OXY Clear it Up Sweepstakes

Oxy products have been around for years!  I remember using them when I was in that horrible awquard part of life that is called being a teenager.  Kristina is getting older and is starting to go through puberty.  She actually isn't shy about it at all which I love.  She will talk to everyone and their dog about it.  Telling them where she is growing hair, how her hair is starting to get greasy, and thats a sign, acording to my book, and how she is starting to get pimples.  She talks about it all the time and reads the book I got her about puberty all the time.

Personally I think its a great thing, I would rather she embrase it and talk about it than wonder and find the answers elsewear.  Its kind of funny that some kids you have to pry it out of but Kristina needs to be told who not to talk to about it.  We don't talk to Grandpa about puberty, it makes him uncomfortable. 

Kristina got her first big pimple this morning.  It didn't even bother her which I also loved.  She just asked what to do about it.  We pulled out the Oxy and used some of the medicated acne pads, which are great for when you are feeling really greasy and just need a wash.  I also gave her the facial cleanser to use in the shower in the mornings.  She uses my face wash thats just for sensitive skin sometimes but clearly her skin is needing to have a deeper clean everyday.

Oxy has an amazing promotion going on right now on their facebook page.  You can win one of three iPads, as well as a chance at the $50 weekly giveaway with an Oxy prize package!!  All you do is go to the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/oxycanada , like them, and enter this code

bsoa4rr4

You can enter daily but each time you need to use a different code and you can only enter one code per day.  You can find more codes on other blogs, just google Oxy Clear it up Sweepstakes.  You can also find them on specially marked Oxy products.  Start today and you can collect and enter pin codes until September 18th 2012

Disclosure: I am participating in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for OXY and receive compensation for my post. All opinions on this blog are my own

Dyson DC43

 

I am all settled in my new place and loving it!  I wake up everyday and I am so happy, there is really nothing that could make me happier with where I am in my life right now.  I am so thankfull for my family and all that they did for me and continue to do for me and the kids.  I was lucky enough to get some great housewarming gifts from a few people close to me but I have to say the best thing I have gotten for my place is my new Dyson DC43!

Sure, I missed my old Dyson DC24, but she went to a great home with my girlfriend.  We have been checking in on her and making sure that shes well taken care of and happy there :)  Brandon even likes to unwrap the cord, if his Aunty Christy doesn't wrap it up properly, and rewrap it for her.  He shakes his finger at her and tells her to watch him and to make sure that she starts doing it like him :)  She may continue to wrap it her way just to annoy him :)

Back to my new baby, the Dyson DC43.  After using the DC24 Multi floor for so long the new Dyson DC43 took some getting used to.  I don't dislike the Dyson DC43 at all.  I just am having a hard time adjusting to the new settings and the new feel of this model.

It was just as easy to put together as the DC24, I only struggled putting the stick peice on because it seemed backwards in compairson to the other.  It turns a little bit differently, I think because its bigger, it just took a few times to get used to. 

I do wish that it had a spot on it to store all of the extra attatchments.  It comes with way more attatchments than the DC24, which I love, I just don't love that they ended up in a bag in the linen closet.  I wish they were right on the machine.  I love that the canister is bigger, I can't believe how fast they fill up.  I took it over to my Moms for her to check out and she had a hard time at first, its weird to learn how to push a vacuum on a ball, when you are used to 4 wheels that only go forwards and backwards.  Once she had finished vacuuming the first room she had fallen in love.

My parents have house cleaners and the day they Dyson DC43 arrived was the same day the cleaners had been.  We were not about to wait a few days to try it out so we figured we would just pick up the odd bit of dust that they missed.  Boy were we wrong.  My Mom was horrified at how much it picked up.  It was like the carpet hadn't been vacuumed in weeks.  It always amazes me how much more Dysons can pick up compared to other vacuums.

Here is my new favorite feature on the DC43, called an animal, you can put on the special animal hair remover attatchement, and actually vacuum the hair right off the dog.  How awsome is that!?!?!  Not only can you vacuum all of the hair up off the floor, you can get it right off your dog before it even hits the floor. 

As I tell anyone who will listen, once you go to a Dyson you will never go back.  Its the best vacuum, by far, that I have ever used.  I have been offered to review other vacuums and I turn them all down, I know they won't come close to my Dyson and so, why bother really.  Buy one, borrow one, or try it out in the store, you will fall in love and it changes how you clean.  I have always like to clean but now I vacuum all the time.  I love it!

Toe Juice

Toe Juice, what in the world is it?  Here is what their site says about its history.

In 1970, Royce Garner, a high school science teacher in Boise, Idaho, produced his first batch of Toe Juice®. His endeavor began when his infant son had flaking, dry, cracked feet. The many lotions and creams were ineffective and messy. So Royce did some research, went to his lab, and came out with a revolutionary new product. Not only did it fix and prevent further complications with his son's feet, but over the years many friends, family, and acquaintances have benefited from the strength of Royce's Toe Juice®. Those who benefited from the fast drying liquid, often encouraged Royce to take it public.

Toe Juice® w/ DermaVine® is an alcohol-based liquid infused with DermaVine®. When applied to the skin, the alcohol evaporates very quickly while the DermaVine® absorbs and penetrates the skin providing relief to dry, flaky skin and eliminating bacterial, fungal and viral contaminants.* This process allows the skin to regenerate and repair more quickly then other skin products.*

Brandon and I have eczema and Toe Juice has worked wonders!  Its not greasy, not a cream, and it works.  If you have skin problems you know how hard it can be to find something that truly works!  With a name like Toe Juice you certainly won't forget it anytime soon.

Toe Juice also makes a great hand sanitizer, called Hog Wash, it doesn't dry out your skin and of course kills the germs.  Its great to carry in your purse or keep in your car so that you always have some on hand.  I like to keep it in the car for when we are out and have no access to a bathroom!

June and July Winners

The winner of the Scentsy Silhouette Collection Warmer and two scent bars is comment number 160

160. Soozle said...


http://twitter.com/sbabij/status/207791900072222720

sbabij2 at shaw dot ca



Wednesday, May 30, 2012 4:14:00 AM
 
The winner of the $25 gift card from Card Swap is comment number 37
 
37. Soozle said...


http://www.facebook.com/#!/CardSwap/posts/10150844737813822

I commented on FB

sbabij2 at shaw dot ca



Sunday, May 27, 2012 4:26:00 AM
 
Its a very lucky night for you Soozle!  I will email you now!

Dino Dan - Ready Set Dino!

Brandon has been a fan of dinosaurs since he was not even 2.  He has a huge bin of them and although he is less obsessed as he was at 3 he still plays with them all the time.  He has books, movies and of course the big bin of toys!

Brandon got Dino Dan in the mail and wanted to watch it right away.  It was to bad that we couldn't get my parents DVD player to work, usually I am much better with electronics than that.  He was pretty bummed that we couldn't watch it right away but he sure made up for it once we got the DVD player all hooked up at the new house. 

Dino Dan is the Gemini Nominated Canadian TV show which has been a big success both here in Canada but also the USA! The show airs on Nick Jr south of the border. This fun and educational show for kids will be stomping onto DVD April 10th  Now kids can watch their favourite paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson as he and his friends, uncover clues about the past and secrets of the dinosaurs!

Synopsis: Follow the adventures of a paleontologist in training Dan Henderson as he imagines dinosaurs into the real world! Combines live action with CGI dinosaurs! Join Dan as he races a T-rex and a Spinosaurus to see who’s a faster carnivore, makes dancing in gym class fun using different dinosaur movements, and learns all about teamwork from his dinosaur pals. Dan uses the scientific method to gather clues and solve mysteries. Ready? Set? Dino! is an action packed adventure full of discovery!

If you have a dinosaur fan on your hands you definitely need to check this DVD out, you won't be disappointed. 

Mom of the Year - Walmart Canada

Just as every child is different, every Mother is different.  There is a full range of Moms out there, ones who will die to protect their child and who will do everything in their power and then some to make the life their child leads the best life possible.  I know most Moms strive to be that Mom but not everyone is.  I doubt myself sometimes as I think many Moms do.  Mommy guilt at its best.  Did I really do what was best for my kids when I separated from my husband.  I think deep down I know that I did.  Its a hard go right now but I know that it will be best for them in the long run.  Nobody wants to grow up in a house when their parents fight all the time.  But back to my point :)

If you have been in Walmart lately, who hasn't, you may have heard about the great Mom of the Year award that Walmart will be awarding to one very amazing Mom in August.  Eight finalists will be selected and notified in mid-August and will be treated to an award celebration weekend in September. The Mom of the Year Award recipient will receive $10,000 for personal use and $100,000 to their cause or charity of choice. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $10,000 for personal use and $10,000 to their cause or charity of choice. Can you imagine the impact you could have on your favourite charity with that much money!!

Right now Walmart Canada is looking for nominations for Mom of the Year!  Do you know a Mom who deserves to be nominated for Mom of the Year?  Do you know a Mom who puts her kids first and would do anything for them?  Someone who would deserve to have the the spotlight turned back on them and have them know how much their parenting has changed you or their child?  Moms do their best but never know how good of a job they are doing until their kids are grown and they can see what kind of adult they have turned into.

We have Mothers Day and Fathers Day to thank our parents but why not go out of your way to tell your Mom or a Mom you know just how amazing they are.  They deserve to be thanked, and in a big way.  I know that for me I wouldn't even have to be a finalist to have to feel special.  I would just be so thankful to be nominated and to know how my kids felt about me as their Mom and how they think I am amazing.  That would amazing in itself!

So if you have an amazing Mom or know an amazing Mom that needs to be recognized and thanked for what they do please go to Walmart's Mom of the Year site and nominate her!!

Disclosure: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own. Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority.  Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000).  Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit [http://www.momoftheyear.ca/].

Stella and Sam

Do your little ones watch Stella and Sam on Disney Junior?  Brandon likes that show but other than PVRing your little ones favorite shows how do you ensure that when they get their time with the TV they get to watch what they want other than just whats on.  Well you pick up the DVD.  I personally don't like watching the same movie over and over again but I tell you its the total opposite for Brandon.  Some of his movies, about 4 of them, have been watched at least 100 times.  I kid you not.

I am sure that some of your kids are the same way.  They find what they like and then they obsess over it and want to watch it again and again and again.  I really don't know how they do it but they seem to find comfort in it.

We got the new DVD by Stella and Sam for Brandon and he has started watching it over and over.  Its clearly a hit for him if he watches it more than once.  Its called Follow Me and has 8 episodes on it, which is great value.  So much better than having only 1 or 2 and its over before you get to start on your coffee. 

Check it out at your local retailer!  If you have a Stella and Sam fan you will be happy that you did!



Kinder Surprise and Madagascar 3

Have you been to see Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted  in theatres yet?  I really want to take the kids to see it, they have been asking, but we just need to find the time!  Have you seen the contest going on of the Kinder Canada Facebook page?  They are giving away family passes to the show.  The only thing is it ends tomorrow :(  I am so sorry that I didn't get this posted sooner for you guys so you had more time to enter.  I can only hope that you saw it on another site and have been entering all along!

Even if you don't win tickets to go and see the show you can always pick up some great Madagascar themed Kinder eggs for the kids!  My kids got some and were thrilled with them.  They come with some great Madagascar toys, you can collect all 5 gadgets and 9 animals to make a Madagascar train!  How awesome is that!  So don't wait and head to the Kinder Canada Facebook page and enter enter enter!  Good luck!

Build a Bear

Build a Bear is Kristina's all time favorite store.  Whenever we go to the mainland we have to go to Build a Bear.  She has about 8 of these teddies and her Uncle who lives on the mainland usually gets her one for her birthday and for Christmas.  She has a big bin of clothing for them, they have pj's to wear to bed and clothes for lounging around and of course their fancy dressy clothes for going out.  I really thought that she would have grown out of playing with teddies by now, not that I think she needs to I was just surprised. 

We were sent this gorgeous teddy for review, shes a super mom!  Kristina was thrilled when this cute little girl showed up and she has been playing with her every since.  If you haven't taken your little one to Build a Bear yet its a must do.  First you pick out what bear you want to build.  They have have more than bears, they have a bunny, I think I saw a penguin and of course lots and lots of different bears.  So you choose out your bears heart and tell it all about what kind of bear you want it to be, kiss it and hug it and then stuff it inside the bear and an employee stuffs the bear, with your help of course.

They you get to bath (blow off and brush) your bear and then pick out clothes and anything else you can think about, plus some things you never thought you could buy for a bear, and then you are off.  The kids love it and want to go back again and again.

One of the best things I think they do is birthday parties.  You can take your friends and you each get to make a bear to keep.  How awesome is that!  Its not at your house, no mess, and it even includes the animal to take home so you don't need to get a goodie bag!  Kristina would kill to have this party for her birthday!  I wish Build a Bear would come back to town!

Scentsy has a new line of beauty products

I am a big fan of Scentsy, I have a few friends who sell it, and have burners in almost every room of the house, although I could use some for each of the bathrooms.  They smell amazing, with over 100 scents for their flameless candle products but what they came out now is a whole new line of products, and it has nothing to do with candles. 

Scentsy has come out with a new line called Layers.  Layers by Scentsy lets you build a new fragrance wardrobe, layer by layer, from your skin to your clothes. Transform your morning shower from a necessity to something sublime. Elevate the laundry from a chore to an experience. Let your personal fragrance leave a trace with every movement. Pick your favorite scents, mix and match products, and envelop your life in fragrance.

You can basically pick your own personal favorite scents for everything from bath and body products to laundry products.  They smell just as amazing as the wax for the burners and it comes in so many products.  There is body butter, body lotion, shower gel, shower cream, body spray, hand lotion, body lotion and solid perfume.  There is also some amazing looking dryer disks that you put into your dryer instead of dryer sheets and they not only smell amazing but they prevent static as well.  Best part is they last up to 15 loads!  They also have washer whiffs which go into the wash to add some scent to your clothing.  Check it out online or at your next party!

Planters peanut butter


Peanut butter is a staple in our home.  The kids eat it like crazy, I love it for a few months and have it on my toast almost every day and then don't eat it for a few months.  I have strange eating habits that even I can't explain :)

One thing that I know for certain is that you can't but, ever, no name peanut butter.  There are a few things that you just can't cheap out on and peanut butter is most definitely on that list.  We are pretty picky about the peanut butter we like.  Well I guess its more me passing it on to my kids ;)  I don't like chunky peanut butter, nice a smooth is how I like it, and the quality.  It needs to not separate, like the natural kinds out there, but it needs to be smooth and creamy. 

Planters makes a nice peanut butter.  No weird stuff in the ingredients, that's a big one for me, I don't want it to taste like that natural stuff but I don't want a bunch of sugar in it as well.  Check out the ingredients, real food

Ingredients: ROASTED PEANUTS, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (RAPESEED, COTTONSEED, AND SOYBEAN OILS), SALT. CONTAINS: PEANUTS

Here is my favorite simple easy peanut butter recipe. 

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

Mix well and then spoon onto a greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork.  Bake 20 mins (or less) at 325 and enjoy!  The best thing about this recipe was that they are wheat free.  The kids dad loves this recipe!

PS have you ever bought nuts without the yellow peanut on them ?  :)

Pink Pepper Pie

Kristina lives in yoga clothes.  Some people try and pressure her into wearing jeans because they are cool or they believe that that's what she should be wearing but shes not comfortable like that.  She loves comfort and at the end of the day that's all that matters.  That and that shes happy :)  If you think about your favorite outfit chances are its a comfortable one. 

Some of Kristina's favorite yoga clothes come from Pink Pepper Pie.  They are super fun and funky as well as comfortable, fit great and last.  They are no crappy look great until you wash them clothes, they last and last and then you can hand down when they still look great instead of having to toss them out!

Last year Kristina was able to get an adorable flowy skirt from Pink Pepper Pie.  She goes back and forth year to year, some years you can't get her into a dress or skirt and then the next that's all she will wear.  Even with the back and forth the skirt from Pink Pepper Pie was constant.  It was girlie like a skirt yet it was as comfy as yoga gear, because it was. 

This time around Kristina got a classic pair of yoga pants.  They fit fabulously and Kristina loves them.  They are black so they match everything, and she is all about the matching now a days!  The yoga pants from Pink Pepper Pie all come with a funky waistband on them, there are a few really cute prints to choose from, Kristina got the dots and loves it.

Check out some of the cute new stuff they have out for Summer!  We are fans and I am sure you will be to!

Stella and Sam Draw along Contest

This month Disney Junior is celebrating the homegrown show Stella and Sam.  If you have a little budding artist on your hands listen up!

There is a great new contest right now on Disney Junior!  If you set your little ones to work on drawing and then coloring a picture they are entered to have their drawing come to life on Disney Junior.  How cool would that be!  10 lucky artists will see their drawings come to life in animation form during the Canada Day Stella & Sam Marathon on Disney Junior on Sunday, July 1st starting at 11:30am ET Plus they’ll receive gift packs containing Stella & Sam books, apps, DVDs and a music CD!  Check it out here!


The next best thing about this contest is that EVERYONE who enters will be able to download the brand new Stella & Sam ‘Draw Along’ iPad app for free!!  That will come in handy waiting at the Dr. office or on a long drive. 
 

 
So spent a few minutes tomorrow on the great Disney Junior site and while you are there check out all of other great games they have!  Brandon's favorite right now is the new Doc McStuffins Clinic game.  You  pick a toy to be the Dr. to, you can check their temperature and use a stethoscope, its really easy and lots of fun for the kids!
 
Be sure to also tune in From June 18th to June 22nd at 5:10pm ET - Captain Hook will be the star of Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates! And a brand-new episode titled "Captain Hook is Missing" will premiere at the end of the week at 5:10pm.  Brandons favorite show, we will be watching for sure!  Actually I should set the PVR right now in case I forget :)
 
Lastly  don’t miss the very special episode where Special Agent Oso meets Handy Manny. On Sunday June 3rd at 10:30am ET, your little ones will want to tune-in for a very special episode of Disney Special Agent Oso. Oso will need to help a friend fix his bike and Handy Manny and his Tools come to the rescue!




Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own