From Dates to Diapers, and beyond!

It is so nice to have kids who are (sometimes) eager to help with the chores. My kiddos have all been very excited to try all of my new cleaning supplies...

The Shaklee products that we received to review were a big hit with Julia - I was happy to let her take off with the container of Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Wipes. Because they were designed so as not to leave behind more toxins than we were desiring to clean, I knew they would be safe for her to use to clean the bathroom counters, and wipe down the door handles and light switches.

Ben had a blast "painting" with the Shaklee Scour Off Heavy Duty Paste. It was fun for him to get his hands in the tub and rub the paste all over the stove! I'm sure he felt like I was letting him finger paint in a place that would never be allowed, and because I know that Shaklee's products are made from all-natural ingredients, without hazardous chemicals or toxic fumes, it was fun to see him play. There is something to be said for the satisfaction a mom feels when her child thinks he's making a mess, but he's actually helping to clean!

And then there's the Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Max... Ethan was eager to try this one. He slid the pad onto the wand and ran to the bathroom as soon as I gave him the go ahead. He not only cleaned the guest toilet, but his toilet and mine! Scrubbing Bubbles even has flushable brushes so the pad never even has to leave the toilet. It wasn't a bit messy, there weren't any harmful fumes, and Ethan said it was easy. Cleaning the toilet easy? Wow!

I didn't really think it through when I agreed to let Josh buy Moon Sand with his birthday money last month. He and the rest of the kiddos love playing with the sand that never dries, but it could be quite a chore to clean up! Little did I know I was allowing them to bring the beach indoors!

Fortunately I have a solution for making cleaning up after messy kids just a bit easier. Whether you have messy eaters, have your kiddos working on a messy craft, or they are playing with the beach indoors, just through down a splat mat. These things are great!

There are several different types of Splat Mats, but I have found only two that I really like to use:

Modern June has a selection of chic splat mats made of oilcloth. These mats clean up easily and will last throughout the years. There are a variety of patterns and designs from which you can choose, and they are pretty enough to leave on the table after the messy painting projects are hanging to dry.

Neat Solutions has a Floor Topper that is convenient and easy to use. The Floor Toppers are disposable and are perfect for the times when you may just want to grab the mess and toss it. They are also sturdy enough to use over and over again, so you get more bang for your buck. I use these when the kids are playing with the Moon Sand, mainly because I really don't have the patience to wipe the little bits of sand off of any thing!

What do you use to make cleaning up easier? I'd love to hear!

Over seven years ago, when we welcomed our twins into our family, we were set up with the best of the best (times two) when it came to baby gear. Our family and friends gifted us with two top-of-the-line car seats, two of the best pack n' plays, two high chairs, and a double stroller. All of these items were made by Graco - the trusted brand.

Three years ago, when Josh was a baby, I decided we needed a new stroller... A single stroller to be pushed along side of our double. I bought a stroller that was on sale, and I thought it would be just fine. It wasn't a Graco, but it would serve it's purpose, right? Wrong! I ended up taking it back, after trying to use it once, and I bought a Graco instead.

You may be surprised to know that my pack 'n plays have served as a regular bed to each of my babies after Julia. We never had room for a second full-size crib, until this house and baby #6, and the pack 'n play always worked out so well. That thing can fit in the smallest places!

Not too long ago, though, after almost eight years and six kids, I had to say goodbye to my second Graco pack 'n play. It may have lasted several more beatings years, but my twins decided to wrestle in it and it saw it's last day. Since it served as Noah's bed each night, this was a very big deal! My new Twitter friend and the sweet peeps at Graco came to my rescue, after my virtual call for help, and sent Noah a new bed!

And guess what? They sent me a brand new pack 'n play to give to one of you, too!! You can earn up to three entries to win:

1. Leave a comment stating why you need or would like a new Graco Pack 'n Play. No one- sentence comments will be accepted.
   
2. Post your answer on your blog, in story form, and link to Graco and From Dates to Diapers.
3. Place the button below somewhere on your blog.

1. Leave a comment, as stated above.
2. Email your entry to me at fromdatestodiapers@gmail.com, and cc five of your best friends so they can enter, too.
3. Spread the word on Twitter, in your favorite forum, or have your friends mention that they heard about this giveaway from you.

Today, there was an apology for excluding home schoolers from the Subway Every Sandwich Tells a Story Contest. This newly released apology was written by Subway's partnering Scholastic public relations department.

The apology reads:

Regarding your concerns about the Subway contest that excludes home schools from contest eligibility, Scholastic and Subway apologize to all individuals who have taken offense at this. Our intention was never to make independent schooled children feel discriminated against or excluded from this specific promotion.

Throughout the course of the year Scholastic runs a number of contests and sweepstakes that are open to all teachers and students. The eligibility of this contest in particular was solely put in place to award a large group of children with the grand prize of $5,000 worth of athletic equipment. We do however understand how home- schooled children could benefit from this type of prizing and will make sure eligibility is open to everyone in future promotions.

We appreciate your feedback and will make sure a similar situation does not happen in the future.

Josh is determined to learn to read this week. He runs around trying to find all of the books that he can read on his own. So fun!

I like to have games and activities to reinforce what the kiddos are learning. Josh loves to play Mia's Reading Adventure. Playing a Mia adventure is like being able to travel inside an animated cartoon and see the world from the perspective of a little mouse. The graphics are beautiful and Mia's Reading Adventure is a perfect tool for reinforcing Josh's beginning reading skills.

Mia's Reading Adventure is even fun for the older kids. With 12 activities, and 4 different levels, they all love helping the Bugaboo Bugs! And since it's geared for ages 5-9, I feel good about letting them all play.

Kutoka has several other games for children, including a Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt. They even have a language learning system where the older set can learn French, Spanish or English as a second language.

I guess if I have to share my computer, it's best that it's for something like a Kutoka adventure!

Darcy is mommy to little Nash. With her mom, sisters and grandmother, she creates some cute items, available at Violet Gumdrop. From personalized clothing and bibs to jewelry and accessories, Violet Gumdrop is a fun place to shop.

Just about all of the designs at Violet Gumdrop can be interchanged. All of their unique items can be personalized to fit your little one's style. If you see a personalized design and you want it to say something different, just let them know. Gotta love that!

My littlest guy wears the Prince bib quite often... How would it look on your little prince?

Subway wants to hear stories from children to enter their Every Sandwich Tells A Story Contest. Well, they are refusing entries from my children. Why? Because my children are home schooled.

Here are the official rules straight from the site:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest is open only to legal residents of the Untied States who are currently over the age of 18 and have children who attend elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6. No home schools will be accepted. (emphasis mine)


Subway not only spelled United States wrong (Untied States), but as you can see offers a Scholastic Gift Bastket for your home as part of the grand prize.

Maybe my home schooled kiddos should have proofread their contest page.

To take action against this ridiculous discrimination you can tell Subway what you think, or sign the petition to boycott Subway. I will be doing both.

I'm thinking I may even have the kids write and submit a story anyway. What would happen if home schooled kids all over the country entered anyway?

One of them would most likely win.

Two of my cousins are having babies this summer. My sister is also due in September. Babies... Yay!

Since babies are coming, so are baby showers. I don't know about you, but I love going to these little parties. Showering mommy-to-be with the perfect baby gifts for the new little bundle is so much fun! Unlike some of my dear friends, I also enjoy planning, preparing and playing all of those silly baby shower games. There's just something about celebrating a new life that makes me so happy!

Lil' Baby Cakes is a great place to find baby shower gifts. From keepsake gifts to stuffed animals, Lil' Baby Cakes has it all. They even have Diaper Cakes and gifts for the big siblings. If you are looking for party ideas, they have that, too!

Let me know if you need someone to plan your baby shower... I'd love to do the honors!

Do your kiddos attend summer camp? Last year Julia went to a music and drama camp at church and the twins attended a sports camp. Both were day camps at church so I felt good about it, and they all had a blast.

My kiddos will probably attend camp at church again this summer, but I thought I would see what else was out there. I came across Circus Arts Camp New York. Of course my kiddos won't be able to attend, seeing how we live clear across the country, but I found it fascinating.

Circus Camp New York is a professional day camp for kids 7 and up, with a half-day Peewee Camp for children ages 4 ½ to 6 ½. They have been operating in Westchester County, New York for 17 years. It looks like so much fun! For an entire week your kiddos can fly high into the air on the trampoline, walk on a wire six feet above the ground, ride a cycle that has only one wheel, play catch with five balls and just your two hands, or twirl their body gracefully in the air while suspended from an ankle loop. Doesn't that sound exciting?

If we lived in New York my kiddos would certainly be going to Circus Summer Camp New York. I doubt I can find something like this here in Northern California, but I'm going to try!

So, I was browsing around on the GoodyBlog the other day and found the post about Parents Magazine Cover Model Search. The first thing I thought was, I have the cutest kids in America... I better ask my mom to take some pictures so we can enter! Then I thought, Well, maybe I can take them.

Maybe I really could take some winning shots with Sharon Elcock's help. She has organized hundreds of photo shoots in her role as Sittings Editor at Parents magazine for four years, so she knows what the judges will be looking out for. She has been kind enough to share these basic picture taking tips:

1. Do: Take photos with a really simple – but pretty background. No one wants to look at dirty dishes in your kitchen sink! Instead, go for natural scenery in front of lush greenery or pretty flowers.
2. Don't: Please, please no pictures with food on the face. Cute for grandma's refrigerator – not so much for the judges.
3. Do: Try to capture your child in a care-free, happy moment. Photos that are too staged usually don't show you're child's true energy and personality.
4. Don't: No extreme close-ups please! It makes it hard to see the whole child.
5. Do: Be honest with yourself about your child's temperament. Does he truly enjoy taking pictures or does he burst into tears the moment you point the digital at him? If he does not like taking pictures at this time in his development, be patient! Chances are, with time, he may come to like the camera. Enter the contest then and watch him win!
6. Don't: Lose the hat, the towel draped over the kid's head – what are you hiding under there?
7. Do: Try taking pictures using interesting, fun angles.

To My Best Friend on His Birthday --

I am so blessed to have you in my life and honored to be your wife. You amaze me more and more each day, as I see how you live for the Lord and seek to please Him in all you do. The love you have for me and our children is truly a gift.

I love you!!

Love,
Me

What would you say if I told you that you could get free shipping on just about every order you place online? I was pretty stoked, too when I found out about FreeShipping.org! You'd be amazed at all of the online stores that offer free shipping. Even retailers that don't normally offer free shipping have promo codes listed there.

As I was browsing through some of the 700+ stores offering free shipping, I came across not only one but FOUR Kohl's free shipping codes. Now, this really excited me because I just found the cutest swimsuit online, and now I just may have to buy it! (Go check it out and tell me what you think.)

So, before you spend your stimulus check at all of your favorite stores online, make sure you find out where you can get free shipping. You may even be able to find a Father's Day gift and not have to pay for shipping. How's that for nice?

I am going to attempt to appease some curiosity about our family by listing here the most frequently asked questions posed to us by friends, and strangers, alike. If you have one for us, feel free to ask. We just may include our answer here!

How did you and Ray meet?
Ray and I met at an American Christian History and Government seminar in the summer of 1995 - I had just graduated from high school and he had completed his freshman year at UCLA. Neither one of us really planned to be at the seminar that year, but God had a different idea. At the end of the 4 day conference we exchanged addresses and promised to write to each other. I had met many good friends at similar events and was excited to have a new pal. During a year and a half of corresponding, only through snail mail and an occasional phone call, we became good friends. He came to visit me and my family just before Christmas, in 1996, and we bagen our courtship soon after. I married my best friend in the summer of 1999.

Did you plan to have a lot of children?
Before we got married, Ray and I discussed how many children we thought we wanted to have, like we could somehow control it. I said I wanted six. Ray said two. We settled on four. We started with a bang - twins. We now have six.

All six of them are yours? Even the blondie?
Yes, all six children are ours. Even Ben - our blondie.

You birthed them all?
I did. I birthed them all.

You know how this happens, right?
Uh, yeah, and we like it!

Are you going to have more?
We believe that God has a perfect plan for our lives, so we will see what He has in store for us!

How do you do it?
I do what I need to do, while constantly reciting my favorite verse from Philippians - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Ultimately it boils down to trusting God. Trusting Him to give me the strength I need, each day, to do what He has called me to do. And, really it's when I try to do it on my own that it becomes overwhelming.

With all of these children you must be either Catholic or Mormon. Which is it?
Actually, neither. We are Bible believing, born-again Christians. We believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, and that you must believe in Him to have eternal life. We live for Him and because of Him.

How do you find time to blog?
Blogging has become somewhat of an outlet for me... a way to stay connected to the world outside of mommyhood, so to speak. Writing is something I have always loved to do and I now have six of the best subjects about which to write. As some busy moms make time for scrapbooking or knitting, I make time for blogging because it's something I enjoy. Besides, I can do it with my kids screaming and playing in the background and no one is any the wiser!

Being that I am an active mom, who is still nursing my littlest guy, I am always hungry! Finding nutritious snacks that I actually enjoy is sometimes quite hard, especially since I find myself constantly grazing.

NutraBella makes some wonderful bars especially for moms - The BellyBar. Sweet and satisfying, the BellyBar provides nutritional value in an all-natural and appetizing snack. My pregnant friends love the bars and shakes, and even my kiddos try to snag them! The Berry Nutty Cravings are my favorites, but my kiddos try to snag the Baby Needs Chocolate. NutraBella also has BellyBar Shakes. Both are great options for the busy moms that we are, because they keep the energy going.

Have you tried Brothers-ALL-Natural Fruit Crisps? Sooo yummy! They have several different freeze-dried fruits available, and they come in convenient snack packs for on-the-go enjoyment. My favorite are the Peach Crisps. They even have Potato Crisps, but we aren't big fans.

We all try to drink lots of water around here, especially in the hot summer months. Fortunately my kiddos would choose water over sugary drinks any day, but they loved the bot beverages. Water and vitamins are both necessary components of a good diet. If you want to maintain a healthy diet full of vitamins and minerals, it's good to eat a variety of food groups and hydrate well. bot fortified water is a good choice for the kiddos because they contain no artificial flavors, sweeteners or sugars, and they taste good!

What are some of your favorite snacks?

Congratulations to Huguette who was chosen as the random winner of my guessing game! She has won two bottles of my favorite carpet spot remover - Folex. All moms should have Folex on hand for all that spilled milk!

I have to say that only mannequin was spot on -- The correct answer to my little riddle (picture, really) is, in fact, a Dyson DC25! Mimi was a close second, stating that she thought it was the DC24. The two models are just slightly different, but both are made for all floor types and have the same Dyson Ball™ technology. The DC 25, however, is just a big larger and has a Quick-draw Telescope Reach™ wand and a Washable lifetime HEPA filter... A must for a family with asthma!

Stay tuned for our "Battle of the Vacuums"... Coming soon!

The last few weeks I've received comments, here and there, about my site not loading correctly for some of my loyal visitors. After asking around, I concluded that the problems arose only for those of you who use Internet Explorer. So, I figured I would just spread the word that my site was best viewed using Mozilla Firefox.

Well, last night I had quite the scare when I received several emails, and phone calls, letting me know that an error message was appearing when my friends (who are also loyal visitors) tried to view From Dates to Diapers. Come to find out they were all using Internet Explorer, as well.

So, late last night I sent a frantic email to my friend Ali, who designed my beautiful template, and virtually screamed for help. Of course, being the wonderful and sweet friend that she is, she came to my rescue and spent the better part of today de-bugging my coding. Thanks to her it is now viewable in IE and even better than it was before! I still recommend viewing it in Firefox - It looks way better!

In the midst of all of the remodeling I intentionally left the ScratchBack widget off my sidebar. While I think it's a great concept, I don't think it will work for me. Let me know if you really want to drop something in my "tip jar," and we can work something out. ;-)

Needless, to say I was pretty busy trying to get things back in order here and I completely forgot about decided to give you an extra day to guess the answer to my little riddle to enter my surprise giveaway. (The American Idle finale may have had something to do with my forgetfulness decision, too... But, we'll talk American Idle tomorrow.) I will now reveal the answer and randomly choose a winner tomorrow evening around 9pm (PST).

Oh, and I wanted to tell those of you who have been requesting it... You can now see the segment that my kiddos were in from The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet. They're the real reason why Ray and I were on the show after all! (And, no we don't water down our milk!)

Don't forget to check out my Wordless Wednesday and leave your link!

I wanted to let you all know that things may be kinda crazy around here for a few hours...

It seems that From Dates to Diapers can't be seen by anyone using Internet Explorer. Apparently an error message pops up. My lovely and talented friend, Ali, will be re-working my template until she gets it right.

Thank you, Ali!

I've discovered a fun new way to tip my favorite bloggers, and also a convenient way for you to tip me...

See my ScratchBack widget over there on the right side? Make sure you scroll down until you see it. Yup, that fun note asking if you're in my TopSpots. (Currently no one is, but that's okay.) Well, if you like what you see here at From Dates to Diapers, got a chuckle from one of my stories, found a great new product you would like to try because of one of my reviews, or you just don't want to hear that I water down my kids' milk, you can tip me. Follow the link over there on the widget, drop a tip in my jar (using PayPal), and create your link. For just a $5 tip your link will be displayed for a whole week, and I can buy a gallon of milk.

Check it out... Maybe you'll want to add one to your site.

And, my kids thank you in advance!

You’re Invited!

Celebrate your new addition with a free 3 oz. cone* of our newest addition - Soft Serve.

For: Expectant mothers.

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Where: Select Baskin-Robbins stores across the country.

1. Visit Chic Baby Rose, Chic Baby Rose (etsy) OR SparkleBean.
2. Leave me a comment telling me which item jumped out at you and why.
3. Optional: You can help spread the word about this giveaway by linking to this post and Chic Baby Rose OR by placing the button below on your sidebar. This will earn you a second entry as long as you come back and leave a second comment.
4. Do all of this before 9pm (PST) on May 26th. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on the morning of May 27th.
   


<a href="http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/2008/05/her-new-best-friend.html"><img src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p159/youngmommy99/chicbaby.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>

Good luck!


This giveaway is now closed... The winner has been announced.