Win a Wii from Amazon

Amazon is currently running a contest to give away a Wii package. Details on the prizes is listed below.

Enter to win a Nintendo wii Gaming System, 5 Video Games, and a wii 15 in 1 Players Kit. First Prize winners will each receive a Braun cruZer shaver, a Gillette® Fusion® Power Gamer™ Razor, and 3 video games of Sponsor’s choice. Second Prize winners will each receive a Gillette® Fusion® Power Gamer™ Razor and Gillette® Fusion® Hydra Gel™ Ultra Sensitive.

You can enter the contest once a day now through April 20th. We still don't have a Wii in our house, so we would love to win this. Good luck!


http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&ref%5F=amb%5Flink%5F0%5F3&docId=1000335431

-Denise

Funny SNL Diaper Commercial

I found this new Saturday Night Live commercial so funny yet so gross. It aired on Saturday, March 14 with Tracy Morgan as host. I thought you might enjoy it as well. I think mom's that have had to change some really nasty diapers will understand even more why this commercial is just so wrong and yet so funny.




-Denise

Stroller Giveaway

I love looking at strollers. Buying a new stroller is another story though since strollers are so darn expensive! We have a Maclaren Quest Sport that we love. It was definitely a good purchase. It has a higher weight capacity for B. the giant 2-year old, and it has plenty of storage space under the seat. We can easily hang bags off the handles as well when we need to.

If you are in need of a new stroller, you might be interested in checking out Strollerqueen's new blog. She is giving away a Micralite Toro in green. The winner is going to be announced on St. Patrick's Day. You have to complete a quick survey to be entered in the contest. I did it, and I promise it really was quick and easy.

http://strollerqueenreviews.blogspot.com/2009/02/micralite-toro-give-away-for-sp-20s-1st.html#comments

Does anyone else have a fascination with strollers?

-Denise

Pampers Points Free Points - Gifts to Grow

Here are some of the current free codes for Pampers Gifts to Grow program. Some of these I have posted before, and some are brand new. The last one is the newest one I have come across on the web. There is currently a Fridge Phonics toy that is going for approx. 175 points that looks similar to the Leap Frog Fridge Phonics toy we have. B. loves playing with it. Check it out.

WELCOMEBONUS089
HAPPYHOLIDAY089
GIVE09UNICEFGTG
WELCOMEGTG0809
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG

-Denise

Experiencing the Effects of the Economy

The economy is a constant topic of conversation for everyone these days. We are lucky in our house to have pretty secure jobs, but we have seen our investments take hits recently and wonder when or if our retirement accounts will rebound to what they were previously worth. This week I really experienced the economic downturn first hand.

My car has been having lots of minor things go wrong with it recently. It is a 2004 Chevy Malibu, but I purchased it used in 2006 shortly after we had B. because my previous 4-door Chevy Cavalier was just too small for B.'s car seat and comfortable seating positions. At the time we bought the car, we did get the extended warranty. We thought it would be a good idea considering how many miles I drive each day to and from work. It has totally been worth it. Shortly after we bought the car, two major repairs were needed. We really got our money's worth out of the extended warranty purchase. As that extended warranty will be running out soon, we thought it would be a good idea to get the minor things fixed while they would still be covered by the warranty. Two weeks ago my radio/CD player was replaced because the CD player would not work right (even after being reprogrammed) and a lighting cluster was replaced because the bulb went in the gas gauge and did not look right to the mechanics after they replaced the bulb.

While I was there I asked them to order the pieces to fix the steering wheel controls for cruise control and the radio. The bulbs all went except for in two of the controls. I was told the parts were being ordered, and I would receive a phone call. When I called yesterday to check in, I was told by a cleaning crew member that the dealership went out of business this past Friday and all parts had been shipped back to GM. I nearly fell off my chair. I knew the dealership was struggling, but this just seemed out of nowhere for some reason. Apparently when everyone came to work on Friday, they were all let go and the dealership closed for good.

I feel bad for the employees, but I also realized I had a new hassle on my hands to find a new dealership. I did find one, and they are ordering my parts. It is not as convenient of a location, but there really isn't any other option. The other GM dealer in our area went out of business about two years ago.

I am sure we are unfortunately all going to see more stores closing and more people losing their jobs as the days go by. Hopefully the economy will start to rebound, but it is going to continue to show the ugly effects for quite a while.

-Denise

Facebook Changes-A Little Scary!

Here is a link to an interesting article on changes Facebook has made to its Terms of Service Agreement. Will I stop posting on Facebook? No, but it really makes you think. People that choose to post embarrassing photos, personal artwork, and more may want to think twice in the future.

http://mashable.com/2009/02/16/facebook-tos-privacy/

-Denise

Walmart Freebies

I personally do more of shopping at Target than Walmart primarily due to the fact that there is a Target less than five minutes from my house. One great thing about Walmart though is that they give away great freebies at http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-And-Trials.aspx. The freebies change frequently, so it is worth checking back often.

The best items right now are directly linked below.

Free Trial issue of All You magazine. This magazine has great articles and a lot of coupons in each issue. http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid46010.aspx

Free sample pack of Huggies Soft Skin Baby Wipes with Shea Butter. We primarily use Huggies wipes in our house. Pampers wipes just seem too thin and too wet.
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid66000.aspx

The free samples do show up and come relatively quickly. Enjoy!

-Denise

Blogs you might be interested in reading

I love reading blogs. I admit that there are a few that I am addicted to reading. Here are two new ones I recently discovered that might interest you as well.

Parenting tips from parents to parents-
http://www.parenthacks.com/

Creative crafts and interesting children's book reviews from a former Martha Stewart magazine employee-
http://inchmark.squarespace.com/

Expect to see more interesting blog postings in the future. I am sure I will find more to read and follow in the near future...LOL.

-Denise

Sniffles, Sniffles Go Away

So illness is plaguing our house again. It seems as if as soon as one of us gets healthy, someone else gets sick. B. will be going back to the dr. tomorrow for the second time this week. He has an awful cough, won't eat anything, and keeps saying his belly hurts. Other than that, he is okay! LOL! He is also acting like a wild child again. He refuses to use his "listening" ears at school and was ripping things off the walls there yesterday. Ugh! We are hoping it is because of one of the following reasons.

A) He just doesn't feel good and is in "pain" from an upset belly. Once he feels better the behavior will calm down.

OR

B) He is getting wired on sugar in his cough medicine (okayed by the dr.) and his behavior will calm down once he is off the medicine.

I wish healthy households on anyone reading this! Constant sickness is really getting old in our house.

-Denise

Pampers Points Free Points - Gifts to Grow

Here is another free Pampers code worth a reported 3 points. I hope it works for you! Now, if only they would get some rewards that I actually wanted. In the meantime, I just keep stashing them away in my account.

GIVE09UNICEFGTG

-Denise

$5 Hearst Magazine Subscription Deal-This Week Only!

A friend posted this on a message board I frequent, and I thought I would pass it along here as well. Apparently Hearst Magazines does this periodically during the year, and it was last done before the holidays. For $5 you can subscribe to some very popular magazines, but I believe this is only good through Valentine's Day (don't quote me though...LOL!) I am looking at trying Country Living. For $5, it is hard to say no. Enjoy!

https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/veranda/23398

Happy Reading!
-Denise

He did what in his crib? Yuck!

I took B. up for his nap today at our usual time for the weekend. We followed the usual routine. He was having trouble falling asleep, and I had went in to restart his music once and to tell him to stop throwing stuff out of his crib once (I would have ignored it, but he was hurling trains and books full force at his walls and pictures.) After about 45 minutes I decided I would just give up on his nap. He was happy, singing Old McDonald, and not sounding the least bit tired. I was actually thinking we could go to the park since it was extremely and unusually warm today. Boy was I in for a surprise!

I walked in the room to find B. naked with his crib and body COVERED in poop! I immediately said, "What did you do!?!?! Why would you do this?!?!?" His response, "I all dirty, Mommy. I need to get up now."

Once I got my jaw off the floor and had two seconds to think, I carried him as far away from my body as possible into the bathroom and started scrubbing him with wipes. It wouldn't come off in some places as it had started to harden. Ugh! It was under finger nails, between toes...OMG!!!!

Approximately a dozen wipes, clipped nails, a bath, and a lot of scrubbing later, B. was clean and dressed. I then spent the next several hours cleaning his room. My hubby had to work, so I was on my own. I just threw out the crib sheet as it was disgusting and actually a little ripped around the edges in a few spots. His blankets went through the wash twice and seems to have come clean. He was naked, so luckily his clothes were not nasty. He threw those over into his hamper before he went to the potty in his crib! How thoughtful.

After disinfecting the crib, the walls, and everything he touched, his room is almost back to normal. Luckily with the warm weather, I was able to open the window and air the room out. I am hoping this was a one time deal. We are potty training him, but it has been a very slow process. He will only pee once or twice a day on the potty, and he has yet to go #2 on the potty at all. We do have a new rule though. Only Mommy and Daddy or a big person is allowed to take diapers off. Not B.!

Ugh...so much for going to the park and enjoying a nice day outside. We did go for a walk later, but it just wasn't the same.

-Denise

Sorry I have been away

I was sick, grading got crazy for school, and life just took over for a while. Sorry it has been a while since I posted. Here are a few new posts for you.

-Denise

A Random Music Post

This is absolutely my favorite song right now. I have no idea why! I love Coldplay and Viva la Vida, so that is likely part of the reason. I could play this over and over again. Well, I actually am right now!

Go to the link below to hear it-"United States of Pop 2008 (Viva La Pop)"
http://www.wired965.com/index.php?page=685

-Denise

What will they think of next?

I am an Obama supporter. I voted for him and am proud of it. I am just baffled at this "memorabilia" item. If you can even call it that! Check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/Chia-Obama-Handmade-Decorative-Planter/dp/B001PKU298

WHAT? What were they thinking?

-Denise

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

As parents and concerned citizens I'm sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies skyrocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That's okay though, there's always television. Our children don't need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won't be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them.Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding anew job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. "Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn't been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

I did not write the information written above. The post was written and meant to be spread throughout the blogging world as a blog-in to help inform the public about the impending impact of the CPSIA. Please copy and paste this to your blog or email it to a friend.

-Denise

Free Lego & Lego Jr. Magazine Subscriptions

Lego has had a free Lego magazine out for quite a while now. It is really a giant advertisement for the products, but it does have project ideas, neat pictures, and more. The link for a free Lego Magazine subscription is below.

http://club1.lego.com/en-US/legomagazine/default.aspx

The new magazine coming soon from Lego is Lego Jr. The link is below. It is geared for kids that are 6 years old and younger. I am interested in checking this one out. While B. is really only interested in building giant towers right now, he is gaining interest in building blocks every day. Again, free is a great deal!

http://club.lego.com/en-us/news/NewsDetails.aspx?id=94759

-Denise

Free Parents Magazine Subscription

Visit the link below for a free two-year subscription to Parents magazine. This has been posted at many of my favorite blogs and was emailed to me by a friend, so I think it is legitimate. Take a chance, if you are interested. Free is a great deal!

http://www.valuemags.com/freeoffer/Parents-BBS.asp

-Denise

Free Movie Rentals at Redbox

If you haven't checked out Redbox rentals yet, I suggest you do it! Redbox machines are located at many grocery stores, Walmarts, and even McDonald's locations. The cost is merely $1 for a 24 hr. rental period. This is so much cheaper than rentals from Blockbuster or OnDemand service from your cable subscriber. We have paid for a few rentals, and have also gotten many free from this website.

http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-codes/

They recently instituted a new policy where you now need to join as a member, but the membership is free. Once on the site, you can access tons of codes for free rentals. Yes, $1 is cheap, but free is even better!

Give Redbox a try. It is a great, frugal way to have family movie night.

Does anyone else have good deals on family entertainment/fun?

-Denise

Helping Make A Dream Come True

I recently found out through Facebook that someone I went to high school with is asking for help to make her dream come true. We were not friends, and in fact, she probably doesn't even know who I am. Her story moves me to want to help her and her husband make their dreams come true. Maybe you can help too.

Andrea was 22 when she found out she had a rare form of bone cancer. Andrea is now cancer free, but she is now faced with infertility related to her cancer treatments. Her sister offered her eggs for IVF, but the IVF failed. After spending all the money they had on that avenue, Andrea is now trying to raise enough money to get donor eggs for another try at IVF.

She wants to be a mom! Can you help this cancer survivor?

Read her story at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=55175034223
or at http://whenyouwishuponafriend.blogspot.com/

Even $1 can help make their dream come true. Please consider helping! Contributions can be mailed to a special savings account for the couple or sent in through Paypal. Specific details are available at both of the links above.

-Denise

Gerber coupons and freebies

Create a pledge to your child at http://www.gerber.com/pledge/Create.aspx and get some nice feebies!

The first 10,000 qualified entries will receive a free stainless steel Gerber Educator or Feeding spoon, and you will be able to print a high value Gerber coupon. Save up to $3.00 on any Gerber Baby Food, Graduates Foods, or Graduates for Preschoolers, but it will expire one month from the date that you print it. Many of the Graduates items are $2-3, so this gives you some free food! There is also a printable coupon to Save $5.00 on any Nestle Good Start Formula.

Creating your pledge will take a few minutes, but it can be about anything you like. You will be asked to upload 1-5 photos to create a quick slideshow. You can pledge to do anything for your child in the slideshow, and you can post it anonymously as well.

Have fun and enjoy the savings!

-Denise

Back To Our Routine...Thank Goodness!

From December 29-January 5, we went on vacation to Florida. The weather was warm, there was lots to do, and all this caused B. to get far off of his normal schedule. On day 5 of our seven day trip, B. finally lost it. He stopped napping, stopped sleeping for more than a few hours at night, slammed doors, used bad words he learned at school from other kids (that is a topic for a whole other post!), and ran around screaming things like,

"No!"

"Get off of me!"

"Don't touch me!"

and more lovely phrases. We tried time outs, taking toys away, and more, but nothing really helped to improve his behavior. We were more than ready to go home when we left on January 5th.

What we came to realize was that B.'s schedule was really important to him. We had taken this for granted at home. It was normal and not something we even considered, but for B. it was everything. On vacation we went from a very set routine, to days on end of lounging, free time, late dinners, and unusual activities. He just couldn't handle all the changes. Coming to this realization really helped me get over B.'s bad behavior. Understanding why he was acting like a maniac made it a little easier to deal with.

Our belief that a disturbed routine was the reason for his behavior was confirmed once we got home. B. immediately jumped right back into his sleeping, playing, napping, eating routine, and his behavior was noticeably better very quickly. It took about one week for him to really get back to his usual self, and I am happy to say that life is much better for our whole family now that this has happened.

For future vacations, I have learned a few key things.

1) Seriously consider the length of the trip in regards to the child's tolerance. Too long can lead to disaster!
2) Try to keep toddlers busy. The less free time B. had on our trip=better behavior. When he had time to do as he pleased, the doors started being slammed and the screaming ensued.
3) As much as possible, stick to meal, nap, and bedtime schedules. This normalcy can help ward off some meltdowns.
4) Remember to bring plenty of entertaining toys and activities with you and save some for later in the trip. half way through our trip, B. was tired of the toys we brought with us. He had no interest in playing with them anymore. If we had some new toys or art supplies to bring out part way through our trip, he might not have lost it as quickly.

I am sure I will think of more tips, and I will revisit this topic again in the future. We plan to travel back to Florida this summer to got to Walt Disney World for a few days. There are still moments right now that make me think I am insane for planning another trip with B., but we will make it through and plan according to some of the lessons we learned on this trip.

-Denise

Pampers Points Free Points - Gifts to Grow

HAPPYHOLIDAY089

The code above should be good for 3 points. I hope it works for you!

-Denise

Back From Vacation

I was away in Florida for the last week and before that the holidays kept me too busy to post. Sorry! I have lots of posts coming up about our vacation, traveling with a toddler, crazy airline stories and more. Check back later in the week!

-Denise