We spent the week at the beach, the aquarium, the pool and shopping. I’m exhausted! I’m sure that as I’m home I’ll share more of our experiences with everyone.

Mom Start reviews and giveaways will be back with a vengeance next week. I have some exciting things lined up! As you can guess I’m behind, majorly behind, but it was really worth staying off the computer and spending time with my kids. We had so much fun!!

Here is the scoop:

The Pig Pays Big! Do your shopping through pig.com and earn as you spend. It’s something you were already going to purchase, so make a little with the purchase. There are lots of other places just like it out there, but here’s the scoop!

A National Retail Federation (NRF) survey showed that the average family will increase this year’s back-to-school spending by 11% with 30.8% of households using the internet to shop and save. Luckily, parents can utilize the newly launched online shopping website, Pig.com, to go hog wild in savings for those last minute back-to-school purchases.

Backed by Offerwise, the marketing research firm behind BigSpot.com, Pig.com is a fun, easy-to-use website where consumers receive cash-back incentives for every purchase made.

Pig.com has secured many stores that you probably already make purchases at. With hundreds of national name brand retail chains featured on their website for instant cash-back savings, such as the following:

· Macy’s

· Footlocker

· HotWire

· The Limited

· Drugstore.com

How can you go wrong?

The payout at Pig.com is 10.00 which is much lower than most places. As a result, you are able to have a rewarding, one-stop shopping experience while your children acquire the name brand must-haves for the school year. Being able to shop and save without leaving your home with children in tow …

Priceless!!!

This is a sponsored post

Falcon Crest was one of the evening Soap Operas when on air in a time when people were much more interested in watching soap operas, now everyone is just interested in reality TV. I mean, I love reality TV too but I also like a good dramatic show to watch, and I’ll admit, I still watch soap operas when I get the chance.

Synopsis:

The dramatic saga continues in the complete second season of Falcon Crest, the popular,

long-running series centered on the rich vineyards and richer people of Northern California’s

wine country. Academy Award^® winner Jane Wyman stars as winery matriarch Angela Channing,

who will let nothing – family, honor, the law – stand between her and power. Co-stars include

Robert Foxworth as Chase Gioberti, Angela’s upstanding nephew and rival, and Lorenzo Lamas

as Lance Cumson, Angela’s scheming, playboy grandson. Meet the characters…indulge in the

lifestyle…savor the second season of of vintage television melodrama.

About FALCON CREST:

Created by Earl Hamner of The Waltons fame, the highly popular prime time television soap opera Falcon Crest ran from 1981 to 1990. Set in the fictional city of Tuscany Valley, it centered on two wealthy wine families: the Channings, headed by corruptive matriarch, Angela Channing (Jane Wyman), and their rivals, the Giobertis. Falcon Crest ran for nine seasons on CBS, and was a Top 20 show in the Nielsen ratings for four straight years, ranking #13 in its debut year and reaching #7 by the third season.

Enter to Win:

Season 1 & 2 of Falcon Crest

To Enter (required):

Tell me what your favorite night time soap opera was, once upon a time.

Extra Entries (optional):

Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (5 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar (3 extra).

This giveaway ends September 27th, I have been offered a 15.00 Gift Card in exchange for this post. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

How you should wear a back pack and what kind of back pack you should get. He tells me all the time. I was one of those kids that loaded up my backpack to an unhealthy weight too so I know it is something I needed to hear then and now, because I’m still not doing it right.

HOW TO WEAR A BACKPACK

Back to school means backpack time! Kids love picking out backpacks with their favorite superheroes or Disney stars but overstuffed packs can take a toll on young bodies. Are your kids wearing their backpacks the right way?  Parents should be aware that overloaded backpacks can cause back pain if worn improperly. 

Dr. Andrew Casden, associate director of Beth Israel’s Spine Institute, says “overloaded backpacks can lead to fatigue, muscle irritation and tiny muscle tears that bring kids into the office with pain.  Students should know the proper way to wear their backpacks to avoid pain.”

The good news is that most times the damage isn’t permanent and pain can be alleviated by minor behavior adjustments. Dr. Casden recommends the following 5 tips for children:

· Reduce the weight in the pack – weight should not exceed 20% of the child’s body weight.

· Bend at the knees, not at the waist when lifting heavy packs.

· Wear the backpack over both shoulders, not slung over only one.

· Place heavy items in the back of the pack.

· Consider a pack on wheels that can be dragged rather than carried.

Back pain in children is rarely serious, but should not be ignored either.  If children complain of persistent pain, you should consult a physician to rule out any medical problems.

We recently had the opportunity to visit with my mom in Florida, so we had a vacation but for her it’s a staycation. And lucky for her she lives in such a beautiful local. However, when we get home my husband would like to enjoy a little weekend excursion away. So we’re going to have a little Coleman staycation of our own.

Enter to Win:

Coleman has all the supplies you need to have a staycation in your backyard. Enjoy a night under the stars with a tent, sleeping bags, lanterns and grills. For one more day you have the opportunity to win a Backyard Escape! The Backyard Escape sweepstakes (ends Sept. can be found on the “Promotions” tab and you can also find a special $100-off Labor Day deal on the Paul Jr. Designs RoadTrip grill. One more day!!

I received products from Coleman and will be reviewing them when I get home from my vacation. No entries are accepted on this post.

A few months ago you asked me to participate in a journey of learning how to live healthy again. The program in case you have forgotten was called Better For BlogHer. On this journey you sent me instructions on how to live better, what to eat, how much to eat and how to start moving. At first, I thought it was impossible and that even by eating your meals I would not succeed. I was unable to give up my chocolate addiction and snacking with the kids. After I met with you in person and listened, really listened to your tips, I started having success. All of these tips have been successful. I have lost weight, I can fit into my old clothing and I feel better about myself. I feel comfortable and find it easier to run around and play with my children. It is amazing that I am off the floor! We thank you as a family!!

I just wanted to thank you for all of your help!

Louise Bishop

If you want to start your journey in losing weight, try out some of Tara Gidus Healthy Eating Tips:

• Don’t make excuses. Being too busy shouldn’t be an obstacle to healthy eating.
• Eat light and eat often. Eat only what you need to sustain yourself for a few hours, then follow up with a light snack to tide you over until the next meal.
• Shrink your plate and your waist will follow. Eating from a smaller plate will help you control portions, while your brain will still think you had a plate full of food.
• S-L-O-W D-O-W-N. Food is meant to be enjoyed, so slow down and savor every bite. Take sips of water and put your fork down throughout your meal to remind yourself to slow down.
• Save dough by eating at home. Restaurant meals can have high calories along with high prices. Cook at home to save time, money, and fuel, or bring lunch to work for even more savings.
• Track your spending. Not dollars, but calories. People who keep a record of what they eat lose twice as much weight as those who don’t.
• Don’t compromise on summer cravings. Instead of completely depriving yourself from foods you love, look for simple ways to make them healthier.
• Color your plate. Fruits and veggies are colorful and add nutritional value to every meal without adding tons of extra calories.

Stay tuned, next week we’ll have a Healthy Choice Giveaway!

This is a sponsored post, I have received payment and products from Healthy Choice!

You can also download a coupon for 1.00 off of your next purchase of Dannon Light & Fit yogurt.

¹ Coupon applies to Dannon® Light & Fit® six 6-ounce Single Serve Cups or a Super Saver 4-pack

Being a mother of two children I know that now I wear my heart on my sleeve. If anything was ever to happen to them I would be completely devastated. As they have been growing, I’ve been watching the news and the rise of Autism and the awareness for special needs.  Now, I sometimes have issues keeping up with both of my children but they are normal kids and actually listen very well. I can’t imagine keeping up with children that have trouble listening, remembering or just focusing on the words that you are saying.

For caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients or children with autism, the fear of their loved one wandering away and becoming lost is ever-present. Unable to find their way home or function well independently, impaired individuals are at grave risk of injury—or even death—due to exposure to the elements or hazards they may encounter while wandering.

The EmSeeQ seems like a great device for anyone with children but epically with a child that is prone to wondering off and not understanding the consequences of wondering off. We often tease each other in my neighborhood that all the kids need GPS devices on them so they would all be easier to keep up with, but the reality is kids with and without special needs are so easy to lose.

Have you ever wanted to keep tabs on your own children, just in case they were to slip from your fingers? How much would you pay a month to know your child is safe? This particular device is 25.00 a month. Two bracelet models are available: a watch-style band with a buckle, and a secure clasp-style band that requires two hands for removal to ensure that it cannot be removed by the impaired individual. The EmSeeQ device is activated only after a caregiver has reported the missing person to the police, and the Emfinders Emergency Operations Center can provide emergency responders with valuable health-related information that may aid in the successful rescue of the EmSeeQ wearer.

I’m really interested in what your thoughts are on tracking children. Some people think that the more we move in this direction the more we are moving towards big brother. Frankly, I would just love to know that my kids will be found in the event they get separated from me.

The water is clear and free of sea weed.

It is also warm enough to get into and enjoy!