Thanks so much to everyone who entered to win some amazing MARVEL'S The Avengers swag! I have chosen my winner using Rafflecopter's random number generator, and the winner is..... Anthony H! Congrats! You've been contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to claim your prize! Add Comment   Have you noticed that more and more places are implementing a uniform dress code for children? I have been noticing this is a growing trend that is not just limited to private schools anymore. I have heard that some public schools and even daycare centers are now requiring school uniforms in their establishments.
As a mom, I see the benefits of this change. For one, it helps to prevent bullying. When I was in school, people were often labeled and discriminated against if they weren't wearing the latest styles. The fact is, not all families are wealthy enough to afford $150 jeans or ridiculously priced sneakers. A child shouldn't be targeted for their family's economic status. I recall one of the worst things you could be called was a "K-Mart Shopper". Granted, this was in the 80's and 90's, and K-Mart has come a long way since then. Another reason that kids school uniforms may be a good idea, even in public establishments, is because it takes away distractions and allows kids to focus on learning rather than what other kids wore to school that day. Let's face it: The clothing that some kids choose to wear can be downright inappropriate or even offensive, and this is not conducive to learning. If a kid comes to school wearing a halter top and very short shorts, they're going to get a lot of attention. (Probably not positive attention, either!) This can cause a great amount of distraction in the classroom. Finally, I think the best reason for school uniforms is that it allows a child to simply be themselves. The pressure to fit in and be "cool enough" is minimized, since everyone is dressed the same. Sure, kids will still want to be accepted. That will never change. But if uniforms are the standard, they will be judged by their personality and their merits rather than what their clothing and style dictates. I don't know about you, but I would much rather see my children judged for their talents and their kindness than on what label is sewn into their outfits. Some people think that school uniforms take away a child's sense of individuality. I disagree. I think that during the week, uniforms take a lot of peer pressure off of kids. Then on weekends, kids can express their own personal style in a non-school setting. The best part? A child can base their style on what they really like rather than on what they think they're "supposed" to like because all the cool kids at school do. So as you can see, there are a lot of good reasons to consider school uniforms. And these uniforms have come a long way! Long gone are the stiff, starchy, uncomfortable uniforms of generations past. There is a new generation of stylish, comfortable and affordable school uniforms available, and these great items can be found at French Toast Official School Wear! My Children Are Monkeys! 05/16/2012
  Now that the weather is absolutely gorgeous, we're spending a lot more time outdoors. We love taking the kids to the park to play, or even to the lake to enjoy a picnic on the water. Summer is my favorite time of year, except for the fact that I have horrible seasonal allergies. (Thank goodness for Claritin!)
When you're out and about, it's easy to be tempted to stop at a fast food place to grab a quick smoothie or shake. These beverages, while tasty, are not exactly healthy and can contain far too much sugar and hundreds and hundreds of empty calories. Not to mention, they're not generally made using certified organic fruits and veggies. So naturally, these aren't the best options for little ones. Did you know that Earth's Best Organic offers a better alternative to smoothies? It's true! Their Sesame Street® Fruit Yogurt Smoothies are a nutritious snack made from organic fruit and real organic yogurt. They are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of toddlers and are an excellent source of calcium and antioxidant Vitamins C and D. Each serving provides one full serving of fruit with no refrigeration required. They come in awesome flavors like Pear Mango, Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, Apple Blueberry and Peach Banana. Your kids will love them and they are a better option than a fast-food smoothie when you’re out and about this spring and summer!  Okay, so I admit...I am late...For good reason, though! Things have been very, very busy here the past couple of weeks, and my family is contemplating some major life changes. No final decisions have been made, but we're in the process of house hunting and just might be moving to my home state of Ohio. (This is also where the Step2 Headquarters is located!)
Why Ohio? Well, for several reasons. First, the cost of living is much, much lower. My husband could get a transfer and keep roughly the same salary, but we could finally get ahead. In addition, homes are a LOT less expensive. We have found a home we love in Chagrin Falls/Aurora area, and it's around $100,000.00, 3000 Square Feet, and on almost 4 acres. Here in Virginia, this home would cost at least $600,000.00, if not more! We have to move by September 1st, and our purchasing power is much greater there than it is here. I want a nice, big yard for my kids to play in. Or maybe I am just looking for an excuse to buy the Clubhouse Climber I have had my eye on for so long now! Heck, since the cost of living is so much better, maybe I could finally afford the Clubhouse Climber! Also, I have tons of family in Ohio. We don't have much family here, and it makes it very hard sometimes. We don't have built-in babysitters, and we never get the chance to go out as a couple. That can be taxing, so having family nearby will be good for us as well as the kids. I truly believe my kids should be surrounded by family on a regular basis, and in Ohio, we would get that. Also, I miss snow. We didn't think we'd be able to move due to custody issues with my 12 year old, but much to my shock and amazement, his father has told me he isn't opposed to us moving out of state. So we have been very busy here, weighing our options and looking for a home to purchase this summer. In the meantime, I have some more great reader photos to share! Krystal sent me a pic of her Step2 mailbox, and Gladys sent a photo of her grandson in the shopping cart with a great Step2 product that's perfect for summer! I have been drooling over Mutsy's strollers for about 2 years now. Sadly, I do not own one....yet! I just learned about a great promotion where you can get a Mutsy Easyrider for FREE with the purchase of a 4Rider or 4Rider Light! How cool is that?! Who said there's no such thing as a free ride? Hurry and get yours while supplies last!  Details: You may choose the color of your Easyrider from what is in stock. Must have both a 4Rider (or 4Rider Light) and an Easyrider in your cart and enter code freerider12 (case-sensitive) on the last page of checkout to receive FREE Easyrider. Both strollers must be purchased at the same time and be shipped to the same address. Does not apply to previous orders. Promotion is valid through store.mutsy.com ONLY. For more information on Mutsy products, news and promotions, follow Mutsy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mutsyusa.   Before getting pregnant with my daughter, I never really gave much thought to going green. I didn't think too much about the positive impact that making even small lifestyle changes could make on the environment. But when we started trying to conceive and faced difficulty doing so, I started re-examining every aspect of my life, and realized that going green could be beneficial to our over-all health and well-being. I began reusing more, reducing waste, and I also began taking all-natural, homeopathic supplements to help us conceive. The more research I did, the more passionate I became about choosing natural and organic products for my family.
Here we are, 2 babies later, and we're still finding new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the health of our family. We cloth-diaper, we eat organic foods whenever possible, and we re-source as much as we can. We also use natural, non-toxic household cleaners and personal care products. We even buy organic clothing and bedding. Going green has become second nature, and I am convinced I will have happier, healthier, more socially responsible children because of these choices. One thing that always bothered me is that while I provide my kids with organic, healthy snacks, I found that transporting them in plastic baggies was counterproductive. Not only is using plastic incredibly wasteful since they end up in our already overflowing landfills, plastics can actually leech into foods, leaving behind nasty chemicals like BPA and PVC. Trust me, you do not want these on your food! That's why I was so excited when I learned about Eco-ditty. This company offers a wide variety of eco-friendly food storage options, such as snack bags and sandwich bags. There are a dozen stylish prints and designs available, including a snack bag your kids can draw on and customize themselves! How cool is that?! All of Eco-ditty's products are made from a super-soft, organic cotton and low impact inks and dyes, ensuring that no harmful substances will never come into contact with your foods. Rather than a zipper closure, Eco-ditty uses a simple, hook and loop closure with a fold over-design to help prevent spills. When you're done using your Eco-ditty products, simply throw them in the washing machine, hand-wash, or even toss it in the dishwasher! The awesome folks at Eco-ditty sent me one of their snack-ditty bags to review. I received the ultra-chic Whispering Grass B&W print, which is just my style! (Yep, I guess they can read minds, too!) The Snack-ditty is a generous 6 x 4 inches, which is large enough to accommodate tons of snacks, such as fruit slices, trail mix, cookies, crackers, and more! Take a look at the Snack-ditty in action! Dole Fruit Bites Review And GIVEAWAY! 6/3 05/16/2012
  With bikini (or in my case, tankini...No one wants to see my stretch marks!) season coming more quickly than I'd like, I have been watching my diet extra closely and trying to lose that stubborn 15lbs that I cannot seem to shed no matter what I do. I know many of you are doing the same thing as the weather gets warmer. After all, we all want to look good and feel confident as we break out our bathing suits and cute little sundresses. In the winter, it's more acceptable to be frumpty-dumpty, since we're wearing sweaters and jeans, keeping our curves concealed. As summer approaches, there's that mad dash to get our bodies back. It's an annual ritual, at least for me.
When trying to diet, it's important not to deprive yourself. After all, diet IS a 4-letter-word, and one that can be very destructive if not done in the right way. To me, dieting isn't about deprivation. It isn't about counting every little carb and calorie. It's about being active and making smarter lifestyle choices. Sensible meals and snacks can not only make you feel fulfilled, they can also help you reach your weight loss goals successfully. Did you know that 77% of women cannot get through a normal day without at least one snack? (According to a Dole Real Bites Fruit Survey that was conducted by Wakefield Research www.wakefieldresearch.com among 1,016 nationally representative American women, ages 18 and older.) I am definitely among the norm. I can't seem to function properly if I don't have at least one small snack throughout the day. Snacking doesn't have to be a bad thing. It's all about making better choices. Obviously chips, cookies, and ice cream aren't the best snacks for those trying to watch their waist-lines. More sensible choices include fruits and veggies, whole grains, and nuts. Recently, I got the opportunity to try DOLE Real Fruit Bites. These bite sized snacks are made from real DOLE dried fruits, including pineapple, apple, and mango, and come in convenient, super-portable little pouches, perfect for snacking on the go. Each pouch has between 80-90 calories, so you can snack away, guilt free. But what really makes DOLE Real Fruit Bites special is the unique taste. These snacks aren't simply fruit. They also include yogurt and toasted whole grain oats! They remind me of a certain cereal that had coated pieces of fig mixed in. You know the one I am talking about, right? I remember I used to fish out these tasty morsels, leaving none of them for anyone else. Yep, DOLE Real Fruit Bites are that good. Take a look at these sinfully delicious, yet nutritious snacks! Calm Your Pets With Comfort Zone 05/15/2012
 As any "pet parents" know, having a new puppy can be an exciting, yet stressful time. There are many challenges that have to be faced as the new pup adjusts to their forever home, and vice versa. Families have to adapt to their new furry friend, too!
A few weeks ago, we welcomed an adorable little Yorkie puppy into our family. We named her Trouble because of the ordeal we went through to get her, as well as for her mischievous personality. She's a spitfire, very playful, and loves to snuggle. She also loves to chew everything in sight, my slippers especially, and gets very upset when it's time to put her in her crate for the night. Recently, I learned about a great product called Comfort Zone that can help ease a pet's anxiety and therefore help curb destructive, but often involuntary behaviors, such as chewing, excessive barking, or soiling in the house. This is done by using special, plug-in diffusers or sprays that release D.A.P.® (Dog Appeasing Pheromone). Comfort Zone products mimic the “appeasing” pheromones secreted by nursing mother dogs, sending a signal of comfort and safety to her puppies. This promotes a sense of well-being and works to calm a pup who may be under stress. Yep, pets get frazzled, too! Sound too good to be true? Well, that's what I thought,too. Until I tried Comfort Zone, that is. The Comfort Zone diffuser looks and acts much like a Glade Plug-In scented oil diffuser. There is a small unit that houses the diffuser that can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet. Each diffuser bottle lasts for 30 days and covers a whopping 500-650 square feet of living space.   Okay, so a lot of kids are picky when it comes to their clothing. My kids, with the exception of my 16 month old, Xander, have definite ideas about their own personal style. Kids love being able to express their individuality through fashion, even at a young age.
My 2 and a half year old, Sophie, loves wearing girly clothing with a bit of an attitude. She loves frills paired with bright, fun colors and prints. Her favorite item? Her Zebra print pettiskirt that is adorned with hot pink trim. Yep, she's my little rocker diva! My 12 year old, Kyle...Well, he's a different story. He is at that awkward "tween" age where he is just beginning to discover himself and wants desperately to fit in. Normally, this would be great. But the phase he's going through is pretty odd, to say the least. He says he's an "emo", whatever that is. I know this means wearing a lot of black, Doc Martens, and other weird (at least to me) apparel. Usually, I can't find apparel in one place that pleases both of my picky kids. Until now, that is! Recently I discovered a great line of animated graphic hoodies called Mouth Man. These hoodies are unique because they literally come to life and transform, just by the simple action of "hugging" yourself! You see, these lightweight, breathable hoodies are strategically designed to transform simply by crossing your arms. On the elbows and sleeves, there are fun designs that actually form a mouth when put together! This is tons of fun, especially for little ones who like to chase each other around pretending to be Jaws or another scary creature! They have a ton of fun designs to fit every style, from sock monkeys to frogs, to dinosaurs, sharks and skeletons, just to name a few. How do they work? Well, watch this quick video demonstrating the awesomeness that is Mouth Man. In this case, seeing them in action is far more telling than any description I could possibly write. | Loading
 PR Friendly Mama!
I am the happily married proud mama of an infant, a toddler, and a preteen. I enjoy all things baby, especially fluff! I am also interested in cooking, beauty, fashion, and other family friendly products. I am PR friendly, and I would love to give candid, in depth and honest reviews of any products and services that may be of interest to my readers. I also am very active on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and utilize such outlets in my reviews and giveaways. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com 
  
 
    
 
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