VLog — MomStart

Savvy Parents Use the Evenflo ExerSaucer

December 3, 2010 By Momstart Leave a Comment

Now that my kids are mobile and into everything they see, I either have to get up at 5:30 in the morning to take a shower, take one at night which is my blogging time, or use naptime to get the shower in. Oh what a mom will do for some personal time right?

Evenflo sent me some statistics a few weeks ago on moms and taking a shower.

According to a recent Savvy Parents Survey from Evenflo, 43% of parents of young parents say they have to wait until their spouse or other caregiver is around to shower and 6% of moms report never seeming to be able to find time to shower!

My readers left a few comments about how they take a shower during the day…

Melissa O’Brien says:

I have two boys ages 5 and 3 in January. What I do is put in a movie and serve them a snack while I get in the shower. They are usually good and know where to find me if they need anything. I’m usually quick tho

Holly says:

I utilize naptime, or will bring my 2-year-old into the shower with me while the big boys are at school. Or I’ll let the boys watch some tv while I shower… but I never do that when just the 2-year-old is home. Or I’ll wait until my husband comes home and shower after dinner. Between these strategies, I usually manage to take care of myself about 5 days a week.

Kathleen says:

There are times that I definitely have not known what the shower is and had to settle for some freshening up when I could. Now, I either wake up early or take it at night when the kids are in bed, otherwise there really aren’t any other options.

Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says:

I usually take my shower once my husband gets home from work, unless my youngest is napping.

Christina says:

my daughter decided she likes showers and not bathes, so I just mutlitask it, her me and the baby bump get cleaned togather

When my kids were young, I used my ExerSaucer. I would shove this thing through the door, stuff my child in it and take my bath or shower while she played and explored. I always added some toys just to make sure she had enough to entertain herself, but it would make me laugh to see her spin around in it while she was playing. So when I saw this video on on Evenflo’s Savvy Parents website, I laughed out loud.

The latest installment in the Savvy Parent video series, “New Mom Smell,” to show how Savvy Parents find the time to get rid of that stank! Check out the video at http://www.evenflo.com/exersaucer.aspx (or you can watch it above) for a whimsical look at how Savvy Parents use the Evenflo ExerSaucer to help their babies learn while also knowing that they are safe and secure if mom or dad need to accomplish a quick task. In fact, 30% of parents put their child in an activity center like the ExerSaucer while showering!

Evenflo sent me the ExerSaucer Jump & Learn Active Learning Center in exchange for this post (and a few more) but I really don’t have age appropriate children to review it, so I’m calling in for some help.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, parenting Tagged With: evenflo, Evenflo Brand Ambassador, parenting, parenting advice, Saffy Parents, Savvy Parents Survey, video, VLog

Only Holiday Tree Lighting on The Eastside is at The Bravern

November 17, 2010 By Momstart 3 Comments

The Bravern, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most stylish shopping experiences, is also home to one of the Eastside’s most family-friendly holiday celebrations, with shops, gift ideas and events to suit every person in the family. On Nov. 19 The Bravern will kick off the holiday season with the Eastside’s only Christmas tree lighting as part of the “Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern” holiday celebration. The tree-lighting event will be hosted by KIRO 7’s Jenni Hogan and includes festivities for the entire family including a visit from Santa Claus escorted by the Sea Gals in a horse-drawn carriage. The Bravern is located at the intersection of NE 8^th Street and 110^th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. I really wanted to attend this event but we have another event planned for this weekend. My husband and I are still deciding on which event we are actually going to go to. Wow, who knew having kids would fill up our schedules so quickly.

About “Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern”

“Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern” is the 2010 holiday celebration hosted by The Bravern, offering the Pacific Northwest’s most stylish and comfortable shopping experience. In addition to the tree-lighting event, “Enchanted Holidays at The Bravern” includes a variety of events to help celebrate the holidays including:

· Cool Winter Nights: Every Thursday in December from 5:30-7:30 p.m., enjoy live music, drinks and appetizers from Wild Ginger off of the 110^th arrival court. All ticket proceeds benefit Childhaven.

· Spectacular Light Show: Every day at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., guests will enjoy a unique light show displayed in the NE 8^th arrival court.

· Photos with & Letters to Santa: Santa will be available to listen to children’s wishes and pose for holiday photos every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between November 26 and December 19, and every day from December 20-23. Kids are also invited to write their letters to Santa at Silberman Brown Stationers and drop them off with Santa or in his special mailbox. All letters will be mailed to the parents. Times vary; please visit http://www.thebravern.com/holiday for the schedule.

· Cookie Decorating: Bring the kids to enjoy an hour of delicious holiday cookie decorating every Wednesday from 12-1 p.m. at Sur La Table, immediately following Little Bookworms, The Bravern’s weekly story hour.

· Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus: On Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 from 9-11 a.m., join two of the holidays’ favorite icons, Santa and Mrs. Claus at Neiman Marcus, for a delightful full-plate breakfast featuring a special surprise for young guests.

For more information on these events call (425) 456-8780 or visit the website at http://www.thebravern.com/holiday. You can also find The Shops at The Bravern on Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide Tagged With: Bellevue, Bravern, Eastside, Enchanged Holidays at the Bravern, Holiday event, VLog, WA

The Land of Nod Stand Mixer With Bowl #Giveaway

November 6, 2010 By Momstart 318 Comments

Mom Start was chosen as a Land of Nod Review Blogger. So throughout the year we’ll be bringing you toy ideas for the holidays and what makes a great birthday present. The Land of Nod is beautiful retail store on-line and off. They have stores located here in Washington, and I’ve always loved walking in to look at the new things they have. Even when I was working in a store similar to them, I loved to see what they carried that we didn’t. I’m a big kid at heart!!

Our first feature, is the Land of Nod Wooden Stand Mixer with Bowl. Zoe has her own kitchen and she cooks in her kitchen whenever I’m making something to eat that she can’t help with. She loves to help me cook but if I’m in a hurry or using the oven mostly she can’t help me. So she’s quite happy to work in her own kitchen. I showed her the mixer and she was just jumping up and down to get to open it.

Details, details

Includes mixer, bowl, flour, flour bag, butter and butter bag

Show ‘em what you’re made of

Made from sustainably sourced wood

Age range

3 and up

The Stand Mixer is a cute green color and is very easy to operate. It came with a flour bag, a butter bag and little white and yellow balls that she can put in her mixer and in and out of the bags. Now, are new cute little dog Abby has decide that this is a fun toy too. When the kids dropped the balls on the kitchen floor Abby chased the balls up and down. Some of them are already lost underneath our kitchen stove.

Abby also patiently waits underneath Zoe as she’s cooking to see if there will be any scraps.

The Land of Nod has quite a few great toys to choose from for the Holidays.

Enter to Win:

The Land of Nod Stand Mixer with Bowl (AVR 49.00)

To Enter:

Check Out all the other great The Land of Nod Items and come back here and tell me what it is you like.

Extra Entries:

RT this post and include the link to the post (make sure that the link shows up or it won’t count)

Subscribe to my blog

Follow @TheLandOfNod on twitter
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Comment on any other non-giveaway post
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This giveaway ends November 22nd, I received a sample free to me, my opinion are still my own. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

I received the item in this post from The Land Of Nod, and they are also supplying the giveaway item. The opinions expressed are my own.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, giveaway, review Tagged With: Land of Nod, stand mixer review, The Land of Nod, Toy giveaway, toy review, VLog

Monday Mingle Vlogging Tips

October 18, 2010 By Momstart 8 Comments

Good Morning everyone! I’m bringing you the latest with Monday Mingle, today the topic is Vlogging tips. Want to participate? Monday Mingle is a Meme over at Eighty MPH Mom. Go over to her site, find the questions, take a video of the answers and post them to share. Then visit everyone that linked up and have fun getting to know each other.

I like to use Windows Movie Maker, it’s free and so far does everything I need it to do to edit the video. You can add music, a title screen and credits. You can also add captions and record the video directly from the webcam on your computer. Then I upload it to youtube that has always worked really well for me. Sometimes, I upload video to momtv. I’m really exhausted this morning and don’t have a lot to say so I’m going to cut it off there. I look forward to everyone else’s answers!

This week’s questions (submitted by Robyn’s Online World and Paula from Thrifty Mommas Tips (their questions were the same!):

1. What do you vlog with? what software or handicam, webcam etc?
2. How long have you been vlogging and what is your best tip for newbie?
3. Do you upload instantly or upload to Facebook, Youtube etc.? Which works best/ fastest?

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Eighty MPH Mom, Mom Start, Monday Mingle, VLog, Vlogging Tips

What is Your Favorite Thing About Fall?

October 11, 2010 By Momstart 12 Comments

What is your Favorite Thing About Fall?

I love the change in the leaves, the weather getting cooler after a long hot Summer and all the baking that happens. The weather in Washington doesn’t get that hot but once it gets cool enough for sweaters it makes me happy because I love to wear sweaters all Summer long too and everyone just looks at me like I’m a freak. Well, I’m from Texas land of the 100 plus degree days so a small breeze makes me freezing cold.

I love baking bread and chocolate desserts. The long list of things that I love to bake. I have a new neighborhood that I live in and now when I bake, I can have just enough to get the taste and desire taken care of and then share the rest. I love my neighborhood enough to write a post about how wonderful everyone is.

I love having kids and doing fall festivals, fairs, and carnivals. Oh yeah growing up we used to always go to the carnival that came into town, but here in Washington they don’t seem as safe, and maybe that’s because I’m looking at them through the eyes of an adult now. I would love to know what your favorite things are about Fall. If you don’t participate in Monday Mingle, just leave the answer in the comments!

This is my Monday Mingle Post, and this week the questions are mine.

This week’s questions (submitted by Louise from Mom Start):

1. What is your favorite thing about Fall?
2. What is your favorite Fall/Winter thing to cook or eat?
3. What do you like to do with the kids outdoors during the Fall?

Want to participate? Monday Mingle is a Meme over at Eighty MPH Mom. Go over to her site, find the questions, take a video of the answers and post them to share. Then visit everyone that linked up and have fun getting to know each other.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Autumn, changing season, Fall, Favorite season, Monday Mingle, VLog

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Review According to a 3 Year Old

August 25, 2010 By Momstart 7 Comments

I’m on my way to Disney Studios today to learn more about the movie Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. We were able to see a screening last weekend and Zoe loved it. So while I’m working on my review of the movie, and experience in LA I wanted to share Zoe’s review.

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is coming out September 21st. Save 10.00 on a pre-order.

Disney provided us with screening tickets to preview the movie in the theater.

Filed Under: Movie review Tagged With: Disney, Disney Studios, Movie review, review, Tinker Bell, Tinker Bell and the Great Fiary Rescue, VLog

Fruit2O Essentials Review and Giveaway

April 16, 2010 By Momstart 123 Comments

Have you joined Mom Select? You should because then you will be able to participate in campaigns like this one with Fruit2o. Fruit2o sent us samples of all of their enriched water flavors. We tried them as a family!

Fruit2O Essentials is a simple, refreshing beverage choice that promotes a healthy lifestyle because it combines several nutrients found in two servings of fruit, with the hydrating benefits of zero calorie water. There are 6 different flavors and 1g of fiber in each. My kids love it. I think it’s great too, I’m terrible about getting in a serving of fruit every day let along getting in two. I would rather eat vegetables than eat fruit. Most fruit has seeds in it and I hate seeds. So if I can drink my fruit without all the sugar of juice I’m all for it. I’m also a big fan of giving this water to my kids because they aren’t getting any extra sugar. Just essential nutrients.

Fruit2O Essential water flavors:

Cranberry Raspberry

Strawberry Kiwi

Peach Mango

Citrus

Blueberry Pomegranate

Cherry Acai

Possible Nutrients List:

Each flavor has different nutrients added to it. The Nutrients are Manganese, Zinc, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B6. My favorite flavor was the Cranberry Raspberry and it contained an excellent source of Manganese, and a good source of Zinc, Phosphorus, Potassium and Vitamin E.

To Enter to receive 1 month supply:

Tell me what you are doing to live a healthier lifestyle.

The contest will run until May 3rd 11:59 pm Pacific. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Products were supplied by Fruit2o as part of a blog tour with Mom Select.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Fruit2O, giveaway, review, VLog

On a video date with Frigidaire Professional

April 13, 2010 By Momstart 5 Comments

As one of the Frigidaire Test Drive Moms for this year, we have to put together a video of our appliance. I received the Refrigerator and we love it. It’s pretty, it’s my kids newest toy, I have room to stock up a freezer and I don’t have to bend over to reach into it. I’ll post another post closer to the end of the month making sure you know all of the technical features, but for now, here is a “mom’s” review. You know, what makes a busy mom with two kids happy.

I accidentally hit the picture taking mode and the video stopped, so here is the rest of the video diary.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Refrigerator to facilitate my review.”

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Frigidaire, Mom Central, Team Refrigerator, test drive mom, VLog

Sissy Biggers Food Network Star and Jimmy Dean are providing video recipe of quick easy ways to increase protein for breakfast.

October 27, 2009 By Momstart 4 Comments

A new survey conducted by Jimmy Dean shows that more than one quarter of Americans fail to eat a satisfying breakfast that keeps them satiated throughout the morning – leaving them feeling groggy, tired and distracted. On busy mornings, too many of us eat on the run, filling up with sugary cereals, carb-loaded breads and other foods that actually leave us tired and hungry before lunch.

We have also found out that October is National Sausage month, and what better way to celebrate but with sharing recipes and food ideas.

SISSY BIGGERS:

Sissy Biggers is a lifestyle expert who has appeared on TV, radio, print and on the Internet. She has been showcased on Lifetime TV, the Food Network’s Ready, Set Cook! and ABC’s Complete Makeover”. Sissy was a regular on NBC’s Today Show as a food and lifestyle contributor, and is now a regular on the CBS Early Show. She has also appeared as a commentator for Iron Chef, USA, and has been seen in commercials, satellite media tours, and has contributed to AOL as their online entertaining advisor. Her media work extends to live event venues as the host of Food & Wine Magazine’s annual Classic at Aspen in Colorado each June.

Pretty cool that we had this opportunity to talk to Sissy.

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: Food Network, Jimmy Dean, National Sausage Month, Sissy Biggers, video reciep, VLog

Aloha Friday – Vlog

July 23, 2009 By MomStart 18 Comments

alohafriday5 Kailani says “In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response”. You should go to Kailani’s site and link up with Mr. Linky, but be sure and answer her question.

So my question for today is

Do you think that blogs are going to be moving towards Vlogs or not?

I think know, I don’t think everyone is into Vlogs. I was talking to Jennifer James from MomBloggersClub and she feels the same way that I do. A lot of people get annoyed with sound or they don’t have the patience for video to load. They would prefer to skim the page. I don’t ever have my sound on on my computer. My kids are in bed and my volume is off. When I do VLogs I keep this in mind. I write up a different version of what I said on my Vlog. What is your opinion on the subject?

Filed Under: aloha Friday Tagged With: aloha Friday, VLog