Get Behind the Wheel: Driving the Mazda 6

VROOM VROOM. That is definitely how I felt the moment I slid behind the wheel of the 2016 Mazda 6. This is no "mom car." And I don't mean that in a negative way, but as moms, much of our "job" involves carting kids around and our vehicle needs to help us out with that. While the Mazda 6 is definitely up for the task, it felt much more like a sporty, speedy fun ride.

A Safer Alternative for Kids' Hair Care

Let's take a minute and talk about kids' hair. I can clearly remember strongly disliking my mom brushing my hair each morning. I was the girl with the tight ponytails. As the mom of two boys, I feel the need to confess that when they were younger,  I let them leave the house without even combing their hair. I'm not sure how it happened, but since they are boys, I guess I wasn't thinking about doing their hair.

Fast forward to the tween and teen years. Now my bathroom is filled with hair products and the boys spend time each morning styling their hair to get it to look just so. So when Piggy Paint offered to send me some samples of their new, natural line of kids' hair products I said YES! Rock the Locks products are infused with organic ingredients, free of sulfates, parabens and other harsh chemicals, and packaged in a revolutionary non-aerosol spray can. Sounds cool right?  

Drink Up - Getting Enough Water is Good For You

Sponsored Post

It's that time of the year when we all start to think about ways we can improve ourselves and our lives. Some of us choose One Little Word to guide us, some of us make resolutions and some of us fight the trend and maintain our own status quo. Regardless of your personal choice, there's no doubt that beginning in January, many people start trying to be healthier. One of the ways we can be healthier, is to increase our water intake.

There are a lot of health benefits to drinking water. Water makes up about 60% of your body weight, and is an important factor to your body's health. According to the Mayo Clinic, men should consume about 13 cups of water per day, and women should aim for 9 cups of water a day. You're safe with following the popular 8 8-ounce glasses of water a day "rule".

Get Outside and Play - Our Thoughts on Wubble X and Glo Wubble

I'm sure you've heard how good it is for our kids' mental and physical health to get some physical activity every day. In our increasingly tech-based world, it seems that simple outdoor play is going by the wayside, in favor of building forts and waging battles on a small (or large) screens instead of at the local park.

While my kids are both very tech-savvy, they also enjoy being outside. Until it starts getting dark earlier, I have to drag them in at night to take showers and get ready for bed and school the next day. They shoot hoops, play catch together, hold soccer matches or mini football skirmishes in our backyard. Not to mention countless bike and scooter rides.

How To Find the Right Shampoo for Your Hair

Have you shopped for shampoo lately? The number of choices can be so overwhelming! Target has nearly two aisles of hair care products. How can a person choose the best shampoo and product for their hair? According to WebMD, the easiest way to find the right shampoo is to look for words on the label that match your hair type, such as "dry," "oily," "fine," etc.

I have been blessed with good hair. It's thick and wavy (much to my chagrin - I'd prefer straight OR curly), and I try to take good care of it. I only wash it every 2-3 days, and limit the heat appliances I use. If I had to describe my hair type I would probably say "dry" and of course I am also in the middle years of my life, which can affect hair growth and density.

Fire Up Your Grill - 3 Steps for Grilling the Perfect Hot Dog

If you follow my weekly meal plan posts, it's no secret that I'm a fan of using the grill whenever possible. In the summer, it keeps the heat out of the house, and creates a lot less mess to clean up. We use our grill three out of four seasons around here and there is plenty of great grilling weather yet to come this year.

Applegate recently sent me a party pack, featuring their 100% all-beef hot dogs. Generally, I am not a fan of hot dogs, but nothing says summer like a great all-beef hot dog grilled to perfection and served on a soft yummy roll. Add some ketchup, diced onions and a little relish, and it's the perfect summer dish.

Back to School Fashion Ideas for Teen Boys

This week's fashion post isn't about me . . .this week, I'm looking at back to school ideas for boys. Specifically teen boys. I remember when my kids were little and their seasonal wardrobe was completed with a trip to Carter's and Lands End. Although Lands End is still a big part of our shopping (I love their quality), we've added a few more stores, some of which I have never stepped foot into before.

You've seen those shops: dark and smelly with pulsating music playing. I'm much happier to see him strolling the Burberry section at Bloomies and because I am a fan of classics, I do my best to steer my kids towards the brighter stores, filled with on-trend versions of classic guy clothing: jeans, shorts, pants, t-shitrts, polos, hoodies and button-downs. For guys, that's about what it boils down to. If you have a real trend-setter on your hands, you may have a few henley shirts, sweaters and jackets in the mix. Right now, he's shopping American Eagle Outfitters, Sports Stores, Department Stores and Vans.

Great Style and Sun Protection Too

Summer is coming, and it's more important than ever to protect our skin from the sun. Research shows that more people have skin cancer, than all the other cancers combined. That's scary - isn't it?

Did you know that you can be proactive and wear sun protective clothing as a first defense? It's true. In fact, Coolibar sent me one of their amazing ZnO Bali Tunic to try out for myself. This shirt not only looks awesome, but it provides UPF 50+ sun protection and blocks 98% UVA/UVB Rays.

Let me tell you that I am in LOVE with this shirt. It's stylish, fits like a dream, works with so many pieces I already have in my wardrobe AND it feels like I'm wearing my favorite broken-in t-shirt. Truly the perfect addition to your wardrobe - right?

The first time I wore it, it was a little chilly and I tossed it on over my favorite Bienne Tank from Aventura, with a pair of yoga pants. Hello stylish, sporty outfit perfect for meeting friends for cup of coffee!

Yoga Pants - Target

Tunic - Coolibar

Flip Flops - Vionic

I also wore it on a sunny warm day, when I was going to be sitting outside in the sun, watching my youngest play baseball. Again, it didn't disappoint; it looked stylish and kept me protected from sun. And even though the tunic has long-sleeves, I wasn't too hot because it has great breath-ability.

Shorts - Lands End (old)

Tunic - Coolibar

Hat - Aventura - I'm an Ambassador

Sandals - Target

Bracelets - Tiffany and Alex and Ani

It looks great with skinny jeans cuffed up too. I am also planning to pack this tunic for our beach trips this summer and wear it over my bathing suit as a cover up on the beach.

Here are some more tips from Coolibar and the American Cancer Society to help you be #SkinSmart this summer:

• Teach kids that being safe in the sun is as important as wearing a bike helmet! Limiting sun exposure now helps prevent skin cancer in the future.
• Make sure to wear lightweight clothing that is tightly woven (t-shirts do NOT block UV rays!), and contains a UV protection factor of 50.
• Keep sunscreen and a hat in your gym bag, stroller or diaper bag so it¹s always accessible when needed.
• Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes BEFORE going out in the sun, and remember to reapply to exposed areas every two hours, and more often after swimming or sweating.
• Take regular breaks from the sun especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest, and make sure to drink lots of water. Set your phone¹s alarm for reminders.
• Wearing a wide-brim hat provides extra coverage to the neck and shoulders. Every inch of hat brim can lower your lifetime risk of skin cancer by 10%.
• Wear a swim shirt specifically designed for water activities while at the pool or beach. These provide maximum sun protection, cover a large amount of exposed skin, and dry quickly so they are great for trips.
• Wear sunglasses. In addition to protecting eyes from UV exposure, another cancer risk, the right sunglasses offer impact protection, and reduce reflection if you are participating in any rigorous activities.

What do you wear to protect you from the sun?

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This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Be sure to check them out for even more style and outfit ideas and inspiration.

You Can Fight Foot Pain in Style

We all know that walking can help us on our path to a healthy lifestlye. In fact, I start each year with a plan to walk more - my goal is to move more and eat less. Sometimes it works great, and other times I need more encouragement along the way! But foot pain, can really put a damper on your walking routine, so Vionic Footwear, sent me a pair of sandals to try out and share my thoughts.

Vionic with Orthaheel Technology offers the only products that have earned both the APMA Seal of Acceptance and recommendation from world-renowned integrative medicine expert, Andrew Weil, M.D.

Do you have a #SoleStory? Have you ever suffered from foot pain? So many people I know, myself included, live with foot pain of some sort; plantar fasciitis, arthritis or heel pain just to name a few. My #SoleStory is arthritis. So far it's not too bad, and it affects me mostly in the mornings. Some mornings my feet hurt when I wake up; I know it the minute my feel hit the floor.Well, the right shoes can help.

All Vionic shoes come with trusted orthotic technology built right inside. This Orthaheel Technology is designed to provide you with proper alignment, which can help reduce common aches and pains from the ground up. Natural healing that's stylish too! I adore these kicked-up flipflops. They look great with jeans, shorts, ankle pants and even skirts too! The best part is that I can walk in them all day and my feet feel (and look) great.

With plenty of styles to choose from, you're bound to find the perfect pair of comfortable, stylish shoes that are also great for your feet! What's your #SoleStory?

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5 Secrets to Winter Hair Care

Winter weather is here and one of the first places that shows it is your hair. From static electricity to hat head, harsh winter weather and changing temperatures can be hard on your hair. Even if you don't spend much time outdoors, winter weather can still have a not so great effect on your hair.

What can we do to keep our locks looking their best? You have to take both preventative AND replenishing steps to get your hair into condition. Are you ready?

1.  Use a thick, rich, moisturizing conditioner regularly. Choose a product based on your hair type, and apply it beginning about two inches from your scalp, and pull it through your hair to the ends.I am currently crushing on a couple of VO5 products to keep my hair supple this winter.

2.  Use a natural boar bristle hairbrush with a wooden handle to reduce static. Prices vary so try shopping around and don't forget about places like Sephora and Ulta for inexpensive options. Believe it or not, you can also rub your hair gently with a dryer sheet.

3.  Consider switching your gel for a styling cream. The key is to avoid high alcohol content products, which can be drying to your hair. You can re-activate the cream product with a bit of water to revive any hat head flatness.

4.  Limit your time under the blow dryer. Heat can be damaging to hair anytime, but in winter it can be even worse. One way I'm reducing my drying time this winter is with Goody's new QUICKSTYLE™ absorbent, anti-microbial, microfiber brush. This brush is amazing on my thick hair and dramatically reduces the time it takes me to blow-dry.

5.  Avoid Hat Hair. To battle hat hair, try pulling long hair into a high ponytail or pulling shorter hair straight back before putting on your hat.

So let the winds blow and the snow fall. Armed with these 5 tips, we can still have beautiful, manageable and healthy hair all winter long!

What's your favorite winter hair care tip?

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Thanks to Goody for sending me a QUICKSTYLE™brush to review and share with my readers.

Summer Skincare with Biore

Summer can wreak havoc with your skin. And between sweat and humidity, who wants your pores all clogged up with dirt and oil - right?

I recently received two products from Biore to try out and see what I thought.

First up is the Biore Daily Makeup Removing Towelettes. These towelettes instantly dissolve pore-clogging cosmetics.  You can fight build up with these gentle wipes that effectively remove your make-up, even waterproof mascara. These are perfect for on the go and easy to carry in your carry-on or gym bag!  

The second product is the Biore Detoxifying Foam Cleanser. This light cleanser is infused with eucalyptus extract. The cleanser is self-foaming and detoxifies your skin and pores by removing surface toxins.

I put together a little video to show you how easy they are to use, and what great results you get. (yes - I went on camera with NO make-up on, just for you)



The results are in - after using these products, I'm left with healthier-looking and refreshed skin!

What's your go-to summer skincare product right now?

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This post is linked up with #BeautyBuzz hostesses:  Mom Trends, Mama in Heels, Sassy Moms in the City and Musings of a Housewife

When Function Meets Fashion - My #SoleStory

Comfortable Chic that is also good for you? Seems impossible right? But it isn't . . .pretty shoes can be good for your feet. Let me share my #SoleStory with you:

I recently received a pair of Bella Sandals from Vionic Shoes to try out. If you haven't heard of Vionic Shoes before, they are built with Orthoheel Technology. "What is Orthoheel Technology," you ask? It's innovative, scientifically proven orthotic technology built directly into stylish, premium footwear.

Now let me start by saying that I am already a fan of Vionic. They kindly sent me a pair of walking shoes to try out as part of my Healthy Living Journey this year, and I was hooked. My entire body feels better when I wear those shoes for my daily walks.

Vionic shoes come in all sorts of styles - for both men and women. The Bella flip-flop, has become my go-to summer shoe. I build my outfits around wearing that pair of shoes.  The website called the color "red" but I would say it's more coral - perfect for summer style!

I also want to warn you that the thong part hurt my foot the first 2 times I wore them. Not enough to make me want to toss them off, but I noticed and worried. . .needlessly because they fit like a glove and I can wear them all day, several days in a row with no discomfort at all. And I do exactly that!

I am not a person with foot issues (thank heavens) but why chance it - right? I wear plenty of shoes that are perfectly fine - but aren't doing anything good for my body. These shoes help to keep my feet properly supporting my body, which can only be a good thing - right?

What are your favorite pair of shoes right now?

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Keep Up Your Kids Math Skills Over Summer Vacation

Do your kids get "Summer Packets" from school? These packets are intended to keep kids' skills sharp during the summer slump. Research indicates that kids can lose 2 months of grade level equivalency in math computation skills over summer vacation. 2 months - that's a lot.

One way to combat that slump is to keep learning through the summer months, but let's face it, no one wants to feel like they are in school over summer vacation. That's why we have to employ some fun ideas and strategies to keep learning going, but make it fun. We have a pretty great reading strategy for the summer already, but ee received a pair of Bedtime Math books to review, and it dawned on me that these are the perfect antidote for summer math slide for BOTH the kids.

These books have activities for all ages - but don't have listed ages - they refer to the challenges as for "Wee Ones",  "Little Kids" and "Big Kids". The second book, includes a bonus question for each challenge. Oh and don't let the name fool you - you can play these math games any time of the day! And if you need help with your own math skills, the answers are on the pages (tiny print and upside down).

Here's a peek into one of the challenges:

So you can see how fun this can be and how much creativity you can have with your kids! There's no doubt that we need to be thinking about the next generation of adults, and ensuring that we are giving them a well-rounded educational background. Learning really can be fun, and these books can help you get started and inspire you. Want to try a problem and see? Watch this:



What do you do to keep your kids learning over the summer break?

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This post contains affiliate links - thank you for your support of this website.

3 Easy Ways to Get Walking for Exercise

Spring is in the air, and if you're anything like me, you're hoping to kick up your fitness routine again. Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and walking can be a great way to fit  exercise into your everyday routine. A Walking Program doesn't really require any special equipment besides a good pair of shoes.

I recently received a pair of Vionic Women's Walkers to try out. I signed up for the Vionic Walkabout in hopes of kick-starting my walking program back up. When I first put them on, I could definitely feel their innovative Orthoheel technology. It's built right into all their shoes, including sandals. (They also carry a selection of men's shoes!)

Why is this Orthoheel technology important? Well, I learned that we typically walk on hard, flat, unnatural surfaces and our feet weren't made for that. The hard surfaces cause our feet to over-pronate (roll over) and that can flatten our arches, increase pressure on our lower backs and disrupt normal knee function and hip alignment. Who knew??!

So I've spent over 2 weeks in my Vionics and my feet and legs feel great! I have a goal of 10,000 steps per day. Even when I don't make that daily goal, it's nice to know how far I've gone and challenge myself to move more tomorrow.

3 Easy Ways for You to Get Walking for Exercise:

Go High Tech - Gamification has a way of sneaking into our everyday, so why not use it for fitness too? With devices like FitBit, Nike Fuel, etc, you can set up a support group and make challenges for yourself. You can also use a pedometer or App on your smartphone.

Get Outside - Walking in the fresh air, (why not try during your lunch hour?) can improve your concentration and your mood. Plus getting in those extra steps help your "bottom" line.

Grab A Friend - Walking with a friend is a great way to catch up while you get in some exercise.

Why not put all three of these together and have a blast while getting healthier! What's your best walking tip?

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Disclosure - I received a pair of Vionic Walking shoes to facilitate my review. I was not compensated for my time or required to write this post. As always, all opinions are my very own.

Getting a Grip on Tech {Review}

I don't know about your family, but it seems to me, that we are always on the move these days. At some point during the day, I am running around the house saying "get your coat, grab a hat, take any gadgets you want in the car." This is particularly relevant to my youngest, who spends a lot of time with me in the car carting his older brother around to various events.

I let him keep amused with bringing an iTouch or a DS . . .but I always cringe when he wants to bring the iPad . . .they are slippery little things. So I was delighted when a bright red Gripcase landed on my front step for review.

It was super easy to slip the iPad 2 into the flexible case. . .although I admit, the first time I put it in backwards, but quickly realized my mistake when the buttons didn't match up with the spaces. If you exercise more patience than I did and look at it first, you won't have any problems - it's really easy.

I love the way it looks - the bright red color makes it easy to spot, and those handles all around are fantastic for carrying it and keeping a good grip on it. My teenager thought it looked a little "dorky", but had to admit it was easy to hold onto, carry and hand back and forth with his brother.

You can see more about the sizes and colors that the Gripcase comes in on their website. You can also read about their wonderful BOGO program. With this program, when you buy a Gripcase, they will donate one to a school of your choice. Gripcase is also pretty active on social media, if you're looking for a fun brand to interact with. You can find them on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

We we are giving the Gripcase two thumbs up (six, if you count all three of us).

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Disclosure - Gripcase.com provided a case to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions expressed are my own and those of my family.

What Makes Me Smile? #FABSmile #giveaway

A recent favorite photo of my guys & their #FABSmile

Life with my husband and two kids gives me plenty of things to smile about, that's for sure. Their stories from camp, that cup of coffee John makes me in the morning, taking trips and having adventures together are all reasons for me to smile. So imagine my delight when I received products from FlossAndBrush.com (as part of my relationship with the Mom It Forward Blogger Network) to ensure that our smiles looks as great as possible?

There is something refreshing and restorative about brushing your teeth in the morning (my kids may argue that point). The toothbrushes we received from FlossAndBrush.com are top-quality, age-specific and dentist approved. It's easy to start your day on the right foot with all that going for you! But did you know that your toothbrush wears out over time, even if it doesn't look like it?

In fact, the American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months. If math isn't your strong point, that means each member of your family should have 4 new toothbrushes every year! FlossAndBrush.com makes it easy to always have new toothbrushes when you need them. For only $1/month, per person in your household, FlossAndBrush.com will ship a box of fresh, quality toothbrushes AND floss to your home.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like a little piece of heaven to me. All that service and quality for $16 a year in our case. (Four people at $1 each, every three months) And guess what? FlossAndBrush want to give one lucky my scraps reader the chance to win it for themselves! That will definitely make you show off your own #FABSmile!

Giveaway (sponsored and administered by FlossAndBrush.com and MomitForward)


Prize:
This giveaway prize is valued at $107 and includes the following:

• 1 Free Annual FAB Membership (every three months, a new toothbrush and 3 month supply of floss will arrive at your doorstep)
• 1 Free Annual FAB + White4Life Membership (this includes not only a toothbrush and floss every three months, but each shipment will also include FAB's professional grade whitening you can use in your own whitening trays)

Requirements to Enter:
1.  Visit FAB's Pinterest Page and do ONE of the following (be sure to include a description explaining WHY it makes you smile AND include the #FABSmile hashtag):

• Repin an image any one of the "Smile Boards" that makes you smile
• Pin your own image to Pinterest of something that makes you smile
• Post a photo to Instagram and describe why that photo makes you smile.

Come back to THIS POST and share the link to your Pin or Instagram Photo in order to enter for a chance to win. Then,

2.  Sign up for FlossAndBrush.com's mailing list: http://bit.ly/17Tjoof   and  leave a comment letting me know you signed up!

It's that easy! Read the "fine print" below for details, and hurry - giveaway ends on July 23rd.

fine print - Giveaway open to Continental US Residents only. Be sure to include a valid email address so I can contact you. Comments close on July 23, 2013 at midnight Eastern Daylight Time. Winner will be selected using random.org from all valid entries. Winner must reply within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be selected using the same methods.

Good luck and keep smiling!

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Udi's Gluten Free Products - Review

Disclosure - I received free product to facilitate this review all opinions are my own

My One Little Word for 2013, is "focus". Part of my focus for the year, is on improving my healthy lifestyle. While none of us have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or a sensitivity to Gluten, I have heard that reducing your Gluten intake can help you "feel" better.

In thinking about this, I wanted to know what Gluten actually is. . .and I discovered that it is a protein found in wheat that gives elasticity to dough, helping is to rise and keep its shape.  So, is this "bad" for us if we don't have a known intolerance or Celiac Disease? My research tells me no . . .however, it is not substantially "healthier" either, but if it makes me "feel better" (meaning less bloated), then it could be a win.

Udi's sent us a package of goodies to try out and see if we could substitute some of our regular (WITH Gluten) products with their Gluten Free varieties. Udi's products are counter stable for 5-7 days, good in the fridge for 21 days and good in the freezer for 6 months. To start off with, I froze the breads, tortillas and pizza crusts.

I put the muffins in the refrigerator; however the Blueberry ones were gone within 24 hours. My kids said they were comparable to a Dunkin Donut Blueberry Muffin. I had to agree that they are soft and fluffy, with a great consistency and taste. I made strawberry shortcakes with the Double Vanilla Muffins, slicing them in half, adding cut strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream on the top. Delicious!

The pizza crusts I put in the freezer, but they only made it a day, as my kids asked for personal pizzas for lunch the following afternoon. These were perfect because the directions say cook from frozen. I added some sauce and some cheese, popped them in the oven, and in a matter of minutes the kids had personal pizzas that they enjoyed outside on the patio. There have already been requests to buy more of these, and personally, I think they make a great lunch or even an after-school or camp snack.

A few nights later we grilled up hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner, and I tried out the classic Hamburger and Hot Dog Rolls. Everyone ate them and said they had a great taste. My husband thought it was a bit "too much bread" (which could mean I needed to make bigger burgers - lol). I have heard people say that the rolls and bread taste "stale", but I put the rolls (wrapped in a paper towel) in the microwave for about 30 seconds prior to serving, and no one mentioned staleness!

We were not fans of the tortillas. . .but I think it was a consistency issue more than a taste issue. I made some ham and cheese pinwheels for the kids and the tortillas ripped very easily, and my kids thought they had a "dry" taste to them. I still have the small size in the freezer and I'm going to try making quesadillas with them and see if we have better results.If we do, I'll update here and you can check me out on Instagram.

Where do I start with the cookies? My mother's favorite cookies are Snicker Doodles, so I brought them down to share with her. She thought they were delicious. We (ok, probably me) ate all the Double Chocolate Brownie Bites in about 36 hours. They are the perfect size and dose of chocolate for a mid-day or after-dinner pick-me-up. I think they would be great as a lunchbox treat as well. The kids are picky about Chocolate Chip Cookies, and prefer homemade to any brand of store-bought ones. These were no exception for them; however I think they are great with a glass of milk or cup of tea.

I still have two loaves of bread and the whole wheat burger buns in the freezer to try out, but overall I would call our Udi's experiment a win. The Muffins, Cookies and Pizza Crusts will have a regular place on our shopping list.

Udi's is an American made food, hailing from Colorado. They were started in 1994, and have a strong online presence, helping consumers with finding product, preparing product, recipe ideas and more.

Have you tried Udi's? What's your favorite product or recipe?

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Disclosure - I received a box of free Udi's product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my very own (or that of my family) and I will always be honest with you, my reader.

Fruit2O Review and Dial It Back App {sponsored}

This is a sponsored post, and I received free product in order to facilitate the review. As always, all opinions are my very own.

Does drinking water bore you? As you may know from reading this blog, I am making an attempt to get healthier this year, and my family is along for the ride. One of the ways I am trying to accomplish that goal is to DRINK MORE WATER.

I'm using my FitBit to track my water consumption. I'm adding some lemons and limes. . .but after a while, water can get boring and I find myself longing for something else.

Enter a few bottles of Fruit2O to review. . .here's what I thought about it:



The Dial It Back App (www.dialitback.com) is definitely worth checking out . . .we all want to show a little restraint. . .(well mostly) but it's hard to know where to start. If you check out the App, leave me a comment and let me know where it says you need to Dial It Back =)

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Bubble Bellies Bubble Blowing Toy

I don't know about your kids, but once the weather warms up, my 6 year old wants to break out our Bubble Caddy.  That's right - a Caddy. I got a plastic supply caddy (most likely at Target) and that's where I keep all of our bubble making supplies and goodies out in the garage. It keeps everything together AND it's easy to squirt down with the hose when the bubbles spill.

We received a Bubble Belly© Bubble Blower Toy  from Imperial Toy to review as part of our springtime bubble fun. Sadly, we had to wait a few days for the weather to catch up with our enthusiasm!

LockLaces. . .A Great Alternative to Tying Shoes

disclosure: I received LockLaces to facilitate this review. I was not compensated for this post and as always all opinions are my very own.

I must admit . . . I have mixed feelings about shoe laces. Yes, shoe laces. I want my kids to know how to tie shoes - it's a life skill. However, I seem incapable of teaching them. My oldest learned to tie shoes at Day Camp. (that counselor was one of my favorites) My youngest is learning right now.

Tying shoes used to be a passage to school. There's a cute book, "Countdown to Kindergarten" and the premise is that she will not be allowed into kindergarten if she cannot tie her shoes.

We of course, know this is not true. Almost every pair of kids shoes comes with straps, velcro and other options for keeping them on your child's feet. So now, you may very well have a child that doesn't know how to tie shoes. . .but has a pair of shoes that HAS to be be tied. . .like cleats.

What's a mom to do? I spent the first five years of baseball double knotting or yelling "tie your cleats" to my oldest. Then I got these LockLaces in the mail.

First of all, they fought over the cool colors. . .everyone wanted the Apple Green or the Orange. Being slightly type-A, I like them to match or coordinate with the shoes. I convinced the oldest that the pretty blue ones would go great with his Detroit Tiger's jersey for baseball this season.

They are a snap to put on - here's a quick video of me replacing the old shoe laces with the LockLaces right before we had to leave for practice.



He's had the LockLaces on his cleats for a couple of weeks now and he loves them. They stay tight, don't come untied and are easy on and off in the dugout.

I sent a pair to my Uncle. He is in his 70s and has suffered from polio for his entire life. He has little use of one hand and arm, so many everyday tasks are difficult for him, such as tying shoes.

I admit, we were stumped on where to use our LockLaces at first, the kid's current sneakers all have straps.  Ryan was the one that thought of his cleats. And since they are prone to coming untied, I agreed to put them in. John is taking the Apple Green pair for his sneakers.

 
So far, we love them. They seem to work great and hold up well. Here is some information from the company:

Patented elastic shoelace and fastening system. Fast. Convenient. Secure. Engineers and designed to improve athletic performance, reduce pressure points, promote circulation using simple compression, and eliminate heel crushing. One size fits all. Available in a dozen colors. 48 inches in length.

I can't comment on the claim of improved athletic performance, however, there are no lumps or bumps where the cords flow through the shoes, and my oldest says they are very comfortable. Those things make them a win my book.

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