Keeping Dogs with Disabilities Happy with Milk-Bone Active Toys

March 5, 2018 by Jenni 597 Comments

This post was sponsored by Milk-Bone as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Dogs. Aren’t they just the best?!

There isn’t a time in my life that I don’t ever remember a dog being a part of it. My husband and I have also, always owned dogs throughout our marriage!

Just a little back story on our sweet rat terrier, Pepper. She is blind…caused from glaucoma. She started losing her sight awhile back and ended up having to have one eye removed. Her other eye is deteriorating and so that one will need to be removed as well.

That makes us SO sad, but the thing is…..Pepper is still pretty young, active, and happy! However, since losing her sight she is a lot more skittish and unsure of herself. She loves loves loves herself some treats, though!!! So, when I saw the new Milk-Bone® Active^TMToys I was like……

“A-Ha!!”

She will love this! These are made of high-quality, durable, non-toxic material made specifically to work with Milk-Bone biscuits!

I mean, what dog doesn’t love treats?! So. Treats inside this ball that bounces and rolls to drive her playful instincts – it keeps her moving and active! AND it rewards her with yummy treats! Win win win!!!

I found the Milk-Bone Active Toy at Meijer in the dog toy aisle! There are 4 different Active Toys to choose from! They come in 2 different styles and 2 different sizes. Each one correlate with different Milk-Bone biscuit sizes.

Medium Dispensing Ball (recommended for dogs 25 – 49 lbs) – Medium biscuits
Medium Treat Tumbler (recommended for dogs 25 – 49 lbs) – Minis biscuits
Small Dispensing Ball (recommended for dogs up to 24 lbs) – Small biscuits
Small Treat Tumbler (recommended for dogs up to 24 lbs) – Minis biscuits

We got the medium dispensing ball with medium biscuits! The toy came with a small trial sized package of biscuits and they just slid easily right into the holes of the ball. They don’t slide out easily which is great – because it really makes your dog work for that treat!!! We also grabbed a box of the Milk-Bone Peanut Butter flavor variety packs! She loves peanut butter, just like her momma. (me!)

Pepper finally got a nibble of one and kept going back for more! She rolled that ball all over the yard! That was so fun to watch and it kept her moving!! With her vision loss, she’s using her other senses a lot more. We knew that would happen, but it’s been cool to see how she compensates in her normal everyday routine. I love that the Active Toys are a fun way to keep her mentally stimulated as well. I know she can tend to get bored, so this keeps her entertained.

When you head to Meijer to grab your dogs their own Milk-Bone Active Toys, make sure to use this SA-WEEET mPerks offer for $2 off the Small toys and $3 off the Medium toys, valid until 3/17/18!! That’s a huge savings!!! Also….be on the look out because several of the toys I saw, had a peel off coupon for $1 off a box of Milk-Bone biscuits! Yeah!!!

Easy Dinner on Family Game Night Plus On-Cor Family Prize Pack Giveaway Ends 1/23

January 17, 2018 by Jenni 919 Comments

“Intentional” Family Game Night

Have you chosen your “word” for 2018 yet? My word for 2018 is “Intentional”. I’m one of those kinds of people who just spins in circles, getting no where. Fast. For me, that means cereal for dinner some nights, piles of dirty laundry, and a lack of QUALITY family time. There’s nothing more important to me in life, than family and the quality time that I get to spend with them!

I have to be intentional about things like this that really do matter. Life’s demanding enough. Goodness knows dinner shouldn’t be. I intentionally make dinner easy on busy weeknights and since On-Cor does the prep work, now I can take care of other to-do’s that need to-doing!

I’ve intentionally been menu planning for easy meals and meals that I can make in bulk to freeze leftovers. I love to reserve nights on my menu plan for super DUPER easy cooking with quick options like the On-Cor Family entrées that requires nothing of mom! They’re just a freezer away for an always easy, always satisfying and always ready solution for “one of those nights”. This gives me the time to catch up on bath time, laundry, and all the other million and one things busy moms have to do!

Intentional Family Game Night Tip! Schedule it! Yes!! Actually put it ON your calendar, moms! Otherwise, that quality family time may not happen. It’s easy for other plans to pop up on Friday nights and then we end up feeling guilty because we haven’t had real quality family time in a million years, right?!

On-Cor is a great option for dinner on those nights! You can totally pull off an easy dinner so you can focus on game night with the family!

One of our personal faves has always been the Gravy & 6 Salisbury Steaks and it’s always a hit, anytime! Paired with mashed potatoes or a baked potato and a salad, and call it done! On-Cor has a simple mission—to offer quality, multi-serve entrées that everyone loves. Ohh, and with no MSG added!!

Family Night Giveaway ($200 ARV):

On-Cor has graciously offered to let one of our readers win a family night prize pack filled with incredible items including the items below. Giveaway is open to US residents, age 18+. Giveaway ends 1/23/17 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!!

Coupon Valid for One Free On-Cor Entrée
Children’s Apron
Kitchen Tools Set
Children’s Baking Cookbook
Board Game
Popcorn Maker
Popcorn Bowl

For your next family meal, head to the freezer aisle of Walmart or check out the store locator at www.on-cor.com to pick up one of On-Cor’s entrées. This is where we always buy ours!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of On-Cor. The opinions and text are all mine.

Finding Fun and Sturdy Glasses for Kids

December 4, 2017 by Jenni 778 Comments

This is a sponsored post on behalf of DiscountGlasses.com. All opinions and thoughts are 100% my own, and honest as always.

If your child has recently failed an eye exam and been told that he needs to wear glasses, you may think it is impossible to find fun, trendy glasses while ensuring they can survive a day at school (e.g., think monkey bars, tag, dodge ball, etc.)! Glasses for young children may seem like a losing proposition altogether; however, there are some eyeglasses that are built specifically to handle the daily physical routine of youngsters. Below, you’ll find some tips for finding fun, yet sturdy, glasses for kids.

We really like the Pickelz line at DiscountGlasses.com. They’re really sturdy and prices there start at just $9.95 with most of the kids glasses around $25-$27 on sale! The BEST part is that they offer FREE shipping on any size order and they have 365 day FREE returns. If for whatever reason you don’t like them, you can return them in the first year! They also offer same day and overnight shipping for those who are in a rush.

Pssst. They’re offering $10 off your order of $30 or more for NEW customers! When you visit their website, there’s an email subscription offer to receive the discount.

If you wear contacts, then make sure to visit DiscountContactLenses.com! They offer the lowest prices guaranteed AND they offer 20% off for new customers and free shipping over $99. They also have a 365 day free returns included if your prescription changes in the 1st year.

Below are some really great tips for picking out glasses for your kiddos!

1. Consider Face Shape

One of the easiest ways to ensure you and your child select glasses that will flatter his face is by focusing on the frame style. Before reaching for just any glasses to try on, take note of the shape of your child’s face. Most people generally fall into one of the following four face shape categories:

Oval – this facial shape is generally designated by a chin that is slightly narrower than the forehead with otherwise balanced features.
Round – if you have a round face, the width and length are mostly equal which creates a soft, circular shape.
Square – strong, distinct angles around the forehead, cheeks and jawline characterize a square face shape.
Heart – the heart-shaped face is designated by a wider forehead with narrower cheekbones and jawline.

Once you have determined your child’s general face shape, you can begin to select the best style of frames for his face. If your child has a round face, it is best to select square frames to help balance the roundness while a square-faced child benefits from round frames to help tone down the prominent angles of his face. An oval-shaped face is generally pretty versatile when it comes to selecting frames; however, it is likely best to avoid oval frames in order to avoid making your face look longer. Heart-shaped faces may benefit from frames that are wider at the bottom to help counterbalance a narrow chin.

2. Look at Different Types of Frames

Many parents assume they should buy their child plastic frames because they are generally less expensive and offer more options for color and style. If you can get a good fit with plastic frames then by all means go for it; however, be sure to consider frames made from metal as well since they are easy to adjust in order to get the perfect fit. It is important that your child’s glasses fit properly in order to avoid them slipping off easily while playing.

3. Ask About the Lens Material

Once the frames have been selected, be sure to ask about the lens material as well. A few features you will want to have included are an anti-scratch coating and ultraviolet protection coating. You may want to also consider having an anti-reflective or anti-glare coating added to the lenses as well in order to minimize the reflection on the lenses.

Once you have considered the above mentioned features, be sure to let your child have the final say on which glasses he will wear. If he feels like he is allowed to have a voice in the decision, he will definitely be more likely to wear them.

How Dogs Become a Part of the Family

October 11, 2017 by Jenni 877 Comments

This post was sponsored by Milk-Bone® as part of a Two-Post Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

We’ve been a 2 dog family for several years now. Pepper – our one eyed rat terrier that we call our little pirate. She’s a tiny ball of shedding hair, with tons of personality. She’s missing the one eye because of gluacoma and the other eye, she’s blind out of. So, she can’t see. Period. Yes. She bumps into everything — but that doesn’t stop her. She’s still just as playful and happy as she was before she became a pirate!

Then Izzy, our beloved boxer girl who recently passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Izzy came to us 4-5 years ago. It took quite a bit of time for ME to adjust to having such a big dog in the house. And time adjusting to the amount of destruction one cute dog could make. Umm. Yeah. Needless to say, we had to recycle that chair.

Izzy was protective. SO loving. An obnoxious snorer. I mean she could RAISE the roof! She had the best and most sloppiest kisses. She was our angel, on earth. Just a couple of weeks ago, she passed from renal failure. It was probably one of the top 5 hardest things I’ve gone through in my life….losing her.

Never in my life did I think that either of these 2 dogs would become such a HUGE part of our family! Actually never in my life did I ever think I’d have TWO dogs in the house, let alone one! But it happened.

Once Izzy came to live with us, it only took 2 seconds for Pepper and her to become quick and instant friends. Pepper being the small one of the two, surprisingly showed Izzy who was boss from the get-go though. Little dog complex, I guess you could say?!

I can’t even describe how much love is given and received between humans and their pets. They’re loyal, always ready to kiss you. Always just want to make you happy, and they always want to be by your side. To protect you.

The thing for our family is dogs are never just. It’s never Izzy and Pepper just – anything. They always do MORE! They never JUST sit next to us. They remind us that we’re never alone. Izzy and Pepper both loved to spend time with us on the back patio. Izzy especially would sit next to me, every single morning, while I had my coffee. It was like our “girl talk” time of the day, each and every day! Constant.

They never JUST lick our faces. They kiss us with those giant sloppy kisses that say “I love you so much, human!” – and they calm us, and heal us when we’re hurt or broken. Literally, when Izzy passed away recently – we were broken, as a family. We’re still grieving for her – and Pepper as well. It took Pepper a little bit to adjust to not having Izzy to sleep with, or fight over food with, or play with.

Since our dogs are more than just pets to us, they’re family — we wanted to join Milk-Bone in celebrating their 20th Anniversary with Canine Assistants. This is a non-profit org. that trains and provides service dogs to families who have children or adults with special needs or physical disabilities.

Our son has special needs – and so this is another reason that this is special for us. To celebrate, Milk-Bone has created this super sweet and heart melting video to show and celebrate the dogs and pet parents that they’ve helped over the years. Just to show us how dogs are never JUST. They’re MORE!

Please, drop us a comment and let us know what you thought of this video! Tell us your heartwarming dog stories!! We want to hear and celebrate your fur family with you!

100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives + 5 Things to Leave OUT of Your Diaper Bag!

February 19, 2017 by Jenni 1,144 Comments

Are you looking for some natural baby products and alternatives to some of the products you’re using now?

I’m sharing some excellent ALL natural baby products and ideas with you! You need to put these things inside your diaper bag, vs. what’s typically packed inside!

100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives + 5 Things to Leave Out of Your Diaper Bag!

As a mom, you want to protect your babies from anything and everything harmful. Right?

{INSERT MOMMA BEAR ROAR!}

Did you know that some of the most toxic, poisonous, and harmful things that can affect our babies, are things that we splash on them often, every. single. day! It’s true!

Moms. Please know that I am 100% guilty of doing the VERY same thing! I know how you feel! I’m slowly learning that some of the products we use, seem safe and healthy – but they are truly toxic and even cancer causing. And I have them inside my home. Slathering these things on myself and my kid!

NO MOM GUILT ALLOWED!

No MOM guilt allowed, moms! EVER! You do what you do, because you love your children. Parenting and life in general, is a learning process. I just want to let you know that there are SAFE products that you can use. Empower you with information that is or can be, life-changing!

Never. Ever, ever, ever, ever — feel guilty about doing what you think is best for your kids! EVER! Deal?!

5 REAL – 100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives!

Below, are 5 products that are probably inside your diaper bag. These are toxic. You can actually google each product and/or the MSDS sheet for each and find out why! I’m sharing excellent alternatives that you can re-stock your home and diaper bag with right NOW!

1. Ditch Talcum Powder and/or Baby Powder (linked to ovarian cancer and lung diseases)

Switch to this talc-free, fragrance free 100% all natural baby powder HERE!

Why ditch and switch?! With t alcum powder being so recent in the news after a couple large lawsuits surrounding its use, it’s time to switch to something SAFE! This info. below comes from ConsumerSafety.org. You can also read more by clicking on the links above.

Talcum powder, a common ingredient in personal hygiene products, has been linked to life-threatening diseases and conditions, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and respiratory complications. The connection to the these health risks has been suspected for decades, but no action was taken to protect consumers. The lack of any type of product warning sparked a surge of lawsuits resulting in 3 major verdicts in 2016, and thousands more in the legal system.

2. Ditch Traditional Baby Oil (they limit skin breathability and toxin release!)

Switch to one of these all natural alternatives below! Viva Naturals is a great alternative, as well.

You can find these oils below, on Amazon…just by clicking on them.

Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Almond Oil

Switching to an all natural oil like the ones listed above, guarantees that you’re moisturizing your babies with only goodness. Did you know that traditional baby oils are made from mineral oils that act like a “liquid plastic”. Imagine slathering liquid plastic all over you?! Right? Eww. Your skin cannot breathe and it doesn’t allow toxins to leave your body.

Also, most baby oils contain fragrances. Did you know that brands do not have to list in their ingredients lists, what the fragrances are made from?! Chemicals. That’s what those fragrances are made from. Nasty chemicals.

3. Ditch the Anti-bacterial Soaps and Gels (they contain triclosan, which is carcinogenic. Don’t believe me? Google it!)

Switch to an all natural product like Young Living Thieves Spray or Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier to clean and purify virtually everything!

I mean, let’s face it. I’m NOT going to clean my hands or a baby’s toy with something that could potentially cause cancer. Period. Thieves products are excellent for our immune systems. They contain clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus radiata essential oils.

4. Belladonna (found in teething remedies) – linked to seizures!

Switch to natural remedies like a chilled damp wash cloth, or pressure from your finger on their gums. Essential oils like Thieves and Copaiba have been used for thousands of years.

We all know the torment that comes with teething babies. I’m sticking to doing what my ancestors did. They had it all figured out, after all.

5. Fragrances (can cause respiratory, neurological, and skin damage. May lead to asthma!)

Switch to fragrance-free, organic, or sensitive products. Naturally fragrant products like pure, therapeutic grade essential oils – is the perfect alternative!

Look for the word “fragrance” in the ingredients list in your baby products. Did you know that manufacturers do not have to tell you what ingredients are used in their “fragrances”? You can bet that those fragrances are completely chemical ridden.

There are so many DIY recipes out there on the net that are 100% natural, using pure therapeutic grade essential oils as the fragrance component. If you’re looking to make something homemade with essential oils for you, your home, and your baby – just look online and find one that works for you.

I hope that you decide to Ditch & Switch some or all of these items in your diaper bag, and home! You’ll be SO glad that you did. It will give you peace of mind too, knowing that you’re doing something healthy and important in the long run. Years from now, your children will thank you!

Tell us, what products have you ditched and switched? We’d love to know!!

Disclosure: The infographic and some information was provided to me by consumersafety.org. This post was not compensated by them, in any way. I am however, a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils. All opinions are 100% my own.

7 Fun and Easy Sick Day Activities for Kids at Home + $25 Target Gift Card/Pfizer Prize Pack Giveaway

February 14, 2017 by Jenni 748 Comments

Sick days are inevitable. These sick day activities for kids at home are perfect when they’re tired of resting. This post has been sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and 20^th Century Fox, however, all cute and #SickJustGotReal survival ideas are my own.

Sick Day Activities for Kids at Home!

It never fails. Winter comes, and along with it comes all the gnarly and yucky bugs and viruses. #SickJustGotReal

This last week, Eli finally got over some virus that wouldn’t let go. He spent several days home from school – and he was miserable. Snotty, coughing, fever-y, and just plain “blah”. Poor kid.

First things first. Moms, it’s time to pull out the “Sick Day Survival Kit”! What does this survival kit include? Well, it should include everything needed to take care of the sickie’s symptoms. Next in the kit, should include any and all fun activities that will help make them feel better when they’re bored.

Break up that Fever!

If they’re running a fever that isn’t breaking on it’s own – pull out the Children’s Advil®. Not only does it help knock down a fever, but it also eases those aches and pains. Bonus: It comes in great-tasting flavors so it’s a great solution for kids as young as 2 and up to 11!

Flavors include Sugar-free Dye-free Berry, Bubble Gum, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit and Dye-Free White Grape flavors. There’s also Infants’ Advil® White Grape, which provides unsurpassed fever relief among OTC pain relievers with a syringe for easy dosing for children 6-23 months.

I don’t know about your kids, but mine gets bored. Easily. Especially when he’s sick at home. Yeah, he might sleep off and on, but don’t let this fool you. After they’ve slept their yuckies off – they’re bored and need something to keep them entertained. I did a bit of crowd-sourcing from some of my other mom friends too, to see what ideas they had.

Ready for Those Sick Day Activities for Kids at Home?

Watch a Movie!

Pop in a new movie or one of their favorites while they’re laying around. Eli loves The Peanuts Movie! It’s currently one of his favorites that he watches over and over! Snuggle up on the couch with your sick little one and encourage some rest time. Momma definitely needs her rest time on sick days too!!! Right?! This is (in all honesty) probably my favorite of all of the activities for kids at home on sick days!

The Peanuts Movie:

Dream big and laugh along with good ol’ Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved Peanuts gang as you’ve never seen them before — in a brand-new feature film from the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of Ice Age. Join everyone’s favorite eternal optimist, Charlie Brown, as he embarks on a heroic quest, while his beagle pal Snoopy takes to the skies to pursue his archnemesis, the Red Baron. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming adventure that proves every underdog has his day!

2. Extra Tablet or iPad Time!

My child could spend hours on his iPad. We have to monitor the amount of time he spends on there…but on sick days, we let him have a little more “plugged” in time.

3. Book Marathon!

Let your child pick out their favorite books, to read to you. Or if they’re battling a sore throat, you can read to them. If you have an older child – now might be a great time to catch up on their latest book series!

4. Play Cards or Board Games!

Pull out the deck of cards for some fun Slap Jack – or Old Maid. Card games and board games can easily be played while laying in bed.

5. Puzzles!

Puzzle books or printable puzzle pages are fun! Crosswords, word searches, hidden pictures, etc. If you don’t have puzzle books on hand, you can always print some off the internet!

6. Tell Stories!

Now while you have their ear – it’s a GREAT time to tell them stories! Stories of how you and dad met. Stories about their grandparents…aunts/uncles! Fun stories about when YOU were little! Then let them tell you their stories!

7. Mini Sandbox Fun!

If they can’t go outside, bring the outside to them! Fill a small box with sand and/or rocks and hide random small things inside for them to find! This is a great idea when your child is up and out of the bed. Maybe save this idea for when they’re able to hang out at the kitchen table, or somewhere where clean-up would be easy.

Other Items that Should be in Sick Day Survival Kit:

Children’s Robitussin® DM Day/Night Pack (Children’s Robitussin® Cough & Chest Congestion and Children’s Robitussin® Nighttime Cough for ages 6+) non-drowsy daytime formula helps break up chest congestion, while the long-acting nighttime formula relieves coughs and runny noses to help kids get the rest they need.

Children’s Dimetapp® Cold & Cough tackles a child’s most bothersome stuffy and runny noses, all while working to relieve cough, for ages 6+. All in a great tasting grape flavor.

*It is important to remember to always read and keep the cartons for complete warnings and dosing information onPfizer Pediatric products and to use as directed.

In order to get your sick day survival kit together, and enjoy these sick day activities for kids at home – you can save at Target with these Target Cartwheel coupon codes below!! (valid 1/29/17 through 2/20/17)

Visit Sick just got real.™ below!

Sick just got real.™ website
Sick just got real.™ Facebook page

Ready for a Giveaway?!

One lucky reader will win a Sick Day Survival Kit of their own! It will include:

$25 Target gift card
Children’s Advil® Suspension, Grape,
Children’s Robitussin® Cough & Chest Congestion
Children’s Dimetapp® Cough & Cold
(1) 20th Century Fox DVD of your choice (Ice Age: Collision Course, The Sandlot, The Peanuts Movie)

Just use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. US residents, age 18 or older are eligible to win. Giveaway ends 2/21 at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!!

How to Decorate the Rim of a Glass with Sprinkles + $25 Visa/Entenmann’s® Prize Pack Giveaway

February 10, 2017 by Jenni 4,837 Comments

Wanna learn how to decorate the rim of a glass with sprinkles? This is such a fun way to celebrate the small things with your kids. This post has been sponsored by Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. All cute and delicious opinions are 100% my own!

How to Decorate the Rim of a Glass with Sprinkles!

Do you celebrate even the smallest things with your family? Things like one of the kiddos losing a tooth? Getting an A+ on their spelling test?

Kids LOVE little tokens of appreciation. Even small things like chocolate milk. However, no ordinary chocolate milk though will do, so, I’m going to show you how to decorate the rim of a glass with sprinkles.

Why did we do this?! We celebrated Eli getting a 100% on his spelling test this week! I surprised him with some Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Chocolate Party Cakes and some FUN chocolate milk! Paired up with these delicious Chocolate Party Cakes really made for a sweet celebration!

How to Decorate the Rim of a Glass with Sprinkles!

You wanna know how to decorate the rim of a glass with sprinkles. It’s wayyyy easy to do, and is such a cute idea for anytime. So because it’s especially fun for parties, here’s how you do it.

What you Need:

Your favorite glasses or cups
chocolate chips
sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Pour chocolate chips into a small microwave safe bowl. One that is not too big, but large enough for the rim of your glass to reach into.

2. Melt chocolate chips according to package directions. How many chocolate chips you use varies according to how many glasses you want to decorate. You should be able to dip a few to several cups – using 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.

3. Dip rim into the chocolate, and then let excess drip off.

4. Pour sprinkles into a small saucer.

5. Dip rim with melted chocolate into the sprinkles, rim down and coat. Then turn the glass rim on it’s edge and turn to coat the edge of the rim as well so that all the chocolate is covered with sprinkles and not much, if any, chocolate is showing.

6. Set upright on the counter until the chocolate has dried and the sprinkles are set.

7. After the sprinkles are set, fill the glasses with your yummy chocolate milk or whatever you’re wanting to drink, and enjoy!

Portable for School Lunches!

I love that they come in these little packs, because it makes it easy to pack in his lunch bag for school. Portable snacks like this are perfect for car trips too, or after soccer practice! Right?!

These little scrumptious bites of chocolate heaven are SOOOO fresh and melt in your mouth. I’m not really sure – but I think that I may have eaten more than my kiddo did. Nom. They’re just too easy to pop in your mouth!

Check out these yummy details about Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Chocolate Party Cakes:

Guaranteed to pack a portable party on-the-go, the new Little Bites® Chocolate Party Cakes are the latest edition to Entenmann’s® Seasonal Favorites line. Overflowing with flavor to treat the taste buds of chocolate lovers everything, these new Chocolate Party Cakes are complete with rainbow sprinkles, similar to the fan-favorite original golden Party Cakes.

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® contain no high fructose corn syrup, are made with real ingredients, certified Kosher, and are less than 200 calories per pouch.

ONLY available nationwide for a limited time from 1/14/17 to 5/20/17.

Make sure to stay up to date and check out their website and social media sites below!

Entenmann’s® Little Bites® website
Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Facebook
Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Instagram
Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Pinterest

Valentine’s Day Ideas…

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Have a delicious Valentine’s Day! Pack-a-Pouch of Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Muffins with free downloadable Valentine’s Day cards. Pack-a-Pouch anytime and keeping Smiling Together. Get your free downloadable Valentine’s Day card here!

For some super cute fun DIY inspiration – what this video! This is such a sweet idea!!

READY FOR A GIVEAWAY?!

One lucky reader will win a $25 Visa gift card and (3) coupons for $5.00 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. Giveaway ends 2/15 at 11:59pm EST. Giveaway is open to US residents, age 18+. Good luck!! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

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Sweet Pennies from Heaven is responsible for this giveaway and Entenmann’s® Little Bites® is providing the giveaway prizes.

Christmas Mobile Wish Lists Made EASY at Toys”R”Us!

December 1, 2016 by Jenni 1,693 Comments

This post brought to you by Toys“R“Us . The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

I just cannot believe that Christmas is less than a month away! Are your kids making their Wish Lists already?! I remember when I was little and how giddy I felt, when it was time to make my Wish List!!

Our Great Big Toys”R”Us Book of Awesome arrived the other day and our kiddo found it before I did. Eeek! He already has “big” plans with his Wish List this year. It’s gettin’ real folks!!! Thankfully, the Toys”R”Us Big Book of AWWWESOME makes creating his Wish List super easy! Check it out…

Kids’ Wish List goes MOBILE!

I noticed on the front of the Toys”R”Us Big Book, this little green circle that says “new! Wish List goes mobile”. Well, in all honesty, mobile = EASY for me! We gave it a try and it’s super duper easy AND convenient! What an #AwesomeMoment!

The best part is that you can create a list for each kiddo and name them! No more confusion, and no more losing all those handwritten wish lists! Now, if your child still insists on writing their own wish list on paper – that’s perfectly fine! I recommend it! Then you can make a mobile version of their hand-written Wish List. Besides…Santa likes to receive both hand-written AND mobile Wish Lists!

All you need to do is go to Toysrus.com/WishList and create your Wish List – or many of them. Get signed in and simply tap the camera icon to start building the Wish List! You can take a picture of any item in the Big Book of Awwwesome and the items or similar items will appear! You can then go ahead and add that item to cart OR scroll on down to add to their wish list. Seeeee? How easy is that?!

As you can see from our own wish list making – I took a picture of the Bop It! Sonic game. It uploaded the image, and then gave me the options that I could click to add to his wish list. You can also use the bar code scanner option if you’re visiting in-store!

Since this week is Cyber Week at Toys”R”Us – now’s the time to get great deals on all of the items on your kid’s Wish Lists! My kiddo has tons of stuff on his Wish List. From Legos to Marvel Comic action figures. Star Wars toys, and many more fun things! If you need a little help, visit some of Toys”R”Us BFF’s and Get Inspired.

You better bet I’ll be shopping this Cyber Week to get the very BEST deals! Don’t you miss out on all of the savings this week at Toys”R”Us!

We do have a few big ticket items that we’d like to get for him from his Wish List. Some things may have to hold out till his birthday, but you never know. Santa may be extra awesome this year!

We will also be donating some toys through some local and national drives! If you donate as well, I suggest using the Cyber deals this week to score some awesome toys at pretty big discounted prices!

What big ticket item is on your kiddo’s wish list this year?

Play the New Addictive EyeCons Mobile Game and Win REAL Prizes!

October 7, 2016 by Jenni 544 Comments

This review was made possible by iConnect and EyeCons. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.

I often find myself sitting in the car pickup line at school, or waiting for the bus – trying to kill time. THIS is one of my “quiet” moments through out the day where I can enjoy a little me time. Sip some coffee, plan out our weekly menu and grocery list, and play games on my phone.

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Have you heard of EyeCons yet?! I’m super addicted to this game! It’s a new “distract and relax” mobile game from the creators of the mega-hot board games TABOO and OUTBURST, Hersch Games! EyeCons is a match-two puzzle game and it offers REAL, offline rewards and prizes as you move from level to level! It’s like really getting paid to play!

YOU’RE INVITED for a Chance at $1000!

On Thursday, October 13th you can join in on the fun and win special prizes AND a chance for a $1,000 grand prize, just by playing along during a 30-minute #EyeConsParty gaming event! It’s at 9pm ET/6pm PT.

eyecons-party-image

Here are the RULES for the EyeCons Party Gaming Event:

Like @eyeconsthegame on Instagram – this is a critical first step, as only people who like EyeCons will qualify for the $1,000 grand prize.

Download the EyeCons app on either the iTunes App Store or Google Play.

Register your EyeCons account using your Instagram handle as your USERNAME. Do NOT login to the game using a Facebook account. You must register in order to verify a winner after game play ends.

At exactly 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Thursday, October 13, 2016, game play will begin. Make sure you are set and ready to go BEFORE this time slot!

Official gameplay will happen on Level THREE! When the game begins, play until you reach LEVEL THREE. Then, keep playing on LEVEL THREE ONLY. DO NOT ADVANCE to Level 4.

After 30 minutes, the players at the top of the leaderboard on Level THREE who followed @eyeconsthegame on Instagram will win.

*Please NOTE: When you sign up for the game using your Instagram handle, your entire handle may not be accepted, so just use as many characters as you can from your handle.

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How to Play EyeCons:

Try to clear all the tiles in time by tapping any two matching tiles to remove them from the board. Then you can advance to the next level! But remember to keep a close eye on those tile designs – looks may be deceiving! Players earn real rewards and prizes for achieving high scores.

 Match two similar looking tiles in order to eliminate them all and win each level

 You can net a higher score with faster elimination speed

 Utilize combos, power-ups and in-game assists to score high and get to the next level and win real, physical prizes just by playing (i.e. free truffle fries!)

 Play anytime as an individual, or play against others during in-venue group sessions that are activated at specific times

PRIZES and Winner Announcements:

 First Place: $1,000 AMEX gift card

 Second Place: The ultimate Taboo package – one “Taboo” board game and one Taboo Buzz’d

 Third Place: One copy each of Platinum Taboo, Platinum Outburst, Platinum Scattergories

 Fourth Place: One copy each of Platinum Taboo, Platinum Outburst, Platinum Scattergories

Since the EyeCons team will be the only ones who can cross reference who’s following them on Instagram against the leaderboard ranking, they’ll post the Official Winners at 12:00pmPT on October 12, 2016 on the @eyeconsthegame Instagram feed. Winners also will be contacted directly via email.

College Safety Tips for Girls (and Guys) That You Never Think Of

September 12, 2016 by Jenni 543 Comments

This post brought to you by Wearsafe. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

College Safety Tips for Girls and Guys You Never Think Of!

The kids are all grown up and leaving for college. They think they already know everything, right?! Yeah, they’re pretty smart – but they’re probably also still really naive. My niece, Hannah – my “mini me” – has just started her first year.

Bathroom selfies and all… (God love her heart!). I love her to pieces.

College kids HAVE to be equipped with some “smarts” when it comes to their safety since we’re not there to protect them. Here are 7 college safety tips for girls (and guys) that most of them won’t ever think of…until we tell them!

College Safety Tips for Girls (and guys)

1 . Have car/dorm keys handy BEFORE you get to the car or your dorm room. Don’t wait until you’re there before you start digging around for keys.

2 . Keep pepper spray handy. Most people think about having pepper spray on them, but most of the time they never even buy any.

3 . Use your car alarm! If a stranger is following you in the parking lot – press that alarm button on your key ring. More than likely, they’ll run the opposite direction!

4 . Don’t leave your drinks/food unattended. I know this one has been said over and over and over again – but for realz! Keep an eye on your drinks. You never know what weird creeper will drop something in it!

5 . Never go to the ATM machine alone, especially at night. Make your bestie or room mate tag along with you. If she/he complains, offer them $5 or something off the dollar menu at Taco Bell. Guarantee they’ll take you up on that!

6 . Keep your expensive stuff like laptops and electronic devices hidden away in your backpack or bag when heading out to the car or to the library.

7 . Use Wearsafe! It’s a teeny tiny Tag that keeps the kids and their family/friends one step ahead of an unsafe situation. In this event – it can be hard to get help when you’re fumbling around for your phone. I just set one up, and it was so easy to do!

This super small Wearsafe Tag uses your phone to alert your friends and family – by sending them audio from the scene. It starts a chat room where they can coordinate, and/or call 911. Even when your phone is OUT OF SIGHT!!

The Wearsafe Tag works with both iPhones and Androids. The app is only $5 a month and comes with a FREE device/tag! You cannot beat that — and there are NO commitments!!! You can Try it free now!!!

You won’t find another product out there that will keep your college kids safer than Wearsafe. It’s the only one to offer audio, GPS, and group chat! The Wearsafe Tag is SO small that a stranger don’t even know it’s there! All the while, in a situation, they have NO idea that 911 may already be on the way, thanks to Wearsafe!

APP/DEVICE DETAILS:

GPS information – recognizes if you are traveling or moving or stationary but that alone is not enough
Audio from the scene – push of button sends audio file of 60 seconds before ‘event’. Being able to hear what is going on gives the context of what is happening
Group chat – all those in selected network are in group chat to create a virtual situation room. Connects people who may not be connected on a daily basis. They can connect as a team to address how to help person in distress and assess the situation.

This gives parents and the college kids both a sense of security. Even while you’re not close to one another, you’re still able to protect them at a moments notice! For just $5 a month. Mind blown. What other college safety tips do you have?!

We’d love to hear them. Leave us a comment below or follow us on social media!

7 Life Changing Healthy Habits for Men

September 9, 2016 by Jenni 713 Comments

This post is sponsored, in partner with Smartypants Vitamins. All opinions are 100% our own and honest, as always.

I often talk about women’s health and aging — but I’ve realized that my husband isn’t getting any younger either. He’s no spring chicken, although still just as hot {wink wink}. However, with age comes a whole other set of “rules”, so to speak. That’s where these life changing healthy habits for men comes into play.

Healthy Habits for Men

1) Do a few stretches before putting on your work clothes, uniform, or suit and tie.

Men often hold a lot of stress (physical and mental) in their shoulders and back. Getting straight out of bed and ready for work – doesn’t really work out as well as it used to in your younger years.

2) Eat a protein packed breakfast (or smoothie).

Even if it’s on your way to work. Some quick and easy ideas are hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt, a breakfast sandwich, all natural protein breakfast bar or smoothie, etc. These are perfect options to eat quickly!

3) Pack a healthy lunch to work.

Most men used to be able to go on caffeine and a candy bar all day but as they get a little older, they need something more substantial mid-day. Fast food options aren’t always healthy options, so bring your lunch with you.

4) Don’t forget your vitamins!

Since men don’t typically follow their body’s lead when it comes to nutrition, taking daily vitamins ensures that they get what they need. SmartyPants Men’s Vitamins are my husband’s favorites. He loves the gummies and he loves the flavors!

5) Walk the dog OR cat, or goldfish. 🙂

Men who work – especially behind a desk all day — DO NOT get enough walking in. After dinner, go for a walk around the block or neighborhood. You’ll release some tension and stress – and maybe even lose a few pounds! If you’re up for it – join a gym!!

6) Read a book or magazine for 20 minutes before bed.

Turning the TV off and just reading before bed will allow you to fall asleep faster and statistics have proved, that you get a more restful nights sleep. Worth a shot, fellas!!

7) Schedule annual checkups with your doctor!

Men tend to only go to the doctor when they literally think they’re dying. At least, that’s what MY husband does. As we get older, we need to be more aware of our bodies – and scheduling those checkups keeps…well……things in check.

Why my husband loves Smartypants Vitamins.

He has never been the kind of guy to take multivitamins of any kind. EVER. Until fairly recently when he started noticing that by noon, he was feeling very run down. He started taking a daily men’s vitamin – but never really noticed any changes in how he felt.

When we had the opportunity to try Smartypants Vitamins for the whole family, he quickly noticed a change overall with the Men’s Complete. He felt better, had more energy, and just felt better as a whole.

He loves the flavors and he swears that he’s eating candy! There are 3 flavors in each bottle, lemon crème, blueberry, and blackberry. They’re all the same color though. Why? Because SmartyPants doesn’t believe in using synthetic dyes and colors. ONLY PREMIUM ingredients, not the funky stuff.

You can find SmartyPants Vitamins for the whole family online and in stores near you!

You’ll want to follow SmartyPants Vitamins on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest and greatest!

Bug Scavenger Hunt Free Printable + Live Life Outside Sweepstakes

August 3, 2016 by Jenni 1,230 Comments

This post was sponsored by TruGreen as part of Influencer Activation for Influence Central. Our bug scavenger hunt free printable and Live Life Outside sweepstakes information and opinions are all our own.

Bug Scavenger Hunt Free Printable

As a child growing up in the 80’s, playing outside till dark was the norm. We didn’t sit inside in front of a screen all day. We caught bugs, played hide and seek, dodgeball, you name it. I remember doing a bug scavenger hunt when I was little. In the fall, when the leaves would start dropping, my mom and I used to find all the different leaves and she’d tell me what they were. Ahhh, the memories!

I bet you didn’t have a clue, but kids ages 8-18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes in front of an iPad, game system, TV, and online…in a typical day. INSTEAD of playing outside! I know my kiddo spends tons of time inside – but never really looked at how MUCH time. We’re changing that.

This summer, TruGreen is encouraging us to get outside and make memories with our loved ones…doing fun “outdoorsy” things. They’ve launched the #LiveLifeOutside 2016 Summer Sweepstakes! All you have to do to enter is to share photos or videos for a chance to win weekly prizes!

Bug Scavenger Hunt Free Printable – Just click to Download

We love bugs around here, and our Bug Scavenger Hunt is funnnn! Just click to download your bug scavenger hunt free printable and find them all!

TruGreen #LiveLifeOutside Sweepstakes

While you’re on your adventures with the family, snap some photos or videos and enter the TruGreen #LiveLifeOutside sweepstakes!! You might just win one of those weekly prizes! Click here to find out more about the sweepstakes!

Follow TruGreen on their social media channels below to stay up to date with the latest news and more fun family ideas!

TruGreen Twitter: https://twitter.com/trugreen
TruGreen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trugreen
TruGreen Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/trugreen
TruGreen Instagram: TruGreen_Lawn

I’d love to hear your ideas about fun ways to engage the kids outdoors this summer! Leave us a comment and let us know what your kids love to do outside!!

Popsicle Stick Puzzle for Valentine’s Day – “Let’s STICK Together”

February 1, 2016 by 660 Comments

Popsicle Stick Puzzle for Valentine’s Day

Popsicle Stick Puzzle crafts are so awesome because you can make them for any holiday! You can even make more general ones for colors, shapes, alphabet, and much more! Every mom and crafter has most, if not all of the supplies needed to make these!!

With Valentine’s Day so close, I wanted to re-share this awesome kids Valentine’s Day Craft! The kiddos will love making their popsicle stick puzzle! If you’re looking for a super cool classroom exchange idea…this is the perfect one! The kids in the class will love them!

Supplies:

Click NEXT for the Popsicle Stick Puzzle Instructions

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Easy Fitness Tips for Busy Moms

January 29, 2016 by Jenni 1,613 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.“

– 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!

“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!“

– 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!

“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!!“

– 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!

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?

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 fitness tips for busy moms on the go?

Fluffernutter Rollups: An Easy Kid-Approved Treat

January 26, 2016 by Jenni 1,040 Comments

Easy Kid-Approved Fluffernutter Rollups

I haven’t met a person that doesn’t love fluffernutters. If you’ve never had a fluffernutter sandwich OR fluffernutter rollups, then let me introduce you! There’s no need to be strangers, anymore!

Friends, meet peanut butter and marshmallow-y fluffy goodness. There. Now you’ve been introduced. I’m sure you’ll become best friends!

When I was little, it was something I made all the time. Peanut buttery fluffiness. Pure bliss, in my opinion! Paired with a ginormous glass of milk. Mmm’hmmmm. Since my kiddo lives and breathes anything peanut butter, we have a lot of peanut butter recipes on the blog! These are perfect for him as a quick snack or to pack in his school lunch. Best part? They’re SO easy to make!

Fluffernutter Rollups Ingredients:

2 pieces of white bread
1/8 cup of peanut butter
1/8 cup of marshmallow fluff

Instructions:

Begin by rolling the bread flat with a rolling pin or something smooth. Roll it out pretty thin.
Next, spread a thin layer of peanut butter.
Then, spread a thin layer of marshmallow fluff on top.
Roll up tight, and cut into small bite size pieces!
Store in airtight containers so they don’t get stale.

Alright, now seriously…how easy is that?! It’s a game-changer in our kitchen. The kiddo loves when we make these and then naturally, momma has to have her ginormous and thick fluffernutter all to herself. With that cold glass of milk. Shhhh!!! If I keep it a secret, I don’t have to count those calories. 🙂

Do you or your kids love fluffernutters? If so…you’ll love these fluffernutter rollups!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure to check out some of our other fan favorite posts below!

Super Easy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark

Peanut Butter and Jelly Rollups

Cheesy BBQ Pigs in a Blanket

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

Thanks for stopping by!! We hope you’ll leave us a comment and let us know what you think of these ideas!

Carry On Must Haves When Traveling #DontPackWrinkles #MomsCheckIn

December 11, 2015 by Jenni 473 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 744 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?

Maty’s Natural and Organic Remedies + An Immune Boosting Tea for Cough, Cold, and Congestion

November 3, 2015 by Jenni 544 Comments

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Maty’s Healthy Products, however, all opinions on the yuckies and snotties are all my own. As well as my opinions on how incredible Maty’s products are!

Fall would be complete perfection, if it wasn’t for the allergies and yuckies that come with it. It never fails. Each and every fall, the family winds up sick. Thankfully, Maty’s sent us some natural and organic products in their line to try, and they couldn’t have arrived at a better time!

The side effects that accompany most OTC cold/allergy medications are worse than the symptoms I’m already dealing with. Most of them either make me sleepy, cause brain fog and even make my blood pressure go up – making me feel worse. Sorry – but I’m not giving these types of medications to my kiddo and my husband sure can’t function at work all day taking them either.

I know that colds and allergies just have to run their snotty courses – but thankfully we have natural and organic options to calm the symptoms and even get a good night’s rest. Maty’s Organic Cough Syrup has 10 immune boosters in every single spoonful and can be used for kiddos as young as 1 year old. Seriously, there’s nothing in the ingredient list that you don’t KNOW or know how to pronounce! It’s gluten free, dairy free and alcohol free. The honey in the cough syrup really soothes our sore throats and helps calm down a yucky cough.

I put 2 teaspoons of the Maty’s Organic Cough Syrup in my hot tea at night – with a squeeze of lemon. If your kiddo is opposed to taking cough syrup from a spoon (like my kiddo is) then you can do the same for them. They don’t even have to KNOW they’re taking cough medicine! We still had a few coughs here and there…but we both slept through the night without waking up!

Honest truth — this stuff doesn’t taste like cough syrup. At all. You can taste all of the ingredients in each spoonful. It’s very good and such a bonus to sweeten my tea with. With those 10 immune boosters in each spoonful, it’s not only a healthy product for just when you’ve got a cough. It’s a great spoonful of immunity each day! For our immune boosting tea, here’s what we did…

Fill your favorite tea cup or mug with boiling water.
Add 1-2 teabags of your favorite tea. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
Add 1-2 teaspoons of Maty’s Organic Cough Syrup.
Squeeze in the juice from half of one fresh lemon.
Stir, and enjoy!

The Maty’s petroleum free Vapor Rub is safe for the whole family as well. Recommended for kids 2 and up. Again, the ingredient list is ALL natural and includes the soothing eucalyptus, peppermint, and wintergreen oils. It feels so good when you’re dealing with tightness and congestion, and helps make breathing easier.

I apply the vapor rub several different ways. For myself, I rub on my chest and neck. I also put a dab behind my ears to relieve pressure and then on the bottoms of my feet before bed, and put socks on. This is an old fashioned tip, that really does work! For my son, I rub it on his chest and back, and on his feet too…before bed. Sometimes, all it takes is removing the lid and taking a good long sniff! Ahhhhhhh. To breathe again!

I just really love and appreciate that I have natural and organic options for my family. Especially for my son. Something to help the whole family breathe better, sleep better, and feel better. 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.

Creepy Crawly Spider Kids Halloween Craft

October 30, 2015 by Jenni 623 Comments

Creepy Crawly Spider Kids Halloween Craft

I just posted this spooky bat toilet paper roll craft for kids earlier today! I can’t take credit for either that one or this cute spider kids Halloween craft. Both are craft projects the kiddo brought home from school. They’re both just so sweet that I had to share them.

Halloween is this weekend, so if you’re planning a Halloween party – these would be fun to make with the kids and you probably already have everything on hand!

Supplies:

Mesh kitchen scouring pad (they used gold metal ones)
4 black pipe cleaners

Instructions:

Super simple. Just wrap each pipe cleaner around a small section of the sponge, leaving a larger section of the sponge for the body. Twist each pipe cleaner underneath what would be the spiders neck. Make sure to leave an even amount of pipe cleaner on both sides so that the spider’s legs are even.

Once all the pipe cleaners are wrapped around the sponge spider, bend the spider legs a little so that it looks all creepy and crawly!

Don’t miss these other Halloween ideas below…

Spooky Bat Toilet Paper Roll Craft

DIY Candy Corn Mason Jars

DIY Black Cat Pillow

Mummy Oreos

Spooky Bat Toilet Paper Roll Craft | Easy Kids Halloween Craft

October 30, 2015 by Jenni 256 Comments

Spooky DIY Bat Toilet Paper Roll Craft

If you’re looking for some super duper EASY and cute Halloween ideas for the kids, you’ll love this one! I can’t take any credit at all for this one, though. The kiddo came home from school with this spooky bat toilet paper roll craft. His teacher said she found the idea in an old magazine years ago, along with this fun Spider Halloween kids craft.

Supplies:

Empty toilet paper roll
Black craft paint or marker
Black felt
Craft eyes
Glue
Scissors

Instructions:

1. Paint the toilet paper roll tube black.

2. While it’s drying, cut your felt black bat wings. You can use the photo above, of the backside of the bat, as a guide. The width of the wings (left to right) is about 7 1/2 inches. The length at the middle (the narrowest section) is 2 1/2 inches, and the widest part at the ends (point to point, top to bottom) is 5 inches.

3. After the toilet paper roll is dry, attach the felt wings with glue and let dry.

4. Last, glue the eyes on.

All done! It would be super cute to make several of these and hang them from your porch with string or to decorate at your Halloween party!!

100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives + 5 Things to Leave Out of Your Diaper Bag!

NO MOM GUILT ALLOWED!

5 REAL – 100% Natural Baby Products Alternatives!

1. Ditch Talcum Powder and/or Baby Powder (linked to ovarian cancer and lung diseases)

2. Ditch Traditional Baby Oil (they limit skin breathability and toxin release!)

3. Ditch the Anti-bacterial Soaps and Gels (they contain triclosan, which is carcinogenic. Don’t believe me? Google it!)

4. Belladonna (found in teething remedies) – linked to seizures!

5. Fragrances (can cause respiratory, neurological, and skin damage. May lead to asthma!)

Tell us, what products have you ditched and switched? We’d love to know!!

Sick Day Activities for Kids at Home!

Break up that Fever!

Ready for Those Sick Day Activities for Kids at Home?

Watch a Movie!

2. Extra Tablet or iPad Time!

3. Book Marathon!

4. Play Cards or Board Games!

5. Puzzles!

6. Tell Stories!

7. Mini Sandbox Fun!

Ready for a Giveaway?!

How to Decorate the Rim of a Glass with Sprinkles!

How to Decorate the Rim of a Glass with Sprinkles!

Portable for School Lunches!

College Safety Tips for Girls and Guys You Never Think Of!

College Safety Tips for Girls (and guys)

Popsicle Stick Puzzle for Valentine’s Day

Click NEXT for the Popsicle Stick Puzzle Instructions

Easy Fitness Tips and Ideas for Busy Moms!

These are our our easy fitness tips for busy moms…

You’re invited — #FitWithFebrezeInWash Twitter Party

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

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

Easy Kid-Approved Fluffernutter Rollups

Fluffernutter Rollups Ingredients:

Instructions:

Do you or your kids love fluffernutters? If so…you’ll love these fluffernutter rollups!

Carry On Must Haves When Traveling

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

You’re invited — #DontPackWrinkles Twitter Party

How does a Twitter Party work?

What is Moms Check In?

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

Ways to Keep Kids Healthy in the Fall

Ways to Keep Kids Healthy in the Fall…

Ok! Here are more tips from our moms…

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

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

Creepy Crawly Spider Kids Halloween Craft

Supplies:

Instructions:

Don’t miss these other Halloween ideas below…

Spooky DIY Bat Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Supplies:

Instructions:

Don’t miss our other Halloween ideas below…

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