Athlete’s Great Deed After A Terrible Game Loss

When the only thing the main stream media talks about when it comes to athletes are their crimes, their indiscretions and their mistakes it is so nice to hear about the athletes who do good, but almost never get the recognition. Here is one such story.

NHL’s Brooks Laich who was emotionally devastated after what has been called the worst series defeat in franchise history when they were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs put that behind him when he helped a mother and her teenage daughter who had a flat tire on a busy highway.

He stopped and changed a tire for two people he didn’t know, on a dangerous stretch of road after a very big personal let down. He could have driven right by just like hundreds of other people did that day, but he didn’t. For that he deserves some special recognition.

These are the athletes and the good deeds the news media should be shouting about from high places. Maybe if we had more coverage like this instead of all the negative then maybe more high profile athletes would hold themselves to a higher standard. I think it’s time to raise the bar off the ground for athletes and their behavior.

To read the short, but sweet story of Brooks Laich see: After Game 7 loss, Capitals' Laich fixes tire for stranded family

Adventures In Potty Training Part 4 - Potty Training On The Go

I have been chronicling our Adventures In Potty Training and we have been making great progress. Accidents during the day are rare and he’s even learning to do #2 in the potty! I am so thrilled and proud. Since this potty training gig has totally consumed my life I feel it is all that I do all day. I told my husband just today that I feel so fulfilled in life. My sarcastic humor flew right over his head. He just wants it to be over so he doesn’t have to listen to all the potty conversation. I just want it to be over so I can get some of my life back and move on in conversations.

Well, I have another tidbit of information you might find helpful if your potty training days are coming. I don’t want to be housebound till my son starts school so I have been trying to come up with ways to bring the potty training bandwagon on the road when we go out. Though I do put on a pull up over his underwear to protect the car seat, I don’t want him thinking that it’s OK to go in his pants when we are away from home.

I looked into buying a specific potty chair just for traveling, but hated to spend the extra money on one especially if he ended up not liking it. I figured since he felt comfortable using the one at home it would be best to bring that one along. So I put his chair in a garbage bag. I spread the bag out with the open end near the front, just in case he misses so it will go straight into the garbage bag instead of on the van floor. I also packed a bag with paper towels, disinfectant wipes (I use this kind, which are the best I think – Basic-G Wipes) and plastic bags. I use a butter tub with lid to pour the pee and poop in till we can get home and I pray for patience.

Since our previous episode of going on the potty in the van turned out to be a disaster I was apprehensive at this next upcoming outing. We had story time at the library and I thought this would be a perfect set up. If he ended up having to go in the middle of it, it would be no big deal to run out to the van.

When we first got there I tried seeing if he needed to go and he very firmly said no. I took him in with me to the bathroom at the library and asked if he had to go. I figured I could hold him up over the seat. Nothing doing. He wasn’t interested. After he touched literally everything in the restroom, we washed our hands and went to story time. About 15 minutes in he announces that he has to go pee-pee. So I grab my bag, sign to the teacher we have to go and my son is yelling, "Bye, bye, pee-pee!" very loudly as we run through the library and out the door. I bet people just dread seeing us coming.

Remembering our last time trying it in the van and ending up having the whole world see what we were doing even though we were parked remotely, I decided I would l climb in the back of the van with my son and gently close the door till it barely latched. I opened up his potty, took his pants off and plopped him down. After a minute of a few tears and complaining, some on his part, some on mine, I managed to get him to go. He was quite proud of himself and so was I. After a few moments of praise and high fives I went to open the back door of the van and realized there is no latch on the inside! Oh no!

We have a bench seat behind the front seat where he rides in his car seat. This bench seat takes up almost the full width of the van. Great. Do I try to flag down some other person to open the door from the outside risking ridicule and embarrassment or try and find a way up to the side door? Who designs doors that can’t be opened from the inside?! I know it may be a safety thing, but come on, you can lock the doors from the inside with a flick of a switch, so it’s not like they can get out of their seats, climb in the back, open the back door and fall out before you can flick the lock on your door. OK, maybe some kids and some parents might have that happen, but very unlikely. I was so upset to find out the hard way that mine has no inside latch.

Climbing over the seat isn’t an option with the high car seat in the middle and the head rests on the ends. So I clamber over all the crap we have behind the backseat and try and squeeze between the seat and the wall of the van. Cussing at myself for being so fat I manage to barely stretch my arm out to open the side door. Sucking in all that I can to squeeze through such a tight space reminded me of being born myself and has become a motivator to losing weight. I have to lose weight now as I am NOT taking a step backwards in potty training and my son will not go with the back door open. So that means I have to get skinnier so I can make my way back up to go out the side door. Either that or stay home till he’s 5.

We’ve come too far in our training to go back now, so hopefully the next time you hear about our mishaps I’ll at least be a little thinner. If you ever hear on the news though about a woman needing the jaws of life to free her from being wedged between the seat and van and they also found a toddler dancing in the back with pee in a potty chair you’ll know it was me and that my weight loss plans had failed. Just please send prayers.

I'm not sure if there will be a Part 5 or not. Guess that depends on if I ever get my life back.
(Note - Here it is! Adventures in Potty Training Part 5)

Adventures In Potty Training Part 3

Life does get easier, one dry hour at a time.

My son has been doing quite well with telling me now before he goes that he has to go pee pee. We have manged to get through the days with only one or two wet accidents and that is where he suddenly realizes he has to go real bad and is having a hard time holding it in as he runs to the bathroom. Pooping on the potty hasn’t been mastered yet, but at least he is telling me afterwards that he has gone.

My best advice in buying underwear for them to wear around the house is buy a lot of them. I bought around 12 pairs and in the beginning you will go through that many in a day. While he was wearing the last of maybe two pair, I was washing the rest. When going out I just pull a pull up over top of his underwear. Today’s training pants are too absorbent and don’t let the kids feel the wetness. The pull up over the underpants are just a measure to save your car seat.

We tried doing an outing where I took his potty with me. I figured I would take his regular potty with me rather than buy one just for the van because he might not want to go on a strange potty and was used to his. When he told me he had to go potty while in the van in a parking lot I took him out of his seat, opened the back door and tried sitting him on his potty. No way, nothing doing. He shrieked so loud people who I thought couldn’t see us were staring at us while I hurriedly tried to pull his pants back up. Gee I hope they don’t think I was doing something wrong to him! Ugh! I was just hoping I could get out of there before someone called the police and end up on the evening news. I was so self conscious and I guess he was too. How do you get a child to go on the run? Do I need to register with the police stating I am trying to potty train my toddler and please don’t arrest me if you catch me pulling his pants down in a parking lot? I guess I need a sign on my van that states I am not trying to expose my child to you, I am just trying to teach him not to pee in his pants!

I was so embarrassed and the really bad part was I think so was my son. I guess maybe he can chalk it up to more subject matter he can bring up in therapy later in life.

To make things worse he didn’t want to sit on the potty when we came home. Ugh! Great. Now I have caused a step back in our progress. We’ll see how things turn out after waking from his nap. Keep your fingers crossed.

See if things get better in Adventures In Potty Training Part 4

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If Only I Had A Video Camera

Those are the words from my husband as he witnessed a hilarious spectacle of my son and I. If you have been following my series of Adventures in Potty Training then you would know that we are attempting to train our 2 year old in the art of scheduled elimination.

Well, the other day my son who has been doing quite well in using the potty had an accident where he pooped in his pants. I made no big deal of it and matter of factly proceeded to bring a plastic bag into the bathroom with me and cleaned him up. I dumped the poop into the potty, showed my son that this is where it goes, and put the dirty wipes into the plastic bag.

As I proceeded to hold open clean pants for him to put on, he gave me a devilish grin, grabbed the open bag of poopy wipes and took off like a flash of light.

My husband standing in the kitchen doorway saw a naked little boy streak by shrieking with glee carrying a plastic bag of something bouncing around and then saw his wife chasing as fast as she could after him all the while shrieking, “NO, NO, NO!”

I was panicking, because I could just see poop and wipes flying out of the bag. Luckily he didn’t drop any and I managed to catch up with him on the couch. Breathlessly I snatched the bag back from him and managed to put dry pants onto his wriggling little body. My son was laughing hysterically and so was my husband. I had to laugh too as it was funny.

Life is funny. Life with a toddler requires you to be funny. Anyone with one knows exactly what I mean.

Adventures In Potty Training - Part 2

How hard can this be? I've trained dogs and horses before, how hard can it be to train a little person? I am about to find out just how hard it can be.

Parents are weird aren't we? We teach our children to "go" in their pants and then all of a sudden switch places and now tell them they shouldn't. How confusing that must be to a child!

So out comes the big boy underwear, the potty chair (which has been in our bathroom for months used only sporadically) an array of stickers, snacks, crackers to make him thirsty so he’ll drink more, to pee more. All in the hope it will teach him faster through repetition.

I also have special coloring pages, special “wipes” in his favorite cartoon character bin, special candy and treats for when he does go in the potty, books, toys - you name it it’s in the bathroom. You can’t enter the bathroom during the day without tripping over something and getting to the toilet to use it yourself is quite a challenge. My husband has resorted to using the downstairs bathroom in an effort to keep from breaking his leg by tripping over some potty training paraphernalia.

I also have plenty of clean up supplies on hand. What I wasn’t prepared for though, was the huge amount of time is involved. It literally takes most all my time. My only break is nap time which is time I use to write articles.

I never dreamed I would get so excited, jump up and down, do a dance, give out treats so freely for a little pee pee in a bowl. I must look like a complete idiot, but if you have ever had to housebreak, I mean potty train a child then you know the kind of potty dance/celebration I'm talking about. Dancing with the Stars rejects have nothing on me. Hey, the name of the game is fun for your little one and if looking like a dancing fool does the trick to ending diapers then that's what you have to do.

When my husband comes home or calls I can’t wait to tell him about any successes we’ve had that day. I’m sure he’s just thrilled about hearing another potty conversation. He's witnessed our shameless dance and though he doesn't join in (he has managed to retain his self control) he does applaud our son's efforts.

Of course I omit all the misses. My husband does not support the no diapers during the day idea. Can’t say I blame him since he always seems to find the wet spots on the carpet with his socks. My telling him that is where I scrubbed it clean does nothing for his “Yuck” face.

I was hoping for warm weather so we could play outside in just a long shirt and underwear since it is easier to hose off the deck as opposed to scrubbing the carpet. It's been cold and rainy. Stupid weather! Doesn't it understand how we need it's cooperation for this potty training thing to work?! I threatened the sky with a time out. I don't think the sky is real scared of me because it is rainy, cold and windy. I may have to try a different approach with Mother Nature.

Back to the indoor training.

Since I can't use a dog crate like when you housebreak a puppy, I am forced to always keep a sharp lookout for the signs. One main sign of course is him looking down and spreading his feet apart as he is dribbling on the floor. Being the helpful little man that he is, he yells out, "Pee pee! I went pee pee!" My response, "Greeeaaatt!" Actually it's more along the line of #*&% muttered under my breath as I jump to my feet to run and take him to the bathroom. Hey, a burst of aerobic activity is good for me. Actually I think that telling me after the fact is a good sign. Better late than never I guess.

Spot by spot my floors are being scrubbed clean. This does get easier, right?

See if it does in the next installment of Adventures in Potty Training Part 3

Staying Dry Can Be Such A Thrill - (side note to Adventures in Potty Training)

I never knew how hard potty training could be till we started. Phew ! It's exhausting and a huge time consumer, but it can be exciting, too.

I try to look at it with some humor though. Actually, I use the humor more as a defense mechanism to keep from losing my mind!

I have been chronicling our Adventures in Potty Training, but I have to get this achievement out to those of you who have been there and are currently doing it! I know you guys would appreciate it.

Went to the bank and post office today and low and behold, my son made it through the entire outing without wetting his pants. And he waited till we got home and told me he had to use the potty! I about fainted. When I came to I hugged him and told him I was so proud of him. Though we were only gone less than 30 minutes, it was still the first time ever staying dry on an outing.

Weird how we parents get so excited over pee and poop, isn’t it? Anyone else who has never been through it would think we had lost our ever lovin’ minds! Of course I guess I do look kind of nuts jumping up and down and clapping over a little person peeing into a bowl on a make believe toilet.

Funny how us moms (& dads) live for these little moments and how we will miss these times when they grow up.

I told that very same comment to my husband after he stepped on a wet spot with his socks on the carpet after I had to scrub it clean. He wasn’t as near as amused as I was. I wonder why?

It has totally made my day.

OK, after re-reading this I have determined I may need to get out more.

Adventures In Potty Training - Part 1

This is the first in what I hope is a very short series. I am tired of diapers. That’s it. That’s the main reason. That and we could use the money. You may be thinking one or two things right now. Either I am a bad mom for what you think is pushing my son into it too soon or you are where I’m at now and can relate. Either way you are probably right.

I have heard potty training requires a lot of patience, but I was unprepared for how much patience is really needed. An unbelievable amount of patience is required for this. You need patience, patience and more patience. Did I mention you need patience?

I had read articles and ideas from other parents from all over the Internet and all I really discovered was there are just as many different ways to train your little poop machine as there are people. It’s amazing how many different approaches there are.

So I decided to take the no-nonsense, don't wait forever to start approach. Though my son is only 2 I feel many parents wait way too long to start. I don’t want to wait till when we “have” to as he’s starting pre-school. That kind of pressure may be too much for him and me. He has been showing the signs of interest and though he isn’t good at all of them I feel he is ready.

The question is, am I? Well, I thought so until…..

See the next article coming soon - Adventures In Potty Training Part 2

Lead Paint in Toys

The other day I was shocked when I went to buy a toy for my son and saw a warning label on it stating that it had lead paint and that it was possible that lead paint dust could be inhaled or ingested. I dropped the toy like it was the plague. I was so disgusted and so very disappointed for my son who I know would have loved it.

I was shocked that there was even a warning label. Usually you don’t find out about a toy with lead paint till long after it was sold to the public. I do not understand why toys knowingly made with lead paint are allowed to be sold in this country. The outsourcing of most of the toy manufacturing to China has put our children at grave risk. In the name of cheapness we have sacrificed our children’s safety.

I think the government needs to really start cracking down on these toy manufactures. I think the penalties need to be great. An example of a penalty is possibly a 1 million dollar fine for each offense along with a ban from that manufacturer from selling toys in the U.S. for 1 year. Some may say that is too harsh of a penalty, but how much is your child’s health worth? I believe in sending a very strong message that we will not tolerate producing and selling unsafe toys to our children.

Be sure to keep updated on the latest recalls by visiting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) The amount of toys and children’s products recalled because of high levels of lead are mind boggling. And that is just the ones that are known! Here is a good article stating how the CPSC is getting tougher with toy manufacturers - CPSC Gets Tough on Lead Paint Violators It’s a start, but it needs to be tougher and more widespread.

Join a group like Kids In Danger, get on the CPSC’s email list to keep up to date on the latest recalls and the best way to vote is to try and not buy toys from manufacturers that consistently break the rules. It is up to us, the consumer to protect our children because you can’t rely solely on the government and certainly not the manufacturers to do so.

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Almost Locked Out By 2 year Old!

Today my 2 year old almost locked me out of the house!

I went out the front door for just a moment to get something and turned around and found the door locked. I was so shocked and my heart stopped. Then I remembered that I left the back door open when I went out onto the back porch earlier. I could hear my 2 year old giggling as he was climbing the stairs. I quickly ran as fast as I could to the back door and managed to get there before he did and before he could lock that door! Whew!

What lesson did I learn today? To always take my keys with me, just in case!

Toddlers! They keep you hoppin’!

Little Kids & Blankets

Why do little kids at night in bed flop around like fish in the bottom of a boat?

I am up 3-4 times a night covering my son back up. He wakes me up as he gets cold and I find him huddled up in a ball crying with the blanket balled up on the other side of the bed.

I guess I am going to have to velcro it to his body.

Does anyone else have this problem?

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Guest Post: Jill Savage - Taking "Mom Time" is not selfish... it's a part of your job!

"I feel guilty when I blow it with my kids and I feel guilty when I take time for myself. I just can't win!" lamented my friend sitting across from me at a local coffee shop. It was a mommy meltdown at its very best.

I reassured her. I've been there. We've all been there. We know we need to take some time to refill our emotional tank, but we feel guilty doing so because it often means doing something away from the family. But then the guilt keeps us from taking care of ourselves and we end up with no reserves when we're disciplining our kids and we blow it. It's a common cycle that most moms experience. I ran that cycle for years until one day it hit me: taking care of myself is part of my job description as a mom! It's my responsibility. Nobody is going to do it for me. I have to learn to do it myself. Before I'm on empty. Before I'm at the end of my rope. Proactively...not reactively.

With Mother's Day around the corner, I'd like to make a suggestion. Let's each give ourselves a Mother's Day gift. This would be a life-giving gift to us and to our family. Let's commit to putting something in our schedule that fills us up: exercise, scrapbooking, one night out a week with a girlfriend, an hour at the library, a walk, prayer, reading the Bible, sitting on the porch with a cup of tea...whatever activity would fill your emotional fuel tank!

Yes, it will take some effort. Sometimes it will even feel like a hassle. But it's worth it! And it is needed on a regular basis. You and I can't give to our families out of emptiness...we need to give to our families out of the overflow of our heart! The only way a heart can overflow is if it's filled to the brim. Jesus pulled away from the crowds to refuel. We can follow His example and do the same.

Keeping hearts at home,
Jill Savage

To learn more about Hearts at Home visit their website: http://www.hearts-at-home.org/

Test and Keep Free Cooking Products

For those of you who like to cook a lot, this may be a deal for you. This company is offering for you to keep products you test in return for your feedback. For a little bit of your time you may get some really cool items.

I wish I had the time to do so.

For more information visit: Cooking Club of America


For free recipes from your favorite restaurants click below:

Half Price Books Mother’s Day Special

Not sure what to get Mom for Mother’s Day? How about a gift to Half Price Books?
They sell more than just books. They have music, movies, décor and other gifts, too!

It’s one of my favorite stores to visit. Hint, hint hubby. ;)

Now through May 9th if you buy a $25 gift card from Half Price Books receive a $5 gift card free.

If you know a mom that loves to read then a gift card to Half Price Books makes a great gift. And no wrapping needed!

Friday Freebies!

· FREE Eye Exam for Infants till one year old. See my article on The Infant See Program here.


· Earn FREE Rewards every time you surf the Net with Swagbucks here.

· FREE Kids meal at IHOP during April from 4-10PM with purchase of adult meal

· Free Military admission offer for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place in 2010 - Throughout 2010, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. Thanks Couponing To Disney!


· Earn double the cash back on a different store every day at Ebates
Ebates pays you to shop online and with tons of stores and all the major retailers, you are bound to find great deals on places you already shop, so you might as well get paid for it! Click Here to sign up for Ebates to receive this great deal!

· FREE Racing Classifieds

· FREE pair of socks from HUEtopia on Facebook

· 50 FREE photo prints from Kodak for new members

· Print Free Grocery Coupons

· FREE Samples

· FREE Baby Stuff

· FREE Grocery Coupons

· FREE Dr. Seuss Books

· FREE 25 Songs
· FREE Name Brand Samples

· FREE HOME INSPECTIONS FOR VETERANS...For Vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who live in the Cincinnati area only. Call "Criterium Cincinnati" Engineers at 513-474-9600

More freebies courtesy of www.wcpo.com:

• NEW 4/7/10: FREE SAMPLE OF JOHN FRIEDA SHAMPOO CLICK HERE
• NEW 4/7/10: FREE MOVIE TICKET IF YOU BUY 4 BAGS OF HERSHEYS CANDY CLICK HERE
• NEW 3/24/10: FREE $1 COUPON TO TIDE DETERGENT....For signing up for P&G's email alerts CLICK HERE
• NEW 3/24/10: FREE SAMPLE OF RITZ MUNCHABLES...for joining their facebook page CLICK HERE
• NEW 3/17/10: FREE SAMPLE OF DOVE DAILY HAIR CONDITIONER....Direct from Dove CLICK HERE
• MORE THAN $100 IN FREE COUPONS FOR HASBRO AND PLAYSKOOL TOYS....Direct from the company CLICK HERE
• FREE $30 WORTH OF P&G COUPONS....For Swiffer, Cascade, Mr Clean, Dawn, others. Direct from P&G.CLICK HERE
• FREE CELTIC MUSIC DOWNLOAD....From Amazon.com. Thanks to AnnCrabs Blog for this one.
• CLICK HERE FREE SPONGE BOB CREAM OF WHEAT CLICK HERE
• FREE PUREX 3-IN-1 SAMPLE....Direct from Purex CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF SURF LAUNDRY DETERGENT...if you give them a laundry tip! CLICK HERE
• FREE 3-WAY FROM GOLD STAR CHILI....For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE
• FREE SPECIAL K SAMPLE...from Kelloggs CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF CARRIBEAN TRAVEL MAGAZINE...No credit card needed CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF ENSURE...Plus coupons toward your next Ensure purchaseCLICK HERE
• FREE $1 COUPON FOR TETLEY TEA...Direct from Tetley CLICK HERE
• FREE QUIZNOS DISCOUNT COUPONS ...If you sign up for Quiznos new email club CLICK HERE
  
• FREE CHEESEBURGER FROM RED ROBIN ON YOUR BIRTHDAY...for joining their Birthday Club CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO NEW LEGO CLUB JR MAGAZINE For younger children CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF NEW HAWAIIAN TROPIC SKIN CARE LOTION CLICK HERE
• FREE BOWLING GAME...For signing up with AMF's email club CLICK HERE
• FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO "AMERICAN PHOTO" MAGAZINE...No Credit Card required! (Never give a credit card for a freebie, or you'll regret it) CLICK HERE
  
• FREE APPETIZER FROM TGI FRIDAYS...for signing up for their E-mail club CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF AMBIEN EXFOLIATOR....Plus a $1 off coupon. CLICK HERE
• FREE ONE HOUR ART CLASS AT IMAGINATTIC...A kids art studio in Cincinnati's Madeira community CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO PARENTS MAGAZINE OR AMERICAN BABY MAGAZINE...Just be careful how much personal info you give them CLICK HERE
  
• FREE GIFT FROM ARBY's...For joining their e-mail club. You read and decide CLICK HERE
  
• FREE PLAYTEX SPORT SAMPLE FOR WOMEN CLICK HERE
  
• 20 FREE DIGITAL CAMERA PRINTS...Plus, free shipping. From Snapfish CLICK HERE
  
• FREE GIFT FROM SUTTERS CREEK HOME ACCENTS CATALOG...For signing up for their newsletter CLICK HERE
  
• FREE KIDS FITNESS DVD...From the US Dept of Health & Human Services CLICK HERE
  
• FREE ADDRESS LABELS...From The Nat'l Council for Cancer Research. CLICK HERE
  
• FREE BEAN RECIPE COOKBOOK...From Bush's Best Beans CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SAMPLE OF OXYFRESH TOOTHPASTE CLICK HERE
  
• $2 OFF COUPON FOR NO-NONSENSE PANTY HOSE CLICK HERE
  
• NEW WAY TO CALL DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE FREE!Just dial 1-800-YELLOWPAGES. Or call 1-800-FREE-411. Both services require you to listen to an ad first, but they work as promised!
  
• FREE SAMPLE OF PARENTS CHOICE INFANT FORMULA...From Wal-Mart CLICK HERE
  
• FREE "DOGS LIFE" MAGAZINE: From Purina CLICK HERE
  
• FREE DIP SAMPLER AND DISCOUNTS...TO DON PABLO'S...For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE
  
• FREE APPETIZER FROM LONGHORN STEAK HOUSE...For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE
  
• FREE CHARMIN TOILET PAPER ROLL EXTENDER...So your old style TP holder can use the new Double Rolls CLICK HERE
  
• FREE CHILD SAFETY KIT....Great to have in case your child is ever missing CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SAMPLE OF NEW GAS-X THIN STRIPS: CLICK HERE
  
• FREE ICE CREAM CONE...for Kids who join Dairy Queen's Kids Club CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SAMPLE OF "COOKING LIGHT" MAGAZINE...and no credit card required CLICK HERE
  
• FREE "SOCCER MOM SHORTCUTS" COOKBOOK FROM RAGU: CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SAMPLE AND COUPON FOR BEANO: CLICK HERE
  
• FREE SUNMAID RAISIN COOKBOOK. CLICK HERE
  
• FREE 2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO LEGO MAGAZINE CLICK HERE
  
• FREE 3-WAY FROM GOLD STAR CHILI...Just for joining their e-mail club (CINCINNATI AREA ONLY) CLICK HERE
  
• FREE 2-WEEK TRIAL OF "NETFLIX" CLICK HERE
  
• FREE CIRCUS TICKET FOR NEWBORNS...from Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey. You can use it 2 or 3 years later, when they're old enough to appreciate it. CLICK HERE
  
• WEBSITE FOR PARENTS OF BABIES AND TODDLERS: For Cincinnati-area residents. Lots of good deals, some local freebies. CLICK HERE
  
• FREE BABY GROWTH CHART: From "Baby Dreams" Furniture. CLICK HERE
  
• FREE ORLANDO MAGICARD: Great discounts to Orlando hotels and theme parks. CLICK HERE
  
• FREE PAMPERS "WELCOME KIT" AND COUPONS: Discount coupons, other goodies, for P&G's Pampers. CLICK HERE
  
• SECRET TIPS FOR DISNEY WORLD SAVINGS: "Mousesavers" lists great discounts and promotional specials to Disney World hotels and attractions. The information is free. CLICK HERE
  
• FREE HAMBURGER FROM JOHNNY ROCKETS....For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE
• FREE $10 GAME CARD TO DAVE & BUSTERS....For joining their email clubCLICK HERE
• FREE CHILI'S CHIPS AND SALSA....For joining their email club restaurantCLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF WALMART PARENTS CHOICE BABY FORMULA....Direct from WalMartCLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF CREST WHITE STRIPS... Direct from P&GCLICK HERE
• FREE 2 FREE ISSUES OF FAMILY CIRCLE MAGAZINE...And they promise not to charge you for any more! CLICK HERE
• FREE 50 PRINTS PLUS FREE PHOTO COLLAGE... From ShutterflyCLICK HERE
• $10 WORTH OF FREE TOKENS TO DAVE & BUSTERS...If you join their e-mail club CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE NEW OMG DEGREE GIRL DEODORANT CLICK HERE
• FREE $10 WORTH OF BETTY CROCKER COUPONS...For joining their email club.CLICK HERE
• FREE TODDLER SIPPY CUP FROM JUICY JUICE...For joining their email club.CLICK HERE
• FREE HUGGIES DIAPERS COUPONS...For joining Huggies Baby Network Email list CLICK HERE
• FREE STARTER KIT OF NICORETTE GUM CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF TIM McGRAW'S NEW FRAGRANCE: CLICK HERE
• FREE REACH PERSONAL FLOSSER CLICK HERE
• FREE SAMPLE OF NEW DOVE BODY LOTION...Direct from Dove CLICK HERE
• FREE $1 OFF COUPON FOR WENDY'S....if you sign up for their email Club CLICK HERE
• FREE REUSABLE CLOTH BAG...with Cost Plus World Market Logo on it. Bring coupon to your local Cost Plus store. CLICK HERE

View ads below for more Feebies!

Eat Cheap or Free On Tax Day!

It's Tax day. We may have to pay our taxes, but many retailers are offering special deals today only to help ease the burden. Treat yourself today with one of these specials and ask before you buy to see if your restaurant, etc is offering a tax day special!

Here are some listed below:

• Baja Fresh – $2 burritos for their Facebook fans with this coupon
• Boston Market Restaurants – Buy 1 plate and get one free (excludes 2.99 – 5.99 meals). (Valid 4/15 to 4/18)
  
• Cinnabon – free bite-sized samples of their cup cakes from 6pm to 8pm at mall-based locations
  
• El Pollo Loco – Free Taco Al Carbon or any item from the Loco Value Menu with the purchase of any size drink (good until 4/18)
  
• McCormick & Schmick’s – $10.40 Dinner and drinks specials at the bar, as well as giving everyone a $10.40 certificate good for your next visit.
  McCormick & Schmicks Seafood Restaurants - Get different specials plus a $10.40 “tax relief certificate” good on your next visit. And if you are a Tax Preparer, present your business card on April 16th and get free dessert with entree purchase!
• Maggie Moos – free slice of their Ice cream pizza from 3pm to 7pm
• Mr Jim’s Pizza - Become a fan and get a coupon for a free small 1 topping pizza
  
• PF Chang’s – 15% off your food purchases with your Warrior card (free to sign up here)(Thanks Combat Clippers!)
  
• Smokey Bones – Free appetizer (up to $9) with any purchase (Thanks Who Said Nothing In Life Is Free???)
  
• Starbuck’s Coffee – Bring in a reusable travel mug and get it filled with free brewed coffee!(Thanks Coupon Pro!)
  
• Taco del Mar, Del Mar’s or Mondo’s – free taco with coupon
  Also McDonald’s and Chickfila are offering free food today but it varies by location. Be sure to call yours and ask!
  Thanks Couponing To Disney!
  
• Starbucks will give you a free cup of drip coffee if you bring your own reusable cup, all day Thursday.
  
• Participating Dunkin Donuts will give you a free donut if you buy a coffee today.
  
• PF Changs at Rookwood Commons in Hyde Park/Norwood has special tax day discounts, with 15% off most food.
  
• And IHop Restaurants will have free dinners for children under 13 tonight. Limit one free kids dinner per table.
  

Need more tax relief? Whole Foods stores in Cincinnati and the surrounding area are hosting Tax Relief Week now through Saturday, April 17, including the following offers:

• Newman’s Own Organic Pretzels are two for $4 and four packs of Izze Sparkling Juices and Izze Esque Low Calorie Sparkling Juice are two for $8.
  
• Wisconsin cheddar is reduced to $3.99 per pound.
  
• Haagen-Dazs Cookie Dough Ice Cream is buy one get one free at a $4.29 value.
  
• A six inch money tree is on sale for $9.99.
  
• IRS (Incredibly Rich & Scrumptious) Patty Cakes are on sale for $4.49.
  
• For $10.49 you can buy a dinner for four: one rotisserie chicken, one and a half pounds of mashed potatoes and one pound of steamed veggies.
  
• Cases of wine are 20 percent off and Pabst Blue Ribbon 12 packs of 12 ounce beer cans are only $7.49.
  

20 Best-Ever Real-Mom Potty Training Tips

We are starting the potty training and I must say it is harder than I thought it was going to be.

I found the tips in the article whose link is posted below to be helpful, but the main thing is your child has to be ready and willing or it will never work. That and a lot of patience!

See link to article below:
20 Best-Ever Real-Mom Potty Training Tips

Try Shakleekids today. It's What I give my own son!

Chores for Busy Toddlers

I liked this article. It shares with you ways your toddler can help out with chores at home. It offers ways to make them fun, too! I was happy that I am already having my two year old do some of these things, but I learned a few more that I can't wait to try.

Little ones love to help and why not let them help? It teaches them the value of jobs needing to be done and it gives them a sense of satisfaction and self worth when they know they are needed.

Besides, having them dust the little places saves you from having to get down low to do it!
See link to article below:
Chores for Busy Toddlers

If you are looking for products to clean your home that are non-toxic to use around your children, then try out the cleaners I use - Get Clean Household

Visit Project MAHMA today!

If you are looking for products to clean your home that are non-toxic to use around your children, then try out the cleaners I use - Get Clean Household

Save 20% off of any NHRA DVD

You can save 20% off of any NHRA DVD - including titles:
NHRA Racing: The First 50 Years
Wild Rides DVD
NHRA’s Greatest Races
And more!
Order now through April 18, 2010 and get 20% Off any DVD order.
Just enter the code "TAX" at checkout.