Tanya Peila

Living From my Pantry & Freezer

2010-03-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

So when we moved I was told if we ever had a natural disaster my whole block would be at my house eating from my pantry. This is an inherited trait. Spending a lot of time at my grandmother's who had 6 children she always had 10 loves of bread on hand (no I don't have that many, but we do always have two!), and just a packed kitchen. So over the years I have accumulated food.

We have a stand up deep freezer and our regular fridge freezer packed.

So I am taking on a challenge to myself. To see how long I can live from my freezer and pantry. Now I obviously am going to have to purchase milk, dairy and baby food but I am going to try my hardest to not go to the grocery store. I think this would be an easier task if it was summer and my veggies were already growing BUT I do have tons of frozen veggies.

So while I do this I will be adding up my grocery bill and compare it with the last 30 days of grocery bills. I think I can last 4 weeks. The real question is can my husband last that long. He does not like anything I cook so this will be nothing new for him I guess!! This will include our eating out totals too!

Wish me luck and feel free to join in and save some "dough"!

Bracelets with High Levels of Cadmium RECALLED

2010-03-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

CPSC Issues Warning on Children’s Winter and Holiday-Themed Charm Bracelets with High Levels of Cadmium
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using the products immediately.
Name of Product: Children’s Metal Charm Bracelets
Units: Unknown
Importer: Buy-Rite Designs, of Freehold, N.J. (The firm is no longer in business.)
Hazard: The bracelets contain high levels of cadmium. Laboratory analysis determined that following a 24-hour incubation in simulated stomach acid, over 20,000 micrograms of cadmium were released from the snowman alone. Cadmium can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This warning involves Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brand children’s Christmas and winter-themed bracelets. The two styles involved in this notice are the Bumble Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The bracelets were sold with winter and Christmas-themed charms including a snowman, Christmas tree, candy cane and snowflake.
Sold at: Discount and dollar-type stores nationwide between 2006 and March 2009 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these charm bracelets away from children and dispose of the jewelry.

St. Patty's Day Fun

2010-03-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

Here are some GREAT printables from 24/7 MOMS for St. Patty's Day Fun!

Clover Cash, HIDE for you children or spouse and let them redeem them for prizes you get to choose! Could be fun "spark" for your relationship!

Ideas on where to hide them:

Lunch Box

Shoes

Pockets

Under toothbrush

Briefcase

In the car, tape to the inside of window

Tape to back of TV remote

In drawers

Under their pillow

In socks

St. Patrick's Day Goodie Basket, make this basket and fill with gold chocolate coins or green M&M's!

Or you can download a blank basket and decorate as you wish!

St. Patty's Day Word Scramble
Get the Word Scramble here:

And the answers here:

Outback Steakhouse - Thanks for Giving!

2010-03-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

For 20 years, Outback has been supporting our troops Outback employee volunteers have traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Kuwait and aboard naval vessels to serve a taste of home, including steaks and Bloomin' Onions, to over 150,000 deployed men and women during Operation Feeding Freedom. This year, they're increasing their efforts in support of the troops and their families. And now they invite you to join them. Order off our limited time Red, White and Bloomin' menu in the month of March and help us donate $1 Million to Operation Homefront.

Order off their limited time Red,White and Bloomin' menu in the month of March and help us donate $1,000,000 to Operation Homefront. Select from their two new steak and shrimp combinations: the Outback Special® or the Victoria's Filet® & your choice of shrimp (Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp, or Shrimp Scampi) as well as many of our signature items.
Click here for our Red, White & Bloomin' menu

Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides assistance for our troops, their families, and wounded warriors when they return home.

For more information please visit: http://www.outback.com/companyinfo/thanksforgiving.aspx
Thank you Outback for Supporting Our Troops!

Win $1000 by designing your best 3-pack of socks!

2010-03-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

about the contest
Project Sock is back and better than ever! With even more prizes at stake, Project Sock: Season 2 is destined to be bigger, bolder and highlight the best talent from all around!
The nationwide design contest presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity for fans to reveal their "socktastic" artistic abilities by designing a 3-pack of non-matching socks to become part of a 2010 LittleMissMatched collection. All ages and levels of experience are encouraged to enter - the only requirement is creativity!
This year, Project Sock will award six (6) designers with the chance of a lifetime. Not only will the winning socks be sold to the public as part of the 2010 LittleMissMatched collection but cash prizes, socks, and of course, fame, will be up for grabs.
Think you've got what it takes to be the next Project Sock winner? If so, come on and show the world how you'd rock your socks!
prizes
One (1) Fan Favorite Prize winning design chosen by fans just like YOU will go into production to become part of the 2010 LittleMissMatched holiday collection for sale to public. PLUS, the winner gets a $1,000 cash prize and TEN packs of their winning socks!
Five (5) Favorite Prize winning designs chosen by a panel of judges will also go into production to become part of the 2010 LittleMissMatched holiday collection for sale to public. These five winners will each also receive a cash price of $250 and TEN packs of their winning socks!

how to enter
1. Design your original 3-pack of non-matching socks using the PROJECT SOCK template. You can either print this form and design your socks on paper or import the template into your favorite design program and rock out there (as long as you don't change the template sizing). Whatever you choose, be sure your design is on 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.
2. Fill out your ENTRY FORM and if you’re under 18, be sure to have your parent/guardian sign your entry form too!

3. Mail your design and entry form to:

Project Sock

c/o LittleMissMatched

307 7th Avenue, Suite 501

New York, NY 10001

All mailed submissions must be received by 6pm EST on April 15, 2010. In-store submissions must be received by 5pm EST on April 13, 2010. To learn how to submit in-stores, see Official Rules.
Need Inspiration? Click here to see samples of the latest packs of 3 single socks!

Early Potty Training

2010-03-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

When is it the "right" time. every child is different. For my son it was around 3. When he could tell me, "I'm going potty." We actually held off until 3 1/2 for our convenience with a trip to Disneyland, potty training in an amusement park did not sound like fun! So when is the "right" time? I found a great article at Connect With Kids.

from www.connectwithkids.com, Emily Halevy CWK Producer

I would suggest meeting with someone who had done it successfully, visiting websites that might offer information, and having a very open mind. Realizing that it may not be the perfect answer in every family, but in some families this may be something worth trying.”
– Karen Dewling, M.D., pediatrician

It's one of the great questions of the ages: when should you begin to potty train your toddler? Researchers at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital have narrowed the window down to between 24 and 32 months of age. But this hasn't stopped some parents from attempting to train their babies even younger ... much younger.

It seems that for the Young family it's working. "Psss. You need to go bud? Do you need to go?" Diana asks her seven-month-old son, Dorian, while he's sitting on his infant potty seat.
When he has to go, Diana taught him to make a sign. "See," she points, "now he's doing the potty sign. Do you see his right hand there like that?"

But is he really potty trained?

"Children, when they're toilet trained as young infants are not truly toilet trained," explains pediatrician Dr. Karen Dewling, "Their parents become trained, their caregivers become trained to recognize the infants cues that they need to void or defecate."

She explains that the biggest problem is young babies can't do very much. "Toilet training is a very complex skill that requires the child to recognize the need to go, to control the need to go, to be able to get to the bathroom, remove their clothing, do what they need to do, flush, wash their hands, very complicated language and motor skills are required for the true process."

So, should you try to potty train a child before the age or two or three? She says it may not work, but there's no harm in trying. "I think that a caregiver who's able to recognize a baby's cues is very in tune with that baby, and that's probably a very good thing."

"My friend's say, 'I have never seen a happier baby,' and I think it's because he knows that I'll meet his needs," says Diana, "He doesn't need to cry to get my attention, cause he has my attention all the time."

All that attention may seem like a lot of work, but Diana says it's worth it. "The biggest benefit has been the connection between us. I just feel like I'm a good mother. I feel like I'm doing something for him that he appreciates, and that he needs, and it's the right thing."

On average, children begin potty training around age 2, and girls generally potty train faster than boys. Experts at Southern Cloth Baby recommend looking for the following signs that may mean your child is ready to begin potty training:

Able to stay dry for an hour or two
Awareness of bodily functions
Interest in being clean and dry
Able to understand and follow simple instructions
Interest in wearing training pants instead of diapers
Simple self-dressing
Interest or curiosity about bathroom habits

However, the experts recommend not to start potty training if the child will be experiencing big changes in the near future such as:

A new baby in the family
Moving to a new house or school
A parent starting work
The holiday season

Tips for Parents
Potty training can be one of the most daunting tasks faced by you and your child during the early years. Dr. Claire Albright, psychologist and parenting coach, offers the following tips that may make the transition easier:

Dress your child in underwear at about 28 months of age when the child is at home. Today's disposable diapers provide almost no feedback to the child about when they are wet. Your child will feel uncomfortable in their "big kid" pants when they are wet and may therefore feel motivated to try using the toilet.
Allow your child to run around naked when you are at home. Having to deal with the urge to eliminate will be much more noticeable to your child when there is nothing to catch it in but the potty-seat.
Look for signs of potty training readiness in your child. These signs of readiness may include telling you when they are using the bathroom in their diaper, requesting that you change a messy diaper, keeping their diaper dry for hours at a time, showing enthusiasm after going to the bathroom, etc.
Begin potty training at an appropriate age. Potty training becomes less difficult as your child gets older. Potty training prematurely can make a child feel misunderstood, alone and rebellious. It is often best to wait until the child is three years old to focus on potty training.
Make potty training fun by giving your child little rewards for sitting on the toilet with no diaper

You could use stickers, crackers, small, inexpensive toys, etc. Using candy could produce sugar cravings and tooth decay, however.

Purchase a couple of potty training videos designed for toddler viewing. The research shows that the best way to teach any behavior is to have role models demonstrating the behavior. (Live models are more effective than video modeling.)
Pour cheerios or crackers into the toilet for little boys to take 'aim' at. This challenge taps into a little boy's natural interest in hitting targets.
Purchase several toddler-level books about children being potty trained. Potty training feels more natural and less stressful to a child who has been exposed to the process at "storybook time."
Consider allowing other trusted adults to help you to potty train your child. Many preschoolers respond more quickly to input from grandparents, aunts and trusted babysitters than they do to input from their parents in the area of potty training. Some parents report that a grandparent was able to potty train their child during one weekend away.
Make potty training a top priority on a consistent basis when you have the emotional and physical energy to do it.

References
Southern Cloth Baby
Shemrock International
About Potty Training Your Toddler

Hooded Sweatshirt Recall - Sold at Burlington Coat Factory

2010-03-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Boys’ Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Recalled by Ten West Apparel Due to Strangulation Hazard; Sold at Burlington Coat Factory

Name of Product: Boys’ Hooded Jackets
Units: About 75
Importer: Ten West Apparel, of New York, N.Y.
Hazard: The children’s jackets have drawstrings through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) (which were incorporated into an industry voluntary standard in 1997) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves Ten 1 West boys’ jackets with a drawstring through the hood. They were sold in size 10/12 and are black cotton with a white fleece lining. “TEN 1 WEST” is printed on a hang tag on the center of the back neck.
Sold exclusively at: Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide from November 2006 through September 2009 for about $12.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the drawstring from the jacket to eliminate the hazard or return the garment to Burlington Coat Factory or to Ten West Apparel for a full refund. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ten West Apparel collect at (212) 564-1007 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Burlington Coat Factory’s Web site www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com

Disabilites-parents please read

2010-03-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

I have a very dear frined who I often refer to as my sister because that is how close we are. She is in a wheel chair. I don't notice it. But I notice people looking a her and she notices them looking too.

I taught my kids if someone has a disability it is not polite to stare but that it is ok to ask them about it. Many disabled people don't mind answeing questions and would rather you ask then stare.

She is the strongest woman I know. It broke my heart to hear a little girl who ran out in front of her car told her she should not be driving be cause she is "paralyzed". One, who brought this child up? Two, she is a person just like you and me.

We are all different whether it be our skin color, hair color, or the way we walk.

Parents please talk to your children and let them know rude comments are not ok and questions are good. And don't be a hypocrites Don't stare, ask questions and be kind. We all have feelings and are all turely unique and kind people.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch

HELP! Do you have kids living at home?

2010-03-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

If so follow this linke and see if you live in one of the states listed. If so would you like to join our Post Card Swap? It only costs you about $20 for postage and postcards!
http://gapcswap.blogspot.com/2010/02/states-still-needed.html

Stroller Recalls

2010-03-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

2.10.10 from http://www.cpsc.gov/

Britax Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Fingertip Amputations and Lacerations
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Britax “Blink” Umbrella Strollers
Units: About 14,000 in the United States and 900 in Canada
Importer: Britax Child Safety, Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.
Hazard: The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves all Britax “Blink” single umbrella strollers. “Blink” is printed on the metal frame on both sides of the stroller, below the hand grips. The recalled “Blink” strollers have model numbers U261813, U261814, U261815, U261816, U261817, U271813, U271817 and U271815 and were manufactured between May 2009 and September 2009. The model number and manufacturing date can be found on a white label on the stroller frame, near the bottom of the stroller basket.
Sold at: Buy Buy Baby and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide in the U.S. and Canada and on the Web at www.Amazon.com, www.babiesrus.com, www.Target.com and www.Diapers.com from July 2009 through February 2010 for about $150.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Britax to receive free stroller hinge covers.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Britax toll-free at (888) 427-4829 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.blinkrecall.com/
Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=971

I'm a PROUD Juicy Rewards Insider Ambassador #TropicanaOJ

2010-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

I our house we have nothing but LOVE for Tropicana Orange Juice (we buy the 4 pack at Costco!0! So I jumped at the chance to become a Juicy Rewards Insider Ambassador through Mom Central!

First we joined the rewards club! And you can too by going here!
Now we are earning Juicy Reward points towards GREAT local retailers!

Follow Tropicana today on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/Tropicana
And Twitter at: http://twitter.com/TropicanaOJ

Get a bonus point!

* To get your bonus point:

1. Go to http://www.tropicana.com/

2. Set-up your Tropicana Juicy Rewards account (just take a minute!)

3. Visit the "Enter Codes" page within the site and get started with MOMCE-NTRAL

*This one-time use code is valid for new accounts ONLY. Must be entered within 6 hours of creating your account.

I wrote this review while participating in the Tropicana Juicy Insiders Ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf of Tropicana. I received 12 free Juicy Rewards points and a $50 Visa gift card to use in redemption of the points and to facilitate my review.

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

2010-03-02T10:05:00.000-08:00

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as the beloved Dr. Seuss, was born in March 2, 1904.

Here are some great ideas from http://www.childfun.com/ to celebrate!

We read one of Dr. Seuss' books emphasizing the rhyming. Then we create our own book which we call "Look Out Dr. Seuss, Our Poems are on the Loose." In circle time I suggest several words that can be rhymed easily and the children make their own rhymes and illustrate them. Examples from last year: The flower took a shower, the man on the floor walked out the door and my favorite, I played in the mud and got full of crud. I make a large drawing of Dr. Seuss that all the children take turns coloring and we display their drawings around it. Copies of the drawings are put together as a book for the children to take home.

Make a Dr. Seuss hat from a paper bag. Just fold up the top of the bag and paint it red and white stripped. Add yarn around the folded part to help it stay on the childs head.
Another Seuss Hat. We took a paper plate and cut out the center. We then took strips (any size you choose) of white and red construction paper. We just used scotch tape to put the strips together. And use the center of the paper plate for the top of the hat.

Dr. Suess Books

Wisk® "Pimp My Laundry Room" Video Contest

2010-03-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

I am SO entering this! I am partnering with BSM Media for a Wisk contest with product giveaway.

If there is one chore that Moms are familiar with, it's laundry. For many of us, it's a daily occurrence that gives new meaning to the phrase "spin cycle!" That's why it's not surprising that laundry rooms are among the most frequented areas of the house for Mom....unfortunately, they tend to also be some of the most uninspired rooms in the home when it comes to design. Luckily, Wisk® Laundry Detergent understands and wants to help!

If your laundry room is plain and boring or a downright dungeon, you just might be in desperate need of a laundry room makeover. Wisk® Laundry Detergent is teaming up with TV's Designing Spaces to pimp-out one laundry room in dire need of a face-lift as part of the Wisk® Pimp My Laundry Room video contest.

Just enter a short video from March 1 to March 29, 2010 at www.LaundryHE.com explaining why you deserve a laundry room makeover and Wisk® could be on your doorstep with their partners-in-design, Whirlpool's DreamLaundry® Solutions team led by Bill Thomas and Emily Johnston, owner of the interior design firm EJ Interiors and founder of Materials Girls Blog. Together, they'll take your laundry room from drab to fab in no time thanks to a laundry room makeover complete with a new Whirlpool® High Efficiency (HE) washer/dryer set and a year's worth of Wisk® HE Laundry Detergent. Even better, she'll get to star in her very own episode of Designing Spaces!

The top Finalists will be featured on LaundryHE.com from April 12 - 19 and the Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by popular ballot so be sure to get your friends and family online and voting! Even better, a vote is an automatic entry to a sweepstakes for a year's supply of Wisk HE Laundry Detergent.

Did You Know?

2010-03-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

Medela now offers Easy Expression™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra (I wish I had one of these while pumping!)
Building on its line of breastpump accessories, Medela acquired Easy Expression Products Inc., maker of the Easy Expression™ Hands-Free Pumping Bra. The acquisition will help further Medela’s goal to provide moms with breastfeeding solutions that meet their lifestyle needs and help them successfully breastfeed longer.
Developed in 1996 with the working mom in mind, the Easy Expression Hands-Free Pumping Bra holds a breastpump’s breastshields in place, allowing mom to pump breastmilk — and keep her hands free to type, read or eat. The Easy Expression Bra also enables a mom with a premature infant to hold her baby while pumping, which can facilitate milk production and let-down. It can be worn over a regular nursing bra and is available in a Bustier and a Halter style.
Medela shares Easy Expression’s mission to offer products that meet the diverse needs of nursing moms. These include the Pump In Style® Advanced, a daily use breastpump designed for moms who pump several times a day, and the Freestyle®, the first truly mobile, hands-free, double-electric pump. The Easy Expression Hands-Free Pumping Bra is compatible with most Medela breastpumps, including the Symphony®, Freestyle, Pump In Style Advanced and Swing™.
The pumping bra will join Medela’s extensive line of breastpump accessories, such as PersonalFit™ breastshields and pump cleaning products. In addition to breastpumps and pumping accessories, Medela’s product offerings also include breast care products; breastmilk collection, storage and feeding products; and nursing intimate apparel.
The Easy Expression Hands-free Pumping Bra will continue to be sold at national and specialty retailers. For more information about Medela’s products, please call Medela customer service at 1-800-435-8316 or visit www.medelabreastfeedingus.com.

States Still Needed!

2010-02-26T13:52:00.001-08:00

Here is a list (I keep updating) for the states we still need for the Postcard Swap

http://gapcswap.blogspot.com/2010/02/states-still-needed.html

What's For Dinner

2010-02-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

You can download my meal plan for the next week HERE!
I have all the recipes and a grocery list too!
http://www.4shared.com/file/229034368/bfabb652/Document1.html

Postcard Swap - Join us!

2010-02-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

How it works: 50 families (one from each state) will swap postcards over the next year. Each state will have their own week and will send out 49 postcards, one to each state, during that week. We will go in alphabetical order of the states. At the end of 50 weeks we will all have received a postcard from 49 other states!

At my house, we plan on putting up a large map of the United States, and connecting each postcard that we receive to it’s corresponding state.

The postcards will be somehow themed about the state that you live in (I know I see state postcards all of the time at places like Walgreens and gas stations, but you could feel free to make your own, as well!) On the back of the postcards, I was thinking that your family could just write either a fun fact about your state or why you like living in your state.

To join: email me at adventures and gapcswap @ gmail dot com

If you are interested, but your state is not on the list of states we need, send me an email anyway. With enough interest I will put together a second (or more?) swap. I don't want anyone to miss out!

The Button: Grab the button and spread the word!!!

Things to remember: This is a family swap, a great way for kids to learn about the states. Postcards should be state themed. You can buy them or just make them yourself if you'd like to. The cost to send 50 postcards is $14. Did I miss anything? Please send me an email if you have any questions. More details will be posted soon!

Here is a list of the states we still need!

http://gapcswap.blogspot.com/2010/02/states-still-needed.html

What did YOU do this weekend?

2010-02-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

The inspiration - We are not treehouse engineers but we want a treehouse for the kids!

The Tree

The Planning/Pondering - Seriously he did this ALL day on Saturday, part of Sunday, and EARLY Monday morning!

The Auger - Meant for TWO people, 4' deep, 12" diameter...

The Holes - Warning this video may cause excessive laughing to the point where you may pee your pants.

The Tree Roots

More Holes

And this is just day one... More next weekend!

Deal of the Day - $5 BABY blowout!

2010-02-19T16:34:00.001-08:00

From now until 2/28/10 littlemissmatched.com is having a HUGE $5 BABY blowout sale!

Shop now before I buy everything up!

Spring is coming! Are you ready?

2010-02-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

I am SO excited for spring to arrive! I know it is coming because my crocus have started to bloom. My favorite thing to do every spring is find a spot for a garden and start my seeds! This year I am lucky enough to have a garden in the back of our house. However the previous owner has made me look deeper into gardening. She grew all sorts of herbs and veggies in pots! It is AMAZING to me!

First I subscribed to Average Person Gardening. I get a weekly newsletter with great tips! This weeks tip I love is Italian Herb Garden - How To Establish Your Own One.

I then quickly learned about their Seeds of the Month club! Your first month is free. Then after that it is ONLY $20 a year! And you get four seed packets per month!

You can join the Seeds of the Month by clicking here!

My next shipment comes in just 11 days!

I am learning TONS about gardening and pruning!

This last weekend I pruned blackberry bushes and two different varieties of grapes. This weekend I head for the kiwi tree and blueberry bushes.

Little Man is super excited as he can snack on anything outside!

I would love to connect with you all on your gardening tips and passions! I also hope you will all join the Seeds of the Month club so we can garden together!

Top Ten Family Vacation Tips #DriveHappy

2010-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

This post is being written as part of a contest at Twitter Moms. Bloggers have been asked to share their tips for creating a fun family vacation that is free of distractions. Here are my top 10.
1. Invest in a portable DVD player. Some moms don't agree with me on this one but it is nice to have when you just need some quite time.
2. Bring a backpack filled with "new" things for your kids to do. They can use it in the car, on the air plane, in restaurants, etc.
3. Let everyone help plan your trip! Include you kids in what they want to do.
4. Be prepared to deviate from the plan. Anyone who has kids knows, the plan can change at any moment with an unexpected nap, or accident!
5. Don't plan too much in one day. When we took our 3-year old to Disneyland we scheduled to go back to the hotel twice a day for his naps. He was on a schedule and a cranky child makes for an unhappy vacation!
6. Don't spend a ton on souvenirs. Just let everyone chose one or two things.
7. For babies plan, plan. plan. My sister-in-law took a gallon sized zip loc bag and put a bib and utensils in it for every day they were traveling. Great way to remember babies are messy at times!
8. Don't think you have to do it all. Even if you only see a couple things, as long as you are having fun and relaxing it will be a trip to remember.
9. If traveling by plane remember small children may need something to help them with the altitude adjustment. Bring suckers, gum, pacifiers, or a bottle to help ease the ear discomfort.
10. Just HAVE fun!

New name!

2010-02-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Did you know S&W Rice got a new name? Me either!!!

Their new name is Mahatma Gou rmet Rice, the quality, consistency and great taste you’ve come to expect are exactly the same!

I am a BzzAgent and they sent me some Mahatma Gourmet Rice to try out. I love using the long grain rice with some Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken from Trader Joe's (I think I need more in my freezer too!). SIMPLE dinner, inexpensive and QUICK. Less than 20 minutes and around $7 for the entire meal. Serves 4-6.

Mahatma® is the number one selling rice brand in the U.S. Sold in extra long grain rice, parboiled, whole grain brown, rice mixes, Thai Jasmine and Indian Basmati. Mahatma's popularity is attributed to its consistent fluffy texture and quality.

Free You Rock! Valentine

2010-02-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

My friend Amy over at Living Locutro posted this awesome last minute You Rock Valentine on her site. She is a GREAT designer and has tons of free printable on her site. Check it out today!

Since you probably have your kids done for school I would use these for neighbor kids, family or even adults!

Download the You Rock! Free Printable PDF.

LOL Kids say the cutest things!

2010-02-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

So this morning I was washing my face with my Clarisonic, (basically a vibrating brush works GREAT). Little Man asked what I was doing. I told him "Washing my face."
He proceeds to tell me that he saw on "real" t.v. that there was this thing you could put around your tummy that made your tummy REALLY flat (showing me the visual of a size 0). But then he said the lady on the t.v. still had an ugly face because she was really old. Then he told me I was really old. LOL. Of course he took that part back.
Then he said people can go to the store and buy it if they want a flat tummy but he forgot which store.
Then he blurts out "Costco! They have it a Costco!"
They are so innocent!
Last night he told me it looked like I had a baby in my tummy. I told him "nope just fat." Then he asked why I had tummy fat and I told him it was because of his sister just like I have gray hair from him!
Hope you got a good laught at this today!

Help me out! VOTE for my Little Princess!

2010-02-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

I have a HUGE favor. First I need you to go to http://www.burdastyle.com/join and join Burda Style a sewing website (dont worry you can opt out and they will not send you ANY emails!) then I need you to go to http://www.burdastyle.com/albums/138/images?page=48&size=small and vote for ASHLEE!!! So she can ...model her new ladybug dress!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help us out and pass this on to everyone you know! This will take about 5 minutes or less because you ahve to verify you email address to sign up. Thanks!!!