Category Archives: Parenting

Parenting teenage boys : Planting seeds of Parenting

May 10, 2014 superexhausted

Parenting teenage boys and How to talk to your teenage boy? All March my husband I would watch promos for the new Fox TV show Surviving Jack. My husband would say I want to watch that show. The promos would feature Jack Dunlvey the Dad putting his teenage son through the paces, as punishment for doing some stupid teenage thing. My husband being a sarcastic person, the show was right up his alley.

How does a Tv show help you parenting teenage boys and talk to your teenage boy? I will get to that..

This show is a coming of age show, set in the 90’s, and it is a about a Dad who is a doctor has cut back on his practice to allow his smart wife to go back to school to become a lawyer, he takes over parenting for their 2 teen age kids. Dad Jack is not a sugar coated kind of guy, he says what is on his mind and he is also madly in love with his wife. Jack played by Christopher Meloni (from SVU) is perfect for this rolehard ass dad with a soft side. The Mom played by Rachael Harris is ever present like most moms are and she trys guides Jack, with humor and love. It dynamic between the 2 characters shows unique humorous coparenting dynamic .

The kids son Frankie played by Connor Buckley with daughter Rachel played by Claudia Lee are very talented and have great comic timing. Frankie is an 16 year old who sprouted up over the summer and is awkward but coming in on his own, trying to figure out girls, school, sports. Rachel is the slightly older sister, who is working the system with smarts and looks. The casting director did a great job on this show.

After watching a few episodes I get the idea of asking my 13 year old son to watch the show with us. My son has never really sat and watch a sitcom with us. He loves it and says it is hysterical .. Now my son says “Wait to for me watch Surviving Jack.” My son will laugh at Jack or “OMG” when the son got into something. There is alot of “WHATS” when every Jack does something total outlandish to his son and his friends.

Parenting teenage boys: How To talk to your teenage boy?

The Best Part of the Show Surviving Jack for us as parents is watching it with our son, is my son will also ask questions through the laughter.. like “What is the pill ?”

To which I was more than happy to answer.

“The pill, is a pill that girls take not to get pregnant but it NOT 100% effective. You still need to use condoms when you have sex”

I call these moments : My seeds of Parenting to place in his mind. No full blow discussions need because he is 13 and not there yet in his development (No girls even in the picture, I think he knows they exist). Why have a large talk when it just make him feel awkward, plant a seed the big talk will come when needed.

This past week Season Finale of Surviving Jack : The episode dealt with 1st time drinking. This also brought up a discussion with my son.

I said “I prefer you wouldn’t drink, but if you do call I will pick you up. Be safe be smart, I will not be mad”

My son said “Mom! I am like 3 years away from going to a party that has alcohol”

My parenting seeds are planted.

While Watching Surviving Jack : My son does not say “EWE” when he sees how much the parents love each other. In the episode about the Son going to homecoming and the parents not having their “alone time”. The episode discussed about the parents being sexually active and then not getting it. Watching it with my son was not award because of the humor. I thought it was great for him to see/know that parents are human. That episode had a context he could understand because it ran the parents in tandem with the sons problem. That is life add humor and it makes for a great TV Show.

Reasons to Watch Surviving Jack:

So it shows a healthy relationship where the parents adore each other
It shows a man supporting a women’s dreams
It shows a loving family, real parenting issues, and a modern humor
Touches on subjects that will spur discussion
It shows parents are human and make mistakes
It shows really teen issues in a humorous way
It is set in the 90’s so the clothes are funny but not strange like recent 80’s shows – where the clothing feels unrelatable to our teens
The time period allows for your kids to say was it that way when you were young
Repercussions for your actions
Humor, Humor Humor

Think Cosbys with a 2014 sarcastic humor.

Thursday Night May 9th was the last episode to be aired, that is right Fox Cancelled Surviving Jack. Because everything good must be squashed. So I tell you watch it watch it Now… I can highly recommend you watch this on demand or hulu or on streaming video with your kids.

I just told my son the show was cancelled and he said “Why Why” and “Are they going to make more episodes at a different time?

He said that was my favorite show. I don’t even like TV but that was the best thing I watched n years.. He said I will watch the reruns..

So Watch Surviving Jack … Late is better than never.. I wish FOX would reconsider or another Network would pick up the show. There is a petition to save the show if you want to sign it Surviving Jack Petition or tweet with the hashtag #BringBackJack

I wanted to write about the show earlier on my blog and I am sorry that I waited to share my family’s love of the show. Because that is great TV a show that brings people together in fun, laughter and discussion.

I have to say thank you to The Actors, Directors, Writers and Producers of Surviving Jack for giving us another way to connect with my son.

So you know the Show is based on Justin Halpers book “I suck at Girls”

So what are your thought is there a show or movie that opens up a discussion in your home?

LIfe, Parenting

The story I will tell my grandchildren someday: Clorox Moments #ickies sponsored

April 7, 2014 superexhausted 19 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Clorox

In the entire 13 years I have been a Mom there have been many Ickies Clorox moments. From my daughter removing her dirty diaper and hugging it saying she “loves” her diaper during the potty training. Or my son so not wanting to sleep on his own bed and screaming until he made himself sick all over his crib, which was a regular occurrence in our house. Apparently the puking was genetic because my mother in law informed me, my husband Jeff was a puker also.. now know as reflux. One of the most ickies stories that I will always remember and can’t wait to share with my sons children someday is..

My son was about a year. We were living in South Florida. It was winter, February to be exact, so the temperature was prefect 78 degrees no jacket needed. My husband and I were year in starting to get the hang of this parenting thing. My in-laws and their best friends were visiting from up north, they were snow birds. Only coming to Florida to escape the snow and see there precious 1st grandchild, our son.

When my in laws visited, we always enjoyed eating out. I was working, happy to have a night off from cooking. That night all 6 adults and 1 small child piled in to my inlaws mini van headed to a popular pasta chain. The restaurant as most in South Florida was very busy with all the winter transplants.

We waited the 40 excruciatingly long minutes to get a table. My mother in-law walked with my son to get his impatient toddlers energy out. My son was so excited to go out to eat with his Nana and PopPop, but was very tired of waiting.

When we finally, walked to the table located in the back or the restaurant, weaving through crowded waiting area, past the busy bar, through the servers station, up a ram and near the kitchen we finally arrived at our table. When we sat, I fed the impatient boy some bread stick pieces, and order his pasta. Which the server was kind enough to bring to our table quickly.

I never understood the reasoning behind feeding the kids before the adults. To me it always meant the adults had to hurry up and eat because the impatient kids never want to sit still till the parents finished meal. So parents never get to enjoyed the meal. It just never made any sense to me.. sounded like an idea of someone who did not have kids came up with.

So on this night, my son ate his pasta early and was squirming in is restaurant high chair. If you know keeping a 1 year old in a highchair after they are done eating is no easy feet. So my son begin to cry, and put up a fuss. We decided to break the seal and release him from the seat.

Yea .. not the brightest of moves, but the toys I brought were not cutting it.

My son, was then pass around the table to all 6 adults, as he refused to sit and want to run. Finally, ending up on my husband Jeffs lap, wining wiggling..then doing that full body rag doll thing that 1 years old do..when they want their way.

Then it happened… while sitting on Jeff’s lap…

My son threw up his entire meal of red tomato sauce, pasta, and many bread sticks on all over my husband’s pants, shirt, running down his arms, neck, and back. Just think that scene from “The Exorcist.”

Photo credit from Heather at home-ec101.com

Yea, Pasta Puke.. not a pretty sight.. you get the visual.

At this point in the story my husband Jeff will be know as “Pasta Puke Dad.”

“Pasta Puke Dad” retreated to the bathroom covered in pasta puke, from back or the restaurant near the kitchen, down the ramp, through the servers station, past busy bar, weaving through packed waiting area, to the bathroom located at the entrance of this popular pasta chain.

Now you would think at this point one of us 5 remaining adults, would think check on “Pasta Puke Dad” .. BUT NO we sat their fawning over my beautiful exorcist baby.

So about 5-10 minutes later “Pasta Puke Dad” walks SHIRTLESS weaved through crowded waiting area, past the busy bar, through the servers station, up the ramp, to our table located near kitchen.

Since he did not drive, “Pasta Puke Dad” had no keys, no phone, returned Shirtless.. To get a keys for the mini van.

Yea he was not happy and not thrilled with us..

“Pasta Puke Dad” then stormed with pasta puke shirt in hand and puke on his pants, from back of the restaurant near the kitchen , down the ramp, through the servers station, past the busy bar, weaving through crowded waiting area, and out the front door of the restaurant.

Needless to say it was a very Ickies moment and very much a Clorox moment.

Now when we talk about kids and gross things.. the story of Jeff always comes up.. someday it will be “Remember that time Jeff went shirtless through the Olive Garden.”

That night and many since I cant live without my Clorox laundry items.. It removed tomato sauce puke and many more over the years. Currently my Clorox moment are because with a 13 hello stinky socks and tees.. teen B.O. is the worst. Thanks Clorox.. my house is clean and free of the smells ickies of parenting.

What is your #Ickie moment? Clorox is there to help you though these Pasta Puke Dad moments. To me Clorrox was the only way to deal with this ickie moment of many in the 13 years of parenting #ickie Clorox Moments.

You could win The Clorox Ick Awards Twitter Event on April 9 from 6-10 p.m. ET, during which Clorox will be giving away $2,500 in prizes.

Want to Join In?

On Wednesady April 9th 6-10 pm Clorox is teaming up with famed Chicago improv troupe The Second City Communications for the Clorox Ick Awards on Wednesday, April 9 from 6-10 p.m. ET.
Want your #Ickie moment turned in to a skit? Second City Communications will be turning tweets into #ickies video skits throughout the awards show.
You can win big by voting on your favorite skit they will give out $2,500 in prizes.
Have a hilariously icky moment you want to nominate in advance? Share it using #ickies and “tune in” to the first hour to see if it is featured in the opening number with a surprise celebrity guest!
Don’t forget to visit http://bit.ly/1pAc9pq and sign up for Clorox’s email newsletter to learn more about how Clorox can help you laugh through the mess.

Follow @Clorox on Twitter and share their own “icky moment” using the hashtag #ickies to be entered to win.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Clorox.

LIfe, Parenting, Product Reviews

Tips on getting childrens ears piercing

March 26, 2014 superexhausted 4 Comments

Childrens ears piercing: When I was 8 my mother took me to get my ears pierced. I will never forget my sister and I went the Rockaway mall to Bejewled a store on the upper level. They had white seats with chrome arms and orange and pink walls it was 1979. My sister and I got them done the same time. The earring lady sat us down. Then one ear at a time we had the gun placed to our ears. Sliver studs. We we so proud and could not wait till we could wear all the earrings they sold in the store. My mother made sure we twisted the post every day. I remember once having to take them out .. the hole started closing up and my mother put the stud back in. ouch!!

Childrens ears piercing

So the time came when for my daughters birthday, after months of waiting for her birthday she got her ears pierced. My mom came down for her birthday so it was perfect we all went it was like a right of passage for her to get her ears done. So here is a video of that day a year ago, they did a dual piercing:

So a year later what did I learn..Children’s Ear Piercing

My Top Tips on getting children’s ears piercing :

My daughter was 8 years old I waited because I wanted her to take the the responsibility for the earring. For us the age 8 was perfect. I never had to get involved with the daily care of her earring when she got the piercing for the most part.
Try to have both done at the same exact time it avoids they chicken out on the the other ear. Claries did great!
The solution must be used on a regular basis twice a day. Keep them clean
Twist the earrings
Earrings change after 6 weeks we were told my daughter could switch her earring to another Post/stud earring. We stuck to this.
We did not want my daughter ears got pussy from the cheaper “fun” earring, so we did avoid them.
Watch how tight is the earing back. my daughter became very concerned she would loose the back or the earring them so she pushed the back on to tight.. the ear got sore
If the cheaper earrings hurt take out immediately and switch to better sterling silver studs.
“I cant get the earring through the holes mom” She was not great at changing earrings.. she could never get it through the hole.
Wait for dangles till 6 months..We did not around month 4, because of her concerns and cheap earring.. I went and purchased sterling silver mini continuous (tiny) hoops at Target.
The little silver hoops solved many problems, she could swim with them, her ears could get air so there was no pressure on her ears from the backs.

My advice is wait till they are 8 and go with little hoops non dangle after the 5-6 months of the studs.

Have fun!

Crafting, LIfe, Parenting, Uncategorized

10 Birthday Surprise ideas for Kids

March 12, 2014 superexhausted 16 Comments

Unique kids birthday surprise ideas: 10 Great Ways to surprise your child on their birthday and creating a birthday tradition. Every year since my son has been in school on his birthday I have shown up at school with balloons one for each of year. This year since he is in 7th grade I did not go to the school with the balloons… (I don’t want to be uncool parent) So instead the dog and I pick him up at the bus, fully loaded with 13 red balloons. He still smiles and is happy on his birthday because, it is his special day. I see me sending balloons to his office when he is 30.. it makes me giggle at the thought. So for me the balloons have become a birthday tradition in our house. My kids have come to expect their surprise of balloons and mom making a fool of herself. As my son gets older I am looking for new ideas to celebrate his teenage years that are affordable birthday surprises. Here are some other ways to make you child feel special on there big day!

10 Birthday Surprise ideas for Kids

Balloon at school pick up: if you wear a costume it makes it extra silly (I wear a superhero cape every year from BabyPop my superhero cape store)
Flowers: My daughter has been getting flowers since she has entered kindergarten. I asked her if she wanted Flower or Balloons a few months before her 6th birthday. She said flowers.
Decorate house overnight: My friend Hillary does the decorating of the house while her kids are asleep. When they get up the morning of their birthday it is the land of streamers.
Birthday Food: make a favorite meal or breakfast.. When I was a kid one day a year my mom would buy Cookie Crisps cereal .. our birthday cereal and we would also get our favorite dinner
Birthday Plate: make one at a local ceramics shop like at Color Me Mine or Hallmark makes one if you can find it
Birthday balloon avalanche from My Dream Sample box
Birthday balloon box form DIYSTUDIO.com
Power of Silly String: This year I attacked him with silly string while he played his new video game.. I also bought 2 other cans so the kids could have a silly string fight in the backyard.. my son said he loved it. My daughter then requested it for her birthday. I loved this idea for Teen birthday surprises. I might have to wake him up with silly string.
Confetti: never underestimate a good mess
Trick Candles or Sparkler candles: I know this is old school but kids love the idea

What special things do you do for your kids birthday?

Disclosure : this post contain affiliate links

Parenting, Product Reviews

12 Ways How to stay calm while doing homework with a PreTeen #MeltsBestFeelings sponsored

February 9, 2014 superexhausted 13 Comments

How to stay calm while doing homework: I was recently selected to write a post about Glade® Wax Melts and how I use scents to relax, by #CollectiveBias and #MeltsBestFeelings. My biggest issue with trying to relax lately has been keeping my family calm during homework time. If you have a child in middle school, then you know that it can be a particularly stressful time of day. With the move to middle school, a child’s daily education goes from having one or a small group of teachers in elementary, to having multiple teachers in middle school. Many of the teachers are assigning homework unaware of what is due in other subjects, causing a child to learn time management and multitasking. So it is a “Welcome to the real world kid” for your middle school child. My family has been struggling with this transitional time in my son’s educational development. My friend told me to hold strong through middle school, which will make high school easier when the grades really count. I wanted to share tips with you for keeping your cool and staying “zen” during your child’s development into an independent high school student.

How to Stay Calm while doing Homework with a PreTeen:

Remove all distractions: TV, toys, magazines, and other siblings
Make sure the work area is well lit
Make sure your child uses the restroom.
Do make sure your child has had a snack or provide a snack/drink to be eaten as they accomplish the tasks
Us the child’s daily planer from school and check it. Also ask if there is a Rubric (which is a the assignments criteria requirements)
Working in a Common Area: Don’t allow you child to retreat to bedroom to do assignments. Homework in the bedroom is a privilege which must be earned.
Don’t make work area too comfortable: Avoid couches and beds .. Preteens are growing so they require a lot of sleep, so the area is to comfortable they will fall asleep.
Avoid homework escalation, stay calm and reminding them doing once correctly is quicker than doing the task twice
I recommend staying in the room to keep the child on task. Don’t move and clean.. it can be distracting. Try a station ay task like Knitting, computer time, and make this some slow down time for you while being present for your child.
Get a snack for yourself or try tea.
If possible sit read a book. Which shows reading is good.
Use a calming smell such as a Glade® melts to relax and ease the tension that can come from a child unavoidable homework.

Smells can make you relax. When I am using Glade® wax melts they set the tone of a room. Just by adding a smell of scent from a Glade® Wax Melt it can change the mood of a stressful environment in to a comforting easier space. I started using Glades products to make my own workspace more enjoyable. I find I feel more creative and inspired when all my senses are involved in my creative process. So why would I not add Glade that to my sons space.

While visiting Shoprite to purchase my Glade® Wax Melts. I really enjoyed smelling all the new fragrance option. My favorites were the new fragrances from the Glade® limited Edition spring Collection including Live Loud and Lift Off. I choose the Lift Off and Hawaiian Breeze – both smells transform me to a tropical warm climate.

While shopping Shoprite, I found the Glade® Wax Melts really easily. They were in the center of the store, at the beginning of the isle. The Glade® Wax Melts refills were located on the shelf together and the melt burner was the shelf below them. I appreciate the fact that Glade® Wax Melts has no open flame and a light to tell you when it is on.

The good thing is the Glade® Wax Melts are on sale at Shoprite over the next few weeks:

2/9-2/15: Limited Edition Spring Collection at the Everyday Low Price of $2.99

2/16-2/22: Buy 5 Glade products, get $3 off your next shopping order, wax melts on Price Plus feature at $2.99

I hope these tips help you to easy up the stress in you life so take a few moments read a book and plus in a Glade® Wax Melt Warmer with the Fragrance for your choice to relax all your senses. Just think someday your kids will have children and they too will have to conquer middle school homework. Have fun being Zen.

LIfe, Parenting, Product Reviews

Online Shopping Tips

November 30, 2013 superexhausted 6 Comments

Online Shopping Tips : Every holiday season I watch and and plan looking for the best on line deals. Then excitement sets in Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday, Latest and great lowest prices. Just last night I got caught up in a purchase for 25% off and a free-ship. Yea another site had the items at a lower price with free ship. So off we are to cancel the order. So I want to share and remind myself of my rules to online shopping.

Online Shopping tips :

Shopping Plan: Have a plan, if it is a paper list, Pintrest Board, or Amazon wishlist : Know what you are looking for. If you use an Amazon wish list .. it tells you the price you added the item to your wish list, then what is the current price and if it changes the saving difference.. I was surprised how many of my items went down.
Compare: Spend the time price shopping and comparing prices.. I know it seems like time consuming but think you are not driving to the store.
Order Early: Order Custom items 1st ! Like Frames,Blankets, Shirts, Frame, If you think you want something customized order early , because gives the seller time plus if a mistake is made gives the seller time to correct.
Shopping Email Account: Do create a separate shopping email- so you can sign up for those newsletters and sale emails. So they dont clog up your inbox but you still can get the deals.
Watch shipping deadlines. Many sellers will have normal holiday cut off, then after a certain day rush processing and shipping fees come into place.
Avoid the hype: My husband wanted a video game, A big box retailer offered it in store at $20 off but another on line retailer offer it for the same price. The prices on many items will reduce as the holiday get closer.
Coupons Codes: Stop check for coupons a simple search in your Google search bar for “thestore.com coupons 2013” can save you 10-40% and free ship so worth
No Hassle Rebates: Do sign up for rebate sites like Ebates these sites allow you to earn more back when you are already shopping at these stores. You sign up for the account, then look up the site and shop. Also if you are already on the site you can look up the store on ebates click through ebates and your cart will still be loaded. Ebates and site like Ebates are shopping portholes, How it works is the Online retailer pays Ebates a percentage, they take a cut and then also give money back to you in the form of a rebate. This is on top of any coupon codes you are already using. It is a win win. Ebates gives you rebate on most retailers like Amazon, Target, QVC, Macys and more. Also when you share ebates you can earn more. So I will share my ebates with you, go sign up so worth it, I earned $20 last night.
Security: Avoid sites where they say a Security is not current. A retailer should always have there security rank current. If a pop up window comes up and say the site is not secure .. leave.
Avoid: A retailer should never ask you to give them your credit card in an email. Also if you purchased with a retailer and making a return, they should never ask for your card for the return. They can return it through the original transaction. NEVER email your credit card numbers. Also do trust paypal. As a retailer for years on my superhero kids cape store, I can tell you pay pal is secure and will assist you if you have a problem.
Safe Packages: When shipping to your home and you are not home you might want to have a secure place to have the packages be left (behind a stack of wood, or a bench) or have the items shipped to a more secure place neighbor, work, or grandmas.

I love online shopping because it make life easy and my family happy. Because they are not stuck in lines at a store. Try some of these tips and your holidays will be much more enjoyable.. because you can shop anytime. I am off to find that great item for my kids..

Disclosure this post contains affiliate links.. which I earn a small amount that is basically enough to buy coffee at a fast food chain.

LIfe, Parenting, Travel

Kid Place NJ Zoos : Space Farms

September 13, 2013 superexhausted 2 Comments

Kid Place in NJ : Space Farm is a great place for Kids in North New Jersey. When I was a child, I use to go to Space Farms with my parents. I loved it because you got to feed the animals. Guess what you still can! I took my kids this past week and it was a blast. My son said it was “The best zoo he has every been” too. The reason it is a a place where you kids interact with the animals and it is not a commercial trap. The Zoo is clean, well kept and reasonable priced.

My kids were feet from a Bear and were able to feed him cookies too (we threw them into the cage). See him isn’t he cute. This was my moms favorite part.

They also get to feed the deer.. which is the best.. because there are a lot of different variety of deer. They follow you like dogs.

I would recommend

Bring a lunch, and drinks there are many eating areas for you to sit in the shade.
Go on a cooler day: Fall is perfect because the animals are out and moving.
Be aware the Lions to roar so it is fun and makes you aware they are wild animals.
Visit soon so you can see the baby tiger. Space farms Female tiger has had 10 cubs over the years. this is the last time she is having a baby so go and see..
Buy the deer feed at the admissions desk, I would get 2 bags..$1.50 a bag
Make the walk to the lama.. I never touched one before since most spit .. she is very friendly and treat to touch
Make sure you go upstairs and look at the museum rooms.. My kids enjoyed seeing the vintage and antiques. The bear is Goliath the worlds largest bear on record. He was alive when My Mother visited as a child and when I did as a child. He died in 1994 .. but he is still at space farms, just stuffed my Mom and I thought it was good to “See” him again.
They also have a huge museum of vintage cars so allow all day if you hope to make it to see them.
Visit the parrots- there is one who repeats your name. .. My daughter loved him he kept saying her name,
Dare yourself to get up close and personal with the animals .. Like no other zoo. Yes I did get this close to the ostridge.. I was worried he would peck me through the fence.. he didn’t.

Check out my videos of my kids feeding the deer.

Space Farm is located in Sussex County New Jersey. It is trip into the NJ country side off RT 15.. be sure to use a GPS because it not easy to find without it.

Space Farms Zoo & Museum
218 Route 519
Sussex, NJ 07461

Open Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last Entrance at 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last Entrance at 4 p.m.
April 6 thru October 31

Adults (13-64) – $15.00 plus tax
Children (3-12) – $10.50 plus tax
Seniors (65+) – $14.00 plus tax

Crafting, LIfe, Parenting

American Girl Birthday Party Ideas

September 6, 2013 superexhausted 8 Comments

American Girl Party Ideas: For my daughters 8th birthday I threw her an American Girl Birthday Party. Here are some of the ideas we used for the perfect tea party . First off we did not call it an “American Girl Party” because not every girl had an American Girl doll. So we called it an Doll party .. bring your own doll. I had extra dolls the girls could borrow for the day.

American Girl Birthday Party Ideas :Prep

I made a few thing and then had some crafts for the girls to do:

I went to the thrift store and purchased a tea set, along with tea pots, and lacy table linens. Super inexpensive ($12 for linens and tea set) and add the real feel to the party cost as much as buying paper stuff and it became a tea set for my daughter. I also purchase real flowers for the center of the table.

I made American Girl Party Hats the pattern is found here at Make it do.com it is a scrapbook paper pompoms and glue, one sheet makes about 4 hats

Cupcakes Stands I followed www.tammymitchellphotography.com to make the mini cupcake stands, the parts were purchased at AC Moore look for the package of disks much cheaper than buying loose 12 cost me under $10:

I also made every doll a dress to wear for the party it was also a American Girl favor. I won lie my fingers did hurt after making such small clothes. I made the pattern myself post coming soon or refer to my free patterns for American Girl Dolls.

Tip: I found an old vintage suitcase to display the dresses. When the girls arrived they could pick a dress for the doll to wear at the party.

Food Ideas for American Girl Doll Party:

Tea sandwiches: Peanut butter and Jelly, ham and cheese, cucumbers and cream cheese- I own the tiered stands if you don’t and what to make them Joy Hope crafts has a great tutorial on how to make a colorful tiered cake stand.
Cup Cakes and mini cup cakes – I bought cup cake wrappers and the mini wraps normally used for candy for the mini doll cupcakes. Wilton makes these and they are super
For tea we used pink lemon aid- in the thrift store pots

American Girl Party Crafts:

We had the girls make a few simple crafts like coffee cups from doll diaries… I went to burger king and got the ketchup holder for your condiments cups. Pipe cleaners are about .69 each. The small dollies I found at the craft store.

We also go the girl a American Girls Cards Historical Craft Pack so they can make cards. I found these at Micheals, Ac Moore or here on Amazon. The cards are a 21 pack of cards for about $12 on amazon so enough for the girls to make 1-2 cards each depending on size of party. Also another great Craft idea is the American Girl Doll Picture Frame with a little mod podge, American girl catalog, and in expensive wooden frame. Take a picture of the girl with her doll at the party and send it in the thank you note.

It was a super fun day for all the girls. American Girl Party was a hit. We start out making some crafts, because the dolls need a cup to drink. Them girls were super quiet once they started the tea party polite pass in the “tea ” to each other. Very Adult. Then they went and played with their dolls in a large group.

Be sure to check out my other posts:
Easy American Girl Doll CraftsMaking American Girl Doll ClothesAmerican Girl Picture Frame for under $3. Great party craft

Harry Potter Theme Birthday Party Back drop with PDF

Tips on getting childrens ears piercing

This post may contain Affiliate links

Parenting

School Bus Strategies: 10 tips to make riding the school bus better

September 3, 2013 superexhausted

School Bus Strategies: So after a long summer my youngest returns to school and the school bus today. It is almost bitter sweet because she is heading into 3rd grade, she is getting older and the days are flying by. Today was also the 1st time she was on the school bus ever. She was nervous because her brother had a hard time on the bus the 1st few weeks, when he went for the 1st time. My kids are normally walkers to school, but this year they are tearing the school down to make way for a new school, so my kid are being bused to a new location. We came up with some tips to make riding the school bus easier on her and we want to share them with you.

School Bus Strategies:

Say “Good Morning” to the Bus Driver and schoolmates when getting on bus
Sit near the front of the bus
If someone picks on you, tell the bus driver
If no action is given to bully tell teacher and parent
Do not thrown anything on or out of the bus
Stay in seat
Identify a “bus buddy” – your friend on the bus
Always tell the person if they are being mean and say ” That is not a very nice thing to say”
It is ok to stand up for someone and it is also ok not to if you are uncomfortable
Do add a tag to bookbag with Bus Number so the child does not forget

Have a great School Year!

Parenting, Product Reviews

BJ Wholesale Back to School Deals

August 22, 2013 superexhausted

Recently I attended BJ Wholesale Club Back to School event. It was a great day learning about how BJs Wholesale Club can get my family ready for heading back to school. I was really loving the things I learned at BJ’s, Did you know they are the only wholesale club that accepts coupons. Also you can stack your coupons, meaning that you can use the BJ offer coupons with your manufactures coupons for dbl savings.. Great right. The BJ’s coupons are located right near the front door of the store.

Disclosure: BJ was very nice to provide us with great lunch options and a nice backpack filled with marks and back to school items all the opinions in this post are my own.

I also learned that Bj has a ton of healthy options, like organic and gluten free.

Bj Wholesale also offer smaller quantity items so if you are buying for the college dorm room or stocking their middle school locker BJ can accommodate your need with the stock items they have. I love this for a dorm room vintage style ice maker.

They also have some great kits for your kids lunch. The one shown below from Rubbermaid has a cooler pack between the containers.

This lunch kit is Eco lunch kit is collapsible priced $9.99. I love the idea for easy storage.

I love these erasers pencils as a teacher start the year off right gift.. look erasers.

For me there was some much need back to school items. Like there great Deco lint rollers. At BJ they were$10 for 4 and Target they were $7 for 2 lint rollers. They are great keep on in your purse near the front door. They also had a great pair of boots for $29.99..

Whether you are preparing to head back to school or you have gone back already, BJ’s wants to see your “Back to Cool” top picks – for a chance to win a $250 gift card. Head to the BJ’s Facebook page and choose what you’re preparing for: K—12, college or teaching. Then click and drag six items that you want most in your bundle. After you submit, be sure to enter our BJ’s Wholesale Club contest. They giving out a $250 gift card each week for 5 weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/bjswholesaleclub/app_49055986436672

Disclosure: BJ was very nice to provide us with great lunch options and a nice backpack filled with marks and back to school items all the opinions in this post are my own.

Superexhausted

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