Recall Alert: Infantino LLC., infant slings: Sling Riders & Wendy Bellissimo

We’ve added Wendy Bellissimo slings to the recall list…

This recall includes all Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings sold at retailers nationwide and online at Amazon.com from January 2003 through March 2010 for between $25 and $30.

CONSUMERS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP USING THE SLINGS AND CONTACT INFANTINO FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT PRODUCT.

(866) 860-1361
(Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm PST)
Or register online at
www.infantino.com

Recall Alert: Evenflo Top of Stair Wood Gate

It’s another recall! This time it is the Evenflo Top of Stair Wood Gate

Model numbers 10502 and 10512
Made in Mexico

Slats on the gate can break or detach, posing a fall hazard to children.

Contact Evenflo to receive a free replacement gate at:
1-800-356-2229
(8am – 5pm ET)
or visit
www.safety.evenflo.com

Spring Break Blog

It is Spring Break time in my neck of the woods. Hopefully some of you are finding time to catch a break and travel, do some things locally and spend some time with your families. What is this SharpMom doing this week? Well, we are not traveling to any beaches, but there are plenty of things we can do locally to have some fun. If you are stumped on some things you can do at home, try out some of these ideas.

1. Stop and smell the roses.: Ok, maybe not roses, but it is warming up and if it isn’t rainy you can take a little nature walk with your kids. Visit a local park and soak up the sun. You could even pack a little picnic lunch or take along some snacks. If your kids are like mine, they’ll love spending a little extra time outdoors.

2. Check your local restaurants for free kid meal deals.: Many chain restaurants offer free meals for kids with the purchase of adult meals. I know in our area Fazoli’s, Pimentos, and many other restaurants offer this option. It would be a fun outing for you and your kids, plus you don’t have to worry about cooking dinner!

3. Find a sitter.: Call up a sitter or let Daddy (or Grandma) take over duty for one afternoon or evening during your break. You can go get a pedicure, shop the new spring fashions, or meet some girlfriends for drinks and apps. I love the spring sale going on at Old Navy right now. Isn’t this Jersey Knit dress so precious (and affordable at only $8-$15 depending on the pattern)?!

4. Take a mini field trip.: Take the kids to tour the local fire station. Visit your local zoo or museum. Take the kids to visit Dad or Grandpa at work. These ideas are a great way to spend a morning. Then head home for lunch and relaxation for the rest of the afternoon!

5. Hit up the Dollar Stores: Grab a few bucks for each kid and visit the Target Dollar Zone or your local Dollar stores. Let them pick out what they like or grab some bubbles, chalk, and bouncy balls to use for some outdoor fun at home.

So SharpMoms, what are you doing for your Spring Break? Even if you are not leaving home or have to work, I hope you’ll find some time to spend a little Q-time with your kids. Share your Spring Break thoughts with me. Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

~SharpMom Admin

Recall Alert: Graco Harmony Highchair

Attention Graco high chair owners! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for 1.2 million Graco Harmony High Chairs. Graco has received 464 reports of screws loosening and falling out of the high chair and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack, causing it to tip over and resulting in 24 reports of injury.

Courtesy of CPSC

Model Numbers: Harmony™ High Chairs Model Numbers: 3920BAN, 3920BAN2, 3920BEB, 3920BEBB, 3920COV, 3920DOH, 3920GEI, 3920GEIDSP, 3920GRN, 3920HMP, 3920IVY, 3920LAU, 3920PKR, 3930DDH, 3930DHO, 3935CAL, 3935OXB, 3935PKR, 3935PKRDSP, 3935SPM 3935SPMDSP, 3935THR, 3935THR2, 3935THR3, 3940BIA, 3940BIADSP, 3940CAP, 3940CLE , 940COT, 3940DRM, 3940HML, 3940MCH, 3940NGS, 3940SAV, 3940SLT, 3940SPT, 3940STA, 3940UNN, 3951CLO, 3951CLT, 3951COT, 3951ORC, 3951WLO, 3955WSR, 3960BGN, 3960CJG, 3960CNP, 3960GGG, 3980CNR, 3E00ABB, 3E00BAT, 3E00DCF, 3E00DCFDSP, 3E00DGP, 3E00DGPDSP, 3E00GPK, 3E01BDS, 3E01BDSCA, 3E01DNY, 3E01DNY1, 3E01ELP, 3E01ELPDSP

Note: These model numbers may begin with the letter A, B, C, or D

Additional Models: 1752404, 1755859, 1755860, 1757259, 1757412, 1760429

If you own a Graco Harmony Highchair, call (877) 842-3206 or visit www.gracobaby.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Simple

Keep it Irish easy this St. Patrick’s Day with these simple green crafting and cooking ideas.

Super Simple Shepards Pie

Prep Time: 10 min

Ready in: 30 min.

What you need:
1 lb. ground beef
8 med. green onions (about 1 cup)
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 can mexi-corn mix, drained
1 can (4 oz.) green chillies, undrained
1 package of instant mashed potatoes
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup corn chips

Fix it fast:
1. Cook ground beef and onions in a 10 in. skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until beef is brown. Drain well.
2. Stir in barbeque sauce, 3/4 cup of corn and chilies. Heat to a boil, then reduce heat to stay warm.
3. Cook potatoes according to package (you’ll need milk, butter, and water) and stir in remaining onion and corn. Let stand at least 5 min.
4. Spoon potatoes onto center of beef mixture, leaving 2 1/2- to 3-inch rim around edge of skillet; sprinkle cheese over potatoes and beef mixture. Cover and let stand about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle corn chips around edge of skillet.

Easy No Bake Cookies

Get your kids in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with these super fast no-bake treats. Just pick up a package of soft-baked sugar cookies and press out shamrocks with a  cookie cutter. Add a bit of color by pressing green sprinkles onto the cookies, and you’re done! Or grab some premade sugar cookie mix, roll out the dough, bake and ice together!

Cereal Rainbow

For this super easy craft all you need is a box of Fruit Loops, glue and construction. Then, let your child get to work on the colors of the rainbow by making a rainbow with the colored loops!

Throw a Party

Feelin’ lucky? Then throw a super fun party for this holiday. For decorations make some four leaf clovers. All you need a green construction paper, glue, and glitter (or another add ons you’d like). Cut the construction paper into into four small hearts and a stem and arrange into a clover. Then add on your in, glitter, etc.

For decor use different shades of green balloons and maybe some gold or yellow too. Hang some rainbow streamer and use fun green or gold paper products to serve up your treats. As a party craft for the kids, make rainbow mobiles. All you’ll need are wire hangers, multi-colored construction paper, markers or crayons, glue and yarn. Make the rainbow as your “anchor” then hang different charms from your rainbow with the yarn (think Lucky Charms marshmellow shapes).

Serve up the greens: For food think greens and yellows-celery, cucumbers, and green pepper served with dip. For a sweet treat whip up some cupcakes (according to package) and just add a few drops of green food coloring for a fun baked treat. Add green food coloring to white icing to top the cupcakes or use white icing with green or rainbow sprinkles.

Dunkin’ Donuts Free Coffee Mondays in March

Super Simple Rotisserie Chicken Recipe

A simple supper recipe for busy Moms. It’s sure to be a hit with the whole family!

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

What you need:

One Rotisserie Chicken from your local grocery store

One box of Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Pasta Salad mix

Grape tomatoes

Fix it fast:

Cook Suddenly Salad according to package.

Add shredded rotisserie chicken and tomatoes to salad.

Mix well and serve.