A Silly Mommy of 2 Silly Girls: August 2010

Sunday, August 29

Monkey Monkey Music - What Are the Odds? Giveaway

As soon as I turned the Monkey Monkey Music What Are the Odds? CD by educational children's musician, singer & guitar player Meredeth LeVande Princess A was hooked. She listened to it over and over that first afternoon and has listened to it many times since. Luckily the music is fun and catchy so I don't mind listening to it over and over and over. Princess A really seemed to like the title song What Are the Odds? she thought it was so cool that the song is about all of the odd numbers. Princess A loves math almost as much as reading. The songs are all fun but at the same time teach a little something too even if it is just rhyming! Princess G really liked the Frogs eat Butterflies and the Silly Animal Friends, though she thought there should be a hippo in the song since hippos are supper silly (at least her hippo is super silly.) We have listened to lots of children's music and this is one I also really enjoy. The lyrics are catchy but more important the sound of the music is nice and not loud or annoying. Princess A actually wandered upstairs halfway through the CD once and I left it on as I cleaned the kitchen instead of turning it off as I usually do. The CD is officially released August 31 but if you visit the Monkey Monkey Music website you can listen to samples of the songs.

WIN!!!

One of my readers can win the Monkey Monkey Music What Are the Odds? CD!

To enter please leave a comment with a favorite song you had as a child or a song you like that your kids listen to.

(If your email is not available on your blog please include in comment.)
US only
Ends 9/20/10 at midnight PST.
Extra Entries: (please leave a comment for each extra comment)

1.Follow my blog (button on side of blog)
2.Follow me @SillyMommy on Twitter (leave your twitter name in comment)
3.Blog about contest (2 entries, leave link in comment)
4.Tweet about contest (leave link in comment, may tweet once a day)
5. Enter another of my giveaways (listed on right near top, one entry per giveaway entered)

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Waldmania! on behalf of Monkey Monkey Music and received the What Are the Odds? CD to facilitate my candid review.

Thursday, August 26

My Purple Toes‏ Review

When we received My Purple Toes the girls had set up a beauty spa in the backyard that morning. The beauty spa was really a tent full of hair and beauty supplies. The girls had decorated my hair with lots of bows, barrettes and water, lots of water! After my hair appointment we had lunch in the tent it was time to surprise me with my next beauty treatment, nail polish. The girls painted my finger and toe nails with nail polish and the did a good job. Next they painted each other. We were going to close up the beauty shop but then the book, My Purple Toes arrived. After reading the book which is so funny and sweet the girls decided to paint Daddy's toes too. Thankfully for my husband's sake he was working late that night and they forgot by the time he got home. He did read the story to them but has not agreed to let the girls paint his nails. My Purple Toes is a silly story that still gently teach acceptance of being different.

This post was written for Family Review Network and My Purple Toes who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review.

Flavorful Low-sodium Family Meals

I have never been one for food with lots of sodium though sometimes I just to need to eat something salt like pretzels of chips. Now my mother-in-law uses a lot of salt, and I do mean a lot! When I started cooking for my husband it made things a bit interesting. I had to find ways to make food very flavorful but with less salt that way be were both happy and we were eating healthier. Now I rarely use salt when I cook. Of course I use it while baking as the salt is needed for structure. I don't avoid all salt I just use it very sparingly. When you don't use salt on a everything I cook. Once you use less salt you start to need less and less because your taste buds become more sensitive to it. My mom was not one to use much salt in her cooking either. When I make rice I don't add any salt instead I add Mrs Dash Lemon Pepper. Also when I saute veggies I never add any salt at all instead I usually saute garlic with the veggies and then I like to add Mrs. Dash Chicken Seasoning Blend. The thing I like best about Mrs Dash's Seasoning Blends are that they contain no MSG! I do not handle MSG well at all my tongue swells and stays that way for days, it is not pleasant at all. I also love to add Mrs Dash Original to hamburgers when we make them ourselves. I love using seasoning blends because the spices and herbs are already balanced. I don't have to worry about using to much of one kind and not enough of another. If you are not which blend is right for what you are making smell it. If it smells good with what you are making it will taste good. Since part of out sense of taste is based on scent if when you are smelling the seasonings and it sound good and smell good with the food you are preparing it will be delicious. Do you have tricks to reduce sodium in your diet? I have one last trick we do not have a salt shaker. I have salt but they are in the container from the store not in a shaker. My in laws are the only ones that notice that we don't own one. They actually bought us one for Christmas on year but it was really ugly and we don't need one so I donated it!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mrs. Dash and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

5 Simple Ideas to Keep a Child's Smile Healthy

Dental healthy is very important and as a family we make it a priority. Here are 5 simple steps to help your child have a healthier smile:

1. Drink water at the end of a meal or after a snack. It helps to wash away the food residue on your teeth. I always have the girls take a drink of water after eating especially if we are out and about.

2. Floss once a day. We love the REACH Flosser, it just makes it so much easier to get the floss into their little mouths.

3. Brush twice a day (truthfully we sometimes miss after breakfast)

4. If you can't brush after a meal our dentist recommended chewing gum that contains Xylitol, it is a sugar free sweetener found in Trident. My dentist actually sent a sample of the gum home with me at my dentist appointment.

5. Buy character toothbrushes. My girls always brush more when they have a character they love on their toothbrush. Right now they both have Disney Princesses.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Costume Supercenter‏ Review

When this darling Pink Parfait Dress costume arrived Princess A was so excited. She kept asking "Is it really for me?" Princess G had her birthday last month so most packages have been for her. Princess A put the new costume on immediately and started twirling around the house. Princess A said that she felt like a real ballerina princess. I was very excited when I saw the quality of the costume. The girls have many dress-up clothes and costumes. Some were purchased just for playing and a few are previous Halloween costumes. We have a large variety and not all costumes will handle being worn or played with more than a few times. I know some people might purchase a kids costume and have it only worn once or twice but in our house dressing-up happens almost daily. Also our costumes have to last two little girls. I have a feeling this lovely Pink Parfait Dress is going to last a for quite a while, which is a good thing because Princess A has already worn it over a dozen times. Princess A has informed me that with some really warm leggings and thick pink sweater and coat she is going to wear this for her Halloween costume. Has your family started thinking about what they will be for Halloween? Princess G has been considering a princess or a ballerina like her sister. I can't believe that Halloween (and my birthday) is a little over two months away. Before we know it Fall will be in full swing and we will be out trick-or-treating!

This post was written for Family Review Network & Costume Supercenter who provided the complimentary product in exchange for my honest review.

Tuesday, August 24

Wordless Wednesday: Fancy Jewlery Girls

Sunday, August 22

National Night Out and First Sleepover

Our neighborhood has a huge gathering for National Night Out (yes I am behind on my blogging) and this year we went. Last year it was during the heat wave and over 100 degrees so we stayed home. the girls were so excited we could go. The first thing they did (after barely eating a hot dog) was to go on the giant slide. After lots of slides and bouncing it was time for a snow cone break. They both got all the colors which blended to make grayish-brown. They each had a cotton candy and went back for more bouncy houses. Eventually we went to check out the rescue helicopter. The girls each got to sit in the cockpit and the back. Next we climb on and in a fire truck. After it was all over we went home and the girls had their first sleep over. Princess A's friends spent the night. It was a series of musical beds. First they were downstairs on air mattresses as seen above. Then they decided not to sleep downstairs and ended up in the guest room. The friend on the bed and each of the girls on their own air mattress. Later the friends was lonely and tried to join Princess G and she did not like that. Princess G ended up sleeping in my bed (Daddy was away on business) and then Princess A and her friend each had their own mattress. My girls were asleep by almost 10 pm. Their friend had a harder time but was asleep by 10:30. The girls had fun but I think we will wait until next summer to do that again.

Saturday, August 21

Day at a new Park

Last year this park was redone and we always mean to stop by and play and we finally did. The girls spent most of their time here. I got a good workout running in circles over and over to get them spinning. I loved spinning on these (what are they called?) when I was a kid. I remember there was a park my paternal grandparents would take us to in San Jose that had one and an older fighter jet you could climb into. The best one was one at the McDonald's play area nearest to our house (near being about 25 minutes away). It had McDonald characters in the middle and you could climb up onto them. It was just huge I loved spinning on it. They also had a very tall slide but eventually it was deemed too dangerous and they got rid of the spinning thing and the slide. I really missed them when they were taken out, we really stopped going after that since it just was not as much fun anymore. Princess G's friend lives next to this park so we have to have some play dates there before summer is over. Only a week and half until school starts.

Friday, August 20

A Day Out with Mommy

When Princess G had her five year check-up we decided to make it a day out. Right after the appointment, which went well and she is very healthy, we went to this park. The park is not near our house but near the doctor's office so it was perfect. The girls played in the stream and traipsed through the woods. They also found 'interesting and fun rocks' in the creek bed. Surprisingly they did not get too wet. Next to the creek is a playground which they had a blast on. We stayed for over an hour. As a special treat I told the girls I would take them out to eat where ever they wanted and they picked Thai. We ordered Pad Thai and yellow curry chicken. We were stuffed. I did stop and a few more places on the way home which the girls grudgingly agreed to (I bribed them with a stop at the library). I have discovered that the girls will go on more errands with me if we stop at the library but it has to be the last stop as once they have their books they just want to come home and read them!

Thursday, August 19

Seattle Storm WNBA Basketball Game

After waiting in the rain (it was Lauren Jackson Bobble head night) we were so happy to get inside the arena to watch the Seattle Storm play. I have not been to a professional basketball game since my Grandpa took me while I was in college and I have never been to a women game. The girls were just so excited to cheer for the Seattle Storm team and since it was a team of women I think it was even more special. Princess G held her Lauren Bobble Head the whole time and now has her on her nightstand. The girls had a blast with the bammers too! The game was just so much fun, I just love getting caught up in the roar of the crowd. The only difference between NBA and WNBA (granted the last NBA I attended was in the 90s) was I did not hear the crowd boo when the opposing team scored which I liked. Of course the Seattle Storm winning by 46 points (tied with the WNBA record) also helped make it a great game! Princess G loved cheering and hitting those bammers together for the Princess A watched the game so closely and got excited for every 3 point score and there were quite a few. The girls lasted until about half way through the third period and considering the game started at their regular bedtime they did very well. We make the drive home and even picked up cones from McDonald's for dessert. Have you been to a WNBA game this season? WNBA teams are Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, LA Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, NY Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, San Antonio Silver Stars, Seattle Storm, Tulsa Shock, Washington Mystics. Would you like to go? Just go to TicketMaster.com/wnba and enter the promo code WNBABLOG for discounts. Each team has different discounts and if you click here you can see the list for each WNBA team discount. I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by One2One Network on behalf of WNBA and received tickets to the game we attended to facilitate my candid review.

Tuesday, August 17

Wordless Wednesday: All Dressed Up

Monday, August 16

Girl Scout Camp

The girls and I spent a week at a Girl Scout Camp and stayed overnight on Thursday. Princess A wanted to wear her Girl Scout cookie shirt the first day and picked the camp name SuperStar. The theme of the camp was western so Princess G wore her cowgirl shirt the first day and picked Little Hippo as her camp name. My camp name was Smiles, I need a better name but it was the best I could do! SuperStar's unit were know as the Purple Pioneers so on the first day they dressed up in their bonnets and aprons their unit leader made. I really wish I could of been in her unit they did the coolest stuff. The camp was divided up into unit based on what type of troop you will be part of in the Fall. SuperStar was in a Brownie Unit (2nd and 3rd graders), Little Hippo was in the only Daisy unit (Kindergarten and 1st grade) and I found out a few weeks before camp that I would have a Junior unit (4th and 5th graders). Each unit had at least one session at archery. When it was my units turn i hit the bulls eye (I also lost one in the trees too!) Since I had my own unit with 15 girls in it I only saw my girls mostly in passing. Each unit also had a color and wore a bandanna with their color at all time. Little Hippo, wearing her red bandanna, was on her way to decorating their hats. SuperStar's unit color was purple so later in the week they dyed their aprons and bonnets purple using red cabbage. Superstar loved using the cabbage and wants to try it at home some day but she did say it took a really long time. Little Hippos unit was close to mine so if they were not moving around camp I could stop by for a quick 'hello.' She did spend a lot of time digging up large rocks out of the dirt. When camp was finally over I had to wash her shoes twice in the washing machine. Our unit was also near the port-a-potties so I was able to see SuperStar quit often as well.

Here she is laughing because she had just cootied me. Cooties at camp at decorated clothes pins that you clip on people's clothing without then noticing. If they catch you then you get to give all of your cooties to them. The object is to not have and cooties and when you get them to give them away as soon as possible. The beginning and end of camp each day was at the singing tree. The older Girl Scouts would lead songs and Little Hippo just loved the Jellyfish song and all of the silly motions that go with it. Thursday was field day and full of fun activities. Little Hippo had fun with the water gun. As a unit leader I had one and got into water battles with other unit leaders and some of the campers, it was so much fun. Here is SuperStar taking a little break after our lunch of hot dogs and watermelon. Another game on field day was horseshoes. Also at the beginning and the end of each day was a flag ceremony. Each unit (besides the Daisy troop: The Rhinestone Riders) performed the flag ceremony once and SuperStar was the caller for her unit and she did great. On Thursday we stayed the night and after dinner we learned square dancing. SuperStar is showing off one of the cooties right before the dancing started. Everyone slept outside in tents except for the Daisy unit, they slept in the lodge.

I did not let the girls bring their special stuffed animals so Little Hippo picked Sparkles the hippo for camp. I was to sleep in a tent with my unit co-leader but both of her daughters joined her and with no room for my i joined Little Hippo inside. That sounds like a good idea but I was on a cot and Little Hippo joined me in my sleeping bag and she had a few night terrors. She does not normally have them but if she is really over tired she does and they did not go to bed until after 11pm so she was extremely tired. SuperStar slept with her unit in a giant tent and had a blast. She was a little nervous as it was her first time sleeping outside and without a parent but she did great. The camp was a little behind schedule the night before so after breakfast we did the smores. The original plan was for only the Brownie and Daisy units to do smores in the morning but everyone thought it was fun to do it after breakfast. After packing everything up including the tents it was time for skits and awards. Little Hippo got an award for best smile for her unit and the only Daisy to get the Future Archer Award. SuperStar did great on her skit and they was present with and award and her rag dolls she made at camp. She loves this doll and sleeps with her every night.

We had a great time at camp but by the end of the week I just wanted to get home, wash-up and sleep. The girls are already excited about next year, well except for the port-a-potties.

I had never heard of SAM-e and did not know what it is. I went to Nature Made's SAM-e Complete site (http://www.sam-e.com/) to learn more about it.
From the website I learned this:
New to SAM-e? Curious as to what SAM-e is and how it works? You’ve found the right place. We’ve covered the SAM-e basics a lot of people ask before they begin taking SAM-e. If your question isn’t listed below, check out our SAM-e Q&A to ask out nutrition experts. We’ll answer as many questions as we can.

What is SAM-e?

SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound that is found in all living things. It’s distributed throughout the human body and it contributes to maintaining mood levels.

How Does SAM-e Work?

Describing exactly how SAM-e works in the body could require a fairly technical response, but in a nutshell SAM-e helps other molecules in the brain do their jobs making you feel like your normal self. When SAM-e levels run low, those other molecules can’t do their jobs as effectively, and you can feel out of sorts from a mood standpoint.

What are the Benefits of SAM-e?

SAM-e helps to promote a healthy mood by ensuring a balance of overall healthy brain cell functions. If taken regularly, SAM-e can begin to help in as little as 7 – 14 days.

What are the Side Effects of SAM-e?

Generally speaking, SAM-e supplements have been shown to be very safe, with no known side effects. One reason for the low level of side effects is that SAM-e is a naturally occurring molecule in your body, and a SAM-e supplement simply replenishes your body’s own natural supply.

What is the Suggested SAM-e Dosage?

To support mood and emotional well being, start with 400mg/day of SAM-e Complete. Clinical studies indicate that benefits are most likely evident after 7-14 days of supplementation. If benefits are not achieved within two weeks, you may require a higher level of supplementation. To determine the proper level of supplementation that works for you, gradually increase the number of tablets (maximum 1600 mg/day) until benefits are achieved.

Why Nature Made SAM-e Complete™?

You can always feel confident placing your trust in Nature Made®, the leading distributor of SAM-e supplements in the U.S. Nature Made stands behind all of our products and guarantees that they are made to our purity and potency standards. Nature Made SAM-e Complete’s tablets are enterically coated to ensure proper absorption and packaged in blister form to help maintain product effectiveness.

Do you want to try Nature Made SAM-e Complete? One of you can win a 3-month supply as well as a reusable water bottle and journal.

To enter just leave a comment with what puts you in a good mood.

(If your email is not available on your blog please include in comment.)
US only
Ends 8/16/10 at midnight PST.
Extra Entries: (please leave a comment for each extra comment)

1.Follow my blog (button on side of blog)
2.Follow me @SillyMommy on Twitter (leave your twitter name in comment)
3.Blog about contest (2 entries, leave link in comment)
4.Tweet about contest (leave link in comment, may tweet once a day)
5. Enter another of my giveaways (listed on right near top, one entry per giveaway entered)

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.