I was excited to dive into For What It's Worth... Love, Dad :  Things I always meant to tell you, if only we'd had the time by Bruce Smith.  This book was amazing.  It is a Father's Love Letter to his grown children. This book made me smile as I could relate as a parent and it even brought a tear to my eyes (Chapter: Bedtime.)  I even laughed out loud as I read the chapter titled Richard and Dad Go Fishing (And Richard learns some new words.)

Many times we see the Mom's point of view.  Mom's are supposed to love their little ones and they often seem to have the main focus.  This book shows how Bruce Smith put the time in with his children and how much he truly enjoyed his role as a Father.  It is a collection of life stories about his family and experiences with his children as well as some little quotes.  The quotes are priceless. 

I plan sharing this book with my kids as they get older.  I really think they will see the value in the stories.  It is one of those things you could give to your child that is moving out for the first time.  Perhaps I'll include a letter of my own with some of our personal stories and life lessons in my words. 

Additional information:

"For What it’s Worth…Love, Dad: Things I always wanted to tell you, if only we’d had the time” (ISBN 1466499176), a collection of essays by Bruce Smith, is the author’s expression of love to his children in the form of short, touching memoirs and pithy life lessons.

Smith says that the most satisfying job he ever held is being a good father to his children – and that parenting doesn’t stop when our children leave home. In this often humorous and sometimes touching book he offers a tribute to the memories he shares with them and powerful examples of what it means to be a family. Addressing a broad range of themes including the fear felt when a family member is in danger, how to recognize and make right choices and the importance of trust, the book is full of anecdotes and common sense that any family can relate to.

“I began writing the book because I didn’t want my children to ever think we had left anything unsaid,” says Smith. “And ended up celebrating the life we’ve shared, giving them something to carry forward in life.”
The idea for the book came about when Smith’s grown daughter emailed him seeking marital advice. He wrote her back, offering what he hoped was sage advice and signed the email “For What it’s Worth, Love Dad,” which led him to think of many other trials his children might yet face and the tools they would need to deal with that adversity. The result is this collection. Written to engage, entertain and inspire, the book is aimed at children and parents of all backgrounds. - PR NEWS CHANNEL 

I hope you will take the time to read this book for yourself.  You can purchase your own copy on Amazon.com. 

~ Lisa

One of my biggest weaknesses is sweets. I love just about anything that has to do with chocolate or cake. However, if I am going to take in the extra calories I want my sweets to be good and not just o.k. I want to actually taste the flavor and enjoy it. For those of you who are like me and who enjoy a sweet treat now and again, wouldn't it be neat to have cake and a candy bar all rolled into one? Thanks to Cakedy, there is!

Cakedy is dubbed as Minnesoa's Candy Bar and currently comes in three different flavors; Peanutter, RedHead and Choco Chocatus.  Here is further details on each:
Peanutter: peanut butter cake nougat mixed with butterscotch chips and covered in a chocolate shell
RedHead: strawberry cake nougat mixed with strawberry chips and covered in a vanilla shell
Choco Chocatus: chocolate cake nougat mixed with chocolate mint chips and covered in a chocolate shell

I received a Peanutter and a RedHead Cakedy and let me just say....yum! I really enjoyed the butterscotch chips in the Peanutter and I liked the fact that the RedHead offered something other than a milk chocolate. The insides were moist and each bar comes individually wrapped and is nicely proportioned.  The best part about it was the fact that I didn't have to share being that my husband hates sweets and the kids were sleeping.  Of course, I am sure I am paying for it with slightly tighter jeans!

Cakedy's are sold by the 3 pack and retail for $4.99.  They can be purchased directly from cakedy.com . If you are looking for a unique gift, a treat for the classroom or office, or even just for yourself I highly recommend Cakedy!

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For Christmas this year my In-laws gave me a basket with some home made soaps in it.  I thought it was an odd gift at the time but boy was I wrong.  I quickly became hooked!  I thought about making my own soaps but after looking into the process I saw that it is very complicated and not something I have the time to devote to right now.  My Inlaws  had gotten my gift  at a craft show so I thought I wonder what is available online because ordering online is so easy. 

Well I stumbled onto Jenuinely Pure and WOW!  Handmade soaps are not like commercial bar soaps.  They don't come in uniformed little bars, each is beautiful with it's ingredients and colors.  No two bars look alike!  They also smell so much better!  That alone is enough for me but the true benefit and why I'm hooked is what happened with my skin.  It felt better!  I noticed I wasn't as dry as I was after showering.  It helped with my patches of psoriasis too ( of course individual results may vary).  I think it made bath time something to look forward to because I love lathering up with something that smells so good.  Ok and this was the last shocker...  John, my husband he liked them too!  I thought he would complain because he is usually pretty particular about his shower stuff.  We had the opportunity to try all 4 scents Jenuinely Pure offers and our favorites were Cinnamon Oatmeal and Vanilla Bean. 

• Cinnamon Oatmeal: Distilled water, saponified oils of olea europaea (olive), organic cocos nucifera (coconut) and organic elaeis guineensis (palm fruit), organic oats, organic ground cinnamon, cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon leaf) essential oil.
• Pink Grapefruit: Distilled water, saponified oils of olea europaea (olive), organic cocos nucifera (coconut) and organic elaeis guineensis (palm fruit),confectioner’s sugar, ground paprika, citrus paradise (grapefruit) essential oil
• Orange Clove: Distilled water, saponified oils of olea europaea (olive), organic cocos nucifera (coconut) and organic elaeis guineensis (palm fruit),organic orange peel, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) essential oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) leaf essential oil
• Vanilla Bean: Distilled water, saponified oils of olea europaea (olive), organic cocos nucifera (coconut) and organic elaeis guineensis(palm fruit), vanilla planifolia (vanilla bean) powder, natural vanilla oil

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One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on  February 16 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.




~ Lisa

 At four months old my little girl slowly begun using a sippy cup. I remember how unsure of it she was and once she finally got the hang of it she would get the biggest smile like she was quite the pro at it. At almost fifteen months old she still uses a sippy cup but shows a great deal of interest in our cups. She is continuously pointing to our cups and really gets a kick out of using a straw. I eventually got her a sippy with a straw and just as soon as I did that her interest turned to water bottles and regular open top cups.

We recently got the opportunity to try out an awesome cup from Silikids.  Silikids was founded in 2006 by two friends who were also mothers naturally concerened about toxic materials in children's products. Silikids is a children's accessory company that is dedicated to making safe, clean and hygienic products out of silicone.  Although there are several companies that make silicone products for children, Silikids is the first company to introduce silicone sleeves for glass bottles.  Silikids also offers silicone knee pads for crawling little ones as well as glass sleeves for baby food jars and adult glasses. 

We received the Siliskin Glass 6oz in lime green.  As the name suggests, this cup is glass with a BPA free silicone cover.  Glass is known as the cleanest option for drinking and is a great alternative to plastic drink-ware.  This cup is small enough for toddlers to easily hold and the Siliskin makes it easy to grip as well as provide protection to the glass itself.  The Siliskin Glass 6oz comes in a four pack and can be purchased at www.silikids.com for $25.95. 

I will be honest, I was a little reluctant to put this glass in the hands of my fourteen month old.  I sat her in the highchair with the cup barely filled with some milk.  I stood closely just waiting for a disaster to happen since flinging her cups off the side of the highchair is not an uncommon occurrence.  The first couple of sips I guided her and "helped" but was truly amazed at how well she did thereafter.  Here is a little video of her drinking out of her big girl cup!  We will still use her sippy cup while we are out and about but while we are at home the Siliskin Glass is going to be our go to cup.  Here is a short video of her using the Siliskin Glass.

Summers Closet is a great little online store that sells handmade designer clothing for women and children.  We recently had the opportunity to test out their Aprons.  We received a Grillmaster, Grillmaster Jr and one for Mr. Bear as well!  I have to say these are beautifully made! They feature high quality fabric and pocket detail.  We choose ours to say, "Kiss the Cook."   My boys were so excited that I didn't even get to wear it yet!  Austin my oldest took the adult sized and Xander wore the junior size and we made a batch of brownies.  Cooking with children is so much fun and it is a great life lesson for them to learn for sure!  I'm sure that we will get many years of use out of them as well because it won't be long before my big boys will be out of the house but I'll still have Jace who is growing up fast! 








You can purchase aprons like these directly from Summers Closet as well as other beautiful clothing. 


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One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on  February 23 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.




~ Lisa

I have three little boys.  Two of them are not so little anymore though.  At 9 & 11 we are starting to really accumulate some stuff around our house.  I feel like I buy containers for all their junk and I'm still over run with toys and games.  Now forget balls!  They are some of the hardest things because shape wise they take up so much room if you put them into a container.  With the two boys we have balls for every sport!  Ball Claw is a great solution because you can hang them on the wall.  They are great to hang in your children's room or even a garage if you don't want that in your kid's bedroom.

Additional information:
The Ball Claw holder is a quick and easy way to organize sport balls in any garage, basement, or child's bedroom. Preserve the life of basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, and footballs while displaying them in an organized fashion. Inside, outside, and in any kind of weather, the Ball Claw is THE way to display, organize, and preserve your sport ball collection.



My thoughts:

I really liked Ball Claw.  The kids and I put all their different balls into each size to see how well they fit and it was great.  They are easy for children to put their balls in and out which is a big plus.  I have yet to hang mine up because we are waiting for the weather to get better.  They will be going on the side of our shed so the kids can get to them easily while playing outside.  I really think they are a great solution for storage.

You can purchase your own set of Ball Claws on their site or at Amazon.com.



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~ Lisa

It is almost that time of year again when the flowers begin to bloom and days seem a bit longer and sweeter. It’s finally time to break out the garden planters, mini greenhouses and complimentary trellises. Spring is right around the corner making its primary debut on March 20th. This time of year greatly anticipated by nature lovers and gardening enthusiast is a time to get outside, explore and watch as everything bursts back to life.

It’s still a bit frigid in some parts of the states, but that’s alright. This is the perfect time to begin weeding and pruning in preparation for that beautiful garden most have been dreaming about for the last several months while being cooped up with cabin fever. Well, guess what - this can very easily become a reality for anyone. Even with limited space, there are endless possibilities.

Container gardening is ideal for small spaces and introduces various colors and style options to areas. These beautiful and practical planters can infuse any area with new life. Container gardens generally require frequent watering. Self watering planters include a reservoir system that ensures plants get the water they need so watering can occur less often. Garden planters are offered in frost proof as well to hold up against freezing temperatures and protect plants in colder climates so getting an early start on planting is an option.

Creating a personal garden gives a great sense of accomplishment. It’s all about the beauty and the tranquility that it brings. And it’s not just about bringing beauty to surroundings; it also is a reminder to stay close with the earth and be good stewards of the environment.

Window boxes, another form of container gardening, are a nice addition to any home. They add classic touches of elegance to windows, decks or railings. They also add instant style and glamour to an otherwise bland and often overlooked area. These boxes can easily become conversational pieces at spring socials and barbecues as they showcase bold and beautiful blooming annuals or perennials.

Choosing just the right mix of plants and flowers for a personal garden can bring a bit of spring to a home early in the season and be enjoyed throughout the season.

A Minute For Me :  Learning to Savor Sixty Seconds by Megan McDonough is unlike any other book I've read.  It is designed like a devotional but the focus is on taking time to learn more about yourself rather than learning about religion.  There is a little personal story for each section than a short section that helps you to apply the thought to your life.  With our busy schedules often times we don't take the time to focus on ourselves.  I know I don't have an hour to devote to 'me time'  that would indulgent but it is never going to happen with 3 kids and a husband to tend to.  I can however take a few minutes to read a few pages and so that is what made this book work for me! I really enjoyed that I could pick it up when I had a few minutes to spare but then I could think on the Minute for Me section through out my day. 

Additional information:

The high price for trying to get everything done is letting yourself become undone. A busy life is an easy place to lose you. Even in a busy life, the greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of your own attention, discovering from within what is true and authentic. For this self-discovery, exotic travel is optional. Inquiry is mandatory. A Minute for Me gives you the tools that encourage inquiry, including:

• Personal short stories to motivate your own exploration and inquiry
• Simple 60-second exercises to build your “self-awareness” muscle
• Ideas for generating new perspectives that can easily fit into your day without changing your schedule or adding another item on your to-do list

You can think about the past, plan for the future, but the only time you experience life is right here, right now-in this very moment. A Minute for Me helps you live this moment to its fullest.
Maybe that is the ultimate exotic travel-the exploration of your own heart.


You can purchase A Minute For Me on Amazon.com.  Also be sure to visit the Author Megan McDonough's website for additional information!



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One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on  February 23 , 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.




~ Lisa

 About:

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli ("Spirited Away," "Ponyo") comes "The Secret World of Arrietty," an animated adventure based on Mary Norton's acclaimed children's book series "The Borrowers."


Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty's family from the home and straight into danger. The English language version of "The Secret World of Arrietty" was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom. The film hits theaters Feb. 17, 2012.


~ Lisa

Did you know that Halo has a great program to replace your hospital blanket with a Halo SleepSack Swaddle.  Halo's SleepSacks and Swaddles are some of the most inventive products I've seen.  11 years ago when I had Austin I struggled with swaddling him in a blanket.  Now it is so much easier when you can just plop them in and fasten the velcro.



Program Details:

 HALO Innovations has been working with hospitals to provide SleepSack Swaddles through its HALO® Safer Way to Sleep Initiative.  Today, over 800 hospitals nationwide are taking part in the program and modeling safe sleep practices for new parents right from their child’s first day of life. Leading health organizations agree that modeling proper baby care in the hospital is the single biggest influencer on how parents will care for their baby in home.

• Specially designed HALO® SleepSack® wearable blankets for In-Hospital use, made of durable fabric with easy access to monitor leads.
• FREE safe sleep education materials for parents and staff training.


You can find out more information on Halo's site here and here.   If you are interested in purchasing your own Halo SleepSacks you can find them on Amazon.com.