Meetup Monday and a Vintage Pearl Giveaway!

So I am getting a little sad here.  The past few weeks I am getting a very poor showing for my Meetup Monday.  Is it something I did? ; )

I am going to stick with it, and hopefully we will get more links added.  So please tell all of your friends!
And to celebrate my last week of school, AND getting to 300 followers I am doing a giveaway to one of my favorite places...Vintage Pearl!
The first time I visted the The Vintage Pearl's site, I was in love.
Today’s Giveaway prize is a $25 gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl!! They have SO many charming options. My favorites are the Mama Bird, A Simple I love you Will Do,  and A Simple Sweet-Heart. I think they would make perfect everyday necklaces — just right to wear with jeans and tee.  They would also be a perfect gift for that soon-to-be mom or the long time om.  What would you pick if you win?

Are you excited? You should be! Look at these designs. They are beautiful. I now will go back to choosing which one I want to order for myself!

You can learn more about The Vintage Pearl on their blog or by following them on twitter (@thevintagepearl).

Official Entry: (Required)
Please visit The Vintage Pearl and pick out your favorite item, then come back here and leave a comment!


Bonus Entries (after required entry)
1.Follow my blog (in the sidebar)
2.Follow The Vintage Pearl’s blog
Please leave your email address with your entries.  Contest ends Wednesday Friday June 25th at 11:59pm, and winner will be choosen via Random.org.  Good Luck!


Now for Meetup Monday!
This is one of my favorite Mondays of the year.  It's the last Monday of the school year which means, Friday at 11:30am, I am on summer break!!!!

Let's all celebrate with a HUGE cup of coffee and a link party!
***The rules are simple!
1. Add a link to your main blog (or most current post)
2. Leave a comment on the blog above your name in the list.
3. Visit as many blogs as you can and leave comments and follow if you like.

So grab my button, and enjoy Meetup Monday!

<a href="http://www.justanothermomday.blogspot.com"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i219/agrip76/coffee.jpg" /></a>

Eat Clean!

With all of the farmers markets going on now, I thought this would be a good reminder that the above fruits and vegetables are considered "The Dirty Dozen". These typically contain between 47 and 67 pesticides. 

Buy these organic!  Eat Clean!

Make Life Easier!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.


It’s almost the start of most mom’s taxi season! Kids are home for summer and you’re running them around from one activity to the next. Even for me, I feel like I am in my car more than I am out of it.  With shopping, errands, swim lessons and music class with Jack this summer, it's drive, drive drive!  In order to save money and ensure a safe car, I will be getting an oil change, fililng my car weekly, and making sure my in-car navigation system (or handheld) GPS unit is up to date.  .


With my map update I will be able to find a route around the crazy Chicago traffic so that I don't have to sit for hours, and I'll be sure to be on time!  There are 100,000 points of interest updated, and I will be able to find the nearest gas station, ATM or Starbucks along my way!  Those of you that hvae older children will be able to find the soccer field for practice, or the quicked route to your mom meet-up.  Spending less time in the car is something I am always looking to do, especially in summer.  I am sure I could save at least an hour or more a week by updating my system and finding the quickest routes on these busy Chicago streets!

NAVTEQ is the company whose technology and maps drive most of the in-car navigation systems and the leading brands of GPS-enabled devices in the U.S., so chances are yours is one of them.

Updating is easy, just go to this website (http://socialspark.com/metrics/click/post?slot_id=306622&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.updateyourmap.com) and follow the drop-down menus which correspond to the built-in system or portable device. Installing updated navigation maps takes just minutes, but can save hours, fuel and the frustration of getting lost or being late. So take a look at http://socialspark.com/metrics/click/post?slot_id=306622&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.updateyourmap.com and update your system.  You will be so happy you did!  Enjoy Summer!

Every summer I say "I am going to do SOOOOO many things this summer!", but usually it doesn't get done. Starting next Friday (so late!) I am done with teaching for the summer and am sooooo excited to spend my first summer with Jack. I figured I better make a list this year, and I am hoping this will help me get more done.
What is in your "list" Did I forget anything?


To all my "New Friends", welcome. I hope you enjoy and I am so happy to have you here! Please come back on Monday for my link-up, "Meetup Monday"!

    

My Summer To-Do List:

1. Get in shape (Finish Couch to 5K)
2. Read at least 3 books
3. Take Jack to the park, alot.
4. Make photo wall
5. Take photography class
6. Take photoshop class
7. Organize photos and back up on external hard drive.
8. Go on more walks
9. Have a picnic
10. Go to a Cubs game
11. Grill at least 3 times a week
12. Learn to "relax"
13. Organize my life
14. Have lunch with friends
15. Take Jack to the zoo
16. Take Jack to the beach
17. Enjoy every single second with Jack
18. Go to tons of festivals!
19. Make cherry pie, blueberry pie, key lime pie, and just pies in general
20. Have a "me" day


Have a great weekend. Enjoy it. Every second of it.

Welcome Back Stanley.

7 months...a little late

So I have been putting off his 7 month pictures.  When I work, by the time I get home, it's play, dinner, bath and bedtime.  Usually mixed in with all of that is "Crabby Jack". Mornings are his happy time.  Mornings are my crazy time.  Tonight I found some "down" time and a not so crabby Jack. 

He is also getting ready to crawl which is so exciting to me, yet also so scary.  Exciting because he will be able to move around and will become less frustrated with things, yet scary because he will become less dependent on me. 

"That's a good thing", my husband says.  I am trying to feel that way too. 

For now when he gets frustrated he lifts all four limbs off the ground, we call it his skydiving pose.

OH.......THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

Meetup Monday (and Tuesday) and a Giveaway!

Since Blogger was down ALL DAY, I couldn't put the link in for the party!  I will leave this up until Tuesday night, I'm sorry for this!!!  Please post your link still!

With Memorial Day last week I skipped Meetup Monday, so I am hoping that my comeback this Monday, brings lots of great blogs and new friends! 

First the giveaway info:
One lucky reader will win 120 Address Labels from Pear Tree Greetings.  What a great way to start of your Monday morning !


I just received my personalized note cards in the mail and they are so cute, I just L-O-V-E them.  I was sent the style below, with my name on them! With all the emails and texting now, it's so nice to get a personalized note from someone.  These are perfect for that!

I think the perfect addition to my notecards would be these:

With over 449 address labels to choose from, including photo labels, the choice is not easy.

For your chance to win, please do the following:
1. Think outside the box, what are other ways to use these fabulously stylish stickers? Add your comment below for one entry.

One lucky winner will be selected via random.org.  Giveaway ends Monday June 14th at 11:59 pm.
Good Luck!

Now for the party!
***The rules are simple!

1. Add a link to your main blog (or most current post)
2. Leave a comment on the blog above your name in the list.
3. Visit as many blogs as you can and leave comments and follow if you like.

So grab my button, grab a coffee and enjoy Meetup Monday!

<a href="http://www.justanothermomday.blogspot.com"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i219/agrip76/coffee.jpg" /></a>

Cry Baby

No, not him....
Me.

Before I had Jack, I was a crier.  I cried during sad movies, Hallmark commercials, certain country songs, or if I was having a bad day.  I never imagined I would be a million times worse once I had Jack. When he was born I cried becuase of the hormomes, and he was so perfect and new and little and I never wanted him to grow up. 

Now it seems I cry over something everyday.  I cry before I sleep at night sometimes because I wish he was cuddling next to me instead of in his crib. I cry when I rock him before bed because he is getting bigger and bigger, and is almost too big for me to hold him like a baby.  I cried Friday at our school's Spelling Bee because the parents next to me were SO proud of their son that won, and I imagined how proud I would be for Jack. 

Sometimes I look at him while playing and cry, thinking, " I will never have this moment or day again, he is getting older and older by the minute". 

Am I the only "cry baby" out there or are some of you criers like me?  Will it ever end, or am I doomed to a lifetime of tears and heartache???  Some imornings I wake up and it seems like Jack has "grown up" over night! 

Life does fly by.  Enjoy it. 

Enjoy it like Jack enjoys his wagon.  He loves it!!!

Seriously, what is cuter than a baby's smile?  I can't think of anything.

Pizza Night!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Freschetta. All opinions are 100% mine.


Friday is pizza night in our house.  We do it all. We order delivery, we make some from scratch, we grill pizza, and we buy frozen brands to keep in the freezer for busy nights.  I am picky when it comes to pizza.  Chicago has the best pizza.  Nothings compares to it.  Most frozen brands I've tried in the past seem to taste like cardboard.. or concrete. They are either flavorless, or super hard and I have pretty much given up on them..


Freschetta has come out with new flat bread pizzas.  They have amazing sounding flavors like Zesty Italian, Roasted Garlic and Spinach, Pepperoni, and 5-Chesse.  Roasted Garlic and Spinach sounds amazing.  If this pizza tastes anything like the other Freschetta pizzas I have tried they are guaranteed to be amazing!
Freschetta is offering $1 off their flatbread pizzas for everyone! Print out your $1 off coupon at  (http://www.freschetta.com/thin-crust-pizzas/flatbread-pizza/default.aspx) and try out your new favorite flat bread pizza for yourself!

If you're on Facebook, be sure to "Like" the Freschetta page to join in on the discussion, get tips on turning your pizza into a delicious calzone, and more.





Freschetta FlatBread

Welcome New Friends!

Since it's Friday, I just wanted to welcome all my new visitors. I hope you enjoy this blog, and your weekend!  If you are a regular, you should join New Friend Friday and meet some great new people!

A Giveaway for all the Chicago Area Mommies!

CLOSED!  Congrats Meg I will be emailing you!

I am picture crazy.  I can't get enough of Jack and feel like I need to capture EVERY SINGLE SECOND of his life. 

So a few weeks ago I took Jack to Stephen Green Photography , for his 6 month pictures.  I was worried he would cry the whole time..... he didn't.

I absolutely LOVE how the pictures turned out. From the moment I walked in their beautiful loft studio, Jack, my husband, and I felt at ease.  Lisa was so great, we felt like we had known her for years!  She was SO good with Jack; she made him smile like crazy and also knew when he needed a "break".   

I loved the backgrounds and props used and I think you'll agree, the results are too cute!

Lisa at Stephen Green Photography is offering a complimentary photo shoot to one of my readers!*  Your complimentary Children's Portrait Session will include one session, (approximately 30 minutes) with Lisa Green, at the Stephen Green Photography Studio (721 South Blvd in Oak Park).  If you live in the Chicago area, this is a great contest! 

Mandatory:

Visit the Stephen Green Photography website, and comment on something you learned about them!

***For additional entries you may do one of the following:

1. Fall in "Like" with them on Facebook: Stephen Green Photography

2. Follow Stephen Green Photography on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/sgreenphotos

3. Follow my blog (if you already do, let me know!)

Please leave your email, in your comment(s) so I can contact the winner. Contest ends Sunday June 13th at 11:59 pm., and winner will be choosen via random.org. Good Luck!!!


*This contest is for Chicago Area residents only.

Summer Fun.

I love summer weekends.  I love the quiet mornings, I love drinking coffee on our deck. I love summer fests and BBQ's.  And now I can add one more thing I love in summer.....spending time with my little guy, and of course, Lenny. 

We brought out the wagon today.  Jack loves it.  So does Lenny surprisingly. They are becoming better friends everyday. 

My attempt at getting my "Jack in the flowers" shot was not a success. 

But he sure loves lounging by the pool.  He is turning into a little fishy. 

It was such a perfect relaxing weekend.  We spent time with family; we spent time with friends.  

I can't wait for the rest of summer. 

Since everyone was probably at a BBQ or out with family, I skipped Meetup Mondays this week. I will be back next week, so check back!

Memorial Day

This is my grandpa, Angelo.  He fought in World War II, and he will be 97 in July.  

And while this is the beginning of summer, it is also a weekend to remember those who fight so that we are able to have and do all of these wonderful and amazing things each and every day.  I hope you take some time out of your weekend to remember them.  Whether it's family, friends, or the man or woman in your neighboorhood, say thank you.  

My grandpa recently went on a grip through Honor Flight Chicago.  He flew to Washington D.C. on a flight full of WWII vets to have a day full of fun and to see the WWII memorial.  Something he has always wanted to see.  You can donate to an Honor Flight program in your area, and you can read the newspaper article about his trip here.

Have a great weekend.  

I love friends!

Welcome New Friends!!  The Girl Creative (who did my blog design) hosts New Friend Friday.  If you get a chance,  check it out, her site is great!!  To my new friends, Thank you for visiting, enjoy your visit and check out my giveaways! 

I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!