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Explore the magical winter wonderland now open at Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Florida! Catch a performance of Cirque Dreams Unwrapped Live, visit the stunning ICE! featuring A CHRISTMAS STORY and dine at The Elf on the Shelf Character Breakfast! These exclusive holiday events are open daily through January 6, 2019!
I was invited as media to cover this event. All opinions are my own.
My grandfather lost his battle with lung cancer in September. Both of my grandfathers passed from lung cancer actually, hence my reason for never picking up a cigarette, ever. Their deaths were 30 years apart – almost to the day – but the pain has stuck with me. It’s never easy losing someone you love. While I was a kid when my Papa Bob passed, I was able to be there for my Papa George during his tough days. Watching my Granny and other family members take on his everyday care was truly a learning experience for me. Today I’m sharing caregiver tips and the importance of joining a support group for yourself.
This post is sponsored by Depend, Poise, Ensure, and Glucerna but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I was invited as media to cover this event. All opinions are my own.
Over the weekend my family and I had the amazing opportunity to visit Discovery Cove and SeaWorld to learn about Rising Tide Conservation. This program focuses on the protection of our coral reefs through sustainable aquaculture. At this time up to 90 percent of saltwater aquarium fish are wild caught, so only 10 percent would be considered sustainable aquaculture.
Rising Tide Conservation is teaming up with over 48 facilities, which include public aquaria, research universities, marine fish producers, and aquarium wholesalers and retailers to get the word out about increasing the amount of captive-breed marine aquarium fish. This initiative is trying to discover methods to captive-breed saltwater aquarium fish to help reduce the need to take these amazing aquatic species away from the reefs. Through this initiative Rising Tide Conservation has successfully reared over 16 species of marine aquarium fish including: yellow tang, jackknife fish, porkfish, lancer dragonet, silver moony, and semicircle angelfish. By purchasing captive-breed aquatic fish rather than fish that are taken from the coral reef, we as consumers can help limit the negative impact on our coral reefs. [Read more…]
Have you ever been displaced or lost your home? Unfortunately the children and families of Syria are living in that very situation right now. The Syrian war has produced the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II – displacing more than 6.6 million people. Can you even imagine?
Care.org is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. With their efforts they’ve reached over 2 million Syrians with relief from food baskets to emergency shelter, and even letters of hope. As the Syrian conflict drags on past the five-year mark, Care.org is teaming up with WWII refugees to send letters of encouragement and understanding.
Are you pregnant for the first time? Congratulations! If you’re looking for a helpful source on what to expect while pregnant, check out the article below.
Understanding the First Trimester of Pregnancy
A pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters, each lasting 12-14 weeks. The most significant developmental changes occur during the first trimester, which starts during week 1 and ends after week 12 of gestation.
The more you know about how your body is changing and how your baby is growing, the more prepared you will be to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Changes in Your Body
Every woman will have a different experience during pregnancy, but there are a number of physiological changes that are most commonly reported.
Tenderness of the breasts is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Breast tenderness is caused by the body preparing the milk ducts in the breasts to feed your baby.
I’m going to step on my soapbox for a minute to share how proud I am to be a blogger. I think we have one of the best occupations out there. We get to do what we love, all from the comforts of our home, enjoying extra family time, and experiencing unforgettable moments during our travels. Speaking of traveling, as established bloggers we are sometimes invited on media events, like Disney press junkets, where we get to interact with other blogging buddies that we don’t normally get to see. Our blogging community is a BIG one and boy can we be powerful when spreading a message.
Recently, our community came together for a young blogging family whose husband and father tragically passed away at the age of 35. I met Tiffany on a past press trip and while we only talked briefly, I knew she was a sweet soul. When I learned of her heart wrenching situation I was devastated for her. As a blogging family ourselves, I couldn’t imagine losing my husband at our age. Our family life is just beginning! I am so proud of our blogging community for wrapping a giant hug around Tiffany during this unimaginable time in her life. My friend Teresa created a GoFundMe page, and Andrew put together this wonderful Disney giveaway in her honor. [Read more…]
Thanks to FilterBuy for sponsoring today’s post.
Did you know there’s roughly 7 million children in the US that are affected by asthma? That is a lot of kids! Are you or your child affected by asthma?
According to the American Lung Association, asthma is one of the leading chronic childhood disorders which is mostly triggered by allergens, respiratory infections, and inhaled irritants. We want to make sure all parents are well-informed about this disease. Below is a helpful guide to childhood asthma including risk factors, triggers, and preventative measures. [Read more…]
I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for GoodNites* TRU-FIT*. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.
Are you concerned about your child’s bedwetting? If you’re looking for advice on this discreet topic, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing facts about bedwetting, plus tips for parents and children.
Children love music, and it’s important to nurture your child’s creativity. That means that if they are attracted to a musical instrument, it can be beneficial to you as a parent and beneficial to them as an inquisitive child to allow them the chance to follow their passion.
One of the most popular musical instruments to learn is the piano. The piano can be fun to learn at any age, but it’s a great thing to start as a child. Many piano teachers prefer that children do not start before the age of five.
At five and older, the children are better able to focus, they are more developed for concentrating and for working the keys on the piano. This doesn’t mean that you might not have a little Mozart that can play amazingly at a younger age, but it’s better to let them explore on their own at that age instead of spending money on classes.
A bride’s moment is when she slips on her beautiful wedding dress and presents herself to the groom for the first time. In that moment time stands still. There can be an audience, big or small, and it wouldn’t matter. That moment between a soon to be husband and wife, taking their first look at one another before exchanging wedding vows is the moment a bride waits her entire life for.
I remember that moment between my husband and I like it was yesterday. (It was really 9 years ago) Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting parts about being a bride. Finding the perfect wedding dress is an adventure, but when you know, you know. It’s the dress that makes you look and feel your best.
It’s hard to think about spring and summer attire in the middle of winter. During the coldest months, the hottest suits and beachwear trends are probably the last things on your mind. However, most clothing companies start to tout their upcoming spring (and even summer) collections once the new year hits. You don’t want to get left behind - let’s take a closer look at some of the most enticing new warm weather trends for 2015 for men, women, and kids.
Men
There’s no shortage of fun new styles for men in the new year. Even during the coldest months, it’s easy to find shirts, sweaters, outerwear that not only look great, but also keep you warm and comfortable. Some of the season’s top choices include:
Cal pants: These comfortable and stylish pants combine the versatility of jeans and the comfort of soft khakis. This style works just as well for a day in the office as it does for a cocktail party or a trek to the beach. Open top back pockets, a flat front, and dual side slip pockets add a stylish look to these pants, whether you wear them with flip flops or a dressier shoe.
Heather men’s 1/4 zip pullover: Good for year-round use thanks to a unique 100 percent Pima interlock cotton material. A 1/4 zip closure makes it easy to cool off or zip up for chillier days. The mock collar pairs just as well with jeans as it does with dressier khaki pants.
Moisturewicking prep performance: From bolder shades such as sunset and fairway green to subtler hues, this performance polo shirt conveniently blends style and function. Keep sweat stains at bay whether you’re on the golf course, at work, or relaxing at the beach. [Read more…]
This is a partnered post on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are my own, and may differ from yours.
Remember the Walgreens Race Around America Sweepstakes I shared with you earlier this year? Well it’s in the final lap in the sweeps where 4 lucky winners will score a free trip to the Miami Homestead NASCAR race next month, and the chance to drive off with the ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang!!
Head to racearoundamerica.com to check out the latest webisode and vote for the final upgrades in the ROUSH Mustang. Don’t let the black and white checkered flag wave before you’ve registered for your chance to win! No purchase is necessary to win. Entering is easy.
[Read more…]
Joan is providing a guest post today for those still dealing with chilling temps and looking for ways to cut electric costs.
Nothing is better after a brisk autumn hike, winter sledding session or just getting caught in the rain than a nice, cozy home to come back to. With electricity prices on the rise, however, it can become expensive to keep the home at as comfortable a temperature as it could be. Children are especially sensitive to the cold, since their smaller size means they lose heat more easily, and elderly pets will also appreciate being kept snug and warm.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep the home cozy without spending every last cent on heating bills. Keeping throw blankets around the house in busy rooms makes the house look and feel comfortable while still providing an easy extra layer of warmth. Electric blankets can do wonders for a chilly bedroom and even pre-warm the bed for you, which means no more cold feet. Many people find they sleep better in a cold room, and an electric blanket lets you turn down the heat without sacrificing comfort. [Read more…]
Hi everyone! With the constant changes Facebook makes to business pages, I’ve decided to create a private Facebook group for My Boys and Their Toys. Just a tad bit of background info – unless I pay for my readers to view my blog status updates, only a VERY small portion of you guys see my posts. I don’t think that’s right. Especially when it’s upwards of $60 PER status update to reach all 7500+ of you! Yes, crazy right??! I think I’ve found a solution with a new Facebook group.
The purpose of the private Facebook group is to reach my readers who are really interested in the up-to-date information happening on the site. Readers can also interact at any time by posing questions or chiming in whenever they’d like. When you are in a private group, you receive updates via a notification on Facebook. It’s a great way to reach all of you without being limited by Facebook and paying. Yippee! 🙂 And I promise to keep the updates to a minimum of just a few a day, if that.
I will still keep up the blog Facebook page because all the companies I work with require it, however you will be more likely to see blog updates through the private page. What do you think of the idea? Love it? Hate it?
I will be hosting private giveaways on there, starting with our first one on Monday. So head over to the group and join now! I hope to see you there! 🙂
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of VSP Direct.
As many of you know, just over a month ago L was diagnosed with estropia. It’s an eye condition that requires corrective lenses, or eyeglasses. Unfortunately because Nate nor myself have vision issues in our immediate families, we never opted for vision insurance. Boy are we kicking ourselves now. L’s first optometrist appointment cost us more than $600! Now a doctor visit is required every three months for check-ups and to make sure that the eyeglasses are helping correct his refractive errors.
I am so glad I came across VSP Direct, offered by VSP Vision Care. It is premium individual vision insurance at a seriously affordable cost, and it gives you access to a large selection of frames, including dozens of top brand names like bebe.
I’ve partnered with H&R Block & The Motherhood, but opinions are my own.
H&R Block is asking teachers across America How BIG is a Billion? That’s how many dollars are left behind each year when people do their own taxes. Because a billion dollars is so hard to imagine H&R Block has created this fun contest to help visualize just how much a billion dollars looks like, while giving back to our schools.
The H&R Block How Big is a Billion contest is a new educational program that asks teachers to turn the idea of a billion dollars into a math assignment for a chance to win a $3,000 grant.
With my husband being an Elementary Assistant Principal, I asked him to spread the news to his teachers about this awesome contest. He’s posed the challenge to his 4th and 5th grade teams to get their students involved and help illustrate the concept of a billion dollars. Teachers will select 8 of their very best illustrations to upload to the H&R Block Dollars & Sense Facebook page.
Here’s a few great examples for the How BIG is a Billion Contest:
This is a partnered post. All opinions are my own, and may differ from yours.
New Year’s is right around the corner, can you believe it? What’s one of your goals for the New Year? If it has anything to do with dropping a few pounds, you are not alone. According to CNN losing weight has been the number 1 resolution for Americans for the last several years.
Many people start a weight loss regimen for other reasons too, like an upcoming wedding, or Spring Break vacation. Well, why not give yourself a goal and a gift for making it to your target weight? Dressfirst.com has a beautiful assortment of special occasion dresses, including wedding dresses. These dresses are gorgeous!!
Each year we typically receive at lease one wedding invitation and I can’t wear the same dress to each event, right? 😉 Recently I’ve been eyeing a few of Dressfirst.com’s cocktail dresses. Check out this Chiffon Tulle Cocktail Dress. Talk about classy, and beautiful.
I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Maytag. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
Maytag needs your help to select the best candidate for the 2013 Maytag Dependable Leader Award! This award recognizes someone committed to making a difference in the lives of youth – through America’s Vote competition.
As a member of the Children’s Claritin Mom Crew, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit. No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience.
Be prepared for back to school allergies with these children’s allergy tips:
1. Be sure to have Children’s Claritin, the #1 pediatrician-recommended non-drowsy allergy brand, on hand!
2. Multi-vitamins are building blocks to having a strong immune system. Make taking a multi-vitamin part of your child’s daily routine. Gummy vitamins work best for my little guys. I never get any resistance!
3. Let there be light! Mold doesn’t like sunlight, so try to keep your curtains open during the day.
[Read more…]
When selecting a destination for a family vacation, there are many considerations that must be made. Certain families enjoy partaking in certain activities over others. Some destinations can provide quite an array of activities which provide variety for families. One of these destinations that are not normally thought of as a family destination is the city of Las Vegas.
Of course Las Vegas is well known for its casinos, however many casinos do offer other activities at their venue that can appeal to most families. For example, one of these is the Bellagio Casino. The front part of the property includes an immense fountain that provides several daily shows. These shows include a choreographed show along with music that is synchronized with the actions of the fountain. Lights are also included in the display which helps make this an excellent sight to see when in Vegas. The music played with the show comes from different genres. Another sight in which to partake while at the Bellagio is the Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Here many beautiful plants and flowers can be observed. This can also be the site for live musical performances that are held periodically. [Read more…]
Becoming a foster parent gives you the chance to make a vast difference to the life of a child, but it is not easy. You need to have deep reserves of patience and commitment but giving a stable and supportive home to a vulnerable child could become the most fulfilling and satisfying experience of your life.
There are 62,000 children living with foster families in the UK today according to data supplied by UK fostering agencies. With more children than ever before being placed in care, it is estimated that a further 9,000 foster homes are needed. A foster home is a safe and nurturing environment for a child to live in. It is always temporary but placements can vary from the short to the long term.
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Playtex.
I’m breaking out of my barrier here to broach a topic most committed couples know quite well. Like most men, my husband is ready anytime, anywhere, but not me. If I’m not clean, it’s not happening. Yep, I’m a clean freak even in the bedroom. 😉
Many couples can relate to the expression, “there’s just not enough time in the day.” Especially if they are parents to little ones. I find it difficult to take time for myself, let alone time for the two of us.
I have partnered with The Motherhood to bring you this sponsored post. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants parents to know that the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine.
Every year before school begins I get my vaccine. With over 1,100 students at my school it is very important to protect myself from all of the sneezing and coughing kiddos. At home we teach the importance of hygiene. We have trained our boys how to properly wash their hands, while singing the ABC song, and how to cover up their sneezes using the crook of the arm instead of using their hands.
Did you know that the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months old and older? Well, you can test your knowledge out at the CDC site here. I would highly recommend taking the quiz. [Read more…]
As many of you know I’ve been busy in Chicago this past week attending the largest blogger conference in the world, BlogHer. I made so many great connections both personally and professionally. One of the many businesses I ran into during the Blogher13 expo was La-Z-Boy with their fun display of furniture. I snapped a photo with one of the La-Z-Boy guys who happened to be sporting a suit that matched one of the chair designs at the display. It was definitely a creative approach to getting everyone’s attention.
The below content is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur’s Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
Every parent hopes to avoid dealing with head lice, but much like taxes, some things can’t always be avoided. In the United States alone, an estimated six to 12 million head lice infestations occur each year in school aged children.[i] If you are facing head lice after your child returns home from camp, there are resources available to help!
The Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice website is driven by experts who are also moms, so they get it. The site features basic information on the little critters like symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment options, and a variety of tools including: [Read more…]
Disclosure: This is a guest post.
When you apply for credit cards, or any financial product for that matter, you really need to know exactly what you’re signing up for. This means knowing the terms and conditions of the product before you officially sign yourself up. It’s surprising how many people are completely unaware of how their credit card account works, including the situations in which they may be charged extra fees, interest and penalties. Not knowing the basic facts about your credit card can make owning it very expensive indeed.
