SuperMommy Reviews

Business Cards from Tiny Prints

2012-02-08T19:40:00.000-08:00

Tiny Prints is quickly becoming my go-to choice for personalized printing needs. Their cards and invitations are all so cute and their quality can't be beat. So when I needed new blogging business cards, of course, I thought of Tiny Prints. And I was not disappointed! The styles of their business cards range from classic to super-trendy. You can even choose from classic business card size or adorable square cards. And, as is always the case with Tiny Prints, personalizing the cards was super-easy. The only thing that was tough was picking a style for my cards because there were so many great styles to choose from!

Of course, ordering business cards is one thing, but keep all those incoming and outgoing cards organized at a conference is another. To organize my cards while I'm at a conference, I got a business card holder that has a pocket on each side. Having two pockets is the perfect system for me. I put my cards that I'm handing out in one pocket and file the cards that I receive in the other pocket. This keeps the cards contained and orderly till I can get home and store them more permanently. How do you keep your business cards organized?

{This is a sponsored post brought to you by Tiny Prints.}

We are Habitual Movers

2012-02-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

Here's the thing about my family: we are habitual movers. For the last 15 years, we haven't lived anywhere for more than 4 years--and most of our moves are just under 2 years apart. Our moves have all had reasons ranging from school to job transfers, but honestly we like moving. We like the sense of adventure, the chance to try new things and meet new people. We've gotten so used to moving that I can't imagine what it would be to live in the same place for more than a handful of years. All our moving experiences got me thinking about some of the characteristics of habitual movers. So, here's my list:

You might be a habitual mover if...

1) You consider living somewhere longer than a year "a long time".

2) You can run a comparative analysis of moving companies using only your own data.

3) The number of states your child has lived in and their age are surprisingly close.

4) You have a list titled "things to do different during the next move".

5) Your kids talk about "when we move to our next house" even though you don't have an impending move planned.

6) Living anywhere longer than 3 years makes you stir-crazy for your next move.

7) When your kids play house, it often involves moving.

8) You can unpack and set up a new house in under 2 weeks.

If this list describes you, happy moving and enjoy your next adventure!

Check Out the Adorable Valentines Cards from Tiny Prints

2012-01-30T20:06:00.000-08:00

{This is a sponsored post brought to you by Tiny Prints}

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the decorations, the hearts, the love, and the chocolate--of course! Everything about Valentine's Day is just so sweet. And what could be better than an adorable card to help spread the love??

After seeing the great Christmas cards at Tiny Prints, I was excited to check out their personalized Valentine Day greeting cards. And I was not disappointed because the cards were so stinkin' cute! Tiny Prints offers a huge selection of Valentine cards for your loved one--romantic cards, funny cards, photo cards. They also carry a full selection of Valentine's Day party invites so you can invited people to your Valentine bash in style.

But my favorites were definitely the classroom Valentine cards. What could be cuter for my kids to pass out to their classmates than a card featuring their own adorable picture? And pre-printed cards means no tiny cards to tear apart, write on and fold up. After years of teaching preschool and dealing with thousands of those tiny Valentines cards, I'm excited about a cute, higher quality card for my kids.

I know my daughter would love all the sweet hear flowers on this one. Plus, what says Valentine's Day more than pink hearts?

This one would go over perfect with my son, who will love the pirate pun:

But I think this one is my favorite. I love the colors and the printing overlay on the photo:

Check out the Tiny Prints site and let me know which Valentine card is your favorite. For more details on Tiny Prints, you can follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and even check out their boards on Pinterest. Have fun spreading the love on Valentine's Day!

Our Christmas: A Recap in Pictures

2012-01-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! We had such a fabulous Christmas around our house with my family in from out of town. We stayed so busy with Christmas fun that I didn't have time to hit the blog, but I'm back now. And what better way to get back to blogging than sharing some cute holiday pics!

Oral-B Stages & Crest and Oral B Pro-Health FOR ME Mommy Party

2011-12-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

My kids' oral health is a big deal for me. I work hard to teach my kids how to take care of their teeth and I take pride in the fact that none of my kids have ever had a cavity. So I jumped at the chance to host an Oral-B Mommy Party.

Oral-B sent us all sorts of goodies to pass out to the kids at the party. No matter what age your kids are, Oral-B has great products for your kids. For younger kids, Oral-B sent us some of their Stages line. We got to check out some of the toothbrushes and floss picks in the Stages line, which also includes toothpaste. Stages products come in 3 levels: 4-24 months, 2-4 years and 5-7 years, so they are perfectly tailored to your child as they grow. The kids at the party loved the Disney characters on the toothbrushes and floss picks. The Stages Oral-B products can be found in Disney princess, Toy Story and Car styles, so your child will be sure to find a kind they like.

My son will be turning 8 this summer, so I was excited to get to check out Oral-B's Pro-Health For Me line. This line is tailored just for kids 8-12, with funky styling to appeal to older kids. The Pro-Health For Me line includes toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss picks and fluoride rinse. My son and his friends loved the cool graphics on the products. Because my son's oral health is so important to me, I'm happy to know that there are products out there that he's interested in using, especially as he gets old enough to take over his own oral care.

In addition to send us the awesome products to check out, Oral-B made sure we had great activities at the party as well. The kids had fun playing the Healthy Mouth game, where they sorted items that are good for your mouth verses those that aren't. And the highlight of the party was the screening of Cars 2! In our party pack, we got a DVD of Cars 2 and some Cars 2 gummy vitamins, which help keep kids healthy all around. The kids LOVED the movie and the moms loved seeing how excited they were about the Oral-B products, so the party was a huge hit all around!

Building Some Fun at Our MegaBloks Mommy Party

2011-12-05T14:59:00.000-08:00

The kids and I had so much fun with our first MegaBloks Mommy Party that we jumped at the chance to host a second one! And our second party definitely didn't disappoint. I'm not sure who had more fun--the kids or the moms. The kids had a tower building contest to see who could build the tallest tower. They also had races to see who could push their MegaBloks vehicle to the finish line the fastest--using only their nose! Of course, us moms had fun chatting, snacking and checking out all the fun MegaBloks goodies.

And MegaBloks definitely sent us some great toys to check out! The kids loved the giant Farm set. The farm animals were particularly cute and the kids couldn't get enough of the little tractor. They all took turns building an arch with MegaBloks and pushing the tractor through the tunnel. Despite all those fun features, my favorite part of the set may be the giant tub that the farm set comes in because the lid has MegaBloks bumps on it. This means that you can build right on the lid and it's a nice big building surface--large enough to build a cute, happy farm big enough for all the animals :)

My favorite MegaBloks toy that we were sent for our party was the adorable Jungle Friends set. Seriously, I always knew MegaBloks were fun and educational, but never have I seen them be so stinking cute! In the Jungle Friends set, all of the blocks feature cute stickers which help your kid's creations come to life. Four of the blocks have faces of animals on them, allowing kids to build their own animals. The animal print blocks and plant life blocks just add extra life to the adorable creations.

If you're looking for a more pink girly option that is just as cute, check out the Garden Friends set. It uses the same concept as the Jungle Friends set but instead of jungle animals and plants, the Garden Friends set features bugs and flowers. Included in the cute carrying case are blocks with 4 bug faces, bug bodies and flowers. The girls at our party were crazy about the Garden Friends. The pink blocks were such a hit that they didn't want to share!

Look at how excited my little one is about her fun new MegaBloks! I know these cute new MegaBloks are going to be a great addition to our growing collection. I can't wait for our next MegaBloks party!

Fun Holidays: Today I Couldn't Pick Just One!

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

There were 2 holidays that I couldn't pass up mentioning today because they were just so fabulously funny! Today is both Bathtub Party Day and International Ninja Day. Seriously, ninjas and a bathtub party on the same day?? Best. Day. Ever.

Fun Holidays: National Cookie Day

2011-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is National Cookie Day, the perfect chance to start your holiday baking!

Fun Holidays: International Day of Disabled Persons

2011-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the International Day of Disabled Persons, a great chance to help your child learn some empathy by helping a disabled person in their lives. Here's to helping our kids be better people, one act of kindness at a time.

Review: HipSeat Baby Carrier

2011-12-02T20:37:00.001-08:00

The hip carry. Sticking your hip out to the side to make a perch for your baby. Every parent does it. And every parent know how uncomfortable it can be. If you are looking for a more comfortable, supportive way to carry your baby on your hip, the HipSeat is the perfect carrier for you!

The HipSeat is a waist belt-style carrier with an integrated seat for your baby. The seat is made of firm foam, making it a perfect perch for your little one. The waist belt can be fastened on either side so that your baby can be worn on which ever hip is more comfortable for you. The wide belt spreads the baby's weight over your waist and the seat allows you to keep your back in alignment while carrying your child, meaning less back problems and other health issues. The HipSeat also features a clip for your keys and an integrated pocket to stash your wallet or other necessities.

The HipSeat is a hands-on carrier, meaning that you have to keep one hand on your child while using the HipSeat. This is the first hands-on carrier I've tried and, while it may not be my carrier of choice to use for an all-day outing, I found it to be great for perfect situations. My daughter is almost 2 and toddlers often want to be picked up one minute and put down the next. Strapping or wrapping my daughter into a complicated carrier only to have her want to get out 3 minutes later can be infuriating. That's where the HipSeat is perfect. I can wear the HipSeat around and easily pick my daughter up and carry her when she wants to be carried, but then put her down just as easily when she wants to get down.

I like that the waist belt attaches around your waist with both a large Velcro panel and a plastic clip because it makes the belt feel very secure. And I love that the waist belt can be folded up and snapped away when not in use, making the HipSeat more compact for traveling or storing. Because of the adjustable size, my husband and I can both use the HipSeat. The pocket is convenient because it holds enough that I can even leave my purse at home for just a short trip.

I found the HipSeat to be both comfortable and convenient--my two main criteria for a carrier. Give it a try and discover a more comfortable way to carry your toddler!

{I received free products to facilitate this review. However, the opinions expressed here are my own.}

Fun Holidays: National Mutt Day

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is National Mutt Day, a day for embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. There are millions of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the country; might one be a perfect pet for your family? And if your family isn't looking for a new pet, today's a good day to just celebrate all those mutts out there!

Top Baby Names for 2011

2011-12-01T20:10:00.001-08:00

Baby names are one of my favorite topics, so I always love checking out the new trends. Though the official Social Security Administration list won't come out for a while, Baby Center has declared their top 100 baby names of 2011. You can see the complete list here. So where do your favorite names rank? How does the popularity of a name affect your choosing it for your baby? My husband and I prefer more unusual names, our rule is that we can't use any names in the top 100. And we also shy away from those names that are just out the top 100 for fear that they will jump into the top 100 during our baby's birth year. What baby naming guidelines do you follow when choosing a name?

Fun Holidays: Cookie Cutter Week

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

This week is Cookie Cutter Week. Time to celebrate by cooking up a batch of cut-out cookies!

"Like" Primrose on Facebook to Donate Food to Needy Families

2011-11-30T19:08:00.001-08:00

Primrose Schools is hosting their 2nd annual Cans for Fans virtual food drive in association with Feeding America. Now through December 31, Primrose Schools will donate one can of food for every new "like" they receive on their Facebook page. Not only that, they will donate two cans of food every time a fan "shares" the Cans for Fans status post. So get liking and sharing and give some help to a family in need this season.

Winning Wednesday: Giveaway Link-up

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday! Get busy entering to win and posting your giveaways. Please remember to post an ending date. Thanks!

Like Juno on Facebook and Help Kids in Need

2011-11-20T19:59:00.001-08:00

Here's an easy way to help kids in need with the click of a button. Just like Juno Baby on Facebook and Juno will donate a music DVD to a child in need. What a simple way to make someone's holidays a little more special.

Sales and Deals: 40% off Photo Books at Shutterfly

2011-11-20T19:56:00.001-08:00

Use the code "BOOK40" to save 40% on photo books at Shutterfly. Ends Nov 21.

Sales and Deals: 40% off at LOFT

2011-11-20T19:55:00.001-08:00

Now through Monday, use the code "TAKE40" to get 40% off all online purchase at LOFT.

Sales and Deals: Buy 1 Get 2 Free Calendars at Snapfish

2011-11-20T19:53:00.001-08:00

Use the code "3CALENDARS" through Nov 22 to buy one calendar get 2 free at Snapfish. Photo calendars make a great holiday gift, so it's a great way to check some gifts off your list!

Fun Holidays: Mickey Mouse Day

2011-11-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Mickey Mouse Day! As a former Disneyland season pass holder and someone who is totally bummed that we don't live next to Disney anymore, I look for any opportunity to get a little more Disney in our lives. So we will definitely be celebrating Mickey Mouse Day at our house!

Help Donate Food to Families in Need With the Click of a Button

2011-11-17T08:42:00.001-08:00

Pepto-Bismol is donating up to 2 million Thanksgiving meals to non-profit Feeding America, by simply clicking LIKE on their “Feast for All” turkey! It doesn't even requiring liking Pepto-Bismol to enter and each LIKE provides a donation of 8 meals to families in need. This is such a wimple way to help out those in need with juts the click of a button. Check it out here, click LIKE and then share it with your friends so everyone can help spread some food and holiday goodness this season.

New Pampers Gifts to Grow Code

2011-11-17T08:36:00.001-08:00

Use the Pampers Gifts to Grow code "HOLIDAYGIFT2011" to get 5 points. Expires Dec 2, 2011.

Could Shocking New Milwakuee Co-Sleeping Ads Put More Babies Lives at Risk?

2011-11-16T08:40:00.001-08:00

Most things in life have safe and unsafe ways of doing them. Everyday activities from riding a bike to using scissors, from riding in a car to eating can pose potentially life-threatening hazards. So why are we not seeing public service announcements meant to scare us into not eating grapes and peanuts so that we can reduce the rates of choking incidents? Because there are also safe ways to do these activities! No one would think of issuing blanket statements recommending you don't chop vegetables for fear of cutting your finger. Instead, we educate people on safe ways of doing things.

So why are recommendations for infant sleeping arrangements any different? There are both safe and unsafe ways to put your child to sleep. However, public officials seem more than willing to vilify co-sleeping and promote crib sleeping, despite the fact the virtually as many children die every year in cribs as they do when sleeping with adults. And those numbers include ALL deaths of children that occurred when sleeping with adults, including those where the adult was drunk, on drugs or sleeping on something of than a bed. When you compare crib sleeping to safe co-sleeping, you find that far fewer children die in safe co-sleeping environments than die in cribs.

There are safe and unsafe ways to sleep with your baby, just as there are safe and unsafe ways to use a crib. When it comes to crib sleeping, public officials issue warnings to help parents put their children to sleep safer, such as removing crib bumpers and moving the crib away from window covering cords. So why are they not willing to educate parents on the safe way to sleep with their children? Obviously, putting your baby to sleep on their stomachs in an adult bed surrounded by comforters, pillows and a butcher knife is not a safe idea. But a safe co-sleeping situation doesn't look like that, even minus the butcher knife. Officials state that they want to reduce the rate of SIDS, which is obviously a goal we should all strive for. However, literally millions of people around the world co-sleep, including in some countries where SIDS is so rare that it doesn't even have a name. Doesn't this seem to indicate that simply stopping co-sleeping isn't the answer to stopping SIDS?

As a parent who has co-slept with all 3 of my children, I find these new public service ads from the Milwaukee Department of Health not only offensive, but also potentially dangerous. Parents who see the public service campaign against co-sleeping and want to "do the safe thing" may instead choose to sitting on the couch while holding their baby. Unfortunately, parents of babies often find themselves sleep-deprived, especially during the middle of the night. So these parents may accidentally fall asleep while holding their babies on the couch, a much more dangerous and deadly arrangement than safe co-sleeping.

So instead of simply demonizing co-sleeping and creating a more potentially dangerous situation, let's try to educate parents on safe co-sleeping techniques. Here are basic safety precautions for co-sleeping:

Put your baby to sleep on their back.
Don't sleep with your baby if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Don't sleep with your baby on soft surfaces, like a couch, beanbag or waterbed.
Avoid crevices like those between the mattress and wall.
Ensure that no window covering cords hang near your bed.
Make sure your headboard doesn't have slats that your baby's head cause get trapped in.
Keep your baby away from soft bedding.
Only sleep with one baby in the bed at a time.

To read more about safe co-sleeping recommendations, visit Dr Sears website or the UNICEF Safe Bed-sharing Recommendations.

All babies deserve to be safe and all parents deserve to be able to make safe, informed choices for their families. Let's help spread the word about safe co-sleeping so that more babies can stay safe!

Winning Wednesday: Giveaway Link-up

2011-11-16T05:13:00.001-08:00

Happy Wednesday! Have fun entering the giveaways and linking up your own. Please be sure to post an ending date when you post. Have a great week!

Free Shipping at Snapfish

2011-11-14T18:25:00.001-08:00

Use the code FSNOV25 to get free shipping through Nov 30 on Snapfish orders of $25 or more.