tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58220585067651103072024-03-12T21:38:45.964-07:00Mommy Hintsmommy hints, product reviews, household tips, organizing home, raising children, mommy tips, tips from mom, advice from mom, hints for moms,Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-69052141305358570342020-03-09T11:27:00.001-07:002020-03-09T11:27:17.243-07:00Going Paleo - Sort ofMy sister is a health coach, or as she likes to put it, a whole life coach. She's been recommending for years to reduce or eliminate foods that are inflammatory -- namely gluten, dairy, and sugar. And like a good sister, I've been ignoring her for years. 😆<br />
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But recently, I've gained weight (mostly from the holidays, which led to bad habits), and I've been having a lot of indigestion. It's not fun! So for whatever reason, I've decided to try out her advice . . . at least temporarily. It's basically an adaptation of the paleo diet. For one month, I'm not going to eat any dairy, gluten, or sugar as well as no corn and not eating starchy foods too much, but still allowing them. I can also have naturally occurring sugar, like honey and maple syrup, but I'm going to try to limit those in the hopes that it reduces my sugar cravings.<br />
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Last week, starting on the first day of Lent, I started reducing my carb-intake. I'm hoping that will help reduce the shock my body will experience. This shock can lead to what people have termed the keto flu, but really all it is is your body thinking that because of the reduction of calories and your normal foods, there must be some sort of emergency that is causing you to starve. This causes your body to go into a reserve of sorts to try to prevent you from dying. Not only does it make you feel sick (headaches along with fatigue and possibly diarrhea), but it can cause you to lose hair because your body is reserving nutrients for essential functions.<br />
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<a href="https://theprettybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/A-simple-and-tasty-dinner-chicken-sausages-peppers-onions-and-curry-spiced-quinoa.-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://theprettybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/A-simple-and-tasty-dinner-chicken-sausages-peppers-onions-and-curry-spiced-quinoa.-.jpg" width="213" /></a>So I figured if I decreased slowly, that would hopefully not happen. I also bought an electrolyte supplement, <a href="https://amzn.to/2wIM9YO">Keto K1000 Electrolyte Powder</a>, which can help decrease issues caused by dehydration, which often happens when starting and possibly on a low-carb diet. I'm not exactly keto, but there is some overlap. I'm glad I did, though. Last Saturday night, I was feeling really headachy and drained. I drank some water with the electrolyte powder for the first time, and my symptoms were gone by morning. I know that some people have complained about the symptoms lasting a week, so I'm glad I had it to drink.<br />
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Yesterday was the first real day of eliminating all foods (dairy, gluten, and sugar). Wish me luck! I have a week of meals planned out (all three), since this really isn't a diet where you can just grab something quick or on the run. Last night I made my dinner (which will also be two of my lunches this week) and then I prepped my breakfast for this morning.<br />
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If you're curious what I made, it was <a href="https://theprettybee.com/sausages-peppers-onions-curry-spiced-quinoa/">Sausage, Peppers, and Onions over Curry-Spiced Quinoa</a> from the pretty bee. It was pretty good! But it's a good thing that I am not low-carb. That quinoa is packed (along with a lot of healthy stuff too). For breakfast this morning, I had chaffles (non-cheese version) with an egg and bacon. I also tried oat milk for the first time. It was, um, oaty.<br />
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I'll keep you updated on my progress. I might even eventually be willing to post a before and after pic, but for now I think I'll keep the before pic to myself.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-35688065035971055472020-03-02T09:30:00.000-08:002020-03-09T11:32:23.815-07:00Practicing Writing with Your Preschooler/KindergartnerMy daughter, BR, is four years old and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Unlike her two brothers, she wasn't able to go to preschool. With just six months till kindergarten starts, working with her on some basics will help her prepare, so she's not too overwhelmed when she gets there. One way to work with her will be teaching her to write her name every day. Plus, it can help pass the time while her brothers are in school.<br />
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Creating Custom Printouts for Your Preschooler or Kindergartner to Trace</h3>
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At <a href="http://www.kidzone.ws/TRACERS/NONE/index.asp#">KidZone.ws</a>, you can create custom tracing papers that can be used for practicing writing. This is especially helpful if your child is still working on the basics of writing. Here you can choose block, script or cursive writing (which is great for your older kids) and you can type in exactly what you want, so you can create pages with your child's name on it (first and last) or whatever you want them to learn. </div>
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Writing time will be included every day on the daily schedule. Hopefully this will be a fun activity for us to work on together.<br />
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What have you done to prepare your preschooler for kindergarten? I would love to hear your ideas.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-43275110360251062022019-12-04T13:55:00.000-08:002020-03-09T11:09:46.354-07:00Using a Sounds for Silence White Noise Machine to Help Babies SleepWhen you have a newborn baby, nothing is better than the sound of your baby sleeping ... especially if you're dead tired from exhaustion. You will do anything to help your baby sleep longer. There are many techniques for getting your baby to sleep, but what about <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">keeping your baby asleep</span>?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JnTmns27JkI/UT5BjHxUVXI/AAAAAAAAAtg/zRmtrn8N5IQ/s1600/Micah+in+Hospital+18+Edited+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JnTmns27JkI/UT5BjHxUVXI/AAAAAAAAAtg/zRmtrn8N5IQ/s400/Micah+in+Hospital+18+Edited+with+watermark.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MW just a few hours old.</td></tr>
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What Is a White Noise Machine?</h3>
A white noise machine, or brown noise generator, produces ambient noise that is soothing and helps block out noise from other rooms and outside. Some white noise machines play a prerecorded track while others produce organic noise with a fan.<br />
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How Can Background Noise from a Noise Making Machine Help My Baby Sleep?</h3>
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By blocking out background noise, your baby can sleep longer and more soundly. This is especially important if you have children who are older who might wake your baby up early from a nap or in the mornings, and even more especially if you, like me, live in a very small house/apartment (i.e. our toddler's room is on the other side of the wall from our TV).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4Wowr6gWIM/UT4__uX-fKI/AAAAAAAAAtY/U3qhEU7vYhU/s1600/Alex+sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4Wowr6gWIM/UT4__uX-fKI/AAAAAAAAAtY/U3qhEU7vYhU/s400/Alex+sleeping.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex when he was just an iddy-biddy 'ittle baby</td></tr>
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According to Dr. Harvey Karp, author of <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Happiest Baby on the Block</span></i>, "Most babies sleep better when a harsh, continuous white noise plays near their bassinet. These womb-like sounds drown out other distracting noises and have a profoundly lulling effect. ... [T]he mere addition of white noise to your baby's nursery may extend his sleep by an hour or two."</div>
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Authors Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spivack of <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Sleepeasy Solution</span></i> also recommend it. "Protect your child from distracting sounds ... with some steady white noise. ... Once your child is sleeping better, feel free to see if he can do without it. Some kids, though, will always sleep better with white noise and ... it's a harmless [sleep association] as it does not interfere with sleep but actually should enhance it."</div>
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With so many benefits to white noise machines, it's no wonder so many parents are using them as sleep aids for their kids. It's easily controlled (unlike pacifiers which can be lost and music which eventually stops). You can have a white noise machine playing throughout the night if needed.</div>
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Options for a Baby Sound Maker Including Sounds for Silence</h3>
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There are quite a few options out there when it comes to providing a sweet bliss for your baby's room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SODrhk8yovs/XmZ23o9mMDI/AAAAAAAAIps/axNkxXLRtGs-LhHYVz7VBnhXbPUZka4kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/WN1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SODrhk8yovs/XmZ23o9mMDI/AAAAAAAAIps/axNkxXLRtGs-LhHYVz7VBnhXbPUZka4kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/WN1.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine</td></tr>
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One of the most well-loved is the <a href="https://amzn.to/33eENc5">Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine</a>, which has over 1,500 ratings and a 4.7/5 star rating. This machine has many options including 24 loop-less soothing sounds. Although it's advertised for use with young children, it works well for adults too. One of the cons mentioned is that the light doesn't have a brightness setting, but you can turn it off. Some parent's prefer to keep the light on, so they can check on their baby without turning on a lamp, which might wake babies up.<br />
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Another white sound maker designed for little ones is <a href="https://amzn.to/3cHEcUp">LetsFit White Noise Machine<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001GQ2P78" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a>. Sounds include three white noise, three lullabies, two clothes dryer, and five nature sound tracks. It includes an adjustable night light that gives enough light for diaper changes while allowing the baby to sleep soundly. This noise machine has a 4.8/5 star rating with over 2,000 reviews.<br />
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Want to go simple with just a straight white noise machine (no frills), check out the <a href="https://amzn.to/2xpkYmn">Dohm-SS Single Speed Sound Conditioner</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000LQI2S0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. This is a great option if you need a loud sound machine or a soft one. It has a volume control for high and low but can also be adjusted using the top and side screens. It doesn't have all of the options but really, you probably will only need the basic white noise machine option. It should be noted, however, that this is an organic white noise machine. Where other machines play a pre-recorded white noise sound, this white noise is created by using a fan inside the machine. Users love it as well, with a 4.3/5 star rating on Amazon.<br />
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Another simple choice is the <a href="https://amzn.to/3cTHGn0">LectroFan White Noise Machine</a> by Adaptive Sound Technologies. It doesn't give you as many options (no jungle sounds or running water), but it's perfect for blocking out sounds from the house. My husband and I use this one in our bedrooms and on my day off from work, I can sleep in till I wake up naturally. The kids rarely wake me up, which is such a blessing!<br />
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Why a White or Brown Noise Generator Might Help You as Well</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61yq2DEM0NL._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61yq2DEM0NL._SL1000_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LectroFan via Amazon</td></tr>
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As a parent, we need sleep. Often our kids wake us up way too early (sometimes at 3 a.m. because they think that's "wake up" time. When is 3 a.m. ever a good time to wake up?). By using a white, pink or brown noise machine (whatever color you prefer, really) in your room, you may be able to avoid getting up quite so early. These machines can help block out the noise of your kids so you can get that precious extra hour of sleep before you <i>have </i>to get up.<br />
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We personally use the <a href="https://amzn.to/2xpkYmn">Dohm-SS Single Speed Sound Conditioner</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000LQI2S0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and the <a href="https://amzn.to/3cTHGn0">LectroFan</a>, so I can personally vouch for both of them. If I had to choose, I would pick the LectroFan because it's lasted longer than the Dohm and it's compact, which is perfect for trips. Also, when I had an issue with it shortly after purchasing, they replaced it despite it being mostly my fault. Since then, it's been perfect and has lasted over 6 years, no problem! The Dohm is a very basic white noise, and lasted about seven years until finally the fan inside gave out (and since we often forgot to turn it off, it would be on all day too).<br />
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So if you're looking for <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">a way reduce noise pollution that reaches your baby</span>, whether traffic sounds, booming music from neighbors, construction or just your other kids having fun, consider getting a white noise machine. Do any of you use white noise machines? What kind do use? Tell me in the comments :).</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-27187772933147894772019-07-16T17:28:00.000-07:002020-03-09T11:42:25.121-07:00Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie with PineappleTonight for dinner I decide to make the traditional strawberry banana smoothie, but I wanted to jazz it up a little, so I decided to make a healthy banana smoothie with pineapple in it. I think I was think that it would sort of be like a strawberry pina colada. Yummy! I think, though, that it would have helped if I'd added more coconut flavor and more ice to thicken it up.<br />
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Here's what I did:<br />
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Ingredients<br />
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1 cup coconut milk<br />
1/4 of a pineapple, chopped<br />
1/2 lb strawberries<br />
1 cup baby spinach<br />
1 banana<br />
2 tsp Truvia, or to taste<br />
ice<br />
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Add to blender and run till smooth.<br />
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I was a little hesitant to add spinach to my strawberry, banana, pineapple smoothie since this was my first time, but just like other smoothies with baby spinach, you couldn't taste it.<br />
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Why Add Spinach to Smoothies?</h3>
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With no fat and hardly any calories, spinach is nutrient-dense. It's full of antioxidants (those things that prevent cancer and help you to stay healthy, even from colds), including flavonoids and carotenoids and helps to lower blood pressure.</div>
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Here's a breakdown of what you get in just one cup of spinach:</div>
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<li>30 g calcium</li>
<li>810 mg iron</li>
<li>167 mg potassium</li>
<li>24 mg magnesium</li>
<li>2,813 IU vitamin A</li>
<li>58 micrograms folate</li>
<li>7 calories</li>
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Spinach also has vitamin K, fiber, thiamine, and phosphorous. </div>
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So the next time you're making a smoothie, whether a smoothie with pineapple or some other combination, consider adding spinach to the mix. You may need to add a little extra sweetener, like <a href="https://amzn.to/2PYKGo6">stevia</a> or <a href="https://amzn.to/2xm4LOJ">monk fruit sweetener</a>, because spinach (as well as other greens) tend to saturate the sweetness of the fruit, but in the end, you have a healthy smoothie.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even my preschooler loves it!</td></tr>
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And what's even better is that my kids loved this smoothie with pineapple too!</div>
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Is a Banana Smoothie Healthy?</h3>
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If you're wondering whether banana smoothies can be healthy, the answer is yes! Depending on what you put in it, you can make healthy smoothies with bananas. A couple important things to remember:</div>
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<li>Add protein or make it a side dish: If you're planning on replacing a meal with a healthy banana smoothie, be sure to add some protein to the mix. This could be some sort of nut butter (peanut butter and almond butter come to mind) or protein powder or some other source of protein, you need that to stabilize your blood sugar levels so they don't spike from the sugar in the smoothie. If you can't do that, eat the smoothie as a side dish along with a balanced meal.</li>
<li>Diversify: That means don't have the same foods every day. Find new and exciting things to put into your banana smoothies. Healthy smoothies don't come from just having milk, bananas and ice. Try new combinations. What I've found is that bananas do add wonderful flavor to your smoothie, but make sure you're always trying new fruits and vegetables along with the bananas.</li>
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So try a smoothie with spinach and see what you think. Let me know in the comments.</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-15731696963616224582019-06-10T13:15:00.000-07:002020-03-09T09:35:42.091-07:00Beating the Summer Blahs with a Daily ScheduleNow that summer vacation is here, school is no longer there to help with the daily schedule. When summer hits, it's easy to fall into bad habits like sleeping in, wasting days not doing much, and not keeping a good schedule each day. Rather than falling into bad habits, create a schedule for your kids to help them keep their brains and bodies active throughout the summer months.<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br />
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Making a Summer Schedule</h3>
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Of course, this is just one idea for something you can do every day during summer vacation. Think of what else you want to do this summer to keep up a routine. For kids ages 5 to 7, a sample schedule may include:</div>
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Wake-up and get dressed<br />
Eat breakfast<br />
Clean up breakfast (have child clean up his or her own dishes)<br />
Brush teeth<br />
Clean up bedroom or spend time cleaning up something together in house (picking up living room, dusting, etc.)<br />
Take a walk or spend time outside togetherPractice writing<br />
Color/art project/drawing<br />
Read books together<br />
Lunch time<br />
Lunch clean up<br />
Quiet time (i.e. playing quietly on own, looking at or reading books on own, watching some TV, etc.) This is a great time to get stuff done you need to get done!<br />
Snack time<br />
Dinner prep (have your child help get dinner ready). Afternoons are also a great time for play dates or going to the park.<br />
Dinner<br />
Dinner clean up<br />
Bedtime routine (brushing teeth, getting on pajamas, reading a couple more books, etc.) I often use this time to just talk with Alex about his day and about how he's feeling and what's going on in his head. It's great one-on-one time if you can swing it (though it's hard depending on how many kids you have and their ages).</blockquote>
Of course, you should always be flexible when it comes to your schedule, but if you have a general routine to follow, it will help prevent the summer blahs.<br />
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Scheduling Summer Activities</h3>
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Another great way to beat the summer blahs is to get out your calendar. Decide on some things that you want to do this summer, such as visiting the local zoo, taking a camping trip, visiting at nearby state or national park, taking a day trip to the water park or even trips to the local pool. Decide on what days you're going to do these activities throughout the summer months.</div>
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By having a firm schedule for these activities, you'll have something to look forward to throughout the summer and as the dates for the activities get closer, you'll have motivation to plan for them so they actually happen. This way you won't get to the end of August and realize that school is about to start and the summer was wasted.</div>
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On the calendar should be days with activities with you and one of your kids one-on-one. Try to plan something once a week with one child. This way it won't be too overwhelming and you can have a few good mother-child dates throughout the summer.</div>
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Summer is upon us. Make it a good one!</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-63405013282931440992017-04-13T07:30:00.000-07:002020-03-09T09:46:44.600-07:00E-Reader Series: If I Had to Do It Again, Would I Get an eBook Reader over a Tablet?<br />
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This is what I've been thinking about the last few weeks and it's a hard question to answer. Overall, I really do love my Kindle Touch. Still, I wonder if I should have waited. Here are some reasons that I would consider getting a tablet instead of the Touch:<br />
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Why a Tablet Is Better Than an E-Reader</h2>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>More versatile. </b></span>Tablets are made for more than just reading books. You can play apps, music and video on them. There are dozens of apps for tablets whereas the Touch is made just for reading ebooks and nothing else.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Operating system. </b></span>Operating systems on tablets are made to be fast and easy to use.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Graphics. </b></span>You can see the covers of books as you're going through them to figure out what you want to read.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Same size. </b></span>Now that 7-inch tablets are all the rage, you can get awesome tablets that can also be held on one hand. This makes reading in bed easy. The release of the <a href="https://amzn.to/2Q2jtRD">iPad</a> caused a slew of copycat tablets that were all about 10 inches. Now that the 7-inch tablet has caught, in part spurred by the Amazon Fire tablet, there are many choices for smaller tablets that can be held in one hand.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Battery life. </b></span>Maybe batteries on the tablets won't last a month, but many are made to last 10 hours of active use and up to a couple weeks on standby. This means at the very least, it should last all day and you can then charge it while you sleep so it's ready for the next day.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Kindle app.</b></span> No matter what tablet you get, whether it's Android, Windows RT or iOS, there's an app that allows you to access your Kindle library. This means that you can read your ebooks on lots of devices rather than being stuck with only reading on your Kindle. </li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Read non-Amazon ebooks. </b></span>Not only that, but on tablets you can get apps for other e-readers, such as Nook, so that ebooks that you've bought through other sources can also be read on your tablet. With a Touch (as well as other Kindle devices), you're limited to only purchased made through Amazon.</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Why an E-Reader Is Better Than a Tablet</h2>
</div>
<div>
So you're probably wondering, if a tablet is so much better, why should I even consider an e-reader? Well here are some thoughts about that:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Eye strain</b></span>. It's possible that reading on a tablet may cause more eye strain than an e-ink reader like the Touch. However, if you have problems with eye strain, the recommendation is that every 20 minutes, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. I know that from my experience, I have not had any problems reading on the Touch any more so than reading a book.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Doesn't work in bright light. </b></span>So a few years ago, I was working from home on my laptop and I got this bright idea that I would take Alex, who was a toddler then, outside of our four-plex to play on the grass. I would take my laptop so I could get some work done and still keep an eye on him. Well, that worked not at all because the light from the sun completely washed out my laptop screen and I couldn't read a thing. For this reason, the e-ink display wins. If you want to read at the beach, at the park, or anywhere else outside, a tablet just won't do.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Cost. </span></b>When it comes to price points, nothing beats a Touch. With the <a href="https://amzn.to/2Q2jtRD">Kindle Touch<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007HCCNJU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"></a> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">now only $89</span>, there's really no reason to say no. And despite the fact that I was so excited when the <a href="https://amzn.to/3cIZukq">Paperwhite</a><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007OZNZG0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"> came out (and it was only $40 more than what I paid), honestly I don't think it's essential to have one instead of the Touch (unless you think you'll be reading in dark or very low light a lot). I can't think of an instance where I haven't had enough light from a lamp, an overhead light, or the sun to read just fine.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2>
What Should You Get Then? A Tablet or an E-Reader?</h2>
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</div>
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That is a question you'll to answer yourself, but I think the major factor that comes into play is the price. For only $69, you can have your own e-ink reader, so if you can't shell out $200 or more for a tablet, why not get a Touch. </div>
<div>
<br />
However, if you can afford a tablet, and especially if you want to do <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">more on than just read ebooks</span> (such as using apps and watching Netflix or movies and TV shows), I would definitely recommend a tablet. There are so many to choose from and they all have their benefits, so it will take some research to decide which one is right for you.<br />
<br />
And really, if you can swing it, I'd get one of each. There will be times when one or the other will work better for that situation. You could keep the Kindle in your purse ready to read if you ever need something to pass the time (without worrying about the battery being dead) and bring the tablet with you when you're going on a long trip and need to keep your kids occupied. For that matter have both with you so your kids can play games while you're reading a book—<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">everyone wins!</span><br />
<br />
So do I regret getting the Touch? No, not at all. Whether or not I get a tablet in the future, I will continue to read books on my Touch. Overall, I love it.<br />
<br />
Do you have an e-reader or tablet? If so which one do you have and do you love it?<br />
<br /></div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-81799027653529497282017-02-11T11:33:00.000-08:002020-03-09T09:51:44.446-07:00Romantic Dinner Recipe Ideas: Easy Meatballs with Cream SauceAs moms, it helps to take some time away from the children and have a romantic dinner with your significant other. If you aren't able to make it out of the house for a date (maybe because there's no extra money in the budget for a babysitter), here's one of the best ideas for romantic dinners that's easy and oh so yummy. Fix the kids some chicken nuggets and send them off to bed. Then fix this easy romantic meal for your sweetheart.<br />
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<br />
<h3>
Meatballs and Cream Sauce</h3>
<div>
Ingredients:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pkg of Premade Meatballs (your choice. I used Kirkland Signature Italian Meatballs)*</div>
<div>
2 tablespoons butter</div>
<div>
2 tablespoons flour</div>
<div>
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme</div>
<div>
salt and butter to taste</div>
<div>
1 14-oz can chicken broth</div>
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2/3 cup evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div>
<ol>
<li>Prepare 24 meatballs according to the instructions on the package.</li>
<li>In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in flour, thyme, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add broth and evaporated milk. Bring to boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.</li>
<li>Top meatballs with sauce.</li>
</ol>
<div>
By using prepared meatballs for this dinner, it makes for an easy romantic dinner for two, so you can spend more time with each other. Sometimes it's easier to have canned evaporated milk on hand rather than fresh cream, but either will work.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now if you have the time and want to make your own meatballs for your romantic dinner at home, here's how to do it:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ingredients:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1 egg</div>
<div>
1/4 cup milk</div>
<div>
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce</div>
<div>
2 tablespoons ketchup</div>
<div>
3/4 cups quick oats</div>
<div>
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped</div>
<div>
1 teaspoon salt</div>
<div>
1/4 tsp pepper</div>
<div>
1 1/2 lbs ground beef</div>
<div>
3 tablespoons flour</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>To make these easy meatballs, just combine the first 8 ingredients in a bowl and then combine with ground beef.</li>
<li>Shape into balls that are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Roll in flour. </li>
<li>Place 1 inch apart on a baking. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes (till they're no longer pink inside).</li>
<li>While baking, prepare the sauce.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<h3>
Steamed Green Beans with Brown Sugar</h3>
<div>
If you're looking for a recipe for steamed green beans, this is an easy one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ingredients:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
4–6 cups fresh or frozen green beans</div>
<div>
1–2 tablespoons brown sugar</div>
<div>
1/2–1 tablespoon butter</div>
<div>
salt and pepper to taste</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Heat 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Place green beans in pan with a little water and cover. Steam the green beans for 8–12 minutes (depending on your preference for doneness).</li>
<li>To stop the cooking process, add cool water to the green beans.</li>
<li>Drain the water from the beans and set aside.</li>
<li>Just before sitting down to the table (about 5 minutes) put the beans, the sugar, and the butter in a saute pan and saute them for 3-4 minutes.</li>
<li>Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Now it might sound weird to have pepper with brown sugar, but trust me, these are divine. They are similar to the beans you can order at Outback Restaurant (one of my favorite places to eat out). So if you're looking for easy romantic meals, give this one a shot.</div>
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And that's it! This is one of the easiest romantic dinner recipe ideas I've found (especially if you used prepared meatballs), and it's also delicious. And you don't have to reserve this meal to meals just for two either. This is a great meal for the whole family as well and my boys loved it :D.</div>
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<div>
What do you and your sweetheart do for your romantic dinners at home? I'd love to hear them!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-38165276532230484632016-10-18T15:29:00.000-07:002020-03-09T09:37:58.437-07:00Vacuums: Canister or Upright? Bagged or Bagless?This week I'm going to be talking about vacuums, carpet cleaners and other topics related to carpet care. Today I thought I talk about what to look for in a new vacuum.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/1/13/37/11337844_260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i.pgcdn.com/pi/1/13/37/11337844_260.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used to own this Bosch canister vacuum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So last August, we moved from Utah to Washington so we could live closer to family. As we were getting packed up and ready, our vacuum died after 5 years of use. What bugged me the most about it dying though was the fact that it was just a part within the vacuum that no longer worked and if I could have opened it up to replace it, it probably would've lasted a few more years. But the manufacturers of the vacuum created it so there was no way to get the cover off of the head. There were no screws or anything as far as I could tell. I don't even know if I could have taken it to a certified vacuum repair shop to have it fixed because I didn't see how it could have been repaired. Typical of our throwaway society right? I hate that!<br />
<br />
So I borrowed a friend's vacuum to get our place ready for moving and once I got settled into our new place, we decided to look for a new vacuum.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Canister or Upright?</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dyn-images2.hsni.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/prodzoom/bissell-total-floors-complete-upright-vacuum-d-2012101016133021~210695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://dyn-images2.hsni.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/prodzoom/bissell-total-floors-complete-upright-vacuum-d-2012101016133021~210695.jpg" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upright vacuum from Bissell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing to consider is whether you want a canister vacuum or an upright. We really like our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=canister%20vacuums&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A2619525011%2Ck%3Acanister%20vacuums&tag=momhin-20&url=search-alias%3Dappliances" target="_blank">canister vacuum</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for the most part because the head was so small, it was able to get underneath furniture like the couch and beds so we didn't have to move furniture in order to clean underneath. It also makes vacuuming the stairs really easy and you were only pushing a light head back and forth instead of the entire heavy vacuum.<br />
<br />
However, when I started researching vacuums, I discovered something about canisters. In order for them to work as well an upright, you need to have the motor that's in the body and a separate motor in the canister head. Otherwise, the head is using air to turn the rug beater and it's not going to have as much power as an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=upright%20vacuums&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=upright%20vacuums%2Caps%2C378&tag=momhin-20&url=search-alias%3Dappliances" target="_blank">upright vacuum</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Because of this, the less expensive canisters are really made to work with carpets that have no pile whatsoever (which isn't very common for homes).<br />
<br />
Obviously having two motors costs more, so in order to get a good canister vacuum that will do as good of a job as uprights, you're looking at paying $100 to $300 more than for a comparable upright. Something you'll have to consider if you decide you want an upright.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Bagged or Bagless?</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dyn-images2.hsni.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/prodzoom/bagless-jet-force-upright-vacuum-cleaner-d-20121116151630533~6932581w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://dyn-images2.hsni.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/prodzoom/bagless-jet-force-upright-vacuum-cleaner-d-20121116151630533~6932581w.jpg" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bagless upright vacuum by Panasonic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next thing you'll have to consider when purchasing a vacuum is whether you want to go with a bagged vacuum or a bagless vacuum. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=bagless%20vacuums&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A2619525011%2Ck%3Abagless%20vacuums&tag=momhin-20&url=search-alias%3Dappliances" target="_blank">Bagless vacuums</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> seem ideal. You no longer have to pay for bags, which can be expensive. Instead just dump the dirt into the garbage when you're done vacuuming. There is a hidden cost to these bagged vacuums, though — the filters. Sometimes you don't think about the fact that many bagless vacuums have filters that have to be replaced every so often and can easily cost as much as vacuum bags.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=bagged%20vacuums&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A2619525011%2Ck%3Abagged%20vacuums&tag=momhin-20&url=search-alias%3Dappliances" target="_blank">Bagged vacuums</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> come with bags. Many consumers try to buy off brand bags for their vacuums, but this isn't always wise. Branded bags are usually made using cotton and paper that is designed to trap particles so they don't escape when you remove the bags from the vacuum. These thick, 3-ply bags trap the dirt and dust particles so you can remove them cleanly. However, off brand bags often just use paper and have small holes in them allowing the smaller particles to escape releasing them back into the air to settle on the floor once again. If you're allergic to dust, it's especially important to buy the name brand vacuum bags.<br />
<br />
So when it comes to vacuums, there are lots of decisions? Do you want to have a vacuum that is light and easy to push around? That's easy to clean stairs or can easily be transported upstairs and downstairs? Are you willing to put in an investment into your vacuum or would you rather pay less and go with a middle-of-the line vacuum?<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I'll tell you which vacuum I chose and give you a review on it. In the meantime, tell me which vacuum you use. Do you love it or hate it?Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-38398713025606685682016-10-12T17:28:00.000-07:002020-03-09T09:36:45.289-07:00Vacuums: Review of the Dyson DC40 Animal Upright VacuumSo I'm sure you're dying to know (and I've made you wait in anticipation long enough). So what vacuum did I end up buying? I went with the Dyson DC40. Let's go over why I picked it and then I'll talk about the what I like and what I don't.<br />
<h2>
Why I Chose the Dyson DC40 Animal Upright Vacuum</h2>
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Here is why I chose the DC40:<br />
<ul>
<li>Got it at Costco, which has a great return policy and they had it for $100 off.</li>
<li>Though it's an upright, it's light and you can easily maneuver it around furniture.</li>
<li>It's bagless with washable filters, so you don't have to replace either bags or filters on it. </li>
<li>You can easily take it apart to clean the rug beater (have I mentioned I have long hair?).</li>
</ul>
<h2>
What I Like about the DC40 Animal Upright Vacuum</h2>
<div>
For the most part I do like this machine. Here are some of the highlights:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>To release the cord, you just flip the cord minder down and then pull it off. </li>
<li>It's really easy to dump the dust that's in the dust bin into the garbage (my one-year-old proved this by doing it himself ... all over the newly vacuumed carpet).</li>
<li>The dust bin opens at the bottom, so you're not taking it and turning it upside down to dump it (which I think would cause more of a mess).</li>
<li>It's light and easy to push around and get around furniture.</li>
<li>It has powerful suction to really clean the carpet.</li>
<li>And, as I mentioned, it's easy to take it apart to clean or to take out filters and such. </li>
</ul>
</div>
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<h2>
Here's What I Don't Like about the Dyson DC40 Animal Upright Vacuum</h2>
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Though it's a great vacuum, there are some things I would like to see improved:<br />
<div style="margin-left: 12em;">
<ul>
<li>Though the hose has really good suction, it's also really awkward to use. Half of it is a flexible hose and half is a stiff hose, and the stiff hose just seems to long and you can't take it off to use the vacuum without it.</li>
<li>The head doesn't go under the furniture. It's those days I wish I still had a canister.</li>
<li>It doesn't seem to work as well on hardwood floors. OK, so I don't have hardwood floors, but I noticed a lot of reviews mention this, so I figured I'd add it to the list in case you do. I really think this vacuum was made for carpeted floors (I haven't used it for the kitchen or anything so I couldn't say).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
Just the Facts:</h3>
Store: Costco<br />
Price: $400<br />
Date Purchased: August 2012<br />
Rating: 4/5<br />
Recommended: Overall, yes, but it's an expensive vacuum. It's possible there are cheaper vacuums that work as well.<br />
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-34011471043916583752013-04-12T14:32:00.004-07:002013-04-12T14:33:33.562-07:005 Favorite Things of the Week - 4/12/13This week has flown by and I haven't gotten nearly as much done as I should have by now. I guess that's just part of being a mom, right? Well, here are my favorite things from this week.<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Book Bomb success. </span>This week an author I know, Dave Wolverton (who writes under the pseudonym David Farland), had a tragedy in his family. His son was in an accident that caused severe brain trauma. There are sites set up to <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/BensRecovery" target="_blank">raise money</a> to pay for medical bills which could easily reach in the millions. On Wednesday, a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/453677124707603/?ref=22" target="_blank">book bomb</a> was held for Dave's books to help raise money. Another benefit of a book bomb is it raises the book's status so it's more visible on sites like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. By the end, the book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006P7SEBY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006P7SEBY&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Nightingale</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006P7SEBY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, reached #1 in contemporary fantasy for both books and ebooks, #2 for paranormal fantasy books and #84 overall for paid ebooks on Amazon. It's pretty amazing. If you are planning on buying things from Amazon, consider going to the book bomb link and then clicking on the link there for the book. After doing so, anything you buy on Amazon after will also pay back a little money to the Wolvertons. I'm so glad it was a success!</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">School's back in session! </span>This week Alex headed back to preschool after a week off for spring break. He was excited to go back and I was excited to spend some one-on-one time with Micah in the morning and get some stuff done.</li>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Fresh fruits and veggies. </span>I've been trying to avoid going to the groceries the last couple weeks because we've been going over our monthly budget for food, but yesterday I headed to the store and got lots of fresh produce, like apples, bananas, strawberries, oranges, onions, sweet peppers, broccoli and spinach. I love having these fresh fruits and veggies around to make smoothies with (and more!). Despite having a completely loaded shopping cart, I also only spent $130 on food. Woohoo! </li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">New smoothie. </span>This week I discovered a killer smoothie combination: peanut butter, bananas and spinach. I'll be telling you all about it next week. Let's just say it's delicious and I think with the protein from the peanut butter, it works as a meal (I know it kept me full from lunch all the way till dinner, no cravings).
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Easter with family.</span> Yes, this is a little late, but I missed my weekly post after Easter. We had a great time visiting with my hubby's parents over Easter. They also brought treats for us and the boys. I love getting to spend time with family :D.
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Have a happy weekend!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-59483469923436570072013-04-02T16:40:00.001-07:002020-03-09T09:49:26.437-07:00Activities for Preschoolers: Scissor Skills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year, my son is part of the Head Start program, so every Monday through Thursday morning, he has school from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. It's great because he's learning a lot, not just about typical school stuff (ABCs, writing, numbers, etc.) but he's also learning other skills. They talk about what to do if you're angry, how to wait your turn, sharing, eating healthy, etc. They also serve the kids breakfast and lunch, which is awesome because that's 8 meals a week that I don't have to worry about feeding Alex. It's also great because that's 14 hours a week where he's out of the house and I can get more done without worrying about IBS — I'm Bored Syndrome.<br />
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But this week is Spring Break, which means Alex is home all day every day. This is especially hard for me since I'm a work-at-home mom, so it's not like I can just take time off and spend it with him. Still, I am trying to use the time to be with him more and not work the whole day.<br />
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<h2>
Getting Ready for Kindergarten by Teaching Your Preschooler to Use Scissors</h2>
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Before Alex started at Head Start, I didn't even think about working with him on using scissors. I taught him his letters, shapes, numbers and counting, animals, etc., but scissors never entered into the equation. Then last week the teacher said to me right before leaving on the last day, "Alex really needs help on using scissors. Maybe you could work with him on it over the break." I was thinking, <i>What? Why? Why would being able to use scissors be important?</i> Luckily for me, there's the Internet.<br />
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<h3>
Why Kids Need to Learn to Use Scissors </h3>
<ul>
<li>Cutting with scissors builds muscles in the hands needed for fine motor skills like writing and painting — anything that requires a grip. </li>
<li>It helps strengthen hand-eye coordination, so your child is more coordinated (like for throwing balls and such). </li>
<li>It works on bilateral coordination — two sides of the body work together (for example, holding the paper with one hand while cutting with the other).</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Ways to Practice Using Scissors</h3>
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There are many ways to practice using scissors with your preschooler. The important thing is to not stress about it too much and go with what you're up to doing that day. Here are some ideas:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Draw shapes on a piece of paper and then have your preschooler cut them out. After, you can decorate the shapes together. We just used scrap paper I had in the recycles bin for this.</li>
<li>Print out some worksheets, like those found at <a href="http://www.kidslearningstation.com/fine-motor-skills/scissor-skills.asp" target="_blank">Kids Learning Station</a>, and have your child cut along the line.</li>
<li>Create an art project that requires cutting, such as this one from <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/twirling-paper-ladybugs" target="_blank">Make and Takes</a>. That way it's fun and your preschooler won't realize that it's practice. If you need inspiration, there are lots of ideas on Pinterest.</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
When Should You Start Teaching Your Child to Cut with Scissors?</h3>
Did you know that you should start having children use scissors as early as 2? I had no idea, but I suspect it's why Alex is so far behind in writing, so it's definitely something we'll be working on, and I'll start working with MW on it sometime in the next year. Here are the recommendations for when you should teach your child what:<br />
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<ul>
<li>2 years old: Use scissors to snip the ends off of pieces of paper</li>
<li>2.5 years old: Cut through a piece of paper from end to end</li>
<li>3 to 3.5 years old: cut along a line that's 1/2 inch thick (should be able to stay within that line without cutting outside of it more than 3 times)</li>
<li>3.5 to 4 years old: cut out a circle (should be able to stay close to the line for at least 3/4 of the circle)</li>
<li>4.5 to 5 years old: cut out a square</li>
</ul>
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It's also recommended to use a variety of thicknesses, starting with thick paper and working towards thinner paper (which is harder). Materials would include play dough, thick folders, construction paper, regular paper, and then tissue paper.</div>
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When choosing scissors, find ones that allow for stability, such as <a href="https://amzn.to/2TV8YR0" target="_blank">these children's scissors</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, especially the ones on top from Fiskars. These allow stability, making cutting easier, and they have blunt ends that are rounded.<br />
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<h3>
Alternative Activities to Using Scissors</h3>
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If your child doesn't have the strength yet to use scissors, there are other activities they can do that use the same muscles so they can build up to using scissors.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Use tongs to pick up objects and put them in a bucket.</li>
<li>Cut out pieces of paper and have your child use tweezers to pick up a piece of paper and drop it into a box.</li>
<li>Have child use a single hole puncher to punch holes in paper.</li>
<li>Create a race where your child has to pick up an object with tongs and carry it to the other side of the room and drop the object into a tub.</li>
</ul>
<div>
So if you're looking for ways to help your preschooler prepare for kindergarten, don't forget to work on those scissoring skills! What things are you doing to help your preschooler prepare for kindergarten? I'd love to hear it!</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-17089446049646315622013-03-29T07:30:00.000-07:002013-04-10T10:26:39.174-07:007 Reasons Why You Should Be Reading E-Books<br />
<div>
So hopefully, I haven't totally confused you with whether or not you should get an e-reader, but I wanted to talk about whether I recommend e-readers in general. I don't know if I recommend an e-book reader per se (it really depends on your situation and your preferences), but I definitely recommend e-books. </div>
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Whether you read them on an ebook reader or on a tablet using an app, I do recommend you getting into the world of electronic books. Here's why:<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>E-books are often cheaper</b></span></h4>
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First I'd like to say that people seem to have a misconception and believe that e-books should be dirt cheap or they should be free just because you're not buying a physical product. Understand though that the cost of printing and shipping a book is only a small fraction of the cost of producing a book. That said, e-books do tend to be cheaper, especially if the book has been out for a year or more. Once the cost of producing a book has been covered, publishers have more leeway in offering a discount on e-books since they can produce an infinite amount without costing more.<br />
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Not only that, but you don't have to pay to have the book shipped and books are instantly delivered to your e-reader or other device, so no waiting for it to reach you. You want to read a new book, you can within seconds.</div>
<h4>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>E-books don't take up space</b></span></h4>
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This last summer I moved two states away and let me tell you, I got rid of a lot of books. You can't sell used books very easily (unless they're expensive, up-to-date text books). I had a bunch at my yard sale and I probably sold five of them, mostly kids' books. They're heavy and once you've read them, you might not read them ever again (or you might read them only every 5 years and in the meantime they're taking up space). E-books on the other hand take up no space, you can have as many as you want (especially with cloud storage) and they weigh nothing.<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><br />
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<h4>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>You can borrow e-books from libraries</b></span></h4>
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Libraries are starting to have e-books as part of their inventory. To borrow one, you just have to have a membership to that library. You don't have to <i>go</i> to the library to get a book; you just need an internet connection. Just like with the regular books, you may have to wait in line till a book is available and the selection may be limited, but there are no worries about losing the book or forgetting to return it and paying a late fee. You also don't have to worry about paying for a new book after your toddler decided to turn it into an art project. </div>
<h4>
<span style="color: #351c75;">You can borrow e-books from friends</span></h4>
<div>
Just like with regular books, you can borrow books from friends. Unfortunately, there are some restrictions. You can only borrow each book one time. Book lending periods are for 14 days, so only borrow a book when you know you want to read it. Publishers of the book also have to have the option of lending enabled, so not all books are able to be lent. Still, it's a great way to read a book your friend recommended to you, and you don't have to worry about forgetting to return it!<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: #351c75;">You can read ebooks on any device from practically anywhere</span></h4>
Did you know that you can get a program that allows you to read Amazon e-books from your computer? Yep, you can read them right on your desktop ... no e-reader required. There are apps for every mobile and tablet OS (as far as I'm aware) as well as Kindle. Not only that, but if you start reading a book on one device and then switch to another device, the Kindle app will remember where you left off and you can pick up from there on the next device (assuming you're connected to the Internet while you're reading, that is). You can go from reading on your computer to reading on your phone to reading on your table to reading on your e-reader. This makes it great if you were reading on your Kindle at home and then got stuck somewhere without it because you can just continue on your smart phone. Genius!</div>
<h4>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>You can take the reader with you wherever you go</b></span></h4>
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And unlike with real books, you don't have to worry about them being too heavy. By having your e-reader in your purse, you will always have something to do if you find yourself waiting for your car's oil to be changed or waiting at a doctor's office for an appointment.<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows some of the books I'm borrowing along with <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> I got for free :)</td></tr>
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<h4>
<b><span style="color: #351c75;">You <i>can </i>get books for free</span></b></h4>
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Despite what I said about how you shouldn't expect to get books for the fraction of the cost, books are still available for free. Typically, these books are ones by self-published authors who are looking to gain a readership, but that's not always the case. Another reason a book might be free is that it's the first book in the series and the publisher is trying to get more readers interested in the other books, and therefore buy them. I've even got big named books for free like <i>The Da Vinci Code</i> and <i>Must Love Dogs</i>. These books are typically not free for long, though, so check back to Amazon often to see what the deals are that day.<br />
<ul></ul>
So whether or not you've owned an e-reader in the past, dive into the world. If you don't have a lot to spend, start small with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HCCNJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007HCCNJU&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Kindle Touch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007HCCNJU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or something equivalent. For only $69, you really can't go wrong.<br />
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<h3>
*Hot* Insider's Tip</h3>
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Want an insider's tip. I know how you can keep a library e-book rental (or other rental for that matter whether you're borrowing a book from a friend or from Amazon) longer than the due date. Typically on the due date, the book will automatically be removed from your e-reader and you won't be able to read it again unless you borrow it again or buy it.<br />
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However, if you turn off your Wi-Fi on your Touch, so it doesn't connect to the Internet, your book will stay on your Kindle till you connect again. (Shhh, don't tell Amazon we know this!) Of course, this could be problematic on a tablet, which pretty much has to connect to the Internet to function (i.e. there are certain apps that won't work without connecting), but on the Touch, the only reason you'd need to connect would be if you need to download another book onto the device. As long as you don't need to, you can disconnect it from Wi-Fi and finish reading your book. Once you're done, reconnect, say buy to the book, and get new books.<br />
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<h2>
Protecting Your Kindle</h2>
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And if you do end up getting either the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OZNZG0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007OZNZG0&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Paperwhite</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007OZNZG0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HCCNJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007HCCNJU&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Touch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007HCCNJU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, I highly recommend this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006B7RFMW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006B7RFMW&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">leather case</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006B7RFMW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I got it for my Kindle and it's been great. Easy to open and close, good quality, and the Kindle fits perfectly. It comes in 8 colors and is only $9.45 to $13, so you really can't go wrong. With it on, I can just throw my Kindle in my purse and go without worrying about the screen getting scratched.<br />
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Well, I hope you've enjoyed the series this week on e-readers and e-books. Let me know what you liked about the series and what you didn't :).<br />
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I'd also love to hear about your experiences with e-readers and e-books. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Leave them in the comments.</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-89849823855748579942013-03-27T07:30:00.000-07:002013-03-27T07:30:02.875-07:00E-Reader Series: Review of Kindle Touch from AmazonI've mentioned a couple times in the last couple weeks about how I used my downtime to read on my Kindle. As I've been using it more, things came to mind about what I like and what I don't like, so I figured I'd do a review about my Kindle Touch.<br />
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<h2>
What I Like about the Kindle Touch</h2>
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Let's start off with what I like about the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HCCNJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007HCCNJU&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Kindle Touch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007HCCNJU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">It's easy to use.</span></b> There are certain parts of the screen that do certain things. While reading a book, you touch the top to bring up the menu, the right side to go forward and the left side to go back. You can also swipe up and down to to move to the next chapter or previous chapter. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See definitions of words while you read.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>You can bring up the dictionary to find out what a word means. </b></span>Unlike a regular book where you have to physically get out the dictionary or search online to find out the definition of a word, the Touch automatically comes with a dictionary preinstalled. To find out what a word means, just press down on the word for a couple seconds and let go. The definition will pop up in a little window. Click outside of the window to go back to reading.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Battery life.</b></span> Battery life on the Touch is long, like a month. No need to charge it every day or two like with tablets. </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Read one-handed. </b></span>Since the Touch is about the same size as a book (it's just a little smaller than 7-inch tablets), you can hold it in one hand to read. It also fits easily into purses, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Read in direct sunlight. </span></b>This one was a big reason I chose the Kindle Touch over a tablet. Where tablet screens will get washed out in sunlight (such as reading at the park or on the beach), the screen on the Kindle Touch can be read in almost any light level. It's also easier on the eyes with the e-ink display.</div>
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<h2>
What I Don't Like about the Kindle Touch</h2>
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Though I like it overall, there are things I don't like about the Touch. </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Can't read in no light or very low light.</b></span> Just like a regular book, you can't read on the Touch if you don't have much light or any light. This typically isn't a problem, but every once in awhile it can be. This is what <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OZNZG0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007OZNZG0&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Paperwhite</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007OZNZG0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> tries to eliminate. It's supposed to work in any light level from direct sunlight to no light. Of course it wasn't around when I got my Touch, or I'm sure I would have gotten it.</div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Not very responsive. </b></span>When you're reading a book and turning from one page to the next, it works great. However, trying to get to the home screen and searching around for books, it takes quite a lot of time to think about what it wants to do. This can get annoying if you're trying to organize your book collection or are browsing around trying to decide what to read. Luckily, it doesn't affect use of the Kindle too much.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">List of books. No book covers.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Not high def screen. </b></span>When you use the Kindle app on your tablet or smartphone and are browsing through your library, you see these beautiful book covers that help you find something you're looking for and help you decide what to read. On the Touch, all you see are book titles, which isn't always helpful in trying to find stuff. Obviously, the Touch can't give you beautiful color pictures, but if it had a faster processor, it could probably give you at least gray scale pictures of the books, which still might help you figure out what you want to read. You pretty much have to know what you're looking for or go onto your computer or other device to find what to read and then get it on your device. </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>It only comes with a charger cable that connects to your computer.</b></span> This isn't huge deal because you can charge it, but if you've ever had a tablet, smartphone or other device, you know that it will charge a lot faster if it has a wall charger. You can a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DOK8NW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005DOK8NW&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">wall charger</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005DOK8NW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for your Kindle but it will cost extra ($20). </div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Operating system. </b></span>I am not happy with the operating system on the Kindle at all. Besides being really slow, it's really kludgy. For example, sometimes I'll be searching for a book and will search for the title. It will bring up a search results that shows all the books with those words, including the book I want. So I tap on the title, but instead of taking me to the book, it just takes me to where in the book those words are found and I have to fumble around trying to find the beginning of the book.<br />
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So am I happy with my Kindle? Would I choose it again if I did it all over again? Tune in tomorrow for a continuation of As the Kindle Turns ... I mean the continuation of my e-reader series ;).</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-18265324624222418192013-03-26T07:30:00.000-07:002013-03-27T09:29:25.625-07:00E-Reader Series: All about the Kindle Touch<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">This week I've decided to focus my articles on e-books and e-readers. Today, I'm going to talk a little about the Kindle Touch and then tomorrow, I'll have a review on the Kindle Touch. Later in the week, I'll talk about e-book readers vs. tablets and then whether I'd recommend getting an e-book reader. I hope you'll join me in this e-book adventure!</span><br />
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What Kindle Do I Own?</h2>
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First, let's clarify which Kindle I own, since there are so many models out there now that it's been on the market so long. I have a first generation <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HCCNJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007HCCNJU&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Kindle Touch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007HCCNJU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, which I got for Christmas 2011. When I got it, it was $99 and now it's only $69 regular price. I have to say, I wish I'd waited! The reason for the price drop is that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OZNZG0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007OZNZG0&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Kindle Paperwhite</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007OZNZG0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> came out . You can get the Paperwhite for only $119 with Special Offers and $139. Mine has special offers as well.<br />
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What Does It Mean to Get a Kindle with Special Offers?</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example ad shown with my Kindle locked.</td></tr>
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If you're considering getting a Kindle, you may wonder what it means to have special offers on it, how that affects using the Kindle, and whether it's worth paying extra for one without.<br />
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In my opinion, get the one with special offers. If later you don't want them, you can always pay the extra cost and have them removed, but here's why the special offers is not a bad thing:<br />
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<li>It never interrupts reading books. You will never have a pop-up window with a special offer. You will never see an ad at the bottom, top or side of the screen while reading books. </li>
<li>When do you see them? There are two times that you'll see the ads: When the Kindle is locked and when you're on the home screen searching through your library (it's a small bar at the bottom of the screen). I've never been annoyed by them.</li>
<li>Sometimes the ads are good deals that you would want to know about, such as a book that's on sale for only $2.99 or a buy one get one free deal. For this reason, it might be helpful to see the ads.</li>
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What Can You Do If You Don't Want to See the Special Offers on the Kindle?</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge. Ad is on the bottom there.</td></tr>
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Because the ads are so easy to ignore, and they don't interrupt me while I'm reading, I just don't see them as much of a bother. As I mentioned, if they do become annoying, you can always pay for them to be turned off.<br />
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Another option is to turn off the Wi-Fi. This option will also save you on battery life. Without Wi-Fi to receive the offers, you'll just shown a generic wallpaper when you lock the Kindle and as long as you don't need to download a book from the library or Amazon, you don't need Wi-Fi to be turned on. (Note: This may take some time after you turn it off for the ads to stop coming.)<br />
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Since it saves on battery life, it might be worth doing just for that reason alone. Unless you're actually searching for books on Amazon or looking at books you have saved to the cloud, you really have no reason to have it connected to Wi-Fi anyway.<br />
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Come back tomorrow to find out what I think of my Touch. I'll talk about the good and the bad. Questions? Comments? Feel free to ask below and I <i>will </i>answer them :).</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-19212200718150411552013-03-22T10:14:00.002-07:002013-03-22T10:15:50.892-07:005 Favorite Things of the Week - 3/22/13<div>
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I know you're all dying in anticipation of what my favorite things are this week, right? ... *crickets chirping* ... *crickets chirping* ... Well, settle down because I will now reveal to you what made me happy this week. :D </div>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OZNZG0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007OZNZG0&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Kindle</a>.</span> I mentioned on Monday that I've been sick. I thought I was almost over it on Sunday, but apparently it's decided to linger. So all last weekend I spent reading books on my Kindle and it's made me very happy. No need to drive to the bookstore or library (especially awesome when you're feeling sick). What's my favorite genre? I admit that it's YA fantasy. Can't get enough of it.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Scramble with Friends. </span>Another fun thing that I've been doing with my downtime is playing Scramble with Friends. It's a variation of the game Boggle where the tiles have point values like in Scrabble. There are three rounds of play and in the second round, there are double word and double letter values for some letters and in the third round there are triple word and triple letter values. You can play with friend or random players through Smart Match (so hopefully you don't play people who are amazing. If you want to know what amazing is, search on YouTube. It's crazy).</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Tax Returns.</span> This week our tax return was deposited into our bank account. I turned it in two weeks ago. How cool is it that we can do our taxes online and then have it deposited directly into our accounts two weeks later. Plus it's nice to have that cushion so I can pay bills without worrying about whether there's enough in there. Yay for tax returns :D.</li>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Nasal strips. </span>Since I've been sick, and stuffed up, it's harder to breathe at night (which makes it harder to sleep. To help with that, I've been using these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OHELGE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004OHELGE&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Nasal Strips</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004OHELGE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Clear Passage. I think that they do a good job and help open your nose so you can breathe easier. Plus these are cheaper than a lot of ones I've seen. I don't use them all the time; just when I'm sick (or if my husband complains that I'm snoring).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmyerZjRD88/UUyP6sKRGaI/AAAAAAAAAwk/qT_pcv45qUw/s1600/Anniversary+pic+2011+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmyerZjRD88/UUyP6sKRGaI/AAAAAAAAAwk/qT_pcv45qUw/s320/Anniversary+pic+2011+with+watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">My Wedding Anniversary.</span> Today I've been married 11 years! It's crazy how fast time goes by and how things have changed in 11 years. When we got married, we got a digital camera as a gift and it was the hot new thing. Everyone who took pictures at the wedding used film. Also, I don't even think that phones had cameras back then (or at least not that common) let alone anything like the smartphones we use today. If things can change that much in 11 years, it makes me wonder what will happen in the next 11.</li>
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So that's my list of favorite things this week. What did you like about this week? I'd love to hear about it!</div>
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-72620983519585160402013-03-22T07:30:00.000-07:002013-03-22T08:46:24.774-07:00MW Gets a New 'DoSo my freelancing gig is crushing me (that plus I'm <i>still</i> getting over being sick) so I've been a bit behind on my Mommy Hints tasks, that's for sure. I have plenty of ideas for posts, it's just about having the time to write the danged things!<br />
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Anyway, for whatever reason, I finally got around to giving MW a hair cut. Being almost 2 years old, the idea of trying to wrangle him while holding scissors wasn't one that I was looking forward to. Alex didn't have enough hair to cut till he was much older (like 3 as I recall), so I never had to deal with this before. My sister recommended cutting his hair in his sleep. Yeah, that wouldn't work with MW. He wakes up when I just go in to check on him before I go to bed (one little movement and he shoots up).<br />
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But I decided to go for it, and to help keep him somewhat immobilized, I stuck him in his high chair. At least he couldn't run off.<br />
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I don't have a great picture of his hair before the hair cut, so I just spent the last hour or two putting together this little video for you. Not only does it have cute little MW, but you can see how scraggly his hair was before:<br />
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And here he is now:</div>
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Have I mentioned he's a cutie? Look at that face!</div>
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This was definitely a challenge and more than likely I missed some spots, but at least he's not so shaggy :D. </div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-90569663145923235272013-03-18T13:50:00.002-07:002013-03-19T14:40:21.275-07:00Where Did the Weekend Go?I'm not sure how productive I'm going to be for the next few days. I started feeling <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">sick</span> Thursday night and then woke up Friday with a full-blown head cold. Ugh. So I spent the weekend mostly relaxing. I did have to take Alex to ballet on Saturday and we stopped on the way home to get some essentials (milk, eggs, bread, etc.) but other than that, I pretty much chilled.<br />
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So there are good things and bad things to that. On the plus side, it was kind of fun <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">to do nothing</span>. On the not-so-plus side, my house is now a <span style="color: #cc0000;">disaster </span>and I'm not quite fully recovered. Luckily, my husband and I dug into the kitchen yesterday so at least that is respectable. I think the burst of energy did us in, though, because we're feeling a big worse to day. :(<br />
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So what did I do all weekend? I chilled and <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">read on my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OZNZG0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007OZNZG0&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Kindle</a></span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007OZNZG0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Lucky for me, I have access to an online library which allows me to borrow ebooks (though just like a real library, they only have so many copies and sometimes there are like 70 people on the waiting list). So I got some books on there to read and read all weekend. I can't tell you the last time I did that. It's times like this I'm so glad to have a Kindle!<br />
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Anyway, I may be slow in getting posts out this week, so sorry about that. But <span style="font-size: large;">thanks for your loyal support</span> :D. And as a reward for reading this, a cute picture of my youngest, who rocked himself to sleep on the arm chair:<br />
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What was the funnest thing you did this weekend?Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-89506052293546158602013-03-15T11:15:00.001-07:002017-01-12T21:59:44.747-08:005 Favorite Things of the Week - 3/15/13Ugh. I woke up sick today. It's not all that bad, but I worry about how bad it will get before I get better. Plus, you know how it is when you're a mom: you don't get a day off. It doesn't matter that I'm sick. I still have to feed the boys, make sure they're not destroying the house, etc. I don't get a "day off" (unless maybe I'm lucky enough to have the grandparents take the boys for a day, which is wonderful when that happens).<br />
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So anyway, here are my favorite things of the week:<br />
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Papa Murphy's Pizza.</span> So I think in the past I was not all that interested in Papa Murphy's Pizza, but lately, because of circumstances, we've been having it more often. Since we've been going more, I've noticed some advantages:</li>
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<li>You can pick up hours before you plan on eating (assuming you can stick it in the fridge in the meantime). This is great if I'm out and about in the afternoon and I don't want to run out right before dinner. And we're just too cheap to have pizza delivered because we don't want to pay the tip :P.</li>
<li>You don't have to worry about the pizza getting cold before you eat it.</li>
<li>Every time you order (at least for our local Papa Murphy's), the instructions sheet comes with a coupon to upgrade a medium to a family size free (which is like $3 off). </li>
<li>They have dessert pizzas (so good!) that are only $3 (at least here locally).</li>
<li>Since they aren't cooking the pizza, it doesn't take more than 5 minutes for them to make the pizza, assuming it's not overly busy when I go.</li>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">My new HP laptop. </span>This year we got a decent tax return and I decided to replace my laptop. The monitor had gone out on it and it was really huge and bulky. I wanted a smaller one that was more portable, so I got an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085RZPP0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0085RZPP0&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">HP laptop</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0085RZPP0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> from Best Buy. It's been a great investment and it's so light, I can take it with me anywhere (right now I'm typing from the living room arm chair instead of my desk). Oh, and did I mention the battery lasts about 4 hours? My last laptop only lasted 1.5 hours or thereabouts.<br />
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Having two awesome sisters.</span> I was lucky enough to grow up having two sisters 6 and 8 years older. They've always watched out for me and are there for me. When I was younger, they would often take me out to lunch or buy me candy. Despite the difference in age, we're close and even now, they call and see how I'm doing and help whenever they can.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Warm weather. </span>Today it's supposed to get up to 70 and even when I've had to slip out at night to slip something into the garbage can, it's been so warm. I haven't needed to rush back in because of the cold air. The boys have been playing outside a lot and we've all enjoyed going places without having to bundle up. It's supposed to cool down this next week (highs in the 50s), but it's been so nice enjoying the warmer, sunnier weather. </li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><a href="http://mommy-hints.blogspot.com/2013/03/using-sounds-for-silence-white-noise.html">White noise machines.</a> </span>Earlier in the week I wrote an <a href="http://mommy-hints.blogspot.com/2013/03/using-sounds-for-silence-white-noise.html">article</a> all about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=white%20noise%20machines&linkCode=ur2&tag=momhin-20&url=search-alias%3Delectronics" target="_blank">white noise machines</a>. These really are awesome, whether for you so you're not woken up by other members of your household or whether for your kids so they can sleep undisturbed (especially for naps). We use ours every day!</li>
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What were your favorite things about this week?</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-81850000626657690612013-03-08T07:30:00.000-08:002013-03-08T11:02:35.386-08:005 Favorite Things of the Week - 3/8/13Wow, is it just me or did this week go by fast. I feel like I've barely had any time to think or breathe. So now that it's Friday once again, here are my favorite things of the week:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/000039766/2f7e_orh100000w272/Spring-park-LP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://marieclaire.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11116/000039766/2f7e_orh100000w272/Spring-park-LP.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/health/312932/sunny-spring-weather-set-to-last.html">MarieClaire.com</a></td></tr>
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<ol>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Warmer, sunny weather</span>: Woohoo! Who's with me? It feels like spring is just around the corner and I'm ready for it. I wouldn't say that this winter was especially cold, but it's been so cloudy and going outside today and finding the bright sun was so rejuvenating. Where have you been all winter, my friend Sun?</li>
<li>As mentioned earlier in the week, <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">I love <a href="http://mommy-hints.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-all-moms-should-be-listening-to.html">Pandora</a></span>. It's an awesome way to get your jam on, have a dance party with your kids, or provide soft music while relaxing. </li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Karrie, from <a href="http://happymoneysaver.com/">HappyMoneySaver.com</a></span>. She's a great friend of mine and came over this week to help me learn more about this blogging thing. Maybe one of these days, I'll get the hang of it. If you haven't checked out her blog, head on over there and see how she can help save you money.</li>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkM29AZCnR4/UTmTeBRemCI/AAAAAAAAAtI/m5pmilIwY2w/s1600/MW+and+Mommy+Cuddling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LkM29AZCnR4/UTmTeBRemCI/AAAAAAAAAtI/m5pmilIwY2w/s320/MW+and+Mommy+Cuddling.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Cuddling with my 22-month-old.</span> I think that me and MW have a lot of things in common, and wanting to cuddle is definitely one of them. He's such a sweetie and will often ask me to pick him up and hold him. Gotta take the time to cuddle now before he finds out it's not "cool." :P</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Friends who are in your heart no matter the distance.</span> There's something special about a friend who continues to think about you and wants to know how you're doing even when it's been months since you've seen each other. I have a few friends like that right now, including one who is halfway around the world and one who I left behind last year when I moved. I'm so glad that with the way technology is, we can keep in touch.</li>
</ol>
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What were your favorite things about this week? Did it go as fast for you as it did for me? All I can say is TGIF! Thank goodness it's finished. LOL!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-83091035694075992502013-03-05T12:31:00.001-08:002013-03-05T12:32:23.073-08:00Amazon Baby Deals for Moms, 3/5/13There are some great deals on baby items going on at Amazon.com. Whether you need a baby shower gift or are getting ready for your little one to arrive, here are some items you won't want to miss.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003G2YUUA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003G2YUUA&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Crib 'N Go Projector Soother</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003G2YUUA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> gets 4.5/5 stars from users and is now on sale for $19 (regularly $38). This soother plays soothing music while rotating images that are projected onto the ceiling.<br />
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Needing a diaper bag? Check out the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MK4DAE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002MK4DAE&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Carter's Fashion Tote</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002MK4DAE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> diaper bag, which right now is on sale for 25% off. Users approve with a 4.4 star rating, and having a bag to carry all your gear in makes trips with the baby so much easier.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050GD2AE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050GD2AE&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Britax B-Agile Stroller</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0050GD2AE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> in red is on sale right now for $80 off, making it only $168. Rated at 4.6 stars, this is a great stroller that will last you for years. If you need it to be compatible with infant car seats, a separate adapter can be purchased and works with many brands of car seats. This stroller holds children up to 55 pounds and features a one-hand quick-fold design.<br />
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Having a cradle swing is so wonderful when you have a newborn. It saves your arms from doing the swinging and will keep your baby asleep longer so you can take a nap or do some cleaning. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042D69WY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0042D69WY&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Fisher-Price Cradle 'N Swing</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0042D69WY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is on sale right now for $127, down from $170. Included is an AC adapter so you can plug it in rather than using batteries. Rated at 4.3 stars, you know you're getting a quality swing at a great price.<br />
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Remember, prices can change quickly and without notice, so take advantage of these deals while they last. Have you seen any great deals for baby items? Share in the comments.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-16578489008883078032013-03-04T12:12:00.000-08:002017-01-12T22:02:00.274-08:00Why All Moms Should Be Listening to PandoraI love music. Which is funny because I wouldn't say I'm a music aficionado. I don't know who the best bands are and I mostly listen to pop music, but I love having music playing whether I'm working, cleaning, driving or playing with my kids.<br />
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But I'm a cheapskate who gets tired of listening to the same thing over and over. That's why I <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">LOVE </span>Pandora.<br />
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Pandora is a free service (paid if you don't want ads) that allows you to create your own radio station. All you have to do is put in one artist you like, and Pandora will create a radio station based on that artist. If you like a variety of music, you can add more, whether it's an artist, album or song.<br />
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Here are some of the reasons I love <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a>:<br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>It's free. </b></span>Sure there are ads, but they only come up every few songs for like 10 seconds. Not a big deal.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3kd1LdWhDCU/UTT_oFPU5aI/AAAAAAAAAs0/IfZ7s1xizmo/s640/blogger-image-277923046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3kd1LdWhDCU/UTT_oFPU5aI/AAAAAAAAAs0/IfZ7s1xizmo/s400/blogger-image-277923046.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I was listening to when writing this post :D</td></tr>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>You can listen to the music you like and nothing else.</b></span> If a song or artist comes up that you don't like, you can give it a thumb's down and Pandora won't play it again and will skip the song.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>You can have multiple stations.</b></span> I have a station for Christmas music, soft music (great for if I'm working and want some background "noise"), pop music, Disney (for the kids), and worship music for Sundays. Whatever I'm in the mood for, I have a radio station to match.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #351c75;">I never get bored.</span> </b>Back when I used to buy CDs and had a collection of music on my iPod, I would get bored listening to the same songs over and over. It didn't matter that I had hundreds of songs (I know, my collection was pretty small). I like variety. Not only does Pandora play the music that you say you prefer, but it will also bring up music similar to your preferences. It's a great way to find new artists!</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>It has just about every artist and music genre you can think of </b></span>from indie rock to Irish folk to Broadway musicals. Whatever you like to listen to, they're sure to have that type of music available. Try to get that from radio stations.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>You can have it wherever you go</b></span> ... as long as you have a device for it. You can listen to Pandora on computers, smart devices (phones, DVD players, TVs), and tablets. As long as you have internet access or cell phone network available, you can have streaming music.</li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>This means it's great for road trips </b></span>— no trying to find a new station in every new area you reach.</li>
<li>And my favorite thing about Pandora is ... <span style="color: #351c75;"><b>no DJs</b></span>! I don't know about you but to me radio stations are filled too much by talking, contests, ads, etc. With Pandora it's almost all music!</li>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Music is good for the soul.</span> It lifts your spirits when you're blue. It makes you want to dance and sing (all good things). It can put you in a better mood. If you haven't checked Pandora out, do so!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(And if you're wondering, no this is not a sponsored post. Just getting out the word because I love Pandora that much!)</span><br />
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</span>Do you have a music app that you love? Tell me all about it. I'd love to find out what other music streaming apps are out there!<br />
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Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-1244288638592543172013-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:002013-03-15T10:42:26.749-07:005 Favorite Things of the Week - 3/1/13So what are my favorite things for this week? Well, here you go:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3oGDM4VOEs/UTBRn3caH7I/AAAAAAAAAsU/EKG_R8wkths/s1600/Scout+Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3oGDM4VOEs/UTBRn3caH7I/AAAAAAAAAsU/EKG_R8wkths/s320/Scout+Screenshot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><ol><li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Scout app for my iPhone.</span> So I moved to Eastern Washington about 7 months ago from out of state and I'm still getting to know the area. The Scout app is free and gives voice turn-by-turn directions to wherever you need to go. This has been great, especially when my husband has a job at a new school and doesn't know how to get there. I've used it to get all over, and it's especially helpful when I need to go from point B to point C and I'm used to getting to point C from point A (i.e. my house) so I don't know how to get there from somewhere else. Other GPS apps often cost money for voice turn-by-turn directions, as well, which means you're constantly checking the screen to see where to turn. Voice directions help reduce distractions while driving. And no one will disagree with free. Definitely awesome.<br />
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Having two monitors on my computer.</span> Last July/August, the monitor on my laptop went out and the easiest fix was to get an external monitor. Luckily my step-dad had an extra one lying around that he didn't need. This was great and essential so I could keep working. Then recently I decided to use my tax refund to upgrade my laptop to a new one. Well, guess what? Now I have <i>two</i> working monitors, and having two monitors is AWESOME! I'm often switching between different windows in order to research and write articles, so having the info on one screen and where I'm writing on another is really great.<br />
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie mix</span>. If you are looking for the best brownie mix, it's this one right here. We get this at Costco (it has like 6 bags of mix in it. LOL), and it's just the <i>best</i> brownie mix I've ever had -- even better than my homemade brownies. It's so moist and fluffy and it has chocolate chips in there, which means melted pieces of chocolate within the brownie goodness. Yep, I'm pretty much addicted.<br />
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<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3a-0LAnl0pE/UTBRwZJvywI/AAAAAAAAAsc/M2NLoHtGIeE/s1600/Alex+with+balloons+from+grandma+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3a-0LAnl0pE/UTBRwZJvywI/AAAAAAAAAsc/M2NLoHtGIeE/s320/Alex+with+balloons+from+grandma+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000035479073&pubid=21000000000627478&lsrc=17">Online Netflix</a>.</span> </span>When you live on a tight budget, you look for anything you can cut to save money. One way we save is through not having cable TV. Instead we have the online service from Netflix. For only $8 a month, we have TV shows for the kids and entertainment for us. Sure, it'd be fun to have regular TV too, but for now it works for us and saves us money.<br />
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">My son, Alex, turning 5!</span> Here's Alex with a bouquet of balloons from his awesome grandma :D. Look at that goofy grin. Who couldn't love that boy! I can't believe I've been a mom for a whole half of a decade now. This will be a year of firsts, including his first day of kindergarten. </li>
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What things did you like from this week? Please share in the comments!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-40797927731427815202013-02-27T09:45:00.002-08:002013-03-25T18:57:31.543-07:00Free ebook: I Love Green SmoothiesWell, I've mentioned before that I love smoothies, and I add organic baby spinach to pretty much every one of my smoothies because really you can't taste it and it's always good to get more dark leafy green veggies.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LX9bi-qJL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-52,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LX9bi-qJL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-52,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
These smoothies of course always end up looking a little "green." Someone once suggested that they were Shrek smoothies, so if you need a way for your kids to think it's cool that they're green, that's one way. My two kids have liked all the smoothies I've made, pretty much (MW doesn't seem to like blueberries, of all things, so isn't as interested in those ones).<br />
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So you can bet I was pretty excited about the ebook that is free today: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008WUFSHA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008WUFSHA&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">I Love Green Smoothies - 50 Recipes To Get You Started Drinking Your Way to a Sexy, Slim, Youthful You!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008WUFSHA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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As I've mentioned before, you don't need a Kindle to get these ebooks. You can read them with the Desktop app or app for Android or IOS. Get it now even if you might not use it right away. You don't want to miss out!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-46309022932906846482013-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:002013-02-25T11:27:06.459-08:00Amazon Deals for Mom, 2/25/13Amazon is running another <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&bbn=6424718011&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&page=1&pf_rd_i=6424718011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=1494139782&pf_rd_r=CEABDF0A19434D508226&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-1&pf_rd_t=101&rh=n%3A165796011%2Cn%3A!2334086011%2Cn%3A!2334148011%2Cn%3A6424718011%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=momhin-20" target="_blank">15% sale on select baby items</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. All you need to do is select items from the sale and enter in 15BABY15 when you check out. There are some great items, some of which aren't often on sale.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SZPEFA/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003SZPEFA&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003SZPEFA&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=momhin-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003SZPEFA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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One of the most popular car seats around is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SZPEFA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003SZPEFA&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Chicco Keyfit 30 Car Seat</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003SZPEFA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. This is a great deal at only $166 after the discount and free shipping.<br />
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It's easy to install and one of the highest rated for safety. Also, it can hold a child up to 30 pounds. Now that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your child rear-facing till two years old, a seat like this prevents the need for another seat before they're ready to go front facing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MAERLG/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MAERLG&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000MAERLG&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=momhin-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000MAERLG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
I know some parents would say, "But the baby gets too heavy to use the carrier by the time they're 9 months old!" This is true, but you don't actually have to use the carrier. Just leave the carrier in the car attached to the base once they're too big to be carried around. Problem solved.<br />
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Need a stroller/car seat system? Consider the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MAERLG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MAERLG&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000MAERLG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. This is also part of the sale and is available in five colors.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WH3RA6/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005WH3RA6&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B005WH3RA6&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=momhin-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005WH3RA6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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If you need a convertible seats (seats that can be rear facing or front facing) and are interested in top of the line, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WH3RA6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005WH3RA6&linkCode=as2&tag=momhin-20">Peg Perego Convertible Car Seat</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=momhin-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005WH3RA6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a great choice and you'll save big if you're not picky on color. The beige seat with the discount saves you $50! It must be well liked, since 57 out of 61 reviewers gave it 5 stars (and it has an overall rating of 4.9).<br />
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There are tons more <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&bbn=6424718011&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&page=1&pf_rd_i=6424718011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=1494139782&pf_rd_r=CEABDF0A19434D508226&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-1&pf_rd_t=101&rh=n%3A165796011%2Cn%3A!2334086011%2Cn%3A!2334148011%2Cn%3A6424718011%2Cp_6%3AATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=momhin-20" target="_blank">baby stuff</a> on sale as well, including many strollers and car seats, so if you're needing any baby stuff, now's the time.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5822058506765110307.post-13118622263867038392013-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:002013-02-26T16:49:54.509-08:005 Favorite Things of the Week - 2/22/13This week I was thinking about the things that I love, and I thought about writing an individual post about them, but I figured why not put them together in one post. This will be a fun weekly post every Friday of my favorite things from that week:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://junkfoodguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/easter20.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://junkfoodguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/easter20.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://junkfoodguy.com/2012/04/09/part-2-of-my-easter-candy-review-waddles-milk-chocolate-egg-zachary-chocolate-covered-marshmallow-eggs-post-easter-recap/">JunkFoodGuy.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Zachary Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Eggs.</span> Have you guys had these? They are seriously addictive and so delicious. The chocolate melts in your mouth and is definitely the real stuff. I've always loved chocolate and marshmallows, so of course I love these. Plus they're only $1 for a dozen at Walmart. They come in foam egg crates too. So cute! They're only around for Easter so try them while you have the chance.</li>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0615.jpg?139d23" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://cdn.iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0615.jpg?139d23" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://iowagirleats.com/2012/01/30/super-bowl-recipe-week-mini-corn-dog-muffins/">IowaGirlEats.com</a></td></tr>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">H&R Block online tax program</span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">. TurboTax and H&R Block online each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the last two years I've gone with H&R because they're less expensive and it works! I so love doing my taxes online. What would we do without the Internet?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Hebrew National Hot Dogs</span>. These hot dogs are the <b><span style="font-size: large;">best</span></b>. If you haven't tried them (and you do eat hot dogs) I highly recommend them. They are more expensive than other brands for the most part, but their taste is just amazing. They are not only kosher (not that that matters to me), but they also don't have any fillers, by-products or artificial anything. I find myself more full than with other hot dogs, and did I mention the flavor? Seriously, delicious.</li>
<li><a href="http://mommy-hints.blogspot.com/2013/02/pinapple-banana-coconut-smoothie.html"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Pineapple, Banana, Coconut Smoothies</span></a>. Yeah, they're that good. Mmmmm ...</li>
<li><a href="http://minecraft.net/"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Minecraft</span>.</a> It's a game with simple graphics but lots of fun possibilities and takes a lot of creativity. It's a fun activity to do after the boys are in bed. I admit, I'm a geek girl at heart :P.<br />
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What were your favorite things from this week? Please share in the comments!</div>
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13711708820773850252noreply@blogger.com0