I always marveled at Sheila’s multi-tasking abilities. While I was struggling to get the breakfast dishes of the day cleaned up, Sheila and Dale were out mastering their lucrative careers, which sometimes sent them off travelling on overnight trips. In those days, a trip to the grocery store sent my family off-balance — yet Sheila managed her jet-setting with grace and style.

And her two boys, with their endearing bright eyes, were the epitome of balanced, happy kids.

How did she do it?

Now I know her secret. Sheila had foresight. She foresaw every imaginable scenario and she planned for it. Her planning led her to written lists, checklists and instructions. She had mastered the art of “leaving your kids” and documented every detail of the excursion so that it was  down to a hard science. While she had a regular caregiver, who knew her kids like a Grandma, there were always those unforeseen emergencies when Grandma, an Aunt or a neighbor had to step in. Thanks to those lists, anyone could step in and do what Shelia, and her boys, needed.

Of course, being the organizational wizard that she is, Sheila has collected her forms and documents in a handy-spiral-bound book, The Infant and Toddler Guide for Busy Parents™ .

Inside, you’ll find a place to list nap, sports and after-school schedules, places to record school and pediatrician contact numbers, as well as official documents to be used in the, heaven-forbid — emergency. But it’s not just for the kids — Sheila includes checklists for running the house (garbage day!) so that the entire household keeps running smoothly while you’re gone. This book is Sheila’s “science for leaving the kids” in one handy reference.  This is simply peace of mind in a book.

Visit Sheila’s website to get your copy. Also, check out her Pet Care Guide.

]]> http://www.susiej.com/reviews/index.php/the-infant-and-toddler-guide-for-busy-parents/feed/ 1 http://www.susiej.com/reviews/index.php/minteds-charming-christmas-cards/ http://www.susiej.com/reviews/index.php/minteds-charming-christmas-cards/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:58:21 +0000 SusieJ http://www.susiej.com/reviews/?p=529 Minted invited me to select, once again, their award-winning personalized Christmas cards. I was delighted, as I worked with Minted last year, and the cards were beautiful, and easy to incorporate my own photos into their award-winning designs. Still, the greatest part about this early Christmas card review is that I have the motivation, and the deadline, to get my cards done the week of Halloween.

Once again, I went for the yearline card, which allows me to add one large photo on the front, and four smaller photos on the inside. The perfect solution for those of us with lots of kids, and no single great “family shot” where no one is blinking, frowning or looking the other way. There is a box that allows you to select where you want the photo to appear on the card, and an icon to upload the photos.

This year, I choose “Snowflake Window Holiday Card,” designed by Stacey Day, in Birmingham Alabama. The gorgeous part of this card, is that a snowflake appears on the front, directly over the picture.

Once your photos are in place, you move on to the “caption” area. In the Yearline card, there is space to write a “caption” to tell the story of your year; an express version of the “Christmas letter. ” I use the space to add funny things the kids say, such as “Mom, I’m glad you married Dad, or I would look completely different.”

This year my quotes went over the text limit, again, but there is a warning message on top that relieved me of stress: “If your text is cut off or placement is off, please don’t worry. A professional designer will make sure your text is clean and legible.” And that is exactly what my designer did. Everything fit.

And this is the picture:

The effect is stunning, as the snowflakes literally jump off the page, and appear to look as if they are part of the actual picture.

Thank you Minted, for making that one holiday stress so “stress free.”  Is it time to watch the Bishop’s Wife yet?

Minted provided me with 25 free cards to try. I purchased an additional 75 cards.

Chocolate, it turns out, is a much better carrier for these microorganisms. Chocolate — no kidding.

A study done at the University of Ghent in Belgium found that 80 percent of chocolate-based probiotics pass safety through the stomach vs. 20 percent of milk/yogurt drink-based probiotics. The cocoa butter in the chocolate protects the probiotics, eliminating the need for refrigeration, for up to one year – No need for refrigeration.

Joseph Maroon, MD and author of The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life, worked with Maramor Chocolates to create an entire line of chocolates fortified with essential probiotics. These chocolate bars are individual wrapped (just one per day) and are packed with microencapsulated probiotics. A single bar of dark chocolate is 80 calories; 70 calories for milk chocolate.

Maramor sent me two box samples of both the milk and dark chocolate probiotic bars. Once I read the fact sheet about how healthy the chocolate was, I expected to taste cardboard.

I was wrong; and I was surprised. The taste of this chocolate is very good; addictively good; and my kids are sneaking chocolate bars out of the box when they think I’m not looking.

I don’t mind the the security of knowing that at least they’re eating something healthy, which just happens to taste delicious.

Just one of the phrases I’ve been hearing repeated lately by my coach for the Wii.

I’m into week three of my compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.

Here are my measurements to date:

• Height 62″
• Bust 35″
• Waist: 29.5″ — dropped 1.5 inches!!
• Hips: 38.5″
• Upper thigh 20″ — dropped one!
• Weight: Two weeks ago: 133
• Last week: 129 !!!!
• Today! 127!!! Six pounds lost so far!

I will add that this week has been one of the most stressful weeks I’ve had for a very long time; so this may have something to do with it. But still, I am enjoying my little 30 minute workouts with the Wii, and seeing if I can beat the little calorie burn sessions. I seem to have no problem going over the calorie burn rate — and I am not sure how EA Sports Active for the Wii figures that out, but it sure feels great when I see those calories burning.

The thing about weight is that it can be a tricky thing; muscles weighs more than fat.  So while you may feel yourself getting smaller, and your clothes getting looser, your weight may actually stay stagnant or, in fact rise. A real indicator of whether or not you are getting in shape is to take measurements — because while muscle weighs more than fat, it takes up less space.

Sports Active is directed toward strength training as a way to stay fit; so muscle (especially in my weak arms and shoulders) is on its way. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take measurements first, like Fluid Pudding did. But I have them documented now, I am interested to see if I loose any inches as I move through my 30 day challenge.

• Height 62″
• Bust 35″
• Waist: 31″
• Hips: 39″
• Upper thigh 21″
• Weight: Two weeks ago: 133
• Today: 129 !!!!

I’m pleased with the results, obviously. But water weight gain and other fluctutations can make a big difference from week to week on just a few pounds. The real key is to see how my measurements stack up toward the end of the workout.  I am enjoying the challenge; it’s keeping me focused on on-track, especially when the boys say, “Mom, are you ready to do your wokout today? We’ve got it all set up for you!”

So, as I’m working my way through the in-line skating, which asks me to literally jump into the air, as if I’m jumping off the ramp, (actually, it’s kind of fun), my boys, experts as they are on these video games, start explaining to me that all I have to do is “lift the numchuck up in the air, and then you don’t have to jump!”

Let me explain: The numchuck is actually stuck in a little pocket in the leg band that is velcroed around my upper thigh. This allows The Wii to track how high, and even if, I’m jumping. If I pull out the numchuck from its little pocket, and lift my arm up in the air, Wii will think I am actually jumping, when I would in fact just be lifting my hand.

Of course, this wouldn’t be as much fun as actually jumping the ramps, and nor would it burn as many calories; so it’s counterproductive to the goal here. Although, definitely, the lazy way around things.

So, when I’m done, the boys take their turn and give the in-line skating a whirl, using only their hands. And Guess what? The Wii knows you’re cheating. The wrist has a way of naturally spinning that numchuck around in a way that it knows the thigh can’t do… and pretty soon, the coach starts admonishing you with messages like these: “You’re going to have to put a bit more effort in this if you want to start seeing results.”

What a slam. So, just keep the numchuck in your little pocket, and do the routines like you’re supposed to. Because, the Wii knows if you’re cheating. No getting around it.

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

Please check out the official EA Sports official site for more information: EA Sports Active official site.

Thankfully, this summer I’m participating in a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii.

This 30-day challenge will put me directly in front of my TV, where I’ll participate in a variety of Wii cardio activities, like in-line skating, boxing, and of course, running. Once a day for 30 days. (See below for a chance to win your own copy of EA Sports Active for the Wii.)

Of course, because it’s June, this also means I’ll be at the lake house. The Wii is portable. Just a few plugs unhooked, and we’re set to go.

The EA Sports Active for the Wii 30-day challenge will collect information about my weight and height and devise a custom workout plan for me to follow, with a personal trainer to help teach me the exercises. Each minute, I’ll be able to see exactly how many calories I’m burning during the workout.

The best part? Variety. Each day, I’ll have a different customized workout, with variety. I won’t be bored, plus the exercises will target a different set of specific muscle groups each day.

Throughout the month, I’ll continue to eat healthy meals continue my yoga routines through out challenge. (I do have to stay sane.)

I’m not the only one getting fit this summer. Check out the other reviewers, and get five chances to win a copy of EA Sports Active.

UPDATE Week I:

Read here, about my Week I of the 30-day challenge: The boys tried to get me to cheat…

Week II Update:

Guess How Much I Weigh Now? I took measurements and started calculating how many pounds I’ve gained. Read more here:

Week III Update:

It’s official. I am now “Poetry in Motion!”

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

Please check out the official EA Sports official site for more information: EA Sports Active official site.

There are a scant 20-30 pages left of this historical novel, Stealing Athena,by Karen Essex; How will see tie the loose ends in the few pages left in this epic that spans centuries with parallel epics that cover art, romance and sex? Lady Elgin is in a perilous predicament with her husband — something even her own money and royal line can’t protect her from; while Lord Elgin uses her money to recover the Greek treasures. (What will become of her children?) Aspasia, courtesan lover of the great Pericles, has betrayed him with a secret, shaking the freedom of the artist who create the great sculptures.  Essex has roped me in with her historical facts of Napoleon’s ravages during the war, the customs of the Turks, where Lady Elgin served as an ambassador with her husand, the erection of the Greek Statues, mingled with the human, day-to-day drama of human weakness and passion.

There’s no stress quite like the one that comes from creating the holiday Christmas Card.  For some friends and relatives who live too far for visits, your holiday card is the only glimpse they have of your family, and what they’ve been up to for the last 365 days.

I’ve always looked at the holiday card as the pivotal year-end point to review, not just the high-points of our lives, but to share the funniest moments from our lives together.  No letter — just brief highlights from the year. So, needless to say, creating the Christmas Card is a high point of stress in my life; the traditional photo cards are too small for our words, and I end up designing my own card every year.

Parent Bloggers Network asked me to try Minted, an on-line stationery designer known for their artistry, exquisite printing and superb papers. Minted uses independent designers that I could never find on my own, and stationery brands you can’t find from mainstream retailers.

When I clicked on the holiday card selections, I was truly amazed to see a unique card design, that incorporates five pictures, (including the main large one on the front), with room for a paragraph under four of the pictures.  This “yearline” design (see photo above) fit my needs beautifully — as I could write a brief, humorous summary for each of the four pictures; Minted grouped each section by the four seasons.  If you prefer the traditional Christmas letter, this format is also offered, and looks like this:

I chose my card, (which, after you’ve seen the designs, you’ll see was not easy). My selection was the  Holiday Delights Holiday Card by Oscar+Emma Design. Next, I simply uploaded the five photos I wanted.  As the files were uploading, a message from Minted popped up, explaining that their professional designers would take care of cropping and resizing my images to fit into the card. What a relief!

The Next step was to type in the text I wanted for each of the four sections.  Of course, my text didn’t fit. Instead of asking me to “edit” what I wrote, the Minted designer simply worked with the text formatting and design so that the finished card would accommodate my words; without looking cramped.

There’s also a place to add your family’s name, greeting style and color.  Once I was done submitting the photos, entering text, and choosing my options, I saved them, and placed my order.

No less than 24 hours later, I received in e-mail from Minted with my Christmas Card proof attached for my review. My card required the Minted designer to do quite a bit of tweaking; changing the “circle” pictures to “squares” and changing the fonts.  She presented me with two versions to pick from. My choice was made, and final edits were sent back. The process was effortless, easy, and fast.

I received my completed Christmas Cards in ten days; and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  I opened the box to find beautiful cards — I mean gorgeous cards– the kinds of cards you typically find in the form of a wedding invitation. I’m in love with my Christmas cards.

These cards, naturally, are quite expensive.  However, the entire design, and ordering process from Minted truly made what once was such a stressful nightmare every year, a breeze.  I may actually have time to make Christmas cookies this year.  Still, remember this; for some of your friends and family, your holiday card is perhaps as close as they’ll get to your family this year. Make it count.

The longer I listened and learned from the Total Transformation Program, the more I began to believe that ineffective parenting causes problem behavior in children. While driving in my car, listening to behavioral therapist James Lehman on the audio CDs explain how to handle Oppositional Defiant Disorder in children, I realized how I had been setting my own kids up to misbehave. The good news is, the program shows you step by step how to stop what you’re doing, so you can reverse the spiral of bad behavior. A big thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network for introducing me to this educational series.

For example; one of my sons has learned that if he throws a REALLY big fit about taking out the garbage, I will still make him take out the garbage; but I probably won’t ask him to do it again. This kid is totally manipulating me; and he knows it. I shudder to think of the example I’m setting for his brothers.

We have heard the advice before: Set clear limits for our children, and let them experience the consequences of their actions. But as parents, we need to be reminded. Sometimes, our children have health, emotional or behavior issues that “they just can’t help,” and we become lax at enforcing the limits and rules we’ve set for everyone else in the family. Soon, this becomes a habit, and kids begin to think, “It’s OK if I don’t have to do my chores when I get home from school, because I’m worn out from the kid who bullied me all day.” Lehman explains that the real world will not compensate our kids for their excuses. It’s up to parents to teach our kids to take responsibility for their own behavior, and to learn to function and lead a productive life with whatever handicaps they may have.

As parents we can feed the monster of giving our kids “special treatment” without realizing that we’re setting our kids up to be defiant.

Can you imagine trying to negotiate yourself out of a speeding ticket when the officer walks up to your car? It doesn’t work; I’ve tried it. But, as Lehman explains, when we let our kids negotiate their way out of what’s expected of them, we’re not being fair to our children. We’re giving our kids a false sense of the way the world works. Life will be especially difficult for our children if we force them to learn the reality of self-responsibility as adults.

The Total Transformation Program starts with an Introduction DVD. This was my least favorite part of the program; some of the acting, I felt was difficult to watch. From there, you start the 7-audio lessons, one per week, that really take you into the meat of the program. Each lesson is presented by Lehman himself. I listened to these in the car; over and over again whenever I needed a pep talk. The CDs include examples, and direct strategies you can implement immediately; and lead you to self examination about the type of language you’re using with your children, and the “type” of parental behavior you need to change.

There is also a 118-page workbook that helps you identify which type of behavior problems you are having. Recognizing and understanding the problem is the first step to recovery, and I am currently doing the workbook four times, one time for each child. Each child is different.

The program demands time, work, and introspection. The price tag for the complete program, is hefty: $327. Still, how much would a year in therapy cost? However, the program is guaranteed to work for you or your money back. You pay only $19.00 for shipping and handling ($25 to Canadian destinations). If, and only if, you decide to keep the Total Transformation Program after the completion of the 30-Day Free Program Trial, the cost is three monthly payments of $109.00.

You can also sign up for the Parental Support Line, which is $1 for the first 30 days, and $29 per month after that. If you want to check out James Lehman and what he has to offer, sign up for his Empowering Parents enewsletter. (Sign up is on the bottom of the page.)

Check out the free trial at The Total Transformation Website. It could easily change your life — as well as the life of your kids.