Monday, July 23, 2012

No TV DAY! Unplugged!


"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."
 Author: Angela Schwindt.
It's funny how when we ground kids we think it will really get them to think, yet were left pondering their's and our actions. We're doing all the thinking and they are moving on!

Being summer we have soaked up HOURS of Disney XD, Nick, and Disney channel plus sprinkle in several Netflix and Redbox movies. (They don't spend ALL day but much longer than during the school year as it is a treat) in the Las Vegas Heat, sometimes TV becomes a great way to rest and cool off. Not that TV monitoring was bad, but I didn't mind my kids zoning out during the summer. Were having a carefree no planning summer, so this has been quite the treat to watch a marathon of their favorite Disney shows.

However, their romp in summer carefree land ended after some bad behavior. I turned the TV off. But, I also made the decision for myself. I decided maybe instead of listening to TV while I was doing my usual chores and work on the computer, I would actually just leave it off. I've grown into a terrible habit of television and need to break my own. This has turned out to be a blessing for all of us. The kids are calmly playing together, we got lots of summer brain enhancing games accomplished (workbooks, flash cards, etc), and I have gotten lots of work done for my Avon business. Granted it's not as quiet as it is when I let them watch TV, yet I can hear some conflict resolution and cooperation happening upstairs. This time of reflection is helping me realize my own addictions including all the shows and frankly the comfort of the TV screen. So, I am going to have a NO TV Day per week (some days it happens naturally yet I think a designated day would benefit us all). It causes everyone to think outside the box (literally)!! Maybe I'll even take it one step further and have an unplugged day! No video games, no phones, just music and family! (well.. we will take that one step at a time) ;) I love how when I think I'm teaching them, they end up teaching me.

So, I challenge you, what is your family habit that would benefit being turned off. The TV? The Computers? The Video Games? Share what would help you live a better life with kids Unplugged.



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Avon Color Studio Fun Nails HOW TO Videos

 

 

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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Brainiac Craft~Bouncy Balls




Polymer balls can be quite beautiful.

So, we have had a blast this summer. Going swimming, watching movies, going camping, doing crafts, cleaning lots of cleaning, dancing, jumping and continual fun. Evan is a superior science kid and he makes my head hurt with all the questions and brainiac statements. We've never made our own bouncy balls and this will be the coolest thing ever to him. I can't wait to do this at least twice before summer is up. I'm looking forward to whipping this badboy up and bouncing a bunch down the stairs.
Check out this recipe Here.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dropping my daily planning addiction to enjoy life with my kids

 My name is Amie and I am a  daily planning addict! I'm all about having a schedule, plan, an idea about what I'm going to do even if it isn't well executed. I am a planning freak. I love it. I need to have my calendar with little dots on all the events, I need to know exactly what I am doing every day, otherwise I may not accomplish anything. I will not be the mom who needs to borrow from others (ha,ha,ha). I annoy my mother in law and husband with plans. When their days with me come around, I want an itinerary of how they will be spending the day so I can see if their plans coincide with mine. It is a constant source of annoyance in our house and I cannot help it!

The addiction was really bad when my kids were babies. How many of you when you first began to have your babies went out and bought everything you could because you wanted to be prepared? Who has the largest diaper bag full of the most stuff? I still carry around way too much stuff on a trip that might take us out of the house for more than a few hours. One of my good friends has the Swiss army bag, in her purse she has EVERYTHING for any need you might have. My question to all of us prepared bag holders, how's your back?

John Lennon

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”
John Lennon
 

When the kids and I embark on the day we are   ready and know exactly what is going to happen that day. I'm pretty protective over this plan. I say I am going to get something done and I count that it's going to happen. But, as the famous Robert Burns quote goes "The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray!" In life with kids, this is often true. One kid decides to see what their sibling would do when they jumped on their back. The other feels utterly attacked and embarrassed so they begin wailing. IN the meantime you are downstairs carefully filling little snack baggies as you are positive the kids will not be able to make it without those baggies at the park. Fifteen minutes later after scolding one and consoling the victim, you are ready to finish those baggies. Then the phone rings, emails, visitors.... the list can go on and on. Suddenly, you check the clock and were an hour past park time. It's already into naptime and everyone is grumpy. What do you do?

After having many of these hot summer days, planning, packing, and embarking out into the 115 Vegas Heat, I decided to change my philosophy of planning and embrace living. This change actually made my kids uncomfortable. Every day in their lives I have tried to create a secure world for them, with sunblock, towels, predictability, etc. So, suddenly they thought I lost it when I decided in the middle of the day to do a fun craft. I was busy at work and had a light bulb flash. Let's attempt some of the crayon melting crafts. Didn't know if we had enough but we did it and my kids loved it all. They kept asking "Mom do we have all the stuff?" "Really?" The next day after making an Avon delivery we decided to stop at a waterpark "But mom, we don't even have sunscreen or towels!" I told them we were living dangerously. They told me that was almost the funnest time they had (except when their grandma did the exact same thing without planning it). All because they didn't expect it.
 
Sometimes, I feel like this can be applied to life in general. Plans and goals are crucial, yet as we are pounding the grindstone to get to the goal are we looking up? Have we noticed the little peaks and valleys along the way? Having the comforts in life along the way of any trip or excursion is important, yet have you spent so much energy and time into planning are you not able to enjoy the end destination? I can't count how many times we get there and I beat myself up because I forgot something. Did that one forgotten item affect the outcome? no. Did everyone still have fun? Yes.

Like in Hannah Montana's song "The Climb"  
Cause there's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be a uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb, yeah!

So, I commit to plan to live not live to plan. I plan to have fun. I commit to show my kids structure and spontaneity, how to be prepared and unprepared, how to be friendly with others, and how to just enjoy life. I don't want them planning their days away and not enjoying the actual living.The best fun is sometimes the unplanned kind.

Sun In Shades Clip ArtWhat are your quick summer planning ideas that saves time and makes life easier?

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Share your $$ saving, summer fun, or time saving ideas!

I am surrounded by clean clothes drowning in laundry, but figured I'd put out a game. Comment on this Post with an alphabetical tip. For example, we will start with A. Always begin your day reading something that inspires you. Take the fifteen minutes extra in the morning that will give you fresh inspiration to jump into your day with. Next? Who has B? If you enter and we get to Z by next Sunday your name will be entered into a drawing for an Avon sample prize pack!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

FREE Starbucks Refreshers! Limited Time!

Starbucks Refreshers Cool Lime Handcrafted BeverageI'm always game to try something new. Especially if it's FREE! Starbucks would like us to taste their newest line of beverages and I have to tell you they look yummy! My lack of wanting to spend money has kept me away from Starbucks! This however might bring me back!

Starbucks Refreshers Verry Berry Hibiscus Handcrafted BeverageThese are the  Starbucks Refreshers in Cool Lime and Very Berry Hibiscus! This Friday the 13th from noon to 3pm each person can get a free tall Refresher at Starbucks!This offer is limit one per person)

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Last few Fun Videos

Thank you Muppets for making my Wednesday that much better!
Evan just learned this song so he demanded I share it!
One of my favorite Christmas Carols Muppet Style!

Another fun laugh today! Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody

Another love!! Pay attention to Animal! The whole thing is awesome!

Have a laugh on me today!

 Cookie Monster takes on Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe" with "Share it Maybe." Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

7/11 Birthday! Celebrate with a free Slurpee!

What's your favorite Slurpee flavor? I love the Pina Colada! 
7-11 Day is tomorrow (at participating locations) Drop by and celebrate from 11am-7pm and receive a free 7.11 ounce Slurpee! This is a while supplies last so I would go early in the day to get your free Slurpee!
Check out at 7-eleven
7-Eleven Day

Monday, July 9, 2012

Fun Vintage Avon Commercials

I think it's so cool that the company I am apart of has been around for so long! These are cool TV commercials for Avon products back in the day! I love the patterns too!

Another Great Deal on Photo Prints @ Target!

Another fun photo offer (can't you tell I love to scrapbook need pictures!)
The coupon Target has posted on their site is Free$5 with purchase of 50 4x6 Prints. Considering the prints average from .15-.19 a piece you can walk out spending between $2-$4 on 4x6 Prints.

Check out the coupon Here! Offer is valid on lab or online print to store/same-day pickup orders.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Money Saving Sunday

What is your money saving strategy?

Do you save with coupons, meals, car care, heath care?? We want to know!

Leave a comment below with your favorite strategy I'll get us started.

1.AD MATCH-Walmart rocks for this, make a shopping list with all the local ads that are current and take your list to the register and they will match it. That way you can match up the good sales with coupons! (Hello Extreme Couponing) Reference their guidlines before embarking on your trip at www.walmart.com.

2.Envelopes-Thanks to Dave Ramsey, we love using the cash only system. It stops overspending and keeps us to the budget. I can tell when we vary off this system as our budget starts to get skewed by the debit cards. You can score a really nice envelope system at www.daveramsey.com. His Financial Peace University is another great learning tool!

Leave your comment below please! I would love to have readers ideas compiled and will share with everyone! Thanks for reading

Saturday, July 7, 2012

$1.00 Personalized Grocery Tote Plus FREE PRINTS! USE YORKTOTEAD

I've already ordered mine. These make great grocery and other useful bags for during the summer. You can even advertise on it!!


 

 

Head over to York Photos and Register for your 40 prints and Grocery Tote Bag!! They do charge $3.99 to ship it but it's still a great deal! Offer Ends July 30th!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

They will never be this age again

This may be some ramblings, but I was inspired after I figured out my new blog name. I really never got how much it took to be a mom. I have a mom and a mom-in-law, but until that moment came when I had my son, I couldn't fathom all it would take, until now. It takes Everything. It's an investment you are continually adding to and some days it feels like your actions could change their paths forever. That's a lot of pressure for our daily life. Rehashing my blog name has been cause for reflection into what makes me who I am. I am more than just one title. I'm a Christ loving wife, teacher, Avon Lady, lover, taxi driver, maid, laundress, singer, dancer, chef, grocery shopper, coupon-er, scrapbook-er, crocheter, crafter... So many words describe all of us. So, I cannot just write about one thing. What titles do you go by? What makes you who you are?


I cannot specialize in just one area as there are many facets to my life and I am sure there are in yours. Here's to both of our time well spent in concise reviews, advice, tips, articles, pictures, contests, and just fun to help you grow in your journey as a parent. That journey is hard, but can be fun. For me, memories are most important, because, they will never be this age again.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Book Review: Start Something That Matters~Blake Mycoskie TOMS



Start Something That Matters

Many have said if you want to be successful you need to study those who are successful. One of the more successful and unique business platforms is TOMS shoes. Who doesn't love TOMS shoes? While I don't own a pair (eyeing one for my birthday!) I love the concept of the one for one philosphy.  When you buy a pair of shoes from their site, they will give a pair to someone in need. Socially, his philosophy has spread from college campuses, schools, and even a National One Day Without Shoes The company has spread from just shoes to eyewear and even books. Blake Mycoskie, chief shoe giver authored Start Something that matters. This book really intrigued me just because I like the TOMS story. Blake's storytelling style is amazing and he shares lessons he's learned from his success and failures and other lessons from other organizations such as FEED, method, Terra Cycle, and charity:water. In our economic age, he really wanted to do something that mattered. Charities were failing and yet he was inspired in Argentina to put shoes on little kids. So, the design of TOMS shoes actually came from Argentina styles. He gives us six simple steps such as discovering YOUR story, incorporating giving into everyday life and being resourceful without resources. I gleaned different ideas to incorporate into my own daily living and business that actually makes a difference and a significant change to the way I am doing things.

This was by far one of the best business books an. The tips and techniques and learning about the company successes and failures will help any business propel forward. Yet, it is about more than just personal business success, but really doing something that matters outside of our own little bubble. We all seem to dwell in these small bubbles of our friends, family, work, church, and social lives, it's very hard to step out sometimes. Reading this book inspired me to step out of my bubble and I am sure it will do the same for you!