Shout Go Play Initiative - Get Outside & Play Without Worrying About Stains!

Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, a big one being all of the family friendly activities you can take part in.  There are pumpkin patches, apple farms, hayrides...not to mention just getting out in the cool Fall air and playing in the leaves!

Allowing Children to explore and play lets them build life long lessons such as problem solving, conflict resolution, as well as independence and creativity.  One of our Family's favorite brands, Shout, has started a Shout Go Play Initiative to help educate Parents in the importance of unstructured play and to inspire families to get outside and play!  And of course, with Shout as your stain fighter, you won't have to worry about your little one's clothes getting wrecked with grass stains or mud :)

Shout sent me some helpful products to keep our laundry looking great, no matter how hard we play in them!  The first product I got to try was the Shout Color Catcher.  I am pretty sure this product was made for me specifically...or maybe just for Moms who want to save a step and save some time.  

The Shout Color Catcher allows you to mix in whites and colors and prevents color runs.  You simply throw a sheet in with your laundry in the washing machine, and this cloth catches any color that may run...and prevents it from getting on your other clothes.  I tend to have the habit of not separating my clothes properly, so this has been a great laundry saving product that I have gotten a lot of use out of.

 

 The Shout Triple Acting stain Remover is a great, easy to use product.  You simply spray the product on your stain, rub in, then wait 1-5 minutes.  Then you throw it in your laundry in the warmest water the fabric will accept.  I really like the convenient spray feature, easy and fast is a plus when doing chores!

 The last product I was able to try from Shout was their Shout Advanced ultra concentrated gel formulated for heavy duty stains.  my Daughter had a little ice cream treat after dinner one night, and of course it ended up all over her shirt.  Toddlers and ice cream don't mix :)  I figured it would be the perfect time to try out this product.

 BEFORE

AFTER

Of course part of their message is to get outside and get some great playtime in! Growing Tree Toys is a website that offers a wide variety of learning toys for every age group...from birth and up!  They also have a great selection of outdoor toys to help your kids make the last of this weather before the snow sets in!

I didn't just get to try the laundry products, they also sent me this fun set of cards 52 Activities in Nature.  This set offers 52 cards each with a creative activity or idea to help spice up your playtime and get your children using their imaginations!  

It was so fun tog o through and read these cards because it gave me ideas that I never would have thought of otherwise.  Many of them let you use your different senses, like listening and naming all of the things you hear in Nature.  Or going on a Scavenger hunt for different items.  I also loved the idea to find items in Nature that can be used as a musical instrument or making Twig Dolls!

This set of cards would make a great stocking stuffer or a gift for a Daycare Provider or pre-school teacher!  You can purchase it on Amazon for about $6.95.

Be sure to check out Shout cleaning products to keep your clothing looking fresh and stain free!

Disclaimer: I received the mentioned products free of charge from Shout. All opinions expressed are my own and different people may have different experiences with product and/or company.

Find the Perfect Holiday Card at Shutterfly - Plus an Opportunity to Get Free Cards!

It's almost November! Can you believe it?  The time has passed by so quickly, and before you know it the Holiday Season will be upon us. It seems like we were just celebrating Christmas, and now here we are again!

In preparation for the Holidays, I have started thinking about Holiday cards.  In fact, we have a little photo shoot scheduled for next weekend and I plan to get some good shots for a Christmas card.  I always like to one of just my Daughter and a second image of a family shot. This year will be even more fun because I have this cute baby bump to show off! 

Shutterfly has an amazing selection of stationary and cards this year.  I have been looking through the site and really love so many of the different styles of Holiday Cards

Since my first thought was to include 2 images in our card, I was quick to call the Spot The Snowflakes Christmas Card a favorite!  The top image would be an individual of my daughter, and the bottom image could be a family picture. And since Christmas is all about snow here in Minnesota, the snowflake theme fits perfectly!

I also love this Be Merry Design. Some holiday photo cards may be going to people who celebrate a different holiday than you, and this design would be perfect for that.  If my baby was due a little sooner, I would love to have both of my girls smiling faces on these ornaments!

And maybe we will have so many favorites, it will be too hard just one or two images for our card! This third design is great because you get to add so many wonderful pictures...

I think the most important part of a Holiday Card should be showing your personality to your friends and family.  You can pick something cute and cheery, or go for a simple monogrammed design.  Shutterfly makes it easy to upload your photos and choose your design, taking the hassle out of sending cards!

You can also find a great selection of New Years cards and Christmas invitations at Shutterfly!  I am going to make a special effort to order min early this year, so that I will be ready to send them once the Holidays arrive.  When you are doing last minute shopping, cookie baking, and present wrapping, you will be so happy that you went to Shutterfly right away and ordered your cards.  One less thing to worry about when the rush sets in!

Bloggers - Special Offer!!

Do you want 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly? Click here to go to Shutterfly for information on how you can get 50 free cards this holiday season, and make sure to select Clever 1000 as the referral source.

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Meet The Double Duty Divas - Facebook Edition - Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Recently I joined a network of wonderful bloggers called Double Duty Divas!  Joining this group of women is a great way to get blog support, make new friends, and grow your blog by having the opportunity to work with some great companies and get your blog name out there for people to see.

It's completely free to join Double Duty Divas, and you may even get some great review & giveaway opportunities out of it too! They are also hosting a Reviewers Retreat that caters especially to bloggers that review items/resources on their site! It's taking place at the family friendly Great Wolf Lodge, and for more info you can visit ReviewersRetreat.Com

The Double Duty Divas are currently having a 'Meet The Divas Facebook Edition' Contest that is super easy to enter....winner gets a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

All you have to do is choose any of the following Divas to 'Like' on Facebook. You can do one, or you can do them all!  For each page you 'like' leave a comment and you will get an additional entry into this contest. The more you Fan/Like, the more chances you have to win! (possibility of 11 total entries!)

Ladybug Soup

Fabulous Won

Children Teaching Mama

Embracing Beauty

Katie's Nesting Spot

Being Alison

Biz Mommy

The Coupon Sista

Sassy Moms in the City

Upstate Ramblings

Mama's Money Savers

Remember to leave a comment for everyone that you go and 'Like' on Facebook!

Giveaway will end on 11/5/10 at 10pm CST.

Our Early Halloween Fun at The Zoo!

On Saturday we visited a local zoo for their Halloween Celebration! We visited last year too and had such a great time that we wanted to go again this year. Basically the kids get dressed up and walk through the zoo...trick or treating at different stations they have set up. It's decorated with painted wooden figures, lights, pumpkins, and plenty of other interesting things too. there's also adult volunteers dressed up in friendly costumes to greet and dance with the kids while they visit.

My Little Monkey Ready To Go!

We got to bring along my mom, which was really fun! She loved seeing my daughter enjoy herself, and got to see firsthand just how completely outgoing, hyper, and excited about life my little girl is. She would bound up to the volunteers and talk to them, hug them, and jump up and down while she talked to them. She was so happy to be there! That's one of the many things I love about her.....she is outgoing and genuinely loves to meet people and make 'friends'

She could have danced with these girls the whole evening!

Afterward we headed over to their carousel for a pony ride...she loves to ride ponies! These were HUGE, I swear she was SO high up! It also went pretty fast and she looked like she was having a great time.

When we were heading back to the car, we had to have some last minute fun in the Fall leaves :)

I think that she thinks that visiting the Zoo was our Halloween! lol! I can't wait to take her out trick or treating on Halloween night, it is going to be so much fun! She'll think she got two Halloweens :)

Crazy Dog T Shirts Review & GIveaway!

My Husband usually wears button down dress shirts to work, but on the weekends he loves to just relax and go out in a tee shirt and jeans. I am the same way, especially being pregnant....I like to be comfortable!

Wearing a tee shirt with a little personality is a great way to express yourself and lift your mood! You can tell a lot about a person from the clothes they wear! If you are looking for a great tee shirt for yourself or someone in your family, you'll definitely want to check out Crazy Dog T Shirts!

A Few of My Faves From Crazy Dog T Shirts!

For this Review, I decided to get a Men's Tee for my husband to wear. I let him pick his own shirt out form their website, and he chose the Callahan T shirt in Green. When he showed me what he picked, I think he thought he was going to have to explain the shirt to me.....but he was wrong! I knew right away it was Callahan Auto parts from the movie Tommy Boy! In High School I loved all of Chris Farley's movies, and Tommy Boy is totally a classic.

My Husband sporting his Callahan auto Parts Tee Shirt!

This tee shirt fit him really well, and was extra soft too. His favorite color is green, so it worked out perfectly that they had a green available in this design. I also loved the dark green color, it looks really rich and bold. And although he was nervous for me to wash it ( I may have a rep for shrinking things) I am happy to announce the tee came out looking great. Same size, and not faded!

Crazy Dog Tees has so many funny tees to choose from, you are sure to find something perfect for someone you know. I also love their selection of Halloween shirts!

I could definitely see a guy wearing this tee to a Halloween party...maybe a work party! It makes people laugh & gets them talking :) (On Sale for only $5 right now!)

You'll also find plenty of Sales going on at Crazy Dog Tees, including a $6.99 Daily Tee Shirt deal that changes throughout the week. That is a great price on a shirt you are sure to get a ton of use out of!

How would you like to win your own Crazy Dog Tee Shirt?? One winner will get to choose any shirt ($16.99 or less)

Please visit Crazy Dog T Shirts and tell me which shirt you liked from their website!

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

1. Follow my Blog
2. Subscribe to my Blog
3. 'Like' Ladybug Soup on Facebook
4. Follow Ladybug Soup on Twitter
   
5. Tweet, blog, or send out a Facebook post about this giveaway. One entry for each you do to spread the word, and leave the link!

Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Giveaway will end on November 2nd at 10pm CST. Winner will be emailed & has 72 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. Winners are chosen via random.org

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and different people may have different experiences with product and/or company.

Bebe au Lait: Stylish Nursing Covers Review & Giveaway!

I was fortunate enough to have a great nursing experience with my Daughter. Of course it wasn't easy, and I had those days where it was painful and was frustrating. But we got through it and we both learned to nurse like champs!

The only downside I found was that I wasn't able to feed her while we were out and about. My trips out of the house would be planned around her feedings, which wasn't always convenient. I tried to nurse her a few times in public, throwing a receiving blanket over us for coverage. That did not work for us and was more hassle than good. The blanket would slip, or it would be a hot day.....and although I am all for nursing however you'd like, not using a cover would not have been my style.

This time around, I will have help from my Bebe au Lait Nursing Cover! Their nursing covers are not only gorgeous, but they are very functional as well.

(Image from Bebe au Lait Website)

They have many patterns to choose from at Bebe au Lait. There are pinks, blues, black and white, and so many more! It was hard to pick only one, but I ended up choosing the beautiful Ascot pattern. I loved the Asian inspired floral pattern and the colors are so pretty together.

These covers offer a rigid neckline, which allows an opening for baby to stay cool and a space for you to see the baby and maintain that special eye contact. The strap that goes around your neck is also adjustable, making it possible to find a fit that works for you and your baby. The rigid neckline is not the least bit pokey or uncomfortable either. It just maintains its shape perfectly and will maintain its shape even after you wash it time and time again.

Adjustable neckline!

Another great extra is that it comes with 2 built in burp cloth corners, just in case you need a little extra help for those drips and spills that are sure to occur!

The covers are generously over sized, giving every woman enough material to feel comfortable and stay covered, no matter their body type. The problem I had with the blanket slipping off won't happen with this cover...with the neck strap, rigid neckline, and ample material, this nursing cover will make nursing possible wherever we end up. This means I won't be stuck in my house for feeding times, which will be perfect when I have a little toddler who likes to be on the go!

Even if your nursing days are over, you may still be attending baby showers for friends and family. a nursing Cover from Bebe au Lait would make a wonderful gift for an expecting Mom. It will show them that they have support for their decision to breastfeed (if they are choosing that route) and it will give them a stylish way to stay covered. I only wish I had known more about nursing covers when I had my Daughter a few years ago, it would have made such a big
difference for me!

Nursing Covers from Bebe au Lait are approx $35 each. They are currently offering Free Shipping for a limited time, so it's a great time to buy!

Bebe au Lait also offers a variety of other baby essentials, like Burp Cloths, Reversible Bibs, and Hooded Towels. They even have Organic Nursing Covers, made of hand selected organic materials!

One reader will win their own nursing cover from Bebe au Lait!

Please visit Bebe au Lait and then leave me a comment telling me the name of a product or pattern that you liked!

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

1. Follow Bebe au Lait on Facebook
2. Follow Bebe au Lait on Twitter
3. Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect
4. Subscribe to my Blog by Email
5. Follow Ladybug Soup on Twitter
   
6. 'Like' Ladybug Soup on Facebook
7. Tweet OR Blog about this Giveaway - please leave the link to your tweet or post in your comment

Giveaway will end on October 28th at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced on ladybug soup & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to reply to this email or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions give are 100% honest and my own. Different people may have different experiences with product and/or company.

Encourage Hand Washing For Your Children With SoapSoundz!

Flu Season is already here again, and it's more important than ever to make sure that our kids are staying healthy. The best way to do this? Teach your children the importance of washing their hands! Spending a day out of the house puts kids (and Parents) in contact with all kinds of people and germy surfaces. Shopping carts, playgrounds, play dates....you can pick up a sickness pretty easily.

A lot of times kids see hand washing as another chore.....something they will fight you on and hate doing. If this sounds like a struggle you see in your household, you may want to check out SoapSoundz Musical Hand Soap!


These Hygiene Products combine audio technology with hand soaps and sanitizers that will give your child a new and exciting way to wash their hands!

Soap Sounds currently offers 3 different lines to fit your family's needs.

• Their Hygiene Heroes line was made especially for Children, to encourage washing and teach proper techniques.

• Their Seasons Harmony Line is a festive way to add Holiday decorations to your kitchen or bathroom throughout the year!

• Their Earthtones Line is an all natural alternative for everyday use

We were sent a bottle of the Captain Clean Hands in a yummy Rocket Raspberry scent. Their Hygiene Heroes line is especially fun because of the bright colors and cheery tunes...not to mention the fun scents! These soaps are sure to get your kids to want to wash their hands more often and for the right length of time....no more hand washing struggles!

When your Child is ready to wash their hands, they simply use the pump and the fun tunes will start to play. The song will last about 20 seconds, the same length of time that the CDC recommends for hand washing.

My Daughter was really excited to try out her new soap from SoapSoundz. I told her about the song that would play, and that she should wash her hands for the entire song, then rinse. It worked perfectly! It was nice to have a little help when it comes to remembering the length of time to wash, because of course I can get sidetracked or rushed. It also made her feel independent because she could tell me when it was time to rinse....and to a 3 year old getting to help with everyday things makes them SO much happier.

I would definitely be interested in purchasing their Seasons Harmony Soaps too, since Christmas is right around the corner.Winterberry and Sugar Cookie would be perfect for my bathroom this Winter!

To view all of the available scents from SoapSoundz you can visit their website and choose which Line you would like to see more of. Each Soap goes for approx $5.89 a bottle.

Be sure to stay connected with the latest news and promotions by Following SoapSoundz on Twitter and Liking them on Facebook!


Disclamier: I received a bottle of soap in exchange for an honest review. All opinions given are my own and different people may have different experiences with company and/or product.

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Clorox Week 3 and 4 Winners

Week 3 Winner

#1

Mami2jcn

Congrats!



Week 4 Winner

#121

itsme

Congrats!!

Both winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to reply! Thanks to everyone that entered!

My Tooth Ache Rant

I am sitting here waiting for a call back from the Oral Surgeon's Office. Last Monday I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst tooth pain of my life.

That was on the 27th.

Since then I have been on antibiotics (almost done) and I had the tooth pulled on Tuesday afternoon. I hoped that after the extraction I would feel relief....after a day or two. But now it's Friday, and I still can barely sleep at night from the pain. It feels just as bad as it was before the thing was pulled.

The antibiotics seem to have done nothing for me. Since I am pregnant, I can't take Ibuprofen...which is absolutely the only thing that worked when I had my wisdom teeth out. I take Tylenol, which does nothing.

I am so tired of being in pain, I could scream. I want it to stop! I'm now worried that either I have a dry socket or maybe they pulled a tooth that wasn't the problem. It still feels like there is something going on, something isn't right.


I am trying to get in today to the oral surgeon that performed the extraction. I just want them to check if it's a dry socket, or to tell me that there is a good blood clot formed. If I am still in this kind of pain on Monday, I will absolutely cry. It feels like I'll never get relief, that nobody actually knows what is going on.


And being pregnant has me worried even more! I am scared of getting an infection that could harm the baby...I think the antibiotics are helping with that but there is still so much pain involved, it makes me kinda freak.

Let's hope they call me back soon and I can get in today, and get a professional to look at it for me. Wish me luck!

UPDATE: I just got back from their office. They said I had a partial clot, but it wasn't complete. They put some of their medicine pack on the area, so I am praying that will help heal the spot and give me some relief.

She gently flushed the area out, and that hurt really badly. I rinsed the area before I left, and there was still food back there. I have no clue how I am supposed to keep the area clean, since apparently plain rinsing didn't do much. She gave me one of her rinsing/flushing syringes but told me not to use it for a week. until then I am hoping that food doesn't get stuck back there and make it hurt more.

Honestly, I am just so tired of being in pain.

Both the Dr & Nurse thought it would start to heal more now, but told me to come back on Monday if it was still giving me problems. I am just praying for some relief and for it to heal properly.

Healthy Choice Steaming Entrees Blog Tour

I love a quick and easy lunch, something I can just pop in the microwave and that won't keep me tied up in the kitchen long (that comes later for dinner!) But sometimes when you buy those frozen meals, you get a lot of extra calories, extra grams of fat, and ingredients that you can't even pronounce and have no clue what they are doing in your food.

The new Steaming Entrees from Healthy Choice are the perfect solution to this problem. They offer an affordable meal with fresh ingredients in a clear package that actually lets you see what the meal looks like before you buy it.

You'll find a delicious variety of meals to choose from, with abundant veggies and meats like chicken or even shrimp. This Rosemary Chicken & Sweet Potatoes meal is just 170 Calories and 2.5 Grams of Fat. It's a great choice for a quick lunch at work or if you are busy at home chasing a toddler, like me.


Mom Central sent me 2 Healthy Choice Steaming Entrees to try out, and it could not have come at a better time. My Husband has been eating healthy and working out...just trying to lose a little weight and feel healthier overall. He absolutely loved these steamers! He ate one a night for a dinner, and then actually went and stocked up on more Healthy Choice meals for the rest of his week. He is still buying them regularly, in fact I have a few varieties in my freezer right now. I love that the packaging shows you the fresh ingredients that are included in your meal, and that the steam makes your food flavorful and crisp. I have eaten plenty of 'healthy' frozen meals and Healthy Choice meals taste the most fresh and healthy to me.

Whether you are looking to watch your calories while you lose weight or are just looking for a healthy lunch idea, I would definitely recommend trying out these new Steaming Entrees!

CONNECT!

To stay updated on new products & promotions, be sure to Like Healthy Choice on Facebook!

MORE INFO:

You can learn more about Healthy Choice Steaming Entrees at the Healthy Choice Website. Approx price for a meal is $2.50, and our store has had them on Sale for $1.99.


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received samples of their new steaming entrées to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Week 4 of Emergency Preparedness Month - With Final Giveaway

Welcome to the last week of my Emergency Preparedness posts! Hopefully you've gotten some great info the past 3 weeks that you can implement into your own family and life.

Week 4....

Emergency Preparedness Plan...check!
Emergency Preparedness Kit...check!

What happens AFTER disaster strikes? What do you do when you get home?

• In the wake of disaster, there is much to do as you assess your health and safety of your household as well as next steps to rebuild your life. The first thing you'll want to do is check communication channels to ensure that local officials have declared it safe to return home.

• When home, cleaning up after a natural disaster can be a daunting task so its important to keep your health top of mind using these steps:

1. Before entering the home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation cracks or other damage
2. During cleanup, wear protective clothing , including rubber gloves and rubber boots
3. Look for flooding or large pools of standing water surrounding your home. These waters can be contaminated with high levels of bacteria that can make you sick, so disinfecting with a solution with a solution of bleach and water may help to remove mold and prevent the spread of infections and illness.

For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness

guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

General Health & Safety Tips:

For more information please visit www.clorox.com/redcross and download the preparedness

guide: Prepare Yourself Now for Peace of Mind Later

• Keep your hands clean, either by washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer

• If you feel feverish or sick after a disaster or during clean-up, see a doctor immediately

• Eat healthy foods and drink lots of clean water

REMEMBER – your emergency preparedness kit should include a minimum three-day

supply of water for evacuations (2 weeks for home) for your entire household. This

means approximately one gallon per person, per day for washing and drinking

• If water supplies are compromised and you are unable to boil water for one minute (three minutes at high elevation), you can create drinkable water by using un-scented disinfecting bleach such as Clorox. You can also use bleach to clean non-porous surfaces in your home

To Disinfect Surfaces: Use 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, or as directed on the

label, to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.

To Disinfect Water: If you need to purify water during an emergency, (and do not have

the means to boil it for 3-5 minutes), you must disinfect your water using bleach. If water

is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. If water is cloudy, add 16

drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand

for about 30 minutes before using it. Properly treated water should have a slight chlorine

odor. If it doesn’t, repeat dosage and allow water to stand an additional 15 minutes. The

treated water can be made drinkable by pouring it between clean containers several

times.

GIVEAWAY!!

I have one Last $25 Gift Card to giveaway today!

TO ENTER:

Please leave a comment telling me what you would include in your pet's kit...if you don't have a pet tell me an item you would include in your Family's Emergency Preparedness kit.

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

1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe to my blog by email
3. 'Like' Ladybug Soup on Facebook
4. 'Like' Clorox on Facebook
5. Follow Ladybug Soup AND Clorox on Twitter
6. Tweet about this Giveaway (leave the link please)

Giveaway will end October 8th at 10pm CST. Winner is chosen via radnom.org. Winner has 48 hours to reply to my email or a new winner will be chosen.

As a blog tour participant, I received information and giveaways from The CloroxCompany and Consumer Queen at no cost to me. I was compensated for my time by TheClorox Company for participating in this project. All views are my own.

Clorox Week 2 Winner

Clorox week 2 Winner

#120 Deanna G

Congrats!

winner has 49 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. Thanks to everyone that entered!

P.S. I have been out of state the last week (that's why it was so quiet around here!) I am playing catch up this weekend though, so more things will be posted soon. Thanks for being patient with me!