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  • Motherhood: Keeping it Real

    Motherhood: Keeping it Real

    *This post is an entry into Mompact’s REAL Moms Giveaway*


    When I saw Mompact talking about Real Moms, I though to myself – Every Mom is a Real Mom. We’re just all different in how we approach things. What do they mean REAL Moms?  So I started giving it some thought, and came up with this fun little picture. 
    I think MOST Mom’s can relate to the above experience. Kids find something they shouldn’t, get into it, make a mess in 2 seconds flat. How in the world did we as Mom let this happen?! Weren’t we watching them? Don’t we spend every waking moment right next to them, playing, teaching, crafting, and having fun?  
    The truth is we don’t. That’s not to say I go off and eat bonbons while my kids run a muck  No. No. This flour (yes friends, that is about 5 lbs of flour!) incident happened when I took 5 minutes to go put clothes on. I wasn’t getting a shower that morning (don’t be offended, but I don’t get a shower most days), I wasn’t playing on facebook. I wasn’t even blogging on this particular morning. 
    What did happen? Let me recount.  I had gotten up that morning, ready to tackle the day. I fed the kids, and got them dressed.  One even made it all the way to dress up clothes! While they were harmlessly playing with their toys, I ran down to our room to wake up Mark and get myself dressed. As most mornings go, I skipped a shower, waiting for a time when Mark could watch the kids, and I didn’t have things that needed doing. So I’m dressed and headed back up for a fun filled day, when I walk into this. 
    My first reaction was wanting to cry. Something must have gone right that morning though, and I took the moment to capture the utter joy on my kids faces. This – this is where mothering will show it’s true colors.  I could have been angry and yelled. I could have thrown our couch out instead of cleaning it.  
    Instead – I laughed. I took some photos to remember. It’s surprising actually how often I find myself searching for this photo – just to laugh. I then shook off the kids clothes, pulled out the vacuum  and did some major cleaning of floor and couch. 
    A few weeks (maybe even just days), my kids showed up in the kitchen like this
    I don’t even remember what I was doing this time.  Probably eating bon bons while cooking something like Macaroni and Cheese for lunch.
    I try to be honest with you. My life is not perfect, my house is not clean all the time, but I do the best I can. Right now, in this crazy ride called Motherhood, I find it to be most real when my kids are smiling and laughing. I can ignore the messes, forget the burnt dinner from the night before, and just enjoy the moments. 
    Clean or messy, pinterest perfect or FAIL funny, if the kids are feeling loved – that is what matters

    This is REAL Motherhood. 

  • Deo Perfume Candy – Perfect Neighbor Gift (Free Printable) ! #MompactLNO

    Deo Perfume Candy – Perfect Neighbor Gift (Free Printable) ! #MompactLNO

    Have you seen this new Perfume Candy?  I was a bit skeptic when I first heard about it. It’s pretty good though. Supposedly after eating it, you’ll sweat the smell of roses. Although I haven’t noticed smelling any different, I do enjoy the taste of this candy.  It’s got a bit of a fruity flavor. Which after reading the ingredients, I’m assuming comes from the Tangerine flavor added.

    Deo candy is a product of Scientific Research in Japan. I tell you what, those Japanese come up with some of the craziest, and yummiest candies I’ve had. My in laws live over there right now, and are always sending us cute little candies. You can learn more about it by visiting the FAQ page.

    Whoa, little digression there. Anyways, this candy comes in regular and sugar free options. I personally preferred the regular. It has more flavor than the sugar free ones, and I’m personally all about taste. My 2 year old girl enjoys them as well….must be why I haven’t smelled her dirty diapers for a bit….though my 4 and 6 year old have claimed they don’t want to eat roses. Ah well, more for me and the neighbors then!

    You can “Like” Deo on Facebook
    Buy Deo Perfume Candy on Amazon
    (currently sold out, after being on the Kelly and Michael show this morning)
     
    

    I’m definitely going to be giving these to my mom friends and neighbors as holiday gifts this year! I even have this really cute way to package them –

    http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_2
    I mean really? How fun would it be to fill these take out boxes with Deo perfume candy to give to your friends!
    You can download these boxes for FREE! from MyMemories Suite.
    You do have to have an account (free to sign up) to get this, but you don’t have to have the My Memories Suite Software. These printables download straight to your computer.
     
     
    Would you like to try some Perfume Candy?
     
    *I received Deo Perfume Candy in exchange for this post. Opinions are 100% my own. I received this as a member of Mompact.

  • Holiday Gifts for Neighbors #MompactLNO

    It’s snowing here. I was worried that we had moved too far south for snow, but we didn’t!  Once the snow starts, I really start getting into the Holiday Spirit.

    And that means Holiday Gifts for my Neighbors!  There are so many cute things out there. Thanks to pinterest I’ve got them at my fingertips.  Some of my favorite Holiday Gifts from neighbors are the ones with cute sayings.

    Like these Elf Kisses

    Or the classic Reindeer Poop
    
     
    As fun as these gifts are though, I also like the home baked goods. Something made with love, that’s healthy to boot.  My mother in law likes to make mini loaves of bread to share. I remember the first Christmas we were married and we went over to her house, there were just dozens of mini loaves on her table. Oh the smell itself was intoxicating! 
     
    If you don’t want to make anything, mixes are also a great gift! It allows the receiver to make it whenever they want. You can add wooden spoons, pot holders, or even an apron to go along with it. Just tie it together with a bow.
     
     
    Now as good as brownies are, I also enjoy the healthy treats.  I’ve just come across Miffy’s Marvelous Muffin Mix, and they are oh so yummy!  These would look really cute with a spoon added and tied with ribbon.  You could even add a cute note “Holidays are fun, but often make us stressed. Sit back and relax, enjoy these muffins with your kids”  (A good example on why I’ll never get a job with greeting cards)
     
     
    To get you started on your Holiday Gift Giving, Miffy is running a special sale during the month of November
    • 4 packs/$20
    • 6 packs/$30
    • 8 packs/$40 

    What do you give your neighbors? Do you have a favorite gift to receive?
     
    
    Don’t forget you can also win 2 packs of Miffy’s Marvelous Muffins along with some other great products from MomPact
  • It’s a Holiday Giveaway with #MompactLNO

    It’s a Holiday Giveaway with #MompactLNO

    I love mom invented products. Not only are they usually useful, but some are even yummy!  Enter this months MomPact Giveaway below!

     
    • 2 Packs Miffy’s Muffins
    • 2 sets Everyday Elegance Chair Covers
    • 1 gift pack Deo Perfume Candy
    • EasyDaysies Starte Kit
  • Ladies Night Out Parenting Tricks #mompactLNO

    Ladies Night Out Parenting Tricks #mompactLNO

    Last week I attempted to have a Ladies Night Out/bring the kids Halloween Party. I’ve never really done the whole ladies night out thing. I would love to have a group of gals to get together with to chat and be adults with for a bit, but my kids and family are my life.
    Whoops, I’m digressing from the point. So I planned a party, and had lots of treats and stuff to give out.

    Sadly, no one showed up.  They really missed out on some great treats (seriously, not one person that said they’d come, showed up, what’s up with that?!)

    So what did I do? I threw a party on my facebook page of course!  That’s just how I roll!  We had so much fun over there, and we gleaned mom tricks from the old moms and young moms. Plus I got to give out a bunch of prizes, which come on? who doesn’t love that?

    Tricks from Moms
    These are the winning tips from my facebook party
     
    I asked and you answered
     
    How do you travel light with a baby?

    “Front pack, blanket, iPhone or other app device for music and distraction. Two-three small toys that can be linked together with play links. Then the diaper bag/back pack packed depending on how long and where. Usually one change of clothes, extra socks, and diapers/wipes for the day. If I am traveling and can plan places to stay/eat then I can accommodate food and sleep needs with their amenities.” – Robin M.
     

     Check out diaper buds for short day trips, and something small to slip in your purse!

    What are your favorite kid friendly meals and snacks?

    “I am a HUGE fan of WowButter in this house it is great for lunches and it is dairy, gluten and nut FREE! Not to mention tastes, looks and smells exactly like peanut butter!” – Eschelle (mumfection)
     

    Space Food Sticks are a great chocolate protein bar for an on the go snack and boost!

    What are your potty training Tips?

    “A timer so it’s not mommy and daddy telling them to go party instead every time the timer goes off see if they want to try and go potty…also talk up how awesome going potty in the potty is!” – Renee P.

    Tidy Tots helps keep those potty training potties clean and ready to go every time!

    What tricks help you stay organized?

    “I like to set out to do only a couple chores a day that I know I can accomplish so within a week I have all the chores done!” – Kelsea Y.
     

    With cold and flu season coming on, what do you do to keep your family healthy?

    “Ohhh essential oils, definitely! And of course frequent hand washing, sufficient rest, and drinking water.” – Hannah J.
     

    Boogie Wipes are great for keeping those little noses crust free.

    Finally, I asked what moms favorite things are to do on a Ladies Night Out

    “Eat out and just laugh and talk!” – Rebekah W.
     

    Besides giving out the amazing products I mentioned here to the winners, I also awarded a Penalty Pal, Kissaboo, and ToothBands to 3 of my party goers! We love these products here, and hope you all do too. Thanks for partying with us. Sadly, we couldn’t get all crafty on our facebook party, but my kids sure had fun.

    
     
    You still have a few days to win all these prizes and more from Mompact!
    Enter Here
  • Create a Time Out Corner with Penalty Pal #mompactLNO

    Create a Time Out Corner with Penalty Pal #mompactLNO

    The more I grow as a mom the more I find how I could do things differently. With each child I seem to change my ways, and do things a bit differently.

    Princess V as a toddler. I promise this isn’t really how I gave Time Outs.
    I call it experimenting until I find the right way. Disciplining children is never fun, for the parents or the kids. Sometimes I think it hurts me more than them. So I get laid back, I don’t follow through.

    Have you ever done that? Not followed through? It really backfires on us. The kids think they can get away with something if we don’t follow through, and the next time they’ll push it even further.

    I guess where my problem comes, is when they tell me I don’t love them because I did follow through. It emotionally effects me, because I do love them! I have to remind myself though, I discipline because I love them!

    When Princess V was a toddler, and we started Time Outs, I would have to sit there with her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t stay put. It sort of defeated the purpose of Time Out. When Princess C was a toddler, we tried it again, and she would stay. So we began giving Time Outs again. At one point, I decided Time Outs just weren’t effective for every situation. Sometimes, the Princesses just needed time apart. Sometimes they needed a nap. And sometimes, mommy needed a Time Out. So for awhile I would send them to their rooms for “Quiet Time”. Time they could play alone, read a book, or take a nap. Usually this fixed the problem.


    Now we have another problem. All 3 Princesses share a room again, so sending one to their room, usually results in the others following, and more problems or fighting or whatever was going on. We’ve tried sending them to our master room, but that has created other problems – like kids getting into things they shouldn’t – ahem my chocolate stash…..

    Well, mompact send me a package of goodies, including the Penalty Pal. It inspired me to try a Time Out corner again. Somewhere I can keep my eye on them. The great thing about the Penalty Pal though, is it allows them something to look at. Something that is fun, yet serious. It helps distract them from what may have been causing problems (ya know, like their sisters!).

    I’ve already tried this new corner out with Princess R, and it really helped! Instead of her trying to sneak out of a Time Out she stayed there. It distracted her enough to calm down. Once she was calm, I was able to talk to her about her behavior.

    “Pushing both hands on baby brothers face is not ok. Laying across sisters head is not ok. Don’t touch faces please!”
     

    Come Join the Mompact Twitter Party TONIGHT! 9-10pm ET #mompact
     
    *I received complimentary product to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% honest and my own

  • Tricks or Treats? #MompactLNO

    If you missed my facebook party, don’t fret! You can enter to win a huge Prize Pack from Mompact
    Including many of the products I gave away
    Boogie Wipes, Diaper Buds, Kissaboos and more!

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • Back on Chocolate! and a Menu Plan

    Do you recall me saying I was going to skip chocolate for the month of October? I give up. I’m taking back my chocolate, and completely enjoying it!  Here’s what I learned in my attempt to go without chocolate –

    – I don’t eat a lot of it on a daily basis. But when you take away my small doses, like a few chips in a cookie, thten later I binge on a nice big dense chocolate energy bar (Space Food Stick). They taste like Resen’s, so of course, I couldn’t stop at just trying one. Nope I had to go back and have another. I told you, binge!

     
    – Chocolate actually does help keep me sane. I had a couple bad mommy days, where I just couldn’t handle things. I let my emotions rule. Afterwards, I ate a small piece of chocolate, and the smooth creamy goodness, brought me back. So when I got whacked pretty good in the eye with a Minnie Mouse doll, I was able to keep my cool.
     
    – Finally put it all together, and I learned that like most things, chocolate in moderation is good for you. I don’t have a chocolate addiction. I just enjoy chocolate, and will continue to enjoy it, in moderated amounts.
     
    Fyi, you can win some Space Food Sticks of your very own! Just come join the MomPact Twitter Party this Thursday October 26th at 6pm Pacific/9pm ET. Use the hashtag #mompactLNO
    Plus there will be lots of other prizes as well. RSVP HERE
     
    So on to this week’s menu
    Monday – Pasta
    Tuesday – Breaded Parmesan Chicken
    Wednesday – Cowboy Chili
    Thursday – Hamburgers
    Friday – Enchiladas
    Saturday – Leftovers
    
  • Back to School Fashion: Belle Bottoms

    Back to School Fashion: Belle Bottoms

    Did you ever wear Bell Bottom pants?  I remember in middle school I had some pretty big bell bottoms! I just loved the flair they gave to the bottom of my pants.
    When ever we think of Back to School, we think of School Shopping, right? All those new clothes, new fashions, latest trends. Not to mention that kids grow like weeds, and there’s no stopping them. 
    Buti-bag has added a new product, that is a fun way to add fashion and length to the bottom of your kids pants – Belle Bottoms. And just in time for Back to School! Here at our house, we are always handing down clothes. We’ve got 3 Princesses, all really close in age. When the oldest grows out of her clothes, we pass it down the line. I love that we can reuse these clothes, because quite frankly, clothes are getting expensive. 

    We were sent a pair of Belle bottoms to try out as part of MomPact’s Back to School Promotion.

    Princess V loved the idea! She went on a search for the perfect pair of pants to add them to, and then sat and helped me apply them. We love that these are iron on, so new sewing machine is required. I did have a slight struggle getting them positioned correctly, and although I did read the instructions, I missed that they are leg specific.  So mine are on the wrong leg, but unless you look closely, it really doesn’t matter.
    The real issue we had was when it came time to wear them. Princess V decided that she wanted the pants, but didn’t actually want to wear them. Princess C really wanted to wear them, but Princess V didn’t want to give them up. Oh that was a fun struggle. Princess C at one point was found crying that “sister broke my heart, because she won’t share the pink pants!”  Awe!  The particular pants we used are between sizes for Princess V and Princess C. Adding the Belle Bottom, gave it little more length, so it could still fit Princess V longer. It wasn’t too much length though, so it will also fit Princess C, but last longer for her.
    We finally settled on letting Princess C wear them, while assuring Princess V that they wouldn’t be hers forever.  Phew, an agreement we can all agree on. Princess C is absolutely loving the new flair to the pants! 

    You can check out more of the products on Buti Bag’s facebook page or follow them on twitter

    *I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mompact and received a promotional item to thank me for my participation

  • Happy Healthy Baby Happi Tummi {Review and Giveaway}

    Happy Healthy Baby Happi Tummi {Review and Giveaway}

    I love babies! If it wasn’t obvious by the fact I’ve had 4 in 6 years, I don’t know how to make it more obvious. I just love their little baby smiles. Their pure innocence, as they snuggle into you. I just love it.
    Prince L is 3 months old today! Can you believe it? The time went by so fast!!  Since day 1 Lincoln suffered with acid reflux. After dealing with it in 2 of the other 3 kids, I was able to get a handle on it pretty quickly this time around.
    – stuff some blankets under one side of the mattress to create a slight incline.
    – After feeding, sit them up long enough to get bubbles out, and let the milk settle down.
    – Lots of snuggling.
    Prince L still spits up a pretty fair amount, but he sleeps on a flat mattress now, and enjoys his meals. He lets me know when he needs to burp (seriously I have one amazing 3 month old!), and so I can help settle his stomach before he over feeds and spits it all up.

    Although Prince L is really one of the calmest, happiest, easiest babies I have ever had, he still has his moments. Sometimes I just don’t know what’s wrong. He’s eaten, burped, had his diaper changed, and napped. Yet he is still crying and just unhappy. My arms and legs (because he loves to bounce!) can only take so much. I’ve slowly been introduced to essential oils, and natural remedies. I really like the idea.  Our favorite so far has been Lavender.

    Earlier this week we tried out the Happi Tummi.  It is this really soft wrap that goes around your babies tummy. On the front is a small pouch that holds an herbal pouch.  You heat the herbal pouch in the microwave for a few seconds, and then tuck it inside the wasitband. Your baby gets a warm tummy with the calming scent from the herbs.  Guess what?  The herbal pouch contains lavender! Even if it doesn’t work to calm your baby right away, having the scent of lavender fill your nose while you comfort your little one, is just as relaxing. When you relax, your baby will take cues from you and relax as well.

    Awe, sad baby! Let’s try the Happi Tummi!

    After a few mintes with the Happi Tummi, calmness is achieved!
    You can connect with Happi Tummi, a product developed by moms, on Facebook and Twitter!
    I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mompact and received a promotional item to thank me for my participation

    a Rafflecopter giveaway