This past weekend, I headed to Chicago to meet up with Verizon and some other Midwest bloggers. This is to kick off participating in several months of the Verizon Wireless Midwest Savvy Savers program. The kickoff was great because not only was I able to meet my fellow bloggers but also get hands on training for the first device we will be trying out!

Since downtown Chicago is not that far from my home base, I decided to drive instead of fly. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know I don’t always have the best of luck when I fly. I mean, I’m still alive and all, which is FANTASTIC but about 1 in 3 flights ends with some sort of delay, missed flight, landing gear issues, lost luggage, etc. Plus, three hours in the car or two hour round trip drive to the airport, plus security, short flight. It only made sense to drive.

Driving also allows me to bring my little Thirty-One Products cooler to save on waters and other drinks on my trip. It is so sleek and stylin’, you can hardly tell it’s a cooler.  Then again, it was probably not the smartest move to drink 64 ounces of water but two medium coffees on my drive.

On my drive, I relied on the Waze app on my phone to learn about any speed traps, traffic, and other obstacles on my route. This is a completely free app with user generated information. I arrived at the Hard Rock Hotel and met up with Tracie, Penny Pinching Mom, one of my long time blogging buddies from Kansas.

The room on the 18th floor at the Hard Rock Hotel was modernly decorated and very spacious.  However, I was right by the elevator and that made it a bit noisy. It didn’t stop me from sleeping later, though!

Sooooo….what device did we received to start out with???? We had been been teased previously with two clues…

Clue #1: It has a “sweet” yet “intricate” operating system. (Sweet as in Apple? Blackberry?)

Clue #2: Your device is tough. Strong like a Gorilla. Keep the guesses coming! (Gorilla? Oh, like Gorilla glass perhaps?)

Drumroll….

It is the Droid Xyboard 10.1 Tablet by Motorola.

Did you guess right? I had no clue so don’t feel bad! ;) 

I’m a little lost in the Android world as I’m a Apple products girl. It will be a learning curve and I will be comparing it extensively to our iPads, which I LOVE. Be prepared for some very honest and open reviews about the Droid Xyboard 10.1 Tablet by Motorola!

Already, I’m loving the speeds of the Verizon 4G LTE network, which is something that is actually available in my rural area! Hulu Plus, Netflix, with NO buffering is something I love.

You will have to wait for the next series of posts where I will share some of the cool things I’ve discovered on the Droid Xyboard. I’ve already found some really cool things and of course, there are a couple things I hope they improve too!

The best part of the trip was THE PEOPLE I met! The bloggers and the people who work for and with Verizon and Motorola are all fantastic.  Don’t they just look like a fun bunch?

 Do you have a Droid Xyboard Tablet? Share your thoughts and any tips/tricks in the comments.

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Midwest Savvy Savers program and I have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product. Learn more on how I disclose on my Disclosure Policy page. 

My kids have never <knock on wood> had dreaded lice yet. However, I did spend quite a bit of time with a Mission Group in Guatemala doing lice checks and treatments for kids who were infected very heavily with lice. Since then, I haven’t been as petrified of lice, though, I most definitely don’t want my kids to get it!

Elementary and Pre-School aged children are the most likely to get lice. The majority of the 12 million cases report annually are within that age group.

There is a product you can use to help prevent lice naturally. Fairy Tales Hair Care Rosemary Repel Collection are hair products infused with organic rosemary and citronella oils, which are proven to effectively and safely repel lice. No harsh chemicals!

Use the Rosemary Repel shampoo, cream conditioner, leave in conditioning spray, styling gel, or hair spray to help effectively prevent lice. Plus, it smells good! I’ve also noticed that I don’t have to use conditioner on Sofia with this shampoo as I’m able to brush through her hair easily after just the shampooing!

You can track outbreaks in your area to see if you need to up your prevention with the FREE Facts of Lice Apple App.

I received items to facilitate this review via Team Mom. Post was written 100% by me and was not edited by the sponsor. Read more on my Disclosure Policy.

The Good Cook Pancake Creator is such a cool little gizmo. Of course, since my kids love pancakes, I jumped right on this review product. It is also an cheap and inexpensive way to make your breakfast fun.

Somehow the cap of our Good Cook Pancake Creator was missing. I’m not sure if it wasn’t sent or when the kids ripped open the package if it disappeared at that time. Regardless, it made things a little more difficult as you are to shake the contraption to mix the batter. However, because the cap was missing, it was difficult to get a good shaking going while keeping my finger over the hole.

One thing I learned if you have to really make sure all the lumps are gone from the mixture as it will clog up the nozzle. I also thinned out my pancake mix just a bit as it made it easier to create your designs!

I have the sweetest son! I said, “These really don’t look that professional.” He said, “Mom, these are the best because you made them.” He can be soooo sweet when he wants! :) The kids were really excited about these even as I compare myself to some of the really cool creations at Pancake Creations.

Some of my designs…

My favorite, though, was the Luigi which Eli asked me to create based on his favorite stuffed animal. His older brother won this for him while we were at Kalahari a few weeks back. It’s somewhat recognizable as a Luigi!

Good Cook Pancake Creator is priced at $7.99 online and at many retail outlets. If you purchase online at GoodCook.com you will also receive a FREE Pancake Turner with your purchase!

What do you think? Would your family enjoy this? 

I received items to facilitate this review from GoodCook.com. Post was written 100% by me and was not edited by the sponsor. Read more on myDisclosure Policy.

People who know me, know that I’m not very outdoorsy nor mechanical. We once had a kid’s tent, which I could never figure out how to put together. Instead, the kids ended up playing with the pieces as swords.

So when Coleman told me they had a Instant Tent, which you could put up in 60 seconds or less.  I almost didn’t believe it. Really, could it be?

I’m here to tell you it’s true! It is the 60 second up and down tent, which will give you more family time as you are camping or playing outside as well as eliminate frustration as you are setting up.

While we didn’t go camping in the woods, the kids were thrilled to have the tent up in the back yard to play with. If we did go actual camping, this Coleman 60 second tent is big enough to fit our entire family of six with ease. There is also a 2-3 person tent and a 4 person tent available in the Coleman Instant Tent Line up.

The first time, it took me around 5 minutes. Which is still fabulous time to put up a tent. Take down is just as easy and I’m certain the next time I put up this tent my time will be reduced.

Want to win one? Coleman is offering a Instant Win game on their Facebook page for a Coleman Instant Tent or a Grand Prize Package of a Summer Vacation package. Contest ends September 5, 2011 so enter today!

If you hate bugs like me, you can also print out a $1 off Coleman Insect Repellant too!

Have you seen or heard of the new Slim Fab line available at Kmart? I was sent a couple pieces to try out and it isn’t your typical shapewear. Instead it is a collection of clothing from tops to bottoms that has built in slimming technology.

Like many moms, I have a muffin top. Sometimes when I wear typical shapewear, it is either too tight or won’t stay in place. I absolutely loved the Slimming Top for it’s comfort as well as style. It is also priced right for my budget!

I decided to wear the Slimming Top to a recent graduation party. It felt good to wear something that was comfortable yet made me feel confident in my appearance.

What do you think? Would you try Kmart‘s Slim Fab line?

Read more reviews from Bargain Briana or at the Buzz by Bargain Briana.

Products in this post were given to me by Kmart to facilitate this post. Post was written 100% by me and was not edited by the sponsor. No other compensation was received.  Read more on my Disclosure Policy.

Through MommyParties, we were sent a fun Zhu Zhu Babies party kit! What are Zhu Zhu babies you may ask? They are the baby Zhu Zhu pets complete with accessories and clothing.  Since, my kids were already fans of Zhu Zhu pets this was a perfect fit for our household.

Before the party, I didn’t even know these cute little toys excited. Each Adorable Deluxe Zhu Zhu Baby comes with a swaddling blanket, stroller, hat and accessories! They are perfect for little girls who love to play babies or little boys who like things with wheels! :) Because you know the little strollers make perfect cars when there are no cars around!

If you already have Zhu Zhu pet items, you can easily incorporate these babies in with the “mommies & daddies.”  The sets are so colorful and fun for the little ones to play with. The babies themselves are perfect on the go toys too!

All the little girls at the party enjoyed taking home a special little gift including their own Zhu Zhu Baby.

Read more reviews from Bargain Briana or at the Buzz by Bargain Briana.

This post is sponsored by MommyPartie. Post was written 100% by me and was not edited by the sponsor. Read more on my Disclosure Policy.

3D is one of the hottest trends around and here in the form of a Singin’ Sea Creature 3D puzzle. Put together the 46 piece colorful floor puzzle. Then, slip on the 3D glasses for a magical experience – you will see fish swimming towards you! So much fun for the kids (and big kids too!)

Why is it sneaky? On top of the fun 3D images, hidden within the puzzle are all the letters of the alphabet and numbers 0-9. This is a large puzzle as you can see from the picture. It was a little hard to get the entire puzzle into the pictures because of it’s size.

Actual size is 2′x3′. For ages 3 and up. Retails for $14.99 and can be purchased from Amazon.

Read more reviews from Bargain Briana or at the Buzz by Bargain Briana.

This post is sponsored by X. Post was written 100% by me and was not edited by the sponsor. Read more on my Disclosure Policy.