personal — MomStart

Family Facebook Videos Of Picky Eaters Boost Kid Essentials Giveaway

May 21, 2012 By Momstart 26 Comments

I’m a Boost Kid Essentials Brand Ambassador and we’re going to be spending the next two months talking about kids and nutrition and three different families struggling to get their kids to eat right. Meet the Brunelle Family. Van is underweight and his mother worries about him as all the other kids look twice his age so she works really hard to get him to eat more and makes sure he’s getting the right amount of nutrition.

How can you get nutrition into your active kids?

I often wonder if my kids are getting enough veggies in them. So far, I’ve been pretty lucky with how picky they are, but as a mom that worries I still wonder about the veggie intake. Lately though as Zoe is getting older she’s starting to get picker and it’s harder to get her to even try something she thinks she’s not going to like and protein is what she avoids the most. So in our house we’ve really pushed the fact that you have to try it. We still can’t make her eat it after she’s tried it. I’ve seen so many parents have even more trouble with their children than I do. I can only offer the advice of giving them lots of options and to not give up. Also it’s good to use things like Boost Kid Essentials to make sure they are getting all the vitamins and nutrients that they need. And you can always get creative with it. Try the Boost Kid Essentials Chocolate Caramel Banana Cooler Recipe.

My other advice is to not let yourself feel helpless, doctors almost always have really good advice too. I’ve recently visited my doctor and talked to her about Zoe. The peace of mind and ideas she gave me really helped me relax a lot.

Do you have any ideas or need help with your children? Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section asking or giving advice. Also visit Boost on Facebook and watch the video about the Brunelle Family.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012. I’ll be participating in a live chat on the Boost Kid Essentials Facebook Page talking about my struggles with a picky eater and I would love for you to join me!

Enter to Win:

25 VIP Boost Kid Essentials Free Product Coupons

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me about struggles in your family with picky eaters

Extra Entries:

use the rafflecopter and leave a way for us to verify it

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends May 28th. Please see the giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway, personal Tagged With: boost, boost kid essentials, giveaway, nutrition, personal, picky eaters

Getting A Random Monthly Supply of Wine is Fun! The California Wine Club

May 14, 2012 By Momstart 20 Comments

A few years ago I realized that I enjoy to drink wine. I’m not sure when the change was or what caused the change, I just realized that wine is actually relaxing and now that I’m drinking it at the correct temperature it tastes just as good at home as it does in restaurants. In fact, I’ve had some very good wine from California Wine Company.

For the past few months, I’ve been receiving a monthly shipment of two different bottles of wine as part of their California Wine Premier Club membership. In April I was gone so much I didn’t have a chance to drink very much of my wine, but this month I’ve been home and it was my birthday and it was mother’s day so I indulged. On my birthday I had friends over and we drank two bottles of wine, one white and one red. It was such a true treat for me.

Plus, I have to admit that I get a huge kick out of a monthly shipment. I love opening the box and checking out the two new varieties I received. I would never have the opportunity to try so many different kinds of wine. Every month it’s a new variety. I have been keeping notes and plan to write about a few of my favorites very soon, but I just had to share with you how much I love getting wine every month and tell you that you should consider getting a membership too. You have to be 21, because you have to sign for wine deliveries. And you have to choose your membership type. You can be a member for free, but if you want to sign up for wine deliveries than you need to decide if you want Premier Club like me or they have three other memberships you can try. Signature Series, International Selections, and Aged Cabernet Series.

Current Deal:

Albertina Wine Cellars 2008 "Red Splendor" Estate Grown, Zmarzly Family Vineyards

Silver Medal, SF Chronicle Wine Competition (Jan. 2012)

Retails: 22.00 currently for 15.00

Bronze Medal, 2012 Mendocino County Wine Competition

Retails: 25.00 currently for 20.00

Deep, dark beautiful violet color. Fruit-forward with soft tannins. Clusters of small grapes created intense flavors and color in the glass. Final blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

I have received free samples from CA Wine Club.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: California Wine Club, personal, wine club, wine membership

Miles Modeling Microsoft Mice

April 22, 2012 By Momstart 34 Comments

Tongue twister or not it’s true, my son was a model for Microsoft Hardware and he modeled laptops and mice. As any four year old is unpredictable from one moment to the next, my son is no exception. When we arrived that the shoot the stylist asked me what I expected and I said, with him, I have no idea.

He started out a little scared and not sure of what he was doing. He was asked to go sit with another little girl and pretend she was his sister and he said, no she’s not. He wouldn’t sit with her so they told him to go take his first break. He was working or rather not working for even five minutes and he got to take a break.

Source: Uploaded by user via Windows on Pinterest

Kristina (Windows Champion Handler) who loves Miles was able to get him distracted and he decided he would pretend the little girl was his sister after all. It helped that she was really sweet and tickled him to get him to smile a little. They took a few shots and then he got another break. Inside the house of the stylist there was food of all kinds which also helped Miles and his mood. He loves to eat.

This photo shoot took place at the stylist’s house and at a park really close to her house. She made all the preparations, she purchased clothes for all the kids at a second hand store and they all looked like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. I didn’t get Miles’ size to her in enough time so he wore his own clothes but he still looked amazing. She worked on getting the clothes looking just right and the hair had to be perfect. Crazy thing was, she wanted the hair to also look natural and for them to still look like kids. So Miles’ hair in those photos, that’s his natural hair, she didn’t do anything to his hair except run her fingers through it.

Once we got to the park, Miles started hamming it up. He really got into it and wanted to be in every picture. When he wasn’t taking pictures he was digging in the bag of food that Kristina brought for him. At the very end he even gave his sister directions for a perfect photo.

So seeing these adorable children with Mice and computers, does it make you want to go out and get a new mouse or laptop to match your new outfit?

Source: Uploaded by user via Windows on Pinterest

I’m a Windows Champion and this opportunity was presented to me as a behind the scenes of a modeling shoot. Miles was paid.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Kristina Libby, Microsoft, miles, Miles Model, modeling, personal, windows champion

We’re Going to Be on TV The Balancing Act on Lifetime! Thank You Sani-Brand

April 15, 2012 By Momstart 29 Comments

By: Ashley

Remember a while back, when Louise and I talked about our trip to Florida for the filming of The Balancing Act? Well our big debut is almost here. I have to say, I’m a little nervous about it! It’s been awhile since all of this started, so let me give you a quick refresher.

In December, we ran a giveaway sponsored by Sani-Brand. I had an AWESOME time reviewing their products and learned so much about staying healthy during cold and flu season. In fact, my family stayed pretty healthy all winter long! (I am currently knocking on wood… twice just to make sure.) I would like to think that had something to do with our commitment to keeping our hands clean and using our Sani-Brand wipes. I really did keep my Sani-Brand wipes handy pretty much all the time. I kept some by the table for quick pre-meal washes, some in the car, individual packet wipes in my purse/diaper bag for when we were on the go… you name the place, Sani-Brand wipes were there with me.

After the great entries we had on the December “This Calls for Sani” contest, Louise and I got to travel to the Balancing Act studio in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for a segment all about Sani-Brand. It was a great experience! Michael Ferrara of Sani-Brand was there with us supporting us every step of the way. (Thanks, Mike!) The people working on The Balancing Act were amazing too! Danielle Knox, the host, did a fantastic job leading us through the interview and making us feel comfortable.

Since then, I have learned SO much more about Sani-Brand… and I’ve continued to make the products part of our normal routine. I even went in search of Sani-Brand wipes at Wal-Mart when we were out of town… and luckily they were there waiting for me.

The countdown is officially on. Our segment from The Balancing Act will air on April 17. That’s just around the corner! So, make sure you check Louise and I out then… AND to celebrate, there might just be another Sani-Brand giveaway coming up. Stay tuned!

Here’s a teaser link… as soon as the video is ready, you’ll be able to see it here.

About Ashley: Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at www.Momicles.com and follow her @Momicles2010 .

Thanks to Sani-Brand and The Balancing Act for their time. No compensation was received for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: Ashley, personal Tagged With: Lifetime, personal, The Balancing Act

Resolve All-Stain Torture Test

April 12, 2012 By Momstart 17 Comments

*I am a brand ambassador and I am being compensated for my participation. I received free product samples in order to do this stain torture test. Any opinions expressed are entirely my own and are not influenced in any way.

I’m really enjoying being a Resolve Ambassador. This past week I did a few different stain tests as part of the Resolve Ambassador campaign.I did a stain torture test, following guidelines provided to me by Resolve.

Supplies:

· beef gravy, grape juice, chocolate sauce, blueberry juice, grass, old navy t-shirt, and Resolve All Stains

Directions:

Using the materials included in the containers and the grass:

· Beef gravy and chocolate sauce: measure ½ tsp. of beef gravy and ¼ tsp. of chocolate sauce, then pour the materials on the shirt one at a time. Gently rub each material into the fabric for 5 seconds with your index finger to ensure the stain sticks.

· Blueberry and grape juices: Measure ½ tsp. of each juice pour juice on shirt

· ·For grass:take the handful of grass blades and rub them onto the shirt four to six times

Let shirt sit with the stains for maximum 24 hours

THEN

Using the Resolve All-Stains Laundry Stain Remover, treat the stains

· Placing your thumb and index finger on the indicated spots on the side of the bottle, squeeze both bottle chambers evenly to release both liquids evenly on the stain

· Rub gently to mix formulas and cover the stain completely

· Wait five minutes (at maximum)

· Rub effectively into stain (do not use the bottle nozzle to rub the stain as it may cross contaminate the two formulas)

. I made quite a mess on the shirt. I also left the stains on there for the full 24 hours.

I applied the Resolve All Stains

I washed the t-shirt

And I was impressed

The stains were almost completely removed. What do you think?

Win a Washer and Dryer and Resolve All Stains:

Go to the Resolve Facebook page and enter the Stain Gambler contest. To Enter you can take the quiz or just enter the contest. I took the quiz. You get to guess what ink blots look like to you and share some stain experience. I’m a Horse something, LOL, it’s funny what these companies think up some times.

Call To Action:

Do you have questions on cleaning and being a busy mom? Share them in the comments!

We’re going to be answering questions on Resolve’s Facebook page. Please leave your questions below.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: chocolate milk, grape juice, gravy, personal, Resolve, Resolve All Stain, review

Which Way Should I Go?

March 15, 2012 By Momstart 29 Comments

Sometimes in life I feel like this. Which way should I go, should I go left or right, should I accept this contract or that contract. How many hours should I work, how do I stop everything and play My Little Ponies with my daughter? What should I have for lunch today? Every day questions make me wonder which way I should go.

Spending four days in the Arizona sun in Sedona was quite calming to my soul. Every day was peaceful; I woke up happy and ready to face each day. Mostly I felt like the sun was the most refreshing part of the trip. The mediation, eating lunch on the river, sipping wine by the fire might have had something to do with it too. Or it could have been the Sedona spirits, and vortexes that calm everyone while they are in Sedona. People experience Sedona in so many different ways. My thoughts were who needs a direction when you’re in the presence of God’s beautiful creation.

Plus I think the Sedona vortexes have no sense of direction.

Which direction would you go?

My trip and expenses for discovering Sedona with Sony Cameras was paid for by Sony.

Filed Under: personal, photos, travel Tagged With: personal, Sedona, Sony, travel

I Want My Sister’s Dogs

February 21, 2012 By Momstart 22 Comments

Watching my sister’s Facebook page has left me wanting her dogs or at least go visit them like a proud aunt should.

Moira is adorable

Baby Abbey above

and look at them together, they grow so fast…..

but alas, I have no time for dogs, so I’ll just live vicariously through her facebook page.

Filed Under: personal, Wordless Wednesday Tagged With: animals, dogs, personal, pets, Wordless Wednesday

Mother Daughter Date: A Northgate Mall Excursion with Zoe

February 17, 2012 By Momstart 16 Comments

Zoe and I had a Mother daughter day last weekend. We spent the morning together at Northgate Mall in North Seattle. My goal was to get her nails done, this girl loves makeup and everything girly much more than I do, so I knew it would be fun for her.

We arrived at Northgate Mall before it opened and walked from one end all the way to the food court. There we found that See’s Candies was open early. Of course it was before Valentine’s Day and they were open extended hours because chocolate is such a popular gift for Valentine’s Day. The good thing about See’s is you can go in for a free sample and that was the beginning of a magical day with my daughter. I had a chocolate caramel and she had a chocolate vanilla truffle. YUM. After the chocolate delights we walked back to the other end of the mall to get our nails done.

We went into Nail Art, and they made our nails very beautiful but whatever they did with my daughter’s nails it didn’t last more than 4 hours. Each nail peeled off one by one. It was just polish but I really had hoped it would have lasted longer. Maybe it’s because she’s a busy little girl using her hands all day, who knows?

I think the most important part of the day was making great memories with my daughter. We were able to talk to each other without any interruptions, I found out she likes one of the boys in her class more than any of the other kids, he likes to laugh at her jokes. I also found out that she really likes to play Candy Land. We had a great day and enjoyed looking in quite a few stores and had lunch there. She loves going into Claire’s and I love going into Romy’s and Victoria Secret. She also loves the shoe stores and lotion stores. Because we were short on time we ended up having a slice of pizza. Northgate Mall has everything a daughter and mother could want in a mall.

I received a gift card to use for getting myself organized, I ended up using it to get a few clothes I needed for my blogging business trips. I’m a Northgate Mall Blog Ambassador.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Northgate Mall, personal

Finding Nemo in 3D: Visiting the Seattle Aquarium #2DaysInSeattle

February 6, 2012 By Momstart 9 Comments

It’s been a while since our family has visited the Seattle Aquarium. It’s grown quite a bit since our last visit. They have a new indoor entrance and so many more hands on opportunities to play with the sea life.

After buying the tickets we were able to catch the end of the diver feeding the fish and her interview. My kids were fascinated and amazed, it reminded me of how much my kids loved going to the aquarium in the first place. Of course Finding Nemo brought out a love of aquariums in all kids (which by the way Finding Nemo comes out in 3D September 14, 2012), but my kids loved looking at fish way before they saw the movie..

The aquarium used the familiarity that children have and created an activity where the kids had to find different fish from the movie. Not all the fish we had to find were prominent in the movie but Nemo and Dori were both on the list. My kids had a blast searching through the fish and different tanks to find Nemo and the other fish on the list. What a great educational opportunity taking your kids to the aquarium was.

After our fish hunt we went to see the baby otter. To get to the otter l we had to go through the puffin house. Wow!! there was a puffin in there that was going a little crazy I think. Quoting Finding Nemo, “Fish don’t belong in a tank, it does something to them”….I was thinking that actually applied to this crazy puffin. The kids loved it though, they thought he was just putting on a show for them. Seriously, I’m happy the aquarium does what they do, the educate the kids and myself in so many different ways.Look at this seahorse it’s amazing!

Through stories, hands on exhibits and information we had a very fun and educational day. I learned that the Great Pacific Octopus can get up to 400 lbs, at least that’s the largest recorded weight. And they can get into as small as a quarter size hole as long as their beak isn’t that big. It’s their only limitation.

We ended our day with fish hats and I leave you with this trailer of Finding Nemo in 3D.

Travel and Expenses were covered by 2daysinseattle, the Seattle CVB. And yes I do have an ongoing relationship with Disney and DreamWorks. I have permission to use their artwork.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: 2daysinseattle, Aquarium, Finding Nemo, Finding Nemo 3D trailer, personal, Seattle

Celebration Dinner Snow & Ice Skating In Florida

December 20, 2011 By Momstart 20 Comments

As part of our exploration of Kissimmee and Central Florida we visited the town of Celebration. Celebration looks like a quaint little town right out of a movie. The buildings are all colorful and as they look different they all blend in to each other having the same picket fence appeal. First off we had dinner at Columbia Restaurant.

Columbia serves a taste of Columbia, which is something I’ve never experienced before. I tried the sangria and I had an excellent dinner with rice, sausage, beef and pork, it was called Paella “Campesina”. The flavors were fantastic. I had a hard time stopping because it was delicious. I was actually full before it even arrived because we had the original “1905: salad. YUM. My friend didn’t like what she ordered and since the serving sizes were huge I had plenty to share with her. I also tried the Sangria and we had a fabulous lime dessert. After dinner we hurried over to Celebration for the SNOW! It snows in central Florida and they have an ice rink. (although the ice rink looks like it’s made plastic.)

The Snow comes down at different scheduled times and it’s actually soapy bubbles. Somehow even as bubbles the snow captivated all the people there and feel as magically as real snow does. Watching all the people gave me joy. You could see people in the streets just lifting up their arms looking straight up into the sky with their arms outstretched. I had a great time.