For your musical entertainment

We recently came across a new company called Yummy English Snack Productions, home to the YESnack CDs. L loves listening and dancing along to these creative and kid-friendly songs and I'm excited because I don't have to worry about the lyrics!

YESnack offers a 2 CD set that features over 43 unique songs!! Additionally, on their website you can find great stories that were inspired by the songs to share with your children - as well as the song lyrics. The songs are not only cute, but they are also chock full of information - like, the zodiac, lessons on why you shouldn't follow the crowd, and simple addition! And, for the older kids, a multiplication CD is included, making learning easier by putting it to music (up to the 12s).

These CDs are great for youngsters. I love that I can tell a story and we have a supporting song. I also love that these songs support great life lessons that I can teach and support...with music! Very fun, and I'm actually looking forward to breaking them back out when she starts learning multiplication!

And, with that said, there's a giveaway!! Simply tell us why you'd like to win and leave your email address in the comments. We'll announce the winners next Monday!

Good Luck!

Limeade

Limeade with a Touch of Mint Recipe

Ingredients

• Grated zest of one lime (about 1 Tbsp)
• 1 cup lime juice (from about 4-6 Persian limes)
• 3/4 cup to 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 cups water
• Several sprigs of fresh mint

Method

1 In a small saucepan bring to a boil the sugar, one cup of water, and the lime zest. Once the sugar is dissolved (which it should be by the time the water boils), remove from heat and let cool for for a few minutes. The amount of sugar is a guideline, it depends on how sweet you like your limeade and how tart your particular limes are.

2 Place a strainer over a bowl, or wide-mouthed serving container, and pour the sugar syrup through it, straining out the lime zest. Add the lime juice and 2 cups of water. Taste for sour/sweet balance. If too sweet, add a little more lime juice. Add several sprigs of fresh mint.

Chill, or serve immediately over ice.

Makes about 1 quart.

**From elise.com

Because I have Faith - a quick interruption

Shad Boaz. He’s only 20 years old and he’s in the hospital right now.

And, I need a favor. A huge favor. You see, this boy and his parents are friends of our family. This morning, on the way to work, he lost a tire and while trying to over-correct, he swerved off the road (and possibly flipped - I’m not straight on that part of the story yet) and hit a tree…which then fell on his car. Currently, his brain is swollen but is being kept alive by a life support machine.

And, I need you all. I don’t care if you’ve never prayed, I don’t care if you think your prayers have never been answered. Heck, I don’t even care if you don’t believe in God. I. don’t. Care. I’m asking you to simply send up a prayer, that his brain will go back down to normal and that he’ll be okay. If you don’t pray, then will you please send up good thoughts, or meditate, or do it all. I FIRMLY believe that when enough people want the same thing, the universe/God hears us and it happens.

So, please…for me…for a few seconds will you back away from the computer and pray/send good thoughts/meditate for this boy (and his family, too)?

I would so very much appreciate it …

PS - I’ll leave updates here, as I get them.

PSS - If anyone even TRIES to take over this post and even makes my friends feel even the slightest bit of crap for what they believe (no matter what it is), I will cut you off and you will be banned. We’re sending up nothing but love here at this blog. Because that’s the way I roll.

Toot Scoot

It's no secret that toddlers and kids of all ages love pushing around on anything with wheels. Traditionally, we as parents have bought our children 3-and-4-wheeled miniature cars and trikes to zoom around in/on. Today, we have yet another option: the Toot Scoot.

The Toot Scoot, made for ages 2-5 boasts thick plastic-rubber wheels that not only help your child balance, but will also never need to be aired. Both the seat and handlebars are adjustable, ensuring a great fit for your child. And, unlike many riding toys - this "bike" comes without training wheels or pedals. Instead, it encourages your child to push off the ground with their feet, learning how to balance (as well as coordination and motor skills) - which means your child will be ready for a traditional bike even sooner!

The original Toot Scoot was made by Buck Hale, a BMX bike rider and motorcross racer, for his son as a Christmas present. He wanted to share his love of bikes with his one-year old son, Seth. By 18 months, Seth could balance with his feet off the ground, and shortly afterwards he was buzzing around like a pro. Friends and passer bys were constantly stopping Buck, asking him if he would make them a Toot Scoot, or where they could find them - and, so Toot Scoots were born.

You can get your very own Toot Scoot at www.tootscoot.com.

Available in Black, Blue, Red, and White. $79.95

Popcornopolis

Do you know what's better than a package on your doorstep? A package with edible yumminess on your doorstep. That's exactly what happened when I received my goodies from Popcornopolis - a Best Of Porpcornopolis Gourmet Gift basket, filled with eight cones of scrumptious gourmet popcorn.

Popcornopolis' popcorn is so delicious, that you won't be able to keep it to yourself. You'll WANT to tell everyone you know about how great it is. And, with flavors like - Caramel, cheesy Cheddar, Cinnamon Toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, luscious Dark Chocolate, delectable White Chocolate, salty-sweet Kettle Corn, Zebra Chocolate, and rich Almond Corn - there's something for EVERYONE. Popcornopolis uses only the finest natural flavors and premium, farm-grown corn - and, let me tell you, you WILL tell a difference.

I barely got the package in the door, before I had an entire room of my own personal taste-testers (who left with zip-loc baggies full of popcorn). This popcorn was great - even my Grams asked for seconds because it was unlike any popcorn she had ever had...it didn't hurt her sensitive teeth.

My favorites?: Zebra Chocolate. (They were all good, of course. I just happen to be ever-so-slightly addicted to chocolate!)

Little Pim - Spanish

Little Pim, the creation of Julia Pimsleur Levine, is one of our favorite language learning tools for our daughter. We've been using the 3 DVD Spanish set. Each DVD is 35 minutes long and teaches over 60 words and phrases.

Husband and I both had Spanish in high school (college, too), but needed a refresher course in some things as we don't speak it often. We want our daughter to be multi-lingual and Little Pim is great for all three of us (and her grandparents!). The videos help jog our memory, while helping *L* learn new language sounds, words, and phrases. It's great!

"Little Pim is the creation of Julia Pimsleur Levine, the daughter of Dr. Paul Pimsleur, a renowned language professor, whose revolutionary audio teaching method made him a household name in foreign language learning. Julia grew up in a multi-lingual home and was fluent in French by the age of six. She also speaks some Italian, Spanish and German. Julia’s method for teaching foreign language to young children is based on her own childhood experience, her perspective as a mother and language teacher, as well as her background as an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

After the birth of her son, Emmett, three years ago, Julia wanted to give him the gift of a second language. She searched for children’s language DVDs to reinforce the French that she was teaching him, but couldn’t find one that met her high standards. With Emmett as her inspiration, she resolved to create a new affordable, easy and age-appropriate program that would enable families everywhere to enjoy learning foreign languages together."

The Little Pim series in Spanish comes with 3 DVDs: Eating and Drinking, Wake Up Smiling, and Playtime. And, unlike most foreign language DVDs for youngsters, Little Pim DVDs totally immerse your child in the language (English subtitles are optional). Words and phrases are broken down and shown with pictures and clips of children and babies doing everyday things (that corresponds with the word being learned). This set is great, and definitely one of our top picks.

Great for babies, toddlers, and up (even adults!)

101st Airborne Beer Cheese Soup

101st Airborne Beer Cheese Soup
1 large can chicken broth
1 medium jar cheese whiz
1 can stale beer
cayenne pepper to taste
Heat broth to boiling, reduce heat, add cheese whiz, stir till melted, addbeer and reheat, but do not boil. Top with bacon bits and green onions