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There can be friction in the air when your children try to finish their homework when they would rather turn on the television or fire up their DSi. Delivering parents’ views on the matter to the stressed child can lead to a meltdown. Here are some tips to help you avoid those issues.
Complete the homework in a quiet, well-lit area. Avoid distractions to maintain a quiet calm. Teach your children to make sure they have all the materials they need to …

With November being National Adoption Month, it always makes my thoughts turn to my precious girls, P1 and P3.  As most of you know, they both became part of our family via adoption.  While our families have been nothing but supportive, (especially my Mom) from the time we first announced we were adopting to the time each precious girl was placed in our arms, we know that is not always the case.  People can be funny about adoptions and I think that is usually because of some misconceptions and unfounded …

Being a mom can be exhausting. Your children constantly need your help with things. They especially need to be counseled and sometimes you just don’t know exactly what to say. Good thing there are plenty of children’s movies that provide some great insights as to what kids need to hear.  Here are some lines from movies that you can use on your children in certain situations.

 
When they don’t want to eat their vegetables:
 
“Eating greens is a special treat. It makes long ears and great big feet. But it sure is …

As you know Halloween generates excitement in children unrivalled by virtually any other holiday. With that being said, I would like to introduce Melissa Bernstein who has designed thousands of toys over the past 24 years for Melissa & Doug. The company she co-founded, with a single-minded focus on “real play”—creative, boundless, non-judgmental exploration—to help children discover untold worlds of imagination and growth.
Melissa’s objective is to create a dialogue that will shift the focus of today’s technology-driven society, balancing it with time-honored childhood values of creative play, artistic expression and …

These days, a lot is being said about the importance of children living a healthy lifestyle. Parents want their children to grow up healthy and strong. Here are three no-nonsense tips mothers everywhere can use to help direct their children toward more healthy choices, now and in the future.
Lead by Example
Whenever you can show your children the importance you place on taking care of yourself and your body, seize the opportunity to do so. The more they see you striving to live a more balanced and healthy life, the …

Kabongo online kids games are fun and exciting, allowing children between the ages of 4 and 7 to play games while beginning the skills needed for reading. It gets children…
“thinking—and reading—with exciting online games that they love to play! Unlike other learning games,Kabongo’s brain-boosting activities were developed by a cognitive psychologist and based in cognitive development research to help kids become more confident readers.”
The Kabongo folks asked me to do this research and write up and it sounds like just the kind of game for my …

This precious little board book has been written for children reading ages 4-8 by Amy Parker and illustrated by Marijan Ramljak.
In the tradition of A Night Night Prayer, also written by Amy Parker, this precious little child wanders through the house on a snowy Christmas night offering a prayer of thanks and blessing. His thanks are not of the ordinary however.  They are of each of the wonders that played a hand in the Christ Child’s birth.  The child finishes with thanks to God for the greatest …

As a child, my dad read this story (along with Luke 2) EVERY year.  And since I heard it EVERY year, and have a good memory (prior to my migraines and children at least) I could recite both ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Luke 2 by heart.
Recently I was given a fun opportunity to try the Record a Story Twas the Night Before Christmas book.  At first, I was beginning to think it was not too fun and was going to throw it against the wall you see because …

Having never been a fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,when the new version came out, I had mixed feelings due to the fact that I ADORE M.Depp.  When I was recently sent a pretty big box filled with Wonka Exceptionals chocolate bars and fruit candies, I felt like something of a hypocrite for not having watched it.  So,at the net possible time…my hubby being more than happy to oblige as he l-o-v-e-s the movie, we watched Mr.Depp’s version.  I had to say it was about a zillion times …

Before school started, my Mom  and I held our annual Back to School is Cool weekend with my girls.  This was the first time P3 was included too!  Such fun we had…a sleepover at Grammie’s was the cornerstone with some shoe shopping and finishing out our school supplies lists so we could have them ready for Back to School Night.

The one thing we did not do was make our annual visit to TJ MAXX and /or Marshalls.  Why, you ask?  I knew I was lucky enough to have a $50 …

But they can still wear cute hats from My Baby Clothes Boutique
And my youngest is very good at acting goofy.
But hats are a very minor part of what they carry at My Baby Clothes Boutique.  Their baby clothes are stylish, unique, trendy, frufru, memorable, and down right adorable.

And those are just the girly things because , let’s face it, you know how easy it is for boys to be overlooked and be left in the minor, oh-yawhn category.  Not here at My Baby Clothes Boutique.  Even the boy things are …

Now you tell me,who was having the most fun?  Hmm?
Brett, the 3P’s and at least 3 others
August 2010

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in the comment.  Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, Double Bugs,  The Not-So-Blog Blog,  Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy,  …

Basically, Oscar is a pig.   He is a very cute little pig.  He is a very cute little pig with a problem – his Mommy is going back to work and he doesn’t really know what that means.  Will she come home?  Will she still love him?  Will she still have time for him?  These concerns and many more roll around in Oscar’s head.
Then he meets Mrs Tutu and his life is never the same. Mrs Tutu makes life everyday so fun and exciting and vivacious (whatever that means) and …

Ah the after school snack time.  It should be so simple, right.  Hah!  Not at my house and I would wager not at everyone of yours either.  Tired, picky children are not looking for nutritious things, rather anything they can quickly get their hands on.  I just saw a great idea of using a 89cent pencil box per child, putting their name on it and a coupe of sticker or something to jazz it up a bit things in it they can choose from such as a granola bar, cheese …

I recently received a copy of an adorable book called Hayseed’s First Race. I knew immediately that I had to give it to P2.  She LOVES it.  Of course, it IS about a horse after all
Written and illustrated by Sally Schrock for children PreK through 2nd Grade. Sally has even listed print out activity sheets for those ages as well.
In Hayseed’s First Race, Hayseed and your child remember to love themselves for who they are and to never, ever let anyone tell them they don’t don’t belong. …

Ahhh sisters….

April 2010
If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky.  Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom,  The Not-So-Blog Blog,  Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy, Mom Start, Fairytales & Puppy Dog Tails,  What’s that Smell?, MomDot, Green Mama’s Pad, What Mommies Need, …

I think I have told you before that Mother’s Day used to be a very hard holiday for me while we were trying to build our family and we went to great lengths to make those weekends better – taking trips, holding Anti-Mother’s Day parties with our other infertile friends.  Well now that I am a mom, I am very sensitive still to the holiday, knowing that it is not something I want celebrated lightly and I love nothing better than items created just for me, centered around my girls.  …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!!
So, so sorry to have been AWOL for a while!

In case this is your first visit to the Goody Round Up, it is posted each week.  If you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if …

I know that the Luck ‘o the Irish and everyone else is with me because I have wonderful readers and friends like YOU!
We are having a crazy day at home, spent with the oldest 2 Ps spending most of the day in their rooms grounded for hosing down the garage yesterday (yes, you read that correctly, the GARAGE FULL OF STUFF – they actually did us a favor but it was the principle of the thing…without asking, while babysitter was here, and doing nothing to try and clean it up:).  …

Fashion is Fun with Lisa! Lovely Lisa helps younger girls learn the importance of having fun and working hard while earning your way to your own fashion style! Earn Lisa-points by perfecting your beauty skills and techniques, helping out around the house and even learning what it takes to become a successful working girl! Providing a well-rounded approach to beauty and fashion, Lovely Lisa rewards girls with gorgeous accessories, original clothes and fabulous hairstyles and make-up! Prove you’ve got what it takes in …

This is a picture of P3 in one of my favorite outfits of all time.  It is a Hanna Andersson outfit and believe you me, if I could shop there regularly, I would.
Well right now, I can and so can you!  The Dress and Swim Sale at Hanna Andersson is here! Summer dresses start at just $19 and you can choose from new swimwear for the entire family. Seriously!  This sale will be running now through April 4, 2010 so get a head start on some adorable swimwear and dresses …

Family Fun Magazine is one of my favorite spots to get great ideas for fun with my family.  We do not have a ‘tradition’ regarding St. Patrick’s Day but this year I totally aim to start one!!  Here are the ideas they have presented this year:
Crafts and Games
Wee Leprechaun: Make-your-own leprechaun! http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/wee-leprechaun-667671/
Make a Festive Bowl-er: Create leprechaun hats by painting and embellishing paper bowls. (p. 34)
St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt: Follow fun all the way to a faux pot of gold. http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/st-patricks-day-scavenger-hunt-708446/
To Catch A Leprechaun: Three clever traps for taking …

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 …

Several times over the past couple of years, I have talked several times about how my girls have become huge fans of the Barbie DVDs (as well as myself, surprisingly). P1 and P2 probably think they are Barbie, truth be told, so each time she comes out with a new DVD, they are in love with it, dancing around and singing the songs after the first time they see it.  P3 is now getting right in line with them too.
Mom Central recently let me know that the Sing Along with …

This contest has closed and the winners are announced HERE.
Thanks to everyone whoo enjoyed our little inpromptu giveaway!  Watch for our Mother’s Day one in April!
I love to read but rarely have time these days.  However,  32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching was a quick and easy read, written in short, entertaining chapters by someone who knows.  I have seriously laughed and cried the whole way through the book. Written by Phillip Done’, his tales from the elementary trenches are both heartwarming and hilarious at …

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 …

Welcome to this week’s edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!!

In case this is your first visit to the Goody Round Up, it is posted each week.  If you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will be deleted. If you listed it last week but your giveaway is still open, by all means, list it again! Also, if you wish to send in your contest listing, feel …

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year as it is sometimes called, is a time for family, fun, and friendship.  As part of our family is Chinese, we celebrate this fantastic holiday and decided to share it with you as well!
Here is how it will work: Beginning tonight, I am hosting a a great CNY Gift Guide.  During the next two weeks, I will continue to add other wonderful gifts that you might want to consider giving (or getting!) as a gift yourself.  The actual Giveaways start being listed on …

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 …

You know how I love China’s Orphans. After all, they gave me my P3!  Now, of course, times have changed and it is difficult to get a healthy child from China but there are many, many children still available with what could be very remediable medical conditions here in the US and other economically advantaged countries.  Of course, you really want to be able to bring home a child who has had all of the loving care possible, just like my P3 – Not an easily guaranteed thing.

Well, at …

As you likely know by now, I love Build a Bear.  Not only do they make adorable plush of top quality but they also are incredibly generous, most especially to those in need.
Each year for the past seven years, Build-A-Bear Workshop, through their yearly Huggable Heroes searches, Build a Bear has honored and rewarded 58 kids for doing amazing things to make a difference and help others.  This year, ten Huggable Heroes, between the ages of eight and 18, from the United States and Canada, will be selected …

 
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 …

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This contest has closed and the winners are announced HERE.
Thanks to everyone whoo enjoyed our little inpromptu giveaway!  Watch for our Mother’s Day one in April!

Yes, I realize that November has passed and thus ended  National Adoption Month but I have a few additional things I want to share.
One of the things we did not go over is Foster Care.  I received the following information from one of the great PR reps I work with, Wendy Will from Wilks Communications.
“As the government looks to next year’s budget to determine …

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, …

Well, it’s been a great couple of weeks, and we were able to donate some wonderful toys to some needy children. Again this year, our Because It’s Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway is a success because we had very generous sponsors who helped support and charities and provided prizes for the giveaways.
For each prize pack, the entries were tallied in the order the gifts were revealed, so while the counts for each post started over at #1, we added them all together in the orders below.
Prize Group 1 …

Toys are very important for all children so if you can get a toy that they enjoy and encourages exercise, that is a decided plus.  Add to that the fact that said toy is safe, fun, made in the USA, and made from recycled plastic milk cartons and you would really have a great toy.
Meet that great toy.
I give you the Purple Jump Rope from Green Toys.
Top features:

100% cotton rope
Handles made from 100% recycled plastic
6 ft adjustable rope
Super safe: no phthalates or BPA
Made in USA

Crisscrosses, can-cans and double-unders are all …

It is not unheard of for a child to request an animal for Christmas ~ a kitten, a dog, even a horse.  However, when the Holiday has passed and the novelty has worn off, sometimes that is when the problems begin.  Well Hasbro to the rescue.
This cute little pooch is a whole lot less trouble the traditional sort.  He is 8 x 8 x 11 inches ; 1.4 pounds and soft as can be.  He comes in White, Pink and Light Blue but that is only the beginning.

Meet I-DOG …

Don’t you just love Build-A-Bear Workshop?  It is a fun and happy place that becomes magical to your child as they  build their own furry friend.  They carry everything from traditional Teddy Bears to Zoo Critters, Donation Animals to clothing for them all, Build-A-Bear really has so many different choices and allows for such personalization that you are sure to find the perfect Christmas gift for each person on your list.  In fact, Santa may even shop there…they are that good!

While I have yet to have the opportunity to build …

Books have always been a wonderful thing for me to have.  My parents always read to me and books were something that could transport me from this world  into another.  Now, even as an adult, this magic is something I love to share with my own children, especially special books we read only during certain times of the year.  Brought to us by the wonderful folks at Leaping Antelope Productions and by Marilee Joy Mayfield and Tracy La Rue Hohn, The Snowman’s Song is a Christmas Story that we can …

Bella Sara….the name synonymous with beautiful and magical horses who are loved by children – especially girls – world wide.

Bella Sara™ is a magical world of horses where children can expand their imaginations through play. Originally launched in Denmark by Gitte Odder Braendgaard through Conceptcard, Bella Sara inspires and empowers children with positive messages and the magic of North of North.  Published by Seattle-based game company Hidden City Games, Bella Sara began as a trading card game that has since expanded into an international product line. With three set releases …

Can you believe that the Play-Doh brand is over 50 years old? Now known for the ability to give hours of colorful, creative play, Play-Doh was first introduced in 1956 and for quite some time, it only came in white.(You could win a Trivia Contest with that knowledge!)  Now owned by Hasbro under the Playskool division, Play-Doh has continually come up as The toy to get by children around the world.  In f 2003, the Toy Industry Association even named Play-Doh to its “Century of Toys List”.  That really says …

Welcome to our special Thanksgiving Day edition of the 3Ps in a Pod Goody Roundup!
After all of the Turkey and Stuffing and Pumpkin Pie has been cleaned up, sit down, relax and put your feet up and surf a bunch of fantastic giveaways.  Don’t worry…you can still hit the Black Friday specials!
Anywho, time to go win some stuff, right? Right!
Remember, if you would like your giveaways listed here, just leave a link. Make sure this link is to the giveaway post itself and not just the blog or it will …

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 …

Holiday shopping season is here again and the Global Influence network has some great gift ideas for you, tried and tested by real moms. Click on the links to check out what our team of reviewers had to say about each of these gift ideas, and then take a moment to enter our fun giveaway and take a chance at winning some of these fabulous products.
Featured Reviews Pouchees -
Busy moms need all the help they can get to stay organized and keep life as simple as possible. …

I love the Salvation Army.  They do good things for people and make it easy for the rest of us to bring out our best selves by caring about others.  I love it at this time of year when we to a store and the bell ringers are there, greeting you and hoping that you will your donation to the little red kettle.  I love to give my girls the chance to learn compassion and to have giving hearts when we see them by giving them whatever change or cash …

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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 …

When you are waiting for your precious child, it can seem like forever and as we all know, money does not grow on trees.  Most adoptive families get very, very creative in ways to save, find and/or make the money they will need for the expenses that just normally accrue with the adoption of a child.  In our case, we held some awesome garage sales, saved, and incurred some debt.  We were incredibly blessed by the kindness and generosity of others and will be forever grateful.
Listed here are some of …

“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 …

A little while back, I was offered the chance by Mom Select to host a “ZhuZhu Pets” Party.  My girls are always game for a party so I said sure, send me what I need for the party.  Much to my surprise, a very large box arrived containing some adorable little critters who have now been nominated Toy of the Year and are hot, Hot, HOT!
In case you have been in some hole under the Polar ice cap and have yet to hear about the ZhuZhu Pets, let me enlighten …