Saturday, June 30, 2012

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

I started ten weeks ago doing what I call Sing, Sing a Song Saturday.  I'm going to post one song on Saturdays that the boys or I like. I'll see how long I can keep it up.

The song may be part of a movie, a kid's video or just a song we like. It may or may not include words. I'll try and include why we like it and/or the history of the song/singer.

This is blues band called MêM. The singer is albino. Vincent Theard and M Nahadr along with a host of eclectic, committed, estranged from the narrow, musical madmen and women conspire to inspire each other in a collection of musical mindsets disguised as melodies compiled to make up their music.


Source


M Nahadr is not just a singer, she is an activist about being albino. She helps people to understand what it's like to be albino. She's been in the National Geographic and did an interview with The Discovery Channel. She talked in an interview about having friends that are dying of skin cancer. Some things are very difficult because she has to stay out of the sun and her eyes are very sensitive. Her voice on the other hand is amazing. She puts passion into what she sings.

Source

Friday, June 29, 2012

Free Summer Fun

I've been thinking up all the free summer things that people have told me about and some of which we've tried.

Here's a list:
  • Many libraries have a summer reading program. Some even have awards if you read so many books.
  • Check with your local bookstore to see if they have a story time.
  • Most areas have a Kids Bowl Free program.
  • Splash parks are perfect for some summer fun. Most of them are free. Most kids love them!
  • Many movie theaters offer free G and PG movies in the mornings. Check with your theater. I found that many of them are listed online. 
  • Check your local community center to see if they have a REC Club for ages 5-12. My son Mica has been having a blast at ours. He's learned how to play football, cricket, had water fun day and more. It's Monday through Friday 10-4. They can be dropped off at any time after 10 and picked up any time before 4. They asked for a donation. We gladly handed over more than what they asked for.
  • My boys have been having a great time at the Lowes Build and Grow Clinic. They get a project to build with mom or dad, an apron, a patch and a certificate for building it right. Go to the link to sign your child or children up. Next they have a Kung Fu Panda project!
  • Of course there are parks to go to as well. 
If you have anymore ideas than what I've listed, please leave a comment. I'll be happy to add it to the list!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet Pineapple Plus a Recipe


It is true, summer is here...

GET GRILLING!

De Monte has a $.50 off coupon for download via Facebook. Hurry the coupon is only available for download until July 15th.

Del Monte supplied me with a recipe:



Directions:

To make basting sauce, in a small bowl whisk together honey, 2 tbsp. lime juice, and 2 tbsp. soy sauce until smooth.

Sprinkle chicken pieces with remaining 1 tbsp. of lime juice and soy sauce. Sprinkle with pepper to taste. Marinate 15 to 30 minutes.

Preheat grill to medium-high. Thread chicken, pineapple, red pepper, and onion alternately on 12 (6-7-inch) skewers. Discard and leftover marinade. Brush lightly with peanut oil.

Grill for 10 to 15 minutes, turning to cook all sides. Brush with basting sauce the last 5 to 10 minutes. Serve any remaining sauce over kabobs.

Note: For a spicy variation, omit ground pepper and sprinkle chicken with Jamaican Jerk seasoning to taste. 

Remember to visit Del Monte's Facebook page!

Disclaimer:

The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. By posting this I have a chance to win a prize package by Del Monte. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustrationAThotmailDOTcom

Transportation

At the Museum of Science and Industry Museum in Chicago we got to see a lot of different types of transportation. The boys were in heaven there. It's crazy how much is there!

Submarine


We didn't get to go inside, but they did have a station of what it looks like inside. Mica didn't want to leave this station.


Train


They had a model train set up of Chicago.


Flight

Isaak and Mommy.


A Flight Simulator.



Ships


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

I'll Be a Man Who Will Fight for You Honor

I ordered Karate Kid 2. It came in the mail yesterday. The boys were super excited to see it! They love the Original Karate Kid and the newer sort of remake The Karate Kid.
Source
We sat down and had movie night. I don't think it had enough action for Isaak, but he enjoyed some cuddle time. I was working on an art project, which involved seashells; Isaak loved playing with them as well. Mica was glued to the TV. I knew he'd like the movie.

When I was younger and this movie came out I thought Ralph Macchio was so hot. Now he's sort of funny looking. I was only 10 when the movie came out in the theaters. I felt like when the song Glory of Love Played by Peter Cetera, it came from Ralph Macchio. LOL

A friend and I both LOVED that cheesy song. We recorded it over and over again on a cassette tape just so we didn't have to rewind it. We'd listen to it over and over again.

Last night when that song played I sang; Mica looked up at me like he was thinking, What the hell Mom? Daddy said, "You better stop singing that song!" I knew it would get in his head. Later during the credits, it was playing again. I grabbed Mica and started dancing with him.

Then when it was time to do dishes I heard Daddy singing it. :) I said, "I thought you didn't like for me to sing that song?! Here you are singing it!" He said, "It's your fault! You got it in my head!" Then this morning he sang it again.

PS I didn't just have a crush on Ralph Macchio. I liked Tom Cruise, before he went a little wacko. River Phoenix was so hot before he ODed on heroin/coke. Pretty much all my teen crushes went down hill. A lot of stars go downhill.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

WW: Jellies {Linky}

We went to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. I think the Jelly Fish picture I captured were my favorite shots of the trip.

These were too fast to shoot!


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Do Your Kids Fight?

I think the answer is, "YES!" for most families.

Yesterday Mica came running down the lawn and said, "Isaak hit me!"

Daddy goes up the hill to see what the deal is.

Isaak said, "Mica was laying on me and wouldn't get off!"

Daddy said, "Is this true Mica?"

Mica said, "Well I didn't have a blanket to lay on, so I laid down on Isaak." As if it justifies him laying on his brother!

Then they both had to come indoors.

We've caught Isaak spitting on Mica twice. Why? Because Mica's doing something first. UGGG!!! That's not something that is sanitary!!! I got on Isaak big time about that!

Oh and has a habit of picking his nose and you maybe guessed it, eating what he picks out! YUCK!!! We had a major talk with him about that one. He said, "But they taste really good. Daddy said, "I don't care if they taste like chocolate chip cookies! You don't eat anything that comes out of your body. Your body is trying to get rid of it because it's yucky. Lets hope that talk helped!

I've heard of people tying their kids together to do dishes; just to learn to get along. If they were old enough I swear I would.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Our Destination was Nearly a Fail

On our trip to Chicago we had fun. The morning before leaving Daddy said, "I can't find our tickets to go back home!" I'm thinking in my head, "What you can't find our tickets! We kind of need those don't you think?"  Instead I said, "Well call the train station and ask if we can still get on the train." He did just that.

He came inside and said, "Well they said they can't do that. We have to buy new tickets if we can't find them." He was trying to search my purse, which I recently cleaned out. I was trying to tell him to call places to see if our tickets were there, which he knew our tickets were not at. We were making each other annoyed, pissed off and I was beginning to panic.

The guy we were staying with told me, "Alissa if I did this my wife would kill me. You are being great." I said, "Sam he thinks it's my fault for telling him to put the tickets in his book." More was said, but you get the drift.

All the while, the kids were watching cartoons! Thank you, cable! Watching cable was part of our vacay to. We don't have cable at home. The boys were glued to the TV.

I continued to pack and make breakfast. Daddy looked for the tickets.

It finally dawned on me that they might have a lost and found section at the train station. I told Daddy to call and ask.

Sure enough our tickets were turned in. A big sigh of relief fell over the house! We both apologized.

Daddy and Sam ran the kids to the park to burn off energy, while I finished packing.

Off to the station we went. It was much bigger and busy in Chicago then Omaha, Nebraska!

When Daddy asked about our lost tickets, the man behind the counter said, "It's your very lucky day sir!" Out popped the tickets.


Once I saw them I was like, "I remember seeing that! It was on the back of my final seat." Sometimes traveling with kids, we have to play musical chairs without the music. Then I said, "I thought for sure that was a brochure for a movie and nothing more." Nope the tickets were tucked away inside Tintin in 3D. Daddy never showed me the tickets, so I didn't know they were stashed away inside a movie ad.

Off we went to sit and wait for our train to come. It's always interesting watching all the different people that travel. In my mind I set stories about why and where they are traveling.


We were supposed to sit on the lower level. No seats! Up we went. We were split up. A very nice gentleman made it so we could sit together. We sat with a group of high school kids. I felt like I was teaching, only I couldn't say a word. They were worse then our kids with how they bounced around, had little regard for anyone else, but themselves. They were even on a mission trip. Hummm! It's the age. 

Isaak fell fast asleep.


The night prior Daddy and I argued about me getting Subway to take with for the train. Daddy thinks eating a few hour old cold sandwich is gross. Maybe it is. *He went hungry by choice, while the kids and I devoured our wonderful sandwich. 

I say if that's all we argued about for nearly a week, that's pretty darn good. It wasn't like we tore each others head's off. 

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com