Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics announced today that children should get double the usually recommended amount of vitamin D because of evidence that it may help prevent serious diseases?  What does this mean?  Millions children will need to take vitamin D supplements to reach the new recommendation of 400 units daily (up from 200).

I know there are parents all around who are wondering how to get this additional amount of Vitamin D now into their children.  The best source of vitamin D is sunlight because the body makes vitamin D when sunshine hits the skin.  However, if you like in a state like me (Illinois), we don’t often go out in the winter, because it is way too cold.  The only way most children are going to be able to get this much vitamin D is too supplement it.

I luck out that my daughter takes vitamins without a problem.  However, my cousin’s daughter will not take anything.  An easy way to get the vitamins into your kids is to use Emergen-C Kidz Complete Multi Vitamin and Multi Mineral Supplements.  For kids 4 and older, all you do is add a packet of Emergen-C Kidz to 4 - 6 ounces of water and stir.  For kids 2-3, use a half a packet with 2-4 oz of water.  Emergen-C Kidz has 24 essential nutrients including choline, 500 mg of vitamin C, and 400 IU of vitamin D.  It also has beta carotene, vitamin E, zinc, iron, and phosphorus (there are several more vitamins too!).  If you notice, Emergen-C Kidz offers more health boosting vitamin C than the leading brand to help support their immune systems.  It is available in major grocery stores and drug chains and in health food stores.

This passed the kid test in my house.  We tried the orange pineapple explosion, and Madison drank it in one sitting.  She like the flavor and wanted more after she was finished.  If that flavor doesn’t sound like something you’d be interested in, this also comes in Strawnana Berry and Cherry Yumberry (ok, I can’t even type that without giggling a little.  Your kids will love those name as much as I do.

Your kids will like their fizzy drink and think they are getting a treat, and you, as a mom, will know that they are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.  I promise, I’ll keep it our little secret.

Teddy Bear’s Fun to Learn First 1000 Words is book that is great for all little ones. My 4 year old enjoys it just as much as my 1 year old. Granted, you won’t find las vegas hotels in here. However, there is pretty much everything else. Each page in the book has a theme (like the beach). It lists the theme and a ton of items to go with it (for example, the beach pages show things like sunscreen, water wings, sailboat, beachball, etc). There is also a picture in the center of the page with all the miscellaneous items.  There is also a short poem asking you questions about the theme.  Will (my one year old) just likes to look at everything and go “ohhhh”.  Madison (my 4 year old) enjoys looking at the pictures and telling us what each thing is.  She likes to answer the questions for us too.  My only complaint is that the pages are paper which are a little to easy for Will to rip.

This book is great because your little ones can use it as they grow older.  I would definitely purchase it a birthday, baby shower, and/or Christmas gift.  The little ones who you are getting for will get a lot of use out of it!

I swear my husband has the most disgusting vehicle ever.  I have often talked about what crappy gas mileage we get with the Jeep, but I have never talked about how gross and filthy it gets.  It is nasty.  Bill works a lot of time on job sites.  Now, this can mean everything from buildings already done to those that are just breaking ground.  He also carries a lot of tools and supplies for the guys in there.  Needless to say, his Jeep has a layer of dirt in there that I didn’t think was possible to clean off.

Turtle Wax ICE™ Total Interior Care came to the rescue.  I know when I think of Turtle Wax, I always think of the great job they do on the outside of our vehicles.  However, they do as great of a job on the inside too.  You know that layer of muck I was just talking about — gone.  It didn’t take much elbow grease either!  Our 5 year old Jeep looks almost brand new on the inside with its cleanliness.  I am impressed and I don’t mind sitting in the Jeep now.

It doesn’t get easier than this to use either:

· It is best to apply wax on surfaces between 55 and 85 degrees

· Apply the wax to soft, cotton, damp cloth and apply to the surface to be protected. Use a separate cloth to remove the wax

· Wax should be reapplied when water beading diminishes

The other cool thing with the Turtle Wax ICE™ Total Interior Care is that it has so many uses besides your car.  First, try this on your patio furniture.  It’ll keep the dust, dirt, and grime off it, and keep it looking like you just bought it.  My favorite — use it in the bathroom.  You can say goodbye to soap scum.  In the kitchen, you can use it to remove stains from appliances and other kitchen surfaces (like my old crappy countertops).   It will also clean stains on carpets and leather furniture!

There are so many uses for Turtle Wax ICE™ Total Interior Care that it is definitely worth every cent you pay for it.  You’ll be finding yourself running out to get more quite quickly when you see how good it works.