Bully at the Park

A few weeks ago, I decided to take my boys to the park. My husband had to work, and my little ones were restless. I knew the park would be the perfect way to have some fun and get my boys, especially Monkey, tired for bed.

It was a beautiful evening. The weather was warm with a slight breeze. Monkey was so excited to go the park because he loves the swings, the slides, the splash pad, and the fire truck. The park had several other adults and children there too.

I usually end up being pretty close to Monkey for most of our time at the park because he wants me to play with him. I don't mind since eventually he will grow out it, and I want to enjoy the time where we can play together.
 

Monkey loves the firetruck!

Once Monkey saw the firetruck he instantly ran over to it. He just loves the firetruck because it has a steering wheel and it rocks back and forth. Another little boy joined Monkey. I thought this would be great for him since he will have another child his age to play with. Sadly, I was mistaken. While I was taking Roo out of his stroller about 10 feet away, I heard the other boy say, "It's a seesaw, not a firetruck. You're a stupid guy."

Instantly, my whole body froze. I wasn't going to put up with my son being called stupid so I headed over to him. I heard Patrick say, "It's a firetruck" to which the boy respond, "It's a seesaw. You're stupid." I didn't even think before I told the child that we don't call others stupid and kindly suggested that he could pretend it is a seesaw while my boy pretends it is a firetruck. He promptly told me its not a firetruck and that my boy was stupid.

The little boy ran off to play somewhere else. I was so relieved because it gave me the chance to talk to Monkey about what happened. It gave me time to talk to him about accepting others even if they think differently than you. I went on to talk to him about self esteem and not allowing what others say determine your worth.

I made sure our evening wasn't soured by ending it on a fun note by playing in the splash pad. However, I kept thinking about what happened. It really hurt to see a three year speak to my son and to me in such a negative way. I don't want my children to ever behave that way and think it is okay to call others name. Words are powerful and should be used with care.

This experience taught me that I need to be a better example to my children so they don't pick up bad habits from me. I don't want them thinking it is okay to say mean things to others just because they are different or think different. Even though my son hasn't even mentioned this incident since it happened, I can't seem to shake it. I guess you could say that this was a slight wake up call to make sure that my little kiddos are learning appropriate and kind words from me. So the next time when I get upset and frustrated, I'm going to work really hard at not uttering stupid (or other hurtful words) because my little boys might turn around and use them!

Sweet, Sugary Letter 'S'

I wanted to do something different with this week's Calendar Days. Something hands on and unique. And then it hit me: BooBoo loves cooking... and he loves creating things. Why not do both? So we made sweet, sugary 'S's' and snakes out of sugar cookie dough. He had a blast! I wasn't sure how they'd end up looking after they came out of the oven, but I was pleasantly surprised when they came out.

My tips for turning a fun activity into a subtle learning experience: 

-Play into your child's strengths. If they love something (like cooking and art) plan an activity using that and aim for your end goal (ie using cookie dough to make the letter 'S' and snakes and talking to him about the sounds they make as we shaped the cookies)

-No idea is too stupid. As long as you're having fun with your child and they're learning in the end- anything goes.

-Follow their cues. About halfway through BooBoo decided to make the letter 'C' and was saying "ca, ca C". I had a choice- go with it or try to force him to continue focusing on 'S'. We started making the letter 'C'. In the end, he was still learning and that was enough for me. That, and it meant that he remembered our lesson from months ago, so I was very excited.

-At the end of the day, it's about quality time. Learning just happens to come along with the end result.

"SSSSSSSS."

Concentration to the extreme.

Carefully forming the letter 'S'.

The final result. Yummy and educational, all at the same time. 

Pure Emu Oil For Skin & Hair Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.  

About the product
*information obtained from their website

• Made in USA
• 100% Pure Emu Oil, Fully Refined. No added chemicals or preservatives.
• Unsurpassed nourishing benefits: provides radiant youthful and plumper skin.
• Reduces dryness, redness, itching, marks, and soothes sunburn & Promotes hair health and growth.
• Perfect for aching joints, sore muscles, sprains, burns, wounds and scars.

Finally...The Ultimate Solution For Your Beautiful Face, Skin & Hair

Give your skin and hair everything that it has been craving for!
• MOISTURIZING BENEFITS: No more dryness. Get a soft, smooth skin naturally.
• YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE: Improve skin issues that develop with age.
• EVEN SKIN TONE: Reduce marks to achieve an even, radiant, clear skin.
• IMPROVED SKIN TEXTURE: Get a plump skin full of health.
• HAIR HEALTH AND GROWTH: Achieve complete hair care. Get soft, shiny hair, reduce split ends, and boost hair growth.

Experience the CALMING and SOOTHING effects of InstaNatural Emu Oil!
• Soothes minor inflammation.
• Reduces dryness related to various skin conditions.
• Calms itching on skin.


My thoughts


My skin can get really dry and cracked due to all my gardening. Lotion just doesn't heal my cracked skin. I decided to try Emu oil. It wasn't quite what I was expecting since the Emu oil is slightly thick and has a milky appearance. But, it doesn't has an odor. This is a huge plus for me because I hate strong fragrances. And, it absorbs really fast and doesn't leave you feeling oily. After several applications of the oil on my cracked hands and cuticles, I noticed that my skin was so much softer and no longer cracked. I was very impressed.

I then decided to try the oil on other areas of my body. I decided to try it on my stretch marks. The emu oil helped my stretch marks to heal. They looked fainter and not as aggravated as they used to look. I also have used it on my other scars to help them fade, and it seems that they are reduced.

Since I want to grow out my hair, I want to keep my hair healthy. Plus, I want my hair to grow faster. I followed the advice on the Amazon page on how to apply it to my hair. I feel like my hair is softer, shinier, and healthier. I don't know if it has boosted my hair growth yet because it is too soon to tell. But, I am impressed with the results so far.

I really love how one oil can be used for so many different purposes! I really like this oil and I strongly recommend using it if you want your skin and hair to look radiant!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fleece Texture Baby Blanket

I like to think I can craft. I always get these splendid, out-there ideas for fabulous gifts for others, I just kind of struggle to actually succeed at actually making them. My craft baskets are full of balls of yarn yearning to be hats, clips and ribbons destined to be binky holders, bows and alligator clips for my friend's baby girl who's almost one now, and fleece that was supposed to be a baby blanket for a long passed baby shower. I do have a decent excuse when it comes to the fleece though. I was going to make a fleece tie blanket with fleece I'd found on sale- not realizing that it was on sale because the 2 colors were the end of bolts. Yeah. That means REALLY odd shapes. They were long enough to use, but not nearly wide enough.

This last week one of my very favorite couples welcomed their third child into the world. We happen to be heading their way soon so I decided to make them a gift. The first thing I thought of were those awkward pieces of fleece. While originally purchased for a baby girl, the teal and gray I'd picked were very gender neutral and I knew the baby boy would love it. But what to do with them? Then, it hit me. Why not make a Taggie blanket inspired mini fleece blanket? so, I got to work.

First I measured the length of the pieces of fleece (19") then I made marks on the width (also at 19") so I'd know where to cut.

Next, I measured 4" away from each end and cut out 4 squares.

Then, I cut strips of equal length all the way around, making sure to make them long and thick enough to easily tie.

Finally, I started tying knots all the way around. I tried to vary which color showed on the outside. I loved this part and it really only took about 15 minutes all told. After I finished I made sure to tug on all the ends to straighten it out and lie it flat. 

Aren't these colors gorgeous together?

So excited to finally have a way to use this fleece and have easy to do and pretty to look at gifts ti give to all the new babies entering my friend's lives!

InstaNatural Argan Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, & Vitamin C Serum Reviews

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

About Pure Argan Oil

Here are some facts about Argan oil:

• Lightweight & pure for the ultimate healthy glow.
• Look like a Hollywood Celebrity with 100% Pure Argan Oil ONLY.
• No preservatives, chemicals, or artificial fragrances used.
• Made organically in small batches to ensure premium quality!
• Naturally freshens, hydrates and softens dry skin better than any other moisturizer on the market.
• Repairs and beautifies hair, from roots to split-ends.
• Strengthens brittle nails and cuticles. 

My Thoughts

All I have to say is that I am in love with Argan oil!!! I love how one oil can help with my hair, nails, and skin. Argan oil has a very faint smell so you don't have to worry about your nose being overwhelmed. It comes in a large bottle and it goes a long way! I only use a few drops to help my nails and skin every day so my bottle still looks full. 

I first tried Argan oil on my nails and cuticles because I have always had brittle nails. I have tried eating certain foods to help my nails, but nothing would work. I know part of my problem is that I do a lot of yard work and house work so my nails take a beating daily. From the first day of using this oil, I noticed that my cuticles were healthier and my nails were stronger! After a week of using the oil, my nails look amazing! I love having strong nails and healthy cuticles.

Because I do a lot of yard work, my fingers get really dry can cracked. After the first day of applying the oil to the rough patches, my skin was a lot softer. After I kept using the oil, my cracked skin was no longer cracked! All I have to say is that this oil is amazing.

I am now going to try using it on my hair to see how it will help my dry ends. I am already expecting great results because it has worked great so far. I definitely recommend getting this oil because it can help make your nails, cuticles, and skin look beautiful.

About Pure Rosehip Seed Oil

Here are some facts about rosehip seed oil:

• Damage caused to skin due to sun-exposure
• Getting help with dryness, roughness, and more
• Decreasing old and hardened scars and diminishing the appearance of marks including acne scars, burn scars, dark spots, and stretch marks
• Nourishing the skin deeply to make the skin smoother and more evern
• Shinier hair and nail care
• InstaNatural Rosehip seed oil is 100% pure and USDA certified organic, and unrefined to give you safe and effective multi benefits. 
• Contains Essential fatty acids (Omega 6, 3 and 9), which is beneficial for healing the skin.

My Thoughts

I really wanted to try rosehip seed oil because I wanted to diminish my scars espeically my stretch mark scars. I know I shouldn't be bothered by the fact that I was able to have a baby, but the stretch marks still bother me. I really want to diminish them!

When I first used the oil, I was a little overwhelmed by the smell. Rosehip seed oil is hard to explain, but it is definitely not a rose smell! It is a mixture between a musky, woody, and nutty smell. It is not my favorite smell in the world, but I got used to it after several times of using it. Just don't worry that the oil is bad because it is not!

The oil definitely helped my scars. After a week of using the oil, I could tell that my stretch mark scars looked fainter. That is exactly what I wanted because I hate the red look of them. Also, the rosehip oil helped moisturize my dry patches of skin on my body. It was nice to see my heels and my elbows become soft again. With all my yard work, my skin dries out fast.

The oil comes in a fairly large bottle and I only use 1-3 drops. This bottle will last about 6 months unrefrigerated and 1 year refrigerated.

I also read about how rosehip seed oil can help promote hair growth. Since I want to grow out my hair, I am going to start using it on my hair and see how it goes. I have always wanted to grow my hair out long, but I just feel that it doesn't look pretty or is limp. Maybe this oil is just what I need. I will update you after a few months to let you know!

I definitely would try this oil if you want to diminish some of your scars and heal your skin!

About Vitamin C + Vitamin E Hyaluranic Serum

Our Vitamin C (20%) + E + Ferulic + Hyaluronic Acid Serum is More Advanced & Better than any other Vitamin C Serum on the market

• Provides unrivaled antioxidant benefits.
• Each ingredient works synergistically to boost one another.
• Hydrates & Moisturizes.
• Helps lighten the skin.
• USA Made in FDA Certified Facility.

Experience The Power of Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Hyaluronic Serum From The Very First Use!

• Many users have reported improved skin after the very first use.
• Our product reduces the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.
• It protects from external aggressors that cause dullness and dryness of skin and increase signs of aging.
• Powerful antioxidant properties give vibrant and younger looking skin.
• Reduces different types of scars, marks, and spots for a clear skin.

My Thoughts

I like to be proactive about my skin because when my skin feels great, I feel great. Because I am a busy mom with little kiddos, I feel like my skin has taken a beating. I end up getting more sun exposure than I should and "beauty sleep" gets interrupted by my precious little baby. So I worry about wrinkles a lot.

The wonderful thing about this serum is that it is so easy to use and doesn't have a strong odor. I like things that don't stink. After a few weeks of using this serum, I noticed that my wrinkles were fainter and my skin looked healthier and younger.

This is a great product to help revitalize your skin!



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fun Summer Ideas

Now that school is out and summer is here, my kids want to be outside all the time. I love that they want to be outdoors, but sometimes I get bored being cooped up in our yard doing the same things over and over. So I have spent this week thinking of some ideas to make this summer fun. And, please share what you do to make the summer months fun and unique!

Fun Summer Ideas

• Go on a nature walk (can play I spy or do some type of bingo card with animals/birds on it)
• Go on a hike
• Go to the park
• Play at the pool or splash pad
• Go on a picnic
• Make mud pies (messy but loads of fun)
• Run through the sprinklers
• Blow bubbles
• Play with sidewalk chalk
• Explore local historic sites (you will be surprised what your community has to offer!!)
• Go to the library and do reading time or other activities they offer
• Visit a fair
• Go to the zoo 
• Build sand castles (you can do this in a volleyball court at a park)
• Tie dye shirts
• Water balloon fights
• Build paper airplanes
• Go camping or pitch a tent in the backyard
• Plant a garden
• Easter egg hunts (you can just use empty eggs but my kiddo loves hunting for them)
• Service projects

And here are some great sites that include lots of activities for kids:
Kids Activities Blog
Sow Sprout Play


Have a fun summer!

Black Pepper Chicken and Potato Soup

Poor McGee has been sick since Memorial Day. Food has not sounded good and he's barely been able to keep anything in. Therefore I was rally excited when he asked for soup today. There were just a few problems- I didn't have a lot of ingredients, he couldn't have dairy, and I didn't have a lot of time. I instantly looked online for something simple involving chicken, potatoes, and non-cream based. One of the first recipes I found was this. Pretty straight forward, but I didn't have turnips or carrots, and I'll admit I was skeptical that something so simple would taste good.

I shouldn't have worried. It's amazing. I did tweak it just a little bit and the flavor of the broth was perfection. So easy to prepare and it takes 7 ingredients-including the salt and pepper! Plus, look how good it looks!

Mmmmmmm.... I also love the fact that it uses ingredients almost everyone will have on hand. Great for a delicious, nutritious, and easy meal on a budget.

Black Pepper Chicken and Potato Soup

3 medium potatoes (red or russet is fine), cubed

1 onion, chopped

5 chicken breast tenderloins

5 cloves garlic

salt and pepper to taste

3 bottom halves of green onions (optional)

Out cubed potatoes, chopped onion, whole chicken breast tenderloins, garlic cloves (can use chopped if preferred, but I like the flavor it gives the broth when they're whole), and green onions (if using, I added them because I had them and loved the garnish they made after cooking) to a large soup pot. Add water until ingredients are just covered. Add salt and pepper. Put pot on high heat and bring to boil. Cover with lid and lower temperature to low and allow to simmer for 30-45 minutes. Pull out chicken and chop into pieces. Add back into pot and taste broth, seasoning with salt and pepper until desired flavor. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

I plan on making this the next time I bring a meal to someone because it's so easy and really makes you feel like you're getting a big, warm hug from someone who loves you. Enjoy!