I spent a good three months looking at power tooth brushes. I have a scary passion for oral health, mostly because I really hate the dentist. In order to make my visits as smooth as possible I do everything in my power to avoid extra visits.

When researching power tooth brushes I looked for ease of use, ease of charging and cost. Cost was a big one.

A few weeks ago I was emailed to try out the Oral-B Professional Series Deep Sweep Triaction, their newest power tooth-brush.

Color me impressed. Deeply impressed.

This power tooth-brush has upwards of 48,800 bristle movements a minute…a minute! I can’t do that with my manual at all. My arm would get tired… I have also noticed that the amount of gunk that gets removed from my teeth each time I use it has increased, my teeth are left feeling clean. They tell me that the Deep Sweep Triaction can remove 76% more plaque in the hard to reach places (the back corners of your mouth and those darn awkward angles) and even more in the regular easy to get to places.

The other key part of the Deep Sweep Triaction that I love so much is something that Oral-B is known for anyway, the indicator brush heads. It reminds me to change the head of the brush every three months, once the color fades away from the bristles. I have the worst “mommy-brain” ever, so this is so helpful.

You know how the dentist will tell you to spend 30 seconds in each “section” of your mouth…the Deep Sweep Triaction will tell you when to switch with a double vibrate, something that helps a ton because before I would count and lose my place.

Taking care of your teeth is critical to your health. I can tell when my mouth isn’t clean, I get headaches and my mouth just feels off. It trickles down the rest of my body, another reason I take such good care of my teeth. Diet alone won’t help keep your teeth clean, you need a good brush and routine to keep it that way.

Do you want to win a  Oral-B Professional Series Deep Sweep Triaction? Leave a comment letting me know the best feature for you! Get a bonus entry by tweeting the comment and leaving me the link.

The giveaway closes Monday March 25th.

The Oral-B Professional Series Deep Sweep Triaction retails for about 64.99, with the replacement heads costing about $10 depending on where you buy. I was provided with an  Oral-B Professional Series Deep Sweep Triaction to review. The opinions are my own.

Chaos has hit our home in a new fantastic way so we are all adjusting. It is taking time but so worth it. We have a new routine that we are all getting used to, new ground rules. Our new normal.

I will be back…I hope…

But I am working on a review/giveaway that will post this week so stay tuned!

The problem was…there wasn’t an infant car seat that would fit a child of age 2 (usually about 35-40 pounds.

In comes Graco to save the day!

Graco has come out with a car seat that is not only rear-facing until 40 pounds but is also an infant seat! The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 is a rear facing infant car seat that provides protection for your child and peace of mind for you until 2 years of age. BUT! Not only does it protect your child up to 40 pounds, but the itty bitty newborns as small at 4 pounds will be safe and snug in this seat as well. You read that right, 4-40 pounds!

This is huge people!

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 is available exclusively at Babies R Us online and in stores and works with their Click Connect strollers. It costs $219.99, and while some may scoff at that price think of all you will spend on 2 seats in the first two years. Do the math and let me know…that’s what I thought

I got to see first hand how this seat works when Allison and Heather hosted a gathering with a bunch of moms who wanted to learn more about this wonderful car seat.

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 has a base that adjusts to 8 levels of recline, from tiny little baby to 2 year olds who need the foot room. There is even a kick “board” that comes out to protect your seats and help you see how your child is fitting length wise.

The biggest pain of most seats is adjusting the straps as your child grows, not with this seat!! Graco was smart, and add The Simply Safe Adjust harness that slides with the push of a button to grow with your baby. This is a huge thing for me because how often do I forget that the straps need to be adjusted until he is IN the seat and we are late. Too often!

Leo was a big fan of the night, the seat and Heather. Heather was heaven in his eyes. He loved her, which is good because I have decided that Heather’s little girl and Leo are getting married…so there.

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 comes in two patterns; a neutral Moonstruck and a pretty Mena that is perfect for the little girl in your life.

No need to transition to a new car seat once your baby reaches that “max” weight most seats have. No worrying if your child is just over that 22 pound weight limit (my panic lately). I am very excited about this seat, and can’t wait to tell all my mommy-to-be friends about it!

If you want to learn more search #GracoSafety or go straight to their website.

The Graco SnugRide® Click Connect 40– the first and only newborn to two-year infant car seat that actually grows with your baby from four pounds all the way up to 40 pounds. The car seat is designed for a parent on the go. The infant car seat can be easily removed from the base and used as a carrier when the infant is small, providing portability and convenience so you can easily move your infant in and out of the car without disturbing them.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently made the recommendation to keep all children in rear-facing car seats until the age of 2. Graco set out to make this product so parents can keep infants rear facing longer while still keeping them comfortable. 

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Graco. The opinions and text are all mine.

I was given a Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 to review for this post.

There are so many things that I want to write about, but having your words thrown in your face makes it so difficult to get the words out. I crave writing, I compose posts in my head day and night but dangit…no words can come out. It’s not fear, it’s anger.

I want to write about my position on the “marriage” amendment. I want to write how I will be voting no, the only time I will talk about how I vote. Can I just say that I adore Chris Kluwe from the Vikings for his bravery in writing this and this.

I want to write about some family stuff going on, but the words are harder to come by. It has been a long week for my family, mainly my brother. Prayers would be lovely as he navigates this new path.

We decided that Leo needed to (finally) be in daycare. He needs the interaction, needs the contact with other kids. He has been home for a year with Hubs, now is the time. He starts Monday and I am nervous! I know he will be fine, but wow the nerves.

Remember, don’t compare your kids. It isn’t worth it, isn’t the right thing to do. Ever.

The Brady Brides is on tonight, I am a little too excited about it. It’s a sickness.

I just needed to write. I will try to write more, get past the anger.

I adore you. Thank you for always welcoming me to this world with open arms.

Long at work, long at home. It was just one of those days. The kind of day where I want to curl under my covers as soon as I can. Everyone is emotional today after a long weekend.

There are days I wish I had some quiet. Where I had some time. Where I wonder what it would be like in calmness.

But then I look around my dinner table, to the one banging his hands squashing his food, to the one that can’t make it more than 2 minutes without talking and to Hubs who is cringing when his fantasy running back gets plowed.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As much as I wish and dream of calm and quiet, there is a part of me that wishes our chaos was even more. Those are the days I really miss Hunter, even more than normal. His place at the table sits empty, and I ache for his  conversation and goofy humor.

But imagine the quiet…I don’t even know what to do with the though of it.

Linking up with Just Write today.

Bang, smash, crash.

The noise of a boy’s life are in full force.

Pulling everything off the shelves, shoving things to the side as he crawls past.

Pushing the dog, trying to push the dog rather.

Refusing hugs, refusing snuggles.

Eating…the non stop eating.

The horrific teething that we never dealt with with his sister.

Dirt, sticks, streaks of whatever was for lunch trail down his shirt.

Or lack of shirt since he hates wearing clothes, hates wearing shoes or socks too.

It’s going to be a long winter.

The desire to be wherever I am.

The smile and squeals when I walk in after work.

The small mini snuggle I get when he first gets up, or after we change his diaper.

The smell after his bath, short living since he will soon be dirty again.

The tender boy who is shocked when his younger cousin is a brut.

The look on his face when he gets something.

The look of joy when the puppy walks into the room.

The pure look of love he has for his brother.

The boys life…what a ride.

*Linking up with Heather of The EO for Just Write for the first time in months.*

In Becca’s post she talks about “5 Ways to Raise a Confident Student”, and each of her points resonated with us. We knew we wanted a better year for Hunter, and an even better year for Boo. While each of our children has their own challenges, and on very different ends of the spectrum, we want them to be succeed as best they can.

For both kids, we asked them what they wanted their “school year expectations” to be. Once we completed our lists I typed them up, printed them and all of us signed the lists. It was a great discussion, one we will resist at each end of term I think. I wanted to share some of them, maybe give you an idea to help your kids.

Expectations:
– Homework turned in on time
– Bring homework home, to both houses to get it done
– Maintain a B average* (very VERY doable for both kids)
– Make new friends, meet someone new that you don’t normally hang out with
– Don’t be so hard on yourself (guess who)
– Stand up for yourself like you do your friends

Rewards:
– Fishing trip with Grandpa
– Sleepover with 3 friends
– Extra Wii time
– Staying up late
– Cabin time
– Sleepover with all the cousins
– Manicure with Mom

Non-Rewards
– Early bedtime
– No electronics (tv, Wii, ipod included)
– No cabin time
– No sleepovers with the grandparents

*To us, a B average is A’s, B’s and C’s, but no D’s.

Both kids were very involved in making all aspects of their lists. I felt this was important, it was a discussion rather than a talking-too. My kids have always responded better to this.

I am excited for 5th and 10th grade, and I know my kids are excited to be back in school. My hope is for the best possible year for them, and I will do everything in my power to help them achieve this.

Last night we had stuffed shells and ohmygawd they were so good. I had to fight to save two for my lunch today! They were easy and something we will be making again for sure.

I got my recipe from three different cookbooks and sort of blended them together.

Need:
At least 12 Jumbo shells, we did 15
Tomato sauce (we used homemade sauce, because Hubs is a rockstar)
Hamburger and/or Sausage
Shredded mozzarella Cheese (about 1 cup)
Grated Parmesan Cheese (about 1/4 cup) You could use Ricotta, we just don’t like it
1 Egg

Pre-heat oven to 375
Grease the bottom of a 9×13 pan
Cook shells per directions, run under cold water and set aside.
Brown the meat, drain and add the sauce to meat bringing to heated temp.
Mix the cheese and egg into a bowl, leaving a little to sprinkle on top.
Put a layer of sauce/meat mixture on the bottom of the pan.
Using a regular spoon, insert about a scoop and a half into each shell.
Lay open side down in the pan.
Once all shells are filled, cover with the remaining sauce/meat mixture
Sprinkle with a little cheese, you don’t need a bunch
Bake for 25-30 minutes, let sit for about 5 minutes after and serve!

This is one the best dishes we have made, and they were so filling! It is also something you can do without meat if you are going for a meat-free night.

I know that in our house, with Boo being home for the summer that her teeth brushing and flossing has gone to the back-burner. I am not here in the mornings to make sure she does it right the first time, and that is not going to last any longer.

Jennie Garth, Crest and Oral-B are teaming up to inspire children and their families to “brush up” on their oral hygiene habits as school gears up. Jennie Garth says, “Sometimes it’s more difficult to keep routines in place during the summer. The back-to-school season is a great time to build a schedule that works for the whole family and to identify the right tools to ensure we take the best care of ourselves.”. This is so true for many of us.

‘

Crest and Oral-B have made it so easy to get yourselves into the schedule and routine as the new school years begins. With the Pro-Health FOR ME for the tweens (age 8 and up) and the Oral-B Stages (4 months to 7 years of age) there is a wide variety of products available for your child, with their favorite characters. The Pro-Health FOR ME line just launched an electronic toothbrush,(seen below with Jennie and her daughter Lola) it even works for kids with braces.

“The most important part of oral care happens at home. Proper brushing and flossing habits, along with regular dental checkups, can help children establish positive lifestyle habits, while also preventing decay and gum disease.” advises Dr. Jennifer Salzer, a dentist, orthodontist and mother of four. “Using products such as Crest and Oral-B can give parents a peace of mind that their children are receiving excellent oral care – while knowing that these are products children will want to use.”

I remember a time when Boo would ONLY use a tooth brush that had a Princess on it, and Oral-B Stages has many that fit that bill. Whether your child likes Pooh, Princesses or even Jake and the Neverland Pirates, there is something for every child.

What can you do to set your child up for success with their oral health?

Want to win a set of either Oral-B Stages or Oral-B Pro-Health FOR ME products for  your child? Leave me a comment below on your favorite part of back to school.

Connect with Oral-B or Crest on Twitter or Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/crest
https://www.facebook.com/oralb
https://twitter.com/Crest
https://twitter.com/OralB

Giveaway closes Friday August 24th.

The above content includes only my thoughts and opinions. I did not receive products for this review, I just believe very strongly in what Crest and Oral-B stand for and do.

We had Pizza Burgers last night for the football game (so glad football is back!). We always try to do something fun for games, and if all else fails we do Hubs Chili.

When I was working on next week meal planning, I found ground sausage in the freezer, and since last night was not a planned meal night (lots of reasons) we decided to use it and the other ingredients we already had to make some yummy Pizza Burgers.

Here is the recipe that we use:

1 lbs hamburger
1 lbs ground sausage
I jar tomato sauce or pizza sauce (I used spaghetti sauce, adds more flavors)
mozzarella cheese – as much as you want
1/4 finely chopped onion
2 gloves garlic
salt and pepper
8 Hamburger buns split (16 halves)

Preheat oven to 350

Cook hamburger and sausage in the same pan, yummy! Add onion and garlic to cook it down some.

After draining the meat, add about half the jar of sauce. Stir in some cheese, you want it to be a gooey mess really. Add as much additional sauce as you want. I had ours be a bit runny to start and added more cheese at the end. Having the juice soak into the meat is key for my kids.

Scoop about 1/4-1/3 cup of the mixture onto one half of a bun. I can fit about 8 halves (4 buns) onto a cookie sheet.

Place both cookie sheets into the oven for about 20 minutes. If using to different shelves/racks rotate about half way through.

Once out of the oven, sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese and let sit for a minute or so.

Devour.

These are great for freezing too, easy dinners when you are busy. Freeze the burgers on a cookie sheet until almost frozen, wrap in foil individually and put in a freezer bag/container. When you want to reheat, defrost about half way and put in a 350 oven for another 20 minutes still wrapped in foil.

You can also add some yummy peppers or flavor them anyway you could possibly want. My kids LOVE them, even Leo.