Springin' back into it...

Happy Spring! Although, we have had only like 2 days of spring-like weather! :o( I woke up today and thought to myself, "Why not start blogging again?" To be honest, I kinda miss it. I can't believe it's been like 4 months since I've posted anything! Yesterday, I started tweeting a little bit more and interacting with some followers and it made me miss my blog...

I figure I start blogging again with no obligations. Whenever I feel like it, I'll do it. I felt like it was turning into a job with reviewing and promoting things, which I didn't mind at all, but things got so busy around here and I couldn't find the time to do it any more. So I took a nice little break.

Let's see, what's new...? Nothing really. We had our wonderful 1st family vacation in Brazil over the holidays. It was great! The girls did wonderfully on the airplane. We were shocked! Within the new year came a nice promotion for my hubby. He is now the Associate Director of Admissions of Manor College. Wo0-ho0! He has also decided to go back to school as well! I'm still in school. I have about a week left of this semester! I wish I could say, I'll have a nice break in the summer, but I won't. Of course like last year, I will be taking up summer courses. Why not? They're accelerated and a little harder but I rather do 5 weeks of classes than 15 any day! This time it will be a little different though. I will actually have to GO INTO the class. I've ran out of online classes to take :o( It'll be nice though. To actually interact with other people in the class and I'll be able to concentrate more on my work since NO KIDS ALLOWED! Haha!

What else? What else? Oh can we talk about how expensive childcare/preschool is? I have been looking into it for the girls since Lyla will be 3 in the summer. I decided to put Kalina into school as well to get her used to it already since I will be in school full time by next Fall. Wow, everything is so expensive! I finally found a great one that is right across the street from where I'll be attending next year and I feel like I have to give an arm and a leg to pay for it. I'm just going to leave this for another post...

So I turned 25 on April 5th. Boy do I feel old. I had a really hard time with it. Sort of like a quarter-life crisis. My hubby was nice enough to point out that now I'm officially on another bracket. You know when you fill out an application or survey? I used to fill in the circle that stated my age was between 18-24. Now I'm on the one below that says 25-34! Thanks babe, for pointing that out! I feel like I have a lot accomplished for 25. I've been married for almost 6 years now (May 14th), I bought my house at 19, I have 2 amazing, crazy little girls, along with 2 crazy dogs and our lives are only going up from that. I'm working towards my degree and career while the hubby is successfully enjoying his. I couldn't be happier!

Other than that, things around here are pretty much the same. We have set a new 5 year plan/goal for our family and we are working so hard towards that. I love setting goal for us because it gives us something to strive for. And in 5 years we can look back and see how much of it we have accomplished. Again, I'll save this for another post...

Ok, I think I have bored you enough and I'll try to keep up with this again... if you want. Or not. Whatever. Thanks for reading and sticking around!

Love,

Natalie

Introducing... "The SqueeGees"!! Review & Giveaway!

Check out this new CD "Meet The SqueeGees"!

It's a combination of wonderful, sweet songs about green living, animal rescue and healthy eating.

Ever since we received this CD, it has been playing non-stop in our car. My girls love it and so do we. It's catchy and playful and is teaching them about having a healthy lifestyle. It has a very indie feeling to it which the hubby and I LOVE! It's not your typical children's CD that has the same tune over and over it again. It actually felt like we had one of our CDs playing but with lyrics to their level.

The SqueeGees set themselves apart from the traditional genre of children's music by creating meaningful music with themes such as saving our planet and healthy living that is fun, entertaining and playful.

"Meet The SqueeGees" CD is available exclusively at Target!

*GIVEAWAY*

I have 2 CDs to give away! The first 2 people that retweets a link to this post on Twitter OR post a link on their Facebook will win!

Make sure to tag @myMoMentss on Twitter OR

tag @my *MOM*ents on Facebook so I know that you did it. Leave a comment below letting me know as well.

For more information on The SqueeGees visit their website!

SnackTaxi: Review

Are you a parent that has to pick your children's lunch and snacks everyday? Are you tired of throwing away money on these plastic bags and polluting our environment?

Well, if you answered YES to any of these questions then what you need is a SnackTaxi!

These unique bags are lined with Nylon which makes it so easy to just throw it in the washer machine after each use. Do you know each year an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That's over 1 million each minute!! Plastic bags don't biodegrade, they just break down into smaller toxic bits which contaminates soil and waterways. This enters the food chain for many animals. Hundreds of thousands of animals die each year from eating these discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.

In effort to save money and help the environment, I have been using SnackTaxi to pack Lyla & Kalina's lunch and snacks when we go out. And will continue to do so when they are in school. These pouches come in many different sizes and patterns to choose from. Unlike the plastic bags, they don't rip or inherit different taste from what's in the bag. (For example: When a diaper is near one of the snacks in the plastic bag, automatically that snack tastes like a diaper, which resulted me to throw it out)

Save money and help save the world with SnackTaxi!

Shutterfly: Review

HO! HO! HO!

It's that most wonderful time of the year again! The Holidays are fast approaching us. Are you done all your shopping yet? Have some of you procrastinated like me and even started it??

This is one of the busiest time of the year. We are all running around like crazy trying to buy that one special gift for our loved ones. Not only do we have to worry about gifts, we also have to worry about sending out Christmas cards!!

Again, if you're anything like me, I'm always leaving it to last minute to get things done. Having 2 little girls, we have made a tradition to take them to get their pictures taken with Santa! I think it's safe to say most parents have this tradition as well. Then we have to worry which cards to pick, which photos to use, are they going to arrive on time? Etc.

Well, worry no more! Shutterfly.com is the place to go. I go to them for any special occasion, such as birthday party invitations, Christmas cards, you name it! They're quality is superb, they're prices are very reasonable, and they're shipping are always fast. I have never had an issue with them.

This year, I will be making my return for our Christmas cards. I usually like to use their photo cards. You can check out the different ones HERE!

Another item that I love and will be ordering from there again this year, are their Personalized Christmas Tags. It beats hand writing all those tags for those many gifts. They're super cute! Check it out to see all the different designs they have that best suit you!

The one special thing that I like about Shutterfly.com is their Religious Christmas Card section. We're all very religious and it's so nice to see a website offer this special section. Not only are you getting a really special card, but you can still add your photos to them! Amen on that!

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Shutterfly.com today and start ordering! They have a couple discounts going on right now that you don't want to miss!

Don't forget to follow Shutterfly on Facebook!

Happy Holidays!

-Natalie

I'M ALIVE AND BORING!!

Hellooooooo Everyone!

I'm Baaaaaaack! I can't believe it's been over a month and I haven't posted a thing. Sorry for the total MIA thing but I have been so busy lately. We're venturing off to new adventures in our lives, and mommyhood, and school it just added up to take up my entire time!! And to be completely honest, I haven't been in the mood to blog. But today, I feel so fresh and new and excited that I th0ught, "Why not?"

I'm still boring as usual. The hubby has been completely busy at work, which is a good thing, and I have been busy in my stay at home job. Because winter is fast approaching us, I have been away from the computer a bit and out doing stuff with my girls. We are soon going to be cooped up in the house (because going out when it's cold outside with 2 kids = no fun), I wanted to take advantage of the last few moments of nice weather. We have been doing storytime at Barnes & Noble about twice a week. WOW! I never thought my kids would sit still through 3-4 books in a row. Not only is educational and fun, but I feel like it's preparing them for school. It's great and they interact with other kids. We usually go to the one in Neshaminy Mall. Right after storytime we walk around and do lunch! I love it!

I have also been making a point to spend extra quality time with them because I decided it's time for me to go back to work. I know I'm going to have such a hard time when the time actually comes but I know it's best. In order for us to achieve some of our goals that we have set for our family, I should contribute. I don't think it's fair to put the whole responsibility on the hubs. Plus, the girls have been soooo attached to me lately that I think it will be good for them to start interacting with other kids in a school environment. It's a win-win situation for all with definitely some getting use to.

We also have been getting ready for our BIG holiday trip to Brazil!!! I'm sooo excited. I get to spend Christmas and New Year's with my family down there. It will be the first time for the girls to travel and be on an airplane which we are all nervous about. But I can't wait for my extended family to meet them. We are traveling with my parents and bro which will be extra hands to help out in the airports and such. It's a loooong trip. I've been going crazy because it's so much paperwork, passports, visas, and packing to do! It's going to be total hotness down there which means packing all summer clothes. Most of their summer clothes will not be fitting them in December which makes shopping for them when it's Fall/Winter time, very hard. Not only am I packing for the hubby and I, but now I have to add 2 kids to it! Can you imagine all the crap that I have to remember to pack?? Ugh! But it will all be worth it!!

School has been good. This semester is almost over! Thank God!! I never thought time management would be such an issue with online classes. But when you have 2 kids who needs your constant attention, it leaves me little with no time to actually get my work done. I try to keep my eye on the prize which is my degree. And although, my kids are the main focus of interference when it comes to my school work, they are my ultimate motivation to get it done.

Among the many other 384286874583 things that I have going on right now, I will try to get back into blogging. I have a couple products to promote that I have been slacking on...

The hubby and I have some exciting new things that we are working on that we still have to be hush hush about until....

Hopefully I will be able to share some with you soon!

Ok, this post is long enough and I have bored you enough. Until next time!

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Natalie

To My Mama

This is the cutest song ever! I want to dedicate this song to all of the mamas out there, especially mine!! I love you so much and you're my inspiration for everything! I hope one day Lyla & Kalina will have the relationship I have with my mom today. We're best friends, we talk on the phone at least 5 times a day! It's sad that because I didn't have a boy, I won't have a "mama" dance at their weddings while John will have 2!! I think it's totally ok for them to do a father/daughter dance followed by a mother/daughter dance ;o)

Keep up the good work to all the moms out there! And a special thank you to my mama for everything she has done and continues on doing...

I love you.

The First Chilean Miner Is Rescued

I'm so happy that the Chilien Miners are finally being rescued! I can't imagine going through what they went through. God bless each and one of them and their families.

This video brought tears to my eyes. It's a clip of the first Chilean miner being rescued and united with his family. It just broke my hear to see his son waiting for him...

Be thankful for your loved ones and tell them you love them every single day!

NBC 10 Day @ Adventure Aquarium

NBC 10 and Adventure Aquarium are up to something fishy, and YOU’RE INVITED!

Come out to Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront on Sunday, October 10th for Adventure Aquarium’s “NBC 10 Day.” Admission tickets will be just $10.00 all day - a substantial savings! Guests of NBC 10 Day at Adventure Aquarium can also meet and get autographs from renowned members of the NBC 10 news team, who will be on-hand to help out with Adventure Aquarium’s live shows.

Enjoy a nice family day today for a great deal!!

Preschool Talk

Take a look at my first "vlog"! I went to check out a school for Lyla and I tell you all about my experience here!

Have a great weekend!

Tommee Tippee - Review & Giveaway!

If you're a parent then you must at least own a product from Tommee Tippee! And if you don't, then you must get on board ASAP!! Tommee Tippee provides you with exactly what you're looking for when it comes to feeding products. They are especially great when it comes time for you to transition the eating habits of your little ones. I've recently got a chance to review a few products from their Explora collection. See below:

This is the Explora Easi-Mat. It has a non-slip and easy grip. Sticks to all flat surfaces. I use it with the Explora Weening Bowl which helps to hold it securely in place. It fits right in my diaper bag and it's so easy to clean. It's also BPA free! This has been perfect for us especially for Kalina. She started wanting to feed herself and have her own plate in front of her. The only problem is she grabs the plates or bowls and makes a huge mess. With this Easi-Mat, I don't have that problem any more! It's great!

This is the Explora Weening Bowls (2) with lid & spoon. The spill proof lids are completely mess free! It's microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. There's a cover for the spoon, which is great because we all know sometimes we just throw our spoons in the bag and they get lost and dirty. Also, BPA free! I have been using this with the Explora Easi-Mat. It's making our meal times so much more enjoyable in the house or on the go!

This is the Explora Truly Spill Proof Sippy Cups. They have an advance-flo technology for easy drinking. LOVE the hygiene cap to cover the spout. Sometimes I put their sippy cups on the side pockets of the diaper bag. I feel safe knowing that where my kids will be putting their mouths, is covered. And again, BPA free! It is truly non-spill and leak proof. Lyla was so excited when I gave her this sippy cup. Not only did she LOVE the girly, bright colors but I loved it even more how mess free these cups really were!

(All products are available in other colors. I happen to have 2 girls lol)

You must check out their other line of products as well. Since trying out these products, I have replaced most of my children's feeding products with Tommee Tippee. You can now find them throughout stores and online.

Tommee Tippee and I have teamed up to give one lucky reader a set of the Explora Truly Spill Proof Sippy Cups!! Exciting!!

So here's how to enter:

(Mandatory Entry) - Check out the Tommee Tippee website and leave a comment below on what other product you would like to have (make sure to include your name & e-mail address).

(Additional Individual Entries)

-Like Tommee Tippee on Facebook

-Like my *MOM*ents on Facebook

-Follow Tommee Tippee on Twitter

-Follow myMoMentss on Twitter

-Follow my blog through Google Friends Connect

-Share this post on Facebook and make sure to tag with my *MOM*ents

-Share this post on Twitter and make sure to tag with @myMoMentss

This giveaway will end on Thursday, October 21st at 11:59pm (est). A winner will be selected through random.org and announced on Friday, October 22nd. Winner must respond within 48 hours of the e-mail.

Thanks to Tommee Tippee for their awesome products and for providing me with this great giveaway!

Good Luck Mamas & Dadas!

-Natalie