Random Tid Bits

1. We've had a ton of zucchini growing in our garden.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I don't feel like PMS makes me bitchy, but it sure does give me anxiety. If I have several big things to do I just innerly freak out. I feel my face getting red and hot, and my heart pumps really fast.
   
   Boss man wanted me call, and set up Adobe Creative Cloud for the teachers. I had never done this before. He had very specific things he wanted. I couldn't get everything he wanted, but it was a heck of a lot cheaper than last year, and got it approved.
   
   The next day he wanted me to back peddle to get things even cheaper. 


3. Some advice is worth taking. My parents have given me a lot of good advice in the past.
   
   Good Advice:
   
   1. Choose your battles.
   
   2. Kids make their own schedules based on what's going on in their life.
   
   Lately they've been off on their game.
   
   Bad Advice:
   
   1. You might want to talk to Isaak and tell him not to cry. He might get made fun of in school. - He hasn't had issues with crying in school. I didn't say it, but think it's great that he can cry in front of us. Just because he's a boy I don't want him to think he should keep his emotions in. I have to say that Mica was pretty unbearable at Isaak's age. He was pretty much a jerk. Now Isaak's at that magical puberty stage. He shows his emotions differently - with crying, and wanting to sleep. I don't know that he's worse, or better than Mica. Just different.
   
   2. You should probably read up on Asthma and Allergies. Start taking other things to help them besides medicine. - I didn't say too much, but in the past I tried a lot of natural things. By not taking meds I got a nose so full of polyps that the doctor had to cut out. Some of my nasal receptors went with that surgery. No thanks I'll stick to my meds. I do drink turmeric and ginger a lot + do the neti pot regularly. Those count as natural remedies. I think my doctors would agree that they want me breathing, so taking my daily inhaler when I need it is important.


4. Mica and Isaak have started fighting over really silly things. That's when I know it's time to go back to school. I let them both pick out snacks at the store. Isaak picked out Bunny Graham's.
   
   
   
   
   
   Travis got a call from Mica that he was all pissed because Isaak wouldn't let him eat the snack he picked out. In Isaak's defense, Mica would eat the whole box if he's able to. When I talked to them at lunch I said, "Maybe you shouldn't get a a morning snack. You don't have one at school."
   
   The next day we discussed their ridiculous spat. Travis found the whole thing comical because this is a snack I used to buy them when Isaak was in preschool. We decided we'd pour how much they get into bowls. Problem solved. I really wish they'd solve their own problems though.
   
   I explained that this kind of fighting is normal, for siblings. Travis never fought a whole lot with his sister growing up. His sister was inside a lot, when he was outside most of the time.
   
   I remember having battles with my sisters over the dumbest stuff. One time I tied my younger sister into her room. She wasn't tied, but her bedroom door was tied to the bathroom and my parent's bedroom door. She could not get out. I was way to old to do that. My friend got sent home. What's a silly thing you did when you were a kid?


5. The boy's back to school night it the same night, in two different parts of town. I knew this could happen. Mica's starts at 3:30, Isaak's starts at 5:30, so we figured we'd go to Mica's first. Then we got a letter saying they'd prefer younger kids to go earlier at Mica's school. They get what they get. Isaak's starts August 13, and Mica starts August 14. They have the younger middle schoolers go first to get used to the building. When do kids start where you live?

#backtoschool With Wee Blessing

I was contacted in May to review some clothes from Wee Blessing. I am so excited to share them with you!

We went through many of Mica and Isaak's old clothes this weekend, and have filled up a big bag of hand me downs for my nephews. Boom! Wee Blessing set Isaak up with lots of new fun things to wear when he goes back to school on Wednesday!

Each Blessing comes with not 1, but 3 hand selected outfits.

Wee Blessing started us out with a survey to get to know who they are hand picking outfits out for. I think this is an excellent way to get to know their clients.

Isaak's favorite is his Just Hangin' Out Spider-Man shirt, and what he calls "Basketball Shorts". They can be worn for other things besides basketball. He just calls them that because they are easy to move around in.

Gymboree Gray Spider-Man Hangin' Out Tee $26 marked down to $12
Oshkosh Navy/White Drawstring Shorts $22 marked down to $10

Isaak also loves his basketball shirt! He's super into that sport. The tan shorts were already his own.

Children's Place Black All Net Tee $10.50 marked down to $5

Isaak did get a pair of pants there were a bit tight. No worries. Wee Blessing gives you 10 days to decide if you want to keep things, or not. They make it really easy to return. I happen to like the style of pants, so we're opting to keep them to give to my nephews.

Urband Pipeline Jogger Pants $40 marked down to $18

While the red shirt wasn't Isaak's favorite, it looks good on him. I like that it has a hood. It will be good for transitional weather. Especially if his jacket doesn't have a hood. The grey slate shorts will go well with a lot of different things. I'm really glad they sent them in the box.

Arizona Jean Co. Red Hooded Tee $22 marked down to $10
Free Planet Slate Gray Performance Shorts $40 marked down to $18

They had the Free Planet Slate Gray Performance Shorts set to go with the Children's Place Black All Net Tee, but we liked it with the shorts with the Arizona Jean Co. Red Hooded Tee better. Somethings are neutral enough that they can go with anything!

Prices:

I really like that they showed the price break downs on everything in the box.

Thank You:

Wee Blessing sent a thank you card. I really liked that extra touch.

Connect With Wee Blessing:

On Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Type in ANAPELADAY for 20% off your first order with Wee Blessing. They have hand picked clothes for women, men, kids, baby, and maternity. It's a win, win! 

Have you gotten any clothes for yourself or someone else this back to school season?

Disclaimer: The opinions on this post are my own. I got the products to help spread the word for Wee Blessing. 

Lunch Tote Review #backtoschool

There's some things it seems we can never have enough in our house: Pillows, Good Water Bottles, Lunch Containers, and Lunch Totes. So I planned on just listing a few things, and ended up listing four things. What do you use a lot in your house?

Travis uses pillows all the time. I dropped a glass water bottle, and it shattered to pieces. There was a kid that threw something at another kid, and Mica's water bottle slammed to the floor. The straw section was all broken. Mica also lost a water bottle. Travis and I both work a lot, so we go through lunch containers. The lids always break before the containers do. We don't even wash them in the dishwasher. They just start to tear apart. The boys aren't into their younger kid lunch boxes/bags, so I'm trying to up their style a bit. Instead of cartoony things, we go simple these days.

I got an Amy Insulated Large Lunch Bag to review. It's perfect for going back to school!

It's big enough for two lunches, or one lunch and some drinks for the top. 

This week I've taken lunches for Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday was on it's own. I did throw in some drinks for today.

Colors: 

• Jean Blue $7.07
• Red $12.99
• Grey $6 (The color I got to review)

I'm not sure why they very so much in cost, but they do. They are all on Amazon Prime and can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Cooler-Double-Decker-School/dp/B0756ZSRD4/ref=sr_1_3?m=A1C4KMAOPNJ2JL&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1531831467&sr=1-3

Perks: 

• It's insulated well! That's good and bad. Good because things stay cold, bad because it's harder to just throw in the washer. It can be wiped out though. 

• I like the 2 big compartments. Over the weekend I make pretty big meals that carry us into the work week. I love taking 2 meals, and not have to deal with taking a meal for a day. 

• It's well designed. Meaning it looks nice!

Downfall: 

• The shoulder strap clasp is broke. It never worked. It just slips right out. I might as well throw it out, or only use the top handle. I was excited it had a shoulder strap. I'm often holding many things like my computer bag and groceries. It's nice to not have to hold a lunch bag too. I don't want my glass containers to fall and break though. I really don't think this is a problem with all their bags. Just this one. It could have been tested better before they shipped it out. 

Overall I do like this lunch tote. I'm in love with the room it has! What do you like to carry your lunch in, or do you buy your lunch every day?

Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. I only review things that I think will fit my readers or family.

Useful School Supplies Not Commonly Found on List

I love to get school supplies! Maybe it's because I'm a teacher myself, or quite possibly it's because everything is new. It's fun seeing that smile on my kid's face when we go to pick things out for them.

Useful School Supplies Not Commonly Found on List

While there are plenty of items teachers and school systems require students have for back to school, there are some supplies students need that aren’t usually found on lists. As you’re exploring frugal school tips to lower the overall amount spent on school supplies, be sure to devote time to supplying your child with a few extra inclusions so she or he can perform at her or his absolute best this upcoming school year and every year after.

A Good Night’s Rest

As you’re picking up notebooks, pencils and the like, ask your child if she or he could use a new pillow, a humidifier or anything else that promotes healthy sleep. Having everything on a back-to-school list won’t do your son or daughter much good if your child can’t stay awake in class or concentrate enough to use all the supplies you bought. Throughout the school year, ask your children about their quality of sleep, and be sure to take steps if they feel they aren’t getting enough rest, something that might require help from your family physician.

Hand Sanitizer

When cold and flu season roll around, or when there’s an outbreak of sickness spreading through the school or your geographic area, a quality bottle of hand sanitizer could be your child’s best line of defense. Once you buy hand sanitizer, make sure your kids actually use it. Otherwise, it’s simply a waste of money.

A Good Meal

Sleep combined with a good meal is the perfect combination for fueling students to fire on all cylinders. While there is some debate about the overall importance and health impact of eating breakfast, it doesn’t hurt to start the day with foods that give students energy to focus so they can better retain and grasp the information learned in the classroom. Plus, few things are more distracting than hunger pangs.

Locker Shelf/Organizer

For those times when students are in a hurry, they might not have as much time as they’d like to organize the contents of their locker. Rather than risk important papers and handouts going missing in a locker corner, a locker organizer or shelf is the perfect place for loose sheets of paper that can be properly sorted later.

A Quiet Place to Focus

When it’s time for homework or studying, your child should have a place of peace in which to work. While a desk in your daughter or son’s room is the most ideal option, there might not be room. If this is the case, creating a quiet place elsewhere in your home is the next best option. The kitchen table might work, but only as long as everyone in the house knows when the kitchen is a place of quiet and studying and not a place to kick up noise or engage in other distracting activities.

Access to the Internet and a Printer

Just like schools, student homes need to have reliable access to the internet so young learners can complete assignments and look up information as necessary. Additionally, students should have a printer on hand. If you don’t have a printer in your home, look for nearby public libraries, or see if your neighbors have a printer they’d be willing to let your child use.

Think outside the box a bit when it comes to getting school supplies. Lists are a helpful guide, but they don’t always have everything your child needs.    

Disclaimer: This is a guest post. 

Back to School {Linky}

The boys are heading back to school tomorrow. As parents we're so glad. The boys really like school, and do best with a routine. They had a Meet the Teacher Night last night. They both got the teachers they wanted.

Isaak is big about patterns. So far he's had the opposite teacher than what Mica's had every year. He got the same teacher Mica had in 3rd grade, but we convinced him that the pattern is still in place. That teacher got married, so she has a different last name then when Mica had her. Isaak has 3 great friends in his class.

Mica lost a few friends because one moved on to a magnet school, and another is going to a private school. I reminded him that this may happen. Thankfully he has a few good friends in his 5th grade class. It's his last year at his elementary school. It sucks to grow up at times. Mica said, "I feel like Kevin from The Wonder Years when Winnie went to a different school, and Paul went to a prep school." I feel for him. There's always more room for friends.

The boys look like they are giants. They are in this stage where they are not picture friendly. We brought all their loot on Meet the Teacher night. It was less stuff to worry about taking to school on the first day. Mica donated gel pens, and Isaak donated markers to the whole class.

Mica started what seem like a full time job: Safety Patrol. It's not like when I was a kid: Everyone took turns. Nope! He has to man this post before and after school. I was a little worried about task considering that Isaak would need to be there at a later time. No worries though. Mica's teacher said that Isaak can hang out in the lobby. He will be a teacher's helper, or just have a chance to read before breakfast.

I think the sun was in Mica's eyes when I took this photo.

Label Daddy - With a Discount

Disclosure: I am compensated for writing this post by receiving a GC to LabelDaddy. All opinions stated are my own.

My school started today. Mica and Isaak start on Wednesday. The boys have an open house tonight. It will be fun visiting their school, and meeting their teachers. Busy times ahead.

One thing I wish is that I had is custom labels for Isaak. I won some for Mica awhile back. Isaak said this year, "Maybe I'll get some in my stocking this year. Mica got his for Christmas."

Label Daddy is awesome! If you've never looked on their site it's a must have for labeling school and camp supplies. 

Save 20% on Label Daddy labels for Back to School! 
  
Label Daddy is the number one solution for labeling your belongings! Remember to label all clothing, sports equipment and other personal belongings your kids bring to school, camp, sports leagues, day care, and other places. 

We label all the notebooks, crayon boxes, folders, backpacks, and lunchboxes. The other things are for the whole classroom to use. 

Label Daddy labels keep them from getting lost or mixed up with others.

Perks on Their Labels:

• Super durable 
• Peel-and-stick 
• Washer/dryer safe
• Microwave safe
• Dishwasher safe 
• UV resistant! 

Label Daddy labels are also fun and attractive. You design your own labels!  

Pick from tons of colors, sizes and logos, including Disney and Marvel characters, MLB, NBA, and NHL team logos, other sport and fun logos, and more. Their exclusive laminated coating gives labels an extra layer of protection and is a must for camp! These labels are made in the USA and shipped directly to you worldwide. 

Save 20% on your entire Label Daddy order - this is the best discount available anywhere. Use code USFAMILY20 at checkout. http://www.usfamily20.labeldaddy.com

Stuck On You Review + a #Giveaway

I've been really excited to share this review and giveaway with you! Stuck on You is a company that specializes in personalized name labels, back to school items and gifts.

I had trouble deciding on what to get. Everything is so cute! There is so many things I love on their site.

The first thing I picked were Homework Pencils with Mica and Isaak's names on them. The set comes with a ruler pencil box, pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener and labels for the pencils. Each box is $24.95.

Each set is going in the boy's stocking for Christmas! I just know they will be as excited as I am to get them!

The next thing I picked out was a robot Classic Personalized Bag Tag for Isaak. It's $6.95. It is water resistant and super durable.

I looped the tag through to see if it could come apart too easily. Isaak tends to play with things a lot. It holds very well. I had trouble getting it back apart. I got it though. It's certainly durable! Stuck on You has 14 other designs to choose from. You can get tags that are not personalized for $3.95, if you just want something to separate one bag from another.

I picked out Basic Homework Pencils for Mica and Isaak's teachers. They to will be getting them for the winter holiday time. I forgot that they came with a sharpener and eraser. It does say they do on the site, but I just forgot. That was a nice surprise to see in the boxes. They come with little name labels. I picked out blue labels, but they have red and pink as options to. Each set is $14.95.

The last, but not least thing I picked out was a personalised Embroidered Facewasher. Also known as a washcloth. I went ahead and treated our family with this now. I wanted to see how it held up in the wash. It's still very soft! Facewashers are 100%, and embroidered with your choice of font and color. I went with Classic font face, but they have 7 fonts to choose from and 10 colors to choose from for the embroidery color.

My total came to $96.70. I thought that was a really good deal considering that they are all personalized things!

Remember in the beginning of my post that I said I had a hard time choosing what to get? They also have placemats, bags, lunch boxes, robes, many different kinds of labels and much more!

Now it's giveaway time! One of my readers is going to win a $25 GC to Stuck on You!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. You need to be over the age of 18 to enter. This giveaway is for the US and Canada only. I did get products to help with the review. The winner will need to respond back within 48 hours, or I will pick a new winner.