Is It a Photo Album, Journal or A Family Project? Whatever You Want To Call it, The Adventure Challenge Rocks

The Adventure Challenge books are my new favorite thing to do with my daughter. There are a Couple's Edition, Family Edition and Friend's Edition. The purpose is to unplug, and reconnect with people and have fun. 

We have since ordered a Polaroid Instant Camera since starting our Family Edition of The Adventure Challenge. This is such a wonderful idea and makes a wonderful gift for families, newlyweds, new parents, engagements, etc because it is a photo album and journal but also a surprise because you don't know what you will be doing until you select what you will be doing based on prompts from the book.  We went out with our camera and thought let's do one of the challenges.  

We were so excited to get started and selected a challenge based on how much money we had in our pockets and the time of day.  

This is what makes the book so wonderful. The prompts tell  you how much it would cost if anything for you to do the challenge. It tells you if you need to leave the house, what supplies you need, if it is messy, what time of day it is and if you will be eating. Now that just might by my favorite prompt. 

The one we selected said it would only cost .10 and that we could do it anytime at home. We scratched it off and it said we should buy yarn. I haven't been to Walmart or anywhere since the Pandemic but as soon as I can I will. Not sure where I could find yard for .10 but it seems like fun.  Then you take a photo of your challenge to post in the book. The book has double sided tape so you can just affix the photo right next to the challenge and then a spot for journaling.

The Table of Contents shows me that there are going to be some very fun challenges in our future. 

I cannot wait to give the Dating Edition to my niece. She and her boyfriend Charlie are going to have such a good time filing this out. 

Kornered The Game For Ages 5+

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The 411:

The games suggests that it is for 8+ but I have played it easily with kids as young as 5. It isn't a hard concept. Just match your cards with 4 spots on the game board. You can play it as easily or as hard as you want. My daughter and I race to the death dealing out all the cards and seeing who is without any first!

Included inside the box is a two sided board game, instructions and double sided cards. 

We played the animal side first and then the colored side. We found them both fun and for the first five games stuck to the rules which are grab three cards each and the first person to put them all down wins. My daughter finally said "teach me your method!" I didn't hello it is a secret but was able to place my cards very quickly. Eventually she said, why don't we try to use all our cards maybe I will have a chance. She didn't but by the second game she got it and beat me. 

We love playing games together and when I took it to work, I was able to play with a 5 year old who enjoyed it so much asked to bring it home for the night. 

Basically your card has 4 corners, and you have to place it on the board that matches your card exactly. 

It has become our deck game. We keep it in our gazebo and play it a few times daily. I love games that keep them unplugged. Depending on  how fast the game is I can usually get the kids to play 3-5 games. 

It is a perfect family game

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane - If faking love is this easy... how do you know when it’s real?

The 411:

Interestingly enough I started reading this book at exactly the same time I started watching DollFace on Hulu. While they are not the same at all they start out roughly the same. A woman's significant other suddenly leaves her for another woman PERIOD! That is where the similarities end but I suggest you read this and also watch DollFace. I loved it and cannot wait for Season 2.

Back to the Book

Laurie has wanted a baby forever and her boyfriend Dan doesn't want kids until he suddenly leaves her for a pregnant girlfriend although this lying cheat leaves the fact that he has moved on a secret leaving Laurie to wonder what happened.    Breakups are hard but this one is even more complicated because Laurie and her ex work together. She hears about his girlfriend being pregnant through office gossip and concocts a scheme with the office playboy Jamie. 

Laurie is liked and respected and Jamie would like to move up the ladder and Dan will be so jealous if he hears Laurie has moved on with Jamie no less so it is clearly a win-win for them both. 

Things couldn't go smoother until Laurie and Jamie start to see each other as more than just a scheme partner but are the both on the same page?

I loved this book. It was a fun read and while I have read this story a million ways this one was different. It was witty, sarcastic and well crafted. Great pace with great characters. Not a single one annoyed me which is something I can't always say.

Perfect read for losing yourself for a little while. 

What You Need To Know About Finding the Right Lawyer

Image by succo from Pixabay

Buying and selling your home, as well as managing real estate can be difficult at times, and can come along with a lot of fine print. Because of this, there can be many benefits to hiring an Estate Lawyer to help you in this area. However, it may at times seem difficult to find the right lawyer for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind while searching for the best lawyer for you and your situation. 

Do Plenty of Research

Before committing to a lawyer, it can be a good idea to do plenty of research. Often, one of the best ways to do this is to ask friends and family for personal referrals, that way you can get a first-hand account of their experience with them. However, if you aren't able to get any referrals, internet research is usually the next best option. Although it may not be as reliable as a referral, by being thorough in your research and reading plenty of reviews, you can help get a clear picture of what kind of lawyer they are, and if they will be a good fit for you. 

Show Up to Meetings Well Prepared

Once you have selected some lawyers to meet with, you should prepare for your meetings. A good way to do this is to compile a list of questions that you have for them, as well as the types of answers you are looking for them to reply with. You should then bring this list with you, as well as record their answers, and take notes about overall impressions that you got as well. This can be particularly helpful if you are meeting with multiple lawyers within a short time frame, that way you can be better able to keep their answers organized and separated. Even though some may think that they will be able to remember details from each meeting, the reality is that it can be easy to mix things up or forget who said what. Because of this, the more thorough your notes are, the greater likelihood you will have of ending up with a lawyer that is suited to you and your real estate needs. 

The Final Word

When it comes to real estate, there can be a lot of things to keep track of, and a lot of fine print to understand. For these reasons, it can be helpful to have a lawyer on your side. And, with some careful research, it can be possible to find the right lawyer for you. 

My Boy Graduates Preschool

MANIC MONDAY, MY NAME IS MOMMY, PRECOCIOUS SON/HANDSOME

Manic Monday – Pride

Posted on June 29, 2008

The word at Mo’s Manic Monday is Pride.

This is going to be a piece of cake. I have been brimming with pride ever since Friday, June 20th when my son graduated Pre-K.

Walking into his class room with his father who has only been to school once I thought for sure he would bolt from his seat and give his teacher a hard time when she asked him to sit.

He was one of the 85% who were able to contain themselves. They sat looking at us (the families) while we stared at them for about 15 minutes before the festivities began. There was a time when he stood up to walk over 10 minutes in but his teacher asked him to sit and he did.

Last year he would not sit and I was unable to get any pictures of him and his class. This year, he stood with the class and posed for 100 pictures as all the families snapped away.

I was so proud that he went up for his diploma with a big smile on his face(last year his teacher had to ssssstretch and hand it to him). Proud that he posed with his therapist and his teacher for pictures and proud that he sang all the songs, the national anthem and counted in Spanish 1-10 and then backwards. Love it!

So cute to see all their little faces as they leave the school and high five each other.

Six Fun Ways to Incorporate Your Pool into Homeschooling & Virtual Learning

Homeschooling and virtual learning are on the rise and a necessary part of American life during safer-at-home orders in many states. If you're new to it – and so many of us are -- you're probably looking for ways to make lessons fun and engaging.

An excellent way to keep kids from getting bored by their at-home school routine is to mix things up. Show them there are other places to enjoy their lessons--like the pool! Not only will they continue to learn, but they also get to enhance their swimming skills. Here are excellent ways to incorporate your pool into a learning plan:

1. Teach measurements and fractions.

Playing in the water is a great way to teach children about measurements. Take some buckets and measuring cups. Ask how many teaspoons can make a cup, and how many containers can make a gallon. Also, how many gallons do you think could fill this whole pool?

2. Explore what sinks or floats.

Sink or swim? This one always makes the kids happy. Ask them to find a few things they think will float, and a few items they think will sink. Older children are mostly right because they understand density and buoyancy, but this is a great way to encourage younger kids to think. Sometimes the things we believe will fall to the bottom end up floating to the top!

3. Use waterproof cards to teach math.

You can combine a waterproof deck of cards with the classic card game war. In a pool without a filter, throw the waterproof cards in. Ask each child to swim and get as many cards as they can. The faster they get the cards, the bigger advantage they have over the others. Now play a traditional game of war. Turn any game of war into a lesson on subtraction, addition or multiplication. Ask each player to pull out two cards and solve the equation. The child with the highest score wins the cards.

4. Set your kid's inner photographer free.

One of the best investments you can make as a pool owner and homeschooler is a waterproof camera. Not only do many waterproof cameras today take excellent photos, but it's also safe enough to go anywhere with your child without fear that it will fall into the pool and break. Besides learning how to frame shots, they are also improving basic hand-eye coordination.

5. Use some educational bath toys.

Educational bath toys like foam letters and toy fishing don't need to be limited to the bathtub. Take them to the pool for some education and fun. Toss letters out in the pool and have the kids swim to catch the letters and spell a word. This is an excellent way for children to be physically active, have fun and learn while staying cool in the summer.

6. Read aloud at the pool.

Take your read-aloud book to the pool to stay cool and still get some reading done. Allow the children to stay in the pool while you read sitting on a step of the pool. This is a great way to relax and enjoy your summer reading list when choosing to homeschool at the pool. Let the kids have a turn and read something from their curriculum. You may consider waterproofing their reading materials.

Pool Troopers.

Zoo Days Were Always A Good Time With My Kids

Someone told me It’s all happening at the zoo
I do believe it, I do believe it’s true
Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm
Oh ho ho ho Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm

They wanted to leave and we were already heading back to the car when I realized that I hadn’t taken a picture to say where we were. I spotted this sign and had them walk back to take this picture. It was a short walk but as you can see they certainly were hot, tired and in no mood to pose.

My Spitty Boy

Now go to sleep you little child of mine. I wish I had the beauty you hold inside
Now go to sleep you little boy of mine. You make the world a better place to find.

Lyrics by Scott Weiland

I love his face on this picture. He was making a motor boat sound and just really playing with new sounds.

He was teething and very spitty. He was also very proud of himself as he climbed up on the handle of his wagon while holding onto a dining room chair. I wanted him to challenge himself and he really did think he was a big deal.

Kris Kristopherson Flashback - A Star Is Born

Today was the perfect day to spend a few hours in front of Netflix.

Teach was downstairs working in the garage. Handsome was playing XBox and Goddess was playing with her dollhouse. Perfect time to catch a "me" movie. Not one I have to watch because of the kids or the husband, but one I WANT to see.

I am a child of the 70's and 1976 was the movie that changed what I found hot! It had been Shawn Cassidy and Donny Osmond until the day I saw A Star Is Born. Just 10 years old and after seeing Kris Kristopherson in I was hooked. The hair, the eyes, the clothes, I was smitten.

Was it just me or did anyone else have the hots for Kris?

He was like what I pictured Jesus Christ would look like in 70's clothing.

My sisters and I loved the soundtrack and listened as often as possible. We loved Barbara Streisand as much as our parents and knew every song. When I am cleaning the house or doing dishes I throw in my rendition of Queen Bee. Damn I love this song!

If you have not seen A Star is Born (not the original with Judy Garland), and you like Barbara and musicals. Give is a go.

The Handsome Dialogues - What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up - Part 1

October 15, 2007

We were sitting on the swing the other day when I asked the age old kid question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I really didn’t know if he would understand what I was asking but tried anyway.

Handsome – I want to go to college

Me – What do you want to go to college for?

Handsome – I want to learn how to drive a blue bus and learn how to go to the library

Me – What else do you want your teacher to teach you?

Handsome – I want them to teach me how to have lunch and how to do the computer.

Part 2

Wondering if he would answer the same way I asked again 5 minutes later.

Me – What do you want to be when you grow up?

Handsome – I want to be Santa Claus

Me – You do? That’s cute baby.

Handsome – I want to wear his hat, pants and belt.

So I guess he want’s to be a stripper Santa. Not really sure what that means actually but I can’t wait to ask the question again.

POSTED IN

My Favorite Potted Flowers

My Parents had tons of these hanging from the porch when I was a kid. I always loved the detail and the color.

My Aching Heart July 1, 2008

Seeing my two like this always makes my heart hurt. Walking in on affection between the two of them without parent intervention makes me feel like I am doing something right.

Little Cheeks In A Blue Bandana

My son was 7 months old in this picture. I love it because of the blue headband but more importantly, look at those cheeks.  They look like they are going to fall right off his face. He was playing his little piano and wearing his binky clip because he was such a binky boy. Funny, I never called it a binky, always a pacifier, even to him. I just couldn’t do baby talk.

I also love these pj’s because they reminded me of the Cookie Monster. He was big, blue, fluffy and so damn adorable.

Trying Strawberries For The First Time - Does She Like Them?

“One must ask children and birds how strawberries taste” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

My daughter is 15 months old in this picture. She still loves strawberries and still makes the same face

My kids make my heart swell and I am still amazed that I produced such cuties.

I Missed You Brother & The Diss - July 15, 2008

This pictures is so cute to me. My son was on his first away play date. His friend lives down the street and we decided to meet them as they headed back to our house. My daughter’s arm is outstretched because she was running ahead of me to hug her brother. He is running to me and actually bypast her which just broke my heart because she was calling his name and running to him.

My Week In Pictures Aug 19 - Aug 24, 2008

When you have multiple blogs you tend to forget certain posts. In my quest to put them on in one spot, I give you my life in 2008.

August 19, 2008 – Here is my hair straightened by my friend Sheress and colored by the husband. I really like the way it came out. It looks young and hip.

August 20, 2008 – My two hugging on the floor in front of the TV. They were watching Max and Ruby and he told me that she was a baby and he was taking care of her. I love when they are like this. It makes it all worth it.

August 21, 2008 – At the park nice and early before the sun was too hot. My girlfriend Sheress and the kids met us there and the kids played tag with Sheress. They were all so cute running all over the park while I maintained a head count. I love how happy they are to see her daughter in this picture.

August 22, 2008 – I took the kids to the zoo. They loved it but probably not as much as I did. I have’t really been able to take them to many places that aren’t free. They have never been to a museum, park, concert, or ball game like a lot of my friends kids but I don’t think my kids are hurting from it. They enjoying what they do get to do and a friend of mine told me yesterday that my kids always look happy and like they are having the time of their life which is really all that matters to me.

August 23, 2008 – I took my daughter to a Pretty Princess class yesterday. It was just the two of us and we loved it. We have yet to do something fun like this together that didn’t include grocery shopping. I have taken my son out alone 3 different times. 1 time was to a children’s museum and the other 2 times a classmates birthday party. It was definitely her turn. She loved it and can’t wait to go back. It was a dream come true for me and if any of my friends read this you know exactly what I am talking about.

August 24, 2008 – I did take pictures of my kids at the park with their father today however I chose the picture below instead because it was not a self portrait. See no extended arm.  Hi, it’s me Maria compliments of a 5 year old photographer, my son.

Goddess' First Carousel Ride

I took my kids to the zoo this week. While there I asked them if they wanted to go on the carousel. My daughter did not hesitate. Like everything she was gung ho, knew exactly what she wanted to ride and couldn’t wait until we walked onto it. Once there someone picked her up and strapped her in while I assisted my son. I don’t know if it was because a stranger picked her up or if the giraffe was really just too big for her but she wanted off and she wanted off bad. My son also had never been on a ride at 5 years old and I really wanted him to try it. She was telling me she was scared in one ear and I was talking to her about everything being ok while trying to tell my son exactly what was going to happen. We are going to go in a circle, music is going to play and your cougar is going to go up and down.

She was begging me to take her off and I just kept telling her it was find and that I wouldn’t let her go but I really wanted to enjoy the ride because of my son.

When the ride started they were both very quiet. Her giraffe didn’t move up and down thankfully because while holding her on, I was holding him on as he went up and down. I took this picture very quickly so that we had one of her on the carousel.

When the ride ended my son really wanted to go on again but I couldn’t put her on again and we were alone. He was nervous to put him on himself so I promised him the next time he would get to ride twice. I hope my little one eventually loves rides. It was a great day and I enjoyed running around with them.

My Little Guy Will Soon Be 17 Years Old

This is a picture of my son from 16 years ago. I adored it then and I adore it now. It is one of my favorites.

The Best Time Of The Day

You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this – Trace Atkins

We have been taking the kids around the block at sunset. It is beautiful out and the air is crisp. My son is allowed to take his scooter (a big step for me and for him) and my daughter takes her babies. It takes us about 25 minutes to go around the block which would be about 4 if I was alone but it is so much fun. They point out everything and my son is getting better on the scooter. He has never ridden in the street and the first night he wiped out two times. Thank God for helmets.

Amateur Book Review - 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson

100 Cupboards

100 Cupboards starts out like this....

Henry, Kansas, is a hot town. And a cold town. It is a town so still there are times when you can hear a fly trying to get through the window of the locked-up antique store on Main Street. Nobody remembers who owns the antique store, but if you press your face against the glass, like the fly, you'll see that whoever they are, they don't have much beyond a wide variety of wagon wheels. Yes, Henry is a still town. But there have been tornadoes on Main Street. If the wind blows, it's like it won't ever stop. Once it's stopped, there seems to be no hope of getting it started again.

100 cupboards is about 12 year old Henry who is going to live with his Aunt Dotty, Uncle Frank and cousins because his parents were kidnapped. There is a ransom for his parents but everyone seems very unaffected by this fact.

Like most semi-orphaned children who go to live with family, Henry is given the room in the attic. On his first night he hears scratching and while going to the bathroom sees someone in a purple robe coming out of the bathroom. Weird occurrences yes, but things get a whole lot stranger when two door knobs poke through the plaster in his room.

Also in the house is a door to his 2 year deceased grandfather's room that they can't open. Even with the help of a chainsaw and locksmith the door remains intact.

Eventually he and his cousin Henrietta (they have very similar names no?) uncover 99 cupboards that they cover with posters during the day to keep them secret. I am unsure why they keep the secret but kids are strange.

100 cupboards is enjoyable and a fast read. The child characters are smart and funny and timeless. Everyone will be able to identify with them. The adults are a little strange but isn't that what makes a great young reader book? His Uncle is trying to sell tumbleweeds on Ebay for $700.00. Crazy Kook!

This book is a great find for kids. I recommend the age for the book to be 12-16 but you have to know your kid. It is a bit creepy and dark but I think young readers will love it.

Chotskies gives this book *** out of 5 stars.


Book 2 is out also. I will be picking this up soon.

My Eclipse Review - The Twilight Saga - Amateur Movie Review 7/20/10

This past weekend, Clary and I headed out at the very last minute to see Eclipse. We strolled off hand in hand, giddy with expectation and excitement. It was one of our favorite books of the series and we were extremely READY to see it.

Both of us are early birds so we had at least 20 minutes to kill before the movie started. The theatre was ours for the first 15 minutes than others started coming in. The first was a chick by herself. The next a couple. Clary couldn't control herself and said something like, "hooray a guy." He said, "I was dragged". The next group were 4 women in their 40's. They sat right in front of us and like the die hard fans we are, (nothing was going to stop us from hearing every word in the movie which is why we waited 2 weeks to see the movie. We wanted NO NOISE.) we moved! Oh, yes, took our asses and snacks and moved 5 rows away from the hen house.

Another couple came in, Clary started singing "You are not alone!" Then another couple right before the movie started.

We held hands waiting for the movie to start. We do not speak during movies even when home. All talking commences after the movie. You would think we hated each other or at least didn't know each other.

So, with that huge unnecessary build up, the movie starts.

What I Can Tell You:

• Bella is still unexcited about absolutely everything
• The movie felt rushed
• Edward is hot but hardly seen
• It should be illegal for Jacob Black to wear a shirt ever
• It should be illegal for any of us over 35 to lust after 18 year old Taylor Lautner
• Charlie is hardly seen
• There is way too much story for the 2 hour, 4 minute movie.
• Back stories, new characters, missing dialogue and more.
• If I didn't know the story, I would have been very confused.
• The wolf pack look like they need some sandwiches. They are all skinny

• It does not appear that Kristen Stewart is having a relationship with either of these guys outside the movie. The kisses were total movie kisses.
• Rob and Kristen share some awkward hugs and kisses.
• There was so much missing dialogue and some of it was changed or said by different characters. 
• I loved it regardless of all the short comings. Some things just don't translate well to the screen. I am happy to see it come to life and can't wait for Breaking Dawn.
• The scenes with the wolfs are so cool.

• We couldn't stop talking about the change of Victoria. Bryce as Victoria's role is so small, why did they find the need to change her from Rachelle?
• Jacob is so much funnier in the book
• Jasper is hotter this time around
• I am still Team Edward

• We would have loved to see more scenes of the Wolfs and vampire practice fighting
• We smiled during the Jacob/Edward/Bella Scenes

I am not sure if they used the Barbie dolls or the real actors for this shot but it totally looks like a bunch of Barbies to me.

Bree is so cute!

If I had two hot, devoted, would die for me guys in love with me, I would not be wearing this face.

Just saying!

Wait......I think I see a sorta smile here.  I stand corrected.

If you read the books, don't expect to love the movie. Go in excited for your beloved book to come to life, then go back and read the books. That is what I am doing.

However, I will be snatching up Eclipse on DVD as soon as I can!

Handsome Begins His Acting Career - September 6, 2007

The weather has been incredible. I love this time of year it makes me feel so alive. The air is crisp and the colors are starting to turn on the trees. I have spent the past 4 days outside just enjoying being outside.

Handsome starts Pre-K on Monday. He is so excited so it is hard to be sad about it. He spent the summer asking “I have school tomorrow?” I can only hope this enthusiasm for his education continues well into into school career.  

He has fallen in love with the movie “Zathura” from 2006 and walks around the house ALL DAY, acting out scenes from the movie.

It is a cute movie about 2 brothers who end up in outspace fighting off aliens space ships and rescueing an abandoned astraunaut. It’s a your basic story of two siblings who bicker and are competive all the time but they have to work their their relationship in order to work together to get themselves and their house back home.

Through most of the movie the actors are suspended by wires as the house supposedly flies through space or they are running from a robot set to destroy them. Handsome hangs from everything trying to have his feet fly out behind him while he shouts, ‘Walter, help” or ‘Danny!” It’s so funny to see him take such an interest in a movie that is not Wiggles, Barney or Blue’s Clues. The only negative thing in the movie is when the younger brother calls his brother a “dick.” Lovely, but so far, Handsome hasn’t noticed and the one time he did copy the dialogue he said, “you’re a bic” fine with me. I won’t be correcting that anytime soon.

For some reason he has also taken to posing for my camera in weird legs spread, hands in the air, and wide mouth. I still haven’t figured that one out yet.

Next movie up…Goonies. I can’t wait to hear “Goonies never say die” and “Everything. OK! I’ll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max’s toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog… When my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out… But the worst thing I ever done – I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: hua-hua-hua-huaaaaaaa – and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life.”

My Beautiful, Silly Baby

She is not just visually beautiful what makes her really beautiful is her crazy, playful side. I love her crazy faces. She cracks me up and I pray that she is always remembers her playfulness.

Little Miss Personality. My baby girl cracks me up. She is sweet and full of spirit.

I adore the way she holds your face (one little tiny hand on each cheek) and demands a kiss, “give me a kiss.” Then she plants one on your lips and says, ”thank you.” For the rest of the story come here.