Alyson, the 3Ps Mama

Hi and welcome to my blog. I am Alyson, owner, editor and chief ponytail wrangler at 3Ps in a Pod. I am married to my awesome husband of 17 years with three girls, each with a first name beginning with the letter ‘P‘…thus my blog’s name. My girls are the highlight of my life with each girl joining our family in a unique way:

P1 is 9 and our first child born in my heart via domestic adoption. She gives High Maintenance and Drama Queen new meanings but has an incredibly tender heart and keeps us oh-so on our toes. She loves soccer, tennis, reading, playing her DS and crafts.

P2 is 7 and our physical miracle baby. After years of not getting pregnant a she snuck up on us, right after P1’s adoption was finalized. She is our creative, dancing, soft-hearted and animal-loving girl – the perfect middle child. She has a great imagination, loves her cat Marie, and playing games on the computer, DS, and Wii.

P3 is 4 and has been a hard-won challenge to be sure and worth every single hour, tear, and sleepless night it has taken to get to where we are. Adopted from China in June of 2007, she is a delightfully wacky and crazy child. She has a fabulous laugh and smile that lights up the room.  She is sharp as a tack – we need ounce of sleep we can get just to keep up with her!  She loves music – especially her ABC’s, playing games and PlayDoh, KaiLan and Panda bears.

My hubby Brett is a computer programmer, wonderful hubby and outstanding father.  I have convinced him to join me in reviewing some products so watch for that upcoming.  Besides all thing computer and techie, he loves camping, Star Trek and Star Wars, loves to play with his kids and watch movies with his wife.

My Mom Julie, spends as much time as she can with her grand girls and we are grateful she lives so close.  She too does reviews occasionally, as she brings not only broad experience but a fine interest on many things from being well-traveled, to a talented foodie, to fine taste in clothing,  decor, and the Arts.  You name it and she is likely to have an opinion to share.

Me, I try to keep up with all of them, I write freelance and blog of course, enjoy scrap booking, reading and travel in my minimal spare time and try to keep some unpleasant rounds of depression at bay. I have a big heart and an opinion on most things, making my blog the perfect outlet.

Blogging was something I began to as we waited (and waited…) for the adoption for P3 go through (see the first 18 moths or so of this blog). Once she was home and I recovered from that, I realized I loved to blog, almost to the point of it becoming my passion, and now even my business. Finding the balance between blogging and family will be an ongoing battle but as I love doing product reviews where I can take a much closer look at item I may never have tried or heard of and then I get to share my opinions with my readers. I post giveaways on my site as well, and receive the products for my reviews, unless I state that I purchased the product myself for some reason. I do my level best to be honest and above board in all of my dealing and there will a statement at the end of most posts to that effect, clarifying when I am compensated and when I am not.

I am proud of some of the things heralded and unheralded that I have accomplished as a blogger.  I have been honored to contribute  to some wonderful blogs such as Parenting Pink, Beautiful!Fabulous! on Parenting and Crafts, and MomDot.  I have also been invited by General Mills, TJ Maxx and Marshalls to go to their blogger special events.

I have worked with many companies, including held a Hair Styling Party with Suave, been a Tropicana Juicy Insider Ambassador, have been invited to be Feld Family Activator and help get the word our on the Barnum and Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice. Of course, the things I have am probably the most proud of are the two Charitable Christmas Children’s Events my friend Kim from What’s That Smell? and I have coordinated.  They have not only benefited many children but have left us with great feelings in our hearts we will never forget.

I have been lucky enough to attend BlissDom 2009 and 2010 and BlogHer 2009 where I learned a brain’s worth and more on blogging, bloggers, and social media in general.  Social Media is something that is a very large part of my day to day activities and you can find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter,  and more!

I have truly been blessed in this adventure and made so many wonderful friends.  Each new day is exciting and brings a new adventure . Thank you to all of my readers and the companies that have been so generous and had such faith in me!