These Boots Were Made For....Trick Or Treating!

I have poured through many Halloween Costume sites recently. I have found lots of great costumes and accessories for kids! Many of them stock some of the same items. But for adults, the pickings are pretty slim unless you want a slim fitting, curve hugging gown or an under-the-big-top circus tent. I don't dress up for Halloween, but one thing is for certain. If I did, I would not look too attractive squeezed into a sexy vampire costume. I have way too many curves for that. But not enough that I want to hide under the big top either. Costumes Inc. has adult costumes for men and women, full figured and plus sizes, and the costumes are quite attractive! They also have sexy, form fitting costumes, and surprisingly, I found great maternity Halloween Costumes!

Costumes Inc. has quite a few categories which make shopping both fun and easy. Logan was sent a Prince Caspian Sword and a pair of Pirate Boots for review in exchange for this review. The sword was packaged with care and it arrived in one long box. The boots were shipped separately. The sword was pretty sturdy and Logan enjoyed his play sword fights. He pointed the tip down and used it as a cane and it held up without any damage. It is pretty intricate compared to other swords that I have found online. We were really happy with the overall appearance and quality. The boots were well made. While they were not sumptuous Italian leather, they were very comfortable and Logan loved wearing them. Even though they are pirate boots, they look great with his Prince Caspian costume! The boots don't seem to run small either. I was a bit worried about that when I ordered Logan's size. It seems that he was left with a little room to grow, but not so much that his boots slipped.

Costumes Inc. has one of the best selections for kids, babies, toddlers, and adults. They even have a costume for Fido. Many costumes are unique and I haven't found them on other sites, which is quite refreshing. I like original! Visit Costumes Inc. and leave the skeletons in the closet. You won't need them, not with the huge selection of Halloween costumes and accessories that you'll find there!

Brush Up On Brushing!

How should you care for your children's teeth? Here are a few tips to help you brush up on oral care!

• Children and adults should brush for two full minutes at least twice daily and floss every day. Parents should supervise or assist with brushing and flossing their children's teeth to ensure proper technique.
• Children should visit the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts.
• Clean your baby's gums with a soft cloth or infant style brush. You should also clean off the pacifier with water and only use water in sippy cup at bedtime. Never give your baby a bottle of milk at bedtime after teeth have erupted.
• Toss the toothbrush after three months of use.

courtesy of Delta Dental Plans Association

OAK BROOK, IL (September 24, 2009) – Most American children don’t see their family dentist until they are well over 2 years old, far later than is recommended by both dental and medical professionals.

That’s one of the key findings from a survey[1] of American children’s oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association, the nation’s leading dental benefits provider. Delta Dental commissioned the survey to gain greater knowledge about the state of children’s oral health.

The survey of primary caregivers revealed that, for those children who had seen a dentist – and 34 percent had not – the average age at the initial visit was 2.6 years. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

Importance of Primary Teeth Not Recognized

Among children who have never visited the dentist or who have not seen a dentist in the last 12 months, the most mentioned reason (62 percent) was that “the child is too young” or “doesn’t have enough teeth yet.” Lack of insurance coverage was cited by 12 percent of the caregivers.

According to the AAPD, it is very important to keep primary teeth in place until they are lost naturally. “Baby” teeth:
· Help children chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
· Are involved in speech development.
· Help save space for permanent teeth.
· Promote a healthy smile that helps children feel good about the way they look.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that care for a child’s gums should begin at birth. According to the Delta Dental survey, 35 percent of caregivers clean their baby’s gums just a few times a week, or less.

Caregivers should gently wipe the baby’s gums with a soft, wet cloth after each feeding. When primary teeth begin to appear, they should be cleaned with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of children’s toothpaste, twice a day.

“Many Americans don’t understand how important their children’s baby teeth are to lifelong oral health,” said Jed J. Jacobson, DDS, MS, MPH, chief science officer and senior V.P. at Delta Dental. “There’s a continuing need for more education to teach practices that will ensure lifelong oral health. And, since people overwhelmingly prefer the dentist and dental hygienist as their primary oral health information sources, dental benefits that encourage visits to the dentist are crucial.”

The not-for-profit Delta Dental Plans Association (www.deltadental.com) based in Oak Brook, Ill., is the leading national network of independent dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs to more than 54 million Americans in more than 89,000 employee groups throughout the country. In 2007, Delta Dental formed a partnership with the National Head Start Association to help improve the oral health of the nation’s children at a critical time in their development.


[1] Morpace Inc. conducted the 2009 Delta Dental Children’s Oral Health Survey. Random 15-minute telephone interviews were conducted nationally with 914 primary caregivers of children from birth to age 11. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of error is ±3.2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.


Expert Bio

Jed J. Jacobson, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H.
Senior Vice President, Professional Services, and Chief Science Officer
Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana

Dr. Jed J. Jacobson is the senior vice president of Professional Services and chief science officer of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. In this position, Dr. Jacobson oversees the administration of Professional Review and Professional Relations, and directs the Delta Dental Research and Data Institute, which is dedicated to the application of scientific evidence to improve dental plan design. Dr. Jacobson is an expert in dental research whose areas of focus include the linkage between oral and systemic health and the cost-effectiveness of dental services. Prior to joining Delta Dental in 2001, Dr. Jacobson was an associate professor, assistant dean for community and outreach programs and interim chair of oral medicine, oral pathology and oral oncology at The University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He also served The University of Michigan School of Dentistry in a variety of academic appointments.

Dr. Jacobson has been selected by the American Dental Association (ADA) to serve as a course coordinator and instructor for the ADA’s five-year continuing education program for dentists aimed at increasing their role in the prevention and detection of oral cancer.

He is a member of the board of trustees of the American Academy of Oral Medicine. Dr. Jacobson is also a member of the American and International Associations of Dental Research, American Dental Association, Washtenaw District Dental Society, Pierre Fauchard Academy and the International College of Dentists. He serves as an advisor to the Washtenaw County College Dental Assisting Program. Dr. Jacobson was appointed in 2005 as an adjunct clinical associate professor and a member of the dean’s faculty at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

Dr. Jacobson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan Technological University, a D.D.S. degree from The University of Michigan, a master’s degree (M.S.) in oral diagnosis-radiology from The University of Michigan, and a master’s degree (M.P.H.) in health service administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. He operated general dentistry practices in Livonia and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Parents And Children. Do They See Eye To Eye?

I remember my mom taking me to the eye doctor when I was in high school. She took my little brother at the same time. We never made regular eye doctor appointments growing up, mostly because my mom thought we could see just fine. One day my brother was out with my dad. My dad was trying to point something out to my brother and he never saw it. Appointments were made and it was discovered that we both needed corrective lenses. When we sat down and picked out glasses, and I was given the choice of taking home contacts. My brother wasn't. His vision was terrible and his glasses were a bit thick. My mom was sure that contacts would not be a good option because he would need to care for them and his eyes on a daily basis. He was also seven years younger than me. Most parents assume that younger children either are not capable or responsible enough. One look at my brother was all it took to see the disappointment. I think that some children are so self conscious, they would do just about anything for a pair of contacts. Glasses are a drastic change and they alter your outward appearance. If you are already a little uncomfortable in your own skin, throw in a pair of glasses and see what it can do. My brother had changed schools and now he was trying to fit in. It did not take long before he convinced my mom to order contacts. Did he take care of them? Yes. There were a few times that he would sleep in them and his eyes would become irritated, but hasn't that happened to most wearers at some point in their contact lenses wearing life? He learned, just like the rest of us. If you trust your child to brush their teeth, I think you can trust a child with contacts. But that's my opinion. It's all about teaching your children proper care and storage, hand washing and sanitation. When your children ask for contacts, you might want to reconsider. Most doctors give out trial pairs and they can be helpful. It will give you the opportunity to see if your child is willing to take on the responsibility. I am not against glasses, I am wearing a pair as we speak. Some kids don't mind wearing glasses. Some do. Talk to your children and make the choice together.

Some Statistics:

"While more than half (56 percent) of parents of vision corrected children who do not wear contact lenses say that their child is interested in wearing contacts, nearly one-third of these parents (31%) say they have never considered contact lenses for their child, and another 27 percent say they have not given the matter serious consideration.

Parents of a child who currently wears glasses say that their child dislikes wearing glasses (42%), does not always wear them when he/she should (41%), and sometimes feels self-conscious when wearing them (40%). Half (50 percent) say that their child would rather be wearing contact lenses.

So, why are some parents reluctant to let their children wear contacts?

Four-in-ten (40 percent) parents responding to the survey say that they are not comfortable with contact lenses for children. Two contributing factors to parents’ unwillingness to consider contacts – 77 percent think that glasses are easier to keep clean and take care of than contacts and half (54 percent) are concerned about their child’s ability to take care of their contact lenses. Forty-two percent of respondents, however, say they have no real worries about their child wearing contacts.

“The growing body of research in children’s vision correction continues to demonstrate that contact lenses provide collateral benefits to children beyond simply correcting their vision, and that concerns about contact lens problems in these age groups are largely unfounded,” explains Mary Lou French, O.D., F.A.A.O., M.Ed. “Studies demonstrate that children who need refractive error correction are capable of wearing and caring for soft contact lenses and should be presented with the option of contact lens wear when vision correction is required,” says Dr. French, who has been taking care of children’s eyes for 32 years in her Illinois-based practice.

Two-thirds (66 percent) of survey respondents report that whatever their eye doctor recommends is the right choice for their child’s vision correction. However, a large majority of these parents (62 percent) believe that the choice for vision correction should correspond with what the child wants. “Doctors will typically evaluate a child’s maturity and level of parental support in deciding whether the child is ready for contact lenses,” adds Dr. French.

Among parents surveyed, the average starting age for contact lens wear is 13 years old. However, parents believe that girls are ready to start wearing contact lenses at an earlier age than boys. About one-in-five (18 percent) of survey respondents with female children who currently wear glasses say that their child is extremely interested in contacts, compared to only eight percent of respondents with male children. “Research shows that for girls, in particular, a switch from glasses to contact lenses, may result in improvement in self-perception,” says Dr. French.

More than half of parents surveyed (54 percent) agree that glasses and contact lenses complement each other for part time wear. Overall, 41 percent of parents believe that contact lenses are a good occasional alternative to glasses for certain activities, with 75 percent of respondents stating that contacts are a better choice than glasses for playing sports. One-fourth of respondents (24 percent) say that their child currently wears both glasses and contacts.

Other findings from the survey, which assessed attitudes and perceptions of parents as they relate to their children’s vision care options, included the following:

• Top areas in which survey respondents believe that vision correction provides improvement for their child include academic performance (78 percent), confidence (58 percent) and self-esteem (51 percent).
• The majority of parents surveyed (85%) say they are at least “somewhat satisfied’ with their child’s vision correction at school. However, only 63 percent are satisfied with their child’s current vision correction for sports.
• About nine in ten (88%) parents whose children wear contact lenses say that their child wears soft lenses. About half (48%) say that their child wears lenses that are worn daily and are replaced every one to two weeks. Another 40% say that their child wears lenses that are worn daily and replaced monthly. Additionally, 10% say their child wears single-use contact lenses that are worn once and then thrown away at the end of the day. Only 2% say their child wears hard/gas permeable contact lenses.

The survey was conducted by Fairfield Research among members of the Good Housekeeping Reader Advisory Panel on behalf of ACUVUE^® Brand Contact Lenses. The purpose of the survey was to gauge the attitudes and perceptions of parents as they relate to their children’s vision care options among a nationally representative population of parents with vision-corrected kids ages 8-17. Survey responses are based on a pool of 564 responses from parents who have at least one child age 8-17 who requires vision correction."

ACUVUE^® is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

Dr. French is a paid consultant for VISTAKON^®.

Back To School Brush Up!!!

"Back to School Brush-Up"

Now that children have headed back-to-school to begin new lessons in math, science and geography to name a few, renowned Dentist Dr. Daniel C. Smith of Focus Dentistry thought it would be the perfect time to give parents a quick lesson as well - on how to properly teach children to brush their teeth!

"It is absolutely amazing how many parents and children have no idea how to brush their teeth," says Dr. Smith "I am always surprised by this huge number--as many as 75 percent--because improper brushing can result in as much damage to your teeth and gums as not brushing at all."

In order to ensure your kids are properly brushing their teeth and preventing unnecessary cavities and gum disease, Dr. Smith urges you teach your kids the following:

• The most important time to brush is before going to sleep because the body does not produce enough saliva to fight against sugars in the mouth says Dr. Smith. All bodily functions slow down while sleeping, therefore, bacteria grows rapidly, causing cavities and infection

• There are many types of toothbrushes on the market today, including electric, ultrasonic, ionic and the "normal/standard" toothbrushes, but Dr. Smith thinks that mechanical options show better results than standard ones. Regardless, Dr. Smith believes that a toothbrush should be soft bristled, regardless of size or shape

• Dr. Smith recommends anti-plaque, high fluoride toothpaste containing little or no abrasives. Abrasives wear out the enamel in teeth, which may look sparkly white but may be unhealthy. As far as gel or paste toothpaste, that is your child’s personal preference

• According to Dr. Smith, flossing should be done daily. Unfortunately, most people floss three or four times weekly. Flossing at night is very important to reach food particles that have remained in the mouth after eating all day

• Finally, even if your children are following a proper routine, still be sure to schedule your child regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and oral exams. A check-up every six months is recommended by Dr. Smith in order prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.

credit:media source kmrpr

Speaking Of Teeth

My cousin is a wonderful dentist and her office is located in Valdosta, Georgia. She is putting together some great information for us and I hope to post it soon! In the meantime, I will be posting some information from another dentist, but I always listen to family first. I trust her with my parents, myself and my children. She is always full of knowledge and sound advice. I hope to share a few of her tips and general knowledge soon!

Those Notorious Sonicare Mouth Tickles Are Coming To A (Smaller) Mouth Near You!

We are a family of Sonicare users, thanks to the new Sonicare for kids! My mom and my dad began using Sonicare years ago. I received my first as a Christmas gift while I was in high school. Before I married my husband, I gifted him with one too! I remember the first week or two that I used mine. Those crazy mouth tickles were almost too much to handle! But the stimulation my gums felt, and the deep down clean, made my mouth healthier than it had ever been before! After having kids, I decided they would use a battery operated toothbrush when they could begin brushing on their own. Logan has been using one for a few years now, but I know that it was never quite good enough. When he flosses, or I floss for him, his gums were not as strong and healthy as mine. When we were contacted to review the new Sonicare for Kids, I was ecstatic! Here's a little more info:

Philips Sonicare For Kids features custom modes (60 and 40 percent less powerful than Sonicare FlexCare) for different phases of development to ensure a gentle, yet effective clean

• Low mode – For children ages 4 – 7
• High mode – For children ages 7 – 10

Philips Sonicare For Kids features unique design that encourages interdependence

• Ergonomic handle fits easily in child’s hand
• Two gripping locations for training with an adult and independent brushing
• Easy-to-find on/off button makes it simple to locate and press
• Anti-roll feature allows for easy toothpaste application
• Interchangeable front design panels so kids can change the look of their brush
• Age-appropriate brush heads, available in two sizes, help accommodate children’s development

(credit Sonicare For Kids media site)

As soon as it arrived, I wasted no time in setting it up. The next morning, Logan chose one of three different stylish panels/plates to customize his toothbrush. After application, he admired the new look and loaded his brush with a little paste as I stepped back to watch. The familiar buzzing made him feel more grown up. He has always asked when he would be able to get a brush like mine. Now he thinks his is much cooler! Putting the brush to his teeth, he squirmed and wriggled, laughing as his gums were getting the message that they were in for the time of their life. Little beeps told him when to change quadrants. There are 2 modes. One is for ages 4 and up, the other is for 7 and up. There are also two brushes, one for each setting. After using the Sonicare, he told me how great his mouth felt. I did a quick inspection and was pleased with the results. A few weeks later, the tickles have faded into memories, along with the occasional bleeding gums from flossing. His gums are healthier than they have ever been. Visit them online for more information and to purchase from the Philips company store! Online shoppers can order/preorder from Amazon! You can also pick one up at a Target Store in October!

Nestle Winners!!!

The winners of the Nestle Giveaway are.....

denyse- you won great coupons for great Nestle Products!

AND

mom2anutball-enjoy those great Mead Products!!!

Winners! Check your inbox!

Uncle Sam Wants YOU! Giveaway!

Uncle Sam Cereal has been around quite a while. 1908 to be exact. I have often seen the red, white, and blue box in my grocery store but never gave it much thought. I always picked up the more talked about cereals that constantly advertise until we end up talking about them in our sleep. After being asked to review Uncle Sam Cereal, it is obvious where there money has been going. They put there money where their mouth is. Literally. My husband and I tried the Original. The little flakes on the box promised to be 100% whole wheat with a hefty 10g of fiber. It's made with Flaxseed and it boasts healthy heart benefits thanks to Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Physician created, this simple appearing cereal has a rich taste. We were given a box to do this review and Uncle Sam wants you! Wants you to try it, that is! One lucky US winner will receive 2 boxes of this healthy cereal and a coupon keeper. To enter, visit their site and tell me which of their products you would like to try! Leave your answer in a comment! Follow me for an additional entry! If you follow me with Networked Blogs, leave two additional comments. Add me to your Technorati Faves or Stumble this post for two additional entries! Blog about this giveaway and link to this post and Uncle Sam Cereal for five extra entries! Be sure to leave the link in each additional comment! Giveaway ends midnight October 5, 2009! US Residents only. Good Luck!

Simply Chickie, Simply Chic

I love clothes, however, I rarely indulge in the female ritual of meeting up with my girlfriends and hitting all the sales. To me, online shopping is best. I can sit at my computer, sip a cup of hot tea and browse an endless selection. There are no bags to carry, no aching feet or tightly packed parking lots filled with women on a mission or miserable men waiting on wives and girlfriends. Since making the jump from me to mommy, the new and I hope improved version of me, I have a new passion. It takes the form of tiny tees and onesies and little knotted hats. Baby and toddler clothes to be exact.
I love discovering new designers. Sometimes, I find a site that brings me to a screeching halt. Meet Simply Chickie. Glorious brainchild of Gwen Designs. Clever graphics that bring a smile to my lips. I received a "Plays Well With Others" onesie just for Sam in exchange for this review. It was a tough choice to pick just one. I also loved "Inside Me I've Got" onesie. From the moment I read green stuff, dog hair, and something about a raisin, I knew I'd found a winner in this site.
The onesie that we received was just a little large for Sam. I ordered it that way. I would say that it is true to size. The organic onesie is soft, just like a well worn tee. The great news is that it gets better with time. Wash after wash, the graphics maintain their colors and so far there are no signs of wear. I hate buying tees with graphics only to have them shed their designs after a few washes! I have been really pleased! Artistic talent runs deep in her lines, and Gwen has created a masterpiece in Simply Chickie. She is definitely showing the world not only her true colors, but unique designs and a brilliant spark of G rated humor. She has read the minds of defiant toddlers and foretold events on many of her tees. Visit her and see what I mean!

Home

For the past few months, I have had a glimmer of hope. Just a little one, but enough to keep me going. My husband is on vacation and we are spending our days at "the house" without complaints. We call it the house because it confuses Logan when we say we are going home. We had to separate the two to avoid any mix ups. This is the third vacation that he has taken since our difficult journey began. My husband is spending this vacation the same way he spent the others. He gets up every morning and heads to the house. After I answer my emails, prepare a blog post, read to my children, and finish our homeschool lessons, we meet him and begin again. Yesterday was bittersweet. Sam is eighteen months old and yesterday was the first time he walked across our kitchen floor. I was almost moved to tears watching him explore this new space with curious delight. I was sad that it took this long to see his bare feet dance across the floors in a home that we work so hard for.I know it's only September, but for the past two months I have been singing I'll Be Home For Christmas in my head. Today the music stopped. My husband was removing a few wooden floor boards and found that our subfloor was partially ruined in one area. He is working on replacing it, but it is another setback for us. Our floor is destroyed. I suspected this, but my dear husband was in denial. It was hard to see him accept that loss. His last gift from his grandmother lay in ruins at his feet. Another test, but our faith will not waiver. I am praying for a miracle. It's a good thing I believe!Our goal is to move in by Christmas. It will be nice to pay for one home instead of two. I have a feeling this will be the most special Christmas ever. This experience has changed us all, hopefully for the better. We are closer than we have ever been and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for everything. We have a home, our health, and a wealth of happiness. We are being tested but I believe that we are given nothing that we can't handle. Hmmm. I think my song started playing again.

I'll be posting progress pictures soon!

My Own Little Prince!

It is difficult for me to find a costume that I really love. It seems that costumes are too plush, cover the face, or require lots of makeup. If you live in south Georgia, you know all of those are big no nos! It is usually hot and humid and the last thing you want is makeup in your child's eyes or a sweaty child. Sweaty children are usually irritable. At least they are around here. I have found THE perfect costume for Logan. The Deluxe Prince Caspian Costume from BuyCostumes.Com is really cool! They offer two versions of this costume. The deluxe features "chain mail" which is a mesh material. It covers your child's head and arms. Logan can stay cool (at least cooler) as the temperatures soar! The costume is easy on, easy off. I lifted it over Logan's head and he slid his arms in. Velcro closures are located on the back. The front features a "leather" material and "leather" adorns the shoulders and covers the wrists. The front also features two plastic buckles which at a distance, could pass for metal. Brown straps contrast against the black front and match the roomy brown pants. The pants were so comfortable that Logan wanted to wear them all day!

BuyCostumes.Com is a wonderful source for all of your Halloween needs! I may not be a fan of wigs and masks, and other ghoulish makeup and dress, but if you want it, they have it! I was really eyeing the princess and fairy costumes wishing I had a little girl to dress up! Adults can find a costume too! They even offer costumes for your pets! I love that you can order a costume AND all of your party supplies. One easy transaction, excellent customer service, and fast shipping. What could be better??? To disclose, BuyCostumes.Com sent us a Deluxe Prince Caspian Costume in exchange for this review, but you can get yours on sale now for under $25!

So. We know what I think. But what does our "real reviewer" think??? I'll let him tell you!

Clean Your Plates!

I received a Hana Flat Iron a few months ago and I have enjoyed using it. I don't use it that often because my hair is mostly straight. When I go out, I enjoy the polished look that it gives me, the increased shine, and the option to flip my ends up or under. After I received my flat iron, I was surprised to receive a package containing the Hana Styling Iron Cleaner!

The Hana Iron Cleaner is ideal for:

Use with flat irons, curling irons, and other heat styling tools
Keeps plates free of residue build-up from styling products
Improves hygiene, plate smoothness and heat distribution
Regular use prolongs life of plates
Safe to use on ceramic, tourmaline, titanium and gold surfaces

When I received my Hana Styling Iron Cleaner, my iron was still pretty much clean. I did heat it up and allow the plates to become warm, just to wipe them down with this product. Since my flat iron was in like new condition, I began a search around my house looking for things to clean. I came up with an older curling iron. I warmed the iron and then sprayed it down with my iron cleaner. I let it set for a few minutes on a towel and then returned to clean it with a soft rag. I was surprised at how little effort it took. My curling iron wasn't caked with product "gunk" but it wasn't pretty either. Hmmm. I needed a bigger challenge. I went to my moms and decided to grab her iron. She irons at least once a week and her iron needed help. It was due for a cleaning and it had product build up. I warmed the iron and began spraying. I place the iron on a towel and let it set for a few minutes. I returned and began to wipe off the iron "gunk." I removed about 50% of it the first treatment. I completed two more treatments before my mom's iron was as good as new. It took a little elbow grease the last time, but it was worth it. Chances are, your iron will never be that bad. Most likely, one treatment will be enough to clean your plates! Get yours here! Hana Styling Iron Cleaner took the good, the bad, and the ugly and made them new again!

Zhu Zhu Winner!!!

Congratulations Fionen! You won our Zhu Zhu Pets Giveaway! Please check your inbox and respond within 3 days!

I enjoyed reading all of your comments! Thank you for entering! Please check out my other giveaways and stay tuned for more!!!

Picked using random.org!

Fionen said...

Stumbled
username: Fionen

September 12, 2009 1:22 AM

Tomorrow, I Will Wake Up On The Other Side Of The Bed

Have you ever had one of those days where everything you do is wrong? Of course you have. Today is my day for mistakes and mishaps. This morning I awoke on my husband's side of the bed to Sam's piercing screams that would have had the neighbors peeking out of their windows if they had been home. But alas, it was already nine, and their work days had started. After only four hours of sleep, my day was beginning. too. Ready or not, this was it. Did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Possibly, and I am not taking any chances tomorrow. Maybe my woes result from my lack of sleep? Sam is teething and he is utterly miserable. He is burning with fever and I cannot tempt him with any of his usual treats. His moods are swinging from sad and sleepy to raging insomniac. Logan on the other hand has been quite the handful. Homeschooling is not without challenges. I just wish they would have happened any other day. Normally he gets up and begins his writing. Then he moves on to math, reading, history and science, followed by any other elective that we take on for the day. Today, he managed a few sentences and a little art, and that was after way too much prompting. It all has an impact on my day and it has resulted is several mental lapses that make me want to kick myself. From sending emails that had mistakes to cooking lunch and filling the entire house with smoke, today has been one heck of a day. I seriously need a rewind button. I had a couple of posts planned for today, but maybe it's best that I did not publish them? I am going to take a break for a few hours and re-evaluate my mental status. Hopefully I will get my posting done after the lights go out. Then all is quiet (hopefully) and I have only myself to blame if I post anything questionable!

2 Giveaways, 2 Winners, 1 Post- Back-2-School and A Healthier Breakfast With Nestle!

I have more costume reviews and Trick or Treats coming soon!


Don't forget about our Nestle giveaway! One of my readers will win a messenger bag filled with great Mead products!!! Another Reader will win coupons for $40 worth of great Nestle products! Enter here


Two winners will be chosen from comments left under that post using random.org! Deadline for entry (or multiple entries) is September 22-midnight EST!!!!

Back To School With Nestlé!

Nestle is a company that is very dear to my heart. Years ago, when my husband (then boyfriend) was in the Army, he bought lots of SweeTarts (one of my favorites) and mailed them to me. When he found out that I did not like the blue ones, he carefully removed each one. One simple gesture meant more to me than words can say. Years later, here we are. With kids of our own! Our oldest is already back in school! When Nestlé asked me to spread their message, I was so happy! Education is important to them and they have the perfect products to get your child going those busy school mornings! Nestlé is giving away a Start the day with a healthy breakfast package to one of my readers!

It includes:
Free coupons for:
Boost Kid Essentials
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Ovaltine
Recipe cards for different smoothies

Nestlé has also offered one of my readers a fabulous prize that they are currently giving away on their site! One of my reader's entries will be randomly chosen as a winner for the Mead five star messenger bag filled with products! That's two different prizes, one post! Lot's of entries!

At Nestlé, from now until September 30, enter to win the grand prize-$5000 for Back-to-School essentials and a $2000 Literacy Grant! A daily winner will win a great backpack filled with Mead products to make school a little more fun!

My giveaways end midnight September 22, 2009 and are open to US residents only! To enter, leave a comment and tell me what your back-to-school resolution is! Follow me for an additional entry! If you follow me with Networked Blogs, leave two additional comments. Add me to your Technorati Faves or Stumble this post for two additional entries! Blog about this giveaway and link to this post or register with Nestle for five extra entries! Leave a comment for each entry please! The Winner MUST respond to my email within 3 days of notification with shipping info.

One Giveaway post, two very special winners! Good Luck!

No One Lives Forever

Recently I was asked to review LegalZoom.com and was given the opportunity to create a will at no cost. From the time that my first child was born, I knew a will was something I should consider. I should have considered it before then, it just never seemed that important. I am young and death is so far from my mind, especially when life is blooming all around me. School, work, and another child later, I read an article online that made me think about wills again. It was quite frightening. My husband and I both decided that we would make completing a will our priority. The article told us what could happen in the event of our death. The thought of our children becoming wards of the state was almost too much to bear. Then, having the state decide where our children would reside was not an option. We knew what we wanted for our children because we had discussed it for years. We would want them to grow up with our values and ideals, and a very similar atmosphere to what we already have. About three days later, call it fate, maybe a little divine intervention, I was contacted to do this review. I sat down blindly and began the process. I say blindly because I have no legal knowledge and I have never tried to prepare a will. I clicked the option to create my will. In three easy steps, I would have my will. Seems like a no brainer! Here are the steps:

1. Complete simple online questionnaire.
2. LegalZoom reviews your answers and creates your custom Will.
3. Your LegalZoom Last Will is mailed to you within 48 hours.

Almost too good to be true. The questionnaire is a bit lengthy and very detailed. I was stumped on a few of the questions, but there are help buttons beside each question that could have come from the pages of Wills For Dummies, if it even exists. It broke everything down and on some of the questions, you could find out the percentage of people that opted for a particular option. You can skip around and complete the process at your own pace. I won't say the process is fun. I was near tears when I added my funeral/burial requests and a personal note to my children. After I completed the process, I waited on my will. A day later, I received and email. I apparently skipped around too much because I left a section blank. Nice catch!!! I easily signed back on to my account and filled in the blanks. This time I crossed my fingers. A few days later, my will arrived, looking so official! I guess it looks that way because it is a professional document. I saved hundreds of dollars. Speaking of saving money, there are three pricing options and you can read about them here. Now all I need to complete the process are two witnesses and a notary. LegalZoom was a simple process. They hold your hand the entire way. If you can read and follow instructions, you will have no problem. Just don't skip around and try to play with your kids at the same time! If you have kids (and even if you don't) LegalZoom can help you plan for your child's future if you cannot be there to share it. No one likes to think about it, but it is one of the most important decisions you can make.

LegalZoom offers many services! Check them out. You can save more than money with LegalZoom!

We Are Going Looney!

Warner Bros. has partnered with Safeway to help you keep your kids on the road to healthier eating! To disclose, we received a cool insulated lunch bag filled with great new products from Team Mom in exchange for this review! Inside the bag we found a large microwavable container of Ravioli, mixed berry bar, mixed fruit cup, and a bottle of apple juice. The ravioli isn't the greatest for school lunches, unless your child has access to a microwave. You could heat it before school and place it in an insulated thermos. I think it would be a hit at dinner! I heated the container and Logan sat down to eat. He really loved the pasta. It was a two serving container and Logan ate just over half. I love that the pasta was made with whole wheat! Next, he ate the contents of the fruit cup. The plastic lid was difficult to remove. I do not think a smaller child could remove it without assistance. After a little struggle, Logan was rewarded with naturally sweet fruit! Nature's candy! The fruit was delicious and it smelled wonderful! Logan loved the sweetness and told me that the peaches and cherries were his favorites! He also loved the pineapple! He took a few sips of apple juice and described it as refreshing. It's made from 100% juice and it provides 10% of your child's daily calcium! Moving on to his Kids Mixed Berry Milk Chocolate Coating Chewy Bars, he unwrapped the package and was treated to a chocolate surprise! The bar smells like fruity candy. There are specks of fruit throughout the bar and the back is coated with thick, rich milk chocolate. The bar was gone before I could taste for myself. I would buy these products for my children. I think that the packaging is brilliant. Logan loves cartoons, especially Looney Tunes, and if Daffy Duck can tempt my child to eat his veggies, I am all for it! Eating Right Kids, which is an offshoot of Safeway's Eating Right Line for adults, has been formulated to standards based on the latest dietary recommendations and regulations from federal and state agencies. Their goal is to have a positive impact on childhood obesity. Visit Safeway and treat your tastebuds (and your child's) to a healthier selection!

Halloween Is Creeping Up On Us! Visit Halloween Express And Get Ready!

What are you going to be for Halloween? If you know, chances are, Halloween Express has everything you need! If you haven't decided, you should really check out their selection. I was overwhelmed at the number of costumes that they have in stock!

At Halloween Express, you will find classic Halloween costumes ranging from blood sucking vampires to Werewolves howling at the moon. Fright night costumes for Princesses and Faeries, ghosts and ghoulish monsters can all be found. My favorites are the Tom Arma Animal Costumes for toddlers! We were sent an Elephant Costume in exchange for this review. Here's the list of features:

Heirloom Quality Costume. Fully lined in grey baby soft fabric.

Includes:

• Character headpiece with front Velcro closure, grey piped face opening, large ears, detailed trunk with pink accent and white soft tusks.


• Character bodysuit with back snap closure, in grey textured fine fabric, with sewn white toes on the cuffs.


• Character booties with white padded toes. To keep your booties in picture perfect condition, Tom recommends that booties should be used for indoor use only or on sitting little ones in strollers.

More than just a costume, learn and share facts about African and Asian Elephants with. “Critter Facts” provided by the National Wildlife Federation® on the package insert.

Care instructions: Machine wash cold, delicate cycle, line dry, do not bleach. 100% Cotton

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Insert printed using recycled paper. Poly Bag is recyclable.

100% of the electricity used to make this Tom Arma costume is offset with 100% Green-e Certified Renewable Energy.

Here is my little elephant below! Sam loves his costume. It fits him well! He loves his trunk. As you can see in the first video, it has captured his attention. The costume is lined in the softest grey material. I was concerned that Sam would be too hot, especially since the costume is so plush. It was around 84 degrees outside and he was in the costume for almost an hour before he showed any signs of being hot. The exterior of the costume is a high quality fabric, which is so unlike other costumes that I have seen. It really is heirloom quality. The slippers are a little big and when Sam began to really run, one fell off. We quickly slid it back on when we caught our little guy!
The costume seems to be comfortable and it doesn't restrict his movements. We were able to spot clean the garment without any problem. I was surprised at how clean it remained, even after Sam's run through the dirt! It is machine washable for added convenience.
The quality of this costume exceeded my expectations. There is no doubt in my mind that this costume would last and survive many Halloweens. Visit Halloween Express and browse their selection! If they don't have what you are looking for, I seriously don't think anyone will. All images, except of course, my little elephant are courtesy of Halloween Express!

Happy Belated Grandparents Day!

I'm late. The day slipped by and I never even noticed. Grandparent's Day is a day that normally just passes us by. In our busy lives, we are lucky to remember birthdays and major holidays. This year, I wanted to remember this important date. I am lucky that I have both of my grandmothers. One lives nearby and the other lives almost 2 hours away. She did live nearby, but circumstances changed. We live in a very rural area and there are not many neighbors. It can be very lonely. Especially when you are home relying on phone calls and visitors to drop in. I miss my grandmothers and wish that I could be around them more than I am. When one of my grandmothers became sick, I was told to stay away. Not by her, of course. But I understood why. Living nearby, I always helped with the little children when they came to visit. She loves us all, but sometimes hyper children get the best of her! To let her rest and recover, I kept my distance, but it has been very hard.
My children are very lucky. My parents are practically next door. They can watch my children grow up and we spend many weekend afternoons together. Most Fridays, Logan spends the night at their house. Since his grandpa works out of town during the week, it gives them time to bond. My husband's mom lives far away. I wish more than anything that she could be closer. She has done so much for our family, in so many different ways. She has held our family together at times without even realizing it. Without her, we would not be where we are today. Logan (and Sam) misses her terribly, and we all hope to see her again very soon. Often we get caught up with our own troubles and forget those that mean so much. Although I am a little late, I just wanted to say Happy Grandparents Day! We love you all!

With Pediped And Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wishes Really Do Come True!

Pediped footwear has raised $119,215 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation! They have exceeded all of their expectations for this single fundraiser, and it surpasses the total raised for all fundraisers combined that pediped hosted for the Foundation in 2008.
Help support them again beginning Oct. 25, 2009. Pediped will be hosting a new fundraiser, Stars for a Wish, in which the company will auction more than 50 celebrity-autographed shoes with 100 percent of money raised to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Among the wonderful celebrities who have signed shoes for the auction are Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Courteney Cox, Faith Hill, Jerome Bettis and David Ortiz.
Pediped became a national sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation out of a desire to care for children beyond their feet. To find out more about current and upcoming fundraisers, visit pediped.

About pediped®
pediped® footwear was launched in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth in their quest for the perfect soft-soled shoe for their first daughter. Exceptional quality, unsurpassed comfort and distinctive styling have made the award-winning company one of the fastest-growing children's footwear brands in the United States. Pediped® footwear is sold in over 2,500 stores in the United States and 40 countries worldwide with an offering of more than 120 designs for boys and girls between their two lines, Originals and Flex. Originals (soft-soled shoes for newborns to age 2+) and Flex (rubber-soled shoes for children 1-6 years) are available in EU sizes ranging from 17 to 29. For more information, visit www.pediped.com or call 1-702-567-0311.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

Out With The Mold, In With The New!

Well, not quite. We hope to be ready for the new very soon! This was our guest room closet. It was going to be Sam's nursery. Just before finding out that I was pregnant, we bought fabric to do a custom nursery. Beautiful blues and golden dragonflies. We knew we wanted another baby, we just did not expect it to happen so quickly. God had different plans it seems. Things never turn out the way you expect them to, especially in our family. I never used that fabric. I didn't have the heart. This was so depressing and going through this while pregnant was really tough. I would never wish it on anybody. It is getting easier now that we have hope. We were without it for so long. Even after we move back in, we will be far from finished. We will not be able to replace our roof until we settle with insurance companies or my husband finishes with nursing school, which by the way, he hasn't started yet. The roof is a major issue because it is patched right now. We are praying that it holds. Sam will be almost two before he spends his first night here! It's so hard to believe how much time has passed. We have a deposition in October, I am not sure how fast things will go after that. We were awarded a default judgement against the roofers. I am not holding my breath on collecting anything, at least not yet. I am so tired of the ups and downs. It seems the closer we get to anything, the wilder the ride becomes. I miss the kiddie rides with their gentle ups and downs! These big coaster rides make my stomach hurt.

This is also the guest room, compliments of the roofers and our last contractor we hired. He cut a hole in our roof just above this window. In South Georgia, when it rains it usually poors. In more ways than one, I am finding out. I remain focused on the future. Looking back, I have gained so much knowledge and maybe someone can learn from our experiences. Maybe some will just shake their heads that we were so naive. We were. My husband looked absolutely wonderful in his Hazmat gear while he removed this toxic garbage from our house. Most of it has been bagged and removed, including the OSB sheathing on the exterior of the house. We have bleached and scrubbed, and bleached and scrubbed until our fingers were raw. Almost everything is out, down to the studs, including the ceilings and blown in insulation! We still have the other side of the house to do, but we are halfway there and the progress is steady. My husband is taking another vacation to finish and afterwards, we will be ready to put up drywall. Oh how I miss the beach and our trips to NYC.

The weather is cooling off too. It was around 100 degrees when we worked on this. Below is the outside of our house after it was left by our contractor. We finally tore down everything bad and put up new Hardi-Plank siding. I haven't taken pictures yet, but it is on my to-do list. We also put our fountain back up and planted around it. Life is slowly returning to normal. Maybe that's a stretch, but I must remain positive. Our yard has taken a lot of work, but it is finally starting to look like people live here. I know several of our neighbors thought the house was abandoned or foreclosed upon. We hung on, but we did not have the time or the means to do anything before now. As soon as we finish removing the rest of the insulation, we are going to purchase an ozone generator. After much research, I found that it should kill off the remaining mold spores. We will still have it inspected when we can afford it, but that alone will cost another $1000. I will post more pictures soon. If you are just following along, you can read more about my sad story here!

Anytime Costumes Halloween Giveaway!!!!

Since 1954, Anytime Costumes.com has been making Halloween dreams come true. With an enormous selection of quality costumes, I was able to find exactly what I was looking for, and so much more! They are creative and carry so many unique costumes. From faeries and dragons, to vampires and monsters, you will have a hard time trying to decide!

We received the Child Transformers Optimus Prime Movie Costume in size 7-8. Logan is six and he wears a size 6 in tees and a size 7 pants (with a belt) even though they are slightly long. They just fit him better than a size 6. The deluxe jumpsuit is soft and Logan never complained about it being itchy or scratchy. The back of the costume is a silvery gray. It features a Velcro closure at the top. The chest of the jumpsuit is the same silvery gray, and the bottom half of the jumpsuit and the long sleeve arms are printed to look like the movie character. The mask is plastic and it covers the front of the face. The holes for the eyes match up pretty well, although we had to shift it around a few times. The chest piece is held in place with straps that Velcro. One set goes around the neck, the other set fastens around the waist. The straps were too Long for Logan (they might fit him when he is 7 or 8) and we remedied this by tying them and tucking the excess into the costume. The chest piece did not slip since it was tied securely. The toy weapon slides onto the arm and is held in place with Velcro. Even though the accessories are painted plastic, they look do a wonderful job completing the character 's look! Logan had a lot of fun with his costume. He is getting ready for the big day!

Just to disclose, we were given a costume in exchange for this review! AnytimeCostumes.com has also offered a costume to one lucky reader!!! You can win the Infant, Toddler, Child or Teen costume of your dreams! All costumes given as Prizes are not returnable or exchangeable. To enter, visit Anytime Costumes.com and tell me which is your favorite costume! Leave your answer in a comment! Follow me for an additional entry! If you follow me with Networked Blogs, leave two additional comments. Add me to your Technorati Faves or Stumble this post for two additional entries! Blog about this giveaway and link to this post and Anytime Costumes for five extra entries! Be sure to leave the link in each additional comment! Giveaway ends midnight October 1, 2009! US Residents only. The Winner MUST respond to my email within 3 days of notification with costume, size and shipping info. Good Luck!

I posted these videos so you could see the costume in action. Please let me know (send email) if you have any questions!

Never Forget

I will never forget that tragic day
When our world seemed to collapse, in the most horrific way
Rising from the ashes, our innocence lost
We discovered the price of freedom,
And we are still paying the ultimate cost.


I watched the day unfold on television. I have never felt such emotion. I cried for our lost, and I cried for the living. I prayed for my friend (now my husband) and his family, knowing they were not far away. I will never forget.

Praying for those lost, and for our soldiers and their families.

I'm In! I'm An Official Insider!

I was recently chosen to be a Purex Insider! What exactly does that mean? Well, let me tell you! As a Purex Insider I get to try, review and spread the word about new Purex products before they hit the market! I will also have the opportunity to participate in special promotions not available to the general public. They are having a promotion right now! Purex Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets has just launched a new site. I am spreading the word that "This Sheet Works" and I ask that you visit! Print your coupon and try out this fantastic new product!

See What A Little Fig And Olive Can Do For You!

Some girls like long walks and sunsets, but I like steaming showers and warm baths. Give me a good book, and I am one happy girl! A very relaxed and content happy girl! While I prefer luxurious and soothing (and unfortunately expensive) products that pamper and drown my body in beautiful bliss, I have been desperate a few times and bought a bottle or a box with promises to take me away. I like fresh scents. As a rule I generally steer clear of celebrity scents. I have tested so many that I have grown weary. Until now, I have not been impressed. I think a lot of the ooohhs and aaahhs are not from the fragrance, but from the name on the bottle. I don't buy it. When I found out that I could review Kathy Ireland's skincare line, I was open to trying her products. When I think of Kathy Ireland I think of Sports Illustrated and movies. Over the years, I have seen her evolve into so much more. This girl next door has made her mark on the world, building an empire worth more than a billion dollars, while finding time to nurture a loving family. I really admire her. But still I was skeptical. I received the J du J Fig & Olive Shower and Body Scrub in exchange for this review. I expected so little and was given so much. You gotta love it when that happens! First of all, this is an affordable product. At under $12, the price can't be beat. When I opened the jar, I removed the seal and leaned in for the ultimate test. Wow! This is a fragrance that I would expect to come from a crystal bottle in an exclusive store. I would pay high end prices for it! I am not sure how the scent compares to figs because unfortunately, I haven't tried them. I am picky and they just don't look that appetizing. I am rethinking that decision, and if they smell as heavenly as this, I will have a lot of regret. Especially since we have fig trees and I could have helped myself at any time. Normally at this point in my review, I would grab the bottle or copy and paste some of the website's description, just for accuracy. Not this time. The description (my apologies to whomever wrote it!) doesn't do it justice. The scented oil saturates the sea salt in the bottom of the jar, and an ample amount sits on top. I readied my shower and entered with this new delight. Lifting out a generous amount, I buffed away for a few minutes, enjoying the ohhh so perfect aroma. With the moans and groans that ensued, I felt like a star in an Herbal Essence commercial. Ladies, warn your husbands before use! They may want to share! I'm thinking Kathy Ireland should add a warning sticker to the label! After rinsing, I turned off the shower and dried my skin. I took a small amount of the oil and smoothed it over my baby soft skin. By the way, I think they should offer the oil alone for this purpose! My skin was extremely soft and even my husband made a comment about how smooth it was. The fragrance hung in the air long after my shower. It was not overpowering, just very pleasant. Several minutes later, my six year old walked by and wanted to know what smelled so good. He never does this. I think that says a lot. He has impeccable taste! This is a product that I would expect to find at Sephora or fine department stores. Check out Kathy Ireland's entire line. If that other bottle or box can take you away, Fig & Olive Shower and Body Scrub can take you there and back, several times!