Bnter.com- An Archive For Conversation

Posted on by Mandy

As a new mom, I was absolutely meticulous about filling out my son’s baby book.  For months, I added (yes, added!) pages to the book because I simply had to write down every milestone and every cute thing he said or did once he began to walk and talk.  However, the faster he grew up, the less time I found to sit down and make note of all of the cute things.  I’m sorry to say I am now a slacker and have found myself more often sharing his cute antics on my blog and on Facebook.

Bnter.com (pronounced “banter”), a social network designed for capturing conversations, proves a modern way to save those precious moments and share them with family members, friends, and followers. Web- and app-based, Bnter.com can be accessed from your laptop, ipad, or smart phone. Simple to use, free and fun, Bnter.com offers an organized means of sharing those funny moments in a more visually appealing way than simply sharing them in your Facebook or Twitter stream.

Signing up with Bnter was easy and quick and offered me a way to share what I wanted to say with visual appeal and save what I said.  Parents will love it because it’s a great way to have all of those recorded cute memories in one place with quick and easy access to look over later.  I also found several of my Twitter friends there and can now follow along in their conversations, too.  You can also connect with your Facebook friends at Bnter.

The next time you feel guilty about not keeping up the baby book for your child, check out Bnter and see how easy it is to save and share those precious memories.  You’ll be glad you did!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Bnter Campaign and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Sweet Valley Confidential-A Review

Posted on by Mandy


A few years ago while cleaning out boxes and boxes of books in my storage shed, I came across my massive collection of Sweet Valley High books from when I was a teen. I devoured these books as soon as they were released and had quite a sizeable collection! When I learned that a new book, Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later
by Francine Pascal, was released this year and that it would chronicle the lives of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield as adults, I couldn’t wait to see how the twins had turned out after we had all “grown up”.

The book arrived on a Friday afternoon, and I read it before the night was over. I simply couldn’t wait to see what happened in the end. However, the storyline and characters were so way off base from any other Sweet Valley book I had read in the past that the whole entire book was simply unbelievable. Really.

The whole book revolves around a huge betrayal and fight between the twins, but it takes a long time into the book to reveal exactly how this turmoil came about. Needless to say, it involves a man, but the man involved and which twin he chooses just doesn’t add up if you were a Sweet Valley reader. The fight between the twins literally drags on through the entire book, with both Jessica and Elizabeth saying and doing things completely out of character. Apparently, Jessica speaks “Valley Girl-ease” now, peppering every sentence with “like”, and Elizabeth curses like a sailor when she’s really mad. Even their mother, Alice Wakefield, drops the “F-bomb” in this book. That part was definitely a turn-off for me.

You will also encounter some of your old favorite characters from the SVH series in this book, and it was interesting to find out what became of them and where they were in life and who ended up with who. Again, some of the stories were very far-fetched and left me shaking my head more than once. One character you will definitely remember from these books comes out as being gay.

In the end, everything works out (doesn’t it always in Sweet Valley?), but the end result left me wondering what in the world had just happened and if I were, indeed, reading about the same characters I grew up with. Nothing added up, nothing was the same, and in the end I was a bit disappointed in the direction the entire book took. I’m not sorry I read it at all, but I was underwhelmed.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are, of course, my own.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Posted on by Mandy

capri sun

Yesterday on the short drive to our family reunion, we passed by the local university, which has a big, stately flag pole front and center on the square.  My son loves the American flag and never fails to point one out anytime he sees one.  I love that about him.  As young as he is, his patriotism already makes me so proud.  His Paw-Paw, a veteran, also eats this up!

E.B. then asked me why sometimes the flag is lowered to half staff.  I went into a kid-appropriate explanation on how the flag is lowered when someone passes away or to commemorate a certain occasion in history.  I summed up my little speech with the fact that lowering the flag was a way of showing respect.

E.B.  -  "I know all about respect!"

ME    -  "You do?"

At this point my heart is swelling with pride, just knowing I’ve done a good job at teaching my son to be a respectful young man.

E.B.   – Yeah!  RESPECT THE POUCH!!!"

If you have young children and you watch television with them, you’ll recognize that one-liner from a Capri Sun commercial.  Apparently, all my son needed to know about respect he has learned from a juice box.

Home Run Hero

Posted on by Mandy

Yesterday my son played in, quite possibly, the hottest t-ball game I’ve ever sat through in my life. 100 degree weather…not a breeze stirring. The field he played at had hardly any shade. I had dreaded going to this game all day yesterday. I hated it even more for him having to play in this heat. He balked the entire time he got dressed to play. He is so over t-ball at this point and told me he was ready to retire!! Ha!

Somewhere around the 3rd inning he dropped his water bottle in the dugout and spilled it. He was upset, but it was his turn to bat. I shooed him out of the dugout to go bat and assured him I would get him more. I paused to watch him take his swing and saw him arrive at first base. I cheered for him and then turned around to tend to his water bottle issue.

A few seconds later I heard loud cheering and screaming. I assumed the next child had taken his turn at bat and turned around to see what the wild commotion was all about. It was then I saw MY baby running from third base to home. I looked dumbly at one of the other parents and she said, “HE’S MAKING A HOME RUN!!!!”. O.M.G. My baby, my sweet precious baby who was ready to retire from baseball, was making his first homerun in his 2 year t-ball career! As soon as it clicked in my mind what was going on I was at the fence screaming and jumping up and down like a mad woman. He had done it!! And I? I had just about missed it all tending to his stupid water bottle!!! I have watched him at bat so many times that it just never crossed my mind that THIS would be his moment. I just figured it would happen a few years down the road when he had more experience.

After he crossed home plate he immediately ran to me and jumped in my arms. He knew he had done something great, but it still hasn’t registered with him exactly WHAT he did. But it was so sweet seeing his little teammates give him high-fives and hugs. I know it made him feel great.

It was absolutely worth every bit of sitting in that terribly oppressive heat to see that moment.

Infant’s & Children’s Tylenol Product Changes

Posted on by Mandy

 A few weeks ago my son was running a fever so my mom volunteered to go to the drugstore to get him some Children’s Tylenol.  It’s the one brand we have trusted since he was an infant to relieve minor aches and pains and reduce fever.  However, on this particular evening my mother could find NO Tylenol products for children on the shelves.  We had to settle for the store brand, which disappointed me a little, but as it turns out, there was a reason behind the Tylenol products being pulled. New changes to the quality of Children’s and Infant’s Tylenol products are underway, and if you use this brand, you may be interested in knowing the following:

There will be new dosing directions related to the change in concentration on Infants’ TYLENOL® as early as this upcoming cold and flu season. Infants’ TYLENOL®will have the same concentration of the active ingredient, acetaminophen, as Children’s TYLENOL, which will standardize dosing across our products and age groups. Tylenol has been working closely with other manufacturers of pediatric acetaminophen products to encourage an industry wide transition to one concentration across infants’ and children’s acetaminophen products. There will be a time period when more than one concentration of infants’ acetaminophen products will be available in stores and parents and caregivers might have both in their medicine cabinets. Caregivers should be mindful to always read and follow the dosing directions on the package that is being used. When Infants’ TYLENOL® products return to store shelves, they will include these changes.

As always, Infants’ and Children’s TYLENOL® products will continue to include specially designed dosing devices appropriate to the age of the child.

Infants’ TYLENOL® will include a new, enhanced bottle with a protective opening and push-in syringe which will:

*Allow for better control when dispensing the medication and reduce spillage

*Provide even better dosing accuracy and ease of administration to infants.

*Further reduce the risk of children being able to get to the medicine in the bottle.

Tylenol will also be introducing enhanced bottles with the protective opening on Children’s TYLENOL.

Please visit the Upcoming Product Enhancements page for more information.

Helpful Tips for Giving Medicines to Infants and Children

Simply remember to:

Never give adult medicines to children.
Use the measuring device (syringe, dropper, dosage cup) that comes with the medicine every time you use it. Don’t use kitchen spoons (teaspoons or tablespoons).
Read and follow instructions on the label. Never give more than the recommended dose and do not give the medication more frequently than recommended.
Store all medicines out of the reach of children. Immediately following use, always restore the child resistant cap and put the medicine back into a high and out of sight location.
Every child grows. Know the infant’s or child’s weight and/or age to help determine the appropriate dosage.

.For more information about these upcoming changes, please visit www.Tylenol.com

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Tylenol and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Summertime Advice

Posted on by Mandy

May I offer you a little bit of advice for this summer, especially if you have children?

DO. NOT. FORGET. THE. SUNSCREEN.

I know.  Duh.  Right?  We joined the local recreational association this summer to have access to the swimming pool.  E.B. loves to swim and since he’s pretty good at it now, we figured this would be a great summer activity to enjoy as a family.  We had a blast this weekend at the pool, but I neglected to apply sunscreen to my very pale skin that has not seen that much sun in years probably.  In my defense, I did make sure E.B. had his sunscreen on and I did put it on my face, because usually my face is the only part of my body that turns pink.

And now?  I’ve been in agony since Saturday afternoon with a horrible sunburn across my back and shoulders.  I’ve tried the vinegar baths and I’ve purchased some sunburn relief cream, but nothing so far has really taken the  pain out of this burn.  Having to wear a shirt is sheer torture, but it’s not really an option.  I can’t believe I was so stupid.  My skin has never burned easily, but then again I haven’t been in the sun like that in years. 

So today’s post is more of a P.S.A. to make sure you keep your skin safe this summer, especially your children.  It’s so obvious, of course, but sometimes we’re so busy making sure our little ones are safe and protected that we neglect ourselves.  Or, in my case, we’re just in denial.

Remembering and Honoring Our Veterans

Posted on by Mandy

Today I am remembering and honoring all of our veterans, past and present, who have made it a privilege for me to live in our great United States of America. I’m thankful I can sleep sound at night knowing my family is protected at all times and appreciate the simple rights I enjoy on a daily basis. These things did not come without a price and “Thank You” just doesn’t even begin to cover my gratitude. I also say thank you to the families who have loaned their sons, husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, daughters, and grandchildren to our military, past and present. I know that’s not an easy life and please know your sacrifices as well do not go unnoticed.

Meaningful Mornings with Florida Orange Juice

Posted on by Mandy


I try to make our mornings as relaxing as possible around our home, but sometimes we are in a rush to beat the 8:00 A.M. school bell. Our routine starts each morning with me waking up at 6 A.M. and getting myself completely ready before I wake up the little guy at 7. Once he is up, he is dressed and immediately served breakfast. Some of his favorite quick morning breakfasts are cereal, sausage and biscuits, and cereal bars. Although we try to have ourselves ready and out the door at 7:45, there have been a handful of mornings where he is eating a breakfast bar on the go during the ride to school. But it’s on the way to school that we talk about the day ahead, what will be going on at school and after school, and anything else that needs to be said before our day gets started. I cherish these little talks and enjoy this part of our morning so much.

Florida Department of Citrus recently partnered with parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba and nutritionist and author, Elizabeth Ward, to offer simple and healthy morning solutions for starting the day off right.
 
Information about 100 Percent Orange Juice:

Drinking a refreshing glass of naturally, nutrient-rich 100 percent orange juice together each morning as part of a healthy breakfast is one way for you and your family to connect and help you prepare for a great day, every day.

One 8-ounce glass of 100 percent Florida orange juice counts as almost 25 percent of your USDA-recommended daily fruit and vegetable servings, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Compared to many other beverages, 100 percent orange juice is a clear nutritional standout. In fact, orange juice is more nutrient dense, or nutrient rich, than many commonly consumed 100 percent fruit juices, such as apple, grape, pineapple and prune.

Nutrition Tips from Elizabeth Ward, M.S., R.D.:

Eating a nutritious breakfast can greatly impact your day and has even been associated with weight loss and weight maintenance, as well as improved nutrient intake. Breakfast eaters tend to have more energy throughout the day and, because they are not as likely to be hungry, they often have an easier time managing their weight than those who skip breakfast. So sit down with your family around the breakfast table or grab something on the go – you’ll help each person get a good start to the day. Look for juices that specifically say “100% Juice” on the information panel and avoid beverages with names such as “cocktail,” “beverage,” “drink” or “-ade.” Such juice concoctions often have added sugars and typically do not provide the natural variety and amount of nutrients found in 100 percent fruit juices such as 100 percent orange juice.

Parenting Tips from Dr. Michele Borba:

A simple way to connect is by designating time in your family’s normal morning routine as “unplugged time” – without turning on the television, computer or video games. Start with just 10 minutes and gradually work your way up to more unplugged mornings.

Instead of rushing out the door, talk to your kids as you pour a glass of nutrient-rich 100 percent orange juice together while you pack a healthy breakfast to go.

Want more? Visit the Florida Orange Juice Facebook Page to download a free “Meaningful Morning Checklist” with tips for making the most of your family’s morning and also check out FloridaJuice.com.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Florida Department of Citrus and received an OJ Gift Pack and a promotional item as a thank you for my participation.