Organic Snackimals Cereal - Vanilla Blast!

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My kids are in love with this cereal! And, as a mom who's reading labels and making educated food choices, I'm happy to say Snackimals can visit from time to time. :)

 

What Do I Love About This Product?

1. I can read and understand all ingredients.
2. This cereal contains only 7 grams of sugar and 8 grams of whole grains per servings (3/4 cups)
3. This is a NONGMO Project product.
4. It also claims to have NutraFlora Natural Prebiotic Fiber...and that makes me happy.
    

 

What Do I Dislike About This Product?

1. I'm not a huge fan of the monkey on the cover. It definitly seems geared toward children, and even though it's low in sugar, it's still not a food that can be consumed non stop, all day, but if you put a cute little animal/cartoon figure on the front, my kids may fall in love with it and bug me to death about wanting yet "another bowl!"

Price of Product?

BarbarasBakery.com lists this product online for $5.29, a price, in my opinon, is bordering on being too high for my budget, but have I mentioned how expensive cereal is now a days?!

 

Would I Pay This Price For This Product?

Again, since this would only be a sometimes food in our family, I would purchase this products based on the low sugar content and fiber benefits.

 

 

 

So, I give Snackimals a Mom's Thumb's Up....good job, BarbarasBakery.com and thanks for making a product my family can enjoy!

 

 

 

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It's Almost Christmas, Where Are We Now?

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Last week I came upon a moment that shook me to my core. My husband confessed his long term alcohol abuse and I made the decision to have him leave. A week has almost passed and it seems as if it's been at least several months. I have experienced every emotion possible, from betrayal, heartache, lonliness, frustration, exhaustion, and then, possibly, back to balance.

 

If you are wondering, Sean hasn't left yet...I say yet because I'm cautious as to how this will all turn out. I lack a great deal of trust when it comes to people, especially after I've been hurt, and so I'm waiting and watching.

 

On a positive note, Sean has an interview scheduled this week with the Postal Services. I'm proud to see him moving forward, looking for a job to contribute financially to the family. We have done well enough as a one-income family, but a second income would greatly lower our debt and allow us to plan for future vacations, home repairs, and college funds. :)

 

So what do we do in the mean time, enjoy family time together. I have the next two weeks off from school and I plan to spend it laughing, hugging, and crafting, or at least trying to. Maddie has discovered a new love for crafts and drawings and I want to share in this new adventure with her. We shall see... :)

 

Overall, my faith continues to build in God, personal change, and love. I only hope it continues to impress me.

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Family Halloweeen Costumes

Who doesn't love a day where you get to dress up, march around the neighborhood in that Oh-So-Awesome costume, and eat literally a ton of candy? I mean, come on, this is so a childhood dream fulfilled!

 

Well, ok, maybe it's not. Maybe I'm not that Mom who dresses the whole family up in those Oh-So-Awesome costumes and parade around like a little Ms. Martha Stewart knock-off. Instead, I'm usually running around the whole month of October, not even realizing I need to even think about getting my kids a cute costume before they are all sold out and instead end up cutting a couple holes in a sheet and telling my kid, "oh, babe, you are the most awesome ghost E.V.E.R.!"

 

Yeah, well, this year I'm thinking ahead. I've spent hours cruising over Pinterest boards looking for just the right family halloween costumes to fit my crew. What did I find? Awesomeness!!!

 

 

 The Flinstones were one of my fav. cartoons while growing up. My kids could so Rock this!

 

My Kids LOVE Angry Birds...we could so do this........

 

 

  This one has to be my favorite, thought...come on, ZOMBIES......    

Ok, so those were my top 3 or at least ones that I think I could manage to look somewhat presentable or at least resemble the main idea of the costume. The other dozen or so family costume pictures and blog links can all be found on my Family Halloween Costumes board. No more holey ghost sheets for us, this year we will so be ready! Unless of course your kid just really does rock The Ghost Sheet and then by all means, have at it.

 Wishing you all a happy and safe Halloween! And check out another post, Spirit Halloween ,  for all your Halloween needs!

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Point + Shoot

Today I'm joining a good friend at SnowingIndoors with a Point and Shoot post. Friday began my Fall Break which means fun, relaxing times at this house over the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Friday, Maddie and I enjoyed a nice walk at the local riverpark after school. I love the beauty of this season; so many colors and changes.

 

 

Saturday was spent outside again, playing in the yard.

 

 

Sunday was spent completeing our halloween decorations by carving our pumpkins. The weather has been unusally warm this year so we waited a bit before carving so they wouldn't rot in the sun.

 

Jacob wasn't a big fan of cleaning out the pumpkins, so he had Daddy do it.

 

  Maddie, on the other hand, enjoyed the mess.     I also carved some small pumpkins that now remind me of faces from the Ninja Turtles. Overall it as a fun and relaxing weekend!     Like this post? Vote for me   

Mommy Fail: Sometimes I just Don't Want To Be A Mother

A couple of years ago when I was finishing my Master's in Education, I took a families class. I learned that a parent's life stage is based on the oldest child's age. Therefore, my parenting life stage is that of an offspring that's 20 years old. I remind myself of this during those moments that I'd rather be by myself, working on a personal project rather than cooking dinner or bathing a preschooler and toddler.

 

It's not that I don't like my kids, I usually do, but sometimes I just get tired of being a Mom. I get tired of taking care of other small people and I'd rather be doing my own thing.

 

And then the guilt sets in.

 

How could I have brought four, wonderful children into this world, and then one day wake up and decide, "I don't want to do it anymore?" How is that possible? How is that gentically supportive of continuing the human species?

 

Do other parents feel this way? Do other Moms want to simply scream and run away? Maybe that's where the alcohol comes in. Maybe that's why you see so many "Mommy with wine" moments on twitter. I understand now.

 

And it's not that I don't have enough personal time. I get plenty. I go to the gym, I work outside the home, and I have my weekly belly dancing class where I refuel my feminine side.
 

 Maybe this is where that whole, "No, I'm done having kids," express comes from. You know the one, where you're at the park with your friend and her kids and you're chatting and laughing. You look over and see her give her kid a big hug and kiss and you genuinely ask, "so, you gonna have a couple more?" And she looks at you with the most curious face and simple states, "NO. I'm done." I understand that statement now. I understand.

I acually awoke this morning thinking about a famly with eight kids. How does that Mom do it? How does she keep sane? How does she keep herself from being locked in the bathroom all day, rocking in the corner, thinking, "WHAT THE HELL DID I DO?" Not that I've done that...today.

 

I guess I'm finally just there. I'm on the brink of being a Mom, being a woman, and trying to balance it all out. Sometimes people comment on all the wonderful family activities I do at home, especially after working all day with kids. My response is truly that if I didn't entertain the little monsters they would spend their time running around, screaming, simply driving me crazy. It's called managing my own sanity while I smile and enjoy my kids through their play.

 

All in all, I have met my match as a woman. I have wrestled the bear and have somehow won, on most days. I know these kids wont be small forever and as they grow our lives will change and one day I'll wake up to an empty house with plenty of time to do whatever it is I choose. I only hope then that I don't long for these moments and regret all my current complaining.

 

 

 

Tell me, how do you handle life with kids?

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Fall Break Bucket List

And here it is...Fall Break!

 

As a teacher one of the perks of the job is the many breaks through out the school year. And, as a mother of young children, this time is spent relaxing as well as craming every family moment I can think of into the week we have together. So, on with the list!

 

 

...2013 Fall Break Bucket List...

 

1. Fishing

2. Boo in the Zoo

3. Old McDonald's Farm

 

4. Planting bulbs

5. Planting a tree

6. Morning runs

 

7. Juicing

8. Smoothies

9. AquaScarium @ The Tennessee Aquarium

 

10. Finish reading my newest book, The Courage to Start, by John "The Penguin" Bingham

 

It's certainly not in any order or the only activities I have planned, but these are at least some of the highlights. What plans do you have for Fall break?

 

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Playful Parenting: Connecting Through Play

As a preschool teacher I spend my day in play, and yet, at times, it's still hard for me to find the motivation to delve into the world of a child through pretend play.
Most of the time if I can't find my "play" mode it's because I'm preoccupied with the thoughts of paper work or an upcoming meeting. And those thoughts seem to multiply when I'm home trying to balance Motherhood with my own free time. 
Simply put, playing can be hard at times. Or so I thought..... I've recently started reading the book, Playful Parenting, and even though I'm only a few chapter in, I'm finding new breath in my play with my kids.
A year ago, when  my 4th child was born, I felt as if I had lost the strong connection I had with my then toddler. I struggled with my feelings. At first I simply thought it was due to hormones, but over time the bond that we had once shared just seemed to have been replaced by another child. I was heart broken.
After one day of truly being conscious of how my play, my interactions, and tone effect my self and my child, I have begun to rebuild that precious connection I once had. When I fell feet first into my daughter's world of pretend play, I found her again, and we both lit up with joy. :)
I'm not saying play with make every day perfect but it certainly has changed my mindset about how I respond to my children. This book reminds me to take a moment and shift the mood, if I can, to playfulness instead of using irritation or anger to get my point across. 
So far, Playful Parenting, is bringing me back to my kids and I look forward to finishing this book and sharing all my newly learned insight.
What about You? Is play hard for You? Do You understand the importance of play for children as well as a family bond?

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Texas: Last Will and Testament

We all know the importance of planning ahead, of making sure all paper work is in order and that our loved ones will be cared for after we are gone. With Texas Last Will and Testament the process has just become a bit easier. 
The law firm of Rick Villarreal provides Texas wills online. The process takes about 15 minutes to answer a questionnaire.  Your papers are then prepared by the law firm within 12 hours, shipped to your home with simple instructions on signing, and then you simply file them in a secure place. Everything is taken care of. 
The price for an individual will and testament is $49, $89 for two wills for couples, and MyTexasWill.com also offers power of attorney for individuals {$19} as well as couples {$29}. I truly see this as a unique and yet satisfying way to ensure your wishes are carried out as well as put in order. When my mom passed away she had a simple will but it made the act of dividing up her property so much easier, knowing what she wanted done. There were no questions or doubts, we simply followed her last wishes and carried them out. Rick Villarreal provides the same peace of mind for all Texas resident families, at a reasonable price, with a high quality product.
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Every Day Family

Trying to conceive a baby can be the most joyful, yet stressful time for some women. I remember the days of calculating ovulation, mornings of tempt take, and analyzing my body in hopes of signs of pregnancy.  
EveryDayFamily.com offers great resources to families who are trying to conceive as well as parents of babies and toddlers. And come on, as a parent, we all know pulling from others who have been there before us or simply having a community to share with can make a big difference in the lives of many. 
EveryDayFamily.com is a free community offering weekly newsletters, engaging communities, FREE baby stuff, contests, sweepstakes and more! It's a one stop place to learn about increasing your chances of having a baby, exploring the different trimesters of pregnancy, as well as basic baby and breastfeeding tips once you bring your baby home. And then of course there is the toddler area, outfitted with a toddler journal for you to document all the wonderful moments of your child. And lastly, what about the other areas of life, the finances the fitness, and the relationship side of being a parent? EveryDayFamily.com has it all. 
So, what are you waiting for? Reach out and connect to others, share, and enjoy the life of parenthood through EveryDayFamily.com.
I received monetary compensation for this post. The opinions you see here are solely my own and honest. 

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Pass The Funnies, It's Bathroom Time Fun

We are constantly learning, and this is even more true for babies and children. Therefore, every moment is a teachable moment. Every moment holds the power to strengthen and master skills so when my baby boy decides to enjoy a little bathroom time fun, well, I have to remind myself that through all his play, he is constantly learning. 
By tearing paper, or in this case, toilet paper, babies/children strengthen the muscles in their hands which relates directly to more independent skills such as spoon feedings, picking up items/toys, and later to writing. It may not seem like much, but each opportunity offers another chance to fine tune skills,  so, go ahead, shred a little paper today...it's gonna come in handy down the road.

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Explore Chattanooga With The Creative Discovery Museum

It's Mommy and Daughter day and so we've decided to take a trip downtown and explore the Creative Discovery Museum, otherwise known as the CDM. The CDM is, "recognized as one of the premier hands-on children's museums in the region," and with the themes of Winter Wonders and Helping Hands, who couldn't have a blast with that?!!
We started our journey by taking the local {free} electric shuttle from our parking. The shuttle loops around downtown through out the day, offering riders a relaxing lift to shops, hotels, and attractions. 
Once we arrived, Maddie checked out all the statues outside. She was actually so impressed with everything to see outside, it took 5 minutes before we could even get in to purchase tickets. 
But once inside, the fun began. Maddie has visited CDM a couple times and even though it's probably been close to a year, she quickly asked to go see the dinosaurs. She kind of has a small obsession with dinosaurs at the moment...along with 20,000 other things. So, we dug in the sand, uncovering dinosaur bones, checked out all the cool bugs and snakes, and she quickly learned how to use a microscope. 
We then met up with friends and began discovering other others of play. There was the...



doctor moment...

the track stamping {footprints} in baking soda {snow} moment...

the ice skating with a friend moment...

the felt board moment...

the hockey moment...

and the bee moment. This may have actually been her favorite area. We watched live bees in a hive, moving freely from outside back in, to videos of the importance of bees, and then to simply playing with large, stuffed bees and climbing in this bee hive. 
Maddie loved it all!!!
Honestly, we didn't even get to see but 1/3 of the museum and we covered that in 1.5 hours. This certainly could turn into a whole day of play if given the opportunity. Price wise, adults and children 2-12 are $11.95 each. Memberships start @ $75 and are good for 12 months. There are also discounts for local police, firefighters, and those with a military ID. 
Overall, the employees were happy, the children were engaged, and the bathrooms were clean...this Mother couldn't ask for anything more!
The CDM offers a variety of activities for homeschoolers, after school programs, and many more. So, check them out and Explore Chattanooga!

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Explore Chattanooga With The Chattanooga YMCA

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga serves more than 37,000 members each year, uniting men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. Nationwide, America’s 2,594 YMCAs serve more than 20.1 million people. From large metropolitan areas to small towns, YMCAs are the heart of community life in the United States: 42 million families and 72 million households are located within three miles of a YMCA. In fact, more Americans belong to a YMCA than live in the five largest U.S. cities.  
My family and I have enjoyed the recreational sports of our local YMCA over the last few years. My 10 year old has played soccer with them since he was roughly 5 years old. The coaches are typically parents that volunteer their time and experience to teach kids the basics about sports. As my son has grown through this program his skills have developed as well as a healthy attitude toward team work and dedication. 
The ages of children on teams range from 3 to 13 years, with teams typically meeting once a week for practice {the youngest group practices 30 minutes before game time} and the games are held Saturday morning/afternoon at the local fields. The prices range from $55 for members and $85 for nonmembers. The YMCA does offer financial scholarships for memberships as well as sports and other programs.  
So, if you're looking for a local recreational place for your family, check out the Chattanooga YMCA and Explore Chattanooga!
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Dirty Laundry

No really, this post is truly about dirty laundry and how the mounds and mounds of it's stinkiness piles up on my laundry room floor, glaring at me ever moment of my life simply daring me to tackle it and maintain a regular routine.
It has a mind of it's own. It swamps my weekends and even when it does get washed, dried, and folded it only hangs out in baskets, never being put up, but simply picked through each day as I run around crazy trying to get everyone dressed and covered.
To say it politely, as only a Southern Lady should, laundry was kicking my ass, and I never could get ahead of it until now. I've come across the most simple and beautiful method ever. I wash each person's clothes separately. Well, I wash the two youngest's clothes together since they can't fill a load on their own but other than that, the rest of the fam. gets his/her own load. They are washed separately, dried separately, and then quickly put up. It's so easy. I go to one room of the house and throw the clothes in drawers, on hangers, and then I'm done. It couldn't be more perfect! 
I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to tame the madness but it has, and now I want to know about You. How do You take care of Your whitey-tighties? How do You keep your sanity when it comes to laundry?
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