Packing Tips for Spring Break or Summer Vacation

    Many people are getting ready to head out for Spring Break. Summer vacations are right around the corner too, so we thought we'd share some packing tips! (Because I don't know about you, but I'm ready for vacation!)

Packing Tips for Spring Break or Summer Vacation

    Many people dislike packing for vacations, but I actually love to pack for trips. (It's the re-packing at the cottage to leave, and the unpacking at home, that I loathe.) Since I love it so much, I have found some pretty neat hacks that I'd like to share with you all.

Make a List

    Make a list and follow it! Don't make it and forget to use it! I have drilled this into my boys heads, and they FINALLY do it too! I usually start making my list a few weeks before we will be leaving. That way I can add to it as I think of something that we may need. (This is especially useful if you'll be camping.)
 
    When it's time to pack, check off each item as you pack it. That way you know you have everything you'll need, and you can relax a bit more.

Roll With It

    Literally! Roll your clothes when packing them up. It saves so much more space. I have even taught Liam to roll his entire outfits. He takes shorts or pants, lays down a shirt, and then underpants, and rolls them up. Voila! Instant outfit!

Packing Cubes are a Must

    I swear by packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so much easier! I really love this set of 6 Packing Cubes by Amelleon. Each packing cube is made of ultralight, durable, and waterproof nylon. They also feature sturdy zippers. The tops are mesh so you can easily see what you have packed in each cube.

    I like to pack by clothing. I use one cube for pajamas, another for jeans and shorts, one for swim wear, panties, bras, and socks, another for shirts, and then the last is for my shoes. The shoe cube from Amelleon is perfect for fitting a few pairs of shoes. It doesn't have the mesh top which is great because if your shoes are worn and a bit dirty, your clothes in the suitcase will stay clean!

    It has a laundry bag! This set of packing cubes comes with a dirty laundry bag. I love it! Over packing is my jam because I hate feeling unprepared. Which means that I don't dirty all of my clothing. So I really love the idea of having a dirty laundry bag.

Upcycle Old Medicine Bottles

    If you're cheap like me, you don't want to spend money on travel bottles. If you're also like me and tend to save everything, then you may have a stash of old medicine bottles. Soak them in super hot water to remove the labels and let them dry.

    You can now use them for lotions, shampoos, and soaps. They even make a handy cotton swab and cotton ball dispenser!

    Speaking of bottles, if you're going to be away for an extended period, or if you just want to take an entire bottle of shampoo or conditioner, then grab some plastic wrap. Remove the lids, and cover the opening with the plastic wrap. Then simply place the lids back on. It will keep them from leaking in your bag.

RELAX

    I think that about sums up my tips. The last one is, RELAX. Enjoy your vacation and make the most of your free time! With these tips you'll be able to do just that!

Dads Will Love This Awesome Flashlight

    Are you looking for a great gift idea for dad this Father's Day? If so, then you have to check out this awesome flashlight from Survival Hax. It's super bright, water resistant and shockproof! He's going to love it!

Dads Will Love This Awesome Flashlight

    This Tactical LED Flashlight from Survival Hax is amazing! My husband has wanted a tac light for some time now, so when this one came in the mail, he was ecstatic. Let's check it out together!

Super Bright Stream of Light

     Survival Hax Tactical Flashlight gives you one thousand lumens to light up the night. The super bright beam of light can be seen from about three hundred yards (which is 900 feet,) away. This tac light features different modes of operation as well. There's low, medium, and high beam, as well as a strobe and SOS function. 

Sturdy and Strong

    This flashlight isn't big and bulky which means it can fit nicely in a pocket or even backpack. But it is sturdy. This tac light is made from lightweight and strong aircraft aluminum alloy. It's pressure resistant up to 2,200 pounds! Which means it will hold up to every day wear and tear, and then some!

Waterproof too!

    The Tactical Flashlight from Survival Hax is also water resistant. That means it can be used even in nasty, wet weather. Fishing, swimming, and camping while carrying your tac light can be done without fear that it will harm your light. The light even works in water which is pretty darn cool! 

Powerful Rechargeable Battery

    The Survival Hax tac flashlight comes with an 18650 rechargeable battery and the charger. It last for about five hours on one charge. Or you can use the enclosed adapter and install triple A batteries. 

Some More Details

• Length: 5.3" - 6.1"
• Diameter: 5" at head 3.5" at tail
• Weight: 0.35 lbs (with battery)
• Material: Aircraft aluminum alloy
• Luminance: 1000 lumens
• Beam distance: 300 yards
• Battery: Included 3.7v 18650 Lithium
• Pressure resistance: 2,200 lbs
• Water Resistant: (IP66 rating)
• Crash Resistant: 30 feet
• Charger: 18650 4000mah

My Husband Loves it and Yours Will too!

    My husband is in love with his Tactical Flashlight from Survival Hax. He has proudly showed it off to everyone we know! With Father's Day right around the corner, grab your dad or husband their very own Tactical Flashlight. They'll love it, and love you for it!

Make Any Outlet or Plug a Smart Device

    I just discovered Verilife Smart Plugs. These little guys turn any outlet or plug into a smart device. You can control them from your phone, even if you're away from home. Or you can use voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

Make Any Outlet or Plug a Smart Device

    The Verilife Smart Outlet comes with two plugs, and they're easy to set up. Just download the free app, set up your plug, and voila, instant control of your plugged in devices. You can turn them off from your phone no matter where you're at. Or you can set a timer so you don't have to worry about it.

Control with Alexa or Home

    If you have Amazon Alexa or a Google Home product, then you can sync your Smart Life plugs to them and control them with your voice! I have the home mini and I was able to set mine up in no time. Now I can control what I choose with just my voice. I love it! 

Perfect Gift for Moms and Dads!

    Verilife's Smart Life Plugs make the perfect gift for moms and dads. Even if they're not super tech savvy, you can simply install them, and just show them how easy they are to use. With their special days coming up, you should definitely order them now!

Tasty, Healthy and Easy Treats for Kids and Pets This Easter

    The final countdown to Easter is on! (Is it just me, or do you hear Europe singing that to you?) Anyway! The other day I was rummaging through my cupboards for what I could make my fur girls for Easter, when I stumbled upon the simplest idea! These tasty treats are not only easy to make but they're healthy, and safe for your kids, and your fur kids!

(Just in case you didn't hear Europe singing to you, here.... and you're welcome!)

Tasty, Healthy and Easy Treats for Kids and Pets This Easter

    Homemade yogurt bites! Simple, yet yummy! And your kids won't even realize they're good for them! You can make them in fun shapes with candy molds. If you don't have molds, or don't have time, you can make them as drops on a cookie sheet! 

    Not only will your children love them, but pets will gobble them up too! If you have both dogs and cats, then you'll be happy to know that these treats are safe for all of them. In moderation of course! (Especially if you use flavored fruit yogurt.) So let's make some!

What Do I Need?

    First and foremost, you need yogurt. Any flavor, any brand will do. I used strawberry banana, but I also make these by mixing plain yogurt with peanut butter. (We call it pup cream, and its what we treat our fur girls with on hot summer days.) 

One part plain yogurt, and one part peanut butter, makes these creamy snacks!

    Secondly you will either need candy molds, or a cookie sheet and parchment paper. If you're using candy molds, just grease them with a bit of olive or coconut oil. Then spoon in your yogurt, and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, pop them out of the molds, and place in a container, or some Easter treat bags, and put them back in the freezer until they're ready to be eaten.

    If you're using the cookie sheet method, first and foremost, MAKE SURE THE SHEET FITS IN YOUR FREEZER! Then line it with parchment paper. You can get as fancy as you'd like with these ones. If you want to be fancy, load your cake decorator with yogurt, and squeeze out your bites on the parchment paper. If you're pressed for time, or don't have a cake bag, no worries, just grab a sandwich bag. Fill it with yogurt, and snip off one corner. Pipe the yogurt onto the sheet, and place in the freezer. Voila, easy Easter treats that your entire family (fur or otherwise) will adore!

A Drinking Glass That's Good for You and Our Planet

    I'm diligently scouring the web for quality gift ideas for various occasions. Father's Day will be here before you know it and this year, my hubby will be getting a High Boron, Double Glass Drinking Cup. It's good for him, and for our planet, which is a win win for us all!

A Drinking Glass That's Good for You and Our Planet

    If your conscientious about our planet, then I'm sure you you already use reusable cups and bottles. I recently discovered how amazing Borosilicate glass is, and I think you should too!

    This type of glass contains boron trioxide. Basically speaking it's a safer glass to use in your everyday life. Because of the low coefficient of thermal expansion, it responds well to either heat or cold. A glass such as the High Boron Double Glass can be used to steep tea or coffee, or to keep drinks icy cold. All without affecting the integrity of the glass.

But How Does Borosilicate Glass Help Our Planet?

    First of all, by using reusable glasses and bottles, you're keeping garbage out of our landfills. But you're not just reducing your carbon footprint. Borosilicate glass keeps out harmful chemicals and reduces the degradation of the glass itself.

    That means when you're drinking a hot drink from it, dangerous chemicals aren't leeching into your beverage. Have you ever drank from a plastic or metal cup and tasted it? That's the junk it's made from creeping into your beverage. Plastic bottles and cups, and even many other glass drink ware releases chemicals into your drinks. You won't have to worry about that with your Borosilicate drink ware.

So whether your dad, hubby or significant other drinks a lot of coffee, tea, or even a nice cold beer, they will love this High Boron Double Glass Drinking Cup.

    It's designed to keep hot liquids warmer longer. And it will also help keep cold drinks cool for longer, thanks to the double wall design. My husband loves his, and it's his go to cup in the cupboard! 

It's Time for a Giveaway! Enter to Win Your Own Hickies!

It's time for a giveaway!!

Starting RIGHT NOW we're hosting a giveaway!

TWO lucky winners will be chosen at random, and each winner will get ONE SET of Hickies Kids No Tie Elastic Shoe Laces. (One set is white, the other is gray. The color you receive will be one or the other.)

If you're not familiar with these, then here's your chance! Turn any pair of lace up shoes into slip ons!

Perfect for kids with special needs that struggle with the fine motor skills needed to tie their shoes!

   Trust me when I say these things are the bomb! We have a ton of them, and we ALL use them in our shoes. It's great for days when I'm in pain and don't want to bend to tie up my sneaks!

ARE YOU READY????

LET'S GO!!!!

Entry-Form

Relief for Those That Grind Their Teeth

    Liam and I are both teeth grinders. He grinds his teeth when angry and in his sleep. I grind in my sleep, and clench them when I'm anxious. We rely on dental guards to save our teeth, but not just any guard will do!

Relief for Those That Grind Their Teeth

    Teeth grinding can damage your teeth, and cause you pain. Liam actually had to have his sealed because he had ground some of his enamel right off his teeth! For me, grinding and clenching make my face and even give me a headache. Which is why we wear Land Rich Professional Dental Guards.

    We mold them right to our mouths, and they keep us from wearing away at our teeth while we sleep at night. They're super comfortable and you barely feel like there's anything in your mouth. Liam has a super sensitive gag reflex, but his Land Rich Dental Guard doesn't bother him a bit!

Easy to Use

    To fit your dental guard, heat up some water, and grab a bowl of cold water. Place your guard in the hot water for about 8 seconds. Remove it with some tongs, and shake off excess water. Place in your mouth and with your tongue and fingers, mold it around your teeth and the roof of your mouth. Suck out excess water and saliva to get a nice, tight fit. Then place it in cold water to set it. If you mess up, don't worry! Just place it back in the hot water and start over.

    As you can see from my guard, I make sure plenty of it goes up into the roof of my mouth. This gives it a tighter fit, and really seals it to my teeth when I sleep.

For TMJ Pain Too

    I also suffer from Temporomandibular Joint pain. For that reason, I often wear my Land Rich Professional Dental Guard during the day as well. If I catch myself clenching my jaw, or feel a headache coming on, I simply slip my mouth guard in. It helps to relieve the pain and eases the headache that often comes from the TMJ or clenching.

Safe for Sports Too

     You can even use your Land Rich Professional Dental Guard for sports too. Keep your kids teeth protected from contact sports. After all, once those baby teeth come out, we only get one more set! So keep them safe!

BPA Free and Non Toxic

    Land Rich Professional Dental Guards are designed by dentists. They're also BPA free and non toxic, so they're safe for you and your children. They can be worn safely for months, but for hygiene reasons, you should replace them every three or four months.

    Dental Guard tip! I brush my dental guard every morning when I get up and take it out. I also put it in a small bowl of mouth wash and let it sit for a few minutes at night. I brush my teeth while it soaks, then remove it from the mouthwash and put it in. This keeps it fresh, and makes it last longer. However, when you start to see wear in the tooth bed of your guard, toss it and fit yourself with a new one!

Be sure to grab yourself a set of Land Rich Professional Dental Guards. It comes with four mouth guards, in two sizes, with two storage cases.

Pamper Her Right at Home for Mother's Day

    Moms deserve to be pampered. With Mother's Day right around the corner, you can do this for her, right in the comfort of your home. Keep reading to learn how to make her day!

Pamper Her Right at Home for Mother's Day

    I love spa experiences, however, I'd rather enjoy them right in the comfort of my own home. (Plus, it's cheaper that way too!) If you want to spoil mom, yet still save a bit of cash, then you have to check out KOCOSTAR. They offer everything you'll need to give mom a day of pampering. From face, to hands, feet, and more.  

A New Spin on Giving Flowers

    Flowers are a great way to show her your love. But how about mixing it up a bit? This Mother's Day give her flowers that will not only help her relax, but will moisturize and revitalize her face as well!

    KOCOSTAR's Flower Masks do just that. Pretty little flowers that mom will place all over her face. Then she can sit back, and relax for about twenty minutes while they work their magic! You can choose from spring Tulips, summery Sunflowers, and an all time favorite, Roses.

A More Convenient Facial Mask

    I tried KOCOSTAR's Tulip mask last night, and I immediately fell in love. First of all, I loathe facial masks that cover your entire face, with the little flap for the nose. They slide down, and are a sensory nightmare to me. KOCOCSTAR's Flower Masks are actually shaped like flowers, and you get two sheets with 6 patches each, (so 12 in total). All you do is place the flowers all over your face and relax while they do their magic. It was much more comfortable than typical facial masks, and I loved the experience!

    The dry patches that plague my face in the winter are gone! My skin feels much smoother and looks softer too!

With mask, and after mask, feeling refreshed!

    If your mom is like me, then she's going to adore these masks. They even have Fruit Slice ones too! The masks include either real fruit or (if you choose a flower mask) real flower extracts!

Show Mom's Hands Some Love

    As winter slowly winds down, are skin is in need of added moisture. Many mom's hands are dry from dishes, laundry, changing diapers, and even from their paying jobs. KOCOSTAR has a wide selection of Hand Masks that mom can use while she's wearing a face mask.

She'll Want Her Feet and Legs to be Ready for Summer

    It may not feel like it, but summer is coming! Moms everywhere will want their feet and legs ready for warmer weather. So check out KOCOSTAR's full selection of pampering products for mom's feet and legs. They have Foot Peeling Packs, and packs to give dry winter skin some added moisture.

Create Your Own Gift, or Get One That's Ready for Gifting

    You can create your very own spa like gift for mom by choosing any of those fantastic products I talked about. She can enjoy an all inclusive spa day right at home in her own bathroom. She'll come out feeling relaxed, refreshed, and gorgeous!

    If you'd rather buy a gift set that is already curated, then KOCOSTAR has those too. You can see them here. Either way, grab mom some relaxing products from KOCOSTAR, the book she's reading, or the tablet she uses to binge her favorite show, and let her lock herself in the bathroom for the day. She will thank you for it!

Follow KOCOSTAR via Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

Make Your Own All Natural Pet Grass Bites

    My green thumb has finally sprouted! Now I want to grow all the things! I recently got some Pet Grass from Chewy and within three days, I had gorgeous grass growing! Your pets can enjoy it as a treat, in their food, or you can make some tasty treats for them!

Make Your Own All Natural Pet Grass Bites

     If you own a pet, you know they go outside, eat grass, and then yak all over. So why not provide them with a healthier alternative that keeps them from vomiting? Grass aids in digestion, and this grass mix of Pet Greens from Chewy is a blend of 100% certified organic oat, rye and barley.

     I always make my girls treats, and while I was looking at how quickly their grass grows, I decided I was going to use some in a new recipe. (I trimmed back their grass, and within three days, it all grew back!) So the Pet Greens Medley is well worth the 3 bucks I spent! So let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

• Fresh clippings from your pet grass (I used about 3/4 of a cup, and cut them into about one inch pieces)
• one serving of baby food (I used chicken and veggies)
• one cup of oats
• 1 tbsp hamburger grease (I freeze it when I drain our burger, and then just scoop out what I need and melt it down.)
• 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup of flour

Time to Mix

    In a mixing bowl stir in your baby food, and meat grease. Then add in your grass clippings. Mix well. Next, you mix in the oats and flour. Now you'll add in the vegetable oil. Start with one tablespoon. If you can shape the dough into balls then you've added enough. If not, add another tablespoon. You'll want it to feel like clay.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

    Roll your dough into small balls and flatten with your palm. Place them on a greased cookie sheet and bake for twenty to twenty five minutes. You want them to be crunchy. That's it! I keep a few out on the counter and freeze the rest. Remember, because you're making all natural treats, there are no preservatives which means they won't keep as long if you leave them out. I just take a few out of the freezer every day or every other day as needed. 

Show Your Super Side!

    We all have a little Super Hero within us. Now your kids can show their super side, and keep warm on chilly nights or days. Enter Super Blanky!

Show Your Super Side! 

    My son loves his blankets! He has more than anyone I know. Liam also happens to love super heroes, with Batman being his favorite. So when I saw the Batman Super Blanky, I knew he had to have one! 

It's a kid! It's a Super Hero! It's a Super Blanky!

    With Super Blanky, kids can cuddle in it and stay warm of chilly days or nights. It's perfect for snuggling up and watching a good movie too! But maybe best of all is that this blanky also doubles as a super hero cape! Kids can just slip their arms through the patented "sleeves," and voila, they have a cape! Liam loves that it doesn't go around his neck because that makes him feel like hes' choking. Instead, Super Blanky goes across their shoulders! Oh, and it also came with a mask, which we know super heroes need to keep their identity secret!

Super Blanky is AWESOME! 

    We love Super Blanky! My son hasn't put it down since he got it the other day. But don't worry, if you child doesn't like Batman, there are a bunch of other Super Blanky styles to choose from. Kids can choose from Skye or Chase from Paw Patrol. There's Poppy from Trolls. Unicorn lovers will adore the Fluffy Unicorn Super Blanky from Despicable Me. They also have a T Rex from Jurassic Park, Catboy from PJ Masks, and an EmojiNation one too! To see them all and purchase online, head to Target.

Soft and Comfy

    Super Blanky is so soft and cozy! My son and I both love it, and we know you and your kids will as well. With Easter right around the corner, your kids will be stoked to find one in their Easter baskets. Afterall, the bunny doesn't just need to bring candy. He or she can bring them their very own Super Blanky. They all come with a special felt mask too, so your son or daughter will love to dress up and be comfy at the same time!

Be sure to connect with Super Blanky via Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

Mr. Bubble Still Makes Bath Time Fun

     I grew up with Mr. Bubble. We always had a bottle of "his" bubble bath on the side of our tub, and it made bath time so much fun. It's all I ever used for Bran when he was little, and now for Liam.

 Mr. Bubble Still Makes Bath Time Fun!

    Good ol' Mr. Bubble has been around for fifty years. He was a part of our nightly ritual as kids, and then when I became a mom, he was and is part of my boys. Liam is (almost) twelve, but he still uses Mr. Bubble. After all, Mr. Bubble is America's favorite bath time buddy! 

    His current go to is Mr. Bubble Foam Soap. This stuff is so cool! Kids can mold it and create fun shapes in the tub. When they're done, they use it to wash themselves! This Foam Soap turns bath time into the perfect sensory experience, which also means the "mess" is contained in the tub. Since it's also soap, the aftermath can be rinsed away. So let your kids go wild and enjoy the fun!

    Liam "shaves" with it too. He has a few of those plastic toy razors. He takes his Mr. Bubble Foam Soap, and emulates how his daddy lathers up his face and shaves. Hey, it's great (and safe) practice for when he actually needs to shave. (Tear! They grow up TOO FAST!)

Sensory Scents 

    Okay, so Mr. Bubble is for everyone, but as an autism mom, I always find the sensory fun in products. Since his Foam Soap comes in different scents, it adds even more enjoyment to the sensory experience. You can choose from scents such as cherry, banana, cotton candy, watermelon, orange cream, grape, birthday cake, peach sorbet, and more. Each scent is also a different color which is even more fun!

Shower Painting

    Set up a Picasso Bath for your little ones! Grab all of the scents and colors of Mr. Bubble Foam Soap. Then get some paintbrushes, and one of your muffin tins. (If you don't want them using your good muffin pan, then upcycle an egg carton!) Fill each slot with a different scent/color, and let your kids have fun.

    They can "paint" the walls of the shower and tub with the Foam Soap, and when they're done, just rinse it away. It's a wonderful way to get them into the tub. Just be warned, it might be a chore to get them back out!

Mr. Bubble is the Bomb

Your parents trusted Mr. Bubble, and now we trust him for our kids. You can still get a full line of bubble baths, as well as Magic Bath Crackles and more. To see them all, visit Mr. Bubble. Easter is coming. Stock up and fill their baskets with fun! 

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Sensitive Skin? Want Something More Natural?

    If your child has sensitive skin, or if you're looking for something more natural, then check out Nourishing Naturals. (The Village Company is home to Mr. Bubble and the Nourishing Naturals line.) Nourishing Naturals line of bath time products features beloved Sesame Street characters, AND is made from all natural products, including fruits and veggies! You can get some at Target.  

Hyperacusis, Autism, and HearMuffs

     Hyperacusis is very common among autistics. You may not have heard of it by the medical name, but simply put, it's auditory sensitivities. It's hard to enjoy the world around you if certain noises or pitches actually hurt you.

Hyperacusis, Autism, and HearMuffs

    Liam was always sensitive to certain noises. I will never forget the time we were downtown to visit the craft store, and a bunch of semis were coming up main street. We were crossing the street up further, and suddenly he ripped his hand out of mine, fell to the ground, and shielded his ears with his hands.

    Thankfully at five years old, he was still small enough that I could scoop him and carry him to side walk quickly. That was a very scary moment, and one of my first learning experiences along our autism journey. (He wasn't diagnosed until he was five years old, so his Dx was fairly new when this happened.)

So What Do We Do?

    Children (and adults) on the Autism Spectrum that experience Hyperacusis often shield their ears to certain sounds, frequencies, or pitches. Often they will not go to certain places where these offensive noises happen. (For years, Liam struggled in the checkout lane of the grocery store. The beep of the scanner was excruciating for him.) Avoiding public places can socially isolate the autistic, but there is help.

    Hearing protection. A good pair of ear muffs will make their life so much better! By blocking out those painful noises, the wearer can once again enjoy the world around them.

HearMuffs by Lucid Audio

    Liam loves his HearMuffs by Lucid Audio. As his mom, I love them too. Not only are they comfortable for him to wear, but they're made with non-toxic, kid safe materials. HearMuffs are Audiologist recommended too! 

     These ear muffs feature an industry leading 22 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR.) That means they will protect their ears from not only painful, but also loud noises. Liam wears his if we're going somewhere that he knows bothers his ears. They're also handy for when he goes to the tractor pulls, mud bogs, and amusement parks. 

    They look cool too, so there's no worry of your older kids not wanting to wear them. HearMuffs come in a variety of colors. You can choose from orange, red, blue, pink, white, and more.

Kids and Younger 

    HearMuffs comes in different sizes too. The kids HearMuffs are for kids ages five to ten years old. Liam is almost twelve, and they fit him well since they're adjustable. However, if your child is younger, Lucid Audio also has HearMuffs for them too!

     To learn more, and see all of their products, visit Lucid Audio.  Right now you can SAVE 15% off your HearMuffs! Use coupon code hearmuffs15 at checkout! 

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