Jolly Mom: Recipes | Crafts | Atlanta Mom Blogger | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews

FREE Summer Crafts for Kids ebook when you sign up for the FaveCrafts.com newsletter. This is a really cute ebook-I just downloaded it and it's got lots of great ideas!

Click Here to get your copy!

If you're in the midst of back to school shopping, make sure to check out Walmart for some great deals! Walmart recently announced some awesome deals on back to school products--what they are calling the $9 collection, which includes:

• Elementary school supply basics bundle, all items purchased separately: 24ct Crayola Crayons, Elmer’s 2pk Glue Sticks, Crayola 10ct Markers, Crayola 12ct Colored Pencils, a pair of 5” scissors, Sterlite School Box, Dixon 24ct Pencils, 2pk Pink Erasers, one two-pocket folder, one wooden ruler, one 70ct notebook, Expo 2pk Dry Erase Markers
• Six Mead Five Star 1-Subject Notebooks
• Starter and BYO Lunch Kits
• San Disk 2G Flash Drive
• Select youth eyeglass frames
• Texas Instruments TI 30Xa Scientific Calculator
• A selected variety of boys and girls basics, like socks and underwear (two packs for $9)
• Select boys and girls backpacks
• Boys and girls Starter and Danskin Now brand retro sneakers
• OP girls tops and young men’s tees, $9 or less

Make sure to visit www.walmart.com for more info!

As many of you already know, Microsoft sent me the new Sprint HTC Snap smartphone to try out and to keep for the purpose of a review. This phone is FABULOUS and so easy to use! It has truly added so much to my daily routine--easier communication with others, managing my blog on the go, managing my daily schedule, and more. To read my complete thoughts on the phone, please click HERE and make sure to check back over the weekend when I will post a wrap-up and my final thoughts on the phone. Today--however, I am really excited because I get to share the phone with one of my readers!

Thank you to Lori from Moms by Heart for sharing her Big Fat Freebies List with us! For the full list, please make sure to visit Moms by Heart and tune in every Friday for a new list of FREEbies!

FREEBIES & SAMPLES

• Free slim down samples from Quality Health HERE
• Free coupons and recipe booklet by mail from Nakano and Holland House products HERE
• 2 free ShamWow cloths when you fill out the survey HERE
• Free sample pack from Poise HERE
• Free Herbs at a Glance booklet from the National Center For Complimentary & Alternative Medicine HERE
• Free sample from Airborne HERE
• Free sample Kotex Overnight Pads HERE
• Free sample LOreal RevitaLift Deep Set Wrinkle repair HERE
• Free $10 worth of food from Schwan’s to the first 500,000 who sign up HERE, beginning 8/1!
• Free copy of The Full Plate Diet HERE
• Free Step Into Reading lunch bags when your child reads. Details HERE
• Free 10 day sample of bareMinerals Hydrating Veil & Brush from Ulta. Details HERE
• Free fitness plan from Curves HERE
• Free Guide To A Healthy Home booklet from Clorox HERE
• Free issue of Dog’s Life magazine from WalMart HERE – more WalMart freebies listed HERE
• Free beauty gift from Teen Freeway on Tuesday 7/28 only HERE.
• Free samples, coupons and savings when you sign up HERE
• Free after rebate McAfee Internet Security. Details HERE
• Free personalized sample pack of 10 business cards with free shipping HERE
• Free sample Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy HERE
• 25 free music downloads available HERE
• Free sample Total Blueberry Pomegranite Cereal HERE
• Get your free Being Girl sample kit from Procter & Gamble HERE
• 25 free prints from Shutterfly HERE

Other HOT Laptop Deals:

• Dell Inspiron 1545 Laptop--$398
• Acer 15.6 inch All Day Computing Laptop with Intel--$548
• 12.1 inch HP dv2 notebook--$698
• Red Dell Mini 10 inch netbook (4 additional colors only available online)--starting at $348
• Dell laptop bundles (1545 Inspiron with 6 additional exclusive colors with optional bundle selections such as printer, laptop case, mouse, speakers, flash drive, external hard drive and more--starting at $598 (online only).

Walmart has so many affordable laptops and accessories for kids going back to school--check them out in stores or online at Walmart.com!

Baby signing is something I only recently got interested in and I have to tell you that it is impressive how easily and quickly kids learn to sign! Sign language is a wonderful tool for both babies and toddlers because it gives them a way to communicate with people. This, of course, lowers the frustration that kids feel from NOT being able to communicate with others. It really is a wonderful tool that can be used for so many things--one biggie being potty training your child BEFORE they are two years old! I recently was given the opportunity to review the Baby Signs Potty Training Kit and I am very excited to tell you about it!

Baby Signs Potty Training Kit includes:
A Parent’s Guide to Potty Training Made Easy with the Baby Signs® Program: This straightforward parent guide from trusted child development experts will help you confidently lead your baby to potty success.
All Aboard the Potty Train DVD: With its catchy tunes, delightful animation and Baby Signs® Kids, this exciting DVD will teach your baby five potty-time signs and reinforce each step of the potty routine.
All Aboard the Potty Train Lift-the-Flap Book: Your baby will love discovering the potty-time signs hidden under each flap in this fun and interactive board book featuring the DiaperDoodles™.
Job Well Done! Stickers : These colorful reward stickers feature fun images and positive messages such as “Good Job!”, “I’m on the Potty Train!”
All Aboard the Potty Train Conductor’s Whistle: Whether to signal it’s time to go potty or to “sound the trumpet of success,” this fun-to-blow whistle will put a smile on your baby’s face when it’s potty time.


Most of you know that we are in the midst of potty training Lucas so I was very interested to see how this kit could help. The first thing that we did was pop in the All Aboard the Potty Train DVD--it is an adorable DVD with cute characters and music, but what is really impressive is that within minutes Lucas was signing "MORE", "POTTY", and "ALL DONE"! By the next day, he had learned the sign for "WASH HANDS"! Lucas is almost two years old so obviously he is already speaking a lot of words, but nonetheless the signs he has learned from this DVD are really helpful! However, I do think that younger children will benefit the most from the program. What is very exciting is to think what it would be like to teach a baby or young toddler to sign with this kit! I CANNOT WAIT to use it with my next child!

According to the Baby Signs website, "historical and cross-cultural practices clearly demonstrate that babies can {potty} train as early as 5 months!" While Baby Signs is not advocating potty training that early, they provide the tools necessary for parents to both begin and end the entire potty training process BEFORE the age of 2! I love that this kit provides a multi-media approach so that kids can learn from both books and DVD's. The whistle and stickers provide the element of fun and positive reinforcement that should be a part of every potty training method.

Learn More About the Program:

Want It: The Baby Signs Potty Training Kit can be purchased online and retails for $39.95.

So, the other day we're sitting on the front porch enjoying a beautiful sunny morning, drinking a cup of coffee when Lucas drops something off the porch. Mike gets up to get it and calls to me--"Baby, come here. You gotta see this."

So, I get up to see what is going on. He shoves THIS into my face...


...and says, "Isn't it cool?!!"

I scream. Mike laughs. Even Lucas starts to giggle. No. It's not cool.

Boys and bugs. Ugh.

I am always looking for ways to make life easier, simpler, and funner for everyone in the family! Aren't all moms?! That's why I was so excited when Mom Central told me about the Family Fun Book--a collaboration between Unilever and Jennifer Bushman, the author of the "Kitchen Coach" cookbook series. The Family Fun Book is brimming with delicious recipes and affordable meal ideas perfect for the whole family to enjoy – together. Best of all, the Family Fun Book is FREE!!


The Family Fun Book really has some great ideas--some that I knew {but needed to be reminded of} and some really creative new ideas! For instance, Bushman suggests bringing the entire family--including the kids--into the kitchen to make meal time=FAMILY TIME! Some of the great ideas featured in the book include: having an at-home dinner picnic, saving on cooking and clean-up time by choosing easy, one-pot dips and recipes, hosting a camping-inspired sleepover for the kids, and creating a kitchen retreat with campfire meals. Those are just a few of the ideas-the Family Fun Book literally has a ton of wonderful tips, ideas, and recipes that you should definitely check out.

To download the Family Fun Book click HERE and make sure that you check out the Making Life Better website while you're there! The website has even MORE helpful information such as recipes, make-up tips, and coupons for Unilever products!

Back in high school when I didn't have to watch what I ate {as much}, I loved going to the mall to get one of those huge and very delicious cinnamon rolls! Now, I can't really do that--way too many calories--but at only 150 calories I can eat Kelloggs new Cinnabon Snack Bars and not feel guilty! Mom Central sent me a box of the new Cinnabon Snack Bars for me to review and they are really good. How could they not be? A brown sugar and cinnamon filling plus a cream cheese frosting can only equal yummy!


Everyone in my family loved these snack bars and I mean EVERYONE--Lucas, Mike, my parents even had some {my dad ate two LOL}! Heating them up in the microwave for a few seconds takes these snack bars to a whole new level--like an indulgent treat rather than an everyday snack bar! We've added these to our grocery list this week and there's even a $1 off coupon--pair that with a Target sale going on at most stores and you could get these for about $0.75 a box!

If there's something that all children have in common is their tendency to get sick. They have these brand new immune systems that are still developing and learning how to fight off common illnesses. And, it's tough for kids--getting their first cold, ear infection, or stomach bug. They don't quite get what's going on--it can be scary. Not to mention that it's scary for parents! All sorts of questions rush through our minds--how do I make my child feel better? what does my child have? is it serious? when do I call the doctor? Now, there's a {very cute} way for both parents and kids to make it through common childhood illnesses with the info they need to both feel better physically and emotionally--Dr. Hippo books by The Hippocratic Press!


About The Hippocratic Pres and the Books {from the website}:
The Hippocratic Press was founded by Dr. Charlotte Cowan with the primary mission of publishing medical children's stories that entertain, educate and reassure both parent and child. The first stories published by the Hippocratic Press are the five titles in the Dr. Hippo Series about common childhood illnesses: cold, fever, ear infections, sore throat, and vomiting and diarrhea. Each picture book includes a separate Parent Guide written in question/answer format. The Parent Guide answers common questions about children's health issues and offers parents advice about how to comfort children at home and when to call the doctor.


Dr. Cowan sent us all five Dr. Hippo books for me to review and they have become fast favorites in our household. The books are WONDERFUL tools in preparing kids for how they will feel both physically and emotionally when sick. The illustrations are beautifully done and the stories are both tactful and cute! At the end of each book, you'll find a priceless parents book that explains that particular illness to parents.


These books would make such an EXCELLENT and much appreciated new mom or baby gift! Honestly, I would have been so thankful to receive such a thoughtful and cute gift at my baby shower or after Lucas was born!

Want It: All five Dr. Hippo books can be purchased online at Amazon and retail for $14.

More winners to announce! I have drawn winners for the following giveaways:

Children's Sleeping Bag by Eureka
Baby Signs Book PLUS $50 Babies R Us Gift Card! FOUR Winners Also Get Baby Signs Book!

Click on the links to see if you won! As always, all the winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me.

When you are looking for products to redo your child's room, Delta Children's Products is one of the best companies to turn to. They pretty much offer everything a child will need from infancy and up. You can find everything from classic furniture and accessories for the nursery to toddler furniture that kids will love. Not to mention that Delta Children's Products holds licenses to many of the characters that kids love such as Toy Story, Cars, Disney Fairies, Hannah Montana, Dora the Explorer, and more. Kids will flip over seeing their favorite characters in their room!

When Delta Children's Products found out we were having a party all about transitioning from the baby nursery to a big kid room, they wanted to pitch in with a fabulous prize for one of my readers--a toddler bed! And, not just any bed--a bed that kids will LOVE!

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent 32 load 2/$6.99
-$2.00 ECB on two
-$1.00 printable HERE, use two
Final Price: 2/$2.99

Coke or Dasani Water 12pk 12oz 4/$13
-$3 ECB on four
Final Price: 4/$10

Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste or 360 Toothbrush $2.88 (Sun-Tues only)
-$2.00 ECB
-$1.00 from 7/12 SS or $.75 from 7/26 SS – toothpaste
-$.40 from 7/26 SS – toothbrush
Final Price: Free - $.48

Caliber Composition Book $.99 (Sun-Tues only)
-$.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE

Palmolive Dish Liquid 10oz $.88
-$.25 from 7/26 SS
Final Price: $.63

Spend $15 get $5 ECB

Scenario:
Buy (7) Mars Singles @ 3/$2 or $.66 each = $4.62
-$.66 FREE chocolate coupon from HERE
-$1/2 x 3 from 7/26 RP
Final Price: 7/$.96

Buy (3) Twizzlers @ 2/$4 = $6

-$1/3 x2 from 6/28 SS
Final Price: 3/$5

Buy (5) Mentos Gum @ $1 = $5
-$.55-$1 from 6/21 SS
Final Price: 5/FREE - $2.25
You’ll spend $5.96-$8.21 and get $5 ECB
Total Cost: 15 items/$.96-$3.21!

Kashi TLC Bars or Cereal $3.33
-$1.50 printable HERE (first time sign-ups only)
-$1.50 crackers or snack bars wyb cereal HERE
-$5 ECB wyb three
Final Price: 3/$.50

Caliber or CVS Pharmacy Erasers, Push Pins or Binder Clips $.99 (Sun-Tues only)
-$.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE, limit 2

Caliber Pencil or Index Card Case $.99 (Sun-Tues only)
-$.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE, limit 2

Select Backpacks $9.99+ B1G1 free

Caliber or Its Academic Stretchable Book Covers $1.99-$2.49 B1G1 free

Pilot Easy Touch Pen 2pk $.99 (Sun-Tues only)
-$.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE, limit 2

Swingline Tot Stapler or Caliber Sticky Notes $.99 (Sun-Tues only)
-$.99 ECB
Final Price: FREE, limit 2

Lunch Carriers from $5.99
-$3 ECB
Final Price: as low as $2.99

Five Star Notebooks or Binders $4.89-$17.59
Spend $15 get $5 ECB

Neutrogena Cosmetics $3.49-$14.49 B1G1 free (Sun-Tues only)
-$3.00 from August ALL YOU magazine or $2 from 7/26 RP, use two
Final Price: buy 2 items at $6 or less and get both FREE

Nexxus Botanical or Dualist shampoo or conditioner 7.5-13.5oz
Spend $10 get $5 ECB
-$3.00 from 7/12 SS
Final Price: close to free

CVS Pharmacy Tampons 10ct $1.89
-$1.89 ECB
Final Price: FREE

Bayer Breeze2 Blood Glucose Monitor $19.99
-up to $30 from 3/22 SS
Final Price: FREE

One of the biggest struggles for kids in the middle of the night is being afraid. Afraid of being alone. Of the dark. Bad dreams. I know how it feels--I can vividly remember being afraid of the dark as a child. One of the best ways to help kids through their fears is simply by giving them a flashlight or a nightlight. I recently discovered the TykeLight GloMate by Mobi Technologies, Inc. and it is honestly, the PERFECT {and cutest} solution. We couldn't love it more!


About the TykeLight GloMate (from the website):
The TykeLight® GloMate™ is color changing portable nightlight. It’s a cuddly plaything with a friendly, silky feel to snuggle up with on a dark night. But it’s also a novel fun lamp to watch as it desolves from one brilliant color to another. It can be set to turn on automatically when lifted from the charging base or come on if the household power goes out. It’s shown here unlit as it charges, but it can be lit while charging. An indicator light on the base turns from red to green when charging is complete.

See It In Action:

Most kids LOVE having a flashlight in bed with them. It's fun, portable, and it helps ease their fears. A nightlight is not really considered fun, but it serves its purpose of lighting the room. That's why I love the GloMate TykeLight--you get both! It is like a nightlight and flashlight all rolled into one BUT BETTER. Kids can take it with them to bed and use it like a flashlight or portable nightlight. You can also keep it on its base and use it solely as a nightlight. What's great is that there are no batteries to worry about. The Tykelight GloMate recharges on its base and each charge lasts 10 hours! Also, the TykeLight GloMate is illuminated with heat-free LED light so that it is safe and will not get hot to the touch. I'm not the only one that loves it, Lucas thinks it is awesome too! He loves using it read his books when the lights are out and he loves watching the setting that cycles through all of the different colors. It has become like his little buddy!

Want It: The TykeLight GloMate retails for $24.99 and can be purchased online at GetMobi.com.

The other day I posted the {RAVE} review for Thank You Baby's bedding and today I wanted to tell you about their beautiful children's book collection. Tracy George, founder and president of Thank You Baby is also an author and has written four very touching children's books. Thank You Baby sent Lucas Everyday Blessings and Turner McWerner and Hooch the Pooch for me to review.

About Everyday Blessings {from the website}:
The first in a series of books that celebrates life with children, ‘Everyday Blessings’ speaks of daily obstacles and triumphs, thanking God all the while for His most precious gifts. Learning to live as a child means embracing the beauty life holds for us each day as our children help us discover new purpose! Amidst our busy lives, we can learn to take the time to stop and enjoy the blessings together. Grown-ups and children alike will enjoy hearing and reciting Tracy George’s heartfelt rhymes which narrate a sincere thank you to children. Illustrations by Erika Jones delightfully portray the joy of sharing time with the little ones who know how to spend it best! “Everyday Blessings” is an honored recipient of an Parenting Media Award.”


About Turner McWerner and Hooch the Pooch {from the website}:
Thank You Baby’s second book. When the family pet dogs, Turner & Hooch notice mommy’s tummy growing, they are curious to find out what’s in store next! Soon a new member of the family is brought home, but to their surprise she doesn’t look much like them! Curious to find out what she can do, other than cry, Turner & Hooch wait patiently each day while protecting their new “baby sister”. After comical attempts to gain her attention, the three embark on a friendship to last a lifetime. Join them as they laugh and play throughout Thank You Baby’s second book --‘Turner McWerner and Hooch the Pooch’; which follows a little girl from infancy through her childhood as she grows up alongside her precious pet dogs. It is written from Turner & Hooch’s perspective, as they give daily thanks for her in their lives. Turner & Hooch’s names are drawn from the author, Tracy’s, own dogs Turner & Hooch. The second of Thank You Baby Books is dedicated to their memory!



Both of these books are so moving and will touch the hearts of both children and adults alike! To be honest, both of the books made me tear up {A LOT!} because they are so true and so meaningful. You'll read about positive messages such as slowing down to appreciate your children and the lessons that children teach us to the unwavering, loyal love a pet offers. These books belong in every child's bookcase!

For years, I have been a free sample addict {LOL} so I thought that maybe you guys would enjoy getting some of those FREEbies yourself! I mean, who doesn't like FREE?! Lori from Moms by Heart very generously offered to share her Big Fat Freebies List with us every Friday so I hope that you enjoy it! For the full list, please make sure to visit Moms by Heart and tune in every Friday for a new list of FREEbies! And...one tip before you go freebie crazy...make sure that you have an email account solely dedicated for signing up for freebies. You don't want your personal email account filling up with spam--which WILL happen!

FREEBIES & SAMPLES

• Free samples & $5 in coupons from Fiber One HERE.
• Free Ultra Light Sunscreen Spray Lotion when you join HERE, then click on “get your free sunscreen”
• Free samples of Tasters Choice HERE
• Free sample Kotex Overnight HERE
• Free Parents Choice formula and other samples from WalMart HERE
• Free sample Aveda Mens HERE (click SKIP INTRO, then GET SAMPLE)
• Free sample Move Free Advanced HERE
• Free Chiquita Bites singles with THIS coupon.
• Free pair of undies from Aerie – coupon located in August Cosmo magazine.
• Free slim-down samples from Quality Health HERE – Special K, Centrum, Tea, and others.
• Free book from Random House HERE
• Free samples when you sign up with Remedy Life HERE. Includes: Crystal Light, Purell, Blistex and more.
  

FREE RECIPE BOOKLETS

• Two free recipe booklets from Gooseberry Patch HERE
• Free pork grilling guide HERE
• Free Light & Easy cookbook HERE
• Campbell’s Budget Friendly Recipes HERE
• Hidden Valley Ranch HERE
• Smuckers Recipe Booklets HERE

As soon as the idea for the Big Kid Room Party came about, I instantly knew that I would reach out to One Step Ahead. Why? Because...simply stated they sell the best of the best. That's what I love about them. They do all of the legwork for parents and scout out the products that work so that we can shop with confidence. When they can't find a product or there is a void--they create it themselves. For those of us, transitioning our babies into a toddler room, One Step Ahead does not disappoint!

One Step Ahead generously sent us several products for me to review. We received the It's Time To Sleep In Your Own Bed Transition Time Series Book, Kids Hypoallergenic Pillow and Cover, Hide Away Extra Long Bedrail, and the Sling Bookshelf. We all know how change can be difficult for kids and moving into their own rooms or big boy beds is a huge change for kids! Usually it is met with atleast some {if not a lot} of resistance. One way to ease those fears is through books like It's Time To Sleep In Your Own Bed by Lawrence E. Shapiro. Shapiro, a child psychologist and parenting expert, uses both humor and cute pictures to help kids break bad habits--in this case--sleeping in mom and dad's bed. This is a very cute book that allows children to see and hear about what they should expect during the transition into their own bed. In addition to the children's story, each book includes parenting advice and tips for helping kids break their habit!


The second product that we received is the Kids Hypoallergenic Pillow and Cover, which is a must-have! Not only is it kid-sized, but it is also 100% hypoallergenic--mite-proof and antimicrobial! It's great for ALL kids, but especially children who suffer from allergies. You can also get the cover for it, which comes in a variety of cute colors and can even be personalized. Not to mention that both are affordable-{$12.95 for the pillow and $6.95 for the cover}! We {especially Lucas} love this pillow. It is the perfect size for a toddler and it is soft and comfy!


When we switched Lucas from his crib to a bed, we went directly into a twin bed rather than a toddler bed. We were able to do that because of the Hide Away Extra Long Bedrail. This bedrail is truly INGENIOUS! It is extra-long {very difficult to find!} so it protects almost the entire side of the bed. How we positioned it--more towards the center of the bed--makes it virtually impossible for Lucas to fall out. Here's the cool part--the entire thing slides between the mattress and the box spring. Out of sight. No bedrail to ruin the decor of the room or get in the way of making the bed.


Just an FYI--until you get used to it, sliding the rail in and out can take a little finagling on your part. We have pretty much gotten the hang of it now though, but in the beginning there was a learning curve {totally worth it though!}. Also, here's a tip--DO NOT use a bed skirt! We tried to use a bed skirt, but it kept getting bunched up when sliding the rail {not worth the hassle}. We covered the box spring with a white fitted sheet instead so it still looks nice!

See It In Action:

The final product that we received is the Sling Bookshelf, which is adorable and very practical! Lucas loves it because it is pint-sized like him and I love it because it provides extra storage for books and toys AND it is safe for Lucas to have in his room. We only put board books in it so that if he gets up in the middle of the night and climbs out of his bed, he can grab a book to read. The bookshelf actually fits a lot of books and holds any size book, which is a big plus! It is sturdy, well made and looks great in the kiddo's room too!


Want It: All of the products in the review can be purchased online at OneStepAhead.com.