We Attended the Every Little Bottom Huggies Diaper Drive in Seattle

On Sunday July 24th Nana and I took my sons to the Huggies "Stuff the Bus" 2011 Kick off in West Seattle. Huggies Every Little Bottom promotion teams up to have diaper drives in local areas and we were lucky enough to have one in the Seattle area. Sunday the 24th of July in West Seattle we were able to attend the "Stuff the Bus"event and donate diapers for babies and toddlers in need.

Stuff the Bus in Seattle

I had never attended an event for Huggies before and I have to say that it was really well put together. The volunteers were all so enthusiastic and ready to help unload any donation that you brought. The coolest thing to JJ was that he got to climb up in the bus and honk the horn after making our donation! It is reported that 62 Diaper Drives took place all over King County to support "Stuff the Bus" WOW pretty cool.

JJ with his donation to #ELB

We really enjoyed seeing everyone in action and knowing that the Seattle Area has been so involved in this has really made me proud to be a part of this community.

JJ honking the horn of the bus!

There is always a need for Diapers for Little Bottoms in need so please join us in donating to Huggies. You can see if there is a diaper drive near you to attend here. You can donate your Enjoy the Rides Reward points to help purchase diapers for the cause. You can also start your own Diaper Drive in your local area.

Sacramento Area Moms: IKEA Event for Moms Like Me Back To School Aug 11

ATTENTION Sacramento Area Moms!

Mark your calendars for:

                       

Thursday, August 11 at 6 p.m. for our next Moms Night Out!

The theme is Back to School Organization. The pros at West Sacramento's IKEA will give us great tips on how to start the schoolyear on the right foot with a place for everything and everything in its place!

We'll have treats and prizes! And the event is FREE!

Kids 10 and up are welcome to attend as well!

Sign up now!

Bee Friendly Friday

It is almost Friday and that means its getting closer and closer to my 30th Bday. I have a sense of panic intertwined with happiness. Panic being the greater of the two lol.

I thought Friday would be a great day to meet some new online friends. After all you can never have too many bloggy pals!

Welcome to mine, my sister and moms small part of this big world! We welcome you to be our friend, enter our giveaways and laugh along with us as we share our adventures as we branch out in life.

Huggies Helps Donate Diapers to Moms

You can help Huggies with their campaign to diaper "Every Little Bottom". You can donate online, upload a pic of your little one in a Huggies diaper on their facebook wall, like pics uploaded by others to the Huggies facebook wall,  attend a diaper drive and even start your own diaper drive. There is a ton of info on this on the site here.

If you collect Huggies Rewards points you can donate some of your points on the Enjoy the Ride Rewards page. Every 2 points equals 1 diaper. I have already donated enough for 5 diapers. Its not much but every diaper counts!

He Thinks Hes a Big Boy

18 months old wearing Daddy's shoes.

I am having one of the sentimental days where I can believe how big my son has gotten. Every experienced parent tells you as a new parent savor it, time flies by and they will grown up faster than you think. I thought I was and try my best to it just seems he thinks he is a big boy! He wears his Dads shoes around the house, he wants to walk around on his own places (no more insisting Mama carries him) and he wants to sit in a regular chair. The cute part is the mimicking he does. He will grab the phone and jibber jabber then yell BubBye! He always wants to use my pen and note pad (He picks up on my listing habits!) and he knows how to switch the DVDs in the DVD player and change the mode on the remote so he can see his movie, and hes only 19 months old! Who is this mini man who now tells me No and shakes his head, who carries what he wants me to buy him in the store (he had a large can of spaghetti O's, a pack of fruit snacks and a pack of cookies all in his arms at the grocery store the other day) and who no longer needs a Baba to soothe him to sleep. Where is the tiny needy baby that I used to carry around the house!

My little man at 3 months old. The flash always bugged him!

My Top Ten Time Saving Tips for Moms

After being married almost 8 years before my son was born being a parent was new to me. I never had to think of time constraints or time management like I do now. Adjusting to the fact that a helpless little person needed my every moment was rough at first. Of course I savored every second of it but it was definitely something I had to get use to. I had to find ways to get stuff done for him, for me, for my husband and for our home. 

I still consider myself a new mom even though my son is 18 months old.  I find myself constantly running out of time to get done my "to do" list for each day. Thankfully I have learned a lot in the last 18 months on how to do tasks and chores in a way that saves me time.

My top ten time saving ideas are:

1. Use a baby carrier!
I found it so much easier to be able to do things like fold laundry while sitting on the couch, talk on the phone, read emails and so much more if I had my little guy in his carrier. He always wanted to be held and I was worried about him wiggling around so I always held him with two hands making it impossible to do anything else.


2. Cook meals in advance while your kids are napping.
I found if I made the meat or entree part of a meal in advance even if it was only for a few days it made it so much more simple to just steam veggies or boil rice to go with the meat I already had cooked. I alwasy do this while he is napping since he needs my full attention when hes awake and I need to pay attention while I cook or it turns out burnt or under seasoned.


3. Use the internet to help shop and pay bills.
Going to the store with kids can be a time drainer. Although its cute they want to help and want to be a little shopper on days when you need to just get it done it can be frustrating. If you know there are certain items your family needs monthly you go use places like Safeway.com or Alice.com to get stuff sent to you without having to do anything! Our internet and phone have online bill pay so you do not have to even fill out a bill and mail it just a few clicks! 


4. Make a Cleaning schedule.
I find myself getting lost in household chores and then I run out of time to do other things I need to do. I have days of the week I do things like the floors, the bathrooms, laundry and cooking. It makes it easier to not feel guilty about certain tasks I might not get done. If it is not my "day" to do it then I won't use my time on it and will get other things done. 


5. Use digital coupons and rewards cards.
I cannot tell you how many hours I spend clipping coupons only to have them expire, left at home or not even need. I use to cut all of them out just in case or to give to someone. It can be a time drainer to clip and organize them all. I am a couponer and love to save money, with our budget its a must but as they say time is money! So I use digital coupons loaded onto my rewards card. I load every deal and every coupon onto the card just to be sure I have it if I need it. I load coupons from the stores website as well as 3rd party coupon sites.


6. Make lists, even lists for your lists!
I know this may seem simple but for me I would be lost without my lists. I write things down for my son, the house and for blogging! I find this helps me to not waste time trying to remember this or that or having to go back to the house for something I forget. Which saves time and gas money! 


7. Know you limits and be ok with it!
Time is a finite. Theres no getting more or making more time. Knowing that you only have so much time in the day to do stuff is something to remind yourself of. Being ok with not accomplishing everything yo wanted to can be stressful but don't let this overwhelm you. Sometimes we can all be time wasters worrying or over thinking things. My mother in law gets stressed about house chores by being overwhelmed by the whole picture. I always tell her one room at a time and you will get there. 


8. Have two diaper bags.
For me I have a regular diaper bag and a mini back up one in the car. The back up one has non perishable snacks, diapers, wipes, a binkie, a stuffed animal, extra outfits, a coat, band-aids, hand sanitizer, an extra tshirt for me and emergency phone numbers in it (in case you lose your cell phone, no one remembers phone  numbers anymore!) I update it as we use stuff and my son changes clothing and diaper sizes. I have friends that have to run to the store or go back to the house when we are on playdates to get the item they forgot to put in the diaper bag. Me I just go to my back up bag and continue with the task at hand!



9. Buy extras if its on Sale.
Running out of diapers or baby food or the all important tp can be a time waster! When my son was first born I was naive to think I could just run to the store to get something. I learned real quick to get more than one of something if I see it on sale. This doesn't just save time but also money! 


10. Have a space for yourself.
This is along the lines of organizing. It will help you to have stuff you need like bills, letters, books, your cell phone all in one spot. Also it gives you a place that you can unwind and have just your stuff there. Metal clarity is a big time saver. Even if its just your own shelf in the closet or if you can a small desk in your bedroom this organizing spot to do your personal tasks will make them easier to get done and give you time later to be with your kids rather than trying to do both at once.




**I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here. 

Mommy and Me Day!

Mommy and Me Day at Raley Field

I have always wanted to be a Mom. I knew one day I would be ready and we could have great adventures. This year when I saw on the morning news about a Mommy and Me day at the baseball park Raley Field where the River Cats play I knew we had to go. I had never been to Raley Field so I knew it would be fun to see. I love baseball and my little guy has an awesome throwing arm!

It was very exciting to be there! So many kids and their Mommies on the baseball field. There were jump houses, giant balls to roll, baseball playing and parachute fun. We did a little of everything, well at least attempted it! We got in line for the jump house since most of the kids seemed to be the same heights as my son but when I started to ask ages most kids were 2 or 3 I let him try to see if he wanted to go in but he seemed apprehensive so I let him climb down and we went over to the giant ball to play.

We were provided snacks by Raley's and Sunnyside so we had a little picnic on the baseball field. It was so nice that we were able to sit and play on a real baseball diamond! The grass was heavenly! I want grass like that in my yard. My son smiled the whole time running around, throwing his tennis ball ( I forgot to bring his baseball and glove!) I was thankful I had some sort of ball for him to throw in the diaper bag.

My son next to Dinger the mascot

He got really excited when the River Cats mascot Dinger made an appearance.  All the kids were surrounding him getting hugs, high fives and autographs. My son stood there surronded by other kids staring and in awe of this big giant Cat! He LOVES cats and I think this was to him "the cats meow!" He waited his turn patiently to get close enough to Dinger to give him a hug. He grabbed his leg and hugged it! It was the sweetest thing ever! He would have stared at and waved to the mascot all day if I let him. I told him it was other kids turn and pointed him in the direction of the baseball diamond. Hes a bit to small to get the concept of running the bases but for me it was exciting! I have played softball off and on from 5 years old until about 12. I loved it and my sister Sam and I were on the same team a few times. I have great memories with baseball and I look forward to making more fun baseball memories with my son!

Plus Mommy and Me day was free to get in, free parking and we got free goodies to eat and a Raleys Moms Panel tshirt. I am a panel member so I thought that was really cool! We are hoping to be able to watch a game this season since the ball park seems very kid friendly and has a play area for kids during the game.

Raley Field

Do you have any great Mommy and Me days in your area?

I love DIY

I love DIY (do-it-yourself) projects! I love to do them, I love to watch them on TV and I love it when I see someone else who is proud of their DIY project . There is something great about turning something ugly (or maybe just not your taste) into something GREAT and for CHEAP. It gives me goose bumps. Lame I know.

I have done many DIY projects but always forget to take the before and after pictures. Not this time... Our dining room chairs have been around for a long time. They were given to us years ago and we never did anything to spice them up. They are not great but they worked. Over time the fabric got stained and cleaned and stained again. They were an eye sore and I was tired of looking at them. I knew that all they needed were a good scrub and a new fabric cover over the top.

Living on one income I cannot just go out and buy a new dining room set because I want one, I needed to do this DIY project in order to get a "new" dining room set. I was on a mission. Instead of thinking about how great it would be to have new chairs I finally just did it! It was so easy and so cheap. I had already bought a table cloth on clearance at Target a while back for $8 and I thought how FRUGAL of me to use that instead of buying new fabric. I got out my trusty staple gun (you need one of those babies if you are a DIY kind of gal) and went to work. I measured the fabric, cut it and stapled away. Easy as pie. It took me about 30 minutes and I had brand new chairs! See if I can do it so can you ;)

Before picture :(

AFTER...LOVE IT!!

P.S. Don't judge me on the before photo, it is the one my 4 year old eats every meal at. YUCK, I know.

It's 9 am and you have maxed out your usage of the word Mom for the day!

Holy Cow! Some days my 4 year old says "Mom" or "Mom look at me" so many times in one day I want to scream! Yesterday he maxed out the word "Mom" by about 9 am. I love that kid and I love talking to him, he really does make me laugh but some days... I was extra tired and not feeling well so that did not help.
Oh dear tomorrow is another day.

I remember as a child every once in a while my Mom would declare that she was no longer going by the name Mom. She had changed her name to Penelope. As a child I never really understood why, until now.

Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner Review

Since I had my Mommy Makeover I have been trying to find a frugal way to keep it going. The shampoo and conditioner I purchased at the salon I had my hair done at was kinda expensive. Too expensive for me to buy on a regular basis. For me being frugal means still having great stuff but knowing when to look for a less expensive item when you can. Coupons too allow me to be frugal and have nice things. The salon offers sales but not coupons.

I have ran out of my salon shampoo and conditioner and needed to buy something else. I did not find the salon brand to wow me like I thought it would. I was sent some Tresemme to try from Bzz Agent. I was glad to find it worked just as good as the expensive brand I was previously using! It comes in a big bottle, which I love since small bottles means I have to go to the store more which equals gas money! They offer hair care for many types of hair. I tried the color protection since I had my hair colored. Which now needs a touch up!

Plus I often see Tresemme on sale and coupons for it. So with Tresemme I can have my hair feel soft and protect the color in my hair without spending a lot of money. That can be money to save or money I can spend on something else to splurge on like stuff for my son! I feel great when I can save money being frugal on me to have the extra money to get him nice stuff! Its a win win!

What brands of hair care have you found to be a good deal that really work?



*I am a BzzAgent and was provided the products to use for this review for free.
I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions.

Top 5 Things I Have Learned About Being A Mom From My Mom

My Mom is the BEST MOM EVER! I know of course we must all think that but I really really really do think that about my Mom. She has devoted her life to making us kids happy and even as adults us kids are still her first concern. I always tell myself I want my son to love me as much as each of us kids love my Mom. I have a million awesome stories about my Mom and how she did this or that and how she has saved the day a million times over! I will definitely share them in the future.

I have been trying to make a short list about things I have learned about being a good Mom by how my Mom raised me. It was very hard to make a short list but I managed to think of 5 top things!

1. "Let your Children be Themselves!"
My Mom has 5 children and we are all so very unique in our personalities. For me my mom never told me I had to be something specific or pressured me to be something she wanted for me. She always taught me anything is possible and I can accomplish anything I put my efforts towards. She always supported my likes or hobbies. My obsession with animals started very young. My Mom did not have the time to deal with all the stray creatures I wanted to have but she always managed to get me a dog or a cat. I also collected rocks, shells, stickers and loved to keep stuff for my scrapbooks. She always supported each of us even if it was something she had little interest in. I want to be sure I do that for my little guy. He adores cat, which I am now oddly allergic too and he LOVES music. I do not have a musical bone in my body. From what I have learned from my Mom I will dance and sing with my little guy even if I stink at it and I will get gloves and take allergy medicine so I can pet cats with him!

2. "Be a Stealth Fighter Jet and NOT a Helicopter Mom!"
My Mom never hovered over us or made us feel like we weren't in control of our own little lives. But she watched us without us aware and always knew what we were up to and would swoop in to help. I have found myself hovering over my son making sure the details of things were going just right but I stop myself to make sure I am allowing him to just be. To let him see and learn for himself how to do this or that. Or to stick up for himself and be his own little person.

3. "Imagination is Priceless"
Not matter if we had a bunch of money or were just average my Mom always made she we did creative play. We would have camp outs in the living room with chairs and sheets, make a "bus" with lined up chairs, "hot lava" with books and pillows through the house and always gave us stuff to play house with. My sister and I would make mud pies, make our own perfume with roses from the yard and play store with empty boxes of food from the kitchen. She always wanted us to be creative thinkers. We often went to the library and a few plays. I thank her for teaching me to use my imagination. As a Mom myself now I always try to find ways to play make believe with my son.

4. "BAKE!"
Oh the goodies my Mom would create! I have a million great stories about the treats my Mom would make for us. Not just for us but even our whole class at school. She would stay up all night to make us treats to take to school on special occasions. We would feel so special to see the work and love she put into everything she made. There would be ribbons and trays ready for us in the morning like a treat fairy had left it.
Fudge is my FAVORITE thing my Mom makes! Its just not the holidays if I dont have any to eat! Once she made cookies that were made of cake batter. They were the coolest thing ever and everyone including the teachers at my school were begging for me to give them more. I felt so cool! One time I tried to be a master baker like my Mom and accidentally made a quadruple recipe amount half way though making it and she just chuckled and helped me make a huge batch of cookies. We ate chocolate chip cookies everyday for about a whole month!

5. "Works as a Family Team"
My Mom has never made me feel anything but special. With five kids I am sure it is hard to make them all feel equally loved but she sure did. We were always taught we are a team. Each of us has an important role in making the team function. We never were competitive against one another. I love that she did that for us! Even on the same softball team as kids my sister and I cheered each other on, never thinking one of us was better than the other. As adults we all get along so great. We unconditionally love each other with all our hearts! I remember a time that makes me laugh anytime I tell the story. We just got a new cat and we had a family meeting to decide what would be the cats name. We took a vote by writing down a name we wanted and put it in a box. We pulled out a name and the first name was going to be the one. Well my older brother wrote down "Porkchop" and after we all laughed the cats official name was Porkchop! And thats how things were if they said it and we voted on it that was it. Even if it was silly!

I thank my Mom a million times over for being who she is. She has never made me feel less than super special, loved and adored! She always stayed positive even when it seemed rough and always allowed us kids to just be kids. I want that for my son. I want him to know I love him with all my heart unconditionally and that he will always be a super star in my eyes! If I can be as sweet, as loving and as supportive as her I know my son will adore me forever!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Happy Mothers Day