I'm not sure how you spent your weekend, but here's a bit about how I spent mine. On Saturday, my family and I got all decked out (well, the hubster didn't dress up but the rest of us did) and headed over to Alliance Mobile Health. There was a big Halloween bash taking place  but the main focus of our visit was to "Say 'Boo' to the flu".

I loved the concept of this event. Everyone was dressed up and suddenly doing something that's normally unpleasant became pretty fun!


First things first. I was there to meet with Alex Hitchell, who is a representative of my local VNA (Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan), and a couple people important to their cause as well as 2 other bloggers.

Allow me to introduce you to the group.

From left to right, there was JoAnna Yaksich from Alanas Flu Foundation, RN  Kay Renny, myself, Melissa from Rock And Drool, and Stacy (with her 2 daughters) from My Life of What Ifs and Detroit Mommies. (I wish I had a picture of the lovely Alex Hitchel who was behind the camera.)

I learned two main points at this event.

1. It's so important to get your family vaccinated against the flu virus and H1N1.
2. It matters who you give your money to for that vaccination

Let's talk about why it's important to be vaccinated. It seems like the "flu shot" is one of those things that comes around every year and a lot of people shrug it off. Maybe they don't like needles (there's a mist for you!), maybe they think that the flu isn't that big of a deal, maybe they think they won't get the flu because they wash their hands a lot. Whatever the excuse, I met someone who changed my mind forever about getting vaccinated.

JoAnna (pictured above) has an incredible story. In 2003, her 5 1/2 year old niece, Alana, died from swelling and injury to her brain caused by the flu virus. Alana hadn't been vaccinated as it wasn't recommended for children her age in 2003. Alana's family decided to fight back and make sure others are aware of the importance of getting vaccinated by forming Alana's Flu Foundation that also works with Families Fighting Flu. Her's is a very sad story but the amount of people who die from flu related causes every year is in the thousands. Did you know that? It gives me the chills and inspires me to protect my family as well as I can.

I'm also happy to report that this year's flu shot includes protection against H1N1 as well as 2 strains of influenza. It's fast and easy to keep you and your family healthy.

So, why is it important who you give your money to for a flu shot? Well, let's face it. These days, you can get a flu shot in a wide variety of places. This is wonderful! But where does the money go after you pay for your shot? If you get your vaccine from the VNA, the money will go toward providing in-home and hospice care to those who don't have insurance to cover it. Now, if you ask me, that's an amazing cause that's worth investing in. It may even help someone I know in the future.

The event that I went to was a lot of fun and the nurse was so sweet. If you didn't make it out, don't worry. There are other chances for you to visit a "Say 'Boo' To The Flu" clinic. The next 2 dates and locations are as follows:

• Saturday, October 16th, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Oakland YMCA in Auburn Hills, MI.
• 3378 E. Walton Blvd.
• Friday, October 29th, 2010 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, MI 
• 867 South Blvd.

If you want, you can get your kiddos dressed up and bring them for a FUN time. While they're there, they'll have a few things to keep them busy like a word hunt and coloring. In fact, there's even a giveaway that the VNA is hosting on their facebook page! (You'll find all of the details you're looking for on their Say Boo To The Flu page.)

*While we're on the subject of giveaways, don't forget to enter mine for a chance to win one of 2 gift baskets packed with goodies, Clorox disinfecting wipes, and a $25 gift card to Target! Click the link to be taken to the right page.*

I hope you'll take the time to get vaccinated and visit the different sites I linked to in this post. Each is packed with information for you to take away. Stay healthy!!

**I am working with TheMotherhood and The Clorox Company, and they have compensated me for my time.  However, all opinions expressed in this post are my own. Others may no agree.

More check-ins at Alliance Mobile Health

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Say Boo To The Flu ~ My Experience

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I absolutely love finding ways to get my kiddos excited about making healthy habits and high on my priority list is oral hygiene.

Thankfully, we were invited by Collective Bias and Colgate to do an art project that showed what we thought #InvisibleNasties looked like. This experience opened the door for great conversation with my son and ways to make him excited to care for his teeth.


Check out our Whrrl story!

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After we had everything all together to create our Invisible Nasties project, I sat Alex down for a quick talk about what a "sugar bug" (as we call them) looked like and how we could get rid of them.

Here's that interview! (Have you ever tried to interview a 3 year old? LOL)

Colgate wants you to remember to change your toothbrush every 3 months and to make sure you care for it correctly. For more information, visit the Colgate Invisible Nasties page.

Alex loves using his new toothbrush and I feel confident that he's getting his teeth cleaner with this one than he was with a standard toothbrush. I'm so glad that he has this as a reference point in his life to serve as a great foundation for good oral hygiene. It's so important and definitely not something to take lightly. 

If you didn't see the full Whrrl story, or you just want to see it again, here's some photos of what Alex thinks Invisible Nasties look like. 

P.S. When we created this together, I would ask him questions about each part before we made it. So, while I had to do the assembly (he is only 3), he chose what went where, helped with the hair and fuzzy tummy, as well as put in the arms and legs of his sugar bug. It was a lot of fun and he's so very proud of how it turned out. (This thing is sitting in our living room right now.)

**Funds were provided for our Colgate shopping trip and craft supplies. Thanks to Collective Bias and Colgate for the fun and educating opportunity. Watch the #InvisibleNasties page for more projects and stories.

Alex and the Invisible Nasties (a sponsored project)

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Psst...Click the picture above to print out a coupon to take shopping. There is a BIG summer sale going on at Parisian (and other Bon Ton stores) beginning today, June 11th and going until June 15th. I absolutely could not believe the deals I saw when I went into the store to shop around for myself.

The easiest way for me to tell you about this shopping trip is to show you. Check it out!

And here is where you can see all the deals I snagged!

More check-ins at Parisian Mall at Partridge Creek

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Don't forget to click the button at the top to print out your coupon and save an additional 25% during their Summer Sale! For store locations, visit Bon Ton Stores online.

*Thanks to Collective Bias who provided the $100 gift card to facilitate my shopping trip at Parisian for this review.*
 

A Bug For Shopping and A Coupon To Save! (review and coupon)

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My family was invited to enjoy the Day Out With Thomas event again this year at Greenfield Village (in Dearborn, Michigan). If you have any fans of Thomas the Tank Engine in your home, you'll understand how excited Alex was for this.


Our morning started early as we arrived at Greenfield Village before it opened to attend the Railroader's Breakfast. This was a wonderful way to enjoy some quiet, family time over some delicious pancakes. As we were eating, we could see Thomas getting ready for the day on the train tracks and Alex couldn't wait to go for a ride. While we waited, however, we were able to enjoy some music from very talented musicians and even hear some stories about Thomas from the storyteller who was also there.

Finally, it was time to board the train and let Thomas take us for a ride around the park. This was very special as those who attended the Railroader's Breakfast received the first ride of the day. The rest of the day was freed up to enjoy whatever we wanted without having to worry about making it to the train station on time for a scheduled ride. (If you ask me, the perks of attending the breakfast are worth the extra cost.)

We enjoyed visiting the different tents and doing the different activities available. And before leaving for the day, Alex was able to visit the train yard at Greenfield Village and get up close and personal with the trains there. He was in awe.

I know this is something that will stick with Alex for years to come. He asks us every day to talk to him about his Day Out With Thomas.

To give you a look at our day, I created a story on Whrrl. Just click below to see it.

More check-ins at Greenfield Village

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**My family received free admission (for 3) to the Railroader's Breakfast and Day Out With Thomas from The Henry Ford for the purpose of review and sharing our experience with you. This review is written based on our experience exclusively. Other opinions may vary.

The Henry Ford: Day Out With Thomas

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