Nutty's 8th birthday was a little over a month ago. When we were planning her birthday party we had a hard time trying to figure out what to do. After all, it's hard to top a horseback riding party and a camping party. I'm not sure where she got the idea from, but she decided she wanted a mystery party. I searched the internet high and low trying to figure out how to hold a mystery party for a bunch of 7-9 year old girls and came across Dramatic Fanatic® Downloadable Mystery Parties for Kids. Nutty and I both agreed it looked interesting and were excited when they said "yes" to a review from us! After much debate, Nutty decided to do the Fairy Tale Mystery which included a mystery during a fairy tale fashion show. Nutty carefully chose each of her friends to play a character based on their personality and when the invites went out, each friend was asked to dress as their character. Even I got dressed up as the host of the fashion show! It was so fun to watch each girl … [Read more...]
School Has Started!!
By now I'm pretty sure every child in the US has started school (at least those in public school). Today was supposed to be Nutty's second day of 3rd grade, Tottie's first day of Kindergarten, and my first full day alone in a LONG time. Unfortunately, Nutty woke with a headache, fever, and vomiting. There went my day... That's not the point of this post though. The point is, as soon as Nutty goes back to school I will be a stay-at-home-mom without kids. Ok, I'm not a true stay-at-home-mom. I work every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I'm home during the week and work on weekends. I will continue this schedule despite the girls being in school because it helps me avoid before and after school daycare. I'm not sure how I feel about being a semi stay-at-home-mom without kids. Sure, I'm excited about FINALLY having time to myself, I can get (and keep) the house clean, and I can catch up on stuff I've been meaning to do but haven't had the time...but, what am I going to really do … [Read more...]
16 Tips For Running In A Color Race
This post is sponsored by Tum-E Yummies® fruit flavored drinks however all opinions are my own. This September my girls and I are running our first color race, the Color Vibe™ to be exact. I was suppose to run a similar race last year but it was cold and rainy that day so I opted not to go. I have regretted it ever since. When Tum-E Yummies® fruit flavored drinks contacted my family to participate in Color Your World along with them and Color Vibe™ I immediately said yes! I can't wait to have a ton of fun with the girls! (Lindsi, occasional co-author of Toys In The Dryer) Though I have never ran a color race before, I do have plenty of friends who have done one. I asked them to share with me some tips for making it fun and easy. This is what they had to say: 1) Have fun. Though it's called a race, most people walk. People of all ages and abilities participate and there's no prize for being first so relax and enjoy the color! 2) You'll get color everywhere, and I mean … [Read more...]
I Challenge You
I said I was never going to do the viral "Ice Bucket Challenge" that has been going around. I have plenty of reasons for not doing it. None of which I need to defend to you. However, I DID end of taking the challenge after being called out by a fellow Red Cross Social Media Advocate, Astronaut Abby and my neighbor Annie. I put my own twist on the challenge though and you're going to have to watch the video to see what it is! Now that you've watched the video, I'll lead you to this website: A few (impolite) questions about the ice bucket challenge. The author makes a few strong points that coincide with some my original reasons for not doing the challenge. Here's a link to the two causes/medical conditions/diseases (whatever you want to call them) that I support: Spasmodic Dystonia: dysphonia.org/spasmodic-dysphonia.php Spinal Muscular Atrophy (aka SMA): smafoundation.org What cause do YOU support? I'd love for you to share awareness in the comments below! … [Read more...]
Raising Monarchs Part 3
By now you are well aware that we've raised a monarch butterfly from egg stage. However, if you are new to Toys In The Dryer, you can catch up with Part 1, the egg, and Part 2, the growing caterpillar, before you read this part 3, the chrysalis and release of our butterfly. In a total of 32 days our monarch went from a newly laid egg to an adult butterfly! It was fun and interesting to watch! Unfortunately, we missed the most awesome parts such as watching the caterpillar molt, seeing it go into chrysalis, and watching our butterfly emerge from chrysalis, but it was a learning experience none the less. I ended Part 2 of this story on day 20, the day before our caterpillar went into it's chrysalis. On day 21 we awoke to the "j". I knew it wouldn't be long before we had a chrysalis. In fact, if you look closely at the photo on the left above, you can start to see green coming through on the caterpillar. Unfortunately, hubby decided to take the boat out that day and he … [Read more...]
AT&T’s #GoPhone at the #MNStateFair + Ticket Giveaway!
This post is sponsored. All products mentioned and reviewed on this page are compliments of AT&T. All opinions of the products are my own. Earlier this week I introduced you to the new foods and fun at the 2014 Minnesota State Fair. Today I'm giving you a chance to try all the food and fun for FREE compliments of AT&T and The GoPhone Freedom Tour team. Yes, that's right, I'm giving away 2 tickets to the 2014 Minnesota State Fair at the end of this post! The GoPhone Freedom Tour team will be at the fair from August 29 – September 1, 2014 offering one-on-one introductions to GoPhone and live hands-on demonstrations of the latest smartphone devices on the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. Guests can visit the GoPhone 4G LTE Fast Grab Booth for a chance to win a GoPhone prize pack and be entered for a chance to win a brand new device! I've been trying out AT&T's GoPhone service since the beginning of the month and it has been great! I'll write a complete … [Read more...]
