2019 Is Here!

I'm so happy that 2018 has come to an end, but wow! It went by quicker than I thought. New Years Eve, we had a recap moment with my Mother and Sister-in-laws. Month by month, going through the things we remember happening. It truly brought back memories. Not many were good ones. Or at least those were harder to recall with so many shadows hanging over them. But in the end, we had hope. Hope that this year, 2019, will be filled with great strides towards our better future. 

And that is all we truly need. Hope. To re-spark those dreams. One day at a time. One step forward. 

This month begins those steps. This is the month I push myself to complete packing and that we begin looking at places to move to. It excites me so much to know that this month and next are all we have left in our current home. Then we move further north to be closer to family. Something I've been dreaming of for over half a year now!

Then comes March. A month when I finally find out if I will be approved for Disability. My health has been a sore spot for me. Literally. And emotionally. I hurt. A lot. I have a hard time sleeping. Hard time walking. Cooking and baking have lost that fun feeling I used to have. Now, they are just a necessity. Getting medical help hasn't been working out either. So after we move, I intend to apply at the local program there. 

And this is just the first three months! Oh imagine! There are 9 more months that follow with surprises awaiting. I can't wait!

Pepper the Parrotfish is on a Mission and You Can Help! (+ free shipping for limited time)

I am a strong believer that reading is an important life skill that needs to be cultivated as young as you can. The desire must be stirred and kept going by engaging in books that kids not only love, but can interact with. Through my association with US Family Guide, I was chosen to review Pepper the Parrotfish children's book. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions expressed are my own.*

This book is adorable! And it carries a great message. First off, it came in hardback (a personal favorite of mine). The high quality is very evident with its glossy cover and great pictures that match a friendly, but easy to read, story. The writer and illustrator are both locals of Colorado. Stephanie Enser and Mark Holly created this book to teach children the importance of caring for our oceans.

Growing up in Florida, I absolutely loved the beach. Sand between my toes, waves that could sing me to sleep and the sun overhead (that sometimes bit me hard...). But did you know that there is a creature in the water who makes sand? A very special kind of fish, actually. A parrotfish. They eat algae from the reef, keeping the algae levels at the right amount so as not to make the algae sick. But as they eat some of the algae, they chomp down on coral as well. After getting the nutrients they need, out comes - SAND! Yep, he poos it out! While he isn't alone in this ability, he does make the most of it. This easy to read book is geared towards 3-8 year olds, but even my 10 year old liked me reading to him.

What did my kids think about it?  

I made this a time to read with them so that we could interact on what they were learning from it. Of course my oldest thought the best part was how Pepper poops sand. But they all had something to say when I had a discussion after reading it. Check out the video!

Why is this book worth getting?

Besides a magnificent book that children can love and learn from, your purchase will also help with marine conservation. Pepper The Parrotfish is swimming to your door with FREE SHIPPING for a limited time only.

Go here to purchase and for more details: http://www.PepperParrotfish.com

Use promo code FREESHIP at checkout. And let me know in the comments below what you like about this book! Know any 3-8 year olds who would like it?

Color in Kids is the Perfect Gift for the Creative Kid! (+ giveaway)

I have been searching for things that make perfect gifts this Christmas. Especially things that enhance creativity in children. That is why I'm so very happy to introduce you to Color in Kids. More than a shirt, it is a chance to let kids be artistic over and over. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are strictly my own.*

I absolutely love things that give kids a chance to express themselves. And if they can do so more than once - well, even better! These shirts can be colored, worn, washed and the cycle repeated! There are so many styles to choose from. 

This Christmas and for all the gift giving events that follow - do you have a child on your list that has everything already?  Why get something they will be bored with after the first use? Speaking from experience, I have watched all my kids get something and be bored with it after only a couple weeks. This can be a toy they begged for, for months! But then came to realize it wasn't what they wanted long term. At least with these, they are practical and the kids can change it up after each wash! 
They also get to put their name to it. It is their own masterpiece, as unique as they are. 

Some even glow in the dark! 

As I mentioned before, there are plenty of options to choose from. Including glow in the dark designs and metallic designs.  My favorite glow in the dark shirt is the Rocket. This is the one my younger son chose. (It glows really well!)

 It is so much fun! As are the metallic designs. They have metallic silver worked in to add a cool effect to the designs. This one looked like so much fun! My older daughter picked it out. To her, it was pretty because it was "shiny".

My daughter was thrilled to add color to the sparkle, being the princess that she is. 

I came from Florida and have family back there, so these designs caught my eye as I thought of them! I still love the sea and the things portrayed from it.

 They are all so cool. Even I could wear some of these and feel fabulous! 
Remember to wash in hot water to get the colors out and create a blank canvas for the kids. I had forgotten and washed in cold (which is what I wash our clothes in normally) so not all the color came out. Plus, some colors like red, leave a ghost color behind when the kids push too hard.

But even so, it was light enough that the kids didn't complain. They said they would color over it and create new works of art! 

Little Miss Bedhead couldn't wait to color with Mommy this morning. She loved her "horsey". Something I hadn't realized, was that the cardboard that the markers was attached to could actually be used inside the shirt while the kids colored to make sure they didn't bleed through to the back. Just a helpful tip from the company!

Take away is, these non-toxic materials provide hours of fun that happens over and over. It promotes creativity. And by purchasing these, you are supporting a smaller business who supports great causes. My kids loved theirs so much, they have been asking for more!

What else should you know about Color in Kids?

They are US based. Local, durable and safe! That is their goal with the products they provide. They also support some amazing charities. 2 out of 3 are ones that I really hold important: American Cancer Society and Hope for Autism. Don't know about you, but I have met/cared about more than one person that has been affected by autism or cancer. I respect companies that seek to help in the research that may one day save lives with cures 

Want to win your own?

Color in Kids was generous enough to host a giveaway of 12 sets! You read that right, TWELVE, winners! So get in those entries and spread the fun. Encourage creativity while you are still able to.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lucky Cat from Kidorable brings charm and warmth! (+ giveaway)

Hey everyone! I'm working with Kidorable again to showcase a new product they have introduced. The Lucky Cat design has been added to their inventory options! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my very own.* 

What is the Lucky Cat? 

The Kidorable kitty who sparks imagination and style for your little lady! My daughter loves cats. Actually, both of my girls love cats. (My husband and I think they are broken, but we love them anyhow.) However, the Lucky Cat knitwear set is absolutely adorable! It's Kidorable! *buh duh tss* Too much? Okay, but really. My daughter struts like a diva when wearing it. She proudly shows off her love of cats, often while making kitty cat sounds. And in purrrfect timing! Storms are moving down in the south that are bringing us colder temperatures and soon - lots of cold rain! 

Christmas is close, but you still have time! 

I don't know what kind of weather you might be having about now, but it is not too late to get your own Lucky Cat items. For cold or for rain - or even for indoors! - there is something for everyone. And right now, they are having quite the sale. So if you are looking for a last minute gift for Christmas, or maybe even a birthday, you really should check them out! 
Kidorable has umbrellas like the one my daughter tried out. 

And the one a lucky reader won from my last giveaway I hosted. She chose the ballerina one. Her daughter loves the movie Leap and got hers in the mail the day she was watching a 1930's movie that had a ballerina in it. It was the perfect addition to her day! 

Quality and sizes are impressive. 

As a Mom of 4 kids, I look for quality in gear that I buy. As one kid outgrows something, there is a second-fourth child who may get use out of it. I take into consideration that my kids might be a little more rough on things than they were meant to handle. Kidorable products seem to withstand that challenge still, as I have seen so far. This shows me that they are high quality and will last a good while. On top of that, sizes can be tricky for us. My kids are on the tall size of the spectrum, which means longer torsos, longer legs and longer fingers. Yep - model material! So shopping for them can be... tiresome. As infants, at least two of them couldn't even wear the baby mittens. Their hands just didn't fit into them. So how well did the knitwear work for my daughter? Perfectly! I went with a size large and her hands fit just right. The hat also fits well, covering her ears from the cold. The scarf is long enough to not only reach around her neck, but even goes to her waist! I also like that the scarf can hold the mittens while out of use in a little pocket. It makes keeping them together while storing them super easy.

What else do they offer? 

Besides amazingly cute umbrellas that stand out in the crowd, and knitwear that inspire daydreams, they have towels, backpacks and rain gear. All of them being unique. And everything sparking imaginative thinking. They can be a knight who battles fierce dragons or a fairy princess! Items like these also give your kids a way to stand out. The designs don't get lost in a crowd. 

So, are you ready to win your own? 

What do you like most about these products? Do you know anyone who would love them? Well, now is your chance to win one! a Rafflecopter giveaway