Jumpin-Beans

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  ** All images credit to College Football Hall of Fame. If you are looking for a few "outside the box" gift ideas... I have a great one for you!   If you have been through downtown Atlanta or even watch the news, you know that we have the College Football Hall of Fame here.  It looks really neat from the outside and honestly, the coolness factor of the looks grabbed my attention from the start!  Tell me this doesn't just yell for you to come in and check it out... AWESOME!    The journey begins with a one-of-a-kind experience through the  Entry Tunnel , boasting larger-than-life images from 11 conference champions that are updated each season. It winds its way to  The Quad , which is anchored by the  Helmet Wall Presented by S

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. As you are out working on your Christmas list, I wanted to share a new to us restaurant we just visited.  We were given the chance to go and check out Tropical Smoothie and we made a day of it.  Tropical Smoothie is located right near a movie theater, so we went for dinner (and smoothies) and then headed over to enjoy a movie night...  But more about the dinner! Tropical Smoothie has so many choices and they each sound so delicious. I ended up getting Broxton the Baja Chicken.  He normally loves stuff like this, but he was too worked up about the movie, so he only had a few bites.  I tried it and it was so tasty!  I went with the Ultimate Club and Oh-My-Goodness!  It was awesome and will for sure be what I order again (after I try a few other th

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. If you have been to my blog at all, you know how much of a fan of books I am. I love to read and I love that Broxton loves books too! Each trip to the library we leave with no less than 20 books!  I think it is awesome and we read them all, with him ready to go back to get more as soon as possible! The thing is, with his name being so different, there has never been a time when we read a book with his name in there as a character... When I heard of " put me in the story " I though that this would be great for him! At first, I thought I was going to go in a totally different direction, but then when I saw this book... I knew that this book was the one I wanted to get... What book is it?  It is " I love you so "  You might wond

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. When we went to Philips Arena for a different show, we noticed the signage for Marvel Universe Live... I knew that this was something I would want to take Broxton to, so I planned on having this as a surprise for him...  Then, I got an invite to go and check it out for the blog so I knew then it was going to happen!   He has seen the commercial a few times and each time he begs for me to take him... Each time, I tell him that we will try... Little does he know!    This looks like an action packed show!  I know that we will be on the edge of our seats the whole time!  Good thing it is coming while he is on school break, since I know that adrenaline will be pumping when we leave!    I can't wait to tell you all about it after we go!  

As we all know, the holidays are not about giving gifts, that is an added bonus... But for me, it is more about family. Making Memories.  Seeing the good in people and all things positive.  A couple years ago, we tried doing a few random acts of kindness, it was great to show Broxton how good it feels to make a positive interaction with others.  No, it isn't needed just during the holidays, but for me, some people don't have family to celebrate the holidays, so maybe this is why I enjoy doing it.   The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. One thing that is great this time of year?  Working with World Vision.  They are really a great company and there are many ways that you can choose to work to make a difference.   Want to sponsor a child ?  You can totally do that!  Want to

How often do you wash your hands each day?  Too many times to count, I would bet... I know I wash mine several times throughout the day and when it is cold out, it seems they get dried out more often than other times...   I love finding new scents that I enjoy and I actually have different smelling hand soaps throughout the house.   The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I was sent a really nice soap / hand balm set from Glow-ology.  Now most people might not think that hand soap would make a great gift idea... Well, in this case, it is perfect!   I was sent product from the LOVE collection and I tell you - the smell was amazing... ( S weet cherry blossom fragrance opens with sparkling top notes of pineapple and leafy greens. The middle emerges with a floral cherry blossom, mimos

I will admit that I am pretty hard to shop for.  First of all, I do not want anyone buying me any clothes...  Shoes?  I am picky about that as well.  Last year, my wish list was a juicer... (I got it by the way, but not into juicing. just seems like a waste of the rest of the fruit/ veggies.)  I love lotions and potions and things of that nature, but then my family isn't one that is going to go to the mall and shop. It needs to be a small in and out store... or better yet, a link to a website.   The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Since I follow many blogs, I have noticed that people kept talking about this candle ( I LOVE candles) that comes with a ring in it.  I thought that would be a great gift... and of course, I wanted to see for myself.  I was lucky enough to get to r

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I have never said that I was a chef.  Far from it, if you want to know the truth. That being said, living in Atlanta and having my own family, we normally host Christmas at our house.  It just makes it easier (we did try rotating each year, but that wasn't working out) and in doing so, I am the one that cooks all the food.   Well, I cook the side dishes, the desserts are normally store bought... but Marc is always in charge of the meat.  That became his thing a couple years ago and he has enjoyed doing it... until it is time to check the meat.  The first time, we could not find our meat thermometer, so my brother brought his... but it did not work.  We made do, but then last year rolled around and we had the same issue...  I think we had one, bu

I don't know when or how it happened.. but my little baby boy turned into a "Big Kid" and he seems to think he is grown most days.  I know he is still my sweet baby, but now he is into scary things (he wanted to be a scary thing for Halloween, but I would not let that happen. He couldn't wear it to Trunk or Treat at Church, so he was too young to be it any other way! That was my reasoning and it worked for me!)  The thing is, I know he is growing up and as much as I want to keep my sweet baby young and innocent, I do realize he is growing up!   The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. If you were here the other day, you saw the awesome giveaway I have going for NFL TeenyMates in a collectors tin. We have loved their products and Broxton has several of their toys

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I shared with you the book, In the Forbidden City for ages 9 and older, but I also wanted to share with you a book that was geared for those ages 5-9.  This is an illustrated book that lets us go into The Forbidden City and see how nature inspired it.  The fact that nature is so beautiful and peaceful... It really makes you stop and think about your surroundings, the influences that go on and just how everything can work together.   (Including the animals!) This is the Greatest Place is for kids ages 5-9. Created by internationally renowned children’s book artists, this book teaches uses one of the world's most fascinating landmarks, Beijing’s Forbidden City, to show young readers how nature’s influence can be seen around us, and how peo

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Can you believe it is almost December?  I know that the months are always the same, but good grief, it is like time is flying by!  I can not believe it was just a few months ago when we were doing a countdown to when my little one was going to be starting Kindergarten... and here we are, planning the book countdown to Christmas!  I almost have all the ones wrapped that I am going to use, but I have a few more to share with you.   Remember, books make great gifts all the time, not just for a countdown, but they would be great under the tree from a loved one or even from Santa. Today, I want to share a book with you that is perfect for the older kids in your life.. In The Forbidden City is for kids ages 9+.   Similar to David Macaulay’s  Castl

You know we love toys here... We love creativity... We love longevity and we for sure love Made in the USA.   The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Time to let you in on a secret.  I have never played with Tinker Toys before!  I have seen them talked about for as long as I can remember, but physically playing with them has never happened in this house.  I knew it was a house hold name (just not our house) and then I almost fell out of my chair when I learned that Tinker Toys were founded in 1913. What?!  They already celebrated their 100 year birthday?  I didn't have a clue... But come December 25th, I will be immersed into the word of Tinker Toys!!!!  Yep!  Broxton is getting this set for Christmas!  I love when he gets toys like this, because the big brothers play with hi

What do you buy the person who has everything they really need or want?  I feel like Christmas shopping is so much easier with kids, since they can just tell you what all they want, but once you get older, the gifts are at times harder to buy for.. Sure, I know lots of things I would love to purchase, but then financially I know I can't do it, so that is where things get difficult!   I love finding one of a kind gifts and seeing the expression on the faces of the recipient!   The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I was recently introduced to a new product...   board games out of chocolate!  Yes!!!   They are called GamesforMotion and I really feel like they have all the different games covered!  Looking for scrabble? Check!  Twister?  Check!  Monopoly?  Check!  Candyland? OF

Christmas at The  Rock   Ranch   We have many exciting events planned for Christmas on the farm this year including our annual drive-thru Christmas lights display (Thanksgiving night thru New Year's Eve/Opti onal Donation). Breakfast with Santa & Lunch with Santa   Click here for details and to order tickets   Limited Seating. Reservations Required. Country Christmas in Lights 5K and One-Mile Fun Run Click here for details and online registration   Pre-registered 5k participants get a t-shirt. Dinner & Shopping in Truett's Barn December 12 , 13, 19, 20, 22 & 23 (NOT Open  on Sunday ) Open Times:  6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Join us for a hot meal, fresh-baked goodies and Christmas shopping in Truett's Barn. There is no charge to enter, but guests can purchase a holiday dinner and enjoy shopping jams and jellies from our farm market and other gift items. We'll also have the fire going and Christmas music playing for all to enjoy

The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I will be the first to admit that I need a skin care plan. I try to do things, but then I just forget about them.  I have drawers of products that I have bought, or have been given to me, but then over time, I forget to use them and they just eventually go in the drawer.  The thing is, they are products that I am not really familiar with... or they make my face get really hot / sweaty from where they feel like they are clogging my pores!  I was sent a new product to try out and I really felt like I was going to do good with it.  I was using it in the morning and at night, just like it said.  The fact that it had my name on it made me feel like it really was "JUST FOR ME" and it would be wrong not to use it!  While I was using it, I did li