Crap my B.R.A.T. Says

Lil'Bit feel asleep watching TV in my room with her clothes on. At 8, I carried her to her room, laid her down in her bed, at which point she woke up briefly and asked for some water. After returning with a glass of water I asked her:

Me: "Do you need to go potty"

Lil'Bit [half out of it]: "Nooo"

Me: "Really? Are you sure?"

Lil'Bit [half out of it]: "Legsss don't work"

Me: "Do you want me to carry you to the bathroom"

Lil'Bit [half out of it]: "Noooo"

Me: "Do you want me to take your pants off?"

Lil'Bit [half out of it] : "No. Inappropriate."

And like that, she fell back to sleep

FREE Trader Joes Gift Card!!!

WOW! Plum District is offering yet again another freebie when you refer three friends to sign up using your link! Just refer 3 friends and score a FREE $20 Trader Joes gift card! This is AWESOME!

Head on over to snag your personalized link!

I would hurry and sign up–these free gift cards go fast!

Pesticides in Produce

The Environmental Working Group has just released its 2011 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce. Topping the Dirty Dozen this year? The conventional apple. My kid eat apples every day! The handy guide lists the top conventional fruits and vegetables highest and lowest in pesticide residues (tested washed and peeled, as typically eaten!). Learn more and download the updated shopping guide here.

Dirty Dozen (buy these ORGANIC if possible!):

1. apples
2. celery
3. strawberries
4. peaches
5. spinach
6. nectarines (imported)
7. grapes (imported)
8. sweet bell peppers
9. potatoes
10. blueberries (domestic)
11. lettuce
12. kale/collard greens

Clean Fifteen (lowest pesticide contamination):

1. onions
2. sweet corn
3. pineapple
4. avocado
5. asparagus
6. sweet peas
7. mangoes
8. eggplant
9. cantaloupe (domestic)
10. kiwi
11. cabbage
12. watermelon
13. sweet potatoes
14. grapefruit
15. mushrooms

BPA Wallet Card

BPA Wallet Card - explains how to use a text service to find alternatives to the toxin BPA as well as a list of BPA-free companies. [from Z recs]

We've created a BPA Wallet Card to help consumers easily identify BPA-free feeding items and pacifiers covered in the Z Report on BPA. One side offers basic info on companies with BPA-free product lines in the categories of bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, and tableware, and the other provides the short code and basic texting instructions for querying our BPA Mobile Project to get detailed product information via text message.

Just download our free PDF file from Google Base, print it out, cut out the double-sided card, fold it down the middle, and voila! Now it's easier than ever to identify BPA-free products for your children.

We won't have a review post today - traveling to Houston for Jenni to jump into Fotofest, a biennial photo exhibition and meeting place for gallery owners, art dealers, and curators from around the world.

Crap my B.R.A.T. Says

Me: " I think you're an awesome kid." 

Lil'Bit: "Well I think you're an awesome mom..... Sometimes."

Goin' Vegan

I'm thinking about going vegan... I used to post on this a lot, but newer readers might not know, I've been a vegetarian for 12 years. My sophomore year in high school I picked up vegetarianism as a hobby (weird hobby I know), and it wasn't until about 5 years ago that my reasons drifted towards the whole animal rights aspect of things, at which point I gave up wearing leather and wool. When my daughter turned one (4 years ago) we quit drinking cows milk as a family (for health reasons) because of the hormones and antibiotics injected into the cows. Three years ago I became a member of PETA and last year I became a member of Greenpeace.

The only thing keeping me from going full fledged vegan has been my love for cheese... I do eat eggs if it's in something like bread or other baked goods, but that's more of a convenience thing that I could very easily live without... But this cheese thing is another story. I just haven't been able to find a good soy cheese, so I just kept eating cows cheese... I put it on everything! My veggie burgers, baked potatoes, even my salad. I literally eat cheese ATLEAST twice a day... Lately I've been eating it more and more, which I just think defeats the whole purpose of me giving up drinking cows milk... So I think I'm going to put my foot down and go full fledged vegan.

And ya know, funny thing is, the only person who's been trying to steer me away from this decision is my one and only full vegan friend... So we shall see how this goes.

Weird News

Amish man accused of trying to pick up minor while in his buggy

 

You learn a new thing every day I guess... One, I didn't know Amish even had/used phones... And two, I had always been told that they hated their pictures being taken because cameras stole their soles. ::shrugs::

FREE $20 Target Gift Card!

This is an amazing deal!

Refer three friends to sign up for a Plum District and you will get a free $20 gift card for Target. The offer is only good today so your friends must sign up through your referral link for you to receive this offer. No purchase is necessary.

Way easy too, you can sign up through your Facebook page as well, just click on my link and click on the facebook option, doesn't even require you to type anything. I did this a few months ago and got a $10 In N Out gift card... FOR FREE!

((Your gift card will be mailed to you within 10 days and there is a limit one per person/household.))

Crap my B.R.A.T. Says

As we're walking out the door, Lil'Bit asks:

"Is that really what you're planning on wearing?"

Uhh, she's 5! When she she become so critical?

Super Cute Braid Bun

I found this, and loved it and just had to share...

What a great supper hairdo!

DIY Braided Chignon on triple maxtons.com
Want to change up your ‘do? Look no further than this simple braided chignon….it’s chic, looks pretty polished or unkempt, and most importantly - it’s really easy. Here’s how to get the look:
Pick up one of these essentials - a hair donut- from your local beauty supply store. They make these in all sorts of colors and styles - the one below is a 3” round for blondies like myself. If you would rather go the budget route, you can cut the toe end off a clean tube sock and roll it up. Either way works.

Start by parting your hair down the middle, and then braid some of the hair on the sides.
Pull your hair back into a low ponytail, and secure with a hair tie.

Pull your ponytail through the hole, and start bobbie pinning hair section by section around the donut. Don’t worry about longer hair sticking out quite yet - you’ll fix that at the end. Another way to go about this is to fan the hair around the donut and pull a hair tie over it.

Once the donut is fully covered, take the longer hair pieces and twist them around the base of your chignon. Pin in place.

Voila- a beautiful hairstyle in under 5 mins!

If you want a video tutorial, you can get the gist by tuning into this YouTube video link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1sdRx_hP08

Father's Day Deals

Bakers Square: Free Slice of Pie
Dads can get a free slice of pie with an adult entrée purchase when you dine at a Bakers Square near you on Sunday, June 19. No coupon necessary.

Beef O Brady’s: Free Meal for Dad on Father’s Day When You Buy 1 Entrée  

BJ’s: Free Commemorative BJ’s Pint Glass for Dad’s on Father’s Day
Weekend (6/18 -16/19) 

Boston’s: Free Cash Prize or Dinner for A Year
Dads can receive $5 or $10 cash or the Grand Prize when you dine at a Boston’s restaurant near you on Sunday, June 19. One scratch card will be distributed per male 18 years of age or older, which will reveal a number that will need to be entered on Bostons.com. Once you enter the number, you will find out if you won the cash prize or the Grand Prize, which is dinner for a year (twelve $30 gift certificates).

Culver’s: FREE 1 Scoop Sundae for Dad on Father’s Day
First Watch : FREE Golf Ball for Dad WYB Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch on
Father’s Day 

Fleming’s: Free $25 Gift Card
Dads can get a free $25 Fleming’s Gift Card good for a future visit when you treat him to brunch or dinner at a Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar location on Sunday, June 19. Brunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended, which you can do online if you prefer.

IKEA: Free Breakfast
Dads can get a free breakfast ($1.98 value) at participating IKEA restaurants before 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 19. The breakfast will include scrambled eggs served with a side of hashbrowns, bacon and a hot cup of coffee. Limit 1 offer per family. With offers like this, I recommend calling your local IKEA ahead of time to ensure participation. Offer is not valid in Tampa, FL.
Pat & Oscars : 20% Off Any Purchase on Father’s Day
Souper Salad : Buy 1 Adult Buffet and 1 Drink Get 1 Buffet free Father’s Day Only
Spaghetti Warehouse : Free Lasagne or Spaghetti Entree for Dad on Father’s Day.

TCBY: Free Ice Cream Cup or Cone
Participating TCBY stores will be giving dads a free cup or cone of ice cream on Sunday, June 19. Find a TCBY near you.

The Pasta House Coupons : Free Spaghetti with Meat sauce and Piece of Cheesecake for Dad on Father’s Day

 

This Weekend's Free Family Fun

 

AC Moore – Saturday 1-3pm, Hands-On Demonstration: My Friendship Bracelet Maker. They are also having Free Make & Take kids crafts on Wednesdays from 3-5pm all Summer long.

Bass Pro Shop – Saturday & Sunday 2-5pm Make your own Leather Keychain & More.

Borders – Saturday 2pm, Celebrate the release of the new movie Cars 2 with Disney fun, games, stories & more. Best for ages 3-8.

Disney Store – Saturday Race 1 at 10:30 am, Race 2 at 12:00 pm, Race 3 at 1:30 pm, Rev Up for Fun: City of Lights, City of Speed with fun events to celebrate the upcoming release of Cars 2 in theaters June 24. They will have fun events every Saturday in June.

*Minimum age for participation is 3 years. Event limited per session based on store capacity. No lineups prior to 30 minutes before event begins.

Home Depot – Saturday 9am-Noon, Free Kids Father’s Day Special Workshop: build a Lil Toolbox!

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores - Saturday 11am-pm, Free Make It Take It for Dad. 1-3pm, Demo: Papercrafting with Xyron Machines. 3-5pm, Demo: Fabric crafting with Simply Spray.

Lakeshore Learning – Saturday 11am-3pm, Father’s Day Wallet: create a wallet for Dad.

Michaels – Friday 6-8pm, Father’s Day Card Event FREE Make-It Take-It.

Michaels – Saturday 10am-Noon, Father’s Day Key Chain Event FREE Make-It Take-It.

Pottery Barn Kids – Saturday, Father’s Day LEGO Duplo Jams: play with duplo blocks, listen to music and take home a special memento. Contact your local store for times.

Target – select a city to find free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in your area, sponsored by Target.

Walmart Event Finder – enter your zip code to see what is going on in your area.

Heads up: National Park First Day of Summer on 6/21, get Free Entrance to over 100 National Parks that usually charge entrance fees!

Crap my B.R.A.T. Says

Lil'bit (who should have been asleep 2hrs ago) comes strolling into my room singling JTX's "Love In America" choirs (good thing she can never get lyrics right)

"Hey kids here we go, Shrek loves rock and roll, Fill your cup up this is love in America" then asks "Where's my money maker?"

Old Navy Coupon

How about a great Old Navy coupon to kick off the weekend?!?

Print this coupon to save 50% off any 1 baby or kid’s item throughout the store.

This coupon is only valid this weekend, Saturday 6/18 and Sunday 6/19.

Military family stereotypes debunked

Krystel Spell is a freelance writer and creator of the popular blog and community Army Wife 101. This mother of two answers questions from Army spouses worldwide and enjoys helping them navigate this sometimes challenging but great life we lead.

Stereotype 1: Military wives are unclean, lazy and uneducated with lots of kids.
 

There are lazy and uneducated people in every walk of life. Sure you have a select group of military spouses who don’t aspire to reach any goals or maintain hygienic order in their homes. But there’s a far larger number who are educated (many holding college degrees, have or had careers and chose to put their goals on hold to take care of their families while their spouse serves his or her country.

I have never met so many giving spouses who volunteer at their local bases, will drop everything to help another family in need, are part of various groups and lastly who manage to work in a state or country far from home and play mommy and daddy all while their spouse is deployed to a combat zone.

Stereotype 2: The Military doesn’t pay taxes.
 

Boy, I wish we didn’t pay taxes! The fact of the matter is regardless of what you heard from your cousin who had a friend who had a uncle who served in the Revolutionary War, the military pays Federal and most pay state taxes depending on tax rules in their home of record, along with Social Security and Medicare. The only time a service member doesn’t pay federal tax is if he or she is serving in a tax-free combat zone.

Stereotype 3: Most military wives are stay-at-home moms.

Many of us are, including myself. These women are also entrepreneurs running businesses from their homes that help bring in extra income. Considering that we move every 2-3 years and have spouses who are frequently deploying it is hard to maintain stable employment. On the flip-side many spouses work on the military installations where they live—in the eateries, the commissaries, the exchanges and even in the health clinics and hospitals.