This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial- No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.Due to my unexpected case of strep throat, I slacked in redrawing the SleepJoy and Coleman Lantern winners. But since today is the first day that I can hold my head up for more than three minutes without my glands feeling as if they were going to explode, I decided to draw all of the winners. So, check the winner's page, or the original post, and congrats to all of our winners.
Well, I know Lauren put out the announcement and a few of you grabbed our button and posted it to your blog walls or facebook pages, (HUGE THANKS!!) and are earning extra early bird entries for doing so! I'm so excited for the party to start tomorrow!
We have been working very hard behind the scenes trying to get everything ready to go. We will be working with a very diverse and interesting bunch of companies this month- from Marcal, to Elmer's, to Seventh Generations, to Crayola and so much more. We're even going to have a food week, with special deals, coupons, and giveaways from some of your favorite kid-friendly food products!
We've had a couple of questions emailed or facebooked to us regarding the Back to School Bash, and as always we enjoy hearing from you, our readers on anything and everything- especially when a blog party is involved.
Okie dokie-
If you would like to add our button to your Facebook Page, please copy it from here.. Try not to copy it as a jpg, keep the original file type (png). Then go to your Facebook page, in your status update, tell your friends that you are participating in the Back to School Bash @4BabyAndMom-- As you are typing @4BabyAndMom, there should be a bar that comes up underneath and automatically pulls up our fan page. Click it and it will become a hyperlink sending your friends our way. If you are having a problem getting it to show up as a hyperlink, t-y-p-e-s-l-o-w-e-r. Some times Facebook needs to catch it's breath. ;)
Anyway, then click on attach photo, select our back to school bash button, and post it to your wall. Ideally, we would love for you to put our direct domain- http://www.4BabyAndMom.com - in your status update too, but we'll leave that up to you!
I think that's about it! Spread the word and grab a button!
There's this great new product that we were able to review recently called, Pop On Pals. It's brand new to the market, in fact, their website just went live last week!
Pop On Pals are a new collection of toys for tots and preschoolers. The people can "pop-on" different outfits or costumes in just a snap, and the play sets interact with children as soon as the characters "pop" into place. Little hands can play with each individual character, and love hearing the click it makes as the pieces lock into place.
We received the Amusement Park Playset, and Abbigaile LOVED the fact that it had a ferris wheel! (Although Alex is too old for this product, he was excited to unpack this play set because it had a roller coaster!) When we first got it out of the package, Abbie started playing with it instantaneously. Her big brother was a super big helper because, at first we couldn't figure out why the ferris wheel wasn't operating. He figured it out in about three seconds. We didn't realize that there's a yellow knob by the top of the roller coaster that needs to be pushed over for the ferris wheel to work. When it's leaning one way, the ferris wheel goes around and when it's leaning the other way, the swing swings.
Since opening it, Abbie has been playing with it on and off almost constantly. Yesterday, I caught her with her barbie, selling tickets to the Pop On Pal.. I do wish that the actual play set came with more than one person, as children would be encouraged to interact the characters together.
Visit the website to find more information on the 
available playsets, transportation vehicles and Pop On Pals accessories, to download coloring sheets, or play with their interactive website to see how everything works!
Pop On Pals offers truly does offer your preschooler a "World of Endless Popabilities!"
Special Thanks to Team Mom for allowing us to review this product.
You may have noticed that the Sunday paper's sales fliers are starting to ooze back to school savings. With both of my kids in school full time, I have started stocking up on school supplies already- and with sales like these, why not?!
These are the under a dollar deals that I have found in my area:
Be sure to check your local sales fliers for price accuracy.
Visit your local Kmart to find:
2 pocket, 3-prong portfolio folder: $0.15
RoseArt 24-ct crayons: $0.25
4-oz. Elmer’s school glue: $0.25
Paper Mate pens (Limit 4): $0.50
Pencil boxes: $0.50
RoseArt colored pencils (12pk): $0.50
Filler paper 150-ct wide or college ruled (Limit 4): $0.50
Select Fashion PR Licensed folders: $0.50
Walgreens is offering these great deals:
2 Pocket Folder with Prongs: $.09 (Limit 5)
Penway Memo book 50 sheet: $.19 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Mini Composition Book 80 Sheets: $.19 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Flexible Ruler: $.39
Penway Protractor: $.39
Penway Poly Pencil Case: $.39
Penway Index Card Case: $.39
Penway 2 Pocket Poly Portfolio: $.39
Penway Crayons 24pk: $.39 with in-ad coupon
Crayola Posterboard: $.39 with in-ad coupon (Limit 6)
Scotch Mailer: $.39 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Filler paper Wide or College Rule, 130 sheets: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Elmer’s Glue: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Elmer’s Glue Sticks 2pk: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Carry-All Pouch: $.59 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway Composition book, 80 sheets: $.69 with in-ad coupon
Paper Mate Profile Pens, 2pk: $.69 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Sharpie Markers, 2pk: $.69 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Penway 3 Subject Notebooks, College and Wide Rule, 120 sheets: $.99
Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils 30pk: $.99
Pilot Easytouch Retractable Fine Point pen, 2pk: $.99
Pilot Easytouch Pens Medium Point 3pk: $.99
One size fit all book cover: $.99
Liquid Highlighters 5pk: $.99
Penway #2 Pencils 24pk: $.99
Kids' Scissors: $.99
Construction paper: $.99
Crayola Colored Pencils, 12pk: $.99 with in-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Stock up on pens and these great items at Staples:
Staples Bic Round Stic Ballpoint Pens, black (8-pk): $0.01
Staples Multi-Purpose Paper, 96 bright (500-sheet ream): $0.04 after Easy Rebate
(Both of the above deals are available Sunday through Wednesday with a $5 purchase.)
Buy any backpack, get the full amount back on a Staples gift card (Limit 1): FREE
Zebra Sarasa Retractable Gel Pens (5-pk): $0.26 after Easy Rebate (Limit 1)
Staples Hype Highlighters (6-pk): $0.25 (Limit 2)
Really Useful Box: $0.25 (Limit 2)
Office Depot is offering:
Office Depot Acrylic Rulers: $.05
Office Depot Eraser Caps: $.10
HP Office Paper: $0.95
If you bought everything I've just listed, it would cost you $22.98 for 46 items.. (including your free backpack!) So what are you waiting for? Happy Shopping!!
, by Lucille O'Neal. This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.
There are some summer nights that you might be looking for something quick, yet refreshing and filling all at the same time. Our family loves to grill a sausage or bratwurst and throw it on a bun in a pinch, so when I saw this recipe, I knew we'd probably like it. I took the recipe card for this from my local Publix Apron's booth; I usually try to put a spin on recipe's I take to make it my own, but I honestly wouldn't change a thing. It was delicious, and I knew that it would only be fair if I shared it with you! Keep on the lookout for the recipe to the super quick (and yummy!) dessert pictured here as well!
I love to curl up with a great book, but with the kids at home this summer, finding that quiet time is quite rare. I have found that while the kids are playing outside, that I can take advantage of the shade and my lounge chair and read a great novel in just a day or two. Thanks to the Hatchette Book Group, I was able to review three very different, very alluring romance novels.
by Paula Quinn is the first in the Children of the Mist series, and is a fast paced romance novel loaded with a rich story line and enjoyable characters. The plot is thick with anticipation as the two main characters relationship develops, and the risk for Davina's safety increases. The story flows smoothly and keeps you flipping pages, eager to see what happens next. The details in the historic time period are spot-on, and the romance and passion that develops along the way is enticing and engaging. I loved the accents, and the story; I cannot wait to see what the future installments have in store for its fans. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy a brogue and a "knight in shining armor"-er, kilt- to come rescue a damsel in distress & win her heart.
by R.C. Ryan is the second in the Montana series. Although I did not read the first book, I did not feel lost reading this novel. The characters were well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of Ms. Ryan. I enjoyed reading how the relationship between Wyatt, (a wild cowboy who drives a Harley), and Marilee, (an independent, strong-willed EMT), developed and why a lunatic that has it out for them. Is it the gold? Is it the family curse? Fun and exciting, this novel is a quick and easy read. I am excited to read the first in the series, and the future Montana Glory. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a little mystery and excitement to their romance novel.
by Robin Wells is by-far my favorite of these new releases. Although I loved all three of these books, I truly fell for the characters in this novel. Love- in its purest form, in its truest form, and in its eternal form is the basis of this novel. After Katie's husband died in Iraq, she functioned, but barely. After she was reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, and something very special that they shared together, her life changed in a most drastic way. As the story progressed, the love, the pain, and the loss that Katie goes through truly pulls at your heart, and you feel her emotions as the chapters fly by. You hope and wish that Zack and Katie can make it- that he can get over his fear of commitment and that she can let go of her past and move to the future. This southern romance novel brings 'summer love' to a whole new level. A must read!
It's hard to believe it's been 8 years. I just emailed one of the local colleges to ask what I need to do to get the ball rolling to enroll again. I'm in a different state now, so I now need to contact my old college to get my transcripts.. but I am officially a nervous wreck.
Just wanted to share with you all.. I would love any comments from adults who returned to college after "life" happened to them. Is it normal for me to feel so nervous? My stomach is totally flip-flopping.
Both of my kids are huge fans of the JumpStart brand. They have been for over 4 years now.
From the Press Release:
Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, 2010, the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Chicago will be the home to the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo. More than 125 exhibitors will showcase the hottest new products and services for new and expectant parents, grandparents, and tots. Families will romp, race, and rock out with a weekend full of fun contests and prizes, live performances by rocker moms, live blogging in the Moms Connect area, and themed parties for the pampered potty-training tyke.The Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo will be open on Saturday, July 31, from 10am-5pm and Sunday, August 1, from 11am-4pm at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. General admission to the Expo is $7 online and $10 at the door, $5 for grandparents and free for children under 5.
The Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo is produced by Bebe Paluzza, the nation’s largest producer of baby fairs and events.
The Right Gear
Visitors will find hundreds of exhibitors ranging from trusted national companies to Chicagoland’s best boutiques, offering furniture and bedding, toys, clothing, handmade baby carriers, diaper and daycare services, and nursing supplies. To capture the memorable first years of a child’s life, exhibitors will feature customized journals, photo albums, birth announcements and invitations. Parents looking to “go green” will find organic foods and eco-friendly baby products, including natural bedding, cloth diaper providers, and gently used clothing. Nutritionists will offer informal advice and answer visitor questions, and will share products for keeping baby healthy.
Moms won’t be left out either. Makeup consultants will offer style tips, while pregnancy planners answer questions about prenatal care, and health experts provide practical advice for taking care during and after pregnancy. Susan the Shower Diva will share her best ideas and trends for fun games, themes, etiquette and gifts to throw the best baby shower for a mom-to-be.
Family-Friendly Fun and Games
Moms will wave the checkered flag during family-friendly competitions for the chance to win big prizes. The first 50 moms to arrive at the show on Saturday and Sunday will receive the coveted Bebe Swag Bag overflowing with more than $500 in products and goodies. Infants will crawl, scoot, and wobble their way to victory in the Diaper Derby, and Chicago will crown its next pint-sized pop sensation in the Juno Rising Stars Search, a nationwide hunt for a talented youngster to appear in Juno’s line of Emmy Award winning music videos. For rules and to apply, visit www.junobaby.com.
At the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo, the Daddyathon obstacle course will put dads’ diapering skills to the test as they race the clock to push strollers through a circuit of baby-related games and challenges. First one across the finish wins a Britax stroller and “man bag” from O Yikes! active gear.
After the races, parents will find reprieve in the Mommy Pampering Lounge and Daddy Tailgate Lounge. While licensed sitters watch the kids, moms will relax with luxurious manicures and spa treatments, while dads chill in the ultimate “man cave” outfitted with big screen TVs, cushy recliners, and videogames.
Activities Just for Kids
Little princesses can escape to a magical castle for treats, games, and crafts at the Princess Tea Party, while boys dress up as pirates to ward off evil villains and play swashbuckling games at the Boys Pirate Party. Rambunctious revelers are encouraged to dress in costume. The Princess Tea Party and Boys Pirate Party will be held Saturday, July 31 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m, respectively. Reservations are required by e-mailing missy@indybabyexpo.com. Space is limited.
Energetic tots will run, jump, and romp in the special Coach Pickel’s and Jelly Bean Sports and the Oaklee’s Guide activity areas. Special guest Boca Beth will engage kids in fun games that teach Spanish basics, and share how parents can help to raise bilingual children. Kids can also put on their “listening ears” to bop around to the high-energy, positive tunes of Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies and the kid-friendly acoustic rock of Laura Doherty.
Live Music from Rocker Moms
On the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo’s main stage, three mom musicians will show how hard they rock during head-bobbing, hip-swaying performances. With AC/DC, Iron Maiden, and Metallica in her repertoire, guitarist Linda Robertson will rock out to the classics, while roots rocker Anna Fermin will sing selections she has performed alongside such famed musicians as Johnny Cash and Paula Cole. Alt-country performer Cari Ray will rounds out the roster with original performances on her six string.
Web Savvy Moms Get Wired, Stay Connected
Moms can get wired and post live updates from the Chicago Baby & Toddler Expo in the Moms Connect area. Free wireless access for bloggers and Twitter users will let social media-savvy moms share their favorite exhibitors, upload images, provide tips from the show, and chat live with other Chicago area parents (and the world!) from their smart phones or laptops.
I want to go to the Chicago Baby+Toddler Expo 7/31 & 8/1! Enter to win tickets @4BabyAndMom Contest ends 7/23 http://bit.ly/9DYsmU
Back in June, I mentioned how my kids and I are trying to find things to do to keep busy this summer in our yard. A couple of years ago, we (and by we I mean my husband) tried taking my son camping in our backyard. It was before we had a fence, and I was paranoid that he would wake up, or go sleepwalking and my husband would sleep right through it. Alex fell asleep back there, but then we brought him in, and he woke up inside. This past April, we (and by we I mean *I*) actually took the kids camping for a whole weekend at a campground at one of our local parks. They had a blast, and I actually enjoyed myself as well.
As much as I thought I was prepared for our two night outing, I realized just how much stuff we were missing after just a couple of hours. We rented a cabin, so I wasn't entirely roughing it with the kids, but one of the major things that I totally forgot to pack was a lantern of some sort. Not only did I forget a lantern, but I forgot extra batteries for the wimpy flashlight that I had. Thankfully the bathroom building had lights on it, and we were fairly close, but still- it is something that I made sure I would not forget for the next time.
This summer, Kmart has put together and online camping guide to ensure that on your camping trip you have everything you need. Run down the stuff you've packed with their essentials checklist, read tips on camping do's and don'ts, and get ideas for games and entertainment while you are roughing it.
Not only that, but through out the rest of July, some of Kmart's best selling camping gear and accessories are on sale. Right now you can take advantage of the Coleman Canyon Ranch Tent on sale for just $239! This tent has a 7.5' center height, can be sectioned off into three separate sleeping quarters (which fit up to three queen sized air beds), is guaranteed to keep you dry, and has a built in LED lighting system.
I don't know how long you've been with your significant other, but my husband and I are celebrating our 10th year together. I met Brian when I was 17 years old, just a few weeks before I turned 18. We dated for about three years when we had our first child and got married. Since then, our world has been full of all of the ups and downs a committed relationship with two kids, a dog, and a mortgage holds. Needless to say, somewhere in the process we've become exhausted, and often forget to explore each other the way we did when our relationship was new, and exciting.
For more play during foreplay. Take time to explore and stimulate each other's body. Enjoy the sensual, arousing pleasure of foreplay with decadent chocolate and refreshing strawberry sensations for the body. Together, share a fun, delicious, multi-sensory head to toe experience – Enjoy foreplay like never before. Shown in a clinical study to increase anticipation and desire for intimacy.I'll admit that I have tried other flavored products before, but I can genuinely say that I prefer the taste and feel of this product to others. When I told my husband that we were going to be trying out this product, he wasn't that excited, because of past experiences with other flavored products.
.I have a horrible back. Since having children, I thought that a "sound" sleep was a thing of my past. We purchased a top of the line pillow top mattress about two years ago when we got our taxes back, with the hopes of improving my quality of sleep and easing some of my aches and pains. I never thought that I would be so uncomfortable before I hit my middle age, never mind before I hit 30.
Win a Sam's Club & Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies gift pack http://bit.ly/aaR2AW ~Ends 7/6~ @4BabyAndMom
Most of our family still lives over 1500 miles away. When we lived back home, we would get together for a huge bar-b-que at my aunts house to celebrate the 8 people who's birthdays are in the month of July. We would all bring a dish and celebrate, and even as the family dwindled, the memories of this get together is still a fond one.
When ProFlowers asked if I would be willing to review one of their Birthday Gift Baskets, I jumped at the opportunity. I've ordered flowers from ProFlowers before, but I had no experience with their gift baskets.
I selected the Cherry Moon Farms Favorites as my complimentary gift box. Filled with fruit and nuts, and (my personal favorite) Jelly Belly jelly beans. Made specifically to satisfy both sweet and salty tastebuds, this gift box comes loaded with fresh fruit and three sealed packages of treats. As a family living in Florida, water safety is a big part of our lives. We go to the beach, we swim in our pool, and our friend's in-the-ground pool, we go to water parks and springs throughout most of the year. Summer doesn't last only two and a half months down here, it lasts about 7 months and then (believe it or not) it's too chilly for us to be in the water unless it's heated or inside.
We had a pop up style pool last season, but the dog put an end to that at the beginning of this season. Needless to say, this season we've spent a lot of time at the beach and friend's pools. We are planning a trip to Aquatica after rainy-season is over. From backyard tree houses, to jungle gyms, to neighborhood playgrounds, kids will be climbing and swinging all summer long. However, it’s important for parents to be aware of the potential dangers associated with play sets. Each year, more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to the emergency room for play set-related injuries. That’s why Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading product safety testing organization, is providing easy-to-follow safety tips to help families “play it safe” this summer.
BEFORE INSTALLING A BACKYARD PLAY SET…
· Make sure your backyard is large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security. Before setting up equipment, look out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires.
· Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when setting up play set equipment. Be sure your child's weight and age fall within the manufacturer's recommended limits for the equipment.
· Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feed in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.
BEFORE HEADING OUT TO PLAY…
· Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.
· Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
· Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.
· Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.
· Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.
· Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.
Posts
All Comments
