Not Wasting Time on Tying Shoes This Year

If the first three months are going to be any idea of what the rest of the year holds, then we are going to be on the go a lot. With 4 kids, that means a lot of waiting on shoes to get tied. Well, it would. If we didn't have Hickies to help! 

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products through my association with US Family Guide in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinion are my own.*

Hickies take the hassle out of shoe tying. Hard enough keeping track of their shoes, let alone in making sure each one is tied. My kids are 10, 8, 6 and 2. The oldest two really tried my patience while teaching them how to tie their shoes. More times than I care to recall, I had to stop and get them to tie their shoes or I had to tie them. When you are in a hurry, this makes things difficult. Or how about those cool super hero shoelaces that refuse to stay tied?? Oh yeah.... 

So how do Hickies help Parents? 

You slide these rubber straps in place and fasten. Then your kids only need to slide their shoes on. Voila! You are ready to go. They save you time and energy.  I chose the Red and the Black and Silver Metallic ones. Each pack has enough laces for a pair shoes. Depending on you lace yours up, you may even have some left over. 

Check out these awesome features:

Works in any shoe with eyelets.

One size fits all.

Elastic material keeps shoes secure yet comfortable.

Never tie again! Play is uninterrupted.

Fun look, without the messy knots and bows.

Adjustable tightness.

Quick and easy - simply slip on and off. Especially if you want to switch out colors to match your outfit!

Good for adults too! 

Do you run a lot? Do your shoes come untied sometimes? This will keep that from slowing you down! They include a guide that shows you how to use them in various styles so that you can wear them tight or wear them loose.

 Get your savings here!

Never tie, never worry. Get Hickies Never Tie Laces on hickies.com, with 20% off using code USFAM. 

Would you use them? How could they be useful to you? Leave me a comment below and let me know what you like most or what ideas you have for them!  

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.
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