Personalized Gifts from FreckleBox

MY husband and I promised the kids that if they do good in school, they would get  a prize from us at the end of the school year.  I am very happy to say that they both did  excellent!  Anyhow, I was looking for personalized gifts for kids and found Frecklebox online.  Such a perfect timing too, when the products I ordered  arrived because they just got done with the  school Olympic and when we came home the box was waiting for them at the front door.

 I got one of the   personalized kids binders for my daughter  because I want to compile all her artwork in one.  However, she got  a bit jealous when she saw  that I got one of the   personalized books for her brother.  She wanted  a personalized book too so I ordered one for her.  Gladly, I was given a 30% discount for it!

If you are looking for a personalized gifts for your  children, I definitely recommend  that you check Frecklebox, they have  so many products that your child would like.  My son just love his personalized  "EJ Saves the Planet" book.  He said that it's the best gift ever as his name is being mentioned and printed inside the book.  You can order it in  hard cover or soft, I order the latter because I was only given a $40 dollars worth of FREE  coupon to use  at the site.  My order was actually over $40 and  I am thankful that  they let me.  Thank you Frecklebox!

Disclaimer:  The products I mentioned above was provided for FREE in exchange of a fair and honest  review.  I was not  financially compensated  in writing this review.

Book Ends from Kidorable

I'd like to thank Kidorable for  giving me an opportunity to review one of their products.  Both of my children love to read so  I got this set of book ends for their books.   Yesterday was their last day of school but it doesn't mean that  they would be off from reading  as well.  We make sure that we have time to read at home  on a daily basis.

Kidorable carries  different kinds of products that your  children will love.  They have backpacks, hanger sets, knit gloves, knit hats, knit scarves, raincoats, rain boots, towels, umbrellas, and more.  I like the designs of their products,  every kid would surely love anything that you buy from Kidorable.  To get in touch with them, LIKE their Facebook page and get updates of their contests and deals.  Their contests  have  fabulous prizes so be sure to check on  that.

I got each of them a personalized book as present for doing great this school year.

Disclaimer:  Product mentioned above was given for free  for review purposes.  No monetary  compensation was received in facilitating  this review.  

The Best Field Day Activities for Primary School Students

Outside of the classroom, there are plenty of activities geared towards fostering the growing leadership and cooperation skills in your children and students.

From contrived treasure hunting escapades, to the general, time-tested physical activities, setting up a friendly and competitive atmosphere leads naturally to a system of rewards for achievement. It’s important to focus on the fun your kids will have, and not emphasize the skill necessary to come in first – although this is a natural aspect of every game.

Ideally, the activities you choose will involve both physical and mental aspects of behavior. Many of these activities will work for students of ages 4 to 11.

Playing for Fun versus Playing to Win

A well-liked pastime of being a kid is Frisbee, using stopwatches and marked-off areas to help highlight the lax rules of the game. For added fun, awards can be placed off to the side for the winning teams. You should implement a system of first place, second, third, and so on so that every team of children gets a chance.

Such field day activities are hardly limited to Frisbee. You can employ makeshift accessories like empty soda bottles, inexpensive, store-bought plastic eggs for an impromptu treasure hunt – there has never been a generation of children not down for a treasure hunt – marbles and jacks for the classic game, Hula Hoops and much more.

There’s such a variety of games that you never need to have the same one twice for your current generation of students. You can’t stress enough the main goal of having fun, but with a consistent strand of competitiveness in each game. The fancy acrylic awards you have should serve as reminders of what’s at stake.

Specific Field Day Activities Shooting free-throws in the game of basketball is precisely the kind of field-day activity tailor-made for children of all ages, who are just about strong enough to manage it. Separate lines should be made for the boys and girls, and even for different levels of skill as judged by the teacher.

For some variety and less gender-specific field day activities, you can set up classic games like miniature golf for the kids, or bowling by using the soda bottles as pins and finding a safe, hefty ball-substitute – a basketball does quite nicely. A soccer ball and softball also work, of course.

A more involved activity, if you can secure the small amount of funding necessary, is to make use of a swimming pool and have the third-graders dive for plastic eggs. This pool can also double as a “pond” from which to catch fake fish (or fish substitutes like ping pong balls). Using groups of separate teams, each student can have a time-allotted period to catch as many as they can, with the winner receiving an award.

Some of the big events can happen near the end of the day such as the Long Jump, the High Jump, and the Relay Team Race. These races are generally for the older kids, and create a lot of buzz around the campus. These events also take a lot of practice before hand, that the students usually partake in during Physical Education or gym class during school hours.

The beauty of these field day activities is that there’s a lot of variation possible with each one, allowing you to put your own spin on them for your third-graders.

Sun Sea & Safe Swimwear

Summer heat is  here and soon school will be out.  Outdoor activities are waiting for us to enjoy and that would always include swimming.  My kids are very happy that they have new swimsuits.    These swimwear are not  ordinary swimwear because they are made   excellent protect from the harmful  effects of the  sun's UV radiation.  It has UPF 50+ or Ultraviolet Protection Factor.  Using this kind of swimwear is a positive step towards decreasing  the risk of skin cancer.

Platypus Australia is really generous to sent me two pairs of swim wear for my kids for FREE in exchange of my honest opinion and fair review.  They sent me  the following items:

1.Sonic Wave Sunset Kids Set  for my son
- The set includes a boy short sleeve rash shirt and a jammer short set.
- This fashionable sum protective swimwear cost $49.95 USD
-The fabric is Italian Matt Nylon DuPont Lycra
-ultra  chlorine resistant
-UV Protection  = Maximum UPF 50+

2.  Kids Empire Swimsuit  for my daughter.
- The kids empire swimsuit  cost $39.95 USD
-The Girls Empire Swimsuit is a superior quality,  fashionable, and a  Sun Protective Swimwear.
- Fabric used is Italian Matt Nylon DuPont Lycra
- Ultra Chlorine Resistant
- Quick Drying
- Breathable
- Sun Protection = Maximum UPF 50+.

3.  and Kids Shortie Boardie
- It cost 35.95 USD
- Superior quality fashionable co-ordinated
-Sun Protective Swimwear
-  Fabric used is Microfibre 100% Polyester
- Ultra Chlorine Resistant
-  Quick Drying and Breathable
-  Sun Protection = Maximum UPF 50+.

Do you see her big birthmark on the right side of her back?  When I first saw that when she was a baby, I thought it was a dead skin so I scrubbed and scrubbed and I realized that it's a birthmark.

 
Here's a short video that my kids  did   showing their gratitude to  Platypus Australia.

Check them out if you want  some Sun Sea and Safe Swimwear for your  sweethearts!

Disclaimer:  Products mentioned above are received  for FREE.  No monetary compensation was receive in facilitating the review.

Gardening with My Kids

My two children love gardening as much as I do.  Whenever they are at home and I have some gardening  to do, they are always  lending  their hands to help which is  a fun activity for all of  us.  Last year, I let them  plant some corn and   they  witnessed how it grew, bore  fruit, and  for the most fun part is watching them harvest  what they planted.  It was truly memorable,  so this year, they asked if they can plant corn again.  We bought a pack of sweet corn seeds and  the kids planted it last Sunday.   Below are the photos I took of them from last year.

In planting corn, you will need the corn seeds and shovel.  Here are some steps that we did:

1. Bought a pack of corn seeds.
2. Soak it overnight before planting.
3. Dig a hole about two inches deep and  add three corn seeds in each hole.
4. Make sure to make two or three rows.  With our  space, we only made one row which  still works but the more rows of corn  you have, the better.

You can see how proud my kids are in harvesting their  corn.

I am into  gardening so watching the videos  from The Gro Project helps me gather ideas on what to  do for my next project.    They have  fun garden projects that even beginners like me  can easily do.  Now, if you have an account at Pinterest and you would like to get some fresh ideas  for gardening, follow Miracle-Gro  and get  updates with their fun projects.  They have expansive library online that consist with  videos and articles full of expert gardening tips.  Last year, I encountered some  uncommon bugs at my garden and  watching  some of the videos helped me solve the said problem.  

5 Exercise Ideas for the Whole Family

Keeping active and fit is important for kids and parents alike, so what not get the family together for some fun-filled fitness activities that will take the boring parts out of exercise and replace them with excitement, enjoyment and family bonding. Here are 5 great ideas for physical activities you can do with the whole family.

Explore the Outdoors

There’s a whole world at your doorstep, full of natural beauty and breathtaking scenery, majestic flora and intriguing fauna. By exploring the outdoors you’ll get to experience the beauty outside your own backyard and teach the kids about the natural world. An appreciation for nature is more and more important as our everyday lives become more technologically focused and we forget to “stop and smell the roses”. Getting outdoors and into nature presents lots of great options for physical activity. You can explore on foot, cycle through local bike tracks, try your hand at mountain biking, or how about exploring your local lakes, beaches or waterways by kayak, canoe, paddle board or surfboard. The possibilities are almost endless and getting active with your family in the fresh air promotes health and well being not just physically, but mentally too.

View this post on Instagram

The kids asked me last night to take them for a long walk, so today I woke them up at seven and we head down at St. Paul Cemetery. It was a really good bonding for us all. Then I made #blueberry #pancakes when came 🏡. #activeLifestyle #FamilyWalks #WeekendBonding #FitnessMotivation💪

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jun 16, 2018 at 6:46am PDT

Backyard Games

Put aside some time as often as you can to spend some quality time engaging in play with the family. Whether in your yard, at the beach or the nearest park it’s fun and healthy to play games and sports that require some running, jumping, chasing and laughing. Backyard cricket or throwing the football around are simple ways to get everybody active and involved. Handball or Frisbee, tag or dodge-ball, soccer or hockey, duck-duck-goose, or even a water fight – there’s no end to the fun you can create together. It’ll get everybody moving, laughing, and bonding.

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Fun activity idea for kids this summer, garden #badminton🏸 . Bought a complete set with 2 rackets, 2 shuttlecocks, and net. Not bad for under twenty bucks. #familyFun #FunActivity #LetKidsBeKids #summerfun☀️

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jun 11, 2018 at 8:11am PDT

Make Family Outings Physical

It’s the weekend and the kids are bored, you want some time out of the house, the whole family wants to go out and spend some time doing something fun. Instead of low-energy activities like going to the movies or eating out, try making your family outings physical, like abseiling, snorkeling  ice skating, indoor rock climbing, surfing lessons – there are so many exciting options. You’ll have lots more fun and the kids will enjoy the challenge of coming up with new activities to try out. For those days when a movie or a restaurant meal is just too tempting to miss, how about walking or cycling there instead? Try to incorporate a bit of movement into every outing.

Charity Runs and Rides

Get the family involved in a local fun run, charity ride or other physical challenge that supports a good cause. This will provide a little more motivation and will be a really rewarding experience for parents and kids alike. You’ll not only be getting exercise but you’ll be helping others and doing it together. You might even like to work as a team to create your own charity sporting event and get the whole neighborhood involved to raise money for a cause.

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After playing #badminton, we went to St. Joe’s and help with the rummage sale. We will go back again tomorrow. We’re making summer break worthwhile. If you guys wants to find neat stuff, come at St. Joe’s gymnasium in June 14, 15, 16. They have so many things from furniture to collectible stuff, you name it. #charity #rummageSale #donation

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jun 11, 2018 at 10:16am PDT

Active Console Games

If you just don’t feel like getting out and about, there’s no shame in spending an afternoon on a games console if you’ve got some physical games to play. There are lots of games available now that promote movement and fitness. These type of games get players to interact with the game using movement rather than sitting with a control pad, and lots of them have multiplayer options so everybody can get involved. It’s easy, great fun, and you never have to leave the comfort of the family home. Whether it’s Melbourne bike shops or Cairns scuba centers  Brisbane gaming stores or Sydney skating rinks, Australia is teaming with an endless array of venues that are just waiting to help you with everything you need for your new family hobbies. There’s so much to try and so much to do, so don’t waste any more precious time in front of the TV, get the family outside and launch yourselves into life.

First Communion Ceremony

I am way behind in posting the events in our family.  As the weather is getting warmer each day, my time in blogging is limited.  May 5th was Ms. Burrito's firs Holy Communion, it was a very    nice ceremoney for the communicants and for the families.  

There are some students who were not from  the school but they attended CCD (religious  study during Sundays at the St. Joe's).  It's kind of sad that Religion is not being taught in public school anymore.

The ceremony took  more than two hours since there were plenty of communicants.  The  communion rites includes  renewing baptismal vows,  taking the  holy bread and wine, and  handing  the certificates and  pinning a cross on their  dress.

My son was once again being a goof ball.  When I was pinning the cross on Ms. Burrito, the crowd was cheering so I wondered why because I did not know.  Here, my son was dancing in front of so many people lol.

It was a really nice ceremony for all.

Best Tips for Newborn Baby Clothes

Babies grow very quickly during their first few weeks. As a result, you may find that you do not need to buy many newborn baby clothes. However, most expectant Mums will wish to purchase at least a few key items in preparation for the birth of their baby. To help you out, we have put together a list of some tips to keep in mind whilst you are shopping for baby clothes.

Don’t go overboard

You will find that friends and family purchase newborn baby clothes for your baby in the weeks leading up to and immediately after the birth. As a result, try not to bulk buy newborn clothes and instead buy a mixture of clothes in newborn and 3-6 months sizes. When you receive newborn clothes, keep the tag on until you are sure they will fit your baby.

Practicalities matter

Babies are certainly bendy, but it is less distressing for them if you do not need to manoeuvre them too much when getting them dressed. Look for baby clothes which have a long zip down the front and a wide neck opening. Clothes should be stretchy and soft to the touch.

Keep it simple

The first few weeks after the birth are going to be stressful enough, without having to worry about hand washing or dry cleaning baby clothes. Invest in clothes which can be washed and dried in the washing machine and give yourself a break! Check the label to make sure.

Comfortable Clothes Make For a Happy Baby

Unfortunately, there are lots of things on baby clothes which can cause distress and discomfort to your newborn baby. For example, zips, catches and even elastic waist bands can irritate if they are too close to the skin or in the wrong place. Ideally, try to purchase clothes which have a layer of material between the baby and the zip. Elastic waist bands need to be closed within fabric and catches should have smooth edges.

One day old Mr. Burrito.

Layers Are Good

Generally, babies should wear one more layer than what an adult would wear on the same day, unless it is very hot outside. Bearing this in mind, you should choose clothes which can be added to or removed with ease and which are comfortable for the baby. Bulky clothes are not a good idea, so if you do live in a cold climate consider purchasing a fleece snowsuit instead of a thicker option.

Socks and Shoes?

Newborn babies will need to wear socks, especially if they are born in the autumn or winter time. You may need to shop around a little to find socks to fit and you may find that the socks tend to fall off a lot! Some parents like to dress their babies in shoes as well, but this is not a necessity. If you decide to do so, bear in mind that the baby will chew on the shoes.

Keep an Eye Out

Most baby clothes are perfectly safe for your baby. Do however keep an eye out for loose buttons, drawstrings, and any embellishments which could come loose. Likewise, ensure there is no way that an item of clothing could become entangled around your child’s neck.

There is so much to think about when you are expecting a new baby. Try not to worry but instead to relax and look forward to that wonderful moment when you meet your little one for the first time. By following the hints above you should be able to stock up on decent baby clothes and have a wonderful time dressing your newborn. 

A natural born writer, Stacey Barton writes professionally and for fun across a wide range of niches with particular attention to how classic brands can continue to offer the same product for decades and somehow survive the turbulent and ever changing consumer market.

Top 5 Prams for 2013

Now that I have two young children of my own, I feel I have a little bit of knowledge which I can impart to mothers-to-be. Finding a pram is a tricky thing to worry about when you are pregnant. Along with choosing baby clothes, decorating your nursery and deciding how exactly you are going to fit all the baby stuff into your already full house, pram shopping can be a stressful experience! Right when you are meant to be feeling at your most calm and benevolent, you actually have your hands full of things to do!

When it comes to actually making a purchase, I can not say I am the most decisive of people. In terms of pram shopping, there are soooo many to choose from that it can feel like an almost impossible task! Then there’s the fact that they often cost a fair bit of money, with prices ranging from £150-£1500. Who wants to waste half the month’s food bill on a pram which will turn out to be impractical? No pressure! So, it’s worth researching different types of pram to find the right one for you and your little one. Here, I have compiled a list of 5 prams which won’t break the bank and which are good value for money.

Mothercare Xtreme Pushchair Travel System

This pram is suitable for babies from birth. Included is a shopping basket, cosytoe, raincover, infant car seat, removable bumper bar, pushchair, harness pads and hood. You do not need to purchase separate adaptors in order for the car seat to attach to the pushchair, so you are saving some money.

Silver Cross 3D Pram System

This is a rear facing mattress system which converts to a lightweight forward facing pushchair. Included in the purchase are the foot muff, raincover, pushchair, pram liner, mattress and apron. By purchasing the Ventura Car Seat you can use the Silver Cross 3D Pram System as a travel system.

iCanBee Nectar All in One Travel System

This system is perfect as an all round travel system for the first year and can then be used as a pushchair up to 3 years. Included are a changing bag, pushchair raincover, carrycot, car seat and apron.

Graco Mosaic Travel System, Mode Gris

The system includes a window attached to the hood so you can check up on the baby when they are lying facing away from you. It also comes with a detachable hood, basket and car seat so it is great to use right from birth. The arm bar makes a nice space to hang travel toys to keep your little one entertained!

Hauck Apollo 4 All In One Travel System

Literally everything you could possibly need for your first baby is included in this system. Carrycot, stroller, car seat which attaches easily to the frame, PVC raincover, apron and even matching changing bag! A very snazzy purchase indeed!

Whichever pram you end up buying, make sure that you are going to be comfortable using it in your everyday routine. It also needs to suit both you and your partner’s physiques, so if there is a great difference in height between you then try to buy a pram with adjustable handles. The most important thing is that the pram is going to be safe enough to transport your baby. Ensure that it complies with all relevant safety standards and that you are confident to attach and remove it from the car or travel system. To make sure you aer 100% happy with a pram you want to buy I would go to your nearest store that sells them a push it around the store to get a feel for it! Once you know for sure it is the one that’s when you can look around for great deals!

Go forth and purchase a pram with confidence, yummy mummies-to-be!

A natural born writer, Stacey Barton writes professionally and for fun across a wide range of niches with particular attention to how classic brands can continue to offer the same product for decades and somehow survive the turbulent and ever changing consumer market.

To My Mom on Mother's Day!

Dear Mommy,

I thank you for  everything that you do for me and my brother.
I am glad that you are working at home
I can't even imagine  how it would be like if you work outside home
I don't want anyone to babysit us,  that would be so sad
Me and my brother  are so lucky to have you all the time.

I am grateful that you don't send us to school with an empty stomach.
Thank you for  getting us ready everyday.
I know that you get upset when me and my brother don't listen
I know that you get disappointed when  we are not getting along
But Mommy, I do appreciate everything that you do and tell us.


Thank you for volunteering in school
It makes me proud that you help our school
Thank you for the  reminders, the kisses, the hugs, and the love and care!
You are the best Mommy ever.
I Love You!

Happy Mother's Day!

Love,

Ms. Burrito a.k.a Baby Love

Singing Alleluiah

My daughter's Science and Social Studies teacher who is also the music director of the school picked her to sing the Alleluiah in one of the masses few months go. She was really nervous because she never sung solo before at church, she was always singing with the group. She did it anyway so she would not disappoint the teacher. I think that she did really well. 

Kids Workout

My Burritos  love to  challenge themselves.  Sometimes I get worried that they will break their bone or something but I guess they are stronger than I think they are.  

This is their  "Workout Teamwork" as they call it.   Every time  me and my husband workout at our mini gym, they always   try to workout too.

Educating Our kids

It's never too early to educate our  children with important   things that will   make a big impact in their adult life.  We talk to our kids about the  consequences of   smoking and drinking.  We always told them that the reason why both Mom and Dad doesn't smoke or drink is that because we want to spend   our lives with them as long as we can.  So even if there is a lot discount cigars online, it never crossed our minds to  start this kind of  vice.  As parents, we have to  set ourselves as  good example to our kids.

Deals on Clothing, Dentists, and More

The shoes and tiara that I bought for my daughter's first communion finally arrived last week. I actually received the tiara weeks ago but the shoes was out of stock so I had to wait, I bought them at Amazon. Her dress has a flower on the shoulder so I bought this  shoes with flower details in it.  She  is very happy  to have her own  tiara.  

How much do  this  complete outfit cost?  Let us see:

1.  Dress:  Paid $8 for shipping only.

• Got it brand new with  tags on it for FREE at Listia. (I used my credits to bid). 

2.  Shoes and Tiara : Paid $2.67 for Shipping

• I used the $50 gift card that the Fairy Hobmother sent me.

So over all, I only  spent $10.67 for everything.  Not bad of a deal huh?  

Her first communion will be next month and she is very excited about it.  She has gone to  recollection and confession already so she said she's ready.

On the other note, we went to her dentist last Tuesday  to have two of her tooth fragments pulled out.  Our dentist  are friends with us so she gave Ms. Burrito a gift for her communion, she said that they won't be  here that time so she gave it  in Advance.  Thanks Alimario Family!