What Not to Do with Your Sick Kid

Have a friend you’d like to unload? Why not drop off your sick kid at her house?

That’s what happened to me, just three days before Christmas. Little Ella arrived at our home with flushed cheeks and a tight, croupy cough.. By the time I realized the kid was horribly ill, her mother had made a quick exit, and couldn’t be reached on her cell phone. I tried to keep my children away from Ella, but that was all but impossible.

That’s why I spent Christmas Eve night getting up every hour to clean up after my crying, puking one-year-old son. My four-year-old daughter came down with Ella-itis on Christmas Day. Five days after that, my son’s version of Ella Virus turned into pneumonia.

It was a holiday to remember, that’s for sure. And a friendship I’d now like to forget.

Since 'tis the season, you might want to check out all this valuable content about colds and flu – sponsored by Vicks, presented by DivineCaroline – including a chit chat where you can win $250!

This is a paid post, sponsored by Vicks and Divine Caroline.

Marshalls: Now with More SHOES!

Every time I go to Marshalls, I check out the shoe section. Marshalls almost always has a fabulous pair of shoes in my size at a great price, and I'm never one to pass up a good bargain.

Well, it's like Marshalls has read my mind, because the discount department store chain has totally revamped its shoe department in certain stores, creating a new Shoe Megashop that features more styles and a new layout. Check it out on the Marshalls Shoe Megashop website and type in your ZIP to find the location nearest you!

I received a Marshalls gift card for participating in this campaign. Since Marshalls is one of my absolute favorite stores, I was more than happy to participate!

Where to Wipe One's Nose

When I catch a cold, I’m a miserable, uncommunicative shell of a human being. But when my four-year-old daughter has a cold, she becomes Eli Whitney.

“Mommy, I like to wipe my nose on my dress when I’m sick,” my daughter told me a few weeks ago, “because there’s more room.”

Clearly, the girl is brilliant. Why bother with searching for rough squares of paper tissue when there are yards of soft fabric right at one’s fingertips? Perhaps I could be the first to market a dress that features a facial tissue skirt, in brown so that those troublesome boogers don’t show. It would be a runaway hit!

And when my innovative design catapults me to fame as lead couturier in the House of Givenchy, I’ll owe it all to my daughter and her tiny, runny nose. It could so happen.

Or maybe that’s just the cold medicine talking.

Since 'tis the season, you might want to check out all this valuable content about colds and flu – sponsored by Vicks, presented by DivineCaroline – including a chit chat where you can win $250!

Ocean Giveaway from Silver Dolphin Books!

A Field Guide to Ocean Animals is, quite literally, one of the coolest books I've ever seen!

I'm thinking it's perfect for home school, but really, it makes a wonderful learning tool for any child. You get to follow along with a marine biologist in learning about all kinds of interesting ocean animals, but what really makes this book special is that it comes with 64 cardboard pieces that your child puts together to create eight ocean animals, as well as a removable diorama.

Totally, totally cool. Believe me when I tell you that when you see this book, you will not be disappointed.

Uncover a Dolphin is a book you have to see to believe! It literally took my breath away as I paged through it. Basically, the book is an amazing, detailed 3-D model of a bottlenose dolphin's body. As you turn each page, you uncover a layer of the dolphin's insides, from the organs down to the skeleton, and read fascinating facts about dolphins in the process.

This is a book that will absolutely enthrall any child. Not only is it perfect for homeschoolers, but I would totally buy it as an ultra-cool birthday present for another child, too.



Silver Dolphin's Kaleidopops Oceans is a lavishly illustrated pop-up book that will make the undersea world come alive for your children ages five and up.

The book explains the role color plays in hunting, attracting a mate and hiding for predators. It also contains lots of facts about ocean life, but the shimmering pop ups will hold your child's attention as he or she learns.

Excited yet? Well, you should be because one of you will win all three books for your own child's library! To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post by Wednesday, February 11th at midnight, CST. Be sure and leave your e-mail address in the comment.

Good luck!

Board Book Giveaway from Silver Dolphin Books!

With three older sisters, Bruiser has plenty of toys to choose from as he plays. And you're looking at one of his favorites.

Yes, despite the electronic toys with all their bells and whistles that surround him, Bruiser likes nothing more than books. And he especially loves Five Little Ducks! from Silver Dolphin Books.

He loves the book's repetitive nature and he also loves touching the ducks' soft down in this touch-and-feel favorite. And I like that he's being introduced to his numbers.

Another one of Bruiser's favorites is this book from Silver Dolphin, Rainbow Fun!

This board book teaches colors in a bright and engaging way. Bruiser must have had me read it to him about 500 times now, and I often catch him "reading" it to himself!

I'm really excited that one of you can win both of these books for your own little one. To win, just head over to this post and leave a comment with your e-mail address. You have until Wednesday, February 11th at midnight CST to enter.

Good luck!

Best Diaper Bag Ever

I have a great new diaper tote I've gotta tell you about.

Made by Baby Star, it's the first time I've had a diaper bag that looks good and does the job I want it to do. And I can't tell you how many diaper bags I've gone through over the last four years.

First off, it's made of a soft-yet-durable blue metallic fabric, which gives it a fabulous, fashionable look and is easy to wipe off if something gets on it. It's HUGE, so it can literally fit anything I need it to fit, which makes me think it'll be great for car trips, but it also means I can fit all my kids' stuff AND mine inside.

It has lots of pockets, so that I have a place to put my small stuff without losing it. It has a matching changing pad and a BPA free wipe case. And it has a funky, coordinating interior.

I absolutely LOVE it.

The Baby Star diaper tote comes in lots of different colors and designs. It is formaldehyde and azo-free, making it safe for your baby and the environment.

And, in short, it rocks.

Check out Baby Star for more information on the diaper tote and tons of other cool products!