Last Minute Help from Scooby-Doo!

Do you need some last minute help for your child's wish list this year? 

If your children love Scooby-Doo, try going straight to the source and have your children visit the new Warner Bros. "Scooby Mystery Workshop" site where they can customize their own holiday gift list! 

The site offers Scooby-Doo games, toys, costumes, and fun bedding kids can check off into their wish list to help Mom and Dad solve the holiday shopping mystery. Once their favorite Scooby-Doo items are selected, kids can print or email the list to a parent. 

The site also provides additional fun for your child, such as helping The Gang pick out gifts for each other through an interactive poll, competing to win fun prizes, or playing games with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy. Check out the site here: http://bit.ly/WmFUk2 

I know my kids enjoy Scooby-Doo, as did I when I was a kid! Scooby is a timeless character that everyone can enjoy!



I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Scooby-Doo. I received a product sample to thank me for participating

Get a smile with Transformers! #HasbroKREO #spon

Do you have a young boy who loves Transformers? We have several at our house... and they love building blocks, too! Kre-o takes two fantastic things and joins them together in their awesome Transformer building kits!

This kit is huge! It's definitely not for little kids, there are lots of chokeable pieces (keep them away from the baby!). But oh the possibilities! You can build 9 different things with this kit! You can build one giant robot, 4 smaller robots, or 4 vehicles! 

Now, keep in mind, these do not actually transform. In order to actually make another figure or vehicle, you have to deconstruct one and construct the other. This set is definitely challenging, and will give any experienced builder a great goal. I would recommend that parents assist their younger kids with this... it can be fragile and pieces do fall off when bumped which can be frustrating for some kids. The box recommends this set for 8-14 year olds. Your young one may need some help, so stick around just in case. 

It is a huge accomplishment once you have the mega-figure constructed, what a boost in self esteem and the feeling of overcoming the challenge is amazing. The smaller robots and vehicles are much more manageable, and just as enjoyable to build. 

You can also get smaller sets (perfect for stocking stuffers)! I really liked the small sets we received. These are great for the more beginning level builders (6+). The Decepticon Ambush set is great. It comes with 4 KREON Figures, 80 pieces, and can build an ATV or Robot Drone. It also includes one of the pieces needed to make the Ultimate Dark Energon Weapon!

Another great stocking stuffer option is the KREON Micro-­‐Changers Mystery Bags.

For just $2.99, each Mystery Bag contains a random KREON figure, which can also convert into an alternate mode like a jet or an insect.

These building sets will definitely keep our boys busy for quite some time with all of the different challenges that they have. I like that these aren't just a once and done toy, they will be built over and over again and I am sure the kids will get quite creative with the pieces as well! Overall, I definitely think this set is a great set for any child who really loves to build things and enjoys the challenge of bigger projects and the smaller sets are great for getting a new builder's interest going!

To learn more about KRE-O Transformers sets you can check out Hasbro’s website. You can keep updated with the newest news by liking Hasbro on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter, too. 

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and Hasbro partnered in support of this campaign. Hasbro compen-sated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ahh, Holiday Memories are the Best! #Febreze

We all have some wonderful holiday memories...and maybe some pretty funny ones, too?

Well, Febreze wants you to share your memories with them!

On December 3rd, Febreze started sharing their Memory List on their Facebook page to highlight the most popular memories from their fans.

 Febreze wants to excite people for the holidays by hearing their fans most cherished traditions!

 The Memory list questions will be posted to Febreze's Facebook once a day between 12/3 and 12/17 so be sure to keep checking in! 

Today's Memory List question is: "Most Memorable Outfit" Febreze will be collecting the Top 10 best holiday memories from their fans - tell them yours and they may add it to the list! Visit the Facebook page here and share your response: http://www.facebook.com/febreze?ref=ts&fref=ts

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Febreze. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating

Give a gift all year long with Sports Illustrated Kids!

Sports Illustrated Kids wanted to share with you a few things that are being planted under their holiday tree.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Kids is THE magazine for boys and girls who love sports. The magazine presents sports the way kids want to read about them: with great action photos, easy-to-read stories about star athletes, helpful instructional tips from the pros, and humor, comics, and activities. SI Kids is a great way to encourage kids to read, and it has won highest honors from the Association of Educational Publishers and the Parents' Choice Award.

Not only has SI Kids won awards, they also give them out! This month, they crowned their first ever “SportsParent of the Year.”  With the help of parenting bloggers, the magazine received numerous nominations to honor dedicated sports parents from around the U.S.

Modeled after the famed Sportsman and SportsKid of the Year awards, the “SportsParent of the Year” 2012 title was given to Kristie Finnan, a mother of 3.  Finnan, a Pennsylvania native, coaches her daughter’s soccer team and regularly cheers on her children during soccer, basketball, gymnastics and Tae Kwon Do competitions.

To read more on both winners go to:
http://insidesportsillustrated.com/2012/11/29/si-kids-announces-first-ever-sportsparent-of-the-year/
http://insidesportsillustrated.com/2012/10/24/brothers-conner-green-and-cayden-long-are-sports-illustrated-kids-2012-sportskids-of-the-year/

 

To keep the holiday spirit going, SI Kids will feature both of the winners and a sports-filled Gotta Get it Gift Guide”  in their December 7^th issue!

For great gift ideas you can also check out the SI Kids “Gotta Get it Gift Guide” online as well:
http://www.sikids.com/photos/49936/2012-gotta-get-it-guide-the-best-gifts-for-kids/1

Looking for another great gift idea? How about a one-year subscription to the young sports fan on your list?Special Offer:Receive an entire year of SI Kids in print and on tablet for only $19.95 – a 66% savings off the cover price!You get pull-out posters, sports cards and games & sports trivia FREE in every issue! To subscribe, go to: https://subscription.sikids.com/storefront/subscribe-to-si-kids/link/1013093.html

I received a complementary subscription for sharing this information.

Take the Party With You!

The Soundfreaq Sound Kick is a Bluetooth enabled speaker that allows you to play all of your favorite tunes from your Bluetooth enabled device. 

The Sound Kick also allows you to connect a device with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack as well.

   The Sound Kick is compatible with any Bluetooth device including the new iPhone 5, iPad mini, iPod nano etc.,as well as iOS like iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android and Blackberry devices, PCs and tablets. 

The best part about the Sound Kick is the rechargeable battery. This is a truly portable device, it's small enough to travel with, and the built-in battery can surround you in musical bliss for up to 7 hours! 

So, we received one of these to review. I was SO excited. I love listening to music, but don't currently have a radio in the home. #TrueStory.  I usually put some music on on my phone when I am cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, but it's not really the quality nor the volume that I'd like to have. The Soundfreaq Sound Kick changed that!

When I first tried it I could NOT get the speaker to lock in the open position. The back of the speaker collapses, and in order to turn it on you have to open it. I was able to open it, but I couldn't get it to lock, so every time I put it down I had to be super careful or it would shut off.  I'm not sure if it was just hard to do the first time, or if my husband just has the magic touch, but I had my husband try it and he got it right away. 

Pairing the speaker with my Lumia 900 was very easy, quick to set up and I haven't had to reset it yet. I was able to play my playlist, as well as radio stations through my Windows Apps, through the Soundfreaq. One disappointment to me (which probably varies depending on phone) is my ringtone would go through the speaker when I got a message, it would play the sound of my typing when replying to messages, and my phone would read my texts through the speaker assuming I was on my hands-free system. But, I don't think this is a speaker issue-and I don't know if it is something that could be remedied by the phone developers.  If I could have changed one thing about this speaker it would be that it only played the music, not the other noises from my phone. 

Also, because of my phone, I wasn't able to listen to all my music seamlessly. Some of my music (specifically my playlist) would stop playing once my screen timed out. While this isn't something that is due to the speaker, I do think it is important to realize that your phone may limit this speaker... so you may want to check your phone's abilities. 

The sound from the speakers is great, especially from such a small sized speaker. It easily fills a room with music, and if you want it to, you can hear the music in another room. I liked that I was able to turn it up with the touch buttons on the actual speaker as well as my volume buttons on my phone (this may vary depending on phone). 

I really, really feel that I should put an emphasis on the portability. This would be the perfect speaker for a backyard barbecue, or a picnic in the park. You can finally be the DJ for your party, your life. 

Overall, while we had some issues, I still think the Soundfreaq Sound Kick is very much worth having, and I would love to even have another!

  Sound Kick is available nationwide at Target, Radio Shack, Walmart, and Sears stores.   Sound Kick is available online on Target.com, Soundfreaq.com, Bestbuy.com, Staples.com, Kohls.com.  Sound Kick w/case option is available on Amazon.com. Sound Kick Chromatics and Sound Kick Ghost available only at Target.com and Soundfreaq.com.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Soundfreaq and received a product sample to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received.

Come Party With Us! #LittleChefs

Come on over and join us for a party! Here is your official invite!

What: Join us for a Twitter Party to celebrate special holiday moments with family in the kitchen, inspired by The Little Chefs Project, the first-ever crowd sourced e-book on cooking with little chefs! In partnership with Chef Boyardee, The Motherhood and 40 fantastic mom bloggers have written a virtual book that will truly make you feel like a kid again. From creating family time in the kitchen to bonding over everyday and holiday fun, we have tips and recipes for creating kitchen magic with your family. 

When: Thursday, December 6, 2-3 p.m. ET

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #LittleChefs hashtag to track the conversation.  You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/littlechefs

Hashtag: #LittleChefs

Prizes: Chef Boyardee will give away five total prizes, each consisting of a Chef Boyardee Pizza Kit, coupons, a Chef hat, apron and cookie cutters.  Winners will be chosen randomly from among participants who respond correctly to trivia questions.

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann


Also, take a moment to head over to ChefBoyardee's Facebook page to make an ADORABLE recipe card. This custimizable card is fun and super easy, you can upload pictures, or take them from your existing Facebook albums!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Our son, RJ, LOVES the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. He has every book so far, and has enjoyed reading them all. We didn't expect that the seventh installment of the series would be any different!

Below is a short synopsis of the book.

ISBN: 978-1-4197-0584-7
Hardcover
Published: November 13, 2012
US $13.95 / CAN $16.95

Love is in the air—but what does that mean for Greg Heffley?

A Valentine's Day dance at Greg's middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he's worried he'll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn't have any prospects either, but that's a small consolation.

An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But a lot can happen in one night, and in the end, you never know who's going to be lucky in love.

RJ, who is currently 8 years old, has definitely enjoyed reading this book, he read it in two days! The fun graphics along with the story really help keep him interested. I would highly recommend this series for any kid, especially those who need a more interesting subject to want to read! You can find Diary of a Whimpy Kid: The Third Wheel on Amazon.com. 

I received this book in exchange for my opinion and post.

Some Babies Need More Protection.... #protectpreemies #rsv

As many of you know, our little Luke was born early. He was born at 37 weeks. He's not exactly a preemie, but he had plenty of health issues...which landed him in the NICU for the first 12 days of his life. 

Since Luke had collapsed lungs, it was very important to keep him healthy, especially the first few weeks after leaving the hospital, when he was at his most vulnerable. RSV could have proven very dangerous for him at that point. We definitely did not want to end up back in the NICU, we were happy to be home. We avoided any public areas for several weeks until Luke was able to be fully recovered and had time for his immune system to build again.

Thankfully he did not get RSV, but I have had experience with it. I remember when I was a young working mother... two of my boys were 18 months and 3 months. I was working full time plus overtime, and the boys were in daycare. They often got sick because of germs the other kids brought with them. I thought they had a bad cold, but both seemed to have difficulty breathing, so I took them in. The doctor said they had RSV. I was given instructions to give both boys nebulizer treatments every 4 hours to help them breathe.

Like the flu, RSV is a seasonal virus. RSV can be very scary, I can't imagine how scary it would be if Luke had gotten RSV, though. RSV can mean that your baby needs to be hospitalized...which is a frightening thought... but there are ways to help protect them.

 Washing your hands and keeping others from touching your baby before they wash their hands is one of your best lines of defense. If you don't have a preemie, you can help protect them still by always washing your hands before touching a baby, and always asking the parents if it is okay. 

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Holiday shopping on @eBay!

I love eBay. I do. I buy stuff all year around; I am always looking for a great deal. One thing about eBay that I like is that it is always changing. There are always new things listed, and you just never know when you will find that special item. I also really like the options to Buy It Now. 

While I enjoy an auction style listing occasionally, usually I just want to buy the item and get it as soon as possible.... especially around the holidays or when a birthday is coming up!

Our 7 year old son is currently OBSESSED with Lego figurines. So, I purchased over 60 of them on eBay just a couple weeks ago...now to keep it a secret until Christmas! 

You can probably find any item you are in search of this holiday season... be it a new item, or something nostalgic that will bring back wonderful memories for you or the person who is receiving the gift. The vintage items are aplenty at eBay!

There are plenty of great gift ideas to be found on the eBay Gift Guide.

Here are some other great ideas for some of those that may be on your list!

For the working Mom: Digital Picture Frame to keep the family close, even when she's not there.

For the Stay at Home Mom: How about a GORGEOUS blue KitchenAid mixer!

For Dad: A Samsung 3D HDTV with 3D Bluray player !

For a Teen: Apple MacBook Pro.

For the Tween boy: Xbox 360 with Kinect- Star Wars Edition

For Tween Girls: Viva La Juicy perfume gift set.

For kids: Furby!

For Toddlers: Fat Brain Toy Co. Tobbles stacking toy.

For Baby: Whoozit Stellar Star Activity Center!

For the Family: Mancala game.

Or maybe Santa needs some help finding that one item that a special child really wants... I'd bet eBay will have it!

You can also visit eBay on your phone or other mobile device by downloading the mobile app.

Have you purchased anything on eBay recently? What has been your best find?




I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of eBay. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

FabKids! Is your daughter one? She should be!

Do you have a daughter? If you do, do you have her choose her own clothes? Does she have a style that she loves? Our little Annabelle loves to choose her clothing! 

FabKids offers fun outfits that any girl will like, and they come totally ready for the playground. These aren't just dress up clothes, they can be WORN. I know I have personally purchased many outfits for Annabelle that I just won't let her wear unless we are going out... they are either not comfortable, or they are too nice and too expensive. Well, FabKids offers nice clothing, but for reasonable price!

You can read all about the FabKids story and people who are involved with FabKids by clicking here.

We had the pleasure of trying out FabKids, we got an adorable dress for little miss Annabelle.

It comes in a bright pink box...

Inside that box, placed neatly in sleek wrapping paper...

...is your daughter's new outfit!

The outfits are definitely cute, the headband that we received with this doesn't really work for Annabelle- but it will be great for the future!

The outfit washed well, we didn't notice any shrinking at all (which is great... I hate when clothes fit great when new, but the first wash changes them completely).

You can get your first outfit for only $25 and FREE shipping! A great way to try FabKids!

11-11-12
*UPDATE*

Right now, for a limited time, you can get your first outfit (a $39.95 value!) FREE. Just Try FabKids! All you will pay is the $7.95 shipping fee. Not bad for a 3 piece outfit!

I received an outfit at no cost for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you.

Best of Holidays Past

Have you ever smelled something and had a wave of nostalgia come over you? I have, and it's incredible to me how scents can trigger my memories.

It's amazing how just one holiday memory can take you home, even when you're far away. Do you know someone who can't be home this holiday season? Tell Febreze your story. 

Through their Facebook Contest, they'll deliver $10,000 and all the special holiday memories of home to the one lucky winner. All you have to do is share a loved one who can’t make it home this holiday season and tell Febreze about your friend or family member and why he or she could use a little happiness this year. 

The Febreze Best of Holidays Past Contest starts 11/5/12 & ends 11/27/12, enter here: http://www.facebook.com/febreze/app_484576484906250

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Febreze. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating

A trip to the toy store...and I don't mean bigboxmart! #localtoystore

I have vivid memories as a child of my trips to the REAL toy store in my area when I was a child. The Rocking Horse Toy Co is the store that I remember (and it's still very much there today). I was amazed that there were SO many more toys available than just Cabbage Patch dolls and Barbies! These are toys that I never saw in the big box stores that we usually shopped in. My dad was a fan of the real toy stores, and I am very thankful that he introduced them to us when we were kids. There really is so much out there that you won't find without going to these amazing neighborhood toy stores.

This Saturday, November 10th, is Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

Not only will you find shopping your local toy store fun....you may just be amazed at what is there! There are SO many toys that just aren't available in big box stores! I honestly feel that the toys I get from my local toy store last longer and my kids enjoy them more. Maybe it's just me, but maybe it's not! The quality of these toys always amazes me, and I love that you have such a wide selection of toys that really grasp a child's imagination and allow them to run with their creativity!

ASTRA (the America Specialty Toy Retailing Association) has put together a great toy buying guide that I would highly recommend to those of you who will be searching for the perfect gift for that little one in your life (or that big kid, too!).

We were able to try out two toys that are on ASTRA's Toy Buying Guide, and our kids have REALLY fallen in love with one. The Tobbles Neo by Fat Brain Toy Co. instantly grabbed our toddler's attention...but even the older kids wanted a turn too!

These easy to stack colorful balls entrance the kids! They love to see if they can stack them different ways and it is really interesting to see the other ways they play with them. I have been told they were eggs (that baby birds have hatched out of), nests, squids (when upside down)...it's just been so much fun. I really enjoyed watching as my kids used this simple, but enriching toy!

Have you ever been to a local toy store? What was your experience like, were you surprised with the selection?

I received a sampling of toys in exchange for this post. All opinions are entirely my own!

Wordless Wednesday- Halloween night!

Six in the Nest has been included in the Little Chefs e-book!

A while back I asked some of you on Facebook and Twitter to share some stories about your family traditions, well... we've been published! 

The Little Chefs e-book is now available! All you have to do is click the link and check it out! If you're interested to see what Six (Seven) in the Nest contributed, check out chapter 6.

I'm also super excited to share with you our cook along which will be posted soon! AND, you'll all get to chat with the wonderful bloggers who were involved with the Family Traditions chapter on November 15 at 2pm!


GIVEAWAY!

See all that awesome Chef Boyardee stuff? That could be yours!  Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway This series of Chef Boyardee posts are posts I will be compensated for. All opinions are my own.

Enjoy the tastes of the season with Green Mountain!

I LOVE fall flavors! And I am particularly fond of coffee....so when they mix together I am thrilled!

Green Mountain's Pumpkin Spice  has a wonderful blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and yummy pumpkin flavor. It's not overwhelming, just... very nice. It's perfect on that chilly fall day!

The Pumpkin Spice flavor is available in K-Cups or regular bagged coffee beans to suit whatever maker you use.  

Dear Cinch, I'm Sorry.

You've been so good to me...but I keep cheating on you. It's true. My lack of willpower has gotten the best of me....... again. 

It's not THAT bad, but I've gained about two pounds in the last two weeks. I've had to add in oatmeal to my mornings (to help with milk supply for Luke) which has added some calories...but the truth is it's the snacking at work. I've never felt the need to snack while delivering the mail- but recently I feel like I have to. I really need to nip this in the bud and stop. I have been doing better the last two days, I haven't taken any snacks with me, just my Cinch Bar. I'm hoping to see some more positive results soon.

Exercise is now impossible. I am working 6 days a week, 9 hours a day....when I get home it's cooking, cleaning, bathing, helping with  homework and then I eventually sleep. Of course, I do burn some calories at work, I lift many heavy objects as well as walk up driveways to deliver packages- but really it's not THAT much. 

The end of the program is getting closer... I have November and December to make a SERIOUS change in my body. It can be done, but it will take effort. I need to reach down deep and find the strength in me to really make the most of these final two months. I want an amazing after picture...and right now I don't see enough of a change in my body to even consider an "after picture". 

What are things that you find motivating?

What kind of bees make milk?

Nuby Digital Thermometers

If you have kids, you HAVE to have a thermometer. While fever is the immune system at work, you want to monitor your child's fever because the temperature of the fever can indicate different types of illnesses- and your doctor will ask you about fever when you bring in your sick child.

Fever is most dangerous if you have a newborn. Babies under three months old should not have a fever over 100.4 (rectally), and it should be considered an emergency if a baby under 1 month old has a fever (source: WebMD).

A digital thermometer  is the best thermometer to use... older mercury thermometers post a serious risk to people and pets. I like that Nuby's Flex-Tip Digital Thermometer can be used orally, rectally, or axillary. I find that the flex-tip is most useful when taking an axillary temperature, since non-flex tips tend to poke and bother children. The flex tip allows some movement from the child while maintaining contact and getting the temperature reading.

The Nuby thermometer alerts you with several successive beeps if you or your little one have a fever. It takes about a minute to a minute and a half for a reading....much better than the time you'd have to wait for a mercury thermometer! The digital display is large enough to read easily as well.

The ONE thing I really don't like about this thermometer is the fact that it is in Celsius. I am not very familiar with Celsius and much prefer Fahrenheit readings. I was hoping this could be changed, but there is no information on how to do it (if it is even possible) in the instructions.

Beside that, the thermometer has worked great for us! 

Tweet #FeedbackChallenge and @KelloggCompany donates $5 up to $10k to @Foodbanking

In recognition of World Food Day (October 16), Kellogg Company will make a one-time donation of $5 to The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) for each tweet from October 15 – November 2, 2012, that recognizes the company’s Feedback Challenge to raise a total of $10,000. GFN is the only not-for-profit organization committed to creating, supplying and strengthening food banks throughout the world. Tweets will support GFN’s mission of getting food to hungry people.

Twitter Details: 

Tweets must include #FeedbackChallenge to be counted toward the donation 

Tweets must occur between October 15 – November 2, 2012 

Kellogg’s Feedback Challenge runs online through December 31, 2012 at www.kelloggcompany.com and www.foodbanking.org

Do you send cards during the Holidays?

It may seem early to think about this, but it really isn't! The holiday season is coming upon us quickly, and if you want to send some greetings to those you love it's good to start thinking now.... especially if you like to have those gorgeous family photos incorporated in your cards!

I used to be very, very diligent about sending cards out during the holidays...but after a few kids I really felt that the time and expense weren't as high on my priority list. This year I plan on sending cards out to at least my close family members, and hopefully sending out more Holiday Cards to a few friends as well.

I've always thought of Shutterfly just as a place to get items with photos on them, but really they have many options. I'd recommend you check out their special offers page to see some of the great deals they have as well!


I will receive a gift card for this post. All opinions are my own.

Cat Nap!

Keep those piggies cozy with Jefferies Socks!

With the cooler weather settling in, I've noticed that my kids really are telling me their toes are getting chilled too. Now, we can't have that! 

I have to be honest, I usually just by the cheapest socks available- if I see a good deal those are the socks the kids are going to wear. I couldn't believe how excited the kids where when we got a box of Jefferies Socks.  Yep, you read that right...the kids were excited about SOCKS. And they should be, because these socks have been so much fun!

In this post we're going to talk about some great girl's socks and tights. We received several pairs of socks and tights for Annabelle to try out. I have to say... our favorite items have been the footless tights. They are AWESOME.

I love the quality of all the products we've received. The socks have held up to multiple washings and wearings, and that's one thing that I find important. When I've purchased socks I've had some brands start to unravel within just a couple of washings...which means good money wasted. I'm glad to see that isn't the case with the socks we've tried from Jefferies Socks.

One of the most fun things about Jefferies Socks is the amazing variety that is offered.

There really is soooo many different types of socks and tights available, you can find something to match ANY outfit or occasion!

In fact, Jefferies Socks has some awesome holiday socks that you'll just have to check out!

These socks add fun flare to the holidays and coordinate wonderfully with holiday themed attire!

But don't worry- if you aren't interested in the flashy and fun designs, Jefferies Socks has plenty of traditional socks as well (and more muted colors)! They really do have something for everyone.

I received an assortment of items from Jefferies Socks to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Fisher Price Peppa Pig toys come to Toys R Us!

Peppa Pig is an adorable short cartoon that my kids love...and now they can love her even more with the super fun toy line!

We recently received several toys for review, and I have to say I was very surprised with them!

The first toys is this adorable Hug 'N Oink Peppa. This 12" Peppa Pig LOVES hugs....and she lets you know every time you hug her! 

We also received the Peek 'n Surprise Playhouse, which was a HUGE hit with our daughter.

The play pieces had flip parts to show different stages of play. One example is one of the bunk beds had a messy side, the other side was tidy, another is a sink of dirty dishes and then flip it to reveal a cleaned up sink. This allows a lot of fun play...but we did have a hard time flipping the pieces without them coming out. Thankfully they are easy for an adult to put back in, but they can also be easily lost. 

The Playhouse folds up nicely (with all the pieces inside) for easy storage! This is a HUGE pro for me since it will help keep all the pieces together! 

The Fisher-Price Peppa Pig toys are available at Toys R Us!

We received product samples to conduct our review. All opinions are my own, no monetary compensation was received.

Back on track! #Cinchspiration

So, it's been about two weeks since I have last posted about my progress with Cinch. Last time, I was having a difficult time keeping with the program. I had fallen off the wagon. 

Well, I am happy to say that I am back on track (mostly) and I'm down to 212.2 lbs... still more than my lowest weight with Cinch, but I'm getting back down there. 

One HUGE thing that I need to do more of is exercise. I don't get any exercise in right now. NONE. That is KILLING my results. I know I need to do more, but I really don't see when I can fit them in. When I *do* have a spare moment, I need to blog, do laundry, wash dishes, clean house, and a bazillion other things... or at least in my mind those are priorities that come first.

This has definitely been my biggest challenge.

Firmoo who?

If you wear glasses, you should know that there are many places online to order glasses from. Many of these places offer great pricing.... but Firmoo goes another step beyond great pricing. New customers get their first pair of glasses FREE. Yep! You only pay shipping and handling. Unsatisfied with the glasses you get? If they can't make it right, they will even refund your shipping! (see site for more details).

I've been wearing glasses for over 10 years now...every day... and my glasses have interfered with my desire to wear sunglasses. I often feel like I have very little choice in sunglasses....ugly wrap around ones or clip on style ones. Well, Firmoo even offers prescription sunglasses- so I decided to try them out!

Honestly, I am not thrilled with the color...but the prescription was perfect- I could see just as clearly as with my other glasses- and the tint was nice. They aren't overly dark tinted glasses, and the tint really makes a difference. I know these will be great when I drive this winter, and hopefully I won't have any more issues being blinded by the snow!

The glasses came in a great case along with a nice cleaning cloth. The glasses were well packed and had bubble wrap even in the glasses case. Although I wasn't a huge fan of the way this color looked on me, I actually do plan on trying another pair of glasses from Firmoo soon! This time I may try to use the virtual try-on tool Firmoo offers. 

Head on over to Firmoo to get your FREE pair of glasses.

I received a pair of RX sunglasses free of charge for review purposes. All opinion are entirely my own.

Kellogg's Cereal- Start Simple, Start Right!

You know what they say... breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I do agree, and it's one of my favorites. While I'd love to whip up a nice breakfast with eggs, sausage, fruit, etc. ever morning...it's really not practical for me to do. I need simple and easy most mornings. Cereal is a great way to get the kids fed and get them what they need out of a meal, quick and easy!

When buying cereal for my kids I want to find a cereal that 1.) they will eat, and 2.) is good for them. Those things don't always coincide unfortunately. However, Kellogg's makes some great options out there that the kids and I can compromise on!

Kellogg's has a great philosophy from seed to spoon- "By giving you our best, you can be at your best." 

Seven ingredients or less, plus vitamins and minerals. SEVEN ingredients or less. I LOVE looking at the ingredient list and being able to read (and understand) the list. You can watch some interesting videos about where Kellogg's gets the simple grains that they use (just click) wheat, rice, corn. I feel a lot better about giving my kids Kellogg's cereals vs. some of the other brands out there simply because I know there aren't any crazy added junk to them.

We've really enjoyed trying out the different Kellogg's cereals that we were sent. My favorites are the Raisin Bran and All-Bran varieties, but the kids loved childhood classics Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies!

I even decided to try making marshmallow treats with the Gluten Free Rice Krispies... use gluten free marshmallows and you have a great tasting, kid friendly, yummy treat! Although, I did learn that if you melt the marshmallows for too long you end up with hard treats...nothing my kids' teeth couldn't get through, though! LOL. 

So, if you're looking for a great start to your family's day (or a delicious treat for the end of it!), check out the cereal aisle in your local grocery store to see if you can find the orange banners on the top of Kellogg's Simple Grain Cereals!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kellogg’s. I received sample products to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

Gear up for Winter!

Since we live in Michigan, we know winter will be on it's way all too soon. In fact, just today it was SNOWING in a town only 40 minutes from me!

Now, we like the winter weather...as long as we are dressed appropriately! The Children's Place has some great winter gear to help make sure the kids won't be uncomfortable outside this winter.

Liam's wearing this year's 3-in-1 Jacket from The Children's Place and the microfleece hat that coordinates with the jacket!

We got Liam the size 7/8 and it fits really well. The sleeves have a little room to grow into them (which is good, because I am sure he'll be growing a bit over the next 6 months)! 

The 3-in-1 Jacket is a great buy, with a ton of value packed in. The jacket can be worn as the shell only, the liner only, or combined. The liner is perfect for those chilly fall days, the shell is great for windy and wet spring days (it's water resistant), and when you put the two together you get wonderful protection from the winter's cold. These 3-in-1 Jackets are available for both boys and girls in sizes 6-9mo up to 14.

The microfleece hat is specially treated to prevent pilling and matches the jacket's perfectly. It covers the ears, but isn't too long and the microfleece is an incredible insulator for those little heads!

 Our family has always shopped at The Children's Place often, their clothing has been great for our children and it is one of the first places we stop when we need something for them. I'd also highly recommend scrolling to the bottom right of the page and signing up for the email exclusives... you'll get emails about great deals as well as occasional discount codes! I've always managed to find great deals on great clothes at The Children's Place with the help of the discount codes and sales they offer.

I received a gift card to purchase the items I reviewed in this post. All opinions are my own. 

Perfect cups for little hands!

Once the transition has been made from the bottle to the sippy cup, you then get to transition your child to a regular cup. I usually just purchased plastic tumblers for my kids, but I have found they are rather large for my little ones' hands. 

Nuby's Fun Drinking Cups are the perfect size for little one's hands! 

These cups are brightly colored and have fun designs on them. They are also VERY easy to clean! I love that I can easily fit my hand in them to clean them. 

I've also been impressed with how well these cups have held up. I haven't had any crack, and none of the color has faded. 

These cups come in a two pack and are recommended for children 18 months and older.

I received these cups for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

Early Bird Special from Night Owl Paper Goods!

• Over 100 modern yet folksy designs!
• All designs available in both real wood and paper
• 9 back options, including: 2013 Calendar, Photo, Text, Blank & Patterns
• Quick and easy personalization

Use coupon code CHEER2012 until October 31, 2012 to get 15% off personalized holiday cards...and FREE shipping on those orders! These are high quality cards that will amaze you and everyone who receives them. I particularly like the option with a calendar on the back since it can be useful to the recipient for the entire year! 

I received a G.C. in exchange for this post, all opinions are entirely my own!

Do you have FabKids?

Do you have a daughter? If you do, do you have her choose her own clothes? Does she have a style that she loves? Our little Annabelle loves to choose her clothing! 

FabKids offers fun outfits that any girl will like, and they come totally ready for the playground. These aren't just dress up clothes, they can be WORN. I know I have personally purchased many outfits for Annabelle that I just won't let her wear unless we are going out... they are either not comfortable, or they are too nice and too expensive. Well, FabKids offers nice clothing, but for reasonable price!

You can read all about the FabKids story and people who are involved with FabKids by clicking here.

We had the pleasure of trying out FabKids, we got an adorable dress for little miss Annabelle.

It comes in a bright pink box...

Inside that box, placed neatly in sleek wrapping paper...

...is your daughter's new outfit!

The outfits are definitely cute, the headband that we received with this doesn't really work for Annabelle- but it will be great for the future!

The outfit washed well, we didn't notice any shrinking at all (which is great... I hate when clothes fit great when new, but the first wash changes them completely).

Your first outfit is only $25 with FREE Shipping!

*UPDATE*
11-11-12

Right now, for a limited time, you can get your first outfit (a $39.95 value!) FREE. Just Try FabKids! All you will pay is the $7.95 shipping fee. Not bad for a 3 piece outfit!

I received an outfit at no cost for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Deciduous

A little Autumn humor for us. Poor deciduous tree, those evergreen's can be such bullies.