Woolizes Dryer Balls - Review

All dryer balls are created equal!!  NOT!!!  Some are better than others and some are WAY better than others :)  Some dryer balls are made with wound together wool yarn, but the AWESOME ones are fully felted!  The fully felted dryer balls, like Woolzies, tend to last longer and they don't shed on your laundry.  Because who wants to find extra fuzz on your diapers and clothes?  Not me :)

When you buy dryer balls from Woolzies you do not have to think about how many you will need.  They come in a package of 6, which is a great number to start with, for $35.99 plus shipping.  That is a great price for something that is handmade and comes from a family business!!  Make sure to check them out on Facebook for awesome laundry tips and extras or on Twitter!!

A Little About Woolzies (From the Manufacturer)

Not my picture (from Woolzies Facebook page)

Welcome to the official site for Woolzies, the all natural fabric softener. Woolzies are pure handmade New Zealand wool dryer balls that soften your laundry naturally without any of the chemicals of conventional fabric softeners. Unlike the plastic dryer balls, they are PVC free and won't fall apart or melt on you. Woolzies save time and energy by cutting down on drying time by an average of 25% per load. They also help reduce static and wrinkles.

Use Woolzies to snuggle up with naturally downy soft laundry that's completely free of harmful chemicals. Woolzies are also hypo-allergenic and totally safe for people with wool sensitivities as they will not shed onto your laundry.

Unlike even natural dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners, Woolzies last for hundreds and hundreds of loads and are therefore extremely eco friendly. So why risk your health and waste your money with regular fabric softeners when you can save time, energy and money with all natural pure Woolzies!

My Thoughts

Personally I do not know how I ever survived without dryer balls!!!  I usually only use them anymore for my diapers because I am always losing them in my laundry :)  I am lazy and just throw all of my clean diapers in a laundry basket and grab them from there.  When it comes time to wash I can easily find my dryer balls in the almost empty clothes basket :)  If I have a small load of laundry or I am actually going to do something with it right away I will use my dryer balls then, but I am a Mama and that does not always happen :)

My real diaper laundry :)  It my diaper basket!

I especially love these dryer balls because they are super light and fluffy.  They are fully felted which makes them dense but not heavy.  You do not even notice that these are in the dryer with you stuff.  They add NO extra sound!!!  So I can throw these in with my diapers overnight and go to bed and the dryer is not any louder than it always is, which is AWESOME!!  They also help my clothes dry faster so at night the dryer is not on as long!  Making it a win, win!  No extra noise and a shorter drying time :)

If you cloth diaper you NEED some awesome dryer balls :)  They make your diapers softer than if you didn't have them and they help them dry faster (especially the AIOs)!!!  And Woolzies sent me an awesome tip, that sounds a little crazy :)  But put a foil ball in your dryer, about the size of a dryer ball, and it will help even more with static!!!  

Thanks Woolzies for your awesome dryer balls that I can use at all hours of the day and night :)

All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.  A set of dryer balls was provided by Woolzies for review.  No additional compensation was accepted for this review.   

      

Accessorize Your Stash in August - Woolzies Dryer Balls

Welcome to the Accessorize your stash in August Event, hosted by According to Jenny and So Easy Being Green! We’re taking a fun spin on the Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop Events and bringing you one with lots of accessories to use with your fluff!

This Event will run from August 24 - August 31st! Each blogger has a great Prize for you, so be sure to hop around to them all and Accessorize your Cloth Diaper Stash!

Here at SAH CD Mama you are entering for you chance to win a set of 6 Dryer Balls from Woolizes!  This makes a great starter set for anyone who has never used dryer balls before or an awesome addition if you already do :)   Make sure to check out my REVIEW of these awesome dryer balls!!!  Good Luck and Happy Hopping!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Facebook is in no way affiliated with this contest or its sponsors. Please note that SAH CD Mama, According to Jenny, So Easy Being Green, and the Accessorize your Stash participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 4-6 weeks for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

1st Day of School!!!

 So yesterday was the OFFICIAL 1st day of Homeschooling!!!  I have done some light schooling with A over the summer but yesterday was a real start.  Over the summer she started scaring me that I would not be able to do this :(  She would mess around and no listen.  I was getting super frustrated with her.  There was screaming and tears and I was starting to regret my decision.  It did get better over time but I was still worried what "real" school would be like.

So when we started yesterday I thought to myself that it is a new start.  To just leave everything else that happened behind and see what happens.  I also had in the back of my mind that it was going to be the same as it was and I was worried about that :(

Yesterday went GREAT!!!  I was so excited with how well A did and how excited she was that it was the official start to school.  I think she thought that we were just playing around over the summer but now she knows it is down to business!  She also did awesome today so hopefully it continues :) 

Keep a look out for weekly to every other week updates on how things are going, what we are learning, what I am learning, and just homeschooling overall!!!

jChews Now Available at Eyla's Imports!!!

Eyla's Imports Distribution welcome jChews by Jellystone Designs!

jChews
“BPA free silicone teethers that babies really want to sink their teeth into!”

jChews are the perfect compliment to the wide range of chewable, suckable and tuggable silicone jewelry by Jellystone Designs. jChews are truly a “silicone product for all ages and stages.” jChews by Jellystone Designs are 100% BPA free, funky silicone teethers that babies really want to sink their teeth into!

 

SMART PHONE

The real Smart Phone. For smart moms & smart babies.

We all know how much babies love nothing more than teething on mom & dad’s cell phone. Jellystone Designs has created a safe and ideal solution where both parents and babies are happy.

No dropped calls and no contracts required! Smart Phone jChews are soft on gums and ideal for teething babies.

Available in 7 funky, bold colors (Scarlet Red, Hot Pink, Grassy Green, Canary Yellow, Smokey Black, Blueberry & Purple people eater)

 

CHOCOLATE BAR 

The guilt free Chocolate Bar.

Jellystone Designs has created a fun way to help your baby teethe with baby’s first Chocolate Bar.

All of the fun of chocolate with none of the guilt! Chocolate Bar jChews are soft on gums and ideal for teething babies.

Available in Milk Chocolate only

jChews are 100% BPA free silicone teethers that babies really want to sink their teeth into.
Size: approx 2.36in x 4.33in x .31in

For information on jChews and on retailers who will be carrying the line, please follow Eyla's Imports on Facebook!

The Laundry Tarts - Giveaway

I know after reading the awesome review for The Laundry Tarts that you now want a chance to win your own sample pack :)  Well here is your chance!!!  Enter on the Rafflecopter below to win a sample pack.  Contents of sample packs are not guaranteed but there will be a little of everything included!!!  Good luck and here is to your laundry smelling sweet with a kick of Tart :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Laundry Tarts Detergent - Review

 I received the yummiest smelling package about 2 weeks ago from The Laundry Tarts!  It smelled so good that you could smell it even through the plastic DHL bag that it came in :)  There were 3 different detergent scents, a Sweet Spot Stain Bar, and a bag of Strip It!  It took me a few days to recognize the scent that was the strongest out of everything.  I finally figured out that the smell I recognized was the Sweet Spot Stain Bar and to me it smells like Sweet Tarts!!  How yummy :)

Apple Pie, Black Forest Cake, Banana Bread!!!  Yummy :)

I have tried a few different CD safe detergents but NOTHING smells like The Laundry Tarts does!  This is the only detergent I have tried that actually leaves a nice light scent on your diapers even after they come out of the dryer!  And it is not an overpowering smell just enough that you smell it when you open your dryer or put you nose in your diapers :)  But it does smell delicious.

A Little About The Product (From the Manufacturer)

All natural laundry detergent from Laundry Tarts! Our natural, safe, and old fashioned ingredients remove stains, keep whites bright and remove odor and bacteria without masking them with harmful chemical fragrances. Our detergent is safe for HE machines, sensitive skin, and cloth diapers!

Try one of our DELICIOUS scents today!

Apple Pie
Banana Bread
Birthday Cake
Bubble Gum
Black Forest Cake
Key Lime Pie
Pina Colada
Root beer Float
Strawberry Shortcake
Plain Jane

- Hypoallergenic
- 100% vegan
- Residue free
- Safe for both top loader and HE machines
- Free of phosphates, EDTA, phthalates, parabens, SLS, SLES, nitrates, sulphites, chlorine
- Size: 4 lbs (72-144 loads)
- CLOTH DIAPER SAFE!!

*Made in North America (Canada)*
We are passionate about the environment and are dedicated to providing products that do not harm the environment. We have made a commitment to the earth to use only safe ingredients and follow that commitment in everything we do and make. The Laundry Tarts adheres to a 100 mile rule, where all the ingredients, packaging, labels and manufacturing occur within a 100 mile radius, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging environmental awareness.Our products are completely biodegradable (including the packaging), hypoallergenic, 100% vegan and free of phosphates, EDTA, phthalates, parabens, SLS, SLES, nitrates, sulphites and chlorine (we are also one of the only companies to list ALL of their ingredients without misleading the consumer) ! What do we use? All natural, safe old fashion ingredients to remove stains, keep whites bright and remove odor and bacteria without masking them with harmful chemical fragrances. We use only phthalate free oils, meaning no ingredients will be left on your clothing; only a fresh, clean smell from dissolving odors-not masking them with synthetic fragrances!

My Thoughts

If you want to have your CDs smell super yummy then I would definitely try The Laundry Tarts.  The biggest problem with The Laundry Tarts is that only 6 retailers in the US carries them :(  But one of my favorite stores, Buttercup Baby, does carry them :)  They also run a little more expensive than some other big name brands.  But I have had less problems with my diapers since I have been using their detergent.  So I think it is worth the little bit of extra money :)  We tend to get ammonia overnight but it seems to be less potent now that we are not using what we use to use :)   

Sweet Spot Stain Remover

The scents that were sent to me were Black Forest Cake, Apple Pie, and Banana Bread.  I have to say that my favorite is Black Forest Cake.  It has a super yummy chocolate smell to it but is not overpowering.  It does kind of make you want to eat your diapers though :)  The Apple Pie and the Banana Bread were not bad but not my favorite.  The hubby said they smelled too much like soap and once he said that then I started thinking the same thing :)  But once your diapers come out they don't smell like soap anymore, just yummy :)   

The Laundry Tarts does not make a separate detergent for different water types so you do not need to worry if you picked the right one for your water.  I have no idea what kind of water I have, but I believe it is normal :)  But they makes it simple so who cares what kind of water you have!!!  I also received a Stain Bar and a bag of Strip It but have not needed to use them yet.  But I can't wait until I do (just so I can check it out!)

Strip It!  for stripping CDs :)

 Overall, if you are not happy with your current wash routine and/or detergent it is time to try something different.  Or even if you are happy with what you use now and just want some a little different I would say to give The Laundry Tarts a try.  What is the worst that can happen?!?  Your laundry area will smell super yummy and you may try and eat your washing machine :)

Please make sure to check out The Laundry Tarts on Facebook, Twitter and even YouTube!  You can also check out their website to find US retailers and also retailers in Canada and Europe depending on where you live :) 

All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.  This sample package was provided by The Laundry Tarts for review.  No additional compensation was accepted for this review.

A New Decade Giveaway Event!!!

Meegs from A New Day is celebrating her 30th Birthday this week! And she's decided to give you the presents. Check out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win one of four great prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Box Day!!! AKA My Birthday :)

Once I decided on my curriculum I was super excited to order it!!!  For some reason I could not wait for it to get here even though it was the end of May :)  So I got the email that it had shipped and when I looked at the estimated arrival date it just happened to be my BIRTHDAY!!!  I don't know why I was so excited for it to come on my birthday but I was.  Maybe because it was like getting an extra present?!?!

So I am the type of person that checks tracking numbers daily just to make sure everything is on track and my package is not coming earlier or later than I expected.  We don't use a door to get in and out of the house.  We climb through the window, right?  No we use the garage so we don't always see packages unless either we are expecting them or looking for them.  And I didn't want my curriculum to sit outside in case it rained or someone really wanted it for themselves :)

So the package was still expected to arrive on my birthday that morning.  But FedEx doesn't usually come until late afternoon.  So we went about doing my birthday stuff (since it was a Saturday).  I got my new carrier that day!  We went to dinner, you know all the fun stuff :)  But when we got home that night there was another awesome birthday gift waiting at the back door!  MY CURRICULUM, I mean A's curriculum!!  She was as excited as I was for it to be here.  She keeps telling everyone that she is going to Mommy School this year :)

It came in a nice size box so I knew there were lots of goodies in it!  We immediately opened it and started going through everything that came.  This was the 1st time A was seeing any of her new school books.  She loved the covers and wanted to immediately start school.  The covers of the books are super colorful and make you want to look through them.  I told her about everything that she was going to learn and she could not wait to start.

But it was only June 2nd and she just finished up school a couple weeks before so we were not going to start right away.  I told her we would start doing some of it in July.  So July came and we started doing just some of it to get a feel for how things will run and how we are going to learn from Mommy :)  So far she has liked it but we have not really done everything that goes along with it.  But tomorrow 8/13 we START school!  She is super excited and we want to be done in May not June :)  Plus starting now allows extra time for if things come up or we want to take a week vacation we will not be putting ourselves behind!

My Box of AWESOMENESS!!!

What All We Got With Our Curriculum

All of this came included in the Pre-K Multi Subject Package

I opened it :)

1-inch Poly Binder
A Child's Book of Art
A Treasury of Mother Goose Rhymes
ABC
American Tall Tales
Children's Book of Virtues
Core P4/5 Instructor's Guide
Developing the Early Learner, Volume I
Developing the Early Learner, Volume II
Developing the Early Learner, Volume III
Developing the Early Learner, Volume IV
Eric Carle's Animals Animals
Family-Time Bible in Pictures
First Thousand Words
How Do You Lift a Lion?
How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World
Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?
Milly-Molly-Mandy Story Book
New Toes for Tia
People
Stories from Africa
Stories from Around the World
The Berenstain Bears' Big Book of Science and Nature
The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit
The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit
The Gods Must be Angry
The Lion Storyteller Bedtime Book
The Year at Maple Hill Farm
Then and Now
Things People Do
Uncle Wiggily's Story Book
What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew?
What's Under the Sea?
Why Do Tigers Have Stripes?

I also got her a couple extra things that I felt she needed.  This specific curriculum does not come with any handwriting.  And since she had already started handwriting in her 3 year old preschool I felt she needed to continue.  So I decided that I liked A Reason For Handwriting the Kindergarten version.  I only bought the student workbook through Sonlight because I found the teacher guide for a lot cheaper through an independent seller on Amazon.

I also decided that I needed to add Math for her because she is a little Math genius :)  She is just like her Daddy!!  She is only 3 and can already do simple addition, subtraction and multiplication.  So I decided to get her a Kindergarten Math curriculum.  I was looking into Singapore, Saxon, and Horizons.  But between reviews, looking at the curriculum itself and recommendations I chose Horizons Math K.  I bought my Math from Sonlight but I did not buy their manipulative to go along with the curriculum.  I already had a bunch of stuff and I bought what else I needed. 

Everything to teach my baby for the year!!!

Overall, I am super excited about what I decided to purchase and can't wait to officially start tomorrow!! :)         

Curriculum!!! What to pick?!?!?!

Once I decided that I was going to home school A this year I then had the huge task of figuring out what I was going to teach her.  I taught 4 year olds for a number of years so I have a pretty good idea what she needs to know going into Kindergarten.  But I really was not up to the task of putting together an entire year program with no outside help.  It just seemed to overwhelming and I knew that I would never be able to stick to it.  So I started looking for home school curriculum for pre-k.

The problem is when you Google for home school curriculum for pre-k you get a TON of options.  So what should I chose?  What was important to me to teach her?  What would she like?  What was cost effective?  Where do I even begin?!?!!  These were important questions to me as a mom and as her now "teacher".  I didn't and don't want to be the reason she does not have a great foundation for school.  I sadly taught kids like that and I didn't want my child to suffer.

A few people that I serve with at church home school their children so I went to them for advice.  Especially one that I fully trust will put me on the right path in this new adventure.  She did not start homeschooling her children until the were in 2nd grade or so.  She didn't have any personal experience that I could pull from for teaching a 4 year old.  But she did know people that had taught pre-k to their kids.  She recommended 2 different "brands" or programs.  The 1st was Abeka and the 2nd was Sonlight.  I had already been looking into both of these programs.  She told me that a lot of her friends that home school their little ones use Sonlight.  So I thought I would check into that even more :)

I had heard of Abeka before and know that a lot of people use it.  But I had a really hard time figuring out what I would even need to order to use the program.  There was no here this is what you should buy or here is a started kit.  They have 109 products listed just for 4 year olds!!  It was very overwhelming and confusing.  Their FAQ really was no help :(  I really wanted to like Abeka and chose it but I just couldn't.

I had already been looking into Sonlight.  I actually even looked at it LAST year before sending A to 3 year old preschool.  But last year I decided to send her instead of home school her.  This year was going to be different :)  Sonlight made everything super easy to figure out.  Especially for preschool and pre-k.  The "Cores" are broken down by age and once you go into your core it is super easy to pick what you need and want.  For pre-k it is super easy because they only have 1 package you can get :)  Everything is included that you need to teach for the whole year!  Their FAQ area was very helpful, as well as their advisers that you can chat with online.  They even have Forums where you can chat with other moms.

Sonlight made the whole idea of homeschooling a lot easier for me.  I decided to go with Sonlight because it answered all of my questions just they way I wanted a curriculum too :)     

• What should I chose?  A curriculum that I feel I could teach her!  One that she will like and be interested in :) 
• What was important to me to teach her?  I want her to have a well rounded foundation.  It has to have a Bible curriculum included.   
• What would she like?  Something that has wonderful books that she has not already read and something that can keep her attention! 
• What was cost effective?  Since everything was included it was reasonable.  Not sure cheap but not super expensive $339 for the preschool curriculum (I added extras to it but you can see what and why in the Box Day post).  But I could do a payment plan to spread out the cost :) 
• Where do I even begin?!?!!  Open up the lesson plans and pull out the books :)  Everything is already done!

I had found my curriculum and I am super excited about it!

Fall in Love with Handmade - Blogger Sign Up!

Join Going Green With the Grizls, The Vagabond Studio, and Eight Days a Week in celebrating handmade products from WAHMs, entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the Fall in Love With Handmade Giveaway Hop! 

The theme of this Hop is Handmade, so anything goes! Diapers, jewelry, clothes, you name it, if it's handmade-- it's in! Each blog will be responsible for hosting their own giveaway for an item(s) of at least $25. Those blogs with giveaways valued at $100 or more will be given a special feature in the linky title.



There will also be a Grand Prize made up of all types of handmade products! This is a free blogger opportunity, if you would like your Facebook page added to the Rafflecopter form we only ask you to pretty please create a post about the giveaway event on your blog to help spread the word! Be sure to use the button above and post it in your sidebar! It's not required but would be greatly appreciated! :D



Facebook links are free and you can also add a Twitter, Pinterest, and Linky Followers or GFC link for only $1 a piece! Whoever gets the most referrals wins a prize so be sure to let everyone know! 



The giveaway will run from September 1st through the 14th. Go here to SIGN UP! After you have signed up, be sure to join the Facebook group to stay updated on changes and announcements! 



Also, be sure to add yourself to the linky below!



We look forward to working with you and celebrating all things handmade!

"Booby Traps" and Clueless Doctors - Guest Post from EcoMommy in Training

I have an AWESOME guest post for you from a very close friend who has decided to really start on her blog :) Let me introduce you to Melissa from EcoMommy in Training! She has 2 kids, S who is 11 years old and Baby E who is 11 months old :) She has been CDing Baby E since she was just a couple months old. And is actually the person who got me into CDing and the reason behind the blog :) She has been a huge behind the scenes help to me from the beginning and I am excited to start following her on her adventures in wanting to be a granola mom! Please go and check out her blog and check out her new Facebook page that she is just starting to put together. I can wait to see the awesome things to come :)

"Booby Traps" and Clueless Doctors

From Melissa at EcoMommy in Training

I sure wish my neurologist got the memo about breastfeeding, I mean it is World Breastfeeding Week! You hear about “booby traps” all of the time, be it clueless people making rude comments, media, or the hospital staff, all of them add up making it difficult for a well-meaning mom to nurse. I had one of those moments today with Dr. S, who I don’t think I will be returning back to. I was referred to this Dr. for a VERY bad case of restless legs and suffice it to say I will be going elsewhere from now on. Flat out she told me I need to quit nursing to go onto Requip, I told her about how they had me on Tylenol 3 from my general practitioner. I only take the pill at night after my DD has gone down for the night and only when the pain is such that I wouldn’t be able to get to sleep otherwise. She told me I was only sedating myself and that I need to quit nursing (again). I informed her that my daughter was 11 months old and I had no plans on when I was stopping, to which (yes again) she told me that I should stop she was almost a year and it was time. YEESH, so much for that Dr….


This happened only a few weeks after I decided I also needed a new general practitioner. At my daughters 9 month checkup the Dr. told me at 12 months we could talk about weaning. I informed her that I was planning on going with the WHO guidelines or leaning towards baby led weaning. Without missing a step she ignored what I had to say and told me again that at the next appointment we would talk about quitting nursing. Blink, Blink, HUH, did you not hear what I said lady (That’s what I wish I had said) but I just said, oh ummm okay. A little later in the appointment I got the “hairy eyeball” look when she told me that my DD needed a shot and I informed her I would nurse through the shot. The Dr. then told me how she was so surprised my daughter didn’t cry. Another one of those moments where if I was a little more forceful I would have pointed out that, of course she was great about it, I mean she had a mouthful of her favorite thing she isn’t going to let that go!


These are just two of the more recent episodes that I have had. Unfortunately for me ALL of my bad experiences with breastfeeding have come from medical staff. Really when you think about it that’s so very sad. I can only imagine if I was a less informed woman, I mean they already make me feel bad and I honestly feel what I’m doing is right. You want to trust that your health care providers are going to do the very best for you and know the correct answers for your questions and all of your health needs. I am so grateful that I have such a supporting husband, friends, and LLL that I can lean to when I start to doubt myself (because a ‘smart’ Dr told me I was wrong). I only wish that every mama out there had the same support, be it nursing, bottle feeding, or donor milk!


Don’t let the “booby traps” get you! Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

Does it look like I'm ready to stop? -Baby E