Parenting Children

Summer is right around the corner and one thing I always have to have fully stocked in the summer is ice cream! Ice cream is a summer staple! The kids, my husband and I love trying new pops, cones and frozen treats as well as making our own. My waistline does not take to all of these treats so I try and keep some lighter frozen treats just for me.

I have tried The Skinny Cow ice cream bars (truffle bars, delish!) before and I have really enjoyed them. Mom Central gave me the chance to try the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and I say “YUM!”
What I like about these sandwiches is that they are a generous size and they offer such great flavor choices: chocolate peanut butter, strawberry shortcake, chocolate/vanilla, vanilla, mint, cookies ‘n cream and no sugar added vanilla.
I tried the mint and chocolate/vanilla and they were very good for 130 calories and 2g of fat!

The ice cream itself tastes more like frozen yogurt than ice cream, which is to be expected with light ice creams. It is creamy and the cookie outside is delightful. I will buy these again and try all of the flavors they offer. I didn’t feel cheated and I didn’t want more than one.
I think this will be a perfect summer treat for me when my skinny kids are getting one of everything from the ice cream truck!

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I have been writing about spring cleaning a lot lately, can you guess what we have been doing in this house? I have to clean well since I have allergies and dust does not work well with allergies. Today I want to tell you about an amazing product I got to try out in my home, Protect-A-Bed.

Protect-A-Bed is the world’s first ultra thin mattress protector. Their mattress protectors are made from natural cotton Terry toweling with a polyurethane Miracle membrane backing. It’s 100% waterproof, breathable, allergy free, easy to care for and helps make your sleep environment more comfortable.
I know you have seen some story about bed bugs and dust mites and how they are all over our mattresses. Did you know that the human body loses at least a half-litre of body fluids through the skin pores and mouth as well as millions of skin flakes? Well that is what dust mites and bed bugs feed on!
Gross, I know.

The Protect-A-Bed mattress protector helps you fight against these gross creatures. I tried out the Premium Mattress Protector which is their popular mid market model. It’s completely waterproof and repels liquid like urine or sweat. It’s also breathable and allows airflow through the mattress and bedding.

These are the first mattress covers I’ve found to provide waterproof protection that doesn’t make you feel like you are sleeping on a plastic, baby mattress protector. The expandable skirt will ensure they easily fit any mattress depth from 8″ to 20″ and I’m happy to say that all Protect-a-Bed items are tested for harmful substances according to strict Oeko-Tex Standard 100 which makes me feel great about what I am putting on my bed.
Check them out for mattress protectors, crib protectors, pillow protectors and more!

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It is that time of year again. Time to take out the warmer weather clothes, time to wash and pack up all of the sweaters and winter coats, to open windows, to exchange your flannel sheets for cotton ones. In other words, time to clean the house from top to bottom!
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy having a clean house so cleaning is something I don’t mind- IF I have the right tools.

Hoover engineers have used the learnings of 100 years of innovation to develop the new Hoover Platinum Collectionâ„¢, featuring six floor care products, like a handheld vac and a stick vac, that deliver unmatched cleaning performance along with specially designed features to make cleaning faster and easier. With products ranging from upright vacuums to carpet cleaners to cordless units, there is a Platinum Collection model for every home and every task.

The Hoover Platinum collection seems terrific and even gives other leading vacuums a run for their money. I am most interested in the carpet cleaner:

I would love to get my hands on that, instnat satisfaction! I would even offer to come and clean your carpets for you!

Does anyone have one of the Hoover Platinum Collections? I would love to hear first hand how well they works.

I am running a giveaway over at my other site, please go over and check it out to enter to win a Evenflo breast pump!

Hoover, Hoover Platinum Collection, vacuums, spring cleaning, cleaning your home

I was so excited to try the E-cloth and I was skeptical at first. I have tried microfiber cloths before and they were okay, but not great. They seemed to hold smells and cleaned well, but not great. I am trying to keep my house as green as possible with as little cost as possible- we are all hurting in this economy. The E-cloth is better than any other microfiber cloth I have ever used in the past!

The difference that allows E-cloth to deliver an exceptional level of clean with just water and retain this ability over a lifespan of 300+ washes is derived from using only the highest grades of raw materials and a state-of-the-art manufacturing process.
There are many factories producing microfiber using lower grades of material, especially in China, where up to 75% of inexpensive microfiber are unprocessed resulting in poor cleaning qualities. The E-cloth is woven by proprietary machinery into fabric of 80% polyester and 20% polyamide.
The E-cloth worked wonders on my stainless appliances, the glass shower door, counter tops and windows. It cleaned and left everything streak free! Better yet, I did it all with the E-cloth and just water! No harsh chemicals to breathe in, or left on my countertops.
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Now that we have moved into our new house, it is time to start fixing things up and changing things around. On the top of my list is the kitchen, I want to update all of the appliances and I need a new, bigger washer and dryer. I have been researching appliances lately and I am just in love with Electrolux appliances.

Not aware of Electrolux appliances? Take a virtual tour of a kitchen filled with these amazing, time and energy efficient models, like this hybrid cook top that boils water in 90 seconds! Check out their new washers & dryers which features the fastest wash and dry times available, the largest capacity washers and dryers stylish design and bold new colors!

Starting today, when you go to http://www.electroluxappliances.com/ and plant a virtual flower for a friend, Electrolux will donate $1 to Global Green USA to support their healthy green schools initiatives across America. Everyone who logs on to the site and plants a virtual flower will be automatically entered for a chance to win a new eco-friendly Kelly Green (named after eco-friendly mom and spokeswoman, Kelly Ripa) front-load washer and dryer! How cool is that?! Mom Central is giving one away as well. So go check the site out and send a virtual flower and help to raise funds for Global Green USA.

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Finding the right gift for kids these days is hard for me, they seem to have everything.
Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for that special child in your life? Something that is as unique as they are? Enter Child’s Own Studio.

Child’s Own Studio is a special place where you can transform your child’s drawing into a custom plush doll or soft toy. That is right, make a toy out of a drawing your child made! Anything in your child’s imagination for the first time can be made into their own personal lovey.
Wendy was generous enough to make a softie for my daughter from the drawing of a princess she has made.

Drawing by R age 5

I loved this drawing because of how detailed her dress was, I loved the way my daughter had drawn her shoes. Wendy made the doll exactly like her picture and we couldn’t have been more happy with the results! You can tell it was made with love.
Don’t believe me? Check out the gallery of other amazing softies she has made.
Wendy will make any drawing that is a recognizable person, place or thing.

A Child’s Own custom made soft toy starts at $50 CAD, plus shipping. Drawings containing many details and/or many colours will require more labor and therefore be priced accordingly. After payment is received, expect your special toy in 2-4 weeks!

Wendy was amazing to work with and I cannot say how much I love this site.

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Sometimes you are looking for the perfect something for yourself or for your love. Something original, something special, something nobody has done before. Enter Miss Alie Ward from Curiology. She has what you are looking for.

Alie is a painter and lover of all things beautiful. She is known in L.A. for her apparel line and her paintings which she does almost exclusively on wood! She is creative and lovely and I have had the pleasure of trying one of her awesome custom tattoo shirts.
The old-school tattoo design is silk-screened on a 100% cotton jersey shirt, and they hand-letter the name of the love of your choosing. Available in women’s and men’s!

These are 100% cotton jersey knit by American Apparel shirts, which I think runs slightly smaller than regular, so if you have a question about size, order a size up! They come in black or white from size small to X-large.
It washed well and is so unique! I have received many compliments already.
I will be ordering one for my husband very soon!

Perfect for someone who wants to “try out” a tattoo without the commitment, for new moms or dads, for Father’s Day, an anniversary or just because you want to declare your love! This is a great gift idea for anyone on your list for any occasion.

Also, check out Alie’s art work and her blog!

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We have just moved from New Jersey to New Hampshire and man, it is cold here! I have many things to get used to like the never-ending snow, living in a much more rural place and the cold!
I was lucky enough to get to try the Slanket for review and it is really doing the job of keeping me warm during these long, cold New England nights!

Surely, you have heard of the Slanket, you can think of it as a backwards robe. Here is how the Slanket came about:
One subzero night in 1998 during my first semester of college I could not escape Maine’s winter bite. While watching Late Night with Conan O’Brien I decided I needed to tear a hole in my sleeping bag so I could keep my upper body warm as I channel surfed during the commercial breaks. During Christmas vacation I commissioned the first Slanket to be made by my mother…and it was born.

The Slanket is oversized so even my 6′4 husband loves it! The Slanket is: 100% polyester microfibers, Machine Washable, measures 60″W x 95″L, available in 11 color choices and in Kid Sizes!
Purchase the Slanket and give back, All blue Slankets will raise money for H2O AFRICA. Green, brown, and grey Slankets will help contribute to the NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL. The lavender, ruby wine, and apricot will accumulate funds for the BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION.

I love my slanket and everyone who knows I have one asks me how I like it because they are as fascinated with the Slanket as I am, so I am telling you now go and get thee a Slanket!

The Slanket, Slanket, blanket with sleeves, blankets, keeping warm in winter, reviews

Dreem clothing was started in 2004 when fonder Brooke Wall became pregnant with her first son and found it very difficult to find stylish tees to show off her my growing belly. She wanted something she could feel sexy in but had no luck. After becoming pregnant with her second son, she decided to launch her line of clothing for pregnant and sexy moms.

Dreem has shirts for every pregnant mom who doesn’t want to wear a generic maternity shirt. I would have loved to have this twin shirt when I was pregnant! Dreem has the cutest shirts offered in short sleeve, long sleeve, thermals or a tank top in a variety of great colors.
No longer pregnant? Try Dreem’s hot mom line. Let everyone know how proud you are of your body with the post pardum bod shirt or a hot mom shirt like I had the chance to try out.
The shirt has great stretch to it, is very soft and held up to a spin in the washing machine very well. I will say, if you are unsure about your size, buy a size up.

Dreem shirts would be great for moms on your list this holiday season, baby shower gifts or for a new mom. Better yet your purchase gives back, Dreem has partnered up with the Nature Conservancy, and for every tee that is sold a tree will be planted in your name! How cool is that?

Parenting Children readers get 20% off your total purchase when you use code: TEF20
Offer expires 1/1/09.

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My kids are new to the Build-a-Bear scene but they love the idea of it. I can see why, you get a basic something and then create whatever you want from there. Both boys and girls love it and build a bear birthday parties are wildly popular. If you are looking for the same type of place, Ridemakerz is the hottest thing for boys (and girls) to get into.

At Ridemakerz you create your own 1/18 model of a car! Ridemakerz has all of the very cool materials that are needed for creating and pimping out your own toy car. They offer traditional model cars or for an additional $25 they can create their own remote control car instead.
You start by choosing a body for your car from a HUGE selection of model types like pick up trucks, Mustangs, or Mini Coopers. Then you chose all the fun stuff and customize your car. You can choose roll bars, spoilers, decals, pipes, wheels and more.

My son loved his Ridemakerz and my nephew is now asking for one for Christmas. It provided hours of fun and bonding between him and his Dad and I. He wants to collect them all so you can say this was a hit!
They also will host a birthday party! You can find a Ridemakerz shop near you by clicking here. You can always order your custom car online.

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I always do a lot of my holiday shopping online. This year it is even more important for me to get good deals on gifts because money is tight. I usually shop for the items I want at the store I think I will find it at the best price. MomCentral.com recently introduced me to Shop.com and now I think I will do most of my online shopping with them.

Why would I use Shop.com?
Shop.com is a new kind of shopping comparison site that offers the most comprehensive shopping experience on the web. You can search for the products you want from the best stores online and see them side by side. Decide which price, shipping method, and delivery schedule options work best for you. Easy!

What makes it different than other online sites?
They offer other services that other sites do not have like the gift recommendation service which recommends the most appropriate gifts for that special someone, egifts, gift registries and date reminders so your husband will never miss your anniversary again!

I think the best part is that you can purchase from over 2,000 merchants all in one place. Purchases can be conveniently made using one universal “shopping cart” to buy everything at one time or by clicking over to participating merchants’ sites. Talk about one stop shopping, this is going to make for a very easy Christmas shop this year for me.

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With the lead in children’s toys and dress up items and the warning last year about Chinese made toothpaste, it leads me wondering: is there anything safe to buy from China? Turns out, maybe not. The industrial chemical melamine has been found in infant formula and milk products from 22 of China’s dairy companies!

The chemical has lead to 12,892 of children hospitalized in recent weeks and four deaths. Of the infants in a hospital, 104 are in serious condition. Officials said another 39,965 children received outpatient treatment at hospitals and were now considered “basically recovered,” the AP reported.
This terrible incident has prompted the recall of infant formula and other milk products from stores across China, and dairy-related products made in China have been banned across Asia.

I am aware that Chinese manufactured items are cheaper for companies but when will this madness end? I think the mothers of this world need to rise up and demand that our children’s toys be made safer, demand that the chemicals leeching from our baby and water bottles be banned from use and take a stand against using child labor to make our clothing. We need to hold these companies responsible for how and with what they are making our products from. Are these chemicals the reason that autism, ADD and ADHD are on the rise?

I know I will be making my point made when I do my chopping this holiday season. I will buy American made, I will support my local artisans and mother owned companies.
What will you buy this holiday season?

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Trying to find gifts for people can sometimes be difficult. I love personalized gifts but I always have to find something I know (or hope) the receipient will love. Circle of Sentiments is a store that has something for everyone and is perfect for gift giving.

Circle of Sentiments is owned by Jamie, a mom of twin boys, and I love to support mom owned businesses, especially another mom of twins. Her collection of jewelry includes a fabulous selection of hand stamped necklaces and bracelets. Whether you are looking for something unique for yourself or a distinctive gift, Circle of Sentiments offers simple and affordable gifts for every woman on your list.

One of my favorites from her collection is the initial necklace, which I received for review. The sterling silver ball chain is available in 16″ or “18 and features a disc (slightly smaller than a quarter) that is hand stamped with the upper case initial. This necklace is gorgeous, I love it and I wear it everywhere and with everything. It looks perfect with jeans and a tee or a dress. Check out her patterned necklace or this gorgeous cuff bracelet. You can proudly display your children’s names initials or a phrase on all of these products.

Remember Circle of Sentiments for a new mom, grandma, bridesmaid, communion or mother’s day gifts. I know these will all be on my go to list for gifts this year for family and friends.

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Like I said in my last post, I have a hard time with gifts, especially gifts for boys. The older a boy get the harder, I think, that it is to find a great gift for them. When I got the chance to review a Smart Lab You Explore It Human Body I jumped on it.

The You Explore It Human Body is a clear plastic-encased skeleton with “squishy insides” — human organs, muscles and bones that you remove like a surgeon using plastic forceps and tweezers that are included. An accompanying book provides science lessons about the organs.
The parents loved this as much as the kids did. It is fun to take out the organs and try and put them back where they belong.

The Insides Out book that is included well written and very kid-friendly with information and cool facts. The kit includes:
12-inch plastic human body model
nine removable squishy vital organs
skeletal, vascular and muscular systems
forceps and tweezers
tray to organize your organs and
32-page fully illustrated color book

This is for ages 8 and up ($27.00) and my eight year old nephew loved it as much as my five year old twins and my husband and I did! This is a fun learning tool. A perfect gift for boys or girls who are interested in the human body, science or even for kids who just love gross, squishy things.

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I do a ton of review fo rbaby gear and kid “stuff” but I don’t very often get to review great mom products. Being a mom of twins, anything that is for moms of twins or especially for twins holds a place near to my heart. Multiple Moms Rock has exactly what a mom, dad or granparent of multiples want!

I love mom owned businesses with great products and this store fits the bill! Shirts that proclaim “multiple moms rock” or “raising twins + 1 is an extreme sport” is perfect for me or all the other moms of mulitples I know. Only another parent of multiples can know how hard but rewarding raising more than one child at a time is. Share your bond with these unique shirts!
You don’t have to be a mom of more than one child to need a break. Don’t think this shop is only for mulitple parents, check out their “Why can’t I have a time out?” shirt. Now, every mom I know needs this shirt, because it is so true.

These shirts run true to size and are made with super soft cotton and are so comfortable. Multiple Moms Rock also has something for everyone, moms, dads and grandparents of singletons, twins, and triplets - and you can special order sayings for Quads or higher!

Multiple Moms Rock has offered Parenting Our Childrenreaders 10% off all merchandise on the website! Use the coupon code: MOMSROCK off your next purchase.

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