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.

Back to School Morning Routines That Work

August 28, 2016 by Jenni 502 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?

5 Summer Break Essentials To Keep Everyone Happy – Your Summer Survival Kit

May 4, 2015 by Jenni 610 Comments

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

Folks…it’s HOT outside today! I think Spring forgot to drop by and stay awhile! In less than a month, the kiddos will be out for summer break and summer break with the kids home isn’t for the faint of heart. Here are summer break essentials EVERY home needs. Think of this as your summer survival guide!

Our local Dollar General is the place we load up on for most things, including all things “Summer Survival”. You can’t beat their prices plus you can use their ad deals and add their digital coupons for even better deals! Save on summer essentials with Dollar General!

1. Getting Waterlogged

If you have a swimming pool, SWEET! Make sure to load up on pool toys or water toys! Floats, beach balls, goggles, game sets, noodles and squirt guns or soakers make for hours of fun! We snagged some squirt soakers and a Frozen beach ball. The kids love these and always have so much fun.

2. Sunscreen & Soothers

I know that summer just isn’t summer without a flaming sunburn but we DO need to try to prevent them! We’re all really fair skinned around here and burn wayyyy too easily. I loaded up on some sunscreen, lip protector and sunglasses at Dollar General. Make sure to grab extra to keep in your beach bags for on the go too! Don’t forget to grab some Aloe gel for soothing sunburns (just in case!).

3. Grillin’ and Entertainin’ Essentials

Cooking outside is fun. We love to grill…the food just always tastes better, right?! We got everything we needed in one trip! Paper plates, condiments like ketchup and mustard. Those are the biggies at our house! Don’t forget the disposable cups, silverware and ohh, ohhh…don’t forget the aluminum foil! We always run out when we do tons of grilling!

4. Drinks & Freezer Treats

If your house is like ours, the kids can run in and out, and in and out, alllll day long. Usually after something to drink. We keep bottled water on hand all the time anyway, and we always stock up on the Clover Valley bottled water from Dollar General. They always have really great deals on juice, Kool-Aid, and those boxes of freezer pops!

5. Keep the Kids from Getting HANGRY

Always, ALWAYS keep snacks around so the kids don’t wig out! My kiddo gets super cranky when he’s hungry so I make sure to have healthier snacks on hand between meals for him. Dollar General always has such a great selection of snack foods and groceries! Now, mommy will sneak and get the Clover Valley cookies. Have you had them? Mercy!! I keep a stash hid for myself.

Will you be snagging some deals for your own Summer Survival Kit? What kinds of things do you have to have to get you through the summer?! Save on summer essentials with Dollar General! Do what we do and shop the Clover Valley and DG brands plus use the DG digital coupons when we can for even more savings!!

Get Social with Dollar General. Visit them:

Facebook

Instagram

What are some of your summer essentials?

Small Changes Equal Big Results – Healthy and Fast Breakfast Options with Jimmy Dean Delights

January 19, 2015 by Jenni 453 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jimmy Dean® for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

My new mantra for 2015 is Small Changes = Big Results

I’m one of those baby steps kinda people. I can’t give up pizza or chocolate, but I can make small changes that will bring big results in the end game. Eating breakfast EVERY day is one of those small changes, but I reallllly don’t have time through the work week to crack an egg in a skillet or whip up a batch of waffles. I just don’t. Ain’t no use in pretendin’.

I’ve been buying the Jimmy Dean Delights breakfast sandwiches for awhile now and they’re my absolute fave because they’re perfect, straight outta the microwave. Cooked to perfection in like, less than 3 minutes. By the time I make my coffee, BOOM my breakfast is ready! My husband jokes with me because when we have those in the house – that’s the only time I eat breakfast. He’s not fooling me though, he loves when I buy them and he really likes the flatbread sandwiches.

But guys, I am seriously in LOVE with them. Other breakfast sandwiches that I’ve tried turned out too spongy or whatever. Just bleck…never good. Not with Jimmy Dean though. They’re just perfect, like every part of the sandwich was cooked fresh and put together. I guess it helps that Jimmy Dean uses REAL eggs, REAL sausage and REAL cheese!

{Under 300 calories, folks!}

Again, since making small changes, (small changes = big results) is one of my goals, I grabbed some of their under 300 calorie sandwiches at Meijer the other day. I’d normally never buy turkey sausage, just because I’m not usually a big fan but man ohh mannnnn. Those babies were good! Just as good as their regular sausage sandwiches. I would never have guessed it was turkey. Ever. They’re also made with egg whites vs. regular eggs and they use english muffins, flat bread or croissants! I more than love all of them and I haven’t skipped breakfast in over a week now.

Small change = BIG results. BAM!

Next time you’re grocery shopping, grab a box and give them a try. You can’t go wrong with them. Great healthy breakfast option, ready in minutes, packed with protein and they’re what I consider a “breakfast on the go” food. Snatch a $1 off Jimmy Dean Mperk coupon from Meijer.com to save on a box. Just login to your mPerks, head to the coupons section and then use the search filter for “Frozen Foods”. You’ll find it right there.

Connect with Jimmy Dean:

www.JimmyDean.com (website)

Follow Jimmy Dean on Pinterest

What’s your morning/breakfast routine?

How Do You Spend Your New Year’s Eve? #MomsCheckIn

December 28, 2014 by Jenni 1,514 Comments

How do you spend your New Year’s Eve?

Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to think about our plans for New Year’s Eve. Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions? Do you normally spend it quietly at home with your family, or do you go all out and head out to the biggest New Year’s Eve bash? Our Moms Check In moms and myself have a few traditions of our own…..

“We are going bowling. My son’s friends all do the cosmic bowling and they have a DJ playing with pizza. Then everyone comes over to our house after. It’s fun for everyone – the kids have a blast playing and the parents get to celebrate together too!”

“New Year’s Eve is always spent with our family. We play games, eat tons of food and wait to watch the ball drop. Usually the kiddos end up falling asleep too soon and they miss out. Of course, I always get my New Year’s kiss. :)”

“We kind of wing it every year but generally do the same thing. We’ll get some special food, like smoked salmon and steamed clams, to eat at home with the kids. They can’t last until midnight (and won’t sleep in the next day!) so we get them to bed maybe around 9pm and then my husband and I stay up to watch TV and watch the ball drop. It’s just as much fun and excitement as we can handle! Happy New Year!”

– 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!

“This year we’re travelling to the home of some good friends about two hours from here. It’s a cliche but the men will probably have a few too many beers, forgetting that they aren’t 25 anymore. The women will eat too much chocolate and too many cupcakes. The kids will stay up way too late. But we’ll all have tons of fun. We always do when we’re with them. Since Sam is older, I’m going to try creating some countdown bags to make the night extra special.”

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!! If you happen to be a blogger also, and want to be a guest host one week, please fill out this form. We’d love to have you join us!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families #MomsCheckIn

December 19, 2014 by Jenni 408 Comments

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families

Do you have special Christmas traditions? Maybe new Christmas pj’s or shaking out some reindeer food on Christmas eve?! We have all kinds of traditions, new and old. We try to keep up with the ones that both my husband and I grew up with plus we’ve added more for our own little family. Those traditions are what makes Christmas so special. Our Moms Check In moms are sharing their family Christmas traditions and we want to hear yours too, so make sure to leave us a comment with your own. You can find out more about Moms Check In and who we are below!

“Our Christmas tradition is Josh will get to open a Christmas Eve package. It always has new PJ’s in it, reindeer food and a special flavor of hot cocoa. On Christmas he is allowed to open his stocking before he wakes anyone up, but he has to wait for the gifts! Through out the Christmas season you can find us writing letters to Santa, watching Christmas movies and driving around looking at the lights.“

“We have a few Christmas traditions. We always spend an entire day making candy and baking cookies. Our normal treats are peanut butter blossom cookies, peanut butter balls and then fudge. We also make new salt dough ornaments each year. Those are so much fun! My mom started this tradition when I was younger and we just kept it going. On Christmas Eve, we finish one family dinner on my husband’s side and then we end the night opening up new Christmas pajamas and reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Of course, we lay cookies and milk out for Santa! On Christmas morning, we open stockings first, then presents. Lounge around for a few hours playing with our new things and then we get ready for my family’s side Christmas dinner. We always play the “Dirty Santa” gift exchange too. So much fun!!“

“We have so many favorite Christmas traditions. You can find my top 10 here. Probably my favorite is church on Christmas Eve. There’s no more time to shop or hustle and bustle. We can finally just take a deep breath and remember what we’re celebrating.”

– 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!

“My favorite Christmas traditions revolve around the rituals that go with Christmas Eve. We always get new pajamas, eat delicious Christmas cookies straight from the oven and we each open one gift. We also leave cookies and milk out for Santa. We finish the evening with some reading. It’s magical! As Sam gets older and is more aware of why we’re celebrating, we’re trying to make it more special for him.”

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite family Christmas traditions?

15 Must-See Christmas Movies the Whole Family Will Love #MomsCheckIn

December 1, 2014 by Jenni 69 Comments

15 Must-See Christmas Movies for the Whole Family

I admit that I begin watching Christmas movies long before it’s even Thanksgiving. I would be satisfied watching them all year long to be honest, but then I guess they wouldn’t be as special come Christmas time. Do you have any Christmas movie faves? Myself and our Moms Check In moms are sharing our favorites plus we’ve rounded up the top 15 and linked to them in case you’d like to add them to your own physical Christmas DVD collection. We’d love to hear yours too, so make sure to leave us a comment sharing your favorites! You can learn more about Moms Check In and who we are below.

“I love, love, love the classics! Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Gosh, actually, I really just love all of them. Eek! So excited for this time of year! Christmas movies are on NON-STOP at our house!“

“I get so excited when the Christmas movies start each year. Our absolute favorite is A Christmas Story. Our entire family has actually called it “the You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Movie” for years! Our second favorite is Elf. Then I’d say Jim Carrey’s The Grinch and Polar Express tie for our third favorite.”

“Christmas movies are a huge part of our holiday celebrations. They definitely get us in the spirit! Some of our favorites are Elf, Arthur Christmas, and A Christmas Story. The kids were already asking to watch Elf this weekend but I’m holding them off til Thanksgiving is over. Then, popcorn and movie time! Bring on Christmas!”

– 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!

“My favorite Christmas movie of all time is White Christmas. I love the numerous set and costume changes. The will-they/won’t they love story. The behind the scenes of a variety show. And the poignancy today of a generation of soldiers who kept their wartime experiences bottled up inside.”

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

4 Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions #MomsCheckIn

November 22, 2014 by Jenni 40 Comments

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions

Do you have any family Thanksgiving traditions? Every family is different and we all have different traditions. Maybe you’re looking to start a new tradition! We have such a large family, and it seems that now as the kids and grandkids are getting older, the traditions start to change but a few will always remain. Our Moms Check In moms and I are sharing our own family Thanksgiving traditions. We’d love to hear yours too! You can learn more about Moms Check In and who we are below.

“My son is THE pickiest eater. While everyone is excited for Thanksgiving to have turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie….he isn’t. Everyone fills their plate and he will put the tiniest bit of turkey and a roll. Dessert time comes and he doesn’t like any of it. So we have a Thanksgiving breakfast. It’s huge and filled with all of his favorites – cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon, pancakes … the works. We are usually still pretty stuffed by the time Thanksgiving dinner rolls around, but that just means more leftovers for us. :)”

“My sisters and I stay up MOST of Thanksgiving Eve cooking – usually together. Our local school and their rival play their JV and varsity boys basketball game on Thanksgiving Eve too, so we always listen to it on the radio. It’s THE biggest high school basketball game of the year. For dinner, we always have both turkey and ham and we usually always have way more desserts than actual food. This year, we’re going to try a deep fried turkey! It’ll be our first.”

“PIE! Okay, just food in general. We usually end up hosting at our house and there are some dishes my Mom always made for Thanksgiving every year that just have to be on the table. We start with the pie. Pumpkin, Pecan, and Chocolate Cream. Then we work backward to the actual meal: turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes of course. And we always have this yummy Cranberry Fluff Salad. I should share that recipe. It’s soooo good!”

– 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!

“Because we don’t live near our families, we don’t always get to celebrate Thanksgiving with them. For the years we stay home, we have a sweet gathering with nearby friends. Everyone makes a favorite dish to share, which makes meal prep easier on everyone. The kids are busied with a craft idea and then while they have playtime, we adults do, too. We traditionally choose one game and have a lot of silly fun. I love the laughter! “

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

MOMS! What Do You Do for Yourself Each Week? #MomsCheckIn

July 25, 2014 by Jenni 513 Comments

Hey fellow moms! The last 2 weeks we talked about the kiddos over here on our Moms Check In panel and today, we’re talking about US! Sometimes we just have to take a little time for us, huh?! If you’d like to go back and see what we were talking about the last 2 weeks though, you’re more than welcome – the conversations are still going. Hop right in!

Last week, we talked about what we’d wished we’d started earlier with our kids. The week before we talked about kids and chores.

So who are our Moms?

Amanda (@its_a_fab_life) is the mom of one boy and owns It’s a Fabulous Life, which is a one stop place for all things ‘Mom’. You can find recipes, DIY projects, frugal living, parenting and more.

Jenni (@sweetpennies) is the mom of one boy and writes at Sweet Pennies From Haven. Sweet Pennies From Heaven is a hearth and home website that focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home.

Lindsay (@SeeMomClick) is the mom of two great kids and owner of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes.

Stephanie (@spaceshipsLB) is the mom of one son and owns Spaceships and Laser Beams. Spaceships and Laser Beams is a great site full of party ideas, crafts and more all with boys in mind!

This week our guest co-host is Niki from 365 Days of Crafts! 365 Days of Crafts is full of DIY inspiration for yourself and your home!

You will want to make sure to check out all of our moms and follow along with Moms Check In on Twitter! We will be tweeting your responses all week!

This week we want to know, what do you for yourself each week?

Here’s what our moms had to say………

– Amanda

I think that taking time out for yourself is so important! It helps you to relax and be refreshed! And we all know that we are better wives, friends, and mothers when we are refreshed! 🙂 For me, I love to get out with my friends. I belong to an awesome church and we have lots of incredible small groups. Each week I meet up with two of my groups – one is a Bible study and the other is a group called Girls Night Out. We just get together and talk and hang out. A girl needs her friends! I also love to read. Running and exercise aren’t really my thing, although I’ve been trying really hard to make them more of my thing! Maybe one day, right?

– Jenni

Okay, so I’m a big TV person. I stock up on DVR’d shows through the week and spend a part of each and every weekend just binge watching TV. Big Brother is in FULL swing now and I am addicted to Big Brother After Dark too. Then there’s Food Network, The Walking Dead (October can’t get here fast enough), Downton Abbey and so many other great shows! Nothing better than to pile up on the couch on a Saturday with a blanket, my remote and some not so healthy snacks!

– Lindsay

I read! I have been known to forego a good night’s sleep in exchange for just one…more…chapter. But it’s my treat at the end of the day to crawl in bed with my Kindle and enjoy a good book. I have always loved to read and my hobby sort of fell by the wayside off and on after having kids. But lately I’ve made it a priority and really enjoy those few minutes before I doze off of solitude. Just me and my latest novel. Bliss!

– Stephanie

Although Mike and I do the laundry, dishes, organizing and daily pick-up chores, we hired a cleaning service shortly after we were married. They come once a week to dust everything, do the floors and deep-clean the bathrooms and kitchen. It’s wonderful! There are only so many things I can do in a week — and Mike works crazy hours as well because of his shift work. At first we felt a little guilty about the decision but quickly came to realize how much it added to our overall quality of life. The hours we would have spent doing those chores on a Saturday, we spend together doing something we love.

And just for me, once a month I indulge in a facial. There are very few things I do that are only for me. When I am getting a facial, for one hour, I get to relax with no one asking anything of me. The fact that it’s really been helping my sensitive skin is a bonus.

– Niki

As a mother of two (4 & 11) and a work-at-home mom finding alone time can be difficult. To guarantee my down time, we make weekly trips to the library. After the trip we go home and each member of the family has a half an hour of alone time. The 4 year old understands that even though she cannot read a book, she can look at the pictures and play make believe.

What about you? What do you do for yourself each week? Let us know here or on Twitter! Make sure to include #MomsCheckIn with your answer! We will be tweeting your answers all week!

Have a question you want us to answer? Bloggers, do you want to co-host a week of Moms Check In? Fill out the quick form here and let us know!

Curbing My Summer Sweet Tooth with #JuicyFruitFunSide #Cbias #Shop

July 23, 2014 by 365 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Losing weight is usually a goal I have before summer. This year I was totally off the weight loss wagon and not interested in jumping back on. But a trip to Atlanta and some other events made me realize I really need to get back to making healthier choices. So, I jumped at the chance to use Juicy Fruit gum to help curb my sweet tooth during all of the Summer activities we have going on. Thanks to #CollectiveBias for sponsoring this shop and helping to satisfy my sweet tooth!

From day trips and work trips to lazy days in the sun and even some poolside fun, I am almost always on the go doing SOMETHING. So, when I find down time I am normally looking for something to snack on because my meals have been lacking, or nonexistent. Not a good habit to have. Thanks to some new products from juicy fruit, I get to show off my #JuicyFruitFunSide! Juicy Fruit chewing gum was a favorite of mine, as a kid. I am thrilled to introduce the brand to my kids in a fresh, fun way!

The new sugarfree soft chew gum format is packaged in a bottle to make sharing easy and fun for the entire family. It’s also super portable. I can throw it right into my tote bag and hit the road! Juicy Fruit Fruity Chews are available in two flavors, Juicy Fruit Original and Juicy Fruit Strawberry. Juicy Fruit Fruity Chews will be available nationwide in a 40-count bottle (MSRP $3.49). I found them right near the checkout at WalMart. This is uber convenient for me as I usually am looking for something, anything, by the time I am unloading my cart at the checkout.

As bubble gum is the No. 1 fun gum format, I am so thrilled to have found Juicy Fruit Bubble Gum!!! It offers a great bubble blowing experience that kids and adults both love. Flavor varieties will include Juicy Fruit Original and Juicy Fruit Sweet Strawberry. Juicy Fruit Bubble Gum will be available at retailers nationwide in a five-count chunk (MSRP $0.79). My kids LOVE the bubble gum format best. It’s fruity and chewy and bubble blowy! I know, that’s not a word. But it fits. I like to pop a piece of this gum as well. It’s just fun!

Want a chance to check out the new Juicy Fruit options? Great news! There will be in store demos at Walmart stores around the county. Here are the details:

July 25-27, 11:00am-4:00pm
August 1-3, 11:00am-4:00pm on Friday and Saturday and 1:00-6:00 on Sunday

Don’t miss the chance to see what the #JuicyFruitFunSide is all about.

Morning Routines that Work!

These are our our easy morning routines that work…

You’re invited — #SmartyRoutines Twitter Party

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your easy morning routines that work?

1. Getting Waterlogged

2. Sunscreen & Soothers

3. Grillin’ and Entertainin’ Essentials

4. Drinks & Freezer Treats

5. Keep the Kids from Getting HANGRY

What are some of your summer essentials?

My new mantra for 2015 is Small Changes = Big Results

{Under 300 calories, folks!}

Small change = BIG results. BAM!

What’s your morning/breakfast routine?

How do you spend your New Year’s Eve?

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

Favorite Christmas Traditions for Families

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite family Christmas traditions?

15 Must-See Christmas Movies for the Whole Family

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions

What is Moms Check In?

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

So who are our Moms?

This week we want to know, what do you for yourself each week?

Here’s what our moms had to say………

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