4.30.2012

That's a Wrap! {Giveaway}

Well all, my time as a Slim-Fast brand ambassador comes to an end today.  I've had a great time working with this company and even slimmed down some too!

So how did I do exactly?

Drumroll please!.....

I lost 16.8 pounds using Slim-Fast!

I was really hoping to at least hit 20, but I'm happy with 16 considering the stressful few months we've had already this year.  If you know me, you know I'm a bit of a stress eater (sadly) so I'll take 16 pounds of weight-loss any old day!

For one last Slim-Fast giveaway, I've got some coupons that are good for free Slim-Fast products, so you can try the new flavors of Slim-Fast for yourself and slim down too!  If you'd like to win these free product coupons, just leave a comment and at the end of the week I'll randomly select a winner!  Open to U.S. only.

*This giveaway is closed!*

Check out some of my favorite Slim-Fast products to see what you can get with these valuable coupons!

And I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to Slim-Fast for allowing me to be one of their brand ambassadors over the last few months!  THANK YOU!

Disclosure: This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Slim-Fast® Women of Wow Program. Visit www.facebook.com/slimfast to join the conversation.

--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

4.25.2012

I have 8 things to tell you.

1.  The stomach bug plague of 2012 has hit our home.  I'm sad to say that it's too late for us... save yourselves!!!

2.  Because of this lovely stomach bug, I missed the opportunity to go to our state Network Conference with Lazy Dad.  I'm terribly upset about it, but he isn't......... things that make you go "hmmm."

3. In the midst of our stomach bug epidemic, did I show you what one of my kids did the other day?


It was a special moment in parenting for me.

4.  I did cheer myself up a little though by my purchases at a fun little shop called "Pleasantries."  Check out my finds....


I'm in LOVE with the vintage license plates.  I scored a Texas, Wisconsin and Ohio one.  And I've got Sue, the owner of Pleasantries, working on finding me a Florida one so I have one from every state we've lived in.  They are decorating my family room even as we speak. I wuv them.

5.  Before the stomach bug plague hit, I hosted a fun ladies night at our church.  We declared it game night and busted out some board games, group games and card games.  The group game we played was SO. STINKIN'. FUN.  I highly recommend it.  It's sort of Pictionary meets telephone.  You can find out how to play on our super fun children's director's blog



6.  Did I show you the bike I want?  I saw it when we were in Georgia at a park.  You could rent them and I was standing there drooling over it.  Dare I call it my "dream bike?"


And while you stop laughing, let me remind you that I am NOT 80 years old.  I just like to be comfy when I ride a bike. And have a place to store things.  SO THERE.

7.  While we've been sick with the plague, we've done a lot of movie watching.  The other night I whipped out the best movie of ALL TIME to watch with the kids.


Seriously.  It's the best movie ever... it has drama, love, hilarious humor, action, revenge... if a movie can be "the whole package," this movie is.  The Princess Bride never gets old.

8.  Yesterday while plague victim number 3 was recovering from his night of stomach bug terror, I tried snapping a picture of us together.  Much to my dismay any way I held my head resulted in me having a triple chin. We laughed and laughed at my triple chin. But we did find one way for me not to have it in the picture... to stick my head out like an idiot.


Laying down pictures are so unflattering.  Unless your a cute 10 year old recovering from a stomach bug plague.

So.  That's what's going on 'round here.  What's new with you?

--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

4.23.2012

Looster Booster {Giveaway}

You moms in the throes of potty training (or those of you who are about to enter the throes of it) pay attention! I have something today that might just help you with your potty training woes. 


Have you heard of Little Looster?  They make the Looster Booster, a potty step stool that helps your child feel comfortable on the "big potty." 

And you know what that means?  No cleaning out a little potty several times a day! Hallelujah!
The award-winning Looster Booster is revolutionizing potty training, one tush at a time. For all the years that those little legs don't reach the floor. Truly the perfect potty step stool - the only one your little one will need.


The Looster Booster is designed to give your child a place to put their feet which helps your little darling feel like they are going to "fall in."

I don't have preschoolers anymore, so I asked my friend Tammy who was about to potty train her second child to test the Looster Booster out at their house.  Here's what she had to say about it.
The Looster Booster is bigger than any other step stool I have in my house which is good because my daughter (2) can sit on the potty with out her legs dangling. Also it is great because it fits around the toilet and gives her more room to get off the toilet. The Looster Booster is a little big if you have a very small bathroom like we do on our main floor, but it worked well in our much bigger upstairs bathroom. After done with potty training it can be used around the sink or even in a playroom because it does not slide around. The weight limit is 200 lbs and it is very sturdy. ~ Tammy
I'm happy to report to you all that Tammy's little girl has got the potty training stuff down!  She was a quick learner, and who knows, maybe it was due in part to the Looster Booster helping her feel comfortable on the big toilet?

You can purchase the Looster Booster directly on the Little Looster website or on Amazon. You can also enter for a chance to win one right now!

To enter: U.S. residents can simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  You can do as many or as little as you like, but each one you do is an entry!

4.17.2012

Have Kids, Will Travel {Lazy Mom Travel Tips!}

When traveling with kids, moms need all the help they can get!  (Can I get a witness?)  So today I thought I'd share with you dear sweet lazy moms (and dads) a few lazy tips I used during our spring break vacation.

We don't usually travel by plane when all five of us are headed somewhere, but this time we did!  In order to get ready for the plane ride with three kids in tow, I prepared snack bags for each child (and a snack bag for Lazy Dad and I to share).

I decided to give each person a gallon sized zipper storage bag with various snacks/treats inside.  Each person's name got put on the white label area to avoid confusion and that dreaded mom kryptonite - ARGUMENTS!


Also in each snack bag I packed a snack sized zipper bag with several sticks of gum.  I didn't want to have to scramble for gum for each person once our ears starting popping as the pressure on the plane changed, so they each had their own to be "in charge" of.

I didn't give the kids free reign over their snack bags, they still had to ask to get a one, but it was great to be prepared ahead of time for the snacking munchies!  Because remember, if you do a little bit of planning ahead of time, later you can be lazy! *wink*

Another great lazy mom tip we instituted for travel years ago was our color code tip.  About 6 years ago I ran across some carry-on sized rolling suitcases that were in different colors for ten bucks each at Target.  As I was standing there looking at them I realized that there was a color for each of my children, so I snatched them up and never looked back!

My kids love their colored suitcases and again, it cuts down on confusion and arguments.  These bags have been all kinds of places with us!


An added bonus to this travel tip is the fact that most people do not have bright orange, blue and red suitcases, so they were super easy to spot mixed in with everyone else's bags.  My kids even spotted their suitcase being loaded on the bottom of the plane as they watched out the windows!

Now, this next Lazy Mom Tip is a bit of a no-brainer for airport travel, but I thought I'd bring it up anyway just in case you haven't thought of it yourself yet.

I had each child pack a backpack of things to do on the plane.  Books, playing cards, stuff for drawing/coloring, and small (quiet) toys topped our kids' list.  I would also recommend a small stuffed animal for them to hold on to if the plane ride gets bumpy. (Just don't let your kids over-pack it! My daughter's got way too heavy! Definitely check the weight of it on your child's shoulders before you leave.)

Their backpack's contents not only gave them something to do on the plane, but also during the rest of the trip and in the airport. 


And of course, if all else fails, my last Lazy Mom Tip for airport traveling is....

Let them play on the moving sidewalks!


Read more great Lazy Mom Travel Tips here.

--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

4.16.2012

HONEY I'M HOME!

Hello my lazy peeps!

Did you miss me?!

Did your heart get all sad and depressed to not hear from me the last 10 days?!?

Did you even notice I was gone?!?!?

The fam and I were on spring break this last week and after two services on Good Friday and a slam-bam Easter service we jumped in the car and high-tailed it to the airport where we jetted off to stay with my sister and her family on the coast of Georgia and lay on the beach.

IT. WAS. FABULOUS.

 




After the big Easter push it was nice to just relax on the beach.

I had the BEST time with my sister.  OH!  Speaking of my sister!  GEORGIA HAS BLUE BELL ICE CREAM!!!!

I'm surprised you didn't hear me yelling at her when I saw her pull out some Blue Bell from her freezer.  "What?! You have BLUE BELL here?!  And you didn't immediately share this information with me when I got off the plane?!?!?!"

To this poor Texas girls heart, Blue Bell Ice Cream is truly the best ice cream in the country! (How many of you just sang the jingle in your head?)  But for some ungodly reason, Blue Bell is not sold in these Northern parts. 

I'm pretty sure the devil is behind it.

Then we immediately got in the car, drove to the grocery store and fast walked to the ice cream case. 


Then I wept.

Then I asked total strangers to hold me.

Then I painstakingly read each carton of ice cream and lovingly held them in my hands.

Then I wept that I couldn't take them all home with me.

Then I had the excruciating decision of which ones to buy and which precious ones to leave behind.
 
Then I bought two half gallons and one pint and skipped out of the store.  It was a glorious day. And made it that much harder to leave this beautiful place where my sister lives.











Isn't the pool in her neighborhood amazing?

*sigh*

I have some great Lazy Mom Tips to share with you tomorrow on this little ol' lazy blog.  It involves airplane travel and kids.  Don't miss it!

--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

4.06.2012

Spring Break


I'm a Lazy Mom is on Spring Break!
But don't worry, I'll be back to posting once I'm done being lazy.
 Maybe.

To keep you from missing me while I'm gone, here's some lazy mom posts that you may have missed or forgotten about....

Lazy Mom Tip #1 (great for eating on the go)
Baked Ranch Chicken {A Lazy Mom Recipe}
Parenting the Lazy Mom Way: Teach Them Your a Team!
A Juicy Lazy Mom Confession
Elephant's Nuts (tee-hee!)
Lazy Mom Tip #28 (one of my FAVORITE Lazy Mom Tips!)
Cube Steak {A Lazy Mom Recipe}
If you Give a Mom Some Laundry
I'm Related to Tom Hanks

--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

4.05.2012

Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler {Giveaway}

People.  Do you have to recycle where you live?  Cause we do.  And it ain't always pretty.

Over the years I've done various things to try and corral our recyclables in our kitchen, but it either didn't work very well, looked messy, or took up too much space.

Then Rubbermaid sent me their new 2-in-1 Recycler. *angels sing from heaven*


See how it opens up in two places?  You can either use it for trash on bottom, and recycling on top. Or if you're like us and need all the recycling space you can get, you can use it all for your pesky recycling!

And do you see how it has those green handles?  It makes it super easy to haul out your trash/recycling when it gets full!


But what I love is how when it's all closed up it looks like a regular kitchen trash can! *score!*

Before the 2-in-1 Recycler we had a BIG drawer bin, like the kind you normally use out in your garage.  It took up a lot of space in our not-so-big kitchen, so that's why I'm loving our new Recycler!  It takes up so much less space and looks much more kitchen appropriate, which is good when you are trying to sell your house.  *happy sigh*

Plus, it's so easy to carry out the recyclables that my 7 year old daughter likes to do it now (much to her brothers shock)!


Yup, I'm loving it!

You can purchase your Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler on their website.  And I think I saw that it will be available on Amazon soon!

Enter to win! U.S. and Canadian residents can enter to win a 2-in-1 Recycler by filling out the Rafflecopter form below (subscribers, you may have to click over to the blog to see the form).  You can do as many or as little as you want on the form, but each one you do counts as an entry!

4.03.2012

Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Sweet Potatoes {A Lazy Mom Recipe}

I don't know about you, but I've got a hankering for a Lazy Mom Recipe today. I stumbled across a good looking one on Good Housekeeping that sounds delish AND it's only 475 calories!  SCORE!  I did tweak it just a bit to make it a bit more lazy mom friendly for you.

You're welcome.


Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
serves 4

1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt and pepper
4 teaspoons olive oil
4 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon jerk seasoning

Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking pan with nonstick aluminum foil. In large bowl, toss chicken pieces with jerk seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 teaspoons oil until coated. Arrange chicken in pan and roast 25 minutes or until juices run clear when thickest part of chicken is pierced with tip of knife.

Meanwhile, in large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 2 teaspoons oil until coated. Arrange potato chunks in another baking pan and stick it in the oven as well to roast for 20 minutes.
Photo Credit: Kate Sears (goodhousekeeping.com)
Yum!  Love me some sweet potatoes and chicken!

Do you have a Lazy Mom Recipe to share?  Find out what makes it lazy and send it in to me!

--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

4.02.2012

Let's Catch Up!

AHHHH!

I feel like I'm so behind!

There's so much I've been meaning to tell you.  Things like...

How my friend Carrie won the tickets to the Monster Jam truck show I gave away on the blog so we decided to grab dinner beforehand and then sit together with all our kids (5 boys and 1 girl).  And even though the boys were in hog heaven (including Lazy Dad) and even though my daughter thought the show was "awesome!" Carrie and I? Well, we were thinking of all the things we COULD have been doing instead.  Like, going to a movie, or eating dessert, or having a massage.  Oh and we were laughing.  We did that a lot. 

Let's just say Monster truck shows aren't our thing.


And let's also say, no matter how gorgeous you are, ear plugs are not fashionable.

I've also been meaning to tell you about the super fun murder mystery dinner train ride our fabulous friend Charlotte treated us to!


And how some of the humor was a bit, shall we say, "off color."  And how Lazy Dad being a Pastor and all had to be protected from the women actors who were a bit, shall we say, "off color."

Finally at the end of the evening.  The actors came around and took pictures of us and one of the women once again was a bit, shall we say, "off color" so when she said to Lazy Dad, "hold my leg" as we posed for a picture, Lazy Dad just closed his eyes and said, "I can't! I can't!"  Which kind of made them think he was weird.  So I said, "Ladies! He's a man of the cloth!  He's a Pastor!"  And so that got him out of holding her leg in this picture.


Speaking of Lazy Dad, I've ALSO been meaning to tell you about how he's a camera hog.  And a microphone hog.  And a attention seeker hog. 

My proof?

He was interviewed by all five TV stations in the Toledo area a few weekends ago when he ran a business expo event for the Holland/Springfield Chamber of Commerce. 


Give that man a microphone, a crowd and a TV station and he's a happy, happy man.

Oh!  But I didn't tell you about the horror of watching it on the news later.....

Lazy Dad and I tuned in to one of the TV stations to watch their report that night.  And you know how when the news reports on an event they usually pan the event or even show 2 second clips of the event? 

Well this particular TV station did NOT do that. 

Instead, much to my dismay, they showed about a 10 second video of me standing in front of our booth talking to our people behind the booth and all the while I'm scratching the side of my face like some FREAK!  Even Lazy Dad was like, "why are you clawing at your face the whole time?"  I said, "I don't know! I didn't even realize I was doing it!!"

Then, THEN!  I start to walk away and you see my entire REAR END.  I literally screamed in horror and covered my eyes when I saw it on the news!

BUT! Just as I was about to recover from my heart attack, they cut to Lazy Dad being interviewed.  And, well, how do I say this nicely.... Lazy Dad's a bit "light" up top.  And by light, I mean, there was a lot of LIGHT on the top of his head as they interviewed him.  So when they cut to him being interviewed Lazy Dad screamed in horror and covered his eyes.

Needless to say we are both staying as far away from TV news reporters as possible these days.

And we are looking into therapy.

On a much lighter and happier note, I've been meaning to tell you about the fun reunion we had with some of our dear sweet friends from Bible College this last weekend when we were in Tennessee.


We had so much fun catching up and seeing each other's children. 

And if you are wondering why the children are holding GINORMOUS Hershey candy bars it's because our friend Cindy asked each child around the table, "Which one of your mom and dad's Tennessee friends is your FAVORITE?" 

Some of the kids said she was, but some of them pointed to others.  After all of them had decided which one was their favorite, she said, "Okay! Each of you who said I was your favorite gets one of these!" And she passed out one at a time these huge Hershey bars!  All of a sudden those that had chosen someone else as their favorite switched their favorites to her so they could get a candy bar too! 

Which was her master plan all along. 

She buys children's love. 

She's a master of it.


Okay! I think we're all caught up! 

Now it's back to the deep, dark basement for me. I'm ALMOST done going through every tub and pile and nook and cranny of it.  Let's just hope people want to come look at our house after all this work.  But even if they don't, my house as never been more organized and looked better! *house for sale bonus!*



--
Don't miss the laziness! Subscribe to I'm a Lazy Mom via reader or email today!

Twitter Facebook Stumbleupon More