Saturday, November 15, 2014

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

Daddy just got done going to Artists Inc. It's a group of selected artists that get together to learn about promoting themselves. It runs for a few months. He's getting better with speaking in large crowds, and met a ton of fellow artists.

One artist that he met, Kait Berreckman is a singer-songwriter. I had a chance to listen to her music, and I love it.

She is a native of Nebraska. This is the first artist I'm covering on my blog that is from Nebraska. She just came out with her first full length album called Conservation. There are a lot of clips of Conservation on her website.

Source

Moon and Lake Michigan


Follow Kait Berreckman on Twitter.
Like Kait Berreckman on Facebook.
Subscribe to Kait Berreckman's YouTube channel.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Yes, We Are Odd

My Dad used to draw faces on his hand to entertain us when I was little.

It looked like this:

Source
Only better.

He used to entertain us in church with his talking hand when we were in church. I think the only person that actually listened to what the pastor was saying was my mom.

I used to entertain my sister, who is 5 years younger than me with my feet. I'd pretend they were falling off the couch, and she had to catch them. I'd wrap doll hats around my feet, and they were babies. I'd thank her for saving the babies lives.

Now I let Isaak draw characters on my feet. He loves it! 

Yes we are odd. 

Yes it encourages him to be creative.

It doesn't hurt anything - except for maybe the inside of my socks. 

Sometimes my feet are babies, and sometimes my feet are puppies.

The other night he drew a baby on one foot, and a puppy on the other. The baby looked more like a scary pig, but whatever.  


He wraps them up in a blanket, and holds them while we watch TV. It's funny, silly, and entertaining to him.

Random Tid Bits

I always get comments about my kids being excellent sleepers. I know some kids are just more difficult with sleeping than others are. While my kids may be good sleepers, they are not good in other areas. Here's some random tips on how to get them to go to bed, and how to get them out of bed in the morning.
  1. We don't do this one anymore, it was the best thing we did to get our kids in a routine for bedtime. I came up with the idea. Daddy named this before bedtime routine, Tour de Clocks. What is Tour de Clocks? Before the kids could even talk we started caring them from room to room to look at the clocks. Could they tell time? No. When we carried them around we would say, "See it's bedtime?" They believed us, and loved being carried around. They always had a smile on their faces when Daddy would show them the clock. Sometimes he'd let them touch the clock to. Off to bed they went after Tour de Clocks.

  2. When they get a little older make a night chore chart. I made a text one for Mica, and a picture one for Isaak. Isaak couldn't read when I made his. Laminate it, and make them follow it. They can mark things off with dry eraser markers if it's laminated.


  3.  Prepare as much as you can for the morning. I always ask around supper time if the boys want a school lunch, or not. If they don't I have them help me make their own lunch. They like doing it.

  4.  Roll play! I think sometimes parents forget what it's like to be a kid - Me included. Kids like to pretend.

    When I was younger I once a week had to get my sister that was 5 years younger than me up, and ready in the morning. I was in 6th grade, and she was in 1st grade. OMG was she horrible to get up! It was not happening. One day I decided to pretend that we were in an episode of She-Ra. Ya she liked that show - *shaking my head. She was She-Ra and the evil character was going to burn down her castle AKA her bedroom. She got right up, and moved. Score!

    Isaak's another one that doesn't like to get up in the morning. I know he loves all things that are babies. I act like a kitty, puppy, or baby to get him up. It's silly, but it works like a charm.

  5. Shake things up in the morning. Yes kids love routine, but sometimes they also love a nice warm meal before it's time to get dressed. Just like some adults say they NEED coffee, kids like to eat and drink before getting their work done at times. They also might move it to music. The music could make them annoyed to. Be cheerful, and sensitive to their morning grumpiness.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Respect and Manners


I'm slightly behind in my posting. I've been busy doing I don't even know what. When I sit down to write, I'm off in la la land.

The end of last week I got a cold. It was only bad for 2 days. Since then I've been tired, and feeling out of it. I know day light savings is a part of it.

On with the post:

The boys had a Ju-Jitsu tournament this weekend.

All the other boys with the same rank as Mica didn't participate this time around. Mica was pretty upset about this.

Why was he upset?

Because he has a chance in winning matches with them. Instead he was paired up with other boys that also have a yellow belt, but more stripes. They've been at it longer. They are from a different Y, so Mica was unfamiliar with their strength, defense, and moves.

On top of it all Daddy was a judge. He had to make the decision that Mica didn't win those matches.  Thankfully Daddy is a fair judge. He didn't let Mica win just because he's our son.

Mica was crying. Yes I felt bad for him. I also thought: This is a good life lesson. Mica sometimes gets into the 3rd grade, "I'm great at everything!" mode. I'm not saying that I want his confidence crushed; I just don't want him to think that he is the smartest, best boy on the block. A perfect ego can be just as dangerous as a low self esteem sometimes.

I did my best to comfort Mica, but also told him that life isn't always fair. We have to pick ourselves up to learn things out of what has been given to us. If anything - that day's lesson proved that Mica needs to work harder to win the next time.

Mica lost in the Samurai Square Push, and Mount. Fast forward to the last match: It was the back defense. Someone has to go after your neck, while you spin, and kick to keep them away. Mica won 2nd place.

He thought he wasn't going to get a medal, but did.


On the other mat Isaak was doing the same things as Mica, only with his age group, and similar rank. 

He started out with warm ups. Isaak so badly wants to do the splits. Not too shabby!


He didn't win the first two either. He wasn't as bummed as Mica, but was bored. He kept making bird noises with his mouth.


Isaak won in the back defense (the last match). He won 1st place. Mica was mad that even his brother beat him. I said, "He didn't beat you. He's in a different rank." It's a maturity thing that Mica will have to get past.

Instead of Isaak being mad for not winning other medals, Isaak was excited for winning the medal he won.


Fast forward once again: Last night in Ju-Jitsu. 

Instead of working hard last night in practice, the boys got a history lesson in Ju-Jitsu. I to learned a thing or two. Jiu-Jitsu is Brazilian, and Ju-Jitsu is Japanese. "Ju-Jitsu" means, "Gentle Art". Sensei was telling the kids that they have to implement respect and manners into their daily life; just like they do at Ju-Jitsu. He also told the kids where he learned Ju-Jitsu, which is Banini South Africa.

Right after class Isaak goes up to Sensei and said, "We should call you Mr. Black Skin." I thought I was going to die. Thankfully I think Sensei didn't hear Isaak. He was busy talking to someone else. If he did hear him, he didn't say anything. I certainly heard him. I know kids say things. I said, "Isaak he is Sensei to you. Never call a person by the color of their skin! Do you hear me?" Isaak nodded out of shame. I said, "No one says to you, 'We should call you Mr. White Boy with big eyes.'" Somehow that didn't sound as bad as, "Mr. Black Skin." I know he got the point. 

I kept thinking about how Sensei just got done talking about respect and manners. Then my boy goes up, and says something offensive to many.

In Isaak's defense Sensei wears black clothes, which does make him appear that much more darker.

 
When Sensei gave Mica's class the lesson one kid said, "When are we going to do something?" Referring to the fact that they weren't kicking, rolling, punching and so on. Mica piped up and said, "We are doing something...We are exercising our brains." Yay Mica got that history lesson.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Space Scouts

My boys love getting things in the mail. Space Scouts is a great gift for this holiday season.

Space Scouts monthly subscription club for kids is a delightful learning adventure aimed at discovering the wonders of the universe! It's for boys and girls. Each month your child will explore a new place in space -- stepping into the worlds of space exploration, space science, and astronomy. Join Roxy and Jett as they scout about the galaxy engaging your child in fun learning activities, hands-on discovery, and exciting challenges. Packages arrive each month filled with fun additions to your collection -- magnets, stickers, toys, and more!









Space Scouts is a stellar vehicle for launching your child's interest in science & technology! These subjects both my kids are into!

This is not your typical grab-bag subscription box. Space Scouts is a fun, educational experience where each month builds upon the previous. It's a great way to learn!

Price is affordable at $11.95 per month + $3.00 shipping.

Discounts for multi-month purchase.

Space Scouts is designed for kids age 6+.

Visit our website to learn more! 20% discount - Use promo code USFAMILY20 at checkout to receive 20% discount on initial purchase of any Space Scouts subscription plan. The code expires on: 12/31/14.


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

Monday, November 10, 2014

Lowes Clinic

I mentioned on Facebook that we were going to the Lowes Clinic, and how we hadn't been in awhile. 

My mom said, "What did they build?"

I said, "Science Kits."


I went on to mention, "Mica thought that maybe drinking out of the flask he'd turn green like the Hulk. What he didn't know is that he really turned greenish."


I went on to mention, "Isaak insisted on reading the science cards that came with the kit, but I don't know if he really read them, or just pretended to."


CLICK Espresso Protein Drink, The Coffee Lover's Protein Review

Drink CLICK is amazing! It's an espresso protein drink. 

They sent me (1) 15.8 ounce Mocha CLICK Espresso Protein Drink® $19.95 - $26.95, and (2) single serving packets $2.35 - $2.95 of 1- vanilla and 1- caramel CLICK Espresso Protein Drink® to make drinks, or you can include it in recipes. I also got a CLICK shaker cup that comes with a metal ball to help break up the protein powder.


On their website they have a free e-book. It has 50 ways to use CLICK.

https://drinkclick.com/50-ways-click-sign/
www.drinkclick.com
I sometimes like to treat myself to a decadent coffee-house drink. It's not super often that I get a special drink, but when I do I'm aiming to make better heath choices. CLICK Espresso Protein Drink® is a great product for those special cravings.


CLICK, known as the coffee lover’s protein drink™ is a low-calorie, protein-packed coffee drink that comes in 3 delicious coffee-house flavors:

  • mocha
  • vanilla latte
  • caramel 
  • decaf mocha for those senstitive to caffiene  
Made with real gourmet espresso coffee, CLICK provides the decadent flavor you love, with the nutrition you need, to boost your energy, curb your appetite and improve fat burning.  With 15 g. of protein, double-shot gourmet espresso coffee and 23 vitamins/minerals, CLICK is ideal as an all-in-one morning meal replacement, appetite-curbing afternoon snack or as a nutrition drink to support your workout. 

It does have fructose in it. Since sugar is something I'm trying to stay away from, this will be a special treat once a week for me. I do love the the vitamins it has in it though! It's gluten free, which is wonderful.

I made their Chocolate-Cinnamon CLICK-cocoa. 

Use Basic CLICK-cocoa recipe, which is 2 scoops of CLICK-cocoa and 12-14 ounces of water. Add ¼ tsp. cinnamon. Put it all in their shaker cup, shake well, and you have your drink. 


I had mine cold, but you can choose to heat it up if you like.

I added whipped cream and chocolate just for presentation purposes. I usually don't go all out for my drinks. You can see the shaker cup behind the drink. It really helps break up the protein powder. I didn't drink any clumps of protein.


The drink was yummy. I made one for Daddy, but he likes just plain Mocha CLICK Espresso Protein Drink®. He's a plain coffee drinker to.
 

Top 10 recipe ideas from their 50:

  1.  Basic Mocha CLICK - Which are like Pudding Popsicals
  2. Chocolate-Peanut Butter CLICK-y Pudding
  3. CLICK-Brownies
  4. CLICK-a-Butter Balls - Which are Protein Balls
  5. Minty-Chocolate Power CLICK Blizzard
  6. Strawberry-Banana CLICK Smoothie
  7. Coffee Toffee CLICK-y Frosty
  8. Cookies 'n CLICK Frappe
  9. Black Forest Frappe
  10. CInnamon-Caramel Hot CLICK Drink
You can buy sugar-free syrups.
It certainly helps to have their shaker. The metal ball looks like a whisk. It really breaks the powder up.



CLICK is carried in The Vitamin Shoppe stores nationwide along with many other fine nutritional stores and with over 500 5-star reviews is one of the top-selling nutritional beverages on Amazon.com.  Learn more about CLICK and the CLICK community at facebook/drinkclick with over 30,000+ fans as well as on our CLICK Community Blog at drinkclick.com/community  #ClickOn #DrinkClick #Love4Clic

 The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

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.

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com