The Best of Mommy Bloggers Carnival

Welcome to The Best Mommy Blog Carnival

It is hard to believe I signed up for this blog carnival six months ago! Wow, where does the time go? With this said, I am so excited to host this stop on the blogging carnival, all of the posts listed below I enjoyed reading and I hope you will too.

Please take a moment to Tweet, post on FaceBook, or even on your own blog to pass along these great stories and tips with others.

**NEW POST...11am**

"Why Should you Consider Keeping Your Twins or Triplets Together in School?"

Kathryn Whiteley of TwinParenthood.com, shares her insight and research about what should be considered when decided to keep your multiples together or separate in school. This is very interesting to me, as my toddler twins enter into Pre-K, and my husband and I have to date decided to separate them. After reading Kathryn's blog post, I may have to think a little more about this decision and will most definitely share with other moms of multiples.

"And exactly when did I agree to this?"

Susanna, of A Modern Mother blog and facilitator of The Best of Mommy Blogs jests about our role as moms and how we relate with our spouse in handling the children. When looking from the outside in, it can be quite funny. However, when moms are plagued by clueless dads, those simple responsible tasks of watching our kids in or outside the home can be a bit frustrating.

"BlogHer or Bust!"

Bridgette of Experimental Mommy, recently shared her excitement about attending the upcoming BlogHer '09 held in Chicago on July 24-25. Described as a "virgin" blogger, Bridgette anxiously is ready to make her way to the "windy city" to meet some of the most admired bloggers on the web. She posts about the emotional roller coaster her thoughts tell her what to expect or might be expected of her at the conference. Learn how Bridgette comes to realize why she is truly attending this annual event.

"If You Knew Suze, Like I Know Suze"

Beth Feldman of RoleMommy.com recently had the opportunity to meet and learn some unbelievable information about Suze Ormond. Everyone would love to know how to save & make money like Suze. You will be surprised to learn more about her and this unique blogging event Suze attended in New York.

"Make This the Summer to Remember: Teens and Volunteerism"

Susan Heim, owner of TwinsTalk.com & author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More", "Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power" and many more books shares her parenting tips on her blog. A mother of toddler twins plus two teenage sons, we she has a great deal of insight to offer other moms. This particular post is a great reminder of alternative ways for our children to spend time helping others, not just focused on making money. Walk down the parenting path with Susan as she supported one of her children who was unable to find work, but received more than money could offer.

"Through a Child's Eye's"

Son Time Now blog offers a wide variety of mommy tips and in her post for today's carnival, she approaches from a different perspective. Have you ever thought about interviewing your child or children? You will find a few creative questions to learn some interesting thoughts your child may have, you would have never known unless asked. Don't let this special opportunity with your kids be missed.

"Back to School for Working Moms"

Diane Lang, author of My Happy Blog, is a Therapist, Career Counselor and Life Coach with an expertise in multiple mental health and lifestyle needs. Her passion of helping women find their place in motherhood and the workplace is apparent in her recent book "Babysteps: The Path from Motherhood to Career" and in her speaking engagements "The Super Mom Series". Diane's offers great tips for any mom who is performing the balancing act of work & school (for kids, that is!).

"Who Knew What We'd Find?"

Follow along with Shannon's family during the recent Independence Day weekend. Their day trip was all planned out, but along the way they discovered... You just never know where each turn may lead you. Shannon shares the simple pleasures her boys experienced on this day trip.

Are you interest in hosting a future carnival, through A Modern Mother, and learn what blogs to submit your posts to if you want to join in the travels, head over to the Carnival Schedule.

Thank you for visiting Tiger Twins In The Bayou and the other mommy bloggers who participated in this week's carnival. Don't forget to join the Bayou by adding yourself on the right to follow my little Tiger Twins.

Sink or Swim ~ That Is The Question

Whew! I survived swim lessons. Now, I hope my kids know to swim, not sink.

Thanks to Fishy Aquatics in the neighboring town of Gonzales, all three of my kids were able to learn how to swim in a small group over four weekends in June.

The first lesson was tough, not so much in the pool, but getting the kids to put their swimsuits on, getting in the van and then getting them out of the van and to the pool. Seriously, I had to bribe the kids each step of the way for the majority of the lessons. I can look back now and laugh, but it was a daunting task. On Saturdays, my husband had to work, so it was mom against the fishy trio.

If you have ever heard of twins swapping behavior or roles, well, it is TRUE! The first four lessons, my soft-spoken Nicky was so excited to be in the water. He splashed, kicked, blew bubbles and giggled. I was worried he'd choke on a mouth full of water, he giggled so much while taking his lessons. Jack on the other hand, would not have anything to do with the water, instructors or his friends. He had his mind made up, he was not doing it. Well, as you can see in the picture, he did finish and even smiled on the last day! However, on the last day, little Nicky was not too excited and I would have sworn that the two switched personalities for the day.

Thanks, Anne, for coordinating the lessons at Fishy Aquatics. It was so nice to know that my kids were able experience this with their friends. As if learning to swim isn't scary enough to a toddler, I think knowing who is sitting next to you in the pool made it a little more comfortable for them.

I'm happy to report the Tyson Trio will be swimming from this point forward.

Happy Father's Day

Fathers across the country hopefully received jovial cards, homemade pictures or breakfast in bed from their little rascals. Traditionally, I always cooked breakfast for my parents for Mothers Day & Father's Day. With three toddlers, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

This year we did things a little different. We attended church and thanked our Heavenly Father for all that he provides for us. Soon there after, we packed up a feast of a picnic (thanks to Nana's preparations) and headed for the park.

It was nice & quiet, not too many others thought of spending Father's Day in the warm, humid Louisiana air. But we found the perfect shade tree and just the right breeze, kept us comfortable. The kids ran everywhere and for the first time in a long time, my husband and I were able to just relax and watch from afar, as they discovered the beauty of nature.

After playing on the swings, slides and see-saw, we headed to LSU and fed the ducks. The kids had so much fun throwing bread in the water. And, they were more excited to see a few fish & turtles, too!

What more could a dad ask for on this special day? We will have our work cut out for us next year, as we try to top this year's memories.

Niche Business Ranks 33 of 200 Leading Moms in Business Competition

In January, I found the 1st annual Leading Moms in Business Competition on StartupNation.com. It didn't take me long to realize this was a win-win opportunity to become a participant.

Once I registered Gemini Greetings®, I quickly started spreading the word about the competition and begging for votes. So many friends & family were supportive of this endeavor, and passed along the link to so many others. Not only was I increasing my popularity meter with votes, but more people were learning about my business.

In May, I was very excited to learn that Gemini Greetings® ranked 33 of 200 Leading Moms in Business. In addition to receiving this recognition, we were featured in an article about niche businesses. Read more about Gemini Greetings® at StartupNation.com.

Thank you so much to everyone who faithfully voted for Gemini Greetings® and spreading the word to others.

Giving the Easter Bunny Our Pacifiers

This morning was the beginning of a new era in our home of three toddlers. All of us agreed, including the kids, that we would give the pacifiers to the Easter Bunny.

Okay, so I know the twins were way too old to have pacifiers, but there always seem to be a great excuse to put it off. And with a younger sibling, well, we just knew the boys would take their baby sister's pacifier.

A couple of weeks ago, one of the twins' tooth turned gray. Which meant a visit to the dentist. If you have a toddler who has had a habit of sucking on a pacifier or their thumb, I am sure you heard the same thing I did, "No more!!". My son heard it straight from the dentist's mouth, so he knew it was serious.

When we returned home to his brother and sister, he shared the news with his siblings. They didn't think much about it at the time. With only a week or so until Easter, my husband and I decided to wait for the holiday to "give" the pacifiers away to the Easter Bunny in exchange for an Easter basket full of goodies.

Honestly, I don't think any point beyond the age when I child is truly "attached" to something, is too late. I had no problem with the twins transitioning from bottles to sippy cups, they were 11 months old. My youngest, it was another story. But I think it was just pure laziness on our part as parents and the "2nd child" or in my case, "3rd child" syndrome.

So, as I type this blog, my dear husband is soothing my youngest, as she begs and pleads for her pacifier. I know that each night will get better and it is what needs to be done. After all, we are the ones who allowed this bad habit to go on this long and we will now pay the price to break it.

Mums the Wurd!

This past Saturday I threw my twin girls their first birthday party. Fun was had by all and not only did a lot of friends and family come to celebrate but they also brought a ton of gifts and cards! I noticed a lot of the cards that we received were either two of the same card or a card made for a singleton with an “s” handwritten to make girl into “girls” or some such variation. There just aren’t many greeting card choices for twins– until now. Read on...

Be sure to stop by this great mom blog and leave your comments.

Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

Support us in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

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Locked Out ~ Now What?

There is nothing like being left out in the cold by your three toddlers.

Monday mornings are often know to be quite chaotic, but today was a little overboard. Getting three little munchkins fed, dressed and out the door in about an hour's time is no easy feat. It is my morning routine and for the most part it does move along smoothly.

We woke up to temps in the high 30's, so loaded up the van and started the engine. Upon my return to the front door, I realized the storm door was LOCKED!!

Imagine yourself being Mrs. Kravitz living across the street from me...watching the silly mom going from window to window peeking through the blinds looking for my kids. They didn't answer the door, so I figured I'd find them in one room or another.

Finally, I catch the twins under the covers in their beds and lil' sister climbing on the bed to hide, too! It didn't take much to get them up & out and opening the door. Argh!! They marched one by one outside & in the van without a word.

That was enough comedy for one week. Surely the rest of the week will be dull and boring, right?

Toddlers & Brushing Teeth

I don't know about other parents, but I dread this hygiene chore for the kids. My husband has seemed to master it and the kids respond well. For me, the kids fall to the ground, wiggle around do anything possible to get away from the sink. Daddy on the other hand, allows them to choose a flavor of toothpaste and has taught them to take a sip of water to spit out the toothpaste.

Who does the tooth brushing with your kids in your house? Is it a 30 minute chore or the norm of the daily schedule that the kids have accepted without question?

Baton Rouge Family Welcomes Quadruplets

Being the busy working mom that I am, I don't get to watch the news very often. I most likely listen to the news via the radio, both local and national. Of course, I would have to be living under a rock to not have heard about the "octuplet mom" in California. I'm so tired of this story and honestly am exhausted with my own life to even think about all that is involved with them.

However, at 4pm I received a message via Twitter looking for a local family to do spot for the 10pm news. Our local station WAFB 9News was running a story to update our community on the Lambe Family who recently welcomed quadruplets, identical boy triplets and one daughter. The babies were born in Arizona, and will return back to the 'Red Stick' in a couple of months when the babies are ready for their trip home.

I responded to the 'tweet' and within an hour and a half I had a reporter and camera man in my dining room interviewing me & my kids. I prepped the kids the best I could, but what do you expect from toddlers? At least they were not screaming and being animals, right? Special thanks to my hubby for the speedy clean service so the kitchen would be presentable for the news.

To see the newscast from Monday, February 16th click here.


Don't forget to stop by StartupNation.com & vote for Gemini Greetings® in the Moms In Business contest. Vote daily by following this link.

The Trouble with Boys via Manic Mommies

The Trouble with Boys

As a GalPal Member of Manic Mommies, I am an avid listener to Erin & Kristen's weekly podcast. Being a mom of twin boys, this week's podcast was a 'must listen' for me. If you have boys, know someone with boys.

They say boys will be boys, but it seems it's a lot harder to be a little boy these days. But don't take our word for it. This week we're joined by Peg Tyre, investigative journalist and author of The Trouble With Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do. We also share exciting news about our new 2009 sponsor.

The Manic Mommies Podcast is driven by Saturn.

Links Mentioned: | Buy Peg's book on Amazon| Visit Peg's website | Read Peg's NEWSWEEKIMSaturn article |

Listen to this show
iTunes | RSS | MP3

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Support Gemini Greetings® in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

This is the first annual competition for Leading Moms in Business presented by StartupNation. Determined by popular vote, will rank the top 200 mom-run businesses across America as determined by popular vote.

• Throughout April, winners will rank ordered according to votes accumulated.
• StartupNation will select a variety of moms from among the finalists and create editorial feature stories about them.
• Winners will be announced in early May, 2009.

Winners will be part of a very high profile list that will be published and promoted widely in traditional media such as national and local TV, radio, in newspapers and magazines, and on some of the largest, most influential websites on the web, MSN and StartupNation among them.

It takes less than 10 seconds and two clicks of your mouse. Just visit http://www.TinyURL.com/GGstartup and click on "Vote for Me".

Supporters of Gemini Greetings with the Moms in Business competition will receive a
25% discount at www.GeminiGreetings.com

Write a BLOG about us using the link: http://www.TinyURL.com/GGstartup

Announce your support on TWITTER & ask others to VOTE & re-tweet ~ http://www.TinyURL.com/GGstartup

Once you have done either of these items, return here and comment below about how
you "added fuel to the fire" in support of Gemini Greetings participation in the 2009
Moms in Business Contest. Once posted, you'll receive an email with a promo code for
your discount.


IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SPONSORED BY

WBO American Dream

If you have not heard about Margie Zable Fisher, you have come across the right blog to obtain great information while being inspired to reach YOUR American Dream.

What is your version of the American Dream?

Maybe it’s to do what you’re passionate about. To be in control of your time and your finances. To provide a healthy, happy life for you and your family. To give back freely to your community and the things you believe in. Or all this and more.

One thing we know as women business owners … we are fortunate to have many options about what we want, not just for ourselves, but for the people we love. .

My American Dream -- actually I call it the “New American Dream” -- is to do what I am passionate about. ~ Margie Zable Fisher

It also includes having enough money for the things your family and what you want, keeping a healthy and happy, managing time efficiently, giving back and living a meaningful life.

Margie was fortunate to have found her New American Dream. And she wants you to find it. too.

But it’s not something that’s on autopilot. Living the New American Dream is an ongoing process – like running a business, staying in a marriage, keeping fit. It requires us to continually learn and grow.

To learn more visit...http://www.wboamericandream.com/

Free Swami Baby Boutique T-Shirt

Receive a FREE Peace & Love T-Shirt with ANY Swami Baby purchase

February 2009

February is finally here. It is one of my favoite months! Groundhog Day, My Birthday, Valentine's Day, and Spring is within striking distance, what more could you want? Well there is one more thing... a crazy great promotion for this Month:

FREE SHIRT!

Receive a FREE Peace & Love T-Shirt with ANY Swami Baby purchase at www.swamibabyboutique.com.

Offer good from 2/1/09 until 2/5/09. To redeem this promotion just write "SBB free shirt (and size-women's size s, m, l, or xl, note, shirts run fitted)" in the "Add special instructions to merchant prompt at the check out.

In addition, forward this promotion to a least five people and cc katie@swamibabyboutique.com and I will enter you name to win a 75.00 gift card to www.swamibabyboutique.com

Gemini Greetings® Is On Fire! Can You Help Spread It?

Leading Moms In Business Contest

Gemini Greetings® is participating in the 2009 Leading Moms In Business contest at StartUpNation.com, sponsored by Ladies Who Launch.

• Mom owned business are registering now & recruiting voters daily
  
• Throughout April, winners will be ranked in order according to votes accumulated.
• StartupNation will select a variety of moms from among the finalists and create editorial feature stories about them.
• Winners will be announced in early May, 2009.

Winners of the Leading Moms in Business ranking will be part of a very high profile list that will be published and promoted widely in traditional media such as national and local TV, radio, in newspapers and magazines, and on some of the largest, most influential websites on the web, MSN and StartupNation among them.

The publicity is priceless. By requesting you and your friends to vote for Gemini Greetings®, YOU are helping bring awareness to these adorable greeting cards and driving traffic to GeminiGreetings.com.

Many of my family, friends, co-workers and networking buddies know that I am a mom of twins, plus one. Working full-time, I spend much of the remainder of my time building my dream company, Gemini Greetings®, which launched in January 2008.

After only one week of being registered for this contest Gemini Greetings® received over 200 votes. This number needs to snowball into the thousands as weeks pass and truly have an opportunity to be in the top ranked Moms In Businesses.

How can YOU help Gemini Greetings® be a winner?

• Bookmark this link: http://www.TinyURL.com/GGstartup
  
• Forward this blog post to friends & family and ask for their vote.
  
• Add link to your calendar with a daily reminder to vote every day.
  
• Why not? It is free and only takes seconds to do & it feels could to help
  

I appreciate all of my customers, friends, family and businesses who have supported Gemini Greetings® through my its' year of business.

Support Gemini Greetings® in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

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