Got Babysitters? August 22, 2008

When’s the last time you got out of the house for a date night, or – even better – ALONE?  Been a while? Can’t even remember?  I’m with you sister, and the number one reason that we don’t get out is that we just can’t find a sitter. But not just any sitter, I want someone I can trust to engage my kids and not just plop on the couch in front of my tv on the phone! I want someone who will get down to their level, play their games, act silly, and enjoy herself. And it wouldn’t hurt if she was CPR certified and came with awesome references. Now where do I find someone like that?

MommyMixer is here to help! MommyMixer connects busy families (like yours!) in need of part-time babysitting with high-quality college students. At each hour-long Mixer, moms personally interview a number of candidates and leave with an A+ list of potential babysitters. Many candidates are not only used for babysitting, but also act as family-assistants: running errands, helping with organization, planning and producing birthday parties, etc. MommyMixer’s recent Orange County events have been such a hit that they have sold out, word is spreading and moms all across OC are getting hooked up with the sitter of their dreams! 

Here are the details for the next mixer, and don’t forget to visit our the MommyMixer website for more info and to register! No Rest For Bridget in Costa Mesa is hosting the event on Sunday September 7th at 1pm.  As a great added bonus, No Rest For Bridget is offering all attendees at 15% shopping discount, so check out what’s new while you have a chance to shop sans kiddos.  We have dozens of sitters from UCI, Chapman U, CSULB, and CSUF scheduled to attend, so no matter where in OC you are, you are sure to find a few great sitters near you. Hope to see you there!

Check out this youtube video to see what all the fuss is about! 

contact  orangecounty@mommymixer.com for more information

Diapers Drive Me Centsless! June 25, 2008

I know I am not the only mom who compares the price of diapers by the per-diaper cost, but how many of you carry a calculator around just for that? Seriously, figuring out which size pack of diapers at the store is the best value drives me INSANE! Why on earth is is necessary for Pampers to have 4 different size boxes for each diaper size? Is it because they know we will get so confused by the whole mess we will just give up and buy one? And that doesn’t even include the soft side plastic wrapped packs! Today, I found a 124 pack box at BRU for $37.99, an 88 pack box at Target for $27.99 and a sixty something pack box at Target for $19.99. And my local supermarket has a completely different size box! What gives? I broke out the calculator today and did a little mommy math, they are all within a half cent per diaper. So why have so many different freakin’ boxes? It drives me crazy! Today, I went with BRU, they had a $5 off coupon which made theirs a better deal. Target was giving a $5 gift card if you bought TWO boxes, not as great. At the supermarket, when I have a coupon which they double, and if they are on sale, it ends up cheaper to buy them there believe it or not. I think I am going to write a letter…

Dear Crazy Diaper Marketing Exec, Why are you trying to make an already unstable mom lose her mind on the diaper aisle?…

MommyMixer’s Fall Schedule is Out! June 22, 2008

Don’t miss out on the hottest new way to snag the babysitter of your dreams in Orange County! MommyMixer has released it’s Fall line up and spots are sure to go fast, their Spring event SOLD OUT!

Sunday September 7th 1pm

Sunday October 5th, 1pm

Sunday November 9th, 1pm

All events will be hosted at No Rest For Bridget in Costa Mesa and the store is offering an awesome 15% shopping discount for all attendees! For more info, or to register, visit them ONLINE

We are always on the look out for awesome sitters, too, if you are a college student in Orange County looking for some great families to babysit for, submit your resume online HERE

Coffee Coffee Coffee! June 17, 2008

So I stumbled upon this blog post on another blog, You Might Have A Starbucks Problem If…

and it totally cracked me up because I pretty much do everything on the list, and then some. Seriously, what is it with Starbucks? I honestly think there is a hidden drug that makes us coffee fiends HAVE to have it. If, by 9am or so, I have not been to the corner for a Venti Coffee Frapp with No Whip, I cannot think about anything else. It drives me crazy, along with my husband who lately has been making the coffee run rather than waiting at home with a newborn and 3 year old. I think since my last pregnancy my addiction has only multiplied, fueled by the fact that I had 8 months of bedrest and strictly forbidden from caffeine. By around 3 or so, I cannot help myself and I am at it again. The drive-thru Starbucks that just opened around the corner from my house calls my name if I try to pass by without stopping – or maybe it’s just my 3 year old in the backseat begging me to stop there. And no – I do NOT give her coffee, but I will admit to letting her have a plain bagel most of the time. I don’t even want to know how much my Starbucks addiction adds up to every month, I am sure it would freak me out – ya know, maybe that’s just the way to break the habit!

Does anyone really get any “work” done, working at home? June 11, 2008

I have been working at home for about 4 years now, through 2 pregnancies, 8 months of bed rest, my first daughter’s heart surgeries, a husband in the Marines, and everything else life has tossed at me. When I look back over the past 4 years something occurs to me, I really don’t get any work done at home! When I really need to meet a deadline, or listen in on a conference call, I head over to the Starbucks on the corner with my trusty laptop for a little peace and quiet. My job has been so flexible that this has not been an issue, and I have always gotten something done at some point, but I just wonder how other moms do it. Moms who have to get real work done on a daily basis, amidst the crying, napping, bottles, fish crackers, playdough, and play dates. I love the company I work for and what I do, it affords me an incredible amount of freedom and flexibility, and I am able to do 90% of everything via email and phone calls. I am currently the Orange County city manager for MommyMixer, a company that connects babysitters with moms at fun little networking mixers. I have so much fun at my events, meeting new moms and watching the great connections they make with the girls they meet! It is a great 2 hour break from being Mom and gives me a sense of self, of accomplishment and tiny glimpse of freedom. Just enough that by the end of the event I am ready to get back home to my kids and just be mom again.