The Sensitive Scents™ Solution For Sensitive Noses #Giveaway

The Renuzit® brand provided me with samples of Renuzit® Sensitive Scents™ in exchange for this review.  However all options expressed are 100% my own. 

I am a big fan of aromatherapy, scented candles, anything that fills my home with calming scents and makes my guests feel welcome. 

Unfortunately, I'm married to a guy who has a VERY sensitive nose and thinks that most of my candles and incense sticks are overpowering.


I just found a solution that will work for both of us!

Renuzit® has a NEW line of air freshening products called Sensitive Scents™, 

specifically created to create a gentle scent experience that isn't overpowering. 

After receiving a sample, I put out the Renuzit® Sensitive Scents Pure Water Blossom & Cucumber™ Adjustable Cone in the hallway where we have a laundry basket for the girls dirty clothes.

Walking up and down the hallway all day, I (no joke) would break out into a little smile because the scent was so calming and pure.

Okay, so the true test was going to be whether or not the hubby would say something about a new "overpowering" scent when he walked in the door.

He did not.  

Yes, yes I know this isn't typically a good sign with a new product, but for him not to protest, and for me to be able to breathe in this lovely scent all day makes for a BIG WIN in my house.

Renuzit® Sensitive Scents comes in three varieties and scents:

• Adjustable Cones - good for smaller spaces, made with biodegradable gel and lasts up to 4 weeks! 
• Universal Scented Oils - the type that plugs into an electrical socket and fits in any Glade® or Air Wick® universal oil warmer.
• Trigger Spray - neutralizes tough odors, like trash cans, musty fabrics, etc. *my favorite*

and the scents available are:

• Pure Water Blossom & Cucumber™ - fresh like a cucumber with a floral sweetness to it.
• Pure Ocean Breeze™ - very clean, bright and mild scent
• Pure White Pear & Lavender™ - refreshingly calm and slightly herbal scent *my favorite scent*   

  Are you ready to try some for yourself and see if it passes your sensitive nose test?

Renuzit® Sensitive Scents are available in stores now, or you can enter my giveaway below for a chance to win some!

Enter To Win

  Renuzit® Sensitive Scents™ Product Coupon

(3 winners)

• Fill out Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win - only 1 mandatory task
• Giveaway ends April 15, 2016 
• US entrants, 18+ only 

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Eco Home Giveaway - Ends 3/28/16

I'm totally into promoting any products that work well with our earth and provide a tool for moms like me to use that make our work easier....

We're celebrating the coming of spring with our Eco-Home Giveaway, sponsored by Mommy Scene and featuring products that help make life more Eco-friendly! All of the sponsoring brands offer products designed with families in mind, to encourage greener lifestyles. 

Check out these awesome brands and enter to win an amazing prize set below!

Thinkbaby | Thinksport

Prize: Thinkbaby GO2 Container + GO4TH 350ml + Stainless Steel Baby Bottle OR Sippy Cup OR Thinkster - winners choice + Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen, 6 ounces
Thinkbaby and Thinksport's founder, Kevin Brodwick, brought his interest in health and preventative medicine and his background in biotechnology together to form a company whose sole purpose is to create alternative products for babies to athletes alike. With a team of physicians and scientists focused on the latest biological and chemical sciences, Thinkbaby and Thinksport continue to lead in the usage of safe, non-toxic materials for consumer goods. Thinkbaby and Thinksport's efforts are further energized by working with both leading child and health advocacy partners and like-minded individuals. Learn more at gothinkbaby.com.

Crane

Prize: Crane Grey Droplet Humidifier
Crane's Droplet Humidifiers are a half gallon cool mist humidifier that runs for up to 15 hours. They are whisper quiet during operation, do not require a filter and they are energy efficient requiring less energy than a standard household lightbulb to run. All Crane cool mist humidifiers use an anti-microbial material to help fight bacteria buildup. Crane USA was founded with the continuing goal to "Design for Better Living." For everything from natural cold and flu remedies to relieving croup in infants, Crane's cool mist humidifiers are the perfect addition to any child or adult's room. Learn more at crane-usa.com.

Fresh Wave

Prize: Full Size Set of Fresh Wave products
Fresh Wave natural odor-removing products use simple, pure and natural ingredients to actually remove odors from your life. No harsh chemicals. No harmful ingredients. No masking fragrances. Fresh Wave products remove the odor at its source - on the molecular level. With Fresh Wave, odors go away. Happiness stays. Products are available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and Ace Hardware. Learn more at freshwaveworks.com.

Little Dundi

Prize: 2 sets of Eco-friendly Hangers - choose from 6 designs
Little Dundi brings to life products inspired by baby. Our innovative line of Eco-friendly clothes hangers started with a cloud shaped infant sized model has grown to include hangers sized for toddlers & kids clothing. These hangers come in 6 attractive prints and are made of thick and sturdy recycled paperboard with an aqueous coating for a more polished look. All glues used are vegetable starch based and the inks are water based. Our hangers are our way of being friendly to the Earth. Learn more at littledundi.com.

Beachfront Baby

Prize: Recycled Beachfront Baby Wrap
Beachfront Baby makes fashionable water baby carriers! Each Beachfront Baby Wrap made with 100% Repreve PC polyester contains approximately 15 plastic water bottles! Each Recycled Wrap comes with its own matching drawstring carry bag, which is also made with Repreve, and our packaging for this wrap is printed on 100% recycled paper. Made in the USA, all our carriers are sewn with care by work-at-home-moms in the San Antonio, Texas area. Learn more at beachfrontbabywraps.com.

Wicks Beauty

Prize: Gift set of top sellers: Neem Skin Salve, Bentonite Clay Mask, Sea Salt Face Scrub, and Lavender Goat Milk Soap
Wicks Beauty is offering a gift set of a few of our top sellers: Neem skin salve, bentonite clay mask, sea salt face scrub, and lavender goat milk soap - a $36 value! Wicks features a family-focused array of products made with all-natural oils and butters that detox and heal skin while protecting its natural moisture. Our products help soothe and prevent eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Breathe new life into tired skin the natural way. Check out our line for babies and pets! Learn more at wicksbeauty.com.

Silikids

Prize: $50 gift set including newly released silicone cups, straws & universal fit straw and sippy tops
Siliskin Silicone Cups are made with 100% food grade silicone with an embedded stainless steel ring so they won't collapse when gripped. Dishwasher safe and great for indoor and outdoor use.
Siliskin Universal Silicone Sippy Tops fit over any size cup. The silicone top grips the cup top while air suction keeps it in place. The spout is free of intricate valves allowing for easy use and cleaning. Also dishwasher safe and perfect for on-the-go and indoor and outdoor use.
Siliskin Universal Straw Tops stretch over and grip the top of glasses of multiple sizes, while also kept in place with air suction. Use with a Siliskin silicone cup or a glass of your choice for an instant, no-spill straw top cup.
Silikids products are safe, modern & practical, easy to clean, and made from 100% food grade silicone. A great alternative to plastic! Learn more at silikids.com.

Sudsy Dough Moldable Soap

Prize: 12 oz. tub of Sudsy Dough with surprise toy inside! Fragrance of choice
Sudsy Dough is an interactive bath toy that doubles as a moldable scented dough and a cleansing soap. Kids can squeeze and squish Sudsy Dough in the bath, rub it on as body wash, or take it outside the tub and make custom-shaped soaps that will dry when left out in open air. Sudsy Dough is scented and infused with moisturizing ingredients such as Shea Butter and beeswax. Each ball also has a surprise bath toy hidden inside! Available fragrances include Merry Mango, Sassy Strawberry, Awesome Apple, and Bubbly Blueberry. Learn more at revelae.com.

Yummi Pouch

Prize: Set of 3 cloth snack or sandwich bags, style of choice
Take snacks on the go with Yummi Pouch cloth snack and sandwich bags. Our cloth bags are lined with a moisture resistant interior and decorated with colorful prints, choose from 16 cute patterns! Perfect for crackers, sandwiches, and dry snacks, or small items like bottle parts, teethers, and hair accessories! They open with a silent zipper that's simple enough for a child to use. Reduce the trash during lunchtime or organize your purse with our modern cloth bags. Learn more at revelae.com.

Back Buddy

Prize: Back Buddy Support Pillow
Back Buddy is an award-winning maternity and feeding support pillow, designed by a Chiropractor and nursing mother. It alleviates common back pain during and after pregnancy, and provides comfort and support for mom while holding or feeding baby. Made in the USA from high-quality structural foam that is certified to be made WITHOUT harmful PBDE flame retardants, phthalates, CFC's, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, and is tested for performance, durability, and emissions.
Learn more at back-buddy.com.

hipNgo

Prize: hipNgo - brand new, black on black design or color of choice
The hipNgo provides the ideal child carrying solution for the family with an active lifestyle and a busy toddler. The patented saddle seat centers the child against the adult hip and provides proper weight distribution, relieving strain on the arms, shoulder and hands. The simplistic shape, size and weight offer families on the go, a handy solution to the challenges of traveling with a toddler. The hipNgo can be adjustable for male or female versatility, left or right handed dexterity, as well as large and small build body types. Say goodbye to the bulky stroller and say hello to the 5-ounce hipNgo with its own storage bag. Available in several colors as well as classic black. Learn more at hipngo.com.

Enter to win these great prizes!

This giveaway is sponsored by Mommy Scene and is open to US entries. One winner will be chosen and displayed on the giveaway widget after the giveaway ends on March 28th, 2016. Mommy Scene and the participating blogs are not responsible for fulfilling brand-sponsored prizes. Prizes will be shipped directly from each brand.
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Our First Trip To The Sacramento Zoo

I was given complimentary admission to the Sacramento Zoo facilitate this post. However, all opinions are 100%  my own and not influenced by the company.

She loves maps.


Not even five years old, and anything having to do with a map, "Big Sister H, is sold.


When we arrived for our very first trip to the Sacramento Zoo, she made a beeline for the map display and proceeded to plan our our entire journey - bathroom stops and all!

Now, the real reason we decided to come to the Sacramento Zoo, is that "Baby O" (pictured above) - requested a trip to the Zoo for her 3rd birthday celebration.


With Gamma and G-Pa coming for a visit from out of town, we figured it was the right time to make our first trip to the zoo!

"Big Sister H." got a little off track when she saw this photo board and made it her own.

I'm not sayin' she's classy. She's a nut.

Rawwwwrrrrr!

 
Giraffes were a big hit for our family.


They are so seriously strange and beautiful, with those long necks and purple tongues - it's like they're from another planet altogether.

Ha, Ha.


G-Pa played a trick on the girls and convinced them that there was a bobcat on display.


Well, it was a bobcat. But not the normal kind you'd see at the zoo.


Onward, we go!

No trip to the zoo is complete without a visit to those amazing striped beasts, the ZEBRA!


The girls were fascinated to see these calm zig-zagged creatures calmly eating their hay and showing off their cool coats.






There was a very cool safari tent near the aardvark enclosure that had some cool dress up gear for the girls and some much needed shade.


There was a case with little drawers and labeled specimens, which the girls used, pretending to be a safari expert explaining their collections to anyone who would listen.

Ha.

   

The Train ride was fun for all of us, big and small alike. 

A nice little break from walking and spying on animals - which gives you an overview of where certain animals are located and little fun facts you otherwise might not have known.

We were nicely surprised by an Education Station we found by the Tiger enclosure.


There were two very helpful and eager-to-educate docents that had casts of tiger skulls and a display of how strong a tiger's jaw/teeth are (ie. steel bowl full of holes from a tiger playing with it).


The girls being 3 and 4 were actually quite entertained by the stories and information these lovely men provided us with. You could tell they were passionate about animals and the Sacramento Zoo, which was great to see.

We were fortunate to capture this sweet shot of a lion cub who seemed very curious and willing for us to take his photo. Can't wait to go back and see how he's grown!

Final stop, the Conservation Carousel at the Sacramento Zoo. What a beautiful carousel, with 32 gorgeous carved wooden animals to choose from!


I felt good knowing that the $2.50 per ride goes directly towards conservation awareness and educational programs. Plus, the girls loved picking out their favorite animals.

These really are some of the most beautiful carousel animals I've ever seen! 

So, for a fun, affordable family outing that you're sure to make special memories from - take your family on an adventure to the Sacramento Zoo! 

Making Holiday Memories With Preschoolers #HolidayMoments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayMoments #CollectiveBias

Holidays with three small children is all about candy canes, wrapping presents, hot cocoa, ornaments, stockings...

Scratch that. Holidays with three small children is all about the short-cuts.

Now, I don't want to short-cut the kids out of making special holiday memories, but cutting a corner here and there never ruined a Christmas, right?

When the Christmas songs start playing on the radio, my girls automatically turn into little baking elves. 
 

"Let's Bake Cookies, mama!" 

I can blame it on their grandma, who is a recipe contest winning machine! She's taught them how to wield a rolling pin with excellent mastery - for preschool aged bakers, that is. 

While, their grandma may have the patience for measuring spoons and mixers, it's hard for me to coordinate three girls mixing in one bowl, so it's time for a shortcut.

 

 

 

Baking Cookies With A Preschooler - The Shortcut Edition

 

 

 Step 1. Stock up on cleaning supplies at Costco

 

It's no secret that during the holidays between visitors and baking projects, I have to take a shopping trip to Costco to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, and of course cleaning products.

Having just moved into a new house with laminate/wood flooring, I'm a big fan of Swiffer products from P&G to keep my floors shiny.

The second reason I love Swiffer, is that my girls can join in the cleaning. Rather than pushing around a heavy vacuum, my girls enjoy taking turns with the Swiffer, learning how to clean up their own messes while having fun and practicing responsibility.   

Step 2. Buy a box of baking or cake mix!

 

Instead of measuring out flour, butter, sugar and hunting for multiple tiny spoons for spices - get to the baking and decorating faster by purchasing a baking mix.

If you can find a baking mix that only requires water, oil and an egg, you'll save yourself a lot of time and headache!

Preschoolers can measure water and crack an egg without making a huge mess, right?

Well, at least it will be less of a mess than they'd make with flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon, yes? Yes! 

Step 3. Invite them to choose only 1-2 cookie cutters

Limiting the quantity of cookie cutters used, meant that my preschoolers had more repetition and were able to master the variables of those particular shapes. 

Rolling the appropriate thickness of dough, and using the spatula to transfer the cookie to a baking sheet takes coordination and changes with each shape used.

Choosing only their two favorite holiday shaped cookie cutters seemed to do the trick to boost their confidence as they practiced on only these shapes. 

Step 4. Be sure to have plenty of flour within reach

 

Any type of cookie dough you end up using will inevitably become sticky in those little preschooler fingers.

Having a little bowl of flour for the kiddos to dust the dough with will help limit meltdowns and frustration at dough sticking to the rolling pin, cutting board, spatula, etc. 

Step 5.  Take a deep breath and expect a mess

As long as you expect the worst, you'll be pleasantly surprised at anything short of disaster! 

Despite choosing a baking mix that didn't require a lot of measuring or dry messy ingredients - the above mess is what happens with preschoolers even if the flour is just for dusting the cutting board.

Just remember, you are creating memories that will last a lifetime. Flour on the floor can be cleaned up and your house returned to normal in a matter of minutes.

Let it be.

 Step 6. Use Swiffer Wet Mopping Refills to clean up

There are many options for cleaning up with Swiffer. Both wet and dry mopping pad refills are available at Costco, as well as the whole sweeper kit if you don't have one yet!

Easy peasy!

Step 7. Relax and enjoy the #HolidayMoments you've made

Can't remember what you need to prepare for holiday visitors? 

Check out this list of must-have P&G products available at Costco, you won't want to be left without: P&G Necessitities

Tell me.....

What do you think is a MUST-HAVE for baking with preschoolers during the holidays?