My Little Pony Swag Giveaway

Who is excited for My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks? I know I am one Momma that will seeing this movie! What’s next best to seeing the movie? Winning some SWAG!!!!

The Mommy Rundown is helping with this giveaway! This swag pack include a copy of the movie theater poster, stickers and tattoos! Enter the giveaway by using the Giveaway tool below! Good Luck!

The Giveaway:
How to Enter: Please use the Giveaway Tool below!
Prize: My Little Pony Swag Pack including a movie poster, stickers and tattoos.

Dates: Starts September 27, 2014 6:00 pm EST. Winner will be chosen October 7, 2014 11:59 pm EST.

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Disclosure: Sweet Cheeks and Savings teamed up with Shout Factory for this giveaway. Other participating bloggers are not responsible for choosing the winner or shipment of product. They have not receive any compensation for this post. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. The winner will be chose at random by the Giveaway Tool and emailed. The winner must claim the prize within 48 hours or they risk forfeiting the prize.

“Mommy, The Sleep Fairy Came!”

Once upon a time in a land far, far away lived a little girl who just couldn’t sleep in her own bed the entire night alone. No matter how hard she tried there was always something that got in her way. Sometimes it was the “monsters” that were hiding in the closet. Sometimes she “forgot” what her mommy looked like, so she had to come see her in the middle of the night. Other times, she just wanted a cuddle.

So, in the middle of the night, she would toss and turn and then make a mad dash down the hallway to her parents’ room. Sometimes her mother didn’t even feel her climb over and nudge herself right in the middle of the bed. Other times, she made herself known with an elbow to the nose or a cuddly head butt. Other times she would take over the bed so much that her mother would clench to the edge as if she were going to fall off Mount Everest.

Tired of always being interrupted, her mommy created “The Sleep Fairy”. This clever little creature, who also happens to be the Tooth Fairy’s cousin, appears in the middle of the night (or when mommy wakes up). She leaves little surprises under the pillows of children who sleep in their own beds the entire night alone.

One night, the impossible happened. The little girl, who could never sleep in her bed alone did. The next morning she was so excited, she ran into her parents’ room, gleaming with pride. “Mommy, I slept in my own bed.” Surprised at what actually happened, mommy was speechless. She didn’t say much as she just rolled over and smiled. But then, a little light went off. She slept so well she didn’t have a chance to let the sleep fairy do her magic. It was months since the Sleep Fairy’s name was even mentioned in the house because her services were never ever needed. Never.

Wanting to keep her word, mommy distracted both her little girls so the Sleep Fairy could go to work. An hour or so later, mommy sent the girls into their rooms to take their pillow cases off so she could change the sheets.

“Mommy, there’s a dollar under my pillow!” Seconds later mommy hears, “me too.”

“Mommy, the sleep fairy came!” Seconds later, “me too.”

Thus, the Sleep Fairy final got a day’s (or night’s work).

The Sleep Fairy has yet to visit again. She is back counting teeth with her cousin (yuck!). Mommy hopes she visits again really soon.

As with any good story, there is a moral. Here we learn parents will go to extremes to get a good night’s sleep. Sometimes that means bribing…I mean, offering incentives. Sometimes it means creating fictional characters. Whatever it takes my friends, whatever it takes. I will keep you posted on the Sleep Fairy’s activities. Until then, sweet dreams.

Just curious…what do you or have you done to get your kids to sleep better?

Kindergarten Is the New First Grade

So, we’re a few weeks into this Kindergarten thing and let me tell you, I’m a little surprised and overwhelmed by all of the things my five-year-old daughter is learning and is expected to learn by the end of the year. Gone are the days of coloring, play kitchens and dolls. There really is no time for fun. All of that has been replaced by sight words, writing and reading.

I believe by the end of the year, by daughter will need to recognize dozens of sight words, be able to count to over fifty, write her letters and numbers, and be able to do simple addition and subtraction. There’s probably more, but my head was spinning so much when they rattled off the list that I probably forgot a thing or two.

I know a lot of this has to do with the new common core standards that the schools are using. They are raising the bar so our kids can be smarter and more competitive when they apply for college and jobs. I truly do think this is wonderful, but I also think there needs to be a better balance especially when many kids are still only going for half a day. Actually, let me correct myself, two and half-hours a day. While many districts have transitioned to full days, other schools are still only half day with some kids going in the morning and others in the afternoon. Our district is one of those although they are paving the way for full-day Kindergarten in the near future.

Two and a-half hours is a short amount of time to cram in daily math, reading, writing lessons, as well as an occasional “special” (art, music, gym). Don’t forget snack time too! My daughter comes home with a folder full of work she has completed in class each day. When I ask her if she did all of that in one day, she says “yes”. I look at what I did while she was gone and I feel like a real slacker! I give the teachers and students a lot of credit to be able to do so much in such a short amount of time. Let me tell you, come mid-afternoon, my daughter is exhausted. It’s no wonder since her mind was in Kindergarten boot camp all morning!

With all that is expected of these growing minds, I cannot see how a child can succeed without help at home. Besides the daily homework sheets, we spend more time reading, pointing out site words, and practicing some troublesome letters and numbers. I am blessed to have the extra time to do all of this. Without this extra push at home, I cannot see how kids can fulfill all the requirements outlined in the common core. With that said, when all of our work is done, there is still plenty of time to play.

I think you still need to let kids be kids, especially five-year-olds. That means time to play. Playing teaches kids things like sharing and how to interact with other people. Those are just as important as math and reading. While I think it’s great that we are expecting more out of our kids, I think we have to be careful not to forget there is more to a child than the common core.

Kids Taken Out of Booster Seats Too Soon

As parents, we all want to keep our kids safe. But, according to a new survey parents are taking kids out of booster seats way too soon. Trust me, I know it’s tempting. I just checked my car seat book the other day to see where my 5-year-old daughter should be. To me, it seemed as though she didn’t need her car seat anymore because she’s in Kindergarten. But, age has nothing to do with it. It all has to do with weight and height. In order to keep your child as safe as possible, the recommendation is to keep your child in a car or booster seat until they are 57 inches and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. If you don’t, you are increasing their chance of getting seriously injured if you’re in accident.

Starbucks Fall Blend Review & Giveaway

The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, the alarm is going off earlier and the kids are back in school. It must mean only one thing. Fall is just about here. While the change in season is great for apple picking and all of those kinds of things, the same can not be said for earlier bed times and wake up calls.

Nothing is more exhausting than trying to get your child up in the morning for school. Trust me, I speak from experience. That’s why I need my coffee in the morning. Yes, I am classifying coffee has a necessity, not a desire. If you want me to play nice at recess, you need to give me my coffee.

With that said, I recently tested out Starbucks new Fall Blend. I was really happy with it because it’s the kind of coffee that will wake you up, but not leave you with the shakes hours later. Ya know what I mean? It’s just the right jolt to help you get through those mornings when you have to peel your children out of bed.

If you’re like me, you not only need you morning coffee, you also need a little pick me up in the afternoon. So, I’ve been brewing a little pot while I help my daughter do her homework after school. “A” is for apple. “B” is for boy and “C” is for coffee, right? It’s just enough caffeine to bring me through the rest of the day without leaving me staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m.

If all of this coffee talk has perked up your ears, listen up, because now you have a chance to try the Starbucks Fall Blend for FREE. Just enter my giveaway below for your chance to win one 10 ounce package. Must be 18 or older to enter. A winner will be chosen on September 20, 2014. Good Luck!

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*I was given a package of Starbucks Fall Blend to complete this review.

Farfaria App Review & Giveaway

As a parent, we all know the importance of reading to our children. As a parent in the 21st century, we also know that kids these days love technology. So why not blend the two? Many companies these days are doing so as they find ways of teaching through technology. There are numerous apps out there that teach numbers, letters, and reading. If you’re like me, sifting through to find the right app for your child is time consuming and annoying. Luckily, one app, FarFaria, found me. So, my children and I had the opportunity to try it out. Honestly, I’m glad we did. FarFaria is an app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device that contains more than 750 illustrated children’s books. Five new titles are added weekly. When you open the app, you simply pick from various groupings, such as “Pre-school Playground”, “Mt. Make Believe”, or several others. Once you choose, there are several books at your fingertips, all sorted by age groups and reading abilities ranging from pre-school all the way thru age nine. Once you pick a book you can choose the option of reading the book to your child or having the app read to you. Since my daughter is learning site words in Kindergarten, I find it helpful when the app reads to us, so I can help her point out and spell the site words on the screen. Even my two-year-old gets into it. Since using the app for about one week, I think we’ve already gone through about fifty stories! I can honestly say my kids love it. They actually ask me if we can do the “iPad books”. The app even has a feature where you can mark your favorites. This is helpful because I’ve found it a little difficult to find certain stories again after we’ve read them once. While we absolutely love FarFaria, I’m careful that our “old school” books don’t get lost. For every digital book we read, there’s one real book to follow. I think using both is a great tool on the path to learning and helping your children read. Here’s your chance to win one FREE three month membership! Just enter below! One random winner will be selected on September 19, 2014. Must be 18 or older to enter!!

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Good Luck!

*I was compensated with a membership to the FarFaria app to complete this review.

‘Twas the Night Before Pre-K

‘Twas the night before Pre-K and all through the house, all my babies were sleeping believe it or not.

The lunch bag has been packed by the door for weeks. It’s filled with all the food your tummy will seek.

For your first day, Elsa and Anna will be on your shirt. We all know you love “Frozen” more than Ernie and Bert.

There are so many things I want you to know before you get up and go.

First of all, be sure to share the toys with all the other girls and boys.

If they don’t let you play with a doll or truck, please don’t say the other word that rhymes with luck!

Your finger is not to be put up your nose, you know the tissue is where your booger goes.

Remember to be kind and keep the feelings of others in mind, if you do this a friend or two I’m sure you will find.

You’ll learn so many things like how to color in the lines, as well as letters and numbers. I know you’ll be just fine.

When it’s time for me to say goodbye, I’m hoping a tear won’t fall from either one of our eyes.

Oh my little one, your time is almost here, there is a lot of fun to be had and nothing for you to fear.

Big sis goes to Kindergarten, this we all know, but tomorrow is your day little sis, to pre-k you’ll go.

10 Reasons Why I Love Being a SAHM

It’s funny sometimes how certain twists and turns in life land you in a place you never thought you would be. I find this to be true as I navigate through this SAHM journey that I’m on. As I’ve said in previous posts, I never ever thought I would stay-at-home everyday, take my children to play dates, story times, plan educational activities throughout the day, etc. I thought I would work, someone would take care of my kids and I would just deal with them at night and on the weekends. Well, it’s mind-blowing how people so small could have such a powerful impact on my life.

After the birth of my first daughter, I worked. I was fortunate enough to have family members care for her. I did activities with her on the weekends and spent as much time as I could after work. Of course, I was still missing precious moments. It sucked.

During my maternity leave with my second daughter, I began to think about how wonderful it would be to be able to stay home with my kids. Truth be told, I felt like I was in a rut at work and something had to give. I was truly happy (though sleep-deprived) during my maternity leave and didn’t want it to end. Luckily, it didn’t. My husband and I figured things out so we could make it work. I am fortunate enough to say it has.

Sure, it has its ups and downs, just like every other job out there, but I can honestly say I am happy. Don’t get me wrong, I do my share of complaining and yelling. It’s sometimes not easy hanging out with people all day who think maps and monkeys can talk. It’s also hard to digest the fact that I don’t make my own money and don’t have a “real” job. In all reality, what I do everyday is a real job. It’s not easy to play cook, nurse, social worker, entertainer, chauffeur, and play arts & crafts guru all in one day.

As I hit the three year mark on this journey, I began to think about why I like doing what I’m doing. Here’s a short list:

1. Being home after school – Now that my daughter is in “big kid” school, it is so nice to pick her up and hear first hand about all she did and learned.

2. Playing & Teaching– It’s great to have the time to play Barbies, or do a puzzle, or play doctor’s office with my kids. It’s also wonderful to carve out time to work on reading and writing. This is perhaps the best because this is when I feel like I am really making a difference.

3. Activities– Although we’re not into too many things yet, it’s nice to know I have the freedom to allow my kids to do certain activities (within reason).

4. Being able to pursue other passions– Someone used to tell me, “find your passion, and follow it”. Well, when you work full-time and have kids, that’s pretty impossible. But, when you don’t have to work a 9-5, there is extra time to pursue other interests. For that, I am grateful.

5. Avoiding the Saturday rush– Because I’m around during the week, I have the privilege of doing errands when stores and such are less crowded. Let me tell you, it is fantastic! I actually don’t go near a mall or store on a Saturday!

6. Appointments with ease– Just like avoiding the Saturday rush, it’s easy to make doctor’s appointments for the kids and for myself.

7. Summer– Sun & fun, need I say more?

8. Meeting up with other SAHMs– I’m lucky to have a couple of other friends who are also home with little ones. It’s nice to get together, let the kids play and have some adult time all at once.

9.Being home for the sickies & snow– Nothing is worse than leaving a child when he or she is sick. It is also no fun trying to figure out who will stay with that sick child if you can not. The same can be said for bad weather. There were no “snow days” where I used to work. I used to dread having to go out in the bad weather and figure out who could trudge over to watch the kids.

10. Being thrifty– I have never met a coupon I didn’t like. I love sales and discounts of any kind. Being a SAHM forces you to look for that extra deal and coupon. I know it sounds strange, but I get a little rush when I get a real good deal. I’m a nerd, I know.

So, there’s my little list. I know not everyone is cut out to be a SAHM, and I totally respect that. Trust me, I know where you’re coming from. For those of you who are SAHMs, what do you enjoy most? least?

The Mommy Rundown

As a mom, the rundown of your day’s activities can make you feel so run down you want to scream. When I can’t scream, I write, laugh, and drink plenty of coffee!

DATE ARCHIVES : September 2014