Hobby Time

Back before I had children or back when I had only one child, I used to spend a lot of time on hobbies. I enjoyed sewing curtains, sewing aprons, making coasters for beverages, crocheting, and making soap among many other past-times. Back when I made soap, I used to love shaping and scenting the soap and making it extra special for my family.

Now that I have no time with working full time and having children running all over my house most days leaving messes for me to clean up, I have found that I have to buy my soap instead of making it. Recently, I received a free 4 oz bar of handmade soap from Subtle Body Essentials in exchange for my hones and unbiased opinion. This may just be my new favorite soap. Since I don't have time to make it myself, it is nice to find a handmade soap that cleans so well while incorporating so many natural and organic ingredients.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0184MUSES

The 85% organic soap bar sample which I received is Lavender Lite. The ingredient list includes: "Saponified oils of sunflower* and/or safflower*, coconut* and palm* (with retained glycerin), essential oils of lavender and lavandin, alkanet root, comfrey root & rosemary extract. *Ingredients are certified organic."

The scent of the soap is very relaxing and comforting. The lather of the soap easily covered my hands and lifted away the grime. The feel of my hands after rinsing the soap is clean and refreshed. This is a quality handmade soap and well worth adding to your household or giving as a gift to someone you love - Mom, Grandmother, or close friend.

Since I don't have time right now for my favorite hobbies, soap making included, this is a wonderful substitute for the homemade soap that I loved.

#handmadesoap

Pulling Teeth

Ever have one of those weeks when nothing comes easy? Where every tiny detail of the week makes you feel like you are pulling teeth? Where nothing seems to go right?

This has been our week before Christmas! One highlight of the week though has been teeth. Chris, my son, decided that he wanted to try a teeth whitening kit. In exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion, Dr. Whitening agreed to allow me try their teeth whitening kit for free. We started our 7-day trial picture with this set of teeth last Friday.

Then our hellish week began. On Monday, my girls were home from school with a stomach virus. On Monday night, I sprained my back. On Tuesday, Chris had the stomach virus plus I had to be taken to the hospital because I couldn't even sit up on my own. On Wednesday, we thought the week was getting better, but Wednesday night, I caught the stomach virus and Chris got a second round of it. His lasted into today, Friday.  Because of his virus and all the craziness of our household due to viruses, injuries, and the holiday prep in general, Chris forgot to use the teeth whitener a couple of days.

However, his teeth did come out cleaner by today, Friday, the seventh day. Here is his after picture:

I truly believe that if we had a good week and had used the product each of the seven days as instructed that the smile would have been even brighter! You can see some improvements though with the time that we did use it. 

I would recommend it if you are wanting to gain a brighter smile. For more information, you can go to http://www.drwhitening.net . #DrWhitening

Relaxing on Sunday

No matter what happens during the week or how busy it gets, I do my best to make Sunday a day to rest, relax, and enjoy myself. Sometimes life throws some curves, and I have to pick another day or time to relax. However, for the most part, Sunday is THE day.

This week, I had a chance to relax with my new adult coloring book among other things.
#EnchantedForestAdultColoringBook
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0163M0W38

Adult coloring books have come to life recently as many adults look for new ways to relax while still sparking and getting in touch with their creative sides. I first heard of this new concept through my local library. They actually have one night each week that adults may come into the library and spend time together coloring. With children overrunning my home most nights, I don't know if I will ever get an evening to spend there, but I did find time on this Sunday to begin coloring in my new adult coloring book that I received free or at a discounted rate in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I decided to start with the title page.

This page was full of leaves everywhere. I picked up one of the two green colored pencils that I had on hand and got to coloring. Soon, I was satisfied that I had the first color complete.

Then I moved on to the next shade of green and the brown tree and limbs.

I finished off with a little pop of color for the two flowers, snail, and owl. The two rabbits became dark gray to finish off the page.

While this coloring in detail was very time consuming, I did enjoy coloring and completing the page. It felt very relaxing and satisfying.

Although this may not be an every week occurrence, I will color again in the future. I feel it so important for Moms to take time for ourselves to do things that we love. Enjoying my own hobbies and likes keeps me in touch with who I am as a mother, improves my mood, and my own self-esteem.

Do what you love as a Mom and make time to relax and be you!

Kitchen Knives

Since we are usually a paycheck-to-paycheck sort of family, our kitchen utensils have usually never been great. We cannot usually afford to spend money on new kitchen gadgets when we struggle each week and month to put food on the table and clothes on our back. I am not saying this to complain just explaining another reason why I started reviewing items for companies and how wonderful I think it is that these companies allow folks like us a privilege like this that we would not otherwise have.

This past week, we received free or at a discounted price this knife sharpener from Priority Chef in exchange for our honest and unbiased opinion.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LD196EQ?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

We desperately needed this items as most of our kitchen knives were as dull the surface of a bowling ball! The sharpener worked great and in no time, we had all of our knives sharp and ready to cut through meat, vegetables, or whatever we decided to eat for the next meals.

The directions told us to put really dull knives through the larger slot on the left of the sharpener to take off the rough edges. It cautioned us to be careful because this side of the sharpener would take off chunks of metal.

Next the directions said to run the knives through the smaller slot on the right to finely sharpen the knives for use. Notice my hand model above sharpens this knife in no time! It took him less than 30 minutes to sharpen all of the knives in our kitchen and his pocket knife.

My teenage son wants to use it next to sharpen his pocket knife collection and his camping knives. Now we never again have to cut our meals with dull knives.

#prioritychef

Tasty Meals

Each night, I try to make meals that my whole family will enjoy. This is difficult since God made us all with different taste buds. One child loves vegetables and very little meat. One child loves meat and pasta but hardly touches vegetables. Another eats just like a typical teenage boy wanting burgers and pizza most of the time. We adults like a variety of course, a well-balanced diet. One aspect of the meals that we can agree on though is that we all like well-seasoned food.

We even enjoy the seasoning in different amounts however. Recently our family purchased the salt and pepper grinder/shakers shown above to ensure that we all can get the amount of seasonings we enjoy the best and also so that we can enjoy the freshest of seasonings. Regular table salt and store ground pepper just does not compare to grinding the pepper corns and the sea salt on your own!

<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP0a23b1a1113dac6ea4f7093f1a434569" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

These salt and pepper grinder/shakers by Moments Kitchenware are easy to fill, adjust, and use. After picking your favorite seasonings at the store, simply unscrew the tops. Notice the grinders in each top.

 

Once the seasoning has been added and the tops replaced, remove the caps to adjust. The center can be turned to adjust to a finer or coarser grind.

Then you easily can grind the salt or pepper onto your food.

The simple sleek design makes these grinder / shakers a nice choice for your holiday table or even for every day use.

We received these grinders free or at a reduced price in exchange for our honest and unbiased opinion, and we have found them to be easy to use and wonderful at grinding our fresh seasonings. Love them!

#momentskitchenware

Personality!

Everyone is different. Everyone is made special in the eyes of God.

The same is true with children. All three of my children have totally different personalities.

My oldest has a strong outgoing personality, but at the same time, he desperately needs time alone to keep him happy and functioning. He loves to tell jokes but does not do well if he is the butt of someone else's joke. He puts on a strong front but is sometimes fragile inside. Everyone initially loves him though!

My middle child has a quiet, sweet, reserved personality. She loves to sing, dance, draw, and write. She is very much into anything that would be considered artsy. She is my girly girl. She likes lacy clothing, pastel colors, fancy materials and fabrics, jewelry, make up, nail polish, and perfectly combed silky shiny long hair. She is the peacemaker whether it be at school or at home. If she is arguing over a toy with her sister's nine times out of ten, she will just give the toy to her sister instead of continue fighting. She has learned that you can have fun without fighting and that these fights are worthless. She is good at being a mediator when other children are fighting as well.

Then comes my youngest child. My youngest child has a very dynamic personality! If anything is strange and unusual whether it be a toy, animal, movie, or anything, she will inevitably love it! For this reason, Summer is getting for Christmas this year Ripley's Believe It or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities!

I look forward to seeing her face when she opens up this gem full of all the eye-popping oddities that she can imagine. She is still building on her reading skills, but I know this book is really going to draw her in with its unique pictures, colors, and different ideas about art and lift. I'm sure we will have many nights spent reading all the different sections.

Summer has always loved animals. She almost always picks library books about animals. She loves to bring home full documentary style books to read together about all sorts of different animals.  The fact that this book has a whole section on animals is going to enthrall this child.

Here is a picture of the Table of Contents. As you can see the book has many sections for hours of entertainment. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to review this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

 

 
Here is one example of stories that you can read. Sorry the Monster Earthworm picture is kind of on the dark side.

So if you have a child that embraces the oddities of life like my child does, why not get them their own copy of this fabulous book and join us in our zany bedtime readings?

http://www.amazon.com/Ripleys-Believe-Eye-Popping-Oddities-ANNUAL/dp/1609911369/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447445708&sr=8-1&keywords=ripley%27s+believe+it+or+not+eye-popping+oddities

P.S. The eyes look 3D on the actual cover. They really catch your eye!

#Ripleys

Dancing Divas? Not yet...

My two girls have both been involved in dance as early as three years old. At Limelight Studios in Wyomissing, PA, Candace currently takes Musical Theater classes, and Summer is taking a Jazz/Tap class. They both have taken many tap and ballet classes as well.

Recently when we were asked to review Ball Room dance and Beginning Social dance DVDs for free in exchange for our honest and unbiased opinion, we could hard wait to get the videos and begin!

One thing that we have definitely learned after receiving these videos is that WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN!

BUT, that's OK because our instructors, Eldon and Alison, slowly break down each step to help learn the moves, AND since the lessons are on DVD, we can easily repeat areas that we struggle through and perfect those areas before moving on to the next steps. Although they are only 6 years old and 9 years old, my girls look forward to practicing and learning these dances in order for them to use them as they try out for plays, dances, and musicals at school and in the community. This weekend both girls will be auditioning for parts in Cinderella Kids and Matchmaker Jr performed by Genesius Theater in Reading, PA.  In two weeks, they will be dancing in the Christmas Parade in downtown Reading. They are always putting on plays for Dad and me as well!

Now they can learn dances that they might not have otherwise had a chance to learn, and I can learn right along with them. Although they have much to master, here is a short video of my girls learning the first steps of swing dancing. Hope you enjoy! #dancelessons

This video was taken while using the
Dance Lessons Starter Kit - Swing Dancing, Salsa Classes, Merengue & Bachata (4 DVDs)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S7155KY?ref_=cm_cr-mr-title

We are using a second set of videos that we received for review as well to teach us Ballroom Dance.  My girls always comment on the beautiful dances in the ballroom scenes of their favorite princess movies. Now they can learn to perform these dances as well.  Here are some photos of them trying to master the stance and the first steps of the foxtrot. #ballroomdancing

Ballroom Dance Mastery System: 

Step by Step Progressive Dance Lessons

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OU27QSS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

Again, we have a ton of work to do to master these steps, but we look forward to trying! So proud of my girls and their determination and hard work!

Pool Water Destroys Hair

Our family went on a a two day / one night mini vacation this weekend. We decided to stay in a hotel with a pool and hot tub this time.  The children all had a blast jumping between the ice cold pool and the steamy hot tub.  The pool however was loaded with bleach and chemicals.  These chemicals wreak havoc on us girls with long hair; they horribly damage it!

When we arrived home from our mini vacation however, we found in the mail a bottle of Evassence's 100% Organic Argan Oil which we had ordered at a discounted rate for our honest and unbiased review.  I sent Candace up to shower and wash her hair, but beforehand I took some pictures of her hair.  Here is what her hair looked like before...

After she washed it and towel dried it, we put some of our new product in it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0156TNVHI?ref_=pdp_new_dp_review
The oil did not have a strong scent like many Argan oils.  I massaged the product through her hair until I could no longer feel the oil on my hands.  My hands did not feel oily at all but felt clean and light instead again unlike others that we have used.  I did not feel I needed to wash my hands, but I did so instead just out of habit.  Then we combed through and dried her hair.  Here was the finished results...

Her hair came out so slick and beautiful!  We look forward to trying it on her sister and me next!
#arganoilskincare

Ups and Downs

Every parent experiences ups and downs.

One of the ups of this week was receiving a set of 4 reusable drinking straws with cleaners included.  My children and I anxiously awaited their arrival for review free of charge in exchange for our honest opinion.  When I opened the package, my older daughter (age 9) could barely wait for me to rinse and clean the straws before she had one ready for use.  This "up" was followed immediately by a "down."  Candace fell while going for her cup for her drink and the metal steel straw embedded into the roof of her mouth and into her hand.  As a mom, I felt horrible.  While I feel it was a complete accident and do not hold Wise Ole Owl responsible, I do feel that other parents should be warned.  These straws are not a good idea for young children.  The straws themselves were a wonderful idea.  The sturdy design makes them great for use after use.  The pipe cleaners included help insure that they can be thoroughly cleaned between uses.  The idea also aids in keeping hundreds and hundreds of plastic straws out of landfills. The product and design concept deserve to be praised. #WiseOleOwl  I just won't let the children use them again.


Now on to more "Ups!"

I received an e-mail this week from my younger daughter's teacher that began as follows, "I want to tell you how much I enjoy working with Summer!  She is the highlight of every day for me.  She is so enthusiastic and always gives me 100% in reading."  The e-mail goes on to say that they want to take Summer to be observed by other teachers as she reads and is instructed to show how successful the program can be and to look for other ways to help Summer and other students.  I am bursting-at-the-seams proud of course and just had to share.

Candace, my older daughter, participates in the Girls on the Run program.  Yesterday, she received the "hero's cape" to wear at the end of practice for her hard work in the program.  I am so proud of her as well.

Making Memories

The highlights of my weeks are the special times that I am able to spend with my three children.  I absolutely love early mornings when my two girls crawl into bed with me and cuddle until we absolutely have to get up and start our days.  Listening to their excitement and anticipation over the activities of that day or the coming activities of the week gives me such contentment.

This week one of my favorite times was making strawberry cupcakes with them on Sunday.  This one was a box cake instead of homemade, but we were all excited because we were able to make them with our new silicone baking cupcake forms from Bella Rona ( #BellaRona ).  Bella Rona had sent them to us free of charge to test and review.

We couldn't get the plunger to work properly to insert the batter into the molds, but we loved the colorful molds.  The girls took turns adding ingredients and stirring the batter.  They put the molds into our cupcake tin to make it easy to place and remove them from the oven.  I filled the molds and placed them in the oven.  They love that the molds came out of the oven cool which helped the cupcakes to cool quickly.  We were able to remove them easily from the molds - no sticking.  In no time at all, we could frost our sweet treats and enjoy them.  Yum!  The molds were also extremely easy to clean with soapy water and a dish cloth.  They are ready for the next use; no more buying the paper ones to which the cupcakes tend to stick!

Monday, we changed our way of thinking and decided to go enjoy a crisp fall day outdoors together!  We packed a lunch and headed off to Gring's Mill in Wyomissing, PA.  The temperature was around 60 degrees when we got there and not a cloud in the blue sky.  The leaves on the trees were changing and all around us were so many colors.  The leaves danced in greens, yellows, oranges, reds, and browns.  The flowers nodded in blues, pinks, purples, yellows, and whites.  The sound of my children's laughter was especially delightful.  Seeing their enthusiasm at the site of squirrels, chipmunks, frogs, turtles, and even a distant snake gave me the sense that this adventure had been the right choice for our day.  We were determined to make it to the end of the trail, six miles round trip.  By the end of our journey, we were contently worn out!  After a brief rest, dinner, and clean up, we spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the sofa reading and watching a movie together.

We look forward to our next adventure... pumpkin carving in the next week.  Stay tuned!

The School Year Mountain

As a full-time working mom with three children, August and September always means the beginning of the school year and what I will refer to as my "School Year Mountain."  Every year I have to try to scale this mountain (aka all the paperwork that the school, PTO, and teachers send home).  The hike up the mountain lasts the entire school year.  I have to try my best not to get to high and fall off the cliff!

With one child, you start out wanting to save each and every paper he brings home with his own marks and crayon scribbles on them.  As time progresses and you add more children to the mix though, the pile becomes much too large to retain every single sheet and project.  You must then learn to sort through the pile that is sent home and decide what is essential, what is worthy of being kept for future memories, what might be needed to review at a later date.

This year I have taken a new approach that I'm trying to keep up with each week.  I have found that it is too difficult to try to look through every paper during the week in depth since I must do this for three children after getting off of a full day of work and making and cleaning up after dinner.  Instead, I scan through everything quickly.  Homework of course goes back into the folder.  I deal with any pages that need signatures or items returned (box tops, parts for class projects, and others).  Everything else goes into a pile that will be dealt with on Sunday.

On Sunday while Dad watches the football games and shouts at the TV, I sit quietly next to him going through my foot-high pile of paper deciding what must stay and what must go.  If I stay on top of this mountain and do this weekly, the keep pile stays at a very manageable height.  I even decided to break it down further and create a folder for each child this year to make sure that I'm keeping samples from each or them but not keeping too much.

I tried a similar approach last year, but when I fell off of the cliff and did not keep up.  Dad moved my mountain to the garage where I added to it and simply forgot about it until the end of the school year.  You cannot imagine what a mountain had grown by June!

Despite the mountains though, I love spending times with the children and reviewing what they have learned.  I love to see their unique approaches to the school work and how each has special subjects and talents that shine through.

I just hope I can keep up this year!