Family Fun (outside play)

  A day outside with the right toys can bring smiles and fun for everyone.

It's not about who's winning.


It's about fresh air.

Stretched legs.


Off the couch.

Television and electronics off.

Hand eye coordination refined and little minds challenged.

  I get the privilege to of playing with one child then the other. Alternating between the kids and their chosen activity.

  Mom blow bubbles with me. Mom catch the frisbee. Mom throw the ball.

Trying to hold on to these moments. Savor the memories because they won't always want to play with me but, until then I will!

Watch Ya Mouth Game Review

  A family plays games to have fun.  They play games not to win or pass the time but to enjoy each others company.  A family plays Watch Ya Mouth Throw down version to entertain themselves and maybe drool a bit.

  This family game is a newer version of Watch Ya Mouth.  It still has made the 2017 toy of the year which should tell you something.  If that's all I had to say pick up your game now with this 15% discount using this code: 15THROWDOWN. It's available here!

  Four of us with an audience played the game the other day and had a blast.  So much so it was talked about before bed and then the next morning over breakfast! It wasn't about winner or losers it was about the fun and laughs we had.

  This game got us all looking silly together so that evens the self conscious part.  Age didn't really matter except for some tasks required on the cards.  Otherwise this game easily makes playing a game just about the game.  There is a winner after 4 rounds by declaring he who has the most cards wins but it was never about that at least for us.

  Now let's get serious about the game!  The game states it's for ages 8 and up.  There are cards to read and tasks to complete.  My son utilized grandma who was watching us to tell him what the card said. Problem solved.  The game comes with various other props you may be called upon to use. Some easy items you may also need to supply yourself.

Wash the appropriate items that will be make mouth contact, read the directions designate who starts based on hygiene and begin!

Nothing is ever not a race.  You not only have a mouthpiece in but, you also get timed!

Secrets had to be shared but, if you guessed it you got the card!

We even had to phone a friend! No one won that one.

Pens not included! 

Water transfer was very interesting and our last highlight of the night! 

I believe with certainty that this 2017 game of the year was the right decision.  I have never had so much fun playing a game before. It was nice to play game that everyone could play and wasn't too mature for young kids to play and to "cool" for older kids to play.    

I was provided this game complimentary for review purposes but all experiences, opinions and fun were my own! 

Family Game Night (review)

  One of my favorite reviews this week were part of a game.  I had to run out and get the rest of the set so we could take advantage of the review product.  This product even thrilled my kids.  We have been playing for days now.

We got a box of 6 birdies.  With the simple push of a button inside the tip they are illuminated into a rainbow of colors.  They are made with Goose feather, plastic and and the tips are a soft foam type material. 

I had never played badminton in the dark before but now will be playing more often.

Badminton is such an easy game for anyone to play. Young or old it's easy to catch on to the concept of the game and bat the Birdie back and forth.  Of course you will have that one competitive person your playing with but it's still presents a fun time spent outside. 

I received this product for a discount for my honest review and all opinions are my own. 

LED Badminton, URPOWER Shuttlecock Dark Night Colorful Goose Feather LED Badminton Glow Birdies Lighting For Outdoor & Indoor Sports Activities, 6 pack(Include 1pcs Color Changing Shuttlecock) (6) 

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Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Badminton

We Love Dr. Seuss

  Although we didn't get to fancy with our breakfast other than waffles. (No green eggs and ham here).  We did take time out to read books, make some symbolic crafts and nibble on a special treat.

  When I told her it was someones birthday today and told her it was Dr. Seuss.  I asked her if she knew who he was.  She surprised me with Cat in the Hat.  So one point for my daughter whom is always paying attention to pull it out and surprise me later.

  Little man got the privilege of making spots for his puppet.

 His craft was inspired by the book Put Me in the Zoo!

The young lady had Green Eggs and Ham for her craft!  Although we are missing the ham; she enjoyed her green eggs!

My contribution to the day were candy green eggs!  I melted white chocolate and added a green m&m to the tops!  I am working on Thing 1 and 2 but, ran out of supplies so I will post when complete!

My kids had a lot of fun with today! How did you celebrate Dr.Seuss day?

Creative Action

  So growing up in NY your accustomed to snow and what it's full potential is.  We had winter carnivals and snow sculpture contests.  Went to school even when it snowed, lol.  My children have this concept drilled in their heads snow equals no school.  This misconception comes from the nearly 2 weeks of interrupted school last year.

  Raising kids in Virginia when it snows leads to the need to be more creative.  It's amazing how cold it actually is when it snows.  This leads to a huge dread on my part to get outside with the kids but they are so excited to see the white stuff we have to move and act quickly before it disappears.  One day already this snow season it snowed then stopped.  Nothing stuck and therefore there was no playtime!  What's the point of snow if you can't play in it?

  Enter potato pieces and snow!

 I bring snow in from outside and you insert the pieces just like you would with Mr.Potatohead.

 Depending on your snow it may be easier.  Sometimes her snowball was too packed for her to put pieces in.

Even the boy had fun playing with the snow and pieces.

Anything goes! 2 snowball pets!

The makings of a miniature snowman!

This lady was walking her dog!

We even enjoyed some snowcream.  Mint and vanilla flavored!  This is a rare treat based on the quantity of snow we get.  There have been years when the children have been deprived.

I will tell you what she played with the snow inside a whole lot more than she did outside.  Maybe all the winter clothes are too constricting.  It can't possibly have to do with the temperature of  30°.

23 of 25 Days of Elf antics

  Well it has been quiet with a bunch of good days with Elf but I guess all good things must come to an end.  Elf was left unattended again.  I take that back he is always left unattended we as humans have to sleep.  So I think he is onto us. He knows when we are sleeping (he knows when your awake).  Oh wait that's someone else.

Look at what Elf gave us today!

  Even if I thought it was someone else playing a trick on someone else in the house.  Elf always seems to be in the area.  Lurking if you may.  I think to listen in on our reactions or maybe to see our facial expressions when we see what he has left us.

  Well you got us today, Elf.  I'm glad we didn't have any middle of the night runs.  This joke may not have been funny to someone trying to make a quick pit stop.

  The days are numbered with our Elf.  He should go out with a bang.  I wonder what will happen.  Also I have seen plenty of parties for elves coming and going.  I think it only fair to send our Elf off with a going away bash.  After all he has brightened this home into what it has become!

Day 20 with Elf

  Elf knew how much we wanted to draw birds to the house so he was busy stringing Cheerios for the tree.

  By the length of the chain he was working on this for awhile. Good little guy! Thank you so much for your hardwork and it was greatly appreciated.

  I did see you had help and that was very nice of Elmo to assist.  We have never had any trouble from him and he always seems to bring a smile to my kids.

  Thanks again Elf for your hardwork and  determination to bring smiles to the young faces in this home!  I wonder what you will do tomorrow.

19th Day of Elf

  Today the elf gave us an idea based on what he was doing.  It's some thing we normally do but even though it's the 19th day of December; we still had not done it.

Some houses had lights up in their neighborhood.  They were so pretty.

  So Elf was taking a ride through the neighborhood to see them.

I think he really liked them!

   The children also liked touring the neighborhood.  After touring with elf we toured our own neighborhood as well.

Happy holidays everyone!

Elf Delivered Custom Doughnuts (day 17)

  Woke up this morning to a creative tasty breakfast.  Elf had used his skills to create some snowmen for us.  I like to add us as if I'm receiving part of the deal.

He sat patiently on the table waiting to be noticed and hoping it would still be breakfast time instead of lunch.

I love catching their first impression.  I don't always get it suprisingly enough.  I may be in the other room or upstairs waiting for them to discover it.

The thoughts that go through their mind I may never know but I think they are having a great time and enjoying the surprise attention they are receiving.

Elf will practice his snowman skills for next year and lighten the frosting application one snowman looks a little spooky.

Day 15 with Elf part 2 Be Kind

  We the children had fun if I do say so myself.   The elf not only taught them two new words but also encouraged them to be kind to each other and others.  My youngest daughter would even randomly say be kind throughout her day as if she liked the sound of it, or maybe it was a great concept.  She would remind her brother to act on it as well.

  For our be kind movement we choose different areas to act on, explore and learn from.  There should be a who, what, why in everything and end in observing how the recipient felt as well as yourself.  If you feel good you will continue (hopefully).

  We chose for our be kind mission:

1.  The firestation.  The mission bring cookies. To make them happy and know they are thought of.

2.  Toys for tots event.  The mission to donate a toy for a child to have something on Christmas.  To make a child happy with a toy.

3.  Help an animal shelter.  The mission to provide a donation to the shelter.  To provide something of use or fun to the animals.

4.  Nature.  To provide substance to the birds.  Even though the ground is not covered over providing them some food will hopefully entice them to visit us more and make them happy.

  It took us all day but it was a nice day even if busy.  We started out by making cookies.

Of course while I was in the other room the kids needed supervision so Elf was happy to help.  He was pretty strict.  Not a finger went in the bowl, muscles were however made during this stirring session .

Chocolate had to be retrieved for one batch of cookies and Elf knows about kids and chocolate so he watched very closely.  (Hint: if you bribe with chocolate nothing will get eaten)

Finished product

delivered safely.

Next stop was our toy donation. We had trouble locating a box.  I guess they were all picked up but after I sent a Facebook message I was pointed to 1 location and we headed there to drop off our toy.

The kids choose a toy yesterday for this event and it was neat to have the dialog with them.  She never once questioned why.  She picked out a gift and was happy to make another child happy.

Last stop on our day was to give some donations to the animal shelter.  There are a lot in the area but I choose one that I have gone to several times.  I looked online to see what they were looking for.  We selected peanut butter dog treats and a couple shoe boxes for the cats.

We ended our day with making bird seed ornaments.  They do need to dry so hopefully they will be ready to hang up tomorrow.