Old Navy 30% Off Sale - Storewide!

If you need to do any clothes shopping this weekend, you may want to head to Old Navy. They are having a 30% off Store-wide Sale. No coupons needed!

This should cover the WHOLE store, including clearance items too. I bet you could get some great deals!

Sale starts today 4/30 and ends Sunday 5/2

Lots of Winners!

A little late...sorry! Last week was SO busy, and I have been in a little but of a funk this week too. But enough about that :) Let's post some winners!

Breyers YoCrunch Coupon Winners

#67 - Jackie
#46 - Cynthia24X7
#26 - Laura
#66 - Cheryl F - The Lucky Ladybug
#76 - Amanda
#71 - Lori
#44 - Benita
#104 - Steph
#60 - anthy
#88 - April V



Lindsay Phillips Winner

391 - Degood



Madeline Movie Winner:

#121 - Susan


I Has A Hotdog Book Winners (3)

#64 Tylerpants
#8 Jennifer
315 Donna

Everyone has already been emailed...winners have 48 hours to reply to the email or a new winner will be chosen. thanks to everyone that entered!

If you didn't win, I still have some great Giveaways going on including one from Creativity For Kids, a $25 VISA Gift Card, and a stylish & comfy tee shirt from PeaceLoveMom!

A Very Late Birthday Post...My Baby Is Three

I wanted to write something on the day my daughter turned 3, but of course we were so busy, and by the time she went to bed, I passed out in my own bed too.

It was a great party.

But first, let me address that my little girl is now three whole years old. Not a Baby. Leaving the toddler years. A Pre-schooler? Still so young but definitely growing up and getting her own little personality, her own thoughts & opinions.

She is smart, healthy, happy, funny, loving, nurturing, and is the light in so many people's lives. She truly is a gift from God.

Three years ago I learned a whole new kind of love, something I had never felt before. It forever changed me, and I have this little girl to thank.


Here's a few fun facts...pretty much for my own benefit so that I don't forget them. I have the worst memory.

* You weigh almost 32 pounds, 38 inches tall
* You love to read, play games, and have the greatest imagination
* You don't like robots, cows, or vacuums
* You are still a picky eater, which should not surprise me since it's always been a challenge ;)
* You love to visit your Family
* You have a love/hate relationship with out kitty, and it's totally understandable (so do I)
* You are doing better at following directions in public places, but still have the most energy I have ever seen in any child, LOL!
* You like to put on magic shows for us! "Ladies and Gentlemen..."
* You believe in Princesses and happily ever after
* You are a Daddy's Girl
* You are loving Spring, and like to point out the flowers when we are driving in the car
* You sleep with a Baby Doll at night
* You like to wash your hands but like to fight me when I brush your teeth
* You love to cuddle in the morning
* You like shoe shopping...even if it's adult shoes. You'll still try to put them on!
* You love the park, and it's almost impossible to get you to leave :)
* You hate going to the Doctor, as proven yesterday...ahem....
* You love the Mall, and were already asking us to go the Mall at age 2! (I'm in trouble, she's a shopper!)
* You have a light in your eye that outshines anyone I have ever met
* You have a thing for bandaids, and always are asking for one
* You like to hold your cup when i pour you milk
* Your new favorite word is NOPE (lol)
* You love to sing and dance and know a surprisingly large amount of songs!
* We like to sing & dance in the car together
* You like when I paint your nails

I could go on & on with all of the fun we have together. I feel so lucky that I get to stay home with her all day, everyday, since the day she was born. I know one day she won't be Mommy's best friend anymore, so I am soaking it all in as much and as long as I can! It goes by so fast.


Happy Third Birthday, Baby!

My Eyeglass Story

I have been wearing eyeglasses since I was in about 5th grade. You do not even want to see those pictures of me from back then...well maybe you do! LOL! They were way too big for my face, and probably the ones that were on sale or what our insurance allowed. Of course no kid wants to be told they are getting glasses, but it probably should not have come as a surprise to me since my entire family wore them too! I even spent some years in school rebelling against them, refusing to wear them. The only thing that lead to was not being able to see the board, which my Mom was not too pleased about.

Of course now that I am an adult I know the importance of seeing clearly, and I never leave the house without them on. Every year I go back to the eye doctor and update my prescription glasses because my eyes keep getting worse, slowly but surely. If you have glasses or wear contacts, you know how those eye tests go. They show you slide after slide of letters, and you have to say which one looks better. 1 or 2? 2 or 1? Sometimes I tell them....neither! I can barely see either of them, LOL!

Thankfully I now have a say in the style glasses I wear. I like to pick pairs that have smaller frames, because I have a small face. I definitely cannot pull off even the big sunglasses look, I look ridiculous! I do love that look though, just not on me! I have a couple of different frames so that I can change them up depending on the outfit I wear or even my haircolor. I have a light gold pair that looks cute with the new blonde highlights I just got, and a darker pair that will look great for the day I decide to go dark again :)

For all of your prescription eyeglasses needs, you can visit GlassesUSA for affordable prices, easy ordering, and tons of different styles for every face shape!

Disclaimer: This was a paid post - but was written with my honest experiences, opinions, and thoughts.

Digital Room Business Cards Winner!

Digital Room 500 Business Cards Giveaway Winner

#24 - Amanda

Congrats!

I have emailed the winner - winner has 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.

Celebrate Your Motherhood With PeaceLoveMom! (With Giveaway!)

Mothers Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate this Holiday than with a giveaway from a company that celebrates Motherhood? PeaceLoveMom creates tee shirts, tank tops, thermals, and lots of accessories that fully embrace what it is to be a 'Mom'



Being a Mom is my most important role I will have in this life, and I am proud to show that off by wearing tees from PeaceLoveMom. And just because this is a 'Mom' shirt does not mean it's lacking style! The selection you'll find at PeaceLoveMom includes fitted tees, v-necks, bright colors, with a wide selection of different MOM inspired logos so that you can choose the one that fits you and your lifestyle perfectly. And because they understand how busy life gets, and that comfort is an important factor when choosing a wardrobe, they carry a selection of Soft Jersey 100% Cotton v-neck and crew neck tees! Style & Comfort in one!

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the second time I have worked with PeaceLoveMom on a Review, the first was about a year ago....and I am still wearing that shirt on a regular basis! It has held up so well to washing it & wearing it, that's the sign of a well made shirt!

This year to celebrate Mothers Day, I was able to review the Peace Sign Dot Salmon Soft Tee. ($30) This tee is made of 100% soft cotton jersey, has a tapered waist, and a longer length....all great features that I look for in a shirt! The material is very lightweight and feels cool to wear, which will be perfect for the Summer.



The extra length is perfect for me, because I like to make sure there is plenty of material covering my backside if I bend over! LOL! And of course with a young child I am always bending to scoop up my kid, pick up a toy, dropped food, etc. And I am completely covered :)
The soft salmon pink is perfect for Spring and is an instant mood brightener. I will definitely be wearing this tee shirt regularly, and if my experiences are anything like my last PeaceLoveMom tee, it will hold up and last for years to come!

I would like to mention that when ordering, you may want to go up a Size. My tee is a Large, and it is loose and comfy on me but not so much so that I can't wear it. I probably could have worn a Medium, but was unsure so I ordered up. (I currently weigh about 120 pounds) If you need larger sizes they do offer Fuller Cut Women's Tees as well.




PeaceLoveMom also creates accessories designed with your favorite PeaceLoveMom messages, including hats, tote bags (canvas & cotton), belts, jewelry, Stationary, and Baby items!

You can also check out their Kid Line for cute tees for your Children! In fact, I saw a Children's version of the PeaceLoveMom tee I reviewed...we could match! How cute!! I also love their Happy Girl Tee, because it matches my Daughter's personality perfectly :) You have to check out the adorable Happy Baby Onesie, that would make the perfect Baby Shower Gift!


PeaceLoveMom also offers a selection of Fuller Cut Women's Tees which provides cute style with a larger cut.

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL!

GET A FREE TOTE & FREE SHIPPING WITH A PURCHASE OF $75 OR MORE! USE CODE MOM10 WHEN CHECKING OUT!




You can Follow PeaceLoveMom on Twitter or Facebook to stay connected and learn more about sales, coupon codes, and new product news!





One reader is going to win their own PeaceLoveMom Tee Shirt! (Harmony Mom Chocolate Pink Tee!)




Please visit PeaceLoveMom and take a look around at the stylish products they offer! Then come back and tell me the name of one of your favorites!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave an additional comment for every extra entry you complete

1. Follow my Blog
2. Subscribe to my Email Feed/Updates
3. blog about this giveaway (Please leave the link)
4. Become a Fan of Ladybug Soup on Facebook (I guess they changed it to 'like' now...will take some time to get used to that!)
5. Follow me on twitter & send out a tweet about this giveaway - leave the link

Giveaway will end on May 6th 2010 at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be emailed & announced on Ladybug Soup. This winner has 48 hours to reply to the email or a new winner will be chosen.

disclaimer: I received a free product to facilitate this review. no monetary payments were given. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, and different people may have different experiences with products and/or company.

Digital Room Giveaway: 500 Business Cards!

Business cards are the perfect way to spread the word about your company, website, or blog. I know I could have used them many times over the last year, especially since my blog name is a little hard to remember :) And these days I have other info too such as an email address, twitter page, and a Facebook Page that I would like to share with companies or potential readers.




Digital Room provides its customers with high quality, fully customizable business cards that will give you a professional and polished look. You can have full color on both sides of the card, choosing to add whichever images or information you feel is necessary or beneficial. It is completely up to you!

Digital Room has templates you can use to get started, or you can even start from scratch and create a completely unique look. The templates are great for me because I am not the most creative person in the world when it comes to design, and that gives me a great starting point. I also love that with the blank/customizable card I can add my Ladybug Soup images to a Business Car. This makes it much more personal to me and my community will see that when I share the cards with them.

Business Cards can be created for your home business, Etsy Store, your blog, or pretty much anything else you'd like to advertise! my business cards will be designed with an image from my blog, and all of my contact information. Including my blog email address is a must, and I use twitter so much that I would add my twitter web URL too. Others may want to add a phone number, address for the company, or a Facebook Page URL. Each individual can tailor it to fit their needs, thanks to the personalization given by Digital Room.

You can learn more about ordering business cards online by visiting Digital Print and checking out their selection. If you have questions there is a 24 Hour Live Chat Feature that will get you help with your questions/concerns! Great customer service!




One reader will win 500 Business Cards!

(2X3.5", 2X3, or 2X2) Square Card or 1.5X3.5" Slim Card
Full Color Both Sides
Free UPS Ground Shipping
14pt gloss cardstock, 14pt matte cardstock, or 13pt recycled uncoated cardstock




Please leave me a comment telling me what you would like to use these business cards for!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete

1. Follow my Blog
2. Subscribe by email
3. Blog about this Giveaway - leave the link
   
4. follow me on Twitter and tweet about this Giveaway - leave the link
5. Become a Fan of Ladybug Soup on Facebook

US Residents only. Giveaway will end on April 26, 2010 at 10pm CST. Winner chosen via random.org. Winner is announced on Ladybug Soup & emailed directly, then Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: NO monetary payments were made for this post. I will be receiving the same giveaway prize (business cards) as a thank you for my time in posting this review.

My Little Pony Party - All Ready To Go! (Pics)

Well, party day is quickly approaching! Honestly I am really excited to throw it, I cannot wait to see her reaction to her decorations, treats, cake, family, presents, everything! I am just putting the finishing touches on the details, but I have come a long way since last week that's for sure!

The only thing I need to still do is do a deep cleaning on my house...I hate that part of having guests, LOL! Except I can't clean too early because then it will likely be messy again and I'll end up doing it twice. I did deep clean my bathroom yesterday, so I'll just have to do a light sweeping Saturday before the party on Sunday.

Menu is almost taken care of too, we are having some yummy Italian foods like mostacolli, chicken alfredo, cheesy garlic bread, and maybe something else...any ideas on easy Italian appetizers or main dishes I am all ears!

I thought I would share some pics of what I will be working with for decorations, activities, etc.

First up is the activities....which includes an awesome Coloring Castle, Pony Painting Kits, and a My Little Pony version of pin the tail on the donkey. She hasn't seen any of this yet so it will be a fun surprise!

Tableware (a lot found at the dollar store yesterday!) includes hot Pink Cups, 2 Pink tablecloths, one pony tablecloth, silverware, daisy serving tray, pony centerpiece, plates, napkins, pony dessert plates, candles, and 5 packs of My Little Pony stickers that I will use to sprinkle on the tables. I found those on Clearance at Michaels for only 20 cents a pack! (100 stickers in each pack!)

Decorations that I bought for the party includes streamers & balloons. I also have the MLP Hats & Mylar Balloon. I'll fill up a few pink balloons with helium the morning too. Then I will tie the string on the balloon to a My little pony toy (as an anchor) and place it on a few end tables, the main table, etc. I think it will look really cute! We actually have a LOT of My Little Pony toys that we will incorporate into the decorations, so I didn't have to buy much!

I'll also make candy/chocolate suckers for all of the guests to take if they'd like. these are easy, just time consuming when you ave only one mold and you want to do multi-colored lollipops. I also already own green, brown, red, and white so I can make some great designs! I may start that as early as tomorrow, we'll see how it goes!

Party Favors will be a MLP Coloring Book, MLP Board Book, and a pack of MLP Fruit Snacks. Also there will be one bucket of cotton candy for each kid :)

The Coloring Books are too large to go into a treat bag, so I just took some pretty string that we had around the house and wrapped the ribbon around the favors. I'll leave one at each Child's place setting at their table!

All that's left now to do is wait for Saturday...that will be the day when I have to get things done for Sunday. Cleaning of course. Ick. Then I'll prepare the food Saturday night, and then bake it Sunday. I'll also decorate the house Saturday night after she goes to bed, so when she wakes up Sunday it will be a Pony Paradise :) I'll send her and my Husband to the store that morning to get the cake while I finish preparing. Guests will arrive on Sunday at 11:30-12, it's an early party.

She has been so patient...she has been telling me "MY Birthday is coming up!" for well over a month now, LOL! Just a few more days!

Check Out House Party For A Chance to Host Great Parties!

Have you heard of House Party? It's basically a chance for you to throw a party for your friends & family featuring some great products & freebies for your guests too!

You can sign up at houseparty.com and apply for which parties catch your eye. The application process takes a couple of minutes, but the more you apply for the faster they will go :)

Last month I was chosen to host a DiGiorno Pizza & Breadsticks House Party. They sent me a pack of freebies, including some DiGiorno gear like necklaces & an apron, along with free product coupons for DiGiorno Pizza & Breadsticks, a brand new product from DiGiorno.








These all in one boxes include a full sized pizza (currently available in Cheese, Pepperoni, or Supreme) and Breadsticks (Cheesy or Garlic). These combos are perfect for parties when you need an additional appetizer to serve up, and the cheesy bread is completely delicious! Prices are a little high of course, at my store they were listed at $7.99. But you do get a lot of food!

Also you'll want to make sure you have enough room in your freezer! The boxes are BIG! one should fit, but start adding more and you might run out room pretty quickly :) guess you'll just have to start eating them, right?

I have signed up for more of these House Parties, and just recently got chosen for another one from Bic Soleil Razors! That will be a fun day with some Spa Pampering!

Visit House Party - you might just get chosen!

The Ocean Between Us Book Review - By Susan Wiggs - And Special Giveaway With 3 Winners!

Reading books is hands down one of my favorite things to do. I find that I am easily able to escape into a world that is completely different than my own, and get involved with the characters and storyline. Back in November I had the opportunity to review a book from Author Susan Wiggs called Lakeshore Christmas. I loved her writing style and that book quickly became a favorite. Susan is an incredible author who captivates her readers with her honesty, emotion, and relatable characters. She is a #1 New York Times Bestseller, has sold millions of books worldwide, and published her first novel at an astonishing age of 8 years old!

The most recent novel from Susan Wiggs is called The Ocean Between Us. Here is a brief synopsis of the story:

"Steve Bennett is a perfect navy officer with a perfect navy family, and he's confident that his world is just the way it should be. But his son wants to be an artist instead of attending the U.S. Naval Academy, and his stalwart and capable wife of 20 years, Grace, is tired of being the perfect navy wife. She wants her own home, and she wants her own career. She's feeling altogether unsettled, but nothing is more unsettling than the secret her husband has hidden from her their entire marriage. Nothing, that is, until the accident on the carrier."

This story right away grabbed my attention because of our current situation with military serving overseas. I thought it would be an emotional look into the lives of Military families, and I was right. The story follows main character Grace, a Mom of three married to a Navy Pilot. She has spent her entire life playing the role of perfect Navy Wife, but along the way forgot about herself and her own wants, dreams, and potential. As her kids get older she realizes it is the perfect time to start acting on her dreams, but finds that her Husband isn't exactly on board with her plans. As Grace turns 40, she finds herself finally wanting something different in her life, but will she lose her Husband in the process?

Along the way you also get to follow some other character lines and point-of-views, which I really enjoy in a book. I like to know the main characters thoughts, but it's great when the book skips around and is told from other people's point of view. It really keeps it interesting and gives you a new take on the situation and story. I especially liked reading her Children's story lines, it brought back some of my teenage/high school memories and I found myself sympathizing with their struggles.

Grace also has some great friends that are also Navy Wives, and the book follows them and lets their struggles, triumphs, and heartaches be told as well. Starting a Family, dealing with loss, infertility, saying goodbye, feeling lost, and the strong love between a Husband and Wife are just some of the topics you'll be sharing with these characters. As a wife and Mom there were so many great Female characters that I became attached to as I read more and more of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Ocean Between Us...in fact I have the bags under my eyes as proof! I have been staying up way too late reading this book, unable to put it down. That's how I know a book is really good and worth reading. I will also admit that more than a few tears were shed while reading this book, it is definitely a story that will touch your heart. Military wives will probably find a common bond with these characters, and be able to relate well to their experiences. As a non-service family this book gave me an inside peek at what Family's go through when they are in the Military, and for that I appreciate this book even more.

This is my second opportunity to read a book by Susan Wiggs, and once again I was impressed. I will definitely be picking up more titles by her in the future! in fact, I just learned on her website that she will soon be releasing a short story introducing the main characters of this book, Grace and Charlie! I can't wait to read more about how this couple got their start!

The Ocean Between Us is available for Pre-Order on Amazon for approx $10! Retail locations have books for approx $14.95.

You can also visit Susan Wiggs' Website to learn more about this best selling author and to see a complete list of her titles.

I have a very special Giveaway for my readers!

*One Grand Prize Winner will receive a copy of this Book The Ocean Between Us and a $25 Visa Gift Card to get a little renewal in your life!

*Two additional winners will receive copies of this book!

That's 3 lucky winners who will all get a chance to enjoy Susan Wigg's latest book The Ocean Between Us!

Please leave a comment telling me the name of a favorite book, or the last book you read!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave an extra comment for every extra entry you complete

1. Follow this blog using Google Friend Connect
   
2. Subscribe to my Blog by Email
3. Blog about this Giveaway (leave the link please)
4. Become a Fan of Ladybug Soup on Facebook
5. Add my Blog Button to your website/blog
6. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet about this Giveaway

Giveaway will end on May 4th at 10pm CST. Giveaway is open to US addresses only. Winner will be chosen via random.org. Winner will then be emailed & announced here on Ladybug Soup, and winner has 72 hours to reply to that email or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: NO monetary payments were received for this post. I received a complimentary copy of the mentioned book to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own & different people may have different experiences with product.

Creativity For Kids - Coloring & ARTivity Books - With A Giveaway!

Coloring is one of my toddler's favorite activities! We often use coloring in the craft activities that we do together, since it is an easy way for her to contribute and add her own little touch to the craft.

If you are a regular Ladybug Soup reader, you know how I love using Creativity For Kids products with my daughter. We have had the best experiences using crafts from Creativity For Kids, so I was really excited to see how they did with their Coloring & ARTivity Books, Crayons,
and Colored Pencils.

There are currently 18 different varieties of Coloring ARTivity Books with themes that will appeal to both boys and girls. You can choose a theme that also is geared toward your desired age group, with some activities perfect for the younger crowd (like my daughter) and also more advanced activities that would be perfect for a school aged Child.

Some of the Coloring ARTivity Books include designs & themes such as:

• Sea Creatures
• Ballet
• Farms
• Fairies
• Wheels
• Fashion
• Horses
• Robots

Inside these spiral bound books you will find different activities depending on which themed book you choose. A few examples are coloring sheets, mazes, paper dolls, connect the dots, stickers, puzzles, games, and so much more!


MY THOUGHTS:

I was able to choose an Coloring & ARTivity Book to review (along with the help of my daughter of course!) and I picked the Pretty Princesses Coloring & ARTivity Book. There were so many that I liked, but I eventually decided that this book had the best age appropriate activities for her...and she adores Princesses, so it worked out perfectly!

Along with the book, we received the 12 Jumbo Triangular Crayons set and Colored Pencils so that she would be all set to color & create once the book arrived. The Crayons are non toxic and leave smooth marks, with no waxy build up. The shape is great for my daughter's little hands to grip and helps promote hand eye coordination. I thought the colors included in the box were great too, and appreciated that a light & dark version of both the green and blue were included. The Colored Pencils were also triangular, which prevented them from rolling off my Daughter's table! My pencils were colored EcoPencils, and were made from reforested wood. Like the crayons, these are non-toxic....a must for every Child.

The Book itself is made with high quality papers that work well with Faber-Castell Children's art Supplies like crayons, markers, oil pastels, colored pencils, and more! Each coloring book is spiral bound, which I LOVED!! I am sure other Moms understand the pain of coloring books not staying open because they are not spiral bound. the pages don't lay flat, and it can be frustrating for the Child (& Mom too!) Well, you will not have any problems when you use a Coloring ARTivity book from Creativity For Kids! I did notice that this book held my Daughter's attention longer than her other coloring books, and I think a part of that was because it was so easy for her to use, and comfortable to use as well.

Having Fun Coloring!

Some of the Stickers included in Our Book!

Our book also came with perforated pages so that I can easily tear out a sheet and proudly display it on our fridge :)

She drew this Princess - can you see her yellow crown? I was pretty impressed!

I also loved how affordable these Coloring & ARTivity Books are. Prices for ARTivity Books start at just $3.99!!They would make the perfect rainy day activity for your Child, or pair them with the crayons & colored pencils for the perfect Birthday Gift for all of those Birthday parties your Child will be going to this Spring & Summer!



Visit Creativity For Kids to check out their amazing selection of arts and crafts activities for Kids!

Coloring & ARTivity Books range from $3.99 - $7.99

You can make purchases online through their website or by finding a store near you that sells their products.




One reader will win their choice of a Coloring & ARTivity Book, a set of Faber-Castell 12-Count Jumbo Triangular Colored EcoPencils, and 12 Count Jumbo Triangular Crayons!




Please visit Creativity For Kids and check out their selection of Coloring & ARTivity Books, then leave a comment telling me which one you liked the most!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete.

1. Follow my Blog
2. Subscribe to my blog by email
3. Become a Fan of Ladybug Soup on Facebook
4. Blog about this Giveaway
5. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet about this Giveaway. You can use something like this Tweet if you'd like:
   Win your choice of Coloring & ARTivity Book - with Crayons & Colored Pencils From Creativity For Kids & Faber-Castell! http://bit.ly/9QYa34

Giveaway will close on May 3rd at 10pm CST. Contest is open to US & Canadian residents. winner will be chosen via random.org and will be emailed & announced on ladybug Soup. Winner has 72 hours to reply to email or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: NO monetary payments were received for this post. I received complimentary products to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and different people may have different experiences with products and/or company.

Facebook Freebies!

Facebook Freebies are everywhere lately!

Become a Fan of Philosophy on Facebook & Get a free sample of Miracle Worker Moisturizer
(Thanks Mom Central!)


Become a Fan of M& M's & sign up for a free sample of M&M's Pretzels (YUM!)
(thanks Cha-Ching on a Shoestring!)


Become a Fan of Kraft & receive a coupon for a free box or Cup of Cheesy Explosion Mac & Cheese
(Thanks Money Saving Mom!)


I have been loving the freebies & coupons coming from Facebook lately! It's introduced me to some new products....yesterday I just got my sample of the pretzel/Ritz combo crackers and they were pretty good!

Ladybug Soup on Facebook

New Weight Loss Update

Quick Weight Loss Update!

I have really been sticking to the 30 Day Shred this time! Level 3 was just what I needed to push myself to the next level...and I feel so strong when I do the workout!

Two nights ago I added in 10 minutes of non-stop jogging in place and that sucked. My legs felt like they were going to fall off, but I didn't stop. I actually just zoned out and stopped feeling the pain, only focused on my body doing the movements and that I was in control. It felt great! Do I think that I could be a runner? Not so much! But I am going to try to add that in everyday, it's a great addition to my Shred workout.

But today?? I can't walk. It started last night and when I woke up today I was in so much pain in my legs. I can hobble, drag, and stumble around but that's about it! It makes me a tad annoyed because I really want to workout today. But I may just do things with my arms or some moves that don't strain my legs too badly. Guess that running worked some new muscles that were being missed!

Does anyone else have different scales give you different weights? My scale at home is very friendly lately. When I started January 1st my scale was consistently at 134. Now the last week my scale is consistently at 120. Do I think I actually weigh 120? Um no. When I go to my Mom's to visit I weigh myself on her scale, and yesterday it put me at 122. I think 122 is more accurate.

But I guess if I was always at 134 and now I am staying at 120 this week, I think it's safe to save I have lost 14 pounds. Maybe 12. Either way, that is freaking awesome! and my skinny jeans? I have been wearing them allll day. Breathing & everything :)

Sometimes I feel so foggy headed...and lazy. I think it's being in the house everyday that does it. But working out makes me feel more clear and awake. And gives me a boost. Dare I say, I like to exercise??

For today, anyway!

however, I do not like not eating delicious, fattening foods. Some days I have really strong cravings that I have to fight through. That part is harder than any exercise routine.

Birthday Gift Ideas For My Soon To Be 3 Year Old!

So now that I have shared how unprepared I am for the Birthday party, I thought I would also admit that I am very behind on getting a gift too.

I originally wanted to get one 'main' gift that was big...taking up the bulk of the money we spend on her. I was at first thinking a princess toddler bed, because I know she wants one. But I decided to wait on that...only because she has NO interest in climbing out of her crib (thought hasn't crossed her mind...shhh! don't tell her!) and she is doing awesome at sleeping through the night, all night every night.

I just have this vision of her crawling out of her bed at 3AM, bringing a chair to the cupboard, grabbing a cookie, and putting the living room tv on Dora....LOL!

So I will wait on that a little longer, until she shows signs that she is done with her crib. She seems fine there for now.

So what else is there? She has an easel, a play kitchen & play food. She as a bike (she couldn't figure the thing out last summer so we'll try again this year!), we don't have a backyard so there are SO many things we can't get her. Although she does have a sandbox/water station on our deck that she enjoys. Have I mentioned I want a house?? Yeah. I do.

All of the things I can think of are not big, main items, but maybe that's okay? Here are a few things I can think of that she might like:

Puzzles. One of her Grandmas has Disney princess puzzles that she likes to take out when we got there. If we had one here, we'd be able to finish one


Little People - she already has a nice collection going, but she loves them. She especially loves the little sets that come with a portable house, playground, etc. She can play with those imaginative toys forever... This Take Along CampSite is cute!



I like this Radio Flyer My 1st Scooter in Pink. I am unsure about this one. she doesn't like her bike because of the pedals, so I thought maybe this would be fun because she could push herself along. It's supposed to be good for 2 & up & beginners...which my daughter definitely is.




Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress Up She'd have fun dressing these little dolls!


I found a ton of games that I really think she would love. The good thing about her growing up is that she can understand more & play with new toys that she couldn't before. Here are a few faves!

International Playthings Honey Bee Tree - Pull numbered leaves one at a time, trying not to upset honeybees! Pull out the wrong leaf and the bees come tumbling out!


Sleepy Princess and the Pea. Looks like a cute game, especially since she is in her princess phase :) Comes with the Fairytale, and you have to carefully stack mattresses so they don't fall! The bonus is the cute princess figurine & bed...I am sure she'd even love playing with those after the game is over!



EeBoo Picnic Game - This got great reviews on Amazon and looks like a fun way to encourage healthy eating habits. Spin to get all of your food groups added to your plate, watch out for ants! First one to fill their plate with one of every group wins!



I also like some games like Hi Ho Cherry O, Don't Break the Ice, and that little Fishing Game. But those can easily be purchased at most stores, so I may just add those to her list that relatives are asking for.

I'd love to find more activities that get her moving & outside, especially with the warm weather coming.

Alex Toys Monster Toss - cute bean bag toss game!



Pure Fun Kids Jumper Trampoline - I think this would help her get out some of her built up energy :) Looks fun, but I am unsure if it's good for her age group....She has jumped on a big trampoline at a gymnastics class, and she liked that!


Do any of you own this kind of trampolines? I would love an opinion on them!

***I wrote this post yesterday morning, and last night I bought the Honey Bee Game & the Picnic Game. We are going to Toys R Us & Creative Kidstuff this weekend to check out some more toys in person. Sometime that's easier than shopping online!



We also bought this Neat-Oh Zip Bin Mini Zoo ($9.42) (above) because she has a ton of little animal figurines that she adores. And she likes to bring them places! With this toy you carry the toys in the zip up bin, then when you want to play, just unzip it & you have a zoo landscape. It's perfect for her because she uses her imagination so much with those animals, so this will just give her a bonus way to play. It looks like a 'Boy' toy but she already has so many doll houses that we decided to go with the zoo :) And she happily plays with 'boy' or 'girl' toys so it works well.

AND I ordered the cake yesterday, picked a date (then changed it...but I think it's final now) and looked around a few stores to price check balloons, streamers, etc. And my Child was perfectly behaved in every store I dragged her to yesterday, which helped tremendously. Thanks for that Little One!!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the trampoline, scooter, or any of your Child's favorite toys (at this age) Thanks!!

Upcoming Birthday & I Am SO Not Ready!

My daughter will be three in less than two weeks.

Scary, right?

What's almost as scary is that I have pretty much nothing set in stone for the party details. I haven't even picked a date & time!! I had a day, but then found out my Mom works....and she is such a big part of our lives, I really want her to be there. So, alas I have no date.

I am giving a quick checklist of things I need to get done that will help me with planning. I am going to be a busy mama!




PICK DATE/TIME - As you already read, this is not taken care of yet! I could do an early party & start at noon so my Mom could stay for 2 1/2 hours. Or I could do the party the weekend after my daughter's real birthday. Still thinking on that one....

LOCATION - Uh huh....still kinda undecided! My house would work, although it's small. My sister has a great place with a beautiful backyard, grill, the works. That would make a better party place but I may feel like it's not actually me who is throwing the party...

GUEST LIST - Ugh. This is decided already...only Family is coming. My daughter doesn't have any daycare friends or anything to invite, and I don't have any close friends that have kids. (tear!) So Family it is. Both sides. In one house. Yup.

THEME - DONE!! Wow, I actually have this ready to go!! I got some (a lot) of help from Birthday Express, and my Daughter is going to have a very cute My Little Pony Party!

DECORATIONS - Again, mostly finished! We have plates, napkins, party hats, balloons, table cloth, a cute centerpiece, and an adorable personalized birthday banner.

I do have to go to my local party store (or the dollar store) and pick up some streamers and more balloons...planning on doing that this weekend.

FOOD/MENU - Not sure yet! If it's at my house, it will be simple, easy to make & serve foods...if I go to my Sister's I'd like a BBQ!

ACTIVITIES - I got a really fun Coloring Castle for my Daughter to color at the party, along with her little Cousins. I also bought 2 packs of these clay horses (Pony Painting Party Activity) that come with a set of paints, that they can have fun decorating too!

I think I *may* pick up a Pinkie Pie Game at Party City. It's kind of like pin the tail on the donkey, except you place the cutie mark on Pinkie Pie :)

And I am skipping the foodoodler cookies, only because I am too cheap to spend the money, LOL! I could get much more for the same amount of money - and that $15 could be spent on the cake.

PARTY FAVORS - the ponies that they paint will double as a favor. I also have My Little Pony books I got from the dollar section of Target that I will hand out as favors. Maybe My Little Pony fruit snacks too.

CAKE - no clue. Obviously sticking with the theme...maybe store bought, but still unsure. I am heading to a couple places to check out their styles...hopefully they just make a sheet cake with that design. I am not too creative in this area :)


The only thing I wish I had was a My Little Pony shirt for her to wear on her special day. There are a few etsy sellers that make them, but those require time which I don't really have. Plus they get expensive too. I am trying not to spend too much money on this. I am hoping I will get lucky and find one in a store, but not counting on it. I guess a pretty dress could work just as well!

*The links to decorations are part of an upcoming review opportunity that I will post about after the party :)

I Has A Hotdog Book Review & Giveaway (3 Winners!)

I HAS A BWAIN!!

An you thawt we dint! Now Professor Happycat tells you what's in it and, from I HAS A HOTDOG.com and beyond, lets over 200 LOLdogs loose on the world, all barking the truth about kibble, toys, and bad kitties. This collection of favorites and never-before-seen photos will have you barking for more!

For all you hoomins, a LOLdog is a kay-nine picture with a funny, misspelled caption.

The I Has A Hotdog Book is full of adorable pictures of dogs paired with a hysterical caption of what that dog was really thinking. Need an example? How about this!

Love that! you always hear about the dog eating the homework...well here's his side of the story! And he's right, the kid probably wouldn't have turned it in anyway! HA!

When I saw I had the chance to review this book, I was so excited! It's brought to us by Ben Huh (aka Professor Happycat) who is them mastermind behind Internet blog sensations I Has a Hotdog, I Can Has a Cheezburger?, and Fail Blog. Yes, fail blog....the website my Husband checks out every single day and literally laughs out loud at! When he saw this book on our table, he was as excited (probably more) as a Kid would be! It was so funny! Apparently my Husband is a huge fan of Ben's :) (By the way, if you have time you should definitely check those blogs out...they will make you smile!)

I Has a Hotdog would make the perfect gift for any dog lover. Most pet owners can relate to so many of the situations that these dogs find themselves in. It would also be a great book to have out on your coffee table or in a guest room, as it is a great conversation starter and makes people smile!




You can Become a Fan of I Has A Hotdog(aka LOLDogs) on Facebook!

Also be sure to follow them on Twitter!




You can purchase I Has A Hotdog from Amazon for about 48.64 - on sale right now!




I have 3 copies of I Has A Hotdog to giveaway to 3 readers!




Please leave a comment telling me something your pet (current or past pet is fine!) has done that has made you laugh or smile!

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Giveaway will end on April 27th at 10pm Cst. winner is chosen via random.org and has 72 hours to reply to my email or a new winner will be chosen. US & Canadian Residents only.

disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the mentioned book to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and 100% honest. Different people may have different experiences with product and/or company. Thank you to to Hatchette Book Group and The Product Review Place for this review/giveaway opportunity!