A book you must have in your home is Frankie: The Walk ‘N Roll Dog. This story will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it’ll make you hug your pets and kids and tell them that you love them.  It also was just awarded National Best Book 2008 Award by USA Book News in the Children’s Picture Book Non-fiction softcover category, so I am not the only one who thinks it is great!

This story is about a little dachshund.  We learn about how she met her family and what their family life was like.  We also learn about a terrible injury she endured (a ruptured disk in her back) and how she lost the ability to walk.  She had surgery with only a 30% chance of every walking again.  She outfitted with her wheels that you see on the cover of the book.  Now, I am not going to give away how the story ends, so you’ll have to get the book to see if Frankie walks again.

The owner of this dog actually wrote the book, and it is a true story.  She is from Wisconsin (which is where I am from), so I personally identify with where this story takes place.  The illustrations in this book are awesome too.  The story is written at a level, so that all children can enjoy it and walk away with some good life lessons such as always look for positive solutions to overcoming and enduring challenges, don’t feel sorry for yourself, and having compassion for the physically challenged.  These are three great lessons that our children (and even adults) should learn and live by.  This book also opens a line of communication between you and your children too.  I know that Madison, my 4 year old, had a ton of questions for us after we read this.

This is a book that I really think everyone should take a look at and read.  We can all benefit from the life lessons in here.

Sick of boring hair ties for your kids hair? Want something that has a little flair to it?  Your Couture Kid is the place you need to stop.  We recently got a ponytail holder from them, and mommy and Madison love it!  The band that holds the hair is a good quality band.  In my house, this is extremely important, because Madison has super fine hair.  It is normally pretty difficult to find one that will actually stay in her hair.  I love how these dress up any outfit you have them on with.   We also got a ton of compliments from people about how nice it looked.  Now, Your Couture Kid has several different styles to pick from and I think there is one that would match any outfit you could come up with.  If you want a unique gift for the kid who has everything, definitely check out Your Couture Kid.

Ever feel like nobody would understand how you feel?  Ever feel the need to connect to other moms?  If so, I definitely have the place you need to check out:  Moms Like Me.  I love the community on this site.  We are able to do everything from talk about cookie recipes to talking about how to get our kids to bed at night. It is one of those places that you get support from everyone even if they don’t have any helpful advice for you.  I remember a time when it was just Madison and me at home all day, I would have loved to have found this site them.  However, I am glad to be a part of it now.  I don’t mind telling people my story and my issues.  I have found Moms Like Me a great resource for me also.  I just recently learned how to sign up for the Toys R Us Newsletter!  There also have been some great giveaways over there for new members.  You can also sign up under one of the groups there are if you find one you like.  They have everything from a fundraising group to a blogging group to a knitting group.

If you are trying to find your place in this world, this is a great place to stop and check out.  If you have any mommy questions, this again is someplace to check out.  If you need a bit of support, you should definitely check out Moms Like Me!

Wipe Clean Letters is a must have book for any preschool aged children you have in your house.  This book comes with its own dry erase marker (and a place to keep it too!).  The book is made of cardboard, and you are able to wipe clean any work your children do in the book.  Each page has a litter of the alphabet on it.  it also has words that start with that letter or have that letter in it (example:  for s, you would see sinks on the page.) It has the uppercase and the lowercase letters on each page to trace.  Some of the pages even have a small activity to do on them.  Madison can spend hours with this book.  I love that it is teaching her picture and word recognition, and that it is still fun for her.  If you want a great interactive book, this is what you should get!

Do you recognize the two people to the left?  Look very close.  That is what Stephanie and Sportacus from LazyTown really look like!  Hard to believe, I know!  Lazytown is a show on Noggin and Nick Jr. that encourages your kids to get off their butts and be more active!  When asked about the inspiration for the show, Magnus (the shows creator and Sportacus) answered:

Really, when you get down to it, LazyTown is a state of mind. We’ve all been to LazyTown. When we decide to go “veg-out” on the couch, you could say you’re “in LazyTown.” Even me. It’s a place we all go.

In a funny way, LazyTown reflects characteristics that you see in yourself or in people around you. These characteristics are universal: It’s that dynamic of opposites.

For instance, in the show, Sportacus is a driving force. He’s fit, agile, and an amazing athlete who’s patient, kind, and understanding. He encourages kids through example. He doesn’t take the low road. Conversely, his adversary, Robbie Rotten, is all about easy solutions and pulling the group down to his level. Then there’s Stephanie, the lead kid character, a wide-eyed optimist who believes she can make a real difference; while Pixel, a boy character, can conquer every video game, but when the situations are real, he has a harder time.

Just like in real life, nobody’s perfect and LazyTowners are constantly trying to find ways to understand and improve themselves. I guess that you could say that LazyTown explores the opposing forces that we encounter in our own daily lives.

How is that for teaching your children? Most moms and kids that I have talked to like this show. Magnus knows what he is talking about too — he was the Icelandic Men’s Individual Champion in Aerobic Gymnastics in 1992. In 1993, he became the Scandinavian champion, and was the European champion twice in 1994 and 1995. He was voted Athlete of the Year by Iceland in 1994. Adding superhero to that resume just makes it twice as nice (and you know is his shape he doesn’t have to worry about getting term life insurance quotes).

Now, why should you and your children watch this?  It does get them off their butts.  I find Madison and Will dancing and singing with the show when its on.  It has taught my children that there is nothing wrong with going outside and playing.  On top of the activity lessons, there are moral lessons too.  Check your local schedule and see when you can watch it at your place.  You won’t be disappointed!

In the market for Window Treatments, Drapes, Valances, Swags, or Roman Shades? If you are, Fabric Workroom is definitely a place you should check out. I personally found their selection awesome and found several window treatments I would definitely put in my living room. They also have my favorite: free shipping. Shipping is always an obstacle for me to shop online, so when it is free, it makes me want to buy all the more. You can even get free swatches! I also like that everything is made in the US and that there are live specialists to answer any questions that I may have (it’s from 9 - 5 EST). Unless you live in CT, there is also no sales tax (which is awesome when you live in places like me who have 10.25% sales tax). Lastly, they have a Satisfaction Guarantee and a refer a friend program.  I know I will be checking out Fabric Workroom the next time I am looking for window treatments.

If you are in need of a bathroom sink vanity, Premiere Vanities should be a place you stop and check out. They have everything from contemporary bathroom vanities to double vanities. They have a style for everyone there.  You can pick from something like this:

all the way to something like this:

The first thing you notice when you visit their site is that it has a very clean design.  Everything is laid out so it is pleasing to the eye.  Navigating the site is super easy too.  If you look in the left sidebar, you can sort their vanities by type, style, price, and size.  You can even run a sort on just clearance items!  Another good thing that they do is that they have free shipping.  I can only imagine what the other online companies charge for shipping.  These vanities have to be pretty heavy and that could cost a bundle to ship.  They also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  If you get your product and decide you don’t like it, you can send it back.  You can even track your order right from their site!  If are able to use Paypal also to make your purchase.  I personally like companies that allow me to pay using that service.

If you are in the market for some new bathroom sink vanities, make sure you check out Premiere Vanities.  You will be able to find something that will look awesome in your house for a good price.  Who knows, when you go to sell it, it may make the sale or be an awesome talking point for your house.  You always want something good that makes your house stick out from the rest, and one of these vanities will definitely do that for you.