Author: trendymommies

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opinion

Last Weeks of Summer Vacation

What’s the plan for the last few weeks of summer for the kids?  Of course it’s back to school shopping but what do you do with the kids these last few weeks? We have been running around like crazy – to the pool, to the beach, to get ice cream, etc.  And yes and of course I have to work during this time as well! Yesterday I conducted my weekly radio interview on the beach (away from my kids and my friends kids) but some people were looking at me funny I think because I was talking loud!

What I noticed is that many of the town camps end the first or second week of August and there are less options as the month closes out. We are on vacation the last week of August so I just have to worry about weeks 2-4!  Sitters are heading back to college so I have to utilize them while I can. Here are a few tips to keep the kidos occupied.

  • While I don’t like them watching TV that much, my 10 year old’s friend got her interested in the Harry Potter movies – she has like what 8 movies to watch to keep up? That should take some time…..Plus after all this running around we need some down time.
  • My neighbor has an almost one year old. They like to head over and “babysit” her for a few hours and I think the mom can get something’s done at the same time!
  • When I have an in-person meeting and/or a conference call it’s daddy time. Luckily his job is flexible so he will take the kids to lunch during these times.
  • Exchange playdate services with a friend. Watch a friend’s kids for a few hours and she can do the same for you.
  • Babysitters can be pricy but many times, especially if you work from home a mother’s helper can keep the kids occupied.  Make sure you talk with the younger teen’s mother about expectations.  Usually at the age of 13 they can start helping.

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer as they are going to fly by!

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personal

Back to school supply list

In the midst of a day trip to the beach in the back of my mind is the back to school supply list. We discussed this exact topic today on WCAP 980 am and were reminiscing about the days when you went to school without any pens, crayons or glue sticks and just showed up! The list seems to get longer and longer and with budget cuts at so many schools we know why. Our school suggests we buy on Amazon as a portion of the proceeds will be given to the parent teacher organization, which is a nice thing to do. We discussed how challenging it could be if you have 5 kids in school and 5 lists!  I have not purchased the items yet on my kids list but remembered that last year it was in the $50-100 range! Multiply that by 5 and yikes!

I remember one of the national parenting magazines listing out school supplies last year and which national retailers had the best prices on such items as crayons, pencils, pens and there was a substantial difference.  I am procrastinating purchasing as I would like to enjoy summer a bit longer. Plus I know that once I get out the supply list then we are into buying backpacks, clothes, coats etc.  I have a few more weeks left!

Categories
personal Uncategorized

Back to school supply list

In the midst of a day trip to the beach in the back of my mind is the back to school supply list. We discussed this exact topic today on WCAP 980 am and were reminiscing about the days when you went to school without any pens, crayons or glue sticks and just showed up! The list seems to get longer and longer and with budget cuts at so many schools we know why. Our school suggests we buy on Amazon as a portion of the proceeds will be given to the parent teacher organization, which is a nice thing to do. We discussed how challenging it could be if you have 5 kids in school and 5 lists!  I have not purchased the items yet on my kids list but remembered that last year it was in the $50-100 range! Multiply that by 5 and yikes!

I remember one of the national parenting magazines listing out school supplies last year and which national retailers had the best prices on such items as crayons, pencils, pens and there was a substantial difference.  I am procrastinating purchasing as I would like to enjoy summer a bit longer. Plus I know that once I get out the supply list then we are into buying backpacks, clothes, coats etc.  I have a few more weeks left!

Categories
personal

Back to school supply list

In the midst of a day trip to the beach in the back of my mind is the back to school supply list. We discussed this exact topic today on WCAP 980 am and were reminiscing about the days when you went to school without any pens, crayons or glue sticks and just showed up! The list seems to get longer and longer and with budget cuts at so many schools we know why. Our school suggests we buy on Amazon as a portion of the proceeds will be given to the parent teacher organization, which is a nice thing to do. We discussed how challenging it could be if you have 5 kids in school and 5 lists!  I have not purchased the items yet on my kids list but remembered that last year it was in the $50-100 range! Multiply that by 5 and yikes!

I remember one of the national parenting magazines listing out school supplies last year and which national retailers had the best prices on such items as crayons, pencils, pens and there was a substantial difference.  I am procrastinating purchasing as I would like to enjoy summer a bit longer. Plus I know that once I get out the supply list then we are into buying backpacks, clothes, coats etc.  I have a few more weeks left!

Categories
Products

Eco Lips – The best lip balm for the world

I have a ton of lip balm – and I mean a ton.  Every new one that comes out on the market I try it. I am loving the variety of lip balms from Eco Lips.  The company sent me a sampling of lip balm to test out and what a selection they have. They really know their lip balm!

Eco Lips lip balm is handcrafted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and made with natural and organic ingredients. They have several innovative organic lip care products and have something for everyone in your family – moms, kids and dads.

Eco Tints are their naturally glistening lip moisturizer – perfect for mom on the go and if you don’t have time for lip liner and lipstick but want a bit of color and moisturizer. This line moisturizes your lips while providing a sheer tint and they have six shades. They contain organic plant oils, beeswax, as well as natural earth mineral and provide a shimmering glow. The plush red is a nice light shade of red.

Eco Lips Gold is their ultimate lip moisturizer and also unflavored – this is especially good for kids that need moisturizer but tend to lick off the fake flavored kind. This one is best for every day use.

Eco Lips Sport has an SPF 30 and comes with a clip to attach to a backpack (perfect for Dad).  There is also a Eco+Lips medicinal and a vegan lemon lime bee free lip balm.

But my favorite which I put by my bedside is The Lavender Lemon Calming Lip Balm. Made With Essential Oils of Lavender and Lemon and Olive Fruit Oil to calm your senses – perfect for the end of the day.  This is from their ONE WORLD lip balm collection and they fuse Fair Trade Certified Cocoa Butter, USDA Organic Certified ingredients and exotic oils from around the globe. These are a chubbier lip balm packaged in large 0.25 oz tubes and made with 40% recycled material.

Natural and organic lip balm
Eco Lips Lip Balm
Categories
Products

Eco Lips – The best lip balm for the world

I have a ton of lip balm – and I mean a ton.  Every new one that comes out on the market I try it. I am loving the variety of lip balms from Eco Lips.  The company sent me a sampling of lip balm to test out and what a selection they have. They really know their lip balm!

Eco Lips lip balm is handcrafted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and made with natural and organic ingredients. They have several innovative organic lip care products and have something for everyone in your family – moms, kids and dads.

Eco Tints are their naturally glistening lip moisturizer – perfect for mom on the go and if you don’t have time for lip liner and lipstick but want a bit of color and moisturizer. This line moisturizes your lips while providing a sheer tint and they have six shades. They contain organic plant oils, beeswax, as well as natural earth mineral and provide a shimmering glow. The plush red is a nice light shade of red.

Eco Lips Gold is their ultimate lip moisturizer and also unflavored – this is especially good for kids that need moisturizer but tend to lick off the fake flavored kind. This one is best for every day use.

Eco Lips Sport has an SPF 30 and comes with a clip to attach to a backpack (perfect for Dad).  There is also a Eco+Lips medicinal and a vegan lemon lime bee free lip balm.

But my favorite which I put by my bedside is The Lavender Lemon Calming Lip Balm. Made With Essential Oils of Lavender and Lemon and Olive Fruit Oil to calm your senses – perfect for the end of the day.  This is from their ONE WORLD lip balm collection and they fuse Fair Trade Certified Cocoa Butter, USDA Organic Certified ingredients and exotic oils from around the globe. These are a chubbier lip balm packaged in large 0.25 oz tubes and made with 40% recycled material.

Natural and organic lip balm
Eco Lips Lip Balm
Categories
Products

Eco Lips – The best lip balm for the world

I have a ton of lip balm – and I mean a ton.  Every new one that comes out on the market I try it. I am loving the variety of lip balms from Eco Lips.  The company sent me a sampling of lip balm to test out and what a selection they have. They really know their lip balm!

Eco Lips lip balm is handcrafted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and made with natural and organic ingredients. They have several innovative organic lip care products and have something for everyone in your family – moms, kids and dads.

Eco Tints are their naturally glistening lip moisturizer – perfect for mom on the go and if you don’t have time for lip liner and lipstick but want a bit of color and moisturizer. This line moisturizes your lips while providing a sheer tint and they have six shades. They contain organic plant oils, beeswax, as well as natural earth mineral and provide a shimmering glow. The plush red is a nice light shade of red.

Eco Lips Gold is their ultimate lip moisturizer and also unflavored – this is especially good for kids that need moisturizer but tend to lick off the fake flavored kind. This one is best for every day use.

Eco Lips Sport has an SPF 30 and comes with a clip to attach to a backpack (perfect for Dad).  There is also a Eco+Lips medicinal and a vegan lemon lime bee free lip balm.

But my favorite which I put by my bedside is The Lavender Lemon Calming Lip Balm. Made With Essential Oils of Lavender and Lemon and Olive Fruit Oil to calm your senses – perfect for the end of the day.  This is from their ONE WORLD lip balm collection and they fuse Fair Trade Certified Cocoa Butter, USDA Organic Certified ingredients and exotic oils from around the globe. These are a chubbier lip balm packaged in large 0.25 oz tubes and made with 40% recycled material.

Natural and organic lip balm
Eco Lips Lip Balm
Categories
Products

Squeeky Clean – Household cleaners

I love a good cleaner – especially when they are natural, safe and effective.  I am always on the lookout for eco-friendly cleaning supplies and ones that doesn’t emit obnixous fumes. My husband is greek and he loves his windex cleaner and yes I have seen him use it to clean his hands!

Just received some cleaning supplies from Shaklee to test out and boy do they work well. The Get Clean Hand Wash Concentrate is made with natural botanicals and smells so good as it has rosemary in it. The Get Clean Basic H2 is a super cleaning concentrate to clean appliances, windows, floors, pots and pans. It is super concentrated so the 16 ounce bottle makes 49 gallons of cleaner!  With the Get Clean Hand Dish Wash you only need a few drops. All of their products are non toxic, without any parabens, Phthalates or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).  Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee founded the company on the principle of Living in Harmony with Nature® over half a century ago.

Shaklee is sold through independent distributors and they have much more than cleaning products. They also sell nutrition and beauty products.  Check out this link for all their product offerings.

Shaklee cleaners
Categories
opinion

B day parties

It’s my baby’s birthday today! Yes my youngest is now 7!  I cannot believe it. My oldest turns 10 on Monday. Since they are both summer babies we usually have three birthday parties – one for each and then a family party with cousins, aunts and grandparents. It is always a busy week for us mid-July. This year I decided to combine the party at one location for both girls – a bowling party. Surprisingly they were all for it (we maybe with a little convincing!) I am still holding the family party.

A few moms and I were talking the other day about birthday parties and when is the age when you stop inviting the whole class and just have a few friends over.  The consensus was about 5th grade.  I am tending to agree. Each year I printed invitations, invited the whole world and stressed over it! I love a nice printed invitation and love putting together gift bags as well. We have had parties at build-a-bear, rock climbing, at the beach, Snip-its, etc.  I also had their parties at the house for a few years which many parents were shocked about. Yes, it was a mess but it’s their birthday! We also had a sleepover for my oldest last year which will probably never happen again – at least not with that many girls.  This year I sent email invitations which my kids were worried, “not everyone has email!”  Who doesn’t have email? (for the record everyone we invited does have email)

Growing up my family did make a big deal about birthdays.  I like to say it’s my birthday week and/or month and celebrate multiple times – why not? It’s never to late, too old or too much celebrating to enjoy your day!

What’s your favorite birthday celebration?

Categories
Products

Bugs Be Gone

I’m not one to take a hike in the deep woods but lately we have been enjoying the outdoors on these summer nights and the topic of bug repellent has been coming up a lot lately.  We have been trying more natural repellents. Some say only DEET will work to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Some would never use DEET and opt for natural oils. Here are a few we tested:

I am liking this OFF!® Clip-On™ repellent as you do not have to apply anything to you skin.  The battery-powered fan circulates repellent all around you. Batteries are included.  It says it provides up to 12 hours of head-to-toe protection.

Avon Skin So Soft bath oil spray – this can work for some people but not for others. We joked at a recent barbeque as we sprayed this on our dry skin (directions say to apply to wet skin) and thought that the mosquitoes would slide right off!   I like how it moisturizes too. However it does contain mineral oil.

Avon also has the Bug Guard Plus Picaridin. Don’t really like the smell but worked for me. Just be careful with the one with sunscreen as with picaridin as well as DEET you do not want to keep re-applying. Just read the labels and follow directions.

Purple Prairie is a new line of botanical soaps, lotions, sunscreens and more.  Their bug spray provides a natural, safe way to keep gnats, biting flies and mosquitoes away. They sent us a one ounce sample to test out. It contains a special blend of essential oils and plant extracts and is DEET free.  It also soothes bites and poison ivy. It smells so good – very herbal with ingredients like peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and eucalyptus oil. I found it worked very well and was great for my daughter’s sensitive skin.

We also like Buzz Away Extreme which is a DEET-free formula in a spray bottle that combines essential plant oils with soy bean and geranium oil for long lasting natural protection. The web site says it works for up to 4 hours against mosquitoes, up to 2.5 hours on ticks, and also repels fleas, gnats and flies. If you don’t mind smelling like a citronella candle this one works well for us!

natural insect repellent
Natural insect repellent