101 Days of Summer Play

With summer in full swing,it is time to remember the sunscreen.Banana Boat is asking parents to take the pledge by visiting the Banana Boat Facebook page and clicking the button.For every pledge taken,they will donate a bottle of the new Banana Boat Sunscreen Natural Reflect Lotion to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.This nonprofit,residential summer camp and year round center serves children coping with cancer and other illnesses.

A simple click is all it takes to donate a bottle,so why not do it! While you are there,check out the 101 days of Summer Play activity guide for ideas on how to enjoy your summer.

*I am sharing this information I found in my email from Mom Central.I was not compensated in any way for this post but can win a prize pack for taking the pledge,which I did.

My Diamond Candles-Thanks Sneak Peeq!

I have been dying to try the Diamond Candles every since I saw a blog review about them months ago.I tried a few times to get some but they were sold out..every time.Until I found them on Sneak Peeq about 2 weeks ago.

If you aren't a member yet,I suggest checking it out.I used the awards I received for browsing the site previously and snagged these candles for a huge discount.I ended up grabbing a Strawberry Bliss for myself and one for my grandmother who has a birthday coming.I also grabbed a Cinnamon Roll for my mom.I got the Cinnamon one for under $15 and the Strawberry ones for $17 each.That is a big savings from retail and all for just being a member...which is free! If you need an invitation to join Sneak Peeq,send me an email.I have a few invites left I can share.

I couldn't resist burning my candle and had my ring within hours of receiving the package.Lucky for me it was right at the top of the jar.This is the ring I received.It isn't real,but is pretty,and the candle scent is amazing!

If you haven't tried Diamond Candles,I suggest grabbing one for yourself.They are fun to burn while waiting for your ring and the scents are wonderful! If you don't like the ring you get,you can post it on their Facebook page and trade for,or buy,one you like.

*I was not compensated in any way for this post.I am just sharing my finds with you.

I Rock the Lego World!

My oldest son made this for me out of  Legos on my birthday.I thought it was super cute,even though it is back to a pile of bricks by now.

Sometimes in the middle of the constant chaos,they make me smile!

I am 32

I haven't mentioned this yet but for those of you who might like to know,I am 32.Yes,you heard that right..32.My birthday was May 7th and now I feel old.I am not sure why I feel any older now,except that for the next few weeks,I am 2 years older than the husband..ugh.

Seriously though,I had a great birthday.I received cards,flowers and candy,some gifts from the kids and money of course.

What about you? Do you have a birthday coming up or just passed? What did you get?

Dunecraft presents Seed Bombs for easy flowers this summer

I finally finished planting flowers,so now all I need are some super cute lawn decorations to make it complete.I have multiple flowerbeds,so I always need a variety of flowers to fill them.I wanted to try something different this year,so my daughter and I were happy to review Seed Bombs.Seed Bombs are small little balls that you place directly on the ground.After putting the bombs where you want them,simply water them and let them grow.

We were sent 2 packages of the butterfly mix to try.Each package contains 3 easy to use bombs so we had 6 to try.Reagan decided she wanted to plant them with the Lilies in the small bed,so we put 3 bombs there.We used the other 3 around the light pole with our tulips.Following the directions we placed them on the ground and watered them.Of course,it rained that night,so they got plenty of water!

We have started to see a few sprouts coming from the bombs.It says you will see growth in about 5 days and that is about how long it has been.I think the kids expected to see more,so I tried to explain that it takes weeks for them to get really big.We haven't had a chance to try any of the other seed bombs yet.Fortunately for me,I was sent the ones to review that we would have purchased anyway.

There are a ton of other fun products available from Dunecraft from carnivorous plants to cactus and many more.They offer selections for a variety of ages and even things that would make great science projects.My boys have found quite a few items they would like to have and I even found a few we own that I didn't even realize were made by Dunecraft.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.No other compensation was received and my opinions were not influenced by receiving sample items***

Our MAM Oral Care Party

One of the most important things a parent has to do is care for a growing child's teeth.Not only is it important to prevent sores or infections,but also to preserve a healthy smile for their lifetime.Thanks to my wonderful sponsors at MAM and Childs Play PR,I was sent a variety of items to help my party guests do just that.

These super cute cleaning bunnies make washing babies gums a snap.They are soft and even double as a cute hand puppet in a pinch (think group of babies and one starts crying).I love that they come in pink and blue for girls and boys and would love to see them in more colors and even more animal styles.A yellow ducky or green frog would be great for unisex gifts!

The MAM toothbrushes were a huge hit.The dual sided ones for 3 month age have a soft side and a "bristly" side for cleaning teeth and gums.The older style for 6 month age have a normal brush style end as well.These are the perfect size for little hands.Even some of the babies were able to hold them alone,although obviously they cannot brush themselves.

We also played games like unscramble the words.This isn't the best photo but if you can see the word this time was toothbrush.We played a few different baby themed games and used some of the extra items as prizes for them.I also purchased some random items to go with the theme like kids toothpaste and floss picks too.

We discussed healthy feeding habits and the effects on babies teeth as well as some of the myths and facts associated with teeth and gums.I was provided some information from my sponsors and grabbed more online beforehand.

All in all the party was a hit.The parents were glad to have some new oral care items for their children and the babies were happy to have gotten to play together.I wasn't able to get more photos due to the loss of my old computer.Thankfully these were stored on a friends phone or I would have lost them all!


***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I received the mentioned sample items in order to write a fair and honest review from my fabulous sponsors at MAM and Childs Play PR .No other compensation was received and my opinions were not influenced by receiving sample items***

Princess Perfect Pink LED Lights

I have been telling you in bits and pieces about our remodeling progress.We are almost ready to start working on the kids rooms and are just finishing the last minutes purchases.We decided to do her floor in white and pink vinyl with pink walls.When I was offered the chance to review these super cute Pink LED Christmas Lights,I knew they would be perfect for the finishing touch.

The lights come in strands of 50 and are available in a variety of colors.They plug into any normal outlet and can be plugged end to end for even longer strands.This is great for decorating a tree so you can have as many lights as you want all in one strand.Ready to use right out of the package,these are even packaged in recycled paper sleeves for a little extra "green".

I expected these to have a nice color being led,but I had no idea just how bright and pretty they were.The colors are amazing and they don't give off too much of a glow either.These are perfect for decorating,special occasions or everyday use.We plan to string Reagan's across the shelf in her room and make them into a night light for her.What better way for the princess to go to sleep than in her pretty pink room.

The next time you are looking for Christmas Lights or party lights for your decorating needs,I suggest giving these a try! They offer free incandescent light recycling too.Simply send in your old lights and they will recycle them at no charge and send you a coupon for 15% off of new lights from HolidayLEDS.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.No other compensation was received and my opinions were not influenced by receiving sample items***

EZ Stringer to the Rescue!

Everyone I know has had an issue with a drawstring at one point or another.It seems like those things never want to stay in place.For me,the biggest problem I have is the strings on my daughters pillowcase dresses.Reagan loves those dresses,but I hate trying to get the strings back in after they have been washed.

Thanks to  EZstringer,I don't have to hassle with it anymore.EZstringer is a flexible tool used to run the strings back through the slot.Simply hook the end of the string into the EZstringer,feed the other end through the slot and pull.Now,when one of the strings comes out of her dress,the boys shorts or one of the many hoodies in our house,I can just grab these and fix it in a snap.

Available in 3 colors and sizes,EZstringer is compact enough to take anywhere with you.These would fit in a purse,diaper bag or car console with ease.You get 3 per set so you could keep one in your house,one in the car and one in your bag or briefcase for instant access anywhere.Because they are made of plastic,even taking them on a vacation or business trip is a snap,no hassling with metal detectors or space issues.

You can even grab a set of 12 replacement drawstrings for just $9.98.These are perfect for that item you can't wear because you lost a string,or just adding a dash of new color to an old item.I plan to replace the black string on my jacket with the bright orange one I was sent to give it a new look.

**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.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.***

alternaVites Giveaway

AlternaVites are a powdered vitamin and mineral supplement for kids that they will want to take all on their own.These easy to take vitamins come in 2 yummy flavors,Strawberry Bubble Gum and Raspberry Cotton Candy for a taste that is sure to be a hit.

 The single dose packets are handy for on the go and fit anywhere,even in your pocket.Keep a few in the car.diaper bag,purse or anywhere for easy access.If you haven't read my review of alternaVites,you can see it  here for more information.

Now,on to the giveaway.One of my readers will win a one month supply of alternaVites to try!

       
a Rafflecopter giveaway



***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.No other compensation was received and my opinions were not influenced by receiving sample items.Giveaway items provided by the sponsor and they are responsible for shipping***

alternaVites are the fun way to take your vitamins!

My kids always give me the hardest time over taking vitamins.It never seems to matter what brand or style they are,at least one of them has a complaint.I figured I would get the same results when I was offered the chance to try alternaVites,but thought it was worth a shot anyway.

When the packaged arrived I opened it to reveal these super cute, individual sized packets.Each packet contains one serving of vitamins in powder form (like a pixie stick).The mix of  ingredients contains essential vitamins and minerals specially designed for children ages 4 and up.This allows the kids a fun and tasty way to get their daily needs and parents no longer have to fight to get their children to take them.

Alternavites are sugar free and do not contain artificial colors,flavors,sweeteners or preservatives.Available in Strawberry Bubble Gum and Raspberry Cotton Candy,the flavors are sure to be a hit too.

These are so good,my kids asked for them every day,multiple times a day.I had to explain that they weren't candy and they could only take one each day.They weren't really too happy about that part,but they loved the alternaVites and that is what matters to me.Now I don't have to fight them to take their vitamins.I don't even have to remember myself, because I can be sure they will ask for them before the day is over.


***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.No other compensation was received and my opinions were not influenced by receiving sample items***

Soak Up the Sun in Virginia Beach

With the school year almost over and summer coming fast,now is the perfect time to start planning a family getaway.What better way to unwind after a long year of early mornings,rushed evenings and constant chaos than a trip to Virginia Beach? The convenient location in the southwestern corner of the state makes it easily accessible to almost anyone.Residents from over two-thirds of the country can travel there in under a day,making it great for a weekend trip or an extended stay.

In Virginia Beach,the idea is to "Live the Life" all the time so there is an endless supply of things to keep you busy and help you get the best out of your vacation.Take advantage of the many opportunities to enjoy a little family time with the variety of fun activities,outdoor adventures and amazing attractions available in Virginia Beach.

While you unwind in this beloved vacation spot,why not take a moment to relax and enjoy some of the seasonal attractions.Let your cares drift away on the notes of the Caribbean Music Festival or Beach Music Weekend.Take a stroll through the botanical gardens or delight your taste buds with a delicious coastal food tour.You can even enjoy a romantic dinner,see a show or take a stroll on the beach for some much-deserved quality time.

Love the Moment- Kid Style by spending a day zipping down the slides at the Ocean Breeze Water Park or  viewing the amazing animals at the famous Virginia Aquarium.Both attractions are sure to please any little traveler and provide you with a great family memory too.Take the whole family for a day at the beautiful beaches diving in the depths,surfing the waves or pier fishing in the Atlantic.For those that like a little more adventure,visitors can try going kayaking with the dolphins or parasailing over the ocean.


Even the rainy days can't get you down in Virginia Beach.Spend the day indoors shopping at the over 180 stores in the Lynnhaven Mall or soak up the culture of the Contemporary Art Center.Just because it is your vacation doesn't mean you can't get a little physical at fun-filled Laser Quest or the Virginia Beach Rock Gym too.

No matter who you are or what you like to do,you can have a blast in Virginia Beach.The many attractions,beautiful locations and local culture make it a place worth visiting,again and again.






**I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate,click here

Disney/Pixar's Brave in theaters June 22nd

Disney and Pixar are at it again with the new film Brave.

Set in the Highlands of Scotland,Brave follows the journey of Merida,a skilled archer and daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor (Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson) Merida isn't one to follow the norm so she defies the sacred custom of Lords MacGuffin,Macintosh and Dingwall (Kevin McKidd,Craig Ferguson and Robbie Coltrane).Her choices unleash chaos in the kingdom and she is forced to turn to a witch for help (Julie Walters).

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman and produced by Katherine Sarafian,Brave opens in theaters on June 22,2012 ,some theaters will view in Disney Digital 3D too.





You can like Brave on Facebook or follow on Twitter to stay in the know!

*I was not compensated in any way for this post.

New Coupons from Coupons.com

• $0.75 off 2 Yoplait Kid products
• $1.00 off Purex Crystals laundry enhancer item
• $0.90 off 1 JELL-O Temptations or Mousse
• $1.00 off any Welch's Sparkling Juice Cocktail
• $1.50 off 2 Scotch-Brite™ Botanical Wipes
• $3.00 off two (2) Ensure Clear™ 4-packs
• $1.00 off on any ONE (1) Armor All Air Freshener

*I am sharing these deals as a member of Escalate Network.

$2.00 off one GARNIER MOISTURIZER Product

$2.00 off one GARNIER MOISTURIZER Product:

Great Deals on Mothers Day Flowers and More

If you are a little behind and still have to get something for Mothers Day,I have few ideas for you.I found 100 Bloom Peruvian Lilies at Red Envelope for $39.99.You can add a variety of vases for less than $10,so this is a really great deal.

There is a special on 15 Tulips with candy and vase for only $19.99 from Pro Flowers.You can also grab the beautiful Moms Delight bouquet full of pink Tulips and blue Iris with candy and vase for only $49.96.

I also love the Exotic Orchid Garden and the Glass Garden Globe Plant.These are perfect for almost anyone and is something that will last longer than a few days,like cut flowers or candy.

I sent my mom a wine bottle lamp and the tulips with vase and chocolates.I won't be able to see her on Mothers Day this year,but she will know we are thinking of her.

I hope these give you some ideas for your special gift.I really want theses rainbow colored roses for myself,but they are so expensive for cut flowers,I might be a little angry if he got them!

Sun Protection Checklist -Coppertone Water Moms

With the warm weather already upon us,it is time to drag out that summer gear and get ready for some fun in the sun.Of course,while you are out enjoying the rays,don't forget to put on some Coppertone to protect your delicate skin.As a Coppertone Water Mom,I was sent a variety of items and information that I will be sharing with you as the summer progresses.Today is a great list of items to remember before you go out for the day.

Sun Protection Checklist

Everyday Essentials-

• Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen
• Water
• Portable,packaged snacks
• Car Window Shade
• Hat
• UV-protective sunglasses
• Light,loose-fitting clothing     

Water Play-

• Beach Umbrella
• Goggles
• Towel
• Dry Clothes
• Swimming protective gear (life jackets,water wings)
• Rafts/floats
• Sand toys

Of course,these are just basic lists.You can adjust them to your needs depending on location and age of children.Bee safe this summer and have fun!



***I was not compensated for this post.I am just sharing information as a Coppertone Water Mom

The serious impact of allergies-Children's Claritin Mom Crew

With summer fast approaching,there is a jump in the causes and conditions leading to allergy attacks and allergic reactions.The symptoms of allergic rhinitis,which include sneezing,runny nose and itchy,watery eyes can make it difficult for children to enjoy playing outdoors.

Up to 40% of school age children are affected by allergic rhinitis,making it one of the most prevalent childhood conditions.

Every year approximately  2 million school days are missed due to the symptoms of allergies

Symptoms can include difficulty concentrating,sleep loss and drowsiness

This information was provided to me as a Children's Claritin Mom Crew member.When allergies attack your family this summer,remember Children's Claritin for non-drowsy allergy relief..we do!

**I was not compensated in any way for this post.I am just sharing some information with my beloved readers!

The Avengers Screening Was A Blast

I was lucky enough to be able to go see The Avengers earlier this week at a special screening.My husband is a huge Captain America fan and I love Tony Stark (aka Ironman),so this was perfect for us.

We were able to see it in IMAX 3D and I loved it.The last time I watched a 3D movie was,ironically,Captain America and I wasn't really impressed.This time,however,thanks to Marvel, Lennox Theatres and IMAX,I was more than happy.There were a few times when I had to stop myself from reaching out to touch something on the screen it was that real.I even jumped once,which is something I don't normally do.

I don't claim to know everything about each of the included characters,but with 2 boys,I know enough.The movie did a pretty good job of following the previous films of the characters.They are never exactly the same  as the comic versions,but this wasn't too bad.I was glad to see some old favorites return and enjoyed the hostility that existed between the Avengers characters.

I won't tell you too much about the movie,you just have to see it for yourself.I will say I had one issue with the film.The ending scenes were basically the same as the last Transformers movie.Obviously the characters were different.If you haven't had a chance to see that yet,you won't have a clue,but if you have,you will probably notice it right away.

I enjoyed the experience and the film very much and was glad to have been able to see it.I have told everyone I know to watch it too,even though some of them look at me like I am a little nuts..oh well.

Liquid Blue Style

If you have a husband like mine,you probably have a closet full of shirts that never get worn.I know there are tons of tees someone has given him for a birthday or Christmas that he will never wear.This takes up space in my closet that could be better used.

In my opinion it is better to get him a shirt I know he will love like the Awesome Biker t-shirts available at Liquid Blue.This way he has something he is proud to wear and my closet isn't crammed full of junk clothes that are never worn.

There are a ton of shirts available through  Liquid Blue from the more obvious biker style  to the just plain cool.I was sent the "Live Free or Die" shirt to review.The shirt arrived super fast and was packaged nicely as well.I noticed right away how vibrant the colors were,but wondered if they would hold up over time.

I am happy to say we have washed this shirt probably 5 times already and it is still in the same great shape as when it arrived.The colors haven't faded at all and there is no chipping or fraying of the design or the shirt itself.The material is soft and the shirt has a nice stretch to it too.

Now that I know I can trust these products,I will be browsing the selection to see what I can grab for his upcoming birthday or Fathers Day.I am thinking maybe one of these...

 If you have a biker fan on your list,or just a guy who is hard to buy for,I suggest stopping by Liquid Blue to see what amazing shirts you can find and avoid that cluttered closet in your home! Who knows,if you are like me,you might even find a few for yourself!

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.

***All opinions on my blog are my own and may not be the same as anyone else..that's why they are mine.I receive sample items in order to write a fair and honest review.No other compensation was received and my opinion was not influenced by receiving a review product.***