Everyday Baby Steps

We're about midway through the summer. Does your hair feel like mine, coarse, dry, and dull? I recently realized that I should have been taking better care of my locks from the very beginning of summer. After swimming at the pool and playing outside, the damage from so much chlorine and sun is really starting to take its toll. But it's not too late to repair the damage. Here are some things you can easily add to your routine to bring back your hair's shine and vitality.

Wear a Hat

Your mom probably told you to wear a hat in the summer to protect your scalp from sunburn. This is still a good idea, but it's also smart to cover up your hair to protect it from sun damage. While SPF is great for protecting your skin from the sun's damaging rays, it doesn't work the same way with hair. A sun protectant in hair products like shampoo and conditioner would only be washed away when rinsed out. Therefore, the FDA has not allowed for hair products to display an SPF level on their packaging.

Moisturize

Though you won't find an SPF hair product, you can look for ones that contain a protectant like sunflower oil. Also, check for moisturinzing and conditioning ingredients to help restore moisture lost to sun and surf. You'll want to apply protective products liberally and regularly in order to maximize their benefits. I use KMS California Solperfection After Sun Shampoo, which contains coconut oil, grapefruit extract, and caffeine, all beneficial to hair health. I recently started using Healthy Sexy Hair's Soy Renewal. This product came in My Pretty Pink Box and has sunflower oil and argan oil to protect hair. Since adding these to my regimen, I have noticed a difference in the condition of my hair. You may also want to try using a leave-in conditioner containing natural ingredients like keratin, wheat germ protein, or jojoba oil to condition your hair. The product's effectiveness wil be enhanced by the summer heat.

Give It a Soak

Rinse hair with clear water before and after swimming. Wet hair will absorb less chlorine than dry, and it makes sense to rinse away as much of the chemical as you can after taking a dip. Bring along a bottle of fresh water with you expressly for this purpose. I usually fill a bottle or two with water to keep us hydrated throughout the day, anyway.

Take a Break From the Burn

You may want to take a few days off from your electric styling appliances like blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. That kind of heat just strips away moisture and damages your hair's cuticle. I recently got a cute new style that requires lots of straightening, but it also looks nice with my hair's natural curl. So I skip the iron at least every other day, which helps to mix things up a little, too.

Good luck keeping your hair in tip top shape this summer and have fun. Stop by Total Beauty and check out their quiz to find out what's the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair for a little help on deciding which hair product to buy.

Things have been so busy lately that I completely forgot to blog about my newest endeavor. I've started doing a show on MomTV called Everyday Answers. It's a show about personal development for moms, and it's on every Tuesday morning at 11:00 am EST. So far I've done two shows and am having a great time.

I decided to take the leap and do this internet TV show because I really miss the face-to-face dialogue I had with my students as an academic counselor. I had been considering incorporating some kind of advice component into the blog here at Everyday Baby Steps when I saw that MomTV was looking for hosts.

I'm so glad I decided to do it because it's been a lot of fun so far. We've covered the topics of getting yourself out of a rut and overcoming fears. I've found that the show is such a great way to have lots of great conversation. You can join in too by visiting MomTV every Tuesday morning at 11:00 EST. It's easy to participate. You can type your questions and comments or you can join in the video discussion. The choice is yours. So please join me for Everyday Answers this Tuesday. We'll be talking about what to do when you're looking for something more in your life. Can't wait to talk to you!

Boochie is a fun new game from Gamewright. It's based on the Italian game, Bocce, but is so much more fun due to its hilarious twists and turns. The object of the game is to toss your designated ring and ball as close to the Boochie target as possible. The game is for players ages 8 and over and is designed to be played by two to four people.

The fun part comes in when you're given a special challenge by your wrist tracker, that doubles as a scoring device. Challenges can be anything from hopping on one foot while throwing to making sound effects. Every player's wrist tracker contains different challenges, making it even more fun to see what the next command will be..

My family had a blast with Boochie. The directions were easy to understand, and I appreciate that there are no small parts to get lost. The game never got boring, as there was always something new to encounter with the various challenge commands. Even the baby enjoyed watching us make fools of ourselves out in the yard, and I think the neighbors did too!

When we were done playing, cleaning up was a breeze. Everything fits easily right back into the plastic carrying case. It's a great outdoor game for the whole family to get involved with. I think it would work for kids younger than 8 if they have good coordination and reading skills. The directions say it can be played inside or out, as the pieces are soft. Our house isn't big enough for this kind of game, so we're planning to keep it outside, but it is portable and easy enough to take to a friend's house.

Boochie is a very fun game. It's a great way to let off steam and get everybody moving and having a "ball"! I can see why it's won several awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, the Parenting Media Award, and a Major Fun Award. I totally recommend it for your family. And thank you, Momfluence, for hooking me up with the folks from Gamewright for the chance to review this unique, fun-filled game.

Wow, it's the last day of the Summer Soiree, and it's been so much fun! Thanks to Angie at A Simple Kinda Life for inviting me to join in and to Andrea from Moody Mama Says for partying with us, too! And thank you to all of the sponsors who provided such wonderful products to review and give away. It's been a blast.

Onto the final giveaway in our Soiree - a 20-piece set of Rubbermaid storage containers with the EasyFind Lids! Rubbermaid sent me this set, and I must say that I am loving them. I have wanted to try them since I started seeing them raved about on other blogs. Trying to find matching lids in my messy cupboards drives me crazy. We have a lot of containers that look to be the same size but have very different lids, so we're forever searching for the right fit. But no more - not with our new set of Rubbermaid containers with the EasyFind Lids.

My Review

Love them, love them, love them. I really do. I appreciate that there were different types to test out in the box I received. There were the Premier, hard acrylic containers. I actually had some of these in my container collection, and they've been my favorite. Up until now, that is. My new favorite is the Produce Saver, which has an insert that keeps the produce off of the bottom of the container. The Produce Saver also has a built-in vent system in the lid to allow for additional air flow. That's genius! Lock-its have an extra strong, secure seal that prevents spills or leaks, and the Easy Find Lids are Rubbermaid's traditional containers with lids that snap onto the bottom so they're always close at hand.

Check out the variety. Rubbermaid makes a container for every need. I truly like them all. I haven't had any problems with staining or warping, and the lids continue to snap right onto the bottoms with ease. I'm no longer stuck searching for lids that fit. Yippee! Rubbermaid has graciously agreed to give one of you the chance to try them out, too. To win, all you have to do is visit the Rubbermaid website and tell me which product you'd like to try or which is your favorite. Entries must be received by July 12th at noon EST. You can earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

Today's giveaway is a good one for anyone who's a self-proclaimed shoe addict like I am. It's for a pair of Bandals. What's Bandals, you ask? Bandals is footwear that's "changeable by design". Bandals shoes offer different style bases with interchangeable bands that allow you to get several new looks to match any outfit without purchasing tons of different shoes. Check out the Bandals I received:

Yep, I got the Beach Bandals. I received the plain black base with black band. I also chose the Miranda band, a leopard print that's ever-so-slightly glittery. It's beautiful. Check it out:

Okay, don't mind my feet. I desperately need to polish my nails, but who has time with three kids, two blogs, and several freelance deadlines? Don't look at my feet, just check out the shoes. Aren't they cute? These are not your average flip flops. Check out the Bandals website to see all the varieties you have to choose from, for starters. There are tons of bands to choose from, and you can also choose your base color from black, brown, pink, and white. Each comes with a band of the same color. You can then purchase bands of any design you choose. The possibilities are endless. Amazing.

What's also amazing is the comfort of these shoes. Unlike most flip flops, Beach Bandals are cushiony and flexible. What's more is that they offer arch support. I've worn my Bandals on a shopping trip to the mall, with its hard, cement floor, and my feet didn't get sore. Love that! These are truly the most comfortable flip flops I've ever worn. The band is easy to interchange, and it stays on without slipping or sliding. I have nothing negative to say about them. That's unusual.

Win Your Own!

Okay, now I know you want a chance to win your own pair of Bandals. You're in luck because Bandals has allowed me to offer one lucky reader a pair of these incredible shoes. For your chance, head on over to the Bandals website and check out all the fun styles they have. Then come back and tell me which kind is your favorite. Entries are due by July 12th at noon EST. If you win, I'll put you in touch with Tom from Bandals, who'll hook you up.

Earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

I was given the chance to hear a new CD for kids featuring Bob Marley songs, and I gladly jumped on the opportunity. Bob Marley's music is just all around good stuff and so much fun. I thought my kids would surely enjoy it, and I was right!

"B is for Bob" is a new relase of Bob Marley's old songs, produced by his son, Ziggy Marley. Eight of the original songs were transformed with kids in mind, while four remained untouched. Here's a video of Ziggy telling in his own words why he decided to put out this album and what it means to him.

B is for Bob -

The kids and I had a blast listening to the songs and dancing. Truthfully, the older kids thought the music was a little weird at first, but they soon joined in the fun when they saw the baby and I dancing around! I'd say this CD would be geared toward toddlers and younger kids. But even my "so cool" eight and ten-year olds had some fun with the songs.

What do you think? Do you love Bob Marley? Would you like to introduce your kids to some jammin "new" music? Well, I've got FIVE copies of the "B is for Bob" CD to give away. All you have to do is fill out the form below and tell me who you'd like to share this CD with. Entries are due by June 12th, at noon EST.

You can earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

Elf Island is an online game for kids that parents can really feel good about. I don't know about you, but I worry about the things my kids are doing online. They often seem harmless until they surprise me with something So and So from school told them about some YouTube video. That's why I'm pretty strict about monitoring what they do online. With Elf Island, I don't have to worry, because it's set up to teach kids about giving back and doing good. Gotta like that!

Here's some information about the folks behind Elf Island:

As the parents of twin boys, the dynamic husband and wife team of Liz and Craig
Kronenberger noticed a glaring lack of positive gaming and empowerment within virtual
worlds for kids. From their professional experiences in the kids’ entertainment space, Liz
and Craig decided to blend their entrepreneurial spirit with their philanthropic passions.
Knowing that kids were flocking online to play, Liz and Craig saw a great opportunity to build
something that would entertain, while at the same time fulfill and foster strong social values.
Prompted to act, the Kronenbergers launched Elf Island in 2007, the first virtual world to use
games, storytelling and social interaction to empower kids to make a positive difference in
the real world.
Liz and Craig Kronenberger are committed to creating a fun place for kids that enables them
to give back, influence communities and environments, all through the entertaining world of
Elf Island. It’s empowerment through online fun.

Elf Island uses the phrase, "Play Games, Do Good" to descirbe their Gaming for Good philosophy. The Elf Island game allows kids to use the concept of Mirrored Gaming to practice doing good online while reflecting that same good offline. The game allows them to explore real world issues and to see the improvements that can come from positive action. I love that!

Our Review

And my kids loved it, too. They sat down to play, and I practically had to drag them away. They learned about pollution's effect on our waters and were able to tell me lots of interesting facts they discovered about all kinds of other things as well. Did you know that apples are better for your eyes than carrots? Yeah, me either.And Elf Island is safe for your kids. There are moderators watching what goes on at all times.

They had so much fun that they didn't even realize that they were learning. Elf Island will definitely be in this mom's arsenal for keeping the kids' minds engaged throughout the summer. I look forward to exploring the game with them even more in order to faciliate meaningful conversations about important issues in our world.

Win a One Month Membership

I've got three one month trial memberships to give away to your and your kids! All you have to do for a chance to win is join the Elf Island Fan Club on Facebook and leave me your Facebook user name. If you aren't on Facebook, you can simply tell me what you're doing to keep your child's mind active this summer. All entries must be received by July 12th at noon EST.

Receive extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

I'm pretty excited about today's contest, brought to you by Momfluence. I've always loved jewelry. What woman doesn't? I'm drawn to the handmade necklaces I see on Etsy, at specialty shops, and at craft fairs, and I always think I'd like to try making something myself. But I've never done it, mostly because I never seem to have the time to start another new venture, but also because I don't really have the money to justify trying something I might not have a knack for.

House of Gems is an online supplier of wholesale beads and jewelry making supplies. I had so much fun exploring their site, just admiring the pretty baubles and beads, thinking of how I'd put them together. I really think I'd like jewelry making. If you're like me, you'll want to enter this contest! House of Gems will be awarding ten readers across the Momfluence network of blogs a bracelet making kit plus $75 in product.

But there's even more! The ten winnners will have the opportunity to submit a photo of their creation for a chance to win $250 worth of free product. You could use that product to start your own jewelry making business or to make some nice presents for friends or loved ones. To enter this contest there are two options:

Option 1 - Visit House of Gems and subscribe to one or more of their feeds. Each feed counts as an entry. Then fill out this form to complete your entry.

Option 2 - Blog about the "Bejeweled Giveaway Contest" on your own site, then submit this form to enter.

You can do any or all combinations of these entries for a chance to win! The contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older and ends Saturday, June 27th at noon EST.

Guess what? There are even more chances to win. This time the prize is an iPhone 3GS! Anyone who tweets with the hashtag #houseofgems between June 22nd and June 27th at noon EST will be entered to win. The winner will be announced at the House of Gems Twitter SiteWarming party on Saturday, June 27th at 9pm EST. The contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 or older, and the winner will be announced at the SiteWarming party.

Let me know if you have any questions about using Twitter, hashtags, or attending SiteWarming parties. And good luck in all of the contests!

Today's giveaway is a good one. It's for a new fashion accesory that will help you to look more polished and put-together. It's called the isABelt, also known as the "fashion fix-it". The isABelt is a thin, plastic belt that's virtually invisible. It keeps everything in place and ends the frustration of back-gap, slippage, and skirts that slide without the bulkiness of a traditional belt.

Elise, from isABelt, was kind enough to send me the new, unisex isABelt wide to try. I really like the idea of having a belt that isn't big and bulky. I've given up on belts for that very reason, but the isABelt is different. It's not bulky at all. It's very smooth fitting and can be adjusted to any size. Though I gotta admit that I had some problems adjusting it at first, even though Elise was sure to point out to me that you don't adjust the isABelt like a bra strap. Once I looked over the instructions on the box again and played around with it, the adjustment came easily. The isABelt website has an instructional video that I should have watched!

I also was afraid that the isABelt would break when I was trying to adjust it. No way. It's made of very strong material that didn't even come close to snapping. Once I got the belt to the proper fit, I just slid it through my belt lookps and follow the instructions to secure it underneath the button on my pants. Easy. And it really was helpful to keep things in place all day long. I hate it when your pants gap at the waist, and the isABelt took care of that quite nicely.

Wanna win an isABelt to try out for yourself? I have the isABelt Wide that's fully adjustable to fit up to 50 inches and the isAStrips, versatile fashion "fix-it" tape that allows you to fix things like sliding bra straps or to secure hems up for grabs. Winning is easy. Just become a fan of isABelt on Facebook, friend Elise on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter. Fill out the form letting me know which one you chose. You'll receive an entry for each one you do. This giveaway will close July 12th at noon EST. Earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

My kids just love I Spy books. You know, the ones with all the pictures where you're supposed to look for certain objects hidden on the page? Well, there a new one out called I Spy A to Z, and we've just had a ball with it. Here's the description from the publisher:

Easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with forty-six object-filled photographs by Walter Wick to create I Spy A to Z, the most engaging alphabet book ever! With more than thirty titles and 36 million books in print, the I Spy series continues to win the hearts and minds of parents and kids everywhere.

Even though my kids are eight and ten, they still love the challenge of the I Spy books. They're having a lot of fun with this one, and so am I! I tell you what, some of these objects are kind of tough to find, but not so tough that kids get discouraged. I'm excited that this is a book even Brady will be able to enjoy in the not-to-distant future. In fact, he likes to point and laugh along with us, even though he doesn't exactly know what we're looking for.

To celebrate its relase, I've got a great giveaway for you. I Spy is offering one grand prize winner a prize pack worth $85.99 that includes:

• Wii video game - Ultimate I Spy
• Board Game - I Spy Memory Game
• I Spy A to Z Book of Picture Riddles
• I Spy Treasure Hunt

Four runner-up winners will receive a copy of I Spy A to Z Book of Picture Riddles.

To win, just tell me who in your life would love this fun book. Be sure to enter by July 12th at noon EST. You can earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!