Summer Fun in Chicago!

With the summer winding down and everyone heading back to school I just wanted to reflect on all the great activities my boys and I had this summer.  It was honestly one of the best summers ever and I had so much fun exploring our great city with awesome friends.  Here is a list of all the great places we visited and I plan on visiting all of them again!

• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• The Morton Arboretum
• Pirates Cove
• The Water Works
• Santa's Village
• John Hancock Observatory
• Navy Pier
• Oasis Fun Center
• Blackberry Farm

These were our 10 main activities this summer and it was a blast!  I hope to highlight one place each week during the fall with tons of pics.  I hope that wherever you live whether it is Chicago or a small town you take the time to explore your city.  I never took the time before and realized these are only a few of the many awesome places this city has to offer.

Have fun and explore!

Dial's Coconut Water Body Wash ~ Giveaway

Disclosure:  "The Dial brand provided me with a sample of Dial Coconut Water Refreshing Mango body wash in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own."

I love how Dial consistently comes out with new great products.  I am addicted to "new" so if my favorite brand has a new product I have to try it.  Dial has impressed me yet again with their brand new Coconut Water Refreshing Mango body wash.  I am a morning shower person so the fresh citrus like fruity scents alone are awesome for waking me up in the morning.

You can see I have already used half the bottle and I am in love!  I like how clear it is and I can honestly say my skin feels softer and more hydrated.  I have been spending a lot of time outside since it is summer and my skin is in need of the extra hydration.  

"Coconut water is a leading trend known to be rich in antioxidants and electrolytes that help provide replenishing hydration.  Mango is known for being nutrient rich and adds a touch of tropical freshness."

After several weeks of using the Coconut Water Refreshing Mango body wash I have to agree!  I would love to offer you the chance to try it out for yourself.  Enter below and I will choose one of my readers to receive a coupon for a FREE bottle of Dial's new body wash.

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MCC Genworth Let's Talk Tour ~ #LetsTalk

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Genworth. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.”


One of the hardest things to talk about, or something we tend to put off is choices for later on in life.  From planning for retirement to long term care options I know I personally have so many questions and not a clue!  I tend to have the thought I'll deal with it when it happens but I know that is definitely not smart the smart choice.  More people actually plan for their death then they do for long term care.

One of my main questions would probably be with my parents.  What are their thoughts and wishes?  If they were to get ill would my siblings and I know what to do?  How much would care cost and where would the money come from?  Any situation that were to arise I'm sure it would be stressful enough so knowing their wishes and our choices would make the entire situation much easier.  

From New York to California Genworth is getting people talking about all aspects of their future through the Let's Talk Tour.  We never want to think about things such as long term care for our parents but its a reality and a difficult time.  Most of all it can be expensive to care for a parent or even a grandparent.  Childcare is costly and caring for a parent around the clock is even more costly with a nursing home costing around $80,000 a year!  Even with my brother and sister helping that is not a cost we could afford so a backup plan is a must for us.

Check out the videos above to check in on the fun at the Genworth Let's Talk Tour.  Don't wait and have the talk today with you parents and grandparents about what long term care options they are interested in and set up a plan!  Genworth is there to help with any questions you may have along the way.  Check out their tour dates here and stop on by if you are in the area.  You never know if someone famous like Frank Thomas may be there to help you jump start that conversation!  #LetsTalk

Back to School with Label Daddy ~ Discount

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a sample to facilitate my review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own!

So a total fail on my part as this was supposed to be a post all about labels for camp but I fudged so it has now turned into back to school!  Good thing is no matter what time of year it is if you have kids then you need labels.  School, camp, daycare or just for day to day so you can differentiate what belongs to who labels have become a necessity!

Label Daddy has an awesome assortment of labels for you and your kids to choose from.  They have your favorite Disney characters, designs, sports teams and cool pictures to please any child.  I choose some very cute Disney Planes labels for my son Nick that have his favorite character, Dusty.

I ordered the single pack of small labels which comes with 80.  That is a ton of labels!!  With the discount code these cost $16.  If you are looking for more sizes they have great combo packs that come with a huge variety of sizes.  You will have more then enough to label everything from their backpack to their shoes.  If you have ever seen the lost and found section at your school you know it is usually overflowing with items left behind.  Labels help ensure your kids come home with their items.

They are very easy to use just peel and stick.  They even come with a tip sheet on how to apply them so they last longer.  I suggest getting the laminated ones that way you get extra life out of your labels especially if you will be washing them a lot.  The cost of labels more then pays for itself and I highly recommend investing in labels and save yourself the pain and suffering of constant lost items.

Right now everyone can get 20% off their entire order from Label Daddy when you use code USFAMILY20.  This is a great deal.  I love the designs and there is honestly something for everyone from the popular Frozen characters to sports teams for the older children.  Check them out and get everything labeled before school starts!

Schwan's Home Service ~ Discount

For over 60 years, Schwan's Home Service has provided superior frozen foods with convenient home delivery. Our foods are flash frozen at the peak of freshness and flavor. Choose from USDA Choice meats, wild-caught seafood, flavorful skillet meals, Grade A fruits and vegetables, plus our heritage ice cream, distinctive desserts and much more.

We offer delicious foods to satisfy everyone, including family members with special dietary needs including:

- No gluten ingredients
- Vegetarian
- No sugar added
- Heart healthy
- Low calorie
- Low sodium choices

Schwan's offers weekly specials, coupons, online hot deals and new customer special offers. Join the Schwan's Rewards program and earn 5% back on every online purchase, to be used on a future order. 

100% Guarantee! Love It or Return It! If you're unsatisfied one of our products - for any reason - we will gladly replace it or provide a refund.

My Readers Save $ On Your First Order at Schwans Home Service! - $5 off $25 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN2
$10 off $50 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN2
$15 off $75 Order - Coupon Code: JULIEN15

Walgreens Well Beginnings Diapers & Baby Products ~ Review

Disclosure:  I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetsSM blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinon on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Walgreens has revamped their baby line and I have to say that I am pretty impressed. I am very hesitant to purchase a new brand of diapers but from the instant I opened the package of Well Beginnings diapers I could tell the quality was there.  They felt super soft and flexible while still hugging my toddler and doing its job!  I have a very active 2.5 year old so his diaper has to keep up with him.

My son is also a very heavy night wetter.  Well Beginnings diapers seemed to even withstand his heavy night wetting keeping his PJ's dry.  We both give these diapers a huge thumbs up and will continue to purchase them until I decide to potty train this little dude.  Here are some facts.  One of my favorite features is the wetness indicator on the smaller sizes.  Great, especially with a newborn that sleeps a lot.  You do not want to wake a sleeping baby!!!! 

•The entire Well Beginnings product line is exclusive to Walgreens, your friendly neighborhood drugstore known for its health and wellness expertise.

•Well Beginnings Size 4 Jumbo Diapers (31 count) offer a soft stretchable waist and side panels that wrap your baby in softness, offering leakage protection for day and night. The amazingly soft inner liner features natural botanicals, vitamin E, and aloe to soothe your baby’s bottom.

•These quality baby diapers are available in Newborn to Size 6 and are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

•Well Beginnings Newborn, Size 1 and Size 2 diapers have a wetness indicator feature and turn blue when wet.

•Well Beginnings is all made in the U.S.A. and is made up of high-quality products at a great value.

•The retail price for Well Beginnings Size 4 Jumbo Diapers (31 count) is $8.99.

Well Beginnings has a whole entire line of baby and toddler products.  I tried their wipes and their baby wash which were both products I loved and would purchase in the future.  The wipes were very soft and the quilting got the job done.  I use wipes on little faces as much as I do their bottoms so softness and effectiveness are two of my priorities.  I was also sent their electrolyte drink which I am sure will be great to have on hand since school is starting soon!  I love to give this to my kids that first week along with extra vitamin C just to give them an extra boost.  Seems that if they do get sick it is not as bad.  #MomHack

Thank you Moms Meet for the chance to review the Well Beginnings line of products.  Do you have a #MomHack?  Tweet or post to Walgreens facebook page sharing your tip for all those mommas out there. Make sure to use the hashtag #MomHack. These items also make great baby shower gifts!  

EcoTools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge ~ Review & Giveaway

Disclosure:  I was provided with the product  to facilitate this review.  However, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

EcoTools has a brand new product I know you are going to love.  It is a pure complexion facial sponge made with 100% natural ingredients.  One of its main ingredients is Konjac, which is a vegetable fiber used to reveal smooth and refreshed skin.

My children kept asking if they could play with the "rock".  I can see where they would think it is a rock and the sponge is very hard when it comes out of the package but as soon as you add water it turns into a soft spongy material.  You can use it with just water or add your favorite facial wash. 

I typically just use my hands to wash my face so after using the pure complexion facial sponge I noticed almost an immediate difference in the feel of my skin.  My skin felt overall fresher like a good exfoliation with out all the roughness that goes along with that process.  Within a week my skin felt smother.  I think my skin could breath better and was revitalized.

The EcoTools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge is available in Deep Cleansing and Sensitive Skin and each sponge costs only $5.99.  Not bad considering it lasts 1-3 months.  That's less then the cost of most facial washes!  

I would love to give 5, YES FIVE, of my readers a chance to try out the EcoTools pure complexion facial sponge free of charge from EcoTools to you.  I invite you to take the challenge and see if you notice a difference in your skin after just of week of using the naturally exfoliating sponge.  Just enter in the rafflecopter below.

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