Cottonelle Clean Routine, AKA She's Talking About THAT?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

Friends, it seems like this is my week to talk about bodily functions. (Ha- you say- week?)

Yes, but this time it's legit and sponsored and not just me crying about being peed on in the wee (womp, womp) hours of the morning. At least it's not only that.

Cottonelle has unrolled (good Lord, I'm on fire) their new Cottonelle Care Routine, which pairs up their toilet paper with Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths. They've even brought in London-based immersive journalist Cherry Healy to get the word out about giving your bathroom routine a makeover. And we ain't talkin' marble vanities and autumnal eye shadows.

Boldly Go...and all that.

Now, I've always thought that Cottonelle was the Cadillac of toilet paper. (Not that I equate cars with wiping. 'Cause I don't. I actually don't think about cars all that much, bathroom care-notwithstanding.) It's super soft and rather pleasant, insomuch as that sorta thing goes. And as for the Cleansing Cloths? So great. Some of you folks- you know who you are- feel a bit of weirdness talking about personal care routines. NOT SO MUCH ME! My entire existence (or at least a goodly fraction of it) has been overtaken by the bathroom; potty training, sure, but it's also become that place with the functional lock where I can just hang out for a bit and everything will be a-ok as soon as Daddy (or some other reasonably responsible adult) comes home.

And as for the uninitiated to the glory of the personal cleansing cloth- ohmigawd, you guys. It's not weird at all. It's fabulous. You don't hear babies complaining about being gently wiped, do you? (I mean, you do, but not because it's odd. They're probably just gassy.) Using Cottonelle's Flushable Cleansing Cloths in addition to Cottonelle toilet paper is like getting a bonus shower, you end up feeling so clean. And who'd willingly turn down an extra shower? (Unless you're a hippie. Then, I guess you've made your choices, haven't you?) But for the rest of you- and I'm totally looking at you, parents- sometimes using a Cleansing Cloth is the closest you're gonna get to have some spa/alone time, youknowhatI'msayin'?

These great cloths now come in a sleek, newly designed, upright container- just perfect for placing out in the open, leaving your bathroom guests to think to themselves "Wow, she really cares about me." (Say it with a clean bum, that's my new motto.)

Doesn't that just yell "I care about you and your bathroom habits?"
Not the janky grout. No, that distinctly says "Stay away, friends."
But the cleansing cloths, those are nice.

Wanna join in the Cottonelle Clean Routine conversation? (Quite obviously, you do.) Check out the buzz on Facebook and add your own two cents. And go pick up your own Cottonelle products to see for yourself how fantabulous you'll feel!

You can report back to me and everything.

Or not.

We can just wink at each other and know that we both know.

It won't be weird at all.

Cottonelle wants to get you talking about your bum and on a better way to clean “down there” by using the Cottonelle Clean Routine. By combining the use of Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths, the Cottonelle Clean Routine is a revolutionary way to keep your bum cleaner.

Are you ready? Don’t be shy! Visit http://www.facebook.com/cottonelle to learn more about the Cottonelle Clean Routine and join the clean routine conversation.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

Country Crock & A Rockstar Casserole.

One of my Mom’s best friends is a wonderful woman named Ardell, and I count her as a second mother. I don’t bandy this term around lightly; two of my requirements for bestowing Second Motherdom upon someone is whether or not they've even driven me to the E.R., and whether or not they've created one of my all-time favorite dishes.

You know how some people are just ridiculously marvelous cooks? Ardell beats ‘em all. And one of those aforementioned all-time fave meals is something we've oh-so creatively dubbed “Ardell’s Chicken.” This dish is amazing. It’s the kind of casserole where a magical cook can take a handful of seemingly ordinary ingredients and create something that makes everyone’s heart (and belly) happy. 

Country Crock, that fabulous spread featuring a whopping 70% less fat than butter per serving (also zero partially hydrogenated oils, trans fat, or cholesterol, if you dig that sorta thing), is gathering up the best quick fix casseroles for this rather hectic time of year. And I'm thrilled to include the world-famous Ardell's Chicken to the list. (Check out Country Crock's Pinterest board for yummy inspiration!)

This casserole is perfect for cozy Fall nights- or when you'd like a Fall night to be cozy, despite having to drive around like a madwoman taking care of everyone's everything. And with ingredients you've probably already got on hand, it's a cinch to prepare.

While I will never be a renowned dinner photographer, it's important to note that this picture is hazy
because of all the fragrant steam coming from the casserole dish. And now I'm hungry again.

While no one in the whole world can make Ardell's Chicken quite like Ardell (really, we've all tried), I've added my best approximation below. And seriously, the beauty of this recipe is that so many ingredients can be added or swapped based on what you have. (I do it all the time and forget to write down the changes, much to the irritation of my sisters.) This casserole is so comforting and so delicious that it's absolutely impossible to go wrong.

I've served this dish to friends and family and at least one husband (okay, he was mine). It gets rave reviews every single time. Feel free to check out Country Crock's Facebook page for even more awesome dinnerific casserole ideas- some might even be as wonderful as Ardell's Chicken.

Who has the fanciest dinners of them all? It's a trick question.

But that's some pretty stiff competition.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Savers Thrift Stores And Unabashed Joy.

Yay for deals! This is a sponsored post by Savers Thrift Stores. I am le happy about this.

***

There are few things in life more swoon-worthy than making A Find.

Fellow thrifters know what I mean: that heart-stopping moment when you discover The Perfect Item, realize it’s in your size/color scheme, and that it’s priced crazily cheap. Marathoners can keep their adrenaline rushes and 5k “fun runs”- I’ll take the tingle of winning deals any ol’ day. (Also? We need to stop referring to 5ks as “fun.” You know what’s really fun? Not running a 5k. Digress.)

Last weekend, I experienced a whole lotta winning and some downright amazing finds at the newest Savers Thrift Store in Franklin Park, IL. Guess what, Chicagoans? It’s totally close by (25 mins from my house in non-highway traffic!) and what awaits you there is worth every. Single. Block.

Here’s what I love about thrifting: the thrill of the chase, the discovery of the unknown, and the sheer potential for finding STUFF.

Here’s what I don’t love about most resale shops: sometimes that STUFF can be thrown about rather willy-nilly…and they tend to be more than a little filthy.

And here’s what I simply adore about Savers: It’s clean, it’s brightly lit, organized within an inch of its life (seriously, I saw at least five employees constantly shelving and re-hanging items exactly where they were labeled to live), and it’s a resale emporium that reads like a department store.

Wanna see my finds? (I know.) A smattering of the spoils which [briefly, safely] stopped my heart:

Nora's Halloween costume: purple dragon, $9.99. BOOM.

Itty bitty adorable clothes: Most were $3.99, max.

Mama's new shoes: And yes, those are Franco Sarto leather slingbacks...
which usually retail for $80...going for $5.99. YES, THOSE ARE.

Name brand baseball mitts! Sure, they're pink n' purple, but it's a start! 

An adorbs hanging frame- which I've been dying to find to hold
ultrasounds of my three teensy babies...all for a whopping 99 cents.

We also picked up a bunch o' clothes for P.J. (average of $5 apiece), a crazyadorablesecret Halloween costume for Susannah ($6), a supra-cute maternity sweater ($4), a buncha frames (.99 apiece), and the happiness that comes from scoring ALL of The Finds at ridiculously fabulous prices. (And my cashier informed me that stuff simply flies off the shelves there- and thousands of new items are stocked daily. Which made me want to return immediately.)

You’re seriously gonna want to go play at a Savers near you. (Check here for locations!) And tell them I said hi.

And pull aside anything in my size/color/décor scheme.

I’m totally not kidding.

***

While this is a sponsored post by Savers Thrift Stores- and you know I would do just about anything for a thrift store bargain- you can rest assured that all thoughts, opinions, and AWESOME SHOES are my own. 

Keely Steps Out (In Supremely Cute Orthaheel Boots).

I'm very very very thrilled to write this sponsored post on behalf of Orthaheel and Sole Provisions. Yay, boots!

Now that I'm safely ensconced in my 30s, it's easy to see that I've begun a trend of wearing shoes that are extremely good for my feet.

This is a welcomed change, as I spent the majority of my 20s clad in footwear designed to destroy arches (and fall apart at the first sign of weather).

And as a gal who for so long prized quantity over quality and so cute over pretty much all else, it's awesome to find boots and shoes that can be a) functional, b) supportive, and c) yeah, ridiculously cute. (I mean, I'm not dead yet. I still have some standards of looking borderline attractive. No, they really are there.)

I am neither Waldo nor a pirate.
Just in case it ever comes up.

I'm massively in love with my new boots from Orthaheel (the Nell, in black) for these very reasons, as well as the fact that they look vaguely motorcycle-y which, sure, I'll never be in any danger of riding an actual motorcycle, but I think we can all agree that it's an attractive look for Fall. (The boots. Not me on a bike. Because never.) The ruching by the ankle is a cute touch, and I love side zip boots. Love 'em. (So does P.J., who will be in charge of all things Footwear Removal within the next few months.) And the footbed is roomy and supported and ohmyword feels like a nice, footly hug.

Here's what else I dig about these boots and this company: the technology that went into creating this line of shoes and boots is clinically proven to reduce pronation (read: not walking like a normal person, KEELY), and can help your overall foot feel like a million bucks.

You can check out this wonderful line of footwear at Sole Provisions- where I got mine- which not only features some rather adorable shoes and boots, but also offers brands upon brands designed to make your bones and joints and extremities feel adorable, too.

As someone who's currently plowing through her third pregnancy, I'll take all the adorable-makin'/adorable-feelin' help I can get.

And cute boots, too.

Although I was compensated for this post by Sole Provisions and Orthaheel, all thoughts and opinions (and gushy love for footwear) are my own.

Invisalign Approves Of My Snackiness.

I could talk about my love for Invisalign until the cows come home and am thrilled to write this sponsored post for them. That said- all thoughts and opinions and AWESOME TEETH are my own.

*

In honor of National Smile Week (check out Invisalign's Facebook page for some super cute images celebrating this holiday!), I thought I'd share a few more stories about how my smile actually came to be. I know I've blogged before about my childhood rabbit teeth and how flippin' awful grade-schoolers can be, but only a few of you know about my incredibly special first round with braces.

In 5th grade- shortly after the public teeth-shaming debacle, surprise, surprise- I went into "traditional" metal braces. And I'm not gonna lie; I thought that the ability to color-coordinate my brackets to holidays or favorite hues was wicked amazing.

But the sharp, pokey parts jutting into my lips and cheeks, the abundance of wax I accidentally swallowed, and the necessity for nerdtacular headgear were things I could've done without. And that previously mentioned latex allergy? Yeah, that sorta kiboshed the whole affair a tad early.

It was just as well. Turns out, if you tell 10 year-old Me that she cannot have popcorn, gum, hard candy, carrots, or anything remotely sticky? It becomes positively obvious that I cannot live without popcorn, gum, hard candy, carrots or anything remotely sticky. How're you gonna keep me from my carrots dipped in caramels (something I've just at this moment made up)?

So yes. It didn't "take." And even though a major impetus in the choosing of Invisalign a decade later was to look good for my camera-friendly career (and the boyfriend whom I knew was The One), I also didn't feel like saying sayonara to cheddar popcorn or strawberry gum for the next little while.

The guy for whom I underwent the Invisaligns, back in our dating years.
Also, I'm wearing my aligners in this very picture!

Besides, anyone who's seen P.J. knows that popcorn plays a major culinary role in all of his relationship snacking. It's true.

And another plus of the whole process? The realization that I had never before in my life taken better care of my teeth than while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Every single time I'd remover my aligner trays to eat some corn on the cob, I'd actually floss my teeth before putting the aligners back in. Floss, people. That's some toothly TLC right there. And for each frozen Charleston Chew I'd demolish (I never purported to be a macrobiotic vegan here, people), I'd do the whole dental care routine: you know, the one you normally reserve for two days before your dental checkup?

More pluses: Orthodontic visits were generally once every 6 weeks, the cost was roughly the same as metal braces, and the treatment on a whole took less time than my run with metal braces.

Worldwide, there are more than 2 million Invisalign cases- wanna check out if this innovative treatment is right for you (or your own rabbit-toothed preteen)? Invisalign braces are approved for all sorts of crazy teeth issues, such as overcrowding, under and overbites, widely spaced teeth, and even sometimes cases with a special blend of dentally improbable mouth issues. (Ahem.)

Go get pretty teeth. Don't disrupt your life while doing so.

And pass the popcorn, yeah?

This was a sponsored post on behalf of Invisalign. But I wasn't kidding about the popcorn. 

Green Giant's Veggie Snack Chips Are My Go To. If My Fam Leaves Me Some.

I love snacks. I love snacks. I think Snacks should be their own mealtime: Breakfast, Snacks, Brunch, Snacks, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner, Snacks...(and then a tapas-style Snacks before bed.)

People who stop snacking after 8pm: I do not understand you.

Folks who don't experience 2pm/4pm/11pm hunger pangs: I do not understand you.

But I am understood (and heard loud n' clear) by Green Giant, especially with their new superstellar line of Veggie Snack Chips. They know that I want something delicious and different and yeah- even something made with real vegetables from time to time.

This past weekend I was lucky enough to try the new Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chip (Garden Ranch) and the Multigrain Sweet Potato Chip (Barbecue)- and the friends with whom I grilled out were all-too happy to weigh in on their favorite. We started with the Garden Ranch chips (like our snacking was a wine flight or something), and they went over well, especially with my little girls. I could easily see these becoming a Mom's Purse staple (what, you don't do that, too?), and I think they'd be pretty spectacular with hummus. However, the loud n' clear winner was the next course, the Barbecue-flavored sweet potato chips. As in, my pals liked them so much that I was barely able to try one. (Vultures, all.) But from full mouths, a few chip crumbs, and a practically decimated bag, I pieced together that they would've liked to have had some more. (For testing purposes, obviously.)

Nora was, unsurprisingly enough, quite willing to be a Snack Tester for both varieties...but I didn't trust her with the whole bag. (I know her kind. I am her kind.) Her glowing, verbose review?

"Yums."

I call this one Little Kid, Gigantic Bowl, No Chips For Mom.

These refreshing snackaroos from Green Giant are light, flavorful, and make a wicked nice addition to a weekend bbq.

If they last that long.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

KinderCare, Or Why We Don't Eat The Dry Ingredients.

I so dig early childhood education, and am rather honored to be writing a sponsored post on behalf of KinderCare.

***

There is absolutely nothing better than seeing a little kid truly understand something for the very first time. It makes you realize that yeah, this smallish (and rather messy) person is well on their way to becoming a thinking, thriving, productive member of society and will one day become an independent one. Kinda heady stuff.

As a lot of you know, I was a nanny for close to a decade. I also taught kindergarten through 3rd grade song n' dance n' theatre. And I loved my jobs. I loved the wild abandon with which little kids would create, learn, question, and trust. I like to think that those experiences carried over to my motherhood- especially in the sense that I love to create "learning moments" for my girls that have nothing to do with workbooks, flash cards, or curriculum.

Like Monday morning, when the bitty ladies and I decided to bake "cupcake muffins." (Their phrase, not mine.) Nora, ever-impatient to get to the Good Part (i.e., the eating of said cupcake muffins), was asking why she couldn't just eat the dry ingredients while they were being added to the mixer. (Her toddler sister nodded in hungry agreement.)

All master chefs need purple fairy aprons.

So I let 'em. We all dipped [clean] pinkies into whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and the teensiest bit of vanilla extract. They were thrilled by this complete disregard for "the rules." And totally dismayed that the vanilla didn't even taste like vanilla. But after the briefest of lessons in chemistry and a very hippie dippie "Isn't it nice when all the ingredients work and play together" speech on my part, Nora decided that the finished product was nicer than any of the single ingredients...and that being patient can be rather tasty.

And just like Nora questioned the contents of her mixing bowl, it's oh-so important to question our kiddo's educational paths. Which is why it's completely awesome that KinderCare (and Knowledge Beginnings Centers) are hosting open houses all over the country on August 13th. Families are welcomed (and encouraged!) to tour, ask, plan, and decide if these learning centers are right for your child. You can find your neighborhood center, schedule a personal tour, and explore their theme of Learning Moments- all those fabulous teachable times that happen away from the chalkboard. Even better, any family who tours a KinderCare or Knowledge Beginnings Center between now and October 18th will be entered to win a free year of tuition to one of these centers- and five families will win! (Check out the spiffy terms and conditions here.)

And go see if KinderCare's blend of ingredients is the right recipe for your li'l cupcake.

***

KinderCare provides high quality early childhood education and childcare for kids who are infant aged through kindergarten.

One of the best ways to learn more about KinderCare is to attend their nationwide Open House on August 13, 2013. Visit KinderCare.com to find the closest KinderCare Learning Center or Knowledge Beginnings Center to you.
And bonus! KinderCare’s Back-to-School Sweepstakes will award five families a scholarship worth one calendar year’s tuition for one child. To be eligible, families must visit their local KinderCare Center and take a tour. Terms and conditions apply. Visit KinderCare.com to see the Official Rules.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of KinderCare.

5 Ways Quaker Has Saved – and Fueled – My Mornings

The very hungry, very pregnant blogger in me is thrilled to be writing a sponsored post on behalf of Quaker and their spectacular line of breakfast foods. Yum.

When you have little kids – I've got two and another on the way – you learn very quickly that it’s important to feed them. (Like, all the time.) You also learn very quickly that they like options. Delicious options. Especially for breakfast, which is defined as “a very, very early meal needing to be served to your family before you've had your first cup of coffee.”

The good people at Quaker understand me and my breakfast dilemmas. They dig that, while I’m totally onboard to serve my kiddos healthy and tasty foodstuffs, I’m not the most awesome 7:00 am sous chef. So, to that end, I present 5 Ways Quaker Has Saved – and Fueled –  My Mornings:

5. Quaker Oatmeal. (Which my preschooler calls “oppameal,”something I hope will nevereverever change). We’re currently digging on Quaker’s Perfect Portions cinnamon instant oatmeal, a resealable bag of awesome. And did I mention “instant”? Listen, the quicker we can get to the coffee-makin’, the better.

Try some, kids.

4. Healthy Nourishment. Those really, really good aforementioned instant oats? They contain no added sugar. I could make some kinda cutesy joke about how my kids are sweet enough, but the honest truth is that I fear those sugar crashes.

3. Energy. Everybody and their Mama knows that oat-based breakfast foods give you (read: your kids) enough get up n’ go to actually get up n’ go. (Like the kind of physical activity that’ll inspire them to ride their bikes/run around the yard/ leave the kitchen long enough to let you wipe down the room.) I love seeing how it fuels their days.

2. Soccer! Lately we've been talking about how our hometown soccer team, the Chicago Fire, is teaming up with Quaker to host The Quaker Invitational. It will bring together hundreds of Chicago Fire Junior teams from around the country for a weekend of soccer, community, and fun. (Considering the type of breakfast-table convos that can occur between two little kids, this new topic is straight refreshing.)

1. Cookies. Quaker makes breakfast cookies. Cookies that are for breakfast. I cannot get enough of them. Namely,Quaker's Soft Baked Bars Banana NutBread. High in fiber, crazy amounts of vitamins and protein – lalala – I’m eating cookies for breakfast.

Full disclosure: My daughters do not yet know about number 1.

I feel not a qualm in the world.

Neither does Susannah.

I've been compensated by Quaker for my review, but all thoughts and opinions (and empty soft baked bar wrappers) are my own.

Netflix Wants To Make Your Summer Easier (And Nicer).

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Netflix. (Whoo hoo!)

No one should be surprised by now that my family loves watching movies. And shows. And documentaries. And war epics. (Okay, that last one is a highly specific cross-section of the family which includes just one individual. He’s the tallest. And the only boy. And he’s P.J.)

And I know y’all know how hard I love Netflix. The instant gratification. The nonexistent commercials. And the ability to- say- watch it from nearly any device as I fold laundry/wash dishes/distract the heck outta my children. That’s not to say we haven’t been spending an insane amount of this [rainy] summer outdoors. We have. But sometimes- just sometimes- my overheated, overstimulated, undernapped children need a little help unwinding as we set the table, prep some dinner, and wash our hands for the umpteenth time.

And a crazy li'l fact: Did you know that parents spend nearly double on summertime entertainment for their kiddos than they do during the holidays? And how about this- a one year subscription to Netflix (at $7.99 a month) costs less than taking two trips to the movies with a family of five? (And we haven't even hit the snack bar yet.) Why not do as my family does...and watch a movie after supper...and stay up a little too late...and stay up even longer talking about it...and act out a few pivotal scenes/characters/voices...and ask for a breakfast inspired by the movie the next morning? (Again, a few of these things are very family member-specific.) 

The Museum of Science & Industry Combats "Summer Brain Drain-" And Gives You Free Admission!

(I'm more obnoxiously excited than my children to have had the chance to write this sponsored post on behalf of the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry. Seriously. It's ridiculous over here.)

Every single Chicagoan knows the glory of our awesome Museum of Science & Industry; from the famed Science Storms to the impossibly detailed Great Train Story to the charming Main Street (with obligatory ice cream parlor and old-fashioned cinema breaks).

And the MSI has added one more thing to love- their Summer Brain Games program. Created to combat the dreaded "summer brain drain," it's a FREE series of projects and experiments emailed to you all summer long! (Did you know that student-aged kiddos can lose up to three months of learnin' in the summer? I personally don't have that kinda grey matter to spare these days.)

As Nora and Zuzu can attest, these projects are indeed "all ages" (with a teenser bit of parental help). Pretty sure those of you with biggies will be watching your kids fly through these experiments with nary a request for assistance. Here's what we've tackled so far:

Science Project #1: Weather Station/Rain Gauge!

It's been a pretty good summer to measure some rainfall, yeah? Nora and Susannah were up to the task of slicing and dicing a seltzer bottle, inverting the top, adding some gravel, securing the two bottle pieces (with sock monkey tape, natch), attaching a ruler at gravel level, caaarefully setting the rain gauge outside, and proceeding to watch the rain fill their weather station for the rest of the afternoon. Science!

Science Project #2: Super-Stable Structure!

Everyone knows that the best structures feature triangles and a big ol' x in the design. (Everyone knows that.) So we built a completely non-threatened-by-the-elements model of the Hancock Tower out of popsicle sticks. And it is perfect. I'd show you the finished model, but you'd have envy. It's that beautiful.

SO. Here are two clutch tips which I figured I'd share from my experiment experience with the two Little Littles:
-Whenever possible, do these projects outside! Clean-up is a breeze, and it makes you feel like a super parent to combine both learning and fresh air.
-And do not let Susannah hold the tape. Ever. (Ever ever.)

I bet you're wanting in on this action, right? (I know.) Check out- and sign up for- this FREE series of science projects here...and guess what else? With your enrollment into this FREE program, you automatically get one complimentary museum admission.

As someone who lives and dies for the museum's free and discounted days, that's nothing to shake a [taped and measured] stick at.

And guess what else, people? I'm holding a little giveaway, courtesy of our friends at the Museum of Science & Industry: good for four free passes to the Museum of Science & Industry. Yes. And it's open to anyone able to get to our good ol' MSI sometime this year. Stoked? I know. (More details attached to the Rafflecopter below.)

So go sign up. Get your science on. And then I'll see you at the Museum.

I'll be the one hogging the Avalanche Disk.

The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is offering a fun and free online science program called Summer Brain Games. The eight-week program lasts from June 17, 2013-August 12, 2013 and features a weekly experiment or science challenge that can easily be performed at home with kids of all ages.

Visit msichicago.org/summerbrain now to register for Summer Brain Games and download your free Summer Brain Games kit. As an added bonus, registering automatically gets you a pass to come to the Museum for free this summer.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hyundai's Epic Playdate- Part 2!

Remember way back when I posted about super-stellar playdates as part of the Hyundai Epic Playdate contest/extravaganza? Well, a) the one in Santa Barbara, CA, happened and was a blast, and b) the fun's still going on so I was asked to blog about even more awesomesauceitude re: the perfect playdate with my miniature partygoers.

'Cause lets be honest- some people really know how to put the adept in playdate...if you're into anagrams...and you don't use all the letters...

ANYWAY. To check out what uber-blogger Dooce's epic playdate entailed, check out her post here, and her vid of her day at Arches National Park in Utah with her kiddos.

So my initial dream playdate with the girls was at the beach and involved a rather heavy emphasis on summertime treats. And while that's certainly still the most epic of epic...

...I've also been having thoughts about The Country. Specifically, letting them run amok in The Country without fear of semis and trains and pollution and excessive noise and Good Lord, put that down, I don't want that anywhere NEAR your face. (No, but, for real, I love the city. Love it. Totally in love.)

These girls are seriously ready to party. Especially in the Out of Doors.

Our epic country playdate would involve wild, rolling fields. Willow trees under which we could nap and read and picnic. A [smallish] pond for tadpole-catching, barefoot-splashing and, if you happen to be Susannah, face-snorkeling. Could there be a pony or two for riding? There should be a pony or two for riding. Heck, let's throw in some docile bunnies for patting. And just like that- we've added a free range petting zoo.

It will be potluck- and all of you will have brought amazing things, for you're all terrific and diverse cooks. Friends will also have brought bins of books and blankets and soccer balls (not to be used too close to the bunnies) and their own barefoot children.

The more the merrier.

Especially since I'm gonna need some help wrangling my kid out of the pond.

What would your epic playdate entail/Can I come?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Freaky Rivet Wants To Help Your Kid Be An Awesome Person.

You know I love me some kiddo activities, right? And you know how much I love sharing super-stellar companies that come my way. And I know you know there's only so many times* you can play Memory in a given day.

So I recently signed up with Freaky Rivet, a truly hilarious (and inspiring!) site designed to get your children up and at 'em- and their sticky hands off of your techie gadgets. In the words of its' creators, Freaky Rivet is "on a mission to get kids moving, creating and exploring." A lot of their projects and ideas are free. A few other things are subscription-based and cost an itty bitty bit more. Some recently featured activities have included learning how to walk like Spiderman, taking some science to the kitchen and making raisins dance, and creating a butterfly rainforest any ol' place you wanna put it. (Like in the master bedroom. Sorry, Peej.)

It's not that they don't embrace technology, it's just that they want to level the playing field and remind kiddos (and their overworked parents) that the Out Of Doors is a fairly nice place to be. (As the Mom of a toddler who believes that Dora lives in my phone, this is helpful.)

So go check them out for more info! (Now, or later via that cute little sidebar ad I've got goin'.) Future plans for this company? They're in the process of creating city-specific itineraries and have plans to partner with charities, so that Freaky Rivet can fund the activities of even more kiddos. (A current itinerary is called London Spies- heck, I'd do that one even without my kids.) And FYI, annnytime these itineraries happen for Chicago, we'll be at the ready.

(*Seven. The numbers of times you can legally play the game Memory a day is seven.)

***

Full disclosure: As a new affiliate with the company, I get a couple of bucks kicked my way when you sign up through my links or sidebar ad. Nothing to write home about, but figured you should know in case a) you're wicked keen on honesty and/or b) hugely opposed to me making some money. I totally understand. ...For real. It's fine. Fine. 

Kids Bowl Free= Free Bowling All Summer Long= I'm Sorry, WHAT?

You guys. YOU GUYS.

In honor of the first day of summer, I'm doing [awkward] backflips to tell you about this simply unreal summer event.

It's called Kids Bowl Free, and I'm fairly certain you're gonna find a participating bowling center in or near your town. (Yes, even you, darling Canadians.) Ready for this? Once you sign up- for free- your kid gets to bowl twice a day, all summer long. For free. There is, quite literally, no catch.

It is insane. It is wonderful. It is free bowling all summer long for your children.

Kids Bowl Free is an awesome program designed by bowling centers and community groups to provide safe (and fun) places for kiddos to be all summer long. Also- for my friends who are educators/parents/folks who value intelligent American students- Kids Bowl Free is sponsoring a 100k classroom supplies grant program. In case you needed another reason to think these people are terrific. Check out their feature on NBC Nightly News.

Personally, I can't wait to take the girls bowling. Zuzu is already showing mad athletic ability, and Nora happens to be ridonkulously competitive. I've already signed them up, so it's a recipe for awesome. (All summer long.)

Seriously, pals, go register your kids and receive your free emailed vouchers. It's really that easy. And hey, want to join them? I happen to be giving away a family four-pass of bowling vouchers good in the U.S. and Canada. Tell your nieces and nephews and neighbors and friends and people you don't even like that much because hey, this is a really good deal and it's open to everyone.

Want to win 'em? Enter via the totally-non-scary Rafflecopter below and it'll pick the winner by next Friday. Either way, make sure to get your kids' free bowling passes ASAP. Because we all win.

Especially me. Who gets to introduce yet another type of cute footwear to her children.

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While I was provided a family pass for writing this review, I wasn't compensated in any other way, shape, or form. So you can rest assured that my barely-contained glee and opinions are my own.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

ProudOn TV And The Cutest Videos In The World. (Yours, Obviously.)

This is a sponsored post on behalf of ProudOnTV. Opinions (and adorbs Nora vids) are my own.

As a ton of you may already know, your "private" videos on Facebook aren't very private at all; all it takes is one share from someone in your own network to spread that video far and wide. And uh, unless you make a living broadcasting your kids' every taste preference and hilariously mispronounced phrase- ahem- you probably don't want your kiddo's bathtime vid (meant for Grandma and your first cousins) to be viewed by total strangers.

That's where ProudOn TV comes in: a free, simply laid-out website for sharing videos. And the best part? It's as private or public as you'd like it to be. The default settings for each ProudOn TV website is set to be extremely private, meaning the only viewers allowed are those whom you personally invite via Facebook or email with individual codes. And by private, they mean private- no tracking or cookies are employed, and they'll nevereverever broadcast your personal info. (Hey, bloggers/entrepreneurs/people who dig being on camera- ProudOn TV websites can be customized for businesses, too, or as an extension of a blog! For instance, check this awesome gal's site out.)

The most important part of any website set-up is the picture of one's shoes as the background. Obvie.

I dug setting up my page with pix, videos, and color schemes. (And I'm not kidding about the "simply laid-out" thing, either. One of ProudOn TV's slogans is Grandma Tested, Kid Approved. Brilliance.) And I gotta tell you, it's rather cool to see my videos lined up all purty-like. Kind of an OCD lady's dream.

How would you feel about starting one of these awesome websites for yourself (or your extended family or for reunions or for besties with the cutest kiddos ever or to showcase your terrific vlogs or or or...)? And in case you're completely iPhone-addicted (*cough*), there's also an app for that. Check that out.

ProudOn TV is super easy to use and has a fully customizable design to suit everyone’s tastes, which provides a fun and sentimental experience for all involved. Fun, easy, and free to start: go here to learn more, open your personal account right about here, and use this rad code (FAMILYWEB14) for my readers to get a $60 credit (for future storage, for upgrades, sky's the limit)!

Signing up today using this special code automatically gets you $60.00 in credit on your ProudOn TV account, which may be used towards a future increase in data storage or an extended traffic plan.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ProudOn TV.

Better Together On Laundry Day With P&G.

(I'm thrilled to be part of the DailyBuzz Moms Tastemaker program with P&G. Though this is a compensated post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. As are those clean, clean clothes.)

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I have never been- and will never be- accused of being a Style Blogger. (Sigh.)

I've worn the same red hoodie since 8th grade. My youngest sister is convinced that all three pairs of jeans I own are the exact same pair. And I've definitely worn items that my daughter Nora has coveted and later layered into her own ensemble.

She's three.

But I know what works for me...and I stick with those pairings. Leggings (fine, fine YOGA PANTS) and shirt dresses. Tee shirts and skirts that might as well have been made from tee shirts. And, uh, hoodies n' jeans.

Circa 2007. He's another example of "better together."
(And he likes how I rock a hoodie.)

And now I can name another good combo that works for me. I was recently able to try Tide and Bounce and Downy, courtesy of P&G, and realized a few shocking things:

First off, that I had previously not known how to add Downy fabric softener to my washing machine. Had. Not. Known. How. I felt like a tourist, asking questions of the bottle like- Que? It goes in the machine?

Secondly, each and every one of these products is available in a fragrance-free, sensitive skin variety. Which is awesome, because my youngest kid has easily irritated skin. (We call her Rashley Judd. Or Rashlee Simpson, depending on the age range of those around us.)

And third, when this load came out of the dryer, my husband folded the entire thing. Coincidence? And even though he SAID it had nothing to do with the bright, soft, and fluffy nature of the laundry (seriously, the dish towels stacked twice as high), I think we'll just stay the course with this one and hope for a repeat.

Because when you've got a good thing going, you just stick with it.

Like a red hoodie.

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This post is sponsored by P&G. With Tide®, Downy® and Bounce®, you can keep your summer fashions looking new up to 50% longer.* Text CLEAN to TARGET (827438) for mobile coupons.
*vs. leading value detergent alone

A Party, Some Chubby Toddler Legs, And Wal-Mart's White Cloud Diapers.

(I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Wal-Mart and receive their new White Cloud diapers for Susannah to try out. This is a sponsored post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.)

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This past Wednesday I hosted a bevy of Chicago-area mamas and their adorable offspring for a party featuring Wal-Mart’s reintroduced line of White Cloud diapers. And what a crew! While the kiddos snacked and dashed and snuggled, the Moms tested the new diapers- and braved a couple of hilarious baby shower games. 

There was a race to see who could down a baby bottle [full of water, nothing too cray, here]. Turns out, those newborns have some serious drinking abilities with those teensy bottles. (It took me way longer than I’d like to admit.) And how about Guess That Baby Food? (Sniffing in the diaper?) LeTroy over at Thriftinista In The City took the brave to a whole new level- and tasted the thing. Automatic winner.

Winner.

And there were plenty of chubby diaper-clad legs running around, showcasing the White Cloud diapers to their maximum cuteness. We all agreed that the softness factor was a major plus, and I personally was stoked that this incredibly affordable line didn't cut corners in the comfort department. I also dug that the diapers are hypoallergenic and fragrance free- anyone else have a rashy baby in the house? And finally, the best thing about these redesigned White Cloud diapers is that they work. An ultra-absorbent inner core and reinforced cotton sides guarantee that I’m not gonna need to bring three pairs of toddler pants every time we leave the house.

Because hey, anything that makes life with a toddler easier (and cheaper) gets my vote every single time.

Diaper model.

Diapering can be one of the biggest expenses in a family’s weekly budget and a great performing diaper is a must-have for parents. In order to make this affordable, Wal-Mart has reintroduced their premium line of White Cloud diapers to address the needs of today’s busy parents. White Cloud Diapers provide your baby the highest quality diaper with superior leakage protection, exceptional softness and great fit. White Cloud Diapers are available exclusively at Walmart, where you can find low prices everyday on all your family’s needs. Check them out today!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of #WhiteCloudDiapers.

Learn To Love Your Freezer.

Listen, there are times when it’s darned near impossible to find the time to bake a chicken pot pie for your family. (For the sake of this blog, let’s just go ahead and mentally swap each “you” with “Keely,” okay? That way I won’t feel so alone in my time management ineptitude and you won’t feel berated by a snacky blogger. Good? Good.)

Anyway. Chicken pot pie. Let’s be honest- you don’t even know how to bake a pot pie. Even if you had unlimited time and resources (which, again, you do not). This does not change the very simple fact that every single person in your household would lose their curly-headed minds in joy if you were to present them with chicken pot pies multiple times a week.

So you think to yourself- there’s gotta be a way around this. And you contemplate buying frozen. And you hem and you haw and then you learn that Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s meals (which include honest-to-gosh gourmet chicken pot pies!) are made with fresh, real ingredients. Like, real real. Created with appealing and crave-worthy recipes. And, surprisingly enough, with over 80 meals coming in at fewer than 400 calories apiece, Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s can be a smart option for a healthy, portion-controlled diet.

For which you promptly take yourself out of the running when you devour three pies in a row. Because they’re downright delicious. Your 3 year old, for example, calls the individual chicken pot pies “the dessert crust.” (Your husband, for that matter, just silently gives you the thumbs up while eyeing the baby’s slow progress on her own pie.)

Which is all you want in a mealtime, anyhow; culinary adoration and grateful requests for seconds.

You could learn how to bake that chicken pot pie. You totally could. Or, in the time it takes to prepare the flaky crust (hiding chunks of tender chicken and flavorful carrots), you could do something else.

Like thaw one of those insanely awesome coconut cream pies.  

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Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s created a video that follows two women on the adventures of their daily lives, imagining how new technologies will impact their routines, especially in the grocery store. From apps that store your grocery list to recipe research on Pinterest, the landscape of shopping is quickly changing. With various resources available to consumers, they are now, more than ever, interested in learning where their food is coming from. And just in time for National Frozen Food Month (March), these brands are helping shoppers to predict the future of shopping for frozen food!

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ConAgra Foods frozen meals give families access to real ingredients like crunchy, freshly cut vegetables, homemade pasta and ripe fruit year-round. Just like most people blanch veggies before freezing them – ConAgra Foods does too – to help preserve color, texture and keep them fresh!

Give it a try sometime! Marie Callender’s hearty pot pies are filled with tender meat, freshly cut vegetables and Marie’s authentic golden, flaky crust. And Healthy Choice recipes use chef-inspired ingredients like, apples instead of sugar for tart sweetness and a splash of red wine for a punch of flavor instead of added salt.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ConAgra Foods.

A Dream Playdate From Hyundai- A.K.A Get Me To The Beach.

So, today I have the opportunity for some awesomely lucky readers to win an invite to the wicked exclusive Hyundai Santa Fe's Epic Playdate Weekend in Santa Barbara, California. But first, here's my dream playdate with the gals:

It would start early- but not too early. (This is, after all, a "dream.") Maybe 8 or 9? Can we all agree on 8 or 9am? And it would be at the beach. Of course. But not a super trendy, crowded-with-hot-bodies-who-by-comparison-make-me-feel-badly-about-myself kinda beach. Nor would it be filled with tween boys who want to impress tween girls by kicking sand all over the place. No. Mine would be a quiet beach with a cove, a gentle tide, some nice areas to explore...and an ice cream truck. We'd bring a breakfast picnic, a snack picnic, a lunch picnic, another snack picnic, and a cooler of non-kid-friendly beverages. (Because all of my best friends and family members would be there with their kiddos, and I've seen them drink. Backup is key.)

A big ol' art project under some shady trees (because there's a wooded glen near my dream beach) would be the first order of the day- perhaps some sort of found object collage- and we'd paint and glue and get as messy as humanly possible. No one would tell anyone to wear a smock, and there'd be no talk at all of watching out for the floors and walls and cats. It would most likely end up being some sort of ornamentation for the world's most opulent sand castle-

...So next up would be the creations of the world's most opulent sand castle. We're talking turrets and balconies and moats and- yeah- even a sand dragon. Then we'd swim and float and pose like mermaids, stopping occasionally to gather the perfect shell or heart-shaped rock, and then dry off to eat one of our multitude of picnics. We would read under cavernous umbrellas. And we'd nap. (Taking turns amongst the adults, obviously, to make sure toddlers didn't wander off or fall into the castle moat.) We'd wake up just in time to catch the beginning of a beach concert (a kid-friendly hair metal 80's cover band- it'll be awesome) and dance and snack and dance some more. On our way home, we'd stop at the coolest- and safest- playground we'd ever seen; tire swings without chains that catch long ponytails, tall twisty slides, gargantuan hopscotch squares- and an ice cream truck.

And then we'd all fall asleep early and stay in bed until 8am the next morning. A girl can dream.

Now for the real deal: Hyundai's Epic Playdate Weekend may even be cooler than my snacky, beachy fantasy. On April 27th, an insanely fun day is planned from 9-5 in Santa Barbara; mammoth bloggers such as Dooce, Girl's Gone Child, and How To Be A Dad (to name just a few) are camping out on the beach and hosting ridic awesome workshops like kids' photography, paint fights, and ice cream sundae bars. You want to go, right?

Here's how:
1) Enter via my special-awesome link.
2) You must have a Pinterest account for this one. Full deets here.
3) When the form asks you how you heard about this crazy cool sweepstakes, select "Clever Girls Collective."

{Optional}

4) After you've won and attended this fabulous event, take your favorite blogger to a beach of her choosing and babysit her kids while she naps under a striped umbrella.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.