SUPERMOM CENTRAL

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

2007-11-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

Because it has been alot of work (and alot of fun!) to run all these great giveaways and contact everyone who wins, I've decided to designate this page to announce and inform Winners. All winners will receive a basic email from me, asking them to visit this page, see what they've won and contact me with the following info.:

- The details you need to choose on the product you've won (choice, size, color, etc. if it applies)

- Your shipping info.

- Authorization to release your email address and shipping info. to the vendor when necessary (to be used solely for getting your prize out to you)

If you are a winner and haven't responded within a week of receiving my notification email, I will (with great sadness) choose another winner, to ensure that somebody gets to enjoy the prize!

WINNERS

DownEast Basics Outfit (Rockstar Jeans, Your choice of Tee and a triple-string of pearls)......

Camille

Joshua Bell's "At Home With Friends" CD and a "Little Music Lovers" CD (your choice!)....

Chels

Harmony Booster Seat....

Jessica

Emma's Inspiration Car Window Decals

The Metcalf Family

Kobold Toys $25 Gift Cert

{littlefam}

Chipotle Dinner For 2, Gift Certificate

Steph

Amy Wilkey

Lisa Bradford

Danielle Mahoney

Lindsey Strauss

Musselman's Applesauce in a variety of flavors (a box full!)

Ann

A Holiday Tradition, Musselman's Style

2009-12-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

Every year I look forward to making my favorite holiday recipes with my kiddos! We have a great time making treats (as well as a mess) in the kitchen - measuring, taste-testing and then sharing the finished product with our family and friends. It's important to me to pass on to them this tradition, along with my meager cooking skills.

Recently Musselman's sent us some of their yummy applesauce flavors, along with a challenge to incorporate applesauce into a favorite holiday recipe. I couldn't wait to get started....

Fun, huh? Julia Child, eat your heart out! (Health bonus: replacing oil with applesauce in baking recipes is a great way to make your recipes more healthy!)

Here are the deets on the waffle recipe and how to make the syrup:

Pumpkin Waffles

1 C Musselman's Cinnamon Applesauce

1 C Sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 C pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Combine and beat together until smooth. Keeping the beaters going, slowly add approximately 2 C Flour.

Apple Cinnamon Syrup

While your batter is cooking in your waffle griddle, mix the following ingredients in a pan: 1/2 C Musselman's applesauce, 1/4 C Sugar, 1 TBS lemon juice, 1/2 C apple juice, 1 TBS cornstarch.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When boiling, add in 2 TBS butter. Reduce to low heat for 2 min. Serve immediately and bon appetite!

Hellmann's offers Real Holiday Helpings and a $25 AMEX gift card GIVEAWAY!

2009-12-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

When it comes to the holidays, I should have "Nostalgic" tatooed on my forehead. Christmastime for me is ALL about family traditions - passing them down, sharing them with others and starting new ones. I especially love spending lots of time in the kitchen with my little ones making holiday eats and treats.

Which is why I'm excited to tell you about a yummy new site and hook you up with a $25 AMEX gift card so you can get cookin' with your kiddos. Hellmann's Mayonaise has teamed up with professional chef Bobby Flay to offer Hellmann's Real Holiday Helpings: mouth-watering recipes, sweet coupons and even a chance to win free groceries for a year! Check out these gorgeous Turkey Cuban Sandwiches which I plan to impress our holiday guests with this year...

My favorite part of Hellmann's Real Holiday Helpings are the great instructional clips featuring Bobby Flay demonstrating how to make many of the delectable recipes offered. In most of the videos he's offering his tip to a mother/child team who are trying out the recipe. I love seeing families having fun in the kitchen together!

Hellman's set me up with a $25 AMEX gift card so I could try out some of their simply delicious recipes and would like to do the same for one lucky SuperMom Central reader!

GIVEAWAY:

Tell me which Hellmann's Holiday Helpings recipe you'd like to try and you'll be entered to win a $25 AMEX gift card!

EARN 1 ADDITIONAL ENTRY FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

- Tweet about this giveaway (include @supermomcentral so I see your tweet)

- sign up to receive SuperMom Central updates via email (top left corner)

Good luck!

Giveaway will end on Dec. 14th and winner will be chosen by random.org.

For Tiny Chicks and Little Dudes

2009-11-30T08:01:00.000-08:00

It's confession time: When the Imaginext Space Station came out earlier this year, I immediately bought it... for myself. Oh sure, it lives in Jude and Merrick's room and they think it's theirs, but secretly I look forward to playing with them with IT everyday! As a child I dreamed of becoming an astronaut and I guess I never got over it. The Imaginext Rocket has all sorts of cool sounds and lights, the wings fold out and the cockpit opens (Gabby's polly pocket princesses regularly take it out for a spin). It's well-loved in our home, both by young AND old.

Another family favorite around here are these Ring Flashcards by Mudpuppy. The kiddos love how fun and cheerful the illustrations are, I love sneaking learning into playtime. Plus, they fit nicely into a purse or diaper bag.

The commercials are everywhere for Uno Moo - thank heavens! Otherwise I might have overlooked this fantastic new game as nothing special. Instead, all 3 of my children have declared it their favorite game ever: Merrick's learning his colors, Gabby's learning to take turns, and Jude's learning good sportsmanship. Thanks to simple rules and supercute gamepieces, Uno Moo appeals to appeals to all ages and truly is a Family Game.

K'nex is always a hit at my house and their Sesame Street line is no exception. I feel like I'm passing along a bit of my childhood to my children when we play with Elmo or Ernie. Plus, K'nex sets pack big benefits to little ones! They encourage dexterity and hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills and creativity. In the wise words of Cookie Monster (my favorite Sesame Street character): "Me Like!"

Pretend play just got a little more Green with this Garden Hop Vegetable Tote, found at Kobold Toys. Made from super-soft velour, these friendly edibles are great for cuddling, shopping trips and sending subtle messages like "Buy Local" and "Eat Your Veggies!"

Hours of family enjoyment are in store with a Transparent Marble Run from Growing Tree Toys. My kiddos have just as much fun designing and building wacky tracks as they do watching the marbles fly down the ramps. Simple enough for little Merrick to enjoy, but sturdy enough for little Merrick's to step on. That's one tough educational toy!

Celebrate the sweet bond between mommy and baby with these Zoo Babies First Puzzles by Mudpuppy. Brightly colored creatures packed into this cute carry-case will delight your tiniest puzzle-lovers!

READ EVERYDAY!

These giggle-worth recommendations come from Jude & Gabby, who can never get enough bedtime stories. "Duck! Rabbit!" by Amy Krouse Rosenthall & Tom Lichtenheld is an excellent Beginning Reader book that has Jude in stitches every time we read it together (truth be told, it cracks me up too!). Plus it's got a sweet message about how everyone views the world differently.

Olivia is a fun-loving fictional fixture in our home! Gabby and I just love her spunk and enthusiasm for life - not to mention she's a fabulous dresser. What Gabs doesn't know is that the Olivia books author/illustrator, Ian Falconer, always slips art education into Olivia's adventures as well! "Dream Big" is my personal Olivia favorite, because it includes inspirational quotes from many of the worlds "biggest dreamers", like Walt Disney and Eleanor Roosevelt.

BUY HANDMADE!

Let your kiddos know how SUPER you think they are with a superhero cape proudly displaying their initial. Even better, these shiny capes (from the Etsy shop Everybody's Hero) are reversible so kiddos can have two secret identities. Velcro neck-closure ensures safety and easy on/off.

And the perfect addition to a world-saving cape is a magical wand to help you on your way! Handmade attention to detail make the Etsy shop Tweeling a great resource for "things for kids, inspired by kids".

While I purchased many of these products with my own money, a few were sent to me by various companies for review. I evaluated each the same (based on quality, price and value) and provided my honest opinions.

Green your Season

2009-12-08T00:46:00.000-08:00

It always amazes me the amount of papergoods we use during the holidays. Sometimes I feel like it undoes many of the eco-friendly practices I work so hard to instill in my children. However, I'm discovering that encouraging kiddos to give Mother Earth a Christmas Gift can be both fun and easy! Check out these simple ways that you and your little ones can Green your Holiday Season:

- Send out E-cards instead of snail mail holiday greetings. You can find darling ones offered by Fly Greetings (seen above), EGreetings, Hallmark, Blue Mountain, etc. that kids will love to help pick out.

photo found at watabaran.com

- If you just adore the tradition of physically sending Christmas cards, then make your own recycled paper as a family to send them on. Easy instructions can be found here.

- Give handmade gifts as often as possible. Even tiny hands can make something special for the ones they love. And you'll spare the earth all the wear-and-tear manufacturing takes our eco-system.

photo found at ehow.com

- Wrap holiday gifts in cloth, rather than paper. You can even use clothing your children have grown out of, cut into the right shape/size for your present. Check out this easy-peasy "how to" that demonstrates a Japanese cloth-tying that's perfect for holiday gifts.

photo found at merrimentdesign.com

- Wrap holiday gifts in paper you'd otherwise get rid of. Like this rad phone-book-wrapping-paper idea from Merriment. The Sunday Funnies works great too - and kiddos will love the creative look of their presents!

Don't forget to save the ribbon too!

More Time for Holiday Cheer, thanks to Dream Dinners

2009-12-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Are you doing the holiday freak out? I admit I am usually a total stress-ball during the Christmas season. I get so overwhelmed by all the holiday extras on my To-Do list that I neglect day-to-day tasks until everything piles up and swallows me whole. :) It always makes me sad to get to the end of the holidays and realize I didn't do more of what I love most: Be With My Kiddos.

Not this year! I've got a trick up my sleeve that is saving me mountains of time and scads of stress...

Dream Dinners

One fun night with my girlfriends was all it took to stock my freezer full of delicious meals I can pull out at a moment's notice. It was amazingly easy - they provide all the ingredients, recipes and directions, so everything is ready to go. I chatted with Becky and April while we put our meals together and an hour later I was walking out the door with my arms full!

My Dream Dinners have come in super handy...

- When we're out of the house all day and I don't have time to cook from scratch.

- When I was hosting a fancy dinner party.

- When I had my tonsils out and Brett was in charge of the kids, house and meals.

- When my littlest one got sick and I dropped all other mommy-duties to care for him.

- When a good friend had surgery and I wanted to take something extra yummy to her family.

Plus, Dream Dinners does all the homework for you, providing dietary information and photos of their monthly menu items. So it was easy for me to make healthy choices that I knew would work well with my family's tastes. My personal favorite has been the 3 Cheese Manicotti, which was so out-of-control good that I shed a tiny tear when it was all gone. Check out how cool their menus are:

The time I've saved with Dream Dinners has been awesome, but the sanity I've saved? Seriously priceless.

For Babes in Toyland

2009-11-30T08:02:00.000-08:00

Tip top of this list are the whimsical stuffed animal rattles from Ikea, and not just because these colorful creatures make me smile (which they do). But because when you buy an cute little Ikea softie they donate $1 to Unicef and Save The Children foundation. So cool - help other children while giving a sweet gift to your own! Want to know more? Go here.

The Cordoba Building Blocks from Kobold Toys are gorgeous, with whimsical details and bold colors. But these beautiful blocks are more than just eye candy - several have sensory-stimulating features like bells, mirrors and a prism that will fascinate tiny builders.

This is one of those toys that's so cute, I don't mind my kids leaving it around! The Birdhouse Xylophone, by Lamaze, lets your little ones make their own music with this fun take on a classic childhood instrument.

What baby wouldn't want a new friend hanging around? Especially a fun and friendly chimp like this guy on the Basile Activity Mirror, from Lilliputiens. Whether you place him on the crib, carseat or floor he's sure to keep your tiny one busy monkeying around!

I'm a sucker for modern twists on classic toys. The Wooden Stacking Toy, found at Oompa Toys, caught my eye with bright, fresh colors and a clean design that's missing the obnixious lights and sounds of it's retail store siblings.

READ EVERY DAY

Books are my very favorite Christmas gift for all ages! Your tiny ones are never too young to be read to and will be delighted by the sweet illustrations and storylines in the Little Books Boxed Set. Featured are Little Pea, Little Oink and Little Hoot, all having adventures and learning important lessons, while still charming the pants off readers.

BUY HANDMADE

Buying handmade benefits us all! Not only is it an eco-friendly way to support small business, but the treasures to be found on Etsy make wonderfully unique gifts. This Caterpillar to Butterfly Life Cycle toy will delight as well as educate. The pod is reversible to become a cocoon and comes with beautiful attachable wings. This is the kind of gift that will be passed on and cherished for many years to come.

For Lucky New Mums and Dads

2009-11-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

I'd love to put a Micralite Toro under every new mom's Christmas tree this year! Having this stroller along on our family outtings has truly changed the way I parent because I feel so much more mobile than ever before. It's light-weight portability makes it easy for me to bring along on our daily adventures and the one-handed steering is a multi-tasking mommy's dream. The Micralite Toro is a gift that offers young families something absolutely invaluable: Freedom.

While I wish I could send each of you a Micralite Toro, I'm pleased to announce that Scandinavian Child is letting me give one away to one lucky SuperMom Central reader!!! Go here to enter!

I always feel a little sorry for those sweet, first-time mums at baby showers. They look so fresh-faced, so relaxed, so RESTED. I wish I could find a way to spare them the stress & exhaustion that is about to consume them as they walk the floors with their crying babe at 3 am. When I discovered the Good Night's Baby Bakset at Distinct Gift Baskets I knew some one there shared my feelings! My favorite item included (along with a lullabye CD, bedtime board book, blanket and stuffie) is the "Sleep: A Practical Guide For Parents" book which, if nothing else, lets exhausted moms know they're not alone.

And speaking of sleep, how rad is this Travel Bed from Infantino? As a Traveling Mom I've lugged around more than my fair share of playpens, only to find that they don't fit in half the places we've stayed! I love that baby can sleep or play here and when it's time to go it folds up into a little purse small enough to fit under the seat of your car. Add in detachable pockets to hold baby stuff and be still my travel-lovin' heart!

Gone are the days when mobiles are the necessary eye-sore of the nursery! The Multi-Bird Mobile from Blabla is so adorable it makes me uterus hurt. Each sweet little tweet has it's own colorful personality, bringing whimsy and charm both mum and babe won't be able to resist.

The benefits of home-made babyfood need no longer be outweighed by practicality! The Beaba Babycook will do it all - steam, blend, warm and even defrost, all while retaining the healthy nutrients your baby needs. It's easy to use and even easier to clean.

Though I purchased many of these products with my own money, a few were sent to me by companies to review. I evaluated each the same (based on quality, price and value) and provided my honest opinions.

For Kool Kids

2009-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Headlining this age group is the VSmile Cyber Pocket by VTech because it appeals to the traveling mom in me! Take education and entertainment on the road with this easy-to-use writing pad and flip-top high res screen. It plays any VTech Smartridge and plugs into both TV (for big screen playing) and computer (for accessing online games and score keeping via the new Vlink). Best of all, it fits neatly into a backpack/carry-on, putting fun and learning at your child's fingertips anytime, anywhere!

I'm pretty sure this is my children's favorite piece of furniture! We've had the Ikea Mala Easel for 2 years now, have used and abused it almost daily and it's still going strong. I especially like that one side is a dry-erase board, the other a chalkboard so my kiddos can create with several different mediums. It folds up skinny, is light-weight and offers BIG fun at a tiny price!

Everyone needs a little place of their own! The T reehouse Bed Tent by Pacific Playtents provides a cozy corner for kiddos to imagine the day away. It's designed to attached to a mattress, for adventurous dreams as well.

For those little budding authors and rockstars in your midst, this diary from Mudpuppy is seriously too cool for school. If Santa is listening, I secretly want one of my own!

There's almost nothing I love more than building with my kiddos. And as rad as these K'nex vehicle examples look, my favorite part is all the wacky and wonderful gadgets we come up with on our own! That's what makes K'nex such an awesome gift for any child - the potential for creativity is positively endless.

Learning Wheels from Mudpuppy are a staple in our home - we've got the whole collection! Gabby spins the dial and Jude reads to her all about bugs, dinos, US cities, etc. They're especially handy for quiet times, car rides and church.

When Jude wouldn't stop begging to borrow my $300 camera to take photos of his toys, I put these cute Lego Digi-cams on the top of his Christmas list. Not only will these provide hours of artistic entertainment, but are extra fun on vacations. I'm excited to see what the wide world looks like through my 5 year old's eyes.

Hoping to work the 3 R's into your Green Christmas Giving? 4M's Soda Can Robug turns repurposing into a clever science project with truly unique results! The whole family can get involved in making a cute little pet that never needs feeding or cleaning. (Two thumbs up from my husband on this one)

READ EVERYDAY

Finding a great series is an excellent way to keep kiddos reading all year long. Faves at our house are Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrow (everyday adventures of two unlikely friends) and The Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osbourn (mystery and mayhem, mingled with education).

BUY HANDMADE!

Inspire ingenuity with handmade gifts! Not only is this paper airplane launcher from the Etsy shop Times 3 Toys just plain awesome, these types of toys show kids that they can make things themselves. Enjoy some old-fashioned fun and never worry about the batteries running out!

Though I purchased many of the products recommended here, a few were sent to me by various companies for review. I evaluated each the same (based on quality, price and value) and provided my honest opinions.

Teaching Children Charity: Project Teddy Bear and more

2009-12-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

This is such a wonderful time of year to teach your little ones about Charity. Particularly because Charity isn't just about donating time/money when asked - it's about proactively noticing the needs of the world around you and happily offering what you have to give. This can be a toughie for kiddos at Christmastime because there is so much outside focus on "getting" - on TV, in stores, even in schools.

As many of us dig dimes out of the couch cushions just to place a few presents under the tree this year, it can even be difficult as a parent to find ways to teach Charity at Christmas. And while I'm sure all of us would write a big fat check to our favorite cause if we had the cash to spare, I actually believe that there are many inexpensive ways to give to others, help the helpless, and instill in our little ones a love for the beauty of Charity.

For instance...

Project Teddy Bear

Bank of American Fork is collecting new and gently used stuffed animals for at-risk children at Orem & Midvale's Family Support and Treatment Centers. Stuffed animals are used primarily in play-therapy to aid children in the healing process.

You and your children can drop off teddy bears to any Bank Of American Fork locations (in both SLC and Utah Counties) anytime between now and Dec. 16th. The family centers they donate to care for thousands of children every year who have suffered great trauma or are in crisis. Sometimes a teddy bear is the only thing they have to hug.

I think all little ones can identify with the need for a special "buddy" - what a great way to help your children give to others just like them who are in need!

For more info. on Project Teddy Bear, go here.

The 12 Days of Christmas

This is a long-standing tradition I was raised with and one I'm thrilled to pass on to my little fam. We have always chosen a neighborhood family who could use some extra Christmas cheer (not so much financial as emotional need) and left anonymous gifts and notes on their doorstep each evening for 12 nights leading up to Christmas.

Many years my childhood family didn't have a quarter to spare and our 12 Days of Christmas gifts were meager or handmade. But we were united in the excitement of secretly uplifting someone around us and always looked forward to delivering the surprises each night. I remember my mom hoping that we wouldn't get caught because she wanted the receiving family to look at everyone as potential gifters and feel love from all around them.

You Can Do It Sam

My kiddos request this sweet book by Amy Hest several times throughout the year, but almost daily during the Christmas season. It's the story of a mother and son (Sam) who get up before the sun does to bake cakes and deliver them anonymously to their neighbors. Sam loves the quiet excitement of being on a charitable errand so early in the morning. He and his mother bond as they give to others.

My little Jude has asked me more than once if we could do what Sam did and I intend to make sure we do during the holidays this year. I'd like it to become a special one-on-one project that I do with each of my children throughout the years as a way to make warm memories and spread holiday cheer to those around us.

Caroling

Again, a much-loved childhood tradition that warms me each year as we carry it on. Even when you have nothing physical (money or presents) to spare, families can give the gift of music as a way to show Charity. Neighbors, public servants (like fireman or postal workers) and care centers will all be brightened by voices lifted in Christmas song, no matter how off-key. And your little ones will get the immediate satisfaction of seeing the happiness their gift brings to others.

What are your favorite ways to show Charity as a family during the holidays?

Micralite Toro Stroller - GIVEAWAY!

2009-11-30T12:53:00.001-08:00

I'm so delighted to announce the sweetest giveaway SuperMom Central has ever had the pleasure of hosting! It's my #1 favorite parenting product, the best thing to happen to our family travels, the Mercedes Benz of strollers -

The Miciralite Toro

When the Micralite Toro showed up at our door (courtesy of Scandinavian Child), I thought I'd died and gone to stroller heaven. Before we even had a chance to use I was impressed, as my husband folded it up with one hand and loaded it easily in our tiny trunk (weighs only 18 lbs!). Our busy family has put the Toro to the test for 5 months now and it has smoothly glided us over sand, snow and even rocky nature trails. Thanks to front & rear locking wheels, it maneuvered beautifully through the throngs in Disneyland, all while Merrick took his afternoon nap in the cushy, fully-reclining seat.

Merrick loved being wheeled along the California Coast in Style!

Having driven many a stroller in my days as a parent, nanny and au pair, I have to admit that I feel very hip wheeling around the uber-cool Micralite Toro. Everything about it says luxury and stylishness - and what busy mom couldn't use a little of that? But my all-time-super-fave-oh-my-goodness-I-adore-this-stroller-feature is the one-handed steering. This function alone has won my little mommy heart because it gives me the ability to multi-task: rummage in the diaper bag, use my cell, hold my toddlers hand - all while effortlessly managing my stroller!

I'm thrilled that Scandinavian Child is generously letting me give away a Micralite Toro in choice of orange or black to one very lucky SuperMom Central reader! (retail value $525!)

Here's how to enter:

- Leave a comment here telling me your favorite item on SuperMom Central's Holiday Gift Guide.

For additional entries (and you know you want 'em!):

-Visit Scandinavian Child and tell me your favorite product they offer other than the Toro. (2 entries)

- Tweet about this giveaway and include @supermomcentral and @scanchild in your tweet. (2 entries)

- Subscribe to receive this feed in email (see top left). (4 entries)

- Place the SuperMom Central button on your blog. (4 entries)

- Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post. (5 entries)

Because of the totally awesome nature of this giveaway, I'm going to leave it open for 2 weeks - it will end Dec. 14th and winner will be chosen by random.org.

SuperMom Central's Holiday Gift Guide!

2009-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

***Scroll Down To View The Entire Gift Guide***

I can't keep it in any longer...... HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! I've been busily scoping out the hottest, coolest and generally totally rad holiday gift ideas for your little ones & can't wait to share them with you!

I've hand-picked each and every one of the recommendations on my holiday gift guide, with the hopes that they encourage creativity, imagination, education and good clean fun. I've also included a book recommendation and Etsy pick for each age group. My little fam has been playing hard with these products, so I've been able to witness how durable, kid-friendly and entertaining they are before giving them all a big thumbs up!

I've broken down my recommendations into five fun categories to help you find a special gift for your special little one. You can click on the links below or simply scroll down to see them all!

For Lucky New Mums & Dads

For Babes In Toyland (0-24 mos.)

For Tiny Chicks & Little Dudes (ages 2-4)

For Kool Kiddos (age 5 -9)

Gifts That WOW (but make your wallet say OW!) - Coming soon!

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled SuperMom Central Post...

2009-11-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

I've been working tirelessly on SuperMom Central's Holiday Gift Guide for almost 2 weeks. I was finally putting the finishing touches on it this morning when I realized that, while I love the excitement of gift giving at Christmastime, I don't like the commercialism that inevitably comes with it. The more I hear about Black Friday deals, the more I believe that these "Door Busters" and "Sales Blowouts" are killing the true spirit of Christmas.

In light of these thoughts, I've decided to hold off on posting my Holiday Gift Guide until next week and, instead, kindly request that you consider with me this alternative:

The Spirit of Christmas Pledge

It is so easy to lose sight of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Many times I find myself stressed or a bit depressed during the holidays and usually it's because I've gotten too caught up in the parties and the shopping and whether my house looks like a scene on a Hallmark card.

I propose that we make a decision right now, as we stand on the precipice of what is meant to be a beautiful, meaningful season "...in the bleak mid-winter", to keep the spirit of Christmas continually in our hearts and do our best to spread warmth and cheer to others by...

Letting Someone In Front Of Us In Line or On The Freeway

Spending At Least One Hour Helping Someone In Need

Singing Christmas Carols to Someone Else

Keeping Change In Our Pockets To Give To Bell Ringers and Beggars

Making Something And Giving It Away

Calling A Loved One Or Friend We've Lost Touch With

Holding the Door For Someone Whose Arms Are Full

Watching " A Charlie Brown Christmas" or your favorite version of the Christmas Carol

Wishing Telemarketers Merry Christmas (before you hang up on them!)

Not Shopping On Black Friday

I pledge to do all these things in hopes of making the true meaning of Christmas my constant focus during the holidays. If you'd like to do the same, leave a comment here and let me know your thoughts.

Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll See You Next Week!

Family Travel: Have a Luxury Experience at Budget Prices

2009-11-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

When it comes to family travel, Value is the name of the game. Because no matter how cheap something is, it's not worth it if it lacks quality. On the flip side, doing your homework and being willing to speak up go a long ways towards getting the most for your money. You'd be surprised at the luxuries available to those families savvy enough to take advantage...

Upgrades

Say it with me: "It Never Hurts To Ask". Many value hotels are more than happy to bump you up to their fancier rooms, especially in the off season when occupancy is low. Some will have a very minor surcharge ($10, for instance), others will do it for free, simply because it means that you will have a better experience and, in turn, tell everyone! This happened to us recently at the Excalibur in Las Vegas, where we stayed on our way back from California and booked mid-week basic accomodations for less than $40. In their older rooms the furnishings are worn, TV's unimpressive. Thanks to a free upgrade, our large flat-screen TV had an ipod docking station, our bedding was beautifully plush and our bathroom was oversized with gorgeous stainless steel fixtures.

Repeat with me: "It Never Hurts To Ask".

Eating In

If you're willing to do a little research, you can usually find value hotels that offer full complimentary breakfasts at the same price as those without. You'll enjoy the luxury of having a hot meal just steps from your room and be amazed at the money you can save on one family meal per day, especially when it's a gorgeous breakfast buffet like the one we enjoyed at Country Inns & Suites:

Every morning we filled our tummies with pancakes, sausage, yogurt, bagels, etc. all while sitting poolside! Very posh.

Space (the final frontier for a traveling fam)

After cramming 3 cranky kids into the car for 15 hours, there is nothing more luxurious to a traveling mom than space. Space for relaxing, space for eating, space for the kids to jump on the couch cushions until they get out all that pent up energy! When comparing value hotels, be sure to check the sqaure footage of the rooms because for the same price as cramped quarters, you will find room to spare!

For instance, in San Francisco The Donatello suite-style rooms all rock 425 sq. feet, complete with a pull-out couch, microwave and mini-fridge! And for only $19 more than they nearby Best Western (which offers none of those fam-friendly amenities).

You'll find 450 comfortable sq. feet at the Aqua Waikiki Pearl in Oahu, plus a balcony (perfect for relaxing while the kiddos are napping or watching TV) for less than $80!

I hope my husband is reading this.

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Crafts that Celebrate the Season!

2009-11-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

Here in Utah, Fall is fleeting. We've already had several snowfalls, leaving delightfully crunchy leaves in a soggy mess. Our days are brisk and our nights are downright nippy. The deep cold is coming soon! In the next few days I plan to enjoy with my little ones what might be the last weekend of Autumn.

One of my favorite ways to celebrate this time of year is to bring Fall indoors. As we go on neighborhood nature walks, we gather up fallen "treasures" (as Gabby calls them) and put them on display around our home, using some cute and easy Thanksgiving craft ideas...

A Thankful Home

This festive banner helps set a grateful tone in our home as Thanksgiving approaches. While it's big on charm, it took little effort to put together! Fall-colored construction paper is folded and taped, letters are lightly stenciled on so kiddos can glue their nature finds on to form the your message, and the whole thing is strung together with raffia.

PS -This is an actual photo from our home - love how the banner distracts people from the dirty kitchen floor!

Tiny Turkey Table-Toppers

Idea and photo found at MarthaStewart.com

These are, by far the easiest Thanksgiving craft I've ever done, and with super-cute results! Collect fallen pinecones (a favorite passtime around here) and pull out your glue to affix a bent pipe cleaner at the front and several feathers at the back. My kiddos love making these because I give them complete creative control (which can sometimes lead to some pretty funky lookin' turkeys) and then they can proudly display their creations at Thanksgiving dinner for Grandma and Grandpa to admire.

I'd love to hear about some of your favorite Thanksgiving Crafts from past & present!

Making Your Kiddos Healthcare Top Priority

2009-11-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

A few years back my husband lost his job without any warning. Because my little Jude has a very minor heart murmur, I had a difficult time finding health insurance for him. During the 3 months it took me to do my research, send out applications and receive rejection after rejection, our family went without health insurance, to my immense distress. (Happy Ending: my husband found a new job and we found coverage - but that's not the point of this story...)

The point, my dear readers, is that I definitely know first-hand the perpetual stomach knots that come when you have to stress about health insurance. I know about dreading every little cough or sneeze; I know about weighing out how sick my child is versus whether we can afford to take him to the doctor; I know about sacrificing grocery money to pay bills out of pocket and asking the nurse if she can spare a couple extra "samples" of the prescriptions that cost way too much to fill.

I know.

Which is why I'm very grateful to know that health plans like UnitedHealthcare StudentResources exist. Only available to K12 students in over 2000 public schools across the country (as well as many private), the plan provides protection/coverage for injury AND sickness 24/7/365, as they strive to "...help protect kids while they're being kids".

Here's a quick run-down of what UnitedHealthcare StudentResources offers:

Flexibility: Plans can be purchased on a short-term or yearly basis at any time during the school year.
Affordability: Plan is priced at $588 per policy year, or $98 every two months.
Thoughtfulness: Benefits have increased this year, while keeping premiums at 2008 levels.
Additional Security: Many families with high deductibles on their current plans are using UnitedHealthcare StudentResources as a way to ease costs while working towards their deductibles.

It's great to know that health insurance options like UnitedHeathcare StudentResources are out there, making it easy to place your child's health care in top priority.

This is a MomSelect sponsored post, which I researched and agreed to provide based on my positive findings regarding UnitedHealthcare StudentResources.

DownEast Basics for the Do-It-All Mom - GIVEAWAY!

2009-11-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

My days start out fast and furiously. With three little ones needing breakfast, baths and lots of cuddles just as the sun is waking up, there's no time to fuss with clothing - I want comfort, coupled with casual style, so that I can give my kids my all, and feel good doing it. I grab my DownEast Basics...

As a work-at-home mom, I'm expected to be 10 different people every day. While I'm always proudly wearing my "Mommy Badge", I also do volunteer work, attend blogger events, weigh-in on conference calls, participate in church activities, rock the playdates, and so much more. Soon it's 6 pm and hubs comes home hoping I still look vaguely like the girl he married. :) So I'm glad that I can quickly change my look throughout the day to fit my needs - a DownEast Basics Tuxedo Top over my tee, a sassy necklace or a cute DownEast skirt add a little chic at a moment's notice...

These days we are ALL do-it-all Moms and is it too much to ask that we look & feel good while we're at it? DownEast Basics doesn't think so! I've been a fan of their fashionable yet so very wearable clothing for years now and get so excited to see what they'll come out with next because I know it will be designed with me in mind. Me, and you: Mommy-on-the-go plus so much more.

GIVEAWAY! You can win my favorite DownEast Basics outfit: The Rockstar Jeans (which look awesome and feel even better), your choice of Tee and a 3 string of pearls! To enter, head on over to DownEast Basics and pick out your very favorite item. Tell me about it in the comments and I'll put your name in the drawing!

EXTRA ENTRIES: This giveaway is too awesome to just enter once!

For 2 extra entries, post a link to this giveaway on Twitter (please @supermomcentral to let me know)
For 2 extra entries, post a link to this giveaway on Facebook (please friend me so I can see it)
For 5 extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link back here

Giveaway will end Nov. 23rd and winner will be chosen by Random.org - good luck!

Music You AND Your Babies Will Love!

2009-11-07T19:52:00.001-08:00

Because I'm such a strong advocate for the benefits of music on babies, I'm super excited about these awesome CD's I've been given the opportunity to review. We've been thoroughly enjoying them in our home, and now I get to give away copies so you can too!

Joshua Bell - At Home With Friends

Joshua Bell's latest CD, At Home With Friends, is comprised of gorgeous duets with some of my favorite artists (Sting, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenowith, Regina Spektor). This is my go-to music when I need a little zen in our crazy, kiddo-filled world. The versetality Joshua Bell brings to the violin is both refreshing and inspiring - plus, such a great way to expose tiny ones to unfamiliar instruments! My little Gabby loves to dance to the light and lyrical "Come Again", while I can't help pushing repeat when the CD hits Joshua Bell and Frankie Moreno's hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Elenor Rigby".

Little Music Lovers

No matter whether your little ones are playing, dreaming, reading or creating, Little Music Lovers has the perfect playlist! Incorporating the amazing studies that have been done on the benefits of music on babies (specifically Classical music), they've compiled the creme-de-la-creme of famous compositions that will enhance all of your little one's daily activities. Being that I've been a life-long Bach-addict, my favorite of the four Little Music Lovers collections is "Smart Music For Activity Time" which features the "Little" Fugue, several selections from the Brandenburg Concerto and many others. I love how exhillerating and inspiring this music makes our afternoons here at home as I learn and play with my little ones.

GIVEAWAY: I've got a copy of Little Music Lovers and Joshua Bell's "At Home With Friends" to giveaway! Simply leave of comment here telling me your favorite CD to listen to with your family - easy peasy!

Giveaway will end Nov. 20th and winner chosen by random.org. Good luck!

My Kiddos Love Giving with Tiny Prints

2009-11-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

Each year I search for unique ways to help my little ones understand the true meaning of Christmas - the generosity, unselfishness, and spirit of giving which bring such happiness during the holidays. This year we're making hand-made gifts and crafting our own wrapping paper (can't wait to share our finished products with you!). And because I want to personalize our presents, my kiddos are super excited to help out & hand out gifts with their very own gift tags from Tiny Prints...

Aren't they adorable? Jude and Gabby have been so excited to give them, they've almost forgotten about all the getting they're hoping for. :) I was also thrilled to find that Tiny Prints offers some of their most stylish label patterns printed on mint tins! They'll be perfect gift boxes for the scrabble-tile necklaces I've made for my girlfriends and female fam.

And for those loved ones who we won't be near during the holidays, I'm excited to send out warm wishes along with my favorite family photo from our California trip this past summer. I was really pleased with how our Tiny Prints photo cards turned out and impressed with the hundreds of darling, affordable layouts to choose from in the StudioBasics Collection. It was fun to customize the design, fonts and text to make the cards and address labels exactly how I had envisioned them!

Tiny Prints is offering some great discounts to help you get your holiday cards out on time - Free Shipping, Free Address Labels and up to 30% off of holiday orders! Go here to check out all their latest deals.

One Mom's Diary: Why I Switched To Formula

2009-11-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

Please welcome my sweet sister, Lynsey, who is a total Mom-spiration to me! She's an awesome mom of 2 lucky little ones, a fantastic writer (you'll love her blog), and a totally amazing sister- plus she's by far the most hilarious person I know. She was kind enough to share with us her struggles to nurse her babies and the difficult process she went through to find the right solution for her.

When I had my first child, there were complications while breast feeding. Caleb had health problems and was not gaining weight quickly enough. Or at all, really. To top it off he screamed pretty much all of the time. It went way beyond "colic."

Even though I was an inexperienced first-time mom, my intuition told me that something else was wrong. After talking with the pediatrician I decided to alter my diet to see if what I was eating was affecting what he was getting from me. For 3 weeks I basically ate bread and apples. Not only was it torture, but it did not solve his problems. After 5 weeks of trying to nurse him, the choice was taken from me and I was advised by the pediatrician to solely give him formula. Even though his crying did not cease, there was an immediate change in his weight gain. I was happy that he was doing better, but I felt like a breast-feeding failure.

With my second child I was determined that my nursing experience this time around would be different. From the minute she was born, Leah seemed like a pro at breast feeding. She latched on quickly and didn't seem to have any problems. I thought I was in the clear. However at about 10 days old, the screaming began again. And the screaming seemed to coincide with her stomach, which would start growling--not in hunger-- about 10 minutes after she ate. Bringing her out of her sleep, she would cry out as her stomach made its own noises. Sigh. I began limiting my diet again but it didn't seem to help. So I decided to start pumping and try formula. I tried formula for colicky babies, ones to soothe fussiness and gas. Finally in a last-ditch attempt, I tried soy formula. And my screaming, belly-growling baby transformed overnight. She slept from 10pm-6am without waking up once.

From that day on she was different. She stopped crying unless she needed something and turned into a cooing, chunky, happy little girl. The soy formula worked! So why did I feel like a failure again when my baby was feeling better? My personal belief is that breast-feeding is best for the baby. It is the most natural thing we can do. And in a world full of over-processed, chemical-saturated food, I truly felt relief in knowing that I was providing something pure for my child (before Mac & Cheese takes over to rule their world). So when there is a problem with what you feel is "best" for your baby, how do you decide what to do?

The short answer is to listen to your Mother's Intuition, no matter what others say. Nobody knows your baby better than you, nobody knows what you go through each day as you mother. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Gather info., get advice, but in the end - trust yourself.

Next week I'll be posting a continuation of this article with specific tips - techniques you can try before making the switch, tips on how to know what works and what doesn't. So stay tuned!

And if you are currently using formula, you can go here to sign up and get great coupons!

Spread a little magic with Elfing Around

2009-11-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

The kiddos here at the Horsley Home already have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads! They're little eyes grow wide with excitement every time we talk about Santa Claus, the North Pole, Reindeer, or Elves. I can't wait to spread some extra holiday magic around our house this Christmas with Elfing Around...

When our Elfing Around package arrived (courtesy of Momfluence) I was pleased to find that everything I need to create a little Elf mischief was prepared and ready for me. As I read through the instructions, I couldn't help but get excited myself at how much fun our entire family is going to have with this creative idea.

It all starts by mailing your little ones the special "letter regarding your Elf" which tells them that an elf will be coming to their house soon, to help get everyone ready for Santa Claus's big visit. A few nights later, while your kiddos are fast asleep, the fun-filled mayhem begins...

The Parents Adventure Guidebook provides you with ideas and instructions on how to set up your Elf's nightly exploits (like having a "snowball fight" by sprinkling marshmellows around the elf) for the kiddos to encounter the next morning. They even include cute little holiday postcards that the Elf wrote, explaining each night adventure to your children.

My husband and I are so excited to make Elfing Around mischief in December as we teach our children to believe that anything is possible at Christmastime - and that the spirit of Santa Claus's generosity can be alive in each one of us during this truly magical time of year.

PS - I'll keep you posted on how my kiddos enjoy their Elfing Around experience!

The Power of Music on Babies

2009-11-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

The easiest thing I've ever done to encourage my little one's well being is play the right music.

There have been countless studies done on increased brain activity/development in young children who listen to music, particularly Classical. The findings tout high levels of spatial understanding, focused learning and reasoning abilities in little ones regularly exposed to pieces by brilliant composers like Motzart, Bach, Beethoven, etc.

But more than I care about the intellectual effects, I love seeing the influence positive music has on my children's moods and attitudes about life. The emotional benefits will make any mother's heart sing:

Creative Expression - As children learn to sing songs they hear, they begin to make up their own lyrics which become a great outlet for self-expression. Listen to what your children are singing - it's a fun peek into what they're thinking and feeling.
The Smile Factor - Have you ever encountered a song that immediately brings a smile to your face when you hear it? I've got a whole playlist designed to instantly cheer crabby dispositions and I'm always amazed at the magical effect these happy tunes have on the atmosphere in my home.
The Calming Factor - The right music can also soothe and relax the roudiness out of wound-up kiddos. This can be particularly helpful in setting the mood for bedtime or easing tension between squabbling siblings.
Teaching Tool - Music is a great way to deliver education in a fun and intuitive manner. Want your kiddos to learn the State Capitols or basic French? Sing it! You'll love how quickly they pick up new concepts when they're paired with a catchy tune.
Appreciation For Diversity - Playing a wide variety of musical genres will foster an open mind in young children, as they learn to appreciate many different kinds of beauty.

All these benefits will come naturally as you fill your little one's days with positive music. Getting started couldn't be more simple:

1 - Borrow a variety of CD's from your local library and discover new family favorites!

2 - If you have music files on your computer, compose several playlists based on the mood you want to set for different times of the day: Playtime, Bedtime, Homework time, Arts & Crafts time, Morning, Evening, etc.

3 - Rely on music you've always loved - the more enthusiastic you are, the more involved your children will be with music interaction. Rediscover songs from your own childhood to pass on a sense of history and endearment through the music you play.

And don't forget to dance!

Harmony Booster Seat - GIVEAWAY!

2009-11-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

Deciding when to switch from carseat to booster can be a complicated process - but finding a great booster seat doesn't have to be! Harmony Juvenile Products recently debuted their newest model, the LiteRider, which rocks an awesome safety rating, comfy design, light-weight portability - and all at the killer price of less than $15. Sweet!

I have to admit I was very curious when I first heard about the Harmony LiteRider: can it really be high quality at a low price? They were kind enough to send one over for us to try out and I was amazed! It is so light my 2 yr. old can carry it around, and sturdy enough that he can throw it around. :) As soon as my oldest boy, Jude (age 5 1/2) tried it out he begged to switch it with his current booster because he said it was "super cushy". We've been so pleased with the Harmony LiteRider that we've placed one each car - and a spare in Grandma's ride too! Now we don't have to juggle seats everytime she's kind enough to help with the school drive!

GIVEAWAY: Let Harmony Juvenile hook you up with a LiteRider too! To enter, do any of the following (each earns you an entry - that's up to 5 chances to win!):

-Place the SuperMom Central button on your blog
-Subscribe to SuperMom Central's Feed
- Become a Follower
- Blog about this giveaway and link to this post
- Twitter about this giveaway and link to this post

Leave me a comment for each separate entry please!

Good luck - one lucky winner will be chosen by random.org on Nov. 12, 2009.

Carseat vs. Booster: When To Switch and (more importantly) Why

2009-11-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think we ask ourselves the wrong questions as parents. Because we're convinced that following all the finite rules handed down to us will guarantee our children's safety, we miss the bigger picture and end up only doing only the bare minimum to protect our little ones.

The Carseat vs. Booster topic is a prime example. Did you know that each state has specific laws regulating how old, how tall and how heavy your kiddo should be before making the switch? Just because the seat you're purchasing claims that it is made for 30-100 lbs does not mean that you can safely switch your hefty 2 1/2 yr. old as soon as he hits the big 3-0. There are many other factors that go into the decision to graduate - some of them are even specific to your individual child!

Most states have a firm policy that children should not leave the protection of a carseat until they are at least 4 years old and 40 lbs. It can be easy to overlook those words "at least", but they're extremely important. That means that 4 years/40 lbs. is the earliest you should consider down-grading to the booster.

Some important issues to consider when thinking about making the switch:

How wiggly is your child? Will they stay properly restrained by a basic lap/shoulder belt?
How often are you driving for long periods? Longer rides mean more opportunities for children to get antsy and shift out of proper seat belt placement.
Does you child often fall asleep in the car? Again, this can make the carseat a safer restraint option.
How tall is your child as opposed to your lapbelt? No matter how heavy they are, the shoulder belt can be very dangerous if it's sitting too high on shorties (like mine!).

As anxious as you or your kiddo might be to ditch the cumbersome carseat, is it really worth the risks? I will NEVER forget the tears-and-mascara-streaked face of a mother interviewed on Oprah a few years back. She ignored safety recommendations for her child's carseat and lost her daughter as a result. When Oprah asked her why she had decided to come on the show, she looked straight at the camera (straight at me, is what it felt like) and stated that she never wanted another mother to feel the devastation she felt because of a carseat safety issue. She urged every parent watching to ALWAYS err on the side of caution when it comes to securing your little ones in the car.

Here are a few other safety tips when it comes to carseats AND boosters:

- Tall children over 4 can actually be unsafe in harness seats if they are sitting too high for the belts and headrest. Read the specifics of your carseat to know for sure.

- MAKE SURE to replace your carseat with a booster when the time does come to switch. A recent report states that 94% of parents go straight to shoulder/lap belt only when they ditch the carseat, with dangerous reprocussions. Average and even modestly tall children do not sit high enough on their own to properly position the shoulder belt until they are at least 8 yr. old (which is also the law in most states, by the way). The booster seats adds those extra needed inches to make sure the seatbelt can do it's job when your kiddo needs protection.

- All carseats have a safety expiration date! If you're using a hand-me-down or passing seats down from older children you will want to research your brand and model once a year to make sure that your seat is still up to safety codes.

- It only takes one compromise to put your child in danger, so be sure to hand off the carseat to friends/family anytime they drive your kiddo in their car. Even better, provide frequent drivers (like grandma) with their own carseats so you don't have to re-install each time. (If financially possible, that is).

- Remember that this has nothing to do with how safe of a driver you are. There are pleanty of dangerous drivers on the road who can hit you, even when parked.

I want to end by stressing how important it is that your kiddos are properly protected when they ride! I've tried to word this article very strongly because I, like the woman on Oprah, NEVER want to another mother to experience the heartbreak of losing a child because of compromised carseat safety.

PLEASE - do whatever it takes to make sure that your little ones are safe in the car. And when you do switch from carseat to booster, don't just meet the minimums - make sure that it is the safest decision for your precious kiddos!

Emma's Inspirations - Giveaway!

2009-10-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

Every few months I read or hear about it: a baby left in a car, sweltering. It never ceases to catch my breath because so often this happens by mistake to busy, well-meaning parents just like myself. How heartbreaking!

While I think we'd all like to hope we're never too distracted to leave behind our most precious cargo, I also know I've made my fair share of parenting mistakes. Luckily, they've been little ones thus far. But I'm so grateful for the SuperMom behind Emma's Inspirations who took her near-tragedy and turned it into a safety tool for you and me.

These cute, simple window decals now serve as a constant reminder to me to double check the seats every time we get out of our van. This is especially important when we're roadtripping because traveling is extra stressful on any mom. Hopefully, this is one mistake and heartbreak my family will avoid.

GIVEAWAY: I'd love to help you place Emma's Inspirations on your car too! Just leave me a friendly comment on this post and I'll send one winner a set of decals. I know this may seem like a small thing, but it can have a HUGE impact!

Giveaway will end Nov. 9th, 2009 and winner will be chosen by random.org. Good luck!