This post on Keeping Toddlers Entertained During Summertime was sponsored by ABCmouse as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Summer is here and our family is so excited to enjoy a little bit of downtime. Between working from home, writing a book, assisting with virtual school, going back and forth for Addie’s therapies (and more), it’s been a hectic year. I’ve made it a point to make a schedule of activities for each day of the week, and I’m excited for the fun it’ll bring. Although we have lots planned, there are times where we need down time so I can work. It’s definitely not easy to be on conference calls, Zoom meetings, or on the computer writing when there’s a toddler interrupting or trying to get on the screen. I wanted to share some things we’re doing this summer to keep Lawson entertained indoors during the break and I hope they’re helpful to you all as well!
Educational Games
When I’m in a meeting or call, I love being able to give Lawson the family iPad to play with ABCmouse. It’s very user friendly for children, bright and colorful, and it’s so fun that he constantly asks for it.ABCmouse has a ton of different things for kids to enjoy. Lawson loves the Step-by-Step Learning Path, which is specifically tailored to him for his age and changes as he progresses. The Step-by-Step Learning Path activities continue as he finishes one, so I’m able to get work done and not worry about clicking the next activity for him. The Learning Path has many different things for kids to do: puzzles, books, games, art, and songs. It’s all really engaging and really interactive so it keeps his interest for a long time. Kids also earn Tickets & Rewards as they complete activities and can purchase virtual pets and other things with them. Lawson loves collecting his tickets! We aim for 45 minutes a day (instead of tv) to help ensure Lawson is ready to start Pre-K3 in the fall and to support his learning journey.One of my favorite things about the ABCmouse Learning Path is that once I’m done working, I’m able to visit the Progress Tracker on their website and see what concepts Lawson has learned and how he is doing. There are easy-to-read graphs that show progress for his academic level and by the curriculum subject. It’s a really helpful tool.
Care For A Pet
As Lawson gets older, he’s learning more about having household responsibilities. Through ABCmouse Lawson has been able to earn Tickets & Rewards to choose fish for a virtual fish tank, and care for a virtual hamster. He loves it! After playing ABCmouse for the past few months, he’s asked to help with our fish at home, enjoys gathering eggs from our chickens, and happily playing with our dogs. Learning responsibilities with pets is a great activity for toddlers to learn in the summer, and I’m so glad to know he’s enjoying it virtually and in the home.
Learn Spanish
Not many of my readers realize this, but we’re a Hispanic family. Mathew’s side is Scottish, but my side has Mexican and Spanish roots. Don’t let my blonde hair fool you- I’m Hispanic and the kids are half! We try to immerse the kids in learning more about Hispanic traditions and the culture through food, vacations to visit family, and more.One thing we want to do this summer is introduce Lawson to Spanish. ABCmouse not only comes in English, but it’s offered in Spanish as well. I, unfortunately, have never been fully fluent in Spanish, and because sharing our Hispanic culture and language with the kids is important, we have plans to use ABCmouse to help. ABCmouse allows kids to explore, learn and play all while practicing their Spanish. Lawson knows a few words in Spanish already, so it will be fun!Because ABCmouse is a comprehensive early learning program, I truly think Lawson will learn Spanish faster through exploring, playing and learning. My grandmother has Dementia and now only speaks Spanish, and it would be such a treat for Lawson to be able to speak with her. ABCmouse has over 1,500 books, puzzles, and activities offered in Spanish. There’s so many ways to learn! As a work-from-home mom, I’m so appreciative that we have ABCmouse at our fingertips. It’s been a subscription that has not only benefitted Lawson in huge ways, but I’m excited to see how he will progress over the summer. It’s wonderful to know we have a fun tool that benefits him, and I’m able to get work done as I need.
Want to subscribe to ABCmouse for your child?
ABCmouse is the app you have to get! As a work-from-home mom, I highly recommend ABCmouse. You won’t regret grabbing a subscription for your child and I think you’ll be surprised at the learning gains that are possible when ABCmouse is used at least 45 minutes a week. It’s super affordable too! Right now they’re offering a special deal: $5 for 2 months with a subscription, then $12.99 per month, until canceled.
Learn More About ABCmouse from a former teacher perspective
This post on Unique Father’s Day Gifts for Every Dad is sponsored by Babbleboxx. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m a sucker for unique gifts. It brings me such joy to give gifts to someone that are not the norm. Watching people open gifts is one of my favorite things. Seeing their faces light up because a gift has thoughtfulness and uniqueness- ah it’s the best! We’ve come across some really unique Father’s Day gifts this year and I would be remiss if I didn’t share them with you.
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
My husband Mathew is a peanut butter fanatic. Although chocolate and peanut butter is one of his more frequent combinations, I was excited for him to try the Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. The Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is award-winning and we could definitely see why. It has such a unique flavor, with the perfect salty and sweet combination. It’s super versatile and Mathew loved trying it neat and he even made a little cocktail for dinner with it. I tried it too, and it was so smooth. Definitely a winner in our house and perfect for a whiskey or peanut butter lover.
Rawlings "Bases Loaded" Magnetic Money Clip
You truly can never go wrong with a money clip when it comes for Father’s Day gifts. What’s unique about this particular money clip though, is that it’s from Rawlings. As a big baseball fan, this was an awesome gift for Mathew. The “Bases Loaded” Magnetic Money Clip from Rawlings is made with top-quality, hand-rubbed calfskin leather. Mathew’s is black and looks so sleek! It holds multiple cards and has a money clip for cash. He loves how slim the Rawlings wallet is and the high-quality look it has with the signature “Oval-R” on it.
Candle from Wax Buffalo
Our family doesn’t use candles. We use diffusers. We have for years, and you all know that. But after hearing the story behind Wax Buffalo and the ingredients used in their products, it seemed like a unique gift that was great to try and share if we liked it. It did not disappoint. Mathew and I are parents to our disabled daughter, Addie, so it was no coincidence that Wax Buffalo came across us. The owner, Alicia, has a daughter that was born with a cleft lip and palate and she left her job as a tv producer to be by her side through surgeries. Whoa. Sounds oddly similar to our story. During that time, she found candle making and only uses the best ingredients. Wax Buffalo candles are made from soy, are in aesthetically pleasing amber jars, and are made with essential oils and spices. Mathew got the Sweet Tobacco candle which has notes of warm vanilla tobacco, coriander and a bit of tonka. It has under notes of honey blossom and clove. It’s amazing. If you appreciate a good woman-owned small business, love candles, or just enjoy supporting a mama to a child with special needs, don’t miss Wax Buffalo.
Personalized Skincare from Geologie
I must be a mind-reader, because when Mathew and I were chatting the other week, he expressed wanting something to help the dryness of his skin. What he didn’t know, is that I had just taken a quiz about his skin and ordered personalized skincare for men from Geologie just days before. I love Geologie as a unique Father’s Day gift because men don’t really “pamper” themselves, and sometimes they need it. Self-care is important, and Geologie makes an easy skincare routine that is completely customized. He’s been trying it for a couple weeks now and really loves the simplicity, how the ingredients feel, and he’s noticed his eyes look less puffy and dark. What a win!
Crowd Cow
Mathew, like most men, loves meat. What’s a more unique Father’s Day gift than meat?! Crowd Cow is an online marketplace for sustainably sourced meat, seafood and more, delivering direct to your doorstep. Crowd Cow is the marketplace for high quality craft beef and meats from farms and ranches around the world. I ordered some incredible NY Strip steaks, 1/3 burger patties, and beef hot dogs from Crowd Cow. Let me tell you- so far, I’m incredibly impressed. We barbecued this weekend and decided to take our NY Strip Steaks and turn them into kabobs. We had chicken and NY Strip kabobs and all 3 of us couldn’t stop eating the steak kabobs. They were juicy, tender, and FULL of flavor. There was a whole lot of chicken left, but we definitely devoured the steak! If you’ve got a meat connoisseur dad in your life, grab him a crowdcow.com gift card. Use code FORDAD for 20% off all gift orders!
I truly hope you enjoyed this round-up of unique Father’s Day gifts and find something for the dad in your life. Each one of these products made Mathew so happy, and he has enjoyed them greatly. Step away from the traditional Father’s Day gifts and give something unique this year. You won’t regret it!
Growing up, like many people I’ve met, I was taught to look away when coming across a disabled person. I was also taught to not ask questions or stare, because it was definitely rude. And calling them disabled instead of special needs? Absolutely not ok back then. But since that time, things have changed. I’ve since become a mom to a sweet disabled girl, Addie, and I have poured myself into listening to disabled voices. I’ve also experienced watching people do the same as I was taught- people pretending not to stare, kids asking questions and having their parents shush them, and witnessing ableist statements being made about Addie. It’s been such a learning process, and frankly, one I’m learning more of daily. After an ableist experience that left a seriously bad taste in my mouth occurred several years ago, I realized just how important it was to normalize conversations about disabilities. I never wanted another family to experience the hurt that our family had. Enter Authentically Addie.
There is such a need for literature for children about people with disabilities. Having an inclusive home library is something that is important, and talking to your children about disabilities is even more important. The more you educate on a topic, the better, right? No one wants awkward stares, questions, or interactions. Authentically Addie was created with just this in mind!
Here's a Brief Synopsis:
Meet Addie!—A very special kid with many characteristics that make her particularly unique.No matter what, Addie is always ready for an adventure—especially when she gets to discover what makes others different too. Follow along with Addie on her trip to the Zoo, where she meets amazing animal friends and learns about their many disabilities.In this ultra-inclusive series, author Stephanie Wolfe, with the help of her daughter, Addie, aims to help parents open the door to conversations with their children about disabilities. By normalizing the ability for kids to explore their curiosity and ask kind questions about people they don’t understand, they believe the world will be a less divided place.
Authentically Addie is a book that came from my heart, and our goal is simply to normalize conversations about disabilities. God made each of us so differently and beautifully. Those differences should be celebrated, not shunned upon! Authentically Addie features bright, bold illustrations that engage kids, has a fun quest for readers to find Winky (Addie’s sidekick), and fun-loving characters that kids can relate to. Authentically Addie isn’t a book we want you to hand to your children as you make dinner or take care of household chores, however. Authentically Addie is a book designed for adults to read alongside children.
Why is Authentically Addie meant for reading with children?
Kids have questions. They’re honest. They can lack tact because of their young age. When reading Authentically Addie, it’s important that kids read it alongside an adult. Asking questions allows kids to explore their curiosity in a safe way. By doing this, you make asking questions normal and seeing that differences aren’t as big of a deal as people make them out to be. Not only that, you assist in making disabilities something that isn’t taboo anymore. Equip your child with knowledge and help make this world an anti-ableist place.
But what if I don't know how to answer my child's question?
It’s ok not to know everything. Really, it is! A wonderful thing to do when you and your child are learning about disabilities is to be honest with them and matter-of-fact. Read Authentically Addie and research together about the different disabilities if you need more information. Talk to your child and tell them about medical equipment and what it is used for.Over the years I’ve had many children ask about Addie’s trach and vent tubing or her wheelchair. Our conversations usually go something like this:Child: “Why does she have that cord on her neck?”Me: “Addie has a trach and this cool machine called a ventilator. They help Addie breathe because she can’t by herself. Can you show me how you take a deep breath?”Child: *takes deep breath*Me: “Awesome! That’s exactly what this machine does for Addie!”Child: “Wow! And how come she has this wheelchair?”Me: “Addie has a wheelchair because it’s hard for her to walk. The wheelchair is how she gets around. Pink is her favorite color, and she loves going fast!”Child: “My favorite color is green. I like her wheelchair.”*end scene*Being matter-of-fact about Addie’s equipment means kids get a better understanding for it and it makes it less scary. Talking about it without fear also normalizes it. Notice- the child never asked rude questions, nor did they ask “what condition” she has. Kindness goes a long way, and so does learning about disabilities so we can be better allies.
Where can you buy Authentically Addie?
We’re so glad you want to be an ally to the disabled community and help normalize conversations about disabilities. Authentically Addie is a great tool to use and an awesome way to get started! You can buy the book via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, and Walmart. For in-store retailers or wholesale options, visit the Authentically Addie website.
This post on Self Care Products to Get You Feeling Pampered is sponsored by Babbleboxx. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #mamaneedsabreakbbxx
This past year has been stressful hasn’t it? So many changes in our world and our children’s worlds. Over the years being a mom to a child with a disability, as well as living through the last year, I’ve seen how important it is to just have time for self care. Yes, self care is so much more than a bath, but sometimes, that’s all the time that moms get. I’m blessed with a husband that happily gives me an hour to just relax in the tub, but I know it’s a luxury many don’t get. You deserve self care time. If you’re limited on time though, you’ll love these luxurious self care products to get you feeling pampered in no time.
Y’all know I love natural based products. This Fruit Smoothie lipgloss from Erin’s Faces is vegan, made with organic ingredients (like strawberries), and is super hydrating- not sticky. I grabbed the color Daybreak, and it’s the most beautiful sheer warm orangey brown. I love how it makes my lips feel, and the color is such a beautiful neutral for day-to-day. Now I want all the other shades! Use code SPRINGLIPS for 10% off through June 15, 2021.
One of my favorite things to do when I’m in the tub is getting lost in a good book. It’s nice to unplug for a bit and immerse into another world. The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff is an unforgettable testament to the power of friendship and the extraordinary strength of the human will to survive. This book drew me in quickly and I really enjoyed the storyline. Pre-order it on Amazon and let me know what you think!
Something that makes me feel a bit more pampered when I have time to myself is a nice deep condition and hair treatment. Roux® Weightless Precious Oils Luminous Shampoo, Softening Conditioner, and Restorative Hair Masque were just what I needed to feel like I was at the hair salon. I have been sick the past few days, and it felt SO good to wash and deep condition my hair. Made me feel human again! The Roux® Weightless Precious Oils set contains eight precious oils—argan, avocado, castor, coconut, jojoba, olive, sunflower seed and sweet almond oils plus vitamins E and B5 help restore essential moisture and help control frizz without weighing hair down. The shampoo restores essential moisture, adds shine and controls frizz- something this curly girl is always in need of. The conditioner and masque enhance softness and shine without adding sulfates or mineral oils.
As I head straight towards my mid-thirties, I am really conscious of my skin. I work really hard to take care of it and wash my face, exfoliate, tone, use serum, and moisturize. Over the past year I’ve really enjoyed using hyaluronic acid for my face. I have normal to dry skin, and it really helps combat dryness and wrinkles. The LiftActiv Supreme H.A. Wrinkle Corrector from Vichy is formulated with 1.5% pure Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C and Vichy Volcanic Water to plump skin for a visible filling effect. It has clinically proven results of a 47% decrease in wrinkles and 60% decrease in fine lines in 6 weeks. I also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non comedogenic. I absolutely love how this has made my skin look!
It was like heaven when I opened up the goodies from A Loyal Society. The Botanical Bath Soaking Salts smell luxurious and are an easy way to add relaxing vibes to your self care routine. They are handcrafted with Celtic Sea Salt, pure Essential Oils, and Flower Petals, making way for the healing benefits of botanicals and aromatherapy with each bath. I loved the lavender scent! I also really like their Floral Bath Rose & Lavender Soaking Salts. They’re handcrafted with soothing rose petals, calming lavender buds and essential oils. Talk about relaxing! I poured mine into the bath, but if you’re not a fan of cleaning the tub after, it comes with a reusable sachet to drop into your tub. After my bath, I used the A Loyal Society Flower Water Facial Mist on my cleansed face. I plan on keeping it in the fridge to really feel refreshed. Talk about heavenly! Use code CELEBRATE15 for 15% off through May 9th, 2021.
It’s really important to take time for yourself. You can’t fill from an empty cup, nor should you be expected to. Talk with your partner about the importance of mental health. One hour alone in the tub can make such a difference in your evening and your mental health. These self care products will get you feeling pampered, and your body will thank you inside and out.
Need more gift ideas? Check out the gifts archive!
This post on Fun Springtime Splurges (for $25 or less) is sponsored by Walmart+. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Put a finger down if you need your nails done. Put a finger down if you are due for a facial. Put a finger down if you need to update your home for Spring. Put a finger down if plants make you happy. If you put a finger down for any of these things, it’s time for some fun springtime splurges (for $25 or less!) Moms always put themselves last. We just do. Our kids get what they need first, and rarely splurge on ourselves. Now that it’s Spring and the weather is so nice, it’s time to splurge a little! I don’t know about you, but I always feel guilty about buying stuff for myself, but every now again I tell myself that I deserve it- because I do- and so do you!We’ve been using Walmart+ for months now and I love it! While many times I wish I had the option to get out for a splurge, I am really busy, like most moms! Having the option to get delivery from Walmart+ saves me every single time, and I won’t lie, I enjoy browsing online at night when the kids are in bed and pressing the “order” button. It’s so nice to shop without the stress of going in a store.
With a Walmart+ membership you may be able to receive free delivery from your store with a $35 minimum order (restrictions apply). I’m able to enjoy the same everyday low prices I expect from Walmart and love that. We’re also eligible for mobile scan & go with our membership so if I need to go in-store I can have a contactless checkout experience. I’ve talked about how much I love our Walmart+ membership before, but it’s even better now! The new benefit from Walmart+ is free shipping, no order minimum. Get items shipped as often as you need for free! There’s no order minimum required but it does exclude oversized/freight items.
Grab your Walmart+ 15 day free trial here
Fun Springtime Splurges for Plant Enthusiasts
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I’m a sucker for a good plant- indoor or outdoor. Plants make me happy and I’m known to keep a mix of real and faux in our house, depending on the location. I love this wood and metal plant stand, these colorful gardening gloves and half gallon stainless steel tumbler for gardening outside, and this fun silk prayer plant. I also grabbed a real plant from Walmart, and I think it’s so fun for the plant stand!
Fun Springtime Splurges for Fancy Gals
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As a mom, sometimes I just want to feel fancy. I spend many of my days changing diapers, wiping faces, washing sticky hands, and more, that feeling fancy is nice for a change. For fancy gals (especially those that can’t get much time to themselves) I love this fun set of marble press-on nails, a facial cleansing brush, and this pedicure foot file. Sometimes, pampering just NEEDS to happen! It’s always fun to throw on a good movie and do an at-home mani/pedi and facial. You can’t go wrong with these from Walmart+!
Fun Springtime Splurges for the At Home Chef
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During the week, I don’t get too much enjoyment from cooking, but on the weekends? Bring it on! There’s something so nice about finding a new recipe and trying it out. Many times, at-home chefs have all the fun gadgets, but sometimes, we just need stuff to replace our well-loved items! I love this 2 piece ceramic casserole dish set, floral enamel and steel tea kettle, as well as this bright and cheery kitchen towel, oven mitt, and pot holder set.
Looking for more gift ideas to splurge on when you deserve a treat (or for someone else?) Don’t miss the Gifts archives!
Splurging on yourself doesn’t have to reflect price, but the way you feel. Does it make you happy? Does it relieve stress? Does it give you some reprieve from your busy life? Moms put themselves last all the time, but don’t forget- it’s important to take care of yourself too!
