Mums the Word!

So exciting news for the kids!! MumMums just released a new flavor for Toddlers...CARAMEL! So now they offer that and the strawberry flavor still. Baby MumMums still has the same flavor offerings of original, organic, banana, and vegetable. And now they have a great treat for kids 4 - 12...MumMums Snax! They come in Apple Cinnamon and White Cheddar!

For those unfamiliar with these great products, they are Japonica rice biscuits with all natural flavorings for your kids. Best part, they are gluten-free, egg-free, and peanut-free. No additives or anything so it's a wonderful, nutritious treat for all children, regardless of diets and allergies. Check it out for yourself and do your research. Link will be below!

My boys have been eating these bad boys since they were about 4 months old. They don't require excessive chewing so a kid without teeth can just gum away. Also helps soothe the pains of teething. When they got older, we moved onto the toddler version and they are addicted. They make a great treat choice that the boys love. The cookies are individually wrapped, two cookies per ouch, and you buy them by the box. Even with twins, they last a very long time. A box can last us about 2 months, usually longer.

I am a HUGE fan of this product (if that wasn't utterly obvious) and truly recommend you give it a try. Your kids may love it too. We will be testing out the Caramel cookies tomorrow during snack time but I am very optimistic. Let me know what you think!

MumMums Official Site

Also, the boys just FINALLY graduated to straw cups. Demetri has it down pact but Dante is still unsure. We purchased some new cups after reading countless reviews. For Dante so that he could train and get used to the new idea, we bought the Playtex BPA Free Lil' Gripper Straw Trainer (See here!). The cup is squeezable so that you can help them along with realizing the concept. But it isn't so easy to squeeze that you will discover a child covered in juice. I actually had a hard time at first figuring it out but I got it after reading the package a little bit more carefully. It has a spout cover that is easy for the child to control and handles for easier holding. And best part... no leaks! Even if the spout cover is open, the cup itself has an anti-leak spout that works well. Playtex never lets me down!

We also purchased the Playtex Insulator Straw Cup in a two-pack (See here!). The designs are cute and bright which is always a plus in my book. Demetri is using this one and he likes it much more the Munchkins version. The straw isn't so difficult to sip from and the spout cover is much easier for him to use. It also does a great job keeping liquids cold.

Now we may end up checking out other brands of straw cups but these are great for us now. I heard a lot about the Thermos cups but they only had them in pink so I decided to wait on trying them until another time. I kind of wanted the pink one for myself though lol

Well comment below if you want! And feel free to share the blog. Going to wrestle the boys to bed!

♥
Elise

TV or no TV...That is the Question!

Hey all! So I am sitting with my children, spending the day as per our usual routine. And I started thinking about a conversation I had with my sister. She advised me that people are often in awe of how well her daughter speaks (she is 3) and I exclaimed that she does speak very clearly and has a great vocabulary. She goes on to tell me people ask her how she was able to accomplish this in her child and watched their faces change as she said that her daughter watches some great television programs. These same people who were astonished by her verbal accomplishments now begin admonishing my sister for allowing her daughter to watch TV.

Which brings me to the topic of this posting today: television. My boys are basically sponges right now as are most children of this age. My husband and I utilize different tools and do a lot of research so that we can foster in our children great learning habits. But I can honestly say that they have learned the MOST from watching TV.

My boys are allowed to watch TV throughout the day but I watch it with them. For an hour preceding lunch, the boys are allowed to watch Bubble Guppies and Team Umi Zoomi. These two shows are found on Nick Jr. and the boys LOVE them. Bubble Guppies has helped to reinforce things already taught as well as introduce them to new things we haven't approached yet. Team Umi Zoomi is mostly about mathematical skills which is great for the boys as it couldn't hurt to introduce them to more than just numbers but in counting actual objects so that numbers hold value.

The boys also watch other programs sporadically through the day that include Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (shapes, colors, alphabet, counting, and social skills), Yo Gabba Gabba (colors, social skills, music), Fresh Beat Band (social skills, music), Jack's Big Music Show (music, social skills), Sesame Street (social skills, colors, counting, shapes, alphabet, music) and other shows. These shows have been helpful for the boys and surprise me with how well they have helped.

So I know there are those moms out there who think watching TV is detrimental to the development of a child. But in all honesty, research can go either way on the subject and there is no definitive fact that outweighs the other. The spectrum of excuses that occur in a debate for either side can range from common sense based to fantasy. How do I feel about it? I think TV can aid a child and reinforce skills if the proper programs are watched and the parent/parents are available to the child during the show. For example, you can turn on the most educational show there is and walk away. But that does not mean your child is going to learn anything from it or even watch it. If you watch the show with your child, you can repeat what they are seeing in the show, help them understand what is being learned, and give them the comfort they need to not feel stressed while learning. Plus, the child has more fun if the parent is showing interest in what they like.

But I would like to reiterate that I think that proper television programs are great for REINFORCING and INTRODUCING. NOT for taking over as the only teaching to your child. We read together every day for almost an hour total, use tools like flashcards, and try to teach them everything we can in a stress-free environment. TV is just another tool we utilize.

So how do you feel about it? Feel free to share your thoughts if you want. I'd love to hear your opinions and ideas!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...but shopping is delightful!

It has been quite sometime, my apologies!

Now onto the sales! Timberland is providing a "Buy one, get the second 50% off" sale that I stumbled on accidentally. Went to get boots for the boys at the Outlet in Woodbury Commons and I am required to buy two pairs of course. At the register, the price drop was a wonderful surprise! One pair rang up for 39.99 and the second was only 19.99. We also went to the Nike store and purchased sneakers for the boys. We got them Jordan's for only 25.99/pair. Carter's is giving 20% off for those who sign-up for email on their site (sent via email and they will take it if presented on your phone). Children's Place is giving out 30% for the same! But the Disney store was a disappointment this time as it did not have very many clothing and what they did have was definitely not for colder weather! I did spot rolling luggage in different character themes for only $20.

Only thing I cannot find are longjohns for toddlers! Seems impossible but I know I used to wear them when I was younger. Is this simply too old-school of a notion these days? Don't they know how warm they keep the kiddies? I will not relent in my search! Well, keeping the post short today as it is super late. I will be reviewing new products in the upcoming posts so keep an eye out. And let me know if you have any specific questions about specific sales, discounts, products, etc.

Signing off...
Twin Mom

Sam & Ginger:

Looking for yummy and beautiful treats? Check out my cousin's creations! Great prices and innovated recipes!

Sam & Ginger:

If u could go back in time & save 2Pac, would u do that?

Save him from what? He's alive, counting his paper right now! lol

Ask me anything

Shopping Exploits!

Another day, another day! The boys are ready for potty training. If the taking off of soiled diapers and handing them to me wasn't enough of a sign, Demetri took off his diaper, squatted down, and did his business in the middle of the crib! I wasn't home and my brothers were babysitting. So when I get home, I hear the panicked screams as my older brother, Mike, is cleaning out the crib and my younger brother, JB, is giving Demetri a bath. Demetri is cheesing it up and Dante is clapping and yelling, "YAY!" This process will be a long one but I have received an outpouring of great advice to include.

Yesterday, the boys were measured for new shoes. They are a size 7 already! Such big, big feet! Got them some great Toy Story 3 sneakers that they loved. Check them out HERE! They come with the sandals seen HERE! The set was on sale for $16.95 which is awesome if you ask me. Buying for two kids can get pricey so a good deal is always appealing to me :D

And we purchased new sippy cups! This is exciting for me since they are the #1 rated spill-proof cups for toddlers. I did all this research and we are giving them a try. I'm talking about the Playtex Sipsters. We got a pair of regular and a pair of insulated (would you be shocked to know they are Toy Story cups as well? haha). Started using them today and so far not a drop! If these two monsters can use them without spilling, then you know they have to be good cups! Check them out HERE!

Also, Earth's Best products are turning out to be a new fave for the boys as they get older. They love the crackers, both original and cheese flavors. They enjoy the chocolate graham crackers and organic vanilla cookies even though they don't like sweets much. And last night they tried the Organic Yogurt Rice Crisp bars which are essentially Rice Krispie treats with yogurt substituting the marshmallows and use brown rice. They LOVED them! Just glad I bought the Baby Einstein floor mats for under their highchairs otherwise I'd still be scraping the remnants! Check out Earth's Best products HERE!

Oh I definitely want to recommend something to all the moms and dads out there! When we go out to eat, the boys get a little nuts with the food since they are still learning how to self-feed. I purchased Table Toppers which are disposable so I use them on the go. I don't have to worry about how clean the table is at a restaurant or what kind of chemicals they use. They boys can make a mess, I peel it off, and VOILA! All done! Check it out HERE! They are the same company that makes the floor mats I use. The items feature different characters as well so as to serve as a great focal point for a child. We have the Sesame Street ones and they are very engaging with ABC's and manners.

Well, today is hopefully going to be a little bit relaxing. Nap time is dedicated to laundry and schoolwork. I hit the half way mark for my current classes. I received my grades from my last classes and...still maintaining the 4.0 GPA!

Well, Houdini aka Dante is climbing out of his playpen and into his brother's so I guess that is my cue to go! Until next time...!

First Post

I'm new to this, I won't lie. I have done the blogging thing before as a teen but this is different! Let me start off slow and simple.

My name is Elise and I am the proud mother of twin 17 month old twins (born February 2009). They are my first children and have been a surprise since the day I found out I was having a two for one! My husband and I were shocked as twins are nowhere in my family and absent in his own. Just call it luck! One of that 3% chance, I guess. Every day has been a new adventure, even when still pregnant. I was considered high risk due to a multiple gestation but also because at the end, I was in and out the hospital with pre-term labor. Mandatory bed rest killed me with boredom but all worth it! At 36 weeks, my boys were born: Dante at 4 lbs 8 oz at 4:28 PM and Demetri at 4 bs 11 oz at 4:30 PM. I had to have a medically necessary c-section and we were in the hospital for a week before being able to go home.

This first year has been an eventful crash course for us! I am now a stay-at-home mom when I used to work before the boys were born. I took this opportunity to return to school online and finish my degree. My husband works way too much if you ask me but he dotes on the boys when home. Our lives transformed for the better and I love it. My husband used to be a DJ full-time and may return to it. I used to model, bartend, and was an executive administrative assistant. All of that...probably won't return to! Although, I do still do a shoot here and there if my schedule permits.

This blog is for me an outlet. I love to talk about the boys and everything they do, always something new each day. I love to give advice to other moms and share things I find. I like to share articles, merchandise I am trying, sales, etc. I also like to ask advice of others and just need to vent at times. I'm a little all over the place at times but what can you expect?! I love to share photos and videos. Just for fun.

So if anyone reads, thank you! If not, I still get the pleasure of talking to myself freely without the weird looks :)