Be Brave, Keep Going

How We Found Out Our Son Had Cancer...Again

2019-10-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

This is story of how we discovered our son had cancer...for the second time.

It was a Monday. He was home from school as he always is on Mondays. He wasn't feeling like himself. He was sleepy and lethargic after having a full night's rest. I thought perhaps he might be coming down with a cold.

We watched a movie in the morning, had lunch, and then watched a TV show. When the show was over, he stood up from the couch. And that's when it happened.

The First Symptom

He took a few steps and was just standing in the middle of the room, facing away from me. He started swaying and I asked him if he was okay. No response. I asked him again, "Luke, are you okay?" He stumbled backwards, fell on his bottom, looked up and said "No." I gulped back the intense fear that was rising inside of me. I knelt down, grabbed my phone, put 911 on dial and was waiting to press send. Those were some of the most heart-stopping seconds of my entire life. He quickly came around and by that time was shaking and scared, not sure of what had happened. Neither was I. Although he has had dizziness in the past, it was never this bad. For the rest of the day, Luke rested in his room and was dizzy every time he tried to get up.

The following morning he felt good enough to go to school. On the way however, he was grimacing and trying to stretch his right leg out. I asked him what was wrong. I could see he was trying to work through the pain. He said his right leg ached and that it had been hurting for two weeks. Luke has a pretty high tolerance for pain so when he said that it had been hurting for two weeks, coupled with dizziness and near black out, I knew something wasn't right.

We drove right past his school and straight to the doctor's office.

The Primary Care Doctor

Because we had arrived before the pediatrician even opened, we were able to get in right away. His doctor did a thorough exam. She noted that his right leg was a little swollen and he should have an x-ray taken to make sure it wasn't broken or fractured. Luke had just run 7 miles on his leg that previous weekend and could rotate his ankle and wiggle his toes. That's when it started to dawn on me that this might be more than a running injury.

We've had so many false alarms before...a spot on his shoulder in 2017 that was a ganglion cyst, an enlarged spleen, prolonged low white blood cell counts for all of 2016...that we have learned to roll with the punches. It could be cancer, or it could be nothing.

While we were home and waiting for the results of the x-ray, Luke had another episode of near black-out and I called the nurse hotline to ask when I should take him to the E.R...they referred me back to his pediatrician for instructions. So I waited for the pediatrician to call back.

Later in the afternoon, I got the call that no parent ever wants to receive. "There is a new lesion on your son's tibia bone. You need to take him to the E.R. right now so they can draw blood work."

I had pulled over to the side of the road just after getting Luke a frappuccino from Starbucks when I received the call on my cell phone. Luke was in the car next to me. Having seen the way his ankle area was swollen, even with movement, I knew this was probably a recurrence of his osteosarcoma from late 2014. After speaking with the doctor, we immediately headed down to the children's hospital. Luke received bloodwork and a review of the x-ray from the on call oncologist. Thankfully, Luke was in good spirits. Aside from some mild bone pain, he was feeling okay. We were even joking around in the exam room. Doctors found a 7cm tumor that started in the soft tissue and grew out of his right tibia bone, wrapping its way around the bone and causing significant deterioration. He wasn't allowed to walk on it for the first several weeks of treatment. After the trip to the emergency room, later that evening, we took Luke out to a fun dinner and just enjoyed being together.

Diagnosis

Something most people don't know is that each cancer type has its own chemotherapy protocol with differences in medicines, dosages, and time in and out of the hospital. Some cancer treatments require chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation. In 2014, Luke's oncologist began treatment with a biopsy surgery, then chemotherapy, then another surgery, then chemotherapy again. Treatment spanned a period of about 10 months with much of that time receiving in-patient care at the children's hospital. Further testing revealed a nodule on his right lung and microscopic disease in his sinus. Osteosarcoma is not staged like other cancers. Staging a tumor is a way to describe a tumor's location in the body, its behavior, unique characteristics, etc. For Osteosarcoma, there are no stages like 1,2,3 or 4. There is only localized, metastatic, and recurrent. Metastatic osteosarcoma means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. So Luke's cancer diagnosis is Metastatic Osteosarcoma Treatment would be different this time, and yet similar.

Having walked this scary and uncertain path before when Luke was much younger, we knew the stakes. We knew the length of the battle and we knew how hard it would be. But we were and still are, not without hope. We have so much hope.

To read more about our son's first cancer diagnosis, visit our post on How We Discovered Our Son Had Cancer

You might also like more posts from our family's cancer journey.

Christmas Eve In The Hospital - A Dad's Perspective

2018-11-27T09:46:00.002-08:00

The alarm on my phone goes off early.

I don’t remember the exact time, but I pressed snooze like I always do. 5 minutes later, it goes off again...again once more...snooze. After another 5 minutes, I dismiss the alarm and I am up.

Today is different then most Mondays. Usually I would be getting up early for work, but today I was getting up early to take my family to the hospital for Luke's surgery to remove the mass that has been growing near his skull. We know that mass is malignant (cancer) and so they need to remove most of it. At this point, I think I was in denial. Or at least not fully aware of what was about to happen.

I just knew this was the next step. Just get up and get your family down to Rady’s Children’s Hospital. So that is what I did.

Christmas was fast approaching, only three days remaining. And with Christmas in mind, that is what gave me hope. I knew Luke would have surgery the next day Tuesday the 23rd, but I figured that would give Luke plenty of time for recovery and we would be home for Christmas. Possibly Christmas Eve, so with that as my hope and my motivation for a positive attitude, I was ready for whatever came our way.

Monday at the hospital was all tests. MRI, CT scan, blood test, and a couple more that I can’t remember, but I know Luke had to go through it. So our family hung out in the hospital waiting for the next day's surgery.

And that is when we started to make jokes.

To laugh at this unfortunate situation partly because my side of the family tends to laugh or make fun of the uncomfortable/nervous situations that we face. But also cause I knew we couldn’t let this crappy thing called cancer get us down, especially so close to Christmas.

That day was a bunch of waiting. We waited for the tests, we waited for the results of the tests, we just waited.

Finally, the day of the surgery came. Most of our family was there. Both sides. The surgery was long. They were able to remove most of it. Since they already knew it was cancer, I figured they knew exactly what kind of cancer, but I guess they could not tell that from the first biopsy. Again, something I was not aware of. I thought once they determined it was cancerous, they knew exactly what type of cancer.

Maybe I just didn’t realize how many types of cancer there actually are. But we were about to become very familiar with our son’s cancer called Osteosarcoma. That was part of what they were doing with this surgery. They were removing most of it to determine what kind of cancer he had to make the best decision on what treatment to give him moving forward. It's called resection and staging.

We woke up the next day in the hospital, thankful that the surgery was a success and they got most of the mass.

According to his ENT Doctor, she said she got everything she could see. So I was really looking forward to going home and spending Christmas with family. But those plans quickly changed. Sometime in the morning, Luke's oncologist walks into our hospital room and pulls Michelle and I aside to talk. I figured this was normal, the Doctor just wanted to go over the details of surgery. Maybe she would tell us what they found or maybe talk about things to be aware of moving forward. But that is not what she did.

In mere seconds, I was crushed.

Luke's doctor explains that they still do not know exactly what type of cancer Luke has, but our best chance to beat it was to start chemotherapy now. I was trying to hold back tears, she kept talking about the 4 types of cancer he most likely had. She talked about the possibility of radiation. She said we could be part of a clinical trial or do the recommended treatment for his cancer. We chose the recommended treatment for his cancer, even though they did not even know the exact cancer he had yet.

Bottom line, he had to start chemotherapy on Christmas Eve and my positive attitude was gone.

I don’t know what other people saw as they looked at me, fortunately all eyes were on Luke, but I was not in good spirits. It took all day for me to accept the fact that this was happening, I was going to spend Christmas Eve with my son and wife in the hospital. Our family would be split apart because my daughter would not be able to stay with us once Luke started treatment.

Being Christmas Eve, most people were off work and so we had many people visit us in the hospital. Everyone that visited was amazing and they will always have a special place in our hearts. I believe it was that out pour of love that helped me get through that day. I didn’t have time to think about my crushed feelings. I was constantly surrounded by loving family and friends. Those visitors also kept reminding me that Luke was the patient.

It didn’t matter that I was sad, Luke was the one who had to start a treatment that is designed to kill your body, so the cancer cannot survive. And so it started - the journey that was changing the way we live.

Yes cancer changed our lives forever, but it wasn’t going to change the Sybert family. I knew we had to stay strong for Luke, and I didn’t know what that looked like exactly, but remember I was devastated and barely making it through the day.

I mentioned earlier that my family jokes and makes fun when faced with uneasy situations, so I think with that background I made a decision the next day to help my family find the fun and joy in this situation, if there was any at all to find. If cancer was going to change the way we live life, it was not going to change us, it was not going to beat us.

I can’t tell you that I prayed a prayer and everything changed. I was praying, but not every moment like the Bible says to. I wasn’t even waking up everyday in prayer, remember I just woke up and got ready for the day. Praying every morning would have been the best thing to do in that situation, but I didn’t.

I prayed with Michelle after the doctor told us we had to start treatment. Looking back, I feel I should have prayed more. Regardless, after we got through that week in the hospital, something started to happen.

As we accepted what was happening and with my decision to find the joy, we started joking around with the nurses. I started to make fun of the hospital room and anything else I thought was funny. Sometimes even making fun at my wife’s expense, (I don’t recommend making fun of your wife-there have been many times since that experience where that did not go so well), but trying to get us in a laughing mood started to help. Luke became more relaxed and he started to laugh and have fun with being in the hospital. But that is where my influence stopped.

Over the next few days and weeks Luke took that positive attitude, that joy of life and laughter to a whole new level. I honestly don’t know how he did it, but he started changing the attitude of my wife and many of our other family members that he came in contact with. Sure there were many days to come, when he felt so horrible he would cry, but whenever he had any energy he was laughing and having fun. What I was surprised by was how much Luke would grab hold of that laughter and joy and he would out shine all of us in his love for life and his love for God.

Luke first influenced Michelle and I, then his nurses and doctors, then our family members and then the rest of the world that started to read my wife' updates on Facebook and see all her posts and photos. I thank God that Michelle was able to share our son’s journey as it was happening with anyone who wanted to read and stay connected.

Luke’s story, his journey, is just the beginning of a life that would battle cancer and give others hope.

You can read the first installment of this When I found Out My Son Had Cancer- A Dad's Perspective here. Part 3 is coming soon as well.

You can read more posts about Luke's cancer on the blog.

You can read Michelle's past updates on Luke's Facebook page

Self Care and The Best Facial I've Ever Had

2018-11-24T01:55:00.002-08:00

A little more than 6 months ago, I decided that I needed to start taking better care of myself. Since Luke’s cancer diagnosis, I had put my health and well being on the back burner - anything I did that was remotely for myself was out of self preservation, not self care.

I had been in survival mode for a very long time.

It had gotten to the point where I had multiple health issues that I either didn’t know I had (I’m looking at you Hashimoto’s Disease) or I wasn’t dealing with them. Premature Osteoporosis (from my cancer in my 20’s), sleep apnea, severe fatigue, anxiety and ptsd, poor food choices and eating habits (coffee isn't a meal, apparently) to name a few.

Many people confuse self-care with being selfish. Done with more intention and less "escape", self care can be so healing! Self-care is about taking care of your self so that you can take care of others. I love this quote by Arthur P. Ciaramicoli, “Self-care is never selfish, but it may feel that way when you live a frenzied life.” I feel like that has been true for me. Especially as a parent and thinking about the daily needs of others, it can feel like everyone gets care except for us.

I had had enough. I went to my primary care doctor and asked for help. I wanted to feel better and I wanted to get rid of my sleep apnea machine. Thus began what I lovingly refer to as my "Season of Selfcare". I started using my sleep apnea machine but wasn't feeling that much better. I talked to an online therapist to help me through my anxiety and ptsd. My primary care doctor encouraged me to try losing weight. I found the perfect program for me, dropping over 30 pounds in 8 months with the help or Arbonne. And I went gluten free, dairy free and sugar free for 30 days and have continued with that lifestyle 80% of the time. I allow for the occasional taste of something with gluten or hidden dairy. I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and got on some medication to help regulate my thyroid.

The most recent thing I've implemented into my season of self care is taking care of my skin. My skin has actually been the very last thing on my list, I am ashamed to say. I don't know why I put my skin on the back burner, as it were, but it is what it is. Did you know, your skin is actually the largest organ in your body! Age, stress, genetics, hydration and what we eat all affect our skin. I've developed some hyper pigmentation on my face that has resulted in sort of a mask of age spots and increased signs of aging.

So, when partner HD Beauty The Skincare Boutique in San Diego offered to treat me to a customized luxury facial and sample some of their skincare products for free, I knew this would be the perfect next step towards self care.

Melanie White is the owner and expert esthetician at HD Beauty Skincare Boutique. HD Beauty is a boutique skin care salon that is by appointment only. Melanie took great care of me from the moment I walked through the door. The space is charming and cozy.

I haven't had very many facials in my lifetime. Like I said, my skincare has been last on my self care list for a very long time. My Hashimoto's and lack of hormones from having uterine cancer so many years ago has impacted my skin. I frankly didn't realize how utterly dehydrated my skin was until my HD Beauty Facial was finished. My skin felt amazing!

Here are of my treatments during my facial:

First, she cleansed my skin and swept over it with the a Dermasweep treatment. The Dermasweep sloughs off all the dead skin cells and activates circulation to promote new skin cell growth. Next, she applied a lemon zest enzyme treatment

Next, she performed extractions and analyzed my skin for more customizations I might need during my facial. Next, she gave me a facial massage with oils that were fragrant and blended for my skin type. I almost fell asleep it was so relaxing. Next, I spent some time under the LED photo facial treatment and was given an oxygen mask that brings out the natural vibrancy of your skin. And lastly, she treated me with an exclusive and proprietary skin brightening system that I kept on for the rest of the day.

I kept thinking "my skin feels supple and decadent and replenished."

Look! It's me on the internet without make-up!

After my facial was complete, Melanie sent me home with some personalized samples of her skincare line along with instructions for each step. The HD Beauty Skincare line is dermatologist formulated, medical strength, and has clinically proven results.

When she suggested the Salycilic Face and Body wash for me, I was surprised because I didn't think I needed it. But after about a week of using it, I have been very pleased. After a week of her customized skincare plan for me, the products that are my favorite are HD Restore Glowing Serum, The HD Illuminuate Mega-C Creme, and the HD Defend Spf 36.

The HD Restore Glowing Serum is part of my morning routine. It's a replenishing serum that includes glycolipids, vitamin E and F (Omega 6 fatty acids), and an antioxidant that protects against environmental aging.

The HD Illuminate Mega-C Creme is a high dose vitamin C infused moisturizer that tingles a smidge at first but goes on smoothly and honestly, to me, makes my skin feel pillow-y soft. It brightens and evens my skintone, lessening my age spots (hello 40's), and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A week in and I feel like I see the evening of the skin tone already. I like that I feel a little more confident going without make up after using this product.

The HD Defend Spf 36 is a light and airy spf for your face that isn't greasy. It is slightly tinted and can be worn under make-up or alone. With a history of cancer, spf is a must for me. I like that this one because it feels weightless and doesn't leave my skin with a film. It contains 5% zinc oxide which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. There is also a chemical free version that I may purchase. I love that she offers both.

If you are in the San Diego area, you might want to book an appointment at HD Beauty Skincare Boutique and see what services might benefit you. And if you aren't in the San Diego area, you can schedule a virtual consultation and get customized HD Beauty Skincare plan right from the comfort of your own home with the ability to have the HD Beauty skincare line delivered right to your door.

Connect with Melanie and the HD Beauty Skincare Boutique team on all the social channels.
HD Beauty on Instagram
HD Beauty on Facebook

I'm looking forward to possibly going back to HD Beauty. I know the full benefit of facials are best with more than one treatment. A luxury facial like the ones given by Melanie at HD Beauty Skincare are an investment and a treat to my skin.

My "Season of Selfcare" isn't over. I'm just adding new layers to what it means to take care of myself every day.

How do you do Self-care? Do you have any tips to share? I would love to read about them! Leave a comment below and tell me all about it!

When I Found Out My Son Had Cancer: A Dad's Perspective

2018-10-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

I will never forget that call. It’s the call you think only happens to other people or even only in the movies. But many people get that call everyday, so I shouldn’t have been too shocked or too surprised, I should have been ready, but I wasn’t.

It was a Friday, almost always sunny in Southern California. This day wasn’t any different. Work was slow for the moment, which is hit and miss at my company. Some Fridays before the holidays can be crazy busy all day, but this day only had a couple slow moments. I had already been talking with my co-workers, trying to stay optimistic about my son’s recent surgery to biopsy a mass growing in his nose. Michelle remembers them talking about the possibility of the mass being malignant, but I guess I blocked that out. Because, all week my co-workers were trying to encourage me that it was going to be benign. I guess it worked, cause I remember thinking “It is probably benign and I am sure they will call us to confirm that”.

Michelle was the primary contact, but I gave the hospital my number as the 2nd option in case they could not get a hold of my her. Another reason, I was not ready for the call, I figured Michelle would get the call confirming it was benign, then she would call me to give our family that sigh of relief.

That phone call would have been so much better, but that one never came.

My cell phone began to vibrate and I just happened to not have any customers in front of me so I looked down at my phone and saw a number that was familiar, but did not fully recognize. Most of the time, if I don’t recognize the number, I will not pick up. But I thought, “Oh I think this is Rady’s Children’s Hospital for Luke, they must have not been able to get a hold of Michelle.”

So I answered. But again, I wasn’t ready!

One of the things I love about Luke’s doctor was that she did not sugar coat anything, she just told it like it was. I appreciate that, because then we know exactly what is going on and we can deal with it, instead of wondering what the doctor is talking about; Is she trying to say something positive? Was that negative? Do we have to worry? With that first phone call, maybe it would have been nice to prepare me for what she was going to say. I don’t know, because that never happened.

As soon as I answered, the doctor introduced herself,
“This is Doctor Ahn and I am overseeing Luke’s case. His mass is malignant.”

Just like that I went from being relaxed, in a good mood just happy that my son’s mass was being taking care of, to a numb, devastated state of mind. It took everything in me to fight back the tears and the tears eventually won. Even as I am writing this, my eyes are tearing up remembering that moment that would change our family forever.

My son has cancer. I just kept playing that over and over in my head.

How could this happen? He is only 9 years old. And he didn’t do anything. But the truth remained. My son has cancer. Luke has cancer.

I remember she explained what needed to happen. But after she said the mass was malignant most of what she said was just words words words. I had to ask her to repeat the next steps twice just to make sure I was well aware of what we needed to do. I shouldn’t have needed her to repeat herself, but it was all so much. The next step was pretty clear, he was scheduled for another surgery to remove most of the mass and he would need to be admitted to the hospital right away. We were scheduled to go in on Monday, December 22, 2014. I can’t even remember if I finished work that day or not, I am pretty sure they let me go home and so I did. We spent the weekend together, letting everyone in our families know that Luke would be in the hospital on December 22, it sounded like he would have surgery on December 23 and we would be home in time for Christmas Eve.

Luke went through several tests that first day at the hospital. MRI, CAT scans, X-Rays and blood tests and several others I don’t remember. What made his situation unique and a little scary is that the mass was so close to his skull. We would find out over the next several days that he had Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer and that he would have surgery and his first chemo on Christmas Eve.

Osteosarcoma makes up about 2% of all childhood cancer, so not a very common cancer, but not the most rare either. What really made Luke’s cancer unique, was the location. Almost all Osteosarcoma patients have the growth or mass found in their limbs, legs, arms, feet, hands, places like that.

For doctors to find Osteosarcoma so close to the skull was extremely rare. I believe that was by design. But to be clear, God did not give my son cancer. Let me write that again, “God did not give my son cancer!!! But he allowed it. God is good all the time! And I believe He made sure it was rare. But I will write more about that in future posts.

When you have cancer, it’s bad news no matter who you are. Cancer sucks! I don’t know why certain people get cancer and others don’t. I don’t know why my son got a non-terminal cancer and other children get terminal cancers. But what I do know is God is in control of all of it. And if you trust in Him, He will give you the strength to get through it, no matter the outcome.

I praise God everyday that our son's cancer was not terminal. I remember thanking God that it wasn’t terminal. My prayer was “God you are so good. I am not sure why we are going through this, but I thank you it is not terminal. Thank you Lord, thank you. Thank you that we get an opportunity to fight this." I know some can’t say that, and I grieve for them.

If you are going through a similar struggle, my hope is that no matter what kind of cancer you or your child might have, you will be encouraged to fight and encouraged to stay positive. And maybe someday you can share your story too.

I want to leave you with this, a simple prayer that I have prayed before and I will pray right now.

“Dear God, thank you giving me the strength to get through Luke’s cancer. Thank you for allowing me to be a source of joy for Luke as he went through it. Lord I would have gladly changed places with Luke, so he did not have to go through it. But thank you for giving him the strength to see your Love in it. I am praying for all the people who will hear our story, who will read this post, who will meet us in person, I hope they see You in all that we do. Don’t let us hide your Love from them as I often do, but let us be the light you intended."

If you are going through a similar struggle, whether you or a loved one are going through cancer, we are available to talk any time. You can find our contact info in the 'About Us' section at the top of our site. If you want to read more about our journey, you might also like:

My 10 Year Old Son Has Cancer

and How We Discovered Our Son Had Cancer

Chef Battle San Diego Highlights and Photo Recap

2018-10-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

Chef Battle San Diego is a local San Diego event that highlights the culinary stylings of four local Southern California and San Diego chefs. They compete for one hour, sautéing, chopping, and wielding their chef knives like the pros they are. After the competition, guests and attendees get to sample the culinary offerings each chef whipped up.

We had so much fun at the event. Each chef must race to the ingredient table, securing their ingredients for their dish within one minute. The chefs are all local to San Diego.

The Chefs Battling It Out

Chef A.C. of Canape Catering and Toronado SD

Chef Khaddy of Cooking With Khaddy

Chef Stevan Novoa of NV Personal Dining

Chef Mike of Stag Bar & Kitchen and Dori Deli

Chef A.C. made deconstructed California Burrito with a blackberry salsa (and handmade potato crisps) , Chef Mike made delicious vegan tacos plated with leafy greens, Chef Khaddy made a fried noodle dish representative of her filipino culture, and Chef Stevan made a tasty chorizo slider with an avocado dressing.

Chef Mike in action.

Our Host for the day Samantha Thomas.

Chef Mike's souf chef, firing up the wood chips.

Chef Stevan's chorizo.

Chef A.C. in action!

Chef Mike's plated Vegan Tacos.

Chef Khaddy's deliciousness...So many flavors!

My choice for winner was definitely Chef A.C.'s deconstructed California Burritos!

Chef Battle is a nationwide food battle event that is happening in cities across the U.S. Along with Chef Battle San Diego, there is also Chef Battle Spokane and Chef Battle Chicago as well as it's sister event Say Cheese Fest. To stay updated on any other local chef battle events and festivals in your area, visit Social Power Hour

FLOCK Presents Intimate Blogging Conferences

2018-10-02T15:35:00.001-07:00

As a blogger and influencer, I am always learning and growing as the industry ebbs and flows. Whether it's social media trends, new platforms, or advances in SEO techniques, there is a ton of information to know. There is so much information and education out there that it's can be difficult to sift through the fluff and get right to the good stuff - the strategies that actually help my blog excel. So when I heard about FLOCK and their one day small scale intimate blogging conferences I was intrigued. I've partnered with FLOCK to share about their conferences, and after reading all about their mission, their individual conferences and workshops, and their speaker line-up, I can't wait to attend!

FLOCK was started by Cam Bowman and Emelia Cellura, two fellow bloggers who saw a need for a more intimate, intensive, practical, and results driven approach. As bloggers, they have attended many conferences themselves, so they know what attendees are looking for. I love FLOCK's mission to Gather, Gain, and Grow. I'm so ready to do all of those things! That's why I will be attending the FLOCK event at Disneyland in just about a week. It's a one day Pinterest intensive workshop.

Why FLOCK?

Intimate

FLOCK is all about bringing the big conference down to a more where you can get to know fellow attendees, sponsors, speakers, and brands in a small scale setting that lends itself to practical education and collaboration. As an attendee you won't get lost in the fray, you'll be able to really dig in to the content. Each FLOCK conference is unique with speakers, location, and brands that are tailored for the event.

Intensive

Each FLOCK conference is a one day intensive workshop that is centered around a single topic like SEO, Pinterest, Socia Media, and blog niche specific topics like traveling blogging. With the focus on single topics, that allows the speakers to dive deeper into the subject matter and details.

Affordable

Blogging conferences can be expensive. With travel, hotel, and expenses, this price can climb pretty high. Education in any professional field is definitely a worthy investment, but it doesn't have to break the bank! That's why flock keeps their prices lower than most other conferences. Listen, I'm all for growing in my field, but not for $1000. Register early for their conferences and you can lower your ticket price by $50. Also watch out for discount codes for the specific FLOCK conference you want to attend.

So here are the different conferences for the coming year! See each link for more information

FLOCK Presents: Very Pinteresting! - A Pinterest Intensive - Anaheim, CA (Disneyland)

Learn all about Pinterest, best practices, and tools to grow your engagement and following.

FLOCK Presents: Beyond the Likes, Retweets, and Filters - Orlando, FL (Walt Disney World)

An intimate one day worship focus on a few social media platforms.

FLOCK Presents: So You Want To Be A Travel Blogger - Nashville, TN

All about travel blogging!

Be sure to check out Flockpresents.com for tickets, speaker lists, location info, and so much more! So what are you waiting for? FLOCK is ready for you!

Photo credit: RawPixel.com on Flick

Every October Kids Go Free in San Diego!

2018-09-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

October is coming! That means kids go free in San Diego. Every October, so many San Diego theme parks, museums, attractions, restaurants, and hotels offer fabulous deals - even free admission for kids! It all began more than 30 years ago when the San Diego Zoo began celebrating the anniversary of the month it opened by allowing kids free entry for all children! Now, more than 100 places, in and around the county offer what popularly known as Kids Free San Diego. While we can't list all 100, there are quite a few we love to participate in every year. Of particular note is the San Diego Museum Council's 40+ museums participating in Kids Free October. The council has opened the doors to it's many museums and your kids are going to love it! There really is so much for kids to see and do. It's good to know that the October Kids Free San Diego program is for children ages 12 and under. You will want to visit each location's website to see their specific coupon, hours of operation, and any restrictions. This is such a fantastic community offering for the residents of Southern California. And because San Diego boasts one of the most temperate climates in the world, October is the perfect month to visit San Diego from anywhere in the world! Below is a list of our favorite San Diego attractions taking part in Kids Free San Diego.

Kids Free San Diego

The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

The world renown San Diego Zoo and Safari Park is offering kids free admission to the parks during the month of October. Your kids can feed a giraffe, watch a flamingo parade, catch tigers playing, and monkeys swinging all for free during the Month of October. We love the children's area of the San Diego Zoo and the Tiger exhibit at Safari Park. Children receive free admission to the park all month long. Children must be 11 and under.

Sea World San Diego

Kids play for free at SeaWorld San Diego all month long. See Clyde the Sea Lion, Seymore, and all of his animal friends. October is a super fun time to visit Sea World. They have trick-or-treating stations on the weekends, stellar halloween decor, delicious fall food, and so much more! Admission is free for kids with an accompanying adult admission. You don't want to miss out on the all new Deep Water themed area of SeaWorld -there are new rides and animal encounters. One of our favorite encounters at Seaworld is the all new re-imagined Orca Encounter Experience that features animal behavior demonstrations and tons of educational information about Orcas . Admission to Seaworld San Diego is free for children in the month of October, with 1 paying adult. See here for Details and Info.

San Diego Botanic Gardens

Children 12 and under recieve free admission to the San Diego Botanic Garden with each paid adult during the Month of October. It's good to know there is a small parking fee and the garden is located in the North County coastal town of Encinitas. There is plenty for children to do at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Check out our post of visiting the San Diego Botanic Garden with kids here.

Belmont Park

Belmont Park is San Diego's Coastal Amusement Park. Kids 12 and under can "Ride, Eat, and Play" for free at Belmont Park during the month of October with the purchase of an adult ticket! Visit the Belmont Park Website for more info.

Birch Aquarium At Scripps

The Birth Aquarium is another fantastic experience for kids in San Diego. Located north of the city, in La Jolla. The aquarium is the public viewing space that is associated with the world famous Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UCSD. The aquarium sits high on a bluff overlooking the pacific ocean. Children can explore hundreds of species of ocean animals and there is even a hands-on touch pool, the kelp dive show, rotating one-of-a-kind exhibits and more. If you can be sure to schedule your visit on a tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday when they offer one of their many rotating feedings of the sea creatures. You don't want to miss it! During the month of October, kids 12 and under are free with the admission of at least one paying adult. Be sure to visit the San Diego Museum Council's website for the Kids Free San Diego Coupon for the Birch Aquarium! We love the Birch Aquarium!

The New Children's Museum

The New Children's Museum is located in downtown San Diego, and is such a great place to take the kids when exploring all that Kids Free San Diego has to offer. You can think, play and creat your way through every inch of this epic space for kids! There are interactive art installations, think spaces, places spaces and studio art spaces for kids. Travers the Wonder Sound exhibit, take in the pantone mural where nature's fruits and veggies are matched to a pantone color square, races cars in the desert derby, and solo much more! Visit the San Diego Museum Council's website to download your Kids Free San Diego Museum coupon.

San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art, locate in Balboa Park is actually free all year round for kids 17 and under. This makes for a fun and inexpensive outing for families. Things to do at the San Diego Museum of Art for kids include having a little mini art scavenger hunt with the "search and find activity book", seeing priceless works of art up close, and the teen art cafe! You can learn more about the San Diego Museum of Art here or by visiting the San Diego Museum Counsel to get your Kids Free San Diego coupon

Balboa Park Museums including Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum

So many museums to see in Balboa Park as part of Kids Free October! I think the Fleet Science Center and The San Diego Natural History Museum might be doable in one day. YOu could even take a picnic lunch or grab a bite to eat with the kids in the Nat's new Backyard Cafe. The Fleet Science Center offers hands on science experiences, live science shows, as well as tons more. The Nat has multiple floors of dinosaur bones, and interactive exhibits. You won't want to miss the Backyard play space for children 5 and under on the bottom floor. Children 12 and under are admitted free in October with a paid adult. Be sure to download your Kids Free coupon from the San Diego Museum Council!

U.S.S. Midway

Steeped in history, The decommissioned Aircraft Carrier USS Midway is permanently stationed in San Diego and is open to the public for guided and self-guided tours. There are many docents who willingly impart their knowledge of the carrier, Navy history, and the military in general. The Midway is a floating museum that honors the legacy of the aircraft carriers service. There are different exhibits on each deck including 26 restored aircraft up on the flight deck, 7 pilot ready rooms to tour, and viewing the captain's quarters. One of our favorite spots was getting to sit in the conference room where decisions about Operation Desert Storm were being made in the early 90's.

Kids will love the flight simulator on the hangar deck as well as the all of the aircraft on board. Adults will love the on board cafe, rich history and stunning views. As we have mentioned above, be sure to visit the San Diego Museum Council's website to download your Kids Free San Diego coupon

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Discount

The Pacific Surliner is the Amtrack railway that spans over 300 miles of California Coastline. Amtrak makes it easy to explore Southern California by train and takes the stress out of driving through traffic. In October and every month of the year, kids ages 6-12 are always 50% off of the adult fare and children 5 and under ride free. See PacificSurfliner.com for more details.

Know Before You Go

Be sure to check websites for each offers rules and restrictions, including children's age requirements, days available. etc.
Follow along on social media with the #KidsFreeSD hashtag
Check for hotel deals to get the most out of your stay. Some San Diego hotels offer deals in October to accompany the Kids Free San Diego promotion.
For a complete list of San Diego Attractions offering Deals For Kids Free San Diego visit SanDiego.org
For a complete list of San Diego County Museums participating in Kids Free in San Diego visit the San Diego Museum Council

Tradewinds Island Resort St. Pete Beach Florida

2018-08-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

St. Pete Beach is a small resort beach city on the gulf coast of Florida. It's actually located on a barrier island off the west side of the state. Our family vacation there and stay at the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort is something we will always remember!

The views! There is no need for a passport to see paradise. You can find it at St. Pete Beach! Walking out onto the beach from the hotel, we were greeted by the most gorgeous ocean views. The sand was pillowy, powdery and white. There are no waves on the gulf coast of Florida, just the sea gently lapping against the sand. Perfect for long walks and collecting seashells.

We stayed at the beautiful Tradewinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach. This sprawling resort encompasses 2 hotels, 31 acres of resort space, 14 dining options, a resort day spa and more!

The resort's motto is "Just Let Go" and we can see why!

The hotel grounds are lush and beautiful. There is even a river that winds it's way around the resort.

Tradewinds Island Resort Accomodations

The Tradewinds Island Resort offers a variety of hotel rooms and suites to suit your vacation needs. They even have pet-friendly options! We loved our two bedroom suite with a gulf ocean view. We can only speak to the suites, but we think if you choose that option, you will enjoy it as much as we do. Inside each suite, there is a mini-fridge, microwave, toaster and plenty of counter space. The 2 bedroom suite has 1 king room, 2 queens room, and a lovely sitting area with plenty of seating, a flat screen TV and a stunning view of the water.

For more photos, check out the Tradewinds Island Resort website.

Tradewinds Island Resort Hotel Activities for Families

There is a mini golf course on the grounds, a giant chess set, a dance party every day by the pool, venders poolside that showcase a variety of fun activities for kids like pottery painting, crafting, and hair braiding. There's also jet skiing, kayaking, and more right from the beach! There are even adorable paddle boats that you can ride in the waterway river around the resort.

Our favorite activities for kids at Tradewinds are probably the floating watersides and giant Island Grand High Tide Slide that is located right on the beach. Tradewinds also has a chaperoned kids program and a teen program where they provide care for kids if parents want to have some alone time.

The water is a beautiful shade of blue green and perfect for all kinds of water sports.

The beach side inflatable water slide was a hit with the kids.

As you make your way from the hotel to the beach, you are greeted by several beach hammocks that are perfect for lazy afternoon naps.

The resort has an 9 hole mini golf course in the courtyard area. This was such fun for the kids.

The giant chess set was set under a covered patio, so this made for a great rainy day activity. And trust me, it will rain at some point while you are there.

The weather in Florida, no matter where you are vacationing, can change in a moment. So, be prepared for the weather with activities or games to play indoors or under cover. Thankfully, Tradewinds had us covered, literally.

A fun outing was visiting the famous fish tank from the TV show "Tanked". It's located next door at the sister resort Guy Harvey's Outpost. there is a side viewing area, but if you want to see the full tank in all it's glory, you'll need to make reservations at the hotel restaurant.

We love the Tradewinds Island Resort in St. Beach Beach, Florida. It's the perfect St. Pete Beach hotel for families. We can't wait to get back there soon!

Tradewinds Island Grand Resort Amenities

The Tradewinds Island Resort offers a "resort amenities pass" for $45 per unit per day plus tax. Parking is part of this pass and with all that comes with it - this is such a great deal!

Daily reservable cushioned beach cabana for two.

Ride on Island Grand’s High Tide Slide

Ride on Guy Harvey Outpost’s Surf WipeOut

Take a waterway paddleboat out for a spin.

Guy's Great Touch Tank Experience (perfect for children!)

Family Pirate Show

Campfire S'Mores (weather dependent)

Sea Turtle Talk expeditions

Use of two state-of-the-art fitness centers

Complimentary Yogafit classes

Day play for beach volleyball and mini golf

Beach games, like paddleball, bocce ball and corn hole

Unlimited access to both resort's SEVEN swimming pools

Poolside activities

Dive-In Movies

Plush pool towels

Self-parking (one parking pass per room)

Two bottles of water per day

For more of our family travel posts, check out our travel section and if you loved this post, you might like our San Clemente, California family vacation post.

**This post was not sponsored in any way.

What To Do In San Clemente, California

2018-08-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

As a Southern California family, we've been to a lot of beach towns. There are a few though that hold a special place in our hearts. We've recently been spending a lot of time in San Clemente, California. We love it there! It's definitely a place for relaxing and slowing the pace of life. But, there's also plenty of things to do in San Clemente too. From the beaches to the food, we think you'll fall in love with this charming beach town as much our family has.

Where is San Clemente, California located?

San Clemente, California is located in the southern most coastal tip of Orange County, California. It is the last stop on the 5 freeway (Yes, we really do put "the" in front of our freeways when we talk) before crossing Camp Pendleton and into San Diego County. From San Diego, it's just after Camp Pendleton. You can literally just get on the 5 freeway and exit El Camino Real and you are there!

Things To Do In San Clemente

San Clemente Beaches

The beaches in San Clemente are beautiful! Plenty of sprawling Southern California coastline to enjoy. There's North Beach, The Pier, T Street, Riviera, Lasuens, and San Clemente State Beach. Many of the beaches have public access and parking. T Street access is either via the pier or by the walkway that is at the end of Esplande. If you want a beach that is close to everything, including bathrooms and food, you'll want to stick to the beach near the pier or North Beach.

Low tide sunset view of the San Clemente, CA pier.

Luke's uncle gave him a few surfing lessons while we were there!

Surfing and Stand Up Paddle Boarding

If you are an experienced surfer, you'll want to head to T Street. T Street is south of the San Clemente Pier about .25 of a mile. Access to T street beach is by way of walking along the beach or the large covered walkway from T Street. Otherwise, the beaches at the pier are great for surfing. If you are visiting and don't have a board, surfboard rentals can be found at Surfboard Rentals San Clemente of T Street Surfboard Rentals.

Getting Around Town

The San Clemente Trolley (runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day) is a great way to get around town, but be prepared to have a wait on holiday and festival weekends. We love that it stops at the pier and the San Clemente Outlets!

If you are traveling by Amtrak train to San Clemente or staying at the San Clemente State Park Campground, you will be happy to know that there is plenty to do within walking distance.

Coastal Activities

You won't want to miss the San Clemente Beach Trail that spans a good portion of the coastline. You can access the walking/running/biking trail by way of a few points including North Beach, West Escalones, Linda Lane, Corto Lane, Esplanade, and Calafia Cafe. We did this often, sometimes both morning and evening, and it is a beautiful backdrop to your stroll.

View of the San Clemente Beach Trail from the north. Doesn't this walk look so peaceful?

You can also shop along Avenida Del Mar or the Outlets at San Clemente, go camping at San Clemente State Beach campground and visit Casa Romantica the historical landmark home of one of the founders of San Clemente. Casa Romantica is free to the public the 1st Sunday of every month. On Sundays, the San Clemente Farmer's Market takes place and the sidewalks along Avenida Del Mar are lined with small businesses and farmers selling their goods. The San Clemente Art Gallery is open to the public. Local artists showcase their work.

A front view of the doors to Casa Romantica.

Street view of Avenida Del Mar
Food and Dining

If you are planning a trip to San Clemente, come hungry! We have tried a variety of yummy food. There is no shortage of great restaurants in San Clemente. If you are staying near the pier, treat yourself to a crepe or french toast for breakfast at La Galette Creperie. There's also Cafe Mimosa along Del Mar, or for something north, closer to the freeway, try The Bagel Shack. A meal at H.H. Cotton's, Pedro's Tacos, Pizza Port Brewing, Sonny's on El Camino Real, or Poke + Roll 808 are solid choices for lunch or dinner. For an afternoon treat or dessert, visit Southswell on Avenida Del Mar where they serve up Hand-dipped ice-cream bars and floats. Or try the newly opened Caterina's where they serve up decadent gelato across from the San Clemente pier. Looking for a quick cup of coffee? Bear Coast Brewing across from the pier is a good choice.

French Toast at La Galette

Delicious poke bowl from Poke + Roll. If you are looking for a well-priced, delicious meal, go here! But know they are closed on Mondays!

Southswell ice cream bars don't last long in our family.

A south swell ice-cream bar dipped in am ice cold root beer is the treat you've been waiting for.

Yes, the ocean really does look like this in San Clemente. Don't be surprised if you spot a whale or a school of dolphins swimming by.

A stroll on the beach with the family at low tide.

Know Before You Go

There are 2 Amtrak train stops in San Clemente, but only the north beach location runs midweek. The pier train stop is the perfect location to stop off for a quick day trip.

There are several hotels close to the water, but you'll want to book in advance to get the best price and room location.

Locals wear hats and sunglasses, especially while walking the beach trail. Pack a good hat and sunnies to protect your eyes.

Always look at the tides before you head to the beach. Some parts of the coastline are closed off due to high tides.

The weather is pretty temperate year round, but pack a cozy sweater and a pair of long pants for when the ocean breeze picks up.

If you can believe it, this photo was taken Thanksgiving weekend in San Clemente.

Have you been to San Clemente? We would love to know your favorite spots!

The Best Thing About Raising Teens

2018-08-10T20:10:00.001-07:00

Raising teens in today's day and age can be challenging. There are so many messages our society and culture are throwing at them on a day to day basis. Not to mention their peers. Add to that fluctuating hormones and neurological changes and that makes for some daunting parenting years.

As a parent, I've heard it all when it comes to the struggle of parenting teens. And so far, I've just about felt it all too. What I haven't heard a lot of is the positive side of parenting teens. What are the joys? The successes? The triumphs? So, I went on the hunt for what parents love about parent teens. I asked fellow bloggers, my friends, and family (thanks mom!) to share "What's the best thing about raising teens?" Whether you have teens or will have teens in the future, I hope this is as encouraging to you as it to me.

Here's what they had to say.

The Best Thing About Raising Teens is...

"I enjoyed the energy of raising teens. There was always something going on! There was always planning and looking forward to the next thing. I also enjoyed getting to know your friends!" - My mom, Robyn.

"I think my favorite thing about raising tweens and teens is just watching them grow into the people they were born to be. I consider it a privilege to be along for the journey. I remember hearing from the moment I announced we had found out our baby was a girl, "Well, she will be cute when she was little, but just wait, she will be so awful by the time she hits puberty..." People need to quit this nonsense. Being a tween is hard and telling someone they are destined to be awful is not helpful for anyone involved. It is bittersweet to watch our babies grow into their own people, but I do believe that comunication, constructive confrontation, and empathy is what builds a firm foundation." - Kate of Highlights Along The Way

"Teens remind us of our good old days. They have a vitality and live for today! They also remind us ti remind us to remind them of how important their choices are during their teen years (and the rest of their lives." Susan Farese of SJF Communications

"Now that my oldest son is a teen, I love that I can be a little more frank with my feelings and provide him with truer, less edited insight on how the world ‘really’ works. Even though we have our moments, we are able to have deeper conversations about our feelings with each other and the world." - Lisa Robertson of BabesinDisneyland.com

"The best thing about having teens is having real discussions about real topics and learning about the amazing people my teens are becoming. We discuss our opinions about education, politics, driving , love, economics, heroes, solutions to world hunger, religion, family, friends, how to help people, humor, animals, everything. Teens have so many big ideas. It’s a blessing to be able to sit and hear them." Gina Valley of ginavalley.com

"Seeing their dreams unfold." - Diana, mentor and advocate for childhood cancer awareness

"You never get bored!" - Patricia, Mom of two teens.

"I love seeing them light up when they learn a new life skill like driving." - Naomi, mother of 2

"I really enjoy doing things with her. We enjoy concerts, movies, fun places to eat that we both actually enjoy. She's a pretty cool person." Shannon, mother of two and blogger at BentoLunch.net

"The best thing is when your teenage daughter buys you something with her hard earned money, just because. I also love seeing them be good leaders to their friends and siblings." - Cori, Mother of 4.

"I love being able to talk with them in a more mature way about situations, life, character, values, beliefs, etc. Watching them grow, learn and discover themselves and their world." Karen, mother of two.

"Watching them accomplish a goal. I get so much joy out of watching my son do his photography and live out his dream!" - Andi, Mom of two teens.

"Watching their fledgling independence grow, and as they experience successes in their attempts, seeing their self-love and confidence grow!!" - Claire, Language Arts Teacher to teens.

"You're reminded that you can control very little!" - Darlene, mother of two, grandmother of many and my aunt.

"They sharpen my views and beliefs." Roy, Father of two.

"The conversations I get to have with her." - Kalyn, Friend and mother.

"I love seeing how much they care about the world and want to make it a better place." - Jackie

"Having great conversations." - Melody, friend and mother of 3.

And as for me, the best part of raising teens is being able to have grown up and deep conversations with them, hear their hearts about things that matter to them, and to watch them show love to others.

What about you? What do you think is the thing about raising teens?

If you liked this post, check out my open letter to my sister on thoughts on motherhood

Connected Independence: Cox's Smart Home Tech

2017-12-11T15:09:00.001-08:00

*This is a sponsored post in partnership with Cox Communications*

I recently took a tour of the new Cox Communications Smart Home in San Diego. You may remember I took a similar tour last year. This year, the focus is on providing our loved ones, specifically seniors, with connected independence. As I toured the Cox Smarthome, I met with a variety of Cox partners who are either partners with Cox in providing reliable infrastructure (like Cable Labs) or are utilizing Cox technology to power their services. These technologies helps seniors (anyone really) live more safe, connected, and independent lives.

What Does Connected Independence Mean To You?

This is a question that comes to mind when I think about technology and home life. It's different for everyone. For aging adult seniors it might mean being able to live at home longer, remaining connected to loved ones through smart devices, apps, and more. Are you not able to visit your loved one every day? Would For families, it might mean the safety and security of smart door locks, simple home monitoring, smart light bulbs and plugs so the light is always on at home.

In our family, the ebb and flow of life has meant that family responsibility has shifted and I am now in the place my parents were not too many years ago. My parents are still relatively young and barely considered "senior" so the change in roles is still taking time to get used to. Some of the challenges that I see with aging adults who want more time living independently, I have seen with my grandparents generation. So then, what does connected independence mean for us right now?

Well, for starters, as a Cox subscriber, I know that I have fast and reliable internet. Also, you don'st have to have a "smart home" to benefit from Cox Communications Smart Home Technology. There are so many ways for the loved ones in your life to stay connected. For us, it's our kids and family who live far away.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the Cox Smart Home :

Reliable and Fast Internet Service

Staying connected means having reliable internet. Whether your family is down the street or in another state, secure, safe, and trustworthy internet service is key. Cable Labs is a partner with Cox, providing Cox with innovative solutions to the growing need for innovative data solutions and increased infrastructure. Cable Labs partners with Cox to keep the "connected" in connected independence.

Integration with Amazon Echo/Alexa

Amazon's Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show all have the capability to integrate with Cox HomeLife security and monitoring. I can also set up your Echo to communicate directly with a loved ones echo without a landline (we tried this last night and spoke to my sister who lives in Chicago. The whole family could participate). You can "drop in" on a loved one without them having to answer. ou can set up Alexa to speak call anyone in your cell phone contacts list (I just tested it out and called my husband.) That's handsfree calling without ever picking up the phone.

Program your Alexa to call any phone in the U.S. or Canada for handsfree calling (great in an emergency).

Cox Homelife Integration

Fully automate not only indoor lights and home security, but home monitoring including security lights, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, surveillance systems and more. Everything is managed throughout the Cox Homelife Dashboard. Cox Smart Plugs help loved ones who may be hearing impaired with a strobe light alarm feature. Another useful feature is the motion detector - not for possible break-ins, but to help reassure family who may live far away that their loved one is up and moving about. You can be notified through the Cox Homelife Dashboard if someone hasn't moved over a designated period of time.

The Cox Homelife dashboard (left) is the helm connecting you to all of your smart devices and home monitoring.

Cox Contour

The relatively new Cox Contour interface allows for a seamless streamlined user experience. Gone are the days of squinting to see the small print on the guide. Beautiful eye catching graphics coupled with user-friendly categories helps users find what they love faster and easier. We love the voice activated search feature on the remote control. Want to watch western movies with Clint Eastwood or rom-coms with Sandra Bullock? Just push the microphone button and speak what you are looking for into the remote! You can read more about my take on the Cox Contour here.

Video call with a nutritionist means less time getting to appointments and more time spent in care. The smart utensil can help monitor food intake.

Other Ways Cox Internet Provides Connected Independence

Rendever Virtual Reality goggles and VR platform help seniors experience life and places outside the home.
Seniors can stay mentally active through online connected communities like senior forums,com, okbridge.com and more.
Seniors can have face-to-face video calls with nutritionists, physical therapists, and more.

The possibilities are limitless with Cox Homelife and we've already integrated a few of the tips we learned from the Cox Smart Home 2.0 Tour. Thank you to Cox Communitcations for providing an in depth look at the new Cox Smart Home 2.0.

5 More Podcasts For Kids

2017-09-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you listen to podcasts? How about your kids? We love podcasts for kids! Podcasts are like pre-recorded radio shows except instead of the radio, they are streamed over an MP3 device or online. Podcasts allow people from all walks of life to share their passion for any number of topics or ideas. Podcasts are great for screen free family time, alone time, rest time, and road trip time. There are a bunch of podcasts that our family loves - some about storytelling, some history, and some science. Here are some of our favorite podcasts for kids.

Podcasts For Kids

The Past and The Curious

If you have history buffs in your family, you'll love The Past and The Curious. Started by Mick Sullivan, The Past and The Curious is a podcast for kids that are curious about History and love to hear interesting stories about the past. It's a labor of love for all of those involved. So far, there are 13 episodes available, about one per month. We loved the recent episodes on presidents shaking hands. You can listen to The Past and The Curious via iTunes, sound cloud or online through their website.

What If World

What if Unicorns were real? What if kittens could turn into vampires? What If World is a podcast that takes your kids "what if" questions about all the things and turns them into a story. No "what if question is too fantastical or too far fetched. Eric James O'Keefe is the host and story teller with Karen Marshal producing.

Wow In The World

Wow in The World is a Podcast for kids by NPR. This wonderful podcast for kids invites children to explore all the super rad stuff about science and technology. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz are on hand in every episode to be your guides to find the wow in our world.

Sparkle Stories

Sparkle Stories is a podcast about stories for families all over the world. The podcast is a selection of stories from their subscription service. When you subscribe to Sparkle Stories through their website for a fee, you get access to all of the audio stories for children in the Sparkle Stories collection as well as the crafts and educational component. The readers voice is very calm and soothing. And they have a free 10-day trial going right now on their website.

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian

Join Finn Caspian on epic adventures in this science fiction podcast for kids. Episodes are only 15-20 minutes long. Perfect for driving around town or listening to a bunch on a long car ride. Finn is an 8 year old boy who travels on an interplanetary space station. He and his friends go on adventures in space, helping aliens, solving mysteries, and discovering the great beyond. We encourage you to start at episode one and listen through!

Nate Podcasts (The Show About Science)

Nate is a 6 year old boy who has a podcast about, yep you guessed it, science. It's called The Show About Science. Nate, along with the help of his dad interview scientists from around the world and explore all things science. Nate has even been featured on Ellen. Whether it's a podcast about the tesla coil, fossils, genetics, or even the science and physics of Santa, Nate explores it all.

There you have it! And if you want even more podcasts for kids check out our other list of even more podcasts for kids.

5 Reasons Why I Love Jamba Juice Catering

2017-09-26T13:38:00.002-07:00

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary catered breakfast brunch by Jamba Juice Catering. The following is my honest opinion. We've loved Jamba Juice for a long time, even before getting the opportunity to partner with them in this campaign.

If I had to pick something healthy and delicious I would want delivered right to my door Jamba Juice would be at the top of the list. So when Jamba Juice contacted to set up a Jamba Juice Catering order of fresh acai bowls and fresh whole food smoothies made to order within an hour of delivery....I responded with "Yes, please!"

I wasn't sure how we were going to pull it off, getting fresh made smoothies AND all the stuff for the fresh acai bowls. But, I was so impressed with how it went. I invited a few of my friends over along with their children for a back-to-school get together. It was so nice to pause, refresh and enjoy a delicious brunch without having to worry about all the prep. Jamba Juice Catering literally did everything for me! My home can get a little dark, so some of the photos aren't great. But, the food was amazing. Fresh, delicious and so easy!

Here are the top 5 reasons we love Jamba Juice Catering

It's Healthier, Delicious, and Fun

Jamba Juice smoothies and acai bowls pack a walloping nutritional punch. We love smoothies from the menu that are whole food and do not contain the sherbet that comes in their classic menu smoothies. Jamba Juice acai bowl catering comes with a variety of assorted toppings and an option to choose additional greek yogurt for those who cannot have the acai. My favorite toppings were the date pieces and the organic granola. So good! The kids loved the fresh fruit on their acai bowls.

Easy Ordering

Right now, Jamba's catering orders are made through your local San Diego stores with more locations hopefully rolling out in the future! That being said it was pretty simple to order. I chose the catering menu items I wanted, including a Smoothie Pack and Jamba Bowl Bar, scheduled a date and time for delivery with my local store, and pre-paid for my order (I was treated to a complimentary brunch in this instance). Boom. Done. So simple.

Easy Pick Up and Delivery

I chose to have my Jamba Juice Catering order delivered. If you wish, you can also opt to pick up your order. But I mean, come on. Who wouldn't want fresh Jamba Juice smoothies and acai bowls delivered right to your door?! When it came time for delivery, my Jamba Juice store called to let me know they were on their way. They are prompt, kind, courteous, and help with set-up. Everything comes packaged up in insulated bags and boxes.

Here's our table set up for my back-to-school party.

I love that there is a set up planning card for the acai bowl toppings. Pre-made cards come with your order to put out with the acai bowl toppings. Its good to know that there are no bananas because they brown when left out.

It's Affordable Catering

While it's not cheap, you definitely get a healthy bounty of food and smoothies. The smoothie pack comes packed with 15 smoothies. You can choose up to 3 different smoothies and Jamba Juice Catering provides 5 of each flavor. The fresh Jamba Bowl Bar package comes with a huge bowl of acai that arrives in an insulated bag along with all of the toppings you need. Everything is kept fresh and cold until arrival. The toppings come in clear plastic containers with lids. They also provide napkins, utensils and straws. Jamba Juice really does think of everything. They make it so easy to wow guests with everything provided at a reasonable catering price.

Guests Will Love It

There were definitely smiles all around. I would have taken photos of the grown ups but we were all so excited to dig in to the acai bowls that when guests started arriving I totally forgot. That's when you know its good. Everyone's too busy eating! The kids happily savored their smoothies and I was pleasantly surprised to see my son, who usually doesn't like green smoothies, drink an "Apples and Greens".

Would I do anything differently? The only thing I would do differently next time is not order an super acai antioxidant smoothie when also having the acai energy bowls. They were so delicious, but I would have rather had a 3rd smoothie option without acai.

When all was said and done, I would have to say I would do this again in a heartbeat. Jamba Juice Catering is perfect for brunch get togethers with friends, team parties, corporate events, teacher appreciation, kids birthday parties and so much more. Jamba Juice has made healthier catering options for events both affordable and delicious. I'm really looking forward to surprising the kid's teachers during the holidays and teacher appreciation.

You can connect with Jamba Juice Catering in San Diego and order today!

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Lego Ninjago Press Day and Movie Review

2017-09-22T23:17:00.002-07:00

We were able to see an advanced screening of the newest movie in the popular LEGO franchise: The Lego Ninjago Movie. A variety of well-known actors are part of the voice cast including Dave Franco as Llloyd (pronounced "Luh-Lloyd" - trust me you'll get it when you see the movie) and Justin Theroux as evil villian Garmadon, and Jackie Chan as Master Wu.

The LEGO Ninjago Movie

The LEGO Ninjago Movie is the 3rd movie in the LEGO movie installments. The first movie, being The LEGO Movie and the second The LEGO Batman movie. Our family loves both the original and the second. And now, The LEGO Ninjago Movie which releases today!

The LEGO Ninjago Movie is about a group of secret ninja warriors who defend Ninjago City against the warlord Garmadon who wreaks havoc on the city daily. Lloyd (aka The Green Ninja) must also come to terms with his relationship with his father. With the help of Master Wu, the Ninjas go on an epic journey to discover their true powers and "find the ninja within ya."

LEGO Ninjago movie trailer

What We Thought

Our official consensus of the movie? We loved it, of course. It's hilarious and perfect for older elementary kids and tweens. The animation and detail that went into the movie is incredible and the same stellar work as the first two movies. It was fun to watch the movie and see how they make Ninjago City come to life in such a fantastic way.

You should know that there is a lot of what I like to call potty humor. Crude jokes and sarcasm. There is also a main theme about father son relationships, abandonment and divorce. It's all done with a healthy dose of humor. But if you have a kiddo who is dealing with similar issues, it is good to know.

Below is a little bit about our time at the junket.

I brought Luke along with me for an afternoon filled with fun.

First Stop: The LEGOLAND California Hotel. We got a tour of the hotel, lunch at the Bricks restaurant inside the hotel, a special master builder workshop and a pre-screening of the LEGO Ninjago Movie.

We met with Master Builders and LEGO Ninjago Movie model designer Simon Lucas to learn all about what it took to make LEGO.

Here's an up close look at the Green Dragon LEGO (with Lloyd and Master Wu mini figures).

Building LEGO to add his own piece to Ninjago City. His idea? A skyscraper building.

Ready to see the movie!

For more trailers, games, and details on the cast visit legoninjagomovie.com

Head over here to read our The LEGO movie review.

Check out our fun food cups built with LEGO. Perfect for your LEGO-loving kiddo.

Free Printable Coco Movie Coloring Pages

2017-09-20T16:26:00.000-07:00

Disney-Pixar's Coco is almost here! The movie Coco is about a young boy named Miguel who must find his way back home after mysteriously traveling to the Land of The Dead. Coco's backdrop is the latino cultural tradition of Dia De Los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") and honoring those who have passed. Along the Way, Miguel encounters a host of characters who help him get back home and possibly discover the truth about his family's hidden history.

We've got adorable and free printable Coco movie coloring pages. These fun Disney coloring pages are free printables for your family to download and print for free courtesy of Walt Disney Studios and Pixar. These are totally free and come directly from the studio.

It looks whimsical, colorful and full of adventure and life lessons. Below is the official Coco movie trailer. While Coco arrives in theaters on November 22, you can print and color these free Coco movie coloring pages and activity sheets today! See below for the free printable coloring pages of Miguel, Dante, and Hector from Disney-Pixar's Coco. Also available for printing are the colorful activity pages.

Be sure to click on the title above each page for the downloadable PDF.

Free Printable Coco's Miguel Coloring Page

Free Printable Coco Movie Activity Pack

Free Printable Coco's Dante Coloring Page

Free Printable Coco's Hector Coloring Page

Free Printable Coco's Ernesto Coloring Page

Printable Coco Movie Craft

Printable Dante Coloring Page

Happy Coloring!! Thank you to Walt Disney Studios for providing these Coco coloring pages and activity sheets and free printables.

If you love this, you will love our Ojo De Dios Craft for Kids

A Day At Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

2017-08-31T12:36:00.001-07:00

Imagine your relaxing on your own private beach with views of the Newport Back Bay at every turn. We had the chance to do just that last week and it was a wonderful end of summer outing. We are fortunate in Southern California to be able to enjoy warmer weather farther into the fall season. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort sits along alcove of the back bay of Newport Beach, California. There are gorgeous views of the water and a sprawling one mile stretch of sand. It's about a 35 minute drive from us here in North San Diego. Not to shabby.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Day Use

While Newport Dunes is open to cottage rentals and RV stays year round, the waterfront area is open seasonally at select times for day use by locals. Its open daily during the summer. To visit Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort for the day, it's $25 per person (during the summer) for the use of the water playground. That includes several massive inflatables. There are inflatable slides, many climbing structures, and a big "blob" (Where apparently it is fun to play a game called "king of the hill"? I don't know ask my son about it. ;-) ). Anyone wanting to use the water playground MUST wear a life vest. Its good to know that there are several lifeguards stationed in the water and on the inflatables to ensure everyone has a safe playful experience. With your lifejacket on, you swim from place to place for hours of fun!

Typical Newport morning means there's a nice marine layer that shields the summer sun, it burns off for an afternoon of sunshine.

You'll find plenty of shade at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. Around the grounds are larger trees protected by a conservation program that not only prevents them from being torn down, but also trimmed without express permission from the county. The trees add such great character and much need shade to the resort. This tree in particular sits adjacent to the out door movie screen. In the summer the resort holds several community movie nights.

Water sports and Water Activities

Moe B's Watersports is on hand to rent out a wide variety of water sport activities including paddle boarding, pedal boats, kayaks and more. Prices vary. My kids loved all of the options. My daughter's favorite is the stand up paddle boards. My son loves the pedal boats. They are surprisingly easy to maneuver with two people pedaling.

The pedal boats at Newport Dunes can carry anywhere from 1 to 4 people, so it is a fun family rental.

Staying At The Resort

There are several options available to you if you want to stay overnight at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. RV camping, tent camping, camping cottages (like glamping), beachfront cottages and full cottages with maid service and ovens. RV spots are a good size, many with shaded trees and patches of grass. The various cottages are throughout the resort. They are one bedroom with a loft and pull out couch. Beachfront camping cottages look a little different. They have a kitchenette instead of a full kitchen. Be sure to ask which cottages are beachfront.

Amenities While Staying At Newport Dunes

Accommodations very close to the water, some with direct beach access.
Free Wifi internet access
Sparkling pool and lounge chairs for when you want to swim in fresh water
Marketplace and store for sundry needs
Back Bay Bistro restaurant on site for when you don't feel like cooking.
Exercise room
Playground on the beach
Beachside Volleyball
Game room
Plenty of shade and trees and grass.
Laundry facilitates and more!
RV spots are
Movies nights in the summer
beachside cabanas available for rent

Know Before You Go:

Resort guests receive discounts on water activities
Day use parking is not free, plan to bring some spending money for the parking and waterspouts
You are welcome and encouraged to bring all your beach goodies like beach chairs, umbrellas, blankets, towels, and coolers. Don't forget the sunscreen!

Special thanks to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina for hosting us for the day so we could share with you!

For more information on Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and to book your next Newport vacation, visit NewportDunes.com

Get A Healthier Start To The School Year With Jamba Juice

2017-08-29T13:21:00.001-07:00

This is a sponsored post. While I did received compensation, we love Jamba Juice and regularly go enjoy their smoothies and energy bowls.

As a mom, I am constantly on the look out for simple ways to get more whole food goodness into my kid's diet. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, I try include a variety of vegetables and fruits in their breakfast, school lunch, snacks and dinners. With the busy school season coming up, it's always a challenge get fruits and veggies at every meal. I love that Jamba Juice has real fruit and vegetable juice smoothies with no added sugars. It's just nutritious goodness. And a great before or after school snack that feels like a treat.

We invited friends to our local Jamba Juice San Diego location for a back to school stop at Jamba Juice. It was awesome to see them choosing between this-or-that healthy option.

"Should I get the Apples N' Greens or the Pomegranate Paradise Smoothie?"

I LOVE that they get to decide between healthy and healthy!

Between the six of us parents and kids we chose a wide variety of healthy smoothies. I encouraged the kids chose from the All-Fruit Smoothies, the Whole Food Nutrition Smoothies, or Fruits and Veggies Smoothies. Those are the smoothies without the added sorbet and pack the healthiest punch. It was the perfect after school snack. I love that there are so many flavors and blends and you can customize your smoothie any way you want! Our favorite Jamba Juice customization is to sub in almond milk for regular milk.

Jamba Juice smoothies and beverages have no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, whole food fruits and vegetables and taste so good. You know what I am talking about if you have had one. And with their over 900 locations world wide - I am thinking you do. Did you know that Jamba Juice also allows you to order online, walk-in and pick up and be on your way. No hassle. I love that option as a busy mom.

To order Jamba Juice online or find out about their nutrition information, be sure to visit www.jambajuice.com. To stay connected with Jamba online, you can follow them on:

Facebook

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The Lazy Parent's Easy Summer Memories Idea

2017-08-08T14:10:00.002-07:00

Summer bucket list ideas are something I wish we did. But I always end up not completing them. Is that you too? Well, this is our family's answer - Creating this summer memory list for kids and families. What I love about this summer memories idea is that it can be done at any time. Beginning of summer or ahem, the end of summer and beyond.

We gathered up a handful of colorful markers, a piece of white card stock paper, and our memories of summer and wrote them down one by one. Underneath each summer memory, we wrote the person's name so we could remember whose memories were whose.

It's been fun to come home after a day at the beach or with friends and write it down on our summer memory page. We did one back in 2012. Since then, life got a lot more complicated and this year. This year, we brought it back and it's going to be a yearly tradition for us.

Scientific studies have been done on the brains ability to literally alter neural pathways towards positive thinking by taking moments out of your day to really ponder the every day good moments. They may be brief, but if we take time to savor them, they become imprinted on our minds and they are like stores of happy memories to pull from when life gets rough.

If your kiddo can't write or doesn't want to write them out, we've also dictated them to each other and had another family member write them down. What I love about writing down things we have already done, is that 1) the memories don't have to be big and spectacular and 2) I don't have to come up with things to do all summer. We can just be our selves and appreciate what a beautiful simple summer we had. SO whether it was an afternoon with special friends or a special visit to get frozen yogurt...If it was special to US, we wrote it down. It's not a surprise that the most treasured memories this summer were revolved around quality time together. It also helped us be more thankful. So what are you waiting for? Even if school has started, there is still time to savor the summer. To all of you parents out there like me, who don't do bucket lists...High five and I'll pass you a sharpie.

Want more summer memory ideas? Check out our simple idea to create a summer playlist.

Let me know if you've made a summer memory list. I would love to hear about it!

Quick Fill Water Balloons Are Super Easy Outdoor Fun

2017-07-10T18:09:00.002-07:00

Last summer a care package from my mom arrived on our doorstep with Bunch O' Balloons. Do instant fill water balloons really work? When Bunch O Balloons arrived via infomercial a couple of years ago they seemed too good to be true. Self sealing water balloons? No way. But we had to find out for ourselves. As it turns out, we discovered that quick fill water balloons are super easy outdoor fun.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

This summer, we decided, rather spontaneously, to have an epic water balloon fight with friends. It was a warm day, so it was water balloons and watermelon with friends! We had a mega pack of Bunch O Balloons waiting to be used.

We found out some things about Bunch O Balloons that might be good to know:

Older kids can fill up the balloons all by themselves, which is great for independent play.
They are the perfect size for kid's hands, which makes them easy to throw.
Because they fill so well, they are hard, but not impossible to break.
Expect a few "duds" or water balloons with holes, but just one or two.
Because they fill so quickly, what used to take all afternoon, now takes just an hour depending on how many balloons you have. It was the perfect amount of time for us!

You can get Bunch O' Balloons here or find them at your local retailer.

The best kind of water balloon fights are those with very little "safe-zone" space. That way everyone gets wet and has a blast! The kids can play together on teams or have their own set of the quick fill balloons.

The kids ended up figuring out how to make the balloons break faster and got up close to really get each other wet. There were so many smiles and it was a great afternoon of fun.

What do you think? Do you think Bunch O Balloons work? Have you tried quick fill water balloons? Leave a comment below with your experience!

The Best Streaming British TV Shows To Binge Watch Right Now

2017-06-17T02:05:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite ways to relax (after the kids go to bed) lately has been to binge watch British TV shows on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Call me an Anglophile, call me a streaming-ophile, call me a Downton Abbey addict having withdrawals. Whatever it is, I have been devouring streaming shows from that Island-Across-The Sea and I can't get enough. So I decided to share a list of my favorites. It you love British dramas on Netflix as much as I do, then you will love this list! I have seen almost every single one. Most of these british TV shows are PG to PG-14.

Netflix

North and South
This british period drama is more of a mini-series than a full fledged TV show. But it's worth a watch. It's about a young woman who moves with her father to an industrial mill town and she has difficulty adjusting to her new life there. She befriend's some of the townspeople and clashes with the mill's owner. It's also an interesting peak into the 19th century class struggles and mores of the time.

Midsomer Murders (TV-14)

Midsomer Murders is a long running (19 series/seasons) british TV crime drama follows DCI Barnaby and his partner as they solve the crimes that occur through the midsummer region of England. It takes place in modern day, although. It reminds me of a grittier version of America's 'Murder She Wrote'. Some episodes are suitable for late tweens, early teens.

Sherlock (TV-14)

If you want to watch Sherlock on Netflix, you are in luck! This heady drama follows, arguably, britian's most famous crime-solving detective into the 21st century. Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock is just a brilliant, but significantly more flawed than other incarnations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character. The seasons/series are short, but the episodes are long. Each episode functions like a mini-movie.

The Paradise (TV-PG)

I fell in love with this british TV drama in the first episode. It's about the fictional first department store in England and takes place during the late 19th century. A young smart tenacious woman is employed at a department store and catches the eye of the store's manager. Season 1 is fabulous, Season 2, I'm not quite sure about... It was cancelled after Season 2, but it's such a great little show - it's worth watching.

The Crown (TV-MA)

I devoured the first season of The Crown in no time. I can't quite remember why it is TV-MA - but the IMDB Parent guide has a breakdown. Claire Foy does a remarkable job conveying Queen Elizabeth II's resolute duty to the British Empire at such a young age. And then there is Matt Smith, of Doctor Who fame, who plays Prince Phillip. The Crown is set from the late 1940's onward. It's a compelling drama, that takes a look at how the reign of the new queen affected her family and the country. The second season is due out in late 2017.

Call The Midwife (TV-14)

Netflix has released seasons of Call The Midwife is stages, so I had to wait awhile in between seasons. I love this series for its look at post World War II London (1950's) and the area of the East End known as Poplar. It follows the mid-wives and nuns of Nonnotus House and is based on the memoirs of midwife Jennifer Worth. There are very sensitive and dramatic scenes and subjects range from pregnancy and birth to still birth and infant loss.

Broadchurch

Broadchurch is a suspense-filled and super intense British drama spanning two seasons and stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman. It is set in modern day. The plot follows the disappearance of a boy in a small seaside town in England. It is not suitable for kids below 14 or 15. There are 3 series/seasons, although only 2 are on Netflix.

Death Comes To Pemberley

Elizabeth and Darcy (of Pride and Prejudice) are 6 years married and approaching their annual ball at Pemberley when something happens in the nearby woods. This Austen-inspired mystery spans 3 episodes and is very well done. Of particular note, are the performances and casting of the two main characters.

*Wives and Daughters...This is a great old British period mini-series that used to be on Netflix and is no longer available for streaming. It is available on Netflix DVD. I am hoping it returns to streaming.

Now if we could just get Victoria to come to Netflix...It's currently on PBS here in America and pbs.org

Hulu Plus

Lost in Austen

Imagine what would happen if Elizabeth from Jane Austen's Pride and Predjudice suddenly appeared though a doorway in your bathroom and you took her place as the story you had read so may times came to life? That's the premise to Lost in Austen on Hulu and it's equal parts smart, romantic and quirky.

Pride and Prejudice

Speaking of Pride and Prejudice, did you know the original BBC mini-series staring winsome Jennifer Ehle and and steamy Colin Firth is on Hulu. Jane Austen fans will relish in the fact that the superlative cinematic version of her most popular novel is available for viewing over and over again whenever you want! Pride and Prejudice on Hulu is broken up into four episodes that are 50-ish minutes long.

Upstairs Downstairs

Fans of Downton Abbey will love this drama about the inner workings of a lavish british home and the lives of it's occupants - the upstairs family and the downstairs servants. It's set in the mid to late 1930's and it's a remake of the original and very well done.

Lark Rise to Candleford

This British drama follows the towns of Lark Rise and Candleford and their inhabitants as they interact with one another. Laura is the main character and much of the goings on are seen through her perspective. Laura befriends the postmistress Ms. Macey. There are four seasons available for viewing.

Robin Hood

It was made over 10 years ago, but this British TV version of Robin Hood is still great. It ws originally put into the same time slot as Doctor Who, airing when Doctor Who went on hiatus. It's a fun and interesting show with all of your favorite Robin Hood Characters. Tweens might like it too.
(the following contain affiliate links.)

Amazon Prime

Downton Abbey
If you are reading this post, then you have probably already seen Downton Abbey. If you haven't, every season is available on Amazon Prime right now. It follows the lives of the beloved Earl of Grantham, his family, household and community. Highly recommend!

Lark Rise to Candleford

This show is also available on Hulu Plus as well. See above for a description.

Doctor Thorne

I've only seen one episode of Doctor Thorne, but it is a period drama with all the british awesomeness you would expect. It's about a doctor in 19th century England and a struggling well-to-do family. And it's from Julian Fellowes who created Downton Abbey.

Pride and Prejudice

The same beloved Pride and Prejudice that is available on Hulu is available on Amazon Prime. See above for a full description.

Cranford

This british period drama has 2 seasons, although only one is offered on prime video. Cranford is the penultimate show on my list and is set in 1840's England. It is well written and has a charming cast. If you are familiar with british television you will recognize a few faces including Dame Judi Dench.

Poldark

Poldark is set is post American Revolution England, specifically Cornwall. It stars Aidan Turner as brooding and handsome Roy Poldark who returns after the war to find his father dead, the family business in ruins and his young love engaged to another. I'm on episode five of season one and so far it's really good. There are a few steamy scenes, but so far it's pretty much PG-13 in that sense. It's also on PBS.org for free if you can't watch it on Amazon Prime.

Other Streaming TV Shows in the Commonwealth

These Australian streaming TV shows on Netflix are must watch!

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Dr. Blake Mysteries

So, have you seen any of these streaming British TV shows? Am I missing some that I must watch now? Because you know I would love to add to this list. Comment below, because I would love to know which ones are your favorites!

Avalon Bay EcoWash Portable Washer Review

2017-05-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

I was sent an EcoWash Portable Washer to test out and review.

*Disclosure: I was sent an EcoWash Portable Washer by to test out and review by Air-n-water.com

I was instantly intrigued by the EcoWash. We have had some issues with our traditional washer recently and I was wondering how well the Avalon Bay brand portable washer did in a pinch and if it might be something we could take camping this summer. I decided to test out some of the kids clothes, mostly because they are smaller and I would be able to fit more clothes in. According to the directions, it can wash up to five pounds of clothes!

I received the EcoWash in the by mail and it was a breeze to set up! The barrel pops onto the base, and I added the lid and the hand crank and I was ready to go! The EcoWash has a huge barrel with a wide opening and a lid that seals super tight so no water gets out. You rotate the barrel using the hand crank (Pssst, if you have kids this is the perfect job for them). You let it drain out the bottom spot (comes with angle attachment). And rinse again to be sure all the grey water is gone. Wring out if needed and hang dry! That's it.

Testing out the EcoWash portable washer today. Power keeps going out so perfect timing! Review up on the blog in a jiffy! #ecofriendly #avalonbay #portablewasher #perfectforcamping
A post shared by Michelle // Be Brave Blog (@bebravekeepgoing) on May 30, 2017 at 1:09pm PDT

Tips from our experience:

We used a very gentle detergent just in case not all of the soap residue came out our first time around.
Able to wash 6 shirts3 pairs of cotton pants and 1 pair of jean shorts. I probably could have added more.
I also forgot the fabric softener. It's a good idea to add a little fabric softener if you are going to hang dry.
If you are unable to wring out and hang dry, you might want to invest in a little mini spin dryer.
We had access to warm water, so I added warm water to our load. For the extra clean.
For us personally, it's not going to be an every day use item, but we will definitely use it for camping and when (or if) our washer breaks and we need something in a pinch.

The Avalon Bay EcoWash is perfect for:
Boating
Camping
Apartment Living
Washing delicates
When your washer is being serviced
Anyone without access to a washer
Those concerned about water and energy conservation

Pros:
So easy to set up!
Drains easily
Saves water and detergent
Washes in about 2 minutes
Rinses well, if used according to directions
Washes 5lbs of clothes!
Perfect for camping!

Cons (not many):
Occasionally needs extra rinse cycle.
Small, but still takes up some room in compact spaces.

DISCOUNT CODE: ECODEAL or GO GREEN for 10% off.

Special thank you to Air-n-water.com for sending me the EcoWash to test out and share my opinion with you. If you would like to find out more visit Air-n-water.com. Right now they are offering free shipping and 10% off with the code GOGREEN (20% off if you sign up for their email list).

Vista Strawberry Festival is almost here!

2017-05-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

There is so much to see, taste and do at the Annual Vista Strawberry Festival. I've written about our love for the festival before. You can check that out here. We go every year. It's one of the can't miss local events. It is so much fun! Did you know that the City of Vista was once the "Strawberry Capital of the World" and San Diego County's only celebration of the Strawberry? This year, they are expecting over 95,000 people in a attendance! The Strawberry Festival is put on by the Vista Chamber of Commerce. It is a wonderful day where the community comes together and Vistans share their great city with others. The 2017 Vista Strawberry Festival is Sunday May 28th.

The streets of Downtown Vista, CA transform bringing you entertainment, activities, food, and community booths. There's a strawberry pie eating contest, a runner's costume contest, Children's costume contest, "Strawberry Idol" singing contest, baking contest, kid's zone, amusement ride zone, beer garden for adults, and so much more!

Here are our top tips and what to see and do at the Festival!

Vista Strawberry Run:

There inaugural event of every Vista Strawberry Festival is the Vista Strawberry Run. There's a 10k, 5k, and a Kid's 1 mile race. Our family LOVES to run. I'm more of a walker. (But I still love to get out there on the streets. This year, I am the family photographer at all the races. ;-)

Kid's Zone:

For families, the Kids Zone is where it's at! There are 2 Kids Zones.

Kids Zone #1 is all Carnival Rides and requires purchase of a booklet of tickets. There's a Ferris Wheel, Slide, Bunjee Jumper, and more! It's located on

Kids Zone #2

Food Court and Beer Garden

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Kabobs, so good!

Hunter Steakhouse booth in the food court!

Strawberry flavored popcorn!

Here's the essential info:

What: Vista Strawberry Festival & Strawberry 5K, 10K, & Kid's Run
When: Sunday, May 28th, 2017 (The last Sunday in May every year)
Where: Downtown/Old Town City of Vista (Strawberry Run on 110 Citrus Ave)
How much: FREE to the Public! (Bring some spending money for the Kid's Zone and various eats)

Visit the Vista Strawberry Festival website to register for the Strawberry Run and for details on all the festival activities.

Here are some tips from our experience at the Vista Strawberry Festival:

Take the Sprinter train if possible. Parking downtown can be a struggle and the Sprinter drops off right across from the Vista Village and it's a short block or so walk to all the fun.

Bring a little spending money. Whether you want to sample some of the strawberry inspired treats and delicious food, enter the beer garden, or purchase some locally grown fresh berries, you want to be sure to be prepared.
Kid's Zone #1 is open Friday night through Sunday night.
The best time to go to the Vista Strawberry Festival is early in the morning.

See you there!

* Special thanks to the Strawberry Festival for providing our family 2 tickets to the Strawberry Run.

Five Podcasts For Curious Kids

2017-03-19T10:40:00.001-07:00

My family and I are addicted to listening to podcasts, specifically podcasts for kids and families. If you have kids that are always asking “Why?” or pepper you with seemingly random questions about how stuff works…then podcasts just might be for you and yours. We love them for a variety of reasons. They are great for long car rides, they get the kids off their screens and engaged. They are fun to talk about together as a family and the ones we’ve found are both entertaining and educational. Here are the podcasts we love in no particular order.

Brains On! – A sciencefor podcast for kids

Host Molly along with producer Marc and writer Sanden encourage kids to turn on their brains to the wonders of science and engage in curious thinking about subjects like "Why is the ocean salty?" and "Do we all see the same colors?" They interview a variety of super smart and interesting guests and their creative take on the podcast has my kids begging to listen to the next episode. Brains On! is operated by the American Media Network and Minnesota Public Radio. Don't have an iPod or MP3 device? You can listen online to Brains On! via Soundcloud

The Kids Stuff Podcast-Conversations with people who make stuff for kids.

Kid's stuff podcast explores the process behind today's creatives and what goes into, you guessed it, making stuff for kids. Mike Bradecich brings his passion for arts and entertainment to the podcast. Whether you are a parent, kid or you just prefer kid-friendly content...you will love the behind the scenes approach. We loved the recent episode interviewing Laurie Berkner. She's one of our absolute favorites! www.kidstuffpodcast.com

Dream Big Podcast
7 year old Eva Karpman inspires listeners to Dream Big in their lives. She interviews a variety of guests, including interviewing guests like John Bergman of the popular “Teach Yourself Anything” YouTube Channel.

But Why?
With subjects like “Are yawns really contagious?” and “Why do your fingers and toes turn wrinkly in the tub?”, this podcast tackles kids most yearning and unique questions. It’s led by kids, for kids. Kids can even can submit their own questions! It's produced in partnership with NPR and Vermont Public Radio. Visit NPR to learn a little more.

Tumble

This science podcast for kids is great for the whole family! Hosts Marshall and Lindsay believe that the more kids can learn about science, the better off our world will be! They believe science should be fun and about the process! Tumble was listed as "Best of iTunes" in 2016. http://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com

Hope you will check them out and get inspired to be more curious about the world around you!

Sweet and Simple Baby Jesus Ornament

2016-12-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

My kids have made so many cute baby jesus crafts for Christmas over the years. Each one holds a special place in my heart. So when it came time to make a Christmas ornament this year, I wanted to think up something a little unique - or as unique as possible. When I was little, I made an ornament a little tiny toy baby inside and walnut shell and covered it with a little scrap of cloth. That's the inspiration for this year's baby jesus ornament.

Here's how you and your kids can make their own sweet and simple baby jesus ornament:

Supplies you will need:

Brown card stock paper sized 5x7

Scissors or paper cutter

Hole punch or "crop-a-dile" crop-a-dile (affiliate link)

2 brads

1 cotton ball

Several inches of string or fishing line

1 small peg doll (affiliate link) or wood bead

1 small scrap of cloth

1 gold star beads (affiliate link)

Directions to make a baby jesus ornament for kids:

Start by cutting your brown paper into 1/2 thick, 5 inch long strips.
Hole punch at each end. I used a "crop-a-file" for this step. While not necessary, it did make it faster. If you are making these with a sunday school or class, you can easily have the strips pre-cut and pre-punched.
Next, fasten both hole-punched ends with a brad.
At this point you may also want to add some string to the outside edge of one of the brads, to create a little place for it to hang from.

5. Starting at one end, gently fan out the strips. It should start to curve outward until they make a semi-circle.

It should look like this. This is the manger.

Oops! forgot to add the string to the top first!

6. Pull apart the cotton ball a little, thinning it out just enough to make a little bed to

7. Using liquid school glue or your adhesive of choice, glue the cotton ball inside the manger.

8. Next wrap or swaddle a peg doll tightly with some scrap cloth, securing the cloth with some glue or a small safety pin. Safety pin not advised for kids under four.

If your peg doll is too light because well, baby jesus wasn't white, you can make your peg doll darker by tea-staining or painting the baby's head with thinned brown paint. We tried both and went with the brown paint.

9. Lastly, hang a star bead from the inside top of the manger, hooking it under the ends of the brad. secure with glue as desired.

That's it! Hang your baby jesus ornament on your Christmas tree.

9 Fun and Interesting Reindeer Facts

2016-12-03T20:14:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Reindeer have beards? Yep, they do! My family and I learned all about Reindeer last night at the holiday Christmas celebration at SeaWorld San Diego. It's all they could talk about all the way home. Here are some more fun and interesting facts about reindeer from the caretakers inside Santa's Village at Seaworld San Diego.

Reindeer are part of the caribou family of mammals.
Reindeer are herbivores and eat a variety of vegetation including pine branches, moss and wild mushrooms.
Reindeer have "beards" of tufts of thick hair that protect their neck from the cold.
The hair on a reindeer's body is hollow, which helps with insulation.
Reindeers have furry noses. This helps protect their nose from the cold. If their nose was wet like a regular deer, it would freeze.
Reindeers hooves click when they walk, this helps them find their way back to their herd and where the Christmas song line "Up on the housetop, click, click, click" comes from.
Reindeers shed their antlers every year and it doesn't hurt them.
Reindeer antlers are made of boney calcium rice substance, but they are missing the marrow that is found in mammal bones inside the body.
Reindeer are quit docile animals and can be trained to come when called.

Thanks to our friends at SeaWorld San Diego for the sneak peek of all the fun that can be had at the San Diego theme park over the Christmas season including visiting the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolf!

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