Author: Karie Herring

Karie Herring rambles of a former life in Phoenix, AZ while raising a teen and tween twins in their new home in Orlando, FL. She has been featured in AOL Money & Finance, Betty Confidential and Career School Now. She's a full-time technical writer, functional fitness athlete, overachieving wife and mom. She loves talking about maneuvering motherhood, womanhood, and her passion for essential oils and natural living.
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Fisher Price: Playing and Learning

Can you name any brand of toy that is synonymous with playing and learning? I know the first one that always comes to my mind is Fisher Price. What I did not know is that Fisher Price has been making quality toys since the 1930s, did you know that? I know I did not, but I knew that Fisher Price was and is the first choice of toys for my kids.

Recently the great ladies (and gents) of Mom Select contacted moms (moi) about reviewing Fisher Price’s infant toys. I know my kids would be perfect since they are in that toddler demolition derby mode, so let my kids really put the products to the test. The two great items we received to review are the Laugh and Learnâ„¢Learning Farm and the Go-Baby-Goâ„¢Stride-to-Rideâ„¢Lion.

When the packages arrived you would have thought my kids were going to lose their minds! Big G was still at school, but I tell you the twins were going crazy! They saw all the pretty colors on the packaging (great marketing folks!) and they knew immediately that these packages were for them. I wasted no time as I was about to be mamed by two little people if I did not get on the ball with putting these toys together.

I tackled the ride-on lion first and Little Bitty was losing her silly little mind because guess what moms and dads……he sings! Yes. He has great sing songs, his nose lights up, and he roars! Adorable. So Little Bitty entertained herself with the lion head while I put the scooter (sit and ride) seat together, which is super easy! I think all in all maybe 12 screws to hold everything altogether. I snapped and screwed it altogether pretty fast…but clearly not fast enough for a couple of 19 month old twins who were slapping each other to get to it. As you can see….Bitty snagged her position on the lion ASAP…she is wiry for such a little girl! I think she is a bit snarky like mom too! (*wink…thats for you Carissa!)

Next we moved onto the farm. I tell you….that farm is truly a farm of a toy to put together. I did need to read the directions a bit to make sure everything was copacetic for the put together, had a few more pieces and handling pieces for the kids for sensory learning. However, the twins were not having that. I could see their little feet tapping….waiting….impatiently for me to give them the mind blowing toy of the century that sings, has a radio dial….YES…A Radio Dial! Lots of learning songs from ABC’s to the 123’s, hand toys like vegetables to feed the cow, and eggs laid by the chicken. I wasted no time installing the electronics as I needed to calm some crazed gnomes fast! Whew, sing songs…we’re all good!

Yes, that is my Seth-En-Stein and his white boy dancing. Isn’t he just the cutest? Rock ON Seth!

By this time Grant was home from school. I was happy to find that even a kindergartener was enjoying the new toy and learning options, plus the songs are great for kids no matter the age.

I have to tell you that the learning farm is a HUGE hit in our home. The barn gate is a big winner too…Seth is seriously OCD about doors so he has great time opening and closing that. In addition to all the fun hands on learning, the kids will learn about shapes, colors, weather (I know…forgot to mention the radio has weather), animals, and as I mentioned before letters and numbers.

The lion is also a GREAT toy for my kids, they are at the age where riding toys are fun and are great for learning coordination and balance. Especially if they are using the lion like my kids do….as a step stool to snag stuff off the counters. DO NOT TRY!! I could not bear to snap a photo as I was sure someone would end up in the ER, so I had to prevent the lion from being used in such a manner. But when the lion is not a ride on toy he can be used as a walker for those just beginning to get their footing and learning to walk.

What I get to share with you!!

So with all my babble about Fisher Price and these FABULOUS toys that my kids will enjoy for years as will other children, I will enjoy sharing this fabulous offer with you to save $20 on your purchase of $100 or more of Fisher Price’s Laugh & Learnâ„¢ and/or Go Baby Go!â„¢ Infant Toys. But I cannot claim all the credit, the lovely ladies (and gents…I didn’t forget!) of MomSelect are sharing this with me to share with you! Be sure to go HERE to get your savings good in stores only for Fisher Price toys.

Thank you again Mom Select, Maria Bailey, Amy Sobel, and Fisher Price!

 *Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency.

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My Falling Star

You see my great post about Grant being the star student?

Yes, DH and I are so proud. What an accomplishment.

Until Today. I thought twice about posting, but I think so surreal to being a parent and bragging about being a great parent with having a great kid. My star student initiated actions that resulted in a friendly call from my friend “The Principal.”

Correct, THE principal. Papa…well she is a Mama Grande. The head honch, the big kahuna, THE BOSS.

She called me to tell me about some unfortunate circumstances, unacceptable behavior, and disgusting actions. Not that my son is not totally capable, but really I figured these would be left until at least high school.

  • His blatant disregard for authority
  • His disregard for his unacceptable and intolerable actions
  • His foul mouth! (Decided he would call everyone a “fucker” today)

I am totally in awe that my boy decided to act so unfavorably, so much like a heathen, so despicable. I do not doubt his culpability and capability, but I doubt the he acted alone and without provocation. So I now ask you, have you had one day where you are like “OMG, where is my kid?” when the principal or teacher calls? Have you had a day where you are just completely lost on what happened to your normal, everyday, easy breezy child? I just cannot believe my kid….my boy acted in such a manner. Again, not denying it, just completely cannot believe he could act that way, especially in school. I hope we can resolve this, I would hate for my Star Student to fall from grace.

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My Star Student

Grant Baby I am so proud of you!

I hope I tell you enough each day how proud I am of you. I am so happy that you are having a WHOLE week in the spotlight as Star Student! You deserve it buddy, way to work hard! Good job on your poster too bud, even if Mom did help a little with the poster of everything that makes you special.

I love you!
Mom

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At Home with Friends: Joshua Bell album

This week has been so fabulous for me because I celebrated my nine year wedding anniversary and I got to do it in a really fabulous way. I know, can you tell I love to use FABULOUS!

So the week started off with reviewing and holding a giveaway for the new Harry Connick Jr. CD “Your Songs” which is heavenly. I love anything HCJ, he reminds me a lot of Sinatra, Van Morrison, just awesome. Then as the week progressed I got a chance to review the AWESOME sounds of Joshua Bell.

If you have never heard of Joshua Bell, go, go now and Google, get him on iTunes, buy his CD. I am a music snob and his music is really right up my alley. He is a violinist for starters. I am a violinist. *GASP. I know, who would have thought this snarky mom of three would play the violin, let alone like any artist that plays themselves. I grew up attending The Nutcracker Suite productions with a full orchestra, I have gone to the symphony (and am that snob in full applause at the end), I am a HUGE classics fan.

So when the ladies at One2OneNetwork asked if anyone wanted to reivew Joshua Bell’s new CD, I was scrambling to make sure my  hyperlink was clicking as fast as it could! I love his music. The violin, folks, is one of the most emotional and powerful instruments I personally have ever heard and to hear this man play the way he does is absolutely magical. My kids when they heard his music were like the children from that Lowe’s commerical with the green paint, at ease.

His new CD which became available on September 29th is JAM packed with other phenomenal artists. Imagine the divine singings of the violin strings with Josh Groban, Sting (SWOON! BIG BIG SWOON!), Regina Spektor, and Sergei Rachmaninoff (classics composer in case you didn’t know).

If you thought a date night with Harry was great….MOVE ON OVER! The music of Joshua Bell is a serenade, but don’t feel pressure to take my word for it.

Oh and he was on The Tonight Show last night, I happened to miss because I was listening to him at home for my anniversary. Thank you! But even better if you missed him on The Tonight Show if you happen to live in the Chicago area, he will be ON TOUR! Yes catch this violinist master at his best at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago. But don’t fret, you can still catch him on TV for the following days:

Better TV www.better.tv – October. 6
WNET Sunday Arts – October 11th between 12 and 3 PM .
Tavis Smiley on PBS check your local listings at PBS.org – October 5th
WGN TV Noon News – October 8th at 12:00 noon

Here is a little about Joshua’s album and music:

The album covers all of the genres, from classical to pop, bluegrass to Broadway, jazz and ethnic World Music. There are even a couple of seasonal tracks just in time to celebrate the holidays.

Joshua Bell is a Grammy Award winning violinist and performed on the Oscar winning soundtrack for Best Score to the film The Red Violin. Joshua attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where he recently returned as a senior lecturer. 

You don’t need me to tell you anymore, go listen for yourself on his website and be sure to tell the ladies and gents at One2OneNetwork thanks for the recommendation on some superb music! I know I am grateful to listen to Joshua’s new album over and over until the next one comes out.

One2One_Network_Main *Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency.
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The All New Momma Diet Plan

Ladies, the buck stops here for all those diet scams and plans.
(Oh really?!)

Have you tried all pills, exercises, food and meal plans? Exercise machines and bogus contraptions? Let me tell you I have the ultimate plan for you and this is how you begin said plan!

  1. Have twins, or at least a couple kids, get nice and round.
  2. Make sure said kids have appetites like NFL Linebackers
  3. Make meals they will NOT eat and YOU will (or so you think)
  4. Sit down to attempt to eat said HOT, warm meal children will not like
  5. Children flock to you and said HOT meal to eat it
  6. They eat it off YOUR plate
  7. Every speck
  8. Leaving you just the crumbs
  9. ENJOY your little morsel of a meal, at most 100 calories in crumbs ladies
  10. You will be fit and trim in no time with that meal plan, BON APETIT!

Watch the gnomes, at least the Little Bitty Sara gnome,
in action as she feeds her Daddy…after she feeds herself.


Mom and Dad feeding from Karie Herring on Vimeo.

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Forever I Do

Who knew that nine years ago today that we would seal our fate forever, that our lives would be where they are now. We thought this day was like any other day, just a job to be done and handled. Who knew what the last nine years have brought.

Through the rough and smooth, the good and bad, the pretty and ugly, we have been there for one another.

On this day nine years ago we made this pledge:

It is my intention to be your best friend, to respect and suport you, to work together with you to achieve those things that are important to us, to accept you unconditionally, and to share life with you throughout the years.

I loved you the day I met you, I loved you the day you proposed to me, I loved you the day you married me, I loved you the day we moved, I loved you the day we became parents for the first time, I loved you the day we became parents for the second and third time (all at once). I have and will always love you.

I love that you know I like my toast done on one side, I like tea in the summer and coffee in the morning, I love that you know I will be stubborn but always open to something new, I hate being dirty but I love playing in the mud, I love that you know me for me and that through all of this time you are still you and I am still me. That we are still us, and that we have ALL of us with the kids.

My best friend and enemy, my best debate partner and ally, my best idea expounder, my bodyguard, my wrestling mate, my shoulder, my ear, my lover, my ying and I your yang.

I would not change a thing. I have no regrets. I wish for nothing more than to have you by my side in all our adventures, fears, good times. I love you. Happy Anniversary.

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Come Get You Some

I have to admit I am a Funewga (fa-noo-gah) (Fuckin New Guy…in case you didn’t know…old car biz saying) to this whole blog thing. I mean truly I am, still a little wet behind the ears and getting the hang of everything. So I was completely humbled, surprised, and totally honored by a few special messages from some very special bloggers.

Tania over at the Lucky Canuck awarded me with the One Lovely Blog Award. I tell you, this means a whole lot to me, because some days, I think that my blog is less than lovely, so this truly was a huge honor.Especially because she is just rawkin! She is just too sweet really she is, very quiet in the emails we have passed back and forth, just a Canadian gem…like all my Canadian blog friends!

Amanda, over at A Family of Shorts awarded me with the I Give Good Blog award which is totally wicked and again a huge honor and totally humbling to me. She is totally nuts and I love her, a fellow Zonie (AZ native) and so awesome I found her….or rather maybe she found me. Love her!

Have you all met Holly? She is a ROCKIN’ chick and also a fellow Zonie and twin mommy. So she knows the crazy we sell and talk about around here. She does Tea and talks about her twins at Saguaro Blossoms so check her out. She was ever so awesome to pass on this award, so to her I am grateful as well.

I am not one to take compliments well, I am generally the one giving them, just part of my nature and who I am I guess. So here is the deal. I am suppose to link up 15 new bloggers that I have found. Well I tell you, I found at least that this week and no way I can remember, I fave them and I just click through my bookmarks. What I want to do since you have to limit who gets these awards, I want to add a McLinky here!!

I want you, to come give yourself the award, grab it, steal it, pass it around, mom it forward to someone else, or heck just showcase it on your blog and let me know you did by adding your link at the bottom! I think we are all great bloggers, there are so many that I read in a day that I can’t get to everyone to comment, and I surely cannot just limit my choices. So please, come link up, grab your awards! Seriously! You deserve it!

So sign the linky that you took your award. And hey….helps your rankings!!

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Revenge Is: Review and Giveaway

The Five Fish are some of the biggest advocates for “Going Green,” recycling, reducing, reusing, and overall limiting our carbon footprint in this life. In addition to eating organic, supporting our community agriculture programs through a CSA, we wanted to make a bolder statement.

One day when searching green organizations on Twitter I ran across the fabulous fashion of Revenge Is. Little did I know HOW green they really are. As you can see their tees and accessories are just awesome. I mean the statements are totally BOLD! Taking revenge. Who doesn’t want revenge and of course for a GREAT cause!

A little information on Revenge Is and the Mission Statement of the organization:

Mission
Global warming, energy dependence, war, economic turmoil, foreclosures and unemployment – these are some of the major crisis facing our world today. Developing alternative sources, practicing  “reduce, reuse and recycle” in our everyday lives, and demanding more effective diplomatic and economic policies of our government and business institutions will help. The old saying goes “the best revenge is living well.” Our belief is that, by taking action today, we can all live well tomorrow.
Our individual actions may not change the world, but our collective actions will. Our message products make the statement that you care and you are part of the solution. Our newsletter will inform you about critical issues we face today. Our blog gives you the opportunity to voice your concerns and solutions about the many challenges we face today.
About from Marilyn Barrett:
Welcome to Revenge Is …
If you are visiting this site, you are likely a person who is passionate about our country, concerned about the direction it has taken in recent years, and committed to doing your part to solve the problems we face today. If not, you have been searching for ways to get involved and to seek inspiration from others who are well on their way.  Revenge Is… was created to be a powerful force in helping concerned Americans to channel their energy and emotions toward real and positive change that betters all of our lives.
The idea for Revenge Is… came to me about a year ago while taking a walk with my two favorite furry companions. The 2008 Presidential election cycle had started and the many problems facing our country and the world today were in the forefront of the news and political commentary – global warming, energy dependence, economic turmoil, and wars resulting in too many deaths and injuries. I felt angry and frustrated and wanted the people who were primarily responsible for these problems to stop…and pay for the pain and losses they caused. I know I am not alone.
As an attorney, I have often counseled clients over the years who, despite suffering serious harm from others, decided against pursuing legal action against them. Instead, they chose to focus their hard earned savings and precious time to rebuild their lives – making positive commitments to the age old adage that “the best revenge is living well.” Their actions were profound and struck me as a better way to enact positive change in my own life and in the world around me. Revenge Is… was born.
Our products and slogans have been conceived to acknowledge and validate our collective frustrations while at the same time encourage and inspire us and others to take action — to take meaningful steps toward a stable climate, a clean environment, energy independence, national security, a healthy economy, and a country of high moral principle and international regard that we can be proud of. Our product messages address the vital public issues of today while at the same time display simple yet meaningful ways to enact change — from the landfill up. To start, our  T-shirts and reusable tuck away carry bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and/or Organic Cotton. Our reusable hybrid coffee/tea mug and tuck away bag give each of us the power to completely end the use of plastic water bottles, Styrofoam cups, and plastic grocery bags that clog our landfills. They also completely eliminate our use of paper cups, hot sleeves and grocery bags.
At least 10% of our profits will be donated to charities (please visit “our causes”).   Our newsletter will keep you up to date on important issues of the day.

Now I was skeptical of how “soft” the t-shirts would feel. Think about the rough feel of a plastic bottle and the icky….not so much. So when our shirts arrived, I. WAS. IN. HEAVEN! The shirts feel like butter! I mean just silky soft, my kids were rubbing them on their faces and exclaiming how soft and comfy they are, how about that for softness! The shirts are made from a fabulous blend of 100% organic, yes you got it, ORGANIC (USDA Certified) cotton and the RPET (recycled Poly-ethylene, plastic). So along with the shirts being made of some silky fabulous material they make a statement.

Check out the messages on these shirts!

The original Revenge Is shirts demand that we are “Taking Back Our Country”, “Energy Independence” with no OPEC, No Wall Street with “Main Street at Work”, I fell in love with these shirts! They stand for everything our family and so many others work hard for! But if you think those shirts are rockin’ take a gander at these!

These awesome tees boast of “All Love is Equal”, “The best Revenge is Peace”, and of course “The Best Revenge is Saving the Earth”! Don’t fret if you were thinking that the kiddies are left out because they get in on the going green.

My kiddos love these shirts. Don’t mind the Little Bitty, she’s upset with all the chemicals, pesticides, lack of healthcare coverage for everyone, that’s her revenge! Big G loves that he is helping out with the environment and living better he thinks “its cool” and so do we! They were fun to photograph because they went out and played in the water, the one day I wanted to shoot them in their shirts, they got sopping wet! Which is great because when you wash these shirts you don’t have to throw them in the dryer. They retain such little water that I hang dry the shirts and in 15 minutes they are dry. How is that for energy savings and going green.

If you are wondering how else Revenge Is is green, well the dye you see on the shirts…SOY. You got it, a soy dye which means no harsh chemicals and damage to your kids with VOC’s and chemicals in the environment. The shipping is even green with Tyvek packages that are recyclable.

Now here are the goodies, Revenge Is is helping me to host this FABULOUS giveaway. They went to all sorts of trouble for us where you, my faithful, green, fashionable readers will enter to win a choice of TWO t-shirts! Talk about an enormous value and all the good you will be doing.

Be sure of all else to thank the folks at Revenge Is for all their hard work and efforts to better the world we live in one shirt, reusable bottle, and bag at a time! I am so proud and honored to have the opportunity to sport their message and work with them. Thank you so much to Tamar and Marilyn, you folks are a class act and a pleasure to work with!

You can get further updates and fan Revenge Is on Facebook and Twitter!

The deets are here for the entry rules, PLEASE read through the rules first, but a quick breakdown for you:

  • Sign up for the newsletter in order to enter to win
  • Must remain a subscribed reader until the end of the contest
ENTER TO WIN HERE!

Easy Peasy Pumpkin Pie right? Right!
Be sure you leave me a comment to let me know you went over and entered!
Now go enter to win contest ends OCTOBER 26, 2009 and the winner will be notified OCTOBER 29, 2009 and you must claim your prize by NOVEMBER 6, 2009.

 *Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency.

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The Hot Dog Debacle

I am a weeny loving girl!

I proudly flaunt that truly nothing tastes better on a warm summer, late fall day than a juicy, warm, plump, weeny. You thought I was going to say something else. Get your mind out of the gutter…but I like your thinking!

Today, like any day when debating about what exactly to eat for lunch the hubs decides to make a few hot dogs. We here at The Five Fish LURVE hot dogs. Turkey dogs, kosher dogs, lips and sphincter dogs, we like ’em all. While he was preparing his 210 calorie feast, I was munching on edamame. Healthy choice for the dieter in me. However, I buckled when I truly needed more than a snack, so I figured I could make room for the calories and be well within my count for the day.

But here is where the weeny situation gets slippery.

DH adds the following condiments to his forbidden snack:

Ketchup
Mustard
MAYO
(WTF?!)
Um who ordered mayo?!
Yes, I am the communist of all weeny munchies. I refuse, refuse to add the mayo to a perfectly tasty treat. Load me up on onions, relish, mustard and ketchup, each lining the sides mind you, as my OCD cannot handle it any other way. But HOLD. THE. MAYO.
So I beg the question to those of you who love the weeny
between a soft pair of buns what do you slather it with?
Are you like me with mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions?
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A is for Admission: Review and Giveaway

Some of you may or may not know that I am a reformed text book junkie. For the last few years I had been hooked on my text books for college. One of the many downfalls of obtaining a degree is the endless reading of boring text.

Hatchette Books reformed me and I am happy to say they started my rehab off of text books quite well with The Twilight Saga and of course Bound To Please (which was HOT HOT HOT).

I was happy when they contacted me to broaden my reading horizons with this HIGHLY informative book by Michele Hernandez, “A is for Admission” (1999).

I will tell you that this book is a must have for any parent with any aged child. I wish this book was published when I was applying to colleges some-teen years ago after I graduated high school. My dream was to attend an Ivy League college. I am, and was, an academic snob in that sense. I wanted the best education possible, but I could not afford the tuition prices that accompany the Ivy League education status. Some kids, and most parents, want the best for their child and an Ivy League education is on the list of wants but cannot always have as the stigma of you have to have money or know someone or be someone to get into an Ivy League school. Michele helps to share the dirty truths on Ivy League admissions.
Here is the skinny on A is for Admission:

About Author

Michele A. Hernandez graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College in 1989. She served as an assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth College from 1992 to 1997. Currently, she is the president of Hernandez College Consulting LLC, one of the nation’s leading firms on helping students gain admission into top colleges.
Description
For generations, the admissions process of the Ivy League schools has been cloaked in mystery and myth. Now, a former admissions officer at Dartmouth College reveals how the most selective schools make their decisions.

Now I started reading this and at first I was thinking okay this will just be a tutorial and guide of how to apply to an Ivy League school. WRONG!! This is your ultimate walk-through guide, Bible, and handbook for insider secrets to the admissions process to some of the most ELITE schools. You know them, Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton, to name a few. Like I said, I wish I had this for myself when I was looking to apply to colleges some-odd-teen years ago.
Michele details the process in the beginning of the book drawing the no name face of the admissions staff. A Hodgepodge if you will of Ivy League grads and “Average Joe’s (Jane’s)” skimming through piles and piles of over glorified or under-reviewed applications from the most prestigious families whose children have never gone without, to those families who are barely getting by, but the applicant is the diamond in the rough.
The author, Michele Hernandez, goes on to share the intricate details from the moment your child begins their educational career. Not to push your child too hard, but keep them on the brink of “Challenge” so that they strive harder for themselves, to work towards that not so lofty goal, of a college education, that everyone can attend university and an Ivy League at that.
I resonated with this book so much not only as a college graduate myself, but because I was academically gifted and financially challenged which made an Ivy League dream impossible, or so I thought. After reading A is for Admission I have promising dreams now for my own children to go after that dream of an Ivy League education, that they too can meet their goals and fulfill their dreams.
If you are like me and want to know the insiders secrets to applying and being accepted to an Ivy League college your buck stops here because Hatchette Books and I are giving away FIVE (5), yes FIVE, copies of A is for Admission to The Five Fish readers. Get a sneak peek of inside of the book too over @ Hatchette.

Here are the deets for entering to win:

Now I for one busted my own hump to finish my undergrad with kids, pregnant, working, the whole bit. So I want to hear YOUR story of a college dream and or the college dream for your kids. Leaving me this comment is the FIRST along with your VALID email address as a must to be entered to win one of the five(5) copies.
EXTRA Entries:
  • Follow my blog, or tell me you do
  • Follow me on Twitter, or tell me you do
  • Tweet about this giveaway
  • Fan the Fish on Facebook, or tell me you already do
  • Technorati fave my blog
  • Blog about this giveaway with a link back

CONTEST ENDS OCTOBER 11TH

 *Five Fish always blog ethically and with transparency.