What is your New Year's Resolution?

Joshua Margolis

Mind Over Matter personal fitness is offering their 2012 Indoor Boot Camp exclusively to Lucky Lil' Darlings parents.

 If you’ve been in a rut with your exercise, or looking to try something new, this is your chance.

Why beat around the bush? Spend 60 minutes with Mind Over Matter for six sessions and drop a size in the process.  Bring your motivation and intensity, they'll do the rest.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Joshua Margolis one of the fantastic trainers who works frequently with busy parents like you! He is offering Lucky Lil' Darlings blog readers one complimentary session! Feel free to try them out before you make the commitment.

Email Joshua today at joshua@mindovermatternyc.com  to book your session and please use code MOM13173 for your one complimentary bootcamp class.  Limit one per person, including gifts.  Valid 3 months from today December 13, 2012.

Holiday Gifts for a Two Year Old!

One of my friends, who just happens to be one of six boys with a boat load of nieces and nephews, emailed me today and like most of us is not yet done with his holiday shopping! He asks, what do I get a two year old? 

Well let me help you out!

1.    How about a tricycle? Standard yes, but how fun for the kids to play with in the basement or playroom.  They can burn off some energy riding around on his or her very own set of wheels. Get one decked out in his or her favorite color. Check out these tricycles on Squidoo?

2.    Every kid needs a wagon. Every time I go to my grandma’s in Ohio I always see the Radio-Flyer Wagon sitting full of toys near the window. It’s a classic and can be used in many different ways.

3.  Art supplies are a must! What kid doesn’t want to make mommy or daddy a card? It’s the perfect distraction and indoor activity when the kids get bored. Start a store and have the kids make crafts to sell. Shop now from one of my favorites Creativity for Kids.

4.    Get a play kitchen set.  During those long winter days you will need something that the kids can use while you are cooking. Have them emulate you in the kitchen with their very own kitchen play center like this one from Melissa & Doug.

5.    Bath toys.  Bath time can be ummm difficult.  As part of your daily routine nothing will get more wear and tear.  Try bath crayons that you can use on the tub to draw or I like The Slash Pack from The Land of Nod.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday shopping!

xo

L

A lil' about Snikiddy from their founder

I founded Snikiddy® in late 2006 with my mom. In 2011 as a mom myself of two little girls and a little one on the way healthy snacking is more relevant than ever.   We all know how important it is to offer our children healthier snack options that are convenient and our kids will love to eat.  At Snikiddy we do just that, creating products for families actively looking for healthier foods that satisfy their snack cravings.  The Snikiddy brand is a portfolio of better for you snacks that are simple, wholesome real products for families. 

This holiday season we have partnered with Lucky Lil’ Darlings to offer you 2 chances to win a Snikiddy Holiday Travel Box for your family.  Simply complete the quick questions here http://surveys.snikiddy.com/SnikiddyTravelBox  and/or post on our facebook wall "Snikiddy is great for Lucky Lil' Darlings"  www.Facebook.com/Snikiddy   and you are entered to win.  On December 20^th we’ll randomly choose 3 winners to receive a Holiday Travel box filled with Snikiddy Snacks and 3 art kits.  

Happy Holidays!

Mary Schulman

Founder, Snikiddy, LLC

The Perfect Pick-Me-Up Around the Kiddies!

Last year around this time I was complaining to one of my good friends about not having enough energy to get everything done. At the time I was juggling two full time jobs and needed a pick me up. I tried vitamins, sleeping more, working out more, extra coffee, but I still was missing something.

My friend then introduced me to Isotonix OPC-3®

OPC-3 is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts, and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants. OPCs are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body.

Instead of swallowing one of those big vitamins, with OPC-3 the body has less work to do to obtain maximum absorption.  With Isotonix products, little nutritive value is lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering maximum results. 

I always make sure I take my OPC-3 before I babysit the kiddies to keep me healthy and energetic & its the perfect pick-me-up around the busy holiday season.

Through December 31, 2011, CRANN Enterprises is extending a 10% discount on all Isotonix products.  Along with your purchase you will receive a free health consultation with Holistic Health Coach, Ann Goldstein.  Interested?  Call 732-668-5808 or email CRANN77@gmail.com

Holiday Décor on a budget

Luxe for Less: Holiday Décor on a budget grabbed my attention on Daily Thread!

Daily Thread is where moms discuss one interesting topic per day. You can  join the live chat and post your questions, concerns and comments with other moms.

Yesterday, they shared their favorite budget-saving holiday decor tips that will make you look like decorator extraordinaire. 

Here are their tips in case they have been taken down:

 

1. Create a fragrant greenery door swag or wreath on your front door. When you buy your Christmas tree, ask for the extra evergreen branches. You can also check your backyard for these branches.  
2. Festive starbursts make a great impact on any table. These objects usually cost a lot of money. How about making your own for under $5.00?!  
3. Inspired by mountain pines, create a wintery welcome in your entryway featuring oversize containers filled with evergreens or other dwarf style holiday plants or flowers.   
4. Make an elegant table display in 2 minutes! Place assorted glass ornament balls in various sizes and colors in footed glass bowls or under a glass cloiche.  
5. Shimmer and glitter is a big part of holiday decor. Newspaper or fabric scraps are something we all have or can easily access. Get the entire family involved in making glittered, paper ornaments or shimmering stacked trees for this special time of year. Wrap the items in tissue paper at the end of season and store for next year.  
6. Embellish plain branches you may already have in a glass vase. Tie holiday colorful ribbons and other embellishments onto the branches to transform them into a holiday masterpiece.  
7. For your holiday dinner, decorate the dining chairs with greens and ribbon. This simple idea will make your table look like you hired a professional.

Pure Yoga East Hosts LLD for CPR & Fire Safety Training

Thanks to all of our LLD sitters who attended our Annual Fire Department of New York (FDNY) CPR & Fire Safety Training hosted this year by Pure Yoga East! 

It was fun to meet new local families outside of Pure Yoga prior to our training-thank goodness it was warm! Mackie, Bridget & Jennifer all stick out as stellar salesladies! And it was great that all of our sitters could meet one another and I could introduce you to our new CT Coordinator Ilene Young. Welcome Ilene! 

FDNY did a great job of giving us in depth training on the latest fire safety tips & Betty FDNY personnel who is an American Heart Association Certified CPR instructor rocked it out on teaching us the ropes of how CPR can make a difference between life and death. 

A few important points that stand out from the Fire Safety Training that I thought were interesting:

1. Use baking soda on a grease fire if you can’t find the fire extinguisher
2. Remember the acronym PASS when using a fire extinguisher: PULL, AIM, SQUEEZE & SIDE TO SIDE
3. When leaving a building on fire always close the doors behind you!

Thank you to Greg our yoga instructor for the perfect holiday unwinding remedy- Vinyasa. I can’t wait to go back tomorrow, Tuesday 12/6 to take his 8:30am class. Pure Yoga East is offering all LLD sitters & families who are interested a three day membership.  Just mention LLD, offer expires 2/24/12.

Also thank you to our sponsors Pure Yoga East, The Soft Serve Fruit Co, Snikiddy and CleanWell and to our photographer Ken Adell for the great photos.

LLD Approved Holiday Card Recommendations!

The window may have already passed to order holiday cards, but I am behind, hopefully a few of you can relate!

I came across these fun holiday card recommendations from a Stroller Traffic newsletter that I really liked. Can’t wait to see all the holiday cards from our LLD families!

Neon. Neon colors are going to be hot this year.

Hand-written note on the back is a welcome addition.

New Year's cards.

Fun statistics. Think number of diapers changed, cupcakes baked, or sleepovers.

Lots of "Merry This" And "Peace That.”

Colorful clothes. "White shirts are out.

Custom stamps.

A little something on the back. The days of one-sided stationery are gone!