Simple Inspirations

Its true, when you are little there is so much importance placed on growing up that childhood flies by without kids being able to really experience and enjoy being a kid!  I am always telling my 11 year old..don’t rush it, one day you’ll wake up and be 25.  It happens that fast!  Especially in today’s society, kids are way busier and overschedualed than they ever were.  That is why it is so important to remind them CHILDHOOD IS CALLING so its okay to STOP AND PLAY! 

Not to paraphrase to much I have to post how the webiste describes Project Sparks because they say it all just perfectly..To help bring families closer together through play, Rice Krispies® and Playing for Keeps have partnered to create Operation Spark. Using a panel of renowned parenting experts, Operation Spark provides insights and advice about how to strengthen the family connection and turn everyday moments into quality time.

I just read over this amazing report that Kelloggs has available for parents at the Childhood is calling SITE.  Its an awesome report with down to earth tips about raising kids, finding time to create meaningful relationships, even games to play with them in all kinds of situtations..one of my favorite was the travel journal ( take a journal and each page represents a letter and as they travel around they write down names of places that start with that letter). There is a bunch of yummy recipes ( I will for sure be making the flowers with my girls) and make sure you invite them to help out because preping together is half of the fun! There are also some games ranked by age you can play along with your kids…ready aim cocoa, or balancing act were hits with my kids.

Another tip that really spoke to me was the 15 minutes before bed tip to end your day in a predicatable loving way so your kids will learn that you are accessible and love them and they can count on this time everyday to talk with you even if it is for only 15 minutes. They have so many great ideas I wish I could share more of them, but short of copying and pasting most of the site I will suffice it say you need to pop over there when you get a free minute.  The information is invaluable when you think of how fleeting youth is, so take the time to connect with your little (or big) one today.

What would you say if I told you that there is a program out there, desinged for the Mom on the go..that can make your computer accessible to you when you need it and make life SOOOOOO much easier!  If, you, like me, are constantly on the lookout for one more way to organize my life a little more..than you need to hear about Simply Mobile Mom’s.

Over the better part of the last year Mom Central Consulting has been working like mad along side GOware Inc. to devise this unique program.  Simply Mobile Mom is a free service that allows you to access files on your computer with your phone. The possibilities  this provides is endless..here are a few of the things I have used this program for since I signed up… Show off the kids pictures to the inlaws without carrying around the actual picture and squashing them in your purse like I normally do, access menu’s and grocery lists and coupons as you shop ( I have found this invaluable), peek at the schedule to keep yourself on track all day, go over the report due Monday while waiting to pick the kids up from school..even study for exams while waiting in the ER!!!  Yup, you can even access your favorite ebook and finish reading it outside swimming lessons ( this was by far a way easier way to read that heaving my huge hardcover novel into my purse, if I remember). If you have a smart phone you can even access maps while you drive! Phones without the internet receive these files by text messages..its too easy to not use it! Its become an invaluable source of peace of mind to me in the past week or so.

Based on an MCC survey that ran last fall, it turns out that 93% of us would rather forget anything at home (aside from our kids!) than our mobile phones. The flexibility to access electronic content on our mobile phone allows us freedom from weighty laptops, helping to make us more efficient than ever before.

Make sure you check out the website here…Mobile Mom’s. If you, like me, were sure you would never figure out a program like that this site has a youtube video that is super easy to follow! In just a few easy steps I was on the fast track to becoming a little more efficient, a little more in touch and a little more technologically savvy!!!

And for a limited time make sure you check out the huge contest they have going on and you may be the lucky winner of and Apple Iphone and two years of service ( who wouldn’t want that???!!!!)

I remember eating frosted flakes a child.  I would fill the bowl to the top and put only a little milk in the bottom and scoop up from the bottom so the cereal would stay crunchy.  When I heard that Kelloggs had come up with a new take on an old favorite I just had to jump on the bandwagon, er, cereal wagon. I knew as soon as I opened the box and got the first whiff of the honey baked yumminess that I was in love. 

to a bad lice haircut will totally understand why they need to have this new product..Lice MD.  Its kind of a big thing..this new product not only is totally effective but also PESTICIDE FREE! So you can use it without guilt and it kills both the lice and eggs.

I am so happy to have some of this in my house..I have four girls with rather long hair. To this day I am totally traumatized by experience with lice as a child.  I had hair down to my derrier and had gotten lice from a neighbour.  My Mom was trying to trim my hair to get rid of some of the nits and just as I turned my head to see who was at the door..she snipped.  My gorgeous auburn locks were now just below my shoulders.  I was horrified by the whole experience. Back then medications were somewhat effective, but contained these strong chemicals and pesticides.  Not exactly what you want to slap on your childs head.  But when I got wind of this new product I knew I needed to get my hands on some. 

If you are currently dealing with lice issues ( it happens to the best of us, I mean its just the law of nature that the kid at school will want to play with your child for the first time when they have newly conceived lice ..right?) or want to be prepared just in case grab yourself some of this new Lice MD. You can’t go wrong.  They even offer you a money back guartee if you are not totally satisfied with your product. 

For more info check out http://licemd.com

I am not a big fan of sugary cereals for breakfast.  They happen at our breakfast table to be honest, but not always with a full blessing.  There is something great about the new cereal I just tried out for Kelloggs.   Wild Animal Crunch is yummy.  I even found myself reaching for a second handful without thinking about it.  Its chocolate and vanilla animal shaped cereal.  Its brand new, the best part is one again..WHOLE GRAIN!  Yup, yummy and better for you than the average cereal.

If you don’t beleive me just check out the nutritional information at there site HERE!  You may have to see it to beleive it.

It got two thumbs up from all four of my girls..Abby couldn’t keep her hands out of the box.  She must have eaten the whole box by herself, sneaking one or two handfuls whenever I wasn’t looking. Then there was a scuffle between the girls for the last few handfuls.

Did I mention that this cereal was created in part with Animal Planet?  The boxes all have these adorable little animals on them.  Make sure to check them out!

I think it’s my nature as a mother to be rather unselfish.  I am always sharing my breakfast, my snack, even my coffee.   Today I tried the Special K Bliss Bars in Orange and Raspberry and I think I may have found something that almost made me hide them in the back of the cupboard!  They are AMAZING!!!

After only the first bite I was already feeling a a little naughty eating them.  Crispy, chocolate covered, almost sinful.  I could picture myself on the couch, basking in the afternoon sun light with a soft blanket and a fluffy pillow, in the middle of the afternoon with the kids asleep and a good book and a cup of coffee and a bliss bar.  They are that good!

They are these scrumptious bars made with real fruit and whole grain cereal and the best part is..you can afford to indulge because there are only 90 calories in every bar!  That makes them great for me, but my kids too!   I think there are way to many unhealthy options out there, but my 2 year old gave the bliss bars a great big MMMMMMMMM too.  SO if you can bare to give one up….they make a great snack for the kids too.  I mean there are six in the box, you can afford to share JUST one.

Maybe.

I have got some news for those of you shower singers, you know who you are.  The one who sings into the brush, sure they could be the next 40 plus year old Carrie Underwood if only they could hear you. 

Ponds has got this great contest up that I myself would love to enter!  Its in sync with the opening of the movie Momma Mia with Meryl Streep in it. All you have to do is find two friends with killer voices and practice performing your own version of one of two songs from the movie, Mammia Mia or Dancing Queen.  You can go an audition in person if you happen to live near fabulous New York City.  BUT if you are like me and are stuck in the boonies you can audition online. So grab your video camera, your chickest outfit and your awesome friends and have ball.  Its every little girls dream to make it big, and aren’t we all just little girls on the inside?

 A panel of judges will choose 5 dynamic trios as finalists and their videos will be posted on this site on May 23rd, 2008. All of America is invited to vote online to determine the winning trio. The winning trio will receive a lavish trip to London to live the life of 3 Dynamos at the world premiere of MAMMA MIA! That is right fromthe horse’s mouth.  I would love a trip to London, all the pampering is just the icing on the cake if you ask me!!

Interested??? Check it out by clicking RIGHT HERE

And make sure you take the time to check out the video trailer if you need a little encouragement or inspiration!

I am 27 years old, and I am the proud mother of 5 wonderful children.  I have enjoyed nursing each of my children on so many levels, but I have to be honest, a great benefit is not having a period.  Why?  I am among those women who have a very heavy period, I can go through 3 bags of pads in a single period.  Instead of days mine can last up to 2 weeks.  Throw in the resulting cramps, fatigue and mental play and you have one woman who could not wait to be old enough to deal with the problem on a serious and permanent level.  I started my period in grade school, you heard me, Grade 4.  There, I said it.

Since then I can think of only one time in my life that my period has not affected my ability to feel comfortable throughout the duration.  In Grade 5 I bled right through a pad and had to have a friend call my Mom and being me some clothes before I would get up.  After thh birth of my first daughter, it lasted two years.  Non stop.  Right up until the time I got pregnant with my second daughter.  Being pregnant has always been a great short term deliverance from the problems that my heavy periods have caused. 

I have tried birth control, a d and c, even a hormone shot…all before I was 20!  I really thought that short of having a hysterectomy it owuld be something I alone woule have to tough out.  I WAS WRONG!!!  There is a simple way to deal with the anemia, the dizziness, the in ability to be active for 2 weeks a month!  I have spent some time checking out the Dare to wear white website and have realized that I AM NOT ALONE!  There are tons of women like me out there who have shared their personal testimonial on the website.  I have to admit that made me feel better. There was a great question and answer section that I rather enjoyed, being the curious natured person I am.   It also has a treatment page that goes over your options.  I was excited to read this:

For this last option, NovaSure Endometrial Ablation is the leading choice with more than 500,000 patients successfully treated. The NovaSure procedure is a quick, safe, simple, one-time endometrial ablation treatment. This minimally invasive procedure controls heavy bleeding by using energy to remove the lining of the uterus. The procedure takes about 4 ½ minutes, and only needs to be performed once to lighten or stop your periods. No pretreatment is necessary; it can be performed any time during your cycle, and most women resume their normal activities within 24-48 hours.   

Clinical trial results show that more than 9 out of 10 women who have had the NovaSure procedure returned to normal or lower than normal levels of bleeding, and about 40% had no periods at all. In addition, 93% of women treated with the NovaSure procedure were satisfied with their results, and 97% said they would recommend it to a friend. The NovaSure procedure can be done in the comfort of a doctor’s office or an outpatient setting without general anesthesia, and most women return to their busy lives the next day.

I was sure that short of a hysterectomy there would be nothing I could do! And the idea that I was 27 and would have to deal with the physical drawbacks associted with the procedure, I was leery to take that big step! This site has great material for you to go over if you, like me, have questions and want some real answers, and to connect with other women who have been affected by the same issues I have. And if you are experiencing heavy periods that affect your day to day life and are done having kids check out this survey, the first 250 women to take it receive a $10 Amazon certificate! 

In all seriousness, if you are experiencing a heavier than normal period that is negativly affecting your day to day life, or are not sure check out the website, you will find everything you need right at your fingertips.  If this is not you, myabe its someone you know and make sure to pass the url on and empower a friend.

Have you ever run into something that you ar enot sure how you lived without it before? I do it all the time LOL! This time its handwash.  Being a Canadian I never really got to play with bath and body products before.  Was I missing out or what!!!

I have the sweet pea handwash beside my sink for handwashing.  Now, let me say I have very sensitive hands.  I love this stuff.  It sweel wonderful and it makes my hand feel god.  I have never before in all of my life found another handwashing product that did this for me!  Even the kids use it without getting a rash, and we have a bunch of sensitive skinned people in my house.

I really just had to take the time to post this, I love it that much.  I wonder if people wonder why I keep sniffing my hand ROFL!!!

Oh and for you big spenders, if you buy $65 right now ( and its not hard) FREE SHIPPING!

I am always on the look out for a great author, or a new good book to read.  Not that there is much time anymore.  BUT..if you are looking for something easy to read with a great storyline you should try the Dragonsdale books.

Yes, I know they are for kids. LOL! Chey, my oldest daughter, got one of the books from the library ansd in my spare time while I was dingin on my lunch I read through it.  To me, the characters were great, the story was well written and although I have to admit it will never dethrone my Potter books, I enjoyed it immensly!

This is what the books blurb says:

Dragonsdale
By Salamanda Drake

Imagine a stable full of dragons! A place where a group of young girls are busy grooming the beautiful beasts and getting them ready for competition–with all the ups and downs, all the drama that inevitably results! Dragonsdale is such a place. The stable is run by Cara’s father, but, after a tragic dragon accident in which her mother lost her life, Cara herself is strictly forbidden to fly. Yet she cannot resist the lure of the magic fire-breathing creatures, and so in secret she trains Skydancer, her rare, wild Goldenbrow dragon, and dreams of the day when she, too, can take flight.

So if you are looking for something new to read or for your kids look no furthur, because the books are great.