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Jennifer from J Leigh Designz is hosting the MOST AWESOME giveaway right now! She is giving an away amazing new Pirates Bay Inflatable Play Park Waterslide Bounce House! Seriously, you have to check this thing out--it is GUARANTEED SUMMER FUN! This bad boy is also valued at $549 and one VERY LUCKY person will WIN! Go enter now!

The struggling economy has affected mostly everyone that I know. For us, specifically we have had to give up a lot of the things that we love to do. There will not be a Summer vacation for us this year, which is actually very strange. We ALWAYS go on vacation---usually several times per year! No matter, we still have to make the best of it and have fun at home. That's where the Staycation comes in! We have a long list of Summer Fun To-Do's that I typed up a few weeks ago that include trips to the zoo, the blueberry farm, making ice cream at home, grilling out, and much more. As it turns out, we aren't the only ones staying home. More and more families are spending extra time at home because of the economy. According to a recent Clorox survey, over 60 percent of the Moms surveyed reported an increase in cleaning around the house as their families now spend more time at home! Yep, there is definitely more cleaning involved when you stay home more---I'm already experiencing that! No one wants to stay home and clean all day though (especially not in the Summer!) so if it's got to happen--I want to get my cleaning done faster and cheaper! That's why Mom Central and MommyDocs joined forces to bring us a list of Five Tips for Summer Staycations to keep our families safe and homes cleaner during the summer months this year.

Five Tips for Summer Staycations:

Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don't forget to check that your child's hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don't forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.

Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!

Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don't have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Lucas' birthday is coming up soon--in August. I can't believe the little monster is going to be TWO soon! Anyhow, I have been playing around with making my own invitations. Here's a couple that I've made. They are totally preliminary---I haven't even decided on a theme for the party or anything. Pretty much they are me goofing off on the computer-lol. BTW--those are made up addresses, phone numbers, etc.

Right Guard or Dry Idea Deodorant, $2.99
Get $2 RRs
$2/1 Dry Idea printable
=Free plus overage!

Wrigley's Gum, 3/$2 with in ad coupon
Use BOGO coupon (4/5 SS)
= $.02 cents each

Aquafresh Toothpaste, $1.99
Get $1 RR
$1/1 Aquafresh printable
=FREE

Listerine, 2/$9
Earn $3 RR
Use (2) $2 printables
=$1 each

Colgate Total Toothpaste, 2/$5
Get $2 RRs wyb 2
Use $1 printable coupon
Use $1 coupon (SS 6/7/09)
=$0.50 ea.

Pringles, $0.99
Use $1/2 coupon (P&G 5/17/09)
=$0.49 each

Select Kellogg’s Cereal, $1.99
Use $1 coupon (RP 6/7/09)
=$0.99

Got 2B Hair Styling Products, 2/$5.99 (BOGO)
$2/1 Got 2B printable
=$0.99 each

Oust Air Sanitizer, $2.99
$2/1 coupon (SS 5/10/09)
=$0.99

About a month ago, we decided to retire our highchair for good. It's officially in the basement storage room until the next baby. It was kind of daunting though to get rid of the highchair. It's what we're used to and more than that---it kept Lucas strapped in so he couldn't go anywhere-lol. On the other hand, we were all ready to have Lucas really be a part of the family dinner table and even though we were used to a highchair, a booster seat seemed easier. When it comes to baby and children's products, one of the first companies I turn to is BABYBJÖRN. Their modern, sleek designs not only look great, but also provide the simplicity and convenience that every mom wants. That's why I knew that I had to check out the BabyBjorn Booster Seat!


About the BABYBJÖRN Booster Seat (from the website):
The BABYBJÖRN Booster Seat helps your child to sit with you at the table and to reach his/her plate. The BABYBJÖRN Booster Seat can be easily attached to an ordinary chair and has rubber feet to guarantee that the child can sit safely at the table. The BABYBJÖRN Booster Seat is easy to clean and store, and to bring along. Suitable for children aged between 2 and 5 years old.

BABYBJÖRN kindly sent Lucas a Booster Seat for me to review and once again, BABYBJÖRN does not disappoint! This is a very safe seat that straps down tight--our seat does not budge an inch and it is not in any danger of tipping or falling like some other booster seats that I have tried before. It does not have an actual seat belt to strap Lucas in, which of course worried me. However, I just push Lucas right up to the table and miraculously, he stays seated. Some people might look at this Booster Seat and think that it's too simple or plain, but if you're a mom you know something those people don't---the simple design is exactly what makes this seat so special. The plastic is sleek, which means EASY CLEAN UP. The simple design means NO NOOKS AND CRANNIES for food to hide in. Again, let me repeat--EASY CLEAN UP! The BABYBJÖRN Booster Seat is a mother's dream!

Want It: The BABYBJÖRN Booster Seat is available at Amazon.com for $26.95 with FREE shipping.




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Out of all the material things that I own, the most important to me are our family pictures. I know that all moms can relate to that. We are constantly taking pictures of our little ones trying to capture the milestones, the sweet moments, the firsts, etc. The great thing is that with digital cameras, we can do that and most of us...do exactly that. We takes thousands of pictures...way more than we used to when we had to pay for film and to develop every shot. As great as that is, it comes with some consequences. Most of us (like me), just store all of those pictures on our computers, which take up a lot of space and slow down our computers. Also, before the era of digital photography, we all worried about fires and natural disasters destroying our precious photographs or important documents. Now, nothing as terrible has to happen for all of your pictures to be gone. All it takes is a computer crash, a lightning storm, or a bad computer virus for your pictures to be gone forever. That's why it is so important to back up your pictures. The funny thing is that as much as I know that I should do it---I have NEVER backed up my pictures. Ever. When you have literally thousands and thousands of pictures, the task seems way too daunting. That's why I am so excited and relieved to have found the Picture Keeper and I know that you will be too!


I was sent The Picture Keeper to review and this little contraption offers so much convenience and peace-of-mind! Basically, The Picture Keeper plugs into your USB drive and finds and saves all of your pictures. It's that easy. So, maybe you are wondering what makes The Picture Keeper better or different from a flash drive? A lot. The Picture Keeper is smart and knows which pictures you already have on it so the next time you go to backup, it will only save your new pictures! Basically, The Picture Keeper is a no-brainer. Just plug it in and let it do it's job. You can even set a monthly online reminder at PictureKeeper.com to alert you when it's time to backup again. Very handy! Also, the cool thing is that since the software runs from the actual device you can use it on different computers! This is great for me because we have three computers in our house. We keep all of our pictures on our desktop, but I also keep my blog pictures on my laptop. The Picture Keeper has made it a snap to transfer pictures from one computer to another and simplified an aspect of blogging for me.

See The Picture Keeper In Action (Note--this was the FIRST time I used it!):

The Picture Keeper is available in three sizes: 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB. You can even have a custom size made for you! Plus, the developers at Picture Keeper are even working on an external hard drive version, which would be able to hold 100 to 300+GB. I received the 16GB (fits up to 16,000 pictures!), which was able to fit all of my pictures with a lot of room to grow. Honestly, I think that the 16GB is the way to go for everyone--it just makes sense. You'll save money and it will last longer.

The Picture Keeper is truly amazing. What it provides is insurance. I can rest easy knowing that our memories are safe, which makes The Picture Keeper one of my favorite products that I own. I'm not the only one that loves it either-The Picture Keeper just won a Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products for Summer 2009 Award!

If you've watched the highly acclaimed series, Planet Earth then you must see the follow-up series, Nature's Most Amazing Events! If you haven't seen either of these, then I suggest you run out and get both of these DVD series this weekend! Nature's Most Amazing Events is brought to us by the BBC and Discovery Channel--co-producers of Planet Earth and it gives us front row seat to the most explosive events of nature. I received a copy of this 2-disc DVD set for me to review and really there aren't words that can describe the awe-inspiring beauty shown in every episode!


About Nature's Most Amazing Events DVD Set:
Each year at remote wilderness locations around the world, astonishing seasonal events take place that reveal the awesome power and grandeur of the planet's rich natural diversity. The six-hour series Nature's Most Amazing Events features explosive events of nature triggered by seasonal change and vast climate change.

This 2-disc DVD Collection contains all six installments of the series plus a special behind-the-scenes feature. Each episode of Nature's Most Amazing Events focuses on a different natural event: the summer melt of ice in the Arctic, the annual salmon run in Canada, the flooding of the Okavango Delta in Africa, the huge annual bloom of plankton in the northern Pacific, the massive migration in East Africa's Serengeti plain, and one of the greatest marine spectacles on the planet -- the sardine run in South Africa. Filmed in 2007 and 2008, the series spotlights the incredible transformation of these wildly different landscapes and the intimate stories and dramatic interaction between the animals who occupy them, including some of the most dramatic wildlife confrontations and clashes ever recorded on film.


Nature's Most Amazing Events was recently released on DVD so it is available for everyone to rent or own, but I suggest that you buy it! It definitely deserves a spot in everyone's DVD cabinet. Adults will love it, children will love it---it's a journey through our planet in a way that has never before been captured on camera!

Rather than tell you, let me show you what I mean! Here's a sneak peek into Nature's Most Amazing Events:



Want It: Nature's Most Amazing Events is available to purchase from Amazon.com for $21.99 and free shipping!

DVD Specifications:

• Actors: David Attenborough
• Format: Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC Warner
• DVD Release Date: June 2, 2009
• Run Time: 300 minutes

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Recently, I was introduced to one of the coolest online stores I have across in a long time--AllModern.com! At All Modern, you will find the hottest contemporary designers and products for moms, kids, and your entire home. The lineup of awesome brands is totally unbelievable! Moms will be happy to find Skip Hop, P'kolino, Nest, DwellStudios, and many more all at one place! All Modern also offers a huge selection of modern furniture, home accessories and lighting from brands like Knoll, Heller, Herman Miller and Blu Dot. This is THE PLACE for the modern mom to shop! And, today I am very jealous excited to announce that All Modern has very generously offered to give one Jolly Mom reader $75.00 to spend at AllModern.com! That's right--the winner can choose any product(s) totaling $75 or less!

If you know someone who loves to skateboard, surf, or snowboard, then today is your lucky day! Street Surfing, LLC. the originator of the Wave caster board, has recently introduced the new Wave LX – a 30 percent lighter caster board, to its arsenal of award-winning, “kid-powered” Wave products. Founded in 2004, Street Surfing has created a cultural phenomenon. The activity is an unconventional, fun exercise and full body workout – street surfing – that blends all three board sports; skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing!

When Street Surfing, LLC offered to give one of my readers the opportunity to win the new Wave LX, I was thrilled because this is one cool skate board! The Wave LX (LIGHT XTREME) is the lightest Wave board to date! Other great features include: wider platform provides great stability for novice riders or skilled street surfers and the new LIGHT XTREME web deck design is perfect for tricks, riding up hill or surfing the streets!



Want It: The suggested retail price for the new Wave LX is $79.99 and it is available at major sporting goods stores and other leading retailers.

One of my all time faves, Dilly Dally Bibbies are going on sale for ONE WEEK! Their Tic Tac Toe and Tweet Tweet bibbies will be on sale Sunday, June 21st through Sunday June 28th! These Bibbies are gorgeous, multi-functional, and the type of quality your grandmother would expect! Did I mention that they are BEAUTIFUL?!

Sale prices are as follows:
$25.00 - XS, S, & M bibbies
$29.00 - L bibbies



If you want to go green, you have to check out Neela Bags. They are already affordable, but they are a steal when you use coupon code SUMMER for 20% off of Denali Totes and Packs now through June 30!



The Shabby Apple, one of the best online places to shop for chic, modern, and stunning dresses for both women and girls is offering all Jolly Mom readers 15% off their orders! Enter coupon code Jolly Mom!

Stuffed tomatoes are one of my favorite foods. Not only are they easy to make, but they also make a beautiful presentation for parties and they are DELICIOUS! These are stuffed with a rice, bacon, mayo, and parsley mixture. Sorry for the terrible picture--I made stuffed tomatoes recently and forgot to take a picture so I had to find one from a while back.

Many baby items are not necessities. You can get by without them. However, some baby products, like a diaper changing pad are must-haves. They keep your baby protected from stuff much grosser than poop and it protects your stuff from your baby's poop! Every mom I know has at least one. I know I have four or five changing pads. We keep one in our cars, in our diaper bags, and in Lucas' travel stuff. I've always had one big gripe though with changing pads though-they provide absolutely no cushion for babies. They are usually a very thin (read: paper thin) mat that can be easily rolled up to travel with. That's how they are marketed to us-convenient to travel with, compact, easy to fold or roll up, etc. One thing you will never hear is-comfortable. Until The Plush Pad by Ah Goo Baby.

The Plush Pad, by Ah Goo Baby is a portable changing station that is made with a soothing, body-contouring memory foam cushion. Machine washable and water-repellent, this station rolls up into a compact cylinder so you can take The Plush Pad® wherever you go! 100% cotton shell (450 thread count); minky fabric center panel (water-resistant polyester blend). Shell is removable and machine washable.


Ah Goo Baby sent me The Plush Pad in the high tea pattern for me to review. First of all, the pattern is so chic and modern. Not "babyish" at all! There are so many things to love about The Plush Pad with the obvious being that the memory foam make it the most comfortable changing pad I have seen to date! Why didn't I (or anyone else for that matter) think of that sooner?! It's compact and fits into my diaper bag without a problem. It's easy to roll up and literally a cinch to use. The Plush Pad is also multi-functional. Don't just use it as a changing pad! You can use it as a play mat or tummy time mat too! It is that soft and comfortable! Finally, moms and their babies can have it all. The Plush Pad provides fashion, function, convenience, and comfort. Hmmm...if only Ah Goo Baby would start designing high heels...

Want It: The Plush Pad retails for $29.94 and can be purchased online and at various retailers across the country.