Introduce New Cuisine with WorldFoods

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

In a house with kids, or any house for that matter, we tend to fall into a cooking rut. It’s the same thing all the time. I love introducing new foods to Charlie and WorldFoods definitely makes that happen!

The idea of cooking up some new Fusion and Asian dishes seems super scary to me, but the WorldFoods sauces and marinades give me the confidence to serve up new options.

For an easy dinner, I browned some lean beef bites (a little over half a pound) in about a Tbsp of oil. After they were mostly cooked, I just poured in the jar of Thai Ginger Lemon Grass Stir-Fry Sauce and finished cooking for about 15 minutes.

Wordless Wednesday

My sister was visiting from Kentucky last week. She returned home late Sunday evening, but we had to take a few pictures before she left!

Deborah took a picture of Owen and I snoozing before dinner. It was a long week!

Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride Arrives 8/12

I received free product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

If you’re not familiar with Peppa Pig, it’s a hit series for preschoolers that airs on Nick Jr. The adorable and fun little piggy, Peppa, lives with her brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. The newest release, The Balloon Ride hits the streets on August 12, 2014 from Entertainment One.

Episodes Included:

• The Balloon Ride
• The Cycle Ride
• Whistling
• George’s Birthday
• Ice Skating
• Painting
• The Baby Piggy
• Very Hot Day
• Daddy’s Movie Camera
• Dr. Hamster’s Tortoise
• The New Car
• George Catches A Cold

Consign with Just Between Friends

I will be receiving a gift certificate to shop the sale and share with you all about Just Between Friends, but my love of consignment shopping and selling is all my own.

Driving around on a weekend right now, you see plenty of yard sales. I tried going to a few this past weekend and failed miserably. Like anyone that has children, we have a ton of things that are outgrown or simply not used anymore. I’d love to plan our own yard sale, but it’s really too much work for what I get out of it. That’s why I was so excited to find out about Just Between Friends of Middletown/Dover. They have seasonal sales where everyone can buy and sell gently used children’s items and maternity clothes.

Middletown Fall 2014 Sale (FREE PASS)
September 6th & 7th
Louis Redding Middle School
201 New Street, Middletown DE 19709
Consignor drop off is Sept 5th 6-9pm

Dover Fall 2014 Sale (FREE PASS)
October 11th & 12th
Polytech High School
823 Walnut Shade Rd. Dover, DE 19901
Consignor drop off is Oct 10th 6-9pm

Win Your Back to School List & Help Teachers

Thanks to Great Clips for sponsoring this post, but my love for supporting teachers is all my own.

I can’t believe it’s already time to start Back to School shopping! For us, Charlie is starting pre-school this year. I’m honestly not sure if we have to do any back to school shopping for him or not yet, but I’m sure we’ll find out at our meeting next month.

I do remember shopping when I was younger and we had to have all the Lisa Frank supplies. Remember them? Then as we got into high school, we were required to have that really expensive calculator. You know which one I’m talking about. I remember my father used his Dremel tool to etch my name into the back. If you lost that thing, big trouble!

Parents have to spend a lot of money getting their kids all the gear they need (and some they just want) for back to school. Great Clips is giving you the chance to win your back to school checklist! To enter, just upload a picture of your school supplies list to the #GREATLIST contest for your chance to win your entire list! There’s a new winner every day and prizes are shipped right to your front door. For complete details, please visit the #GREATLIST contest page.

If you win, not only will you save money by receiving your back to school supplies for free, but you won’t have to drag the kids out to the crowds for back to school shopping!

Children’s Day at Cecil County Fair

Monday is Children’s Day at the Cecil County Fair. Last year, Charlie landed his cute self in the paper while digging for pretend bugs in a garden. This year seemed to be a bit more crowded, but it’s still so much nicer to go during the day before it really gets packed for the evening. The rides and carnival games aren’t open during this time. I know some people see this as a bad thing, but I love it. The 4-H groups, churches, and other organizations have activities just for children that are FREE! If the games and rides were open, the kids would be begging to do them. And trust me, they’re far from free.

So… after that wordy intro, here’s Wordless Wednesday! And don’t mind my grossness- it’s the County Fair, which means walking around in 90 degree weather, in the dirt and mud, sweating, petting animals, still sweating, and petting more animals- but I wouldn’t miss it!

Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks

This post contains affiliate links.

Like most children, Charlie is completely in awe of fire trucks. This Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks set is perfect for him because he can see all the real action while staying inside the house!

I was rather impressed with the book that comes with this set. The book is aimed at older children and parents in my opinion, but I really do think it’s great. The book includes facts, history information, recipes, pictures, safety tips and so much more. The audio CD that comes with the set is perfect to entertain the little ones in the car.

Another weekend over

Weekends seem to fly by lately, right? It can’t just be me. This weekend I attempted to hit a couple yard sales with the boys. I remember why I like consignment shopping so much! We went to several yard sales that advertised they were “huge” sales and they were not even worth stopping. I seriously did a drive-by at quite a few. I think we ended up getting out at 3.

Charlie was thrilled with his find of the day: a skateboard ramp with a little magnetized skateboarder for $0.25! I was pretty happy finding 2 new sets of Toy Story pjs for him for $1.25 total!

Sorry for the really crappy picture, but I wanted to show you what he got. I can’t find the skateboard, but I’m sure he knows right where it is. For $0.25, it’s perfect! I’m looking on ebay for some more pieces. It’s called Rolly Dome and apparently it’s related to the X Games.

Alphabet Magnets from Baby Food Jar Lids

This post may contain affiliate links.

With an 8 month old, we go through quite a few jars of baby food. I have a lot of great plans for the jars, but not so many for the lids. Then I thought of a great little craft that is *gasp* educational too!

Shop zulily for Back to School

This post contains affiliate links.

I know it seems like summer just started, but soon enough kids will be heading back to school. This fall, Charlie will start Pre-School at the church two days a week, two and a half hours a day. It’s a great start for him.

Although he won’t need a lunch bag this year, zulily has some pretty awesome lunch and snack supplies. Look how cute some of this stuff is. There’s definitely something for your pre-schooler up through the college years!

Give Baby a Fresh Start with Purex & One Step Ahead

Purex has just launched another great sweepstakes! This time it’s with One Step Ahead!

One grand prize winner will receive a gift certificate valued at $1,000 from One Step Ahead®, a year’s supply of Purex® Baby Detergent, and a year’s supply of Purex® Crystals™ for Baby.

This is really an awesome sweepstakes and everyone should go enter now!

Removing America’s Stains for Over 100 Years

Everyone has stains. They might be from kids, the hubby, or maybe they’re self-inflicted. Fels-Naptha by Purex has been removing these stains for over 100 years!

Since 1894, Purex Fels-Naptha laundry bar has been working overtime to remove greasy, oily stains, perspiration, and ring-around-the-collar. To celebrate we’ll be giving away a year’s supply each day from July 14 – 23.

Right now, you can enter to win a year’s supply of Fels-Naptha!

Go enter for your chance to win!

Fun For the Whole Family at Adventure Aquarium

We received complimentary tickets for the family from Adventure Aquarium. All opinions are our own.

As I previously said in our post about Hippo Haven, we have not been to an aquarium as a family until now. We live right in the middle between of Baltimore and Philadelphia, so there are many options for us. Adventure Aquarium is located in Camden, NJ. After our visit, I think Adventure Aquarium was the perfect choice for our first visit!

One thing I noticed was just about everyone has a stroller (or so it seems). You know that feeling when you feel like you’re being a pain and in the way because you’re pushing a stroller around? Not here! We brought the sit-n-stand and the carrier and ended up using both.

Buy and Sell Gently-Worn Clothing By the Lot at Loteda.com

I received a promotional gift certificate for sharing this information. All opinions are my own.

Loteda is a new marketplace where parents can buy and sell gently-worn children's clothing - by the lot. Loteda is the only site designed solely for buying an entire season's worth of clothes - in one transaction. Available in sizes newborn to 5.

How it works:

20% off your total purchase! Use code: SAVE20. Expires 8/31/2014

Summer Clearance Blowout at The Children’s Place

This post contains affiliate links.

As far as retail goes, summer is pretty much over. For most of us though, kids will be wearing shorts and tees for a few more months. Here’s your chance to get a great deal on summer clothes from The Children’s Place! Tees, tanks, and more starting at $1.99 before the 25% coupon!

The Children's Place has 25% Off everything including clearance when you use code PROMO3 at checkout. Shipping is free today only!

A Swimming Weekend

We had another beautiful weekend! I’m so glad that we’ve been able to enjoy the weekends. When I was working, I worked every weekend: 10 hour days. I always felt like I was missing all the fun that happens on the weekends.

Friday started out with a trip to the library to get some new books and movies.

I Won a Vacation for Two

Last week I found out I was a Top Purex Insider for sharing my post about a contest: Start Summer Early & Win a Vacation from Purex! What this means is that I won a trip for two to the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC, including 4 nights at the resort and airfare. How awesome is that?

Here’s the kicker. Two weeks ago, we paid for our family vacation to Myrtle Beach (we actually stay in Surfside, just south of MB) that we’ll take the second week of September.

Perfect Family Movie Night with Pop Secret

This post is sponsored by Pop Secret. All opinions are my own.

Picture your family snuggled up together on the couch, popping in that new movie, and enjoying family movie night at home. Now… picture yourself with a bowl of burned popcorn and a stinky house. Yuck, right?!? Don’t you wish you had some perfectly popped popcorn to snack on during the movie? Don’t worry! There’s an app for that! A Pop Secret app!

Barney: A Super-Dee-Duper Day & Giveaway

I was provided a DVD for my review. All opinions are my own.

My sister loved Barney growing up and I think it’s fun that Charlie does now too. I must say that 20 years later, I like Barney much more!

When Barney: A Super-Dee-Duper Day arrived in the mail, Charlie was so excited to see a baseball on the front!

Summer is in full-swing and Barney and his friends are celebrating the summer with in the all-new movie Barney: A Super-Dee-Duper Day available only on DVD July 15, 2014 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Tips for Taking a Baby and a Toddler to the Movies

This week was our first adventure to the movie theater with both boys. Charlie went once with me when about 2 years ago. He did pretty well then, but that was just the two of us. This time we had Owen!

If you’re thinking about taking your baby and toddler to the movies, these tips are for you!

July 4th Weekend

We had a busy weekend with lots of fun for July 4th. On the actual holiday this year, we didn’t do anything, but that’s okay because we made up for it!

Saturday we went to Nanny’s and played in the pool with all the cousins, had a cookout, and played some more. By the time we got home, Charlie looked like this:

 

Heroes of the City Baby App

I am being sent promotional items in exchange for posting this review. All opinions are my own.

You might remember hearing about Heroes of the City from me back in April when I reviewed the movie app. Heroes of the City has now rolled out a new Baby App. The only thing I don’t like about this is that it’s called “Baby”. Charlie, a little over 3 years old, LOVES it! He calls it his “color car game”.

Cookout Safely with Kids

With summer here, there will be many opportunities to host a cookout or attend one. These tips can help keep kids safe while enjoying the party.

Prep & Set-Up

Before guests arrive, take a walk around the deck, yard, or wherever your cookout will be taking place. Make sure to pick up any large sticks or rocks that could be a hazard to little ones. Put away any garden tools or chemicals that may be in the area. These things may be obvious to adults, but to children, they’re dangerous.

The grill is probably the most dangerous thing at a cookout. When setting up your grilling area, make sure that you’re putting it out of the way. You don’t want the kids (or anyone really) to keep having to go past it to play or while running around. If you can, make sure you the wind isn’t blowing in the direction of where people will be sitting. This will help the smoke from blowing right into everyone’s faces. If need be, consider putting a baby gate around the grilling area.

Christmas in July Sale at Personalization Mall

This post contains affiliate links.

We’ve ordered from Personalization Mall many, many times. Most of those orders have come from their Christmas in July sale.

70% Off Christmas In July Sale at Personalization Mall, 7/1-7/6! As always, personalization is free!

Here’s some of the ornaments that you can find on sale, there’s so many to choose from!

Think wedding, graduation, birthday, and Christmas gifts!

Water Play for Wordless Wednesday

It has been hot-hot-hot lately and we need a break! We picked up a little pool at the store this week and enjoyed some morning pool time.

Munchkin’s LATCH Bottles for Breastfed Babies

I received free products as part of my Ambassadorship with Munchkin.

Owen is strictly breastfed, so when I found out we were receiving the new Munchkin LATCH bottle for May’s shipment, I was a little bummed. In Owen’s 8 months, he’s had maybe 20 bottles. Maybe. It was really hard for me to be able to test this since I can’t actually be the one to use it. I mean, why get it from the bottle, when the tap is right there?

When I went to the Disney on the Road event a couple weeks ago, I had to pump quite a bit to make sure Owen would be good to go while I was gone.