Perfect Power Strip for Families #Review

Perfect Power Strip for Families #Review

Is your family as connected as mine? We have devices for everyone, in all sizes, and brands. Keeping everyone charged and connected has become a labor of love, cords, and finding enough power outlets. 

I've tried creating a "technology corner" to keep all devices charging in one place. I've let the kids run off with their own power cords. It just seems there is never a power outlet where we need it or enough of the right types of plugs to accommodate all our devices.

So, when I found the LDNIO 3 Outlet Power Strip with 6 USB Ports.This power strip that has 3 outlets and 6 USB plugs, it seems that I have found a way to extend my family's charging abilities. This handy little power strip is perfect for our office area to keep everyone's laptops charged, plus all the cell phones.

Adding one in the "technology corner" gives all the tablets and kids' laptop a power center that won't overload a standard wall outlet. 

One of my favorite features is the intelligent charging technology that detects when a device is fully charged. It will automatically adapt and allocate power to each USB ports in order to provide the best power efficiency.

Plus, as an Amazon Prime product, it arrives quickly!

Does your family struggle to keep the technologies in your life fully charged?

Until Next Time,

Katie



This post is sponsored by keezzz. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read more »

KidsArtbySophia #EtsyShopReview

KidsArtbySophia #EtsyShopReview

I love displaying my kids' artwork on the fridge, in their rooms, and even in my office. It is a source of mommy pride that my bundle of joy created such a masterpiece...no matter if I can tell what it is, or not.

But, what if you wanted to enjoy the pure innocence of child's artwork that actually has talent and skill?

KidsArtbySophia is an adorable, yet small, Etsy Shop that features original artwork of what I assume to be a young lady named Sophia. These one-of-a-kind works of art would make great nursery decor or office hanging.  Featuring a Shimmer and Shine piece of two female characters, this art comes unframed and is hand drawn on 8.5x11 paper.

What is your favorite piece of kids' art on your wall?

Until next time,

Katie



This post is sponsored by bradhively. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read more »

10 Reasons Not to Talk About Your Kid on Facebook #GuestPost

We're pretty sure overshare-y new parents are the worst thing to happen to Facebook since our parents. To that end, today's special guest blogger is Alex of Loveawake dating site, a painfully hilarious post dedicated to the parental overshare.

10 Reasons Not to Talk About Your Kid on Facebook #GuestPost

I can't count the number of times I've been on Facebook, shaken my head and thought, "I haven't seen you in 10 years, but I know your infant son is constipated?" or "Where did we meet again? And why do I know that your 4-year-old is still breast-feeding?" 

You don't have to be a parent to overshare, and not all parents do. But to those moms and dads out there telling the world every detail about little Catharyn or Jackson, this list is for you. 

Here are the Top 10 Reasons Not to Talk About Your Kid on Facebook:

1. The Gross-Out Factor / I'm Eating Over Here
Just because you're a parent now doesn't mean you're allowed to gross me out. As tempting as it may be to show the world Mackynzie's potty-training accomplishments, her bathroom habits do not qualify as news. And if what you're eating for lunch can be classified as 'afterbirth,' I don't need to know how it was prepared (or that you ate it at all). Keep your gag-worthy observations to yourself, please.

2. Our Parents Didn't Do It
Our parents' generation didn't make daily announcements to all of their friends about diaper explosions, so why should you? "Because I can" isn't an answer. Tell us what we want to hear: First steps, first 'I Love You's. The nice stuff. Then maybe tell us about you. Your friends miss you.

3. No One Cares 
Everyone is thrilled you've made the ultimate sacrifice and become a parent. But no one is as thrilled as you are. Keep that in mind. 

4. They Will Grow Up to Hate You
There's one sure way to ruin the years of trust you've built with your children, and it's putting their puberty on blast. It is not OK to post about your adolescent daughter's reproductive milestones, nor will your son think it's funny if you joke about his "long showers" on the Internet. 

5. We Don't Want to Go to Jail
Your toddler is in a naked phase, and it's totally healthy and adorable. But creepy perverts don't exclusively visit "pervert Web sites," so keep the crotch shots -- innocent as they may seem -- to a minimum. Thanks. 

6. You Sound Like an A-hole
Don't bring your child to an adults-only event, and definitely don't brag about it on Facebook. Announcing gift registries when you're pregnant or for your kid's half-birthday party over your status is just plain tacky.

7. Uh, Shouldn't You Be Doing Something Else?
If your child accidentally bonks his head or falls off the couch -- especially while you're on the computer -- it's a bad time to update your status. 

8. You're Scaring Us
The girl we were friends with would not upload a birthing video where we can see her "Britney" or photographs of her newborn's "exit." You are frightening your friends. Who are you?

9. It's Just Weird 
Starting a Facebook page for your kid is as weird as starting one for your cat. I don't want 8-week-old Elijah to "comment" on my status about health-care reform. And please stop using sonograms or pictures of your kid as your profile image. It's one thing to post a picture of the two of you together; it's another for your identity to completely disappear the minute you get pregnant. 

10. Your Child Comes Off as Annoying
Less is more. I'm happy to hear about your child, but using Facebook as a prop to remind me of his every development ("OMG, Aiden just rolled onto his back!!") kind of makes me resent him. Not to mention, why would I want to babysit your rambunctious toddler when I know he prefers to poop in the grass? Some things are better left unsaid. 

Read more »

My Top 5 Kitchen Tools for Busy Moms + Pampered Chef #Giveaway

My Top 5 Kitchen Tools for Busy Moms + Pampered Chef #Giveaway

We are finishing up the final stages of a kitchen remodel. Through this process, I have slowly purged old kitchen wares that were broken, old, or just never used. Wanting my new kitchen to be stylish, functional, and efficient for our family’s needs, I’ve slowly updated (or upgraded) the types of tools and equipment. 

But, as a busy mom…I need those kitchen tools that make life in the kitchen quick, easy, and family-friendly!

One tried-and-true place to find the right stuff for your kitchen is Pampered Chef. I remember growing up with my mom hosting Pampered Chef parties. Now, you can host a party…or just order online (which fits my schedule after everyone is in bed). Pampered Chef is a fantastic place to get all of those updated (or upgraded) kitchen tools to make your busy mom life a little bit easier. 
  
Here are a few of my favorite Pampered Chef items that every busy mom needs in her kitchen:
PSSST….keep reading for the details about our giveaway of one of these PamperedChef items. Details are below.

ROCKCROK® 2.5-QT. SLOW COOKER SET

Every busy mom needs a slow cooker, crockpot. These handy-dandy sets allow you to throw all of your ingredients into the pot, turn it on, and go. Six to eight hours later, dinner is served. For those with multiple kids on multiple eating schedules, a crockpot keeps everything warm and ready when they are ready to eat!






BASIC KITCHEN TOOL SET

No kitchen is complete without a basic tool set. With this Pampered Chef set, it has all of the coated knives, spoons, spatulas, and cutting mats that you need. One set gives you all the basics. It is a great starter kit for new cooks, but also works for those busy moms who need to have a quick make-over of all the basic tools. Throw out those old, cracked, basic black kitchen utensils and add a pop of color with these.




ROCKCROK® CASSEROLE

For any busy mom, a close second to the crockpot is the trusty casserole dish. It works for large families, easy one pot dinner recipes, or even for the neighborhood potluck on the weekend. Every family needs a casserole dish that is dishwasher safe, comes with a tightly fitting lid, and is large enough to feed the family. {Sneak Peek – Win the RockCrok Casserole dish – details below!}





SILICONE COLLAPSIBLE STEAMER & STRAINER

A hallmark of a busy mom’s kitchen is the fact that it serves a multitude of purposes. This silicone collapsible steamer and strainer is a space saver and serves multiple functions. Throw out that clunky old colander and equally clunky steamer add-on. Combine the functions of both tools with this one tool that is flexible and collapsible to take up less space in your cabinets. 





SALAD & BERRY SPINNER

My kids love their fruits and veggies, but mom is the one who cleans them. This spinner is a fun way to have the kids help with cleaning their fruits & veggies. Plus it is much faster than washing everything by hand!

There you have it! A few of my favorite Pampered Chef items to help busy moms in the kitchen. 





Now for the good stuff…below is a fantastic giveaway offered by Pat, a PamperedChef consultant. She is generously raffling off a RokCrock Casserole dish for one lucky My Mom Spark reader.

Follow the instructions below in our Rafflecopter giveaway tool and grab all the chances you can for this exclusive My Mom Spark giveaway.

RockCrok Casserole Pan Giveaway

Expires at 11:59pm CST on Sunday July 22nd. Drawing for winner will be announced July 23rd and contacted by our giveaway sponsor – Pat with Pampered Chef.

Get started with 5 entries for commenting on this post by answering this question:

What Pampered Chef item is on the top of your kitchen wish list?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't Forget: Pampered Chef has great recipe books, cooking tips online, and great gift ideas for others in your life. Their grilling sets are masculine and durable. Their wedding gift ideas are sleek and classic – perfect for the new bride & groom. 

Thank you for reading My Mom Spark. Be sure to subscribe by email to stay up-to-date on the latest updates!

Until Next Time,

Katie

Read more »

Large Coloring Posters for Tons of Fun from ColoringPages #Etsy Shop Review

Large Coloring Posters for Tons of Fun

There was nothing I loved more as a child than coloring. Crayons, markers, pencils, I remember spending hours at the table carefully choosing the right color for the next section of my newest creation.

Now, as a mom, I love the days my kiddos pull out their coloring box to create a new picture for me. But as they've gotten older, the coloring books have become a little too childish for them. So, I'm so happy to have found some unique coloring pages where they can choose something that fits their current interests.

Etsy Shop - ColoringPages - provides a selection of fun and whimsical coloring posters that you can download and print for tons of fun. When printed, posters measure approx 16.5x23.4 inches so they are larger than standard coloring pages for more hours of fun!

Etsy shop owner, Moria, started this shop with another mom to give kids coloring page designs they are sure to love. They even surveyed families to find the right designs that everyone will love.

For my oldest, combining unicorns and donuts is guaranteed to make her smile. This Unicorn in Candy World is definitely a winner for us!

Do your kids love to color?

Until next time,

Katie



This post is sponsored by architrack. All opinions are 100% mine.

Read more »