Read and Share Toddler Bible Review

Posted by Jenna | Friday, July 31, 2009

I recently had the opportunity to review the Read and Share Toddler Bible thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers!! I was really looking forward to receiving this book in the mail and after having had the chance to look it over and read it with my daughter, I can tell you that it's a wonderful collection to our children's Bibles and other books!!

Kaelyn has other Bibles which are very good, but as a toddler she loses interest quickly. I expected the same to happen with this toddler Bible, but it never did! She was interested the entire time! Between the short, easy to understand, interesting stories and the beautiful pictures, I thought it was perfect for children her age and is now one of her favorite books to read!! I feel that the stories, although shortened, were Biblically accurate and perfectly worded for a toddler to undestand. I have to say though, that in my opinion the pictures really made each of the stories come to life. They are incredible!

There were a couple of other features I really appreciated about this Toddler Bible, one of which was the great bonus DVD of Bible Stories that it included. Kaelyn absolutely adored it! I also loved the little notes for parents found throughout. It gives parents ideas of how to make the Bible stories more meaningful to their children, either through discussion or fun, interactive activities.

I would definitely recommend the Read and Share Toddler Bible to anyone with young children...espeically those under the age of 5! You can purchase it from Amazon or the Thomas Nelson Publishers website.



Baby Melons: Baby Hat Giveaway

Posted by Jenna | Friday, July 31, 2009

I have so much fun shopping for our daughter and baby on the way! I just love to find unique clothing and accessories for them!! That's why I was excited to come across Baby Melons and the adorable line of headwear they offer! Kaelyn doesn't have a lot of hair and many people still mistake her for a boy because of it. For that reason I always like to be sure and have hair accessories or cute hats on her! Baby Melons makes that SO easy, as they have a large variety to choose from...everything from headbands to super cute hats! Isn't this one adorable?!!

They also have a great selection for boys too! We are waiting to be surprised on the gender with this second baby, so their neutral line of hats is much appreciated as it makes finding a cute one for the time our little one arrives much easier!! I absolutely adore this one....

If you're looking for a company committed to superior customer service, and one of a kind baby hats for your little one...or even the perfect baby gift...I would recommend checking out Baby Melons!! You can tell just by looking at their selection that much time and care went into making each one. Something else I appreciated was how user friendly their website is. It's very easy to navigate and find that perfect style for your little one.

How To Enter To Win: Baby Melons has generously offered one of my readers a hat of their choice!! To enter, vist Baby Melons and leave me a comment letting me know which hat you would choose if you won!

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Baby Melons) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. For TWO extra entries, Follow my blog publicly

5. Become a Fan of Baby Melons on Facebook

6. Follow Baby Melons on Twitter

7. Follow me on Twitter here and tweet about this giveaway! You can copy and paste:Baby Melons: Baby Hat Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/WLg8j Ends 8/14

8. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

9. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Baby Melons website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end August 14th and is open to US and Canada!



A Thousand Words Thursday

Posted by Jenna | Thursday, July 30, 2009



Smiles are contagious! :)


Visit Cheaper Than Therapy for more Thousand Words Thursday entries!

Cheaper Than Therapy





Even though we live in the midwest where summer seems to last just a couple of months and our time outdoors is limited...it's still important that we make sure we're taking every step we can to keep our skin safe from the sun's harmful rays. I particularly get concerned about the sensitive skin of our daughter and am always looking for ways to make sure she is safe while playing outdoors!

That's why I was excited to learn more about the SunMate from Purely Products, a green products company that focuses on distributing innovative and environmentally friendly products that lead to healthier lifestyles. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this product first hand! The product description points out that we can't be fooled into thinking that a few clouds will help protect us from the sun's harmful rays. Sometimes I forget that. It's important to be knowledgeable about the harmful effects of UV rays and SunMate gives you just that!! Now we can have fun in the sun safely while measuring the intensity of the sun's strength.

I personally was very impressed with the SunMate and liked how it put my mind at ease while outdoors! I really appreciated how it alerted us of possible over-exposure to UV rays from the sun! Another great thing about it is that it's SO easy to use. All we had to do was press the white button at the top and LED indicators lit up between 1 and 5 depending on the intensity of the UV light to help us take the appropriate precautions. At just 2.5 inches tall and 2 inches wide it was also very easy to take with us wherever we went....to the park, pool, on a picnic, etc.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who spends time outdoors no matter where they live! It's a great reminder of the sun's intensity and when action needs to be taken to help protect you and your family!

Buy It: The SunMate can be purchased on the Purely Products website for just $19.95! It can also be found at a number of retailer locations nationwide, as well as CVS.com and Amazon.com!

How To Enter To Win: Purely Products has generously offered one of my readers their very own SunMate UV Monitor!! To enter to win, visit the Purely Products website and leave me a comment letting me know another product they carry.

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Purely Products) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. For TWO extra entries, Follow my blog publicly

5. Follow me on Twitter here and tweet about this giveaway! You can copy and paste: Purely Products SunMate UV Monitor Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/uQ4tX Ends 8/12

6. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

7. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Purely Products website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end August 12th and is open to US Only!



Hazelaid Giveaway Ends TONIGHT!

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 29, 2009



The Hazelaid: Hazelwood Jewelry For Adults and Babies Giveaway ends TONIGHT! If you haven't already, hurry for your chance to win one of these great items....great in helping those with conditions such as Eczema, Acne, Headaches and more!!

There are also a few other giveaways going on that you will want to check out!!



I came across a fun contest going on over at Due Maternity that I thought many of you might be interested in! You can enter for the chance to win 50 FREE Tiny Prints birth announcements!!They are absolutely adorable and would be a perfect way to celebrate the birth of your little one! Enter here for your chance to win!!

Also...stay tuned for a Due Maternity Giveaway coming soon to A Mom's Balancing Act! You won't want to miss it!



Winners Announced!

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 29, 2009



I have winners to announce for the Midwest Diary Council Giveaway as well as The Spunky Monkey Giveaway!

There were SEVEN winners of the Midwest Diary Council Giveaway!! They were randomly chosen via Random.org!

And they are.....

Commenter # 37 Lindsi said...."second post for being a subscriber"

Commenter #9 Anonymous said (she did leave an e-mail address)...."I entered the No Throw Giveaway"

Commenter #48 Larry Lubinus said... "That dairy has that much protein!"

Commenter #23 Clare said..."I subscribe"

Commenter #15 mnmspecial said..."I learned that it takes 3cups of cooked broccoli to equal the calcium in 1 cup of milk"

Commenter #11 Sandy said..."I subscribe 2"

Commenter #45 Nicole said..."Great recipe section! Love the pumpkin pancake recipe. I'll have to try it myself."


And...the winner for The Spunky Monkey Giveaway is...

Commenter #107 Terra H. said..."I tweeted about the giveaway."





Ecostore USA Review and Giveaway

Posted by Jenna | Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Before I had Kaelyn I have to admit that "green products" were not something I was very familiar with. It's amazing though how your perspective on things change once you have a baby. All of a sudden I became more aware of the hazardous chemicals in the cleaning products we were using and was determined to find a "greener" way to clean. I am so happy I turned to natural products! It helps to put my mind at ease knowing that my family is not being exposed to all toxins in so many products on the market today!!

I am always looking to learn more about natural cleaning products and brands people are using. That is why I was thrilled when I was contacted by Ecostore USA to review a couple of their environmentally friendly, plant and mineral-based household cleaning and personal care products that are not only safe for our planet...but also our families! They contain NO nasty chemicals! They gave us the chance to use their Baby Body Wash and Laundry Liquid.

I was very impressed with their Baby Body Wash! Ever since Kaelyn was a baby her skin has been quite sensitive to the products we use on her. Knowing this, we've always tried to use products that are as mild as possible. That's what I found to be true with this product! It was extremely mild and had no harsh effects on her skin at all. In fact, it left her skin feeling very smooth and healthy! It put my mind at ease that I not only didn't have to worry about her breaking out from this product, but also that it was safe.

The Laundry Liquid was equally as great!! It leaves absolutely no chemical residue build up on the items you wash like so many other products out there. I am very cautious with the laundry detergents I use...especially with Kaelyn's clothing. I enjoy the fact that this laundry liquid does not irritate her skin and leaves clothing clean. I have started using it on all of our clothes and will for the baby's clothing once he/she arrives this Fall as well!

They offer a number of products other than these that I'd love to try...like their Citrus Spray Cleaner and Baby Moisturizer. It's great knowing that they are safe and actually do what they are made to do! It's a line of products I will definitely be sure and tell others about! Oh...and on orders of $25 or more they offer FREE shipping!!

How To Enter To Win: Ecostore USA has generously offered one of my readers a $25 Gift Card! To enter to win all you have to do is visit the Ecostore USA website and leave me a comment letting me know what you'd use your $25 Gift Card to purchase if you won!!

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Ecostore USA) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. Follow Ecostore USA on Twitter

5. Sign up for the Ecostore USA No Nasty Chemicals Newsletter

6. For TWO extra entries, Follow my blog publicly

7. Follow me on Twitter here and tweet about this giveaway! You can copy and paste: Ecostore USA $25 Gift Card Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/a1PEE Ends 8/11

8. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

9. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Ecostore USA website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end August 11th and is open to US Only!



Enjoying the Summer!

Posted by Jenna | Monday, July 27, 2009

Here in the midwest summers are WAY too short! This summer we've had many rainy and cold days...making it feel even shorter! So, every warm day we get we try and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible!! This weekend was a perfect time for that! The temps were beautiful and we had no plans but to spend the weekend as a family....it was absolutely PERFECT! I think Kaelyn had the most fun of us all!! :) It was nice to put the housework on hold and enjoy a relaxing weekend as a family!




Giveaways Ending....

Posted by Jenna | Sunday, July 26, 2009

There are many giveaways ending this week! One of which ends tomorrow night! The Spunky Monkey Giveaway! Hurry for your chance to win one of the great traceable wall murals they offer! What a great way to decorate a child's bedroom or play space!!

Giveaways Ending Tuesday Night:

The MJM Books Customized Children's Book Giveaway - Ends 7/28

Four Tickets to the Thomas the Tank Engine Event Giveaway - Ends 7/28

Giveaway Ending Wednesday Night:

The Hazelaid Jewelry for adult or baby - Ends 7/29



Today is FREE Chocolate Friday

Posted by Jenna | Friday, July 24, 2009



I don't know about you, but I LOVE chocolate! And, thanks to Coupon Dad, I found out that Friday's are FREE chocolate day! That's right....every Friday through September you have the chance to win free chocolates from Mars! You're limited to one win every Friday and there's a max of four wins per household for the running of the promotion. I've already received two and have a third on it's way....who doesn't like free chocolate, right?!?

For a chance to receive your free coupon in the mail, you must be one of the first 250,000 people to the Real Chocolate website each Friday starting at 9am EST. The Mars products you can get with your coupon are:

* M&Ms brand candy
* Snickers
* Twix (my favorite)
* Dove
* Three Musketeers
* Milky Way

Yum is all I can say! :) Hurry over there! There still may be some coupons left to give today!!

Happy Friday!



I don't know about you, but I love it when a product can be used for more than one purpose....talk about a good way to save money! That's why I liked Jamie's newest giveaway over at Suburban Saving Mama! This super cute Hide and Seek Frog Messenger Bag could easily be used as a school bag, diaper bag or even purse!! I thought it was too cute not to pass on!



ThumbPeople Giveaway Winner is....

Posted by Jenna | Friday, July 24, 2009



Thanks so much to everyone who entered the ThumbPeople Giveaway...all of your comments and interest are greatly appreciated! Be sure to check back frequently...I have some other great giveaways lined up!!

My giveaways can always be found in the sidebar! There are some great ones going on right now that you don't want to miss!!

And the winner of the ThumbPeople Giveaway is.....

Comment #46 Amy Says: I like the "Words of Love" CD. Thanks for the giveaway!"





A good cookie every once in a while always helps to relieve some of my cravings during pregnancy! That's why I was looking forward to having the opportunity to try and review the NEW Pillsbury Simply...TM Refrigerated Cookies!! Who can say no to cookies, right?! Sometimes I do find "simple" foods to taste simple and bland, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but was excited to try them and find out.

After baking them, my hubby and I tried a couple right away! Cookies are always best right out of the oven!! YUM! I have to tell you that they were delicious!! They didn't taste like ready to bake cookies at all! What's even better about these new cookies from Pillsbury is that they are made with wholesome ingredients like flour, eggs, and vanilla and have 0g Trans Fat, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors/flavors and no preservatives! They also come in two favorite flavors....Chocolate chip and Peanut Butter! Ready to bake cookies are wonderful because there is no messy preparation, they are ready in minutes and there is very little cleanup afterward. We were very impressed with these cookies and plan on using this $1.25 off coupon to buy more Pillsbury Simply...TM Refrigerated Cookies in the near future!! Feel free to print it off and try them for yourself!

Along with the coupon for our free cookies, we also received a cute cookie jar and a really great canvas grocery tote! What's great is, MyBlogSpark has offered one of my readers the same Free Cookies Coupon and Prize Pack!

How To Enter To Win: To enter all you have to do is leave me a comment letting me know which flavor of cookies you would choose if you won!

How To Get Extra Entries:
(only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. Follow my blog publicly

5. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me and let me know once you have.

6. Follow me on Twitter here AND tweet about this giveaway!

7. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!


Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end August 6th and is open to US Only!

*This product, prize pack, and information about the product was provided by MyBlogSpark



A Thousand Words Thursday!

Posted by Jenna | Thursday, July 23, 2009



Cheaper Than Therapy
As I walked in Kaelyn's room and found her looking so tiny in her big girl bed, it hit me that she is no longer a baby, but now a toddler. She will never be sleeping in a crib again...and will forever sleep in a big girl bed now! It's an odd thing to think about. Where does the time go?!

Kaelyn in her crib-7 months

Kaelyn in her big girl bed-20 months


Visit Cheaper Than Therapy for more Thousand Words Thursday entries!



Midwest Dairy Council Giveaway Ends TONIGHT!

Posted by Jenna | Thursday, July 23, 2009



The Midwest Dairy Council Prize Pack/Free Coupons Giveaway Ends Tonight (open to Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota)! Hurry for your chance to win!! Not only will you be entering for a chance to win free prizes...but also many coupons for FREE dairy products!!

Also, Don't forget to check out the many other giveaways I have listed and continue to check back as there will be many more coming in the near future!!



Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique Review and Giveaway

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 22, 2009



I'm always excited to find baby products that can be personalized. I know many people just love getting things that have their little one's name on them....I do too!! Whether a personalized baby gift is given at a baby shower before the baby is born, or soon after the birth, something like this always makes such a special gift! That's why I was so impressed with Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique when I first came across their website! They offer a large variety of personalized items for babies. What's great is that their line of products doesn't end there....they also offer a number of useful items for Mom and Dad as well!

Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique was kind enough to send us a personalized burp cloth for our baby who is due this fall! As I browsed through the selection of choices I found it hard to choose just one! There are so many cute designs! The personalization doesn't end with the choice of what name to put on it though...you also get to choose thread colors and font styles as well! I decided to go with the more neutral burp cloth and had "Little One" embroidered on it instead of a name since we are choosing to wait until the baby is born to find out if he/she is a boy or a girl! Isn't this Stephen Joseph Zoo Animals Burp Cloth just adorable?!! I can't wait to use it! When I received it in the mail I was stunned at the quality. It's not your cheap, thin burp cloth that you may have found in other stores....this is thick and soft...perfect for many uses and your baby's sensitive skin.

I would definitely recommend Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique to anyone looking for a special baby gift! Whether it be burp cloths you are looking for or maybe even cute clothing or blankets like those pictured below, they have it all! The options seem endless and what's great is that everything from Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique is affordable and would make perfect baby gifts that will be cherished always!!


Buy It: The Zoo Animals Burp Cloth is $9.99 and can be found on the Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique website.

How To Enter To Win:
Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique is giving one lucky reader a personalized baby bib and burp cloth set of their choice! There are so many great designs, fonts and colors to choose from! To enter, all you have to do is visit Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique and leave me a comment letting me know another item they carry that you like!!

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the side column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. Follow Breezy Oaks on Twitter

5. Vote for Breezy Oaks

6. Follow my blog publicly

7. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me and let me know once you have.

8. Follow me on Twitter here and tweet about this giveaway! You can copy and paste: Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique Personalized Bib & Burp Cloth Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/zmswt

9. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

10. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end August 5th and is open to US and Canada!



The Zutano Giveaway Winner is....

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 22, 2009



Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Zutano Giveaway...all of your comments and interest are greatly appreciated! Be sure to check back frequently...I have some other great giveaways lined up!!

My giveaways can always be found in the sidebar! There are some great ones going on right now that you don't want to miss!!

And the winner of the Zutano Giveaway is.....
Commenter #188 Kim said: "I like the cottage garden baby blanket! Really cute!!!"





I am sure most parents can relate to having a child who enjoys Thomas the Train! That's why I was really excited when I was contacted to share with you all a Thomas the Train event that's rolling into town, as well as a ticket giveaway!!

A Day Out with Thomas: The Hero of The Rails Tour is coming to the Tumbleweed Express in Lakeville, MN on August 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, & 16 (from 8:30am-5pm)! This event is being presented by HIT Entertainment, a worldwide leader in children's entertainment!!

This fun-filled event will offer children and their families a day to remember with the opportunity to take a ride with a 14-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine and ride along with him on his latest adventure! What child wouldn't love to see their favorite toy train come to life, right?!

A little more information about this fun event and what a day with Thomas the Tank Engine will look like:

*A 25 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
*An opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of The Railway
*Activities for the whole family which include: arts & crafts, storytelling, video viewing, live music by Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade, inflatable slide, ball pit, straw bale maze, kid carwash and temporary tattoos!!
*Exclusive commemorative merchandise including a 2009 Day Out With Thomas passenger car, as well as t-shirts, engineer caps, pennants, and more!

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to offer one lucky reader a family 4 pack of tickets to this event in Lakeville, MN! This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who has a child who loves Thomas the Train, or knows a child who does (nephew, niece, friend, etc)!

How To Enter To Win: To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment letting me know who would be using the tickets to see Thomas the Train!

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (easily found along the right column). Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to this post) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blogroll and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. Follow my blog publicly

5. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me and let me know once you have.

6. Follow me on Twitter here (if you already do, leave me a comment letting me know)

7. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter

8. Enter one of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found along the side column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end July 28th and is open to US Only!
Please note that this for the Thomas the Train event in Lakeville, MN



The ThumbPeople Children's Book/CD Giveaway Ends Tonight! Hurry for your chance to win these great products!! ThumbPeople has a fantastic line of encouraging products for children that helps them understand just how special and unique they truly are!!

Don't forget to check out the many other giveaways I have listed and continue to check back as there will be many more coming in the near future!!



New Blog Design

Posted by Jenna | Monday, July 20, 2009



Thanks to Jake over at Sankey Design....I have a new blog design!!! I thought A Mom's Balancing Act was ready for a bit of a 'facelift' and a cleaner, more user friendly look and layout! I hope that everyone enjoys the new layout and find's it easy to navigate and use!

With the new design, I have finally added the Google Friend Connect application! Follow me if you'd like. :) Also...since I now have this feature, you can Follow my blog publicly for an extra entry into any of the Giveaways currently running that you have already entered (you must have completed the initial, required entry before this extra entry will be counted as with all extra entries)! Just head over to those specific giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you follow my blog!



Zutano Giveaway Ends TONIGHT!

Posted by Jenna | Monday, July 20, 2009

The Zutano Giveaway Ends TONIGHT! If you haven't already, hurry for your chance to win and enter today!! They are generously offering one lucky reader a $75 Gift Card to their Itzy Bitzy Shop! Their children's clothing is ADORABLE!

My other giveaways you may want to check out....



The Winner of the NoThrow Giveaway is.....

Posted by Jenna | Sunday, July 19, 2009

Thank you SO much to everyone who entered the following giveaways...all of your comments and interest are greatly appreciated! Be sure to check back frequently...I have some other great giveaways coming very soon!!

My giveaways can always be found towards the top in the right-hand column! There are some great ones going on right now that you don't want to miss!!

And the winner of the NoThrow Giveaway is.....

Commenter #66 Abby said: "I follow you on twitter also."



Thousand Words Thursday!

Posted by Jenna | Thursday, July 16, 2009




Not even two years old yet and she already loves to accessorize! :)

Visit Cheaper Than Therapy for more Thousand Words Thursday entries!

Cheaper Than Therapy



If you're like me then you always look for the most natural and non-toxic products out there...especially when it comes to your little one. Before having Kaelyn I really didn't think twice about the products I used...however, after having her my whole perspective on the issue changed completely! It became my top priority to give her the very best start in life and that meant choosing wisely when it came to the products we use...whether it be food, lotions, soaps, cleaners, etc. I am always open to learning about new products available and was excited to be introduced to Hazelaid, a company born from a family who was introduced to the healing properties of all-natural hazelwood products!

The daughter of Severine Stegner and her husband (Hazelaid business owners), was suffering with severe eczema at a very young age at the time they learned about these necklaces. They tried them out and within 2 weeks of her wearing it, her eczema was gone!! That was the beginning of their journey with hazelwood necklaces and their online business, Hazelaid!

The daughter of Severine wearing her necklace at 6 months old


In browsing their website, you'll find that they offer hazelwood necklaces, bracelets and other related products that have natural therapeutic properties. They can help to alleviate teething pain as well as eczema and acid reflux in babies, children and even adults! What I found to be most impressive about these products is that they're all-natural, organic and safe for both babies and adults! Hazelwood has actually been used for hundreds of years by the Native Americans to help alleviate their babies' teething pains. They have since found that it can also help to allieviate many other ailments causing an acidity imbalance in the body, such as....

Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Acid reflux
Heart burn
Ulcers
Acne
Cold sores
Eczema
Headaches
Migraines

These hazelwood products can help you alleviate your/your baby's symptoms in a natural way. Just read some of their testimonials from customers who have used these products.

Their hazelwood necklaces come in adorable baby-safe child models, fashionable adult models, as well as bracelets and anklets. And....here's the best part! Severine has offered one lucky reader a piece of Hazelaid jewelry of their choice (either a child necklace or an adult necklace, bracelet, or anklet)!!

One example of the many baby models




One example of the many adult models




How To Enter To Win: All you have to do is visit Hazelaid and come back leaving me a comment letting me know which piece of Hazelaid jewelry you would choose.

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act. Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Hazelaid) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Follow me on Twitter here

4. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter: You can copy and paste - Hazelaid Jewelry For Babies and Adults Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/156Axc

5. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blogroll and leave a comment with the URL to your blog.

8. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me.

9. Enter my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found at the top in the right-hand column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

10. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the Hazelaid website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end July 29th and is open to the US and Canada!



Winner Announced and Giveaway Ending Tomorrow

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Thank you SO much to everyone who entered the following giveaways...all of your comments and interest are greatly appreciated! Be sure to check back frequently...I have some other great giveaways coming very soon!!

My giveaways can always be found towards the top in the right-hand column! There are some great ones going on right now that you don't want to miss!!

And the winner of the Creativity For Kids Giveaway is.....

Commenter #6 Xenia said...."I'm a subscriber"



Also....the NoThrow Giveaway ends tomorrow night! If you haven't already, enter to win today! This is such a handy little thing that makes life MUCH easier for any parent!! Good Luck!




Ever since Kaelyn was very young she has enjoyed having books read to her and looking through them on her own. Many times a day I will find her sitting on the floor looking through books and talking and pointing at pictures as she goes. It's neat to see her learning and developing a love for reading at such a young age! We've noticed she especially enjoys books that have her name in them. We often replace names in books with hers and this sparks her interest for the story even more! I mean, who doesn't love seeing and hearing their name in a story, right?! That's why I love personalized books so much! As a mom, and former early childhood educator, I feel that it's a wonderful way to get kids involved in reading as well as getting them familiar with their own name.




We were recently introduced to MJM Books and their line of customizable children's books. I was impressed as I browsed their website and saw the stories that they offer which are aimed at engaging young children's interest in reading! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review one of their books as well!! I chose the If I Were Big book and was very happy with their customer service and how quickly the book was sent. They make it very easy for you to customize the book, not only with your child's name but also their illustrated likeness. You can choose from a variety of options such as hair color, skin tone, gender, etc. It was neat to receive a book with a little girl that resembled Kaelyn....a feature that I have not found with any of the other personalized books we've seen.



The moment our book arrived in the mail, Kaelyn wanted to read it. We read it once through and she was begging to read it again. The second time through she was pointing to the little girl and saying "Kaelyn" and loved hearing her name throughout the If I Were Big story. It's so neat when parents can make reading fun for children! That's why I appreciate these customizable books and the time put into creating them! They are good quality and offer fun, catchy stories anyone would enjoy! I like that this is a family company, started by three brothers who want to "Make Reading Fun"...a motto they are passionate about when it comes to the children's books they create.



The other two books they offer also look really cute and I am sure would be a great addition to anyone's collection of children's books! They have the, A Day At The Park book as well as the, What Animal Are You? book...both of which I would encourage you to check out on their site where you can actually preview the whole the story...illustrations and all!





Buy It: You can purchase the customized children's books from MJM Books on their website for $15.95 each.

How To Enter To Win: The innovative brothers behind MJM Books have generously offered one of my readers a customized children's book of their choice. To enter to win, all you have to do is visit MJM books and leave me a comment letting me know which book you would choose.

How To Get Extra Entries: (only valid after the required initial entry has been completed)

1. For TWO extra entries, subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act. Be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

2. For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and MJM Books) and leave me a comment with the URL to that post. Also, be sure to leave TWO comments so that both entries can be counted.

3. Follow MJM Books on Twitter here

4. Follow me on Twitter here

5. Become a Facebook Fan of MJM Books

6. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter: You can copy and paste - MJM Books Customized Children's Book Giveaway @MomBalancingAct http://bit.ly/pdy2Z

7. Post my blog button or blog URL to your blogroll and leave a comment with the URL to your blog.

8. If you have Entrecard, drop your card on me.

9. Enter my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know that you did (current giveaways can be found at the top in the right-hand column)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

10. For THREE extra entries, purchase anything from the MJM Books website before the end of this giveaway (be sure to leave THREE separate comments when doing so to ensure each entry is counted).

Please be sure to leave me a *separate* comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily and accurately contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end July 28th and is open to the US/Canada!




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