Pictures. Family pictures. We’re guilty of never having them done since E was born 16 months ago (let’s not even talk about the fact that it’s already been 16 months). 

So, they were long overdue. When Stephen from Loveworks contacted me and offered to take some pictures, I jumped, much to Mr. Serious’ disappointment (I don’t know why, he just doesn’t like having pictures done).

But, Stephen eased his tension, and of course the #1 and #2 were all “take my picture here” “take it there” “get this silly face”, and we got some good ones.

A preview…this is all I’ve seen and I’m excited to see the rest of them!

Y’all this little Keebler car was like $400!!! We didn’t buy it, but it sure was a fun prop!

And this one…”I think you need to take my picture over here.” “I’ll go like this and you take the picture.” 

Yep, it was fun…can’t wait to see the rest.

Thank you to Stephen for capturing our family. He provided us with 90 minutes of awesome!

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It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids.  Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friends’ husband.

Happy Father’s Day to the best man our family could ever have. We are really, really lucky and even though we don’t say it enough, we are.

What other dad goes to the grocery store for us on Father’s Day (with two kids) and takes two kids to the pool solo? See? He’s pretty awesome!

Happy Father’s Day to all of the amazing men out there!

<center><a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Mommy and Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?" src="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Mommy-and-Me-Monday-Button-125.png"><br /> </a></center><center>Hosted by Krystyn at <a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com">Really, Are You Serious?</a></center>

**There really is only one requirement here, a picture of you and your baby or babies; your children, your “baby” (ie significant other) or even your fur babies. If your picture doesn’t feature you (meaning you must be in the picture), I will have to delete your link. It’s not fair to the others that follow the rules.**

I try to make sure and visit all of you and leave some comment love.  Please spread the love!  And, I never mind the comments, either:)

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Yes, you read that right. We took hybrid cloth diapers to Disney World and used them with great success. And, it wasn’t any more trouble than using disposables.

We were graciously sent three hybrid shells and a pack of biosoakers by GroVia to use on our trip to Disney World and test out. The shells/covers couldn’t be any cuter.

The GroVia Hybrid Shells

I picked the Hybrid Shell with the snap closures (the hook and loops don’t appeal to me). They have three rise settings so they can fit approximately 8-30lbs.

I would guess they will fit bigger than that as E is already about 25 pounds and on the second rise setting with the waist all the way snug and sometimes using the overlapping snaps. It sure is a trim little diaper, too. (And this was with two biosoakers for bedtime…more on that in a bit).

The insides of the shells have a mesh liner so that there isn’t any of the waterproof layer touching their skin which is nice especially when it’s hot outside! The shells also have snaps on the inside to use with their soaker pads to keep them in place.

I’ve since used these covers with prefolds, flats and other AI2 inserts and they’ve all been a great fit and leak-free option.

No matter what insert was used, once a cover had been pooped in, it had to be washed because the smell permeated. With just a wet diaper, it could be used a couple times before needing to be washed. While at Disney World, I just washed the shells in the evening in the bathtub with a little sample of detergent I brought with me. They were always dry and fresh smelling in the morning!

The Biosoakers

The biosoakers are a great alternative to the cloth inserts when you are traveling and don’t have the option to wash a load of diapers. They are made with Biodegradable & Compostable Materials (not that you would put in your own compost pile; they are commercially compostable). They are also Fragrance & Dye Free Plastic & Chlorine Free Ultra thin construction Oeko-Tex 100 Certified G.E. Free. They are backed with a waterproof lining so that the shell doesn’t get wet with every diaper change (so you can use it for several changes before washing it).

I really liked that it had side gussets on the biosoaker. It keeps some of the softer poo from leaking out of the diaper insert.

The biosoakers also have to very sticky tabs on either end to attach it to a trainer, or a shell. We only used the sticky tabs on the GroVia shells and when we used the biosoakers with other covers, we didn’t use the sticky tabs and had no problems with them moving around. When pulling a wet or soiled soaker out of the shell, I always made sure to do so slowly and carefully so that the sticky adhesive came off the shell and stayed on the soaker. I never had an issue with any residue staying on there.

The biosoakers are very absorbent and we only had one leak the entire time we were there and it was totally user error! For night time, I didn’t even try just using one biosoaker. E is quite the heavy soaker so I just went with two and stacked them on top of each other. She would wake up with two very wet biosoakers and very dry shell and jammies. Definitely a win!

While these are compostable, I didn’t check if there were facilities available and did end up just tossing them in the trash. I felt better about the contents of them compared to a traditional disposable and hope that the environmental impact isn’t nearly as great.

The Overall Experience

This is one happy and dry baby. No rashes and no complaints from her.

And if that doesn’t say a lot, the fact that I wore her practically every day for a couple hours on my back and never worried about her diaper leaking speaks volumes. Now, my sweat and her sweat? That’s another can of worms.

She was able to fall asleep in the stroller after wearing a diaper for a while and experienced no leaks.

And even stayed up late and partied with grandma and the other girls and was happy as a clam!

We have been very pleased with our GroVia shell and biosoaker experience. In fact, when I head to Houston next week, I will be bringing them again. However, I will bring more than three shells as I found that three isn’t quite enough to go through the day have one for sleeping in and wash the others in the evening. I will be more comfortable traveling with 8-10 covers for my 4 day trip just to have my bases covered.

GroVia would like to send one lucky Really, Are You Serious? reader their choice of one hybrid shell ($16.95 value), 20-pack of Biosoakers ($7.99), and a pack of either Stay Dry or Organic Cotton Soaker Pads ($17.95-$18.95).
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I was compensated by Everywhere for attending and spreading the word about this event. All opinions are my own.

This weekend. I went the the Sizzle Showdown where Macy’s declared Leah Lyon the big winner for her Sizzled Stars and Stripes Surf-in-Turf Grill.  As a result, she won $10,000 and a trip to May’s 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in New York City.

Back in April, people from all over the US submitted their prized grilling recipes with a picture of the final image for a chance to come compete in the “Sizzle Showdown” in Atlanta. This contest was launched on Macy’s Facebook page as a part of its “American Icon” summer celebration. Six finalists were chosen to travel from all over the country to compete in this final grill-off happening just outside of Macy’s in Atlanta. The finalists faced off, grilling up their recipes and Lyon was deemed the leader. 

I brought a cohort with me. Turns out she doesn’t like bitter orange ice cream covered in dark chocolate. 

It was very impressive that these women (and one man) were able to cook under such pressure (like 10 camera men, everybody taking pictures, three judges talking to them and the emcee!)

While watching the competition, we were able to try food prepared by the judges Cat Cora, Marc Forgione and Stephanie Izard. Including N’s favorite, the Korean short ribs (she ate 4….she liked them!). I also quite enjoyed them.

In a world where it seems most cooking shows and competitions are dominated by men, I was very happy and impressed to see that a woman won and that she won with a “risky” recipe as the judges called it.

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

We run the dishwasher a lot. Like at least once a day and that doesn’t include all of the stuff we hand wash. So, it’s important that when we run it, the dishes come out clean and dry the first time.

That hasn’t been the case lately. Until now. We’ve been trying out the Cascade Platinum dish tablets and the difference is super impressive.

Previously, we were having to rinse dishes really well before they went into the dishwasher. And, if we didn’t, then we were rinsing after the fact. Intentionally, I left the dishes super dirty and not rinsed at all for the very first test.

I put the tablet/pouch in the little spot and waited for the dishwasher to do it’s magic. No measuring. No scooping. No over-pouring. You don’t even have to open it!

And it did. Including the dried on spaghetti sauce on the plastic spoon (which never comes off), as well as the bowls and the glass container. Everything else was really clean, too, but the sauce is really what excited me. The triple cleaning action really worked. No spots, residue or film.

While I’m not the best at taking pictures of my food to share, I want my dishes to look good when I have guests in my home to eat. Top Chef Judge and editor of Food+Wine Magazine, Gail Simmons, has partnered with Cascade to discuss how both food presentation and the preparation are equally important! You can learn more about their partnership on Facebook.

They want to sweeten the deal even more. You can get involved with My Platinum and join their Instagram Contest! Cascade wants to see your sparkling dishes and is giving you the chance to win prizes. You just need to snap a picture of your favorite meal on your sparkling “My Platinum Plate” and you are entered. More details here! Make sure to use the #MyPlatinum hashtag and tag @MyCascade when you post on Instagram to win!

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It’s been a while since the monkey has had some blog time around here. She’s growing quickly and gets into everything in like 0.2 seconds. She’s still not talking much at almost 16 months, but gets what she needs with her communication.

Her sisters went upstairs, closed the gate and abandoned her. She was looking to quickly remedy that. Seriously, how can she even reach that latch? (Not to worry, it’s pretty impossible to unlock and you need two hands, so I’m certain she’s not unlocking it any time soon!)

She also loves to play in the bathroom (her sisters love to leave the door open), so we’ve lost a couple rolls of toilet paper. The other day, I noticed as she was trying to get out of the house (she can also reach the doorknobs now, too), she had a little something stuck to her foot. I laughed hysterically. You would have to and stopped to take a picture before helping her get it off. She could have cared less.

And, this is what happens when the gate is left open. She’s up the stairs in no time flat. This was after spaghetti night so she was sans-shirt, but apparently, I didn’t bother to take her shoes off. So very proud of herself.

She’s really coming into her own and letting her personality shine through. She will sign “please” if it’s something she really wants, and thinking burping is hilarious. But, don’t let a stranger get to close or she’ll lose it. Mother’s morning out will be interesting next year!

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Kids can do crazy things with their strength. Combine that with the fact that they often don’t think about or aren’t aware of the consequences and bad things can happen.

Back when our oldest was much, much smaller, we had our first ER visit. She was reaching too high in her dresser drawer and it ended up toppling over on her. Fortunately, she was okay and now we’ve bolted more furniture to the walls!

What I haven’t thought about is our TVs. It never even occurred to be that due to increasing size and new ultra thin designs, today’s flat panel TVs can easily tip over when bumped or pulled, toppling off of furniture and causing injury or even death. In fact, A 2011 US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report on flat panel TV safety revealed a child is killed every three weeks from an unsecured TV! Yes, killed! From a television falling on them. And, every 45 minutes a child visits an emergency room due to a TV tip-over related injury. Reported cases have increased almost 25% from 2006 to 2010, and over the last 10 years, injuries have increased by 31%. 

SANUS, the leading designer and manufacturer of flat panel TV wall mounts, has partnered with Safe Kids Worldwide to bring this information to our attention. Their hope is that by educating consumers on the risk of unsecured flat panel TV’s, SANUS and Safe Kids Worldwide that the number of TV tip-over related injuries and fatalities is reduced.

Currently, one of our two TV’s sits on top of a bookshelf. It would be very easy for one of our girls to knock it over. It sits in a room behind a baby gate, but there are always accidents and we want to remedy this. Also, it is our guest room and exercise room, so it would be nice if the TV could be seen from more angles in the room.

The SANUS mounts have an easy 1, 2, 3 installation with a wall template to ensure even placement. They also share an online video walkthrough of simple installation available at any time. And there are no additional tools necessary – all required installation hardware is included in package! 

If I haven’t convinced you, take a look at this video they created. 

SANUS would like to offer one of your readers a complimentary flat panel SANUS TV Tilting Mount. The reader can receive a mount that fits their respective TV. *Please note that this will not include the actual installation of the equipment.

*Prize provided by SANUS. All thoughts are my own. I will be receiving and reviewing a SANUS mount in the future.

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As I think about how much our lives have changed in the past 6.5 years of being parents, I can’t help but think of the fact that my brother-in-law’s and sister’s lives are about to change so very much within the next few weeks!

This funny little infographic was too cute not to share. (And also makes me realize just how much money we spent on disposable diapers on our first two and thankful we use cloth diapers on E!) 

Philips AVENT and Philips Norelco are hosting a new dads twitter chat next Tuesday, June 11 at 8pm ET. Use #NorelcoDads and follow @ShaveExperts and @AVENT_US on twitter to join in. Participants will have a chance to win one of three Philips Norelco & Philips AVENT gift baskets!!

Disclosure: This post is courtesy of Phillips AVENT. No compensation was received. I just thought it was cute!

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It’s time again for Mommy and Me Monday. Pop out from behind that camera and capture yourself in action with your kids.  Check out the inaugural Mommy and Me Monday for more information. Need another reason to participate in Mommy and Me Monday? Read my post about why I blog with words from a friends’ husband.

This weekend I over-scheduled myself and it caught up with me. Note to self: Don’t do that again!

Tonight when I was getting the girls ready for bed, E was fussing and wanting on my lap. Then the other two came over for some cuddles. Yes, my lap is full, but I really needed it in that moment, too. Sometimes they are much smarter than us!

<center><a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Mommy and Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?" src="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Mommy-and-Me-Monday-Button-125.png"><br /> </a></center><center>Hosted by Krystyn at <a href="http://www.reallyareyouserious.com">Really, Are You Serious?</a></center>

**There really is only one requirement here, a picture of you and your baby or babies; your children, your “baby” (ie significant other) or even your fur babies. If your picture doesn’t feature you (meaning you must be in the picture), I will have to delete your link. It’s not fair to the others that follow the rules.**

I try to make sure and visit all of you and leave some comment love.  Please spread the love!  And, I never mind the comments, either:)

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The day we got to Disney, the girls were so enamored with the pool that was the only thing they wanted to do. They had no idea exactly what Disney World was (and we hadn’t talked about the trip until the day of for fear of them driving us crazy).

Once we explained that the castle from their beloved movies was there, they were ready to go!

We were all excited to be there!

We ended up walking into Magic Kingdom right when they were having a parade. See, it’s always magic at Disney.

Chip even came up and said hi!

Some people like carousels. Me, not so much. So they waited in the very short line to get a ride.

So happy to ride with daddy. And I was happy to stand on terra firma!

And, of course, Dumbo. I did this one. Whew, the spinning.

And, of course, the Little Mermaid ride. Grandma hadn’t seen the story, so I was explaining it all to her as we went around. She was confused.

And, yes, they did get to go back and swim in the pool! Making them happy was important! Happy splashy girls. And, E was taking a long, much needed nap!

I went to Epcot for a little welcoming session and to hear Chris Powell speak, then the families joined us!

Then we had a tasty dinner and entertainment. Mickey sighting and all. (Who knew I would pick such a perfect table?)

Then, we hiked over one of the countries in Epcot where there was a fabulous dessert spread. 10 pounds I gained from looking at all of this! Yum!

The girls and grandma couldn’t have been more thrilled to be there.

And, wrapped the late evening with fireworks.

It couldn’t have been a more magical and enchanted day! My girls are already asking when we will go again!

As participants in the Disney Social Media Moms Conference 2013 we paid our conference fee, which included hotel accommodations, park tickets, meals, and other gift items. I was not required, or asked, to write about the conference, events, or speakers. The honest opinions are my own and that of my family. 

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