Memorial Weekend Edition: Kid's Co-op

It's time for another Kids Co-Op!

This weekend, my plan is simple. I'll be enjoying some quiet time with my family and soaking up some sun (while lathered in SPF 30 sunscreen). Even though I won't be posting again until Tuesday, you can keep coming back to this linky, as new ideas will be added daily.

Have a wonderful weekend!  See you next week!

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Do you have any fun ideas you want to share? Leave a comment or link up!

1. Find up your new kid-friendly blog posts and add your link below.
2. Please grab a button.
3. Link directly to your project post and please don't link to stores or non-blogs.

Online Safety For Children: UKnowKids.com

Seeing my kids gain independence as they get older is one of the greatest privileges of motherhood.  

There are certain moments, like watching them swim or ride their bikes without training wheels, that make my heart smile. My sons are getting smarter, more confident and more social every day.  But, when it comes down to it, they're still kids. No matter how independent they want to be at age 6 or age 16, they need guidance. For many more years to come, it will be up to my husband and I to help our kids stay out of trouble.

I'm taking it one day at a time, and, for now, my sons are young enough that they only get supervised computer time. But, for older kids, I found a few helpful tips for monitoring online activity. They are:

1) Supervise Internet and Mobile Phones: If you can see what your kids are doing, they're less likely to get in trouble. Consider using a Parental Intelligence System such as uKnowKids.com.

2) Safeguards Safe Kids: Installing CIA-level monitoring software on your kids' computers does not guarantee they'll be safe online. Technology can't replace your time and attention as a parent or guardian.

3) Don't go overboard: It's smart to keep an eye on your kids' social networking proles, but it's never cool when you post embarrassing messages or pictures to their page.

(Source)

Aren't these tips are a great place to start? I'm really grateful that parents are taking the initiative to develop products, like UKnowKids.com, that help to keep our children safe online Check out this video to see how it works.

UknowKids.com provides: Comprehensive Facebook Monitoring,Mobile phone and text message monitoring, child GPS tracking and more. There are multiple subscription options including both paid and free options. You can find find out more on UKnowKids.com.

Have you ever used a service like this? What do you think?

Read my disclosure here

Kid's Workshop at Lowe's on May 26, 2012

Lowe's is having a FREE Kid's Build & Grow Clinic this Saturday that you won't want to miss!  Your kids can build their very own wooden Ice Cream Truck. My kids love all of these hands-on activities and they are always so proud of their work.

Every child who participates will get to complete this project for FREE at the workshop, plus they'll get a free Apron and a patch.

Begins:   Saturday, May 26th at 10:00am

Ends:      Saturday, May 26th at 11:00am

Location: Your Local Lowe's Store

Don't forget to register on the Lowe's Website to reserve your child's space.

Recipes For 6 Simple Side Dishes

I'm the type of cook who likes experimenting with different ingredients and recipes. However, if I find a recipe that works, I don't hesitate to make it over and over again. Now, with BBQ season here, I wanted to take a minute to highlight some of my favorite recipes for simple summer side dishes. 

,

Greek Inspired Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

Grilled Potato Salad Recipe

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Crescent Veggie Pizza Recipe

Recipe for Greek Tzatziki Cucumber Dip/Sauce

Tortellini & Grape Tomatoes & Pesto

What will you be cooking up this weekend?

Real Life Weight Loss & Weight Watchers

Sometimes I feel like blogging about my weight loss is just as exciting as watching paint dry.  Not because I think it's boring, but because I feel like it's moves so slow.

Then I remind myself that this is my life. I'm not a celebrity on a weight loss commercial who is getting paid $75,000 for every pound lost. This is the real life of an average mom.  Progress take time.  I've lost about 16 pounds, but I finally decided it's time to sign up for Weight Watchers.

When I joined Weight Watchers years ago, I just remember old ladies sitting in the meeting, talking about blueberries, as I sat their with my infant feeling in the back row. It was not my cup of tea.

Now, years later, I have friends who have succeeded with the Weight Watchers Points Plus Plan, and a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to join with her. So, we signed up, got weighed in, and I was actually pleasantly surprised by the whole plan. I'm still not sure about the meetings, but I really like the way the whole point system works.

I absolutely love how you get extra points every week that you can use for a special occasion. I like that certain vegetables are zero points. It's great that no foods are off limits.  It's all about making good choices and learning proper portion control.  It gives simple guidelines that anyone can follow.

So, I'm down about 16 pounds total and I'm happy. At first, I was hesitant to write about weight loss on this blog. However, I've continued because I know there are lot of other moms reading this who are going through the same thing. It may take a while, but I'm absolutely determined to succeed at this.

Can you relate? Do you have any Weight Watchers tips or healthy recipes? Leave me a comment.

Cheap Family Fun With KidsSkateFree.com

Ah, the good old days....

Does anyone else remember roller skating to the tune of Salt n' Pepa's Push It? I remember lots of good times at the roller skating rink. But, my kids? I don't think they even know what a roller skating rink is. If yours don't either, it's a good time to head on over to the KidsSkateFree.com website. Here's a list of reasons, from that website, why roller skating is fun for kids. 

Roller skating is:

• A fun way to increase muscular strength and cardio respiratory endurance.
• A way to burn anywhere from 330 to 600 calories per hour!
• A Great for improving balance and flexibility.
• A fantastic source of aerobic exercise.
• A key to weight control.
• Easy to learn.
• A great tension reliever and enthusiasm builder.
• An excellent way to help maintain good health.

What is Kids Skate Free?  It's a program designed to help children get out and be active in their local community by offering FREE admission to their local skating centers each week throughout the summer. You can see a full list of participating skating centers by going to the Kids Skate Free website. If you see one near you, just click on the name and you can see the details for that partular center. If not, check back again another day, because they are still adding more centers. Some of Kids Skate Free FAQ's are listed here.

I'll be getting on my skates this summer?  Will you?

Thanks to Jennifer @ JerseyFamilyFun for the tip!

10 Tips For Picking Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Locally

Headed to a pick-your-own farm?

Here are 10 simple tips featuring the Moms from the Best Blogs for Local Fun:

1) Call Before You Go. Amy from Atlanta with Kid has a tip that everyone needs to know, no matter where you plan to go fruit picking. She says: "Before packing the kids and heading out to the farm, it’s best to call them in advance (on that day). Because you will never know if they are closed that day or if there is any change in their crops."

2) Savor the Moment. Sandra from Albany Kid recalls "One of my fondest childhood memories is a visit to a strawberry field in Maryland with my friend Ann." Even as an adult, Sandra holds these memories dear, and hopefully, your kids will too!

3) Do a Little Research. I wish I would have read this post by Annie, from KidList, before we went strawberry picking.  Her post is full of helpful information for anyone thinking about strawberry picking with kids. I had no idea that "strawberries keep better if you pick them with the cap and stem on. Pull the strawberry at the stem with a slight twist and it should come off with the cap and stem." Next year, I'm going to teach my kids this trick.

4) The Closer The Better. Jennifer and Stephenie from Rocket City Mom remind us that "The very best way to feed our families fresh food is to shop local." If you live near a farm, try to buy from them as often as possible. It's better for everyone.

5) Pack a Lunch. Heidi at Free Fun in Austin tells us all about her adventure, Strawberry Picking at Sweet Berry Farm. She always keeps a close eye on the budget, and although it's not always do-able, she knows that packing your own lunch can save a lot of money when you're on a local family adventure.

6) Give the Kids A Box or Basket They Can Fill. Linda from Kid Friendly DC had a wonderful time picking strawberries recently.  She said "the berries were just as abundant as they gorgeous." Sometimes, kids can get carried away, and if you give them a huge basket, they might just fill it.  When we went strawberry picking, I gave each of my boys a quart container that they could fill themselves. This helped ensure we didn't leave with too many or too few berries. 

7) Consider Joining a CSA. The moms at Louisville Family Fun mention another great alternative to 'Pick Your Own' farms.  More and more communities around the country have a CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture programs.) If you're not familiar with CSAs, basically, at the start of a season, you sign up for a share and pay the farm a fee. Then, the farmer supplies you with a certain amount of fresh produce for a set number of weeks during the season. I've heard of some CSA's that require a set # of hours spent volunteering on the farm.  And, you know what that means... a great opportunity to pick your own!

8) Expect the Unexpected. There's a whole list of "Things to Know Before You Go" in Jen's post over at Pensacola Kid. Three important things you don't want to forget: 1) Cash, 2) Sunscreen and 3) a Cooler.

9) Don't Forget Your Camera. The natural beauty of Orchards and Farms creates the perfect backdrop for family photos.  You'll want to remember the moments when your kids put the basket on their heads, or had strawberry smeared across their cheeks. I snapped photos of both!

10) Start Pinning Fruit & Veggie Recipes for summer. When you see a good recipe for strawberries, blackberries, apples or zucchini, pin (or bookmark) it for later. Speaking of blackberries... if you love blackberries, you should see the immense berries that Yuma Mom's family picked at Silvas Farm in Yuma, AZ.  She also tells us about her favorite recipe for Apple-Blackberry Pie.

No matter where you are in the country, you can Pick Your Own Around the Country at PickYourOwn.org. Lehigh Valley Mom has a compiled a list here for her readers.

Have you gone berry picking yet?  What are your favorite memories from your trip to the farm?

Welcome To 'The Kid's Co-Op'

Today, I have something new to share!

Since January 2011, I've been hosting Fun for Kids Friday, but, today, I'm joining the The Kid's Co-op with some other family friendly bloggers. This linky party is full of so many wonderful kid's crafts, activities, educational ideas and more.  I hope you like it!

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Do you have any fun ideas you want to share? Leave a comment or link up!

1. Find up your new kid-friendly blog posts and add your link below.
2. Please grab a button.
3. Link directly to your project post and please don't link to stores or non-blogs.

Win a Beyond Coastal Sunscreen Prize Pack

One of my lucky readers will win a Beyond Coastal Sunscreen Prize Pack.

Click here to read my Beyond Coastal review and enter with Rafflecopter.

International Museum Day - May 18th 2012

May 18th is International Museum Day and many museums around the world are participating by offering FREE admission.  Here are a few that are celebrating International Museum Day in some way:

• The Philadelphia Museum of Art will offer free admission all day on Friday, May 18, in celebration of International Museum Day.
• Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas
• General Lew Wallace Study & Museum, Crawfordsville, Indiana
• Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge
• Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County at the Hjemkomst Center museum, Moorhead, Minnesota
• Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
• Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, AR
• Speed Art Museum, Louisville
• Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco

Click here for a more information about International Museum Day.  Note: Some local museums may not be listed on the official International Museum Day website, but are still celebrating. Be sure to check with your local museum if you're interested.

Thanks to Jennifer from Jersey Family Fun for the tip!

Fitness Magazine Event in NYC #FitBlogNYC

I love spending time with my kids, but sometimes a good mom's day out is a must. Last week, I had a wonderful day in New York City with some really fantastic women at a Fitness Magazine event in New York City and it totally inspired me. There were some major fitness fanatics there, and I had the chance to learn more from some health, fitness and fashion experts including:

Fitness Nutrition Editor, Juno DeMelo, Keri Gans and Tanya ZuckerBot spoke about The Real Deal on Carbs, Cleanses and Caffeine.  During this session, I learned how important a healthy, balanced diet really is.  It's not about cutting out major food groups and never having a cup of coffee.  It's about embracing a healthy lifestyle and incorporating good habits into everyday life. You can follow these ladies on Twitter @junodemelo @KeriGans @F_Factor.

Image Courtesy of Sherry www.SuperExausted.com @BabyPop

It has been so long since I've been to a fashion show, so I really enjoyed the session: Gym to Street: Fashion Tips That Will Help Stretch Your Spandex Beyond The Gym with Fitness Magazine's Fashion Director Argy Koutsothansis on Twitter @ArgyStyle). She paired fitness wear with traditional pieces and it really created some very cool looks. So many of the featured looks reminded me of  Jockey Person to Person. It really is possible to be comfortable and cute at the same time. It just takes a bit of creativity. And, just like Sunil Ramchandani from Jockey P2P, Argy believes that confidence is the best accessory that anyone can have. Isn't that so true?

Throughout the day, we also had the opportunity to check out some very cool brands...

We were introduced to the fashionable and fitness friendly Oakley Women's Sunglasses. You can see some of my friends and I modeling them above.  I never knew Oakley made such cute sunglasses until #FitBlogNYC and they really do stay in place when you're working out.

Reebok's Flex Sneakers are super cute and designed to promote natural movement of the foot. They're also incredibly light on your foot and very comfortable. Not only do they allow your feet to move and flex as you work out, but they come in some of the coolest colors too - perfect for summer!

It was nice to see Birkenstock showing off their new colors and styles that I had not seen before. I thought I knew the Birkenstock brand, but I had no idea that they had trendy new colors like black patent leather, scuba blue and silver.  If you only remember the Birkenstocks from the 1990's you really need to get reacquainted with them. BirkenstockUSA.com

There were so many great brands at #FitBlogNYC, I'm going to have to save some of them for another blog post. More importantly, this event helped me stay focused with my mission to lose weight and stay fit.  After the event, I signed up with a friend at Weight Watchers and I'll be keeping you updated on my progress. So far, I'm off to a great start. : ) 

What helps to keep you focused with fitness and maintaining a healthy weight? Is it your friends, group fitness classes, your active kids or all of the above?

Tips For Traveling With Kids

Anyone who has traveled with kids, knows that being prepared makes traveling with kids so much more pleasant. Here are a few simple and basic things to keep in mind when making your plans. Hopefully, these will make the journey less stressful and hopefully enjoyable for all family members.

Slow down the pace

In my opinion, once you have kids, travel changes. Trips involving younger family members need to be taken a little more slowly as frequent pit stops may be needed along the way. A road trip, for example, should be planned with the location of rest rooms as well as picnic areas in mind. Remember, you are on vacation.  Sometimes, it's best to set low expectations, just go with the flow and relax.

Avoid boredom

Some vacation packages involve fairly long journeys, including by plane, and it pays to think ahead about keeping the kids amused en route. Electronic toys may not be usable during the entire flight, but good old-fashioned coloring books, or sheets and a few bright pencils, for example, can provide a great diversion. Lots of websites provide access to free downloads of pictures for coloring. A small toy plane, sticker books, and story books also help to make time fly while in the air.

Think about eating and sleeping

Bringing extra snacks and drinks are a must, even if meals are planned into a journey. I always try to bring low sugar snacks that won’t make too much of a mess. But, ultimately, I'm a little more flexible when it comes to food-on-the-go.  If potato chips will keep my kids quiet on the plane, that's what they're getting! For little ones, packing extra pre-prepared bottles, pacifiers, bottle nipples and teething toys also makes life easier.  Every mom knows that having a carry-on bag with the right equipment is essential.

If a baby or toddler has a favorite soft toy to cuddle before sleeping, make sure it’s included when packing. Depending on the journey, a stroller makes for a useful place for a child to nap and there are plenty of lightweight varieties that are not overly bulky.

Keep kids safe

There are so many cool products to keep kids safe while traveling. When traveling by air, unaccompanied minors usually wear identity tags – airlines sometimes provide a button, pin or a baseball cap. When accompanying kids on a journey that might involve several different stages, it’s a good idea to use the same techniques to make sure they can be quickly and easily identified in a crowd. I have never used a child monitor, but they provide extra security and will sound an alarm if a child wanders out of a preset range. The child wears a specially designed bracelet or watch and the adult’s small monitor contains a linked tracking device. Another low cost alternative are SafetyTats, which are personalized tattoos that your kids can wear when you're on the go.

Health Matters

If you have a child who suffers from allergies or travel sickness, don't forget your epi-pen or medication. Children with any specific medical conditions should always carry medical details – a card stating their allergy, for instance, or a bracelet with essential information about their condition. Overseas travel may require vaccination and it is always useful to take a note of the blood groups of family members, including children, in the event of an emergency. 

Over the years, traveling with kids has gotten so much easier for my family.  We're finally done with the diapers, strollers and naps which has made our vacations a lot more enjoyable. And, you know what that means, more reasons to travel!

What's your favorite tip for traveling with kids?

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Lincoln Financial Philadelphia 2012

 

Can you hear the roar of the engines and see the dirt flying through the air?

It's almost Monster Jam time again!

When we went to Monster Jam last year for the first time, we were completely won over. We made Grave Digger signs before we went, we cheered for the trucks as they raced around the track, and my entire family had a great time. At the end of the night, the kids were already begging to do it all over again.

You can read my full review of the 2011 event here: Philadelphia Monster Jam Fun.

This year Monster Jam is coming to Philadelphia wiith an unprecedented line-up that includes 5 World Champion Drivers. There will be 16 Monster Jam Trucks coming to Lincoln Financial Field and it's sure to be tons of fun!

Catch a sneak peek with this video:

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks! The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over or smash through! Monster Jam provides a massive night’s entertainment tailored
perfectly for your family’s budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to
capture the hearts of both young and old.

Kids Tickets $10*

JUNE 9
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, PA

Save $10* on tickets
Use code BLOGGER

Buy tickets here or call 800-745-3000

Have you bought your tickets yet?  One of my readers will WIN a Family Four Pack of Monster Jam Tickets for the Philadelphia Event on June 9th by entering here.

*$10 savings valid on the $35 and $25 seats only. Not valid on Total Access, Front Row,
VIP, $15 or Kids' pricing. Kids’ tickets $10 only valid on $35, $25 and $15 seats. Offer
expires June 8 at 11:59 PM. Competitors subject to change without notice. Additional
service charges, handling and facility fees may apply. All tickets $2 more day of show.

To All The Mommies Out There

Wishing all of LocalFunforKids readers a happy & healthy Mother's Day! Enjoy your day!

Fashion Friday: Jockey Person to Person

It's not everyday that you get a call from an accomplished fashion designer while you're at home with your kids. So, when the designer from Jockey Person to Person called me, I was on cloud nine!  Over the years, he's dressed many celebrities and was the Design Director for Queen Latifah Clothing Line. He used his designer magic to find the perfect outfit for the Fitness Magazine event that I attended in New York City this past week, and he really hit the mark.

I am not a fashionista, but I know what I like.  For me, Jockey Person to Person clothes are the perfect combination of comfort, quality and style. Buying clothes from Jockey P2P takes the guessing game out of choosing a nice wardrobe. It seems like they understand that when you are spending money on clothes, you want to look amazing and get bang for your buck. The designers at Jockey P2P carefully make clothes that stand the test of time and are easy to mix and match so that you can really get the most out of your wardrobe. Check out this video to see their Spring 2012 line:

As you can see from the video, Jockey makes more than just underwear.  Their convertible cardigans are extremely popular (I love mine!), and they also have workout gear, dresses, office wear and everything in between. I've always had a hard time finding pants that fit comfortably and look good, and Jockey's pants are my favorite. 

So, how did I learn about Jockey P2P?  I recently got to know Jockey Person to Person at a friend's house. One of Jockey P2P's Comfort Specialist® consultants came to the house and brought a ton of clothes for us. They have trained specialists who bring the girls night out to you and your friends.  If you're looking for a way to work around your schedule and make some money, you can learn about their direct sales opportunities here.  Or, find out how to host a Jockey party here.

Next week, I'll be showing you another great Jockey P2P outfit and tell you all about the Fitness Magazine event.  So, be sure to check back. 

Have you ever been to a Jockey P2P party?  Do you love their clothes?

Linking up with Jo-Lynne's Fashion Friday at Musings of a Housewife.

Thanks to everyone  at Jockey Person to Person for making me feel so special with this new outfit. See my full disclosure here.

Actifry Low Fat Cooker Review & Sweepstakes

One of my lucky readers will win their very own T-Fal Actifry! Yet, before I tell you about that, I want to give you the scoop on the Actifry and why I've really enjoyed using it. It's ridiculously easy to use and it provides a nice healthy alternative to other cooking methods.

If you're like me, when you hear the word "fry" and immediately think about fat, grease, oil. Yuck! But, the Actifry is actually not a deep fat fryer at all and it makes low fat cooking easy.  ActiFry is patented technology with pulsed hot air and constant stirring of ingredients with paddle that allows the perfect cooking of food with little to no oil (1 tablespoon of oil).

When I first opened my T-Fal Actifry, it took less than a minute to learn how to use it. There are two buttons 1) Timer and 2) On/Off. There are some kitchen appliances that I dread cleaning , but this is not one of them. The Actifry has a smooth non-stick surface that is extremely easy to clean and most parts are dishwasher safe which makes me super happy!

I made some sweet potato fries with the Actifry and they were awesome!  You might be wondering why the Actifry makes better fries than a deep fryer or your oven, so let me tell you. First of all, I used only 1 table spoon of oil for a family size portion of fries. They were not greasy, because there is no excess grease.  They tasted as good, or better, compared to any sweet potato fries I've had in a restaurant. 

You can also make chicken nuggets, stir fry, curry, seafood dishes, dessert, and so many other recipes with the Actifry. Also, do you remember those crunchy baked chickpeas that I made? They were a little tricky to get perfect by using the oven, so when I saw a recipe on the Actifry website for them, I was really happy.  Since the Actifry is constantly stirring the ingredients, everything cooks evenly.  No need to flip anything or shake anything.  You just press the 'On' button and walk away.  It does the rest.

If you're still looking for a Mother's Day gift, you can purchase the T-fal Actifry in Bed Bath and Beyond.  Also, check them out on Facebook and Twitter too!

Would you like to win your very own Actifry? One lucky LocalFunforKids.com reader will win an Actifry.  Click here for the sweeps.

 This is a sponsored post. See my full disclosure and terms of use here.

May 12th, 2012: National Train Day

Did you know that National Train Day is this weekend? Starting at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 12^th, Amtrak is hosting the 5^th annual National Train Day!

Come and celebrate the joy of trains and train travel! Train stations in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles will be hosting events with free, fun activities, interactive exhibits and train displays that will bring the ‘rail way’ to life for attendees both young and old. If you live somewhere else, check out the events page of the NationalTrainDay.com to see if there is an event in your area.

If you live in the New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles area, you'll have the chance to tour private luxury railcars, freight and commuter trains, as well as current Amtrak equipment.  This is all on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited, so be sure to arrive early!

For updated information, you can like National Train Day on Facebook or visit their site.

Preview Of What's To Come

Today, I was in New York city for a very special event and there are so many things I want to tell you about over the next few days.

I'm really excited about upcoming giveaways, local fun, and for the first time ever, I'll even be writing about fashion with Jockey Person to Person!

Get ready!

Here's a small taste of what I'll be diving into...

Actifry Review & Giveaway (retails for over $200)

Monster Jam Philly - Ticket Giveaway

Mother's Day

Fitness Magazine

I can't wait to share all of this with you, so check back here tomorrow!  Also, don't forget to enter to win the New Year's Eve DVD, and the Paper Flower Bouquet on my Reviews & Giveaways page.

Confidence: Celebrating Victories Big & Small

Both of my sons learned to ride a bike before their 4th birthday. Without a doubt, the moments I had teaching them how to ride their bikes without training wheels are some of the best moments of my life.

By taking away their training wheels they developed new independence and self confidence which could be seen a mile away. When either of my children accomplishes a goal, I am filled with joy. If you're a mom, I'm sure you can relate. It doesn't matter whether it is something they've been working on for months, or accomplished in a matter of hours. Victories big and small are something to be proud of. Now, I'm starting to see that it's important to celebrate our own personal victories too.

Since February, I've been writing about weight loss. The first month, I celebrated a huge victory of losing 10 pounds, but I haven't really been thrilled with my progress since then. Why? I've been slowly losing more weight and lost one more pound this past week. I just have to keep reminding myself that even a one pound loss is something to be proud of. Imagine if the tables were turned and it was my child's *small* accomplishment. It wouldn't be so small then, would it? 

As moms, we need to celebrate each other too. This past weekend, my friend Kelly completed the 10-mile Broad Street Run, after a tremendous 89 pound weight loss over the past year. On Kelly's blog, The Turnip Farmer, you can watch the video of her near the finish line and listen to the sounds of her husband and daughter cheering her on. Hearing her daughter on the video was especially touching. Not only did Kelly reach the finish line, but she's an inspiration to her family, myself and others.

Maybe you're like me, and walked 10 miles in a week, or like Kelly, and ran 10 miles in one morning. Whichever one you are, celebrate your personal victories big and small, just like you would for your child. You earned it.

"Everyone is trying to accomplish something big,

not realizing that life is made up of little things."

- Frank Clark

Win a Bouquet of Handmade Paper Flowers

My husband and I always joke that there's no point in having nice things in the house with two young children running around. Yet, my lack of interior design skills isn't helping the matter. You would think that if someone is creative and crafty they might have at least a smidgen of talent when it comes to interior decorating. Nope. Not me. That is why I truly admire people who have a real, natural talent for home design. Denise, from The Painted Home is one of those people.  

Denise has fabulous ideas for interior design and works magic in her clients' homes in the Philadelphia area. Not only is Denise extremely talented at design, but she's also an amazing crafter. I recently learned how to make these charming paper flowers during an in-person tutorial with Denise when she brightened up a Plum District luncheon with dozens of multi-colored paper flowers.

In an upcoming post, I'm going to show you how to make these gorgeous flowers.  But, before I do, Denise is offering to send one of my lucky readers a bouquet of paper flowers that she has made.  Keep them for yourself or send them to a friend to brighten their day.

Continue here to enter the giveaway.