Tell Me Thursday - 2 Hearts

This picture is of Lydia's and my wrist, with purple hearts drawn on with a purple Sharpie marker.  She was pretty sad before I left for my last work trip, and I read somewhere in blog-world about someone doing something similar for their child that was missing them during the day.

I drew the hearts so she had a visual reminder that I was thinking of her, and carrying her with me all the way to Canada.  The hearts faded, but Bo was great and re-drew her heart for her each day until I came home.  The picture of her little wrist with the heart is my iPhone wallpaper right now.

It was a simple gesture, but she seemed to like the idea and it may become one of those family traditions.  (And, when she's an adult and gets a heart tattooed on her wrist, I'll have only myself to blame.  LOL!)

Disney Live in Phoenix!

We are thrilled at the chance to attend the latest Disney Live show -- Mickey's Magic Show -- in just a couple weeks here in Phoenix. 

The show will feature a variety of magic tricks, including the Fairy Godmother turning Cinderella's rags into a beautiful dress!  I know Lydia will be entranced, and I'm sure the boys will have a good time as well.

Mickey's Magic Show will be in Phoenix only on October 16 and 17, 2010.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

You can see a quick video of the fun at the Disney Live website.

I have a great discount for my readers!  If you use the code MAGIC at Ticketmaster,  you can get $5 off all tickets (except VIP and Front Row.)  This is the deepest discount being offered - - exclusively for blog readers!

I hope to see you at the show, or  hear about the fun you had.  I know Lydia can't wait to see her princesses!

*Disclosure:  Feld Entertainment has generously provided me with tickets for my family to attend the Saturday afternoon performance.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Wordless Wednesday - 2 Hearts

Review: Libman Mop and Giveaway!

Have I mentioned our new floors?  Okay, I know that I have!  One of the things that I love about having only laminate and tile (just 2 more rooms to do!) is that we won't need a vacuum cleaner anymore.

Libman sent me one of their Freedom mops to try out, and the entire family loves it!  You can see Nate using it in our living room.  What you couldn't know unless I told you, is that he picked it up and started using it with absolutely no prompting!  He saw the mop, grabbed it and tried it out.  When I asked him what he thought, he said it worked pretty good.

What I like about the Libman Freedom Mop is that the microfiber cloths that attach to the bottom can be washed in the washing machine, which means I'm not creating more garbage.  I also received an extra pad, so when one is in the wash, the mop can still be used.  The other thing I liked is that the spray bottle can be filled with whatever cleaning solution I choose -- vinegar, water & a bit of essential oil gets the job done!

But, the real question is: How does it work?  I'm happy to report that it does a great job on both our tile and our laminate floors.  The spray nozzle spreads the cleaning solution in front of the mop and the microfiber pads do a great job of scrubbing the floor.  I'm also happy using it without the spray in areas like the living room and hallway just to get the dust off the floor.

It's also easy for kids to use!  It's lightweight and both boys have no problem using it when their chores include cleaning floors. 

These mops are made in the USA by a 4th generation, family-owned company.  As well as trying to be green whenever possible, we also try to buy USA-made whenever possible!

I have to mention again how it is eco-friendly since you don't have to purchase brand-specific items as refills, and the pads are fully washable (company information says at least 50 times).  I can see the Libman Freedom Mop lasting a long time!

Visit their website for a $5 rebate on the Freedom Mop, or visit their Facebook page to see what promotions they are currently running.  You'll find the mop in most major retailers for a MSRP of $19.99 - $24.99.

One of my readers can see for themselves!  Libman has generously offered to send a Libman Freedom Mop to one of my readers.  Take note of the mandatory information to fill out the Giveaway Form.  This giveaway will end on October 8, 2010.  (Look on my right sidebar for the link to my giveaway rules page.)

Giveaway Name:  Freedom Mop

Mandatory Question: Tell me what cleaning job you dread around your house!

Good Luck!!

*Disclosure: I received a Libman Freedom Mop and refill pad thanks to a blogger tour arranged by Mom Bloggers Club for Libman.  They also provided the product to giveaway.  No additional compensation was provided.*

What Have We Been Doing?

It's been a busy few weeks around here.  I had the opportunity to travel to both Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Vancouver, British Columbia in the last 2 weeks to provide training, as well as teaching classes locally every day I wasn't traveling.  It was great seeing 2 cities I had never visited before, and I wish I had the chance to do some sightseeing while I was there!

Bo has been very busy around the house as well.  He was struck by a remodeling bug apparently, and has been updating our 9yo house like mad.  I mentioned our newly remodeled bedroom a while back, but since then he has also torn out the living room floor and replaced it, torn out the carpeting in the hallway and replaced it with laminate, finished the archway into our office, painted the hallway, and is in the process of remodeling the 2nd bathroom.  He has painted, replaced fixtures, and is in the process of replacing the vanity as well.  It's going to look awesome in there when he's done!  There's even talk of replacing our kitchen island.

Everyone always asks about the kids when I travel, but the kids do just fine.  We have always had a strong family bond and Bo has always been extremely involved with our kids.  While I know they miss me, they also miss Bo when he travels.  I have no worries when I travel and Bo is the primary caregiver as he is an awesome Dad.  There are no silly jokes around here about Dads who don't know how to cook, or clean, or get the kids to bed.  He does it all.  Of course, it's always easier when we're both around to handle it all, but we're both perfectly capable of picking up the slack when one is gone.

I don't have any trips on the horizon, so I know that I will be doing some of the behind the scenes things that go along with remodeling -- like cleaning out cupboards and organizing. We had our home built 9 years ago, and moved in October 2, 2001.  I'm excited about the changes we're making to update things a bit, and glad that we're able to get them done.

Review: WaterPik SinuSense

Colin hates to have a runny nose, and he's prone to sinus infections.  When we had the chance to try out a couple of the new products in Waterpik's Sinus Health line, I wasn't sure if he'd be willing to squirt saline solution into his nose and let it drain back out.

The discomfort of a stuffy nose won out, and he was a willing participant in testing out the SinuSense squeeze bottle and the SinuSense neti bottle.  I'm still surprised he did it, but I did it as well so I knew it wouldn't be awful. 

We followed the directions and filled the bottle with warm, distilled water and added a saline packet.  Then he flushed his nose with the solution.  He said it definitely felt weird, but when he felt the relief, he was willing to do it again!  I think that's a pretty strong recommendation coming from a 9 year old!  However, he wasn't willing to let me take a video of the process, so you'll just have to take my word that it works (even if it's kinda gross.)

He has used both the squeeze bottle and the neti bottle a few times over the last month, at his request.  He prefers the neti bottle, as the flow is slower and easier for him to control.  They have provided him with relief, and it doesn't involve any OTC medication, which I like.

I'll admit that I have read about how great neti pots are for quite a while, but was never willing to try one before.  Now that we have, I know we'll continue to use them!

*Disclosure:  Thanks to WaterPik and MomSelect, we received product to facilitate this review.  Opinions and comments are solely mine.* 

Review: KNOW Magazine

Just because the boys are attending public school these days, doesn't mean that we don't continue to find the lessons in living life. I am always on the lookout for good supplements, and was very pleased to learn about the magazine, KNOW.  The magazine is geared for 6-9 year olds and are all about science.

The science programs at the boys' school is pretty weak, which made me even happier to learn about this magazine.  Each issue (published every other month) is packed with articles about scientific theories, facts and experiments. 

The reading level is perfect for 2nd - 4th graders while being engaging and interesting.  Colin is usually ready to read anything he can get his hands on, but Nate was also interested in reading the sample magazine we received and enjoyed it! 

This magazine depends solely on subscriptions and does not have any outside advertising. Subscriptions would make great gifts for all the young scientists you know -- especially with the holidays only a couple months away.

*Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by  Mom Central on behalf of Mad Science 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.*

Review: Uncrustables

Sometimes, (okay, I confess -- a lot of times), I need quick, easy food that I can give not only to my children, but also myself.  I will also confess that I don't really like crusts.  I do like peanut butter and jelly, though, so I like the ease of Uncrustables.


Smucker's Uncrustables are perfect for those days when we want to run out to the zoo or botanical gardens.  I can pack them, and they're ready to eat by lunchtime.  Most Uncrustables have peanut butter and jelly, but one version has peanut butter and honey -- which is good for the child that doesn't like jelly.

Another new product from Smucker's are Snack'n Waffles with flavoring that only require 15 seconds in the microwave!  Mornings are pretty hectic around here, so something that can be popped in the microwave for 15 seconds and then eaten out of hand is welcomed some days. 

We've kept a box of Uncrustables in our freezer for a long time now, but I think we'll also be adding a box of Snack'n Waffles!


*Disclosure: Thanks to Smucker's and Mom Central, I received coupons to try these products and also will receive a gift card.*

Tell Me Thursday - Stutter

This is the face of Nate's stutter.

I was snapping pictures at baseball on Saturday, and caught Nate mid-stutter.  The picture doesn't adequately express the physical strain his stutter puts on his upper body, but you can begin to see the strain around his eyes and some around his throat and mouth.

His stutter is more than just his speech.  On the worst days, it's a physical struggle that takes a toll on his young body. 

He's working with the same speech pathologist as last year, but instead of the solo meetings of last year, he is with a group of 3 other children with different speech impediments. I don't see much progress since he has returned to speech therapy, and I think it is partly because of the lack of individualized attention and partly because of the adjustment of going to school.  He has shared his frustration with me that he doesn't have as many opportunities to practice his speech this year because of the group setting.

I'm beginning to formulate some plans to get him additional help, but until then we'll continue to listen patiently, educate others, and remind him to breathe.   It's a constant struggle for him, and this picture begins to share some of that struggle.

Wordless Wednesday - Stutter