Mom Knows Everything

Tomorrow is the first official day of March Break here so that means kids will be sleeping in, watching TV, playing on computers, and hanging with friends. What it means here at my house is "teenager cleans her bedroom". I honestly don't know how a teenagers room can get so messy. Between clothes, books, and movies thrown on the floor and everywhere else I'm surprised she can get into her room. I've given up on cleaning her room for her a long time ago and since she's 16 I think it should be her responsibility to keep it clean herself. I did how ever offer her cleaning supplies and and some industrial equipment to help her clean it. Trust me it's that messy!

What do you have planned for your kids on March Break?

Camera Critters is a weekend meme, about what else but critters, created my very own BBFF, Misty.


I finally got a shot of the vulture I've been talking about seeing lately. It was sitting in a field and I pulled over and got out of the car to take a picture of it and it took off into this tree. Then it took off and started to fly in my direction. I hopped back in the car because that thing was huge and all that was running through my mind was I really need to get a free life insurance quote because if that thing decided it didn't like me I'm pretty sure it would win the battle. I'm glad I got a picture of it, but I don't think I'm going to try and get anymore pictures of it. It's way too big for me to annoy!

To check out more participants of Looking At The Sky On Friday or to join in on the fun yourself click the badge above.


What exactly is this picture you may ask, well I was trying to take a picture of an animal for tomorrows Camera Critter post and because it was so quick I ended up with this picture. Sure it's not the best picture for Looking At The Sky On Friday, but I still think it's an interesting photo and if you want to see what animal I was trying to take a photo of come back tomorrow for my Camera Critter post.

I'm off now to go find some crazy glue because I broke the handle off my favorite coffee mug. It's just one of those free promotional mugs I got from the local radio station, but for some reason my coffee seems to taste the best in it. Have a great day everyone!

As a mother of two I know the importance of teaching your children the basics and preparing them to enter kindergarten. My oldest child is a teenager, but I still remember sitting down with her and helping her learn her letters and numbers. Currently we are teaching our youngest child the same thing.

A great book to start your children off with learning is How Lil' Eddie Learns To Read by Rima H. Corral.

About the book -
“How Lil’ Eddie Learns to Read” – In her new children’s book, “How Lil’ Eddie Learns to Read” (Synergy Books, February 2010), Rima H. Corral introduces readers to a little boy named Eddie who receives a book on his third birthday. Inspired by this gift, Eddie decides he wants to learn to read. The book follows Lil’ Eddie and his family as they help him learn to read through books, games and a neighborhood reading club. Corral also includes “Help for Parents” sections scattered throughout the pages. She hopes this book will encourage parents to help their kids learn reading skills before entering kindergarten.

How Lil' Eddie Learns To Read is a fun book for kids filled with colorful pictures that will keep them focused on the book. What I liked most about this book is not only is it entertaining for the kids, but I loved the handy hints through out the book for parents. These hints and tips help you as a parent by suggesting ways to help you teach your children their numbers, letters, and to read and write. This is definitely a book for both parents and kids and is a great book for preschoolers.

You can purchase How Lil' Eddie Learns To Read online from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can also check out your local bookstores for an available copy.



The products in this review were given to me free of charge for review. My review and opinions are not influenced by this or any source, they are my honest opinion of the product.

We are big animal lovers and as a result we have three cats, Yoko, Dedara, and Orange. I love cats, but what I don't love about them is the litter box. Litter boxes get so smelly and stinky even if you clean them out everyday, especially with three cats.

I recently received Clean+Green Litter Box Cleaner And Odor Remover to review and I have to tell you I love it! I honestly can say I have never found anything that removed the smell of litter box so well. The other products I have used in the past simply masked the smell of the litter box with a very strong overwhelming fragrance. Clean+Green Litter Box Cleaner And Odor Remover is fragrance free so it doesn't leave that overwhelming strong scent which is great because I have family who are allergic to perfumes so I'm not afraid to use it in case they come over for a visit. Another great thing about it is that it's safe to use around kids!

Clean+Green Litter Box Cleaner And Odor Remover can be used to simply spray over the litter to refresh it or you can spray the empty litter box and wipe it out to clean it. It can also be used on wood tile, linoleum, and floor boards to clean up 'little presents' your cat has left for you. It can be used on walls in case the 'little present' gets on there as well.

About Clean+Green Pet Stain and Odor Remover-

According to the Environmental Protection Association (EPA), typical household cleaning products and air fresheners are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality. The agency reports that poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues; animals have faster metabolisms and smaller lungs than humans, and not only are they processing these chemicals at a faster rate, they are also breathing them in more rapidly. Because animals are closer to the ground, they are more often in direct contact with these harmful substances.

Clean+Green ® are the only eco-friendly aerosol pet cleaning products on the planet. Unlike most other cleaning products that can be harmful, require multiple applications and/or only temporarily mask odors, Clean + Green delivers instant results in a non-toxic, eco-friendly solution. Clean+Green permanently cleans pet stains and eradicates odors. It is safe for pets, people (kids too!), and the planet.

Each Clean+Green product is individually formulated to address a specific odor/stain problem and can be used on carpet and area rugs, wood floors, tile, cement and all fabrics. The products are non-toxic, non-flammable, non-carcinogenic and will not damage the ozone layer – with no harsh chemicals or perfumes, no VOCs and no CFCs.

The wonderful people at Clean+Green Pet Stain and Odor Remover are giving away 6 of their products to one of my readers. All you have to do is go to the Clean+Green website and pick which six you want to receive and they will mail them to the one lucky winner of this giveaway.

Enter to win -

• Leave a comment on this post.
  
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• If you don't have a blog/website just leave your name and email address in the comment section.
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• Contest open to US and Canadian residents only.
• Contest closes midnight AST March 8th with the winner to be announced the following day. The winners name and email will be sent to will be sent to the company and they will contact you about your prize.

*Be sure to let me know in the comment section if you Tweet, subscribe or post about this contest for the extra entries.



No compensation has been received for this post. The products in this giveaway were given to me free of charge for giveaway. My review and opinions are not influenced by this or any source, they are my honest opinion of the product.



CONTEST CLOSED

Click on the Heads Or Tails meme graphic above to find more Heads Or Tails posts or to join in on the fun.

This week's theme/prompt is HEADS - Rumor


As a mother of a teen aged girl in high school I know all about rumors and gossip and how it can hurt someones feelings. When my daughter first started high school she went from a small school that went from kindergarten to grade 8 where she knew every person in the school to a large high school where she only knew a couple dozen people. Her first year in high school was hard. She found out there are a lot of people who like to gossip and start rumors about other people. She would come home upset because someone said something about her or about one of her friends and couldn't understand why someone would do that. I sat her down and tried to explain to her that there are people in the world who try to make themselves feel and look better by putting other people down. She shouldn't let these people upset her because they are not worth it and it's just giving them what they want. I told her I was very proud of her for not being like those people and she should just ignore them. No matter what they say about her or any of her friends as long as she knows the truth that's all that matters.

Climbing trees is something all kids do, but it's not a safe thing to do. In the story I'm Up In A Tree by Mark Alden Johnson tells the story of a little boy who finds himself stuck up in a tree and doesn't know what to do to get down.

About the book -
“I’m Up in a Tree” - Told in a lyrical rhyming style, Mark Alden Johnson’s “I’m Up in a Tree” (Bridgeway Books, January 2010) follows a little boy who climbs a tree for fun, only to realize he is scared to get down. As he sits high in the branches, various creatures that live in the tree approach him and advise him on how to get his feet back on the ground. Birds tell him to fly out of the tree, bees suggest he jump from the branch and a cat proposes he climb down. It is up to the little boy to decide if he should heed their advice, or trust his instincts and wait for his dad to help him. “I’m Up in a Tree” is a fun way to teach kids early to resist peer pressure and make their own choices.

I'm Up In A Tree is a really cute book with lots of colorful pictures. The kids really enjoyed the fact that it's written in rhyming. During my reading it they had all kinds of suggestion on how the little boy could get down from the tree....some quite wild suggestions like a parachute. In the end they both not only enjoyed the book, but also decided that although it may sound fun to climb a tree it's not a safe thing to do. This made me glad because I have lots of tree in my yard and a few broken branches from them trying to climb them last year. I'm sure this is one book they'll be asking me to read over and over again.

You can purchase I'm Up In A Tree online from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can also check out your local bookstores for an available copy.



The products in this review were given to me free of charge for review. My review and opinions are not influenced by this or any source, they are my honest opinion of the product.

Camera Critters is a weekend meme, about what else but critters, created my very own BBFF, Misty.

I almost got a great picture of a vulture and a bald eagle together the other day, but once I saw what they were doing I decided not to take a picture. They were eating carrion and although it was cool to see those two huge birds together I passed on the picture. I did get this picture of a deer though.

This is kinda a dark picture as it's still early in the morning, but there is still a little brightness coming through. It's been a really long tiring week. It's actually been a "I'm feeling fat" week. You know one of those weeks or days when you just feel blah and wish you could stay in your pajamas and watch cartoons and read stories with your kids. I know I'm not fat and I don't need to get any quick trim celluslim. I really think it's just I can't wait for the warmer weather when I can stop wearing big heavy sweaters. Spring/Summer clothes are definitely one of my favorite parts of winter ending. What's yours?

Teaching out children about money is something all parents need to do. "Can I have, I want, buy me" is something all parents hear and by teaching our children about money and saving money when they are young it can help them develop positive financial behaviors for their adulthood.

The book Feeding Penny Pig is a great way to start to teach your children about money.

About the book -
In Jeannine Fox’s “Feeding Penny Pig” (Mimi’s Funhouse LLC, November 2009), Laney’s grandmother Mimi gives her a very special piggy bank named Penny Pig for her birthday. Every day, Laney must do chores for her parents to earn money to feed the very hungry Penny. Because Laney loves Penny so much, she begins to love working around the house to keep her happy and full. The friendship between them teaches Laney responsibility and the value of earning and saving money.

About the author -
Jeannine Fox, aka Mimi, is the proud grandmother of two and a Certified Financial Planner. After years of hearing countless horror stories over the years from people who have called asking for her help she realized that people who learned at a very early age about saving money just seemed to have a much more successful life than those who never were taught about money. This is the reason why her website Mimi's Funhouse was created. Her website is full of useful information, books, games, and resources to help parents and grandparents teach kids about money.

Aidan and J.T. loved reading Feeding Penny Pig. It's full of fun colorful pictures and easy to read words. I love the fact that it's hardcover because hardcover books last so much longer then softcover ones. The kids enjoyed the book so much that now they want Penny Pigs of their own, although Aidan wants to call his pig Peter Pig because according to him it's going to be a boy pig. I am extremely happy that this book has started to help teach them about money and saving money. I would definitely recommend this book to parents, it's cute and very educational.

You can purchase Feeding Penny Pig online at Amazon and Mimi's Funhouse for $14.95. You can also check out your local bookstores for an available copy.



The products in this review were given to me free of charge for review. My review and opinions are not influenced by this or any source, they are my honest opinion of the product.

I'm a big fan of American Idol and I got sent a link to this video that is so sweet that I just had to share it with you.

American Idol host, Ryan Seacrest, was attempting a quiet pre-Valentine's day lunch with his mom when a Flash Kiss Mob, care of Scope Outlast surprised them.




Both Ryan and his mother, among all the others at the scene really seemed to enjoy the Kiss Mob. What a prefect way to start celebrating Valentine's Day.

Now that February is more than half over it's time to start thinking about Spring. We all know what comes with Spring......Spring cleaning. I usually start my Spring cleaning when the kids have March break and this year it is the first week of March. So that means Spring is only a week and a half away for me. I usually start with the large rooms; kitchen, living room, family room, and bathroom. After those are done I start with the bedrooms.

Spring cleaning is a lot of work, but it's worth it because it means Spring is almost here and I've pretty much had it with Winter. This cold Winter really made my eczema act up and I will be so glad to see the warmer days of Spring even if it means Spring cleaning.

Click on the Heads Or Tails meme graphic above to find more Heads Or Tails posts or to join in on the fun.

This week's theme/prompt is HEADS *OR* TAILS Light OR Dark

I chose light and these are the light of my life!


My children are are the most precious gift I had ever received and I thank God everyday for the two precious gifts he gave to me. My daughter is 16 years old now and my son is 5 years old. They are growing up fast, but they will always be my babies. Even when I'm 80 years old and having arthritis treatment to me they will always be my babies.

Today my daughter turned 16 years old. How can she be that old already? It seems like just yesterday she was a playing with dolls. Time goes by so fast doesn't it? Aurora is such a sweet girl and she makes me proud everyday. She's a loving, kind, and caring person. Sure, she's a teenager, and a teen aged girl on top of that so there is the "I have nothing to wear" and "OMG I have blackheads on nose", or a pimple dramas, but I honestly couldn't ask for a better daughter. Happy Sweet Sixteen Aurora!

In case anyone is wondering why I did two Camera Critters posts I'm blaming it on lack of sleep. My daughter had a birthday party sleep over last night and the girls were up all night giggling and talking. I'm very sorry for the confusion. I have two blogs and I play Camera Critters on both of them. Well, because of the lack of sleep I accidentally did both posts here instead of one here and one on my other blog. Again I am very sorry for the confusion it may have caused.

Camera Critters is a weekend meme that allows you to show off your photography skills with pictures of what else but critters.


What is it with dogs they can sleep just about anywhere and in the weirdest positions? Princess loves to sleep on the arm chair in the toy room. I hate to make her move off of it because she looks so comfy and cozy, but she gets hair everywhere! I swear she must be using hair growth shampoo.

Camera Critters is a weekend meme, about what else but critters, created my very own BBFF, Misty.


"No, I said hit the A button, then the B button, and then jump! If I only had opposable thumbs!"

During the winter here there isn't too much to do because of the cold weather. When the wind chill hits -30C I don't blame the kids for not wanting to go outside and play. Heck, I don't like going outside in the winter time. The kids usually end up playing video games a lot during the winter and me, well I really need to get a treadmill or I'm going to end up with a huge backside from sitting in front of the computer all the time. I can't wait until the warmer weather.

As you can tell this is a very old picture. It's of my grandfathers homestead. My grandfather died when I was 8 and he was in his 80's at the time so I don't remember him that well. I do remember him giving us kids graham crackers every time we visited him. I also I remember he used to drink loose tea, not the kind in the bag, but the kind you have to scoop into the tea pot.

As parents we all have and love to display pictures of our children. Wouldn't it be cool though to have a poster of your child. Digital photos on posters is a great way to not only keep memories, but it is also a great way to show off your kids and would make a great addition to your children's bedroom or family room.

Online Poster Printing has offered to help me hold a giveaway here at Mom Knows Everything for a 18" X 24" poster. Online Poster Printing specializes in digital photo enlargement. Online Poster Printing offers photos quality prints up to 60" X 100" from your digital photos, next day printing on all rolled products, and custom size prints to fit any occasion.

Win you win -

18x24 Poster Print for One (1) Winner

Paper Stock: High Gloss or Semi Gloss

Specifications: 1 Business Day Turnaround

Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only

How to enter -

• Leave a comment on this post.
  
• Twitter about this contest for an extra entry.
• Post about this contest for an extra entry.
• Subscribe to my feed for an extra entry.
• If you don't have a blog/website just leave your name and email address in the comment section.
• Contest open to US residents only.
• Contest closes midnight AST February 28th with the winner to be announced the following day. The winners name and email will be sent to will be sent to the company and they will contact you about your prize.

*Be sure to let me know in the comment section if you Tweet, subscribe or post about this contest for the extra entries.



No compensation has been received for this post. The products in this giveaway were given to me free of charge for giveaway. My review and opinions are not influenced by this or any source, they are my honest opinion of the product.


***CONTEST NOW CLOSED***

LuShae Jewelry is having an amazing contest that I had to share with you ! They are holding an online sweepstakes competition for the chance to win $5000 cash (to spend anywhere you like). The winner of the $5000 will be chosen on October 1st, 2010. They also have monthly winners of $200 via PayPal. This is a really easy contest to enter. All you have to do is fill out the entry form, which consists of name, email, and website/blog, and display one of the many different badges they have on your blog. Who couldn't use some extra cash. I know I'm entering and you should too!

To enter this amazing contest simply click here.

Click on the Heads Or Tails meme graphic above to find more Heads Or Tails posts or to join in on the fun.

This week's theme/prompt is Heads Chain

This is the keychain my BBFF Misty made for me a few years ago. It has the pictures of my children in it and I love it. The only thing is that I lost it a while ago and it's no where to be found. I was wondering if my BBFF reads this post if she could make me another now.....pretty please!

Having a baby is the most amazing thing that can happen to a person.

Preparing for the arrival of your little one is a major job, and it can be an expensive one. There are ways that you can save on all your baby needs. Looking for deals and coupons for is a great way to get all your baby supplies at a good price. Baby Universe coupons on CouponTrunk.com has a great selection of baby and children coupons you can use to help get you ready for your precious arrival.

Whether you are shopping for a loved one or friend, or preparing for your own baby, you should definitely use coupons to help save you money and get all the things you need for your baby.

Camera Critters is a weekend meme, about what else but critters, created my very own BBFF, Misty.


I was scanning some old pictures and I can across this one of my daughter about 10 years ago with her cat Oliver. Oliver has been gone a while now and that cute little girl in the picture is now a teenager, who will be getting her drivers license soon. Now that's scary!

Oh look it's snowing! Imagine that! Okay maybe that was a little sarcastic, but it seems like we have two types of weather in the winter time here in Canada. Either it's snowing or it's cold enough to freeze your nose off. I seriously think Canada has a franchise on winter, but I've pretty much had it with Winter....bring on Spring!!!!

This weeks thrifty hint was inspired by an email I received about this sweater I made.

I searched everywhere for a Thomas The Tank Engine knitting pattern and the only place I could find one is on eBay in the UK. I wasn't the only person who couldn't find a pattern either because all over the internet in knitting forums there were people asking where to find a pattern. My best friend Misty suggested that I make my own pattern with graph paper. I used a pattern for a plain sweater I already had and made a chart pattern on graph paper of Thomas. You can draw out the pattern by free hand on the graph paper using a color picture as a guide or you can use a free cross stitch chart maker to make one for you. There are lots of free cross stitch chart maker available on the internet, all you have to do is google to find one you like.

This is a great way to make character patterns for your kids and best of all it's free!

A few months ago my daughter was one of the art students at her high school chosen to make a mural for the outside of the school. The 12 metre long mural depicts Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affording everyone the right to an education. The mural, titled Article 26: Right to an Education was sponsored by the John Peters Humphrey Foundation. John Peters Humphrey, a native of the community in where her high school is, wrote the principal draft of the human rights declaration. I think the kids did a great job on it and they all should be very proud of themselves.


For more Wordful Wednesday posts go to Seven Clown Circus.

Click on the Heads Or Tails meme graphic above to find more Heads Or Tails posts or to join in on the fun.

This week's theme/prompt is - Tails List 3

Here are the list of the 3 most important people in my life. (in chronological order)

1. John, my wonderful husband. He's an amazing father and a wonderful husband.
2. Aurora, my amazing daughter. She's a sweet, smart girl who is quickly growing up into a beautiful young lady.
3. Aidan, my adorable little son. What can I say about Aidan, he's my adorable little monkey boy.

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and I thank God everyday for giving them to me. I wouldn't trade all them for all the money, fancy houses, expensive cars, or top design furniture in the world!