Big Hero 6 Baymax Candy Necklaces

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BigHero6MovieNight #CollectiveBias

Tonight I’m sitting on a cozy bed with the sound of the ocean roaring outside. We drove down to Lincoln City this afternoon for an extended family weekend, but we really began our weekend last night at home – watching one of the kids’ newest favorite movies – Big Hero 6!

We first saw Big Hero 6 when it was in theaters a couple of months ago, and then I purchased it a couple of days ago at Target when it was released on DVD. The kids’ were really excited because they know what’s included when we have a movie night – snacks and goodies! 

We normally stick to our usual snacks, but I thought that for Big Hero 6 we could have a couple of treats that fit in with the movies theme, so when I was shopping I stocked up on some things that the kids could use to make their own candy necklaces to munch on during the movie.

I bought a variety of candies that would be easy to add onto string, and I purchased some marshmallows and melting chocolate as well. 

 I wanted to make Baymax faces as pendants for the necklaces, and so I sliced a large marshmallow in half and lined them onto a cookie sheet. Then I melted some chocolate and piped Baymax face onto each marshmallow and let them dry.

 The kids then took some string and tied it onto some toothpicks and layered the candy in whatever pattern they wanted too, adding the marshmallow pendant halfway.

We made several necklaces and the kids had a lot of fun – it was a fun activity that made our movie night a little more special.

 I also made some simple Baymax cracker snacks – I spread some chive cream cheese on whole wheat crackers and then sliced olives to create the Baymax face. They were quickly devoured.

Have you had a chance to watch Big Hero 6 yet? If not you should pick up a copy at Target (in the entertainment section) – it’s a good family movie that is becoming one of our family favorites!

Do you make any special snacks or crafts when you have a movie night? I’d love to hear about them!

~Melissa

Is it Time to Give Your Bathroom an Affordable New Look?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FoamSensations #CollectiveBias

I’m going to try not to gloat when I talk about how beautiful our weather has been this last week, because I know in most parts of the country it’s been very cold and snowy – but it has been so wonderful to have sunshine and 64 degree weather – I’m going to miss it when it’s gone and the grey sky and rains return!

The sunshine makes me long for spring and when I think of spring I think of cleaning and updating around the house. I actually started an affordable little project back in January but got super busy and didn’t get it finished until yesterday!

You see, I've been contemplating painting our main bathroom for years now, it was painted a dark purple color by the previous owners and like most things that happen when you are raising young children – it gets put off for a while. Honestly the entire house needs an update – it’s got all of the ‘fabulous’ (I say this with a touch of sarcasm) red oak stain and brassy colored fixtures that were made famous in the 90’s. Painting though, is one of the easiest and cheapest things to do to update a room, so I finally did it!

I wanted to keep the room with a purple hue, as our rug and shower curtains could then still match, and also because the kids didn't really like the idea of getting rid of the purple altogether. I originally bought a very light purple but didn't think (or realize) that I needed to make sure it had a grey undertone, and after painting the entire bathroom I realized that it looked very, very pink, and that wasn't the look I was going for, so I ran back to the store and purchased a very pale colored purple with a cool grey undertone, and learned my lesson about warm and cool colors!

Finally, I was pleased!

I've also purchased some tile that I would love to install someday soon – the bathroom has had this hideous linoleum and I think a nice neutral roman tile will make the room look so much nicer. The cabinets I plan on staining a walnut color and I've been practicing on the towel rack and toothbrush holders so I don’t mess anything important up on the big project!

Hopefully I’ll get it all done soon and will have one updated room in the house. I've already begun stocking up on new baskets for towels and fun new hand soaps as well to update the room a little more. I found these new Foam Sensations from Softsoap at Walmart last week and love how they look on the counter – and feel on my hardworking hands. They are nice and moisturizing and come in Whipped Cocoa butter, a Jasmine and White Cotton and a Kitchen Citrus Bliss (which is a perfect scent for the kitchen sink!)

Is it time to give your bathroom an affordable new look? Here are four easy ideas on how you can do this:

1. Update the paint - you can change the color, like I did, or just repaint the same color to brighten it up and give it a fresh new look.

2. Change out your old soap - new Softsoap Liquid Foaming hand soaps are a fun soap with an clean look that smell amazing, and freshens up your sink (goodbye old bar soaps!)

3. Find some new accessories - things like shower curtains, rugs, and candles can completely change the look and feel of your bathroom.

4. Flooring and staining - if you have a little extra time and money on your hands you can easily update the bathroom with new flooring and by re-staining the cabinets which can completely change the way your bathroom feels!

Have you wanted to paint and/or update your bathroom? Which of the three new Softsoap Liquid Foaming Hand Soap scents would go great on your sink?

~Melissa

Fun Summer Camp Idea: British Soccer Camps

You guys know how much Anika loves soccer - she's been playing for 5 years now! I recently found out about British Soccer Camps and thought I would pass the information along to you! For all of my local readers they have camps in Sherwood this summer, but they are the most popular camp in North America (150,000 campers!), so you should look and see where the closest one is for you! 

About British Soccer Camp: The British Soccer Camp has an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, British Soccer Camps provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert's right in the heart of your own community. In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun you child can have learning the sport they love!

How To Enroll: Find a camp close to you HERE. Also, if you sign up during Early Registration and they will immediately ship you a British Soccer Jersey! PLUS if you enter the code FMG15 you will also receive a bonus Challenger water bottle.

She will be very excited when I tell her that she's going to get to go to a soccer camp this summer! Has your child ever attended a British Soccer Camp before?

~Melissa

Full Disclosure: I will receive a complementary summer camp pass in exchange for a written review. No other compensation is provided.

How to Achieve Those Resolutions

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its Advertiser. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone and should not be construed as medical advice. #24HourEsterC #CollectiveBias

Well, here I said last month that I didn't really do New Year’s Resolutions, and now I've come to the conclusion that I was perhaps lying to myself. Why I may not have originally written it down (I know, me, the queen of lists) I have realized that I've still mentally been setting resolutions and goals in the back of my mind – like getting back into creating meal charts, eating more salads, increasing my exercise, taking a daily supplement, (I love taking the Ester-C 24 Immune Support)  and a big one – somehow balancing my “real” job as a nurse, along with this little blog of mine which has been keeping me pretty busy these days.

Luckily I don’t work too much outside of the home – as you know it’s just on call, so my hours vary a lot, from only a couple of shifts a month to three days a week. Last month was one of those 3 days a week months – and while I was really happy when the check came, it makes me very glad that I’m not that tied down every month.

Anyways, after all of this pondering and thinking I broke down and made my list.

It started out a pretty lofty one too, with many of my goals focusing on our home this year, my online business, and my health. As I may have mentioned before, I’m turning the big 3-0 this year, and so I want to maintain my health, and I know one easy way for me to do that is by being proactive and taking a Vitamin C Supplement like Ester-C.*

How are you at creating resolutions? Do you have a method for sticking with them, or are they a distant memory when February rolls around?

Writing down dreams is the easy part – and obviously the first step, even though, like me, committing to that initial step is sometimes the hardest to do – but necessary.  

Secondly, prioritize what you want and be realistic. Do I want to earn $100,000 a year? Of course I do! But most likely that’s not going to happen this year…but I can break down ways to help put me on track towards that dream for another year’s resolution.

Break it down. After the most important goals are in order, take the top 5 and focus on those.  I know my list gets way too long if I don’t.

Keep your goals visible every day. I always need a visual reminder.

Take care of your body and your immune system. Start taking a Vitamin C supplement like Ester-C 24 Immune Support because it’s so much easier to tackle those resolutions and goals when your immune system is supported.** Ester-C is great because it’s non-acidic. Ester- C is also designed to stay in your white blood cells for up to 24 hours – which provides you with around-the-clock immune system support!**  Ester-C vitamin supplements can be found at Walmart in a 500 mg tablet and a 1000 mg tablet.

Lastly – reward yourself! Celebrate your victories! Life should be all about celebrating and making memories, anyways, right?

Now that’s I've amped myself up and talked myself into goal setting this year, I’d love to hear if you have any other tips for keeping those resolutions?

~Melissa

5 Reasons Why You Should Take Your Daughter to See #CinderellaBway

If you follow me on Instagram you already know that the other night I had the opportunity to take Emma up to the opening night of the Broadway musical Cinderella at the Keller Auditorium in Portland.  I had told Emma a couple of weeks ago that we were going to have a ‘date night’ to go see Cinderella – although I’m sure she didn't know exactly what that entailed – but she was very excited and began counting down the days.

On our way up to the show she was giddy with the anticipation of the unknown and was even more excited when I let her know that this would be the first Broadway performance I had ever saw as well – she was just that more excited to have a “first” with me.

When I was offered media tickets I immediately thought of taking Emma with me. Anika has been to many different events with me in the past, and as a family we;ve gone to many things together, but Emma – we haven’t been able to do one on one stuff as much…but now she’s seven and getting old enough that she can enjoy things like this with me. 

I was a little hesitant because I wasn’t sure if she would be entertained for the entire duration of the performance or not, but I figured that if she were to go with me to any performance – Cinderella would be the perfect one to attend.

I was right.

The performance began promptly at 7:30 and lasted 2 hours, with a 15 minute intermission at about 8:45. The storyline was a bit different than the version we all grew up knowing, sticking with the original Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s version which made the familiar story slightly different, and it captivated both of our attentions. The ever changing sets and costumes were mesmerizing, and the audience all gasped and clapped when Cinderella’s dress was magically transformed. 

I’m so glad that I took Emma along with me on a special night out, and she’s at the perfect age that she will be able to remember the time “Mom” took her to see Cinderella. If you’re still hesitant whether or not you should take your daughter, here are 5 reasons why I think you should just do it:

1. It’s an amazing opportunity – everyone can go to the movies or out to dinner, but how often does a musical like this come around? Your daughter will always remember this magical night where she’s captivated by a story that allows her imagination to flow.

2. It’s a story she already knows – She will get amped up because she is familiar with the story and will have a little understanding on what to expect. She’ll be able to watch the performance with anticipation to see how they will perform the story.

3. It’s a Broadway musical – only the best of the best! It will captivate even the younger ones with the ever changing backgrounds and dancing.

4. It will build a better bond between you two – having an amazing evening where you are able to dress up with you daughter, spend a few hours alone to together, and take her on an adventure will just help build the relationship that you have with your daughter and let it grow.

5; It’s only coming around once. Cinderalla is only playing through the 22^nd in Portland, then will be heading off to Seattle next for its tour. To find out more information check out my previous post HERE.

~Melissa

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Your Family

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewYearFortune #CollectiveBias

Happy Monday everyone! Today I wanted to share a little idea with you that I've started doing that will help make dinners more fun for the kids.

You guys know that I've always wanted to travel, but that part of my life just hasn't happened yet – so I’m always daydreaming and looking around in magazines and online on websites and other blogs for visual inspiration, and a thought dawned on me – what if I held a themed dinner once a month?

One night a month we will pick a country and or special event and have special food along with fun facts that we can teach the kids and discuss as a family.

The Chinese New Year is beginning February 19^th and I thought February would be a wonderful month to showcase China – and touch base with a few of their holiday traditions, so – we had dinner.

We ate some of our favorite (American) Chinese food and I purchased some Tai Pei® Egg and Spring Rolls – they are authentic Asian appetizers and are ready to serve in just a few minutes. They come in a variety of delicious flavors like hearty chicken, pork and shrimp and are filled with fresh cut vegetables. There’s a coupon out right now on their Facebook page (until all offers are claimed) under the Red Envelope tab - so I stocked up on a few. They come with their own dipping sauce and Wayne absolutely loved it (and he doesn't normally praise many things!). 

When setting up the table I kept in mind things the things that I have read that are Chinese New Year traditions, such as: Red is the main color used to decorate homes, streets, and buildings. So I made sure our table cloth fit in with the theme. You could get as fancy and elaborate decorating as your time allows, but I chose to keep it fairly simple this time – I bought some festive napkins, grabbed a few chop sticks, and then decorated little vases with gold glitter tape to tie in with the celebration. While eating dinner we lit candles as well.

For the fact sheet I kept it pretty simple as well, and typed up a few interesting key things that I learned about The Chinese New Year and used the fact sheet as a conversation starter so we could talk in more detail about certain ceremonies and / or traditions while we enjoyed our own “version” of a New Year’s Eve meal with our Tai Pei® Spring Rolls. 

We read about the tradition of red envelopes – which are a filled with an even number of money and given to children and seniors as gifts, and the kids began asking different questions, which lead to Wayne telling fond stories of the time he visited China himself.

Sunday night dinner was a success last night and I’m already thinking of themed meals for the rest of the year – be on the lookout for more ideas!

Remember that this year the Chinese New Year begins this Thursday, February 19^th – and there’s still a coupon you can use for the Tai Pei® Egg and Spring Rolls next time you’re in Walmart! (They are found in the frozen entrée section). 

The Chinese New Year is a fun way for everyone to celebrate and wish their family good fortune –and eat tasty food! Do you have any other ideas to make a dinner like this special?

~Melissa