Monthly Archives: March 2014

Not A Perfect Parent: A Mish Mash Of Excitement & Frustration – Cars, A Puppy, Shoes, and Orchids

This is the second post in my ‘Not a Perfect Parent’ series.  You can read the first post, The Almost Daily Big Time Freak Out, here.

I hope you are having a fabulous day! I had a great morning at the Atlanta International Auto Show.  I love cars and gadgets/technology so being surrounded by beautiful cars with amazing technology was, for me, the equivalent of a child being in a candy shop.  I saw huge cars such as the Cadillac Escalade, tiny cars such as the Fiat 500, and a Nissan sports car that cost $149,000!  You read that right, $149k!   It’s pretty impressive but the $33,000 Cadillac ATS sedan and $38,000 (approx) Toyota 4Runner SUV are more up my alley.

Speaking of cars, I have been test driving a Toyota Tundra 1794 for a week and having never driven a truck before I didn’t know what to expect or didn’t expect much, I should say.  I’m kind of frustrated at the moment because this is my last day with the Tundra and I wanted to drive up north (toward the North Georgia Mountains) in it today but I had to go home after the auto show in order to take our dog out (another story completely) and my daughter is sick so I have to be home for her too. I blame my frustration on the dog, not my daughter.

Here is a photo of the Toyota Tundra 1794 I have been test driving.

Toyota Tundra 1794

Speaking of the dog (aka Cody).. if we are friends on Facebook you might have seen my post about our new puppy.  The puppy was an unplanned surprise that my husband brought home in January.  I was not ready for the responsibility of having a puppy and I thought that was pretty clear, but I guess not.  Madelyn, my 7-year-old, is just starting to sleep through the night which I cherish and I wasn’t ready to have another ‘baby’ in the house, much less one that I didn’t carry for 9 months and give birth to.  Had it been a surprise human baby, that’s one thing, but a puppy.. I’ve had a hard time adjusting to say the least.

When I got home from the auto show, I let the dog out and sat down to work.  Within 30 seconds he sat down next to me and looked up at me and started barking.  Barking, barking, barking.  I played ball with him for a few minutes but that didn’t suffice.  He wanted more attention.  I took him for a walk but he still wasn’t happy enough to let me be.  I don’t know what to do.   I was not in need of something or someone else to suck the energy out of me or require attention then along came the puppy.  He’s pretty cute and seems pretty smart so that helps.  But jeez.. a puppy can really change your life.

Here’s a photo of our puppy, Cody.

puppy

Enough about the dog and on to something exciting and happy.. I was really happy when my new Elorie Bella Ballet Flats arrived yesterday.  I bought a tan/cognac pair about a year ago and have since tried to find a pair of black ballet flats that I like as much as my tan Elorie flats but had no such luck.  I caved last week and ordered the same shoe in black.    Elorie’s Bella ballet flats are comfortable and don’t look like slippers, a combination which I have found to be a rarity for ballet flats.  I am absolutely not a shoe pro so the best way I can describe these to you is with four words: substantial, durable, soft, and comfortable.

Elorie Bella Ballet Flat

I found these ballet flats on Gilt.com, one of my favorite online designer sample sale website’s.   If you aren’t already a member, you should join today.. it’s free!

Another exciting thing about my day is that there are five blooms on my orchid!

What’s something exciting that happened to you today or recently?

orchid blooms

Do you have a favorite piece of clothing or shoe that you have bought more than one of because you like it so much?

Want to vent and share something frustrating that’s happened/happening in your life recently?

 

 

Great American Cookies Introduces NEW! Fudge Brownie Made With M&M’s®!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Great American Cookies.

I haven’t baked a birthday cake for my husband or son in years.  Every year they both request a cookie cake from Great American Cookies in lieu of birthday cake.  I don’t mind because I don’t have to make a cake or clean up after making it either!  Not a bad deal.  I have a feeling that my husband might ask for brownies for his birthday this year.  You might think that’s strange but once you see and taste Great American Cookies NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®, you’ll know why!

Great American Cookies

Great American Cookies added something new to their already scrumptious line of cookies, cookie cakes, and other delightful treats! They already offer a variety of brownies, but if you’re like us, you are going to drool over their newest addition, the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®.

I had the opportunity to try the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® at a Great American Cookies party hosted by Stacie from The Divine Miss Mommy, along with Piera from Jolly Mom, Dianne from Suburbia Unwrapped, and Kesha from We Got Kidz and her adorable son.  I think I was the first of the gang to grab a brownie.  The other ladies were super-patient but I couldn’t hold back.   I’m pretty sure I made a sound when I bit into the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®.   I wish the internet was scratch n’ sniff or even better, scratch n’ eat.  I would hook you up with a brownie right here from this screen!

Here are just two situation during which the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® is perfect!

Awesome Birthday Cake Alternative
There is something about kids and M&M’s®. It might be all the bright colors or it might be something about candy that melts in your mouth without leaving their hands stained bright colors. The Great American Cookies’ NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® is sure to be a hit at your child’s next birthday party. The combination of a cookie cake and a platter of the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® is a winning combination and will leave all the kids jumping with joy.  As if you need another reason to order from Great American Cookies, if you let them make your cookie or brownie cake instead of making it at home, you don’t have to clean the kitchen!

Team Sports Snack
Team sports offer a great opportunity for your child to learn to be part of a team. Often player’s parents are responsible for bringing snacks for the team after a practice or game.  My kids have to play a big part in that because otherwise, I bring bananas and apples and bottled water for everyone and apparently that’s not what the kids are looking for after a game.   If you bring a platter of the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s®, you will surely be the team’s favorite parent.  Hooray! Whether the kids need encouragement after a lost game or to celebrate a win against their biggest rival, these rainbow colored brownies are sure to get them excited!

Great American Cookies

$50  Great American Cookies Gift Card Giveaway!

Because I want you to try the NEW! Fudge Brownie made with M&M’s® from Great American Cookies ASAP, I am giving a lucky reader a $50 Great American Cookies gift card!

Simply enter using rafflecopter below.  Open to US residents only.


TheMommyInsider.com CONTEST TERMS & CONDITIONS:
The Mommy Insider’s Great American Cookies Gift Card Giveaway is open to U.S. residents ages 18 and over.
Entries are accepted through 12:00 am EST on March 29th, 2014. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning.  By entering you give the right to use your name on The Mommy Insider and our outlets within contest promotion content. Retail value is $50.00. One winner will be selected. All liabilities and responsibilities with product is directly responsible by Great American Cookies. Winner will be drawn from all verified entries, by random.org, and contacted at the email address provided. Winner has 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.  All prizes will be awarded.  No prize substitutions allowed. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook and we hereby release Facebook of any liability. Information is provided to The Mommy Insider, not to Facebook and your information is never sold or shared. Prize will be sent directly by Great American Cookies and may require confirmation of delivery. Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Great American Cookies.

Tracking Pixel

Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of K12, the leader in online education. All opinions are 100% mine.

When my kids were getting ready to start Kindergarten I was very concerned if they were ready for school.  Have I taught them everything they need to have a good head start?  Do they know all their shapes, numbers and letters? What else can I do to make sure that they are ready for the transition from preschool to Kindergarten?

K¹² Can Help!  Kindergarten readiness programs by K12. Try a sample activity today.

K¹² is the leader in online education for grades K through 12 and they are now offering two preschool programs to help preschoolers be ready for Kindergarten. They are EmbarK¹² Comprehensive and EmbarK¹² Online. Both offer a fun, innovative approach to early learning that your child will love.

EmbarK12 Online – Over 830 interactive activities to engage your preschooler.

EmbarK¹² Online was developed by educational experts and this supplemental Pre-K program makes learning fun, dynamic, and enriching. There are over 12 units of activities, each with related content and activities, covering Math, Language and Literacy, and topics from the world around them. Some of the topics include "Travel and Explore," "Our World," and "Story Time."  For a 12 month subscription the cost is $59.00. But for a limited time you can get it for 50% off by entering the promo code EmbarkSpecial when you check out!! You can purchase the EmbarK¹² Online program by clicking here : http://my.info.k12.com/IZEA_EmbarkOnline.html

 

EmbarK12 Comprehensive- Online and hands-on preschool program for your early learner.

EmbarK¹² Comprehensive has over 1,200 age-appropriate activities, engaging children using a wide variety of interactive multimedia and hands-on materials there are over 288 hours of activities in all! There are18 thematic units covering 6 subjects: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Music, and Art. Examples of themes include: Family and Friends, My Five Senses, and Looking at Animals. And the cost for a 12 month subscription and all of the upgrade kits including hands-on manipulative is $286.00 per year.  You can purchase the EmbarK¹² Comprehensive by clicking here: http://my.info.k12.com/IZEA_EmbarkComprehensive.html

About K¹² Inc. 

K¹² Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is the nation’s foremost provider of proprietary technology-powered online solutions for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. K¹² has partnered with more than 2,000 school districts and has delivered more than 4 million courses over the past decade. K¹² provides curricula, academic services and learning solutions to public schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs and families. K¹² works with more than 5,000 teachers across the U.S. – the largest network of online school teachers in grades K through 12. 
The K¹² program is offered through K¹² partner public schools in more than two-thirds of the states and the District of Columbia, and through private schools serving students in all 50 states and more than 110 countries. More information can be found at http://www.K12.com.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Chevrolet Traverse SUV – A Moving “Family Assistant”

I have had the opportunity to spend a few (not enough!) days with the Chevrolet Traverse LT and this vehicle makes it difficult to determine where to start!

The first thing to say is that there is hardly anything that I would change about the Traverse.  Keep in mind that this model has nearly everything you can put into a moving “family assistant”.  The total package contributes to the $42,000.00 price tag but I would be hard pressed to find objections to this purchase.

The Traverse offers an “entry level” version that starts around $32,000.00 however go for the LTZ!

Chevy Traverse Review

As you would expect, given the platform, the Traverse offers plenty of room for six (6) with easy accommodations for seven (7).  The six or seven passengers will be treated to a luxurious interior of leather-faced seats all around, with the driver and passenger side having total control of position.  This makes the traverse ideal for long trips as well as around town excursions.  The exterior dimensions of the Traverse are smaller than one would expect making around town not a scary proposition.

The wonderful tan/brown/brushed aluminum interior with perfect stitching makes time spent in the Traverse a relaxing experience.  I might have even bored the daylights out of my family when I topped our relaxing driving experience through Florida, off with the Spa station on Sirius XM Satellite radio.  As we drove the Traverse through Blue Springs State Park in Florida, it really felt like we were driving through a jungle with the waterfall sounds playing through the Bose® speakers.  The heated steering wheel was fabulous!  Yes, we were in Florida during most of my time with the Chevy Traverse but we experienced lower temps during our trip to Florida than I had there in years.  The steering wheel warmed my hands up instantly after getting in the car on chilly mornings.  Of course the front seats are heated (and cooled) as well.

On the road the Traverse offers the driver and passengers all the infotainment options you could want, and, the heads up display and side aware mirrors keep the driver well informed.  Driving the Traverse is a pleasure and the more I dove it the more pleasurable it became.  That is something that can not be said about all vehicles.

When you’re looking for a roomy, comfortable and safe family friendly vehicle, there’s no doubt you’ll probably come across the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse mid-size SUV. It makes an impression like few other vehicles can, especially when you open the door and see how roomy it is!

Spaciousness comes standard with seating for up to eight people. There is space galore for passengers and all the things you need. Traveling anywhere with groups, those things quickly add up.

Chevy Traverse Review

Excellent Safety Ratings

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse received a coveted five-star safety rating, partly due to the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System.  This helps drivers keep the SUV stable in the roughest weather or road conditions. Other safety features include:

  • Rear vision camera – for seeing everything behind you when backing up and maneuvering
  • Side Blind Zone Alert – Helps the driver to always have good visibility on all sides
  • Six air bags – including front seat mounted middle airbag to protect the driver and front seat passenger, curtain airbags for side impact protection and dual-stage air bags for extra security in a crash
  • Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning

Another helpful option for owners of the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is On-Star Auto Crash Response. This helps enhance safety. Even if you’re rendered unable to call for help, emergency aid is requested automatically on impact. It gives Traverse drivers a good feeling knowing this extra security travels everywhere they go!

First-Rate Styling

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse features the latest in sophistication and elegance in its options. Prospective owners choose from optional amenities like heated and cooled leather seating, in an attractively designed ride. Standard creature comforts in the Traverse include:

  • Large door handles, making opening and closing easier for everyone
  • 12 cup holders so everyone has their own.. and then some!
  • DVD screens for rear passengers to help calm the fidgets
  • Smart-sliding second row seating with split-folding rear seats included
  • All the latest technology including USB ports and Bluetooth ability, appealing to all technology-savvy occupants
  • Key fob with remote link that lets you start the car from a distance so it’s the perfect temperature for passengers
  • Athletic inspired look gives the Traverse a menacing look with a softly purring engine

This SUV Is Energy-Efficient And Sustainable 

The MPG most owners experience is about 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.  During my trip to Florida in the Traverse, I got an average of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.   FWD models give owners about 520 highway miles between fill-ups.   Drivers who opt for the LS and LT versions find a 3.6 liter V6 engine for extra power. LTZ models deliver up to 288 horsepower, for those with a thirst for power.  Raising my hand!

The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is built with green, Eco-friendly goals in mind. It’s also created to be about 85 percent recyclable once owners decide it’s time to part with their Traverse. The 2014 Chevrolet Traverse is an excellent family vehicle.

In summary, if you are in the market for a vehicle of this type you really must test drive the Traverse.

Find a Chevy dealer near you and test drive a Chevrolet Traverse!  You’ll love it!

Don’t forget to try out the  Sirius XM Spa station. 😉

– Alicia

 

Some photos in this post courtesy of Chevrolet.