Right now through the end of March, you can run over and get 4 FREE Dr. Seuss book digital downloads from Kidthing!   How perfect for my new Sony Reader!
The titles offered are:
:: Hop on Pop::
:: Horton Hears a Who::
:: Green Eggs & Ham::  (My favorite!)
:: The Cat in the Hat::
So here is what you do:
1. Download the FREE kidthing 2.0 application.
2. Go to the “Store” tab, enter “KTCODE-NEA5RAA” into the search engine and hit ENTER.
3. Add the 4 books to your cart
4. Go to checkout and download your books for …

Last week, I told you to quit whining and get rid of the laundry and Badger Mom wanted to know how many items her kids actually needed, anyway.
Instead of just replying to her comment, I thought it would be best to write a post with my answer.   Now, please understand that everyone’s needs are different, but this should be the bare bones of each person’s wardrobe.
You need to sit down and plan how many outfits each member of your family needs. Most families wash the laundry once a …

Brainy Baby DVD’s are more than just your ABC’s, let me tell you!  Created with the intent of providing something reality-based and intelligent – for both parents and children, Brainy Baby was started in 1995. Their videos now feature multi-ethnic children, toe-tapping original music, nursery rhymes and instrumental classics and their product line now includes over 100 product offerings including videos, CDs, books, games, and toys!
A brand new study found that “The Brainy Baby Company today announced the results of a study conducted at the University of Texas, Austin, which …

Remember me mentioning Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s impending DVD release of LeapFrog: MATH ADVENTURE TO THE MOON next week?  Well here is your fun Math tip for the weekend.
TIP #5:  Count-down for Launch!

You and Your Kids can pretend to be rocket ships set for launch.  Practice counting down to blast-off!  You can make the challenge as easy or difficult as you want remembering that you don’t have to start counting down from 10.  You and your kids can count down by ones (e.g., 17, 16, 15, 14…) or  Practice counting …

Suave Kids® has launched the Wash Them Grow Sweepstakes, with chances to win awesome weekly prizes of a Family e-Keepsake Kit and the Grand Prize of a family vacation to Orlando!  Who wouldn’t love that!?!?  Simply head over to WashThemGrow.com to play a fun online trivia game and receive an automatic entry into the Suave Kids® Wash Them Grow Sweepstakes. You can enter daily from January 18th until February 22 and literally watch your baby grow online as you progress through the milestones of …

Remember me mentioning Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s impending DVD release of LeapFrog: MATH ADVENTURE TO THE MOON next week?  Well here is your fun Math tip for the weekend.
TIP #4:  Since It’s the Weekend — Make it a game night!

Playing number-related, age-appropriate board games, such as Chutes and Ladders, can help support many math-related skills.  For an important twist, help your child practice saying each number he or she lands on and passes by with each roll of the dice. For example, if your child is on 23 and rolls a …

Have you heard the news?? Lionsgate Home Entertainment’s impending DVD release of LeapFrog: MATH ADVENTURE TO THE MOON has caused the folks at Lionsgate Home Entertainment to do a ‘Count’down to the DVD release on February 23rd by offering up Math Tips aimed at easing a child’s fear of math and making learning fun.  I know I could have used those myself!!  Below are the first three tips for you to see if you can get the kiddos excited about math and the DVD release on Tuesday!

TIP #1:  Math …

Image compliments of Hoodie1313

Well, this day just keeps getting better and better.  After being woken up at 5 by my Hubby and the cat, things were going alright for a a while.  Then the children started getting up for school, and yet, things were going smoother than they have been.  Until it was time for P1 to brush her hair.  I guess she brushed her hair as well as she ever does and yet she was shockingly compliant when it was time for me to double check her …

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December  2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of   Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula.  Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns …

You know it is a Monday when the computer beats you at Wii Tennis and then your 3 year old beats you at Wii Bowling, not once but TWICE twice, all before 9am.

Happy Monday Everyone!

I am not one to jump to conclusions and freak out every time that there is some sort of recall but this one seems big enough to warrant some attention.
Two widely used children products have been recalled. If you have them, stop using them, check with the company and get repair kits.
First are 635,000 cribs made by Dorel Asia SLR. The drop-side hardware on the cribs can fail, causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the side detaches, it creates a space in which an infant …

 
It was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie, flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, “Now what’s the matter?” With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with …

One of the coolest things under our tree this year is some Melissa & Doug play food.  It’s the Slice and Bake Cookie Set and my 3 year old will love it!  This thirty piece wooden set includes twelve cookies, twelve cookie toppings, an oven mitt, spatula, knife, cookie tray, and cookie tube.

The Melissa & Doug toys are incredibly sturdy and well made.  The  Bake Cookie Set even has a durable dough tube for storing the serviceable velcro cookies (cool, huh?).  Its paint is non-toxic, tested safe, and lead free. I just wish …

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MomDot’s Tribute to Bryson Ross, son of Shellie Ross, and a friend of ours, as we pray for him and his family to heal from his death. Our community came …

Sometimes you just feel like you got blindsided by this whole parenting thing (didn’t we all!). You are a complex mama! You don’t let your kids push you or anyone else around, but you are also able to chill out and see what’s really important (letting kids be kids). You do your best to get the kids a healthy meal but if pizza pops up three nights in a row, so be it. And if the Lion is the King of the Jungle, then you – Cool Cat that you …

Lately while I have been waiting to pick up my kids at school, I have been really disturbed by some of the seating arrangements I have seen.  Parents allowing their Elementary age kids to sit in the front seat, some without seatbelts, some getting in vehicles without enough seatbelts and the list goes on.
And did you know that more than 32 million Americans will be on the road during the holiday? Don’t forget to make safety your number one priority during your journeys.
A recent study published by the …

I do not know what to say.  Shellie over at MomDot and her own blog of Blog 4 Mom, has had a horrific and indescribable nightmare occur – the drowning of her precious 2 year old son last night.  I don’t know all of the details and it really does not matter.  Losing your child would be horrible anytime but especially at Christmas.  I cannot imagine their grief.  Anything I would do or say seems so inadequate.  I just pray they can find the peace and comfort they so desperately …

With our eldest child being exceptionally bright and inquisitive, the question regarding Santa’s authenticity has already come up several times….although, as you can see from this picture taken only last year, when faced with reality, she still believes.  Nevertheless, we have been working through how to help P1 understand yet not spoil the magic of Santa and all he represents.  This article below written by Martha Brockenbrough and posted on Cozi, provides the perfect answer for us.  I thought it might help a few of you out as well.:)
Ho, Ho, …

Build-A-Bear Workshop really amazes me with depth of their creativity and the generosity of their hearts.  Every year they have something or someone new that will light that spark in a child’s eye, and more accessories than imaginable to dress them up in.  Kids really love and need a special friend that is all their own -  I know my girls sure do – and Build-A-Bear makes quality and unique toys that can hold up to all of the loving a child can give them.
This is especially important this time …

My girls are off on Thanksgiving Break and I actually love it.  Less stress, less homework, less deadlines.  As soon as we finish Thanksgiving, of course, it is on to Christmas Fun and Activities.  Twitter Moms has asked what our Top 5 Holiday activities to do with our kids and I knew I had to share.
I am very blessed to have my Mom living nearby.  When it comes to doing fun things with my girls, she is my partner in crime and at the beginning of December we calendar the …

You may recall that for her birthday in September, P1 asked for and received a Nintendo DS.  Being the wise parents that we are, we were not sure that she would enjoy it and use it as much as she thought she would.  Thankfully, we have been proven wrong and she has shown very good judgment in taking care of it as well.  With Christmas only a month away, so have come the girls’ Christmas Lists and it is no surprise that P1 has requested a game or two for …

Fiber. Fiber, fiber, fiber.  Fiber is something we all need for a healthy diet but most of us just do not eat enough of it. It helps us digest our foods better as well as get the nutrients our bodies need for stamina and energy. The current recommendation is 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day yet most of us get about half of that.  Fruits, vegetables, grains and beans are where we can find the fiber needed in our daily diet.
As a mom, I am constantly trying to …

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This Giveaway is closed.  Congratulations to #120 Colette!
Thanks to everyone who participated!  Watch for more great products in 2010!
One of the most important decisions you can make for the …

“Mo-om, are we there yet???”  If you have kids and take them any further than next door, you have likely heard this in one form or another.  Well, have I found the cure for that – and no, I do not mean extra Benadryl all around!;)
Meet TravelKiddy, our next giveaway in the Because It’s Christmas 2 Kids and Charity Giveaway.  TravelKiddy is a company that has taken a fun and amazingly simple approach to the issue of traveling with children and trying to keep them entertained.  Jen, the Momprenuer behind …

According to an NHTSA study, 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure in the car as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly. The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) was developed to make it easier to correctly install car seats.
If you have not heard about the LATCH system, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council want to make sure that you know where you can get the information you need to keep your kiddos safe on the …

We have had quite the past couple of weeks.  My oldest daughter was being baptized on Oct 10 so we had family coming in from out of town.  Of course, Brett was gone Sunday through Wed late, my aunt arrived Tuesday and his parents arrived Thursday, not to mention it was a regular school week.  I had to finish the sleeves on P1’s dress and try to have the house in some semblance of order.

Well, that part all came together and the Baptism was wonderful.  P1 was so thrilled …

Huh? Did ya?  Well, it is.  In fact, the first week of October is ALWAYS Fire Prevention week.  And yes, that is me over there in one of my favorite dresses at about age 2 sitting up like a really cool kidlet in the big fire engine at City of Vernon Fire Department with my Daddy.  Not only was he part of the Engine Crew for many years, going on to become the Captain and then moving from Fire Suppression to Fire Prevention.  (Can ya tell I am just …

Would you like to add a free, limited edition copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar to your family’s library of books?

Well then join Walmart and Jumpstart on Thursday, October 8th as they Read for the Record! Read Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar along with hundreds of thousands of other families in an attempt to beat the world record for the most people reading the same book on the same day. The goal is to break the 1 million mark and raise not only awareness …

As you may have heard, recently Continental Airlines’ Flight 128 hit severe turbulence, causing injuries to at least 26 people. One passenger said he felt the plane drop without warning while flight attendants were in the aisles. Some were thrown against the roof injuring at least 26 — including four seriously — and forcing an emergency landing in Miami.  When I read this, all I could think was Wow!
I have recently flown a couple of times and it really made me think about this very thing.  What about my kids?  …

I have 6 kids here and one more on the way and everyone is getting along! Soon I am making lunch too and since it is Mac n Cheese, that is cool too. Then I will tell them that they can have Otter Pops outside afterward…maybe they will stay out and play for a little while too…giggle…

ps…my oldest daughter just laughed when I said Otter Pops…that’s what they were called when I was a kid, sorry.

The Winner is Courtney #138
Babies.  Snuggly, clean, fresh cuddly babies.  Most people love them, including myself.  Let’s face it though – as much as we would love to snuggle and hold them for hours on end, reality is that there are times when our lives do not permit it.  You probably are familiar with the concept of a bouncie seat or a bouncer but Svan of Sweden is a brand that I was unfamiliar with… until now.  The good folks from Svan sent me a beautiful Bouncer in Chocolate and …

Seeings as I am on vacation right now, Some of my uber-cool MomDot friends are guest posting for me, sharing their views and experiences this month.  After reading Amber’s article, go on and drop by her place….she would love it and so will you!
I have taken in some children into our home over the last year and provided care for them.  I provide both full and part time care, to working families and stay-at-home-moms who need a few hours to themselves.  I love watching others’ children, but I do struggle …

Remember my post on the outlet covers, coverPlug?

Well they have now become a product you can find in the One Step Ahead catalog – another one of my favorites!  I even left a little review on their site.

If you recall, they make unused outlets “disappear,” with the only paintable outlet cover! This ingenious plug protector not only shields double outlets from curious little fingers, but blends seamlessly into the wall. You can even remove and repaint it if you redecorate. Simply paint and press into place. O…

coverPlug 2-Pack
Perfect for my …

I warn you right now, this is a rant so if you are not up for it, stop reading right now!
I am so mad at these two supposed adults.  I, like many others, have enjoyed watching the Gosselin kids grow up, mature and change over the past several years.  Too bad the same cannot be said of the parents.
I freely admit that when watching the show, Kate was often tacky, overbearing and sometimes just downright mean to Jon.  I also recognise that she has had her hands more than full …

As you remember, in Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that folks take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So following Kailani’s lead, I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link over on An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy …

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED – Congratulations to our Three Winners:
Noreen
Sue
Tamara B.
Thanks to all who participated.  Stay tuned for our upcoming giveaways!

Here at our house, Springtime is in full swing.  The temperatures are perfect and my kids just love to be outside.  Keeping them happy and entertained is always a good thing.:)  Well, Yoplait was channeling my vibe  and sent us their Get Active prize pack (pictured below).
We’re big fans of Yoplait in this house. Remember this post with P3 lovin’ her yogurt?
Well, she still does as does P2.  …

It has been quite the day and it’s not over yet.  My migraine of the past couple days finally cleared so P3 and I were off to run some much needed errands. Three hours…it took three hours to visit two stores!
How is it that a 2 1/2 yr old is so darn exhausting!?!  Seriously.  Oh My Gosh!  She is like Paxton reincarnate! (Paxton is my friend’s child who is so smart and so busy that he has kept his mother on her toes practically from Day 1.)  She has …

I am a member of the Mom Bloggers Club and have learned and had the opportunity to participate in all sorts of things as such. It maked me feel so ‘hip-n-happenin‘. One of the best things has been some of the people I have met there…here are just a few….feel free to visit them and add them to your blogroll!

http://blog.tinyprints.com
http://lipsticktocrayons.com
http://momstart.com
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com
http://www.akblessingsabound.com
http://www.momspective.com
http://www.shortpumppreppy.com
http://www.anuttymom.com
http://mamamentor.blogspot.com
http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog
http://moomettesmagnificents.com/reviews
http://ifmomsaysok.wordpress.com
http://dominiquegoh.com
http://www.stickyfeet2.com
http://wondermommy.wordpress.com
http://mamasmoneysavers.com
http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com
http://jeanstockdale.typepad.com
http://a-nut-in-a-nutshell.blogspot.com
http://lizzie-q-homemaker.blogspot.com
http://mainfo.blogspot.com
http://saveyourmoneymama.blogspot.com
http://www.themomjen.com
http://www.themomreviews.com
http://fitness.momspective.com
http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com
http://www.bizziemommy.com
http://blog.lalababyboutique.com
http://www.thinkorganicbaby.com
http://www.fracturedtoy.blogspot.com
http://apple4meandyou.blogspot.com
http://lovehomemaking.com
http://www.justtherightspice.com
http://www.thehomemakerhelpers.com
http://melodythacker.com
http://associatemelody.com/watkins-news-and-product-reviews
http://heritageremedies.com/serendipity/
http://scarymommy.com/
http://scarymommycreations.blogspot.com/
http://joyntheir.com/
http://betheweightyouwant.com/
http://joyblogging.com/
http://bodybuildingmuscleshaping.com/
http://blasianbabynotes.wordpress.com/
http://littlemisshannah.com/
http://stacysrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://drachma-girl.blogspot.com/
http://1momof5.blogspot.com/
http://isitmondayalready.blogspot.com/
http://saveyourmoneymama.blogspot.com/
http://www.manicmother.com/
http://practicingthrift.blogspot.com/
http://conversationswithmoms.com/
http://healthywealthymoms.blogspot.com/
http://www.3psinapod.com/
http://downtoearthblog.com/
http://lusciousdeals.blogspot.com/
http://dominiquegoh.com/
http://www.andrewsandfamily.blogspot.com/
http://lusciousdeals.blogspot.com/
http://confessionsofahousewife.com/
http://brainfoggles.com/
http://prettypinkmomma.blogspot.com/
http://ahappyhippymom.blogspot.com/
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot .com/
http://sweeps4california.blogspot.com/
http://thedivinemissmommy.com/
http://www.gliks.blogspot.com/
http://www.momsrevolution.blogspot.com/
http://www.mydivinechaos.com
http://www.morethancents.info/
http://itsabeautyfilledlife.blogspot.com
http://accidentalmommies.com
Alyson

image from Flicker

CAN YOUR KID COOK?
Jr. Chefs of America Wants to Know!
OPEN CASTING CALL ON SATURDAY APRIL 4th
www.jrchefsofamerica.com

PLUS COOKING DEMONSTRATION FROM TOP CHEF
FAN FAVORITE FABIO VIVIANI

WHAT: Open casting call to become a Jr. Chef of America
Host your own online webisode

WHERE: Sur La Table, Farmers Market
6333 W. Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90036

WHEN: Saturday April 4th, 4 PM – 8 PM

Here is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Jr. Chefs of America
experience!
Open casting call will give aspiring young chefs between the ages of 10 -
18 an opportunity …

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND COMMENTS ARE CLOSED
Since this was a joint giveaway with What’s That Smell?, we pulled a finalist from each site and then a winner from those 2.
The winner is:
#132 from the entries on 3 P’s: Teresha
This past weekend was crazy busy in our house as we did our version of Spring Cleaning – overhauling and changing the girls’ rooms around.  P1 and P2 have decide to become roommates, something we have our doubts about to some degree but know, as semi-wise parents that it is …

This contest is now closed. Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to our winner from comment #232 – Debbie !!! Stay tuned for more new and exciting giveaways soon!
Before I had children, one of my favorite things for new babies were diaper cakes or wreaths and knew that when I finally did become a Mom, I wanted one at my shower.  When I finally had a baby shower or two for my own babies, we were all so thrilled that these little angels were joining out family that …

****This Contest Has Ended. The Winners have been emailed. Congratulations go out to Darcy #206, Daniel #174, and Randall #160. thank you to everyone for playing!****
I have a confession to make.
Before P3 came home, I never bought Kix.  Not even once.
I do not know why, I just didn’t.

Then I started buying the regular variety because I found out it was as yummy to babies as Cheerios and provided her a little variety.  An additional bonus was that P1 liked it as well and would eat them.
Woohoo!
Something she …

For the first time in my life, I am actually COOL.

You know  those cute boys Mark Ballas and Derek Hough (pronouced Huff)  from Dancing With The Stars, right? And remember a couple of weeks ago I told you how they are not only good friends but also partners in their band,  Ballas Hough Band, formerly called Almost Amy. Well just last week on March 10 they released their first cd, BHB and I was lucky enough to have a copy sent to me by the cool chicks at One2One Network.

Well, …

I think I have told you that I worked for Disney during my 20’s.  A lot of that time was spent with The Disney Store’s.  I had a lot of opportunities while working there including opening several stores, training Cast Members, and going to France to help open Euro Disneyland (yes, I know it is now called Disneyland Paris but that is a soapbox for another post.)  One of the most frequent opportunities while working in the stores was building (and re-building – frequently) Plush Mountain, the large mound of …

This winter, you would think our home should have been quarantined, with all of the illnesses we have had.  Myself, yeah well, we won’t go there but P2 came down with Influenza A and we had our first fun with Lice, plus the usually odd assortment of colds and viruses.  Growing up with a Mom who is a Registered Nurse and a Dad who was a fireman, plus the time I worked in the medical world, I have always been comfortable  dispensing medicine to my kids when they needed it.  …

My mom started piano lessons at a very early age…4 I believe.  Practice, practice, practice she did and is to this day a very capable pianist.  Brett and I knew that we wanted our girls to learn to read music and hopefully play an instrument so we researched a bit to find out what age would be optimal to begin lessons.  The consensus we reached was at about age 8 as they are able to read, sit for sufficient length of time and follow directions at that age.  Mom has …

“More than 75% of children ages 6-11 do not eat the minimum of 3 servings of vegetables or 2 servings of fruit daily.”
How to Teach Nutrition to Kids by Connie Liakos Evers, MS, RD
I know that quote sure applies to P1, my 7 year old and that is why Jr. Chef’s of America caught my eye.  You remember them, right?  I told you about them back in October.

Jr. Chefs of America is here to inspire a new generation of smart eaters and build parents’ confidence about their children’s’ …

A couple of years ago, my mom surprised my two big girls and I and took us to see Disney on Ice when they came to Dallas.  It was fantastic and the girls LOVED every minute of it.  Disney On Ice shows get the audience totally involved – they are Disney, after all!  They feature exciting action, romance, comedy, athletic world-class skating, beloved Disney characters, and favorite Disney songs to which kids love and want to get up and dance with. The whole atmosphere creates wonderful  memories that will last …

I don’t know about you but as the economic downturn continues, playdates are seeing a surge in popularity among parents looking for cost-effective ways to keep their kids entertained. Of course, nothing can spoil the fun of a playdate like having a child experience an allergic reaction. One in four U.S. children has allergies, making allergic disease the third leading chronic disease among children. Despite the prevalence of allergies, a recent national survey found that only three percent of parents answered “most concerned” …

THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 …