Be honest, did the title of this post just totally blow your mind? I mean based upon all the fairytales I’ve read marriage is about living happily ever after. And happily ever after shouldn’t be hard or difficult, it should be natural and easy, right!? Wrong!
What’s better than a house full of 9 children? A house with children and The Happy’s!! What are the Happy’s?
Amazingly Adorable, remarkably real pets that really play with you!
They scamper, they pounce and they sit up and beg! The Happy’s are the only line of interactive puppy and kitty special feature plush pets that play, can be trained to perform tricks and make 25+ silly sounds.
The Happy’s love to play keep away or chase their ball in a puppy pile up!
Hold the Happy treat and they’ll come running to show off a trick!
The Happy’s will even dance to their favorite Samba tune, drive a car and ride a skateboard!
The Happy’s are a pet-palooza of pure magic! Source
The children absolutely adored these cute cuddly little critters. Here the video that captures the fun had during our playdate, enjoy!
My children have had such a wonderful time getting to know the Happy’s they are saving up their money in order to collect the remaining 4. If you are looking for the perfect pet…that doesn’t require food, vet bills, training, etc. be sure to visit your local Toys-R-us, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, or Justice today and bring home a cut cuddly new family member, one of the Happy’s (or collect all 8!). In the meantime have the kiddos checkout The Happy’s website for fun online games and activities.
“Disclosure: I received free products in order to host the Cepia, LLC sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.”
Easter is by far my most favorite time of the year. However there is one pesky little thing I could do without, sugar! During Lent we hold off on the sweets. We manage to go without the candy, cupcakes, cookies, etc. for 40 days (with the exception of a b-day party or two), 40 DAYS! And then in a single day we more than make up for all 40 days’ worth of sugar. And then it hits the system, HARD!
Mom down! Seriously, Easter morning my stomach was aching from the sweets I had consumed the evening before (We hosted Easter at our house on Saturday, loved it! Can’t wait till next year!). All I ate was two sugar cookies and I was a mess. And the worst part was since I had a taste of the sweet stuff after all these days I want more, I started craving sweets. That sweet goodness, why must it taste so good, WHY!? (As I stand here typing this I am literally nibbling on coffee cake, and no, not the cake part, the amazing clumps of sugar, butter, and cinnamon on top. I can’t get enough). It is seriously like an addiction. And like all addiction they hit people in different ways. I am obviously a “can’t hold her sugar” type of gal were our youngest daughter is quite the opposite.
The more sugar she consumed the more rambunctious she became (pic above shows her on her 2nd Shirley Temple…it got to a point were I double-checked that it was indeed Shirley Temple) I was literally looking forward to the sugar crash but it NEVER happened! She just kept going like the energizer bunny. She is clearly more of the “party animal”. After 2 Shirley Temples, jelly beans, and chocolate she managed to get a fan stuck in her hair but yet had no time to get it untangled.
Next year I don’t know if I should have them build up their tolerance or say no to candy all together. Adults are bad at not indulging on Easter why should we expect the children to be any better? And don’t get me started on the dyes they put in all that candy. They will be pooping the rainbow for the next 3 days!
So what kind of relationship do you have with sugar? How do you limit your family’s sugar intake? Do you make exception for holidays? Please share.
After church on Sunday the children went on a Resurrection Egg hunt. For those not familiar, Resurrection eggs are a set of 12 plastic Easter Eggs each containing a specific object inside related to the true story of Easter (crown of thorns, dice, chalice, etc.). Each egg has a scripture reading, devotion, and short story that accompany the small item placed inside the egg.
Since they had just listened to the Palm Sunday gospel reading of the Passion and the younger two discussed it more in-depth in Sunday school everything was fresh in their minds. So first I hid the eggs and they each went hunting for the eggs then we read the scripture reading and had the children guess what was inside each egg before they opened it.
It was priceless seeing their excitement before opening each egg. And I was pleasantly surprised how many they guessed correctly.
We officially started a new family tradition, Palm Sunday Resurrection Eggs hunt and discussion to help prepare the children for Holy week. Our daughter even came up with the idea of placing them in our Easter basket to be blessed.
If you are interested in making your own Resurrection Eggs the following sites offer free printables and instructions:
Or purchase your own like I did by Family Life (from Hobby Lobby, 40% off, score!!) and the Family Life website has some great tips, idea, etc. for using the Resurrection eggs.
Say hello to the newest member of our family, Angel!
Angel the Guinea pig has quickly found a soft spot in each of our hearts. In fact the first night in our home all 3 kiddos slept by the cage, it was precious.
And for the first week our son slept next to the cage which resides in his room. He officially has a roommate! See, he has been begging for a roommate ever since we brought home our youngest daughter and the girls started sharing a room. He felt left out because mommy and daddy are roommates, the girls are roommates, but he was lacking a roommate. Finally, the problem has been solved. Lol!
But let’s be honest, that first week, or even month, with a new pet is amazing but then the novelty wears off a bit. And that is when the life lessons begin!
Life Lessons Kids learn by having a pet…..
Responsibility:
Having a pet is fun and they are very cute and cuddly but they are also a lot of work. Having a pet teaches children that their needs will not always come first (what an invaluable life lesson!) they need to consider the needs of the pet. For example, the kids were blaring music upstairs and then they took into consideration the Guinea pig’s little ears and they moved the CD player to another room and turned it down. They are learning empathy and compassion. They are learning that their pets rely fully on them to provide for their every need. They are learning responsibility.
Commitment:
It is important for the children to learn that they have made a commitment to care for this pet for the rest of its life. There is no returning it to the store because they don’t like the noises it makes at night, or because they would rather go play with their friends instead of cleaning up after it, or because it is misbehaving, etc. Each of these reasons is an opportunity for the child to grow, to work on their problem-solving skills and to manage their time wisely (when to schedule time to clean/feed/play with pet). Bottom line, once a child makes a commitment they need to follow through with that commitment and this is a very valuable life lesson.
Consequences:
It is vital that children learn that their actions have consequences. If they do not feed the pets they will starve, if they leave chocolate out and the dog eats it he will become very ill, if the Guinea pig’s cage isn’t cleaned weekly then the room will smell, if the cage is left open the Guinea pig will escape, etc.
How to deal with Loss:
As a mom I want to do everything to protect my children from anything that may hurt them, even their own feelings, but that would be doing them a disservice as a mom. Which is why having a pet is the perfect way to address the fact that everything has a lifespan, there is a circle of life, and everything will die. Though the process can be a difficult one it is good to have the lines of communication open and discuss the good times had with the pet, and how much joy the pet brought into your lives.
We recently lost our cat and our entire family found comfort in the happy memories we shared. And we all agreed that we would rather have had her in our lives for the limited time she was here then to have never had her in our lives at all. The pain of losing her, though intense, was worth it in order to have all the love and attention she brought into our lives during her time on this planet. And learning how to handle the strong emotions that come with loss is another invaluable life lesson!
Do your children have pets? What other life lessons would you add to the list?
My dream home would include an open floor plan, larger closets, new kitchen, and room for everyone to grow! The American Dream Home is something everyone fantasizes about. Whether it’s a new closet, a larger family room, or simply a place to put all your stuff, there’s always something we want to change about where we live!
What if you could make your home into your Dream Home?
AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS – a new show on NBC airing on Sunday at 8/7c – and Lowe’s want to make your dream a reality.
Hosted by famed interior designer and best-selling author, Nate Berkus, AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS follows the nation’s top 12 designers and home builders as they compete to be crowned the Ultimate Dream Builder and take home a $250,000 cash prize. It’s the home competition that will change everything!
From the producers of Survivor and The Bachelor, don’t miss AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS, Sundays at 8/7c, only on NBC.
You can enter for a chance to win $100,000 in products and services from Lowe’s and a consultation with the winner of American Dream Builders!
Enter for a chance to win your dream renovation at www.nbc.com/lowes.
You will have the opportunity to earn 5 bonus entries when you “Dream It Yourself”! Upload a photo and description of a home project you are working on and EARN 5 BONUS SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES.
Finally, for the GIVEAWAY: To enter complete #1-3
1) Follow the show on Facebook and Twitter and for a chance to win more prizes from American Dream Builders and Lowe’s!
2)Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo on Facebook and Twitter.
3) What is your dream home makeover? (place response in comment thread)
Winner will be randomly selected April 5th @ 11:59pm
Each household is only eligible to win One (1) $50 Lowe’s Gift Card via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
Date Night. What comes to mind when I hear those two words? Date night to me means, momma having to do lots of cleaning/prep work, disagreements, too much money, and guilt all for a few measly hours away from home. And the final words that come to mind when I hear date night, not worth it! Sad, but true!
Cleaning and Prep work….
So this may come as a shock to some but my home is a mess, it is in constant motion. With an 8, 6, and 3 year old the tables, floors, and counters are constantly being cleaned off and then seconds later they are covered with play dough, Legos, Barbie’s, Art projects, etc. Thus, before a sitter enters the house momma has some cleaning to do, mostly de-cluttering (so at least the children can be located easily), vacuuming, etc. nothing to strenuous. But by the time I have finished cleaning, setting out the children’s PJs, and making certain everything is ready for the next morning the last thing I want to do is primp. I don’t want to shave my legs, put on a dress, and high heels. After running everyone around all day, walking through Costco (and lugging everything into the house), chasing down the dog, going up and down the steps with loads of laundry, and cleaning the house, putting my feet in high heels would be a form of torture, no thank you.
Disagreements over our destination….
What kind of food do WE have a taste for? Where do WE want to eat? I despise these questions. Why? Because WE can never come to an agreement! My husband is more of a meat and potatoes type of guy while I am more of a foodie. I want more gourmet cuisine. I am totally comfortable with a huge plate that has two bites of something on it, as long as those two bites are amazing. Meanwhile my husband would be complaining to the waiter and requesting, where is the rest of my food? Haha! You can see our predicament.
Too much money….
I must clarify; I am okay with a gourmet restaurant, within reason. The cost of a meal at some restaurants is ridiculous. Ever glanced through a menu, noted the prices, and then wished you would have eaten the rest of your 3 year olds Mac& Cheese back at home before your left? Darn that willpower! Maybe you’ll luck out and at least be able to lick the plate when you get home. So what do you do when the prices are too high? Why act like a lady of course, and order just a side salad. Besides, like mom always said, you can fill up on water and bread. Nothing says you worked your bum off today, catered to everyone’s needs, ran around like a mad momma let’s celebrate with water and bread. Maybe the hubs will be impressed with your practice of self-control…that is until that bread basket shows up. Lol!
Guilt…..
Have you ever walked out of a restaurant and immediately felt the weight of guilt pressing down on you due to the exasperating amount you just spent on two meals? That was only for two meals?? I mean seriously, that one meal alone could have covered a semester of Junior’s college tuition. Going out to eat remorse, totally not worth it!
The solution to this date night dilemma….
The Clubhouse! The Bacon Clubhouse at McDonald’s. I know what you’re thinking, ‘please, McDonald’s, that’s a fast-food restaurant, not a date night destination’. But that’s the thing; the Bacon Clubhouse doesn’t taste like fast-food. It tastes like a ‘fancy’ Bistro sandwich (don’t worry; it is still messy enough to qualify as a man-sandwich and satisfy the meat and potato guy).
You have a choice of beef or chicken (crispy or grilled) comes with caramelized grilled onions, applewood smoked bacon, big mac special sauce, white cheddar, crisp left lettuce, fresh tomato on an Artesian Roll. YUM!
You don’t have to shave your legs, wear high-heels, or really even get a sitter…you could totally have the kiddos sit at the next table over…or there is always drive-thru Haha! Now that’s my kind of date night, no cleaning, no primping, amazing food for a reasonable price, and quality time with my hubby. Sold!
Giveaway:
Calling all the local peeps! That means all followers who live in N. W. Ohio/ S. E. Michigan.
Northwest Ohio McDonalds and Mom on the go in Holy Toledo are giving away 3 Clubhouse Be Our Guest Cards (this way you can try all 3, beef, grilled chicken, and crispy chicken) or you could share, if you wish…got a date night coming up?
To Enter:
1 Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo
2 Follow @McDonalds_NWOH
3 Simply post a comment stating which Bacon Clubhouse you are going to try first.
Winner will be randomly selected April 3rd @ 11:49am
Disclaimer: I attended a Bacon Clubhouse Sandwich tasting event and received Be our Guest Cards, no other compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.
If one more person asks me if I am happy because Spring starts tomorrow I am going to scream! Not because I am pessimistic but because I know that the ‘actual spring’, you know, with green grass, flowers blooming, etc. is weeks away. The reality is that I am going to be looking out my window at this for the next couple weeks.
A nice combination of mud, poop, random things that got left in the snow, mud shovel (as my son calls it now), old shutters (what?). Keeping it classy! Haha!
In fact I might be the only one hoping the weather dips below freezing so that it is easier to pick up the piles of poop sprawled across the yard. Seriously, that dog pooped in every square in of this backyard!
And the worst part of the warmer weather is the fact that the kids long to be outside. And they do go outside and have a great time. But then they come back in!
And my poor carpet! I just purchased a brand new area rug for our dining room that I absolutely adore. But between the muddy kids and the dog’s paw prints I am seriously considering rolling up all my area rugs and replacing them with shower curtain till the swamp in the backyard disappears. I am dead serious! And don’t get me started on laundry….wish I could get my hands on a few youth sized hazmat suits. And momma can forget about wearing those cute strappy sandals and flats for Spring, I will be rocking boots, muddy boot!
So, to sum it up, Spring in Northwest Ohio means….dirty mounds of snow and if you’re lucky some random trash that has accumulated over the past 4 months, wearing boots for a few more weeks, washing lots of laundry, mopping floors, YELLING “take off your gosh darn shoes” as kids trail mud and poop on your new area rug, lots of ‘hat days’ because it rains in order to make, what else, more mud!!
Thus, no, I am not elated with joy because Spring starts tomorrow. In fact I feel like I should be training for the long haul of washing the dog, kids, clothes, floors. Rinse. Repeat. Haha!
So, what does Spring mean to you? Can you relate? Have any tips or tricks for tackling the mud issue?
When I hear the word Campbell’s my mind goes back to a simpler time. A time when the biggest decision of the day was what type of cereal I should have for breakfast. When my day would consist of play and not coming home till the street light came on, when there were no iPhones, emails to check, or bills to pay. When I hear the word Campbell’s I think of childhood and warm tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, warm cheesy chicken casseroles, etc. Campbell’s was definitely a staple in my childhood, one that brings back warm, comforting memories. Now I am mom and I have a whole new appreciation for Campbell’s.
Now I am the one picking up and dropping of children at school, friends’ houses, and extracurricular activities. I am the one tending to the household, laundry, helping with homework, and doing the grocery shopping. And this generation of moms has additional items on their daily ‘to do’ list, now there are emails that need to be checked, texts that need to be returned, Facebook messages that need to be addressed, etc. which doesn’t leave mom much time to prepare and cook a homemade meal. So what’s the alternative? Is fast-food the only option for busy on the go moms? Do we have to compromise our families health inorder to meet the demands of our busy schedules? No!
I have found a way to provide my family with wholesome homemade meals without having to clear my schedule for 3 hours in the afternoon or attain a culinary degree. My secret, Campbell’s. Campbell’s website offers a slew of recipes that are heart healthy and right at your finger tips. Perfect for us busy mommas who don’t have time to go threw a multitude of cookbooks or websites in search of the healthiest options. I also like the fact that the recipes are simple. I am not a fan of recipes that call for 20+ ingredients. I am more of a 12 or less ingredients type of gal. And my family loves the fact that all the meals are full of flavor (apparently in my pre-Campbell days my meals ‘lacked taste’ as my husband so eloquently put it). Here are a few of my families favorites and the best part, they are American Heart Association Certified recipes. Just click on the picture to be directed to the recipe. (You’re Welcome 🙂 ).
Thanks to Campbell’s even I, the girl who received a C in home economics (sad, but true), the mom who is always on the go, the family’s heart health advocate, can provide a wholesome meal that my family loves. Campbell’s and Motherhood, a match made in heaven.
For coupons and special savings on Campbell’s products CLICK HERE.
Between Campbell’s heart healthy recipes and our family staying active together via various family fun activities, such as hikes, dancing, swimming, etc. I can sleep better knowing I am doing the best for my family’s heart health.
So do tell, are you a Campbell’s mom too? What is your favorite recipe? Do you prefer the recipes with short ingredients or long exhausting recipe? How does your family stay heart healthy?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Campbell Soup Company. All thoughts are my own.
There are 101 reasons why 3 year olds rule and here are #10, #9, #8…….
We attended a Bowling Birthday Party this past weekend and I managed to capture the interaction, the joy, and pure beauty between our 3 year old and her friend. The images eloquently capture the essence of 3 in all its glory.
#10 Teamwork/Loves learning to work together….
The bowling ball was really heavy so they came up with the perfect solution, teamwork! Watching the two of them slowing carry the bowling ball to the wrong lane, then the correct lane, and discussing how to actually get the ball down the lane was priceless.
#9 Friendly…
After they got the ball down the alley they grabbed each other’s hands, it was so natural. It had me thinking about how many times in life I would like to be able to just grab someone’s hand and say, without any words, “I am hear for you, we will get through this together”.
I love the fact that children have such innocence, everyone is their friend. Why just the other day we were at Costco checking out and there was a little girl in the lane next to us. The girls instantly gravitated towards one another and started talking about their boots and favorite colors. You would have thought they were long lost friends but they had just met. How beautiful the 3 year old mind is, it hasn’t been tainted by what society deems acceptable. It instantly sees the similarities we each have rather than the differences.
# 8 Expressive….
After the ball rolled halfway down the alley she started celebrating! Mind you the ball hadn’t even reached the vicinity of the pins yet, but in her mind their endeavor was successful for they were able to get the ball to go down the correct lane together. And that called for celebration. When she celebrates she expresses her pure joy with her entire body.
How magnificent that at 3 years old we can see the small victories of everyday tasks and take pleasure in it. The question begs, when do we become so hard on ourselves? When do we lose finding the joy in the small victories?
