It seems like everyone that I know runs their own business. This is true even if they have a full-time job. Why? Because most of us do not want to live paycheck to paycheck. And if our 9-5 jobs are not paying us enough, we want more! Or we NEED more. Also, it is a… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Family
VSP Vision Care Optometrist Talks About the Affects of Technology on Our Eyes
Like so many others I wear glasses. I have worn them since I was a little kid. I could not remember, so I had to call and ask my mother how old I was when I got my first pair. She says that I was 7. That is pretty young. However, my girls have followed my… Continue Reading
momAgenda Kitchen Folio Review & Giveaway
Being the mother of 4 in grade school I get a lot of paper. You might think that these days schools have switched over to doing more electronically, but not so! I still get monthly newsletters, announcements, permission slips, flyers for events, and more. And where do I keep it all? Until now I admit that some papers would… Continue Reading
Sitterati iPhone App Review
Not too long ago I told you about Sitterati‘s new iPhone App which makes easy work of booking a babysitter. The app allows you to input sitters that you know, or find sitters based on friend’s recommendations. It makes an easier time of finding one than asking everyone that you know and making phone call after phone call, or posting on your Facebook wall asking “Who can babysit for me this Saturday?”… Continue Reading
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Deluxe Review
Let’s face it… Transformers are cool. They have been cool since I was a kid. I had several of the toys. Of course, now they have transformed (pun intended) and they are more than just little toys that we fight with to turn them robots to cars. Now they are a movement! Do I sound… Continue Reading
The Croods Wii Game + iTunes Gift Card Giveaway (2 winners)
Earlier this year I was invited to fly out to LA to get the inside scoop of the new movie, The Croods. Unfortunately I had to pass on the invite due to things going on at home. However, I can see by the buzz on the internet that the movie is great. I hope to be… Continue Reading
Raising Digital Natives – My First Article for Chicago Parent Magazine
Although tech was not as widely in use when I was young, I still managed to become a techy from a young age. And I personally think I turned out OK. But, it seems that a lot of parents forget that knowing technology, and knowing it well can lead to an awesome career in IT,… Continue Reading
H&R Block At Home Premium Tax Giveaway + Tax Tips
Tax time is here. By now you have received all of your W2 forms, 1099 forms, mortgage interest statements, and everything else needed to do your taxes. But, have you gotten started on them? Or are you procrastinating like me? One thing that helps getting your taxes done quickly and correctly is having great tax… Continue Reading
Bad Move: Yahoo’s Female CEO Eliminates Work From Home Program
Earlier today I was listening to the Doug Banks Radio Show. The question of the day was about Marissa Mayer, the Yahoo CEO, announcing to the company that as of June 1, 2013 no one will be allowed to work from home. As you can imagine in this day and age this has created quite… Continue Reading
The Hip Hop Dance Experience for XBox Kinect Review
I have a confession. Ok… really I have 2 confessions: #1 I hate working out (I know I have confessed that before). #2 I have a guilty pleasure. I love listening to some hip hop songs. Now… I do not enjoy the crud that they pass off as hip hop on the radio these days.… Continue Reading
Peppa Pig Happy Mrs. Chicken App Review
If you have children chances are you know Peppa Pig. She is the lovable little cartoon character that entertain kiddies with her adventures. Thanks to technology, Peppa Pig has now arrived on your iPad. an iPad is an awesome way for toddlers to learn and be entertained. The Happy Mrs. Chicken app includes six activities… Continue Reading
Balanced Living with Coca-Cola Workshop Recap
I was compensated for my participation in Coca-Cola’s Balanced Living Workshop, but my thoughts and views are my own. I just spent an awesome couple of days with Coca-Cola talking about Balanced Living. I was not quite sure exactly what I would get out of it. Coca-Cola and balanced living? Hmmm… It was better… Continue Reading
Give ‘em Ragu iPad App Review
One thing that we have to our advantage right now as parents is technology. There is no reason why we should not have hundreds or even thousands of photos and videos of our kids. We now have fancy cameras, pocket videos cameras, or smartphones that can take awesome photos and videos. What we do with… Continue Reading
Buying New Video Games for Christmas? Check the ESRB Rating
ESRB ratings are put in place to help parents make informed decisions when purchasing video games for their kids. This time of year is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the ESRB ratings and what each means. The ratings have been around for a long time. But do you actually pay attention to them when purchasing… Continue Reading
Counting My Blessings This Holiday Season
Each year at this time we all experience more stress than usual. There is the stress of decorating, or the stress of seeing family that we may not have seen all year. And of course there is the stress of purchasing Christmas presents for our loved ones. That last one provides the most stress. With… Continue Reading
The Work Life Balance
Sigh… it never ends… the infamous to do list. There are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. This goes double for mothers taking care of our households and families. There is always laundry to be done, dinner to be made, cleaning to do, etc. etc. And some think that things are… Continue Reading
Guest Post: Getting a Kid Friendly Computer
There is a lot to think about when choosing a new laptop or computer, especially if you will be getting one that will be used by your children. Parents want computers for their kids that are easy to use, have different parental controls, and can help teach children how to properly use a computer. There… Continue Reading
Sooth the Air with the Sharper Image Cool Mist Humidifier
Since my boys were babies I have kept a cool mist humidifier running in their room at night. This helps sooth the air so to speak. A dry house can cause problems like night time coughing, dry throat, dry nose, and more. Ugh. None of that sounds pleasant does it? One of my boys has… Continue Reading
The Barbie Doll Addiction and the Little Entrepreneur
When I was my young I had a LOT of Barbie dolls. I probably went through 25 Barbie Dolls… maybe more. And now many, many years later my girls still have them. What is about about Barbie that gets little girls so excited? Barbie is beautiful. Barbie is smart. Barbie drives a Corvette. Barbie has a… Continue Reading
Entertaining at the Last Minute with the LG Blast
I used to watch soap opera’s and giggle at just how put together the people always are. They are always fully dressed at home with a full face of makeup, so they are always put together. And someone is always dropping by. This is not real life. Well, at least it is not MY real… Continue Reading
Start Planning Those Holiday Cards with Tiny Prints
Can you believe that in only one week it will be November? I cannot. This year has flown by way too fast. As with every year around this time I start thinking “Hmm.. what will I do for holiday cards this year?” I have really, really cute kids (LOL!!)…. so I am a big fan… Continue Reading
Nurture Your Child’s Education with Tech Toys
There is always chatter about whether or not our children are being exposed to too many electronics. Well, as a techy myself from a VERY early age I will say no. Of course when I was a young child there were no iPhones, iPads, or other smartphones. But, I did have an Atari gaming system.… Continue Reading
Helping Children Understand Identity Theft
As children get older and gain more freedom using cellphones, making purchases, and running errands on their own you want to make sure that they know how to keep their data safe. Making them understand why they may be at risk for identity theft can be difficult. They need to understand why they should not sign up… Continue Reading
momAgenda School Years Review and Giveaway
School projects, photos, artwork, certificates and more. Chances are if you have kids you have a box, drawer, bag, carton, or cork board of all of the priceless things your children have brought home from school. The cork boards in my office are covered in artwork. And I love to keep things that my kids… Continue Reading
Are Your Kids Ready for a Smartphone?
The answer to that question is that it depends on how smart they are… Kidding. No, but really… how do you know when your kids are ready? My girls had prepaid cell phones briefly when they were 7. They were not ready. As smart as they were, they just did not have a need for… Continue Reading
Learn Family Mobile Safety with Me, My Kids, & AT&T
If you read my blog you know that I think family safety is important. This goes for the internet, computers, television, and mobile phones. Kids are susceptible to inappropriate content from a variety of sources, and they need to be protected. Not too long ago my kids and I were chosen by AT&T to get the word out about… Continue Reading
Gutzy Gear Adds Flair to Your Kid’s Backpack
Remember that scene in Office Space when Jennifer Aniston is reprimanded by her boss for not having enough flair on her uniform? Yes, it is totally hysterical. Now, while your child definitely does not need 37 pieces of flair, a few pieces certainly cannot hurt to set them apart from the other kids. Enter Gutzy… Continue Reading
Ganz Studios Launches the Amazing World Game For Kids + Giveaway
Kids love gaming. From gaming consoles to make believe games to hide and seek to internet games, kids love to play. And depending on the game, there are many benefits to letting your child indulge… within reason of course. Games teach kids motor skills, social skills, and problem solving skills. And some games even promote exercise.… Continue Reading
CVS is Offering Free Health Screening for National Immunization Month
August is National Immunization Month. In honor of this and to bring more awareness to multicultural communities, CVS is offering free health screenings in 10 cities across the US. Screenings will include checking for things like high blood pressure, vaccinations, body mass index, and more. For more information read CVS Pharmacy’s “Project Health” Bringing Free Health… Continue Reading