We had a couple different nursing pillows with my daughter and I am trying some new ones with my son.  Nursing pillows are something you can never have enough of (for me I have one at home, one at work, one at my parents, and one in the car… that way I am never without!).  Plus, it is cool when they all have different and unique features.

Mombo has a unique shape and a two-sided design called Firm2Soft™, with each side offering a different experience. The firm side gives essential support for mommy and her nursing baby. The soft side is extra cozy—an inviting place for lounging or tummy time. And mombo is the only nursing pillow with a vibration feature, to give baby the ultimate soothing experience while lounging. Look for mombo’s assortment of pillow styles and slipcover fashions. Select your style from Standard, Deluxe or Nude™. Then choose multiple slipcover fashions so you'll always have a spare!

I love that this pillow has 2 sides–one for baby and one for mom. If you are like my then you use your nursing pillows for feeding and for helping the baby sit up or assisting in tummy time, so this innovative pillow is great!

It also has a really cool vibration unit you can place inside to soothe your baby.  Because until you meet your baby, you just never know WHAT is going to comfort them – it’s an awesome option to have.  The pillow is a great design – smart, functional, and totally adorable.

I would recommend this pillow to any new mom for both nursing and tummy time.  You can learn more by following Comfort & Harmony on Facebook and Comfort & Harmony on Twitter.

These three episodes of “WordGirl” introduce new vocabulary words and reinforce their meanings in a variety of fun and interesting contexts. “WordGirl” enriches vocabulary skills, fosters better reading comprehension and instills a love of language in all children.  We were sent an advance screening of the DVD and Big Sister loves it!  Not only is she expanding her vocabulary (she asked me what lexicon means and now knows that it is the dictionary in her head) but she is also learning great lessons (she most definitely understands the meaning of consequences after watching this DVD and shapes up at the slightest mention of “mega grounding”).

“Dinner or Consequences, Part 1”

Dr. Two Brains is stealing all of the city’s milk and using it – with help from the unusually talkative Energy Monster – to superpower his new ray and turn the whole city into cheese! It’s up to WordGirl to find the disappearing dairy and stop Dr. Two Brains even if it means missing her family feast and having to face the consequences.

“Dinner or Consequences, Part 2”

Becky has to rely on an old Botsford tradition – the family trial – to convince her family that she vanished from the feast for a good reason. But when the Energy Monster breaks Dr. Two Brains out of jail and the two head over to the Botsfords to take back a powerful invention, will Becky be able to prove her innocence and transform into WordGirl in time to stop the two super villains?

“Best Fan Club Meeting Ever”

TJ plans a meeting to divulge a secret about WordGirl to International WordGirl Fan Club members. However, when Tobey finds out that a secret about his love/nemesis will be revealed, he crashes the meeting with an eavesdropping robot and threatens to destroy the clubhouse. WordGirl has to spring into action to save the clubhouse and her fans!

“Day at the Museum”

Scoops takes Becky, Bob, and Violet to the museum to find inspiration for his news story for The Big City Times. When they hear a rumor about a haunted treasure, the team goes on a search – with The Butcher right behind! Can Scoops, Becky, Bob, and Violet find the treasure, evade The Butcher, and do it all in time for Scoops to keep his deadline?

The run time of the program is 50 minutes and the DVD SRP is $9.99 (you can purchase it from PBS here). DVD special features include interactive games, video shorts and coloring pages.

My family LOVES guacamole. We eat it as a dip with chips, as a topping to grilled chicken, in burritos, you name it!  Guacamole is a pretty healthy snack but did you know there are ways to make it healthier?

Check out my Pumped Up Guacamole.

Also check out the Guacamole with lime essential oil that was shared last week.

What delicious dish do you have to share this week?

~Please include a link back to one/any of the host sites (through worded link or badge). The Delicious Dish Tuesday hosts include:

Alesha of Full Time Mama and
me, Amanda of Coping with Frugality

We were sent two super fun educational games from Super Duper Super Duper Publications to review with Big Sister.

MagneTalk Early Classifying • $21.95 • Grades PreK-5

This magnetic game teaches classifying, vocabulary, critical thinking, and fine motor skills using a colorful magnetic board and photo tiles.  Big Sister will be three at the end of May and everyone is always amazed at her vocabulary.  She is small for her age so she really catches people off guard when she speaks.

When we first opened up this game I was amazed at how quickly she caught on.  The video below is of the first time playing it.

I also love the teaching moments and discussions it has created ~ like why a horse could fit in animals and transportation or why a chicken could be an animal and food.

TopicTalk™ Conversation Card Game • $32.95 • Grades 2 & up

TopicTalk allows children to practice starting conversation, taking turns in conversation, and staying on topic.  This game is perfect for children needing extra help with social situations or expressive language skills.  It is also great for my daughter who loves to talk but needs help staying on subject and being patient when others are talking.

Every night when we sit down to dinner we ask our daughter about her day and then she asks us about ours.  These cards have been very helpful in directing the conversation and the timer is helpful with keeping her on track.

We have really enjoyed playing these two games that we were sent.  I am excited to check out their other games as Big Sister gets a little bigger.  Another thing that I loved about Super Duper Publications is the very useful website.  Many of the games have a video both demonstrating how to play each game and how to vary game play.

One lucky Coping with Frugality reader will win their choice of ONE of the products below:

All About You, All About Me Fun Deck
TopicTalk™ Conversation Card Game
MagneTalk Early Classifying
Lids ‘n Lizards® Magnetic Photo Vocabulary Game

Just enter on the easy form below for your chance to win.

I normally wear nursing tanks (which Leading Lady also carriers) but they just don’t work with some of my work clothes, including dresses.  I was lucky enough to receive the Cotton Softcup 2 Pack nursing bras from Leading Lady to review and really like them.  The stretch lace and seamed cups are actually flattering and conceal nursing pads efficiently.  They are very cozy (no underwire), so you can sleep in them, but also provides good support during the day and extra padding for comfort.  They come in a 2-pack, so you can always have an extra on hand.

Loving Moments by Leading Lady makes it easier than ever for expecting and new moms to find quality nursing essentials for an exceptional value. The new brand from Leading Lady provides new moms with quality, affordable nursing intimate apparel in fun and fashionable styles. Featuring playful stretch lace, cute and supportive nursing tank tops, soft comfortable sleep and leisure bras, seamless every day styles, as well as washable nursing pads, Loving Moments has a nursing bra for every occasion.

Available only at Wal-Mart® and WalMart.com, Loving Moments is easily found where moms shop – in stores and online – making it just a little bit easier to save on the essentials needed to welcome a new baby into the family.

More than my happiness with the bras themselves, I must say that I also love the affordability and accessibility of this line of nursing wear.  I also love the support found the Loving Moments’ website’s Breastfeeding A-Z guide for new moms.

I am also excited to announce that Loving Moments by Leading Lady is giving away one item from their bra line and a package of Loving Moments by Leading Lady nursing pads to one lucky Coping with Frugality reader.  Just enter on the easy form below.

There are plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs with the self-confidence, skills and courage to set up a small business in a foreign country. There are also lots of questions to answer, such as how, when, where and why, especially when such a transition involves moving a family. Fortunately, there are a few key points on which to focus, important consideration for families starting small businesses in foreign countries.

Location of your business

In determining the best location, you should identify the needs of your business, your customers and your family. Conduct market research online, including an analysis of local spending and consumer trends. When choosing a location, you need to consider the demographics, competition and complementary businesses located close by. You can either buy a location to shield against rent hikes or lease a location to control upfront costs.

Develop a business plan

Prepare a business plan to provide direction and keep you on track. It is also an important document when you are seeking finances. Find out what are the costs involved in setting up your business. Decide how much profit you expect to make. The business plan should also include the start-up, fixed and variable operating costs, a marketing plan, forecasted cash flow analysis and sources of funding.

Organizing your finances

Depending on your type of business, start-up costs could be high. However, there are several sources to consider when looking for finance for your small business. You can use your personal savings, borrow money from friends and relatives, obtain a loan from a bank, or apply for government funding. In order to be eligible for a bank loan, you need to convince the bank that the business is viable. The bank will look for collateral to secure their position in case of default.

Once the business is set up, you need to apply for a business bank account to manage your finances. Opening a business bank account in some countries is relatively easy. For example, to open a business bank account in Egypt, you will be required to provide a range of official documents, including your passport, passport-size photographs, work visa, and residence permit. Your business plan is likely to be helpful in securing the bank loan. Establishing a relationship with your bank will enable you to access a range of products and services such as online banking and international payments.

Family issues

The HSBC Expat Explorer Survey is an annual survey that provides insight into expat life around the globe. The report covers three main aspects of expat life, including financial, lifestyle and family issues when living abroad.

In regards to raising children, there are important factors to consider for expat parents, including cost of childcare, changes in children’s diet and activities after relocation, the quality of education and the ease with which children are able to integrate into new cultures. According to the recent 2012 report, safety and wellbeing of their children is the most important factor when looking to relocate abroad. Canada was the most popular choice among expat parents, followed by the Netherlands and Hong Kong. Australia and Canada provide the best opportunities for expat parents looking for outdoor lifestyles.

While moving overseas with children is stressful and demanding, you can ensure a smooth transition for your children by making sure they are well-prepared for the relocation. This will ensure that they can adjust to their new environment easily. Explain to them the reasons for the move. Show them pictures and tell them stories about the country. Spending quality time with your children during this transition phase is as important as finding a safe neighborhood and right school. Help your children integrate with the new environment by planning some outdoor activities to reduce their anxiety and distress.

If you would like to read more about the opportunities and challenges of living away from home, click here to read the full HSBC Expat Explorer Survey report.

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Want to win one for yourself?  Just enter on the simple form below.