Where I go for Last Minute Baby Gifts (and Giveaway)

Everyone say Hi to my neighbor Sharina. (((waving)))
Sharina has got a sewing machine and isn’t afraid to use it.
Sharina, owner of BlankiesBurpsandBibs.com, is where I turn for last-minute baby gifts. And because I’m a last-minute kind of gal, I’m at Sharina’s house...a lot.

BlankiesBurpsandBibs.com has all kids of great things for mom, baby, and little kids including bibs, blankets, clothing, stroller tags, even hair bows!

The matching bibs and burp clothes have been a huge hit with my friends.

These little dresses are so cute!



You can even get matching dresses for your big and little girl!

This Snacker Packer is ingenious.

Tuck a small bowl inside for easy snacking without all the mess. Little hands can reach in and you can tie it up easily. A clip keeps the snacks from flying off the stroller and onto the floor. The bag is reusable, better for the environment than plastic baggies, and washable!

Do you need last minute gifts? The good news is that you don’t have to drive to Sharina's house to shop. You can shop online at www.blankiesburpsandbibs.com .

Enter to Win a Snacker Packer!


I have in my hot little hands THIS Snacker Packer (see above photo) to give away to one lucky reader. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Go to www.blankiesburpsandbibs.com and look around
2. Come back and leave me a comment describing what other item you’d love to have or give as a gift

Extra entries: (separate comment for each)
Tweet link to this giveaway
Subscribe to this blog (leave your email)

Contest open to US residents in the 48 contiguous states, and ends June 10, 2009 at 11:59pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and notified via email or Twitter and will have 3 days to claim the prize.

Good luck!
Janine

Product Supplied By
Blankies Burps & Bibs

Solar Car Kit Giveaway - Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Can be FUN!

Image by theresangooi via Photobucket

Last week I was invited to sit in on a call with folks from ShrinkYourFoot.org and explore ways to reduce my carbon footprint.

What is my Carbon Footprint?

Each of us product a certain amount of greenhouse gas through the things we do and the products we use. The footprint is and how much it contributes to global warming.
On ShrinkYourFoot.org you can use the Carbon Calculator to see what affect you are having on the Earth.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint can be Fun!

On the call I learned how to make a solar oven and all I can say is we are definitely doing that this summer. I will start with cookies but my goal is to cook chicken breasts and see how long it takes. Anything to no turn on my oven, or stand in front of the hot grill when it’s 90 degrees outside!

A solar oven is just one way learning is fun. The ShrinkYourFoot.org site has lots of cool activities that will engage you and your kids and are great tools help your family learn more about reducing your carbon footprint. For example, one activity shows tips for cutting back your carbon footprint as you travel.

Not only that, you can shop for carbon credits so as you work to reduce, you can purchase credits that will offset what you produce!

Win a Solar Car Kit!

One lucky reader will win a cool solar car kit….not for you to drive, but Barbie and Ken can take a spin. This is a great activity to show kids the power of solar energy and it’s importance in our future.

How to Enter: (be sure to leave a separate comment for each with your email or twitter ID so I can reach you if you win!)

Visit ShrinkYourFoot.org and play one of the games then leave me a comment and tell me which one you played.

Extra entries:
Tweet this giveaway
Email this giveaway to 5 of your friends and cc me (scarytwins at yahoo)
Subscribe to this blog (and leave me your email)

Contest open to US residents in the 48 contiguous states and ends June 9, 2009 at 11:59pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and notified via email or Twitter and will have 3 days to claim the prize.

Dreaming of solar baked cookies,

Janine

Product supplied by
Bonneville Environmental Foundation

**UPDATE** Clorox Greenworks Dishwashing Liquid Tips and Giveaway

**UPDATE** Winner is...furygirl3132.
Congratulations and happy dish washing!


I guess you could say I'm a person with a sensitive olfactory organs (look it up...I did) because one of the first things I do is smell. I smell books before I read them, I smell food before I eat it, and I even smell people...in a subtle way. You won't find me sniffing around.

So the first time I tried Clorox GreenWorks dishwashing liquid I was in love with the smell. But after using it a number of times I realized this stuff was powerful. Not only that, it's better for the environment because it is made with biodegradable ingredients and is 99% natural. Here are a few other tips you should know:

GreenWorks Tip One

Have some baked on mess in your Pyrex or glass dish? Spread a thick layer of GreenWorks dishwashing liquid on it and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then take your sponge or a plastic spatula and the mess should scrape off easily. I haven't used a wire pad since I discovered this little trick and my hands and nails are much happier.

GreenWorks Tip Two

You can make your own bubbles! All you need is some GreenWorks dishwashing liquid, water, and karo syrup or glycerine and you've got large or extra large bubbles. We tried this the other day and the Twofer loved it. They loved mixing the 'recipe' and they loved the large bubbles too.

Here is the link to 3 different versions of the bubble recipe: http://www.shadesofgreenjournal.com/files/GreenWorks_BubblesRecipe.pdf

GreenWorks Giveaway!

Haven't tried the GreenWorks dishwashing liquid yet? Enter to win a free bottle!
All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me if you have tried any of the GreenWorks products yet and if so, which ones. That's it! (be sure to include your email or Twitter ID so I can get in touch with you if you win!)

Extra entries (include link back to this page)

• Tweet this giveaway
• Email this contest to 5 friends and cc me (scarytwins [at] yahoo)
• Blog about this giveaway

Contest Ends Wednesday, June 3rd 2009 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be chosen by random drawing, and given 3 days to respond after notification.

Good Luck!
Janine

Product supplied by Clorox GreenWorks

**UPDATE** Win $50 in Free Groceries at ShopRite

**UPDATE** Winner is...Lara!
Happy ShopRite Shopping!



More and more people are clipping coupons, cutting back, and finding ways to save money when they head the to the grocery store. I have discussions with friends over which stores are offering the best deals, and which are offering double or triple coupons.

When Shop Right contacted me about giving away $50 in gift cards I was thrilled to be able to offer this to my readers. Shop Right has a terrific selection of Shop Rite brand food including a line of organic, and Kosher that offer great savings.

Here's what you need to do to enter:
Leave a comment explaining one way you have cut back in the last year
Make sure you leave your email or website so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Extra entries (include url in comment so I can check):
Tweet about and link back to this giveaway ( Hey! @twincident is giving away $50 in groceries from ShopRite! http://tinyurl.com/osugcm )
Post link to this giveaway on Facebook
Subscribe to the Twofer Thumbs Up RSS feed (leave email)
Email link to this giveaway to 5 friends and cc me scarytwins [at] yahoo dot com

Contest open to US residents and ends Tuesday, June 2nd 11:59pm
Winner will be chosen using Random.org Good Luck!

Janine

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and US Airways Reward Readers

Say that 10 times fast.

My twins were early readers and while I'd like to take credit for it, I can't. They had an early love of books and I just kept them coming. The reading part is all them.

So when I was sent the RIF press release on the Read with Kids Challenge I couldn't help but let you know about it too.

Here are the deets.

• Register at www.RIF.org/readwithkids
• Log your reading minutes there, online.
• You can join as an individual or create a team of three or more adults.
• Participants will be entered to win a Walt Disney World Resort vacation package from US Airways Vacations!

There are other prizes as well like US Airways gift cards, and one team will be randomly chosen to receive a featured RIF program and school in their community to receive a special children's book collection.

In addition, US Airways is encouraging people to donate to RIF by making available a special edition of Off You Go, Maisy! and donors are also eligible to receive up to 5,000 US Airways Dividend Miles.

My girls LOVED all the Maisy books...I might just have to donate for that reason alone!

Also - for more information on Reading is Fundamental I found the CEO's blog with lots of cool links including Facebook and Twitter

Happy reading and good luck winning the trip to Disney!
Janine

Mamapedia - join the party and you just might win a VADO Camera

*Thank you to New Baby for donating this VADO camera from Creative Labs to our fun event. Please check out New Baby and consider adding your own vlog!





I LOVE Momfluence blog opportunities. Just saying. Anyway, last weekend we had the opportunity to meet a wonderful new parenting advice search engine, Mamapedia, and now we'd like you to try the site out for yourself with our new contest, "What Can I Learn Today?" One grand prize winner will win a VADO digital video camera!

To Enter:
1. Visit Mamapedia and ask any parenting question.
2. Choose how you want to enter - or choose all three for more chances to win:

• Comment to this post with your question and the answer you found
• Blog about Mamapedia on your own site sharing the question you asked and the answer you found
• Vlog about Mamapedia and your question/answer at New Baby.

3. Fill out this secure form to let us know that you entered.

It's that easy! Then join us for another SiteWarming Party on Twitter Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m eastern time to find out who won! There will also be several great door prizes.

Good luck!

Janine

*This contest is open to all U. S. residents 18 years or older and ends May 23rd at 9:00 p.m. eastern.

*This contest courtesy of Momfluence - Rocking the Cradle and Shaping the World.

**UPDATE** Edy's / Dreyer's Ice Cream Giveaway and Contest to Win $100K

**UPDATE**
After verifying all comments, tweets and blog posts

The winner is....
comment #41 Lily!




______________Original Post____________

Edy's Lego Truck
Photo Credit: Model Gal via Flickr

I. Love. Ice cream.
I'm pretty sure I've said that more than once.

I even love sharing it with you!
And I'm so happy to share 3 ways you can WIN with Edy's / Dreyer's Ice Cream.

1. Win an ice cream Block Party for 100 guests

Log onto www.slowchurned.com and in 350 words or less explain why your neighborhood deserves a Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute ice cream blog party. You just might be one of 1,500 winners...great odds! But hurry - entries MUST be in by May 29, 2009.

2. Win $100,000 for one day's work of dishing out ice cream

Edy's / Dreyer's created Rocky Road 80 years ago during the Great Depression. This June, they will debut a new Slow Churned Light ice cream flavor to 'deliver a double scoop of optimism' for the Taste of Recovery promotion. Visit www.icecream.com (can you believe that domain name wasn't already taken? I digress.) One lucky person will be given the oportunity to earn $100K for one day of dishing out the new flavor and lots of smiles.

3. Win a 6-month supply of Edy's / Dreyer's Ice Cream!

Yes, one of my lucky readers (and commenter, c'mon people - you know how this works) will win gift certificates for a 6 Month Supply of ice-cream. All I'm saying is, if you are local to me, you better be prepared to share!
How to enter:

Leave a comment- What do you think of Edy's / Dreyer's Taste of Recovery promotion?
a) I think promotions like this help 'lighten things up' during times like these
b) I think it's just another way to advertise
c) I don't care either way I just want some free ice cream!

Extra Extries as usual leave a separate comment with link:

• Tweet this giveaway "I just entered to win a 6-month supply of Edy's / Dreyer's Ice Cream! http://tinyurl.com/ow72mp "
• Blog about this giveaway
• Email 5 friends and cc me scarytwins [at] yahoo [dot] com

The give certificate giveaway ends 5/27 at 11:59 pm ET.

I scream, you scream we all scream for Ice Cream!
Janine

Remember to change your filters, or have Filtrete remind you!

We ALWAYS forget to change our filters. We forget until the house is not cooling down like it should. We forget until we call ‘the guy’ who then comes out, changes the filters that are filthy, and charges us $300. We then swear we’ll remember to change them but we never do. Now, thanks to Filtrete and Mom Central, I just might remember!

I am going to sign up for the Clean Air Club on www.Filtrete.com to get a seasonal newsletter and reminder to change my filters! There are other ‘member’ benefits like a wallet card so I never forget which size filters I need, a Homeowners Guide to indoor air quality booklet, and special member promotions and rebates.

Plus, I’ve noticed my allergies picking up this year. I have new pillow protectors but what I didn’t realize is that sometimes my ‘cleaning’ efforts (including dusting and vacuuming) can increase irritating particles like mold spores, dust, and pet dander. This is where a good filter can help.

For more useful tips on how to create a healthy home and to sign up for the Clean Air Club so you remember to change your filters visit www.filtrete.com.

Checking on mine now,
Janine

This post sponsored by

Whrrl.com has my head swirling with ideas!

First and foremost, I'd like to that Whrrl.com and my blog friend JessicaKnows for an afternoon of pampering in honor of Mother's Day and Moms Night Out 2009.

Second, I thought Whrrl was cool when I saw Jessica's stories but now that I've done my own I'm completely hooked!

Below you will see my latest Whrrl story (this widget will continue to change):


It's like mini blogging but I can do it all from my phone! And I don't even have an iPhone! I can use SMS prompts or whatever you call it to send text and picture messages to create a story.
SMS looks like this:
# Janine's day of pampering
@ some location with a spa
POST Look what I got to do!
PHOTO (send pic attached to this mssg)
POST Look how happy I am
PHOTO (attach another picture)
POST Thanks Jessica you RAWK!
LEAVE (ends the story)

In addition to Whrrl, Joey Totes gave us each a 3-pack of reusable bags and you already know how much I love my Joey Totes! Plus Jessica had Whrrl t-shirts and mini Ford Flex cars for all of our kiddos (she thinks of everything).

Don't forget my manicure and pedicure. I certainly won't forget it because it's going to last me until next Mother's Day when I'll finally get another one!

So now my mind is whrrling and twrrling around all the fun ways I can use whrrl to document events in my life. Watch out - a story is just a Whrrl away!

Janine

Someone thinks I'm an expert! Join me this Friday (5/8) for Mamapedia Twitter Party!

Picture this...
It's 2:00 a.m. and your three month old is crying...a lot. You're a first time mother, and while you've got a ton of questions, you called your mom at 2:00 in the morning last night about that crazy looking diaper, so you'd really like to get through this one on your own.

But where can you turn?

Mamapedia is a new parenting information site that takes the wisdom of thousands and thousands of moms and makes it searchable! You can head to the computer with that screaming infant in your arms and type,

"Why does my baby cry so much at night?"

And this is what you'll find - an article about a mom who asked a question titled "Sleepless Nights with a 13 week old" and the responses of forty-four moms. You can read those forty-four answers while bouncing your baby, and with a little luck by the time you are through your infant will be fast asleep and you will feel better as well.

Twitter Partaay!

To launch this new mom resource, the Momfluence network and Resourceful Mommy are throwing a party. Join us on Twitter this Friday, May 8th, from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. eastern time along with mom experts in a variety of parenting areas: multiples (that's me!), kid crafting, health and safety, potty training, home schooling and more!

Stop by the party, ask questions that make me look really smart AND that make me look like a great mom and I will forever love you!

During the party, details about a "What Can I Learn Today?" contest will be revealed...along with the incredible grand prize.

Join Us - RSVP!

This event brought to you by Momfluence: rocking the cradle and shaping the world.

Pulling up my smarty pants,
Janine

ChicTots Wristlet review and giveaway

***UPDATE 5-12-09***
Winner of the ChicTots Wristlet is....Lollie!
Congratulations!!
********************
The opportunity to review an item from ChicTots came to me via my roll as editor of the twins/multiples section at TypeAMom.net.

After looking at all of the products online I chose an item that is great for a mom with children in diapers, but that I just might be able to use as a mom with 2 almost-6 year olds. I chose the Chic&Carry Wristlet.

The Chic&Carry Wristlet would be the perfect new-mom gift

Infact, I'm about to buy one for my friend who just had her 4th child and now has 2 kids in diapers. There are 2 versions of the Chic&Carry Wristlet.

• One holds 2-4 diapers, the other holds up to 6 disposable diapers or 2 cloth diapers plus have a separate zippered front pocket for your phone, money, etc.
  
• Both have the wrist strap and oval hook so they can be worn on a beltloop, attached to another bag, or hooked onto a stroller if you don't want to carry it.
• Both also come with a wipes holder (you'll see below how I used this) and the newer version's is PVC, Phthalates, & Lead free. NOTE: you can buy additional wipes holders separately!
  

ChicTots has lots of great items for mom and baby but I know the wristlet is something that can be used as the kids grow.

What I have in my Chic&Carry Wristlet

I have been using the Chic&Carry Wristlet now for a few weeks as a summer clutch. It's perfect for a trip to the playground with the girls. It can hold my phone, a small wallet, my sunglasses, and the wipes holder which is perfect to hold emergency playground items like:

• sunscreen
• Neo To Go (Neosporin)
• bandages
• bug spray
• and, of course, wipes!

Giveaway-enter to win your own Chic&Carry Wristlet from ChicTots!

Rules:
You can choose from any of the wristlets she has available.
Contest ends Monday, May 11, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Leave a separate comment per entry with links as needed.

How to Enter:
1. Visit the ChicTots website (www.chictots.com) and tell me what OTHER item looks like something you would buy
2. Leave a comment telling me what you found
3. Tweet about this contest: "Enter to win #ChicTots wristlet from @Twincident http://tinyurl.com/d3xyka "
4. Mention and link to this giveaway on your blog
5. Email 5 of your friends a link to this giveaway and cc me: scarytwins [at] yahoo [dot] com

Winner will be chosen by random drawing.

Be sure to follow Michele (@ChicTots) on Twitter as well. She is a local DC mom, inspiring Mompreneur, and new friend.

Janine

The What-did-they-do-before-breast-pumps? Evenflo Giveaway

***UPDATE 5-9-09***
Winner of the Evenflo Comfort Select breast pump and nursing pads is....Rusti!
Congratulations and thanks everyone for entering!
****************



This is not a ‘product review’ as I am not currently breast-feeding and I have not actually tried this product. I do, however, know a little something about breast pumps.

What I know about breast pumps.

I pumped a lot.
I pumped 4 times a day for 45 minutes at a time.
I pumped in front of people. Men even.
I pumped driving up the New Jersey Turnpike racing to get to my father before he died.
I believe I remember pumping IN the hospital as I waited to give him my last goodbyes but those memories are fuzzy and all I know is that I was in that hospital all day and so I would have HAD to pump at some point.
I then pumped before and after my father’s funeral.

You see, my twins did not take to breastfeeding. Oh, I tried. I tried, then I cried. I tried, I cried again, I went to a lactation consultant. The lactation consultant was very nice. She told me at least one of the girls had a strange sucking thing that meant she could latch on all day and NOT get and ounce of breast milk. She told me I could work at teaching the babies how to suck correctly, but as I mentioned before, my father died. I had a lot going on.

I remembered thinking, “What would I have done if I didn’t have a breast pump? Would my twins have just perished?” So pumping is one reason I did not go completely insane those early days, because while I was an emotional mess, at least I knew they were getting breast milk.

Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump

The Evenflo brand was definitely one that I trusted. Infact, I think I JUST tossed out the leftover Evenflo nursing pads that prevented many a wet spot for me. The Evenflo Comfort Select pump really seems to be made for moms who are on-the-go. The carrying case is much smaller than the one I had, and it has dual motors. That might have cut down on my pumping time! I like that all components are made without BPA and contain less than 0.01% phthalates. But what really caught my eye is the base – you know, the part that holds the bottle...so when you are done pumping what little breast milk you can get after 45 minutes it won’t tip over and spill all over the place!


For more information on the Evenflo Comfort Select pumps visit www.Evenflo.com and check out www.MomCentral.com as well where you can read breast feeding tips and enter to win your own Evenflo breast pump.

Enter to win an Evenflo pump for yourself or win one as a gift!

Thanks to Mom Central I have one Evenflo Comfort Select Performance breast pump AND two boxes of Evenflo Comfort Select nursing pads (one with Lanolin) to giveaway to one lucky reader!

Here’s how to enter: Leave a comment telling me who the pump is for and either why they(you) need it OR your funniest breastfeeding / pumping story! Winner will be chosen by random drawing.

Extra entries (the more chances you have of winning) – be sure to leave a separate comment for each!

• Tweet this giveaway (include link): " Win an Evenflo Comfort Select breast pump --> http://tinyurl.com/dm9vee "
  
• Blog about this giveaway and link back (I need link for this too)
• Subscribe to this blog (need your email to verify)

Contest ends Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 11:59pm
Good luck and I'm looking forward to some funny stories,
Janine