Back To School Routines: Make This Your Best Year Yet!
School is in full swing now which means we are all getting back on a routine. There are only 24 hours in a day, but sometimes, well, most of the time I have about 36 hours worth of things I would like to get done. And it all starts with the morning.
We’ve all had one of those mornings. Where you wake up late, can’t find something, remember something last minute….you know, it’s just off. Being off your morning can really effect the rest of your day. That’s why it’s so important to build a great morning routine. Start your morning off right with a great back to school routine.
So we asked….
What are your best tips for back to school morning routines?
“Honestly, mornings around here started out pretty rough when school started. Now that we’re 3 weeks in, things are smooth sailing. Setting the coffee pot timer the night before, is the FIRST thing I do! We also have clothes and backpacks laid out the night before. On the weekends, I use gallon sized bags to divy up lunch items for the days of the week. That way, all I have to do is grab the bag and put everything inside Eli’s lunchbox. It only takes a second, vs. 5 extra minutes out of the morning. Another thing I use that really helps us stick to our routine is cellphone timers. I have a timer for everything…and when the timer goes off, we do that task. Wash face and hands, brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast (and take our vitamins), grab backpack, say our morning prayer, watch for the bus. Works like a charm! Sounds a little OCD, right?! But hey — we get out the door on time and with less drama, each and every morning!! Plus, Eli thinks it’s fun and he likes to beat his time for each task. He looks at it as sort of a challenge!!”
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and homewebsite, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
“Mornings are always busy! This year, we have lots of new things to experience: we’re in a new city, a new house and a new school district. Plus, Mike is no longer working outside the home. I feel like we’re starting our school morning routines from scratch. Thankfully, some of our usual habits will continue to serve us well. In the evening, I have Sam help me prep his backpack and clothes for the next day — this makes our morning so much easier! Once we’re up and around, I make his lunch while he eats breakfast. We follow breakfast with vitamins and a good teeth brushing. After a few minutes of reading and cuddles together, it’s time for out the door. I love the fall and I’m excited that back to school season is finally here!”
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration!Follow her on Twitter here!
“Mornings for us are pretty different than they were last year! This year we are homeschooling so we have eliminated a lot of the rush which feels so amazing! I’m all for calm and less stress! One change that I have added to my routine is that I spend a few minutes (usually only 5-7) doing some yoga. It may sound silly or that those few minutes can’t really make a difference, but they do! It gives me a few minutes to just wake up, stretch and get ready. I’ve also stopped the habit of waking up, grabbing my phone and checking my inbox in bed. Before, I was starting my day before I could even fully open my eyes! Then it’s breakfast, vitamins and beginning to get ready. Small, simple changes have helped make our mornings not only calmer but so much more enjoyable. And when you start your mornings off enjoyable it’s much easier to have an awesome day!”
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
One thing that we all have in common is the fact that vitamins play an important part of our routines. Have you heard of SmartyPants vitamins? They are my absolute favorite! Why?
- They are gummy vitamins so they are easy to take. Even as an adult, I would rather eat a gummy vitamin than take a pill!
- They are delicious. Like super good!
- They use the BEST ingredients. Their vitamins are non-GMO and contain no high-fructose corn syrup. Plus they are gluten free and contain no yeast, wheat, milk, eggs, gluten, salt, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
- Even their Omega 3s are sourced from eco-friendly small fish populations.
- SmartyPants vitamins pack in your vitamin needs in a yummy gummy. Ok maybe, that one was mentioned twice, but it is important! (Find out more about what goes into their vitamins here!)
Be sure to join us August 31 at 9:00 PM for a fun Twitter Party to talk all about morning routines and learn more about SmartyPants Vitamins!
We will be giving out lots of prizes including several bottles of SmartyPants vitamins, a Walgreen’s Gift Card and a new Keurig machine – everything you need for your own morning routine! Be sure you are following SmartyPants Vitamins on Twitter!
RSVP here!
This post was sponsored by SmartyPants Vitamins. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.
Breakout Indianapolis
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Breakout Games for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
It’s bitter cold where we live and so while looking for things to do, it’s imperative that it be indoors where it is warm! I’ve heard quite a few people talking about this new place called Breakout Indianapolis and I couldn’t wait to to try it. So when I was asked if we would test it out, of course I said yes!
What is Breakout Indianapolis?
The idea is simple: You have 60 minutes to breakout of a themed room. You and your team must find objects, solve puzzles, crack codes and problem solve your way to freedom. Can you do it? You may be surprised!
What kind of rooms are there?
Currently there are three different theme rooms with a fourth room coming soon! You Check game availability here!
The Kidnapping
In this escape room, you and your friends wake up handcuffed in a strange room to find out that you have been kidnapped. Luckily you find some clues left behind by the previous victims. Can you follow the clues and escape before the kidnapper returns?
The Museum Heist
It’s the eve of the prestigious art gallery opening and a rare collection of art has been stolen. Can your team recover the art work and return it before the art gallery opening?
Casino Royale
An agent has gone missing will investigating organized crime at the famous Casino Royale. Will there your team has become trapped. You need to find the agent and find the person responsible.
Island Escape (Coming soon!)
While vacationing you wake up to the sounds of a dormant volcano rumbling to life. You need to evacuate, but then realize the rest of the island has already left. Follow the clues to get off the island before the volcano erupts and lava reaches the shore.
Our Experience
We chose to do the Casino Royale room. With some James Bond fans it was a no brainer! Choose your team (up to 8 players) and head online to book your time slot. Booking is simple, but this is a very popular place so times do book quickly! If you have less than a full team, you may have other players join you.
The day of your adventure, head over to EscapeRoom Indianapolis a few minutes prior to your appointment. Everyone at the EscapeRoom was very nice. You will get a member of the team to take you back to the room, explain the rules and then is available to give clues if you get stuck.
They don’t explain much prior to leaving the room. You watch a quick video and then the countdown begins. You have one hour! We spent the first few minutes just trying to figure out what we were supposed to do, but that is the point of the game! The rooms are designed to lead you through and we would find ourselves in a nice groove. That is, until we would get stuck!
When we first walked into our room, there were tables set up for black jack, craps and roulette. There was also a slot machine, card shuffler, and a weird contraption on the wall. Looking at the room, nothing really jumped out at you and there were definitely no obvious clues anywhere. The whole thing was actually incredibly clever and full of surprises.
Will we go back?
YES! I thought it was such a blast! I can’t wait to do the other rooms. Or maybe, I’ll take other people and do the same room and act like a total smarty. 🙂
A few tips…
This is really designed for teens/adults. While totally doable, it’s definitely a challenge! Only about 30% of people are able to escape! We brought some kiddos and while they totally loved it, I think next time I will do an adults only trip.
If you are stuck for more than 6-7 minutes on a clue ask for help! We didn’t ask for any clues and I think if we would have gotten past a few a little faster we would have been able to finish. There are more clues and puzzles than you think!
Book on a weekday for an addiditional discount. Also, be sure to follow Breakout Indianapolis on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for extra information and to find out about deals.
Do NOT try to walk in for an appointment! Visit Website, book online and book quickly for the dates you would like. The day we went they were 100% booked from opening to close!
What room will you escape from first? Book Now!
Cold & Flu Tips Your Family Needs
This post was sponsored by Boogie Wipes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cold and flu season is going to be knocking on your door soon (if it hasn’t already!) Are you ready? They say it’s the spookiest time of year and not because of Halloween! I really don’t think there is anything worse than sick kiddos. You would do anything to help them feel better. The best thing you can do is to help prevent the sickness in the first place.
Looking for tips on keeping your family healthy this cold and flu season? Check out tons of healthy living hacks here!
With the germy and snotty season upon us, Boogie Wipes comes to the comforting rescue! When you’re wiping noses 20 or more times a day – nothing is better than a Boogie Wipe because they’re made to be super gentle on little noses.
Boogie Wipes are gentle and natural saline wipes that dissolve boogies caused by the common cold or allergies. They’re developed by moms just like you and I. Moms that are tired of chasing down runny noses. They’re extra soft, hypoallergenic, phthalate and paraben free AND alcohol free. No more sore noses! In addition to our awesome Twitter party coming up Thursday, they’re ALSO having a Boogie Wipes Giveaway!! You can enter to win a year’s supply of Boogie Wipes! Clean noses for everyone! Click HERE to enter!!
#SolutiontoSnotty Twitter Party
We’re going to be talking about cough/cold tips this week during a one-hour Twitter party on Thursday, October 22nd from 8:30-9:30pm EST. You’re invited to attend. Make sure to RSVP below to be eligible to win! The prizes will include lots of Boogie Wipes swag + $400 in gift cards – (1) $200 grand prize plus (4) $50 gift card prizes!
Before you RSVP, make sure to follow your #SolutiontoSnotty hosts and sponsor below:
@MomsCheckIn
@its_a_fab_life
@sweetpennies
@spaceshipslb
@Optimistic_mama
@BoogieMom
[Tweet “I can’t wait to party with @MomsCheckIn & @boogiemom for the #SolutionToSnotty #TwitterParty 10/22! “]
You Are Invited To The #BoogieWipes Twitter Party!
This week on Moms Check In we are talking about our best tips to help our kiddos when they are sick. There is seriously nothing worse than a sick child. Luckily, Boogie Wipes has a line of products that can help.
Boogie Wipes are perfect for kids (and adults!) to use when they are having to blow their nose again and again. All that blowing and wiping can cause poor sensitive noses to be red and hurt! Boogie Wipes helps to eliminate that! They are soft, help moisturize and even smell good! Not just for a cold, these resealable packs are perfect for tossing in your diaper bag, purse and in the glove box of the car. (Bonus: Since they are moist they will help to dissolve any dried on boogies!) You can find out more about Boogie Wipes and their other amazing products (and get coupons!) here!
Join us on Thursday, February 12th from 1-2 PM (Eastern time) for a #BoogieWipes Twitter Party!
We will be talking all about soothing sick kiddos and our best tips for happy, healthy kids.
We will be giving away 5 prizes including lots of Boogie Wipes gift boxes and one lucky winner will win a gift box, adorable Crane humidifier and a $50 Amazon gift card!
[Tweet “I’ve RSVP’d for the #BoogieWipes #TwitterParty 2/12 from 1-2! See you there @momscheckin @boogiemom “]
- Be sure to follow your hosts and RSVP below to be eligible to win!
- @MomsCheckIn
- @BoogieMom
- @SpaceshipsLB
- @SeeMomClick
- @SweetPennies
- @its_a_fab_life
20 Things To Send To Your Child At Camp
Summer Camps are beginning to be in full swing! If your child is heading off on an adventure here is a quick list of 20 (yes! 20!) awesome ideas to add to their summer time care package.
No summer camp? Then this list is full of 20 things to keep your kids busy this summer! 🙂
Either way – lots of fun things for a super fun summer!
BONUS! If you are an Amazon Prime member (not a member? Get a free trial here!) then this becomes even better! Not only will you receive your free 2 day shipping, but you can actually put in your child’s address at camp and include a note! Amazon will ship it directly to them! Which means you don’t even have to pay shipping to get it to your child! Awesome right?
R-E-D…..1,2,3,4…..
I used to make Cootie Catcher all the times! This book will teach your kids how and it comes with 25 premade cootie catchers just waiting to tell the future!
Cats Cradle and Other Fantastic String Games – $13.46
Who knew you could have so much fun with a piece of string! Well you can!
Anna Banana: 101 Jump Rope Rhymes – $7.19
When I was younger, I loved these books! Jump Rope Rhymes (there is also a hand clap games book too!) are a fun way to play with your friends!
Jump Rope – $6.98
What good is a jump rope rhyme book without a jump rope! This one is easy to use, pack and ship!
It’s All About Me – Personality Quizzes For You And Your Friends – $15.25
This book is perfect for answering all of the tough questions like What Kind of Cookie Are You? or find out 8 Ways To Tell If Your Parents Are Extraterrestrials. All of the important stuff.
Flip Books – $12.95
In case you can’t tell, I’m a big fan of Klutz! This Flip Book comes with everything you need to get started making your own flip book! Plus some perforated flip books ready to be torn out!
Spot it! – $10.95
Spot it! is a fun game that kids can play in their bunks! Great for all ages!
Would You Rather & You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me! – $9.99 for both!
I am a huge fan of these games! You will get lots of use and lots of laughs from these!
Fabric Markers – $9.86
Send your child with a plain t-shirt, hat or pillowcase and a pack of fabric markers for their new friends to sign!
Glow Sticks – $9.95
The quickest way to be dubbed World’s Coolest Mom is to have glow sticks. It doesn’t matter if you have the bracelets, necklaces, sticks, shoe laces, glasses – if it glows, it’s cool! Plus, with the prices on Amazon – you can stock up the whole camp! 100 glow sticks for less than $10? Done!
Mad Libs- Try Camp Daze ($2.71) or Letters From Camp ($3.91)
Everyone loves Mad Libs!
Joke Books – We like the Jokelpedia ($10.76) or The Big Book of Laugh Out Loud Jokes For Kids ($8.99)
What do you get when you cross a bunch of kids and a joke book?
TONS of fun!!
Talking Hand Temporary Tattoos – as low as $4.25 for a pack
Have you seen these? Talking Hand tattoos are so much fun! Chose from a huge variety – from robots to farm animals – and let your hands get talking! I think a pack of these would keep a cabin full of kids pretty busy!
Smencils – $12.76 for 10
My kids love Smencils! Send some fun Smencils and some stationary for kids to write home with.
Books are a great item to send to your child! And if you dare, send a book filled with ghost stories!
The Camp Bunk Box of Questions – $9.98
This is one of my favorite items! The Camp Bunk Box of Questions has 82 questions girls can ask each other! Such a fun way for everyone to get to know each other!
Camp Journal – $10.46
I really love this! This camp journal (comes with a pen too!) has games, pages to write in and even postcards! This would make for an awesome keepsake!
Wolly Willy – $3.77
Who doesn’t remember Willy? Your kid will stay busy doodling up crazy hair do’s and facial hair!
Magic 8 Ball – $8.25
What is a fun way to keep a cabin full of kids busy? Have them ask questions on a Magic 8 Ball!
Mustaches – $2.32
Get a pack of 36 self adhesive mustaches for only $2.32! That’s enough for the whole bunk house! (These do not qualify for 2 day shipping so you will need to order these ahead of time!)
Bike Safety For Kids – What You Need & How To Make Sure It Properly Fits
When the snow melts the bicycles come out! I think just about everyone of us remembers being out playing with our friends and riding our bikes. Whether your kids are riding around the neighborhood or over to get ice cream, do you know if your children are doing it safely? Each year 300,000 children go to the emergency room for treatment from bicycle accidents with 10,000 of those requiring a hospital visit lasting a few days. By using these bike safety tips you can keep your child safe while they make childhood memories of their own!
Helmets
- A bicycle helmet should be worn every single time your child gets on their bicycle.
- Make sure your helmet has a sticker inside from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It will show that your helmet has met safety regulations.
- Your helmet should fit properly. A good fit means that it fits level on your head and two fingers above the eyebrows. The straps must lay flat and meet under the ears in a ‘V’ shape. The chin strap should be snug with a 1 finger gap between the chin and strap.
- If the helmet has any cracks, chips or damage you will need to replace it.
- Do not wear a hat under your helmet.
- Make your child’s helmet fun! Pick out their favorite color or with a fun design! Bicycle helmets should really be purchased in store so your child can try it on to ensure getting the proper fit.
Bicycle Upkeep
- Check your child’s tires to make sure they are properly aired up. This is really important after the bike comes out of winter storage!
- Take a look at the brakes. Give them a quick test and make sure that they are not sticking.
- Watch the chain! You don’t want it to fall off while your child is riding! Keep an eye on it to see if it needs oil or adjusted.
Safety Rules
- Have your child wear bright colored clothes to help drivers see them.
- Wearing the right clothes while biking can be important! Loose pants, untied shoelaces, backpack straps can all get stuck
- Avoid wearing headphones while biking. If your child can’t hear over their music they will not be able to hear important sounds such as cars.
- Make sure your kids know where they are allowed to ride. Teach them that even if they are on the sidewalk, they need to watch for cars. Especially baking in and out of their driveway!
- Talk to your child about what to do when they come up to someone on the sidewalk or bike trail. They should make sure the person knows that they are there. If they are able to pass them, they can announce that they are passing and indicate which side they will be passing on (left or right.)
- Bumps, ramps, stairs and potholes can all be very tempting for kids! But they can also be dangerous!
- Walk you bike across crosswalks and through parking lots. In parking lots, car doors can open suddenly so it’s best to walk your bicycle.
- Always ride on the right side of the road.
- Obey all traffic laws.
Fun Safety Gear Your Kids Will Love
Here are a few bike safety gear items your child will love!
- Bicycle lights – Choose your child’s favorite color and put them on their wheels!
- Bicycle bells – Chose from traditional or find something fun like this hamburger bell!
- Bicycle Flag – These are really important if your child is riding a low bicycle that could be hard for drivers to see.
- Knee and Elbow pads – Chose from a multitude of colors and patterns!
Best Date Night Movies
Relationships take work. But work doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Having a date night can be such an important part of a relationship and date night is fun! Date night doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t even have to go out! Have date night at home! If you are looking for some fun ideas for date night movies look no further!
Best Date Night Movies:
– Casino Royale — CASINO ROYALE introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his licence to kill. No less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, Bond is elevated to “00” status. “M” (Judi Dench), head of the British Secret Service, sends the newly promoted 007 on his first mission to Madagascar, the Bahamas and eventually to Montenegro to face Le Chiffre, a ruthless financier attempting to recapture funds in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. When Bond is placed under the watchful eye of the treasury official Vesper Lynd, his initial skepticism of her turns into a deepening interest as Le Chiffre’s cunning and cruelty come to bear on them both in a way Bond could never imagine, and he learns his most important lesson: Trust no one
– Crazy Stupid Love — Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling lead an all-star cast in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Fortysomething straight-laced Cal Weaver (Carell) is living the dream—good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart, Emily (Julianne Moore). So when Cal learns that his wife has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his “perfect” life quickly unravels. Cal, who hasn’t dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth so handsome player Jacob Palmer (Gosling) takes him on as wingman and protégé, opening Cal’s eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style. Despite Cal’s makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can’t be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading Cal back to where he began. Brimming with inspired performances, critics are calling this gem of a romantic comedy “a movie that understands love”
– The Proposal — When high-powered book editor Margaret faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she’s actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew, who she’s tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another.
– Hitch — In this romantic comedy, Will Smith stars as Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a true urban myth – a legendary New York City “date doctor” who, for a fee has helped hundreds of men woo the women of their dreams.
– Mr. and Mrs. Smith — Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie smolder in one of the most anticipated, sizzling action films ever made. After five (or six) years of vanilla-wedded bliss, ordinary suburbanites John and Jane Smith (Pitt and Jolie) are stuck in a rut the size of the Grand Canyon?until the truth comes out! Unbeknownst to each other, they are both coolly lethal, highly paid assassins working for rival organizations. And when they discover they’re each other’s next target, their secret lives collide in a spicy, explosive mix of wicked comedy, pent-up passion, nonstop action and high-tech weaponry that gives an all-new meaning to “Till death do us part!”
– The Notebook — Behind every great love is a great story. As teenagers Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) begin a whirlwind courtship that soon blossoms into tender intimacy. The young couple is quickly separated by Allies upper-class parents who insist that Noah isn’t right for her. Several years pass and when they meet again their passion is rekindled forcing Allie to choose between her soulmate and class order. This beautiful tale has a particularly special meaning to an older gentleman (James Garner) who regularly reads the timeless love story to his aging companion (Gena Rowlands).beautiful tale has a particularly special
– Back to the Future — Join Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a time traveling DeLorean for the adventure of a lifetime as they travel to the past, present and future, setting off a time-shattering chain reaction that disrupts the space time continuum!
– The Jerk — That wild and crazy guy, Steve Martin, makes his film-starring debut as Navin Johnson, adopted son of a poor black sharecropper family, whose crazy inventions lead him from rags to riches and right back to rags. Along the way, he’s smitten with a lady motorcycle racer, survives a series of screwball attacks by a deranged killer and becomes a millionaire by inventing the “Opti-grab” handle for glasses.
– 50 First Dates — A bachelor’s life is tough enough try winning over the girl of your dreams every single day because of the short-term memory loss she suffered in an accident.
– When Harry Met Sally — When Harry Met Sally is an “explosively funny” commentary on friendship, courtships – and other hardships – of the modern age (Newsweek)! Will sex ruin a perfect relationship between a man and a woman? that’s what Harry (Crystal) and Sally (Ryan) debate during their travels from Chicago to New York. And eleven years and later, they’re still no closer to finding the answer. Will these two best friends ever accept that they’re meant for each other…or will they continue to deny the attraction that’s existed since the first moment When Harry Met Sally?
– Midnight in Paris — This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It’s about a young man’s great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better.
– Fireproof — On the brink of divorce, a fireman accepts a challenge from his dad, The Love Dare,” to try to keep his marriage from going up in smoke. This Christian-themed romantic tale offers an interesting perspective on the ins and outs of marriage and how faith can bring it back from the near-dead.
– Pretty Woman — Vivian (Roberts) is a spirited, streetwise diamond in the rough when she meets shrewd, no-nonsense billionaire Edward Lewis (Gere). It s a chance encounter that turns a weeklong business arrangement into a timeless rags-to-riches romance. Fall in love all over again as this contemporary Cinderella story unfolds before your eyes in the sparkling clarity of high definition- up to six times the resolution of DVD! Savor every word, every laugh, and every unforgettable song as the magnificently enhanced audio quality embraces you. Experience all the comedy, charm and passion of this beloved classic as never before on Blu-ray Hi Def!
– Taking Chance — Based on the true experiences of Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl, who wrote eloquently of them in a widely circulated 2004 article, Taking Chance is a profoundly emotional look at the military rituals taken to honor its war dead, as represented by a fallen Marine killed in Iraq, Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. Working as a strategic analyst at Marine Corps Base Quantico in VA, Lt. Col. Strobl (Kevin Bacon) learns that Phelps had once lived in his hometown, and volunteers to escort the body to its final resting place in Wyoming. As Strobl journeys across America, he discovers the great diligence and dignity in how the military, and all those involved with preparing and transporting the body, handle their duties. Equally important, he encounters hundreds of people affected by Chances death, a vast majority of whom never knew him. This collective grieving eventually causes Lt. Col. Strobl, a veteran of Desert Storm now assigned to office duty, to probe his own guilt about not re-deploying to Iraq for the current conflict. Arriving in Wyoming, Lt. Col. Strobl completes his catharsis when he encounters Chances gracious family and friends, and discovers an extraordinary outpouring of community support.
– North & South — North & South is a splendid, four-hour adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s 19th century novel about an unlikely, and somewhat star-crossed, love between a middle-class young woman from England’s cultivated south and an intemperate if misunderstood industrialist in a hardscrabble, northern city. Daniela Denby-Ashe plays Margaret Hale, forthright and strong-willed daughter of a former vicar (Tim Pigott-Smith) who relocates his family from a pastoral village outside London to unforgiving, largely illiterate Milton, a factory town where John Thornton (Richard Armitage) and his mother (Sinead Cusack), survivors of poverty, rule their cotton mill with an iron hand. Thornton befriends Margaret’s father but incurs her wrath for his severity with his workers. What she doesn’t notice is Thornton’s core sense of responsibility for his employees’ welfare. On the other hand, he misinterprets some of Margaret’s own actions and intentions. Equally stubborn, the two drag out their obvious attraction over many painful months and events.
– Red — Frank (Willis) is a former black-ops CIA agent living a quiet life alone… until the day a hit squad shows up to kill him. With his identity compromised, Frank reassembles his old team Joe (Freeman), Marvin (Malkovich) and Victoria (Mirren) and sets out to prove that they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Stand back and watch the bullets fly in this explosive action-comedy that critics call a rip-roaring good time.
– The Secret Life of Walter Mitty — Danny Kaye stars as the mild-mannered mouse who imagines himself to be a number of daredevil heroes in this whimsical adaptation of James Thurber’s short story. It’s a fantasy tale the entire family will love.
– Honor Flight – Honor Flight is a heartwarming documentary about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime. Volunteers race against the clock to fly thousands of WWII veterans to Washington, DC to see the memorial constructed for them in 2004, nearly 60 years after their epic struggle.
– The Magic of Ordinary Days — A touching love story that unfolds during World War II. One mistake changed the course of her life. One man changed the direction of her heart.
– Notting Hill — Starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, Notting Hill is an unforgettable romantic comedy from the writer of Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Anna Scott (Roberts) is the world’s most famous movie star. Her picture has been plastered on the cover of every magazine and every time she makes a move, the entire world knows about it. William Thacker (Grant) owns a travel bookstore in the quaint neighborhood of Notting Hill with a roommate from hell and a nonexistent love life. When their paths cross, the couple comes to face with the ultimate question: can two people fall in love with the whole world watching?
Tips for Keeping Kids Happy & Parents Sane on Road Trips
We just got back from our wedding vacation and we had SO much fun. I have so much to share with you guys!! I thought I would start this series with a tips on how to keep kids happy (and parents sane!) during long car trips. We drove from Indiana to New Hampshire — about 17 hours! Here are some tips that helped us ALL enjoy the trip a little more.
1. Get a lap desk! You can get one fairly inexpensively on Amazon and they are awesome. The bottom is filled with a bean bag filling and the top has a flat surface to use as a desk. They are perfect for setting a lap top or DVD player on or for coloring, playing games and even eating on. Having everything with easy access, comfortable, and easy to manage is important for kids (and parents) to keep their interest! Honestly, it’s hard to color without a flat surface!
This is like the one we have (the only difference is ours is a different color) It’s only $12.27 on Amazon and that includes shipping if you are an Amazon Prime or Amazon Mom member! If you are not an Amazon Prime or Amazon Mom member you can sign up for a free trial! It has a cup holder, a place for your pens to stay put and a small light. For us, it has been WELL worth the $12.00! In fact, I just ordered a second one for myself! 🙂
2. Get some fun, new things! For our vacation I made travel bags. I bought bags at the Dollar Store and used scrapbook paper to label each bag with a different state. Then, in each bag a fun, new, inexpensive something (see below for ideas) and some snacks. Then when you cross over into a new state a new bag is opened. It makes traveling fun and exciting! Plus, you have snacks in the car so no need to stop and pick up junk food. AND – just in case you need another reason to make them, they double as a trash can. 🙂 This was the first time we used the travel bags and they were a HUGE hit!
I started purchasing items for our bags when I found out we were going on vacation. I kept a limit of about $10 per bag. Amazon is a great place to find things for cheap!
Here are some ideas to fill your bags with:
– Books – For Josh I got one of the books in the series How to Train Your Dragon (this is a great series!) and a few of the books from the series NERDS (another great series for kids!) The books cost between $3.00 – $7.00 and shipping was included!
– DVDs – We have a portable DVD player (which is a life saver for car rides! If you don’t have one, you can get a good one for under $100!) You can get DVDs under $10 no problem! Even movies under $5.00 are easy to find! Another good option is stopping at gas stations with Red Boxes. There are so many codes for free Red Box rentals out there! Plus, the nice thing is you can rent a movie and at the next gas station drop it back off!
– Books on CD – No matter how old you are listening to a great book on CD is fun! We have Narnia, Geronimo Stilton, and lots of Adventures in Odyssey CDs. You can also join Audible and burn your own CD’s. Your first 3 months are only $7.49 (which in some cases can be a cheaper option!)
– Fun toys – New toys are fun and exciting, and well, new. They don’t have to be expensive! Reusable Sticker Pads (like the one above) can be moved around hundreds of times! There are tons to choose from – for both boys and girls. They are $5.00 – $6.00 each. Travel games like Simon, Guess Who and other classic board games can be found for under $10 too! Scavenger hunt cards are also a ton of fun! We bought this set for $7.50 and it provided hours of entertainment (even for us grown ups!) Would You Rather is another great game to get conversation started! And don’t forget the Mad Libs and Invisible Ink books! 🙂
3. Don’t forget the snacks! I placed snacks in our travel bags and it was like getting another gift! Who would have thought that getting crackers and fruit snacks would be (almost) as much fun to get as new movies and toys!
4. Get comfy! Don’t forget to pack a travel pillow and blanket. When Andy drives he blasts the AC so a fuzzy blanket is a must!
5. Invest in headphones! This is probably my number one tip on keeping sane in the car! After all, there are only so many times you can hear the same song (over and over again). Ear Buds are uncomfortable for adults and are way to big for kids to try to fit in their little ears. Kids are happy because they can listen to their movies, music and books. Parents, brothers, and sisters are happy because they can listen to what they want to! Win-win!
How do you keep sane on long car rides?
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Fun Pumpkin Activities to do with your kids (including experiments!)
It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! (If You Give…)
Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
The Peculiar Pumpkin Thief (Geronimo Stilton, No. 42)
Pee Wee Scouts: Grumpy Pumpkins (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Ninjas Don’t Bake Pumpkin Pies (Bailey School Kids #38)
The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Humongous Pumpkin (Berenstain Bear Scouts)
(Photo from Luckeyfrog’s Lilypad)
Make sure to check out these really awesome Pumpkin Book Reports too! How fun do they look!?
Language Arts:
Art Projects:
Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Board Game
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Uno Edition
Fisher Price Little People Pumpkin Party Playset
Mountain Man Breakfast recipe – a camping breakfast must
A few weeks ago we took a trip to Turkey Run State Park to go camping with my mom, step-dad, brother and sister. The weather was perfect – upper 70’s low 80’s, the bugs stayed away and the trails there are some of the best around. Nice and rugged just how we like them!
Here is a recipe for a breakfast my mom made while we camping. It’s called The Mountain Man Breakfast and you make it in the dutch oven. The recipe I have says it can be made in a regular oven as well. This is a must have if you are feeding a crowd! It’s a big one!
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1/2 pound bacon
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1/2 pound sage sausage, cooked and crumbled
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1 medium onion, diced
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1 2-pound bag hash brown potatoes, diced
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1/2 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
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1 dozen eggs