Saturday, May 25, 2013

Noxicare Review

I am lucky enough to review Noxicare - a natural pain relief cream.


I love the fact that the product does not contain any harmful chemicals. I really have to watch it because I break out with sulphates added to things. So many things have sulphates in them. Not Noxicare!

What does this pain relief contain?
  • Turmeric: Which is one of the powerful healers found in nature. It's used as an anti-inflammatory.
  • Willow Bark: Which has been used to treat pain and inflammation since the time of Ancient Egypt and Greece.
  • Ginger: Helps alleviate strains in the muscles, arthritis and rheumatism, and is a catalyst for improving the effectiveness of other herbs.
  • Holy Basil: Has properties, which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral.
  • Rosemary Extract: Has served a variety of purposes including topical use for joint and/or musculoskeletal pain.
  • Alpha Lipoic Acids: Has antioxidants used to treating diabetic neuropathy and increasing blood flow to the nerves.
  • Boswellia Extract: Has an anti-inflammatory used to treat arthritis and joint pain.
My Aches and Pain

I don't normally have a whole lot of pain. In fact Daddy is usually the one around here with back pain. Lately my back has been hurting. There was one day last week where Isaak was in a bad mood because he went to bed too late the night before. I ended up picking him up a handful of times. He's my baby, but my baby is getting bigger. Five years compared to 5 months is HUGE! That's what started my back pain.

I started lifting weights at the gym. Daddy says I need to embrace the workout pains. It is hard getting used to.

I apply Noxicare a few places last night and in other places this morning. It really made my pain go away!


 How it Works
  • It has no known side effects.
  • There is no prescription needed.
  • There is no greasy feeling or strong smell.
  • There are no harmful chemicals.
  • It is not lab produced.
  • When used you have no more pain.
I give this US company Noxicare 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Find where to get Noxicare here: http://www.noxicare.com/retailers/index.php

Like Noxicare on Facebook.


Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I did receive a free product to help with this review.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

I started doing what I call Sing, Sing a Song Saturday.  I'm going to post one song on Saturdays that the boys or I like. 

The song may be part of a movie, a kid's video or just a song we like. I'll try and include why we like it and/or the history of the song/singer.

This week I'm covering a group named Freelance Whales. They are an American indie rock band from New York. The band connected on Craigslist and friends of friends. They all pretty much started alone, playing on Subway platforms. The leader of the band is Judah Dadone. There is singing in the band of course and banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, synthesizer, glockenspiel (which are like bells), mandolin, drums, harmonica and bass.

They had a song featured on Grey's Anatomy called Starring.  Their song Broken Horse was on One Tree Hill.


Enzymes 


Here's a live song. It's pretty cool to see all the different instruments they use.

Ghosting 


This song is about birth and death.

Generator 


Follow Freelance Whales on their website.
Connect with them on FB
Connect with them on Twitter.
Check out their blog.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

Last weekend was so busy I didn't even post everything we did.

Mica had a Jiu-Jitsu Tournament. It was just for fun. No board breaking events.  This was their first event held in Omaha for kids.

Jujitsu is a mix between Judo and wrestling. They do a lot of ground fighting.

I notice that they test very different from Karate. My oldest nephew is in that. In Jiu-Jitsu they get stripes on their belt before they test for a yellow belt. Sensei said it took him 25 years to get his black belt. My nephew is in middle school and has his black belt already. Everyone in Mica's class hasn't even moved up to a yellow belt at all. We get a few yellow belt kids coming in from the other Y to help out every so often.

I was worried because Daddy took the boys swimming the night before. I was out to celebrate Mother's Day with my own Mom and sisters. I came home thinking that the boys would be in bed. NOPE! The house was empty. They didn't get to bed until 9-9:30. That's late for the Apel boys.

Can you tell he was tired?


He was signed up for a few events, but had to wait and wait for his event to come up. It took too long. The whole tournament was supposed to last from 9-12, but ended up lasting until 2! Mica was hungry and tired of sitting around. It was their first time for the event. They couldn't exactly call off things that people were signed up and paid for. 

Finally he was up:


He won his first match.



Then the next event came along and Mica wasn't on the list. He was written in with one of the kids that had been in for twice as long as Mica. He was beat right away. Grandpa said it's good to sometimes be stuck with people harder than you, because you learn. No one else got stuck with anyone harder than them. Mica took it well. Daddy on the other hand was a little upset for Mica. *He didn't tell him this.


In between all this Isaak drove me nuts. Remember it lasted way longer than it was supposed to. Isaak was wound up. Him and I finally left to go prepare food wise for our Mustashe Bash, and to eat lunch.


Mica got a medal because everyone in this generation does. I don't say that to be mean. It's just true.


Later on this week at practice Daddy had a talk with one of the other Dads. We've questioned weather Mica should keep doing Jiu-Jitsu, or not. Sometimes he's really serious about it, sometimes not as much. He enjoys it. I like the philosophy of any martial art. The boys seem more serious about swimming though.

Mica doesn't seem to have that fight anger instinct like other kids have. When he's pinned, he doesn't try and get out of it. He just assumes they won. Isaak seems more like the kid you don't want to mess with in our family. The other Dad agreed about his son. Then Sensei stepped in and said, "I've been doing this for a lot of years. It seems like it just clicks with kids after awhile."

That's understandable. With Mica drawing, writing, and cutting didn't click right away. Then when he got it he was just as good as the other kids, if not better than many.

I think as long as he's enjoying it, we'll keep him in it.

We're thinking of starting Isaak up in the fall. We want him to mature a little before he starts. He's capable, but might just want to fight everyone on the planet.

Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway!

Watch Space Warriors on the Hallmark Channel


When: May 31
At: 8/7 Central

For your chance to win a trip for the whole family to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp! Keep an eye out for the secret keyword for a chance to go on location where Space Warriors was filmed and trained like a real astronaut.


About Space Warriors:

Six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As the competition heats up, the kids have no idea that their ultimate challenge will be to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches.

Starring: Thomas Horn, Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Mira Sorvino and Booboo Stewart.

Space Warriors is the second film in the Walden Family Theater original lineup featuring great family entertainment, airing Friday nights exclusively on Hallmark Channel. Walden Family Theater is creating films for the whole family to enjoy together, so make sure to mark your calendars and gather around the TV to watch all the great upcoming films.

Past Films Include: The Chronicles of Narnia series, Holes, Nim's Island, Charlotte's Web and Return to Nim's Island.

Official Space Warriors Website: spacewarriorsmovie.com
Official Space Warriors Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=NutxR0D4FxY



It's Giveaway Time!

One of you, my readers can win a blu-ray combo pack of Space Warriors (includes blu-ray, DVD and VUDU digital copy - This is a Walmart exclusive).
US only. Giveaway ends June 6, 13. No P.O. Boxes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I did receive a free product to help with this giveaway.

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

I Was Elise All Day Today

My boss paid for me to go to a Facebook convention today. At first when he asked me I was thinking, but didn't say, I don't really need a convention for that. I wasn't thinking I knew it all; I just thought that if he really wanted me to know more, I could do tutorials online.

Anyway I learned a lot, so it was worth it. If anyone wants me to post demos online let me know. I now have to teach what I learned to fellow staff members and students. I won't do much to my page until I put everything I've learned into a PowerPoint and then can move along. Then I'll learn hands on what I was told and wrote down.

The lady that held the seminar was super nice, but a fast talker. She knew everyone's names like a snap of a finger. BUT she called me Alissa, "Elise" all day long. I corrected her twice, and gave up after that.

Two generations above me got my name wrong all the time. I was Melissa, Aleesa, Alicia and even an Allison. Since I've aged, Alissa became a lot more popular. I think it started with Alyssa Milano, which is pronounced the same way as my name. More people say my name right.

My last name was just as bad! It was Spiehs, pronounced Speeces. Those Germans. LOL Apel is better. It's pronounced Ape-pull. I tell our kids that they have ape in them. I sometimes get Apple,  Apell, or Apeel.

Such is life. I've learned to deal with my name being said the wrong way. I correct people the first few times. Then I drop it. Especially if I know I'll never see them again. I just thought it was funny that a lady so good with names, could butcher mine. I don't much blame people. I do have hard names.

Does your name get said wrong a lot? 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

WW: Faces {Linky}

I'm probably flooding everyone with photos this week. I couldn't help it. A lot happened this last weekend. 

Preschool Graduation
 
I have no clue what this face was about, but it cracked me up big time. I don't know if he just didn't want to graduate, thought the hat was silly, thought it was strange to stand in front of a bunch of strangers, or a combination of all the above. I was hardly able to take the photos I was laughing so hard! 

We had Isaak and Cousin Evan's Moustache Bash this weekend.

Aunt Terra {my sister} made the cupcakes and I made the toppers.

I'm pretty sure my stache was on upside down. No one told me, oh well.

Daddy's stache is real. He hasn't shaved it off yet. Mica kept saying, "That's so over rated!" Whatever that meant.

Brothers - it took me 5 shots to get this 1 shot. Mica's stache is upside down to.

Mica danced the goofiest dance when anyone got a card with music.

Isaak on his birthday. He's wearing his new Kuncklehead coveralls. He was probably thinking, "Don't take my picture! I want to play with my new toys!"


You Can Follow Me Here:
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Broken

The latest tornado attack makes my heart melt. I just feel for everyone involved. This morning I saw this picture:


A blogger friend of mine said these things reminded her of Cinderella when she was a child. Cinderella is all broken; along with many people's lives! :(

Here in Omaha we have a double murder investigation going on. Two people were killed in their home recently. In 2008 someone went into a house and killed a little boy and a housekeeper. The connection between the cases is that both the gentleman killed recently and the Dad of the 2008 case worked together. They have a homicide police unit on the cases. It was in separate parts of town. I've had the 2008 case on my mind since 2008. I just could never get the little boy's face out of my mind.

I still think about the Batman shooting, the Sandy Hook shooting, and the Boston bombs. It's just tucked away in my brain and images come up often.

In 2007 we had a local mass shooting that happen here in a local mall at Von Maur. One gun man killed 8, wounded 2 and killed himself.  I was pregnant with Isaak then. My hormones went nuts. I cried for two straight days.

I don't even let my kids watch the news, or any evening TV. It's all too much, or inappropriate for children. I'm not all about hiding things from my kids. I just feel like if we as adults can't understand what crap is going on in the world, how in the heck can we expect kids to get it?

Another minor thing broken - my car. This morning I went to back out of my driveway, I looked, but the truck I hit must of been in my blind spot. BAM!


It's oh so minor compared to the rest of the stuff happening in the world. The trunk is scraped, the side panel is popped and the light is broken. No one was hurt. I still feel like a criminal.

Last Word Game Review

I had a wonderful chance to win and review a board game called Last Word by Buffalo Games. I won the game off the site New Age Mama.


We really do love board games. Mica and Isaak are starting to be able to play a few games. It can still be challenging with a 5 year old and 7 year old. Often times we play games when they are asleep. This game is for ages 14 and up. We tend to simplify instructions when they play, let them roll the dice, flip cards over for us or control the buzzer.

Daddy and I loved playing. There are two stacks of cards. One is a subject and the other is a random letter. *Shown in the photos below. You have to think about subjects that start with the letter picked.


Examples: 
  • All About Parades: Acrobats, Animals, and Art were words we shouted out.
  • Round Things: Daddy mistakenly shouted out Circle, I shouted out Sphere and Segway wheels.

We had a lot of fun. It was a good break during a long day.

About Last Word:
  • This party game has sold over 1,000,000 copies 
  • For ages 14 and up 
  • Each round, blurt out answers while racing a timer and the other players 
  • For example, Subject: “Animals”, Letter: “B”. Players yell out… Beaver! Bat! Bison! Bird! The player with the Last Word before the timer sounds advances toward Finish. Beware – the timer is cleverly programmed to go off at random intervals
  • Include: Game Boards, 230 Subject and 56 Letter cards, 8 Pawns, an Electronic Random Timer (two AAA batteries not included) and Rules



Check out more of Buffalo Games on their site.
Like Buffalo Games on Facebook.
View their online catalog here.
Connect with them on Twitter.
Connect on YouTube.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. 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. I did receive a free product to help with this review.

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Naughty, Naughty

Yesterday we went to my cousin's house for their one year old's birthday party. I have a very small family in comparison to other families, so we get together for all the main holidays. This was the first birthday party I was invited to. It was nice to see their newish house.

My kids had a great morning. It was Isaak's birthday, so he was high on presents. The boys went to bed rather late 9:30 the night before. Usually they go to sleep by 8. Knowing my kids, Mica gets an attitude when he's tired, and Isaak get extremely whiny when he is tired. It's not a fun combination.

For some reason as soon as we got to my cousin's house I was faced with attitude by Mica. He wanted to build with their kid's Legos. I was ok with that. I wasn't ok with the fact that he wanted to fly his creations from room to room! I also didn't want him playing with the Legos on the floor. There were a few one year old's and one 2 year old walking around. I could just see them picking up a Lego tire and choking on it.

They decided to go outside to play. I was watching them from the window.

One thing about Isaak, which I'm worried about with him starting school is that when he's messed with he does not take it! It's when the older boys are around I see him act feisty the most. I don't even know if I blame him; after seeing how they treat him. :( BUT he plays wonderful with his cousin Elijah, who is the same age as him, and no threat. I saw from the window Isaak's arm raising up like he was ready for battle. Luckily there was no kid in front of him! I ran down to just talk with him. I said, "Isaak just remember to not play rough."

Isaak climbed up into the playhouse. Another kid was being rough. Isaak said, "My Mom said to not play rough. We need to play nice." The other kid said, "She's not my Mom, so I don't need to listen to her." I think my mouth dropped, and I had to pick it up off the ground. I said, "We all need to play nice!"

Isaak went down the slide and up the ladder. There was his 8 year old cousin banging on his hands as he tried to climb up. He was trying to knock Isaak off. I freely snapped at him. He knows better! Isaak's gotten picked on by him for awhile. This is a big reason why Isaak plays so rough back. Then I said, "Come on boys we are going."

I turned my head and there were a group of kids climbing the fence to go to their backyard neighbor's house. It's great that, that is ok with them. But it's not for my kids. We drill in their heads that fences are not for climbing.

Into the house we went.

Mica wanted to play with more Legos; I wanted to leave ASAP. It's not that I didn't like their party, didn't like the people there, I did. I was just annoyed with all the kid's behavior; even my own kids. It was just one of those days!

Off we went.

Mica yelled, "Mom unlock the car door! I can't get in!" As soon as I got in the car we had a talk.

Isaak lost it because he was so tired! One simple thing set him off.

I was so happy to get home; declared quiet time. Usually when it's quiet time Mica reads and Isaak falls asleep. Isaak fell asleep with his door wide open for 2 and 1/2 hours.

Both boys were excellent for dinner! It was like they were new kids. Sleep is my kid's best medicine.

Do you discipline kids that are not your own?

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Happy Birthday Isaak!

Dear Isaak,

You turned 5 today! I'd say I can't hardly believe it, but at the same time I can. Time as I know it slips by faster and faster every year. It seems to move even faster with the second kid, which is you.


You wanted muffins for breakfast. I made June Berry Muffins. I made sure we used your 5 year old candle this morning. You had your first friend birthday party this year; I got the 5 year old candle out and could not find a lighter or matches anywhere. We had you pretend to blow the candle out on that day. This morning we found a lighter, and you blew your candle out.


You woke up this morning and said, "Is it my REAL birthday yet?" For 2 months you've been telling people that you are going to be 5 soon. Then you expected all your friends and family to come on over. We had your friend party last weekend and your family birthday party last evening.

It's been so hard to tell people what to get you! You don't seem to play with toys a lot. Instead you create stuff with what other people would consider junk. Your latest creation is a "Hiya Catcher". It's an empty toilet paper roll with tape that comes out of it. You swing it around, kick like people in Karate do and say, "Hiya". It's a "Hiya Catcher" all right.  Super silly, yet ultra creative.

You did get some wonderful gifts this year. There's too many to list. I'll show you a few of your gifts:

Dragon wings, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle weapons and Knucklehead Coveralls
Check out Magic Cabin for the Dragon Wings and The Boys Store for the Coveralls


I told Mica that you were getting My Little Ponies, and Strawberry Shortcake Dolls. He stopped asking me what was in your packages. He said this morning, "Isaak I hate to say it, but you are not going to like what's in your packages." As much as I loved Strawberry Shortcake Dolls and My Little Ponies, you did not get those things. Mica didn't know what to think.

You are going to go into Kindergarten next school year. You are ready. You've been practicing your writing skills; by writing me notes often. You write and then underline everything you write. Your preschool teachers were stressing that you learn to write on lined paper. Who needs lined paper, when you can make your own lines?

You cousin Elijah is your best friend. You'll miss him at school next year.

You are a giver. You like seeing other people happy over your own happiness. If anyone messes with you, they will be sorry. You are feisty! I refer to you as being spicy and sweet.

In some ways I'm sad seeing you grow up. In other ways I'm excited to see you learn new things.

Happy Birthday my youngest son.

I love you Zeek!

Mommy

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