Thoughts Archives - Page 51 of 127

Summer Vacation Plans

June 10, 2015 by Melissa

Summer is upon us which means the kids are finally out of school and now is the perfect time for summer vacations. We are doing a few short trips this summer like the beach and Upstate New York but a dream of mine is to travel overseas to Europe and visit Rome.

I have wanted to visit Italy as well as Germany for as long as I can remember. I am not 100% sure why Melinda and I haven’t made the journey yet but I am hoping one day we will get a chance to go. I would love to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum. I hear that Rome is so beautiful and the views are absolutely amazing. I think if Melinda and I went to Italy I might eat myself to death, LOL.

Traveling is one of those things I would love to do but the thought of packing and flying more that 6 hrs sometimes deters me from ever wanting to travel. I know if we traveled overseas to Europe it would by far be the best vacation that we have ever been on and I know one day we will get there it just might be a few more years before that happens.

Don’t get me wrong I love going to Ocean City, NJ and chilling on the beach then cruising the boardwalk and eating snacks the entire time but the thought of a vacation to Europe sounds really awesome!!!!!

Have you ever been to Rome? If so what spots are a must see?

DIY Pet Door

June 5, 2015 by Melissa

As pet owners I’ve always wanted a way for our dogs to let themselves in and out of the house. They love to hang out on the deck and soak up the sun or watch the kids play out back. A pet door would be a great solution.

Presented By Door Store America

Top 10 Refreshments that spell out – SUMMER!

May 26, 2015 by Melissa

We all love summer: getting out in the garden, enjoy the company of friends and perhaps stoke up a barbecue or two. Fresh food gets more varied and tasty but it’s the drinks that make this time of year so special. Here are our top ten refreshments for summer.

Sangria image by Didriks, shared under a Creative Commons Licence

1. Fruity delight

Summer means fruit, so the first choice has to be the classic Sangria. This simple mix of wine and fruit juice (brandy is strictly optional!) is classically Spanish and when served in a jug is the ideal way to share with friends.

2. Enduring cocktail

You might say that the Caribbean has a perpetual summer, so they know a thing or two about liquid refreshment. The next choice therefore is the classic Planters’ Punch, popular for over a hundred years.

3. Minty freshness

Another Caribbean drink with an even longer history is Cuba’s signature drink the Mojito, a mixture of crushed mint leaves, lime and rum, this drink is the perfect accompaniment to a Caribbean holiday in the sun, or a special treat back at home.

4. Popular beer

And if those last two are a little strong for your taste then Jamaica’s classic beer Red Stripe should bring you all the sense of relaxation of that sunny island.

5. Classic cocktail

Perhaps one of the most cocktails ever is the exotic but widely popular Margarita from Mexico with its rich blend of tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. A lovely drink to sip slowly in the shade – do it properly and go for the salted glass rim.

6. Poolside refreshment

A different fruit base but equally delicious is the Piña Colada. With its unique and sweet blend of pineapple, coconut, and rum for some it’s the ultimate vacation drink and indeed is best enjoyed on the beach or poolside (or on your own yacht if possible!)

7. Perfect wine

Simple and pretty in pink, a properly chilled Rosé is the perfect summer wine and somehow more festive than its white or red cousins. Choose carefully though to get a good one.

Daiquiri image by Anthony Knuppel, shared under a Creative Commons Licence

8. Frozen goodness

There is something inherently stylish about the Daiquiri from Cuba. It’s basically rum, lime and sugar – you can then choose from conventional or frozen versions.

9. It’s Pimms O’Clock!

The penultimate choice for summer refreshments is the oh-so-English Pimms. A gin based liqueur with subtle additions of citrus fruits and spices, it mixes well with lemonade, ginger ale or even champagne for that very special summer event.

10. The original alcoholic beverage

And last but by no means least, lets celebrate the classic Gin and Tonic. As simple as it sounds, all you need is a slice of lime for absolute perfection. Traditionally enjoyed as the sun sets, in fact a G&T is great to chill with any time.

So all you need now is a pair of shades, some good company and time to relax. With one of these lovely tipples to hand, you really will have summer in a glass. Cheers!

Birthday Ideas for Your Daughter

May 21, 2015 by Melissa

If your young daughter’s birthday is coming up, chances are she probably has a long list of items she would like. Of course, if she’s like most little girls, in addition to toys, she will probably ask for some pretty crazy things like a pony or a talking robot. If you’ve already snagged up all of the most important items, the toys she’s been talking about for months and weeks, but you still want some ideas for some more practical or less complicated gifts, check out some of these ideas to add a little extra fun to your daughter’s birthday spoils.

Gifts for the Glamour Girl

For the little girl who loves to play dress up and is constantly asking to try on your makeup, get some gifts that will make her feel glamorous but won’t make you feel like she’s growing up too fast!

Costume jewelry like cute clip earrings. Costume jewelry is cheap and can easily be replaced so it won’t be a big deal if something gets lost or broken. Clip on earrings have the added benefit that they can be worn by little girls without pierced ears.
A small piece of nice jewelry. Baby bracelets and rings come in very small sizes so they can be worn by little girls. These are popular gifts for birthdays, baptisms, first communions, etc. A small piece of jewelry will make her day if she loves glamour and dress up, but you may want to hold on to this item for her and keep it for special occasions.
Nail stickers. These are a great way for little girls to have their nails done without a whole lot of mess.
Fun dress up items like feather boas and little plastic high heels. You can also go to thrift or consignment stores and stock up on inexpensive jewelry, shoes, and clothes for dress up.
Take her for a beauty day. Get her hair done and take her to have her makeup done professionally. Buy her a nice dress for the occasion and maybe even take her for a photography session.
Drama classes or fashion design classes. For a little girl with a flair for glamour, sign her up for a kids’ acting class. It might be just the thing to help her get creative with her passion.

Gifts for the Creative Girl

For the little girl who loves to be creative, there are lots of gifts out there that can help her develop her skills and help her find new ways to be creative:

A child’s easel and child-safe paints. Other supplies could include sidewalk chalk, nice crayons, papier-mâché kits, etc. Go to your local crafts store and get a few kits and find out what she likes best. If you have a hobby you already know how to do, buy her some supplies and show her how. For example, if she sees you knitting regularly, she would probably love her own small plastic needles and a set of fun rainbow colored yarns in a little yarn basket of her own.
Science kits and engineering toys. Help her see new ways to explore her creativity by shopping outside of the pink aisle! Kits for little science experiments as well as toys as simple as blocks and train kits could be great fun for a little girl who already likes to do make and build stuff. Help her design her own dollhouse and then take her along to choose and buy the supplies and actually go through the process of building it herself along with you.
Books! If your daughter is especially young, consider activity books. Creative kids frequently love to read so check out some of the current bestsellers for kids but also try to remember some of your own favorite books from when you were growing up. Your daughter will probably love a set of books that you can bond over. Ask other adults in her life like grandparents, teachers, etc. for their own favorite childhood books and put together a whole mini library.
Musical instruments. If she’s too young to start taking lessons, you can buy kid-friendly versions of lots of instruments like inexpensive keyboards or mini guitars. Make sure to pay attention to any type of music or instrument she especially seems to like.

Gifts for the Little Athlete

For the girl who is a hands-on explorer who likes to play in the mud and climb trees, think about gifts that will encourage her to explore those passions and maybe find some new ones:

A little explorer’s outfit. You can buy costumes that look like explorer’s clothing, which your daughter will probably love to have. Make sure to get her pants with lots of pockets and backpacks with lots of compartments for bringing home specimens.
Sports equipment. If she already has a sport she loves, buy her equipment for that sport like CCM hockey equipment, new soccer shoes or a basketball. You could also consider buying her equipment for a new sport to try out, especially if it’s a sport you can do together.
Items for the explorer: a camera, a bug collecting kit, books about plants and animals, a nature journal, binoculars, etc.

Choosing Gifts

When thinking about gifts to give your daughter, the most important thing is that you consider her individuality. Pay attention to what your daughter already loves most. This should get you started with lots of gift ideas that she is sure to love!

Father’s Day Is Right Around The Corner

May 20, 2015 by Melissa

June is almost here which means two things: Summer and Father’s Day. I know some dads get ties and dress socks for Father’s Day but if you have a job like mine you don’t need a tie or dress socks so why not a nice watch from Tesco Direct.

Watches for me is a kind of new thing since I have only been collecting them for a few years now. I have 8 nice watches and I must admit I like when I am not working so that I can wear one.

Now I know not all dads are into watches for Father’s Day and that is cool so get him what you think he might want. If not a watch for me I would take a long list of other things like sneakers, clothes and even a new car. LOL.

Honestly the best gift that I receive every single Father’s Day is a home made card from my kids and a heart felt card from Melinda and to be honest if that is all I get I am 100% ok with that. Cards from my loved ones mean more than anything else that they could buy me. Now don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t turn down a new car or a nice new pair of sneakers but that isn’t required for me to have an AWSOME Father’s Day.

So remember that gifts are nice but the heart felt things are what us dads appreciate most.

Happy early Father’s Day to all of the dads out there!!!!!!

For Father’s Day #Imbornto Be A Dad

May 18, 2015 by Melissa

I was compensated for this post by The Motherhood on behalf of March of Dimes but all opinions are %100 my own!!!!!

Recently I was asked to be a part of the #imbornto campaign that benefits the March of Dimes and without hesitation I agreed. The entire premise behind this awesome campaign is to celebrate all the mothers and fathers who do such a terrific job day in and day out to keep their babies safe from conception all the way through childhood.

Melinda and I have done everything in our power to provide for our kids and to keep them safe since conception. We do everything we can to help them reach the potential that we know is inside of them and that means even if we have to make sacrifices. Over the years we have volunteered to coach soccer even though we didn’t know anything about soccer. I have also been a football coach for Shaun and currently we are lacrosse parents. Each of our children have their own interests and desires and Melinda and I are here to see that all three of them reach their goals and dreams.

Now here is some information about #Imbornto. #imbornto is a national cause marketing campaign that benefits the March of Dimes. It taps into the collective hopes, dreams and aspirations that we have for our babies and ourselves. All babies are born to do something great; something special and theirs alone. But they can’t do it on their own. Thanks to your support, the March of Dimes can help babies be born strong and healthy.

The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat polio. They accomplished that mission but never stopped protecting the health of America’s children. March of Dimes-funded research has saved millions of babies from death or disability. The March of Dimes helps moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies and if something goes wrong, they offer information and comfort to families.

This Father’s Day, March of Dimes is partnering with some brands and, by shopping, dining, and donating, we can help support this important campaign. be sure to visit imbornto.com to learn more about these offers.

Alex and Ani – Alex and Ani will donate 20% of the purchase price from each Special Delivery Charm Bangle sold, with a minimum donation of $25,000, between March 2015 and December 2015, to the March of Dimes.

Blue Rhino -This Father’s Day be sure to fire up those grills. Blue Rhino is proud to support the March of Dimes as a sponsor for the imbornto campaign.

There are more sponsors so be sure to check the link above for more details.

If possible be sure to visit and shop these stores/establishments to help the #imbornto campaign and March of Dimes!!!!!

I’m Considered A Modern Dad #SwifferDad

April 27, 2015 by Melissa

The following is sponsored by Swiffer, which provided the featured cleaning products as part of its #SwifferDad campaign.

I can remember growing up my mother doing everything from food shopping to cooking to laundry to you name it. Now I am not saying that my father was lazy it’s just he was from another time and my mom took care of him and waited on him hand and foot.

I am not saying that Melinda doesn’t take care of me because she does but I try to do my part around the house to make her life as well as mine a lot easier. Melinda and I both work and the kids are in sports so we both have to do our part and that also means that I need to steep up and be what a lot of people call a modern dad. To me a modern dad works a 9 to 5 but also comes home and helps around the house in any way that he can. I have things that I do around the house on a weekly basis such as yard work and laundry. I also clean bathrooms when necessary and vacuum and sweep the house when my kids conveniently forget to do their chores. My tools of choice are a vacuum for the carpets and our Swiffer Wet Jet for all of our hardwood floors.

Recently I received 2 Big Green Swiffer Boxes. One for me to keep which I was totally excited about and one I was supposed to give to a dad friend or neighbor. I immediately opened my Swiffer Box and started using it on the living room and kitchen floors which really needed a good cleaning.

The second Big Green Swiffer Box that I received I gave to a neighbor that is a single dad so I know first hand he is a modern dad who totally appreciated the new Swiffer product. He is a guy who works, cleans and takes care of two kids so I know he will be putter his new Swiffer to good use.

Now don’t get me wrong I am not by any means saying that I am super dad or do more than my share because I don’t. I just try to do what I can to help my family and our house run as smoothly as humanly possibly which sometimes is very hard. I know that I am not alone in being a modern dad because in this society dads have been stepping up to help contribute to the household chores and helping out in whatever way they can.

Here are a few things that I have read on dads and cleaning:

Americans say that dads today are pitching in with chores nearly 2x more than their dads did growing up
Half of dads today say they do the majority of the cleaning in their home
Ninety-eight percent of dads agree that having a clean home makes them happy

I do agree with the point above and I must admit that I am very happy when our house is neat and clean opposed to coming home to a total mess with stuff all over the counters and floors and chores not being done.

I am just trying to do my part to help out Melinda and make our home a neat clean happy place!!!!

Coconut Lime Chex Mix #Recipe for Spring

April 7, 2015 by Melissa

Do you know how happy I am to finally see bright blue skies and green grass. Hopefully we won’t see another flake of snow till next winter and the freezing temperatures are gone for good.

It’s spring time. That means time spent outside, grilling, sitting around the bonfire, enjoying fresher and tastier food and drinks and enjoying the new season. With these changes come new attitudes and cravings. I picked up a bag of limes from the farmers market and knew they were just the right thing to get everyone else into the same spirit as me.

Margaritas are always a hit for movie night but I wanted to shake things up a bit by switching out our typically snacks with something more refreshing. This is where my Coconut Lime Chex Mix happened.

A little imagination is all that was needed to make this fun and scrumptious treat. I always keep a good supply of ingredients on hand just for these special occasions.

The beauty of Chex Mix is the ability to create your own flavor combination. Put your favorite tastes together for a delicious sweet or savory snack or even dessert.

Coconut Lime Chex Mix

Ingredients

6-8 cups Chex Cereal of your choice
3-4 cups air-popped popcorn
1 cup white chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts
4 tbls coconut oil or butter
1-2 tsp fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups coconut flakes
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tsp fresh lime zest

Directions

In a VERY large or 2 large plastic zipper closure bags add the cereal and popcorn mixture. In a microwaveable bowl or measuring cup melt the butter and chocolate chips till smooth and pourable. Add the lime juice and immediately pour over the cereal. Stir, shake and move till it coats as much of the mix as possible.

Add the coconut, sugar and lime zest and give the mixture another good shake or stir.

Let cool, add to large bowl and enjoy.

The white chocolate gives it a little extra sweetness but it can be skipped. I’d add a touch of vanilla to the melted butter though.

This is making another appearance for our upcoming girls night in as well as Easter dinner. Come up with your own Chex Mix creations just by adding a little bit of this and little but of that.

What do you think you can come up with if you were given $50 to shop with? A lucky LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! reader will receive one just by simply telling me your favorite flavor combination of Chex Mix either already created or floating around in your creative mind.

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Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Contiguous US residents, age 18 or over. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

Being a Working Parent Can Be Tough

April 4, 2015 by Melissa

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Mott’s and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Being a working household with two kids in school and one in sports means a lot of juggling, shifting and last minute plan changes which sometimes makes me feel like a bad dad but after reading the Mott’s Good & Honest campaign I now know I am not alone.

Melinda and I always have the best intentions in mind when it comes to the kids but sometimes life takes over and throws a total monkey wrench in or day to day lives and plans. For instance Shaun plays lacrosse and has practice on Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm and our oldest daughter works until 8pm so Melinda and I need to juggle who is dropping off and picking up Shaun from practice and who is going to get the oldest from work. So this means that dinner might be cereal, eggs, fruit, or something fast that can be taken on the go like Mott’s fruit punch rush or Mott’s strawberry applesauce which the kids love. For years Melinda and I would feel like terrible parents if we let our kids have cereal or something fast for dinner but these days we are just happy if the kids get a chance to eat dinner due to the busy scheduling.

We try to sit down as a family for dinner but like I said it’s hard being a working family with kids in sports. I feel like on days when there aren’t sports there is something else going on like a deadline at work for Melinda or a heavy delivery day at work for me as I am a UPS driver. Then the weekends come and it’s tournament time for lacrosse so we are always on the go or at least it seems like we are.

We as parents need to realize that life isn’t always going to run smoothly but as we can do is the best that we can. Trust me when our kids grow up I know they are going to look back on life and realize that their childhood was busy and that is was sometimes crazy hectic but the one thing that I hope that they always remember is that Melinda and I did everything in our power to do the best that we could for our kids.

GIVEAWAY

Share your Good & Honest moments in the comments section of this post for a chance to win a $50 gift card and Mott’s product. One winner will randomly be selected for the Mott’s prize pack.

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Tuesday, April 28, 2015. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Contiguous US residents, age 18 or over. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

Oscar Worthy on Netflix #StreamTeam

March 3, 2015 by Melissa

The BIG SHOW is over and the awards have been handed out. Honestly I didn’t get a chance to see too many of the nominated films this year while they were in theaters. Seeing all the fanfare and accolades during the Academy Awards makes me even more excited to see them now. So while you won’t find these films on Netflix yet I found some other movies starring some of this years winners.

The director of this year Best Picture Winner, Birdman, Iñárritu is a Spanish language director and features many Hispanic actors in his films. Two of his films are available on Netflix if you would like to get a feel for his work. Biutiful featuring Javier Bardem and Amores Perros both of which are totally in Spanish. So if you do watch and you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll have to pay attention to subtitles. I loved the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the subtitles I think made me pay even closer attention and not get distracted during the film.

Eddie Redmayne won Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role this year for his part as Steven Hawking in The Theory of Everything. This was a movie that I really wanted to see but I didn’t get the chance.

While there aren’t many movies featuring him, there is one excellent one on Netflix. For example there is no Les Miserables (hint, hint). My Week with Marilyn, which earned Michelle Williams a Golden Globe and a nomination for an Oscar, tells the story of Colin Clark, played by Eddie Redmayne as he spends a week with Marilyn Monroe in London when her husband, Arthur Millar leaves the country. Clark is in charge of keeping her entertained while her husband is away and keep her out of the public eye. The movie focuses on learning who Marilyn was as a person and not who the media made her out to be.

Julianne Moore was awarded an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Still Alice. I had not heard about this movie until I read the nominations but from what I can tell it is about how Julianne Moore’s character’s family deals with her Early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Some other movies with Moore are; What Maisie Knew, a movie my mom and I actually just watched a few months ago. It was really good and had a satisfying ending that didn’t make me sad, which I was happy about. If you’re looking for more Oscar nominated movies with Julianne Moore, The Kids are Alright is on Netflix as well. I was too young to see this when it came out in 2010 but I’ve always wanted to go back and watch it. But it was nominated for Best Picture and Best Actress and Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay.

Patricia Arquette was the winner for Best Supporting Actress this year for her role as Olivia Evans in Boyhood. I did not see Boyhood, I don’t think it even came into any theatres near me. But I’ve heard lots of great things about it and I’m sure it’s wonderful. There are shockingly few movies with her on Netflix but you can always go back and watch her show Medium.

Holes is the only movie of hers that I had heard of that was on Netflix. It is technically a kid’s movie but it’s still a really good movie and she plays an awesome character in it. Watch it with your kids, it is a great movie for the whole family.

Other Oscar Winning and Nominated movies that can be found on Netflix

The Wolf of Wall Street

Silver Linings Playbook

Django Unchained

Hugo

Netflix is not only great for entertainment but it’s a great resource for finding actors and directors you never knew about. I love seeing what else they recommend when I add something to my watch list.

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