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Book Review ~ You Can Count on Monsters

Posted by Professor on June 27, 2011
in Books, Education, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Parenting, School

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

You Can Count on Monsters by: Richard Evan Schwartz

You Can Count on Monsters by Richard Evan Schwartz: Book Cover

Theresa already reviewed this book…but we thought it would be nice to do a second review, since I was also given a copy for our family.

OUR REVIEW:

This is a cute little book! The premise of the book is to teach about prime numbers and factoring…the book goes through the numbers 1-100. The author states that the only thing you need to know in order to enjoy this book is how to multiply whole numbers together, like 2 and 3. My daughter (7) is just getting into multiplication so this book is a bit conceptually advanced for her…but we did find that it could be used for simple counting lessons for my 2 and 5 year old. My children LOVE the pictures of the monsters…this is what got them interested in the book and numbers. I think that they would have been disinterested had there been simply numbers and facts. The monster theme made the book for my children.

As a mother I liked the book immensely! I was glad that the book had a use for my 2 and 5 year old as well as my 7 year old! I like that the book has a second use of numbers and silly pictures to entertain my younger children while being able to teach my older child about simple mathematical facts. This book gets 5 stars from our family!

Check out the authors website for more information as well as other published books.

http://www.richardevanschwartz.com/

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Keepin’ Up With Da Boys – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on June 15, 2011
in Family Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

{3 comments}

How to Deal with Stress Positively – Monday Motivation

Posted by html404 on June 13, 2011
in Articles, Family Stuff, Guest Post, Monday Motivation, Parenting

Stress? What stress? Think we all probably need this week’s Monday Motivation from Erin…..what say you?

How to Deal with Stress Positively
By Erin Brown Conroy, M.A.

OK, so which one of us parents have not dealt with stress of some kind in the last 24 hours? If you answered “Me!” then either your child is vacationing with grandma or you’re taking a cold medication that’s fuzzing out your memory.

Stress is a part of our everyday lives. Whether it’s a tired toddler whining all morning, an unexpected phone call that puts us in the driver’s seat for the car pool, or a teen informing us that they “need” 75 dollars for a new pair of shoes, events push against us moment by moment, causing our mental equilibrium to totter into stressful thoughts and feelings.

Throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, our schedules are overflowing, our children are emotionally high-strung, and our “to do” list is longer than line at the checkout on Christmas Eve. So what can we do to avoid – or at least deal positively with
– inevitable stress?

Viewing Stress as “Normal”

I wish I had a magic wand to totally wipe stress off the board of my life and yours. But the truth of the matter is this: Stress is “normal.” Unplanned change and unexpected surprises are as much a part of living as breathing. Our wishing our lives to be perfectly
stress-free sets us up for disappointment because at least some level of stress is part of everyday life. What counts most is how we deal with stress. How we approach our child’s whining, our extra carpool excursion, and our teen’s request for cash is dependent
upon the perspectives we hold within our minds.

How Do We Approach Stress?

When your child comes to you with more marker on his hands than on the holiday card he’s creating, what do you think and say? Is it, “What a mess! How are we going to clean this all up?” Or is it, “Let’s look at the beautiful card you made! Wow, you worked really hard on this! Let’s go wash our hands and then put your card in its envelope to send out tomorrow.” When your daughter, for the umpteenth time, interrupts you while cleaning the house for guests, do you think “I wish she’d leave me alone so that I could get this
done!” Or is it, “She needs my attention…What can I do to include her so that she feels better?” Each stressful situation can either be lit on fire or diffused by our internal thoughts. If our perspective is me-centered or focused on tasks before people, our internal
thoughts often wallow in frustration and anger, fueling stress.

Our thoughts are the key to approaching stress in a healthy way. In any stressful situation, our minds must grab and hold onto misguided thoughts that lead to negative emotions – before they run away with our values. Ask yourself, “What matters most ‘in the big picture’?” In the light of eternity, what’s most important – clean hands or my child’s selfesteem? What will happen to my daughter internally if I become angry with her or brush her off while cleaning? What do I value most – a close relationship with my daughter or a
clean house? We must learn the skill of responding from healthy, long-term-perspective core beliefs, not from raw moment-centered emotions. And that takes practice.

Schedules

So, as a parent, am I doomed to a life of confronting boatloads of stress? Normal stress, yes. Boatloads, no. We fill our boats ourselves, don’t we? We try to squeeze way too much into our days. We don’t leave margins in our schedules, placing events back-toback, setting ourselves up for unnecessary stress. Our minds and bodies can only take so much!

Less is More

Quality cannot exist when our lives are constantly “pressed.” When outside circumstances – either scheduled in or beyond our control – overwhelm us, something has to give; we need to change our lives in some way. I was sorely reminded of that truth when we moved to a new home in October. Trying to maintain a “regular” schedule, the extra stress pushed me to my limits – until I made some changes. Even some “good” activities had to go. Many times we must choose between what’s “good” and “best.” And best may mean less.

Summing it Up

What are your internal perspectives and attitudes about stress? A healthy perspective doesn’t just happen. Take time to put spiritual and mental “positives” into your heart and mind; then you have a resource to dip into for making it through stressful times with
internal integrity. Take active steps to defeat the stressful, overburdening schedulemonster eating up your family. Choosing a quiet evening together over a “good” activity may be just what you need to diffuse stress. Your family’s health is worth it.

About Author

Erin Brown Conroy, MA, is a writer specializing in books on relationship connections, curriculum, and web marketing. She is a freelance writer/consultant, the DL Professor of writing courses for Patrick Henry College, and a Master Teacher for the PHC Prep Academy Online. Erin is also the mom of 13 children by birth, marriage, and adoption and has been homeschooling for 27 years. She lives in Ohio with her husband, five children still at home, and three amazingly-smart (and cuddly) Australian Labradoodles. You can read more of Erin’s articles on parenting at www.erinbrownconroy.com.

Used with Permission.

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Just Hanging Around – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on June 8, 2011
in Family Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

{7 comments}

The Top 20 Tips for Parenting “Transitioning Tweens”

Posted by html404 on June 6, 2011
in Articles, Family Stuff, Guest Post, Monday Motivation, Parenting

This week’s Monday Motivation is to prepare yourself for those tween and teen years. I was naive in thinking that the teen years would be a breeze. I thought that because we were a Christian family we wouldn’t have the issues that I remember happening with my sisters and I. HA! Guess what? We do. Each stage of our children’s life has its struggles, some easier, some just as challenging as the stage before. There is no easy age per se, each age is different, as is each child. In five years we will have five teenagers in the house and I want to be prepared. Erin says it so much better than I could, so here is her top 20 tips for parenting or preparing to parent your tweens and teens. Remember to come back to this often because you forget and you will need these reminders, believe me.

One other thing, be sure to clear your schedule as much as you can because these young people need just as much time, if not more than your babies, toddlers and preschoolers! Amazing, I know. Then love, love and love them some more! And pray fervently for them.

The Top 20 Tips for Parenting “Transitioning Tweens”

By Erin Brown Conroy, M.A.

I heard it again . . . A few days ago . . . . That comment about “tweens.” You know, “tweens” – that’s the word that refers to kids in the awkward age and stage: when our child’s stuck somewhere between being a “child” and a “teen.” The “official” time of “tween” can fall anywhere between the ages 10 and 14, depending on when puberty comes knocking – or pounding – on your child’s hormonal door.

Lamenting about her soon-to-be-a-teen daughter, my friend said (with a sigh of desperation), “I don’t know what’s happening! It seems like I woke up one day and my daughter was an emotionally-charged being. She argues, she’s sassy, then she’s silly . . . and then she’s hugging me and telling me ‘I love you so much, mom!’ Where did my sweet little child go?”

Life as we know it has changed…

No, an alien didn’t abduct your child when you weren’t looking. Your son or daughter’s brain and body is now invaded by chemical changes that mark the start of puberty. With the hormonal “wash,” lo and behold, your child is temporarily rendered into a “mecentered” state of consciousness. Congratulations! Your child’s officially transitioning from a child into an adult.

There’s a new road up ahead. The parenting road that may have been relatively smooth now enters new terrain. Bumpy terrain. With roads that twist and turn and seem to drop off into oblivion.

Yes, just when we thought we had the parenting thing figured out, our child becomes a tween (and then a teen). God definitely has a sense of humor.

The Top 20 Tips

Don’t fear or fret – This stage does end some day (Wahoo!), and it’s much sooner than we think. In the meantime, here are the Top 20 Tips for making the journey through the tween (and teen) years as smooth as they can be.

1. Hormones may rule the child, but they don’t have to rule you or your home. As the parent, you’re ultimately the one who sets the tone of your home. No matter what your tween or teen says or does, know and live the fact that you are calm, cool, collected, and “with it.” When life with your child’s behavior gets tough, know that you’ll find answers. Know that you’ll stay strong through it all and come out strong on the other side. Be confident and centered – and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. Resources strengthen you personally and as a family. Take advantage of as many resources as you can.

2. Don’t panic – Teach. Things will happen and things will be said that shock you. Be ready for it. Your gut response might be, “How could my son say that? How could my daughter act that way? I can’t believe it!” Believe it. And don’t let it shake you one bit. Like a willow tree, be firmly rooted, able to bend and stay supple in the gales that come your way. Once the wind has died down, stand up tall and calm, and use the moment to teach your child the good, right, helpful, and kind way to speak and act. Keep in mind, as your child moves though these changes into adulthood, it’s your job to teach the best way to speak and act. Here’s where it begins. With you and me.

3. Don’t take it personally. Emotionally chill. OK – So your child’s going to say and do some pretty outrageous things. Don’t take it personally. “What?! Don’t take it personally” you say? Of all the tips on this page, this particular one is the hardest to do. After all, I’ve wiped this child’s bottom and changed her diaper, potty trained her, taught her to read, driven her to sports and birthday parties and stores, and spent hours upon hours caring for and spending time with and loving her – and here she is spouting off that I don’t know anything and I don’t really care about her. Pretty illogical, isn’t it? Step back. Take a breath. Emotionally chill. Don’t take it personally. The hormones are at it again. Don’t let it phase you.

4. Know that the word “I” will be in just about every sentence your child uses. When you’re a tween, an amazing change happens in thoughts and speech. The tween’s “world view” morphs into “me-centeredness.” It’s all about “me.” Well, not all the time. But a lot of the time. As a tween and teen, life revolves around my thoughts, my ideas, and my desires. Again, it’s chemical. Really. Normal brain development stuff. Don’t let it get you all bent out of shape. As the parent, understand the perspective and gently help your child re-orient to thinking in a “big picture view” that includes others.

5. Understand your changing role and step into it. Your role’s changing. Dramatically. Sometimes daily. When your child was a baby, your role was to totally care for his or her life. When your child grew, your role was to tell and guide, as well as to direct. When your child becomes a tween, your role changes again. As you “let the rope out,” you’re teaching and listening and watching over, as opposed to directly overseeing. You’re mentoring now. Side by side. Still teaching. But talking through, describing, and asking questions. Don’t assume your child knows what you’re asking. Check for understanding. Step into your role graciously.

6. Keep firm boundaries. Tweens and teens still need firm boundaries for behavior. In love and kindness, we need to clearly define expectations and consequences – and follow through. Our child will test the boundaries. Sometimes it will be unintentional; sometimes it will be intentional. No matter; our response is the same. I love you. I care for you. I’m setting guidelines out of that love and care. From curfews to kind behavior toward others, keep the boundaries firm and expectations high. Then follow through.

7. Don’t accept “poor tone.” At some time, your child’s tone of voice will be out of bounds. Obnoxious. Even “snotty.” Some children try it once. Others seem to struggle with using poor tone more often. Tell your son or daughter that, no matter what their feelings (sadness, anger, disappointment), we still speak to each other with respect – in both our word choices and the tone of our words. Hold your child to speaking with a respectful tone, with a calm request. If your child doesn’t change his or her tone, give a consequence that matches the violation. And tell your child you’ll speak to him/her when they’re able to speak back in a tone that’s respectful.

8. Expect and hold your child to “good eye contact.” Eye contact is important – for you and your child’s relationship, as well as your child’s future success. Ask for sustained eye contact. Expect it. If your son or daughter “forgets,” gently step into your son or daughter’s line of vision and ask him or her to maintain eye contact – each and every time. Rolling of the eyes isn’t accepted (it’s disrespectful). Teach your son or daughter the importance of a steady gaze (not glare) of meeting eyes with another. Hold your child to it.

9. Purposefully talk through and model good behavior. Every issue that comes your way is a chance to purposefully talk through and model the good, right, and helpful way to respond to life and its issues. Be purposeful about your interaction. Look directly at your child; face his or her body with your own attentiveness and eye contact. Model the behavior you want your child to exhibit – both now and all throughout life.

10. Spend time together doing things your child likes to do. Now’s the time to spend time with your child. Your child will “disappear” into his or her room for longer periods of time than he or she used to. This new level of “quiet” might seem nice at the moment, but don’t let it fool you; it’s time to make time with your son or daughter. It’s time to ask him or her what he or she’d like to do. Even if the activity’s not what you’d choose, it’s time to bend their way a bit and enjoy their activity. When it comes to maintaining a good relationship with your tween and teen, spending time in your child’s chosen activity is, as they say, huge.

11. Create times to talk on a regular basis, and talk when your child wants to talk. Your child may not come to you to talk. Your child probably won’t come to you to talk. You’ll need to go to your child and ask your child for times to talk. Better yet, you’ll create special times and special situations where your son or daughter feels comfortable talking with you (like going together to his or her favorite ice cream shop). And then there will be those terribly inopportune times when your child wants to talk to you. You know the times: It’s when you’re tired and you want to go to bed, or when you have to make an important phone call (and you’re dialing) and your child comes up to you with that puppy dog look and tears in his eyes and says, “Can I talk to you right now?” If at all possible, change your plans and talk to your child. If you can’t, set a time to talk right then and there. It’s that important.

12. Give time for quiet, but also draw them out of the quiet. As we said in Tip Number 10, “Your child will “disappear” into his or her room for longer periods of time than he or she used to.” A certain amount of quiet, contemplative time is normal for a tween or teen – but it’s to a point. Check regularly on your son or daughter. Withdrawal for long periods of time may be a sign of depression, anxiety, use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol, change of behavior attached to bulimia or anorexia, obsessions, and many other physical and emotional causes that need attention. Or your child may just need someone to encourage him or her to talk and become involved. Be wise. Allow for quiet and alone times, but be aware of the amount of time alone. Teach your child to balance quiet times with healthy interaction.

13. In conversation, be a facilitator. A facilitator doesn’t preach. Or tell. Or direct. He or she asks questions. A facilitator shows options and asks for the pros and cons of the situation. A facilitator asks, “What would be best thing to do? Why?” A facilitator leads the audience to conclusions, making the participants feel like it was “their idea.” Teach decision making skills by leading your child to ideas, options, and conclusions. Facilitate. In this way, your son or daughter will learn to step out on his or her own with clear thought processes and good decision making skills, because he or she has practiced thinking through events and drawing correct conclusions .

14. Give a choice within the desired activity. There are certain “givens” in life. It’s a “given” that your son needs to wear an outer garment outside when it’s cold. But you can give him the choice of wearing a hooded sweatshirt or a jacket. In the same way, it’s a “given” that your daughter needs to put her dirty laundry in the basket and not all over the hallway floor. You can give your daughter the choice of keeping the basket in the hallway, the bedroom, or the bathroom (whichever she deems “easiest,” with the shortest distance to toss the clothes after taking them off). A tween loves choices. Give a choice within the desired activity.

15. Draw only necessary “lines in the sand.” What are the most important line to draw? Values-based lines. Those lines stay the same. All other lines…Well, think about it. Some are necessary. Maybe some others aren’t. Now’s the time to think deeply about those lines we draw and decide which ones are “preference based” (just what we personally like) and which ones are “non-negotiables.” Draw your lines carefully, when necessary.

16. Purposefully teach decision making skills. The most important ability you’ll give your child is the ability to make good decisions. How do we make decisions? We think and talk through the “whys” behind our choices. We weigh out the good and the bad. We put values on our reasons. We discuss, ponder, ask for advice, weigh advice, and, in the end, balance logic and “heart.” Purposefully take your tween and teen through these steps, and they’ll be able to make good decisions as adults.

17. Talk about “The Big Five”: Love, Sex, Money, Politics, and Religion. When I was a tween and teen (in the 70’s), we didn’t talk about “The Big Five.” These days are different. It’s time to talk about these “real issues” in honest, straightforward ways – in order for our kids to be wise and make good choices. As your tween becomes aware of issues, talk in small amounts that grow to large conversations. Create conversation that’s meaningful and thought-provoking. Ask questions. Give information that’s appropriate, in small, “digestible pieces” that your tween can easily ponder. Don’t avoid “hard issues.” When it comes to the most meaningful discussions, teach your child that you’re the one he or she can come to by discussing “The Big Five.”

18. Be involved in your tween’s life. If your child’s just trying out volleyball, go to the practices and games. If pipe organs of Eastern Europe trip his trigger, read a book about them and go to a concert together. If the movie of the day is “Princess Diaries 2,” and girly Disney movies just don’t thrill you, so what? Go to the movie together. Enjoy it for her sake. Make your son or daughter’s interests your own. Be involved. Drive the car pool. Go to the meeting. Watch the practice. Look over the homework. Ask about the friends. Meet your sons’ and daughters’ friends’ parents. Find out what’s important to your child, and make the connection. In a few years, when you’re in the toughest part of parenting your teen and there’s a point of connection, you’ll be glad you took the time.

19. Laugh together. Laughter sooths the soul and builds bridges with your tween. Tweens are notorious for what my girls call “silly humor” and my boys call “stupid humor.” Some tween humor’s “out of bounds” and other humor’s truly side-splitting silliness. Without lowering yourself to poor humor such as obsessing with bodily functions like passing gas (a famous past time of tween boys), find silly things to laugh about. I call it “healthy, happy humor” – humor that doesn’t make fun of others, doesn’t put people down in sarcasm, and makes us laugh at ourselves in a way that builds closeness. There’s plenty of fun to be had in healthy, happy humor. Share a good serving with your tween daily.

20. Voice the obvious and do the obvious. Say, “I love you. I want to spend time with you. You’re such a gift to me. I’m glad you’re my son (or daughter). I like being with you. You did that well. I’m proud of you. I’m looking forward to spending time together. I’m glad we had this time together.” There are so many times we think these things and don’t say them. Well, now’s the time to say them! And DO things that show these feelings: Put your arm around a shoulder. Give a hug and kiss. Toss the ball, shoot some hoops, take a walk together, eat out together, ride in the car on a trip designed just for the two of you and talk. Amidst all their bravado of “growing up,” at each child’s very core, these tweens and teens need our love and affirmation at this time more than any other time in their lives. Think it. Then say it and do it. Daily. Repeatedly. With sincerity and authenticity. From the heart. Wrap up the first 19 Tips with Tip Number 20, and you’ll boost the effectiveness of every single Tip before it – ten fold!

Take the time to learn about the tween and teen years, practice these 20 Tips, and parenting your child will be a whole lot easier and more enjoyable, as your child becomes a responsible, responsive adult that you’re proud of.

About Author

Used with Permission.

{2 comments}

Review ~ Packin’ Smart

Posted by Professor on June 6, 2011
in Baby Products, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Houseware, Organization

Packin’ SMART® is a space-saving storage solution for all your small essentials. De-stuff your bag while on-the-go, de-clutter your cabinet at home, define your drawer at office, and put an end to lose items! With three innovative styles to choose from, there should be no more excuses in organizing all your small essentials.

Packin’ SMART® Features

Separate compartments, each with its own lid so contents do not mix or shift. You can be confident that your measurement is precise at all times. Each container holds up 1/3 cup of dried goods; up to a full 8 oz. feeding.

Multiple uses for at home, office, and on-the-go. Each container separates for use as individual serving bowls. Please visit Uses page for more information about how Packin’ SMART® can help you get organized.

Add on as little or as many tiers as you need using easy-to-use secure click stacking system. Get organized the SMART way with this space-saving solution. Get SMART, Get Organized with Packin’ SMART®

Removable funnel-shaped inner lid for easy dispensing of contents. Minimize spills and access contents quickly and easily. Depending on the content, use the inner lid for dispensing but leave it open when storing larger items.

Together with multiple sets of Packin’ SMART®, create various tiers to store just what you need. Ergonomically designed for easy handling and made of FDA approved food grade material that is stain-, odor- and shatter-resistant .

Dishwasher safe, top rack only.
Wash with warm water and soft cloth or sponge.
Not recommended for microwave.

OUR REVIEW:

We received the 4 tier packin’ smart. This was a nice size as it allows for versatility of storage. I used the product to house treats for my toddler on the go. I found that this was a useful product to house treats as the compartments detach and I could give her one compartment and keep the rest in the diaper bag. One thing I liked was the small opening on the lid…it was great for dispensing just enough treats. The opening is large enough for the treats to get through without a problem, yet small enough so not too many treats squeeze out and make a mess.

Other uses? I think that this product would be great for baby formula…it would allow just the right amount and the opening would allow for easy dispensing. As I was looking over the website the pictures also show that you can use the product for a wide range of storage…one that caught my eye was office supplies such as paper clips and thumbtacks, etc…this would prove to be a great storage option as it would allow for neat and easy dispensing. I was also thinking this would be a great way to store spices…each in its own compartment and of course the easy dispensing feature! As you can tell the storage options are endless! This is a neat product! Visit www.packinsmart.com to view more about the product and buy a few!

{One comment}

Review ~ Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes

Posted by Professor on June 1, 2011
in Cleaning, Family Stuff, Health, Personal Care Products

Cottonelle Flushable moist wipes are pre-moistened to provide a more thorough cleansing and freshening than with toilet paper alone! Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes are Alcohol-free, sewer and septic safe. For best results, only one or two wipes should be flushed at a time.

Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes are suitable for the following purposes:

With toilet paper as part of your bathroom routine
When traveling
To clean hand and faces

Visit www.cottonelle.com for more information about this and other products.

OUR REVIEW:

This was a very nice product to get to review. I have used Cottenelle before but never the fresh scented product. This wipe is nice and thick and has a nice clean scent. I found that they did their job as expected and we did not have any problem with them flushing down the toilet. I did find that they work well as a baby wipe also…I have a toddler still in diapers and this wipe did a great job cleaning my toddler.

The product is dispensed in a nice pop up container. The product came with an adhesive wall hook that you can attach to the wall above or around your toilet paper holder. Unfortunately I do not have space to hand up the product near my toilet paper so I had to forgo that idea…but for those who have space it is a nice addition to the product.

The only thing I did not like about the product was that sometimes the wipes could be difficult to remove from the dispenser. I had to reach in and grab the wipes to get them to come out…they did not “pop” up like a traditional wipe container would…but I suppose that since they stay in the container it is less likely that they would dry out.

All in all, this was a great product to try and we will be buying Cottenelle Flushable Moist wipes in the future!

{2 comments}

You Annoy’n Me – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on June 1, 2011
in Family Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

Yep, this sweet little face could be hear saying those words from this very bench one day while we were waiting for Mrs. A to arrive at the farm. He said it in response to the roosters crowing! He would look back at them and say, “You annoy’n me!” And even said it several times. 😉 Children say and do the funniest things!

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AMF Summer Unplugged Program

Posted by html404 on May 27, 2011
in Family Stuff, Fun Stuff

Summer is my favorite season. I have a lot of great memories of camping with my family growing up, swimming, biking, roasting marshmallows and hotdogs over the camp fire, walking and lots of sleepovers on my birthday.

Since having a family of my own we spend a lot of time outside over the summer because Chicago winters are usually cold and unless we have a bunch of snow we are pretty much inside. We go to the park, walk, bike, visit the Botanical Gardens, play in the water in our backyard or any number of other fun outdoor activities. And of course, we garden. The children love seeing where our food comes from and watching a little seed turn into a flower/veggie/fruit (yep they planted or composted apple seeds and we now have an apple tree growing!)

How are you and your family planning to stay active this summer? I have one idea I’d like to share with you.

AMF Summer Unplugged Bowling Program

AMF Bowling Centers is sponsoring a Summer Unplugged Program geared towards kids. The goal is to get unplugged from the TV (and internet for that matter as it can certainly provide sedentary entertainment) and get active by exercising. The program is FREE, but there is a sign up process involved and it does not include shoe rental. It is open to teens and children 16 and under. Once you are signed up they will receive two FREE games per visit. You can learn more about the program here, as well as find participating centers near you: http://bit.ly/AMFfree

The program starts this weekend with Memorial Day and goes through Monday, September 5th.

So Who Loves Bowling?

You know I really enjoyed bowling when I was a teen. I usually went with our Youth Group and had a lot of fun. The thing is I have not been bowling since! My husband and I have never bowled together and our children have never gone bowling. Amazing, eh? But the bowling alleys use to allow smoking so that was a huge deterrent for us because of the exposure to second hand smoke. Now that they are smoke-free in Illinois I have considered taking our children. I think they’d have a blast.

Do you and your family like bowling? Leave a comment and let me know!

Disclosure: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in the post are my own.

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A Trip Down Memory Lane – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on May 25, 2011
in Family Stuff

You know those little photo booths that are usually in the mall or at fairs where you can sit in there and get your picture taken and it spits out a little strip of photos? Well my mom and I many, many years ago were shopping and got our picture taken. To this day it is one of my favorites (yes, even with my big eyed glasses and the children’s scribbles!) I think it’s the only photo I have of us together. Then again, who knows what is packed away in boxes!? Anywho, it is the only one I had out. It was in a cute little frame, which got broken, but I digress….meet the younger version of me and my mom in a trip down memory lane….in honor of Mother’s Day this month. I just couldn’t figure out how to scan it until last week on our new printer!

P.S. This post was inspired by my little sister (she’s 27!). Earlier in May she posted on her Facebook wall challenging us all to change our profile picture in honor of Mother’s Day. I teased her saying that was real nice considering I was 1600 miles away from my/our mother. Then I realized how few photos I have of my Mom and I with just the two of us. Very sad. And yes, she is still living, but very far away. I miss her a lot and am blessed to call her my mother.

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