Parenting Styles & Pretty Wicked Moms

Tball Family

Before I became a mom, I had no idea about mommy wars.  None. I just thought everyone bee-bopped along, figuring out this parenthood thing and learning together. Boy, could I have been more wrong? I think that becoming a blogger and being active on social media has opened my eyes to the brutal mommy wars that seem to be never ending. That competitive mothering is now coming to TV, thanks to Lifetime. With the new show Pretty Wicked Moms, viewers have the opportunity to watch mommy wars unfold on the screen. Pretty Wicked Mom is set in the South- Atlanta, GA to be exact, and follows a diverse group of moms (while diverse, they all seem to have plenty of moolah) as they challenge one another, pass judgement, get catty, and try to one-up one one another with their mothering skills. It's like all of the social media drama we see almost daily on TV. Grab the popcorn! Tune in to watch parenting like you've never seen before with the first episode of Pretty Wicked Moms on Tuesday, June … [Read more...]

Blast Zone Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park Review {Giveaway!}

BLAST ZONE HYDRO RUSH INFLATABLE WATER PARK GIVEAWAY

Now that the weather is finally warming up, we are spending our days outside enjoying the sunshine.  I have a feeling this is going to be the best summer yet thanks to the Blast Zone Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park we received for review.  Swimming pools make me overly anxious with little ones around, but our summers are too hot to play outside without water.  The Blast Zone Hydro Rush solves our water dilemma and is better than a swimming pool for our family. Blast Zone Hydro Rush Set Up One of my main concerns surrounding large inflatables is the set up. I expected it to be a daunting task that required a lot of effort and quite honestly, my patience wears thin with that kind of thing. That could not be further from the truth with the Blast Zone Hydro Rush Inflatable Water Park. Set up is an absolute breeze. Normally, with any large item, I wait on my husband to help me. On a whim, I decided to try out the Blast Zone Hydro Rush while he was at work. It was 80 degrees outside, … [Read more...]

All About Reading Pre-reading {Homeschool Review}

All About Reading Pre-reading Preschool

As a very new homeschooling mom, choosing curriculum can be difficult and overwhelming.  It's especially daunting when ordering online without the opportunity to see everything and flip through the books.  I rely on reviews from seasoned homeschool moms to help me navigate the curriculum waters and figure out what will work best for our family.  One of the most highly recommended companies I've found is All About Learning Press.  After reading tons of positive reviews, I settled on the All About Reading Pre-reading curriculum for Bryson. To give you an idea of where we are, Bryson is 4.5 years old.  He knows the alphabet and each letter sound.  He can sound out words and figure out the letters so simply going over letter sounds became redundant and boring to him.  I knew he was ready to move onto something a little more challenging, but nothing that would discourage him.  After using All About Reading Pre-reading for over 2 months, it is clear that it is the right curriculum … [Read more...]

10 Toddler & Preschool Toys That Last

10 TOYS THAT LAST

We are currently in the process of purging our toys.  The kids have so, so much and it's my fault.  Truthfully, when it comes to toys, less really is more.  I've found that our quality toys are played with over and over again while others are simply dumped and strewn about.  Today, I am sharing 10 toys that have lasted in our home.  Now, Bryson is only 4 so I can't say we've had these toys for 10 years, but these toys have stood up to both of my not-so-gentle kids and are played with often.  I am linking up with other bloggers at the iHomeschool Network for a Ten in Ten blog hop.  Be sure to click over and check out their most recommended toys too! Tonka Mighty Dump Truck While brainstorming for this post, the Tonka Mighty Dump Truck was the first toy that came to mind.  Why?  Bryson received this truck as a gift for his first birthday and it is one of our most played with toys even 3 years later.  He has pushed this truck all over the yard, he would ride in the dump … [Read more...]

A Clean Home, A Happier Mom #PowerandFree

Lysol Power and Free

There seems to be this myth that stay-at-home-moms are supposed to spend their days cleaning, keeping their homes spotless.  Well, that isn't what this SAHM does at all.  I often say that I am a stay-at-home-MOM, not a maid.  Not only do my children drag out toys and make messes, I happily encourage their play.  That said, when our home is in disarray, it takes a toll on my mind and my attitude.  Justin will attest to this fact.  The state of our home has a huge bearing on how I feel mentally. So, while I know that our home will never be spotless, there are certain spaces that I have to keep clean.  Our kitchen is the most used room in the house.  It really is the center of our home, the heart of our home, if you will.  It is not only a kitchen, it is my office and our school room.  Cooking, blogging, teaching, paying bills, crafts, projects- it all happens in the kitchen.  Even with a whirlwind of activity, the kitchen has to be clean.  If my counters are wiped down and … [Read more...]

Adding a Little Extra to Ordinary Days – #QuakerEpicAdventures

Water Table

One thing I love about little children is that they are so easy to impress.  I'm not talking about toys or gadgets and gear.  It doesn't take money or things to turn an ordinary day into extraordinary.  The things that usually award me the "coolest mom ever!" title are not things at all.  It's always a moment, sometimes just a few minutes, of undivided attention doing something my child loves.  It could be as simple as a run through the water hose or playing in the fresh dirt.  As moms, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to create these fun, over-the-top activities that require a lot of time, effort, and preparation.  Then what?  In my case, if I don't get the reaction I'm hoping for, I feel defeated and like I've wasted my time because the kids didn't even enjoy it. I have a simple summer activity series in the works, but for now, I want to share a few ideas that can turn those ordinary days into extraordinary.  Most of these are low cost or no cost and can be pulled … [Read more...]

Lansinoh Affinity Pro Double Electric Breast Pump Review

Lnsinoh Affinity Breast Pump

Now that we are expecting Baby B3 this winter, I am already getting sappy at the thought of nursing another baby.  Bella is still nursing at 27 months.  Justin looked at me the other day and said, "Do you realize that when you have this child and nurse it, you will have been pregnant or nursing for like 5 years!?"  I do realize that and it makes me smile.  Y'all know that I am huge breastfeeding advocate.  The bond that it creates is beyond amazing and I love those moments snuggled up with baby nursing.  I blessed that I never needed to pump with Bella.  We were never apart for more than an hour or so, so I was always available to nurse her.  I plan on doing the same with Baby B3, but I know that isn't the case for all mamas which is where the Lansinoh Affinity Pro Double Electric Breast Pump comes in. I've owned a few different brands and styles of pumps and I definitely recommend a double electric pump if you are shopping for one.  While they tend to cost more, they are … [Read more...]

Brushing is Fun with FireFly Ready Go Brush & ToothFoam #Firefly4Kids

Firefly Oral Products for Kids

I've mentioned before that one of my least favorite tasks is brushing Bryson & Bella's teeth.  If Justin is home, he usually takes over teeth-brushing time.  Bryson and Bella like brushing their teeth, but they want to do it independently and I know that they will miss half of their teeth if we let them do it alone.  It's a struggle to keep them interested, because even though they like it, they get bored rather quickly and then they are ready to move on.  The thought of a timer has crossed my mind more than once, but I've never implemented it as part of our routine.  We were given the opportunity to check out some new kids oral products from FireFly and I was so excited to see that they have a built in timer.  So cool! I thought it was just my kids that loved traffic lights, but since checking out the new Firefly Ready Go Brush products, I realize that almost all kids like those red, yellow, and green lights. When I showed Bryson his new FireFly toothbrush, he was ready … [Read more...]

Sign up!