Polly Pocket's Are Great Toys For Summer Fun!

Goddess and I as Amazon Vine Reviewers received Polly Pockets Polly Pocket Zip 'N Splash Playset. We love the price! Plus it was so much fun. Any time kids can add water to their toys, they think it is the best!

Everyday is an adventure with Polly and friends
Zipline connects multiple levels of play for high-flying fun
Polly activates her animal friends as she ziplines to the pool
Polly doll's hair changes colors as she goes under the waterfall

The set includes: Polly doll, monkey, puppy and two tropical drink plus the pool zip line for hours of fun.

Check our way too long video below

Thinking Day Was So Much Fun

World Thinking Day is something the Girl Scouts have been doing since 1999! Our girl scout troops use World Thinking Day to teach our girls about other areas of the world. Each troop selects a country to research. Next we create a craft, an informative piece and a food or drink of that country and visit each other. It's really cute. The girls wear passports and in a clockwise or counter clock wise order, move among the tables, sampling, learning, crafting and getting their passport stamped or punched. My troop decided on Brazil this year. We had the best food!!! I had at least two helpings of it but there were so many wonderful dishes to sample and tables to visit that I actually took a nap Saturday when I came back. I guess I had table lag. hahaha...get it?...oh never mind.

South Korea had some great cookies

Two Daisies with their passports checked

Greece had something on a cracker. I am awful because I didn't even ask what it was.

Germany's cookies were a hit

s

Feijão Tropeiro

was what we served for Brazil. It was delish.

Our craft was bracelets with the Brazilian flags colors

a decorated Brownie vest

Goddess and a friend

My girl is crazy. I love these kids

Goddess Models Guess Kids Clothing + A 15% Discount For You

Guess Kids is something I have heard about. I have seen the ads with Dannielynn Birkhead posing but never thought much of it figuring it was way too expensive for my budget. Now that I have seen the clothes and checked out the prices further, I see I was wrong. 

The clothes, besides being stylish are made very well. If I am going to purchase something these days out of my very limited funds, it has to be worth it. The kids grow out of things so quickly and some things shrink or look less than perfect after the very first wash depending on the quality. The prices are pretty compatible with most department store prices. I was very surprised! Their sale prices are REALLY great. I am thinking of picking up this jacket for next year.

Goddess, loved the clothes! She IS a clothes girl much to my chagrin  because I never was but she does love to put outfits together and has a real good eye for fashion. She loved posing in her new Guess clothes and has gotten so many compliments on the crochet top and tank!

Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer - REVIEW

Snow Ball Soup by Mercer Mayer, (Little Critter, My First I Can Read)

What does a snowman like to eat? Snowball soup, of course! Join Little Critter^®, Little Sister, and Dog as they make their new friend a tasty treat.

I love children's books. As a child I had a love of books and being at the library was one of my favorite places and it still is. Instilling that same in love in my children is important and while they don't have the same kind of fascination I had as a child, they still love seeing their books on their book shelves.

Handsome is a great reader but at 7 Goddess still struggles, and the My First I Can Read books are great for her. They are easy enough for her and allow her to gain confidence while still being a challenge.

In Snow Ball Soup Little Critter and his Sister, Little Sister go outside to play in the snow. While out there they make a snowman and decide to make him snowball soup because he must be hungry. They eventually have to go inside for their own lunch of soup only to find that their dog ate all the snow ball soup.

Goddess and Handsome love the book because the story is cute and there are cute pictures on each page.

If you love Little Critter head over to Silver Dolphin Book Blog and check out the Little Critter activity pages.

Disclaimer: We received a complimentary copy for our honest opinion. 

Jodi Thomas Chance of A Lifetime

The 411:

This is my 5th Jodi Thomas Book. I read Welcome to Harmony, Somewhere Along the Way,  Texas Blue, and Just Down the Road which I can't seem to find a link for. What I can tell you about Jodi's writing is that I enjoy reading them. They are quiet, lovely books that focus on the characters and the relationships without a whole lot of unnecessary nonsense.  There is so much to read out there, I don't have time to read things just because. I never feel like it is a chore to review for Jodi.

The main characters this time around are Emily, a local librarian and Rick Matheson a lawyer. One of the best things about reading a series of books is the familiarity you get with it. The secondary characters are main characters from past books that you have come to know and love making your journey into Harmony even more charming.

I would give this book 4 stars. I missed some of my favorite characters but enjoyed reading about these newbies. 

CALL THE MIDWIFE: Shadows of the WORKHOUSE - Review

The 411 by Maria:

I am completely intrigued by the story of the midwives; what brought them to the Nonnatus House and the lives of the people they served. Jane's story completely brought me to tears.  The times were hard, people had to be hard but there was so much suffering that my heartaches for the times. The author does a wonderful job of rewinding life so that you can imagine the deplorable conditions, the struggles, the people and how hard life is for so many. 

The Penguin Shadow

My kids love the snow! They will stay out for hours which means, we also stay out for hours. There is just too much for them to get hurt with so they need an adult at all times. Next year I am investing in some snow pants because as I get older, I am colder. Hahahaa..that rhymes but so true. I have been so cold lately.

My Family Uses Goya Daily

I can't remember a time when we weren't using a Goya product with our meals. I am not even sure when it started. It may have started back when I was around 19 or 20, living on my own and eventually with Manny, a short, hot, Puerto Rican guy who was way older, had a kid and I found him so damn hot. So if he wanted his meals cooked with Goya beans and seasonings, damn it, I was going to do it. His pantry and his mom's kitchen was stocked with Goya everything. There was sauce, rice, cookies, candy, pasta, oils, canned goods and more...I don't believe they shopped another aisle at the supermarket. I learned to cook and love the food they made. A girl growing up on spaghetti and meatballs and chicken cutlet and salad was now eating rice and beans with every meal and loving it. He truly made me love trying new foods and I still till this day crave Arroz con pollo, carne frita con cebolla, Pasteles and my favorite Pernil. Delicious!!! 

Ever since than I have purchased Goya! 

Recently I received a box of some of my favorite Goya products as a Bzz Agent! 

Goya Adobo is literally put on almost everything in my house and we usually buy a large one every month and a half! As for the black beans, there was a time when Goddess, 3-5 years old ate only black beans every single night. I was happy to give it to her because she didn't eat any protein and this was something I knew was good for her and I got her left overs! 

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow & Happy Valentine's Day To You Mother Nature

I have never been one that longs for the summer. Winter doesn't usually bother me. I enjoy being snow bound and at home with my family but this year...well...I am kinda done with it all. Although it is beautiful, the cold, white, gray weather has really taken a toll on many of us this year. We are tired, weak and in dire need of Vitamin C from the good old sun who has eluded us lately. Than we woke on Valentine's Day to a winter wonderland once again.  The best part of it...are the pictures. It was a beautiful morning and the sun did stay out for a while but left as quickly as she came. Oh well, Spring is coming. Until Spring....

My Little Pony Season Finale Tomorrow

*TUNE-IN ALERT*

DON’T MISS THE CROWNING EPISODE OF

“MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC,”

SPECIAL ON-AIR INTERSTITIAL PROGRAMMING HOSTED

BY MISS AMERICA MALLORY HAGAN

THIS SATURDAY AT 10:30AM ET,

ONLY ON THE HUB!

Our Movie Night With Mowgli

I know I mentioned it way back last weekend but it is time to post about The Jungle Book Movie: Rumble in the Jungle (Gave up one of my volunteer gigs to free up some time, so I can be more timely with my blog). The kids are holding The Jungle Book: Rumble in the Jungle and ready for our movie night. It was a great night for a movie. The wood stove was on. Daddy was visiting his cousin (more on that later), and the popcorn (we love Gaslamp Popcorn) was ready. We grabbed the kids sleeping bags and headed to the living room.

Handsome is wearing his favorite Mario and Luigi PJs and Goddess is never without something Monster High but when they put on those Mowgli masks my heart melted. They look so cute!

This was their first time watching the Jungle Book and had no idea who Mowgli is but I remember seeing it in the theater when I was a kid and was happy to watch with them. 

As an avid animation fan, I loved how bright and beautiful the movie was. In The Jungle Book Movie: Rumble in the Jungle available where DVD's are sold; Mowgli and Mani are our main characters.


This movie is action packed with and Mowgli must use his wits and count on his jungle friends to escape Shere Khan!

The kids loved it, there was plenty of music, dancing and humor plus anytime they are sitting with me, allowed to sleep in the living room and stay up later than usual, it is a party! 


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Goddess and Her Monster High Collection in Photos and Video

Goddess like a lot of girls and moms loves Monster High dolls. She has always loved anything to do with Halloween and wasn't big into dolls but make a doll with the "monster" word in it and she is in love. She enjoyed showing off her room during a Guess clothing photo shoot. Her are some of the photos we took.

Some of Goddess' collection on a shelf on her bed. The container is from a friend's birthday party

She got this pillow for Christmas from her Aunt Marta

A game, movie and square plates that she refuses to use because they go with her collection.

She loves her comforter, a gift from her Aunt Marta this past Christmas

Yeah, I don't even know what she was doing, probably talking about how much she loves her comforter

This is Roachelle Goyle Daughter of Gargoyle looking for something to wear according to Goddess

Goddess pretending to put lip gloss on Frankie

Everyone is doing something. Goddess has them set a certain way. I always face them forward, she always moves them

Goddess loves that little skeleton. I think it is creepy.

The finger nail is not a Monster High Item but it fits into her collection nicely.

It's the Draculaura Corner

 

5 Reasons To Love Valentine's Day

I know there are a lot of you out there that love Valentine's Day and a whole bunch who look at it as a marketing ploy for Hallmark and candy companies to sell more cards and chocolate and well, you are not wrong... but it is also a beautiful way to show your devotion to those you love in a very special way beyond what you do on a normal day.

1) Hearts in pink and red! 

I adore hearts. They just symbolize love and adoration. 

Photo of Handsome's Valentine to us in 2010

2) Candy! 

Most people love candy but many of us stay away from it because well, in plain English, it makes us fat. BUT...come Valentine's Day...all bets are off and we don't feel guilty about plunking down a few of those sweet, chocolate covered unknowns out of a heart shaped box.

Goddess at age 10 months having her very first bite of chocolate. She has been a chocolate lover ever since.

3) Valentine Day Cards 

They are just pretty and you don't have to spend a fortune other. You can make one. It isn't often that my husband tells me how he really feels. He is a man of few words. We kiss at least four times a day but to actually see his written words makes me feel so good and I cherish those cards.

Oppsey Daisy

4) Food

It doesn't take much to make Valentine's Day special. Some food color in the pancake batter, a heart shaped sandwich for lunch. A love note in the lunch box. These are things you could do any day but they are so special on Valentine's Day.

Oh I wish I could find my photos of our Valentine's Day breakfast but I can't find the plug to my external drive.  But it was something like this from Farm Bells.

5) Sex

We are pretty active folks in this department but some people aren't but on Valentine's Day if you put the effort in, you can reconnect in one of the most sexy ways with another person.  Show your significant other you love and appreciate them by taking the initiative if you don't often do it. It is amazing what skin on skin can do for you!

Happy Valentine's Day For My Kindle Fire

I gave myself a Kindle Fire this past Christmas. Thanks to a handy Amazon gift code I wrapped the gift, put my name on it and my husband's name in the From area! It was nice to have a gift under the tree and my husband still swears it was the best gift of the holiday season. "Once again, Mommy gets the best gift." Usually it is he who gets ME the best gifts like my computer and awesome Canon 50D!

The kids and I are having a blast with the Kindle Fire. We play games, read books, and watch Netflix. We all have our own profile making it easy for me to read the books I want to read without the kids seeing the covers (quite inappropriate fare for my kids eyes.)

You can't have a Kindle without having and awesome cover to go with it. I love my cover so much I have decided to give one away to my readers for Valentine's Day.

The 411 by Maria:

 What originally drew me to the BUILT Slim Folio Standing Case Summer of Love Indigo for my Kindle Fire was the colors. I love color and this looked fun and young. Since my Kindle is for me and the kids (much to my husband's chagrin, he prefers me keep some things away from them) I love how Kid friendly it is.

The Kindle Fire fits in perfectly. Snug and tight. The 4 sides come up and around making me feel that my Kindle is very secure and will not slip out even when the kids are fighting over it.

I really love the extra padding in the back and the soft blue inside which seems to clean the smudges off my Kindle every time I put it in.

I think it is perfect for traveling!!

Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist and Oil Diffuser Are Simply Exotic

Last week the kids and I picked up two pieces of the newest collection from Glade, the Glade Expressions.  We have always loved for the house to smell warm and inviting but over the years we have put away the candles and the incense because of the kids and started using things like diffusers and many, many bottles of Mist! I love choosing the right scent for the mood and time of year of the house. 

What we love about the new Glade Expressions Collection most is how the design allows you do to double duty. How can a fragrance do double duty you may ask? Well, because the collection is inspired by art the containers are designed to be left out anywhere in your home as decoration.
 
Here is Goddess spraying the Pineapple and Mangosteen.  She loves fragrance as much as I do and gets equally excited when we get to try a new room spray.

We love the sweet pineapple smell and can't wait to pick up another one. As for the Oil Diffuser, we got it in Fuji Apple and Cardamom Spice. There are only 3 different scents and we hope there are more coming.

Alana Stewart Rearview Mirror

The 411 by Maria:

I think if we were all to look at our own lives in a rearview mirror we would notice things we wish we had done differently, thing we knew better, and mistakes that could have been avoided if we really were watching from the outside. Well, they say you can't go back and this is very true but as long as you grow, realize your mistakes and take responsibility for the hear and now you are better than most.

Alana Stewart takes a brutally honest look at herself in this book. The road hasn't been easy but she appears to have taken all her hard knocks and emerged a beautiful person who hasn't allowed herself to play the victim.

Autobiographical lovers will love her candid approach and no holds barred account of her tumultuous early years and self resurrection as a balanced, spiritual individual who seeks to look for the positive in life.  Pop culture lovers will love the stories of iconic friends and family like Rod Steward, Elton John, Farrah Fawcett, George Hamilton and more.


 

Movie Weekend

This weekend we are expecting to be under snow so organizing a family movie weekend for the kids has been my priority today in case I can't get out this weekend. On our agenda is: The Jungle Book The Movie: Rumble in the Jungle available exclusively at Walmart on February 12th (we got a review package from Team Mom! Hotel Transylvania which Goddess has been dying to see and I was able to get at the library today. Frankenweenie which is something I want to see and hopefully Goddess will watch with me. I am curious to see if she is into it with it being a black and white movie and all. She is a huge Tim Burton fan so I am sure she will love it. Corpse Bride, Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands are among her favorite movies. Ted starring Mark Wahlberg. I love to laugh. Hopefully it is as funny as I am hearing. What movies are you watching this weekend?

The Adorable Oogieloves on DVD

The 411 by Maria:
We had never heard of the Oogieloves and I can tell you is that my kids were not interested when they first saw the DVD but knowing they were fans of Bear in the Big Blue House, The Wiggles, and Lazy Town, I knew they would watch if they saw it on and they did.

We were a little confused by some of the characters like a vacuum cleaner named J. Edgar but soon realized we liked the quirkiness of it.  The film follows the Oogieloves - Goobie, Zoozie and Toofie and while I am not a fan of the names their personalities are cute. Goobie likes Science, Zoozie likes sparkles and pink after all she is a girl but she is also a pro at all languages which means she is super smart and Toofie is adventures. 

They all live together in a house complete with Windy window who acts like a magical crystal ball. Goddess kept saying it was "creepy" but she is 7 going on 16 and things everything is awkward these days.  To round out the already weird names is Schluufy, a comfy pink pillow and Ruffy a goldfish.

OK...putting aside the names, the show is ridiculously cute, and kids 1.5 - 4 will find it hysterical.  Even my 7 and 9 year old thought it was funny that Goofy Toofie's pants feel down because he refused to wear a belt. Don't ask.

There is plenty of color, rhyming, repetition and singing for the preschool age and stars like Cloris Leachman, Toni Braxton, Christopher Lloyd, and more are there to add a whimsy twist for the parents. Although I thought the Toni Braxton segment was a bit much for the preschool age with the cleavage, breathless talking, and sexy sax music but what do I know this is why I call myself the Amateur Movie Reviewer.

Cute movie for the preschool age.
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Kids Art Makes Me Smile

If you are like me you love when the kids come home with art projects. I can do without the thousands of worksheets that they bring home and head right for the trash but throwing out any art work is so much harder.

Here are a few pictures that have made their way into their portfolio while others we took photos of so we could toss them.

Goddess' Andy Warhol is a keeper

Handsome's Salvador Dali

Goddess' Father's Day Fish on a pole

Still life of a bone by Handsome

Still life of a bone by Goddess

Goddess loves drawing and love!