Do You Believe In Miracles? Introducing MiracleMoms!

They make me cry with joy, they are the only one’s who can get me to dance in the kitchen, they truly think my singing is worth listening to.  Their quiet tears can rouse me from the soundest of sleep, if their heart’s are hurting, mine aches right along with them.  Nothing is more important in my life…they are my children. 

Each and every day I am thankful for the two little miracles in my life.  My two beautiful little girls. 

Now I have been provided the chance to give back just a little bit and help out those who need a hand.  I am honoured and thrilled to announce a brand new initiative by Children’s Miracle Network, MiracleMoms!!! 

MiracleMoms will be a group of loving, passionate, fabulous and motivated women eager to tell the stories of families in their area who use the services of the Children’s Miracle Network.  Mamas who want to make a difference, create a buzz and encourage their readers to jump in  and donate in support of the Children’s Miracle Network. 

I’m looking for approximately 10 motivated Mamas.  Moms from all across Canada and the United States who want to help us tell the real stories of families who use the services of the Children’s Miracle Network.

Are you passionate?  Looking for a way to give back?  Interested in telling the story of a family from your area and encouraging your readers to donate to an incredible cause?  Are you a blogger of influence?  Do you want to help tell stories like this…..

 

Then I want to hear from you…..today.

I’m putting together a team like no other; a creative, heart on your sleeve, want to make a difference group of women.

If this is you, please send me an e-mail (modernmom at rocketmail.com) with MiracleMoms in the subject line! 

Please include: (copy & paste)

1. Blog url
2. Number of followers
3. Unique views per month
4. Twitter Name and Number of  follower's
5. Number of  Facebook friends/fans 
6. Your City and Province/State
7. Happen to know the name of the biggest local hospital in your area? Include that too! 
8. Most of all, I want to hear why you think you would be a great #MiracleMom

Program Requirements will Include:

• Two written posts during the month of May, dates to be determined. 
• One video or audio clip post, material supplied by Children’s Miracle Network.
• MiracleMoms will be encouraged to support each another in the social media space, including retweeting blog posts and amplifying conversation on twitter and Facebook on a weekly basis.  
• Participation in a twitter party.
• MiracleMoms will be asked to add a 125X125 badge in a prominent location on their blog, with a link back to the site, for four months.
• Possible participation in one conference call.
• MiracleMoms must provide full disclosure on posts and abide by all FTC rules and regulations.
• Total Pay for this program is $400.00

For more information and to show Children’s Miracle Network Canada some LOVE, please considering following them on Facebook and twitter!

Please help us spread the word about #MiracleMoms on twitter! 

Feel free to copy and paste:

Do u believe in Miracles? @SassyModernMom is searching 4 passionate women 2 apply 2 B #MiracleMoms!! http://bit.ly/wNPxDW Pls RT

*Criteria for selection for this program will be made by a team, and include availability of participation of families in your city.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.  Thank you for your interest in #MiracleMoms.

Share Your Goldfish Moments and WIN a Kodak Easy Share Camera!

Old MacDonald had a farm e- i- e- i- o

She is still crying.

If your happy and you know it clap your hands!

Not working!

The Wheels On The Bus go round and round…

I can’t take much more of this.  Oh sweetie, we still have 30 more minutes until we are home.  Please stop crying.  Then, I remembered, deep deep in the bottom of my purse was a Tupperware container stuffed full with GOLDFISH Crackers.  With one hand held steady on the steering wheel, I reached inside that magic purse, pulled out those GOLDFISH crackers, and nimbly handed them to my wailing toddler in the back seat. 

“mmm Fishes”  She said. 

That sweet toddler stopped crying about 30 seconds before I was about to start. 

Never EVER had I been so happy to have those cheddary crunchy little distractors in my possession.  Crying toddler was now a happy, satisfied, humming toddler.  This is my all time favourite Goldfish Moment….and a super good reason to never commute again without them! 

This Goldfish Moment was years ago and yet GOLDFISH are still a go to favourite!   A must for car travel, sporting events and a hit for school lunches! 

Now Pepperidge Farms is introducing brand new GOLDFISH Grahams!  Yes!  Two new delicious flavours only recently hit the shelves!   GOLDFISH Grahams in Chocolate and Honey.  The verdict from my kids.  “Yummmmm!”

My girls might be a little bit older now, but these GOLDFISH Grahams can still save my “mini me’s” from mini melt downs.  For myself, I feel good knowing these sweet little GOLDFISH Grahams are:

*Baked

*Contain no artificial colours or flavours

*Low in saturated fat with zero trans fat

I hope you can all join me on February 21st from 7-9pm EST as I twitter chat it up with Kathy Buckworth and some amazing GOLDFISH Moms as we discuss our favourite #goldfishmoments !!

It’s going to be so much fun! 

I also have some exciting news for all of my Canadian friends!  

Do you want to win a Kodak Easy Share Camera and some of these new and fabulous Goldfish Grahams? 

Of course you do!

Take a moment right now and share with me your sweetest GOLDFISH Moment!    You know, was there a time GOLDFISH crackers saved one of your mini me’s from a meltdown?  Have GOLDFISH crackers ever come to the rescue as you sat though an older siblings sporting event?  A long drive?  Helped to satisfy that snack attack that just won’t wait? 

Mandatory Entry:

Leave me a comment sharing your GOLDFISH Moment.  When have GOLDFISH made your day easier?  Simple as that and I will enter you in a fabulous contest to win the Kodak Easy Share Camera!!   Please leave me an e-mail address.  Canada only.

Easy Extra Entries:

2)   If you pop by the party and give me a shout out, just say Hi!  I’m going to give you a second entry! I will pick a winner after the twitter party on the 21st.

3) Follow my blog publicly or tell me that you do.

4) Follow me on twitter

5) Spread the word about this contest and the upcoming twitter party!

Cdns #Win a Kodak Easy Share Camera by sharing your #goldfishmoment with @SassyModernMom  http://bit.ly/yuM9th Pls RT

6) Follow my facebook fanpage so you don’t miss any of the updates about the twitter party!

By entering this promotion, all participants acknowledge that prizes have been provided by Campbell Company of Canada, although it is not the sponsor or administrator of the promotion. Participant agrees to look at the sponsor (and not Campbell Company of Canada) for any and all claims in connection with the promotion

Perhaps A Razor is A Girls Best Friend? #HydroSilkCanada

Last night was Valentine’s Night, the most romantic night of the year.  I might be an old married girl, but this evening still requires some prep work.  Gotta do some things to keep the romance alive right?  My complaint for the day, why did Valentines have to fall on a Tuesday?  Um, didn’t anyone tell that little cupid guy that us Mama’s in the Suburbs are too busy for extra romance during the week! 

So on top of our regularly scheduled programing I had to find time to bake a cake for my little Valentines (tradition), run to Chapter’s and pick out some sweet books for my girls and Hubby, hit the chocolate store, the grocery store, and the treadmill.  (cause a Mama still has to look after herself)  My girls were home from school by 3:45, but the running around just BEGINS then.  One to dance, the other to Gymnastics.  Everyone back home by 9pm.  Somewhere in there I managed to get them to do homework, piano oh yes, and I fed them too.  Tired now.

As 9:30pm rolled around I realized there was one crucial element I needed to squeeze in…..a shower for me!  Crap.  Funky Mama with hairy legs, not attractive.  So I dragged my butt upstairs to try and get my sexy back.

Here comes the TMI moment.  My friends, I’m thrilled to report I managed to “shave”  15 whole minutes off my day because while in that hot shower trying to revive myself, I did not have to shave my legs!  Three days ago I received this little beauty in the mail:

This new Schick Hydro Silk Women’s Razor.  When it arrived, I took it out of the package (easily I might add, no struggle with excess packaging) and took it for a test drive.  The Schick Hydro Silk is my new favourite razor!!  It has a water activated moisturising system that allows for a super close to the skin shave keeping those legs smooth and sexy for so much longer!  (I also read on the Shick.com FAQ page that this moisturizing serum is hypoallergenic, perfect for my sensitive skin)

I was a girl who shaved her legs each and every day. I am all kinds of vain like that.  With the new Shick Hydro Silk Razor it appears I’m getting a closer shave and don’t have to do this!  The curved sensing blades made for a safe and easy glide over knees and around ankles, leaving no nicks or scratches and a clean, close shave.  Love.  Did I mention it’s pretty?  Pretty is also important…so my Hubby will keep his hands off!

You can learn a lot more about this great new product, and have a chance to win some fabulous prizes, as we chat it up  tonight, Wednesday Feb 15 at 8:30pm ET at the  #HydroSilkCanada twitter party!   Please RSVP here and tell me you can join us!!

A Love Letter To The Real Men

To the Men ….

Who change diapers.

Who rock their babies when they cry.

Who kiss boo boo’s on knees, and understand the power of a band-aid. 

Who gamely try to make those pony tales just right.

Who tell bedtime stories, and look for monsters under the bed.

Who take turns driving car pool.

Who pretend interest in new gymnastics leotards and sparkly dance outfits.

Who carry bags at the mall until their arms hurt.

Who quietly hide their fears as their dear daughter heads out to her first real dance. 

Who gives the death stare to any boy that dares to break her heart.

Who beams with pride at their every accomplishment.

Who makes his wife tea, brings her crackers, rubs her feet, and takes over her world for her when she is sick.

Who sends that wife to bed when she clearly needs a break.

Who is not only master of the BBQ, but maker of the bacon.  Seriously, bacon.  It makes everything better…. and a man who cooks?  Sigh.

Who pitches in with the cleaning, even when he doesn’t want to.

Who gives the best hugs…without strings.

Who makes us laugh.

Who quietly protects us.

Who fiercely loves us.

This is a real man. 

Know that you are loved. 

Always, forever, and no matter what.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

LOOSE BUTTON and Luxe Boxes

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  I will admit I’m a girl who is a complete sucker for all things pretty.  Flowers to the door?  Yes please!  I adore the romance of flowers being delivered to my door.  This might be one of the reasons I am the newest fan of Luxe Boxes. (even if you opt to send it to yourself!)

Do you know about these gorgeous black boxes? 

Well it’s about time you do!! 

Lose Button is a subscription service that delivers new and beautiful products to your doorstep each and every month.  Inside these personalized and super sweet boxes are four or five exciting sample size products of only the highest quality cosmetics for you to try! 

I received the January Luxe Box I was pleasantly surprised by the treasures I found waiting for me in the sleek black box. 

Each sample was more then big enough to give me the opportunity to decide if I loved them, but that’s all it is.  Just some incredible samples and some great fun.  No pressure to buy more or purchase the full size products. (although Loose Button will help you track down the full size products if you fall in love with one!)  My husband couldn’t figure out why I was quite so …giddy?  People…this is make-up, delivered to your door AND you can sign up to have it arrive each and every month! 

Here’s an example of some other products!

Fabulous!  Right now Luxe Box ships to Canada only, but has plans to expand to other countries soon.  As far a subscriptions; you can sign up to get a new box once a month, every three months or just one time per year! 

So my verdict on the Luxe Boxes?   A great way to discover fabulous new products all delivered to your door in a beautifully personalized boxes.  Sassy and fun! Let me know if you give them a try! 

Surviving A Drive To Florida? Travelling With Kinder

I’m just a little bit excited!  Actually, I might be worse then my kids.  Only 20 sleeps until we head out on our road trip to Florida.  Um yes, I said road trip!!!  This family of four is doing the economical thing this year and driving to Florida instead of flying.  22 hours of bliss trapped in the car with a gassy husband and two whiny children as we leave the snow and head to the sunshine state.  My fear, this trip will be less bliss and happy memories; more whining, crying maybe even a touch of Chevy Chase National Lampoon’s Vacation?   Oh help me…

I am not letting this happen!  Time to get a plan, get organized. 

Time to make a list.  Oh how I adore a good list.  Here’s what I THINK I need.  Feel fee to tell me what I’m missing, I don’t want to end up crying beside a broken down car at the side of the road, or dealing with a snivelling Hubby or kids for 20 plus hours!

So here’s my list:

A Map.

Cooler stuffed full of drinks: juice boxes, bottles of water, Red Bull for me, Coke for the Hubby. 

Bagels and cream cheese, Crackers and cheese, cookies, chips, mints, gum, and of course my Kinder Surprises to pull out as needed! (the secret weapon)

A cutting board and small knife (we plan to buy some fruit as soon as we get across the border)

IPods loaded up with games and music for the girls.

My laptop. (can’t leave home without it)

Potable DVD player and as many movies as I can get my hands on.

Books. 

Colouring and activity books, Pet Shops, and Play Dough.

Pillows and Blankets.  Maybe I will get lucky and my monkeys will sleep?

Gravol, Kleenex and a garbage bag! 

Camera and smart phone to capture the hilarity of it all.  I plan to tweet the whole way so watch out as I #escapethesuburbs!

For the next 20 days I will do my best to convince myself that the drive is part of the adventure?  It will be fun right?!  Lie to me I know it will be worth it when I’m floating in the pool, soaking up the sun and marvelling at the energy and joy of my giggling babies. 

Don’t even talk to me about the drive home!  I’m not going to think about it.  I know we are a very lucky family to be making such fabulous plans, and can’t wait to spend some solid quality time with my crazy crew!

Wishing all of you safe travels and fab spring breaks no matter what your plans are!    It’s a great time to make some memories!

 

PS  As a KinderMom I have a hot tip for you!  Be sure to stop by the KINDER® Canada Facebook page not only will you get a peek at the 2012 toy collection, but this February they are giving away $500 towards the ultimate staycation!

Disclosure: I’m part of the Kinder® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

She is Fierce

She didn’t want to go today.

I picked up my oldest after school and she had tears in her eyes.  For about five minutes she denied anything was wrong and then, as soon as we were alone…..the floodgates opened. 

She was missing the dance AGAIN because of gymnastics.  Watching her girlfriends skip off arm in arm, going to each others houses to get ready for the big event…it was just too much for her to bear.  Her little heart was hurting, and so was mine. 

My oldest daughter is a Provincial Level Gymnast.  It’s not always easy.  She has had to fight her way through the occasional injury, has given up sleepovers and dances, and misses out on a tear jerking number of social events.  It’s hard to make so many sacrifices all in the name of gymnastics. 

This particular Friday night was a tough one.  Watching her girlfriends skip off together all giggles and smiles with no concerns other then what clothes to wear, knowing the fun she was going to miss.  Preparing because in the next 30 minutes she had to cram dinner down her throat, change, get her hair up and be in the car with a smile on her face.  Four hours of gymnastics in her future.

This little athlete spends a minimum of 12 hours a week in the gym, not to mention the total of three hours of driving time.  We get caught up on all our news in the car, she does homework in the car and two times a week she even has to eat in the car.  Dedicated.  Oh yes.  Easy, oh no.  She is kind of my hero….she works harder in one session of gymnastics then I do all week long. 

As her Mama I do everything I can to support her as she chases her dream.  Not only do I play paparazzi ( you just know this baby adores me taking about 100 pictures at every competition), but I also do my best to make sure she gets everything else she needs, emotionally and physically as she goes through her busy life.  I prepare her healthy meals “to go” on those busy gym days.  A big part of keeping her healthy is making sure she gets her IronKids vitamins.  Those Omega 3s, Calcium, and Vitamin Ds have become an important part of our routine.    

I’m happy to report we made it through that sad Friday night. As I always try to do, I gave my BlueEyes a choice, gymnastics or dance?  Yes, the commitment she has made to gymnastics is important, but it can’t be her everything.   I told her she was more then welcome to skip gym and go to the dance.  With a shaking voice and teary eyes, she chose gym. 

Wow, proud Mama here.  It’s easy to be her biggest cheerleader.

 

Find IronKids on Facebook, follow them on twitter and buy their products everywhere!! Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall Pharma Plus, Metro, Sobeys, Loblaw/Fortinos/SuperCentres, London Drugs and Well.ca.  As well as Target.com, CVS.com and Amazon.com in the US.

 

Disclosure: I am a Brand Ambassador for IronKids products, a product I strongly believe in!  The opinions expressed in this post are my own.