Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Long Haul Review

Being a kid can be so hard, parents just don't understand.  Heard that line before?

My family and I attended an advanced screening of this movie for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

When we are kids, we do not care what our parents are telling us.  They just do not understand.  When we grow up, we realize our parents were right all along the way.  My wish for my kids is always to find a happy medium.  I am their mother.  Some lessons are hard to learn.  As parents sometimes we want to catch our kids every time they are about to fall, but we cannot always be there.  We hope that all the lessons we teach will stick with them on the times we cannot be there.

Road trips always start of as great ideas but sometimes are they? 

SYNOPSIS-In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL, based on the record-breaking book series, a family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course--thanks to Greg’s newest scheme to (finally!) become famous.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid-The Long Haul comes out today.  Grab your kids and make them go to this movie.  'Cause it is oh-so-good.  Hits it right on the nail.  Perfect for the family to unwind.

Hats Off-It Is Graduation Day

It is finally here.  This day we have been working so hard for.  12 years of school and it is all celebrated in one day, Graduation Day.

Thanks to Papyrus for sending sample products to review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Times have changed but some things have not.  Graduations are a tradition that we use to celebrate and mark the end of a great accomplishment.  Graduations are celebrated everywhere.  It is a moment in our times that mean a lot to us and everyone around us.  The struggle was real.  Celebrating the accomplishment of the graduate has not changed much.  Every year when I get invited to a graduation I always look for a great card to give to the graduate.  This year is no different.  My niece graduated this year.  As times have changed, they decided to host their graduation on the field where they gave all, all year long.  It was a very emotional day.  The last day they would set foot on that field as individuals and as a team.  It was a great moment for these ladies.

PAPYRUS has awesome products to make the celebration more memorable this year which include  the best in wrap, ribbon and bows so you can adorn your gift for the grad.  And full gift wrapping services are available in stores and online.

You can find the entire line of graduation cards and gifts by visiting papyrusonline.com/graduation.

You can shop at more than 200 PAPYRUS locations in the US and Canada as well as online at www.papyrusonline.com. 

Congrats to all the Class of 2017 graduates including my Senior, MJ.

Who Done it? The Murder Mystery Co

My husband and I were invited to attend a murder mystery party by one of our good blogger friends, Lisa Carey from Money Saving Parent.  Have you ever been to a murder mystery party?

Thanks to Money Saving Parent, The Murder Mystery Company, The Star Hotel, Andalucia, and Mia Bella.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Invitation check.  Now what?  Time to find an outfit.  Our murder mystery party was themed in the 1920s, so it was only fitting that we find the perfect costumes.  Sequin, feathers, and all that jazz.

The Star Hotel was the great place to host this party.  The reception area was spacious.  I loved the colors of their décor.  It was the perfect backdrop for all our pictures. 

Obviously a dinner party is not complete without the main course.  It was very delicious.

I thought I was going to show up to see people acting out in front of me and me guessing, who done it?  But that was not the case.  All the attendees are part of the act.  You get assigned a character you portray throughout the night.  You get assigned a top secret folder with your profile.  As the night unfolds, someone gets murder, and everyone is a suspect.  You could be the killer, da da da da......

We had a blast.  It was a lot of fun.  And guess what couple solved the murder mystery?

Tips to Hosting a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

Have you ever had to host a party and you did not know where to start?  Let me get you started.

I received free products in order to host a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate.  Thanks to American Tourister, Pop Secret, Softsoap, Pillow Pets, HP, MyPrintly, Disney Parks, and Disney.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Throwing a party does not have to break the bank.  You do not need to pull out your hair to plan the perfect party.  The first thing I do is pick a theme.  Once you decide what the theme is, look for items in your house that go with your theme.  We love Disney and have many items already in our house.  It can be a scavenger hunt for you and your kids.  The more you look, the more you find.  Anything can be turned into décor.

Decorations-Create the perfect space with some décor.

My gameroom walls are red.  The perfect color for a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Party.  Last year, we hosted an Disney @Home Celebration where we used these Mickey faces for pin the smile on Mickey.  I saved it and added it as a hidden Mickey behind these Friends Quote because we love when friends come over and play. 

Décor can also create great photo op spaces.  The kids loved hanging out with Nemo pillow pet Under the Sea.  This was a backdrop we used for my daughter's Ariel birthday party. 

Food-Playdates call for finger foods. 

I set up all the kid's food on small tables for them to grab and go at their leisure.  I used all of my daughter's play tables including her picnic table.  One recommendation I learned was to make sure and ask all the parents for their kids' allergies before planning your menu.  I kept it simple and let my daughter pick some of her favorite foods.

Activities-You don't to over plan and you don't even have to have a schedule.  I have learned the best thing is to let the kids tell you what they feel like doing.  I had different activities set up for the kids.  Our gameroom was open for them to do as they pleased.

 Karaoke-Who doesn't love to sing catchy Disney songs?

Dress up-Photo Ops were set up all over the gameroom.  We have different hats, crowns, and so much more.  They laughed pretending to be princesses or pirates.

Sorcerer's Hat decorating, Mickey and Friends coloring sheets, stickers, etc...  It was not hard to keep them entertained.

We had a wonderful time at our Disney Kids Preschool Playdate.  The best part of all was that all the kids had a lot of fun.  You can find Mickey and Friends decorations and paper good at the Dollar store also. 

Here are more pictures from our party:

 We watched Moana and we all sang along.  It was a fun time.  Everyone left with all smiles.

Clean & Clear Acne Triple Clear #BubbleHappy

What is the first thing people notice when you walk up to them?  Your face.  What does your face say about you?

Thanks to Clean and Clear for sending sample products to review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I do not know about you but I want people to be able to see me and not focus on anything else.  I want my face to be clean and clear.  If you thought you would out grow acne after your teen years, you were wrong my friend.  There is such a thing called adult acne.

Acne Triple Clear with polymeric cleansing technology is specially designed to wash away dirt and oil, while helping preserve skin's natural barrier and protecting against future breakouts.  It is formulated with 2% salicylic acid and refreshing aloe and mint to leave the skin softer and smoother, while fighting breakouts in 3 ways:

-Removes bad pore-clogging oil
-Treats breakouts (pimples) while soothing skin
-Helps prevent new acne breakouts and pimples

The Clean & Clear acne triple clear bubble foam cleanser is specially formulated to use 22% less water.  It's unique upside down squeeze foamer bottle produces a cool oil-free bubble foam.

The bubble foam is so gentle on my face.  My face is oily enough, I do not need my cleanser to  be oily too.

For more information, go to  cleanandclear.com.