Thursday, March 31, 2011

Applied Labels™


Applied Labels™ is another ingenious Label making company. The create labels that are versatile labels to put on childrens items that are durable, laundry and dishwasher safe. They can be placed on baby bottles, sippy cups, the bottom of snack bowls, pajamas for overnight trips, shoes, coats, and or toys that your children want to take with them to school or daycare.

For clothing you simply sandwich an applied label with one of the included blank backing labels on a clothing tag and you're good to go. For shoes, simply stick on a clear shoe shield sticker over the top to keep your applied labels in place and legible all year long.

We were sent 60 classic labels, 30 blank backers and 12 shoe shields for review. We have placed our labels on things from shoes, jackets, sippy cups, books and toys for our little guy. Our labels include our son's name and my email address which is very helpful. If we loose an item it's nice to know that it gives the finder a way to help reunite us with our lost items. We use a few sippy cups per day and we have ran them through the dishwasher on the highest/hottest setting (sanitizing included) and they have lasted. We've never had a problem with them rubbing off in shoes or on frequently used items. We love them and think they are a must have for anyone with kids or even pets. You will never have to guess who's items are who's, or have someone else claiming your items as theirs. Applied Labels keeps all your bases covered.

Would you like to have a pack of 60 classic labels, 30 blank backers and 12 shoe shields for yourself or someone you love? You can purchase them for $29.40 at Applied Labels. Make sure you also check out their facebook and twitter pages to keep updated on all things Applied Labels.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Hop Along Friday - Week 43!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPicWelcome to the 43rd edition of Hop Along Friday! As you can tell, there have been a few more changes around Hop Along Friday. To simplify things and make blog hoping easier.

As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any one of the other hostesses.

Before we begin, we would like to share a few simple rules for our hop.

1. Please only link up blogs, only. Once you link up with other bloggers, please feel free to follow them on other social media outlets, but we ask you to leave this link up for blogs, only.


2. Please remember to return every week as the link list will start over each week. With that being said, the link list will be open from Thursday evening through Friday night at 11:49pst, but will be visible indefinitely.


3. We do not require that you follow each and every person on the hop, but we do ask that you take your time, have fun and follow the blogs that stick out to you. We will do the same.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }

1. Follow each of our hostesses:

2. Add your blog link to our link list.

3. Place our button on your sidebar!



Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse by Smartfish Technologies


Smartfish Technologies is bring a whole new meaning to leading innovation. Their Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse has a patented ErgoMotion pivot system that reduces hand strain and makes you feel as if your mouse is "floating on air".

Now I won't go into all the details of how this thing works but I do feel that I owe you a little explaining because I, too, was a little confused when I seen this, myself. It does take a little bit of getting used to but I assure you, it is MUCH better than stand alone computer mouses. 


The Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse is a pretty great little mouse. It stores a TINY little USB adapter inside the battery compartment so you never have to worry about leaving it behind or loosing it. It is also designed to move as your hand moves. When you use a standard mouse, your hand stays in the same position as you move. With the Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse, your hand moves in a very natural position as you move the mouse. When you move your mouse and hand forward, the heel of your palm has the tendency to want to move down, while your fingers move up. The Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse lets you move exactly as you feel the need to. The same thing when you want to move your mouse and hand downward. Your fingers move down and your palm wants to move it. This mouse lets you do so. When you want to move to either side, one side wants to go down while the other goes up. This mouse lets you move in just about any position you would like to.

My opinion: I love this mouse. I love how it keeps your hand and wrist in a natural position which would help eliminate hand strain and Repetitive Stress Injuries.


We were sent a Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse in Metallic Red for review and I have to say it is my absolute favorite mouse. I love the way it moves and keeps my hand comfortable and being a review blogger who is kept busy, this is very important to me.


If you would like to have a Whirl™ Mini Laser Mouse by Smartfish Technologies you can get one by visiting Smartfish Technologies and purchasing one for $49.95.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Giveaway Sponsored by Organically Grown

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Organically Grown is busting out their Spring 2011 collection and in doing so, we have partnered up with them to bring you guys a great giveaway. Organically Grown is bringing you another great line of ecofriendly products that are safe for both your baby and our Earth. Made from certified organic cotton their baby apparel is bringing a natural and healthy product to you and your little one. This Spring you can dress your little one in the softest ever, great Spring fashion with coordinating bodysuits and coveralls. The girls' Spring Garden Grow collection is featuring ladybugs and garden patterns while the boys get ready for Spring in the L is for Lion Collection which features Lions and other animal shapes.



Organic Little Lion Bodysuit Collection
$8 each or 3pk for $20
Available in NB, 3M, 6M & 9M sizes

Organic Garden Fun Bodysuit Collection
$8 each or 3pk for $20
Available in NB, 3M, 6M & 9M sizes

These adorable body suits are 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and
each bodysuit comes on a precious reusable padded hanger.

Organic Coverall Collection
$22 each in NB, 3M, 6M & 9M sizes
Available in the following styles:
L is for Lion Blue
L is for Lion Stripped
Little Ladybug Confetti Dot
Little Pink Ladybug

These comfortable coveralls are 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and
each coverall comes on a precious reusable padded hanger.

 Would you like to win a Organically Grown Onesie for a special little one that you know? Here's how you can!

To Enter: Visit Organically Grown and tell me what other item they carry catches your eye. (1entry)

Bonus Entries (optional):
Follow Stuffy Nickel via GFC. (3 entries)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via email. (5 entries)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via facebook. (5 entries)
Follow Stuffy Nickel via twitter. (1 entry)
Follow Organically Grown via email (bottom right). (2 entries)
Follow Organically Grown via facebook. (2 entries)
Blog about our giveaway, linking back to us. (10 entries)
Share via facebook, then leave us the link to the post. (3 entries)

Share via twitter, then leave us the link to the post. (3 entries)
Organically Grown GIVEAWAY from @stuffynickel! Make sure you head on over to www.mynewlifeasmom.com to join, I did! #organic #giveaway #win
 This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents, 18 years of age and older, only, and is open through 11:59pm on April 30th, 2011. The winners are chosen via random.org and will be notified, by email, of their winnings. If the winner fails to claim their prize within 24 hours of the time the winning email is sent, the winner forfeits the winnings and a new winner will be chosen.

Please do not forget to post your email, twitter/facebook handles and any links to any shared posts that you may have done. If I cannot verify your entry, it will be deleted.

If you have any questions, please email me at info@stuffynickel.com

Monday, March 28, 2011

Growing & Moving Forward

As I am no longer a 'new mom', really, I want to make a few changes around here. My blog is now up for renewal and I do not think I am going to renew it. I would rather switch things up a bit and move to a new site. As you can tell, things have changed around here, once again and this time, I am very proud of them. This blog has blossomed into much more than stories of this new mom and I want my blog to reflect that. In doing so, the name and website link will change. The change does not take effect until next month sometime, but I want to make you aware of it now, that way you can change your links, if needed.

My new link will be www.stuffynickel.com

When the change becomes effective, I will loose my PR ranking, due to starting a new site and it saddens me to do so but everything else should follow me over. I am currently trying to get in contact with my domain host to see if they can help me either transfer it over or forward my current site to my new site so I will still keep my PR ranking. I will let you know what I find out.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

NEW Postnatal Thermogenic (Fat Burner)

This post brought to you by Delta Labs. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a mom who has battled loosing weight after having my son, I often wish I would have had another outlet to turn to. I hate the extra pounds and more importantly hate the way those extra pounds refuse to move from my body. I hate the way they make me look as well as the fact that they are hiding my 'true' identity. The identity that I know is hidden inside me. The identity that I want to be. Long to be. Will be again. Someday.

Researchers have stated that the most important time to loose the baby weight is the following 6 months after birth. I am almost triple that time and I wish I hadn't let time pass so quickly without even trying to loose the weight. If I would have known about this new product, I do believe that I would have tried sooner.

Postnatal Thermogenic is a postpartum weight loss supplement to help lose pregnancy weight. They are making it possible to loose lose the baby weight without having to struggle like I did and continue to do. This isn't another one of those fat burners that you have to worry about hurting your body, or your newborn babies. Postnatal Thermogenic (fat burner) is 100% herbal and contains no caffeine or stimulants which can be damaging to your body and most importantly to your babies. This postnatal support supplement contains key ingredients which helps support pregnancy weight loss safely and naturally. It also contains added herbal lactation support to help with milk production during those early months.

If you struggle with loosing those extra baby weight, take a look at this postpartum weight loss supplement, it could be the thing you're looking for.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Word to the Wise...

This is to those who participate in Hop Along Friday.

There have been many changes recently and some of them might be confusing. It has been brought to my attention that maybe they did not get explained enough or whatever. Regardless, as a group, we have decided to retract the "featured spots" and just go back to the standard ol "Blog Hop".

I take full responsibility for all these changes and the confusion it has caused. I appologize for this, completely.

Next week we will go back to how things used to be. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes to you all!
Stephanie

Hop Along Friday - Week 42! *UPDATED*

Image and video hosting by TinyPicWelcome to the 42nd edition of Hop Along Friday! As you can tell, there have been a few changes around Hop Along Friday. We have a new Banner, a new button and a few cool new features!

Before you start freaking out, we will be keeping the Weekly Featured Blog, so please do not stress. That will definitely be staying. The new features, however, are just as great, so check them out! Along with the Featured Blogger, we will also be adding a few additional participation incentives for all you ladies who are so great at coming back week after week.

There will be 3 participants drawn randomly every week based off the participants from the previous week. The chosen will receive the following, in the order that they are chosen.

FIRST PLACE: The first participant chosen will receive a one week 125x125 ad placement on My new life as... Mom. This ad must be linked to your blog only, please.

Novel Bloggers

SECOND PLACE: The second participant chosen will receive the "Weekly Featured" spot for the week. This link must be to your blog only.
  
 

THIRD PLACE: The third participant chosen will receive a text link placement on My new life as... Mom in a special feature spot. This link can be to either a blog, facebook or twitter link.

Additional AD space may be purchased for an additional fee. Please see our "PR FRIENDLY" page for more information. Text links can be placed for free and will be added to our LINKS sidebar.

As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you each have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stephanie at My new life as... Mom or any one of the hostesses.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }
1. Follow each one of our hostesses, via GFC, located at the following links.

2. Once you have completed that, then add your link to our link list below. Please feel free to add your blog, facebook and twitter, but please be sure to name them as such. Some of our readers do not have facebook or twitter and would like to distinguish between the links.

3. Place our button on your sidebar! Simply copy the button code, below, and past it in your side bar editor. Easy as that! The more who participate the better the hop will become!



Once you have finished linking yourself up, please feel free to follow through and visit other blogs, facebook and/or twitter pages that link up on the hop. We do not require that you follow every one, nor do we require that you visit every one. Please enjoy them at your pace and follow the sites you wish. We will do the same.

Please remember to come back and link up as it is a new list every week. The link lists will only accepting new links from Thursday evening through Friday night at 11:59pm, but the link lists will stay up indefinitely.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Hop Along Friday - UPDATED!

Image and video hosting by TinyPicWelcome to the 41st edition of Hop Along Friday! As you can tell, there have been a few changes around Hop Along Friday. We have a new Banner, a new button and a few cool new features!

Before you start freaking out, we will be keeping the Weekly Featured Blog, so please do not stress. That will definitely be staying. The new features, however, are just as great, so check them out! Along with the Featured Blogger, we will also be adding a few additional participation incentives for all you ladies who are so great at coming back week after week.

There will be 3 participants drawn randomly every week based off the participants from the previous week. The chosen will receive the following, in the order that they are chosen.

FIRST PLACE: The first participant chosen will receive a one week 125x125 ad placement on My new life as... Mom. This ad must be linked to your blog only, please.

SECOND PLACE: The second participant chosen will receive the "Weekly Featured" spot for the week. This link must be to your blog only.

THIRD PLACE: The third participant chosen will receive a text link placement on My new life as... Mom in a special feature spot. This link can be to either a blog, facebook or twitter link.

Additional AD space may be purchased for an additional fee. Please see our "PR FRIENDLY" page for more information. Text links can be placed for free and will be added to our LINKS sidebar.

This will begin next week!

This week's featured blogger is #143!
  
 

As always, we welcome you to each hop and hope you each have a great time participating. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Stephanie at My new life as... Mom or any one of the hostesses.

{ TO PARTICIPATE }
1. Follow each one of our hostesses, via GFC, located at the following links.

2. Once you have completed that, then add your link to our link list below. Please feel free to add your blog, facebook and twitter, but please be sure to name them as such. Some of our readers do not have facebook or twitter and would like to distinguish between the links.

3. Place our button on your sidebar! Simply copy the button code, below, and past it in your side bar editor. Easy as that! The more who participate the better the hop will become!



Once you have finished linking yourself up, please feel free to follow through and visit other blogs, facebook and/or twitter pages that link up on the hop. We do not require that you follow every one, nor do we require that you visit every one. Please enjoy them at your pace and follow the sites you wish. We will do the same.

Please remember to come back and link up as it is a new list every week. The link lists will only accepting new links from Thursday evening through Friday night at 11:59pm, but the link lists will stay up indefinitely.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Snug Around™ SALE!!!

As many of you may have noticed, I recently completed a review for the Snug Around By AnayaPapaya, which you can read, here.

I just wanted to let you all know that she is running a sale until April 3rd, 2011! You can save $5 on your Snug Around. Regular retail price for the Snug Around is $44.95 and during the sale period, you pay $39.95!! That is definitely a deal!

You can buy the Snug Around by AnayaPapaya, here.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Spring is coming! Spring is coming!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Spring is peeking around the corner and that means it is time to start looking for beautiful outdoor furniture to decorate your outdoor living spaces. With Pier 1 you do not have to flip through magazines or travel from store to store looking for the best deals on the best outdoor furniture. Pier 1 has all the greatest outdoor pieces for some pretty great prices.

I LOVE THIS CHAIR!
White Outdoor Wicker Rocker - $169.95

Do you already have some amazing pieces that you would like to spruce up a bit or maybe just add a piece or two, to, to give it a whole new look? Well Pier 1 can help you there, too! They have amazing decorative throw pillows, cushions, tables, plant stands, etc.


Is it not gorgeous?!
Red Scatter Daisy Pillow with Flange - $20

Right now Pier 1 has some amazing deals going on, too! Deals that you simply cannot pass up! Great furniture at great prices, you just cannot beat it.

20% OFF - Dinning furniture, Bedroom furniture, Home Office, Upholstery and Wicker Seating, Pillows, Rugs & Window Panels, Occasional Tables & Wall decor.

20% OFF - On the Fragrance of the Month: Ocean

Did you know that many of Pier 1's outdoor furniture pieces are actually indoor/outdoor? That is right! They can be used indoor, as well, without giving up comfort, style or beauty. My mom actually had a couple of pieces in her home that were technically 'outdoor' pieces and they were beautiful. You can used some of the rugs inside as well as some of the tables. They are great.

Make sure you sign up for the Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter to keep updated on the latest Pier 1 Outdoor furniture.

Are you a Twitter Fan? Pier 1 also has some amazing Tweet ups, so make sure you check out more info about the dates and times of their Pier 1 Tweetups.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Friday, March 11, 2011

Bright Beginnings Infant Formula

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a huge fan of Diaper.com and recently I was given the opportunity to write about one of their products and some current promotions they have going on.  The product I am referring to is Bright Beginnings Infant Formula.

If you are not familiar with Bright Beginnings, they were founded in 1994 and have spent their time dedicated to providing a variety of FDA regulated infant formulas to the public. They produce organic, premium, soy and gentle varieties. Now you can get the formula that your little one needs and best of all, it can be shipped directly to your door in 1-2 days for FREE if your purchase is more than $49.

If you think about it, with all the deals they have on diapers.com, you'll be amazed at how fast you can get free shipping. For example, right now they have a promotion running for 20% off diapers for 3 months for new customers! Or you can save 10% off everything else on your first order! That is huge savings, people! You can apply that code to your Bright Beginnings, order, too! That is a deal! Are you kidding me?! Now you can purchase an inexpensive good quality infant formula for even less!

Bright Beginnings is definitely a company to look into and Diaper.com is definitely an online retailer that you want to check out. There are amazing deals and you can get all your formula needs and more, all in one place. Talk about convenient! Make sure you check out their Bright Beginnings facebook page, too, to keep updated on all Bright Beginnings has to offer!

CHECK THEM OUT!
Bright Beginnings on Facebook
buy on diapers.com

Visit Sponsor's Site

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Hop Along Friday - Week 40!!


Welcome to the 40th edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, This Adventure Our Life, Belly Charms and Living On Love & Cents!

Green with Envy

When we grew up, we never had much. We were lucky to have cloths on our back and food in our belly. Said cloths were hand-me-downs and the food was often from food banks or purchased with government assistance. My mom always did the best she could and often worked 2-3 jobs at a time trying to pay for our bills, rent, etc. We never had cell phones and I can only remember having a computer for a few months before we had to return it due to not being able to pay for it. So in school, when it came to researching reports or other class activities, I had to do it old school, you know, pull out the encyclopedias at the library, old school. We were never able to participate in school sports or any functions that required entrance fees or any other type of payment. We just could not afford it. We hardly ever complained and learned never to ask for anything.

Growing up in that type of environment has a tendency to make people jealous of even the smallest things that you absolutely have no control over. Even today, I battle with this very thing quite often. Many times on things I cannot control and I hate this feeling.

Ever since I was a little girl, all I have ever wanted to be was a Mother. I have always wanted a big family and that dream has never changed. When I finally was ready to start trying, I never imagined how difficult it would be for us to conceive. I never imagined that it would take 57 months before we would finally learn that we were pregnant. That is almost 5 years! We tried every single thing possible to help us conceive. Everything. From herbs to medications, taking our temperature every morning to timing intercourse. It quickly became stressful and we were running out of options. We finally put our live in Gods hands and in the hands of our fertility doctors and prayed that one day we would become parents to our own little miracle.

It took many tries with fertility tests and procedures and then we got the news. "The only logical way you can conceive is to use what is called Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection." It is where I to through 2 months of medication to prepare my system. Then they aspirate my overies and remove any eggs and take a sample of sperm from my husband. Then they select a tip top sperm and inject it into a top of the line egg. After which, placing it in an incubator and hoping for the best. After 3 days the placed two great embryos back into my uterus and it was time to wait another 14 days for a blood test. This test would determine if I was indeed pregnant, or not.


The time came and I went in for my test. I was supposed to receive the results by noon. I waited and waited and waited some more. Eventually it was after 4pm and I still hadn't received results. Needless to say, I was panicked. Of course it didn't work. I was not pregnant and yet again we were going to feel the heart break of another wasted effort.


Just before lunch, that day, my husband called to tell our IVF coordinator to call him with the news that way if it was false, he would be able to break it to me easier than she would. All afternoon I continued and continued to text my husband to see if he had received any news. Every text was responded with, "not yet." My heart was slowly breaking. I could not imagine how this could turn out right. Once again I was going to be told bad news and I just don't know if I could handle it one more time.


I knew my doctor's office closed at 5pm and we had to get a call before then. We just HAD to. Around 4:30pm I text my husband asking one more time, "anything?". "Not yet. :(" I seriously felt like I was standing on the very edge of a cliff and I was just waiting for someone to push me over. Off the cliff. I begged. I prayed. I pleaded. I did everything I could think of to just please let this one work. At that point my husband text letting me know that he was going to stop and get his hair cut on his way home. That he was in the waiting area, waiting for the hair stylist to get finished so he could get in the chair. I think I may have freaked out. I was thinking, "What the heck are you doing?!?! You are waiting for an IMPORTANT phone call and you are going to get your hair done... what if she calls while you are in the seat?!?! What are you going to do? 'Um, hold on, my phone is ringing.' I doubt it! GRRRRRRRR!" So about 20 minutes later my husband walks in the door with a dozen roses and a balloon that said "A NEW BABY!"


Sadly, I did not hit me right away. All I said was, "did she call?" Yes. "What did she say?" She said that we are pregnant. "Really?! What was my level?" I am not sure but we are pregnant. "NO! I want to know what my level was! She said it was supposed to be between 25 and 125." I think she said it was 358. "WHAT?!?! Really?!?!?" I then proceeded to dance around the living room while bawling. I was ecstatic. It finally worked. The pregnancy went great and I gave birth on November 12, 2009 to an amazing little boy (pictured above).


He is now almost 16 months old and it is getting closer and closer to the time when we decide when to 'try again'. We have always wanted a big family and regardless how we have to get there, we will do it. What really bothers me (referring to the beginning of this post) is when I find out other women are pregnant. If I am pregnant when they find out, I am elated, because they are pregnant and will have a little one of their own. If I am not pregnant, I am so jealous. I was hoping that this feeling would go away after I had my son but due to recent news that I have received from just about everyone and their sister, everyone is having babies.


To me, it hurts. It is just another reminder that my husband and I cannot have children easily. We have to go way above and beyond to create a little addition to our family. I simply do not understand how people can take that for granted. To take the fact they can conceive easily and flaunt it around like fertile little rabbits.


Please do not get me wrong. This post is not directed at anyone (especially you, D!) so please do not take it that way. I just wish I did not feel this way. I wish I could genuinely be happy for people creating their families and love it as much as they love it when we do the same without the feeling of being jealous. Envious and wishing that we could do the same. So natural and effortless.

Under Construction..

As you can tell, I am currently changing the theme of my blog. Please be patient as things will be moving around and the look should be much different. If you have any questions or issues viewing things, please email me at: stephanie[at]mynewlifeasmom[dot]com

Thanks!

Guest Post: Tidy Up Those Kids!

5 TIPS ON HOW TO TEACH YOUR KIDS TO BE TIDY

It is hard to maintain a household with kids and pets, parents would all agree. Cleanliness doesn't have to start and stop with adults in the household, however; it is the parental right to get their children involved in the chores and housework. Not only does it promote good habits, it provides the child with more responsibility and accountability in the family and the house.

Here are some easy tips to get your child involved in household chores and building responsibility:

1. CREATE A SPACE FOR THEIR THINGS
Kids have toys, most often strewn all about the house. It is just as much a potential hazard as it is a hindrance to cleanliness. It is important to share with kids the positives about cleaning up their toys after they are done playing with them. Explain that slipping on a loose toy could cause injury to themselves or others, toys are easily misplaced if they are not tidied up, and that leaving toys down does not show good manners. A toy box works nicely, but is still unorganized; installing low shelving for your children's toys is the best idea. Shelves provide a neat place to store toys and helps to avoid the frustration of searching for a favorite toy in the clutter of a box.

2. CREATE EVERYDAY ROUTINES
We all sleep in beds and should all be held accountable for making them in the mornings. Though it is not a safety hazard and isn't always necessary, making a bed in the mornings is a ritual that is good to start. It teaches the child responsibility and begins building good habits that will last a lifetime. Show the child how to fold sheets and make the bed, placing pillows and stuffed animals on top as tidy touches.

3. TIDYING CAN BE USED FOR LEARNING
Children that have books should be taught to keep them neat and organized. Older children can be taught to separate their books by genre and alphabetically, an invaluable learning tool. Children who enjoy reading and writing can have a corner of the bedroom devoted to school studies and book shelves to help organize.

4. EXPLAIN THAT TIDYING HELPS TOYS LAST LONGER
Younger children love to play with small tinker toys, lego's and building blocks. Older children are more entertained by puzzles and board games, all with small enough pieces to lose. It is important to remind children that cleaning up their toys is not just for cleanliness, it is to keep pieces and games in tact. Losing a puzzle piece could ruin the entire experience, making cleaning up more of a necessity than a chore. Shelving is also a good idea for puzzles, games and buckets of small building blocks or legos.

5. TEACH THEM HOW TO HANDLE THEIR LAUNDRY
Though children may not be old enough to do their own laundry, they can be held responsible for keeping it neat and organized into buckets. Dirty clothes should go into the laundry basket and not on the floor or the end of the bed. If you would like to have the child separate by colors, label different baskets for each and teach the child how to determine what goes where. It will help set good examples for children and provide them with a feeling of success if they continue to work with you.

This content of this guest post was written by George Baker. George Baker is a writer and contributor for an online store that sells specialist hoover bags such as Numatic hoover bags to people across England.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Vegetables are GOOD and good for you!

With the start of the new year just behind us I am sure I am not the only one who confesses to not sticking to their New Year's resolution of trying to loose weight. One way we can get back on track is to throw a little Green Giant Boxed Vegetables into our diet. They have over 29 amazing flavors so you will not have to worry about getting bored on the same old, same old. They are almost too easy! It is so simple to add as a side dish to your favorite low fat meal, or to any meal in general. Many of them offer amazing seasonings and sauces to compliment their already delicious flavor, but I must say, they make them so tasty!

I have recently been chosen to participate in reviewing this great product and I was sent the following items for review:
  • Green Giant Boxed Vegetable
  • Insulated Tote Bag
  • Serving Bowl
  • Serving Spoon
  • Pedometer
I enjoyed the box of Green Giant Broccoli and Cheese. I must admit that I had never tried it before and I was shocked. It did not taste processed or boxed, at all. I can honestly say that it tasted fresh and delicious. I have since added it to my weekly shopping list. If you have not tried them before, you must. They are wonderful. I definitely look forward to trying new varieties in the very near future.


One of the best parts about Green Giant Boxed Vegetables is that they are endorsed by Weight Watchers and only have 1-2 points, per serving! Are you kidding me? Yum! Now you certainly have no reason to feel bad about enjoying your favorite vegetable dish. It is the perfect way to take that next step to a healthier you in 2011.


Would you like to try Green Giant Boxed Vegetables and enjoy a little prize pack which includes all the items that I was able to enjoy? Here's how you can!


Visit Green Giant and tell me which variety of Green Giant Boxed Vegetables you would like to try. Please don't forget to visit Green Giant on Facebook and Green Giant on Twitter to keep updated with the latest updates.


Bonus Entries:

Follow me via Google Friend Connect! (5 entries)
Follow me on facebook! (5 entries)
Follow me on twitter! (5 entries)
Share on facebook! (3 entries)
Tweet about it! (3 entries)

Please make sure you come back here and leave the links to you entries. Ie: Facebook/Twitter shares and/or facebook/twitter names. If you need help finding your facebook and twitter links to your shares, please refer to this post.

Please leave your email in your entry comment. If you don't, your comment will be void and will be deleted.

TERMS OF SERVICE
This contest is open to US & Canadian residents, ONLY, and will remain open until April 1, 2011 at 12 o' clock pm, pacific standard time. The winner will be chosen via random number generator and will be notified via email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this contest, you agree to these terms of service.

I want to take a minute to personally thank Green Giant for providing us with the information, review and giveaway items through MyBlogSpark. Huge Kuddos to you guys! Thank you!

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Snug Around™ By AnayaPapaya

 
Last summer, my family and I met a group of our friends at our local county fair. Little Man was about 7 months old and spent a good amount of the day (over 7 hours, to be exact) in our most loved Ergo Carrier. As the day turned into evening, a friend of mine, whom we can call "C", noticed me struggling with a tucked blanket in the sides of my Ergo. It was getting chilly and I was doing my best to keep Little Man warm.

C mentioned that her sister was creating an ingenious new product that could solve my problem, and more! The product has been created and she has been so gracious to let me be one of the first ones to bring this great product to you.

AnayaPapaya - Snug Around™
The Snug Around™ is not your average, everyday carrier cover. The Snug Around is three products in one. The snug around can be used to cover your baby in a front carrier as well as be used as a nursing cover. With the convenient apron style neck strap, you can simply pull it over your head and nurse your baby in comfort.

The third way that this carrier can be used is on a stroller! You don't have to worry about cool breezes and freezing drafts when you and your little mini are going for a walk or trying to make your way back to your car. This product is simply amazing.

What makes the Snug Around so amazing is the side drawstrings. It is very easy to put on and incredibly simple to get settled. Simply place the neck strap over your head or tie the carrier strap covers to the product you are using it with. Then stretch the bottom cuff (think fitted sheet corners) over your babies feet, making sure your babies feet are inside the Snug Around. Once it is in place, grab the draw string cinch on each side and pull snugly. Done!

If you would like to see this in action, you can! Snug Around has provided us with some great demo videos! You can check them out here. DEMO VIDEOS!

More Features:

Designed by a mother, inspired by love.
Adjustable to fit Snug Around™ as your baby grows.
Wind and waterproof outer-shell. Soft 100% Cotton inner shell.
Fits over popular carrier brands like Ergo®, Boba®, Beco®, Bjorn® and more.
Multi-functional as a carrier blanket, stroller blanket and nursing cover.
Two front pockets for storage and extra snuggling.
Conveniently packaged to fit in a day bag or tie to a carrier.
Simple design for both Mom and Dad to enjoy.

This is a complete must have for every mother out there. If they have a child that is carried or uses a stroller, you must get them one! They will be forever grateful!

Due to our Oregon weather, we use our Snug Around frequently. It is great for the sudden sprinkling of rain or the chilly winds that we get frequently and if it can hold up to our constantly changing weather, I know it will hold up to your weather.


Even though I know the family behind this product, I want you to know that I am giving you my whole honest opinion. This thing is purely amazing. You do not know what you are missing until you use it and see what you have been living without for so long. It is perfect.


The ONLY thing that I wish was different or changed in any way, would be the outside/inside fabric colors and/or prints. I know they are just coming out, but it would be great (eventually) to offer them in different colors and/or print combinations. I would be in HEAVEN!


Would you like to get a Snug Around™ for yourself or someone you love? Here is how you can.

Buy It! Visit AnayaPapaya and view their current list of retailers that carry this great product or buy online! Visit Amazon and purchase one directly!

Win It! Visit AnayaPapaya on Facebook and like their page. Also, visit AnayaPapaya and give me the answer to the following question: (hint: look for a little blue icon)

What does AnayaPapaya plan to do when they reach 1,000 fans on facebook?

Bonus Entries:

Follow me via Google Friend Connect! (5 entries)
Follow me on facebook! (5 entries)
Follow me on twitter! (5 entries)
Share on facebook! (3 entries)
Tweet about it! (3 entries)

Please make sure you come back here and leave the links to you entries. Ie: Facebook/Twitter shares and/or facebook/twitter names.

Please leave your email in your entry comment. If you don't, your comment will be void and will be deleted.

TERMS OF SERVICE
This contest is open to US & Canadian residents, ONLY, and will remain open until April 1, 2011 at 12 o' clock pm, pacific standard time. The winner will be chosen via random number generator and will be notified via email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be chosen. By entering this contest, you agree to these terms of service.