Invisalign Straight Talk Event #INVStraightTalk #AD

Having braces as a teen or tween is almost like a rite of passage. When I was in Jr. High there were more kids that had braces than those that didn't. I was so envious of those kids that didn't need braces. They were free to eat whatever their hearts desired!

I remember some of the food items that were off limits...gum, caramels and taffy. Of course, those were some of my favorite things. I remember being at a baseball game with my family and enjoying a soft pretzel. Sounds innocent enough, right? Well I was chewing a big piece of that pretzel in the back of my mouth. And lo and behold, that piece of soft pretzel pushed down on my bottom wire and popped it right out. The next thing I new, that sharp wire had pierced the inside of my cheek. What a nightmare! My mom had to find her nail clippers and clip the wire. First thing Monday morning, we were at the Orthodontist getting my wire replaced.

This is only one of the reasons that I am so jealous of those that have the chance to use Invisalign to straighten their teeth, instead of those nasty and annoying metal braces. Invisalign makes it so much easier to take care of teeth. The aligners can be removed while eating, brushing and flossing. Flossing with braces should have been an Olympic sport!

Invisalign is roughly about the same cost as traditional braces, the system usually requires fewer office visits and shorter appointments. The Invisalign website can help you with determining the cost of braces. They are also much safer for teens that are playing sports. I played a lot of sports when I had my braces with no serious sports related accidents. But, I can't imagine how painful it could be. Especially with my soft pretzel incident as a warning.

If you have teens that need braces, you should look into the Invisalign website. The one thing I addressed with the orthodontist was getting a teen to remember to put in their aligners for the correct amount of time every day. Dr. Shipley mentioned a little blue dot that is located on the aligner. When it is worn correctly the blue dot will fade and this will help keep teens accountable. I love this idea. I would hate to spend the money on Invisalign and then have my teen fail to follow the doctors guidelines.

Here is a great side by side comparison of how braces look compared to Invisalign. With Invisalign, you can't even tell that there is anything on the teeth! I've had a friend with Invisalign and I didn't know she was wearing aligners until she removed them to eat.

If you would like to learn more about Invisalign, be sure to connect with them on Twitter and Facebook. This would be a great way to connect with those that have had Invisalign and ask them about their experience.

Not all dentist and orthodontists are certified Invisalign providers. If you would like to locate one near you, visit the Invisalign Doctor Locator. You can also take the Invisalign Smile Assessment to find out if Invisalign is right for you or your child.

Invisalign can effectively correct a broad range of complex cases such as: crossbite, overbite and underbite. Visit the Invisalign website to learn about all of the dental issues Invisalign can treat.

My oldest is a few years away from this step. But, when the time comes I will definitely consider Invisalign. Being a teen is hard enough without all that metal in your mouth!

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Harlem Globetrotters Summer Basketball Clinics Coming To Phoenix!

Now everything awesome - kids, basketball, teamwork, and having fun – comes together at destination awesome: Harlem Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics, the ONLY clinics coached by stars of The Harlem Globetrotters!

Everyone loves The Globetrotters, the stars who always put smiles on kids’ faces. At Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics, our stars coach kids in limited size groups and bring laughs, encouragement and high fives for everyone! Globetrotters direct, motivate, inspire AND entertain, keeping it inclusive and fun for ALL boys and girls, aged 6-12, of ALL skill and experience levels. Each session is $59 and includes a free ticket voucher to see the Globetrotters live in 2014! But you can save $10 with promo code USFAMILY! Code is valid through 5/31.

Each child will receive:

• A free ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2014 World Tour
• Autographs and photos with the stars!
• Official Globetrotter certificate of completion with a personalized Globetrotter nickname

Clinic Locations: Globetrotter Clinics (These are just the clinics - the games for your tickets are in 200 cities)

Save $10 on registration! Enter the Coupon Code USFAMILY on the cart page after completing your registration HERE!

ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ One Direction Toothbrush & Sweepstakes!

My youngest son loves music! But, like any five year old, he hates to brush his teeth. When this new toothbrush from Arm & Hammer came out I thought it was the perfect concept!

From the makers of the #1 kids battery toothbrushes, ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ features one of a kind Music in Your Mouth™ technology. This proprietary technology streams sound vibrations from the bristles of the toothbrush through the teeth, allowing kids to hear the music while they brush.

The One Direction song, "One Thing" plays for two minutes. He never brushes that long so it's great to have the timer on the toothbrush. I've even caught him pressing the button to brush for an additional two minutes.

I only wish that the song played a little bit louder. The electric noise from the toothbrush drowned out the music quite a bit. Other than that, my son is having a blast with his new toothbrush.

ARM & HAMMER is also having a Rock with One Direction sweepstakes!

• The grand prize is four tickets to a One Direction concert in August 2013.
• 100 First Prize Winners will receive One Direction prize packs, that include One Direction merchandise.

To enter, follow these easy steps:

• Visit ToothTunes.com, complete the registration form and click submit to be entered for your chance to win. (enter up to once per week through 6/30/13)
• Create a video of yourself or your kids brushing and rocking out with a One Direction ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ for your chance to be featured on ToothTunes.com! (a video is optional is not a required form of entry)
• Winners will be chosen by July 2013
• Brush with Tooth Tunes™, Rock with One Direction Sweepstakes Rules:
  o No purchase necessary
  o The sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 13 years of age or older
  o For official rules, visit ToothTunes.com

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ partnered in support of this campaign. ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dunkin' Donuts: FREE Hot or Iced Coffee {Phx Area Only}!

Dunkin Donuts is offering a FREE medium hot or iced coffee, at participating stores in the Phoenix area. Just go HERE and fill out the form to receive your freebie!

Walgreens: FREE Mother's Day Brag Book!

Happy Mother's Day! How about a FREE brag book from Walgreens? Create a 4.5x6 Brag Book at Walgreens Photo and receive it FREE through May 15th, using the code BRAGABOUTIT

Have You Ever Felt Left Out? Please Don't Let Others Feel That Way!

I'm not usually one for writing personal posts, but today is different!

This morning my youngest son had Muffins for Moms at his preschool. Now, since I've gone back to work full time my parents or my husband usually take care of preschool drop off and pick up. That being said, I have never met many of the other mothers whose children are in my son's class.

I have however, met three or four of the mothers that came to my son's birthday party a few months ago. This party was mostly comprised of close friends and family. So, these preschool mothers did not know any of the other party goers. I made it a point to introduce myself to every preschool mom and have a pretty lengthy conversation with each of them. I know some of my friends and family made the same effort.

The last thing I wanted to do was make anyone feel unwelcome, lonely or left out!

Well, today at my son's preschool I felt all three of those emotions. Every mother that I said hello to, either completely ignored me and walked away or gave me a slight smile and walked away. Even those mothers that I had shared a conversation with at my son's party, just a few months back.

Picture my son and I sitting at a kid sized table with six chairs. Two of those chairs were obviously occupied by my son and me so that left four empty chairs. As a mother approaches with her daughter I was so excited that she was going to sit with us. I thought, "Yay, someone to talk to!" I was in shock when she walked up and snagged two of the chairs to go sit at a table that was already full. This happened again until our table was vacant except for my son and I.

After my son ate his muffin, he got up to play. I stuck around for about 15 more minutes pondering whether I should go crash another table. But, by that time I felt so defeated I just did not have the strength. I slowly got up, walked over to my son and told him goodbye.

As I stood outside of the classroom, I looked through the window watching the remaining mothers laugh and talk with each other. Now, many of these women probably see each other every time they drop off and pick up their child. Of course they would build relationships over the school year. I'm not putting them down for that. I just wish that even just one of them would have made an effort.

The moral of my post today...please don't ever let anyone feel unwelcome, lonely or left out! I truly hope that I have never made anyone feel this way and I never want to in the future.

Del Taco: Buck & Under & New Tastes Menu ~ Try It FREE ~ Plus a Giveaway!

Cinco de Mayo is only once a year but you can enjoy some yummy Mexican favorites year round at Del Taco.

Del Taco has a new Buck & Under Menu plus a New Tastes Menu. An added bonus...May 8th marks the beginning of their FREE Food Wednesdays! Del Taco will offer an item from the Buck & Under menu free with any purchase from 3-9pm (Price and participation may vary).

This offer will be available on the on the following dates:

• May 8th
• May 15th
• May 22nd
• May 29th

The Buck & Under Menu will include a variety of tacos, burritos and drinks...11 items for 50¢, 75¢ and $1! This includes a Mini Cheddar, Mini Bacon Quesadilla and a Crunchy Chipotle Beef Taco – all new products. Other menu items include a Value Bean & Cheese Burrito, Jacked Up Value Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito, Grilled Chicken Taco, ½-Pound Bean & Cheese Burrito, Double Beef Classic Taco, Strawberry Lemonade with real strawberry slices and Medium Size Brewed Iced Tea.

The New Tastes menu includes a Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Taco, a Chili Cheese Fry Burrito and a Fiery 6 Layer Burrito.

At Del Taco, all menu items are prepared to order with fresh ingredients. My favorite part is that the beans are slow cooked from scratch and they are lard-free!

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will receive a $20 Del Taco gift card!

To enter, just leave a comment and let me know which Del Taco item you would like to try during the Free Food Wednesday promotion! Be sure to leave your email address.

Disclosure: This giveaway has been sponsored by Del Taco. I have not been paid for this post.