Embracing a Healthy Family: May 2010

Minnie Mouse Paper Favor Cake


In between verifying all the entries for the Nintendo DS Light giveaway, I took a break to make my first ever paper favor cake.  It was very time consuming and I'm sure if I had the proper tools to score, it wouldn't have taken so long.  Overall, I'm happy with the turnout and plan to use this for Dani's birthday at the end of June.  We celebrated both girls birthday before their dad left for Kuwait so they are lucky to get yet another birthday but not as large as the last one.

It was a surprising easy project that involved finding and printing a template online and after cutting each one, scoring the creases and assembling the boxes, I placed a large ribbon around to keep it in place, secured it with a brad as I love those since they do the job and look great.  I then printed out a picture of Minnie and cut it out and used shish-ka-bob skewers to hold her and the names up.  Now I have to fill them with their favorite candy and little Minnie toys that I can find.

Take 61 Seconds & Help This Mother

One of my fellow TwitterMoms is in a children's story contest. View her super short video and that counts as a vote for her in this UK-based contest. The direct link is: http://bit.ly/cCiXz8 Contest ends 7pm EST on Memorial Day. Fast, 100% free, no sign ups, no registration. Your kids will love imitating the cute little British girl who narrates the story. Wholesome fun and free--what could be better on Memorial Day?

KettleWorx: Week One for a Six Week Body Workout

I'm back after absent a week and am ready to get moving with getting healthier for myself and kids.  I was given the fortunate opportunity to try out a complimentary set of KettleWorx Ultra 10,  I was thinking it was another one of those infomercial type workout programs but I was very pleasantly surprised with the entire package.  The entire series includes every possible combination you would want to workout your body while allowing the exercises to be manageable.  I became interested when another blogger, Colleen, was using KettleWorx and wrote about her positive experiences as well.








To start out with the KettleWorx program, you pick three days of the week you want to work out such as Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  There are optional workouts you can add in if you want to work out more than three days. Here is an example workout that I'm going to complete except I started on Sunday.





Week One:
  • Monday = Cardio ... Select “Week 1” from the menu that appears on your screen when you load the DVD 
  • Tuesday = Fast Fat Burn (10-Minute Supplemental Workout - optional)
  • Wednesday = Core ... Select “Week 1” 
  • Thursday = Fast Abs (10-Minute Supplemental Workout - optional)
  • Friday = Resistance ... Select “Week 1”



Week Two:
  • Repeat the same order, but this time choose “Week 2” when the DVD loads 
And so on through Week 6 with Maximize Your Results: Choose one of the DVDs from the Ultimate Body Collection and do one more workout on the weekend.

Fat Free in 42:  
The six week healthy eating guide (e-Book format) is available to ensure you are eating healthy during the six week transformation.



Just look at a real testimonial before and after picture:




I worked out with my middle daughter and it was a lot of fun ... hard work but it was one of those experiences where you feel really good as you know you did something good for your body.  Keep following to see how I progress throughout the six week program.  So far, I love it!





KettleWorx Ultra 10

Need PR? Check Out Over 15 Sponsors Already for Blogmania 2010





BLOGMANIA is a twice-yearly blogging event to offer awesome giveaways by a host of sites with quick entries, rapid prize distribution and a great time over a two day period.  If you would like to sponsor an item to add to my theme Home for the Holidays, send me a message at staying_younger@yahoo.com.


Here are some of my prizes already:


Sock Monkey Hat with earflaps TODDLER sized


Alpaca booties from my collection A little forest Elf.


Scrabble Tile Grape Vine Wreath Tree Ornaments


Customized Three Little Ladybug Shirt shirt

All Seasons Slippers - Pattern


Hot Coco Caramel Ruffle Peasant Dress--Rozzissweetpeas--girls Holiday Peasant Dress Sizes sm, med, large, 2T,3T,4,5 and 6


SHIPPING SALE-OOAK-Tatted 5 pointed CLOVER Flake with glass beads


Tan Tailored Dinner Napkins (Set of 8)







  


Mug of Warmth Mini Note Cards


My Little Pumpkin Crocheted Hat-Newborn (0-3 months)


Reversible Bib Argyle Reversible Bib Argyle


Autumn Jasper One Minute Traffic Chaplet


Bag of Happy





Winterberry Necklace - garnet, rutilated quartz, oxidized sterling silver chains


Frownies Face Lift in a Bag



Here is a list of my sponsors with pictures depicting the giveaways:


$400+ in prizes so far!


Who - What - Where - When


Over $10,000 Dollars in prizes and building! 



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SAVE THE DATES: September 15th and 16th.



Thanks and look forward to seeing you at Blogmania!

If you like the prizes, please visit each of my sponsors to thank them!



Huggies Little Movers is Our Diaper of Choice

Day in and day out, I have relied on certain products to help make my life easier while ensuring I gave my children the best.  When I had my first child nearly 22 year's ago, I learned the reasons why good baby products were not only essential to ease my life but also for the comfort of my baby.  Since then, I have diapered more children and again, have relied on a brand I trust and have known for years.   Huggies recently approached me and asked me to be a brand ambassador for their Little Movers diapers, and as part of the partnership I will be writing several blog posts on behalf of the brand.  


Bringing home a new baby is an exciting event that is met with many emotions and little time to worry about product quality, safety and effectiveness.  No matter how many times you bring home a new baby, it can be a daunting experience from time to time. With all the new products available, it can be difficult choosing the right one that suits your needs along with ensuring safety.  Once my daughter grew out of Huggies Little Snugglers, I knew that Huggies Little Movers was the logical choice.




Huggies Little Movers secure diapers for babies 16-28 lbs     


I chose Huggies Little Movers due to their ability to prevent leaks to include overnight.  I also like them because they flex to keep up with all the up and down, jumping and lying down activities little ones go through.  I found that these were the only diapers that could withstand the overnight hours without leaking and causing me extra work with changing bedding every morning.


The entire line of Huggies products have improved my life in the easiest ways by providing me with products I trust and rely on.  To have a diaper that can keep up with my very active toddler while ensuring she stays dry through the night is very important to me.  Not only does she have comfort but it also saves money with less diapers and fewer loads of laundry to wash.  My toddler is also ultra sensitive and Huggies is one brand that does not irritate her sensitive skin.  Between the Huggies brand of diapers and wipes, I am assured she's well taken care of.




Huggies Naturally Refreshing baby wipes provide a fresh cucumber and green tea scent while cleaning and protecting your baby's skin

     
Huggies keeps my life simpler with a variety of products that ensures all my children and soon-to-be grandchild are well taken care of with high quality products that I can trust.  I enjoy how Huggies goes the extra step to help us parents with daily tasks.  There are many tools available to help being a parent much easier and when you are like me with children of various ages, it really does help to have a one stop shop for many products you trust.


Next post: Little Movers and a Day in the Life of My Little One


Extra:  Baby Shower Gift Tip:


My oldest is pregnant with her first baby due 10/10/10 (cool isn't it?)!   Since she's co-raised my younger ones by default (smiling at my good fortune), she also is a Huggies fan and has been buying Huggies for her baby to be prepared.  For part of her gift, I'm making a Huggies Diaper Cake and I'll provide the instructional here.  I just started to make it ahead of time for this post so I'm missing some of the gifts but you will get the idea if you decide to make one yourself.


Step 1:
Take one Huggies diaper and roll up as shown in the picture below.  Start with the open end, roll and secure with a rubber band.



Step 2:
Take seven more Huggies diapers and add to the first diaper as shown below. 





Step 3:
The first layer is finished and now for the middle layer, roll 16 Huggies diapers and secure with another rubber band as shown below. 




Step 4:
With a larger rubber band, it's time to make the bottom or base of the Huggies Diaper Cake.  Take 45~ Huggies Diapers and roll up as you did in the other steps.  Secure with the large rubber band and your base is finished.  


Step 5:
You can either make your own base to sit the entire cake on from sturdy cardboard or purchase a cake base from a party or craft store.  This will provide stability to the weight of the cake pending how much extra you add.


Step 6:
In each layer, you can add Huggies coupons as an extra surprise or leave as is.  Use dowel rods or other like material to secure all three layers together. This is a step that professional cake makers use to secure their layered cakes.


Step 7:
Once your layers are secure, you can take out some of the Huggies Diapers from the top and replace with toys, other Huggies products or whatever you want.


Step 8:  
Add ribbon or whatever you want to make it more special.  You can take long swaddle blankets, fold in lengths and use it to wrap around the layers to hide the rubber bands.


Step 9:
Purchase cellophane wrap from a craft or party store to secure it together and you can wrap a rattle or other toys to the top.





Updated picture when I remade it with Glue Dots Adhesives:










Summertime Fun with Adorable Baby Clothing

I yearn for summer every year and it's one of many things I missed about living in Hawaii.  I crave warm weather more than I do chocolate.  I also love the different fashions that come out each season and one of my favorites shop is online at www.adorablebabyclothing.com.  Whether you need clothing for any occasion, baby shower and baby gifts, toys and more, they are a one place shop for children.

Here are some perfect summer attire:

Flower Power Retro Print Halter Dress

Retro Flowers Halter Sun Dress  Sleeveless White Flower Girl Dress with Change Color Sash


le top Boy's Puppy Farmer Tee & Short Set 4T

The Hamptons Collection Boys Shortalls  Baseball Shortall by Mudpie

If you have a birthday party to attend or have a special party to give, there are some amazing outdoor toys as well.

Grub Scouts Sprinkler

Bibi Bee Watering Can  Blossom Bright Tote Set

I routinely turn to AdorableBabyClothing for my girls' formal  wear due to the ease in finding two different sizes in matching sizes.  I love this shop because not only are the items of high quality but the owner offers personalized customer service and really cares about your happiness with the products.


Ficklets: Amazing Way to Dress Up Boring Kids Glasses

Kids with glasses may not always like wearing their glasses but with these great new eyewear charm huggers, they have the choice to jazz them up and show a little personality.  With great choices for summer, your little one can find something the reflects the season, their sport or just the carefree atmosphere that comes with warmer weather.

Here are a few of my favorite Ficklets:

Lt. Blue Puppy

Hot Pink Jewel Flower  Pink Tropical Flower

Soccer Ball

Large Pink Ballet Shoes  Baseball

Don't just take my word on how Ficklets is going to be the next big fashionable trend, read about all the press Ficklets have already received here.  Ficklets are so easy to apply to your kid's glasses:

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