Back to School Morning Routines That Work

August 28, 2016 by Jenni 83 Comments

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Smartypants Vitamins, however, all opinions and routine ideas are our own!

Morning Routines that Work!

Summer flew by faster than a jet airplane this year, didn’t it?! I’m telling you! BOOM. Before we knew it, it was already time to start school shopping and I was like, “Wait…what happened?!”.

That first week of getting everyone out the door is pretty ugly. The kid’s crying, husband’s crying…I’m crying. I’m just ready to get them outta my hair and get a cup of coffee, already! But by the 2nd week — things are moving much more smoothly! Shewweeee!

Our Moms Check In crew is sharing some easy morning routines that work! Keywords here being, “that work!”.

Take a few of these tips from us – and see if it doesn’t help make your mornings run a little smoother too! Be sure to chat with us on social media using hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #SmartyRoutines!

Make sure that you also RSVP to the upcoming #SmartyRoutines Twitter party where you can join the chat – plus we’ll be giving away some fantastic prizes!! Party is scheduled for August 31st at 9pm EST.

These are our our easy morning routines that work…

“Mornings for us are pretty different than they were last year! This year we are homeschooling so we have eliminated a lot of the rush which feels so amazing! I’m all for calm and less stress! One change that I have added to our routine is that I spend a few minutes (usually only 5-7) doing some yoga. It may sound silly or that those few minutes can’t really make a difference, but they do! It gives me a few minutes to just wake up, stretch and get ready. Then it’s breakfast, vitamins and beginning to get ready. I’ve also stopped the habit of waking up, grabbing my phone and checking my inbox in bed. Before, I was starting my day before I could even fully open my eyes! Small, simple changes have helped make our mornings not only calmer but so much more enjoyable. And when you start your mornings off enjoyable it’s much easier to have an awesome day!“

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

“Mornings are always busy! This year, we have lots of new things to experience: we’re in a new city, a new house and a new school district. Plus, Mike is no longer working outside the home. I feel like we’re starting our school morning routines from scratch. Thankfully, some of our usual habits will continue to serve us well. In the evening, I have Sam help me prep his backpack and clothes for the next day — this makes our morning so much easier! Once we’re up and around, I make his lunch while he eats breakfast. We follow breakfast with vitamins and a good teeth brushing. After a few minutes of reading and cuddles together, it’s time for out the door. I love the fall and I’m excited that back to school season is finally here!“

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

“Honestly, mornings around here started out pretty rough when school started. Now that we’re 3 weeks in, things are smooth sailing. Setting the coffee pot timer the night before, is the FIRST thing I do! We also have clothes and backpacks laid out the night before. On the weekends, I use gallon sized bags to divy up lunch items for the days of the week. That way, all I have to do is grab the bag and put everything inside Eli’s lunchbox. It only takes a second, vs. 5 extra minutes out of the morning. Another thing I use that really helps us stick to our routine is cellphone timers. I have a timer for everything…and when the timer goes off, we do that task. Wash face and hands, brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast and take vitamins, grab backpack, say our morning prayer, watch for the bus. Works like a charm! Sounds a little OCD, right?! But hey — we get out the door on time and with less drama, each and every morning!! Plus, Eli thinks it’s fun and he likes to beat his time for each task. He looks at it as sort of a challenge!!“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

The struggle is so real ?. If you’re like us, your kids are dang picky. It’s tough to get those key nutrients like omega 3s and vitamin D3 into their diet. Salmon? Beans? Oh-kale-no! It’s time to #GetSmarty and introduce them to a gummy vitamin made with premium, non-GMO ingredients and a bit of soluble fiber to keep life moving right along 😉 #AllinOne #IngredientsMatter . . . #healthychoices #fiber #kidshealth #healthydiet #thegoodgummy #gummyvitamins #nutrients #vitamins

A photo posted by SmartyPants Vitamins (@smartyhealth) on Aug 10, 2016 at 6:46am PDT

If I’m being 100% honest, my kiddo’s diet isn’t balanced. I’m betting that the majority of kids’ diets aren’t balanced. Just to ensure that they’re getting the things that they’re lacking…vitamins are a MUST. Our favorite is the SmartyPants vitamins! There are several reasons why…

They’re yummy gummy vitamins, of course. Much easier to get kids to take gummies, than a pill or chalky chewable.
They taste really good!
Only the best ingredients are used. We’re talking non-GMO and contain no high-fructose corn syrup. They’re gluten free and contain no yeast, wheat, milk, eggs, gluten, salt, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
Even their Omega 3s are sourced from eco-friendly small fish populations.
SmartyPants vitamins pack in your vitamin needs in a yummy gummy. Yeah, yeah…this one was mentioned twice – but I think it’s worth repeating. (Find out more about what goes into their vitamins here!)

You’re invited — #SmartyRoutines Twitter Party

You’re welcome to come and party with us Wednesday, August 31st at 9pm EST. During our #SmartyRoutines Twitter party, we’ll be chatting about our morning routines plus we’ll have some awesome prizes to give away! Just RSVP below to be eligible to win!

Before you RSVP below…make sure that you’re following the #SmartyRoutines hosts below as well!

Follow:
@MomsCheckIn
@SmartyHealth
@AmandaRFaulkner
@SpaceshipsLB
@SweetPennies

What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 3 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your easy morning routines that work?

Easy Fitness Tips for Busy Moms

January 29, 2016 by Jenni 120 Comments

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Febreze In-Wash, however, all opinions and must-have ideas are our own!

Easy Fitness Tips and Ideas for Busy Moms!

Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions for 2016? Is one of them to get healthier and more fit? That’s my goal. I’ve got some weight to lose but I don’t want to diet. I just want to eat healthier and have my little chocolate splurges as the need arises. Stop over indulging ANY time I please. Everything in moderation – is key for me, along with finding easy fitness tips to help!

The thing is though, we don’t always have that hour to fit into our day to workout. Or maybe we do, and we just use the excuse that we don’t have! Well — our Moms Check In gang is sharing some Easy Fitness tips for Busy Moms! Keywords here being BUSY MOMS!

There’s no excuse anymore. No reason why we can’t fit a bit of time to get some sort of workout in every day! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #FitWithFebrezeInWash! Join us at our upcoming Twitter party on Feb. 4th at 1pm EST. We’ll be giving away fun Fitness prize packs and Walmart gift cards! Make sure to RSVP here to be eligible to win prizes at our party! Party Details can be found near the end of this post!

These are our our easy fitness tips for busy moms…

“I am not going to lie….I’m eating vanilla wafers dipped in Nutella right now for dinner. My tip is to get a step counter. It has really helped me keep myself accountable and to stay competitive. I find myself even roaming in my hallway and up and down our stairs if I’m short on steps! Also, try to do things together that are just more active. We’ve been playing a lot of laser tag this winter – it’s a great way to have fun and run around! We also like to do things like bowling, the indoor trampoline or bounce houses (talk about a workout! WHEW!) or just to the indoor pool at the YMCA.“

“Increase your water intake each day – it’s amazing how much better I feel when I’m properly hydrated. I aim for at least eight glasses a day. I have also increased my rest each night. I feel my best with 7-8 hours of sleep. It sets the tone for each day for me. I also started using portion sized containers to help me eat the right amount of each food group. In the morning, I spend a few minutes on our elliptical machine which helps me jump start my calorie burn for the day. I’ve also started looking for healthier ways to make some of our family’s favorite recipes. Little changes aren’t hard to implement and add up to a big change!“

“I’ve decided that 2016 is going to be THE year that I get myself in better shape. I’ve been eating healthier and I find that instead of setting big goals for weight loss, I set smaller goals. They’re easier to reach, obviously, and honestly…..it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I’ll get where I need to be, eventually! Once the kiddo is on the bus, I use my 7 minute workout app on my phone. It’s free to use, and there are several 7 minute workout apps you can choose from. Just search Google Play or the Apple App store. I do these on my super busy days. On the days that I have more time, I’ll do Zumba or hop on the treadmill for 30+ minutes. It’s all about carving out just a little time each day!!“

Everyone’s fitness routines are different based on when they have free time. For me, it’s in the mornings. For other moms, it’s a night. The one thing that we all DO have in common is that we sweat when we work out. We sweat a LOT. That stinky sweaty odor tends to cling to my spandex and stretchy workout clothes. It must just be the material, but washing alone with just detergent doesn’t always take the smell out.

Thankfully I became acquainted with Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator! This stuff is amazing! It gets out all kinds of offensive odors besides just sweat…like mildew, smoke, pet odors, and more! Pee-yew! All I have to do is add a little to my wash cycle, along with my regular detergent and voila! The stink is GONE!

It doesn’t just mask the odors either! It completely removes them from the fabric. If you don’t believe me, you can check out these over 500 5-star reviews from other customers! Make sure to grab your $2 coupon too, to save on your first bottle!

You’re invited — #FitWithFebrezeInWash Twitter Party

You’re welcome to come and party with us next Thursday, Feb. 4th from 1-2pm EST. During our #FitWithFebrezeInWash Twitter party, we’ll be chatting about fitness and keeping our workout clothes smelling fresh plus we’ll have 4 awesome prizes including Febreze In-Wash Fitness prize packs AND Walmart gift cards! Make sure to RSVP HERE to be eligible to win!

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your easy fitness tips for busy moms on the go?

RSVP To the #FitWithFebrezeInWash Twitter Party on 2/4/16! Over $250 in Prizes and Gift Cards!

January 29, 2016 by Jenni 51 Comments

You’re Invited to come and party with us at the #FitWithFebrezeInWash Twitter party!

Mark your calendars! Thursday, Feb. 4th from 1-2pm EST, we’ll be chatting about fitness and how we can get rid of the stinky, sweaty smells from our workout clothes with Febreze In-Wash! It’s a New Year and everyone is determined to get fit in 2016! We don’t have to suffer through stink anymore! Our Moms Check In crew have these awesome and super easy fitness tips for busy moms that we posted earlier. We hope you enjoy them!

PRIZES:

(3 winners) will win a Febreze In-Wash Fitness Kit (valued at $50). Includes a full size bottle of Febreze In-Wash, water bottle, T-shirt, headband and a $25 Walmart gift card.
(1 Grand Prize winner) will win the Febreze In-Wash Fitness Kit above plus a $100 Walmart gift card.

How does a Twitter Party work?

It’s easy! First you will need to be sure you are following your party hosts so you don’t miss anything!

Follow:
@MomsCheckIn
@FebrezeInWash
@its_a_fab_life
@SpaceshipsLB
@Optimistic_mama
@SweetPennies

Then, RSVP below by linking to your Twitter account and telling us your twitter handle.

About Febreze In-Wash:

The New Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator is used in addition to your regular detergent, to eliminate stinky odors. Like sweat, pet odor, smoke, mildew, and more! Perfect for gym clothes, and work clothes. Your regular detergent cleans the soil in the clothing, while the Febreze In-Wash cleans away the odors trapped inside the fabrics. You can use it in any of your laundry that has odors that are difficult to remove with detergent alone.

Grab a $2 coupon on Febreze In-Wash now and save!

Carry On Must Haves When Traveling #DontPackWrinkles #MomsCheckIn

December 11, 2015 by Jenni 91 Comments

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus, however, all opinions and must-have ideas are our own!

Carry On Must Haves When Traveling

It’s getting to be the busiest time of year – and everyone will be traveling for the holidays to be with family and friends. Usually, more often than not, we all forget something super important OR we’ve packed it…but it’s in our checked bags. Packing your carry on bags the right way, can relieve a whole lot of stress. Especially if you’re traveling with kiddos!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking about our must haves for carry on bags when traveling. We’d love to hear your tips too. Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #DontPackWrinkles!

These are our our personal carry on must have lists when we travel…

“My carry on bag has changed a bit over the years from when I would travel with an infant and then a toddler. Now that my son is older, I get to pack a little lighter.

My must haves include:
A book to read
Gum
A snack (my son is in the won’t-ever-stop-eating-because-he’s-a-bottomless-pit phase)
Portable charger for my phone (and one that will fit the iPad or his DS)
Noise canceling headphones (perfect to listen to music or just to wear if you have a noisy flight and want to nap!)“

“I do a fair amount of traveling, so over the years, I have perfected my carry on must haves. These are the items that I never leave home without when traveling and I always keep with me.

wallet + all id/credit/debit
medicine
laptop
earbuds (for their tvs)
water + healthy snack (because airlines have restricted what they serve)
jacket or lightweight blanket (it can get cold)
1 change of clothes“

“I haven’t traveled a ton, but I have traveled enough to know what are must have items in my carry on.

I always have…
a small cross body bag with wallet, cash, debit card and ID
iPad with earbuds
allergy/sinus medication/sudafed (for my ears)
extra set of clothing
gum/mints/cough drops
phone charger or backup battery juice pack
small pack of wet wipes
pocket size anti-bac
travel sized deodorant“

I know that everyone packs their travel bags a little different, but one thing is for sure! No one wants to look like a wrinkled up mess when they arrive at their destination! Right?!?! — and who has time to iron everything in their suitcase?

We all love our Downey Wrinkle Releaser Plus. Makes smoothing out the wrinkles such a breeze AND it gets rid of that awful static cling. This time of year is really bad for it anyway! Blah! If you’ve never tried it check out the almost 1,000 people who have submitted their reviews online. It’s amazing stuff! I love that they have the 3 oz. size bottles of the Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus because it meets airline standards!

Find tons more travel tips and hacks on the Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus Pinterest page! They have everything from the perfect travel outfits to tips on traveling with kids!

You’re invited — #DontPackWrinkles Twitter Party

Please party with us next Thursday, Dec. 17th from 1-2pm EST. During our #DontPackWrinkles Twitter party, we’ll be chatting about travel tips and giving away 5 awesome prizes including Downey Wrinkle Releaser Plus travel packs AND Target gift cards! Make sure to RSVP below to be eligible to win!

How does a Twitter Party work?

It’s easy! First you will need to be sure you are following your party hosts so you don’t miss anything!

Follow:
@MomsCheckIn
@DownyWRPlus
@its_a_fab_life
@SpaceshipsLB
@SweetPennies

Then, RSVP below by linking to your Twitter account and telling us your twitter handle.

Hope to see you at the party!!!

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your best travel tips and carry on must haves?

Ways To Keep Kids Healthy in the Fall #LoveMatys #MomsCheckIn

November 6, 2015 by Jenni 33 Comments

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Maty’s Healthy Products. All opinions on the yuckies and snotties are my own.

Ways to Keep Kids Healthy in the Fall

Do you try to stick to natural ways to keep kids healthy in the fall? We do! We’ve tried the OTC medicines over the years, but honestly…the side effects just aren’t friendly. I hate the idea of giving these to my kiddo. Most of the time, our allergies, colds, flu viruses and bugs just take time to run their courses. Finding natural ways to ease the symptoms is better all around.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking about our favorite more natural ways to keep kids healthy in the fall. We’d love to hear your tips too. Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #LoveMatys!

Ways to Keep Kids Healthy in the Fall…

– Eat a well balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies. Hide them in their favorite foods, if you have to!

– Take lots of extra Vitamin C! Also, something like this immune boosting tea would be perfect!

– Keep a humidifier and/or essential oil diffuser going.

– Stay on top of their seasonal indoor/outdoor allergies.

– Get them used to always washing hands and using anti-bacterial hand gel or wipes.

– Dust and vacuum more often in the fall.

– Choose a more expensive furnace filter in the fall. The heftier ones trap more allergens.

Ok! Here are more tips from our moms…

“Eating well is so important. Of course you need to eat fruits and veggies, but also some spices have been shown to have awesome health benefits. A good multi-vitamin can help fill in any missing nutritional gaps. We also make sure that we are practicing good hand washing. Lots and lots of hand washing!”

“Mike, Sam and I have been battling some icky symptoms already this fall. My advice: lots of fluids and rest! I’ve also been mindful to disinfect things whenever I’m able. If you can’t always make it to a sink, a little bottle of hand sanitizer nearby is excellent.”

“Staying on top of seasonal allergies is huge for us. Increasing their vitamin C intake + hiding lots of fruits and veggies in our meals for the extra vitamins that are essential to our immune system. We do have to hide them, to get the kiddo to eat them, haha! We also use natural remedies vs. most OTC cold/flu medications because honestly, the side effects are just awful with those. We encourage lots of warm and hot liquids too, especially hot tea and chicken broth.“

If you’re on the hunt for natural and organic products to help ease cough, cold and congestion then check out Maty’s Healthy Products. They make excellent products for the whole family! Read our recent Maty’s product review here. Maty’s created their line of products when their daughter, Maty, was born with severe heart defects. They were dedicated to finding and creating natural ways to get healthy.

You can find Maty’s Healthy products at most retailers, including Walmart – or you can shop online! I invite you to follow Maty’s on social media as well. You’ll find all sorts of great information on natural health and wellness. Follow Maty’s on Facebook, Maty’s on Pinterest, and Maty’s on Twitter!

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your best ways to keep kids healthy in the fall?

Cold and Flu Tips for Kids + #SolutiontoSnotty Twitter Party on 10/22 (Over $400 in Prizes)

October 19, 2015 by Jenni 41 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Boogie Wipes. All snotty and boogery opinions are 100% my own.

Our Best Cold and Flu Tips for Kids

Allergies are already running a’muck in our house, and have been for 2 months or longer! With cooler weather, cold and flu season is creeping in, and that’s NO fun!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about our best tips for fighting the cold and flu and how to help make it a little easier on the whole family. We’d love to hear your tips too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #SolutiontoSnotty!

We’re also having a #SolutiontoSnotty Twitter party this Thursday night, Oct. 22nd. If you’d like to attend, the linky to RSVP is towards the bottom of this post.

Tips for fighting off cold/cough/flu…

– Eating a fairly balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies. Even if you have to hide them in their favorite foods, getting these vitamins and nutrients are important in keeping their immune systems up.

– Drink plenty of room temperature water, hot tea with honey and lemon, and hot chicken broth. Did you know that cold water and iced drinks can cause mucus to thicken. So can milk and other dairy products.

– Keep a humidifier and/or essential oil diffuser going. Turning on the furnace makes the house nice and toasty, but it also dries out the air. Put some moisture back into the air. It’s good for your sinuses.

– Take daily multi-vitamins and extra Vit. C. Flintstones, gummies, vitamin powder pouches for bottled water…anyway your kiddo will take them.

– For a croupy cough – sit in the bathroom with the shower running hot water. Breathe in the steam for 15-20 minutes.

– If your child can tolerate it, I suggest using a nasal rinse or irrigation. Whether a neti pot or a bottle with the bulb on it. If they’re too young or can’t tolerate it, a simple saline nasal spray is also great.

– Sleep with their head propped up. This helps them to breathe better and keeps post-nasal drip from causing irritation.

– Massage the face and/or apply pressure using your fingers to the sinus cavity areas. That helps move mucus and sinus pressure out of the area.

– Steer clear of dairy products. Dairy can make mucus thicker, and we don’t want that.

Ok! Here are more tips from our moms…

“I’m a big advocate for vitamin C! Breakfast always starts with a big glass of orange juice in our house. At the first sign of a cold we are sure to have an extra vitamin. And speaking of extra…extra hand washing is always a big plus!”

“I’m uber aware of germs this time of year as the weather starts to change. To help avoid any in our house, I make sure we’re eating healthy and drinking plenty of water to help boost our immune system. We also do a lot of hand washing. If we do get the sniffles, I love using Boogie Wipes to stay gentle on skin while tackling the snotties.”

“We struggle so much with allergies this time of year, and of course with the kids back in school – germs are everywhere. Keeping antibacterial cleaners around always help. Spraying door knobs, cabinets and refrigerator handles, and anything else that gets touched alot. We also run a humidifier to keep moisture in the air in the winter months. The kiddo HATES it when I use tissue, toilet paper or paper towels on his runny nose time and time again. They’re just too rough. Boogie Wipes are a life-saver for us!”

Boogie Wipes to the rescue!

With the germy and snotty season upon us, Boogie Wipes comes to the comforting rescue! When you’re wiping noses 20 or more times a day – nothing is better than a Boogie Wipe because they’re made to be super gentle on little noses.

Boogie Wipes are gentle and natural saline wipes that dissolve boogies caused by the common cold or allergies. They’re developed by moms just like you and I. Moms that are tired of chasing down runny noses. They’re extra soft, hypoallergenic, phthalate and paraben free AND alcohol free. No more sore noses! In addition to our awesome Twitter party coming up Thursday, they’re ALSO having a Boogie Wipes Giveaway!! You can enter to win a year’s supply of Boogie Wipes! Clean noses for everyone! Click HERE to enter!!

#SolutiontoSnotty Twitter Party

We’re going to be talking about cough/cold tips this week during a one-hour Twitter party on Thursday, October 22nd from 8:30-9:30pm EST. You’re invited to attend. Make sure to RSVP below to be eligible to win! The prizes will include lots of Boogie Wipes swag + $400 in gift cards ($200 grand prize plus (4) $50 gift card prizes)!

Before you RSVP, make sure to follow your #SolutiontoSnotty hosts and sponsor below:

@MomsCheckIn
@its_a_fab_life
@sweetpennies
@spaceshipslb
@Optimistic_mama
@BoogieMom

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your best cough/cold/flu tips for kiddos?

Top Laundry Hacks Every Mom Should Know

September 19, 2015 by Jenni 133 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator and Downy Wrinkle Releaser, however, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Our Top Laundry Hacks

Laundry is a beast at our house. The piles get larger than life and it takes each and every day to keep it under control. With school back in session, parents are dealing with stinky gym uniforms and socks, grass stains on brand new blue jeans and ketchup blobs on the kiddo’s best shirts.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about our top laundry hacks to keep things moving along nicely in the laundry room. We’d love to hear your tips too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #LaundryHacks!

Top Laundry Hacks from our Moms…

“I’m a huge fan of sorting the laundry before it actually goes to the laundry! We have a 3 bin laundry hamper that really saves us time. One for towels, darks and lights. No more going through a pile! I was probably the last person on Earth to know how to wash pillows in the washing machine, but it’s so easy. You just wash them like your regular laundry and when you dry them be sure to throw in a few tennis balls or dryer balls. Nothing is better than getting in a bed with clean sheets and clean, sweet smelling pillows!”

“Oh, laundry! No matter how much we do, it seems there is always more! Over the years, I’ve learned to quickly deal with stains so that removing them is easier. Taking advantage of great products also helps remove stains and smells. These are some of my favorite laundry hack ideas to keep things fresh and clean: Clean your washing machine by filling the basin with warm water and 2 cups white vinegar. Let stand for an hour, then run the cycle as usual. Get clothes dry faster (and fluffier!) by putting a couple of tennis balls in the dryer. Use a mesh drying bag so you never lose another sock!“

“Laundry is the never-ending chore. It goes away for 2 seconds and then it’s right back. Nothing is worse than rough and stiff towels. I like mine super soft and fluffy. To fluff yours up, just add your towels to the washer, using hot water and one cup of vinegar and run a full cycle. Next, run another full cycle with hot water and 1/2 cup of baking soda. After 2nd cycle, dry towels in the dryer with tennis balls or dryer balls. You should notice a marked difference. If not, then repeat the process.“

Some of our favorite laundry products include…

My husband’s work clothes are the stinkiest things on the planet. So are my kiddos’ stinky socks. Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator really gets in there and gets that stink out. It’s no match against things like sweat and sports uniforms, smoke, pets and mildew. It has 3X more freshening power!!

My family has some really nice clothes that wrinkle easily and I hate to iron, so needless to say…we don’t wear them often. Now with Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus I don’t have to worry. Just a few sprays and voila, the wrinkles start fading away! It’s my newest fave product, for sure!

#LaundryHacks Twitter Party

You’re invited to the #LaundryHacks Twitter party this coming Thursday, September 24th at 1pm EST. We’ll be talking all about our favorite laundry hacks and how to make your time doing laundry much easier. We’ll be giving away a $150 Walmart gift card, some laundry products as well as some other incredible goodies. Make sure to RSVP below to be eligible to win!

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your top laundry hacks?

Super Helpful Back to School Ideas #MomsCheckIn #BoogieB2S

August 14, 2015 by Jenni 41 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dreft Home, Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator, Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus and Boogie Wipes, however, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Our Best Back to School Tips

We’ve been back to school now for 2 full weeks. We’re on our 3rd week now! Have you already started back? I totally understand and I get it. Transitioning from summer break to getting up at 6:30am isn’t easy.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about back to school tips this week and we’ve got some of our own tips to help make it a little easier on the whole family. We’d love to hear your tips too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #BoogieB2S!

Before we share our Moms Check In Moms’ tips, be sure to check out our Back to School Saving Guide! Also, we’ve got a couple of really great after school snacks or dinner ideas that are easy peasy! Here’s our kid approved Mini Pizza Snackers and a fun Cheesy BBQ Pigs in a Blanket recipe! Enjoy.

Back to School tips from our Moms…

“Back to school can be overwhelming! Josh just started Jr. High and it means lockers, changing classes and a whole lot of school supplies. We got our schedules on back to school night, but I could tell he was still anxious. I called the school just to see if we could stop in, practice his locker combination, drop off all of his supplies and do a walk through a couple of times finding each of his class. If you have a child who seems a little anxious – just ask! Being prepared made him (and myself!) feel so much more confident on the first day of school.“

“We are finishing our final days of summer, enjoying all the time we can together. Sam is definitely excited for school to begin. We’ve talked a lot about being back at school and getting back in our regular routine. I think talking a lot before back to school helps calm nerves. Talk about their apprehensions to help calm them down plus share positive ideas about what to look forward to. We’re also starting to get in our normal bedtime routine, which I know helps his body to adjust. Cheers to a great school year ahead!“

“It’s back to school time for us too! We’ve been back for 2 weeks now and I think we’re settling in nicely. My back to school tips are starting 2 weeks before school starts to begin your routine. Bathtime, picking out clothes, going to bed early, etc. That way when school DOES start, it’s not a shock all at once. Another tip is start packing in plenty of Vitamin C before school starts because, believe me, kids are germy! We’re 2 weeks in and little man has already caught a cold bug. Pack some anti-bac wipes in their lunchbox or backpack to use before lunch too.“

#BoogieB2S Twitter Party

We’re going to be talking about heading back to school and fun tips this week during a one-hour Twitter party on Thursday, August 20th from 1-2pm EST. You’re invited to attend. Make sure to RSVP here to be eligible to win! The prizes will include lots of Target gift cards, teacher supply kits, and a stocked backpack filled with all kinds of goodies!

Products to Include in Your Back to School Shopping List!

We have a few products that are MUST haves when the kids go back to school! So make sure to add these to your list!!

Have you heard of Dreft Home before? We’re all familiar with Dreft as laundry detergent for babies but now they make stain removers, odor removers and even all purpose household cleaners (including wipes!). Their products are gentle on skin, yet remain tough on stains! Perfect for our messy kiddos!

Football, Soccer, Hockey, Gym Class – back to school can also mean Back to STINK! Luckily Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator is there to help you expel the smell, undo the pee-yew and sink the stink to make back to school smell much better. Click here to download a $2 off coupon and learn more.

Forget ironing or even throwing clothes in the dryer to get rid of wrinkles in the mornings! Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus can knock those wrinkles out with just a quick spray down!

Last but not least, you’ll want to keep some Boogie Wipes and Boogie Mist on hand! It never fails. The yucky noses start within a week or two of starting back to school. They’re super soft and come in fun scents that kids love. Take the Save the Sleeve Pledge and vow to use Boogie Wipes and not sleeves for boogie messes!

What is Moms Check In?

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What are your favorite back to school tips?

We’re Talking Potty Training This Week #MomsCheckIn #KandooPottyTraining

June 15, 2015 by Jenni 20 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kandoo, however, all thoughts and opinions on potty training are our own.

Our Best Potty Training Tips

Are you getting ready to potty train your kiddo? Are you ready to jump off a cliff just THINKING about it? Potty training can be a nightmare, I know! Sometimes kids make up their own minds that they’re ready, while others – yeah – not so much. Two big rules are, #1 – wait till they’re ready. And #2, be consistent.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about potty training this week and we’ve got some of our own tips and tricks. We’d love to hear your tips too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #KandooPottyTraining!

Potty training tips…

“I have to say patience is the best thing you can have when potty training. My son was definitely on his own time when it came to potty training. When he decided he was ready and comfortable, potty training was a breeze. Hang in there Moms! It will come!”

“While potty training Sam, we learned that patience was key. Rushing it or pushing Sam beyond his comfort level just didn’t work for us. By allowing him to go at his own pace, we were able to encourage him to check out the potty and then become comfortable using it. Once he felt comfortable, we were able to establish a routine and reward system that led us to success!”

“Potty training can be so difficult, especially for boys. Our best tip is to have a rewards system in place, whether it’s stickers, candy, or money! Yes, money!! Whatever it takes mom! Pick up a couple of packs of their favorite character underwear too, that always helps. Also, above any other tip, being consistent is key.”

#KandooPottyTraining Twitter Party

We’re going to be talking about potty training this week during a one-hour Twitter party on Thursday, June 18th! You’re invited to attend.

Click HERE to RSVP! You must RSVP to be eligible to win prizes.

Pls RT! RSVP to the #KandooPottyTraining Twitter Party with #MomsCheckIn! Lots of prizes! #ad http://t.co/TcXxnu4M7v pic.twitter.com/yYfwtdJvHH

— Jenni (@sweetpennies) June 15, 2015

Did you know Kandoo has everything you need to help your child with potty training? From flushable wipes to fun soaps their products are fun and kid friendly. They even have a free potty training tool kit that you can use full of information for parents, a fun story for kids, a potty time chart, and more!

Plus you can click here for a coupon on Kandoo products.

See you at the party!

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What are your favorite potty training tips?

Over 40 Incredible Summer Recipes to Indulge In This Summer #MomsCheckIn

June 2, 2015 by Jenni 56 Comments

Over 40 Yummy Summer Recipes

Singing, “Schooooooool’s outttt for summmmerrrrrr!!!” Summer break is HERE, ya’ll! We have slept in EVERY day so far and we’ve also hit the couch a couple of times for those evening naps that leave you feeling all hungover. Blah. Hate that feeling, but oh well. Those naps sure feel pretty doggone good! Are your kids on summer break yet?

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about summer recipes this week and we’re sharing some of our faves. Over 40 of our favorites, to be exact! What are some of your favorites? Corn on the cob grilled? A fresh berry pie? We’d love to hear your favorites too! Cause you know, food is awesome and the more ideas we have the more we can eat!! HA! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn!

Over 40 Summer Recipes to Indulge In…

Appetizers:

Lunch or Dinner:

Grilled Onion Bombs
Copycat Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwiches
17 Incredible and Fun Hot Dog Recipes You Have to Try
Crispy Onion Ring Topped Garden Salad
Slow Cooker Nacho Bake
Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu
Slow Cooker Chicken Cheese and Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
Sweet Spinach, Fruit and Chicken Salad
Crockpot BBQ Ribs
Tons of Summer BBQ Ideas
10 New Recipes for the Grill
10 Labor Day Barbecue Recipes
The Perfect Summer Sandwich
Asian Grilled Burger
3 Easy Summer Recipes (sweet chili brie, grilled mushrooms and banana icecream)

Dessert:

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bites
Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cake Mix Sugar Cookies (cheat recipe)
Coffee & Cream Freezer Pops
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Easy Cookies n’ Cream Fudge
Slow Cooker Lava Cake
Mile High Strawberry Pie
Homemade Fudgesicles
Luscious Lemon Bars
Salted Caramel Rice Krispies Treats
Grilled Pineapple S’Mores
7 Frozen Treats for Summer
11 Fun Watermelon Recipes
11 Strawberry Summer Desserts
20 Summer Frozen Treats
Strawberry Sundae for Adults

Drinks

Shaker Gingerade
8 Strawberry Drinks and Snacks

What we love about summer…

“Summer for me is all about easy and fresh food. And also, if we can keep the oven turned off that’s an added bonus! So our slow cooker goes into overdrive. A typical summer meal might be some BBQ, corn on the cob (I do live in Indiana after all), fruit salad and some ice cream!”

“We LOVE summertime at our house. We do a lot of outdoor entertaining in our backyard which means grilling, cool treats and lots of laughter with friends. Both Mike and I love to experiment with new recipes and flavor combinations, especially during the warm summer months.“

“We have a pretty big extended family and we have a ton of get togethers in the summertime. Lots of birthdays, and then of course there’s Father’s Day and the 4th of July. Always entertaining, playing games, swimming and eating good food! Summertime food for me means quick and easy (usually involving the grill!).“

What is Moms Check In?

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What are your favorite Summer recipes?

Simple Ways To Give Back #BeTheEnd #MomsCheckIn

May 15, 2015 by Jenni 19 Comments

Disclosure: This conversation has been sponsored in partnership with Coupons.com. All opinions, including my love of saving money and giving back, are 100% my own.

Simple Ways to Give Back

Giving back is something that I think we all feel good about, as human beings. Whether we’re giving of our time, money, services, food or toys…it just feels good to give! There are so many ways that we can give back – even if it’s something simple. You know, just the other day my husband called me and said the vehicle in front of him paid for our dinner at the drive-thru. How cool is that?! He paid it forward, and paid for someone else’s dinner the next day. Giving to someone in need or to your community, is a blessing…to them, and to you!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about easy and simple ways to give back this week. We’d love to hear your family’s favorite ways to give back. Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn!

Here are OUR favorite ways to give back…

“I think that it’s so important to not only to give back, but to teach your kids about giving back! We do a lot of family friendly things to get Joshua engaged in helping others. This weekend he is planning on running a lemonade stand to help raise money for charity. We’ve also donated books he’s outgrown to classrooms at school. One of our favorite things to do is participating in 5K walks. It’s fun to do (some are super creative!) and they support awesome causes!“

“A great way to give back and make a big impact in your community is through food pantries and shelters. You can volunteer your time and non-perishable food items to your local food pantry. Many people rely on the help they receive at their local food pantry to keep their family fed that month. At shelters, families can receive not only a place to stay but toiletries and clothing. {Did you know that socks are the most needed and least donated clothing item at shelters?} Check with your local pantry or shelter to find out the items they need, the hours you can volunteer there or how you can increase awareness and support in your community. Be the change you want to see!“

“A simple way that we love to give back is by donating gently used toys to drives or to local schools and churches. Right now, we have a local town cleanup going on that we want to participate in. That’s a great way to give back to our community and feel like we’re doing something important that will make a difference. Giving of your time is important too, especially in your own community!”

#BeTheEnd Twitter Party

We’re partnering with Coupons.com in a few days to bring you a super fun and informative Twitter party! We’ll be discussing how you can make a difference when you make a purchase through Coupons.com. 10% of your eligible purchases can go towards funding research hours at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation! Make sure to join us for the #BeTheEnd Twitter party on Thursday, 5/21/15 at 1pm EST to learn more and win some incredible prizes! They’ll be giving away $300 in gift cards to Target, Sears, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Sephora, American Eagle, Gap, and Kohl’s. Winner’s choice!! Just click HERE to RSVP for the event! You must RSVP in order to be eligible to win prizes.

This month, Coupons.com makes it even simpler to give back. And the best part? You can give back to a worthy cause and save some money shopping at your favorite stores. All you have to do is go to Coupons.com/BCRF and use any offer on the page. When you do, Coupons.com will give 10% of your purchase price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The math is simple: let’s say you buy your family some new clothes at Kohl’s for the summer. You total pre-tax price is $100. Thanks to your purchase, Coupons.com will donate $10. You can now feel good knowing that your purchase is helping to find a cure for breast cancer.

Coupons.com has cash back offers, coupon codes, and product deals for your favorite stores including Macy’s, Sephora, Gap, and more. With Memorial Day sales coming up, this is a great time to really save and give. The money from your purchase will go towards funding a year’s worth of breast cancer research hours, totaling at more than $104,000!

Throughout the month of May, shoppers will have access to qualified offers housed on a dedicated section of the Coupons.com site, www.coupons.com/BCRF. When shoppers use these offers to save, Coupons.com will donate 10% of the pre-tax transaction price to BCRF to help fund the critical breast cancer research needed to find a cure – totaling up to $104,350 (2,087 hours at $50/hour).

About Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Breast Cancer Research Foundation, or BCRF, has raised over a half billion dollars since 1993. The foundation seeks out the best and brightest individuals working in medicine and science and gives them the tools to make advancements in the field of breast cancer research. This year alone, BCRF is investing nearly $60 million in research to support 226 researchers at leading medical institutions across six continents. The mission of BCRF “is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.”

Get social with Coupons.com

Coupons.com on Facebook

Coupons.com on Twitter

Coupons.com on Pinterest

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Over 50 Fun Baby Shower Games and Activities #BestBabyShower #MomsCheckIn

May 1, 2015 by Jenni 59 Comments

Disclosure: This conversation has been sponsored in partnership with Dreft, Munchkin, Downy Wrinkle Releaser and Boogie Wipes. All opinions, including my love of all things baby, are 100% my own.

Over 50 Baby Shower Games

How many baby showers have you been to? I’ve been to plenty in my lifetime, including my own, and they’re always so much fun! Family, girlfriends, gifts, games, food and fun! Awesome memories to be made, for sure. Sometimes as the hostess of a baby shower, we can get a little overwhelmed. I know…I’ve hosted a few. Between trying to come up with the perfect food options, gifts, decorating, games and sending out invitations – it can be super crazy!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about Baby Shower games this week and we’re sharing some of our favorites. We’d love to hear your favorite games, it might give others some more ideas too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #BestBabyShower and #MomsCheckIn!

Baby Shower Games

1. Free Nursery Rhyme Printable Baby Shower Game

2. Baby Animal Name Game

3. 43 of the Best Boy Baby Shower Games and Activities

4. Baby Shower Games You Can Play Using Only Toilet Paper

Here are OUR favorite Baby Shower Games…

“My favorite baby shower game is the Don’t Say Baby game. It’s fun to try and not say the word baby the entire time and steal other’s pins who do say the word. You will come up with unique ways to talk about the baby, that’s for sure!”

– Courtney is a wife and mom to a beautiful daughter. She blogs at Optimistic Mommy where she shares crafts, recipes, entertainment news, reviews, and more. Follow her on Twitter here!

“Baby shower games are so fun. The last shower I went to had a game that was such a hit. We were all laughing so hard we were crying! We divided into 2 teams and had a relay race. You had to put a balloon under their shirt (like a baby belly) and a ping pong ball between your knees. Then, you had to waddle across the room to drop the ping pong ball into a mason jar. It was called Tinkle in the Pot. And oh gosh….do I remember having to hurry and try to waddle to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night when I was pregnant with my son! It was seriously so fun and absolutely hilarious!“

“ I love a beautiful baby shower — it’s so special to celebrate a new life into the world. I’ve been to lots of baby showers and I’ve witnessed lots of baby shower games! There are many great ideas out there. Games are a terrific way to entertain guests and break the ice if all the guests don’t know each other. One of my favorites is the nursery rhyme printable game!“

“Oh goodness, I’ve been to plenty of baby showers! I have lots of favorite games, can’t pick just one! I love the memory game. Where they pass around a basket full of baby stuff and then you have to remember what they are and write down as many items as you can. Another oldie but a goodie is the “Measure Mommy’s Belly” game where you use toilet paper to guesstimate how big around you think mommy’s belly is. One that they played at MY baby shower that I thought was so funny was picking a few out of the crowd to see who could drink the milk from the baby bottle the fastest! So many awesome memories!!“

#BestBabyShower Twitter Party

We’re partnering with some amazing companies that are sponsoring this week’s baby shower chat! Thanks to Dreft, Munchkin, Downy Wrinkle Releaser, and Boogie Wipes! Make sure to join us for the #BestBabyShower Twitter party on 5/4/15 at 1pm EST. We’ll be giving away over $500 in gift cards and prizes!! Make sure that you RSVP here to be eligible to win!!

Dreft

Did you know that Dreft has been helping moms wash baby clothes for over 80 years?! Now Dreft has a product for every stage of babyhood. Their family of detergents and laundry care products are all formulated to be gentle on baby’s skin but tough on stains! From detergents, in-wash scent boosters, refreshers, multi-surface sprays and wipes to a portable pre-treater pen….mom and baby are covered!!

Munchkin

Munchkin offers much more than just baby and toddler sippy cups and feeding products! I bet you didn’t realize that they also supply moms with awesome safety products too, like baby gates! Not only do they have great baby gate products, but they also help in making bathtime and pottytime a breeze with some incredible products! With lots of summer vacations on the way, you should check out their travel essentials!! When baby’s happy…momma’s happy!

Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus

I don’t know about you, but my job as a mom gives me limited time to do things around the house. Like laundry. Save yourself tons of time with Downy Wrinkle Releaser! No more pulling out the iron (who has time for that anyway?!) and no more leaving the house looking like you just walked out of a wrinkle factory!

Boogie Wipes

Folks….allergy season is upon us. My kiddo hates when I wipe his nose with dry tissue, especially if I have to wipe it often. His nose gets all sore and chapped. You know how it is…it happens to us too! No more sore noses with Boogie Wipes! Not only do they have scented wipes, they also have a mist which helps keep those noses bust up mucus! Yuck…I know! We <heart> Boogie Wipes!

What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Baby Shower Games?

Over 50 Sweet Mother’s Day Ideas (Recipes, Crafts, DIY Gifts and More!) #MomsCheckIn

April 24, 2015 by Jenni 37 Comments

Sweet Mother’s Day Ideas

Hey all my mommas out there! Mother’s Day is around the corner. What do you usually do for Mother’s Day? It’s all about celebrating moms and taking a little doting on yourself for being an awesome mom! I’m still so excited that spring is here!! It feels just like yesterday that we had freezing temps. Oh wait…it WAS yesterday! Actually this morning, we had frost on the ground. But the sun is shining, and it’s a beautiful day!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about Mother’s Day this week and we’re sharing some easy and fun ideas. If you have any awesome ideas, we wanna hear! Drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

Awesome Mother’s Day Ideas:

Recipes, Crafts, Gift Ideas & Traditions

Recipes

1. Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bites

2. Frozen Hot Chocolate

3. Simple and Delicious Caprese Bites Appetizer

4. Copycat Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwich

5. Copycat Applebee’s Clubhouse Grille Sandwich

6. Bacon Pull Apart French Toast Muffins

Crafts/Activities

1. 15 Free Mother’s Day Printables (crafts, activities, cards, etc.)

DIY Gift Ideas

1. How to Frame Old Family Recipes for Keepsake or Display

2. DIY Mason Jar Lamps Filled with Collectibles

3. 21 DIY Mother’s Day Gifts Mom Will Adore

Traditions

1. 12 Incredible Mother’s Day Traditions

Sharing our thoughts on Mother’s Day…

“Mother’s Day is always fun. I remember getting to bring Josh home from the hospital on Mother’s Day! That was the best gift ever. Usually I get to sleep in and we always do brunch. Lately Josh has been asking for our Bacon French Toast Pull Apart Muffins. And since I can make them ahead of time…I can still sleep in! :)Mother’s Day also means we try to be together – tech free – and we usually are outside enjoying the weather! It’s definitely a day of together-ness!“

“I love that Mike and Sam always make Mother’s Day special for me. We turn it into a family day each year and enjoy the time together with no distractions. The quality time and memories made are priceless to me. I’m so glad I get to be Sam’s mom and do this adventure with him!”

“I’m so lucky! For Mother’s Day, my guys let me do whatever I want for the day. Usually, that involves sleeping in and then a yummy breakfast in bed. My Mother’s Day gift is always cash. Every year I use that money to buy flowers to plant, hanging baskets and stuff for the flower beds. It’s my little treat day.“

What is Moms Check In?

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Do you have any Mother’s Day traditions?

8 Awesome #EarthDay Ideas (Recipes, Gardening Tips and Recycling Ideas) #MomsCheckIn

April 17, 2015 by Jenni 24 Comments

Awesome Earth Day Ideas

Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd. Do you do anything to celebrate at home? Maybe a small craft or a fun and easy recipe. It’s a great time to talk to your kids about the earth and what we can do to make it better. Ways to take care of it, starting at home doing simple things.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking about Earth Day this week and we’re sharing some easy reduce/reuse/recycle ideas, gardening tips and a couple of really fun “dirty” recipes! If you have any awesome ideas, we wanna hear! Drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

Awesome Earth Day Ideas to use year round:

1. Easy Gardening Tips

2. Earth Day Cupcakes

3. Dirt Pudding Filled Cupcakes with Candy Carrots

4. Over 20 Ways to Reuse Diaper Wipes Containers

5. 13 Useful Ways to Reuse Coffee Creamer Bottles

6. 17 Creative Ways to Reuse Coffee Cans Right Now

7. 21 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags

8. How to Remove Ink from Plastic Containers to Reuse for Crafts, Storage, etc.

Sharing our thoughts on Earth Day…

“This year for Earth Day I plan on making cupcakes for Josh! These Candy Sprout Dirt Cupcakes look just like the real thing and I think he will get a big kick out of them! I can’t honestly say that we go all out, but he usually does something special at school that leads into some pretty great dinner conversations!”

” I think it’s important to teach our kids to take care of the world we live in. We have Sam participate with us when we recycle and when we work in the yard. He loves watching things grow and helping to take care of them. Check out these easy gardening tips as you celebrate Earth Day this year!”

“We usually do something pretty easy for Earth Day, whether it’s a little craft or making a “dirt” type of dessert or snack like these Garden Pudding Filled Cupcakes. They celebrate at school and little man comes home with all kinds of cute crafts and the like. It’s a great reminder for us all that this Earth is ours to take care of. We need to be good stewards.”

What is Moms Check In?

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61 EASY Gardening Tips that We Love #MomsCheckIn

April 10, 2015 by Jenni 1,219 Comments

EASY Gardening Tips We Love

How’s your green thumb? Do you even have one??!! I have to admit that my thumb is more black than green. I do love fresh garden vegetables though and I’m always excited to plant pretty flowers in the yard each Spring. I think we’ll be making these Spring Dirt and Carrot Garden Cupcakes soon. So fun and yummy!! Folks – they’re PUDDING filled!!!

Everyone’s starting to think about planting now so our Moms Check In moms are sharing some of our EASY gardening tips with you. Keyword being – EASY!!! So easy that anyone can do them. If you have any awesome tips, please drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

61 EASY Gardening Tips, Tomato Recipes + a Cute Garden Treat:

1. How to Container Garden – A Guide for Beginners

2. How to replant your Avocado Pit

3. How to Re-Grow Celery

4. How to replant your Kitchen Scraps

5. How to store green onions

6. How to re-grow Romaine lettuce

7. 55 of the Best Gardening Tips

8. 35 Garden Tomato Recipes

9. Dum Dums Lollipop Garden

Sharing our own gardening tips…

“We love gardening! And by we, I really do mean we! I try to make it fun for Josh. Did you know you can regrow some vegetables? It’s been a fun science experiment. Our favorite to regrow so far has been avocados! As far as myself, we live in an apartment so we don’t have a yard. But I do have an Aerogarden that we have set up in our kitchen. It lets me grow herbs, vegetables and even flowers all year around! “

“ So – just being honest here….a full fledged garden didn’t work for us. We just weren’t disciplined enough to keep it weeded and watered, so we’re opting for small container gardens. They’re so much easier to keep up with. Here’s our beginner guide on container gardening! It’s perfect for favorite produce like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and especially herbs.“

“ One of my favorite things about summer is growing our vegetable garden. The kids enjoy watching things go from a seed to real food, and I love being able to walk out the backdoor, grab some goodies out of the garden, and throw together dinner. Nothing better than a ripe garden tomato! And if you don’t have a green thumb, check out our lollipop garden. That’s an easy little project we had so much fun with! “

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“I’ll be honest — I don’t have a green thumb. But I do love beautiful flowers and plants! I’ve learned that it’s ok to have a small garden with hearty plants. A big part of the joy for me is just watching Sam enjoy helping out and being outdoors. I’ll leave the big gardens to the pros and enjoy what’s growing in our backyard!”

What is Moms Check In?

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101 Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks #MomsCheckIn

March 27, 2015 by Jenni 101 Comments

100 Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks

I get excited this time of year. Not because I love to clean, cause I don’t – but because I know warm weather is coming. I can throw open my windows and let the fresh air in. Now, again…I don’t really love to clean but I do love having a clean house and being organized so the reward is worth the work.

Anyhoo, our Moms Check In moms are talking about spring cleaning tips this week and we’re sharing 101 Spring Cleaning tips and tricks to make things easier. If you have any awesome tips, please drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

101 Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks:

1. 40 solutions to organize your home

2. How to spring clean like a pro (checklist and guide)

3. Spring cleaning supply master list

4. 7 easy ways to organize messy snack cabinets and pantries

5. How to organize a small closet on a budget

6. The easy, no soak, no scrub way to clean your dirtiest dishes

7. 5 ideas for a clean and organized refrigerator

8. How to clean grout

9. How to stock a cleaning caddy

10. How to clean a vinyl or plastic shower curtain

11. 16 printables to organize your life

12. 20 printables to organize everything in your home

13. 24 home organization products to simplify your life

14. 8 house cleaning hacks

15. 24 spring cleaning ideas you’ll be obsessed with

Sharing our own spring cleaning tips…

“Vinegar and baking soda can go a long way! Seriously, I’m not sure there is much that those two things can’t clean up! I think it’s important to keep up on the cleaning, otherwise it just gets overwhelming. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I function so much better in a clean and organized home!”

“ As soon as it starts warming up and I’m able to open my windows, that’s when the Spring Cleaning bug bites me. One of my favorite things to do before I ever even get started is to pour some PineSol into the sinks to clean with, but to also make the house smell good. I love the smell of it. I get rid of tons of stuff and then organize what’s left. We go through everyone’s closets, drawers, all the cabinets and even under the beds. We wash down walls and give everything a good wipe down, change filters, batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. We even spring clean the garage! I like to keep a box or garbage bag handy for things to donate to the Goodwill. Tip: take those donation items straight to your vehicle. If you set them down in a corner, they’ll end up staying there for years haha!!!“

“When spring fever hits me I just want to clean house! And not always in the literal sense. I mean I want to get rid of stuff, and lots of it! This is the time of year I go through closets and get ready to consign or yard sale things we don’t need anymore. I find that is my biggest problem in keeping our house orderly – we have too much stuff. Once I purge, I try to organize the things that made the cut. These simple solutions have been so helpful so far this year. Organizing is an ongoing (probably never-ending!) process for me!“

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“I love freshening up the whole house when spring hits! After a long winter, I can’t wait to air out the house and give it a good cleaning. Mike and I divvy up the chores so that we can tackle them together. Now that Sam is a little older, we‘re also including him. It feels great to work as a team and have a clean home to enjoy. I also like to take advantage of free printables to help keep myself on a cleaning schedule and organized once we purge old items.“

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29 Incredible Easter Recipes and Crafts, Traditions and Party Ideas #MomsCheckIn

March 20, 2015 by Jenni Leave a Comment

Easter Recipes and Crafts

Easter will soon be here and if you’re looking for some new Easter recipes and crafts then you’re in the right place! We celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus on this day with family/friends. The kids always hunt eggs and eat way too much candy, and so do the adults. My brother is always stealing the hard boiled eggs from all the kids baskets, the kids have ruined their good dress clothes with mud and grass stains. You know how it is…

Anyhoo, our Moms Check In moms are talking about our favorite Easter traditions and sharing our recipes and craft ideas. We’d love to hear from you! So if you have any awesome Easter traditions, recipes, or craft ideas please drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

Easter Recipes and Crafts:

1. Easy Cake Mix Sugar Cookies (just 3 main ingredients)

2. Easter Peeps S’Mores (including gluten free options)

3. Easter Cookie Pie

4. Very Berry Peeps Milkshake

5. Easter Bunny Patch Recipe using Palmer’s Easter Candy

6. 5 Unique Ideas for a Reusable Easter Basket

7. 5 Creative (non candy) Easter Gift Ideas

8. Easy DIY Resurrection Garden

9. Resurrection Rolls Recipe

10. Easy Resurrection Snack and Activity for Kids

11. How to Dye Easter Eggs with Silk Ties

12. Easy Bunny Pie Pops

13. How to Plan an Easter Egg Hunt

14. 9 Lego Ideas for Easter

15. Free Easter Printable for Kids

16. 9 Tips for a Successful Easter Egg Hunt

17. Easter Cupcake Ideas

18. Kids’ Party Food:Mr. McGregor’s Garden Patch

19. Easter Bunny Pizza

20. 20 Easter Supplies and Favors

21. 20 Easter Baking Supplies

22. 25 Easter Craft & Activities

23. Easy Easter Stencil Cookies

24. Kids Party Food: Easy Easter Cookies

25. Kid’s Party Food Ideas: Delicious & Darling Easter Cake Pops

26. Monster Eggs {DIY Party Craft Ideas}

27. 33 FREE Easter Printables Boys Will Like Too

28. [Inspiration] Easter Egg Hunt

29. Bow Tie Easter Party for Your Little Man

Our Family Easter Traditions

“I love Easter. It’s an important day for us and what it symbolizes. We try to do something really fun each year. Last year for the older kids we put glow sticks in the eggs and let them hunt them after dark. They loved that! It’s a wonderful day filled with faith, friends, family and of course, a trip from the Easter Bunny!”

“ We always had Easter Egg hunts at my grandma and papaw’s house when I was little. Now that I have my own family, we still get together every year with our big ole’ family and let the littles hunt eggs. They always have such a great time. My addiction to those Cadbury Creme Filled Eggs comes into full swing and I always have to keep a stash hidden. Shhhhh!!!“

“My Mom always made the ‘lambie cake’ for Easter every year. She has this cake mold shaped like a lamb and she always decorated it up to look so cute every year. I’m not that ambitious but I love a sweet treat for the kids and we have fun filling and hiding baskets and eggs. I think I get a bigger kick out of finding good hiding spots than they do out of finding them! “

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“Easter was always one of my favorite holidays growing up. My dad would always buy about 10 large chocolate bunnies and hide them around our living room. (Why so many? So he could eat them, too! Haha) After we had our 9am chocolate fix, we’d head to church and then to my grandparent’s house for turkey dinner with all the fixings. Every year it was the same and I loved it. We’re still developing our traditions with my son Sam, but Easter is becoming one of his favorites.“

What is Moms Check In?

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What are your best Easter traditions, recipes or crafts?

Our Best Family Packing Tips for Travel #WrinkleFreeTravel #MomsCheckIn

March 13, 2015 by Jenni 91 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Downy Wrinkle Releaser. All opinions are 100% our own, and honest as always.

Our Best Packing Tips for Travel

As soon as spring and summer come, I start daydreaming of family vacation time. Even if it’s just a small weekend getaway! I used to be horrible at packing. I’d literally just lay open my suitcase on the bed and throw stuff in (WAY too much stuff) and then pray I didn’t bust a zipper getting the case shut. You too? I finally wised up and realized that there is a rhyme and reason to packing. If you play it smart, you can actually get more stuff in those suitcases than you think! Especially when you have a suitcase for everyone in the family to pack!

Our Moms Check In moms are talking about travel this week and we’re sharing our packing tips that have helped us. We’d love to hear from you! So if you have any awesome packing tips, please drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #WrinkleFreeTravel.

Travel tips from our Moms Check In mommas…

“Wait, you mean you aren’t supposed to just grab everything you own and cross your fingers? I buy inexpensive shower caps that I can slide over my shoes before I put them in our suit cases so dirt doesn’t transfer to the clothes.”

“ We don’t travel very often, but when we do I always do the same things my mom did. She was the queen at packing light. Always start with a packing list for the family, including travel time snacks and entertainment for the kids. Roll your clothes when packing instead of folding, it saves space and you have less wrinkles. Pack shoes on top. Make sure to put liquids like shampoo, lotions, perfume, etc. in zip bags in case they leak. That’ll keep your clothing safe. Put all your chargers together in one suitcase so they don’t get lost or left behind.“

“I’m not great at packing light but I’m getting a little better! I’ve got three tips that seem to help me. First, make a list. You’re bound to forget something if you don’t (and by ‘you’ I mean ME). Start it at least a few days before you go and add to it as you think of things. Second, pack some versatile clothing that you can wear more than once to cut down on the amount you need to haul. And finally, put an empty laundry basket in your room about a week before you leave. As you wash things you know you want to take, place them in the basket instead of putting them away. Then you won’t be washing that thing you just NEED to take on this trip at the last second. Been there, done that! It’s less stressful this way. Happy trails!“

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“I always lay everything out on our bed before I start packing. I’ve learned that by laying it all out, I realize that I don’t need near as many items as I first think. Reducing the number of unwanted items makes packing much easier! It also helps reduce wrinkles on the clothes if they aren’t all crammed in. I remove the rest of the wrinkles that are inevitable with suitcases with help from Downy.”

There is nothing worse than unpacking your clothes and discovering a wrinkle mess! Our number one tip for traveling is simple. Don’t leave home without Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus! Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus is a must have for keeping clothes neat without the hassle of ironing. But it also is great for keeping clothes smell fresh and clean, refresh fabric, remove static, and so much more! Keep a travel size bottle in your suitcase and a full size bottle at home to use not only on your clothes, but on curtains, bedding, pillows and more!

#WrinkleFreeTwitterParty 3/19

We can’t wait to chat with you at the Downy #WrinkleFreeTravel Twitter Party on Thursday, March 19th from 1-2 PM (Eastern). We will be giving away lots of prizes and talking all about family travel! Make sure to RSVP here to be eligible to win! See you there!!

Connect with Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Website: http://www.downywrinklereleaserplus.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downywrinklereleaser
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DownyWRplus/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DownyWRplus

What is Moms Check In?

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What are your best travel packing tips?

28 St. Patrick’s Day Ideas – Recipes, Crafts and Party Tips #MomsCheckIn

March 6, 2015 by Jenni 56 Comments

28 Awesome St. Patrick’s Day Ideas

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here so we’re sharing some incredible St. Patrick’s Day ideas. You know what that means friends, Spring! Spring is almost here!!! I can almost smell the green grass popping up through the snow. Flowers will start budding soon and I couldn’t be happier!! I usually love winter…being snowed in for a few days here and there. But this winter has been brutal. I’m just ready for sunshine, green grass, fresh dirt and warm days!

Our Moms Check In team are talking about St. Patrick’s Day this week and we’ve got an awesome list of St. Patrick’s Day recipes, crafts and party ideas. You can check them all out below…and then drop us a comment letting us know what your favorite St. Patty’s day treats are. Or what you’re looking forward to come Spring!! We’d love to hear from you!

28 Really Awesome St. Patrick’s Day Ideas – Recipes, Crafts and Party Tips

1. Hidden Pot O’ Gold Pudding Parfait

2. Lucky Charms Trail Mix

3. Homemade Mint Chocolate Shamrock Frappe

4. Easy Rainbow Poke Cupcakes

5. Triple Layer Rainbow Cake

6. Mint Oreo Truffles

7. St. Patrick’s Day Minty S’Mores

8. St. Patrick’s Day Minty Pudding Parfait

9. Shamrock Eggs in a Hole Breakfast

10. St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Pretzels

11. St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Biscuits

12. St. Patrick’s Day Green Velvet Cake

13. Homemade Green Noodles

14. 27 St. Patrick’s Day Baking Supplies

15. 25 St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids

16. 25 St. Patrick’s Day Activities and Crafts

17. 27 St. Patrick’s Day Party Favors and Supplies

18. Plan a St. Patrick’s Day Party on a Budget

19. Free St. Patrick’s Day Printables

20. How to Catch a Leprechaun

21. DIY Leprechaun Pillow

22. Rainbow Pancakes

23. St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Hat DIY Craft Project

24. DIY Leprechaun Trap for Kids

25. St. Patrick’s Day DIY Table Runner

26. 24 Festive St. Patty’s Day Recipes

27. 20 St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

28. Party Bark Treat Recipe

Here’s our Moms Check In moms take on St. Patrick’s Day…

“Josh’s favorite color is green and we are most definitely Irish, so St. Patrick’s Day is a lot of fun around here! We get visits from the Leprechaun and we build a trap to try to catch him. He always seems to outsmart us though. It’s really just a fun day for us!”

“ I love when I start seeing St. Patrick’s Day recipes and crafts online because it’s a sure sign that Spring is on the way. We usually make a few fun treats at home and for school. We always make sure to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day too, so we don’t get pinched by anyone. 🙂 “

“St. Patrick’s Day is just a fun holiday for us. We don’t go crazy celebrating but we always wear green and it’s a good excuse to have a fun little treat for dessert. Something green of course!”

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“St. Patrick’s Day is a sign to me that spring is coming! March is an excellent time to enjoy fun recipes and crafts as a family. The ideas above are sure to bring smiles to your faces!”

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite St. Patrick’s Day ideas?

What’s your favorite part of Spring?

12 Really Really Really Awesome Dr. Seuss Ideas – Celebrate Dr. Seuss Week #MomsCheckIn

February 27, 2015 by Jenni 34 Comments

I always look forward to Dr. Seuss Week because they do such fun things at school with the kids that week. Inside out clothes, pajama day, favorite hat day….and the list goes on. We also celebrate at home, because we LOVE Dr. Seuss. I got my little guy one of these Dr. Seuss Book Collections forever and a day ago and we still have them all. We also have all of these Dr. Seuss movies….we watch them ALL the time still.

Dr. Seuss Movies

The Lorax – Danny Devito, Taylor Swift, Zac Efron, Betty White

Horton Hears a Who – Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell

Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat – Mike Myers, Kelly Preston

The Grinch with Jim Carrey

Our Moms Check In team are talking about Dr. Seuss this week too and we’ve got a list of 12 really awesome Dr. Seuss ideas including recipes, crafts, books and party ideas. They’re all listed below. We’re also each telling our favorite Dr. Seuss books and our kids’ as well. Are you celebrating Dr. Seuss Week?

12 Really Awesome Dr. Seuss Ideas

1. Cat in the Hat Cherry Tomatoes and Cheese Kabobs

2. Cat in the Hat Strawberry and Marshmallow Kabobs

3. Cat in the Hat Breakfast Waffles

4. 25 of the Best Dr. Seuss Books

5. 12 Dr. Seuss Crafts

6. 10 Foods to Celebrate Dr. Seuss

7. Cat in the Hat Party Foods

8. Cat in the Hat Birthday Party Ideas

9. Dr. Seuss Themed Party Ideas

10. Dr. Seuss Themed Dessert Table Ideas

11. Go Dog Go Dr. Seuss Theme Party Ideas

12. Cat in the Hat Pudding Pops

Here’s our Moms Check In moms favorite Dr. Seuss Books!

“We are huge Dr. Seuss fans in our house! The Cat In The Hat was the first book I ever was able to read on my own and it was the first for my son too! Hmm… If I had to pick a favorite book it would be between Horton Hears a Who, Yertle the Turtle and Fox in Socks.”

“I had several Dr. Seuss books growing up. My own personal favorite when I was little was Horton Hears a Who! Now that I’m older though, I love Oh, The Places You’ll Go. My little guy’s favorite is and always has been, The Grinch. We have the book AND the movie, of course.“

“My kids have always loved Dr. Seuss books (and so do I)! They’re silly yet always include a great life lesson. We have TONS of them. Here are 25 of my favorites. The kids are so excited for some of the activities their teachers have planned for next week. One year my daughter’s teacher made cupcakes with green icing, put a pretzel rod in it, and topped with with cotton candy. A truffula tree from The Lorax! Easy and fun. We might try that for dessert one night next week!“

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

“Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss!? Even as an adult, I still love enjoying his books with Sam. I probably appreciate Dr. Seuss more now as an adult since I can recognize how rare that creative genius is! Sam and I have a great time with Dr. Seuss themed books, recipes and crafts. There are so many ways to get creative!“