Go Graham Go: Parenting | Recipes | DIY | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews | NC Mom Blog

Be Prepared for Blogging Conference Season and Brand Events

2012-05-25T00:04:00.000-04:00

I love the summer! I feel like I breathe a little bit easier these months and cherish the time and memories spent with the kids. Also, summer means time for blogging conferences! Most of the conferences fall during the summer and early fall (which works out great with my schedule). It is generally the time I am invited to the most events as well. So, I have learned over the years that before summer hits it is time to do two things: update my blog and purchase business cards!

From the beginning I have purchased from MOO.com because of the very first conference I attended. A few bloggers had these cards and I was so impressed with the quality and the ease of uploading my own unique design. Last year I went with their MiniCards and really loved them, but decided this year to go with a more traditional size.

MOO business cards come standard with quality paper. I think this is what really sets them apart. I also really like the idea of rounded corners. They are different, but still a standard business card size.

Looking for a way to display your business cards? You can just use the handy box they are shipped in! Isn't it adorable? It even comes with dividers to separate "theirs" and "mine". I simply stick this hard case box in my bag and use it to hand out my cards. It keeps them safe and I haven't spent any extra money on fancy business card holders (not saying that I don't want one... because MOO also sales some super cute ones)!

So, if you are a blogger and blogging is something that is more than just a hobby for you I urge you to grab some professional business cards from MOO as well as take a look around your blog for things you may need to tidy up. Great places to start are: About Page, Press Page, Sidebar and any Featured Posts.

This product was provided free of charge by Moo. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Easy Cheesy Omelette Bites {recipe}

2012-05-24T00:04:00.000-04:00

Growing up I had very fond memories of my mother's grilled cheese sandwiches as well as her cheesy eggs! What made them special? Well, there is always something special about a mother's touch. I think there has to be scientific evidence to back that up. Mom also used Kraft Singles for each of these memorable recipes. I remember that package well! When she wasn't serving up the best grilled cheese or topping our eggs we used the Singles on our sandwiches for school.

So, when I was met with the task of creating a wonderful meal for our family using one of the staples I grew up with I was excited to get cooking! My own children enjoy those delicious grilled cheese sandwiches just like my mother made and I love to create special breakfasts with that cheesy goodness as well. Both boys really love eggs, bacon and cheese and it is always nice to have something Davis (our 20 month old) can hold in his hands. With that said, here is our recipe for Easy Cheesy Omelette Bites that I hope you and your family will also enjoy! It is a simple one bowl recipe that only requires a few key ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Easy Cheesy Omelette Bites

Ingredients:

3 Kraft Singles slices
9 eggs
5 precooked bacon slices, pulled into pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
dash of thyme or your favorite seasoning

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Mix together eggs, bacon pieces, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
Pour evenly into the muffin tin.
Fold Kraft Singles slices into 4 equal parts and separate.
Top the egg mixture with one piece of cheese each.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Let cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

Do you have a Kraft Singles story? Maybe you have a fond memory from childhood or a special time you've shared with your children. You can put your story on the map at the Kraft Singles Facebook page and join in the conversation with others.

As part of the DailyBuzz Moms Featured Publisher Community, I received a coupon for free Kraft Singles and a stipend. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Giveaways Galore {5/23}! Come link up and browse

2012-05-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Make sure to check out the Giveaway Linky List to promote your giveaways on other blogs!

Make sure to link up at Jolly Mom as well!

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Wordless Wednesday: Oh, summer we love you!

2012-05-23T00:04:00.000-04:00

This week I taught Graham all about honeysuckle and the proper way to slurp it!

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Win a 6 Month Supply of Diapers + Cloud B Sleep Sheep {Tranquil Turtle Giveaway}

2012-05-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

If you are a mom to a child in diapers then you are going to want to enter this super easy contest for a chance to win a 6 month supply of Honest Diapers and a Cloud B Sleep Sheep! All you have to do is submit a photo of your child sleeping (Come on... you have about 50 to choose from don't you?). The contest ends the end of May so hurry! Both boys loved the Cloud B Sleep Sheep and it is still being used by Davis.

We were also sent the new Cloud B Tranquil Turtle for review. We own the Twilight Turtle and the Tranquil Turtle takes things up many notches! Tranquil Turtle not only features soothing sounds (melody and ocean waves) but it projects an underwater light effect on the ceiling and walls that can either wave or stay stationary. The shell of Tranquil Turtle glows for the perfect nightlight. In order to preserve batteries the turtle has an auto shut off after 23 minutes and uses 3 AA batteries.

I only wish that the Tranquil Turtle was on a 45 minute timer. That seems like it would be the perfect time especially if you have older children who may take a few minutes to fall asleep.

See it in Action:

Tranquil Turtle retails for $54.95 and comes in two gorgeous colors: Aqua-marine and Amethyst. Both colors are gender neutral and would be perfect for a baby shower or new baby gift.

Now one lucky Go Graham Go reader will win a Tranquil Turtle! Here's How:

1. Head over to Cloud B and leave a comment here telling me another product you see that you like. Make sure to leave your email address in the comment (used only to contact the winner. If your email shows up on your blogger account then do not worry about leaving it).

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about this giveaway and link to cloudb.com and www.gograhamgo.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.

3.Subscribe to Go Graham Go! by Email or reader (RSS) Only verified email addresses will be counted (check your inbox if you choose the email route).

4. One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Cloud B and Go Graham Go on Twitter and Tweet about this daily. Make sure to leave your twitter name in your comment.

5. If you already "Like" Cloud B and Go Graham Go on Facebook you've earned an additional entry. Leave your Facebook name in the comment.

6. Follow Go Graham Go on Google+ and leave your Google+ following name in the comment.

7. Add the Go Graham Go button to your sidebar (html on the right)

8. Stumble this post (the post,not the site). Just click on the orange SU icon at the top of this post.

9. List this giveaway on another giveaway listing site and let me know which one you chose.

This giveaway ends 6/6/12 at 11:59pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this post. US entries only please.

This product was provided free of charge by Cloud B. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Nutella and Banana Ice Cream. Only 2 Ingredients! {recipe}

2012-05-22T00:04:00.000-04:00

We are some Nutella fanatics around this house! So, when I stumbled across this super easy Nutella Ice Cream recipe on Pinterest a few days ago we decided to give it a go. It really is less ice cream and more frozen banana. But, it does taste like a super yummy ice cream treat and only involves 2 ingredients! I can't wait to share these with the boys around the pool this summer.

Nutella and Banana Ice Cream

Ingredients:
6 bananas
1 cup Nutella

Preparation:

Combine bananas and Nutella in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Add Nutella mixture to Popsicle molds or simple place it in a bowl.
Freeze overnight.
Enjoy yummy goodness that is Nutella and banana!

This is so delicious but can become messy if you choose to use the Popsicle method... just an FYI!

Find more recipes: Beauty and Bedlam, Blessed with Grace and Life As Mom.
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Find a North Carolina Summer Camp

2012-05-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

So many families are in search of the perfect summer camp as the end of school draws near. If you are on the hunt for one in NC a fellow school counselor has complied a great list of camps from all across the state of North Carolina.

At Carolina Summer Camps you will find camps listed by location and then by category (Art Camps, Sports Camps, Church Camps, etc). You can also access handy tips for frequently asked questions like: How can parents save money on camps or How can parents prepare their child for camp.

Do your kids attend summer camp? My brother and I always did one week out of the year with out church and those are some of the best memories from my childhood!

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My Gorgeous Mother's Day Gift!

2012-05-21T20:34:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day has come and gone, but I was reminded of it all over again this afternoon when my beautiful gift from the blogger who selected me for the BabyBjorn Mother's Day gift exchange arrived.

Angie from My Four Monkeys was the blogger I selected the Spa Finder gift card for and she selected a gift card to Planet Jill for me. I eagerly created and ordered my necklace the next day and I now have it around my neck! It is absolutely beautiful and will be treasured for all time. Thank you so much Angie for thinking of me and knowing what would be meaningful to my heart.

I had the pleasure of meeting Angie last year at the Reviewer's Retreat. I had already "known" Angie through blogging for a few years previous to this. I've always loved her stand for her faith and was so glad to know she was the same wonderful person in real life as well.

Angie, I hope that you enjoy your day at the spa relaxing and enjoying a well deserved time to yourself. I know that this piece of jewelry (which is so much more than jewelry) will be one of my favorites for all time.

BabyBjorn provided a gift to another blogger that I selected for Mother's Day. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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DIY Teacher Gift: Personalized Hand Soap or Sanitizer

2012-05-21T00:04:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year, hallelujah! That was the school counselor in me rejoicing over 2 blissful months at home with my babies and away from the stresses of work. Oh, I adore my job, but it is so nice to have a break... with my babies... in the sun... having fun. OK. You get the picture.

So, ~~little~~ big Mr. Graham is celebrating his final year of preschool. What an exciting time! We are definitely going to miss his sweet teachers and preschool director. They have been such a constant in his life and we are so thankful for them. So, when I stumbled across a cute idea on Design Mom (Love that site and love her. I actually met her in person one time on a blogger event for Sears and she is so sweet and gorgeous and wears cute dresses). The idea came from a guest post where Jill Means shares her idea for creating personalized hand soaps for her kids teachers. She even shares a free template. Score! Her idea involves having these printed on transparencies and putting them down in the bottle. I love that idea, but call me lazy, I didn't want to take them somewhere to be printed and transparency paper is about $40 a ream for a cheap batch! Yikes! So, I decided to go with plan B. Here's what we did.

I found one sheet clear labels that work with my inkjet that were only $13 for a pack of 10. The beauty is you can squeeze about 6 of these stickers on one sheet. I downloaded the free template from Jill and then created a silhouette of Graham in Photoshop. Want to know how to do that? Well, Positively Splendid has a tutorial for that. Don't have Photoshop but would like a silhouette of your child? Email me. I wouldn't mind doing it for you for about $5. Seriously.

So, after I created the silhouette I added it to the free template in Photoshop and then created a page (8.5x11) of them to print on my Avery one sheet clear sticker paper. It worked like a charm! Next, all I had to do was cut them out and stick them onto the bottles (I pulled the original labels off earlier of course). Lucky for me there was no residue under the labels. I would imagine that not all labels are created equal so you may need to find some alcohol to rub on the bottle to remove the adhesive if this happens to you. I found the sheer black ribbon at Michael's for about $2.99 for 10 yards and tied that around the top.

There you have it. Instant beauty and personalization that any teacher should love. Not to mention, you now have a gorgeous silhouette of your child you can use for many other craft activities. Oh, the ideas in my mind.

Looking for more DIY Teacher Gift Ideas? Check out these:
Framed Letter Craft
Brown Sugar Scrub

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Throw An End of the Year Card Shower with Hallmark

2012-05-21T00:03:00.000-04:00

It's the end of school and you are faced with the "what to get the teacher" dilemma once again. We love to make our on personalized gifts that are cost effective as well as meaningful. Hallmark introduced me to another great idea just a few weeks ago. How about throwing your child's teacher a card shower?

If you are unfamiliar with what a card shower is, it basically looks like tons of cards arriving in a person's mailbox all on the same day in order to celebrate, thank or give any other special message. Hallmark has taken this idea and made it extremely easy to pull off. It is so easy that you could organize a card shower for your child's teacher just by having email addresses. Here's how it works:

•Go to hallmark.com/cardshowers and create a Card Shower event (End of School Thank you Mrs. Smith).
•Invite friends and family through email or Facebook and specify the date you’d like the honoree to receive her shower of cards.
•Participants respond to the invitation, buy a card on Hallmark.com or in the store and send their cards. They also can invite additional contacts, increasing the size of the card shower.
•The honoree then receives a shower of cards!

Card Showers from Hallmark also features the ability to set up reminders and track sending online.

What a surprise it would be to receive 20+ cards in the mail from your students on one day! Hallmark actually sent me a surprise card shower and I have to say, it really was special to read that many thoughtful and personalized cards. I love that this idea is easily managed by busy moms and dads who really want to do something thoughtful, but maybe do not have the time or energy to organize something really big. Not to mention, the fact that you can order the cards online makes things that much more convenient. Sometimes it is the simple things that mean so much.

So, if you are still stuck trying to figure out what to do for that special teacher, a Hallmark card shower would be a super sweet idea. Other great card shower ideas are: Get Well, New Baby, Graduation and Weddings.

I was sent a Hallmark gift card in order to thank me for my participation in the webinar. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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UNII Palette: Multi-Brand Makeup Storage Review {Giveaway}

2012-05-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

My makeup holder is taking over! I have one of those handy roll and go cases from Mary Kay, but the problem is that I use only a few of the items in it. So, when I was contacted by UNII Cosmetics about their UNII Palette I was so thrilled that someone actually came up with this idea.

The UNII Palette is a very sturdy, yet slim case that allows you to combine your favorite makeup into one case for ease of use and simplicity. I honestly have a few eye shadows that have just been roaming around in the bottom of my makeup bag because I had no case for them. With so many makeup companies taking the "no case" approach I have accumulated quite a few.

Depending upon the size and shape of your makeup pots you could easily fit about 9 different items into one UNII Palette. It also includes a magnetic writing surface so that you can label your makeup and place the names on the bottom (for those of you who do not want to forget the name and number of your favorite color).

Seriously, this thing has made makeup so much quicker for me. I am not digging around in that huge makeup roll up case. I have everything I need right at my fingertips... literally! Now, if I could just find a potted lipstick I really like I would be all set!

You can purchase the UNII Palette for about $29 from the UNII Cosmetics website. You are going to love the construction, sleek design and ease of use. You can find instructions on how to depot your makeup on the UNII website as well.

Now one lucky Go Graham Go reader will win a UNII Palette of choice! Here's How:

1. Head over to UNII Cosmetics and leave a comment here telling me which color you would choose if you won. Make sure to leave your email address in the comment (used only to contact the winner. If your email shows up on your blogger account then do not worry about leaving it).

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about this giveaway and link to uniicosmetics.com and www.gograhamgo.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.

3.Subscribe to Go Graham Go! by Email or reader (RSS) Only verified email addresses will be counted (check your inbox if you choose the email route).

4. One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow UNII Cosmetics and Go Graham Go on Twitter and Tweet about this daily. Make sure to leave your twitter name in your comment.

5. If you already "Like" UNII Cosmetics and Go Graham Go on Facebook you've earned an additional entry. Leave your Facebook name in the comment.

6. Follow Go Graham Go on Google+ and leave your Google+ following name in the comment.

7. Add the Go Graham Go button to your sidebar (html on the right)

8. Stumble this post (the post,not the site). Just click on the orange SU icon at the top of this post.

9. List this giveaway on another giveaway site (online-sweepstakes.com, Prizey.net, TipJunkie.com) and let me know which site you listed on in the comment. These are just examples of places to list giveaways. Feel free to list where you would like.

This giveaway ends 6/4 at 11:59pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this post. US entries only please.

This product was provided free of charge by UNII. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Cancer Be Glammed Live Talk on 5/22

2012-05-18T00:04:00.000-04:00

I'm sure many of you reading this know someone who has been afflicted with cancer. For me, it is a disease that has devastated our family as well as several friends I know. That is why the Live Chat going on at The Motherhood next week is very dear to my heart. I encourage you to join us if you can and share your stories.

What:
A live, all-text Talk on The Motherhood, called Cancer Be Glammed. Breast cancer survivor Lisa Lurie, CEO and Co-Founder of Cancer Be Glammed, will share great tips and insights for looking and feeling your best and maintaining your self-esteem, while battling the side effects of cancer treatment. From post-op necessities to fashion solutions, Lisa, author of the “What the Doctor Didn’t Order” style guide, will lead a Live Talk on recovering in comfort and style.

When: Tuesday, May 22, at 1 p.m. ET. We will chat for 30 minutes!

Where: On The Motherhood, right here - http://bit.ly/KswxHO

Who: The all-text chat will be hosted by Lisa Lurie, CEO and co-founder of Cancer Be Glammed. Co-hosting are these fantastic women:

Andrea, Li’l Kid Things, http://lilkidthings.com/
Dawn, Momma Kiss, http://www.mommakiss.com
Felicia, Go Graham Go
Kimberly, Pretty Pink Momma, http://www.prettypinkmomma.com
Robyn, Robyn’s Online World, http://www.robynsonlineworld.com/

Co-host Twitter IDs:
@AndreaUpdyke
@mommakiss
@gograhamgo
@PrettyPinkMomma
@RobynsWorld

Host Twitter IDs:
@CancerBeGlammed
@theMotherhood
@EmilyMcKhann
@CooperMunroe
@eolson426

This chat is sponsored by The Motherhood. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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French Broad Chocolate Lounge... That's right.

2012-05-17T00:04:00.000-04:00

If you live anywhere near Western North Carolina I urge you to hurry on out to a special little spot in Asheville where true bliss is found in every single sniff. I mean, who ever had the idea to create the French Broad Chocolate Lounge must have been thinking of me. OK. Most of the world, huh? So, how is it that I have lived so close by for so long and have NEVER graced the doors? Maybe it has something to do with my need to be in my PJ's cuddled up on the couch with my kids. Never the less, I was whisked away to this magical kingdom on Mother's Day with my sister-in-law and mother. Oh boy.

The French Broad Chocolate Lounge is a three story building that serves up only what you could imagine in your wildest dreams. When we arrived the line was already at the door and I am told that it generally stays like this especially on the weekends. There are so many goodies to choose from and created from local, organic ingredients. Even the art that adorns the walls was created by local artists. I'm pretty sure the cute little Cardinal picture in the front is my best friend and wants to come home with me. Just sayin.

Once you decide what you would like to order (signature chocolates, cake, brownies, cookies, liquid chocolate, coffee, you name it...) you are then given a card that features one of the many countries the cocoa beans come from. This is how they locate you to bring your yummy goodness out. The service was spectacular and I am such a sucker for hand crafted mugs (that's what you will be drinking your superb coffee from).

Honestly. You know me and chocolate. I could go on forever. Just go! That is all.

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Giveaways Galore (5/17)! Come link up and browse

2012-05-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Gifted Mom Sweepstakes: Armstrong Cabinets is giving away a $10,000 kitchen makeover to a well-deserving mom with their Gifted Moms Sweepstakes. To enter, participants must “like” Armstrong’s Facebook page and upload a photo of their mom’s kitchen. The photo/mom with the most votes and demonstrates the greatest need for a kitchen makeover will win $10,000 in Armstrong cabinets and counter tops. You have until the end of this month to enter so HURRY!

Make sure to check out the Giveaway Linky List to promote your giveaways on other blogs!
Head over to Jolly Mom for even more.

This Giveaways Galore was sponsored by Armstrong Cabinets.

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Wordless Wednesday: Boys will be boys...

2012-05-16T00:04:00.000-04:00

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Why You Need A Cooling Rack and Which One Is Right For You

2012-05-15T00:04:00.000-04:00

For many years my kitchen has functioned without a cooling rack. Many years meaning almost 12 years. So, why am I just now discovering cooling racks and just how important they are? Well, I guess I have operated on the belief that if I have been baking this long without one why get one now? If you are also living under this same assumption I am here to tell you that you need to rethink it and find a cooling rack that is right for you!

So, why do you need a cooling rack?

Well, think about it. If your cookies, muffins, cupcakes, etc remain on the pan they are cooked on they can continue to cook inside the pan even once the pan has been removed from the oven. Let's say you want to keep your item inside of the pan (cake for example), the cooling rack is still going to help circulate the air around the container as opposed to just setting your pan on a heat proof surface. Overall, your baked items will not be overcooked and the sides will not be a soggy mess from the condensation of the steam! Get one. Now. It will be your friend.

Which cooling rack is the best one for me?

Great question! In order to answer this question think about the type of baking you do. Are you mostly a cookie/brownie ~~eater~~ baker? Or maybe you have your grandma's favorite bundt cake recipe that you bake for every single new baby, bake sale and holiday. Keeping in mind what you bake will determine if you need tiers or just a flat or round.

The Cookie Lover (that's me)

I own this expandable cooling rack ($14.99). It is perfect because it is easily stored and I can use as much or as little of it as I would like. When I am done it fits perfectly in our pan stand under the cabinet. Gotta love neat.

If you have a huge kitchen you may want to go for the Wilton Three-Tier Cooling Rack ($11.99). Maybe make it part of your kitchen decor? I like that idea. Cookies for kitchen decor. Sign me up!

Sheet Cake Lover

There are a couple different options for you. The Culinary Institute of America creates 2 different sizes (10x15 for $12.99) or (12x17 for $15.99).

Round Cake Lover

If you love to cook up the cutest homemade birthday cakes then maybe you should go with a 9 inch round cooling rack ($3.99).

Do you use a cooling rack? If so, which type?

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BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance Retro Review {Giveaway}

2012-05-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Late last month I was having a classic frantic moment in my house--the four of us girls in the house had just arrived home from the playground and three of us had to desperately use a bathroom. I had to help my 3.5 year old hoist herself onto the potty and finagle my 2-year old onto our BabyBjorn little potty all while holding a 5-month old who screams as soon as you put her down. It was awesome.

Then I remembered! BabyBjorn had sent me a Babysitter Balance Retro to review! I slid the baby into our cool new bouncer and I immediately had hands to help my other two girls while the baby remained content. To say it was genius moment is an understatement. In one quick moment, I fell in love with the Babysitter Balance.

And no wonder, really. Did you know that BabyBjorn started 51 years ago, in 1961, when a doting young uncle (none other than Bjorn himself!) brought home a bouncing seat for his nephew? When he couldn't find anything similar in his home country of Sweden, he collaborated with parents and pediatricians to come up with his very own bouncer that we know today--the Babysitter Balance. It is, without a doubt, a brand and a bouncer that has earned a remarkable reputation and trust over the past half century.

To celebrate their anniversary, BabyBjorn introduced their limited edition Retro Design line. I love that they incorporated fun 1970s fabric in their newly updated babysitter balance design.

What exactly did BabyBjorn work on to make this retro balance bouncer new and improved?

The seat is made of an incredibly durable blend of cotton and polyester to make it stronger than ever before--yet it still retains all of its former comfort and give, ensuring that your baby feels secure and relaxed.
The three-stage positioner is easier to set into a play, rest, or sleep position. They also
equipped it with a very strong safety catch that keeps the seat securely folded when in the
transport mode.
One of my favorite features keeps my mind at ease--the plastic footrest now has a robust
anti-glide strips that not only protects the floor but also keeps the babysitter firmly
in place--essential when my older two daughters want to play with the baby while she is in the balance bouncer.
Each Retro bouncer is unique--the fabric placement is different on every bouncer guaranteeing that your child will be in a one-of-a-kind babysitter balance that no one else on the block could ever have!

My baby and I have both fallen in love with the Retro Babysitter Balance. It soothes her when I cannot hold her, it allows her to engage with the rest of our family when in the play (most upright) position, and it even helps develop her coordination! The babysitter retails for $169.95 and can be found online or in a store near you.

After stints of living in the Midwest, Northeast, and England, the Monkey's Mama (AKA Allie) currently resides in Atlanta with her wonderful husband of 7 years, "J". Together they have three daughters. The Monkey's Mama takes great joy in being a Christian Stay-at-Home-Mama. In her spare time, she loves to run and race competitively for her local track club, read mystery novels, and walk her cats Churchill and Thatcher outside on leashes!

Find her on twitter @monkeysonthebed.

Now one lucky Go Graham Go reader will win a Babysitter Balance Retro! Here's How:

1. Head over to BabyBjorn and leave a comment here telling me another product you see that you love. Make sure to leave your email address in the comment (used only to contact the winner. If your email shows up on your blogger account then do not worry about leaving it).

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about this giveaway and link to www.babybjorn.com and www.gograhamgo.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.

3.Subscribe to Go Graham Go! by Email or reader (RSS) Only verified email addresses will be counted (check your inbox if you choose the email route).

4. One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow BabyBjorn and Go Graham Go on Twitter and Tweet about this daily. Make sure to leave your twitter name in your comment.

5. If you already "Like" BabyBjorn and Go Graham Go on Facebook you've earned an additional entry. Leave your Facebook name in the comment.

6. Follow Go Graham Go on Google+ and leave your Google+ following name in the comment.

7. Add the Go Graham Go button to your sidebar (html on the right)

8. Stumble this post (the post,not the site). Just click on the orange SU icon at the top of this post.

This giveaway ends 5/29 at 11:59pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this post. US entries only please.

This product was provided free of charge to Allie. These are her honest opinions on the product. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Lasagna Rolls {recipe}

2012-05-14T00:04:00.000-04:00

Big surprise! Today's recipe is also from the Muffin Tin Chef. These Lasagna Rolls were a hit with the boys and even my non-pasta loving husband! The fact that Matthew said they were good is really saying a lot folks! I love that these are easy enough to create and bake even if I've worked that day. There are not a ton of ingredients so that also makes this a very affordable recipe.

Lasagna Rolls

Ingredients

9 whole wheat lasagna noodles
2 cups pasta sauce
1 1/2 cups reduced fat ricotta cheese
4 ounces chopped spinach (I buy the frozen pre-chopped)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
salt
1 teaspoon of dried basil (I went away from the original recipe on this one)

Preparation

Cook lasagna noodles according to the box.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.
Use half of the pasta sauce to fill in the bottom of 9 regular muffin tins cups.
Lay noodles on a flat surface and spread ricotta cheese over them.
Place spinach on top of the ricotta.
Tightly roll the noodles and cut them in half.
Place the two halves inside the muffin cup with the cut sides touching each other. They will mold together as they cook.
Sprinkle the tops with salt and dried basil.
Top the Lasagna Rolls with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Serve with Parmesan cheese on top.

I hope you guys enjoy these as much as our family does!

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What's Your Perfect Mother's Day Gift?

2012-05-11T00:04:00.000-04:00

I know it sounds sappy, but it really is true that the best gift I ever received was becoming a mother. When I am asked what a perfect Mother's Day gift would be it always stumps me because the most precious gift is being called "Mom and Mama". I love to hear those sweet, sweet words.

So, when I was presented with the task to pick out a perfect Mother's Day gift (within reason) for a fellow blogger I was again stumped! What would I pick? I begin to think about how nice it would be for myself to have just a little bit of time to pamper myself. Maybe take a nap? Yes, that was it! I would gift myself a nap and maybe a day to read a good book in the bathtub. But, what in the world would I buy for someone to convey that?! I decided that a day at the spa would come pretty close. I mean, she could take a nap there if she wanted to right? I decided a gift card from SpaFinder.com would be a great idea (so she could decide which spa). I Googled to try and find the perfect spa near her but it made me too nervous to make the decision!

I can't wait to see if she loves it and how it all turns out! I hope she will post some pictures of herself enjoying or napping.... Yes, lots of napping! I'm so excited!

This was provided to the mystery blogger by Baby Bjorn. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Giveaways Galore {5/10}! Come link up and browse

2012-05-10T00:04:00.000-04:00

Make sure to check out the Giveaway Linky List to promote your giveaways on other blogs!

Head over to Jolly Mom for even more!

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Wordless Wednesday: Fun Times In The Yard...

2012-05-09T00:04:00.000-04:00

We went with mulch this year. I'll let you know how it goes.

What do you call this? It is my favorite yard tool that I lovingly refer to as the Weed Snatcher.

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Step2 Naturally Playful Adventure Lodge Play Center with Glider Review

2012-05-09T00:03:00.000-04:00

I am so thankful that summer is almost here and the boys can now enjoy a full day of play outside. Spring and summer is my money saving time of year because we spend less time in the car trying to find warm and dry locations to play. We simply wake up and head straight outside most days. The boys really enjoy being outdoors and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children play outside for at least 60 minutes a day to help control weight, improve motor development, vision and increase vitamin D levels (ABC7 News Chicago). So, if you are in the market for a new swing set that provides a ton of activity then the new Step2 Naturally Playful Adventure Lodge Play Center with Glider might be a great option for you.

We were sent this huge play center for review with the boys and I can honestly say that they spend most of the morning and afternoon playing on this thing. You may remember me writing about the playhouse and swing set my husband built for the boys 2 years ago. They still really love this as well and I have found that they serve two different purposes.

The Step2 Naturally Playful Adventure Lodge Play Center with Glider has so many features that are great for us:

Swings hold weight limit up to 75 lbs. Will serve your kids for awhile
Double-wall poly construction so that it will not split or deteriorate
Climbing ladder that even small kids feel confident on
Two story play lodge that features a steering wheel, easy climb ladder, working door, and slide
Large windows on the bottom for climbing in and out of
Cute mailbox detail on the front that the boys pretend with (does not operate)
Two swings so they don't have to share
One glider that is a ton of fun for two kids to play at the same time
Basketball goal on the end that is big enough for larger balls
Secures to the ground with re-bar stakes
Tons of fun in one structure saving you money and yard space

Things to be aware of:

Swings are not adjustable, but are a great length
Ball not included for the basketball goal

We also encountered a few minor glitches with the set. The re-bar stakes would break as my husband pounded them into the ground. Also, the swing set bar only included two pre-drilled holes instead of two. We also had on bolt on the glider break as my husband was assembling it. The great news is that we contacted customer service and had replacement parts within the week with no hassles at all! They were very quick to help us and even wanted to locate the batch so that they could make sure other sets were not defective.

Check out this hands on review and see the Play Center in action:

Overall, the Naturally Playful Adventure Lodge Play Center with Glider has been a joy to have! I feel like the time the boys have spent on this has been worth the amount of the product. This huge play center currently retails for about $999. That may seem like a high price tag, but when you look around at other play centers and factor in all of the activities included, it really is a great value. Besides, if you have a small yard you are not going to want to buy a ton of separate pieces.

Please feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions about this product. Again, we love it!

This product was provided free of charge by Step2. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Rejoicing In The New Seasons Of Life

2012-05-08T00:04:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a very important day for us. We registered Graham for Kindergarten! I say that with all of the excitement and enthusiasm that I have and I truly mean it. So, why is it that I am greeted with sullen faces or "How are you doing?" as soon as anyone finds out what is going on? Here's the deal. Life happens and we have two choices the way I see it. We can either choose to be sad and wish for things to be the way they used to be or look at every day as a new adventure and live in the here and now.

Now, this is not to say that I do not feel some sort of sentiment over the fact that this little guy is no longer a preschooler, but a boy! Definitely sentimental. But, to me it is never a feeling of sad but one of hope and joy that we have these moments to celebrate! How thankful I am that Graham is growing and God grants each of us breath every morning in order to behold all that he has planned for us.

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--" Ecclesiastes 3:1

With that said, I also understand that God is in control of it all. He already has a perfect plan for Graham's life and it is so exciting to see how his little life is going to play out. Kindergarten is just one more step in the direction of growing up.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Matthew and I also have to trust in the way we are raising Graham. Kindergarten is just a first in big steps of letting go. What has God called us to do?

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6.

So, with all of that said I am choosing to rejoice in this new season of life for Graham. I can do nothing but be proud and stand behind him as he makes the impact on this world that he was called to do. How could we not be excited?

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16.

I think if Graham could write this post he would use two words: "Bring it!".

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Stylish, Affordable Sunglasses For Mother's Day

2012-05-08T00:04:00.000-04:00

My best friend was married in St. Thomas last September. That trip taught me a lot about traveling with small kids. One thing I learned is that when you are super stressed about taking your 4 and 1 year olds on a plane for the first time, possibly in the middle of a hurricane, you are not going to remember your sunglasses. I was lucky I remembered to bring my swimsuit quite honestly. So, when we arrived I quickly purchased an overpriced pair from our resorts gift shop. Over Priced! Not to mention, as soon as I got home with them the lens started popping out on different random occasions. So, my overpriced luxury sunglasses from the resort in the Virgin Islands were a flop. My heart sank over the wasted money.

So, I was delighted to discover these beauties from Coastal.com. They contacted me last week about their wide selection and affordability. They were not joking! I quickly selected these awesome sunglasses from Sketchers that are so cute. If you are interested in them they are the Sketchers 4001 Rose Crystal 35 and make me so very happy. I'm happy to have functional sunglasses and they even came with their own case that makes storing them in my purse easy and safe. They also came with cleaner and a cleaning cloth. All of that and these sunglasses were only $29. That is a great deal that far outweighs my overpriced experience in the Virgin Islands. Honestly, this is a great deal just about anywhere you look for all that you will receive.

Also, you will receive your first pair of frames and lenses FREE if you are a new customer. Luckily I do not have to wear glasses, but I do know how expensive frames can be. There is such a wide selection that I'm sure you will find something that suits your style.

If you are looking for fun, affordable, stylish sunglasses then Coastal.com is definitely a great resource. I think this would be a great Mother's Day gift idea and you should have enough time to get them in order for gift giving... or better yet... gift yourself!

This product was provided free of charge by Coastal.com. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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Tom & Jerry: Around the World on DVD {Giveaway. 3 Winners}

2012-05-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

How many of you grew up watching Tom & Jerry? I remember watching this show just about every summer when we were out of school. It was just so much fun to watch the antics that they would get into!

Now we can share that love with our kids with the release of Tom & Jerry: Around the World. We were sent a copy to review with our boys and they have both really loved it. Granted, they are not going to be learning all sorts of numbers or their alphabet, but they find it truly entertaining. It is such a classic.

Here's the synopsis of the new DVD:

Tom and Jerry travel the globe by land, sea, and air in this collection of 22 hilarious adventures. From Broadway to outer space, hitch a ride with your favorite cat and mouse for non-stop fun and action. Whether the furry duo is running from an erupting volcano on a tropical island or conducting an orchestra in Hollywood, you can count on laughs the whole way. Sword fights, magic spells, and treasure maps fill these delightful escapades and will have you climbing on board for more expeditions. So grab your luggage and bring the entire family along for a boisterous trip around the world and beyond.

Yes, there are 22 episodes so you could easily drag these out for weeks of entertainment. This has been a great resource for our family movie nights as well. You can purchase the DVD for about $18.95.

Now 3 lucky Go Graham Go readers will win a copy of Tom & Jerry: Around the World! Here's How:

1. Leave a comment here telling me why you love Tom & Jerry. Make sure to leave your email address in the comment (used only to contact the winner. If your email shows up on your blogger account then do not worry about leaving it).

Extra Entries (leave separate comments for each):

2. Blog about this giveaway and link to www.gograhamgo.com and leave the link to your post in the comment.

3.Subscribe to Go Graham Go! by Email or reader (RSS) Only verified email addresses will be counted (check your inbox if you choose the email route).

4. One Extra Entry Per Day: Follow Go Graham Go on Twitter and Tweet about this daily. Make sure to leave your twitter name in your comment.

5. If you already "Like" Go Graham Go on Facebook you've earned an additional entry. Leave your Facebook name in the comment.

6. Follow Go Graham Go on Google+ and leave your Google+ following name in the comment.

7. Add the Go Graham Go button to your sidebar (html on the right)

8. Stumble this post (the post,not the site). Just click on the orange SU icon at the top of this post.

This giveaway ends 5/22 at 11:59pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on this post. US entries only please.

This product was provided free of charge by Warner Bros. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.

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