Giveaway – Page 5 – Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Sippy Grab KoalaLabels Review and Giveaway (vlog)

March 18, 2013March 19, 2013momonthegoinholytoledo

“Label it!” was a phrase that my brother, sister, and I heard often when we were growing up. Whether it was a cup, crayons, scissors, bathing suit, underwear, shoes, you name and our mother told us to label it. Which totally make sense coming from a woman who grew up in a family of 9, and 6 of those 9 were brothers, I would have labeled everything too! So when I came across the opportunity to review something with label in the name I simply couldn’t refuse. In fact, I found myself becoming all nostalgic.

My mind instantly went back to a fond childhood memory, planting flowers with my mom on a warm spring day. Sipping a cool refreshment from my awesome Tupperware Sippy cup. Then going to sit that Sippy cup on the ground only to find that the adhesive from previous labeling (masking tape with child’s name written in marker) was left behind and the cup was stuck to my hand along with some dirt and what appeared to be a few strands of my hair. Oh the memories.

Now that I am a mom I have a new-found appreciation for the good old labeling technique, in fact so much so that I actually have a little jingle I often sing to my children. Are you familiar with the song, ‘Put a Ring on it’ ? But in place of ring I state label. (I contemplated singing it for you in the vlog but I will not put you through that torture) It goes like this;

‘Cause if you liked it, then you should have put a label on it

If you liked it, then you shoulda put a label on it

Don’t be mad once you see that he want it

‘Cause if you liked it, then you shoulda put a label on it

Uhh, oh, uhh oh, oh, oh, oh

The funny thing is, in this day and age of iPads, Smart Phones, etc. the technique for labeling Sippy cups has not really evolved at all. I am still using the same technique my mom used which is why I was excited to have the opportunity to review the Sippy Grab KoalaLabels. So, were they a bust, or brilliant? Find out….

Oh, and I almost forgot, Sippy Grab KoalaLabels also….

Can be permanently personalized by simply placing child’s name on label with a sharpie permanent marker, placing label in boiling water for 8-10 minutes, dry, and repeat for best results
Are FDA compliant Non-Toxic Material
Dishwasher & Microwave safe
Makes griping cups much easier
Phthalate, Lead, & BPA FREE

Click here for more information.

Now it’s time to celebrate all the magnificent way these little labels make parents and caregivers lives much easier! And what better way to celebrate than to have a giveaway!

Enter to win a package of SippyGrab KoalaLabels by simply….

Like Kidaroo Crew LLC facebook page (please like from your personal facebook page and not a business, only the personal pages count)
Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page (please like from your personal facebook page and not a business, only the personal pages count)
Follow @Mamaof3onthego (Mom on the go in Holy Toledo) on twitter
Follow Kidaroo Crew on twitter

Once you have completed all four please post a comment stating you have done so.

Winner will be randomly selected April 1^st

For more great giveaways check out….

http://bloggiveawaydirectory.com/

Disclosure: I was given two Sippy Grab KoalaLabels in order to complete this review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Avon Spa Night and Giveaway!!

March 1, 2013momonthegoinholytoledo

Last Friday night I had the most enjoyable and relaxing evening with friends and fellow moms, I hosted an Avon Spa Night!

The invites read….

As a mom you give, and give, and GIVE! You deserve a break!

You deserve time to unwind and relax, you deserve a Spa Night!

On the menu for the evening:

– Detox & Hydrate Bar: Help yourself to a variety of veggies, sushi, etc. and a few naughty treats at the bar.

– Hand treatments: Sugar scrub, Paraffin dip, and moisturizer lotion.

– Avon Representative Lilly will share some of the great products Avon has for you to enjoy your own personal Spa Nights at home. As well as, some great tips for looking great while under the influence of motherhood.

– Raffle!

– Socializing time and table topics

– Massages: Massage Therapist will be bringing her table and setting up a tranquil retreat for private massages. (Massages are a $1 per minute, massages can vary from 10-45 minutes)

Please come dressed in comfortable lounging clothes. This is a moms only event, no kiddos, we want you to relax.

Added bonus: First 6 moms to RSVP will receive a prize!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apparently a lot of moms agreed that a Spa Night was the perfect cure for the mommy mayhem because we filled the house with 10 Momma! (Please note, I and one mom are missing from the photo, she was enjoying her massage…just seemed wrong to interrupt a peaceful massage for a photo-op).

Each mom took her turn getting a massage while the remainder enjoyed learning and using a few of the many awesome products Avon offers. You truly can bring the Spa Experience home with Avon thus saving both time and money, and this party proved it. Here is just one example…

Mani-Pedi with paraffin wax dips at a Spa can cost an up worth of $80. And you also have to find a babysitter for your kiddos and then work around that sitter’s schedule, exhausting! So, what’s the next best option? Bring the Spa experience home and give yourself a Mani-Pedi with paraffin wax (which can take time to get out, heat up, and clean). And while you may not require a babysitter you will have to walk the fine line between the kiddos falling asleep and you falling asleep. There is nothing worse than red nail polish across the forehead in the morning as you walk your child into school. After you have explained to the umpteenth parent that no, you are not bleeding, it is nail polish, you almost wish your forehead was just bleeding (hypothetically speaking of course)! So what is a mom to do? Go through life with dry cracking hands and feet accompanied by naked nails! NOOO (hands on cheeks, and screaming in astonishment)!! Avon to the rescue!

Paraffin Moisture Treatment Mask! This stuff is A-Mazing! We used it on our hands, placed a warm towel over our hands, a few minutes later, and voila! Beautiful, soft, young-looking hands, like Magic! Talk about convenient and affordable, takes no time compared to getting out the paraffin kit and heating up the wax, and it only cost $6. Hello, I believe this is what they call a no-brainer! Oh, and that nail drying dilemma, solved!

Speed Dry nail polish! No more having to worry about a scarlet line across the forehead as you drop your kiddos off at school (again, totally hypothetical scenario). Not only did this party prove that it is much more convenient and practical to have an Avon Spa night at home as opposed to visiting the Spa but I also learned a few tidbits for my morning routine.

Such as, did you know that you should be doing your eye makeup first and then your foundation? I had no idea but it does make sense. I often get eye shadow powder on my cheeks and sometimes a speck of mascara under my eyes. It really stinks because I have to wipe it off and begins the process of trying to match the new foundation up with the prior coat. Now I do my eye makeup first and if I get anything on my cheeks I can wipe it clean with the handy makeup remover wipes that I received for hosting, in addition to eye makeup remover. We also had a chance to try out other Avon products.

As the night progressed we had a raffle and then in was finally time for my massage. After that massage I was a happy, refreshed, and distressed momma. It was such a great night! I only wish I could have invited all of you to the party, or at least have gotten everyone’s name into the raffle. What if there was a way? That’s right, giveaway!!

Lilly, the Avon Independent Sales Representative who shared all the amazing products Avon offers wants you to stress less, by saving time and money with the Avon Paraffin Moisture Treatment Mask and a Speed Drying nail polish (click here to see color options for nail polish). How awesome is she?

To Enter:

Like Lilly’s Avon Ind. Sls. Rep. facebook page (please like from your personal facebook page and not a business, for some reason only the personal pages are counting on facebook now)
Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page (please like from your personal facebook page and not a business, for some reason only the personal pages are counting on facebook now)
Like Be Well Massage Therapy (please like from your personal facebook page and not a business, for some reason only the personal pages are counting on facebook now)
Once you have completed all three then post a comment stating you have done so.

Winner will be randomly selected March 8^th

Fish McBites Fix and Giveaway!

February 24, 2013February 25, 2013momonthegoinholytoledo

Picture it….Friday morning and I have accomplished the impossible. I have dropped off our 1^st grader at school, managed to complete all our grocery shopping for the next two weeks, with my little helpers no less. Translation, there were a few hurdles (potty visits, begs for obnoxious foods, visiting the fish aquariums, and cleanup isle 15) but I rocked it! If there was a motherhood grocery shopping Olympics I just won the Gold!

I packed the groceries into the car and then gave myself a minute to bask in the success of my grocery shopping skills. Then it was on with the remaining errands. Thankfully this winter weather is good for something besides sledding, groceries can sit a few minutes longer in the car so momma can check off a few more items from her ‘to do’ list. I continue on to the gas station, bank, and I was on my way to drop off preschool tuition when I heard a little voice from the back seat say, “I am hungry”. As I glanced down at the clock I realize that there is clearly not enough time for me to complete my last errands, unload groceries, and then make lunch. It would be way too late and there wouldn’t be enough time for nap time/quiet time before having to pick up my 1^st grader and quiet time keeps momma sane so that was nonnegotiable. The solution? Drive-thru!

I don’t care what anyone has to say, when you are in the throes of a ‘to do’ list with a preschooler and toddler becoming restless in the backseat after just coming off of an intense grocery shopping spree eating in the car quickly becomes an embraceable solution. So I pulled into the nearest McDonald’s promising the kiddos Happy Meals since they were so good while I ran errands. Then I remembered, it is Lent. Shoot! How does a mom back pedal from that promise? While trying to determine how I was going to explain to the children that McDonald’s ran out of Happy Meals and consequently, in lying to my children added Confession to my ‘to do’ list. But as I came around the curb I saw it, it was beautiful, a sign that indicated that Fish McBites are in Happy Meals!

So the kiddos got to have their Happy Meals with fish McBites and I gave them a try too. To be honest I was pleasantly surprised by the crispy, tender, big flavor taste of the flaky Alaska Pollock bites! And after further research I also like the fact that the McBites fish, wild-caught Alaska Pollock, like all of McDonald’s fish, is from a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable fishery http://www.msc.org/.

They were so yummy last Friday that I decided to get them again this Friday. McBites are this Mom on the go’s go to fish fix for Lent. There is nothing better than after a long week of running kiddos around, laundry, etc. than to get a break from meal prep, cooking, and clean-up, yep McDonald’s does the dishes. Score! Don’t you deserve a break today (kicking it old school…remember this slogan?)?

Cue the Giveaway…

Enter to win this awesome Fish McBites prize pack consisting of: Fish McBites branded items including, t-shirt, hat, koozie, and $10 arch card all in a drawstring bag!

To Enter:

Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page (please like from your personal facebook page and not a business, for some reason only the personal pages are counting on facebook now)
Follow Mamaof3onthego on Twitter
Follow McDonald’s on Twitter https://twitter.com/mcdonalds_NWOH
Once you have completed a numbers 1-3 please post a comment indicating you have done so

Winner will be randomly selected Wed. February 27^th.

Good luck!

Disclosure: I was given the Fish McBites Prize pack and coupons, no other compensation was received, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Moms’ Timeout Show: Christmas Special (includes a Giveaway)!

December 21, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

…..and now for the Giveaway!

We are giving away 4 of McDonald’s Seasonal favorite beverages to one lucky person! We want you to slow down and truly savory the season with 2 Small French Vanilla Lattes and 2 Small Peppermint Mocha or Small Peppermint Hot Chocolates.

How to enter:

Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo blog

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook page

Like McDonald’s twitter https://twitter.com/McDonaldspage

Once you have done all three post a comment stating so as well as an item on your Christmas wish list (silly or serious).

Winner will be randomly selected Jan. 1^st 2013

Moms’ Timeout Show & Organic allergen-free Candy Giveaway!

October 24, 2012November 7, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Calling all moms, do you feel like you are a walking zombie, are you having trouble getting through the witching hour, do you feel like you are in the twilight zone? If you answered yes to any of these help is on the way, simply click on the video below to learn some serious, and humorous, ways to Survive the Tricks & Treats of Motherhood!

And now for the Giveaway!

YummyEarth is giving away a package of their amazing lollipops. Why are they so amazing? Because they are:

Certified Organic
Gluten Free
Contain no Artificial Dyes
100% Natural Flavors
100% Vegan
Tree-nut Free
GMO-Free
Peanut-Free
Soy-Free
Wheat-Free
Dairy-Free
No MSG
No Corn Syrup
Casein-Free

You might be thinking wow…so, what is left? Real fruit extracts….they help flavor and color YummyEarth! And they taste amazing…my kiddos eat them up. YummyEarth products are great treats for your kiddos to take to school parties because they do not contain ingredients that children are commonly allergic to. I personally like these lollipops as incentives for potty training. You Poop you get a lolliPop!

To read more about YummyEarth’s inventors (two dads, I love that!) and their focus on making sure the ingredients are grown responsibly… on small family farms, enabling hard-working families to earn a fair income while avoiding harsh pesticides and unsustainable farming practices. CLICK HERE

Rules:

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

Like Lilly’s Kitchen Lab’s facebook page

Like YumEarth’s facebook page

Then post a comment stating you have done so and give a guesstimate of how many different types of headpieces we wore throughout the clip and/or which one was your favorite!

Winner will be randomly selected on Halloween!

The Heart of Christmas: A Life Changing Movie (Review and GIVEAWAY)

October 17, 2012October 17, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

After running around town this morning dropping off our preschooler at a field trip, picking him up from his field trip, then dropping off our 6-year-old at school (she had a delay start), and going back to pick up our preschooler from school I realized that I had driven up and down the same street 6 times between the hours of 9 & 11:30am with our toddler in tow. By the time I got home I felt so frazzled and so behind, I did not accomplish anything this morning (besides driving). That overwhelmed feeling was multiplied as I opened the door and was greeted by the pile of laundry that was dumped on the coffee table while one of the kiddos search for an article of clothing this morning, the Legos that were left sprawled on the floor from the night before, the shoes tossed right by the front door, the fingerprints all over the window from our toddler getting into the markers, etc. So I rushed to feed the kiddos and started doing the dishes while they ate lunch. After they had lunch and went down for a nap/quiet time I hit my “to do list” hard! So much to do so little time!

First things first, I had been putting my review of The Heart of Christmas off for the past two days trying to find the perfect time to view it and I couldn’t put it off any longer. So I grabbed some laundry to fold (always multitasking) while I began watching The Heart of Christmas. And WOW! The gift I received having had the opportunity to watch the film is difficult to put into words.

The Heart of Christmas tells the story of Austin and Julie Locke, who are devastated to learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. With courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax one last Christmas – even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of care and support. The Heart of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays. In stores now!

Movie Trailer

Half a box of Kleenex later and I think I am now able to maintain some composure and share the amazing gift The Heart of Christmas has given me and our family.

The film opens with a mom who is very busy; in fact she forgets that she needs to take her son trick-or-treating that evening, drop her daughter off at an overnight, and that her daughter had a game the next day. She reminded me of someone…but whom? Oh, that’s right, me! Then, while in the neighborhood where she is dropping off her daughter and trick-or-treating with her son she stumbles upon Christmas decorations, the neighborhood is decorated for Christmas, not Halloween. So she inquires about what is going on and it is then that she is told about Locke’s blog and her life and mine change from that moment on.

I don’t want to give too much away, I do not what to rob you of the amazing gift that this movie provides when you view it but I will let you know that Dax’s parents are told, that after exhausting all options and treatments, that he will not live past 6 weeks. As a parent you can’t help but to put yourself in their shoes and think about your own children and all the things you would be feeling if this was your child. Like the fact they would never experience their first kiss, driving, prom, dating…no more Christmases! I became a hot mess when Julie, Dax’s mom, realized that her son will never see another Christmas…one of the most magical times of the year for a child and the child in all of us. What the community does next is heartwarming and beyond amazing.

After viewing The Heart of Christmas guess who is now cherishing those fingerprints all over the window…the legos sprawled across the floor…little shoes by the front door? Guess who has suddenly found the time to sit down and have a snack with her children and inquire about their days while gazing into their eyes as opposed to running around completing daily chores? This mom! Thank Dax, Julie and Austin, their community, St. Jude’s, Matthew West, and everyone who contributed to The Heart of Christmas…thank you for reminding me what is truly important everyday, not just on special occasions. And I thank God for my family, my sweet babies and their health, and I pray for all the families out their who have a loved one near the end of their lifetime.

To learn more about the Locke Family, Dax, and the what you can do to help please checkout The Dax Locke Foundation.

This is the perfect film to give your loved ones this Christmas because it is more than just a movie, it is a reminder that life is short and how important it is to treasure the time we have and they will thank you for it, trust me!

To be entered into the giveaway for The Heart of Christmas DVD (retail value $27.97)

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook Page
Like Sling Shot Pictures Heart of Christmas Facebook Page
Comment in the thread stating you have done so and share a favorite Christmas tradition in your community, family, or house.

Winner will be randomly selected Oct 22^nd.

Thought I would leave you wiht this Video by Matthew West based on Dax’s story

Tailgating Tuesdays: Vegetarian Recipes & GIVEAWAY ($70 value)

September 18, 2012September 18, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Okay, so I tailgating often means you are eating food that mom usually wouldn’t approve of, but isn’t that part of the fun? My hubby would say yes! Well… to be more precise he would say something along the lines of…there is no Tofu in Tailgating! And he might be right? But why not think outside the box, or rather, the bun. We need not limit our tailgating experience to meats that fit in bun! Right!?!

Besides, tailgaters come in all different shapes, sizes, team colors, weird superstitions, and yes, each even has different dietary needs. So, if you hadn’t guessed, this Tuesday’s Tailgating topic is vegetarian tailgating recipes…. I am saying yes to Tofu and tossing the buns!

The first recipe is Asian inspired and I think it tastes scrumptious!

Asian Toasted Tofu (yummy side)

Ingredient:

1 package extra-firm tofu
1 cup peanuts (plain or honey roasted)
1 onion sliced
1 bottle Kraft toasted Asian sesame dressing

Directions:

Marinade tofu in dressing for at least 30 minutes before grill….just enough dressing so that it is submerged, about half a bottle.
Grill onions till tender.
Grill Tofu for roughly 5-6 minutes on each side (this will vary depending on the temperature of your grill so keep an eye on it.
Remove from grill and cut into bite sizes. Add peanuts, onions, and remaining dressing toss gently and enjoy!

Chili Cheese Burrito

Ingredients:

1 can Chili Ready Diced Tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 can Kidney beans
1 can blackeye peas
2 tomatoes diced
1 onion sliced
1 pepper diced
1 package of lightlife Smart Ground Original (faux beef)
8 cheese sticks (whichever type you prefer)
1 package tortillas (I like the whole grain)

Directions:

To make chili: Place chili ready tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, blackeye peas, tomatoes, Smart Ground and pepper in slow cooker on medium heat for a couple hours before you plan on tailgating. Either leave in slow cooker or take entire container or place in smaller containers.
Once you begin tailgating place the little griddle or aluminum foil on grill then add one tortilla, a couple tablespoons of the chili o the center of the tortilla, one cheese stick in the center of tortilla on top of chili and then top with a few slices of onion (I like mine grilled first but you do not have to grill them first).
Leave on gill for about 4-5 minutes and remove once cheese starts to melt.
For added texture and flavor … dab a tablespoon full of plain Greek yogurt in the center.

Enjoy!

And for Dessert…Buckeye cakes! Yep, that’s right, I said Buckeye!

Ingredients:

1 chocolate cake mix
½ stick of butter at room temperature
2 cup confession sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 Tablespoons of Milk

Directions:

Follow directions on the back of the cake mix box and cook in cupcake forms.
For frosting…mix butter and peanut butter into mixer at medium speed. Add milk and slowly add sugar until it is the right consistency.
Frost cupcakes after they have cooled otherwise the frosting will melt.

Enjoy! And go Bucks!!

And now for the giveaway!

I am not sure who had a chance to view the vlog from the first Tuesday’s Tailgating post so I thought I would include it here for those who did not view it so that you know more about the products that are in the giveaway.

This giveaway includes:

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Outdoor Lantern
Grate Chef Stainless Steel Wipes (6 wipes)
Grate Chef Non-Stick Grill Wipes (6 wipes)
Grate Chef Firestarters
Grate Chef The Groove All-in-one cleanser-filled scrubbing pads (3 pads)
Grate Chef Flare Down
Set of 4 Plate-N-cup

And is valued at $70!

In order to enter the giveaway you will need to

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page (if you haven’t done so already)
Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo blog
Like Thermacell facebook page
Like Grate Chef facebook page

And last but not least, comment to this post stating you have done all four and share what college football team or NFL team you root for!!

Good Luck!

GIVEAWAY: Spreading the Oogielove

August 21, 2012August 21, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Kenn Viselman, the creator of The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure (due out “Oogust” 29th) believes in the Power of Mom. So much so he and his team have been traveling around the country engaging bloggers in conversations about what constitutes quality G-rated entertainment. Other than a few wildlife documentaries and a re-release in a popular children’s movie in 3-D, Hollywood has completely ignored the youngest moviegoer. The best they give us for our kids – animated PG films – are loaded with aggression and bloodshed.

Moms….

You have the power to change what Hollywood pushes on your children. In fact, there is no voice more powerful than yours. You control the home, the family budget and your child’s welfare. Aren’t you tired of watching moms die in the first ten minutes of so many animated movies? Aren’t you tired of seeing your children confused by the aggression towards their beloved movie characters? There’s no place for such violence in a children’s movie. Enough is enough.

It’s this “enough is enough” attitude that got Kenn Viselman, the marketing genius who introduced us to Teletubbies, Thomas the Tank Engine, Noddy and Eloise, mad as h*ll. The end result: The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure, a film that reinvents the movie-going experience. This film – basically a movie and a live show rolled into one – is the first-of-its-kind interactive family musical that encourages the audience to get out of their seats, dance, and sing. Visual and auditory cues invite the audience to “move” the action along, allowing parents and kids to interact not only with the characters, but also with one another.

GIVEAWAY….a $150 value….

It’s Oogieloves Kids Prize Pack that includes:

Tent

Mobile

Glitter Tattoos (2)

Stickers (2)

Beach Balls (2)

To win this awesome GIVEAWAY you need to:

1. Like The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure facebook page.

2. Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page.

3. Follow The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure on Twitter and help spread the #RatedGGG

4. Post a comment below stating you have done all 3 and who you will be taking with you to see The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure (due out “Oogust” 29th)

***Winner will be randomly selected August 26th***

About the Movie….

The story follows the Oogieloves – Goobie, Zoozie and Toofie – as they prepare for a surprise birthday party for their friend, Schluufy. When their guardian, J. Edgar, loses the last five magical balloons in all of Lovelyloveville, the Oogieloves take action. Along the way, they meet Rosalie Rosebud (Toni Braxton), Dottie Rounder (Cloris Leachman), Lola and Lero Sombrero (Jaime Pressly and Christopher Lloyd), Milky Marvin (Chazz Palminteri), and Bobby Wobbly (Cary Elwes). The movie opens in theaters “Oogust” 29th.

Giveaway!

July 24, 2012July 24, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Update: This Giveaway has been extended through the end of July.

Can you recall the moment you found out you were going to be a mother? For me it was the third morning in a row that I refused coffee, me, refuse coffee, that is a crazy concept! My inclination was confirmed after taking a pregnancy test. The emotions that followed were so powerful, instant joy…quickly followed by worry…..rapidly accompanied by panic. I felt like Cinderella, like my fairy Godmother had just transformed me into something amazing, it was magical. Then the clock struck midnight and reality hit and what preceded was shock! I am pregnant….I don’t know how to be pregnant….what is normal…what isn’t normal….what if I screw this up…….what if I eat the wrong food and my child has extra limbs because of it……am I going to have to buy granny panies…..can I still be intimate with my hubby…….labor…oh God, labor…..worse, delivery….what if I don’t have the strength….and those questions kept coming, one after another. Then, upon hearing our exciting news my mother gave me a wonderful gift, What to Expect When Your Expecting. Inside the front cover she even addressed a person message to my hubby and me;

As you begin your journey as parents look for knowledge and pray for wisdom. Love always and God Bless, Mom & Dad

Ah….relief. Being the wise woman she is, my mom just gave me the best thing to ease my pregnancy and pre-motherhood worries, she gave me knowledge, she gave me What to Expect When Your Expecting or, better known as, the expect mom’s bible. I carried my copy of What to Expect everywhere….to the grocery store, work, doctors appointments, mall, you name it and it was in my bag. I was constantly referencing and easing worries and concerns that coincide with……is this normal? I took it with me to the hospital to labor and deliver. Of course I had read the entire book by that point and it is a good thing I did because our little bundle of joy was born “sunny-side up”, or posterior, and had the cord wrapped around her neck twice. But the book prepared me for any and all outcomes and I felt rest assured. While in the hospital I reread the section on breastfeeding, postpartum, and more……mom was right, knowledge is the key!

After the birth of our first child we decided to do it again….and again three years later. And yes, I still referenced my, What to Expect When Your Expecting with my third pregnancy. The book is right, each pregnancy is totally different.

So, fast forward to today and we have a 6-year-old, 4-year-old, and 22 month old and I have to be honest, I have not referenced a What to Expect book in a while. I totally by-passed the What to Expect the First Year (But after reading through it I wish I could go back and do it all over again with that book of knowledge….hmm gives me an idea….baby # 4?). Since I have 3 children, you would think I have it all figured out by now, or at least I thought I did, that is until I read What to Expect the Second Year. Hello! How could I have let my foolish pride keep me from purchasing this book! Talk about valuable information. There is an entire section on Treating Toddler Injuries, totally could have used that, especially with our son, he was/is prone to “trying to fly” accidents (why must Super Hero’s fly!?!).

I have come to the realization that it doesn’t matter if you are a first time mom or this is your 15th time around, there is always something you need a refresher course on. What I have really found helpful in, What to Expect the Second Year, is the Disciplining your Toddler; What Discipline is…and Isn’t. How quickly we forget. This book has really helped me express how a Toddler acts to my older two children too, in addition to a considerable amount of additional knowledge I had since forgotten.

Okay, enough about me, this is where you come in………

What to Expect.com has generously team up with me to host a giveaway to celebrate this wonderful book series. In honor of the ease, calm, peace, understanding, knowledge, and yes, as my mother stated, wisdom that has evolved as a result of the priceless advice discussed in the What to Expect Series I am giving away the first three books in this series to TWO lucky readers!

Two lucky readers will receive:

•What to Expect When Expecting

•What to Expect the First Year

•What to Expect the Second Year

To enter this giveaway you must follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo publicly, and leave a comment telling me which book you will enjoy the most. Please include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries! Even if you are a been-there, done-that mom remember the What to Expect Book series is a great refresher course and also makes a great gift for an expecting mom, dad, grandmother, caregiver, etc. so enter yourself and a friend!!

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these:

-Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook

-Like What to Expect Facebook

-Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post)

This giveaway will end ~~Monday, July 2nd at 9 EST~~. August 1st at 9pm EST.

Good luck to everyone!

Tribute to Fat Tuesday that includes a GIVEAWAY!!!

February 21, 2012February 21, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Happy Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday!!!

Today is the day to celebrate; it is the last hoorah before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Which means it is time to get those indulgences out-of-the-way before tomorrow. My indulges include, and in no particular order……

Paczki

Fat Tuesday means Paczki, pronounced (poonch-key). Paczki are traditional polish pastries that are deep-fried, sugar-coated, glazed, or iced and filled to the point of bursting with fruit or cream filling. In terms of a historical perspective Paczki are a special indulgence and tradition on Fat Tuesday because the idea was to use up all the fat, sugar, eggs, and fruit before the fasting of Lent begins.

fattues 015 — Son eating Paczki, he actually likes the lemon ones, yuck!

fattues 012 — Me shoving my face….Fat Tuesday only comes once a year, what’s one Paczki in the grand scheme of things?

GIVE AWAY

Shopping….(I might not have to give this up thanks to Sneakpeeq)

Hello!! What women amongst us doesn’t enjoy perusing the mall or web for stylish (insert favorite fashion ensemble or accessory here) and/or delectable treats to eat? Well, I have a confession; I might have found a loophole for this one. I planned on giving up shopping due to the financial strain it can cause and throwing money out the window is not good. But, what if there was a way to nurture the fashionista or foodie inside of you without breaking a sweat or your pocketbook (Really!?! Who says pocketbook anymore? But you get the point).

GIVEAWAY….So here is the deal

Sneakpeeq, the largest and fastest growing social shopping company on Facebook that has “all the things you love, but haven’t discovered yet” (such an honest tag line) is giving everyone 20% off their first purchase just for signing up. AND…that’s right sisters there is an AND….you will be entered in a giveaway for a chance to win a $25 gift card to purchase items for the fashionista, foodie, or interior decorator in you (and $25 is a substantial amount thanks to Sneakpeeq budget-friendly boutiques).

To receive your 20% off and enter the $25 gift card giveaway you must CLICK HERE and join sneakpeeq! Winner will be announced on my blog March 9^th, 2012. Happy Shopping Ladies!!

Skinny Girl Margaritas…..

I’ll be honest; I do enjoy a glass of Skinny Girl Margarita at the end of the week, often Friday evening once the kiddos are in bed. I can sit down and sip on this refreshing and less guilt margarita while daydreaming of a tropical beach somewhere, just me and my hubby, (and my flat pre-babies belly of course) just laying on a beach soaking up some sunshine (there is no need to worry about skin cancer or wrinkles in a daydream) it is beautiful!! Goodbye to my daydream inducing sipping pleasures.

Girl Scout Cookies…

We just picked them up yesterday, time to hurry up and load up on my Samoas before tomorrow. Funny Story….Our preschooler came downstairs this morning and was greeted by this site.

His eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, “I love Fat Tuesday”. I had to laugh, I could contain myself. I then of course explained to him that they are not all our cookies, they do belong to other people.

Starbucks…

Hello Old friend. For Lent I will be giving up Starbucks. To clarify this means I will not walk into a Starbucks OR drive through the Drive-thru (Wow! That was difficult to type; I can only image how difficult it will be to drive past).

I have decided to make time with my children an even stronger priority during Lent. This means reading more books (yes, even the same book 8 times), playing more games, and doing more crafts.

In recognition of Mardi Gras I am including a fun craft you can do with your kiddos, simply click here.

How are you celebrating Fat Tuesday? What are your Fat Tuesday indulgences?