Around the world.... #Books #IC #Sponsored

We are HUGE book fanatics at our home. With eight kids, we read a lot- and collect a lot of books. We were really excited that I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hands-on-Prints books. I received books to facilitate this honest review.

The author of the Hands-on-Prints books, Christina Cheung, established a Montessori school that celebrates differences in learning preferences, personalities, and cultural backgrounds. She was compelled to write a collection of books that inspire simple and complex learning about the world while incorporating tactile elements and vibrant visual experiences for children. These books foster children's knowledge and sense of discover by helping them to engage in a way that encourages mindfulness and inspiring them to explore and learn.

Around The World From A to Z

This hard cover book has thick sturdy pages that will hold up over time. These are great for preschoolers, since they can turn the pages themselves without the fear of tearing them. There is a nice note to parents and educators that helps the adults understand how to use the book and what it can do.

This book focuses on the alphabet...the written letters are in the cursive alphabet. I know many parent's are thinking- well my child needs to know the printed alphabet first, why should I get a book of cursive alphabet letters? Well, each letter is printed in a texture similar to very fine sandpaper. The note to parents and educators states, "Careful penmanship and cursive writing not only refine fine motor skills from shoulder to fingertips, they also help to sharpen thought formation and brain development." Tracing the letters in cursive help to coordinate the two hemispheres of the brain. This helps the child appreciate and observe the fine details in the book.
The book allows many senses to be used while exploring it. Touch while tracing the letters, sight when looking at the beautifully illustrated pictures, and hearing when listening to an adult read the acrostic poems that accompany each letter. Using all of these senses together makes a connection in the mind and allows the child to learn without realizing anything is being taught.

Each letter is assigned a corresponding physical activity (cross-country skiing, dancing, equestrian sport), and each page includes a map that pinpoints where the sport came from. On the bottom right corner of the poem pages there is also a little image of the page being turned and the image of a specific type of footwear. This allows the child to guess what sport will be coming up next.

Our four year old daughter really enjoys this book, she loves tracing the letters, seeing which feet will come next, and listen to me read the poems. The book has furthered her curiosity for some of the activities in the book (Quoits and ostrich-chasing) which has lead to more learning experiences.

Overall, this original book is one that is a fantastic addition to your library and one that is non-traditional enough to hold a child's attention while teaching the alphabet.

A Persistent Vine

This book is in the first set of the Botanical Tales Series: The Maligned Creeper.  Set in 9th century Japan, the book tells a story of a family who moves to a new home and how the father decides to grow a beautiful garden full of rare and exotic plants so that he may paint their beauty. 

One day, his daughter brings him a flower and he is perplexed at how it has come to be as he didn't plant it. It is the Morning Glory, and the story continues to tell of how they try to rid it from the garden but nature prevails and the beautiful flower lives on, even when the story takes a sad turn. 

This book is the 2013 winner of the Silver Moonbeam Children's Book Award for Picture Book, in the "All Ages" category. The beauty of the illustrations really help propel the reader to turn each page and discover the next delightful image.

In the back of the book there is a page that talks about the morning glory plant's cordate leaves. There are pictures of other heart-shaped leaved plants with both the common and latin names. On the page next to this there are some facts about the botanical Tales Series. This book is worth owning for the illustrations alone. Hsiao- Yen Chi is an amazing artist. 

Get ready for Summer, #LearnToSwim #SwimWays #Sponsored #IC

I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for SwimWays. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

  What better way to spend the Summer than to spend it in the water?

It's a great way to keep cool naturally, and it can be fantastic exercise as well. I don't know about your kids, but my kids took a little extra coaching to get them used to water. Most of them disliked water, even baths, once they were over a couple months old. Orrin isn't a huge fan, but we are getting him used to the water and preparing for National Learn to Swim Day on May 16th!

This was Orrin's first time in the pool. We had been swimming in Michigan's fantastic lakes last summer, but it's been nearly a year and I don't think he remembered enjoying it last year.


He was pretty unsure of the water at first. Once we got him in the SwimWays Baby Spring Float (which is the best on the market, by the way), he really seemed to calm down and start enjoying the experience. It was a great way to reintroduce him to the water!

I'm excited to use the Baby Spring Float this summer on our swimming adventures. It has a great canopy included (which we didn't need to use this time since we were in an indoor pool) that will be fantastic for those sunny, hot days of Summer. The large spring area creates a great safe space to play and splash in the water, and the full mesh seat makes me feel that Orrin is safe and secure in the seat. The Baby Spring Float has two inflatable tubes, one around the seat (the red part near Orrin) and the blue ring around the edge. These were easy to fill, although I had a little difficulty pushing the valve back in while holding Orrin- so I would recommend doing this before you get to the water.

SwimWays great line of products is available at ToysRUs. These products help children become confident swimmers. This year's fourth annual National Learn to Swim day gives us all a way to kick off Summer and keep in mind how important it is to know how to swim. Knowing how to swim can be a lifesaving skill, as well as one that can be really enjoyable throughout life! I know I am a HUGE fan of swimming, it's a great activity to enjoy.

What about you? Do you like to swim? Is it something you want to encourage for your children?

#ImagineSpring with OshKosh B'Gosh #Coupon #IC #Sponsored

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for OshKosh B’Gosh. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I don't know about where you live, but here in Michigan we are still imagining Spring. While the calendar may say Spring is here, Winter is still hanging around! 

Yep, that was yesterday.

But, we know that Spring WILL come... and with the season change the kids will need new, fashionable, attire!

One of our major go-to sources for reasonably priced, yet absolutely adorable, clothing is OshKosh B'Gosh.  Their jeans are hands-down THE best jeans that we have purchased for our children... they far outlast any other brand we have purchased for them!

For this post I was able to select some great items. I usually try to get jeans for all the kids, but this time I decided to branch out a bit. I only purchased one pair of jeans with this order.

I think I got this shirt off the clearance rack, so I can't guarantee it is still available- but oh my word, how could I resist!

OshKosh B'Gosh jeans, like I mentioned before, are very durable. Luke is outgrowing his clothes like crazy, so he needed an extra pair of jeans. This red shirt will be great for Spring, too.

This outfit I picked out for our son, Nolyn. He loves blue. It's his absolute favorite color, and if he could only wear blue, he would be one very happy kid. So, why shouldn't I try to make him the happiest?

This comfy tee paired with some great navy cargo shorts will be great for the Spring and Summer days playing outside. The flip-flops were a great deal, too!

Miss Annabelle hit the jackpot. As the only princess, she's quite spoiled in the clothing department- but with each of these dresses under $20 it was easy to spoil her!

She is 4 years old, but very tall for her age, so I purchased size 6 dresses for her. The two navy dresses have sashes with them so they can be adjusted at the waist which is nice because you can make the dresses more fitted or loose, and a great bonus since I purchased  the bigger size. The pink dress is adorable, but baggy and short for her, but it will make an adorable swimsuit cover-up this Summer while we lounge at the beach... yes-*I'm daydreaming here*.

Annabelle can't wait to show off her new styles at school once Spring Break resumes, and I can't wait until the weather is more Spring-ish so that I can enjoy dressing her up in these!

Our love for OshKosh B'Gosh clothing is strong... it's a store that we rely upon for value and style.


How is your child's wardrobe looking for Spring? Ready to spruce it up for Easter, or just brighten the hue for a trendy Spring? Well, how about a special coupon code to do just that! 

Use coupon code IMAGINE15 for 25% off your purchase of $30 or more online, or print the coupon and get the deal in store (click here to find a store near you)!

You can also follow OshKosh B'Gosh on Facebook and Twitter for the newest trends and best deals!

Don't get stuck... sponsored #TweetFromTheSeat #MC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Charmin. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Ah, the holidays. It's a time for family, for food... and big get togethers. I love the holiday parties, and we really enjoy having family together. But, there's one thing that can make a holiday party a bit uncomfortable- when the toilet clogs. Having many people in a home and using the bathroom can sometimes be a little unnerving. Charmin hopes to take some of the pressure off, though, with their Roto-Rooter approved toilet tissue.

Charmin Image Source

With Charmin's Roto-Rooter stamp of approval to be clog-free

and septic-safe, you can rest a little easier knowing that those clogs won't interrupt your holiday bash! Charmin is also used by plumbers more than any other brand, so you know that it's a good choice for your bathroom needs (Roto-Rooter plumbers recommend Charmin more than any other brand).  And it's no wonder why. The clog-free and septic-safe guarantee only comes with Charmin. 

We've been a Charmin family for several years. We used to buy the cheap stuff... store-brand whatever- since we felt like we were just flushing money down the toilet (literally), so why bother getting the expensive stuff? We figured we needed to go cheap with the large family we have and the amount of toilet tissue we use. We thought we were saving money. Then, one day we bought Charmin Ultra Strong and we've never gone back. Not only do we have to use LESS of it, there's more to the roll. We have actually saved money by switching to a "more expensive" brand. I should also mention that there is a significant "comfort" improvement aspect as well! We prefer the Ultra Strong, since it holds up well and is still soft, but the Ultra Soft is nice, too. 

We're not the only family who loves Charmin, it's been a trusted brand for over 70 years. When you think of Charmin, you probably think of their cute commercials featuring the Charmin Bears. Those cute bears sure know their stuff and I hope that the next time you are in the toilet tissue aisle you'll take a chance on Charmin... I don't think you'll regret it!

Check out Charmin on Twitter and Facebook, too!

Protect those little ones! #Sponsored #RSVAwareness #PreemieProtection #MC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for MedImmune. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Let's talk about the smallest of the little ones... the preemies. Those precious little babies who came into this world too soon, and often fight a long difficult fight to stay here. A baby is such an exciting miracle, but it is so scary to have a child too early. 

I have been pretty lucky overall, the earliest any of my children have been born is 37 weeks. Some of you may remember when I had Luke at 37 weeks... although he wasn't technically premature, it was a very bumpy road. Luke's lung had collapsed entirely, and because of meningitis he was on antivirals and antibiotics. We were very lucky that he did well, but I can only imagine how it could have been made so much worse by RSV.

World Prematurity Day is on November 17, 2014. On this day it is great to raise awareness about prematurity and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV is a common virus which nearly every child gets before they are two years old. The virus usually only brings common cold symptoms, but when a premature baby gets this virus, it can be devastating. 

RSV season is generally between November and March here in the US (it can vary a bit, but this is the typical time). Avoiding crowds with your baby can help prevent RSV, as well as frequent washing of your hands. Watching for symptoms can be very helpful, too... as early detection can really help those little ones.

 Check out this great infographic for more information (Scroll to get all the information):

Although Luke did not end up getting RSV, we have had two children who had it as young children. One was 18 months and one was 4 months old. It was definitely a scary experience! We had to have our children on breathing treatments and steroids- and there were many sleepless nights worrying about whether or not our children were breathing. RSV disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies during their first year of life in the United States, with approximately 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 200 deaths. That's something to be worried about... and yet around a third of new mothers do not know anything about this virus. 

Remember, there is no specific treatment (other than monitoring and praying) for this virus once it is contracted, so it is very important to try to prevent your child from getting RSV.

What's the scariest illness your child has gotten? Do you have any experience with RSV or premature babies?

What the, Urbini? #MC #Urbini #Sponsored

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for Urbini. I received an Urbini stroller to both facilitate my review as well as thank me for my participation.

Let's face it... babies can be expensive! But, they don't have to be. If you are on a limited budget, or if you just want to splurge on something other than a travel system, then you should check out the Urbini Touri.  This travel system has a sleek design and is very pleasing on the wallet. At the current pricing of $119-$149 for both the infant seat and the baby stroller, this is definitely a steal!


The Touri makes it incredibly easy to bring baby along for the ride. This complete travel system includes the Urbini Petal Infant Car Seat and the fully-featured lightweight Touri stroller that has a reclining seat, removable cup holder, tuck-away sun visor, and a compact fold. It's ready to roll when you are. Light, stylish, complete. The world is waiting!

So, we got to test drive this set. For the price, it's pretty amazing. It's like getting the stroller for free, really... and that's the best lightweight stroller you can get! 




The car seat itself was decent. It is thin, so it is great for the middle bench seat placement. Designed for rear-facing use only, for an infant from 4-35 lbs and up to 35" tall. It only weighs 8lbs, so it's lightweight, too. The one problem I had with this seat is the harness straps. After adjusting them, I just could not get them to sit evenly on Orrin.

The one strap just seemed to not tighten up like the other, and even trying to evenly tighten them myself in the back didn't work. I'm not sure what the issue is, and I've read the manual several times to be sure that I have threaded the straps correctly. I think it may be because of how close the straps are to one another, and that Orrin was a bigger baby. If you look at the picture you can see that the harness straps are a little off. Other than this, the car seat looked great and seemed comfortable. 

The buttons are pretty typical for most car seats, and there is a removable infant and preemie insert for the car seat. There are also harness strap shoulder pads, which I removed to try to see if I could get the straps to be positioned better.  The release latch on this car seat/base is one of my favorites. It is much easier than some other car seats I have used.

The stroller is basically a nice umbrella stroller. I found that the basket is very small (not even big enough for a diaper bag), but it does have one, which most umbrella strollers do not. The handles are comfortable, and even my husband enjoys pushing this baby stroller. The stroller seems to roll well, even on rough terrain. We went for a walk on a nature trail and there were no complaints from my husband! 

My favorite features of the stroller are how it folds and locks. 

When all together, the Touri stroller is pretty compact, and it has a very convenient carrying handle. If you look above, you can see the red circle in the lower right of the picture. Well, that is what you use to open and lock the stroller in the open position.

The stroller also has a removable cupholder, which is a lot better than no cupholder (which most umbrella strollers are known for).  Another great feature for me was the fact that when used as a travel system, the canopies completely cover the infant seat. (See first picture in post). This is important for us, since we love to let the baby sleep- and bright sunlight doesn't allow that! It also helps to protect the baby from any other elements that may be out there.

As the stroller alone, this is a very lightweight stroller that also includes an adjustable 5 point harness with shoulder pads and removable arm bar.

The footrest can also be adjusted, and there is an adjustable recline as well.

The front wheels can be locked in, or allowed to swivel depending on what your need is.

Overall, this is a nice budget travel system that looks great and will be a great option for many parents. If you are looking for something with a little more features, you can also check out the still affordable Urbini Omni travel system.

Also check out the Urbini Facebook and Twitter pages.

Let's Go! #GetGoing #MC #Snacktime #sponsored

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Jif To Go Dippers. I received a sample to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

Today we were doing a bunch of yard work... oh, the leaves! Autumn brings some beautiful colors, but a lot of work, too! We had the kids helping out, Nolyn was a huge help- he even tried to help us blow the leaves. All this "hard work" creates an appetite! 

We needed a mid afternoon snack, and Jif To Go was there to help!

The kids were very happy to try out these new treats... they all love peanut butter and pretzels (who doesn't?)!

Jif to Go Dippers are available at grocery stores nation wide and they come in two flavors, creamy peanut butter and chocolate silk peanut butter spread. Most of my family prefer the creamy peanut butter, the chocolate silk seemed a bit too sweet for me personally.

We're always needing quick snacks... we have football practices 3 nights a week, games on Saturdays, and we're always doing something, going somewhere. It's helpful to have a bundled snack that is something we can feel good about giving our children.

 Peanut butter is a great snack, too, since it satisfies hunger than many other prepackaged snacks we've had. With these being just a little over a dollar each, it's a snack that won't break the bank, either... even with a large family like ours.

Each Jif To Go Dippers package has individually sealed peanut butter and individually sealed pretzels. I like that they are individually sealed because we can use the pretzels at another time if we want to use the peanut butter for something else. I think these would be absolutely fantastic to have for a camping trip and picnics!

What flavor do you think you would prefer?
 Creamy Peanut Butter, or Chocolate Silk Peanut Butter Spread?

For more information, tips and recipes, find Jif on Facebook , Twitter, Pinterest and Jif.com. 

#BabyMantra #GoodStuff for #Baby! #Sponsored

I participated in Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Baby Mantra. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Our littlest, Orrin, who is 14 months old currently, has lovely baby skin. You know, that super soft, oh so kissable baby skin. Well, I want to keep it that way! We have eczema in our family, so we try to keep that at bay and hopefully avoid it with children who haven't had an issue with it yet. To do so, we try to keep bathing to at-needed basis and use very mild, gentle formulas- especially for the babies. 

Baby Mantra has a very gentle formula that we have really enjoyed using. 

All of the products have a very, very mild scent to them- none of them were over powering at all. I like that there is a little (natural) scent, but nothing overpowering. 

 Baby Mantra is a certified natural, cruelty-free and gluten-free baby skincare line that offers environmentally conscious products from ingredients to packaging. These products were created by two sisters on a mission to provide safe and ecologically sound skincare, and they've done a great job. All products are made in the U.S. and are inspired by all-natural home-based remedies.

Baby Mantra is available on Amazon.com, at BabiesRUs.com, and select Walgreens stores. 

The newborn shampoo and body wash is our favorite product. It's just what you want when you are wanting to give your baby that nice, soothing, gentle bath. The massage oil is my second favorite Baby Mantra product. It has a lovely light scent. I use this right after bath time, and it's helped keep Orrin's skin very soft! 

If you are looking to give your baby a very soothing, very natural and gentle bath experience I would highly recommend Baby Mantra.

Jif To Go #GetGoing #MC #sponsored

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Jif To Go Dippers. I received a sample to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

From August 20 through October 1, 2014, Jif To Go is celebrating life on-the-go by asking fans to share a picture of how they get going in the #GetGoing photo promotion. Fans can enter each week for a chance to win $1,000 to use for their next adventure!

Where would you go if you had an extra $1,000?  I want to know! Please tell me where your most longed for destination is! 

We would love to go on a road trip... and an extra $1,000 would buy us some serious miles! We've always wanted to take the kids to see the Redwood Forest. The tall trees and history of the forest would be something that would leave us in awe. Have you been to the redwood forest?

Image Source

We'd love to take a long road trip and see a lot of national parks, but the Redwood Forest has really piqued all of our interest. It'd be a long drive from Michigan, but with so much to see on the way I know it would be a great memory for all of us. 

Road trips can be kind of tricky, though. I mean, you can't stop all the time for snacks. Jif To Go Dippers are a great road trip snack, though. Tucked away in it's own little package, you find a cup of pretzels and a cup of your favorite peanut butter (or chocolate silk peanut butter)! Great for dipping and enjoying- and less mess!

These are seriously tasty, and the perfect portion size, too. You don't have to worry about eating too much since it is all measured out for you. I may have been guilty of over indulging on the peanut butter in the past... so these are especially great for me!

For more product information and details on how to participate in the Jif To Go #GetGoing promotion, please visit http://www.jif.com and check out Jif on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The #GetGoing photo promotion is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. See Official Rules for complete details.

Boost their confidence with #TRUFITBetterNites! #MC #Giveaway #sponsored

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for GoodNites* TRU-FIT*. I received samples for this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Bedwetting.... if you have children, you've probably dealt with this issue at least once, but what if it is frequent occurrence? It can be a difficult thing to deal with. 

According to a GoodNites® brand study, it’s estimated that 1 in 6 children between the ages of 4-12 in the United States suffer from nocturnal enuresis, more commonly known as bedwetting. 

We've had a fair amount of trouble with two of our boys and night time dryness. We've been told by their pediatrician that it's something they will just have to grow out of (there's nothing wrong physically, so nothing more that we can do). 

We do try to help them, no drinks after dinner, using the bathroom right before bed, but that still doesn't help them not be embarrassed at sleep overs and camp. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that psychologically, children who wet the bed do not want to participate in fun activities, such as sleepovers, because of their fear and embarrassment. GoodNites* TRU-FIT* is the answer to their embarrassment. 

GoodNites* TRU-FIT* are just like real underwear. Really, I don't think anyone could tell any different when a child is wearing them. They have a secret waterproof pocket that holds a disposable pad. GoodNites* TRU-FIT* is machine-washable, real underwear with disposable, absorbent inserts that help keep sheets and PJs dry all night.

You can download a GoodNites* TRU-FIT* coupon for $3 off at http://www.goodnites.com/ourproducts/goodnites-trufit/ 

  

The GoodNites* TRU-FIT* Underwear Starter Pack includes two pair of underwear, and 5 disposable pads. 

GoodNites* TRU-FIT* have been great for our kids. We did have one leak, and I'm guessing that it was just because our son was laying on his side with a gap in the underwear. Otherwise, it has saved us a lot of time and laundry. The disposable pad refills are somewhat expensive but by not doing laundry you are saving money- and you can't put a price on a child's confidence. You can also find a coupon here to help with the cost.

GIVEAWAY!

We're offering up a $40 gift card for one lucky reader! Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Father's Day! #AveenoDad #MC #Sponsored

My husband is amazing. Really. He's the best father I've ever met. People always ask me how "I" do it when they see us out with the kids, but the truth is, "I" don't. I'm not the at-home parent. I work outside the home and my husband does not. We truly have to work together to raise the children, and while it's not always sunshine and roses, it is very rewarding.... it's especially rewarding to me to see the children interact with their dad.

Raymond (my husband) has always been very engaging with our children. He loves to play and be silly with them, which they adore and return so much love to him. From making breakfast with sound effects to a calming bedtime bath, he's there to help make it special.

Orrin isn't a huge fan of baths, and they are short and sweet, but Raymond tries to make them as soothing as he can with lots of fun afterward. While he was fussy during bath time, extra special tickles and lotion can make up for the frightening water. You can see the love on Orrin's face for his daddy after his bath...it's enough to make my heart melt. <3 p="">

Aveeno sent us samples of their baby wash and lotion to try out with our little ones. We've used Aveeno products in the past, so we were pretty familiar with them, and we knew we'd enjoy them. They were wonderful, as expected. The light scent of the baby wash is nice, and the unscented lotion is great for sensitive skin.  Aveeno products definitely help Daddy keep bath-time gentle, and we'd definitely recommend the products.

I hope all Dads out there have had a wonderful Father's Day! Remember to hold your children tight and never forget to tell them how much you love them. 

Reebok #Skyscape #sponsored #MC

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Reebok. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

You may have seen all the hype about Reebok's new Skyscape shoes. They are said to be so comfortable that you'll forget wearing them. They come in several colors that can complete nearly any outfit, and they are a good everyday shoe. Skyscape features 360 degrees of foam comfort and they are super light.

I went online to Kohls.com and ordered myself my usual size, 9.5, in Gray. My order came quickly, and I was very excited to try these out. I have to admit, I am definitely more of a flip-flop style shoe girl, but I am required to wear actual shoes at work, so I had really high hopes for the Reebok Skyscape shoes.

The first thing I noticed is that they were, indeed, very light. Only 5 ounces. I like light... I am on my feet or driving all day long, and a heavy shoe (or boot... like I had all winter long) makes for very tired feet and legs. 

The upper material is... odd? It'd definitely different. I would highly recommend you go to the store and check it out. It's stretchy and really hugs your feet. I had to loosen the laces since I felt these shoes were just too narrow. Once I loosened them up a bit, it wasn't as bad, but I still think they are awfully narrow- especially in the toe. I would love to see a wide size available for these!

The sole of the shoe is super fun. I love the design and I really think it helps your foot flex how your foot is supposed to flex while walking. 

The support of the insole really disappointed me. The Skyscape shoes feature Skyspring technology, a unique design architecture designed to help support the foot and provide all day comfort. While the insole is soft, there seems to be very little (if any) arch support. I have a fairly high arch, so this is a huge deal for me. I was really hoping that after wearing these for a while that the sole would form to my foot, but it hasn't as of yet. However, I have noticed that my feet have not ached as much at the end of the day as they do when I wear other shoes that I own.

I did notice that the shoes made my feet very hot. I am not sure if it's because I choose to wear them without socks, or if it's the material they are made with. I can't wear these shoes with socks because they feel too tight for me. A huge plus for these shoes is that you can wear them without socks because they are machine washable. This is my favorite thing about these shoes... I get muddy, and sweaty, and... well, my feet just go through a lot every day while delivering the mail, and a washable shoe is amazing. I have not yet tried to wash these shoes, but knowing I can when I need to is great.

The style of the shoe is cute and fun, it's sporty, but not so sporty that you can't wear it with casual-dress items. These shoes don't look out of place with some khaki shorts and a nice blouse, or with your jeans and a tee. The Skyscape shoes would definitely look great with your workout clothes while running errands before your trip to the gym.

Overall, I would highly recommend going to the store to try these shoes on. I think they will be amazing for most women, but if you have a wide foot, or need extra arch support, you will likely do better to go to the store and see if they work for you.

She's a hero. #MyHeroMom #MC

I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating  

I am a mother. I love being a mother, but one of my biggest fears is that one of my children will have something horrible happen to them. I just can't imagine it (nor do I want to). There are a lot of moms out there who are heroes... but I want to tell you about one mother in my life (although not my mother) who is absolutely amazing.

My friend's little boy had been complaining about pain in his leg for a bit, but it seemed to be getting worse. His mother and my friend, Nadia, had messaged me about this. We discussed growing pains and normal childish whining, but Nadia knew it was more. In a better-safe-than-sorry way, she took her son, Aidan, to the hospital. The hospital didn't have immediate answers for them, they said it was a bone infection, and then it wasn't. They sent Aidan to Devos Children's hospital for more clear answers.

Nadia received the news that her son had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer. I can't imagine all the feelings that rushed through her after that diagnosis came through... but over the next four years I watched her, and her family, go through treatments. While they definitely had their moments of hardships and struggles, I also watched their family grow and turn so much negative into a whole lot of positive.  I don't think that it could have been possible without Nadia, so that is why she's #MyHeroMom.

Nadia quit her job as a CNA and dedicated her time to her children. There were a lot of long trips to the hospital and a lot of dealing with side effects of all the medication, but Nadia always seemed to focus on the positive. She really is an inspiration. Through the years she has really showed her strength. 

 

Happy Mother's Day, Nadia.

And a very happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there. We're a lot stronger than we think. 

From now until May 13 Northwestern Mutual is rallying sons, daughters and those who want to honor their own “heroic” moms or mother figures by uploading images of them to Twitter, Instagram and/or Facebook with the hashtag: #myheromom.

For each social action (image upload, Facebook share and like, tweet and retweet) generated by consumers the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate $5 to its nonprofit partner, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), up to $50,000 for childhood cancer research!

To learn more about the #MyHeroMom initiatives please check out the video below:

Upload your images today using the #MyHeroMom Facebook App

Please be sure to tag the image with the #MyHeroMom hashtag.

A Bit Stuffed Up. #FreeSample #MC sponsored

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Zarbee’s Naturals. I received a promotional item and a product sample as a thank you for participating.

I've been talking about Spring a lot lately.... I suppose you can say I am pretty happy it's here. I love Spring, but for many it's a time of suffering with congestion. I personally know that Spring can bring with it a stuffy nose and congestion, not only for myself but for my kids too. There's a new all natural product out there that may help relieve your seasonal congestion...

Zarbee's Naturals has launched the Seasonal Relief Project. Zarbee's Seasonal Relief is a new solution with clinical support for combating general congestion. This dietary supplement is made from the extract of Butterbur, a plant used for centuries in Europe, but less so in the U.S.

 Butterbur is both a humble weed and a powerful plant. Butterbur grows wild along rivers, ditches and marshes worldwide, though ours comes from farms in Germany. Its sparse, red flowers shoot up in early spring, followed by huge, heart-shaped leaves.

Europeans have benefited for centuries from its effective properties, but it's less well known in the U.S. So Zarbee's is working hard to get the word out about this great, natural solution featuring the power of natural Butterbur.

You can get your free sample and a $3 off coupon by visiting the site and clicking "try now".

You can also get some tips at the site and... once you've tried Zarbee's Naturals you can come back and tell them about it and they will donate to a good cause- just for you taking the time to let them know what you thought!

Zarbee’s Naturals’ Seasonal Relief is available over the counter at CVS and Target. Zarbee's is intended for children 12 years of age and older. If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult a doctor before use. And please, keep this and all supplements out of the reach of children.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

It'll make you want to finish each other's..... sandwiches! #Recipe

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Roman Meal. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Hope you got my little Frozen play on words there. Yes, yes, it's struck our house too we can't hide from "Let it Go" or any other catchy song that may or may not mention finishing each other's sandwiches.... but while we're thinking of sandwiches, what's a pretty important component to sandwiches? The bread, of course!

Roman Meal bread is is always baked fresh, locally with more many regional bakeries across the United States to delivering freshly baked bread to your local grocery store.

Roman Meal's whole grains are a good source for vitamin D, calcium, and fiber! Studies have shown whole grain intake may reduce the risk of heart disease, so it's wise to try to add in some whole grains to your diet. Good tasting bread is a great way to do this. 

But....bread isn't just for sandwiches, oh no. There a ton of great recipes that will help you get creative with Roman Meal bread!  I really wanted to make the Raspberry Hazelnut Toast Bites, but I didn't have everything I needed so I decided on the Chocolaty Whole Grain Cinnamon Toast Treats instead.

(Click the recipe to go to the recipe page)

Okay, so they might not be the healthiest treat, but a little whole grain into an indulgence at least boosts it up a bit, right? The kids loved these, and I preferred them without the chocolate. Either way they're tasty! 

Now, how about some contests? First, Roman Meal’s Baked Fresh Sweepstakes is going on through April 30th. One grand prizewinner will receive $2,500; several others will win free bread coupons! Be sure to sign up for the Roman Meal newsletter to keep up to date with future promotions as well!

What is your favorite way to eat/use bread?