Jumpin-Beans

Broxton used to love to read. He would always have a book in his hand, but then around 4th grade, that changed and he is no longer a fan of books.  I have noticed him slowly getting back into reading, but it is mostly books about military and history.  He has always been a fan of military history, so when I find books that might grab his attention, I am always eager to see if it will be enjoyed by him!   FTC Compliant Review Policy:    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. From Concord and Lexington to Brandywine and Yorktown, the stunning battles show young readers how ragtag colonists took on the world’s mightiest military of its time — the British Imperial Army, otherwise known as the Red Coats. History leaps off the page and captures even reluctant re...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: 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 you have a daddy that is military, it seems like you are naturally drawn to it as well, at least that is how it seems at our house.  For as long as I can remember we have had ARMY men around and when we were introduced to the Lil' Troops Line from Party Animal a while back, I knew that it would eventually end up in our arsenal of toys!   I just did not know how much he would love them and that he would treat them differently from the other ARMY men he already has.   We have a few of the soldiers, but when I saw that they would be releasing them in Collectible Sets, I just knew that would be loved if unwrapped under the tree this year!   Lucky for us, we were given the chance to review them,...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: 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. It's fall, y'all!  The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing colors and football season is in full swing!  Yes, its a wonderful time of the year!   I have never been an avid coffee drinker, I leave that to my mom and dad that both can not seem to function without at least one cup to start their day. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy a nice cup from time to time, but I will be honest with you... I just can not get into the whole drinking HOT coffee when it is HOT outside.  Cooler weather, yes please!   I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with Community Coffee in reviewing some of their K-Cups in the past and today I get to tell you about a few more (among other th...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: 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 ask someone who their hero is, I am sure you will get 5 million different answers.  I was asked to be part of the #ShareYourHero Campaign with Mrs. Fields Cookies and I was thrilled to be a part of it.  First of all, I asked my 6 year old who a hero to him was.  OF COURSE his first answer was his daddy.  Not only because he is his daddy, but also because of the military.  Then, I asked him if he could tell me what a hero was.  He said a hero is somebody that is a good person and that helps you. If you look up the definition of a hero , it says:  1.   a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. 2. ...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: 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.   Photo Credit - Sterling Publishing     A new book that we have added to our library is from Sterling Publishing, I Love You Near and Far . This is such a cute book and as soon as Broxton saw it, he immediately took it in the car with us for a ride to the store.  We have read it a few different times and I just think it is too cute. It started off as a cute book that hit home for me, with Marc being in the military.  The miles were once far when he was deployed, but we talked about the love from daddy could go across miles and that is what this book tells. Since daddy is home now, we used this book to talk about how much he loves his family that isn't close in miles, but is super clo...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: 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. We have plenty of little collections of toys and what nots around here... Since Broxton loves sports, we have several of the Lil Teammates that we have reviewed in the past...   Back when I went to the AmericasMart, I learned that they would eventually be releasing Lil Troops and you know we were SO EXCITED!    After the LONG WAIT...  We finally got an awesome toy to review!   Since daddy is Infantry, you know that we were thrilled to get the Infantryman for review...   The other we  received ?  The dessert trooper.  You know that we were thrilled with them and Broxton has been playing with them over and over again... I thought he would for sure add them with his Lil' ...

If you choose to not get political, feel free to skip over this post...  But, it has been weighing heavily on my heart and I felt the need to do so. I wanted to post this on Veterans Day, but chose not to ... I can not hold back any longer, I need to say it now: An open letter to Tom Cruise in regards to statements made relating him to military: (Taken from TMZ) First, the Middle East -- Tom says his location shoots are just like serving a tour in Afghanistan, "That's what it feels like. And certainly on this last movie, it was brutal. It was brutal." As for his physical training, Tom said, "There is difficult physical stamina and preparation. Sometimes I've spent months, a year, and sometimes two years preparing for a single film." But the kicker, he adds, "A sprinter for the Olympics, they only have to run two races a day. When I'm shooting, I could potentially have to run 30, 40 races a day, day after day." Cruise's la...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: 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 are looking to get a one of a kind Father's Day gift this year...  Look no further than Prep Sportswear .  I actually ordered a special shirt for MY dad for his Christmas gift last year.  We have an arena football team in my hometown and Prep Sportswear was who we had to order their shirts from... So, when I had a chance to work in a review for Father's Day, I was excited as I was very pleased in ordering from them in the past.   Prep Sportswear has clothing for pretty much everyone. They actually have a way for you to look to see if they have a vintage team from your past (or the past of those you might purchase a gift for!)  I looked for a couple, but lets be honest here......

I will admit, when I read about the Soladey Ionic Toothbrush , I was expecting something different. I don't really know what I was expecting, but I will say, I did think it was supposed to be different.  I just saw that it was an Ionic Toothbrush... If you didn't have water.. no big deal.  No need for toothpaste... What?! I thought that this was going to be a great toothbrush for Marc.  Being that he is Military, I am always thinking of that what if... What if he gets deployed?  I thought that this was going to be a great idea... A toothbrush that he could use anywhere... No need for water or toothpaste.  Only thing you need is the actual toothbrush and a light source.  No, you don't need to have it in the sun for hours, you need just enough light that would operate a calculator!  So - the toothbrush arrives and it is pretty "far off / The Jetsons" for me... But get this... it seems like a normal toothbrush!  Yes, I guess I was thinking...

Being a military wife that has had her husband deployed during the holidays, I get emotional when watching the WWE Tribute to the Troops each year.  Tonight, I was happy to have the chance to watch it with My Hero. I just wanted to take this time to personally thank the WWE for doing this.  Tonight (December 19th) marked 10 years of the wwe doing this.  It makes me feel good to see people thanking my husband and his brothers and sisters of the military.  I asked Marc if it was wrong of me to take pride when a celebrity thanks them for their service.  I mean, honestly, our military is often forgotten for all that they do.  Not to mention that they don't get paid anywhere near what they should... The celebrities... Well, we know they are paid well... and it saddens me when people put celebrities on pedestals because of them being in a movie.  No, I don't have a problem with celebrities, but it does make me proud when THEY thank the military.... because ...

As of this morning, one of our local stores had 6 tents set up for people waiting in line for Black Friday prices...   I am all about a savings, but wow... It is Wednesday and they are already camping out for Friday morning!!!!! Instead of camping out and fighting the crowds... Why not do a little online shopping? Better yet... why not send a gift basket? I am lucky enough to give you a discount code if you want to visit GiftBasketsPlus for your holiday gift giving ideas.  If you want to do a little shopping from the comforts of home (and even in your PJ's if you want)  Here is a discount code for 15 % off your order:   15OFF Just a couple of the baskets they have on their site:  They have several cute kids gift baskets ... I think my little guy would think that this was too much fun and would have a blast enjoying everything in there!  I love gift baskets... but the thing I love most is the actual basket that it comes in... do...

I was so excited when I found out that we were going to be going to Hell In A Cell.  Broxton is still into wrestling, so I knew he was going to be happy.  We bundled up and headed to the Arena to see what we going to happen.  I have been to wrestling matches before.. and we went to WrestleMania last year, but I had no clue what Hell In A Cell was going to be about. Of course, we got there and had really great seats... So, I got my camera ready for when they lit up and sign and I think I got a decent picture...    If you have been here before, you know that I really respect John Cena and all he stands for.  From Supporting the Troops to being VERY active in Make a Wish Foundation.  I was not surprised when he took his "Never Give Up" phrase and used it to help support Breast Cancer Awareness... He had all of his apparel in pink.  (We found out the next week that the WWE donated 1 million dollars to Breast Cancer Research!)   ...