Are you looking for a meaningful gift this Christmas and Holiday Season? I have a great idea, have you thought about charms? Charms and Charm Bracelets and Necklaces allow the wearer to wear charms that represent the special things in their life. Beautiful charms inspired by milestones, family, pets, hobbies, career, passion and more can be found at Soufeel! I have a beautiful Soufeel Charm Bracelet that holds very special charms that celebrate my life. I recently browsed their Christmas Charms and could not resist the urge to select a few for a Christmas inspired charm bracelet.
You can find charms to celebrate nearly everything at Soufeel, check it out now and take advantage of their great sales! They have a Black Friday sale at 90% off right now! You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram. You can also find Soufeel on Mommy Ramblings’ 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Portable North Pole is a magical console used by Santa and his elves to send personalized video messages to the folks you care most about. In just a few simple clicks, you can provide Santa with all the information he needs to create a unique, tailor-made video message that would even bring a smile to Scrooge’s face!
Portable North Pole videos come in 2 main types: Christmas and Birthday greetings. And they’re free! Or you can upgrade to a Premium version, with more Santa facetime, extra personalization options, the ability to include more photos and truly incredible scenes from his village in the North Pole PLUS the long anticipated Santa’s Verdict, that lets your loved one know if they are one Santa’s Naughty or Nice list. Mommy Ramblings’ Readers Save 20%USE PROMO CODE: BLG20PNP , To redeem your promo code click HERE. Portable North Pole is also a favorite on our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide. My children are amazed by the Portable North Pole and we visit every season!
When you think of super heroes, the iconic Batman must always come to your mind. Classic character who we all grew up with and keeps on entertaining generation after generation. Big news, DC Kids has released the animated Batman Unlimited series!
This series shows how Batman and his crime fighting squad battle it out against the cyber robotic animals to keep Gotham City safe. The DC Kids YouTube channel makes it easy for our kids to watch their favorite DC characters, on-demand, and from any device. For even more fun, there is an extended online experience on the DC Kids website where kids can play games, download free printable activities, read comic books, and more.
DC Kids is giving away $100 for Amazon, which makes it a great time to check it all out.
Halloween is just around the corner and there is still time to pick up some Halloween Thrills you can share with your kids on DVD from PBS Kids!
THREE NEW PBS KIDS DVDS OFFER SPOOK-TASTIC HALLOWEEN FUN
Each of these DVDs features a PBS KIDS series – CAILLOU, PEG + CAT, and WORDWORLD. From carving a jack-o’-lantern with Caillou to going on a trick-or-treating adventure with Peg and Cat, these DVDs include fun-filled laugh-out-loud stories full of Halloween excitement.
“CAILLOU: CAILLOU’S HALLOWEEN”
“CAILLOU’S HALLOWEEN” features 13 stories including “Caillou Loves Halloween,” “Pumpkin Patch Kid,” and “Caillou’s Halloween Costume.” In “Caillou’s Halloween Costume,” Caillou and Rosie are trying to pick out costumes as Halloween quickly approaches – but Caillou can’t decide what he wants to be. With help from Mommy and Daddy, a furry blue monster costume is created for Caillou so he can join Leo, a cowboy, and Clementine, a bumblebee, for trick-or-treating!
“PEG + CAT: A TOTALLY AWESOME HALLOWEEN”
Combine Halloween excitement with mathematical fun and you’ve got “PEG + CAT: A TOTALLY AWESOME HALLOWEEN.” This DVD features four adventures, two of which are Halloween themed – “The Parade Problem” and “The Halloween Problem.” In “The Parade Problem,” kids will learn about sorting and estimating as they watch Peg and Cat clean up a park to ensure the nursery school’s Halloween parade takes place. After watching Peg and Cat solve this problem, kids can join Peg, who dresses up as a mailbox, and Cat, who decides to be a fire hydrant, on a trick-or-treating adventure that features the duo using their math skills to divide up Halloween treats so that everyone gets a fair share.
The PEG + CAT series is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education through the Ready To Learn Initiative, a program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families, and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
“WORDWORLD: HALLOWEEN FUN”
In the frightfully fun DVD “WORDWORLD: HALLOWEEN FUN,” join the WordFriends on adventures that demonstrate the connections between letters, sounds, words, and meaning. This DVD features five stories including “A Kooky Spooky Halloween” and “Sheep’s Halloween Costume.” In “A Kooky Spooky Halloween,” Pig is so worried about finishing his Halloween bags, because he’s missing the letter B, that he ends up sleepwalking. As he sleepwalks, collecting Bs along the way, everyone thinks he’s a ghost!
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital platforms and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS also offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning. The PBS KIDS Video App is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Xbox One and Chromecast. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Treats4All #CollectiveBias
With our busy lives some days can feel like we are running in circles, scrambling to get things done. When we have extra things to do, it can make doing the everyday things even harder. With Halloween approaching you may be stressed about how to coordinate dinner, trick or treating, answering your own door etc. I am here to help and offer some suggestions. Make it easy on yourself this year! Use paper products for dinner so you have one less thing to worry about and take a few short cuts that won’t be short on taste for your family.
I was in Walmart the other day and picked up some STOUFFER’S® Family Size Entrées. There is a nice assortment to choose from including vegetarian dishes, chicken dishes, pasta and more. I chose Italiano Lasagna and Stuffed Peppers.
TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Cookie Dough lets us get to the best part of making cookies even faster-eating them! This refrigerated cookie dough is all ready to go right onto a cookie sheet straight out of the package. Now you can easily bake hot, fresh cookies in minutes with no mess! These cookies are great for dessert, class parties and more. You can find Halloween Chocolate Chip or Harvest Apple varieties out now! Of course I could not forget the candy.
The NESTLE® Jumbo Assorted Fun Size Candy was a great price for a lot of candy. Plenty to have on hand for all the little ghosts and goblins that will be heading to your door.
You can use paper products and the STOUFFER’S® Family Size Entrées can be cooked and served right in their own container so that saves lots of time. Add a salad and some garlic bread and you have a dinner your whole family will love!
Cookies are easy with TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Cookie Dough and the Halloween Chocolate Chip are festive and fun! Right out of the package just put on your cookie sheet and bake.
Perfect to pack in boxes to send to school class parties or give as gifts!
We can’t forget the candy treats. NESTLE® Jumbo Assorted Fun Size Candy has you covered so you don’t run out of treats this Halloween!
Eye can see you looking at that candy. Looks good doesn’t it?
Don’t get stuck this year feeling stuck with the Tricks, make your Halloween easy and fun. Let NESTLE® and STOUFFER’S® help you have a day that is filled with Treats For All of you! Do you have any great time saving tricks to make Halloween a treat? If you do, please share them in the comments.
Kids, pets, muddy feet, spills and more are all in and out of our cars every day. Well, maybe the spills are not out. If you’re a parent you’ve probably deal with a lot, if not all, of what I mentioned. My husband and I have leather seats in our vehicles but they still require cleaning. We also like to have our seats protected against scratches or tears as much as possible. Most of all, we like to protect our leather seats from having the car seats installed right on top of them. Maybe you have thought about car seat covers. We recently installed a full seat cover in the back seat of my husbands truck.
We used to use the seat protectors that just go where the car seats are but this cover fits over the entire back seat. It was easy to install. The car seats fit great, there are Velcro openings for the seat belts. The cover we chose is the VersaVia , this cover comes in three colors; black, tan and gray. The cover is quilted with a non-slip rubber backing that keeps it in place. It looks like a custom cover. The cover is waterproof, and 54″ wide so with the adjustable tight-fitting straps it fits most trucks, SUVs and vans.
Giveaway
Versaliving is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog winner will win their own VersaVia Car Seat Cover in their color choice of black, tan or gray. Thank you t Versaliving for the review product and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
VersaVia Car Seat Cover Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Too busy to go to the doctor? We all are these days. Do you long for the days when doctors made house calls? Would you like the doctor to come to you instead of having to drag your sick, cranky child out? I have good news! Doctor On Demand provides just that. See the doctor without leaving your house! You can even do it for FREE!
At Doctor On Demand you can have Video Visits with Board-Certified Physicians and Licensed Psychologists via your smartphone, tablet or computer at any time of day!
Doctor On Demand provides fast, easy and cost-effective access to some of the best health care providers in the country. These health care professionals are carefully screened and trained to conduct Video Visits with patients. There are even Lactation Consultants who provide invaluable support to moms during the critical first few months of their babies’ lives.
My Experience:
You should know I would not recommend something I have not tried. Let me tell you about my experience using Doctor On Demand for the first time. Whether you are downloading the free app on your smartphone or tablet or creating an account from your computer or laptop, the process is simple. I registered and created an account from my laptop in about a minute.
Yesterday was busy, first day of school, busy day working from home after the holiday weekend, so the last thing I wanted to do was take time out driving to the doctor. With Doctor On Demand I did not even have to leave my desk. I scheduled an appointment for that afternoon. I could have been seen immediately if I wanted. I had tons of times to choose from!
When I scheduled my appointment it asked for some very basic information for the doctor about why I wanted to see them. Providing specific information gives the doctors as much background into the issue before your appointment. Then you will test your video, speakers and microphone.
When your appointment time arrives, you have a pop up that tells you the doctor is ready to see you. They are on time! You then accept and your Video Visit begins. I saw a very nice, personable, female physician who took her time, didn’t rush me and made me feel at ease. At the end of our appointment she said I could add her to my favorite physicians and follow-up with her if I liked. I really liked that you can see the same doctor.
The doctors can even call in scripts if needed to your pharmacy. Check Out Doctor On Demand on Facebook and Twitter.
Get Your Free Doctor On Demand Visit:
Okay like I said at the start, you can see the doctor for FREE! With Back-To-School season in full swing, chances are you need to! Common Back-To-School issues treated are colds, coughs, sore throat, flu, skin rashes, pink eye, intestinal issues, vomiting and more! To get your FREE Visit just go to Doctor On Demand and enter the code RAMBLINGS15 to redeem your free Video Visit with a physician, psychologist or lactation consultant!
Please let me know how your appointment went and what you think about this new way to see the doctor. I would love for you to share your experiences in the comments.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FuelTheirAdventures #CollectiveBias
School starts for our kids next week. This week we are still enjoying the end of Summer. We even have a road trip planned tomorrow to 6 Flags! Whenever we take a road trip, we are sure to pack snacks for our journey. It saves us time stopping every time hunger hits and cuts down on crabby kids. Dannon® Danimals® Smoothies are something we pack for road trips because they are compact, delicious and curb my kids hunger. We always have a travel cooler stocked with them when we hit the road. Tomorrow is no different.
Another great time of day for Dannon® Danimals® is after school. My kids come home famished. It’s too early for dinner and I don’t want them to eat too much that will spoil their appetite. We found Dannon® Danimals® paired with fresh fruit and vegetables along with some crackers is perfect. It is so easy to do this for your kids and have it prepared a few minutes before they get home.
I was recently in Walmart and saw the Collectors Edition 12-pack of Dannon® Danimals® Smoothies in Strawberry/Cotton Candy flavors. I picked those up along with another 12 pack of Banana Split/Strawberry Explosion. The little bottes are so cute with the different athletes on them!
An easy way to have a great snack to fuel your kids after school is to get out whatever fresh fruit and veggies you have. I had pears, baby carrots, white seedless grapes and bananas. You will also want to add some crackers and those can be whatever your kids like. I used saltines and graham crackers.
Just grab some plates, cut up the fruit, add the crackers and put out an assortment of Dannon® Danimals® Smoothies for them to pick their favorite flavor! Easy Peasy right? Works with any fresh fruit or veggies and you can mix it up so they are never bored.
Other ideas for pairings is to substitute crackers with granola, nuts or a whole grain muffin. You can add some cheese cubes, apple slices with a little peanut butter, add peanut butter to the banana slices. You can really give them something new and different every day and all of it pairs so well with the Dannon® Danimals® Smoothies.
Some added fun for kids is an Play 60 contest – if they find the “Golden Bongo” Dannon® Danimals® bottle (located in specially marked packages) they can win a Play60 Field Day for your school with NFL pros!
As a mom I feel good that Dannon® Danimals® provide “Only the Good Stuff®” with no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors or colors, as well as provides a good source of calcium and vitamin D. They are the perfect on-the-go option for our busy family! helps fuel my kids’ adventures – at school, after school, at sports practice, during homework time or to start the day!
Have you tried Dannon® Danimals® with your kids and what are some of your favorite pairings to go with the delicious yogurt smoothies? I would love to see your ideas in the comments!
This past weekend we went up to Binghamton, NY. My little guys wanted to see daddy’s college. We took a drive through the University of Binghamton where my husband graduated with his Bachelors and Masters. I couldn’t help but notice all the kids who were new to the college campus transitioning into a new lifestyle. That transition is hard on parents too! We know just how hard with our older kids! I imagine many parents are worried about if their kids have everything they need and if they are okay.
After taking a peek around the campus we went to Barnes & Noble. Predictably it was filled with UOB students. I recently learned that Barnes & Noble offers the Barnes & Noble MasterCard®. This is the best credit card for parents and college students who are purchasing textbooks, books and school supplies during the busy back-to-school season and beyond. Card holders earn 5% back when they use the card to purchase school supplies and textbooks at any Barnes & Noble store or at BN.com. This offer even applies to campus Barnes & Noble bookstores.
Given the average price of books and supplies at public colleges last year was $1,225 and private colleges coming in at $1,244, that 5% back adds up fast! There is even an immediate savings of $60 available when you use your Barnes & Noble MasterCard for those purchases at campus Barnes & Noble bookstores or at BN.com. Cardholders receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after their first purchase using the card. Every time cardholders reach 2500 points they receive a $25 gift card. The Barnes & Noble MasterCard has no annual fee.
If you are ready to take advantage of all the great perks being a Barnes & Noble MasterCard holder can bring you, just apply HERE. You can also visit the same link for more information. To find your local Barnes & Noble store or to shop online visit BN.com.
We had a great time looking around at everything. After a stop at the in store Starbucks we set off to explore. The kids were amazed looking at all the great books, toys, games, kits and more! We saw coloring books for adults which were really cute.
I liked this book of wisdom from Mr. Rogers!
Just in case you were wondering-It is not a good idea to bring an Alligator to school!!!
Classics for Kids!!!
Who had this as a child? I Did!
The boys finally made their selections, they chose a Magic Set and a Planetarium. We tried out the magic set today and are mastering a few of the tricks! It is so much fun! The Planetarium will be opened and set up tomorrow. We really can’t wait for that. We will be sure and give you an update!
I will leave you with a littler more information on the Barnes & Noble MasterCard I told you about earlier in the post.
Card benefits exclusive to the Barnes & Noble MasterCard
Get 5% back at Barnes & Noble when you use your card at any Barnes & Noble store or online at BN.com
Earn a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after your first purchase
Automatically receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card every time you reach 2,500 points
Earn 1 reward point for every $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Barnes and & Noble purchases), even for everyday purchases like gas and groceries
No annual fee
Complimentary FICO® Credit Score
Use your Barnes & Noble MasterCard to purchase any of the following
Books
NOOK & NOOK Books
Toys & Games
Home & Gifts
Movies & TV
Textbooks
Gift Cards
Newspapers & Magazines
This post is sponsored by the Barnes & Noble MasterCard, powered by Barclaycard. All opinions are my own.
Are you trying to conceive? You want to make sure you are in optimal health before trying to conceive a baby. Getting a physical, health screenings, taking care of weight issues, making diet changes and more can stack the odds in your favor for conception. Read on to find out what you should take care of before trying to get pregnant.
Schedule A Pre-Conception Visit With Your OB/GYN:
See your OB/GYN for a pre-conception visit to get an evaluation of your overall health prior to conceiving. This visit should include STI screening and frank discussion of genetic disorders, problems with previous pregnancies, chronic health conditions and hereditary factors that may cause pregnancy complications. You should also discuss any birth control you have been using and the discontinuation of it.
Make sure to go over all medications you are taking and the safety of them with your doctor. Go over even over the counter medications and herbal supplements to see if they are safe. Ask your doctor about your weight. Being underweight or overweight can affect your chances of conceiving and also lead to pregnancy and childbirth complications. It is best to achieve a healthy weight prior to conception. Have your doctor recommend an exercise and diet plan to help you achieve your target weight.
Visit The Dentist:
Get your teeth cleaned and take care of any pressing dental issues. Pregnancy is no time to be sidelined by toothaches and dental problems. Prevention is key. Have cavities filled and take care of any other procedures you need to. You also want to have a thorough cleaning. Did you know that women with gum disease are four to seven times more likely to have an underweight or premature baby, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association? So get those pearly whites and gums in top condition before conception.
Evaluate Your Diet:
Clean up your diet and eliminate soda, sugary snacks and other empty calories. Start eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy. Be sure to review with your doctor the list of foods women should steer clear of during pregnancy. Fish is good but some fish like swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish should be avoided during pregnancy and conception due to high levels of mercury. Fish with low mercury levels like canned tuna, catfish, shrimp and salmon should be limited to 12 oz. a week.
Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid:
Start taking a good prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Make sure your vitamin is patented to provide true cellular delivery of nutrients. If not you are wasting your money and can be hurting your health. Most vitamins do not provide cellular delivery of nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Do your research and make sure you are taking a vitamin that is doing more than just passing through your body. Ideally you want to begin taking a prenatal supplement at least 3 months prior to trying to conceiving.
Detox Your Body:
Stop drinking alcohol. Since we don’t actually know what a safe level of alcohol is in pregnancy or exactly when during pregnancy alcohol might have its most severe effects,” says Myra J Wick, M.D., medical co-editor of Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. “If a patient is actively trying to conceive, I recommend that she not drink at all,” she adds. The same goes for marijuana and other illicit drugs. If you wouldn’t give it directly to your baby, make sure it’s out of your system before pregnancy.
Stop smoking and this includes your spouse! Smoking cigarettes can detrimentally affect both a woman’s and a man’s fertility. Smoking can damage and lower sperm count and motility. Smoking also can cause early menopause, increase chance of miscarriage, lead to low birth weight, premature delivery and more. Second hand smoke is also detrimental so quit smoking before conception and stay away from second hand smoke.
Studies are conflicting regarding the effects of caffeine on fertility and pregnancy. It has been linked by some studies to miscarriage. If you want to be safe, you should try to limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams a day. Remember caffeine is found in more than coffee or tea. It is found in soda, energy drinks, some medications, chocolate and other foods.
Detox Your Home:
Get rid of toxic chemicals in your home. There are many everyday products that people use every day that contain hormone disrupting chemicals. Chemicals that can cause infertility, miscarriage and birth defects. Remember these chemicals cross the placenta and it is best to rid your home of them before you try to conceive. You will want them out of your house after baby, so just get them out now!
Almost all antibacterial soaps contain Triclosan- a hormone disrupting chemical. Dishwasher detergents, laundry soaps, all purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, bleach, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, make up, first aid products and more contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Do some research and find out what you have in your home that is not safe. Replace these products with safe and healthy solutions.
Get Familiar With Your Body:
Start charting your cycle, you can do this with several online sites that make charting your cycle very easy. I used one with my last pregnancy and took my temperature every morning with a basal thermometer. I also used an ovulation predictor and both were on target and we conceived that month. It is best to know your cycle so you know the optimal time for conception. The better you know your body will make your chances of uniting that egg and sperm more favorable.
Eliminate Stress:
Relax-do not stress about getting pregnant. I know this is easier said than done especially if you are having a difficult time. Try to relax using whatever means works best for you because it will help your mind, body and spirit be at their peak for conception to occur.
If you suffer from anxiety, adhd, depression or other issues you should see a health care professional if you do not already. Pregnancy can make these conditions worse and having professional support is important. Also as I mentioned above you will want to discuss any medication you are taking and the safety of continuation during pregnancy.
Don’t sabotage your chances of conceiving by using a lubricant that can harm or hinder sperm. When choosing a lubricant, choose wisely. Many lubricants on the market can impede sperm and contain spermicides. Using a sperm friendly lubricant like Astroglide TTC™ that is specially formulated for couples trying to conceive. Astroglide TTC™ supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality and a consistency similar to your own egg white cervical mucus.
Each package has 8 pre filled disposable applicators making supplementing your natural fluids and enhancing your comfort easy. Astroglide TTC™ also contains galactose, which is found naturally in semen, as well as fructose, the main source of energy for sperm. . Astroglide TTC™ is the best value compared to any other competitor on the market with a retail price of $12.99!
Going through the list above will give you the best chance for achieving pregnancy. Do you have any tips to share? Is there anything you did that helped you conceive? I would love to hear them in the comments.
Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
