When I was a teenager (a LONG time ago) I recall a High School dance, where the Macarena was ALL the rage. HEY! MACARENA!

Today, we've got a new rage and it's called:

We all know how essential the "Little Black Dress" is to our wardrobes. Something about slipping on that perfect dress makes us feel confident and sexy. Recently, I needed just that, when I attended BlogHer '09 in Chicago.

Thanks to Shabby Apple, I was able to glam it up at the Nikon Party in Chicago. Check it out:

You've agonized over the dorm room deco, laptops, books, and tuition. Your child is college bound and experiencing many holidays and events away from you. I've discovered a great way to stay "Connected" with your child when they get sick, on their birthday, during exam time, or even just because.

School starts next week and with two Elementary aged children, we're busy getting ready. A healthy breakfast is very important, along with creative lunch options, and convenient dinner combinations.



We're turning to Krogers for their Mega Savings Event which takes place at the Kroger Co., Family of Stores Aug. 16th thru Sept. 2nd - Click here to see a list of participating stores (Shoppers should also see stores or website for exact dates since the sales dates may vary by area). If you are not familiar with this promotional offer, here is how it works: when you buy 10 participating brands (see list below) and use your Shopper Card at check out you instantly save $5. And there is no limit on the number of rewards per transaction! Look for the double yellow tags in-store

A few participating brands include: AMP Energy, Aquafina, Betty Crocker Baking Mixes, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, Cascadian Farms Cereals and Bars, Cap'n Crunch, Cheerios, Cheetos, Chex Mix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Dole Juices and Juice Drinks, Fiber One, Fritos, Gatorade, Golden Grahams, Green Giant, Hamburger Helper, Life , Lipton Tea, Nature Valley, Old El Paso, Pepsi family of 2 Liters, Pillsbury, Progresso, Propel, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Quaker Chewy Bars, Starbucks, Sobe Life Water, Totino's, Trix, Tropicana, Yoplait and MORE!

Here are some great examples of different product combinations for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime that are at a great price point:

Breakfast: Cheerios, Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, Tropicana Orange Juice and Yoplait

Lunch: Nature Valley Granola Bars, Cheetos, Fritos, Progresso Soup, and Gatorade

Anytime: Betty Crocker Baking Mixes, Tostito's Chips & Salsa, Totino's Hot Snacks, Pepsi 2 Liters

Dinner: Hamburger Helper, Green Giant, Pillsbury, and Lipton Ready-To-Drink Tea

Partnering with My BlogSpark and due, in large part, to General Mills and PepsiCo, I received a $30.00 gift card to my local Krogers and stocked up on some our favorites such as: Toaster Strudel for breakfast before school, Yoplait Yogurt for my very picky Kindergartner's lunch, and Green Giant vegatables. These are a staple on those chaotic dinner nights!

One of my favorite grab snacks for the kids after school are Totino's Pizzas. My 2nd grader is absolutely starving as soon as he steps off that school bus.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win a $30.00 Krogers Family of Stores Gift Card to jumpstart your Back-to-School grocery shopping.

This post made possible by:

Every Wednesday, I'm on a mission to answer YOUR questions. When I say YOUR, I mean, I've seen so many people looking for particular information by searching Google/Yahoo/Bing via the Momma Findings Feedjit.

This Week we look at:

-Is Emergen-C safe to give to children?
-Can a 7 year old drink Emergen-C?



DEFINITELY! Check out my review of the Kids Emergen-C vitamin drinks! With cold & flu season just around the corner and kids in school, this will definitely help you stay healthy this season.

-Playroom Sherlock Game Instructions



I'm glad you asked! It took awhile for us to understand the instructions until we dove right in and played the game. After that, the kids found it really easy! The Sherlock Memory Game has been reviewed by my 5 and 7 year old and myself.

It's a memory game, remember that.

1. Shuffle cards, and place the deck in the middle of the table.

2. Place 8 cards around the deck, face up.

3. Let your little ones memorize and study the pictures.

4. Turn them over face down.

5. One player places the Sherlock card next to any of the cards in the circle.

6. First player tries to guess/remember what that picture is.

7. If answered correctly Sherlock card moves in the direction and number stated on the answered card. Player keeps the "won" card.

8. If answered incorrectly, players turn is over. Distribute empty spots with new cards, Re-study the cards, and 2nd player's turn begins.

8. Repeat the process.

9. First person to collect 6 cards WINS!

That's it for this week, check back next Wednesday for more questions from my FeedJit. You have Questions, Momma Has Answers!

Read the full story

Some nights Hubby and I get that late night craving for Chinese Food. With three small children it's so hard to go out to eat, but Wanchai Ferry makes it easy with their new frozen entrées.

Each frozen entrée has all the ingredients needed to prepare a great-tasting, complete Chinese meal for 2 in only 14 minutes! They come in five delicious flavors including Orange Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Spicy Garlic Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken and Sweet & Spicy Shrimp. Additionally, all of the entrees have no added MSG!

Thanks to My Blog Spark, I had the opportunity to check out the Orange Chicken, first hand, and let you guys in on what we thought!


I'm all about convenience. With three small children a very busy schedule I need a meal that can be made quickly, yet still taste great. In about 15 minutes the Wanchai Ferry meals will be cooked and ready on the table, just in time for you to head out the door for Soccer practice.

Other than the easy preparation, we really loved the quality of the meal! The chicken was crispy and the sauce mixed in perfectly with the rice. This is definitely chinese restaurant quality food without the hassle of taking the whole family out.

Momma Improvements

It was really hard for me to find something I DIDN'T like about Wanchai Ferry meals, however, after serving everyone at the table I realized we didn't have enough. One frozen meal will not feed a family of five. You really need two packs or prepare a separate side such as an extra veggie to have enough.

All in all, these easy-to-make meals are perfect for that midnight snack I mentioned earlier, just Me, Hubby, and our Jammies!

Buy It

You can purchase your very own Wanchai Ferry meals in your grocer's frozen food section and don't for get to print out your $1.50 off coupon before you head out the door.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win a Wanchai Ferry "Stay-At-Home" prize pack which includes:

- Two coupons
- Asian inspired meal set

This post made possible by:

I was born and raised in Baytown, TX, just minutes from the location where Texas won it's independence. I studied the events of the Battle of San Jacinto as a young child, taking for granted the rich history that lay in my own back yard.

Now that my children are entering Elementary age and we've moved BACK home after years of being away, it's extremely important to me, as a parent, that they learn about this powerful event and how it shaped the State of TX and revolutionized America.

Important Details:

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836. The Texian army consisted of approximately 900 men under the command of General Sam Houston. The Mexican army consisted of approximately 1,300 men under the command of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna.

The Battle began at approximately 4:30 p.m. when the Texians, advancing under cries of “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” attacked the Mexican encampment. The Battle lasted just 18 minutes, although the slaughter continued for hours. Only nine Texans were killed or mortally wounded. Mexican soldiers killed numbered 630. More than 700 Mexican soldiers were taken prisoner.

The Battle of San Jacinto avenged the massacre of Texan soldiers at the Alamo (March 6, 1836) and Goliad (March 27, 1836), and gave Texas its independence from Mexico. The Battle also opened the door for the westward expansion of the United States.

A Battle won in a mere 18 minutes. Fascinating.

There is a new battle being fought on this site and it's the fight over the Road that leads to the San Jacinto Monument, the world's tallest monument tower where you see children doing this:

I remember it like it was yesterday.

My son was heading to Kindergarten just 2 years ago and my Momma heart just couldn't bare putting this sweet child on a School Bus. It wasn't an option, as we were a one car family and had to take advantage of bus transportation. I knew he would get used to it, but being an overly anxious child with OCD.... he didn't.

Every day, for months, he came home crying. My heart broke into pieces over and over each time I saw a tear run down his face. Eventually he got used to it. I, often, wonder if there was anything else I could have done to help him overcome this fear and anxiety about riding the bus.

That's why I was so excited when I discovered this book:



About:

Get ready for a rip-roaring, rhyming ride that celebrates all things drivin' with a special spotlight on a kid's four-wheeled best buddy--his school bus! When you're a kid, your school bus can be your very best friend. Morning, noon, and nighttime, too, that golden buddy is at your service. Ready to drive you and your friends to and from school!

I’m Your Bus by Marilyn Singer is helping us get ready for school this year. My daughter is entering Kindergarten this year and I've been reading this book with my three children. They just love seeing "The Bus" with his own personality. With every flip of the page, children can get a first hand look at what a Bus would say and how a Bus would act. My daughter just laughed at the thought of "The Bus" hanging with his friends (other vehicles) in between pick-ups and drop-offs.



If you're a worried Momma when it comes to putting your children on the bus this year this is the book for you! The pictures reel in your child's imagination and help ease that "First Day on the Bus" anxiety.

Buy It

Retailing for $16.99 I'm Your Bus can be purchased from Amazon.com or the Scholastic Online Book Store.

WIN IT!

One (1) Grand Prize winner receives a Back to School Prize Pack including:

-Essential Back-to-School Supply Kit ($59.99 Value)
-Copy of I’m Your Bus Picture Book ($16.99 Value)



Three (3) runner-up winners receive a copy of the new book

-I’m Your Bus Picture Book