A Mom's Balancing Act

Crocs Chameleons Crocband GustBoots Review

2012-02-17T12:33:00.012-06:00

Here in Iowa, we experience many months of bitter cold temps and lots of snow! I could personally live without the winter season and have it be summer all year long, however...my kids absolutely love it!! What kid doesn't love snow, right?! The best part about these snowy, cold months for them, is being able to get outside and sled, build snowmen, make snowballs, etc. Each year we go shopping and make sure each child has the necessities to stay warm while outside this time of year. Coats, mittens, snow pants and hats are usually easy to find...but boots can be difficult. They need something comfortable and warm...which is why I love Crocs!
When talking about winter apparel, you may be surprised to see me mention Crocs. If you're like me, for the longest time I was under the impression that they only sold the Crocs Classic shoes.
It wasn't until I found their website a couple of years ago, that I learned I couldn't have been more wrong! They have an amazing selection to choose from. Whether you're looking for boots, sandals, or something else...they offer unique options for women, men and children!

With winter in full swing, I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review a pair of their boots. After spending quite some time looking through their great options, I decided to go with the Crocs Chameleons Crocband GustBoots in the Fuchsia / Bubblegum color for Kaelyn.
When the boots arrived, both Kaelyn and I were in love with the Fuchsia/Bubblegum colors. It matches her other winter apparel perfectly!
The quality is also something that stood out to me right away. As with the other Crocs footwear we've owned in the past, the materials used are top notch. I can tell they will last through the wear and tear of a lot of use which is great!
Kaelyn has worn these boots several times and always comments on how cozy and comfortable they are to play in outdoors. The Croslite material base offers lightweight comfort, while the durable nylon upper with fill gives the warmth she need. These boots are even lined with a cozy sweatshirt material!

Aside from the comfort and warmth (two very important things when it comes to boots for my kids), these Crocs Chameleons have an extra special feature that makes playing out in the snow even more fun! There's a boot band that changes color (from bubblegum to red) in temperatures at 50ºF/10ºC or less.
As Kaelyn plays outside, she watches for the color to change and thinks it's the neatest thing in the world when it does! This color changing fun is really the highlight of these boots for her! It's a unique feature and one I think most (if not all) kids would really enjoy.
Playing outside this winter has been even more fun thanks to Crocs Chameleons! Kaelyn is able to run around, climb snow hills, etc thanks to the rubber outsole pods that provide additional traction and grip.
We've also liked the hook and loop closure as it makes putting on the boots and taking them off a piece of cake for her to do on her own.
Overall we've been trhilled with the Crocs Chameleons Crocband GustBoots! They are extremely well-made, comfortable, warm and unique with the color-changing band. I would definitely recommend these boots to other parents.

Buy It: You can purchase the Crocs Chameleons Crocband GustBoots for $54.99.

**The product for this review was provided for free by Crocs. However, all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way**

Journal 10+ ~ The unique 10+ year journal/record keeper ~ Review

2012-02-16T13:25:00.001-06:00

Six years ago this month, my Grandfather passed away. We spent much of February cleaning out his house and going through his things. Looking through photo albums, finding family heirlooms, items he had collected over the years, etc...was really fun and brought back so many great memories of the times we were able to spend with him. One of the neatest things we found, was a box full of old journals/planners.
Each year, my Grandpa would get a new planner. He would journal in it each day by jotting down the things he did, the way he was feeling, etc. It was neat to go back 10+ years and read the through his thoughts as well as his day to day life. It was fun reading his thoughts on things he did, for instance...when he attended my wedding, family Christmas', and more.

My family is fortunate to have these journals...they're something we like to look through and will pass down from generation to generation. I now see the importance of keeping a journal, even if it's a short note each day. It's something future generations will appreciate. I would love to do something like this, but didn't want the hassle of having so many journals lying around as the years past. That's why I was extremely excited when I learned about the Journal 10+ and that I was going to have the opportunity to review one!

This product is a 10 year Journal, dated each day for the next ten years! As you can imagine, it's something that has been very popular amongst parents, grandparents, and pretty much anyone interested in recording the details of their lives. I for one think it's fun to jot down the details of my day, as I think it's something my kids will really enjoy reading one day.

When the Journal 10+ arrived, I was impressed with the quality right away. The cover is a leather type material...something that is durable and will last through the wear and tear of daily use. I love how it has such a timeless look...it will definitely make a terrific keepsake!

I love that each day has a small space to jot down the thoughts of the day. It's enough space to write down what I did or how I was feeling without feeling overwhelmed with having to fill an entire blank page. And, on days when I want to write more, there are nice "carry-over" pages in the back of the journal. It takes 5 minutes or less each day, which makes it ideal for busy parents!

As I make each entry, I'm able to see what has been happening from day to day. It will be fun to look back on in years to come. Re-reading triggers memories of people, places and events...those that would otherwise be forgotten.

I've been thrilled to have such a neat journal to write in. This record keeper is like a time capsule and something I want to continue to do over the coming years. The quality is fantastic, and the fact that I can write short thoughts and happenings in just minutes a day is great! It really adds up to being such a neat piece...almost like a time capsule that my children and future generations can enjoy reading through. There are even neat bonus sections (like goals, contacts, etc). I would definitely recommend this to parents, grandparents, etc.
Buy It: You can purchase the Journal 10+ for $29.95 for a 2011-2021 edition or $39.95 for a 2012-2022 edition.
**The product for this review was sent to me free of charge. However, all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Peaceable Kingdom ~ Snug as a Bug in a Rug Review & Giveaway (winner's choice!)

2012-02-13T11:43:00.016-06:00

Almost daily, the kids and I sit down and play games. It's a lot of fun, especially now that Kaden is able to play with us. I enjoy finding simple games that encourage cooperative play, and those that are educational and teach the kids basic skills like counting, colors, shapes, etc. Thankfully, having been introduced to Peaceable Kingdom in the past, I know I can count on them for all of these things and more!
What began in 1983 as a company with a single product (a poster featuring art from the classic children's book Goodnight Moon) has since grown to include more than 5,000 items. Peaceable Kingdom is now a leader in juvenile stickers, greeting cards and games. With a mission to "make good, do good, and be good"... they are dedicated to the following:

we create fresh, fun, award-winning products that educate, inspire, and tickle funny bones
we donate frequently to charitable organizations that support the well-being of children
we are committed to working only with socially-conscious manufacturers
we use sustainable and eco-friendly materials like FSC and recycled papers, soy-based inks, and corn-based plastics whenever we can
we maintain integrity in all business relationships
we have fun while we work!

I have had the opportunity to review a couple of cooperative games from Peaceable Kingdom over the past year, and my kids never get tired of playing them. That's why I was excited when asked if I'd like to review another of their games from their new category, Preschool Skills-Builder Games! This new category features games that concentrate on everyday tasks like cutting with safety scissors, recognizing left from right, etc. The new game titles are Feed The Woozle, Willy’s Wiggly Web and Snug As A Bug In A Rug.
We were sent Snug As A Bug In A Rug to review!
When the game arrived, my kids were immediately drawn to the brightly colored box with fun bugs pictured on the front. I couldn't blame them...I was pretty excited to check out the game too.

As we pulled out the game, I was happy to see that there's little set up. I had two very anxious kids, so the fact that we could get the game up and running in a matter of seconds was great! As I read through the directions, we found that there are three game levels...this means this is a game that actually grows with your child and challenges them at an age appropriate level! Level 1 is for 3-4 years, Level 2 is for 4-5 years and Level 3 for 5-6 years.

Since Kaden who is a bit younger was playing with us, we decided to go with Level 1. To start, we set up the game board (the rug) and placed all the bugs on top (except for the sink bugs!). We then rolled the die to determine which 1 bug attribute we would be matching for the game (color, number, or shape). We rolled color the first couple of times, which worked out perfectly, as that was something both Kaelyn and Kaden could do.

As we each spun the spinner, we had to search for a matching color of bug. Once we found them, we put them under the rug. Once all the bugs are gone, or there are three stink bugs on the rug...the game is over. It's a fun game, because instead of being competitive, it's cooperative. All players play together against a common obstacle, not against each other. Players help each other and one is left out. Everyone wins or loses together which makes it a lot of fun.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my kids play this game. They LOVE it, and I love the fact that they're having fun, while learning so much at the same time. Snug as a Bug in a Rug is a great way for young kids their age to learn colors, numbers, shapes, counting, visual discrimination, the concept of big & little, and more.
I'm really happy we've been introduced to this game and look forward to checking out the other Preschool Skills-Builder Games available at Peaceable Kingdom! As I mentioned, there are three new titles under this category - Feed The Woozle, Willy’s Wiggly Web and Snug As A Bug In A Rug, as well as two new titles under the Cooperative Games cateory - Seeds for the Birds and Race To The Treasure.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win their choice of one of the following games from Peaceable Kingdom:

Feed The Woozle
Snug As A Bug In A Rug
Seeds for the Birds
Race To The Treasure
Willy’s Wiggly Web

Mandatory Entry - Visit Peaceable Kingdom and let me know another item you'd love to have.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Peaceable Kingdom on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Sign up to receive Peaceable Kingdom Emails

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Peaceable Kingdom) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Cooperative Learning Game for kids from Peaceable Kingdom (Winner's Choice!)! http://bit.ly/w7hvyW Ends 2/27

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

10. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway (you can do this once a day, for an extra entry every day).

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 27th and is open to US Only (no PO Boxes)!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided by Peaceable Kingdom. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

Delicious & Easy Pot Roast ~ Crock Pot Recipe

2012-02-09T12:02:00.012-06:00

As a busy mom of three young children, finding the time to make a big meal for supper each night is not always an easy task. I am always looking for easy to prepare meals, that are still delicious and something everyone will like. That's why I love my crockpot! I can throw ingredients in and by suppertime we have a delicious meal!

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I plan on sharing some of the easy recipes I make, and hope you'll share yours in the comments section below. I'm always looking for more recipes, especially crockpot recipes!

My husband loves meat and potato type meals, as do I. We both love a good pot roast, and I appreciate how easy it is to make! I have always made my pot roast in the crockpot, using water and a packet of Onion Soup. Although this has always turned out very good, my hubby and I were ready to try something new. About a month ago, I had been coming across several recipes calling for soda as a substitute for water and thought we'd give it a try.

Ingredients:

1 pot roast (we've used different types of roast, most recently a sirloin tip roast)
1 packet of Lipton Dry Onion Soup Mix
1 can of Dr. Pepper (or any soda you prefer to try)

Directions:

1. Place roast in crock pot
2. Pour packet of onion soup mix and soda over roast
3. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or High for 2 hrs/Low for 6 hrs

I didn't have a can of Dr. Pepper, so I used about 1/2 of a 20 oz bottle of Dr. Pepper instead. It made a nice amount of gravy.

Every time we have this recipe, everyone loves it! The roast is so tender and just falls apart....it's delicious! We serve it with mashed potatoes and the soda gives both the meat and the gravy such great flavor! We have tried root beer in the past as well, however it was too sweet for our liking. The Dr. Pepper has been our favorite by far!

This is such an easy recipe and one everyone enjoys!! As I said, feel free to leave a link or recipe in the comments section below and share some of your favorite recipes with us as well.

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Find It Games ~ Find It On the Farm Review & Giveaway (Winner's Choice!)

2012-02-09T07:13:00.002-06:00

There are many instances when it's important for my kids to find quiet activities to do. Whether it be in church, a long car ride, or even while my 3 month old sleeps...I am always on the lookout for these types of activities for my 4 year old and 2 year old. That's why I love Find It Games!

Founded by husband and wife partners, Bob and Lynn knight in 2003, Find It Games began as a fun family idea at the dinner table. Now grown into a business that has sold over 1 million units, Find It Games is a brand name that is recognized by the best specialty retailers in the industry and found in over 7,000 specialty retail stores such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hallmark, Target, Christian Book and more!

As a child I loved hide and seek, scavenger hunts, etc. My kids are no different! They love to find things, which is why I love the idea of games that help them find hidden objects and spark creativity. That's why I was happy when introduced to Find It Games this past summer and couldn't have been happier when asked to review their new product, Find It On The Farm!
The product is great quality! This Find It Game comes in a clear cylinder shaped like a silo...and is extremely durable and well made. It holds up well to my kids shaking it, twisting it, etc. I can tell it is something that will last us a long time, and for that I am thankful!

This game is recommended for ages 8+, but my kids still really enjoy it! It's the perfect size for little hands and the colorful pellets are very appealing to them. Both kids love the new On The Farm hidden object game and enjoy searching for the 42 different items tucked among the pellets. Everything is packaged inside a silo-shaped cylinder, which makes it all that much more fun! Unlike the last Find It Game we received to review, On The Farm adds more of a challenge, as the items are very close in color to the pellets inside. I can definitely see how this could be something that my kids will enjoy playing with for years to come!

The game comes with a score pad to check off items as you find them. There's also a checklist of all the items on the bottom of the cylinder for when you're in the car, etc. I think these are great for older children as they try to find each item.
One way this could be more geared toward younger children Kaelyn's age who are not reading yet, is an image of each item on the other end of the game and scorecards so they can easily see what objects there are to find and check them off as they go.

Overall we've really enjoyed On The Farm! It's entertaining, portable, great quality, fun, and seems to hold the kids' attention for a very long time. They enjoy the challenge of trying to find the hidden treasures, yet it doesn't become too stressful which is great. Even my husband and I have enjoyed playing it! I would definitely recommend it to families with children of all ages!

Of course this is only one of so many great products found at Find It Games. They are also launching three new jigsaw puzzles, under a collection called Pieces of History, that mimic the “finding” activity of its award-winning and well-recognized contained adventures. The puzzle series targets a significant event familiar to both children and adults. Once the pieces are put in place, the history-themed puzzles offer an instant lesson to children and adults as they read the parchment-like list of hidden items. Each is for Ages 8 and up, and costs $13.

Buy It: You can purchase Find It On The Farm from Find It Games for $23.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win their choice of either the On The Farm game OR one of the jigsaw puzzles mentioned above.

Mandatory Entry - Visit Find It Games and tell me another game you'd love to try.

Extra Entries: Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry - Like Find It Games on Facebook

2. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Find It Games) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

3. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#Win a On The Farm Find It Game OR Choice of jigsaw puzzle from Find It Games! http://bit.ly/xcB8qP Ends 2/23

4. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

5. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

6. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

7. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

8. 1 extra entry - Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 23rd and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**

Winners!

2012-02-08T19:42:00.005-06:00

I have a few winners to announce!

Learning Resources Alpha Pops ~ Commenter 294, Janet W.

Baby Deedee Sleep Nest ~ Commenter 247, Jennifer T.

Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank ~ Commenter 38, fancygrlnancy

Purse Bling Purse-to-Go Zip Up Purse Organizer ~ Commenter 54, Jennifer P.

All winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to confirm their win. Be sure to check out all current giveaways along the sidebar.

Wordless Wednesday ~ 11 Weeks Old

2012-02-08T19:35:00.002-06:00

Our little guy is growing so fast. As with my other two kids, I find myself wishing time would slow down.

Celebrate Express Deluxe Party Pack Review & Giveaway

2012-02-07T13:01:00.013-06:00

All three of our kids have birthdays in the same month. It makes for a busy, and fun time! I begin planning and searching for theme ideas well before the month of their birthdays...and this year was no different. With our little one due just a day after Kaden's birthday, we weren't sure if we'd be in the hospital or not. So, we decided to celebrate Kaelyn and Kaden's birthday together at the beginning of the month with one big party with family and friends.

Since we were celebrating their birthdays together, I wanted to find a theme that would be good for both a boy and a girl, went well together and something they would both love. As I thought about it, Mickey and Minnie came to mind right away. Kaelyn and Kaden LOVE them, and I knew they'd be tickled to have a Mickey and Minnie birthday party.
With the goal of finding everything I'd needed including plates, balloons, etc. all in one place, I turned to Celebrate Express. Their desire is to help busy people celebrate life's special moments. Celebrate Express offers party supplies and costumes all in one convenient location. They currently operate four brands you may be familiar with: Celebrate Express, Birthday Express, 1st Wishes, and Costume Express. We were very happy with the costume we reviewed from Costume Express last month, and couldn't wait to checking out Birthday Express and their birthday supplies for kids! They offer a complete, accessorized product assortment for chidren's birthday parties, and with over 150 different themes to choose from...you're sure to find one that suits your child just perfectly!

You'll find their website to be very user friendly with helpful categories along the side and top, making it easy to quickly search for the things you need. I have visited their website several times, and have had the pleasure to work with Celebrate Express in the past. I couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to work with them once again. We were sent the the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Deluxe Party Pack and the Minnie Mouse Deluxe Party Pack from Birthday Express.

Each party pack included:

8 invitations
dinner plates
cups
forks
spoons
activity placemats
16 napkins
tablecover
centerpiece
foil balloon
18 balloons (3 colors)
crepe paper rolls (3 colors)
curling ribbon (3 colors)
heart confetti (Minnie Mouse Party Pack)
cake candles

When the package arrived, I was impressed with how much each deluxe party pack offered. Everything we could possibly need to make their birthdays absolutely perfect was there! It's so convenient to have it all available in one package. November is a very busy time of year for us between birthdays and holidays, so having everything in one party pack means we don't have to go around buying everything separately. It saves us time and money, while still giving us what we need to put together great parties.
Everything was absolutely adorable. The tablecovers and centerpieces are what really made the theme come alive in my opinion...not to mention the fact taht the kids absolutely loved it!! It was the first thing people saw when they walked into the party.

There were several kids at the party, so having fun placemats with activities for the kids to do on the back was also appreciated. I absolutely love that such thought went into table decorations as well as other necessities for the party. These packages really had everything (and more) that I was looking for!

The cups, plates, napkins, spoons and forks were also included and very nice to have...as we had cake, ice cream and some yummy snacks to serve the guests. We set them right up by the cake to tie the whole theme together.

It was special and exciting for the kids to be eating with colorful silverware and being able to eat of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plates. Even the adults enjoyed it!

As with each year, the balloons were probably the biggest hit of the party. Kaelyn, Kaden and their cousins really enjoyed the bright colors. We had several assortments put together (including the foil balloons which were adorable) and then blew up a bunch and scattered them around the house as well. It's the little things that made the party so much fun!

We were VERY happy with the Mickey Mouse Deluxe Party Pack and Minnie Mouse Deluxe Party Pack! I couldn't have been happier with all that it included. It was created to be convenient for parents, as well as super fun and special for the birthday kids. It made putting together their party so easy, and the result was a fun theme that everyone enjoyed. I will definitely be turning to Celebrate Express again in the future.

Of course, these are just a couple of the many themes offered. With lots to choose from for both girls and boys, you're sure to find something that suits your little one just perfectly! I would highly recommend checking out Birthday Express the next time you're planning a party.

Buy It: You can purchase the Mickey Mouse Deluxe Party Pack for $38.99 and Minnie Mouse Deluxe Party Pack for $39.99.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Deluxe Party Pack in the theme of their choice (up to a $39.99 value)!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Celebrate Express and leave a comment letting me know which theme you might choose if you won.

Extra Entries: Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Celebrate Express on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Celebrate Express on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry- Sign up for the Celebrate Express Email Newsletter (bottom of homepage)

4. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Celebrate Express) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

5. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Deluxe Party Pack (up to $39.99 value) in theme of your choice from @Celebr8Express #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/yWEeMZ Ends 2/20

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 20th and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided at no cost by Celebrate Express. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

Fun Activities for Kids: Mess-free Finger Painting!

2012-02-06T14:50:00.008-06:00

I've been enjoying sharing some of the kids activities and projects I do with my kiddos each week. Feel free to comment with a link to fun activities you're sharing on your blogs (or even if you don't have a blog) as well! We'd love to check them out. :)

The following is an activity I found on Pinterest via The Hippie Housewife a while back and knew I had to try it with my kids. Kaelyn and Kaden LOVE to finger paint, but there are times when the mess is something I don't want to deal with. Thankfully for those days, this activity is a lot of fun and mess-free!

What you will need:

a gallon size Ziploc bag for each child
painters tape
finger paint
white paper

I got out a few colors of paint and asked each of the kids which colors they wanted to paint with. I then squirted a little of each one into the bag and sealed it (making sure the air was out). I then placed a piece of white paper under each Ziploc bag and taped them to the counter like this:
The white piece of paper makes it easy for the kids to see the colors and what they're "painting". I knew they'd have fun, but didn't realize how much they'd LOVE this activity! They enjoyed the sensory experience, as well as being able to mix the colors and see what color they made.
Kaelyn enjoyed using it to write letters and shapes with her fingers as well. It's great for practicing her letters, numbers, words, etc!

I am thrilled with how well the kids like this activity, how educational it turned out to be, and how easy it is to set up and take down with no mess. It's definitely something we'll be doing again and again!

Pin It

Sweety High Valentine's Day Baking Prize Pack ~ Short Giveaway

2012-02-03T13:17:00.008-06:00

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Sweety High (the next generation of social game for girls ages 8-16), is offering a special baking prize pack for one lucky reader! This kit will include everything you need to create delicious heart-shaped goodies with your family this Valentine's Day.

Sweety High members are also competing for a grand prize baking kit with more than 20 pieces by submitting pictures of their very best baking creations (link will be available soon).

If you're not familiar with Sweety High, be sure to check out their YouTube Channel for original programming. Sweety High drives noteworthy achievements built around self-expression, pop culture and a community of like-minded girls. The site, which has already connected talented girls with real-world opportunities in the fields of art, entertainment and design while in beta, is now live at http://www.sweetyhigh.com.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a special baking prize pack in celebration of Valentine's Day! The kit includes (pictured above):

2 Heart Shaped Plates
1 Petite Pie Mold with Heart-shaped cut-out
1 Set of Valentine’s themed confections
1 Heart-shaped cookie cutter
2 Heart embroidered kitchen towels
1 Spatula

Mandatory Entry - Visit Sweety High and let me know something you like or something you learned.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Sweety High on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Sweety High on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Sweety High) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Valentine's Day Baking Prize Pack! http://bit.ly/xAGh5b Ends 2/8

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 8th and is open to US Only!

**The product for this giveaway was provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way

Learning Resources Count 'em Up Popcorn Review & Giveaway

2012-02-02T12:14:00.006-06:00

If you read here often, you know I'm a huge fan of Learning Resources. They create hands-on activities that build a foundation of skills through imagination and fun. I always enjoy visiting their site and recently came across their new 2012 products, many of which I know my kids would absolutely love. At four years old, Kaelyn is especially interested in toys like this, which is why I am happy to know that I can always count on Learning Resources.

The leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms and learning toys for the home, Learning Resources has been a trusted source for educators and parents for more than 25 years! With a diverse product line of over 1300 products focusing on everything from mathematics, science, early childhood, reading, etc...it's no wonder Learning Resources is a name known around the world.

We have owned and reviewed several products from Learning Resources. The quality, educational value and overall appeal are what keep me coming back to this fantastic company. I was happy to learn we were going to have the opportunity to choose another of their great products, and decided to go with the Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn.
When the game arrived, both kids were very eager to check it out. Who doesn't like popcorn, right?! I was excited to see all this product had to offer as well.

As I pulled it out of the box, the quality of the materials caught my attention right away. Once again, Learning Resources did not disappoint! The set includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different bowls (which are printed with numbers 1-5).
What I love most about this toy is that both my 2 year old and 4 year old can play with it together. A little bit older, Kaelyn enjoys using this for practicing counting sets. It's the perfect activity to help with her counting skills and one-to-one correspondence. She also sequencing the dishes in order from smallest to largest.

Kaden, who is a little bit younger not only enjoys the large popcorn (they fit perfectly in little hands), but he also has been using this activity to help with his number recognition and fine motor skills as he places the different pieces of popcorn in each dish.

Overall we've been thrilled with this simple, yet fun and educational toy. It's been perfect for my kids and helps encourage them to practice their counting skills, number recognition, and more...all while having fun. This is definitely a product I would recommend to families with young children. I love it!

Buy It: You can purchase the Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn for $17.99.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Learning Resources and let me know another product you'd love to have.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Learning Resources on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Learning Resources on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry - Subscribe to the Learning Resources You Tube page

4. 1 extra entry - Following the Learning Resources Blog on Google Friend Connect

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Learning Resources) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn game from Learning Resources! http://bit.ly/yhpRfk Ends 2/16

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 16th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way

Activities for Kids: Fun with Fruit Loops

2012-02-02T10:08:00.006-06:00

As I said a couple of weeks ago. I've made it my goal to share some fun activities that I do with my kids, here on my blog each week. Everything from educational to crafts and games. Feel free to share any links or activities you have done with your little ones as well. I'm always looking for new ideas! :)

With any activity, my kids love if it includes food. I have found that candy and cereal work great as a manipulative for counting, color sorting, etc with many different activities we do. The other day we sat down and decided to use Fruit Loops. I always try to find activities I can do with both kids at the same time, but still similar so Kaden isn't feeling left out.

Kaden has been working on recognizing his colors and sorting, so I printed out this fun idea found over at The Princess and the Tot and laminated it. He had a blast sorting the different colors and of course, eating a few as he went as well! It really made learning a lot of fun for him.
Kaelyn really enjoys making patterns lately. I though it would be fun to use the Fruit Loops for this as well. So, while Kaden was working on his color sorting, I got out these Color Pattern Cards that I found over at PreKinders.com a while back. I laminated them so they'll last longer.

Kaelyn enjoyed making different patterns with the Fruit Loops. She even started making patterns of her own without the cards which was great as well.

These are two simple activities I was able to do with both kids at the same time. It was educational, while fun at the same time. We'll definitely be doing it again!

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Guest Post ~ Before Bringing Home Baby

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience for many women, even if the delivery aspect of it may seem daunting and a little scary. In fact for most women childbirth is easier more often than not, and knowing what to expect before the big day arrives should help make it even easier.

Before Baby

In the weeks leading up to a baby’s due date it’s important for women to familiarize themselves with delivery day related things, such as how long to wait before going to the hospital, what to do if their water breaks and whether or not she wants a natural birth or one with an epidural. Most hospitals require expecting mothers to fill out paperwork requesting an epidural when registering for birth so it doesn’t have to be filled it out in the middle of giving birth. However, women are free to change their mind about the epidural at any time.

There are many other considerations for expecting parents before their baby arrives. For example, it is becoming a popular trend for parents to use a cord blood bank. Cord blood banking is the process of saving a newborn’s umbilical cord blood for the stem cells contained within. Stem cells harvested from the umbilical cord may be used later in life to possibly help treat the child, or a sibling, if a medical need arises.

The Unexpected

As challenging as it may be, women should try to remain calm on delivery day. Like with many moments in life, certain things just cannot be predicted. Fortunately, having a back up plan can be a simple solution to something unexpected. For example, women should try to have a secondary mode of transportation to the hospital in case the primary driver is too far away when she goes into labor. Also, to avoid stopping to get gas on the way to the hospital, it’s a good idea to try and keep the gas tank filled in the weeks leading up to delivery.

The Big Day

Due dates can be predicted by doctors, but there’s no way to determine exactly when the baby will come. Any time after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks a mother could go into labor. Contractions may start early, but an expecting mother may not be going into labor just yet. There is no mistaking real contractions; however, knowing how to time them and what the stages of labor are is vital. A doctor, childbirth education classes, and baby books may provide pregnant women with information regarding the stages of labor and, what to look for during contractions and approximately what stage she is in at any given time.

"This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact her via twitter @moorekm26."

Raising confident daughters - Live Talk with Rachel Simmons TOMORROW!

2012-01-30T15:27:00.005-06:00

Just a quick note...tomorrow (January 31st) at 12 ET, Rachel Simmons will be leading a Talk on raising confident girls! She is the bestselling author and founder of the Girls Leadership Institute and I am excited to have been asked to co-host this fun chat.

If you'd like to join us, the talk will take place here: http://www.themotherhood.com/talk/show?id=62357

Here's a little more info about the the Talk:

Bestselling author and founder of the Girls Leadership Institute, Rachel Simmons, will lead a Talk on helping our daughters to discover and embrace the best parts of their authentic selves. Bring your questions, your stories of raising your daughters and we'll all learn skills for our girls (and us!) to live with integrity, self-awareness, etc.

Hope to see you there! :)

Shadow Box Initials ~ Fun & SUPER Easy Project

2012-01-27T14:23:00.009-06:00

One of Kaelyn's favorite things about our old house was her bedroom. She loved the fun colors, as well as one feature in particular...her initials on the wall. She enjoyed telling me the letters almost every day and explaining what they stood for. Since that was not something we could take with us when we moved in September, I told her that we'd figure out a new way to display her initials in her room.

Once we got moved in and had her room pretty well put together...we decided it was time to get her initials up on the wall. Kaelyn was very eager to help me every step of the way which was a lot of fun. Since I'm planning to share some of the fun activities and projects my kids and I do together each week here on my blog...I thought this would be a fun one to share this week.

Instead of doing vinyl letters, we thought it would be fun to get creative and have something a little more colorful and fitting for her brightly colored bedroom. She and I went to Hobby Lobby, and as we looked around...I got an idea. We decided to make Shadow Box Initials. Here is what we got for the project:

3 8 x 10 Shadow Box Display Cases
3 pieces of scrapbook paper to match her bedroom (I got 2 pieces of one print and 1 that had more colors in it for the middle initial)
3 white wooden letters

I love Hobby Lobby because they are always having sales. When we bought our supplies for her Shadowbox Initials, we got 40% off or more on everything. It was a very inexpensive way to add a personal touch to her room.

I apologize for not having step by step photos, but the process is very simple. I first cut down each piece of scrapbook paper to fit the shadow box. If you've ever purchased shadow boxes from Hobby Lobby before, your might remember that they have pins that hold the paper that comes inside of them. I used the pins like nails, and once I had the scrapbook paper in place...I put the pins in and hung the letters right from them. It worked perfectly!

Each letter fits nicely in the shadow boxes, and having the colorful background really adds a fun splash of color and ties it into her bedroom nicely. She and I both had fun putting these together and love the way they turned out!!

Like last week, if you have any fun projects or activities you've done with your little ones...feel free to share with us in the comments section below. :)

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Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Inspirational Glass Scale ~ Review & Giveaway

2012-01-26T11:45:00.018-06:00

Having just had my third baby 9 weeks ago, I'm still working on getting my body back into shape. Although I know it will never look like it did before children... I know losing a few pounds, toning up, and overall just living an even healthier lifestyle will make me feel more confident and happy about myself.

The problem is...between a lack of motivation and the fact that I just love food way too much...diets never seem to go as planned. That's why I've committed myself to trying to do light workouts a few times a week. This usually consists of getting on my elliptical during the kids' nap time. Of course, I always feel better after working out, but the best part is seeing the numbers go down on the scale every week! I like to keep track of my weight loss, and what better way to do that than with the reliability and encouragement of the new Weight Watchers® by Conair™ Digital Scale and was so happy when asked to review one!

When the scale arrived, I was immediately impressed with the sleek, modern design. It's very slim and a nice size to sit in the bathroom without standing out too much. The silver glass look goes well with our decor and is something I don't mind having sit out for other people to see...and use.

I couldn't be happier with how easy it is to use. There's a button on the bottom that you can switch from lbs to kg. Once you have it where you want it, simply tap your foot on the middle of the scale, and once the easy to read 1.5" digital display turns on...step on and weigh yourself.

This scale seems to be very accurate and I love that it shows even the slightest bit of change in weight. It's such an encouragement to see the pounds drop...even if it's only 1/2 a pound!

I personally need a little motivation and inspiration when it comes to losing weight, which is why I love the idea of this scale. The neatest thing about it, is unlike other scales, this one comes with 15 reusable stickers (in black and color) that have inspirational messages such as, "Every day is a new day", "Live, Laugh, Love", "Smile", etc. There's even a blank label where you can write your own message such as "I will fit back into my swimsuit by June".

These static cling stickers can adhere anywhere on the glas, and peel off just as easily as they go on. I love that they can be switched out so easily! It's a great way to personalize your scale, not mention a fantastic way to make it a personal coach or a motivational friend that encourages you to keep up the good work.

I love this scale. The stickers are a lot of fun and they really do remind me that I'm working hard and to take it one day at a time. I am thrilled with the quality, and considering there's a 10 year warranty...you really can't go wrong with this great scale. If you're looking for a great scale that will also help motivate you to continue your healthy lifestlye choices...I would definitely recommend the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S.

If you just want a good old simple weight measurement, but with extraordinary style, the best-selling Weight Watchers scale, Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Painted Glass Scale Model WW24, is also a great choice! The smooth scale has an easy-to-read 1.3” digital display with a “tap-on” scale activator. There is a high-strength tempered safety glass with decorative silk screen available in white, red, or blue. The scale is 11.8” X 12.6” and has a 400-lb. capacity. The scale runs on long-life AAA lithium batteries that are included and has a 10-year warranty just like the other scale.

Also, be sure to visit the new Conair Scales web site for the Weight Watchers by Conair Scales to learn more about the scales, yummy recipes, and body analysis. Starting on Jan. 12th, answer a short survey for your chance to be one of 10 winners for the WW58S or WW24. Visit www.conairscales.com for more details!

Buy It: You can purchase the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S nationwide at stores such as Kmart and online at www.conair-store.com for an average retail price of $29.99. You can purchase the Weight Watchers® by Conair™ Digital Painted Glass Scale Model WW24 for $29.99 nationwide at stores such as Target, Sears, Meijer, Fry’s and online.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S like the one I received!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Conair Scales and let me know another one of their scales you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Conair Scales) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

2. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale! http://bit.ly/xzeENz Ends 2/9

3. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

5. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

6. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

7. Enter any of my current giveaways for an extra entry...ONE extra entry for EACH giveaway you enter!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 9th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Conair. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

DELICIOUS Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring ~ Recipe

2012-01-23T12:31:00.012-06:00

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for delicious recipes that don't take a lot of time. I thought it would be fun to start sharing some of the recipes I make and find, each week here on my blog. If you'd like to play along, simply blog about a yummy recipe you enjoy making and leave a link to your post in the comments section so we can all check it out.

This week I thought I'd share one of my new FAVORITE breakfast (or anytime of the day) recipes! It's a Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring recipe that I came across on Pinterest, originally posted on the All Things Delicious blog (you can find more detailed pictures of the step by step process here). Thank you Hannah for your permission to share this recipe with my readers!!

Ingredients:

2 small tubes refrigerator buttermilk biscuits OR 1 tube Pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

1/2 C. pancake syrup

1/3 C. packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 C. chopped pecans, opt.

1/4 C. chopped almonds, opt.

Directions:
1. Combine the melted butter and syrup in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts (I just used chopped pecans, but you could really use anything you like or none at all).

2. Spray a fluted pan with non-stick spray and place about half of the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top.

3. Lay the biscuits on the bottom of the pan close together to form a ring. (I used 2 small tubes of the Pillsbury refrigerated buttermilk biscuits which worked out perfectly)

4. Once you have your biscuits in the bottom of the pan, simply top with the remaining syrup mixture and then the sugar mixture.
5. Bake at 375º for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Once done, cool for 1 minute in the pan, then invert onto a large plate or platter

This sticky bun recipe is absolutely amazing!! I love that it's super easy to make and calls for ingredients that I almost always have on hand. I also appreciate that in just 20 minutes it's done. It's the perfect recipe idea for breakfast (or if you're like us, any time of day!).

My pictures do not even do this Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring justice. It is AMAZING! If you end up trying this recipe out, let me know if you love it as much as my family does! It's definitely a new favorite in our house!!

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Purse Bling Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer ~ Review & Giveaway

2012-01-20T11:58:00.000-06:00

Once I had children, I found I carried my purse a lot less than I used to. Now I tend to stick my wallet, cosmetics, keys, etc right in the diaper bag since that's something we carry with us wherever we go. Unfortunately, this is not always the smartest decision...as I am often digging for my things amongst the diapers, wipes, spare clothes, etc. I have been needing an easy way to take the things from my purse and take them along with me in the diaper bag without becoming completely unorganized. Thanks to Purse Bling, I have found a solution!
Purse Bling is a company that focuses on providing excellent quality products with awesome customer service. This family owned business is run by people with a desire to help women find harmony with their handbags.

For those who visit here often, you may remember the review I did for Purse Bling and the Clipa Purse Hook. I was very pleased with this product and couldn't have been happier to learn I was going to have the opportunity to review another one of their fantastic items. As I looked around their website, I was instantly drawn to the Purse to Go Zip Ups and had a feeling this is exactly what I've been looking for and needing!
When the Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer arrived, I was excited to check it out. Pulling it out of the package, I was impressed with the quality right off the bat. The fabric is durable and thick...something I know will last me a very long time!
I have a large purse and diaper bag, so I requested the jumbo size which has been perfect, measuring 14.5"L x 7.5"H x 4"W. I love it! It easily slides right into my purse, helping me keep things in place and easy to find. The jumbo size Purse to Go has 8 pockets which has worked out great for me. It has one 5.75" wide pocket, one 5" wide pocket, one 4.5" pocket, one 3.25" wide pocket, one 3" wide pocket, one 2.75" wide pocket, one 1.75" wide pocket and one 1" wide pocket. I now have a place for everything and feel so much more organized.

I was going to go with a darker color, but then decided to go with a lighter color instead. I'm really happy I did. The inside of my purse and diaper bag are dark brown and black, so having something light has made it much easier to see and find things in the pockets when needed.
The neatest feature about this purse organizer, is that it's actually a Purse to Go because it zips up. It's great for a little more privacy in your purse when you don't want the whole world seeing everything you have in it every time you open it up. Not only that, but it makes transferring the important items from my purse to the diaper bag super easy! Of course, it can also be used unzipped if you have larger items you would like to fit in it as well...but I have found the zipper to be very helpful!
The versatility of this product is great. It's perfect for diaper bags and purses, but is also a nice place to keep cosmetics, men's toiletries, or even in a laptop bag to keep things like flash drives, discs, cords, etc organized.

In the time I've been using the Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer from Purse Bling, I have been very impressed. The quality is fantastic, and the versatility and organization it provides is great. I love being able to keep all of the smaller items from my purse all in one place without having to dig for it. It's exactly what I had been looking for and am so happy to now have it. I would definitely recommend it to others looking to organize smaller items in their purse, diaper bag, briefcase, etc.

Buy It: You can purchase the Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer from Purse Bling in several different sizes (and colors), with prices starting at $21.95.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Purse to Go Zip Up of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Purse Bling and let me know another one of their products you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Purse Bling On Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Purse Bling on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Purse Bling) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Purse Bling Purse to Go Zip Up Purse Organizer! http://bit.ly/Anx2x0 Ends 2/3

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 3rd and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Purse Bling. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

Fun Activities for Kids: Math with Popsicle Sticks for Preschoolers

2012-01-19T11:42:00.004-06:00

As a mom and former PreK teacher, I really love sitting down with my kids and doing fun educational activities together. Whether it's through the use of toys, manipulatives or other activities I have on hand (many of which are from my teaching years), I enjoy seeing them explore, discover and learn new things daily! I thought it would be fun to share some of the activities we do together here on my blog each week...and hopefully you will share ideas as well!

My 4 year old loves to learn. She enjoys the time we spend together daily doing different activities...especially those dealing with letters and numbers. One day last week she said, "Mom, can we do math?". We do many different activities with numbers, counting, sorting, one-to-one correspondence, etc... but most recently she has been interested in simple addition. As I thought about what we could do that day, I decided to pull out a bag of popsicle sticks. I had come across this neat idea on Pinterest and decided to simplify it to a level Kaelyn could easily do and understand.

On each stick I wrote numbers (including one stick with an addition sign and one with an equal sign). I then put the corresponding number of dots along the length of each stick to make counting/adding easier for her. She began by grabbing two numbers and counting the dots on each one to find how many total dots there were. Once she had figured out the total by counting them together, she found that number stick and placed it after the equal sign. It was a very simple, yet a fun and educational way to work on addition with her. It has been great for number recognition, counting, and more!

She also likes to take the sticks and place them in order from least to greatest as she counts.

How about you, do you have any fun educational activities you do with your toddler/preschool aged children? We'd love for you to share them with us!

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Baby Smiles

2012-01-17T21:28:00.006-06:00

I can't believe this little guy is 8 weeks old already. Time sure does fly by!

And, although I wish the time would slow down a bit, I do love each and every new milestone... especially his little baby smiles! They're so precious! Caysen began smiling for us a several weeks ago, and has since been smiling more and more. He loves when we talk to him and smiles from ear to ear whenever he hears us laugh. I love it!!

Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank Review & Giveaway

2012-01-17T11:34:00.004-06:00

Those first few months after having a baby, I always feel self-conscious about my postpartum belly. I want to find tops that are flattering, slimming and comfortable, while still making it easy to breastfeed my babies discretely without exposing my sides and midsection. I've never had much luck finding such clothing with my first two children, but thankfully... was introduced to Glamourmom shortly after our baby boy was born a couple of months ago.

Founder, Line Rothman desperately searched for a nursing top that provided full support and easy breast access, while keeping her postpartum belly covered in 2000 when her first daughter was born. Unable to find anything, she designed a tank top with a unique full support built-in nursing bra, and Glamourmom was born! This company offers the most fashionable pregnancy and nursing experience for moms and moms-to-be. They are an internationally loved brand, and with an expanding collection that offers superior fit, quality and support, it's easy to find the right style for your changing body.

As I browsed the Glamourmom website for the first time, I was impressed with the great selection of nursing bras, nursing bra tanks, sleepwear, maternity tops and more! At the time, I had just had our son a couple of weeks prior and was in desperate need of a comfortable, flattering nursing tank that would not only make it easy to breastfeed, but one that would also cover my postpartum belly. That's why I was instantly drawn to the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank and couldn't have been happier to learn I was going to have the opportunity to review one!
Features/Benefits:

Original, patented design for full discretion and support when nursing in public
Full built-in nursing bra with inner bra cup frame for continued breast support during nursing
Adjustable wide, spaghetti straps with Memory Fill for extra support
Nursing bra hook closures for easy, one-handed access
Light-mesh lining holds nursing pads in place
Outer layer is extra long for fashion and guaranteed postpartum coverage
Absorbent, stretchy cotton/elastane blend adjusts to weight loss after baby is born
Tummy control panel - inner layer support panel that trims tummy & waist and pulls together excess post partum skin to help reduce stretch marks

When the Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank arrived, I was immediately impressed with the quality. I could tell just from taking it out of the package that it was made well and is something that will last wash after wash. I also found the cotton to be super soft and had a feeling it would be incredibly comfortable. I was right!

Putting the Nursing Tank on, I was happy with how comfortable and soft it is. I was hoping that the size I chose would fit ok, and thankfully it does perfectly! I absolutely love the wide spaghetti straps, They have memory filler for extra support and are also adjustable so I can get the perfect fit.

The outer layer is extra long which I love! It's not only fashionable worn under something, but is also perfect for postpartum coverage! I don't have to worry about it riding up and exposing my belly or sides.

I have had the opportunity to wear this Nursing Tank several times since receiving it and love two main features especially! The full built-in nursing bra is fantastic! I love that the inner bra cup frame provides continued breast support during nursing. There's even a light mesh lining which holds nursing pads in place very well.

The tank also has nursing bra hook closures which make it easy to access with one hand. Having something that so easy to use is a must...especially when I have a fussing baby that's eager to eat. I am able to simply unhook it and start feeding my little one right away.

I love the coverage and support that the Nursing Bra Tummy Control Tank offers, and have enjoyed wearing it while nursing my little one. Not only has it made breastfeeding easier, especially in public...but I am in love with the tummy control panel!!

The Tummy Control Panel is an inner layer support panel that trims the tummy and waist. Even if the outer layer were to ride up (which I have had no problem with), my tummy would still be covered thanks to this fitted inner layer. Not only that, but as I said...it truly does trim my waist and tummy. It helps minimize the "muffin top" that so many of us struggle with after birth, and makes me feel confident when wearing it! I was skeptical as to how well it would work, but I have been so impressed with the way it slims my mid-section that I'm considering buying a couple more of these tops. It pulls together excess postpartum skin to help reduce stretch marks, and even encourages proper posture during breastfeeding while supporting the lower back.

Having had the Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank for about a month now, I've had the opportunity to wear it several times. I can honestly say this is the best nursing tank I have worn and wish that I had it when nursing my other two children as well. The full discretion and support it offers is fantastic, not to mention that it's very comfortable and slimming. I have not found all of these things with any other nursing tank and am so happy to have been introduced to Glamourmom. I would definitely recommend this top and brand to other moms and moms-to-be that I know.

Of course, this is just one of many items offered from Glamourmom. I also think their nursing sleepwear and other nursing tops look extremely comfortable and stylish.

Buy It: You can purchase the Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank for $54.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank from Glamourmom!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Glamourmom and let me know another item you'd love to have!

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Glamourmom on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Glamourmom on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Glamourmom) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tummy Control Long Tank! http://bit.ly/A8XGfJ Ends 2/1

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 1st and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Glamourmom. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

Trop50 Juice Beverage w/Less sugar & Calories ~ Review & Giveaway (5 WINNERS!)

2012-01-13T12:04:00.008-06:00

With the New Year often comes a list of resolutions dealing with everything from eating healthier to exercising more. Having just had a baby, I know that getting back in shape is one of my goals for 2012 and am happy to know that Tropicana can help!

Have you ever heard of Trop50? It's a new juice beverage from Tropicana offering 50% less sugar and 50% less calories...making it a healthy choice for the New Year and a great way to enjoy the yummy flavors of Tropicana all while keeping my resolutions to get healthier in the New Year!

Having never tried Trop50, I was excited when given the opportunity to test it out. There are many flavors to choose from. My favorite is definitely the Raspberry Lemonade! Since there is less sugar and calories, I thought it might taste different...but I really couldn't tell at all. It tastes great and offers the delicious flavor I would expect from Tropicana with less sugar and calories! YAY! There are no artificial sweeteners (which I LOVE) and is made with real fruit juices. It also gives me a full day supply of vitamin C and is a good source for antioxidant vitamin E!

As I'm trying to eat healthier and get back in shape, I like knowing that I can enjoy such a yummy fruit juice beverage without feeling guilty. Knowing that it has vitamins and less sugar and no artificial sweeteners also makes it something I don't mind letting my kids have sometimes too.

Having tried Trop50, I would definitely recommend it to others I know as it delivers the goodness of fruit juice with 50 percent less sugar and calories, and no artificial sweeteners!

Also, be sure to check out the Trop50 Near Year’s program, True Resolutions. Trop50 True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year's resolutions. Head over to the Trop50 Facebook Page and share your resolution for the new year and you'll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and $.50 off coupons for up to 50 of your friends! Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes there, to win a $1000 gift (ends 1/31/2012)!

Win It: 5 lucky readers are going to win a coupon for free Trop50 in the flavor of their choice!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Trop50 and let me know which flavor you might choose if you win.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Like Trop50 on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow TropicanaOJ on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Trop50) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a coupon for a free Trop50 juice beverage in flavor of choice (5 winners!) from @TropicanaOJ! http://bit.ly/yNxFiq Ends 1/27 #Trop50

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 27th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way

We've Been Keeping Busy

2012-01-12T12:27:00.005-06:00

This past weekend we celebrated another Christmas with my Mom's side of the family. We had a great time! I think by the end of the day, Caysen was worn out. :)

Another highlight for Kaelyn and Kaden last weekend was going to see their Grandpa! My father-in-law raises pigs, so it's always a treat when the kids get to go visit and play with them on the farm. Thankfully, this winter has been VERY mild, so it was the perfect time to spend some time outdoors!

Learning Resources Smart Snacks Alpha Pops Review & Giveaway

2012-01-10T13:47:00.010-06:00

From the time Kaelyn was very young, she has had a love for learning. I enjoy encouraging that love in any way I can...especially when it comes to finding fun activities and games we can do together. At 4 years old, she is especially interested in letters, sounds and words...so I've been keeping my eye out for toys and products that will help her learn and prepare for preschool. Thankfully, I know I can count on Learning Resources for just that!

The leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms and learning toys for the home, Learning Resources has been a trusted source for educators and parents for more than 25 years! With a diverse product line of over 1300 products focusing on everything from mathematics, science, early childhood, reading, etc...it's no wonder Learning Resources is a name known around the world.

As I've mentioned in the past, I am a huge fan of Learning Resources and have been since before I had children and was teaching preschool. They create hands-on activities that build a foundation of skills through imagination and fun. I always enjoy visiting their site and recently came across their new 2012 products, many of which I know my kids would absolutely love. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review one!

With Kaelyn's interest in letters, words, sounds and more...I knew she would enjoy something like the Smart Snacks Alpha Pops. In fact, when the box arrived, she was begging to get it out right there and then. Of course, I couldn't say no...I was just as excited to check this new toy out!

As we pulled the pieces out of the box, I was happy to find the great quality Learning Resources is known for. The colors are bright and intriguing for both Kaelyn (4 years old) and Kaden (2 years old).

We began by separating the Alpha Pops and mixing them up so Kaelyn could match the lowercase and uppercase letters. I knew she'd enjoy a game like this, as we talk a lot about the letters and do different activities with them. Not only does this game encourage recognition of letters though, I was amazed at the step further that Kaelyn took it! As she picked up matching letters, she'd tell me the letter, the sound it made and a word that started with it all on her own! She has had a lot of fun with this, and I have enjoyed watching her!
The pops are double sided with a different letter on each side. This confused her at first, but she quickly learned that's how each of the pops were and soon got the hang of it.

Not only was it fun and challenging for Kaelyn, but Kaden also enjoyed it! The bright colors really grabbed his attention and instead of trying to match using the letters...he began matching up the pops based on color. The Alpha Pops are large enough that his little hands could hold and manipulate them easily which was nice too!
I have been pleasantly surprised with how well both my kids like the Smart Snacks Alpha Pops. It was a game I thought would be good for encouraging Kaelyn's letter recognition...but it turned out to be so much more than that! Both of my kids have learned from this toy and had a lot of fun at the same time. I love that it's something children of different ages and skill levels can use. They've been having a blast with the Alpha Pops and I know this is something we'll be pulling out a lot more in the future!

If you're looking for a fun, educational toy for your 2-5 year olds... I would definitely recommend Smart Snacks Alpha Pops from Learning Resources. The quality is great and it helps encourage letter recognition, fine motor skills, imaginative play and more!

Buy It: You can purchase the Smart Snacks Alpha Pops at Learning Resources for $17.99.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win Smart Snacks Alpha Pops of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Learning Resources and let me know another product you'd love to have.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

#WIN a Smart Snacks Alpha Pops game from Learning Resources! http://bit.ly/AmTHP5 Ends 1/24

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 24th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way

Winners!

2012-01-05T22:28:00.008-06:00

I have the last batch of winners to announce from the Holiday Gift Guide! Thanks to everyone who read the reviews and took the time to enter these great giveaways. Also, stay tuned, I have lots more planned for 2012!!

WABA Fun's Bubber Bucket ~ Commenter 24, Allen Family
Howard B Wigglebottom Learns to Listen Book ~ Commenter 2, Janet W.
QuickSmart 3-in-1 Travel Bassinet ~ Commenter 280, jenzen69
Learning Resources Pro Chef Set ~ Commenter 318, Melanie
RCA Portable Speaker ~ Commenter 147, polly
ScentSationals Warmers and Waxes ~ Commenter 90, Katrina
Cocoa-Latte Hot Drink Maker ~ Commenter 322, Kimbuckjr
Collections Etc $25 GC ~ Commenter 19, s
Midwest Dairy Prize Pack ~ Commenter 103, jackiesmom
Tea Collection $100 GC ~ Commenter 249, Amanda
Build a Bear Workshop $10 GC ~ Commenter 175, Michelle
Candle Warmers Etc ~ Commenter 14, Anonymous
Jet-Dry Giveaway ~ Commenter 40, Erin
Learning Resources Peek a Boo Color Muffins ~Commenter 94, Laurel

All winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to get back in touch with me to confirm their win. Have a great weekend!