Guest Post Policy

Guest Post Policy

I love having guest authors at Over Thirty Mommy but it has recently been revealed to me that some of the "authors" that I have been working with are not authors at all but rather people who work for companies hired to place (paid) guest posts on blogs (for free).


Effective May 18, 2012, there is a new policy to having guest posts placed at Over Thirty Mommy

Who I Will Accept Guest Articles From:

1. People: readers of my site and fellow bloggers that have articles that fit with the theme of my blog.

2. Companies who have something to bring to my blog.

Article Guidelines:

1. All articles must be original ideas. 100% your own and not posted anywhere else.

2. Article topics must be family friendly, we do not post articles of an adult nature or topic

3. Any links in the article must lead to family friendly sites, preferably your own blog or author site (not paid
    links to companies or products)

I will not respond to email correspondence that says that you are willing to write on any topic I choose or "I have another great article for your site" so please include real information in your request/pitch.

Fees:

Readers and Bloggers
If you are a reader or blogger who wants to guest post, you are welcome to submit your article for consideration. Articles from readers and bloggers and not subject to a posting fee (provided they are your articles and not paid projects).

Companies, Websites, Online Stores
There is a $20 fee to post your guest article if you will be including a link to your online place of business. This fee is subject to change.

My Rights As the Owner of Over Thirty Mommy

1. I reserve the right to reject any article if I feel that it is not a good fit or if I feel the "author" is not who they say they are.

2.  I schedule, on average, 2 weeks in advance (sometimes longer). If you have a deadline for having your article published, we can discuss an additional "RUSH" fee.


I am sorry, to my reader and blogger guest authors, that this policy has become necessary.  As much as I love having guest articles at Over Thirty Mommy, I am no longer "in the dark" about these types of schemes and will not be taken advantage of anymore.  I am more than happy to work with companies to post sponsored content but there is now a required posting fee for these types of articles.

Thank you and I look forward to posting your guest posts in the future, provided they follow the new Guest Post Policy.




 

Snatch That Cat Children's Book Review

Snatch That Cat Children's Book Review

I love reading with my daughter and love it when books teach her morals and lessons. 

About Snatch That Cat
Story by Larry Buttram
Illustrated by Paul Richardson

Susie Bipp is a spoiled little rich girl who can have anything she wants. One day she sees her neighbor's beautiful black cat, Simon, and falls in love with him. When Simon's owner, Mrs. Payne, refuses to sell him to her, Susie decides to steal him. She quickly discovers that things don't always turn out as planned. Will she ever be successful in snatching Simon?

 
Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts


What a cute story,at first my daughter was all about the cute kitty but then she started to understand the meaning of the story.  We seem to have skipped the terrible twos and moved on to the treacherous threes, she thinks she gets everything she wants and trows tantrums when she doesn't get it.  I am sure this is partially my fault, she is an only child so we never had to limit what we gave her for siblings.  I think this book is helping her realize that you do not always get your way and can not get everything.  


We have shelves and shelves of books, but very few get read more than a couple times, she definitely has her favorites and Snatch That Cat quickly made the cut to the main shelf of her book collection and is in regular rotation.


Where to buy
Snatch That Cat is available as an ebook through Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble, and in hard copy softcover from the publisher, New Virginia Publications.

 **Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**

Guest Post: 5 Ways To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Car Seat After An Accident

5 Ways To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Car Seat After An Accident 

Deciding whether or not to replace your child’s car seat after an automobile accident can be complicated because different sources give different recommendations. Car seat manufacturers typically recommend replacing a car seat after any car accident, no matter how minor it is. Other agencies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, suggest that car seats are safe to continue using after a minor accident.

1. Did your air bags deploy during the accident?

One way to decide if you should replace your car seat is whether the air bags were set off during the accident. If the accident was a direct impact that didn’t trigger the air bags, you may be able to continue using your current car seat. If the accident was at an angle that didn’t trigger the air bag sensor do not use air bag deployment as a determination on whether to get a new car seat for your child.

2. Did you drive your car away after the accident?

If your auto accident was minor enough that you could drive your vehicle away after the accident instead of having it towed away, you might be able to keep your existing car seat for you child. If the accident was severe enough that the car had to be taken away by a tow truck, make sure you replace your car seat.

3. Was anyone injured in the accident?

If the accident was serious enough for someone other than your child in their car seat to get hurt, be thankful that your little one is unhurt and get a new car seat. If your car seat-strapped child was the one injured that means the car seat was likely directly impacted and you should buy a new one. If no one was injured, the accident may be considered minor enough to avoid the need for a new car seat.

4. Is there any damage to the car seat?

Look the car seat over carefully. If you see any damage such as cracked plastic, damaged safety belts or other problems make sure you purchase a new car seat right away. If there is no visible damage to the seat and the accident was minor you should be able to keep using your current car seat for your little one.

5. Would you feel better if you replace it?

Sometimes all signs may point to you being able to keep the car seat you have but you might still be unsure about using it. If it would give you more peace of mind to get a new seat, go ahead and buy a new one. There is no substitute for knowing that your child is as safe as she can possibly be.
If you answered all of these questions and feel confident in continuing to use your child’s car seat, you should be fine to go ahead and keep it. If your previous answers indicate you need a new car seat for your little one, be sure to purchase a new seat before strapping your child back into your vehicle.

Guest author Patricia White is a freelance blogger and is writing on behalf of carinsurance.org.uk.

Guest Post: How to Tell If Your Child Needs Glasses

How to Tell If Your Child Needs Glasses

 
A large number of children need glasses at an early age, but their vision problems will most likely go undiagnosed for a long time. Most kids do not like the look and feel of glasses, so they are going to be reluctant to tell you if they are having vision problems. Luckily, there are several signs to look for to help determine if your child is having troubles with their vision. While there are several behavior signs of vision problems, these are the five most likely to tell you if your child needs glasses.

Squinting

Squinting is probably the most common behavioral symptom of a child that is having vision problems. If you child is having vision problems, then they are most likely seeing a lot of blurry images. Squinting reduces the amount of area that the eyes have to focus on, so it makes it easier for them to see. This is why most kids that need glasses will be seen squinting for extended periods of time. Occasional squinting does not mean your child needs glasses, but it can help you notice a serious problem if it is occurring often.

Covering of One Eye

It is very common for people to have good vision in one eye but deteriorating vision in the other eye. The poor eye is going to cause vision problems, so the children will just cover the eye that does not see properly. This allows them to be able to see without any problems. Unlike squinting, most children will not display this behavior unless they have a vision problem. If you see your child repeatedly covering the same eye, then it is a good idea to take them to the eye doctor.

Head Tilting

If you kid is constantly tilting their head, then this can be a sign of a serious eye problem. Most children that show this behavior are suffering from double vision. Double vision is caused by problems with muscles in the eye. Head tilting takes pressure off of the bad muscles, and helps clear up the double vision. Head tilting is not a normal behavior of most children, so you be able to easily spot the problem.

Reading Too Close

If your child is holding the book very close to their eyes while they are reading or sitting very close to the television, then they may be experiencing nearsightedness. Nearsighted people have no problem seeing clearly when they are close to an object, but their vision gets blurry as they move away. Children choose to deal with this problem by getting very close to what they are trying to see.

Rubbing Eyes

While a child rubs their eyes, this means that their eyes are fatigued. This can be caused by the child being tired and in need of sleep, but it can also be a symptom of vision problems. If your child is constantly rubbing their eyes when they should not be tired, then it may be best to get their vision tested. Rubbing eyes will usually be accompanied by other symptoms, so the vision problem should be easy to detect.

Most of these behaviors are not done by most children, so they should be easy to spot. If you notice your child exhibiting several of these symptoms, then you should take them to get their eyes check. Vision problems can cause serious problems for the child in school, so it always best to be cautious when dealing with the eyes.

Author Sara Roberts has a background in health and technical writing, and is a content contributor for Just Eyewear, an online retailer of prescription glasses and sunglasses.

RECALL NOTICE: Reported Death, Severe Neck Injuries Prompt Recall of Banzai Inflatable Pool Slides

Reported Death, Severe Neck Injuries Prompt Recall of Banzai Inflatable Pool Slides Sold by Walmart and Toys R Us

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. and Toys R Us Inc., of Wayne, NJ are announcing the recall of about 21,000 inflatable Banzai in-ground pool water slides.

During use, the slide can deflate, allowing the user to hit the ground underneath the slide and become injured.

The slide is also unstable and can topple over in both still and windy conditions and carries inadequate warnings and instructions.

The CPSC is aware that a 29-year-old Colorado mother died in Andover, Mass. after fracturing her neck going down a Banzai in-ground pool water slide which had been placed over the concrete edge of a pool. The victim hit her head at the bottom of the slide because it had partially deflated.

The CPSC and the retailers are aware of two other injuries which have occurred in a similar manner, including a 24-year-old man from Springfield, Mo. who became a quadriplegic and a woman from Allentown, Pa. who fractured her neck.

The recall involves Banzai in-ground pool water slides designed for use with in-ground pools. The vinyl slides have a blue base, yellow sliding mat and an arch going over the top of the slide. By connecting a hose to the top of the slide, water can be sprayed on its downward slope. The words 'Banzai Splash' are printed in a circular blue, orange and white logo, shaped like a wave on either side of the slide.

The recalled slides, which were manufactured in China by Manley Toys, Ltd, were sold at Walmart and Toys R Us nationwide from January 2005 through June 2009 for about $250.

The recalled slides have the barcode number 2675315734 and model number 15734. Both the barcode and model number appear on the original packaging but are not on the actual slide.

CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the product and return it to the nearest Walmart or Toys R Us for a full refund. Consumers can also cut the two safety warning notices out of the slide and just return that portion.

For additional information from Walmart, call (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.walmartstores.com.

For additional information from Toys R Us, call (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, or visit the firm's website at www.toysrus.com

Disney/Pixar BRAVE - Hilarious "Kilt" Video!

Disney/Pix

ar BRAVE - Hilarious "Kilt" Video!

"Like" BRAVE on Facebook: http://www.facebook.

com/PixarBrave 

.

BRAVE arrives in theaters everywhere on June 22^nd!

Techy Summer Xbox Kinect Bundle Event Sign Up

Techy Tribe and Mom to Bed by 8 is proud to present the Techy Summer Xbox Kinect Bundle Event from July 8 to July 22. This is a free blogger event and accepting signups now.

Join the Techy Summer Xbox Kinect Bundle Giveaway event today, grow your readership and offer a gamers must have giveaway!

SpiritHoods Kids Review

My daughter loves accessorizing.  Be it hats, scarves, jewelry, purses, you name it if she thinks she can use it to spice her outfit she has it or wants it.

About SpiritHoods
SpiritHoods connect kids in a unique and creative way to nature and our animal friends. SpiritHoods are about friendship, family, love, generosity, and bonding with nature. A SpiritHood is more than just a cool furry animal hat, it inspires children to bond in a completely new way to the world around them.

We believe in the conservation and protection of both the planet and it’s animals, and feel strongly about educating kids about animals, and empowering them with the ability to make a difference. To help give back we’ve partnered with, and are actively donating a portion of our proceeds to, several non-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation. We call this Product Blue.

A SpiritHood feels cuddly and soft, but is built to withstand the “tough love” that kids give their favorite things. It is our goal that each SpiritHood grows with your child and lasts a lifetime. Our hoods are handmade with the best quality faux fur. We would never harm our furry friends.  All SpiritHoods are manufactured in Los Angeles, CA.

About PRO BLUE
When you purchase a SpiritHood with the PRO BLUE logo, they donate 10% of net profits to a non-profit organization dedicated to helping that particular Spirit animal. A major goal of theirs is to educate people on the importance of helping these animals and empower them to make a difference. Buy a SpiritHood, Help an animal.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts
Over Easter weekend, I saw a young girl at an Easter Egg hunt wearing the most adorable Husky hat with paws on the ends. It was so cute.  I knew that Beans would LOVE it so I looked online to see if I could find it but had no luck.  Then out of the blue I was contacted to see if I wanted to share SpiritHoods with my readers.   We were given the opportunity to review the half version of the Panda Hood (shown above), Half versions are shorter, have flaps to cover your ears (instead of full scarves) with a hidden pocket on one side and the Panda one has cute pom poms at the end of ties on the flaps (that my daughter likes to fluff in my face).  Half versions of the hoods are available in the adult shop if you are looking for them, it took me forever to figure that one out.


Full length Hoods retail for around $79 and the half size ones are about $69

One of my favorite features is that the hoods can be washed.  My daughter did not want to take it off so it got a bit messy when she ate with it on. They do recommend dry-cleaning your hood or hand washing your hood in cold water and air drying but if you have the Doodle Hood, you can wash it alone in the washing machine on "delicate" with warm water.

DO NOT PUT YOUR HOOD IN THE DRYER!

Where to Find SpiritHoods:
SpiritHoods are available at boutique shops and retailers across the country as well as online from their site. 

 **Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**

Lightening Fast Japanese for Kids and Families: Review and Giveaway

Lightening Fast Japanese for Kids and Families

by Carolyn Woods

My husband and I have wanted to teach our daughter a second language since she was born.  We worked with her on sign language to help her communicate with us before she could speak but we wanted to teach her Japanese or Italian to help her learn some of her heritage.

My husband is 1/2 Japanese and I am 1/2 Italian, since he knows a little Japanese, I thought that would be a good one to start with and it would also help me out since I work for a Japanese company and wouldn't mind learning some conversational Japanese so that I can communicate with members of our staff and senior management.

Since I have almost zero knowledge of the Japanese language, I wanted to start with something easy that both my daughter and I could learn together.

About Carolyn Woods:
Carolyn Woods is a busy mom of 4 trying to do things better, faster, cheaper! Follow her for science activities, best educational books and games, and family friendly fun! Also author of the “Lightning Fast Languages” books, available at Amazon.com.

For other books available by Carolyn Woods you can visit her Amazon author page or her blog 

About Lightening Fast Japanese:
This book translates daily conversations you might have with your children into Japanese with phonetic pronunciation – so you can have conversations with your family in Japanese while learning it!

Other Languages available: French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Chinese.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts:
Over all I liked Lightening Fast Japanese for Kids and Families very much.  My daughter and I find it fun to practice our words while getting dressed, having meals and doing things around the house.  I have almost zero knowledge of the Japanese language so I do find myself getting confused on pronunciation (sometimes my husband who does know a little Japanese looks at me like I am an idiot) but my daughter and I work through it and do our best.  I will be making flash cards to go along with words we are learning in the book so that we can label things and practice.  While my daughter (she is three) has not memorized any of the words yet, we have only had a few 15 minute sessions so far, she is able to repeat them back to me and remember them for short periods of time.

I look forward to spending more time with the book and learning more along with my daughter.

WIN: OPEN TO US and CANADA!!

One lucky Over Thirty Mommy reader will win a copy of Lightening Fast Japanese for Kids and Families.  Available in mobi (kindle), epub, pdf, and paperback. ENDS 5/16 at 12:01 AM

First time children’s book author Nick Dazé, is in the final days of his campaign to raise funding to independently publish his children's book

First time children’s book author Nick Dazé, is in the final days (63 hours to be exact) of his campaign to raise funding to independently publish his children's book Roger Nix President at Age Six. 

The story is about kindergartener Roger Nix, an ordinary boy: Roger loves kindergarten, playing make-believe, and hanging out with his imaginary friends (a baby donkey named Jack and a baby elephant named Abe). But when he learns about the plans of Old Man Plee, a perennial presidential candidate, to shut down schools and send kids to work in factories as an austerity measure; Roger decides to run against Old Man Plee as a defender of “school and summer vacation, learning and imagination”. Of course Abe and Jack are there to help him every step of the way.

Nick Daze and his incredible Kickstarter campaign (http://www.kickstarter.com/

projects/787960356/roger-nix-president-at-six) have already raised nearly $22,000 and only has $8,000 more to go in order to put the book into production.  The book has been fully written by Daze and the illustrations beautifully crafted by Bill Robinson www.FlimFlammery.com . Each $30 pledge towards the Roger Nix campaign comes with a first edition hardcover copy of the book, delivered in time for the new school year this fall.  This is a timely story that is fascinating, engaging, and a thought-provoking read for both kids and parents written by a imaginative adult who was encouraged to explore his imagination as a child.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

Roger stood up quickly. He had something to say

With a wink from Jack and a trunks-up from Abe.

“I’ll run against him,” Roger said with a shout.

“I’ll run for president, have you no doubt!

To close school would be nothing short of a crime

You can't fool all us kids, not all of the time."

He stood on his desk and they all watched and wondered

As Roger kept talking, his voice boomed and thundered.

“We’ll beat him and keep all the schools as they are

Or make them way better. We’ll shoot for the stars!

We go to school so one day we'll go far,

Not because it is easy–because it is hard!

We are KIDS! The whole point is to learn and have fun

And to use our wee noggins...

THIS RACE HAS BEGUN!"

So Abe, Jack, and Roger got to work right away.

"That kid's on to something," his parents would say.

He made lots of speeches; he shook lots of hands

He toured a big factory that made rubber bands.

Then one night on the tube, to Old Plee’s disdain,

The news ran a story on Roger’s campaign.

“Roger Nix, daydreamer and ultimate kid,

Is gaining on Plee in his presidential bid.”

But everyone knew that sooner or later

Roger would have to be quite the debater.

Because one night soon, under some bright marquee

A debate would take place between Roger and Plee.

Please find more information and link to donate below if interested:

http://www.kickstarter.com/

projects/787960356/roger-nix-
president-at-six

Target Recalls Bunny Sippy Cups Due to Injury Hazard

 Target Recalls Bunny Sippy Cups Due to Injury Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Target Home Bunny Sippy Cup

Importer: Target Corporation; Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The ear on the bunny sippy cup can poke a child in the eye area while using the cup for drinking, posing an injury hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Target has received six reports of incidents where the plastic ear poked children during routine use of the product. Cuts and bruises were reported in three of these reports.

Description: The recall involves two styles of Target Home Bunny Sippy Cups. The cups come with handles on both sides in pink and blue, female and male. Each contains a corresponding white bunny head screw-on lid and one bent ear and one straight ear. The cups can be identified by imprints on the bottom: "TARGET 200020683" for pink and "TARGET 200020884" for the blue.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from February 2012 through April 5, 2012 for $3.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sippy cups and return them to any Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.target.com

                   

---

GourmetGiftBaskets.com Gourmet Brownie Sampler FLASH Giveaway

Gourmetgiftbaskets.com Gourmet Brownie FLASH Giveaway

I have a huge sweet tooth and the gourmet brownies from Gourmet Gift Baskets hit the spot!

As part of the 2011 Over Thirty Mommy Holiday Gift Guide, I introduced you to the great gift baskets offered by GourmetGiftBaskets.com so when they contacted me about their Gourmet Brownies, I jumped for it.  I never turn down a chance to appease my need for sweets (this is why every diet I try fails!).

About the Gourmet Gift Baskets Brownie Sampler
Our Brownies Sampler was specially-made to be a classy gift with a gourmet taste. Perfect for a family member, friend or that important client.

The look on someone's face when they open a gift with a classy presentation and then take their first bite and realize how delicious the brownies are is priceless. There isn't much more you can ask from brownie gifts. The amazing flavors packed into this gourmet brownie gift are sure to please anyone's palate. When you're searching for gourmet brownie gifts, you want to feel confident that your gift is of the utmost quality and that is the comfort we are providing you with this gourmet brownie sampler.

Check out the gourmet brownie flavors packed into this impressive gift: The perfect brownies for that special recipient.

Includes 1 of Each Flavor: (slightly different than one on website)

· Belgian Chocolate Chunk
· White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde
· Butterscotch Blonde
· Cheesecake
· Peanut Butter
· Fudge Walnut


Over Thirty Mommy's thoughts
YUM!!!! The sampler set is perfect for all members of the family.  they included the super chocolaty Belgian Chocolate Chunk for people like me, the Butterscotch Blonde for people like my husband (not huge chocolate fans, weirdo!) and Peanut Butter for my little one.  I had to fight my husband and daughter for bites of their brownie selections so that I could sample all the selections and conduct a "proper" review (mostly I just wanted to try them all because they were all good.  The only one I did not try was the Fudge Walnut, I have a slight walnut allergy and even though it looked super good I had to pass.  The brownies a large and moist, much better than I expected of prepackaged baked goods.

TIP: Do not look the calorie count! Tear open the package and just toss it aside!  I read them and while I considered not eating (all of) them, I had to sacrifice my waist line for the good of my readers.  I enjoyed every last crumb and calorie.

Enter to win GourmetGiftBaskets.com Brownie Sampler, like the one I received Unfortunately, because Brownies are perishable goods, we can only offer this promotion to anyone in the lower 48 states. Must Response back in 24hr or new winner will be chosen. Ends 4/28 12:01 am.

Disney/Pixar BRAVE Trailer "Families Legend"

Disney/Pix

ar BRAVE Trailer "Families Legend"

 The Summer Movie season is heating up with the newest Disney/Pixar collaboration and it is definitely on the top of my daughter's must see list. 

Check out the newest trailer release "Families Legend"

"Like" BRAVE on Facebook:

BRAVE arrives in theaters everywhere on June 22nd!

Maggie's Direct & Stonewall Kitchen Mother's Day Promotion

Maggie's Direct & Stonewall Kitchen Mother's Day Promotion

Looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift?  Look no further than Maggie's Direct and their Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry Batter Bowl Gift Set for only $49.95 with Free Shipping -Now through May 13th,  buyers will get back $25 in Social Bucks in their account - that is like getting this gift for $25 total cost!

Gift Set Features:

• Food products made in the USA
• Gift includes Wild Maine Blueberry Jam, Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup and Farmhouse Pancake and Waffle Mix
• Includes a batter bowl and spatula
• Batter Bowl has 7 Cup Capacity
• Batter Bowl is 11 inches x 8 inches x 5 inches

About the ingredients:

This is the perfect gift for any blueberry lover! This set comes with blueberry jam and syrup as well as pancake and waffle mix, all made by Stonewall Kitchen. The gift comes in a ceramic blue batter bowl with blueberry motif and a spatula for making pancakes or waffles.

Maine Blueberry Jam -- Just sweet, intensely flavorful wild Maine blueberries, the right amount of sugar and a splash of lemon is what we use in our crafted, top selling Wild Maine Blueberry Jam. Bursting with tiny, hand-raked Maine blueberries to enhance your favorite morning bread. Perfect to spread on pancakes, enjoy an extra special pb&j, or surprise someone with breakfast in bed! 

Maine Blueberry Syrup 8.5 oz. - Mix this brightly flavored Blueberry Syrup into your favorite smoothie recipe for great taste and a healthy dose of antioxidants. Delicious served traditionally with pancakes or French toast, Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup is also great drizzled on top of ice cream or a biscuit topped with fresh berries and whipped cream.

Farmhouse Pancake Mix - 16 oz. - Sensory overload may be the best way to describe the aromas and taste of fresh made Stonewall Kitchen Pancakes right in your own kitchen. Make everyone's day and whip up a batch of our best selling Farmhouse Pancake Mix.

Hurry over to Maggie's Direct now and order your Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry Batter Bowl Gift Set (shipping is free!)

Don't forget about the Maggie's Direct $5000 Shopping Spree 

**Disclosure: I am a pro blogger for Maggie's Direct and am given opportunities to review products in exchange for posts. A review will be coming soon! No other compensation was received and the views expressed are my own.**

The 2012 Ultimate Blog Party at 5 Minutes for Mom

The 2012 Ultimate Blog Party at 5 Minutes for Mom is well underway. Sorry for not sharing it sooner, I almost missed it myself!

It ends TONIGHT! This year they boast a whopping $21,200+ in prizes to be awarded!

The #UBP12 is a HUGE giveaway event that happens once a year. I know I’m a little, but better late than never right and there’s still plenty of time to jump in and enter!

You’ll want to hurry to 5minutesformom.com to enter! You can click the link or image to be taken directly to the starting point.

Be sure to come back and tell me if you win!

Good luck!

Farm Rich Snacks and Appetizers Review and Giveaway

Farm Rich Snacks and Appetizers Review and Giveaway

Saturday evenings at our house is family night, we call it Saturday Special.  Wiggle Bean picks out her movie of choice for the evening, we fix up a handful of yummy snacks and the three of us gather in the living room and veg out for the evening.

A few of our regular snacks are mozzarella sticks, popcorn, chips and dip, and don't forget the sweets!  While we do have our favorites we are always on the look out for fun new snacks to make every Saturday Special's well special.

Farm Rich Snacks and Appetizers
Farm Rich has been providing quality products to families for over 25 years. They have been making Farm Rich products with one goal in mind: keep 'em happy.

Headquartered on St. Simons Island, off the coast of Georgia they go to work every day committed to bringing you easy-to-prepare, wholesome snacks, appetizers, and meals.

Farm Rich Products
Farm Rich has products for everyone! Their offerings range from snacks to appetizers to meal items and include:

• Cheese Sticks
• Mozzarella Bites
• Mini Pizza Slices
• Stuffed Pretzel Bites
• Queso Cheese Bites
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Mini Quesadillas
• Philly Cheese Steaks
• Mini bacon Cheeseburgers
• Marinara Stuffed Mozzarella Sticks
• Meatballs, Italian Style Meatballs, Turkey Meatballs
• Original French Toast Sticks
• Cinnamon Sprinkle French Toast Sticks

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts
It took me a while to find the Farm Rich products (probably should have visited the product finder page before heading out on my shopping trip) but I did eventually find them.  Then the hard part began, which one to choose.  Good thing for me I had my little shopping buddy with me and once she saw the Farm Rich Stuffed Pretzel Bites, she knew what she wanted.

The Stuffed Pretzel Bites are soft pretzels full of smooth, creamy cheddar.  YUM!!!  They are so easy to prepare, pop them in the oven at 375 for 10 minutes and you are ready to rock.  They made the perfect snack since the soft pretzel came packed with its own cheese dip right inside.  

Win It!

Two Over Thirty Mommy readers will win
(1) Coupon for a FREE Farm Rich Snack or Appetizer!

Ends 4/30/12 at 11:59 PM ET. Open to US Only.

SnoreRx Pillow Liners Relief for Snorers and their Loved Ones: Review and Giveaway

SnoreRx Pillow Liners

Relief for Snorers and their Loved Ones

Review and Giveaway

Raise your hand if you have a snorer in the house. 

If you could see me you would see that I have 2 hands up in the air.  My husband sounds like he is sawing logs and my daughter is trimming the branches. Sometimes it can keep me from falling asleep and others it wakes me up from a dead sleep and I can not get back to sleep. There are nights when I go sleep on the couch just to get a little shut eye.

Could you use a better night's sleep?

I know I can! Honestly, who couldn't!

According to WebMD.com, snoring is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting approximately 90 million Americans.  Forty-five percent of adults snore occasionally, and 25 percent are considered to be habitual snorers.  Snoring occurs more frequently in men and has a tendancy to worsen with age.

About SnoreRX Pillow Liners
SnoreRx pillow liners are infused with a therapeutic blend of pure and natural essential oils. SnoreRx patented pillow liners are the secret to the SnoreRx system. Because of our unique delivery system for natural essential oils, you need not worry about making an oily mess or come into contact with oils at all, making SnoreRx the only user friendly and natural remedy to relieve your snoring symptoms. 

How it works

No pills, no foul tasting sprays, no uncomfortable devices and no sticky strips to stick on your face.  Simply put the patch on your pillow and breath in the blend of essential oils.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts
I will try anything the get a better night's sleep.  So when the SnoreRx pilloe liners arrived, I thought that I would sneak the pillow liner onto his pillow with out him even noticing.  Unfortunately that plan did not go smoothly, he smelled it the minute we walked in the door.  After him asking what that new smell was I had to admit to what I did and show the liner to him.  We both found the blend of essential oils to be strong but it was still pleasant.  My husband has some sensitivities to fragrances so we had  to remove the pillow liner from his pillow after it only being there a few hours but we could smell the essential oil for at least 4 days.

Even with having to remove the liner after a few hours, I enjoyed the next few nights snore free.  If I didn't think that he would notice, I would rub the liner on his pillow every night to get just a little bit of the essential oils onto it so that I could continue to enjoy snore free nights.

WIN:

one lucky Over Thirty Mommy reader will win a one month supply (10 liners) of Snore Rx Pillow Liners to enjoy snore free nights of their own.

Evenflo’s ExerSaucer ‘Jump Start’ Video Contest (win over $500!)

Think your baby’s got bounce? 

In honor of its new ExerSaucer Jump & Learn, Evenflo is calling all moms, dads and caregivers to submit videos of their little tikes jumping – in or out of an ExerSaucer – for a chance to win an ExerSaucer Jump & Learn Jam Session and $500 towards higher education (children 4+ months to walking age will be a natural in this contest, because let’s face it…babies love to jump!). 

Just like the prize package, the new ExerSaucer Jump & Learn line is designed to help ‘jump start’ baby’s future by helping him reach his developmental milestones with new jump and spin actions that strengthen neck, back and neck muscles. For parents who can watch their cute, little kangaroo jump all around, this is their chance to have ultimate bragging rights.

At the end of the contest, the video with the most votes will win, so it is important to share your submitted videos with friends and family to help ‘jump start’ your own chances of winning! Come back daily to vote on your video, see other cute competitors, and learn savvy parenting tips and tricks on the EvenfloBaby Facebook wall.

Entry into this contest is as easy as 1-2-3:

1)      Visit the EvenfloBaby Facebook page “ExerSaucer“ tab (http://on.fb.me/H9b2a6)  

2)      Register, accept contest terms/conditions and upload a short video of your child jumping in or out of an ExerSaucer (videos should feature children 4+ months to walking years of age, and be less than 3 minutes and 80 MB)

3)      Vote!

 

Evenflo’s ExerSaucer ‘Jump Start’ Video Contest is open NOW and closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 30, 2012. No purchase necessary to win

NEW! Yoplait® Greek Coconut and Cherry Pomegranate Multipacks

NEW! Yoplait® Greek Coconut and Cherry Pomegranate Multipacks 

 Greek yogurt is all the rage now, it is higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates, and creamier.   Even with all the great benefits I have been hesitant to go Greek.  I like my yogurt and eat it every weekday both plain and in my daily fruit/yogurt smoothies.  When I was given the chance to try the new Yoplait® Greek Coconut and Cherry Pomegranate flavors, I thought now was as good as time as any to get on the Greek yogurt train (and anything coconut reminds me of my last trip to Jamaica so I couldn't pass it up).

About Yoplait Greek Yogurt Multipacks

Yoplait Greek yogurt offers a delicious, creamy, and satisfying snack that deliver two times the protein of regular yogurt*. The new Coconut and Cherry Pomegranate flavors come in multipacks with four 4 oz. yogurt cups each packed with 8 grams of protein and only 110 calories!  The new flavors are delectable and fresh with the same benefits you’ve come to expect from Yoplait Greek, and are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D.  Yoplait Greek Cherry Pomegranate, Blueberry and Strawberry multipacks also contain delicious fruit on the bottom.  Yoplait Greek is an affordable Greek yogurt product at a suggested retail price of $2.99 per 4-pack, and is now available at major grocery stores nationwide.

* Yoplait Greek contains 12g of protein per 6 oz. versus regular non-Greek yogurt contains 5g of protein per 6 oz.

 Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts

Wow, I really should have converted to Greek yogurt long ago.  This stuff is delicious and I love the added protein, it helps me stay fuller longer.  The coconut flavor is amazing, it takes me back to my Jamaica days.  I would kick back at my desk and envision my husband and myself having our daily breakfast on the beach.  The new pomegranate was very tasty also and has fruit on the bottom.  Yoplait Greek yogurt is thick and rich, full of flavor but not overly sweet.  sadly, I am all out but it has been added to the grocery list and will soon be stocked back in my fridge.

**Disclaimer: I received a free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**

Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters Blog Review & Giveaway

Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters Blog Review & Giveaway

 

About Bobble Bots (from sponsor)

From the creators of HEXBUG® Micro Robotic Creatures comes an all-new buzzing, explorative, and collectible line of toys with customizable playsets. Set to launch spring 2012, Innovation First International teamed up with Mind Candy - the entertainment firm behind the globally successful Moshi Monsters brand - for the debut range of Bobble Bots^TM Moshi Monsters.

This new brand of innovative robotic pets and playsets fuses some of what fans love most about HEXBUG - high-tech vibration technology, collectable pieces, and open-ended creative building play - with the hugely popular virtual Moshling characters and buildings, in a way that brings Monstro City to life for millions of fans worldwide.

The initial assortment of Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters products available at launch will include 24 battery operated collectible Moshlings and a variety of configurable 3-D "dollhouse" replicas of the streets, yards, buildings and houses found online in Monstro City. Every Bobble Bots^TM Moshi Monsters product will include secret codes to unlock new content in the online world at www.moshimonsters.com.
 
Innovation First International was founded on the belief that innovation very early in the design process is necessary to produce simple and elegant product designs. Innovation First International's three main subsidiaries, VEX Robotics, Inc., Innovation First Labs, Inc. (makers of HEXBUG® Micro Robotic Creatures), and RackSolutions, Inc. span the education, consumer and business-to-business markets. For more information visit www.bobblebots.com.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts:
Sometimes having a daughter that is so similar to myself is hard.  We both have a love of receiving and opening packages.  Just today, a package arrived for my husband while I was home for lunch and rather than wait for him to get home, I had to call him to see if I could open it (I learned to ask first when I accidentally opened a birthday gift early once).  I couldn't help it, I never get to open the packages that arrive anymore because my daughter begs to open them and she is too cute to deny.

I was planning on talking the Easter Bunny into adding the Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters to her Easter basket but she was home when it arrived and I didn't have the will power to deny her the pleasure of opening the box.

Upon opening the box she shrieked with joy and wanted them set up right away.  I set up the GROSS-ERY store and she sat there playing with her "monsters" for over an hour before I had enough and had to turn them off for a little bit.  They didn't look all that interesting to me but my daughter felt otherwise and plays with them multiple times a week.  They do grow on you and now I think they are kind of cute, of course my hasband had to ask why it said Gross-Ery store not grocery store, my response being "DUH, they are monsters!".  Then I had to deal with my little mini me running around saying "Duh Dad" all night.  Man, I have to really watch my sarcasm.  He may have been able to put up with me for the past 13 years but he won't stand a chance with 2 of us!

They do contain small pieces that can get lost or stepped on but my daughter seems to love them.  She loves having them buzz around in and out of the doors, she thinks it is pretty funny when they bump into each other. While it it fun (for her) to have lots of bots running around, it can get a little loud (for me!) with them all buzzing about.

Over all the Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters and playsets are great, they don't take up a lot of space and they can easily be stored when not in use.

WIN:

Innovation First International and Mom Select have teamed up to offer one lucky Over Thirty Mommy reader a Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters Starter Set of their own

What is a mother worth?

What is a mother worth?

That’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves a lot recently; in fact, it actually caused a bit of an argument here in the office – it got pretty nasty, in honesty.

We decided that before we came to blows, there was only one thing to do: ask our life cover team to see if they could settle the argument (and decide whether John from accounts should feel guilty or not for just buying his mom a potted plant for her Birthday).

We were amazed by the figures: £30,000 is equal to $47,637 – and that’s an awful lot of money in anyone’s language. Even working mothers do a whole heap of work at home that’s worth more than $30,000 when you tot it up in babysitting, gardening and cleaning fees.

The long and the short of it? John in accounts, you should feel very ashamed indeed.

Balance Bike Benefits

Balance Bike Benefits
by Sherry Mabry 

April is Autism Awareness Month.  During the month of April, Balance Bikes 4 Kids will donate $5 from the purchase of every bike to Autism Speaks, a non-profit organization dedicated to the treatment and cure of Autism. 

There are millions of kids and parents who deal with the challenging health condition known as Autism. It's a condition that challenges both child and parent and can impair many aspects of normal, every day life. One rite of passage that many Autistic kids miss out on is the joy of learning to ride a bicycle. The complex motor skills and focus required to master bike riding can often elude an Autistic child and present serious challenges for the the most patient of parents. Despite the challenge, it's not an insurmountable task. Many children with Autism do learn to ride, and one method that's been very successful is through the use of a balance bike.

An autistic child should be involved in each step of the process starting with the bike purchase and most importantly the color selection to ensure the appropriate sensory experience for your youngster. Allow them to participate in the bike assembly so they become intimately familiar and connected with the bike. Letting your child use tools to help put the bike together can further enhance the experience and appreciation for their new bike.

For younger kids ages three to six, there is a great option for learning to ride a bicycle called a balance bike. These bikes have no pedals and do not use training wheels. They're small and lightweight and can be easily maneuvered. Since the bikes have no pedals, chains or sprockets the focus is on mastering balance first. Your child won't need to master a bunch of complex gross motor skills simultaneously. They will learn to balance and steer initially and can graduate to a pedal bike further down the road. This is a great approach for any child, but invaluable for special needs kids who may lack the required coordination and motor skills to balance, pedal and steer at the same time.

Allow your child to experiment with the balance bike at their own pace and on their own time table. Don't worry if the bike is a little small. That's a good thing. A child should be able to put both feet flat on the ground will sitting on the seat so that they can propel themselves forward and use their feet to "catch" themselves if they falter. Balance bikes are geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, but there are some companies that make bikes for bigger kids. The Go Glider from Glide Bikes will accommodate riders up to 125 lbs and the company even offers an adult-sized balance bike for adults with special needs.

Don't get hung up on the transition to a pedal bike. As long as your son our daughter is enjoying the ride, there is no reason to force them to move up to a pedal bike. When they do feel confident and ready, remove the pedals of the new pedal bike and let them use their feet to propel forward and test their balance. Find a gentle, grassy slope and let them cruise down with their feet just off the ground until they gain confidence. From there you can put the pedals back on the bike and let them try to place their feet on the pedals as they go down the hill. Next, you can find an even more gradual decline and have them start off by using the pedals.

Resist any temptation to put training wheels on the bike. Training wheels are "the old way" and don't really train anything. They do more harm then good by removing balance from the equation.

Use this method and you'll be surprised at the results. Balance bikes are a wonderful tool for teaching any child to ride a bike. If you have a son or daughter with Autism or special needs, consider a balance bike to ease the process of learning to ride a bike.

Sherry Mabry is the owner of Balance Bikes 4 Kids and a mom of five. When she's not busy helping customers of her online retail store, volunteering on the PTA or leading her Girl Scout troop...she attempts to breath.

Guest Post: Are you a Spender or a Saver and What this Could Mean to your Family

Are you a Spender or a Saver and What this Could Mean to your Family 

Spending habits directly impact the well being of the entire family. It is important to determine which type of money handler each adult in the household is in order to make changes which achieve the most comfortable financial situation as possible. The three groups are spenders, savers and even keeled. After discovering what category each person is in, it will be easier to target specific areas that need adjustments in order to live a financially healthy lifestyle.

Spenders have a tendency to spend every dime available without forethought to the future. These people are not well-versed in how to handle money properly. This type of spending can result in serious financial issues including foreclosure on a home or repossession of vehicles. This type of financial situation is irresponsible and causes great detriment to everyone in the family.

In order for a spender to become more of a saver, he or she must take drastic measures to ensure a healthy financial present and future. Retirement knocks on the door much sooner than expected. A spender might find him or herself in the position of having to work longer in order to survive. The first thing to do is to speak with a debt counsellor. A debt counsellor can help shed light on the most problematic areas that will make the most difference. A debt counselor will set up a plan that will get the personal debt lowered while providing a level ground to save for the future.

If debt has not become an issue but the ability to save still is not present, a financial planner may be the best possible source of help. A financial planner will help set up accounts for saving that also earn the most money over a long period of time. The best thing about these types of accounts is that it cannot be withdrawn for a specific amount of time once the money has been deposited, preventing temptation from becoming a problem.
Someone who is a saver may suffer from another type of problem. It is often called being cheap or frugal. This type of person lives in such a manner that the entire family could suffer from it. For instance, someone who is cheap or frugal might cut the spending budget so much that they will not allow enough for food each week. These people stick strictly to the budget without apology. This has a detrimental effect on the entire family. It can be caused by the fear of a previous financial downfall or possibly poor conditions in their family when they were young.

A saver is not in trouble from saving, so it comes down to a matter of being realistic. This person may benefit from counselling that lays out a plan to continue saving money but understanding that spending a portion of the money they earn is acceptable when not taken to extremes.

Finding level ground when it comes to spending and saving brings peace of mind to the person who is dealing with financial issues. Balance is the key to true financial freedom. Financial freedom is not just about being able to survive; it is about being at the highest level of financial comfort as possible throughout the life cycle.

My name is Nisha Sharma and I represent a site called http://www.winnow.co.uk.

Maggie’s Direct Hotel Collection = great deals and a giveaway! (Review)

 Maggie’s Direct Hotel Collection = great deals and a giveaway!  (Review)

Last week I introduced you all to a great online shopping site, Maggie's Direct, who was generous enough to giveaway a $25 site credit to one of my readers, there is still time to enter!!  Today I am going to tell you about their synthetic pillows from their hotel collection. 

Remake your bedroom with Maggies Hotel Bedding Collection – Exclusive Shopping Event for friends of this blog.

Synthetic Pillow
Website Product Description: If you're looking for a great everyday pillow, you can't go wrong with our 230 thread count synthetic pillow. The cluster fiber fill is hypoallergenic and irritant free the next best thing to down itself. Comfortable and supportive and made with fibers that loft and cluster without clumping or matting. The pillow's shell is made from soft, yet durable 50% cotton/50% poly fabric. The fabric is double stitched, downproof and Oeko-Tex Certified to be free of all harmful chemicals. Made in USA using fine imported materials.

• Soft cotton blend fabric

• Hypoallergenic synthetic fill - lofts and clusters just like down

• Oeko-Tex certified to be free of all harmful chemicals

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts
A little over a year ago my husband and I graduated from our queen bed to a king bed.  Man I love having more space (especially when our daughter joins us on Saturday mornings for family snuggle time (ok, Saturday morning cartoons in bed!).  I kept my queen pillow because I had not found the king pillow I wanted.  So when offered a chance to try the Maggie's Direct synthetic pillows, I was all about it.  I was originally going to go with a firm pillow but did not want it to be too hard so I decided on the medium (can't stand overly soft pillows).  My new pillow arrived quickly but unfortunately never made it to my bed.  I got it all ready to take its place on my side of the bed when shrieks of joy and giddy laughter erupted from my daughter on how happy and grateful she was that I got her a new pillow and how "comfy" it was.  She spent the rest of the evening flopping around on it in the living room, barley letting go of it (probably for fear that I would reclaim it).  Since that night, she barley lets anyone touch "her" pillow, even at snuggle time (she makes us lay on the old pillow).  In the brief moments that I have had the pleasure of resting my head on the Maggie's Direct synthetic pillow, I found it to be extremely comfortable, a bit too soft for my taste (should have gone with my original instincts and got the firm) but still very comfortable and my daughter seems to love it.

Hotel Collection Info
For anything in the Maggie's Hotel Collection you earn 50% back in social bucks!  You are earning 50% back on your purchase to spend on your next purchase at Maggies!  So, if you need a new comforter, buy the one I described above for the already low price of $139 for a Queen (retails at C*ddled*wn using the same factory AND material for $239!!) and you receive $70 back for your next purchase (sheets anyone?). 

Don't forget about the Maggie's Direct $5000 Shopping Spree  

**Disclosure: I am a pro blogger for Maggie's Direct and am given opportunities to review products in exchange for posts. A review will be coming soon! No other compensation was received and the views expressed are my own.**

Guest Post: Moving Out of Mom's

Moving Out of Mom's

Thanks for the post, Vernon Lowe

I am moving out of my mom’s house for the first time, and she is so worried about me. I know I will be fine, but she is constantly offering words of advice. I appreciated it at first, but now she is starting to become annoying. She keeps on trying to tell me what to do once I move out, when I am moving our precisely so that I don’t have to listen to her anymore. Everyone has to go through this at some point in their life, and I’m sure I’ll make plenty of mistakes. I just don’t want to hear about it from her all the time. She keeps on telling me to research cable television providers and to be careful about my budget. I know I’m young, but I’m not stupid. I think we would have a much better relationship if she would just let me learn some lessons on my own and not be so protective. Hopefully me moving out of the house will do us some good. I’m sure after a few weeks I’ll miss her nagging. I definitely know I’ll miss the home cooked meals she makes for me every night!