Merry Christmas - 2016

Happy 5th Birthday Lil Bit

Today, we celebrate my Lil Bit's 5th birthday.  How time flies!

To my free spirit,

You keep us on our toes.  Everyday is an adventure with you.  You help us see the world with different eyes.  Time stopped when you were born.  Our lives will never be the same.  And this is why we celebrate you. 

Happy Birthday my sweet princess!

Winter Wellness Kit

I have been traveling from Houston to Dallas for the past 2 months and one thing I have noticed is that the sneezing and coughing around me is getting worse and worse.  When I left Dallas it was in the 40s.  I got to Houston and it was in the 70s.  Yesterday it went from 80s down to the 30s.  No wonder people are getting sick.  It is like we have 2 seasons this Winter.  What are we to do?

Let's start from the inside - out.

1) BLIS K12-It has been developed specifically for mouth, ear, and throat health. It is shelf stable and has no need to be refrigerated, perfect to take on the go. Don't forget to throw some in your travel bags. 

Products like:

-Now Foods Oralbiotic Blis K12

-TrueOC Quick Melt (Oral Care Probiotics with Aloe)

-OralProbio 30 Chewable Tablets

2) Green Goo-Stay prepared while you travel with a handy kit that has it all.

-First Aid –Portable First Aid offering symptom relief replacing more than 20 of your traditional first aid products including cuts, scrapes, sunburns, bug bites, even poison ivy and cold sores!

-Dry Skin – Soothes extremely dry skin such eczema, psoriasis and hot, itchy flaky rashes and makes for a great heat to toe moisturizer.

-Skin Repair –Treats sunspots, wrinkles, and scars with aloe Vera and vitamin E and a nightly anti-aging facial moisturizer.

-Pain Relief –Helps with bruises, inflammation, sore muscles, joint pain and sprains.

3) Boogie Wipes-The doctor has always told us that it is good when the boogers are coming out because that means they are not getting stuck in your lungs.  It is the way your body flushes out the system. These wipes are extra soft, gentle, and are an effective alternative to a dry tissue.

4) Aveeno Ezcema Therapy-Made from nature, proven by science, recommended by professionals. Steroid-free, fragrance-free products that relieve dry, itchy, irritated skin due to eczema and intensely moisturize to help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and prevent the recurrence of dry skin.

5)  Johnson's Bedtime-Clinically proven routine helps baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

-Releases NATURALCALM® essences—a special blend of gentle and calming aromas

-NO MORE TEARS® formula is as gentle to the eyes as pure water

-Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic

-Formulated to keep baby’s skin feeling soft

Keep you and your family healthy this season by using one or more of these products.  As you travel, keep yours protected.  Wishing you lots of wellness this season.

***Disclosure-Sample products were received for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience and preference. 

Dinner and #SingMovie

Family time is so important to me.  I love my family and would do anything for them.  I have been traveling alot lately with work and find myself trying to enjoy every bit of family time we can have.

This is a sponsored post.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I have very sad that I have to travel so much.  I really miss my kids.  Such is life.  We work hard for our families.  I was so happy when I was invited to do dinner and a movie with my family.  We had a lot of catching up to since I practically was gone all of November.  We ended going to dinner at Harlow's which is a restaurant inside the Edwards Grand Palace.

It is a cool restaurant that looks like an old diner.  The kids and dad met me there afterschool.  Where we catch up on all the happenings of the week since I had just flown back in.

Dinner was delicious.  Afterwards, the entire family headed into the theater to see the new movie Sing.

Have you seen the commercial for the new movie Sing?

Sypnosis:  Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (McConaughey), a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times.  Buster is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it.  Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.

Five lead contestants emerge: Mike (MacFarlane), a mouse who croons as smoothly as he cons; Meena (Kelly), a timid teenage elephant with an enormous case of stage fright; Rosita (Witherspoon), an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; Johnny (Egerton), a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies; and Ash (Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo.

Each arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life.  And as Buster coaches each of his contestants closer and closer to the grand finale, he starts to learn that maybe the theater isn’t the only thing that is in need of saving.

We all loved it.  I was a funny movie.  We each related to a different character in the movie.  It was exaclty what we needed to unwind.  Can you guess who our favorite character was?

Sing arrives in theaters on December 21, 2016. www.singmovie.com

2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Are you looking for ideas on what to get her?  You know mom, your sister, your sister-in-law, your daughter, and don't forget YOU!  Christmas is around the corner.  I have some gifts ideas for you.

Help pamper someone in your life.  Think about it, how many times do you pamper you?  Show HER you care by giving her gifts thoughtful gifts.

1)  Life is too short for boring nails.  Glossique can give life to any nails and with so many different styles, she can be ready for any occasion.  This is a perfect stocking stuffer and it is under $15.  You can use coupon code:  MERRY20 to get 20% off all the nail wrap styles.

2)  Giving the gift of healthy, beautiful skin with Neutrogena.  This is a gift that can be used everyday.  A moisturizer with sun screen.  The perfect gift for mom. 

3)  Bring the Spa to her by giving her a gift set with all she needs to pamper herself at the comforts of her home.  Zakia's Morocco Hammam gift sets are 100% all natural products.  No Parabens, PEGs, Mineral Oil, Silicone, Sulfates, Testing on animals big or small!

4)  Give the gift that straightens, curls, flips, and styles all hair types.  The CHI G2 flat iron with a dynamic new design with upgraded technology and performance enhancements is the perfect gift for her. 

Remember that it does not matter the size of the gift but the thought you put into it.  Think what the person likes or think about things they may need.  Sometimes we forget about us or we do not make ourselves priority.  See them smile when they see the thoughtful gift you bought them. 

Have fun shopping!

***Disclosure-Sample products were received for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience and preference. 

Moody Gardens-Holiday Top 5 Things To Do #LoveGalveston

Just because the weather gets a little chilly does not mean you cannot have fun.  The weather here in Houston changes.  Winter break is in one week.  I try to keep my kids busy with fun activities but some times we just need to hit the road.  Galveston is not too far of a destination so it is always the perfect spot for us to head to.

Thanks to Galveston Island CVB for sending my family complimentary passes.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

1)  4D Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer-So real, ask my daughter!

2)  Movies-You can watch the entire Finding Nemo in 3D or the Polar Express in 2D.

3)  Iceland-The wonderful creators bring beautiful images to life in the ice.

4)  Festival of Lights-We love to see all the lights.

5)  Artic slide-The entire family will have fun sliding down.  

We had a blast.  All the activities are perfect for the entire family, even grandma and grandpa.

For more information, go to www.moodygardens.com.

Traveling Mommy On-The-Go Tips

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with LALA Yogurt Smoothies and WeAllGrow Latina Network.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My job has me traveling for the next year.  When I first found out, I freaked out.  This mom has two school aged kids with busy schedules and routines to keep.  How was I going to keep up with it all? 

I had to come up with ways of making my mommy duties easier and get them taken care of.  I did not want anything to get missed.  Nothing to fall in between the cracks.  You know a mom's job is never done.  Our job is 24/7, working round the clock everyday, all day.  It was hard at first but I found a way to make it all work.  How? 

On-The-Go Tips-

1)  Calendar-I keep a tight schedule.  So booking everything in a shared calendar helps keep everyone on track.  I even schedule "me" time.  I also post a weekly calendar on our chalkboard wall for a more visual "don't forget" reminder. 

2)  List-Since I have been flying in just on the weekends, I make a list of all the things that need to be done.  This way I don't forget anything.  I cross things off as we get them taken care of.  Most things can be done as a family and they added to our day.  I don't stress over things that don't get crossed off.  I just add them to my "honey-do" list for my husband.

3)  Prep-A few things that have saved me is prepping for the time I am going to be away. 


-Laundry-My daughter wears uniforms.  I make sure to wash all her uniforms and leave them ready to go for dad.  If there are days with special wear, I put the entire outfit together and pin the note with it.

-Cleaning-Chores are delegated and everyone pitches in to help.  We do it Saturday mornings.  This is a good way to get the family up and moving.  And since we do it together, we get it done faster.

-Food-We grocery shop together before I have to fly back out.  We make it a family game.  Everyone is in charge of getting certain things on our grocery list.  We split up in teams.  My daughter loves those little HEB trainer carts.  We make sure to get plenty of on-the-go snacks for the family.  One of our favorites is LALA yogurts made with real fruit. 

My son can pack these in his backpack and take it on the bus with him.  No more skipping breakfast for him.  My daughter enjoys her LALA for her afterschool snack.  I like drinking LALA 100 Calories Yogurt Smoothies after the gym.  The perfect recovery after my workout.  I don't have to worry about all the calories, fat and sugar because they are only 100 calories and fat free.

LALA fuels us for our day.  It is one less thing I have to worry about these days.  I have enough on my plate.  The kids love the taste and I know it is good nutrition for their bodies.

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with LALA Yogurt Smoothies and WeAllGrow Latina Network. All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My job has me traveling for the next year. When I first found out, I freaked out. This mom has two school aged kids with busy schedules and routines to keep. How was I going to keep up with it all?

I had to come up with ways of making my mommy duties easier and get them taken care of. I did not want anything to get missed. Nothing to fall in between the cracks. You know a mom's job is never done. Our job is 24/7, working round the clock everyday, all day. It was hard at first but I found a way to make it all work. How?

On-The-Go Tips-

1) Calendar-I keep a tight schedule. So booking everything in a shared calendar helps keep everyone on track. I even schedule "me" time. I also post a weekly calendar on our chalkboard wall for a more visual "don't forget" reminder.

2) List-Since I have been flying in just on the weekends, I make a list of all the things that need to be done. This way I don't forget anything. I cross things off as we get them taken care of. Most things can be done as a family and they added to our day. I don't stress over things that don't get crossed off. I just add them to my "honey-do" list for my husband.

3) Prep-A few things that have saved me is prepping for the time I am going to be away.


-Laundry-My daughter wears uniforms. I make sure to wash all her uniforms and leave them ready to go for dad. If there are days with special wear, I put the entire outfit together and pin the note with it.

-Cleaning-Chores are delegated and everyone pitches in to help. We do it Saturday mornings. This is a good way to get the family up and moving. And since we do it together, we get it done faster.

-Food-We grocery shop together before I have to fly back out. We make it a family game. Everyone is in charge of getting certain things on our grocery list. We split up in teams. My daughter loves those little HEB trainer carts. We make sure to get plenty of on-the-go snacks for the family. One of our favorites is LALA yogurts made with real fruit.

My son can pack these in his backpack and take it on the bus with him. No more skipping breakfast for him. My daughter enjoys her LALA for her afterschool snack. I like drinking LALA 100 Calories Yogurt Smoothies after the gym. The perfect recovery after my workout. I don't have to worry about all the calories, fat and sugar because they are only 100 calories and fat free.

LALA fuels us for our day. It is one less thing I have to worry about these days. I have enough on my plate. The kids love the taste and I know it is good nutrition for their bodies.

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with LALA Yogurt Smoothies and WeAllGrow Latina Network. All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

My job has me traveling for the next year. When I first found out, I freaked out. This mom has two school aged kids with busy schedules and routines to keep. How was I going to keep up with it all?

I had to come up with ways of making my mommy duties easier and get them taken care of. I did not want anything to get missed. Nothing to fall in between the cracks. You know a mom's job is never done. Our job is 24/7, working round the clock everyday, all day. It was hard at first but I found a way to make it all work. How?

On-The-Go Tips-

1) Calendar-I keep a tight schedule. So booking everything in a shared calendar helps keep everyone on track. I even schedule "me" time. I also post a weekly calendar on our chalkboard wall for a more visual "don't forget" reminder.

2) List-Since I have been flying in just on the weekends, I make a list of all the things that need to be done. This way I don't forget anything. I cross things off as we get them taken care of. Most things can be done as a family and they added to our day. I don't stress over things that don't get crossed off. I just add them to my "honey-do" list for my husband.

3) Prep-A few things that have saved me is prepping for the time I am going to be away.


-Laundry-My daughter wears uniforms. I make sure to wash all her uniforms and leave them ready to go for dad. If there are days with special wear, I put the entire outfit together and pin the note with it.

-Cleaning-Chores are delegated and everyone pitches in to help. We do it Saturday mornings. This is a good way to get the family up and moving. And since we do it together, we get it done faster.

-Food-We grocery shop together before I have to fly back out. We make it a family game. Everyone is in charge of getting certain things on our grocery list. We split up in teams. My daughter loves those little HEB trainer carts. We make sure to get plenty of on-the-go snacks for the family. One of our favorites is LALA yogurts made with real fruit.

My son can pack these in his backpack and take it on the bus with him. No more skipping breakfast for him. My daughter enjoys her LALA for her afterschool snack. I like drinking LALA 100 Calories Yogurt Smoothies after the gym. The perfect recovery after my workout. I don't have to worry about all the calories, fat and sugar because they are only 100 calories and fat free.

LALA fuels us for our day. It is one less thing I have to worry about these days. I have enough on my plate. The kids love the taste and I know it is good nutrition for their bodies.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LALA® Yogurt Smoothies and WeAllGrow Latina Network. The opinions and text are all mine.

Gift Ideas For Kids

Are you looking for some fun gift ideas for your kids or wondering what to get them?  I have some ideas to help you.  I know sometimes I wonder what to get all my nieces and nephews too.  Kids sometimes can be hard.  I like to be the perfect gift giver.  I love to see their faces when they get something they like.

1)  Books-Kids love books.  My daughter loves reading a different book everyday at bedtime.

Footloose by Kenny Loggins is a book your kids will love.  Kenny rewrote and re-recorded the original song.

2)  Socks-I don't know if you know but socks are the thang.  You have to have your sock game be super strong when you are in school.  This cool be your ticket to cool.

The Sox Market has any kind of sock you can thing of for everyone in the family.

3)  Watch-Every kid wants to be like the big kids or grown ups.  I remember asking my mom for a watch one year for Christmas.  My daughter asked for one this year too.  But I thought she was too small.

Watchitude is designed for kids ages 4-12.  They slap on.  How cool is that!  Remember those slap bracelets from back in the days?  Like those, only cooler because of the designs.

4)  Kicks-That means shoes.  Some cool shoes with cool shoe laces.

Dick's Sporting Goods has team up with sportsmatter.org.  Youth sports programs are losing funding.  Through the program Sports Matter, DICK's will match up to $1.5 million dollars to programs selected by teachers for public and charter school.  So not only are you buying a great gift, but you are helping others.  And don't forget to swap out the laces for green laces.

***Disclosure-Sample products were received for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience and preference. 

A Caribbean Christmas #LoveGalveston

Christmas break is coming.  Your kids get 2 weeks off.  What are your plans?  How about a Caribbean Christmas with the family? 

Thanks to the Galveston Island CVB for sending my family complimentary passes to Moody Gardens.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Last year, Moody Gardens Ice Land was fun, whimsical and took you on a trip to Bikini Bottom on an adventure with Sponge Bob.  This year they are bringing the Caribbean to you.  See ice transformed into creations that include schools of beautiful tropical fish, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, hammerhead sharks.

Iceland highlights:

Ice Slide-My daughter's favorite was the slide.  You can slide as many times as you want.  My daughter slid with each of us and finally braved it, and slid on her own.

  She is not the only who liked the slide.  My son captured this fun moment of me coming down.

Photo Op-Are you still looking for the perfect Christmas photo?  Have fun posing with the family or taking selfies.

Shivers Ice Bar-Girls' Nite, Guy's nite, or Date nite? 

Admission:

November 12, 2016 - January 8, 2017

Adult: $26.95

Senior (65+): $21.95

Child (4-12): $15.95

Children 3 and under do not require a ticket.

Value Days:

Sunday - Thursday: Nov 13 - Dec 15, Jan 1 - 5

Adult: $21.95

Senior: $16.95

Child: $10.95

Add this stop to you Christmas break list, your kids will have a blast and so will you. 

Discover The Elissa #LoveGalveston

There is so much beauty everywhere.  Sometimes small treasures are all around us.  Stop to smell the roses, close your eyes and open them to see all the things you never noticed before.

Thanks to the Galveston Island CVB for sending my family VIP passes.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

There is a tall ship from 1877 over on Pier 21.  ELISSA is not a replica, it is the real deal. 

Fun Facts about this beauty:

1)  ELISSA is fully-functional and still sails today.

2)  ELISSA's name was taken from the epic Roman poem The Aeneid, a Phoenician Princess.

3)  ELISSA was dramatically rescued from the scrap yard.

4)  ELISSA has and is on going restoration by volunteers.

There are hundreds of volunteers who keep her seaworthy and train each year to sail her, ELISSA.  You should see them in action.  You can go on deck, go down below, see the captain's quarters, and even ring the bell.  Which apparently means break time and is pretty loud.

Admission includes self-guided tours of the Texas Seaport Museum and Elissa, a theater presentation and access to the Galveston Immigration Database. 

Admission:
Adult [Age 19 yrs and up]: $12
Youth [Age 6 through 18]: $9
Child [Age 5 and under]: FREE

Hours of Operation
Summer Hours:
Open daily: 9am - 6pm
Last ticket sold at 5 pm

Winter Hours:
Open daily: 10am - 5pm
Last ticket sold at 4pm

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and during annual Sea Trials.

Note: Hours may be seasonal and subject to change.

Galveston Historical Foundation is committed to bring history to life.  It is so worth seeing.