I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Mabel’s Labels. I received a voucher to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Kids are out of school, summer is in full swing and it’s time to get kids ready for camp! It can be overwhelming getting everything they would need packed and ready, but what is more overwhelming to me is the possibility of them losing something while at camp. We all know kids have a special talent for misplacing their items or losing them all together and that likelihood only increases when you aren’t there to magically find it all.

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This is a sponsored post on behalf of Fox Sports and Mom It Forward Blogger Network, as always though all opinion are mine.

Mother's day is a special day for so many women around the world, but it can be heartbreaking for those who are too far away to see their moms. I've always thought it must be really hard for sports teams since most holidays they are on the road and can't be near their loved ones. All you want to do as a mother on Mother's Day is wrap your arms around your child and tell them how much you love them. And when you have a child that plays a professional sport I can only imagine how proud you must be of them and you wish you could always be there to cheer them on. The moms of the US Women's Soccer team got that opportunity this Mother's Day. Little did the team know that as they were preparing for a send off game that all their moms were anxiously waiting behind closed doors for the most exciting Mother's Day surprise. On Saturday night, as the team prepared for a send-off game vs. Ireland (in San Jose, CA) in advance of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, an ordinary team meeting and dinner took a dramatic turn as the featured guests were revealed to be non-other than the players' moms. These moms have been on the sidelines cheering their little girls on from day one, but now their girls are grown up and on the road a lot. So this opportunity for them to see their daughters on Mother's Day is definitely extra special. Here is the video of the surprise and you might want some tissues.

I loved the end of this video, how awesome is it that their moms got to walk them out on the field?! For the first time in the history of US Women's Soccer they were able to share a piece of what they do with their moms. You can see the absolute joy over both the moms and the daughters faces. What a special experience they will always treasure. My Mother's Day with my kids was very special and it's a day I look forward to every year, so I love seeing heartwarming stories like this. I loved when one of the moms told her daughter "I wouldn't be a mom without you" Mother's day is about that special bond we have with our kids and I believe this video embodies just that.

I think it's going to be an exciting year for women’s soccer. Be sure to keep up with the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team on Facebook, FoxSoccer.com, Twitter, and YouTube.com.

And I have a super cool surprise for you!!! Right now you can win a $1000 Visa gift card!! If you win maybe you could take your mom on a trip!

Weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer and that means just one thing to me... it's time to get away! No I'm not trying to flee my home, warm weather makes me want to travel and see new and exciting places. One of my favorite means of travel is by RV there's nothing else like it. Being out on the open road with all the necessities you could ever need right behind you is one of the most freeing traveling experiences you can have. Our family has seen Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Acadia National Park, The Mall of America and so much more thanks to RV travel!

If you are considering traveling by RV this summer here is a list of my top 3 favorite destinations and I also have a great treat for you at the end of this post so be sure to read through! 

#1 Yellowstone 

This wouldn't be a great list without one of my favorite places on it! On our last trip there we spent nine days soaking up all that Yellowstone has to offer and it was a fantastic trip. It was the first time our kids had seen so much wildlife and they were talking about it for weeks afterward. I can't even begin to express how great it was doing the trip in an RV. We were able to spend a whole day at Yellowstone Lake and didn't have to leave to eat or rest and we just hosed the kids down afterward with the outdoor shower on our RV. The difference between a trip we did a couple of years earlier when we stayed at a hotel and drove through with a car and the same trip in an RV was a huge difference.

The trip with the RV was a million times more relaxing and fun! And the conveniences can't be beat, while visiting one of the hot springs my little girl needed a restroom and as we came up to the one located where we were stopped; there was not only one of the biggest lines for a porta-potty I had seen in a long time, but also a smell that was worse than any of the stinkpots in the park. We were saved by our wonderful RV and all I could think is how bad I felt for the visitors that were in cars and didn't have nice facilities to use. It sounds weird, but when traveling with kids you will be so glad you have a bathroom with you constantly in your RV! Traveling through Yellowstone in a RV is a must! 

#2 Yosemite, California

Yosemite has always been a great travel destination, its beauty is unmatched and has had tourists flocking there all year round. This isn't a hotel destination, when visiting Yosemite you want to be out soaking up the beauty as much as possible and the best way to do that is by RV. With the highest waterfall in North America, the granite dome, El Captain (an amazing vertical rock formation) and beautiful valleys with rivers, lakes and more what's not to love? And visiting it all in an RV is a truly unique experience. To be able to pull up to all that beauty and instantly have a picnic, take a hike or go rock climbing is amazing. You can go here to find some great RV campsites in the park and here to check out some great RVing tips from the experts at Go RVing. 

#3 The Mall of America or any other amusement park

This would definitely be my kids favorite and probably not what you were expecting to see on this list. I think a lot of travelers have a hard time thinking outside of the box when it comes to RV travel, but RV travel doesn't have to be restricted to National Parks and it would be a little sad if it were. The best thing about an RV is it's endless possibilities and the positives it can bring to any vacation anywhere across the country. Those "positives" make a trip to a theme park not only bearable for mom and dad, but survivable! If you have been to a theme park with your kiddos you know how fast you can get worn down and how hard it can be to keep your sanity. With that in mind I was concerned how well it would go when we recently took our kiddos to the Mall of America. If you haven't been there it is amazing!! It's not your grandma's mall that's for sure.

With an amusement park, a climbing course, an aquarium, a Barbie Dreamhouse and more it was a little overwhelming and a lot to fit into one day. After a whole morning of rides with the kids and more pink than I have seen in my whole life the kids and I were more than ready for a little nap, but my husband had plans to see a Spiderman movie in a D-box that makes you feel like you are a part of the movie. Normally it would be a nightmare trying to figure out how we could get back to the hotel while he went to his movie, but that was exactly why we took an RV. The three of us were able to take a much needed little break in the RV and it was a lifesaver to keep us energized and ready to get back to all the fun later in the afternoon. An RV really is the only way to go when visiting a theme park or an amusement park.

I can't even count how many times it would have been amazing to have an RV to retreat to while visiting one of the many theme parks we went to in Orlando. I've seen it all over the faces of so many parents too, that look of just needing a little break from all the chaos! So next time you think about doing a theme park vacation for the family remember that RVing is the way to go! 

Those are just my top three, but there is so much more to explore with an RV and so many amazing destinations! Be sure to check out another favorite; traveling through New England in the Fall! And for even more ideas head over here to discover 10 must‐see outdoor vacation spots for families.

If you now are anxious to get started on your own RV adventure you won't want to miss this amazing Go RVing Giveaway!!! 

Head over here  and submit a short paragraph of no more than 300 words about an ideal away experience along with your name, email and mailing address.  

o Sweepstakes begins on 4/1/15 on 5/30/15.  

o Grand Prize Winner receives a trip for four (4) to one of 3 

vacation destinations as selected by the Winner for 6 days/5 

nights of their choice.  

o The first Two Thousand Five Hundred (2,500) entrants will 

receive a Scholastic book! 

Be sure to hurry and get those entries in! 

I have been compensated by VTech for my participation in this campaign as a part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. As always though all my crazy opinions and stories are my own. 

Time goes by so fast, I look around and it seems like my kids are getting bigger by the second and the years pass by so fast. I think we sometimes forget to look outside our immediate family and take a closer look at elder family members and their needs. For grandparents and elderly parents their needs can change drastically with every passing year. I find it hard to come to terms with that sometimes and have to remind myself that they are getting older too and need certain tools set in place to help them out. 

An amazing tool I recently came across is the VTech CareLine, I found this to be a fantastic system that not only helps grandparents keep in touch with friends and family, but also provides some pretty cool safety features as well. I have a grandmother that has been loosing her sight since I was a child and is now legally blind, she can only see a very narrow field of vision and I know this will be the perfect gift for her this Christmas. 

The phone system comes with big picture photo dial, this means you can put the photos of those you call the most or maybe just all the grandchildren  right their on the phone easy to see and you can be talking to them with just the push of one button!

With my grandmothers sight fading this will be a feature that will help her out so much, even when her sight is completely gone she will only need to touch and push one of those four buttons and will be instantly connected to her loved ones. But even better than that is the Portable Safety Pendant that will help you in the event of an emergency. I think we have all seen the Life Alert commercials or other commercials like it that boast a pendant or button system that will alert 911. Unfortunately some of those systems can have a heavy price tag or monthly fees that can add up quick. The VTech Careline comes with a pendant that comes with no extra monthly cost or fees. With a push of a button she can contact emergency services or she can contact a family member or friend. I love that it doesn't have to be programmed just to dial for 911 sometimes you might have an emergency that a friend or family member can help you out with that doesn't warrant five emergency vehicles showing up at your doorstep. 

The phone I received for this review I gave to my father in-law to use and to get his thoughts and opinions on it, and the longer I watch him use it and discover all it's pretty neat features the more I realize what a great fit it is for even more of my extended family members. My father has had hearing aids for a while now and I know the Amplified Sound and the Audio Assist would be a great help to him. Now before I get a angry call from my parents... let me clarify they aren't elderly in the least, but you don't have to be elderly for this system to be a great system for you! I bet right now you can think of several family or friends this would be great for. 

I know a few people with children that have medical issues and sometimes those few seconds of running to grab a phone to dial 911 can make all the difference. Having the Portable Safety Unit for a family with medical concerns would be a great asset. 

Be sure to also check out all the amazing Amazon reviews of the product! It got four stars! 

If you are finding yourself getting a little stumped on what to get the grandparents this year I would highly recommend the VTech CareLine! And I have a little surprise for you today! I am giving away one VTech CareLine (Retail Value: $169.90) to one lucky reader!!! Be sure to enter below and let us know, "How would VTech CareLine™ give you peace of mind and your elderly loved one’s a sense of independence this holiday season?”

Also be sure to check out these other wonderful blogs that are participating in the VTech 12 days of Christmas! 

http://amomwithalessonplan.com/christmas-gifts-for-grandparents/

http://b-inspiredmama.com/2014/12/holiday-gift-guide-grandparents/

http://stuffparentsneed.com/gifts-for-those-with-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease/

http://www.yourmodernfamily.com/grandparents-gift/

http://blommi.com/vtech-careline-for-grandparents-gives-the-gift-of-peace-of-mind/

http://www.mynewestaddiction.com/2014/12/12-days-of-christmas-vtech-careline-giveaway.html

http://www.simplydesigning.net/best-gift-ideas-grandparents/

http://www.playpartypin.com/2014/12/gifts-for-grandparents.html

http://www.amomstake.com/2014/12/5-great-gifts-grandparents/

Good luck and may your holidays be merry and bright! 

I have been compensated by Mattress Firm for my participation in this campaign as a part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. As always though all my crazy opinions and stories are my own.

We all know that we function better throughout the day if we have a good night sleep the night before, but getting a good nights sleep goes further than just not being cranky the next morning. Here are just a few of the benefits to getting a full night's sleep:

1. Sleep is restorative for the brain.

2. Too little sleep can lead to weight gain by altering levels of the hormones that regulate satiety and hunger, leading to overeating, overweight, and obesity.

3. Growth hormone is secreted during slow wave sleep.

4. Insufficient sleep is associated with a higher incidence of behavioral problems, especially attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

5. Memory consolidation occurs during slow wave sleep, meaning that the different pieces of what we've learned during the day come together coherently so that the knowledge can be accessed when needed.

6. Kids with more sleep see more improvements in school.

7. When kids sleep well, their parents' sleep improves, doing wonders for their ability to function during the day (and maintain their sanity in the evening and night).

As moms we know that we want our kids to sleep well and school aged kids should be getting between 10-12 hours of sleep, and I think we all know what happens the next day if they don't get that sleep. I think though that as parents we sometimes forget that we need to give our kids the right tools to achieve those 10-12 hours. And one of the most important tools we can give them is a good mattress that fits their needs. "Replace Every 8" isn't just for grown-up mattresses, but kids mattresses need to be replaced every eight years as well. When getting a new mattress for you child you want to make sure you are getting something that fits your child and their needs.

Here are just a few things to consider:

Size: The mattress size you choose will mainly be about your personal preference. While a twin mattress is common for younger children, larger beds will allow for future growth and tend to be preferred by older children.
Firmness: The ideal mattress for a child will provide the proper support while cushioning developing bodies. Regardless of the bed type or size, children need firm support to ensure their spine and bones develop properly and stay in alignment.
Breathing Sensitivities: If your child has allergies or asthma, you may opt for a synthetic-filled mattress to resist dust mites and allergens. When shopping for a bed, look for mattresses that also have microbial or hypoallergenic fill and covers to help reduce these potential problems.

Taking these things into consideration will help you find just the right bed for your child. It's also really important to get a mattress from an expert, and someone that has your needs in mind and doesn't just want to get you out the door with a new bed, and that's why tons of families choose Mattress Firm. Mattress Firm has experts that are there to guide you through the process and make sure you get what is right for your family. Mattress Firm will support you through every phase your family goes through, Mattress Firm grows with you!

Recently we found our little boy sleeping on the floor even though he had his own bed. My husband and I couldn't figure out why he was doing it. I didn't like to have to lift him back up onto his bed every night, but I also didn't want to just leave him on the floor. After about a week of him sleeping on the floor I started to wonder if he was just unhappy with his bed. He was four and sleeping in a toddler bed, but the mattress was the same that was in his crib as a baby. It was definitely time for a new mattress for him and time for a "big kid" bed.

We went and he got to pick out his own mattress, which he was super excited about. Once we got it home I knew we had made a great decision just by looking at how happy he was with his new bed. If you are looking at getting your kids a new bed, but you are worried about the costs of it all remember that a bed is an investment that will last 8 years! Also a well rested child means a well rested mom.

He also loves his really soft Mattress protector, which works great and I don't have to waste a fitted sheet on his bed! I also find this incredibly necessary for younger kids, it's always good to protect against any night time accidents. You don't want to ruin the new mattress you just got!

I also want to talk a little about another sleep essential: good pillows!

What would sleep be without good pillows? Without a great pillows we would get even less sleep. Pillows can either provide you with the beauty sleep you really need or rob you of it with a restless sleep. As I get older unfortunately I find myself experiencing more aches and pains and when I notice those aches and pains the most is right after I wake up. That's a horrible way to wake up; I want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day not like I have been sleeping in a torture device for the last 8 hours. I have two little ones that depend on me being at my best and instead I find myself afflicted with a headache for half the day. I knew I couldn't keep going like that and the final straw was when my little girl asked me one day, "mama why do you always have a headache? Do all mama's have headaches in the morning?" After that I realized I needed to do something and I needed to invest in my sleep. Proper sleep is the best asset I have to a happy and productive day. First step and the easiest is to get new pillows, and no I don't mean head to Walmart and just start trying all of them out, that will only lead to a lot of disappointment. No you will need a professional, you need a serious pillow from a sleep expert. You need someone that knows what they are doing when sleep is concerned, you need Mattress Firm.

One of the most amazing pillows I have ever used is from Mattress Firm and I now will never rest my head on anything else! They come with either a coconut scent or lavender (I personally prefer coconut). You can check them out here! And I will also be giving two pillows away!! Be sure to also see the experts at Mattress Firm for your next mattress and get the best sleep you can!