point, I told Seth to wait until Daddy got home from his business trip. So my husband had the "pleasure" of listening to "the boy" beg to finish the project. Marc set to work still smelling like the inside of an airplane, didn't look at the directions once and had it put together in a matter of minutes. (Yeay me for marrying an engineer!) Soon both men were engaged in the action.

In order to get the full effect, you really need more than one car. And certain cars don't work due to varying weight and size. But that was no problem since we have eleven-ity billion of these at the bottom of the toy box. In a nutshell? All three of us thought the tracks very pretty cool - a definite winner if you've got little car-crazy kiddos in your life.

Seth's favorite part? The battery-operated launcher. "It made the coolest swoosh-swoosh noise and the cars bang together and then they shoot out!"

But the best part for me? Seth played with the tracks by himself. This is a big deal since he seems to think that I was put on this earth to entertain him 24/7. But it made my heart melt watching him lose himself in his own little world of Hot Wheels. I had missed that.

This post was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Winner of Pledge and Target giveaway

2008-11-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

Congrats go out to CC and Katie. They won some Pledge and a $25 gift cert to Target. Yeay you guys! Check back on Monday. We've got some DVD's from Disney up for grabs!

Cut with Skil

2008-11-14T01:03:00.000-08:00

Skil has come out with a nifty little gadget just in time for Christmas. It's called a "Lithium Ion Power Cutter - Model #2352-01"

When I was asked to review this product, I was intrigued. So I went to Skil's site to learn more. According to the manufacturer, it weighs less than a pound and can power through all sorts of stuff. The lithium-ion powered battery can maintain a charge for up to 18 months.

At first I tested the product on stuff like wrapping paper which it easily sliced through. I tried cardboard too. No problems there. At that point, I sort of turned into a 12-year-old boy, looking through the house with cutter in hand trying to find something I could cut up out of curiosity. (And I had to resist the temptation to get out an old leather coat just to see if the product really can slice through leather like it promises.)

This would be a great product if you need to cut something that's tough to tear yet very thin like laminated paper, vinyl flooring or wall paper. It even cut through cloth and vinyl blinds. The only issue I came across is that you've got to feed your fabric, box or paper into a very thin opening. (See the picture to catch my drift.) So if you're trying to cut a thick-ish piece of cardboard? Not going to happen. And its not because the blade's not strong enough - but rather because the feeder area is very narrow.

But while I'm thinking of it, the gadget is easy to maneuver. So if you want to cut a curve or a circle, you can do so with ease.

I plan on passing the power cutter along to my mom and dad. While I go out of my way to avoid do-it-yourself projects, they've tackled many a wallpaper and vinyl flooring installation project. I'm thinking they'd love something like this. Plus? They won't have to worry about the blade dulling. (According to the manufacturer, the blade is precision ground hardened steel.)

The tool can be found at Lowe's and retails between $45-55.

Target gift card and Pledge giveaway

2008-11-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Pledge Furniture Polish has been around for years. It is one of those tried and true products that most everyone has in their cleaning arsenal. But did you know Pledge kills up to 84% of allergens found in dust? That's a good thing for those of us with allergies! (Now I'm feeling sort of guilty for not dusting more!)

Pledge and their lovely PR people are giving away 2 prizes this week to Midwestern Mommy Review readers. Both contain a $25 gift cards to Target and a bottle of Pledge (the Dust & Allergen formula and the standard Pledge Furniture Polish). All you have to do is leave a comment to enter. Winner will be chosen Saturday after 3 p.m. and posted on Sunday.

But if you're holding out for bigger winnings? Pledge has created game photo hunt. Each time you play, you are entered to win $5,000. So visit http://www.pledgephotohunt.com/. The game is available until November 30.

Winner of Lands' End giveaway

2008-11-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Brimful Curiosities on winning the Lands' End giveaway.

But check back on Monday for a new giveaway!

Going green... Works!

2008-11-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

“Going green” is now mainstream. This is a great thing, yes? But some people are reluctant to reduce, reuse and recycle because they think this will mean more work for them. And really, who needs MORE work to do?

But going green can be easy. Here’s a few suggestions:

*Buy recycled goods and recyclable goods.

*When you're at the store why don't you pick up some of those energy-saving light bulbs? And if you need some cleaning supplies? Go for more natural cleaners. (Here's where I mention Green Works™ cleaners. Because they are at least 99% natural.)

*And while you’re loading up the cart, think about whether the packaging be used for something else. (Turn a big box into a “robot torso” for your kids. Or props in a play. Or use boxes to pack away holiday decorations.) And when that box is no longer useful, recycle.

*If you’re not using it, why not donate? Lots of charities take donations. And many of these organizations will come to your house and pick up your stuff! Groups like Freecycle and Recycler's Exchange can help rid yourself of no longer used objects. If you're in a Craigslist city, make use of the "free stuff" section. You can give away old baby clothes, that mini-fridge you brought with you to college 15 years ago, or those strange potholders someone gave you for a wedding present.

These a just a few options. But the makers of Clorox and creators behind Greenworks natural cleaners have a quite a few more ideas up their sleeves. That's why they've launched 30 Days to Natural. The premise is that small changes can add up to big rewards for your family and the planet. And they can show you how. You can also read the diaries of three women going green and sign up to get helpful tips and tricks. So go check it out!

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Before you schedule that gyno procedure? Read this first!

2008-11-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but for me? Its always scary finding out that the only recourse to a medical issue is to have surgery. Many a thought bombards me. Like will this truly be the answer? How much pain will I be in afterward? How long before I feel like my normal self?

Fortunately there may be more than one option for many a woman with gynecological problems facing surgery. (Its always good to have options, yes?) So if you learn you're going to need major surgery in order to fix a problem "down under"? Check THIS site before you set up the particulars. (The site includes a glossary of terms, physician finder and patient education topics.)

According to the site, which is created by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the benefits of minimally invasive procedures "include reduced risk of infection, minimized scarring, less blood loss, decreased post-operative pain, and generally quicker recovery time."

So its not surprising that these surgical procedures (especially for gynecological issues) are becoming more and more popular. For instance, did you know a diagnostic tool that uses a miniature telescopic device is used internally to detect issues and inspect internal organs. And? Not only can doctors seek out issues, they can often fix the issues at the same time.

Go to the AAGL's site to learn about your options. As the association says, "Gynecologic care is progressing quickly and it is our goal to keep you informed so you can seek the best care possible."

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Land's End Giveaway (and a Weatherly jacket review too!)

2008-11-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

Until a few weeks ago, I didn't know much about Lands' End other than the fact that my father-in-law loves their shirts. But from what I'd heard about them over the years, Lands' End has built a solid reputation for providing quality products that are practical and comfortable.

So when I was given the opportunity to try the Women's Weatherly Jacket, I was so very interested. Really, what girl can resist a new coat?

The jacket is made of PolarThin™ insulation (for warmth without making a girl look like the Michelin man), fleece-lined patch outer pockets with side-entry handwarmer pockets and inside pockets too. Plus? Lands' End boasts that this coat has a temperature rating of -10°/-5° Fahrenheit. (If you layer pieces, the jacket can keep you warm in -10° weather; but if you're wearing one layer, you're covered when temps drop to -5°.)

I was sent the berry-colored coat in medium. (If you aren't familiar with their sizes, medium is considered sizes 10-12.) The coat is very comfortable. And warm. The stitching is durable and the fabric inside and out is nylon. At one point I accidentally spilled some water on the coat but the water beaded up and quickly rolled off! I did check the tag and found this product can easily be washed at home. No extra dry cleaning bill. Yeay!

The coat can also be adjusted to fit various shapes and sizes. You can cinch or expand the waist line, there's a drawstring at the bottom of the coat, and there's Velcro at the bottom of the sleeves so you can adjust the fit around your wrists.

I do like the pockets. But what I like even more is the fact that the pockets don't add bulk. Plus, this coat did keep me comfy on a few cold days we experienced this past week.

Overall, this is a fun, durable coat that's perfect for when you're running errands. I wouldn't pair it with an evening gown but it is a great jacket for jeans, yoga pants or casual days at work.

The coat is normally $59.50 but is now on sale for $49.50. Surprising. Because at first, I assumed it cost more like $75-80.

I'm impressed with the quality of the coat and have been perusing the Lands' End site quite a bit over the past week or so -- especially now that Christmas will be here soon. They've got me hooked.

Here's where I mention that I'm giving away a Lands' End product! Those who live in the United States, leave a comment to win either the Women's Half-Zip Pullover or the Women's Sherpa Fleece. (Winner can choose.) Don't forget to leave an email addy in your comment. Winner will be drawn on Saturday, November 8th after 3 p.m!

Winners

2008-11-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Remember the Chex Mix basket givaway ? It was part of the blog carnival hosted by Bloggy Giveaways. Here are the winners! Angie, Lisa Lmg, and Betty C

The alternate winner (if someone doesn't get back to me with their info by this coming Thursday) is: Ellybean.

Congrats ladies!

Check back on Monday if you'd like to enter a giveaway for a little something (that's pretty great too!) from Land's End.

Stop MRSA Now!

2008-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

My name is Lisa. And I'm a germophobe. I wash my hands ALOT. And I make my son was HIS hands alot. He always complains. And my husband thinks I'm crazy. But then I hear stories like Everly Macario's and I think of that old adage, "better to be safe than sorry."

Years ago, Everly took her son Simon to the emergency room after he began experiencing cold and flu symptoms. But after being discharged he had problems breathing and was re-admitted, this time to the Intensive care unit. He died the next day. Later, it was confirmed he had an antibiotic resistant Staph infection known as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

The infection is typically found in community settings, like gyms, locker rooms, childcare centers and schools. Scarey? Yes!

According to the website, Stop MSRA Now, MRSA can be easily spread through skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated items. But it can be prevented with these steps:

Scrub up - Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds - the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice - or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.
Wipe it down - Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. Make sure to use clean cloths to avoid spreading MRSA from one surface to another. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
Cover your cuts - Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
Keep to yourself - Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.

How do you spot MRSA? According to the site, MRSA, like other staph bacteria, can cause a skin infection such as pimples, rashes, abscesses, boils or what can look like a spider bite. These infections are usually warm, painful, red or swollen.

To find out more, click on this link.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com

Say "boo" to the flu!

2008-10-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday night I missed a party. On Saturday morning, I missed my son's soccer game. And on Saturday night? I missed another get together with some dear friends I'd been longing to see. And all because of the flu.

Yes, its that time of year again. But you can "Say Boo to the Flu!" In a quest to educate families about the importance of flu prevention, Families Fighting Flu, has teamed up with the Visiting Nurse Associations of America in hosting flu vaccination events across the country.

For more information on the program, visit their website (http://www.saybootoflu.com/). You can find flu prevention tips and ways to help kids learn about washing their hands, as well as vaccination information related to your local area.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

1 contest 3 winners!

2008-10-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

"A Basket of Indulgence". Sound good to you? Well, I'm giving THREE away this week as part of the carnival hosted by Bloggy Giveaways.

How do you enter?
Leave me a comment with your name and e-mail. I will contact winners for further info at that time.

What's exactly is in this basket?
Turtle Chex mix bars, chocolate candles, caramel lotion and spa essentials like a loofah, hand massager, nail brush and spa towel.

When do we find out who won?
The drawing will be held between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2

Anything else?
If you are unfamiliar with the new Chex Mix Bars, let me tell you a bit about them. They are a combination of "crunchy Chex pieces, pretzels and peanuts with chewy and indulgent ingredients like caramel and chocolate" -- and less than 150 calories per bar.) Quite honestly? I discovered these recently and fully intend to buy three more boxes today when I go to the grocery store. And I plan to hide them so no one else will eat them because they are that awesome and I'm that greedy.

Want MORE chances to win some other cool prizes?
Go to Bloggy Giveaways for a list of other blogging participants.

Abbey the part labby gets adopted

2008-10-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, (back in January of 1991) a sweet little black and white pointer/lab mix pup was born. Unfortunately, she, her two sisters and mother were abandoned, left to roam their neighborhood with barely anything to eat.

By the time Impact for Animals in St. Louis found them, the precious pooches had worms and other health issues. But the loving people at Impact nursed the puppies and mother back to health. And soon, Abbey found herself being driven to an unfamiliar place called PetSmart. There she and her family sat and watched the people walk by. So many strange smells! All of this excitement made the puppies tired. So the young pretty pup drifted off to sleep with her sisters.

As she dreamed of chasing rabbits, a young blond woman gently picked her up and started to cuddle her. Then the woman handed her to the young man standing beside her. The young pup must have thought the man cute. She gave him a great big lick. He melted.

A few days later, the little pup learned she was getting adopted. She had a "forever" home now. She was a bit scared those first few days but soon got very used to sleeping on the bed with her parents, going for long walks, and riding in the convertible. She liked driving in the car best when there was a trip to McDonald's involved. Her name is Abbey. And I can't imagine life without her.

Now, almost 11 years later, Abbey dog still loves car rides, McDonald's, long walks and sleeping in bed with her family. She also enjoys chasing squirrels and rabbits out of the back yard and scaring the crap out of delivery/mail people with her ferocious-sounding bark.

After three years of being the only baby, Abbey became a big sister too. Some days she loves her hairless brother. Other days, she wishes she could send him back to where he was originally. But all in all, Abbeydog is surrounded by love.

(But if you're not yet ready for a real, live pooch, check out Burger King's iDogs. Kids get them as part of the Club BK toys.)

Parent Bloggers wants to hear all about your pets. So post sometime this weekend (Oct. 24-26) write about your pets. Include links to http://www.clubbk.com/ and http://blog.parentbloggers.com/. The following blurb should also be included: “This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Burger King Corp.”
Then send your post link to parentbloggers@gmail.com.

Oh and by the way?

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Burger King Corp.”

Boots and bowling pins

2008-10-19T14:29:00.001-07:00

Let's talk "man caves" shall we?

While we don't have a mancave at our house, we do have some manly-man items that, if there did exist such a room, would definitely be on prominent display.

Take for instance a beer glass boot. No man cave should be without one! Because beer? Is manly.

And while we're talking beer, most man caves I've seen are usually decorated with at least one beer sign. We have a few Guinness signs. They'd definitely adorn a wall.

And while we're on the kitchy sort of stuff, he'd also probably have a small bar in the corner. On top of the bar would sit a random bowling pin he got from the company he used to work at years ago. I can't remember exactly why he got it. And I have no clue why he kept it, but I would be there.

Oh and Mizzou stuff. There would be PLENTY of Mizzou stuff.

I sort of feel guilty that hubby doesn't have a man cave. He needs one! And at some point, we are planning to convert a section of our basement into a mancave. And then all of those tacky, weird things (like the drinking glass shaped like a penis that I've hidden away so well, even I can't find it anymore. Opps!) the man has collected over the years can "breathe."

Do you have a man cave? If so, what kind of "hidden goodies" lurk inside? Parent Bloggers Network wants to know! Write a post (don't forget the photos) about what kinds of objects are tucked away. (You still have time to post tonight yet this weekend) Also add links to http://shopping.billmelater.com/linkin?pageid=billmelater&s_kwcid=[PBN] and http://blog.parentbloggers.com. Then send your blog post link to parentbloggers@gmail.com. They'll link to your blog and enter you in the drawing for five $100 shopping sprees for use within the Bill Me Later merchant network. That's pretty cool, yes?

Love and Loathe

2008-10-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick and dirty list of some products I've come across recently

I'm loving several products:

* "The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work" by John M. Gottman, Phd. Instead of studying why so many marriages fail, he studies the ones that succeed. He's got some great insights.

*My Ipod. I downloaded a bunch of songs and at bedtime, I chose my "soothing" category and drift off to sleep that way. Just listen to the music and relax. Course its also fun to jam out while on a treadmill or while cleaning. How did I live life without with gadget?

*Dierberg's deli chicken salad. Oh my gosh! I eat it almost every day.

But then there is one service and a few products I'm loathing now too.

*Veolia Environmental Services. Do you HAVE to keep changing dates of the recycle, trash, lawn waste pick up? I can't keep track anymore. And your customer service is sucking hard! Yesterday I called four times only to be perpetually stuck in automated hell. Apparently, whenever a live person would get to my call, I would get disconnected. I don't know if that was done out of being ornery or if they truly are being inundated by calls. Either way, its obvious I'm not the only pissed off customer.

*Uniden phones. We just bought this phone. The sound quality is horrible. Also, sometimes while you're on a call the sound drops in and out. So you only hear parts of what people are saying. Lovely. What a POS!

*Cardio Pilates with Ana Caban. I've used exercise tapes and dvd's since I was in high school. I like the convenience of being at home. But I get bored after awhile. I've been wanting a different pilates video. And well, this one sucks ass. The pilates part was "meh". But the cardio part is the most boring ever. She does the same four moves, in the same succession over and over and over and over and over. It started to piss me off. Obviously Ana didn't spend much time thinking about choreography for this section. Nothing original here.

*Reebok Stay Ball. The hose of the cheap, poorly constructed pipe easily split before I could plug it into the ball. And the ball must have a leak. There was sand everywhere. What a waste of money. So back to Target I'll go.

There's a round-up of some of the products I've tried recently. Hope it help save you some time.

A carpet cleaning product that hits the spot!

2008-10-01T05:07:00.000-07:00

The people who owned our house previously would probably freak out a bit if they saw the house today. Sure we've made some positive changes to the house. But the boy and the dog haven't been so kind to the existing flooring.

Let's just say this... Little boys + hardwood floors in bathrooms = BAD. (Especially in that "bad aim, pee all over the floor resulting in wood around the toilet getting darker" way. And old lady dog (who's developed a sensitive stomach in the last three years) + cream colored carpet = REALLY BAD.

We have a few old stains on certain areas of carpet in our front rooms, due to Abbey realizing too late that she shouldn't have eaten the grass/dead critter combo meal. I've tried several products on these pesky stains but nothing has worked.

According to Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover's website, the product, "instantly eliminates the toughest carpet stains-even OLD stains! Spot Shot works great on pet stains, coffee, spaghetti sauce, grease and oil, marker, wine and more!"

I was more than intrigued. I was hoping this would be the answer to my prayers... Would Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover stand up to this HUGE challenge or would it falter due to performance anxiety? Let's do a play-by-play.

Living Room: It cleaned up the shadow of an old stain (about 2 yrs old) after two passes. Other products had failed this test completely. I had given up hope of ever getting out this stain.

Dining Room: It cleaned up a few stains the first time around with little effort on my part. These were done within the past six months.

Head of stairs: There was some mystery stain here for a year other cleaners couldn't even soften. Spot Shot took it out easily on the first try. I was floored (pun intended)!

Guest bedroom: About a year ago, Seth spilled children's grape cough syrup all over the floor. The Spot Shot lessened the stain after two passes.

Boy's Room: There is some mystery blue stain on the carpet in Seth's room. Nothing could get the stain out before and whatever it is, has proven to be very stubborn. Now at least a shade or two lighter after two passes of Spot Shot. I might just dry it and try, try again.

So there you have it. Overall, Spot Shot emerged victorious -- it left my carpets looking better than they had before. (In other words it picked up the slack other cleaners left behind.) Plus, the product is non toxic, won't hurt the environment and the bottle can be recycled when emptied. Yeay!

This review was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Woogi World - the place to be?

2008-09-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

When MomCentral put out a call for interested parents to review Woogi World, I was super excited. My son doesn't normally do computer games, but that's mainly because the boy can't seem to sit still for more than 30 seconds. I was hoping that maybe THIS website would capture his attention.

Woogi World is a website for kids filled with all sorts of educational games and ways to earn prizes. A child can chose a Woogi, name him/her, dress him/her and even decorate the Woogi's house (aka wigwam). Plus, there's some great information for parents as well as grandparents. And the site offers "basic internet training" for kids on how to navigate through cyberspace safely. According to the site, children can "safely experiment with and practice behavior in a microcosm that they’ll eventually need to know and display when they explore the much broader, unsecured and precarious online world." Kids can earn extra points for completing this training. Oh and? No advertising of any outside products. No advertising at all, actually.

So what did we think? It started out promising. There's a cute little game your child can play with the mouse while the site downloads. But overall, we found things a bit confusing.

At times, when it asks for user name, we'd enter my son's Woogi name. And when it asks to enter a passcode, I'd enter the one we had set up but it would get rejected. It would ask for an email address but sometimes that didn't work either. Then you are taken to the "Bulletin Board". There wasn't an obvious place for the games. (You have to close the bulletin board window to get to the game area.)

My son also had some frustration with some of the game stuff. All he wanted to do is let the Woogi roam around and explore what was on the site but soon found himself underwhelmed and frustrated. After hearing my son whine, "Mmoooomm. I can't get this to wwwooorrrrkkk" about eight times every five minutes, I'd get frustrated too. And we'd do something else. I went back to the site with him three different times and it was pretty much the same experience each time. (I went to the site several times more but I didn't get much farther than he did.)

But at one point, we did find a great game that we played over and over again. We had to work as a team and it turned into a really fun experience. Basic membership is free and the more advanced is just $6.95 a month.

But for kids like Seth, who aren't big on sitting still? You might want to wait a bit before you sign them up.

This review was written on behalf of MomCentral.

What a circus!

2008-09-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Children of all ages. Welcome. To the greatest show on earth!"

You know what I'm talking about, right? The circus! The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Baby’s Circus to be exact.

And now, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey have created a little something called "Baby's First Circus". The program was created with U.S. parents and babies (12 months old and younger) in mind. If you go to the Ringling Bros site, you can sign up to receive a voucher for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. performance, (valid for any date, any place) as well as a personalized certificate for baby. Sign up the older kiddos and they get a free personalized Ringling Bros. commemorative certificate. Visit the site to participate.

Thanks to the peeps at MomCentral, you an get a 20% discount code for Ringling Bros. performance coming your way. Enter code: MCC. (The code is valid for the circus shows in the following cities:)

Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

Don't forget to check out their website. (We had to keep refreshing the main page because my son loves the train and music!) Click on the "Amazing Animals" section then over to various animals featured to get great factoids. Or spend some time in the "Fun Zone" and play "Clown Cannon" or "CircusFit".

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Do the right thing

2008-09-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

I'd never heard of the Liberty Mutual Responsibility Project until recently through MomCentral. But it sounded interesting. So I took a gander.

According to the website, the project was created after an overwhelming response to a Liberty Mutual commercial about the kindness of strangers. According to the site, "we thought, if one TV spot from Liberty Mutual can get people thinking and talking about responsibility, imagine what could happen if we went a step further? So we created a series of short films, and this website, as an exploration of what it means to do the right thing."

My son and I looked at the site together, watching a few of the shorts. Sometimes the concept of "responsibility" can be difficult to describe. But the site did get us talking. The site lists questions you can ask your child or debate with others and it reinforced some of the ideas we've talked about.

We especially liked "Hot Seat." Anyone who's worked in an office can relate and will get a giggle out of this animated tale of office bunnies who, upon finding themselves in possession of a broken office chair sneakily pawn the chair it off on other unsuspecting worker bunnies.

The website isn't just for parents or kids. It is for everyone. And its a pretty great idea.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Pizza Hut's new pasta (easy-peasy and cheesy!)

2008-09-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our family loves Pizza Hut pizza. So when offered a chance to try their newest pasta dish, "Premium Bacon, Mac 'n Cheese", I was very excited. I mean, who doesn't like free food? Especially when there is minimal clean-up afterwards?

We'd tried another pasta dish by Pizza Hut a few months back. It was ok. But we were especially interested in this newest product. You see, our son LOVES mac 'n cheese from a certain restaurant that the hubby and I despise. We only go there so "the boy" can eat his weight in macaroni. But the quality of the rest of the food the restaurant produces is getting so crappy that we've stopped going there all together. We were hoping he'd love this dish as much or more.

But he didn't. He ate a few bites then whined. (This is not uncommon so Pizza Hut, don't take it personally.) He's not used to the bacon taste. And that's a bummer because the hubby and I really liked this dish. Its very cheesy and the bacon gives it a very nice flavor. We think this boy is just plain strange. Really. Who doesn't like bacon?

This is a great dish to get when you have a casual party and don't want to cook. Order up a few pizzas, a few pasta dishes and make a salad. Easy Peasy. Or for those little kids who love hot dogs and macaroni? Cut up a few dogs and serve mixed in with the cheesy pasta. If you've got little bacon lovers in your family (who also love cheesy noodles) this is a good choice.

The Tuscan pastas are $12.99. The special comes with five breadsticks and feeds a family of four. (Although if you have teen boys who really like pasta? You'd better order an extra pan.)

WIN A GIFT CARD FOR SOME FREE PASTA FROM PIZZA HUT!

Leave a comment here or on my main blog between now and Tuesday letting me know you're interested. I'll choose three winners and Pizza Hut will send you the gift certificate!

Greenlight Greenworks!

2008-08-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Within the past few years there's been a growing focus on energy and waste conservation. Personally? Its uplifting to see that people AND corporations are thinking more about the earth. And they're doing so daily, not just every April 22.

Clorox recently debuted a line of natural cleaners, that according to their website, are "made using plant-based ingredients derived from coconuts, as well as essential oils. The products are formulated using biodegradable ingredients, are packaged in bottles that can be recycled and not tested on animals."

Thanks to MomCentral, I was recently sent a sample of the Green Works Natural Dishwashing Liquid. (Although they also manufacture an all-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner, and toilet bowl cleaner.)

The site claims the dishwashing liquid will cut through greasy messes as well as cooked/baked-on foods. Plus, the dishwashing liquid is available in five scents: Original, Water Lily, Simply Clear, Lemon and Tangerine. (I was sent the Original scent.)

I do like the clean, fresh scent of the Original. For some reason I was expecting a watery consistency, but it feels like other dishwashing liquids. As for cleaning power? Being that I don't do much cooking or baking (the stove and oven don't get much use at our house. But our microwave sure does! Frozen, store-bought lasagna, anyone?), I'm rarely standing over the sink, scrubbing pots. But nonethess, I have gotten to test out this product on a few saucy, greasy messes.

The verdict? I likey! It did cut through the gross. My dishes were squeaky clean with little effort. In fact, I like it better than the other brands I've been using (cough, Ivory, cough, Dawn). I also really like that, according to Clorox's website, "the product line has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for using environmentally preferable chemistry, and carry the EPA’s “Design for Environment” certification logo."

Green Works™ Products The Green Works products range in price from $2.99 to $3.59:

To view their site (which includes tips for "going green", an ingredient list, as well as the science behind this new line of Clorox products.) click HERE.

The review written on behalf of MomCentral.

Josh-approved underwear

2008-08-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Josh, Seth's best friend, is very sweet kid. As we've gotten to know Josh (and his awesome mom, Kathy) over the years, we've learned that Josh's family refers to him as "Hugh" (Hefner) because the child spends more time in his jammies and underwear than his regular clothes.

The boy will strip down as soon as he gets home from school or a playdate. Even when he and Seth get together for playdates, they often change into jammies within the first 20 minutes of getting together.

But recently, Josh's mom was going crazy. Josh is very particular about his jammies and his underwear. (How the clothing fits, the feel of the fabric and whether there are any itchy tags rubbing against his skin.) It was getting to a point where he hated wearing underwear and his mom was buying all sorts of types and brands to accommodate him. (The boy was going commando alot. And being that school is starting soon, she was getting a bit nervous.) So when we got the Hanes package of boxers, boxer briefs and socks, I gave her a pack of the Hanes Classics Tartan Boys Boxers with the Comfort Soft Waistband and said, "Let me know how they work."

According to his mom, Josh is liking the Hanes boxers. The fabric is soft. And while Josh's biggest complaint with the other brands was an ill-fitting waistband, (either too tight or too loose) and not enough room in the thigh area, he didn't experience that problem with the Hanes boxers. In fact, his mom says he fit could easily move around in them. In other words, Josh-tested and Josh-approved. Hanes delivers on their "Comfort Fit Promise". And that's no small-feat.

The deal worked out perfectly because Seth got the Hanes Tagless Boys' Knit Boxers with Comfort Soft Waistband and is quite happy with the fit, colors, and feel of the fabric. Oh and neither type of underwear gaps -- no matter how much they move around.

As for the socks? Well, we've tried those once or twice. With summer in St. Louis, getting Seth to wear socks is alot like trying to give a cat a bath. We're saving those for when the temperature gets a bit cooler.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Tag! You're it! (And Savvy too)

2008-07-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

When Seth was almost three he still wasn't talking. Nor sleeping through the night. Nor able to self soothe. He seemed a bit clumsy and would freak out over the slightest thing, then scream for at least 25 minutes a stretch (many, many times a day). He was highly sensitive to temperatures. And water? And hair cuts? Nightmare.

When I brought some of these issues up to seasoned parents, they'd sort of blow me off and tell me it was normal behavior. A part of me felt like something was askew. I wasn't around kids much so I wasn't sure what was normal behavior versus the something to be alarmed over.

The point? I was totally lost on whether certain behaviors were normal toddler-type behavior or whether they warranted some intervention. It would have been a HUGE help (and comfort) having a website like SavvyQuiz around years ago.

Savvy Quiz is simple and direct. That tan box you see in my sidebar? That's it. You can take quick quizzes, answering various questions to gauge your child's progress. And they are questions I don't remember ever being asked or addressed by the books I'd check. They can measure your child's language development not just only by the vocabulary but by HOW your child communicates. (Example, can you child whisper? Does he or she emphasize certain words when speaking?) And its not just a test for language - there are tests for mathematics, science, social skills, time & space and movement! Oh and you can always save your results and get back to the site when you need to.

If I would have had this resource years ago, I would have been able to print out his answers to various questions within the eight categories. I think this would have been a huge help to the speech therapist and occupational therapists as they would have had a "yard stick" of where Seth was and could have skipped some of the more mundane testing.

But I'm not here just to sing the praises of the Savvy Quiz, (although I'd be happy to devote another thousand words to doing so.) I'm also here to tell you about the Leapfrog TAG website.

The Leapfrog Tag system is so cool, I don't even know where to begin. We were given a "pen" that "reads" the special books, two very popular stories as well as the software. The software (used so you can download stories into your pen) was a snap to install. No issues. Once the information regarding the story is downloaded, your child can point away. And its not just about this little pen reading the story. This little wonder pen, based on what icon your child grazes over, can ask varied questions too, thus checking on your kiddo's comprehension.

Seth loved this project. Since the voice reads once word at a time, he enjoyed not just reading the books and answering questions, but making up his own little sentences or repeating words over and over. He also was able to recognize his site words within the books and was really excited to point those out.

One of the many conversations we had centered around the product, "Hey mom! The computer said, "but." (And then he'd laugh hysterically and swipe over the word again and again and again.)

With all "buts" aside, this is one of those toys he's used quite a bit. But (there's that word again!) that's no surprise because we've cultivated quite a collection of Leap Frog toys over the years. The product definitely earned a "best products reviewed in '08" stamp in our book.

This review was written on behalf of the Parent Bloggers Network. To see more reviews, visit their site.

Poised for anything

2008-07-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

Last year I took my little guy to one of those inflatable playground type places. And when they asked if I'd be jumping, I was all, "Yeehaw. If adults can jump, count me in!" So we get to jumping and whoops -- a bit of leakage. I'm thinking, "Eh. No problem. Go to the bathroom, pee, get back on the jumpy-thingee."

But again, the same thing happened. Its not like I do alot of jumping in my day-to-day life. So I was a bit surprised by this. And guess what? I spent the rest of the visit making up excuses as to why mommy couldn't do anymore jumping -- not like a little boy is going to understand that a mom's bladder gets totally beaten up during pregnancy and often times doesn't make a full recovery.

When it comes to bladder leakage, I've shrugged it off and figured it was just a part of life for us moms. Some have it worse than others. But I've never thought it was something to be embarrassed about. But in talking to other women about this issue? I was amazed to find out this is an incredibly awkward subject for some. In fact, some women experience painful intercourse and pain during bowel movements as well as leakage.

And that's why MomCentral and Poise have teamed up. They are hoping that if enough of us share our stories, others won't feel so alone. And the subject of incontinence won't be the taboo subject it is.

In fact, click on this link to hear Linda's story. She shares some very personal health information. (And mentions that her doctors blew her off for YEARS before she was able to get help. Hey. I can relate to that!) She's the winner of the first ever Poise Passion Award. (She's the middle person in that photo.)

Linda's willingness to talk about her experience and her message of "there IS something you can do about this" is uplifting and inspirational. For more information on bladder control issues and Poise products, visit their website.

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Berry delightful

2008-07-04T12:54:00.000-07:00

"Let's go strawberry picking," was all mom had to say. To my siblings and I, these were sweet, exciting words. We'd quickly change into junky clothes (the kind its ok to stain). We'd beg to leave right then and there. We were like Pavlov's dogs.

We'd drive to the strawberry patch... Row and rows of tantalizing juicy strawberries. We'd chatter away as we picked. Then we'd get home, take off the stems and clean them. Certain bags were frozen so we could enjoy a bit of summer-y sweetness in the cold of winter. Some were put in a big bowl and kept in the fridge for snacking. And others were used for mouth-watering homemade jam.

These strawberry picking times were some of my fondest childhood memories. So its no surprise that any time strawberries are in a store (no matter how expensive) I buy some. Its one of the few fruits my son will eat and one of the few that we'll consume before the food grows moldy.

Why am I sharing this memory? Because NOW is the perfect time of year for strawberries! That's why MomCentral has asked a bunch of bloggers to announce the California Strawberry Commission's blog tour. If you want to know more about the commission, click HERE. (But don't blame ME if you short out your computer from all of the drooling!)

Oh and lest I forget, if you go to THIS SITE, you can find some cool facts about strawberries and even some cool games. (And no, a competition as to who can shove the most strawberries in their mouths isn't one of the ideas included. But if you ARE going to go that route? Don't forget the whip cream!)

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com

Scrub-a-dub

2008-07-01T12:09:00.001-07:00

Like most people, I LOATHE cleaning the bathrooms. Our shower will seriously grow black and orange stuff all over it before I clean it.

Its not the cleaning, per say, but the fumes from so many products. Buy product, get nasty headache free!

So when MomCentral offered a chance to try Scrubbing Bubbles' latest product, I was curious.

But ya know? This is a pretty cool product. This made scrubbing nasty gunk off of tiles and the shower door easy. And that dried hairspray film that gets in the sink and all over the floor? That can be quickly whisked away too! And no fumes! YEAY.

Alot of products leave the skin on your hands feeling very tight and dry afterwards. But since there's a nice little gripper at the top, your skin's not really coming into contact with the chemicals, so this isn't an issue. It is easy to "assemble" - the pad sticks on the gripper and viola! Add water and "get your clean on".

But... I had problems with the pads sticking to the gripper. Granted I've only tried two so far, so this might not be an issue for others. Also, this little device can't fit in between little crevices like the space been the wall and faucet. Or tiny spots between the back of the toilet and wall. But no doubt at some point, they'll invent a product for that too!

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com.

Sun and fun -- Beaches style

2008-06-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

Want a summer vacation that'll be a blast for everyone in the family? Look no further than THIS WEBSITE!

When I started checking out the WonderFALL website, I seriously started drooling! What an amazing adventure for a family! Escape the rigors of daily life and enjoy some family time in The Turks or Jamaica! (I know! I am using too many exclamation points! But its because this sort of vacation looks so awesome!)

The hubby and I had originally looked into this sort of vacation (at a Beaches Resort, no less) just a mere 6 weeks ago. But then we were slapped upside the head with a heaping dose of reality when we looked out the kitchen window at our rotting retaining wall. Oh and then we also remembered how the hubby really needs a different vehicle and the porch needs to be replaced. It will be an expensive summer, but not because we threw financial caution to the wind and went on a luxurious month-long tropical retreat. (Sigh)

But we are definitely making plans for next year. (At least for a week's stay somewhere!) And Beaches Resorts, with their many locations, is a website that's been "favorited".

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.

Roll with it, baby!

2008-06-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I saw a Fruit Roll-Up. I was in fourth grade and in the middle of a bustling cafeteria. A classmate, a few seats down, whipped out the new treat, tore off a chunk and began to nonchalantly chew. I was awed and envious. Throughout my childhood, my mom believed sugar was the enemy. So no Fruit Roll-Ups (or any thing like that) for my siblings and me!

Eventually, I got to try one at a friend's house. I could totally understand the appeal. To this day, Fruit Roll-Ups are still a popular lunchtime treat in schools and at playdates. Now my son's one of those kids happily chomping along with the rest of the bunch.

So when Parent Bloggers Network mentioned a new campaign for a little somethin' called My Fruit Roll-Ups, I was all, "YEEHAW"! The gist? Now you can customize your Fruit Roll-Ups!

The most difficult part of the process? The decision making! Do you want a two-part design or three? What size font? (There are several sizes.) What color font? (There are three colors.) What kind of font? (There are four choices.) What kind of picture would you like? (There are clip-art like pictures for many a holiday or special occasion. There are even a few characters and lots of animals too!)

The website is very responsive so if you want to adjust or change a detail on your work-in-progress, you can quickly do so. There's even a place where you can save your designs to tinker with later on. And ordering is quick and easy.

The animated characters on the website are lively and cute. The accompanying sound effects are fun too. My son got a big kick out of creating his own design. The only thing he had trouble with was the touchpad on MY computer. If an almost 6-year-old can navigate through the design process, that says alot for ease of use, yes?

The product is great for graduations, birthdays and weddings. And since we've got so many bloggers adding to their families, I couldn't help but think... Wouldn't this be a fun treat for kids to design and give out to announce their new status as big brother or sister?

The timing for the campaign couldn't have been more perfect. I ordered them on May 27 and was told they'd get in sometime next week. But we got them June 3 -- just in time for Seth's birthday party with extended family. Plus, he's got enough left to pass out as a birthday treat in summer school.

A box of 30 customized treats costs $29.99 (plus tax, where applicable). Shipping charges and times vary.

Enter to win a FREE box of My Fruit Roll Ups! Leave a comment on this post or the most recent one on Midwestern Mommy. Let us know what you'd design! A winner will be picked at random by Friday morning.

This post was written on behalf of The Parent Bloggers Network.

For cleaner air in your home...

2008-05-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

After many visits to a neurologist and trying a number of medications to prevent migraines, (that failed) someone mentioned a visit to an allergist.

I came. I saw. I got tested. And I was allergic to more than 25 things. And since many of the allergens would "kick in" at different seasons, I'd had year round allergy issues and never really realized it. (And since my allergies were a migraine trigger, I got ALOT of migraines.)

Aside from getting allergy shots, changing the type of bed sheets/pillow sheets I use, vacuuming ALOT and taking allergy medications, I still have issues. That's why I very, very interested in THIS website!

According to the website, the AccuClean Whole Home Air Filtration System "removes up to an unprecedented 99.98% of unwanted particles and allergens from the filtered air in your home." That means all of those little floating causes of misery -- like mold spores, pollen, animal dander and dust mites are removed before they settle on your carpets and flooring.

I have a small air purifier in the master bedroom. I LOVE it. Aside from breathing cleaner air, one of the other benefits I hadn't anticipated (but makes sense now that I think about it) was less dust on the furniture. Hey, less dusting equals more time to do stuff you WANT to do.

But the small purifier we have can't help the entire house. So we do need some sort of system - especially since "the boy" has developed allergies too. This AccuClean Whole Home Air Filtration System is something I definitely plan to check out!

This post was written on behalf of MomCentral.com

Make Dinner "Fresh and Simple"

2008-05-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

You know how it goes -- the evening rush to get home and feed the fam. Well, apparently the people at Ragu are all too familiar with the drill too! Recently, they've come out with a new take on an old favorite. Enter Ragu Fresh and Simple.

Ragu Fresh and Simple is sauce in a pouch that can be heated in 90 seconds then poured over pasta for a quick meal.

Recently MomCentral asked me if I'd give the sauce a try. We love our pasta in these here parts. And we buy ALOT of Ragu. So I was game. The package was small -- about three servings per pouch. So when the hubby was out of town last night, I figured this would be the PERFECT time to try it out. (Like alot of the women with hubbies who frequently travel, I typically don't do much cooking when the hub's out of town.) I boiled some multigrain pasta then poured the All Natural Garden Veggie pasta sauce.

It was... yummy. The flavor has a little bit of a zing to it but overall is pretty mild. And since the sauce came from a pouch, there was no extra pot to clean up. (Any harried mom who's trying to get her dishes done at 10:30 at night will tell you that's a good thing.)

The boy loved the sauce. He's not a big fan of the multigrain pasta, but because of the sauce, he didn't seem to notice the healthier swap. And speaking of healthy --there's a full serving of veggies in every 1/2 cup of sauce. (If your kiddos loathe veggies like mine? You appreciate stuff like that!)

I've got another package of Ragu Fresh and Simple. But I'm saving it for the next time hubby goes out of town. No doubt "the boy" will enjoy the Tomato Basil sauce as much as he did the Garden Veggie.

Oh and did you know? Ragu has created a recipe booklet with bunches of yummy meal planning suggestions and time-saving tips. The FREE booklet (found at http://www.fedourkidswell.com/) includes recipes/tips from Food Network’s Robin Miller, celebrity fitness trainer Kathy Kaehler, and MomCentral's Stacy DeBroff. (I've met Stacy. And if she's involved, its gotta be good!) So take a few minutes to peruse!

This product review was written for MomCentral.

Buy someone a clue - aka "Raised by Wolves"

2008-05-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a very small farming community. As the eldest in a working class family, I was the first of my generation to go to college. At 22, I moved to St. Louis and began working for an engineering/architectural firm. I was living on my own, for the first time, in a city I barely knew. I was working mostly with well-educated men who held high positions and lived affluent lifestyles.

So what does this useless information about me have to do with Christie Mellor, the author of Raised by Wolves: Clues to the Mysteries of Modern Living? Well, as a clueless 20-something who felt completely out of her element, I would have welcomed this book with open arms. Even 13 years later, (and with far more life experience) I STILL welcomed this book with open arms.

Mellor is here to tell you (or anyone you feel needs a clue) how to still save money on a modest income, how to make an "E-Z Bad Boy Bar" and how to be the perfect house guest.

But there's also more than how-to's. There's tips galore! Want to find a bazillion uses for baking soda? Or how about another great use for the safety pin? Or a sure-fire cure to the common hangover? Christie's got the 411.

Overall, I liked the chatty, friendly tone of the book. The writer's style is breezy and humorous. She infuses energy and wit into what could be a very stuffy and staid subject. I just want to invite her to a dinner party at my house, make her "the perfect martini" (yes she covers both areas Raised by Wolves) and tell her that I now make the bed each day because of Chapter One.
Oh and have you seen the illustrations? So darling and fun!

Overall, this book is a great read for the twenty-something set. Even people beyond their 20's will pick up a few hints. I plan on giving my copy to a certain college graduate. (I won't say who!) And I also plan to make Mellor's previous book, The Three-Martini Playdate my next read.

This review was written on behalf of Parent Bloggers Network.

Bugging out -- Discovery Channel's Bug Net Launcher

2008-05-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

When we opened the box and the toy emerged, Seth's eyes grew big. As I explained the premise behind the toy, I could tell by the look on his face. Saying the word "launcher" was all it took -- the boy was in love.

The Bug Net Launcher looks like a futuristic gun. The four safety darts are attached to a mesh net. When you pull the trigger, the darts fly out. This pulls the net over the unsuspecting insect, butterfly, spider, or even toad. (Yes the net is big enough to cover a small toad or frog.) And if you're wondering about spring action? Oh yeah. The launcher shoots the darts/net so fast, the critter won't have time to react.

The darts can be difficult to jam back into the gun but determined youngsters will find ways around that once you tire of doing it for them. (Like putting all the darts back into the gun then pushing it up against a hard service like the sidewalk or retaining wall.)

As for "catching" stuff, a good aim and a steady hand helps. But so does a plentiful supply of "specimens" for targets. While Seth has the first two, we've found the bug supply lacking lately. But I'm sure summer will bring a vast amount of insects.

Oh and if you're hosting a playdate of more than one child, be beware. Three boys + one bug launcher = drama. ("Hey, quit hogging the gun! Its MY turn!") Oh and depending on the rambunctiousness of the group, the gun may quickly be used for other, um, endeavors instead of its intended purpose. (Not that I had the latter experience but from watching the older kids running around in our 'hood? Its doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that one out.)

For the kid who practically lives in the backyard, is fascinated by bugs, and has a strong love of "weapons"? This toy (priced at $24.95) is something you'll want to look into -- especially since we're on the cusps of summer.

This review was written on behalf of The Parent Bloggers Network. For more reviews on this product, go here.

Pasta at Pizza Hut? (Yes siree)

2008-05-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

Pizza Hut recently debuted an alternative to their pizza -- Tuscani Pastas. If you happen to catch any sort of television programs during the dinner hours then you've probably seen the commercials of hot, steaming, tantalizing pasta. You might have even drooled a little.

The meal (that's supposed to feed a family of four), also includes five breadsticks. So you get a hot dish delivered to your door for the price of $11.99. And hey, if you use paper plates? Clean up is easy-peasy. What's not to love about that?

A rep at Pizza Hut contacted me a few weeks ago and offered to have my local Pizza Hut deliver a meal to us. All we had to do is give them a delivery time and specify whether we wanted the "Meaty Marinara" or the "Chicken Alfredo".

At first we chose the chicken but when we hosted a last-minute playdate, we decided to change the order and move up delivery time. I LOVE our local Pizza Hut. The service has always been great. They were very nice about both changes. Dinner was prompty delivered.

What did I think? It was... Ok.

The meal does feed a family of four -- unless you've got teen boys. (At that point, you should probably order a full tray just for two of them.) I was expecting more sauce and cheese. We are a cheezy kind of family, so I ended up adding more shredded cheese. The hubby, son, and playdate ate the dish. They didn't complain but they didn't rave about it either. It was just sort of... there.

The sauce did have a nice amount of meat added. But overall, hubby and I prefer the flavor of a marinara sauce to be more robust. But then again, alot of people (like my parents) who like their food to have a more subtle flavor would really like these pastas.

So what am I saying? Like most products on the market, it has its place. For a quick meal that's delivered to your door that younger kids would eat? (Because typically kids prefer a mild flavor) It is a meal that will work. But if you are looking for a dining experience and want a pasta with more robust flavors? You probably won't enjoy the pastas.

As for us? We might try the chicken dish soon. But when it comes to a fast, cheap, yummy meal delivered to our door? We still prefer our pizza.