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Friday, March 1, 2013
As if you Needed Another Reason to Love Cereal!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Why not?
I really loved being a blogger but put it on the back burner when I became a Macaroni Kid Publisher mom! Well I decided to get things back in gear and start working on my blog again. I will start actively searching for fun content that I believe you would enjoy, good deals online and of course giveaways.
~Trisha (HIP)
There will also be a bit of "me" in this as well given that I am still a very busy mom, stepmom, wife, daughter , contest enterer and entreprenuer! I will use this as my sounding board for fun, what's happening and what you shouldn't miss!
Happy to be back! HUGS!
~Trisha (HIP)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Fall is here and flu season is on its way
I don't know about you, but the thought of getting the flu really makes me cringe. Given that we have three children, it doesn't take long for one of us to get it, and then pass it to the next and the next, and well you get the picture. This did happen a few years ago, and well I will be doing everything in my power to help keep us flu free this year. I would love to share some tips that I have found to really help in keeping our household happy and healthy.
First thing is so basic, but I just can't encourage it enough. The one thing that we saw on our cruise were signs that hand washing for atleast 30 seconds with warm water. I really encourage all of the children to take their time and wash their hands really well.
Next thing that is to remember to keep sanitizer with your diaper bags, purse or vehicle. While nothing replaces traditional hand washing, sanitizing when there is not an opportunity to wash also helps kill germs. When shopping, touching shopping carts, door knobs and other commonly touched items can pass germs from one person to the next.
Another thing that I enforce in my home are strict bed times. Keeping the children's bodies well rested will keep their immune system strong and will help them fight all of those germs that they are encountering at school. This is actually a great recommendation that we all could work on. I do get the children to bed at their appropriate times, but I can't say that I do the same for myself. I really can be better about going to bed at an earlier and waking up at the same time every day.
My last recommendation is to keep vitamins and oranges handy. I really try to encourage the kids to eat an orange rather than drink the orange juice but either way they are getting the vitamin-c to help fight those cold and flu germs. Not only do the kids get all of the basic vitamins and minerals that they aren't getting through their diets, but also they are getting and extra dose of the ones that they do. It is a win-win all around!
Do you have any tips to keep your kids healthy?
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
First thing is so basic, but I just can't encourage it enough. The one thing that we saw on our cruise were signs that hand washing for atleast 30 seconds with warm water. I really encourage all of the children to take their time and wash their hands really well.
Next thing that is to remember to keep sanitizer with your diaper bags, purse or vehicle. While nothing replaces traditional hand washing, sanitizing when there is not an opportunity to wash also helps kill germs. When shopping, touching shopping carts, door knobs and other commonly touched items can pass germs from one person to the next.
Another thing that I enforce in my home are strict bed times. Keeping the children's bodies well rested will keep their immune system strong and will help them fight all of those germs that they are encountering at school. This is actually a great recommendation that we all could work on. I do get the children to bed at their appropriate times, but I can't say that I do the same for myself. I really can be better about going to bed at an earlier and waking up at the same time every day.
My last recommendation is to keep vitamins and oranges handy. I really try to encourage the kids to eat an orange rather than drink the orange juice but either way they are getting the vitamin-c to help fight those cold and flu germs. Not only do the kids get all of the basic vitamins and minerals that they aren't getting through their diets, but also they are getting and extra dose of the ones that they do. It is a win-win all around!
Do you have any tips to keep your kids healthy?
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Struggling to get organized? Especially in the kids room!
If you know me, one the biggest challenges that I have in my house is space. We really don't have large closets or large pantries. No crawl spaces or basements, we pretty much have a coat closet that holds maybe 10 coats and everyone's shoes, one storage closet and a very very sad pantry. Well since that is the case, I really need to research and see what others are doing to help organize our house. Since we have three children, all different ages, it can be tough to keep things in their place. Here are my organizing tips that I used for my daughters room.
1. Use your vertical space. We have a net posted up in the corner of the room that helps hold all of my daughter's stuffed animals. It keeps them out of the way but if she wants to play with them, we can get them down easily.
2. Use the "under the bed" space. Clear plastic containers are your friends. These long narrow bins are great for board games. The kids can take them out and put them back as they please.
3. Chalk board paint on the walls will all your children to express themselves, but will get rid of that big bulky easel in their room. Sell the easel at the next garage sale or donate it to another child in need!
4. Bins are great! Ikea has some really fun colorful storage bin organizers for kids and they hold plenty.
5. Ziplock bags are not only sandwiches. I buy the freezer bags in a variety of sizes to try to keep all of the pieces to each toy together. Freezer bags cost a little more, but are much stronger and will last alot longer. The zipper bags are great and easy for little fingers to open and close.
6. You can also use a six shelf organizer which hangs in the closet. The nice thing about these are that you can plan a weeks worth of outfits and not have to worry about what they need to wear until next week. Also this allows you time to get rid of any clothing that doesn't fit and get it donated.
7. Bookshelfs are a wonderful tool. Encourage reading by having one shelf dedicated only to books and use baskets to fill the second shelf for sock or underwear. Always remember to anchor these to the wall so that they don't fall over. Very Dangerous!
8. Use a closet doubler! Since children have smaller clothing, you can really expand our their closets and put all of their clothing hung up. Amazon has a great one here for only 11 bucks! You can't beat that.
9. A great way to organize all of those bows, hair things and costume jewelery is by hanging a jewelery organizer on the back of the door. Plenty of pouches with a clear lining will allow your daughter to see all of her fun clips without having to dig around looking for matches.
10. My last tip is to just constantly purge and donate. We have so much stuff in our home, that we have a donation bin going at all times. I also love knowing that I can help others in need as well.
Do you have any tips? Post em!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hot Wheels® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
1. Use your vertical space. We have a net posted up in the corner of the room that helps hold all of my daughter's stuffed animals. It keeps them out of the way but if she wants to play with them, we can get them down easily.
2. Use the "under the bed" space. Clear plastic containers are your friends. These long narrow bins are great for board games. The kids can take them out and put them back as they please.
3. Chalk board paint on the walls will all your children to express themselves, but will get rid of that big bulky easel in their room. Sell the easel at the next garage sale or donate it to another child in need!
4. Bins are great! Ikea has some really fun colorful storage bin organizers for kids and they hold plenty.
5. Ziplock bags are not only sandwiches. I buy the freezer bags in a variety of sizes to try to keep all of the pieces to each toy together. Freezer bags cost a little more, but are much stronger and will last alot longer. The zipper bags are great and easy for little fingers to open and close.
6. You can also use a six shelf organizer which hangs in the closet. The nice thing about these are that you can plan a weeks worth of outfits and not have to worry about what they need to wear until next week. Also this allows you time to get rid of any clothing that doesn't fit and get it donated.
7. Bookshelfs are a wonderful tool. Encourage reading by having one shelf dedicated only to books and use baskets to fill the second shelf for sock or underwear. Always remember to anchor these to the wall so that they don't fall over. Very Dangerous!
8. Use a closet doubler! Since children have smaller clothing, you can really expand our their closets and put all of their clothing hung up. Amazon has a great one here for only 11 bucks! You can't beat that.
9. A great way to organize all of those bows, hair things and costume jewelery is by hanging a jewelery organizer on the back of the door. Plenty of pouches with a clear lining will allow your daughter to see all of her fun clips without having to dig around looking for matches.
10. My last tip is to just constantly purge and donate. We have so much stuff in our home, that we have a donation bin going at all times. I also love knowing that I can help others in need as well.
Do you have any tips? Post em!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hot Wheels® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Temps are cooling off, time to get outside!
After a record year 100 degree plus days, I am super excited that things seem to be finally cooling off. I tend to keep the kids inside more during those super hot days with the exception of taking them to the pool. I find it is just too hot here in Houston to take them to the zoo and places like that. Now that fall is coming (which is my favorite time of year) we can start doing all of the fun things that we had missed out on all summer We are a pretty active family. We all enjoy football games, fishing, bike riding, playing in the park. We play games like ladder ball and horseshoes.
A year or so ago we actually tackled a new game that really we really enjoy. We are learning how to play Frisbee golf. This encompasses everything that I love about being out with my family. Ironically enough there are frisbee courses all over the place. And just like golf, each course seems to have its own personality complete with obstacles, but since it takes place in the woods, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty around you.
Another new thing that we tackled this year was camping. We took all three children to the Sam Houston National Forest and this was a wonderful experience for everyone. The kids got to fish all of the time, cook out on an open fire, set up camp sites and swim. Needless to say that I was in desperate need for a washing machine and my own toilet, but well eventhough we all got dirty, I feel that it was a great experience for the children and I believe something that they will remember.
Speaking of dirty, Clorox 2 is doing a promotion encouraging families to get outside and get dirty. If you take their "Pledge to Play" you will also be entered into a sweepstakes with some pretty fantastic prizes. Haven't you always wanted to take the kids to Yosemite National Park? I can tell you that that vacation is already on our wish list and well if Clorox 2 wants to send us there, I would be nothing but thankful.
Here it the link to the contest:
http://clorox.promo.eprize.com/play2day/:b=firefox3/
So I encourage all of you to check out this awesome giveaway and get yourselves outside. If you have a moment, I would love for you to share with me, what your family's favorite outdoor activities are.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
A year or so ago we actually tackled a new game that really we really enjoy. We are learning how to play Frisbee golf. This encompasses everything that I love about being out with my family. Ironically enough there are frisbee courses all over the place. And just like golf, each course seems to have its own personality complete with obstacles, but since it takes place in the woods, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty around you.
Another new thing that we tackled this year was camping. We took all three children to the Sam Houston National Forest and this was a wonderful experience for everyone. The kids got to fish all of the time, cook out on an open fire, set up camp sites and swim. Needless to say that I was in desperate need for a washing machine and my own toilet, but well eventhough we all got dirty, I feel that it was a great experience for the children and I believe something that they will remember.
Speaking of dirty, Clorox 2 is doing a promotion encouraging families to get outside and get dirty. If you take their "Pledge to Play" you will also be entered into a sweepstakes with some pretty fantastic prizes. Haven't you always wanted to take the kids to Yosemite National Park? I can tell you that that vacation is already on our wish list and well if Clorox 2 wants to send us there, I would be nothing but thankful.
Here it the link to the contest:
http://clorox.promo.eprize.com/play2day/:b=firefox3/
So I encourage all of you to check out this awesome giveaway and get yourselves outside. If you have a moment, I would love for you to share with me, what your family's favorite outdoor activities are.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Day Baby was Born
We just celebrated my daughters third birthday party this weekend and it really makes me sad to think about how old she already is. I realize now that I missed out on documenting some of the amazing moments in my daughters first years of life. My daughter was born well before I even had a facebook account. I read my girlfriend's updates about their process and I really am bummed that I wasn't able to share each step of my pregnancy online. I wasn't able to update my facebook account when she was born and given that I am such a huge fan of social media, I feel like I missed out. I have family all over the country and my mom is in Florida while I am in Texas. I like anything that will help me keep in touch with them. That is when I discovered this amazing application called The Day Baby was Born. Here are the different functions that this app does depending on how much time you want to spend on it.
Basically what you are able to do is create a storybook of the birth of your baby. The more work you put into it, well the more amazing your book will be. What I would give!
Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
So what do you think? Isn't this the neatest thing that you have seen in some time? As many of you know, I am in a HUGE play group in my neighborhood and well people are always getting pregnant. I just can't wait to share this tool with them. I wouldn't change a thing about my daughter. I love every hair on her beautiful head, but I wish I would have been a better documenter. She is most likely going to be my only one so I won't be able to go back. All I can do now is try to capture as much as I can moving forward. If you are in a similar issue that I am, well just start now!
I would love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this super neat application.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tommee Tippee blogging contest for a chance to get a gift pack worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Basically what you are able to do is create a storybook of the birth of your baby. The more work you put into it, well the more amazing your book will be. What I would give!
- Facebook Wall comments and well-wishes by friends and family through pregnancy and birth announcements
- Your pregnancy journal from each week of the journey to the birth day
- News, facts and information from the day your baby was born
- Your personal story and letter to baby to preserve forever the feelings from that day
- It’s is a simple way to create a beautiful record of the world at the moment your baby arrived
Check it out for yourself by clicking here.
So what do you think? Isn't this the neatest thing that you have seen in some time? As many of you know, I am in a HUGE play group in my neighborhood and well people are always getting pregnant. I just can't wait to share this tool with them. I wouldn't change a thing about my daughter. I love every hair on her beautiful head, but I wish I would have been a better documenter. She is most likely going to be my only one so I won't be able to go back. All I can do now is try to capture as much as I can moving forward. If you are in a similar issue that I am, well just start now!
I would love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this super neat application.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tommee Tippee blogging contest for a chance to get a gift pack worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My Little Diva
As many of you know, I have a toddler who is going to be turning three in just a few weeks and lately I have been noticing some changes in my little girl. She has recently started twirling her hair, standing with her hand on her hip and picking out her own clothes to wear. The funny thing about this is that I have never twirled my hair and I don't think that I pose. Where does she learn these things? My little princes not only has her own little attitude but I am finding that she also has her own sense of style.
My daughter seems to gravitate towards anything that has butterflies on it. She loves bright girly colors like pinks, yellow and oranges. She won't leave the house without her Sketchers Flip Flops that light up. She loves the flashing look of them. In fact she has gravitated toward anything "blingy.' What I can say about my daughter is that she loves to stand out!
Samantha picks out clothing that is always on the rack. She really enjoys shopping with mommy in the store and when I am looking for my clothing she will tell me that it is Sammie's turn to shop and we immediately have to go to the toddler section. She really enjoys wearing clothes that have her favorite characters on them she prefers stores like JCPenney's and Kohls because there are lots of these types of outfits there. Some of her favorite characters are Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob, Elmo and Dora. When she isn't looking for certain people, she gravitates towards the outfits that are very colorful and coordinated. Her favorite outfit was purchased from JCPenneys and is a purple tu tu sparkly skirt with a fun purple spray painted looked shirt with hearts on it.
I look at my little princess and see how she is the complete opposite of her mother. I was always a tomboy complete with a plain t-shirt, jean shorts and a pony tail to keep my hair out of my face. I always wore gym shoes and usually was playing dodge ball with the other boys in the neighborhood. Samantha loves tiaras, accessories and looking pretty. She demands to wear hair bows and they must match with a color that she is already wearing. She loves bracelets, necklaces and purses and enjoys dancing. She has her own style that is uniquely hers and I truly enjoy learning about preferences and passions daily. I think she is growing up so quick and well in a few weeks my two year old will be three. God really blessed me with a little angel that is the highlight of my life.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and jcpenney blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
My daughter seems to gravitate towards anything that has butterflies on it. She loves bright girly colors like pinks, yellow and oranges. She won't leave the house without her Sketchers Flip Flops that light up. She loves the flashing look of them. In fact she has gravitated toward anything "blingy.' What I can say about my daughter is that she loves to stand out!
Samantha picks out clothing that is always on the rack. She really enjoys shopping with mommy in the store and when I am looking for my clothing she will tell me that it is Sammie's turn to shop and we immediately have to go to the toddler section. She really enjoys wearing clothes that have her favorite characters on them she prefers stores like JCPenney's and Kohls because there are lots of these types of outfits there. Some of her favorite characters are Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob, Elmo and Dora. When she isn't looking for certain people, she gravitates towards the outfits that are very colorful and coordinated. Her favorite outfit was purchased from JCPenneys and is a purple tu tu sparkly skirt with a fun purple spray painted looked shirt with hearts on it.
I look at my little princess and see how she is the complete opposite of her mother. I was always a tomboy complete with a plain t-shirt, jean shorts and a pony tail to keep my hair out of my face. I always wore gym shoes and usually was playing dodge ball with the other boys in the neighborhood. Samantha loves tiaras, accessories and looking pretty. She demands to wear hair bows and they must match with a color that she is already wearing. She loves bracelets, necklaces and purses and enjoys dancing. She has her own style that is uniquely hers and I truly enjoy learning about preferences and passions daily. I think she is growing up so quick and well in a few weeks my two year old will be three. God really blessed me with a little angel that is the highlight of my life.
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and jcpenney blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
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