Cooking up some Love Give-Away!!!!

Valentine's day just wouldn't be as good without a good meal to savor with that special someone.  How hard can it be to find the recipe you are looking for without hours of sorting, writing down a list, and checking nutritional facts to see if it works on your diet!?  Enter to win this recipe program and set yourself up to cook with love for the years to come or use this coupon code for 50% off!mb-abby

Cook'n Recipe Organizer Review

I don't know about you but creating a meal plan or finding a recipe is a nightmare when running a daycare and raising kids.  Whether you work out of the home or as a full time mom the recipes hunt can be time consuming and annoying.  Luckily for me, I was asked to review a Recipe Software program.

Reader Appreciation and a Fun Valentine Card Idea!

Here is a great idea for my readers plus some freebie's to help create it!  Why not for this Valentine's send your kids with one of a kind cards for their friends? Just get paper and ink and then get started, maybe bake some cookies or buy some candy to attach to the cards!

Arabic Hour with Eric! Hubby Take-Over Time

Hello again blogosphere!  In case you don’t remember me I am the husband of the architect of this blog and I did a post on the need to teach your children languages in an increasingly global economy a while back.  My wife has asked me, once again, to provide a short blog that could provide some insight into something that may be of interest to the Mom’s out there.  I hope you enjoy.

NEW! FAN JAM 2012 on Mom Blog Society Launches with Jimmy Charles of American Idol Season 9 | PRLog

NEW! FAN JAM 2012 on Mom Blog Society Launches with Jimmy Charles of American Idol Season 9 | PRLog

Sea Life in AZ's Sharks are back!!!!

The ocean tank project is completed! It has been filled with water and the sea creatures have begun to move back. Late Tuesday night the first wave of sharks returned to their home at SEA LIFE Arizona . The ocean tank has been undergoing a redesign since September 2011, when all the sea creatures that reside in that tank were transported to our sister facility at SEA LIFE Carlsbad . The 360 ocean tunnel is not completed quite yet, but we are hoping it should be done by the end of next week.

Product Review: Takeya Glass Water Bottle with Silicone Sleeve

Can you tell the difference in what you drink something out of?  How about do you care what the container is made of and if it is environmental friendly?  I honestly never thought about it or cared, what I did care about was that I love to go hiking and need something to hold my water or that I run a daycare and have to have something that closes to help avoid spills. I have since having kids, however, seen the world through second hand eyes.  For my followers, you will know that when I look at things I see what they can become and that's where my crafts come from, if you are not a follower check out my craft postings for ways that I turn trash to treasure.  Now, what does all of this have to do with what I drink from?

Birthday Chronicle Review

I am always searching for unique gifts to give that really hit home with the person.  I was asked to do a review of a Birthday Chronicle and was excited to see what it was about.  I think this is a great gift to give someone to show you really want them to have something personal!  Put it in a frame and you are all set, especially if your recipient is into history!

Last, but not least...Maraca's!!

Add a little flare with this working instrument!  All kids love noise so making a few working maraca’s will definitely please your crowd!  It is almost as good as a cow bell! Kids love making noise and this will allow them to create how they make that noise!

Kick off our Fan Jam Giveaway by joining our Twitter Party!

Jimmy Charles and #fanjam12 Twitter Party

Tonight at 9pm EST

Starting the Air-Keyboarding Trend! Get in on the Groove!!!

Let’s relive our own childhood and bring back the 80’s style with a pretend keyboard!  We already had the air-guitar and now we can help our kids bring to style the air keyboard using this fun cardboard keyboard! 

Fan Jam 2012!!!!!

Guitar Hero! Essential to the band!

Video games are so popular that they are fast replacing board games.  You don’t see kids as often sitting down for a great game of chess or life.  Now, you see them sitting in front of the TV to play a game that involves trying to kill each other in a brutal way.  A lovely switch don’t you think?  Why not get inspired by the games out their now and come up with a way to bring out the kids natural creativity and imagination!?

Everyone's making something! Playdough Recipe!

Everyone’s making something! 

Need something to keep little hands busy when you’re trying to cook and the step your on isn’t safe for little fingers?  Make them some play dough to pretend to bake with!  Best part it lasts about 6 months!  I love homemade play dough, the color is what the kids like and it doesn’t cost a bundle.  I use old baby food jars to store it, saving even more and they are re-usable for when you make more every 6 months.

Wordless Wednesday, this man is still a man, no skinny jeans and mascara here!!!!

Renaissance Faire!!!!

A bit of whimsy is what every child's life deserves and a bite of Turkey Leg doesn't hurt either!  This year I will be writing a review for the upcoming Renaissance Festival here in AZ come March.  I offer you some coupons to visit the festival yourself and comment here about your experience!  So, gather your beer steins, wings, knight wear, and corseted dresses and take a trip back in time with me!  The dates for the Festival are February 11 - April 1, 2012 at 12601 East Highway 60, Apache Junction! 

Circus Vargas!

Clowns! I'm not sure if the kids will like them or not.  You always see them as either a source of pleasure or extreme fear on TV.  I think my kids will either be bored by them or find them hilarious.  I'm torn though and have concerns the fear reaction will be the one presenting.  We will soon find out.  I have been asked to review the Circus Vargas when it comes to Phoenix!!!  I will be going February 11th 2012 and posting my thoughts, experiences and overall review of the event after that.  Because I try to make sure not to leave my followers out without giving them a deal and you want to check it out for yourself you can use this link for Coupon Codes for $15 and $25 Off!

Window Shopping on the Web

Do you ever think to yourself, "If I only had the money?"  I love finding deals and tend to shop consignment for the kids because the grow so fast and get so dirty during the day, but there are days I find it hard not to wish that I had the money to get a designer dud or two for the kiddo's.  The problem with "window" shopping the designer dud's is that there are so many childrens fashions now that we can literally find any style put into mini-form.  Today, my "wish" shopping was centered around two designers I stumbled across online at the Ladida website.

Saving for the Future

I hate that I'm still paying on my education.  Whose with me?  I'm annoyed that Sallie Mae got itself into trouble over housing?  Frustrated, that due to changes I can no longer consolidate loans with them and that if I decided to go back for a different degree or finish a higher degree (I started my Masters, but decided to have babies and work at home instead) chances are I will have to pay a higher interest rate and will be paying it off for a while despite that we pay our bills on time, check to make sure the insurance paid our medical bills as they should, and own a home with equity.  I would love to be able to move the family abroad and educate them in other languages/cultures/environments, but having the loan over our head is dampening that much to my dismay.  I do not want this for my children.

Drum Line!!! Key in every Rock Band!

 I remember a time when I could sit down and actually hear the TV show I was trying to watch or the rain as it sang its lullaby against the roof, or was able to focus in silence to the book I was trying to read.  What happened to those times?  I had kids and that meant that my life would never be silent again.  So, with this revelation I can either fight it or join it.  I choose to let the noise rule out and join in the fun!  Why not start with a little drum?

Starting a Rock Band! Music Box!

The kids are all hyper from the holiday spread we just had and need something to busy their minds and hands.  To help resolve this issue let’s make some crafts that can be re-used time and time again, plus save a dollar or two on the expensive versions at the store.  Let’s help the kids create a rock band!

We will start by making our music box!  After all, if we don’t have a place to put our instruments they will probably end up on the floor! So, time to gather our supplies!

Mulch on the Mind!!!!

So, these entire house repairs that I’ve been blogging about lately have me seeing things I want around the house now. We bought a foreclosure that was in a good school district with a large lot in great condition just needing a few things here or there.  I always knew the house needed a little love, but never really saw things specific that I wanted different other than paint here or flooring there.  Now, after the sink, disposal, dishwasher, faucet, dog dirt episode, water heater, continuous replanting of the grass in the front, constant pool filter battle, and randomly dead trees, I can't help but see more things to do around the house and yard.  It's overwhelming.  My latest obsession is Rubber Mulch!!!!

I have no patience!!!

So, I know Valentine's Day is coming and I should be patient, but seriously there are some gifts you just want now!  We just over loaded our systems with caloric food and amazingly delicious goodies, now we are expected to put them through and instant withdrawal?!  What is with that!  Not fair I say.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I want the chocolate, NOW!!!!

Doggy Lovers Giveaway!!!!!

CALLING ALL DOG LOVERS!!!  It is finally here!  I am so excited over this one!  A group of us bloggers got together to offer an amazing giveaway to those with fur-babies!  Here you will find an amazing list of prizes with the entry form at the bottom!

Costume Review and Party idea!

So, around this time one of two things are happening, either you are planning a Valentine Party, getting an invitation to one, or planning a special evening.  Yeah, the basic decision of wearing pink or red or if you will decorate with pink or red hearts. The decisions are overwhelming(my attempt at sarcasm).  Where am I going with this, you're probably thinking.  Well, why not switch things up and through a party with a different theme!  I was asked to do a review that gave me a great party idea!  Love it when two things come together!

Want to replace your laundry detergent for a year?!

I'm always looking for ways to safe money and make laundry easier!  I was sent a product to review which has done both!  When you're running a daycare, you always have laundry!  So, I received this product for review and to my delight I get to give one away to you my readers as well!

Robby Ball Giveaway!

 I just recieved this product to review and now get the opportunity to offer a chance to win it to you!  So, Who wants to win a laundry detergent replacement slated to last for an entire year?!

Minty Mint Green Tea Review!

I am still trying to kick my coffee habit and place it with tea.  I start my mornings with a glass of milk and am ending my days with a cup of tea.  While I do cheat and sometimes have a cup of joe in the morning.  Fortunately for me I was sent some teas from Boston Tea Company to review.  The latest review is of their Minty Mint Green Tea!

Literally, the Kitchen Sink!

The fun just doesn't stop when you own a home.  So my latest annoyance is the kitchen faucet!  Really, the darn thing has the hot and cold water switched, it periodically doesn't work, and sometimes it just drizzles instead of flows.  Gotta love the repairs a home needs!  So off to hunt for faucets.  

Wordless Wednesday Linky!

Wordless Wednesdays Hop! This is my first Linky, so Join up and make it a successful one Please!

Here are our bedtime pictures!

Making Valentine's Day Sweeter Giveaway!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, Mommy Moments with Abby, Pinching Pennies with Heather and Clever Coupon Cents have teamed up with some other great bloggers to make your Valentine's day just a little bit sweeter. :)

Reader Appreciation!

I have recently had such a large increase in followers that I decided to so another free reader appreciation download!  For all you scrapbookers out there here is a coupon code for $10.00 off of My Memories Software Vs3 along with a link to free scrapbooking quick pages.

Updating Your Circles of LOVE!

So, mommy's what do we get for the fathers who bring home the bacon, work hard to educate themselves to further their job thus increasing their paycheck, who come home and instantly give us a break by playing with the kids and/or walking the dogs, plus keep themselves in shape and looking good for us?  Why not upgrade their wedding band.

Get Ready for February Early! Giveaway!

We are starting off our Fiery February Early!!!!!! Enter to win a $35.00 Gift Card to Eden Fantasys!  We are starting this early so you can maybe get something to help make your Valentine's Day a little more special!  Add some fire to your relationship with this one!!!!!

Visit our posting What! Adult content on Mommy Moments?!, where this site was mentioned, and than enter to win below!

How do you know? A Guest post By Lenny McKnight

As many of you know I love shopping online, I mean I am a blogger so obviously the internet is a comfortable sort of home for me to maneuver in, but what about the safety of where I'm shopping?  I for so long have taken advantage of shopping online and until I read this posting had gotten sloppy about remembering that theft can happen at both physical and virtual stores!  Here is Lenny Mcknight's guest post called: How do you know?

Buying Big!!!!

So, how many of you know what this season is financially?  You're right it is major purchase season!  This means you are not only gearing up for taxes if you're a small business owner (home daycare) like me, but you're deciding if you're going to try for a deal on a major purchase item, like a care or for some of you a home!  This is the time of year where last years models of cars get discounted for still being on the lot, but no longer considered by consumers as new since they are last years model.  It is also the time of year where you see houses go up on the market in mass!!!  However you look at it, it's a major purchase time of year!

Prepare for A Valentine Toast!

We are coming up on that time of year where we look at our spouses again with googly eyes and have some adult moments!  To get prepared we may want to stock up on a few things.  One of which is the bubbly!  I'm not a huge drinker, but do partake in the occasional toast, glass of wine, or stein of beer sans kids.  Valentine's Day, however, almost demands a bit of sparkly in the glass!

Pill Pain!!!!

I don't know about you, but I have to visit the pharmacy at least once a month if not more.  Between having three dogs, one of which has Valley Fever, two kids, one of which had RSV early in life so can get sick easier, a husband, who actually needs very little medically if anything at all, and I who run a daycare, has asthma, and has given birth twice in two years, we tend to need something at least once a month.  I'm sure many of you if not all of you share my prescription pain.  Well to add to it companies are starting to shift around, well the middle men who connect the care plans and pharmacies are shifting things around for better profits.  This leads me to my recent annoyance!  Let me start by asking you this, where do you go for your medications?

Dreaming of Flooring?!!!

I dream of hardwood or tile floors.  This may not be a big deal and most of you are probably thinking isn’t everyone, but no I literally will be having a dream tonight about the ease of moping a hard wood or tile floor.  Yes, I will dream of cleaning tonight, largely due to my day today.  Let me start by saying, I run a daycare in my home, plus I have three large dogs.  While the carpet is great for starting crawlers, potential toddler falls, and warm feet it constantly gets dirty.  So, why is this news, because the other day, my eldest fur baby decided it was a wonderful idea to see what was under the thin layer of rock along the fake grass in the back by digging a giant hole.

Wordless Wednesdays

Weird Faces: Ever Have One Of Those Days Where The Kids and Sometimes Your Face Is Just Off in Every Shot?!!!!

Blue Jean Cape!

I went through my clothes and noticed a lot of pants with holes in them.  I don't go shopping often and it seems that I tend to wear my clothes until they literally fall apart.  Now, I can either walk around like I belong in a trailer park with my goods hanging out or I can get creative and make something for the kids to play!  I decide to say good bye to the jeans and hello to the latest kids creation!

WHAT! ADULT CONTENT ON MOMMY MOMENTS WITH ABBY?

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Reader appreciation!

I have recently had such a large increase in followers that I decided to so another free reader appreciation download!  For all you scrapbookers out there here is a coupon code for $10.00 off of My Memories Software Vs3 along with a link to free scrapbooking quick pages.

Wordless Wednesdays!

A few Zoo Shots!

Goblets of Goodies!

Days are still cold and the fun of the snow has faded at times making for some cooped up kids!  I say go with the lazy flow and have a movie marathon!  Why not make it a Harry Potter marathon?  There are plenty of movies to fill the day with that series.  Have the kids grab their pillows and blankets, make some coco or pass out the sippies and have everyone just lounge around on the couches and floor while watching you’re movies!  To get into the feel let’s make a cool popcorn holder for the kids!