Childhood Memories Define My Outdoor Space

Recently, I told you all about how I love "window" shopping, or monitor shopping as the case may be, from the comfort of my own home. I told you about all of the neat kitchen tables I like looking at and imagining how they may look in our kitchen since our dining room turned into a playroom.

Another place that is nice to spruce up with chairs, tables and the like is an outdoor kitchen or patio area. To me, nothing is better to rock a child in than an old fashioned rocking chair on a porch. And, in my opinion, cuddling up on a wooden porch swing with my sweetie is pure joy. I grew up in the country and remember dozing blissfully in my grandmother's lap while slowly rocking in her swing or rocking chair (depending on the day). We also had a pitcher of lemonade or tea and some snacks and it was nice watching the squirrels play and rubbing the doggy's belly with our bare feet.

Sometimes when the city traffic is getting to me and the stress of day to day life seems a bit much, I go outside and sit on my own front porch swing and remember those times. I also think it's pretty neat that there are so many styles of swings and rockers online. I must not be the only one who longs for simpler times on occasion.

Now how is this for a rocking chair? The entire family can cuddle up in this one:

I know the trend is towards stainless steel grills and fancy patio furniture, but I think that my ancestors had it right on this one. Those things are nice, but I'll take one of these luxuries of days gone by any old day.

Have a nice evening and a blessed week...
 
Fine Print: This is a compensated post on behalf of CSN Stores. The opinions and stories shared here are my own.

Plus Up Your Purse With Kellogg's FiberPlus

I have always loved purses. Before kids, I would buy a nice purse with a pretty wallet and it didn't matter what size it was. I loved changing bags often. It only mattered that it was pretty and I liked it.

Now that I have two little boys, I am ashamed to admit that this is how my purse looked just a few short days ago:

Embarrassing! My purses inevitably turn into handbag/diaper bags. My purse had a diaper, toys, eyeglass case, keys, broken cell phone case, tons of receipts from my son's therapy appointments, notes, coupons, loose change and all sorts of odds and ends. If I needed to find something, I had to spend valuable minutes digging in the bottom until I would lose patience since everything was just rolling around freely in there.

Well, not anymore! I was invited to take part in Kellogg's FiberPlus Plus Up Your Purse campaign and was excited. Not only did I get the chance to try out the FiberPlus Bars, but I also was given the opportunity to "Plus Up" my purse and make it more organized. The photos at left show my new purse and the great organizational tools I got for it. It has side pockets to easily organize my cell phone, keys and a tasty snack like Kellogg's FiberPlus Antioxidants Bars. No more lost keys and no more rummaging for a ringing cell phone (I miss many calls this way).

I also purchased a see through zippered pouch to hold my glasses, cosmetics, hair accessories and other odds and ends that inevitably end up in the bottom of my purse. This will make it much easier to find them. In addition, I added a small wristlet that holds necessities like some change, insurance cards, receipts (so they aren't floating around the bottom of my purse), etc. and it can easily be used by itself when I don't want a full purse.

To round out it out, I got a nice organized wallet that separates money, checkbook, credit cards, store discount cards, etc. and a notepad to jot down lists and phone numbers. It's now so organized that I can throw in a couple of diapers, a toy or two and a package of wipes and not lose everything else in my purse.

One thing I forget to pack many days is a nice, smart snack. I will wait until I am overly hungry and then grab for something unhealthy. I recently tried the FiberPlus Antioxidants Bars in the Chocolatey Peanut Butter flavor and now keep one in my purse. It's very tasty and tastes like a treat. The good thing is that it also provides fiber plus antioxidants (35 percent of the daily recommended value of fiber plus 20 percent of the daily recommended value of antioxidants Vitamin E and zinc). The bars also provide whole grain and taste really good in my opinion. Kellogg's FiberPlus Bars also come in Chocolate Almond and Chocolate Chip flavors.

Want to Plus Up Your Purse? Stay tuned, because one Potamus Prefers read will be able to do just that soon thanks to Kellogg's. 

Fine Print: Thanks to Kellogg's for providing me with a $75 gift card and a coupon for a free box of Kellogg's FiberPlus bars. The opinions are my own.

It Never Dries Out: Moon Dough Barn Review

Have you heard of Moon Dough? I hadn't until recently and we had the opportunity to test it out. We received the Moon Dough Barnyard that is recommended for ages 2-4.

What is Moon Dough exactly? Moon Dough is a new molding compound that is soft and marshmallow-like and never dries out. It can used over and over and the makers say that it is hypo-allergenic and wheat-free, so that is good for children with allergies. There are several different sets to choose from including the one we received, the Moon Dough Pizza Shop, Magic Molding Doghouse and Moon Dough Burger Shop. The dough comes in blue, green, white, orange, purple, red, pink and yellow and refill packs are available.

My husband set up the barn and got the dough out and rolled it into balls. As soon as my two year old (that puts everything in his mouth) saw the little animals my hubby had made while trying it out, he grabbed them and tried to eat them. We quickly learned that even though he is two, he isn't quite ready for it yet. My three year old enjoyed watching my husband do it, but needed help to put the dough in the top and make the animals. We set it up on a table with the mat and clean up was very easy when set up that way. We did not attempt to use it on carpet or another surface, but the website has tips on cleaning it up. I think the barn is a fun toy and the Moon Dough has a very neat texture. It would be great for kids that love to play with moldable dough, but I would suggest close parental supervision until you are sure they are old enough not to eat it. I do love that it never dries out so you don't have to worry about lost lids or open storage containers ruining the product.

Buy: Moon Dough is available for purchase at Toys "R" Us, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Amazon.com, A.C. Moore, Michaels and eToys.

Fine Print: We received the items mentioned in this post in exchange for our honest review from Moon Dough and Spin Master through Team Mom. The opinions are my own.

Mom's Wish & The Perfect Gift For Mom?

Want to see something cute? Here is my youngest son doing what he does best (get dirty and make messes and have fun, of course) on the beach in Florida during our vacation this summer:

Wow, where did the summer go? It seems like just yesterday the school year was wrapping up and we were making big plans for the summer. My three year old had just finished 5 1/2 weeks of preschool (a special program) and we had a vacation planned, a summer program for my preschooler in the works and grand ideas of catching up on housework and honey do lists.

Although we did have a wonderful vacation and my boys were busy all summer, catching up on housework and that ever-growing list of things that need to be done, just didn't get finished. The new school year is underway and my littlest one will start a two day program at the local church this week. When I worked outside of the home, before we had children, we had a maid service that came in and cleaned up from time to time. I wouldn't trade being a stay at home mom for the world, but with therapy visits, doctor's fees and a tight budget because we are on one salary now, a maid service is a distant dream.

You know, my birthday is coming up next month (cough, cough, hint, hint) and a janitorial service would be the perfect gift that keeps on giving, dear family and friends. I may not own a business, but I am sure my boys could keep them super busy with their messes.

This is a sponsored post. The opinions and personal experiences are my own.

NaturaWorld.com: Crib/Toddler Bedding Review

My boys love to cuddle up in soft bedding for a good night's sleep. They, of course, love soft and comfy, but I am always on the lookout for choices that are also smart.

Recently, I was introduced to NaturaWorld.com and their natural bedding. We received a NaturaProtect Crib Deluxe Mattress Protector and a Classic Crib Comforter. I love that these items are neutral enough to grow with a child from babyhood all the way up until they are out of a toddler bed. Luckily. when that happens, they have many choices for twin sized and adult sized beds as well from Natura. I think the king-sized organic mattress looks dreamy! They also have crib skirts, crib bumper pads and more.

About the NaturaProtect Crib Deluxe Matress Protector

The ultimate in protection against nighttime allergens, the NaturaProtect Deluxe Crib Mattress Protector defends against dust mites, mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria with NaturaProtect Silver technology. This thin, breathable barrier is so safe, the FDA has even approved it for contact with food. A washable Cry Less Wool™ core adds comfort and maintains a dry, temperature-regulated bed for baby. With this pristine breathing environment for baby and peace of mind for you, breathing easy comes naturally.

About the Classic Crib Comforter

Your sweet miracle will sleep well when tucked in a Classic Crib Comforter. Our cozy Cry Less Wool™ is quilted into an unbleached, 100% cotton percale cover. It insulates against heat and cold, eliminating temperature fluctuations that can disturb sleep. This all natural wool and cotton comforter is hypoallergenic and breathable, protecting baby’s fragile respiratory system.

These are the perfect size for my oldest son's convertible (crib to toddler) bed. We have been trying these out this summer and the comforter is the perfect weight to keep him cozy without overheating him. As you can see by the photos, he loves to hold his comforter while bundled up in it, listening to a bedtime story and having his last sips of water before tuck-in time.

About Natura
Founded by father and son team, Harry and Ralph Rossdeutscher, Natura was created out of a desire to solve the mystery behind having a healthier, more abundant lifestyle. As research led to the discovery of just how much a quality night’s sleep contributed to a productive daily lifestyle, Natura’s founders searched for a solution that would help people sleep well in order to live better.

“Healthy sleep is vital to a healthy life, and we believe using natural materials is the best solution for ourselves and our planet. By using sustainable, earth-friendly manufacturing practices and materials, Natura is truly where nature meets nurture. It's not a trend - it's a way of life,” stated Ralph Rossdeutscher, CEO (a.k.a. Head Honcho).

The combo I received is also available for adults and older children and is considered a sleep envelope. Kids can be allergic to many things, such as pets, lotions, foods and even their bedding. They can develop sneezing fits, rashes and discomfort and it can take away a good night's sleep. My son hasn't shown allergies to his bedding, but I think it's a really good thing to have the best quality in there that we can afford. My son is very attached to his stuffed animals and his Thomas the Train blanky, so I haven't been able to completely replace all of his bedding with natural products just yet, but I do wash everything often and think the addition of these wonderful Natura products is a good start. The blanket is so comfortable that I want one for me!

Buy: NaturaWorld.com has earth-friendly, expertly-designed bedding that minimizes allergic reactions and over-delivers on comfort. You can find out more about their products at http://www.naturaworld.com/. You can also follow @NaturaWorld on Twitter and "like" NaturaWorld on Facebook. You can purchase online or find in many local stores (I found out there is a retailer just down the road from me that carries their mattresses). There is a store locator on their website. The mattress protector I reviewed sells for $72 and the comforter is available for $67.20 (on their website).

Fine Print: I received crib bedding mentioned in this post from NaturaWorld for the purpose of my honest review. No other compensation was received and the opinions are my own.

Chemical Free Cleaning: Vapor Steam Cleaners

With two little boys in the house, it is a constant battle to keep germs at bay. My youngest is always mouthing everything from his toys to furniture to things he finds on the floor. I do have a steam mop and that helps me keep my floors clean, but I recently found out that there are so many nifty vapor steam cleaners for home use.

There are a lot of retailers out there and it's hard to know which one sells great vapor steam cleaners. I think the Vapamore MR-100 Steam Vapor Cleaner from 1-800-GO-VAPOR seems pretty neat (pictured at left). The big draw about steam mops and chemical free vapor steam cleaners, in my opinion, is that they are green and don't put harmful substances onto surfaces my children touch and chew on.

I personally own and love my Reliable Steamboy Steam Floor Mop (an item I have reviewed on my blog in the past). I've had it well over a year and boy does it clean up toddler messes well and without chemicals. I was happy to see that 1-800-GO-VAPOR sells those too. They are a good price at only $99... a budget friendly option for floors.

Although one of these neat cleaners isn't currently in my budget, it is really nice to know that there is such a variety of vapor steam cleaners for both home and professional use. I also think these would be wonderful if you are moving into a rental home or apartment. You just never know just how clean they are and using a steam cleaner would be good assurance, wouldn't it?

This is a sponsored post. The opinions and personal experiences are my own.

Meet the Divas: $20 Amazon GC Giveaway

I am blessed to have been invited to several wonderful blog networks. One of them is the Double Duty Divas. This network is full of great bloggers. Would you like to find more bloggers on Twitter? Here is your chance. Just click here. At that link you will be able to easily follow the participating bloggers. You can check off as many as you want to follow.

Oh, and guess what? You also have a chance to win. One winner will be chosen at random out of all of the included "Meet the Divas" post commenters to win a $20 Amazon gift card (please note one gift card will be given out from all blogs, not one per blog). It's easy to enter. Just comment below before 12 noon (central time) on Sept. 3, 2010 telling me one blogger you followed on Twitter as part of this Meet the Divas Twitter promotion. This is open to the US only.