Brighter Minds: A Review and Giveaway!

This Contest is now closed! Thanks for everyone who entered! The very lucky winner is: babakers5 !! CoGrAtUlAtIoNs!!~~

I loved Home Schooling Nathaniel for three years! This year was the first year that he attended public school. For him, it was a good move. I do plan on Home Educating Caleb and Madelyn. I am so happy I found the Company: Brighter Minds! This will help make home school more fun with some of their products!
Brighter Minds is an educational publisher dedicated to improving learning for children aged 3 to 12. They have been publishing award winning software and print materials since 1998. They are based in Columbus, Ohio and Toronto, Canada and count leading educators, artists and animators among their staff.
Their products have been translated into over 15 different languages and published in 25+ countries. They continue to look forward to publishing fun, award winning, educational materials for children and they seek your input in doing so.
I am really looking forward to using the 30 minute a Day learning books with Caleb and Madelyn. I like the idea behind the books. I also love the Brighter Minds board books! They are colorful and educational. I think the Moo, Moo Who are you? is our favorite!
Here are some of the great products that Brighter Minds offers:
30 Minute a Day Learning System: Preschool $15.95
Take the guess work out of helping your child prepare for Preschool! Children will enjoy the five animal characters illustrating each lesson in the 50 days of activities. Your child will build new knowledge and strengthen existing skills with 396 pages of subject material that gradually becomes more challenging.
Includes:
50 days of activities designed for pre-school aged children
30 minutes of activities each day
Vibrant full color illustrations
Fun animal friends, including Quincy the Duck and Paige the Pig
Assessment pages help you determine where your child may need extra help
Tips included on how to use everyday items and locations to reinforce the day's material
Certificate of completion to recognize your child's hard work!

30 Minute a Day Learning System: Kindergarten $15.95
Skills Taught:
Writing letters and numbers
Coin identification
Rhyming words and poetry
Number sequencing and counting by twos
Identifying time

30 Minute a Day Learning System: Grade 1 $15.95
Skills Taught:
Single digit addition and subtraction
Math word problems with addition and subtraction
Letter sounds and sequencing
Sentence structure (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
Reading for comprehension

Feeling Happy $6.95
The PBS KIDS characters have many different feelings - can you name them all?
Rhyming text and colorful illustrations describe six different feelings in this book about emotions. Six faces on the spinning wheel correspond to the six feelings - children will enjoy matching the PBS KIDS characters' feelings with the faces on the spinning wheel and learning that all feelings are okay to have. An end-of-book guide will help parents or caregivers with ways to encourage children to express their emotions.

The Great Cake $6.95
Join happy dogs Yao and Rico as they try to make the perfect birthday cake for their friend Oppenheimer. It's Oppenheimer's birthday and his friends want to surprise him with a special birthday cake. Can you help them count the ingredients? Each page features a new ingredient and a cut out number for finger tracing and counting. For parents and caregivers, there's an end-of-book guide on how to bring numbers and counting into daily activities.

Moo, Moo Who Are You? $7.95Spike the elephant and Jango the giraffe have never been to a farm. They make plenty of friends during their visit, while learning about the sounds that farm animals make. Moo Moo, Who Are You? features colorful illustrations and fold out flaps with real photographs. Rhymes on each page help children learn about farm animals and a special end-of-book guide gives parents or caregivers ideas of how to make more animal connections.
Features:
fold-out pages
guide for the parent or caregiver to follow

Thomas and Friends: Special Delivery $19.95
James is asked to make an important delivery to the zoo, but he gets lost along the way. Sir Topham Hatt sends a search party to look for him. Can you help Thomas and Harold find James and get him and the animals to the zoo on time?

WOULD YOU LIKE A CHANCE TO WIN A GREAT EDUCATIONAL PACKAGE FROM BRIGHTER MINDS?
Bighter minds is generously offering a Sassyfrazz reader this gift package valued at $57.75:
30 Minute a Day: Preschool, Feeling Happy, The Great Cake, Moo, Moo Who Are You?, and Thomas and Friends: Special Delivery!
This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers from ANYWHERE~ yep, that's right, International, Canada, and USA!! Go check out Brighter Minds site, and take a look around. Come back here and comment on another product that they offer.
You can have extra chances to win, you can blog about this contest and link to me, just comment again with your link to the post. You can also grab my button from the top right side bar, and link to my give away for another chance. If you visit everyday of the contest, go ahead and comment again. :) This contest is open until May 20th, at 7:00 PM CST.

Sunshine! Pictues!

Here are the pictures from our walk on Monday. Madelyn feel asleep first, leaning on Caleb. Then, through the walk, Caleb leaned his head over on his little sister's head, and fell asleep himself. It was the sweetest thing.
I am happy that my kiddos are little enough to sit together in the front of the stroller. While babysitting, I really should have a triple stroller, but at $300, that is stretching my wallet too far. So, this is the way we roll with Claudia in the back, for now. I may have to check a bit more into those triple strollers for next year.
Caleb was completely exhausted! I took Madelyn out (when she woke up), and Caleb just leaned forward and was non-coherent.

Mother's Day Giveaway

Join in the fun with a Mother's Day Giveaway Event at Hip Mama's Place!

There are fabulous, sure-to-pamper-mom treats for 10 lucky moms- bloggers and non-bloggers! To participate in this contest, just comment on this post with your three choices of prizes from the two Special Treats baskets. Then add your name to Mr Linky's list. Please include your email address in your comment if you don't have a blog so she has a way to contact you in case you win. This contest is open to all moms in the US and Canada. Come join the fun! I really hope to win, because I have an extra special reason to celebrate Mother's Day this year!

That Baby DVD and CD~Review and great contest!

I really think it is great that more and more DVD's are made with kids doing the entertaining! That Baby DVD is made especially for kids, and parents like it, too. There are some classic songs on there made popular by artists like Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, 10,000 Maniacs, The Pretenders, and more with colorful visuals for kids age 0-5. There is a That Baby CD that goes great with this DVD that you can take with you in the car. Here are the titles to the songs.

1. Happiness Runs/Circle Game

2. Sunday Sun

3. When We Grow Up
4. Pony Boy

5. Brass In Pocket
6. Get Together
7. Garden Song
8. Anything is Possible
9. Songbird

10. These are the Days

11. Three Little Birds, 12. I Will, 13. St. Judy's Comet

I really like the flow of the main singer's voice. It is so relaxing and soothing. My kids loved watching the kids on the movie, and danced with them. The kids are very interactive on the DVD.
Would you like to purchase That Baby DVD? Click here!

Enter the coupon code "MotherTalk" when purchasing and save 20% on your entire order! From now until May 18th, all orders using the coupon code "MotherTalk" will be entered in a drawing to win a new iPod nano.

This review is made possible from Mother Talk.

Keurig: A review of a great coffee machine!

I LOVE coffee! I drink coffee everyday, and I know it is relaxing to have my cup of Joe in the morning. We drink quite a bit of coffee at our home. Terry has cut back some, but he does like to come home and have a good, hot, and flavorful cup of coffee when he gets home from work. That is why I just really love our Keurig Special Edition B60 coffee machine! I like that there is 3 different brew sizes: 5.25, 7.25, and 9.25 ounces. The smallest cup makes the strongest cup of coffee. I like that there is a removable drip tray, so I can make a thermos mug for on the go coffee. Terry really likes this option since he leaves for work early in the morning and has a 45 minute commute. There is also a programmable blue backlit LCD light and message center, so we can chose special settings on the temperature of the coffee, or to have the machine turn off. I really like the conveinence of this amazing machine! When we have company over, I can make each of them exactly what they want. If they want hot cocoa, tea, coffee (regular, decaf, or flavored)...they can have it, and pick how strong they would like it made. All I have to do is make sure the removable 48 ounce water reservoir is filled, insert the K-Cup, and push the button that I would like. When everything is in place, the buttons blink. I like that the machine won't run unless the lever is pulled up and put back down. This makes it a bit more safe with kids around. I also like this feature if I just want some really hot water. You can chose from over 190 K-Cups for your machine: coffee, tea, and cocoa. The chrome accents on the machine makes it look so classy, and stylish, too. Keurig also offers brewers for home or at work. If you have any questions about the Keurig machines you can click here.

Sunshine!

Today was a gorgeous day! I love Spring! The birds were singing, and the smells outside were glorious! I babysat today, and I took the kiddos out for a 3 mile walk. It was great to be outside again! I took them for a walk last week (the one nice day out) and I was looking forward to that today. Instead of carrying Madelyn in my wrap, like last week, I put her in the front of the stroller with Caleb. So, I had 2 kiddos in the front seat, and Claudia in the second seat. I really need a triple stroller! It would make life so much easier! They are super expensive, though. It was so sweet during the walk, because Madelyn was so incredibly tired. She leaned over and rested her tiny head on her brother. Caleb put his head down on her and kissed her. He was snuggling her, too. I really wish I had a camcorder to record that. It was beyond precious. Then, Maddie fell asleep. We kept on walking, and Caleb was getting sleepy. He put his head down on the arm rest, and I let him know he could put his head back. I told him he didn't need to go to sleep, and that it is just more comfortable. Then, he was out. During this time frame, Claudia kept trying to turn around and get up. I don't have straps in my stroller, so, I took my coat and tied her in. At first she did not like that, but she got over it. Then, she was starting to fuss and cry, so I kind of rocked the stroller back and forth while walking. This got her giggling, and then she drifted off....just before home. So, she was up. Then, Maddie was up (short nap), and Caleb stayed sleeping as I lugged him inside and on to the bed.

I was happy to get outside and enjoy the sunshine today! After work, I picked up Nathaniel and his friend. Then, we went home to have supper. I had a loss at Weight Watchers tonight, so I was happy about that.

Now I am tired, so I should go to bed. Good night~ More reviews and contests this week~stay tuned!

Huggies Cleanteam: A Review

With my kids outside longer now, with the summery days finally here, I am just loving the Huggies Cleanteam hand soap! What I really like about this hand pump is, the Hippo Head! Henry the Hippo lights up when you push his head down. The soap comes out, and kids start scrubbing. My kids really like the foam soap. The kids need to wash with the soap, until the blinking light turns off! This process is 20 seconds. Many kids rush through hand washing, and don't fully clean their hands. I am all about clean hands! Especially with all the times my kids have been sick this year!

I really think that the New Huggies Cleanteam products are great!

I just used the Sammy Snake conditioning shampoo while giving the kids a bath tonight. I love the smell...kind of like blueberries, but it is Blue Mellon scent! I really like that the shampoo is tear-free! I think this bottle was easy to open while I was bathing Madelyn and Caleb. It also made putting their hair in a crazy style, while washing, easy!

With Caleb just around the corner from potty training (WE ALL HOPE), I am so thankful for Huggies Cleanteam flushable wipes! I like that I can put this container next to his chair, and Caleb can pull the wipes out easy with the pop up tub. The wipes are made easy for little hands, smell good, and they are pre-moistened! I like that they are flushable, too! It is hard enough to potty train, and toilet paper can be a challenge with a beginner. This makes life so much easier.

Cleanteam products are available at Target, Wal-Mart,and some local drug and grocery stores.

Good Times!

I had a great weekend! Friday night, as I mentioned, we went out for dinner with my dear friend, Jennifer, her hubby and their son. Then, Saturday, Jennifer and Brody came over about lunch time. The day went so fast! Poor Brody was having a tough day. He was overly tired coming to our house, and Jennifer had to hear him scream the whole time she drove to my house. I feel bad for her and him. Then, about 5-10 minutes from my house (wouldn't you know it) he fell asleep. She tried to lay him down when they got here, but that didn't work out so well. So, Brody and Maddie played for about 45 minutes and then we went to McDonald's. Brody screamed his little heart out was upset the whole way there. He was fine once he had food in front of him. I was so impressed with this older gentleman at McDonald's. He saw me walking with the tray and holding Madelyn. He was in front of me before I could place the tray on the table. He had a high chair for me ready, with the tray off! Talk about being a gentleman! I was so touched! He asked me if I wanted the tray. I said no, and he said he would put it away for me! Wasn't that nice? I wish more people like this man were out in our world. Somewhere people have lost touch with the good 'ol chivalry! After McDee's we went to the grocery store. I needed a few items, and Jennifer wanted hair color. She asked me to cut and highlight her hair, and I was happy to do this for her. I figure I need all the experience I can get.
Then, we went back to my house. I forgot to mention that Nathaniel was with us, and Brody was not impressed by him, for some reason. I know Brody was tired, but I felt bad for Nathaniel, because every time he was around Brody, he screamed and cried. So, we had the tunes of Brody's wails on the way home, too. He was fortunate to get about a 30 minute nap, while I was preparing Jennifer's hair. I just got in the first foil, and he woke up. We put him in the pack in play, with his bottle of milk. He threw up, and then, we gave him some Tylenol. Jennifer said his teeth were really bothering him. Needless to say, we did get her hair highlighted and cut between our kiddos having some issues. I think it turned out really cute. I cut it a little shorter than Jennifer and I would have liked, but all in all...I like it a lot. I hope she will continue to like it. Thanks for the great day, and the experience, Jennifer!
Today, we decided to play hookie from church and clean some things in our home. I cleaned both bathrooms (thoroughly), and Terry fixed a few items on the "honey-do list," while doing the laundry. I know I don't like to skip church, but I really felt like we needed to do this. Plus, it was a really nice day, finally, and I knew Terry wanted to get the pontoon and the dock in. He was at the train show on Saturday with Caleb and his mom. He was gone most all day on Saturday, so he didn't really get anytime at home. At noon, I left to go see Jennifer! (Day 3 with her!) We went to a play at the Ordway in St. Paul. It was a good play, and fun. I would say it was a bit risky, but there were some chuckles from Jennifer, her sister Roxanne, and I. We got free tickets from Jen's sister, Tami. Thanks Tami! It was a good time, with LOADS of laughs! I was even in tears from laughing so hard. Thanks for a great day, Jennifer!
Tonight, we ate supper, and got the kid's baths done. Then, we went out for a family pontoon ride. It was a bit chilly, but it was great to be on the lake again!

I am feeling a bit spoiled!

I was so excited when Terry said, "Can you see if you can get a sitter for tonight?" He wanted to go to a dinner and a movie. We got a sitter lined up, but she couldn't stay real late, so my friend Jennifer, her husband, and their sweet boy met us in the cities for dinner. We went to one of my favorite restaurants~ Granite City Brewery. I love that restaurant. Their food is so tasty! Jennifer and I decided to each order something different, and we split our meals with each other. That way we each had two (smaller) meals. I know what I ate wasn't in my plan with Weight Watchers, but boy, did it taste good! Her little guy, Brody, is so cute! He is almost one year old. He was a happy little trooper most of the time we were there. He LOVED the pickle he was chewing on...until it fell on the floor. Fortunately, Terry had another pickle. He was happy. I had a near-perfect steak. waffle fries (YUM) with their special sauce. Jennifer ordered the shrimp Alfredo with veggies. All of it was great!
I also get to see Jennifer and Brody tomorrow! They are going to come spend the day with me, Madelyn and Nathaniel tomorrow. Terry and Caleb are going to a train show. I think her and I are going to lounge in our jammies (I am for sure) and just enjoy being together. I think we may even try our hand at some Mario Kart...for memory sake. Or, we just may have to play some Wii!
If her sister mailed off the tickets, I will see Jennifer on Sunday, too! I know~ that is super! 3 days in a row! Trust me, we can handle it! We are possibly going to a play. I won't say what yet, until after the fact for security reasons. I hope it all works out! Either way, I am so thankful for tonight and tomorrow!

May Babywearing Photo Contest

Marni Matyus, owner of Peppermint and The Sling Station says, “Baby slings are the most effective and simple way to maintain the warm, natural connection a child has with its mother.”

So, in honor of May being Mother’s Day month, The Baby Sling Blog would like to see our babywearing photos that show our special connection.
Contest deadline, Friday, May 23.
Prize: A free pair of BabyLegs!

Caleb is in "that stage"

Caleb is a part of the groupie otherwise known as "terrible twos." This stage really doesn't start at two, like some believe, but it is actually at 2 1/2 or 3 depending on the child. Caleb has been a bit on the defiant side, loves to scream or make other obnoxious unruly noises, and just a bit on the disrespectful and disobedient side. I am learning a great deal of patience during this time, and trying to figure out what works with Caleb. I am a born yeller. It is not my best quality, but I have that tendency. Really, it seems there is a link to yelling and feeling a release~kind of therapeutic in a way. OK, I know it is not good, and it is something I am aiming to overcome. It has helped to take a deep breath just before I discipline or redirect the kids.
Some of the things Caleb does, or says, is really rather funny. I would never intentionally laugh out loud when he does them, though. I am a bit fuzzy on some of the things he says while I type this, but I will have to write them down and do an update on here. Here is some of the things he says:
You're upnoxious
I am the parent
I'm really frustrated!
He is really trying to open his wings of independence right now, too. He likes to "be a mini parent" to Nathaniel. He likes to put on his (fill in the blank~shirt, socks, jeans, shoes) himself, now.
Really, though, Caleb is a great kiddo...it is just a trying time in his life. I just need to remember that his is ONLY 2. He will be 3 on May 25th. :)
On a different note, Caleb has an amazing memory! He knows when we are in St. Paul just by looking around. He remembers things we say weeks/months ago! He really amazes us with his memory capacity!

Mother's Day Blog Bash giveaway~Please read! :)

Motherhood is something I have wanted the longest in my life. Ever since I was a toddler, I wanted to be a "mommy." I played with dollies like they were my babies. I started babysitting at an early age. I absolutely, positively LOVE children! I have always spent more time interacting with kids than adults. OK~I know I just really like kiddos.
THEN, at age 21 I was a rebellious "Christian College" student who just graduated. It was time to Part-Y? I really don't know why I got so "wild" back then. I was living with a friend, and her and I for some reason weren't getting along as well, so I hid behind that reason and stayed most nights at my "boyfriend's" house. I say that in quotes because he was pretty much just someone to party with. I drank a lot, worked at a gas station, and just was living life. I knew I was living a "worldly life of sin." So, one night I just prayed for a way out, and the VERY NEXT DAY~ I kid you not, my sister called and asked me to move to Tennessee to live with her. She was accepting a job down there. Can I just say, "Amen" to that. It was completely an answer to prayer. However, once we were down there...a few weeks later, the pee test revealed I was pregnant! I was scared, afraid, worried, and freaking out (among all the other feelings)! What was I going to do? This was not at all what I dreamed of as a young child! What did I do? To sum up a longer story, I got myself put together...and my sister, her daughter, and I moved back to MN. Things were really rocky with my unborn baby's dad and I. I saw a mentor at the Crisis Pregnancy center. It turns out she went to my home church. She was great! I decided (and prayed over) to go in front of our church with a confession. I knew it was the Biblical thing, and I also didn't want anyone talking around about it...just to get it out in the open. That was a very hard thing to do. I didn't say all that I wanted to, because I was bawling like crazy. The sweetest and most loving thing my brother did, was he came up to the pulpit, and wrapped his arm around me. WHAT A SUPPORT LINK! I know that having a child out of wedlock and sex before marriage was wrong, but God gave me a blessing~Nathaniel~out of a choice that I made.
From that moment on in the pregnancy, I just fell completely, and utterly in love with my baby. I no longer worried about how everything would work. I knew God would be with me. I had looked into and prayed about adoption. I just wanted the best for my baby, and to offer my baby what I thought I couldn't give. God showed me the answer was to raise my baby and trust him.
When it was time to welcome my baby into the world, I had the best nurse. She was a Christian and in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) with my cousin. She was such a great coach and encourager. My friend, Naomi, was my labor coach, and she was so loving and caring. (THANKS NAOMI). I will have to share all of my labor stories sometime, but with my first baby...I pushed for 20 minutes. They said that was good for first time mom. When I heard him cry, and they put my precious little miracle on my belly, I just fell so in love! I never knew such love existed. I mean, I love my parents, family, niece's and nephews...friends...but my baby? My own flesh in blood, my dear sweet Nathaniel. He was such a blessing to me! God has given me such a wonderful son! God chose me for him, and him for me! I wish I could get pictures of my first little baby, Nathaniel, on here. He is now 9 years old. He is growing up so fast!



What I didn't know about Motherhood when I wasn't a mom...but I know now is:
*absolute, complete unconditional love.
*loving beyond measure.*such a great protection and fear for them.
*I am the most influential person in their life (that is great, and terrifying!)
*I am solely responsible for them 24/7...and I am always their source of guidance.
*I know when they are hurt, sometimes even before they do.
*I know when they wake up, without hearing them first.
*If someone mistreats, hurts, or is "mean" to my kid, I want to beat them up...even if they are a kid, too.
*I understand sacrifice on such a greater level! Sacrifice of sleep, money, will power, personal pleasures, time...etc. But aren't our kiddos worth it?
*I didn't realize I would actually love to wake up in the middle of the night to nurse my babies.
*I didn't realize I would go into my kiddo's room to check on them time and time again...just to watch them sleep. (or to make sure they are still breathing)
**I really didn't realize that Motherhood carried so many job titles: nurse, teacher, psychologist, referee, cook/chef, maid, caretaker, clown, cheerleader, and now beautician (with my first little girl).
I know I missed several "jobs" in my list.

*Being a MOM is the best, and most rewarding job! My dream from childhood is true. I am a mom to three wonderful children! All of them are such amazing works of God's hands. He has given me more than I could have wished for! I wouldn't say that I am done having kids, but it is all in God's hands. :)