Have you ever seen a Lava Lamp and wondered how it worked? It’s all thanks to density!

Some liquids are denser than other liquids, which means they are heavier or contain more “”stuff” per unit volume. A Lava Lamp is filled with liquid and a layer of colored wax on the bottom. The light at the base of the lamp heats the wax. Drops of liquid wax are less dense than the liquid in the lamp. So, as the wax softens to liquid, it floats to the top of the lamp. When the wax cools and becomes solid again, it floats back to the bottom.

You can create a similar illusion using a few items from the kitchen.

Supplies:

• A tall, clear glass
• Water
• Cooking oil
• Salt

Directions:

1. Fill your glass two-thirds full with water.

2. Add enough oil to form about an inch thick layer. Since oil isn’t as dense as water, it will float to the top.

3. Add some salt.

4. Watch drops of oil dance in the water as the denser salt sinks and carries drops of oil with it. When the water dissolves the salt, the oil floats back up to the top again, like a Lava Lamp.

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This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Cindy Staggs!

Introducing Beanstalk Express, the home of the world’s first snacktivity game, The SnackTime survival kit! At Beanstalk Express, they’re parents too! And like just like us, also envisioned raising fruit-and-veggie loving eaters, avoiding processed foods and “just saying no!” to drive through windows! But then something happened along the way…they had kids!

After enduring the preschool battles with picky eaters and around-the-clock requests for sweets and goodies, they realized what was missing when it comes to inspiring our kids with healthy habits that will last. Food marketers have been making junk food fun for decades. So what if they made healthy choices just as much fun? They decided to try it…and it worked! When you empower children with the ability to make their own choices, amazing things happen! At Beanstalk Express, they make healthy fun! And in the process, it becomes habit!

Take a look at the BeanStalk Express Snack Time Survival Kit.

Wooden Clock Board
Features one working clock, 3 control clocks with moveable arms, and 3 corresponding hooks to hold snack cards in place.

33 Snack Cards
On the front are pictures of delicious snacks to choose from. On the back is important tips and information to learn from.

Here’s how it works!

1. Each morning, Mom or Dad selects between 4-6 snack cards that are available to make that day from the deck.
2. From these cards, kids can choose their 3 snacks for that day.
3. Mom sets the control clocks to the desired snack times and hangs the snack cards on the corresponding hooks.
4. And now it’s up to the kids! BykKeeping an eye on the clocks, the kids alert Mom to when it’s SNACK TIME!
5. Mom takes the snack card off the hook and serves up the snack.

And here’s your chance to win it!

Once you’ve entered, you can earn additional entries by reviewing any OH! Go, OH! Knows or OH! Baby listing on our site.

A few giveaway items to note:

• Entries will be received until May 1st at 11:59 p.m.
• The winner will be selected at random and the prize promptly sent to the address given via the entry form.
• Our entry form is entirely private. Your information will not be shared for any purpose other than awarding your prize. Should you win, the name you provided on your entry form will be shown when we post the results.
• We received this prize for free to give away to our readers. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe our readers would enjoy. No other monetary compensation took place.

Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Cindy Staggs!

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The American Academy of Pediatrics published its revised policy on car seats last week that had some moms saying, “What!?!? Toddlers need to be rear-facing until age 2? Are you serious?” I know because I was one of them. I had counted down the days until I could turn my oldest kids around at one year and twenty pounds (which is still the law in Ohio). My girls hit the minimum 20 pound turn around weight long before one year and their seats had gotten so tight. There was nowhere for their legs to go! And I was tired of the daily battle o’ the seat. Unfortunately, it resurfaced again at age three when I started my countdown to the high-back booster.

But maybe that’s not the right attitude.

Did you know that children 2 and under are 75% less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are in a rear-facing child restraint? I didn’t until I read the new recommendations. And that statistic made me think again.

The truth is, the AAP has always recommended that children stay rear-facing for as long as possible. The new guidelines make it clearer by urging parents to keep children in rear-facing car seats until at least age 2, or until they meet the height and weight limits set for the seat. The new guidelines, updated from 2002, also include:

• Using a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible (up to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their seat) for children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their seat.
• Using a beltpositioning booster seat for all children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their seat until the vehicle lap-and-shoulder seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
• Keeping kids in the back seat until they’re at least 13 years old.

What do you think? Will you keep your toddler rear-facing until age 2? Is your big kid in a booster? Does your 12 year old sit in the back seat? Take our poll and tell us more in the comments!

Filed under: OH! Says, OH! Wants To Know by My OH! Momma
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This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Valerie Ritenour!

Take two stay at home moms who love taking pictures and what do you get? New Beginnings Photography. Let them capture the new beginnings in your life. From engagements and weddings to birthdays and new additions or just because, New Beginnings can offer you great pictures at a reasonable price.

Be sure to find New Beginnings Photography on Facebook and enter below for a chance to win a $50 gift Certificate!

Once you’ve entered, you can earn additional entries by reviewing any OH! Go, OH! Knows or OH! Baby listing on our site.

A few giveaway items to note:

• Entries will be received until May 1st at 11:59 p.m.
• The winner will be selected at random and the prize promptly sent to the address given via the entry form.
• Our entry form is entirely private. Your information will not be shared for any purpose other than awarding your prize. Should you win, the name you provided on your entry form will be shown when we post the results.
• We received this prize for free to give away to our readers. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe our readers would enjoy. No other monetary compensation took place.

Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Valerie Ritenour!

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“You can’t keep everything and have a clean house.” That’s the motto behind Too Much Stuff: De-Cluttering Your Heart and Home by Kathryn Porter. Everyone knows about old magazines and junk mail, but this book opened my eyes to the clutter that masquerades as necessities. My linens closet was stuffed to the brim until I realized my family of 5 can live comfortably on a dozen towels instead of 30. My pantry doesn’t need to be ready for the next nuclear war. Seven pairs of socks will last me through the week just fine and I won’t waste so much time storing, washing, sorting, and matching. Check out our Top Ten tips from Kathryn’s fantastic de-clutter guide.

1. Ditch the “I might need it someday” clutter. Realize that you won’t really use [insert item here], and if you do actually want to use it you will never be able to find it.
2. It’s okay to get rid of gifts/inherited items/ family “heirlooms.” Just don’t tell anybody.
3. Baby clothes, cards and letters, school work from every grade… Sentimental clutter can be the hardest to clear out. Be creative when you part with these cherished items. Keep a few baby items, not the whole layette. Consider having a quilt made out of your favorite pieces. Scan your favorite school pages and letters to keep a digital copy, and toss the originals.
4. Think twice before you bring anything into the house. Anything can end up as clutter and every little thing adds up. Say no to the flyer that will clutter up your purse. Don’t buy things on sale just because they are on sale. If you see an item you like, wait a week and see how you still feel about it. Sometimes I wonder what in the world I was thinking when I scroll through my Amazon wish list.
5. Don’t get more storage to fix the problem. More storage is just a band aid for the problem. It took me 10 years and 40 huge bins filling up my basement (with no clue as to the content) to realize more storage bins isn’t the way to go. If you’re going to box it up, stick it in the attic, and forget about it, then you just might as well drop it off at Goodwill.
6. Consider clutter when you make decisions about your life. Considering scrap booking? This hobby requires scads of supplies (and money). Thinking about something that doesn’t requires supplies? Consider the time and energy it drains from your ability to de-clutter.
7. Try flylady.com. If nothing else, I love her plan to take 10 minutes to fill up one trash bag a day of garbage or donated items. Odds are you will have so much fun you can’t stop at just one bag. I did ten today and loved every minute of it.
8. Recruit some help. Consider taking turns with a friend, or even just invite friends over to chat while you do the work. At the very least have a cheerleader to tell you what a great job you’re doing when it feels fruitless.
9. Don’t make excuses. If you want a clean house, you need to make it a priority. Get a babysitter for the kids, drop some activities, cut back on your work hours for a bit.
10. Take a break! Treat yourself (with a non-clutter item!) Try a movie or massage!

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This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Grace Fry!

Recently, Oprah proclaimed that “choosing the right bra can change your life. The right bra can reverse aging; it can make you look 10, even 20 pounds lighter.” Unfortunately, most women have not found the right bra for them: they are stuck in a traditional bra with uncomfortable elastic bands around the body, straps that are constantly slipping off the shoulders and, the worst part – back fat and bra bulge.

The Unbelievabra by Shapeez is an all-in-one bra and body shaper that provides superior breast shaping and support while eliminating bra lines and back bulges. Based in the USA and manufactured in North America, the Unbelievabra is a breakthrough in garment technology. Made from the company’s patented ‘smooth-back’ design (no back bands or closures), the Unbelievabra is constructed with breathable cool-tex lycra that fits snugly to the body providing a close, lean, and supportive fit. It also wicks moisture away from the body keeping you cool, dry and light.

“Your bra should be like your best friend: always offering support and comfort, while helping to make you look good. However, traditional bras rarely meet these expectations,” says Staci Berner, Creator of the Unbelievabra by Shapeez. “Although women can share similar body types every woman has a different body shape. Traditional bras are not made to fit a variety of body shapes and don’t do even the slimmest bodies justice,” says Staci.

Introducing the Unbelievabra, Your Multi-Functional Bosom Buddy
The Unbelievabra by Shapeez is the ultimate answer to a common and conspicuous fashion dilemma – bra lines, back bulges and a muffin top. “Your bra should not make you look heavier than you are. Even slim girls are affected by this. If you are wearing a traditional elastic band bra, you will have back bulges which will ultimately add pounds,” says Staci. “On the same vein as panty lines, visible bra lines (VBL) is a major wardrobe faux-pas. It enables women to wear clothes which fit precisely the way the designer intended, without the outline of the top being ruined by unsightly bra lines and bulges.

Fashion Meets Function
Designed to provide a woman with superior breast shaping, lifting and support, the long line styles of the Unbelievabra are also an effective tummy smoother to instantly slim your waistline and smooth out the dreaded muffin top. “It’s the perfect way to get a natural ‘nip and tuck,’” adds Staci. “The right shapewear can instantly slim and flatten your problem areas, taking inches off your figure. Our products are helping to pave the way for a healthy and positive outlook on women’s bodies giving women more self confidence right off the hanger”.

The Unbelievabra distributes the weight of the breasts across a wider area on the back which promotes better posture and may help to reduce shoulder and back pain.

Check out the Unbelievabra website to view the variety of styles! Then, come back and complete the entry form below for a chance to win a Shapeez bra/body shaper! The winner will receive a (nontransferable) coupon code for one time use on a complimentary item.

Once you’ve entered, you can earn additional entries by reviewing any OH! Go, OH! Knows or OH! Baby listing on our site.

A few giveaway items to note:

• Entries will be received until April 24th at 11:59 p.m.
• The winner will be selected at random and the prize promptly sent to the address given via the entry form.
• Our entry form is entirely private. Your information will not be shared for any purpose other than awarding your prize. Should you win, the name you provided on your entry form will be shown when we post the results.
• We received this prize to share with our readers and give away. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe our readers would enjoy. No other monetary compensation took place.

Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Grace Fry!

Filed under: OH! Wow by My OH! Momma
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I remember making these as a child, but I never remembered how to actually make them. I was surprised to see how easy they are- my 4 year old was able to make one on her own after I showed her just one time. You can tie small dowel rods or pipe cleaners on for traditional flowers, use a string to hang them from the ceiling for a cute and inexpensive party decoration, or use pipe cleaners as a band for a big flower bracelet.

All you need is a pack of tissue paper and something to fasten the paper together- some string or pipe cleaners or even a garbage bag tie.

Layer 6-8 pieces of tissue paper in a stack. For the large size tissue paper, cut into fourths (you can make any size you want of course, but small flowers are harder for small kids to make, and gigantic ones are… gigantic). We ended up with squares about 10 inches by 10 inches.

Fold the paper like you’re making a fan.

Round off the edges of each side with your scissors- it will make the flower appear to have rounded petals.

Fasten your tie around the middle. It doesn’t need to be tight, just secure.

Working with one side at a time, unfold the fan and pull up the top piece of paper, then the next, and so on until they are all fluffed out.

Do the other side and you’re done!

Ready for Spring!

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How much should children know about what’s going on in the world? It can be difficult to strike a balance between helping kids feel and understand that they are part of a global community and allowing them to feel safe when a tragedy like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan strikes. Do you talk with your children about natural disasters like this? Do you try to shield them from the news?

Tell us more in the comments! How old are your children? What did you say about the disaster in Japan, if anything?

Check out the FEMA for Kids website to learn about what causes natural disasters and how to be prepared for them.

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We’re going to change our blog schedule so we’re just posting M-W-F. Please don’t pine away on those days we’re taking off. We have no choice but to change things up! Here’s why…

1. Kids. Did you know raising kids takes time? Lots of time? So does writing a blog.
2. Sanity. It has eluded us for years but we still keep trying.
3. You’ll miss us. And everyone knows absence makes the heart grow fonder.
4. Hubby. He misses me too.
5. Sleep. If you want to know what happens to a mom when she gets five hours of sleep a week, yes I said one week, just ask Leslie. As long as I don’t have to ask her.
6. Girl Scouts Cookies. It’s a long story. I’ll just say it involves 24 girls, 1,000 boxes of cookies, and one pooped mom.
7. Priorities. Why did I become a stay at home mom? So my house would be sparkling and my dinners delicious and my hair perfectly curled? So I can volunteer at school , teach Sunday school, and write a blog? Oh wait, it was to spend time with the kids. I should try to do that.
8. I’m the boss. Yep, it’s just one of the perks that goes along with running a business without enough help and for no pay. Jealous?

Okay, so that’s not ten reasons, but we know you’re busy, too.

Filed under: OH! Says, OH!s Top Ten by My OH! Momma
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Most of the things we must do to keep a healthy and youthful appearance – eat right, drink plenty of water, exercise, get enough sleep, practice a daily skin care regimen – require a sustained effort, a long-term investment. But turning back the clock doesn’t always have to be so tedious. Here are five fast and easy ways to look younger right now.

• Bring on the bangs. The older you get, the more certain you can be that you look better with bangs. They’re an instant facelift and they never go out of style. A little bit of fringe can hide problem spots, like forehead wrinkles, thinning hair or a receding hairline, all the while drawing attention to your sparkling eyes.




• Wow with the brows. Bushy brows make your eyes look small. Thin brows or ones that are drawn on make you look hard. And the wrong shape can make you look perpetually angry or surprised. But properly groomed eyebrows aren’t noticeable at all. They simply brighten your face and make you look more vibrant. If you’re not sure about how to shape them, have a professional do it the first time, then pluck what grows back.




• Shake up your make up. Thick foundation and loose powder can settle in to fine lines on your face. Instead, use a primer and less foundation. Older skin is less likely to produce the kind of shine that warrants the application of powder, so ease up on that, too. Subtlety is key. Use eyeliner, but keep it soft and natural, starting in the outer corner and drawing inward a little more than halfway when you apply it. Warm, neutral tones should go on the lid, no mater what your eye color. And pink lipstick is perfect as the darker shades emphasize dark circles under your eyes.




• Start with a good foundation. The older you get, the harder your undergarments must work. Gravity isn’t always kind and our bodies are the first to notice. Start with your bra. You can look ten years younger and ten pounds thinner with the right bra. Go for a professional fitting. And consider investing in some shapewear, like Spanx. It molds, it smooths, it lifts and it makes miracles.




• Brighten your smile. There’s nothing more youthful than a smile. Add some wattage to your grin by naturally whitening your teeth. Just combine a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of baking soda, brush on your teeth, let it sit a few minutes and then rinse without swallowing. That’ll give you something to smile about!

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