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Herding Cats!

November 13, 2010 By 19 Comments

Have you ever tried to herd cats. Getting cats to do anything on your terms is next to impossible unless that cat wants something. I have never met a cat that was compliant. They either sit and stair at you like you need to come over to them and scratch their butt for them, or they walk the other way. I’ve been trying to get my kids interested in taking our dog for a walk every day. I would love it if they could go on at least one walk without complaining, whining, and just stopping every three feet. Yes, that’s what it’s like. Taking my family on a walk is like herding cats. Getting them to do anything at all is like talking to a wall sometimes. They just don’t move. It’s like I need a fire to put under their buts. I mean what do I need to do to get them to have some sense of urgency because they have no sense of urgency at all. This attitude or frame of mind in my son has transferred over into everything he does. He will not move! This is what it’s like to have a conversation with the boy.

catsIt’s time to clean up

Now?

Yes pick up your toys.

Ohh Kaaay!

Slowly he starts picking up his toys and then suddenly he’s distracted again and playing with them, we’re lucky if he hasn’t dumped all of them out again. And honestly, that’s if he didn’t take 10 to 15 minutes to move over to where his toys are to pick them up.

It’s time to go to bed, please go upstairs

Blank look on his face.

Go upstairs and go to bed.

Now?

Yes get upstairs please…

No

Get your butt upstairs

Blank look and maybe he moves a tiny tiny bit towards the stairs.

Go upstairs…..

A smile on his face as he tackles one of the stairs and then he stops. I need snuggie

I’ll get it you go upstairs

No, I want to get it

No mommy will get it you get your butt upstairs now.

He then gets to the second step and stops saying, Will  you carry me?

No

He stands there…..

Go Upstairs

He moves forward one step and smiles again

I usually just give up at this point and go upstairs on my own and start working on getting Zoe ready for bed. I’ve had the same type of conversation with him about 10 times for the day already. Then I just yell down at him to get upstairs (or I let his dad handle it) and he knows that if he doesn’t get upstairs before I’m done with Zoe he’s in big big trouble. So usually he’s up there. Occasionally, I’ll still find him laying on the landing at the bottom of the stairs waiting on me to carry him. No, I still don’t carry him but I proceed to put him on the naughty spot and then he might be willing to move up the stairs but at a slow as molasses pace.

Yes, Shamefully I’m one of those parents that yells but herding cats drives me nuts.

Filed Under: personal

New Kids Remote Control Playhouse Disney Mickey Mote & DVD Sets

November 12, 2010 By 3 Comments

My children Zoe and Miles love to watch Playhouse Disney. We don’t have cable so our only opportunity to watch it is by DVD, or the occasional visit to grandma’s house. They are also very familiar with technology and can operate any remote in the house. However, they can recognize when something is special or meant for them. Disney created the New Mickey Mote and sent us one to review along with two compatible movies. You’ll be surprised to find that we did actually have a little trouble setting up the remote. The reason for that is because we couldn’t find an actual remote with an IR signal to the DVD player directly. Why, because we have been using a universal remote for all of our devices for over a year and we’ve moved within that time. We tired to use the universal remote to program the Mickey Mote but it failed. So while my husband is looking for the right kind of remote Zoe, Miles and I went ahead and watched the DVDs, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Numbers & Rounds, and Handy Manny Big Construction Job Review.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Numbers & Rounds Review:

clip_image001[4] Zoe and Miles both enjoyed watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Numbers & Rounds, I even heard both of them counting. If I remember correctly it was watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse where Miles first learned how to count.

About Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Numbers Roundup features more than 100 minutes of content with five exciting, numbers-themed adventures.  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is the #1 program on Playhouse Disney as well as the #1 series with children between the ages of two and five years.  Bonus features include a never-before-seen (until 1/1/11) bonus episode as well as the Discovery Mode feature.

Fun Fact- Mars Puzzle

clip_image001[6]Handy Manny Big Construction Job Review:

About Handy Manny: Big Construction Job:
Handy Manny: Big Construction Job is a fun-filled, full-length adventure that takes Manny out of Sheet Rock Hills and to a new construction project out of town!  Introducing new tools, new songs and a never-before-seen episode, Handy Manny stars Wilmer Valderrama (TV’s “That 70’s Show”) as the voice of Manny.  It is a top 5 television series with preschoolers 2-5, and is an Emmy®-nominated show, set in a multicultural, multi-generational community and follows a curriculum that models problem solving and the importance of community.

Fun Fact- Dogs and Cats

How To Set Up Your Mickey Mote

Quick Set Up Guide_Mickey Mote

First you need to put a battery in the remote, it does not come with one so you’ll need to find some AAA batteries. Then  you will need to turn on the remote by pressing and holding down any two buttons until the green light between the ears comes on. Then you need to place the Mickey Mote flat on a surface with a DVD remote control facing it also on the flat surface, about three inches apart. Press the UP button on the DVD remote 4 times slowly. After each of your first 3 presses the green light on the MICKEY MOTE will go off – then come back on. Then after the fourth press, the green light will flash quickly, and then turn off and come back on. Then repeat the steps for each of the other buttons with the corresponding action from the DVD remote control. See photo for a guide.

clip_image001How The Mickey Mote Works:

On November 16th Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release the Mickey Mote! The Mickey Mote works with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes Discovery Mode(tm), the interactive "Watch & Play" feature on the DVD!  All parents have to do is program the remote control – there’s an easy and quick set-up guide in each DVD- and select the Discovery Mode feature on the menu screen.  Within minutes, kids will be easily responding to questions, throughout the story, about scenes they just watched (such as "What color is Goofy’s hat?") by pressing one of four color-coded buttons on the device — a yellow star, green circle, orange triangle or blue square – to click in their responses.  Discovery Mode features include two levels of play, which provides more challenging questions as the child grows.

 

More Mickey Mote Titles

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Choo Choo
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Bow-Tique
Handy Manny: Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure
Handy Manny: Manny’s Big Race
Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Blast Off
My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super Sleuths
My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Bedtime With Pooh

 

No Compensation was received for this post other than the products mentioned above.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, review Tagged With: , , , ,

Yoplait Smoothies With a KitchenAid Blender #Giveaway #MyBlogSpark

November 11, 2010 By 785 Comments

imageA few months ago we had an excellent smoothie party. Zoe and Miles invited some friends over and we all had such a great time. For some of the smoothies we used the Yoplait Smoothie mix and it was then that I knew it would be a big hit. So when MyBlogSpark asked me if I wanted to work with them and KitchenAid and do a review I thought piece of cake!

As seen on The Biggest Loser, which airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC, Yoplait Frozen Smoothies are also easy to make! To whip up perfectly blended smoothies in a snap, simply empty the package containing Yoplait frozen yogurt chips and frozen fruit into your blender, add skim milk, and blend. It’s that easy! You can even use the handy Smoothie button on your new 3-speed KitchenAid® Blender, (included in your MyBlogSpark package) which blends ingredients at optimal speeds for deliciously smooth results. In just two minutes, you can enjoy a great tasting Yoplait Frozen Smoothie as a guilt-free breakfast, dessert or snack!

How to Make A Smoothie with a KitchenAid Blender:

Just open the package and dump into the blender. Then add 1 cup of milk and use the smoothie setting. I actually like to add twice as much milk as it asks for so that it’s not quite as thick. So use the milk to make it the thickness that you enjoy.

Each package of Yoplait Frozen Smoothies contains one full serving of fruit (1/2 cup) and only 110 to 120 calories per serving. In addition to containing live and active cultures provided by Yoplait® yogurt, when prepared with skim milk and made according to package directions, Yoplait Frozen Smoothies are also a good source of calcium.

I love how easy and quick they are to make. I also love how good they are for the kids and they love to drink them. So it’s a win win for me.

Don’t forget to visit Yoplait on Facebook and Yoplait on Twitter and “Like” or “Follow” the brand to keep up with their latest and greatest products.

Enter to Win:

KitchenAid Blender

2 Free Yoplait Smoothie Product Coupons

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me how you incorporate fruit into your diet.

Extra Entries:

Like Yoplait on Facebook

Follow Yoplait on Twitter

Tweet: Yoplait Smoothies with A KitchenAid Blender #Giveaway @MomStart http://bit.ly/94aNKT

List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway)

Use any of the share methods listed below one entry each!

I received products listed above from MyBlogSpark on behalf of KitchenAid and General Mills.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, giveaway Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Giveaway Jingle Link Up Your Giveaway

November 11, 2010 By 5 Comments

You’ve got a giveaway, I want to know about it! Oh, and if you list your giveaway on Mom Start facebook page it will tweet on my twitter account. How cool is that?

image

Filed Under: linky Tagged With: , ,

Giveaway Winners

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I just updated the Winner’s Page, and I think I’m all caught up on picking winners. Please check to see if you are a winner of any of the giveaways on Mom Start.

giveawayjingle

So if you are wondering if you won a giveaway, check out the winners page.

Filed Under: winners Tagged With: ,

Leaving On A Jet Plane…

November 11, 2010 By 8 Comments

This morning I find myself sitting in the airport waiting on an airplane to travel to Silicon Valley. At least that’s where my husband said I’m going, I’m traveling today to San Jose to meet with a brand. Yep, I’m being vague. I was given specific instructions to not mention anything about the trip until after the trip or I can tweet what I learn during the trip but it’s top secret until Friday.

cuddle2So, I have a lot of posts that I have been working on and last night I decided to spend my time with my family instead of getting caught up. I’m going to have all day after I land in a hotel room, so I figure I’ll write then. Last night I was singing a song that often gets stuck in my head from the movie Armageddon. I sing it so often that last night Miles started softly singing with me. He has the cutest most adorable voice.

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I’ll be on my way

These blogging trips always sound so very exciting to me and when it finally comes down to the day of going, all I can think about is how much I’m going to miss my kids and that I already miss them. I miss them  the night before I leave while they are sleeping in their rooms. I always have fun and learn a lot and make great on-line friendships but my kids just are on my sleeve. Of course I miss my husband too and worry about him being left alone with the kids. He’s a lot stronger and more patient than I am when it comes to the kids. I’ll miss my neighbors now too. We have the best neighbors anyone could ever ask for. We seem them almost every day and chat outside while our children are all playing together. I almost feel like my day is incomplete without seeing all of them. So I’ll see everyone when I get back, and I’ll share my experience. I miss you already kids!

I am excited to go even though I’m going to miss everyone. I’ve never been to San Jose before.

I’m leaving on a Jet Plane….

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: , ,

More Printable Coupons from Coupons.com

November 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I just posted about the Redplum Coupons for this week and now I wanted to let you know about the coupons at coupons.com. Here is a list of a few of the coupons you can print and save some money this week at the grocery store.

image$10.00 off Any One (1) 27 oz Tub of GREENIES
$0.50 off LAND O LAKES Spreadable Butter Product
$1.00 off on one Reser’s Sensational Sides item
$0.55 off any Bar Keepers Friend Liquid Cleanser
BOGO 18.5 oz bottle of Gold Peak Tea
$1.00 off Wonderful Pistachios
$0.35 off HERSHEY’S Milk or Milkshake
$0.50 off any Two LAND O LAKES Butter Products
$0.55 off HORMEL™ COUNTRY CROCK side dishes
$0.55 off any two HORMEL Chili
$0.75 off Hormel Chili Master chili
$2.00 off on any one (1) HORMEL Party Tray
$0.75 off any Quorn™ Foods product

Just a note, many stores will only take printed coupons if they are in color. If they are only in black and white they look like they were photo copied and then the companies will not reimburse

Filed Under: savings Tagged With: , , , , ,

New Red Plum Coupons 11-10-10

November 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

imageLast year I had the opportunity to work with Red Plum and see their Holiday gifts. I love Red Plum. I collect as many of their inserts every week to save money while getting groceries at Safeway and Albertsons and while shopping for necessities at Target and Walmart. Printing out coupons is another way to stock up on those much needed coupons. So here is a recent list of Red Plum Coupons and they are affiliate links, so you save and I earn (full disclosure), which in my book a penny saved is a penny earned!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SamplecouponSAVE $1.00 ON ANY ONE GARNIER CLEANSER OR MOISTURIZER

SAVE $3.00 WHEN YOU BUY GARNIER HERBASHINE COLOR CREME WITH BAMBOO EXTRACT

SAVE $0.50 ON ANY ONE (1) THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® TREATS FOR CATS

SAVE $1.00 On Any TWO packages of Murray Sugar Free® Cookies (4.44 oz. or Larger, Any Flavor, Mix or Match)

$1 OFF any ONE (1) PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Treats For Dogs 5.57oz or larger

SAVE $3 on any Maybelline New York foundation

SAVE $1.00 ON ANY SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER OR TREATMENT (EXCLUDING TRIAL SIZE)

$1 OFF any ONE (1) PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Treats For Dogs 5.57oz or larger

$0.55 OFF Any Endust® Product

SAVE $1.00 on any two (2) Goya® Rice Mixes

SAVE $0.75 on any Sara Lee® Frozen Dessert

SAVE $0.25 off any ONE (1) McCormick® Spice or Extract

SAVE $1.00 on Osteo Bi-Flex® Liquid Joint Aid (Valid on 6 pack only. Individual 8oz bottles not sold separately.)

SAVE $0.55 off any ONE (1) package of Hefty® Waste Bags

Filed Under: savings Tagged With: , ,

I heart Tillamook Cheese #Giveaway

November 9, 2010 By 295 Comments

imageCheese is a staple in my house. We eat it all the time at least once a day. I’ve even found that by eating some cheese before bedtime has helped me to stay on my diet. I was going to say lose weight but I can’t make any claims like that, it was a combination of things that I did to lose weight these past few months. But cheese has become one of my favorite snacks.

Tillamook Cheese is a 101 year old farmer-owned dairy company in Oregon that makes a variety of cheeses including the flagship, award-winning Medium Cheddar – made from the same recipe for more than a century. Tillamook Medium Cheddar is naturally aged and made using only the highest-quality milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones so you can be confident it’s safe and healthy for your family.

They sell Tillamook cheese at Costco and it is about the same price. I love getting it at Costco because the Medium is better than mild cheddar in the other brand. In fact for me when it comes to cheese the sharper the better. I love sharp cheddar, so much that I adore white cheddar because white cheddar is so flavorful. The other reason why I love getting it at Costco is because we use so much of it. I love to make macaroni and cheese and variations on that recipe. Like Chili Macaroni and cheese which is a family favorite.

Oh and if you are ever in Oregon, you have to tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory. We went there one year on a family vacation and I LOVED it. Tillamook makes the best ice cream EVER!! And I’m from the South and I know ice cream!

 

 

imageEnter to Win:

3 Free Tillamook Cheese Coupons
A Heart Sandwich Cutter
A Cheese Loaf Cutter

 

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite way to use cheese is.

Extra Entries:

Follow Tillamook Cheese on Twitter

Like Tillamook on Facebook

Tweet: I Heart Cheese #Giveaway from @TillamookCheese At @MomStart http://bit.ly/c83Gkg

Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar.

This giveaway ends November 29th, I received a product as compensation from Tillamook Cheese! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: , , ,

Wordless Wednesday The Cage

November 9, 2010 By 37 Comments

 

image

Filed Under: personal, Wordless Wednesday Tagged With:
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