Sunday, April 29, 2018

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

Description


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! #scholastic

Zoogie Boogie Fever!

An Animal Dance Book

By Sujean Rim , illustrated by Sujean Rim

What do the animals at the zoo do when the gates close at night? They boogie until dawn! This bouncy, funny read-aloud is filled with an assortment of animals dancing to their own beat and celebrating their individuality. See the flamingos do the fandango, the elephants cha-cha-cha, and the little penguins break-dance as they all avoid being discovered by the zookeeper, and then turn the page to see everyone come together in one unforgettable conga line! Kids will be dancing and moving as they read along with Sujean Rim's irresistible cast of animal characters that fills every page. It all culminates in a surprise orientation shift that reveals an unforgettable finale
!Featuring hilarious nods to dance movie classics like Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, and Dance Fever, this book is sure to make readers of all ages want to start grooving. 




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.   


To Purchase:



The Ugly Five

Author: Julia Donaldson; Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
 
Who's that singing on the savannah? It's the top-five ugly animals in Africa! The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork swagger proudly across the savannah, rejoicing in their ugliness — and delighting their babies, who think they're perfect just the way they are. Inspired by the real-life Ugly Five safari animals,Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's brand-new picture book is a jubilant celebration of animals who are often rather unloved. The funny, heart-warming rhyme is a joy to read aloud, while bold, comical illustrations bring the savannah spectacularly to life.



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.


Very cute book!

To Purchase:


How Do Dinosaurs Learn To Reado Read?

Author: Jane Yolen; Illustrator: Mark Teague

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

Children sometimes feel the task of learning to read is overwhelming, but the winning combination of rhyme and illustrations here provide a perfect way to present the subject in a comical, engaging, and nonjudgmental way. The contrast of enormous dinosaurs in kid-sized bedrooms (with human parents) adds irresistible humor as families explore the dos and don'ts of reading. Both practical and engaging, this book shows dinosaurs getting into all sorts of reading-related trouble! But of course, in the end, the dinosaurs learn how to carefully handle their books, read out loud, and read a lot!



Each book in the endlessly popular How Do Dinosaurs series is a combination of childish antics followed by a gentle lesson. There are over 14.5 million books in print in this series. This book, the twelfth, ends with pages designed to get your own little dinosaur excited about learning to read — especially this word: dinosaur!



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.

To Purchase




The Three Little Superpigs


After defeating the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Superpigs spend their days fighting crime and enjoying their newfound fame. But one day, the Big Bad Wolf escapes from prison and plunges Fairyland into fear. Our curly-tailed friends soon discover that bricks are missing all over town. The Superpigs return to their homes to solve the mystery when they realize it has all been a trap!
Join our new superheroes as they escape from the evil clutches of the Big Bad Wolf and save Fairyland in this first Superpigs adventure. Readers will huff and puff and laugh and laugh.




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.



To Pre-Order 



Tiny Little Rocket


There's a tiny little rocket that will take you to the stars. It only flies there once a year but zips you out past Mars. Its fins are solid silver with a door made out of gold. There's a cozy pilot seat inside for a person young or old.Climb aboard for a bedtime picture book sure to appeal to every kid's sense of wonder. Young readers will love stepping into the cockpit of a wonderful rocket ship that takes them zipping through the planets, stars, and space, all the way back home to Earth and their cozy beds! 

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. 

  To Pre-Order:


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

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Mother's Day Gift Idea - The MemoVase



The MemoVase is a heart-shaped ceramic flower vase with a detachable bamboo whiteboard. It was designed and is assembled right here in the USA.

It took us over 3 years to develop this product. From the design of the perfect heart-shape, to finding the most suitable ceramic mix, to getting the feel of the magnets just right.





The 411:


This is such a cute idea! It is a white ceramic vase with a memo board on it.  The white is so appealing to me I love everything white these days. I think it is because the house is so old and we haven't done anything to it so the idea of pure, shiny, clean white is just that; CLEAN!





My kids and I leave notes to each other all the time and I love the idea of being able to personalize an offering of flowers. You can write whatever you want. Happy Birthday Honey, Happy Valentine's Day, etc., or if you bring them to yourself you can write a quote to yourself or your shopping list or a reminder to pick up milk on your way home. The possibilities are endless. 



I have written on it at least 10 times over the past week. Honestly I am tired of asking for flowers so I will be buying my own this week so I can use it because they have not gotten the hint. GEEZ LOUISE! The vase looks brand new every time I write on it. Very impressive.


To Order:



Find this and other Mother's Day Gift Ideas on My Mother's Day Gift Guide

Be sure to follow Splash Brands on their Facebook page
 
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product for my honest opinion, No momentary compensation was offered.