Baby product giveaways and daily mom musings

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Tomorrow morning I'll be catching a plane to Orlando, FL to embark on an exciting adventure Disney style. After my arrival, I'll be heading to the coast to board the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship to meet up with the folks from Disney and 2 other Mommy Bloggers before our 3-Night Bahamian cruise to Nassau, Bahamas and Disney's Private Island - Castaway Cay. I've never been on cruise before nor have I ever attended an official Disney Press trip - so I can't wait to get a sneak peek behind scenes. Nobody does vacations like Disney!

I'm definitely looking forward to some rest, relaxation, and sunshine after a last week's dreadful H1N1 debacle. (Update: Kenzie is 100%, Kyle now is having what is hopefully just a mini relapse - 2nd day of 101 fevers in the afternoon -but he checked out okay at the Pediatrician - they'll do a chest xray if he still has a fever on Friday, and I saw the doctor today given my asthma & pneumonia history - I did develop Bronchitis & a Sinus infection - but so far no Pneumonia so hopefully the antibiotics he gave me will kill this the secondary complication for good! The sun will do me wonders.)

I'll share all the details, tips, and photos with everyone after I return. My agenda on board includes 3 Disney Musicals (1 each night), on deck Character Dance Parties & Parades, and fireworks at sea. I feel like I won the lottery as it all just sounds too good to be true. While visiting Nassau, I've opted to spend the day at the Atlantis Beach to unwind and enjoy the sand. During my day trip to Castaway Cay, where I hope to meet Captain Hook and see the Pirates of the Caribbean ship, I've got a packed itinerary with snorkeling, boating, and bike riding.

Sadly, despite my excitement at departing on what will be a positive brilliant adventure, I'm leaving with a very heavy heart. This time the worry is not over my own family, but for another Mom just like me. Anissa Mayhew, a brilliant blogger and Twitter friend, should be boarding the ship with me & the other Moms tomorrow. We had plans to spend a carefree day together at Atlantis Beach for our "excursion" and I can't tell you how I looked forward to becoming her friend in real life. She is witty and touches everyone she meets virtually. Yesterday, Anisssa, a mother of 3 young children, suffered a massive stroke and is now in the ICU fighting for her life.

Anissa's blogging friends have set up a donation form for her and are leaving updates on her health here.

You can read Anissa's most recent blog posts here about celebrating her daughters leukemia remission & I promise she'll make you laugh out loud talking about the laundry standing between her, the Disney Cruise & our snorkeling trip which yikes, does mean us gals need to pull out the bathing suits.

Please keep my friend Anissa and her family in your prayers.

Merry Madagascar Giveaway

Win it! We're giving away one fantastic prize package to celebrate the airing of Merry Madagascar' on NBC tonight. The new Merry Madagascar DVD will be available in Walmart stores tomorrow on 11/18/09. We saw a screener of Merry Madagascar this past weekend and as expected those adorable characters made us all want to, "Move it, Move it!" Our reader prize package will include: Plush toys (Penguin, Lion, Zebra), a Merry Madagascar Throw, Items from Kellogg’s and Kraft, and a $25 Gift Card to Walmart to help create your very own Family movie night. Disclosure: The Merry Madagascar DVD and giveaway pack were provided to me for free by Walmart and Dream Works.
Enter to win by:

Leave a comment below on this blog post by November 21st, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.

American Girl Free Shipping Code

With the holidays coming on full speed ahead, this American Girl coupon code is worth sharing. Get Free Shipping on all orders over $100 with coupon code GIFTSHIP09. Expires 11/24/09. And at American Girl, it will be easy to hit $100 at checkout.......

Marriott Giveaway: $100 gift cards for 5 winners

Here's a prize giveaway for Classy Mommy readers sponsored by Marriott - with all the particulars below in their own words:

At Marriott, we’re always looking for ways to serve our guests better. That’s why the new Marriott.com was developed through a two-way dialogue between Marriott and thousands of our customers. The results? Search front and center. Improved navigation. A more modern and elegant look and feel. And, of course, enhanced functionality overall. It just goes to show that only good things can happen when a huge organization like ours takes the time to listen to our individual guests to find out how to better serve them. They helped us create something better. It’s also the reason why we’re calling our new campaign, “You asked. We delivered.”

To celebrate the re-design and get the word out, they are running a promotion that gives Classy Mommy visitors a chance to win a $100 Marriott TravelCard. Entering is easy, just watch the video below and share your thoughts with Marriott in the comment section below. On Tuesday, November 23rd, Marriott will select five lucky winners at random from these comments. Please include your contact information in your comment or they can not contact you if you win.

Sweepstakes ends next Monday, 11:59:59 P.M. ET. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of 50 US (incl. D.C., excluding Puerto Rico). See Sweepstakes Rules & Regulations for details.

To learn more about the new design and to enter for a chance to win one of three $250 Marriott TravelCards and the Grand Prize of a 7-night vacation (plus $1,500 for travel expenses) visit MarriottDelivers.com.

Disclosure: Marriott is paying for these blog reader awards and selecting the winners via an outside agency.

Land of Nod Stir Fry Set Giveaway

Win it! We're giving away this fantastic Wok and Roll Stir Fry set from the Land of Nod valued at $24.95. Classy Mommy loves the original, authentic, and one of kind toy finds from the Land of Nod as their products make gift giving easy - even for kids who seemingly have everything already. This Wok and Roll Stir Fry set includes 3 shrimps, 3 mushrooms, meat, onions, pea pods, 1 pepper, 2 skewers, tongs, a dull wood knife and a spoon. It's bound to create quite a stir!

Disclosure: The Land of Nod sent my family the Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart to review in conjunction with this holiday giveaway for our readers.

Enter to win by:
1. Leave a comment below by November 28th, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.

How to Buy the Best Jogging Stroller

A Jogging Stroller is a big investment. Looking for tips about what jogging stroller is the best for you? My husband and I are are both runners so we researched on the web and spoke with friends, other parents, serious runners, and casual runners to help us decide which jogging stroller would be best for our family.

Here's a fantastic breakdown of the key features in the below article. And we've got a special savings code too!

Save 5% at JoggerMom on all orders with coupon code "Special." Offer not valid on any sale or clearance items.

What to look for in a Running Stroller by Kelly Morse, founder of Joggermom.com

Swivel Wheel VS Fixed Wheel: Swivel Wheels are easy to maneuver thru most any crowd or street. They are great for walking and light jogging. Fixed wheels on the other hand are great if you want to run or have lots of hills to go up. Pulling the handlebar to get up and over curbs can get a little tiring. For the safety of your child the fixed wheel position is the best. If you are a serious runner (3 or more miles) you will want to get a fixed wheeled stroller or run with your stroller in fixed wheel position. Many companies now offer strollers with a swivel/fixed wheel option.

Adjustable Handlebar vs. Fixed Handlebars: An adjustable handlebar is great for our parents of varying heights. Having an adjustable handlebar helps to position you correctly so that you can avoid back pain. This option is best on a stroller for walking rather than running. If you are a runner we recommend a fixed handlebar as it is going to receive lots of pressure when you run. The adjustable handlebars parts will break down over time just like the swivel wheel.
Tires and Treads: We like strollers that have air filled tires (just like a bike tire) for exercise. Having bigger tires makes the stroller and its passenger easier to push and more comfortable for your baby over different terrains. The larger 20” & 16” wheels are great for running. When you purchase a stroller with shocks the 16” tires then perform like a 20” tire. Shocks are a great feature to have on a running stroller. If you are looking to run or walk on dirt roads or sand you will want a tire with deep grooves like a mountain bike tire that will grab the surface you are pushing it on. Purchasing a stroller for off-roading? Your best bet will be to find one that has shocks and deep grooved tires.

Easy Fold: Look for a stroller that is easy to fold and store in your trunk. Getting your stroller open should be just as easy. You do not want a stroller that you have to take apart every time you go somewhere. You will find it stays set up in the garage for local walk or you end up buying a new one.

Large Sun Hood: With the sun’s harmful rays you want to make sure your little one is protected. Even on cloudy days he can get sunburned. A large sun hood is recommended and is something that is pretty standard on your more expensive strollers. Most stroller companies also offer a separate sun shield to help block the UVA rays if yours is not big enough. This also helps protect him or her from bugs.

Infant Seat Compatible: This is a very important decision. What often happens is that parents fall in love with an infant seat and cannot find an adapter to make their stroller into a “travel system”. If you purchase a stroller with a swivel wheel you really only need one stroller to do it all from birth and beyond. Almost all stroller manufactures make infant seat adapters (sold separately) to fit Peg Perego and Graco as they are the leaders in the industry. In the last couple of years Chicco and Maxi Cosi have become very popular infant seats. Be sure to research which stroller adapters will work with these infant seats. Important information on when you can run with your infant: If you have an infant car seat adapter you can use your stroller from day one for strolls. Most stroller manufactures suggest waiting 6-8 weeks for any kind of walking exercise. It will seem like forever if you are passionate about exercise but, it is worth the wait. It is also suggested you wait 6 months to run with your infant. This is mainly due to the fact your infant has little to no head and neck control until they are 6 months of age. As always check with your pediatrician first.

Stroller Recommendations:

Fixed Wheel strollers for multi-surfaces: Baby Jogger Performance stroller, Baby Jogger new FIT stroller, BOB Ironman stroller, Kool-Stop stroller

Fixed Wheel strollers for dirt trails or sand: BOB SUS (Sport Utility Stroller) stroller and Tike Tech X3 Sport stroller

Swivel Wheel/Fixed Wheel Combo strollers: BOB Revolution stroller and Baby Jogger Summit 360 stroller

Kelly Morse is a running Mom of 4, who founded the website JoggerMom.com to help Parents with their jogging stroller purchases. The Joggermom is one of my go to resources on web when it comes to jogging stroller advice. Kelly is also the Mom of triplets so she's got us covered on single joggers, double strollers and even advice for triple strollers!

Corolle Bebe Charmer Doll and Stroller Giveaway

Win it! We're giving away a Corolle Bebe Charmeur Doll and Stroller to one lucky winner. Total estimated value for both prizes is $100. Corolle recently set us a few baby dolls to review and I was impressed with their high quality and very realistic designs. Violet Affleck has a Bebe Charmeur so these dolls are celebrity favorites too! The Bebe Charmeur comes wearing a sleeper complete with a hat, bib, booties, and bottle. The dolls have a soft body to keep them cuddly with plastic realistic heads complete with sleeping eyes that open and shut.

Both my kids loved putting the dolls binky or thumb into her mouth too. Corolle also sent us their Suce Pouce Blue "boy" baby doll to Kyle (22 months) and he was beyond thrilled with his very own baby to hold so for once he didn't have to fight with his sister to play with her dolls. Plus, this one was wearing a blue sleeper instead of the pink that all Kenzie's dolls wear!

Enter to win by:

1. Leave a comment below by November 28th, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.

2. Get an additional bonus entry by following @classymommy on Twitter and sending a Tweet out to @classymommy about this giveaway by November 28th, 2009.

Skullcandy Pipe iPod Speaker Giveaway

Win it! We're giving away this phenomenal Skullcandy Pipe iPod Speaker Dock sold at Target for $69.99. Thanks to Target for sponsoring this giveaway and sending us this very same Skullcandy Pipe speaker to review. This is actually the very 1st time I've ever tried out a portable speaker for my iPhone, iPod Touch or our iPod. Wow! The sound is incredible and the size of this little speaker is just perfect to dock your iPod so you can jam away to music while you get stuff done around the house or as we like to do - host an impromptu dance party with the kiddos. (This weekend the music of choice was the Soundtrack from the movie Annie with a little Hannah Montana thrown in the mix!) I'm really impressed with the convenience and wonder why we never bothered to invest in portable speakers for our iPod's before! The Skullcandy pipe speaker dock also comes with a handy remote that makes it super simple to surf your iPod for just the right tune and to adjust the volume. Classy Mommy Approved! Free shipping at Target on purchases over $50.

Enter to win by:

1. Leave a comment below by November 28th, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.

2. Get an additional bonus entry by following @classymommy on Twitter and sending a Tweet out to @classymommy about this giveaway by November 28th, 2009.

The Sick Bed

It's been a long week at our house so you'll have to excuse the lack of posts. The Flu has hit.

Mommyhood and tending to my kids is my official job, so I've been extra busy with Pediatrician visits, pharmacy runs, providing cuddles, taking temps, trying to get the kids to eat, dispensing Tylenol, and desperately trying to lower high fevers.

Looks like the kids have been hit with the dreadful Flu everyone is getting. And yes that high fever is torture and virtually impossible to bring down.

Mackenzie, 4, got sick Sunday with ear aches and a 101 fever. By Monday afternoon I thought maybe she really did have an ear infection what with her complaints. The fever wasn't high so I didn't suspect flu but figured we'd better see the Doctor. He said she had a throat infection and that both ears were super red and definitely in the early stages of an ear infection so he was going to treat her with Zithromax (as she has been getting more resistant ear infections lately.)

Sadly, she only got sicker and sicker with non stop 104 fevers through the next night and Kyle woke up yesterday irritable and with 102 fever. By lunch, I thought maybe his ears hurt too and figured we better visit the Doctor. Luckily, we saw Dr. Harkness again who had just seen Kenzie. When I explained her latest symptoms and he examined Kyle (who had nothing wrong with him but his temperature), he thought it was probable flu and that Kenzie just had also presented with the ear infections.

He wanted to treat Kyle with Tamiflu as he was under the age of 2 which is a high risk category.

Well thank goodness we went to the Doctor because it was an awful afternoon and evening. I could only get his 104+ fever down to 103. The Tamiflu did make him vomit (or it was from the flu) as he had a major eruption in the afternoon. My carpet is still a disaster and he also ruined our pillows when he literally tossed his cookies. (Yes all I can get him to eat when he is sick is cookies) No Jello, No Popsicles, and No Juice. Only cookies.

Good news: This morning Kenzie looks like her fever is breaking and Kyle is only hitting 101-102. The day is still young as far as rising fevers go, but it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel. Until then, we'll be enjoying the sick bed as we rotate it from the Master Bedroom, to the Family Room to the Basement to keep things interesting as we watch every possible Barbie DVD ever created. Kyle's biggest weakness in life and greatest soothing tool is the infamous Barbie (or Bobby Bobby Bobby as he likes to call her)

Maclaren Stroller Recall

Very scary Maclaren Stroller recall. Maclaren recalls about 1 Million strollers today after reports of finger amputations. Read on as this Maclaren Stroller recall will likely impact you or someone you know as the recall impacts both Double & Single Maclaren strollers sold between 1999 and November 2009.

Basically, the hazard involves the stroller hinge as the stroller's hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer unfolds or opens the stroller. Maclaren has received reports of 15 children placing their finger in the hinge resulting in 12 fingertip amputations in the United States.

Here's Ann Curry's news report from this morning.

Description: This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Sold at: Babies“R”Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/88573/98889729/lang,en/

You can read the full report from the US Consumer Product and Safety Commission here.

Rocky the Robot Truck

Every little boy loves trucks. They love robots too. So what happens when they get a robot truck? They go crazy for it. The Matchbox Rocky the Robot Truck certainly was a hit for our little guy Kyle.

You can check out my wild kids exploring all these toys as they add them to their holiday wish list!

Watching my Fave TV shows on Fancast

If you're like me, one of the few remaining people on the planet without DVR or yikes, even Digital Cable, you'll love Fancast. Fancast lets you watch all your favorite shows whenever you'd like online - and with very limited commericals compared to when these regular TV shows air during the peak prime time evening hours. It's free and you don't have to be a Comcast customer to use the website.

My time is scarce and yes my $16 cable bill doesn't offer anything in the way of On Demand viewing so I'm all over a website like Fancast. (I also enjoy Hulu - another site that lets me watch shows online.) And if you're thinking you really want to watch your favorite shows on a Big Screen, you can connect your laptop to the TV, hit play on the laptop, and you'll be good to go!

Fancast airs shows from over 100 sources and has over 60,000 videos available for viewing!

Tonight, before bed, I've got a date with Fancast to watch one of my new favorite shows, White Collar from the USA network, which airs on Friday nights at 10 PM - not a very convenient time for me as it's later than I'd like to watch TV and I'm often out on Friday evenings.

Brain Fuel for Kids

Looking for tips about brain health? Check out this easy to use and very informative website called Brain Fuel. Brain Fuel is designed to maximize children's learning potential as it shares all kinds of excellent info for Parents. Think articles and all kinds of facts about the brain and how both a healthy diet and exercise impact our potential to learn. I also really like their "Brain Game" area - the games are all free - and will put your noggin to work. Seriously!

Playskool More Than Play Toy Giveaway

Win it! As a Mom, watching our child learn to walk is one of the most exciting moments of parenthood. Just this time last year, I can remember watching Kyle master his first steps and final walk 100% of the time a few weeks before his 1st Birthday. Until he achieved his official walker status, a walker push toy was a key product that helped him develop his skills. How we all loved watching him walk behind his push toys!

With the holidays approaching, we're giving away an Explore 'N Grow Step Start Walk 'N Ride from Playskool to one lucky reader. I love this toy especially as it converts to use either as a ride on toy or a walk 'n push toy. Here's a video clip about the prize.

Enter to win:

1. Leave a comment below by November 21st, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.

2. Get another bonus entry by joining our Classy Mommy Facebook Page and leaving an additional comment there by November 21st, 2009.

3. Get an additional bonus entry by following @classymommy on Twitter and sending a Tweet out to @classymommy about this giveaway by November 21st, 2009.

Children's Place Coupon Code 20% Off

If you're doing any shopping at The Children's Place here is a coupon code valid if you click here for 20% off your order of $75 or more. Expires 11/16/09. Enter code HA299.

Hugs and Kisses

Gymboree Friends & Family Coupon Code

I love sharing fantastic shopping deals and the Gymboree Friends & Family 30% off deal is an offer I love to take advantage of - especially for holiday shopping. The Circle of Friends coupon code is valid Thursday November 5th - Sunday November 8th. Use code GYMCLUB to shop online and save 30% your entire purchase. You can also receive free shipping online with $100 purchase.

Books to Help Kids Move

This list of top book picks to help kids adjust to moving was sent to me by Flat Rate moving, a nationwide leader in moving and storage. We always use books to help us discuss what's happening - good or bad so I was excited to see a list to help kids who are facing the challenge of a big move. As a kid, we moved the summer before I went into 4th grade and it was definitely a big deal for me. Our move was local but included a school change and even now I can remember the nerves, fear, and excitement of this life change.

Moving causes anxiety for everyone, but for kids it can be exceptionally overwhelming. Leaving behind friends, changing cschools, and having to get used to a new home can be very exhausting and difficult. Books can be an invaluable resource in helping to explain to kids that just because you move doesn't mean you forget your old home or friends. Here's their top picks to help with the adjustment.

Moving Day by Meg Cabot - This book comes from Cabot’s series for younger girls, Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls. Known for her entrancing stories in The Princess Diaries series, Cabot takes readers through Allie Finkle’s reaction and reality when her family decides to move across town. Filled with worries and concerns, Finkle has to go to a new school as a new kid and find new friends. But what about her old best friend?

The Moving Book: A Kids’ Survival Guide by Gabriel Davis - Turn moving into an adventure for your tween. This fits somewhere between moving scrapbook and guide to moving. It includes advice on packing, discovering the new house and neighborhood and also getting valuable information from the old neighbors so that they aren’t forgotten in the move.

We’re Moving by Heather Maisner - When kids move, they aren’t just leaving behind their house. They are also moving away from the special things they did with their family there - like plant a garden, play tag in the yard or have an Easter egg hunt. This story for young elementary school kids addresses that, and how you can make new memories like those in your new home too.

The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan Berenstain - The Berenstain Bears are moving to a new tree house and Brother isn’t sure he’s going to like it — or make friends. This is perfect for talking to your preschooler about a move, since the Bears are very vocal with their relatable concerns.

Who Will Be My Friends? by Syd Hoff - This is a great book to give your child just before or after a move or if a new family has moved into the neighborhood. Freddy teaches us what it is like to be new and discovers that meeting new people and new friends is not as difficult as he first thought.

Free My Little Pony Coloring Sheet

Thought you might like this free My Little Pony coloring page if your daughter is as into coloring and the My Little Pony gang as Mackenzie. Enjoy!

Moody Mamas Maternity Wear Giveaway

Win it! We're giving away a Maternity Wardrobe from Moody Mamas valued at $190.

A friend tipped me off about this totally fantastic line of maternity wear by Moody Mamas. After visiting the Moody Mamas website, I was wildly impressed as their clothes look so stylish and trendy, they almost make me consider trying for Round 3! Moody Mamas designs really are versatile and many can even be worn post pregnancy as they are so stylish and flexible. They are sophisticated, trendy and work for both day to night as well. Celebrity moms like Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Tori Spelling, and Ashlee Simpson are all fans of this ultra-popular high-fashion maternity line Moody Mamas and now you can buy it at a price you can afford at Target.com View the Moody Mamas line sold at Target.com here.

Moody Mamas was created by 2 fashion-savvy young women in their 20’s,Marta Abrams and Elise Rosemarin, who are single and have never had children - admittedly an unlikely pair to design a maternity line - which is precisely why they have been so successful --throwing out the rulebook and shaking up the status quo by creating a bold, daring collection that has injected style and fashion flair back into the lives of expectant moms everywhere. It has also become the go-to maternity line for women across America and worldwide, available at more than 200 boutiques and other major retailers, including Nordstrom.com, Harrod’s, and Belk’s.

Our prize package will include the following items (winner will determine sizing):

- High Neck Top with Cascading Ruffle – $27.99

- Jersey Wrap with Ruffle Detail – 39.99

- 2-Tone V-Neck Dress with Pockets –$39.99

- Ruffled Tunic Top – $34.99

- Nursing PJ Set – $44.99

(Total Retail Value: approx. $190 )

Enter to win:

1. Leave a comment below by November 21st, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.

2. Get another bonus entry by joining our Classy Mommy Facebook Page and leaving an additional comment there by November 21st, 2009.

3. Get an additional bonus entry by following @classymommy on Twitter and sending a Tweet out to @classymommy about this giveaway by November 21st, 2009.

Happy Halloween!

Homeopathic Tips for Preventing the Flu

What are your tips to prevent the Flu? With H1N1 hitting my Philly suburb in a big way these past few weeks, like many Parents, I'm worrying if the kids will get sick and trying to prevent germ exposure as much as possible. (Think lots of hand sanitizer and avoiding unnecessary activities.) So far, the kids have been unscathed with a major illness this Fall. We've had a few share of colds and 1 ear infection, but after a summer full of repeat episodes of cellulitus, ear infections, and a case of walking Pneumonia, I'm counting my lucky stars!

I've been thinking of ways to proactively boost our immune systems before we even get the flu and wondering what I'll do to ease symptoms if the kids do come down with the virus.

I recently heard about some FDA approved products from Boiron, a leader in homeopathic medicines, that can also help soothe cold and flu symptoms. I'm impressed with the Boiron blog offering homeopathic advice and the fact that their medicines for children are indeed FDA approved for the indications on the package so as a parent, I'll know I can safely provide a dose to my children. I will likely give them a try the next time the kids get sick with a cold as I received free samples from an online offer. (The offer has since expired, but there are some great Boiron coupons here. )

What do you do to boost your immune system? Or the kids? Do you take any extra vitamins? Or have any other secrets? I'd love to hear them!

For myself, besides a multi-vitamin I also take the following daily to boost my immune system:

- Vitamin C with Rose Hips

- Vitamin D

I've also heard that garlic pills and black elderberry syrup are an excellent line of defense.

Right now Mackenzie , age 4, & Kyle, age 1, are just on a standard multi-vitamin for kids. I'm always nervous about what other homeopathic remedies I can safely dose to kids so we've just stuck to the basics. I think I might try increasing their Vitamin C intake through healthy foods like a clementine orange per day as my kids devour those sweet style oranges.

My Little Red Riding Hood

Exciting times! Halloween is tomorrow night. We've had a super busy week as yesterday was Kenzie's Halloween Parade, tomorrow is her birthday party, and then we'll be trick or treating with both kids in the evening. (Kyle will likely be a super hero as I've been unable to coerce him into either the bear or horse getup we purchased for him.)

Don't forget to be safe when you're out trick or treating with the kids. Thanks to the folks at Fed Ex and Safe Kids USA who sent us these safety tips.

Keeping Kids Safe on Halloween
Always trick-or-treat with an adult until age 10
Only trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit
Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks
Look left, right and left again when crossing; always walk, don’t run, when crossing streets
Make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up
Walk on sidewalks or paths; if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
Never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars
Wear light-colored, flame-retardant, costumes decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers
Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls
Carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers
Wear face paint and makeup; a mask can restrict a child’s vision

A Tea Party for Kenzie

It's Tea Time! We didn't let the rescheduling of Kenzie's birthday party (thanks to H1N1) stop our fun last Saturday. Instead, Nana surprised both Kenzie and Mom with a reservation for Tea at the Simpson Tea Room in Chester Springs, PA.

While certainly not anything like Tea at the Plaza in New York, Kenzie was beyond thrilled with our outing. (Not that I've ever been to Tea at the Plaza, but I do imagine the experience belongs in a different stratosphere than that of our local tea room)

Kenzie loves treats and food is the way to her heart. She ordered a grand hot chocolate with whipped cream and Peter Pan Tea Sandwiches, also kown as a triple decker PBJ. For dessert we all devoured the seasonal gingerbread cake with fresh cream. It was delicious!

We all loved the girl time together and practicing being fancy and sipping from tea cups. We all can't wait to return to the Simpson Tea Room for another special occasion. If you are from the Chester County area - the Simpson Tea Room is off of Byers Rd. and next to Pickering Valley Elementary School. The prices were super reasonable and we even had a stellar coupon to buy one entree and get one free.

Little Buddy Child Tracker GPS Device

Want GPS for your little explorer? For $99, Insignia has introduced the "Little Buddy Child Tracker" GPS device to give you some peace of mind when your precocious kids are wandering. Available at Best Buy in blue or green. The Little Buddy Child Tracker fits into a lunchbox or backpack and apparently has a 1 week battery life. ( Currently, it is back ordered on Best Buy.)

And yes, this post and product are legitimate which is a little bit hard to believe with a price point of only $99 for a GPS tracking device. I've not yet reviewed this product myself but figured you'd like the general product info.

Today, the Chicago Sun Times reported that, "It combines global satellite positioning and cellular technology to signal the child's whereabouts to a computer or smart phone. Parents can program the device to set up specific times and locations where the child is supposed to be -- in school or at home, for example -- and the device sends a text message if the child leaves the site in that time."

Techies have supposedly given this GPS for kiddies angry write ups, but maybe they're not worried parents. Seriously, I plan to invest in this $99 GPS device or something compatible to keep track of my adventurous toddler Kyle when he hits the preschool years. Already he'll begin to wander into the woods on his own accord while we're playing in the backyard if we don't stop him.

Kate Gosselin Wig - For real!

Can't resist sharing this one. Moms if you need an easy Halloween costume that will get everybody talking, try this Kate Gosselin Wig for just $12. Pretty hysterical. And cheap too! You can buy it here.

Kate Gosselin's fame is now affirmed as she joins the ranks of Spiderman, Batgirl, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and every other possible Halloween costume out there. Yes, you've made it ultra big time when they create a Halloween costume for you.

I always wonder just what is up with Kate's haircut. I mean really... would you want this hairstyle? I doubt it. Kate manages to somehow pull it off but it is weird! Whatever we may think about Kate, I suspect her hair is just one more fantastic way for this marketing genius to get more buzz for herself, her brand, her family and her show.

Madeline Talking Doll Giveaway

Win it! We're giving away a 17 inch Soft Plush Madeline Talking doll. This Madeline doll speaks 4 phrases of both English and French when you squeeze her little hands. Very cute. Value $24.99

We got a chance to receive one of these for a review from Kids Preferred and it is super cute. The Madeline story is a classic and a favorite in our home especially as it evokes many childhood memories of my own as I see my own kids fascination with the story.

Enter to win:
1. Leave a comment below by November 14th, 2009. Include your email address if it's not visible on your profile page - so we may contact you if you win.
2. Get another bonus entry by joining our Classy Mommy Facebook Page and leaving an additional comment there by November 14th, 2009.

3. Get an additional bonus entry by following @classymommy on Twitter and sending a Tweet out to @classymommy about this giveaway by November 14th, 2009.

Baby Einstein Refund

If you purchased a Baby Einstein DVD in the last 5 years, you are eligible to return your DVD for a full refund of $15.99 or you may opt to trade your DVD in for a Baby Einstein Book or Music CD of your choice if you were not satisfied with your experience. Each household can return up to 4 DVD's for $15.99 each.

The easy to follow Baby Einstein refund instructions can be found here.

Wondering why you can get a refund on your Baby Einstein DVD's? Well the FTC has deemed the marketing of Baby Einstein DVD's by Disney as "educational" videos for infants to be a false claim. The CCFC filed this complaint in 2006 at which point Disney stopped claiming the DVD's were educational. However, customers were not offered a refund or return/exchange option. The CCFC pressed on with the FTC and now until March 4th, 2010 you can exchange your item for a refund.

Personally, I never found the Baby Einstein DVD's to be an overly educational experience for my young infants under 6 months however, I certainly found them to be entertaining for my kids and they definitely offered a much needed break for Mom. Usually, we watched our DVD's together, but they provided a refreshing break for Mom as it enabled someone else to be the entertainer for a 20 minutes. We especially enjoyed the Farm Animal & World Animal versions and I'd recommend those Baby Einstein DVDs to any Parent looking for a dvd option for their young babies under 9 months old.

Conversations with Kyle

Now that our late blooming talker Kyle is beginning to speak more we're having some funny conversations. This is how it usually plays out with our sweet mischievous boy who loves to color on the walls, carpet, or find a way make a mess or destruct.

Mom or Dad: "Did you break it Kyle?"

Kyle rolls his eyes and says, "Noooooooo."

Mom or Dad quickly follow with, "Kyle. Who broke it?"

With 2 adorable fingers pointing at himself, Kyle says, "Meeeee!"

Coldwater Creek Coupon Code

With the holiday shopping season quickly racing towards us, here's another coupon code worth sharing. Found this $30 off any $100 or more purchase at Coldwater Creek valid until 11/30/09 flipping through my Better Homes & Garden magazine. Use code NKA9425 in offer box at checkout online or on the phone. One offer per customer per day.

Central Park Carousel

You must check out a New York City kid's treasure... the Central Park Carousel! Located in the heart of Central Park near the intersection of Central Park Driveway/6th Ave. and 65th Transverse (near Sheep's Meadow), the carousel was built in 1871 and is still going strong. The carousel has the largest hand-carved figures ever constructed... the horses are 3/4 the size of a real horse! The figures are all hand-painted, as well, and Wurlizter music streams beautifully from a Ruth Sohn band organ in the middle of the carousel. Outside the carousel there are vendors of ice cream, cotton candy and the like, so you really get the feeling that you're at a county fair. There's also a picnic area that you can rent out for birthday parties if you live nearby. The Central Park Carousel is open all year round, weather permitting, so it's something you can enjoy in the summer and winter alike.

A ride lasts 3-4 minutes long and costs a very reasonable $2 per person per ride. I promise you that it will delight kids of all ages. As my husband, Brian, so eloquently put it, "This is no slouch carousel!" It is fast! Check out a video below for a shortened version of the super fun ride I took with family.

The Children's Place 15% Off Printable Coupon

Awesome offer to share with you all. We love shopping at the Children's Place and I usually buy one of Kenzie's holiday outfits there every year. Update: Save 20% at the Children's Place when you click here and use the coupon code HA299 through November 16th, 2009.

Check out their ongoing sales for goodies priced at $5.99 or less here and their holiday clothing that is up to 40% off. Print here to enjoy this 15% off coupon. Just print it out and you'll be good to go!

Big Apple Circus Coupon Code

Save up to $30 with this Big Apple Circus Coupon code for your discount- which is playing from October 22nd to January 18th, 2010 at the Lincoln Center in NYC. Here's the skinny on these fantastic discounted coupon codes. To purchase your discounted tickets to the Big Apple Circus:

Online: http://bigapplecircus.org/mommy.aspx

and submit the code MOMMY10 in the Promotional Codes box

By Phone:

CALL 888-541-3750 and mention code MOMMY10

In Person: Big Top Box Office

10AM–6PM daily. No service fee. Bring a copy of this blog

*Offer good on select seat locations and performances. Must present this email to receive discount at the box office. Performance schedule subject to change. Offer is subject to availability; not valid on prior purchases; cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. This offer can be revoked at any time. Discount amount varies. Limit 8 tickets per order. No refunds or exchanges. Telephone and Internet orders are subject to standard service fees.