Blocks and Bricks

We decided to check out a new place called Blocks and Bricks. I actually saw a fellow Omaha blogger - post about Blocks and Bricks opening.

I ran into a road block. Yes I messed up. It happens with directions and me sometimes. I marked down that it was on 108th and Pacific instead of 180th and Pacific. A big difference! The phone number on their ad wasn't working. I'm assuming because the place is so new. I drove around, and it just didn't seem right. Sure enough when I got back home I realized my mess up. Mica rolled his eyes at me.

We still went.

Blocks and Bricks is a place that has a ton of bins filled with Legos. They have birthday parties, and tutoring classes there. I'm really surprised that more places aren't open like this. 
  
I'm not sure if the tutoring classes involve Legos, or not.

There is a big Lego wall as soon as you enter the place:

We sat down and just enjoyed building. My boys weren't top notch with how they felt that day. They were good enough, that I would have sent them to school. No fevers. We washed our hands, and kept to ourselves though.

Mica was a little bummed they just had pretty standard Legos. Nothing too out of the ordinary. There were Lego books around, but not the right Lego pieces to build what was in the book. We all had fun building something though. 

Mica built a submarine.

Isaak built a little field with a house.

I built Frank. Yes I named my Lego man.

Isaak built this awhile ago, but I never posted it. It's a Lego bow tie. I thought it was pretty out of the box thinking on his part.

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.

This week I'm going to feature a very cool animation I found. I've been researching graffiti art for the last 2 weeks. There's an upcoming project I have in the works that involves graffiti. No I'm not going to be secretly paining on buildings.

This animation is made by a company called BLU. BLU is an Italian artist who conceals his real identity. He was born in Senigallia, and lives in Bologna. He's been active in street art.

Source

 This animation is pretty cool:

Random Tid Bits

1. I'm so ready for the weekend. My boys were sick all week long. They get along less when they don't feel good. I think most people are irritable when they are under the weather.


2. I checked out 7 books for Mica one day. He read 6 of that same day.


3. Isaak refuses to read. He cries and says, "I can't read!" Mica, Grandma, and I read to him. I've been encouraging. I just don't know what to do now.
   
   Tips are welcome.
   
   Isaak had a melt down in the car because Mica wanted to read his own book, and not Isaak's. I said, "Isaak I can't read to you right now because I'm driving. Mica has every right to read his own book. How about you try, and read to me? I'll let you know if the words are, or aren't right. You can read, I know you can." He broke down even harder and said, "Mica you read to me now! I can't read!" I said, "Even if Mica agreed to read to you, I won't let him now. You should not be demanding when you want something." Then cried for 5 minutes.
   
   Part of me thinks he won't read because he compares his reading to Mica's; just like he compares his artwork to Grandpa's. We've had talks about how they are older, with more experience. It's hard staying positive when Isaak's just plain rude when he wants someone to read to him.
   
   I think I need to get out The Little Engine That Could to read to him. Then talk about the message of the book. Isn't it funny when you blog about something, and possibly solve your own problem in the blog post?
   
   

   

   Source

4. I'm so glad that 2 days ago was my last day of summer school. Summer school is hard because students that couldn't make it the first time are there to take it a second. 



5. To end on a good note, what this:

Homemade Cough Syrup

My boys sound like old men that have been smoking for years.

Cough, Cough, Cough

The problem with kids is that a lot of the cough syrups out there kids can't take.

I decided to make my own cough syrup. I found a site that has homemade cough syrup recipes.

Some things to get at the store:

Local honey, 1 citrus fruit (we choose lemon and lime), fresh mint, fresh rosemary, fresh or ground ginger, whole or ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and/or ground cardamom.

*Bee careful where you buy local honey. I ran into a bee keeper that said many places that sell local honey, isn't local at all. If you are unsure about what is local, and what is not go to a Farmer's Market in your area, and ask someone there where to buy local honey? Some bee keepers sell their honey in a local store. They will let you know where it's sold at. Why local? Local honey helps fight off infection. For allergy suffers local honey helps build up a resistance to pollen.

Here are links to information about nutrition and healing benefits of:

fresh or dried/ground ginger, cloves & cardamom, cinnamon, peppermint, rosemary, citrus

Isaak wanted Lemon Cough Syrup, and Mica wanted Lime Cough Syrup.

We cut up a small lemon and lime in slices. Remove their seeds. Add in sprigs of fresh mint and rosemary. Then add in the spices you prefer. I put in cloves in the boy's cough syrups. Push and mix with the back of a spoon.

Let it set for at least 3 hours. Refrigerate.

The boys didn't like their cough syrups straight. I heated water in a mug (1/2 full), and added 1 spoon full. They loved it that way.

It did seem like they coughed way less after having their homemade cough syrup.

The best things about this stuff is that it tastes good in tea, or water. You can drink it even when you are not sick. It's great for allergy suffers!

Apple Sandwiches

I love sandwiches. Since I'm trying to be gluten free, I've been trying to stay away from bread. Even some of the gluten free breads have things in them that are questionable.

I saw a simple snack pinned, awhile back. I knew I wanted to try making the snack. Off to the store I went to get some organic apples.

I don't get organic everything, but with apples I get organic ones. Their skins are so thin, that the pesticides sprayed on non organic apples goes right through to the apple. On top of that apple companies put a wax coating to make it shinny, and more appealing to buy.

I'll take the apple with no wax thank you.

I made what I call Apple Sandwiches. It was a hit with Mica and Isaak!

1. First wash an apple, and cut an apple into slices.

2. Next cut out the center of the apple. There is way less waste cutting an apple this way, than any other way.

3. Find the biggest apple pieces, and spread a nut butter on them. I used homemade almond butter. There's sunflower seed butter, and peanut butter you could use to. I try and use nut butters that have little added to them.

4. Next you can sprinkle any or all the above: Nuts, seeds, oatmeal, unsweetened coconut, mini cinnamon, or chocolate chips. I sprinkled pumpkin seeds, oatmeal, and mini chocolate chips on ours.

We looked in the store, and pumpkin seeds have more protein than any of the nuts. I'm trying to use them more.

5. You can put an apple slice on the top, or you can leave the top off. Either way they are yummy!

6. I added a little tiny bit of local honey comb on the boy's sandwiches. They loved it.

It was an easy, peasy good treat!

Australian Tea Tree Oil - Including FREE Recipe Guide Review

One thing I love about reviewing products is that I learn a little, or a lot by reviewing things. I've never used Tea Tree Oil, but I've heard of it. Have you used Tea Tree Oil? 

There are so many uses for Australian Tea Tree Oil! First of all it's not an oil you ingest. It's an oil that helps with the skin. You can also use it to clean with.

Natural Skin Uses:

• Fights off acne
• Gets rid of toenail fungus
• Kills lice
• Kills yest infections
• Removes skin tags
• Removes cold sores
• Helps remove dandruff
• Helps remove ringworm
• Kills fleas
• Removes warts
• Helps with psoriasis 

It is important that you test this on your skin before using it. Add Olive Oil, or Coconut Oil to it before using. Start out with a 4:1 ratio.

Natural Household Uses:

• Make your own shampoo
• Make your own lotion
• Make your own soap
• Make your own face cleaner
• Make your own body wash
• Make your own toothpaste

Stop polluting your home and make all natural Household Cleaners, Detergents, Shower Sprays, Bathroom Disinfectants, and Kitchen Sprays.

 

Just add 1 to 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in a squirt bottle, fill the rest with water, and you have a perfect household cleaner.

Things that Australian Tea Tree Oil Does Not Contain:

• No artificial color
• No added fragrance - It has a natural scent that I happen to like.
• No parabens
• No preservatives
• No mineral oil
• No petroleum
• No chemical solvents

Every large 4 ounce bottle comes with a FREE 100 page ebook.

They provide you with all the ways to use tea tree oil to improve your life, and replace harmful cleaners around the house.

I did have trouble getting the ebook. That was my only problem with the product. I want to see recipes to use it more.


These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose,treat,cure or prevent ant disease. This product has been manufactured and packaged in strict conformance with industry & government standards. Keep out of reach of children. As with anything consult your healthcare professional before use.

Have you used Tea Tree Oil?

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.

WW: Yellow Belt with a White Stripe {Linky}

Isaak thought he'd be able to go down a little further than he actually can.

He ended up getting his first stripe that day. It was only for good effort, but it meant a lot to him! He just started Jiu-Jitsu in June.

A Pushing Match in Jiu-Jitsu. Isaak won 3 times. He does this at home with Mica.

The proudest moment was when Mica tested for his yellow belt with a white stripe. In Jiu-Jitsu they test for a ton of stripes on their belt before they test for new belts. It's a great thing he got his yellow belt with white stripe; his white belt was getting too small. Mica was so excited that he wanted to sleep with his new belt on. For the record he didn't sleep with it on.

Mica had to do a lot of things to get his new belt. Here's just a few highlights:

Recumbent Ankle Throw:

Knife Attack Defense:

Hip Toss:

Number One Probiotic Review

One thing is for certain probiotics are my friend. I have a very sensitive stomach. It seems like a small thing will set me off into having stomach pains. I am happy to introduce to you a probiotic from Number One Nutrition: Advanced Probiotic.

I think now most people know what probiotics are. I first started using them when Mica was a baby almost 9 years ago. 

Probiotics are good bacteria who perform a very important role in our digestive, methabolic and immune systems. They produce enzymes that break down the food we eat, regulate vitamins intake and convert sugars to the essential nutrients our bodies need.

The boys and I use them whenever our bodies feel off. They make me feel healthier and happier. They fix a lot of Mica's eczema issues.

When we went on vacation I started out eating very healthy, but then things slowly went downhill. It's really hard maintaining a good diet, while on a trip. I started taking probiotics as soon as I got back. They certainly do help!

About Advanced Probiotics:

• All Natural formula that promotes health

• Improves immune system funtion, colon health, and digestion

• Can be taken by men, woman, and kids

• Safe formula with lactobacillus, acidophilus, and billions of live cultures and intestinal flora in each serving

• 100% vegetarian

• No known side effects

• They are on sale right now $39.99 $19.99

• If you are not 100% satisfied we give you money back guaranteed

Our GI is home to 80% of our immune system! It's important to listen to our bodies signs when something is not right. Probiotics can fix a lot of thing.

• Drastically improve your digestive health.

• Balance your intestinal flora.

• Improve your mood.

• Break down allergy causing proteins.

• Accelerate your fat loss.

Live healthy and happy!



What are you waiting for?

Does your well being matter to you?
Yes, we can be healthy and happy with our bodies.
Would you like to wake up feeling energized and ready to carry on your daily routine?
Get your health on track and the rest will fall in place.




Follow Number One Nutrition:

Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter @N1Nutrition

 

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.