Scrutiny by the Masses

Time for an Orthodontic Check Up?

Disclaimer: As a member of the Invisalign MAB, this is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wore braces twice. Once when I was a teenager, and then the first year of my married life. (Yay for sexy!!) My oldest boy wore braces, and has beautiful straight teeth. My oldest daughter wore Invisalign and also has very straight teeth. Really, the two of them look as if they could be a walking advertisement for successful orthodontia. 

Me, not so much. I had some issues and my lower teeth have shifted, and, well, there's nothing I'd like more than to straighten my teeth back out - but I've got these other kids whose teeth are more crooked than anything I've ever seen, and so, like much of my life - the kids have to come first. Sigh. 

One day it'll be my turn. For now, I have two kiddos who desperately need to have their teeth straightened - and since I've had one older kid in traditional braces and one in Invisalign, I'm the perfect person to tell you which choice I prefer. 

That's easy - Invisalign. 

Available to teens and pre teens, Invisalign consists of formed plastic trays that, over time, will pull the teeth into alignment with each other, by using incremental differences in each consecutive tray. Over time, the trays cause the teeth to shift into their proper line up. Invisalign Teen clear aligners straighten teeth without traditional wires and brackets giving teens the confidence to live life to the fullest while improving their smile. No more shiny, metal braces, no more broken brackets or popped out wires - just clear removable trays that can get the job done without the standard disruption that comes with traditional braces. 

The two children who need braces are currently 17 and 14. Both have terribly crooked teeth and both are very conscious of how their teeth appear - one won't ever smile showing teeth, because he's so unhappy. So, I know that I've got to get his teeth in line, so to speak. Both of these kids have a conflict, though - they attend performing arts school, one for instrumental and one for vocal. Traditional braces can tear up the mouth of an instrumentalist, especially one who plays for several hours, and they completely change the voice of an opera student. Happily, Invisalign is removable, and so the trays can be popped out for performance and practice - as long as they are worn 21 hours a day, the child will still be in compliance. 

The other area of concern for me with traditional braces is the sheer amount of time it takes. Between monthly visits and emergnecy, "Help! I broke a bracket - or a wire!" visits, we spent quite a bit of time at the orthodontist's office with my oldest boy. When you use Invisalign, several aligner sets are provided in advance and because there are no wires or brackets - there's nothing to break. 

But, if you are worried about making sure that the teen wears the trays for enough time to be in compliance, don't - each tray is armed with compliance indicators, which will fade if the trays are worn for the correct amount of time. If those blue dots don't fade - and there is no way to trick them, so no funny business occurs - you know that your kid isn't cooperating. 

And maybe you should take their electronics. :)

After seeing not one but two orthodontists, and talking with my kids dentist, I'm pretty comfortable with the decision I made to use Invisalign. We went to two different consults, just to make sure everyone was on the same page - and we all are. What about you? 

• Have you brought your child in for an orthodontic consult?

• Have you or someone you’ve known used Invisalign? And if so, what was their experience?

• How do you think Invisalign Teen compares to braces?

Interested? You should be Invisalign is a fantastic alternative to traditional braces.

Take the Smile Assessment! Want to find a participating doctor? Here are some things you may want to ask - Questions For Your Doctor.

Do you have questions on the best way to straighten your child's teeth? Check out this cool infographic.  

Want to enter to win free treatment? 

 

 

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Popina Swimsuits - Timeless and Gorgeous

One of my favorite parts of summer is the warmer weather, hanging out at the beach and pool, and vacations. The relaxed, "hang out" atmosphere - it all appeals to me. 

One of my least favorite parts of summer is appearing in public at said events in a bathing suit. 

There. I said it. Bathing suits are not my friend. Even when I had lost a great deal of weight and was at my very best physically, I was still awkward and uncomfortable in a bathing suit. It's just so distressing, am I right? Being a woman who is no longer 22, has stretch marks and varicose and spider veins, has teenage children and grown up children who would be mortified if they were to see their mother in a revealing bathing suit - well, it's a set up for disaster, that's for sure. 

At the same time, I don't want to wear a skirted turtleneck. I still have SOME fashion sense, thank you, children, and I have no desire to masquerade as my grandma. It's a conundrum. 

A few years ago, I heard about Popina Swimwear. I'm a fan of all things retro and I have that more "vintage" body type - full of boobs and bottom, yay! - and so I was attracted to them for their Retro Vintage style. And I was sent one for review, loved it, and soon had a couple more of their suits. 

Ladies, that was at least four years ago. AND THOSE SUITS STILL LOOK AMAZING. In fact, the Popina Vintage Bathing suits are all that I wear. 

That's in all caps because it's super important. How often have you purchased a swimsuit and had to toss it at the end of the season because it's just falling apart - elastic shot, legs gaping open, colors faded? My Popina swimsuits look as good now as they did when I first got them. 

If you are looking for a cute one piece without high cut legs, a plunging neckline or risque cut outs -  check out these from Seafolly Swimwear. My total favorites, though, are to be found on this page - the Vamp and the Kiss N Tell. And I'm really, really digging the Cobalt - decisions, decisions. 

I like Popina's line of swimwear because the bathing suits lift and support, hold me all in and don't look like they are doing anything more that just simple coverage. (Well, we all know I need more than simple coverage....) They are fashionable without being "of the moment' - which means you can wear them next year and the year after, timeless and attractive without showing too much, and I don't have to worry that the suit might slide up OR down and show too much. I can jump into the pool without fear of escaping breasts, wedgies or the like, and don't have to worry that I'll embarrass myself - well, I might still embarrass myself but it won't be due to my bathing suit!

There's still plenty of summer left, plenty of warm weather, plenty of pool and beach and river time. Many of the bathing suits at Popina are on sale - why not pick up a new suit to refresh your wardrobe - that way, you'll have a new one for next year?

As well as a new one for this year. 

Disclosure: I was provided with a new swimsuit in order to facilitate this review - but it's honest and true. I really and truly do love these bathing suits so very, very much.  

Tyson Meals Together

This post is part of a compensated campaign by Tyson Foods. However, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.

I am particularly fussy about the foods that I feed my family. I make much of everything from scratch - not only because we have food allergies (peanut, tree nut, shrimp, a lactose intolerance, and Oral allergy syndrome to peaches, mangoes, broccoli) but because I really enjoy cooking and baking and I am a sincere and earnest control freak who likes to know what is in all of the food. :)

Coupled with a husband who is super finicky about the meat he eats - and you might understand why my kid was super happy to be able to try frozen chicken nuggets - a rarity around these parts. 

I was approached by Tyson to sample their newest products and provided with coupons to facilitate a family dinner featuring said products. My kids love chicken nuggets - LOVE them - and I was interested in trying these Whole Grain Chicken Breast Chunks, to see if they passed the "Parent" challenge. 

I mean, really - everything will pass the kid challenge - but the parents are where the difficulty lies. My husband is especially fussy with chicken nuggets. He doesn't like many of them, as often they are compressed bits of chicken formed into a nugget - and he's unsure of what even is in them. 

I really like making my own chicken nuggets - but I've gotta say, it'd be nice to have a bag already made for those super duper crazy nights that overwhelm me. Like, say, Tuesday. 

:)

These nuggets passed the test for all of us - they were easily identifiable as chicken breast meat, the breading wasn't overpowering, and they tasted just like chicken - you laugh, but how many times have you had a nugget that was too spicy/chewy/had an off flavor?

Because I'm a control freak, we had the chicken nuggets with homemade mac and cheese and baby carrots. It was a great, satisfying and fun dinner - one that my kids have requested we have again this week! The best part of the meal was not just finding a quick frozen entree that we all enjoy, but spending time together as a family, which is rare indeed many weeks. We are often going multiple directions and the same time, and dinner is not always a meal we eat together - but it really should be. 

Tyson Foods is focused on family meal time, and how they can make it easier to bring families together.  To celebrate meal time, they are hosting a #MealsTogether photo contest on their Facebook page.  The premise behind the contest is simple – they’re asking fans to show what meal time looks like for their families (whenever and wherever!) by entering a photo into the contest.  They are going to be giving away weekly prize packs, plus a grand prize of $1,500!

To win one of many weekly prize packs and a grand prize of $1,500, enter on the Tyson Facebook page. 

The Tyson Whole Grain Chicken Breast Chunks are our new "go to" on nights that contain choir practice, dance class, music lessons and tons of homework - they were a quick and satisfying addition to our dinner table. 

What dinner meal will you share ont he Facebook page - let me know, and put your pic up. Maybe you'll win $1,500 - that'd buy a LOT of chicken nuggets!

I have an extra coupon for a free Tyson product - if you'd like to win, leave me a comment telling me your best side dishes to go with Tyson chicken nuggets - and I'll use random.org to pick a winner!

Vaccines and Third World Countries Have Everything in the World to do with You

I'm going to tell you a story. Grab a cup of coffee. :)

Once upon a time, there was a girl who grew up poor. She had multiple siblings, and not one of those family members was vaccinated. Her mother told stories of the time that she and her family had come down with smallpox. We were quarantined, the mother said, but we went out at night anyway. We had to, to eat and get different things. 

The girl grew up and remembers seeing both kinds of mumps, measles, whooping cough and the flu. When the traveling nurse came and offered the smallpox vaccine, she signed her mother's name so that she could get immunized. She really didn't want to get smallpox and be quarantined. It was the only vaccine she received until she went into nurse's training, where she was given the TD and the oral polio. Pediatric rotations in nursing school convinced her that, if she was lucky enough to have children, they would all be vaccinated. 

I was one of that girls kids. She was (and still is) my mom.

When I had my first baby, I was deeply suspicious of vaccines. This teeny, tiny, precious baby and a needle full of poison? No way, no how. It wasn't until I casually mentioned the decision I'd made to my mom, while stumbling about in a new mother haze of milk and insomnia that I even heard the above story. My mother was, and is, a private person. For her to share that was big.

I guess you could say that my mama made me do it. 

And I'm so thankful that she did. 

While I was in D.C. last week, I was privileged to hear stories, facts and cold, brutal reality about diseases I've never seen and barely know. Polio. Mumps. Measles. Rotovirus. Mosquito borne illnesses. You see, I was a guest of Shot@Life, a movement aimed at rallying Americans to champion vaccines for children in developing countries, funded by the United Nations Foundation, which began with a donation from Ted Turner. I’d been part of the Blogust initiative in August, writng about my daughter's fifteenth birthday, and all of the participating bloggers had been invited to a Global Issues Fellowship. 

Big, Fancy words.

Fellowship. Funded. Initiative. Rally. What do those words have to do with little old me, mom of six, sitting at my computer in my home? 

I heard a talk about mothers in Mozambique. When their babies are born, it's not a celebration. It's not a happy time, it's very quiet, solemn and serious - and the baby is set off to the side. No one wants to bond with the baby, and in fact, babies aren't even named until after they receive their first set of vaccinations

because a child dies every 20 seconds due to the fact that they don't have access to life-saving vaccines. Why become attached to a child who might not be there tomorrow?

1 in 5 children globally lacks access to vaccines. Chew on that for a minute. The very vaccines that those of us in the United States have the luxury of debating, the vaccines that we often brush off as "Not my kid" - those are the very vaccines that mothers in underprivileged countries would beg for. Walk miles to obtain. In countries such as India, Pakistan and Afghanistan - the three sole countries where polio is still present and accounted for - there is no debate over the efficacy of vaccines

because the alternative is death.

Why is your kid more important than any other kid in the world? Why is mine - just because I had him or her? That would be like me saying that I 'll never do anything to keep another kid safe - won't loan a helmet or car seat, won't keep my guns locked up, won't avoid packing peanut butter for lunch - all because it might inconvenience me. I'd rather work together in the name of the safety of OPK. (Other People's Kids)

Take a look at this map of vaccine preventable outbreaks since 2008. Red is measles, green is whooping cough, yellow is polio, blue is rubella. 

I have a kid with a spectrum disorder. I'm one of those moms whose kid is held up as an example - I don't want my kid to end up like that, so I won't vaccinate! If I had it to do over again, I'd still hold her chubby little thighs and cry softly when the needles went in. Because, you know what? She's ALIVE. The study that linked autism to vaccines has long since been disproven - in fact, the doctor who wrote the study has since had his medical license revoked and the co authors of the study have removed their names from it after it was discovered that he had been paid to falsify information. The story was first published in the British journal The Lancet, and they retracted the study in February of 2011. 

The studies that show vaccines save lives - 

well, you can't disprove them. 

No one knows what causes autism. We know what causes polio, and rubella, and measles, and diptheria. Do we really want to go back to a time when families routinely lost babies and children to these diseases? When families had many children, just so that they could have a fighting chance at two or three of them making it to adulthood?

Enough, Carmen, I get it, you are probably saying. Vaccines are good for those other countries. But we don't have infectious diseases here. Our water is clean and our country is wonderful. 

Our country also has borders that are crossed every day.  Infectious diseases hop on a plane along with suitcases and carry ons and they find a welcome home everywhere. And, thanks to those actions, and the reality of unvacinated chunks of our population, Measles and whooping cough are trying to grab a foothold  once again. 

One of my daughters had rotovirus when she was 2.5 years old. She caught it in a swimming pool at the Y. We ended up in the hospital for three days. We were fortunate to have quality health care, and that resultant visit was no more than a financial burden and a couple of sleepless nights. For families with no medical care, or in countries where the local hospital is really just a shack that is more than 50 miles away - those babies don't make it.  

One of my children came down with a terrible cough. It lasted for months. Turns out, that kid had a mild version of whooping cough, which had been contracted from an unvaccinated playmate at preschool. My daughter was lucky. She had a partial immunity from her immunizations - it happens, they wear off - and although it was terribly uncomfortable for her, she's still here with us. 

Not everyone who contracts whooping cough is so lucky. Every year, many people die - and a vaccine isn't 100% effective, but it can reduce the chances of contracting said disease as well as lessen the severity of the illness. I know what my daughter went through. It was bad enough - I can't imagine going through something much worse than that. 

Measles are making a comeback. Polio, almost fully eradicated, is still with us today. Whooping cough has surfaced in colleges. What can we do, as a community, to help protect the health of the world?

• Follow Shot@Life on Twitter and Facebook and share tweets and posts that hit you in the gut. Trust me - you'll find them, very easily. Like this one: "It is critical for India to maintain its polio-free status" http://trib.al/NoBLb0Z  #endpolio

Donations are always welcome here. Money talks - and did you know it takes just $20 to vaccinate a child for their ENTIRE LIFE? Measles vaccines cost just 23 CENTS. 

• Download the free app Donate A Photo and upload a pic of your child to automatically have Johnson & Johnson donate $1 to Shot@Life and other groups.

If you feel inclined, contact your congress men and women and ask what they are doing to keep the world safe. Become an Advocate to Vaccinate. This grassroots organization is a month-long campaign engaging Americans across the country to call on Congress to support global vaccinations.

Pick something. Pick one thing, or two, or three - just do something. 

My baby is your baby. Your baby is mine. Her baby is all of ours - and they all deserve a Shot @ Life. 

Disclosure: my travel and accomodations were paid for by the UN Foundation. 

What is Capri Sun?

This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

I have been packing lunches for more than 15 years, with at least 10 more to go. I like to think that I know an awful lot about packing lunches. I know of course to start with a protein, being either a sandwich, soup, pasta – whatever my kids want. I am often amazed at how many days in a row they can eat a peanut butter sandwich. I add in either a fruit, a vegetable, or both, a granola bar or cookie, and a snack – either for during school or after, and a drink.

In the beginning of my mothering/lunch packing career, I chose juice boxes. But I quickly grew disenchanted with them. They didn't seem to hold that much, there's no way to recycle them, and they were very expensive. Plus, I wanted to get away from all the sugar in my kids diets. It was about this time that I started a weight-loss journey, and changed the food that my family eats in large ways. So we became known as the "water bottle" family. My kids always took a water bottle, and for many years, it was sufficient. But lately, my shorties have been asking for drinks. Water just isn't cutting it. So I've had to make a compromise – which, really, is what parenting is all about, isn't it?

Because I do not let my kids drink things neon colored, full of sugar, or full of things I cannot pronounce, they can have 100% juice, or something that is not full of fake things. And, sometimes, that could be more difficult to find then you might imagine.

I was invited to visit the Capri Sun factory, in Tarrytown New York, and I went, because one of the things that I do allow them to pack for lunch is Capri Sun. I really wanted to see what the company stood for, what they meant, and what they plan to do about giving our kids nutritious beverage choices – and all of their PR lately has not been positive, so I was interested to see how they would address that as well.

Capri Sun, which was known in it's early days as Capri Sonne, was in its infancy a German company. Invented by Dr. Hans Peter Wilde in 1969, the basic premise of the company is the same as today – create a drink for kids to enjoy, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Fruit punch is not really bright red. Lemonade is not really neon yellow. There's no such drink flavor in nature  as Lime Surprise, with its neon colors – instead, Capri Sun offers juices that are all natural, and come in their naturally occurring colors and flavors.

In the late 60s, Dr. Wild, the German founder of Capri Sonne, invented a great tasting kids drink in a fun pouch. He wanted it to be kid loved/mom approved. The name "Capri Sun" came about because a lot of people in Germany summered in Italy, especially in the Capri Islands. The drink was named after the Island of Capri, and the first flavor was orange.

Orange just like the sun.

Dr. Wild decided that his selling point would be no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, no preservatives. The product was sold in Germany, and came to the United States in the early 80s. It didn't go well, and was not a popular product, until 1991, when the product line was bought by Kraft.

And we all know what happened once Kraft purchased Capri Sun. You get a Capri Sun, and you get a Capri Sun - Capri Sun for EVERYONE! :)

This "soccer line" standard is sold in virtually the same formulation as the very beginning. In the United States close to 5 billion pouches are sold every year.

The German company and the United States company work together in development and consumer input, but they are not both owned by Kraft. Many of the flavors are sold in both Europe and the United States, but there are many differences. Case in point? In Germany, they sell a drink called "faerie drink". Imagine how fun that would be – going to a birthday party with a three-year-old girl, who is given a pouch of "Faerie drink".

Personally, I think it's a concept we need to investigate in United States.

Capri Sun is always evolving, always changing, and always listening to the input of their consumers. They are constantly on the search for new ideas, new products, new innovations. It takes six months to one year to develop a new flavor.

This video is a prime example of new and fun:

 

That kid kills me. I fully expect to see him somewhere big in ten years. 

Do you pack Capri Sun pouches for your kids - or, for you? There is a new product on the market for the big kids - called the Big Pouch, with 11.2 fluid ounces of teen approved flavors. I know that they were teen approved because I didn't like 'em - and when I bought them, my kids scarfed them down and immediately added them to the list. 

My personal favorite? The Capri Sun Super V, with fruit and vegetable juice. Which completely doesn't taste like vegetable juice. :)

There are many flavor options, and even more product lines - Roarin' Waters, which is a splenda sweetened water beverage - not my personal favorite for my kids, as I try to avoid artificial sweeteners in them (and yes, I know the whole "Splenda is made from sugar! controversy), Capri Sun Super V, with fruit and vegetable juice and 100% juice - what I buy if I'm not buying Super V.

What flavor would you like to see Capri Sun create? 

Capri Sun's Newest Innovation

This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for this post, but all ideas in it are my own. 

Because Capri Sun is known as the "no" company, meaning no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors– it's really interesting to see what the actual drink looks like. We are also used to seeing bright red fruit punch, for example, that it would never occur to us that fruit punch might not be red. 

When Capri Sun spent time questioning consumers, a.k.a. moms, the number one thing that was requested was a clear pouch. After all, everyone wants to see what they're drinking, right?

Ta-da! Introducing the newest innovation – Capri Sun pouches with clear bottoms.

 

Look for this imprint on the box:

But why not clear backs? Good question. In testing, there was not a material that was thick enough, and heavy enough to withstand the rigorous testing that Capri Sun puts all of its pouches through. They were able to create a bottom that withstands the durability test, and is clear enough so you can see exactly what you're giving your children.

Ergo, Capri Sun fruit punch that is actually a pale pink. 

Here's a great video, explaining it all:

And one more:

 
Clear bottom pouches: It's a very good thing.

Capri Sun - TerraCycle Recycle

This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for this post, but all information in it is my own. 

So, now that everyone is drinking Capri Suns juice drinks, there's an issue. A little bit of a "dirty secret" that no one really wants to talk about.

What do you do with all of the pouches? It's not like you can drop them in the recycle bin.

Enter TerraCycle.

Founded in 2001, the primary purpose of TerraCycle is to keep nonrecyclable waste out of landfills. With the slogan "people/planet/profit", they work on all three areas to help keep our landfills, well, less full.

Capri Sun has participated in this program for six years, and has recycled more than 200 million pouches. Capri Sun has donated money to schools nationwide by using the Drink Brigade.

TerraCycle accepts any drink pouches, not just Capri Sun juice drink pouches, although they are a big contributor. Not only do they take rinsed used pouches, they also use pouches that don't pass the rigorous standards of testing. And what do they do with all of these pouches? Well, they either recycle or upcycle them. When you recycle a product, you use that product to create something else. It does not look anything like it did when you began. As an example, recycled Terracycled plastics have been made into injection molding, extrusion molding, Chip clips, and even picnic tables and couches. Look at all of these cool garden products, perfect for the spring! 

When you upcycle, you retain part of the graphics and packaging in the next life. Kind of like this nifty bag that we made.

Or this messenger bag that you can BUY. 

The Terra cycle program works in conjunction with PTA groups all over the country. You create a box in which to house your used packets. You rinse them, and package them for shipping, and in turn, TerraCycle will send you cash. 

Pretty cool, right there. 

Toys R Us - The Ultimate Toy Guide

When I was younger, I remember being very, very excited for Christmas. (Duh. Everyone was!) I remember taking catalogs virtually everywhere with me, circling my "must have" items, those things that I simply had to have. I would circle and circle, daydream, cross out and add - and ultimately, I never received any of it. 

But I was happy, and quiet - and I think that's why my mom encouraged it. 

My kids still pull the catalogs from my hands, but these days, the shorties are more likely to want to roam the toy store. And I'm ok with that - as long as they know we aren't buying everything they spy.  Typically, Toys R US is our toy store of choice, and we've spent many a happy afternoon strolling around, day dreaming and creaing wish lists. It gives me a chance to see what the newest toys are out there, what's hot and upcoming, and what really grabs my kids attention like no other. It's a backhanded, sneaky search, if you will. A chance to see what they'd pick, if they could. 

My kids are often drawn to builidng and creating toys - Legos, K'Nex, Goldie Blox, etc. Things that allow them to create and build. Often, they will follow the instructions the first time, and then break it down and make something totally different. I love it - love to see what their minds can create. 

Recently, I was invited to become part of the Toys R Us Blogger Brigade, and was sent a selection of toys. All of these toys would make fantastic gifts for kids on your list - and two of them are even better for grown ups!

Two lucky readers will win the first two toys on the list - the Beatles Yellow Submarine Building set or the Kiss Rock stage- which are really very, very awesome and I'm super excited to be able to offer to you! If you are interested in winning, leave a comment telling me which of the two you'd rather win. Comment by Midnight on December 16 and I'll pop it in the mail to you the next day!

Let's get started - I highly recommend all of these toys if you've got some presents left to buy - and I'm betting that you do, especially as Christmas is just a bit more less than two weeks away. Yikes.

Beatles Yellow Submarine™ Building Set

Build The Yellow Submarine, and help The Beatles save Pepperland from The Blue Meanies!  This one-of-a-kind building set lets you recreate the awesome adventures of the iconic Yellow Submarine with passengers, John, Paul, George and Ringo.  They can do battle against the two Blue Meanie figures, or get out their instruments and jam, since their ship doubles as a concert stage!  Includs over 200 pieces; Ages 7+. Suggested retail price is $34.99.  Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

KISS® Rock Stage Big Rig Building Set

Build a rock stage big rig, and take your Monster KISS figures on an amazing music tour!  This unique building set lets you create the power of a real KISS concert with The Demon, The Spaceman, The Catman and The Starchild.  After they rock out, the two roadie figures will help pack up their equipment, and drive the band off to their next sold-out show!  Includes over 300 pieces; Ages 7+.  Suggested retail price is $34.99.  Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us. 

Lincoln Logs® Redfield Ranch

Build a home on the range! Lincoln Logs® Redfield Ranch™ includes 124 real wood logs, plus colorful figures and other building accessories. Step-by-step instructions for building a ranch complete with a horse and cowboy figure are included. Parts come in a newly designed and collectible storage container, so clean-up is quick and easy. Suggested retail price is $39.99. Ages 3+. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

 I'll take cooperative, quiet play for $200, Alex. 

521 Amazing Value Tub Building Set

Build anything you can imagine with the 521 Piece Value Tub! Loaded with 521 parts for lots of building fun! Includes instructions/ideas for 35 unique models including, dragsters, Ferris wheels, dinosaurs, creatures and more! Parts and built models can be stored in the convenient storage tub. Made in the U.S.A. Suggested retail price $24.99. Ages 7+. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

New Super Mario Bros.™ 2 Thwomps™ Building Set

 Go on a brand new adventure with Fire Mario™ & Silver Luigi™ as they journey through a castle course! Featuring K'NEX's all new jump disk and launcher that allow Mario to run and jump, like he does in the game. Build Fire Mario & Silver Luigi and drop them through the warp pipe to enter the course. Look out for the Thwomps - slam them down to open your path. Make your way past the Thwomps, collecting coins as you go - don't forget to grab the Power Up mushroom at the top! Drop through another warp pipe and guess what - there's another side to play on! Use the sliding platform to cross the lava. Who will you find behind the door? It's a Bone Goomba™! Hit the target to defeat him, pop-up the flag and you've cleared the course! Combine your Thwomps building set with the rest of the K'NEX Super Mario™ building set line to take Mario on an even BIGGER adventure! For ages 8+. Suggested retail price is $59.99. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us. 

Super Mario 3D Land™ Bowser’s Castle Building Set

Go on a brand new adventure with Mario™ - battle Bowser™, and save the princess in the FINAL course! Featuring K'NEX's all new jump disk and launcher that allow Mario to run and jump, like he does in the game. Build Mario and make your way through the entrance gate to Bowser's Castle!  Look out for Draglet™ - a battery-powered motor makes him a spinning danger at the entrance.  Use the track slider to cross the pit, and jump up to collect the coins!  Watch out for the Fireballs - you make them move by turning the white connector.  Hurry past the spinning Fire Bars, and hit the mystery box - what did you get?  Jump across the moving platforms, through the warp pipe and up the elevator platform to Bowser's final hiding place!  Use the jump launcher to knock him down!  Save Princess Peach™, pop-up the goal flag and you've WON THE GAME!  Combine your Bowser's Castle building set with the rest of the K'NEX Super Mario™ building set line to take Mario on an even BIGGER adventure!  For ages 8+.  Suggested retail price is $99.99.  Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us. 

Typhoon Frenzy™ Roller Coaster Building Set

Bring a wave of fun from the ocean to your living room with the new Typhoon Frenzy Roller Coaster Building Set from K'NEX!  Build with over 640 K'NEX parts & pieces including, rods, connectors and track, and add motorized power to send the silver coaster car twisting and turning through over 19 feet of swirling, non-stop action!  Plus, download exclusive instructions to build an incredible second model, the Tsunami Surge™ Coaster!  All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA!  Ages 9+.  Suggested retail price is $39.99.  Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us. 

Stride Rite Shoes Make the Holidays Special

I was provided with two pairs of shoes to facilitate my review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own - as if anyone, ever, could buy my mind.

Stride Rite has long been a part of my kids' lives. Every one of my kids took their first steps in Stride Rite white high tops, with baby bells on them, thankyouverymuch. That was my very favorite, most adorable, baby look - and that way, you always knew where the baby was, because those bells gave 'em away EVERY TIME.

In fact, the last time I took my kids to the Stride Rite store, I swear to you that I stood in front of those ubiquitous shoes for a few minutes and gave a big, sad sigh when I walked away.

As my kids grew older, I have always felt confident in shoes purchased from Stride Rite, because I was confident that they fit, wouldn't rub blisters on their feet (especially for my kiddo with the flat, wide feet) and, most importantly, they would last. And it wasn't like the kids were stuck in ugly, boxy, frumpy shoes, either - they were hip, up to the minute styles, often including super heroes or fairies - things that made my kids feel as if the shoes were fun to wear, while I was happy that the shoes were good for them.

Stride Rite has come a long way to make their offerings up to the minute and fashionable, all while not sacrificing form, fit and comfort. With a wide variety of styles available, from casual to dressy, and from leading brands such as Stride Rite, Sperry Top-Sider, Keds, and Saucony, Stride Rite is the perfect one-stop-shop for all children’s footwear needs. 

While perusing the website, I realized exactly how far Stride Rite has come in up to the minute offerings - and chose two pair of Jessica Simpson boots for my girls. These boots are cute, fashionable, comfortable, and will help make the upcoming dressy occasions that we have even more special - Daddy Daughter Dance and Santa's Breakfast, anyone?? I mean, really - does this boot come in my size?

ADORABLE.

It's a well constructed, good quality boot - the materials are soft and sturdy, the buttons firmly attached, and the heel is solid, so I don't have to worry that my girl will twist her ankle as she chases her friends around the gym (while she's SUPPOSED to be dancing with Daddy, but I digress). The prices are right in line with shoe and department stores, and the individualized attention that they take to be sure the shoes fit the child perfectly is second to none.

If you have special occasion shoes to buy for your kids, spend some time in Stride Rite - I think you'll be very happy you did.

Who Wants to Vacuum the Rugs?

In this house, it seems, just about everyone - and that's never happened before. Why is that?

We have a new vacuum - and it's AH-mazing. Seriously. I feel like Hannah Housewife, stereotypical 1950's oppression queen, when I tell you that this new vacuum is revolutionary.

Enter the Shark Ultra Light Upright.

Weighing just 8 pounds, the Shark Rocket™ is designed to equip users with the ability to swiftly transform between an upright and handheld vacuum. The slim, easy-to-use vac delivers Never Loses Suction power and a motorized power head to deep clean carpets better than a full size Dyson vacuum.**

 Well, this statement really didn't impress me, because I had a Dyson and it was terrible. I mean, really awful  - but I've heard that they are highly praised, so maybe we had a dud. But I do really like the performance of the Oreck we own - which is yet another cringe worthy thought, for who loves a vacuum?

I do like it when the carpets are clean, and 1000 million bonus points if it can be quickly, easily, and by a small human.

We were sent the Shark Ultra Light Upright to try out, and I've got to say that I'm super impressed - as are the other members of my family. It is very lightweight, lays totally flat to go under tables and beds, and cleans in just one pass - which makes the time spent on a room speed by. It can also be converted to a handheld vacuum, which is ideal for cleaning stairs, cars or other small messes, like, say, the time my kiddo dropped a box of Rice Krispies.

This vacuum also has Enhanced Swivel Steering  - basically, it can clean in any direction (yay for this, as it keeps the kids easily amused AND cleans in all directions, so no yelling about getting the carpet cleaned - especially helpful when you have a child who likes to make patterns in the carpet!) and a low profile nozzle delivers “go anywhere” versatility.

I also really appreciate the fact that the vacuum easily goes from bare floor - my front entry - to carpet - my great room - and back to bare floor - my kitchen. It's super easy to get the whole lower level done in one pass. 

Ok, well, it sounds good, but how well did it clean? Like a dream. And not a nightmare type dream either - the canister filled up in no time at all - in fact, that's my only complaint about this cleaner. The canister is tiny - or maybe we are just dirty people - but we have to dump it after every room. That is actually a good thing, though, as my kids tend to overlook the whole "empty the canister" thing until it gets overpacked - but the canister for this vacuum is mounted right by the handle and is directly in your face, which means it's not going to be overlooked. 

Would I recommend this vacuum? Yes. Absolutely. In fact, I'm seriously considering purchasing another one for my upstairs - even though this one is very light and easy to move, I prefer to have a second one upstairs.

That way, there are no excuses for dirty carpet.

I was provided with a vacuum cleaner to facilitate my review. I was not compensated for this review otherwise.