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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Get Thee to the Golden Potty: Potty Training Tips for Success {Baby BJORN Giveaway}

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Did you know that June is National Potty Training Month?  

 Thankfully, as my “gift” my two-year-old graduated to “Ariel panties” last week (we capitalized on her love of the Little Mermaid to incentivize her to ditch the diapers.) However, it’s was a long road to get here and every child is different. I can certainly attest since some of my most-beaten down moments as a mom has been regarding potty training over the last few years. 


Heck, just two weeks ago my daughter peed on my shoes in the middle of Target. Lucky me as I got on the floor with a clean diaper to clean up the mess and then shortly jetted out of the store in hopes no one had witnessed my moment of total meltdown. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way everytime, right?
So here’s a great list of top potty training tips from Pediatrician Dr. Robyn Strosaker, from UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital to act as some great pointers for potty training success.
And stay tuned below for an even better reward for both you and your child for potty progress from BABYBJÖRN.

Win a limited edition gold BabyBJORN smart potty for the ultimate potty-training success! The potty is compact and convenient, and the soft plastic edges mean that your child sits comfortably. It is easy to empty and clean and will rest firmly on the floor, even if your child moves about.
  

Enter below by answering the question: 


“What’s your best or worst potty training story or tip?”


Cool Summer Camps You Can Still Get Into! {As Seen on Fox Good Day)

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For the last few weeks, the constant chatter among moms has been “Where are your kids going this summer?” 


 While there are TONS of fun ways to do summer in DFW for kiddos, many of them also fill up quickly in early spring. However, that doesn’t mean that all the good ones are taken! So I did my research and found a few of the coolest ones I came across that were still accepting registration. Each one varies in cost, age requirements and dates, but they all look fun to me! 

Hopefully you were able to check out this segment on Fox Good Day I did on May 31, but just in case, I have the list of the camps I featured as well as a link to get registered. My one recommendation? You better do it quick! 

BAKE AND PLAY CAMP – Summer Camp

Ideal Age: Preschool age

Fun camps with cooking, crafts and lunch!

Half Day: 9 a.m. -1 p.m. or Noon – 4 p.m.
$40 per session per day pre-purchase a 5-day pack for a free day – $160
Lakewood


 SPANISH SCHOOLHOUSE – Summer Immersion Camp

Ages 2 years – Kindergarden
Spanish immersion with fun themes! Perfect for kids with no Spanish language experience or Spanish-speaking parents.
Two week sessions for 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and extended stay is $145-$294 for two days to five days June and July.
13 locations throughout DFW


 DALLAS ZOO – Wild Adventures Zoo Camp

Ages Preschool – 12th grade
Single-day camp or week-long camps from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with before/after camp options.  Campers
enjoy tours, games, arts and crafts, and up close animal encounters.
Dallas/Oak Cliff

TEXAS RANGERS SUMMER CAMPS & CLINICS

Ages 4-12 years old
There’s nothing like learning from the big league! Learn the basics for your little rookies or for your more advanced player, refine and perfect their skills with several different times and times available throughout the summer.
Arlington


 YMCA SUMMER CAMPS & SPORTS CAMPS

Whether it’s weekly Summer Camp for teens, Summer Day Camp for school aged children, Sports Camps or Half-Day Summeer Camp for younger children, the Y can help you and your family have a fun, safe summer! 

 While you don’t have to be a member to participate, when you are, you can even get the half-day camps FOR FREE (with your $19 weekly supply fee.) That’s awesome. Period. 

 Multiple locations across the Metroplex

 http://www.ymca-arlington.org
http://www.ymcadallas.org
http://www.ymcafw.org


 LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER DFW in Grapevine – Summer Sunny D Lego Camp

Ages 6-11
Four-day camps throughout the summer from 8-11 a.m. for $125
Four sessions in LEGO bricks through interactive team build with FREE Annual Pass and special goody bag with t-shirt.
Grapevine
www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/dallasfw

What cool camps do you know of or are your kids participating in this summer?

Can Film Festival Comes to Colleyville This Weekend {Freebie}

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Just typing up that headline made me excited. 

And while the whole thought of Angelina and Brad on the red carpet during a visit to Colleyville would definitely be one of my OMG! moments…I should probably make note this CAN Film Festival is spelled much differently than the other Cannes Film Festival before I get my hopes up.


But you CAN get lay your eyes on Angelina for FREE this weekend in her newest movie Maleficent (which officially opens TODAY) at the newest Studio Movie Grill in Colleyville during their “Can Film Festival.”




A great promotion as seen through this marketers eyes, you can get a free movie ticket for every two canned goods or non-perishable food items brought to this SMG location. There is no limit, so a family of five could bring in 10 canned goods and receive five tickets to see any movie during the weekend. However, I bet you know which one I’ll be there to watch. Hey, I might even bring the kids:) 

Studio Movie Grill – Colleyville
5655 Colleyville Blvd.
Colleyville, Texas 76034
www.studiomoviegrill.com











Summertime Recipes with Strawberries, Lemons and Avocados, Oh My!

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Nothing says summer more like strawberries. And a few lemons and avocados make a nice complement as well. (Can you say guacamole?) 


So with June just on the horizon, we played ode to the summer today on Good Morning Texas featuring the unofficial fruits of summer (yes, these are all fruits!)

STRAWBERRY COLADA CAKE

Inspired by http://www.aspicyperspective.com/2010/05/farmstand-fresh.html

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 
2 cups sugar 
3 eggs 
3 Tb. lemon juice, divided 
zest of 1 lemon 
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided 
½ tsp. baking soda 
½ tsp. salt 8 oz. Greek yogurt, plain 
12 oz. fresh strawberries, diced 
1 cup powdered sugar 
2 Tb. of cream of coconut 
¼ c. shredded coconut 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.  

Sift together the 2 ¼ cups of flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the lemon zest and set aside. 

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 Tb. lemon juice. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated. Toss the strawberries with the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Gently mix them into the batter. 

Pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Place in the oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 

Allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Once cooled, whisk together the remaining 2 Tb. of lemon juice and the powdered sugar with cream of coconut. Drizzle over the top of the cake and sprinkle coconut as desired.

STRAWBERRY JALAPENO SALSA

15-20 strawberries, chopped 
1/3 medium red onion 
Handful of cilantro, chopped 
1 Jalapeno, finely minced 
Juice of fresh lime 

 Mix everything in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with tortilla chips or cinnamon chips. 

 * Cinnamon chips can be made easily in the oven! Broil several flour tortillas sprayed with cooking spray and cut into 8 triangles (use a pizza cutter to cut several easily)until brown. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar to the chips.


 Strawberry salad with avocado and bacon vinaigrette

6 cups spinach, kale or greens mix 
2 cups sliced strawberries 
1 ripe avocado, sliced
Crumbled bleu cheese (optional)

 

8 slices bacon, diced

3 tablespoons stone ground mustard

2 tablespoons honey

3 cloves chopped garlic

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

 

Place salad, strawberries and avocado into a large bowl and set aside.

For the dressing, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, set aside and crumble. Add mustard, honey, garlic, and salt and pepper to the pan with the bacon dripping. Combine well with a whisk. Whisk apple cider vinegar into the pan. Continue to whisk until the vinaigrette has thickened slightly. 

Allow to cool slightly before adding to salad. Add bleu cheese crumbles (optional.)

Now it’s time to find a recipe for a strawberry mojito! 

Five Must-Haves to Fight ALLERGY FACE®

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZYRTEC®

I’ve spent the last five days looking a lot like Samantha from Bewitched. You, know the old show with the witch that twitches her nose? 

Unfortunately, I can’t cast spells and believe me I’ve about had it with all the twitching, itching and everything that comes with allergies. Especially in Texas when you never know how the weather is going to affect you, it’s a gamble on how I’m going to feel and look every day. And considering I still have to be on TV with an upcoming segment on WFAA Good Morning Texas on summer-perfect recipes, I have to do whatever I can to make sure I feel great and look even better.

Without a doubt, I rely first thing in the morning with to give me 24-hour relief of allergy symptoms. That means I can get on with my day without wondering if my allergies are going to take over. But I have to do a little more to get rid of the ALLERGY FACE® with watery eyes, red nose and a puffy face! But it doesn’t mean I have to look like what I feel on the days that my allergies are at their worst!


ZYRTEC® has partnered with celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg to help allergy sufferers combat ALLERGY FACE® with six makeup “looks” perfect for allergy sufferers trying to look their best!




She’s put her brushes on almost everyone in Hollywood, so I’m excited to put all her tips of the trade to work. From a barely there makeup look to all the glitz and glamour of being ready to walk the red carpet, Jamie has tips for everyone on the ZYRTEC® Facebook page. 

With the help of just one ZYRTEC® daily and five beauty products you probably already have in your make up bag, you can feel and look fresh-faced and fabulous (with a little help from Jamie!) 


Make Up Must-Haves for Fighting ALLERGY FACE®: 
  1. Shimmery white color shadow
  2. black eyeliner
  3. black mascara
  4. concealer
  5. cheek/lip stain

And of course, don’t forget your ZYRTEC®! 


Want more tips on how you can feel and look your best? Join us for the ZYRTEC® #ALLERGYFACE Twitter Party! 

Twitter party participants will be entered to win up to $500 in gift cards from Sephora!  Please join us at the ZYRTEC® Twitter party on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 from 9 pm to 10 pm EST / 6 pm to 7 pm PST. You can follow the hashtag #ALLERGYFACE during the party.

And make sure you stock up on your daily fighter for ALLERGY FACE® with ZYRTEC®!


This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZYRTEC®

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Four Tips for Family Fun at Scarborough Renaissance Festival

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Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary VIP admission to experience Scarborough Renaissance Festival with my kids for purposes of this review. All opinions, thoughts and photos are my own. 

This Memorial Day weekend we wanted to enjoy some fun family time and do something different. Not a new restaurant or new museum, but something fun, interactive and new for us all to experience, not just the kids. With Scarborough Renaissance Festival celebrating its last weekend of the 2014 season and less than one hour away, it was just what we were looking for to do a little learning and exploring for a beautiful Sunday!


As a long-time resident of Dallas, I have heard about Scarborough for years, but haven’t ever gone. I wasn’t sure what to expect and especially if I wasn’t going to go in full costume, I wouldn’t have fun. However, with the kids in tow, a stroller and my camera, I was ready to see what the afternoon would present. 


Now after spending the afternoon, I now have a better idea of what to bring or do to make sure you have an even better family-fun experience! 

Four Tips for Family Fun at Scarborough Renaissance Festival

1. Bring the right stroller (ready for rugged terrain) and wear the right shoes since it’s all gravel and grass.

2. Wear the sunscreen and hat. 
3. Bring cash. (There’s an ATM onsite, but it’ll save you time and money in line!) 

4. Get a program with the map and make a checklist of what you want to do so you don’t miss anything!)

Here are just a few of the things we really enjoyed while we were there only for about four hours (although we could have stayed longer!)

MUST-DO: MERMAID LAGOON
We’re huge Ariel fans, so this was a must! 

MUST DO: Eat a Turkey Leg! 


MUST DO: Fool Hearts! 
(I don’t even like clowns, but these guys were hilarious for all ages and in the shade!) 
MUST DO: Ride the Rides! 
Totally worth the money (a few dollars) to enjoy authentic rides that are done manually – no technology or electricity!

MUST-DO: Get a Costume or at Least Try Them On!

MUST-DO: Enjoy the Fun Attractions and Authentic Architecture! 


MUST DO: Ride the Elephants or the Camel! 
While the 2014 season is now complete, make sure you put Scarborough on your list for Spring 2015! 

This Pina Colada Can Help You Slimdown to Lose Weight in 14 Days

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Disclaimer: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim http://www.my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

For me, Mother’s Day came and went like most days – I worked, they played. However, this Mother’s Day, a group of friends and I realized what we really wanted was to GO AWAY. Unfortunately a glamorous weekend away to somewhere exotic wasn’t in the books or the wallet, so we planned a whole 18-hours away at a local resort to learn what Julia was talking about in Eat Pray Love. “Il noche far niente”…right next to the pool. 

That meant I was going to have to put on a swimsuit…

 While that was almost a reason to cancel my train to Relaxville, I thought it might be a little easier to take off at least a little poundage before the big day, which was about a month away. However, already at my wits’ end, I needed a plan that was quick, easy, tasty and healthy for me to successfully stay with it to lose weight. I needed to do something that I could easily start tomorrow and didn’t take up my whole day to do it right. Something that worked with my schedule and wasn’t something I wasn’t going to hate to eat, but instead look forward to so I was motivated to keep on going. 


Motivation like sipping an ice-cold, creamy pina colada, next to the pool, without a care in the world. 


 Thankfully, Slimfast’s newest, limited-edition flavor, Pina Colada, is exactly that, but full of the vitamins, protein and other good stuff you need to help you lose weight. And with their handy refrigerated four-pack, they are grab n go to fit my lifestyle – in the car, in my purse, next to my computer and whereever my day takes me!  There’s no extra work for me to prepare or plan, and each time I took off the top and took my first drink, I was reminded that in just two weeks, I would be at the pool enjoying doing nothing in my bathing suit. It was almost like I was getting a taste of my vacay each time I enjoyed my Slimfast pina colada. 


 Slimfast® 14 Days to Slim program is a convenient and delicious way to lose up to lose 6 pounds in the first 2 weeks. Found at most major grocery stores, the whole line of Slimfast products can help you stay on track while eating many of the things you love to eat and drink. The Slimfast website even helps create a personalized plan based on your weight loss goals. 

And to sweeten the deal, you can enter the Slimfast 14 Days to Slim Challenge Sweepstakes on Slimfast’s Facebook page. You and one other lucky winner will “Unlock Your Closet” and receive $5,000 grand prize to a specific retailer or a Visa/Amex gift card! That not only will buy you a new swimsuit, but a whole new wardrobe after losing those pounds! So get ready to share what you want to wear and you may win! 

 Just check out my “Unlock My Closet” Pinterest Board! And while you’re there, check out all the tips to help you slim down with Slimfast!

What’s do you want to wear when you lose weight? 



          


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Get the Gift That Shows Off Your Grad & Their Personality

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Disclaimer: I received a sample shirt to see how unique PrepSportswear and its ordering options are compared to other companies. 

When you live less than five miles from the home of the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys you see a lot of spirit apparel (I can’t even begin to enumerate what I’ve seen you can put a logo on). And when you live in “North Texas” (the whole region of Texas from about Waco to the Oklahoma border), you see even more college spirit shirts. Basically, when it comes down to it, we North Texans are a spirited group of folks and we find it absolutely necessary to show our allegiance to our team (or at least where our money goes to for college) on a shirt we wear with pride throughout the year.


With graduation just around the corner, it was time for me to purchase gifts for a few special folks to appropriately ship them off to their new home away from home with their new namesake. While I could have walked into any college bookstore or go to a few of the well-known online retailers to get a shirt, I wanted something different. Something that I knew that they wouldn’t get from anyone else and would be able to strut onto campus with a little unique flair that showed who they are.

Prep Sportswear is one of the new online shops for custom apparel and gear featuring your school, college, Greek, military, destination, golf course, international teams and new Vintage line. Their portfolio of brands covers all the bases and offers officially licensed merchandise in styles that speak to your individual taste.

The custom process starts with picking your school, college or other organization. Then choose from a wide array of t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants, etc… and select the logo along with custom options. Prep Sportswear uses quality materials that include 100% cotton, organic and performance from brands such as Russell, Alternative Apparel, Champion, etc. , so you are guaranteed to get a comfortable fit no matter what you order. For those that are looking to customize other aspects of life, they have you covered. Personalize everything from backpacks to iPad and cell phone skins, to blankets, scarves and towels.


While the site is still working on getting a lot of the major sports teams and universities, you can search their inventory and find out quickly if they have a shirt or item that you are looking for. 

And for those of us not quite looking at college yet, check out all the school shirts available in just Arlington. There’s almost a 100 to choose from in Arlington alone. 

See if your school makes the list at: http://www.prepsportswear.com. 









Summer Camps for All Your LEGO Builders + Pilots-in-the-Making

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What I wouldn’t give to be a kid and go to summer camp! My son is already signed up for some of the coolest camps including outdoor adventure camp, cooking camp, karate camp and even golf camp. 

Then I found two more that sounded like so much fun, but he’s just not old enough. However, yours might be just be the right age, so I highly suggest getting registered ASAP! 

Kids who love LEGO will love summer camp at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth. Along with Sunny Delight, kids ages 6-11 will have a chance to further their love of LEGO bricks through interactive team builds where they get to work hand-in-hand with the model building team.  Additional activities include free play and team games in the attraction as well as a Sunny Delight snack break.  All kids will receive one FREE Annual Pass and special goody bag with t-shirt.

Sessions: 
Session 1:  Monday, June 23 – Thursday, June 26
Session 2:  Monday, July 14 – Thursday, July 17
Session 3:  Monday, July 21– Thursday, July 24
Session 4: Monday, August 4 – Thursday, August 7
Sunny D Summer Camp LEGO Camps
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051
Sessions run 8 a.m. to 11 a.m
Cost: $125 per camper
Take off This Summer at 2014 Eagle Aviation Camp
I still wish I could have gone to Space Camp growing up, but I’ve found the next best thing. Eagle Aviation Camp is a great opportunity for children to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure into the world of aviation. Fifth through 8th graders can experience the world of aviation through a week of tours of aviation facilities along with fun and educational activities. Kids will meet aviation professionals while sharing their perspectives and stories as they explore aviation. Did I mention flight simulators, too? 
One-week camp includes:
  • Transportation for field trips for flight themed attractions like birds at the Zoo.
  • Lunches (unless you have dietary issues)
  • Snacks (including Go Go squeeze!)
Just make sure to sign up now – registration deadline is MAY 24! 
Eagle Aviation Camp 2014

American Airlines C.R. Smith Flight Museum
4601 Highway 360, Fort Worth, TX 76155
June 9-13, June 16-20 & June 23-27/8 am – 4:30 p.m.
Students entering 5th – 8th grade)
$250 for CR Smith Museum Members/$300 for CR Smith Museum Non-Members
To register, visit http://crsmithmuseum.org/pdf/EagleCamp2014.pdf




Six Tips to Finding Your Summer Babysitter!

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As a mama with a lot of hats to wear (what mom doesn’t, right?), I have to call in for reinforcements for when the busy gets even busier like this week… Hello, babysitter! So today SurePayroll is working with MamaChallenge to bring tips about finding the right babysitter for your family. I know I’m taking notes and I suggest you do, too! 

Experts suggest signs of a strengthening economy mean more people are back to work and the demand for sitters will continue to grow.  SurePayroll, which provides nanny payroll services to thousands of families nationwide, notes that parents looking for a summer nanny will need to get ahead of the curve using both traditional and social media methods.

“Parents are off to a good start when they create a nanny plan,” said Lori Bolas, director at SurePayroll, and a mother of two.  “They should outline exactly what their needs are, how long they need help for, and their expectations.  They should be as specific as possible.  Parents also should do some research and take a look at their own financials as they budget, they’ll need to make sure to budget for paying The Nanny Tax.”

Tip #1: Word of mouth
Parents should not forget the power of good old-fashioned word-of-mouth when it comes to looking for a nanny, both the new and the old-school way.  They can spread the word at cocktail parties, at PTA meetings, local school events and even walking their dog.

Parents also can call, text and email their friends, family and neighbors asking for recommendations, and requesting that they share their need with any interested candidates.  Good nannies tend to find new employment through their current employers, so make sure to ask other working mothers with nannies, since they are usually eager to help their trusted nannies find work when they are no longer needed.

Tip #2:  Social Media – Your Community in the Cloud
If a mom or dad belongs to a parents’ listserv or a social community network such as Facebook, now is the time to harness the power of social media.  Parents should write a detailed and thoughtful job description and post away!  They will want to make sure to turn on their privacy settings so that only their friends and family can view their request and information.  Parents should not be afraid to send the request out several times over the course of a few weeks, in case people don’t always check their timelines.

Tip #3:  Grass Roots Job Postings
Parents should get moving and hit the pavement!  They can post their job description on local church bulletin boards and ladies locker rooms at local gyms and country clubs.  The teacher’s lounges at the local schools and park districts also have places to post requests.  And don’t forget the jobs boards at local community colleges and even some high schools.  Be sure not to post too much personal detail and only use generalities about where you live.

Tip #4:  The Nanny Network
Nannies know and socialize with other like-minded nannies.  Parents should ask their friend’s nannies for recommendations that they can contact.  There also are social networks for nannies, and parents can visit these sites and post their request there as well.

Tip #5:  Nanny Agencies
For a fee, nanny agencies can connect parents with qualified summer nanny candidates.  The agencies can be a little more expensive, but the nannies are pre-screened, and the service usually includes a background check.  In addition, family satisfaction with the nanny may be guaranteed for a specific period of time.

Tip #6:  Online Nanny Websites
Online nanny websites are tremendously popular, of little cost to the parent, and are usually free for the nanny candidate.  Parents can post detailed information on what kind of seasonal nanny they are seeking, along with any photos they wish to share.  A background check can be included as well.  Sites like SitterCity.com and Care.com have found thousands of qualified nannies for parents across the country.

Finding a summer nanny can be fairly quick and easy if parents follow these suggestions.  Families should always be sure to carefully vet their seasonal help with a background and reference check.
How do find babysitters? 




[1] Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics – http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm

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