Fisher Price Moments

**Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a giftcard in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place and all opinions are my own.

As a Mother - there is one thing we all have in common, that we love to share those special moments that our family gives us. With so many social networking sites out there it can be hard to keep track of what you've posted and who you've posted it to. We can easily upload our pictures and video to friends and family on the net, but how about an easy to read digital time line? Fisher Price is a brand most of us grew up with, a brand we trust and a brand we feel comfortable enough with to hand over to our children. Fisher Price is now taking to to the next step, offering a digital time line complete with photos, videos, captions and stories. Even better is that you can create this live on your Facebook page.

" This extremely easy to use application (http://www.fpmoments.com/) allows you to create a personalized timeline by adding a date, location, caption, and even anecdotes to our images. You can upload new photos and videos or even use existing Facebook albums. The result is a scrollable, digital timeline that you can add to as your child grows. Since there are so many people who touch your child's life, you can even allow select friends and family to add to your masterpiece. And because privacy is always a concern among parents, you're able to control exactly who you're sharing your moments with." Now I did try this out on my Facebook page and I have a love / hate relationship with this app. Well...I wouldn't go as far as saying hate, but there are some aspects of it that I just did not like.

What I loved -

• Being able to add all my children & spouse complete with picture and birthdates
• Adding a story, description and date to all entries
• Something that would be appealing to friends and family
• Once set up it's quick and easy to use
• Allowed me to choose who I wanted to share it with
  

What I disliked -

• Took quite a long time to set up - especially if your children are a bit older
• Having to go through all my pics to set up the time line
• I would love to see more options for older children/ adults

If you're a new mom looking for a fun way to share those special memories, then this is the way to go, if you have older children like mine are - I think I would stay with the albums.

Don't just take my word for it - try it yourself
www.fpmoments.com

Blogger Events

I have been thinking lately about all these blogger events that most of us get invited too. While they are fun and socializing - don't you all feel guilty for leaving your family behind, just a little maybe? I mean once in awhile is great, not all events are for products that are geared toward our children and we do all need to get out now and then....but I am not the only one behind my blog. These last few months there have been quite a few blogging events that I have just had to turn down because they did not include my family.

My blog mostly runs reviews - and most of those products are products geared toward children. So who do you think plays with the product, wears the product or watches the product? My children and / or my husband & I are the ones who actually "review" the product. I can only review most products based on my thoughts as a parent, but the product has to also appeal to my child and be able to entertain them or do what ever it is that the product is intended to do. The review cannot be a full review without an opinion of the age bracket the item is intended for.
This is not a post intended to put down the PR companies and to say I am not grateful for being invited to so many wonderful events. All I am saying is that I am not Hula Hooping Mom - my kids, my husband AND myself create this very blog and the reviews you see and read here. This blog would not be the blog it is without them. I think PR companies as well as the companies that hold the events need to keep that in mind. My husband & children often wonder why they can't come along to some of these events - and I have to stop and think to myself the same. If you want to present a product - they are the ones you should be thinking about. They are the real reviewers - I just write the content! Above are the faces behind Hula Hooping Mom and how they feel being "left out"

Alone I am not Hula Hooping Mom - my children, my husband AND myself are

"Hula Hooping Mom"

**I did want to point out that our family has been to some great events sponsored by some great companies - Thank you for including my family!!

Pediatric Surgery

We took our youngest son (who is seven) to his first ENT appointment yesterday. He's had fluid in his ears for quite some time now and his Doctor just did not want to wait anymore on sending him to a specialist. According to the specialist he has to have a tube inserted in his ear, his tonsils out and his adenoid. He said that the surgery last about an hour and it would be out patient. Also...that the tonsillectomy is very painful afterwards and that he would have to be house bound for three weeks following.

As a mother it makes me cry....my baby boy having to go through this. Although it may not be serious and a small surgery that many children go through, he is still being put to sleep, having an experience in the hospital, being stuck in the house for three long weeks and the pain. He is a mama's boy, my pride and joy, my love, one of my best friends, and my son.....how can I help a seven year old understand the process of surgery?? Take a tour of the hospital, talk him through it, tell him he gets to have all the ice cream he wants for two weeks following and tons of extra hugs and attention?? Even after all that, do you really think at that age they understand what is being done and why? No, I don't believe they do....so I will be here to love him, hold his hand and look into his eyes and tell him it's going to be OK, mama's here! Love you baby boy!!

Monterey Bay Lodge

On our way back down the California coast - we made a stop in Monterey. I really wish we would have had more time to actually explore it. We made the mistake of buying aquarium tickets from the hotel (which is a great deal, because you get two days for the price of one) but...we really just did not have time to see anything. The aquarium takes up so much time and we were running a bit behind already - that I did not even get a chance to walk across the street to the beach!! Yes...the Monterey Bay Lodge is right across the street from the beach!! The picture above really makes the hotel look larger than it is. It's not a high rise by any means, but then again, on a family vacation this is something that might be more fitting. We got to actually park right in front of our room which you can't say for many hotels - and parking was free :) The woman at the desk was very helpful giving us suggestions of what to see and where to eat. The hotel also has a restaurant on site - which we did not eat at, so am not sure what the food was like nor the prices.

There are two family suites available. This is really a great idea for families traveling with children but also want their private time. I was not really sure what to expect. In the picture below is the children's room, which is off to the side - with a closing door!! What's even cooler? They have a video game system inside the kids room!! You have to go to the front office to check out the games - which I would suggest doing upon check in so that the kids can keep busy while you're trying to unload the car. The only disappointing factor in this is that the kids room did not have cable, so to watch the Disney channel or Nick - cartoons period - they would have to come out to the other room. All in all it was a pretty nice stay - like I said we did not have time at all to really enjoy anything and I would for sure plan a trip back!!

Pros -

• Right across from the beach
• Dennis The Menace Park across the street

Aquarium deals

• Kids sleeping area with a closing door - in the family suites
• Affordable
• Clean & Comfy
• Free parking, right in front of your room

Cons -

• No cable in the kids room

Would we recommend this hotel to family & friends - YES

For more information or reservations visit
www.montereybaylodge.com

**Disclosure: The Monterey Bay Lodge provided us with one nights stay accommodation. No compensation was received and the opinions are purely my own.

Wordless Wednesday

San Francisco - near Fishermans Wharf - an old building full of old "arcade" games.

***Please leave the link below to your wordless Wednesday**

Despicable Me

Universal Pictures is gearing up for their big summer release "Despicable Me" starring the voice talent of Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Jason Segel and Russel Brand. The release date for the movie is July 9Th. After seeing the trailer I remember seeing tad bits of it before a movie we had seen in the theater - it got the kids laughing and wondering what it was going to be about. My husband and I even stated that it looked "interesting". This movie is also in 3D which it seems like 3D movies have become the craze and will more than likely become the norm. We have yet to actually go out as a family to watch a 3D movie at the theaters. Besides being so darn busy - I can't afford an arm and a leg to see a movie. But then again......it seems to be the "experience" we all crave every now and then - it's just not the same as watching a movie at home.

Despicable Me

"In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universals new 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me.

Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

One of the worlds greatest super-villains has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes." from Universal Pictures

Happy Easter

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

We will be back Tuesday!

I hope you also, will take this weekend to turn off ALL the electronics, spend time with family and celebrate the reason for the holiday!