The Box House by Brigid Marlin - REVIEW

The Box House by Brigid Marlin

The 411 by Maria:

The book cuts to the heart. You immediately want to take Cassie and her siblings far far away and give them everything they have been missing. Cassie at 8 years old is the eldest of 5 children. She and her siblings are often sent out of the house without proper clothing or food when Mom is entertaining. They eventually head into a church because it was a place to go and there they meet Brigid and her children. Eventually Brigid takes Cassie and her siblings under her wing and her compassion makes a huge difference in the life of a little girl. A small gesture by a stranger shows Cassie the person she wants to be.

I was angry throughout most of the book. Angry that Cassie and her siblings were hungry, cold and their only solace was a cardboard box that their father turned into a house for them.  Angry that he didn't stand up for his children and do more. Angry that their mother was such a piece of trash and chose a man over her kids. Angry that they were beat and worse by her boyfriend. Angry that these kids had no one protecting them. No one speaking for them. 

It is a good read. One that will anger you and make you cry. I was so thankful that Brigid introduced the kids to the bible and showed Cassie kindness. We never know how our "small gestures" can ultimately change someone's life. Always show kindness, you may be the only kind person someone sees all day. 

Wii U Amiibo Review By My Son #videoreview #nintendo #wiiu

My son loves his games. He has been a huge fan since the age of 3 and begged for Wii U Amiibos this year. This is the Squid Amiibo. Below see his brilliant video of 3 of his Splatoon Amiibos. He has come a long way from the little boy with all the Special Education services and I am so proud of him. He did such a good job and was so excited to show off his Amiibos.

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Why Kids Should Put Their Phones Down Way Before Bed Time

2/3 of Teens leave their electronics on at night. This may not seem very important but kids who use electronic close to bedtime are  200% more likely to be excessively sleepy during the day--leading to poor grades, mood swings, and anxiety.

The RULE in my house is that they need to shut their electronics (phone, Kindle, Computer, DS), whatever they are on down an hour prior to bedtime. 

Goddess and Handsome go to bed at 9 which means that the electronics are off at 8. It isn't something they like but the rule is followed every school night.  

It takes a while to get the kids set in the routine but the earlier you do it the better. 

Set a curfew! Tell them they can read quietly, listen to music or even watch something together as a family.  Eventually they will learn this is the way it is going to be!

Sunday Stealing: The Icebreaker Questions

1. Are you loud, outgoing or shy? It depends on the day and the crowd.

2. What’s coming up where you’ll see an old friend? Next Sunday I have plans to meet up with my old friend, son's Godmother Susan. It has been years and I can't wait. 

3. Are you easy to get along with? I think so. I don't expect much and feel fairly rational. Not much bothers me.

4. Have you ever given up on someone, but then gone back to them? YES.

5. Who was the last person that you had a deep conversation with? Teresa. It is always Teresa.

6. Are you okay with being in a big crowd? Not really. I prefer small groups.

7. Do you believe in luck and/or miracles? Yes. But not in the sense that we just walk into things but that things were preconceived to allow it to happen.

8. What good thing happened during the summer? (It’s good to think about summer when you are freezing your butt off in January.) Well, it was the first Summer no one had a cast in three years. We were able to swim whenever we wanted.

9. Do you think there is life on other planets? I would like to think that there are planets we haven't even learned about and there could possibly be life.

10. Who was your first crush on? Darrin in the 2nd grade! We are friends on Facebook.

11. What are your bad habits? Biting my nails. I hate it but do it all the time. 

12. What’s your favorite part of your daily routine? The end of the day when the bra is off and the contacts are out. Ahhhh..it is when I know I am done for the day and sleep is coming.

13. Other than your significant other, who are you most comfortable with? I am comfortable with many many people. Too many to mention.

14. Has an ex ever told you that they regret breaking up? Yes. We got back together and it wasn't for the good and we both knew it in the end.

15. Why should your celebrity crush drop everything to be with you? They shouldn't! No one should ever drop everything to be with anyone.

16. What would be the hardest to give up and why? Books. TV. Music. Books. I love reading. I love getting lost in a story.

17. Do you believe in second chances? Absolutely!

18. What would like to do next in your life? Get organized and more active

 

19. What’s the meanest thing that anyone has ever said to you? You think everything is about you and your friends think they know you. Your family left you.

20. What’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to you? You are a great mom!

My Christmas Vacation Is Over

Welcome 2017 and everyone reading this. 2016 wasn't as bad for me as it was for others. Everyone I personally know were talking about 2016 being the year they wanted to kick in the butt for me it was the 2 years prior although it was sad to see so many celebrities leave us. The list is long.

I took 12 days off to spend with my kids. I hold two part-time jobs and with the kids, life, blogging, reviews it was nice to not have a schedule for a while.

New Years was spent at home like so many before. It was better than some and more boring than others but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It didn't really feel like a holiday as we aren't planning a party or getting ready for a party but the kids are home and we are all safe. I know I don't have many more with them as they will eventually grow up and live their own lives. For now I am happy to have them here.

I don't know about you guys but the kids spent most of their time away from school in their rooms. I know it is the age, I was a kid too. Last night was no different. We called them out to watch the ball drop, hug and take a few photos before eventually making our way to our bedrooms.

Praying you all have a wonderful 2017 filled with laughter, love and light.

A Monster Calls By Patrick Ness - Special Collector's Edition and The Novel

The 411:

I loved this book and NEED to see the movie. Conor is 13 years old, dealing with a very adult thing. The sickness of a parent. The book is at times heartbreaking as someone who lost her mother to cancer I completely relate with a child growing up with a sick parent. It is not an easy pill to swallow.

This monster is NOT the one Conor has been expecting from his dreams. He is scary big, and wants something from Conor. He wants the truth.

I thought the book was thought provoking and deep. I had so many emotions all at once including being thoroughly entertained while feeling the heartbreak of losing my mother.

This a now a movie I need to catch.

World's Best Ice Scraper!

 
If you're tired of scraping your windows the old fashioned way, then join the Scrape-A-Round movement. You will secure your family's safety, access new gift ideas and scrape your windows cleaner in half the time with the world's best windshield ice scraper.

My TRUCK looks amazing. Wish I could use it on my driver. I almost fell on my butt!

 The 411:

At first I couldn't understand why this would be so much better than my trusty brush but now since I was able to use it yesterday to clear 6 inches of snow and ice off my truck I know

The shape fits easily in my hand and once I removed the snow it was easy to scrap that ice off. I love it AND you get 3 different sizes so my kids can help. They even have a small one for my daughter.

This is going to be great! I spend so much time chipping ice off my windows in the morning. It is a daily thing in my neck during this time of year and the best part....it can serve as a funnel or as my daughter stated a dunce hat.


I love the way it feels in my hand. I felt like I had total control unlike my long brush that mostly feels clumsy.

Don't be a peep hole driver. Scrape that ice of your cars and give someone you love the Scrap-A-Round this holiday.

The Last Descent - A True Story AND A Must See

The 411: Last night the family and I watched The Last Descent a true story of John Jones who while cave crawling in Nutty Putty Cave in Utah gets himself in a jam and needs a miracle.

While watching the movie I felt this was a must see. Obviously the writers take creative liberties with the story but after researching afterward and checking into the details of this real event I feel it is important to watch this movie for so many reasons but mostly for the hopefulness we all crave at the end of our days.

The movie is very well done and the actors do a great job. We see John's life story in a series of flashbacks as he talks to the many rescuers who tried to help him. In the movie the main rescuer is named Aaron. Aaron and John's conversations make up most of the movie and I was completely engrossed and praying for the best although I already knew the ending.

John was 26 with a small child and another on the way. It is the way the movie focuses on that unborn baby that gives me chills even now.

The cave has since been sealed up and I pray for John and his family and hope they have found peace. 

This is a must see!

Blue Orange Games ROCK Or In This Case Kaboom REVIEW

Blue Orange has become a favorite name of ours. 

The 411:

In Kaboom you have 30 seconds to build as many of the towers on the cards that you can while your opponent tries to knock them down with catapults that fling white blocks. If they knock down your tower, you can still build another from a different card but you cannot use any of the blocks that were used in the now knocked down tower. Each card has a value so if you can keep your tower the entire 30 seconds you get that card and that plays into who the winner will be. There is however one card that doesn't have a value and if you happen to manage building that one you are the winner no matter how many cards your opponent has.

 

We had so much fun. It was really stressful to build while my daughter was flinging blocks at my tower and to watch the timer but we love it and have played often.

Crunchies - Perfect for Snacking Or Using In Your Favorite Recipes

My dream is to have a huge kitchen and spend all of December with my daughter baking and laughing but alas this can't happen in this house. There is ZERO room or setting up trays or rolling out dough but I recently found something called Crunchies!  Crunchies are freeze-dried fruit snacks that taste amazing and can add a touch of sweet to your favorite recipes – without doubling the calories.

My plan was of course to use these in not only this chocolate berry bark recipe above but in my oatmeal that I make almost everyday. However...I was unable to make it in anything because my daughter too a bag to lunch every day until they were all gone! Grrrr

I love that she loves them and this just tells me I need to get more. Fortunately unlike so many other things I can't find in my little town. Crunchies are in the CVS only about 10 minutes away. Hooray! So I guess I need to buy for her and hide my own stash.

New Holiday Movie For Your Christmas Media Library

The 411:
Personally I was like what? No! But my 11 year old insists that kids will love this movie. It dogs, dinosaurs and an evil cat!

The dogs are going to go back in time for this amazing bone. I thought it was just odd but my daughter watched the whole thing.

When I interviewed her after she said she thought it was funny. She also felt like it was a movie she could have made and was actually inspired to try to create something on her own.

• Star Paws' is a family friendly homage to the blockbusters Star Wars and Jurassic Park that per owners will love!
• Features a great voice cast that includes William McNamara (Surviving the Game, Chasers, Copycat), K.J. Schrok (the upcoming 'Farmtopia' and reunited for the first time in twenty-five years, USA Network's Dance Party USA's Bobby Catalano & Jason Pascoe!
• Dove Approved for the whole family!
• From the creator of the smash holiday hit 'The Three Dogateers Save Christmas'

Christmas Gift Idea: Character 3D Lights - I Can't Wait For My Son and My Husband To Open This Gift

3DLIGHTFX 3D Deco Lights are the perfect gift this holiday season. They have a full range of comic book, super hero, Disney Princess, sports and car lights that look as though they are popping right out of the wall!

My husband has been a Star Wars fan of epic proportions since he was younger than my son and my son continues the fascination so I am super excited for them to see the 3D Light from 3DLIGHTFX.

The Death Star is going to look amazing in my son's room. My husband made him an entire galaxy wall which he handed painted but I have a huge feeling he will want to put this in the family room so he can enjoy it too!

While they were all at school I put it under the tree to see how it looked but plan on wrapping it instead.  

The switch for the light is on the side so it is easy to turn on/off or you can slide to the timer position to use as a night light. 

Doesn't it look amazing?

Truly stunning and it never gets hot. Since there are no cords you can place it anywhere too!

This isn't the only light 3DLightFX has. There are so many to choose from.

Peppy Pup The Walking Toy That Needs NO Batteries

Now, I get to show him to you! He is adorable and my 11 year old has slept with him every night for a week. While Peppy Pup has been hard to find; Toys R Us and Amazon are good places to try.

My kids are still into their stuffed animals but Peppy Pup takes things to a whole new level by creating a stuffed animal that walks or runs on a leash without battery power. That's right. The toys legs are created with springs and little bumps on the bottom of his feet that make him move like a dog. He literally follows his owner everywhere.