Tell Me Thursday - Menu

Having a 10 year old boy at home is extremely helpful when you're too sick to go much farther than from your bed to the bathroom.  He may have needed some prompting, but I'm proud of him for stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for making sure that lunches were served.

Colin created this menu board after being asked repeatedly what was for lunch one day a couple weeks ago.  He listed out a variety of sandwich choices, sides and drink choices.  Nate & Lydia helped him put together my lunch and they served it like true restauranteurs (must be all that reality TV we watch . . . )  And, then Colin made sure that he and his siblings had a healthy lunch to enjoy themselves.

They're all growing into fine young people, and I'm proud of my eldest for making sure we were all fed!

Wordless Wednesday - Menu

Under the Weather

I'm the kind of person that doesn't let much hold me back.  I believe in pushing through and doing what needs to be done -- and I have a pretty high tolerance for pain.  Last summer, I continued teaching even after I was diagnosed with pneumonia because I had committed to those classes. If I ever call in sick, you can believe that I am extremely sick.

So, in early May when I wasn't feeling all that great, I didn't think much of it.  We have been pretty busy -- and the kids' school year was wrapping down, and I was looking forward to days of fewer commitments.  I thought I'd rest once the we got to the end of May.

On May 16, I decided that I needed to visit my doctor.  I felt rotten, and had what I thought might be a UTI.  I headed into the doctor and told him of my symptoms and also complained of pain in my lower back.  He said "Well, people don't usually get kidney stones on both sides, so I think it's probably just a UTI." and put me on antibiotics.

Since I was on antibiotics, I assumed I'd be fine in a few days, and taught the classes on my schedule that week.  I didn't feel much better, and as the week wore on I actually felt worse.  Friday evening I remember giving Bo a hug and saying that I thought I better return to the doctor because it just didn't seem right that I still felt terrible.  I went to bed early and then woke up around 4:30 in excruciating pain.

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Review: Ridemakerz and Father's Day Promotion

This weekend, we visited Ridemakerz out in Glendale.  It was a long ride for us from the far east valley, but everyone agreed that it was well worth the trip!!  I had never heard of Ridemakerz before, but when I was contacted about the possibility of doing a review, I knew it sounded like something my boys would enjoy.

At Ridemakerz, you create your very own custom car.   They have over 30 bodies to choose from, and each of those bodies can be customized up to 649 million ways! The bodies range in price from $18 to $38.  All three of my kids were amazed at all the possibilities!  The boys chose their vehicle bodies pretty quickly, and I was thrilled that they had a number of options that appealed to Lydia as well.  She ultimately chose a body with a pink paint job. While my kids didn't choose any of the CARS bodies, they had all the CARS vehicles for fans of the movie!

After the body is chosen, there are different sound options.  The cars all come with a standard sound card, and then you can choose another for an additional $3.  The kids listened to all the choices multiple times before choosing an extra sound that was perfect for them!  The kids were able to keep the standard sound, as well as their new sound.

Once that was done, the next step was to decide whether you wanted a low-riding car, or a monster vehicle.  Both Colin & Lydia chose the monster option, while Nate chose to stay low to the ground.  There were a number of different wheels to choose then, as well as a number of different rims.

Again, there were options for everybody!  They had plain rims, rims with dragons, and even rims with daisy flowers!

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Review: Method Minne Mouse Foaming Hand Wash

I really like Method products.  I have used their laundry detergents, their cleaners, and their hand soap in the past. I like the fact that they are mostly plant-derived and gentle -- while still doing the job I need!

I think this new line of hand soap is absolutely adorable!  We had the chance to try out the Minnie Mouse Strawberry Fizz foaming hand wash and we declared it a hit!

The kids thought the Mickey ears were fun!  All the kids also liked the scent of the soap.  It wasn't overly sweet -- just a nice, gentle strawberry smell.  It also comes in a Mickey Mouse version that has lemonade-scented soap.

I have seen the soaps for sale at Target and the price is comparable to other Method products.  I hope they come out with refillable pouches for these scents, like they have for other soap products.  I like to refill soap bottles rather than buy more pumps!

*Disclosure: Thanks to Method and Mom Bloggers Club, we received a bottle of Minnie Mouse soap to try out in our home to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus in Phoenix - Discount & Giveaway

As I mentioned yesterday, the circus is coming to town!  We have thoroughly enjoyed the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus the last few years and are excited to see the all-new, FULLY CHARGED show this June in Phoenix.

Opening night is June 22, but they'll be at the US Airways Center until June 27, 2011.   Lydia has been watching this video over and over again hoping to catch a glimpse of her green haired boyfriend.

I have a special discount code for all my readers!  You can purchase 4 tickets for only $44 by using the special code ELEPHANT at Ticketmaster.com.   This special is good at ALL shows, but excludes Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP seats.

We will be there Opening Night, thanks to Feld Entertainment.  They have generously given me FOUR tickets to give away to one of my readers as well!  If you would like to join us that night, you can enter the giveaway.

Click to open up the GIVEAWAY FORM.  Enter the correct information and I will let random.org choose one of the entries by June 17, 2011.  Be sure that you are available on the 22nd to attend the show, and that you live in metro Phoenix.  The tickets are good only for that night!


Giveaway Name:  Fully Charged!
Mandatory Question: What is your favorite circus act?

Good Luck!


*Disclosure: I received tickets for my family & for my giveaway from Feld Entertainment.  No additional compensation was provided, and all opinions are my own.*

Tell Me Thursday - Green Haired Boyfriend

This adorable clown performed at the Ringling Barnum & Bailey Circus we attended last June.  Lydia promptly fell in love.  So much so that we had to play "green haired boyfriend" games for months.  She has that picture as the wallpaper on her iPod.  And, a year later, she still remembers him fondly.  And hopes that he will perform again this year at the circus!

Yep!  The circus is coming back to Phoenix this June!  Opening night is June 22, 2011 and they'll be in town until June 27, 2011.  If you want to get a sneak peek of what to expect - click this link for a video! It's an all new show called "Fully Charged" and it looks like a ton of fun.

We only hope that the green haired clown will be there, too!!

Are you in the Phoenix area?  I'll be posting a discount code AND a special giveaway in the next couple days -- so come back soon!

Wordless Wednesday - Green Haired Boyfriend

Tell Me Thursday - back home

Yep, I'm home again!  I thought that last visit I wrote about was my last visit -- but I found myself back in the hospital over the weekend.  I spent a couple more days there, enjoying hospital food, blood draws and an adjustable bed. I'm much happier in my own bed, however! 

This picture is of my bedside table, taken yesterday just before I posted.  You can see the big drink cup (pushing fluid on those kidneys!), remote controls, pill bottles and a couple hair bands.  And, my soothing blue bedroom wall.

I'm confident that I won't have any more hospital stays, and plan to continue my recovery from home. I'm not tragically ill; I just need some time to finish recovering. I'm fortunate that my husband is amazing and is able to take care of everything!  I'm also fortunate that my siblings are here to help, as well as some dear, local friends.  Today finds me counting my abundant blessings.

Wordless Wednesday -- back home

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