Hangin' With Santa

Have a great weekend! Cookie and I are going to hang with this guy...




Cheers to meeting Santa for the first time and making memories!

Online Shopping Tips and Tricks on A Budget

Though some say that the economy is rapidly deteriorating the good news is that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well. The good news is, it isn't stopping parents from shopping for their kids' this holiday season. This is definitely great news for keeping Santa employed and the kids (okay and retailers) happy!

However, this holiday season I thought I would try something a little different and actually set-up a holiday-shopping budget so I don't wind up overspending. This year I have found that the ease of shopping for gifts online has been a great option for this Rookie Mom when it comes to looking to save both money and time. I can shop in my jammers, I can get it done while on the road and most importantly I do not have to worry about hauling Cookie all over town.

So for this chilly Friday, I thought I would share some helpful online shopping tips for parents looking to get the most for their money this holiday season.

• Comparison Shopping:
Take advantage of price comparison websites this holiday season. Websites like Price Grabber, Bizrate or Nextag allow consumers to search for whatever type of product they are looking for. For instance, let's say you’re looking for the KidKraft Savannah Dollhouse. Go onto Price Grabber and search for the product you are looking for. Price Grabber compiles a list of online retailers that sell the dollhouse, telling you how much it costs at each site, plus any additional charges. Now you can shop around from the convenience of your own home!

• Smart Searching:
Websites like SearchPerks and Scour reward consumers for using that particular site, by offering prizes or discounts on purchases. For instance, MSN's SearchPerks rewards visitors that use MSN's Live Search search engine with "tickets" that can be redeemed for prizes. You can earn up to 25 tickets per day - the more you accumulate, the bigger your prizes. 4500 tickets, for instance, earns you an XBox 360 Wireless controller, which retails for $50! In order to take advantage of these great deals, you must register by December 31st, so hurry! Scour is a social search engine that rewards its users with points redeemable for $25 VISA gift cards. By searching, voting, commenting and referring friends, users can see big savings! Search for everything from ride-on vehicles, video games and play kitchen sets! It's fun and rewarding!

• Shop With E-Coupons:
E-coupons are becoming a huge business these days. This definitely has its share of positives and negatives. The most obvious positive is the chance for consumers to save big money! using sites like CouponMountain, FatWallet, CurrentCodes and FreeShipping - shoppers can print coupons for top retailers across the country. The negative associated with these coupon sites is whether or not all of the coupons are legitimate. Retailers have been cracking down on counterfeit online coupon scams - with some stores not even accepting them at all. If you're wary of these big coupon sites, check out toy circulars that you receive in the mail - many have coupons that are redeemable online!

• Quality, Quality, Quality:
Don't buy a toy just because it's cheap! [Needless to say I learned this the hard way.] You should be looking for high quality toys for your kids. Read product reviews on sites like Amazon, and ePinions. Chances are if other parents have problems with certain products, you will too. Look for products that are made from high quality, non toxic materials. Natural wood toys made from sustainably harvested hardwood and plastic toys that are PVC-free are all safe bets. It's important that you get into the habit of reading labels - just as you would in a grocery store! Also, check out Recalls.gov for all the latest info on toy recalls.

If you are anything like this Rookie Mom and dread the thought of enduring a busy mall during the holidays you find yourself looking for your straight jacket. [Yes, ever Mother should have one if only in their minds] But this year I will not fear the stress of last minute shopping because the Internet is here!

So kick back, grab a class of eggnog and snuggle up to your favorite Internet browser and list of websites. Before you know it you may just reduce your holiday shopping nerves, and fattened up your wallet with the online holiday savings deals you will find!


Cheers to online Holiday Shopping and the deals to be made!

To Santa with Love

Since August we have had Christmas lurking upon us as stores prepared for the holiday event. Now that the halls are decked and the sounds are Christmas are all around us, I was so excited to receive Cookie's first letter from Santa Claus.

We both danced to the excitement [okay, we were actually dancing to the sounds of my non-Grammy winning Santa Claus is coming to town rap]. The hubby and I actually got one as well. Though the Hubby might need to watch his back or he may just end up on the naughty list, if he keeps waking up on the "wrong" side of the bed. [Love you, Honey!]

In the spirit of Christmas here are a few of my favorite letters to Santa...

Mommy asked me what I wanted you to bring me for Christmas and I just replied......CHRISTMAS!
- Catherine, 2, Orillia, Ontario

How are you able to get down the chimney and be in so many places throughout the world in just one short night? I need to know because my mom says her Christmas dress is too small from last year and she says there's no time to go and get all the things done in time for Christmas?
- Elizabeth, 9, Calgary, Alberta

I was pretty bad last year and now I'm back with my family and it's great. I just hope everyone gets what they want this year. Merry Christmas.
- Jenn, 19, Billings, Montana

I could sure use some ideas about what to get my wife. Has she sent you a list of suggestions?
- Dale, 43, Carrollton, Texas

Do you keep jumper cables in your sled in case Ruldolph's nose goes out? (its gotta go out sometimes!).
- Jessica, 10, Lodi, California

What I'd really like is for my husband's ex-wife to be banished to the North Pole with no telephone in sight, but I know miracles are out of your jurisdiction.
- Cierra, 42, Allons, Tennessee

As my brother has been a very, very, very bad boy I would like you to send someone to torture him. Maybe a chunk of coal too. Bring my parents some neat stuff and the bill.
- Holly, 9, Toledo, Ohio

Please help out the people that cannot have a decent Christmas. Help the homeless find homes, help the starving find food and shelter. Christmas is really about helping others and celebrating the birth of Jesus and being with family and friends. Its not just about toys!
- Justin, 7, New York, New York

Christmas is my favorite holiday. People are much nicer during the holidays.
- Josh, 10, Olympia, Washington

I heard that Rudolf shoots lasers from his nose to protect the North Pole. Is it true?
- Stephen, 9, Calgary, Alberta

I recently, found a great website where Santa has joined the ranks of the world wide web. You can contact him at Free letters from Santa and he will send the perfect little Santa Note to your little ones. You can e-mail, download or for $2.99 have it mailed to your little one. Since we are in a recession of course, I downloaded mine.

Cheers to letters to Santa and keeping off of the naughty list!

Defining Momism

As a Rookie Mom, I have learned that sometimes there are times in life that I will NOT have all the right answers and I will continue to learn from my mistakes.

My sister was right when she spoke the phrase after Cookie's birth, "Yes, she is perfect and only you can screw her up." Not exactly the sweet somethings you want to hear after giving birth. But ironically I have come to find out that it is true on some many levels.

In a recent discussion with a girlfriend she constantly used the term Momism when telling a story of her little ones latest meltdown in Target.

In an eager attempt to expand my vocabulary [okay really just a chance to google] I located the definition of a Momism. Some have described Momism to be trend in America that places guilt on mothers — as to whether they’re making the right choices for their children.

When I further researched the definition I found one that I could really identify with. It was the definition that was accompanied by a Martini add.

One would think that this perfectly placed Martini ad is providing us with the underlining ad message that with every grey hair that is caused by public tantrums, and the stress we place on ourselves as Moms to produce the worlds best kids...it never hurts to escape from motherhood once in a while to enjoy a good martini!

I know that whatever decisions I make for Cookie and the [oh, so public] meltdowns they may cause, Cookie and I will weather them together. I may be a Rookie Mom, but I am learning each day one diaper (and cosmopolitan) at a time.

The Magic of A Lollipop

The greatest lesson I have learned as a Rookie Mom is listen to other Mom's! Now, I am not saying that you should follow every piece of advice that comes your way, but at least listen because every once and a while you will pick up some of the greatest tips and tricks ever!

During our recent Thanksgiving visit, we flew with Cookie for the first time. On the plane ride to NW AR we encountered our first plane ride melt down and watched as the passenger in front of us held his fingers in his ears and rocked back and forth. Yep, I think he was a little unnerved.

Then during our visit Cookie had a mega [I mean M-E-G-A, glass shattering, earth moving, sea parting] good old fashion Meltdown with a capital M. Needless to say this Rookie Mom, had emptied out her bag of tricks. My bag consisting of everything from Motrin to teething tablets to Valium! Okay, the Valium was a thought in my mind, but sure would have been nice to have during this Oscar winning meltdown performance.

Just when I had come to the end of my rope, Cookie became silent! In amazement I turned to Cookie to notice that she had been given the best gift a mom could ever ask for...a lollipop! Just like that the meltdown was O to the V to the E-R, OVER!

My sister in law blessed me with the magic of the lollipop, or what I would like to refer to it as the Silencer. Therefore, when we prepared to come home we loaded the diaper bag with endless amounts of DUM DUMS.

When the Hubby saw my ziplock bag of them he asked, "why so many?" I just simply replied, "because the five second rule unfortunately doesn't count in the airports."

Needless to say, since we were armed with our lollipop ammunition, this is what Cookie did on the plane ride home...




All was well on flight 2089!

Now for your karaoke pleasure, a treat just for you...

Cheers to the lollipop!

Baby Blogger

Ooey Gooey Spectacular

We had a wonderful time in Northwest AR for Thanksgiving and my sister in laws Christmas decorations are so beautiful they could be classified as "sinful!"

I will have to leave you hanging for a few days until my camera makes it back home. Due to the recent baggage cost we decided to save a few pennies ($160 to be exact) and send our luggage with my in laws since they were driving. [Thank you, Thank you again GG & Papa Ken, for hauling our stuff!] So, I will have to leave you hanging in suspense until we are able to get our luggage. But, be ready they are amazing!

The whole trip was just lovely and I even managed to bring home a souvenir that I didn't have to pack...it was the extra baggage I gained on my bum because of my excessive indulgence in my sister in laws Ooey Gooey Butter Cake! Some would even say it is Ooey Gooey Spectacular.

This cake is more addicting than our late night runs to Taco Bell in college.

Try it, you'll see...

1 18 1/4-ounce package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Prepare Filling

Filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 16-ounce box powdered sugar


In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to over bake as the center should be a little gooey.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Ease of preparation: easy