No More Leaky Diapers #TheClueIsInTheBlue @SheSpeaksUp @Luvs

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Luvs

We have all been there at some point, we pick up our baby and their whole bottom half is soaking wet.  Not the most pleasant thing to have to touch and I'm sure it does not feel too great for them either.  Choosing diapers is hard enough, and then finding out the ones you chose don't do their job is really frustrating.  Thank goodness Luvs has come out with a super absorbent diaper with leakguards.  The new leakguards are 15% more absorbent than other Luvs diapers.  Nothing is worse than waking up at 3 a.m. and having to change your baby's diaper and bedding.  By the time you get it all done, your little one is wide awake and ready to play.

Luvs Super Absorbent diapers have a contoured shape with leak barrier leg gathers for a snug comfortable fit.  With an ultra absorbent leakguard core that helps lock wetness away from your baby's skin, these awesome diapers absorb even more than regular Luvs.  So next time you run to Walmart for diapers, make sure you look for the Luvs with the blue seal right on the box.

If you want to stay informed about all the great new things that Luvs has to offer, check them out on Twitter or Facebook.  

Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark

Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark is located in beautiful Branson, Missouri.  They offer a 30,000 square foot indoor waterpark and 10,000 square foot outdoor waterpark.  They also have an on-site restaurant, a 24-hour arcade, gift shop, and day spa & salon.   The resort features 98 Tower rooms connected to the Waterpark through interior corridors, and 102 exterior entrance rooms in the two Atrium buildings located approximately 50 yards from the Waterpark.  Each Tower room has a built in Kiddie Cove (6' x 4') with a bunk bed and 19” flat screen TV.  The Tower room accommodations boast 2 double beds or 1 king bed, 32” flat screen TV, mini fridge, coffee maker, iron, ironing board, and hairdryer. Our newly refurbished Atrium rooms boast 2 queen beds or 1 king bed, a 32” flat screen tv, coffee maker, iron, ironing board, and hairdryer.  Castle Rock offers one of Branson’s best attractions right on-site with their 30,000 sq ft indoor and 10,000 sq ft outdoor waterpark.  The waterpark features 150,000 gallons of splashtacular fun with two 500 gallon dumping buckets, multiple indoor and outdoor kiddie pools with rain showers and waterfalls and more!  You can enjoy a swim in their indoor lap pool or play basketball in the indoor activity pool.  Loop and dip through our 2 large three-story thrill slides, kick back for a ride on the lazy river, play on themed water slides or relax on the multilevel sun deck.

Big Savings Weekday Special - Book your reservation online and receive 30% Off your entire stay! Valid on new reservations only.  Not valid in conjunction with any other offers, discounts, promotions or packages. Blackout Dates: 10/13-10/17, 11/28.  Offer Expires: 12/19/13 

Wet & Wild Weekend Package - Includes 2 nights lodging, waterpark access, breakfast each morning for 2 adults & 2 children, VIP coupons, 1 water blaster, 2 adult & 2 children Branson Wild World VIP admission (includes animal adventure tour, arcade, and mini golf).  Package starts at $268, 25% off. On new reservations only. Not valid in conjunction with any other offers, discounts, promotions or packages. Blackout Dates: 8/30 - 8/31, 10/18 - 10/19 Expires 11/2/13 Call 1-888-273-3919 to book or visit http://www.castlerockbranson.com

For the Love of #Taekwondo

On any given day, if you walk in to our Dojang (the place you practice Taekwondo) you will see people of all ages and sizes working together, supporting each other and having a great time practicing Taekwondo.  Taekwondo is a form of Martial Arts which originated in Korea.  It combines combat and self-defense with excercise and is also an Olympic sport.  It is the world's most popular form of Martial Arts.  You may wonder what makes Taekwondo so special and why so many different people are interested in it, I wondered the same thing about a year and a half ago.

Having two active kids, I need to make sure they get plenty of excercise and ways to use their energy.  My daughter has been in many sports since a very young age, she loves them all and loves to be part of a team.  I had a harder time finding something for my son.  He has ADHD and sometimes has a hard time with regular team sports but I knew that if he did not do anything he would end up spending his days in front of a TV or video game.  We saw a pamphlet for a Taekwondo school in a neighboring town and thought we would give it a try.  The pamphlet talked about Martial Arts being good for children with ADD and ADHD because of the structured training.  It said that children would learn respect and self control and improve fine motor skills....I was sold.

So it has been a year and a half or so and both my children and I are enrolled at the school.  My son struggled at the beginning but is showing great signs of improvement.  My daughter is doing great and I joined and absolutely LOVE it.  As someone who was never into sports I was not sure I would be any good, and trust me I am far from great, but I do my best and I think I'm improving.  I joined to support my kids and to have something that we could do together and I stayed enrolled because Taekwondo has given me an outlet, a confidence boost, a positive environment, great friends, an awesome workout and so much more.

People ask me sometimes why I drive out of town to THIS school, why not stay local, pay less money....I'll tell you why....  Any sport you or your children do/play has a cost, if you want to be taught by high school kids through the park district then the quality of your training will reflect that.  If you want to be taught by Masters, from Korea, who have dedicated themselves to provide your family with great training in a great environment, your training will reflect that.  Ask anyone at our school what they think of our Masters and Instructors and they will have nothing but GREAT things to say, and the kids love them so much.  We have picnics, holiday parties, summer camps, junior sleep overs, we volunteer together and we support each other.

Taekwondo is a great sport and if you have ever wondered about it you should really give it a try.  Before you run out ad sign up wherever, do some research, find a good school with qualified instructors.  Only 5% of Martial Arts instruction in the US is taught by Masters using the appropriate curriculum.  I can proudly say that our school was started by Grand Master Bill Cho who is the Founder and President of the United States Martial Arts Taekwondo Federation, President of the Illinois Taekwondo Association, and a Licensed 6th Degree Black Belt Grand Master through the US Taekwondo Federation headquartered in Korea.  He competed and trained at the Olympic Training Center and is a multiple recipient of MVP at the Korean American Games.  He also served as a coach at the World Cup Games in Vietnam and Tokyo.  We are more than a great school, we are a community that I am proud to be a part of!!

Make A Plate Art Project and Coupon Code

I’ve just been given the opportunity to review the Make A Plate Art Project and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.  If you want to follow along, my readers save 30% on their Prepaid Art Plate Kit (that’s a savings of over $5!) - USE PROMO CODE: USFAMILY at Makit.com 

Makit has been in business for over 40 years.  Make A Plate kits allow children to let their creativity soar in crafting a lasting gift for Mom, Dad, Grandparent or teacher.  All Make A Plates are nontoxic, BPA-Free, dishwasher safe and proudly made in the USA.

This would be a really fun project to cure boredom, my kids love making arts and crafts projects and we can't wait to make our plates!!

Walgreens HealthCare Clinics Make Back to School Physicals Easy #HealthcareClinic #Shop #CBias

Its my favorite time of year, back to school time!  Its also a very busy time, I try to get all of my kid's appointments for physicals, eye and dentist appointments and so on done before the school year starts.  My daughter plays a lot of sports so we get a sports physical each year.  This year we decided to try out the convenient HealthCare clinic located inside of Walgreens.  These are popping up everywhere and they are perfect for people who work during regular doctor office hours because they offer evening and weekend hours.  If you are new to an area and have not found a primary physician, these clinics are a nice solution also and they accept most insurance plans.

My daughter asks me ever year if she is going to need shots, not this year, no shots for fifth grade.  We did not make an appointment, just decided to drop in.  If you notice in the background there are men hanging up the brand new HealthCare Clinic signs on the outside of the store.

The clinic was easy to find as there were signs all over the store, including right below the isle signs.  It was located in the back of the store, right next to the pharmacy.

Right now, school physicals are offered at a reduced rate of $39 (reg. $60) until 9/30.  They do not take insurance for these physicals.  We did not need any papers from school, we just went in and said we needed a physical.  Unfortunately for us, the waiting room was packed and there was over an hour waiting time.  We really should have called ahead and made an appointment.  

We spent some time browsing the store and hanging out in the waiting area.  We got in and saw the nurse practitioner and got my daughter all checked out.  Once we got in the whole check up did not take very long.  If we would have had an appointment we would have been in and out of there in a very short time.  I love that these clinics are located inside of Walgreens stores because there is a Walgreens in almost every neighborhood.

End of Summer Family Time #ChulaVistaResort #Dells #ChulaAmbassador

This summer really flew by.  It seems like it just started, maybe it's because June was so rainy we didn't really get to do too much.  My husband has also been working some crazy hours, even Sundays sometimes.  He finally has a few days off so we can spend some family time before school starts up and I start working.  We don't want to go anywhere far so we are heading up to Wisconsin Dells for a few days.  I'm really excited because we are staying at Chula Vista Resort and I have heard nothing but great things about it.  I've been looking at their website and all of the great things they have to offer.  The weather is supposed to be perfect too, cross your fingers it doesn't rain like the last time we went to the Dells.  I saw on the Chula Vista Resort website they even have a sandy beach, that rocks since we didn't get to go to Lake Michigan this year.  I will be posting pics on Instagram so if you don't already follow me, you can follow me by clicking HERE.

Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips #GiantFlavor

Yay! The new school year is almost here! I know I am not the only mom out there super excited about back to school....right? These kids have been bickering for too long and this school year also brings something new for me, a full time job! I know, stay at home mom, but now that they are both in school full time I really wanted to find something too. So I will be working as a full time aide at my kids' school. Perfect job when you have young kids, I will have all the same days off as them.

 With school comes packing lunches, and I pack theirs every day. Sometimes lunches get a little monotonous so I have to be on the look out for some new goodies to put in there. Green Giant just came out with these delicious Veggie Snack Chips that are perfect for school lunches.  Now don't think that these are a substitute for actual vegetables, they are not, not are they meant to be, but they do add some yummy crunch to your child's lunchbox.

These veggie chips come in  4 different flavors Garden Ranch Tortilla Chips, Barbecue Sweet Potato Chips, Zesty Cheddar Tortilla Chips and Sea Salt Sweet Potato.  We got to sample the Garden Ranch and the Barbecue Sweet Potato and both were a hit at our house.  I'm a barbecue girl so I really loved those, and actually my son, who is the pickiest about his chips, loved them as well.  Everyone really liked the tortilla chips as well.

Since I will be packing an additional lunch for school this year, I will have to stock up on some of these veggie snack chips.  Also, if your school collects Box Tops, you will be happy to know you can find them on these chip bags.


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

The Dragon King

The Dragon King is a story which was inspired by 6 year old Ethan.  Ethan is a boy whom Vivian Slade, the author, met on the burn unit at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN in 2006.  It is a fully illustrated children’s book which tells the tale of young king, Ethan, who is unexpectedly forced to defend his kingdom.  The book's pages are filled with rich, imaginative text and intricate letters, and images reminiscent of medieval manuscripts.  It is also an audio book comprised of narration, characters' voices, sound effects and six fully orchestrated, musical theatre style songs.

In the story, Ethan's mother asks Ethan, “...what makes a just and honorable person?”  The answer: “faith”--in oneself and what one believes, “courage”--to meet life's challenges, and “wisdom”--to see the world with understanding and appreciation. 

And so to expound on these life lessons, a values curriculum has been created to accompany the story, using thirteen character traits that are exemplified in the pages of The Dragon King—Adaptability, compassion, contemplation, cooperation, courage, forgiveness, initiative, integrity, loyalty, optimism, perseverance, respect and responsibility.  This curriculum will be available by January 2014.  The book's website is thedragonking.com, and YouTube channel is TheDragonKingSeries.  There you can find interviews with author/composer, Vivian Slade, and illustrator, Johanna Adrian Burr, plus 17 audio clips with text and additional illustrations.  The Dragon King can be purchased as both an audio book The Dragon King Various Artists ($8.99) and Kindle The Dragon King Vivian Slade ($5.99) on Amazon.

The goal of the author and her team over the next three years is to give away one million copies of The Dragon King to hospitals, orphanages, libraries, and schools around the globe.  They will donate a copy for every copy sold.  They have already begun to work with need-based schools, a hospital, and orphanages in Cuenca, Ecuador, where they have been living for the past 10 months.  They have also launched an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign on August 5th to help them print the first 10,000 copies. 

                                       

Learning Moment and KinderCare Open House #TourKinderCare

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

Like it or not, we as parents are our children's first teachers.  I think sometimes we forget just how much learning happens right at home.  Although we all have busy schedules, we have to take some time out and just have a learning moment with our child.  Even if it is a small one, your child will remember it and will also love the quality time spent together.  My favorite learning moments are the ones that allow us to get hands on experience.  Usually, each spring, we plant a vegetable garden.  We did not get to this year due to my husbands crazy work schedule, but we did get to do some container gardening.  I thought that it would be a great time to teach my little guy about growing and gardening.  I gathered some supplies I already had around the house and we had a little gardening time.

All you need for this project is an empty egg container, some dirt and a packet of seeds.  Help your child fill the egg carton with soil and place one seed in each compartment.  Its always best to use large seeds that are easy for little fingers to hold and plant, plus then you really only need one per container.

When watering this little container garden have your child use a spray bottle rather than a watering can, this way they won't dump too much water into the garden and wash out the seeds.  As the seeds sprout you can talk about the stems and leaves, you can even pull a seedling out and examine the roots.  

Just like learning at home, school and daycare should also provide a fun high quality learning environment.  KinderCare is dedicated to providing your child with the highest quality care and learning and they inviting you to their open house on August 13th.  

KinderCare is holding Open House events at all of their learning centers across the country on August 13^th, 2013. Families are welcome to visit during the Open House to see what quality early childhood education looks like and get to know their local KinderCare teachers and staff. Families can click HERE to locate your neighborhood center. This link can also be used to schedule a tour at a different time

You can also enter KinderCare’s first ever Back-to-School sweepstakes that will award five lucky families a scholarship for one calendar year of free tuition for one child at a KinderCare or Knowledge Beginnings Center.  From now through October 18^th, 2013, new families who visit any participating KinderCare or Knowledge Beginnings Center and take a tour will be entered to win one of five grand prizes. Terms and Conditions apply. Visit HERE to see the Official Rules

Learning moments are those that are created away from the chalkboard, KinderCare focuses on capturing those learning moments every day and strives to make each moment a teachable one.  So if you are looking for a place that will treat and teach your child like you would, head over to the KinderCare's Open House so you can see for yourself why they are the right choice for your childcare needs.

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^th, 2013. Visit HERE 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 HERE to see the Official Rules.

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

Vonage Mobile App Available on iPhone and Android {Plus $50 iTunes or Google Play GC Giveaway}

Many of you have probably seen commercials about how Vonage saves people money on their phone service, well now it is available as an app for both iPhone and Android users.  Now you can talk, text and share pictures for FREE using the app.

You can make clear, high-def calls via the Vonage app as well as send pictures and texts to anyone in the world who also has it downloaded to their phone.  Once you download it yourself tell all of your friends and family to download it as well, then you can keep in touch at no cost.  If you call someone internationally who does not have the Vonage app, you still receive some pretty amazing savings.  You can also make free video calls!



App Features:

• Make free high-def calls and send free texts to anyone who has the app
• NEW Refer-a-Friend- Invite friends via SMS and earn $1 of credit, up to $10 for each friend who becomes a Vonage Mobile user
• Make hands-free calls while on the go with Bluetooth
• Text photos, contact information and share your location directly from the app
• Easily invite multiple people right from your address book
• Works on Wi-Fi and 3G/4G worldwide
• Uses your mobile number as your caller ID
• Easy in-app purchasing through iTunes or Google Play account
• Plus FREE calling to any Vonage home phone customer
• Special limited-time offer Get FREE calls to any mobile or landline phone in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico (up to 3000 minutes per month)

This app is super easy to use and will save you so much money on overage charges and if you have a limit on texts.  Tell everyone you know to download it and start saving money today!  Just head on over to iTunes or Google Play and check it out.

GIVEAWAY

You could win a $50 Gift Card to either iTunes of Google Play, winners choice.  All you have to do to enter is follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Vonage provided product for this review and giveaway. My review is an honest opinion based on my own experience and has not been reviewed or edited by Vonage.