Mommy's Idea

Pro Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:48:00 +0000

I discovered Pro Flowers years ago and was thrilled to find an affordable way to send beautiful flowers. I was a little unsure of how it would work, since it comes in a box, but the friend I sent them to called immediately to tell me they were beautiful and easy to get ready.

I recently ordered a Christmas bouquet from Pro Flowers and planned accordingly to have it sent on a day that would give me time before, during, and after the holiday to enjoy it. It arrived right on schedule in a nice sturdy box. The flowers come wrapped and with this order I picked a pretty red vase for them to go in.

The directions are clear and easy to follow. For this bouquet, I simply had to add the flower food packet to the water, cut the stems an inch, and put the whole thing in water for two hours. After the stems had their drink of water, I cut off the wrapping.

And this is what I had a day later. Beautiful red tulips and white lilies. They still have some blooming to do, and by Christmas, I’m sure they’ll be even more spectacular. And of course, the kitchen now smells amazing. :)

So if you’re looking to send flowers or another surprise (they have goodies like chocolate covered strawberries too!) be sure to check out Pro Flowers and have a look around. Coupon codes can be found here or with a Google search for terms like “Pro Flowers discounts” or “Pro Flowers coupon code”. Have fun!

*I received a product for review, but opinions are always my own.

Personal Creations

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Need another great place to shop for the holidays? Check out Personal Creations for some, well, personal creations. :) I love personalized gifts and I’m always happy to find something different to choose from, so shopping here was a treat. I’ll show you just a few of your choices below, but be sure to hop over there to see them all.

Their tagline is, “Unique Personalized Gifts for Life’s Special Occasions” and it’s a great way to sum up the website. You’ll find a ton of frames- adorable, beautiful, and fun personalized frames.

Keep looking and you’ll find personalized signs, canvases, and prints.

Keep going . . . there’s more. Pillows, puzzles, vases, doormats, things for the garden, and goodies for the kitchen.

I ordered a 16x20 canvas print- something I’ve been keeping my eye on for a while now- and I’m so glad I did! It’s good quality, has beautiful colors, and was a perfect addition to the playroom. The only hard part was deciding on which of my thousands of pictures to choose from. The image below is from the website, not my wedding album. :)

There are so many items that can be personalized through this website and it’s so fun to shop with all of those choices. You can go with a kitchen item for the chef in the family, a frame with a photo of the grandkids for Grandma & Grandpa, jewelry for a friend, or give your home some special touches. If you’re looking for something unique, personal, and fun, this just might be the place to get it.

*I received a product for review, but opinions are always my own.

Shopping for the Holidays? Try Red Envelope!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 16:18:00 +0000

There are so many places to shop online and I discover new ones all the time. I’ve shopped at Red Envelope before and I love looking around at all the interesting and unique products I find there.

A while back I ordered the cubist chip and dip set, and I absolutely love it. You can move around all the compartments and can even put ice in the bottom of the big one so dips stay cold. There are so many ways I can use it and so many different appetizers I can put in.

My most recent purchase on the site was the perfect companion- the cubist appetizer serving set. It goes beautifully with the style of the chip and dip set and gives me even more options for serving appetizers. It comes with five sections that can be moved around and used for various things. Cheese, crackers, olives, veggies, fruit- it’s up to you. The quality is great and it looks so nice when it’s all set up and full of goodies! Everything comes in a nicely packaged box that makes it perfect for giving as a gift or as an easy way to store the set.

I love that there are items you can personalize too. At Easter, I ordered two adorable Easter Bunny baskets- one in pink and one in blue- and was able to personalize them with the kids’ names. Whether you’re looking for things for the home, jewelry, or something for a special occasion or holiday, Red Envelope is a great place to look!

*I received a product for review.

Any Writer Mamas Out There? Win Fun Things for Your Writer’s Toolbox!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:06:00 +0000

Head over to I Write for Apples to enter!

Scrivener

A 5,000 word critique from Kat Brauer

A 1 year premium membership to Query Tracker

The Emotion Thesaurus

Win a SET of McDonald’s Star Wars or Build-a-Bear Toys!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 02:55:00 +0000

Here’s how to enter . . .
1. Leave a comment telling us which set you want to win. (1 entry- mandatory)

Be sure to leave your e-mail if you don't have a blogger ID. Bloggers- you must have a public profile and listed e-mail for us to find you.

Bonus entries! (Current subscribers can join in the fun too.)
Please leave a separate comment for each entry. You can simply list the letter to make it faster! Just be sure to include your e-mail too if that’s how we’ll find you.

L- Post about this giveaway and include a link. Please leave your blog url in your comment. 4 entries
B- Add our Mommy’s Idea button and/or Ellie Bags button to your site. 2 entries
E- Sign up for our Mommy's Idea feed or e-mail feed. (Over to the right.)

1 entry

M- Become a follower of Mommy's Idea. 1 entry
S- Share this post via Stumble, Digg, etc. 1 entry
TF- Follow us on twitter @elliebags 1 entry
T- Tweet about this giveaway- copy & paste the tweet below or click “tweet” above. (You can add an extra entry every day that you tweet it!) 1 entry

Mommy's Idea: Win a SET of McDonald’s Star Wars or Build-a-Bear Toys! http://bit.ly/HfSS72 #giveaway

Open to residents of the US.
Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, April 19, 2012.

*I received a product for review.

New Book Release- Seeing Cinderella

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:30:00 +0000

I had the opportunity in the fall to read my first ARC- an Advanced Reader Copy- of Seeing Cinderella by debut author Jenny Lundquist. It was a fun read and I loved getting to know the characters. I’m including a synopsis below, but all you need to do is take a look at the cover and know that it’s a book about middle school and magic glasses. Can you imagine what you could do with those?! While there is a lighthearted tone to the book, Ms. Lundquist also deals with real issues like friendship and secrets.

It’s available now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can even get it on your Kindle or Nook!

So, if you have a young reader in your life, or if you enjoy a good read yourself, this is a good one to check out.

Congratulations to Jenny Lundquist!

From her website . . .

Seeing Cinderella: Calliope Meadow Anderson is terrified to start seventh grade. Not that the summer has been so great— her overachieving best friend, Ellen, is slipping away, her parents’ marriage is falling apart, and to top it all off, she has to get glasses the day before school starts. Life isn’t going too smoothly.

But things get unexpectedly weird when Callie meets her wacky optometrist and receives a pair of glasses so ugly they make braces and headgear look cute. But pretty soon, Callie makes a freaky discovery. Her glasses have magic powers: they can read people’s thoughts (and she’s pretty sure they repel boys, too).

Callie uses her new glasses to navigate middle school life and learns things she never knew about the people around her. That overachieving Ellen isn’t so super confident, after all. That neither of her parents are who she thought they were. That it’s a good idea to make sure your crush Knows Your Name before you spy on his thoughts. But when the glasses show Callie that Ana Garcia—a new student from Mexico and Callie’s Spanish tutor—has become a real-life Cinderella in her uncle’s house, she has to make a choice. Will she stay in the shadows and hide behind her magic glasses, or step out of the background and stand up for her friend?

Red Envelope

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:56:00 +0000

If you’re a regular here, it’s no secret that I love to shop online. Running Mommy’s Idea has given me the chance to find lots of fun places to shop and I get plenty of e-mails about great products to check out. Today’s spotlight is Red Envelope- an online store with unique products, many of which can be personalized.

If you’re already getting ready for Easter, which will be here before you know it, you have to head on over and check out their adorable personalized Easter baskets! You’ll have plenty of choices if you’re looking for gifts, whether it’s a basket for the kids, treats for the grown-ups, or a gift for someone special.

You’ll also find things for the home, jewelry, and entertaining, just to name a few. There’s even a spring sale on until March 20th!

Ordering is easy and you can choose your own shipping date. Of course, it’s extra if you want it faster than standard, but order early because standard can be a couple weeks out. You can even use a promotional code, but only one per order, which can give you a nice discount off of your purchase.

I haven’t received this order just yet, but my last purchase was easy and came exactly as described. I’m looking forward to filling up the cute little Easter baskets I ordered. Believe it or not, my kids aren’t big candy fans, so I better do some more shopping for the goodies that will go inside. :)

*I received a product for review, but opinions are always my own.

Check out Perricone’s Products and Win!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:29:00 +0000

Whether you’re interested in cleansers, moisturizers, or some of the best under eye wrinkle creams, you’ll find it in the Perricone line. Want to win one worth up to $150?

Here’s how to enter . . .
1. Check out Perricone's website and then leave a comment telling us which Perricone product (valued at $150 or less) you want or need and why. (1 entry- mandatory)

L- Post about this giveaway using this link- Mommy’s Idea. Please leave your blog url in your comment. 4 entries
B- Add our Mommy’s Idea button and/or Ellie Bags button to your site. 2 entries
E- Sign up for our Mommy's Idea feed or e-mail feed. (Over to the right.)
M- Become a follower of Mommy's Idea.
S- Share this post via Stumble, Digg, etc.
TF- Follow us on twitter @elliebags
T- Tweet about this giveaway- copy & paste the tweet below or click “tweet” above. (You can add an extra entry every day that you tweet it!)

Mommy's Idea: Win a product from Perricone MD! #giveaway

Open to residents of the US.
Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Friday, February 10, 2012.

Deals & Savings Sites

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:20:00 +0000

If you’re an online shopper, and love deals, here are a few of my favorite sites to check out. Some require a free sign up and some give you a sign up bonus too!

Ebates.com

As long as you start from their site and click on the link to the store where you want to shop, you’ll get credit. They offer different percentages for cash back, which change based on specials and promotions. It’s also a good site to find coupon codes. You only get checks at certain points in the year and you have to have a certain amount in your account, but it does add up. Get a $5-$10 sign up bonus right now! (The fine print- you’ll have to make a qualifying purchase of at least $25 through one of their links in the next 3 months to use the bonus.)

Zulily.com

This site has daily bargains for moms and kids, including toys, clothes for kids and moms, and things for the home. You have to be a member to shop. but it’s free to sign up. Sign up for e-mails to see what they have each day.

Woot.com

This is a deal-a-day site which has some really good finds. Be sure to check out the Kids Woot page too!

Retailmenot.com

If you haven’t already gotten in the habit, always check for coupon codes or promotional codes before you shop online. As I mentioned above, Ebates.com is a good place to start or you can do a search for the store you’re looking for and “coupon codes.”

Sites like Retailmenot.com make it really easy. It lists the current codes and specials for lots of different stores. You can sometimes find printable coupons here too.

Win a HALO Cotton Sleep Sack!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:58:00 +0000

I love HALO Sleep Sacks because they are easy to use and I always knew my little one was all set for bedtime. They look so comfy and cozy in them too. HALO is giving away a cotton Sleep Sack to one lucky Mommy’s Idea reader.

(More info on safe sleep for babies below!)

Here’s how to enter . . .
1. Leave a comment telling us why you’d love to win. (1 entry- mandatory)
3. Be sure to leave your e-mail if you don't have a blogger ID. Bloggers- you must have a public profile and listed e-mail for us to find you.

Bonus entries! (Current subscribers can join in the fun too.)
Please leave a separate comment for each entry. You can simply list the letter to make it faster! Just be sure to include your e-mail too if that’s how we’ll find you.

Mommy's Idea: Win a HALO Cotton Sleep Sack! http://bit.ly/sezGjP #giveaway

Open to residents of the US and Canada.
Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common conditions among newborn babies, affecting about 1% of North American newborns (about 75,000 per year). According to a recent survey conducted by HALO Innovations, 82% of parents choose to swaddle, and swaddling improperly can lead to Hip Dysplasia or dislocation. Treatment ranges from wearing a harness or brace to undergoing surgery. These condistions can get worse with age and are linked to early adult arthritis and hip-replacement surgery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging Pediatricians to watch for signs of hip dysplasia and dislocation and to warn parents not to extend their baby’s frog-like legs straight when swaddling. There’s a temptation to stretch the legs out and that needs to be resisted. They need to be able to straighten themselves out naturally and gradually. Parents should allow for room in the swaddle – or sleepsack – for baby to bend at the hips.

Dr. Charles Price, Director of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, has recorded the following video about Hip Dysplasia and how to swaddle safely. http://www.youtube.com/halosleepsack#p/u/5/j5M6FK3f0PI

Dr. Tanya Altmann, Pediatrician and Mother, provides tips for swaddling safely in this video, specifically about avoiding suffocation. http://www.youtube.com/halosleepsack#p/u/4/gOTGuUJmMk8

HALO’s SleepSacks and Swaddles are the only products on the market approved “hip healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

My Latest Etsy Discovery

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:04:00 +0000

For those of you who love handmade items with that personal touch, etsy.com just might be the place for you. If you haven’t heard of it until now, be prepared for some shopping. :)

My daughter has three dolls that absolutely must go everywhere with her. While we can convince her to keep a couple of them home when we go out, they still go upstairs for naps and bedtime, and downstairs for the rest of the day. Three babies, along with her favorite blanket, and whatever else needs to go downstairs, gets to be a little much to carry. So, I went in search of a baby bed/basket for the babies.

I found such a cute basket, although I was looking for something in a more pink/purple print. Spring Rain Dreams came through for me, with this beautiful baby bed!

The quality is great and it is the perfect size. I just love the cute little coordinating pillow and blanket too. She is going to love it.

Spring Rain Dreams has more products coming soon, so be sure to check back often.

A Great Place to Shop for the Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:13:00 +0000

I recently learned about an online store called Red Envelope and I had the chance to give them a try. Their tagline says, “unique and personalized gifts” and they deliver on the promise.

I decided on the cubist chip and dip set when I went shopping at Red Envelope and I am very happy with the experience and the product. The website is easy to navigate and it’s simple to find what you’re looking for. Of course, if you’re just browsing, that’s fun too. :)

This particular set came in handy during Thanksgiving dinner. Or more specifically, during appetizer munching time! While there are a bunch of configurations you can make with the glass bowls, we put ice in the bottom of the big dish and put the two smaller bowls on top so they could stay cold. We put homemade hot pepper jelly in one, with pita chips on one side, and homemade salsa in the other, with tortilla chips on the other side. (Thanks Mom!) It worked out great and looked nice on the table.

I love that you can also shop by occasion on the website and that there are plenty of choices for personalized gifts, like scarves, jewelry, and Christmas stockings.

Black Friday deals are going on now through Monday! Have fun shopping!

*I received a product to review. Opinions are always my own.

So Much to Do Online

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:52:00 +0000

I’m pretty good with computers. My toddlers know how to run a computer. My husband does it for a living. My parents, who think they don’t know what they’re doing, are actually ahead of the game for their generation. But sometimes, I can’t believe how much there really is to do online.

We can pay bills, watch videos, send e-mails, go shopping, and play games. We can get organized, plan a get together, and chat with friends that are hundreds of miles away. Everything is built right into new computers these days too. Web cams make it easy to Skype and the SD card slot is one of my favorite conveniences. Whether you’re watching the latest sales or playing bingo online, you probably have your own set of favorite things to do when you’re tapping away on your keyboard.

Right now, it’s holiday shopping for me. I love the daily e-mails that keep me up on all the sales and of course, there are plenty of ipod apps that are super helpful as well. And while I’m not someone who shops six months ahead of time, I do like to get everything done before the holiday rush. Stay tuned for some products you might want to put on your list and sites that will help you find those great gifts!

*This is a sponsored post, but opinions are always my own.

Are You Ready for Halloween?

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:50:00 +0000

Whether you’re super organized or a last minute shopper, you’ve probably been getting ready for Halloween. Time to decorate the yard, buy the candy, and find the perfect costumes for your little ones. The really little ones let you dress them up in pretty much anything. When they’re a little older, they may not like things on their heads or the frilly little dresses you want to buy. Pre-school age means they have their own opinions of what they want to be. After that, well, I’m not there yet.

My son decided he wants to be an astronaut, both as a career and for Halloween. So I went in search of an astronaut costume. He chose the orange one and also wanted a pair of astronaut boots to go with it. Now he’s all ready to begin his adventure toward working for NASA. And until he gets his official outfit, this will work great.

The astronaut boots came quickly from Costume Discounters and my son wanted to put them on right away. They’re designed to fit over your child’s sneakers, with elastic straps on the bottom to hold them on. This works well for us, since there’s a good chance it will either be rainy or wet when it’s time to go out trick-or-treating. They’re good quality- for Halloween purposes, probably not for official NASA business - and they make the outfit complete. There’s also an astronaut backpack, helmet, and gloves if you want to go all out!

Whatever you’re looking for, you will probably find it at Costume Discounters. And if you have no idea what you’re looking for, this is a great place to start and get some inspiration!

*I received a product to review. Opinions are always my own.

Time for Halloween Costumes!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:09:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again- time to pick out those Halloween costumes! Some parents have been ready to dress their little ones up for months now and kids everywhere are deciding what they want to be for Halloween. So, whether you’re excited to find that little princess dress or you have your own party to get ready for, Dressy Costumes has what you’re looking for and they have it at a great price!

Their Mega Sale is going on now with costumes up to 70% off, with no sales tax, and free shipping on orders $89 and above. They also offer free exchanges, with free shipping both ways. Wow.

Have fun shopping.

*I received a product to review. Opinions are always my own.

Zzzz . . . Snore . . . Snore

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 03:08:00 +0000

I love to sleep. BK, that’s before kids, everyone knew not to call me before noon on Sundays, especially in college. Then it was eleven, then ten, now, um, seven-ish. Although I have to say that hubby lets me sleep in on most Sundays. And every extra minute is so wonderful.

I’ve always been a night owl and these days there are lots of things that keep me up at night anyway: winding down from a crazy day, playing on the computer, that book I want to finish, kids waking up, and well, someone snoring. Can anyone relate?

Perhaps my favorite are the times that I gently nudge him and say, “You’re snoring” and the response I get is something like this, “I’m not snoring. It was you.” Me, wide-awake-me. Yeah, no.

My usual method is pulling on the sheets or a push with just enough force to halt the snoring for a few minutes. We’ve tried nasal strips- great for opening the nasal passages by the way- but they only seemed to lessen the snoring, not send it off to Never land. So, one of the things I might end up doing on a snore-filled night is researching information on snoring. And then chatting with whoever else is still up and on facebook.

*This is a sponsored post, but opinions are always my own.

Summertime

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:31:00 +0000

Just a quick note to wish everyone beautiful summer days filled with family, friends, good books, lemonade, ice cream, and whatever else makes you smile.

Guest Post from Learning-aids.com

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:16:00 +0000

Lisa Harp has developed an at-home system to help enhance the building blocks of learning. Below is a guest post from www.learning-aids.com.

Dealing with a Learning Problem? You May Need a New Approach.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Einstein coined this phrase, and it holds true now more than ever, especially when referring to academic success and how we help those students who are struggling to learn.

Traditional approaches to solving learning problems will take a student who has been in a classroom all day, a fatigued learner, who is not able to learn with methods being taught, and try to teach that student more of what didn’t work all day. This is insane! For progress to be made, the student needs to be taught in a different way.

Piling on more academics when dealing with a student who is not performing well academically can be a recipe for disaster.

The solution is neuro-sensory educational therapy (NSET). NSET takes students back to the very basic level of learning – gross motor skills. Skills that may not have been formed in development. The NSET program is now available as a program you can do at home with your child. The system is very easy to follow and highly effective at correcting learning problems. You can find the complete system at http://www.learning-aids.com

Babies are not born hard wired for every task. They wire their brains as they develop. Tasks that cross the vertical midline (crawling) are what helps them develop. Developing gross motor skills is the first and most necessary step that needs to take place to build a proper learning foundation for students. This is what may have been missed and without it learning success is nearly impossible.

NSET first develops gross motor skills and once those skills are in place, NSET moves the student into the visual level. 75-90 percent of what we take in is visual, so this is a very important step in the learning success. NSET works students on visual processing skills as well as eye tracking, visual closure, visual discrimination, visual memory, and visual motor integration. These skills are vitally important for students to be able to read, write, spell, and perform basic mathematical operations. Yet, students are rarely taught these skills with traditional approaches. Instead, they are fed another dose of academics.

NSET breaks the academics down into smaller pieces and slowly build up the learning foundation.

Next, NSET takes the student into an auditory level. So many students struggle to hear correctly or fail to filter out extraneous information. It is extremely important for a student to be able to hear sounds correctly to read, write, and spell. Students work on auditory discrimination, auditory closure, auditory memory, auditory processing, and basic following of directions to prepare students academically as well as to sit in a classroom and listen and correctly process a teacher’s lecture.

As an added bonus, focusing skills will come into play naturally once the student’s visual and auditory skills are in place. Many students are misdiagnosed as having ADD, when in fact they are struggling to focus because of distractions in their environment or weak learning systems. It is hard to focus if you can’t tune out background noises or if the letters on your pages are wiggling and not holding still.

While working with the student’s sensory learning systems, it’s important to also incorporate brain retraining activities that help the student strengthen the communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain as well as build new neural pathways in the brain. This is a specific, step by step process where basic skills such as eye tracking are strengthened and slowly multi-step thinking and processing skills are attained.

Although this approach is not traditional in the sense that it is not a dose of more academics, this method of helping students overcome learning differences has been used successfully for almost 15 years. Students who have failed to learn with other approaches find success, usually within 12 to 18 months with consistent application. And, there is nothing better than watching a student go from failure to success, both academically and in life.

Whether you are concerned about a minor learning difference or you are dealing with something more serious such as needing treatment for dysgraphia (trouble with writing), Dyscalculia Treatment (Like dyslexia for math), or dyslexia treatment NSET might be just what you are looking for. You can find lots more information at http://www.learning-aids.com

Information given and opinions expressed above are from the guest blogger.

Reverse the Summer Brain Drain

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:56:00 +0000

School Zone recently launched their new Start to Read! leveled reading program for early learners. I had a chance to try out the level 1 set with my son, who loves books and loves learning to read. The books are simple, with repetitive text, yet the stories are cute and funny. The CD gives you the option of listening to the stories with our without the page turning cue. I’m all for programs that help children learn to enjoy reading! Read below for more info.

From the company- The updated sequence-based series, which consists of storybooks and complementary materials across three progressive reading levels, is designed to build a solid literary foundation for any child while teaching kids that reading is fun!

The multi-component Start to Read! Program uses a tried and true, 3-step approach to reading: listen, read, review. The 6-book set for each level contains five beginning reader books, a read-along and songs CD, a comprehension workbook and a parent guide. Each of the components provides children with a fun learning experience while working together to teach budding bookworms – as young as four – to read successfully. In addition to teaching basic reading concepts, the three-level series also accelerates learning and develops reading skills and vocabulary.

Level 1 books are designed for emergent readers, ages 4-6, and have limited vocabulary – each book introduces between 9 and 50 words. Utilizing short, one-line sentences, the titles in level 1 provide simple picture clues that significantly support the text.

The five titles in the Level 2 collection feature brief stories that introduce controlled vocabulary, simple sentence patterns and rhyming words and are designed for children ages 5-7. Picture clues provide considerable support for the test. Each book presents the reader with 50-70 new words.

Level 3 features stories with the most new words and vocabulary and are aimed at readers ages 6-7. Many of the words can be read by changing the initial sound (rumbled-tumbled) or by rhyming with a known word (before-roar). Children should learn approximately 45-150 new words with each book.

Fun Features & Big Benefits

· Memorable stories and characters

· 3-step approach to reading

· Comprehension workbook activities

· Story narration on audio CD

· Whimsical, age-appropriate songs

All products are available from www.schoolzone.com.

* I received a product to review.

Cubbie Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:31:00 +0000

I’ve tried out a lot of unique things on Mommy’s Idea and I love when the idea for the product comes from a mom in need of a solution. The Cubbie Cup is a snack cup and sippy cup that are together in one piece. So when the kids need a snack and a drink, it’s easy to keep everything together, especially on the go. My son loves it and will ask for it when it’s snack time. Get your own at http://www.cubbiecup.com/!

From the Cubbie Cup website-

“Cubbie Cup is the ultimate combination of a sippy cup and a snack cup! Cubbie Cup was "born" on a crisp fall afternoon as I was driving home with my toddler. I watched her drink from a sippy cup, throw it on the floor, and start to eat her snacks. A moment later, she wanted her sippy cup again, but it was on the floor...and I was driving. Explaining to a toddler why mommy can't stop in the middle of traffic to retrieve a sippy cup doesn't go over so well! As soon as I got home, I drew the first sketch of what is now known as the Cubbie Cup!

No longer do we juggle multiple cups! I literally feel "off-duty" during snack time! When you are relaxing at home, taking trips to the mall or the park, Cubbie Cup is a snack time necessity! I hope your family enjoys it as much as we do!”

Sincerely,

Tiara Henderson, Parent & CEO

Parent Perfected, LLC

* I received a product to review.

Fusion Pilates

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:23:00 +0000

Meet Jennifer from Fusion Pilates!

Tell us a little about you . . .

My name is Jennifer Gianni. I've been in the mind/body field for over 20 years. My specialty is fitness for pre and post natal women. (details, celebrity clients and press at: http://www.fusionpilatesasheville.com/jennifer.php)

What is your business and where can we find it?

My fitness DVD business is called Fusion Pilates. We offer exercise dvds at www.fusionpilates.com. I also own and direct a Pilates studio in Asheville, NC (www.fusionpilatesasheville.com)

Is it mom-owned, invented, created . . .?

It is! I had no aspiration to start making exercise dvds. But when I became pregnant with my first child - I suddenly realized that there was not a lot of good information about fitness for pregnant women. And I wasn't sure I could trust the info that was out there. So - I did tons and tons of research, I collaborated with doctors and doulas, and experimented with many different ideas that were both safe and effective. This is how I created Fusion Pilates for Pregnancy. I started teaching that at my studio in Los Angeles, CA - and a pregnant client who was going out of town begged me to make a little video for her to take with her. I did - and that grew into what is now Fusion Pilates DVDs.

A little about your entrepreneur journey so far?

For me, the creative part of entrepreneurship is what I enjoy. Coming up with ideas that might be helpful for other people. If the idea is good - the business part seems to take care of itself.

Where else can people find you?

Our DVD's are available at www.fusionpilates.com. We are also on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Pilates-Asheville/51272186445

Anything else you’d like to share?

I guess the biggest thing we try to put out there is the fact that I created my program for myself when I was searching for a way to stay in shape effectively - but most importantly - safely. Pregnancy can be a stressful time - so it's great to have a workout you don't need to worry about!

* I received a product to review.

Letters, Sounds, and Words- Learning to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:09:00 +0000

Learning to read is exciting for children and parents, although difficulties with reading can also be quite frustrating. As parents, we need to remember that kids begin the process of reading long before they enter school. They listen to others speak and repeat the sounds as they learn to talk. They learn about letters and see words everywhere they turn. All of these are components in building a strong base from which they can move on to more complicated tasks.

Educational jargon can be confusing- you’ll hear the terms phonics, letter recognition, and sight words. You’ll be given suggestions on how to increase retention and improve phonological awareness. It may be overwhelming at times, but your child’s teacher is there to help and there are some fantastic resources available online.

What we want children to understand is that letters represent sounds and those letters join together to form words. Reading aloud to your children is important and gives them the opportunity to see reading modeled by an adult. It’s also important to provide what we call a “literature rich environment,” which means that they are surrounded by words, text, and books, long before they learn to read. Your local library is a great resource.

As children become more independent as readers, we want to encourage their independence in figuring out words and understanding stories. Asking questions is one of the best things you can do to help your child, even if he isn’t reading on his own yet.

Have fun with it and explore stories and topics that will stretch your child’s imagination!

*This is a sponsored post, but opinions are always my own.

First Little Gripper Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:37:00 +0000

This is a great sippy cup. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and has easy to grip handles. The best part is how easy it closes. Just slide the top closed and the straw folds down!

Visit www.Playtexbaby.com to learn more about the First Lil’ Gripper™ Straw Trainer Cup.

Sippy Cup Dos…and Some Helpful Don’ts!

By Dr. Bill Sears

Are you thinking it may be time to say bye-bye to bottles? (They do grow up so quickly!) Expert pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears and Playtex have some tips and cups you’re sure to love—specially created for this exciting stage of baby’s development. If you’re considering a cup, consider this:

Do enjoy this wonderful milestone with your baby who will proudly master a cup at her own pace.

Don’t be in a hurry. Wait until baby can sit up and hold an object with both hands — usually between 6 to 10 months.

Do choose a first cup with easy-to-grasp handles and a soft spout that’s gentle on baby’s sensitive gums — like the Playtex® The First Sipster® cup, designed with a feeding specialist and pediatrician.

Do make it fun for your baby by playing a little game. Sit face to face with him and place an empty cup within his reach. Drink from your cup and see if he grabs his sippy to mimic your actions.

Do consider a cup that your child can hold and control easily and can help them transition from bottle to cup. The First Lil’ Gripper™ Straw Trainer Cup was designed with a child development expert for just this purpose. This easy-to-use cup helps moms teach their babies how to suck and drink from a straw. It’s ergonomically designed with easy grip handles for little hands and also has a squeezing feature, such that a parent can squeeze, but a child could not easily do so.

Don’t overfill the cup when baby is first learning to use it. Start by adding water or diluted juice into the cup only to about one quarter-full until baby’s skills mature.

Don’t worry about spills or leaks as babies graduate from trainer cups. With the Playtex® Twist ‘N Click lid — you’ll see and hear it click closed — and you’ll know it’s Leak-Proof Guaranteed!

Do enjoy every moment of your baby’s newly blossoming independence as he makes his way up to the big-kid cups.

MeSoap- Help Save Lives!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 02:10:00 +0000

A good friend recently got involved in a GREAT cause- getting soap and clean water to those in need- and started MeSoap.

Please check them out at www.soapsaves.com and like them on facebook.

“Your support through purchasing MeSoap products allows us to not only provide soap, but to train communities in the proper hygiene that will ultimately save lives.”

“For every bar of MeSoap you purchase we will donate one to a child in need.”

“While testing out a few ideas we surprisingly discovered that the biggest need in our world is access to clean water and soap, and that these items could save and improve the lives of more people than medicines, doctors or peace treaties. Something so simple. It still amazes me.” –Mike, Co-Founder

“What it comes down to is, the world sanitation problem is gut-wrenching, but 100% reversible, and we have the skills and drive to fix it.” –Garth, Co-Founder

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

noreply@blogger.com (Mommy's Idea) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:26:00 +0000

Alright, this one’s pretty easy. I need some followers for my new blog, so all you have to do is . . .

1- Head on over to www.writeforapples.com and become a follower or sign up for an e-mail subscription. Then come back here and leave a comment saying that you did.
***2 entries if you do both!

2- I’ll also give you one extra entry for every post you comment on over there. Come back here and leave a comment on this post for every one you do.

3- Follow my new twitter handle @writeforapples –1 entry

4- Extra entries for every day that you tweet this giveaway!

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. http://bit.ly/mTn2qT #giveaway

Please make sure you come back here and comment on this post so I know how many entries to give you.

Open to anyone with an e-mail address. GC will be in USD.

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.