Saturday my oldest son went out to start the riding mower and when he did a tiny baby mouse flew out of the exhaust pipe. Of course my son brought the baby mouse to me so that I could try to save it.

So I found a box and put it inside with a small towel in an effort to keep it warm and safe from the cats. I read online that I could feed it kitten milk replacer so I went to the store and got some along with a small syringe so I could feed it. I’ve been feeding the baby mouse every three hours since Saturday afternoon. I’ve determined that it’s a baby boy and is probably less than two weeks old. His little eyes are still closed and should open soon. I have no intentions of keeping this mouse but I’m hoping I can keep him alive long enough to grow a bit so I can release him back into the wild.

Some people might think I’m crazy for even caring about a little mouse, especially since most people kill them without a second thought. The truth is, my heart wouldn’t let me do anything differently as I believe that all creatures deserve a chance at life.

What would you have done in this situation? Would you have rescued the baby mouse?

Saving a Baby Mouse is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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DoubleTree by Hilton is also celebrating the launch of DTour by sponsoring the DTour of a Lifetime Competition. This fun contest is a search for six people who are ready to take on the biggest adventure of their lives! These six chosen winners will serve as brand ambassadors, traveling around the world, experiencing DoubleTree by Hilton hospitality, and creating their own travel tips and stories for DTour. Join the Twitter party to find out more on how to enter!
 

TWITTER PARTY DETAILS

 
We’ll be tweeting with travel expert extraordinaire, Julia Dimon @juliadimon – who blogs about her adventures at Travel Junkie Julia. Be sure to follow her before the party!

When: this Tuesday, May 21st at NOON EST/11 am Central

Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #DTourParty hashtag to track the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/dtourparty

Hashtag: #DTourParty

Prizes: We will award five prizes during the party. Winners will be chosen randomly based on correct responses to trivia questions.

• Q1 – 1 tin of DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookies
• Q2 – 2 tins of DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookies
• Q3 – 3 tins of DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookies
• Q4 – 4 tins of DoubleTree by Hilton chocolate chip cookies
• Grand Prize (Q5) – Complimentary two-night stay at any DoubleTree by Hilton location

Hosts: @theMotherhood, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann

TweetGrid for the party: http://bit.ly/15Nrte2

and my other wonderful co-hosts:

Alison, Being Alison - @BeingAlison
Amee, Madame Deals - @madamedeals
Carrie, Carrie With Children - @CarrieWChildren
Emily, Baby Dickey - @babydickey
Jen, The Mom Reviews - @themomjen
Jennifer, The Dirty tShirt - @Jentifa
Julee, Mommy’s Memorandum - @jonbonjovious
Mimi, Woven by Words - @MimiBakerMN
Toni, Two Traveling Moms - @ToniPatton

You can find me on Twitter as @simplyandreah – follow me and I’ll be sure to follow you back so we can chat it up!

I hope to see you all there! Good luck! :)

Although I’m being compensated to share this with you, I am super excited to be co-hosting with the Motherhood and DoubleTree by Hilton. Opinions expressed here are my own. 

DoubleTree by Hilton #DTourParty Twitter Party 5/21 is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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It’s that time of year when we start thinking about what our kids are going to wear over the hot summer months. My boys aren’t too picky about what they wear but I am particular about the quality of the clothing that I buy for them. That’s why I was so excited when I found alex and alexa, an online children’s clothing store that carries all of today’s top brands. Some of the brands that alex and alexa has in stock are: Little Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry and Juicy Couture – just to name a few.

Alex and alexa carries designer clothing for both babies and big kids. They also have designer shoes, unique baby gifts and kid’s toys – perfect for infants through 12 year olds. If you’re shopping for the home, alex and alexa also carries luxury home goods perfect for any taste. They even have a bunch of great gift ideas when you’re shopping for a birthday or other special occasion.

I did a little window shopping over at alex and alexa and found some adorable clothing and shoes for my boys.

Look at these super cute Ralph Lauren boat shoes -

My 9 year old would look adorable in this outfit made by Hurley -

At alex and alexa you can easily shop by category or look at their bestselling items to find what you’re looking for. Right now they’re having a sale where you can get an extra 20% off all sale items.

Alex and alexa offers express shipping most anywhere around the globe so you can shop from the comfort of your home.  In the US standard shipping is just $5 and if your order is over $95, the shipping is free!

When you’re shopping for your kid’s summer outfits be sure to visit alex and alexa. I know you’ll find many things that both you and your kids will love.

Outfit Your Kids this Summer with alex and alexa is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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Teaching proper diet and nutrition to children is very important to help them grow into healthy adults. It is imperative that kids get all the vitamins and minerals they need so their little bodies can grow and function optimally. There are several ways that we can teach our children to eat foods that are good for their bodies and I’d like to share some of them with you today.

Model good eating habits for your children.

Young children will want to eat the same foods that their parents and role models are eating. If you’re eating junk in front of them regularly, then that’s what they’ll want to eat too. Make sure to eat a variety of healthy foods including fruits and vegetables in front of your children. That will encourage them to eat these healthy foods too!

Limit the amount of junk food that comes into your home.

As a parent you are in control of what is purchased at the grocery store. Be sure to buy plenty of healthy foods and try to shop the perimeter of the store as that’s where most of the real good foods are located. Try to avoid buying snacks and candies which have no real nutritional value. If the kids don’t have unhealthy foods in the home, they won’t be as likely to eat those types of foods.

Talk to your children about what’s healthy to eat and why it benefits them.

Of course younger children might not understand as well as older children but it can’t hurt to try to explain to your kids why they need foods from each food group. Show them the food pyramid and tell them about vitamins and minerals. Tell them that they need their vitamins in order to learn and grow. Most kids want to grow up and be successful. Explain to your kids that they need vitamins and minerals to do so.

Buy books and other media to help you teach your kids about nutrition.

There are many resources available to help you teach your kids about proper nutrition. The library and internet have a wealth of information on nutrition and proper eating habits. Our library has a whole section set aside with books about healthy eating written specifically for kids. These books are written in a fun way that kids can understand. Visit your library or do a search online to find these great resources.

Cook a variety of healthy foods for your children.

It’s easy to get stuck in the rut of cooking the same meals over and over. We all need a variety of foods to be healthy and get the right nutrients. Experiment with new recipes and foods. You might be surprised to find what your kids actually enjoy!

Encourage your kids to try new foods.

Kids are creatures of habit just like we are as adults. If you cook something new that they haven’t eaten before, encourage them to try it. I know my kids were hesitant to try new foods but once I encouraged them to try them, they found out that they really did like them. My son had an aversion to meat until I encouraged him to try fish one day at dinner. Now he eats fish at least once a week and it’s one of his favorite foods. Try new foods with your kids. Never had kale? Find a good recipe online and cook some up for your family. Challenge your kids to try it before you do!

Invite your kids into the kitchen to help you prepare meals.

Many kids love to help their parents out in the kitchen. By allowing them to help you make their meals, they are more likely to eat them without fussing. Not only that, but everyone needs to learn how to cook!

These are just some of the ways that you can teach your kids about healthy eating and nutrition. If all else fails and you can’t get your kids to eat the proper foods, sneak them into their diet. Many times you can cut fruits and veggies into tiny pieces and add them to a meal without the kids even noticing!

Photo courtesy of mitikusa.net on Flickr.

Teaching Kids About Nutrition is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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The Masterbuilt 40” Electric Stainless Steel Smokehouse is the perfect way to smoke your favorite foods. It features 975 square inches of cooking space and a 1200 watt heating element. My favorite feature of this electric digital smokehouse is the radio frequency remote that allows you to effortlessly control the temperature and keep a timer on your foods. It also allows you to see the temperature inside the smokehouse and the built-in meat probe thermometer allows you to see the temperature of your foods.

We set the Masterbuilt Electric Digital Smokehouse out on the back deck (as it’s not for indoor use) and my husband was able to watch TV and monitor the food at the same time. It’s every man’s dream! :)

There is also a light inside the smokehouse so you can see keep an eye on your food while it’s cooking. The remote also allows you to turn the light on and off with ease. It’s easy to load the wood chips into the smokehouse with the convenient wood chip loader on the side. We found a variety of wood chips at the supercenter that starts with a W for just under $6 a bag.

The smokehouse also has a top air damper and drip pan to catch all the drippings and keep the mess to a minimum. The handle and rear wheels make moving the smokehouse around easy and effortless.

Masterbuilt makes a variety of electric smokehouses that range in price from $129.99 to $449.99. We have been enjoying a variety of meats cooked in our smokehouse and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the flavor and convenience of smoked foods.

John McLemore, the CEO and founder of Masterbuilt has written two great cookbooks called Dadgum That’s Good! and Dadgum That’s Good Too!. Both cookbooks have tons of delicious recipes for smoking, grilling, boiling, steaming and frying. I’ve tried several of the recipes and my family has enjoyed them all. Both books also have a foreword written by Paula Deen so you can rest assured that these are wonderful cookbooks with quality recipes that your family will love. Both books are available at Amazon with prices starting at $14.95.

Masterbuilt is a family-owned company that takes pride in all of their products. From smokehouses to turkey fryers to the cookbooks; all of the products come with the family’s promise of quality.

You can learn more about Masterbuilt by visiting www.masterbuilt.com.

Disclosure: I received products to make this review possible. Opinions are always my own.

Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse and Cookbook Review is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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Last weekend my family and I visited a fun Japanese restaurant called Mikato Steak & Sushi. The restaurant, located in Louisville, features ten hibachi tables and a sushi bar.

My family has visited a variety of Japanese restaurants in various parts of the country so we knew what to expect when we decided to visit Mikato Steak & Sushi. When we first arrived at the restaurant I noticed that the outside wasn’t as well-kept as I would have expected. Upon walking in the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised by the warm and welcoming environment. We were immediately greeted by a nice hostess who asked whether we wanted to sit at a hibachi table and if we wanted a sushi menu. We don’t care for sushi but told her that we preferred to sit at a hibachi table.

My kids were immediately drawn to the fish pond that we walked past when we were being seated.

The waitress came and took our order within minutes of being seated. She was very nice and polite. When she brought our drinks she even made my youngest son’s drink special with a little plastic sword, a cherry and an umbrella. It was so cute! We ordered an appetizer which arrived within a few minutes. Our drinks were kept full and the waitress was attentive to our needs.

Our hibachi chef put on a really good show and we all had a nice time watching him prepare our dinner. My husband ordered shrimp, my oldest son ordered steak and myself and my other son ordered chicken. It all tasted great and the portions were huge.

This is what I had on my plate after I ate some of the rice. Doesn’t it look delicious?

My chicken teriyaki was $13.50 and the steak and shrimp were $17.95 and $18.95. The children’s menu offers meals starting at $5.95. It’s a bit more than you’d pay at other restaurants but you also don’t get the fun show with the chef cooking in front of you on the grill.

Overall we were impressed with our experience at Mikato Steak & Sushi and we would recommend it to others. Just be sure to check your bill because we didn’t and realized after the fact that we were charged an adult price when we ordered my son’s meal from the kid’s menu.

However, the chef made my youngest son a cute balloon dog to take with him which really made my son’s night – so that more than made up for it.

We used Restaurant.com to get a nice discount on our food at Mikato Steak & Sushi. You can spend $10 at Restaurant.com and get a $25 certificate to spend at Mikato Steak & Sushi (with a $50 minimum purchase). It was very simple to use the certificate from Restaurant.com I was happy with the money I saved.  You can find real reviews from verified customers at Restaurant.com so you’ll have an idea of what to expect if you’re considering a trip to a new restaurant. The next time you’re thinking of dining out be sure to visit Restaurant.com to save money on your new favorite restaurants.

Mikato Steak & Sushi Restaurant Review | Louisville, KY is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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The Fat Chance approach to weight loss is a bit different than a traditional diet in that it teaches you a new way to think about eating. Fat Chance is a new way of thinking and living which focuses on learning how slim people think and eat. The workbook will teach you new skills, strategies and weight loss tips to help you lose the weight AND keep it off – for life. The Fat Chance workbook is easy to use, engaging and practical – perfect for individuals and groups alike. The workbook is interactive and over the course of 12 weeks it will change the way you think about food and eating.

Listen to this video from the creator of the Fat Chance workbook which explains just how you will lose weight using the Fat Chance approach.

The Fat Chance website features a Slim Weight Calorie Calculator which will tell you how many calories you need to eat daily to reach your goal weight.

If you are looking for a new approach to weight loss and have tried other “diets” the Fat Chance workbook may be perfect for you! You can find it at several online retailers including Amazon for $25.

You can also find Fat Chance Weight Loss on Facebook for more information.

Would you like to win the Fat Chance Workbook? If so, enter using the Rafflecopter form below. US residents only please, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Compensation was received to host this giveaway. Opinions are my own.

Fat Chance! Weight Loss Workbook {Giveaway} is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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If your life revolves around breastfeeding, changing nappies and washing tiny onesies – welcome to motherhood. Becoming a parent is both magical and enjoyable, but it can be easy to feel washed out from time-to-time. A lack of sleep, maternal worries and a continuous stream of visitors can certainly take their toll, however, there are ways to stay looking glamorous – here are four of them.

Buy the right lingerie

Pregnancy and childbirth can change your body shape, but there’s no need to think about liposuction or cosmetic procedures. The right lingerie can transform your body shape in no time, so why not buy some decent shapewear with a matching bra? This will bring some glamor back into your life and keep those ever-changing curves under control. There are some really lovely sets available at the moment, so find something your feel comfortable wearing and make the most of your post-baby figure.

Style your hair

With so much to do on a daily basis, it can be tempting to scrape your hair back into a messy bun or a high ponytail. These styles are certainly convenient, but if you’re in need of a change, opt for simple, low-maintenance dos that won’t take much of your time. To create loose waves, for instance, wash your hair in the evening and let it dry before weaving your locks into two plaits. Remove each hairband in the morning, apply a little mousse and hey presto – you should be good to go! For a chic, straight look, keep your hair irons nearby and use them during your babies nap times.

Take care of your skin

Skin problems such as acne, hyperpigmentation and dryness are common post-partum thanks to a wealth of raging hormones. That’s why it’s essential to take care of your complexion and maintain a basic beauty regime. Remember to exfoliate at least once a week to unblock your pores and apply a decent moisturiser when you wake up and before you go to bed. If you suffered from stretch marks during your pregnancy, apply creams such as Bio-Oil and cocoa butter and drink plenty of water to ensure you stay well-hydrated.

Try some basic makeup tips

While many new mothers hibernate for the first few weeks after childbirth, there comes a time when you’ll have to receive visitors. Friends and relatives will want to see your little cherub at some point, so how can you stay fresh-faced for their arrival? Well, it’s best to keep things simple, so squeeze a little foundation into your day cream and rub it gently over your face. This will even out your complexion and stimulate circulation helping you look more alive. Once that’s done, perk up your cheeks with blusher and widen your eyes with a bit of mascara. Finally, find the right lipstick for your skin tone and welcome your guests with a smile.

The changes that take place during pregnancy and beyond can leave you longing for plastic surgery or a personal trainer, but these simple tips can work wonders!

Photo courtesy of …love Maegan on Flickr.

Essential Beauty Tips for New Mums is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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Having a clean home is something I really appreciate. I enjoy having a home that smells fresh and clean. I also enjoy cleaning my home because it is so much more comfortable for me and my family. There is a sense of accomplishment that I get after cleaning the rooms inside my home and I really love that feeling. I also want my children to grow up knowing the importance of keeping a clean home and feel that I can teach them this by example. I think that it is important to raise my family in the most healthy environment and that means keeping my home as free from germs as possible.

In an effort to keep my home clean I’ve tried just about every cleaning product available. Recently I’ve been using a new cleaning product; Lysol Power and Free Multi-Purpose Spray. Lysol Power & Free uses the power of hydrogen peroxide to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria (when used as directed). Since I live with five pets that go and in and out, I need a powerful and safe cleaner that kills bacteria. Lysol Power & Free is good for my entire home including the kitchen and bathroom. I love that I can use one product in all of the rooms in my home to keep them clean and sanitized. I also appreciate that I don’t have to experience the harsh chemical smell that many other cleaners have because Lysol Power & Free is available in two great fragrances. I received the Citrus Sparkle Zest fragrance for review and I really like the fresh and clean smell. I’ve been using Lysol Power & Free all around my home for the past couple of weeks and I have been impressed with the product. It doesn’t leave a nasty residue on the surfaces around my home which is also something that I appreciate. I particularly love using the Lysol Power & Free in the kitchen and bathrooms because the hydrogen peroxide formula makes tiny micro bubbles that penetrate to dissolve grease and soap scum. You can learn more about Lysol Power & Free Multi-Purpose Spray by visiting Lysol.com. Also be sure to like Lysol on Facebook for more product information and other great offers.

Lysol® Power & Free uses the cleaning power of a hydrogen peroxide formula for a powerful clean with no bleach harshness! This helps ensure you don’t have to make sacrifices while cleaning, such as opening all the windows or ushering the kids and pets out of the room. Lysol® Power & Free will help you break free from your ordinary cleaning routine- it’s a powerful clean that’s family friendly!

What do you love about a clean home? One of my readers will win a bottle of Lysol® Power & Free Multi Purpose cleaner to try in their own home! Comment below to be entered to win!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lysol. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules

Harness the Power of Hydrogen Peroxide with Lysol Power & Free {Sponsored Conversation} is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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Kids can be very difficult to shop for. Whether it’s Christmas, a sixth or seventh grade graduation or even a birthday, most parents have a very hard time to pinpoint the exact interests of their kids and thus, end up buying the wrong gift.

Never fear! The internet has a vast data pool of ideas for gifts for kids that will surely make you “the best mom (dad) on the planet!” Here’s a brief list of the hottest 2013 toys on the market that will make your kid’s eyes gleam with excitement.

Lego Mindstorm

If you’re looking for a Lego set, this is not for you, but if your kid is into high-tech, state-of-the-art Lego robots, this just may be what he/she wants! Labeled a high performance robotic set, the Lego Mindstorm is ideal for future engineers, architects or kids that love to build and think critically while having a great time.

Slackline

Looking for a great present that will bring the family together? First conceptualized as an aid for cross training, the Slackline is basically a tightrope designed for kids that love performance sports. Not only is it great for core strength development, but it’s also a fun activity that the family can do together in the great outdoors!

Lay-N-Go

Used specifically for portable play, the Lay-N-Go is a storage bag that you can carry around as a backpack. Created by a mom who needed a solution for controlling the chaos of her three sons, the Lay-N-Go serves as a play area that can be carried outdoors or indoors. Having a five foot circumference of free play space. This way, kids can carry around as many toys they want within the five-foot circle of space. Tidiness has never been so fun!

Q-BA-Maze 2.0

If you thought marbles were out of fashion, think again! The Q-BA-Maze 2.0 gives marbles a much awaited comeback! The Q-BA-Maze 2.0 is essentially a maze that kids can build using infinite combination of cubes, cascade stilts, coaster tubes, marble vortex, pivot trampoline, universal connectors and steel marbles.

Nerf Rebelle: Heartbreaker Bow

With the release of the film “Hunger Games” and “Brave”, more kids are now wanting to try out extreme sports such as archery. With Nerf’s new innovation, archery has never been safer, cheaper and much more accessible to your kids. The Heartbreak Bow, marketed for girls, is a state-of-the-art bow and arrow (Nerf) set that allows kids to practice their hand eye coordination, and perhaps a future career as a master archer.

Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Shock Blaster

Nerf’s answer to the female-specific Heartbreaker’s Bow is one of this year’s hottest toys for boys! The Nerf Super Soaker Arctic Blaster is an intense toy that will keep your kids active all Summer long! The Shock Blaster basically a water pistol that holds an ice pouch that cools water, meaning once the Blaster is shot, kids will be soaked with a freezing stream of water, making it much more fun and appealing than the regular water guns.

Although this list may not appeal to all niches of kids, staying up-to-date with toy trends will give you a better idea of what your child wants. Whatever interests your kids may have, be assured that buying them something special that was chosen with thoughtfully and carefully is surely to make them feel appreciated and loved; because in the end, it’s the thought that counts.

Hottest Toys of 2013 is a post from: Moody Mama Says

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