Stores

  • Old Post 1940 Coffee Shop & Wedding Venue (Easley, SC)

    We visited the Old Post 1940 Coffee Shop & Wedding Venue in Easley, South Carolina. It is a 1940s United States Post Office that was renovated into a pretty wedding venue and coffee shop. It was a neat wedding venue near downtown Easley.

    They had a small coffee shop serving organic coffee. We each had a coffee and looked around the venue. The coffee was good, the building and location were nice. If you are looking for a venue near the Easley area you should check this place out. If you have a large event there is not a lot of parking at the building but there is a decent size parking about a block or so away at Old Market Square.

  • Be Prepared & Avoid The Oops! Walmart & SheSpeaks #AvoidtheOops

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    Have you ever been in the middle of hosting an event at your house and realized you are out of napkins?  Gone to brush your teeth only to discover you are out of toothpaste?  Went to start the laundry only to find out that you are out of laundry soap?  All of these are possible scenarios and can be quite frustrating.  I speak from experience!  It is not cool to run out of essential items when you really need them!

    At the time it is not funny when you realize you need something and do not have it on hand.  It can be a big inconvenience because you may have to stop what you are doing and go to the store to pick up the missing product. You may need to be creative with your available resources because you cannot pick up the missing item (using cloth napkins while your guests are still visiting or napkins).  Whatever the resolution in those crazy times it simply would have been easier to just have the item already at the house!

    Avoid the Oops

    No one likes that sinking feeling when you reach for something only to realize it’s all gone. Avoid those oops moments by stocking up at Walmart.

    One of the best ways to “avoid the oops” and running out of staple items is to keep a stock of essentials from Protector & Gamble.  Whether it is an impromptu summer event, gathering, or last minute outing.  It is always great to keep the daily or regularly used items on your list and small stockpile (one or two spares). The best way that we  have helped to “avoid the oops” in our household is to create and use a system.

    First, we try to keep at least 1 extra of the essential items that we use regularly in our house.  Whenever, any member uses or opens up the last of an item they automatically add it to our shopping list.  It doesn’t matter if I use the last item, my husband or kids, everyone has the freedom to update the list.  It helps us keep what we need in stock.  Until recently I would pick up any items on our shopping list around town, however, using WalMart’s “avoid the oops” program would save me the time and energy of running errands.  Plus, I get the opportunity to order great products and have them delivered directly to our house (extra bonus)!

    Save Time and Money:

    Who doesn’t want to have a little extra time at the end of the day or extra money left in the budget at the end of the month!  Some weeks it takes everything you have to balance schedules and all the activities (school, work, family, extra curricular, and more).  If you could have something already in place that would allow you to quickly and easily order quality staple products online for a reasonable price and have them delivered to your home it may reduce some of the unnecessary stress in your already busy schedule.  Most shoppers don’t realize they have the option of shopping for the same great household essentials at Walmart’s everyday low prices on Walmart. And by doing so, they’ll also save time so they can enjoy more of that summer sunshine.

    Share Your “Oops” Moment:

    Have you ever had an “oops” moment?  Please share!  We are all human and have had those moments at various times throughout our lives.  We can laugh or cry together about them!

    I was thrilled to hear that SheSpeaks teamed up with Walmart to showcase their “Avoid the Oops” program.  Practical products are awesome!  I love it when my house is stocked with the basic necessities and the house looks as well as smells fresh!  Thank you Walmart and SheSpeaks for helping me tackle my shopping list and clean my house!  It is always great to find products that are useful and easy to get.

    She Speaks, WalMart, Avoid the Oops Review

    AMAZING Household, Cleaning, and Health & Beauty Items from Walmart that we Received:

    • 2 – Pampers Baby Fresh Baby Wipe Tubs (72 count each)
    • 6 – Bounty Basic Big Roll Paper Towels (95 sheets per roll)
    • 9 – Charmin Basic Toilet Paper Bulk Rolls (319 sheets per roll)
    • 1 Box – Gain Powder Laundry Detergent Original
    • 1 Pack – Gillette Simply Venus Disposable Razors (4 count)
    • 3 – Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste 6.4 oz each
    • 10 – Ivory Original Soap Bars
    • 2 – Mr. Clean Magic Kitchen Scrubbers
    • 4 – Puffs Ultra Soft Strong Non-Lotion Boxes of Facial Tissues (56 sheets per box)
    • 4 – Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original
    • 2 – Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power House Cleaning Pads
    • 1 – Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Original Scent
    • 1 – Mr. Clean Hawaiian Aloha Multi-Purpose Liquid Cleaner (40 fl oz)
    • Sample goodies to try too!!!!

    I received ALL these products shipped directly to my house for under $60!  They were super easy to order online at Walmart and arrived quickly.  It was a big time savings for our family!  Head on over and try out avoid the oops today so you will be stocked up on your products for tomorrow!

    You can shop in all of the following categories:  Kitchen, Laundry, Cleaning, Health & Beauty, Baby, Bathroom and More!!!

    Additional Information Can be Found About This AWESOME Program at:

    As a member of the SheSpeaks Blogger Society, I was given samples of these products and program to write an informed review.  The opinions expressed in this post are my own.   A special thanks to SheSpeaks and Walmart for providing the products to review.

  • Travel & Vacation: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon (Charleston, SC)

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     Visiting the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

    One of the days while we were in Charleston, SC it was raining so we took the time to explore the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.  We had gotten a Groupon for a discounted tour of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon so we figured it was the perfect day to go.  The girls and I had a lot of fun learning about the building and all the history that took place within it’s walls.  Another time about a year later we were in Charleston again and Jake joined us for our second tour of the building.  It is full of history.  The kids really enjoyed it.  A friend recommended we go see this historic site a couple years ago and we have enjoyed going more than once.

    Old Exchange dates back to the 1670’s when it was used as a Customs and Exchange building for the busy Charleston port.  Pirates were placed in the Provost Dungeon.  British tea was stored inside it’s walls.  You can see the old sea wall inside the Provost Dungeon.  During the American Revolution the colonists hid guns and ammunition inside the building.  There is a lot of neat history in this building.

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    Old staircase, not in use anymore

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    Old Seawall can be seen inside the Provost Dungeon.  Half-moon battery.

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    They had amazing brick work done in the building.  It was neat to see.

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    Old model of the building.

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    Our tour guide telling about the pirates they captured and held as prisoners in the Provost Dungeon

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    Pirates biding their time in the Dungeon

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    The had to keep records of all the exchanges and transactions that took place inside the building.

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    The colonists put a powder magazine inside the building and then built a wall in front of it.  Even during the American Revolution when the British soldiers had control and occupied this building they never found it.  After the war when they took down the wall everything was still where they had left it.

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    Provost Dungeon

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    Black Beard the pirate

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    A lot of neat historical pictures line the walls throughout the building

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    It was a rainy day in Charleston.  Perfect day to take a tour of Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.

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    Information about Preside George Washington’s visit to Charleston.

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    We the People….

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    Historical people and swords

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    Rainy day, but still beautiful

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    Looking out from the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon building to the street below.

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    History of the Exchange & Custom House, Faneuil Hall, and more

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    One of the meeting rooms, beautifully decorated

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    The Old Exchange Building & Provost Dungeon Banner

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    Plagues on the outside walls of the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week Jake’s sister family spent the week with us.  The week went by quickly and we packed in a lot of activities during their stay.  It was fun spending some extra time and catching up with them as well as the rest of the family in the area the last few days.  On Friday the girls went to church camp for the weekend.  The house was really quiet after everyone left!  We celebrated Father’s Day last weekend since the girls were away at camp for a good part of Father’s Day.  Jake was super sweet and helped get our large pile of laundry started while the girls were away.  He also made the most amazing apricot and salmon recipe that I will be sharing in a few days.  Here are my goals for this week:

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Finish reading Romona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary book to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the familywent to Otters Creek Water Park with Mirm’s family
    3. Play a Game with the Familyplayed several this week
    4. Prepare for Upcoming Spring EventsSpring is done and now we are enjoying summer
    5. Spend time working on Summer Workbooks
    6. Attend Evening Activities & Events
    7. Spend Extra Time with Extended Family
    8. Lunch Bags Packed for Work & Errand / Outside Activities
    9. Prep for upcoming Family Adventure(s)
    10. Prep & Figure out Schedule for Summer Break – wrapping up some later details
    11. Ride Bikes with the Kids
    12. Work on special projects with the kids
    13. Hang out at a park with Kids
    14. Go to the Library
    15. Find a new local place to visit or new activity to do with the Kids – we went to places we already visited before
    16. Attend an extra-curricular activity or event
    17. Get kids packed and sent off to Church Camp
    18. Celebrate Father’s Day

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s) – running a little behind
    3. Keep up with my FitBit Goals
    4. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
    5. Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Clean House (Focus – Vacuum & Dust)
    4. Organize Chaos (Focus – Refrigerator)
    5. Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Treehouse Fort) – working on it
    6. Pet Care (Focus – Treat Yard for Mosquitoes / Flies)
    7. Repairs – (Focus – Girls Necklace Hangers) – hoping to get it done soon

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients – another project to be done soon
    5. Research and pursue career goals
    6. Prep, plan, and organize content for upcoming summer months while the kids are out of school

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car – working on it
    2. Payoff Medical Bills – paid more on a couple this week
    3. Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, HVAC unit, and other debt) – working on it
    4. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    5. Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – went over budget with the grocery budget

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Finish reading Lightening’s Last Hope by Joanna Campbell book to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Play a Game with the Family
    4. Spend time working on Summer Workbooks
    5. Attend Evening Activities & Events
    6. Lunch Bags Packed for Work & Errand / Outside Activities
    7. Prep for upcoming Family Adventure(s)
    8. Prep & Figure out Schedule for Summer Break
    9. Ride Bikes with the Kids
    10. Work on special projects with the kids
    11. Hang out at a park with Kids
    12. Go to the Library
    13. Find a new local place to visit or new activity to do with the Kids
    14. Attend an extra-curricular activity or event
    15. Pick up Summer Clothes for the girls (Swim suit, shorts, sandals, pjs)

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Keep up with my FitBit Goals
    4. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
    5. Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Clean House (Focus – Post Items to Sale and Take Items to Donate)
    4. Organize Chaos (Focus – Girls Scrapbooks)
    5. Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Seed Goat Pen)
    6. Pet Care (Focus – New Collar for Snowball, Hay, & Mineral Bucket)
    7. Repairs – (Focus – Girls Necklace Hangers)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients
    5. Research and Plan Out Business Goals
    6. Prep, plan, and organize content for upcoming summer months while the kids are out of school

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car
    2. Payoff Medical Bills
    3. Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, HVAC unit, and other debt)
    4. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    5. Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget

    I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

    Why Share My Goals?

    • To keep me accountable
    • To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
    • To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
    • Create healthy habits in my life
    • To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

    How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

    The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.

  • School: Family STEM Activity Night

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    STEM Club team members getting ready to speak to family, friends, and school faculty.

    On Family STEM Activity Night all students and families were invited to participate in dinner, activities, and a STEM Club presentation.  Both of our girls spoke in front of all the school faculty, family, and friends that were at the event.  So proud of their courage and willingness to speak in front of so many people.  They did fantastic at the robotic competitions and speaking at the event.

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     Karlie speaking.  Brina spoke too, but we didn’t get a clear picture of her.

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    Our little super heroes!

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    Karlie getting ready to test her balloon rocket.

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    Mrs. Williams (Brina’s 4th grade homeroom teacher) helping Brina put her balloon on the string so she can race it.

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    Mr. Moore (one of the STEM Club coaches) timing Brina’s balloon as it zips down the string to the target.

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     Brina making her container for her egg drop.  You got 1 containers and could use 2 items.  She picked bubble wrap and yellow feathers!

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    Karlie picked cotton balls and sponges for her egg drop container!

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    There goes Karlie’s!

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    Brina getting ready to watch her egg drop.  The girls were the first ones to not have their eggs break on the concrete (almost 40 people went in front of them)!

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    Jake met us at the school.  He was great at building the tower out of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows.  They were given a specific amount of dry spaghetti noodles and marshmallows to see how high of tower they could build.  They had one of the highest towers when we left the room.

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    Measuring the tower!  It was leaning a little, but could stand on it’s own without assistance!

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     Our spaghetti noodle and marshmallow tower design!

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     At the end of the night the school held a drawing for all the people that came.  We had the grand prize ticket – an Amazon Kindle!  The kindle has already been proven valuable on our last couple of road trips.  Instead of bringing extra books they can read a lot of books that we downloaded on the Kindle.  It’s been a nice item to have for the kids.  They are very lucky girls!

  • Travel & Vacation: Homewood Suites & Paddington Movie (Atlanta, GA)

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     Swimming at the pool

    On a recent trip to Atlanta, Georgia we stayed at the Homewood Suites.  The girls were begging to go swimming so on the first day we were there we wrapped up early and headed back to the hotel so they could swim.  It was in the high 70’s that day, however, they had just filled the pool a couple days before we arrived so the water was freezing cold.  Both kids got into the pool, but Brina was done after a few minutes.  Karlie stayed in a little longer, although it wasn’t much fun swimming by herself.  The entire time we were at the hotel we didn’t see one other person in the pool….I wonder why?!

    Since we scrapped our pool time activity we decided to look for some other activities that we could do together that night.  We headed back to the room to re-group and figure out what we wanted to do that evening. While the girls got dressed Jake and I made dinner in the hotel room.  It was nice having one with a fridge, sink, dishwasher, microwave, and oven so we could eat at the hotel!

    Jake found a movie theater nearby where you can get movie tickets for $3 each and they were showing some good kids movies so we decided to check it out.  It was only a few miles away inside a open shopping mall and market.  We chose to watch the movie Paddington with the girls at the Venture Theater

    It was a cute movie.  I seriously cannot remember the last time our family went to the movie theater so this was a special treat for the kids.  Usually it is so expensive just to go to the movies so we usually wait until it comes out on video.  It was a nice activity for the four of us and only cost $12!  The kids enjoyed the movie.  Jake and I had a couple good laughs too.  Thankful for a fun evening with the family.  Sometimes even the best of plans don’t go as expected so it’s always a good idea to have a Plan B.

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    Ready for the movie to start

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     Karlie is focused

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     Our kids typically don’t sleep in very late so one morning after breakfast we spent some time playing games until the place we were going to that day opened.  During the evenings after dinner if we had time and everyone wasn’t too tired we would play some card games too.  It’s always a good idea to bring card games because you never know when you’ll have a few minutes of down time to relax and have fun.

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    Karlie relaxing on the couch at the hotel.

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     Brina setting up the game

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    It didn’t take them long to crash after a fun filled day in Atlanta!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Insta-Snow Powder for Fun Indoor Snow Activities!

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    Super cool fake snow!

    Our friends Mike, Ashley, and Bradley gave the girls Insta-Snow Powder for their birthdays!  It is AMAZING!  The girls have spent hours playing with it.  Ok, I will admit it I have been playing with it too.  It’s just so cool to play with inside!

    It is super simple to make (just add water to a measured amount of powder).  The canister we have makes 2 gallons of snow.  We have only made a few batches and still have the snow we made from the last several weeks.  It lasts a really long time if you put it in a ziplock bag.  It is fascinating, not cold, and funky to play with.

    The girls were wanting to go somewhere with snow for their birthday so our friend sent “snow” to them.  They had the snow out almost immediately and within a couple of days of playing with the Insta-Snow we got real snow outside in SC.  The kids are convinced our friends are good luck because every time they played with the Insta-Snow they sent them it would snow again in SC (which means no school too).

    It is a fun activity for the kids.  If any of the snow particles do get on the counter or floors they are easy to wipe up or if you miss them they will dry back up into the powder which is easy to sweep or vacuum up off the floor.  We are gearing up to do a science project and the girls are convinced that whatever they decide to do they will need to add some of the Insta-Snow powder to give their science projects an extra WOW factor, ha!

    I think the next thing we are going to try is to dye the snow different colors to see how it handles that and what it looks like when you mix various ones together.  Thankful for thoughtful friends who know how to brighten the lives of the little ones (and big ones) in our home!  THANK YOU Ashley from Reflecting on the Simple Things in Life for providing hours of entertainment at our house!!!

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    They thought it was neat being able to write messages in the snow!

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    The Insta-Snow Powder came in this canister and it makes 2 gallons.  The snow expands rapidly to 100 times its original size.  It goes from being a dry granule to fluffy white snow-like substance in a matter of seconds.

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    Inside the canister there is a scoop for easy measuring!

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    First we measured the insta-snow powder into a red cup than poured the water into it.

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    Mixing up the snow and water.  It literally grew in her hands.  Super cool!

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    Playing with it!

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    So fascinating they wouldn’t even look up for the camera

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    Pile of fake snow to play with inside.

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    Felt really neat!

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    Loved looking at all the little pieces and playing with it.

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    Building a volcano!

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     Look it’s snowing inside!

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    You could play with it for hours with your bare hands because it is not cold like actually snow plus it doesn’t melt and it’s easy to clean up!

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    Brina playing with the snow!

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    Creating a replica of the Great Wall of China which we were just talking about the other day!

    If you are looking for a fun and indoor activity you can find Insta-Snow Powder and other Snow like items on Amazon.

  • Free Ebooks: Life Without Clutter, Zap Your Procrastination, Critical Thinking, Nikola Tesla, Frugal Hacks, and more!

    The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading).  The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.

    Download a free copy of Life Without Clutter: A Textbook on The Most Effective Ways to Dispose of All Types of Clutter by Janet Curry

    Download a free copy of Focus: Natural Ways to Elevate Your Focus & Concentration by John Franz

    Download a free copy of Zap Your Procrastination (Time Management and Productivity) by Romuald Andrade

    Download a free copy of Critical Thinking: Think Clearly and Logically by Ava Young

    Download a free copy of Nikola Tesla by Sean Patrick

    Download a free copy of  Frugal Hacks: Money Tips, Tricks, and Innovative Ways to Maximize Your Dollar by Will K. Kowl

  • Travel & Vacation: Walt Disney World’s Trading Pins

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     Ready to trade!

    When we went to Disney recently we decided to add a fun event to the girls days while in the parks.  I was looking online for neat activities and inexpensive souvenirs when I discovered the Disney Trading Pin idea.  None of us had ever done this before, but it intrigue me so I researched it more.

    Get a Disney Trading Pin Starter Pack.  We decided to buy a starter pack of Walt Disney World Trading Pins for the girls and see how it goes.  You can find a lot of sets for sell on Amazon or EBay.  If you do purchase from Amazon OR EBay, please check the seller’s feedback and verify that the trading pins you are purchasing are truly official Disney Trading Pins.  The official Disney Trading Pins will all be made of metal and contain the mickey mouse head printed on the the backs.  If they are not “official Disney Trading Pins” you will not be able to trade them at the parks.  We purchased a set of 50 Disney Trading Pins for less than $0.50 per pin including shipping.  The only catch with the pins we got was that we couldn’t “pick” which pins came in our package.  We really didn’t have any preference on the pins we wanted to get starting and didn’t have any specific sets we were trying to collect any way so it made sense to get started with a decent number of pins by getting them online prior to going to Disney.  You can also pick up various themed starter packs at any of the Disney stores.

    Make it a game and prepare the kids before leaving home.  A couple days before we left for Disney we put all the trading pins into a bowl and had the girls choose one out at a time so it was random.  We explained what the pins were for, how to use them, and that they were theirs to keep, trade, and do as they please with them.  They were really excited by this new fun game!  After they drew all the trading pins that we had been sent they practiced their trading abilities by trading a couple among themselves.

    Decide which ones you want to keep and which ones to trade.  They sorted them by categories – ones they wanted to keep, ones they wanted to trade with others because they didn’t want them, and ones that they hadn’t decided whether or not they wanted to keep into their “maybe” stack.  We used 4 lanyards that Jake had collected through the various conferences he has attended to attached their pins.

    Make sure to get a lanyard or hat to store them on.  Separate out the ones you want to keep from the ones you want to trade. They had one lanyard that they wore or kept readily available so they could trade with any cast member or other guest while at the Disney parks, on the transportation systems, hotel, standing in line, and various other places throughout our travels.  The other lanyard they kept separate and that contained all the trading pins they really wanted to keep or try to collect.  We kept the lanyard with the pieces they wanted to save in their back packs so they didn’t accidentally trade the wrong ones.  Also, we discovered that occasionally the back would come off of a trading pin and at times the pin itself would fall off.  If they lost one they were already trading it would not be as disappointing as losing one that they really wanted to keep.

    Meet a lot of neat people and enjoy a variety of fun conversations.  We weren’t entirely sure how well it would work, if the kids would like it, or if it would be fun for them, but we gave it a try.  They LOVED it!!!  It was so neat to see them talking, interacting, and trading not only with various cast members, but other guests as well.  They had to be okay if someone didn’t want to trade and learn how to interact politely with both kids and adults.  It was a great learning experience for both of the kids.  They had a grand time and had so many interesting conversations with people we met throughout the week that we probably would have never talked with had they not been trading.

    Educational souvenir and perfect for older kids.  Let the kids handle as much as the interaction on their own.  It was educational, fun, and for the most part inexpensive souvenir.  The new trading pins in the stores sell for $6 and more per trading pin!  This activity is particularly good for older children, probably 6 and up.  The younger ones can do it too, but it takes more parent supervision.  Most of the time I would step back and let the kids do all the conversations and interactions on their own.  They got really good at it and had a blast at the same time.  If your looking for a fun activities that can be done no matter where you are at in the Disney vicinity this is a wonderful activity.  Once the girls knew what they wanted to collect it became like a scavenger hunt game for them.

    Manners Matter.  It is probably obvious, but like anything else in life it is important to be polite and use your manners when you are interacting with cast members and other guests.  There are some people that absolutely do not want to trade and you have to be okay with that too!  The girls ended up getting some pretty neat pins and even a couple extra ones when trading.  I believe a large part of them getting a few extra pins was that they were polite and respectful when interacting with people during the trading process (plus wearing their birthday celebration buttons helped with that as well).

    How to trade pins with cast members and guests.  Any cast member will trade up to 2 pins with you as long as you do not give them one that they already have.  Other guests do not have to trade with you, but there is no limit on the number of trades you can do with other guests.  We had many opportunities to trade throughout the entire week!  The kids were very excited by the pins they were able to collect during the week.  They even collected a full set or two.  They can back with only a handful of the 25 pins they began the week with before heading to Disney  It was interesting to see how they choose to handle their sets and how their different personalities shown through in this activity.

    Disney Trading Pins

    Brina’s starter set.  The top row was her want to keep and “maybe” sets.

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    At the end of the week Brina’s “keep” set on the left and “trade later” set on the right.

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    Brina made up her mind almost immediately what she wanted to collect, never changed her mind, and consistently only looked for those specific items.  She managed to complete one full set and is only 1 away from completing her 2nd set.  Brina especially enjoyed talking and trading with the kids (both the little ones and older ones).  She would trade any of her stash of trading buttons with them just for fun even if they didn’t have something she wanted in return.  It was a great social activity and she really enjoyed it!

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    Karlie’s Disney Trading Pins starter set.  She separated hers out into to save, trade, and “maybe” trade categories.

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    Karlie’s two sets by the end of the week.  On the left are her “keep” pins and on the right are her “still can be traded at a later day” pins.  As you can see she has some of the same pins and a variety of new ones.

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    Karlie was fun to watch trade.  She would trade with anyone and everyone.  It was a great adventure for her to go up to workers, other guests, and just start up a conversation.  She was always excited about a variety of pins.  Although she originally only had one or two sets she was collecting by the end of the week she had several different sets she was collecting because she kept adding more ones she wanted to keep.  She didn’t complete any of her sets, but she did get some very “Karlie” type pins which was cool!

    If you want some more information about how to get started with the Disney Trading Pins you can go to Disney or Disney Blog or other individuals who have shared great advice with a lot of information for those who are looking at beginning to trade the Disney pins:

    These should help you get off to a great start in your Disney Trading Pin adventure!  Happy Trading!!!

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