Saturday, November 23, 2013

Today Was a Trying Day

Every parent has those days where you want to pull your hair out. Luckily those kinds of days are becoming less and less.

I've been putting off one review because it required a lot of work before I even get the product. It's worth it, but took some time. I got a lovely email just as a friendly reminder to get it going. It's unlike me to sit on stuff like that. But again it required a lot of work on my end. I took care of it, but it took me much of the morning to upload pictures to put into a book. I'm picky, so I'm sure that took longer for the process. I was worried I'd get through the whole process, and something crazy like their code wouldn't work. Luckily that didn't happen.

All during this time the boy were being boys. Isaak was picking fights to get Mica's attention. Mica would snap, and then Isaak was crying for me to, "Help" him. They usually have my attention. I try and do most my blogging stuff in the evenings. This time around I just needed to get what I needed done, done.

Where's Daddy this whole time? He's been working on a sculpture that is due for a show this upcoming week. He was supposed to go get parts (metal balls) for the sculpture that are being painted this last week. Somehow the white parts got red speckles on them. They weren't ready to be picked up. On top of that the curator for the show wanted pictures all the sudden early. He's like, "I have nothing to take pictures of yet!" He's all stressed out. I joke with him to lighten the situation and say, "Are your balls ready to be picked up yet?"

Off to Costco the boys and I went. Mica kept lagging behind. It used to be the opposite. He would charge ahead like a bull running at red piece of fabric. Now he stops to look at EVERYTHING. Both boys yell out, "Sample alert!" whenever they see a sample. I don't mind it, but it's probably rude sounding to others.

I told Isaak he got a D+ today, and Mica that he got a C+. Then they were trying to earn back their points. They know they can't watch movies if they didn't do well throughout the day. Isaak said, "I want to get a Z because that's what my nickname begins with." Mica said, "You don't want a Z. That's the lowest of the low. You want an A+!" They helped me for 5 minutes and both asked, "Do we have A+'s now?" I said, "You can't earn back points that fast! Nice tries though."

After that they were pretty good.

We made Christmas cookies. It's just at the starting phase. My sisters, mom and I all get together to decorate them. Right now they are sitting in tins in the deep freezer. Every year I toy with the idea of not making them at all. Here I'm supposed to be eating healthy. I don't eat many of them. Some go to this work, others go to that work, some go to this function, and others go to that function. Soon they are gone.

Then bedtime came. Isaak was crying because it was bath night. It was totally unlike him. He was getting worked up because he was afraid his bath water would get filled with slime; like in the movie Ghostbusters. He didn't even watch the movie recently. I called up Daddy from downstairs to come and calm him down, while I trimmed Mica's nails. Daddy got out of Isaak that it was Mica who was freaking Isaak out about the slime in the bathtub thing. Then we both had to talk to both of them. Isaak didn't want to go to bed he was so scared. I made Mica go in and lay with Isaak to read books. That must of helped because all was peaceful again.


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.

I discovered the wonderful singer named Amos Lee. Have you heard of him? His voice just makes me want to melt. He just has a beautiful voice!

He's an American singer-songwriter whose musical style has folk, rock and soul influences. He was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in English. He started out working as a schoolteacher and bartender. After that he began to pursue a career in music.

He has recorded five albums and toured opening acts for all kinds of very well known people such as: Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Dave Mathews Band, Adele, and more.

Every live song I heard of his was just as good as the recorded stuff. That's a true artist for you.

Source
Arms of a Woman



Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight

Check out his website.
Check out his store.
Like him out on Facebook.
Follow him on Twitter.
Follow him on YouTube.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Tid Bits


  1. I think I'm going to start making Christmas cookies this weekend. Every year I make a bunch. Some goes to the boy's school for their bake sale, others go to our works and the rest go to family events.
  2. I felt like I was all caught up with stuff to do, but then thought about finals, and wrapping all the gifts. At least most of the gifts are purchased.
  3. Mica is growing like a weed. A few of his shirts were looking short. I took him to Khols to pick up 2 or 3 shirts. All the character ones were lame. He doesn't get into minecraft. Then other shirts said negative things about school, homework, or parents. I don't want him wearing shirts that are negative. The plain shirts, were to him just that, "Plain". He liked Tony Hawk, so that's what we went with. Three shirts cost $100, but I had a $10 off card, and a 20% discount. I ended up paying $50, half the bill, but still pricy. He certainly looks good in them though. The lady at the counter asked, "So is your son into skateboarding?" I said, "No." She looked at me funny. He's in 2nd grade. He just likes the shirts. The name doesn't define what he likes. Mica's old clothes go directly to Isaak. They are both going to be tall. Both boys fit in shirts that are larger than their age.
  4. Mica confessed to us that he likes a new girl at school. He said her name. Daddy said, "Isn't she in Kindergarten?!" She is. Luckily she's not in Isaak's class. Mica's old enough that he could be in 3rd grade, but he's in 2nd. We all giggled. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "She's the cutest girl."
  5. Isaak was sitting on the toilet and said, "Come on! This is not working!" I had to laugh.
  6. It sleeted out around lunch time yesterday. I had to be careful walking and driving. Later in the evening it dusted snow. It looks like white powder is everywhere. I have to say that I'm missing my metal scraper that broke last year. I had that thing since I got my first car. It worked so well. Much better than plastic. Has it snowed where you live?

Thursday, November 21, 2013

So He Knows What He Wants

We went out to eat a few weeks ago.

Isaak started crossing out what he didn't want to eat with red crayon, and made a green X to the things he did want.


I guess little man knows what he wants.

Toothpaste

I was downstairs doing laundry. I heard Isaak crying, and Daddy saying, "Spit it out!" over and over again.

I went upstairs and Travis said, "I caught Isaak literally eating toothpaste."

I was buying all natural toothpaste at stores, but the boys seemed to be brushing and spitting well. They get little kid Crest samples at the dentist, so I was using those up.

Isaak was sitting in the time-out chair crying and saying, "Am I going to die?" As I was leaving for work Travis was reading him the surgeon general's warning on toothpaste:

"If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. As with other toothpaste, if irritation occurs discontinue use."

Then this was sent to me:


There is never a dull moment in the Apel household.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

WW: OPPD Arboretum {Linky}

The OPPD Arboretum is really close by us, and free. I never realized how pretty it is. I went to take photos of my sister's family. While we wait a few minutes for them to get there I took a few photos of my own boys.

The boys were running EVERYWHERE. I was running after them, and the whole sole of one of my boots fell off! I had those boots since 1997. It's not a horrible loss. It just made it harder to chase after my kids! Isaak in particular would not allow me to take photos of him. Especially when their cousins met up with us, there was no hope in getting photos. Most of these are of Mica.










The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel'sThe Apel's

I have two new giveaways up. They are low entry giveaways, so if you have a moment enter please. I'd be happy to comment a few times on your blog if you enter them.

Confessions of a Teacher Recruiter: How to Create an Extraordinary Resume and Hook Your Dream Job Book - Ends 12/9 US

Piczzle - Win a Small Cardboard Custom Picture Puzzle - Ends 12/9

Awarded

Right after I posted about Isaak getting an award at school, Mica got one.


In his class they do the award thing differently than what he's used to. In the past he was picked earlier on. Mica does know how to turn on the charm. He has his faults to. This year his teacher puts all the kids that are doing well in a bowl, and picks one out a week. It's not based on how good you are. It's just that you've been good.

Mica kept saying, "I'm never picked!" He'd say that when it came to Isaak getting his award, and when Isaak won a book from a bookstore. I kept reminding him about times that he has won things.

The award is all about being responsible, respectful and a good leader in the classroom.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Piczzle Review and Giveaway!

I've been eying Piczzle picture puzzles since last year. I saw it reviewed on a few other blogs. I wanted to include one of our family holiday cards on it. It can be something special the kids get out every year.

The picture was so easy to upload. It really uploaded fast. They have cardboard and wooden puzzle options. You can choose the amount of pieces to. I got a 308 piece puzzle *Value $32.95. Priority shipping is $6.95. That may seem like a lot, but they double box the puzzle to ensure it's safe. They shipped it out much faster than I expected.

As soon as the boys saw the box they of course asked, "What's in that?" When I told them they wanted to put the puzzle together right away. I kept putting it off because it was dark. Not a great time to take photos. No worries they got to put it together the next day.


I chose to upload to their site a holiday card from two years ago. It has a Christmas train that I knew the boys would love. They must have forgotten about that card. Isaak said when he was putting the puzzle together, "Mom where was this photo taken?" I said, "In our backyard son." He said, "But we don't have train tracks in our backyard." I said, "There's this thing on Mom's computer called Photoshop..."


The cardboard puzzle has 308 pieces. That didn't seem like a lot when I read that number online. For some reason it took us most of the afternoon to put it together. When we got to solid pieces many of them fit within the holes made. Then we got the next piece in, and realized it wasn't the right piece.


I'm glad it's challenging. I wanted something the boys could take out every year to put together. After all custom-make jigsaw puzzles shouldn't be boring. 


Isaak and I put most of it together. Mr. Mica man had a date day with Aunt Angela. Once I got Isaak rolling on a certain part of the puzzle he was determined. I had to initiate it though. Mica's always been into putting puzzles together, so I know he'll love doing it!


Mica got home and the boys fought over who put the pieces in.



Here is the end result:


My biggest fear is that we'd get the puzzle all together and have a missing piece. Luckily that did not happen! All the pieces were intact. The image seems like it will stay on there for a long time. 

Isaak did a little review of his own:

 
Overall I'm really happy with the puzzle. It was everything I hoped it would be. Piczzle really does a great job with their photo puzzles.

Win a small custom cardboard puzzle from Piczzle.

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 was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.  
 
The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel'sThe Apel's   
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.

Bulu Box - Discover a Healthier You Review

I love getting boxes of good for me things in the mail. Lately that's been happening more and more.


I just got a Bulu Box in the mail. It was filled with all kinds of great things.


They have some great deals going on right now that are perfect for the holiday season.
  • Get your first Bulu Box FREE! - Purchase a 3 month gift for you, or a friend, and get the first month FREE with the promo code: JUMPPONIT3. This deal gets 3 months of Bulu Box for $15. Usually it would cost $30.  
  • Get your first 3 Bulu Boxes FREE! - Purchase a 6 month gift for you, or a friend and get the first 3 months FREE with the promo code: JUMPONIT6. This deal gets 6 months of Bulu Box for just $30. Usually it would cost $60.
These are the items that came in my box:


My favorite things so far are the Simple Being Nutrition Slimming Smoothie Portion Packs and the Natural Vitality Raspberry-Lemon Flavor Natural Calm. I like to have protein smoothies before I hit the gym, and the Natural Vitality in the mornings that I'm feeling sleepish.

Each box comes with 4 to 5 healthy samples to try. It's a good introduction to know if you want to keep using the product, or not.


What I like about Bulu Box? 
  • They have the full sized products that you can purchase on their site; once you know you want more of the product. I don't know how many times I've bought something in a big size, just to find out I didn't like it. I love that they start you out with samples.
  • There are reviews of each product.
  • The site gives you points when you buy from them. The higher the points you get, they more discounts you receive. 
  • The only thing I wish about all sample boxes is that they would let you as a consumer choose the samples. It's great that this company focuses on health. You know you are getting samples that are positive.
Check them Bulu Box! 
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 was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get products to help with the review.   
The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel'sThe Apel's   
  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.

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