The Start of Swimming Lessons at @Swimtastic_Swim

Last week our boys started swimming lessons at Swimtastic. It's a hidden gem that's behind PE 101 in Omaha, Nebraska.

If you don't live in Omaha, Swimtastic is in other spots in the US: Lincoln, Nebraska | Captive, Florida | Fox Cities, Wisconsin | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Franklin, Wisconsin

It's been about a year and a half since they've had lessons. I wasn't sure where they'd fit in. I'm glad the staff at Swimtastic was willing to work with them. Later we found the lessons they are more suited for, which they start tonight.

When we went in there was a desk where the staff greeted us. Everyone seems very happy to be working there, and eager to show us around.

It has a really open floor plan once you enter the spot where parents sit. It's called the Observation Deck.  

Inside the Observation Deck There is:

• Open space - One can sit close to the pool, or in the back to be on bathroom duty for their little kids

• Some toys for little kids to play - Fun for siblings not in swimming lessons just yet 

• Signs about pool safety - I'm not sure how much they are read, but certainly important

• Fun fish that hang from the ceiling - Added fun to the room

• Patio plastic chairs for parents to sit - I liked sitting on these chairs over bleachers

• Concession stand filled with candy - I kind of wish this spot had more things like Protein Bars and other healthy snacks

• Swimtastic merchandise - To make them a one stop swimming place 

• A monitor - That shows Swimtastic instructors 

I'm not used to being behind glass to view my kids in their lessons. I didn't mind it. It was less noisy. It keeps the establishment cleaner with less traffic into the pool area!

If I could add something to this area it would be small cubby lockers.

Shower and Bathrooms:

I have to be honest I didn't get a good look at this area. I'm only going off what Travis, Mica and Isaak said.

They are clean, but pretty small. There are no lockers in this area. Plan on having a big swim bag.

They have a boys and girls bathroom. I do like that they have 1 added family shower and bathroom. This is something I always wanted when we were at the Y.

Shower time after swimming lessons was always the most stressful time of the week. The kids were wound up after their lessons, it is close to bedtime, and kids act like they can't get their wet suit off their body. It's nice to have one room that a whole family can go to take care of the showering part.

There are colored spots in the hallway of the bathrooms where kids stand to show they are ready for their lessons.

The Pool:

The pool has 90 degree water. Isaak looked cautious when jumping in because he was expecting it to be cold. It wasn't. 

They have lanes marked off for different swimming classes. I love that they could get both my boys in at the same time! 

There is a slide, but as you can see in the picture below there's no diving allowed. It's too shallow of a pool to dive in. 

At Swimtastic the instructors seem like they really want the kids to learn what they are there for - to swim. 

My boys forgot so much of what they learned in swimming lessons before. Isaak said, "I hate swimming backwards." I said, "I'm glad they made you! It's important for you to learn how to swim like that!" 

It did seem like younger kids go there. That might change with our lessons tonight. Mica will be in a class with kids more his age. 

Overall the kids are enjoying getting back into their lessons. I'm glad I was asked to do this. Did you take swimming lessons when you were younger? What's something you remember about them?

Follow Swimtastic on twitter, and like their facebook page.

Disclaimer: I received free lessons for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine. I will be blogging about their lessons again towards the end.

Bodyglide Original Anti-Chafe Balm (2-Pack) Review

I love skirts, and shorts in the spring and summer. I just have one slight problem at times. Towards the end of the day I feel like my inner thighs are on fire. It's like a rug burn. Especially if I've gone on a long walk. 

There's a product I heard about from my niece and nephew. They are runners, and go biking a lot. Bodyglide Original Anti-Chafe Balm is the answer to my problem. I got a 2 pack to review. 

I tried it out yesterday. It worked great. It is applied like a stick of deodorant is. It has no build up, and no residue.

It's perfect for when I wear shorts and skirts. I know I'll be using it when I go on long walks and hiking.

This is the number 1 anti-chafe balm! You can use it in: 

• Sports 
• Hiking
• Walks
• On the job 
• Anytime for daily comfort and reliability 

Ingredients:

plant-derived ingredients that create an invisible skin protection barrier against rubbing that causes chafing from clothing and blisters on feet. 

It feels dry and never wet like skin butters and salves made with petroleum and other oily ingredients. Like I said above I felt no build up, and it wasn't sticky like some products out there.

It's resistant to perspiration and water, yet it doesn't clog pores. I love that it's hypoallergenic. If you've been a reader for awhile you know that my family has skin problems at times. I'm very sensative to sulphates. 

It's Applied right from the stick container so hands stay clean and it washes off with mild soap. It's fragrance free and invisible. 

Cost:

Get it on Amazon for $39.95. It may seem like a steep price, but it lasts and lasts. 

I'm glad I got this to review. Have you ever used this product, or something similar?

Disclaimer: I received Bodyglide Original Anti-Chafe Balm (2-Pack) for a discounted price for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.

Games

My favorite board game growing up was Rummikub. My Aunt Becky taught my cousins, sisters and I how to play. I was hooked big time. I've annoyed other players at times because I'd take the whole game board apart just to try and get my pieces down.

Isaak's been into this game lately. He does however get into a game one week, and is done with it the next week.

If you've never played the game before here's how to play:

1. Mix the tiles up
2. Select 14 tiles
3. You can put out runs (one color in number order) or sets (different colors of the same number) that are 3 tiles, or more - You have to have 21 points to lay out the first round 
4. There are 2 happy faces in the game - They can be anything - They equal 21 points, so if you have one to start you can lay down your tiles on your first turn
5. After you've laid out you can play on anything - You can separate things - You can take tiles to lay down some of your tiles - You just need to make sure that there is always groups of 3, or more out of runs and sets - no stray tiles laying around
6. If you can't play you draw
7. You keep playing in a circle until one person is out of tiles (they win)

It's like Rummy, but there's way more to do.

*In our house if one person wins, and more people are playing we have runner up winners.

*There are times I help Isaak. He can be a sore cranky loser. I'll stop and ask a tile he has to figure out what can be done with it.

*If you are playing this game 1/2 a day to kill time on like a snow day you can play until one person wins, tally up the points of the others. Everything is face value, except the happy faces they are 21 points. Continue to play more rounds with each game tallying up the points of the losers. Say after 5 games see who has the least amount of points. Claim that person as the winner. Agree on how many games you are going to play prior to playing though. Otherwise you may argue about how many games are to be played, and who is actually the winner.

Isaak must like board games as well. He made this one called Run Away:

He even had a case. It was the foam that my essential oil diffuser was in.

 Do you like playing games? What game is your favorite?

Disclaimer: I didn't receive anything for posting this. I just like the game Rummikub.

Random Tid Bits

1. 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. 


2. 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?





Souce

3. 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.


4. 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.


5. 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?

Crush

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. 

Snorg Tees Review

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.

Follow Snorg Tees on Social Media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

Have you purchased any tees from Snorg Tees before?

Disclaimer: I received this tee for free for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.

WW: Haircut {Linky}

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! 

 

Stainless Steel Smoothie Straws - Set of 5 Review

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.

Screen Time - Digital Age Recap

This session called Screen Time - Digital Age at Do Space was put on by Common Sense Media.

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.

Download online agreements that the whole family can adhere to.

TodaysMeet:

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.