Simple Flavorful Fun Orange Float #JuicyJuiceCrew #FlavorfulFun

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Many parents these days are deciding to make their own baby & toddler foods. I’ve never myself done this, i thought it was a silly fad that would pass…we’ll i guess the jokes on me, since its hotter than ever with food processors being made specifically for making baby food.
Since the boys are older now i haven’t really thought about baby food in a while, but I’ve been curious about all these products, and sites that are for this “fad”. I recently received Cooking Light First Foods Cook Book, and immediately started to flip through it, and check out all the recipes just seeing what all goes into making, storing, and nutrition facts. This book can follow your little one from infant’s first foods to the toddler stage.
I loved all the tips, and recipes. They start off giving you the understanding of nutrition, and why making your own baby food is a good idea. Any mom would have an easy time following the recipes. They also give you sample daily menus, and discuss food allergies, and how to avoid them. The book is broken down into sections
The Essentials
4 to 8 Months
8 to 12 Months
12 to 18 Months
18 to 24 Months
2 to 3 Years
Special Selection
Produce Guide
With all the delisious ideas, and tips I’m excited to venture into the homemade foods ????
To Buy, or for more tips, and recipes visit Cooking Light First Foods Site One lucky winner will receive a copy of Cooking Light First Foods!! This giveaway is open to residents in US; 18+. Winner will have 48 hours to confirm before a forfeit is assumed. Giveaway will runs July 1, 2012 @ 12:01AM – July 15, 2012 @ 11:59PM (EST).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The boys just love going to Sea World to see the animals up close and ride some fun rides…but all fall everytime we would plan a trip something would come up where we couldn’t go. I was so upset that we missed the Howl-O-Screem…afterall they all absolutely LOVE Halloween! Well we finally made it for their Christmas Celebration and was able to do some things I never thought we would be able to do!
When we arrived we signed in at our #WildSide table and recieved our itenirary and this years ornament…it’s such a cute colorful glass seal…I love it! After the doors opened we went inside and took our picture by the front fountain which has become a tradition on our trips, only this time it was a big beautiful tree (I’m having issues with my photokey downloads, but will share as soon as I can).
Then we headed back to my 2 year olds favorite spot, the penguin exhibit. He could go through that for hours just watching them swim and waddle along. He had no idea what was coming up next! We lined up with our fellow wild side bloggers as my boys took him through the penguin exhibit another time or two then it was our turn to enter through the door we had so patiently waited to go through…
Our first stop, the behind the scenes of the penguin exhibit! Penguins coming up to the small knee high gate to say hi and everything. Did you know that if the penguins choose not to take care of their eggs, the staff fosters them to another penguin who will take care of and raise that baby! SeaWorld’s penguins live twice as long as penguins in the wild so most of the time they foster out penguins to other zoos and exhibits so that other children can observe and learn about penguins up close too.
Well after that, we didn’t think it could get any better, until we walked into a small room where there was Pepper the penguin waiting to meet us! Yes, that’s right we had a one on one with a penguin and got to pet her and everything!
Well after that excitement we went and took our family picture in a giant snow globe which was pretty cool…but for some reason it didn’t make it onto my photokey …then we let the boys enjoy some rides (okay I enjoyed one too…) before it was time to meat up with the group again for milk & cookies with Shamu Claus.
The boys had a blast and can’t wait to go back again! Hopefully we don’t have to wait so long between visits again…
Disclosure: I am a Sea World Ambassador Blogger known as a Wildsider…I am provided passes and special events in exchange for my coverage, however all experiences and opinions are 100% my own and are in no way compromised.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Most people think of October as “Pinktober”, but did you know it’s also National Bullying Prevention Month? Bullying is a huge issue in the United States today. October is dedicated to uniting communities and bringing awareness to this problem & now is the perfect time to talk to your children about bullying. Gone are the days when bullying solely consisted of having your lunch money swiped, having a “kick me” sign taped to your back, and being tripped in the hallway. Bullying now goes beyond just school and now extends into the cyber world and even kids so brave as to attack others at their own home..their safe place.
Kathryn Hast has a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in writing and a Master’s degree in Education. She is from York, Pennsylvania, and currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She has one dog named after a Beatles song, and one that barks at the television. Batty Betty is her second published children’s book, following her previous title Otis Grows.
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Let’s face it – feeling “different” can be scary. It’s true as a kid, and it can even be true as an adult. In a world that seems to encourage us all to look, talk, think, and act the same and is in a constant state of comparison, how can we teach children from a young age that their differences are actually their strengths, not their weaknesses?
It all begins with what we show them and tell them, and a wonderful starting point for this important conversation is the engaging, beautifully illustrated new book Batty Betty by children’s author Kathryn Hast (LuJu Books). What sets this book apart from others in the stack is its storyline – which is purposeful, delightfully whimsical while also tackling tough subjects – as well as its lyrical style. Hast wanted to be sure it was just as fun for both parents and
children to read while illuminating ways to approach and tackle real and often difficult scenarios.
Enter: Abel, the tuba; Eve, the sad banana; and Betty, a giant who dances unapologetically to her own drum. When Abel goes out marching by himself, he finds a sad banana named Eve who has been bullied by local beavers. As it turns out, she’s not alone. The beavers are also out for Betty, who stands out with her towering height and “batty” behavior. Abel sets out to defeat these beavers, but soon discovers it’s not about winning – it’s about finding your own music amidst the ruckus and noise.
“I’m really committed to the notion that kids can read, think, and discuss ideas that might initially seem difficult,” Hast says. “My hope is that Batty Betty offers both entertainment and depth and can serve as a springboard for conversations between parents and children.”
Playful yet touching, Batty Betty explores:
Why it’s not only okay – it’s GREAT – to be different
The best way to stand up to bullies (tune out their noise, find your music!)
Opportunities for parents and kids to begin discussions about tough topics
A unique and surprising style of writing everyone will enjoy reading
And much more!
Bullying stems from the all-too-human need to feel included, approved of, loved. And inasmuch as the last three decades have cultivated awareness, resources, and training, it’s difficult to stomp out why it is that people bully others. We will never eradicate the fact that various children need an extra dose of support, that bullying makes them feel confident. However, we can try to minimize the cues they receive from us, the adults around them.
Bullying is a learned behavior. There are adult bullies of every size and stature, even now in 2017. Perhaps especially now, the rest of us must stretch ourselves, to appear bigger, wiser, and kinder. What follows is a brief list of Dos and Don’ts, coupled with some anecdotal lessons I’ve learned, as I try—like so many others—to shape my own children’s growth.
It’s easy to swoon over how well your own kid writes her name or completes a pirouette. But how often do we reflect on the talents of the other kids in their classroom or neighborhood?
“Boy, Darrian collected a lot of acorns today. He’s a pretty good finder, isn’t he?”
Similar to the previous point, this suggestion leans more toward acknowledging other people’s suffering. And remember: suffering for kids can be bee sting, a tantrum, a fight. Putting your son or daughter in the shoes of someone who had a bad day will help him or her do the same later, reflexively.
“Why do you think Francisco hit Grayson today? It’s hard to handle angry feelings, isn’t it?”
I’m a near-forty, white, frizzy-haired, state employee who dances exactly like what you would expect. And although my moves invariably cause my husband to chuckle (knee-slap, whatever), I still get down something fierce to James Brown or De La Soul.
“Why did you say I’m sorry to that driver, Mommy?”
“Because it was my fault for pulling out in front of him. I wasn’t paying attention. I need to work on that.”
Perhaps most importantly, we need to acknowledge the sin for what it is when we see it. But consider the four points prior to this. We should never avoid discussing an example of bullying. We should name it, but we should also frame it. Because more love, albeit amorphous, is the only true solution to bullies in the first place. Contextualize the situation, as best as you can guess, and help your son or daughter recognize it for what it is: namely, unwelcome.

Nails have always been just another way to show your style, add color and just plain have fun with design. Every New Year also brings forth new trends. Just over the past few years I’ve seen nail styles change dramatically…I never thought about what the past 100 years of nail styles might have looked like…but now thanks to this video you can discover how women have been styling their nails for 100-plus years and watch how far nail styles have come—from the bare buff of the early 1900s to the hot details of the ’80s to today’s ethereal sparkle.
My favorites were 1966, 1986, & 2006!
What’s your favorite from the video? What’s your favorite go-to nail style?