Who has guys in the house? Who has
guys that are into football? Ugh, I feel for you
for those weeks when football are on have got
to be the longest of my life. Not only do they
take over the TV and become sacks of lazy potato's
who would not help me with anything even if I lit
their sneakers on fire they also eat all day long
and drag that food into the living room and make
the biggest mess in the world. These guys who
are so lacksa daisy and have no structure at all
in anything they do have this perfect down to the
minute routine they do every single Sunday. First
thing, make a great breakfast, ( I clean up) second
thing run up to the store and get supplies. When they
get back they set up their snacking table for the
game. Once again I am left cleaning up the total mess
they make. Andrew has to have his Salsa in one bowl,
chips in the next and then a bowl of cheese to
dip everything in. John on the other hand has to
spread all his Chip on a sheet pan and then mix
some bean stuff with a cheese stuff and cook it
and then drizzle his Salsa on top. Now he just sets
everything up for Half time for that is when the
snacks come out. What cracks me up is these two
have never agreed on any food item ever, in fact
when John cooks Andrew eats a sandwich no matter
what it is. There could not be two people with tastes
as different as these two but the one thing they have
in common is they both have to have the chips and
the salsa. It is a must have. In fact Salsa is huge
period at my house on a lot of things. Potato's, chips,
bread, in soups and chili and tacos and every other
kind of food you could think of. It also can't be just
any Salsa. They each have brands they prefer and the
each have to get their own jar on Sundays. I could never
understand how they thought it was normal to spend 30 bucks
on snack foods every Sunday but they do. Now Andrew
is more adventurous when it comes to salsa and he will
try anyone that claims it is hot at least once. John on
the other hand has two brand he will stick too and is so
picky if they don't carry those brands he will skip the
Salsa all together. I think they are both ridiculous and
yeah, I love Salsa but I have never been a fanatic about
it to the point these guys are. They will go so far as to
hide their bottles under their bed so nobody else can touch
them. Now if you didn't think they were ridiculous before
you have to now for what you don't know is they go out
of their way to hide them but there are only four people
in the house. Them, who will not touch each others Salsas
for the two John eats are probably the only two Andrew
refused to touch, and John would never touch Andrews for
John can't handle the spice like Andrew can and his are
always hot no matter what brand and if they are not hot
enough he will add more spice himself. Also in the house is
me, and I know both of their hiding spots so what is the
point, and Rowan who can't even walk yet let alone go
snooping for their Salsas. Yet every single Sunday the make
a huge deal out of labeling their jars and hiding them under
their bed.
I am sure you guessed by now they are both big time
Salsa fanatics. Andrew has even gone so far as to grow
his own peppers and make it from scratch in an attempt to
get the perfect mix. All Summer long I had Peppers all over
my tables and window sills and in cups and bowls and
Tomatoes were stuffed in every drawer in my fridge. He grew
everything though and I will give him credit, right down to the
spices he used but the next Summer I had to nix it for we just
don't have the space for it and fruit fly's were driving me nuts
for he swore the Tomato's had to be a certain level of ripe and
if he didn't make it within a day of being that ripe they would
start to rot. YUCK! When Mrs Renfro's gave me a chance to
review their line of Salsas I jumped at it for I would do just
about anything to keep Andrew from taking over 80 percent
of my house with his yearly Salsa Project and would be even
more thrilled to find a Salsa they both can agree on so I
wouldn't have to worry about finding rotting bottles of Salsa
under our bed and Andrews for they are worse then Squirrels
hiding their acorns with their stash. We were sent a variety
of their Salsas and I got to try them first for the boys
can not eat them to like 3 PM. Don't ask me why for thank
the stars football season is over but their excuse was
somewhere along the lines they would blow their ritual
up if they varied from the schedule. I liked the Mango
Salsa the best. It was spicy but sweet and reminded me
of this Summer Salsa I had bought at a homemade stand once
that I had never been able to get again. This was a Salsa
perfect for just eating plain with Chips and the Saltier the
chip the better for the salt complements the Salsa even more.
It is also a perfect Salsa for young kids to enjoy as well for
it is tangy and is not over bearing in the spice department and
is chunky and hearty enough so they can dip their chips in
it and not have it run down their little fingers. Rowan is
a little too young for the chip part so I gave her a little on
a cracker and I was a mad generous for she loved it.
( I am so hoping I don't find a bottle stuffed under her crib.)
When 3 PM came I had the Salsas poured into bowls so only
I would know what one was what for I didn't want the names
to cloud their opinions and they guys got to a tasting. Here
are the results.
My order was:
1. Mango
2. Roasted
3. Green
4. Habanaro
Johns were:
1. Roasted
2. Mango
3. Green
4. Habanaro
Andrew was:
1. Habanaro
2. Green
3. Roasted
4. Mango
As you can see Andrew went for the spice big time and
John was close to mine other then I put the Mango number one,
I just loved that Mango. All of the Salsas were the perfect
blend with hearty pieces and rich and flavorful. If you are a
Salsa fan you are destined to find your match here for the
list of flavors they have is not only impressive it is all encompassing.
If you like hot or mild they have it. We have decided as a family
to get the Green and the Roasted for they were pretty high on
every ones list and middle of the road so to speak. For special
events though I will make sure to grab some of Andrews Habinaro
and my Mango and I am itching to try the Pomegranated too.
They also have relish and I was so excited for my Grandmothers
baked bean recipe calls for a relish and she made it herself and
I have never been able to find anything close to it and the Mild
Tomato looks just like it and I am eager to try it. They also have
cheese sauce, BBQ sauce and Syrups that look just as tasty
and if they are half as good as the Salsas were I just can't wait.
The most exciting thing to me is after years and years of having
to buy a different brand for everyone in the house we now have
not only a brand but a type we can all agree on and I never
thought I would live to see the day that happened.
The Mrs Renfro's web site alone is fantastic for it has a
load of different recipes to make with Salsa and some I never
would have dreamed of putting together. Both the Taco Pie
and the Mexican Fudge are on our to make list for they just
sound scrumptious. Personally I am really wanting to try the
Spinach and Strawberry Salad but the boys are a little against
it for heaven forbid they have something a little on the healthy
side. No matter what your tastes, how hot or mild you like it
or if you want to walk on the wild side these guys have what you
want. I totally enjoyed this review and they saved me from a
lot of Sunday headaches and now we might even be able to
snack as a family. YUM!
Mrs Renfro wants you guys to try their delicious
Salsa too and is going to give one of my readers a chance
to win a gift pack of four of their Salsas! To enter just head over
to their site and take a look around then come back here and
post what sounds the most delicious to you! The contest will
start tonight and run to midnight on April 21st.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.
Mrs Renfro's Gourmet Salsas and More.
Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.
1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.
2. Enter any of my other contests. 1 entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.
3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.
4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.
5. Tweet about this contest. 5 entries
please post five times.
Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!
Posted in
baked goods,
contest,
delisious,
eat,
enter,
food,
prize,
snacks,
sweepstakes,
tasty,
win,
YUM
by Michelle AKA blabla3269
|
I think we just had the worst snow storms all
year in the last two weeks. I really thought we were going
to make it through the Winter without a nasty one and
even my son had not missed any school to snow days
this year. Then in the last 2 weeks, there were like 5 major
snow storms and we were hit hard. I think some places in the
country are still getting hit. Just when you thought it was
safe to come out of the Winter clothes closet, BAM, little
white flakes that scream, "Not so fast there Buddy!" So
much for an early Summer. But old man winter can't stop
it from coming altogether no matter how hard it tries and
one of these days eggs will once again sizzle on the side
walk. Last Summer was a wash for me for the first part
of it I waddled and the middle I had a baby in NICU and
the end a little tiny little bundle of a eating, crying and doo
doo machine. We didn't even really get Rowan out of the
house to fall when we took her and the Pooch to the cider
mill. Okay, the Pooch went to the Cider Mill and the rest
of us were just dragged along. This Summer I plan on
taking full advantage for not only do we live in Michigan,
home of the 10 zillion and one lakes but in my complex
the pool is about 20 feet off my patio and out of the 18
condos and about 200 apartments only us and maybe three
other family's use the pool. Now you have to love that for
it is like having our own personal commercial sized pool
right out our back door. Rowan will still be a doo doo
machine this Summer but she will be a swimming one too.
Yeah, yeah, little water pants will be used.
The only problem is a can never find a suit that
I like. I have the worst shaped body in the whole world. I
have great legs ( and I am humble!) but all my extra
weight is around my middle and arms and I have a large
rib cage that makes me look like a have a nice bust but
in reality I have no cleavage. Nothing fits right on the top,
is too tight in the middle and hangs off the bottom. Finding
a suit is almost a nightmare and to compound the matter I
am also super self conscious so I end up wearing a t-shirt
over the whole kit and kaboodle. This year I know I will not
even be able to wear the suit I have had the last couple of
years that I have developed a love/hate relationship with.
I hate that it is the only one that I could find that fits right
and I love the fact that I could find one at all! I want one
that makes the jiggly parts stand still and not squeeze them
so tight they make for an escape at the closest available
opening. I want a suit that is flattering but not so low cut
that my son begs me to find a spot in the beach far enough
away so people don't know he is with me. I would like a style
that is flattering on a woman my age but not make me look
like I can only hang by the pool to 6 for at 7 they serve Jello
at the home! It would also be nice to have a little sun protection
but I think I may be pushing the envelope now. While I was
looking through the first series of many stores I thought I would
be shopping at this year I came across one that made me sit
up and take notice. Believe it or not it was like the third store
I came to too! Normally I spend months looking only to get
super frustrated and just recycle the suit from last season. This
isn't your normal swim suit store and I don't even really know
how I had this one end up on my list of stores to check out
but boy am I glad I did. Girls4Sport has just the items I was
looking for and I found a ton of cuties for Rowan too!
Girls4Sport sells swim wear and active wear and
performance clothing for all the girls in the family. From Cross
Training to Neoprene they have a great selection of items that not
only fit great and offer sun protection they look perfect on and are
made to last. Their performance fabrics offers support and
keeps Mount Jiggles* from running amok and the built in
shelf Bra makes it even better for they support the girls and
even give me a little bit of cleavage that I so dearly lack. The
Aqua Tops work perfect for all water sports and the colors and
styles work even better for me. Nothing is crazy or too flashy
yet instead of dropping all style and taste and just going for a
plain old bland boring suit they put together styles that look
hot and fashionable for every age. Even their patterned suits
are gorgeous and I am not a pattern person. The Suit I was sent
for review is a Halter top and a Boy Brief bottom and it is
just darling with the black and white pattern and both pieces
offer spectacular support where I need it. Each style comes in
a variety of colors and designs and another cool perk I have
just fell in love with is you can mix and match the pieces so
you have the option of buying a whole set or a pair of solid
bottoms and 3 or four different tops so it looks like you have
a new suit for every occasion. I also did the Michelle test and
you guys know how tough I am on clothes and I washed the suits
at least 20 times and pulled and stretched and went to town
yanking on the seams and even the ties the hook around your
neck to make sure nothing was going to come lose or stretch
and fall apart. I even let Rowan fondle one with some Juice
and some strawberry, hot fudge Sundae covered hands just
to see if they were stain resistant and they were perfect and
flew through every single test I tossed their way. In fact I
was so impressed with the adult styles they had there I have
already clued a few of my Mom friends in for most Moms
have the same problem with Swimsuits I have. Now we are
all going to look like a bunch of Diva's at the beach this Summer!
Hubba Hubba guys, eat you hearts out!
Rowan got to review a suit too and hers was just as
darling and just as perfect as mine. I put hers through the same
tests but I also took some extra time to yank on hers just a little
bit more for face it kids are hard on clothes. Still ticken after
a good old fashioned Michelle licken'! They carry toddler sizes and
youth sizes so there are items to fit your kids all the way to
adult and they also have a fantastic selection and I love the
little swim shorts for it is a hassle to get a one piece off of a
baby to change their diaper and most of the suits that are two
piece come off so easy you end up letting your toddler run around
with just the top or naked. Now with the swim shorts I can take
them on and off with no drama and the top has incredible coverage
and I can let her run around all day with it on for it is so versatile
she can wear it as play clothes then turn around and jump in the
pool without missing a beat. If you have a surfer on your hands or
just a little girl who loves the water so much she even swims
when you think the water should still have ice on it you can
worry less for they even have a Thermagaurde suit and keep
them as warm and cuddly as if she were wearing Long Johns on a
Winter day. Rowans suit fit like a dream and the stretchy material
will grow with her for a while and unlike other suits that
you are going to have to buy a bigger size every few months to
keep up with those weed like children. Last of all Girls4Sport
has clothing that is good for you too! That's right guys and gals,
their clothing has built in UV protection and the swim suits or active
wear blocks at least 98% of UVA/UVB rays. Not sure what suit
to get for your wife or daughter don't take a chance and buy her
something for your tastesbut get her a gift certificate instead. Now
she can pick out what style she wants and you will never have
to spend a full day with her as she tries on 72 differnat fabrics
alone. See, they think of everything! You can also buy Girls4Sport
items on line or at a whole bunch of retail stores. They even
have a sizing guide to make your life a whole lot more simple
and a list of retail stores sorted by state so if you feel as if
you have to try one on you will know where to go. I used to
be a small or medium before Roan detroyed my body after 15
years of trying to get shape and now I think i am a size 6
and just told them I think I need a meduim or large and let me
tell you their suits come the exact size you order. All in all
Girls4Sport has the best suits I have ever came across and
they and going to be my first stop and last stop every time
I need a new suit from now on!
Even better Girls4Sport is going to let one of my
readers see how awesome they are. One reader will win a
pair of Childrens Board shorts in the Sea Green or Coral
Pink. To enter just head over to their site and take a look
around and then come back here and post what your all
time favorite item is in a comment. The contest will start
today and run to Midnight on April 16th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.
Girls4Sport
Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.
1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.
2. Enter any of my other contests. 1 entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.
3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.
4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.
5. Tweet about this contest. 5 entries
please post five times.
Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!
*For those of you new to my site Mount Jiggles is my
Belly who I am always fighting with!
Posted in
active,
beach,
contest,
enter,
fashion,
fitness,
get out and play,
girls,
glamour,
makeup and style,
Outdoor Fun,
prize,
sports,
sweepstakes,
swim,
win,
women
by Michelle AKA blabla3269
|
You would think since I went to school to be a
Chef and I also went for Hotel and Restaurant management
that I would have the "Bombest!" Kitchen on the block.
Top of the line everything and only the best. My cupboards
she should make Martha Stewart cry and my cutlery should
be of such high quality I can cut a can then a Tomato like
that old infomercial. But no, like a mechanic who's personal
car never runs right my Kitchen just doesn't cook. Oh, I
have gadgets, so many I have to store 2/3 rds of them for
I just don't have the shelf space but the sad part there is
those gadgets aren't mine. They are my sons. Since he was
2 years old and wanted an Easy Bake oven to make a
M&M cake he has been collecting them. I even did have
those knives from the commercial ( Ginsu? -can't remember)
for my Mother ( now everyone repeat with me, BAD NANA!)
bought them for Andrew when he was like 4 for he wanted them
so bad. She did explain she meant for me to hold them for
him to he was older but he was a boy and a super active one
at that and one morning I woke to find the arm of my couch
cut up and the knives were then taken from where I thought
they were safe on the top shelf in the kitchen and placed in
storage and did not survive the house fire I had a year or so
after that. Right now we have:
A bullet, a mighty whisk, a popcorn maker, a Slurpee maker,
a ice cream maker, an omelet maker and an omelet pan,
a donut maker, a puff maker, the chocolate factory, a
candy maker, the cookie kit, 2 different George Foreman grills,
oops make that three now, a griddle, a pizza oven, a smoothie
machine, a Slap Chop, a Panini maker, a grilled cheese maker and
more special pans and kitchen tools and ice cube trays and
basters and gadgets then you can shake a stick at. It is
just insane. What I don't have and have not had is good
knives. I have a steel and a sharpener so you would think I
would have something to use with them but no, I keep getting
crappy knives that barely cut butter. I tell myself over and over
again that I am going to start getting good knives and collecting them
so I have a great set and every time I go to the store I see some
kit that seems like such a deal I grab that instead. When I get
home I am thrilled and open it right away and start chopping and
almost cry for it works so well in comparison to what I was
using and I am overwhelmed by how sharp they are and smooth
they cut. For a week I start busting out all my old recipes that
you need to cut things for and go crazy, I make Chicken Scallopini
and cut my own cutlets for the knife just works perfect, I do stir fry
everything and cut veggies like they will never grow again. Cheese,
bread, fruits and everything I can find. For a week I have fresh
cheese, fruit and Veggies trays filled to the brim for easy snacking
in my fridge and become an addict. Then I grab my knife set one
day and start to cut and it isn't quiet as smooth. Not as sharp.
Alright, I get that, loads of Kitchen experience, Knives dull, no
biggie. I grab my sharpeners and go to town there and then try
it again. Still dull. Hummmmmm, I used to be pretty darn good
at sharpening, maybe I am just out of practice, try again. I am
very thorough this time. Grab a Tomato for they are more easy
to cut and maybe I need to start with easy. I cut, it mushes
for the knife is so dull I have to press down to get a cut.
I grumble and snap at the next person who walks in the
room. I had went to the store and planned on spending 50-100
bucks on a good quality knife that would last forever and instead
of getting that ONE knife I once again fell for the good deal and
bought the set that had the steak knives and Chef's knife and
utility knife and bread knife and a half a dozen more specialty
knives in the pack. Hey, I got all of them for 49.95 and
the pack had all sorts of claims on it about them lasting
forever and keeping their edge and yada yada total crap. I
would throw the knives back at them but they are such junk
even if I did hit them they wouldn't stick. Back to square one,
again!
I vowed for like the 50th time that next time I bought
a knife it would be a good quality one and I would only buy
one at a time until I had a set of Superior knives that really
would last a lifetime. To solidify it this time I researched knives
and found a brand I decided to get and this brand happened to
be a ceramic knife. Ceramic is currently the best knife you can
get. I mean best, they blow steel away. This is the difference
between a raindrop and a tsunami here with benefits such as:
1. The Hardness. The only thing harder than the material used
to make these knives is a diamond. This makes them sharp
as well and are much harder and sharper then anything steel
has to offer.
2. Weight. They are very lightweight. These knives weigh less
than half of what other knives do.
3. Durability. Ceramic knives can usually go years without
needing to be sharpened. They also last longer overall because
unlike metal they will never rust.
4. Chemically Inert. These knives are not made with metal so
therefore you will not get that "Tinny" taste you can with metal
and the food you are cutting will end up tasting like that food.
They are also easy to clean and will never stain and super
easy to maintain. I did a load of research and was hooked.
While looking for a brand of kitchen knives that I wanted to
buy I stumbled on a site that has all sorts of ceramic knifes.
www.ceramicknife.org. They have Hunting knives, Rigging,
Electrician, Pocket knives and now a Kitchen Utility knife.
I contacted them to ask some questions and got the chance
to do a review. Now I was tickled pink. I was at last going
to have a good knife in my kitchen. AT LAST!
For review I was sent the Kitchen Utility knife and he
also tossed in a Rigging knife for me to check out. When
they came I was like a kid in a candy shop and I could not
wait to try them. I cut every single thing in the house that
could be cut. All with the Utility knife. I even had a whole
filet roast in my freezer. My Mother knows Andrew and I love
steaks and for Christmas she went to the meat store and bought
us the whole Filet Roast so we could cut our own Filet Mignon
to the size we wanted. A huge Roast at that and even if I cut
2-3 inch pieces we would have enough for 20 steaks or more.
I had to freeze it for it was just too large and since my knives
were so crappy I did not want to mess with cutting it until I
absolutely had to. The first time I cut off a piece I used my
serrated knife for the knives I had that were made for cutting
cuts of meat was so crappy it would never make it through
so at least with my serrated I could saw my way through. It
is still a pain in the butt and the steaks look like heck so I
am super glad it was just for our own consumption and I didn't
have guests coming over but it got the job done, barely. With
the Ceramic knife I was a little worried for it you don't know what
a Kitchen Utility knife is, it is a small knife, maybe 2-3 inches
and used for cutting hard items where you need control or sort
of an anything goes knife as long as it is not a big sort of
anything. I was afraid I would have to cut around the outside
first to get a groove big enough for the knife to fit in and do
it that way but boy was I surprised. And a good surprise too
for the knife is so sharp it just glided right through, and I mean
glided through. This was a frozen solid hunk of meat that I
would have trouble cutting even with a "Good" sharp "Steel"
knife and this was going through this huge roast like a steak
knife through butter! I almost cried. I never enjoyed a steak
more. Now I was worried that it would dull before long like
all the other knives I had bought so what they hey, if it is
going to break my heart I might as well speed up the process
so I know sooner rather then later. I spent a whole week cutting
everything in the house, I had other meats that were bought in
bulk and I cut all of them up ( except for the filet) and that
wasn't enough so every box I got that week in the mail and
mind you guys and girls, I get 20-40 boxes a week all super
sealed and wrapped in enough tape to efficiently tape my son
to the wall so he could never get out. I used it to cut down
those boxes and cut the twine I was using to tie them up for
the dumpster and I even used the knife to cut through some
cable wire when I moved my cable box and needed a longer
piece. Then I went back to the kitchen and cut cut cut some
more. At the end of 10 full days of cutting everything I could
get my hands on I pulled out that filet Roast and was going to
try it again. In my mind, no way would it be this easy
this time. Even if I had a steel knife I had paid 100 bucks
for or a clever I did not think it could take the beating I put
it through and still cut through this roast. At the very least I
thought it would need to be sharpened first!
BOY WAS I WRONG!
Oh-My-GAWD, this knife cut just like it did the first day
I got it and I was in utter and total shock. If you spend a
lot of time in the kitchen run, don't walk to get this knife.
It is that good and ceramicknife.org has prices that I could
not find cheaper any where else and I looked like crazy,
remember I was determined way before this review to buy some
and had already done a load of research on brands and prices.
This knife is fantastic and I loveeeeeeeee ceramicknife.org. New
best friend material here!
The other knife they send was the Rigger. Once again
I had my guys at war over who would get it. I deemed it
a family item for I didn't want to hear it and didn't really know
what a Rigger is and wanted to know before I let them have it
at all. This is a pocket knife of sorts designed to cut when
you can only use one hand. It is perfect for sailors who need
to cut ropes and is so sharp it can cut through Kevlar. After
reading about it and talking it over with the guys we decided
it is also perfect for things such as hunting and fishing and
DIY work around the house and none of us could get over
how light weight it was. We compared it to the Sports knife
I bought for Andrew when he decided he wanted to take up
hunting and it just blew that knife out of the water. It is also
half the price of what I paid for that knife and while I spent
the week with my kitchen utility knife cutting everything in
sight the guys spend the week cutting everything with these.
Both of the guys used it to cut the Strings down on their
guitars, Andrews a normal guitar and Johns a Bass Guitar with
thicker strings. They also cut floor tiles and carpet and lord
knows what else for after I checked in a few times to see what
they were up to they made me nervous they would cut a hand
off ( it cuts through Kevlar for Christs Sake, whats a hand
compared to that?) and I decided it was better if I just didn't
know. It folds up and is just under 3 inches so it is legal to
carry and it works better then any pocket knife or sporting
knife you have ever seen. If you know a man who Hunts or
Fishes or just needs a knife this is your guy and ceramicknife.org
is your site. They also sell Utility blades and a sharpener and
much much more. I know for a fact now that I have tried
a ceramic knife I will never go back to steel. Now
I realize I am lucky and it might just be I found a fantastic
place to buy them from but even if that is that case I am
super lucky then for I did find these guys and remember I
already said they are my new best friends and I will never go
back to plain old boring steel!
Ceramicknife.org was not only great to me they
are great to my readers as well and one of you guys can
win your choice of either the Rigger or the Kitchen Utility
Knife. To enter just head over to their site and take a look
around then come back here and post what your favorite
knife is or something you learned. The contest will start
tonight and run to Midnight on April 19th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.
Ceramicknife.org
Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.
1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.
2. Enter any of my other contests. 1 entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.
3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.
4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.
5. Tweet about this contest. 5 entries
please post five times.
Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!
Posted in
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women
by Michelle AKA blabla3269
|
Jimmenie Crickets does Andrew loose money. I swear
that unless you staple it to his forehead it is gone like
the wind. It doesn't matter if you give him a dollar or
a hundred dollars he will loose it just the same. And
Fast too! I bought him wallet after wallet but they are so
clunky they are either too much of a hassle for him to
put in his pocket or they work themselves out for he
can only fit it in his back pocket and pockets now a days
are cut smaller and they just sort of "Pop" out with all
the getting up and down he does in school. I have also
just let him carry it in his pocket but he forgets it is even
in there and it ends up getting washed and sometimes it
makes it, sometimes it doesn't. Now the boy has to
have something for let me tell you he is bad, bad badddddd
with money. Last Summer, now mind you he was 15 at
the time, we went to the corner ice cream store. It is two
blocks away and we go all the time and walk the dog for
it is the perfect walk distance and hey, who doesn't want an
ice cream. Well I don't carry my purse and I know better then
to give it to him so I had the money but when we get there
we can't take the dog in. He holds her, I run in and see what
I want. I come out and take the dog and tell him what I want
and I gave him a 20 dollar bill. From where we are standing to
the counter, 15 -20 feet max and there were maybe three people
in line ahead of him. He goes in and stands there. One person
leaves with their goodies, then another, the third is helping their
kids get a grip on their ice creams and Andrew walks to the
order spot then I see him freaking out and he walks out to
me.
"I lost the money."
"What?"
"I lost the money."
"Andrew, how could you loose money in 20 feet?"
"I don't know, it's just gone."
Okay, I lost it a little. I was in the middle of a riot act
and the woman with the children came walking out and quickly
looked down. I knew she must have picked it up for she would
not even look at me and though I was angry with Andrew nobody
would call it abusive so it wasn't like she felt bad for him. She
was trying to scramble to get her three kids in their seats and I
was telling Andrew I guess we are not getting ice cream then for
I do not have my purse and I am afraid if we walk home and get
more money he will just loose it again and besides I just don't have
20 dollars to throw away every time he is irresponsible. Well I
guess her conscious got the best of her for when she was walking
back in front of her car to get in the drivers side she stopped and
said she thinks she might have his money. She wasn't sure, it
could have been there all day for all she knew but did have money
she found in the store and could we tell her what denomination the
bill was. Andrew quickly told her it was a twenty and she reluctantly
handed it over and then climbed in her car and drove off. I was
kind of stunned for I was not sure who I should be upset with,
Andrew for once again loosing money or this lady who had to have
seen him drop it and instead of doing the right thing she was just
going to keep it and if I had not had a mild temper tantrum there
was not a doubt in my mind she would not have given it back at
all. Well, anyways, the point is that is just how fast that boy can
loose money. So when I got a chance to do some product reviews
for a group of companies and one of them was a money clip from
clip-money.com I knew just who to give it too.
I admit I was afraid at first. If Andrew looses money the clip is
not much bigger, would he loose that too? Is he the best person to
do the product review for John really wanted it too! When his band
plays out he can not carry his wallet and he needs money and
has been just cramming it in his pocket and swears it is the biggest
pain in the butt to dig it out and he also looses it in his pocket.
"What is it with guys loosing money in their pockets if it is not
in or attached to anything?" Even more so he hates having to dig
his wallet out in general and about a year ago he started using a
big paper clip as a money clip and was sticking it in my face showing
me the proof that he really needed a money clip. Well after reviewing
the site and checking out other money clips I realized this Titanium
money clip was the best clip I was going to get for my money for
you just could not beat the price on the site and I would end
up buying one for one of the boys anyways and since John is
an adult and does not loose money nearly as much as Andrew,
or at least he is smart enough not to tell me about it, I decided
to start with Andrew and then just buy one for John. I wanted
to see if this would solve the big problem before moving on with
the little. John stormed out of the room for there is something about
men and the word Titanium that gets them acting all crazy and Juvenile.
I wondered what the big deal about Titanium was so I decided to
look it up as Andrew skipped away with his prize looking like the
cat that ate the canary.
What I found out was Titanium makes for a super good
base to make products out of. It is a metal that is has a fabulous
Strength to weight properties and what that means is it is super strong
and hard to bend or mutilate or destroy. If Andrew left it sitting on
the floor of his room like he does so many things it would still be
sitting there looking as good as ever even after he stepped on it
72 million times unlike his video games and well, just about everything
else he owns and has crushed. It also stands up to different temperatures.
It is not going to melt or get cold and crack and if you leave it in
a sweltering car it wont loose its shape like something plastic would
or even get soft like gold. The other part that I really like, and
I mean really really really liked is that is has a high corrosive value.
That means that most chemicals would be like water rolling off a rock.
Andrew can wash it over and over and it won't be ruined, he
can drop it in just about anything and it can be cleaned off and
put back into service and still look like new. He had a hunting tool
that had a leather or plastic, can't really remember but it was
the handle and that boy dropped the whole thing in a can of paint
because he was daft enough to use it to try and open the lid.
Okay, knife was covered in paint, he dipped it in some sort of
solvent the boys have for God knows what and the handle melted
and the knife lost its edge. If it were pure Titanium it would have
never done that. So I like it because just about whatever they
will do to it the money clip will still be here. They might be in
the dog house but the clip will still be right as rain! Still, those
are all practical reasons and I can't see men having such an affection
for practical reasons, they are after all men and if it isn't a guy
toy of some sort they just don't get all thrilled. There had to be another
reason so I kept looking. Well, guess what? Titanium because of
all the things I told you about is the metal to have for it is used
in Body parts, Big machine blades and other heavy duty equipment and
computers and other gadgets and even airplanes and spacecraft. Now
I get it. All the stuff men think is cool is made with Titanium. It is
also going to be the metal of the future for they are just hitting the
tip of the iceberg on its practical applications. Ahh, I really get it
now, cutting edge man toys. Duh, of coarse they love it!
So now that I know how did the review go? Well, Andrew
put it through the washer 3 times, moved the old love seat to
his room when I got new furniture and sat the leg down on it
then plopped on the couch. Left it on the stove while he was
cooking and it is still ticking. Not only is it still ticking it looks
just like it did when I took it out of the box. He also has
not lost it or lost any money since he has had it. It fits in
his front pocket perfect and is just heavy enough where he knows
it is there but not too bulky that it bothers him and clips his money
in perfectly in fact so good it made it through the 3 trips to
the washer and DRYER with the money still attached when he pulled it
out. He loved it and I loved the fact that not once in the last
2 weeks did he come up to me and say, " Mom, I can't find
that 5 dollars you gave me for lunch, can I have some more?"
My only complaint is that he is so happy with it he lost track of
his wallet all together and that has his ID in it and now I have
to pay for a new ID. Well, that complaint and the fact that
every day when I inquired how the clip is working for the
review he smiles and goes on and on about how much he loves
it and Johns glare gets more and more angry. Ah, I have to get
off my duff and order his before there is an all out war between those
two over a money clip and I end up paying for a Titanium knee
replacement.
The Money clip from Clip-money.com also looks great.
Any guy would be more then happy to carry it around, even if
you didn't tell them it was made with Titanium. It is sleek and slim
and simple with no garish designs that will turn them off and the
only decor' on it is the word Titanium written neatly at the top
and that's a big plus for the guys. They are also available regular
or with a Carbiner attached so the guys can hook it to a belt or
a key-chain and everything is so reasonably priced. Seriously, when
I heard they were made with Titanium I was thinking ut oh, here
is a small fortune and that is so not the case. You guys will be
shocked too! So my final thoughts on the Money Clip from
clip-money.com is that it is stylish, perfect for a guy, fantastically
useful and effective and will last forever and affordable and they
not only stood up to my son they saved his little butt for if
he lost money one more time he might be the one fertilizing
my garden this summer. Really folks, it is a great deal on
a great product and makes an even better gift, I just can't be
any more clear then that!
Clip-money.com is also going to give one of my
readers a money clip too. You don't even have to give it
to your teenage son though they will love you if you do!
To enter just head over to the site and take a look around
then come back here and post what you liked best in a
comment. The contest will start tonight and run to midnight
on April 19th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.
Clip-Money.com
Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.
1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.
2. Enter any of my other contests. 1 entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.
3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.
4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.
5. Tweet about this contest. 5 entries
please post five times.
Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!
Posted in
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by Michelle AKA blabla3269
|
I just missed the boat with this next review. I am
maybe 5 or 6 years too old but I remember a lot of
my friends little brothers and sisters going absolutely
crazy for the Rainbow Brite Dolls. They had a TV show,
toys and games and then a whole bunch of Branded Items
and everywhere you looked there was Rainbow Brite These
gals made Holly look like she had a pretty lame Hobby!
When my son was born I really didn't see them around any
more and thought it wouldn't have mattered for he is a
boy and wouldn't have played with them anyways unless he
needed something for his G.I Joe's to beat up on. A few years
ago Johns Cousin had a Baby and she showed up here one
day with a Rainbow Brite Doll and I was a little surprised. I
asked her if she got it from her Mommy since Johns cousin
and his Daughters Mommy are a lot younger then we are.
I was thinking it might have been one of her old dolls for
I know I had a lot of my Moms old Doll. The sad part with
my Mom's old dolls is I wrecked them and hers were 1950
something Barbies and I could cry now thinking of how much
they are worth today. Any who, I asked if they were her
Mommies and she told me no, she had just got them for
her Birthday.
Huh?
I thought they sorta disappeared. But here is this little girl with
a brand spanking new one! Hum, what do I know. Well I again
put it out of my mind for if my son would not play with one
when he was a toddler I know he would never touch one now
as a 16 year old. I thought they were pretty darn cute but
all I have is Nephews that are young enough for dolls and
I might look a little, okay, a lot funny walking into Toys R Us
and buying myself a Rainbow Brite doll. Then I found out
I was pregnant and going to have a little girl. The first thing
I thought about was, "How cool, I get to play with dolls and
dress them up and play with them and I can do this and I
can do that!" I didn't think about names or what she is going
to grow up to be or how blessed I was to be having her, I
thought about playing dress up and playing with dolls and little
girl toys. Does that make me shallow? I mean really, I can assure
you guys once I am done playing with the dolls I promise to
give them to her. I just called dibs! Well shortly after she was
born I got all dressed up to head off to the store and John
stopped me and asked where I was going.
"To the store."
"What store, you just went grocery shopping and when I
asked you yesterday if you needed anything while I was
out you told me no."
"Um, just running to get something for Rowan."
"Like what?"
"A Toy."
"What Toy, she is only 2 months, she doesn't really need
one."
"Nothing special. I just want to have it ready for when she needs
it."
"What Toy?" He repeated.
"Um, " I mumbled down to the ground. " A Barbie."
"Ah What? Did you just say Barbie? She is not
going to be playing with Barbies for many years yet.
You are joking right?"
"AH, well, really," I mean what do you say here?
Should I come clean and say the Barbie is for me
and Rowan is just my scapegoat or do I make
something up. I mean it is pretty hard to explain my
need for a Barbie or a Rainbow Brite doll to an
adult, even more so to a male adult. So I stammered and
made up a silly excuse about a sale and he gave me the
there will be other sales speech and I ended up with
no dolls are all. Now after all that you can imagine my
surprise when last week I went to grab the mail and there
was a box there. In the box was a what? Yes, you guessed
it, a Rainbow Brite Doll! I was delighted and was giggling like
some kind of maniac as I tore into it. Rowan sat in her high
chair just staring at me for I am pretty sure she thought her
Mommy was loosing her mind. Andrew walked in and I was
still giggling and he demanded to know what was wrong with me
and I couldn't tell him about the doll so I told him Rowan had
been making some funny faces. John walked in and took one
look at me then walked over and grabbed the doll, turned around
and gave it to Rowan.
The Horror!
I didn't even get to play with her hair or anything. They have
pretty hair too! I got one of ( Okay, Rowan got) the new ones
and out of the dolls they have today one has pigtails, another
a pony tale but the pony tale is the one I like for she has
little hair ties and you can style their hair in different ways. When
I had my own dolls and didn't have to share with Rowan I didn't
have cool little accessory's like that. The New Rainbow Brite dolls
are celebrating their 25th anniversary and they all have an up-dated
look. Hey, I got a make-over at 25 too! They still have their classic
bright colors but they are just brighter and the 10 inch dolls are
made better and given a brand new wholesome look. They all have
removable fashion accessory's and you can also get their companion
horses and let me rephrase that, you have to get the horsey for
they are just too cute. Rainbow Brite is an Icon for many people
and now with their new look and zest for life they are sure to
be an Icon for many kids today. Rowan loved her baby for she
is at the age where all dolls and stuffed animals are babies and
she has to hug and kiss each one. Now I have to beg that little
girl for a Hug and the plastic dolls get one free of charge. Now
like I said, Rowan loves hers but is still a little young to really play
with it and I can totally see a little girl a couple of years older
going nuts for these 3 little dolls for they are darling. And if the
doll itself isn't enough to keep your little Princess busy for hours
the web site is. Rainbow Brite is a division of Hallmark and via
their site you can get to the Rainbow Brite page where there are
loads of activities and things for your girls to do. The site has
games and activities and animation and tells you all about the
girls and is just a good way to have some fun! The dolls we
have is just too cute and is a great gift for any little girl. Toss
in a Horse to go with her and you have a Birthday gift or Easter
gift your little darling will never put down! Now these ladies
may have hit the scene 25 years ago but they are still stars and
shinning bright!
The folks over at Rainbow Brite also have a doll for one of
my readers. To enter just head over to their home at Hallmark
and take a look around then come back here and post what you
liked best! The contest will start tonight and run to Midnight on
April 20th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.
Rainbow Brite
Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.
1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.
2. Enter any of my other contests. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.
3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.
4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.
5. Tweet about this contest. 5 entries
please post five times.
Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Mommy Tool Box and Port a Pong Contests!
Posted in
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by Michelle AKA blabla3269
|
Now I love perfumes! LOVE! Birthday is coming up
and (Hint) perfume ( HINT hint) makes such a lovey
( HINT HINT HINT!!) gift! No, really now, I do love
them and before my house burned down I had over 200
different types of perfume on my dresser. I guess you all
know why my room burned so fast now! I got hooked on
perfume when I was a teenager and received my first bottle
of Luv's Baby Soft. Boy did I love that stuff, still do, shhhhhh,
it's a secrete, I don't want all my adult friends knowing I
still have a thing for a kids perfume and REALLY don't tell
John for that stuff is really cheap and that will be the only
gift he ever buys me again with his squeaky wallet. I really
don't know where my thing for perfume came from for I certainly
did not get my tastes in perfume from my Mother. She wore
Jean Nate and oh-my-gawd I swear I still feel ill every single
time I get a whiff of that stuff. By the time I was 18 I already
had all the big sellers and was really into Obsession and Poison
and Oscar De La Renta then and by 25 I had over a 100 different
kinds and had branched out to off the wall ones and collectibles
and custom jobs. Now this was before the Internet and I really
had to search for some of these. The popular ones I could
get at the mall or even better the Duty Free store for the savings
there were incredible and I also have a thing for the cosmetic
gift sets, you know what I am talking about, by so much of
this and get a free bag filled with all these cool items. I loved
that for not only did I get my perfume I got a bonus bag of
make-up to go with it. My employees also knew how hooked
I was and would bring me in perfume they found for Christmas
and ( Hint Hint) my Birthday and my collection just grew and
grew. I even had perfume from other country's that you could not
get here, and some smelled so bad I know why, but it was
the bottles I loved just as much as the perfume so it was all
good for me! After the fire I was crushed and never thought I
would collect them all again but in the last year I have found
a few new ones I loved and my collection is slowly starting to
come to life once again.
Now I have help though. I no longer have to burn 42
thousand miles onto the car to search stores and malls and
off the wall places in search of a certain scent. Now I can go
right on-line and find everything I need with a simple keystroke.
One place I am in love with is Fragrancenet.com. I could live on
that site and was tickled pink when they asked if I would like
to review a perfume for them and tried hard to keep my composure
as I said yes when inside I was screaming like a little girl.
YES!
The perfume they sent me for review is Ed Hardy by Christian
Audigier. I just love this stuff, Hey, I even love the cute little
canister it comes in and the bottle is the bomb too! It is a tall
thin one with Ed Hardy designs on it and I am a huge Ed Hardy
fan! One of my favorite scents is Citrus and I fell in love
with it about ten years ago with a Donna Karen scent they
no longer make. The perfume from Ed Hardy has sweet touches
of Mandarin and I would consider that the base smell. It is
highlighted by Bergamot, Thuja and Sage and each bring their
own offering to the table. The Bergamot and Thuja make it smooth
and hold the Mandarin together and the Sage has bite and now
the scent pops. I love how if you pay close attention you can
actually smell all of the scents mingling together and though the
sweetness of the Orange shouts you are alive to the world once
someone gets close enough they will also know you may be
alive but you are complicated to boot. Nothing in Ed Hardy is
fussy or overpowering and the whole thing blends together like
it was meant to walk hand and hand. This is not as Citrus like
as the Donna Karen I loved with all my heart but the Ed Hardy
doesn't fail to remind me of that and still keeps its own distinct
style and aroma. I knew the first time it tickled my nose I was
in for a treat and Ed Hardy is a perfect for everyday blend
that will brighten your spirits and lighten the room when you walk
in smelling like a sweet candy coated Orange that isn't going to
be pushed around! Yum and Delicious to Ed Hardy!
Fragrancenet.com has hundreds of different perfumes
and thousands of scents. Anything you could ever want they
have it and would you believe it, my old favorite DK is back
for round two and I can now get it again. You know what I
am doing when I am done typing this up. The site is super
easy to navigate and your scents and brands are listed
alphabetically to make finding them a snap. The list of items
they have in stock is staggering so be prepared to spend some
time. If on the rare chance and I bet you a buck it won't happen
but on the rare chance they do not have it you can request
the item you want for they do whatever it takes to make every
person happy for everyone is important to them! They carry
Women's and Men's scents and Gift sets and also items for the
kids. If you need more then just perfume they have you covered
there as well with Skin Care items and Make-up and Haircare.
They also want to help you relax and offer Aromatherapy items
and candles. I mean really, what else could you ask for?
I think they already have you completely covered!
Fragrancenet.com also has specials and sales
like crazy. Gifts under 50 dollars, celebrity's scents, kids items
and new releases and a whole bunch of half off perfumes and
other products from their site. Yes, I said 50 percent off! I
was in shock too when I saw it. That doesn't even include the
clearance center! Heard about something that you think you are
going to love but are afraid to dole out your hard earned cash
to you know for sure? Well Fragrancenet.com can help there too.
They have those Vials you can order. Those little purse ones
that are good for a dozen or so times and for just a little
bit of money you can find out if you really want to drop that
fortune on the hottest scent of the year. While we are on the
subject of fortunes I know how expensive good perfume is
but on Fragrancenet.com they bring you some of the most
inexpensive prices you will ever find. I found a perfume I just
paid 80 dollars for last fall for 45 on the site and that was
not even a sale price it was an everyday. After I hung my
head in shame for paying so much I got out my dance shoes
and did a jig for I know I will never pay so much again.
Now I have Fragrancenet.com. You guys should go check them
out too for I got plenty of room on the dance floor and I know
I will see you there!
Fragrancenet.com!
by Michelle AKA blabla3269
|
Rowan loves her bath. Loves it! I wish it was
Summer time already for two reasons. The first is
if she is having this much fun in the bath tub I
can imagine how much fun she would have in the
pool. The other is you have to be so careful with
water temperature with an small child and I can't make
the water very warm so it cools so fast. When it
is Summer time the water will not cool so fast and
I also will not mind the water being cooler since
unlike now, I won't have to rush and get her warm
again so she doesn't catch a chill. Even with our
heat cranked the air gets chilly in the house and I
run to her room with her wrapped in 72 towels just
to get some warm Jammie's on her. In Summer time
and the fact the John is an Air Conditioning Fascist
not only will we linger by the cool water we might
skip the Jammie's all together since without the air
on our up-stairs turns into a sweat box. In the Summer
time Rowan will get to enjoy her bathes much longer then
now and I can't wait. She already would stay in there
all day now if I let her for she loves to play with
her water toys and to splash and has just found out
her splashing not only gets her wet but her Dad and
I and the Pooch who is the UN-official bath monitor
too. Now that is a fun game. As much as Rowan
loves her bath now she didn't always. The first three
months of her life were a totally different story and
month four was almost as bad if it wasn't for the fact
that towards the end she noticed a floating bath toy and
grabbed it and realized, "Hey, this isn't so bad!"
Before her realization she could also play in her bath
every bath pretty much went the same way. We would
get the water ready and then slip into her room to undress
her. As soon as the Diapers were removed she already knew
this was not a normal clothes change for we can do that
with a Diaper on and it wasn't a diaper change either for
we had all the clothes off. She would start to fuss before she
even left the changing table and by the time you picked her
up all naked she was in full panic for she knew for sure
what was coming now. As soon as she saw the tub the
screams would begin. I don't know why she felt that way.
I thought I was doing everything I could to help her and
I bought the best tub on the market for when she could not
sit up and as soon as she could I bought the best bath seat
on the market. I bought toys and Hooded towels that looked
like fun and every soap and shampoo out there that
promised to be soothing and still the screams like that water
itself was burning her. The Shampoo was acid and I felt
like we were Water Boarding her every time I rinse soap
off of her. If I would have had the tub I just reviewed things
might not have gotten so out of hand. I can kick my self
now for if I would have done a little research before I bought
a bath tub we might not have had to go through the speed
baths and donned ear plugs just to have a clean baby. Part
of the reason I think Rowan hated her baths so much was
the fact she was uncomfortable. Having her lay flat on
her back must have been scary for her and with water
flowing over her and her not being able to turn away or
really touch it she must have felt like she was plunged
into the unknown and helpless to save herself. Here she
was just a few month ago supported and comforted by warm
fluids she was floating in and the safest she would ever be
and feel in her entire life. The key words here are floating
and comforted for then she was surrounded and "comforted"
because she was "Floating" in "warmth" and now the baths
we were trying to give her were lukewarm at best and instead
of floating she was placed on her back with little fluid that was
cooling the very minute she was placed on the hard surface. Even
the tub I bought with the padded slope can't compete with the
complete immersion she felt safe in not long ago. I really wish I
had seen this next review when Rowan was a newborn for I
strongly feel after trying it I could have avoided the trauma we
went through at bath time the first few months of her life. I know
she enjoys it now but it took months and months of baby steps
to get to this point and if I had the Tummy Tub from day one
I feel she would have enjoyed and looked forward to her baths
from day one.
Unlike the tub I bought the Tummy Tub immerses her in
water up as far as her chin if that is your or your child's
preferences. Unlike the tub I bought the Tummy Tub simulates
the floating sensation she felt in the womb and maintains the
warmth better. Unlike the tub I bought she feels safer for she
is in a more in-closed space and not laying flat on her back,
exposed and uncomfortable. The Tummy Tub is designed to
allow your baby to bathe in an upright position like they were
prior to their birth so they are not suddenly jolted into an unfamiliar
world. The special design ensures they relax in that fetal position
and lets the baby be immersed in the water to shoulder level and
when the water is not all spread out like a typical baby tub
it stays warmer longer. When the babies feel warm they feel more
secure and are reassured and it allows them to relax. During
my research into the Tummy Tub ( Do you guys have any clue
how much research I do on a product I bring you? I swear, give
me a paper clip and I will spend hours making sure it is the
perfect clip before I ever even put it on the site!) I found that
it is especially helpful for Premature Babies. The Tummy Tub is
also a great tool when working with Colicky Babies for it is
excellent at helping them settle down and the relaxed state they
are in after their bath helps to them sleep.
The Tummy Tub offers perks for Mom and Dads to for it
helps induce a stress free bath for your baby and you won't have
to go through the trauma John and I did. Rowans early baths
for the first couple of months started with screaming the second she
was placed in the tub and turned into a speed race to get her
clean and dressed so we could calm her down. Neither of us
enjoyed bath time and we would go so far as to flip a coin to
see who had to do it for no parent wants to be in a room when
their child is red and screaming and sobbing uncontrollably as if they
are being tortured. It broke my heart for Andrew loved his bath
from day one and I tried everything to help her relax from toys to
music to aromatherapy even for I just could not handle the wails. It
also broke my heart to see how fast she became cold and unlike
the bath tub the baby tub does not allow for water to constantly flow
into it so there was no way for me to keep the water at a warm
comfortable level and when you take an inch or so of lukewarm water
to start with by the time you are removing her, no matter how fast
you go, it is already cold as ice and she shivered like I had just
went out and dipped her in the frozen Detroit River with the
guys from the Polar Bear Club. The Tummy Tub maintains the warmth
and I would not have ended up with a frozen Rowan Pop by
the end of the bath. Another bonus is the Tummy Tub fit right
under my sink and I didn't have to leave it in the bathtub for
storage like I did the other one for that was just too large to store
anywhere but a shelf in the basement. Let's face it, you don't
want to have to dig something you use every day out of the
basement. Even better, the Tummy Tub is more comfortable to
use then the standard Baby tubs. With the flat ones I had to
either place it in the bath tub where I was so hunched over I
felt my back cramp a minute into the bath or place it on the sink
and hope it stayed level for one little jostle could knock it
off balance. That teetering tub was about the most unsafe place
Rowan has been in since we brought her home. The Tummy Tub
has a wide brim and though for the review I put it in the bath
tub because I was taking pictures and I did not want little Miss
mess maker to dump water all over the floor while I was snapping
away on non-picture nights I just sat on the floor with the
tub between my legs and I could lean on the brim and wash her
and not only was she comfortable I was too. Jezz, the hardest part
about giving her a bath in that tub was now that Rowan is into
water I have to allow her time to play in it and I was all
leaning on that wide brim and found myself nodding off while I
waited for I was so comfortable. Good thing part of her routine is
to splash Mommy every couple of minutes or who knows, I might
have took a nap while she played. Now if you don't want to sit
on the floor but still want to be as comfy as I was they also sell
a stool that the tub can go on so you can sit in a chair right behind
or in front of them and it would pretty much be the same thing. So
my final thought on the comfort thing is not only does the baby
enjoy it more, make sure you have a cup off coffee first for you
might end up just as relaxed as they are for it is just so much
less stressful then other standard styles!
The Tub also has other perks like it is see through so you
can tell everything that is going on with baby. Now that Rowan is
in a bath seat my big complaint is I can not see under her belly
to make sure she is clean from the waste down. It drives me nuts
and though I know she can't be too dirty for hey, she doesn't go any
where, this Summer will be a different story. I am sure at some point
she will be barefoot out side or in the sand and I want to know if
she is clean after her bath. It also does not have any sharp edges.
The Flat Bath I bought is padded on the top but the curved edge is
not so friendly underneath and is sharp plastic. I almost cut myself
picking up a tub with too much water in it to dump in the bathtub
for the combination of the weight of the tub and the under edges dug
into my fingers. I can't imagine if Rowan were trying to get up and
grabbed those same edges for leverage and cut her little fingers.
Ouch and one mad mom!
The Tub also has an anti skid base and is fully recyclable and
uses less water for her own weight is what raises the water level
and therefor saves on energy. It is also lighter to lift and dump
and was a lot better for my back then the other tub I could
barely lift. Plus the whole heavy almost cut my finger thing.
I think what hooked me is the fact is was a familiar feeling
for Rowan and if I had used this since day one I believe she
would not have had that early fear of the water and I would
not have had those months of stress filled bath time and she
would have had a much easier time making the transition from
baby tub to big girl bath. Some kids have a really hard time
making that transition in general and that's okay too for another
difference from that infant tub I bought and the Tummy Tub is
you can use it to they are 35 pounds. So even a 2 or 3 year
old can use the tub though a lot of kids ache for that big baby
bath feeling once they start moving around and become more
independent and with the Tummy Tub that might even be faster
then normal for the buoyancy encourages these kids to stand
faster and we all know what happens when a child learns to
stand, walking and independence are right behind! So if you are
looking to have your child feel safe right from birth, an enjoyable
bath time experience for both of you and encourage their own
sense of discovery and independence then a Tummy Tub holds
a lot of weight when making the right choice! I really love ours
and my only complaint is I didn't have it 7 months ago and
I can't turn back the clock. I feel blessed Rowan is so found of
the bathtub now but if I could have spared the drama for her and
my benefit I would have and this was just the item I needed to
do the trick!
Tummy Tub!
By the way, you guys can buy the Tummy Tub at select stores but
I recommend buying on line. A friend of mine really wanted one
when she found out I was doing a review for one because her child
has some really bad sleeping issues and her Doctor recommended one
for her child so I tried to find one close by. I searched my area and
there were no stores within a 100 miles and it is so much more easy
to just grab one on-line. I have an Amazon link right at the side of
the page and you can get some pretty good deals there!
Posted in
baby,
baby bath,
baby care items,
bath,
bathtime for baby
by Michelle AKA blabla3269
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