Helping Children Like Ours - Pampers and Walmart Team Up to Help Children's Miracle Network

The Walmart gift cards and information have been provided by P&G. All opinions and experiences are my own. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals truly touched out lives.

It is hard to believe that it has been over 7 years since our first visit to a Children's Miracle Network Hospital. After having my first child, we were getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving when we got the call.

They needed us to take our newborn up to Doernbecher Hospital, 3 hours away, for more testing. Some of his newborn test results didn't look good. 

That call came out of the blue. Though I knew of the Children's Hospital, I had never been there. I didn't even know anyone who had needed to go there. I was in shock, frightened and full of so many questions as to why my healthy looking baby needed to be seen immediately.

You could say the bottom dropped out of our reality.

All that initial uncertainty and fear melted away once we arrived at the hospital. It was no uneventful trip either, it is no small feat traveling for 6 hours total with a newborn.

The atmosphere was child-friendly, the staff was helpful and welcoming and we were introduced to a new normal for us. 

My son was diagnosed with PKU (Phenylketonuria) as an infant. It is a metabolic condition caught after delivery when they perform the heel sticks in the hospital. We learned that my son was lacking an enzyme to break down phenylalanine in his blood. Without treatment, it can lead to dramatic and irrevocable brain damage, but with proper dietary therapy and regular blood tests he can lead a long and active life.

For the first year of Owen's life, we made the trek up to the children's hospital once a month so they could closely monitor his blood/phe levels and make sure he was developing normally. With the help of Owen's team, he hit his milestones early and we learned how to raise a child with PKU.

The doctors, dieticians and specialists we have met since that first visit have helped our son to meet his potential. We were taught how to count his exchanges and what foods and in what quantities he can enjoy. He also has a doctor prescribed medical beverage for his phenylalanine-free protein and other nutrients he lacks because he can't eat meat, dairy, nuts, most grains and legumes.

Our regular visits just became part of our new "normal" and our Doernbecher visits became a family event with the help of grandparents

Okay, not all fun... they did include necessary blood draws, but the phlebotomists there are the best and always had a stash of stuffed toys and other diversions to help kids with their fears.

So, when my daughter was born, 2 years later and was diagnosed with the same medical condition, there was no fear. We knew our Children's Miracle Network Hospital would take good care of the entire family and that she would be getting the best of care.

My kids looked forward to their visits, the waiting room which had lots of toys, books and saltwater fish tanks. They also enjoyed meeting other children there at the hospital.

Doernbecher Children's Hospital, our Children's Miracle Network Hospital here in Oregon is a big part of our life, and due to my children's ongoing condition, will be a part of our lives for life. I am so grateful for what these hospitals do to help families through the tough diagnosis period and all the questions that come with lifestyle changes.

But, my children are flourishing, and it would have never happened without the help from The Children's Miracle Network and the support they receive to help families like ours.

And along the way we have met so many others who have received help at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, so many other children who received answers and the care they needed there. My husband and I always tell people that is where you can find answers and help. They take care of not just the kids and patients, but the whole family.

Did you know that one in 10 kids in North America is treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year?

Check out this infographic about why Children's Miracle Network Hospitals need our support:

The truth is, it is hard to know just when a child you know and love might need lifesaving treatment or a procedure at a Children's Miracle Network Hospital. The numbers above are eye-opening.

Luckily, Walmart and Pampers are donating $200,000 to CMNH in June of 2015! That is so exciting! Also, you can get in on the giving by purchasing Pamper's Swaddlers at your local Walmart. A portion of the  proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  

U.S. members hospitals provided $3.4 billion in charity care in 2012, so I am sure there is always a need for donations.  You can visit Walmart.com/cmnh for more information and to make your own donation. 

Do you have a personal story to share about how with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has touched your life? Or do you know of someone who has been helped by the hospitals?

Giveaway Time!!!

I have one (1) $25 Walmart Gift Card to give away to one lucky commenter here. 

Share your story in the comments below. Or help spread the word about Pampers, Walmart, and the Children's Miracle Network and this current promotion.  You can do both for 2 entries! Leave a comment for each entry (up to 2 entries per person). 

Giveaway ends 7/1 at midnight PST. Must be 18 or older to enter, US residents only. The gift card will be mailed directly to the winner. Make sure your email address is in your profile so I can reach you.

Declaring War on Messy Faces and Sticky Hands with PURELL®

This #PurellWipes shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

See this sweet little face?

You would be surprised how many sticky dirty messes he can find. Elliott is my third child, my baby, but somehow they all keep me on my toes.You would think after almost 8 years of parenthood, I would be a seasoned pro. But, no, I am still learning, always having to improvise my reactions and anticipate where the next mess will be coming from.

I know, my kids see the fun, new things to explore, touch or smell around them, but this Mom sees all the germs that collect on these sweet little faces and hands throughout the day.

Case in point, while out bowling with friends, it was my oldest who discovered a gold mine of dried gum on the underside of the bowling alley tables.

Wow. Aren't I lucky?

Now, since I also know how often he touches his face, mouth and eyes, we made a quick trip to the restroom to wash up.

But, sometimes messes aren't that easy to take care of. Sometimes hand washing isn't possible.

This past weekend was the perfect example of that. Saturday was busy. I had the two oldest kids up and out the door for Pinewood Derby raises with Cub Scouts. It was just me and the baby at home. I was supposed to clean up from breakfast and get us all packed to leave by lunch for an out of town birthday party. It was a tight schedule, but manageable.  When it was almost time to hit the road, I noticed my youngest had decided to play in the entry way... with my husband's muddy boots!

Don't kids have the best timing?

This time of year in Oregon is very wet and muddy. My husband is a farmer, so his boots were filthy. No time to put my toddler  in a bath and grateful that his clothes were unscathed, I did the next best thing.

As Moms we all find short-cuts, time-savers or handy products to get us through raising kids. Keeping my kids clean means having the right products at the right time. PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes are perfect for those moments when I want to both clean and sanitize their hands. It is quickly becoming indispensable in my family of 5. 

With no harsh chemicals, these wipes are safe to use on hands and faces. They are also great since my kids often rush through hand washing and dislike warm water.

A quick clean-up and we were ready to get into the car and head off to the birthday party. Along the way we grabbed a quick lunch in the car and out came the wipes again for all the kids' sticky fingers.

The PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes traveled with us to the trampoline center. It was a packed rainy Saturday and I think the whole city was out to try the new place. So many surfaces, so many little hands, and there were plenty of runny noses in the building. I am sure there was a fair amount of germs being spread. Check out a highlight of our good clean fun below.

After all that healthy fun, we headed into the party room for pizza and cake. I put out the PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes and they were perfect for sweaty hands, greasy fingers and frosting mustaches. 

Spring is a great time to work on encouraging healthy habits in kids and the importance of wiping out germs.

Now, I am not always around to remind my kids to wash their hands, but I am trying to instill other healthy habits in them. I created this simple FREE Printable this weekend to hang in our upstairs bathroom. My oldest children are both reading now, so a simple reminder might help.

I know. Fun and messes are important parts of childhood. I am just glad that clean up is now even easier, whether I am at home or on the go.

You can find the PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes at most Walmart stores in the household cleaning aisle with other "Quick Cleaners". Starting 3/17, save $1.00 on any PURELL® Wipes canister or Save $1.00 on any two PURELL® Products. Grab your Walmart coupon to save.

Getting set for Spring cleaning? Why not take the PURELL® 30 Day Challenge? I am always looking for ways to stay cleaner and healthier. Also, learn more about the PURELL® Loyalty Program, where you can earn points towards a variety of prizes!  I have definitely declared war on messy faces and sticky hands with the help of PURELL®.

This sweet face? He is probably just plotting his next big mess. It's okay, I have plenty of backup - #PurellWipes #ad for messy hands and faces. Check out how it helped during our busy weekend #ontheblog #flipagram ♫ Music: This Is How We Roll - Fifth Harmony Made with @flipagram See full video at flipagram.com/andrealkruse

A video posted by Andrea (@andrealkruse) on Mar 16, 2015 at 9:39pm PDT

Okay, I shared my "gum under the table" shame, what germy messes did your kids get into?

Beat the Heat and Bowl Free with AMF Summer Unplugged!

*Disclaimer - I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions and experiences stated in this post are my own.

Summer is heating up. Well, here in Oregon, last week was a doozie! The temperature kept pushing in the 90's and it was just too hot to take a newborn and two kids outside to play. Unfortunately that leaves my two eldest, and myself, a little stir crazy. This leaves us searching for cooler indoor activities to enjoy together.

My kids love bowling. What is there not to enjoy? Specialty shoes, glitter balls and things to knock over. Add to this a big plate of french fries, music and fun with friends and it is always a hit. As a Mom, I love that they stay engaged, excited and cool in the air-conditioned building.

To make it even more enticing, local AMF bowling centers are again offering Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass programs to get the ball rolling. So why not enjoy an AMF Summer?

So what is the program exactly?

The Summer Unplugged  & Summer Pass Programs run from May 13, 2013 through September 2, 2013 from opening to 8pm daily. Sign up online and then show your membership card at your AMF center or give them your name to play.

Summer Unplugged -  Spare your kids the Summer boredom with two free games daily for youth ages 15 and under. This promotion is good for up to 6 children.. Need to sign up more than 6 kids? Just create another account. Easy peasy. You will still need to rent shoes, but it is still wallet friendly.

Summer Pass - Parents, don't fret, there is Summer Pass program just for you! For $34.95 you can sign up for two free games a day, and bring up to 3 guests aged 16 and up. Shoe rentals, again,  not included.

On a roll and want to play more? This Summer you can "Stay and Play" by paying $1.49 for an additional game. Check out all the details and find an AMF Bowling Center near you.

There are over 250 AMF Bowling Center Locations and a few places around my home state of Oregon, both Salem and Portland are on the list! Search near your home by zip code or city.

Excited to get your bowling on? I know my family is ready to roll.

#Ad - Nighttime Accidents Are Normal. Getting Help from #WhiteCloudSleepPants

Disclaimer - This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Sleep Pants. All thoughts and experiences are my own.

Mom Confession: Starting my day with a pile of wet bedding puts this Mom in a grumpy mood. Also, a child woken up in the middle of the night from a wet bed is also in a pretty grumpy mood in the morning.

I have an almost 4 and 5 1/2-year old. They are finally potty trained. *Whew!* But, that doesn't mean all our nights are dry. In fact, lately I have become a laundromat for all the nighttime "oops" and "I'm sorry"s. Though people openly talk about the trials and tribulations of potty training, no one really discusses what goes on afterwards.

Even the most competent child can experience bedwetting. As a Mom I was surprised to discover it is quite common, even in older children. I know, no one talks about it, do they? Bedwetting can affect a child's self esteem and they can be reluctant to discuss it with their parents. My son knows I dislike the added laundry, but I have tried to stress to him that it happens and we just need to take care of it and move on. It's just a developmental stage for him and his younger sister. They don't always wake up in time to make it down to the bathroom, but for some children it can also be caused by a medical condition. Whatever the reasons behind a bedwetting situation, it can be frustrating for everyone in the family.

My husband and I try to be proactive with our kids. They know that drinks are limited after dinnertime and either my husband or I wake them up to use the restroom when we come to bed. Luckily since I am pregnant, I wake up all through the night so it is easy to remind them to use the bathroom then.

Because the laundry was really stacking up and no one likes the wafting smell of pee-stained bedding first thing in the morning, we tried out the White Cloud Sleep Pants available exclusively from Walmart. These are cost-effective, gender neutral sleep pants designed for older children. We tried out  the S/M size, for kids between 45 and 65 lbs.

Thinner than a regular diaper, they are surprisingly absorbent. With stretchy sides, they go on like regular underwear and have a soft inner, hypoallergenic liner that is treated with vitamin E and aloe to be gentle on their skin. My children are very proud of wearing 'big kid' underwear so I didn't want to take a step backwards at night. My daughter liked that they didn't make noise when she wore them in the bed. I have previously tried other nighttime solutions that woke her up throughout the night because they crinkled so much.

The designs are bright and colorful, which is always important to attracting my kids to use something. Since I have two at the same stage I was grateful that I only needed one bag and didn't have to get each child's favorite character or theme.

These are a little large (long?) on my daughter. They fit my son better, but both of my kids are at the bottom of the weight range. Truth be known, they are also pretty low on the growth chart, so I wasn't surprised. They did fit well enough to provide the protection we needed though. I was very impressed with the price per pant. It really can't be beat!

I just want my kids to get a good night's sleep and not worry about whether they will wet the bed. There are so many other things to think about in childhood. This stage too, will pass. I am just glad that White Cloud Sleep Pants can also cause my mornings to be a little brighter and no longer overshadowed with added piles of laundry.

Did you know that over 5 million kids a year experience bedwetting and it is one of the most common experiences during childhood development?

White Cloud Sleep Pants have been developed to provide exceptional comfort and leakage protection while looking like underwear. White Cloud Sleep Pants offer thin, discrete absorbent protection for your child. They have soft, stretchy sides that fit like real underwear, plus leak guards to help protect against leaks. The soft inner liner is hypoallergenic and treated with vitamin E and aloe for skin protection.

Each bag contains two unisex graphic designs and at $7.75, White Cloud offers exceptional value.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Sleep Pants.

Kids' Crafting - Painting Glass Gems

In a previous post I shared basketball decorations I created and  I broke out the glass gems and painted them up for a party. I used them to decorate the table and they were so easy to make. Of course, the kids wanted to try their hand at it and it ended up being a great craft project for them as well.

You Will Need:

• Glass Gems - Find them at your local craft store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.) in the floral section. A bag of large sized gems is just a couple of dollars.
• Paint - glass appropriate, in a variety of colors
• Paint Brushes
• Sharpie Markers *optional

Have the kids draw outlines to paint on the bottom of the glass gems with a sharpie, or free hand the painting. The trick is you have to paint it in layers.

Outlines have to be drawn, or painted, first and will show up on top of the image. Let the gem dry and then add the next color. It took my 5-year old a few minutes to fully understand layering. We started with a simple ladybug.

I made little rainbows and lucky four-leaf clovers to use in the garden.

What would you paint on your glass gems?

Story Time with PLAY-DOH Board Books Review + Giveaway

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received PLAY-DOH books for the purpose of this review. This post includes affiliate links.

I remember playing with my own tubs of PLAY-DOH as a child. I started out happily rolling snakes and simple shapes, and eventually graduated to more complex figures and creating play food. So when my kids were old enough I shared the fun with them.

Now books are another important part of childhood in our home. Since my children were born we have added to their book collection every holiday and as treats for good behavior. They love story time. My 3-year old is still pretty rough on paper books so board books are a great way to hold up to her inquisitive fingers.

I was sent 5 new PLAY-DOH board books to review with my little one. She was delighted by the bright colors, simple words, interactive 'lift-the-flaps' and adorable figures.  I love the iconic brand branching out into toddler books.

Silver Dolphin Books and Hasbro teamed up to release 5 new board books this Spring for ages 3 & up.

The five books include:

• PLAY-DOH: Mama's Little Ducklings - One of Mama Duck's eggs is on a roll! Where could it be?
• PLAY-DOH: My First Words (Play-Doh My First 100 Words) - This book introduces young readers to a wonderful world of words with over 50 labeled illustrations!
• PLAY-DOH: Counting Bunnies (Play-Doh First Concepts) - Ten silly bunnies teach kids to count from one to ten!
• PLAY-DOH: Making Shapes with Monkey (Play-Doh First Concepts) - Monkey uses shapes to make all kinds of useful items for his friends.
• PLAY-DOH: Rainbow Butterflies (Play-Doh First Concepts) - Butterflies in all the colors of the rainbow subtly hide for young readers to discover.

Overall as a Mom I loved the books! My daughter had a lot of fun with them, and she plans to read them to the new baby along with help from her older brother. Board books are my favorite way to get books into the hands of young children. From shapes to counting, these books are a great teaching tool for little ones. They are also durable and fun. It is amazing how much abuse they end up taking in my house, but they are always loved.

I am happy to say that I can also share a set of the new PLAY-DOH board books with one lucky reader here on Adventures in All Things Food & Family. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below.

Giveaway Time!!!

This giveaway ends 5/10/13. Must be 18 years or older to win. Enter through the widget below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclaimer - This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received PLAY-DOH books for the purpose of this review. All opinions and experiences are my own. This post includes my Amazon affiliate links.

Preparing for Baby - The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep, by Harvey Karp, M.D. #spon

Have a new baby? Know someone with a baby right now? Chances are you have heard all the jokes, advice and opinions on getting sleep with a new baby in the house. There is a lot of information out there, but all we really care about is that elusive good night of sleep...

I am not saying it is easy. Shoot, desperate and sleep deprived parents (myself included) have tried just about everything and anything suggested. As I count down the weeks till my next baby is born I have been reminiscing with my husband about some of the more memorable moments with our first two children.

Sleep, or our sleep-deprived stretches always come up for a good laugh. Though they are funny in hindsight, it is a real problem plaguing many people.

I think it took us over 3 years to really get the hang of a schedule and tricks that worked best for our family. Many were found through trial and error, others were suggested and some even came from reading stacks and stacks of books on parenting, babies and sleep training. I was thrilled to receive a copy of The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep by Harvey Karp, M.D. because a few of my friends had raved about his other books. Reading this was like a flash of 3 years of knowledge contained in one great book. Plus this isn't just about babies, he offers simple sleep solutions for children from birth to 5 years.

Reading it was a great refresher and reinforced some of our best tricks. You better believe I will be pulling these out from day one with baby Elliott.

Why did I enjoy this book so much? Well, there is an overall system, so easy to follow, but it is also breaks down sleeping tips and possible problems by age and stage. So read it through or skip ahead to the section that best suits your needs. Some highlights I have personally used with successfully include: room sharing with a side sleeper, white noise, swaddling and training a baby to sleep through life's normal noises. Hey, I have two older kids, staying silent for a new baby is never going to happen!

Do I agree with everything in the book? No. I am not a fan of pacifiers, but I appreciate that the book mentions we must find what works for us as parents. Often there are several options discussed in each step leaving implementation up to us.

I have never been one for letting my children "cry it out" and these simple tips and instructions don't make parents choose between their tugging heart strings and getting a decent night of sleep.

Harvey Karp, M.D. has done it again with another great book after his bestselling The Happiest Baby on the Block.

Be sure to check out the Happiest Baby website for all the great products and more information.


*Disclaimer - I am participating in a book review campaign with One2One Network. I received this book from Harper Collins for the purposes of reviewing it. I have not received compensation. My participation in the campaign enters me into a drawing for a gift card. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Having Fun with our Peanut Butter and Jelly - Fun Faces!

Does it get any more classic than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? I know my husband and I ate our share growing up and my kids are no exception. It is always a lunchtime crowd pleaser.

I have to say that sandwiches are not the only thing we use jelly on. Jelly is my daughter's spread of choice for her pancakes, my son likes to smear it on his bananas and I enjoy using it in my baking from time to time. One of my biggest concerns is always the ingredient list. We love to keep it short. Welch's Natural Spreads are a winner for me because they contain no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

As for the flavor? Welch's is by far my favorite classic grape jelly. The Concord grape smells so good straight out of the jar and I love that they use Concord grapes grown in the US and Canada. You can tell the strawberries in their Strawberry Spreads are vine ripened because the flavor and natural sweetness really comes through with every bite.

My kids love helping out in the kitchen and making their own food. So we decided to have a little fun with our classic sandwich. The filling was traditional, Welch's Natural Strawberry Spread for my son and Welch's Natural Grape Spread for my daughter, but the toppings were anything they wanted!

I offered them little cups with dried fruit, fruit leather shapes and sliced baby carrots. With a dab of our favorite spread to hold it on, they could get creative. The usual sandwich sides became our edible art supplies.

This was a great chance for my son to play with his food!

This sandwich was 5-year old approved. That makes this Mom pretty happy.

Did you know April 2nd is National PB&J Day?

Welch's is celebrating with the "PB&J Your Way" Facebook Contest. Share your creative spin on this classic sandwich for a chance to win $500 and a one year supply of Welch's Grape Jelly, plus 50 others will win a sandwich keeper. So start spreading and you could win!

Connect with Welch's on Twitter and Facebook for product announcements and promotional fun.

*Disclaimer - I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Welch's. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating. All opinions and experiences are my own.