Monogrammed Sweater Adds Style to Your Child's Wardrobe - Win One For Your Child

While I'm waiting on a photo for my necklace review on The Polka Dot Daisy, I thought I would go ahead and review one of my most favorite sweaters worn by my son.

Made of 100% cotton, this adorable monogrammed sweater put some style in my son's wardrobe. It is beautifully made, and will be a sweater that I will tuck away and cherish forever. I can see myself opening a box in the attic 20 years from now and having the memories of my son wearing this sweater flood back into my mind.

This beautiful blue monogrammed roll neck sweater comes in three sizes: 0-12 months, 2T and 3T.

Unfortunately my son will only get about a year out of wearing it because I didn't come across it until he was 3. However, if you purchase this sweater in a larger size than what your baby or toddler normally wears, you may be able to get a couple winters out of it.

This monogrammed sweater is available for boys and girls in my online boutique at MyLittleMonkeyBoutique.com. The sweaters are available in navy blue, pink or natural color. The monogrammed letters can be stitched in a variety of colors and styles. You can choose between having your child's initials, a single letter, or his/her name up to six letters.

For a chance at winning a FREE monogrammed sweater:

1. Visit MyLittleMonkeyBoutique.com

2. Post this contest in your blog

3. Come back and comment here with the link to where you posted the contest along with a sentence about your favorite item from MyLittleMonkeyBoutique.com

And voila, you are entered! The winner will be announced Friday, Feb. 8th. Good luck!

Back Pain and Muscle Relaxers

Some may think that laying around all day would be a wonderful thing. Let me tell you, it gets old quick. It seems I may have strained a few muscles in my back over the weekend. Finally I couldn't take the pain anymore and made a doctor's appointment today. After a few questions and her poking around on my back, I received a prescription for a pain reliever. Unfortunately, pain relievers and a 3-year-old do not make a good combination.

Thankfully I was able to steal some time and a few minutes of shut eye while my son was watching a movie in my lap. If he had wanted to play trains or puppets, we may have had a real problem.

I can't believe that my doctor wants me to take the pain relievers three times a day! I'm going to be a walking zombie - scratch that - I'll be a zombie sinking into the sofa with a three-year-old jumping on my back. But who knows - maybe he'll work out the kinks so I can get back to normal.

Celebrate With Chocolate Cake!

I bet not many of you knew that today is Chocolate Cake Day! What a wonderful day to celebrate - especially for us women who just love our sweets!

In honor of Chocolate Cake Day, I thought I would post some yummy cake recipes for you to make and enjoy with your family. Visit About.com under Family Crafts to learn more about obsolete events and to check out these chocolate cake recipes:

- Chocolate Lava Cake
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Chocolate Tart
- Classic Chocolate Souffle
- Death By Chocolate
- Devil's Food Cake

and many, many more scrumptious recipes.

And for those who may not know - tomorrow (January 28th) is Ernie's birthday. I know my son will get a kick out of celebrating the birthday of this Sesame Street favorite. So tomorrow, why not take a moment to watch a Sesame Street video with your child, or even make cupcakes and decorate them like the rubber duck loving character himself.

Product Reviews

To add a little something extra to my blog I have decided to write regular product reviews. Since I am a former newspaper editor, and am a current freelance writer for various business and home magazines, I figured this was right up my alley. Heck, I even once wrote a review on a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert!

My first review will be of a beautiful, beaded photo necklace I ordered from The Polka Dot Daisy at Christmastime. Check back in the next couple of days to see what I think of the newest addition to my large collection of jewelry. I plan to have the review online by Monday.
If you would be interested in having a product reviewed and included in my blog, send me an email at april.barney @ amb-services.com (just take out the spaces).

Pajama Day

I think preschoolers should be able to wear their jammies to school EVERY DAY! Who's with me??
Today was Pajama Day at Reagan's preschool, and let me tell you, it was the best day ever. No fighting with him to stand still so I can help him with his pants, no fussing over what shirt to wear. Even his usual dragging, sleepy and slow demeanor was replaced with one of joy and excitement. My son, who normally has to be carried most of the way to his class because he's too tired to walk, flew down the school hallway and ran right up to his teacher when he arrived at class.
And all I had to do was get him out of bed and put him in the car. Every day should be so easy.

Sweet 'n Simple Designs - I Want To Win!

While checking out a variety of blogs the other day, I came across a great contest at A Frog In My Soup. The contest gives TWO winners a new blog makeover by Sweet 'n Simple Design! This is something I REALLY want. Since my blog is in its beginning stages, I could use a nice and exciting blog design - one that could keep me motivated to writing posts to my blog every day.

Sweet 'n Simple Design has some really beautiful designs. My favorite is the Monkeying Around theme. It just fits my life so well! And it really ties in with my online baby/toddler boutique, My Little Monkey Boutique. I just love the monkeys too because that's my nickname for my son.

If you are in need of a new blog design, be sure to check out the contest at A Frog in My Soup. Here's hoping you see my blog in a new design real soon!

Win Some Great Prizes from WAHMs!

Do you like to win FREE stuff? What about cool and unique stuff from work at home moms?

My Little Monkey Boutique is participating in MyMommysBracelets.com newest contest by offering a set of Personalized Teacher Notecards to one lucky winner! These notecards make a great gift for Teacher's birthdays, Teacher appreciations or just to say Thanks for being dedicated to the education of my child!

MyMommysBracelets.com has partnered with some great WAHM (work-at-home-Moms) online Mommy and baby boutiques for a fabulous Valentine's giveaway! This giveaway will begin on February 1st with the winners announced on February 14th. Entries will not be accepted until February 1st, 2008. So go on over to MyMommysBracelets.com and check out the prizes that are available now. Be sure to fill out the form for your chance at one of more than 20 prizes! Also, while you're there, leave a comment about your favorite product!

Let it Snow!

After getting a couple of inches of snow covering the ground yesterday I find myself longing for more. Weather forecasts have been predicting snow for tomorrow and parts of next week so I thought I'd visit the local Toys R Us and take advantage of their 40% off Winter apparel sale.

I bought my 3-year-old son a snowsuit just in case the weather forecasters were right. Wouldn't you know, tonight as I watch the news, the forecasters are now backing off their original prediction of 2-4 inches of snow. Looks like now we'll be lucky to get a dusting. At least I bought Reagan's snowsuit in a larger size - we may be waiting till next year to use it.

Maybe this picture of my son when he was 1 1/2, in what we consider a good amount of snow, will bring some luck ... and some snow our way.

Win an Insignia Pilot 4GB Video MP3 Player!

Thanks to Best Buy, 5MinutesforMom is giving away an Insignia® - Pilot 4GB Video MP3 Player with Bluetooth Technology just in time for Valentine’s Day. So you can slip on some headphones, open up some chocolates and feel the love!

The winner will also get a pair of Insignia® - Bluetooth Wireless Behind-the-Head Headphones? Yes - Best Buy is in a loving mood!

Be sure to go to 5MinutesforMom to learn how you can win this great product!

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

Had I taken a picture of my son a few minutes ago, I would be posting one of the most precious sights I've seen in a while. However, moments pass quickly and aren't always available for camera so I will have to make due with describing this sight to you.

My 3-year-old son decided tonight that he determined his actual bedtime. Although I put him to bed at his normal time, 8 p.m. A little while later I noticed the light on his bedroom as I wandered down the hallway. Now while the sight of him sitting Indian style on his bed, building with his Magtastix was too cute, it was nothing compared to what was to come.

After he told me that he was building, I asked him to turn his light off in a few minutes and go to bed. I said he would, so I left him to go downstairs to finish some work.

About 20 minutes later, I go upstairs to see his light still on. I peek in to see him sitting Indian style once again on his bed, this time reading a couple of books with no pants and no underwear on!

He tells me how he had to go potty and about how he did it himself. He was very proud. So he put clean underwear on and I left him to turn off his light.

About a half hour later, my husband returned home from work and asked why Reagan's light was on in his bedroom. We peek around his doorframe and this time we see our 3-year-old sitting Indian style in his bed, wearing his bike helmet and his sandals, and holding his skateboard!

How do you maintain your composure at a sight such as that? As Joey and I giggle, Reagan hops up from his bed smiling.

Oh, how I wish I had my camera to capture that picture on film! However, I am sure it is a picture that I will always have and cherish in my mind.

Welcome to Living a Mom's Life Blog! I look forward to using this blog to write about my family, the crazy things my son does, being a WAHM, and all the perks and hurdles that come along with being a mom.