Even the teacher needs candy once in a while...

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Werther's.

The conversation started innocently enough when my little Sally stood in front of me and said, matter of factly,


"Mrs Smythe, I have an Aunt Megan. She is gonna have a baby!"

I replied with an enthusiastic smile, said, "You must be so excited to be getting a cousin!!"

"I sure am! And Mrs. Smythe, are YOU gonna have a baby? Cause your belly looks just like hers!!"



Fortunately I've been teaching for 20 years, so this little comment made me chuckle and smile, as I reassured my little Sally that I was NOT, in fact, going to be adding to my own family. Even though the comment didn't hurt my feelings, it DID make me think.

If this little darling noticed my tummy, then surely it was time to do something about it.

Oh sure, running around the school chasing, teaching and playing with 5 year-olds is certainly a form of activity, but obviously I needed something more.

I changed my eating habits (with the help of my nutrition/major daughter); started going to the gym, and replaced the chocolates I kept stashed in my teacher closet!

Anyone who works with children KNOWS that every teacher has a stash of chocolate. It's part of our survival kits, and is the FIRST thing we go for after the kids have left the room!!!

I was thrilled when I saw that Werther's had come up with a delicious, delicious alternative!!!! They've been making sugar free candy since 2004, but now have two new awesome flavors -Caramel Mint AND Caramel Coffee! You can find the different varieties here.

And now I DO get the pick me up I need, and have lost five pounds in the last three weeks.

I've cut back on portions, I am exercising more, I am drinking a lot of water, and I STILL get my treat at the end of the day.

So far, it's a winning combo. And I'll keep you posted on what Sally thinks by the end of the year. It better be good!!

Have you tried them? Let me know which flavor is YOUR favorite!

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Werther's.

Have you ever Died and Gone to Heaven? Well, Dove is there!

Time check: 8:30 a.m.

I tie John's, Zack's, Ben', and Susie's shoes.

I help Mark get his backpack open; the zipper is helplessly stuck.

I look inside Taylor's mouth to see her loose tooth. And then Kelly's. And then Jacob's.

I try to find Jacob's folder that he thinks he left in the nurse's room when he frew up five minutes ago.

I help Shanya stop crying long enough to tell me she forgot her lunch on the bus.

I help Jack fix his broken belt because without it his pants are falling down.

I help Tamisha try to find her library book that she SWORE she put on the front table four minutes ago.

I try to stop Andre from kissing Jasmine because she told him that if he didn't she wouldn't be his friend anymore.

Time check: 8:40.

Time for a tiny piece of a Dove Peanut Butter Silky Smooth Chocolate Promises. I have to say in ALL honesty ( and not cause they're paying me - even though they ARE) that these chocolates are the most incredibly tasting things I've had in a long, long time.

It lifts me up, it give me energy and puts a SMILE back on my face.

Plus, it's made me the most popular teacher on my floor. Now, help me find a new place to hid the stash...

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of DOVE and received samples DOVE Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter products and a gift certificate to facilitate my review."

Pepsi not only TASTES GOOD, but it IS good.

I am a teacher, a mother, and of late - a writer. I write from the heart, and because I love it. I am NOT doing it to earn a living or to make money. (However, i would NOT turn money DOWN. I'm not crazy, people.) What I'm trying to say is that I DO get approached often to blog about products or organizations, or causes. I only do it when it SPEAKS to me, or when it is something close to my heart.

As teacher, I am always on the lookout for opportunities that will benefit the children in my class, or my school. Fortunately, we have been recipients of many cool grants, JUST because we took the time to fill out the information - and formulate a plan. It's SO worth it, when you see the children in your school benefit from these generous grants.

Here is an opportunity from Pepsi for kids, and PARENTS!!! Here, I think that Lauren tells about it best.

(This is an interview with Lauren Hobart, Mom and CMO of Sparking Brands at Pepsi.)

Why is Pepsi Refresh Unique?
The program is unique because it puts the power in the hands of the consumer. Individuals submit their ideas and then the nation votes on the idea that moves them the most. This is done in a very ground up way. Essentially, we’ve democratized the process.

What are some exciting ideas you hope to see submitted through the PRP this year? We’re excited to see the range of ideas that are submitted through the program. There are six different categories, and we want ideas across all of them. So far we’ve seen a fantastic response to the program. Within the first week we received over 1000 ideas, which came from every state and every age group.


As a Mom what types of lessons do you hope children learn by getting involved in community projects?
Parents want to instill good values in their children and encourage them to act on their ideas and beliefs. As a Mom myself, I’ve shared this program with other moms in my community and have found that it sparks a cord with everyone. I’ve also seen my own children get very excited about it. I think it just feels right to them.


What is your advice for moms that have ideas about refreshing their communities? What level of grant is idea? How should they craft their submissions?
First figure out the size and scope of the idea. Most individuals should opt for the $5000 grant, but it really depends on the idea and who you’ll be working with to bring it to action. People should also remember that winning comes with the responsibility to bringing you idea to life. If you need inspiration, there are example ideas on the Pepsi Refresh website to help get you started as well as a toolkit that guides you through the application process.

Who are the ideal grant applicants?
There isn’t really an ideal applicant. Anyone over 13 and a US resident can submit an application for the program. That said, people who are tapped into many different networks and able to promote and share their ideas once submitted may have the best chance of success.

Who should be involved in the submission process? If my child has an idea, should she submit it, or should I, or should her teacher help?
Young children, particularly those under 13 years old, should work with parents or teacher. Pepsi Refresh offers an amazing opportunity for a teaching moment with parents since you can get your kids to think about what impact they can have how they can make a difference. The program can get them engaged, thinking and talking about their impact on the world in a whole new way.


For more information about this AMAZING program, please go here.
I am encouraging anyone and EVERYONE to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!! I am her to tell you that people DO get grants- every single day.


I am here to attest to that. ( Me, and the 25 little cherubs who will be planting glow labs in about ONE MONTH.)


Do it.


I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Pepsi Refresh. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Wal-Mart, gift cards, and a Christmas DInner for $20!!!

Ah, Wal Mart, how do I adore thee?? Let me count the ways. Not only do you allow me to shop for school craft supplies, a car stereo for Sassy for Christmas, a curling iron for Bitchy and that game for the Playstation for Golden Boy, I can also stock up on my HUGE supply of Ramen Noodles!!!

And NOW, did you know that Walmart can help you with a Christmas Dinner for Eight for as low as $20 and the New Year’s Eve meal for 10 under $40 as well as the ways you are saving time and money during holiday planning? Have you seen the commercials on TV???? They want to know what some of your best tips and tricks are? Do you have any favorite holiday meal memories or a special dish that you prepare every year? If you go to this website, and come back and leave a comment, I will enter you to win one of two $30.00 gift cards.

I will draw a lucky winner Monday using nothing but a stick with a piece of tape on the end, and will ship the card in the mail THAT DAY! It should get to you before Christmas, so you can finish any last minute shopping.

You can enter as many times as you want, and will receive extra credit if you twitter or mention this on your blog. Also, if you do 20 jumping jacks and 15 boy pushups, I'll double your entries. (not really.)

(Also, please let me know if you are really in need. )

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Walmart. In addition, I received a Walmart gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate and two to offer as a giveaway.”

This Is Something All Parents Need to Know About...

Do you remember when your child rode a two-wheeler for the first time? I do. I put my little Bitchy on the bike, pushed her and watched her go. Something in my heart gave a little lurch, and I wanted to just run with her and protect from and falls that might occur. Well, I couldn’t, and what tremendous falls she had!

I remember one nasty fall in particular that occurred after she went flying down the hill on the bikepath behind our house. I heard a crash and her screams and flew down that hill like I’ve NEVER flown before, in bare feet no less!

Now that she’s driving, however, my fears are ones that only a parent with a teen driver can understand. It’s a fear that grips your heart with an icy hold and doesn’t let go. It knows that your little girl out there driving with a weapon under her control that could not only kill herself, but others as well. This fear knows that her many friends and classmates, as inexperienced as she, are out there driving, too.

I know, I know, we all went through it. I remember those years of being invincible. Do you? We were to young, at 16, to really understand the consequences of the quick turn of the head, of grabbing for an eight track tape on the floor, or of a moment of being caught unawares.

These days, the people at AllState are doing their very best to help spread the words about measures that teens, and all people, frankly, can take to ensure safety while on the road. Cell phones have become a teen’s right hand- and we know that there is nothing that anyone of us can do about it.

However, as parents we are bound to educate our children who drive about the deadly consequences if they choose to use their phones while driving.

Many of us are hoping to get the word out about the dangers of texting while driving and The Allstate Foundation’s “X the TXT: Thumbs Up for the Safest Holiday Ever” campaign. Studies have shown that teens are particularly susceptible to dangerous distractions while driving, especially from the use of their cell phones. But parents have a tremendous ability to influence the driving habits of their teens, making it all the more important to sit down early on with them to discuss safe driving behavior.

Please join me, and many others, by visiting the “X the TXT” website so that you can learn about the 30-city tour and download the family pledge. I've signed it! I hope you all do as well.

As many of you know, my dear sister and her husband lost their young driver at 16. We grieve for him every day, and pray that others do not have to go through this same devastation. We are committed to helping others in any way, to be safe while on the road.




I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of The Allstate Foundation. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate. However, and don't tell them, I would have done this for free. THAT'S how important it is to me.

Self Esteem, Dove and Sassy. I'm all over it.

Some bloggers can identify with advertising campaigns for various reasons. I was VERY excited when I was notified that BlogHer was allowing me to participate in the Dove Self-Esteem program for one important reason: Sassy.

Self-esteem in young women is an important topic for me, as I am not only a mother of two teenage girls, but also a teacher. I teach this ALL THE TIME in school, and as educators we all realize how very important self-esteem is to a young person. As a mother, it really hits close to home. My 17-year-old daughter (Sassy) was a chubby, awkward girl until she turned 16, and has since turned into a gorgeous swan. However, when she looks in the mirror she still sees the little fat girl. We work on this issue every day.

As a family, we have spent a great amount of time talking about what being a “healthy young woman” looks like. We spend time together participating in outdoor activities, and invite her friends and their families to join us as well. We subscribe to magazines that promote health and wellness, and often talk about issues relating to this in the car or at the dinner table.
Additionally, I spoke to our school counselor about strategies to help Sassy overcome this distorted image of herself. (I want to stress the fact that your school counselor has a wealth of knowledge at her fingertips on so many issues that young people face. If you are unsure about where to go for advice, they are a valuable tool.) Not only did she recommend some great reading material and speaking points, she also was able to connect us with some young people from the nearby university who were working on this particular topic! It was Serendipity at its best. And now, Sassy knows how beautiful she really is. Inside AND out.

I am encouraged by the fact that Dove is committed to a self-esteem project for young women!

The Dove Self-Esteem fund is committed to helping girls build positive self-esteem and a healthy body image, with a goal of reaching 5 million girls globally by 2010.

Every time you buy Dove, you help us provide self-esteem building workshops. As part of this specific program, we are asking consumers to enter their UPC code on Dove.com to donate $1 to self-esteem programming through our partners – Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Girls Inc.

Dove is also collecting video and photo testimonials from women who have helped build positive self-esteem in a girl in their life.

People, there are so many ways that you can help with this mission – and you can find them at http://www.facebook.com/DoveSelfEsteemFund .

Do you have suggestions, recommendations, and personal experiences on how YOU have helped a young person develop good self-esteem? We would love to hear your stories so that we can share with all of our bloggy friends!








Please, visit here to find out more, and for chances to help and win from Dove!

MSN Homepage: Another Great Resource For Parents!!!

I was so excited when Mom Central notified me that I would be participating in the Frosted Mini-Wheats blog tour that would be showcasing a cool new website called MSN Mom's Homeroom.

I was excited initially because Frosted Mini Wheats have been a staple in our house for years and years and years. Tightwad would eat them for breakfast daily, and Sassy would often join him. After The Golden Boy came along - he eventually joined them in their adoration of the whole mini wheat family. (We never discriminated - they loved ALL the flavors!!)

As a teacher I was doubly excited about getting a chance to visit and blog about the cool website for parents!



The site provides and AMAZING wealth of information. They have articles written by moms and other "experts" (although we KNOW that we moms are the real "experts"); an online community to tap into; videos and plenty of tools to help your child succeed in school. Fortunately for ME, the site is very easy to navigate.

As a mom AND a teacher, a I know how important it is to use as many resources to help our children succeed. Check it out - then let me know what you think.



I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.