What dad wouldn’t love this Weber Style 3-Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set?! This set comes with a spatula, chef’s tongs, and grilling fork….just the tools you need to grill up the best burgers, brats, and steaks in town! You can also check out the complete line of grilling products Bering’s carries! From fryers to grills, to charcoal and bbq sauce, they have it all!

One of you lucky readers will win this Weber Style 3-Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set from Bering’s! Good luck and have fun grilling!

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Then, there are evenings like tonight when our pickiest eater DEVOURED his dinner, and had three helpings! I thought to myself, I need to remember that he likes this so much! Thus, I headed out to create the “Rate That Dinner” chart, and wanted to share it with you as a quick and handy resource!

Here’s how to make your own “Rate That Dinner” chart!

1. Open Word and select the font you like.

2. Select Insert, and choose, “insert table.”

3. For Columns, select the number of people in your family plus one

4. Choose 20 rows (you can add more later!)

5. Write “Dinner” in the first column, and the names of your family members in the subsequent columns.

Then, print this out and tape it to the inside of one of your cabinets or hang it on the fridge. Each night after your family eats dinner, jot down your family’s thoughts on the meal.

Here is my example for you to check out!

This is silly. As mothers, we can’t expect the world of ourselves and allow guilt to eat away at us when we fail to meet our outlandish expectations.We also have to come to grips with the fact that we simply cannot do everything. We won’t be able to go on every field trip. Our children will need to eat the hot lunch sometimes. We can’t be on every committee at the school our kids attend. Our children won’t be able to do every extra-curricular activity they’re interested in. Every week won’t be full of playdates, outings, and magical experiences. We only have so much to give. You may feel yourself  saying internally, “But SHE goes on every field trip!” “But HER kids do ten different after school activities!” (You know what I mean….I know you do.) We have to stop comparing ourselves to other mothers. We each have unique life circumstances that allow us to participate in our families in different ways. We can’t allow ourselves to feel guilty about that which we cannot change. We’re doing our best, and that is the best we can do.

One of my favorite bands has a song called “Everything to Everyone.” Here are a few lyrics that I think apply here…”You always try to be everything to everyone. Spin around and fall down, do it again. You stumble and you fall. Yeah, why don’t you ever learn?” How true is it that we keep hurting ourselves with our crazy expectations and then get right up and do it again the next day. We let mom guilt eat away at our spirit day in and day out….never stopping to see the folly of our thinking. Here are a few things I’d like for us to keep in mind as we go through the week:

1. Ditch the mom guilt! Guilt is usually just a manifestation of our own insecurities, and NOT a justified feeling . We’re doing the very best we can!

2. Comparison is the root of all inferiority! Remember that we each have a unique set of circumstances that allow us to serve, participate, attend, and meet needs differently.You don’t have to do what SHE is doing to be a good mom.

3. You don’t have to be everything for everyone! It’s okay to say no and prevent yourself from being spread so thin that you don’t have the desire or ability to help anyone!

4. Let others play a part! It’s hard for me to let my mom, or even my husband have those special experiences with my kids. I want to be the one to give them the special outings….create the memories…and it’s really a struggle for me to share my kids. However, God gave us FAMILY for a reason. Allowing my kids to have special time with others that love them doesn’t diminish or take away from our relationship.

(David (my husband) and Hannah on the bus to her field trip. She may not be with me, but she is with someone that loves her, and ya know what? When she gets home, she won’t love me any less for having gone with her Daddy instead of me.)

5. Your kids don’t love you because you DO things. They love you because you’re YOU.

To read more about releasing our guilt, check out the following posts!

Making Ourselves CRAZY: Fondant Deficiency and Sweatpants

Getting Real

Queen Elinor is surprisingly a highly relatable character. While true that we can only dream about being a queen, Queen Elinor faces many of the struggles that today’s wife and mother deal with on a daily basis. She’s passionate, loyal, and would do anything to preserve and protect her family. However, as with many families, she carries the weight of the home on her shoulders…fighting to keep peace, maintain order, and do what she thinks is best for her child. Sound familiar?

Queen Elinor and her daughter Merida don’t always see eye to eye, but maintain a deep love for one another and for family. Throughout the movie, the passionate and spunky Merida is fighting to find her own way…her place…her destiny. Her courage, strength of spirit, and her willingness to right her wrongs are all characteristics I hope and pray for my own daughters. I am so excited for the upcoming release of Disney/Pixar’s Brave (coming on June 22nd!!), and cannot wait to take my own daughter to this movie.

Enjoy the clip and Happy Mother’s Day!!

This game is easily adaptable to your own child’s interests. If he/she isn’t into dinosaurs, you could go on a safari adventure, a fairy adventure, etc. Use the toys you have to make this a fun learning experience for you and your child!

First, I had my son go into another room of the house, while I hid his dinosaur toys in the family room.

Hello Stegosaurus!

I see you Mr. T-Rex!

All throughout the room, I tucked his dinos into hiding places. Some were more easily visible, while others were made more difficult to “hunt.”

When I was finished hiding all of the dinosaurs, I called him in to start our “adventure.” We were dinosaur explorers on an exciting expedition!

Ready with his trusty binoculars, Henry was ready to hunt for some dinosaurs!

As he spotted each dino, I had him tell me the name of the dinosaur, whether it was a carnivore, an herbivore, or an omnivore, and whether it was warm or cold blooded.  (He often told me much more information than that!) If you were playing this game with other animals, you could ask about their habitat, talk about predators and prey, body covering, size, etc. Use comparisons to boost your child’s math skills and get them thinking critically!

Woohoo! A quetzalcoatlus! We celebrated each dinosaur as we found them!

What dinosaur adventure would be complete without a trip to the “great valley?” This was a great way to have a discussion regarding what might have happened if a stegosaurus was next to a corythosaurus, or a t-rex next to a triceratops. We were able to talk about defense mechanisms, allowing fairly sophisticated thinking to occur (especially for a four year old!) Use play as a natural teaching tool. Expand on your child’s interests and ask questions, and provide information as you play. Have fun on your next adventure!

I spy learning and fun in your future!!!

Finish the entries in one sitting or bookmark this site and come back tomorrow. Remember, the higher number of entries you complete, the higher the chance of winning. Good luck!

This event would not become possible without the help and support of these co-hosts: Bay Area Mommy, Zoe’s Printable Coupons, Samut-Sari, Wrap with Jolene, Mamal Diane and Stiletto Files.

The giveaway will be open worldwide. The rafflecopter widget will be closed on May 30, 2012 (11:59 PM).

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Bright Starts and Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom have teamed to offer an amazing Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Collection giveaway to one lucky reader!

This includes the Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair, Playard, Plug in Sway & Swing, Portable Swing and Saucer making this truly the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift.

Special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who made this possible including our co-hosts: To Sew with Love, The Lucky Ladybug and Mom Blog Society.

As a mother of four, I know just how important it is to find high quality baby brands you can trust! Bright Starts knows their stuff, and makes durable, usable, and adorably practical items for families! Their products are designed to help baby and make life easier for mom! (Which is really what Chasing Supermom is all about…happy kids and happy moms! I am so excited to team up with a few other great bloggers and give you the chance to win this amazing prize package!! You are going to get set up with everything you need for one AWESOME nursery! Whether you are a first time mom or a mom to be, or a mother of many looking to update her existing equipment, these products are for you! Good luck!!

Big smiles and bright adventures go hand in hand in this exciting, fun-filled collection!

Take a walk on the sunny side-where baby gear goes together in delightful new ways. It’s a win for infants and parents alike, with irresistable jungle characters adorning an array of fun coordinated products you’ll use every day. Each piece of the collection does its job charmingly, with non-stop fun at an unbeatable value.

The Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection is available at Wal-Mart!

Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair

A good high chair is a must for moms, and Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair is as good as they come! It does what a full-sized model does and more, adjusting to four different heights (and nearly any table), reclining to three positions, and converting to a booster seat for smooth transition to the toddler years.
The reversible seat pad is made of stain-resistant fabric you can wipe clean or machine-wash. The removable Stay Level Tray™ remains flat even when the seat is reclining. All this, plus the friendly characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Make mealtime and snack time more enjoyable for baby and you. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Convenient 2 piece reversible seat pad is made of stain resistant fabric that is wipeable and machine washable
• 4 height positions to fit most table sizes
• 3 position recline
• Removable Stay Level Tray™ remains level even when seat is reclined
• 3 locking positions to grow with baby
• Built-in holders are convenient for drinks or snacks
• Converts to booster for easy toddler transition
• 5 point convertible safety harness

Sunnyside Safari™ Playard

A bright, sunny place for baby to rest, play, get a quick diaper change and spend a few moments with some friendly jungle pals! That’s the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Playard. This playard includes a removable bassinet with our time-saving One Less Step™ feature for easy fold-and-go mobility.
There’s a convenient changing table, a handy side storage pocket, easy-roll wheels, a travel bag, plus a colorful toy bar to delight baby. And like all Bright Starts™ products, this playard is an unbeatable value. Part of our coordinated Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Removable bassinet with One Less Step™ to quickly fold and go
• Convenient changing table
• Toy bar with 2 fun toys
• Side storage pocket
• Wheels for easy portability
• Includes travel bag

Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™

Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby’s weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby.
The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions
• TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way
• 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off
• AC adaptor saves money on batteries
• Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing

Find baby’s favorite speed with this innovative portable swing. The Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing is a win for parents and babies—from its machine-washable padded seat right down to its bright yellow, non-slip feet. With six distinct speeds to choose from, you’ll find it easy to suit your little one’s mood—and our patented TrueSpeed™ technology keeps those speeds consistent even as baby grows.
The Comfort Recline™ seat gives you a choice of two positions, and WhisperQuiet™ operation makes this swing silent in use. Wrap it all up in the super-fun animal decor and you’ve got a perfect travel companion. Part of Bright Starts™’ Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Features:

• TrueSpeed™ Technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Comfort Recline™ seat with 2 positions
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• Easily folds for storage or travel
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer

This is where babies go for serious fun. A Walmart exclusive, the 7-activity Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer offers entertainment options galore—and a lighthearted jungle theme with fun characters you’ll adore.
The seat rotates a full 360° for endless interaction with the activity stations. Twin overhead toy arms provide even more entertainment options. And the three different height positions make this one saucer your baby won’t soon outgrow. Four link loops mean still more toys can be attached. Part of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection, this saucer will quickly become a family favorite. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• 3 adjustable height positions allows entertainer to grow with baby
• Seat rotates 360° for nonstop interaction with 7 activity stations
• 2 overhead toy bar arms with mirror, hanging toy and fabric crinkle leaves
• Hanging elephant toy
• Bendy giraffe teething stalk
• Bead chaser with easy to grip textured beads
• Lion popper with spiraling beads
• Rotating ladybug barrels with fun textures and beads
• Rocking toucan on leaf stalk
• 4 link loops for attaching more toys
• Lays flat for storage
• Built-in toy tray is easy to clean

Giveaway starts on May 7 at 12:01AM and ends May 28 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway including the Sunnyside Safari Collection on the rafflecopter form below.

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So, if you’re having a long day too, sit back, and allow yourself a few minutes to identify with and relate to another mother…A mother brave enough to let you in on a few of her confessions…those things we ALL do that we aren’t super proud of. What we don’t realize is that we all do these things…As we share with each other, we begin to gain some validation and forgive ourselves….allowing ourselves to be HUMAN…We’ll make mistakes….We’ll fail…BUT, at the end of the day, we love our kids…fiercely…and that is all that matters.

I am taking yet another turn in The Confessional, because well, you’re not. (And I need you!) While I could easily amuse you with my shortcuts for weeks on end, I love allowing my readers (you awesome people!) the chance to share. However, I am short on volunteers, so I sacrifice myself for the sake of solidarity and validation. I assure you, I am not Supermom….just mom….And I do crazy stuff to save my sanity. Sit back and breathe that sweet sigh of relief that you are NOT the only one…

Ready to feel better? Here we go!

Father forgive me…

1. My daughter put the tooth she lost under her pillow for the tooth fairy,  in a condom box. I got a whole ton of them for some weird promotion, and have no use for them….They’re cute, flowery metal boxes and she was none the wiser that it wasn’t anything but a tooth box. =)

2. My 18 month old pulled a half eaten package of cookies out of the trashcan, and I just let him eat it.

3. If my boys happen to be wearing sweats, I’ll typically just have them sleep in them, rather than putting on jammies, just to save on laundry….Sometimes, if I don’t feel like dressing them/am short on time, I’ll just have them wear the outfit again the next day too.

4. Before I went on my diet, lunch for me would often consist of eating whatever was left on my kids’ plates when they were done eating. Half-eaten dinosaur chicken nuggets and broken up goldfish crackers were staples for me.

5. If one of my kids goes looking for some beloved art project (ie-piece of paper they colored on) and I’ve thrown it away, I’ll sometimes just tell them that “Daddy must have taken it to his office.”

6. I actually do just about everything I can to get my 6 year old and 4 year old to NOT sleep inside their covers….just so I won’t have to make their bed the next day. (Un-made beds REALLY bother me,and now that they have bunk beds, they can’t make them themselves…) I try to convince them to just sleep on top of the covers all the time. (In college, I rarely slept inside my bed, just to save myself the hassle of making it in the morning. I maybe slept IN my bed in December and January…I wouldn’t sleep in my bed now if my husband would go for it…Alas, he won’t…so the bed-making continues.) Sigh…

7. As an addendum, I secretly (okay, not so secretly anymore) want my six year old (who does not actually NEED the bunkbed in her room) to ask us to take it down. It’s not as cute as her old bed, it’s SUPER hard to make/change the sheets, and it’s a lot harder to read to her/snuggle with her at night.

8. I honestly don’t know if my kids change their underwear in the morning.

Think you can do that? PLEASE contact me!!! I would LOVE to have you, and will happily send traffic to your blog or social media as well! Thanks for reading and until next week, you have been exonerated. Go and sin no more.

Here is what you’ll need to make fruit fluff!

Ingredients

1 jar marshmallow cream

1 8 oz. brick cream cheese (You can use low-fat or non-fat too)

That’s it!!!

To Prepare

1. Scoop the marshmallow cream into a large mixing bowl.

2. Cut the cream cheese into pieces, and place into the mixing bowl with the marshmallow cream.

3. Beat together until smooth and creamy.

4. Serve with assorted fruit and enjoy!!!

Title: Hugo

Rated: PG

Superstars: 4 1/2

Good For: Family Movie Night!

I Loved: the score! Seriously, the music in this move is amazing! I wanted to book the next plane to Paris within the first five minutes of this film! The film itself is just beautiful….The sets, imagery, cinematography….they all just bring life to the powerfully touching story.

Not So Crazy About: Hugo is a little slow at times, and may not keep the attention of younger children. This is a plot/story driven movie, and younger children may not have the attention span to follow the entire story. (Our four year old left the room after about an hour or so.)

Title: Tower Heist

Rated: PG-13

Superstars: 4

Good For: Date Night In, Nights when you want a light movie or a good laugh, people who want to “stick it to the man”

I Loved: seeing Matthew Broderick again, Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller together, and Alan Alda as a villain

Not So Crazy About: scenes that send my irrational fear of heights into hyper-drive

Title: Apollo 18

Rated: PG-13

Superstars: 1

Good For: Conspiracy theorists, loonies, and nights when your sedative/sleeping aid isn’t kicking in

I Loved: ummm…..

Not So Crazy About: wasting 87 minutes of my life waiting for it to “get good.”

Title: Our Idiot Brother

Rated: R

Superstars: 2-3ish

Good For: nights when you don’t really want to think too hard, cheap laughs

I Loved: Paul Rudd! — so wonderfully quirky and lovable, and how this movie we almost turned off due to profanity turned out to be cuter than expected

Not So Crazy About: crazy amounts of cussing coming from cute little Zooey Deschanel’s mouth, nudity, pot references