Abby recently won the 50's Costume Contest at her Elementary and BOY was she giddy! Her favorite part was hanging out with her BFF Aubrie through it all!





For more Wordless Wednesday's head over to A Daily Dose of Toni, 5 Mins for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and 7 Clown Circus.

Link Up Chicks (and Chicos):



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I'm a busy Mom.

When I say busy I mean, Mom of a 2nd Grader, Kindergartner, and Toddler. Need I say more? Throw in Elementary morning chaos, toddler storytime, and Cub Scouts and I'm begging for healthy and easy snack options for the family. If I'm not careful, the kids (and myself) will snack on sugary snacks just for the convenience.

That's where Earthbound Farm organic foods come into play.



With a wide variety of healthy foods such as:

* Organic Apple Slices – These fresh, crunchy apple slices are the perfect size and ready to eat. (5 2oz bags for $3.99)

* Organic Mini-Peeled Carrots snack pack – (10 2oz bags for $2.99)

* Organic Carrot Dippers with Ranch Dressing – This perfect combination will help sneak in that serving of veggies at lunch (3 packs for $2.89)

* Grab & Go Salads: Caesar Salad, Mixed Baby Greens or Baby Spinach Kits ($3.69 a box and includes salad, dressing, topping, fork and the clamshell package can be used as a bowl)

* Organic Raisin snack packs – A sweet treat in a little box (6 1.5oz boxes for $2.99)



My friends at Earthbound Farm were nice enough to let me try some of these snacks. We tried the Carrot Snack Packs and Apple Slices. Can I just tell you how it made me feel, as a parent, to know that I'm feeding my children healthy snacks?

The day we received them my children arrived home from school just famished! When they asked for a snack I opened the fridge and they instantly picked the apples and carrots. The apples were crisp and fresh and the carrots didn't disappoint with their crunchy sweetness.

So, these are definitely healthy, but what I like most about them is how convenient they make it. My toddler doesn't give me a lot of time when he knows we're off to the park or a playdate. So, as he tugs on my arm, I'm going crazy trying to get our "To-Go" bag ready: diapers, wipes, water bottles, and snacks. I was able to throw in the apple slices and it made for a perfect snack after hours playing on the swings.

Momma Improvement

I know most of you guys struggle with buying Organic Foods mainly due to the increased price. These days we're trying to save money where we can, but Earthbound Farm has some really reasonable prices (listed above). Yes, they are a bit more than your regular store brand products, however, their quality is outstanding. If I could put a Momma Improvement on these products, I'd simply have a more competitive price and offer MORE coupons to consumers.

Myra Goodman, author of Food to Live By: The Earthbound Farm Cookbook, was asked if there is a cost difference between organic and conventional foods and she definitely shed some light on how the price is determined:

"Cost differences between organic and conventional foods vary by product and season. Some items, like organic salads, typically have a small cost difference, usually less than 20%. On the other hand, organic meat and dairy products—especially butter and cheese—are generally still expensive when compared to their conventional counterparts."

Buy It

You can buy your Earthbound Farm foods at stores such as Walmart, Super Target, or click here for a retailer near you.

Food to Live By, the essential cookbook for everyone who cares about what they eat, is now available at Amazon.com, the Earthbound online store, or wherever books are sold.

WIN IT!

One lucky Momma Findings reader will win Myra Goodman's Foods to Live By: The Earthbound Cookbook and an Earthbound Farm reusable bag.



How to Enter:

Required Entry

Head over to the Earthbound Farm product page and check out all their healthy food options. Come back here and tell me which you'd most like to try and why.

(1) Extra Entry Options

- Blog about how you keep YOUR family healthy and link back here

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings and My Sippy Cup Runneth Over (my personal blog)

- Follow me on Twitter (@Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to this contest

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook

Contest starts today September 29th - October 6th Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

**CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED**

Congrats to Winner: tamben7996

Please check your inbox on how to claim your prize


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There's this guy driving a pick up truck through this small town. As the wind blows through his hair and the Hank Williams song circles through his ears, he sees her. She's wearing a tight dress, long hair, perfect complexion, and a sight for sore eyes. Her hair glistens and slowly blows out of her face as she turns to see him. They exchange glances and he feels a fluttering inside himself that makes him want to.....

CRASH!



We've seen it in movies and some of you might have even witnessed a situation such as this in real life, a distraction so innocent that leaves you wondering What was I thinking? How could I be so stupid?

Distractions.

It seems there everywhere you turn and I don't mean JUST sexual distractions. Satan uses the smallest thing to distract the busy mom at home or the construction worker on site. It's a way to throw us off course and it's one of the most crafty ways to keep us from our focus on Christ.

Just yesterday I read a really short blog post, by one of my favorite bloggin' Mommas, that left me feeling really convicted. I've realized how I can better utilize my time during the day, how there's no room for laziness, and how my mind and heart must keep watch for these distractions.

In my friends post she uses the line:

Satan Knows.
He may not be able to take us down, but he can make us ineffective.

The word "ineffective" struck my Momma heart because I've been there, I'm there, I feel like I'll be there for awhile. Most days I feel ineffective to my children, but especially to my spouse all because of distractions.

What kind of distractions do I face?

Blogging is one of them. Writing is a passion of mine and I engulf a lot of my days with it. Although it's innocent enough, I need to remind myself daily that I'm His child and God wants to spend time with me, not through praying with my kids or listening to Christian music throughout the day, but personal "face to face" time together through prayer, devotion, and quiet time in the mornings.

I must also remember that God gave me this job and it's just as important as any other. I'm here to raise these children up in God's Grace, lead them to Our Lord, and guide them in a way pleasing to Him.

I'm their Momma.

Reminding myself that God wants me to respect my husband by not only loving him, but also serving his needs. As much slack as I'm ABOUT to get with this statement... It can be the small things like keeping the house clean, having the laundry done, and cooking his favorite meal (or going out to eat if you aren't much for cooking). My husband has told me time and time again that he loves to come home to a clean house. He feels relaxed and knows I respect how hard he's worked to provide for our family that day.

I want to respect him in that manner avoiding all distractions.

I'm on a path of mindfulness where I can better detect those distractions, on a quiet mission through a route of awareness and peace...........

Oh wait! I just got an instant message on-line. I wonder if my sister is free tonight? Did I thaw the chicken for dinner?!!

Got'cha.

So, tell me Mommas (and Dads)... what kind of distractions do you face daily?

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So, I'm a little late on the Music Monday, but hey.. It's only 7:00pm here!

This week, I'm kinda giddy about my music pick. My husband and I went on a long trip last weekend to Memphis. We listen to a LOT of music on trips like this. It's really fun when we hear songs we haven't heard in years, music that brings back old memories, and music we first heard as kids, from our parents.

Lots of old country.

Well, one particular song came on by Brad Paisley. It's one of my favorites so we listened quietly and afterwards he says, "That's one of my favorite songs for you."

Awe.

Tear.

Check out Brad's Little Moments if you haven't already (forgive the commercial at the beginning, it the only video I could find to embed):

It's funny because I HAVE burned a cake or two.

I've said some words I wouldn't repeat in front of the kids.

I've done so much that I, personally, might feel horrible about, but he is so patient, so relaxed, and most of all......... so forgiving.

I'm not perfect, but I try and I live for every moment we have together.

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We love discovering new Children's Shows at my house. As a parent, I've seen TV bring out humor, personality, and the relaxation with my children. Of course, we limit HOW much we watch, but we never limit how much fun we can have while doing it.

We get up and dance, we laugh till our bellies hurt, and we talk about the lessons we discover throughout each show. So, we were thrilled when we were asked to review:

The Zula Patrol



We're big Saturday morning loungers. There's nothing better than having a relaxing day after a long hard week of early mornings at school. The Zula Patrol will be on our radar being that it airs Saturday mornings on NBC, as part of QUBO.

My second grader is a big Math and Science Buff so this was right up his alley as he learned about interesting Science and Astronomy facts.

About The Zula Patrol DVD:

The Zula Patrol: Moons Mayhemfollows the intrepid team from Zula in six humor-filled stories that begin with a challenge, and end with a resolution, as they explore the fascinating, often volatile world of moons. The episodes include: Moon Struck, Blue Moon, Going Through a Phase, Moons Mayhem, Three Ring Gorga and Me, Myself and Io. It’s non-stop lunar adventure for The Zula Patrol, as they as they rescue a turbulent Venus, who is on a quest to acquire a moon of her own; discover the many moons of Jupiter during Jupiterfest; explore the composition of the surface of Earth’s moon; help save Bula from an awful Were-Mouse curse, and thwart Dark Truder’s nefarious plan to steal all the moons within the solar system.

In The Zula Patrol: Animal Adventures in Space!, the team explores how insects, reptiles, mammals, plants and rocks form and interact with each other. In Larvae or Leave Me(the first episode), Skip the grasshopper can’t find his friend Wriggly the caterpillar – until he discovers, with help from The Zula Patrol, that Wriggly has transformed into a beautiful butterfly! Four additional stories on the DVD are: Egg Hunt, There Goes the Neighborhood, Choosing Sides and Camp Worm. No job is too big for The Zula Patrol, as they search for stolen frog eggs, help restore life to a canyon ecosystem, solve the mystery of the missing honey, and tunnel through dirt with their worm comrades to help the trees grow – and end up thwarting a threatened “alien invasion” from another planet.

You know what we enjoyed most of all, besides learning about Science and Astronomy? The theme song! I guess, it was more me, than my children, but the theme song reminds me of The Jetsons. Do you guys remember that show?



In addition to fun learning from the DVD, cool activities and games await you at www.Zulaworld.com! Check out some of the features you'll find:

- After entering each others’ spaceships with a “secret handshake,” kids can test each others’ skills in a multi-player Tic-Tac-Toe game.

- A multi-player Bumper Ship game will provide all the fun of an amusement park ride deep in outer space!

- Just in time for school, kids will be able to chart their ZulaWorld.com activities in an On-line Journal.

- AND MORE!!!!

Momma Improvements

There IS one thing I want to point out about the DVDS, which is kinda obvious. This show is all about aliens. Now, I can't say how much my 2 year old was not quite receptive at first. He called them monsters, hid behind me, and even asked to turn off..... that is till he realized brother and sister were laughing and enjoying it.

Once he realized they are FRIENDLY aliens, kinda like the monsters of Sesame Street, he felt more comfortable. Now, he actually brings me the DVD to watch!

Also, ZulaWorld.com is geared for older children ages 6-10yrs while the DVDS are geared for younger preschool children. I'll be the first to say when my children were 4 they knew their way around the computer, so it would be great to see age appropriate games to include them as well.

Watch it

You can watch the The Zula Patrol on NBC/QUBO on Saturday mornings or buy your own Zula DVDS at their online store for $12.98 a piece.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win their very own set of The Zula Patrol DVDS which include:

-The Zula Patrol: Animal Adventures in Space
-The Zula Patrol: Moons Mayhem



How to Enter:

Required Entry

Tell me, in the comment section, what your Saturday mornings look like? Do you watch Saturday morning television? If so, what do you watch?

(1) Extra Entry Options

- Blog about your Saturday Morning routine and link back to this post

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings and My Sippy Cup Runneth Over (my personal blog)

- Follow me on Twitter (@Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to this contest

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook

Contest starts today September 28th - October 5th Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

**CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED**

Congrats to Winner: justicecw

Please check your inbox for instructions on how you claim your prize.

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Okay, I'll say it. I'm a big "Gum Chewer". In fact, I usually have more than one pack in my purse. My children know, all too well, that they'll always find the newest and tastiest gum just by digging in my over sized purse. They'll just have to push the Pull Ups and Hot Wheels out of the way.

Did you guys know that there's a new gum in town?

Trident Layers



About the Gum:

Trident Layers™ is the biggest innovation for Trident® since 2005, when it launched Trident Splash®! Trident Layers™ is made with real fruit flavor for an unbelievable taste experience! It has three distinct and visible colored layers that make it as great tasting as it is fun to look at.

Trident Layers is:

-Less than 5 calories per piece
-Sugar Free
-The First "Gumwich"
-Comes in: Wild Strawberry & Tangy Citrus and Green Apple & Golden Pineapple

My friends at Trident sent me a few packs to try out and I'm going to tell you something that'll blow your mind. Ready? The UPS guy rang my doorbell. As SOON as I opened the glass door I smelled something fruity... THROUGH THE PACKAGE!

That being said, the smell is irresistible! I got to try both flavors, sharing with both my husband and the neighbors. The response I got from them?

"It's Good."

Me: "But what do you think about it?"

"Well. It's Good."

You can't REALLY describe a piece of gum in too many words except. Good. The really cool part about that, is that's all you HAVE to say. Trident Layers is tasty, kind of addicting (my husband stole my apple pack and carries it in his pocket), and really just fun. I mean, have you ever had a Gum Sandwich before?!

What I've always liked about Trident Gum is the size. Sometimes, I just need to throw a piece in my pocket for later and Trident is small enough to do that, without bulking my pocket. Check out how small each piece is:



I hate to admit it, but my teeth aren't as strong and healthy as they once were. After having three babies, they've taken a toll. So, I was glad that Trident Layers is small and soft for me to chew. My teeth cringe at the thought of chewing into a gums like RainBlo or Bubbalicious.

Trident Layers comes in a sleek package. If I were in a grocery store waiting in the checkout lane, I'd probably pick this one up over a few others. I really like the extra punch that the middle layer provides.

Momma Improvements

Along with all my "Likes" there are a few Momma Improvements I'd like to point out.

-The middle layer is quite sticky. It will stick to the wrapper as you unwrap it. Just a minor mess in my opinion and does nothing to the form of the gum itself.

-The artificial sweetener is definitely apparent in the taste. I, personally, could taste it and it overwhelmed the other flavors such as: Citrus, Apple, Strawberry, etc.

Wanna Buy it?

Look for Trident in your local grocery store and mass merchandisers such as Walmart and Target. Make sure and print your .75 off Trident coupon before you buy!

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Halloween has always been one of my favorite Holidays. My children love all that comes with it, apple bobbing, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating. We don't usually go the scary route with movies, bloody costumes, or haunted houses, but we do love us some Halloween fun with our favorite characters on Nick, Disney, and PBS. One in particular has been playing over and over in our DVD player:

Trick or Treat! It's a Wubbzy Monster Bash!

New DVD Arrives in Stores September 8th

About the DVD:

Wow! Wow! Everybody! Grab your kookiest costume and head on down to Wuzzleburg for some ghoulish fun in the all-new 70 minute Halloween DVD Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubbzy Goes Boo! On September 8, watch as Wubbzy, Widget and Walden clean up a crazy mess with Moo Moo’s magic wand, learn how not to be afraid of monsters, use the Monster Masher 300, pick the perfect pumpkin, and create the spookiest Halloween costume of all.

Featuring amazing glitter o-card packaging and available for the suggested retail price of $16.98, Wubbzy Goes Boo! includes singing, dancing, trick or treating and kickity-kick ball, plus plenty of positive values like creativity, patience and responsibility. It’s all here in the Emmy winning Nick Jr./NOGGIN hit that’s so much fun it’s scary!

Wubbzy has also been honored by Dr. Toy’s Top 10 DVD’s, iParenting Media Awards, The Dove Foundation® and NAPPA (National Association of Parenting Publications Awards).

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Wubbzy Goes Boo! features six great episodes:

Wubbzy’s Magical Mess Up- When Moo Moo the Magician asks Wubbzy to watch his magical wand, Wubbzy loses control and soon monkeys, elephants and kickity-kick balls are running wild! When he returns, establishing order, Wubbzy promises to practice more before he tries any more magic.

Tea for Three- Wubbzy decides to throw a tea party, but he doesn’t know how. Widget builds a tea-party machine, the Tea Time 3000, to make sandwiches and tea, but it malfunctions and does everything wrong. They’re afraid the Tea Party was a disaster, but Wubbzy has been having a great time, and that’s what a tea party is all about!

Monster Madness- Wubbzy gets scared by a TV show and starts seeing monsters everywhere! Widget builds a Monster Masher to take care of any monsters, but soon she starts seeing monsters too! They rush to Walden’s house and Walden takes out his flashlight to show them that all the monsters they saw were just ordinary objects in the dark.

The Last Leaf- Walden is collecting leaves, and he’s waiting patiently for the last leaf to fall off the Old Figgity-Fig Tree. Wubbzy and Widget would rather play in the leaf pile. When they return, they find Walden fast asleep! And here comes that last leaf! As the wind takes it away, Wubbzy and Widget are left to chase the errant leaf all over Wuzzleburg.

The Ghost of Wuzzleburg- It’s the Halloween party at the Wubb Club, and Wubbzy builds his own scary costume out of junk and scares the party guests. While he’s hiding, he notices a ghost sheet floating all by itself. It’s a real ghost! Then the sheet falls off and we see that it was only Birdy-Bird. Birdy-Bird wins for Scariest Costume, and Wubbzy wins – for Most Scared Person!

March of the Pumpkins- Wubbzy wants to find the biggest pumpkin, so he can be named Pumpkin King. But Walden and Widget warn him, look out for the real Pumpkin King! Before Wubbzy can get a pumpkin, the Pumpkin King catches them. Luckily he turns out to be a great guy, and he gives Wubbzy and Daizy a ride back to the Festival just in time for the Big March!

DVD extras on the new release include coloring and activity sheets and Sneak Peaks. We were lucky enough to receive a free copy to review before it hit stores and my children have watched it so much, I can probably tell you every word. We printed out a few of the coloring and activity sheets which has given them loads of stuff to do alongside watching the DVD.

Buy It

Available for the suggested retail price of $16.98, you can find yours at stores such as Target or online at Amazon.

WIN IT!

Two lucky readers will win their very own Wubbzy Goes Boo! DVD.

How to Enter:

Required Entry

Tell me, in the comment section, what kind of Halloween fun you guys have. Parties? Movies? What are you looking forward to the most this Halloween?

(1) Extra Entry Options

- Blog about this Giveaway by linking back to this post

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings and the Label Daddy Blog (A company blog I help run) on Google/Blogger

- Add the Momma Findings button to your blog sidebar

- Follow me on Twitter (Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to this contest

- Add me to your Technorati Favs list

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook

Contest starts today September 25th - October 3rd Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED- Winners: Congrats! Sew it Up Julie and Ms Coffee! Please check your inbox to claim your prize.

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This weekend, my husband and I drove out to Memphis to take care of some personal matters. He was going on very little sleep since he was working nights the day before we left.

The kind wife that I am, I offered to drive so he can get a nap. I don't know about you, but I usually find someone who is going about the same speed limit as me, switching lanes only to pass, etc. So, lucky for me, I found a truck pulling an RV. For about an hour I followed him, slowing when he slowed and speeding up as he did.

Next thing I know I see debris from the right side of his RV. A little smoke and his hazards flip on as he slowly pulls over.

If I was a little closer I would have gotten hit by the flying debris and maybe even hit him from behind. I was quick to think and swerved to the left lane just barely missing it all.

"OH MY GOSH! That STINKS!"

My husband, waking from his slumber says, "What?! What happened?" He hadn't noticed a thing as his main concern was getting rest.

Have you ever done that? Follow someone so closely thinking they were on the right track? How about in your Christian life?

I did it.

I had a friend whom I trusted with all I had, loved with every inch, and every word she spoke I breathed in. There were times I thought she was so wise. I want to be just like her.

That was years ago.

Although, I know we walk an imperfect Christian life, our friendship ended with me looking at, what seemed like, a stranger. I followed her so closely that I forgot about the Faith God has give ME as a Mom, Friend, Sister, and Wife. I emulated myself into what SHE was, that it blew up on me out of nowhere. I walked so closely in her footsteps as she "mentored" me and it blew up in my face out of nowhere!

I remember the day like it happened yesterday. Me standing in her home. Her saying horrible words to me, asking me to leave her house, her tears falling and me wondering who this stranger is and why she's acting like this.

"Don't EVER talk to me again."

The words I spoke that broke my heart in two.

I'm learning to Walk by Faith again. Faith isn't saying God can. Faith is saying God WILL. I've been forever changed by His everlasting love and experiences He's given me. As I walk blindly in this unknowing life, I can trust God sees clearly and directs the speed of my life with friendships, mothering, and being a wife to the husband He, so closely, chose for me.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Phillipians 1:9-10

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For the last few months, my children and I have gone over, just about everything, that is "acceptable" for their lunchboxes:

What they'll eat
What they WON'T eat
What is easy to open
What makes a mess
What gets mushy before lunch time, ETC.

I've gotten tons of feedback from the perfect resource... my children. So, when Team Mom contacted me to review the new Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes food line from Safeway, I was all for it! Check out some of the cool drinks and food you'll find in this exclusive Safeway line:



This product line feature more than 60 items across 18 categories including breakfast foods, produce, portable meals, dairy, snacks, beverages, and frozen entrees. The Eating Right Kids line has been formulated to standards based on the most recent dietary recommendations and regulations from several federal and state agencies. In addition to partnering with Safeway for Eating Right Kids, Warner Bros. Consumer Products has taken the extra step of clearing retail shelves of the majority of foods featuring Looney Tunes that do not meet a "better-for-you" standard.

Did You Know? Eating Right Kids is an offshoot of Safeway's Eating Right line for adults. This is really cool, because they've recognized that it's important to have the convenience as well as the nutrition when it comes to children. This initiative was highlighted by the Federal Trade Commission for its ability to have a positive impact on childhood obesity.

We, personally, tried the fruit cups, Apple Juice, Chewy Bars, and the pasta, all of which my 2 year old loved. The microwavable pasta comes in a really large container which was split with my 5 year old. This is a plus for me... two meals for the price of one! Also, with so many options from Waffles to frozen food, your children won't get bored with the same thing over and over again.

So, what do your kids like to have packed in THEIR lunchbox? Some of our favorites are:

Baby Carrots with Ranch Dressing
Apples with Caramel Dipping Sauce
Lunchables
Hot Dogs
Left Over Pizza
Apple Sauce
Frozen GoGurt
Trail Mix (without the nuts)

I'm a Mom who wants the kids to look forward to their lunch box food, but at the same time stay on the line of healthy nutrition. Warner Bros. Looney Tunes line of Eating Right Kids helps families do just that.

Buy It

You can purchase your own Looney Tunes Eating Right Kids products at Safeway stores throughout US and Canada.

Read the full story

There is one thing about my house that my children have grown to love and that's music. From Christian, Country, Pop, and Children's music, we absolutely adore our time jamming out to tunes while cooking and playing.

This week I'm especially excited about the new Dan Zanes DVD, which debuts today, September 22nd, in stores.



About the DVD:

The Fine Friends Are Here! is Zanes and Friends’ first DVD in over four years. The DVD showcases what the band’s trademark rollicking concerts are all about and allows kids and fans alike to participate in the wildly popular and regularly sold out experience. This concert performance of the band’s favorite songs was shot on location at The Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook, Brooklyn this past winter and features well-known songs from across the Zanes and Friends catalog including “Let’s Shake,” “Wabash Cannonball,” “El Canario” and “Catch That Train!,” among others. Two special guests join the band at the show: spoken word artist Caridad de la Luz a.k.a. La Bruja raps on “The Welcome Table” and is featured in the video for “Pollito Chicken” while break dancer David Alan a.k.a. Cyclone appears on “Jump Up” and “Walking the Dog.” The DVD also contains three new music videos for the songs “Wonder Wheel,” “Pollito Chicken” and “Night Owl.”

Dan Zanes and Friends’ The Fine Friends Are Here Track List:

Let’s Shake
Fine Friends
Wabash Cannonball
Water For the Elephants
Jump Up (with David Alan a.k.a. Cyclone)
Cape Cod Girls
El Canario
The Welcome Table (with Caridad de la Luz a.k.a. La Bruja)
Thrift Shop
Monkey’s Wedding
Catch That Train
Colas
Walking the Dog (with David Alan a.k.a. Cyclone)

Music Videos:
Wonder Wheel
Pollito Chicken (with Caridad de la Luz a.k.a. La Bruja)
Night Owl



I was lucky enough to check out this new DVD before it hit stores. My toddler and I got our snacks and "dancing shoes" ready just last weekend. With all the cool songs to listen to, my 2 year old wanted to hear Pollito Chicken over and over again. I guess, since he hear Spanish from his Grandparents he thought it was really really cool. This will definitely be a rainy day must at our house!

Buy it

To make a purchase go to visit DanZanes.com. DVD retails for 15.00 plus shipping and handling.

WIN IT!

Two lucky readers will win their very own Dan Zanes DVD!

How to Enter:

Required Entry

Tell me, in the comment section, what you listen to with your children. Rock? Pop? Children's Artists?

(1) Extra Entry Options

- Blog about this Giveaway by linking back to this post

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings and the Label Daddy Blog (A company blog I help run) on Google/Blogger

- Add the Momma Findings button to your blog sidebar

- Follow me on Twitter (Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to this contest

- Add me to your Technorati Favs list

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook

Contest starts today September 23th - October 1st Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

**CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED**

Congrats to winners:

-Jessica P
-Audrey Lang

Please check your inbox for how to claim your prize.

Read the full story

In the last four months we've packed up our house in Memphis, left a secure job, moved over 600 miles back home to Texas, all on a leap of faith.

God has definitely blessed us with our family, friends, and opportunities. It's still very tough. In fact, it's going to be tough for a while until we can get back on our feet and settle into our new house (tomorrow, yay!), our new school, and basically our new life.

Although, it's where we grew up, it feels like a new life all over again. We feel the comfort and security of it all with familiar faces and street names. We, as a family, know this is where we're supposed to be. We've travled the country, we've seen new cities, and now we're home.

All because God Keeps Saving Me.

I've prayed for My Savior to keep his grip on me and my precious family. I've cried out to God in tears. "God, I can't do this alone."

This song, by Josh Wilson, puts all my prayers into a beautiful song. Take a listen:

Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last

I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love
Savior, please keep saving me

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

Hallelujah
Everything You are to me
Is everything I'll ever need
And I am learning to believe
That I don't have to prove a thing
'Cause You're the one who's saving me

To learn more check out the Josh Wilson Myspace Page.

Music Monday will be a weekly feature here so come back each Monday and check out what we're listening to.

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Warm and sunny days will soon be far behind us soon since the 2009-2010 school year started. Before I know it the leaves will be changing color and the cool crisp air will blow in, just in time for those Friday Night High School Football games.

Now that we've moved back to Texas from Tennessee, we're on the lookout for fun, family friendly outings.

Thanks to Mom Central, I've found the perfect option for families of all ages! Feld Entertainment's Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey® live performances provide edge-of-your-seat entertainment for the young and young at heart. Also, Feld Entertainment has created savings offers available by using customer codes for the Mom Central community. These offers enable us to create lifetime memories experiencing the excitement of Ringling Bros. with our families!

While each touring edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is different, all feature amazing Asian elephants, fascinating tigers, family fun and so many thrills that you will be on the edge of your seat all night!

To enhance your night at the circus, you get two experiences in one. The All Access Pre-Show begins an hour before show time, live on the circus floor. The Pre-Show provides the opportunity for kids to interact with performers, try on costumes, and get up close and personal at The Greatest Show On Earth.

Last year, I helped Mom Central spread the word about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, however, we have YET to attend an event due to the location of our home. This year, we live near Houston and is definitely on our list for a fun family adventure!

Mom Central is excited to extend the following special family offers should your plans include Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey; look for the box marked "MC Promotion" when purchasing tickets:

Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels. Offer good on all weekday performances, which includes all weekday evening and Friday matinee performances; minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each.

Offer #2: All weekend performance tickets will be $4 off the original price.

Offer #3: Get the best Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP seats available – We have reserved seats in these sections just for you! Enter the code MOM. No discounts available on these sections.

* Not valid on Circus CelebritySM, Front Row or VIP seats and may not be combined with other offers including special Opening Night pricing. Other fees may apply.

The above offers are good in the following cities:

Denver: September 30 – October 11, 2009
Boston: October 14-18, 2009
St. Louis: October 15-18, 2009
Cleveland: October 21-26, 2009
Rosemont/Chicago: November 5 – 29, 2009 *available for purchase on Sept. 8. 2009
Auburn Hills: November 18-22, 2009
Charlotte: January 27-31, 2010 *available for purchase on Sept. 12, 2009
Atlanta: February 12-21, 2010 *available for purchase on Sept. 12, 2009
Cincinnati: March 10-14, 2010 *available for purchase on Sept. 21, 2009
Dayton: April 29 – May 2, 2010 *available for purchase on Sept. 21, 2009



Shows coming this fall & winter:

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Over The Top: An all-new live entertainment extravaganza featuring the ultimate tug of war between Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and clown eccentric Tom Dougherty over a magical top hat that controls the circus.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents ZING ZANG ZOOM®: Through the mystery of magic and the mastery of skill, audiences will be spellbound as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents ZING ZANG ZOOM®, a thrill-filled, mind-blowing circus spectacular where family fun is no illusion.

To learn more about Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey shows touring the country this year and to find shows in your area, visit the Ringling site. And don't forget to use the special discount code when purchasing tickets online!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Feld Entertainment. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.



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With two little ones in Elementary this year, packing lunch is a daily chore. When they aren't buying, I'm packing. With sandwiches, snacks, veggies, and fruit, we go though a lot of ziploc bags.

I discovered a way to keep your cost low and help the environment all at the same time!

ReUsies



ReUsies, are a reusable alternative to plastic sandwich and snack bags. Each bag comes in different sizes and designs. Our favorite designs are the Flower Chain design and the Baseball themed bag.

If you think about it, a typical lunch box contains at least three plastic bags. That's close to 1,000 bags per year, PER PERSON! I got a little "schooling" from the Moms who invented ReUsies on how this impacts the environment and how WE can help:

Impact

-Plastic bags make up over 10% of debris found on US Coastlines.

-Every plastic bag we use will be around for centuries, long after our children outgrow their lunchboxes.

-Each plastic bag takes over 1,000 years to break down. Plastic bags do not biodegrade, they photodegrade whereby over time they breakdown into smaller, more toxic petropolymers.

-Less than 1% of plastic bags are recycled. It costs more to recycle a plastic bag than to produce a new one.

Solution

-By taxing plastic bags with a “plastax” many countries and some US cities are reducing consumption. Ireland has decreased their reliance on plastic bags by 90% after imposing these new taxes!

-Purchasing alternatives to plastic bags. Each ReUsies™ has the potential to eliminate hundreds of plastic bags.




Our friends at ReUsies, were kind enough to send over two bags for my family to review. We received both the snack and sandwich sized bags and were immediately impressed with how these are made. They are very lightweight, colorful, and SO easy to clean! ReUsies are 100% cotton lined with leak-resistant nylon and are secured with velcro closures.

I love how much room your sandwhich and/or snacks have. The ReUsie Sandwich bag can hold a typical "grown up" sandwich or large bagel. When I packed my daughter's lunch, her sandwich slid right in and closed securely. In addition, my kids were ecstatic that the bags are so easy to open too! There's nothing like a hungry child in the cafeteria struggling to open their lunch!

Momma Improvements

There is one Momma Improvement I'd like to mention:

Closure: Although the velcro DOES keep each bag close securely, there is no seal to keep from air seeping in. Although this isn't a big deal to me, my husband thought it would take some getting used to knowing food was not air sealed in.

On that note, I absolutely love the whole concept of ReUsies. The kids love all the fun colors, you save money, and help the environment all at the same time. That is TOTALLY cool in my book!

Buy It

You can purchase your own ReUsies bag by visiting: www.reusies.com. Prices vary from $6.75 for snack size and $8.75 for sandwich size. Through September 30th, join in on their Back to School special by using coupon code SCHOOL for free shipping!

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There is nothing better than snuggling under the sheets with a good book and a sweet child. My children absolutely love story time and my toddler quickly learned how comforting and fun it can be, all at the same time.

In April, we let all of you know about the release of the New Sandra Magsamen book Welcome, Little One. Well, today we want to let you know about two new books in her line of Messages of the Heart.

My Little Monkey & Little Bear Hugs are the newest additions to Sandra Magsamen's award winning Snuggle-Me Stories series.

Featuring a small fleece blanket with an attached plush monkey and teddy bear, babies and loved ones will love to read and play along with the sweet rhyming story, which delivers heartfelt sentiments of love. With playful words and illustrations, these titles are sure to become a favorite for cozy shared lap time reading.

My family was lucky enough to receive these two titles and without me even opening the package, I knew my toddler would be thrilled. He walks and travels with Sandra's Welcome Little One Book and that, in itself, is a challenge because of the size and weight of it. He tucks it in between his arms as if it was a football!

My Little Monkey and Little Bear Hugs are absolutely adorable and come with a small soft token your little one can carry around. If he's anything like my toddler it'll come in handy during travel time. What I really liked about these particular books are the size. They are small enough for little hands to read in the car seat or carry around in their tiny backpacks.

Along with the size, I also dig the price! Retailing for $8.99 you can't go wrong with these hardback books. They come with a matching plush toys and they are built to last trips and even the wear & tear a toddler can bring!

A little about the author

Sandra Magsamen is an artist, mom, author of Living Artfully and creator of the Messages From the Heart brand. She designs gifts and ideas that encourage us to live with heart. Sandra Magsamen lives artfully with her family in the Maryland town in which she grew up. Please visit her online at www.sandramagsamen.com.



Buy it

To make a purchase go to Amazon.com. Books retail for $8.99 + shipping and handling.

WIN IT!

Two lucky readers will win one book set that includes the following:

My Little Monkey Book
Little Bear Hugs Book

How to Enter:
Required Entry

Tell me in the comment section how you make story time special in your home. Do you have a special book you like to reader? Or a special spot?

(1) Extra Entry Options

- Blog about this Giveaway by linking back to this post

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings and the Label Daddy Blog (A company blog I help run) on Google/Blogger

- Add the Momma Findings button to your blog sidebar

- Follow me on Twitter (Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to this contest

- Add me to your Technorati Favs list

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook

Contest starts today September 9th - September 23rd Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

*CONTEST HAS NOW CLOSED*

Congrats to winners:

-Laura (lewales)

-Mail 4 Rosey

Please check your inbox on how to claim your prize

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Finally. A picture of Momma & Daddy. Why is it so hard to get a picture of the two of us?



For more Wordless Wednesday's head over to A Daily Dose of Toni, 5 Mins for Mom, Ordinary and Awesome, and 7 Clown Circus.



Show me yours! Link up:

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The 2009-2010 School year has begun and, this year, I've sent two of my children to the joys of the hallways. What does that mean for me at home? Well, it means quality time with the Toddler.

My 2-year-old will have Momma all to himself where we can do some fun cooking, craft time, walks around the park, and relax time to our favorite shows! With all of their educational TV shows, we are BIG fans of PBS Kids.

On Monday, September 14 (check local listings), the hit animated PBS Kids series, Martha Speaks, premieres its second season with “Martha’s Chair,” an episode that puts a value on “décor by dog” and has kids learning appraiser-worthy words, including antique, donate, and valuable.

Here's a sneak peek inside the episode:

In “Martha’s Chair”, Martha’s well-meaning family celebrates her birthday by replacing her favorite napping chair with a brand-spanking-new dog bed, and now Martha can’t sleep! Helen (Martha’s human companion) and her friends finally locate the chair at neighbor Mrs. Demson’s house, but Mrs. Demson has spotted a valuable look-alike while watching ANTIQUES ROADSHOW and hopes to make a fortune with her bargain purchase (don’t we all?). Is it too late for Martha’s chair? ROADSHOW appraiser Noel Barrett lends his likeness to the episode.

Lucky for us, our friends at PBS sent us a screener of the this episode. We enjoyed some relaxation time over the Labor Day weekend laughing and eating popcorn.

Martha Speaks on PBS Kids is based on the books by best-selling children’s author Susan Meddaugh about a family dog that develops the gift of human speech after eating alphabet soup (the letters go up to brain instead of down to her belly). The mission of the animated children’s series is to encourage and increase children’s oral vocabulary. Author/illustrator Meddaugh was inspired to write about her family’s dog Martha (yes, there was a real Martha!) when her young son wondered aloud over lunch — a bowl of alphabet soup — what would happen if Martha ate the soup, too. Would she speak? Meddaugh decided she would, and the Martha character was born! Isn't that so cool?! A REAL Martha?!

Click here to learn more about this working mom’s inspiring story. Also, don't forget to visit http://pbskids.org/martha/ to check out fun games, print outs, and video clips of the show!

We are definitely keeping this cool dog on our watch list, but what about you guys? What are YOUR favorite shows?

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Now that I'll be settling into my home, I have full plans to plug my iPod into the dock and jam out in the kitchen. This is our "routine" each day when I cook meals. My toddler sits near me and "helps" while our favorite tunes encourage us for the day.

One particular song I'm really lovin' these days is Matt Brouwer's I Shall Believe. God will never give up on us if we believe in His Almighty healing and love. Check it out:

Come to me now
And lay Your hands over me
Will You find me tonight
Say it will be alright
And I will believe

Broken in two
I know You're on to me
That I only come home
When I'm so all alone
But I do believe

That not everything I gonna be
The way you think it ought to be
It seems like everytime I try and make it right
It all comes down on me
Please say honestly You won't give up on me
And I shall believe

Open the door
And show me Your face tonight
I know it's true
No one heals me like You
And You hold the key

Never again will I turn away from You
I'm so heavy tonight
But Your love is alright
And I do believe


Music Monday will be a weekly feature here so come back each Monday and check out what we're listening to.

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I was frozen on the couch.

Not being able to move, but instead looking at a stream of blood coming from my daughter's head onto her shirt. I heard screaming, but it was all muffled, as if I was underwater. When I blinked my eyes, the sound came in loud and clear. Rudy, my two year old was crying, Abby was screaming, and, as if out of nowhere, I was holding a towel full of blood against the wound, applying pressure.

Literally, I was frozen for about 15 seconds, not knowing what to think, not understanding what just happened, and scared of what was to come next. My hands were shaking as I tried calling my husband at work. Somehow, the touchscreen on my phone wasn't recognizing my touch and instead kept calling Donato's Pizza in Charlotte, NC. Why in the HELL do I still have the phone number programed in my phone?! We haven't lived there in over a year!

Once my BlackBerry decided it would actually call the person I needed to call, I got nothing. Hubby didn't answer and I panicked as I dialed my parents. That was quickly thrown out as I couldn't tell, in my stricken moment, what number was what. They have so many.

Next.

My Sister.

Me: "Mona, what are you doing? Can you meet me at the ER? I need to take Abby"

Sis: "I'll be right there."

Without questions, she dropped what she was doing and jumped in her car. Lucky for me, she called my parents and they picked up Zach and Rudy at our friends house, where the incident happened.

It was a gash all the way to the bone, I realized once we sat underneath the examine room lights. You'd be surprised to know that it came from one of the sweetest faces you'll ever know:

Can you imagine this sweet face doing this?





My sweet baby chuncked a small metal trash can (AKA: His Drum) at his sister and probably scarred her for life... literally.

As the ER Dr. and Nurse prepped the wound for stiches, I held her hands and Daddy (who made it just in time) held her legs. She was calm until the shot, to numb her head, hit her. As the stitch came in she screamed.

Heart Aching.

I cried along with her almost yelling in my husband's ear, "Make 'em stop. She can feel it!"

Another shot.

More screams as the stitching began.

The four of us (Nurse, Dr., Dadddy, and Myself) tried to figure out if she was feeling pain or pressure. So, the nurse asked her, "What does it feel like? Pain or pressure?"

Can you imagine a 5 year old trying to distinguish between the two?? We asked her again, "Abby, what does it feel like?" Through her tears she says, "It feels like Sharks are eating me!!"

Heart broken.

I can't ask for a better description because I imagined it DID feel like Sharks were eating her.

Nobody asked me how I felt, but in my Momma heart I felt Sharks were eating me and the muffling from before set in as I sank underwater drowning out my child's screams, knowing we HAD to get through this.

I froze as the hot tears flowed down my face, snot ran down my nose, and I just held her hands praying out softly for God to ease her pain and help her know He was holding her tightly.

In the end He had and she smiled proudly with her badge of Honor, eight stitches:



I'd like to thank everyone who texted, emailed, and Facebooked their prayers and thoughts throughout the whole incident. We definitely felt each prayer lifted and knew we were loved.

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With the Holiday Weekend in full swing, it's a great time to hit the roadways and visit family, enjoy some relaxation and fun. If you're like me, budget is a factor on whether or not to take the plunge or sit at home this Labor Day weekend.

Everyone's talking about the Staycation, but I'm going to get a little more creative and encourage all of you to look at the options of a Statecation. There are countless opportunities for adventure, education and rejuvenation within the borders of your own home state.

I live in the BEST State to have such adventures, Texas. Yes, I am a little biased, but I'll be the first to say I'll always be a Southern Girl at Heart. For instance, just an hour away from my little town, I can enjoy Galveston with fun family activities such as: Moody Gardens, Beaches, Shopping, and even Schlitterbahn water park.

Whether you’re looking to visit a historical landmark or spend a long weekend at the beach a Holiday Inn is close by to accommodate your family. You’ll experience the changes transforming its hotels world wide including signature bedding with “soft” and “firm” pillows and power showers in the bathroom, just to name a few, all with a more contemporary look and feel. Holiday Inn boasts more than 2,500 locations in the US, offering a fun and easy getaway in every state.



Last year, we traveled with Daddy on the Shores of South Carolina and each Holiday Inn we stayed in welcomed us and helped my family feel like we were well taken care of. My children's favorite part was the Room Service! Before Fall sets in and the busy schedules begin, you should definitely keep your State Activities in mind and create some families memories on a budget.

So, what are your plans on this Holiday Weekend? Are you doing some local traveling?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Holiday Inn. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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