BabyCenter has been around for a LONG time!  But If you haven’t heard about it or haven’t been there in a while, check it out!  They offer the best tips for expecting moms and moms of big kids and everything in between!

We couldn’t get enough of the weekly emails that tell about what is happening inside that baby bump!  It comes complete with pictures of what your baby looks like and what you can expect as your baby develops!  You can connect with other moms, read about what other parents like you are facing and so much more!  Check it out at www. BabyCenter.com!

Congratulations to subscriber Sheri R. who is the big winner of our Favorite Maternity Must-Haves valued at over $600!  You lucky girl!  Hope your pregnancy is just as wonderful as you are lucky today!!!

Thanks to all who commented, and stay tuned for more of the absolute best of the best… for the family who has everything but deserves more!!

Everyone is trying to find ways to save money with the economy being so rough!  We found a great way to save some cash on eating out so you can spend your moolah on the ’somethings’ that are more important…like some of our Favorite Things!!!

KidsMealDeals.com is a great site that provides info on restaurants that give discounts and free meals to kids!  You can simply search by City and State or Zip Code and…voila!!  We searched our city and quickly found several local restaurants that have Kids Eat Free days and offer huge discounts for kids… and hey, with our three boys it helps:)!

So check it out, save some cash, support your local restaurants, and help our economy in the process!!

Tasha

Of all the people who deserve the best of the best, expectant mommas are at the top of the list!  Here are the yummiest drinks and snacks we could find for the most special people in the world!

Glow Mama is a refreshing drink for moms-to-be and nursing moms who want to stay hydrated and actually enjoy what they’re drinking!  Glow Mama is loaded with the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber you need to keep going and glowing and rejuvenates you with the crisp, invigorating taste of kiwi.  During your pregnancy and while nursing it’s so important to stay away from artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, and preservatives.  Not to mention alcohol and caffeine!  With Glow Mama in your glass, you will not feel like you are missing out on anything!  We love their section on Mocktails for Mamas where they encourage you to celebrate being a mom!  There are several really fun and oh so yummy Mocktail recipes for you to mix and enjoy.  Try them at your next play date or baby shower!!  Also as an extra bonus, Crista found that it actually helped cure that pesky pregnancy heartburn!!!

Being pregnant usually equals one thing for sure…being hungry!  Nutribella Bellybar Snacks are here to save the day!  From their Vanilla Dreams Shake, Baby Needs Chocolate Bar and Citrus On Board Chews they have your snack attacks and cravings HEALTHFULLY covered!  That’s why we love it!  You get all of the decadent flavors you want, but without the guilt as it’s so good for both you and for baby!

All Nutrabella products provide more than just some yummy for your baby tummy!  They are uniquely fortified to provide key prenatal vitamins and minerals women need before, during and after pregnancy.  Now I know we don’t have to force you to eat chocolate that’s good for you!  Visit www.nutrabella.com for more info and for some coupons to get your own!  (Because you’re not having mine!)

Fill your heart with LOVE!  Valentine’s Day is here and we are here to give you a couple of cute ideas to make your Heart Day unique and fun!

1.) Cover your valentine’s favorite chocolate bar for a sweet gift in just minutes. Add ribbon, buttons, stamps, or cutouts to make it even more personal.

2.) Make a garland of hearts cut from fabric scraps layered and attached with iron-on adhesive. Punch small holes in the sides of the hearts and tie them together with ribbon.

3.) Cut hearts from white paper and write love notes on them with a white crayon, then hide your hearts in strategic morning locations. Place a box of watercolors at the breakfast table, and brush paint over the hearts to reveal the messages.

4.) Recycle a vintage glass bottle (easily found at a flea market or secondhand shop) into a Valentine’s message-in-a-bottle. Throw in feathers, cookie fortunes, and delicate paper curlicues, then top with a cork and tag.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Ideas and photos from BHG.com

Are we there yet?  Whether you are going down the street or the next state over, don’t worry about hearing that whiney question!

Our friends at FamilyFun.com have compiled a great list of free printable travel games like the Road Trip Maze and Find The Difference coloring sheet!

Check them out at www.familyfun.go.com!

My latest thoughts about teaching my kids the art of writing a letter have inspired me to make some homemade stationary.  Here’s a fun and unique idea that I just love.  The pictures shown are of cards but I think it would also be adorable done as full sheet stationary!  Make some with your kids and write a letter to Grandma!

Directions:  Pick (or buy!) some fresh daisies or other sturdy flowers with distinct petals.  Pour your paint into shallow dishes that are wider than the blooms on your flowers.  Lightly dip the blossom of your flower into the paint and carefully press it like a stamp onto the cards to create a beautiful floral image.  If you can’t see distinct petals, try removing excess paint by pressing your flower on a blank piece of paper before using it on your card.  You can also try applying paint to the petals of your flower with a paintbrush.  Have fun with your cards.  Try stamping a single bloom in the center of the paper or add more to create a pattern.  You can also experiment with different colors for interesting effects.  No two cards are exactly alike, so you’re sure to end up with unique and personalized stationery!

Ideas and photo courtesy of www.homemadesimple.com.

One of the classic New Year’s resolutions out there is to be more organized in the coming year.  The Queen Bee herself , Oprah, recommends this easy and practical system for organizing any room.  We suggest starting with a closet or pantry.  You will see quick results and you’ll be inspired to tackle the rest of the house!  Here is what Julie Morgenstern, author of Time Management from the Inside Out and Organizing from the Inside Out, and Oprah favorite suggests.

Julie’s Organizing Formula – S.P.A.C.E.

Sort: Identify what’s important to you and group similar items.

Purge: Decide what you can live without and get rid of it (e.g. donations, sales, storage, garbage).

Assign: Decide where the items you keep will go.  Remember, make it logical, accessible and safe.

Containerize: Make sure they’re sturdy, easy to handle, the right size, and that they look good. The art of containerizing is to do it last, not first.

Equalize: Spend 15 minutes a day to maintain what you’ve done.

Photo courtesy of Country Living.

There are not many things better for a family than to simply have meals together. Families, especially kids, benefit enormously from frequent positive family meals:

1.  Improves family communication

2.  Improves nutrition and eating habits

3.  Improves literacy development among preschoolers

4.  Develops a protective factor for adolescents against tobacco, alcohol, drugs and low grade point averages

“Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine 2004 Study: Correlations between family meals and psychosocial well-being among adolescents.”

The more meals your family has together, the more you’ll enjoy these amazing benefits! And remember, keep the meals positive, lighthearted and fun.

More specifically, according to research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, children and teens who have frequent family meals:

• Are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine with their families infrequently
• Are less likely to have friends or classmates who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs
• Have lower levels of tension and stress at home
• Are more likely to say that their parents are proud of them
• Are likelier to say they can confide in their parents
• Are likelier to get better grades in school
• Are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships
• Have healthier eating habits
• Are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide
• Are less likely to try marijuana or have friends who use marijuana

Information courtesy of www.ftfgames.com
Image courtesy of "Daddies" Little Golden Book, Illustrations by Tibor Gergely

Every party needs the perfect little party favor!  Our friends at Better Homes and Gardens know this well and had the cutest idea for these fortune telling balls!  We knew you would like it as much as we do, so here’s how you can bring a little magic to your own party!

To make them, wrap plastic foam balls with yards of 2-inch-wide crepe paper that comes on rolls, stretching the paper as needed and slipping hand-written fortunes in between the layers.

Get creative with the fortunes too!  You could theme them or even personalize for an especially thoughtful experience for the lucky one opening it!

What would you like to read in your fortune for 2009?  Leave a comment!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

Here is a simple idea to jazz up your toasting glasses for when the clock strikes midnight!

You can make these champagne flutes in custom-etched designs by wrapping self-adhesive vinyl around clean glasses, and use a craft knife to cut away the design elements (wherever the vinyl remains, the glass will be clear).  Apply etching cream, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Your guests will love them so much that they’ll want to take their custom-designed glasses home…and you are off the hook for a New Year’s gift!  Yayee!!!

Many thanks for yet another great idea from www.bhg.com!

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

Ever get stuck on those pesky lyrics for that infamous song played on New Year’s?  We always sing it (incorrectly, no doubt) and no one even knows what it means!  As always, we’re here to keep you on top of things!  “Auld Lang Syne” basically means “times gone by”.  So we are singing about lifting a glass to times gone by!  Now you’re informed and you can get your pipes ready because this year you will be able to sing along!  Below are the lyrics for the classic holiday song, “Auld Lang Syne”.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
We twa ha’e run about the braes, And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wandered mony a weary foot, Sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa ha’e paidled i’ the burn Frae mornin’ sun till dine;
But seas between us braid ha’e roared, Sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
And surely ye’ll be your pint stoup And surely I’ll be mine
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Chorus
And here’s a hand, my trusty frien’ And gie’s a hand o’ thine
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Chorus

We love bringing you something different and new to make your holiday celebrations special and unique.  You can start your Chanukah off right with these yummy and fun cupcakes, courtesy of BrightIdeas.com.  Your little darlings will love them and and the adults will marvel at your delicious creativity!  Enjoy the festival of lights and Chag Sameach!!!

Ingredients:

1 yellow cake mix
2 cups chopped MILKY WAY® Bars
Vanilla frosting (Try our our Heirloom Buttercream Frosting from last week!!)
Blue and yellow food coloring
White candy glitter
24 pieces TWIX® Brand Caramel Cookie Bar Minis
24 pieces M&M’S® Brand Peanut Chocolate Candies
2 12-cup cupcake pans
Cupcake liners

Prepare cake batter according to directions on box. Add MILKY WAY® Bars to batter before filling paper lined cupcake cups. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 21 to 24 minutes. Cool completely.  Tint 1/2 cup frosting yellow, set aside. Tint remaining frosting blue and cover the cupcakes. Sprinkle frosting with candy glitter.  Press one TWIX® Brand Caramel Cookie Bar Minis, standing straight up, into the center of each cup. Dot the top of each TWIX® Brand Caramel Cookie Bar Minis with yellow frosting and attach a yellow M&M’S® Brand Peanut Chocolate Candies.  Arrange nine cupcakes into a line, creating a menorah. Lift the center (fifth in line) cupcake slightly.