Like it or not FB is a constant in our lives. The little  familiar blue can be found on every  web page, commercial, & product packaging these days. It is literally everywhere!

There have been several articles & arguments whether this culteral fenomenon is a good or bad things. There are those on both sides of the fence. I do not claim to be n either side & admit to being a regular facebooker.

I do know that they are teaching marketing students the importance of such social networks as Twitter & Facebook. I also know that the president of our class recently put together I entire high school reunion on Facebook. And thanks to the wonders of its world I know have a relationship with a long lost sister & my grandmother can see pictures of my kids from miles away!

On the other hand there are those who miss use, and I often  of stories of predators trying to steel your credit card & your daughters innocence all from your PC . My dad is so against putting his info up online he wont even go near it for fear of being hacked.

So, what do you think? I am a I said a facebooker you can find me at  http://www.facebook.comJenna Conover ! 

My Current Profile Pic!

My family and I even joke and call it crackbook, because it can be so addicting! I like it and use it for work, marketing, keeping in touch with friends & family ect.  I also have not had any bad experiences, but I do know of people that have gotten viruses and some other unpleasant experiences as well.

My kids are not old enough for a FB but that is another scare all together. I would definitely monitor it but how much canyou really do?Just google keeping kids safe on Social Networks and it should be enough to makeyour head spin.

So I wonder is our bloved Facebook a friend or foe? I am not sure! Are you?

Nothing says summer to me like rasberries and ice cream! So today for a fun treat with the kids we put them together to make my favorite treat, rasbery vanilla ice cream! I used an Electric mixer, (don’t tell my dad his hand crank’n heart would break)and this vanilla ice cream recepie. However I didn’t have half and half so I used one exra cup milk and one extra cup cream to sub! Turned out amazing!

You can find all kids of fun ways to make this frozen treat. I keep it simple, and use this recipe for most all my bases and just add to it. But google ice cream recipe and you can find a ton. You can also buy mixes that are pre-made.

So what ever makes your mouth water  and gets the kids involved go for it!  Happy Summer Mommies!

Vanilla Ice Cream

Our annual family camping trip to anywhere with a lake over the Fourth of July, is a tradition I hold near & dear. We love to be together & enjoy this time of patriotic celebration the best way we know how in this part of the land of the free. We boat, camp, fish, climb, and bask in the hills of Wyoming & Colorado. It is here that we center over a cup of coffee & and fishing pole, remember those that have fought and are fighting to keep our country free, and most of all make memories with our family.

While I am super stoked to get as far back into the Wyoming back county as one can get with two young kids and a tent trailer. I realize that this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. However I do know that this a holiday that every red blooded American is celebrating this weekend. So I am curious….

How do you celelbrate? Where do you go? What do you do?

What makes the Fourth of July special to you and your family? 

What does this holiday mean to you & your family?

What is your favorite dish on the Fourth?

While I am watching a sunset over the Windrivers this weekend I hope that you will enjoy your family and traditions as much as I do. Then drop a comment for me about your celebration details. Maybe we can learn from each other. Help each other start some new traditions, or at very least have a new recipe to bring to the red, white, & blue table next year.

Happy Fourth Of July Friends!

Jenna

 I shy away from recommendations due to the fact that I am no respecter of authors, and will read anything on any subject. My reading  go’s in cycles . I may hit series every now & then, but I am in no way a genre specific reader.I find when I recommend a book people may get an impression of the kind of things I am into, so I try to avoid the pain and judgment that comes when someone thinks they know what you like, and in turn sends tons of stuff your way that is on a certain topic you have no interest in.  Then you are faced with either letting them carry on with the junk, or breaking their heart with the news that you could care less about vampires you just wanted to read Twilight to see what the fuss was about.

On the other hand nothing help me unwind better than a quiet place and a good book.

Any way……….

I did read a book a few weeks ago that was so perfect for busy moms that I had to share it! Mommy Tracked By Kate Gaskell !

Maybe it was the martini next to the toy on the front cover that got me or the tag line “Even moms need a time out”  but something made me pick this one up & I am glad I did.
This book is the tale of  4 moms all with different walks, mothering styles, and parenting experience. The four are friends and the book fallows each’s story as they all intertwine to one novel.

I loved this book as, I do all books that I stick my neck out to recommend, because it was well written! In a funny, quick whit , practical humor that you would only understand if you are a mom! Therefor I highly recommend it to my Juggling Mama readers. It is a quick read, and if you are a busy mom I am sure you will find one or more of the moms in this book to identify with.

Whitney also has four other titles in her pocket. One of which Pushing Thirty is very cute, and I just started it. So grab a martini, pick up this book & enjoy!

Jenna

Fun New community I Joined

I had carefully packed lunches, filled water, and picked up sand toys. All kids were ready! When we got there I organized everything (not cause I am super women, but with 5 kids you have no choice but to be organized) I applied sunscreen and the kids were ready!

All day we played, ate, and enjoyed the sun. I kept a close eye on the fair skin kids. You see mine a dark olive skinned and I can apply sun screen once and forget about it. I have never had the unfortunate affects of a sunburn on my kids.  I was nervous about making sure the blondies in my brood didn’t get pink.

So you can imagine my surprise when my little toe head day care girl showed up today with a burn on her back from the sun. OMG I felt so bad, but how did this happen. I applied three or four times & kept giving them the finger poke check ( I hated that when I was little) ! I thought I had executed the perfect summer outing.  But I was wrong!

I was baffled as to how this  could of happened and it bugged me all day. So I went looking for answers .

Come to find out there are many rules to sunscreen that I was unaware of!  Such as you should get a new bottle every year. Since my boys and I apply once and forget it we never go through an entire bottle and I have had mine for two years. Apparently the active ingredients expire and break down over time. So the cream I applied to my fair skinned charges was pretty much useless . Thank God their burns were not worse & they did have some protection from the lotion it’s self  so that helped.

There were plenty of other things I found out too here are some eye openers  from www.the skincancerfoundation.org

Excerpt from The Skin Cancer Foundation:

The sunscreen aisle of a drugstore offers lots of choices, but which one is right for you? We show you how to find the sunscreen that best fits your lifestyle.

What Are Sunscreens?

Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.

UVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of photoaging. They also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and increasingly are being seen as a cause of skin cancer on their own. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.

What Is SPF?

Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB. SPF — or Sun Protection Factor — is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Here’s how it works: If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer — about five hours.

Another way to look at it is in terms of percentages: SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. They may seem like negligible differences, but if you are light-sensitive, or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will make a difference. And as you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays.

But there are problems with the SPF model: First, no sunscreen, regardless of strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Second, “reddening” of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.

Who Should Use Sunscreen?

Anyone over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily. Even those who work inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for brief periods throughout the day. Also, UVA is not blocked by most windows.

Children under the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun. Shade and protective clothing are the best ways to protect infants from the sun.

What Type of Sunscreen Should I Use?

The answer depends on how much sun exposure you’re anticipating. In all cases we recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Many after-shave lotions and moisturizers have a sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or greater) already in them, and this is sufficient for everyday activities with a few minutes here and there in the sun. However, if you work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, you need stronger, water-resistant, beachwear-type sunscreen that holds together on your skin. The “water resistant” and “very water resistant” types are also good for hot days or while playing sports, because they’re less likely to drip into your eyes. However, these sunscreens may not be as good for everyday wear. They are stickier, don’t go as well with makeup, and need to be reapplied every two hours.

Many of the sunscreens available in the US today combine several different active chemical sunscreen ingredients in order to provide broad-spectrum protection. Usually, at least three active ingredients are called for. These generally include PABA derivatives, salicylates, and/or cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate) for UVB absorption; benzophenones (such as oxybenzone and sulisobenzone) for shorter-wavelength UVA protection; and avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule (Mexoryl^TM), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for the remaining UVA spectrum.

How Much Sunscreen Should I Use and How Often Should I Put it On?

To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz – about a shot glass full. Studies show that most people apply only half to a quarter of that amount, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is lower than advertised. During a long day at the beach, one person should use around one half to one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle. Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount every two hours. Sunscreens should be reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating a great deal.

Common Myths

Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.
There is some controversy regarding this issue, but few dermatologists believe (and no studies have shown) that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.

If it’s cold or cloudy outside, you don’t need sunscreen.
This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun.

Eighty percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it’s too late to do anything now.
It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adult Americans are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Buy a high-quality product with an SPF of 15 or higher; check its ingredients to make sure it offers broad-spectrum protection; and decide whether it works better for everyday incidental use or extended outdoor use. Finally, look for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, which guarantees that a sunscreen product meets the highest standards for safety and effectiveness. Once you choose the right sunscreen, use it the right way. But remember, you should not rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin against UV rays. By following our Prevention Guidelines, you can lower your risk of developing skin cancer, while helping your skin look younger, longer.

But we still have to save our money and we don’t want to give up the bonding time. So here are a few ways we keep it fresh & frugal around our house!

Theme night! >>> Theme dinner, games, and movies after each of your kids fav things such as hot dogs, field of dreams, and backyard t-ball. Or do a disco fever night with John T and disco ball cupcakes. The sky is the limit!

Camp out! >>>>Take the fun out doors or just out to the living room. Throw out bed time and blow up the air mattress. Just have fun all night with each other no rules just giggles! Or take your movie to the deck and a projector screen.

Take out at home:) >>>>>>> Try your favorite restaurant foods at home. Get the family in the kitchen and cook together. You save money by buying and prepping your own food & the time spent cooking is bonding seasoned with love!

Need some more ideas? http://familytime.com/ has tons!

So enjoy your family this spring . It’s not hard & it doesn’t have to be expensive. Kids need all of you and nothing more.

Why me?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? I have , alot! You know the days. The ones that feel like the only one with a gray cloud following you around it you. Things just keep piling up and never end.

The kids are needy, or sick, or just kids. The hubby is cranky, needy, or just being a man. The mother in law is nagging, the dog ate the trash, the cat ate your underwear, the bill is late, the check is short, the list is not even done, and the laundry is all dirty!

Yeah, it happens to all of us, especially when you have so many things going on at once. Lets face it when you are as busy as we are, and have this many balls in the air the chances of having these days are increased at least ten fold.

But sometimes it feels like you are the only one going through it. Why is it that on these days every mom at the play group or at the office, got their kids out of the house on time and in matching out fits? Huh!!! Why is it this day that you run into that friend you despise because it surly never is her that feels this crazy kind of feeling!

So what do we do when they creep up on us? Well since it is one of those days today all I can do is paste on a smile and continue juggling until it irons it’s self out.  Also remember you are not alone, it happens to all of us & this too shall pass.

I have found that cupcakes are a great way to bring the sweet and save the cash. They are so cute and coast effective that brides are even going to them to save some money on pricey wedding cakes.

I use them for most of my parties because they are cheap & I can so them myself. You can calso find them onlineat sites  such as http://www.cupcakesonline.com/cupcakes.php you can order them and ship to just about anywhere.

If your local bakery does cakes they probably also do cupcakes, and for much cheaper. Along with your neighborhood bakery cupcake specialty shops are popping up everywhere.

I just love them! So if you are looking for a way bring the sweet and save the cash , with out losing the class, then cup your cake!

 While the very thought of driving  the sliding door, mom mobile use to make me cry a little , I am here to say that I was wrong!

Recently I borrowed a friends as I was having all her kids too and didn’t have the room for everyone. Mind you I was squishing 5 kids plus me into a small classy SUV ! (Don’t ask) So I needed more room for a while. But I would never consider a mini van. What would the girls think? I had held rallies against them, burned caravan flags in the street! It was bad enough I had to borrow it, let alone be caught driving it.

So what would they say when on day two I fell head over heals in love with my friends mini van!

Yeah, I know what you are thinking, but I couldn’t help it. The seats were so comfy, the kids had so much room, the  doors opened by themselves! I mean this thing was amazing and I had to have one.

So I handed in my card sent my hubby out to deal with the Wolfe like sales men, and now I am a happy owner of a new mini van! Well new to me a 2007 Kia sedona:)

I never knew I would love a car so much. I still am fighting the need to buy mom jeans, and I prom is I will never show up to drop off in curlers, smoking a cigarette.