Ring in the Summer with Radio Flyer! World's Largest Wagon Mosaic

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is just around the corner, which means here comes the red, white & blue. I love this holiday. I am raising my children to be proud of their country and we just love to get all decked out and celebrate our country's independence day. Families all over the country will be heading to parks, beaches and backyard barbecues to commemorate this special occasion with fireworks, sparklers and other symbols of the day. And many of them will be pulling behind them another American icon in a certain signature color - a Radio Flyer Wagon.


Since 1917, the famous little red wagons by Radio Flyer have been a favorite of families and kids everywhere. Do you have one in your family? Ours is ever so helpful while strawberry picking or going out to the mailbox. Boasting more than a dozen award-winning wagon models and a complete line of tricycles, scooters and other ride-ons, Radio Flyer is as synonymous with outdoor play as summer itself.

There are endless ways to enjoy your little red wagon, from standing out in the crowd at the Fourth of July parade, to toting all the ingredients for a summer picnic. Not only will your red wagon provide hours of outdoor adventures, it will bring a lifetime of memories, too. That's why Radio Flyer is celebrating the begining of summer by launching the World's Largest Wagon Mosaic. Simply capture your families' Radio Flyer moments on camera and go to www.RadioFlyerArt.com
to add your photo & help the red wagon legacy live on! So here is to another 93 years!

www.RadioFlyerArt.com
Don't forget to follow @RadioFlyerSmile on Twitter and visit Radio Flyer on Facebook for great updates and insider information.


*Disclaimer - Thanks to MomSelect & Radio Flyer to sending me info about this event. In exchange for this blog post, I was entered to win one of 3 wagons of theirs to be given away. No monetary compensation was involved.

Wordless Wednesday - Fluffy Flower Power

So, what happened when the creative bug bit while stuffing diapers one night? I made a diaper flower to show off my stash...


Then I couldn't keep my son off the stack...



...except he called it a diaper cookie...


We love our cloth diapers! ...and that is it for my rather word-full, wordless Wednesday.

Electrolux & Kelly Ripa Host "Splits For a Cause"

Splits... what comes immediately to mind? Okay, after a cup of coffee or three this morning, my mind started spitting out associations... split ends - yeah, I have a bunch... Hollywood splits - who is it this time?... split my pants - no, I haven't had this fun one happen to me, thank goodness!... well, then there are the best splits of all! Banana Splits! Aren't they the best?

The only way I could imagine to make them better, would be to cut out all the calories and have them help out a charity. Wouldn't that be great? Well, here is your chance to do just that. Kelly Ripa & Electrolux are joining forces to celebrate the launch of Electrolux Appliance's new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer. The duo has been split up!


To sweeten the celebration, their bringing in the "Emperor of Ice Cream" Stephen Bruce, owner & founder of Serendipity 3, the landmark New York City restaurant and dessert spot, into the mix.

Starting today, visit www.Kelly-Confidential.com to build your own ultimate virtual banana split with all your favorite toppings. I tend to use a little of everything with a big old fat cherry on top! For every virtual split you create, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.

And if that isn't sweet enough for you, just for logging onto the site you will automatically be entered for a chance to win the daily $50 summer treat prize, and a chance for the grand prize: the new stand alone refrigerator & freezer from Electrolux! So, play daily... have fun and forget the guilt of eating a banana split. This contest runs today, 6/29 through 9/7.

*Disclosure: I wrote this post on behalf of a campaign by MomSelect & Electrolux. I am entered into a drawing for a Electrolux stand-alone fridge & freezer. No monetary compensation took place.

Toddler Tuesdays - Finally!... acceptance

Speaking of sleeping toddlers...

Seems like sleeping (or not) toddlers are going around this week. Not just a minute before I snapped this photo (right before I ran scrambling for the camera!) my son had his arm around his sister. I guess he has decided that she is here to stay.

We co-sleep with our toddler and find that we all get a better night sleep that way. I understand it isn't for everyone, and we have had him sleep in his crib in the past. This just works for us, and ends up being such a pleasant wake-up.

As a side note, my daughter, who is 10-months-old, sleeps most of the night in her crib. Oddly enough, she sleeps better this way. I guess all children are different. This is a rare morning where we were all snuggled up together. Luckily they slept while I carefully slid out of bed. Yeah, that never happens!

Because we love our toddlers (today said through gritted teeth!) head on over to Minnesota Mama's to link up your own antics. Enjoy!

Happy Trailing Tuesday!

In an effort to meet some new fabulous blogs and bloggy friends, I am participating in Trailing Tuesdays this week. If you are new to my blog, check out my three current giveaways listed on the right. There are more to come...

This is hosted by Familylicious, Nine More Months , and Sugar Pop Ribbons. Thanks ladies! So, are you ready to start trailing? Head over to any of those blogs, link up and get a low-down on the rules. Have fun!

Monday Sum Up - Giveaways Going On Other Blogs

Since I am a little late compiling this for Saturday, I thought I would still go ahead and throw together a listing of giveaways I think are exciting around the web. There is a lot going on right now and these fit either food, children's items or just would be fun to win.


First off, head over to Annie's Home

Betty Crocker has a new delight, Mississippi Mud Bars! Win a box and a brownie pan to make them in. I actually really want an 8x8 pan.... but, the chocolate would be enjoyed, too! Enter Here. This giveaway ends 6/30.

Then head over to Happily Domestic

Leap Frog is giving one Happily Domestic reader a choice of either a Chat and Count (for ages 18-36 months) or a Text and Learn (for ages 3-6 years old) Enter Here. This giveaway ends 6/30 at 8pm MST.

Then don't miss out on the great giveaway at The Experimental Mommy

You have heard of the Kindle... and now there is a kid's version called the V.Reader from VTech Kids. Download books and have them read on the screen. Words are highlighted and stories are interactive. I would love to get this one for my son. ENTER HERE. This giveaway ends 7/12.

Then for two fluffy giveaways, first head to Arizona Mama's blog

She reviewed a Thirsties Duo Diaper, one of my favorites right now, and has a $20 GC for Top to Bottom Baby Boutique . So, you can get the same diaper, or any other fluffy item your heart desires. Not bad, huh? ENTER HERE. This giveaway ends 7/10.

And The Mommy Times is running a matching giveaway

She also reviewed a Thirsties Duo Diaper, and has a $20 GC for Top to Bottom Baby Boutique . So, you can enter both giveaways for extra entries and double your chances to win! ENTER HERE. This giveaway ends 7/10.

Giveaway: Babushka's Beauty Secrets

BABUSHKA'S BEAUTY SECRETS
By Raya Ruder and Susan Campos

Who wouldn't love to have their own Ukrainian grandmother, or babushka, to share beauty secrets with them. Well, I don't have my own, but can still benefit from Raisa Ruder's. This Esthetician to the stars is sharing her time-tested beauty techniques on how to look flawless, naturally. Just with a quick trip to the pantry can give you the beauty boost you are looking for.

Just a sneak peak of the recipes include:

• Skin-saving Soufflés - whipped up wonders that shrink pores, brighten skin, and diminish lines
• Chocolate weight-loss wrap- a moment on the hips, tightens, tucks, and nips!
• Hot hair- a cayenne pepper blend that leaves locks silky, soft, and full
• PediPure- a soothing, smoothing foot scrub made with milk and mint
• Lustrous Lashes - a simple castor oil serum that thickens and lengthens
• Perfect Pucker- a mix of salt, green tea, and fruit that plumps up lips naturally
• And much more...

My Review:

I enjoyed this book. Small & compact but full of fun tips! The cover says "All Natural And Better Than Botox", and the book is. I always love trying simple, natural and home made beauty recipes. Just another fun way to play in the kitchen. I tried the egg white mask first, which was a great way to use up extra egg whites I had after making custard. It tightened my skin and was so easy to do.

I also made the coconut lip gloss which was amazing! So simple to do and doesn't have all the harmful preservatives. Next I want to try making some of the tinted glosses in the book.

I have a few other items I am dying to try... body glitter would be kinda fun for this summer and the ingrown hair remedy sounds simple and easy.

Giveaway!

Isn't this what you were waiting for? I can pick a winner to get their own copy. This is a great book to win for yourself, or giveaway to a friend.

Mandatory Entry: Follow me on Google Friend Connect, on the right. Please make sure if your email address is not visible in your blogger profile you leave one in your initial entry!

• For extra entries, do any or all of the following and leave a comment letting me know after you do the mandatory entry mentioned above:
  
  
• Enter my Good Earth kit giveaway or Li'l Shopper giveaway (2 entries each)
  
• Subscribe via email (my feedburner box is on the right)
  
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to my site (5 entries)
• Enter this on a Giveaway Linky & leave a link (5 entries for each Linky!)
• Follow me on Twitter (@notimeMom) & tweet about this giveaway. (2x per day at least 2 hrs apart) Feel free to use: " Win Babushka's Beauty Secrets (2 winners!) @notimeMom http://bit.ly/8XUJmK :: ends 7/12 #giveaway Pls RT!" Please include the URL (1 entry per tweet)
• Comment on any of my other blog posts. Just let me know where you commented (1 entry per comment)
• Tell me if you have a natural beauty tip or secret (1 entry)

Giveaway ends on July 12, 2010 at 11:59 pm PST. Open to all US & Canadian residents, but no P.O. Boxes. The winners will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

*Disclosure: I was sent a copy of Babushka's Beauty Secrets from Hatchet Books for review purposes, no monetary compensation was involved. All opinions are mine.

Giveaway: Li'l Shopper

Shopping carts are a life savor! When I am out shopping it is easy to put my baby in a carrier, but a busy, fidgety toddler is another matter. My son is not happy in the cart, but when I get tired of chasing after him, it is my only option. Now, I don't think comfort was every a consideration when shopping carts were designed. I mean, they are for putting the groceries in, after all. And when is the last time your flour complained that it was getting pinched by the bars? Well, but what about your children?

I was excited to learn about the Li'l Shopper , a product designed to make the shopping cart more comfortable. My son has been at the 1st percentile most of his life, and he just doesn't have the padding to make those hard carts bearable. When offered the chance to review the Li'l Shopper for myself, I jumped at the chance.

The Li'l Shopper is a removable seat made of thick foam padding. It sets into the cart easily and keeps the child from being hurt by the metal grates or getting pinched. The idea is, if the child is comfortable, they are less likely to try & climb out - reducing the chance of injury. It is both lightweight and washable.

From the creator,

As a parent, the problem of shopping with an uncomfortable child was always a frustration. My kids would complain that their legs were hurting or "falling asleep". I developed a simple practical solution to relieve the discomfort kids face when sitting in the harsh metal cart seats. (Necessary when shopping with small children.) The leg extension addresses the most painful aspect of the shopping cart seats. Rough grill ends and short seat depth force the weight of the leg to be uncomfortably concentrated on a small area (the point where the cart seat ends). Our cushion is designed to provide much needed support and comfort for your child.

So, what did I think? I love the fact it has a simple design and is easy to wash. I have multiple cart covers, but this is the only one that easily works in a restaurant high chair also. Since it is simple, you don't have to worry about anything breaking or assembling parts. Just set it in your cart and use the cart's safety straps. I have other products that I don't use because the snaps or velcro drive me crazy! Simple really is nice. I don't know about you, but I hate putting my children into dirty high chairs or store carts. This product allows me to protect both my children & their clothing. It is a bonus that the seat is also more comfortable than a traditional cart cover. The only drawback I found, after my daughter ate a bowl of strawberries, the seat came clean but is now a little discolored. This is not a big problem, and I am the only one who noticed it. This item is now on my list of favorite baby shower gifts. I don't think many new moms think about cart covers when they make their shower list.

So, how can you get your own Li'l Shopper? You can order from Li'l Shopper directly at $29.95 + shipping & handling.

GIVEAWAY

So would you like to win your own Li'l Shopper? I have one to give away to one lucky reader.


Mandatory Entry: Follow me on Google Friend Connect, on the right. Please make sure if your email address is not visible in your blogger profile you leave one in your initial entry!

• For extra entries, do any or all of the following and leave a comment letting me know after you do the mandatory entry mentioned above:
  
  
• Enter my Good Earth kit giveaway (2 entries)
  
• Subscribe via email (my feedburner box is on the right)
  
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to my site (5 entries)
• Enter this on a Giveaway Linky & leave a link (5 entries for each Linky!)
• Follow me on Twitter (@notimeMom) & tweet about this giveaway. (2x per day at least 2 hrs apart) Feel free to use: " Win a Li'l Shopper seat @notimeMom http://bit.ly/9dZmKN :: ends 7/12 #giveaway Pls RT!" Please include the URL (1 entry per tweet)
• Comment on any of my other blog posts. Just let me know where you commented (1 entry per comment)
• Tell me who you would like to win this for (1 entry)

Open to US & Canadian residents only. Please leave a separate comment for each entry to get full credit. Giveaway ends on July 12th at 11:59 pm PST. A winner will be chosen on the 13th via Random.org. and will be emailed. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Good luck everyone!

*Disclosure: I was sent a Li'l Shopper for review purposes, no monetary compensation was involved. All opinions are mine.

Tales of two...

Two small children can be challenging for me... always into something, always busy. And little ole' me with only two arms!

Lately herding, attending to needs and averting disasters takes up most of my time. It is a busy job. I am also constantly reminded not to take my eyes off of them. Yesterday my DH helped me set up our water table. My 10-month-old daughter was supporting herself on the edge and splashing in the water. One minute my toddler son was playing and the next minute he had the hose, turned on and blasting her straight in the face! How do younger siblings ever make it to adult hood? I am an only child, so tell me, please!

Today the baby was crawling around our living room and knocked over my new lamp. We just got it less than 2 months ago for our living room. It is so dark in there without an overhead lamp. The light never stood a chance! My biggest concern was the glass that went everywhere in our carpeted living room. My dilemma, I have two kiddos... a baby who puts everything in her mouth and is crawling... and a son who can't leave things alone and is accident prone. I scooped up the baby and told my son not to leave our couch... so glad I was in the room with them when it happened. I have no doubt my daughter would have gotten into the mess. With little girl in her crib, I outfitted my son with his indoor shoes. We are a no shoe household, but I keep a pair or two just in case for indoor wear. My problem now is clean up. With a short, thick carpet it is hard to get all the shards. I vacuumed and used tape on the floor, but I am still finding shards!

Any ideas how to get it all cleaned up? If I sound paranoid, I am. I don't want my baby eating or crawling across the shards... and my son would get one stuck in his foot if given the chance.

Keeping up with two little ones is a crazy life!

How do you get your kids to embrace summer reading?

Ah, summer! My first thought is for sprinklers, swimming pools, water melon and water balloons! But, another staple of my summer growing up was the summer reading programs. I have a bit of a competitive streak, so I was happy to test the limits of what my arms could carry out of our local library and how many books I could read before school started up in the fall. Summer is a great opportunity for children to develop a real love of reading

TwitterMoms along with HarperCollins and the "I Can Read!" book series have asked bloggers to list their favorite tips or tricks to encourage young readers. Here are 5 of my tips to try with your budding book lover. As always, if you want to check out more posts on the topic, or get in on the fun, visit the TwitterMoms discussion page.

1. Make it a contest! Your local library just might have a summer reading program, or maybe your local bookstore does. Borders currently has a read 10 books, get one free Double Dog Dare reading program. If not, make your own. Just set up a sticker chart, or make yourself a reading log. Depending on your child's abilities set a goal. For younger children it may be pages, and for older children challenge them to make a reading goal. When that goal is achieved let them pick a special activity you can enjoy together. Tailor this to fit your child.

2. Set up a weekly library trip. Kids are much more willing to read when they have new and exciting choices they helped to pick out.

3. Find books that relate to your summer plans. For my son, we are exploring the theme of camp. You can find books on just about any topic! Try to find books about the location you will visit, or about summer in general.

4. Have your child write their own book. Get out the colors, paper and create an adventure. Make it up from imagination, or have it based on something they did this summer. Be sure to include your family members as characters... and with a few simple xerox copies, you could even put your families faces into the story.

5. Get everyone involved in reading! Send books to Grandma's house...have Mom & Dad both pick different times for story time. My DH reads at night, while I have story time mid day. This enforces a love of reading. Even enlist another older child to read to or with yours. Reading can be fun and social.

So what do you think? I bet you have some great ideas to share. Let me know. I love reading through comments.

I Can Read! BooksBecome an I Can Read! Member


*Disclaimer -I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get an "I Can Read!" book. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Prevent Summer "Brain Drain" by Planning Ahead

School is out .I am sure we have all heard those dreaded words... "Momma, I'm bored!" Well, my kids are still too young for school, but they still get restless and even with a house full of toys and a big yard, some days my son has a hard time coming up with things to do.

Summer should be a time to let your kids' imaginations soar! Primrose Schools, the leader in educational child care, recommends encouraging imaginative play and having a plan in place to keep your kids' engaged during the summer months. Studies show that without stimulation, children can lose up to 60 percent of what they learned during the school year. Okay, that is motivation for me! Dr. Mary Zurn, Vice President of Education for Primrose, has come up with the list of ideas below as a starting point for summer activities that offer a balance between the freedom of child-initiated play time and more structured activities.

Here is her list:

1. Boredom Buster Jar: At the beginning of the summer, sit down with your family and brainstorm a list of activities that can be done alone or that you can enjoy doing together. Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family "Boredom Buster Jar." They'll feel more involved in the project and more likely to think this is a "neat" idea, if they participate in the creation and idea generation. Next, write everyone's ideas down on slips of paper and as a group decide which ones should go in the jar. Anyone in the family can pull any idea out of the jar to fight the summertime boredom blues.

2. Stories Alive: It sounds too simple, but reading is one of the most important ways to keep young minds engaged during the summer.Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life. For example, in the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, children create a make-believe town in the desert out of rocks, boxes, and their imaginations. Read the book with your children and then challenge them to create their own town with materials they find in the backyard.

3. Art Start Box: You'll need to gather basic art supplies-child safe scissors, glue, markers, tape and construction paper. Put them in a special box along with empty oatmeal boxes and paper towel rolls, colorful magazines and bits of aluminum foil. Occasionally add a special surprise like chalk, stickers, or stamp pads so there's always something new for the children to find. Even if you normally have these supplies around the house, it's fun for children to know that the Art Start Box is just for them. They'll probably have some good ideas of other household items that can be recycled to fuel their creative energies.

4. Family Performances: Break out old clothes or costumes and encourage children to make up characters and create a play to act out. They are the directors, actors, and producers. They can also make musical instruments out of pots/pans, wooden spoons, empty canisters and have a parade; or everyone can play along to your family's favorite songs. Record or video the performances, and enjoy the replay. You'll also be capturing a bit of family history everyone will enjoy for years to come.

5. Family Dance Party: Crank up the music and encourage your entire family to boogie down. Dancing gives children a great outlet for self-expression through their own motion and helps build self-esteem. It also enhances motor and coordination development by incorporating skills like jumping, landing and leaping. Dancing is a great activity that can involve the whole family and doesn't take very much preparation.

6. Fort Building: Children love to build all kinds of structures--from small towns to large towers. Constructing forts or tents is an activity that can keep children focused and problem solving for hours. All the items you need can be found around the house- some chairs, cushions, blankets, and of course adult supervision.

7. Cookbook Fun: Have you ever shared your favorite cookbook with your children? Take it out and ask your children to choose a recipe to try. Measuring can be a fun and easy way to keep math skills fresh.

8. Summer Scrapbook: All you need for this project is a spiral notebook. Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos from special events throughout the summer. Children love to go back through scrapbooks and albums and tell about what happened at each occasion. They will also be building their storytelling skills at the same time.

9. Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard, in the den or at the park and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear what I hear? Can you imitate the sound? This is similar to watching the clouds and naming the shapes, and it encourages everyone to slow down and focus on listening.

10. Camping Out: Pretend to campout in the backyard. Plan a meal, pack a backpack and set up a campsite. You might even decide to spend the night!

11. Scavenger Hunt: Make a list or picture cards of common household items and have your children find the items on the list. Invite friends or neighbors to join in the fun to make it a competition.

To find these and other great tips for parents, check out Dr. Zurn's blog at DrZandme.com. And don't forget to grab Dr. Z's Widget while you're there!

*Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary compensation took place.

Be Safe This Fourth of July - Don't Drive Buzzed

This post is part of a Buzzed Driving Outreach PSA sent to me by Global Influence.I hope everyone enjoys a safe holiday and I wanted to pass this on to you...

The summer picnic season is upon us, and one of the biggest weekends of the summer is almost here! With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it's time to plan now for a safe and sober way home.

While many of us focus on fireworks safety each Fourth of July, we also need to keep our roads safe for the drive home after the festivities.

Whether at a family picnic or viewing the local fireworks display, many of us will be on the road this Independence Day. It's time to spread the word about the dangers of buzzed driving and to remind people that Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving, and the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead.

We need your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this July Fourth by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

There are four steps you should take to protect your loved ones on the Fourth of July.

1.) Designate a sober driver before you leave for your Fourth of July events.

2.) Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi.

3.) Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

4.) Call 9-1-1 if you see an impaired driver on the road.

Even if you will not be drinking alcoholic beverages this Fourth of July, keep in mind that over the course of 2008, 1,179 people in other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. And there were a total of 491 motor vehicle traffic fatalities during the Fourth of July Holiday period (Thursday, July 3rd, 6 pm to Monday, July 7th, 5:59 am). And for those who say they don't plan on over-indulging . . . a buzzed driving crash looks the same as a drunk driving crash.

We are working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council as they continue their efforts with the "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" PSA campaign. Buzzed drivers drink and drive, but do not consider themselves a hazard on the roadway because they have had "only a few" drinks.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please watch this important video about the financial and personal repercussions of getting a DUI: http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/sign.php#video

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

*Disclaimer - I was entered into a drawing for a Gift Card in exchange for posting this PSA sent to me through Global Influence.

Can you Help Those With PKU?

I really appreciate my readers. Just today I received a message from a reader because she has a friend with PKU (Phenylketonuria)... if you read my blog you might remember that both of my kiddos have this rare metabolic condition.

Well, I was directed to another blog talking about the legislation they are trying to pass to require insurance companies to cover medical foods. This really means the world to those of us in the PKU community. Most of us have been jerked around by one insurance company after another. My family has been lucky, but every so often we have to battle denied claims. Sometimes for no reason. You see, Oregon requires medical foods to be covered. Why? Because those with PKU can be contributing members of society (i.e. pay taxes, work, etc.) if they get their formula & foods. If not, well... people used to be institutionalized for life.

Sadly, not every state covers medical foods. And we are hoping to change that. If you want to read more about the good fight, head over to PinkaDots blog. Learn more about the condition and what is going on in Washington.

Thanks to all my readers. I do love your comments!

Giveaway - Good Earth Dinner Kit (closed)

I am proud to say that I make most of our food from scratch. I am only human though, and some days I just don't have the time to make a meal for my family and I find that my freezer is running low on easy to heat options. So, when I heard about Good Earth Dinner Kits, I was excited. Why? Well, with 100% whole grain, no trans fat, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, no MSG - just add meat and dinner is served. Best of all, no guilt! I can still feel good about what I am feeding my family.

Starting this month, June, Good Earth dry dinner kits are available in a selection of four delectable meals: Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta, Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp with angel hair pasta, Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto and Tuscan Chicken with penne pasta. Yum. Are you getting hungry, yet?


Colorful meals with flavorful sauces with special ingredients like sweet basil, white wine and dried tomatoes, bring restaurant quality dining into your home in less than 30 minutes. That is better than many restaurants in my town. You can have the convenience without sacrificing taste or health.

I am looking forward to trying this also. I was sent my own kit and am waiting for it to arrive. At the time of posting I am still trying to track down this package in the mail. They look so good I am going to have to pick some up at my next grocery store visit.

GIVEAWAY

So would you like to win your own Good Earth Dry Dinner Kit? I have one kit including a Good Earth Mediterranean Chicken dry dinner kit, two sets of bamboo flatware, two bamboo dishes, a bamboo utility board & a 100% recyclable grocery tote to give away.

Mandatory Entry: I require all giveaway entrants follow my blog with Google Friend Connect. I will be checking. Then tell me which Good Earth dry dinner kit you would most like to try. These count as 2 entries total, but each part of this mandatory entry must be completed. Please make sure if your email address is not visible in your blogger profile you leave one in your initial entry!

• For extra entries, do any or all of the following and leave a comment letting me know after you do the mandatory entry mentioned above:
  
  
• Enter any other current giveaway (1 entry)
  
• Subscribe via email (my feedburner box is on the right)
  
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to my site (5 entries)
• Enter this on a Giveaway Linky & leave a link (5 entries for each Linky!)
• Follow me on Twitter (@notimeMom) & tweet about this giveaway. (2x per day at least 2 hrs apart) Feel free to use: " Win a Good Earth Dinner Kit @notimeMom http://bit.ly/cjvbHn :: ends 6/30 #giveaway Pls RT!" Please include the URL (1 entry per tweet)
• Comment on any of my other blog posts. Just let me know where you commented (1 entry per comment)

Open to the US residents only. Please leave a separate comment for each entry to get full credit. Giveaway ends on June 30th at 11:59 pm PST. A winner will be chosen on the 1st via Random.org. and will be emailed. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Good luck everyone!


*Disclosure: This product, gift pack, information and additional gift pack to give away were all given to you by Good Earth and MyBlogSpark.

Review - Soda Stream Bring on the Bubbly!

What do you reach for when you're thirsty? Well, we are a water first kinda family, but we love a good soda treat from time to time. Not every meal, but a little added caffeine kick in the evening can be a fun change of pace. My DH is a big cola fan while I lean more to the fruity side with the Orange Mango being hands down my favorite.

I was very excited when SodaStream USA agreed to let me do a review here at Adventures in All Things Food for their Fountain Jet and various flavors. I started out thinking of the machine as a soda maker... and have come to think of it as a way to take beverages to the next step. How? Well, not only can you make the classic sodas we enjoy, but also we can use it for flavored water as well as for our adult beverages. Yum.


So, how does it work? Well, the Fountain Jet is of a super simple design. You have the CO2 canister, the machine and a reusable bottle. The canister is good for 60 or 110 liters, equivalent to 170 or 310 aluminum cans! The machine is cordless and doesn't need an external power source (bonus!) The pressure from the canister is enough. And last, the reusable bottle is a green alternative to throwing away or even recycling bottles or cans.

Just fill the bottle with cold tap water and then give it three short pushes to carbonate it. You can carbonate it less or more as you like. I love the freedom! Another bonus is since you are only carbonating the water, if you don't screw on the bottle properly (as I goofed on the first time using it!) you only spray water. So much better than a mess of sticky soda. Don't worry, it was a stupid mistake that I have not repeated.


Then add your flavoring! There is such a large selection available from SodaStream you are bound to find a favorite or two. Our favorites are definitely the cola, rootbeer, mango orange and lemonade. I thought the MyWater flavors were okay and opted instead to use my own splash of fruit juice or lemon to flavor my seltzer water.

Easy right? I have been so excited because we have found all sorts of yummy treats to make with our SodaStream. We have used it with my home made lemonade syrup and I hope to use it to make some cocktails for a special occasion. Just check out these 3 ideas I found:

Fruit Cooler (Non-Alcoholic)

Apple Juice, Lemon Juice, Seltzer Water, Strawberries, Sugar

Egg Cream (Non-Alcoholic)

Chocolate Syrup, Seltzer Water, Whole Milk

Limeade (Non-Alcoholic)

Lime, Seltzer Water, Sugar

I love the idea of not having to run out to find seltzer water. That is one ingredient I never keep on hand. So, what would you do with a SodaStream?

You can order your own SodaStream Fountain Jet & Flavorings at Sodastream.com . Also connect with them on Facebook
...and if you check out their new blog... be sure to enter their current giveaway! http://msfizz.sodastreamusa.com . This is a great place to find recipes and information on new products, etc.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely. We don't drink tons of soda, but I am sure it will still save us money and time. It will also be a lot of fun at parties, allowing people to choose their own drinks, but not leaving me with a pile of extra soda afterward. I am impressed with the low prices and can't wait to try all their different flavors. My DH was impressed with the ease of use and taste. We are looking forward to having more adventures with this product in the future.

*Disclaimer - I received a Fountain Jet & several syrups to facilitate my review. No monetary compensation took place. This did not influence my opinion and this review is fair and honest.

Wordless Wednesday - Herding: Toddler Style!

Who needs a herding dog.... I have my son!

Have you ever seen a chicken run from a toddler?

For more fun check out :Wordless Wednesday List

Toddler Tuesdays - My Little Dirt Mover

Armed with some machines, dirt and rubber boots (put on the wrong feet, himself) my little dirt mover is hard at work.



It is amazing how much concentration goes into the moving and flattening out of the dirt in this wine barrel. This is his dirt barrel. His work involves constant movement and perpetual perfection.


I would love a glimpse into his world through his eyes. He is so busy... and most importantly he is happiest outside with his machines and dirt.


On a perfect summer day (and aren't they all perfect at this age?)... it is good to be a toddler.

Thanks for stopping by for my Toddler Tuesday. For more Linked up fun, head over to Minnesota Mamas.

Thank You Mom Reunions Contest

As a Mom, I have a much greater appreciation of what my Mother and all mothers do everyday. I think it warrants a big "thank you". Moms rarely receive them, and not when they are knee deep in the trenches. Terrible Twos are upon me, and I cherish every single kiss or hug my son gives me. But, some days it is harder than others. My Mom lives clear on the other coast, so I understand how hard it can be to reunite... even for special occasions.

Proctor & Gamble is celebrating moms everywhere with "Thank You Moms Reunions", a nationwide contest to reunite Moms & their children for milestone family moments like graduations and birthdays they otherwise would have missed. This is such a fabulous opportunity! I wanted to be sure to let you all know about it and also let you know that since Mothers' Day people have been submitting entries to be considered for this contest. Now the voting has begun for June! You can head on over to the Contest Home Page, http://bit.ly/PGtymO2O, to submit your own story for the next round of voting in July or go straight to vote for your favorite June entry (http://bit.ly/O2OTYMRvoting ) .

Lucky winners will recieve a $1,000 travel voucher and a digital video camera to capture their reunion. Those videos will be available on ThankYouMom.com later for everyone to see. I suggest you come prepared with tissues! Isn't this an exciting contest? I wish this would have been going on when my daughter was born. I would have loved to have my Mother there.

So, what are you waiting for? Go enter... now! Help spread the word, too. If you know someone who would be a great candidate for this, share the link. And as always, if you win... come back and let me know. Good luck.

*Disclaimer -I received free product samples and my post is eligible for a gift card via random drawing by One2One Network

Get Your Squeeze On!

Lemonade. Yum. I just had to share one of my new obsessions/gadget finds with you. In my previous post I told you all about iced tea and my love of Arnold Palmers (iced tea & lemonade). Yes, I could buy premade or frozed lemonade from concentrate... but, that wouldn't be from scratch, now would it? ...and not nearly the fun!

Do you own either of these lemon-y helpers? Not bad for squeezing a lemon or maybe two... but not very practical for tackling an entire box of lemons. Yes, I asked for an entire box. Some might say I have a warped idea of fun. (Hee-hee!) Last summer we flirted with an electric lemon juicer... we broke it while making our strawberry lemonade. It might serve a wet bar well, but it didn't pass muster in my kitchen. This year we opted for a KitchenAid 9 cup citrus juicer attachment for my food processor. This is a slick tool.

We ordered it off of Amazon.com and I put it to use as soon as it arrived. Just half the lemons, put in place, gently push the handle and turn on the food processor. Easy, peasey, lemon squeezey!

With what took us a couple of hours last year, this time it only took minutes. And now on to the fresh squeezed lemonade recipe:

You Will Need:
Several Lemons (6 to be safe) *lemons vary wildly. Large lemons are not always juicier... sometimes they are quite pithy. Get an extra one or two to be sure. You need 1 full cup of juice.
1 c. sugar
1 c. water

Make a simple syrup with your sugar & water to prevent the need to stir the sugar back in. Just heat your water & sugar over medium heat till all the sugar melts. Do not boil. Feel free to change the sweetener ratio if you want or use honey or alternative sweetener.



This just gives you a base to work with. Stir all together and dilute with 2-3 cups of water. I usually keep the concentrated syrup in the fridge to save space and dilute it as we drink it. Enjoy!

*Disclaimer - I did not receive any product or incentive to write this post. All opinions are mine. I just wanted to share a great product that really helped me.

Iced Tea for Me!

We always keep some iced tea or sun tea stocked in the fridge... lately we have been mixing a bunch of Arnold Palmers (I wish you could hear how my toddler says that!) to keep cool and quench our thirst. I usually use a chop stick to tie the bags to. I hate fishing tea bags out of the pitcher!

I always rotate my tea flavors to mix things up. I like 4 bags of black tea with one or two lemon or mint tea bags the best. Of course, straight black tea is best when mixed with lemonade. Also throw in berries or herb sprigs for added variety. Mint or Peppermint are classics, but have you tried Oregano or Rosemary?

Iced tea or Sun tea is easy to make and is a frugal change from iced water. I have 3 glass pitchers we keep filled with real fruit juices or teas. I like mine strong since ice can water it down. In an 8 cup pitcher I use 4-5 tea bags. Either fill with hot water and steep as per directions or put your bags & tap water (cold is fine) for at least 3o min. With hot water be careful not to oversteep as it will cause the tea to be bitter. I tend to leave my sun tea & forget about it. Little fuss makes iced tea my go-to drink.

I would love to know if you have any tips or tricks with summer tea. Do you have a favorite brand or blend? Let me know. I love comments.

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotions

Enter for a Chance to Win Fun Summer Prizes from Rayovac!

I bet that got your attention, well it did mine! I just got a release from 5MinutesForMom about this great upcoming event, and I wanted to pass it on to you. Why keep a great thing like this a secret? 30 Summertime prizes in 30 days... you can enter everyday. Sounds like fun, right? Okay, here are the details...

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion

Moms and kids just want to have fun and Rayovac has the power to make it happen!

From June 21st through July 20th, we are empowering families to have fun through the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion.

First, show us you "like" the brand and products on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RayovacFans and together with expert moms at 5MinutesForMom, we will offer up great daily summertime family tips and a chance to win great prizes. Just click the "like button up at the top. Easy, right?

Then access and complete the entry form on Rayovc's website at www.rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer. If you are on the facebook page, you can be directed here, too. Simply tell us how you'll power your fun this summer each day for a chance to win prizes ranging from Cameras and Bikes to Camping Supplies and a Summer Supply of Rayovac Batteries! Everyday there will be a new question posted. Easy. There is no correct answer to how you and your family adds the Power of Fun to your summer! Must be a US resident and 18 or older at the time of entry to enter this Promotion or the Twitter Event.


okay, after you answer your daily question, then it is time to par-tay!

Rayovac Powers Your Summer Twitter Event

Join Rayovac and 5MinutesForMom for a Twitter Event to support the exciting Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion. The Twitter Event will feature more than 20 fun giveaways from Rayovac ranging from a summer supply of Rayovac Batteries to $50 Target Gift Cards.

Rayovac Powers Your Vacation Summer Promotion Twitter Event
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST
Location: #rayovac
Follow: @Rayovac_Battery, @5minutesformom, @CirclePRMary

I can't wait to play! Hope to see you all there at the twitter party, and good luck. I hope you get a bunch of summertime goodies. Be sure to post here if you do!

Disclaimer : The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac. www.rayovac.com/PowersYourSummer

...Fluffdom Express Event... choo-choo!

Making it's way into the station is....The Fluffdom Express Event! This sounds like a great event going on over at Happily Southern. This event will showcase some great diapers that are a good choice for special needs children as well as cloth diapering in the hospital.

Be sure to head on over to Happily Southern to find out how you can also get some extra entries! ...and then we can all look forward to the fun, come August! See you there.

I'm Being Featured Today!

I'm excited to say that my Pop Up Pancakes are being featured on another great site:

I'm excited to say that this simple recipe is one of my family's favorites. All it requires is a blender & muffin pan. That's it! Not even a bowl. They form fabulous little pancake bowls just perfect for fresh fruit and whipped cream. Yum. For the entire fabulous recipe just head on over to Marvelous Mommy. I am sure she would enjoy getting some comment love folks.

I hope you guys enjoy the recipe!

Show a Little Love For Our Dads

Happy Father's Day!

I want to send a big thank you out to my darling husband who has turned out to be a fabulous dad. Even with the two kids, he has never shied away from helping when I need a break.


I knew my husband had really fallen hard for our first baby when he set out before work all packed up with his road bike & gear but to my surprise returned promptly at 5:30 without going for the ride. He said that he just wanted to spend time with his son. Anyone who know him would agree that is a huge shift in priorities. Gotta love him!

Twitter Party Alert! Oregon Chai

Have you heard?

Oregon Chai is hosting a Twitter party in celebration of its new 10-ounce canister! I just love this stuff. Back when I went to coffee stands (back when I worked in an office and wasn't a SAHM...) I always had to ask if they used Oregon Chai. No joke, it just wasn't the same. Chai can very so widely in its combo of spices. I must be hooked on the blend that Oregon Chai uses, because it is my absolute favorite. I was in heaven when they came out with the individual dry packets. Can you say travel ready? ...there must be extra room in my diaper bag for it...

Okay, so here is the lowdown. The party is Tuesday, June 22nd from 8–9pm Eastern. (5pm PST)

Follow @OregonChai to join in on the fun! The party hashtag is #Chaifor10

Wellness expert Peggy Hall will host and share "Me Time" tips and answer guests’ questions. There will also be plenty of giveaways and one participant will win a $100 Me Time Supreme prize!

I suggest logging into Tweetgrid or tweetchat to keep up with the flood of tweets. It can get pretty busy during a party. Hope to see you all there!

Saturday Sum Up - Giveaways Going On Other Blogs

Let's start this edition of Saturday Sum Up with a great toy. I have had my eye on these Crazy Forts for a while:

They remind me of a giant set of Tinker Toys! How cool is that? This giveaway is going on over at Luv My Two Girls:


ENTER HERE. This giveaway will end 7/4.

Aloha Friday - #19

Aloha Everyone! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. Can you believe we made it to Friday? We survived the week, so to celebrate let's sit back and relax. No heavy mental lifting today... just one simple little question...

What are your Father's Day Plans?
This year I asked my husband what his perfect day would be...

He requested that we spend the day up at Lively Splash Swim Center. It is about an hour away and has a wave pool, water slide and kiddie pool all indoors. It is my son's favorite place and I am pretty sure my 10 month-old will enjoy it as well. I am sure it will be a great day for all of us with some great quality time for this Dad & his kiddos.

What are your plans? Dinner? An outing? How do you show your Dads how much you appreciate them?

If you are looking for more Aloha Friday fun, go to An Island Life and check out the other posts on the Linky. Have a great weekend!

Follow Fridays... Lots of Blog Hops!

Yay! Welcome back to Friendly Friday! I have missed a few weeks, and boy have I been busy. I have missed finding all the new blogs and inviting new followers to check me out. So, hi there!
A big hearty thank you to Christi at Frugal Novice, Charla at Healthy Home Blog , and Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier. I love that you have picked up the Friday fun.

Thanks to Toddler Awesome for another follow opportunity! Can you feel the Friday love?

And yes, there are more! But, the more follows the better right? I commend all these ladies for taking on this great Friday staple.



And I just can't resist this adorable friendly frog! ...frogs are my absolute favorite!

If you are visiting, have a peek at some recipes, read some current events for bloggers and thrifty mamas, see some pics of my kiddos and get to know me. Oh, and don't forget to leave your comment with a mention of FF, so I will follow you back. I will have a few giveaways coming up soon. Right now I am elbow deep in lemon & strawberry recipes. Come join in on the fun!