Faith like a child ...

Today Sophia and I ran into Hobby Lobby to get a few things.  I told her we would try to find a small craft to work on together this evening while we waited for Nate to get home from work.   We looked and looked, but couldn't find anything.  She said, "Mommy, you just need to ask the lady and she will say, 'Yes we have crafts for Sophia'!"   She just cracks me up ... so matter of fact!  We eventually found this super cute Faith cross for $0.88 on clearance!   She couldn't wait to get home to start coloring!  

She is so proud of her coloring skills! :)  I am too!

It was a great faith teaching moment because she was curious why the word FAITH was written on the cross.  I got the opportunity to share with her of the importance of our FAITH in Christ and our obedience to him.  Then she asked me if Jesus gave her this cross.  I told her that Jesus blessed us with the money to be able to purchase the craft!  She said, "Jesus likes when I do crafts mommy!"

Concentrating really hard ..

This kept her busy the whole time it took me to make dinner!

The finished product ... not too bad for a 2 1/2 year old!  She colored EVERYTHING herself!  I am so impressed by her coloring skills!  She really stays in the lines well for her age!!  

Oh to always have faith like a child ... such a good lesson for this mommy!

Oreo Cheesecake Cookies

So I love love love the taste of Oreo's dipped in a nice cold glass of milk ... the only problem ... they are full of "junk" ingredients!!  It has been a long time since I have had an Oreo!  When I saw this recipe, I immediately thought of the Newman's Own Organic Cookie product line .... Newman O's!  (For you GF foodies out there ... pick up a package of the MI-DEL GF Choc Sandwich cookies that I previously reviewed) If I don't go into labor by Friday, I am heading to the store to buy a package of Newman O's and making these amazing cookies!!   Bring it on ....

Oreo Cheesecake Cookies

Recipe from Brown Eyed Baker, adapted from Tasty Kitchen, originally from Multiply Delicious

Yield: About 1 dozen cookies (mine made about 1 1/2 dozen, as I used around 1 inch balls of dough)

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (probably will cut this back or use some applesauce with it)
3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (will use 1/3 less fat)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup mini chocolate chips (I didn't have minis so I left these out)
1 cup Oreo cookie crumbs (will be using Newman O's)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (this is important! I was out of parchment and my cookies got a little overcooked on the bottom, I think the Oreo crumbs cooked quickly on the hot baking sheet and caused this) and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and well-combined.

3. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and mix until the ingredients are well-combined. Add the flour and mix on low until the flour is incorporated. Stir in the mini chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.

4. Place the Oreo cookie crumbs in a small bowl. Scoop the cookies into about 1½ to 2″ balls (the dough will be soft, don' t worry if it doesn't scoop into a well-formed ball, the crumbs will help hold it together)and then roll in the cookie crumbs. Place the cookie balls on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the tops are slightly puffed.

5. Cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Final Week Snuggles ...

Last night I was sitting on the couch reading Sophia some princess books, when she decided to put her arm around me.  I usually sit with my arm around her, so this was extra special to me!!  (Especially the fact she actually smiled pretty for the picture and we could capture this sweet memory!)

Sophia with her arm behind my back while I read her story books!

Nate, Sophia, and I have shared really special times together this past month while we are on Baby Long #2 watch.  I feel like I have checked everything off my "to-do" list with her and am just soaking up all the daily individual time together!  She is getting really excited about her baby "sister" although each time I tell her it could be a baby brother too -- we don't know.  She says, "no mommy, only baby sisters grow in there (pointing to my belly)." I can just see it now ... we end up having a boy and her first question is this ..."Where is my baby sister?"

We are so excited to meet you Baby Long #2!  We can't wait to see how you will enjoy this awesome family of ours!!!  You have the best daddy in the world and the best big sister any sibling could ever ask for!!

Come quickly .... please ... don't make me have to force you out ... I beg you ... please, please, please come on your own (ok, also when our Dr is on call too!)!!!

3 Giveaways still open till Tuesday night!

Sunday evening greetings to ya!!!  Hope you had a great weekend and stayed dry and safe if you were in the path of horrible Irene!!

Remember there are still 3 giveaways open till Tuesday night and 1 more open for another two weeks!!  Have you taken a few minutes to enter?


Numenko Game -- Very similar to bananagrams but with numbers!  So cool!  Great for school-age kids and adults!

Rowboat Card Game -- If you like Euchre or ROOK you will LOVE LOVE LOVE this game!

Re-Pac Bags -- Reusable Sandwich bags -- GO GREEN!!

Hike Card Game -- If you like playing UNO, this is WAY better and you will LOVE IT!  Especially the "poop" card! Ha!

Holy Smokes Dora ....

Garage sale bargains have been hit or miss this summer ... but today I struck "Dora" gold!! :) Also finished shopping for Christmas and Birthday!!  

The GOODS ....


Brand New Dora Sleeping Bag (Retails $25)


Graco Pack N Play for doll


New Dora coloring book


2 DVD's


1 pair brand new white dress shoes


3 pairs Dora PJ's


2 Dora Towels (guess now I can get rid of her baby bath towels!) 


2 Princess Towels


1 Old Navy white hat 




... all for $20! Woot Woot!!

WINNERS!!!

Thanks to all that entered the TUB PLUG giveaway!  We have 4 winners!

1st Winner: Megan (who also receives the bath pillow with her tub plug)

2nd Winner: Brianna 

3rd Winner: Stephanie

4th Winner: Jennifer

Congrats again!

(PS> Sorry no pics of Random.org ... I am almost 39 weeks prego and just too lazy to do all the work for them!!  I gotta claim the prego excuse for the little time I have left, right?)

The winners have 48 hours to respond to my email!  If they don't, I will pick a new winner(s)!

Would you like another chance to win?

I hope you entered my Rowboat Card Game and Hike Card Game giveaway!  Would you like another awesome opportunity to win these GREAT games?  Check out Father Geek's Giveaway for both games too!

Also, if you would like to read his reviews ... check them out ...

Hike Game Review

http://fathergeek.com/reviews/hike/

Rowboat Game Review

http://fathergeek.com/reviews/rowboat/

Ok .... 1, 2, 3 .... GO ENTER!!  

Numenko-in-a-bag Review and Giveaway

We hope you have enjoyed the new addition to the blog: FAMILY GAMES!  It has been wonderful to receive these games, try them out with friends and family, and share them with you!  We have found that games are a wonderful means to developing stronger relationships with friends and family.   They provide an opportunity to get together, have good conversation, and laugh.

We love a good game that stimulates the mind and sparks fun conversation.  I was excited to learn about Numenko-in-a-bag, which is similar to a very popular word game out there, but uses numbers!  The objective of the game is to play all your tiles in a crossword fashion, vertically and/or horizontally, creating sums until all tiles have been used!  There are three kinds of tiles: numbers, freechoice (wild), and multichoice (which can represent any of the operators -- plus, minus, times, divided by, or equals). 

Tom Lennett, the inventor and creator of Numenko, had a passion to help his daughter with her math skills.   Here is a short, informative clip from his website.

When my daughter Stephanie was at school she had problems with maths.   I tried to buy a game that might help her, but there were no games available at that time.   I liked maths so I decided to make one myself.  Within a week I had created a board game, unfortunately although it worked,it was slow and laborious and there was no fun in playing it.  I put the game away and on many occasions over the years I got it out and tried to work on ways to improve it.   Many years later, after my daughter had left school, got married and had two children of her own, I cracked the problems with the game.   I came up with the Multichoice.  I sudddenly had a game that worked properly, it allowed maths to be played by all ages, helped children improve their number skills whilst playing a game.   It was challenging,educational and most important of all it was FUN to play. From the board game I called Numenko came the table top game (Numenko-in-a-bag) that allowed children to play with adults on an equal footing.   It has also been used by schools for Special Educational Needs.

Tom continues to be very passionate about math and helping children/adults improve their skills.  On his website you will find printable math puzzles, and another with interesting articles about math, education and board games.

They also support the Alzheimer's Society.  It has been proven in many studies that people that stimulate and challenge their brain as they age, they have a decreased risk of the horrible, dreaded Alzheimer's Disease.  Alzheimer's research is near and dear to my heart as both my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather suffered from the disease.  I commend Tom and his family for their support!

My Review:  I was really excited to sit down and play Numenko.  Since we love our word game so much, I knew we would enjoy this game!  It is really a mentally stimulating and challenging game.  I enjoyed using this different side of my brain while playing this game.  I love the fact that it is independent play, yet you are surrounded by others playing alongside of you!  You can play at your own speed and I love the fact you don't have to wait for others to complete their turn.  It is great having the multi-choice and free-choice options for play.  The game wouldn't be the same without it!

My First Puzzle

Making things a little more complex ...

Granted we are still teaching Sophia her numbers and counting skills, I am confident this game will come into handy when the time comes to teach her addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division!   For those of you that have school-age children, this is a great way to practice and sharpen math skills.  For those of you that don't have children or they are out of the house, this is a great game to keep those brain cells sharp!  Technology is great, but it sure doesn't stimulate our brains like a good old fashion game!!

BUY IT: HERE or HERE (Average Retail Price is $14.95)

WIN IT:  Tom, the creator of Numenko, has graciously offered a copy of Numenko-in-a-bag to one VERY lucky Go Long! Go Green! reader!!!

Links you will find helpful for the giveaway:

Go Green Go Long on Facebook
SGsMama on Twitter

This giveaway is open to the ALL and will end on Tuesday September 13th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

4 Giveaways on the BLOG right now ... have you entered?

Greetings to my awesome Go Long! Go Green! readers!

We currently have 4 review/giveaways up on the blog right now!  Each have LOW entries thus far = a great chance to win!

Take a few minutes and enter!! :)

TUB Plug (deep water baths!)  - 4 winners!!!!!!!
Rowboat Card Game (Similar game to Euchre or Rook!)  - 1 winner
Re-Pac Bags -- Reusable Sandwich bags (Awesome for your lunch or other items!) - 1 winner
Hike Card Game (similar game to UNO but WAY better!) - 1 winner


If you have any suggestions for companies to contact for any future reviews/giveaways, please leave a comment!!  

HIKE Card Game Review and Giveaway

After looking at the cover of this card game box, are you in the mood to go on a HIKE next to a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains? 

HIKE is a fun, new card game where nature springs surprises and players battle for survival! Get ready to go for a trek, get Lost on a Trail, ride out Avalanches, and always remember to watch out for…Poop. No Littering Allowed!

Hike’s compact size and quick (yet satisfying) gameplay make it perfect for any social setting. You can easily bring it along while enjoying the great outdoors or during a fun ol’ game night!

Hike’s intuitive design makes it easy for kids to pick up, so they’ll be able to join in on the family fun! Parents will quickly see how gameplay encourages cognitive learning and teaches children about nature.

Object of the Game: Get rid of your cards, outlast your opponents, and score points!

Five Easy Steps of Play:

Click to enlarge the picture to better read the instructions

Each game takes 30 minutes or less, which is great for a social setting!  You can play with 3-8 players!  We have played with both 4 and 5 players and enjoyed each of the games!

A Closer Look at the Cards: 

The pictures and colors are so vivid!

Our Review:

As many of you know, Nate and I LOVE to spend time outside: camping, biking, hiking, running, and just enjoying nature!  We fell in love with the game the minute we opened it!  We were quite impressed with the strong-themed outdoors card.  The pictures and colors were very vivid!  Each of the couples we have introduced the game have been excited to play it from the start just from the look of the fun cards!  Sometimes you can judge a book card game by its cover card face! 

HIKE shares some of the same concepts as UNO, but is MUCH more enjoyable to play.  There are 7 suited cards (Birds, Bugs, Lakes, Lights, Peaks, Trails, and Trees).  The deck also contains 10 specialty cards.  Each specialty card has unique actions associated with it and really enhance game play.   One of our favorite specialty cards is the Earthquake, which when played, makes all the players turn in their cards, all cards are shuffled together, and re-dealt to all the players.   You may have great cards until the Earthquake hits, then you might get stuck with the Poop card or the No Littering Allowed card (which cannot be played)! 

We feel this a great FAMILY game!  It is really easy to explain to new players and people catch on rather quickly!   It takes less than 5 minutes to explain how to play!  We even found that people who didn't like to play (or know how to play) games or cards, enjoyed this game, mostly due to the strong-fun theme!  It is also a great social game for a larger group of people (up to 8 can play).  Unlike some games, HIKE is a very concise game and it doesn't go on and on!

HIKE is one of our new favorite go-to card games to introduce to friends and family during game nights!!  We have not found 1 person that doesn't have a blast playing it!

It would make a great stocking stuffer at Christmas or an add-on gift to a friend or family member.

BUY IT: HERE and make sure to enter the promo code below for 20% all purchases!

WIN IT:  Moosetache Games has offered up 1 copy of the game HIKE to ONE VERY LUCKY Go Long! Go Green!  Reader!

Links you will find helpful for the giveaway:

Go Green Go Long on Facebook
SGsMama on Twitter
Moosetache Games on Facebook
Moosetache Games on Twitter

This giveaway is open to the ALL and will end on Tuesday August 30th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Rowboat Card Game Review

We love getting together with friends and playing card games such as Euchre or Rook.  When we heard about the new card game Rowboat, we were very interested to try it out with our “game night” buddies!  According to the buzz surrounding it, Rowboat is a new innovative card game with a classic feel.  The back of the box best summarizes it: “Play Rowboat – the bidding, trick-taking game where trump changes at every turn.”

There are 5 basic steps to Rowboat:

1. The Tide: innovative part of the game.  You deal the cards face up until all 4 suits are showing. (see picture below).  The Tide can have as few as 4 cards or as many as 10 cards in a 4-person game.  The Tide makes the hand size change every round and the trump change for each trick.  The Tide really makes the game interesting and elevates it above other trick taking games of this type.  Since the number of cards in play is always changing, it makes game play possibilities virtually endless.

2. The Deal: Deal each player the same number of cards that are in the Tide.

3. The Bid: Predict how many rounds you will win!

4. Let’s Play!  Navigate your way through the Tide with the cards in your hand.

5. Scoring: Make your bid and score points.  Fall short and lose points.

Check out this short “how to play Rowboat” video!

Our Review:

We fell in love with this ocean-themed game as a 2-player option for evenings after Sophia has gone to bed.  Allyson and I are always looking for fun things to create memorable experiences.  As we mentioned above, the game changes with each hand dealt, thus generating anticipation and excitement!

None of the 2-player tricking taking game variations we have played were very satisfying, but Rowboat is different.   The game mechanics help make a 2 player game an enjoyable experience.  Lately, Rowboat has taken the place of Cribbage as the card game of choice between my wife and I.

Last night we were excited to present our new game to our friends at “Game Night!”  We were personally excited to try out the 4-player version.  It only took about 10 minutes or so to explain and the first round of cards were dealt!  Our friends love playing Euchre and Rook with us, so we expected them to really enjoyed playing Rowboat!  THEY DID!!

Click picture to enlarge to see example of play

Allyson and I learned with 4-player Rowboat, bidding becomes much more challenging as you play partners and are often bidding on the same trick.  I might have the highest card, while Allyson has the second highest card, both assuming we would win the trick!  It took a few rounds to readjust our bidding technique from 2-player Rowboat in order that we didn’t over estimate the number of tricks we bid.  Each team is responsible to collect the sum of their individual bids.  For example, I bid 2 tricks + Allyson bids 3 tricks = as a team we must get a total of 5 tricks (in any combination).  

Rowboat includes three specialty cards, which create a fun addition.  Each of the cards has a different power, but can only be used once during the course of the entire game.  You have to choose wisely when you decide to use them!

Overall, we really enjoyed this game and so did our friends.  It would be an excellent addition to your game collection and would make an AWESOME Christmas stocking stuffer!!  If you like Euchre and/or Rook, you will LOVE this game!!!

Head over to their website and check it out …

BUY NOW: HERE  and make sure to enter the promo code below for 20% all purchases!

WIN IT:  Moosetache Games has offered up 1 copy of the game Rowboat to ONE VERY LUCKY Go Long! Go Green!  Reader!

Links you will find helpful for the giveaway:

Go Green Go Long on Facebook
SGsMama on Twitter
Moosetache Games on Facebook
Moosetache Games on Twitter





This giveaway is open to the ALL and will end on Tuesday August 30th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Re-Pac Reusable Bags REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 For months I have been looking for some high quality reusable baggies to use pack for our lunches.  I feel so wasteful using plastic baggies all the time.  We reuse our plastic baggies for dry food, but it doesn't work for wet or sticky food!  I started using tupperware, but it is so bulky in my lunch bag.  I was thrilled when Ciara from Re-Pac reusable bags agreed to a review and giveaway for our readers here at Go Long! Go Green!

Here is some info on Re-Pac Bags ...

- Made locally in California (GO USA!)
- Bags are money-saving and waste reducing
- Mold, Mildew,Re-Pac resuable bags Water, Stain and Leak resistant
- Lifetime GUARANTEE!
- Certified FREE of lead, BPA, and phthalates
- 100% plastic FREE
- Easy to clean and fast drying (dishwasher and washing machine safe)
- Variety of uses (Food, sunglasses, toiletries, makeup, school supplies, and many more!)

They come in 3 different sizes, small, medium, and large and in a variety of patterns and colors!  They are made out of 100% polyester outside and 100% nylon inside.  

Small: perfect for my homemade trail mix

Medium: I used it for my Kashi Pita Chips, but a normal size sandwich would fit perfect in here!

Large: Held my turkey and spinach sandwich with lots of extra space!  The website suggests the large items such as  grape bundles.  

My Review:  I was really impressed with these bags.  They were very easy to wash.  I just tossed them in the wash with my laundry.  Upon close examination, I am quite impressed with workmanship.  You can tell it was made in the USA!!  You know it is good when they back their product with a lfetime guarantee!

Ok, so I know you really want to know how fresh the food tasted after being stored in these baggies!  The real test, right?  I packed my lunch the evening before, about 5pm.  I didn't get into the food until the following morning about 11am.   The pita chips were just as crunchy as they were the night before when I was packing them!  The sandwich was just as fresh and tasty as I imagined!  The final taste test was my homemade trail mix, which I ate about 4pm.  It had been in the baggie for almost 24 hours.  I was really suprised to find everything crunchy and fresh!  I was so impressed with all 3 baggies and their freshness, despite the number of hours in storage.  The baggies require so much less space in my lunch bag too! 

I think I am going to have to order more!!  If you are looking for an easy to use, resuable baggie ... Re-Pac has just what you need!  They would make great gifts or stocking stuffers!! 

BUY IT : HERE
WIN IT:  Ciara over at Re-Pac has offered 1 full set (1 sm, 1 med, 1 large) to one VERY lucky Go Long! Go Green! reader!  

Links you will find helpful for the giveaway:

Go Green Go Long on Facebook
SGsMama on Twitter
Re-Pac Website
Re-Pac Bags on FB

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and will end on Tuesday August 30th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels REVIEW

Are you a softy for soft pretzels?  I LOVE them!  We went to a Fourth of July celebration in Danville and they had soft pretzels for sale.  Sophia was begging for more food (imagine that huh?).  I caved and we shared the worst soft pretzel in the WORLD!  It was dry, stale, and salt-free!  YUCK!!   Sophia didn't even like it and she likes EVERYTHING!  


I was thrilled when my box of Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels arrived in the mail this week!   Finally, a yummy, healthy, fix for my love of pretzels!!  

Here is a little history: Since 1995, Kim and Scott Holstein, co-founders of Kim and Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels, have grown their business from the kitchen in Kim’s studio apartment to a national presence selling millions of pretzels each week via grocery store chains like Albertsons, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods.  In addition, their pretzels can be found at Barnes and Noble, and via regular appearances on QVC, where they sold more than 150,000 pretzels in just 12 minutes when they debuted on the network. 

Each one of their delicious pretzels is twisted by hand and made from scratch. Kim and Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels offer an assortment of amazing pretzels, using ALL-NATURAL and PREMIUM ingredients, like freshly shredded cheeses, hearty spices, unbleached flour and whole grains.

My Review: WOW, WOW, WOW!  It is about all I can say right now as my tongue licks the last of the salt off my lips!  These pretzels tasted amazing!  It was the best soft pretzel I have EVER tasted and it was even gluten free!!  I served one to a friend that eats GF as well as the hubby -- both agreed with me!  My hubby wished he had some homemade beer cheese to dip it in!  


The prep was super easy and quick.  We decided to cook them in the oven as opposed to the microwave to have a crisper pretzel.  It always seems like GF products are best toasted.  You just wipe a damp towel over the pretzel and sprinkle the salt.  The box recommended cooking in the oven for 6-8 minutes at 350.  I found it needed about 12 minutes or so to get crisper and finish heating throughout!

Overall, I was really impressed with this product, especially for it being GF!  Job well done Kim and Scott!  A truly delicious afternoon treat!!  Once this new baby arrives and I need special things to look forward to, I will be looking for a box of the chocolate crumb or apple cinnamon ones for myself!

Why do I love these?  

- All-Natural

- Premium Ingredients

- Microwavable

- Whole Grains

- Made in a Nut-Free Facility

- Twisted by hand

- Made from scratch

- No Preservatives 

- No Trans Fat -- IN all honesty ... You will see this on so many packages of food that actually still have hydrogenated oils in them ... all dishonest marketing from those companies!  Hats off to Kim and Scott!

- No Hydrogenated Oils - not even a trace!

Kim and Scott have so many options and flavors for those that can eat gluten!  Traditional Bavarian, Sourdough Parmesan, GF Classic, Stuffed Pretzels (Cream Cheese, Egg and Cheese, Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Crumb, Apple Cinnamon, Pizza Pretzel, Cheddar Jalapeno, Spinach Feta, and Grilled Cheese)!

Now that we have tried the GF classic pretzel, I want to try these THREE: Stuffed Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Crumb, and Spinach Feta!

Which one would you like to try out?  Check out their website: http://www.kimandscotts.com

Click HERE to find a retailer near you!

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

TUB PLUG Blog Review and Giveaway

I love a good deep water bath!  Don't you?  My problem is always the same ... my tub will fill to the metal plate and then the water leaks from the overflow drain slot.  I can never get a full bath tub and it is so annoying!  Plus I always find myself turning the water back on to refill the tub.

I never knew there was a solution out there until came across this awesome GREEN product ... THE TUB PLUG! 
 

 How Tub Plug Works

• You don't need a Jacuzzi or fancy bathtub
• It does not use suction cups, they wear out
• It does not float into place, so there's no dislodging
• It easily fits in most bathtub overflow drain slots
• You simply push Tub Plug up into the overflow drain slot
• The unique design and material keeps it in place 

 Benefits Of Using Tub Plug

• Tub Plug is easy to use
• Attractive, small and durable
• Can travel with you anywhere
• Saves on utilities & bath products
• Creates a soothing deep water bath
• Relaxes, rejuvenates, refreshes your mind & body
• Catalyst for creating your own home spa experience

My Review:   After putting my tub  plug in place,  I was a bit skeptical it would actually would block all the water from leaving!  The plug didn't appear to have a snug fit over the overflow drain holes!  Nevertheless, it worked just as the website promised.  I was quite impressed by this product!  Thanks to the attached white cord, it is really easy to remove the plug when you are finished, however, you wouldn't necessarily do so.  

The plug appears to be made out of strong and sturdy material.  I feel it will last forever!

I am very confident that I will be enjoying more relaxing baths in the days to come thanks to my tub plug!  I love shutting the bathroom door, filling the tub with hot water, laying back on a bath pillow, reading my favorite book!  Ahhhh ... can't you just see the stress melt away?

Finally, I love the fact it conserves water and is another GREEN product to help reduce our footprint!





BUY IT : HERE
WIN IT:  Tower over at TUB PLUG has graciously offered a tub plug to 4 winners!!   The first LUCKY winner drawn will also receive a plush bath pillow to go with their tub plug!

Links you will find helpful for the giveaway:

Go Green Go Long on Facebook
SGsMama on Twitter
Tub Plug on Facebook
Tub Plug on Twitter

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and will end on Tuesday August 23rd at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Explaining weekly OB apts to a 2 1/2 year old ....

Sophia is very well-behaved at the doctors office and is always a trooper in the midst of LONG wait times, but the poor girl just dreads the doptone (to listen to the heartbeat).  It must be something about the crackly, static noise that scares her.  I always try to tell Sophia our day's schedule in the morning so she knows how things will go.  We find this really helps with obedience because she knows what is coming next.  Her steel-trap mind doesn't forget what is promised either!  HA!

Here is the conversation from this morning ...

Me: Sophia, we are going to go to the gym and then to mommy's doctor to make sure the baby is doing OK!

Sophia: I don't want to go to listen to the baby mommy.  It's scary!

Me: I know sweetheart, but we have to go b/c that is what the doctor said.  We actually have to start going each week now until the baby comes out.

Sophia: Why mommy?

Me: Each time we go, she can tell us if the baby is ready to come out or not.


Sophia: Mommy, the doctor doesn't need to tell us that ... the baby is already in your tummy.  She doesn't need to do anything for you.


Me: Sweetheart, I know the baby is in my tummy, but it can't stay in there forever or mommy's tummy will get huge!  Remember how Miss Libby's baby Adele was in her tummy and then one day we went to go meet her at her house?


Sophia: I like Adele mommy!  I want a baby sister like Maeve does.


Me: So we need to go to the doctor and see when our baby is going to come out.


Sophia: The doctor don't need to help you, I will help you get the baby out.  I will say, "Come out baby and we can play with my Dora house.  The baby likes Dora, Diego, Boots, and Tico mama!  You can help too mommy but the doctor need not help me.  I do it myself.   I am going to be a good big sister!"


Me: Ok sweetheart, we will see about that.  Are you going to catch the baby when she/he comes out?


Sophia:  Yes mommy, I catch like I catch the ball.


Me: (Laugh out loud) ... Ok Sophia, let's get to the gym!

Just precious ... makes my heart melt!!

36 week belly comparison .... THOUGHTS?

Alright ... here ya go ... many have asked for it and I have not been faithful about taking belly shots every 4 weeks like I did with my first pregnancy! 

So, what do you think??  Any gender predictions now?

36 weeks with Sophia

36 weeks with Baby #2

 We are so excited to meet this little one but still enjoying my sleep at night!!

The Last 4 Weeks ...

I can't believe I am going to say this ...  especially in the heart of my morning all-day sickness, but WOW this pregnancy has gone so quickly!  I look back and remember the morning we found out that we were pregnant ... Dec 29th!  Have I really been pregnant that long?

People say with your first, you sit and worry all the time, anxiously mark off the days in your calender until you get to meet your little one, sitting in constant wonder what it will be like ... yep, been there done that!  However, with the second, it seems like I haven't had the time to sit and worry, I am anxious to meet this little guy/gal, but haven't been marking off each day, and I don't have to wonder what it will be like because I know from first hand experience it will be amazing!!  Thank heavens for a 2 1/2 year old to keep my mind preoccupied so I can (somewhat) enjoy this pregnancy!

I have deemed August the month of Nate and Sophia.  I want to make it my goal for the next 4 weeks to do extra special things for my incredible husband before we begin man-on-man defense!  I want these next 4 weeks to be filled with awesome memories for Sophia of special times with her mommy and daddy before her word gets rocked in a way she won't understand!  The beauty of making family memories is that it doesn't have to cost anything (or just a few bucks) ... it only costs your time, love, and attention!!  

Here are a few examples for my two sweets:


Nate
- Final Date night with the Hubby coming up this weekend (Childcare provided thanks to a great friend from our "kid swap" date night)
- Playing lots of the hubby's new games before the baby comes and giving him lots of time/attention to try them out!
- Cooking extra tasty meals (hopefully with some leftovers to stash in the freezer)
- Making sure housework, laundry, dishes, etc stay caught up on ...
- Giving of myself and time in the evenings for good chats and quality bonding time


Sophia
- Enjoy each morning snuggle in her bed after she wakes up when we talk about the day and what is planned
- Extra trips to the Danville pool after 4pm when it only costs $3 for 3 hours of swim!
- Extra trips to the library to pick out new picture books and spend lots of time reading them to her (sometimes over and over and over again) with a smile on my face!
- Helping her to "mother" her baby and change the baby's diaper while teaching her what it will be like with a new baby in the house!
- Finding some fun garage sales so we can look for the end-of-season "treasures!"
- Meet the teach night at Sophia's Mom's Day Out/Preschool
- Going out for ice cream (a very special treat b/c we NEVER do it or rarely let her eat sweets that aren't healthy and made by yours truly)
- Going to 2 of her friends birthday parties
- Final playdates with friends
- Hopefully a few more trips to the park if the weather EVER cools down ...

Don't worry .... I plan to do some fun things for myself in these final weeks ...

Myself
- Glee 3D MOVIE on opening night with the girls!
- Girls night out for dinner!  (This past Monday, but still gotta include it on the list)
- Use my Groupon for Cass and Company Spa/Salon for my mani and pedi with my favorites SEESTER Sarah
- Book Club x 2 with my awesome girls
- Diaper Shower hosted by some awesome ladies at church
- 2 more weekend game nights scheduled with friends
- Hopefully a trip to Edinburgh to see my BFF and her kiddos

My lists seems full and possibly overwhelming to many of you, but no worries ... since we aren't finding out the gender it didn't take any time to prepare for baby.  I washed the crib sheets and white onesies, 10 unisex gowns, the car seat and bouncy seat cover.  I will pack a bag eventually .... the real work will come if we come home with a baby BOY!! :)

What kinds of things did you do to prepare for baby #2, 3, 4, etc?  Any final tips for this mama on adjusting to life with two??