Mario & Sonic Head To Tokyo For The 2020 Games

The 411: 

I was hesitant to get this one since it's been so long since we played the last ones on the Wii.  My kids are older and I didn't think we would enjoy it anymore but when I showed my kids that we got this, their eyes lit up. 

Once we started playing everyone was having a great time.  Even my husband, who does not play a lot of video games was getting a kick out of this. There were even some really cool games that looked like an 80's Nintendo game and he loved that!

Honestly, I was really surprised at how much fun we had playing this game! When they were younger, playing games with them was quality family time. I missed it and they have been hanging with us playing instead of locked up in their rooms. It might be short lived because it is new but I will take it!

Wordless Wednesday – Angel

PHOTOS, PRECOCIOUS SON/HANDSOME

Posted on August 30, 2008

“Like a ghost through a fog. Like a charmed hour And a haunted song

Mother’s Day 2008

Mother’s Day

Posted on May 16, 2008

Over at Give Me Five Monday, we are to write about 5 things that we enjoyed about Mother’s Day from prior years.

1. Mother’s Day is much better since becoming a mom. I used to hate everything about it. Losing my mom at 12 and having to have this dedicated day to celebrate her was very hard growing up. I don’t know why I haven’t thought about this before but I really should have celebrated it anyway. She is still my mom. I should have just gone to church or remembered her in a quiet way but I was so busy hating walking by Hallmark or seeing all the Mother’s Day ads to notice. My mother’s day card from my husband and my kids was extra special this year because my son wrote in his and his sister’s name. My husband always picks a great card (I am not sure if he really reads them but the sentiment always means a lot to me).

2. We got to play Wii this year. My son got it for his birthday and my husband and I played on Mother’s Day. We boxed and we played golf. I am happy to say I was able to knock him out in both fights.

3. It was just relaxing. Usually we head out to the in-laws for dinner but this Mother’s Day we stayed close to home because hubby was doing an all nighter at work.

4. I camped out in the living room with my kids and let them fall asleep whenever they did. No pressure no problem as they say in the islands.

5. More than all the others, this year and every 5 years I will share this day with my son’s birthday. He was born on Mother’s Day 2003. The best gift ever.

Nat Geo Kids Introduces Kids To Greek Mythology With Zeus The Mighty - REVIEW

The 411:

I am in love with this chubby Zeus The Mighty a character in a series of middle school books from National Geographic Kids by Crispin Boyer. This epic adventure featuring talking animals is the perfect way to introduce Greek Mythology to kids and who doesn’t love cute talking animals? You and your children will love this book and I am hoping for many more in the series. 

Zeus thinks he and his friends Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Ares are Greek Gods but they are really just animals in Mount Olympus Pet Center. The artwork is funny and really adds to the story. Families will love reading this together. I think my favorite character was Poseidon The Puffer Fish.  

The story is about friendship, adventure and lots of fun!

All Around Bustletown Winter

The 411:

As a kid I love Richard Scarry books. All Around Bustletown Winter reminded me of those beloved books. I use to look at them all the time and point to all the tiny characters and talk about what they are doing. My preschool class did exactly the same thing. They wanted to talk about the characters on each page AND the illustrations are incredible. There is so much to look at. So much detail on each and every page. My class loved finding the same characters over and over on each page.

I love these books for kids who can read or who can't. 

2006 Compared to 2007

1. Compared to 2006, was 2007 better or worse for you?

I BELIEVE IT WAS BETTER. THE KIDS ARE OLDER, I AM OLDER AND WISER HOPEFULLY AND WE DID A LOT MORE THINGS. FINANCIALLY IT WASN’T BETTER BUT THINGS CAN ALWAYS BE WORSE. I AM OF THE MINDSET TO HOPE FOR THE BEST AND PLAN FOR THE WORST. BUT I KNOW HOW TO COUNT MY BLESSINGS AND DO SO EVERY DAY.

2. Take the quiz: How did your year rate? 

THE QUIZ I THINK DOESN’T HOLD MUCH WATER, SAYS I HAD A FANTASTIC YEAR. THERE YOU GO. IF THE QUIZ SAYS SO I GUESS IT IS SO.

3. What moment do you remember as being the most emotional for you of 2007?

I GUESS IT WAS SENDING MY SON TO PRE-K 3 DAYS A WEEK. I REALLY DON’T WANT TO LET HIM GO SO THAT IS ALWAYS SO HARD. THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER INTO DECEMBER WASN’T EASY EITHER. I FELT A DISCONNECT WITHIN MY MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT WAS REALLY HARD. I THINK IT IS ALWAYS HARD WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO ISN’T A TALKER. YOU ARE LEFT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND YOU ALWAYS THINK IT IS SOMETHING MUCH WORSE THAN IT IS. 

4. Do you feel that you accomplished any major goals during the year?

MY GOAL WAS TO BREATHE AND YUP ACCOMPLISHED THAT.

5. Compared to your feelings last December, are you more or less optimistic going into 2008?

I AM ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC. YOU HAVE TO BE. IF NOT WHAT’S THIS LIFE FOR? 

6. Take one more quiz: Will you keep your new year’s resolution?

WHILE I TRIED TO TAKE THE QUIZ I WAS UNABLE TO ANSWER THE FIRST 4 QUESTIONS AT ALL. I DO NOT MAKE RESOLUTIONS. I THINK THEY ARE A WASTE OF TIME AND MOST PEOPLE NEVER STICK WITH THEM PAST 3 DAYS ANYWAY.

The Middle Sister by Jesse Miles - REVIEW

The 411:

It weird I am not a huge mystery fan but the last two book were both mystery and I loved them both. 

Jack Salvo is a hired by a mother to find Lille one of her three daughters. She often goes missing and shows up eventually but this time it feels different. I don't want to give too much away but Jack is good at his job.  Now he must piece everything together as he interviews the people in Lillie's life.  

I enjoyed Jack's character. He is witty and doesn't always do what he is suppose to to get the facts. 

There is enough twists and turns for even the best mystery sleuths who quickly solve by the middle of the book. I felt like I knew what was going on and then I didn't. 

Well written! Great characters and fast paced. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Colgate & Ryan's World Are Here To Help You Get Your Kids To Brush With The Funtastic Gift Pack

• 
  

THE 411:

Every year I get my kids a new toothbrush and toothpaste for their stocking. As little kids they would have loved this. They thought of everything AND THE PRICE IS PERFECT! Only $14.88 at Walmart.

As a teacher in preschool I can tell you kids love Ryan the You Tube sensation with 22.7 million followers. 

The Gift Pack comes with:

• 1 Kid Toothpaste with Fluoride, 1 Kids Battery Toothbrush, 1 Manual Kids toothbrush, 1 Fluoride Kids Mouthwash, 1 Mystery Kid Toy
• Ryan's Bubble Fruit Toothpaste & Mouthwash Flavor that Kids Will Love
• Help Strengthen Tooth Enamel and Fight Cavities
• Battery Powered Toothbrush with Extra Soft Bristles Sweep Away Plaque and Bacteria
• Manual Toothbrush with Suction Cup for Upright Storage
• Fun Mystery Toy Included
• For Kids Ages 3+

My Life In Pics Nov 13 - Nov 20

November 13 - I went to my kids school for parent teacher night. My daughter's art teachers as well as her other teachers all said the same thing. "OMG she is so talented but so very shy." Both my kids are doing amazing in high school this year. They are way better students than I ever was. My daughter saw me taking a photo of this water color she did in school on the art room wall and was so embarrassed but I LOVE it and cannot wait for it to come home.

November 14 - My daughter took this photo as we were driving home. She loved the colors. We never tire of this view.

November 15 - Mommy and Me babysitting was a success. Goddess brought her computer and our little guy loved watching her play a game online.

November 16 - Posted this on my Instagram. I love saving money.
Thanks @thefreebieguy I wasn’t going to go today but saw your post. $51.21 total using digitals only

November 17 - I got my son's high school photos in. I cannot believe what a difference a year makes!

November 18 - From middle school graduation into high school. At least she is smiling. I love this new pic!

November 19 - LOL...ok well this was a photo from Shoprite that I took to send to my husband. We have been talking about a bigger, lighter one for the bedroom. Boring I  know. LIFE!

November 20 - I was so excited to get these deals on makeup at CVS.  Saved over $190 bucks. SWEET! I love clearance.

My Life In Pics - Nov 6 - Nov 12

November 6 - Predator alert! Yeah she looks cute but she really just wants to paw at Stormy the Guinea Pig. Jinxy is wondering how to get up there. He doesn't have the ability to jump like most cats.

November 7- NADA...must have been a quiet day

November 8 - One of my students had Chinese food for lunch and as usual the moment I smell it, I need to have it. So dinner was Chinese Food. Honestly it was amazing! I love Chinese food but only allow myself to have it once every other month. Better for my health, waistline, and pocketbook. I only eat half and save the rest for the next day. BTW...the dumplings sucked. Ate one and threw the rest away. Not worth the calories.

November 9 - Took my girl and two friends to the library for a hemp jewelry class. They have 4 more years before they age out of these free classes and I sign her up for everything. This photo cracks me up though. There is a girl sitting next to her whose bun looks like it is part of my daughter's head. So weird.

November 10 - Jinxy! He is a cute boy so I need to share. Plus it is all I have.

November 11 - I was home early so I took this photo to send my husband at work. He had mentioned he had to remove all the dried vines from the deck for the winter. They use to be our Morning Glory plants. Didn't want him to think I was slacking plus it was so beautiful out I really wanted to be outdoors. WIN WIN. The deck looks so dreary after looking so beautiful in the summer.

November 12 - It is so hard to get rid of boxes sometimes. The cats love going into any box that is left near the garbage.  I let them play for a day then it has to go to recycling. There will always be another.

5 Years Ago Yesterday - 2008

PRECOCIOUS SON/HANDSOME

5 Years Ago Yesterday

Posted on May 12, 2008

I really wanted to write this yesterday but with it being my son’s 5th birthday, Mother’s Day and the fact that my husband wouldn’t be home after 4:30 p.m. I really wanted to spend the day just enjoying time with my family.

5 Years ago on Mother’s Day was one of the happiest days of my life.

I have written about this in the past but to sum it up, my son was breech and was scheduled to be born on May 13th by Cesarean. 

However, on the morning of May 11th at 3:30 a.m. my water broke, we rushed to the hospital and I became a mom for the first time.

5 years ago, where did the time go?

5 years ago, I held you and wished the 

moment would never end. 

5 years ago, I was handed a beautiful baby, wrapped in a blue blanket. 

5 years ago, I kissed your forehead and said, “Hi, I’m, your mommy.”

5 years ago we, your father and I, became a family. We were married 8 years before you came, but you made US a FAMILY.

5 years ago, you gave me the name “Mommy,” a name I longed to hear myself referred to after not being able to use the word for more than 25 years.

5 years ago, you I loved your father with every cell in my body. Giving birth to you and seeing him in a totally different way, sealed my love for him forever. I was IN LOVE and knew he was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

5 years ago, I never loved anyone so hard in all my life.

5 years ago, you saved me.

Baby boy, (I will call you this until the day I die) I love you so much. Our relationship is one of the most beautiful things in the world. You are loving and sweet. You tell me you love me at least 25 times a day (No doubt where you learned that from – I have done it to you since you were born).

You kiss me and hug me at least 30 times a day. Again, I am not surprised, I told everyone that you would end up with a permanent kiss mark on your forehead because I could not stop kissing you.

You are challenging and assuring, strong and sensitive, caring and nurturing and shy and boisterous, loving and kind.

You love me to hold your hand or touch your head when you sleep, something I have done since your first days.

You love me to sing to you and still enjoy hearing the songs I put you to sleep to.

You are beginning to read and love hearing how things are spelled.

You know right from left and use directions every moment you can.

You like taking care of your sister but like most siblings, fight like the cats and dogs.

You enjoy watching movies, being read to, playing games on XBox or the computer, coloring, playing games like Bingo, going to the park and going on play dates.

5 Things I love About You:

1. You love hugs and kisses.

2. You are extremely sensitive and like being held and rocked still.

3. You take care of your sister. When she calls you, you run to see if she is ok. You help her turn on lights she can’t reach, open doors she can’t open, take her shoes off or get her something she can’t get.

4. You enjoy laughing and have the best laugh.

5. You tell me you love me every single day. You thank me for taking you places and apologize

when you do something you shouldn’t.

I love you with all my heart baby boy. You are my heart on legs and I pray that you always want to spend time with me.

Love, Mommy.

Away by Gints Zilbalodis

Away An Animated feature film by Gints Zilbalodis

The 411:

I LOVED this part fantasy, part mystery, part fantasy, part science fiction movie. There is no dialogue necessary.

Memorizing scenery as a boy wakes dangling from his parachute way above the ground. A large, dark being walks toward him but he gets away. We follow his journey as he and his rescued bird friend try to find a way home with the threat of this dark presence throughout the movie.

Such a smart well done movie that had me glued. The 3D animation is OMG and the soundtrack beautiful. It is a perfect movie. No dialogue means it can be viewed by anyone and be understood.

My daughter came in while I was reviewing and watched with me. She kept mentioning the animation and how awesome the animation is. My husband came in from work and asked from downstairs if I were playing Myst a game from the 90s. He said the music reminded him of it.

Truly a masterpiece created by ONE person. 25 year old Gints Zilbalois wrote, directed, produced and composed all of it. He is a true genius

This is a must see!

My Life In 2008 - Way Different Now

SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT ME

Weekly Update

Posted on July 14, 2008

Monday – Laundry, Cleaning then the beach for 3 hours. It was awesome, second time this season. We have a private beach about 5 minutes from us but my girlfriend who lives on the other side of the lake about 10 minutes away has a more kid friendly beach, so we headed there. My daughter who wasn’t into the water last year, could not get enough of it. She had a life vest on but managed to lose her footing 2 times.

The first time I scooped her up and she coughed and said put me down. The second time, I thought for sure she would want to get out but she again said, “put me down” when I scooped her out. Ummm…sometimes a little fear goes a long way. She is making me nervous.

Tuesday – Laundry, Special Instruction (SEIT) for my son started up again for summer, followed by Speech for 1/2. He didn’t get his speech instruction because Beth (speech) arrived right after a full out street fight in my hall way with Handsome. He has been talking back and hitting me when I tell him not too. Good Lord!

Wednesday – SEIT and Speech again. Grocery shopping and play date with my friend and her daughter. They only stayed for about an hour and a half but it was enough time for my daughter to have 10 books read to her and my son to play a Wii game with the daughter. Started some freelance work for my old job. Moving quickly. My sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gabby, happy birthday to you. Read and posted a review on a Seven Easy Tips: Encouraging Your Daughter to Say “No” by Alyssa Avant. Worked with the husband on some invoicing. Yikes, always makes me nervous.

Thursday – Laundry, cleaned bathroom, kitchen and vacuumed. Beach again for 5 hours. It was great! My kids had a blast and I finally brought down my googles. Not a fashion statement but I have contacts and like to swim. I am sure I am a sight but my kids enjoy me being in there with them so that is all that matters to me. Pulled over by a PITA police officer who just wanted to ruin my day. He was overly obnxious, I didn’t appreciate in front of my children. It was the most annoying pullover ever. It took him 9 years to get out of his car and then he yelled at me for 2 minutes before telling me “this one is on me, the next one is on you!” Yeee God!

Friday – Cleaned bedroom, living room, hallway, dining room. Dropped books off at the library. Got pizza for dinner. Did freelance work and got the kids down early to watch Jumper with the hubby. More on that later.

Saturday – Freelance work. Beach for 3 1/2 hours with some friends. Kids to be early so that the Hub and I could watch Meet the Spartans. Also, wrote draft for second review (look for it this week).

Sunday – Grocery shopping, laundry, Freelance done! Early night for me hopefully since I am not feeling so well. Kids need a bath but I am thinking of doing a bird bath for each in the sink. Got to run, 7:19 p.m. and I want to get the changed and ready so there are no excuses for them to be up past 8:00. Night.