Toddler Who Refuses To Keep A Blanket On #HALOSleepSack

No matter how cold it is, or how tired "Baby O." is, she will instantly wake if you try to put a blanket on her. It's the second child syndrome, I suppose - she just demands to be.....difficult....different and refuses to keep a blanket on.

So, at the beginning of this winter, we created a bedtime routine that included a bottle, book, and "time to put your SleepSack® on."

I used HALO SleepSacks® and Swaddles with my first daughter too, because of the pediatrician's recommendation not to have loose blankets in the crib and have always found my kiddos preferred them to a regular blanket.

Micro-Fleece Wearable Blanket - Owl Leaves

HALO Innovation’s SleepSack® wearable blankets have become the standard for hospital nurseries and parents alike. In fact, 1,000 hospital nurseries use the HALO SleepSack Swaddle instead of blankets through the HALO Safer Way to Sleep Initiative. HALO Innovations also offers free Safe Sleep Practices kits to childbirth educators to help further the cause of SIDS prevention.

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Some of you might know that we live in Texas, so odds would say that we wouldn't even need a fleece, well...anything!  However, we've had a terrible cold spell this winter, and last night was 19 degrees - so a kid refusing to wear a blanket is a serious issue.

If you were wondering how our dear, independent, difficult, determined-not-to- conform-to-the-norm, Baby O. responded to the "time to put your SleepSack® on" routine, she did AMAZING!

After a few nights of the new bedtime routine, including a bottle, story, kisses for daddy and sister, and putting the SleepSack® on, she began to sleep longer, sounder, and better than ever before.

Here's my peanut, actually snoozing the night away in her Micro-Fleece HALO® SleepSack® Wearable Blanket (Owl Leaves design). 

There are (18) brand NEW Micro-Fleece Wearable Blanket designs that are sure to make your baby squeal in delight - including ladybugs, puppies, cupcakes, rocket ship, turtles and solid colors as well. 

Depending on your child's size, and need, the NEW Micro-fleece designs are offered in the following types (pictured above):

• #1. Micro-fleece Swaddle        (Sizes: birth-6 mo.)
• #2. Micro-fleece SleepSack      (Sizes: birth-24 mo.)
• #3. Micro-fleece Early Walker   (Sizes: 6-24 mo.)
• #4. Micro-fleece Big Kids          (Sizes 2-5T)

Most of these new designs are available at target.com, amazon.com and babiesrus.com.


For more information on the #HALOSleepSack brand, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

GIVEAWAY

Prize: (1) HALO SleepSack in Micro-Fleece - $25 Value

Giveaway Details:

• Giveaway open to US and CANADA, 18+
• Giveaway ends February 14, 2014
• Complete Rafflecopter Entry Form below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Super Bowl XLVIII Recipe From Del Frisco's Grille #DFW

Thinking about where to watch the Super Bowl XLVIII, in #DFW and not sure where to do it?

Is great food half of the success of your Superbowl plans? 

Del Frisco's Cheese Steak Eggrolls

Well, local Dallas / Fort Worth friends, I have two options for you: 

Option #1.       Stay home and make amazing "Chef Quality" Super Bowl Food (recipe included below)

 or..... 

Option #2.       Head to Del Frisco's Grille & watch the game on a big screen TV with surround sound, enjoy delicious appetizers & food and don't worry about having to clean up afterward!

Option #1.  

Stay Home & Make These Prime Steak Tacos w/ Charred Onion Salsa

Chef Zamora, of Del Frisco's Grille in Uptown Dallas shares one of his favorite recipes - a Taco Bar dish that will make your guests declare you MVP Host/ess this Super Bowl:

Prime Steak Tacos with Charred Onion Salsa Chef Zamora says it’s important to use a cut of steak that lends big beef flavor with good marbling, and is also cost-effective:  “Flank, skirt and hanger steaks all have a huge flavor base, which will lend to a good foundation of your taco bar.  These cuts easily take on flavors through marinades and are enchanted when their surfaces are caramelized on a heated grill or on charcoal or wood.  Cost-effective cuts such as brisket or short rib work well for tacos too, once treated with the right cooking application (such as braising).  Ingredients like corn, peaches or apples crafted into salsas or picos add refreshing flavors and crunchy textures.  Acidic items are key to punching up ordinary fillings, such as charred limes, lemons or orange varieties.  Options for the shell are limitless – great corn or flour tortillas, pita, lettuce or kale leaves, all make great vessels to enjoy the kicked up taco ingredients.” 6 OZ                        Prime Hangar Steak, cut in 1/2-inch pieces 1 TBSP                    Kosher Salt 1/4 TBSP                 Black Pepper 1 TBSP                    Oil, Pure Olive 2 Each                     Lime, cut in half 3 TSP                       Charred Onion Salsa (recipe below) 3 Each                      Cilantro Sprigs 3 Each                      Quality Corn Tortilla   1.     Take the steak and place into a mixing bowl and coat with the olive oil, lime juice from one of the lime halves, and            season with salt and pepper. 2.     Place a skillet down on the stovetop and preheat to high. 3.     Add the seasoned steak to the skillet and sear the meat to add color to the surface and to lock in the juices. 4.     Toast the corn tortillas on a flat griddle on both sides to soften, and place the tortillas on a platter. 5.     Transfer the seared meat distributing the steak evenly between the three tortillas. Spoon the charred onion salsa           on top of the steak of each taco. 6.     Garnish each taco with a sprig of cilantro and serve with a charred lime half. Charred Onion Salsa 1 Each           Red Onion, medium 1 Each           Serrano Pepper 4 TSP             Oil, Pure Olive 2 TBSP           Local Honey 1 TSP              Smoked Sea Salt 1/4 TSP         Fresh Cracked Black Pepper 2 Each             Lime 1/3 Cup            Cilantro  1.     Peel the onion and cut into 1/4-inch round slices. 2.     Coat the onion with 1 tbsp. of the oil and grill over medium high heat. 3.     Char the onions surface to obtain a smoky flavor and grilled color. 4.     Once onions are cooked remove from grill and let cool at room temperature. 5.     Slice serrano pepper into 1/8-inch rings and add them to the onions, then zest the lime and add to onion; finally,               add juice from half a lime. 6.     Add the remaining ingredients to the onions and mix to combine. 7.     Once assembled, reserve for the making of the steak tacos.

Option #2. 

Enjoy your Super Bowl at Del Frisco's Grille in Uptown Dallas and enjoy the game in a private room upstairs, equipped with a big screen, surround sound, some amazing food and handcrafted beers. Plus, you don't have to clean up!

 T-O-U-C-H-D-O-W-N!

Del Frisco's Ahi Tacos

Del Frisco's Devil Eggs

Del Frisco's Grille

3232 McKinney Ave

 Dallas, TX 75204

(972) 807-6152

The Family Handyman - How To Raise A DIY Kid!

I had no idea my two year old daughter was such a DIY kid protégé in the making until a few months ago.  

After she climbed on Santa's lap this Christmas and clearly asked for a "Tool Set, please" I knew she was on her way to fixing up my house in no time.  

Okay, well maybe I won't ask her to install a new set of kitchen cupboards yet, but she totally enjoys "fixing" things - and that's a skill I want to encourage.  

If you want to encourage YOUR kiddos to be self-starters around the house and get their hands dirty, exploring the world of DIY Home Improvement then I have a website to introduce you to...........
 
The Family Handyman - #1 in DIY Home Improvement— offered this FREE advice to get your kids safely started with tools so you’ll have a DIY buddy for years to come.

STEPS TO HELP YOUR KIDS BECOME DIY'ers

1.          Getting familiar with tools: Real tools teach real responsibility. You can buy reasonably prices kid-sized tools at home centers and online retailers. Buy at least medium-quality tools. Cheap tools bend or break.

2.    Whack on bubble wrap: To a kid who’s not quite ready to drive nails, nothing feels better than whap, crackle and pop. Supply a kid-sized hammer or a rubber mallet. Hearing protection is also a good idea.

3.          Screw into drywall first: Start some screws in a scrap of drywall and let the kids screw them in with a screwdriver or a kid size cordless screwdriver. Drywall is a lot easier to screw than wood. 

4.        Build a bolt board: Wrenches are great for beginning tool users. Sink different-size bolts into boards and then let children use wrenches to attach color-coordinated nuts.

5.         Cut up foam core:  Clamp some foam core to a workbench and let kids saw it into strips. Foam core is easier to saw through than wood, and a keyhole saw is perfect for small hands.

6.         Introduce tools one or two at a time: Start a bunch of roofing nails in a stump and let your young DIYers go to town. The kids will keep hammering until every last nail in flush. With their big heads and short shanks (the roofing nails, not the kids) they’re easy to hit and hard to bend.

7.         Work at their height: You don’t like a work surface that’s too high, low or wobbly, and neither do kids. You can buy a child-size workbench from school supply catalogs. Or, you can cut down an existing workbench, or make one yourself.

8.         Play by the safety rules: There are a few rules that one should always play by. It is important to instill this in your children’s head this way they are always safe when doing project: (1) Always wear safety glasses (2) tie up long hair (3) wear closed-toe shoes (4) clean up after each work period (5) When using a saw, clamp the wood or secure it in a vise and have kids hold the saw with both hands or put one hand behind their back to prevent accidents.

9.         Don’t toss that trash: Taking apart a broken gadget like a fan or toaster is great for young minds and fingers. Kids get to unscrew things, learn how something is put together and have fun (cut off the cord for safety). If you don’t happen to have anything broken lying around, you can buy small appliances cheaply at yard sales or thrift stores.

I hope you enjoyed this little instructional step-by-step guide to getting your kids started on the road to DIY projects with you! What a great way to bond as a family, right?!

Please feel free to visit The Family Handyman to find more DIY projects, and advice from pros who teach DIY to kids.

February Events - Legoland Discovery Center & Sea Life Aquarium

One of the reasons I love writing this blog, is the invitations I get to special local DFW events and previews.

Over the holidays, LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Aquarium invited my family out for a little preview of some exciting events they have to offer the community this year and there's lots of fun stuff on the books! 

FEBRUARY 2014 

 LEGO^® Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu

February 8 & 9th, 2014

Join LEGOLAND at the Grapevine Mills Mall and participate in several Ninjago-themed activities including Kai and Zane’s Fire and Ice Scavenger Hunt, Sensei Wu’s Costume Contest and Jay’s Lightening Fast Build Challenge!

Activities:  

• Are you a master LEGO^® builder?  Test your building skills with LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s Master Model Builder in Jay’s Lightening Fast Build Challenge on Saturday and Sunday at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.  The winner of each round will receive two tickets to SEA LIFE Aquarium.

• Come dressed as your favorite Ninjago character or ninja, on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and enter Sensei Wu’s Costume Contest for a chance to win (4) tickets to SEA LIFE Aquarium.  Each entrants photo will be posted to the attraction’s Facebook page where fans will vote for their favorite February 10-14.

• Annual pass holders are invited to bring a friend for FREE over Ninjago weekend.

FEBRUARY 2014 

 Ocean of Love

Monday, February 10 - Friday, Feb 14th, 2014

Isn't it time you did something DIFFERENT than the usual dinner date for your Valentine's Sweetheart?  Bring your date, significant other or your whole family to SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine for a celebration of Valentine's Day and love!

Activities: 

• Discounted admission price for you and your Valentine (2 guests for $28)
• Grab a Valentine's Day card ($1) to leave in a special mailbox for your favorite SEA LIFE creature - the creature with the most Valentine's at the end of the event will be crowned the 2014 SEA LIFE Sweetheart.
• Valentine's Day themed coloring activities will be available.
• Create a Valentine's Day card and special poem & post on SEA LIFE Facebook page by Thurs, Feb 13th for a chance to win a fun prize.
• Annual pass holders enjoy complimentary admission for (1) friend during this event.  Plus, annual pass holders will receive a complimentary bag of popcorn from 5-7pm on Friday, Feb 14th. 
  

Tickets: Admission is $20 for adults, $16 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids 2 and under.  To purchase special discounted tickets visit www.visitsealife.com/grapevine.

Office Supplies and 2014 Calendars at Shoplet.com

The New Year is already in full swing, and unless you have the tools to keep you organized, you're bound to miss something important. 

Shoplet.com, is a company that I've been working with for a few years now, that sells office supplies online.  They recently sent me a few business products to check out for 2014. 
 

House Of Doolittle Two-Color Monthly Desk Pad Calendar 

The first item is a 2014 Calendar for your desk or table that is quite large and easy to glance at to plan out your entire month's worth of activities.  

I put this little (well, big) guy on my computer desk, and it's a great way to quickly jot down appointments and notes - and if you have a more detailed note to write, there is an entire vertical "notes" section on the right of the calendar. 

One of the silly little features I appreciate are the black tabs on the bottom corners of the calendar, that you tuck the ends of the calendar down into, which prevent them from getting all "flippy" and worn out looking. Hey, it's the little things that make big differences.

Be sure to look up Shoplet.com if you're looking for other types of Office Stationary in 2014, as I've shopped around and honestly they have AMAZING prices on most of their inventory!

House Of Doolittle Weekly Business Planner

The second item, also from House of Doolittle was a Weekly Business Planner.  This planner gives you lots of space for more detailed appointments for each day of the week, rather than the larger, monthly, at-a-glance sort of calendar. 

There's a great section at the end of each week for expenses, and has columns for each day, broken down into categories of expense, such as:

• Meals
• Gas
• Entertainment
• Misc...and more

A family or mother could really use this weekly expense record next to their week of activities to facilitate budgeting, just as easily as a business person would need to keep track of their company expenses. 

One thing I didn't like is that there wasn't a monthly calendar layout at the beginning of each new month in this Business Planner. I'm a fan of being able to visualize the entire month's appointments, in addition to the weekly layout. 

In addition to 2014 Business Planners and Calendars, remember when you're in the market for some Promotional Products for your company, blog or hey even a family reunion (think "Grayson Family" mugs or Funny Logo Promotional Shirts - Shoplet.com has a really nice quality and selection of items to personalize.

Thanks Shoplet and House of Doolittle for the opportunity to check out your 2014 office supplies to keep me on track!
  

DoGoodBuyUs Feeds The Hungry + $50 Giveaway

I have a challenge for you this weekend, and you don't even have to move your butt from where you are sitting to do it!

Help me and DoGoodBuyUs feed the hungry, by entering the "Supper Bowl Sunday Contest."  For each entry they receive, DoGoodBuyUs will donate a meal to the Food Bank of New York!

Plus, if YOU win, you will receive a $50 gift certificate to use at DoGoodBuyUs, a super cool online marketplace for Goods that Do Good!

Now, isn't that something we can all get behind? 


Enter to Win a $50 Gift Certificate to DoGoodBuyUs + Donate a Meal Here!

* Winner will be chosen on Feb 2nd - my birthday!  :-) *

Dr. Smith's Diaper Rash Ointment Product Review - Guest

If you remember, a few months ago, I was very disappointed that I did not get to attend the launch party for Dr. Smith's Diaper Rash Ointment - and was able to rope my blogger buddy, Jess Self to go have some fun in my place. 

 

She went, she saw, she dined, she sampled, she diapered...well maybe not at the party, but when she got home she was able to give her Dr. Smith's samples for a trial run - and here's her review:

 

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                        Dr. Smith's Diaper Rash Ointment Product Review - by Jess Self

A few months ago, I was invited to attend a launch party for Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Ointment at The Ritz Carlton. It was a fabulous event, where I met Ali Landry and a few of the wonderful people from Mission Pharmacal. I also had the pleasure of meeting several bloggers from the area. At the product launch event, we received wonderful gift bags that included product to take home and put to work.

Just a little background about myself, I have a nine year old daughter who is way past the age of diaper rash but to be honest I don’t even remember what I used with her daily diapering. So I was slightly nervous when I had my son last year knowing I was back to the diapering days and the product selection had grown tremendously over the past decade…

Another tidbit of info that I have yet to share is that my professional career is in Dermatology. I have one semester left to complete my Bachelor Degree in Science as a Registered Nurse.  The past 8 years, I have worked as a dermatology medical assistant and nurse.  The doctor, I worked with, has been in practice for 30 plus years and her favorite protective barrier cream of all time was Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Ointment. But I will be honest, it was not that easy to find at the drug or grocery store. Well, that my friends has all changed now……. You can pick up this liquid gold in a tube or my favorite “Jar” just about anywhere now. Wal-mart, Kroger, and Walgreen’s are just a few of the major chain stores now keeping their shelves stocked with Mission Pharmacal products.

So now on to the subject at hand….. Dreaded Diaper Rash!! Poor little bums get so red and irritated having bathroom business pressed right up to their skin and this situation only gets worse as they start table food and certain foods do not agree with their little tummies!  Our latest bout was due to the horrible antibiotics that my little man had to be on for this yucky virus going around.  It was probably our roughest illness yet since the medicine we had tasted like bitter chalk so I could barely get it down his throat and then it just ate up his bobo skin!!! But Dr. Smiths Rash Ointment saved the day! It goes on smooth like a cream but protects like an ointment. It is very soothing and does not burn or sting when applied. It stays on the skin and doesn’t create caked on crust for the next round. It is easily washed off the hands and doesn’t stain cloth diapers or clothes. Another bonus, it has a very mild clean smell not an overpowering offensive odor. I learned to change the soiled diapers as quick as possible and apply a nice coat of the Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Ointment with each change and in less than 24 hours you will have a Happy Hiney! But don’t stop there because this is a very important tip I learned in the dermatology world. Prevention is key!!! Apply a thin layer with every diaper change and you will never have horrible painful diaper rash again! And that is easy with Dr. Smith’s because it is very reasonably priced and you get a good amount of product for the price. I recommend visiting your local Walgreen’s to pick up some today and get that Baby’s Hiney Happy!

You can visit http://doctorsmiths.com for more information on this product and company.

Check them out on Facebook – www.facebook.com/doctorsmiths or Twitter @doctorsmiths

Tiesta Loose Leaf Tea - FREE Tea Ball & Sample

According to my hubby, it doesn't matter if the weather is warm or cold outside..........

It's ALWAYS TEA TIME!

I think Tiesta Tea company would agree. 

Offering high quality loose leaf tea in a multitude of flavors and varieties, I'm sure you or your favorite tea lover will find something right up their alley...or....ahem....teacup.

I love how they've broken their blends into labels of what they're meant to do for you, for example:

• Relaxer - 11 herbal blends with ingredients to calm the mind and body
• Immunity - 11 blends of tea that have vitamins and nutrients to fuel your body
• Energizer - 10 black and maté teas that give you a boost
• Slenderizer - green & oolong teas, known to boost metabolism & suppress appetite

Starting at just $4.99, Tiesta Teas are a steal, PLUS each order comes with a FREE Tea Ball and tea sample, so what's not to love?

Find your favorite blend of Tiesta Tea here: http://www.tiestatea.com/

Protect Your Valentine's Heart - Free Family Event #DFW - Feb 6

Mark your calendars............and bring your whole family to Medical City Children's Hospital for a "Protect Your Valentine's Heart" - Heart Health Party on February 6th, 2014!

Activities:

• Children can make Valentine's Cards for family and friends
• Blood Pressure screenings
• Heart Healthy Snacks
• Dance Party with DJ and Hula Hoop Contest!

Check out this flyer for more information: 

 

Please Visit: www.mcchildrenshospital.com to register for the event, today!

 Medical City Children's Hospital

First Floor Atrium

7777 Forest Lane

Dallas, TX 7230

Last Day for 40% OFF Tea Collection Kids Clothes! Promo Code Inside!

This is IT!  The final event of the season for Tea Collection children's clothing ends tomorrow.

You can take an additional 40% off of the deeply discounted pieces of Tea's sweetly exotic China Collection! This is your absolute last opportunity to purchase these designs before they are gone.  The sale ends tomorrow, Thursday, January 16th, so don't wait.  (Sizes and styles are limited.) 

 
 
Click here to shop the additional 40% Off Discounted Items of Tea's Semi-Annual Sale - Final Event of the Season, TODAY!
 

Additional Details:

• Runs: Tuesday, 1/14 - Thursday, 1/16 
• Promo Code: 40MORE

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Sneaky Chef Visits DFW Central Market Stores + $200 Giveaway

Ever wonder how in the world you're supposed to get your kids to eat their vegetables? 

Wonder no more.  Missy Chase Lapine "The Sneaky Chef" has some tricks up her sleeve and she's ready to spill the secret at a DFW Central Market store near you!

 

 

 

"Sneaky Chef" Visits DFW This Weekend!

 

Photo courtesy of: thesneakychef.com

 

 

Saturday, January 11, 2014

 

#1. Central Market - Store #552 – Dallas

5750 Lovers Lane

Dallas, TX 75206

* * * Missy to appear at store from 11:30am-12:30pm and will give a $200 HEB gift card to one shopper with a SCF product in their cart!

 

#2. Central Market - Store #653 – Preston Royal

10720 Preston Rd

Dallas, TX 75230

 * * * Missy to appear at store from 1:00pm-2:00pm and will give a $200 HEB gift card to one shopper with a SCF product in their cart!

NOTE: There will also be a Sneaky Chef Sauce DEMO at at the Central Market in Plano on Saturday, January 11th from 11:00am-4:00pm (Missy won’t be there, but representatives will be there offering great information.)

 

 

 

............and that's not all. Stay tuned to McKinney Mommas for a Sneaky Chef product review, and $100 Central Market Gift Cart GIVEAWAY (coming soon)!

 

 

For more information on the Sneaky Chef's background and products, visit Missy’s website – www.thesneakychef.com.