Mary Jo's Magnificent! April 13, 2013

After nabbing our shots of the spotted owl at Beatty's we headed to our other favorite birding spot at Mary Jo's!  We love her set up!  It is so relaxing to just sit and watch the birds.  The other birders are usually pretty respectful keeping the conversation quiet, but more then willing to help each other spot a bird, get a shot, or give advise on camera's to get!  This visit was no exception!

A Shut Up Sighting at Beatty's in Miller Canyon AZ

On the way back to Madera Canyon during our weekend away in April we decided to stop by some of our favorite birding spots.  Our first stop was to Beatty's.  We had heard about a Spotted Owl and wanted to see for ourselves.  We stopped by the store and asked directions to the bird.  We then paid our donations, which for all the work they do is too little if you ask me and I can say that with the feeders we own, then headed off to find the bird.  We made sure to be quiet and not to disturb this beauty when we finally found him.

Twin Z's pillow Review

I would like to start by saying I can't imagine giving birth to twins, so let me commend anyone who has had or is having a multiple birth.  I have kid's a year apart and sometimes they do things that I've heard in reference to twinning and that drives me nuts!  So, having more then one at the same time would be hard.  I can't even think about the complications of breastfeeding!  So, what in the world am I doing accepting a review for a product developed for twins?

The Bummer at Bisbee

The weekend of April 14th we took a trip and stayed in Madera Canyon.  I have heard about the shopping down at Bisbee and wanted to take the opportunity to check it out.  Lucky for me, my husband indulged this desire of mine.  We got down there and things started off well.  We got out of the car and then my husband spotted a trolley tour of the town, so we hoped on!

The Mother Company Hosts Round up of Autism Awareness Month

          Do you know someone who has a child or is in some other way touched by Autism?  Check out this great Event from The Mother Company!  

The Mother Company Hosts

Round Up of Autism Awareness Month with

Anne Kennedy, Karen Simmons, Chantal Sicile-Kira, Lisa Goring, and Lawrence Korchnak.

Los Angeles—April 29, 2013— The Mother Company, a multi-media company devoted to “Helping Parents Raise Good People” is thrilled to host a twitter chat with key influencers in the field of autism to answer questions and engage in conversation about how autism affects all of our lives.  The chat will be held on Twitter - just search for hashtag: #MOCOchat and follow @mocomama and follow #MOCOChat the day of for roundtable twitter chat at 4/30,12pmPST/3pmEST.

Mother's Day Giveaway!

Mommy Moments with Abby wants to give a huge thanks to Mommy Guru for this amazing mother's day giveaway!  I wish I could win some/all of these prizes!  Ok guys! Are you ready for this crazy giveaway!  Mommy Guru has been working hard to bring you an AMAZING Mother's Day Giveaway with lots of gifts that you will LOVE!

Here are ALL the participating brands and ALL of the details! There will be ONE Winner for each gift!

Why you should get a professional cut once and a while

Most of you know through my how to's on Mom Blog Society's YouTube channel that I usually cut and dye my own hair.  This has saved me a ton of money and I've done pretty well at it, but when making a major change I always recommend going into a salon and having them do it.  Use it as an opportunity to treat yourself and go to a professional salon.

Prince Charming-Pink Pearl Review

Mother's day is coming!  Are you ready?  Why not give her something to remind her of the more fairy-tale aspects of life?  Give her something to remind her she is the queen to your castle!  Let's cut to the chase, everyone loves jewelry!

Cafe Press Product Review!

I am always looking for interesting and fun things for the kids to wear.  Not satisfied by the fashions found in stores I like to look elsewhere for things that usually online.  After all they grow fast, so if I'm going to get them something fun I have to make sure that I guide their fashion sense to be unique and sensible.  I found these fun t shirts online at Cafepress.com.  

Daddy Scrubs Tie Review

Father's Day is coming up and what a perfect way to let the Dad to be in your life know of their new Daddy status?  Chances are he won't realize what day it is when you present him this little box wrapped up.  It may take a minute to register what this little gift means to him, so have those camera's ready to capture the response to share, one day, with the reason for his excitement.   

Nuby's Ultrasound Contest!

Spring into Spring with Nuby!  Check out their latest contest!  Show off your bundle of joy with this awesome ultrasound contest!  I know you want to show it off anyway, you may as well win something while your at it!

Using Yoga to Battle Breast Cancer

Two decades ago, yoga felt like a fad in American society. After more and more have given it a shot, most have begun to recognize the tangible health benefits to doing yoga. Stretching, in general, can loosen the muscles and improve overall physical fitness, and yoga can also have significant psychological benefits.

Killer Time at Kubo in Madera, AZ

The weekend of April 12-14 2013 we went down to Madera Canyon in Arizona.  We stayed at Madera Kubo, you can check out my review HERE.  It was a great place to stay.  While we took a day and headed South to Bisbee and then to the Miller Canyon area we really enjoyed checking out the birds in Madera Canyon as well.  We had some surprise sightings while staying at Madera, Kubo!

Kubo's Cozy Little Cut-away!

The weekend of April 12 through the 14th the hubby and I decided to take a much needed break.  My parents watched the kiddo's and fur-babies while he and I headed a few hours south.  We decided to book a room/cottage in one of the canyon's we like to hike in, Madera Canyon.  We were calling around and finding most the rooms booked for the weekend!  Luckily for us, the people at Madera Kubo, called us back to say they would be willing to let us stay in their recently renovated "Tree House".  They have a house they are slowly remodeling into places for people to stay.   It is unlike their normal adorable cabins, they built those from scratch themselves, as it is a property that is being remodeled.  I wasn't sure how to picture it, but having met the owners before and enjoying their feeders before decided to take the change and stay there.  My husband had reserves as it wasn't a cabin on their site and recently remodeled can mean a lot of different things.  Still off we went....

Mustache Cookie Cutter Set Review

We love to cook and the kid's love making food that has flare.  Trying to come up with ways to make food with flare can be exhausting though!  How many ways can you shape a cookie, sandwich, or pancake?  

Daddy Scrubs, Long Shirt Review

Having a new baby is exhausting!  Laundry is the last thing on your mind!  So, why not treat the new Daddy to some fresh clothes that you don't have to wash for those first few days!  Better yet, let him brag about his new status!

Changing the look of healthcare!

Healthcare is a hot topic right now.  From what to do as a professional facing pay out lose, to how to find a doctor accepting the program, to what kind of healthcare to utilize, healthcare is on a lot of people's minds.  So, recently I've been thinking about the care we get and whether or not its time for a change.  Now, my husband is not interested in looking at other methods, but that's what makes our life exciting.  We don't always agree, but work to understand.  So, back to the topic, I've been thinking about trying a naturopathic doctor.  I was worried this may be hard to do, shows I've been out of the healthcare game for a while now, because all I had to do was Google my location and naturopathic doctor.

Freebies for your MyMemories!

Check out what I just downloaded to my MyMemories!  Perfect for the summer and spring.  Best of all they don't wilt!

STM Freebies - Spring Flowers     Check out these great freebies! They make great Party Favors! Easy and fun to make!   Use these to decorate your lawn or string them together and hang them. Perfect for spring birthday parties or anything else you can think of!   Available free until May 5th.

Celebrate the Book "Start" by entering to win $100 Lowe's Card!

I love to read and I love the finished product to a good decorating project!  What I don't love is the cost!  I bet you don't like it either, so we are giving away a $100 Lowes Gift Card this week!

Kiss the Cook Event!

Kiss the Cook Event

If you love cooking or if you hate it a good set of dishes can really make it easier! I enjoy cooking so having a new set of dishes to put to work is always a welcome challenge. I decided to sign up for this giveaway to offer it to my readers and think you should too!

Zip off to Zion!

If your looking for a great place to explore with the family this year, check out Zion.  I loved it there.  We went after my shoulder surgery a year ago to recover and it was beautiful.  It can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you and your family want it to be!  Check it out:

Cowboy Work out? Why not!

I'm Cowboy Ryan Ehmann  "AS SEEN ON ABC SHARK TANK" and I can't wait to share this program with you.  Are you "TIRED OF WORKING OUT WITH MINIMUM RESULTS? CAN'T GET RID OF BELLY FAT? For only $9.95 LEARN THE Cowboy Fit Zone SECRET at LOSE12INCHES.com.  IT'S SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN AND SWEEPING THE NATION BECAUSE IT WORKS.  YOU WILL DISCOVER that YOU'VE BEEN WORKING OUT WRONG YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. 

Not a mom, but a skilled matradee

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel more like a very skilled matradee instead of a mom.  I chauffeur the kids to the library, store, and other places of desire or need.  I clean the house while running a daycare.  I cook all the meals.  I track who gets what when.  I make sure to order or get anything that we need for the house and for my kids.  It's a constant plan, track, and get.  Sometimes, I wish I could order everything like a hotel since I would like to assume that us mom's provide the level of care that a five star hotel would.  

Conquer Spring Allergies Naturally with Hyland’s

Allergy season is here!  I have never in my life had allergies before, until I moved to Arizona.  This year has been the worst!  A few weeks ago I was so congested and my eyes were so swollen I was scaring my clients!  The kids I care for have been having allergy issues as well and some have even required medicine!  It's insane!  So, with nothing to block the pollen that blows across the valley I'm stuck trying to find ways to help ease my allergies!  

Best Selling Women’s Yoga Gear at Under Armour

Whether you are wearing it to the gym or lounging around the house, yoga gear has been one of the hottest styles to rock in the year 2013. Now you can get your hands on some of the greatest yoga attire possible by shopping at Under Armour. They have it all- from hot yoga pants to sexy bras to keep everything in order during strenuous exercises. Plus, when you use Under Armour promo code UAGEAR, you can save big on your purchase with this Under Armour free shipping coupon. Just spend over $45 and you’ll be on your way to free shipping!

Coconut Tea Sachet Review

Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, or Weddings all seem to involve the need for a special drink.  I'm so tired of it being the same boring alcohol or water and soda choices.  It's annoying enough if your pregnant to not even be able to take part of a portion of your own party, but to have to hold off at your wedding because of pictures, being a good host, and the cost of the beverages taking away from your dress is beyond frustrating   So, in looking for alternatives I came along my latest review!

Happy Beginnings Book Review

We all face challenges in life.  Some of them we see coming, others hit us suddenly without notice, but all of them change us.  They change the direction of our life or the way we see ourselves and others.  And with that I will introduce my latest book review.

College Planning doesn't just have to be for your teen

What do you do when the kid's are heading off to college?  What do you do when you just need a career change?  Why not explore yourself?  Why not go back to school yourself?  Who says we can't take the same leap our kids take and get a new or just get a degree?  Let's face it, with the kids out of the house we will have a lot of time on our hands and we can either spend it worrying or find something constructive to do with that time.  

Zipaboo Review

I am all about the quick diaper change.  I run a daycare and have to be honest, layers and snaps are the enemy to a quick change.  Let's face it, babies tend to wiggle after a few seconds so having to re-do a bunch of snaps can be a nightmare.  That said no snaps mean that I have to pull and or remove layers of clothing from a wiggly baby.  

Time to Feel the Burn!

Time to Feel the burn ladies!  It's gearing up for summer and right now I would guess many of our kids are starting their spring/summer sports.  This means the dreaded shorts come out for us mom's and we are all about the go-go-go.  To help us keep track of ways to get fit and those shorts fitting here is a fun fitness chart!

2 Liter wind sock

It's spring and the wind is blowing!  To help celebrate and have fun with your kids let's make something creative that will help us see the wind when it blows, or at least the movement of the wind when it blows.  Check out how to make a 2 Liter Wind Sock:

Lymph Rub Review

I don't know about you, but we down here in Arizona get Summer colds.  They are not fun, neither is the allergies that Arizona seems to bring about.  So, I'm always having to look for relief.  I like to keep things as natural as possible.  

Sparkle Farms Bloomer Shorts Review

Our little girls are so adorable!  I know that mine loves to dress up, is obsessed with shoes, and skirts are a favorite item to wear.  The problem is that she has a brother, while I'm not sure it would make a huge difference, they play rough at times.  They have snow ball fights in the snow, dig in the dirt, and whatever little boy thing he does she is right there with him.  These aren't exactly skirt friendly!  So, I end up having to constantly remind her to pull her skirt down, or to sit differently.  

Hugo the Starfish-The Bully Review

Running a family, let alone a daycare, means having to teach Character education to a variety of ages constantly.  That's why I'm always looking for learning tools that will help me achieve this goal.  I think that a children's book about bullying is a great tool for this exact goal.