K5 Learning has an online reading and math program for kindergarten to grade 5 students. I’ve been given a 6 week free trial to test and write a review of their program. If you are a blogger, you may want to check out their open invitation to write an online learning review of their program.
Meijer and Produce for Kids are teaming up to host the second annual Healthy Schools, Healthy Minds campaign. Now through September 29th, local shoppers can contribute to this cause and support your local schools by adding produce to their Meijer shopping lists. During the campaign, participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers will make a donation based on consumption of their fresh produce items to DonorsChoose.org, which will support local classroom projects.
Shoppers/Moms, be on the lookout for the Produce for Kids display unit, featuring characters from popular Sprout shows, LazyTown™ and Noodle and Doodle, in the produce section of your local Meijer store. The more items you add to your shopping lists, the more local classrooms will benefit! My kiddos had a wonderful time selecting produce to place in our cart today.
Meijer is also featuring the Ideal Meals™ program from Produce for Kids in the produce department. Ideal Meals cards provide 12 quick, easy, and healthy chef-created/dietitian-approved complete meal solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts. I let each of my kiddos select one Ideal Meals card. The toddler took her time selecting the perfect card.
Then it was off to see the fish…
Also, Produce for Kids just launched a fun and exciting contest on Pinterest. Be sure to check it out! The full Pinterest contest rules can be found here: http://www.produceforkids.com/sweepstakes/fall2012/family/index.html
I put the following recipe on my grocery list from Ideal Meals….
Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna
Serves 8
Preparation Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 5 hours
Ingredients:
· 2 Tbsp. olive oil
· 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
· 1 cup green bell pepper, seeded, chopped
· 1 large onion, finely chopped
· 3 cups spinach, loosely packed, chopped
· 1 lb. 2% cottage cheese
· 2 cups (plus ½ cup) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
· ¼ tsp. salt
· 26 oz. jarred low sodium pasta sauce
· 2 large zucchini, sliced, ¼-inch thick rounds
· 8 oz. no-boil whole wheat lasagna noodles
Directions:
Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms, peppers, onions and spinach. Cook 5 minutes, or until water evaporates. Season with salt and pepper. 2. In mixing bowl, mix cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese and salt. Divide into 2 portions. 3. Grease slow cooker. Cover bottom with ⅓ of sauce and assemble as follows: single layer noodles, ⅓ of cooked vegetables, single layer zucchini, 1 portion of cottage cheese mixture, single layer of noodles. Repeat layering once in same order. Add layer of remaining sauce, cooked vegetables and zucchini. 4. Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top. 5. Cook on low for 5 hours or until noodles and zucchini are tender.
Nutrition Information:
Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna: Calories 490, Fat 16.32g, Protein 31.17g, Carbohydrate 50.81g, Fiber 4.64g, Cholesterol 51mg, Sodium 379mg, Calcium 614mg, Vitamin A 2696 IU, Vitamin C 39.07mg, Iron 2.88mg
Hey moms, do you have a second? I know… I know, you are busy… you have dishes to do, laundry to fold, kids to pick up, diapers to change, homework to check….so maybe you can relate to the following clip…
Who’s with us? Isn’t it time you took timeout for the person who makes time for everyone else? For the person who makes sure everyone gets everywhere on time? For the person who is always putting her own needs on the backburner? Want a show full of mommy substance that won’t waste your time?
As promised, it is the first Tuesday in September and Tailgating Tuesdays is commencing. What is Tailgating Tuesdays? Every Tuesday in the month of September will include tailgating topics such as tailgating tips, product reviews, recipes, and yes, even a giveaway! So be sure to check out what tailgating topics are in store each and every Tuesday this month.
For the first installation of Tailgating Tuesdays I am providing reviews on some of the best tailgating products around. I had originally planned on providing these product reviews on a couple local news channels but thanks to the political conferences the tailgating segment got bumped, I was total bummer. But also a little relieved, the first segment would have been recorded on my daughter’s first day of school so I am glad I did not have to miss such a monumental day (after all, you only get 12 of those and of those 12 I am pretty sure you can only get away with holding their hand, dropping them off and giving them kisses and hugs until maybe 4th grade, if I am lucky). So, without further ado, the products review…..
I am not sure if you noticed but I did record this with a toddler and preschooler in the room. They both adlibbed a few comments in the background but I hope my points were received clearly.
Also, with regard to the giveaway, I will be giving away four out of the five items discussed in the review. What item would you be interested in winning?
Now it is your turn to share. Have you ever tailgated before a game? If not, would you tailgate with your family? What is your favorite sport to tailgate? Do you have a favorite item or products that you use tailgating?
Since we have a long weekend thanks to Labor Day we decided to make the most of it and spend as much time together as a family as possible. Today we visited our local park, we went on a Nature Scavenger Hunt, and enjoyed delicious Kashi soft n’ chewy bars.
I came across an awesome blog, How to Nest For Less, it has so many fabulous ideas for the home, for kids’ arts & craft projects, and much more. I highly recommend this blog but I must warn you it will suck you in. So grab refreshment and get comfortable.
While perusing How to Nest For Less I came across this wonderful Nature Scavenger Hunt. I adore this Nature Scavenger hunt because it contains items that are easy to locate practically anywhere outside. It is also perfect for the age range of my kiddos (2-6 years old). I like the fact that it only contains a dozen items to locate as opposed to others that have a slew of items. Lastly I like that it includes color, shape, and touch categories too!
So prior to leaving for the park I printed off the Scavenger Hunts and the name tags for the children’s bags. To print off Scavenger Hunt click here.
To print name tags click here.
Included in their bags were, one Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bar as well as a marker to cross off items as they locate them.
We had such a wonderful time on the Nature Scavenger hunt. We looked high and low to locate all the items on the list. The kiddos even enjoyed getting a closer look with their magnifying glass.
Then it was snack time. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bar was, it was… well, soft, chewy and yummy! In fact, our toddler asked for more and our first grader asked me if she could have them in her school lunches, please!
Thank you Kashi you have successfully satisfied our toddler’s, our picky eater’s needs. You have done the impossible!
I adored the taste of the bar, it was like a warm, comforting embrace on a cool rainy fall morning. It reminded me of childhood, when my mom would bake fresh banana bread, it was more than a food, it took me back to a memory, it was an experience. As a mom I am a huge fan of Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bars because of the nutritional content. The Kashi Banana Chocolate Chip soft n’ chewy bars include:
I feel like I am a good mother when I give my children Kashi.
Another reason why I, as a mom, am a proud supporter of Kashi foods….read on…the following is taken from Kashi website….
Today, only 1% of U.S. cropland is organic and around 70% of packaged foods contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). At Kashi, we want to do our part in creating a more balanced food system. We’re still small at heart, but big enough now to make a meaningful impact.
Kashi’s Non-GMO Project Verified Product Commitment.
Our commitment: By the end of 2015 over half our food will be Non-GMO Project Verified.* But we won’t stop there. We’ll continue to increase the use of organic and Non-GMO ingredients where possible while making sure to continue to provide the positive nutrition you expect from us.*based on pounds
Why 2015? There simply aren’t enough non-GMO and organic ingredients, and it takes time to partner with farmers to convert conventional farms. Once we obtain these ingredients, we need to make sure the nutrition and taste of the food is consistent with the high quality you expect from us.
We had such a wonderful afternoon in the park together as a family. We enjoyed the outdoors, the sounds, colors, and creatures of nature; they paired nicely with our delicious Kashi snack experience.
So, how are you spending your long weekend? Have you ever tried any Kashi brand foods? Do you have a favorite Kashi food/product?
I am sure many of you are familiar with the expression “pay it forward”. The Warner Brothers film based on the novel Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde’s clearly outlines the meaning and I am sure you have all had a chance to view the film. But, in case you have been busy raising children over the past decade or so, and you still have Pay it Forward on your list of movies to see once your children go off to college I will elaborate.
Paying it forward, plain and simple, means having a good deed be repaid by simply doing a similar good deed onto others. Remember the Liberty Mutual commercial?
This is where you come in…
With the holidays rapidly approaching I can’t help but think of the many families whose lives have been turned up-side-down with unemployment, foreclosures, and even hunger. As a parent, I know my heart would be aching if I could not provide a roof, food, or clothing for my children and the additional pressures of the holidays would be monumental. This is where I think we can come together and help.
Many of you who have purchased products from an individual who owns a home business knows that there are often incentives for the host/hostess of parties. Thus, what if those incentives could be Christmas gifts for those families less fortunate…those families who are currently living in a shelter…those families that cannot afford to get their children breakfast let alone a storybook or toy?
I have teamed up with an Usborne Books & More consultant and am having an Eshow now through Dec. You can simply click here and start shopping for some pretty amazing books and more! Perhaps you have a kiddo whose birthday is coming up? Usborne Books & More make great birthday presents, life event gifts (new big brother or sister), holiday gifts, and even great ways to start a conversation with your child on various topics. Also, books are a great birthday party gift, in fact, I like to have at least a pile of books ready to go for that birthday party I might have totally forgotten about…you now, that starts in an hour, (come on, like you haven’t been in that situation before?).
I will also have a button on the side of my blog for easy access as the holidays approach. Please do consider ordering through Usborne Books & More and you will not only be getting great products/gift but you will also be participating in paying it forward.
Do you have a home business? Would you be interested in posting a link on this blog, for free?
We went to see The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure this morning with our Playgroup. It was a blast! The kiddos each received a butterfly glow stick wand that they waved eagerly as the movie started.
When those butterflies first fluttered across the screen this mama was moving! Hello parents! This movie also gives you permission to get up and move. This is great considering the fact that while I was sitting, I was snacking, so I burned off a few M&Ms, thanks Oogieloves! There were a couple other moms getting up with their kiddos and moving but the rest were either to comfy in their seats or didn’t want to be “that mom”. I will gladly take that title; I am “that mom”. Why miss out on a wonderful and fun opportunity with your kiddos because you are afraid of what others will think? So my advice to all you parents who plan on seeing the movie is to get up out of your seat and enjoy it with your kiddos.
Also, don’t be overly concerned if your child is loud, getting out of their seat, or starting to get cranky. You are among friends, ALL of us parents have been there and this movie allows for getting up out of your seat and talking, shocking but true!
So, when viewing this movie let your child be…well, a child. Embrace the experience, don’t over think things, and most of all, have fun!
Another added bonus of this feature film, letting your kiddos dance, sing, and get in and out of their seat tires them out. So you know what that means, they sleep!! Yet another reason to say….Thank you Oogieloves!
You’ll notice in the following video that all the kiddos look tired and on the verge of napping, that means they enjoyed the film!! And the moms did to…but don’t take my word for it, listen to their feedback….
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo’s Review….
As a parent to young children I thought the plot was perfect. The topics were appropriate; in fact I liked the fact that the story included shapes, animal sounds, and undertones that encourage cognitive development. As a mom to younger children it was also encouraging to have them practice following directions. The characters were vibrant and contained unique features which I think is important because each child is unique. I also liked the fact that the inanimate objects were characters too, it added to the innocence of the movie. The cameos from Hollywood actors, the adult undertones, and the opportunity to dance with your children in a theater make this a positive experience for parents too! No need to bring the aspirin but do wear some comfy shoes!
The price it right too! Earlier this summer our children were begging my hubby and I go see The Fresh Beat Band live show. We had to tell them no due to the cost. It was going to cost more than $150 for our entire family to see the show. And of course as parents we were disappointed too that we couldn’t take our entire family. The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure is the perfect solution; it is like a Live show experience for the price of a movie ticket. (Also, if you go early ticket prices are discounted and 2 and under are FREE! At least here in Toledo.)
I give The Oogieloves in The Big Balloon Adventure an A, 5 stars, 2 thumbs up!!
Calling all MOMS!!!
In order for this movie to be successful and to hopefully encourage Hollywood to create more TRUE G-Rated films we need your help. Hollywood needs to hear your voice, how?
We need you to support and promote the RatedGGG hashtag.
Like Oogieloves on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheOogieloves)
Follow The Oogiesloves on twitter (http://twitter.com/theoogieloves)
Lastly please share your experience, feedback, thoughts regarding the movie. Did you enjoy the film? Have you been yet? Do you plan on going? Do you feel that Hollywood is lacking when it comes to G rated films? You have a point of view and I want to hear it…so please share.
The morning started early, thank goodness for coffee!
I made the kiddos blueberry muffins for breakfast.
I try my best to make the breakfast table look festive for the big day! Past experience has proven that the more excited mommy is about something the children often reciprocate the enthusiasm.
Our little lady was so excited to finally be able to use her school supplies; she has been eyeing them for the past week. Especially the sparkly pencils!
Yesterday she went through her new school clothes and carefully decided upon the perfect outfit for the first day of school.
She was ready for school early and had to actually wait a few minutes. Then it was time to head out. Here is a picture of her getting on the bus, lol! (We do not have bus transportation so this is her bus and I am the bus driver).
She was as excited as she walked into school eager to see friends, meet her new teacher, see her new books, etc.
And then it was time…time for mommy to leave.
First Day of School poem
She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the First Grade hall.
And as she took her place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.
Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.
This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.
My eyes were blurred by hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar her first big day.
Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn’t understand.
And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.
But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.
And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She’s not a baby anymore –
She’s in First Grade today.
I thought it would be easier this year, it wasn’t like it was kindergarten, but it was just as emotional. Does it ever get easier?
Thankfully the first day was only half day and she was home to help make lunch and eat together.
I will treasure these moments forever! We will miss her tomorrow, she will have lunch at school.
How did your little ones first day of school go? Did you shed a few tears? Maybe your little one isn’t in school yet, do you have any reservations? Or maybe your children are out of school, in which case I have to ask, does it ever get easier?
Our family so enjoyed Navy Week, we are sad to see it end. In fact our son woke up this morning and asked if the Navy had a train we could go see. Which I guess makes sense in his mind since we saw ships and a helicopter; I suppose a train would be the next logical means of transit to see. I could tell he thoroughly enjoyed Navy week between his comments throughout the week and the highlight of his weekend.
Over dinner table conversation or during evening prayers, we ask the children to share their favorite and least favorite part of their days. So I figured instead of typing all their favorites out I would share the photos with you. Here goes, the children’s favorite parts of their days during Navy week……
Yes, one of our toddler’s favorite part of her day was getting a “mommy/daddy water bottle”. The photo clealry illustrates why she doesn’t usually get a water bottle…playtime!
All three kiddos and even my hubby and I enjoyed hearing about how they battled during the War of 1812.
No need to worry moms, the sword is dull. This was by far his favorite part of his day.
Thank you to everyone who made Navy Week in Toledo Ohio possible and a special thank you to the Navy for this amazing week and for the hard work you do everyday.
What a day! Since today was the last Thursday of summer break we tried to cram it full of fun things to do around town together. I am going to miss my kiddos so much once school starts. I so enjoy their company, hearing their thoughts and questions, just generally being in their company brings me so much joy. We have had a remarkable summer break and I hate to see it end. But, as many of you know my motto in life is ….Live each day to the fullest for it is a gift, live like it is your first, last, and best day. For we are not promised tomorrow, so cherish today. And boy did we ever!
Our day started off at The Toledo Museum of Art’s Family Center where the Navy was visiting for Navy Week. Our eldest worked on the themed projected that was inspired by Ginny Ruffner’s Beauty and Drama piece (you can view a movie on her tomorrow …click here for more info). Meanwhile the two younger kiddos found much joy in painting. Then we went up to the Gallery for story time. The kiddos each had a clue, a picture of Beauty and Drama to look for and a story that coincided.
The Gallery had me a little nervous because the Glass Ignited exhibit held so much glass, duh! And there were gorgeous pieces displayed on a small platform that was practically level with the floor. Hello! Talk about a toddler’s dream come true and a mother’s worst nightmare! I can’t image that phone call to my hubby letting him know we now owed the museum thousands of dollars, nope, that would not go over to well. But surprisingly the only person who got yelled at was mommy. Yep, me! I was taking pictures in the gallery and apparently there are signs all over that indicate that photography is prohibited, whoops! But I did manage to sneak this pic prior to being informed of the no photos rule. Enjoy…but, let’s keep this between us….
Then we were off to our next stop, Black Kite Coffee and Pies. They have the most amazing coffee and pies! We had their quinoa, tofu, pine nut, and dried tomato pie with fresh pesto and it was like a symphony for the taste buds amazing! We also enjoyed their breakfast bar filled with so much goodness. And I purchased an iced hazelnut latte. I have to honest, I braced myself for the worst as I took that first sip and I was pleasantly surprised at how satisfied I was. It was better than Starbucks, yep, BETTER!! You heard it here first.
Then it was off to our next stop….Imagination Station!
As we walked up we were greeted by some rockin music, it was the Navy band. So we sat down for a few minutes and listen to the music before heading into Imagination Station.
Once inside we headed for the Navy Week exhibit where they had various uniforms and gear the kiddos could try on…and even some adults partook in the festivities (my sister).
We played in the Kid’s Space for a little while then went down to the docks to eagerly await the arrival of the Flagship Niagara, USS DE Wert, and the USS Hurricane on the Toledo Channel. We walked along the water and even noted a few wildlife friends.
The ships were a little later than we had anticipated but watching the Flagship Niagara arrive made it all worth it! All three kiddos got excited when they had their first glimpse of the flagship. “It’s Ariel’s ship” my daughter yelled. “Pirates” my son exclaimed. It was such an amazing experience to share.
I am so thankful for this Thursday and I hope all of you embraced your gift and lived today to the fullest. How did you spend your Thursday?
For the local followers,
Listed below is a roster of events for Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26 as we continue on with the Navy’s Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and Toledo Navy Week.
Some notable events include:
Tours of the USS De Wert and USS Hurricane are open to the public
Where: International Park and Maritime Plaza, Toledo, OH
When: Friday at 12-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday: 12-7:00p.m.
Tours of the Flagship Niagara – Tours of the ship are open to the public
Where: Maritime Plaza, Toledo, OH
When: Friday at 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
