Water on Wheels at Lowes in Garland
February 28, 2010 by Texasholly
Filed under From the Editors, feature
YAY!
I was able to go to the PUR Water on Wheels truck tour today on it’s stop in Garland.
Here my story (just click on the photo to see the slide show):
I was really excited to learn about the water pitcher cartridge system. Once the cartridges are in the pitcher (or in your faucet filter) YOU decide how much flavor to add to your water.
You can NOT click for flavor-free water, or you can click numerous times for EXTRA flavor.
I really think this will help my family drink more water because the flavors are very family-friendly: lemon, strawberry, grape and raspberry.
My favorites were lemon and grape.
The Donated Room – Bow Holder
February 28, 2010 by Jamie
Filed under cheap, free & easy, feature
I’ve seen cute bow holders before. But I’ve pretty much never seen anything as adorable as the bow holders from Add a Lil Charm (A local etsy store out of Southlake, by the way) is pretty much the cutest I’ve ever seen.
It looks so cute with bows on it!
Yeah, it’s really that cute.
Thanks for the donation Add A Lil Charm!
Tom Thumb shopping carts get tricked out!
Things have been changing at my local Tom Thumb grocery store! Each time I stop in lately I notice little changes that making the shopping experience a little more relaxing. And yesterday morning I had to get a lot of groceries in the late morning, it was going to be dangerously close to my daughters nap time – so I was anticipating a melt down at some point.
I’d noticed a few times that there were strange looking “kids carts” at this store, but I am a bit of a germa-phobe and I usually opt for a regular cart with my cloth cart insert surrounding the baby. But this time I decided to try out these new fangled carts! So fun! First of all the carts are made to look like cars that the young children can pretend they are driving. There is a seat belt inside, along with a steering wheel. So I whipped out some sanitizing wipes (because I am still me) and wiped the whole inside out- and then let my daughter get in. She was delighted.
(Mom! Mom! I think I’m driving a car!! Am I allowed to do this mom?!)
So these carts also have small video monitors in the child’s portion of the car – and the parent has a control panel at the top of the cart that allows them to either keep the video off- or choose from a selection of child friendly cartoons that play while you shop. I put on Playhouse Disney, and my daughter sang along with Mickey. I could see her at all times because there is a clear window at the back of the car. So I could be sure that she was still sitting, and was safe and happy. The parents computer panel also had the option of watching videos on food preparation, or meal ideas. I didn’t use that, and the only thing that came on my screen was a commercial every 5 or 10 minutes. They were played at a low volume though, and I could easily ignore them if I wasn’t interested. No commercials play on the monitor inside the child’s car, just whatever cartoon the parent chose, or nothing if the parent doesn’t turn it on.
(mom, would you stop tapping on the window to say hi to me?? I’m busy driving this car!)
And just when I thought the fun was just for the kids, I turned the corner and ran into the STARBUCKS that’s inside the grocery store. Obviously, I had to check out their brew… for quality control reasons. It was pretty yummy ladies. I won’t lie. Plus our tricked out cart had a cup holder so I could shop, and sip my latte. Did you notice the grey cup holder in the previous picture? How could I let that poor cup holder stay empty? It just wouldn’t be right.
(The pumpkin parked patiently at the Starbucks, waiting to get on the road again.)
Overall, I really enjoyed our experience with the TV carts. I wouldn’t use one every shopping trip, because I’d miss interacting with the pumpkin. I like talking to her, and telling her what we are putting in the cart. However, if I was a mom juggling more than one child, this would be a real life saver. And I will still occasionally use these again when I have a lot of shopping to do, and I want to prolong the time that I can safely stay in the store while my daughter is entertained.
Mostly I’m just happy that grocery stores are trying to take the needs of moms into account as they design for the future.Some of the other features I’ve noticed are wider aisles, employees that offer to help you load your groceries in the car, and large common seating area equipped with free wifi. I don’t need a grocery store to have these amenities, I mostly just want fair prices and a safe atmosphere. But it is extra nice to have an errand you have to run, turned into an errand you want to run. And that does keep me coming back!
Has anyone else noticed grocery stores stepping up their game lately??
(kid cart off into the sunset….)
http://www.milkandcuddles.com/
The Donated Room – Peace Sign Stool
February 27, 2010 by Jamie
Filed under cheap, free & easy, feature
No room is complete without a little peace, right? Well, this stool donated by Ali Katz Design pretty much ended up making the donated room of awesomeness about nine times more awesome.
Ali Katz Design has some of the cutest hand painted wood stuff I’ve ever seen, and it’s high quality, too. I love that she takes the time to seal her work and even add some funky fiber.
Look at these adorable hooks. I think I will have to get one in blue just to… you know… complete the room. 
Family Visits PUR Truck Event
February 26, 2010 by BlessedinTexas
Filed under family, feature
We visited the PUR Water on Wheels Tour at a local Lowe’s. The Water on Wheels Tour has several activities and lots to learn about clean water.
The PUR station offers taste tests comparing local water with their filtration pitchers and without. The water from the PUR filtration pitchers had a clean, fresh taste compared to local water which tends to have an odd taste and odor to me. There were also samples of their new flavored waters that have zero calories and zero sugar. I love flavored water because they are so much healthier than soft drinks but still give you a little kick when you want something more than plain water. PUR offers raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and grape flavor cartridges that go on top of your PUR pitcher.
I’ve used the PUR water filtration pitcher in my home so I already know that I like PUR for their great tasting water. However, until today I didn’t know that PUR is also reaching out to help provide clean water to developing countries. There is a display at the event about the Summit on the Summit and the trek up 19,340 feet to the top of Mt. Killimanjaro to raise awareness of the water crisis throughout the world. There is even a climbing wall on the side of the truck but you must be 18 years or older to climb it. Fortunately, Nicholas was content to just get his picture next to it.
I’m amazed at that PUR has technology that can turn the dirtiest looking water into clean safe drinking water for people in developing countries. Check out this video by PUR and learn how your purchase of a PUR filter system can provider 10 liters of clean water for those in need. That’s something to feel good about!
PUR will also donate 10 liters of water to developing countries for each person that signs up as a fan on the PUR Facebook page.
Want a great deal for yourself? If you purchase a PUR pitcher or faucet system during this event at Lowe’s, just bring it to the PUR truck in the parking lot and you’ll receive a free replacement filter!
Go find the PUR truck for yourself this weekend at these DFW locations:
Feb. 27 – Saturday: Lowes – 4305 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth
Feb. 28 – Sunday: Lowes – 2949 N George Bush Freeway, Garland
Don’t forget to enter the PUR sponsored $400 Lowes card giveaway here on Burb Mom by clicking here!
Strapped Olympians
February 26, 2010 by bianca
Filed under Inspiration, feature
I’ve been watching the Olympics since I was in primary school. I remember putting the tape in the VCR (those of you born in the 90’s, think pre-DVD times) and recording the winter games so I could watch them over and over. I think I had convinced myself that if I watched them enough times I’d somehow absorb their talent and have my own chances at being an Olympian.
I also love watching the Olympics because I can feel like part of the winter festivities, without actually having to get cold. I love the snow, but only if I’m actively participating in it so as to keep my body hot.
Speaking of being active in the snow, have you all seen the US Women’s Ski Team in action this year??? And apparently they weren’t just getting after it in Vancouver, but they were also gettin busy in Jackson Hole, Wyoming! What exactly were they doing there you ask? Getting Strapped of course! Jackson Hole is home to StrappedBelts.com and recently 3 of our US Women Skiers (Hailey Duke, Megan McJames and Sarah Schleper) partnered up with StrappedBelts.com to get schooled in the art of wearing some seriously eye-catching bling.
The girls had just walked in the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics and had some free time before hitting the slopes. They were told to do anything, but nothing athletic. From the looks of these photos, Hailey, Megan and Sarah even know how to make fashion a sport!
Strapped Belts was launched in 2008 by John Frechette. After his employer went bankrupt, John found himself Strapped; strapped for cash and strapped for a job (boy can I relate to that)! Using his new found time John began dabbling in some of his passions, photography and painting, which eventually led him to discover his unknown love for glass! Beyond belt buckles, Strapped Belts also offers fused glass cufflinks, earrings, rings and even some houseware items! For BurbMom Readers: John is offering 25% your entire order if you simply enter the code OLYMPICS at the checkout. Go ahead, try your hand at the sport of shopping…
The girls obviously scored big with this partnership but it’s no surprise they would gladly put their Strapped treasures aside to sport some Olympic Medal bling…and we sure hope they will!
The women will participate in the final games Friday, February 26th. For more Olympic Ski coverage, check out the U.S. Alpine Ski Team or NBC.
Photos courtesy of Kelli Baxendale.
My Little Tikes Love Little Tikes
February 26, 2010 by BlessedinTexas
Filed under family, feature
When Nicholas was little, we spent a lot of time with his friend Katie. Katie had a Little Tikes Garden Activity Center toy. It’s just a little plastic structure that has a door and some little toys to play with, a mail box with removable mail, and a garden with vegetables you can actually harvest. I thought it was cute but had not considered getting it for Nicholas because it was expensive and I didn’t think he would play with it enough to get our money’s worth.
However, every time we went to Katie’s house, this was his favorite toy. The two of them would play in it most of the time. After seeing how much he loved it, I re-considered buying one for him but it still seemed too expensive since he would probably be growing out of it soon. So I never got one for him.
I recently saw this same Little Tikes Garden Activity Center for sale on Craigslist. It was used but in great condition with all of the toys and parts in place. This time I wanted to get it for Rachel to play with. Since it was used I got it for a great price. Little did I know that Nicholas would spend more time in it than Rachel! At 5 years old, he still loves this thing! Here he is putting a carrot through the mail box…so many ways to have fun with it
If Rachel crawls into it, Nicholas gets all excited that she is in their “club house” and he runs over and gets inside it with her. It is not a large structure. It’s not really intended for a 5 year old to play in. But somehow, just barely, Nicholas can squeeze into it with Rachel. He loves to show her how to play with the toys, harvest the fruit, and collect the mail from the mailbox.
Cortdera Park in Flower Mound
February 25, 2010 by BlessedinTexas
Filed under To Do in DFW, feature
We love spending time each week at a local playground. This week we checked out Cortdera Park in Flower Mound. It’s a newly remodeled park on Cortdera Dr. which is off Morriss Rd, near the post office. It has a nice playground, a pond, and a big open field. The playground had some cool things we haven’t seen before at other parks. Nicholas loved these climbing disks.
And I don’t quite know if these are for walking on or swinging on but Nicholas enjoyed walking back and forth on them.
And the slides at this park were really cool! Wheeeee!
It’s fun to try new things! Get outside and go to a park you’ve never been to before and see what fun awaits.
Lego Mania!
February 24, 2010 by BlessedinTexas
Filed under To Do in DFW, feature
The Lewisville library has a special event for little builders. It’s called Lego Mania! We recently stopped by to check it out. We were a little late so everyone was already absorbed in their creations but Nicholas quickly found the table with the cool Star Wars Lego pieces and went to work building.
It was neat watching the boys at the table. None of the boys seem to know each other and they were each building their own ships yet for the most part they would help each other find particular pieces that each other needed. It was a great experience in teamwork.
Lego Mania! is held on the fourth Sunday of each month at 2:00. There are tons of Legos as well as Duplo blocks from younger children. And best of all – it’s FREE! The Lewisville Library is located at 1197 West Main in Lewisville and their phone number is 972-219-3570.
Easy Cheesy Chicken Muffins
These are so yummy and even great eaten cold!
Ingredients:
- 1 can Pillsbury dough (I used the kind that you have to cut- you can use Crescent Rolls or Puff Pastry as well)
- 1-2 cups Shredded Chicken (I used an already cooked rotisserie chicken)
- 3/4 cup Cream Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dried or Fresh Chopped Onion (optional)
- 1/2 Finely Diced Red Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
- 1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
- Cut dough into squares and place in muffin tin that has been covered with cooking spray.
- Put a large spoonful of mixture inside and seal by twisting the top shut.
- Spray or brush with butter sprinkle parmesan cheese and thyme on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
