If a break from cooking and delicious meals are what you’re looking for, coastal Virginia is a foodie’s paradise, with a diverse culinary landscape to rival the area’s natural beauty. Let Coastal Food Tours of Virginia guide you from the chef’s table and shoreline to a place of total satisfaction through a back-to-basics approach that combines farm and ocean, and food and spirits, while promising the chance to become part of the process of creating delicious coastal cuisine.

Aside from our summer vacation, I will be taking a short trip down south soon and it’s only about an hour from Virginia Beach. We have plans to drive up there and hang out on the beach. I am trying to be more organized with my trips. Usually we just wing it when we get somewhere but these are going to be memorable and planned out! If any of you have been to Virginia Beach, do you have other great tips and recommendations for Virginia Beach visitors? I know that there are a lot of things for the kids to do.

Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” year-round! Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less for two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800-822-3224) or visit www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com for online trip planning. For media information and digital images, click on www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com/pressroom.

More info on Virginia Beach:

Visit Virginia Beach

Things To Do at Virginia Beach

Beach Street USA

Please check out Virgina Beach on Facebook and Follow @VaBeachCVB on Twitter

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this article in some form. (product, monetarily, etc). The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. This article was written while participating in a SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate, click here.This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

My sons are like fish when it comes to water. It is only March and they are already asking me when the pool will be open. My oldest is actually going to be on a swim team this year! Usually bath time consists of me telling Spencer that he can’t stay in the tub for 3 hours. If he isn’t “pruney” he says he can’t get out yet. It is like some kind of a timer to him. Like if he gets out before his fingers are “pruney” the world will end or something.

While I really can’t think of anything my boys have really done in the bathtub that is funny, I did recall a picture that I took of Royal when he was just about a year old. It is one of my favorite pictures of him! When I went looking through my compurter for it, I came across another that I took when he was 3. Is tarted laughing because I didn’t remember taking the second one. I guess I thought I needed a silly follow up p[ic. RED SOLO CUP! My “baby” is going to be 10 in July. Oh my gosh, where did the time go?

 

I think potty training both of my boys holds some of the funniest pictures and stories. While I can’t tell most of them or share some of the pictures that I have. I did find a few of them as babies in their training stages. I really hope that none of the parents of his school friends read my blog. Oh who am I kidding, these are the pictures we break out on their first date right?! Okay, I would really never do that to them but it’s funny to say I would! The pictures are pretty cute and funny. They were both so intent when training. Below is Royal watching TV and Spencer reading lol I guess they are doing it man style!

 

Clorox recently launched a fun new Web site celebrating one of the most-used and underrated rooms in our homes – the bathroom! The Clorox Lounge is turning the bathroom into the laugh room with a community hub designed to be a mom’s go-to place for comedy. Hosted by comedian, actress and mom Sherri Shepherd, the site found at TheCloroxLounge.com features hilarious anecdotes, fun contests, exciting give-a-ways, coupons and just the right amount of comic relief. An inspiration for an entire genre of comedy, the potty is often named as the number one place for moms to find a moment of quiet and a break from a busy day! Whether it’s potty training, cleaning wars, or simply rites of passage that come with kids growing-up, the bathroom is such a huge part of our lives.

The Clorox Lounge activities kick-off with Last Comic Sitting Competition and Sweepstakes, starting February 27, 2012. Over the course of eight weeks, 10 of the funniest mom and dad comics will go head-to-head in a stand-up throw-down for the chance to sit on the throne and be crowned the Last Comic Sitting. Each week, they’ll face a new challenge and based on consumer voting one will be eliminated. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000. For four weeks, you will have the opportunity to vote and narrow the comics down to the top mom and top dad.

Clorox Ode to the Commode on Facebook

Follow @Clorox on Twitter

Disclosure: MAK Media wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

I don’t care what anyone anywhere says, my Dad was one of the greatest men there ever was. He was married to my Mom for almost 36 years and they raised 3 pretty damn good kids. We don’t really drink, we never did drugs and none of us have ever been convicted of any crimes. None of us are perfect and we have all been through our share of things but we all turned out just fine.

He loved his wife, he loved his kids and he ADORED his grandsons.(I probably should not mention that the picture of Sasha, his pitbull, was in his wallet before all of us? LOL!) The only thing that truly breaks my heart is that Spencer will never truly remember him. I make sure to show him pictures often so he “knows” who he was and how much he loved him.

From the makers of Despicable Me comes an all-new comedy about candy, chicks and rock n roll! He was destined to be the Easter Bunny, but all he wanted to do was rock! When teenage E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand) leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream to become a rockstar drummer, he meets Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals. Together the two encounter a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures and in the end help each other recognize the importance of family.

We haven’t gotten to see this yet but it will be out next week and we are excited too! It looks like an incredibly cute movie. We tried to see it when it was in the theaters but things just didn’t work out with everything that was going on. If you are interested in seeing the movie, Enter my giveaway below! I have a cute prize pack for one lucky reader and their little ones! Own the Perfect Family Easter Movie!

Walmart – Pre-order HOP Combo Pack at Walmart.com and get a FREE download of the original soundtrack!

Target – Receive free wearable bunny ears & printable Easter party kit when you Buy HOP on Blu-ray Combo Pack

Best Buy – Get a free 7” Bunny Minion Plush when you buy HOP on Blu-ray Combo Pack

‘Like’ HOP on Facebook

Visit the official website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this post. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

My Mom and Dad in the 80′s. She’s going to kill me for this lol

My baby girl didn’t have a name for almost a month. I had no idea what to call her. I wanted something that fit her personality and it took me that long to figure it out. To understand this story, I have to include the fact that I wear contact lenses. To me, it is humorous now but at the time I just sat there and cried.

I don’t believe in leashing my dogs. I never have in my life and I never will. I always trained them to stay by my side. Leashes were only ever used when absolutely necessary, such as walks in the park where they were required  per the rules of the park.

Once morning at about 5:30, she decided it was time to go out. I got out of bed, went to the door, opened it and I realized it was snowing. She was an off white color so when I opened the door and she took off, I knew I was in trouble. I sat down in the snow and started to cry. I knew my Dad was going to freak out that I lost her because he wasn’t big on the idea of me having her at first.

To my surprise, little miss came walking over to me and licked my face. When I picked my head up she tilted her head and looked at me. She had gotten snow on her face and it was in the perfect spot to look like she was crying to. It shined like a crystal on her face. And So…. Crystal she was named!

Sadly my baby girl passed on when she was only 6 years old. She became sick and I had no choice but to put her to sleep. It was the hardest thing I had to do up until that point in my life. I had her cremated and she will be with me forever. When my Dad passed away, we put their urns side by side at my Moms because even though at first he didn’t want her, he fell utterly in love with her.

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC was compensated for this post. I am blogging about my dear pet in partnership with the “What’s in a Name?” Campaign hosted by dog bark collar. We are so lucky to have dogs as man and woman’s best friend. The views and opinions expressed in this blogs content are solely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product should be verified by the above mentioned manufacturer, PR Agency or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are mine whether positive or negative. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

You guessed it! It’s here again! That one fantabulous day of the year where people make complete asses out of themselves trying to show their love and affection to their significant others. Where showing how much you love someone is based on the presents one receives and the overinflated events planned in your honor. It seems to be the one holiday that is designed to poke at the wounds of the lonely, discriminate against the single, and pour salt into the gaping hole in ones chest where a heart used to be in the just dumped. Seriously though, forgive me for not buying into the whole overpriced, dead flowers, piles of sugar, slutty lingerie swing of things. I have to admit that I have had some pretty great Valentine’s Days involving some or all of the above but who on the face of the planet finds a gigantic pink gorilla that sings the Macarena romantic?! Come on, don’t lie… As I was meandering around the mall and mass retailers, I noticed a lot of grotesque imitations of this thing we call love.

I am not against love, I am not a lonely bitter soul, in fact I am very much in love with my guy. I really just detest the idea that one has to be told to go out and spend money, make reservations, profess your love to someone on a distinct day of the year. In the past 15 months, not a day has gone by that my boyfriend and I have not told and showed each other how we feel. There is nothing romantic to me about sitting in an over crowded, over priced restaurant with a million other couples doing the exact same thing. And getting engaged on Valentine’s Day? OH PLEASE! How original..

Waking up and going outside and finding tulips on my patio (because they are my favorite), finding a set of beautiful blue flower pots for my garden or something so simple as a chocolate milkshake that he knows should not have whipped cream and a cherry. These random things during the year mean more to me that spending $1000 on things that don’t have any thought behind them other than “OMG I have to make her happy today and make this special”…… If you love today then more power to you! I just choose to make this day EVERYDAY. Some guys say my boyfriend is lucky for not having to go through the “steps” for today. He says he is lucky everyday.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about showing love. Now while I am not a big believer in the traditional ways of Valentine’s Day, I do make sure to do something a little special for my boys. If you ae looking for a cute present for your little ones, check out this adorable new Puppy from Build-A-Bear. It’s called “Hugs Kisses for you Puppy”

Get a lifetime of hugs from this sweet gift! With magnets in its mouth and paws, this loveable friend can hold hands and blow kisses. It comes dressed in a Red Hugs Hoodie, Classic Jeans, Red Plaid Shoes and Heart Antenna Headband. My favorite part about this cutie was, when you put the hood up, there are cut outs in the top to pull the ears through. It looks so sweet. The hearts headband is removable and we put it right in the drawer because he kept taking it off and trying to wear it. Not that he didn’t look cute as a button but, his head was just a tad to big

Spencer was so excited to get one. He named him “Hugs”. I believe this was simply because it says HUGS across the hoodie he wears. We drove around all day running our errands with Hugs all strapped in for safety.

The next week Spencer wasn’t feeling to well and he gave up snuggling up with his favorite Coyote (which is really a Husky) to get some sleep with Hugs in his arms. This puppy is very soft and the little hearts on his eye and paws just make it look so much more huggable. Hop on over to Build-A-Bear and pick up one of these for your little special someone for Valentine’s Day.

It is a classic line, Moms and Dads have been yelling it for years. “Clean your room!” I think I heard that from my mom more than I heard her say she loved me Now that it is back to school time, the kids are doing other things and they don’t want to clean, (Not like they ever wanted to) so keeping a good organization system will really help. It makes clean up much faster when everything has a home.

Before the holidays start and all of the new toys start coming in, it’s time to figure out what to do! I used to live in a 2500 sq ft 5 bedroom home so finding places to put things was ever an issue. There was plenty of space but then, during my divorce, my boys and I moved to a 2 bedroom 900 sq ft apartment. You want to talk about having to come up with new ways to organize things? Toys were the worst and at the top of my hair pulling list.

I wanted to share a few tips on how I organized them to keep my sanity and not kill myself walking around. If you have a small space, this may help!
1. Limit the number of toys that your kids have. You don’t have to deprive them but did my boys REALLY need over 100 cars? NOPE!

2. A big thing for us is Thomas the train. Every type of train, every color of track etc. I found a cube unit on clearance years ago and it has really come in handy in my small space. Blue Bins have plastic trains, red bins have metal trains and so forth. Each of the bins are labeled as well so the kids can clean up quickly. (It’s not a great pic but I included one below)

3. Organize them by how often your children use them. You want those things easily accessible. put other things away and rotate the toys. If they want something different they can ask for it.

4. Keep like items together. All “odd” toys or nothing that goes to a set, I keep in one bin.

5. Get your kids involved. Chances are if they help you figure out where to put things, they will remember better.

6. Throw away the fast food toys! Yes they are cute for the first few days but they really make a lot of clutter. If you MUST keep them, put them all in one bin as mentioned in #5.

7. If you have the room, create work stations. Have an area for reading, a corner for crafts etc.

8. Every time a new toy comes into the house, an old one has to leave. The boys have learned that someone else would really appreciate their old toys and they like being able to find things now.

9. Do not use the closet for storage.. Why? I learned the kids see that as a toss point… open the door and toss it in! Doesn’t matter if you have the best system in there, it gets to be a disaster.

10. DONATE DONATE DONATE! We just filled up 3 garbage bags full of toys in the past 2 days. You would be amazed what they don’t want, have outgrown or is broken.

I am secretly hoping that when we move to our new house that I will have a lot more space ad the kids can have a rocking play area that is so organized I even amaze myself! Small spaces are so tough to organize, especially when there is no storage room to begin with. We may have some toys on the floor but love grow best in little houses right?

Companies in favor of S.O.P.A. Some of them are not shocking at all and some surprised me. There are some pretty big companies on this list!

1. 1-800 Contacts, Inc.
2. 1-800-PetMeds
3. 2b1 Inc
4. 3M Company
5. ABRO Industries, Inc.
6. Acushnet Company
7. Adidas America