And this weeks "Lucky Blog Pick" is Pixies & Bears
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Trendy Treehouse Follow Me Fridays
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Friday Follow
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No need to fear the dentist anymore. You can reduce the visits and make your dentist happy too. Brush with Tooth Soap®. Non-toxic, sustainable, organic and no need for a warning label. Created by a mom who has kids with no cavities. Get more information at: http://www.toothsoap.com/
No need to fear the dentist anymore. You can reduce the visits and make your dentist happy too. Brush with Tooth Soap®. Non-toxic, sustainable, organic and no need for a warning label. Created by a mom who has kids with no cavities. Get more information at: http://www.toothsoap.com/
Children's Claritin Review
Among leading OTC brands, Claritin states it's the number one pediatrician-recommended non-drowsy allergy brand.
When I read that four out of ten school children are affected by allergies, I wasn't surprised given three of my children have them. One is on a daily medication while the other two take Claritin. What I never really thought about is the fact that not only do allergies cause missed school days but it can affect focus resulting in learning problems.
I've always used the liquid version which my youngest's allergist recommended for her but with my older child, I give her the Claritin Grape Chewables and she actually likes it.
Some of the things we do to help alleviate suffering from allergies are to wash the blankets and sheets periodically in hot water, keep the windows closed, run the air fan all the time, change our furnace filters monthly and dust frequently.
I do like this chart from Claritin that helps parents determine if it's a cold or allergy:
If you haven't tried Claritin for your children, you might want to. Our doctor did recommend it and it works.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary package of Claritin along with coupons for my role as a BzzAgent. I received no financial compensation.
Great Special Savings at DisneyStore Expires 5/9
Two specials at DisneyStore are going on right now but expire 5/9! This is going to be great for our trip to Orlando as who can go to Orlando without sporting the Mickey attire?
Take an extra 15% off already reduced prices sitewide at DisneyOutlet.com with promo code: OUTLET15
I had no idea they had so many "create your own" designs!
Father's Day Ideas: Military Dad
These shirts can be personalized and is embroidered for that extra touch of care. You can get it here Army Dad's Rock Embroidered Shirts
If he's over in the Middle East, it gets cold at night so this would be great for them! Short sleeve is perfect for the day or on weekends golfing.
Here are more choices and ideas:
Kids DIY: Cute Fish Father's Day Card
This is an adorable card from Kaboose and doesn't look too hard to make:
If your father loves going fishing, he'll think this charming card is quite a catch. Dad will imagine the sound of rippling of water, a beautiful breeze passing by, and the pull of the "big one" at the end of his line when he gets a gander at this 3-D fishing-themed Father's Day card.
Be sure to check out our main Father's Day index for even more great ideas including Father's Day crafts, coloring pages, and tasty recipes just for Dad!
How to make it:
Step 1:
- Cut out fish pattern (Pattern 1) and then trace onto grey colored cardstock.
- Have an adult cut out all dark solid areas marked on the pattern or use a marker to draw in the details of the dark areas on the cardstock. If you decide to draw the details on, draw the head details on the "wrong" side of the paper.
- Cut out 6½” x 10” shape on green colored cardstock and fold in half.
- Cut out 6½” W x 3½” L wave pattern (Pattern 2) from blue paper.
- Cut out ½” W x 10” L strips of design paper.
- Curl strips with pencil.
Step 2:
- Glue wave shape to bottom front of card.
- Glue fish to left side on front of card.
- Twist fish tail so the "wrong" side is showing and glue to card.
- Pierce a small hole for the eye and place a brad in the hole.
Step 3:
- Glue curled tips of design paper to bottom of card.
- Have an adult cut a long piece of wire fold 1½” from top to make a hook (fishing line)
- Glue two (2) beads and one (1) feather at folded end (make a hook)
- Glue wire with hook on front of card
Tips:
- If brads are not available, use a marker and draw a circle for fish eye.
Claudine Casault is a craft developer living in Ontario, Canada.
My Pillsbury Crescent Get Together & .70 Cent Savings For You
We had a great time at our Pillsbury Crescent Get Together Party. If you have not had a chance to see what the buzz is about, check out Psst and share in the fun (see my middle one modeling). We were provided a party pack of great items to include aprons, cookbooks full of great recipes and coupons for my guests, free coupons for Crescent Rolls, a prepaid card to help with the costs of the other ingredients and more ideas and tips on hosting the party.
I have to say, I had no idea on the variety of things you can make with Crescents. Our party started out fun because we already had one of the items made to greet our guests. We also had plans to make three other items. One was from the demonstration of how easy it is to make something with Pillsbury Crescents. The next two involved everyone making one and the last one was for the kids to make as they have to have fun too!
Here is a sample menu:
Caramel Apple Streusel Bars
Cheesy Chicken 'n Spinach Pinwheels
Game-Day Spinach Pull-Apart
The items really are easy to make and if your children are creative, they will have endless fun making some of these wonderful recipes.
You can take in the fun by saving .70 off by clicking here.
My First Real Publix Savings
In the interim, I didn't take pictures of the spread of food, we bought the following:
- 8 ears of corn
- Azteca Tortillas
- Ziploc Freezer Bags (2)
- Ziploc Sandwich Bags
- Mini Oreo Munch Pack (2)
- Kelloggs Pop Tarts (3)
- Pizza Sauce
- Herdez. Salsa
- Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough (2)
- Publix Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- Glade Lasting Impressions KIt
- Nivea Soap
- SpongeBob Band Airs
- Corn Serving Set
- Neosporin Plus Max
- Arnold Mini Thins
- Thomas English Bagel Thins
We spent a total out of pocket of $31.89 and saved 59.53! I thought that was pretty good for our first attempt.
Any tips or suggestions?
The Ultimate Father's Day Gift for Golfers: Backyard Do-it-Yourself Putters
I just received my Lowe's e-mail update and was impressed with this idea for a backyard putter.
Step 1: Determine and mark the size and shape of your putting green, chipping stations, and sand trap on your lawn. (Be sure to consider the width of your synthetic turf when designing the green and chipping stations to avoid turf seams; 9- and 12-foot widths are available.) Remove the sod within these areas. Dig out the sand trap area to the desired depth, and fill it with sand. Step 2: Dig a 12-inch-wide x 3-inch-deep trench around each green. Pour a 1-inch layer of paver base in the trench. Level and tamp until firm. | |
Step 3: Lay wall blocks in the trench, ensuring that they are level from front to back. Fill in the greens to the top of the blocks with paver base. Step 4: To create the putting-green cups, place a 4-inch atrium grate in a 3- x 4-inch S&D adapter, and place this assembly inside a 4-inch S&D bushing. (These materials can be found in the plumbing department.) | |
Step 5: Use a posthole digger to dig a hole in each green for each putting cup. Test-fit the cup assembly, and adjust as needed. Fill any gaps around the cup assembly with sand or paver base. Make sure that the top of each hole is flush with grade. Tamp down the area around each hole until firm. | |
Step 6: Lay the synthetic turf on the paver base, and cut to size. The turf should extend over each block.Using landscape fabric pins, pin through the turf and into the paver base between each block. While you are pinning, have someone pull the turf taut to ensure a tight fit. Once the turf has been pinned, secure it to the top of the blocks using landscape block adhesive. Step 7: Trim out the putting cups using a utility knife. Step 8: Lay brick pavers on top of the wall blocks and secure using adhesives. | |
Step 9: To create the flagpoles, cut a 1/2-inch-diameter PVC pipe into two 3-foot pieces, and wrap the poles with electrical tape in a swirl pattern.Cut flags from a drop cloth, paint as desired, and spray with a clear topcoat, allowing each coat to dry.Use Liquid Nails to attach the flags to the PVC poles. Use Liquid Nails to attach a 3/4-inch bushing piece (found in the plumbing department) to the inside of each atrium grate. Allow adhesive to dry. Place each flagpole inside each bushing. |
Looking for Review Opportunities: Trip to Orlando
I'm taking my girls to Orlando soon to help offset the sadness they are experiencing with their dad's deployment to Kuwait. I'm hoping it will be a great experience for them as we have a house with an inground, private pool! I'm hoping to take advantage of the area to write up some posts for my blogs for recommendations if others are planning a visit.
If anyone has any suggestions on where to go other than the obvious (smile), please let me know!
If anyone has any suggestions on where to go other than the obvious (smile), please let me know!
Koala Kuddles Swaddling Blankets Review
Anyone who has every tried swaddling knows how difficult it can be with the standard receiving blanket. It's not quite large enough and when you try to use a regular blanket, it's usually too big or bulky and doesn't maintain the swaddle effect. I always struggled with this until I received two complimentary Koala Kuddles blankets to review. I'm a bit partial to Australian products as my middle child is half Australian and my dear friend is from there too. Koala Kuddles is a wonderful option for parents who want to swaddle their children the correct way. Australian moms have long known the effects of a good swaddle.
Babies that are swaddled may sleep better as the blanket's material allows air flow thus decreasing overheating, provides a snug fit to mimic that comfort in the womb and is soft. The Koala Kuddles even get softer with each wash. I was able to see the difference in both blankets as one was straight from the box and the other was prewashed for me. They were both soft but after repeated washings, it did feel softer.
Another aspect I like about Koala Kuddles is the size. Since they are larger, they do swaddle better and they have other uses such as a cover for a nursing mom, a shield from the sun in the stroller and a blanket.
The Koala Kuddles come in three choices:
Australian Animals 3 Pack:
A fun and whimsical design that incorporates animals native to Australia, including the kangaroo, giant sea turtle, crocodile and platypus. Design is printed in burgundy and cream onto 100% muslin cotton cloth. Cloth is lightweight, breathable and ideal for the perfect swaddle. Softens with every wash!
Polka Dots 3 Pack:
Polka dot pattern printed in tints of Koala Kuddles green. Design is printed on 100% muslin cotton cloth. Cloth is lightweight, breathable and ideal for the perfect swaddle. Softens with every wash!
Assorted Swaddles Animals and Polka Dots 3 Pack:
Assorted Koala Kuddle swaddling blankets. Includes both Australian Mammals and Polka Dot patterns. Choose from two Animals and one Polka Dot design or two Polka Dot and one Animal design. Cloth is lightweight, breathable and ideal for the perfect swaddle. Softens with every wash!
There are even helpful hints on how to swaddle or you can watch a video:
About Koala Kuddles:I moved from Sydney, Australia to Kansas with my family in 2005. When my baby boy was born in 2006, I was very surprised my American friends had never seen anything like the swaddling wraps (receiving blankets) I was using from home. After subsequently giving mine away, and my friends telling all their friends about them, I thought I would create and sell my own swaddles. And so Koala Kuddles was born! Now based out of Austin, these authentically Australian wraps make a wonderfully unique baby shower gift for a friend or your own baby! I hope you enjoy and cherish them as much we do in Australia!
I really liked the Koala Kuddles Swaddling Blankets and would recommend them. My baby did seem to sleep longer and better and they really were soft especially after the repeated wash.
To purchase online, click here.
To see a list of retailers who carry Koala Kuddles, click here.
McDonald’s® McNuggets® and Shrek Forever After™ House Party™
I'm very excited to be a host for the McDonald’s® McNuggets® and Shrek Forever After™ House Party™! If you haven't had a chance to host a party or sign up, you really should as you get some great items to host your party. The site allows party hosts to exchange ideas and suggestions while posting the success of your party. My kids love Shrek so this will be a fun one. I'm trying to decide if we should have the party here or move it up one day and give the kids at school a special treat.
For the party, we get an Arch card to purchase McDonald's Chicken Nuggets and a host of other great favors, plates, cups, napkins and much more. If we have it at the house, I will decorate with Shrek balloons and pictures along with the poster we are receiving.
These are the invitations I made for the party:
To go along with the McNuggets, we'll have a variety of sauces and to change it up to make it more healthy, apple slices with dip and salad in honor of being Shrek green. For desert, I'll make these and it's as easy as printing out Shrek pictures and attaching them to toothpicks.
Of course, we'll have to watch our complimentary Shrek 3 movie and for fun, we'll play pin the tail on the Donkey, name that shape (small shapes like toys immersed in green jello), photos taken by the poster with the Shrek ears and each guest will receive a photo CD of all the photos (edited by me).
That's it for now!
For the party, we get an Arch card to purchase McDonald's Chicken Nuggets and a host of other great favors, plates, cups, napkins and much more. If we have it at the house, I will decorate with Shrek balloons and pictures along with the poster we are receiving.
These are the invitations I made for the party:
To go along with the McNuggets, we'll have a variety of sauces and to change it up to make it more healthy, apple slices with dip and salad in honor of being Shrek green. For desert, I'll make these and it's as easy as printing out Shrek pictures and attaching them to toothpicks.
Of course, we'll have to watch our complimentary Shrek 3 movie and for fun, we'll play pin the tail on the Donkey, name that shape (small shapes like toys immersed in green jello), photos taken by the poster with the Shrek ears and each guest will receive a photo CD of all the photos (edited by me).
