Photo Challenge - April 16th - 28th

April 16, 2018 - Peacefully she sleeps. I love this girl so much.

April 17, 2018 - My boy sent me this pics of him and the few he took of Luna tonight. He looks adorable but she looks she was partying too hard.

April 19, 2018 - My son had a class trip to a Career Fair and ran into his favorite teacher who is now teaching at another school. I love that he had his phone on him and was able to send me this photo. He got the phone for Christmas and while I held out until they were a little older it is great being able to glimpse into their lives when they are away from me.

April 20, 2018 - Luna on her Cat tree in front of the window. We love to see her when we come into the drive way. She is adorable. Getting a cat was one of the best things I ever did for my kids.

April 21, 2018 - Getting new glasses is a hassle with my son. He loves sports glasses and I think he is so much cuter without these. I tried to get him to look at others but he is the one who needs to wear them every day so it has to be up to him. It took 2 hours and lots of triggers for him and me. We did not have a great time but afterward he apologized and says he knows I was trying to help him. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if his sister wasn't with us. She is an instigator and kept telling him he looks stupid and that if I don't like them I should just force him to get what I want. UGH! Kids sometimes.

April 22, 2018 - My daughter and one of her best friends helped make a tree with artist Chris Vanvooren from CV Designs. They did an amazing job and Chris is wonderful with kids.

April 23, 2018 - My preschoolers loved playing with our zoo animals in shaving cream. Any sensory thing we throw at them gets them exited.

April 24, 2018 - My artist is hard at work

April 25, 2018 - Physical Therapy on my calf tear is going well. Finally able to get on the recumbent bike.

April 26, 2018 - It isn't often I can get my girl to agree to stand next to her brother for a photo where they look like they like each other. He will she always says no. I think the dose of sunshine warmed her brother bashing heart and she grabbed him and posed.  These are the pictures I live for.

April 27, 2018 - I see some flowers finally peeking out after a long cold start to Spring. Hooray!

April 28, 2018 - Someone is happy with his new glasses and haircut. He looks great and always makes me so proud. He is so polite to the barber and made sure to thank the woman who helped him with his glasses three times before we left and told them both to have a wonderful weekend. He is a pleasure and the best person I know.

April 29, 2018 - My daughter and I headed out to take some photos today. It ended up being to cold to stay outside so we headed back quick but did manage to go to a farm that had an indoor store. I was taking a photo of a lawn ornament when she jumped into my frame saying "HEY". It is blurry but I love it. It is so her and I laugh hardest when I am with her.

Seriously April 7th? Fell Behind In My Photo Challenge Grrr - April 8-15th, 2018

How did I get so far behind? The last time I posted was for April 7th! Grrr..

April 8, 2018 - When I get out of work early I sometimes head to the beach to read for a little while before getting the kids from school. It was a gorgeous day and I happened to look up and nice this glorious sight!

April 9, 2018 - So yeah...I ended up in an emergency walk in center. Tore my calf muscle. It was horrific. Detail post coming.

April 10, 2018 - LUNA has a nasty mark on her pretty face. Not sure what it is but set up a vet visit.

April 11, 2018 - I was worried it was ring worm but isn't. Vet says to watch it and possibly we will do a fungal test in the future. On another note, she was the perfect patient. I could hear another cat freaking out in the next room.

April 12, 2018 - My little Goddess is looking more and more like a teenager every day. Her backpack weighs about 50 pounds. I wish she didn't have to carry so many books. Every class wants their own damn notebook. Thank God there are no textbooks.

April 13, 2018 - She will be 13 tomorrow and I am losing my mind. My baby will be a teenager. I wish I could slow life down. I love her style. She took the bun out the moment she got in the car. At school she needs a curtain to hide behind.

April 14, 2018 - I designed this unicorn, galaxy cake for her. She loved it. It cost $40 but was so worth it. However, making a normal face doesn't come easy for this girl.

April 15, 2018 - Left over birthday cake; it's what we had for dinner. It was delicious.

Not Getting Enough Fruits And Veggies? Get Some LIVfit Organic Superfood Blend

Superfoods--chances are, you've heard of them, but do you how easy it is to eat them? All you need to do is add a scoop or two of BetterBody Foods’ Organic LIVfit Superfood Blend with Protein to your meal and you can ensure that you are getting the perfect blend of superfoods in your daily diet.  Organic LIVfit Superfood Blend with Protein scoops into smoothies, spaghetti sauces, yogurts and pretty much anything you or your family eat. Its neutral flavor means they’ll never suspect you’ve boosted the nutrition.


Unlike other superfood blends, Organic LIVfit Superfood Blend includes Pea Protein which is all the rage for its long list of health benefits including easy digestion.  This fully vegan blend is made from whole fruit and vegetable concentrates and is cholesterol and fat free.  This easy superfood hack will give you the confidence that you and your family are doing the best for your bodies! 
More about Organic LIVfit Superfood Blend:

• All-natural vegan blend combines antioxidants, fiber, prebiotics and proteins for everyone.
• No sugar or artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Oh, and it’s free of allergens like gluten, dairy and soy.
• Helps build and maintain muscles, increase energy, improve cognitive function, and encourage digestive and cardiovascular health.
• Contains a plethora of “superfoods” including pea protein, flax seed powder, chia seed powder, hemp protein, green tea extract and a healthy dose of Vitamins B & C (just to name a few).

The 411:

Okay I was really excited to try this. My son can't comfortably eat fruits and veggies because they all make his lips itch. He has allergies, Eczema and is Autistic. While we try different things for his digestive tract (right now Charcoal Tabs) we started using Organic Superfood Blend in his foods. It comes in this resealable pouch bag and has a spoon included. 

At only 45 calories for 2 scoops it isn't bad. It blends really well. So far I have used it in his pancakes, mac and cheese, pasta sauce and he has no idea.

I love that it is all-natural vegan blend combines antioxidants*, fiber, prebiotics and proteins. There are no sugar or artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Oh, and it’s free of allergens like gluten, dairy and soy.so at least he is getting something good for him. Will continue using until he finds a way to eat better food.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. No mometary compensation was offered.

Lang's Labyrinth by K. Kibbee #Lang’sLabyrinth #NetGalley

 Lang’s Labyrinth

Forests of the Fae

by K. Kibbee

Incorgnito Publishing Press

Sci Fi & Fantasy , Teens & YA

Description

Since unravelling the century-old secret behind an eerie ghost town in rural Washington State, life has been anything but ordinary for 13-year-old Anne. Now, she and her companion Grace, find themselves tangled between two worlds—that of the Fae creatures, whose bloodlust for human hosts has led them to empty entire cities of their children, and the familiar world they've always known.  But these two worlds have begun to bleed together, and Anne finds her family, her friends, and her very life in peril.

There is no more running, nowhere else to hide. Anne and Grace must fight. They must find a way to defeat the Fae, or risk losing everything—and tangled deep inside the intricate web of Lang’s Labyrinth lies the key.

Anne’s quest to collect the twelve original books, for which the Forests of the Fae were named, will lead both she and Grace down a path of switchbacks, deceit, magic, dark figures, and shady places. They’ll uncover the network of wicked Fae creatures hiding amongst us, and their calculated attempts to lure children to the other side.  And, unless Anne can decipher the trail of clues left behind by the devilish Fae King and untangle the spell within the Labyrinth before the creatures do, she and Grace will lose everything—including their humanity.  

About the Author:

Kristine Kibbee is a Pacific Northwest native with a love of language, nature, and animals. Kristine’s passion for creative writing began in her early youth and led her to Washington State University, where she earned a degree with a concentration in professional writing. Kristine has since had works published in The Vancougar, The Salal Review, S/tick Literary Review, and she is a featured columnist in the nationally syndicated magazine, Just Frenchies.

From the small town of Castle Rock, Washington, nestled among 22 acres of towering fir trees, Kristine relishes time spent outdoors with her two French bulldogs and one husband. She dreams of making the everyday world more magical with her fantasy novels.

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781944589622
PRICE	$13.95 (USD)

The 411:

I stopped reading after Chapter 3 but not because I didn't want to but because after reading the synopsis of Book 1 and Book 2 included in this book I decided I really wanted to read those before I went any further. The premise is great and the book is well written. I love what I read so far but don't want to spoil the ending of the series for myself before reading the first two books. 

To Purchase:

Some Great Scholastic Children's Books That Should Be On Your Shelf - My Preschoolers Loved Them!

The 411:

Such a cute idea for a story. I have often wondered why the animals at the zoo are always laying around when I go and now I know. They are obviously having a dance party. The story tells us that the giraffe makes sure the coast is clear and they alert the elephants who alert the monkeys, who alert the birds who alert the rest of the animals that it is time to dance. 

There are wonderful, colorful illustrations of the animals dancing. It is a really fun book to read out loud and I love the little red bird who apparently narrates for us.   

The 411:

This is a sweet story that is really fun to read out loud and hey beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Ugly Five are about animals that are all considered ugly but the author has a way of making them endearing and in the end they have babies that find them truly beautiful because of all the loving things they do for them.

Get ready to laugh at this lighthearted, heartwarming, and funny approach to books!

The 411:

I have not read any of the other How Do Dinosaurs book series yet but know that my last three preschool classes loves dinosaurs. They will listen to anything that has dinosaurs in it.

 
Such a great idea for teaching kids to learn how to read. The book uses reading tips to ask questions about how dinosaurs may learn to read.

The illustrations are so fun. They feature big dinosaurs learning to read, getting frustrated and eventually wanting to read more and more books.

The 411:

This book takes off where the nursery rhyme ends. The wolf feel into a pan of boiling water that the pigs set up for him in their brick house and while he huffed and puffed he ends up in jail.  As the wolf leaves in the back of a paddy wagon he vows to get the pigs one day. 

The citizens of Fairyland are so happy that award the three pigs a special "superhero" status. 

Fairyland is rebuilt in brick and the pigs are defending all the bad guys as The Big Bad Wolf sits plotting in Happily Never After Prison. 

One day the Wolf escapes and bricks start missing from fairyland with the Wolf eluding the pigs and the citizens every step of the way. 

Magically the wolf has built a tower around the pigs houses and no longer has to huff or puff because he is already inside. He captures the piggies but they are not called "Super Heroes" for nothing. They have a trick up their sleeve that leaves the Wolf with some more time to read.

I LOVED this book. The illustrations are funny, the story engaging and seeing all our fairy tale friends in one book was a surprise. LOVED everything about it.

The 411:

OK little astronauts, get ready to take a trip in your own tiny little rocket ship as we speed into the cosmos and finally into bed.  

Readers board their own rocket ship through this story. They sit in the seat and take hold of the controls spinning and speeding through outer space.

My preschool class loved the pictures. There is just enough color and darkness to showcase the huge space beyond our planet. I especially loved the pull out poster of all the planets and the Happy Birthday World Banner. Very cute bedtime read. 

  

The Dating Subscription Box For Couples - Video Review

Bonding Bees is a refreshing way to experience new things with your partner, and also make sure to put aside some time to enjoy each other’s company while staying in. Every box is a surprise, so you can both look forward to what’s getting delivered to your front door each month!

In an effort to give back, each box helps a child in Brazil who is currently living in poverty. Additionally, a ‘Couple of the Month’ is randomly selected and Bonding Bees will make a donation to a charity of their choice!

• Activities include couples trivia games, painting activities, cocktail recipes, and more! 
• Three levels of subscriptions include: Curious (month to month), Crushing (3 months), and Committed (6 months).
• Learn more, challenge each other and rekindle the spark from the comfort of your own home!      

My Video Review

The 411:

I love the idea of this subscription box and with Mother's Day coming up I think it is a fantastic idea for that special woman in your life.  

The box comes with everything you need for a very special date night with the one you love. There is a book pamphlet to get you started. The one that came to me was a special night in Italy. There was an idea for setting the mood, instructions on making the pizza, making pizza, painting together, playing Italian cards, an Italian lesson on romantic phrases, fun facts about Italy, and a photo of the couple of the month. A winner is selected among those who send in their date night photos.

We haven't painted but did make the pizza last night. I wish I had a picture but since my husband came home late we made it and ate it and went to bed (SOB). We loved that we didn't have to think about dinner and all the ingredients were included. While it wasn't your normal idea of a romantic evening it was really nice. We never cook together anymore so that was fun and sweet.

The price is reasonable and the surprise of not knowing what is included in the box was fun. We can't wait to try the painting if we can keep my daughter from swiping the paint and canvas from us. She is an artist and was eyeing it up.

Follow Bonding Bees on their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest 

Find this and more Mother's Day Ideas on my Mother's Day Gift Guide

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered. All opinions are my own.