The Double Stroller Debate

 

Miss Ashley "chillin" in the new double jogging stroller :)

I had mentioned earlier that I feel like I am still getting the hang of this Mother of 3 thing and the fact that I have a 5 year old, a 9 month old and a barely 2 year old. I am always feeling like I can't go many places by myself with all three of them, it is just hard. JJ, my 5 year old, can walk so no big deal. It is Liam the barely 2 year old and the 9 month old, Ashley I struggle with. Liam is at the age where he is exploring his boundaries. He wants to walk, then be carried, then cry cause he wants something, then cry to be picked up, then cry to be let down. All the while Ashley really is just going with the flow hoping I don't drop her (not really) while I try to juggle her and her rowdy brother in my arms. I never bought a double stroller because I though I would never use/need one. I thought surely I would never volunteer to take them all out alone (as if) and if I did it would be somewhere there were carts handy and I could pile them in, seat belts and all. Well the whole not having a double stroller cause I don't need one for my two children who were then both under 2 years of age was insane. I mean who do I think I am Angelina Jolie?

About two weeks ago I was starting to feel like I had lost my confidence in going out with my children. Out of the blue I started to feel like the walls were closing in on me and I needed to get out and about with the little ones. JJ just started Kindergarten this fall. So technically five days a week, I only have two kids most of the day. I started to feel like I needed to get back the "mommy confidence" I once had when I had only one or two children. The reality is there are three of them and if I ever want to go out with them on my own and have a sane nice time a double stroller needed to be in my near future. I also knew that I wanted to get a used one at a great price, maybe Craigslist? So I was checking double strollers for sale in my area and found a bunch. Now to decide what I wanted/needed out of it. I looked at the traditional front seat/backseat style and thought about how when Liam is in that style he can get bored and knows how to climb out. That style has a great purpose for some situations so I am not ruling it out completely. I continued to scroll and saw the double jogging strollers. Hmmm never thought about a jogging stroller really. I mean I am not a jogger (but secretly want to be) but I could take it up someday right? I liked the idea that my two little ones would be side by side talking, sharing a snack, talking about the all birds and flowers they were seeing. I thought about how they might not get bored and actually enjoy each other. Then I thought about how they might fight (oh and they will) over a toy or a snack or someones arm is touching "their side." I decided not to focus on the ladder and knew I now wanted a double jogging stroller. I decided I might take up jogging and if I did I would need a double jogging stroller for sure. I found this one for only $40!! There were others in the $80-150 range with some more bells and whistles but that was more than I was wanting/willing to spend. So as you do with all Craigslist transactions (or at least I hope you do) we met a public place. I gave her my $40 and she gave me my freedom back with a new used double stroller.

Despite Liam's face and him not wanting to smile for me, they really do like it in there together!! 

We have had it over a week now and I am just loving it and so are the kids! I have taken them to stores, the mall, the park and I even took them out walking in it (hey I have to work up to a jogging pace). I have to say that my "mommy confidence" is coming back and it is really feeling good. And it only cost me $40.

Big Top Scooby-Doo! Movie on Blu-ray Oct. 9th

Scooby Doo is a lovable dog in my home. He is silly and loves snacks, kind of sounds like my son lol. I enjoy watching the Scooby Doo movies with my son. It reminds me of my childhood watching the cartoons on the weekend or after school. My son calls Scooby "Dooby Doo" He howls it! Too cute! This is a fun circus themed Scooby Doo full of the adventurous mystery solving antics that Scooby and the gang are know for. I like that these movies are on Blu-ray! The color and sound are great.

BIG TOP SCOOBY-DOO!

THE MUST-HAVE ORIGINAL NEW ANIMATED FILM

AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY® AND DVD WITH ULTRAVIOLET^TM  

ON OCTOBER 9, 2012

FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO

WILL TAKE VIEWERS ON AN EXCITING CIRCUS-THEMED ADVENTURE

Warner Home Video’s all-new animated feature-length movie Big Top Scooby-Doo!, which makes its debut on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 9, 2012. It’s a spectacle consumers won’t want to miss as Scooby and his pals join a circus in an attempt to investigate a series of werewolf sightings. Big Top Scooby-Doo! will be sold in a Blu-ray™ combo pack (includes both the Blu-ray™ and standard DVD and ULTRAVIOLET™ editions of the film), which retails for $24.98 SRP and on standard DVD, which retails for $19.98 SRP (DVD).

When the Brancusi Circus comes to town, Fred — who has always had dreams about performing under the big top — jumps at the opportunity to visit the show. Upon their arrival, Scooby and the gang learn the circus performers have been terrorized by a werewolf who has not only frightened them but has also stolen jewelry from circus spectators. The circus is blamed for the attacks and faces a potential shutdown. Desperate for help, the circus ringleader turns to Scooby-Doo and his pals. To get close to the action, they all go undercover as circus performers: Fred becoming a trapeze artist, Daphne a daring motorcycle stunt driver and Velma a human cannonball. Will they be ready to face a frightening team of circus-themed werewolves?

“Big Top Scooby-Doo! is a full-length, fun-filled adventure the entire family can enjoy together,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation Marketing and Partner Brands. She added, “Kids love to see Scooby-Doo in exciting new settings, so we put him in this colorful, circus-themed atmosphere where he’s got limitless opportunities to get into all sorts of hilarious predicaments and crazy shenanigans. If you love Scooby-Doo, this a must-have title for your home entertainment library.


*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free a copy for my review.

 

Farm Rich Products Review and Giveaway

I love foods that are easy, convenient, and taste great. That's just what Farm Rich snacks and appetizers are.
Perfect for party appetizers, after school snacks, football game watching snacks, and more, Farm Rich is tasty and comes in a large variety of choices.

I love it when friends and family drop by, and having easy and quick foods that I can serve to them makes it even more enjoyable. Farm Rich offers meatballs, Philly cheese steaks, mini pizza slices, stuffed pretzel bites, and more. And they are a good source of protein, calcium, and trans fat free.

My family and I recently tried the Farm Rich cheese sticks and breaded mushrooms. We used ranch dressing and barbecue sauce for dipping sauces.

Made with whole white button Mushrooms and covered in seasoned breadcrumbs, they were very tasty.
The Cheese Sticks are made with 100% real mozzarella and are also covered in seasoned breadcrumbs. The cheese sticks were especially popular, and we all loved the yummy, melted cheesy goodness.

We will definitely be buying more Farm Rich products and trying other varieties These are a great choice to have on hand for our Sundays of watching football and snacking.

You can go to Farmrich.com to find out about their complete line of products, coupons and offers. The Keep'em Happy Hour Club has great coupons like the Buy One Try One for $1.50 off two coupon.


Enter to Win 2 Free Product Coupons for Farm Rich ($6.99 value each) 

Enter in the Rafflecopter Giveaway Below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 *Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Oct. 4,  2012 and ends on Oct. 18, 2012 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I received free product coupons for my review.

Cookie's Kids Fall Clothing Shopping Online

As soon as October rolls around I know its time to update my son's wardrobe for the Fall. Without going in the closet to see if any of his clothing fits I know it does not. He was my baby still last year and this year he is a big running talking toddler! His pants are all too short and his shirts his belly stick out of them. Clothing to me has an emotional attachment. Each time I put away a season and size of clothing I know he will not wear them again, makes me sad but happy knowing another baby one day will wear them. That is why I like to buy quality name brand clothing that I can save for future kids. Cookie's Kids offers quality clothing for affordable prices, I can shop brand and low price! I always find something I love at their online store.

My son is almost 3 so he does have a bit of an opinion on what he likes. I showed him a few character outfits and his favorite was Elmo. I would have picked Cars but he wanted Elmo, glad I asked him! Since he has changed sizes and I now buy him a 3T. I wondered if he needed a 3T in everything or somethings bigger or smaller. I was glad to see Cookie's Kids has the ALVA Kids icon to help you find the right size in a specific brand. The application asked me info about my son's height to help determine what size he needed for the item, very helpful for online shopping. You can also shop in stores at Cookies Kids if you live near the 7 locations around New York City including the Bronx, Brooklyn and Jamaica.

 Since I signed up for the Cookie's Kids Email Newsletter I was informed about the awesome Clearance Sale that included some items for $0.99. I love a great deal like that. I was also looking for an outfit for my son to get his pictures taken in before he turns 3, a casual playdate outfit and something he could wear to the tumbling class I enrolled him in. #CookiesKids

The clothing from Cookie's Kids to update my son's Fall Wardrobe #CookiesKids

I was very happy with my purchase. I found everything I needed for under $30! Plus I found a few hoodies and a coat I want to get for my son asap. I love that about the site, there is everything you need and more! I like shopping online since I can email links to family for gift ideas since my son's birthday is next month. Makes it easy for them to know what he needs.

My son loved this Elmo outfit. He picked it out himself. I paid only $11.99 for an Elmo Hoodie and Jeans set. A great deal since I can pair the jeans with other items and the hoodie I know he will wear often.

I love this little outfit "Double Windsor" 50 Fifty. I only paid $10.99! I like button ups with a collar for getting pictures taken. We will be headed to a photo studio later this week and of course his best friend Giraffe will be there too.

I was thrilled to see many items in the $0.99 Clearance sale. I found just what I needed in my son's size for tumbling class. I found a pair of U.S. Polo shorts and a French Toast tank top each for $0.99. I saw a few items I should have purchased at the time for next year Summer clothing but were gone when I looked again. So hurry and get those on sale items before they are gone.

Along with the items I did buy I made a little Wish List Polyvore set for what I want to get next shopping trip. I call it the Go Green Cars Set. :)

Source: frugalfamilytree-bloggers.polyvore.com via FrugalFamilyTree on Pinterest

To get you started on updating your own kids Fall clothing Cookie's Kids has given me a coupon code to share with my readers. Awesome!!

Online Code: frugalfamilytree 10% off, no minimum! Excludes Furniture, Gear and Toys. Contiguous U.S. Only. Expires 11/30/12

You can see all the great items I found online at Cookie's Kids to get ideas for updating your kids Fall Wardrobe by reading my Google+ story. 

 *I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and CookiesKids.com #CBias #SocialFabric

Halloween Candy Corn Shaped Cookies

A sweet and simple way to fancy up Sugar Cookies for Halloween. All I did was take regular sugar cookies and cut them into triangles. Then I used food coloring on white frosting. I added the colored frosting into a baggie and snipped the end to use it like a pastry bag. My son and I had fun making them with items we already had at home, sugar cookie ingredients, white frosting and food coloring. A simple way to make Candy Corn Sugar cookies!

It was so easy to make we are planning pumpkins and witches with green faces! Do you have any simple ways to make food Halloween themed?

~by Laura