Right before our daughter was born, my husband and I took a trip up to Northern California for a “babymoon” of sorts.  We knew it was going to be our last trip without children for awhile.  My husband and I love to travel, but we’re staying close to home these days because traveling with two children (especially on a plane) is difficult.

If you’re expecting a baby, I highly recommend taking a trip with your significant other.  It could be something elaborate and exotic or a simple staycation.  The point is that once the baby arrives, time for yourself is not longer as abundant as it is right now.  Right now, Bright Starts is giving away a luxurious 7-night babymoon vacation to three lucky couples.  Relax and reconnect at an incredible U.S. Virgin Islands destination – St. Croix, St. John , or St. Thomas.

Here is what 3 very lucky couples will receive:
·        Airfare for up to four from anywhere in the continental U.S.
·        Seven night’s hotel accommodations
·        Spa treatment for the mother-to-be
·        Dinner for up to four people
·        $500 spending cash
·        Choice of activities

The sweepstakes ends November 30, 2010 and they will choose one winner after each 4-month giveaway period.  You can enter to win at Bright Starts and visit their Facebook page for more details details.

I did not receive compensation for this post.

I couldn’t finish my Valentine’s Day gift ideas without telling you about my favorite kind of candy…chocolate!  If you can believe it (I can’t believe I’m admitting this), a day doesn’t go by that I don’t eat chocolate in some form.  Hot chocolate, cold chocolate, chocolate chips, and dark chocolate are my favorite sources…but anything chocolate will suffice.

Hershey’s recently launched their new Pieces Candies, bite-sized, candy-coated versions of classic favorites like Reese’s, York, Almond Joy, and Special Dark.  Each of the four flavors surround their centers with a crisp candy shell.  They taste very much like the original candy.  True Confession:  I like the fact that I can eat 50 (that’s a serving size) if I want to.  They each come in snack-sized bags and are perfect for taking them with you on the go.

If you’re looking for something a bit more romantic this Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out Hershey’s Valentine Exchange Snack-Size Packs, available in the following varieties:  Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (regular and heart-shaped), Jolly Rancher Lollipops, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, and Kit Kat Wafer Bars. Again, their smaller size makes it so much easier to justify eating more than one!  They also come in adorable Valentine’s Day themed packages.

I promise…I shared!

Hershey’s also offers heart-shaped boxes which include such varieties as Hershey’s Kisses, Hugs, Milk Chocolates with Almonds, Pot of Gold Pecan Caramel Clusters and Bliss Milk Chocolate Hearts.  I actually tried their Bliss Milk Chocolate Hearts with Raspberry Meltaway Center for the first time.  I typically like my chocolate plain, without nuts or fillings but these were pretty good…not overwhelmingly raspberry.

The great thing about Hershey’s is that they have much to offer for the chocolate lover.  Whether your loved one prefers nuts or dark chocolate, you’re certain to find a gift that fits.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.

I always thought the phrase went something like this:  “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”  In all honesty, if my husband didn’t cook, I don’t think he’d have made it into MY heart! (I’m joking…sort of!).  When my husband and I were dating, he would cook me these amazing meals.  And I have to say that the time and effort he spent on those meals revealed something about his character that just drew me in.  It showed me that he wasn’t too “macho” to be in the kitchen.  It showed me that he was creative and talented.  It showed me that he cared about serving me and didn’t subscribe to society’s stereotypical male/female roles.  So while there were many things that my husband did to “sweep me off my feet,” his ability and willingness to cook was one of them.

I’ve just spent the last few days checking out a really fabulous book by Eric S. Lee called Sweeping Her Off Her Feet With Food.  The book is comprised of recipes I only dream of eating (and creating) like Chicken Sheldon, Baked Brie En Croute with Sliced Apples & Baguettes, and Fresh Strawberry Flambe Sundae.  The photography captures the beauty of each creation.  The author includes four menu ideas for a romantic dinner.  The fact that this book was written by a man lends to it’s credibility.  If he can do it, the men in your lives can surely attempt many of these recipes.  Even those without experience or skill should be able to recreate these meals at home since he walks you through each recipe, step-by-step.

Each of the four menus include suggested wines, ways to “cheat” without compromising the taste or quality of the recipe, and tips on putting the entire menu together.  Rather than spending a fortune on an expensive dinner out (which we won’t be doing this year), why not cook at home? The author doesn’t stop at menu and recipe ideas.  He also includes romantic suggestions (I like his idea of sending a box of chocolates with a note about dinner at home), tips for setting the mood (like how to create a romantic table setting), and more ways to surprise a woman with food (like picnics!).

Here are a few recipes from the book, by permission (Valentine’s Day dinner idea perhaps?):

Salmon with Fresh Mango Salsa

2 Six – eight ounce Salmon filets (do not get steaks!)

1 Fresh mango peeled and cut into 1/2inch cubes (some grocers carry fresh

Mango already skinned in jars—produce dept)

1 Jalapeño seeded and diced (1/8 inch)

1/2 Red bell pepper diced (1/4 inch)(save the rest for roasting)

1/4 cup diced red onion (1/4 inch)

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/3 cup oil (preferably olive oil)

lime

salt & pepper

Mango Salsa

Cut lime in half and squeeze the juice from both halves into a midsized mixing bowl whisk in half of the oil. Add the rest of the ingredients except salmon, remaining oil, salt and pepper in a midsized bowl and gently toss until well mixed. Be sure and stir using a large (wooden if possible) serving spoon, from bottom using your spoon in an upward, over and down folding motion to get all of the juice from the bottom mixed in with the rest of the ingredients. Add a dash of salt and pepper and gently mix again. Cover and refrigerate. Can be made one-day ahead.

Grilled Salmon

Turn outside grill on to medium high to heat up the grates. Place the salmon filets on a platter skin side down and rub remaining oil onto the meat until completely covered. Try and get some of the oil onto the skin. Feel free to use a bar-b-que sauce brush for this. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.

When grill is hot place filets on the grill, flesh side down and let cook for 5-7 minutes. Turn over and let cook another 3-4 minutes until salmon is just cooked through. Some like their salmon medium rare. If this is you cook a little less. If you need to check for doneness, though I try to avoid this, take a knife and gently slice into the top of the fish to ensure it is cooked to your preference. If it “flakes” all the way through but is still moist it is done. Since you will be topping it with the beautiful salsa you’ve made it won’t matter if you have “butchered” it a little.

Optionally, when salmon is done, take a metal spatula and insert it into the crease between the skin and the flesh and slide it all the way through until the skin is removed. Place each filet on top of a bed of sautéed spinach (page 39) on a beautiful plate.  Top with Mango Salsa and serve.

Suggested Wine – Chardonnay / Pinot Noir

Heart-Shaped Pasta with Prosciutto, Fresh Tomato, Peas and Arugula

6 ounces *heart shaped pasta or pasta bowties, cooked until done, but slightly firm and drained (reserve 1/4 cup pasta water)

1/3 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup white wine

1 cup chicken broth (or 1 teaspoon bouillon dissolved in 1 cup warm water)

6-8 paper-thin slices prosciutto, cut into 1” ribbons (ask for it this way in the grocer’s deli)

3/4 cup frozen peas

2 small Roma tomatoes seeded and diced (just cut into quarters and scoop out the seeds)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 cups roughly chopped arugula or 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in clam base or chicken broth

Salt and freshly cracked pepper

4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan

Optional: 10 large shrimp

Heart shaped pasta available and www.CheeseImporters.com

Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic, and sauté garlic until it begins to soften, approximately 20-30 seconds—do not let it brown. Add white wine and cook until reduced by half. If using shrimp add now. Add base or broth and bring to a boil; add reserved pasta water, prosciutto, peas, tomato and shrimp, and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat and let stand another 30 seconds. Fold in pasta and arugula or basil.  Salt and pepper to taste, divide between two dinner plates or pasta bowls, and top with shredded Parmesan.

Wine – Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray

A great appetizer or late snack

Shrimp and Red Pepper Aioli Crostinis

1/2 pound small cooked shrimp (75-90 pieces per pound)

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 clove garlic

1 heaping tablespoon finely chopped roasted red pepper

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Salt & pepper, to taste

8–10 half-inch slices of toasted French baguette

Olive oil

Parmesan

Your choice of fresh herbs: thyme, basil or oregano, chopped

Salt & pepper

Optional: black olive tapenade (recipe follows)

Optional: crème fraiche or sour cream

Eric’s Quick Aioli

Combine mayonnaise, red pepper, garlic & lemon juice in a blender, food processor or mixing bowl. Blend on medium-high speed until well mixed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill at least 1 hour.

Toss shrimp and aioli together in a medium mixing bowl until shrimp are well coated. Place back in fridge for at least a half-hour ahead of service.  Brush baguette slices with olive oil, sprinkle with parmesan and herbs (if using), salt and pepper lightly, Place in oven, turn dial to “broil,” and cook until lightly browned, approximately 3–5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Tapenade

1/2 cup black salad olives

1/2 cup kalamata olives

3 anchovies

1 tablespoon capers

1 clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon

Place all ingredients except oil in processor or blender and blend until well chopped. Slowly drizzle in oil until mixture forms a paste.

Assemble Crostini

Place a tablespoon of the shrimp mixture on each toasted slice of baguette. If using tapenade, place 1/2 teaspoon on top of shrimp, and then a dollop of crème fraiche or sour cream. Sprinkle lightly with chopped fresh herbs; garnish plate with a pretty flower and serve.

Wine – Pinot Grigio, champagne

The Best Bread Pudding She’s Ever Had With Bourbon Crème Anglaise

This recipe is going to make extra so she can take some to work and brag to her friends about what a stud she’s got!

1 loaf French bread, cut into cubes and dried 2-3 hours

2 1/2 sticks melted butter (1/2 pound)

5 eggs

2 yolks

3 1/2cups heavy cream

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon vanilla

3/4 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bread cubes in a 12” x 9” baking dish. Pour butter over bread cubes and mix together until butter is soaked into the bread. Combine next 9 ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl and whisk until well blended. Pour mixture (custard) over bread cubes and gently mix until all cubes are moist with the custard. Let stand for 3 minutes. Pour remaining butter over the top, then sprinkle brown sugar over that, making sure some of the sugar mixes with the butter. Place in center of oven and bake for 50 minutes or until pudding feels firm to the touch and a toothpick comes out clean. Top should be deep golden brown. Serve with Crème Anglaise (recipe follows) or Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream…I’m sorry I just love Haagen Dazs!

*Note: My favorite modification is to substitute the raisins with 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, 3/4 cup macadamia nuts and 1 bar of white chocolate rectangles (not the baking squares—more like the thinner chocolate bar) broken into pieces. Cut the cinnamon and nutmeg quantities in half. Also substitute White Crème de Cacao for bourbon in the Crème Anglaise.

Bourbon Crème Anglaise

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

A shot of bourbon or whiskey (2 if you’re feeling thirsty–3  if you’re feeling thirsty and she’s feeling frisky!)

In a medium mixing bowl, combine yolks and sugar and whisk until well blended. Place milk, cream and vanilla in a medium sauté pan and warm on medium-high heat. When cream mixture reaches a soft boil, take 1/4 of the warm cream and add it to the yolk mixture, whisking gently until well blended. Turn remainder of the cream to high heat and slowly whisk in yolk mixture until sauce comes to a boil. Let boil no longer than 5 seconds while whisking vigorously. Remove from heat and let stand for 15 minutes; then chill in fridge for at least an hour. When sauces cools, stir in bourbon until well blended.  Serve when ready.

Sweeping Her Off Her Feet With Food retails for $29.95 and is available on their site and Amazon.com.  They also have an eVersion for $14.99.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received the book, courtesy of the company to facilitate my review.

Last week I had the opportunity to host a Suave Style Party.  I’ve used their shampoo and conditioners many, many times, but have never had the opportunity to experience their styling products. Their Professionals line has been proven to work just as effectively as salon brands.  In fact, top stylists were surprised by the quality of this line of hair products.  The company maintains that quality doesn’t have to be expensive (and I agree!).  In a time where we’re all trying to ensure our money goes as far as it can, it’s nice to know that there is a professional alternative to expensive salon brands of hair care products.

The company stands behind their products and invited myself and 10 guests to experience their products firsthand with a local hair stylist.  I asked celebrity stylist Shannon Hughey to transform my friends with Suave’s hair care products (and she did an amazing job!).  It’s a new year, and us moms really appreciated the new looks she created for us.  Shannon showed us how to re-create the looks and how to use Suave’s products to do so.  Most of them took some time, but not so much time that I felt like we couldn’t re-create the looks on our own.

Suave is introducing their new line of Professionals products which include Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner (Invigorating and comparable to Aveda), Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner (moisturizing and comparable to Aveda), and Aloe Vera and Ginseng Shampoo and Conditioner (Volumizing and comparable to Aveda).  These products are not even in stores yet!  They smell incredible, my hair is easy to manage after using them (I like the Almond and Shea Butter), and it looks great.

So, I asked Shannon to give us her honest opinion on Suave’s new products.  The verdict:  She thinks they’re fabulous.  Check out the transformation we underwent, thanks to Shannon working her magic with Suave’s styling products.  You can follow Suave on Twitter or Facebook for the latest on their products and styling tips.  They also have an entire section devoted to moms on their site.

Win It! One of you will win a swag bag from the party which includes all six of the products listed above (they’re not even in stores yet!).  Simply leave me a comment with another product on the site you’d like to try.  Comments will close on February 23, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post. Suave provided the stylist (chosen by myself), hair care products and food for all of my guests.

Between my active toddler, who manages to get dirt and juice and food all over his clothes, to my baby who is constantly spitting up, the laundry is getting a bit overwhelming.  If I can just get it done and put away I’m happy.  Forget about trying to get the stains out when they happen.  I’d  love to preserve some of my son’s cute shirts and my daughter’s adorable sleepers so that people don’t think I put my children in rags.

I recently tried OxiClean’s newest stain-fighting products…Max Force Power Paks and Max Force Gel Stick Pre-Treater.  Both products are brand new and won’t hit stores until mid-February.  The Power Paks can be added to any load of laundry to give your white and colored clothing a boost.  I’ve used them on the kid’s clothes and they definitely make them look bright and clean.  I like the fact that I can just drop them in without having to measure any powder or liquid.

The real stain removing power comes with the Gel Stick Pre-Treater.  It’s effective on tough stains, even those that have been sitting for awhile.  You simply rub the gel into the fabric (it rolls on like deodorant), let it sit for a few minutes, then throw it in with your regular load.  I tested both products out on my son’s clothing, since his shirts, in particular seem to be the most stained.  He had spilled berry sorbet on his shirt and I had left it there for 3 days.  By the time I had used the Gel Stick Pre-Treater, the stains were almost gone (and I hadn’t even thrown the shirt in the wash yet).  Here are the before and after pictures:

It’s a bit difficult to see but there are berry sorbet stains all over the front of this shirt.

After

Both of OxiClean’s new Max Force products include 4-in-1 stain fighting power to help remove grease, oil, dirt, etc.   They will be available mid-February at retailers nationwide (I don’t have pricing information at this time).

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of OxiClean and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

This past week was a whirlwind!  Along with the multiple media events we had the honor of attending, I had an opportunity to speak with two celebrities and a famous pediatrician (more on that to come this week!).  I have to admit two things:  1.  I was completely starstruck 2.  I was nervous each and every time.

I feel like I’ve grown up with Drew Barrymore (we’re right around the same age).  I remember watching her for the first time as a child in E.T. Her latest accomplishment is her directorial debut in Whip It (oh..did I mention she also acts in the movie?).  I’ve watched it twice. It’s that good!  Here is a brief summary:

When a rebellious teenager gets tired of following in her family’s footsteps and ditches the beauty pageant circuit, she finds her own ‘tribe’ and comes full circle to uncover an unshakable bond with her mother.  The coming-of-age comedy stars Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Daniel Stern and Marcia Gay Harden.

But here at Rockin’ Mama, a review will simply not suffice!  So, without further ado, I bring you the fabulously talented and beautiful Drew Barrymore as she graciously talks to me about her latest venture.

1.  I know you’ve been acting since you were a child.  What inspired you to direct?

I’ve wanted to direct since I was a child.  I love film.  I love that form of communication.  I waited until now because I wanted to be prepared to be a director and everything that entailed.

2.  I know you mentioned wanting to wait until you were ready.  Why did you choose this movie for your directorial debut?

I really responded to the mother daughter aspect of the story.  I found the relationship fascinating.  I related to a lot of  story and felt like I could make this film very personal.  It’s how I lived a lot of my life.  Things the characters wrestled with are things I wrestled with. For me, I tried to find a cohesive way to put all of these components together to tell the story….you have good days and bad days…some days you rock out with your friends…cry over a relationship…you learn something…you need to apologize for something.  You have to believe in yourself and find a place where you can express yourself…a place where that is empowering and not frowned upon. All of those things are things I have related to.

3.  I can definitely see those aspects weaved into the movie now that I’ve watched it.  You also have an acting role in the film.  How did you balance playing the role of Smashley Simpson while directing the movie?

It was challenging because [directing this film] was a 20 hour a day, seven day a week job for 2-3 years.  But I wanted to do it because of the camaraderie and friendship that develops out of training [for roller derby] and all the funny adventures together.  Everybody is in it together and I just think it’s a more energizing working environment.  I threw myself in there with everyone.

4.  I had read that you did your own stunts.  Can you tell me more about that?

Having done the Charlie’s Angels movies, doing my own stunts in the film was important to me.  It was predominantly us.  Audiences are very smart and keen and when they see the real person doing it,  you’re able to fall into [the movie] a lot easier.  I felt like there was a lot of authenticity.    I wanted to show off this thing I had learned to do.

5.  Is this just the beginning of your move into directing and will we see you continue to act?

I think so. I hope so. That’s the goal.

6.  Did you model your style of directing after anyone?

I wouldn’t say one person specifically.  I love, as an actor, when directors say to me try this or do that or surprise me.  It makes me feel good about my own natural instincts.  I just feel that is a good way to elaborate on a performance that feels really good.  That makes you feel great about what you do.

7.  What was your favorite part of making this film?

I loved seeing that at the end of the day it was going to be my heart out there and my sense of humor and values.  I was lucky enough to work with these talented people along the way to do it.

Thank you Ms. Barrymore, for the time you spent with me.  [Goodbyes]

It’s such a rare opportunity to sit down, one-on-one with such a talent as Ms. Barrymore.  I was honored that she took a bit of time out of her busy schedule to talk about her role in making this phenomenal film.  I hope you enjoyed hearing just a bit about her and her passion for this movie.  Whip It is available on DVD and Blu-Ray now.

Win It! I have FIVE copies of Whip It to give away!  Simply leave me a topic-related comment about Drew Barrymore or her movie.  It could even be a question.  As long as your comment is on topic, you’re entered to win!  Comments will close on February 22, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received the DVD and had the honor of interviewing Ms. Barrymore.

Ten years ago (I’m totally aging myself), I boldly walked into my first interview as a new nurse, ready to start my career.  I was passionate about changing the world and what better way to do that than at the bedside. As time went by, I gained the confidence and experience necessary to advance my career.  I went back to school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Nursing and met my husband in the process.  I went on to pursue higher career goals.  As I moved away from bedside nursing into teaching and management, I realized that nursing, for me, was about people.  I wasn’t content to sit at a desk.  So after landing a prestigious, high-paying management job, I went back to the bedside.

My husband and I traveled the world, and again, I used my experience and skills at the bedside overseas.  We loved the cultural experience of living abroad.  I was challenged in so many new ways.  I met the most amazing people, who I still keep in contact with today.  They became my family…my home away from home.  We talked it over and made preparations to stay.  And then we found out I was expecting our son.

Nothing that I have ever done, has molded me as much as becoming a parent.  I thought I was selfless…I realized I’m selfish.  I thought I was patient…I realized I am impatient.  The self-realization that comes with having a child is life-changing.  Never have I wanted to work on myself more than when my son was born.

I’ve been a nurse for almost ten years.  I have the knowledge, skills, and experience to do great things in my career.  And oh, did I mention how comfortable our life could be?  But my passion…where I want to be at the end of the day…is home with my two babies.  I want to be at home reading and coloring and playing with my son.  I want to take him to the park and the zoo and our local museums.  I want to be there when my daughter gives us her first “real” smile and rolls over for the first time and starts to crawl.  I don’t want to read about them on a progress note from a day care center.  I don’t want to miss a single moment because I can’t go back.  There are no do overs.  These moments…these precious moments when my babies are little are here and then gone. But nobody’s employing women to do the task…the very difficult but so rewarding task of mothering.

So, I’m at an impasse.

I’m highly skilled to do so many things…but my passion…requires none of them.

The other day, my son asked me about Valentine’s Day.  He’s two…and a half.  And I started thinking about this day that we celebrate year after year.  While I’m not entirely convinced that we need a special day to show our loved ones that we love them (since we should do this every day), it is a holiday that I look forward to every single year.  The romantic movies and roses and chocolate just serve as reminders that we should do something special for the loved ones in our lives on a regular basis.  I also think that this day should celebrate all kinds of love, not just romantic love.  Love between a husband and a wife…a mother and a daughter…a brother and a sister…friends…

I couldn’t talk about Valentine’s Day gift ideas without talking about gifts for children.  Even at his young age, my son understands the basic concept of this holiday.  He doesn’t know the day, but he most definitely knows that it involves hearts and candy and hugs.  This week, the four of us are going to do something special.  I thought about waiting to give him this adorable, Great Big Heart Personalized Book, by Frecklebox.

But I can’t keep anything from him these days.  This is one of their newest books and begins with a simple question from a child about how to share love with other people.  The mother in the story then proceeds to share the many ways he/she can express love including drawing pictures, baking cookies and going special places.  The book “brings the meaning of love to life for children.”

My son can’t read yet, but when I read this book to him and he heard his name in it, he was absolutely delighted.  We then continued to talk about other ways to demonstrate love.  The illustrations are colorful and attractive to children.  The quality of the book is remarkable.  And I absolutely adore the personalized nature of the book. Each page has my son’s name on it and it’s also written in the story.  It’s like I wrote the book to him.  The book is a beautiful description of love and a gift any child would cherish.

Along with the book, we received a personalized place mat that matches one of the pages in the book.  Apart from the fact that they’re just adorable, I like the size (11×17) and quality.  Each place mat has room for a child’s name.  Frecklebox took something very ordinary yet functional, and turned it into something unique and fun for children.  Here is a bit more information about the company.

Frecklebox offers truly unique, personalized gifts for children at affordable prices. Our entertaining selection of personalized books, posters, growth charts, journal books, coloring books, stickers, placemats, puzzles, and other personalized items, are designed to delight your children and friends.

For more information, or to order something special for your child, just visit their website.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received product samples to facilitate this review.

Last week, we finally took our little boy to see Disney On Ice – Worlds of Fantasy…just before it left Southern California. The show was an amazing combination of lights, characters, ice skating, and magic. I can’t wait for another year of entertainment from Feld! Check out our pics from the event.

I did not receive compensation for this post. I received tickets to the show, courtesy of the company.

My son learned the names and locations of his body parts during bath time.  He is able to distinguish his right from his left because of bath time.  He practices swimming during bath time.  In our house, we utilize bath time for many important things.  We use it for learning and playing.  When my son was a baby, he didn’t like the bath.  In fact, it was miserable trying to get him in and washed up in record time.   My husband and I thought about what we could do to make it more enjoyable for him.  These days, he not only asks to take a bath, he protests when it’s time to get out.

A decent bottle of bubbles and some fun bath toys can make a world of difference in a child who does not want to take a bath.  Suave Kids has recently launched their new campaign, Wash Them Grow, encourages you to recognize bath time routine as “an opportunity to teach, nurture and transition your child through the stages of growth and cleansing.”  Right now, Suave Kids is holding a sweepstakes with a chance to win awesome prizes every week including a Family e-Keepsake Kit (which includes a video camera, laptop, and digital camera).  The Grand Prize is a family vacation to Orlando!  To enter, head on over to the site to play a fun online trivia game.  You can enter daily through February 22.  And if you refer a friend, you’ll automatically gain another entry!

Suave Kids offers four body washes for every stage of childhood.  Our favorites are the Strawberry and Berry Body washes because they smell incredible.  I also like the Free and Gentle Body Wash which is dye free and non-irritating to my son’s skin.  My son has very sensitive skin but has not had any reaction to the washes (perhaps because he’s older now as well).  Suave Kids also offers a Moisturizing Body Wash which is a great transition wash for baby’s.  Suave Kids products are made for children’s skin.  They’re ophthalmologist-tested and tear-free (which is important because my son absolutely despises soap in his eyes).

Contest Details:  If you decide to enter the sweepstakes, you will be entered to win some of the fabulous prizes listed above.  And, the blogger who refers the most readers to enter the sweepstakes will win a year’s supply of Suave Kids products for 10 readers.  So it’s a win-win situation! Have fun!

MomSelect and Suave Kids are having a Twitter Party.  Here are the details!

Date:  Monday, February 8th, 2010

Time:  8  p.m. – 9 p.m. EST
Location:  #WashThemGrow
Host: @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect)

Before the party, they’re offering a Disney Online Store $50 gift card for one lucky winner. To be eligible to win, make sure you complete the following:

• Click HERE to RSVP
• Tweet out  the details of the #WashThemGrow party between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the party

Be sure to follow @MomTalkRadio, @ResourcefulMom, @MomSelectAmy and @SuaveBeauty throughout the evening for updates, prize information and contest details.

I’ll leave you with some Bath-Time Tips, courtesy of Suave Kids (with some commentary by me!):

Nurture Your Baby’s Firsts:  We don’t bathe our little girl all that often, but her first bath is forever remembered on photographs.

Start Teaching at Bath Time: Show your children how to get clean all by themselves (we do this with our son!). I tell my son, wash your right arm, and your left arm, and your back…

I Can Do It Myself:  My son is in this stage right now.  He wants to dress himself, feed himself, and bathe himself.  Allow your child to participate in bath time.  It will make the time so much more enjoyable for both of you.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were received, courtesy of Suave Kids and MomSelect to facilitate this review.