Dum Dums Factory Tour!!

Oh my word!! I just had the best afternoon! Ever have one of those rare experiences where you are suddenly a kid again? When all your worries about bills, laundry, work, etc. suddenly disappear? When your biggest decision is strawberry or root beer? Well that is precisely how I spent my afternoon at the Spangler Factory and Museum! Oh, and by the way, strawberry.

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As you enter the store you are greeted by the sweet aroma of candy and charming Spangler employee who offers samples of Dum Dums and candy canes…yes, please!! Then it’s time for a stroll through history in the museum where they have displays of past products, molds, literature, etc.  Did you know that Spangler was founded in 1906 and that they make 10 million Dum Dums each day!? Now that is a lot of suckers (contemplated a political joke here but opted against it).

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After perusing the museum we hopped aboard the trolley for our factory tour! But first everyone had to put on a hairnet…is that Laverne and Shirley? Now those are two hot mamas, lol!

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 I think we have found a resolution to all the birth control controversy, one word, hairnet!

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While on the factory tour we learned about the seasonal Dum Dum flavors they will have in stores for Autumn/Christmas time. The eight limited edition flavors are, sugar plum, hot chocolate, sugar cookie, gingerbread (for the sophisticated palate, lol! My favorite!), merry cherry, sugar plum, apple cider, green apple crunch, and polar punch!

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As the trolley took us from one room to the next I couldn’t help but feel like I was on How it’s Made. It was fascinating watching all the conveyor belts filled with Dum Dums and other various products…and to see the orange boxes piled high for Halloween and the numerous candy canes piled ceiling high for Christmas!

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When the tour ended we headed for the store to purchase a bag of those limited edition flavors of Fall in addition to a bag of Circus Peanuts (FYI, the flavor is banana) for my dad (I am not the biggest fan), and our toddler requested we try a bag of strawmellows.  We all couldn’t wait to give the limited edition flavors a try!

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As I went for the door to leave I hesitated, I didn’t want this visit back to childhood to end. Thankfully I was able to take a little home with me in the form of Dum Dums and whenever I unwrap one I will recall today and all the fun had at the Spangler Candy Factory.

 

After quiet time the kiddos had candy for snack (Yep, I am totally Mom of the Year! Jamie Oliver would probably have me placed in food prison) and got to have some more fun on the Dum Dums page!

Click here for fun word searches, mazes, coloring sheets, online games, and more!

So what is your favorite Dum Dums flavor?

Memories are priceless but space is limited!

Letting go can be the hardest thing to do as a mom…letting go of the baby clothes, baby toys, adorable Christmas outfits, first day of school outfits, etc….oh the memories!  The difficult part is separating the memories from the physical objects. We place such a high value on these items because of our personal memories…we fear letting go because that may mean that we will also let go of the memory.

Solution….

In order to overcome these fears make a digital scrapbook of your child’s special moments, special toys, clothing, etc. that can be placed on a bookshelf and reviewed when you please.  Clean up those items and give them a second life by having a garage sale, dropping them off at a resale shop, or donating them to a shelter. The fact that those items will now go towards making another child and mother’s memories should be enough to lift your spirits.

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So, in conclusion, the choice is yours, you can have a shrine to your past or start enjoying the present and make room for the future?

I have decided to do the latter and have my first ever garage sale, because space is definitely limited in our house, wish me luck!

And any advice and/or suggestions are totally welcomed and appreciated.

Do You Hoard Your Child’s Artwork?

7 signs that you are a hoarder of your child’s artwork….

1.)    You can no longer see your refrigerator. What started off as a couple of drawing being displayed on the refrigerator has escalated and the refrigerator is entirely camouflaged by artwork?

2.)    You can no longer use your kitchen for fear of a fire…all that artwork around appliances is a hazard.

3.)    You dare not throw any away, what if you are raising a little Picasso; just think of how much each and every piece of artwork might be worth.

4.)    When a family member tries to touch or dispose of your child’s art work you will rummage through the trash to retrieve it.

5.)    You would rather cut off your left arm than dare dispose of your child’s artwork.

6.)    You fear breaking your child’s heart.

7.)    There is a weird stretch coming from your home…Fruit Loop and noodle artwork clearly has a shelf life!

What to do with all those art projects?

If your dream is to one day be profiled on hoarders them by all means carry on…you are well on your way! However, if you are looking for a way to reclaim your kitchen, keep your left arm, and not breaking little Picasso’s heart then here is the answer…. 

Have a draw set aside for his art projects and star/sticker quality work that is sent home.  Allow your child to show you their work then ask which ones they would like to keep in their drawer and which ones can be recycled.  Be practical moms, I realize every project your child works on is precious but you need a home, not a shrine to your child’s works.  At the end of the year go through the drawer and select the top 12 projects (or more if you have the wall space but no more than 20 per child per year).  Purchase an inexpensive frame to display your child’s art work as well as scissors and double-sided tape.

Arrange the art work and any additional sentimental memorabilia on the insert (the cheap paper or picture shown with the frame) that is included with the frame.  You may need to cut various projects in order for all to fit accordingly.  Once they are arranged in a visually pleasing display stick double-sided tape on the back of each so that it is affixed to the insert. Place the insert back in the frame and decide where you will display your little artist and scholars work.

This is something that could be done every year. You can purchase a new frame each year and display every year, that is, if you have the wall space.  Or, you could remove the insert each year and replace it with new projects.  My ideal plan is to one day have a finished basement and be able to display each year on the walls with track lighting highlighting each.  A girl can dream!

Space Warriors Blu-Ray combo pack Giveaway

Movie nights are a family favorite in our household.  It is nice to come together after a long week and relax, to turn off all phones and cozy up on the couch together, to watch the children’s eyes widen in awe and curiosity.  I have found that movie night often equates to a learning opportunity. Whether it is an emotional, moral, educational, etc. the plot, the protagonist vs. antagonist or even side story can allude to a learning experience. And I am so thankful that my husband and I are there to answer the children’s questions. With that being said, I think it is important to note that we scrutinize each proposed movie in order to not expose the children to situations, context/circumstances that are beyond their fundamentals, not in correlation with our values, and not deemed appropriate by my husband and myself.

Thankfully Walden Family Theater and the Hallmark channel are making the screening process much easier for my husband and me. I know what you’re thinking, Walden Theater?

Walden Media specializes in entertainment for the whole family, creating movies, books and television series that spark the imagination and delight all generations. Past award-winning films include: “The Chronicles of Narnia” series, “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” “Nim’s Island,” “Charlotte’s Web” and the Sundance Audience Prize Winning documentary “Waiting for ‘Superman.’” Walden Media’s most recent theatrical release is the family comedy “Parental Guidance,” starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler, which was the biggest comedy hit of the 2012 holiday season.  Source

Walden Family Theater features great family entertainment, and is airing Friday nights exclusively on Hallmark Channel. Walden Family Theater is creating films the whole family will enjoy, so make sure to mark your calendars and gather around the television to watch all the great upcoming films! Don’t want to wait?

Then you can head to Wal-Mart and purchase Space Warriors, second of the Walden Family Theater original lineup features. (Or enter the Blu-Ray combo pack giveaway below)

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About Space Warriors:
Six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As the competition heats up, the kids have no idea that their ultimate challenge will be to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches.

Starring: Thomas Horn, Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Dermot Mulroney,  Mira Sorvino and Booboo Stewart.

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And to get you in a Space Warriors mood checkout this fun interactive Space Warrior Blog App! It is so much fun! Are you a Space Warrior? Take the QUIZ to find out….click on image above!

Why not make it a Space-tacular evening by inviting a few friends over, serve astronaut ice cream, and share in some activities to REALLY get your kiddos in the Space Warrior Mood. Click here for Viewing Guide and Activities

GIVEAWAY!!

Enter to win a Space Warriors Blu-ray combo pack!!

To enter simply….

Like Space Warriors Facebook page.

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook page.

Follow @mamaof3onthego on twitter.

Follow @waldenmedia on twitter.

Tweet…this post with #SpaceWarriors 

Post a comment with your answer to this question: In our Solar System what is the hottest planet?     1. Mars 2. Venus 3. Planet Hollywood 4. Jupiter

Giveaway ends ….7/27 @ 11:59pm and winner will be notified 7/28

Time to extend an olive branch?

While watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey this season (comprehension of this post is not dependent upon viewership of the show) and observing the terrible grudge that has transpired, virtually separating a family, I find myself questioning my future interest in the show. While watching these two sides bicker I find myself becoming heated, furious at the fact that these adults are allowing this to occur, that they are allowing an entire family to become divided. The adults are causing the elders distress and separating cousins and future generations all because of a misunderstanding basically brought on by personal insecurities that resulted in a disagreement.

I couldn’t help but think of the RHNJ’s families as I sat on the steps at my Great Aunt and Uncle’s cottage on the 4th of July. An overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation came over me. These were the same steps that I sat on every 4th of July when I was a young child and my father when he was a child and my grandparents when they were young parents. How fascinating, right!? I mean to think that all the memories made and treasured by each generation could have been nil if my grandmother and her sister had let a grudge fester.  If that had happened none of us would even know each other now. I would not know that not only are our cousins beautiful on the outside but on the inside too. I am so grateful for the behavior the past generations in our family have exercised and modeled for the present generations.

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Now don’t get me wrong I understand that quarrels happen in families. Shoot, just the other day my sister and I got into a disagreement about the weather. After a few minutes we apologized and vowed to only discuss religion and politics from that moment on, lol! I realize this was just a small quarrel and sometimes an olive branch isn’t enough, sometimes you need to extend the entire tree. No matter how you start, with a leaf, branch, or tree it is important that you do it!

The health issues affiliated with holding a grudge should be reason enough to extinguish any animosity and practice forgiveness.

Research has shown that the stress that accompanies suppressed anger resulting from unforgiveness can lead to mental and physical health problems. Some studies have even suggested that trait anger directly increases a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Source    

But grudges are not limited to families.  They occur in friendships, with neighbors, community members, etc. too.  Ever come across someone you haven’t seen in years and they say the most peculiar thing to you? Like they have been holding onto something for quite some time? But when they explain it you have no recollection? Either they remembered it wrong or perhaps something did happen in the past but you didn’t realize it bothered them.  Either way it is in the past. How sad that they allowed it to build up and fester for all these years. It really is ashamed because the only person they harmed was themselves. Now imagine if they had simply confronted you years ago. Kindly acknowledge the issue and you could have had a discussion and settled all misunderstandings, apologized, and been forgiven. That individual could have then had moments, situations, events in life back…the ones in which they had allowed their own anger towards you to rob themselves from possible joys.

 

Like the Matthew West song lyric states….

It’ll clear the bitterness away

 It can even set a prisoner free

 There is no end to what it’s power can do

 So, let it go and be amazed

 By what you see through eyes of grace

 The prisoner that it really frees is you

 

 Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Do you know of a family that has been affected by a grudge? Have you ever held a grudge, how did it make you feel? Do you need to extend an olive branch? Or, maybe you wish someone would forgive you? Please share…this is a no judgment zone you words will be met with kindness and understanding.

99 Problems but a Zit ain’t one! (vlog & giveaway $80 value)

Dermagist Review and Giveaway!! Check out the pictures below, pretty impressive huh? Click on the video to learn more!

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Enter here for your chance to win Dermagist Detoxifying Cleanser and Clarifying Cream! Giveaway is open to all who reside in the US and Canada.

To enter simply:

1.Like Dermagist on Facebook

2.Follow Dermagist on Pinterest

3.Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo on Twitter (@mamaof3onthego)

4.Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo’s facebook page

5.Once you have completed steps 1-4 post a comment saying you have done so.

Disclaimer: if you have previously won a Dermagist giveaway you will not be eligible to win this giveaway.

Winner will be randomly selected July 3rd @ 11:59pm

Disclosure: I was given the Dermagist Detoxifying Cleanser and Clarifying Cream in order to complete this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Stop Pinning and Pledge!! ($1000 towards a new grill!)

Summertime means long days at the pool, going barefoot, and grilling with friends!

Now I would love to say we have family, friends, and neighbors over practically every weekend to gather around the grill. But the truth is we haven’t had a sole over yet! Now I could run off a list of excuses. We had a t-ball game, birthday party, etc. and we are just too tired. Or I could blame it on the empty propane tank. But come on, those are quick fixes. Want to know the honest to goodness truth? This is really difficult for me to admit but, I am a recovering perfectionist and since being introduced to Pinterest I have relapsed.  See, in my mind in order to have a gathering in our backyard now it needs to look like this….

Source: http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2010/10/a-pretty-backyard-bridal-shower/
Source: http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2010/10/a-pretty-backyard-bridal-shower/

Ridiculous right!? Basically I need to try really hard to make it look like I didn’t try at all. Wait. Did that make sense!? I do believe my ‘crazy’ is officially showing, lol! See it is taking me some time to find the perfect chairs to sand, paint, and distress…or, basically make them look old again. And for some strange reason my husband is not onboard with us searching antique stores for the perfect sofa to sit in the backyard. Apparently you can have a cookout without a couch!?

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Source…http://pinterest.com/pin/100134791686707059/

Thankfully with the help of my hubby and Heinz I have come to the realization that waiting for perfection is a waste of time and I have taken the pledge!  What pledge you ask?  

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Heinz Ketchup, encourages families to gather around the grill to celebrate good food, good company and good weather this summer. And get this, it doesn’t matter what your backyard, table, or chairs look like…just have fun!  And the best part…by pledging before July 15th, you’ll also be entered into a sweepstake to win a new grill!! Click here to pledge and be entered into the sweepstakes.

Will you stop the pinning insanity and take the pledge today?  It is okay if you aren’t ready to stop pinning (just admitting you have a problem is the first step) I understand, but you can still pledge!  How many gatherings will you pledge?

Is society controlling your life?

After getting the kiddos situation in the kitchen with an art project this morning I set off for the family room to fold clothes. Exciting I know!  While folding I turned on the TV and quickly found myself being pulled into a talk show. The topic was unconventional marriages.  The host was interviewing a traditional Orthodox Jewish marriage.  First I found it ironic that the topic was unconventional marriages and the couple was in a traditional marriage. My second thought was, when did the traditional marriage become unconventional? Then I listen further and found myself mesmerized by the tradition, romance, and respect that this couple shared.

They explained that when they dated there was no physical contact. Their religion teaches that physical touch is powerful and very holy and should be reserved for husband and wife. They further explained that when you have physical touch you lose the object or purpose of dating, to get to know each other on a psychological level. If physical touch is present the focus is broken and lust can take over mimicking an artificial bond.  The question that then begs to be asked, how do you know you have the physical chemistry? They so eloquently expressed how the love and intimacy builds and from that romance and the physical components naturally follow.  It sounded so beautiful! Who would not want such a deep, meaningful, spiritual, and magical moment on their wedding day! Why does society tell us that this is the exception to the norm, why did the audience find this couples story to be so absurd?

 

Society, the media, social media, reality television, etc. tells us that the norm is premarital sex, birth control, and multiple sexual partners. That you have every right to experiment and get what you need physically, after all it is biological. Man or Woman, you need to be in control of your sexuality. Women specifically need to practice responsible sexual behavior and take control over their sexual health. Women should be on some form of birth control. Birth control has practically become an accessory for life for most women. Shoot, after asking what class are you taking, and what time do you get up in the morning, the next question going around college dorms is what birth control are you on? But by engaging in premarital sex and taking birth control women are depriving themselves of the natural biological means for selecting a mate.

When women take a hormonal contraceptive, they interfere with their biology and risk producing a hormonal imbalance that might make them more attracted to men with similar chemical makeup. If you were on the pill when you met your mate, you might, therefore, feel less attracted to him when you stop taking it—or worse, you may have greater trouble getting pregnant. Needless to say, either of these scenarios could cause problems within the relationship.  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/29/using-birth-control-pills-alters-womens-mate-preferences.aspx

According to neuropsychologist Dr. Tim Jennings: “When you have premarital sex, your reward circuitry is bonded to them now (like when a mother gives birth to a baby and nurses the baby the hormone Oxytocin is released and produces the bonding experience…same hormone is released during sex) , and it will be much deeper and hurtful. Oftentimes, in breakups of people who’ve been sexually active, they can’t tolerate the sense of emptiness, so they rush into another relationship. The neuro circuits did not have time to reset, and so they’re impaired in their ability to bond with the next person, and they may become sexually active with them. This is just a repetitive cycle, and there are real impairments in bonding going on.   http://www.conquerseries.com/2013/01/10/how-premarital-sex-rewires-the-brain/

Thus, when you add the biological and hormonal imbalance of a contraceptive with premarital sex the results can be devastating. We officially rob ourselves of all that is beautiful and magical in this world. We rob ourselves of true love, a true biological and emotional connection to a mate, a lifelong partner. Why is society encouraging our young adolescents to get on birth control and ultimately destroy what God so perfectly created?

And then to take it a step further. For those who are fortunate to still remain married after all that hormonal imbalance, and are able to bear children, society then takes ahold and dictates yet another magical component of life, the gift of life!  Through innuendoes and stumble implications in society, a family should constitute 1-3 children. Anything else is absurd. After all children are an inconvenience, they cost money, and you should be happy with what you have…to have more is just irresponsible. So a step must be made to make certain no more children enter the marriage. Having the male get a vasectomy seems to be the preferred method. Shoot, it is practically a rite of passage these days. Men joke around about it and it has most recently been tokened as the March Madness procedure. If you are still questioning societies influence on the topic perhaps this will make it clearer, vasectomies are covered by insurance; and a reversal can cost thousands of dollars. What anyone fails to discuss is the emotional and physical strain it can have on a marriage. Every woman I have spoken with whose husband has had a vasectomy have expressed that they were not 100% comfortable with their decision. To add insult to injury, most of those men had a vasectomy when their youngest child was under a year old. Thus mom was still dealing with her own hormonal imbalances from child-birth.

I lost trust in my husband’s decisions for the family, but all the while I never expressed my heartache because the vasectomy changed my husband in many ways as well. He became very focused on his work, his career advancement and the money that he could make under the guise of “providing” for the family. He continued to seek his own will and not that of God in his decisions, and I felt afraid of the control that he had over me. In hindsight, taking away someone’s fertility against their will is one of the most controlling things that anyone can do. http://onemoresoul.com/contraception-abortion/testimonials-contraception-abortion/a-womans-story-of-her-husbands-vasectomy-reversal.html

 

In conclusion, what kills me is that I am in my 30s and it has taken me this long to realize the truth and the control society has if you allow it. How the beauty of the miraculous has been lost, we have replaced it with synthetics. My wish is that all young ladies understand the effects that birth control has on you and that premarital sex doesn’t make you an adult, self-control does! Addressing the religious component of our sexuality doesn’t always come across clearly to adolescents but scientific proof might.

Perhaps if we share the truth with younger generations the rate of divorces and infertility will be less. There would be less synthetic hormones streaming through female bodies and less synthetic love from premarital sex. They can base their mate selection on pure biological and psychological connect as God intended. 

 

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