Wish me luck!

Today, Tom Tom is learning about the potty! When I trained Mimi 2 years ago we used the book, "Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day" by Teri Crane. It was a great guide, so I am trying it again today with my boy! Wish me luck!!!

PS PLEASE ENTER MY CONTEST BELOW!! :)

Do you wear perfume?

I have to say, I really don't wear perfume at much any more. Not sure why. Maybe because there are so many scented lotions and bath gels today. Or maybe it is because most days I just sit at home with the kids. Or it could be that in the past few years I have developed allergies. However, Back in college I loved the Liz Clairborne triangle bottle (ha, remember those?). And about five years ago, I picked up a bottle from Crabtree & Evelyn but they stopped making the scent. If you love perfume, check out the new site Talk Perfume.

Contest underway

I know I have been MIA lately. I'll update everyone soon, but in the meantime, please register below to win a $25 of Skin Natural shielding lotion + SPF!

14 Day Makeover

http://www.prevention.com/14day/
This is fun. Register to win a 14 day life makeover from Neutrogena. Tell them in 100 words what you life goal is and you could win. Good luck!

$2 coupon for Snuggle Creme

Are you in need of a little 'me' time? Pamper your senses with the luxurious texture and delicate fragrance of new Snuggle Crème. It leaves your clothes feeling smooth, soft, and delightfully fresh to wear. Go ahead, treat yourself and your clothes. Available in two indulgent scents - Sweet Almond and Jojoba Essence - rich, creamy textures and delicate fragrance designed to leave your clothes feeling smooth.

Kids' Choice Awards

Kids Games Kids Video Kids Music Quiz

Parents, grab your kids and pick your favorites! This post is going to make you a "cool parent" with your children. It's your chance to vote THIS WEEK for the Kids' Choice Awards! (I'm sure you have heard of this fun awards show. It's presented each year by Nickelodeon. This year's show is beind held on Saturday March 28 at 8:00 p.m.)
You can vote for all the following categories:Favorite TV Actor, Favorite Reality Show, Favorite Reality Show, Favorite Cartoon, Favorite Female Athlete, Favorite Book, Favorite Movie, Favorite Movie Actor, Favorite Movie Actress, Favorite Animated Movie, Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie, Favorite Male Singer, Favorite Female Singer, Favorite Song, Favorite TV Show, Favorite Music Group, Favorite TV Actress, Favorite Male Athlete, and Favorite Video Game All of your kids' favorites are nominated: Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Suite Life with Zach & Cody, Bolt, etc. So have some fun this time!
And here's more fun. IF YOU ALSO WANT A WIDGET LIKE MINE ABOVE, click on your on "Customize and Grab It" on the above graphic, and it can be embedded in to your blog host (ie Blogspot, Wordpress, Facebook, etc). So vote now! Get your widget today! AND I look forward to seeing the winners announced this coming weekend on Nick TV!

I love Reese!

I have always loved Reese Witherspoon. She has an amazing sense of style and maturity unlike many young actors in Hollywood.This week for the premier of Monsters vs. Aliens she looked beautiful. Her metallic dress showed off her sculpted legs. (PHOTO: AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

To copy Reese's look, at a fraction of the price, you can check out these great finds:
Christian V Siriano's Gold Silk Dress
Shoshanna's Silver Wave shift Dress
Queue Ruched Metallic Mini

Sears offering 75 to 80 percent off

Sale alert!!! (You know how I love a good sale!)

Sears is offering 75-80% OFF ORIGINAL PRICES ON FALL & WINTER APPAREL from now till April 18th. There are clearance items for the entire family. There are Levi jeans for men, cute nightgowns for women, and adorable outfits for newborns.

You may be thinking, why I would purchase fall or winter clothing in March!? Well, it’s a good time to purchase basics for next season (things like blue jean, sweaters and tee shirts)...or perhaps even get a head start on your Christmas shopping.

Now I know most of you think of Sears as the place to purchase a new washer and dryer, Craftsmen tools, or perhaps even a large screen television, but when is the last time you checked out the clothing section at Sears? You may be in for a surprise or two! I love the Lands End line and hubby likes the selection of men's office pants.

(As a side note, I have memories of my parents bringing us to Sears as children. Winnie the Pooh would often visit our local Sears store and we have slides of my sister and I with Pooh. I believe she even had a birthday party there one year!)

BONUS TIP: There's also a coupon you can use this weekend. Visit this site to print your coupon: http://urlbrief.com/58bff5.

Lower priced Body shapers

When I got married a few years back, I wore a pair of Spanx under my wedding gown. They were so comfortable and made my figure appear flawless. However, this brand is known to be higher priced. So lately, I have been researching lower priced shapewear.

Did you know that Target has a brand called ASSETS that is similar to Spanx, at half the price?

Macys also carries the Flexees brand of shapewear, which come in a variety of colors and sizes. This brand is lightweight yet gives firm control. (For an added discount shop during a Macy's one day sale!)

Another great place to pick up body shapers is the Bali outlet at the Prime Outlets. I suggest you visit the Bali web site's fit calculator to learn more about the products before heading to the outlet.

One last tip: remember to try on a variety of brands and styles to find the one that is right for YOU.

Shopping for Maternity Clothes (NO NOT ME!)

Shopping for maternity clothes can be fun, especially for the first time mom. However, finding cute, comfortable clothes at budget prices can be difficult.

I recommend to my pregnant friends to first start shopping on eBay. There are many quality brand name maternity clothes (new and used) for auction at discounted prices.

For those who prefer not to shop online, Liz Lange for Target has my favorite line of maternity clothes. This season, I especially love the Essential Knit Dress - Turquoise ($19.99) or the Sweater Dress - Pink ($29.99).

JCPenney also has a selection of maternity clothing. For an everyday look, check out the a.n.a SS Ruffle Front V-Neck ($19.99) paired with the duo™ Maternity Stretch Twill Capris ($19.99).
Need a great pair of maternity jeans? Check out Gap's No Panel Boot cut jeans (sale $48.65) or Old Navy's Maternity Real-Waist Flared-Leg Jeans ($36.50)

And remember, basic maternity clothing can look super fabulous by adding great accessories and shoes!

Privacy Harbor's free email system

I was asked to tell my blog readers about a private and free email system from Privacy Harbor.

PrivacyHarbor.com's private and free email system keeps your messages out of the hands of advertisers and others who want to see your email. You don't want people reading your letters or listening in on your phone calls, so why would it be acceptable for spammers and companies to pry in on your email? The clear answer is, it's not.

Keep every message private, safe and secure with privacyharbor.com free email service.

• Free email service with upgrade options .Secure email account with no ads or marketing partners keeping your personal information.
• You own your content not us
• Anti-spam and virus protection to avoid ever getting spam in your inbox.
• See when a person has read your sent message
• Ability to retract messages that you sent in error.
• Individual nad company-wide folder organization
• Premium phone and chat support with remote diagnostic tools
• Ability to send large attachments

Best of all it's easy to use. Use PrivacyHarbor.com to send all your email because your conversations should be private.

Sounds good? Then, click here to get your private, free email account(www.privacyharbor.com)

Friday Fotos (EPCOT)

We went to Epcot yesterday for Tom-Tom's (actual) birthday.

Tommy's 2nd Birthday Party

The birthday boy eating cake! Woody Cake

New Buzz Lightyear shoes

Dolphins blowing bubble rings

You all know I live in Orlando and visit the theme parks often. I remember my first visit to SeaWorld. I was surely amazed at all the sea animals on display: sea lions, manatee, dolphins, whales, sharks, etc. In fact, last year I brought Princess Mimi to SeaWorld for the first time, and for weeks afterwards she spoke about Shamu.

Personally, my favorite is the dolphin. They are so intelligent and yet seem to have a sense of humor, too.

So I was amazed at this new video below (from Seaworld's new site Dolphin Bubbles) showing that dolphins can blow these bubble rings from their blow holes. Words don't describe how fascinating this really is (you have to view the video!) In fact, you may have seen some of this "bubble making" on ABC's World News with Charles Gibson recently.




Pretty cool, uh? If you want to see more dolphin videos, the new SeaWorld web site shows more videos of the dolphins making bubble from their blow holes. (Your kids will love it too!) It's truly incredible and shows how much we have to learn about these great creatures.

And next time you are in Orlando, take a day from your schedule to head to SeaWorld. It's truly a fun, and educating, day for the entire family!

Quick Friday Hello

Well, the next few days will be fun. Tomorrow is Tom Tom's 2nd birthday party. We are doing a Woody (Toy Story) theme. I can't believe my baby is turn TWO!

On Monday, Hubby and I are going away for two nights! (First time we leave Tom-Tom, and only the second time we leave Princess Mimi). We are staying at a local resort for two nights/three days (using a gift certificate I won at a recent silent auction). I can't wait to relax and enjoy the pool!!!

So, Have a HAPPY FRIDAY and I'll try to upload a few photos over the weekend!

Free Dunkin Coffee

http://dunkinathome.com/
Free sample of Dunkin Donuts coffee at home!

Thank you for the Gluten-Free Cupcakes Mandy!

A beautiful friend of mine, Mandy, just started a gluten-free blog. You really should check it out, especially if you have Celiac disease! She sent me a few cupcakes today; and as you see, the kids loved them!

Saving $s at the Grocery Store

Did you see the TODAY show this morning? The coupon mom brough $100 worth of groceries for 25-cents! WOW! The one thing said that caught my interest is that coupons are usually published in the Sunday circular about one month before the item is on sale at the grocery store, so HOLD ON to your coupons until the sale hits! Good to know!

Here is the information: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29468915/

I'm alive, but mad as hell

I haven't been online much the past few days. I am mad as hell! I got my first speeding ticket on Saturday.

The officer said I was doing 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. BULL! I was coming off of a round exit ramp at 30 mph in a mini van with two kids and my mother in law...AND approaching a red light.

Seriously, HOW THE HECK COULD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT 60mph???

I politely asked the officer if he didn't mean to pull over the black car flying along side the right of me and he said "no! You were doing 60mph!"

He wrote me up for 54 mph ($111) instead of the 60 mph ($236). But I still have to go to traffic school to get the points removed from my driver's license so my auto insurance doesn't consider me "high risk"! What a pain.

I considered contesting in court, but I hear it's no use as the judge usually sides with the cop. I mean, it's his word against mine, so why would a judge listen to me.

So yes, five days later I am still angry as hell! Anyone else ever get a ticket they feel was not warranted?

My new idea...

As you may know Princess Mimi is enrolled in a two-day preschool program. Tom-Tom was going once a week but I had to pull him out for the remainder of the year (doctor's orders).

Over the past few days, I've been thinking about the summer and how to keep the kids "learning" while not in preschool.

I began searching online and came across this great FREE curriculum for preschoolers aged 2 to 4: http://www.letteroftheweek.com/Preparatory_Outline.html. This particular program that I am interested in is 26-weeks long.

Well I figured out if I started Tom-Tom now, we'd finish up right about the time school starts up in the Fall. Of course, I'll go ahead and include Princess Mimi in the fun, too. The author/creator has everything completely laid out and so organized. She even links to free coloring pages on the internet. (It's amazing!)

I am thinking it will take no more than 30 minutes every Sunday evening to print out the lessons & prepare, and about 20 to 30 minutes each day to actually teach. (I do work in the office each Wednesday, which is alphabet day, but I can print coloring sheets for the sitter and we can chat in the car about the letter).

So I ran to the store on Friday and picked up a bulletin board to hang in Tom-Tom's room. Each week I can put the letter, number, shape or color on the board for him to look at!

Week 1 - Lesson # 1: cows, calf, square, A, 1, Hey Diddle Diddle