Earth Day Extravaganza Sneak Peak!

Here is a sneak peak of the reviews and giveaways that I will be listing in April. I need to find a stellar giveaway for Easter, any ideas?

My goal for this event is to reach 200 Blogger Followers! Can you help me achieve that?! Tell your friends and family!

April 1-MyOBaby-Acorn Baby Gift Set worth $85 and A Tote Bag a Day worth $15 each!!
April 2-Eden Fantasys-Glass Toy
April 3-Sprig Toys-Whole Sprig Hollow Set
April 4-Ruby Pinwheels (2) $100 gift certificates and an Erbaorganics Travel Kit
April 5-Kid Basix (3) Safe Sippy Cups
April 6-Bobux-Soft Soled Shoes
April 7-Laura's Lean Beef $25 Gift Certificate
April 8-Sage Creek Organics-3 pack of organic washcloths
April 9-Tilvee-1 product of winner's choice
April 10-Organic Beginings-4 piece organic clothing set worth $55
April 11-Maternitique-Substance Gift Set worth $62
April 12-Botanical Paper Works-Plantable Easter Card and Inspirational Stationary Kit
April 13-Cleanwell-Orange Vanilla Soap and travel sanitizer
April 14-Soft Star Shoes $30 Gift Certificate
April 15-Neat Solutions-Biodegradeable Table Topper Pack
April 16-Dapple Baby-Dish liquid and toy wipe packaged in an Envi-reusable bag
April 17-Maggie's Organics-
April 18-Charlie's Soap Gift Pack worth $45
April 19-Be Good to Your Mother-Organic Sleeper
April 20-Nature's Baby-Choice of 2 products
April 21-Eco Store USA (4) $25 gift certificates
April 22-7th Generation Free and Clear Starter Kit worth $50
April 23-Soleo USA-Organic Sunscreen
April 24-Yum Yum Sisters-Organic Snack Pack worth $28
April 25-Hearth Song-4-piece Children's Long Handled Gardening Tool Set
April 26-Green Toys-Sand Play Set
April 27-Noli n Nali Essentials Travel Kit worth $29
April 28-Greeno Bambino-(3) $25 gift certificates
April 29-Recycle Me Eco Baby Tee
April 30

I am working with several companies right now to determine what products they will offer for our giveaway. I will list them as I hear back from these generous sponsors! THANK YOU!

Birthday in a Box Review

Dexter's birthday party was a success! We ate food, shared cupcakes and decorated like fools thanks to Birthday in a Box!

They supply everything you need to get the party started. I chose the Pooh's 1st Birthday theme because Dexter is obsessed with Pooh and the color yellow.



This kit contains:
8 Pooh's 1st Birthday Cake Plate
8 Pooh's 1st Birthday Cups
16 Pooh's 1st Birthday Napkins
1 Pooh's 1st Birthday Table Cover
1 Lime Cutlery Set
2 Lime Streamer
2 Yellow Streamer
1 Birthday Candles

All of this for only $20.99, to me that is a steal! I loved the fact that everything matched perfectly. They have so many awesome products, not just for 1st birthdays. Do you want to have a Princess party, Valentine's Day party or just party because you like parties? Well, Birthday in a Box has got you covered!

Look at the ADORABLE personalized banner that they sent for Dexter as well!




Here are some of my favorite packages that they carry....

Who doesn't love a monkey!


Flipflops and Ice cream, I am dreaming of summer already!


Awww, girly baby shower theme! They have boy themes too!


Birthday in a Box even carries thank you notes, centerpieces and goody bags! They have anything you could ever want or need for your party. Check them out for your next party, you will NOT be disappointed!

Dexter the Little Tike!!

I never thought Dexter would love his Cozy Coupe as much as he does. He loves climbing in and around it. At his age, it is adorable. He puts a whole bunch of toys in the trunk them he fishes them out while sitting in the car, too cute!

Here are some of my favorite Little Tike pictures!

Earth Day Extravaganza is only a week away!!

If you would like your company to take part in this Earth Day Event, please email me at newmommyin08 {at} yahoo {dot} com
If you have any suggestions of companies or products that you would like to see here on Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy either email me or leave me a comment! I appreciate the input, it is invaluable.

smART Quotes for Kids Review

I don't know if it is the reading teacher in more of the intellectual but something in me has always LOVED quotes. I love the thought of knowing that someone said something, at a given point in time, and that it was so profound that people are still saying it today.

You can imagine how excited I was when I came across the amazing company called smART Quotes for Kids! They specialize in canvas prints for kids that are wrapped over an extra-deep 1.5" wooden frame. They feature the nicest and most inspirational quotes ever. I picked Mark Twin's quote "Explore. Dream. Discover." for Dexter. It was meant to be not only because of the message but because it was on a Pirate Ship. For all of you that truly know me, I am a pirate at heart!

Look how nice it looks in his bedroom



smART Quotes for kids has so many more amazing canvas quotes to choose from, here are a few of my favorite!




These canvas quotes are 12" x 12" and are 1.5" deep. They arrive ready to hang with a saw-tooth hanger installed. They sell for $48 and to me, that is a steal. Not only is there no glass that could break and cause injury but you are investing in the enlightenment of your child's future.

I won an award!

Thank you to Cher from Mama's Money Savers

I rarely take the time to think about Why Life is Grand. Here are my Top 5 Reasons:

1. Life is Grand because I have a 13 month old son who loves everything I say and do and he never questions me.
2. Life is Grand because I run a blog and I have people who thank me for helping them in many different ways.
3. Life is Grand because I have a roof over my head, my husband and I both have a job and we generally can make our bills on time.
4. Life is Grand because I have a supportive family who love and respect me.
5. Life is Grand because I am educated enough to be able to write this blog even though I cannot get a job in my degree field.

Here are the 5 bloggers that I am passing this on to (in no particular order)
1. Mary from Now Entering Momville
2. Amanda from Catch The Drift
3. Heather from A Little Bliss
4. Rashmi from Mommy Reviewed
5. Stacie from Simply Stacie

Blogger Contest

If you blog (or email 3 friends and CC me at newmommyin08 {at} yahoo {dot} com) about my Earth Day contest and link back to my site then you will be entered to win a FANTASTIC eco-friendly gift bag (with products). All you have to do, between now and April 1st, is blog or email about this Earth Day Extravaganza and comment back here with the link to your blog post or just an "I emailed you from _______ address." Please also tell your readers (or in your email) that there will be one giveaway every day in April. Thanks! Bookmark me in April so you don't forget to enter!!!

All entries must be submitted by April 1st at 8am EST. Let's help spread the word about Earth Day and going green, its THAT important!!

Please also put my button up on your site, that way you can have another entry!!

Earth Day Extravaganza!!

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

-Native American proverb


I have been so busy lately. I have been putting together a HUGE Event for Earth Day to help celebrate the Earth, being eco-friendly and you, my readers. Thank you for looking to me for advice, a good laugh and fun product reviews. I appreciate you! When I said I am planning a HUGE event, I mean huge. Each day in April, up until Earth Day, I will be giving away at least one eco-friendly or organic product. Yes, thats right. 22 giveaways in 22 days! I am already busy but this is going to be insane!


I have been working with amazing companies in order to bring you the latest and best eco-friendly products. Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy will be featuring giveaways from fantastic companies such as Ruby Pinwheels, Sprig Toys, Soleo USA, Maternitique, Kid-Basix, Wild DIll, , Clean Well, Dapple Baby, Soft Star Shoes, Bobux USA, Green Toys, Otter Blotters, Bummis and many more.

If you would like your company to take part in this Earth Day Event, please email me at newmommyin08 {at} yahoo {dot} com
If you have any suggestions of companies or products that you would like to see here on Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy either email me or leave me a comment! I appreciate the input, it is invaluable.

Kid Emergency Website-Vital information for parents

www.kidemergencies.com.This free website provides updated information and safety tips about children’s health issues and emergencies. The website was developed by Dr. Martin Belson, a practicing pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist with Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.

The Kid Emergencies website won an iParenting Media Award, and Dr. Belson has been featured on numerous news stations and print publications providing up-to-date health information for parents. He has recently appeared on CNN and has been featured in national parenting magazines.

Check out Kid Emergencies and let me know what you think!

In The Nick of Time Review and GIVEAWAY!

Don't Be a Rude Boy and The Dinosaur Song are some of the newest songs that I cannot get out of my head, no matter how hard I try!! This is all thanks to Nick Deysher of In The Nick of Time. His latest CD, Coconut Groove is helping to make my little man a lot more wiggly and agile! As ABBA would have put it, he is a real Dancin' Queen (or King in Dexter's case!)

I have always loved all music but Rock and R&B really are my true loves. Anyone who knows me knows that children's music is not something you would have found on my ipod. That is, until now. Coconut Groove not only is catchy and hip but it has the perfect balance of silliness and educational lyrics. I am hooked. Dexter, being only 1, from what I can tell, loves this CD more than Beyonce's Single Lady (his favorite song to date).

Here is a little info about Nick Deysher that I copied from his website:

Nick's musical training began at an early age. Over the course of 25 years, he became a multi-instrumentalist playing guitar, bass, banjo, piano, ukulele, harmonica, saxophone, percussion and hand drums. He received a B.F.A. from Bates College with a concentration in Jazz Composition, followed by a Master's degree in Media Writing and Music Production from the University of Miami. Nick formed In The Nick of Time Music in 2001 to promote and distribute his kids' music. It has grown to produce music and media for all forms of entertainment from web-music and independent film scores, to Broadway sound design, and record production.

Nick's career as an educator begin in 2000. While working at the LEAP school in Lexington, MA as a music specialist, Nick became certified by the Department of Education to teach preschool, and has been developing an original music curriculum for Pre-K through 5th grade.

In 2006, Nick was honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his dedication to children’s music with the prestigious Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship.

How would you like the opportunity to win a copy of Coconut Groove SIGNED by Nick himself?! I thought so, all you have to do is head over HERE and find your favorite song. Then come back here and tell me which song you liked the best. You HAVE TO leave your email address in order to be eligible.

Do you want extra entries?! You can do any or all of the following (and make separate comments for each):
*Follow me on Blogger
*Tell me how you found my site
*Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this Contest
*If you have Technorati on your blog, favorite/link to my page to increase my Authority
*Blog about this giveaway (and link to my page and to In The Nick of Time and leave the URL of blog post in comment)
*Add my button to your blog (extra 2 entries)

This fantastic contest will end on March 30th at Noon EST. I will email the winner and you will have 48 hours to get back to me before I choose another winner.

See Lyne of EcoStore USA on Fox News

Fixed My Button

If you happen to have my button on your blog PLEASE redo it. The link came back to the WRONG page :( It is now correct!!

THANK YOU!!

Comment back here when you have fixed it so I know that you got the memo!

Olive and Ollie Review and Giveaway!! OVER

Thank you to Heather, creator and super-mom designer at Olive & Oliie for outfitting Dexter in his special birthday outfit! How cute is this shirt?!



I love that these shirts are HAND MADE (with love, may I add) by Heather and they are created in a smoke-free environment. They are machine washable and easy to wash. I was able to get food and drink stains out effortlessly. Heather makes any design that you may want but I will attest that her birthday shirts/bibs turn heads!!!

Here are a couple more Dexter pictures. I love the matching chenille birthday bib!!





Here are a few of my favorite things from Heather's shop!




The flower shirt is part of her new Spring '09 line. It is so perfect. I wish, just for a moment, that D was a girl so he could wear that flower!

Heather was nice enough to offer one customized birthday shirt to one of my readers! All you have to do is head over to Olive and Ollie and let me know your favorite item. Come back here and leave the name of the item AND your email address.


Do you want extra entries?! You can do any or all of the following (and make separate comments for each):
*Follow me on Blogger
*Tell me how you found my site
*Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this Contest
*If you have Technorati on your blog, favorite/link to my page to increase my Authority
*Blog about this giveaway (and link to my page and to Olive and Ollie and leave the URL of blog post in comment)
*Add my button to your blog (extra 2 entries)


This glorious contest will end on March 26th at Noon EST. Please tell your friends because it feels so good to help others win!

EcoStore USA Baby Product Twitter/Blogging Giveaway

I am so very excited to be representing EcoStore USA this coming Saturday, March 14th at the Traverse City Meijer Store. I will be doing some video blogging (Vlogging) and I will be helping to spread the Eco Store love around Michigan. I am so excited to be a part of this campaign.

Leighann from Soy is the New Black will also be vlogging for the Eco Store USA campaign. We are strong, powerful women!

I have tried the Eco Store Baby Shampoo and the Eco Store Sleepytime Baby



They smell so incredible and fresh. My husband was the first to use the Sleepytime Bath and he actually said "it made the whole house smell like lavender, I like it!" Coming from my Manly Man, that truly is something! Every night we wash Dexter in the tub and then he gets a massage followed by a bottle and bedtime. He is now sleeping through the night, and I contribute that to his routine that includes the Sleepytime Bath and Johnson's Bedtime Lotion that I use for Massage Time.

What I love most about the Eco Store USA products is the fact that I can pronounce every ingredient on the ingredient list (yes, my degree in English/Reading doesn't hurt) but truly, there is nothing in their products that are unsafe because there are *No Nasty Chemicals* in ANY of their products. All you will find in these products are all natural plant-based oils and cleaners!


I am so excited to tell you that in celebration of this amazing Meijer launch/event, Eco Store will be giving 2 Eco Store USA Baby Products to 3 winners! That is a total of 6 products! What an excellent chance to win! All you need to do is follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Link to Eco Store USA and to this contest. You can also blog about this contest and link to Eco Store and back here at Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy.

In your comment please leave your email address and link to your tweet or blog post (if you do both, make two comments). Please also tell me which two products you would like to win! You can also gain an entry by becoming an Eco Store fan on Facebook by clicking HERE

You can also follow me on Blogger for a third entry (but only if you do one or both of the above entries first)

This fantastic contest will end on Monday, March 16th (St. Urho's Day) so hurry up and Tweet your heart out! Tell your friends and share the Eco Store Love!!

Winners!

WINNERS for the EcoStore USA Gift Certificate are Lissa and Katie

Winner of the See Kai Run shoes is Kristen Taylor

Winner of the Dancing Dolphin Yarn Bowl is Darlene

Winner of the Cover Plugs is Angela!

Congratulations ladies. Thank you for reading!!!

Shooshoos Review and Giveaway *OVER*

I couldn't help but giggle when I was writing Shooshoos review, how cute is that?! Well, thank you to Duncan over at Shooshoos for generously offering to send me the cutest sport shoes from their newest Smiley line to review. How cute are these?


They are even cuter on this little man!!


What I like most about these shoes is that they are functional and cute. They slip on effortlessly and they are hard for Mr. I-Can-Yank-Anything-Off-My-Feet-Man to remove, which is the biggest plus! They have flexible soles which helps Dexter walk better. He is still relatively new to the whole walking business so having a flexible sole allows him to walk around better.

Here he is sitting on the sweet little Smiley soles

What Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy Shoe Review would be complete without a picture of the shoes from "Dexter's View"?!

These shoes retail for $24.95 and to me, that is a steal! They will last for a long time *many children if you have that in mind* because they are tough, rugged and have what it takes to be a long-lasting shoe! Shooshoos was nice enough to offer up a pair for a giveaway too! WOW!

All you have to do is visit Shooshoos and come back here and tell me which Smiley shoe you like best (which one you would like to win).

Do you want extra entries?! You can do any or all of the following (and make separate comments for each):
*Follow me on Blogger
*Tell me how you found my site
*Follow me on Twitter
*If you have Technorati on your blog, favorite/link to my page to increase my Authority
*Blog about this giveaway (and link to my page and to Shooshoos and leave the URL of blog post in comment)
*Add my button to your blog (extra 2 entries)



This fabulous giveaway will end on March 25th at Noon EST so hurry and enter and don't forget to tell your friends!!

We are Chlorine Free Thanks to Seventh Generation!

"In our every deliberation, we must consider
the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."

-From the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy

This is a statement that Seventh Generation lives by. It is also a statement that has made me think a lot lately. I laid in bed the other night thinking about my oldest living relative, my 93-year old grandmother. Dexter makes the fourth generation. It would be Dexter's Great-grand children that would be 7 generations from my Grandmother. That astonishes me. It also made me cry. Sappy, yes, I know. I hate to think of a time when I will no longer be on this Earth and my little man will be all on his own. Ok, ok, enough with the sadness, I will get on with this review!

BEHOLD, Seventh Generation Diapers!

Recently, the nice people of Seventh Generation were generous enough to send Dexter some Chlorine-free diapers and wipes! The first thing that I noticed about their diapers is that they are light brown and free from any fun Sesame Street characters. I am ok with that. In fact, I love that. Chlorine is a harsh chemical. It is used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria. The toxic product can be found in many paper products, including diapers for infants and toddlers. (Not Seventh Generation Diapers and Wipes!!)

Most of you know that I have been cloth-diapering for the last couple of months. We use disposables for long car trips and for overnights at my in-laws. Recently we went through a teething-induced diaper rash phase and we had to use disposables then too. I really liked the Seventh Generation diapers. They held up well and they absorbed as well, if not better, than the Pampers I had used previously. The only one thing that I didn't like that much (and its a stretch for me to find something I didn't like) but the tabs were not as long as the tabs on other sposies I had used in the past. I do have to say that the diapers fit really well even though the tabs were not as long. Call me a worry-wort, I just want to make sure that all of Dexter's diapers are snug.

If you are looking for an eco-friendly, chlorine-free diaper, look no further than Seventh Generation. They are available online at diapers.com and Amazon.

Dexter is a Little Tike!!

Dexter received the Little Tike Cozy Coupe II for his birthday. He loved the big box so much! I remember having the same one when I was little. It was nice to my brother and me until we were school age. I remember him driving the car while I laid over the top and vice versa (don't tell Dexter, he doesn't need to know that!)

Look how cute he was when he hugged his big box!!



Here is another favorite of him laying in the box, in the middle of his party, as if to say "This is my party and I'll play when I want to!"




DEXTER IS A LITTLE TIKE!!!

Eco Store USA and Meijer

Starting on Sunday, March 8th you can receive a coupon for $2 off your next purchase when you buy any EcoStore product from any Meijer store! I love all the EcoStore products and I urge you to take advantage of this special coupon offer and try one of their great products. EcoStore offers products for the home, personal care, laundry, baby and even pet products. Check out their products at www.ecostoreusa.com

Which product would you most like to try?!

Dreamfields Review and Giveaway!

When ever I hear the word pasta, my mouth immediately waters and dreams of spaghetti, lasagna and veal parmesan swirl about in my head. This was until I began a low carb diet after the birth of Dexter. My beloved pasta, breads and sugars went out the window and so did 38 pounds. Eating only meats, veggies and cheese is really hard. There is little variety and no fun.

All that changed the day that I found Dreamfields Pasta. There are only 5 grams of net carbs per serving of Dreamfields Pasta!! That is amazing. They rank a 13 on the GI scale while normal pasta weighs in at a whopping 38!!

Dreamfields has a patent on the pasta that they make, its that good! I was very impressed. It didn't taste like cardboard, it didn't taste "diet" and it held up very well in all of the dishes that I made! Thank you to Tim for sending me a box of Penne and a box of Rotini along with coupons good for $1 off one box! (of which I gave out more than half at my local grocery store). Tim also sent me some recipes that I was eager to make. Who wouldn't want to try Penne and Chicken in a Garlic Cream Sauce or Rotini with Ground Beef and Spinach? Well, I for one couldn't resist.

Check out my Chicken Penne:


Let me tell you, its better than it looks (and that is hard). When I made the recipe, the only thing I did different was add more zucchini (because I love veggies) and I added a few extra garlic cloves (again, because I love garlic!) I didn't tell my husband that this was "healthy pasta" and when he came home asked why we, low carb dieters, were eating pasta. I told him it was a treat. He ate it and went back for seconds. He loved it. Later on, after dinner, I told him that it was a low carb pasta. He said he never would have known and I agree, no one would.

A few nights later, after the Chicken Penne leftovers were finished, I made the Rotini with Ground Beef and Spinach.

Who doesn't think that looks inviting? It was quick and nice enough to make for dinner parties. The recipe called for parmesan cheese and parm I did use. I sprinkled it over the dish and then popped it in the oven to melt the cheese. I also added a little more red pepper flakes (because I like it hot!).

Are you wanting to try Dreamfields Thank you to Tim for also offering a nice Dreamfields gift basket for one Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy reader. It will come with a couple boxes of pasta along with wonderful recipes and some coupons!

All you have to do to win is head over to Dreamfields and find your favorite recipe and come back here and tell me which one you love (One other than one I have mentioned above).

Do you want extra entries?! You can do any or all of the following (and make separate comments for each):
*Follow me on Blogger
*Tell me how you found my site
*Follow me on Twitter
*Head over to All American Mommy and enter her giveaways and come back here telling me you did so (and which one).
*If you have Technorati on your blog, favorite/link to my page to increase my Authority
*Vote for My blog (on the right hand side of my page)
*Blog about this giveaway (and link to my page and to Dreamfields and leave the URL of blog post in comment)
*Add my button to your blog (extra 2 entries)
*Visit Ecostore USA by clicking on their ad on my page and comment on a product they carry
*Visit Cover Plug by clicking on their ad on my page and comment on a store that carries their product

*This wonderful contest will run from today until April 5th. Please go and tell a friend so they have a chance to!*

Baby Bad Breath

So, Dexter normally has the nicest, sweetest breath and now it is rank! I suspect that the little cough and stuffy nose is really a cold and not just a reaction to his shots. Does anyone know if babies typically get bad breath when they are sick? I need some help.

Another question, can I use Vick's Vapor Rub on him too or do I need to put it on his feet?

THANK YOU MOMMAS!

Its A Tagging Party!

Thank you to Kristie, from Kristie's Notes for tagging me a few days ago. Since I was tagged, I threw a huge birthday bash for Dexter, otherwise I would have gotten around to some tagging of my own a whole lot sooner!

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post these rules in your blog.
Write 5 Random things about yourself.
Tag Random people at the end of the post and link to them.
Let each person know they've been tagged.

Five Random things about me:

1. I have a degree in Elementary Education but I have been unable to get a job in Michigan's awful economy. I hate that I have a huge debt for student loans and no real job to help me pay for it!!

2. One of the grossest things I have ever eaten was Rocky Mountain Oysters (Moose Testicles). I know how gross it sounds but I had no idea what it was when I was eating it (I was in high school and my dad gave me some when we were out at the Elk's for dinner!) I had a good time tricking my friends into eating it! LOL

3. I have a severe case of road rage. I hate the way other people drive and I constantly find myself screaming and yelling and being a "mule skinner"

4. My favorite weird thing to eat is a can of ravioli, hot, poured over two open-faced peanut butter sandwiches. (Don't ask how I discovered this delicacy)

5. If I could visit one place in the whole world in which I would like to vacation, I would choose Italy. I would love to tour the vineyards and eat at local ristorantes! Who wouldn't love to visit the The Leaning Tower of Pisa?

The 5 People I am Tagging Are Some of my Blogosphere Friends......

1. Tonia from All American Mommy
2. Lee from My Sentiment Exactlee
3. Tonya from A Family Completed
4. Shannon from Potamus Prefers
5. Sky from Seeryus Mommy