Green Scene Mom 2014 Fall Award Winners Giveaway

The Green Scene Mom Awards celebrate niche, eco-friendly products and innovative product designs. We are very excited to announce the 2014 Fall Award Winners! Many of these great companies have also contributed prizes to Green Scene Mom's Fall Awards Giveaway. Enter to win below!

Baby Buddy Tooth TissuesTooth Tissues make cleaning a baby's teeth simple and easy to introduce regular oral care to a young child. Tooth Tissues are the natural first step to brushing a child's teeth after every meal and they're a simple way to ensure a baby isn't negatively affected by oral bacteria. Award Details »

bambu natural utensilsbambu's natural feeding products are an eco-friendly twist on conventional baby utensils. Each product is created to meet a need within the various stages from infancy to childhood and each item is shaped to be easy to use by kids learning to feed themselves. Award Details »

Bumkins Finer Baby ProductsBumkins has a huge selection of eco-friendly products that are available in coordinating prints. Bumkins waterproof bags and cloth diapers are easy to use and clean and help reduce household trash. Award Details »

Buttons Cloth DiapersButtons Cloth Diapers make diapering easy and Eco-friendly. Their new prints are so adorable and feature quality details, sturdy leg gussets, and a simple adjustable snap system that allows the diaper to grow with your baby. Award Details »

Cache Coeur Signature Maternity LingerieCache Coeur offers elegant solutions for pregnancy and nursing to make life more comfortable and stylish. Their lingerie line includes designs that are functional and embellished with feminine details. Award Details »

Cupcake Organic Nursing PadsCupcake Nursing Pads are made from high-quality cotton and are easy to assemble and clean. They offer great coverage in preventing leaks and provide peace of mind while breastfeeding. Award Details »

Cushy CloserCushy Closers are an innovative and streamlined way to keep a door from latching. They are ideal for use on doors to rooms where kids are napping, since the cushion allows the door to be closed but muffles any door closing sounds. Award Details »

Eepples MilkCharmsEepples MilkCharms are designed to help moms easily label, track, and organize their breast milk supply. The MilkCharm is a reusable dial system that lets moms quickly and easily set and read the day and time when breast milk was pumped. Award Details »

Emily Press Write Your Own LabelsEmily Press waterproof labels are an innovative way to create your own personalized labels. Write on the labels with a permanent marker then seal in your writing with the built-in laminate. These dishwasher-safe labels make it easy to personalize or label your items. Award Details »

It's The Balm Pregnancy Pamper KitIt's The Balm Pregnancy Pamper Kit includes belly balm, cooling foot scrub, whipped foot balm, and peppermint lip balm, each created with a combination of natural and essential oils formulated to heal and soothe. Organic raw shea butter, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil are among the natural ingredients used in this natural pampering kit. Award Details »

Lotus Everywhere CribThe Lotus Travel Crib by Guava Family is an everywhere crib designed for easy portability and set up. It has mesh breathable sides all the way down to the mattress and a zipper opening in one side for easy access into the crib. The crib can be set up in 15 seconds and it fits into a compact case small enough for a carry-on. Award Details »

Milkies Milk-SaverThe Milkies Milk-Saver collects leaking breast milk as a mom nurses, allowing them to store extra breast milk effortlessly with each feeding. The Milk-Saver collects the milk that is leaked when breast milk lets down. It's slim and portable, minimizes leaks and comes with a durable case. Award Details »

Poncho Baby Roly BlanketsThe Poncho Baby Roly Blanket is a super-soft blanket that rolls into a compact clutch for easy carrying. The blanket is made from a double layer of soft cotton. It rolls up and attaches with a snap fastener. Award Details »

Rubber Ducky & Friends Kids' ShowerheadRubber Duckie & Friends showerheads are a fun way to introduce showering to young children. The character shower heads look like bath toys and help parents transition their kids from bathing in the tub to taking showers on their own. Award Details »

Shaikoo Hands Free TowelThe Shaikoo Towel Wrap was designed to simplify bath time and make baby bathing a fun, safe and relaxing experience. With a simple and durable Velcro-brand fastener around the neck, parents have both their left and right hands available to safely lift, cradle, and dry their wet baby. Award Details »

Strider Sport BikeStrider Bikes are easy to use by toddlers and kids who can't pedal yet. They also allow kids to "skip" the tricycle stage and advance to mastering gliding and balance skills that will help them eventually ride a standard bike. Award Details »

Tubby TableThe Tubby Table is an educational bath play surface for toddlers that suctions in the middle of the tub, giving kids a sturdy and safe surface while keeping water and toys inside the tub. Award Details »

Yummi Gear LunchboxesYummi Gear lunchboxes make it easy to take lunch on the go. They are designed to be easy to open for little fingers and keep lunch organized. Yummi Gear lunchboxes have 3 compartments to keep a sandwich, snacks and fruit separate and ready to enjoy. Award Details »

Zipadee-Zip Wearable BlanketZipadee-Zip helps a baby have the cozy, enclosed, womb-like feel of the swaddle but it allows a baby push up, roll over, and wiggle around safely and freely. It encourages self-soothing and longer, sounder sleep, prevents scratching, and keeps little hands warm all night long. Award Details »

Enter to win this amazing $400 prize package of award winning products!

Baby Buddy Tooth Tissues
Milkies Milk-Saver
CupCake nursing pads + insertable liners
Eepples MilkCharms set of 3
2 Zipadee-Zip wearable blankets
Bumkins 2 Nixi wet bags, 2 reusable snack bags, and 2 Snap-In-One cloth diapers
2 packages Emily Press Write Your Own Classic labels
It's The Balm Vanilla-Sandalwood Spa Kit
Yummi Gear lunchboxes set of 4
Rubber Duckie & Friends Duckie the Duck Bath & Shower Wand
Poncho Baby Roly Blanket
Tubby Table bathtime play table
Buttons Diapers 1 one-size diaper cover and 2 hemp/cotton diaper inserts
bambu Hemp Denim baby bib

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Postpartum Pad Stash Giveaway

 

There's no better time than postpartum to convert to cloth pads. Or, perhaps you've already made the switch. Either way, winning a full stash of postpartum pads is a great way to start or boost your stash. You don't have to be pregnant or trying to conceive, either... postpartum pads are great for overnight or for your heavy flow days! Make sure you're attending Maman Loup's #PostpartumPad Facebook event to take advantage of 2-week's worth of flash giveaways and promotions! To read Maman Loup's postpartum pad reviews and related posts, click here.

What Will Be in Your Postpartum Stash?

Remember, even if you're not going to be postpartum any time soon, these pads will be great for your period's heavy flow days!

• 17" organic jersey/bamboo fleece postpartum pad from Janine's Place ($20);
• 14" cotton velour/heavy bamboo fleece postpartum pad & a set of waterproof nursing pads from Occupied Mind Creations ($19);
• Custom-made pad, your choice of length and absorbency, from Pretty Eco Intimates ($15);
• $25 gift certificate from Lunapads;
• 13" post-partum/overnight pad with 4 layers heavy organic bamboo fleece from Cotton Candy Eco Cloth ($13.50);
• Terry cloth and flannel Color Night/Postpartum pad from GladRags ($19);
• 100% cotton pocket pad with two inserts and a set of 100% cotton contoured nursing pads from MamaCloth ($15);
• 2-pack of hemp/organic cotton long, heavy flow pads from Öko Creations ($25);
• 3-pack of heavy flow pads and a mini wetbag from Hip Huggers ($15);
• Tree Hugger night/postpartum pad offered up by Lil' Monkey Cheeks ($15.50);
• Exclusive Organic Cotton New Mother Gift Bag Set from NatraCare (disposable products) including a pack of maternity pads, a pack of baby wipes and a canvas reusable bag ($25);
• A Maxwell Designs Grab & Go wallet, perfect for toting your stash on the go! ($26)

Thank you to the following bloggers for their help promoting this event:

• Suzi at Cloth Diaper Addicts;
• Kelsey at Cloth Pad Crazy;
• Jakki at Iya Jay;
• Agnes at Living La Vida Eco;
• Carolyn at According to Carolyn;
• Olivia at This West Coast Mommy;
• Mindy at The Inquisitive Mom;
• Christine at Mama Papa Barn;
• Sarah at Wife Mummy Nurse;
• Kristi at Mommy on the Money;
• and Alicia at Mixed Bag Mama;
• Maegan from The Bee Hive Buzz.

The #PostPartumPadParty "Win Your Postpartum Pad Stash" Giveaway is open to Canadian and American entrants. For full terms and conditions, please see the Giveaway Tools form.

Entry-Form

FuzziBunz Cloth Diaper Trial Starter Package

 

FuzziBunz Cloth Diaper Trial Starter Pack Giveaway

Hosted by: mama pure

Co-Hosted by: Crunchy Livin' Mama Style & Baby's Nest

Sponsored by: FuzziBunz

FuzziBunz Cloth Diapers is under new ownership and they are launching an exciting new diaper, the One-Size Adjustable Cloth Pocket Diaper! This diaper comes in size Small and size Large to give you the absolute best fit but will still fit your baby up through potty training. The diaper also features amazing custom sizing options with adjustable leg and waist elastic not found on other diaper brands. mama pure had the opportunity to test out both diaper sizes so you can see the difference in fit to help you choose which would work best for your baby. Be sure to read the full review to learn more details about this diaper!

  

To celebrate the new One-Size Adjustable Cloth Pocket Diaper, mama pure has teamed up with FuzziBunz to give away a Trial Starter Package which includes 2 one-size adjustable cloth pocket diapers and a hanging wet bag! This giveaway will run from 9/28 at 12am EST through 10/15 at 11:59pm EST. It is open to the US & CAN. Void where prohibited. Please use the rafflecopter below to enter.
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This blog was not compensated for promoting this giveaway and is not responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or any other social media. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this giveaway or the Milk Makin' Mamas Event please contact Laura at www.mamapure.com

"Night Terror" Adult Fiction Book Review

            Hey folks! Some of you may remember I reviewed another book by Jeff Gunhus back in June. Night Chill is the first title in this series and you can catch up by reading my review of it HERE. Book two in the series, Night Terror, is quickly approaching it's release date of October 1st. I loved the first book so much that I was super excited to be able to review this one in advance as well!
            Night Terror picks up with the Tremont family 10 years after the first horrible accident in Prescott City, Maryland, where there was a massive cave-in at a nearby abandoned mine and many people went missing...Of course, there is always more than one side to any story. After so much time has passed, Jack Tremont figures the worst has passed for his family, especially his daughter Sarah. Unfortunately, he couldn't be more wrong.
            While The Source and Nate Huckley may have been killed in the cave-in, there are still many fanatics out there who would kill Sarah Tremont, now 16, in a heartbeat to get just a little bit of her power. Jack can't help but wonder why one of these cultists, simply known as Mama D, is so hellbent on kidnapping his daughter when she hasn't even had her powers since the incident from 10 years ago. However, the bearer of bad news and the Tremonts' old friend, Joseph Lonetree, believes Sarah has been hiding her abilities this whole time, which her parents find out shortly after is true.
            Things quickly escalate and the Tremonts find themselves looking for help in the unlikeliest of places and running out of time to save their daughter before Mama D and her gang get their hands on her. From top secret experiments to Native American shamans, this book will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you wondering what will happen next.

            As I've mentioned before, Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors. Needless to say, Mr.Gunhus quickly became one of my new favorites after reading Night Chill. If you like good suspense and storylines that are a little "out there", you will love these novels as much as I do.
            I have to admit, while I still enjoyed Night Terror, I felt more engaged in the first book. Maybe it was just because I was still learning about all the characters and what "makes them tick". However, I still can't wait to read the next book in the series (I'm assuming there is one by the way this one left off). Judging from the way Night Terror ended, it should be really good! Happy reading!
            You can find Night Terror on Amazon and Goodreads.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book for review purposes. Regardless, all opinions are my own and may differ from your own.

Fall Fun Has Begun!

            Hey folks! It is officially my favorite time of year: fall! I don't know about where you live, but it definitely feels like fall here already too! We decided to actually do something fun this weekend after our super busy, "productive" house hunting weekend last weekend and visited Stuckey Farm.
           This place is a lot of fun for the whole family. Located on 40 acres, Stuckey Farm has a farmer's market, you pick apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and a giant slide made from what looks like those big, plastic, drainage pipes. None of us were adventurous enough to go down the slide...or willing to wait in the long line. lol We did pick half a bushel of apples, including Galas, Fujis (my fave), a few McIntosh, and one other that I'm not sure if I'm spelling right because I've never heard of them. Mulleins? I don't know. My husband wanted some. But yah, I think we may have went a little overboard on the apples! I'm planning on making lots and lots of yummy applesauce with most of them.

            We wanted to get pumpkins for all of us, but, we just got the news when we arrived at the farm that we got an apartment, so we decided to hold off but did get one little one for Myka to decorate. I thought it would be nice to let Gigi and Papaw (my parents) keep it since we are moving out and I'm sure they'll miss her. Now, to actually make time for her to decorate it in the next 2 days!

            I also really wanted some apple cider, so I gave in and bought half a gallon this time. Let me just say oh-em-gee. It is the best stuff ever! And yes, they have their own cider mill and make it themselves. Pretty cool, huh? They also make fresh apple cider donuts. We haven't tried any, but they smell amazing and actually sold out before we left yesterday!
            Did any of you celebrate the arrival of autumn in a fun way this weekend? Have your children been doing any fall themed activities at school or home yet?

Maybe Baby?

 

 *Warning: TMI alert in areas.

           I've said it before and I'll say it again: There are not many things worse than waiting to find out if you're pregnant, whether you are wanting a baby or not. I am not exactly the most patient person in the world either. I usually try really hard to not get my hopes up when I think I might be or am hoping I'm pregnant, but for once I would be more surprised if I weren't.
            It's still too early to tell, but I have had several "universal" symptoms and some that I had when I was pregnant with Myka. It started out with some very localized pains on the right side of my abdomen the middle of last week. It's not really a stabbing pain, but it's not a constant dull ache either. For some reason, it makes me think of Rudolph's nose lighting up. lol It's off and on for short bursts and radiates outwards.
            I've also been a lot hungrier than normal...A LOT. Even if I get the munchies before my period starts, it's never this bad. I get hungry like this a lot of the time when I ovulate, but I'm pretty sure I already did that. Surely I didn't do it twice at different times. That wouldbe weird or impossible, right?
            We were out of town all weekend, running all over the state of Indiana it felt like looking at houses, but I still noticed I was having a lot more *ahem* discharge than normal. I had that with Myka too and looked it up to double check and it does seem to be a common symptom after implantation. Again, I don't think (and hope) it wasn't from ovulating, because I'm almost positive I already did earlier last month.
            I have also had a few days where I feel like I'm coming down with a cold, but I never get sick. I'll get a scratchy, raw feeling throat and feel a little more tired than usual, but feel better in the next day or two. Who knows. Maybe sleep deprivation and stress are finally catching up to me and I will get sick this time. But, I mention this symptom because I felt like this before I found out I was pregnant with Myka too...And thought it was kind of amusing afterwards. I wasn't sick. I was coming down with pregnancy! lol
            I have to admit I got impatient and "wasted" a pregnancy test today. I knew better since I was supposed to get my period today (the 15th), but I couldn't help myself. I'm going to try and resist the urge for 2 more weeks. That's how long it took to get a positive one with Myka. (I'd also just like to add, are those "Results up to 5 days sooner" tests just b.s. or what? Does anyone actually get accurate results from those things? Because I sure as hell never have!) On the bright side, I had what looked like implantation bleeding once during a bathroom visit. I'll leave it at that. Let's not go into details this time. lol
           So, now that I have shared with the world the crazy that only women who are anxiously awaiting good baby news understand, what do you think? What kind of symptoms did you experience with early pregnancy? Have any of you recently found out you're expecting a baby?

Fall "To Do List"

 

            Wow! It's hard to believe that the official beginning of Fall is only a few days away! We had a VERY mild summer here in central Indiana, so I'm not very surprised that it's already feeling like fall with the cooler temperatures. In typical crazy Indiana weather fashion, we finally reached a few 90 degree days a week and a half ago, which promptly dropped off to 60's and 70's right after with even chillier nights!

            When looking over my summer to do list before starting on this one, I was actually kind of surprised that I got all but one of the things on it completed. To be honest, it's not that we didn't have time to go to the zoo, but the crime has gotten even worse in Indianapolis in the past few years. Personally, I would be more worried about going to the area The Children's Museum is than the zoo, but my mom was concerned about it, so we haven't been yet. Oh well. Zoos kind of depress me anyways, to tell the truth.

            So, what do we have planned for my absolute most favorite time of year? Probably a lot of the same things as you and your family do!

1) Get a new house! This is of the utmost importance. While grateful for having a place to stay during this transition period, I think we are all ready for us to get out of my parents house. 

2) Visit Stuckey Farm. I can't wait to not only pick some apples ourselves, but pick out some pumpkins from the patch, drink some fresh apple cider, etc!

3) Visit Connor Prairie for the Headless Horseman activities. Ok. So we may need to leave Myka home for this one. I went at least once when I was younger and it was so much fun! 

4) Decorate for fall...again, hopefully we'll have our own house by then to decorate!

5) Make fall crafts and do fall related activities with Myka.

6) Figure out Myka's Halloween costume and go trick-or-treating!

7) Enjoy a nice, big Thanksgiving dinner with my family! The small dinners while we were living away from family were a nice change for awhile, but I'm glad we live close enough to be able to go to the big holiday dinners again. :)

            What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

Canyon Bakehouse Giveaway

Canyon Bakehouse Giveaway Sponsored by Canyon Bakehouse

Hosted by Deals of Sweetness

Co-Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

Canyon Bakehouse has a mission that is simple. They want people to LOVE BREAD AGAIN. Their family is gluten-free and they are passionate about making real food with wholesome, clean ingredients. They bake bread the old fashioned way and use only 100% whole grains. From their family bakehouse in the Colorado Rocky Mountains to your kitchen, enjoy eating without compromise.
Emilee at Deals of Sweetness has been trying to eat more gluten-free foods but finds gluten-free breads that are enjoyable are harder to find. See what she thought of the Canyon Bakehouse gluten-free breads and muffins!
Would you like to try some gluten-free baked goods? One winner will receive a variety of 4 gluten-free baked goods - 7-Grain, Cinnamon Raisin, and Mountain White Gluten-Free Breads and Cranberry Crunch Muffins. This giveaway begins on 9/13 and ends on 9/27 at 10:00pm (times are Central) and is open to US residents ages 18+. Winner is subject to eligibility verification and will have 48 hours to confirm before a new winner will be drawn. For any questions/concerns please email dealsofsweetness@gmail.com (consider adding this email to your "Safe List" as winning email notification will be sent from this email.) Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

Entry-Form

  Disclosure: Emilee at Deals of Sweetness received complimentary product(s) to facilitate her honest review. I received no compensation for this post. Participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Buttons Cloth Diaper Giveaway

Welcome to the Buttons Cloth Diaper Giveaway!

Hosted by All About Parents

Buttons has soft, leak-proof, and durable diaper covers. The double-gussets around the legs keeps the mess in, so your little one can run, jump, climb, and sleep while your mind is at ease. Elastic at the back and tummy makes a custom fit. The durable snaps allow the covers to adjust to fit any baby (approximately 9-35 lbs.). And, they come in nine adorable colors!

The doublers night time inserts have 6 wonderful layers of micro fiber, for extra absorbency, and work as a doubler with Buttons daytime inserts snapped on top. Buttons cloth inserts snap right into their one-size diapers covers. Plus, they come in 2 sizes for your growing baby (small fits babies 9-20 lbs., large fits babies 20-35 lbs.)

This giveaway will start 9/13 and end 9/26 at 5:00 pm. One lucky winner will win a cloth diaper cover of their choice and a two pack of inserts of their choice. I hope everyone has fun and good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Deb from All About Parents recived a free product in exchange for her honest review. The participating bloggers nor Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or any other social media outlet is responsible for awarding the prize. The winner will receive the prize directly from the sponsor. Thank you for participating and have fun! If you should have any questions please feel free to contact me. 

Bear on the Chair Giveaway

Welcome to The Bear on the Chair giveaway!

Hosted by All About Parents!

Bear On The Chair was invented by Symonne who loved being rewarded for good behavior and also very much loves teddy bears! From her heart she created the only year-round behavior buddy that motivates children and reinforces positive actions. As a child she has the inside scoop on what motivates children and she is excited for everyone to have their own Bear On The Chair.

Bear On The Chair can help parents in a variety of ways. Whether it is to reinforce the existing positive behaviors or to help improve less than desirable behavior, Bear On The Chair is the perfect fit for any family.

 In a typical household, Bear On The Chair can help parents survive the "terrible twos", the "no" stages, and create an engaging and positive environment. As parents ourselves, we know this takes patience and creativity. Learn more about how Bear On The Chair can motivate children to brush their teeth, eat their veggies, and put away their toys (with little to no nagging!)

 For households with special needs such as ASD, Bear On The Chair can be embraced in different ways to create a happy and educational environment. The soft and friendly Bear On The Chair knows just how to help you communicate with your children. Learn more about how the Happy/Frown face system can be used to communicate with non-verbal children.

This giveaway will run from 9/13 through 9/26. One lucky winner will win their very own Bear on the Chair. Thank you very much for participating and have fun!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: Deb from All About Parents was provided with a free product in exchange for her honest review. The participating bloggers nor Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or any other social media outlet is responsible for rewarding the prize. The prize is will be sent straight to the winner from the sponsor. Thank you for participating and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

Essential Oil Diffuser Giveaway

Sponsored by: Gurin

Hosted by: Savory Savings

Co-hosted by: Ramblings of Mama

 

 With winter around the corner, it is more important than ever to provide your family with their best defense (or treatment!) against colds and other ailments. Krista over at Savory Savings loves to use essential oils as a way to fend off or soothe colds and has found that using a diffuser is a great way to give the benefits of essential oils to her whole family all at once! Check out her Gurin diffuser review and check out how you can easily and affordably work essential oils into your daily life! You can also check out other wonderful personal care products from Gurin on Amazon!  

Dealing with Stress

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED! A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!

             We all get stressed at times...Unless you happen to be a Buddhist monk or something. However, we all have different ways of dealing with it. Personally, I have a couple of preferred methods to relax some when I'm stressed out.
            As many of you probably know, I greatly enjoy hiking and just generally being outdoors, whether it be fishing, going to the park with my daughter, etc. I have enjoyed being outside for as long as I can remember and now that I'm an adult with all of the responsibilities that come along with adult and parenthood, I especially enjoy the outdoors. It is probably my #1 way to de-stress. Something about spending time in nature just instantly puts me more at ease.
            Being a parent, one of my other favorite ways to ease stress is to do something for myself or just have some time alone. I'm sure most of you with kids can relate. Sometimes, even if we're not actually doing anything, it can be nice to just have peace and quiet to actually be able to hear ourselves think and clear our heads!
            Some of you may have read that we just moved back to Indiana from Arkansas and are currently living with my parents until we find a new house. Needless to say, this has been one of my more stressful times as of late. While I may not be able to go hiking like I used to, it has been nice to actually have family members babysit while I or my husband and I both go do something or taking Myka to the park or county fair to relax a little.

            So, how do you stress less? Leave a comment below for your chance to win a Hyland's gift basket with the products shown below! You can click the link to find out more about the upcoming 5 Day Stress Challenge, which will feature topics on how to reduce stress naturally and feature more awesome giveaways for their products!

Sing-Along Construction Song Children's Book Review

            Whew! This summer has been an interesting one and sure has flown by! With all of the hullabaloo, I haven't had nearly as much time as I would have liked to read, both for myself and to Myka. So, it brings me great joy that I recently had the opportunity to review the newly released Sing-Along Construction Song by one of my favorite children's authors, Louise Lintvelt.
            As I've mentioned about a thousand times, Myka doesn't really care to be read to. She's usually content to just look at books by herself. We try to limit her "technology use" as well, although that's kind of gone out the window for the most part since we've been living with my parents temporarily. (Grandparents are the worst influences, are they not?) What's the point of my mentioning all this?
            Since we reviewed a digital version of this book, I decided to let Myka sit on my lap and look at the pictures while I read it to her...And she was actually REALLY into it and stayed engaged the whole time! Only time will tell if she just liked it because it was on the computer or if she just really liked the book, but I'm just happy she at least let me read to her.
            Myka really enjoyed the pictures in Sing-Along Construction Song, especially the page at the beginning before the story even starts with all the different construction vehicles on it. She seemed really interested in the different machinery and kept pointing to them saying "Woooww...". lol Being the person I am and taking pleasure in teaching little kids new things, it was a fun opportunity for me to tell her what the names of the construction machinery were and what they were doing in each picture.
            Although we haven't listened to the song download yet, we both also enjoyed the rhyming of the story and that you could read/sing the story to a popular nursery rhyme. I clapped along to the song as I "sang" it and Myka eventually joined in as well. I think that kid likes any reason to clap.
            So, if you have young children, grandchildren, etc., be sure to pick up a copy of Sing-Along Construction Song. You can find it on Amazon and Goodreads. Your children are sure to enjoy it, so you won't regret it!

Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book to faciliate this review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and may differ from your own.

What I Want To Do With The Rest Of My Life...

            It seems that I have had a (what feels like) long overdue epiphany recently during this, erm, "interesting" transition period we've been going through. I have a tendency to change my mind on a whim, so I'm going to take this with a grain of salt (am I using that phrase in the appropriate context? lol), but I feel like I have finally figured out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
            John's new job obviously has a lot to do with it because we will actually be able to afford for me to stay home with Myka (and any future children, fingers crossed). If for some reason he loses this job or decides to quit, my plans could always change, but for the time being I feel pretty good about what the future holds.
            I have worked briefly for several different employers since Myka has been in our lives. All of them have been unsuccessful for one reason or another, whether I couldn't find reliable childcare for her or just plain and simple didn't like the job. I feel like the main reason I have been fighting the whole "stay at home mom" thing is because I feel guilty for not working because quite frankly we were scraping by before when I wasn't. But, like I said, with John's new job I don't feel like fighting it any more.
            As I mentioned in another post last month, I'm still not sure how long I plan on staying at my current job. Longer than I thought, but still not very long. I enjoy my job, surprisingly, considering I clean bathrooms, mop, vacuum, etc. for a living currently. I think what I enjoy most, though, are the people. Well, not my fellow co-workers, for the most part, but you know. So, I think it would be in my best interest to volunteer at a retirement home or something of the sort once I do become a stay-at-home-mom again. I'd love to be able to just sit down and actually visit with elderly people.

Image Source

           As I mentioned in another post much earlier this year, I'm starting to think maybe I was meant to be a sahm and homeschool. I did switch majors from psychology to early childhood education when I was still going to college in my late teens/early 20's. I can't help but wonder if that has helped lead me to where I am now, if you catch my drift. I have absolutely NO desire for my children to go to public school. If something comes up and they just absolutely can't stand to be homeschooled and I can't either, then things might change. But until then, I am pretty sure this is the best route of schooling for all of us.

            I still have a lingering desire to go back and finish school. I went to college for 2 1/2 years, majored in 3 vastly different areas, and let's not even talk about my "unofficial majors". Needless to say, the main reason I quit was because I didn't want to waste any more money on college when I obviously couldn't decide what I wanted to do for sure "when I grew up". I don't regret it from that perspective since I'm STILL paying off a loan from my first year...And I went to a public 4 year school that wasn't even that expensive.

            However, I still feel like I should finish school. I think one of the biggest reasons I feel this way, as irrelevant as it is in the grand scheme of things, is that I almost feel obligated to just because I did so well in school. The only classes I ever received any grade lower than a "B" were Chemistry and Pre-Calculus in high school. (Not a fan of math.) BUT, I might seriously consider going back once all of our kids are either graduated from high school or out of the house because I think I finally know what I would go for and stick with: physical therapy assistant. 

            I might change my mind by then and be happy with whatever volunteer work and hobbies I'm into by that point, but it's fun to dream, right? It's kind of funny (and irritating, in an ironic way) because becoming a physical therapist assistant was the first thing I really considered going to college for when I was still in high school. If I knew then what I know now, huh?

Image Source, License, Original

            So, have any of you had any life changing epiphanies? I'd love to hear about them!

Fellowes Laminator Giveaway

Fellowes Laminator Giveaway Sponsored by Fellowes, Inc.

Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

Co-Hosted by Deals of Sweetness

L80-95 Laminator with Pouch Starter Kit 

User-friendly laminator for the home or home office 9-1/2" entry width accommodates multiple document sizes, laminates documents and photos in 3-mil hot pouches, 5-mil compatible for documents that are index card size or smaller. Ready in 3 minutes. Release lever disengages pouch for re-centering or removal. Includes laminating starter kit.

Emilee from Pea of Sweetness is a homeschooling mom and has decided a laminator has gone from being an "optional" item to a "must have." She was excited by all the ideas on the Fellowes Idea Center for the Home, for School and for Work! See what she thought about the L80-95 Fellowes Laminator! It can be purchased on Amazon for under $30 making it affordable and perfect for home use!

One winner will receive the L80-95 Laminator with Pouch Starter Kit. This giveaway begins on 9/7 and ends on 9/21 at 10:00pm (times are Central) and is open to US residents ages 18+. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

Entry-Form

  Disclosure: Emilee from both Pea of Sweetness and Deals of Sweetness received free product in exchange for an honest review. Participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

doTERRA Essential Oils Giveaway

 

Hosted by: Tales From A Southern Mom

Sponsored by: Tricia at The Nourish

 

All natural relief for so many ailments! This is a great opportunity to try essential oils.

Doterra is a very high quality of oils Classified as a “therapeutic grade” essential oil, the products only needs to contain 3% of the actual essential plant oil itself, and may contain up to 97% other ingredients, including solvents, fillers, pesticides, or other contaminants. These are the real deal and you will get real results! 

Tricia is also hosting three webinars for you to learn all you would want to know. Learn how to be your own healer in your home and learn how essential oils can be cheaper, safer and more effective than over the counter medicine. This is an info packed 45 minutes that enables you to take control of your health and the health of your family. Register now for FREE! Available dates and registration links: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM MDT https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4387939061259436290 Mon, Sep 8, 2014 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM MDT https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7391630005994706178 Tue, Sep 9, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MDT https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7293654723866852866

Read Tales From A Southern Mom's review HERE and see what she thought of the essential oils. You will find even more uses for it in your home.

Enter below and Good Luck!

   

Entry-Form

  Disclosure: Mixed Bag Mama did not receive compensation for this post and is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Number Construction Giveaway

Constructing Numbers Giveaway Sponsored by Learning Resources

Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

Co-Hosted by Deals of Sweetness

Kids love to build, so why not turn their construction experience into a learning experience? With Number Construction from Learning Resources, building numbers is a snap! Not only does it encourage learning numbers, but children get to practice their fine-motor skills as well!
Emilee from Pea of Sweetness loves activities that help encourage learning while working on other skills like fine-motor skills as well! They have been having a blast with Number Construction. See what they thought in full of this great number building activity!
One winner will receive Number Construction from Learning Resources. This giveaway begins on 9/4 and ends on 9/18 at 10:00pm (times are Central) and is open to US residents ages 18+. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

Entry-Form

  Disclosure: Emilee from both Pea of Sweetness and Deals of Sweetness received free product in exchange for an honest review. Participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

DIY Wednesday-Felt Board

            Hey folks! It's been a looong time since I've done a DIY Wednesday post (or any non-giveaway post, for that matter!), so I thought I would start September off with one! Felt has become one of my new favorite crafting materials in the past several months. I mean, what's not to love with it being so cheap, right? We have an awesome toy box that one of my mom's friends generously gave to us when we moved back home and it has a felt board on one side, which I thought was totally awesome. However, Myka is still young and would get somewhat frustrated when the pieces wouldn't stay where she wanted them to. So, again with felt being so cheap, I thought I would make our own felt boards!

What You'll Need:
-Cardboard or Foam Board
-1/2 yard of felt in whatever color you want (NOTE: The stuff I bought at Walmart wasn't actually felt. To be honest, I can't remember what it was called exactly, but it looked, felt, and behaved just like felt does.)
-Hot glue gun or spray adhesive
-Scissors

1) Cut some cardboard or foam board to the size you want. We, of course, had just had all of our cardboard boxes taken for recycling the day before, so we bought a cheap foam board at Walmart.
2) Cut your felt slightly larger than the board so that it will reach around to the back side. I cut mine about 1-1 1/2 inches larger.

Felt on left, board on right

3) Center your board in the middle of the felt.

4) Secure two opposing sides of your felt to the back of your board.

5) Next, fold your corners in, kind of like you would when wrapping a gift. You may also want to glue them in place. It's up to you.

6) With your corners folded in, flip that side of the felt over and secure it to the back of your board. You may also want to use extra glue to secure the corner pieces since they're thicker.

7) Let it dry for a bit just to be safe and you're done! Be sure to go around any loose edges and add extra adhesive/glue, especially if you have little ones that like to pick at things. lol

Our letter "B" felt activity. Cute, huh?

Tips and side notes:

-You may want to cut the corners some if they are really thick. I did that on my black felt board and it was a lot easier gluing it down and not so bulky.

-Be sure to pull tight when you are gluing the edges down so the felt is nice and taut against the board on the front. 

-I'm sure you can buy felt boards at stores, but isn't it nice that you can make your own whatever size and color you want? 

-Myka seems to like this one better so far since there's no chance of the pieces falling off since we can lay it flat. 

-Depending on how small you make yours, this could be a fun activity to take on car trips!

All photos copyright of Alicia Owen.