Since I wrote that post about the 6th grader that likes Mica he's told me that she keeps asking him for help in regards to the Science Fair project, and Talent Show try outs. He declined.
He said, "Mom I just don't think this girl can take hints. She comes to talk to me, and I disappear. I didn't tell him that some girls chase after guys that are hard to get.
Yesterday I made a spontaneous decision to get Mica a new bedding set. He loves Yellow Submarine by The Beatles, and it was all on sale. It will be for his birthday in August, or next Christmas. I always buy things way in advance. Do you buy things in advanced?
Isaak got a horrible cold on Wednesday. Wednesday morning he said his throat hurt. I didn't know if it was allergies or sickness at that time. I generally send the kids to school if they just have a common cold. At the end of the day Isaak looked horrible. Isaak said, "Mom my art teacher asked me why I was in school." I said, "This morning you didn't seem too bad." He said, "I went through a box of tissues today."
I kept him home on Thursday. He was actually well enough to go to school. I didn't know that at 7:30 AM.
Today I sent him to school with an added box to tissues; to make up for the whole box he used on Wednesday.
Isaak was in a sneaky mood yesterday. He didn't like his lunch, so he threw it in the trash. I've heard of kids doing this, but never experienced my kids doing it. I sent him to lay down in his room.
Isaak's personality is sweet and spicy. Last night he transformed into a sweet boy. He put flowers in a vase for me, wrote me a letter to slip under the bathroom door, while I was showering, and wrote a letter to Travis. What's something that has been done to you that's sweet lately?
A 6th grade girl has a crush on Mica, who is in 4th grade.
He came home one day and said, "Mom something strange happened at school today."
I asked, "What was it?"
He said, "A 6th grader invited me over to eat lunch."
I said, "Did you go?"
He said, "Ya...but it was odd because I remember when I was in 2nd grade she stole money out of my teacher's jar."
I said, "Ya that is odd."
A few days later Mica told me this same girl has been giving him small toys.
I said, "Let me see them. Did you ask her where she got them?"
He said, "She didn't steal them Mom. At least she said she didn't. I think her giving me toys is a little much! I'm really glad she's going to middle school next year. People are starting to say things."
I asked, "What do you say when people say things about her liking you?"
He said, "I just ignore them. I run off and play. Usually it's during recess."
It sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders.
I was going to say something to his teacher when I was up there to read to the class on April Fool's Day. Things were hectic. I'll say something if it gets out of hand.
Do you remember your first crush? I liked this kid Matt that had heart problems. He was so little. I felt bad for him because he had to stay in for recess. I talked to him a lot because we were in a special help group for kids that struggled with academics. I would have never had the guts to tell him I liked him, nor would I give him small toys.
Mica is officially in men's shirts. I love Snorg Tees because they have fun shirts that are affordable.
I know Mica has a Science Fair coming up at the end of the year. He was so jealous that Isaak got a lab coat, which was in children's sizes. I was so happy that Snorg Tees had a science shirt. It's called Forget Lab Safety.
Mica's super happy about his new shirt! He said, "YES!" as soon as he found out this shirt was for him!
Mica has a really long torso. Generally I find shirts that fit him length wise, but the shoulders are bulky. This shirt fits perfect!
Color:
The color is a silver, which looks like a heather grey to me. It won't show dirt as much as white will, and it won't fade in the wash like black will.
Sizes and Cost:
Mica's wearing a Men's small. If you like this shirt it fits all different sizes. All of these tees are $20, but are on sale for $16.
Guy's S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL. 2XL and 3XL are a tiny bit extra in cost. Comes in silver color.
Girl's S, M, L, and XL. They are more fitting than the guy's shirts. Comes in silver color.
Kids 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12. Comes in baby blue color.
Hoodies S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. Hoodies are $40, but are on sale for $32. The 2XL is a tiny bit extra in cost. Comes in heather color.
I love the hoodies to! Mica's Science Fair is the last week of school, so he need a tee.
We got a pair of nerd glasses to go with the tee.
Tagless:
One other thing I love about Snorg Tees is that they are tagless. It doesn't happen very often, but at times my kids get bothered by tags. If the tag is taken off we can't see the size, or washing instructions. No worries with this shirt. The tag is printed on the tee.
It was washed in cold water, and tumble dried. I use wool balls in the dryer to keep our clothes soft. I didn't get it out of the dryer right away, so it was a little wrinkly. Not any more than any other shirt though.
About Snorg Tees:
Snorg Tees was founded in 2004 by brothers Matt and Bryan Walls. They are Georgia-based. I love that fact, since I lived in Savannah, Georgia for 2 years, and Atlanta for 1 year. Snorg Tees has become one of the most well-known t-shirt companies on the internet.
They have a great design team. Watch out because they have discounts on their tees all the time.
Mica really wanted his hair long, to put in a ponytail. I was ok with the idea. It's just hair.
A few people said things like, "When are you cutting your hair?" Which inside I eye rolled when people ask questions like that. It's kind of like people saying to me, "When are you going to color your hair?" When people say that to me I respond with, "When are you going to stop coloring yours?" It's nothing I care about, but if they are going to jab me, I'll jab them right back. Ha!
Not for the reason above, but for the reasons below we convinced Mica to get his hair cut a bit. It can grow back if he chooses in the fall.
His hair is super thick, and it was getting hot, it it will only get hotter as summer approaches.
He also hated it being brushed. If you're going to have long hair you have to take care of it.
The boy kept getting the front part in his face.
Before
After
It's a little shorter than we were expecting, but he looks great. He's happy with it, and that's the important thing. He has a crooked bang line, so often times when it's cut short his bangs are angled funny. I'm glad they got it right this time!
If you're a long time reader you know that we drink smoothies a lot. We have one 3 or 4 times a week. I love the new Stainless Steel Smoothie Straws - Set of 5 I got to review!
We love these straws! Isaak is not a huge smoothie fan, he loves them now that he has a straw. They really are the secret to the perfect healthy smoothie.
What's in this smoothie?
A handful of spinach leaves
Frozen bananas
Frozen strawberries
Ground down probiotic (I use a coffee grinder to grind probiotics down)
Unsweetened almond milk
We try new things in our smoothies all the time.
The straw kept my drink cold, and I felt like I was drinking in style. Smoothie doesn't get stuck. The straw is wider than most straws.
Better For Us, Better For Our Environment
Stainless Steel Reusable Straws are safe. They have no harmful chemicals that plastic straws have. No worries about BPA being in them, or worse chemicals than BPA. We reuse them, so straws are going into the landfill from us.
This set comes with a straw cleaner. The straws are wider than normal straws, so I found that I don't need to use the brush every time. I did use the brush on them, and my thermos I use for work. It cleaned my thermos straw out well.
You can clean these in the dishwasher. I have only hand washed mine. I hand wash something every day, so I clean my straws in with that sink full of dishes.
Why Their Stainless Steel Straws Are Better:
High Grade Stainless Steel
Unique Design
Straight & Extra Wide Makes Sipping Thicker Shakes & Smoothies Easy
They Won't Bend
They Won't Rust
They Won't Break Like Glass or Plastic Straws Do
Plastic Free Packaging
No Chemicals
No BPA
No Phthalates
No Metallic Taste
You will save money, and cut down on toxins by using this set of straws.
If you are a malt, or shake fan these straws work for that to! :)
Cost: $24.90, but on sale for $9.90! Pick up a set, or 2 on Amazon today!
Disclaimer: I received this set of Stainless Steel Straws for a discounted price for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.
Common Sense Media isn't about trying to ban kids from being online. It's about opening up lines of communication between parents and kids.
Technology is innate in kids. It's important to try and eliminate screen time as much as we can for kids under the age of two. I'm not saying to avoid it all together. Taking an iPad on an airplane may be a great tool to keep them occupied. On a day to day basis let their brains expand with cognitive play.
Kids should learn from you as a parent:
What to avoid online
When to come to you with questions
What not to put online
Do Space was kind enough to watch my kids, while I was in this presentation.
With Common Sense Media You as a Parent Can:
See what ages kids should watch movies on DVD and in the theater
Educate - there's a video on their site in the theater section that talks about Batman V Superman
Advocate - to help with K-12 being safe online
What is screen time?
I think we all know what screen time is, but how has it changed throughout the years. Parents used to be glued to the TV when we were younger, now kids are glued to smart phones, iPads, Kindles, games systems and more. 3/4 of the kids today have access to mobile devices at home. That number keeps growing.
You have to decide with your family at what age is getting a mobil device the right age. Talk about why they are getting a digital device.
Teens have what is called FOMO, which stands for Fear of Missing Out. They want to keep up with their social media accounts. What used to be long night conversations on the phone is now long night social media checking. Vamping is staying up all night checking social media.
As a family come up with a rule to possibly have a charging station somewhere other than bedrooms. Then online time is reduced, so you and your children can get proper sleep.
Discuss what you as a parent are doing on your phone, so kids understand. Often times I talk to my kids about how I'm reviewing this product, or that product. I'm rarely online to play games.
We used TodaysMeet.com to put in how much we use our Smart Phone. I don't use my Smart Phone a lot, but I sure do use my laptop a ton! Not only do I blog, but I also teach technology related things.
TodaysMeet.com is free to join, and you can create online engagement in the classroom.
What I Learned:
There was some repeat from the week before about Cyber Bullying. I think it was great to give a recap. Not everyone was in on the lecture before.
I learned a lot of teen lingo. I've heard some of it in the classroom, but didn't know what it meant.
I love the online forms you can download!
It just reassured me about opening up those lines of communication that we already have.
My kids loved it because they got to go to Dunkin Donuts after to have a donut of their choice. It's connected to Do Space. Do Space is a great spot for families that want to learn about technology!
Have you introduced your kids to a technology device?
My kids got Kindles this year for Christmas. So far all the do is watch Mine Craft videos and play the game. They have a DS as well that they really only play once every few months.
Disclaimer: This event was free. It was provided by Common Sense Media.
Travis is 1/2 way done with his residency, and I haven't killed my children yet. I'm only kidding; as that wouldn't happen. Isaak can be a little testy at times.
Speaking of Isaak he was playing after school on the playground. Under a play area he fell, and scraped up his back pretty darn good.
You can see his birthmark to. It's right on his spine. The doctor's always looking at it making sure it hasn't changed, which it never has.
I washed it with soap and water very gently, put Neosporin on it, cuddled with him, so he wasn't laying on his scrape. He wanted to watch Where the Wild Things Are, since he was wearing that shirt. I hated that movie when it came out, but now I'm growing to understand it more. I love the soundtrack! The trailer is better than the movie.
I go to the kid's school to read in Mica's class tomorrow. (I'm writing this on Thursday) He won't be expecting me, so it will be fun to surprise him.
Isaak came home with a book where I was like, "I know who that illustrator is. That is Craig Frazier." I saw his work in a traveling Society Illustrator show in Savannah, GA in 1999.
My Dad got his results back on his heart awhile back. They didn't work him hard enough. His heart did nothing. He was so annoyed. He felt like it was a waist of time and money. Poor Dad!
They are high quality drawing pencils for writing, drawing and sketching.
I plan on using them for sketching.
I sketched up a possible t-shirt design for Isaak. I say possible because he hasn't seen it yet. At school the lunch ladies call him, "Isaak the great that holds a bear cup in his hands." I asked him, "Why?" He said, "I don't know I just like it, and asked them to call me that." So...they do. I asked him the other day if he'd like a t-shirt that said that. He said, "Oh ya!" right away.
He might want it more literal with a bear on a cup.
The magenta pencil looks dark purple, so I thought that what I was coloring it at first. It really didn't matter to me because it's just a sketch. If it were a finished drawing I'd test all the colors out on a scrap paper before coloring with them. It's pretty common to get different colors with art supplies. Acrylic paint is the worst with that. It always dries darker than it looks in the tube.
These pencils are eco friendly. They come in a brown tube, and the pencils are encased in a wood that's not painted. Since these are eco friendly they are great for pregnant women, and children over the age of 3. Under the age of 3 is a risk due to the sharpener, and the tips of the pencils falling off, and possibly causing them to choke.
This is a set of 36 assorted colors. There is a lot of variety! I can always overlap colors to get other colors.
If you are into the trending home/adult coloring books these are for you. A wonderful pencil set for coloring Secret Garden, Enchanted Forest, and Lost Ocean Coloring Books.
They come sharpened and ready to sketch away. There is a small sharper that comes with the set. I love it because the electric sharpeners are not good for colored pencils. They eat too much away, and break their colored tips.
You can blend these with water, turpentine, or mineral spirits. I use a product called Gamasol that is allergy friendly. I didn't blend the image above because it's just a sketch.
Cost:
$44.97 and now $16.99.
Makes the Perfect Gift:
I like to have a lot of colored pencil sets around to give to kids for birthday parties. It makes an excellent present paired up with a cool coloring book, or sketch pad. I think many parents appreciate their kid getting art supplies over toys.
I like this set so much though. I think I'm going to keep it.
Disclaimer: I received these color pencils for a discounted price for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.
I was beginning to think I had no great Easter shots of my kids because there were no great ones on my camera. Then I checked my phone. I did get a few.
My son Mica and his cousin Evan - 3 months older than him
Isaak was all excited for the egg hunt! He ended up finding the Golden Egg that had a $20 in it!
My Grandpa and his brother Bob enjoy watching the little kids play catch. My Grandpa is in the dark blue shirt. He'll be 90 soonish.
I sincerely hope everyone had a great Easter. It was a good one at our house.
The Easter Bunny at our house makes a Scavenger Hunt every year. The starting point is always the coffee table. That's where they get their first clue.
Scavenger Hunt - The Clue Eggs are Glittery to Stand Out
Welcome to your 2016 Scavenger Hunt. There are 7 eggs each for you to find in, around, and underneath this coffee table. Find the clue egg to take you to to next hiding spot. I hope you have just as much fun finding the eggs, as I did hiding them. - The Easter Bunny
Old Mother Hubbard hid 20 eggs in the _________ . Find 10 eggs each + the next clue egg. (cupboard)
There are 7 eggs where Isaak puts dirty and clean clothes. There are 7 eggs + the next clue egg where Mica hardly ever puts dirty clothes. (hampers - all their dirty clothes were out of there)
Find 20 eggs - 10 eggs each low to the ground + the next clue egg. (floor)
5 eggs + the next clue egg are hidden in what takes you to school in the mornings. Look in the front to find a special prize. (car)
This is your final clue egg. There are 10 eggs - 5 eggs each hidden in the spot where you get clean. Look for a fun prize. Happy Easter! (bathroom)
So I don't really have 1 pretty basket in 1 spot to photograph. It's more running around to find this and that all over the place. Eggs are hidden outdoors if it's not too cold, snowy, or rainy. None were hidden out there this year. It was wet. In most of the clue eggs there are dollar coins for the boys to split.
Mica said after the hunt, "Mom the tradition is for us to watch one of our new movies in the morning." I'm like, "Ok, so I can have time to work in the kitchen to get ready for the big family get together?!" He said, "Yep." Ha! I think they won that one. They watched their new movie Spaceballs, while I made food.
They didn't hold up at all. When baked they turned into pancakes. I didn't add eggs to them. Travis made me skip that. I wonder if that's why they didn't hold up. They still were GOOD tasting. They had powdered ranch dressing in them, and were topped with real bacon bits and chive onions from our garden. They ended up being served like Mashed Potatoes.
Off we went to my Aunt's house to have a big meal, and another egg hunt. This was Mica's last year for the hunt. Next year he gets to hide the eggs and prizes for the little kids.
Right now my youngest cousin, and oldest niece and nephew hide them.
A Few of the Egg Hiders
The big kids were let out after the little ones. Mica kept saying, "This is no fair the little kids are being looters. They took almost everything I saw before." Basically they cleared everything out, and he had to work to find his eggs and prizes. As it should be. It made me chuckle.
Mica and Isaak are Circled
Isaak Found the Golden Egg
It had the most money in it - $20
I got pictures of my kids, but nearly all of them were horrible. Isaak kept avoiding the camera. It was somewhat windy, so Mica's hair was in his face. The boys kept moving, and shoveling candy in their mouthes.
It was a happy Easter though. What did you do for Easter? Travis did bitch complain about the lack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Eggs, so I went to the store to buy some on clearance.
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.
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