SAHM Reviews

All Retro. Even Cereal and Games.

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:09:00 +0000

Every so often, I find the need to explain something "Obvious" to my kids. When I say "obvious" that refers to MY impression of it. Unfortunately, it's a sign of my age and nothing more.

To me, "dialing" a phone makes perfect sense. To my kids... Not so much.

The Beauty and Challenge of Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:47:00 +0000

Once upon a time, I loved to write. I'm not talking about blogging. I'm talking about physically writing. I had always been told I had beautiful handwriting and I prided myself in that. Not only did I revel in the joy of handwriting class in school, but I gladly wrote cards, thank you notes and letters. When someone wanted 'pretty' handwriting on a certificate (you know, back in the day before computers did that for us), I volunteered to do it. Taking the time to send birthday cards in the mail as well as letters to friends and relatives wasn't a chore.

Then everything went digital.

Oh, The App-ortunities.

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Back in the day, family game night meant sitting around the kitchen table playing a board game or a marathon session of cards. We would play Monopoly, Life, Winning Ticket, Go For Broke, Risk, Hearts, Spades, Spoons, Crazy 8s and the list would go on.

That was then...

B..B..Beautiful!

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:02:00 +0000

It has been a rough few months for me. Aside from fighting the normal winter-induced sniffles and respiratory issues, I have been dealing with some kind of eczema or something on my eyelids. You would think I would just suck it up and go to the doctor like a normal person but nooooo... I decided to take the easy* way out and spend two months complaining to my husband. *Easy for me. Not for my husband

Far Cry 3: Head to Gold Box Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:11:00 +0000

Disclosure: Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please visit Amazon.com to get your own copy of Far Cry 3, today's Gold Box Deal of the Day! I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.

Maybe it's just my age... Maybe it's the fact that once the kids were born, I could not longer remember anything. It seems that my brain is filled with nonsensical (yet important) kid-related information about just about everything. Yet I'm always amazed when DH is able to rattle off details about anything I ask him about no matter how long ago it may have been relevant to him.

Schooling The Kids: Hip Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please visit Ubi.com to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

I was chatting with a friend at swim practice yesterday about how the kids are growing up. She noted to me how each day, we (as moms) are getting dumber and dumber. That "we" are becoming our moms.

Yes, I knew the day would come but we didn't realize just when. She pointed out, after watching my 8 year old's reaction to something I said, that it's pretty obvious that the time is now. Through our kids' eyes, we don't know anything. And we know even less as each day passes. Our coolness factor is fading, too. (Dads, on the other hand, are super cool at any age.)

Sigh

Technology Buyer's Remorse?

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:06:00 +0000

With the holidays behind us, I'm certain there are parents out there beginning to lament the purchases they made. When a child receives a new console gaming system, a handheld game or a tablet, it's pretty common to see them cast aside books, crafts, dolls or other items in lieu of their technology. If you think about it, anything new is going to be front and center until that initial luster has faded some.

Recipe Corner: Frappes and Pasta

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 23:13:00 +0000

There a few things about myself that I cannot deny.

One - I have a terrible sweet tooth

Two - I'm frugal.

These two factors came into play as I took to the kitchen to create a few custom recipes.

Hey. Stop laughing. I can TOO create stuff in the kitchen and not burn it!

Annual Virtual Gift Exchange: 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

For the past two years, I've participated in a different kind of gift exchange. It didn't require rushing out to the store to buy a gift or even purchasing one online. For that matter, it didn't even require money.

The idea behind the Social Fabric Virtual Gift Exchange is an opportunity to exchange one of a blogger's most treasured assets - You, my readers - with another blogger. And at the same time, share another blogger with you. You can read my last two posts for 2011 - and 2010 - to get a better understanding of how the whole thing came about.

So Sore Today

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:10:00 +0000

When we moved back from California in 2006, I was overweight from years of inactivity, stress and overeating. I invested in a gym membership. Religiously, I attended a cardio-strength class two times a week. Gradually, I felt some improvements in my body but I was still extremely overweight.

Then, as I've explained, we started eating better. DH and I decided to add jogging and cycling to our exercise routine.

But it's Iowa. Winter. COLD outside. Neither cycling nor running are an option. I'm too much of a wuss.

Jingle, Hugs and Holiday Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 21:23:00 +0000

While in New York for the BlogHer conference, I had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the Hallmark Holiday collection. I've ranted about a lot of it ever since and I'm certain many people are tired of me blathering on about it. Hallmark was a huge player in our holiday list this year.

From the latest greeting cards to the books, animals, ornaments and watches, Hallmark has it all. They displayed a beautiful assortment of craft ideas to upcycle old holiday cards as well as a multitude of ideas to help prepare for the holidays. Creating festive wreaths, place mats and chandelier decorations.

Stop! Collaborate and Listen!

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Sit back for a second as I make myself feel really old... (and depending on your age, you may feel really young...)

Back in 1990 when DH and I started dating, we would zip around campus on his Honda Helix jamming out to the tunes of the day. No matter what mood I was in, that would always make me smile. "Ice Ice Baby" has forever reminded me of those days and I smile whenever I hear it, hear a rendition of it or even hear someone say it.

As I sit here feeling old in body but young in spirit, I'm smiling from ear to ear just thinking about those times so long ago.

When I started reading about Dance Central 3 for Kinect, you can only imagine my delight to see this:

Fresh Produce: Less Cash in the Trash

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:08:00 +0000

It's been over a year since we started eating healthier. I've come to the realization that the fresh produce section of the store is my new favorite department. In the time since we started, August of 2011, I think we've purchased and consumed more fresh produce than we have in the rest of our entire marriage combined.

Think I'm joking? I'm not.

Cosmic Forces Brought It Together

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:04:00 +0000

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

There's no arguing the fact that we are a Disney family. Whether we are watching a Disney movie, wearing Disney clothes, playing with Disney toys, AT Disney, listening to Disney Radio, playing a Disney video game or watching Disney Channel on TV, there are seldom times when we aren't happy.

Disney IS happiness.

We even had an opportunity to meet some Disney TV stars while attending Disney Social Media Moms last year. We were in heaven.

Headed to Fix the Museum...

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:55:00 +0000

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

We pride ourselves in exposing the kids to a lot of different activities. Festivals, hobby events, museums and more. Whenever we see an opportunity to introduce them to art, culture, history or different hobbies, we like to take advantage of it.

Just the other day, Miss K was telling us all about Sue, the dinosaur, and the battle over who owned her. Apparently her class has been studying a book about the whole discovery and ownership dilemma. It brought forward a family conversation about making a trip to Chicago to visit some of the museums there. Both girls are obviously old enough to now understand and appreciate what all it has to offer.

Then we came across a museum that is having a lot of problems. The exhibits are in shambles and they're having trouble attracting visitors. It's a mess and we're going to help fix it.

Avenging My Past

noreply@blogger.com (Max Power) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 02:50:00 +0000

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please click here to learn more about Ubisoft. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. #UbiChamps

I'm going to date myself. NO, not like that - get your head out of the gutter! I'm going to show my...age! Maybe not exactly, but you'll get the idea in a second.

In the late 80's I had just started college and was working a couple part-time jobs to make ends meet. This was a time when actual arcades could be found in almost every city in the nation, and they still took quarters (not tokens)! Can you believe it?! One of my favorites was Mike Tyson's Punch Out - the first true 1st-person boxing game. Glass Joe was no match for me, but that Russian guy "Soda Popinski" was my nemesis. I think I only beat him one time in my entire boxing career, only to be completely humiliated by the next opponent. Ah, great times.

Assassin's Creed III Deal at Amazon!

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Thank you to Ubisoft for sponsoring this post. Please visit Amazon.com to get your own copy of Assassin's Creed 3, today's Gold Box Deal of the Day! I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own.

I don't know about you but when there's a gamer in the house, you need to find ways to feed the gamer's addictions. I'll be honest and say that I'm a total enabler because I like watching my gamer play. This has been a problem for many years. The addiction is just as much mine as it is his. Before the kids were born, there were many nights that we would stay up to the wee hours of the morning with him playing a video game on the console or PC and I would be sitting alongside, watching and cheering him on. (And getting us drinks and snacks or whatever.)

Take, for example, games like Assassin's Creed. DH got the game when it first came out. He played it back then on his XBox360 and really enjoyed it.

We still have it, actually and he still plays it sometimes.

Dress for Success: Pillows

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 22:49:00 +0000

If your bed is anything like mine, it's covered in pillows of all shapes and sizes. Not only do I like having pretty pillows to decorate the bed but I also like having extra pillows when I sleep. DH actually makes fun of me because I insist on sleeping with no less three pillows.

My daughters... they're the same way. Except while mine are traditional geometric shapes, their stockpile of pillows includes unicorns, ladybugs and penguins. Yes, they have Pillow Pets. Not just one. Multiple. The normal sized ones and the little ones.

Personalize Your Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:04:00 +0000

For many years, I lived in a different part of the country than the rest of my family. I was two time zones away, to be exact. I've come to know many families who have kids spread out across the country as they pursue colleges and careers that aren't located in their back yards.

Kudos to those who are able to spread their wings. Being far away did wonders for me, my self-esteem and my immediate family. Although, when it came to holidays, the distance was difficult. I'm certain I'm not the only one who found this to be a challenge. My mom had trouble with it, too.

Is That a Frog in Your Pocket?

noreply@blogger.com (Max Power) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 23:49:00 +0000

We never used to be Apple freaks. Well, maybe I was - my first computer was an Apple II+ back in the late 80's. But after that, it was all Microsoft products from DOS 3.1 though Windows 7. Then I received an iPod Touch for Christmas one year...

It didn't take long before it came time to upgrade our Motorola RAZR phones (the old flip kind) and we entered app-heaven with our brand new iPhone 4's. We were hooked - and when the first iPad hit the market 2 1/2 years ago, we knew it was the perfect upgrade for our broken laptop.

Read more >>>

The Value of Being Protective (Tech Giveaway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:56:00 +0000

While attending a collector's show in Chicago a few weekends ago, I was roped into talking to an energy company about ways to save energy during the holidays. Pretty much everything she had to say I already did so it wasn't real helpful. But they had iPads on display for the kids to play an energy-saving version of a matching game akin to Bejeweled. While that occupied the kids, I was asked to fill out a survey on an iPad that the reps carried around.

As I stood there, one of the supervising reps walked up grumbling. In the course of the two and a half day event, they had managed to break two brand new iPads. Apparently they have fumbly fingers and dropped them on the concrete floor. I looked at both of them and said "Why don't you have cases on those?" The girl who was helping me looked at the supervising rep and said "Add it to your list." He immediately held up his iPhone and mumbled into it "Order iPad cases."

Duh. I thought having a case was a no-brainer.

Vudu Done Well - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Max Power) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:13:00 +0000

Right before Halloween I signed up for Vudu after purchasing a pre-order copy of Men In Black 3. While I do wish the signup process had been a little smoother, I did get it set up - and thus the wait began for the early release of MIB3.

Quality Time with Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 23:28:00 +0000

This is me with my girls. They're growing up so fast and I just cannot believe it. Through opportunities presented as a result of blogging and social media, I have to say that I've been able to really connect with my girls. Sometimes, we play games and go places. This time, we talked.

Starbucks and Cinnamon Rolls

noreply@blogger.com (Nicole Brady) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Black Friday... Oh, how I love and loath you. Great deals are to be had but the crowds are absolutely unbearable. Although I'm a people person, I'm absolutely NOT a crowd person. So while others were braving the crowds and standing in line at other retailers in hopes of landing some deal or another, I was comfy and cozy checking out the deals at Sam's Club.

...and eating breakfast.

At Sam's Club.

Free. Nom nom.

The Road to a Boy's Heart Leads Through Gotham

noreply@blogger.com (Max Power) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:52:00 +0000

My girls have it all figured out. Today's boys don't care about girls that can cook, can speak intellectually or keep a clean room - they care only about toys, video games and sports. Remember, I'm talking about pre-teens here...I don't need any of you putting any other ideas into their heads.