Innovia {Review & Giveaway}

I cannot tell you how excited I am to share this product with you!  Innovia's Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser has been such an amazing addition to my kitchen, and I want to tell everyone I see how fantastic it is!!  Even better though, I can tell you how to get one - FOR FREE!! 

Head over to A Frog in My Soup to read my full review and enter the giveaway!  One lucky winner is going to get their own Innovia Dispenser to show off!  Yippee!

MIA

To say that I have been MIA would be a major understatement.  Unfortunately, just when I thought everyone in our house was finally healthy, P came down with the dreaded stomach bug.  It went something like this:

12:30 am

P:  (Enters our bedroom and wakes me up) Mama.  Mama.  Mama!  I want to cuddle.
Me:  Sorry bud, let's go tuck you back into your bed.
P:  But Mama, I really want to cu.  (Spewing begins)

Thus began the vicious cycle of bath, barf, bath, barf on dog, bath, bath for dog, etc.

Knock on wood, the virus is completely gone and my babies are back to their normal, happy, healthy selves.  Let's hope this lasts.

Please pardon my lack of posts, but I'll be back, as soon as my brain begins to function semi normally again.

Valentine's Day Cards

I am so excited about Valentine's Day!  For me, it's more about celebrating love in general, especially because my kids don't really let my hubby and I have any alone time. ;)  Of course, one of my favorite things about any holiday is sending out picture cards!  (Ha!  My poor kids!  My parents still have all of our Christmas card pictures hanging in their hallway and it's mortifying!  At least my kids can do it to their kids someday...)

Anyway, this year I am super excited about my Valentine's Day Cards because the wonderful people who represent Greeting Card Universe have offered to give me a few free cards to send to my loved ones! 

I need your help though.  I'm super indecisive as it is, and Greeting Card Universe has sooo many cute choices!  I can't decide!!  Here are my top three four...leave me a comment with your favorite, and maybe I'll send you one!! ;)

Choice #1:

I'm digging the whole Owl theme, as you will see when you check out choice number two...

Choice #2:



Also super cute, but a different type of picture window...

Choice #3:



Choice #4: 

I love the colors, and the ribbon going across the bottom.  Fun and bright - perfect for a dreary winter...


So, what are your thoughts?  Do you like any of these better than another?  Did you see an even better design on Greeting Card Universe??   Leave me a comment and let me know!  I need help! ;)

Have You Entered??

Have you gone over to A Frog in My Soup to read my review of Stages of Beauty yet??  If not, go check it out here!  Stages of Beauty is giving one lucky reader a cream and serum of their choice!  Yippeee!! :)

I am using the Radiance collection and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  Good luck and happy entering! :)

National Get Organized Month

January is National Get Organized Month, and in that spirit I have been searching for ways to get (and KEEP) my house organized!

Of course, you know how this started, right?

Yup.  Pinterest.  (Well, that and the fact that it hasn't even been a month since Christmas and half of my kids new toys are "missing" in the mess that is our living room.  Including P's Leappad.  Not. A. Happy. Mama.)

Anyhoo, here are some fabulous ways to organize your house, thanks to Pinterest.  Let me just say that I will be starting with our bathroom medicine cabinet!

Thanks to Pinterest, and of course, the fantastic Martha Steward, I will be (aka asking my dad) adhering some galvanized steel to the inside of my medicine cabinet and then using magnetic hooks hang holders for toothbrushes, hair clips, tweezers, etc.  LOVE it!  I think I may use the magnetic steel on the inside of the door, and on the outside use some pretty wallpaper like they did here.

These are more like the holders that I want to get for our toothbrushes.  I HATE when the bottom of a traditional toothbrush holder gets all mucky from the stuff that drips off of a toothbrush when you are done using it.  Ewwwwwwwww.  It's a lot easier to just take a clorox wipe to the shelf.  Trust me.

Plus I found these super cute ones for the kids at the Container Store.  (LOVE the Container Store!)

Amazon sells this great little insert for the smaller things like nail polish that can't be stacked on top of one another and therefore use up a lot of unnecessary space.

So that is goal number 1 for National Get Organized Month over here.  I am giving myself an extension on this month as well...it's only fair!  I just found about it today!!  :)

Stay tuned for more of my projects, and perhaps their outcome, if I like how it turns out!  I'm off to shop...



Something good is coming...

Remember how I told you that I was now the Product Review Coordinator over at A Frog in My Soup?  Well, tomorrow, something good is going on over there...

What?  You want a hint???

That's all I'm saying, but if I were you, I'd head over there tomorrow and see what's up.

(Aren't you glad you read my blog?) ;)

More New Things

2012 is bringing some really great new things for me and my family.  First, I have this fabulous new blog design.  Second, in addition to blogging and working for ODIZ Baby Supply, which I absolutely LOVE, I am now getting to blog for another amazing mom as well.  And third, I have decided to give my self some new rules to follow...I'll share those with you in a minute. :)

So, back to my new blogging gig.  I am so excited to tell you that I am now the Product Review Coordinator for A Frog in My Soup.  This wonderful blog is run by a Shera, a super mom to 6 (yes, 6!!) boys!  Her blog has gotten so much recognition that she has decided to bring me in to help with the reviews and giveaways, and let me tell you, we have some awesome ones lined up, so if you haven't yet, head over there and be a follower, or follow A Frog in My Soup on Facebook or Twitter so you don't miss any of the action.

Now, back to my new rules.  I originally published these as a blog post for ODIZ, but as usual, I'm sharing them here with you as well.  Let's see how long I can stick to them ;)

Every year I find myself making the same resolution...go to the gym.  And every year I take that on for a few weeks before deciding that I don't have enough time, there's too much to do, I don't have a babysitter, etc., etc., etc.

This year I decided that while I still should be working on the whole exercise/eating healthy thing, I needed to sit down and think a little about my mental health too and I compiled this list of things that I personally think every mom should try to do.

1. Stop feeling so guilty.  I don't know about you, but almost every mom I know, myself included, is constantly asking themselves "am I making my kids happy enough?", "do my kids have all the stuff they want?", "am I doing what my kids/my husband/my partner/my parents/etc. want?".  Here's the thing - we are one person with two hands and 24 hours in the day.  If we are doing our best, with love and good intentions, then that is probably enough.  It's time to stop feeling guilty for things that are out of your control.  Our kids love us because we love them unconditionally and would give them the moon if we could.  This doesn't mean that they need every toy/outfit/activity that they ask for.  Respond with your heart and they will be okay.

(The same goes for your husband - no hot meal on the table every night does not mean you don't love them!  Are you reading this, honey?)

2.  Stop worrying so much.  This is me. I am a constant worrier.  I want my kids wrapped in bubble wrap and in my arms at all times.  I don't want them to scrape their knees, or have hurt feelings, or be exposed to the very sick and cruel things that are unfortunately happening all around them.  However, this is all part of growing up, and again, it is impossible to control everything.  Kids will fall, but they will get back up again.  They will be teased, probably do some teasing themselves, and they will grow up seeing and hearing things we wish they would never have to.  But it's okay.  My kids know how much I love them and I do everything in my power to raise them in a safe and happy environment while preparing them for their lives as little people.  There isn't much else I can do, and I need to remind myself often that they are strong, smart little things and that they will be just fine.

3.  Sleep a little more.  I know what you are thinking.  Yeah, right.  Here's the thing - it is so important for both your physical and your mental health that you give your body time to rest.  I know it may be impossible to nap, but if your little one(s) do, tell yourself that is okay to join them.  Did you know that sleeping with your child is not only an extremely effective way to bond, but there are new studies that say it's actually good for child's health?!  It's true!  So cuddle up! (Of course safety is the number one concern, so only do this if it is in a way that presents no dangers to your little one!)  And if you can't nap because your kids don't or you work, then allow yourself to leave the chores for the weekend, or only do 1 load of laundry a night instead of 3, and go to bed early!  Turn off the TV, get off the Internet, and power off your phone. Enjoy the silence, decompress, and get some rest!

This leads me to my next resolution...

4.  Ignore the mess!  I have a cousin-in-law who I love dearly and who I admire so much as a mom and a women, and she has a sign in her home that says "Please excuse the mess, my children are making memories.". I LOVE it!  I'm not so sure my husband understands but I am not going to chase my kids around the house cleaning up everything they take out.  I love watching them use the couch cushions to make forts, and when they dump allll the blocks and start building cities I want to cheer!  These are budding imaginations at work!  These children are our future and I want them to think outside of the box.  I also want them to remember Mommy sitting on the floor doing puzzles with them, or making art projects, or cuddling and watching a movie, not just Mommy doing dishes or vacuuming or on the computer.  I know this stuff has to get done, but not all at once and not all the time.  Who cares if the sink is full or the laundry basket is overflowing.  Let it go for an extra day and just enjoy!  Or, get your kids involved!  My son loves to help put the laundry away, or dry the dishes, sit next to me with his little computer and "work" while I do.  And honestly, the toy bin will be dumped first thing tomorrow morning anyway.  It's okay if you forget to fill it back up tonight.  ;)

And last, but certainly not least...

5.  Allow yourself some “me” time.  Anytime that I get invited to go out for dinner with a friend, or work an event that is out of town, or even take a few hours to shop with my girls, my first instinct is to say "I can't.". But why??  Well, because I feel guilty that I won't be there to tuck my kids in to bed (see #1), and I worry that they will be sad or will get a booboo, or won't be able to find their lovey and I won't be there to help (see #2), or that the dishes won't get done, the laundry won't get folded, or the bathroom won't get cleaned (see #4).  But I need to let it go.  Talking with my friends and having some adult time is so incredibly therapeutic for me!  They get it!  They have kids, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, jobs, families, and homes, and they understand.  It's important to know that you aren't alone in your stress, and that there are ways to deal with everything going on in your life while still enjoying it and having fun!  Take time to go get a manicure and listen to the silence.  Let someone pamper you!  Go to the grocery store and take the long way home so you can blast your favorite music!  (Heck, circle the block a few times!!). Go out to dinner, indulge yourself, and then go home, kiss your family, tell them you love them.

These are my "me" goals this year.  You know what they say "Happy wife, happy life.  Happy mom, happy home.” :).

My New Look

There is nothing better than getting a new look.  It feels so fresh, and clean, and let's be honest, you feel pretty afterwards.

Well, my blog was in need of a makeover, and thanks to Courtney @ not so homemade, it got one!  And doesn't it look amazeballs!!!  I LOVE it!

You might remember Courtney from my post about swaddling your baby.  Her expert post can be found here, fyi.  Anyway, after I stumbled across her blog and ooo-ed and ahh-ed at her baby whisperer skills, I found that she also designed blogs.  (A woman of many talents! ;) ) So of course, when I saw how gorge they were, I had to ask her to help my teeny tiny blog out...and it's even better than I could have imagined!!!

Courtney was awesome!  I am technologically impaired, so she went out of her way to explain things to me, and guide me through the whole design process.  We exchanged a TON of emails, 60 to be exact, and after I asked a million and one questions, we had this beauty.  (Seriously, 60 emails, am I pain or what?!)

So, if your blog is in need of a face lift, head on over to Courtney's blog design page or shoot her an email at courtney @ not so homemade dot com. Her prices are super reasonable and her turn around time is fabulous!

As if her skills as an artist and her awe inspiring job as a NICU nurse weren't enough, Courtney also has an etsy shop with antique jewelry.  Gorgeous stuff and seriously great prices.  I am digging these two necklaces...a LOT.

I'm not going to tell you how inexpensive they are because I'm thinking about grabbing them first ;)  If only my hubby wasn't watching every penny I spend these days...damn new roof!  What kind of Christmas present is that?!? ;)

Anyhoo, I truly want to thank Courtney for all of the time she spent working on this blog for me!  I am crazy about it, and I am so grateful that she was able to do this for me, and deal with all of my indecision. :) Courtney - YOU ROCK!!!

A Snood

Okay, if the title of this post got you thinking, what the hey is a snood??, then you are not alone.  I had no idea what it was either, until the coveted holiday J. Crew catalogue appeared in my mailbox, and I discovered that this so called Snood was made of cashmere and designed to warm your head and neck in the cold winter months.

Think scarf + hood = snood.

I instantly thought that if I didn't get my hands on one of these, there was going to be heck to pay...and then I saw the price tag.  $150.  Hubs was not cool with me buying a snood for $150.  Plus, he had already finished my Christmas shopping.  (Seriously, this is the first time he finished before Christmas Eve...this was our 9th Christmas together...figures.)

So we compromised...perhaps it would make a good birthday present.  (My birthday is in a few weeks.)  So this morning, I headed over to JCrew.com only to find that my beloved snood is sold out, and all that is left is this much more affordable, wool/nylon/acrylic version.  Cute?  Yes.  What I wanted?  No.  Will I buy it?  Probably.

Sigh.  I had imagined snuggling up with that snood every day this winter...wearing it on the cold March morning while we boarded the plane to Aruba. 

(It's actually quite hilarious how my life looks in my head.  This might have occurred pre-children, but now, I'll probably be boarding that plane in sweats, with my hair in a pony tail, without make-up, dragging at least one screaming child.  Ha!  And it will all be worth it for the family memories we will make. ;) ) 

Anyhoo - now the search is on for a cashmere snood. 

Or even better, maybe I can find a super talented friend who can make me teach me how to make one...you know who you are Jen.... :)

Pencil-Pals Preschool {Review}

As you probably already know, my little guy just turned 4 years old.  Because of his birthday being in January, he will be almost 6 when he goes to Kindergarten.  This, among other reasons, is why my husband and I decided to keep him home this year, and wait until the Fall of 2012 to send him to preschool.

Before my P was born, I was an elementary school teacher, so education is extremely important to me.  I decided that I would use this year as an opportunity to work with P at home on things like numbers, letters, phonics, sight words, etc.  I have a very clear vision of what a classroom should look like, how it should be run, and what I want my son to learn at this age.  Unfortunately, because I am so stubborn about the environment that I want him in, I have had a hard time finding materials that fulfill all of my requirements.

When I was offered the chance to try a product from the School Zone line of software, I jumped at the chance.  P loves to play on the computer, and I do think it is extremely important that kids in his generation are familiar with technology, but I don't love the idea of him being on the Internet all the time.  (Just a little disclosure - he is only allowed on the computer under our supervision, and he only has links to pbskids.org and Disney Junior that he can access).  With all of this in mind, I decided to try the Pencil-Pals Preschool Program.  I was sent the CD to load on my computer, but you can actually buy the program as a download, which I think is soooooo convenient.

So, P was super excited when we received the program in the mail and instantly wanted to try it.  He loved it!  Every day since we installed it, he has asked to play it, and of course I am happy to oblige.  I tried very hard to record P playing the game, but after two attempts, each "failing" after the video had compressed, I had to give up.  :( 

I was able to find some great screen shots online, so I'll share those with you...


To the right is my favorite part of the program.  It's almost like a mixed review.  The child is asked to find the picture that matches the number shown, the color shown, or the letter shown.  It also will show a picture and then ask the child to choose the picture that either belongs with the one in the frame, or the one that doesn't belong.  I think it is important for a child to be able to recognize numbers and letters independently - not just when it is placed in order or in a group of other numbers or letters, so seeing this program switch things up a bit made me happy.  P liked this part as well, especially when he realized that he earned a horse shoe for every correct answer.

P also really liked the connect the dots part of the program.  I liked it because you could use numbers, uppercase letters, or lowercase letters.  P can count, but doesn't recognize all of his numbers, so this is a fun way for him to practice.  If you drag the line to the incorrect number, a child's voice tells you "You can't go there!".  P found this quite hilarious, and thus began the game of dragging "1" to "9" and "2" to "7".  (Not gonna lie - that got a bit annoying!)

Even the welcome screen of this program is fun!  There is a horse who tells jokes, wacky animals and objects that fly out of the mailbox, and a fun little string you can pull if you need help.  The goat will take you to the video portion of the program, that Bean actually enjoyed too.  You can even print coloring sheets with numbers and colors, or decorate them on the computer and print them after.  (P finds it extremely funny when he clicks on the bottle of soap and his picture melts away.  :) )

So, here it is, my honest opinion about this program.  It is great!  I do believe that P will learn from the program, and that he will have fun doing it.  I like that so many of the activities have printables so I can take them in the car, to a restaurant, on the plane, etc.  I'm a little worried that he will get bored of the activities, but that is why I am not letting him over indulge in them now.  We are limiting his play time, and only letting him watch a video or two at a time.  I want this program to be on his list of things he WANTS to do, not things he HAS to do.  For the price, (only $9.99 to download!) I'd say this is a definite must buy if you are the parent of a pre-schooler, and if you aren't, check out the other amazing products that School Zone has to offer!  They have software geared towards kids from pre-school to sixth grade.  They have books, workbooks, downloads, and even iphone/ipad apps!  We were lucky enough to be sent a set of flash cards as well, and we are loving playing with them at the breakfast table.  It's such a fun family activity, and even Bean can join in when she sees a picture that she knows.






I am definitely adding these adorable cards to my list of baby shower gift basket items!

So, anyway, head over to School Zone, check out their products, and then come back and let me know what you think! 

I was sent the program and flashcards from School Zone at no charge, but was not compensated in any way for this review.  These opinions are mine, and mine alone.

My little man is 4 years old!!

Yesterday was my little man's 4th birthday.  Like many moms, I feel like my kids' birthdays are bittersweet.  I am so proud of all the growing and learning he has done, but I also want time to slllooowww down! 

My little P, who is not so little anymore, is such a sweet, caring, kind child.  He loves his little sister more than anything, and is always going out of his way to protect her, or do something to make her smile.  Don't get me wrong, she certainly knows how to push his buttons, but more times than not, I find the two of them like this...

(Super bad quality pic - sorry, taken on the ipad)

Of course, I am bias, but seriously, this little guy is not only super sweet, he is also super smart.  He remembers EVERYTHING!  He will even tell me what streets his friends live on when we are driving around town.  He spouts facts that he has heard once at the zoo, the museum, or on "preschool on tv."  (ha - my favorite line ever - so ridiculous!)  He was even thanking the man we met from China the other day in Chinese...thank you Kai Lan.  The connections that he is able to make astound me, and I am so incredibly proud of him.

Yesterday, on P's birthday, we took the kids to a local gym/fun center, and it was so much fun to watch them run around and play together.  I love how P calls his little sister "Beanie" and how he spent half of his time saying "Beanie, come on!  Come on, Beanie!"   Makes me smile, just thinking about it.  We were able to get a few cute shots, although most ended up being blurry with all of the running they were doing.



Write now my precious little boy is in bed, napping next to his sister.  I so badly want to be cuddling with the two of them, but right now, I have to start getting things together for his first big boy birthday party this weekend.  We are going to be getting down with Chuck E.!  Stay tuned for more pictures...:)