School in Session ‪#‎BTSConBritax

Disclosure-As a Britax Latina Blogger/Advisory Board Member (and in partnership with Mami Innovative Media), this post is part of a sponsored outreach. All opinions expressed are my own.

2014-2015 School is now in session.   A new year, new school, and new adventures.  Every year is always different.  Some may be excited, some may be scared, and some may just be there.  This year my son is a high school sophomore.  Oh 10^th grade, how I miss 10^th grade!  His school moved locations again this year and so he is starting this new year at a new campus.  

 That is not the only thing changing.  He also gets to ride the bus this year.  He has always wanted to ride the bus and mami never wanted him too.  Plus, I have always been able to drop him off and pick him up.  But his new school is not conveniently on my way to work, so there was no other way.  I know I should not be this worried about him but he will always be my baby bird, no matter how old he gets.  Bus riding has always been a scary subject for me.  Wondering if the bus will get there on time, wondering if he will make it to school, wondering if he will get dropped off at the right place, and so many more thoughts just wondering around my head.  Riding the bus can’t be that bad?  I rode public transportation to school at one time.  Anyways, we waited to hear from the school for his route, bus, and times.  We received a cute little postcard from the school with the information we needed.  We also received a phone call and emails with the information.  I like that the schools are now moving forward with using social media.  Our school has a FB page and they also gave out information on there for parents.

We did some shopping here and there.  My son does not have to wear uniforms, and gets to wear pretty much anything he wants.  We some some really good deals and kinda did all our shopping in one trip.  Different stores but just one trip.  His favorite sale was the shoe sale where I got him shoes in every color.  Wardrobe check!

No school supply shopping for us before hand.  High school is different.  I wait for the teachers to tell him what he needs in their syllabus.  We then make a list and shop for all the supplies.  

The day finally came for the 1^st day of school, Monday, the 25^th.  

 We were up at the crack of dawn and headed to the bus stop.  I drove him to his stop, and yes it is still dark outside.  The excitement was there and he even said he was a little scared but I assured him that this all are new adventures he must face that will be lessons learned.  

I did see many mamis out there with their kiddos on their strollers, half asleep or asleep.  I have many friends that walk their kids to school.  I don't have to walk my kid to school but I am glad that our stroller reclines so my baby girl won't be all uncomfortable.

On my drive to work I see many mamis out there pushing their babies and they are falling out of their stroller or their heads are bobbing all over, our Britax B-Ready is so adjustable.  The seat can move from forward facing to rear facing easily.  I also like the undercarriage is huge.  It is big enough to hold a couple of back packs, lunch bags, and/or purses under there.  It also has a large canopy with a sun-visor.  The canopy has a ventilation window too.  The foam filled tires and 4 point suspension are great of the street and sidewalks.  I like a stroller can be be versatile and this stroller does it have it all including room to grow.  If you have another kiddo, a second seat can be added to this stroller.

No matter if you are walking your kids to school or driving them, I hope you have a wonderful safe year!

 

Skincare Sunday-Oats

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.

I start my day with a bowl of oatmeal, how about you?  There are so many great benefits and breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Oat is a natural ingredient that has many benefits for your skin and health!  Some of these benefits include:

• ENERGY:  Start your day with a nutritious bowl of oatmeal, which will provide you with carbohydrates to boost your energy throughout the day.
• HEART HEALTH:  Eating three grams of fiber from oatmeal daily in a low fat and cholesterol diet may reduce the risk of heart disease
• NUTRITION:  Oatmeal is an excellent source of soluble fiber, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc
• SOOTHING:  Oat is the #1 natural ingredient most trusted and recommended by dermatologists to improve the health of dry skin
• ANTI-ITCH:  Topically, oatmeal baths are used to soothe skin ailments such as bug bites and poison oak
• MOISTURIZATION: Colloidal oat is a skin protectant that locks in moisture

The special properties of oat give it an enhanced ability to absorb moisture and relieve dry, itchy, irritated skin. That is why, the founders of the ACTIVE NATURALS® Brand developed a special milling process to create colloidal oatmeal, an ingredient found in the AVEENO® DAILY MOISTURIZING COLLECTION. This finely ground oat locks in moisture and retains the soothing effects of the whole oat grain, relieving dry or irritated skin to help soothe your itchy scalp and nourish your hair.

Makeup Monday-Get the Bella Thorne Look

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.

Bella Thorne at the Young Hollywood Awards

 By: Celebrity Makeup Artist Amy Oresman  

Step-by-Step Makeup Application 

1. For Bella's foundation, I used Neutrogena® SkinClearing Liquid Makeup in the Natural Ivory shade. An extra tip - apply foundation on your neck, and extended towards your jaw line, blending it with your chin and below your check bones.
2. Next, Neutrogena® Healthy Skin Blends in the Pure shade was used on Bella to set the foundation.
3. I applied Neutrogena® Healthy Skin Custom Glow Bronzer in Sunset Glow for the perfect sunkissed look. I started by applying the bronzer on the apples of her cheeks and slightly brought it outwards and upwards directing it towards her temples.
4. I used Neutrogena® Crease Proof Eye Shadow in the Forever Platinum shade giving Bella's eyes a pop of sparkle. I applied the eye shadow from the top of her lash line to the center of her eye lid. I blended the eye shadow with my fingertips gently extending it to the outside corner, then swept a a mixture of our blush and bronzer through the crease for a warm definition.
5. I love using a brown eyeliner and mascara on Bella's beautiful eyes. My favorites are the   Neutrogena® Nourishing Eye Liner in Spiced Chocolate and the Neutrogena® Healthy Volume Mascara in Black/Brown. Both of these products create the perfect soft bronze smoke.
6. To really contrast Bella's angel pink dress, I opted for a sheer wine lip color - Neutrogena® MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Rich Raisin. This shade is perfect to wear with pastels during the summer season.  
   
   *After an event, Bella uses Neutrogena's Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes to remove all traces of makeup! 

Tasty Thursday-Big Lou's Pizza

Have you ever heard of Big Lou's Pizza in San Antonio, Texas?  Well this edition of Tasty Thursday is going to feature a really big pizza...

San Antonio has almost become our second home.  We love traveling there.  Every time we hit town, we want to try a new place.  We are fan's of the DDD, and Man vs Food.  This place was featured on Man vs Food for their 42" pizza.  They started out with a 37" and now have a 42". 

Our family wanted to take the challenge but when we walked in we quickly realized you don't need to go big or go home because at Big Lou's they know how to serve you.  We walked up and told them we have 4 1/2 people and what did they recommend?  We ordered the 20".  We didn't expect such a huge pizza.....

The pizza slices were huge.  This pizza was so delicious.  So cheesy.  My husband order some breadsticks and those were good too.  It was the size of a personal pizza to me.

But we were not the only satisfied customers, grandma and Lil Bit loved it too!

We stuffed our faces and yet we were not able to finish our pizza.  Check out how much we had left:

So glad we decided to try this place out, because this pizza was yummy. 

Wordless Wednesday/Miercoles Mudo-Finding Nemo

Travel Tuesday-Lessons Learned on My Florida Vacation

Things are going to happen, because things always happen.  You are on vacation don’t let small things ruin it.  In the end they will be stories and memories to laugh about or lessons learned for next time.

In no specific order but here you go: 

• Walkie Talkies-In the middle of I-10, you sometimes do not get any signal.  We drove at night and most of us had worked all day.  The walkie talkies helped the drivers stay alert by talking with one another.  We also were able to quickly let each other know if we needed to exit, detour, or change drivers versus waiting to get signal.  We played trivia over the walkie talkies and everyone who was awake played.  These also worked very well, once we got into town, driving from place to place making sure no one got lost. 
•      So I read in many blogs to bring empty water bottles:  Yes, so you can stay hydrated by filling them up at the fountains.  If you want FREE water and ice and walk up to the concessions, they do not fill the water bottles rather they give you new cup.  Even if you bring the same cup back, they give you a new cup every time.  So if you are like me, all the planning and pre-packing, and still forgot your water bottles-no worries.  We ended up buying a water and using that plastic container to refill at the water fountains.  I also brought the crystal light, kool aid, nestea to drop in the water.  I brought all kinds and every flavor and ended up not even really using them.  We swallowed the water as soon as we would get it. 
•      I also read on the blogs to bring snacks:  I brought snacks and really the only one snacking was my toddler.  I didn’t think about it but most of the snacks that were not eaten were smashed, crushed, or broken because we kept tossing them under the stroller.  My suggestion is to have each family member bring a small sling backpack, and inside pack their own snacks and their empty water bottle.  If you have littles, then mami of course gets to carry everything.  Pick snacks that don’t crush, get smashed easily, and they actually would like to eat.  The only thing that really survived the daily trips were the individual cheese sticks we purchased from Aldi.  Those were great and everyone liked them.
•       So the sunshine state isn’t so sunshiny when it is raining.  Yeah it rains in Florida.  Every day.  I was told small showers, so yes, we brought our rain ponchos.  But totally forgot about bringing my stroller cover to protect it and the baby from the rain.  We did bring an umbrella which we tried to cover the stroller with.  I was prepared for small showers here and there but not for a storm.  The theme parks closed all the rides while the storms were passing.  We took a much needed break inside a store, or took a lunch break during these.
•       This one goes with #4, bring a plastic bag to cover your belongings or put your belongings in during the rain.  We had everything under the stroller and luckily had purchased a souvenir.  I used that bag to shove all our stuff in so it would not get wet.  I had brought the over the neck pouch for my cell phone but ended up using it for the camera.
•       When picking out your wardrobe and shoes, make sure you were something comfortable to you.  Tennis shoes for all the walking.  Bottoms with pockets that zip or button to keep your belongings from falling out.  The over the neck pouches were very well with keeping your items dry and secured.  It has a ziplock technology that then folds over to a Velcro snap. 
•       Rain, rain, go away.  Well if you can’t beat them, join them.  At 4 of the 5 theme parks we went to there were splash pads or rides for the kids to get wet on.  We didn’t know.  We didn’t come prepared.  Swimsuit, swim trunks, and a towel, especially if you go in the middle of August like we did.  And do not forget the little swimmers for the littles, they won’t be allowed to play in the splash pads unless they had them.  They have them for sale at the nearest shops but an oh-so convenient price.  
  
•       This is a must for all the mamis and papis who have big families.  Before you leave the room or house and head to the theme park, ask to see everyone’s tickets.  Don’t make the mistake we did.  We actually thought my son had lost his ticket when we got to Disneyworld.  He card was loaded with 3 days.  Thank God he had just forgotten it in his backpack at the house.  But lesson learned to keep up with the tickets from now on, even for the older teens.
•       Research, research, research.  Even if you have someone planning the trip or itinerary for you.  Make sure everything you are doing is a good fit for your kiddos and family.
•    Rest Day.  We had a 9 day vacation.  2 days of traveling.  5 days of theme parks.  And I am so glad we decided to do a rest day half way in between.  With all the walking, the heat, and so many adventures, you need to let your body rest.  We relaxed at the pool, the kids played in the splashed pads, grandma chilled in the hot tub, and the papis bbq’d.  You go on vacation to go have fun but don’t over kill.  You know you always come back saying, “Now I need a vacation, from my vacation!” 
  

Plan for the unexpected and just go with it.  This was our first family adventure with my husband’s family and we have many stories to tell.  Even the bad turned into a memory for us to laugh about now.