Keeping #Warm With Mozy

We have now had our first snow this fall in Omaha, Nebraska a few days ago. Has it snowed where you live? 

When snow happens, it means it's time to bundle up! 

The day before it snowed was colder than the day it snowed. That's when I took the boys out for a photo shoot. Bur...what was I thinking?! 

I pulled out our new Mozy. At first I thought I'd give this to Mica, but we've been sharing it. 

What is a Mozy? You might be asking. It's like a thick warm blanket for the lower part of your body.

Uses:

 

You can use a Mozy whenever you feel like it, but I have specific uses in mind. 

• You can use a Mozy for soccer, football, and other games. I know sports are limited right now, but there are some going on. If you are sitting in the stands, mask on, freezing your butt off, a Mozy will help. I've always hated how they make many coats for your upper torso, but no coat for your lower body. Snow pants are hard to put on, and take off because they have to go on before your big heavy shoes or boots do. 
  
  
• You can use a Mozy for a bonfire, or drum circle. I just added the drum circle in there because we used to have one often at Kansas City Art Institute. Maybe it's an artist thing. My friend that just moved to Florida said they have them often right down the street from where she lives. 
  
  
• You can use a Mozy for fishing, or hunting. With fishing there's a lot of sitting around, so a Mozy would be helpful. I think it would be great with deer hunting as well. 
  
  
• Elementary teachers or Aids can use a Mozy at recess time, or when they are waiting for caregivers to pick up their children at the end of the day. They even have pockets in the front for hand sanitizer, pens, pencils, and more.
  
  
• Leave a Mozy in the car for trips, or if you get stranded. I typically have a blanket in the car for just in case needs. Having a Mozy stay in the car would be equally, or better than a blanket to have. 
  
  
• People can use a Mozy for the bus stop. They can wear them around their legs, and turn around and use them like a blanket inside the bus. Mica has a ways to walk to get to the bus stop. Knock on wood he's had very little waiting time. I was worried about bus communication with 3 days in school, and 2 days off. 
  
  
• People can use a Mozy in the morning, for the car. In the mornings Isaak's always cold. He hates taking a coat, that he has to lug around school. They can't use lockers right now, with COVID on the scene. Instead of a coat I encouraged him to grab the Mozy. Isaak's been dressing in layers on his top. He thought he invented dressing in layers. I said, "No son. People have been dressing in layers, for years!" It's harder to dress in layers, for the lower part of your body. Mozy makes layering easy!

They say on their site that a Mozy is easy to walk in. I found it feeling a bit like my legs were hugged. It's not as easy to walk in as I thought it would be. 

How to use a Mozy:

They have a fun diagram on how to use one on the box. I love it, because I'm a visual person. It was much easier to put on then snow pants! 

Easy peasy to put on!

Get it on too tight? It's adjustable.

Unlike snow pants, you can take a Mozy off and put it back on with ease! It's not heavy to carry around. The inside is a heavy fleece, and the outside is a waterproof material. 

Sizes: 

• Mozy Mini (small) 16" - 26"
• Mozy Mid (medium) 27" - 45"
• Mozy More (large) 46"

Patches: 

When you buy a Mozy they have a patch on it. Ever since I was in Girl Scouts, and then again when my boys attended Lowe's Clinic I dig patches! They will ofter more patches. It looks like they are working on that, on their site.

You can get the Mozy here: 

https://www.getthemozy.com/products/mozy, or on Amazon. Their site uses google pay, shop pay, and PayPal. The cost for a Mozy is $99. Think of it as a cost similar to a warm coat. 

It would be great to get someone for Christmas!

If you had a Mozy what would you use it for?

Disclaimer: I got this product for free, in exchange of my honest opinion. Mozy did not tell me what to say. 

Soccer Games

Isaak played soccer in the spring, and now in the fall. He really is enjoying soccer. His coach really lets him work the field.

They had a double game last week. They won their first game, played hard on the second, but didn't win.

Crazy thing: 

Isaak has a whole drawer full of workout clothes. What does he wear? 

The same thing every time.

The best thing...kids are nice on his team!

The basketball team he was on was just not his fit. It has been that way, for awhile. He loves the sport, but not the team he was on. There was a kid that wouldn't give the other team high fives when they lost, he'd slam the floor when he the other team was making free throws, he'd push up against players, and more. Things like that just make Isaak pissed, and nothing was being done about it.

We found out when Isaak played at school, he was one of the top players. As opposed to his select team he wasn't even passed the ball. He doesn't need that negativity in his life.

He's not the BEST player at either soccer or basketball, but he's a good asset to both sports.

We signed him up, for basketball at the Y next to keep his skills in check.

At school he has intramural sports. Right now it's volleyball. Isaak and his carpool didn't really have the interest. When basketball starts they plan to play.

Travis makes Mica go to all Isaak's games. I don't even know why. Mica sits there and reads or listens to the music. He never knows the score. Travis says he has to go to be supportive. He's not supportive at all. Just like Isaak's not supportive to Mica's Quiz Bowl. He has no interest in that either.

Last week I was tickling Mica, and Mica was poking me in the arm. Being on Aspirin, all those pokes turn into bruises.

Travis said, "Let's trade spots. I'm getting sick of you two." We traded.

Then the two boys battled with empty Gatorade bottles. Mica's chair was knocked to the ground. Travis wonders why our "cheap" chairs break. Humm...I wonder.

When you were a kid, did you go to your bother or sister's sporting events, concerts and so on for support? 

Grip Strength Trainer Review

Travis had to start Physical Therapy for his elbow. He messed it up with hauling heavy stone and working on his chair. Welcome to a Sculptor's world. One thing I noticed he's been doing is taking the boy's hand grip strengtheners that I got them for Easter a few years ago, and has been using them.

Travis' birthday is coming up. I thought I'd get him his own Grip Strength Trainer set to review. 

Types:

They sell 2 types this set, and a black, charcoal, and light grey set that look like gears. I like both sets. They sent me the other set to review, which I only reviewed on Instagram and Facebook. The other set is pretty cool looking, but the grips seem harder to do. They really are supposed to be the same.

Where to Get Them:

You can get both sets on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P9WSJ1S this set for $7.99 and the other set for $9.99. You'll find them both at the same link. 

This set reminds me of those stacking doughnuts that toddlers have. We used to step back and throw them to see if we could get them on the yellow base. 

Grips:

Each color has a different resistance.

Green is 30 lbs, Blue is 40 lbs, and Red Orange is 50 lbs.

You can work your way up.

Green is 30 lbs.

Blue is 40 lbs.

Red Orange is 50 lbs.

What's great is that these are small enough they can be taken anywhere. They work wonders for Athletes, Musicians, Truck Drivers, Artists, and people that are on the computer a lot. 

Have you ever needed Physical Therapy?

Disclaimer: I got this product to assist with this review. All opinions are my own. Please check with a doctor, as these don't fix medical problems. They only exercise the muscles.

Basketball

With the elite team Isaak's on, he struggles to be at the top. The team lost all the games last season, and are winning all their games this season. Isaak gets nervous whenever they play.

On his school team he made 8 points one game, got a free throw point another game, and shot a side shot at yesterday's game. He's passed the ball more, and is more aggressive with a game face on.

I don't know if he needs to change teams altogether with his elite team? It's like watching a different kid play when he's playing with his classmates.

Ways to Keep Your Child's Brain Sharp

Parents, especially young age moms, are always on the lookout for some effective ways to keep their child’s brain active and sharp. It is a ‘need of the hour’ article because children today are getting excessively exposed to technologies and networks and it becomes mandatory for parents to find creative ways to engage their child’s brain. There is really not any specific secret formula for sharpening the children’s brain, but we can arrive at certain possible options which could work in a better way. There are several brain-stimulating activities that boost the mind of the kids, and they all work wonder during the first ten years of birth.

Bid bye to gadgets

When talking about stimulating brains, in the first place the technology and the gadgets have to be removed away so that the brain gets free. Naturally, only after evacuating the insignificant things off their mind, we can fill it with constructive choices. This may sound ambiguous to many parents, but it is indeed possible to pull off gadgets from their children, at least to a great extent, if not completely.
The only thing to ensure is to get children engaged in activities that amuse them more than what gadgets do to them. It may be a big deal for parents to find such activities, but it is obligatory to sharpen the brain. Well, focusing on soft skill activities and origami can help to build a strong concentration as well as a mental focus for the growing children. For instance, you can explore Origami Way so as to get some exciting origami diagrams for your kids.

Brian sharpening Foods

In addition to giving amusing activities for kids to sharpen their brain, it is significant to ensure that parents are giving right foods to their children. Though emphasised n number of times elsewhere, this still needs a repeated mention that says no to junk foods, as they make kids brain blunt and health at high risk. Healthy food options such as eggs, nuts and seeds, fruits, milk and yoghurt certainly help to keep the child’s brain sharper.

Good news for the children and parents is that even dark chocolates help to keep the kids’ brain active. Even some natural herbs help in activating the brain cells in young children, which can be taken under proper medical guidance.

Sports activate brain cells

Sports activities such as swimming, karate and brain gym programs profoundly help in activating the kid’s brain and to maintain a good mental and physical health. Outdoor activities are highly reduced these days, but it really helps the children to be energetic all day long. Sports also helps in good appetite and sound sleep for the children, which indirectly gives good mental health for the growing kids. Highly physically active kids seem to be sharper in academics also.

Reading sharpens brain

Reading is such a blessing for children to keep their brain and their emotions active and sharper. Parents must inculcate the habit of reading in children at a very young age and make it a practice at home. Reading is entirely different from academics, which many children today do not understand. The more the kids’ read, the more, the wiser they become. Every parent has a great responsibility in bringing the culture of reading in their children. This is such a great treat for kids’ brain.

Everything is simple and easily implementable, however high patience and perseverance is required to execute a new habit in children.

HICKIES

HICKIES are no tie elastic shoelaces.

Isaak in particular is horrible on the knees of his pants, and shoelaces. He's just the typical boy with clothing. Mica never was a rough and tumble kid. At least Mica was born first, and his clothes can get handed down. I'm always saying, "Isaak get up and walk on your feet, not your knees." and "Isaak tie your shoes!" I really hate when he's playing basketball and his shoes are untied.

If you're like me, and you get after your kids for needing to tie their shoes everyday before they step out of the house, you'll want to try HICKIES.

Hate stopping to tie your own shoes mid-walk or run? HICKIES products turn any pair of sneakers into convenient, comfortable, and stylish slip-ons that are perfect for any activity from a small activity to a rugged workout.

https://www.hickies.com/ Features: 

• They work in any shoe with eyelets. 
•  One size fits all. 
•  Elastic material keeps shoes secure and comfortable. 

Never tie again! Play uninterrupted. Fun look, without messy knots and bows. Adjustable tightness. Quick and easy - simply slip on and off.

@Hickies Never Tie Laces on hickies.com 25% off w/ code USFAM now thru Sept. 20th! http://usfamilyguide.com/coupon.php?bid=13107&dealid=3026 .@usfg

Disclaimer: I will receive 2 sets of HICKIES to review in exchange for writing this post and a follow up review. HICKIES and US Family Guide did influence my writing, or future review.

Thick Performance Athletic Socks Review

Isaak was excited to be a part of a 3 day basketball camp last week! He went to the University of Nebraska for it. My college student nine year old loves basketball! 

He had fun except for the last day. Isaak's only been playing for a year, so he got called, "A ball hog" by a few teammates. I told him that he just has to practice looking up, and being aware of his surroundings. I also mentioned, that it was ok to be upset, it's not fun being called something negative. I make it clear that If he felt like crying no one in the car was going to judge him.

We had a much easier time taking him and dropping him off then we originally thought. It ended up that I only needed to be at the Allergy Asthma Clinic for 2 days instead of 3. On that 2nd day I got let out early enough to go get Isaak from camp. Just like Isaak had a crappy time on the 3rd day I did too. I got a ticket for parking in a lot, which was ok to park in. I had to hunt the parking building down to get that waved. I didn't realize the campus was split with a park. Finding the building I needed to go to took me 35 minutes. Mica kept saying, "Calm down Mom!" Ha!

Isaak looked sharp with his new shirt and socks!

Not only was he excited about playing basketball for 3 days straight, he was also happy to try out Thick Performance Athletic Socks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WVCR3S

The set comes with black and red socks. It's perfect really because the shorts Isaak loves to wear for basketball are red, and he generally wears a charcoal grey or black for the top.

Each pair came in a separate plastic bag that has a ziplock feature:

I have to be honest I just threw the bags away. My boys each have a sock drawer.

Likes:

• They are comfortable. In fact the first time Isaak put them on he felt like he wasn't wearing socks on the foot part.

• Isaak loves that they can be worn for different sports. They have listed that they can be worn for Basketball, Football, Soccer, and Volleyball. Isaak's into Soccer and Basketball. 

• The color and style of the socks we like. 

• Isaak thinks it's cool they have an L for left and R for right. I've never had socks that tell you which sock goes of what foot, but I have seen them. If he likes it, great. I think I'd just like to put my socks on without thinking at all. 

Dislikes:

• The socks seemed to shrink a little bit when washed. The ankles fits too tight. 

• The black pair of socks had some loose strings inside them. They annoyed Isaak. 

Cost:

They are $15.99 on sale for $13.99 with Prime Shipping on Amazon. That's a super good deal for athletic socks!

Do you have a favorite brand of socks?

Disclaimer: I got these 2 pair of socks for a discount to write this review. The company in no way influenced my decision when reviewing this product.

Leadership Camp

A few weeks ago our boys started back up at their leadership camp. It's Saturday nights.

They usually have Tiers that go all throughout the year, but have breaks between them. Within the Tier they have what they call Capitols, which include: Financial Capitol, Social Capitol, Culture Capitol and so on. They do different things in each one.

All this month they have field trips to different places. It's 5:30 to about 10:45. Saturday nights the boys are up pretty late! 

Their first field trip was to Alley V, which I've reviewed before. It's a place with all kinds of fun things: 

They have: A bowling spot, better than bowling alley food, pool, arcade games, laser tag, and rock wall climbing. 

Isaak came back with all this loot:

I guess Isaak was rolling in the tickets.  

If I was there I would have helped Isaak pick out things.

• Isaak picked out 2 guns. Not that boys can't play with guns, but it's looked at as such a negative toy now a days. I don't think that just because boys play with guns that they are going to turn into mass murders. Boys see themselves as heroes when they play with guns. I really only get Nerf or Super Soaker guns for the kids. Plus these guns make noise, which annoys Travis so much. 

• He got an off brand Lego set.

• A table tennis set he was super excited about! 

• A candy necklace. 

I'm pretty sure Isaak got the most loot out of anyone. 

Last weekend the boys went to The Amazing Pizza Machine. 

Mica said, "Mom they have a buffet there. The first time I went up I got salad, pizza, and some healthy things. The second time I went up I loaded my plate with sweet treats!" 

Isaak said, "Mica you got pizza?! I couldn't find that!" 

Mica said, "Isaak you just have to read. There was a big sign that said, 'Pizza'. It's called, The Amazing Pizza Machine." 

It sounded like they had fun! 

Then Travis said, "They mentioned that Mica needs to work on talking with the other kids his age. Mica tell Mom why you don't talk to the kids your age."

Mica said, "Well all they talk about is sports and fidget spinners. I don't get into sports, or know anything about them. Fidget spinners are ok, but they just spin around. I don't get why people like those so much." 

I emailed the leader of the nonprofit to explain that Mica isn't stuck up, or shy. He's just not into sports or fidget spinners. But...my email was 3 paragraphs long. I felt the need to explain how I've been in his shoes before. I'm the only artist girl in a family that has 7 nurses. When they talk I can't relate. They have so many abbreviations for medical things. If I started talking about color theory to them they wouldn't understand all of what I was saying either. 

Mica's smart enough to know that he's going to sound like an idiot if he starts to talk about sports, which he knows nothing about. 

My advice to him was to change the subject in between conversation, and/or ask why they like sports so much, or what teams they like and why. You can not get into something, but still have a conversation about it. I do get how he feels though.

Mica's a movie buff, loves to read, is into Legos and Star Wars. He likes school, and doesn't think of it as a drag. He's a nerd with a funny personality. 

Travis said to me, "You really don't have to write him a book to get the message across." 

I had to shorten what I wrote. I tend to over write. I just want people to understand where I'm coming from.

Yesterday the leader for the camp wrote back explaining how much of an asset Mica is to the camp. When they have Capitols Mica really shows how smart he is, which pushes the others to bump themselves up. He was glad I wrote him. 

I had mentioned if he had any more advice on Mica relating to the other kids to just let Mica know. 

Have you ever been in a situation where a bunch of people relate to one another, and you're the odd man out? How did you deal with it at the time?

WW: Sports {Linky}

Isaak has been in basketball this whole year, and loves it! He usually takes the ball down the court.

Mica asked to play two sports: Soccer at the Y and Volleyball at school. He's never asked to play a ball sport. He was in t-ball when he was in preschool, and martial arts when he was in Kindergarten to about the beginning of 4th grade. Kind of late in the game, since he's in 5th grade. We're willing to let him try the sports.

Since I've never been a soccer mom, and Travis has never been a soccer dad we had no idea what to expect. We got him soccer shorts, then showed up, and all the boys had on basketball type shorts.

They both lost their games that week. Mica never did get to a practice due to rain and a communication mishap between the Y and the coach. Mica in particular was beat! He's a classic bookworm. 

I got him this outfit for Easter, so I gave it to him early. The shorts are a bit longer. Then I returned the $25 soccer shorts. 

We also wen to the boy's Leadership Camp, and played Dodgeball. It's pretty fun! We play parents against kids. There's only a handful of parents, but loads of kids! I always throw the ball too high, and someone catches it. I only got photos of Mica because Isaak was across the gym. 

Were you into sports? Are your kids, or grandkids into sports?