Wordless Wednesday-My Toddler of Terror! lol

This weekend we went to The Science Center in St. Louis.

While there my 14 month old played with some lego blocks they had on the wall. A boy that was at least twice his size came up and tried to play along side him. My son then "growled" at him and ended up making him cry! My cousin was along and snapped this photo of him as he was leaving the scene of the crime! lol.

*Notice the smirk on my son's face and the little boy wiping his tears in the background.

And I thought little girls were full of drama!

Hope you're enjoying your week!

P.S. If you want to be featured on my blog this Friday it's first come first serve! E-mail me (ozarkmamareviews at gmail) and I will post this Friday! : ) Thanks!

Nutella Party Fun!

I was invited by MommyParties to host a Nutella® Breakfast Bar in my home and invite ten girlfriends to join me for breakfast! Sounds amazing right?!

Well, I had the best of intentions to follow their guidelines exactly but I wasn't able to get the breakfast part in with all the different schedules everyone had. Instead, we opted to do a play-date brunch at the park! The weather was perfect the days preceding the party and then the day of the party it decided to SNOW!!! So, to make it come together and happen, we still held the party but decided to go to the local mall and have the children play in their play center after the party was over. The party ended up being a success for those of my friends who could make it due to snow factors.

Before hosting this party, I had never tried Nutella® . So, I was very interested when the offer came. When my party package first arrived via the FedEx man, he said to me, "Is that REALLY Nutella in there?" (there was a sticker on the top of the box) and I said, "Yes it really is!" and he replied, "I love Nutella® !" lol. I knew that I was in for a treat! I opened up the box to search through it's contests and I was pleasantly surprised!


The kit included:
(1) 6.5oz Jar of Nutella® hazelnut spread for use during the party
(10) Nutella® spread sample packs and coupons for guests bags
(10) Nutella® spread guest bags
(10) Nutella® spread tumbler mugs
(10) Nutella® spread spreaders
(10) Nutella® spread tip cards for guests

and also recipe ideas for my Nutella® Breakfast BarParty activities: Everyday Breakfast Tips and Trivia . All of this was free of charge just for trying their product and blogging about how we liked it!

When all of my guests had arrived we talked about the different ingredients in Nutella® and how healthy Nutella® actually is for you. We also discussed different things Nutella® would be good on! We thought about different things such as frozen banana pops with Nutella® , Nutella® Truffles, Nutella® Smores. But honestly those things were just being indulgent! Nutella® goes really well with whole grain things such as waffles, English muffins, etc!

The taste of Nutella® is a sort of nutty chocolaty taste and it is super delicious! If I had just had a free sample of this from a store I would have immediately bought a jar to take home so this party had no influence over my opinion of the product! The taste and nutrition facts speak for themselves! I would recommend this product in limited amounts however, just because you will want to sit down and eat the whole jar. In small amounts it would be healthy but nothing is healthy if you eat the whole jar by yourself! : )

So, what did the guests think? They loved it! One guest remarked, "It's working! I'm going to have to go and buy a jar as soon as this party is over!" and they did! The children thought they were eating chocolate banana sandwiches and loved every minute of it. While, the moms sat back and smiled at the nutrition they were getting from it!

Thanks again Nutella® and Mommy Parties for providing my guests and I with such a wonderful product to review!

Want to win a case of Nutella® ? They are having a giveaway on their site right now!

Also, if you are interested to trying Nutella® or can't get enough Nutella® , here's a link to a $1.00 off coupon for the product : ) Enjoy!

*Disclaimer - I was selected by MomSelect to host this party on behalf of Nutella and was sent product and supplies to facilitate the party and giveaway to my guests. No monetary compensation was involved. All opinions are my own.

St. Patrick's Day Parade for Springfield, MO

If you want to go it's going to be this Saturday (March 19) and it starts at NOON. Same place it always is: Commercial Street. There is a pet contest too! So dress up your animal in some "Irish" duds and see if they win : )

For More information on the Event:

http://www.springfieldstpatsparade.org/

Featured Follower: Wear it Cuter

Today's Featured Follower is Jacyln from the Wear it Cuter Etsy Shop!

So, tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hello, my name is Jaclyn Dias, and I'm a craft-a-holic. I am married to my husband, Joseph, and we've been married for almost 3 years! We have one cute little boy named Alexander, Xander for short, and we love him to pieces! He just turned 2 years old and he's obsessed with Mickey Mouse and Blues Clues! We live in Springfield, MO and we are LDS! I also like to dance hip-hop, sing in church choir (and in my car), watch movies, oh...and I'm a big Twilight fan!

What are some of your favorite things to do during naptime?

Naptime is rare, but when Xander does finally fall asleep I like to craft of course!

What kind of products do you have in your store?

Wear it Cuter mainly features very cutesie jewelry such as necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, cell phone charms and keychains and accessories, usually made from old or new toys, plush animals, dolls, or anything super cute I can find! These cute things I often refer to as kawaii, which is a Japanese word for cute, and many of my items are inspired by Japanese streetwear. The latest Japanese craze, and what has inspired many of my new items, is called Fairy Kei. It refers to fashion that is over-the-top cutesy, with all the bows, ruffles and frills, all in pastel rainbow colors. If you really want to know what I'm talking about, just google "fairy kei" and you'll see what I mean! ;)

What made you want to start your store?

I originally began crafting with polymer clay. I saw items on etsy that I wanted to give as gifts, but they weren't quite perfect, and when I asked a seller on etsy to make some custom items for me, she declined. BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME!!! It was actually a blessing in disguise because then I started thinking, well I bet I could make it better myself, so I did! After that, anything that I saw that I liked, I created myself, but better, and I have been crafting ever since. My items became so popular with my friends that I decided to open my own online shop!

What is a favorite item that you have made?

I don't think I could choose a favorite item I've made...I love all of my cute creations!!! But the My Little Pony necklaces have always been my best sellers!


Anything else you want to add? (New products to look for at your store, etc)

I forgot to mention that I lived in Okinawa, Japan for four years (military brat) and so I not only love Japanese streetwear, I'm a big fan of Japanese animation and Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars and My Melody! You can see some of these characters in my shop! I just recently made some Little Twin Stars necklaces that I beaded myself!

Also, I have more than one shop...I actually have four total.
Check them out!
♥ wearitcuter.etsy.com - Jewelry Shop
♥ holditcuter.etsy.com - Bags, Bows, Boards and More Shop
♥ makeitcuter.etsy.com - Supplies Shop
♥ jaclyn33.etsy.com - Old jewelry shop...soon to be baby items


Well, thanks Jacyln for being featured on my blog! and remember guys if you would like check out one of Jacyln's shops and heart it for her!

*If you want to be a featured follower send me an e-mail: ozarkmamareviews at gmail dot com and I will send you a questionnaire to fill out! : )

Wordless Wednesday- Rainy Day Aftermath!

After all the rain we had been getting, I let my daughter make her first Mud Pie with "sprinkles" on top! She was pretty proud of herself : )

500 Facebook Fan Celebration Underway!

This Event is now CLOSED!



*Click on Picture to go to event!*

I'm having my first giveaway celebration on my Facebook Fan Page! Please "like" my fan page and then enter the giveaways you choose! Enjoy! Giveaways are open for 2 weeks (if I make it to 1000 followers I will keep them open for 3 weeks : )

Thanks everyone!

Featured Follower: Toddler Boredom Busters

Today's Featured Follower is Valerie.

She runs an AWESOME blog called:

*click on button to enter blog*

So, Valerie, Tell us a little bit about yourself!


I have been married 6 years to the nerd...I mean LOVE of my life. He likes to help out with the kids and the Boredom Busting too!

I have 4 kids that I had in 4.5 years...my youngest was born 2/16/11.

We live in Colorado and hope to live here until 2031!!! - (when our youngest moves out)


What are some of your favorite things to do during naptime?


Sew, Craft, Dishes, Read, Eat Chocolate, Make Cards, Catch up on Friends/Family/Awesome Blogs!


What is your blog about?


30 minutes of fun for your toddler/preschooler - with items you have in your home. Not necessarily "teaching/curriculum" activities but just fun ideas to break up the day...get the creative juices flowing...turning off the tv and spending fun time with your kids.


What made you want to start your own blog?

I host a 3 year old co-op preschool 2x a week and an art group and wanted to share my ideas with friends and the moms in the group.


I hear your writing a book? What is it about?

I am writing a 4 part series of books for moms with toddlers and the benefits of teaching them while they are little.


Anything else you want to add? (Upcoming giveaways on your site, posts to look for, etc)


There is a HUGE giveaway in April. Crayola is a sponsor. I don't want to be a giveaway blog unless its something we can use together! :D

I have 2 degrees (Meeting Administration and Chemistry) and this summer I have a whole month on Math and another one on Science. I am so excited about it!

So, there you have it folks!

If you haven't already make sure to check out Valerie's blog:

Toddler Boredom Busters

and if you like what you see make sure to follow her with Google Friend Connect!

P.S. I love this website and have been using it for over 2 years now with my own children! : )

P.P.S. If you want to be on the list of upcoming Featured Followers for this blog please e-mail at:
ozarkmamareviews at gmail dot com !

Merle Norman Freebie with Purchase

Ozark Mama Review Followers, mention that you saw this ad and get your freebie with purchase of a cosmetic product (not including cosmetic accessories)- This location only!

Winner of the Bows that Grow Hairbow Set

2/25/11 Bows That Grow Hairbow Set Winner:

Cherie said...

I would want the 1st one pink and brown for my daughter!

Winner has been notified by e-mail. They will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen! Thanks to all who entered!

$5.00 off Coupon for MEGAMIND Movie!

Thinking of buying Mega Mind this weekend? Why don't you visit here first and print out this


$5.00 Off MegaMind Coupon


and save yourself some hard earned money : )

Enjoy!

Free 8 x10 at Walgreens today only! 2/24/11

Don't miss your FREE 8 x 10 Collage at Walgreens (today only)!

They will be having a deal a day for 7 days! Enjoy!

Here's the link: http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/fe/l=en_US/p/store/deals/DealOftheDay?stop_mobi=yes&ec=hncx2666_7daysofdeals&ep_mid=92272963&ep_rid=2961333845

Win a $10 Giftcard to Toys R Us! plus 60+ other giveaways to enter too!

Check it out! Enter 60+ giveaways at once! Check out the 5000 Fan Celebration from Just Married with Coupons on Facebook here! http://on.fb.me/hMFmVM

200 Borders Stores Closing! Save up to 75% off!

Attention Ozark Mamas! Did you get the news that Borders has filed

Ch. 11 Bankruptcy and is closing over 200 of their store locations by

April 2011?


Locations that are closing in the Ozarks include:

Rogers, AR -- Ballwin, MO -- Chesterfield, MO -- Kansas City, MO -- Springfield, MO -- St. Peters, MO -- St. Joseph, MO -- Oklahoma City, OK -- and Tulsa, OK

To see a complete list of the 200 store closings, click here!

Don't miss out on these deals! I've heard that you can save up to 75% off products!

Wordless Wednesday- They are totally related! : )

Well, almost wordless:

Distracted Mommy Spells DISASTER in my house, what about yours?

P.S. Note, this is the same cupboard just a couple of years later. You'd think I would have learned to lock it by now. : )

This is SO going on my next sewing project list!

I can just imagine my little cutie in these this summer! I can't wait to make them! It's super easy too!

Get the tutorial for it here! I love her website! It's where I go for all my crafting ideas when I feel in the mood!

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2009/03/ribbon-capris.html

P.S. I guess I'm in an " ! " right now. lol.

When I'm able to get the sewing machine back out again, I will definitely post a picture of DD's new jeans! : )

What's your secret to "Doing it All"?

I've always wondered this! Some Moms are so much more put together than others. If you feel like you are one of these "put together moms" would you be so kind to share your secrets with the rest of us? I only have 2 kiddos right now but plan on having more in the future. How do you stay on top of things, blog, get your goals accomplished, etc?

Please enlighten us! : )



Thanks,

Featured Follower: "Bows that Grow" and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Our First Ever Featured Follower is:

Meagan with Bows that Grow. (a.k.a The Fergi Fam)

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

Do you have any children?

Well, I have been married for five years now and I am a SAHM of three adorable kids (two boys + one girl).

What are some things that you love to do?

I love to organize! You would never know it by the looks of my house but if I could have all the money in the world I'd have all sorts of shelves, containers, and sorters.

I LOVE to make lists, even if they don't always get accomplished. I made a notebook specifically for my lists.

What are some things that you hate?

I hate taking baths. If for some reason I'm in the mood to take a bath, I have to clean the tub, shower, bathe, and shower after. I find it gross to sit in your own filth.

I hate watching new movies because I'm afraid of what's going to be in them. I hate anything scary, or dirty, and I hate cussing. So I stick to the stuff I know and that's mainly kid movies! :)

What are three things you are really good at?

Okay, off the top of my head...singing. I used to sing in a barbershop quartet. I miss it soooo much! I'm also a licensed cosmetologist and I make AWESOME homemade bread.

What made you think of starting Bows that Grow?

Well, one day I tried a headband on my baby girl and it did not fit her anymore. I had only bought the headband a couple of weeks before that. I decided that there should be something that grows with your child and when I didn't find it, I decided to make it myself : )

How do "Bows that Grow" work?

All of my bows connect together so you can get the size and look you are going for. You can Mix-and-Match them to coordinate with the outfit your little one is wearing as well. Then these bows can connect to my headbands, clippies, barrettes, or even hats. The possibilities are endless and you aren't left with a bow that can't be worn anymore because they "outgrew" it.

Well, thank you Meagan for letting me feature you and for becoming a follower of Ozark Mama Reviews!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for some EXCITING news!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ozark Mama Reviews is teaming up with Bows that Grow to bring you an awesome giveaway. The winner will have their CHOICE from one of these adorable custom-made "3-tier Mix and Match" sets from Bows that Grow.

Here are your choices:

Choice #1:

Choice #2:

Choice #3:
Choice #4:
or Choice #5:

This Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!
Winner is announced in the winners tab at the top of this blog!

Win it! One of my readers will win their CHOICE from one of these Bows that Grow sets above!
Also, for those of you that are interested in purchasing regardless if you win or not there is a promo code that Bows that Grow has offered. Mention the code: SPRING20 in your order to Meagan on her site and receive 20% your total purchase! This code will last until the end of February 2011.

Mandatory Entry:

You must complete these before any other entries count. Also, you must include your e-mail with each entry so that I can contact you if you win. Entries without an e-mail will not be counted in the giveaway. Good Luck!

1. "Like" Bows that Grow on their Facebook page. (1 entry)
   
2. Choose which set you want to win and who it's for (1 entry)
   

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each with your e-mail.

1. Follow this blog with GFC and leave a comment (past followers count) (2 entries)
2. "Heart" the Bows that Grow Etsy shop . (1 entry)
3. "Like" Ozark Mama Reviews on Facebook. (1 entry)
   
4. Follow @ozarkmamareview on Twitter and leave your Twitter handler (1 entry)
   
5. "Tweet" about this giveaway using this tweet (limit 1 tweet entry per day):
   

#Win a "3-tier Mix-and-Match" Headband Set from #BowsthatGrow @ozarkmamareview #giveaway #hairbow http://bit.ly/hPG4ik Ends 2/25

6. Subscribe with RSS to Ozark Mama Reviews (1 entry)
7. Subscribe by e-mail to Bows that Grow (1 entry)
8. Make a purchase from Bows that Grow (10 entries)

This Giveaway will end on February 25, 2011 and is opened to US Residents only! Be sure to leave your e-mail address with each entry and leave separate comments for each entry!

I was not paid to feature this post! I was not compensated in any way!

(P.S. If you would like to be a Featured Follower and are a Follower of Ozark Mama Reviews please contact me at ozarkmamareviews at gmail dot com so we can get you posted!)

Dear Neglected Blog...

You seem to have been put on the back burner this year. Instead, I have been playing "house" and trying to be a good girl and not be distracted by the computer. Well, I'm at my whits end with the never-ending clutter that slaps me in the face each morning, that makes me wonder why it takes me all day to clean one room, and I am back now, to tend to MY needs, lol, to connect with the outside world of Mommies and mostly to procrastinate the mundane tasks I must do everyday. Oh how I look forward to naptime and bedtime each day (although, the little ones must never grow up : )

***********************************
So, here it is: I'm Officially BACK : )

and with that being said:

Now that the blizzards are over (crosses fingers) it looks like my blog could use some Spring Cleaning (thanks to the groundhog for not seeing his shadow). See? I need to do my chores still. Just in the blogging world : )

Things to look forward to:

Posting more often and I'm going to be changing things up a bit. This is my first public blog and things aren't working the way I want them to with me posting so:

I'm planning on posting only 3 times a week. I will most likely be posting on:

Mindful Mondays: Deals of the Week, Fun things going on in the Ozarks that week, Product Reviews, and Meal Planner Monday too!

Wacky Wednesdays: I will still be writing parenting tips or opening up the blog to a therapy session for Moms, and anything else I want to include to give the blog personality, such as craft projects, blogging tips, Wordless Wednesday pictures, etc.

and

Featured Friday: Yes, finally, I will be having a blog follower featured and adding giveaways once in a while as well. If I don't have a feature lined up for the week I will be going to one of your guys blogs and picking an article to link to to feature (with your permission of course...but it's free advertising so I'm sure you wouldn't mind ; )

So, that's all. Thanks for following in my learning process as I get this blog defrosted and for sticking with me even through my "ice" storm.

P.S. Make sure to check Back Friday to get this blog rolling full steam ahead with a Featured Blogger and a Giveaway to top it off : )

Twitter Hop Thursday

Welcome! Follow me @ozarkmamareview and I will follow you back!

If you want to follow me with GFC (right hand side of blog), I will also follow you back as well!

Fumbling into the New Year!

Well hello there! Yes, I admit, I have been lost in my own thoughts and have not taken the time needed for my blog! The New Year has begun and all the stress of Christmas has passed but new things keep popping up every day (higher electric bills). Hopefully the Hubby can get a management job soon! My little boy's 1st birthday was a success! He enjoyed his cake much more than his sister did on her 1st birthday (maybe it's a boy thing...). The poor little guy is teething right now and I can't get his temperature to go down! I hope that's what it is at least. I probably will be taking him in to the doctor tomorrow if I can't get it down. It was 99.5 (armpit) all day yesterday and then this morning it was 101.5 (armpit) and now it's 102.5 (rectal) so, I've given him some tylenol for the 5th time today (which I DISLIKE!) and am hoping that it will go down soon. The good news is that my blog has 59 followers now! Yay! Thanks guys!

So, today's tip for Wisdom Wednesday: (now that I'm trying to get back into the swing of things)

Try to Look at the BIG PICTURE.

If you are putting your child into timeout for the umpteenth time today. Give yourself a little break and step back and think to yourself, maybe, just maybe, they are only trying to get your attention. Have you done anything with them for the past few hours or have you tried to get things on your to do list done only? It wouldn't hurt for you to take 5 minutes out of your routine to play with them in whatever they are doing. (Can you tell I write these notes for myself? So, I can go back and read what my subconscious is telling me? : ) So, to continue, instead of plopping them in front of the TV, try turning on some music and dancing with them, it will make you and them feel better instantly. Man, I can't wait for Summer to be here again so I can get some air! Winter drives me loopy having to stay inside all day!

So, what were your New Year's resoultions? Still sticking to them? (it's only been 5 days, hopefully you have : )

My resolution was to get it together, be on time to places finally, stay on top of the laundry and keep the house in order so that I can take the time to play with the children and not feel overwhelmed with all the clutter. Wanna know something funny my husband and I just talked about? We checked our library account online so he could renew his book. I thought that I only had 2 books checked out but it turns out that I actually have 3 checked out. The 3rd book that is somewhere in this house is titled, "How to organize your life in one week". Yup, it's lost, as you can tell the book is working wonders for me : )

Alright, have fun spending some time with your children this week! In other successes we officially started pre-school lessons with DD this week (she is 3) and it is going great!

Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S. If you knew me in person this is how I really talk, all dis-jumbled, sometimes you have to stop me and tell me that you have no clue what I'm talking about : ) Hopefully you can keep up!