Good Earth Beauty’s Amazing Products

I am in love with Good Earth Beauty products.  Good Earth Beauty is a natural online beauty and grooming retailer that sells products that are not tested on animals which is important to so many of us.


Two weeks ago I received another package from Good Earth Beauty.

 
The container is silver with a sweet, with the sweet whimsical sticker. The smell of chocolate is definite. You know exactly what it is the moment you open it. A finger swirled around the balm and applied to your lip for kissable, soft lips especially during these cold months AND it's all natural! 

The container is silver with a blue sticker. It smells amazing and like the chocolate heals chapped lips. Both lip balm use all natural ingredients: Organic sunflower oil, organic shea butter, beeswax, organic cocoa butter, natural flavor oils

The last product in the box was the Vanilla Soap which is also made with all natural ingredients like organic olive, coconut and palm oil, Shea butter and fragrance oil. 

It smells amazing and was perfect for shaving or just cleansing. My skin felt soft and no more itch. The last few weeks we have all been scratching from the dryness. Wonderful soap. 

Less chemicals on your skin is best! Use natural products especially if you are like me and have kids with allergies and eczema.  

The NIV Bible for Teen Girls Had My Daughter Asking Me Not To Stop Reading

 

The NIV Bible for Teen Girls is designed just for you, a teen girl living in today's world. This Bible explores how the timeless truths of Scripture relate to your life, your relationships, and the things you care about most. Packed with daily readings, highlighted promises of God, challenging insights, smart advice, and open discussion about life today, this is the Bible for today’s teenage girls.

The 411:

Interesting afternoon. Early Dismissal meant my kids had a nice laid back afternoon rather than the same old homework routine. They did their homework and then while my daughter was re-writing something I decided to start reviewing a book out loud. "The NIV Bible For Teen Girls". I was going to stop 10 mins in and start writing after skimming and reading some passages but I could tell my daughter was listening. She even asked a few questions. I went to start lunch for my son and she asked me not to stop. Just finished Genesis. If that doesn't make for a good review on this book I don't know what will. Interesting is an understatement.

I love the book. Anything that gets my daughter interested in the bible and makes her ask questions is a total win in my book.

Character profiles of woman in the bible and the Growing in Faith, Hope and Love are by far my favorite sections. They are done in pink and apply what the bible is saying to something we can understand and apply to today. LOVE IT!

Beautiful gift for someone. 

Read Bottom Up by Neel Shah & Skye Chatham Is Adorable

The 411:

I read this book in a few hours which thrills me as it's been years since I can say that about a novel. It could have something to do with the layout or the fact that I honestly loved it and spent every free moment of my busy day reading it.

The book is about four different relationships. The beginning of a relationship between two people, and their relationship with their friends respectively. 

Written as if you are reading texts and mostly emails, you get a glimpse into relationships in the current electronic world. Where instead of calling each other you simply shoot out an email or text. We are all leaving paper trails and documenting everything we do. It's interesting, scary but also serves as a journal into our lives. Imagine if you could face the end of a relationship by re-reading  the beginning of it. You could see all the mistakes you made and all the signs you should have seen, but while doing that you take your besties on the roller coaster ride that is your life.  This is exactly what happens with the characters in Read Bottom Up.

It goes something like this:

Boy meets Girl
Boy tells Friend about it.
Boy emails Girl
Girl forwards said email to her friend and they discuss in detail
Girl emails Boy
Boy emails Girl back
Girl forwards email to her friend and they discuss in detail

I loved it!

The relationship between Madeline and Elliot and Elliot and David and Madeline and Emily made me smile.

From the beginning the relationship is on a crash course. I felt it could be a very real story of two people. Madeline wanting more but not asking for more with the occasional passive-aggressive, sarcastic email or text to drive a point home and get information without really being direct and the two friends who keep their crash course friends grounded.

Truly perfect for a beach read. This is chick lit at it's best and I believe you will love it too.

Sage's Eyes by VC Andrews

The 411:


In Sage's Eyes we meet 16 year old Sage and adopted only child one who has an apparent gift of seeing and knowing things that will happen or have happened. She has dreams and feelings that her parents want her to ignore and forgot.  Adopted at 8 months old she has many questions about her past and is confused by her parents constant guard and grilling questions over everything she says and does. It must be confusing for a young girl who has never had reason for them to be so untrusting.  Odd gifts and trinkets, overbearing parents and interesting but elusive relatives have made Sage's life lonely and make her feel awkward let alone moving to a new school.

Life is complicated just when Sage starts stretching her teenage wings a new handsome student named Summer enters her life. Oddly enough he understands her gifts and even has a few of his own. In the end we learn a few things. Not many.. and they are oddly placed. It just seemed like a big build up and then a weird Wiccan story to explain her past and then nothing.  I am not sure there is a part 2 and I will be OK with that.

As a huge VC Andrews fan of the past I found it interesting that books are still being put out after her death by ghost writers.   I am fine with the families continued use of her name (they have every right) and the hiring of Andrew Neiderman to write in this well documented blueprint set forth by Andrews many many years ago however it takes more than a blueprint to write with the same passion for the characters that Andrews did. When you read a VC Andrews book you became family with the characters they were with you long after the sage was over and many of us re-read and re-read again our favorite VC Andrews books. Sage's Eyes may not be one of them.

Ruby Lee and Me by Shannon Hitchcock #scholastic

The 411 by Maria:


This was a wonderful book for 3rd grade to 7th grade reading level.

Based loosely on the author's childhood Sarah is a middle schooler finishing up Summer before the start of 6th grade. When Sarah's little sister Robin gets hit by a car, something Sarah feels is all her fault the family must move in with their grandparents while Robin recover at the hospital. This isn't tough for Sarah, her best friend Ruby lives near by.

Sarah learns Ruby will be one of the first new black students in her school integration and is also excited to learn she is getting the first black teacher. The girls hope to remain friends as their aunt and grandmother have over the years. When Sarah blurts out a "racial slur" to her best friend the relationship changes and life will never be the same for these girls.


What I loved about this book the most was how the author mixes humor, heart, and valuable life lessons into a story about friendship and family.  Friendship and family is one of the most fulfilling things about childhood and the relationships crafted by Shannon Hitchcock were beautiful.  Ruby and Sarah's relationship is changing and maturing with the time and often gets confused by what they see in their own daily lives. In the end Sarah has the opportunity to prove to herself that she is brave and friendship can withstand changes. 

Great book. I wrote questions down while reading for most of the chapters because I want my kids to read it and answer my questions by using the book.  It's a wonderful family read and one I think would be beneficial as part of the literacy programs in school.

Things/Mom Moments I Want To Remember

Sometimes I write on my blog so I can remember when I re-read in the future. I love reading my old blog posts about my kids.

This Morning: 

Proud Mommy moment. I know it's not a big deal to some but I woke this morning to my son sleeping on the couch. I'm a mom so the first thing that came to my mind was that his night light must have been out. I checked. It was.  My son confirmed this for me this morning. The proud part comes with knowing that this shows how he can independently decide what is best for him on his own without waking me at 2:30 in the morning when he finally went to bed. As a child on the spectrum I am never sure what he really understands and always feel like I need to map it all out for him. I love that he did this on his own and I couldn't wait for him to wake this morning so I could tell him.

Yesterday:
My daughter came to me with the measuring stick after I told her that I thought she grew overnight to show me that she indeed has surpassed the measuring stick. UGH...the worst stick ever. I asked my husband to give me a piece of wood so I could measure the kids back when my son was turning one. My son passed the stick about 3 years ago and now my daughter as well. I guess I will have to attach another stick to it myself.

Smithsonian Educational Tools For Kids

The Smithsonian Magnetic Adventures Jungle kit is definitely a winner in my house.

The case is tin and has a carry handle and two clasps.  When you open the tin case you will find two separate scenes. One side has a beautiful waterfall and surrounding areas and the other has a 4 separate, colorful scenes depicting the rain forest (Emergent, Canopy, Understory, Forest Floor. You will also will find two sheets featuring 30 thick, glossy front, foam back animal magnets. A 64 page color photo book about animals of the jungle and two pages of colorful animal clings. The animals included are animals you would find in the Jungle. Monkeys, tigers, piranha, parrots, lemurs, cobra, hummingbird and so much more.

My daughter and her friends have played with this over the past 4 days. They play with it as it is intended by placing the magnets and clings in the case but they also like just playing with the magnets as figurines. I love watching these 10 year olds stay unplugged and off the computer and game systems.

This is a great playset and educational toy. LOVE IT!

Children's Pop Up Books - 3 Planet of Pop Books

My kids and I loved Pop Up Books when they were very young and still do!  I remember being so amazed at the way the characters jumped off the page.

These three books from Silver Dolphin Books are awesome.

The goofy animals of Monkey on the Moon are having a blast as they explore outer space in this rhyming pop-up book. Open up the pages to discover a moonwalking monkey, a space-surfing crocodile, and other super-fantastic, intergalactic creatures in orbit! The animals’ antics will bring smiles to the faces of young readers, and the colorful, high-quality interactive pop-ups with moving elements will entertain for hours on end.

 

The carefree animals of Planet Pop-Up: Mouse in the Haunted House are caught up in all sorts of spooky and silly antics in this rhyming pop-up book. Open up the pages to find out how Mouse and his pals roam through the haunted rooms and corridors in a way that will make you laugh! The animals’ adventures will bring smiles to the faces of young readers, and the colorful, high-quality interactive pop-ups with moving elements will entertain for hours on end.

If you are one of those folks that shop ahead of schedule. This is at a great price right now.

The fun-loving animals of Tiger Takes Off are putting on a spectacularly wild circus performance in this rhyming pop-up book. Open up the pages to discover a fearless flying tiger, a roller-skating octopus, and other acrobatic performers under the big top! The animals’ antics will bring smiles to the faces of young readers, and the colorful, high-quality interactive pop-ups with moving elements will entertain for hours on end.

Reading to your children is one of the best things you can do with them.  It creates a bonding moment that will eventually lead to them loving books on their own.

Middle School Artists Amaze Me

There is no way I was even remotely as talented as these tweens and teens when I was in middle school way way back....

These gems are hanging in the entry area of the school for all to enjoy when you first walk in. While I'm not sure what the theme is it looks like it has something to do with the color spectrum or use of the colors of the rainbow but whatever it is, I love it.

My Dear Daughter Is Going To Be The Death Of Me

I love my Goddess and any friend or reader of mine knows this is no lie. I spend way more time with her than any other person on the planet. She is my baby girl and will be forever. I absolutely love being with her, find her to be one of the funniest people I know and feel sad when she is not around. She is the reason I know there is a God and would do anything for her. However with all that said, she makes me angrier than any other person I know.

Let me explain....mornings are not a friend to this girl. She becomes a completely different person when she is woken up. She is angry, mean, and at times tries to hit me.

Every morning the process takes at least 20 minutes with me starting with "Good morning beautiful. Come on honey, time to wake up and usually ends with me yelling and angry. It is not the 20 minutes that make me crazy is it her thinking that at 10 it is OK to yell, scream or what hit at me?! She must have lost her ever loving mind.

It is never OK to hit your parents. Especially when they would die for you.  The rest of the day this chick is chill. My little buddy. Someone I look forward to being around but the mornings.....

UGH...we had a long talk in the car after handsome went into school, (he loves running in the moment we get there and she loves waiting until the last possible moment), but I doubt there will be a change. It's not like we haven't had these talks a million times before.

Her teenage years are going to kill me but until then...our morning car time selfies.

 

Daybook - Feb 2, 2016

The Simple Woman's Daybook is back at it's original home, The Simple Woman's blog.

I am thinking... About my kids and how happy I am to be working in their school today. We leave together which makes working so much easier today.

I am thankful... That I was called into work the past 6 work days with only one day off. Being a substitute means you never know which school you are working at or when but I am so thankful when I do get to work

I am wearing...Always dressed for work just in case I get called. Today a pair of black pants with a white waistband, grey short with salmon triangles and black knee high boots

I am creating... a blog post about my son and how much I love him.

 I am going... to leave for work in a bit. Excited to work with this class again

I am reading... V.C. Andrews My Sweet Audrina

I am praying for... strength and wisdom

Pondering these words...

I am hearing... songs from Grease Live.


On my TV..... I am watching Grease Live for the second time. It was awesome.

I am hoping... That I get another two days of work this week.

In my kitchen... DINNER
Monday ~
Tuesday ~ tuna and salad
Wednesday ~ salad and chicken
Thursday ~ scrambled eggs
Friday ~ pizza
Saturday ~ not sure yet
Sunday ~ steak and salad

 A peek into one of my days...

One of my favorite things... spending time with my daughter looking at all the amazing things on Etsy.

 A few plans for the rest of the week:
Monday ~
Tuesday ~ homework, yoga and strength training, dusting the living room, movie with the kids
Wednesday ~ work, yoga and strength training, dusting the bedrooms
Thursday ~ yoga and bike, cleaning the floors and vacuuming
Friday ~ yoga, and strength training, bathroom and kitchen cleaning
Saturday ~ grocery shopping, hanging out, movie night
Sunday ~ doing my best to avoid hearing or seeing the Superbowl

My Son Holds My Heart In His Hands

I don't know another kid who tries as hard as he does to fit into our world. He is completely unaware that he is any different from anyone else. He just knows he is always either in trouble or praised. I can only imagine how confusing his day to day can be sometimes. The world can be cruel to kids like my son. He thinks differently and that is not his fault. It is who he is and I wouldn't have him any other way. As a spectrum kid he is constantly under the microscope for everything sometimes too much in my opinion. I feel there are a ton of mainstream kids that could use the services he thankfully receives.

My son sees things very literally which means influencing, predictions, figures of speech and thinking outside the box are very hard for him.  He knows what he can see. He has come a long way since his early intervention days which makes me a huge supporter of Early Intervention especially if done right.

I started him a month away from his 3rd birthday. Knowing what I know now there are many things I would have changed especially certain therapists I would have had removed and switched. I can't go back but I know that starting his was the right thing to do.

My son is now 12 and one of the best people I know. He makes my heart sing. When he says something you know he feels and means it.  Even writing this I am tearing with the amount of love I have for this boy.

Currently he gets speech, occupational therapy and group and solo counseling for anger control. He is not an angry boy by nature but his inability to fully understand a situations frustrates him. However this kid knows how to calm himself down and when he does, especially if given the proper amount of time to do so he will come around, apologize with his whole heart and beg you to forgive him.

This is something I am constantly saying to my daughter who will never forgive him even though he should be asking for her forgiveness for the things she says and does to him. At 10 she doesn't understand no matter how many times I tell her that the world is hard enough on him and he deserves a break at home.  I must have explained to her that getting apologies from anyone is not something that occurs often and that when he says it, he truly means it.

Now if I can get the rest of the world to see how amazing this kid all will be well in my life.  My heart breaks for him. He wants friends and doesn't have any real ones. Thankfully he is a loving boy who knows his family loves him. He loves hugs and has no problem cheering for someone else. I can only pray that one the his peers see what an amazing friend he can be if they allow him in.

Handsome, if you ever read this...your mommy is so very proud of you and how you handle every situation in your life. You make me smile every day. I love you so much!

One Quick Stop In The Candy Shop

My favorite candy store makes me happy the moment I walk in. Thankfully it isn't close to me and I have to travel to it. Also, when I go, I am financially able to make rational decisions even though the little kid in me wants absolutely everything.  However, the one thing I cannot stop myself from doing is taking a hundred photos when there.

The set up makes me smile. It is so colorful. There is always something new and even the name makes me smile. Fizzy Lifting Drink. If it sounds familiar it should. You may remember it from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.  The store totally reminds me of the movie and when I do visit, I stay no less than 30 minutes because there is so much to look at.

Check this place out.