Back to School Shopping (The differences between 9 and 15)

Back to school shopping nearly killed me this year.

No, not the money spent, and not the time spent, as we seemed to be very efficient with both.  We used lots of coupons, went online to pre-shop for ideas, and hit stores at good times.  Honestly, it almost killed me by way of a broken heart.  My heart breaks because I no longer know what most young girls like.  At all.

Yes, I go online, I read magazines, I people watch, but every time I tried to suggest something for my almost 13-year-old daughter or my 15-year-old niece I found that I was off.  Way off.  Apparently teenage Stacy would not have thrived in 2013.  And don't get me started with my nine-year-old daughter and her cousin of the same age.  One loves pink, one hates it.  One loves sparkles, one would rather die.  Oh, holy chest pain.

My niece attends private school and has to wear a uniform.  Therefore she looks for any way to add something unique to her solid color shirt and pants.  She had sent me a few texts of shoes she found on Wanelo (again, had to get schooled on that app too) and when we went shopping we found these lovely ladies from Madden Girl.

So she could have some variety in her shoe wardrobe, we also bought these from Forever 21.  Both worked because technically they are solid color and that is a uniform requirement.  There was nothing in the rules about sparkles or studs.

Did I mention that my niece is also 5' 9"?  Did you know (I didn't, but I don't think it's because I am uncool or anything, it's because I am short) that it is VERY hard to find long, uniform approved, dress pants that also meet the requirements of previously mentioned 15-year-old.  They have to be skinny.  They can't have open pockets (odd school rule).  They can't be flared.  They should be khaki or black.  OK, if navy is all they have they can be worn on days when laundry is backed up.  God forbid they have pleats or anything resembling a pleat.  And if she tries them on and says "I look like a boy" then just forget it.  Aeropostale Slim Fit Chinos in a 4 Long.  If they get more in let me know.

Unlike my nieces, my girls go to public school, but they are equally as picky.  My eighth grader had to have jeans that were skinny, yet able to be rolled up like this. 

 

Again Aeropostale to the rescue.  Since she is a wee 5' 3" (at the time of this posting) the regular length works for her.

My girls and I always clean out dressers and closet before school shopping.  It helps to pinpoint what they really need and it helps me display how much of their wardrobe they don't wear.  I can usually select a few items from each closet and say "remember how bad you wanted this?  You just HAD to have it."  Have you worn it?  Ever?"  This year these words seemed to really sink in, because they were both rather selective with their final decisions.  The oldest is even waiting on some new dress shoes like this...

They can't have stretch all the way around, because it bugs her.  So, I have managed to get her to keep shopping until we find ones that won't "bug" her.

What about the nine-year-olds you ask?  Yes, what about them.  My niece wears a full on plaid jumper to school and she loves these shoes and this backpack.  And I would proudly wear them both.

My youngest, who is also 9 and often called Punky Brewster, picked out this shirt from Justice for school, which I think I may have owned it's twin in the mid 80's.  She also picked out these Adidas athletic shoes.

And she wore them together.  Which I would proudly never do.  All of the statements above are the reason why I rarely bring home anything without my kids seeing it first.  Surprise clothes are never wedgie proof, and they usually rub some spot on your shoulder blade, or the side of your knee the wrong way.  Surprise clothes often end up missing in the back of the closet or under your pajamas in the bottom drawer.  And finally, surprise clothes are usually not cool, because Mom picked them out.  And Mom is not cool.

Girls + American Girl + Crafts = American Girl Crafts

My youngest daughter, almost nine-and-a-half, has a creative side that I completely envy.

On more occasions than I can remember she has raided the recycle bins in the garage and created a masterpiece of epic proportions.  No box is tossed without careful consideration of it's potential usage and if you are a cardboard insert, watch out, you will be drawn, painted, or glued on at some point.  It is her creativity and love of learning that keep her going all the time.

So, when I saw that House Party had an American Girl Crafts party on their list, I knew I had to apply. I also knew I needed to promote my interest to increase my chances of being picked and luckily for me, and for my daughter, I was.  Ummm... we were.

The party pack itself was freakin' amazing.  Look at all of the items we received from House Party and EKSuccess Brands!

The main item is the American Girls Crafts My Life Scrap and Stuff Book.  It has 30 pre-designed pages for you to write about yourself, your family and your favorite things.  It's adorable all by itself, but then we received an enormous amount of embellishments.  Stamps, stickers, letters, clips and design tape were all in the box.  Needless to say my daughter was super excited to have this party and share with her friends.

We prepared some simple snacks for the party and set everything out on the table for our crafty guests to see when they arrived.

Upon arrival everyone got down to business and had no trouble making their books their own.  Some took their work very seriously.

    

Friends of many ages (and one boy) enjoyed making their own scrapbooks.  Their Moms enjoyed the coupons, and I was once again impressed with the creativity of small people, and with the generosity of a good brand.

Disclosure:  I applied and was chosen to be an American Girl Crafts party host.  I was given a party pack by EK Success Brands and House Party in exchange for hosting the party.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Surviving Middle School with Discovery Girls ~ Giveaway

I am the mother of a Middle School Girl.  Pray for me.

Everyday I am faced with something else to discuss with my daughter, and my one rule of thumb when deciding if it's necessary or not?  Do I wish my mother had, or was I glad that my mother did, discuss this with me.

While my Mom did a pretty good job raising me there are some things I wish I had known that I didn't.  Number one- getting fitted for a bra.  We never did that.  I think I was 25 and with my BFF the first time I found and bought a bra that fit me properly.  But you know- there are things we, as Moms, just don't think of  because we are too busy making sure everyone eats and has clothes that are clean.  So, for those times I am thankful for Discovery Girls and their Discovery Girls' Middle School Survival Guides .

I browsed each of these books before my twelve-year-old said "Mom can I take those to bed?"  Of course I let her and I haven't seen them since.  That could be because she has a loft bed and I'm just not climbing up there, but usually when she's done with a book it lands with a thud on the floor and scares the crap out of my husband and me, but there have been no thuds.  I think it's because each little vignette or story deals with a different situation that a middle-schooler may or may not encounter but at least it won't be completely foreign to them if it does happen, and this is why-

Discovery Girls', is an award-winning magazine aimed at tween girls, and they have produced four books packed with real-world practical advice. The books deliver their best strategies so girls can successfully deal with friendship troubles, embarrassing moments, life's toughest problems, body issues, school pressures and much much more. All of the books reinforce the power of girls to overcome disappointment, develop positive images about themselves, seek the right kind of help, talk to their parents and learn how to grow from failures.

Friendship Hardship shows girls how to deal with their toughest friendship problems plus how to make (and keep!) good friends Sticky Situations is all about the best ways to deal with more than 70 of life's trickiest situations and most embarrassing moments. Ask Ali: All the Advice You'll Ever Need gives girls sound advice on school, boys, family, friends and more, all from Discovery Girls' very popular columnist, Ali. My Worst Day is packed with amazing true stories...girls like you share their struggles and help you through your most difficult times.

I am comfortable sharing these with my daughter and I think you will be too.  And I have a set to give away!  Just comment on this post between now and Sunday, November 11 at 11:59 pm for a chance to win your own set of Discovery Girls' Middle School Survival Guides .  That's right one simple comment.  Below.  And you can share these lovely books with a middle school girl in your life, and then make a note to have her fitted properly for a bra.  Preferrably sometime before she's 25.

Disclosure: I was given a set of the Discovery Girls Middle School Guides to review as well as a set to giveaway.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.  Comment below to enter by Sunday, November 11 at 11:59 p.m.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Harmony

Harmony - /ˈhärmənē/
Noun:

1. The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions with a pleasing effect.
2. The study or composition of musical harmony.

What is is about Harmony?  A good harmony- live or recorded- can give me goose bumps.  So, when I stumble on a song featuring pleasing chord progressions I usually play it.  A lot.  And loud.  My kids must pay attention because Ryann just asked to download this song to her iPod.  She had heard it on one of my Spotify playlists.  Lucky for her I had already purchased the track, and all she had to do was log on to the cloud and download it to her own device. Happy kid.  Happy Mama.

Of Converse and Camelbaks

My girls don't take care of their sh... crap, and it's causing me emotional distress.

I like to "treat" my kids.  They don't have everything their friends do, and honestly they don't ask for much.  But growing up I went without a lot and it has caused me to spoil my kids from time to time.

But I want to preface this by saying that my 12-year-old has a laptop, an iPod and a pay-as-you-go cell phone.  She bought them all with her own money.  My eight-year-old also has an iPod.  I'm sorry, she had an iPod.  She bought it herself and she killed it herself.  With ice.  But that's another story for another time.

I've learned from my Grandma that sometimes quality is worth the price.  Yes, I could have endless plastic, BPA filled, water bottles in my house but I chose to get my girls Camelbak bottles for school this year.  I shopped around, and I found them on sale at Target for $12.  That was about 4 weeks ago.  My older daughter's is no longer in our possession.  She "must have left it in one of her classes".

I try to teach my girls responsibility.  You have to take care of your sh... crap.  I thought they were listening. 

Each of them has a desk drawer in their bedroom that I refer to as their "treasure drawer".  This drawer contains items they can't seem to part with.  A mini notepad from a birthday party last summer.  I flat penny form our trip to Bronner's.  A bouncy ball from Buffalo Wild Wings obtained in 2009.  All sh... crap in my opinion, but should any of it come up missing, hysteria would ensue.  But, a 10-inch-tall, purple, water bottle?  Well, it can be easily left on a desk for a student in the next class to say "Hey, this is a cool water bottle I think I'll keep it".  Oh yeah, no name.  It wore off.  hmmph!

My youngest has silly notes that she and her BFF wrote in kindergarten.  Three years ago.  They are "special".  But the design-your-own Converse she designed and I bought?  Those were special enough to leave by the door so our puppy could have one as a snack!  Yes, she is heartbroken, and yes I yelled at her.  But, I am heartbroken too.  She had them a week.  Look at the non-chewed one.  It's flawless.  And I've tried to encourage Converse to let me order one sneaker, but even though they are built from scratch and shipped from CHINA! I have to order 2.  Sigh.

So, I'm sad.  I budget our money and try to get ahead and in two instances I've lost over $50.  And my kids have their treasures but no cool water bottle and no cool shoes.  So I've resolved to only buy them food until they graduate.  No more cool stuff.  And no replacing the stuff they didn't take care of.  Ever. Anyone have a contact at Converse?

Ready or Not aka Tuesday Tunes

Ready or Not.

I've got one in middle school now, (post and a giveaway about that later this week) and another who makes me download songs like this to her iPod before bedtime.  **Shakin' my head**

 

Good old Drive-in

Last weekend my wife and I took the kids to the drive-in, yes that’s right, the drive-in.  For my generation and those before me, the drive-in was a common thing that we did in the summer; however for this generation the drive-in is not something you see very often.  There are a few popping up here and there but not nearly as many as there used to be.

In Jackson Mi. where my wife and I grew up there used to be two of them but that was a long time ago.  We did go down to Coldwater a couple of times to see a movie at the drive-in but that was before we had kids.  So now that we live in Brighton Mi. we have to go up to Flint to go to the U.S. 23 Drive-in.  It really is not that far and it is a real drive-in.  I mean it still has the poles that the speakers used to hang on.  It does have 3 screens and you use your radio to hear the movie but it is still brings back those memories.

Don’t get me wrong there are down sides to the drive-in just like anything else.  First, you get a flyer on your way in that tells the radio stations and rules etc.  One of the first rules says “park next to a pole and put your chairs in front of your car so that two cars can park between the poles.”  Of course you see people parked in the middle of two poles taking up the whole area which means less spots to park.  Second, people just don’t get the fact that if you drive through with your lights of those of us who are already watching the show cannot see.  Third, if you are going to bring kids and constantly have to speak up to them then role up your window so those of us next to you can’t hear you.  And finally if you are going to bring a van full of kids you need to keep them under control.  Please don’t let them run all over the place, darting in front of the rest of us and being just plain disrespectful.

Even though those issues exist it is still a good thing to have around.  Going to the drive-in in jammies and staying until 1:30am to watch movies is something I remember and my girls will always remember.  In my opinion there should be more drive-in theaters around for more families to enjoy.  I know we will probably go again later this summer maybe with some friends or maybe just our little family but either way it will be fun.  

Soccer Mom's Use Coppertone

Every spring (and early summer) many of the hours that I don't spend at work or sleeping are spent watching soccer.  I have two daughters and they both play on travel teams, which can result in multiple games every weekend.

Over Memorial Day weekend both girls played in the Canton Cup, a ginormous soccer tournament in a neighboring town.  It was steaming hot that weekend and with all of the craziness of preparing for the tournament and making sure everyone had their cleats before we hit the road, sunscreen was far out of my mind.

Luckily as a Coppertone Water Mom I received a great pack of awesome Coppertone products and I've had some great chances to hand out samples to my fellow soccer moms and dads, and as a result of that great opportunity I had some in my purse.

It worked out well.  I was able to protect my kids and share the wealth with others.

I also wanted to share with you the Little Miss Coppertone contest!  Little Miss Coppertone symbolizes summer. She is outgoing, energetic, wholesome, charming, and full of optimism. This year, Coppertone is celebrating little girls in search for the one who best personifies the spirit of Coppertone. The winner gets a dream family vacation and will be featured in a Coppertone print ad!

No Purchase Necessary. Contest Ends on 6/22/12. Click for Details

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place.

"As a member of the Coppertone® Water MOMS group, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit.  No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience."

Kids "on the grid"

Years ago, when I was in my late teens and early 20's I was the "go to" girl in my family for technology problems.  If the time on your VCR was blinking then I was your girl.

As I got older, and specifically after I had kids, this knowledge disappeared from my head.  I could no longer tolerate reading instructions and I could no longer apply simple logic to the tasks.  Basically when my children came out of my body so did my know-how of anything electronic.

With two girls of my own now I am constantly amazed by what they figure out.  And how they take technology for granted.  But most of all I am irritated.  Not by what they know, but by how they use it to annoy the crap out of me.

My youngest is 8 and she bought herself an iPod Touch with her birthday money, because I refused to buy her one with my money.

In addition to games and music, she also likes to FaceTime me from across the room and text me (using Text Free) at 11 pm when I think she has been sleeping for hours.

On Wednesday night I arrived home from work when everyone else was still at my oldest daughter's  soccer practice.  Jayden was not happy that she had no choice but to go with.  Practice was at a different locale that evening due to an event at the school, and with her "Touch" in hand she managed to mooch someone's wifi and send me this:

Seriously?  She had 20 minutes left.  This text was followed by a few more and two FaceTime requests.  All of which I ignored.  I was home alone and all I planned to do was sit and enjoy avoiding technology not conversing with my poor, "dieing" child using technology.  And that is what I did.

Thirty minutes later she walked through the door.

"Mooooommmmmmmmm!  Didn't you get my teeehhhhhxxxxxtttttttt?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about. But since you're home can you help me with this computer problem I am having?"