4.26.2009

Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Program Winner

Congratulations to Staci!

Random.org pulled #7 and this is what Staci said:
Our favorite kids books right now are the Little Critter series.

4.24.2009

CHANGES COMING!!!

Hello Everyone! I am super excited to tell you that I'm in the midst of making some changes around here! Hopefully it can all be done and ready in a few days!

So what is changing??
I'm moving on over to Wordpress! this will allow me to make my site even better for you! I'm also getting a new look. So for this weekend, I'm going to put a hold on regular postings like "The Cloth Craze". I will get back with you next week on it!

During the meantime, if I'm MIA you can catch me on http://twitter.com/themorrisbunch. Contest winners may take a little longer. When the switch is over, if you are a follower, I will need you to re-follow but we will make it a contest!

Thanks everyone!

Help me win with leg huggers!

HELP ME WIN $100!

Go to MamaCheaps and leave a comment that THE MORRIS BUNCH should win with the cutest video!


If you do not know what leg huggers are they are worth checking out! Kam is modeling them in this video. I like to keep them on her to protect her legs while she crawls along the floor. It also keeps her legs warm when we are outside! Besides they are just too darn cute!

Misikko Giveaway


If you are like me, I have always bought the cheap hair accessories at the store. They all work the same right? Is it any wonder I can't get my hair straight like the celebs and other gorgeous people out there? So when I was given the opportunity to give one of my readers a quality flat iron, I said DEFINITELY! Keep in mind that I haven't personally tried this iron, but after reading about it, I think I need to!

ABOUT THE INFRASHINE

The UNIL Infrashine 1" ceramic flat iron features:
  • Heats up in 5 seconds to 5 temperature settings from 170-400 degrees F
  • On/Off Switch light pulsates when heat setting is reached
  • Even distribution of heat with no cold spots
  • Extra long 9 ft heavy duty UL approved cord with flexible swivel
  • 120 volts, 35-75 watts & 60 Hz
  • Made in Korea
  • The Infrashine flat iron protects hair color and condition follicles with rapid infrared ray heating from ceramic heaters and ceramic heating paddles. It has an adjustable thermostat control for different hair textures. At just a measly .5lbs, it is lightweight for easy styling!

    TO BUY
    Misikko is having a Mother's Day sale! Lots of products worth checking out at great prices! Treat your favorite mom with something they probably wouldn't buy on their own!


    TO WIN INFRASHINE

    Misikko has generously offered one of my lucky readers to win their own Infrashine flat iron. Retailing at $130.

    REQUIRED ENTRY:
    Visit Misikko and tell me a different hair product that you could use. Then leave me a comment about it!

    1. Follow Misikko on Twitter
    2. Retweet Misikko's Tweet about this giveaway
    3. Blog about the giveaway on a personal website
    4. Comment about another product from Misikko that interests you.
    5. Subscribe to Misikko TV, Misikko's YouTube Channel.
    6. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about giveaway (unlimited entries)
    7. Follow me
    8. Add me to your blogroll (4 extra entries)
    9. Subscribe VIA email
    10. Provide LINK back to this giveaway (let me know where link is located)
    11. Favorite me on Technorati (4 extra entries)
    12. Post on NON contest post on my blog (UNLIMITED ENTRIES and comment must be AFTER this giveaway was started)
    Winner will be chosen VIA random.org on Saturday, May 9.
    I will email winner ONCE and winner has 48 hours to claim before I re-pull.



Crib Diaries Day 4


Guess what! Daddy actually put Kam into her crib last night. Of course he looked like I just broke his heart when I told him that she was sleeping in there. This is definitely not the same man I met 4 1/2 years ago. The one that said NO babies in the bed, NEVER seen a cloth diaper or a breastfed 10 month old. Now here he is bending like a willow tree for a 10 month old little girl that can't even talk yet! What about Miss Sydnee and Miss Isabelle. When they look up at him and say "PLEASE" in their quiet little mouse voices. He is the first to cave! How can a 200 lb Tough gun toting man be taken down by a 20 lb little girl. So what if she has big brown eyes and the longest eye lashes. So what that she already has that puppy dog look down!

However, mama didn't give up on her mission to tackle the crib! He did put her in the crib. When she woke up at 10:30 though, he was the one that jumped up to get her. I can see now that this little girl is playing dirty. Time to get the big guns out and invest in a sound machine!


4.23.2009

Aloha Friday

It's Friday again!

Did you know that in Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the same thing as Casual Friday. So on Fridays, I like to keep it short and sweet. I will ask a question and you can answer with a short response. Don't worry about writing a book of a comment. We wouldn't want you taking time from your weekend plans!


What is your favorite summertime activity to watch?
I love watching the little kids play Tball and Softball. Tball is probably my favorite! I get a good laugh everytime!

For more Aloha Friday go to Island Life.






Crib Day 3


Well let's just say that Kam hit the jackpot last night. I was a NICE mama and let her stay in my room. It was actually my own laziness that played a role. Sydnee went into the room and messed it up. So I didn't want to clean it up or trip over everything. But Kam slept ALL NIGHT. Daddy will be home tonight so hopefully Daddy can be strong and not feel bad for her.

It's All About the Mutsy!



Charlie Sheen, Halle Berry, Tobey Maguire, Tori Spelling, and Tiger Woods have something in common? Do you know what it is? THE MUTSY!

Mutsy, originally founded as Mutsaerts in 1935, got its start building traditionally styled prams. Initially serving the Benelux countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the idea of portability and comfort were critical given these countries’ emphasis on walking. The result was larger than normal wheels to provide improved maneuverability and a smoother ride for baby. Currently, their vision is to create an aesthetically pleasing and technologically advanced frame as the basis of a distinctive new line of innovative baby transport products.

The basis of the Mutsy range is three frames, each with its own specific features. This allows parents to easily design or modify their own stroller. Various components fit into the clean and modern Mutsy frames such as a travel cot (bassinet), a stroller seat, a car seat (with adaptr), and a fun seat for toddler. An intelligent click mechanism allows for components to be easily interchanged with a single movement.

THE MUTSY 4RIDER
  • Mutsy 4Rider, featuring Mutsy’s signature modern profile with edgy, single-spoke wheels.
  • 4Rider “Next”, the extraordinary functionality and minimalist look of 4Rider with the addition of a luxurious leather handle
The 4Rider is available in these colors.
Active Coffee, Active Black, College Black, TeamCollege Lime, TeamCollege Navy, TeamCollege Ocean, College Orange, College Red, College Pink, Team Brown and Dark Kakihaki (both new for 2009).

Price range: $199 up to $870 for strollers. From $19 to $199 for accessories and other items.

Need More Room in your Dining Room?

Mutsy also has a FABULOUS booster seat, Grow Up seat. It has a sleek design that will make it look great in even the fanciest settings! The harness will keep your child safely secure during dinnertime. It will fit a child up to 4 years of age! It comes in raspberry, blueberry (shown), nut, mandarin, aqua and apple. Retails for $59.99

DISCOUNT CODE!
Mutsy is giving my readers a discount code for 10% off any Mutsy order at Goores. Use Code "tmbmu" at check out for your discount!



4.22.2009

A Thousand Words Thursday




For more thousand words Thursday check out TheMomJen.

Take the WAT-AAH Challenge!



Do you know why kids normally reach for sodas, juices and other sugar drinks instead of soda? Let's just say it! Water is boring! It's not aimed for kids. Wat-aah! created a challenge to prove to parents that kids will choose water over soda. Are you up for the challenge?



As you can see my girls PREFER the water and the bottles! The colors really attracted them!

What do you think your kids would choose?


Azur Skin Review

With summer fast approaching, it is time to start busting out the sunscreen! With so many options out there, you need to be able to make a wise decision! Did you know that ingredients in your common sunscreens contain endocrine disrupting chemicals? I did not know this until I found Azur. How can a product that is supposed to protect my family be bad for me? Well I decided to do my own research. I was shocked at what I found!

I am not going to tell you what the dangers of these ingredients are but highly recommend that you put some research in and check them out! Here are a few key ingredients found in your sunscreens that you should be aware of:

  1. Drometrizole Trisiloxane
  2. Oxybenzone
  3. Padimate O (octyl dimethl paba)

Azur Advanced Pro Cellular Sunscreen is designed to naturally protect your endocrine system while it protects you from UV radiation and sunburn. Azur sunscreen contains natural, mineral-based ingredients that provide instant protection against UVA, UVB, and UVC wavelengths.

Azur sunscreen is currently offered in SPF 30 and SPF 40 and is very water resistant. It also has no waiting period unlike other sunscreens that require 15-30 minutes between application and sun exposure. The sunscreen is the first of many products to come with the goal of providing your family with safe ingredients.



I chose to put the sunscreen to the test against our own sunscreen, Banana Boat Baby. I was shocked to find the results. I will be the first person to admit that I didn't read the directions on the sunscreen. Seriously how hard is it to spray some sunscreen on? I know that if I didn't read the directions, then other moms probably didn't either. I wasn't aware that there was a waiting period! When I'm done slathering on sunscreen, I don't have time to wait 15-30 minutes. There are times I slather it on when we are on our way out the door. If this is what you do, then Azur is definitely for you!

I will definitely be switching to Azur for my own family. Between the research that I found and the protection that Azur offers, I feel that this is the best protection I can get for my girls.




Azur is offering a 3 pack of 4 oz tubes for only $49.99 or one bottle for $19.99. Keep in mind that you can use this sparingly. A little goes a LONG way!


*Please note that this is my own findings and opinion.

Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Program LIVE GIVEAWAY

CLOSED
CHEERIOS SPOONFULS OF STORIES
Big Books in Little Hands

When I was younger, I remember begging for the "cool" cereal that had the coolest toy in it. As a parent, I was excited the first time I seen a book inside the box of cereal! Not just a cheap and corny book, but a quality educational book!

Cheerios has given away more than 35 million children's book in cereal boxes. Cheerios has also donated almost $3 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to low-income families.

In its third year, Cheerios is looking for anyone interested in writing children's books. This is to encourage previously unpublished, up-and-coming children's book authors and to nurture a love of reading. Entries will be accepted until July 15, 2009. Entrants will be judged on appropriate story and content for children ages 3-8, emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness, and read-aloud potential. For more information go to Spoonfuls of Stories Contest.

Cheerios has sent the Morris Bunch a Spoonfuls of Stories gift set. This included all four of these books that you see. Two of the books are in English and Spanish! All of the books have something great to offer our children.

The favorite in our house is definitely Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett. My girls love monkeys! We tell them all the time that they are monkeys. They also love books about animals which is what this book is about. I love that I can read the book in Spanish or English to them.

Cheerios has also offered 1 lucky family their very own Spoonfuls of Stories gift set.
To Enter:

For the first entry, you MUST post a comment answering this question:

If you could be a character from a children's book, who would it be?

After that as long as the comment meets qualifications then you can continue entering!

To Qualify:
  1. This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address. If you enter anonymously without providing an email address, then I will choose another winner.
  2. You must post a comment about your favorite children's book, favorite Cheerios, or the Spoonfuls of Stories program. (UNLIMITED ENTRIES)
  3. Twitter this contest and you can also receive an extra entry. (UNLIMITED ENTRIES)




You can enter as many times as you would like andyou can post twice in a row!
I will pull a winner sometime at 12AM EST on 4/25. I won't be telling you how far I will let it go, so keep posting! You can post consecutively.

Good luck!


Wordless Wednesday




4.21.2009

Crib Diaries Day 2



So last night I put Kam to bed at 10 in her crib. It went smoothly! Then I walk in and sit down on the computer prepared to get some work done. Then I hear WAAAAH!!! Not from Kambree but from Sydnee! So I get up to check on her. She's walking around screaming holding herself. So I knew right away that she had to go to the bathroom and was confused. She wouldn't calm down though and had an accident. That's when Kam woke up screaming. So now I have two screaming kids. I just wanted to curl up in the fetal position and cry. But I push that thought aside and put a finally calm Sydnee on my bed while I get Kam. She goes right back to sleep so I lay her down for a minute while Sydnee begins screaming again. I walk two feet and Kam's up and at it again. Seriously what did I do to piss someone off! Why can't they just go to sleep! By 11pm, I managed to get Sydnee calmed down and in my bed. Then I got Kam back to sleep and to her bed. Of course she was back up at 1am. She slept like crap since she didn't have a very good nap that day! Here's hoping to a better night tonight! I will conquer the crib!









DOT GIRLS WINNER




CONGRATULATIONS!

Sheila is the winner with comment 21. :) I will be emailing you shortly! You will have 48 hours to claim!









The UTurn Challenge


U-Turn Challenge

Four families have been challenged to turn their financial lives around. During the web series, the contestants and readers can learn how to make smart money choices. Of course a reality show isn't a reality show without a little incentive. $10,000 will be given to the household that makes the most progress.


MEET THE U-TURN CONTESTANTS
  • Erin, a single third grade teacher from Portland, Ore. Erin is looking forward to getting her spending under control, in addition to her classroom.
  • Brad, Tina and their two young children from Everett, Wash. Recent life changes (including Tina taking a 50% pay cut to spend more time with her family) have created financial hardship for this family.
  • Willis and Adria, who are ready to retire, from Salem, Ore. This couple’s long-term debt is threatening their hopes and dreams.
  • Julia and Danny, who live and attend college in Eugene Ore. This engaged couple would like to start their new life together debt-free.
You can also check out their challenge blogs U-Turn Challenge.

HOW CAN YOU BENEFIT?

With the current state of our economy, I think that it is wise if everyone re-evaluates their finances. First Tech Credit Union offers resources as well as financial tips to the contestants that can be useful for readers as well. Now go check it out and cheer your favorite household on.

Who is your favorite household?
Are there any financial tips that you found are helpful?




Paper Shouts brings you BRIDE WARS!



With wedding season fast approaching, there is a must see wedding comedy ready to hit your homes! What is this wedding comedy that is raising the roof? BRIDE WARS! On April 28, the stores will begin selling a copy of BRIDE WARS! This is one movie that would make a great moms night IN.

BRIDE WARS stars Kate Hudson as Liv and Anne Hathaway as Emma, as childhood best friends. When they both became engaged to be married, they decided to plan their weddings together at the Plaza Hotel. Due to a clerical error and clash in wedding dates wreak havoc with the two brides! Neither one ready to step aside for the other while they war against each other to get the wedding they wanted.



Even though they are best friends, Emma and Liv, have different bridal styles. Which bride is more like yourself? Are you more conservative like Emma? Are you more cutting edge like Liv? No matter what style that you are, you can have the wedding you dreamed about! Paper Shouts offers bridal shouts of every style, among other great products, for every bride!




TO WIN:

What kind of friend would I be if I didn't offer you an opportunity to win your very own copy of BRIDE WARS and $25 gift certificate to PAPER SHOUTS.

This giveaway is open to US residents only.

To enter, post a comment about which characters style you relate more to—Emma’s traditional, romantic style or Liv’s couture, “only the best” approach as well as which Paper Shouts card you like best. To pick the card, go to Paper Shouts and then come back and comment.



For additional entries:
Please leave a comment for each additional entry you complete. (current followers and subscribers count as well if you already have my button)

  1. follow me
  2. Follow me on Twitter and Twitter about it (earn unlimited entries everytime you twitter about the giveaway!)
  3. Subscribe to my email list (2 additional entries)
  4. blog about the giveaway and link back (4 additional entries everytime you blog!)
  5. grab my button
  6. Add me as a favorite on technorati (3 additional entries)

For the entries that you received an extra entry, please leave one comment for each entry. For example (blog entry 1, blog entry 2, subscribe 1) this will ensure your entries are in!

The winner will be chosen via random.org on Wednesday, May 6!

In addition, you'll be entered to win the Grand Prize: movie memorabilia such as the sunglasses worn in the movie by Kate Hudson and a movie one-sheet signed by Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway and the Grand Prize is a great Mexican vacation—6 nights at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort and airfare for 2 on AirTran airlines.




4.20.2009

Soft Flowing Hair is achievable!


FHI Hair Straighteners

Soft Flowing Hair

Finding the best hair straightener for your hair could be a bit of an ongoing process. With all the many types out there today (ceramic, tourmaline, varying plate sizes, etc), it can be tough choosing the best one for you. When choosing a flat iron, tourmaline is extremely ideal for locking moisture back into your hair, reducing frizz, and adding that shine you’ve been looking for. With the FHI hair straightener, professional tools are here to stay with great technology, wide heat ranges, and exquisite tourmaline plates for soft beautiful hair.



Ceramic Flat Irons

Hairstyling Do’s and Don'ts


First time using your new ceramic hair straightener? Not sure how to get the most out of that sleek new CHI hair straightener? For the best advice, look no further than Misikko for plenty of helpful flat iron do's and don'ts. With great facts and beauty tips direct from a professional stylist, you’ll have salon hair in no time. From helpful info on heat temperature settings, wet to dry irons, and ceramic flat irons, you’ll soon be styling your hair like the pros.