Father’s Day Breakfast Idea Heavenly Home-style Happy Face

This week, I’m going to be sharing some recipes from:

  • Aunt Jemima Frozen
  • Mrs. Butterworth’s
  • Frank’s RedHot
  • French’s Mustard
  • Duncan Hines

What are you doing special for dad this weekend?

I have some coupons to give away to one commenter on any of these posts in this series this week. The first Recipe is:

HEAVENLY HOMESTYLE HAPPY FACE

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Ingredients:

Aunt Jemima Frozen Homestyle Pancakes

Microwaveable Bacon

Microwaveable Sausage Links

Home fries- any style you prefer

Table Syrup

Directions:

-Prepare Aunt Jemima Frozen Homestyle Pancakes in a toaster oven or microwave according to package

-Prepare the microwaveable bacon according to package and arrange as hair

-Prepare microwaveable sausage and arrange as a happy face smile

-Prepare home fries according to package and use as finishing touch for the happy face eyes

-Put on a plate; serve with Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworth’s Syrup

 

This is a product sponsored post.

Wordless Wednesday – Clek

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We received the oobr from Clek last month

 

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Clek Oobr Booster Car Seat Review

Zoe and I wanted to introduce you to her new favorite seat.

 

The Clek Oobrimage

We received the oobr from Clek last month and Zoe had to have it installed right away.

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Then she did not want to get out of the car, we had to all pack it up and go for a ride so she could try it out properly. I wasn’t even dressed yet, i mean it was early Saturday morning. So I threw on some clothes so we could take a drive. I remember being a kid, and it is a super cute seat. I mean it’s a monkey, a Pual Frank Monkey!!

Fashion Statement:

Comes in such fun bright vibrant colors, Paul Frank Monkey, Paul Frank Skull, milk and cookies brown, dragonfly green, snowberry pink and shadow looks like black. I’m sure you can find some personality resembling your child in at least one of the color options.

The Clek oobr is designed to use the LATCH system in vehicles. The bottom has a LATCH that pops out and makes it very easy to click into place and is very steady. It took us a while to realize that you can pop the system out from the booster seat base, (but you know how reading the directions usually helps). I’ve noticed with our other car seats even when they are latched in the LATCH system they still feel wobbly. So we always anchor them too. This one doesn’t have any anchors and doesn’t seem to need them.

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I’ve seen other full back booster seats and they seem to not be as sturdy as this one, at least in my opinion. The Oobr booster seat is a full back boost seat. It grows with the child and when you are ready you can even detach the back and just use the bottom. This is the only booster seat that I have seen that is designed for age 3. Zoe’s height is just barely tall enough and moving her to a booster seat did make me nervous, but it’s been a very easy transition for all of us.

The seat also comes with a cup holder and it reclines. For instructions on installation, or use please consult the owners manual. 

Look how high the head rest goes.

 

image Technical Requirements:

a chart of who should use oobr

Booster seat laws vary by state. Please check your local booster seat laws.

The happy girl in her seat finally! Clek can be found on Amazon. The Oobr that you see below retails for 299 and should be the last seat your child needs. The colors that are not licensed Paul Frank, are sold on Amazon for 274.99.

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Clek Oobr Booster Car Seat (associate link)

This is a sponsored product post. We received the booster seat for review. Please be sure to consult local laws and product manual for all installation advice. I am not a professional car seat maker or installer, I have not been trained. I’m sharing my experience yours may vary.

JumpStart Get Moving: Family Fitness

the box

I’ve been working with JumpStart for over a year now and it has been quite exciting to see them progress and grow and move from on-line/computer gaming to the Wii.

JumpStart is an award-winning adventure-based 3D virtual world that is super-personalized, wildly imaginative and really fun, but don’t let that fool you – it also teaches math, reading, and critical thinking skills so kids get a real jump start in life.

They recently sent me their newest game JumpStart Get Moving: Family Fitness. The game will be in stores June 15th and it will be sold for $29.99. It has been rated E for Everyone with Comic Mischief by the ESRB.

We put it in last Friday to give it a test. The graphics immediately pulled Zoe and Miles in. They each wanted to play so I gave them a controller. We created avatars for each of them and I let them pick out all the colors. So of course Zoe was as purple as she could possibly be and Miles had a lot of orange. Creating your own avatar involved hair, eyes, smile, clothing, body color and shoes.

I love that two players can play at the same time so my children don’t have to take turns, and I love that Zoe was trying very hard to do the actions. Some of the actions were a little bit too complicated for her to do. For instance, in playing Volleyball you have to go up and in the direction of the bull’s-eye. Even i had trouble making both movements.

Volleyball Bumping

I did find that with practice though, it became easier and easier to accomplish the goal. There are quite a few different activities that you can do right away. I like picking one of the rotating activities that lasts a while. they are short and keep my kids attention and go from a running activity to volleyball, to baseball. Each activity involves movement. In total there are 11 exotic arenas/backgrounds to choose from and more than 15 sports challenges. It is fun and got all three of us through a rainy morning last week.

Some of the activities you can use the Wii Fit with, and some of them require the nun chucks to be plugged in. The running activity requires you to have the controller in the left hand and the nun chucks in the right hand and you go up and down with your hands like you are running. You don’t’ have to run in place but I’m sure it’s a good thing to encourage your children to do and it will burn even more calories. 

Having two children that need to be more active than they are, I am so pleased that Jumpstart put together a game like this. Brook Burke is the trainer that shows you how to do each activity before it begins. You can practice with her before starting each activity.

 

As a mother of 4, Brooke Burke knows that raising healthy kids means worrying about their minds and bodies. That’s why she’s teamed up with JumpStart to create a game that gets families up, active and healthy together! She’s discovered it’s the perfect way to teach her kids that fitness doesn’t have to be a chore.

  • Access expert tips for more ways to stay healthy.
  • Train with Brooke to make the most of every motion.
  • Track calories burned to see your progress.

 

Enter to Win:

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness for the Wii

To Enter:

Give me a tip on getting kids to be more physically fit.

Extra Entries:

Tweet or hit the RT button up top:

Jumpstart Get Moving: Family Fitness Wii Videogame #Giveaway http://bit.ly/cHn7JW

Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post
Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site, your blog, or your facebook page and tell me where you advertised it or Use any of the share options below, digg, stumble…2 entries each  THis giveaway Ends July 5th

I received a free product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own, JumpStart is also providing the giveaway copy.

Select Comfort Sleep Number Father’s Day Sale

clip_image001Because I know my readers are so interested in sleep, and especially the Select Comfort Sleep number bed; I wanted to pass along Select Comfort’s great Father’s Day sale information.

 

Select Comfort’s Father’s Day sale:

· Save $600 on i8 Sleep Number beds (lowest price ever)

· Free standard shipping on any Sleep Number beds

· Only $699 for a Queen C2 Sleep Number Mattress

· 40% off Down Alternative pillows

The Father’s Day Sale ends June 23, 2010!

Look for more exclusive sales via the Sleep Number Facebook page or on Twitter @SleepNumberDeal.

Finish Quantumatic & Jet-Dry Turbo Dry

Finish

Ceci Carmichael, chef and former host of Food Network’s Calling All Cooks and Good Food Fast, knows that moms are always looking for modern tools to update their kitchen routine. Ceci recommends these tips:

  • Arm Yourself with Apps: Smartphone applications, like on the Apple iPhone®, can be functional as well as entertaining.  Many have been developed to solve even the toughest of kitchen quandaries. For instance, there are apps that do kitchen measurement conversions and apps with fast, healthy recipes. So whether you need a revolutionary new way to calculate conversions, or to get a leg-up on your meal plans, download a few to have on hand.
  • Upgrade to Hands-Free Appliances: Everyone wishes they had a third hand in the kitchen. Bring your kitchen into the 21st century by replacing old appliances with new, touch-less appliances. There are paper towel dispensers and trash cans that are activated with the wave of a hand, and sink faucets that turn on with the tap of an elbow.
  • Automate Kitchen Clean-Up: With all dishwashing detergents changing to phosphate-free formulations, now is the time to change your routine and try the new revolutionary FINISH Quantumatic. The innovative and effortless new system transforms the kitchen clean-up routine by eliminating the need for pre-rinsing.
  • Chore Lists of the Future: Don’t count on sticky notes or verbal instructions for your family. Use a fridge magnet that records videos to leave detailed, visual instructions on what to clean and how to cook. For more information, please visit FinishDishwashing.com

Finish sent me the new Finish Quantumatic starter kit and a bottle of Jet-Dry Turbo dry to review here on Mom Start. The biggest selling point after mentioning that you don’t have to pre-rinse your dishes is that it is more environmentally friendly than other brands. The packaging is made with recycled materials and the parts that aren’t they are currently working on it.

Also, it’s small, instead of a large bottle of detergent you are using the small refills and each refill washes up to 12 washes and it does keep up with it for you. There is a silver ball on the top at balances itself on the current number of washes you have left. With the smaller amount of packaging and less waste they are creating a smaller carbon footprint than other brands.

finish2How It Works
Follow these simple steps with FINISH® QUANTUMATIC™ to have automatically clean dishes the first time, every time:
Place the refill into the dispenser; close the lid and lock
Clip FINISH® QUANTUMATIC™ to the top rack of your
dishwasher
Use your dishwasher as you normally would; after12 washes, replace the refill

My husband asked, “does it have that ingredient that people are complaining about in dishwashing detergents?” I of course had no idea what he was talking about, so I looked into it. It says that it is phosphate-free so that must be what he was talking about.

With all dishwashing detergents changing to phosphate-free formulations, now is the time to change your routine and try this innovative dishwashing system.

My thoughts, it works. The dishes are clean and they are mostly dry. You know some types of dishes no matter what you use are going to have some kind of water collection that just can’t be dried. I wish magic would happen but it never works for me. Nothing completely dries the dishes, but they were really close, and very clean. I thought my pans were a little shinier than normal.

My negatives would be, it takes up the space of one glass. I like to cram as much into the dishwasher as I can so it takes up a spot. The other negative is that it is a little noisy but I think most people won’t notice. We notice because we have a silent dishwasher. I mean really silent, you can’t even tell it is on it is so silent. We accidentally open it sometimes while it is in the middle of a cycle because we can’t tell it’s running. With the Quantomatic we can tell the dishwasher is running.

10 Bloggers Will Receive:

If you have a blog you can sign up to review the product, 10 bloggers will be chosen by random.org. To do so, you need to write up a post advertising this giveaway and link back to Finish Quantomatic and this post. By signing up you are agreeing to write up a review of your opinion of the product within two weeks of receiving the product samples.

Grand Prize:

The grand prize is a Finish Quantomatic starter kit, 2 refills and three bottles of Jet-Dry. The grand prize winner does not need to be a blogger and is not required to write up a review.

To Enter:

Tell me what you would do with your extra time you saved, by not rinsing off all of your dishes.

Extra Entries:

Tweet or hit the RT button up top:

Finish Quantumatic & Jet Dry Turbo Gift Basket (AVR 35.00) #Giveaway #contest http://bit.ly/aNPSUK

Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post
Advertise this giveaway on any giveaway site, your blog, or your facebook page and tell me where you advertised it or Use any of the share options below, digg, stumble…2 entries each

Remember that if you blog about the giveaway, include a link to this post and Quantumatic and leave the link in MR. Linky for a chance at the grand prize or the review opportunity!

The contest will run until July 5th 11:59 pm Pacific. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

This is a sponsored product post.

Baby Clothing: First Impressions Review

First Impressions sent me a gift set that I am going to donate to one of the local charities around here. They sent me a First Impressions Gift Set and it turns out it is quite a generous donation.

First Impressions is a collection of classic clothing for newborns and infants featuring sweet, traditional designs, fine fabrics and time-honored details, with an emphasis on special occasion dressing. The charm and refinement of First Impressions clothing and matching accessories make it a favorite gift choice.

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First Impressions gift set includes a spring Look Book featuring the collection, an outfit from the Satin Hanger Collection,

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Satin Hanger Collection
  Sweet, traditional outfits with their own signature satin hanger
  Range of colors with ruffles, trims and added accessories
  Available in sizes 0-24 months
  Giftable items that are perfect for showers, holiday presents and special occasions
  Sold in stores and online, prices vary from $26 and up

 

a five-piece layette setimage

from the Everyday Value Collection

image Everyday Value Collection
  Essentials for every baby
  Layette sets include coverall, bodysuits, pant and bib
  Available in sizes for preemies, 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-9 months
  Variety of colors and patterns for girls, boys and gender neutral
  Outfits are machine washable and 100 percent cotton
  Sold in stores and online as an everyday value, prices vary from $8.98 and up

 

and an adorable plush animal

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The plush animal was loved on immediately, but she understands that some things that come for my blog are for donation only. She just wanted her photo taken with it and it does illustrate just how soft the plush is.

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The clothing is exclusive to Macy’s and in my opinion has that “Macy’s” quality you would expect. At least when I think of Macy’s I think of great brands that hold up over time. I would have loved to receive something like this as a gift for my babies when they were that small and one thing I love about Macy’s is that they have great sales. In fact, the clothing that is pictured above is on sale now at Macy’s. You can get some First Impressions clothing for a really great price.

Ronzoni Smart Taste Photo Contest

Thanks for all your help in choosing a photo for the Ronzoni photo contest. Ronzoni Smart Taste is white pasta that is enriched with Fiber, Calcium and Vitamin D. I was given the challenge to taste it and compare it to another pasta brand.

 

ronzonipasta

 

Now Miles Man needs some votes. Please vote for Miles.  You could win a 25.00 Gift Card by voting.

 

 

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central  on behalf of Ronzoni and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review and photo contest entry. In addition, I received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

We Played All Weekend

I tried really hard to stay off of my computer all weekend, only getting on during the kid’s nap times. We had such a good time in the sun, and even this evening we stayed out until the clouds rolled in. If I was judging the weather for tomorrow by the clouds that rolled in I would say rain is definite, but King5 says the only day it might rain next week is Tuesday but the other days are going to be in the 60’s and cloudy. I don’t’ think I can complain. I’ve seen some people say it’s pretty darn hot already.

The Plasma Car became our best friend

Last year, I received a plasmacar free of charge to review on my blog, the kids are finally getting really good play out of it. One, we live in a neighborhood with sidewalk, and we live on the cul-de-sac, and the kids have claimed the street as theirs. Two, they are both older and much more coordinated, and the weather has been so nice.

plasma

I love seeing my kids be more active outside. I know that I SIT a lot so they SIT a lot and it hasn’t been healthy for any of us. So I’m trying really hard to put the computer down and get my but outside and more active right beside the kids.

downhill

We do live on just a bit of a hill and my fearless son likes to just go straight down the hill. I have to run sometimes to keep up with him because I’m terrified that he is going to get to the bottom of the hill and end up in the street. I know I’m just an overprotective mother, what can I say. So up and down the hill we go and Zoe has finally taken the hill a few times herself, why is it that with one child I experience fear and the other I experience pure pride?

I love living in a city, where land is inhabited by people and not by animals. We have neighbors and kids to play with. We have more kids on just our block than I ever had in my neighborhood growing up. I love living where we live. We had a great weekend and I hope you did too. Tell me about what you did.

Father’s Day Breakfast Idea Buttermilk Banana Bear

Doesn’t the saying go, the way to a man’s heart is his stomach? So what’s on the menu for Father’s Day. My husband is actually the breakfast maker in our house. He makes waffles and pancakes and other wonderfully delicious treats for breakfast. This week, I’m going to be sharing some recipes from:

  • Aunt Jemima Frozen
  • Mrs. Butterworth’s
  • Frank’s RedHot
  • French’s Mustard
  • Duncan Hines

I have some coupons to give away to one commenter on any of these posts in this series this week. The first Recipe is:

BUTTERMILK BANANA BEAR

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Ingredients:

Aunt Jemima Frozen Buttermilk Pancakes
Aunt Jemima Frozen Mini Pancakes
One Banana
Blueberries
Raisins
Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworth’s Syrup 

Directions:

-Prepare Aunt Jemima Frozen Buttermilk Pancakes in a toasted oven or microwave according to package

-Prepare Aunt Jemima Frozen Mini Pancakes in a toaster oven or microwave according to package and -arrange as bears ears

-Prepare two small slices of a banana and place on top of the mini pancakes for the bear’s ears

-Prepare two smaller slices of banana and arrange onto of pancake for the bear’s eyes

-Prepare one blueberry sliced in half and then place on top of banana slices for the bear’s eyes

-Prepare three raisins and arrange as the bear’s nose

-Add Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworth’s Syrup to make the bear’s smile

-Put on a plate; serve with Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworth’s Syrup

 

This is a product sponsored post.