The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too!

Johnson's Baby Cares Aims To Help Families When Disaster Strikes

2012-05-26T23:00:00.000-04:00

I have lived in Florida my entire life, so I have seen my fair share of natural disasters in the form of hurricanes. 2004 was a particularly bad year because we were hit with 3 major hurricanes in a matter of months. The first one, and the one that caused the most damage for us, was Charley. We weren't prepared. No one in Central Florida was. It wasn't supposed to come here. In fact, hundreds of families evacuated the west coast of Florida and sought shelter here in Orlando. Charley made a sudden turn at the last minute and came roaring through Central Florida. It was a quick moving storm, so it didn't last long, but it left a wake of destruction in it's path.

We were very lucky. Our new fence was a mess, with an entire section blown to the ground, and our palm trees were no longer upright, but we were safe and we our power was still on. Our neighbors weren't so lucky, though. Only my house and the house next door had power, while the rest of the neighborhood was out for a week. There were live power lines jumping around on our street, and a tree was upside down and inside the house across from us. The surrounding areas had the same issues, and this part of the city was pretty much shut down for several days while power was restored and the streets were cleaned up. It was a mess.

When Katrina hit in 2005, it made Charley look like a minor inconvenience. The devastation was tremendous. Lives were lost, and many families lost everything they owned when it made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. I cannot even begin to imagine what those families went through. We have yet to experience a disaster here since our kids were born, and I hope we don't ever have to. We do everything we can to keep our children safe, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans.

Johnson's Baby has partnered with Save the Children to assist families in times of disaster, through the new Johnson's Baby Cares charitable platform.

In 2012, Johnson's Baby Cares will:

Donate and distribute thousands of Johnson's Baby "Care Kits", providing families with baby care essentials immediately after a disaster.
Provide funding that enables Save the Children programming, such as Child Friendly Spaces, which supplies moms and children with safe areas to recover, play and experience the joy of being together as a family following a disaster.

This is such an awesome campaign, and we can all help! Visit Johnson's Baby Cares on Facebook to learn more and to find out how you can donate to this great cause. Johnson's Baby also committed to donate an additional $50,000 to Save the Children when they achieved 500,000 views on their "Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- You're Doing OK" video on YouTube. And guess what? That goal has been met! As of the time of this post, the video had 538,824 views!

Even though the video has already received the required amount of views for the donation, you still have to check it out. You may want to get a tissue handy...

This past Mother's Day really made me reflect on how blessed I am. We had a nice quiet lunch with my mom and celebrated very low-key this year, and it was pure joy just to have my family together. Johnson's Baby Cares wants to ensure all families have joyful moments, regardless of the situation. So when disaster strikes, they will be there to help.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Weekend Win It - May 26-27 {Giveaway Linky}

2012-05-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Weekend Win It! This giveaway linky is a great way to spread the word about your giveaways, or find some great ones to enter! And remember...you don't need to be a blogger to enter these giveaways!

Giveaway: Britax
Ends: 5/26

Prize: Car Seat Travel Cart (fits most convertible car seats)

Giveaway: Sport-Brella
Ends: 5/28

Prize: Sport-Brella Beach/Outdoor Umbrella

Giveaway: Gelarti
Ends: 5/30

Prize: Scene Pack

Giveaway: Publix
Ends: 6/2

Prize: $25 Publix Gift Card

Giveaway: Pillsbury
Ends: 6/6

Prize: Pillsbury Cookie Prize Pack

Giveaway: Residence Inn by Marriott
Ends: 6/10

Prize: $250 Residence Inn Gift Card

Giveaway: Energizer
Ends: 6/11

Prize: Two Specially Marked Packages of Energizer Max AA Batteries

Giveaway: Kidorable
Ends: 6/12

Prize: Your choice of a Kidorable Backpack

Giveaway: Little Mommy
Ends: 6/14

Prize: Little Mommy Sweet as Me Doll AND Baby So New Doll

Here are some great giveaways that I found this week...

Giveaway: Cuddly Monkey
Blog: Thanks, Mail Carrier
Ends: 6/8

Prize: The Babe tote bag from Cuddly Monkey

Giveaway: T-Fal
Blog: simple. green. organic. happy.
Ends: 5/30

Prize: Actifry

Giveaway: Technogel
Blog: Sweep Tight
Ends: 5/27

Prize: Technogel Gel Pillow

Giveaway: VTech
Blog: Our Kids Mom
Ends: 5/28

Prize: VTech Safe & Sound Video & Audio Baby Monitor

Giveaway: Nostalgia Electrics
Blog: Measuring Flower
Ends: 5/30

Prize: Margarator

What are you waiting for? Head over and enter these great giveaways now! And if you are hosting a family friendly giveaway (or twenty), please link them up below! I would love to find some other great giveaways to enter! Please come back and let me know if you win a giveaway that you found at Weekend Win It.

Have a great weekend!

*Please enter giveaways in this format: Blog Name - Giveaway - End Date. Thanks!

Five Question Friday - May 25th

2012-05-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

TGIF!!! What a busy week I have had! I'm totally exhausted, and ready for the long holiday weekend! Does anyone have anything fun planned this weekend? We have a cute little boy's first birthday party to attend Sunday, but other than that, we're doing nothing but relaxing and hanging out in the pool. I can't wait!

I don't have the energy to write any more right now, so I'm going to move right in to Five Question Friday. I hope you all have a great weekend!

1. Are you a napper?

I would be if I could! Although my memories of my life before kids are quite hazy these days, I do remember my weekend naps. There is nothing like curling up on the couch and sleeping the day away. These days...ha! My kids stopped napping a long time ago, so that means that mommy doesn't get to nap either. I wouldn't be able to sleep with all of the fighting going on anyway.

2. What was your favorite subject in school? Most hated?

My favorite subject was math. I was good at it, and it was pretty easy for me. I pretty much hated everything else, especially English, as I'm sure you can tell by my awesome writing skills. (Or should I say, lack thereof?)

3. Did you have the something old new borrowed and blue at your wedding? What were they?

You know, I had planned to, but now I don't know if I did. I had a blue garter, so I think that was supposed to be my "new" and "blue". I borrowed a necklace from my best friend, so that one was covered too. I think I had planned to wear my grandmother's engagement ring as my "old", but after looking through my wedding pictures and trying to think back, I don't know if I did. I might have to break out the wedding video this weekend!

4. What one thing are you determined to do this summer?

Get my house shoveled out! Seriously, the walls are closing in around this place. I absolutely loathe garage sales, but I think I see us having one in the near future. I have got to get rid of all of the baby crap!

5. Ice cream or Popsicles?

Ice cream! That's a no-brainer! Edy's Double Fudge Brownie to be exact. Yum!

Get Cooking With Coca-Cola {Coca-Cola Rice Recipe}

2012-05-24T22:30:00.000-04:00

If you are a Coke drinker like me, then you are probably familiar with My Coke Rewards. This great program rewards you for being a loyal Coca-Cola fan, and also gives you access to exclusive sweepstakes, offers and promotions. The latest promotion through My Coke Rewards is Coke with Meals.

This spring, Coca-Cola wants to help gather your family around the dinner table with Coke with Meals through My Coke Rewards. Take a cue from the warmer weather and let MCR.com spice-up your mealtimes with featured recipes and how-to videos from Chefs G. Garvin and Ingrid Hoffmann or submit your own recipes to inspire others!

I was recently asked to try out one of the featured recipes, and it was not an easy decision to choose which one I wanted to try. If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have noticed some pins of these great recipes like Lime Chicken with Quick Avocado Salsa and Fastest Ever Chicken Enchiladas. Both of those recipes had several re-pins, so I hope some of you were able to try them out in your kitchen.

Since the theme of this promotion is "Get Cooking with Coca-Cola", I wanted to make something that actually had Coca-Cola in the recipe, so I ultimately chose the Coca-Cola Rice. This recipe called for very few ingredients and looked easy enough to make, even for a super-busy mom like me who doesn't have much time to spend in the kitchen.

Coca-Cola Rice

Prep Time: 5-10 Minutes

Total Time: 20-25 Minutes

Ingredients

1-1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups long-grain white rice
1/2 tsp salt
3-1/2 cups Coca-Cola
1/4 cup raisins
3 tbsp sliced or slivered almonds, lightly toasted

Since Rylie has a tree nut allergy, I omitted the almonds and added another 1/4 cup of raisins.

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the rice and cook until it is opaque, about 2 minutes, stirring often.
Add the salt to the cola and stir until dissolved (the salt helps to release some of the carbonation) and then add it to the rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium- low, cooking until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, about 15 minutes. Stir in the raisins (and the almonds, if you follow the original recipe) and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and serve.

This rice was delicious! We actually made a meal out of it and had it for lunch one afternoon, but it would also make a great compliment to grilled chicken, or even fish. It had a little sweetness to it, and the Coca-Cola gave it great flavor. This was certainly better than any plain rice and I will definitely be making it again!

Visit My Coke Rewards to check out all of the other featured recipes, and make sure you pin or print out the recipes you want to make for your family. While you're there, enter to win a $10,000 Kitchen Makeover and get some great tips on how to make mealtime family time. But hurry, this promotion ends on May 31st!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Coca-Cola, but Coca-Cola is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this pin/post. All opinions expressed are my own and not those of Coca-Cola.

Rylie's Little Mommy Day {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

A couple months ago I introduced you to some sweet newborn dolls from Little Mommy. Rylie's baby Sara was an instant favorite and she still takes care of her doll often. She loves to pretend she is a little mommy and often feeds her, calms her and puts her to bed.

Newborns aren't newborns for long, though, and soon become toddlers. Since most imaginative play has some real-life aspects to it, Little Mommy has made it possible for girls to move on to the next step of mommy-hood with their Sweet as Me Toddler Dolls.

These trendy toddlers are ready for a day of play with their little mommy and friends in uniquely styled outfits reflecting their personalities. Their fashions include headpieces (either a hat or headband), sassy shoes (from sneaks to boots to party shoes) and fun embellishments, such as shiny silver hearts, winter sparkle and flower accents.

We recently received two Sweet as Me Dolls and two Baby's Day Out Fashion Packs for review.

Why two? So Rylie could have a "Little Mommy Day" with one of her friends!

Little Mommy by Mattel is excited to bring to you the Little Mommy Day Facebook application that gives little girls all the tools they need to celebrate their own Little Mommy Day! This app gives you some fun DIY printables like birth certificates and scrapbook pages for hand and footprints, along with great tips from Rosie Pope, host of Bravo’s “Pregnant in Heels”!

I visited the app and printed out some of the fun DIY sheets while Rylie got everything in place for her Little Mommy Day with her best friend Eleanor. Then she waited...

Eleanor was due to arrive at our house in a matter of minutes, but when you have a new doll within arms reach, a minute can seem like an hour to a little girl. Rylie finally convinced me to open her doll, which she named Jada.

Just like the Baby So New Doll we reviewed a couple months ago, the Sweet as Me Doll is an adorable replica of a little toddler girl. She even has that sweet baby smell to her! Rylie didn't waste any time, and set off to the grocery store with Jada.

Before Rylie could even check out at the store, Eleanor arrived at our house, ready for play time! Rylie presented her with her new doll and extra outfit, and they got right down to business pretending they were little mommies.

Their Little Mommy Day was full of secrets and outings...

...and giggles galore. They took their babies to the store, the park, and anywhere else their imaginations let them roam. Once their fun day was over, it was time for an outfit change and then off to bed for those little toddlers.

The girls had so much fun with their dolls that we never even got around to the DIY printables. That just means we will have to have another Little Mommy Day...and very soon! We decided to save Jada's birth certificate and footprint records for the next time Eleanor could bring her baby over to play.

Rylie and Eleanor weren't the only ones who had fun during the Little Mommy Day. Eleanor's mom and I had a great time watching the girls play and interact with their toddlers. There is nothing like seeing smiles and hearing giggles from two little girls during play time!

I absolutely love the Little Mommy Sweet as Me dolls, and your little girl will too! They are high-quality, adorable dolls that will provide for hours of imaginative play for little girls of all ages. The Sweet as Me dolls are available at major toy retailers and online at Amazon for around $20. There are many different styles of dolls available, so you are sure to find the perfect doll for your little mommy!

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~Little Mommy Sweet as Me Doll AND Baby So New Doll~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Little Mommy Dolls and Outfits at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. A big Thank You to Little Mommy for providing the giveaway prizes!

My Evening Bliss #NaturalBlissWM #CBias

2012-05-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

bliss (noun) : complete happiness

I usually find myself in a state of bliss many times throughout the day – when Rylie comes shuffling into my room to say good morning with her eyes half open, when Bryce puts his arms around me and says “I wuv you Mommy”, or when Brian hugs me for no other reason than to just be close and have a moment together. All of those moments bring me to a state of complete happiness.

There is one other moment in which I find my bliss, usually on a daily basis. This happens after the kids have gone to bed and before I dive into my late night blog work. It is the moment when I sit down in my desk chair with my coffee and take that first sip. It is the one minute of the day (and really, it only lasts a minute) when I can truly relax. Ahhhh. Bliss.

Yes, I drink coffee at night. I have to. I get up at 5AM to start my day, and by the time I start blogging at 9PM, I am already exhausted. I need something to get me going again. Some might think that I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep after drinking my huge cup of coffee so late at night, but I have absolutely zero issues with falling asleep.

Up until a few months ago, I didn’t like flavored creamers. I like the taste of coffee, and every flavored creamer that I had previously tried was so overpowering and sickly sweet that I could no longer taste the coffee. I have been using regular Coffee-mate creamer, which tastes fine, but it gets boring after a while. I recently discovered Coffee-mate Natural Bliss creamers, and my tastes have changed.

Natural Bliss creamers are made from only four real ingredients, and there is nothing artificial added. I had no idea that there was so much junk added to the other flavored creamers we have tried. Containing only nonfat milk, heavy cream, sugar and natural flavor, it is no wonder why the Natural Bliss creamers taste so much better!

The flavor is not overpowering it all. I can still taste my coffee, but the bitterness of the coffee is replaced with a light sweetness from the creamer and it tastes great! Since I try not to eat sweets at night, my coffee not only perks me up, but it also satisfies my sweet tooth and keeps me from eating.

I ran out of Coffee-mate Natural Bliss creamer over the weekend, and added it to my grocery list. I found a Natural Bliss coupon at Walmart.com for $1 off of two, so I printed that out and headed out to do some grocery shopping last Sunday. It isn’t often that I print coupons, so you can imagine how disappointed I was when I found that our new Walmart didn’t carry the Natural Bliss creamer.

After all, I had a coupon!! Not only that, but I was out of creamer, and I knew I had a late, coffee-drinking night ahead of me. I needed to find my evening bliss!

Check out my Google+ album to see my entire grocery shopping experience. #NaturalBlissWM

We did end up finding the Natural Bliss creamer, but it wasn’t easy. Apparently I am not the only one who enjoys the light, sweet taste of those few real ingredients. The Sweet Cream is definitely my favorite, but I do like the Vanilla and Caramel flavors every once in a while for something different.

All is right with the world again, at least for one minute each night, when I find my evening bliss.

If you find yourself needing a little moment of bliss, make sure you print your Natural Bliss coupon and head over to your local Walmart to get $1 off two. For those of you who aren't coffee drinkers, did you know the Natural Bliss creamers are great in recipes? Like Coffee-mate Natural Bliss on Facebook for some sweet inspiration!

What about you? How do you find bliss in your life?

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias All opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Uncle Danny

2012-05-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Rylie and Bryce love their Uncle Danny!

Gear Up For Summer Adventure With Backpacks From Kidorable {Giveaway}

2012-05-22T22:30:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again when kids are wrapping up the school year and looking forward to their summer breaks. Whether your kids will be staying home, going to summer camp, or spending a week or two at grandma and grandpa's house, there will be new adventures to take.

If your little one isn't in school yet, summer is still exciting. The sun is shining and it is time to get outside! A simple playdate in the backyard, the beach or the park can become a great adventure. These little adventurers will require the proper gear, like backpacks from Kidorable!

Kidorable backpacks are designed to hold imagination and more! These super cute toddler-sized backpacks are perfect for everyday adventures. The easy to wash PVC backpacks have both inside and outside pockets for child-sized outings.

My kids have had their Kidorable backpacks for a while now, and they have held up wonderfully over the years. These backpacks have been on several adventures and they still look brand new!

Who are those tiny little kids???

Rylie and Bryce have certainly grown since then, but to this day, they still stuff those adorable backpacks with everything they need for their adventures.

Are your little ones looking forward to their summer adventures? Make sure they set off with the proper gear! From May 23 until May 31, you can purchase these awesome backpacks from Kidorable for 20% off! Simply journey over to www.kidorable.com and use coupon code BACKPACK99 at checkout to get 20% off these outdoor adventure bags. Remember to place the backpack in the cart first. This promotion cannot be combined with any other offers.

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~Kidorable Backpack~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. No compensation was received in exchange for this post. A big Thank You to Kidorable for providing the giveaway prize!

The Creative One

2012-05-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid, I loved arts and crafts. Unfortunately, I wasn’t creative. I am most definitely left brain dominant and I always needed detailed instructions for my projects. I couldn’t just start with a blank canvas and draw something. Paint by number was more my thing. I liked cross-stitch projects because they came with patterns, and I enjoyed painting small ceramics that came with pictures of the finished product.

Rylie, on the other hand, seems to be very creative. I think she gets it from my mom. She loves to draw and color, and she is very good with taking ordinary items and making them into something extraordinary, like the frog she made out of a paper cup. I have posted several pieces of her “art” here - the rainbow she made for my mom for Mother’s day, her Gelarti sticker creations, and a recent painting - and today I have another one of her creations to show you.

Rylie and I baked some Pillsbury cookies one evening last week. While the cookies were baking and I was cleaning up the kitchen, Rylie sat down at the table with her notebook and crayons. She asked me how to spell what was written on the cookies we were making. I started telling her, but then decided just to hand the box to her so she could see what the cookies looked like. A minute or so later she said “Mommy, look, I drew the cookie!” I looked over, and sure enough, she had replicated the cookie from the front of the box.

I went back to cleaning up the kitchen and she went back to coloring. A few minutes later I took the cookies out of the oven and walked over to the table to color with Rylie for a bit while the cookies cooled. She was just finishing up her drawing, and when she moved away, I noticed that she had recreated most of the cookie box, even down to Mickey’s yellow shoes!

Now, I do realize that it is probably going to be a while before Pillsbury hires her as their next illustrator, but I think she did a pretty good job for a 4 year old. Don’t you?

I love that Rylie has that creative side to her! I have always seen the world as black and white, and lived my life by logic, and I’m so glad that there will be some color in my little girl’s world. She seems pretty smart too, so hopefully she will have a nice balance between the right and left hemispheres of her brain, rather than being all lop-sided like her mom.

What about you? Are you creative like Rylie? Or are you more of a logical, cut and dry thinker like me?

Save On Utility Bills With Energizer {Giveaway}

2012-05-21T22:50:00.000-04:00

In our house, the only batteries we use are Energizer batteries. When I find a brand that I know and trust, I am loyal to that brand. Not only does Energizer make batteries that fit every need we have ever had for batteries, I like that they are helping to make the world a better place through their now that's positivenergy campaigns. For decades, Energizer has supported organizations helping to make a positive impact in local communities and around the world.

This spring, Energizer is "building" on that commitment in a new way through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity®. Working with baseball legend and philanthropist Cal Ripken, Jr., Energizer is donating more than $300,000 and 1,000 volunteer hours to Habitat through a multi-city series of volunteer projects to help build new homes and revitalize existing homes for those in need.

With the rising cost of utilities, we can all use a little bit of help right? Especially with the hot summer we're sure to have here in Sunny Florida! So, beyond helping Habitat, Energizer is doing something to help us all out. In addition to the series of volunteer projects, you will see the Energizer and Habitat for Humanity partnership coming to the shelves of your favorite stores. Through the Energizer Utility Cash program, you can collect codes from select Energizer battery and lighting products and redeem them online for savings, up to $25 total savings each per person/household/email address, off your own utility bill. You start earning rewards with just two codes and will need 10 codes total to earn the full $25. Or you can help make a positive impact and choose to turn the codes into a donation to Habitat for Humanity®.

For more information on Energizer's partnership with Habitat for Humanity®, visit nowthatspositivenergy.com. You will also find tips on how to save energy in your home, and learn more about products focused on performance and responsibility. While you're there, make sure you enter to win a Home Power Kit valued at $300 through Energizer's Facebook page.

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~Energizer Max AA Batteries~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received two specially marked packages of Energizer batteries as a thank you for spreading the word about this great program. No other compensation was received. A big Thank You to Energizer for providing the giveaway prize.

~~Winners!!!~~ Poo-Pourri, Birthday Express And More

2012-05-21T21:25:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to last week's winners!

Poo-Pourri Super Dooper Pooper Prize Pack

Birthday Express Deluxe Party Pack

Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler

Fincredibles Electronic Pet Fish

For more chances to win cool stuff, check out my current giveaways in the sidebar!

Sprucing Up Our Pool Area For Summer Fun #KmartOutdoor #CBias

2012-05-20T23:00:00.000-04:00

Even though it isn't officially here yet according to the calendar, summer is in full swing here in Florida. The days are hot, hot, hot, which means that our weekends are spent in the pool. With holidays such as Memorial Day and July 4th coming up, we are sure to have family and friends over for pool parties, and our pool area needs some serious work before that can happen.

That is what it looked like earlier this morning. The biggest eyesore is the panel of screen that ripped and is now hanging over the pool. Unfortunately, we can't fix that ourselves, so we need to get someone out to do it. My biggest irritation, though, is all of the pool chemicals just sitting out on the side of the pool. Not only does it look bad, it is dangerous to have those sitting where the kids can get to them.

We also have tiki torches around the outside of the screen enclosure. They were once really cool solar powered tiki torches that lit up our pool area every evening, but now they are just battered and broken frog habitats.

We decided that it was time to start sprucing things up out there. Between the holidays coming up, and the fact that Rylie is always asking to have friends come over and swim, I was pretty embarrassed to have anyone come over. So Friday afternoon, Brian and I headed out to Kmart to for some items to help spruce things up a little bit.

Kmart has a great selection of Outdoor Living items right now, many of which are on sale. They had several items on display in the store, and we took a look through the Outdoor Living catalog that was available in store to see everything else.

I was honestly amazed at how nice the patio sets in the catalog and on display were. I had no idea that Kmart sold such nice outdoor furniture, and how reasonable the prices were.

There are several sales going on right now at Kmart, which can be found in today's Sunday circular:

5% Off Layaway purchases valid through 5/26/12
15% off all patio cushions and umbrellas
Decorative Planters sale for $19.99 each, regularly $29.99
Hanging basket plant stand sale for $14.99, regularly $24.99
Earn bonus points and save with Kmart Shop Your Way Rewards. Membership is Free
All Kmart grills, patio furniture and outdoor decor on sale
15% off all folding lawn furniture
Use your qualifying Sears card and save 5% or pay no interest for 12 months on any grills or patio furniture over $299
Lock in today’s low prices for all of your upcoming events with Kmart layaway

After looking at all of the fabulous outdoor items available, we ended up with some new tiki torches and a huge deck box.

Check out my Google+ album to read about our entire shopping experience, and see some of the great patio sets on display at our local Kmart.

Brian got to work early this morning cleaning off our patio. He got the hose and washed everything down and got rid of some of the junk that was laying around out there. Look how nice and clean everything looks!

Did you notice what was missing in that photo? That would be the buckets of pool chemicals. They are now all hidden inside our new deck box!

The broken up tiki torches are no more, and now the screen enclosure is lined with new ones.

Brian got the pool area cleaned off just in time. I had scheduled a play date with one of Rylie's friends today, and we all ended up in the pool this afternoon. At least I wasn't embarrassed to have our friends out there.

While we were shopping at Kmart, I fell in love with some of the patio sets they had on display. Unfortunately, our patio is not big enough for one of the large dining tables I would like to have. Our set is getting a little beat up, but now that it is nice and clean, it doesn't look too bad.

I think it has another year or so left on it before we have to replace it. When it is time to replace it, we will definitely be checking out the great patio furniture we saw at Kmart!

Now for the really cool part. Check out the colored tiki torches...

Make sure you check out the Kmart Weekly Deals to see what is on sale at your local Kmart. You are sure to find great products for summer all on sale. Follow Kmart on Facebook and Twitter to be the first to find out about sales and promotions, and follow @ShopYourWay for even more Kmart deals and events.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric

Weekend Win It - May 19-20 {Giveaway Linky}

2012-05-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

Giveaway: SleepBuddy
Ends: 5/19

Prize: Complete Sleep System

Giveaway: Hallmark
Ends: 5/20

Prize: Recordable Book, Recordable Canvas Art Kit, and an assortment of Mother's Day cards!

Giveaway: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Ends: 5/21

Prize: Farmers' Market Stuffed Animal

Giveaway: Vizardz
Ends: 5/23

Prize: Photo Light Box or Nightlight

Giveaway: Hallmark
Ends: 5/25

Prize: $25 Hallmark Gold Crown Gift Card

Giveaway: Britax
Ends: 5/26

Prize: Car Seat Travel Cart (fits most convertible car seats)

Giveaway: Sport-Brella
Ends: 5/28

Prize: Sport-Brella Beach/Outdoor Umbrella

Giveaway: Gelarti
Ends: 5/30

Prize: Scene Pack

Giveaway: Publix
Ends: 6/2

Prize: $25 Publix Gift Card

Giveaway: Pillsbury
Ends: 6/6

Prize: Pillsbury Cookie Prize Pack

Giveaway: Residence Inn by Marriott
Ends: 6/10

Prize: $250 Residence Inn Gift Card

Here are some great giveaways that I found this week...

Giveaway: Moxie Girlz
Blog: Thanks, Mail Carrier
Ends: 5/29

Prize: Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid

Giveaway: Eucerin
Blog: A Nut in a Nutshell
Ends: 5/20

Prize: Eucerin “Spring Has Sprung” gift pack & a $125 Visa Gift Card

Giveaway: Zoku
Blog: Busy at Home
Ends: 5/28

Prize: Zoku Duo Quick Pop Maker

Giveaway: Microsoft
Blog: Carrie with Children
Ends: 5/20

Prize: Microsoft Windows Prize Pack - Inlcudes $150 Gift Card to the Microsoft Store, Windows HTC Radar Phone and Microsoft Mobile Mouse 3500

Giveaway: Folica
Blog: Fun Finds for Families
Ends: 5/22

Prize: Sedu Icon Flat Iron

Spend Your Summer Vacations In More Than Just A Room At Residence Inn {Giveaway}

2012-05-18T10:20:00.000-04:00

Some of my favorite childhood memories are those of our summer vacations. My mom was a teacher, so she was home with us during the summer, but there were two weeks each summer when my dad would take off work and we would travel. We packed up the car and headed off on road trips to visit family. We would drive an entire day up to New England to see my mom's family, or to Tennessee to see my dad's family, or sometimes both. While the road trips themselves were usually nightmares that consisted of my brother and I getting car sick and fighting the whole way there and back, the time we spent as a family is something I will never forget.

While I'm not brave enough yet to take my kids on long road trips, I want my kids to have those memories of our family summer vacations. We took a weekend vacation last summer, and we all loved just getting away for a few days. The kids were so excited to stay in a hotel, and while I enjoyed getting away from the to-do list of things that needed to be done around the house, I missed some of the comforts of home. I missed being able to brew a real pot of coffee in the morning. I missed having the ability to pop something in the microwave when the kids got hungry. I missed being able to put the kids to bed and having a separate area for Brian and I to watch TV and relax. You can't do those things in an ordinary hotel room.

At Residence Inn by Marriott, you can get away from it all, while still enjoying the comforts of home. While Residence Inn is best known for their extended hotel stays, the suites at Residence Inn are great for family vacations! The fully equipped in-suite kitchens with a full sized refrigerator, stove, microwave and coffee maker give you the ability to make your family's favorite foods, at your convenience. After spending the day sight-seeing, playing in the waves at the beach, or visiting theme parks, you may decide you don't want to take your tired and hungry kids out to a restaurant. If you stay at a Residence Inn, you don't have to. Residence Inn provides a free grocery delivery service so you can have your kids' favorite foods brought right to you.

If you're like me, though, and don't really want to cook while you're on vacation, you can take advantage of the free daily hot breakfast where you will find a variety of healthy and indulgent options.

If you want to spend part of your vacation just relaxing and unwinding, then Residence Inn is the perfect place for you! You can enjoy complimentary evening socials, and outdoor spaces with barbeques and fire pits. For those that don't want to give up their workout routine while they are on vacation, you can exercise in the fitness center that is equipped with modern equipment and and TVs. You are sure to find something to do right at the hotel, for every member of the family.

I was recently selected as a member of Residence Inn's Resident Mom Club, which means I will be visiting different Residence Inn properties with my family and blogging about our stays. This program kicked off at just the perfect time, too! We had already started planning our summer vacation, and thanks to Residence Inn, we can enjoy some of the comforts of home while we are away. We will soon be heading to the Residence Inn Treasure Island where we will spend a long weekend playing at Busch Gardens and the beach. We are all so excited! I will be tweeting about our stay while we are there, and when we return home, I will let you all know how well we enjoyed our experience.

Are you planning a summer vacation? If so, you should definitely check out Residence Inn by Marriott! With affordable rates and amenities you won't find at just any hotel, you will definitely get more than just a room! Visit Residence Inn by Marriott to find the perfect location for your next vacation. For more information and some great travel tips, make sure you follow Residence Inn on Facebook and Twitter.

Residence Inn by Marriott wants to give one of my readers more than just a room for your summer vacation. They are providing a $250 gift card to help you with your vacation plans. Amazing!

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~$250 Residence Inn Gift Card~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. As a member of the Resident Mom Club, I received a gift card from Residence Inn in order to fully experience their properties. A big Thank You to Residence Inn by Marriott for providing the giveaway prize!

Running Out? Run In To Publix And Save! {Giveaway}

2012-05-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

I used to be one of those people who did my grocery shopping once a week. I would make my list and then head out to Publix on Saturday or Sunday and get everything I needed for the upcoming week. Those were the good ole days.

My weekly grocery shopping routine is no more now that I have two little kids and a super busy life. We aren't home much on the weekends, so we rarely make those weekend trips to the grocery store. Instead, Brian stops after work every other day or so to get what we need for the next few days. Of course we also have those evenings when we realize we ran out of something we need immediately, which causes yet another trip to the store.

Everyone runs out of something occasionally, right? Well for the next week, Publix is rewarding those of us who are constantly running out of grocery items with their Running Out? Run In. promotion.

From May 17th to May 22nd, you can run in for GREAT SAVINGS on participating products and in-store coupons, exclusively at Publix. Do you have a couple little ones who thought the toilet paper would look like snow if it was shredded up all over the house, and now you need more? What about those nights when they don't want to eat what you cooked them and beg for cereal instead, and now you have nothing for breakfast?

Did you get home late from a double header baseball game and need that uniform clean for another game the next day, only to find out you have no more laundry detergent? Perhaps you had to work late and don't have time to cook dinner and need something that is quick to fix?

If you run out of something, make sure you run into Publix to get it! When you buy $30 worth of participating products in one shopping visit from now through June 2nd, you will get a $5 Publix Gift Card by mail! Visit the Running Out? Run In. website for a list of participating products, and to download your mail-in rebate form.

Make sure you look in-stores for over $15 in coupon savings - coupons are valid May 9th through June 2nd.

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~$25 Publix Gift Card~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. The Publix gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Don't Let Seasonal Allergies Ruin Your Day

2012-05-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am a seasonal allergy sufferer. Well, scratch that, I am a daily allergy sufferer. I was tested several years ago and found out I am allergic to dust, mold, dogs and some type of grass, but I can't remember which type. The first three on that list don't bother me much, even though I live with a dog.

For the past two years, at the beginning of April, I have suffered from some type of seasonal allergy. I am assuming it is that type of grass I am allergic to, but it could very well be something else since it didn't start happening until last year. I get sinus pain, headaches, and a horrible sore throat. My throat was so bad last year that I even ended up at an ENT because it just would not get better and I didn't know what was wrong. When my throat started hurting this year, I started taking allergy medication, and the pain was gone within days.

While my battle with seasonal allergies doesn't generally cause me a lot of grief, it sure makes my days a lot less enjoyable than they could be. Some people, however, suffer much worse from their seasonal allergies and they spend their days feeling absolutely miserable. Seasonal allergies can literally ruin your day!

Merck, the makers of non-drowsy CLARITIN® products, has teamed up with Dancing with the Stars host Brooke Burke-Charvet this spring to create a new short film titled “The Difference is Clear.”

The film is a crazy, over-the-top look at two versions of one busy woman’s day who is juggling work, life and family while also dealing with allergies. In the first version of her day, Brooke’s character doesn’t take her allergy medication, and her non-stop allergy symptoms cause an impossibly upside-down day, where nothing goes right and everything goes wrong. In the second version, she treats her allergies and has an impossibly outrageous day, so much so, that there is no limit to what she can achieve.

While that is a funny video, it is so true. I have several friends who suffer from severe allergies, and I know how badly their allergies can affect their daily lives!

To view the full short film and see behind-the-scenes footage, visit www.YouTube.com/Claritin. For more information on allergies and Claritin, visit www.claritin.com.

What about you? Do you suffer from seasonal allergies, and how have those allergies affected your life?

Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Burst Media on behalf of Claritin®. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, but my opinions are my own.

Bake Cookies The Easy Way With Pillsbury Ready To Bake! Shape Cookies {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day came and went this year, and for me, it was like any other day, really. I did laundry, cleaned up around the house and scrambled around trying to get the kids ready to meet my mom for lunch. Since my kids are still little, Mother's Day is still all about my mom. Rylie made her a pretty picture, I got her some earrings, and we met halfway between our houses for a nice lunch. That is all I needed for Mother's Day - just some time spent with my mom!

I had seen these adorable Mickey Mouse Mother's Day cookies from Pillsbury advertised in the weeks before Mother's Day, so Rylie and I were planning to make them to surprise my mom (aka Mama) with. Unfortunately, I waited until the last minute and could not find them anywhere when I went out looking for them that weekend. Since I had a VIP coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies, I kept looking for them even after Mother's Day, and I finally found them!

Cute, right?

Along with my coupon, I also received a Pillsbury Cookie Jar, Spatula and Oven Mitt, so earlier this evening, Rylie and I decided to fill that cookie jar up!

Mother's Day had come and gone, but these cookies say "I Love Mom" on them, which is said daily around my house anyway. Really, it is. And plus, cookies are cookies, and we certainly don't need a special holiday around here to make them!

Quick and convenient, Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies are ready to enjoy in 8-10 minutes. All you have to do is remove them from the package, space them out on a cookie sheet (I love to use stones when I bake cookies) and pop them in the oven. It is so easy, a 4 year old can do it!

I like my cookies soft and chewy so I set the timer for 8 minutes and then checked them. They weren't that close to being done, so I put them back in for a few minutes. They were probably in the oven for 12 minutes total. They came out so cute!

By the time the kids got done with their baths, the cookies were cool and ready to eat. They scarfed the first ones down before they even hit the chairs they were supposed to be sitting in. They asked for one more so I gave them one and asked them to hold them up for a picture. Rylie just couldn't do it. She was like a little Cookie Monster and had that cookie in her mouth before I could even get my hands on the camera!

Everyone definitely enjoyed the cookies! They were soft and chewy on the inside just like I like them. I decided that I needed to get them put away before we ate them all, so in the cookie jar they went.

Speaking of my little Cookie Monster, look who I found trying to sneak another one...

The Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies make a delicious treat and they are quick and easy to make. There are different shapes for different holidays, like the Flag Shape cookies that are now available at grocery stores everywhere. These would be great to take to holiday parties, or just to have as a little treat at home. Yum!

Visit http://bit.ly/PSCMDCoupon to download a printable coupon for $1.10 off the purchase of (1) package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies today!

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~Pillsbury Cookie Prize Pack~*~

Includes a VIP coupon to purchase a package of Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Shape Cookies, Cookie Jar, Cookie Spatula and Oven Mitt.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. The VIP coupon, prize pack, information, and additional sample have been provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.

Wordless Wednesday: Haircut

2012-05-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Celebrate National Learn To Swim Day With SwimWays

2012-05-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

If you live anywhere around water or have a pool in your backyard, you may already know that the month of May is National Water Safety Month. In conjunction with National Water Safety Month and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, SwimWays has named Saturday, May 19, 2012 the first annual National Learn to Swim Day! The nationwide campaign is an effort to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim, and provide resources to parents for teaching their kids the important skill.

To help us celebrate National Learn to Swim Day, SwimWays recently provided Rylie and Bryce with some great products to help them learn how to swim. The Swim Steps line by SwimWays is a line of products geared to help children build confidence in the pool. Since both of my kids were introduced to our pool at very young ages and have passed Step 1 - Water Introduction, they are now ready for Step 2 - Water Exploration. They were both given certificates to show that they are "ready to paddle and splash!"

Swim Step 2 gives your child freedom of motion to develop confidence, supporting them as they learn to balance and paddle, two important pre-swimming skills.

There are two products used in Swim Step 2 - Swim Vest and Swim Sweater. We received two of each of these products to help Rylie and Bryce master this step.

Rylie was super excited about the new swim products and tried them both on. She ultimately decided to wear the Swim Sweater for our first swim of the season in our pool.

Bryce reluctantly put his swim sweater on too, and we got ready to swim. Unfortunately, the smiles turned into frowns when we got into the water.

My kids love the pool, but were apprehensive about trying the Swim Sweaters on their own. I tried to explain to them that the Swim Sweater would keep their heads above the water so they could have fun swimming on their own. Bryce took my words to heart, and within minutes, he was swimming around all by himself!

It took Rylie a little bit longer to have faith in what I was saying, but after she saw Bryce swimming around, she decided to join in on the fun.

We all love the Swim Sweaters! The kids were able to paddle around the pool without assistance, but of course we stayed very close just in case. The Swim Sweaters allowed them freedom while they learned to keep their balance, and they did not flip over or go under the water at all. What I really like about the Swim Sweaters is since they are worn like a shirt, the kids cannot slip out of them like they can an ordinary swim ring.

Rylie ended up staying in the pool almost the whole day in her Swim Sweater, and even felt comfortable swimming with Chloe when she decided to join us in the water!

Later on in the weekend we were talking about taking a trip to see our friend's baby next weekend, and Rylie asked if she could take her Swim Sweater with her for when she gets to swim in Aunt Melissa's pool. I think she likes it!

We haven't gotten a chance to try the Swim Vest yet, but there will be plenty of weekends spent in the pool, so stay tuned for my thoughts on those.

Are you ready for National Learn to Swim Day? I encourage you to sign your children up for swimming lessons, or take a trip to your local YMCA pool and speak with a swim instructor about water safety. We will be celebrating by attempting to master Step 2 in the SwimWays Swim Steps Program!

Be sure to fan SwimWays on Facebook and follow SwimWays on Twitter for updates throughout the summer!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I have been selected as a SwimWays Ambassador for the 2012 summer season, and will be receiving products at no cost during the program.

Hold Up. Wait A Minute.

2012-05-14T21:40:00.000-04:00

Do you remember my post about my baby growing up, and how we crossed two more milestones off for Bryce? Well, apparently I posted a little too soon.

We had to put Bryce back in Pull-Ups at night time. When Brian suggested that we not get any more after we ran out, I will admit that I was nervous, but he seemed to be doing well with it. Yeah, that didn’t last long.

The first accident was no big deal. The pee spot was in the middle of the bed, and luckily, Bryce wasn’t using his pillow as a body pillow like he does occasionally. I changed out the sheets and the mattress pad, and we continued with the undies. He had another accident two nights later when he was laying on top of his pillow, and then another after that, and another…

I was getting to the point where I was sick of changing Bryce’s sheets every other day. Not only that, but he was waking up earlier than usual because I’m sure he was uncomfortable. The final straw was when I woke up with him in my bed, pretty much on top of me, with wet pants. Yep, we bought Pull-Ups that day!

It sucks to think you have hit a milestone, only to find out you didn’t. It’s OK, though. So, Bryce may have to wear Pull Ups to bed for a few more months. No biggie. He will still continue to go potty before bed and I have told him that if he wakes up and has to go potty that he needs to go on the toilet. I think the bed-wetting was actually quite discouraging for Bryce because it was happening so often, so now he can build his confidence back up and try again.

And do you remember when I said that we didn’t have a reason to NOT move Bryce to a toddler bed? Well we learned what that reason was after we made the conversion. The kid does not like to stay in his bed!

Rylie doesn’t get out of her bed once she gets in it. Ever. When I was a kid, I didn’t either, because I always thought that something was going to come out from under my bed and grab my feet. I think she has the same fear. I have always said that Bryce will probably be the one who doesn’t stay in his bed, and I was right.

The first few nights in his big boy bed went well. He knew that if he got out of bed that we were going to have to put his crib up, and he pretty much told us that every night. A few nights later, though, he stopped caring.

Bryce first started getting up to get toys to bring back to his bed with him. We would go in and remove them and tell them that he can’t have hard toys like Buzz Lightyear and bulldozers in his bed. Well he showed us, I guess. The next night he got up and locked his door, and then proceeded to get the toys he wanted and put them in his bed. This is what I saw that night when I finally unlocked his door…

I guess he showed us! One motto I live by with my kids is to "pick your battles", so we stopped fighting that battle. If he gets up and gets a couple of toys to put in bed with him, we just go in after he goes to sleep and remove them. He doesn’t play long, and at least once he gets his toys, he does stay in bed. Well, at least for most of the night.

I have woken up the past several days with an extra person in my bed. The crazy thing is that he doesn’t even wake me up when he comes in there. I do sleep ridiculously sound, so I guess he just climbs up and gets in between Brian and me. While I don’t mind snuggling with the little stinker, Brian and I get up really early during the week, and he doesn’t need to be up that early. So we told him that if it is still dark when he wakes up, he has to stay in his bed. I woke up this morning without an extra body in my bed, so hopefully that rule will stick!

As I write this post over an hour after he got in bed, Bryce is still clowning around in his room. He keeps getting up and putting stuff under his bed, and if we peek in on him, he jumps back into his bed and pretends to be sleeping. What a stinker! I just tell him to go to sleep and then walk away. There is no sense in giving him the attention he is trying to get. Late night battles with toddlers are pointless. I have certainly learned that lesson over and over again.

I have a feeling Bryce will learn a lesson too, because he is going to be extra tired tomorrow...

~~Winners!!!~~ Tiny Tillia, Dot-to-Dot And More

2012-05-14T21:06:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to last week's winners!

Tiny Tillia Prize Pack

Dot-to-Dot Children's Books

XO Laptop and Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks

MacXDVD Ripper Pro for Windows

SwaddleDesigns Angry Birds Baby

For more chances to win cool stuff, check out my current giveaways in the sidebar!

Sun Care Tips From Coppertone

2012-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you are a regular reader here, then you have probably seen that badge on my sidebar for a few weeks now. I'm honored to have been chosen as a Coppertone Water MOM! Over the next few months I will be sharing information about Coppertone products and some sun care tips to help your family stay safe from the sun's harmful rays.

Since I have lived in the "Sunshine State" for my entire life, I have been using Coppertone products for years now. After all, this is what we see around here pretty much year round...

I will admit that I wasn't always as vigilant about sun protection as I am now, but now I have to be. I have to make sure I protect my skin when I am out in the sun for more than just a few minutes, because if I even get the slightest burn, I will break out badly. Unfortunately, I have a sun allergy. Crazy, right? Especially for someone who lives in Florida!

Not only do I have to protect my skin, but I have to protect those two fair-skinned kids of mine. Rylie and Bryce both have very fair skin, so I make sure I load up on the sunscreen when we are spending afternoons in the pool, walking around theme parks all day, or meeting up with friends at the park. Thanks to Coppertone, we are stocked with sunscreen for this summer!

Coppertone® Water BABIES® is the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Sunscreen Brand
Coppertone® Water BABIES® lotions and sprays provide broad spectrum protection from the most damaging UVA/UVB Rays
All Coppertone® Water BABIES® sunscreens are hypoallergenic and non-irritating to baby's delicate skin
Coppertone Water BABIES® Pure & Simple sunscreen lotion is tear free, moisturizing, and contains no oils, fragrances, or dyes that could irritate your baby's delicate skin

We finally got the chance to swim in our pool over the weekend, and as soon as the kids got their bathing suits on, we covered all of their exposed skin with Coppertone® Water BABIES® lotion. Rylie was outside for most of the afternoon, and I am happy to report that her skin isn't the slightest bit pink, even after being in the water all afternoon!

So how can you keep your kids safe from the sun this summer? Check out these great tips on smart sunscreen use...

Sun Care Tips: Smart Sunscreen Use

Get a head start on the sun. - Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you are exposed to the sun.
Don't skimp on sunscreen. - Use it liberally and apply it evenly over all exposed skin to ensure complete coverage. Reapply as directed.
Cover all the bases. - It's easy to overlook spots like the ears, neck, and shoulders, but they need sunscreen too. Remember to grab a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and to seek shade when the sun is most intense.
Follow the numbers. - SPF tells you the level of protection a sunscreen provides from sunburn. Use sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher whenever you'll be outdoors.
Reapply, reapply, reapply. - Apply another coat of sunscreen as needed, at least every 2 hours- and be sure to reapply after swimming, sweating, vigorous activity or toweling off.
Select water resistant sunscreens that can keep up with kids. - Use water resistant sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and look for products that are quick and easy to apply to squirmy kids. (Keep babies under six months of age out of the sun and consult a doctor before applying sunscreen.)

For more sun care tips, please visit Coppertone.com.

Between several planned trips to the beach and theme parks this summer, along with our afternoons spent in the backyard, we will all need great sun protection. Thanks to Coppertone, I've got my kids covered!

Disclosure: As a member of the Coppertone® Water MOMS, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit. No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience.

Happy Mother's Day!

2012-05-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there! I hope you all are showered with love (and gifts!) from your children, and that you enjoy the day with your families.

A special Happy Mother's Day to my mom! I love you with all of my heart, and I am so blessed to have you as MY mother. You have always put your children first, and I can never thank you enough for everything you have done for us, and continue to do. You are not only a wonderful mother, but you are the best grandmother my kids could ever ask for!

I have one more special Mother's Day shout out, and that goes to my best friend Melissa. Happy Mother's day to you on your very first Mother's Day! It was only a couple weeks ago that you officially became a mom, but I already know what a great mom you are going to be. Enjoy your special day with your beautiful baby girl!

Kidtoons Is Now Playing: Sid The Science Kid Free Ticket For KS, MO, CA Residents

2012-05-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for some family fun this weekend? How about checking out a Kidtoons Matinee?

Since 2004, Kidtoons has been bringing beloved and well-known children’s brands and entertainment to cineplexes nationwide. We provide a family friendly, affordable, co-viewing experience that parents can count on each month, year-round to bond and create treasured memories with their kids. Each monthly program is designed for kids 3-8 and their parents.

Now playing during the month of May:

Pack some food and bring your backpack because Sid, Gerald, and Dad are gearing up for a big adventure! They’re setting up tents for a campout in the backyard! Dad is eager to share his love of nature and demonstrates how to have a great time outside with the simplest of necessities. They look for animals, cook their own dinner, marvel at the stars in the sky, roast marshmallows, and sing songs around the campfire. Join the adventure and sing along!

~*~Free Ticket Promotion~*~

From now until the end of June, families who live in Kansas, Missouri and Los Angeles/Orange County, California can download a FREE TICKET for a Kidtoons Matinee! Click the links below to print your FREE Kidtoons Movie Ticket!

Kansas/Missouri

Los Angeles/Orange County, CA

Visit Kidtoons online to find a theater near you. While you're there, make sure you sign up for the Kidtoons Birthday Club to receive a special gift on your birthday and your child's birthday!

You can also bring the Kidtoons fun home with these Sid the Science Kid Coloring Sheets!

Click to print full size.

Head on over to www.kidtoonfilms.com for more family fun and to see Dr. Donna's reviews of these great movies. You can also follow Kidtoons on Facebook and Twitter to learn about upcoming attractions.

If you're looking for some cool, indoor family fun this summer, I highly recommend checking out a Kidtoons matinee! This is a great way to introduce families to a big-screen experience with characters kids love and prices that parents appreciate.

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. No compensation was received in exchange for this post.

Weekend Win It - May 12-13 {Giveaway Linky}

2012-05-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

Giveaway: Birthday Express
Ends: 5/14

Prize: Winner's choice of a Deluxe Party Pack

Giveaway: Rubbermaid
Ends: 5/14

Prize: Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler

Giveaway: Gemmy
Ends: 5/17

Prize: Fincredibles Electronic Pet Fish

Giveaway: SleepBuddy
Ends: 5/19

Prize: Complete Sleep System

Giveaway: Hallmark
Ends: 5/20

Prize: Recordable Book, Recordable Canvas Art Kit, and an assortment of Mother's Day cards!

Giveaway: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Ends: 5/21

Prize: Farmers' Market Stuffed Animal

Giveaway: Vizards
Ends: 5/23

Prize: Photo Light Box or Nightlight

Giveaway: Hallmark
Ends: 5/25

Prize: $25 Hallmark Gold Crown Gift Card

Giveaway: Britax
Ends: 5/26

Prize: Car Seat Travel Cart (fits most convertible car seats)

Giveaway: Sport-Brella
Ends: 5/28

Prize: Sport-Brella Beach/Outdoor Umbrella

Giveaway: Gelarti
Ends: 5/30

Prize: Scene Pack

Here are some great giveaways that I found this week...

Giveaway: Lalaloopsy
Blog: Thanks, Mail Carrier
Ends: 5/16

Prize: Lalaloopsy Sew Magical Mermaid Coral Sea Shells Doll

Giveaway: Step2
Blog: 3 Princes and a Princess 2
Ends: 5/30

Prize: Step2 My Clubhouse

Giveaway: Beyond Bedding
Blog: Momma Told Me
Ends: 5/17

Prize: $100 Beyond Bedding Gift Certificate

Giveaway: Origami Owl
Blog: Mommy and Me Giveaways
Ends: 5/18

Prize: Medium Silver Locket plus a $20 gift certificate to add-on your own charms and chain

Giveaway: Tassimo
Blog: One More Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
Ends: 5/19

Prize: Tassimo T20 Brewer

The Life of Rylie...and Bryce too!

Johnson's Baby Cares Aims To Help Families When Disaster Strikes

Weekend Win It - May 26-27 {Giveaway Linky}

Five Question Friday - May 25th

Get Cooking With Coca-Cola {Coca-Cola Rice Recipe}

Rylie's Little Mommy Day {Review & Giveaway}

My Evening Bliss #NaturalBlissWM #CBias

Wordless Wednesday: Uncle Danny

Gear Up For Summer Adventure With Backpacks From Kidorable {Giveaway}

The Creative One

Save On Utility Bills With Energizer {Giveaway}

~*~Winners!!!~*~ Poo-Pourri, Birthday Express And More

Sprucing Up Our Pool Area For Summer Fun #KmartOutdoor #CBias

Weekend Win It - May 19-20 {Giveaway Linky}

Spend Your Summer Vacations In More Than Just A Room At Residence Inn {Giveaway}

Running Out? Run In To Publix And Save! {Giveaway}

Don't Let Seasonal Allergies Ruin Your Day

Bake Cookies The Easy Way With Pillsbury Ready To Bake! Shape Cookies {Review & Giveaway}

Wordless Wednesday: Haircut

Celebrate National Learn To Swim Day With SwimWays

Hold Up. Wait A Minute.

~*~Winners!!!~*~ Tiny Tillia, Dot-to-Dot And More

Sun Care Tips From Coppertone

Happy Mother's Day!

Kidtoons Is Now Playing: Sid The Science Kid *Free Ticket For KS, MO, CA Residents*

Weekend Win It - May 12-13 {Giveaway Linky}

~~Winners!!!~~ Poo-Pourri, Birthday Express And More

~~Winners!!!~~ Tiny Tillia, Dot-to-Dot And More

Kidtoons Is Now Playing: Sid The Science Kid Free Ticket For KS, MO, CA Residents