• My Newest Friend & Pet: Meet “Bubbles the 3rd”

    Bubbles 3 now comfortably at home in my kitchen!

    Jake came home from doing errands one day and this little guy was there to greet me.  The first pet we ever had as a married couple was a red and blue beta fish named “Bubbles”.  He hung out on the counter top in the kitchen at our apartment. We have not had a beta fish for a long time because we have other tanks and they are the type of fish that really need their own space and tank.

    I am a big fan of animals and little critters, however, I don’t enjoy the maintenance part of fish tanks.  Thankfully Jake handles that piece for me.  I make sure Bubbles is fed and entertained, but otherwise Jake does any tank cleaning.  Yes, I have conversations with my fish while cleaning or cooking in the kitchen!   He is hard to get a picture of because he is either hiding or won’t stop moving.  He is a beautiful red and blue long fin beta.  Bubble the 3rd has even learned my tap means “time to eat”!  Bubbles is the only pet that I get to feed consistently, the girls all feed and care for the all the other pets in the family.   Bubbles is my cooking and cleaning buddy when Jake and the girls are not home or around!

  • Travel & Vacation: Leaving on a Jet Plane

    Leaving on a Jet Plane!  Jake took this picture of an airplane flying over the ship earlier that day

    We spent most of Saturday morning on the boat enjoying breakfast, walking around, and reminiscing before heading to the Fort Lauderdale airport.  Our flights didn’t leave until later that afternoon so we had plenty of time to get to the airport, relax, and have some fun before parting ways and getting onto the planes.  Half of us were heading back to South Carolina and the other half were going to Kansas.  We ate snacks, read books, played games, slept, and were entertained by the wildlife that came to eat the crumbs the kids dropped on the floor.  Probably the most entertaining game we played was Bean Boozled, we had some good laughs with that one (a couple times we even had the couple sitting next to us laughing).

    Nicko enjoying his candy bracelet from Brina Bee!

    Nicko enjoying his candy bracelet from Brina Bee!

    Zach could sleep anywhere….here he is sleeping soundly on Grandma Penny’s lap at the airport

    Reading books in the airport

    Another form of airport entertainment in Fort Lauderdale, watching the pigeons come in and pick up the crumbs that the kids dropped on the floor.  This one was right next to my foot!  The birds came several times within inches from us.  The kids would eventually get so excited watching them that they would scare the birds away but in a few minutes they would come back again.  Although it was kind of gross the kids were entertained and fascinated by the birds (they kept wanting to feed the birds more).

    This guy was right next to Amber’s boot and backpack.  He wasn’t very scared of us, he was more interested in getting the crumbs off the floor.

  • Travel & Vacation: Always Something Fun to Do

    Brina hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma before breakfast

    We had a blast on our first full day on the ship.  The girls were up early before breakfast even opened so we hung out with Grandpa and Grandma a little bit.  We went swimming, ate great food, went to the Freeze Frame Show, had our first formal dinner, relaxed, attended the Once Upon A Time Show, and not long after that the kids crashed.  They were sound asleep within minutes of getting back into the room, cleaned up, and into bed.  Thankful for a great time with family during our time on the boat.

    Where is Karlie?!  Oh, there she is up in her bed reading a book!  Karlie loves to read.  She finished a couple chapter books while we were on the cruise.

    Relaxing for a few minutes before taking off to the next activity of the day

    Pizza and fruit were always a hit for lunch at Windjammers!

    Reading “Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing” to the girls while we wait for the rest of the group to get ready

  • Travel & Vacation: Once Upon A Time Show

    Once Upon a Time Show

    The first full day on the boat was packed full of fun activities from swimming, playing, Freeze Frame Ice Show, our formal dinner together, and more!  After dinner we went to the Once Upon a Time Show.  They re-told a lot of the traditional fairy tales from Cinderella to Snow White to Pinocchio and more.  The kids were fascinated by all the action on the stage!

    They even had fairies flying around!

    Fascinating to watch

    They even had Cinderella

    Some of the outfits made me laugh!

    The girls loved this show!

    Once Upon a Time Show – Rapunzel

  • Travel & Vacation: Our First Formal Night

    Karlie and Brina all dressed up for our first formal night

    Earlier that day we went swimming, played, and went to the Freeze Frame Ice Show.  Now it was time to get dressed up for our first formal night on the ship.  The girls wore their red dresses for the first formal night on the cruise ship.  They looked so cute!  We took a family picture but I thought you would enjoy some of the snap shots we were able to get while waiting for our family picture.  Everyone looked really nice for dinner that night.

    Our little ladies

    This one cracks me up…..they have obviously spotted someone they know, ha!

    Brina taking a picture of Jake and I

    A snap shot of Jake and I on the trip

    Grandpa and Zach are ready for their picture

    Karlie girl all dressed up

    Nicko looking sharp

    Brina, Nathan and Brandon ready for their pictures

    They look thrilled

    Uncle Josh looking all snazzy too

  • Travel & Vacation: Freeze Frame Ice Show

    Yay for the Freeze Frame Ice Show!

    After some time swimming we all went to the Freeze Frame Ice Show!  It was so neat seeing all the people zooming around so gracefully on the ice.  The girls thought they made it look really easy.  We tried ice skating later that week and it wasn’t as easy as it looked when these guys were flying around!

    Karlie super excited to watch the Freeze Frame Ice Show

    Brandon, Brina, and Jeremy are ready to watch the ice show.  We got really good seats too!

    Karlie thought it was cool they had stars on the ice with the skaters

    All the kids on the edge of their seats watching the show

    One of the couples in the show

    I lost count how many times they switch outfits in this program!

    Brina’s comment…..they make it look so easy

    Now that takes talent

    Amazing

    The Freeze Frame Ice Show was really neat

  • Creative Kids: Sidewalk Chalk Paint

    With the warm weather just around the corner (it was in the 70’s here this past weekend).  I want to share one of our family’s favorite outside crafts with you.  Sidewalk Chalk Paint is super easy to make and can entertain the kids for hours.  The sidewalk chalk paint can take the place of traditional chalk and is inexpensive to make at home.  You can make whatever colors you want; we’ve done all the colors of the rainbow, including Charleston Green (which was requested by the girls).

    We’ve had kids from 1 years old and up play with this neat paint and love it!

    Sidewalk Chalk Paint

    • 1/2 cup cold Water
    • 1/2 cup Cornstarch
    • Food Coloring
    • Jumbo Muffin Tin
    • Variety of Old Paint Brushes

    Stir the cold water and cornstarch together until you have a smooth consistency.  Mix in 3 to 6 drops of food coloring.  Repeat the process until you have filled your muffin tin with a rainbow of colors.   If you want to make less you can do 1/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup cornstarch.  You can make your sidewalk chalk paint darker by adding a few more drops of food coloring.

    My niece Noelle and I were having fun doing her name together!

    This works on any sidewalk or driveway, although smooth surfaces may be a little better.  Our driveway is rough but the kids always have a blast doing this activity.  When Jake’s sister and family was here a few months ago we did this activity with the kids.

    Brina painted her name on the sidewalk

    The sidewalk chalk paint will wash off your sidewalk or driveway and is safe for your grass and plants.  If you have leftovers you can put them into empty yogurt containers and store them until the next time the kids are ready for sidewalk chalk paint.  You may have to add a few drops of water if the paint has become a little dry but it should revive well after adding a little more water.

  • Game: Bean Boozled by Jelly Belly

    Bean Boozled Game

    Some friends of ours introduced us to this game called Bean Boozled by Jelly Belly a couple years ago and it has been a big hit with our family!  We’ve even picked up some boxes to take with us when we traveled to play with extended family and friends.

    There was a local store that carried the game, but the last couple of times I was in the store they didn’t have it in stock.  When I asked about it both times the person working told me that they didn’t know if they would be re-stocking it.  I checked online and Amazon carries it (this would be a great one to add to an existing order so you get free shipping).

    I cannot tell you how many laughs we have had over this game.  It is quite hilarious!  With a group of people you have each person pick out a jelly bean to try.  The is no way to tell if you have a “good” flavored jelly bean or a “bad” flavor, but as soon as you bite into it you’ll know!  The faces of the people biting into the jelly beans is priceless. We even played this game with Jake’s grandparents the last time with visited Vermont.

    Flavors

    • Licorice or Skunk Spray
    • Top Banana or Pencil Shavings
    • Buttered Popcorn or Rotten Egg
    • Berry Blue or Toothpaste
    • Chocolate Pudding or Canned Dog Food
    • Peach or Barf
    • Juicy Pear or Booger
    • Caramel Corn or Moldy Cheese
    • Coconut or Baby Wipes
    • Strawberry Jam or Centipede

    Even though they may “look” the same they taste VERY different. It is a good idea to have a napkin available for each player in case they need to spit out the jelly beans.  If you want to play a trick on your co-workers put these in a bowl on your desk, depending on which one they get they may never snag a candy from your desk again!

    For obvious reasons this game can only be played one time! Once all the jelly beans have been eaten the game is over.  Our kids love this game and can tell you many great memories of when they played it with various family members and friends.

    All the fun flavors, hilarious game!

     The box reads:

    CAUTION  These jelly beans may look alike but they could not taste more different from each other.  Think you can tell them apart?  WE DARE YOU!

  • Travel & Vacation: Road Trip Entertainment

    I am so thankful that our girls travel really well.  Since they were little babies we have been doing road trips and they have been real troopers every time.  The longest road trip we took with them was 40 hours (round trip).  They have a blast hanging out together reading books, doing work books, playing games, talking, listening to audiobooks, and when we go on a long trip (5 hours or more) they get to watch a couple movies.  Here are some of the ways we stay entertained on road trips:

    Karlie lounging and talking on the phone as we were driving through Charleston.  They usually keep themselves busy reading, doing workbooks, playing games or resting.

    I hear giggling coming from the backseat….when I look back this is what I see….Brina practicing her flexibility.  Hey at least they are happy on road trips! Goofy girl!

    Karlie smiling as she works on a workbook in the car!

    Brina multi-tasking….snacking and reading a book at the same time while in the back seat of the car.  Thankfully she doesn’t get carsick as often anymore!

    On this trip we stuck the basket of books, workbooks, games, etc….in between the girls.  This was great because it provided accessible entertainment for both girls at the same time and kept them a little separated so they weren’t poking or messing with each other.  They didn’t get to watch a movie on this road trip because it was only 3 hours long, but they still had a lot of fun!

  • Game: “Wits and Wagers Party” Game by North Star Games

     Do you have an upcoming celebration or game night?  Are you looking for the perfect party game?  You should check out Wits & Wagers Party by North Star Games!  You can have from 4 to 20 players and it only takes about 20 minutes to play a round.  The rules are simple.  Your guests will have a blast and will insist on playing another round.

    Wits & Wagers Party has over 200 questions that will test your knowledge of various facts.  Every answer is a number such as a year, percent, measurement, and so forth.  You get points for having the closest answer without going over as well as for guessing the best answer (which could be any player’s answer).  While this game is based on facts you don’t need to know all the answers in order to enjoy, participate, or even win the game!

    Here’s 3 more games we recommend (we’ve played them many times):

    Our review of this Wits & Wagers Family Game (easy enough for the kids to play too)