Emily Archives - MomStart

Father’s Day Weekend is Get a Frosty. Give back.

June 14, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

By EMILY:

Celebrate with Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty Weekend Promotion June 14 & June 15

It’s easy to please my Dad on Father’s Day, pictures of the grandkids and a special meal are all he ever asks for. Of course we slip in a new electronic gadget or tool as well, but what he most looks forward to is simply time with the family. This has become our Father’s Day tradition and in the past few years we’ve added onto that tradition by participating in the Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty weekend promotion. No one in our family can resist a Frosty treat and I must admit the Frosty waffle cone, my personal favorite, is match made in heaven!

For the eighth consecutive year Wendy’s is making Father’s Day even sweeter with its fan-favorite Father’s Day Frosty Weekend promotion. Throughout Father’s Day Frosty Weekend – Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15 – participating Wendy’s restaurants will donate 50 cents from the sale of every Frosty product to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption^®(DTFA), an organization that works to help find permanent, loving families for the more than 134,000 children in North America waiting in foster care to be adopted.

What better time to spoil Dad and the rest of the family with their favorite Frosty treats?

“Father’s Day is the perfect time to continue my dad’s legacy to help children in foster care find permanent, loving dads (and moms),” said Wendy Thomas, daughter of Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas, who was adopted as a boy.

“In the past eight years, Wendy’s has raised more than $12 million through our Father’s Day Frosty weekend program,” said Liz Geraghty, Vice President, Brand Marketing. “This promotion gives us a chance to rally fans around a cause that’s at the core of Wendy’s, and provide our customers with a sweet way to give back to the community.”

Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty Weekend promotion will be underway nationwide for only two days so be sure to make it a part of your Father’s Day weekend! For store locations and to learn more about Wendy’s Father’s Day Frosty Weekend promotion and ways to give back, visit www.wendys.com/adoption.

For more information about The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption visit davethomasfoundation.org, or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.

Disclosure – I was compensated by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Emily is also very active in the local MOMS CLUB. The mother of two girls, ages 8 and 4, Emily also cares for her lovable old shih Tzu, a frisky kitty and a flock of egg-laying chickens. Originally from Wisconsin, Emily transplanted to Pacific Northwest after college to be with the handsome, sweet guy she met on Spring Break. They have now been married for 11 years. Emily hates housecleaning, loves wine and enjoys dining out. She would love to find a cure for the depression and anxiety she has dealt with on and off since early adulthood, just like me. She is an amazing mom and friend. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EastSeattleMama.

Secret Clinical Strength Offers Sweat Protection Like Never Before

April 24, 2014 by Momstart 23 Comments

Secret Clinical Strength Offers Sweat Protection Like Never Before

By Emily:

I like to embrace the things that make me unique. I want to teach my kids that it’s fine to be yourself even if it means a bit different. However, I have one trait I’m pretty disgusted with and wish I could change: my excessive sweating. Honestly, the temperatures don’t need to be sweltering nor do I need to be working out to break a sweat. I’ve learned that my trigger has been stress, I have stress sweat, and when are we not stressed? From high school and college pressures to career ambitions and the crazy roller coaster of parenting, stress is unfortunately a pretty common part of life. In the past I’ve kept a spare stick of deodorant in my car or purse and learned quickly that white shirts do not remain white around my underarms. Pretty gross, right? Well I’m now thrilled that this is a problem that will stay in the past thanks to new Secret Clinical Strength.

Moisture activated, and formulated with odor-neutralizing ingredients that release a fresh scent, Secret Clinical Strength is proven to give you 4X* the protection against stress sweat (*vs. wetness protection required of an ordinary antiperspirant).

Of the three causes of sweat—heat, activity, and stress—stress sweat has been proven to smell the worst. Stress sweat comes from a different gland—causing more bacteria and more odor. But Secret Clinical Strength has you covered in three different forms of protection and in a variety of great scents.

After becoming a fan of Secret Clinical Strength’s debut in Smooth Solid, I was excited to try out the two new forms, Clear Gel and Invisible Solid. Available in Completely Clean, Powder Protection, Sport Fresh and my favorite scent, Oh La La lavender, both new forms are made to keep you feeling dry, fresh, and fearless all day long.

On top of my sweating troubles I also have sensitive skin which limits many of the products I can use. Thankfully, I have had no issue with Secret Clinical Strength. It’s good to know that there is also a Secret Clinical Strength for Sensitive Skin, but I’ve been pleased for weeks now with the Smooth Solid and Invisible Solid in Oh La La Lavender. No rashes and reliable sweat protection!

I also don’t have to worry about forgetting to apply my deodorant during hectic mornings since Secret Clinical Strength is applied at bedtime. It works while you sleep to reduce excess perspiration. It will continue to protect you throughout your next day even if you bathe or shower in the morning. You can also customize the protection that’s right for your personal needs by adjusting the amount dispensed (the average dose is two clicks per underarm). And I’m saving money as well since I no longer need to reapply throughout the day like I did with deodorants in the past!

Secret Clinical Strength helps me feel confident about my sweat protection which is one less thing to stress about! Visit www.nostresssweat.com for the scoop on stress sweat and find a Secret Clinical Strength that’s just right for you!

Want a chance to try it for free?

Enter to Win:

One lucky Momstart reader can win a $25 Walmart gift card to stock up on Secret Clinical Strength (US residents only).

To Enter:

Use the rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Emily is also very active in the local MOMS CLUB. The mother of two girls, ages 8 and 4, Emily also cares for her lovable old shih Tzu, a frisky kitty and a flock of egg-laying chickens. Originally from Wisconsin, Emily transplanted to Pacific Northwest after college to be with the handsome, sweet guy she met on Spring Break. They have now been married for 10 years. Emily hates housecleaning, loves wine and enjoys dining out. She would love to find a cure for the depression and anxiety she has dealt with on and off since early adulthood, just like me. She is an amazing mom and friend. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EastSeattleMama.

JOLLY TIME Fun Holiday & SWEET HEAT SPICED CORN CRISPETTES Recipe

January 22, 2014 by Momstart 1 Comment

JOLLY TIME Popcorn Makes a Healthy Snack and Happy Family

By Emily

With the polar vortex creating countless snow days how are your kids surviving the long days stuck indoors? More importantly, how are you surviving? A snow day brings to mind thoughts of sleeping in, sledding and hot cocoa. But let’s be honest, there is usually no sleeping in with young kids, and under these polar vortex conditions, sledding in 20 below zero is definitely out the question. So what’s a parent to do to keep the kids happy?

As a kid I loved those special days stuck at home with my family. We’d cuddle up playing games, solving puzzles, watching movies and fixing our favorite comfort foods and snacks. Now as a parent I’ve continued the tradition with my kids and hope they look back on these snow day experiences with a smile too. The movies and games may have changed but our favorite snack still remains the same: popcorn!

There is no better snack to enjoy on snow days, movie nights or any day really than popcorn. Since I was a kid JOLLY TIME has provided our family a tasty, affordable snack we all enjoy. I appreciate that JOLLY TIME Pop Corn is a whole grain, gluten free snack made with non-GMO popcorn. Full of antioxidants and dietary fiber, popcorn has been a great go-to snack for generations.

If you are still working hard on those healthy resolutions, first let me say “Way to go!” and second, you will be thrilled to know that JOLLY TIME provides the perfect healthy snack with its new Butter and Butter Light Microwave Pop Corn. Made with the Smart Balance unique blend of oils, with zero grams of trans fat naturally and absolutely no hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, JOLLY TIME Butter and Butter Light Pop Corn is a delicious snack to keep you on your healthy track.

And popcorn can be enjoyed in many ways such as trail mix, popcorn balls and snack bars. For a savory treat, pop up some magic with this family-fun recipe:

SWEET HEAT SPICED CORN CRISPETTES

Makes about 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS

20 cups popped JOLLY TIME® Blast O’ Butter Microwave Pop Corn

1 cup mild molasses

1 cup agave syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

HERE’S HOW

Place popcorn in large bowl. Mix remaining ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir about 8 minutes.

Pour hot molasses mixture over popcorn; toss quickly, until popcorn is well coated.

Using wet or buttered hands, press coated popcorn into a ½-cup measuring cup, creating crisp cakes. Unmold onto wax paper-lined baking sheets; cool completely.

For more recipes and inspiration, check out JOLLY TIME Pop Corn on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/jollytimepops/. I’m looking forward to trying some of these out with my daughters on our next snow day. Cooking together is a great way to make learning fun and tasty!

About JOLLY TIME® Pop Corn

The American Pop Corn Company of Sioux City, Iowa, is an independent and family-owned company that, for nearly 100 years, has produced and marketed JOLLY TIME Pop Corn, the first-ever branded popcorn. JOLLY TIME offers a variety of traditional and microwave popcorn products in grocery stores nationwide and in nearly 40 countries around the globe. It has the only microwave popcorn endorsed by Weight Watchers®, in addition to the only microwave popcorn made with the Smart Balance® patented blend of oils. JOLLY TIME Pop Corn is gluten free and is made using GMO-free popcorn.

You’ll can also find recipes, nutritional informations, special offer and coupons for JOLLY TIME products by visiting them at www.jollytime.com or any of the following:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jollytimepops

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JollyTimePopCorn

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jollytimepops/

About Emily:

Emily is also very active in the local MOMS CLUB. The mother of two girls, ages 7 and 4, Emily also cares for her lovable old shih Tzu, a frisky kitty and a flock of egg-laying chickens. Originally from Wisconsin, Emily transplanted to Pacific Northwest after college to be with the handsome, sweet guy she met on Spring Break. They have now been married for 10 years. Emily hates housecleaning, loves wine and enjoys dining out. She would love to find a cure for the depression and anxiety she has dealt with on and off since early adulthood, just like me. She is an amazing mom and friend. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EastSeattleMama.

Smile, Shake and Share with Honey Bunches of Oats! Win $500! #bunchofbeats

January 17, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Smile, Shake and Share with Honey Bunches of Oats! Win $500!

By Emily

In my search for ways to rid the morning grumpies from our house, I decided to experiment with the way in which my children would wake each day. I used my oldest daughter, the hardest to crack a smile in the morning, as a guinea pig for my own personal research project. (Insert evil laugh.) For one week I planned to wake her up myself then try one week with a buzzer alarm and the last week she would wake up to music. Let’s just say the buzzer alarm lasted only two days when it created a morning monster! And for some reason my waking her up didn’t get her ready for the day at all but instead made her just wanted to hide back under the covers. I am happy to say however, that setting an alarm on my iPod to wake her each morning to her favorite songs had such a positive effect! The music helped jump start her day with fewer grumpies and extra minutes to spare for free time (aka iPad time). It’s amazing how the simple, universal power of music has come to the rescue of our morning routine!

The makers of Honey Bunches of Oats also believe in the the power of music to help start the day off right. You’ve got to check out their brand new anthem “Smile While You Shake It” by Domino Saints for a contagious, upbeat song that cleverly incorporates cereal boxes and breakfast utensils as percussion instruments. You might just find you and your family strumming along!

In fact, to encourage fans to join the movement, Honey Bunches of Oats is giving away $500 Visa gift cards every week from now until June 2014! Talk about a great way to get your family moving together!

So, how do you enter?

1. Visit BunchOfBeats.com

2. Watch the “Smile While You Shake It” video to get into the groove!

3. Record and Upload your own video version

It’s that easy – 15 seconds of dancing could win you $500! (Please note, when you upload your video, it will only be eligible in that week’s drawing, so make sure to upload a new video each week to increase your chances of winning!)

You can also access the "Bunch of Beats" site and enter using your smart phone, desktop computer, laptop, or iPad. It’s so easy – you can even learn the "official" dance routine from Domino Saints (see the tutorial video on the microsite or Facebook page), or share your own original dance moves – both are eligible for the sweepstakes. Just hit the "Record Yourself" button and get grooving. The video can star you, your kids…even your pet. Make sure to share your video using the hashtag #bunchofbeats

So what are you waiting for? Smile, Shake and Share!

For more information about Honey Bunches of Oats visit http://www.postfoods.com/our-brands/honey-bunches-of-oats/. You’ll find recipes, nutritional information, special offer and coupons for this family favorite. You can also keep up to date on the latest from Honey Bunches of Oats (like their new granola!) by visiting them at any of the following:

PromotionalCodes.com Makes it Easy to Save Money at Your Favorite Stores!

December 10, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

PromotionalCodes.com Makes it Easy to Save Money at Your Favorite Stores!

The day after Thanksgiving you won’t find me anywhere near a Black Friday sale. I’m more of a Cyber Monday girl, doing about 75% of my holiday shopping online in my pajamas with a hot cup of tea. Online shopping has become an absolute life-saver for me as a mom to two little ones. No need to deal with parking, lines and a diaper bag equipped for 24-hour survival just to pick up toothpaste. I’ve been able to order groceries, diapers, pet food and countless gifts all from the comfort of my own home. Is there anything you can’t buy online these days?

The only trick to online shopping is finding the hot deals among all the online retailers out there. Want to know the secret to getting the best money-saving codes from the major retailers? Make your first stop at PromotionalCodes.com.

PromotionalCodes.com has hundreds of thousands of coupons from over 20,000 name brand retailers! Just a quick search for your favorite retailer through PromotionalCodes.com and you can instantly find the most current deals and be automatically directed to the site to take advantage of them! Once you find a code you want, just click “Redeem Coupon” to be taken to the retailer’s site. Some might require copy and pasting the code in the “promotional code box” at checkout and some will populate the discount automatically, so keep your eyes open! Either way, shoppers who use coupons from PromotionalCodes.com can save 10%, 20% and even 60% or more off purchases and can cash in on free shipping coupons as well.

I used PromotionalCodes.com exclusively for all my online holiday shopping this past weekend. With countless numbers of sales and promotions going on, I was always able to find the most up to date deals available. That’s because the staff at PromotionalCodes.com is working around the clock to update the site with the freshest coupons from all the retailers you love like Travelocity, Dell and Overstock.com. Through PromotionalCodes.com I shopped Justice for my older daughter, ToysRUs for my youngest and Home Depot for my husband. Plus I scored free shipping on it all!

I encourage readers to check out PromotionalCodes.com and put it to use for not only their holiday shopping, but as a money saving resource year round. You’ll find PromotionalCodes.com has coupons on items like computers, cell phones, clothes, furniture, vacations, flowers, business products, sporting goods and the list goes on and on. The staff at PromotionalCodes.com are there to help and encourage consumers to reach out to them if they can’t find a code that they need.

Whether you are an occasional online shopper or a fanatic like me, PromotionalCodes.com is always there to help you save time and money. On behalf of PromotionalCodes.com here are some Online Couponing Tips to help get you become an online shopping pro.

Online Couponing 101 – A Crash Course in Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

– Do make sure to take advantage of the “promotional code” box at checkout

– Do stack coupons as some retailers allow you to use more than one coupon or code in the same offer, especially with free shipping coupons

– Do check back regularly. Coupons are being uploaded on a daily basis.

– Do follow your favorite brands on social media sites as they often will provide special offers for their followers

Don’ts

– Don’t make an in-store purchase without comparing prices online. You can often find the item cheaper online PLUS most retailers offer free shipping

– Don’t pay for coupons as an upfront fee for access to deals is often a sign they are fraudulent. Coupons are meant to save you money – they shouldn’t cost you anything. Likewise, never give out personal information in order to get promotional codes or discounts

– Don’t be committed to one brand or store only. Comparison shop online to find the best deal for the product you’re looking for

For more information visit PromotionalCodes.com. You can also follow PromotionalCodes.com on Twitter and Facebook.

About Emily:

Emily is also very active in the local MOMS CLUB. The mother of two girls, ages 7 and 4, Emily also cares for her lovable old shihtzu, a frisky kitty and a flock of egg-laying chickens. Originally from Wisconsin, Emily transplanted to Pacific Northwest after college to be with the handsome, sweet guy she met on Spring Break. They have now been married for 10 years. Emily hates housecleaning, loves wine and enjoys dining out. She would love to find a cure for the depression and anxiety she has dealt with on and off since early adulthood, just like me. She is an amazing mom and friend. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EastSeattleMama.

Is Your Flu Tool Kit Ready? CleanWell’s Got You Covered, Botanically

November 8, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Is Your Flu Tool Kit Ready? CleanWell’s Got You Covered, Botanically

(samples received)

By Emily

With two kids in school this year, we’ve got twice the chance of bringing home cold and flu bugs for the whole family to share. Thankfully, my kids are old enough now to understand and practice healthy habits to help keep germs at bay: hand washing, coughing and sneezing into our elbow, not touching our face and keeping surfaces sanitized. But as a mom, I don’t want harsh chemicals in my house to do the sanitizing. So what can you do to protect your family without the danger of antibacterial with harsh chemicals? Turn to CleanWell – CleanWell Botanical Surface Disinfectant Sprays and Wipes have you covered without the use of harmful chemicals.

The CleanWell line of products is unique in that it is the only botanical household cleaning collections that also disinfects using a patented blend of thyme oil to kill over 99.9% of germs. And, unlike traditional disinfectants, with CleanWell you don’t have to rinse the surface after use, even on food contact surfaces or toys!

The active ingredient in all CleanWell products is a formulation that harnesses the natural antiseptic power of thyme. Thyme has a long history of use as a medicinal plant to ward off sickness. It has been used as an antiseptic for thousands of years in Roman, Greek, and Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine. And thyme is sustainable too growing in various regions around the world without the use of pesticides. The plant is renewable, it grows quickly and is very hardy. The harvesting of thyme provides jobs for people living in local communities.

Other fantastic facts about the CleanWell line of products include:

CleanWell kills harmful germs.
CleanWell is made with a patented formulation of
thyme oil.
CleanWell is free of triclosan, benzalkonium chloride,
and alcohol.
CleanWell is kid safe.
CleanWell is good for those with sensitive skin.
CleanWell’s active ingredient is biodegradable, breaking down quickly and completely without upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
CleanWell is certified cruelty-free and is not tested on animals.
CleanWell is tested at a top U.S. independent microbiology lab.

CleanWell Botanical Surface Disinfectant is just that: a botanical, non-chemical disinfectant that cleans well! It has a pleasant, mild scent and is non-irritating. I trust these products around my children and on the surfaces we use daily. We’ve been using CleanWell’s line of products for years and along with healthy habits, have kept our home flu-free. You can count on CleanWell this flu season.

The EPA registered CleanWell Botanical Surface Disinfectant kills cold and flu viruses*. The line offers 35-Count Botanical Surface Disinfectant Wipes, Botanical Disinfectant Bathroom Cleaner, and a Botanical Disinfectant Household All-Purpose Spray.

*Refer to product label for details.

Be sure to visit www.cleanwelltoday.com for more information on the full line of CleanWell products. You can also keep an eye on flu updates as they occur via the CDC’s “FluView” surveillance report.

CleanWell is available at retailers nationwide.

Disclosure – This product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Emily:

Emily is also very active in the local MOMS CLUB. The mother of two girls, ages 7 and 3, Emily also cares for her lovable old shihtzu, a frisky kitty and a flock of egg-laying chickens. Originally from Wisconsin, Emily transplanted to Pacific Northwest after college to be with the handsome, sweet guy she met on Spring Break. They have now been married for 10 years. Emily hates housecleaning, loves wine and enjoys dining out. She would love to find a cure for the depression and anxiety she has dealt with on and off since early adulthood, just like me. She is an amazing mom and friend. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EastSeattleMama.

Top 5 of Everything Has Something For Everyone

October 27, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Top 5 of Everything Has Something For Everyone

By Emily

(sample received)

To help promote literacy in young children, I have begun a tradition of including books with every birthday gift I give. With my own children I usually try to find something unique to them, but I’m often stumped when it comes to the interests of their friends. With the help of my book-loving little girl, we’ve enjoyed the challenge of seeking out books that will appeal to a wide range of kids. When given the opportunity to review a copy of the newly released Top 5 of Everything my daughter insisted we had to check it out. From the title alone, my daughter couldn’t wait to get her hands on a copy and I admit I was pretty intrigued as well.

The book, Top 5 of Everything, by Time Home Entertainment Inc. and the editors of TIME For Kids includes top 5 lists for a variety of kid-friendly topics. The lists featured in the book cover many subjects, from animals, sports, technology, food, people and entertainment. What are the five most popular names for dogs? What are the five oldest baseball stadiums? Who were the five youngest United States presidents? The answers to those questions and dozens more are found in the new book.

The 144-page book is based on TIME For Kids’ most popular feature: the TIME For Kids Top 5. Similar to the magazine version, the lists have amusing and colorful illustrations accompanied by information at a glance. Each Top 5 list has guaranteed kid and parent appeal and is certain to surprise young readers who will refer to the book over and over.

The book features more than 100 lists, including the following topics:

· The hottest planets in the solar system

· The baseball players with the most home runs

· The fastest roller coasters

· The most popular dog breeds

· The biggest spiders

· The longest spacewalks

· Kids’ favorite toys

Think you know what the Top 5 All-Time Favorite Toys are (based on a poll of 20,000 people?) Guess! I’ve posted the answers at the end of this review!

Other sample lists include:

Top 5 Cereals with the Most Sugar

1. Kellogg’s Honey Smacks

2. Post Golden Crisp

3. Kellogg’s Froot Loops Marshmallow

4. Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch’s Oops!

5. Quaker Oats Original Cap’n Crunch

Top 5 Most-Searched-For Dictionary Words

*From Merriam-Webster’s website

1. Pretentious

2. Ubiquitous

3. Love

4. Cynical

5. Apathetic

I’m pretty certain I don’t have the only inquiring little mind who’s always wondering what the biggest, craziest, silliest things out there are. Thanks to Top 5 of Everything so many of my daughter’s curiosities have been answered and my sanity saved! This book has become a favorite in our home and with friends and family. My daughter has taken Top 5 of Everything on the bus to school, to playdates and sleepovers to share with her friends. As you can see by my picture, our copy has been well loved! I can guarantee that this informative book will appeal to so many kids as well as grownups too. Top 5 of Everything makes a great gift that will teach, entertain and encourage reading in any child.

Okay, so here are the answers to the Top 5 All-Time Favorite Toys! How’d you score?

Top 5 All-Time Favorite Toys

*Based on a poll of 20,000 people

1. G.I. Joe

2. Transformers

3. Lego

4. Barbie

5. View-Master

Top 5 of Everything (Time Home Entertainment Inc.; August 27, 2013; $11.99) is available at timeforkids.com/top5 and retailers nationwide.

About Emily:

Get Smurf’ed with Suave Kids!

August 30, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Get Smurf’ed with Suave Kids!

By Emily

Suave Kids always makes our bath time more fun. Their products include stylers, shampoos and body washes that are tear-free and come in variety of fun scents. Now for a limited time you can find many of your favorite Suave Kids products featuring The Smurfs! The Smurfs 2 movie is now playing in theaters nationwide and your kids can enjoy a Smurf-ingly exciting experience at home with Suave Kids!

With so many different stylers, hair and body washes to choose from, it’s no problem to find the perfect Suave Kids Smurf products for your family:

3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Washes

Soothing Lavender Naturals Head to Toe Wash

Splashing Apple Toss 3-In-1

Wacky Melon 3-In-1

Razzle-Dazzle Raspberry 3-In-1

2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioners

Smurfs Up 2-In-1

Fairy Berry Strawberry Smoothers 2-In-1

Cowabunga Coconut Smoothers 2-In-1

Kid-Friendly Styling Products

Cool Ocean Blast Styling Gel

Cherry Vanilla Bop Mousse

Body Washes are available in Free and Gentle, Berry or Strawberry

I’m a big fan of the 3-In-1 Products since it creates less waste and is so convenient when traveling. One bottle of the Razzle-Dazzle Raspberry 3-In-1 I’d say is more like a 4-In-1 since I use it for bubble bath, body wash, shampoo and conditioning. My daughters love the incredible smells, they love sniffing the bubbles and really enjoy washing themselves with the great scents.

Suave Kids are sold at an affordable price at major retailers nationwide. You can check out the full line of Suave products for the whole family at http://www.suave.com. Stay updated and keep in touch with Suave on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure – This product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Emily:

Making Memories: A Day Out With Thomas

July 30, 2013 by Momstart 1 Comment

Making Memories: A Day Out With Thomas

By Emily

Don’t let my daughter’s tutus and tiaras fool you, they love bugs, trucks and trains too. When I casually made the announcement that we’d be spending a day out with Thomas the Train and his Friends, my little girls went crazy. You see, a train ride has been on our summer bucket list as a family, but a train ride with Thomas and Friends was going to be a real treat for my daughters.

If you’ve not yet heard of a Day Out With Thomas, it’s a magical experience for your little train engineer to enjoy a variety of Thomas and Friends-themed entertainment and a memorable train ride with a larger than life Thomas. Thomas tours the country annually during the spring and summer, so you’re sure to find an event near you. Tickets often sell out in advance so be sure to plan ahead for this day of fun!

Our special Day Out With Thomas experience was held at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA and took us on amazing train ride through Snoqualmie, along the river and above the magnificent 298-foot Snoqualmie Falls. But before the ride, our memory making started with the numerous Thomas and Friends activities set up at the grounds of the Northwest Railroad Museum.

Upon entering the festivities, my daughters were given special Thomas maps that showed where each of the various activities were located. At each activity check point, my girls would collect stamps to qualify for a special prize, a Thomas and Friends sticker set.

We arrived in town an hour before our 5:15 train time. Thomas runs all day long, every 45 minutes and entertainment is scheduled throughout the day. Unfortunately, all the live music and puppet show performances were ending when we arrived so I would certainly recommend giving yourself a good hour and a half if you have tickets for a train ride later in the day. Even though we didn’t get the chance to catch these shows it did give us plenty of time to take in other Thomas and Friends activities at our leisure. Plus, when you’ve got kids you must always factor in snack time and bathroom breaks!

Our first stop on our Day Out with Thomas was the temporary tattoo booth. There were five characters from Thomas and Friends to choose from and once my girls were branded with their favorite character they felt like official fans.

After tattoos, we stopped by a tent filled with endless Thomas and Friends train sets and Mega Bloks. This was a very popular tent and with good reason, I have a hard enough time pulling my kids away from one train table, let alone over a dozen different tracks. My daughters wanted to try out each and every one so I made the promise that we’d be back before we left. I liked that we had the opportunity to do just that, visit the activities before or after our ride so that we didn’t need to feel rushed.

If you do find yourself needing a moment to rest, there is tent where your kids can color or catch up on an episode of Thomas and Friends that plays on a large screen television. We decided to take a break near a local sweet shop’s snack booth and enjoyed a big bag of caramel corn before we lined up for our train ride.

The highlight of our Day Out With Thomas was definitely the train ride. I was pleasantly surprised that there was plenty of room for families to enjoy the ride onboard. Our train car held no more than 25 people and we each had comfortable wicker patio chairs to sit on. A train museum historian was also on hand during the ride and gave us loads of information about the train cars and some interesting historical facts. It was pretty cool to know that the train care we were riding was over one hundred years old and was used a passenger car. The historian pointed out small holes in the ceiling where kerosene lanterns had been installed before electricity.

Our ride out of the train station was a real treat for my daughters who got lots of waves from the people in town. We passed other historic train cars along the way before we cruised the tracks along the Snoqualmie River, above the falls and to the perfect spot overlooking the Snoqualmie Valley. I enjoyed the ride and the smiles on the faces of my family so much that it seemed like our 25-minute train ride ended all too soon, but it was really the perfect length of time for my girls.

Before leaving, my daughters had the opportunity to have their picture taken with Thomas. No Day Out With Thomas would be complete without it. Oh, and a second stop at the toy train tent of course!

To find a Day Out with Thomas event check out: http://events.hitentertainment.com/us/day-out-with-thomas/index.asp

Day Out With Thomas®: The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013 is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and Hard Rock Hotels.

Disclosure – This event was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Emily:

All Aboard for a Day Out with Thomas!

July 14, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

All Aboard for a Day Out with Thomas!

By Emily:

My kids and I are thrilled to be one of the hundreds of families attending Day Out with Thomas this July 12th-14th and July 19th-21^st at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA. We have never been on a real train ride together as a family so we are excited that our first experience with be with Thomas the Tank Engine. I can’t wait to make some new memories with my family and look forward to sharing them with you on Momstart soon!

Tickets are still available so be sure to visit Northwest Railway Museum Day Out with Thomas page to get your seat. Tickets ($21 age 2 and older) include a 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine to Snoqualmie Falls as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, including Storytelling and Video Viewing, Temporary Tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, and an Imagination Station with Arts & Crafts and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor.

For more information on the 2013 Day out With Thomas at the Northwest Railway Museum visit:
http://www.trainmuseum.org/thomas/main.html

To find a Day Out with Thomas event in other cities check out:
http://events.hitentertainment.com/us/day-out-with-thomas/index.asp

Disclosure – This event will be provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Emily: