From One Mommy to Another

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted and @Claritin #ChildrensClaritinParty @MommyParties

2012-05-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted opens in theaters June 8th. Princess A and Mr. C are excited to see the movie and watch Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman find their way back to the Big Apple...with a little detour on a through a traveling circus.

Claritin helped us and our friends get excited about Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted by sending us a Madagascar themed party kit.

What better way to get everyone ready for Madagascar 3 than to watch Madagascar 1 and 2...

and have a popcorn party?

The kids loved having their own popcorn boxes and enjoying an afternoon together!

And I enjoyed having a chance to share Children's Claritin with their moms.

I know many children suffer from allergies and we here in Arizona are no exception. The area we live acts like a dust trap as the dust settles in the valley of the mountains. I knew the moms who attended our party would welcome some Claritin and Children's Claritin samples to bring their children relief.

I was able to help a few moms understand which Children's Claritin Products are best for certain ages, which are chewable or need to be swallowed, and most importantly, that if they find one does not work, it doesn't mean that nothing will work.

We found as Mr. C got to be 7, the chewables did not bring him as much relief. Honestly, it doesn't make much logical sense as the dosage is the same. But after 30 years of asthma and allergies, I experienced this myself.

We just moved Mr. C to the Claritin 24 hour tablet and the difference is incredible! He sleeps longer because he does not wake from sneezing and is able to play a baseball game (in the dirt...in the desert) without hours of effects.

This is a busy time of the year here as school finished yesterday so we had our party in two stages...

with the second one taking place at night.

The kids loved watching Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa with popcorn and some other treats. The laughs were plentiful from a three-year-old to twelve-year-old.

From the sounds of it, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, will be filled with fun and laughter just like the first two movies.

Please be sure to read my other posts about allergies and how Claritin works for us. And stay up to date with Mommy Mentor on Facebook and Like the page to join the fun.

"As a member of the Children’s Claritin Mom Crew, 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."

Day 3 #DisneySMMoms = Renegades, Pizza, and Weeds! Oh My!

2012-05-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Day 3 of the Disney Social Media Moms 2012 Celebration was full of laughs, empowerment, and learning. A day of top notch speakers left me with so much focus and direction in my business...I truly could not have asked for anything more than that.

In case you need some catch up time, you can read my other #DisneySMMoms posts here.

Maryellen Hooper was our hostess for the fun-filled day and we stayed charged up with beautiful centerpieces from @Rayovac.

I mean...really? Aren't they perfect?

Amy Jo Martin, Founder and CEO of Digital Royalty, shared her story with us, which completely refueled my energy tanks. She is all about the balance in life.

Work. Family. Self. Her boss told her to choose two and said she couldn't have all three.

What did she do with that? She wanted them all so she gave her notice.

Maybe listening to Amy was just what I needed with our impending relocation to Orange County? Her positive, yet almost addicting belief in change and personal growth made me feel...

okay. Not just okay, but like a rock star for accepting this opportunity in life and being comfortable with how uncomfortable it feels.

So, thank you for that, Amy!

Then Amy went on to WOW me with beliefs and values that resonated...with a slight vibration. Just think about some of these and how following them can change your response to situations in life.

"Color outside the lines...without crossing the lines." (It's almost like being a child again...pushing back a bit just to figure out your options. :))

"Be where your feet are." (I am SO guilty of being where my feet are heading...great reminder for me.)

"People don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it." (Oh my! So incredibly true...it can be hard to lose our way in any facet of life. But each of us in business has our "brand" and we need to find it and stay true to it. The rest will all fall into place if we do that.

"Ready, Set, Pause." Amy Jo Martin practices this on Twitter too, so make sure you follow her and engage with it. The premise is simple (but yet not as simple to follow)...Give yourself 8 minutes to do what you want for that time. Take a break to focus on you.

Thank you, Amy Jo Martin for making me feel perfect in my place.

We also had the EXTREME PLEASURE of hearing Ramon DeLeon speak.

Do you know #RamonWOW? If not, you should. He is Chicago's 2011 Social Media Person of the Year and let me tell you...

he has it all figured out!

@Ramon_DeLeon is a veteran of Domino's Pizza for 25 years. He started as a delivery driver and now directs marketing for six franchises in the Chicago area.

Ramon shared his magic with us and lit up the room. His zest for people, life, his family, and social media is truly contagious. He had managed to make a name for himself through his unique people centered focus on social media marketing.

You know, the one where you tweet or post on Facebook that your pizza did not arrive or it had the wrong toppings? And you are too hungry to deal with waiting for the correct version to show up.

(Insert Ramon DeLeon)

Ramon is like the 911 responder for Domino's customers in crisis or glee. He makes mistakes right and celebrates the love of the company like no other.

After all of that energy in the room, we were hungry! :) Insert lunch break. And amazing desserts...thankfully they were small so we could enjoy more than one.

And look who was waiting for us at our chairs when we returned from lunch?

Love me some Mickey.

After lunch, Peter Shankman joined us and for whatever reason, his words just resonated with me.

His belief in pushing past your comfort zone and experimenting outside the box was perfect for me.

Two of my favorite quotes from Peter Shankman, aside from the one shown above in the photo...

"Be a Weed...they have mastered everything else except how to be like everything else."

Really? Think about that and how it applies to us as individuals. So much of life is spent matching a vision or a mold that others have for you. Make sure you figure out how to still grow despite being sprayed and pulled on. :)

And this...which I really need to hear as we pack our house into boxes. This is EXACTLY why we chose to take the new job for my husband...it was a risk. Hopefully it will be as we hope it will. But we don't take the risk...this opportunity is nothing.

"Nothing exciting ever happens in your comfort zone." via @PeterShankman

While Peter believes in pushing outside your comfort zone, he is smart enough to acknowledge how important it is to focus on doing what you do really well...and people will think you are amazing.

I highly recommend you read Peter Shankman's blog posts and subscribe to his RSS. His style is all his own and I like it. One of his latest just made me laugh, cringe, and reflect and was perfect over coffee in the morning.

I kinda felt bad for Chris Brogan as we fell into our carb coma after lunch. We quieted down, fought off naps (cause really, WHO naps at Disney World? Not even 2 year-olds do!), and earned a few jokes from Chris in the state that we were.

But truly, Chris Brogan, his skill level and sense of humor were a perfect ending to our conference day.

Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world?

I did not. Silly me. Thank you Chris for helping me focus on next goals.

And an easy yet so often overused email marketing rule?

Make one call to action per email.

I also need to read "The Referral Engine" as recommended by Chris. Has anyone else read it?

Thank you to Leanne and Laura for this amazing day. My tanks were filled, the engine was cleaned, and I am pretty sure turbo boost was added.

I am inspired and humbled to have been part of such an amazing group of people.

Disclosure: I paid a fee to attend Social Media Moms Celebration at Walt Disney World. I received complimentary items, special discounts, and other benefits such as food and entertainments so my family could experience the magic of Disney.

"The Avengers" Superhero Party Theme Ideas #DisneySMMoms

2012-05-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

Invitations: Start your party off right with the perfect invitation. You can make your own postcard invitations with cardboard cut-outs of bright blue painted stars, and include the details about your party in a thin black marker. Decorate the front of each with classic comic book words like POW!, ZAP! And WAM!

Décor: The Avengers bring together 6 epic superheroes. Create your own easy decorations with cardboard cutouts of spiders and paint them black, neon green head’s of The Hulk and classic American flags for Captain America and, throughout the party, use bold colored streamers, which will add some mystery to the room.

Centerpieces: Choose your favorite Avenger and decorate the table around that character. Use lots of primary colors, since comic strips are usually blue, yellow and red. Print outs of comic book pages covered in contact paper make great placemats. Blanket your tables with these to tie the décor together and include stars, spiders and Hawkeye cut-outs on wooden sticks around the table with silver confetti.

Music: Keep the music simple but fun. “Live to Rise,” the original song written for and appearing in the film is the first single from the Marvel Music/Hollywood Records release Avengers Assemble. The epic and cinematic video, featuring a searing live performance with film footage, was directed by Robert Hales (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Janet Jackson, Kings of Leon, Justin Timberlake). View “Live To Rise”: http://www.vevo.com/watch/soundgarden/live-to-rise-from-marvels-the-avengers/USH5V1221447 orhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZNtOcY_1A

Menu: Mini snacks such as cut-out tea-sandwiches make great finger food. Look for cookie cutters in shields, stars and spiders to create these treats. For Incredible Hulk themed beverages, create trays of green ice cubes by freezing water with green food color, and WOW! guests as their clear citrusy beverages transform color before their very eyes.

Party Favors: As a parting gift, place a few Avenger designed cookies in a cellophane bag and close with a gold twist-tie – your guests can enjoy the party for days to follow with these treats!”

RECIPE

1. Whip up a batch of your favorite sugar cookie recipe and use a cookie cutter to make character cookies. They make Superhero cookie cutters in the shape of many Avengers heroes. You can also use any oval shaped cookie cutter and instead fill in the details with your decorating. Once your cookies are baked and cooled, you are ready to begin decorating.

2. You can make your own royal icing (See: How to Make Your Own Royal Icing included below) or use store-bought. Color with food coloring to achieve the various colors you want for decorating. We recommend green (for the Hulk), yellow, blue, black, white, and brown. Place each color in a piping bag.

3. Begin by outlining the cookie in your base color. (If you were starting with The Hulk, outline the entire shape in green. Color in your outline with green icing and cover the entire cookie. (You can actually use a paintbrush to “paint” your cookie.) Give the base a few minutes to dry and choose your next color. For The Hulk’s hair, outline his hairline in black and proceed to fill in with black icing. You can continue to draw features in and watch your character come to life.

How to Make Your Own Royal Icing
3 egg whites, at room temperature. We prefer dehydrated egg whites, available at most supermarkets.
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
food coloring (optional)

Mix above ingredients with a little warm water until smooth. Add food coloring.

Guest Post: Preparing for a Big Move or Relocation

2012-05-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Moving your family is no easy task, particularly when it’s to unfamiliar territory. The stress of being transplanted into a foreign environment can be felt throughout your family with parents acclimating to new jobs and homes to the children entering a new school district.

But before you can even worry about adjusting to a new way of life, the task of getting ready to move is sure to occupy all your free time. There are school and medical records to transfer, bank accounts to close, moving work to schedule, utility companies to call and countless other forgettable tasks that pile up quickly.

With that in mind, here are some tips for managing your time during this stressful process and coming out on the other side in the best shape possible.

Involve Your Kids

It's important that parents remember the potential effects of a move on the children and the value of being mindful of your children's needs from the very get-go. The best way to help children adjust to an upcoming move is to involve them in the family's major decisions, including looking at houses and neighborhoods as well as other decisions that will affect them.

You don't need your children to make all the decisions for you, but by giving them an active role, you help them feel a part of the move, rather than a pawn that is being forced to uproot his or her life. Although your kids may ultimately feel sad and even angry about the move – normal reactions for children – they may be more likely to adjust to their new life quickly if they have been part of the decision all along.

Enlisting Help

Your choice of moving company can have a great impact on your experience throughout the moving process. Good movers will make sure to minimize the time and hassle you spend getting your home ready for the move. Cost is also a big consideration for many families, so getting price quotes from a variety of movers can help you choose a servicer at the best price point.

Before making your decision, you should meet with your top choices and go over the details of your move, including the services included and costs covered. Read online reviews of these companies to make sure others have had a good customer service experience.

Deciding What to Keep

Moving can be a great excuse to go through your closet and unload the things you don't want or need anymore. Garage or yard sales can earn you a little extra cash ahead of the move, but even donating items can simplify your move and lighten the load you carry into your new home. Old children's clothing and toys are also great possessions to consider getting rid of when you move.

Update Your Records

In most cases, particularly if you move to a different state, you will have to update your records and government forms to accurately reflect your change in residence. This includes getting a new driver's license, registering your car, forwarding your mail, transferring medical records and enrolling your children in school. All of these tasks may seem trivial and time-consuming, but they're a part of the moving process – and, thankfully, one of the last steps.

Though moving almost always causes stress, taking pro-active steps before, during and after the move will help make the process run smoothly. Making the adjustment to a new home will take time, so don’t waste time worrying about all of the moving logistics – plan ahead.

Holly Watson is a stay-at-home mom and former financial advisor. She blogs on behalf of Sears and other brands that help motivate her family to maintain a clean, happy home. She loves making cake pops and is training to run her third marathon this summer.

Mother's Day Gift Guide: @HTC One X Smartphone Rec from @MommyMentor

2012-05-09T15:59:00.000-07:00

Still looking for that perfect Mother's Day gift? This year, show mom how much she is loved by giving her a smartphone that can help her stay organized, enjoy her down time, and stay connected with friends and family.

The HTC One X smartphone became available from AT&T on May 6 for $199.99; the HTC One X runs the latest version of Android and HTC Sense and has amazing features mom is sure to love!

I am an Android fan but I have to admit the white iPhones make me lust after them just a bit. They are just pretty and us women, well...we enjoy a phone that makes us feel good. Thus, when I opened the HTC One X, I was immediately in love with the beautiful white color finish.

This was just the first of many features I like on the HTC One X. In fact, this is the first smartphone that I would sacrifice my HTC Thunderbolt for...in a heartbeat with no regrets at all. And that says a lot because aside from poor battery life, I love my Thunderbolt.

The One X is HTC's flagship model of the HTC One series of smartphones which are all newer to the market. They feature the largest screen, highest capacity battery, the most internal storage, and the fastest processor.

The display on the HTC One X is a 4.7 inch 1280x720 pixel HD display that exceeded all of my expectations. It is covered by a single pane of Corning Gorilla Glass and is built to be thin, damage resistant, and light. I encourage you to read about how this Gorilla Glass is "toughened up" because it is very interesting. You can literally see the screen of the One X from the sides and the images, clarity, and resolution are crystal clear. The screen exceeds any smartphone I have seen or reviewed thus far.

Moving on...the battery life of the HTC One X is a clear positive of this phone and puts my Thunderbolt to shame.

I work my phone hard. So hard it...and my husband...beg for it's mercy.

With my career in social media and social media marketing, my phone is infiltrated with alerts and runs many applications at the same time. The HTC One X handles all of it on its regular battery as opposed to the Thunderbolt that requires the extended battery in order to get me through a day.

Speaking of positive features...hands down...the HTC One X Camera rocks! Its 8-mega pixel camera comes equipped with HTC ImageSense, improving every part of the camera including the lens, sensor and software. The HTC One X also offers 1080p HD video recording, with the ability to take photos while capturing video. I use that feature daily and it is one feature that I will miss terribly when I send her back.

Imagine taking a video of your children playing their soccer or baseball game with the ability to capture that single shot of their home run or goal. Any parent or grandparent will find the HTC One X camera features to be priceless in their value add.

With Beats By Dr. Dre Audio integration, HTC One X customers will enjoy their music, videos and games (I mean really...what's Mother's Day without some dedicated "World of Goo" time?) with top of the line sound.

And last but not least, the feature I will no longer be without on a phone...the Portable Hot Spot. I use the wireless router feature on my Thunderbolt and the HTC One X feature all of the time. I simply go into my account settings and make it active before traveling so I can play and work on my laptop with a stable connection. When I return home, I turn it off. I only pay for the days I have it active and for about $1 a day, it is small price to pay for sanity and on the go access regardless of where you are.

HTC Sense adds a ton of applications to the phone, of which everyone will find some they need and enjoy having. The ability to use the camera flash as a flashlight is a fun bonus and it has everything I need for my work in social media and marketing. To make it even better, one can experience all of the fun with lightening fast processing; I was greatly impressed with the lack of lag in the processing and web browsing on the One X.

Make her day this Mother's Day (or any day for that fact :)) with the HTC One X. Mom will stay in touch with everyone, relax with a glass of wine to her favorite tunes, and create a family photo and video album that will bring her happiness for years to come. I know I would be thrilled to have the HTC One X in my handbag...(do you think my kids or husband will read this?)

And Dad's - be sure to stay tuned for the male review of this phone next month!

Disclosure: I was provided with an HTC One X to use before I sent it back so I could provide you with an honest review. All opinions are my own as they always are.

Main Street Transportation Company Show @WaltDisneyWorld Magic Kingdom #DisneySMMoms

2012-05-04T10:53:00.005-07:00

Our family created so many magical memories at Disney World last week. It is always so fun when you stumble on a show...a special treat of joy in the middle of your day.

As we entered the Magic Kingdom on our first day in the park, we happened upon a great show on Main Street. Shows like these are what truly transport you outside of your daily life into a fairy tale.

I hope you enjoy...and be sure to check out what Disney has in store for everyone in 2012!

What's Coming for @Disney Parks this Year? #DisneySMMoms

2012-05-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

We returned last night from an amazing vacation at Walt Disney World for the Disney's Social Media Moms Celebration! It is always so fun to learn about the new things that Disney has in store for its visitors and fans each year! And even more amazing to share those with you!

Meg Crofton, the President of Walt Disney World Resorts in Florida, met with us to give us some of the highlights!

Aren't you thrilled to hear that there are more projects going on at Walt Disney World right now than at any other time in history? A resounding message today from Ms. Crofton is that Disney is in the "experience business". And for families, that means vacations with Disney will be more exciting than ever!

One very exciting expansion coming to Walt Disney World is the new Fantasyland, which is set to be finished in Fall 2012. By creating a "Double Dumbo", parents and children will no longer have to wait in as long of lines. For three-year-old's, "Dumbo" is "their ride". But to wait in long lines is so hard for them...and as Disney does best...they listen to feedback from their consumers. So Disney World's new Fantasyland will offer two Dumbo rides with shorter wait times ALL WHILE waiting INDOORS in AIR CONDITIONING.

How amazing is that?!? But wait, it gets better. While waiting, children will also feel as though they are right there with Dumbo as they enjoy an indoor circus preview.

Prince Eric and Beast will also have castles...(can you hear the "Hallelujahs" coming from all girls in the world?) Seriously, I think our little Ava will want to have a family sleepover in their castles...like ASAP! Ariel and Belle are her absolute favorite princesses. You can see some amazing photos of the new Fantasyland castles under construction here at disneycorner.com.

Some more amazing news for Disneyland fans...

The Happiest Place on Earth will get even happier June 15, 2012 with the grand opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and the Carthay Circle Theatre at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort. The exciting, new additions will complete the five year expansion of Disneyland Resort, a premier, multi-day vacation destination in Southern California with two theme parks, three hotels and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district.

Cars Land adds 12 acres to Disney California Adventure and allows guests to feel as if they have stepped into the town of Radiator Springs! There are three family attractions showcasing characters and settings from the movie, as well as “Cars”-themed dining and shopping locations such as Flo’s V8, Café, Ramone’s House of Body Art and Radiator Springs Curios.

I mean really!? How fun will that be for little ones?

They will surely love the newest and most elaborate attraction ever ever created for a Disney park...Radiator

Springs Racers.

This twisting, turning, high-speed adventure takes fans through Ornament Valley and the town of Radiator Springs. Luigi’s Flying Tires invites guests to glide on air aboard special tires while they whirl around with their pals. And at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, guests will whip around behind a baby tractor and enjoy tunes from a giant jukebox built from Mater’s most prized possessions.

With so much fun on the horizon at Disney, be sure you stay up to date with me @MommyMentor on Twitter and on Facebook at MommyMentor!

Day 2 Disney Social Media Moms 2012 @WaltDisneyWorld #DisneySMMoms

2012-04-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Disney parks really are the "Happiest Place on Earth". On Day 2 of our trip to Walt Disney World for the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we were greeted in the morning with...

Happy Ducks! They just looked at the kids, didn't nip or get sassy, just hung out.

Even ducks are happy at Disney World!

Before we left for the parks, I went and registered for the conference.

Perfect snacks for the parks!

And then we were off to the Magic Kingdom.

Princess A has been dreaming of seeing Cinderella's Castle so it was a special moment for her.

We enjoyed rides and a full day together as a family. Princess A had a HUGE celebration when she realized she finally met the height requirements for Splash Mountain.

No more sitting on the sidelines for her - she was all in!

After a day of fun with the family, it was time for our first official #DisneySMMoms event.

What better way to kick off the Disney Social Media Moms 2012 Celebration than with a happy hour? The theme to the event was Hawaiian for their newest Aulani Resort and Spa on Oahu.

And be sure you check out my 8 Tips for Traveling to Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa!

Leanne put together an amazing evening for all of us so a huge thank you to you, Leanne! It was so wonderful to connect with everyone attending on our own before we met up with our families...

for a little pirate party! A Swashbuckler Soiree was the perfect kick off event for families!

And light up ice cubes? Kids are using them daily in water at home. :)

We snacked...

and hung on the beach by the Yacht Club all night. Fun times were had by all!

Day 1 Disney Social Media Moms 2012 @WaltDisneyWorld #DisneySMMoms

2012-04-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are having an amazing trip at Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration of 2012! This was the first trip to Disney World for Mr. C and Princess A and our first day, while filled with travel, was full of anticipation and excitement!

The four hour flight went smoothly and they managed to contain their excitement to just our row. :)

I had made reservations with Disney's Magical Express to pick us up at the airport and take us to the Yacht Club. After a long day of travel, it was nice to be shuttled around and just relax. I was so happy with how easy it was to make reservations on the Magical Express and find our way to it once we landed so I would highly recommend it if you don't want to rent a car.

After getting settled at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, everyone was so starving.

It is only appropriate to dine in total Disney Style, right? :)

We went to Beaches and Cream Soda shop for some YUMMY burgers! A must for all families...and if you have the appetite, be sure to indulge in a Kitchen Sink.

You will know it when you see it. :)

We had a small early birthday celebration for Mr. C while we at there as well.

Day 2 here we come!

Parenting Pointer: The Mother Company and Ruby's Studio

2012-04-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like your child has something to say, but doesn’t know how to verbalize it? Do you ever think they do not understand others’ feelings, or even their own? Ruby encourages children to express themselves and exemplifies how to determine a person’s feelings through facial expressions, physical gestures and demeanor. The Mother Company established Ruby’s Studio in order to encourage kids to understand their feelings and works to nurture social and emotional development.

A Little Book About Feelings explains to children that all people have feelings and we all have different ways of expressing ourselves. As you are reading the book with your child, talk to them; ask them how they respond to their own feelings and to others’ feelings. This is a perfect introduction to The Feelings Show, because it introduces the technique of understanding yourself and others.

Children can relate to the emotions in the show, because the events are related to typical occurrences in a child’s life. Children become frustrated when things do not go their way. They become excited when they are anxious for something thrilling to happen. They get scared when they are startled. Sometimes, children do not know how to read their emotions by analyzing the feeling in their tummy or by deciphering what made them feel a particular emotion. Ruby is a heart-warming, bubbly woman that shows the importance of understanding your feelings and expressing them. Children will feel comfortable and inspired by her words of wisdom and thoughtfulness of others. She sings, dances, tells jokes and talks to her audience throughout the show to get them engaged. Parents can also benefit from the video, because interviews with children portray the thought process of kids.

Once your child becomes familiar with the various emotions, talk about the feelings they have experienced and what made them feel that way. They should know that it is important to talk about their feelings, understand what made them feel that and how to help others when they feel similar. The My Feelings Activity Book is a fill in the blank journal in which children can express themselves. The book asks about a time they felt jealous, scared, happy, excited, frustrated, mad and loved. Your child will enjoy circling pictures that express their feelings and drawing their own. It is not solely a book about their personal feelings – it also asks about how they react to the emotions surrounding them. Your child will feel like an author and will also learn how to express him or herself.

Ruby’s Studio addresses children’s how to become independent, how to handle divorce or loss, how to be safe, which ways to handle friendship and even manners! With DVDs, books, music, dolls, activities and events your child will not even recognize that they are learning important life skills – because they will have so much fun doing it!

Get to know your kids. Understand how they feel and learn from the experiences of mothers who truly care about child development. They aspire to create safe, healthy, well-adjusted children and reach out to parents through blogs, editorials, and helpful articles.

If you’re interested in any of the influential topics of Ruby’s Studio visit them at www.themotherco.com.

Guest Post: Get Your Kids Excited About Spring Chores

2012-04-23T04:55:00.000-07:00

When spring arrives, there are a lot of outdoor chores you'll need completed if you want your yard looking great this summer. While your kids may complain about regular chores, they can be great helpers if you get them excited about their outdoor jobs. Consider some of these fun ways for kids to help.

Timed Competitions

Putting a timer on a task and setting a reward for whoever works fastest during that time is a great way to motivate kids to get a lot done. Have a competition to see who can pull up the most weeds in 15 minutes or who can plant the most flowers. Make sure you give them an incentive for winning such as an extra half hour of TV or a special dessert. Just make sure to exercise a little bit of quality control so the job gets done well!

Cleaning Up Messes

Yard work makes a pretty big mess, but your kids will love helping to clean it up if they can watch some magic happen while they do it. For example, when your driveway and concrete paths are a mess from all the dirt and weeds you’ve pulled, let the kids draw all over them with sidewalk chalk. They'll love helping clean the paths and driveway off with pressure washers, garden hoses or by pouring buckets of water over them.

Creative Games

Little kids have great imaginations they can put to use inventing their own games related to garden tasks. Let them play these games while they work, even if the work is only a small part of their time. It will, at the very least, keep them occupied while you're supervising them outside. For example, they may be collecting plants in a tropical forest to build a fort or create little fairy houses.

Using Fun Tools

If you have a large yard, the riding mower can be a huge draw for kids of all ages. Little ones will love just sitting on your lap, larger kids will enjoy steering for you, and young teens can even drive the mowers on their own as practice for when they learn to drive cars. Power blowers can also be really fun for older kids to use when clearing winter debris out of your garden areas. Just make sure you're providing enough supervision, so your kids stay safe while they use these tools.

External Incentives

When nothing else seems to work with older elementary school children, pre-teens and teenagers, use external incentives to motivate their work. For example, if your kids have inside chore responsibilities, let them help outside to get out of doing some of their least-enjoyed inside chores. You can also offer to pay them for their help with spring chores or plan a special family outing to go on after everybody pitches in with the yard work.

With all of these ideas, one of the most important things to remember is that your enthusiasm can go a long way. If you have a genuine smile on your face and are excited about working outside, your attitude can easily rub off on your kids. Having eager helpers is one of the best ways to get real work done, all while having fun as a family.

Holly Watson is a stay-at-home mom and former financial advisor. She blogs on behalf of Sears and other brands that help motivate her family to maintain a clean, happy home. She loves making cake pops and is training to run her third marathon this summer.

Disneynature's #Chimpanzee Screening: Opens TODAY in Theaters! #MeetOscar

2012-04-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

Princess A and I were invited to attend a special screening of Disneynature's Chimpanzee this week before it opens in theaters today, April 20th. Both of the children have wanted to see this movie since they saw the previews in theaters a half a year ago. Oscar, the baby chimpanzee and star of the movie, stole their hearts the moment they saw him.

I found Chimpanzee incredibly intriguing because they are so intelligent; I learned a lot by seeing how they live their day to day lives...and so did Ava. She laughed so hard and thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the chimps use tools to get to their food. Here is a short clip that highlights part of what she found so entertaining...

But you really do need to see it for yourself to appreciate.

The story line of Chimpanzee is one that should be considered for young children. Princess A is five and had a hard time with the struggles that Oscar experiences. There were a lot of questions during the movie, but afterwards, we processed together and she seemed better with it. My advice to parents of young children is simply to be prepared to answer your children's questions seriously. Because Chimpanzee is a real life film, there is no writing it off to fictional characters like many kids may be used to. Now with Mr. C, he is two weeks shy of being eight-years-old and will handle it just fine when he sees it with his class on opening day. I do feel like I should add a little note here that I do wonder if our children are more aware and emotional about death because they have a little brother in heaven.

Here is a cute little clip from Disneynature's Chimpanzee...one that may make you chuckle as you realize how similar being a parent to a chimp is to being a parent yourself. :)

Chimpanzee opens in theaters today! I am heading to the theater with Mr. C's class field trip to see #Chimpanzee again. Are your children excited to see it and #MeetOscar? What about you?

Disclosure: Thank you to Barclay Communications and Disney for the screening opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of my Fave Clothing Brands...@FreshProduceNow Clothing Review

2012-04-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

I love clothes...I mean really, what woman doesn't, right?

Fresh Produce asked me to review their clothing and I was thrilled to work with them. And not because I got to pick a free item...

But it was because me reviewing Fresh Produce is natural to me because I already own so many Fresh Produce pieces...and stocked up on more before we made our first trip to Aulani in March.

I chose the Impromptu Dress in Lagoon and was so beyond giddy when I saw how gorgeous Lagoon looked in real life. If the Impromptu Dress is not your style, Fresh Produce has a full line of spring dresses for women where you are sure to find something you love.

So why do I love Fresh Produce? (This is me hoping I can contain my enthusiasm while I form my written thoughts...)

Soft and comfortable. So much so that you will have to tell yourself that you should not wear your clothes as jammies. :) Fresh Produce's fabrics are so soft and feel incredible on the skin.

Quality. Lately, it seems that much of what is out there in stores, regardless of cost, is so thin and shrinks so fast. Fresh Produce clothing is thicker so you won't be able to see through it (something this mama appreciates) and holds its size over time. A long time. I have a pair of Fresh Produce capris that are 4 years old and they fit like they did the day I bought them.

Beautiful colors and styles. I adore the wide range of colors that Fresh Produce clothing comes in. If you are a pink girl, you will find it. If you are blue or green, it is there. Purple fan? No worries. And most importantly, the styles fit real women in their real daily lives. I can feel stylish and comfortable when I take my kids to and from school or head to a meeting. A great balance...

Another thing I love about Fresh Produce is that they have clothes that work for multiple seasons. Their spring clothing line is full of uplifting styles that will make you feel confident and beautiful. They allow you to go from day to night and layer in ways that work for women in a natural way.

Many of you know that we just finalized our move to California two weeks ago. As I envision days on the beach, I couldn't help but peek around on the Fresh Produce website at their beach cover ups. My favorite? The Travel Skirt/Dress, which is ON SALE! Eeekkk...how can I possibly resist this piece in black and tropical punch?

The great news is that Fresh Produce now ships to over 200 countries, so women outside the US can enjoy the colorful styles, too...and most importantly, comfortable stylish clothing.

As I fill my cart, what are some of your favorite items from Fresh Produce? If I could possibly host a giveaway, which item would you choose? ;)

Disclosure: Fresh Produce sent me a free item of my choice in exchange for my thoughts and time. All opinions are my own.

On the Road with @ATT at #SheStreams with the Samsung Impulse

2012-04-14T15:05:00.000-07:00

#SheStreams 2012 was a conference full of engagement on so many levels and I was lucky to have a personal travel companion to capture my trip...the ATT Samsung Impulse. So if you wondering what SheStreams is all about, see my thoughts through the ATT Samsung Impulse.

SheStreams left me feeling fulfilled both personally and professionally. I have to admit...the talent of the people who attended SheStreams overwhelmed me a bit, but that is what made SheStreams different than other conferences.

I felt overwhelmed and in pure awe of the talent, but then I had the chance to talk and get to know the people behind the talent. I didn't have to pass them and go, "Oh wow, there ______ is." Instead, I was able to talk with them and make some new friends.

I love that feeling.

One of the sessions I really enjoyed was with Mark Carpenter from @SixVoices on creating Mobile Apps. It was engaging and I always enjoy a presenter who isn't afraid to go off of the "plan" to truly engage with their audience. Not only is Mark knowledgeable in his area, but he is also a very nice person. Plus, I got to learn some new info as well...*cough* that Android owners are less affluent than Apple owners. :)

Great content. A great person. Great learning.

I love it when that happens.

The yacht luncheon with @Disney was a favorite for me. To eat a wonderful lunch on a yacht on the water in Fort Lauderdale totally set the mood.

And really, who doesn't feel extra special walking up these stairs to enter the boat? :)

It was so nice to see #SheStreams attendees smiling as they experienced the yacht luncheon with Disney.

And the food?

Amazing.

The kind where you get excited to go through the line because you can't wait to see what is next.

Who wouldn't love that? :)

The next picture from my ATT Samsung Impulse only needs a two word caption...

Happy Hour!

Everyone loves those!

Amy Lupold Bair, aka @ResourcefulMom, held a great session on Twitter parties. It was great to see the crown so eager to learn from Amy. Let's face it, she is the Queen of Twitter Parties, so who better to learn from, right?

But what I loved most about Amy's session was that it gave me a chance to get to know her a bit more. Her sense of humor, her wit, and the way she truly loves what she tweets about. Until now, I had seen Amy but had little opportunity to interact with her so she knew who little old me was. :)

Now she does, and hopefully she will remember.

I would love that.

Here is a picture of The Amy's at #SheStreams.

I am honored to be in such amazing company...

As I mentioned earlier, SheStreams is a conference that is engaging and truly built to help you grow your skills and brand. Other conferences I have been too can be too large, where I am a business card instead of "Amy" or "Mommy Mentor". Where I can't remember the person that went with the brand because there were simply too many for my brain to retain. This year SheStreams had around 150 attendees, which allowed for rich dialogue within the expo hall and the companies.

I love that.

Thank you to ATT and the Samsung Impulse for being my travel companion. You can read the full review on another ATT phone...the windows based Samsung Focus here.

Hope to see you all at SheStreams 2013!

Disclosure: Thank you to ATT, who provided me with the Samsung Impulse 4G phone to capture my thoughts and highlights from #SheStreams. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as they always are. :)

CLOSED! Claritin #Giveaway! We Would Be Lost Without Adult and Children's @Claritin #ClaritinMoms

2012-04-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ugh! This time of the year is hard for everyone in our house. We live in a valley, which basically serves as a nice little place to trap dust, allergens, and any other flying particles. When you combine that with the desert...i.e. no rainfall to wash these things away...you end up begging for reprieve.

Our reprieve has always come from Claritin, both for my husband and I, and our children. So honestly, becoming an official #ClaritinMom really is just a title to confirm how we have always lived.

Mr. C and Princess A take Children's Claritin whenever their allergies act up and honestly, Mr. C takes them just to maintain his health. The poor guy really has it bad and takes a nasal spray with his Claritin.

We received our #ClaritinMoms kit in the mail last week and we have had a blast handing out Children's Claritin samples to friends (and total strangers like only social media people thrive on:)). But, I also want to share the Claritin love with you, my readers.

What will you win? Five 2 packs of Children's Claritin grape chewable tablets. (At $1 a pop, that saves you $10.)

What do you need to do to win? Leave a comment below sharing what allergy product you use for yourself or your children and why you want to win. And I don't care what you currently use so please be honest. And even if you already use Claritin products, you can still win these. :) Please leave an email address in your comment I can use to contact you if you win.

If you feel like it, head over to Mommy Mentor on Facebook and Like the page to join the fun.

This contest will end next Friday, April 20th. One winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email. They will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Be sure to read my other posts on allergies and Claritin!

#SheStreams Review of the @ATT Samsung Focus Smartphone

2012-04-09T21:10:00.001-07:00

#SheStreams2012 was an amazing conference...it is hard to believe a week has already passed since we were all there!

For me #SheStreams is a conference that allows you to truly connect and learn. The size is just right for rich dialogue but yet each person has their own presence and place. Don't get me wrong, I love learning and seeing The Powerhouses in social media. :) But to see everyone interacting and engaged regardless of "status" is phenomenal.

I had a travel partner for #SheStreams this year...the @ATT Samsung Focus smartphone.

My first impression when I opened the AT&T Samsung Focus?

Oh my word - the thinnest phone I have ever seen! In fact, the super-sleek profile is the thinnest Windows® Phone 7 ever - only 8.5 mm at its thinnest. The thin profile makes it so easy to hold and navigate and of course this translates into a very lightweight phone as well. It was certainly welcome in my handbag as I am used to carrying my HTC Thunderbolt...aka "The Brick". :)

The display on the Samsung Focus is so large and incredibly clear with a 4.3" Super AMOLED(TM) Plus display. The 8mp autofocus camera with LED focus takes fantastic photos that are so crisp and sharp. The Samsung Focus is the first smartphone I have seen that actually beats the quality on my Thunderbolt.

The Windows® Phone OS and 1.4 GHz processor on the Samsung Focus are top notch. I had seamless immediate response time while at #SheStreams while producing great quality photos and video.

What is your smartphone of choice right now? Are there features that seal the deal for you or what makes it work for you?

Disclosure: AT&T sent me a phone to use while attending #SheStreams. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mommy Party: @BobbleBots @MoshiMonsters #MomSelect

2012-04-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Innovation First Labs, the company behind everyone's favorite critters, HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures., is at it again. This time they bring us...

Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters! Moshi Monsters are an all-new buzzing, explorative and collectible line of bobble-head mini robotic pets and playsets that bring the hugely popular online world of MoshiMonsters.com to life for its 50 million fans worldwide.

These adorable battery-operated Moshlings use patented HEXBUG Nano vibration technology to buzz around their unique configurable 3-D "dollhouse" replicas of the same streets, yards, buildings and houses found online in Moshi Monsters' Monstro City. And Mr. C found great joy in joining Monstro City up to his Hexbug tracks so Hexbugs and Moshi Monsters could play together.

Children will love that they can collect their Moshlings and their buildings and houses!

Moshi Monsters also use the same high-tech vibration technology as Hexbugs!

We had Moshi Monster party this weekend to share these adorable little toys with everyone...

Truly, look at the pure joy on her face as she learned of Moshi Monster #BobbleBots for the first time. (I highly recommend a little Pledge on your table beforehand. It was like their very own ice rink :).)

We made Moshi Monster Munch for a snack at our party! The kids all helped mix the following ingredients:

popcorn

pretzels

peanuts

M&Ms

dried blueberries

Put them in the container and have the kids "vibrate" it around the table like they are Moshi Monsters. :)

Aside from the fact that Moshi Monster Bobble Bots are fun and super cute, I appreciate that the buildings can easily be assembled by children...instead of their parents. :)

Be sure to check out this video of the kids racing their Moshlings through Monstro City! They raced for 30 minutes - so simple and yet so fun...just the way toys should be for kids.

The children had a blast playing with these fun and silly toys! Which Moshi Monster Moshling is your favorite?

Oh and don't forget to head over and like Moshi Monsters on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Disclosure: MomSelect and Moshi Monsters provided me with free product for this party to gather opinions from the guests and I. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Big Family News: We are Moving to Orange County, California!

2012-04-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

Our big family news is official...or at least I can finally share it...:)

We are moving to California!

My hubby has a job opportunity in Irvine, CA that is simply too good to pass up. It has been an emotional roller coaster over the past month as we realized they seriously wanted him, that he seriously wanted them, and the impacts on our family.

We love Arizona and this whole process made us
realize that we really consider this our home. Which is why many a tear were shed over the last two weeks as we recognized we really wanted to take this new job.

Making a decision like this pre-kids would have been a complete no brainer. But as we all know, being a parent changes you in many ways. I pray that we can make this transition smooth for them and that the heartache becomes easier.

Everyone tells us, "They are young! 5 and 7? They will be totally fine!"

In my head, I know that...

I just need to wait for my heart to catch up with the logic I hear and in some ways know.

So, is Orange County ready for @MommyMentor and her brood? I sure hope so!!

If you have any information to share about the area, schools, amazing restaurants, shopping, the best beaches and where to find the best FroYo, SHARE! Positive vibes and prayers are welcome as well. :) We would all so appreciate it!

Guest Post: Why Our Children Need Our Help to Exercise

2012-04-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

As a single mother of an 11-year-old son, I take both my child's and my health incredibly seriously. I intend for both of us to live a long happy life, but the odd thing is, sometimes I wonder if the rest of America agrees with me.

When I was a child, I had P.E. in school five days a week and when I got home, my parents had two simple rules:
1. Do my homework
2. Go outside and get some exercise until dinner.

I would play outside for hours. Riding bikes, climbing trees and running through the sprinkler. Children need exercise every day of their lives. It helps them lose weight, it helps clear their minds, it wears them out so they can get enough sleep at night and it makes them happier, healthier individuals.

But things have changed. My son is lucky if he gets P.E. even 1 day a week at school. We can no longer depend on our schools to give our children the adequate amount of exercise they need each day. It's estimated that in the United States, about 22 million children under age 5 are overweight and 30 percent of children are obese. It's time we take our children's health seriously.

There are several things you can do as a mom to implement a healthy exercise routine into your family's lives:

Be a good example: "Do as I say, not as I do." A phrase we are all familiar with but hopefully not one we live by. It is very important that we give our children an example of a healthy exercise routine. The American Heart Association suggests 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. They consider physical activity as "anything that makes you move your body and burn calories, such as climbing stairs or playing sports. Aerobic exercises benefit your heart, such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking. Strength and stretching exercises are best for overall stamina and flexibility." If your children see you exercising every day, they are more likely to want to exercise as well.
Make it fun: You don't have to take them to a park and have them run around a track for 30 minutes. You could take them to the park and let them run around with their friends, ride bikes, run through sprinklers, jump rope, swim. They have these great warehouses near my neighborhood that are full of different types of jumpy houses and obstacles. My son can spend hours there and he doesn't even feel like he's exercising. In his mind he's having a blast. They even have a little place where parents can sit and talk or read a book while the kids are running wild.
Get a group together: Get a group of moms from your social circle together so you can all exercise together. You could put one mom in charge each week for your exercise adventure. Set up hikes, yoga classes, bike rides, horse back riding. You could even have the kids make something up, put a bunch of ideas in a hat and pick a new one each week. You will get the support of friends and the kids will get to exercise and have fun.
Volunteer at school: In the state of the economy there are some hard facts that we need to make the best of. Sadly, physical education is one of the first "expendable" commodities in your child's education. Your child's teacher is likely over worked and has very little help. Teachers depend heavily on parent support to make it through the school year. I volunteered the last 4 years 2 days a week teaching yoga to 60 kids at a time. They loved it and my son was really proud that his mom was teaching. It is a great way to invest in your child from a multi-level perspective. You don't have to be a certified yoga instructor to be a P.E. volunteer. You can chaperone a soccer or basketball game. Or get creative and put an obstacle course together for them. Your child's teacher will love you and your child will be so proud.

As moms we are setting the tone for our children's lives. If you can help them today in starting a healthy consistent exercise regime you are catapulting them into a healthy, happy and successful future.

Sarah Stevenson, a.k.a., The Tini Yogini, is a Certified Yoga Instructor in Southern California. She has a degree in Behavioral Psychology and teaches not only yoga classes but also life affirming workshops. She also writes for Beachbody, which provides effective home fitness dvds for all fitness levels including extreme workouts such the Asylum workout.

Spring Allergy Tips: Children's @Claritin Mom Crew Member

2012-03-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Spring is officially here and with that comes allergies in our house. All four of us have allergies with Mr. C and I being the largest sufferers in our house. But as a whole, we would all be lost without Claritin or Children's Claritin products. Thus, why I was beyond excited to become a part of the Children's Claritin Mom Crew.

We are learning after being in Arizona for a few years now that the dust is really affecting us negatively. I am not sure if it is any worse than being surrounded by grass and all of the green in Wisconsin, but the dust and air quality is a factor in our days.

Here are a few Spring Allergy Tips we live by in our sniffly house:

1. Have your children take your Children's Claritin allergy products as soon as symptoms start and be consistent..even if you do not see symptoms as strong. We have learned that taking days off is just not worth it. Otherwise, we are always treating the height and never getting it under control.

2. As a parent, carry a few Children's Claritin products in your purse. We use Children's Claritin grape chewables and I always have 4-6 in my purse. That way if Mr. C's allergies act up while he is on the baseball diamond playing ball, I can get him relief.

3. Research and get alerts for allergies in your area. Whether using weather.com or a more formal air quality website like we use in Arizona, they help us understand our triggers and stay ahead of our allergies.

4. Have your children shower before bed! That way they get all of the allergens off their hair and face before going to bed...and do not transfer them to their pillows. It helps give them a break from at least some of their environmental triggers.

So these are my Spring Allergy Tips...what are yours?

Disclosure: As a member of the Children’s Claritin Mom Crew, 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.

Book Review: Marvin Discovers the Beach

2012-03-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

Children will not only giggle at the entertaining encounters Marvin endures throughout the story Marvin Discovers the Beach, but they will relate to the exciting new adventures the young lap dog stumbles upon. Kathryn Kessler emphasizes sounds and actions with exhilarating describing words while portraying Marvin’s first encounter at the beach. Her easy to visualize descriptions introduce children to aspects of the beach, various ocean life and respectful beach behaviors. The book also brings back childhood memories of the beach through the recreation of familiar family activities into a bubbly, literature rich story.

Marvin is an adorable, blue-eyed, playful lap dog who joins his owner Jane at the beach. Although Marvin has never been to the ocean, Jane shows him the ropes by exposing him to the salty water and waves’ motions. He learns the hard way that ocean water is way too salty and not meant for drinking as he playfully sticks out his tongue! Marvin’s emotions take the reader on a roller-coaster through excitement, discovery and fear as he experiences a clam squirting him in the face and a hermit crab pinching his whiskers. Marvin learns the etiquette of avoiding the destruction of sand castles as he attempts to catch the stick thrown by his energetic friend Jane. As he is admiring the colorful starfish he and Jane begin to yawn. They are exhausted after their joyful beach day and head home.

Kathryn Kessler, the author, is a mother, grandmother and pet lover. She has three dogs, including a small black and white lap dog named Marvin (coincidence? J). Marvin is a courageous little pup that has no fear; his experiences brighten her day, make her laugh and bring back childhood memories. Her devotion to family shines through with her ability to write playful stories in which children can relate, by creating family oriented activities, crafts and recipes while still enforcing core values and intertwining interesting facts in order to implement content.

If you would like to purchase Marvin Discovers the Beach or Kathryn Kessler’s first story Marvin Discovers Snow, visit www.marvindiscovers.com. Her stories will make you reminisce on childhood memories, giggle and take pleasure in reading with your child. You will be delighted to also find plenty of engaging activities and games for you and your children to enjoy!

Test Drive of @VolvoCars_Us at the @Montelucia Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona

2012-03-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Volvo event here in Scottsdale. We had test driven the Volvo XC90 in February when we were trading in our minivan so this was a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about the Volvo brand and their cars. Plus, what’s not to love about a beautifully sunny Saturday morning at the Montelucia Resort and Spa? J

The Montelucia Resort is so incredibly gorgeous and the backdrop of the mountains adds amazing ambiance. I have been there twice before for a massage and time with friends to enjoy the pool and felt like I was stepping into a private oasis; the morning of the Volvo test drive was no exception. Additionally, I always find it fascinating to see how brands structure their media events and the tone of the Volvo event was a perfect match with the Montelucia Resort and Spa.

I had the chance to investigate Volvo’s vehicles before heading into the main welcome session. Since we drove the Volvo XC90, I took the opportunity to check out some of their other models that I am less familiar with.

The all new XC80 is a classic looking Volvo to me; I am drawn to the looks of this vehicle and dream of eventually downsizing the size of what I drive. The XC80 had far more space in the back than I imagined it would and had a sporty edge to its look that is very appealing.

As we listened to North Holbrook and William Monroe speak about their vehicles, there were a few things that stood out. First and foremost, there is a genuine passion behind the Volvo brand among its employees. Passion is what it is all about…if you have passion for what you do, the company will benefit exponentially because of it, and Volvo clearly understands that. We test drove the XC90 because of what I read about the safety features of Volvo so it was exciting to learn more about that component of the brand.

For example, did you know the Volve does the "Elk Test"? Many Elk are involved in car accidents every year in Sweden so Volvo designs their cars to be able to swerve and avoid a collision with them. Something tells me, if a Volvo can avoid elk, I am safe with our Javalinas here in Arizona. :) Volvo also uses some of the most advanced crash test dummies in the world. They match the size, weight and proportions of their real life counterparts and pair them with sophisticated electronics to measure deceleration and other forces that are involved in accidents to ensure Volvo owners are some of the safest drivers out there.

So while it was fun to learn and see, there is nothing like hands on experience to make you connect with a product or brand. When I accepted the invitation to attend the Volvo event, I had no knowledge of what our test drive would look like.

So, imagine my…

SHEER JOY...

to find myself on an hour and a half drive…in North Scottsdale….in a Volvo C70 convertible…with the top down…

Did I mention I was alone? J

It was pure heaven…

The top of the C70 goes down and stores right in the trunk. While simply applying the break, you can wait in the driver's seat while the top opens and closes on its own. The simple "ding" and you know that all is secure and you are good to go!

I was thoroughly impressed with the Volvo C70. The drive was so smooth, I was surrounded by a feel that fit very well with me - a combination of class with a sporty edge. I could easily see owning a Volvo C70 as a third car for our family...perfect for our warm climate!

One Volvo safety feature I adore and find incredibly helpful is the Blind Spot Information System. We experienced it in the XC90 and the C70 was fabulous as well. Whenever a vehicle is in your blind spot, an orange light lights up to alert you. The placement is superior in that it is inside the car right by your side mirror; you truly do not have to turn your head at all to see it and know you cannot change lanes.

And to spend a morning with Karie from The Five Fish was a perfect bonus! We have known each other on Twitter for a few years but to finally meet in real life was awesome. And doesn't she look fab in that Volvo C70? :)

A big thank you to Volvo for the educational and relaxing morning test driving the Volvo C70, the Montelucia Resort and Spa for hosting the event, and The Cake Group for the invitation. The entire morning was wonderful!

Now, I would love to hear from you...

How many of you are Volvo fans? Which is your favorite model? And what do you like most about your Volvo?

Guest Post: Fun Snacks for Kids

2012-03-15T10:59:00.001-07:00

Sometimes at my house, I feel like my children eat nonstop between breakfast and dinner. Finding healthy and filling quick eats can be challenging. When I need a go-to option, I choose from one of the following snack ideas.

Pack reusable bags with apple slices and cheese cubes (Gouda and cheddar are our favorites). This versatile option limits messes in the car when we’re out running errands after school.

Boil eggs on gas ranges for a protein-packed snack. My children enjoy them with a sprinkle of pepper, paprika or salt. They also love mashing the yolks for deviled eggs, which are saved for special treats. We'll pair a boiled egg with veggies like sliced cucumbers, carrot discs or cauliflower florets. I like being able to prep the veggies on Sunday in preparation for our busy week. The kids can just grab baggies out of the fridge when they're hungry, and I know they're eating something healthy.

The kids also like tuna salad with crackers or veggies. If tuna does not appeal to your kids, substitute fresh or canned chicken. You can add healthy fillers like diced celery, grape tomatoes or bell pepper.

Serve salt-free tortilla chips or pretzels with salsa. You can make your own salsa to cut down on the preservatives found in store-bought brands. My kids don't like cilantro or foods that are too hot, so I usually modify spicier recipes when I make it. Sometimes we switch things up and add some black beans or serve avocado slices on the side.

I like getting the kids involved in making their own healthy snacks, so we'll gather in the kitchen and make our own trail mix. We add dried cranberries or raisins to raw almonds and peanuts, and I'll throw in some M&M's once in a while. The best thing about homemade mix is being able to switch up the ingredients whenever the kids get bored.

My children love to make Ants on a Log (even though my daughter would rather decorate celery than eat it). Sometimes my son likes to substitute unsalted peanuts for his 'ants.' We've also sprinkled shredded coconut on top to make Snow on a Log.

On the weekend, usually when we're getting ready to watch a movie or play a game, we like to toss hot popcorn with cinnamon, garlic powder, a sprinkle of Butter Buds or curry powder. Keep things healthier by avoiding store-bought bags.

Yogurt is a favorite around our house. I use plain yogurt most often, but the kids also like vanilla, blueberry and raspberry. Serve with bananas, strawberries, peach slices or your favorite fruit. It's something the kids have eaten since they were little and a pretty popular quick fix for hunger, even though they're fully aware it's not their preferred treat, ice cream.

Give your children a choice of ingredients and let them create snack combinations that appeal to them. With confidence, you can supply healthy foods that satisfy hungry tummies between every meal, any day of the week.

This is a guest post from Holly Watson. She is a stay-at-home mother who enjoys traveling, writing on behalf of Sears and other great brands and running on her treadmill. Read more of her work at Eat Breathe Blog.

Top 10 Reasons We Love Our @GM @Buick #Enclave

2012-03-14T16:17:00.001-07:00

One month ago today we traded in our minivan for a Buick Enclave. After 5 years of driving a minivan, I am fairly certain I took 5 years off my age just by making this transition. :)

We test drove a variety of cars and pondered a great deal more. The Volvo XC90 and Ford Explorer were our latest test drives. The XC90 was nice but too narrow as we could not fit two car seats and a small adult in the second row. The Explorer - well it was too rugged. We test drove the @GMC Acadia in fall but decided we wanted something that didn't feel so much like a truck. That removed many vehicles from the line up.

Do I sound like Goldilocks yet?

A few others were out of the running simply due to looks that were not our style or price that was simply too high since we just added the BWM M3 to our family in January. So our GM dealership, Henry Brown GMC, was kind enough to let us take the Buick Enclave for a day test drive...

and we were sold. My husband drove it for about 10 minutes and said, "This is it."

So what is it about the @Buick #Enclave that we love so much? I present to you...

The Top 10 Reasons Why We love Our Buick Enclave

1. How smooth it drives: The Enclave drives like a dream. I had asked my brother's Mother-in-law if she liked their Enclave when we were considering it and she said, "You will love it! It rides like a dream!" And she is so right. The transmission is so smooth and quiet, which I love. We do a lot of driving on city streets here in Arizona so we push our vehicles a lot between 2nd and 4th gears. Some cars struggle with that point where you get to 38mph, then back down to 20, and then up to 45. Not the Enclave. :)

2. How quiet the ride is: So that riding like a dream takes on a whole new meaning when you coast along and can hear yourself think...with children in the car. :) The Buick Enclave rides so quiet - so much so that friends and family comment on it when they ride in it. Ahhh...love that Buick Exclusive Quiettuning Technology

3. My steering wheel: This may be corny, but I really, really, really wanted a wooden steering wheel. Would I have gone without if I needed to? Yes.

But, I don't. And that makes me giddy. :)

4. SPACE: We went into this knowing we would lose space coming from a minivan, but I feel that it is so negligible in the Enclave. The 3rd row is more spacious than our Honda Odyssey was and the head room feels just like the van. Aside from losing that wheel well, we feel no loss.

I took this shot here with one side of the 3rd row down so you can better see how much space we have.

5. Bucket seats: This makes our life so much easier. We did love that we could fit three people in the second row of our van, but the bucket seats make getting into the 3rd row so easy for adults and children. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not sticking our parents back there, but if they needed to, they could with comfort.

6. DVD Rear Entertainment System: Mr. C and Princess A each have their own TV and can choose between watching the same show or separate ones. Need I say more? ;)

7. Hands Free System: It is easy to use and requires minimal prompts to operate. I get quick feedback and the automatic volume level is so easy to hear and use to navigate. One additional note is that everyone finds it easier to hear me on the hands free calling than in our Odyssey. The good system cannot take all of the credit because a quiet ride makes for a quiet interior and helps tremendously!

8. The color: I went to the dealership and told them the only two colors I didn't want were white and black. Then I saw Carbon Black Metallic. It sparkled in the sun, but yet was not the typical charcoal that you see. I love it...it is classy and looks gorgeous in my opinion.

9. How easy it is for my children to get in and out...on their own: We added running boards along the side and both of our children (ages 5 and 7.8) get in and out on their own. I still open the door for A since she in tiny :).

10. The luxury feel (and because this is a Top 10 and not 11, the AIR CONDITIONED seats, baby!!): The ride is smooth, I am surrounded by leather and my steering wheel :), and we have all of the space we need. We are surrounded by a feel of luxury and I love the "baby clock", as Princess A calls it, on the dash. I get in our Enclave and it literally makes me happy...no lies. It works perfectly for our family and that is an amazing feeling.

So there you have it! If you are thinking about purchasing a Buick Enclave and have any questions or comments, please leave a comment. I respond to all of them and do my best to do so quickly.

#Aulani Handbag: @BelenEchandia London Tote Midi

2012-03-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

We are in full packing mode for our trip to our Disney Vacation Club home property of Aulani. We truly cannot wait to share our wonderful memories of Oahu with our children!

But to do so at the DVC Aulani Resort that is...right...next...door to where we honeymooned is a dream come true for us. When we married in 2000, we spent hours daydreaming about a vacation place in Hawaii someday. Part of me still can't believe we are actually going back with our two little babes!

Those of you that know me can probably guess my one accessory that makes all the difference to me..

my handbag.

My Disney Vacation Club #Aulani handbag will be my bespoke London Tote Midi in black snakeprint. She made her way to me at the end of January and I could not be happier with her.

The caramel lining with the luxe black leather on the London Tote Midi is incredibly chic and classic. This pairing receives the most compliments of any bag I have owned (and that's saying something!).

What makes the Belen Echandia London Tote Midi my handbag of choice? Simple:

1. Zipper closure: I leave this open 99% of the time but love that I can zip it to keep my belongings safe and secure when I need to.

2. Organization: With two large front slip pockets and side pockets that can hold a water bottle, as well as the interior slip pockets, everything has a place.

3. Size: She fits a TON without looking large and when I pair her back to my daily needs, she looks amazing as well.

4. Stunning and versatile: I mean really, look at her. She is stunning! I can dress up or down and even take her out to dinner and she just shines.

Here she is next to my Chestnut Shimmer Make Me Smile (full size) in case that helps my fellow Belenistas with size comparisons.

And here are my twins :)...my Belen Echandia London Tote Midi in grey snakeprint and the

black snakeprint as well.

Because if you have ever learned one rule of fashion...when it works, get every color!:) Or as many as you can afford.

And finally, a close up of the grey and black snakeskin leathers side by side.

We depart for #Aulani on Friday, March 16th. 7 nights and 8 days of pure heaven await.