Jennifer

Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin

October 29, 2010 by Jennifer 5 Comments

We have winners! Thanks to everyone who entered our Arm & Hammer™ Diaper Pail by Munchkin giveaway. Drum roll please:

Via Random.org

1. Comment 12 – Kimberly
2. Comment 95 – Harriet Daniel
3. Comment 74 – Heather Anne
4. Comment 7 – Nell
5. Comment 68 – Nicole D

Congrats to all our winners!

Remember there are more chances to win on Munchkin’s Facebook page. They want to hear a story or problem “that stinks!” All you need to do is go to their Facebook page and leave your story. Each Friday from now until Dec. 1, Munchkin will pick a winner from the Facebook posts to have their problem solved and receive an Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin. One grand-prize winner will also receive housecleaning sessions for one entire year, because “Cleaning Stinks! – But the Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin doesn’t!”

Is Tutoring Necessary

October 29, 2010 by Jennifer 2 Comments

In my honest opinion, I don’t think anyone can ever learn too much. Technology has now allowed us to provide online tutoring at home. This works so well with a mom’s busy schedule, believe me!

M and L are pretty smart if I do say so myself, but I know there are always rooms of improvement and I like to keep them challenged. M was really bored in school last year and it effected her outlook on school. This year has provided such a welcome change since the school is based on learning through centers and they are challenging her which she really needed.

I want to be able to work with them here at home as well but I kept realizing the workbooks that I was always picking up was just not cutting to the point with the girls. Enter Kaplan Tutoring!

We are participating in a 8 week tutoring course for both of the girls. I wasn’t sure what to expect but have overall been pleasantly surprised. There is a little character that is making the tutoring so much fun.

He helps the girls build houses with all their accomplishments. The tutorial lessons are very colorful and fun. It allows lots of engagement on the kids part. There is two parts to the lessons.

There is a reading tutorial:

There is a math tutorial:

As you can see, the lessons are a game and the kids are building up points for rewards. The girls get very excited to see their points go up each time they complete a lesson. We have just dived in here in the first two weeks are are past the pre-assessments. I will be back soon to give a full review on how well the tutoring is helping and challenging the girls.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Program by Mom Central on behalf of Kaplan and received the products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Fall Means Family Fun

October 29, 2010 by Jennifer 2 Comments

I just love this time of year.

Corn Mazes

Picking Pumpkins

Hay Rides

Just enjoying family fun! We had the best time at a local Corn Maze here in Raleigh, NC. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard in so long. This is definitely going to be a fall family tradition.

I will let the pictures tell the story…

It is time to have more Fall Fun this weekend… first top is the Church Fall Festival tonight. Everyone that will be out this weekend have a wonderful time and Be SAFE!

Happy Fall Ya’ll 🙂

Looking For a Great Holiday Travel Spot

October 27, 2010 by Jennifer 2 Comments

We have you covered for the upcoming Holidays thanks to Women on their Way by Wyndham Worldwide. They have just released their annual Top 10 Trips for True Holiday Spirit.

I have always wanted to start a yearly tradition around the Holidays that we could carry on through to when my girls have kids as well. The United States has so many different climates around the Holidays so the choices are really wide open!

From fun in the sun to frosty winter wonderlands, here are some of America’s favorite destinations that are featured on this year’s Top 10 list:

Branson, Missouri
Book a vacation rental unit in Branson for just $342 for seven nights at the Escapes! to Stonebridge Village this season. Known as the “Live music show capital of the world,” Branson, Missouri, is the place to rock out this holiday season. Experience the magic in Branson’s historic downtown, shopping district, and many, many Ozark Mountain Christmas shows.

San Antonio, Texas
No one does the holidays bigger than Texas—and with San Antonio as the state’s most frequently visited city, it’s definitely a holiday hotspot. Take in a Broadway show at the enchanting Majestic Theater, visit the historic Spanish missions, or immerse yourself in dining and entertainment along the vibrant banks of the Riverwalk for only $46 a night at the Microtel Inns and Suites San Antonio Downtown for certain weeks this December!

Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Split down the middle by California and Nevada’s borders, scenic Lake Tahoe is the perfect perennial vacation spot. Starting at only $50 a night, the Super 8 Lake Tahoe South will provide all the comforts of home and more. Recognized for its naturally sunny days and inches of snow during the winter months, Lake Tahoe is a skier’s paradise (or any winter sport lover, for that matter).

Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City, famed for sunny days, city parks and sporting events, sparkles with excitement—even in winter. Book your stay today for the low price of about $73 a night at the Denver Days Inn this holiday season and you’ll be able to enjoy Denver from a perfect location.

Atlanta, Georgia
Make your reservations on-line now to find winter deals at the Hawthorn Suites Atlanta for just under $90 a night. The city is a blur with activities, parades, holiday festivities and attractions throughout the season. With moderate temperatures and plenty of excitement, you’re bound to find something unique for the whole family to enjoy.

Alexandria, Virginia / Washington, D.C.
Washington and Alexandria are bustling throughout the holidays with magnificent classic scenery and tons of things to do. Let the staff at the Howard Johnson Inn exceed your expectations during your holiday stay for just $79 a night! Plus, with all the history in these timeless cities, you’ll really score a traditional trip this season!

And it doesn’t stop there! To see the full list of Top 10 Trips for True Holiday Spirit and bonus overseas hot spots, check out the Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide website.

To celebrate this great program Wyndham will be launching a promotion through the Women on Their Way by Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page today. For every 50 new fans the page receives, one fan, selected at random, will win 25,000 Wyndham Rewards points. (If you are already a fan, you can enter too – all you need to do is submit your email!) Good Luck!

How Do You Make Mom Friends

October 26, 2010 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Being in a new city with your family can be exciting and nerve wracking altogether. You are excited for the new journey but sad to leave your friends back home. Does this mean you must hole up inside your house with all curtains pulled and all blinds shut? No way! Girlfriend, you have the new city to explore.

Leave that shy trait in the closet and put on that precious smile. It is time to greet the outside world and meet some new friends… or maybe not? I know, it can be scary. My advice though is, you will never know till you try.

Where do I go though is the million dollar question? Well, since being in Raleigh for almost 3 months now, I have a few tips up my sleeve.

1. Volunteer – This is a biggie. I volunteer at my girls’ school and at church. I have met already some incredible moms that I just went up and started mingling with and striked up a conversation. I promise they will not bite. You will find right away if you will mesh or not, but 9 times out of 10, it will be a positive experience.

2. Social Media – Twitter and Blogging can be a mom’s best friend when moving to a new town. Some awesome moms have become really close friends and I know I can call on them anytime day or night and they would be there for me. We first reached out to each other through twitter, facebook and our blogs. Like it or not, Social Media is here to stay for a while so why not take full advantage of it!

3. Host a Party – Moms love to get out of the house and let their hair down so to speak. Host a fun party and invite moms. Create a bunco night, a book club, a bible study, or a girls night out. For instance, tonight I am helping with a Blogger Party to where I suggested I bring a couple pans of my Chicken Pot Pie. There will be several moms there that I have not met one time in person there. It’s going to be ok though because I have my chicken pot pie to hold my hand right? HA! For real though, be creative and think outside of the box on how you could host a fun mom party.

4. Join a Gym – Do you enjoy working out? Guess what, there are hundreds of other moms that love to work out too! Strike up a conversation about how much you love this exercise equipment (no sarcasm allowed) and you will have a friend for life. The key is not to be shy, and get yourself out there and open up your imagination. The gym is a great place to do that because there will be no judging allowed since you will both be sweaty and in gym clothes 🙂

5. Look for a Mom’s Group online. A simple google search for your area will bring up several choices I am sure. Even if you have to go to a retail store such as Gymboree and partake in a freebie class, then you can mingle with other moms and ask if there are any Mom’s Groups in the area.

It’s all about putting on a brave face and being personable. I have found this out so much since I have been here in Raleigh. I have no problem talking someone’s head off at any given moment now. I have put away my shy traits for good and it has helped me find some of the greatest friends. It has also helped my girls too since I am getting them out in the community more. They are making friends and are enjoying it so much more instead of looking at the walls in the house with all the curtains pulled. Shhh… I did do that once upon a time.

Let’s get to mingling moms 🙂

Jennifer

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