DidiPop Review and Giveaway

I have been getting excited about writing this review for weeks now - really I have.  I'm thrilled to be able to introduce you to one of the babies' favorite musicians, to whom we have been listening  since they were only a few months old.

We were first lucky enough to be introduced to DidiPop after winning a giveaway through another favorite blog and since then, we've been hooked.

Deborah Poppink Hirshland (also known as DidiPop) has been making music since she was a child.  After a successful career teaching music to celebrity clients and making music for television and film, she became a mother and started recording some of the tunes she created for her own children.

DidiPop music is above all things, fun and entertaining.  I am not ashamed to admit that I know the words to almost all of the songs on the first two albums and am quickly learning those of the third.  I really believe she makes me a better mom - turning off my top twenty or talk radio to sing along to her joyful songs with the kids bopping in the back.  Sure there's plenty of kids music available - but only DidiPop is enjoyable enough for me that I willingly go for the dial.  The truth is, she is one of MY favorite artists too - and it's a good thing since we listen almost constantly.  

DidiPop's first release, DidiPop Goes to Hawaii has a special place in our hearts as lovers of of the islands ourselves.  The bouncy tunes, many featuring my beloved ukulele, give it a summertime feel that brings welcome warmth to any time of year.  I always get a kick out of Sugar Cane Train which takes the listeners to on a ride through Maui, visiting "Lahaina Station" - one of our favorite places to visit in Maui.  "Way Up High" is another favorite telling the story of a pair of love birds, with beautifully blending harmonies.  I slow this one down a bit, singing it to Julie frequently while we rock together in her room.  "The Hawaiian Alphabet Song" won Deborah the well deserved Grand Prize in the Children's Music category of the John Lennon Song Writing Contest.  While we don't have plans to travel to Hawaii with our kids yet, I'm thrilled that they can get a dose of the Aloha Spirit through this fantastic album!

Everyday Adventures is DidiPop's second release, and the perfect soundtrack to your every day life.  We love breakfast time singalongs with the peppy "tush on the cush."  We sing "look at yourself in the mirror" anytime the babies find their reflections.  "Feed the Pet" is a frequent culprit as the song that just won't get out of my head (not that I mind), and "Yellow Banana" catches a tune every time we have bananas, rice, apples, toast, or yogurt on the menu.  I made it my personal mission to learn all the words to "The Cool Alphabet Song" and can proudly say that I accomplished my goal.  

The newest release from DidiPop, Bunny in the Moon will put you to sleep.  No really - that's what it's intended to do!  This innovative album sings kids through their evening routine of bath, pajamas, teeth brushing and goodnights, then slowly eases them into relaxation, lullabied to sleep. We've been working in our house to find a better routine, and Bunny in the Moon helps us stay on track!  "Bathtime" is a light tune reminiscent of bubblegum doo-wop and we love that our old friend Max the dog makes an appearance!  "Snuggle Up" is another favorite to unwind, the anthem for bedtime cuddles and story time.  We first fell in love with "Oceans of Love" when we heard it on Everyday Adventures, but this new version, intertwined with rich stringed harmonies warms my heart.

So if you couldn't tell already, I am in love with DidiPop music.  I imagine looking back on these days when my kids have grown, and reminisce of our days singing and dancing along.  We were so lucky to have "discovered" her music, and am excited to have been able to bless your family with the same introduction.  

One lucky reader will win their choice of a DidiPop Digital CD Download.  Enter by completing the rafflecopter tasks below!  And while you're entering, be sure to visit www.youtube.com/didipopmusic and start listening to your kid's new favorite artist.  Her animated music videos are so entertaining that she's about to reach 6 million views!


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Ultimate Kid Friendly First Aid Kit

As you may know, I used to work for the Girl Scouts, and through my experience with them, learning to "be prepared" became a way of life.  Now as a mom, I like to make sure I have everything on hand - expecting the unexpected.

When it came time to make a First Aid Kit for my car, I knew I wanted it to be complete, kid friendly, easily organized, and portable.  And inexpensive - you can't forget that part!  While you might be able to buy a better commercial version, you'll be hard pressed to find a better home made first aid kit anywhere!

I started with an old cosmetic case (this one was once filled with makeup as an Ulta Set).  I like that the platforms slide out to make everything instantly accessible without having to dig through a bag.

While the case is great, closing securely and easily carried with a sturdy handle, it's what's inside that really matters!  One of my favorite inclusions is my threaded stacking tubes I picked up for $1 each from Target.  Inside I have a little pharmacy of pain relievers to keep us feeling comfortable where ever we go!

Check out what's inside my Kid Friendly Ultimate First Aid Kit below!

What's in my kit?

Medicines:

1 - Stacking Tubes with Tylenol, Aleve, Asprin and Ibuprophin, Exlax, Immodium, Pepto, Tums, and Allergy Pills

2 - Emetrol for Nausea - This syrup is great for easing queasy stomachs for both kids and adults.

3 - Baby Tylenol or Ibuprofen for fevers or pain

4 - Dramamine for Motion Sickness

First Aid:

5 - Bandaids and Gauze Pads of all shapes and sizes including printed band aids for kids!

6 - Alcohol and No Sting Cleansing Pads

7 - Paper Soap for Washing Wounds

8 - Gauze Wrap for burns or wounds

9 - Ace Bandage for twists and sprains

10 - Medical Tape for holding gauze

11 - First Aid Spray (for Kids) Cream (for us)

12 - Plastic Gloves

13 - Instant Ice Pack

14 - Tweezers for Splinters

Fevers:

15 - Be Koool Fever Sheets:  We absolutely love these as they not only help reduce fevers, but are very soothing to sick little ones, or adults with headaches.

16 - Thermometer

Baby Care:

17 - Q-Tips and Baby Nail Files

18 - Diaper Rash Cream:  We like the samples we got with formula samples when the kids were newborns.

19 - A&D Ointment

Skin and Stings:

20 - Topical Benadryl for Kids

21 - After Bite for Kids

22 - Sting Soothers

23 - Sunscreen Stick (since we always forget)

24 - Baby Powder for chafing

Eyes:

25 - Contact Case and Solution for Mom (could also be used as an emergency eye wash)

It's a tight squeeze - but it's all in there!  What's in your first aid kit for kids?  Leave a comment and we'll add it to our list!

A few disclaimers:  I am not a medical professional, and therefore this list is not provided as medical advice.  I do keep my kit in the car, and while I acknowledge that heat and sun can reduce the efficiency of medicines, we feel that having a less effective product is better than not having it with us at all.  Our car is typically in a weathered garage so less damage is done.  I am aware that medical professionals recommend keeping medicines in original, child-proof containers, but believe that our case is kept safely out of tiny hands for the time being.


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DVD Giveaway - Standing Up against Bullying!

As a mom, I've been hopeful that one little perk of having twins will be that my kids will be there to "protect" each other during the cruel moments of childhood bullying.  I can already tell that my Julie will be a child who "marches to the beat of a different drum" - just as I was as a child.  For me, that difference resulted in a lot of bullying growing up.  It wasn't until halfway through High School, when I found my place in music and theater, that my confidence really grew and I fell into my own identity.  Since my own days in school, it seems like kids have even further lost their filters, and the brutality of bullying is intense and widespread.  It scares me as a mom...

According to Pacer.org, more than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied.

One of the best things we can do to understand the problem and discuss solutions is to be inspired. The new movie “Standing Up” is THAT inspiration.

Based on one of the most beloved Young Adult novels of all time and directed by the acclaimed D.J. Caruso, Standing Up follows two kids who get bullied by a vicious summer camp prank. Left together on an island, their adventure begins once they decide not to be victims and instead they Stand Up! 

Standing Up is an adorable and heart-warming gem of a movie with an important anti-bullying message that’s suitable for the whole family! Get the DVD August 20!

What can be done to help the bullied “stand up” for themselves?

Discover more about Standing Up by watching the trailer, taking the quiz and signing the Anti-Bullying pledge through the blog app below!



My Tales with Two is excited to be partnering with Standing Up to giveaway a free Signed Copy of the new movie to share with your family, friends or students!  Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below!


 

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Busy by Choice

I can't remember where I read it the other day (probably on someone's facebook wall link or huffpost referral) but I fell across an article talking about how when asked, the most common response to "how have you been" is "oh so busy."  It went on to say that "busy" is valued in our society, it means that you've got worth, value and demand enough to BE busy.  It talked about how this "busy" is by our own hand and choice, filling our calendars with something to do every moment of the day.

(After further googling, I found the article I read, and impressed that it was New York Times!)

So it got me thinking about my own time and how BUSY I am on a daily basis.  I could share my daily agenda, but it'd make you dizzy.  I'm constantly providing food/drink or changing a diaper or breaking up a fight or rescuing from danger or calming a hurt child.  It's absolutely non-stop.  And on top of it, I'm checking one of my three gmail accounts, answering a text, seeing who liked my latest post in my ribbon or mommy facebook group, getting a beep when my best friend posts yet another meme, or when someone finally paid their hairbow invoice.

It's a lot, managing toddler twins, a small business, a blog, and volunteering for organizations.  There's day's I feel like I'm over doing it, that if I could simply just let all the rest fall away and focus completely on my kids, that I'd be less exhausted from getting five hours of sleep on an average night.

But ya know what?  I have a choice.  And I choose to be Type A - a veritable game of Diner Dash balancing all of my spinning plates at once.  I need something all my own, and these things are the slivers that still exist of myself - the me not intrinsically tied to my kids.

Simply put, we don't need the money.  I've surely invested more in this business this first year than I'll ever get out of it.  What I do need is my sanity, and having this identity independent of my kids keeps me sane.

I am busy by choice.

Do my kids suffer?  I hope not and try to fully believe that they don't.  I try desperately not to be "the iPhone mom" and to be fully present with my kids when we're playing outside or reading or at the playground or museum.  But am I checking my messages at the stoplight?  Answering messages while they eat breakfast?  Texting while they chase each other around the house?  Sure am - and fingers crossed I won't be regretting it some day.

Someone told me recently that I can't have it all - that either I need to be home and fully home, or work and fully work.  In this age of technology, how can this be true?  How are my kids not better off at home with me, safe and supported, even if I am slightly distracted or working on something while they watch Bubble Guppies?

Clearly I'm still working on balance - and with a little luck, it'll come soon enough.  In the mean time, when a good friend asks how I'm doing, "busy" is the answer I'll give, knowing that busy means I'm choosing to meet the needs of my kids, but also my own.  My needs for challenge and an outlet for my drive are all here supported by my choice to be busy.

My Favorite No Bean Chili Recipe

It was only in the mid 50's this morning here in Pittsburgh - such strange weather for August!  We dressed in long sleeves  and jeans, with pairs of summer abomination - socks.  In honor of the chilly weather, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes I've recently fallen in love with - No Bean Chili.

I never grew up eating chili as I didn't (and still don't) like beans.  After discovering this recipe, it's become a family favorite - one I even like to enjoy while I'm on my Weight Watchers wagon.

Heather's No Bean Chili

My recipe is base on the one found here but with a few extras thrown in.

1 lb Ground Beef

2 Cloves Garlic

1 Large Onion, chopped

1 T Red Pepper Flakes (or more to taste)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

1 T Dried Oregano

2 T Chili Powder

2 T Frank's Red Hot
BKW Steak Seasoning (optional)

1 Can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes

1 Can Diced Tomatoes

1/4 c Red Wine Vinegar

Suggested Toppings Frito's, (Light) Sour Cream, additional fresh chopped onion, (light) cheddar cheese

First, brown the ground meat in the bottom of a dutch oven, adding onion and garlic when almost cooked through.  Season the meat with the Red Pepper Flakes, Salt and Pepper (I do 5 cranks) Chili Powder, Oregano and Red Hot stirring to coat evenly.  Add the Crushed Tomatoes and Diced Tomatoes (with the juice) and vinegar, stirring to combine.  Bring to a boil then turn to low and simmer for as long as you can stand to wait - at least 20 minutes.  

My recipe removed the Cumin from the original recipe, and adds red pepper flakes and diced tomatoes.  I like the extra spice and heartiness!  I also add some steak seasoning from time to time.  It definitely adds a little something, but it's delicious without as well. 

I recommend loading it up with lots of toppings mentioned above.  If you're watching your calories, by using low fat beef, light sour cream and light cheese, you have a "point" friendly dinner that will really fill you up!   

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