Relaxing Evening

I love this time of year for no other reason than we use the fireplace a lot!

What do you think about our nightlights? The one in the foreground is a Tiffany vase that my husband received as a Christmas gift as a client. We had no idea what we would do with it until I pulled a set of battery operated fairy lights out of a closet. Wah-la perfect night light.

The light behind the TV can be changed depending on mood.

Love how soft the lights look.

Monday Mellow Yellow - Crepes

My daughter loves crepes ever since I took her to a French Restaurant where she had Nutella, banana and strawberry crepes.

The other day when I asked her what she wanted for dinner she asked me to please pick up crepes for  because we haven't had them in months.  Weather wise it was impossible to get there so I decided to try my hand at crepes. Finding a recipe was easy and within 20 minutes she had a plate of crepes filled with Nutella, Strawberry, Banana and garnished with drizzled chocolate and whipped cream. She told me they taste just as good as the restaurant. She absolutely made my day! I can't wait to make them again.

Baby Gifts For Valentine's Day

I am fortunate this year to have babies in my life again. At 50 many of my friends are done having babies but since I am in the work force again, there are many of my younger co-workers having babies and I couldn't be happier. Last week one of my daughter's teachers had a baby girl and I can't wait to see her. My daughter is so excited that she wanted to give her something for the baby so we picked up a book. I LOVE giving books, a blanket and a key ring. 

I am so excited for her to see these gifts. The first one we picked up was a Kleynimals  rattle. 

 

You know babies love playing with your key ring even if you have baby toys for them while you are out and about. This is perfect. There are three arctic animals gracing the rattle. Pippi the Polar Bear, Scout the Snowshoe Hare and Otto the Snow Owl.  The rattle is dishwasher safe and 100% Stainless Steel and American made. Babies will love the shiny metal and jingly sound. 

 

And because I love giving books I chose DK's Baby Touch and Feel; I Love You book published by 
Penguin Random House. My kids used to love touch and feel books. This one is perfect for little hands and has the most adorable assortment of teddy bears, sparkly ribbon, kittens, puppies, baskets and more
  
The last item in her gift bag is this cute security blanket with a bunny rattle. I am in love with this and have purchase two of them over the past 3 years.

This is a nice size baby blanket for baby. They come in white, blue and pink and since our new little friend is a girl we got a pink one. The photos can't even get across to you just how soft these are. My daughter begs for one of her own every time she sees one in the house. The bunny rattle has a pocket to keep it in so you don't misplace your kids lovey.

 

Moms For Hire By Deborah Jelin Newmeyer

The 411:

This book came at the perfect time for me. My kids are getting older and at 50 my shelf life for a new career isn't looking that bright but I still have some life left in this skin so I appreciate the steps Deborah talks about that will hopefully help me jump start my career. 

The book is laid out in 8 easy to follow steps such as first getting a handle on your now mommy busy life. 

It was interesting to sit down and fill out the charts to see where my time is being wasted.  I get up about 4:45 or earlier every day except the weekend where I sleep until about 7:00 all I want to do is head to the couch. Usually it isn't for good until 9 when the kids are in bed. Laundry, showers, clothes out for the next day, cleaning the kitchen all happen between 7-8 however I am currently off Tuesdays and Thursdays unless called in so I am planning on making those the days I sit down and hammer out the plan Deborah sets forth in this book. 

I am completely confident that after finishing all the steps I will reclaim my life and either manage my time better, look for another career or at least know the path I am going to take. 

My favorite section was the Expert List Circling Exercise. I had no idea I was so proficient in so many things. 

Hello Mr. Dodo by Nicholas John Frith

The 411:

Hello Mr. Dodo is about a girl named Martha and her love all of birds. She knows the name of each bird until she comes upon a bird she has never seen before. After researching she discovers this is the extinct Dodo bird. Worried for his safety she keeps him a secret until one day she accidentally slips and tells the mailman about her friend Mr. Dodo. Thinking fast she comes up with a way to protect her friend. Toward the end of the story we learn she was not the only one keeping a secret. WINK!

This is a fun book that kids and adult readers will love with colorful 60s style illustrations.

 

Princess Josephine and The Rainbow Dragon by Kate Bodsworth and Stunning Illustrations by Brigid Marlin

The 411:

We start with the story of a little princess who lives in a technicolor world. The book goes into detail about color.

"The bedspread was red and gold like the setting sun". 

One day Princess Josephine wakes to find herself in a monochrome world. Apparently a dragon decided o eat all the colors in the land.

Josephine heads out on her own magical horse to get her kingdom's color back from the color sucking dragon.

While talking to the dragon she learns that if the dragon doesn't suck all the colors up he will turn grey and eventually become stone.

Josephine is no mere princess, she went to princess school and knows how to think through any situation and come up with a solution. Thankfully Josephine's solution benefits everyone and they all live of course, happily ever after.

Adorable story and the illustrations are some of the best. I wish I could rip them out of the book and frame them especially this one.

Game Day Snacks With The Help Of Farm Rich

I am not a football fan. I have tried for years but my boys make up for my lack of interest. My husband got almost the perfect son for his football love. I say almost because my son's favorite team is my husband's least favorite team. Although they don't share a favorite team, they do share a passion. This year the guys have been planning the menu. They like pizza, chips, and finger food. Easy enough! However I will not be here so they need things that are easy and quick which is why I stocked up on Farm Rich Appy's. They need things that they can toss on a cookie sheet or tin pan and run back to the game.

Farm Rich has some great snacks and over the past two weeks I tried some of them to see if we should purchase them for their game day.

We also tried their Pizza Wrap. It is like an egg roll but with pizza inside. It even comes with the marinara sauce that you dunk in hot water.

My favorite is the onion ring. They are probably my favorite frozen onions rings ever. I make onion rings a few times a year but it takes so long and then their is the clean up. These were just as good with whole onions instead of pieces of onion and too much breading. LOVE THEM.

They also come with a dipping sauce that you sit in hot water until it is ready for using.

The past two weeks Farm Rich has been a staple in my freezer and the kids and husband love them!

I am making these very soon!

Personalized Books AND More For Kids

Valentine's Day is coming and thinking of something special for my kids has always been as important to me as celebrating their birthday. I don't do anything big not a ton of wrapped presents but something special and unique to them and their likes on Valentine's Day and Easter. This is why I love I See Me. I See Me specializes in creating unique, personalized, customized books that kids and parents will love. Like the new It's My Birthday Book. Great for 0-6.


A favorite of mine is their interactive sing-along book and CD featuring your child's name: http://www.iseeme.com/en-us/my-sing-a-long-book-and-cd.html

There are also an array of books for welcoming a new baby, the big brother/sister, and more. All titles come with personalization options allowing your kids to star in their storybooks.

The colors are vibrant and the characters and animals are whimsical with sweet, friendly faces.

The CD is really cute too. Each song is personalized with your child's name. It flows beautifully. Unlike most other personalized CDs this sounds as if it was completely recorded with your child's name in place. Your child's name isn't just an add on with a weird voice or odd insert. It is truly amazing to hear. Your child is spoken to at the onset of the song and the song mentions their name numerous times throughout the song. They will love it. It is something they will  hold onto forever.

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.