Potty Woos

How is this for an embarrassing photo to show my son's future wife?

And I have even contemplated turning it into a certificate of completion for Bubbie & myself once the potty training phase is complete. Whenever that may be. After this phase of his life is over I believe I'm also going to need some hair dye, along with a bottle of strong alcohol (& I don't even drink)This is honestly one of the hardest parenting tasks I've ventured upon. By far.


Feel my pain:
Bubbie will be 3 years old in August. He is SUPER intelligent in many aspects of his life. Most parents claim this of their children but honestly, this boy amazes even me at least once a day. Upon watching you do something one time he came come up behind you and repeat what you just did. Usually step for step even. Routine is something that he lives by to the point that even the slightest deviation throws him for a gigantic loop. With all of that said, potty training seems to be something that he would excel at. Yeah- if only it were that simple.

(SOURCE)

The first time we tried potty training I shortly stopped because it was obvious that he just wasn't ready. A few months down the road and he was showing signs of being ready. Okay, so it was pretty much the fact that he wouldn't keep a diaper on at all that made up start back down the potty training route. This time around we were successful 75% of the time with peeing in the big potty & he did amazing when it came to #2. He would even come to me to let me know he had to go. However, these successes were only when he was naked. Placing underwear on the kid seems to confuse him.

Add to the confusion of underwear to the occasional I'm too busy to go potty mentality & I am really struggling to find a solution. I have heard of some kids being 3 or 4 before they were completely potty trained. However, in a few months I plan to begin looking for a job. With Bubbie about to turn 3 I want to try to get him into a good preschool in the area. Before I can do that- he needs to be potty trained.

Any suggestions for a desperate momma?
July 2012 Update: Yes, We're still battling this. I'm hoping he will start using the potty all the time when he's ready. But yeah- he'll be 3 next month. This momma is tired of double the diapers...

Peter Rabbit Organics Review and Giveaway

Last May, I shared a review of Peter Rabbit Organic's Fruit and Veggie Puree Pouches. Bubbie gave his opinion on the pouches while Peter Rabbit Organics offered a 12pk assortment of the product to one lucky reader.


A few weeks ago, much to my delight, I received an email from a Maxwell PR wondering if I was interested in reviewing the 5 new puree flavors. Now that Lil' E is big enough to chow down on baby food and such, this meant I also had a new little tester to share their opinions. Bubbie was the first to lend their taste buds. He chose 'Peach and Apple' to try. The simple 'yummm...' that left his lips and the smile on his face was sign enough for me that he loved it. Not to mention, I had a taste myself. It was quite yummy even for me. Add in the fact that it's ORGANIC, portable, & resealable and I'm one happy momma!!!


Lil' E was up next to taste test for me. At first I wasn't very sure how she would handle the pouch on her own. Besides a few stray drops here or there; I'm proud to report that she handled it like a pro. One of my biggest problems when it comes to feeding time for my daughter is the fact that she RARELY eats veggies. The fact that some of these purees contain veggies in a way children seem to not notice them as much is lifesaving. The pictures below are of E enjoying her 'Pear & Pea' puree pouch.
With the 5 new flavors added, Peter Rabbit Organics now offers:

• Peach & Apple- NEW
• Banana & Apple- NEW
• Pear & Apple- NEW
• Pear & Pea- NEW
• Pumpkin, Carrot, & Apple- NEW
• Apple & Grape
• Mango, Banana, & Orange
• Strawberry & Banana
• Pea, Spinach, & Apple
• Sweet Potato, Corn, & Apple
• Carrot, Squash, & Apple

Visit the Peter Rabbit Organics WEBSITE.
Like Them on FACEBOOK.
Follow Them on TWITTER.
ENTER TO WIN
a 12pk ASSORTMENT of PETER RABBIT ORGANICS Puree Pouches!!!
-Giveaway Ends May 19, 2012 promptly at 12:01am-
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received a 5pk of Puree Pouches from Peter Rabbit Organics to review. No money was given and my opinion is solely my own.

My Northern Star

It's been a while since I have jumped on board of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. Even though I receive an email of prompts weekly, I have not joined in on the fun in what has felt like forever.
However, that changes today!
Chosen Prompt: Where would your “north star” lead you if you had the means to follow it?

It is interesting that you ask me about my 'north star'. Just the other night my husband & I were looking up at the sky. Gazing from left to right at the brilliant twinkles. Spotting the 'north star' I took note of how it stuck out so clearly. It was the following day that the prompt email appeared in my inbox.
So what is there to find by follow my 'north star'?
I would like to think that the magnificent marker would willingly lead me to those who have passed that I miss dearly. My Grandfather whom I never got the chance to meet (but others say I share some many characteristics with), the mentoring neighbor who I lived next to until I moved at age 18, or my Grandmother (Grammy) who I lost when I was 12 resulting in me never really being the same as beforehand.

As I see this one star that stands out so bright in the night sky I have always thought back to those who have passed. It gives me a sense of comfort feeling as if they are up there watching over me. It is only natural that such a guiding light would lead to something so blessed and wonderful. Who knows, maybe it is truly where souls go to rest and loved ones stand by to wait for us. Either way it leads me to peaceful contemplation and relaxation. Memories live there & will never die.

North Star PHOTO SOURCE

Speedy Foods- Cheese Quesadillas

Good Evening everyone!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend no matter if it was filled with sunshine or rain. As the work week is about to begin I wanted to share my latest lunch time addiction with you all. Not only is this new addiction Extremely simple to make; I love it & so does the rest of the family. What is this new found food that I am talking about?! Why CHEESE QUESADILLAS, of course. Most of you may be thinking to yourselves, "That's not a new food". It is a truth. However, for some reason I have never even thought of making them myself. Even though my son is a complete cheese f.r.e.a.k and well, I'm pretty partial to it as well. I hang my head in shame as I admit- I have NEVER once made or even thought of making these lovely cheese filled tortillas until recently. And once I found out just how simple of a task it was, I knew I wanted to share it with you all!

• Package of Flour Tortillas
• Shredded Cheese
• Butter
• Cut up steak or chicken (optional)

-Turn on burner. (I usually set mine between 5 & 6)
-Spread butter on one side of each tortilla.
-Place tortilla (butter side down) into heated pan.
-Toss desired amount of cheese on top of half the tortilla.
-Fold other half on top of cheese.
-Lightly press to seal tortilla.
-Flip tortilla over until brown enough to your taste.
**Wish to add small pieces of chicken or steak? Simply do so with the shredded cheese.**

So tell me.. How'd you like em'?
♥,
Jessica

Just a lil update

Good Evening my Minions!

I wanted to take the time to update everyone of the status of my family moving. Having taken care of most of the paper work this week, my husband is relaying that it should be right around a month before we are moving into our BRAND NEW home!!! On one hand a month feels like F.o.R.e.V.e.R but if this month goes by as quickly as the rest of this year has we'll be moving with the blink of an eye. The hubby cleaned out and organized the garage today. I, myself, spent most of the day going through the kid's room and packing up what they are not going to need before the moving date. Guess you could say that the ball is officially rolling. I'm not going to lie- this simple fact makes me giddy. We are SO ready to get into our own place. & that is putting it mildly. The environment in this house is nothing shy of a pressure cooker. It's bad enough I'm on anti-anxiety medicine. It's even worse that with the things going on around here, the medicine doesn't seem to be working all that well these days. So yeah- being in our own place is going to be nothing short of amazing!!

On a different note; I received something pretty amazing in my mailbox today... A sample box of the newest purees from Peter Rabbit Organics. I am SUPER excited about letting the kids review these new flavors & sharing the opinions with you all. Not to mention- there's going to be a giveaway as well! So stay tuned for those wonderful events and be sure to check out my last review of Peter Rabbit Organics purees.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! ♥,
Jessica

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

A few weeks ago I decided to take a trip to Barnes and Noble. On the days where I would like to just get out of the house and really have nowhere in particular to go- I venture out to the local bookstore. When I got there I set out for the children's section. After picking out 3 books for the little ones I set out on my normal routine... book cover browsing.

See, this method has been a success for me in the past. Some of the best books I have read were purchased merely because of the cover they bared. Water For Elephants (my ALL TIME favorite)- a purchase I made because the cover first drew me in. Emma & Me (another favorite)- the same situation. Anywho. I walked every isle and browsed the many books. Now don't get me wrong, I would probably buy the entire book store if I could but until I win the lottery I have to settle for a couple books at a time.

One of the books I came across was Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara.

The cover looked interesting and the back cover summary sounded like something that I would enjoy. Boy was I right!

It has been a while since I have opened a book to read whenever I had a free moment. With this book I was reading in the car as my husband drove us places. When the kids were napping or preoccupied, I was reading. What would normally take weeks to read I read in a combined time of about 4 days. Now that may seem like a long time to some but those with small kids- you understand the big deal.




OVERVIEW (via Barnesandnoble.com)
"Seven years ago Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered -- and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin . . .

Since then, she's learned to read, she's learned to fight and she's become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani, she's made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.

But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging, Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can't trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers -- powers that no other human has. Her task is simple -- find the killer, stop the murders . . . and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!"

I can honestly say that this book is one of my favorite books from a series (Chronicles of Elantra). Once I finished this first book from the series I promptly went online and purchased the second book (Cast in Courtlight) for my nook. I highly recommend checking the series out if you are into the Fantasy Fiction genre.

Rated 5/5 smileys (✿◠‿◠)(✿◠‿◠)(✿◠‿◠)(✿◠‿◠)(✿◠‿◠)

Mega Swag Bucks Day

Have you ever heard of Swagbucks.com? It's this REALLY awesome site where you earn points (called Swagbucks) in order to redeem them for various rewards. Most of my points come from participating in the daily poll, using the search engine (I use their toolbar to search for everything), & referring friends (earn up to 1000 swagbucks to match your friends winnings). However, you can also earn swagbucks by filling out surveys, watching videos, & completing other offers that are listed on the site. Even playing games can earn you swagbucks!!

Every Friday is 'Mega Swag bucks Friday'. On these days there are even better odds of winning it big on the site. Just happens that today is Friday... so what are you waiting for?? Head on over & sign up! Start earning those swagbucks.

What can you spend these swagbucks on? I know this was one of the main questions I had when I first signed up. So far I have managed to get a few Barnes & Noble gift cards that I use to purchase my Nook books. There are many different reward options though. Books, electronics, or even enter to win various sweepstakes. You can find the complete Swag Store HERE.

So why are you still here? Huh?? Head on over & sign up today!! Feel free to friend me while you're there. The more the merrier!

Blog Update

Wow! The time has been flying this year. Can you believe that it is almost May already? To me it feels like Christmas was only a few weeks ago. Yeah, time has flown by. Anywho~

I know that I have been M.I.A. for a while. Life has decided to speed up for my family this year. Between school, the husband going through some medical stuff with work, & us preparing to move- life has been busy to say the least. At the beginning of the year I had decided to stop doing reviews and giveaways. However, after thinking it through a while I've decided to just take a break for a while. More than likely I'll pick up them back up after we have settled into the new place. With that said, if things get quiet around here, that is why.

So please be patient while things take their course for my family & I'll try to write from time to time. Talk to you all soon!