Thursday, February 25, 2010

Elmo's Green Thumb


SAVE $3.00 by following the link below, clicking on MomSpace Discount, then when you get the prompt, type in MOMS for your discount!

https://momspace.site-ym.com/?ElmoGreenThumbTix


Elmos’s Green Thumb is running from March 4th-7th at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ.

I am so excited to take Brody to Sesame Street Live next week! I took him last year and even at 8 months old he loved it. I can’t wait to see his face light up again, now a year later.

Tickets are still available for you to join all your favorite friends on an amazing adventure as they help Elmo find a new home for Sunny, his sunflower, in the all new Sesame Street Live stage show, "Elmo’s Green Thumb".


Elmo has raised Sunny from a seed, but his floral friend has outgrown the flower pot. Elmo and friends find Big Bird’s garden the ideal place for Sunny to flourish and grow but they are too excited to wait. Rather than let Sunny follow nature’s course, Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street’s fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow. The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and all of his friends shrink! While Abby searches for just the right words to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe, Telly and friends explore Big Bird’s garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming their fears and appreciating the role that each creature plays in our ecosystem – from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles that scavenge the garden floor. Will being small help Sunny grow tall? It’s a fresh, original Sesame Street Live from a whole new point of view!

Elmo's Green Thumb is 90 minutes long with a 15 minute intermission, but don’t be worried about your child being able to sit through the show. Sesame Street Live is said to be so action packed that the time flies and it easily holds the interest of young children. The set for Elmo's Green Thumb is very colorful with bright lights and fun effects. Elmo and his friends are frequently singing and dancing to familiar tunes with different words which I heard is very entertaining.


Here's the link:
https://momspace.site-ym.com/?ElmoGreenThumbTix

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Happy Baby, Happy Budget, Happy Mom!


When Brody was an infant I tried a few different brands of diapers. I tried the chlorine free, environmentally friendlier brands, and just random brands I would have a coupon for. After getting annoyed with leaks, tabs that wouldn’t stick, and diapers that felt like cardboard, I realized I loved my Pampers and didn’t want to ever try another brand.

This was until about a week ago when I received the new and improved Baby Basics Diapers. At first I figured I would try a couple on Brody and then pass them along to someone else, but I love these diapers! The tabs stick wonderfully, so far in the past week we haven’t had one leak (I am still using his special overnight diapers b/c those just become enormously full and it makes me nervous to try something new! I think he just drinks a ton of liquids!) & they fit snug and comfy. They have soft, stretchable sides and the diaper’s inner liner is treated with Vitamin E & Aloe to protect your baby’s skin. Brody is in a size 4 diaper and I have been debating going to 5’s, but the 4’s were a perfect fit! (Plus, I got into the habit of saying “T is for Tiger” every time I change his diaper because that’s what the 4’s have printed on them, so now Brody is repeating “T is for Tiger” when I change him. ;)

I definitely think to save the extra money I will keep trying the Baby Basics when newbaby comes in June. I am getting ready for those 10+ diaper days and the cost of my normal diapers tend to really add up.

A jumbo pack of Baby Basic diapers costs $6.99 (a jumbo pack of size 2 diapers= 52 diapers= 13.4 cents per diaper, some of the premium brands cost approximately 23-25 cents for a size 2 diaper. Even though this may be only a 10 cents savings per diaper, this can add up when the average family goes through 2,000-3,000 diapers a year in the few years before their children are potty trained. This could equal a $200-$300 dollar savings per year. This is perfect for families who are trying to save a little money or looking for a good deal~ (especially for my sister-in-law and two of my best friends all having twins!)

The Baby Basics brand, which is available at SUPERVALU grocery stores, (including ACME) includes more than 80 items ranging from diapers and training pants to formula and pediatric drinks to shampoos, lotions and wipes. The brand offers moms high-quality products at affordable prices that help them stretch their dollars further.

Check out the baby basics website to print out a $4.00 Coupon
& to find Baby Basics at a store near you!

http://www.babybasicsclub.com/index.html

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

$45.00 Nursing Gift Sets For Only $5!!


Udder Covers ( www.uddercovers.com) is running a limited time promotion where you can get 90% off any of their 3 piece gift sets. Each 3 piece gift set includes the Udder Cover™ nursing cover of your choice, a color coordinated Milk Bands™ breastfeeding bracelet and 2 pairs of 5 ply washable 100% cotton breast pads!

If you’re not currently nursing, you probably know someone who is or shortly will be! At only $5, they make great baby shower gifts!

You can get any of their 3 piece gift sets (regular price $46)
for only $5 + S&H!

The code is "baby".

Go to www.uddercovers.com, click on "Shop Now", scroll down to the gift sets, select the one you would like and you will automatically be repositioned to the center of the page where you can enter in the promo code! Type in baby and it will bring your product total to $5! We are not sure how long this promotion can last. You can use the code more than once - you just have to open a new browser/window to do so.

This promotion gives you 1 gift set for $5 + S&H! This promotion code is valid once per transaction, so you can order as many times as you would like!

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Bling Bling



Babies love to put everything in their mouths, my son Brody is 20 months and he still tries to grab our keys and we have to grab them right before they are creeping towards his mouth. The new Teething Bling Jewelry means that I don't have to worry about that any more. Now your baby can safely chew away without destroying your jewelry. Teething Bling is made from food-grade, non-toxic silicone, and it is phthalate, BPA, PVC, and lead free. (It is also dishwasher safe!)
The necklaces also come with break away clasps to prevent that portion from breaking or your baby from getting hurt should they accidentally put the necklace on. Your baby can nurse and play happily while you don't worry about what they are doing to your jewelry. The necklaces and bracelets are stylish and colorful, the necklace comes in a circle or heart shape. I was sent a copper colored circle necklace that matches everything!
It can also be extremely convenient to have the necklace on or the key chain handy, one less thing you have to worry about bringing when you are running out of the house.

Amethyst is the birthstone for February,
so all amethyst pendants and bangles are 50% off (this month only.)
Order now, while supplies last!

http://www.smartmomjewelry.com

Teething Bling Jewelry makes a great gift for both mom and baby. Teething Jewelry is made from the same material as many teething toys, Teething Bling® looks great on Moms, Grandmas, Aunts and Caregivers but is safe for curious babies to handle and chew. Teething Bling® Jewelry products are non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, PVC and lead free and all pendants come with a breakaway clasp.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Crazy Compost Cookies (Thank you AC!)


Okay, so I am pretty obsessed with Regis and Kelly. I DVR the show every day and a couple months ago when Anderson Cooper (love!) was guest co-hosting he was raving about these “Compost Cookies” that he gets from Momofuku Milk Bar, a bakery in NYC.

These cookies basically have everything in them, potato chips, pretzels, used coffee grounds and more! They sound ridiculous but everyone seems to be raving about how great they are! So today Kelly made her own version and now they have posted the recipe on their website. I can’t wait to try and make these, especially since I don’t bake or cook at all so this just sounds like a fun experiment and an exciting activity for kids too! Your children can decide what goodies to add, the original recipe has coffee grounds and random stuff in it, but it looks like today Kelly added goldfish and some of her favorite snacks.

If you do try the recipe I would love to hear what you added in your compost cookies and how they turned out! ;)
**Also, they did mention on the show to add the salty snacks first.

Christina Tosi's Compost Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp Corn Syrup
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs
1 3/4 cups AP Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsp Kosher Salt
1 1/2 cups Your favorite baking ingredients!
(Kelly used mini chocolate chips, raisinettes, rollos & cocoa krispies)
1 1/2 cups Your favorite snack foods (chips, pretzels, etc)
(Kelly used goldfish, ritz, & fritos)

DIRECTIONS:
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter, sugars and corn syrup on medium high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and pale yellow in color. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

On a lower speed, add eggs and vanilla to incorporate. Increase mixing speed to medium-high and start a timer for 10 minutes. During this time the sugar granules will fully dissolve, the mixture will become an almost pale white color and your creamed mixture will double in size.

When time is up, on a lower speed, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix 45-60 sec just until your dough comes together and all remnants of dry ingredients have incorporated. Do not walk away from your mixer during this time or you will risk over mixing the dough. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

On same low speed, add in the hodgepodge of your favorite baking ingredients and mix for 30-45 sec until they evenly mix into the dough. Add in your favorite snack foods last, paddling again on low speed until they are just incorporated.

Using a 6oz ice cream scoop, portion cookie dough onto a parchment lined sheetpan.

Wrap scooped cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to 1 week.

DO NOT BAKE your cookies from room temperature or they will not hold their shape.

Heat the conventional oven to 400F. (350F in a convection oven)

When the oven reads 400F, arrange your chilled cookie dough balls on a parchment or silpat-lined sheetpan a minimum of 4" apart in any direction.

Bake 9-11 min. While in the oven, the cookies will puff, crackle and spread.

At 9 min the cookies should be browned on the edges and just beginning to brown towards the center. Leave the cookies in the oven for the additional minutes if these colors don't match up and your cookies stills seem pale and doughy on the surface.

Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pan before transferring to a plate or an airtight container or tin for storage. At room temp, cookies will keep fresh 5 days. In the freezer, cookies will keep fresh 1 month.

Yield: 15 6oz cookies


**I also found this recipe online if you would rather try this one, I read that some people left out the coffee grounds and it didn’t seem to effect the taste.

Momofuku Compost Cookies

Creamables
1 1/2 sticks butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons dry, used coffee grounds
Wet Ingredients
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
Dry Ingredients
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flour
3/4 cup roughly crushed potato chips
1/2 cup roughly crushed pretzels
1/2 cup roughly crushed Fritos
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. In your Kitchen Aid or a large mixing bowl, cream together the creamables.
3. In a small bowl, combine the wet ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
4. Add the combined wet ingredients to the creamables. Mix together until well incorporated.
5. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, fold together until evenly distributed.
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the combined creamables and wet ingredients. Mix until evenly combined. (*Optional: Chill dough for 2 hrs or overnight.)
7. Shape dough into balls–about 2 tablespoons each.
8. Place dough balls about 2 inches apart on Silpat- or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.
9. Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes. Then place cookies on wire racks to cool.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Help Olly Help Those In Need


We may be thousands of miles away, but we all feel a great sadness and sense of responsibility towards the people and children of Haiti as they struggle to rebuild their country and their lives.

For now, monetary donations are critical to provide the survivors with basic necessities such as clean water, food, and medical supplies. However, in time they will need much, much more.

Olly is partnering with Traveling Mercies www.travelingmercies.org to collect footwear and clothing for the children of Haiti and we are asking for your help.
Olly stores are drop off locations for gently worn shoes and clothing appropriate for children in a Carribean climate.

Olly locations are accepting donations now through Sunday, February 28, 2010. (You can search locations at http://www.ollyshoes.com/locations.htm )
You may also drop off donations at their Distribution Center located at 490 Acorn Lane, Downingtown, PA, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 4pm.

It is impossible to fully realize the massive struggle every surviving child now faces in the wake of this horrible disaster in Haiti. Let’s do everything we can to help!

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Friday, February 5, 2010

The Great Trade-In Event!


Hurry up and take advantage of this great event at Babies R Us and Toys R Us!
From January 29th until Saturday, February 20th both stores are providing customers with the opportunity to trade-in their old used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, playards, toddler beds, and high chairs in exchange for a 25% percent savings on the purchase of any new baby item (in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers.)

This event is perfect if you have old baby items that have been recalled or are not in great condition to be handed down to a friend or family.
Make sure to bring them in by the 20th!
For each item you bring in you will receive one 25% off coupon!

http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3554261

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