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I am forever trying to find healthier, more affordable snacks for myself and my children.  Konnor has always been huge on fruits and veggies (I know I’m one lucky mama), but it isn’t always convenient when you are going to the park to slice up an apple or peel an orange, and then find a plastic container (don’t throw it away on accident – those are spendy) to store it in until the kids are ready to eat.  Or you could put it into a sandwich baggie and hope it doesn’t get squished and spill all over everything else in your bag.

With Dole, these problems are a thing of the past!  Each individual serving of their fruit bowls come in a little plastic containers with a peel off lid, which is not only disposable, but easy to open.  Konnor has no problems opening their fruit cups and digging right in, with or without utensils!  Seriously.  The fruit inside are bite size, and great finger foods too!

Ariana can pick up the mandarin oranges bites (which are her favorite) and put them into her mouth with little effort.  Teaching her independence and helping to develop her hand/eye coordination, these are a great snack for her age.

What I love about Dole’s Fruit Bowls is that they come in 7 different flavors:  diced apples, diced pears, mixed fruit, tropical fruit, diced peaches, mandarin oranges, and pineapple tidbits.  My children are not at all picky, but if you have a picky child, they are sure to enjoy at least one of these delicious fruit bowls.

Dole was also sweet enough to send both Ariana and Konnor a Marty (from Madagascar) Snack Pack (shown on the right), which is an insulated pouch that easily fits one of the fruit bowls in.  There is a key chain clip, so you can clip it onto the diaper bag, purse, or, like Konnor does, right onto a belt loop.

Three(3) lucky winners will receive a Marty Snack Pack along with a coupon for a pack of Dole Fruit Bowls.

Mandatory Entry:

Head on over to Dole’s website and tell me what other product from them you like or would like to try.

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise. please please leave your email so I can find you if you win):

  • Follow Dole on Twitter
  • “Like” Dole on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Dole giveaway. (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 7/3 at 8pm PST


Disclosure: I was given samples of Dole Fruit Bowls from Dole, free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no impact on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com.


Anyone who has been to my house knows that I am a clothing fa-na-tic! Seriously, I don’t know why I buy so many clothes for my children when I know that I am going to have to wash them, dry them, and put them away! It’s probably a problem that I am this addicted to buying the kids clothes – really.

Zutano was kind enough to get me hooked on their clothes by sending Ariana their Annika Short Sleve Dress with pants to match. All I can say is… WOW!! As soon as I pulled the outfit out, I was absolutely shocked. The fabric is extremely soft and just makes me want to snuggle my daughter every time she wears this outfit. No matter how many times I wash it, it stays really soft.

Zutano makes bright, colorful patterns for their clothes so you and your child can enjoy them.

Compliments? Oh boy do I get those. Every time Ariana is out in her Zutano outfit, people comment on it. It’s just so bright and fun!

Jackie, Kristin, and I are giving away one $75 gift certificate to Zutano’s Itzy Bitzy line (which is for 0-9mos). This is one giveaway you want to enter! (please note: due to unfortunate events, the gift card must be used AFTER Sept. 1st, 2010.)

Mandatory Entry:

Fill out this form.
 

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise.  please please leave your email so I can find you if you win):

  • Follow Zutano on Twitter
  • “Like” Zutano on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet):
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Zutano giveaway. (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 7/3 at 8pm PST


Disclosure: I was given an outfit from Zutano, free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no imp act on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com.
 
 


Between Konnor’s “white patches” and Ariana’s sensitive baby skin, I am a worry wart when it comes to the sun.  It would be wrong and unfair of me to not protect them from the harmful UV rays, which is why I spend a ton of time, every year, in the sunscreen isle.

I have two distinct issues with most sunscreens that I have purchased since Konnor was born (and I have bought a LOT of sunscreen):

  1. the smell
  2. the consistency

Hawaiian Tropic’s sunscreen isn’t like normal sunscreen.  What do I mean by that?  You don’t have that nasty coconut smell that most sunscreens posses.  It’s more of a…. well, tropical smell, which is exactly what drew me in.  Before I could apply this to my kids, before we even had sun here in Oregon, I knew I was going to love this sunscreen.  Yes, because it smelled good.

Now, when you are talking sunscreen and babies, or sunscreen and toddlers, you might cringe.  For one reason.  Applying it to the face, right?  Yes! This is probably the worst part of using the stuff.  Sure, you can use the regular sunscreen, which is runny, and the chances of getting it in their eyes or mouth is pretty high.  Or, you could try the spray sunscreen which you have to end up rubbing in anyways because if you are like me, you have to be sure there is enough on your child to avoid sunburn.

The Baby & Kids Protection line of sunscreen is thick.  Not so thick that you have a hard time getting it to come out, but thicker than normal sunscreen.  It is more of a creme, making it easier to apply, easier to rub in, and that must mean it’s less likely to come off in the water, yeah?  This makes face application a heck of a lot easier, let me tell you!

Plus!  Hawaiian Tropic has come out with a Baby Stick Sunscreen for the easy to miss places on the face, such as nose, under and around the eyes, and even the ears.  It literally is like applying deodorant – super easy and super safe!

Here are some of the features and benefits of Hawaiian Tropic Baby Crème Lotion straight from their website:

NEW indulgent crème form!
NEW very light, tropical scent!
• Formulated with our patented SunSure® Technology
- Tested in the natural sunlight!
- Less chemical sunscreens
- Advanced UVA Protection
• Pediatrician & Dermatologist tested
• Gentle & mild
• Won’t run into eyes
• Water resistant
• Island botanicals

Thanks to Hawaiian Tropic, one of my readers will win away one 6oz bottle of Hawaiian Tropic Baby Crème Lotion and one 0.5oz tube of Hawaiian Tropic Baby Stick Sunscreen to one lucky.  Trust me, you want to try this amazing sunscreen!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Hawaiian Tropic’s website and tell me which other product you are most likely to try (they have stuff for Mommy’s too).
Extra Entries:
Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

  • “Like” Hawaiian Tropic on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)::
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’sHawaiian Tropic Sunscreen Giveaway (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 7/3 at 9pm PST

Disclosure: I was given a 6oz bottle & 0.5oz stick of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen from Hawaiian Tropic, free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no imp act on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com.


Every child needs a stuffed animal.  A snuggle buddy.  You know, something to curl up with in bed, to hold when you are sick, or even for a long car ride to visit relatives a state away.  I’m sure each and every one of my readers have had, at some point in their life, such a stuffed friend.

Thanks to Build-A-Bear, Ariana now has one.  Their new (and limited edition) Zoorrific Collection has all new animals to choose from, and let me tell you – they are ADORABLE!!!  Ranging from $16-$20, these make for an affordable gift for any child, young or old.  Whether you have a baby who enjoys soft, cuddly toys, or you have a 10 year old whose favorite animal is a Flamingo, Build-A-Bear’s Zoorrific Collection is bound to be a hit!

Ariana received the Giraffe, which is 19 inches in height.  Not too big, and not too small, she took to this stuffed animal right away.  The neck of the giraffe is long and slender, making a perfect area for Ariana to wrap her little arm around and snuggle her new friend.  Not only that, but Build-A-Bear’s animals are so very soft.

Naturally, if you want to dress up your new zoo friends, they have a ton of options in their Clothing and Accessories section.  From adorable dresses, to pants, sunglasses, and shoes, there is literally everything you can think of to put onto your furry companion.

Now, generally with limited edition items, you get some special offers and incentives to go along with it, yes?  Indeed you do, and this, my friends, is no exception.  For one, if you purchase a Zoorrific Collection Furry Friend between 6/4 and 6/13 (only a couple more days), you will receive a reusable backpack for both your furry friend and yourself!  Also, between now and 6/30, Build-A-Bear is hosting a Zoorrific Orlando Sweepstakes (click on the link for more information).  And finally, after receiving your Zoorrific Collection Furry Friend, you can head over to Build-A-Bearville where you will have exclusive access to the new Zoo & a free Zoo Ride for your avatar.

Want to know what the best part about this review is?? Well, Build-A-Bear has graciously decided to allow me to host a giveaway on my blog!  I’m ecstatic!!!!!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Build-A-Bear Zoorrific Collection’s website and tell me which animal you would like to win and why.

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

  • Follow Build-A-Bear on Twitter
  • “Like” Build-A-Bear on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet):: “Win a @BuildABear Zoorrific Collection Furry Friend from @theJAKAmommy http://tinyurl.com/2wmr9qe.. ends 6/23
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Build-A-Bear giveaway (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

This giveaway will end 6/23 at 9pm PST

Disclosure: I was given a stuffed giraffe from Build-A-Bear (the Zoorrific Collection), free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no imp act on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com.



When 2010 started, I made a New Year’s Resolution (like most people) to be healthier by making better nutrition choices for myself (and my family) and making sure I exercise 4-5 times a week.

As with most New Year’s resolutions, I maybe kind of fell off the bandwagon a little bit.  (Or fell flat on my face into the mud)

Recently, I was able to try something that is not only nutritious but also very yummy!  I’m talking about Yoplait’s Greek Yogurt.  Out of the four flavors it comes in, (strawberry, honey vanilla, blueberry, and plain) I tried the strawberry and honey vanilla.  This yogurt is thicker than most yogurts, which is quite appealing to me.  Not only that, but the taste is something I am unable to explain.  My taste buds were doing a happy dance in my mouth!

How is something so yummy also so nutritious, you ask?

Well, Yoplait Greek Yogurt has 12g of protein (which is twice as much as other leading brands), which is nothing but a benefit, and it has ZERO fat.  In addition, Yoplait’s Greek Yogurt is currently the only leading brand of Greek yogurt to contain both Vitamin A & D in every cup.  Why does that matter?  Well, Vitamin D is what aides your body in the absorption of calcium, which means stronger bones.

A huge thanks to Yoplait and MyBlogSpark ; it was because of them that I received my very own prize pack full of goodies. Not only that, but one lucky reader of mine will win a Yoplait Greek “Nourish Your Inner Goddess” prize pack (pictured below). This includes two coupons for Yoplait Greek Yogurt*** (whichever flavor you like) as well as some spa-type items to help you relax.

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me which flavor you would like to try!

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

  • Follow YoplaitYogurt on Twitter
  • “Like” Yoplait on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)
  •  ***Please note that these coupons are not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

Giveaway ends 5/31 @ 9pm PST 



Something Ariana has been in need of for a while now is a new high chair. With her new-found independence, the need to feed herself has become overwhelming. She has to sit in a high chair to avoid a mess everywhere.

Saving Konnor’s high chair was a bad idea. Made solely from wood (oak i believe), with no means to keep him from falling out, I don’t know how my son managed to eat with no incident when he was little. I mean, yeah, we had the little seat belt wannabe thing, but the wood was finished, meaning slipping and sliding.

Moving on…..

Kolcraft has a nifty high chair out right now called the Recline ‘n Dine High Chair . With their adorable Sesame Street design, this is a perfect high chair for a little girl or a little boy.

There are two different trays. As you can see in the picture, you have your standard high chair tray. Underneath that, though, there is a “snack tray” which has different sections if you prefer to go that route.

The other thing I despised about our wooden high chair was the difficulty of cleaning it. To be honest, I am terrible at cleaning up right after a meal. Ariana gets a bath after dinner, and then I tend to forget to clean the high chair. Ew, right??? With the Recline ‘n Dine High Chair a mess is simple to clean up, even the next day (typically right before dinner).

We have a HUGE giveaway here. We have a prize pack of all three of the following items to giveaway to one lucky reader! Kolcraft has offered to give away one Recline ‘n Dine High Chair, one 1-2-3 Learn With Me Potty Chair, and one Elmo Tiny Steps 2-in-1 Walker.

Here are the details on how to win!!

Mandatory Entry:

Fill out this form.

Extra Entries:

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

  • Follow Kolcraft on Twitter
  • “Like” Kolcraft on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’s giveaway for this Party Pack. (2 extra entries total)

This giveaway will end 5/29 at 8pm PST ***** this giveaway has been extended to 6/10

Disclosure: I was given a Recline ‘n Dine high chair from Kolcraft, free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no impact on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com.



 

 

Ever since she learned to sit up on her own, Ariana decided she no longer “dug” her sit up bath chair, and she was never really a fan on her infant tub either. She just loved being able to sit in the tub, with the water, and splash and giggle and play.  

This, my friends, was a total waste of water. While we only filled the tub up a few inches, I knew that there had to be a better solution to this whole bath time business.  

When I first saw the new FlexiBath from Easy Walker, I knew I was going to love it!  It is the only hard plastic children’s bathtub which folds up flat with just a touch of your hand. Available in 3 different colors, there is a bath for boy, girl, or neutral. This bathtub makes for a great transition from infant tub to the “big” tub.  

Ariana loves to stand up in the bath. Have I ever mentioned that? My daughter is a dare devil. The FlexiBath’s no slip bottom really is no slip. She stands up, sits down, stands up, and sits back down again, and has never once fell.  

The size is great, too! As you can see in the video below, Ariana has room to grow but it still makes for a perfect bath right now. Aaaaaand, seriously, the folding action makes this tub so fabulous! It takes up less space than the baby tubs we have for her now, and when you live in an apartment, every bit of space is needed! Literally, it folds flat. You can hide this tub ANYWHERE!!!  

  

With the FlexiBath I am using less water, Ariana still gets to sit up on her own and play, and Mommy gets a peace of mind knowing that she is surrounded by a soft tub, rather than the big hard tub.  

WIN IT!!!

I have one FlexiBath in Pink/Red to give away.  

Mandatory Entry: 

Visit the website and tell me one thing about the FlexiBath that you find most interesting.  

Extra Entries: 

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):  

  • Follow Easy Walker on Twitter
  • “Like” Easy Walker on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment & make sure you use @theJAKAmommy in your tweet)
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’s  FlexiBath giveaway (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries) **Jackie is giving away a blue one!!!**

This giveaway will end 5/18 at 9pm PST

Disclosure: I was given a FlexiBath from EasyWalker, free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no impact on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com. 
 

 

  

 



 

We are kicking off the 1st Birthday Celebration with cakes!  It totally fits, right? 

Bake Me A Wish is a company that friends have raved about but I have never had a chance to actually try one of their infamous cakes.

I can officially say that I have now, and Oh.  Em.  Gee.  I was totally missing out!!!

These cakes are absolutely FABULOUS!!!  My family tried the Cookies And Cream cake out of the Decadent Delight Cakes line.  Actually, they didn’t really try it as much as they devoured it!  Justin was diving in before I could even grab my camera to take a picture.  So, I apologize.  Generally, I like to use my own pictures on my blog, but this was a circumstance all in its own.

This cake was out of this world amazing!!  From the brownie-type cake to the real Oreo cookie pieces on top, my mouth was watering.  Every bite was pure bliss – there is no other way for me to put it.  Here is what the family thought:

Justin:  “Wow, this is really good.” (coming from my picky eater)

Konnor: “Mommy, I want this everyday!”

Ariana:  Well, she doesn’t talk yet, but she drooled and pounded on her high chair for MORE!


Bake Me A Wish
cakes made with the finest & freshest ingredients to ensure that you receive the tastiest cake imaginable.  Plus, their guarantee is that you receive your yummy, fresh cake on schedule, right when you need it.

So, do you need a cake for a birthday?  How about an anniversary?  Need to say Thank You?  Or does someone you know deserve a “Get Well Soon” cake?  Well, my friends, Bake Me A Wish can cover all of those occasions, plus some!  And really, who wouldn’t want to be surprised by the delivery guy with a cake??

Don’t believe me and all the hype over this cake?  Well, you have a chance to win one of your own.  That’s right, the fabulous people at Bake Me A Wish are awarding one of my fabulous readers try their Cookies And Cream cake.

Want to know how to win?  (US entries only… sorry!) Alright:

First and foremost (this is the required entry.. if you do not complete this entry, all other entries are null and void), head on over to Bake Me A Wish and tell me what cake you would love to try. Oh yes, there are many many many more cakes aside from the one I was able to taste test. 

**PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS**

Additional entries (each are worth one extra entry, unless stated otherwise):

  • Follow Bake Me A Wish on Twitter
  • “Like” Bake Me A Wish on Facebook
  • Follow theJAKAfiles on Twitter
  • “Like” theJAKAfiles on Facebook
  • Become a google friend follower (publicly)
  • Grab my button and put it on your blog
  • Grab Ariana’s Birthday Celebration button & put it on your blog (2 extra entries)
  • Subscribe via RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway (3 extra entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway once per day (leave the link in a comment):   Win a @BakeMeAWish cake from @theJAKAmommy! ends 5/18 – http://tiny.cc/burq5
  • Enter Kristin or Jackie’s Bake Me A Wish giveaway (one extra entry for entering each for a total of two extra entries)

 

 

 

This giveaway ends 5/18/2010 at 9pm PST.. Open to US residently only!

 

Disclosure: I was given a cake from Bake Me A Wish, free of charge, in exchange for a review on my blog. All reviews are strictly the opinion of the author (me) of this blog. Any product given to me had no impact on my opinion of said product. Please direct any questions in email to Jaka.files(at)yahoo(dot)com.
 
 

 



 

All my life (or as far as the memory goes) I have wanted a little girl. A baby to dress up, doll up, play house and barbies with, and put makeup on. You know, all that fun stuff that Mommys do with their little girls.

Ya’ll I took this to the next level. 

When I found Cutie PaTuTus, it was all over.  I became obsessed.  People, these are tutus.  For your infant, baby, toddler, school-aged kids, and beyond!  And not only that, but they come in different themes, and complete outfits. 

That’s right, they have shirt and tutu combos. 

I purchased this set for Ariana’s first birthday.  I absolutely adore pink and zebra print together, and this was tutu cute to pass up!

The best part? The pom poms inside of the tutu!  The signature pom poms sure do add a little twist to take these already adorable ensembles to the next level.  Never fear though, the pom poms are securely sewn into the tutu itself, so you never have to worry about them coming loose and becoming a choling hazard. 

These adorable outfits are perfect for a 1st birthday, your daughter’s dress-up box, or just to wear for fun.  With over 30 different tutus in her shop, and the option to pick your own colors for your tutu, there is something for every little princess or fairy out there.

But wait, there’s more…….

What about your little boy?  Cutie Pa Tutus aren’t really just tutu-makers.  Oh no, you can also get personalized super hero capes!  In your choice of red, blue, or pink (hey not all little girls want to be princesses and fairies), your child’s initial will be put on the back of the cape.  Too cool, right?  I personally bought Konnor a cape (which I have yet to get a picture of – soon, I promise) and was absolutely thrilled with the quality of it.

Accessories are available as well!

Do you need a magic wand for your tutu?  How about a mask to go with that super hero cape?  Even a tutu for your daughter’s favorite doll – Cutie Pa Tutus does it all!

I know, I keep going on and on, and I apologize but there is one other thing I have failed to mention.  Amanda, the owner, creator, and mastermind of the Cutie Pa Tutu line is one of the sweetest people ever!  She holds her client’s satisfaction in the highest regard, and makes sure that you (and your little one) are 100% satisfied with your order. 

So really, head on over and check out all that is offered at Cutie Pa Tutus.  I promise you won’t be disappointed!

*I purchased a tutu from Cutie Pa Tutus at a discount in exchange for my review of their services/products.  All views are strictly my own, honest opinion*

*All photos shown in this post are owned by theJAKAfiles & JakaFiles Photography.. Please do not copy any pictures w/o the written consent of the owner of these pictures*



Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
If I had a dime for everytime I have heard that line, I would be a millionaire.  Heck, we all would be.  There’s truth behind it, though.  Studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast will enhance your performance throughout the day.  Not only will you be able to concentrate better at school or work, you will have more strength and energy for more physical aspects of your life.  Plus, you have seen the comercials – healthy breakfasts can lower your cholesterol!

In December it was announced that General Mills would be reducing sugar in their cereals ever more than they already had been.  They committed to reducing the sugar in their cereals to less than 10g per serving!  *goes to look in pantry*  Now, I can tell you that we have other brands of cereal (that are not General Mills) and not one of those cereals have less than 10g of sugar per serving.

Blog Search
I was provided 4 coupons for General Mills cereal from My Blog Spark to try out the new and improved cereal.  All I can say is “wow!”  These are cereals that I grew up with, prior to their commitments to our children of today.  Which means when I was eating these cereals, there were less vitamins and more sugar.  And while it could be that I am older, I don’t find any difference in the taste I remember, to the taste of now!
Constantly looking at nutrition information, I want what is best for my kids.  I want them to grow up happy and healthy, and I was them to succeed in life.  My confidence for their breakfast needs is with General Mills.
For more information about the relationship between kids and cereal, visit General Mills’ Health & Wellness page.



Business 2 Blogger
As I am sure you are all aware, I am quite new to this whole blogging deal.  Well, maybe more so the more formal aspects of blogging as opposed to just blogging to keep track of memories I want preserved.
Wanting to make something more of my blog, I have become more technically in tune with what it takes to make a site more popular.  Traffic, right?  Being interesting and funny and leaving an impression with readers that makes them want to come back is probably most important.  But how do you get that?  Well, I have linked my website to my Facebook, Twitter, and even my YouTube accounts.  I have also made some new friends around the blogging community.

When my friend, Kristin, whose advise I trust when it comes to blogging among other things, wrote her blog post about Business2Blogger, I was curious.  Doing what any normal, curious, human being would do, I headed over to the site to investigate. 
The benefits for a small blogger, like me, is great.  They can provide you with opportunities for reviews at absolutely no cost!!! Yes, you heard me, for FREE!!!  Not to mention this website works with not only the blogging community but also businesses.  It’s like a website that plays match-maker.
Sound like something you’d like to participate in? Then head on over and sign up here.  It’s quick and easy and free to sign up.
And hey, did I mention that this is FREE?!
So click here for more information or to sign up.


Ariana has had one toy, Mr. Spider as we call it, for a couple months now.  Something about this toy keeps her attention, and she LOVES it! 
My little cutie-bug was absolutely distraught over goodness knows what last night, so I handed her the spider.  Immediately, whatever her deepest worry was, was forgotten.  She put that spider right into her mouth.  It was in that moment that I looked at Justin and asked him, “What would we do without that spider?  What if we ever lost it?”  These thoughts had passed through my head before, but it was then and there that I realized just what this spider was to her.

He had no answer, just a panicked look in his eye.  I immediately hopped on the computer and found Genius Babies, who sells a wide variety of baby toys, including the most popular Lamaze toys.  While we didn’t find any of Buzz the Bug (which is what I found it’s called), they have a ton of other great toys for Ariana’s age.  At her stage, it’s hard to find toys that will keep her attention as well as toys that are safe. 

Everything is in her mouth at this point, so I am constantly worrying about parts coming off in her mouth and her choking.  What mother isn’t, right?  After some more digging, I did find our spider friend for sale at Toys R’ Us.  $12.99 is definitely well-worth it.  Buzz’s wings make crunchy noises, while each of the objects hanging from his feet do different things.  Ariana’s favorite is when i squish the object that squeaks.  She will giggle and giggle – which, in turn, amuses mommy as well.  The rings on the end of one of Buzz’s feet go into her mouth, and all around, he is very easy for her to hold onto.

I am currently awaiting approval from the man of the house to expand Ariana’s Lamaze toys, in hopes she will find something that will give her even half the joy that Buzz the Bug does.



As a mommy with a newborn and a toddler, I really want what is best for my children.  From the clothes to the toys to the food.  We all know in this economy, the best isn’t really always within reach of our budgets.  Mine, especially.  I work full-time, as does Justin, but we are barely scraping by.

I always wanted to breastfeed my children.  It was a dream, a goal, something to look forward to.  With Konnor, I endured 6 weeks of pain and agony trying to breastfeed.  My nipples were simply too big and his mouth too small.  Sure, we tried nipple shields, but that didn’t work.  I could never afford a decent pump, so pumping was out of the question as well.  At the time, I was 19 and working at Taco Bell, still living with my mom. 
After those 6 weeks, I gave up.  Feeling defeated and depressed, I went in search of formula.  $25 a can is going to kill me, I remember thinking bitterly on my drive to the store.  At Wal-Mart, I probably read labels for an hour.  When I first saw the Wal-Mart brand formula, Parent’s Choice, I didn’t even consider it.  But as I read the label, and compared it to that of Similac, I realized there wasn’t much difference.
That day, I bought Konnor Parent’s Choice Milk-Based Infant Formula w/ Iron.  He loved it!  It was so easy for him to digest, and we never had any problems.  I loved it so much, that when my best friend had her baby, and was unable to breastfeed, I gave her a can to try, and she became hooked as well. 
When I had Ariana, I was determined to give breastfeeding a second shot.  I was prepped and stoked when she was born.  Unfortunately, it didn’t even take a week for me to come to the conclusion that we weren’t getting anywhere.  Having the same problems as before, I gave up the hope of breastfeeding.  I wasn’t as bogged down by it as I was with Konnor, because I knew we had alternatives.  I knew it would be okay that I wasn’t meant to breastfeed.
So, again, I made the trip to Wal-Mart.  Ariana started out with the same formula Konnor did.  We noticed she was very fussy and gassy, so we tried Parent’s Choice Milk-Based Gentle Formula.  It was suppose to help with the fussiness and the gas.  We gradually moved her over to that formula, but noticed even though it helped, it hadn’t solved the problem.  Ariana just has a very sensitive tummy.
A lot of people were telling us we needed to go to soy formula.  Especially my grandma.  I wasn’t really ready to try soy, though, and Wal-Mart still had another option.  So we gradually switched her over to Parent’s Choice Lactose-Free Sensitive Infant Formula.  We figured if she had problems digesting the lactose (which many babies do) this could be our solution without going to soy.
It worked!  This is what I love about Parent’s Choice.  We had options.  One type of formula wasn’t working, so we tried another.  And, if we needed it, they offer Organic Formula and even Soy Formula. Not to mention it’s about 40% cheaper than the name-brand formulas, but with almost the same nutrition.  We go through about a can of formula a week.  At $15 a can, that adds up FAST!  I couldn’t imagine paying the $25 a can – I would go broke!
Want to sample Parent’s Choice Formula? Wal-Mart is giving away free samples of Parent’s Choice Gentle Formula.  Just follow the link, fill out the form, and they will send you a free sample!  Pretty awesome stuff, and just one more reason why I LOVE Wal-Mart!


Wow!!! Has anyone used these before? They are the concentrated detergent cube things that go in the dishwasher. It has both liquid and powder concentrated into this cube that is about an inch long and wide and half an inch in height.

My dishwasher SUCKS! We are forever having to scrub off every little piece of food and/or dirt before putting it into the dishwasher, making me wonder why i even bother with the dishwasher anyways.

We have tried both liquid detergent (which was okay) and powder detergent (which was a disaster). Apartments just have really crappy quality dishwashers, i guess.

Anyways, i decided to buy these Cascade ActionPacs. $5 for 20 of them, so i figured i wouldn’t be out a TON of money. I used one today. Just opened my dishwasher, and OMG!!!!!!!!!!! These things are freaking amazing!!!

I put a dish in there that i didn’t scrub. It wasn’t that dirty, but i knew residue would have been left over with the liquid or powder detergent. Nothing with these. It is CLEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



As a mommy of a 3 1/2 year old who was in diapers not long ago, and a mommy of an infant who is obviously in diapers, I know they get expensive. And I don’t mean a little expensive, I mean a LOT!! We can go through a box of diapers (around $20) in a matter of two weeks, maybe three. That’s a box of 84 diapers. So about $80 a month, sometimes $100. With that, and formula, an infant costs a LOT of money.

When it comes to diapers, we have tried multiple brands. Nothing works as well as Huggies. Especially overnight, when Ariana doesn’t wake up all the time, it’s nice to know we aren’t going to wake up to a soggy bed and baby. Haha!

Today I was getting ready to throw away the plastic from a package of diapers, and noticed a code. It was Huggies Enjoy The Ride Rewards. Curious, I logged onto their website ( https://enjoytheriderewards.com/ ), and created a log-in ID. Immediately, I was awarded 10 points. With the code I found, I was awarded 9 more points. Okay, this is cool, I thought. So I decided to investigate and found that you can use these points on a variety of things. Diapers, gift cards, art supplies for the kids, and more!

How cool is that?? If you have kids, and use Huggies diapers, I highly suggest you check this out!