Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

Ugh! All this back and forth and back and forth is
killing me here. Run here and there and don't forget to
hit this place. It is hard enough with kids and taking
them everywhere they need to go. Andrew who spends
his time between here and his Dads makes for a lot of
packing and unpacking and the Baby. < Hangs Head >
The Diaper bag alone is enough to cause hip dysplasia
in most adults. I also have my dog who has to go with
no matter where we go and even has her own travel
pack for she loves Andrews Dad and he loves her and
Boo has spent a lot of time over there and needs stuff.
Now add in my Mother. < Hangs head and Sighs! > so
much carting around and running I am just about beat.
Even worse, feeding everyone. I had to learn to face
facts. I just don't have the cash to eat out all the time.
I was sitting there last week when John was still down
South and thought McDonald's tasted good for we have
not had it in ages. It was only Andrew and Rowan, the
Pooch and myself. I am not a huge eater and though
I get a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder I can make two
meals out of it and I share a small fry with Rowan.
So we go and get Andrew and I a large sandwich, with
a coupon that was BOGO and then a happy meal and
then the dollar menu, 2 pops, fry, nuggets for Boo,
2 apple pies and 2 salads. 23 dollars! For 2 Adults
and a Baby and a 4 piece for the dog. 23 smackaroos!
I was in shock! I remember when Andrew and I could
eat for under 10 dollars, heck close to five and now it
is 4 times that and the two others that eat are happy
meal age. I know with John home it would have been
over 30 dollars and I would have cried even more. So I
have learned to pack lunches whenever I can.
Now that brings us to storage containers. Lord do
I have them everywhere. I have about 4 dozen lunch
boxers alone for John used to take lunch to work every
single day and before High School and the threat of
ruining Andrews social life, he did too. Both of the boys
would loose their heads if not attached so I picked them
up when ever I saw a good deal on them. I had a
couple for each of them and then they would swear one
was lost and I would replace it and when Andrew left
Jr High and the locker he had for 3 years he came home
with about 10. YIKES! The 6 or so I had at the home
just turned to 16. The John, years and years working
part time at the same place that turned to full time when
he left the Fire Department were soon spent filing for
Unemployment. He clears out his work station and
brings home another Dozen or so. DOUBLE YIKES!
What happened to them being lost? It soon dawned
on me that they were as lost as it is hard to locate
the Milk in the fridge that I have to go and find for
them, middle top shelf, every single time! Boys, boys,
and boys, too lazy too really look. So now I am up
around 3 dozen and Rowan shows her little face and
I need lunch items for a whole new person that the
old boxes just will not work for. Plus little plastic
containers for treats and crackers and everything else
Baby needs.
My overhead cabinets are insane with storage
and lunch containers. The only thing I don't have is
a container for me. I like Rice and Stir fry for why?
Yeah, you guessed it, I am always on a diet. The
funny part is Andrew lovesssssssss Stir Fry and Tai
Food more then anything. To pack that to go though
is the biggest pain in the dairy airy for you need so
many containers it just isn't worth it. Well I was speaking
to a nice lady I had met and she told me that she had
just the solution with a Bento Box that does not take
up a small country worth of shelf space. In fact
Bento Boxes in General are easy to store. She
directs me to a place called Zojirushi. Neat! They
also do a whole lot more then Bento Boxes too. A
whole lot. I contacted them and got to do a review
for you guys. The item is called the The Ms. Bento
Stainless Lunch Jar and is about the neatest thing I
have ever seen. Not only does it all come in this
adorable little carry bag that is the perfect size for
the whole kit and kaboodle it includes a washable
container, two microwaveable inner bowls, chopsticks,
and chopsticks holder. I feel all organized and fashionable.
It is stainless steel but it is blue so it even looks
darling. Not that I have anything against stainless steel
for that looks pretty sharp all on its own but I have so
many stainless items that I need a little bit of color in
my life. The Ms. Bento brings it! Not only are you
blessed with this durable construction you have the
inner bowls that are perfect for the microwave and
can go right from the fridge to there and not miss a
beat. Easy to clean? You Betcha! And made for the
foods I like, Stir Fry, Mamma is coming home!
I about fell in love with my very own bag that if the
boys touch I will break-a-da-face!

In fact I think I have fallen for Zojirushi all
by themselves for they have a lot of items that are
right up my alley. With baby I am rushed and they
have bottle warmers to make my day a little more
easy. My Coffee addiction can be fed with an air
pot or and Electric Kettle, both are great ways to
keep Coffee hot and right next to me for they are
safe too! They have a whole line of Gourmet items
and the Ms. Bento I received is only the tip of the
ice berg there. You also have got to see the Zutto
collection for sharp, sharp and sharp. I would kill to
have any one of these items in my kitchen. What
they are is this super stylish and efficient line of
kitchen appliances that look like they belong in life
styles of the rich and shameless and you can even afford
them for your home. The other product that Zojirushi
makes is a Rice Cooker and I must say I am aching
to try that. I have never in my life been able to
get rice to cook right unless it is Uncle Ben's instant
and thank you Uncle Ben for without you I would really
be with out a paddle on the infamous creek but
the Rice Cookers that Zojirushi makes looks so easy
that I think even I could handle one. If I ever get my
hands on one I promise to let you know. They have
a huge line to choose from and each one comes with
its own set of gadgets and special effect. All of them
belong in my kitchen! Zojirushi offers a taste of Japan
right here in the good old United States of America
and you can learn a whole lot more about them on
their web site plus they have a whole lot of stuff
that is a blast to check out too. Recipes, the Animation
theater and would you believe there is a whole bit
on how to make perfect rice! YUM and I admit I am
nervous but I am sure going to give it a try!

One of you can win a handy dandy Ms Bento
box too! To enter just head over to the site and take
a look around and then come back here and post what
you liked best about the Zojirushi site! The contest will
start tonight and run to Midnight on April 27th.
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, every day, and then posting that you did here
and other ways to enter are posted below.

Zojirushi


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or Twitter page
and post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times. You may only do this
one time! This is not a daily entry.

2. Tweet about my blog and post the link
here. 5 entries, please post five times. You
may do this once per day if you post a new
tweet. For Each Daily entry there must be a
tweet for that day!

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times. You may only do this one time!
This is not a daily entry.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries. Please
post five times. You may do this once per
day per new blog post! For each Daily entry
there must be a blog post for that day!



Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Radius Toothbrush and isABelt Contests!

Who's says Daddy's are the only one
who have a tool box? Who says Daddy's
are the only one who would use a tool
box? Mommy's are in on that stuff too.
Maybe it should be, "Daddy's are the only
ones who NEED a toolbox." For eons Mommy's
have used their creativity to use everyday
items for the parts they need. Don't have
any WD-40 to stop Jr's squeaky wheel? A little
Butter will do the trick. A hammer? EH, the
bottom of a can of Green Beans Works in a
Pinch. More then once I have used my
Metal Nail file as a screw driver or
some tooth paste to patch a hole in
the wall. Men will spend 4 days looking
at different hardware stores and asking
62 different friends what is the best
tool for the job to tighten the Cupboard
doors back on. Six Months later the
door is still about ready to fall off and
the research is still compiling and they
are "almost" there. Five minutes after that
I grab a Penny and tighten the screws and
cross that off the list. Mom's make do
with what they have.


This next review is from a Mom who
grew tired of having to wait on other
people to come up with items she needed
and knows a Mom doesn't want a steamer trunk
filled with different nails and another for
the hammers and another yet for the screwdrivers.
She wants one or two items that can do the
job of all those and more. Mommy Toolbox
started with one, over worked, over stressed
Mom who was having a hard time keeping items
like her purse and diaper bag secure with
a stroller and she gave the retail world its
chance. She looked for an item that she could
use to attach her bag right to the stroller and
leave her hands free. They have organizers but
those only fit items small, great for a cell phone
or your keys but try slipping a cell phone on
Jr's bootee next time it is wet. What Mom
or woman in general would leave the house,
even if only going to the park, without her
purse anyways? I feel her pain for I didn't know
her gadgets were around and I have even used
a bungee cord once and shoes laces more then
once to tie these items to the handle of the
stroller for just such a trip. She also hit the
hardware store and looked for a clip. Don't the
guys have clips for everything? Just about, but
not for this. Everything they need is in that
little leather wallet they cart in their
pocket, anything else, that's what Mommy's are for.
Men open Jars, women do everything else. If something
is too big for a mans pocket he has his wife hold it. In
her search she found huge clips, if she was looking to
attach a semi to the stroller, hey, she was covered . She
found tiny clips, who knows what those are for. Men
file stuff like that in the "Just in case" category
like fishing lures. Man lives 4,000 miles from
salt water but has at least one reel and 13 lures
used just for salt water for "just in case."
What they did not have though was a hook that was
big enough to fit around the handle of a stroller
and not so big she would need a forklift to
help move. So she made one. Carabeans is the perfect
size for Mommies and all their needs. Not one
tool, one need, like how the rules are written
in the men's play book, but rather one tool, anything
you can think of!


It is the perfect size for hooking your purse or
diaper bag to a stroller or shopping cart. Ideal for
attaching Jr's toy to their car seat or high chair
so you don't have to play yet another game of Dropsy!
Did they loose their woobie again? No more, hook it
right to the bed rail or play pen and you will no
longer be running around like Phycho Mom on 42 cups
of Expresso in the morning. If you have an imagination and
a need the Carabean can fill it and fix it and
Dads tool box can stay safely on the shelf until
its next dusting. There a tons of ways you can use
your gadget and unlike the boys who will be reminding
you that you could have used the 32 bit zillawatski
the ladies will be looking at you going, "Hey,
why didn't I think of that!


Mommy Toolbox also has another handy little ditty
for you busy gals, the Spring Bean. Ever need another
hand? Something that can hold one end while you hold the
other? Have an item too heavy for clothes pins to hold to
the line? Blanket keep falling off baby in the stroller or
you are trying to help your kids build a fort in the
living room and you are tired a balancing books to hold
down the edges and you really don't want to use a safety
pin or rubber band and risk ruining your blanket? Yeah,
all that has happened to me too! The worst is when I am
trying to fix something or clean something at the end of
a long item like a curtain or a blanket and you keep having
to readjust what you are doing and you even go so far as to
enlist the aid of your children to hold one end and seconds
into that you realize what a mistake for little Jimmy keeps
dropping his end or fidgeting and you have to start all over.
Okay, so we can't have an extra hand but the Spring Bean is
the next best thing! It is a super sized, heavy duty clamp
that you can use anywhere, anytime! Use them to hang up wet
swim suits or sneakers, Kids toys to dry out or even just to
store. Anytime you need something to stay put, there you
go, use number 4,001! It is easy to see Mommy toolbox
understands Moms and their needs. For just a quick fix to
hey Mr Bag, you are going to stay there to I say so, Mommy
Toolbox has you covered! My next move is cleaning out the
Junk Drawer of all John's Junk and tossing in a bunch
of Spring Beans and Carabean and no longer have to worry
that I have the right tool for the Job!


I also have a Carabean and a SpringBean for one of
my readers. To enter just head over to Mommy Toolbox and
take a look around them come back here and post something
you have learned in the comments. The contest will start
Tonight and run to Midnight on March 26th.
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.


Mommy Toolbox




Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.


1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.


2. Enter any of my other contest. 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.


Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Port a Pong and Posh Little Tutus contests!

AH, guys.............Winter is on a down ward slope and
summer is on the way. Pools, beaches and vacations
and loads of outdoor fun. I have been getting a head
start for I hate being the last person to know what is
hot and what is not and during my travels on the net
I came across a place that I remember seeing something
about last year and since I was well, knocked up, I
couldn't get all excited about. This year I am not and
I am going to enjoy the summer every single way I can!
Now you guys might have read about it last year for
not all of you were with child so I have to ask....
WHY DIDN"T YOU TELL ME!!!!!

Port a Pong is a game meant for adults but can
be modified for the kids in a blink of an eye. It is
perfect for passing those long hot summer days and
a blast to turn any party in "The" party of the summer.
When you are not using it for a game you can always
just float around the pool on it and catch some rays!
I just loved the fact they people finally got off their
duffs and make some water activity's that don't include
chasing a beach ball all over the pool cause Mama her is
getting too old to chase and not so old where I no longer
want to have some fun! I am posting the set up for the
game I grabbed off their site but if you have kids or
don't want to drink, hey, here is a novel idea, leave the
glasses empty. Andy and I messed around with this in
the living room and that is just what we did! With
or without the Beer it is still a blast and such a fun way
to get the whole family together in the water for some
fun. Next summer on Family Game night take it out
to the pool so you can get out and move!
Here is the set up: 10 Cups are arranged on each end
of the table, in a pyramid shape (4 in the back row, 3 in the
next row, etc.) The remaining 2 cups are filled with water,
and each side gets one of these cups for rinsing their ping
pong balls should they become dirty. Each team should fill
the ten cups with the same amount of beer (usually 2 or 3
beers split evenly.) It is customary to play with a light,
American lager or pilsner style beer, as these are both less
filling, and less expensive, than other beers.
Now to play there are several different variations listed
on the site but what I did was you break into teams or
maybe just you and another person and take turns tossing
a ping pong ball to the side farthest from you. If your ball
goes into one of the cups you remove that cup and the first
team that has all the cups gone wins! Watch it though for
as the cups disappear it gets harder and harder to make it in!
Now if you are using this for drinking I suggest you follow
a version listed on the site and lord help you on the difficulty
for it was super hard to get it in with just me and Andrew
being sober, I can imagine what it would be like after a couple
of cocktails though I plan to find out on the first nice day
I have some friends over for the pool! We really had a blast
playing this and it reminded me of those games at a
carnival where you toss the ping pong ball into the fish bowl
only this is a lot more fun and you don't end up dropping
a small fortune when you play. Andrew and I ended up in
a fit of giggles but Mom here has skills and ended up beating
him round after round! I am so ready to take my show on
the road!


Port a Pong has a bunch of different style and all of them
include:
•4 Pieces of rope
•2 Repair patches
•4 Grommets for hanging action or to tie your table down
•1 set of instructions
and are:
•6 feet long x 3 feet wide x 4 inches tall
•Additional cup holders
•Quick inflate/deflate valve & regular blow valve
•Designed to hold up to 20 oz cups
•Made of durable vinyl!
And remember when you are not playing with it Port
a Pong doubles as a 6 foot super durable raft! Port a Pong
was created in 2007 and has made a splash since then
and is rapidly becoming one of the most popular games
of the summer. They have hit the media hard and have been
on TV, Radio, Magazines and the net and with as much
fun as they were I know they are only going to continue to
grow in popularity. Like I told you, adult can have a blast or
minus the beer and keep your kids busy for hours in
the water for they totally rock in comparison to some of
the cheap pool toys I have bought for my son over the years!
Next time you have a party make it a party they are going to
talk about for a lifetime and invite Port a Pong for the
ride! Now the guys over there are a hoot and sent me
a sample of their new product they are ready to release
that keeps your beverage cold. A beverage cozy that is sure
to bring giggles and laughter to any event you have and
though I can't post a picture on the site, PG rating and
all, guys are going to love it. Lets just say it takes a beach
babe and gives her dimensions. As I told you the guys will
love it and the ladies will just roll their eyes! Port a Pong
is a total blast for all ages and I hear Andrew wants a rematch
as soon as we open the pool!

Port a Pong was really fun and the guys over there want
to show you how fun they are by letting one of my readers
win one for themselves. One reader will win a Port a Pong
in their choice of color just in time for the summer season.
Ah, and if you think you can take on the champ give me
a jingle! To enter just head over to their site and take a
look around and then come back here and post something
you have learned in a comment. The contest will start
tonight and run to Midnight on March 24th!
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.

Port a Pong


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. 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.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Lyons Creations and Snow Stoppers contests!

Port a Pong will also be on my Summer Must have
list!

Who doesn't like to grill? I honestly can't think
of a single person out there who doesn't! Okay, for
one second set aside the taste and just go on the
other benefits alone.
1. It is healthier
2. Faster
3. Less mess. Even more so when you pair what you
are grilling with a salad or fresh veggies!
4. you don't have to heat up the house with an oven.
5. Tastes better! I don't know about you but something
about grilling food just makes it YUM!
6. It is fun! I love to cook on a grill. I always feel like
I am taking a vacation from the kitchen and it never
feels like work.
7. The word "Grill" brings out the domestic "ManDiva"
in our Boyfriends and Husbands and they often take care
of it all for us!
Since I first moved into my own home I have had a grill
and used it often. It was my first big purchase after a
Microwave and shortly after that I bought a portable then
and indoor grill for it is just so addicting. I mean really now,
there are recipe books upon recipe books filled with
items for the grill and there has to be a reason why, it
just rocks! If you don't believe me, try this little experiment:
next time your kids ask whats for dinner tell them something
you have to cook on the stove or in the oven. It doesn't matter
if you tell them you are making Cocoa van with Creme Brulee
for dessert, all you will get is a, "oh." The next time tell them
you are grilling and the first thing you get is, "Grilling, Grilling
what!!!?" Even if its only a hamburger they will skip as they
walk away. Go ahead, give it a whirl. Just only try it once or
twice though unless you have a great mop for cleaning up all
the drool gets old after a while.
One of my other favorite things is Kitchen Gadgets! I can't pass
one up. I have got to get them all! It doesn't matter if it is a Peanut
Masher and promises me the best peanut butter in only 42
easy steps, I have got to have it. No joke, my son is the same
way! Those dang Infomercials get me every time and I can not
walk past a "As seen on TV" store without getting woozy.
Now who do you think of when you think of Grilling, Kitchen
Gadgets and Commercials? There is only one man!
George Foreman!

George has been with us forever and we might as well fess
up and realize he has been here forever for a reason. He
Rocks! George Foreman Grills are the most notable "As
Seen On TV" product ever and he started the whole movement.
His products are so awesome he doesn't even have to put them
on TV anymore for he is a household name. I got my first Foreman
grill about 10 years ago now and we used that thing to death.
Literally. We had it about 4 years and used it at least 3/4 times
a week to it finally committed suicide from overuse. One of
the super neat things is my son learned to cook on our first
one for he was just to young to use an outdoor grill for I was
afraid of flair ups. He loved the grill so much and it dawned on
me since I use my Foreman grill so much why don't I teach him
on that for then he will totally have the hang of it come the
time he is old enough to use a charcoal or gas in the summer.
He was devastated when it broke and nagged me like a little
old lady to I ran out and replaced it. To this day when I pull
out something that can be grilled before I even say what
I am making with it he has already got the Foreman grill
out. I don't even get a say so, it is going on the grill.

When I got the chance to review the George Foreman 360
Grill you would have thought he was a teenage girl at a Jonas
Brother concert. I thought he was going to faint. Now I have
had a chance to review some pretty awesome stuff and the
only other time I have seen him close to this excited was when
we did the Meyers Meat Review and he pulled out a Fillet out
of the box. Now if that and this would have came on the same
day there is not a doubt in my mind I would be having to pull
out the smelling salt. The kid went nuts! Now the grill came on
a Friday and he goes to his Fathers on Friday after School so
he was gone when it actually came. I called to let him know
and had to swear under penalty of death not to open the box
to he got home. I also received a shopping list via him
for items he needed for grilling, I repeat "Needed!" for I was
under the distinct impression he might need life support had
I not bought them for him. I did not tell him it was the 360 and
not an regular George Foreman grill for I was afraid he would
start walking and his Dad lives quiet a ways.
I set the box on the table and bought his needed items
and let it sit to he came home. Apparently I, the woman who
has fed him for 16 years and well I might add, the woman
who went to 4 years of Culinary School and ran multi-
million dollar location restaurants was not qualified to
touch what he was already calling his grill. When he came
home I just pointed to the table for it was the first thing
he asked about, not even a Hi Mom, just a where is
my Grill and yes, I got a high pitched girly scream when he
saw this was not just another George Foreman Grill, he was
hoping for the Precision Grill for we have the Champ and the
Value already ( I told you we were fans) and never dreamed
it would be the 360. When he saw it was, Oh my! Then I was
yelled at. Since I didn't tell him it was the 360 he did not get
to add items for an Omelet, Pizza and Quesadilla to his
shopping list. Shame on me.

Andrew cooked dinner that night and it was awesome.
That is also another great thing about any Foreman grill,
anyone can use them for it is imposable to make something
taste bad when you use it! We had Steak Ala Andy and a
Potato and Beans and it was really really good. Being the
diet queen I am it has to be low fat as well and I can tell you
the fact it drains off the fat as you cook makes it perfect
for those on a high protein diet for you are left with the good
stuff. I don't know about you guys though, but I have a theory
that the fat makes a steak taste better and that is also a big
perk to this grill. Unlike trimming the fat away were it is
never involved in the cooking process at all, the George
Foreman melts and drains it away so you get the flavor with
out the bad parts it offers. The 360 also offers, like other
Foreman grills, cooking on both sides at the same time
so you are sealing in the juices and not loosing the
flavor there either. The George Foreman 360 Grill is
the Ultimate Grill and though I put on a brave front for
the boy I was just as excited to try it as the kid was.
It offers all the quality we have come to love from Foreman
grills and the perks such as:
George Tough nonstick coating
Signature Foreman heating elements
Preheat indicator light
Dishwasher-safe drip tray
Dishwasher-safe spatula
Patented sloped design but with a plus on the 360, you can
go flat too with an Adjustable tilt angle
The 360 takes these and perfects them and adds even more
perks such as:
106 square inch grilling surface
5 round dishwasher-safe removable grill pates
Metal extended loop handle
Temperature control slide
Plus and extra Drip tray and Spatula. The fact it can be used
for more then a grill makes it a perfect addition for any
kitchen. It is a griddle, a Pizza maker and you can make
home maid Quesadillas. One thing that appealed to the
practical side of me was space. I have a quesadilla maker
and a griddle and I could save a lot of space not having to
store those plus the pizza option. WOW, totally impressed!
I can't think of a more versatile item I have in my kitchen.
Add in the fact George Foreman Grills are perfect for eating
healthy and you end up with nutritious, great-tasting food and
you just can't go wrong with one of these in your Kitchen.
Looks like I am going to need another one for Andrew starts
his Senior Year of High School next year and if he goes off to
College I am sure this will go with him and I can not think of
a better must have item for a college dorm so I can't even
Fault him. George, you did it again!
George may look tuff and makes a heck of a tuff,
durable grill but he is really a softy at heart and they are
going to give one of my readers a chance to win a George
Foreman 360 too! All you have to do to enter is head over
to the site and take a look around then come back here
and post what grill you think would rock in your kitchen
and what you would cook first! The contest will start tonight
and run to midnight on March 14th.
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.

George Foreman Grills
George Foreman Cooking!


Extra entries.
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Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
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Look for the George Foreman 360 Grills on my
Valentines Day Gift Guide!

Rowan has loved the outdoors from day one. Being
born in the Summer she got the added perk of being
able to take long walks in her stroller from the moment
she was home and by the end of the Summer and though
Fall she also rode in her carrier. By the time she was
2-3 months she wore a per-ma grin anytime you took her
out the front door. The stroller is the best for a long walk
for we can stash items she needs in it and the carrier's
bouncing up and down gets to her after a while. Even though
she is too young to stand up and tell us how much she
loved the walks you can still tell she does. The first clue
is the smile but even after that it is obvious, she has a blast
looking around and is more alert in that stroller rolling around
the streets then the whole rest of the day. She is like a
sponge taking in everything and still wants more. One
thing we noticed though is timing is everything. If we go
at the wrong time of the day she can get really fussy and
end up in tears. We thought it was because she was due for
a nap for the longest time but once we took her right after
a nap and she did it then too. For a baby that loves to
travel along to act like that had us really confused and it
was John who figured out why.
The Sun!
It was in her eyes and she couldn't stand it. I am sure because
it blinded her and she could not check out the scenery around
her and I know I hate it when the Sun is in my eyes but
never stopped to think it might bother a baby too. It sure
did and after that I felt like a bad Mom for not noticing it
before. Once we realized the culprit John and I were like
the Weather Channel Reporters when planning walk time.
TV on, Computer fixed to the Weather Bug as we tracked
down Sun Set and Sun Rise times for our area and mapped
out what direction the Sun would be in. I felt like a Pirate
making a treasure map,
"Okay John, walk 32 paces to such and such street then
turn left and go down to blocks to the big tree, hang a right
and a quick left and 42 more paces. That will keep you
ahead of the Sun."
John was cool drawing up a game plan everyday for he is
a guy and a blueprint of any kind is a big deal for them but I
found it a pain in the backside. Soon I was dreading the walks
all together and my last ditch effort got tossed on the curb,
literally, I was about ready to call it quits. Did you know
Sunglasses may look super cute on a little Baby but the
fact of the matter is looks do not provide comfort and
as fast as I put them on her she had them tossed over
the side even faster. I relinquished walk time to John
and just took the dog when I went and it about broke my
heart for a really enjoyed going with her for I love to walk
myself. The problem was with Rowan and the Sun thing
that walk became a chore for every 3 feet I would have
to stop and calm her down and tilt her this way or
that to try and stop the Sun from shinning right in her
eyes and driving her nuts. Our trips ended up being more
trouble then fun.



Last week I got a chance to review a super cool
gadget from Bebe Soleil that promised to put an end to all
that and though it is Winter here and cold for the most
part we have not had much snow ( knock on wood) here
and all I needed was a nice day over 40 to test it out. Well
Yesterday I got my chance and Rowan and I did not consult
the weather channel for the times the Sun sets or rises and
decided to risk it and just go! Wouldn't you know it, Sun
Sun Sun and I was waiting for Rowans tell tale "Ah, Ah,
Uhhhhhhh!" before the tears for I was walking right into the
direction it was shinning. Boy, it was a beautiful day though, I
so love a Winter day when it is not insanely cold and you can
enjoy it and the Sun is bright. Everything is crisp and fresh
and the air is so clean unlike hot muggy summer days. I went
a few blocks before I realized she had not made a peep so I
had to check. Little Baby was grinning ear to ear for not only
did the shade work like a charm it also acted as a wind barrier
and she got to really enjoy her trip without Sun nor Wind ruining
the effect of the day. Little Goof, I had to laugh when I saw her
grin. It has been a couple of months since we have taken a really
good walk and I forgot how much she enjoyed it. I must admit I
was even a little more worried to test the Bebe Soleil out
in the Winter and not because of the temperature but is it
just me or do things seem even brighter in the Winter?
Even without snow on the ground I tend to squint and hide
my eyes from the glare and I don't remember doing that in
the Summer. I was worried the added brightness would make
it even worse on the little Baby Baby and if the shade did not
work she would be stuck in the middle of a long walk and have
to be uncomfortable all the way home. Boy was I worried for
nothing! It even seems silly now for she had the best time
ever!

Bebe Soleil is not only a perfect fix to those Sun glare blues
it is also really easy to use. No tools, no take 90% of the
Stroller apart like you do a bike seat, just a couple of magnets
clip it on and you can be up in running in less then a minute.
That really rocked for we have more then one strollar and
like to fold up everything and put it away after and this
puppy in on and off in a snap and can go anywhere. I even
caught John trying to see if it would work in the truck for
the Sun bugs her there as well and since she rides in the
front in his truck she is really exposed to the full winshield.
Yes, his Jerry Rigging was cute but I told him it was also
against the law and he couldn't keep it there and would just
have to take the car. The Bebe Soleil also offers UV protection
and that is a growing concern for I know I was a Sun baby but
with my fair skin I got lucky to not end up with some real
damage and I have avoided the Sun like the plauge ever
since the big hoople about skin ailments and the Sun. Rowan
has my skin tone and I think its better to not spin the
Roulette Wheel on her future, safe is better then sorry. I am
sorry, I just have to tell you guys one more time how easy
this thing was to use. After Christmas and the hours and
hours I spent with tools building one toy after another I don't
think I could have handled one mor second of reading pages
of instructions and pulling my hair out with any type of
installation manual and this was too easy. So easy, in
fact I was waiting for the catch! There was none! Simple,
Easy, Works like a charm and I love it and Baby loves it
too! Nothing could be better!

Well almost nothing, Bebe Soleil is going to give one to
reader of mine too! That is better! To enter just head over to
thier site and take a look around them come back here
and post what you have leaned in a comment. The contest will
start tonight then end on Midnight of March 6th.
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.

Bebe Soleil


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. 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.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals or Easy Lunch Bunch Systems Contest!