"No Mommy I Did Not ..."

Have you ever heard those words, but you knew the answer already?

This morning as I am in the bathroom, Penny comes into the bathroom to ask me a question. I did not even wait for her question as I had a much more important one...

ME: "Why are your lips blue?" Of coarse, I already knew the answer, but I wanted to her the explanation.

PENNY:  "I don't know."

ME: "If you don't know who should I ask? Is there something you would like to tell me?"

PENNY: "Can we go out to breakfast?"

ME: "That's a question not a statement."

PENNY: "I want to go out to breakfast!"

ME: "We need to figure out first what is wrong with your lips."

PENNY: "Oh..."

ME: "And what is on your sleeve and shirt."

PENNY: "I think it was from a couple of days ago when I got a stain on it."

I am trying to know keep a straight face and not to laugh.

ME: "Do you think maybe you liked the icing of the cupcakes?"

PENNY: "No there was some on the cartoon and I liked it off so it would not get all over."

ME:: "If I go into the kitchen and look and there is icing off a cupcake ..."

Silence. I've given her the chance to come clean so fire is now shooting out of my head!

ME: "PENNY!!!" As I am in the kitchen and the cupcake box lid is not on right and two little finger prints are smeared through  the top of the cupcakes.

PENNY: "Yes, Mommy?"

By know I just know I am not going to get a straight answer so I give up.

ME: "Just for future reference ... next time wipe the evidence off your face and not on your clothes. And put the lid back on the container and don't leave fingerprints."

I guess as least I know she won't be a criminal ... at lest if it involves a Criminal Icing Thief:".

"BEST DAMN ROOT BEER" ... A REVIEW

Ok ... I am not a beer specialist or whatever it is they call themselves, but let me tell you right up front this is the BEST DAMN ROOT BEER! I usually drink whatever light beer me or my husband pick up. I am for sure not a fan of dark beer ... I prefer blonde's usually.

Evidently, this beer use to come in cans (maybe it still does), but we picked it up in bottles. It was $9.00 for a 6-pack at Wal-Mart. Normally, I would not pay that for a 6-pk, but I had heard so much hype on this beer I had to try it myself. I had walked by the display a ton of times.

Best Damn Root Beer,is made  from Best Damn Brewing Co., based in St. Louis, which also makes Best Damn Apple Ale (which just doesn't sound good). The company's site says its a  5.5. percent alcohol rate. The beer is dark, but it's root beer so ... go figure! It gives of the smell of root beer too with a very rich vanilla taste. I would not classify it as a heavy beer ... another thing I don't like in beer. It is very smooth and taste much like a regular root beer. Luckily, I don't like soda so I am not going to chug these down one after the other.

If you like trying new and different beers ... I do highly suggest giving this one a try. Just make sure you don't leave it laying around where your kids could mistake it for a root beer!

This review is my own opinion ... I did not receive and compensation of anytime to do this review.

GARDEN TOOLS ... A REVIEW

I love Spring and Summer! I am so not a winter person. My nickname is WannaBBeachGirl .. if I could live in flips flops, shorts and tank tops I would be in heaven. But no I live in Indiana and we have a weather that changes more then stop lights do.

This year I plan on getting my yard in shape ... last year due to health issues last year I couldn't and it has suffered horribly! I was so excited to be able to review these GARDEN TOOLS from URBAN GRANGE LIVING. First off ... their Customer Service is excellent. This is something you don't get anymore... if you send them a e mail you will get a response. Now ... Mother nature just get your hormones in gear so I can plant somethings!

I took advantage of my "babysitting day" and put the kids to work. Now don't go reporting me ... the kids loved doing this.  First off ... these are heavy duty tools. They are not your cheap tools that may get you through the season. I love the grip on them! They are soft and comfortable with a cushion like handle. First off ... there is the Garden Trowel that is perfect for starting your garden area. My husband will tel you I can break at least two a year. These I will beat him on I won't ... they are heavy duty towels, but yet light in your hand. I had no problem digging up the hard dirt that was literally like cement. Even the three little 'squirts" helping me could dig up the dirt. The next was the weeder. My Little Man Helper was in charge of this ... we mixed the old dirt and some new dirt into our planting area. It was excellent at pulling some of the weeds up that we had missed. It is for sure one of the best tools I have used! Next we need to dig the holes for the seeds. I had two great helpers with me on this task and both could get right into the dirt. We had so much fun using the tools. After using them we got them all rinsed off and put them back into our Garden Bag. I knew from the description that they were not going to rust. That is something I usually always have problems with. I really love my new set of Garden tools for their durability and comfort in using. I know that may sound weird, but I have arthritis and these were so easy on my hands.  So now ... I have no excuse for getting my yard in shape. STAY TUNED!

I would highly recommend these GARDEN TOOLS to anyone that is going to be out in there yard this year!

MY RATING: Five Stars

YOU CAN FIND THESE GARDEN TOOLS HERE:

http://smile.amazon.com/Premium-Garden-Tools-Set-Cultivator/dp/B00Z88Y1V8?ie=UTF8&keywords=Premium%20Garden%20Tools%20Set%20-%203%20Piece%20Durable%20Gardening%20Hand%20Tool%20Set%20%28Weeder%2C%20Trowel%20%26%20Cultivator%29%20-%20Ergonomic%20%26%20Rust%20Resistant%20-%20High%20Quality%20Gift%20For%20Women%20%26%20Garden%20Lovers.&qid=1459337343&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

I must disclose that I did receive these at a discounted price in return for a fair and honest opinion. I depend on honest reviews to and I review all produts as 100% my opinion.
 

RESURRECTION EGGS ... A REVIEW

Two years ago, I heard about Resurrection Eggs for the first time – and I thought it was a neat idea, but Hannah seemed too young to understand the Resurrection of Christ, even with the visual aids that the eggs supplied. Lat year, time got away from me and we were working on our home school project THE DAYS LEADING UP TO EASTER (I really liked doing this last year and even thought about redoing it). This year, I I saw the book The Story of the Resurrection Egg's BENJAMIN'S BOX and decided it was time to revisit doing the Resurrection Egg's.

There are numerous ways to use Resurrection Eggs to help teach your children the story of Easter.  They sell them at almost all Christian book stores or on-line, at Amazon, or you can make your own (our set is pictured below along with our review).  You can also make your own and fill the eggs with visual aids from the actual story from the Bible or from any number of Easter books. Next year ... if I can possible remember in time I would like to make a set for two little cuties I know!!

My REVIEW OF:  The Story of the Resurrection Eggs BENJAMIN'S BOX (by: Melody Caslon)
This is the  story about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The young Jewish boy, Benjamin tells the story of Holy Week from his perspective. As he encounters Jesus through the week, he collects items for his treasure box that his grandfather, a Shepard present in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth, had given him. His grandfather had included "hay" from the manger of baby Jesus.  We follow Benjamin on his journey through Jerusalem, as he wants to see who Jesus really is! At the end of the story child both young and old will be delighted to learn the good news!
This is a wonderfully written book with beautiful pictures illustrated by Jack Stockman.
I give this FIVE STARS ... if you buy just one Easter book ... make it this one!

MY RATING: FIVE STARS

Here is where you can get the RESURRECTION EGGS:

http://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-Booklet-Stickers--Tells-Easter/dp/1602006512/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459262686&sr=8-1&keywords=resurrection+eggs

MY REVIEW OF:  12 Resurrection Eggs with  Religious Figurines Inside (Sold By: Resurrection Eggs)
One of my favorite things about this set is they come on a hard plastic egg case. Not a Styrofoam one that will get easily torn up through the years. The Set comes with it's own book telling the story of Easter. The eggs are meant to help children learn the story easier by small trinkets that goes along with the story. Each egg is a different color and holds a trinket to represent the day leading up to Easter. the trinkets include: a donkey, silver coins, the cup, praying hands, the whip, the rooster, the crown of thorns, the nails in the cross. the spear, the linen cloth, the stone and finally one empty egg. There is also a small booklet included to tell the story of the Resurrection Eggs (both in English and Spanish). These Resurrection Eggs follow very closely with the book Benjamin's Box. Some critic's will say the egg's do not completely match the story .. it may be off a tad, but not so much you can not figure it out on your own! And some Catholic's will say there is a part of the book that does not go along with their religion ... it is a few small words. You can switch them out or skip them. This story and using these eggs are something to beautiful if you are raising your child up in the religious world to miss.


MY RATING: FIVE STARS

Here is where you can get BENJAMIN'S BOX book:

http://www.amazon.com/Benjamins-Box-A-Resurrection-Story/dp/1576731391/ref=pd_sim_21_16?ie=UTF8&dpID=511MQFT8PQL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR158%2C160_&refRID=11MVQS8BDYQCBZ753YJR

3D VIRTUAL REALITY GLASSES ... A REVIEW

With just having reviewed LOOT CRATE I thought I would go ahead and give you the heads up on what seems to becoming a new CRAZE!

Virtual Reality Glasses ... getting that 3D effect you get at movie theaters!!! Yes ... I am a home mom and a wife to "Gamers"! Both are fanatics at playing and competing at video games. I was pretty excited when I had the chance to review this for  Potuk. I knew it would be a great surprise for both of them.

I have seen the cardboard ones and read some of the reviews, but quite frank ... You get what you pay for! With these 3D VIRTUAL GLASSES  you get a much better product and not pay that mush more then what a cardboard one would cost you. The glasses are light weight, but still durable and well made. My eight year old can wear them and they are not to heavy for her head and adjust and fit to her size. The straps are all adjustable and there is padded soft cushion all around the side making them comfortable.

• The 3D Glasses are fit for smartphone with screen size within 6 inch, the max size of phone is 170x80x12mm.  They are compatible with with iPhone 6 plus Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and other smartphones.

•  They give you a full 3D 600ft effect. You do not have to wear your glasses with these ... my husband it totally blind without his glasses and can use this without them! The pictures and reality while playing a game are amazing. It is really like you are there in the screen. 

•  The glasses are also rechargeable and can be charged and worn while you are playing.

  If you have a Gamer in your house and they like trying out new things ... I highly suggest this! The price can not b bit and they are quality made!

Here is where you can purchase these:

http://www.amazon.com/Potok-SHINECON-Virtual-Immersive-Smartphones/dp/B01A2CJYIE?ie=UTF8&keywords=Potok%20VR%20SHINECON%20Virtual%20Reality%20Headset%20360%20Viewing%20Immersive%20Virtual%20Reality%203D%20VR%20Glasses%20for%203.5-6.0%20inches%20Android%20%26%20Apple%20Smartphones%2C%20ideal%20for%203d%20Videos%20Movies%20Games%20%28Black%29&qid=1459101046&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

*Disclaimer* ... I did receive this product at a discount in return a promised to give them a fair and honest review. My reviews are always my own and nothing ever sways my opinion.  This site may contain affiliate links.

RATING ... 4 STARS

LOOT CRATE ... A SUBSCRIPTION BOX REVIEW

I am not a Gamer ... but my significant other and my Wild Child are! I do love Marvel and DC comics and shows. This month's box ... MARCH 2016 is a VERSUS theme. With the new http://www.batmanvsuperman.net/ movie out this is a very appropriate box!!!

If you don't know yet what LOOT CRATE is ..

https://www.lootcrate.com/subscription-crates/lootcrate?utm_campaign=bing_brand&utm_source=paidsearch&utm_medium=bing&utm_term=core_crate&cvosrc=paidsearch.bing.brand  is the original subscription box for geeks & gamers. Every month you’ll get a "nerd box" with tons of fun and nerdy things that all geeks will love. One of the best things about this box is that it’s only $20 per month a great price considering all the things you get in. Items in here are new and a lot of items have not even been released yet. Every Loot Crate box in 2016 will have a shirt and you choose what size you will get!

I have missed in past months in all the excitement to open all the goodies .. the box turns inside out! how cool is this ... you know have a JUNGLE theme box for your LOOT CRATE figurine.

    Every LOOT CRATE has a Mini-Mag and fun activities to do. This one is one of my favorite ... Everyone needs to know 'How To Defeat any Opponent" and the training skills you need. Inside, you’ll find a ton of information, including how to redeem your bonus loot.

This month’s bonus gets you a FREE rental of Aliens or Predator on VUDU. My daughter loves the Predators. If your a International Looters you will get a digital comic!

You also get a really cool wallet. The wallet is the CHALLENGE ... can you tear it? Rip it to shreds ... BET YA CAN'T!

This months CHARACTER is a Grab Bag boxed one. You will either gt the PREDATOR or the ALIEN. We got the ALIEN ... Penny thinks he's rather creepy. I think he is awesome ... very really like and not a cheap plastic figurine. The CHARACTER itself is worth the $20.00. Personally now I am going on a hunt to find the PREDATOR!!!

 What else could you possibly ask for? How about this super cool ... reversible Beanie!!!

 And don't forget you also get a COLLECTORS PIN ... this comes in all the crates. But what about this months T-Shirt ...

I might be borrowing this one ... MIRROR MIRROR. Spock vs Spock. Evil Spock with that goatee is what I am thinking is the hero here!

So let's Recap what you are going to get in this MARCH 2016 Crate:

• Quantum Mechanix Mirror, Mirror Star Trek T-Shirt
• Exclusive Bioworld Daredevil & Punisher Reversible Beanie
• Alien vs. Predator 4.5-Inch Vinyl Figure
• Exclusive Harley Quinn Comic Book
• Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice Mighty Wallet
• Exclusive March 2016 Loot Pin
• Versus Magazine

VERDICT: There is a crazy amount of stuff crammed into this box ... you just can't complain about that. But as the theme goes ... I would like to have more Batman vs Superman items. Maybe in a future Crate ...

Here again is where you can get your Crate ... what surprise will we find inside April's Box?

https://www.lootcrate.com/subscription-crates/lootcrate?utm_campaign=bing_brand&utm_source=paidsearch&utm_medium=bing&utm_term=core_crate&cvosrc=paidsearch.bing.brand

This review is my own ... LOOT CRATE did not ask me to review this or send me anythings. All opinions are 100% mine.

IBOTTA APP ... DOES IT WORK

I use to be a Coupon Queen or at least that is what my husband called me. But then stores had to go and change their Couponing Policies and it just did not seem like it was worth it for a long time. But I have gotten back on the horse and I am trying it again. I still miss coupons that doubled and being able to stack Digital Coupons and paper coupons, but there are some great APPS out there now.

First let me say I am not a APP person normally. It took me awhile to jump on the wagon and use APPS, but I am telling you ... you WILL save MONEY!

So for those of you out there that have not heard of IBOTA ... let me try and explain it to you.

WHAT IS IBOTTA?

Ibotta is a mobile device app that will pay you cash back on you’re in store purchases. The app shows you what products are eligible for cash back and at what stores. All you have to do is buy the items and then verify your purchases. Some stores you must scan the Bar Code of the product and your receipt and snap the picture of the receipt. Others you just have to snap a picture of the receipt. Once you have done this and your purchases have been verified you will hear a "Chang Ching" sound when your money is in your account.

So ... HOW DOES IBOTTA WORK?

1. Firs you must have a Smart Phone. Right now that is the only way to sign-up and use IBOTTA.  Join IBOTTA here ... https://ibotta.com/r/fmwdlet If you sign up with my referral code we will both earn money! My referral code is: fmwdlet. Sign up with my CODE and you will atomically get $10.00 when you use the APP in the first two weeks!

2. Go Shopping ... I like to claim my items before I go shopping. To do this just browse the rebates and choose the ones you will be buying. By doing it this way I also get  glimpse of what is available. That way if I get to the store and see a good deal on something and I know it is on the APP I can go and claim it then. Make sure you read the details on exactly what you must buy (size, quality, etc).

3. Claim your purchases... I do mine when I get home. As I am putting things up I can scan the Bar Code or just scan the receipt.

HOW DOES IBOTTA PAY YOU?

When you reach a certain amount ... last I checked it was $5.00 you have it sent to your Pay Pal account or you can choose Gift Cards. I prefer to do the GC route. Last year, I saved up my points and would periodically put them on GC then at the end of the year I had some "free" Christmas shopping money! I was already going to have to buy the food so it was not like I was spending money to get money.

DO THEY REALLY PAY OUT?

Yes, I have cashed out and received my GC. When I put the money in my Pay Pal account it took only minutes for it to get into my account.

DO YOU HAVE TO SHOP AT CERTAIN STORES?

Yes, there are only certain stores that you can shop at. But most are the big names stores and here in Indianapolis one of our locally own grocery stores is on the list. You will even find other stores then grocery stores ... I have used IBOTTA at Hobby Lobby and a few restaurants.


IS IT ONLY FOR NAME BRAND OR ITEMS YOU DON'T USE EVERYDAY?

No and No ... there are not all name brand products on there. I have bought a lot of items that say "store brand" or "any brand". These are items like milk, cheese, bread, pasta, ice cream, etc. There are also Rebates for fresh veggies and fruit!

 




IS IT TIME CONSUMING?

No, I add my items as I am working on my list and doing my Price matches.

IS IT WORTH IT?

Yes ... unless you just have money to throw away!

Here is a example of what I saved in one week...

* On my APP I choose the items I was going to use ... I shopped three different times in one week at two different stores. Just from IBOTTA I put $8.00 in my account. And YES these were items I would have bought with or without the APP! Now ... I also used regular paper coupons and I saved $15.00 doing that. I Price Matched at Wal-Mart and saved $18.00 doing that (I love our one local store when the run Reynolds Heavy Duty Wrap 75sq. ft for $.99)! And I put my Wal-Mart receipts into their Savings Catcher and got back $7.89 on dog food. On one trip alone to Wal-Mart I turned my $80.00 grocery bill into $49.00. I would say that was worth it ... wouldn't you?

So don't wait any longer ... sigh up today at: https://ibotta.com/

And don't forget to use my CODE: fmwdlet

 

THE MASSAGER STICK ... MASSAGE ROLLER ... Review

My daughter and I both suffer from Neurofibromaosis (NF1). One of the conditions of this disorder is painful aches and pains all over the body. Penny currently goes to therapy once a week for two hour sessions. After she is done she often complains that she is more sore and tired. I wanted to try and find something that would benefit both of us.

The Massage Stick ... Massage Roller was one of the products that I cam across that would be a good massager I hoped, but also something that my eight year old could learn to use. It is a 18" long roller that allows you to massage a 9' area at a time. It is a metal pole type bar that holds seven plastic roller beads for massaging painful areas of your body. The handles are a nice size and have a slip resistant grip to them. It is light in weight and could easily be stored in a gym bag to take with you for your after work out massage.

I have been using this particular purple massager for a little over two weeks now. I have tried using it myself on areas that I can reach and it is a very natural feel. There is only the amount of pressure that you put on it. My daughter has been using it on my back and it is very easy for her to use both on me and herself. My back feels less sore and beat up then it was feeling a month ago. I have also been using it on the bottoms of my feet to help with diabetic nerve pain. it has been easing the stinging pain. As for my daughter. it is gentle, but yet strong enough to use on her.

I would recommend this product for others to try out if the suffer from stiff and sore muscles.

I did receive this product at a discounted price in return for a fair and honest review. As with all my reviews these are 100% my own opinion. No product or discount ever sways my opinion.

You can find this product here:

http://www.amazon.com/Massager-Stick-Recovery-Myofascial-Guaranteed/dp/B00QH96JQC/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1459019747&sr=8-6&keywords=purple+massage+roller


RATING: 4 STARS

SILENCE ... BOOK REVIEW

WHEW! This was a whirlwind of a read. It is classified as a: YOUNG ADULT book, but I found it to be a great read at worth REVIEWING. It is one of those books that you don't want to believe that "these things" happen, but in all reality we know they do. It doesn't make it any easier to read about, but the author Natasha Preston as done a great job with it and makes our heartbreak for the main character Oakley.

The underlying "secret" of this book is a dark subject. Unspeakable things that have happened  within the family. Oakley is clearly a girl who is haunted by something in her past, but we don't know what that was for much of the book. The hints were subtle and that made the reveal that much more shocking and upsetting. The  twist to this story was the fact that Oakley doesn't speak. At all. For that matter, she has virtually no communication with anyone of any kind. Though she has a cell phone that she could text on she still finds herself not able too. We find Oakley making a friend he Cole and although they become inseparable she still can not find a way to communicate with him. Every night he sends her heartfelt texts. She writes messages back to him, but will never push send. Cole is relentless in standing by her side.

This book will make you sad for Oakley ... cheering for Cole ... and hating the person who took the ability for Oakley to speak since age five.

As a mom I can not come to grips with the knowledge that parents ignore situations like this. That they do not see it or rather cover it up. Her parents seem like the All-American family that you would want, but that is what makes the book even better. You will find yourself hating and loving them all at the same time.

I read this one on my KINDLE and was offered it for FREE for a honest and fair review. As with all my other items I review this does not sway my opinion. I was offered nothing else in return for writing this review.
Ms. Preston has written a for other  books in follow up and I will be reading them as well.

You can get your FREE copies if you are a KINDLE reader too. Offers change frequently so please check when ordering.

http://www.amazon.com/Silence-Natasha-Preston-ebook/dp/B009SV1YCU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1459000145&sr=8-5&keywords=Silence+a+book MY RATING: FOUR STARS

MY RATING: FOUR STARS

MONDAY A GREAT MORNING SURPRISE ... MAKEOVER

I woke up Monday morning and was thinking ... "Maybe something good will happen this week". I have had a rough start to this year and it is time to start thinking positive thoughts. You know how though when your doorbell rings at 8 am and your like ... "OH NO ... what's wrong?" This time though it was a great "Ding Dong'. I opened the door to find my neighbor. She is the most fantastic woman I know ... she works, bakes, cans, does hair cuts, sews... she is a regular Wonder Woman. Well, she asked me if I wanted to do a 'Monday Make-Over' for her blog. I was sorta hesitate ... I am not the type that would usually picked for this sort of thing. But hey ... I have really been thinking I need to do something with myself... I am turning 40 something at the end of the month.

I had the BEST time! It was great to be made over and pampered. Nicole did a awesome job and I never would have thought I could made to look like I did. Now ... I need to take a make-up class from her (which she will be doing soon).

I am not one to post pictures of me usually ... I am more behind the scenes type, but I think this picture and make-over turned out AWESOME!!!

Thanks ... Nicole!!!!!

MONDAY MAKE-OVER

MUSHROOM TEA ... REVIEW

I admit when I first read about this tea ... I was a little scared to try it. I mean MUSHROOM TEA? What is mushroom tea? And better yet why does it look like tree bark? But in our family ... we drink a lot of tea and we have a rule you have to try it at least once before you can rule it out.

When my Zen Principle Tea arrived I have to admit again I was even a little more scared ... it even more looked like tree bark. But again ... the family rule kicked in.  I had to wait till the next morning to brew some because this tea takes EIGHT HOURS to brew. The next morning, I got the water boiling and dropped three mushroom chunks in as directed into a pan of boiling water... I then turned it down to a simmer... cover he pot and the rest was up to the mushroom chunks. A friend came over later and she knows me pretty well and asked what I was up to. We looked at the tea and after five hours it seemed pretty dark so we decided for this batch we were going to try some of it. I strained the three chunks out of the tea and pour us some tea half way into large cups and filled the rest with semi-cold water. We like ours a little on the sweet side so I broke off our favorite raw honey chunks. The tea had a wonderful earthy smell. Before we diluted it down it was very dark in color more like a coffee color, but once diluted down it was a nice golden color. The taste was wonderful ... not like a tea you gt from a tea bag. It was a whole new experience. Something very clean and rich taste. It did have that mushroom taste of richness it you have ever had a true earth mushroom. Both my friend and I really enjoyed our tea. I saved the mushroom chunks as the bag said you could use them three times. I actually used them just one other time because like our tea a little on the strong side. They are great brews a second time. I diluted the pan I brewed into a two quart jar. You can also drink this tea hot... we just prefer it cold.

My suggest ... Do not add sugar into this tea as it does greatly effect the taste. IF you need to have it sweet add in RAW honey or RAW honey comb.

**I did receive this at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. Compensation of any kind is never accepted in exchange for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own and not edited by any companies mentioned.**

RATING: 4 STARS

http://www.amazon.com/Harvested-Antioxidants-Sustainably-Harvested-Cultivated/dp/B019PI3JUU/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1458918709&sr=8-4&keywords=chaga+mushroom+chunks

KIWI CRATE .. A REVIEW

My daughter loves to be crafty ... and since we home school I love some of the MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES out there for kids!

This is one we have subscribed to off and on over two years. It is not that we don't like it and unsubscribe ... exactly the opposite! We .. ok I have a addiction to MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION BOXES, but simply have no room to subscribe to them all. So often times we have to let one go to get another one, but then we find ourselves going back to the really good ones. And KIWI CRATE is one of them.

When this little Green Box shows up in our mailbox, my daughter still gets excited. She is eight years old and KIWI is typically said to be for ages 5-7 years old, but my daughter Hannah some special needs so we still really love this one. Plus, I baby-sit two smaller ones (age 3-5) and we can do parts of this one with them. I feel the age for this one can easily stretch out pass the age of 7 and if you supervise well even younger ones with the help of a older sibling can enjoy KIWI!

This is the JANUARY CRATE that we did... EXPLORE ... TREASURE CHEST. It was not disappointing ... you can create a whole home school lesson with this one if you choose to make it PIRATE WEEK!

  
The KIWI TREASURE CRATE included:

• a wooden treasure chest project
• an assortment of different patterned paper to make our own treasure maps and imagination maps
• stickers to decorate the maps
• colored pencils
• a regular pencil with an adorable Steve the Kiwi eraser top
• a ruler; and the booklet full of activities
• fun facts and even a DIY Jolly Roger! 

We are trying to get Penny interested in reading more and improve her reading skills. With the comic book that is included it makes it a little less like reading. So, fun had right from the start

Every Pirate knows that making a Treasure Map is important so this was the first part of the project. You can tell that it takes some serious studying to make sure the map was just right. This is a great way to teach map reading skills and sense of direction.

After that, a Pirate Chest is a must. This craft can be done by older children with very little help. It allows them to also work again on those reading and thinking things through skills. Decorating the Chest ... is fun too! Everything you need ... right down to a pair of scissors is included.




That is one of the things that I really like about the Crates ... lots of supplies are included! You can easily save one of your Crates to take on a vacation or over to the Grandparents house and not have to worry if you have all the supplies. Typically, there are left over supplies too (ie ...scissors) and you can build up a stash of supplies to keep for future projects.

The Treasure Chest is also something they can keep as a trinket in there room for storing other treasures.


There is also colored paper, stickers and colored pencils for making your own drawings and extra maps. Along with a booklet of other suggested activities and don't forget the Cute pencil withe a Steve the KIWI (a character you will come to know with each box) eraser top!

This has been one of many Crates that are so easily used for everyday fun, but also learning. Shhh ... don't tell them though!

RATING: FIVE STAR SUBSCRIPTION

JOIN IN THE FUN HERE:  

http://www.kiwicrate.com/join?utm_term=657457&utm_campaign=949500&utm_medium=AFF&utm_source=Ignite

SIX HORRIBLE THINGS I DO BEHIND MY CHILDS BACK

We teach our children that honesty is important... right? We teach our kids not to lie to us and that lying is not allowed... right? As a mom that is in our job description I am pretty sure. So, how doe we justify the things we sometimes do behind our children's backs? It's in our job description right that we mom's now what is ok to do behind there back... right? Someones got my back on this one right? I think my mom would say it is using the "Executive Decision"  or other wise known as Mom's Rule # ... .

1. Throwing away a piece or two of art work or something she's made for us. I use to save everything she made for us. Then one day I realized that I have boxes piled up of things she has made and had ever intention of getting into a scrapbook, but never have. I don't know how, but it's  like radar goes off and she finds it in the trash. I try to get away with "I don't know how that got in there?" But since her daddy doesn't seem to know where the trash can is ... she knows it wasn't him! I try to logic with her taht I can't keep every piece ... "just the special ones". That just gets me in deeper trouble. Then at my mom's this past summer while I was trying to help her move and down size ... what do I do? "Mom you really aren't throwing that away are you. My mom just laughs at me... she knows I have had this exact same conversation. So, now I find myself with still even more boxes ... hoping to find there way into scrapbooks sooner then later.                                                                                     
2. Eating popcorn after she's gone to bed. I don't like to share my popcorn! I already have four little fur babies staring at me wanting some ... I don't want to have to share my popcorn with anyone else. I blame this on my dad. He did the exact same thing to me.
3.  Throw away those annoying toys that we as mom's don't like.  Personally, I mom test toys before  I buy them, but you know there is always that one relative that thinks a farting dog bank is really  cool and gives them lots of pennies to let them see how may times Spot can fart. Let them take the  bank home and with them and see how cute it is at 10 pm when their kids are still up because they have figured out how to take the rubber stopper out of the bottom and get the money back out so the fun continues. Oh wait ... their the ones that don't have kids!
4. Telling them their favorite tv show is not one because you really can not stand to see one more rerun of Sponge Bob. What happened to the rule "No Sponge Bob or Barney will ever play a part of this household? Oh yeah ... daddies seem to think Sponge Bob is great!
5.  Promising her that "I will not tell Daddy what you did today!". Then the minute he walks in the door "Guess what YOUR daughter did today!!!"  
6. Sounding like my mom. I love my mom don't get me wrong, but how many times did we say when we  were young "I will not ever say that to my child!". Then out it comes .. .did I really just say "If you roll your eyes like that again ...".

It's your turn ... surely I am not the only "bad mom" out there!

JEWELRY BOX ... REVIEW

Looking for something unique and different for that hard to buy for person? This just may be it... I was asked to review this unique jewelry box and what I received was something way more then unique ... this is a stunning work of art. Round Rich ... has outdone themselves.

To start with you will not find many jewelry boxes in a high lacquer finish like this. It is stunning and without any imperfections. You can tell this is a handcrafted item. The box itself measures 9"x5.9"x3.2" and weighs about 2.2 pounds. If you are worries about space for displaying this piece it is the perfect size. There is a metal lock that you push to open and you will see the gold colored hinges to keep your box open. There is a full mirror the size of the box that is just the right size for viewing. The inside is divided into four sections for keeping your jewelry items separate. There is a separate compartment to hold your rings. Also included is a soft, velvet pillow the will hold a watch nicely and a small velvet drawstring bag to hold items of your choice. You will find plenty of room to hold all your special gems.

This is a great item for graduations, Mother's Day or just because! They will for sure will treasure this gift. 

This item can be found on AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/Round-Rich-Lacquer-Jewelry-Storage/product-reviews/B01989C7W2/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent

In addition to this design there are seven others to choose from!

I must disclose that I did receive this item at a discounted price in return for a fair and honest review. I depend on trustworthy  reviews too and no discount will  ever sways my opinion.


RATING: 5 STARS

PUFFER VEST ... Review

I did not read any reviews on this Puffer Vest before I ordered it. I had been looking for a long time for a super cute, everyday Puffer Vest. I saw this one and I liked the look and the price. I expected a light weight vest so I ordered a size larger so I could wear a hoodie underneath it on colder days. What I got was not at all what I expected!

When I received my, WOMAN'S PACKAKBLE QUILTED LIGHTWEIGHT ZIP FRONT HOODED OUTWEAR PUFFER VEST, I did not even realize when I was unpackaging what it was. I thought maybe I'd forgotten something I ordered? The vest comes in a pouch for carrying. It is all rolled up in the carrying bag when you get it. To tell you the truth when I was opening it, it looked like a giant roll of trash bags. Upon unrolling it it only got worse. To say it is a light weight vest is a understatement! It says it is "high quality and insulated". I am not sure what they "insulated" it in, but from feeling it and squishing it, it does not have any in my opinion. I ordered a large as I did plan to wear something under it. II tried it on and it was very form fitting and very short in length. There is no way anything, but a thin shirt was going to go underneath this. I am a not a large person and I sure do not have a full size chest. I tried it on my eight year old and it fit her better! The quality is nothing like the picture. The material is thin and looks as if it is" made from recycled trash bags" as my husband said. If you compare the picture on Amazon it does not match with what you are getting. Even though it is not stated in the description in the picture it looks like the hood is detachable. The collar is also much different then the vest... maybe because it does not "puff up".

I am not one to return many products, but I felt like this one was just to much of a difference to keep. I contacted Customer Service and they said they would allow me to "exchange the vest for something else on their website". Well, if you look at the website there is where it all goes wrong. The clothes they have on their website I would say is not the type you could possibly wear to many places in public. I did finally find items to order after a good 45 minutes of searching. I had to send them a e mail as to what I wanted and this only caused more complications. The individuals there have no Customer Service" skills. I had to return the vest which was fine, but some how in all the e mails the Return Postage tag was lost. When I asked for help in getting another one I was told it was in ... such and such dated e mail and it could be found there to use.  After another wasted 25 minutes I did find the postage.

I ordered the vest on February 11th. Here it is March 19th and I am still waiting a Exchange. I don't feel like it is going to get any better from here. But when I get the exchange items I will update.

I would not recommend this vest or going through this company unless you like less then quality clothing and horrible Customer Service.

I did receive this vest and a discounted price in return for a fair and honest review. This is 100% my fair and honest review. 

If interested in this vest it can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AKGNBM2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

RATING: 1 Star ... because ratings can not be a zero!

It does look "puffy" in the picture, but it is as flat and as thin "as a pancake"!

"KIDS GET ARTHRITIS TOO" ... A GREAT WEBSITE ... and MORE!

It is hard to believe another year has past. Penny's Journey with Juvenile Arthritis began when she was three it has taken four years to get a confirmation that she does have JAR. It really should have come as no surprise as I sat in the doctors office and listened to yet just another mark on her Medical History. With Neurofibromatosis (NF) JA is something that comes along with the territory. She has been in casts or braces (on both legs) since she was four. Penny is on a prescription strength of pain medication, but so far that is the only medication they have wanted to put her on. Until about four months ago, I did not have any disagreement about this, but now she is in pain daily. We are waiting to get in to see a Neurologist. When asked about her pain, she says "it is like a million bees stinging you". She complains about this several times a day. There are sometimes she complains that her legs "just don't do what you want them to do:. This disease does continue to remind us it can hit any age. It still continues to amaze me when you say your child is in pain and needs help now specialists still take a month or months to get into. This disease is so unfair.

Penny is a tough eight year old and that amazes me daily. I could not have been as tough as her when I was eight. She very seldom lets anything get her down.

Our journey with this diagnosis will continue because that is the only choice you have! Thankfully God has blessed Penny to be in good health right now. We do not take that for granted and feel blessed each day she feels good. Especially when there are so many children out there that suffer from so many childhood diseases. We also never take for granted that there are so many other out there far worse off. For all these children we pray .... FIND A CURE!

If your child or anyone close to you suffers from JAR there is a wealth of information at this site:

http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/

There are also a lot of Mom friendly Blogs out there to help you along the way when life may just seem so unfair.

I want to personally thank the KIDS GET ARTHRITIS TOO FOUNDATION they sent Penny this great backpack just for kids! You can get one too by going to:

http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/resources/ja-power-pack.php

Inside the backpack is the cutest, softest Bear and lots of great information for not only you, but for kids too.

The BEAR comes with a special cold/hot pack they can use when they are in pain. It kits inside the bear and will comfort them while providing relief to them too.

THANK YOU:  http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/about-ja/

**The JAR Foundation did not send this pack for any sort of review or advertisement. We received this before this Blog was even in the works. My hope is to get the word out to parents were they can get helpful information.**

 Pictured Above: The Information Packets that you get for you and your child,(top), the ever so cute and cuddly Bear ... the white square is the cold/heat pack that you put inside the Bear for comfort and relief (centered), Penny... enjoying "Mr. Bear".

FRIDAY NIGHT ... PIZZA NIGHT RECIPE

Once upon a time, there was a girl who owned a pizza restaurant. Her dream was for the restaurant to be successful so in her 40's she could move to Hawaii and retire. Or at least have one of those neat Hawaii jobs like giving tourist snorkeling tours. Well, that girl was young and naive and bought into the concept of a great new franchise. The problem? Corporate franchise owners can be crooks and take you for a ride. Yes, I once owned a pizza restaurant... back in my early 20's.

We love to make our own pizza. I am not sure if this really is so much related to my pizza days or managing a restaurant that had really good pizza as it is that big boxed pizza places just don't have good pizza anymore. Yes, it would be easier and quicker to just pick-up the phone and order. Yes, at the prices that these places no run specials at it would be a little cheaper too. But quality food and spending time together in the kitchen also counts for something. Oh yeah ... and there are plenty of ways this counts as a school lesson too.

Pizza making time is something we all participate in. I am in charge of making the dough and sauce. I have tried too many dough recipes to even think about counting. The one we currently use is the one we have stuck with for the last two years. We make our own sauce too. I just have never found a really good pizza sauce I prefer to buy. Besides if your making the crust, you might as well go all out for that good quality taste. The hubby's job is to make the actually pizza. He loves doing this and I love having the extra help. Penny job if you ask her is to just hang out and tell Daddy if he is doing something wrong to the pizza. Oh yeah and stealing little bits of cheese and lots of peperoni's when no one is looking, I wonder how long it will be till she catches on that she is also "getting schooled"? 

The recipe follows and it is super easy to make. The one really cool think we like about this recipe is you don't have to wait for the dough to raise. All you need to do is fast proof if "MY WAY ". Here is how you do it: turn your dryer on while your making your dough so it gets nice and warm. When you have your dough all made ... turn your dryer off and set the bowl in the warm dryer. I even leave the clothes in if they are all the way dry for some added heat around the bowl. Wait about 10 minutes and your dough is ready to use. Bonus ... you get a load of clothes dried too. Please remember I did say turn the dryer off when you put the dough in the dryer. You laugh, but trust me I bet there is someone out there that would not.

PIZZA DOUGH

3-4 cups all-purpose flour (I have found it always takes 4 if you are making a larger pizza)

 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

2 tbs. oil (Canola oil is our preference, but vegetable oil could also be used)

1 tsp. salt

1 tbs. sugar or honey (we prefer the honey)

 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

 Activate the yeast in the water. Put all dry ingredients into your mixer Kitchen Aid mixer bowl (this can be done by hand .. just takes a little more muscle). Next add the oil and honey (if using sugar add it in with the dry ingredients). Make a well in your dry ingredients and pour the water/yeast mixture slowly in. Start mixing at a low speed. As it starts to hook on your paddle turn it up to medium. Mix just until mixture forms a ball. Take out of bowl and put into another bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a towel and fast proof your dough.

While dough is proofing make your sauce.

PIZZA SAUCE

1 - 15 oz can diced tomatoes (if you like a smokey taste use the Wood Fire style)

1 - 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 - 6 oz can of tomato paste

*Spices to your taste ... we use Garlic Powder, Garlic Salt, Onion Powder, Parsley Leaves and Italian Seasoning and a small amount of sugar)

Mix in your Kitchen Aid on low to medium until well combined.

Then it is time to stretch your dough and make your pizza!!!!

We bake ours on 425 for 20-25 minutes. If you want a crispier crust bake at 500 degrees and check it in 15 minutes. Some ovens take longer or it may depend on how crisp you like your pizza.

We bake ours in a pizza pan with the air holes. You could also bake it on a pizza stone if you have one. I do not suggest baking this on a cookie sheet, but if it is all you have it will work. The crust just will not be as good.

Homemade pizza is so much more rewarding. You can choose what toppings and just how much of them you want on your pizza. You can also choose the thickness of your dough. Once you try your hand at homemade pizzas you will see just how bad some of that pizza out their is!

Some ideas if you are looking to purchase new PIZZA BAKING items ... I have not reviewed these particular ones, but they are similar to what we use. We have been making pizza so long, I could not guess anymore the ones we originally bought.


 http://www.amazon.com/AirBake-Nonstick-Pizza-Pan-15-75/dp/B000063SKU/ref=pd_bxgy_79_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PASGE85RXA37FA06039

 
http://www.amazon.com/Pizzacraft-Round-Cordierite-Baking-Pizza/dp/B005IF2ZNM/ref=sr_1_13?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1458393280&sr=1-13&keywords=pizza+stone

http://www.amazon.com/Update-International-WPP-1222-Wooden-Pizza/dp/B0037XIK9A/ref=sr_1_14?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1458393337&sr=1-14&keywords=pizza+paddle














.

8 CAMPFIRE ROASTING STICKS ... REVIEW

Remember when you were a kid and roasted marshmallows over a open flame? You had to go get your "marshmallow roasting stick" from the woods before you could enjoy your treat.

Not any more ... gone are those days. Gooey Sticks has come out with the best invention to take along with you camping or in your own backyard. I guess you could also follow what we did and had a "bonfire " right over our gas stove.

This set of Roasting Sticks by Gooey Sticks comes with its own storing pouch and a handy Instruction Booklet of Recipes and Campfire Stories. I love the fact that they come with this zip up pouch that allows you to store them and keep them all together. There are eight stainless steel roasting sticks each with a different color. No more fighting over whose stick is whose. The sticks are 12 inches long, but are  telescopic and extend out to 32 inches to keep little ones safe when roasting their own. The ends of the prongs are blunt so no worries there either. They are easy to wash off and sir dry. Since they are stainless steel there will be no worries over rusting either.

I know we had a really fun time testing them out. The only thing better would have been if we were outside instead of inside on a cold winter day!


These can be purchased through AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Marshmallow-Roasting-Sticks-Set/product-reviews/B016J79G2U/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_paging_btm_2?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=2

**I did receive this at a discounted rate in exchange  for my honest and unbiased opinion. Compensation of any kind is never accepted in exchange for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I depend on honest reviews from reviewers too and I always give my honest opinion.**



These can be purchased through AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Marshmallow-Roasting-Sticks-Set/product-reviews/B016J79G2U/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_paging_btm_2?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=2

**I did receive this at a discounted rate in exchange  for my honest and unbiased opinion. Compensation of any kind is never accepted in exchange for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I depend on honest reviews from reviewers too and I always give my honest opinion.**

NEED A GOOD WEEKEND READ ...

I love to read … the problem is I don’t find enough time to read books just for the simply pleasure of reading. Most of the time I am reading “How To" books , text books (we home school), or medical type book (we spend a lot of time in/out hospitals).

Recently, I was looking some up on the Library Search and I some how came across this book by Paul Daughtery, called AN UNCOMPLICATED LIFE : A Father’s Memoir of His Exceptional Daughter. After reading a short blurb about it I knew it was one I was going to have to make time to read.
Little did I know that my time would be spent in the emergency room waiting for doctors to agree what to do with me. That is a whole other story … As Penny and I, sat the first part of the day in the ER I began reading my book. She kept asking me what I was reading, if it was good, what it was about, etc. Finally after the fifth or sixth time of telling her it was called An Uncomplicated Life she said, “Oh, like our life right Mommy?” I had to get a small chuckle out of this as here we sat going on the six hour in the ER … me in pain and no medication and her with ADHD and medication, but how long was it going to last?

An Uncomplicated Life takes us from the before Jillian’s days to her birth  all the way through her graduation in college and life with her current boyfriend/fiancee. While reading this story it gives you a nice, overview of the life which Jillian has lived her life. A life of normalcy to Jillian.  When Jillian was born, Paul and Kerry decided that they weren’t going to focus on the limitations placed upon their daughter but, instead, they would look for the possibilities. Choosing the positive approach over a negative one certainly served Jillian well. As Mr. Daughtery explains it … “It’s a book about how her disability enables the rest of us.”

Their mantra becomes “Expect: Don’t Accept”, “Nothing is Definite”, and “Let Jillian be Jillian.” I love this and I am going to have to post it in our school room (for those of you that don’t know we home school). You find Paul and Kerry sometimes  questioning their decision to fight the school system to keep Jillian in a traditional classroom, wondering if they were expecting too much of their daughter. A good part of the book focuses on this and the struggles you come across in the school system when you have a special needs child. it is one I am glad I do not have to fight. You will find yourself cheering for them and Jillian as they show that people with disabilities have rights and should not be casts offs.

The one part of the book I can say I was disappointed is just a short little paragraph and not the author’s fault, as he did not say it, but I was saddened in a way to see it included in the book. Nancy was on of Jillian’s early teachers that they in fact did like.

“One day, Nancy declared the class would bake a cake together. It combined cooking skills with match know-how as well as the important of reading and understanding the directions. One of Jillian’s friends, a boy named Layton, had never cooked. 

He had been home schooled, Nancy said. “He’d never so much as cracked an egg.”

I guess my feelings just got hurt as a home schooler by this. I would say this teacher needs to be educated that home schooled children do not live in the dark age and do know how to do more then just play outside.

I breezed through this book during my eighteen hour ER visit. I found myself at times crying and at other times wanting to shout “Go Jillian”. I would highly recommend this as a must read if you are a parent of a Special Needs Child. I would also recommend it to those of you that don’t have a Special Needs Child and  just need to maybe read a touching book that will make you hug your child and be thankful for what you 

have .

RATING: 5 STARS