Get Ready, Midland!

Have you been to an Air Show before? I have! Several of them actually. I absolutely love going. Whether it has been with family, friends or even my Cadet buddies, it was always a blast. Maybe that can be attributed to my love of history. World War 2 has been one of the most fascinating history lessons I continually return to. The technological advances, the lessons learned in medical sciences, and the political lessons that we should glean from even today - all tickle my fancy! 

We have lived in this town for enough years to know that there is an annual AirSho here. But this will be the first year that we can actually attend! And yes, I am making the kids go too. I really do hope they will enjoy it. Maybe even learn something while we are there. If nothing else, I know my history-loving husband will! He is as much of a fan as I am. Where do you think I heard of Unit 731 and Dark5? 

But here I am getting distracted again. History does that to me! Let's focus here. AirSho (yes, that is how it is spelled) is coming back to town. This year is a little more special than past years. It marks the 80th anniversary of WW2. Crazy, isn't it? 80 years! So many of those from that time have already passed. The number of veterans dwindles quickly. 

What to know, before you go!

They have quite the list of restrictions. What stands out to me is that we can't bring foods in. No coolers. Now, while they have concessions, this means we might want to plan ahead on having some extra money for food.

They have activities geared more for kids like bouncy houses and games and snow cones, but you better bring more money for those too.  

If I could afford to, I would pay for my husband to live out his dream of being in one of the iconic planes as they fly through the sky above our town! But alas, we don't make that kind of money. Maybe when the kids move out... If you are interested in that, just look HERE.  

Where can you learn more? 

They have a Facebook Page that has updates on the planes included in the show. You can also get a ton more information on their website. We also should note here, there is an additional $10 fee for parking, cash only, unless you get the VIP bundle. There is a handicap lot, it costs the same amount as normal parking, but is accessible. You just need to have the plate or placard ready. And when ordering your tickets online, there are additional fees (you know the kind - pay with card, pay extra!). But I did not see anything about you being able to pay in person. So it just is what it is. 

I promise to share more about the experience once we have attended! Let me know what your thought on air shows is. Do you ever go? Do you enjoy them?  

A Slice of Our Town - The Cloverdale Mercantile

I love heading out for an adventure on the weekend. It doesn't happen often, but it is always amazing when it does. This most recent trip took us out to the Cloverdale Mercantile. My daughter is officially a teenager, and decided she wanted to celebrate her yearly uptick in age by doing some shopping! So off we went. 

Cloverdale Mercantile used to be known as Wall Street Antiques. It was in a large, old building. Everything was covered in dust. And sometimes you might question if things ever moved. But then the owner of that building decided they wanted to sell. And quite frankly, I'm glad! Why? Because Wall Street was then able to look into moving. They found a newer place to move to. It is cleaner. Everything is well organized. Booth after booth is brimming with amazing finds. You are guaranteed to see new stock every time you stop by. I won't bore you with talking about it so much. Instead, I will give you a brief glance into the types of things you can come across. Yes, my focus was more on miniatures and doll-related items this time. Maybe next time, I can show you a wider variety! 

You can check out more about them on their Facebook page.  

Enjoy! 

A Summer of Fun at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Well, we took a trip and made it memorable! Our most recent excursion took us into Dallas (and surrounding areas). In downtown Dallas, we had the great opportunity to check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. A HUGE thank you to them for giving us complimentary tickets for this time. 

*Disclaimer: I was given free tickets to the museum in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions shared are mine or my families.*

What to know when planning your visit

Okay, where to start?? They are located in Downtown Dallas. You can check out their website HERE. They had the Bug Lab Exhibit opening when we were up there. This one costs you extra to see. As with many museums, they rotate out their Special Exhibits. Other exhibits that stay year round are fascinating for all ages! They also have videos that educate while entertaining. While walking through one floor, there was quite the line waiting to try out the earthquake simulator! You stand on a platform that gives you the feeling of being in an earthquake. 

Tickets and entries are timed. Make sure you pay attention when you purchase your tickets, so that you know when you are supposed to go in. They have a high volume of visitors to juggle. This also means that there are times when huge crowds are EVERYWHERE! 

Parking... Here is one that is super important. They have a museum parking lot that is $15 for non museum members. If you get the membership, it is only $5. Per vehicle, not per person. It is first-come, first-serve. If it is full, they have an overflow lot. However, they also have a special section if you are needing a handicapped spot. We ended up finding a lot that charged us $5.35 for 4 hours. You have to download the app or find the kiosk to mark your vehicle paid and avoid towing. 

What is inside? 

They have 4 floors of exhibits to see. My youngest loved the dinosaur level. So many skeletons and things to learn about the fossils. 

Being from an oil town, we loved seeing the exhibit on drilling and oil processes. There was so much to learn from it. Even a giant drill exhibit to give you an idea of what they are like. or the one that shows you how the oil is pumped upwards. 

We loved seeing the Gemstone exhibit too. Learning about topaz stones and geodes. The giant geode was extremely popular with the kids.

Seeing all the types of animal displays was fascinating too. We got to see what kinds of animals live where. 

Start at the top and trickle down! The elevators were constantly busy. And the escalator was down when we went. So be prepared to climb all the way up and then all the way down. We loved seeing the outdoor walls that were decorated with greenery and rocks. 

The staff were friendly, even in the rush of dealing with so many people. They were helpful in guiding us and answering questions we had. There are seating spots all over the place in case you get worn out from all the walking. The bathrooms were clean too, which was really nice. Oh yes, final notes! There is a food court and gift shop available. There were also fun things for little ones to do out front.  

We are so glad we got to stop in and see everything! It was a wonderful trip for our family.  

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Review (Discount included)

Summers are meant for fun, for family, and for making lasting memories. Usually, you take time out of school and, if you can work, to travel together and do something different. 

That being said, times are harder on many. Maybe taking a full trip isn't in your budget. So what about a one night trip? What about a day filled with fun? What if one place could give you the away time you need? Come with us as our family did just that!

*Disclaimer: I was given the chance to go to Ripley's Believe It Or Not! in Grand Prairie, in exchange for sharing about our experience. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are mine and my family's own.*

First off, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! has locations across the nation. Maybe not in your city, but I bet you can find one in your state. For us, it is near the Dallas area. This meant we had quite the drive to plan for. It also meant we had to get a hotel room and stay overnight. For my family, this equates to a mini vacation! So be sure to check their locator and see if you can find one close to you. 

Since the one we went to is the one I'm spotlighting, I'm going to say that not all Ripley's are the same! What we saw here, you most likely won't see at the other locations. So keep that in mind. 

How to get started! 

Ripley's in Grand Prairie has multiple things to enjoy. If you get their combo ticket, you can enjoy Luis Tussaud's Waxworks exhibit, Ripley's Moving Theater, Ripley's Power Up and Ripley's Mirror Maze, as well as the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium exhibits. These tickets are $56 per adult. If that isn't in your price range, they also offer the 3-Way Combo or a 2-Way Combo option. I love the fact that you can choose which attractions you want as well, if you choose the 3 or 2 options. You can purchase your tickets online, ahead of time, or in person. In-person purchases are how you can use various modes of discounts, so check their website to see if you qualify for any before you purchase. 

                                Thinking I might just need to join the MIB.

Parking is free! Huge bonus for the wallet on this one. Especially in a big city. 

Our Ripley's just installed a new exhibit as well. It is based on their actual Ripley's Warehouse in Orlando, Florida. That warehouse holds all the oddities that Ripley's collects over the years. Things like medieval torture devices, odd taxidermy (ever seen a two-headed calf before?), and ancient artifacts from Asia - just to start with!  

My family voted on their favorite attractions. The Mirror Maze won hands down. It took us about 4 tries to find the exit and the youngest was begging to go back in. Part of the maze has a cool selfie room that is lit and mirrored. The floor was a shiny tile that almost made it seem like you were floating with the hanging lights. 

Luis Tussaud's Waxworks exhibit came in second place. It has a long trail to follow with so many characters, both modern and historical. If you are brave, the ending can lead into a horror haunted house. But they have an exit for those who are faint of heart as well. We chose to check out the haunted house.

And let me tell you... there were some great jump scare moments. My favorite part was seeing the Phantom of the Opera! 

We took up the challenge on the 7D Moving Theater to shoot at robots and try to save the city. That was a fun experience. I think my oldest son had the best luck at shooting the janky guns, but we all had a blast. (pun intended!) 

We shot at mutant slimes in the Power Up attraction. That allows 3 people at a time to go into a room where 3 of the walls allow your device to 'shoot' at things on them.  

The Odditorium had so many fun things to see though. A mechanical statue of the world's tallest man that will go from sitting to standing! Talk about having big shoes to fill. 

There are plenty of places to sit and rest. So don't worry about getting tired as you galavant along. You can rest along the way. Each one is designed to fit the theme of the exhibit. 

My final note was in the Wax display attraction. As a Christian woman, I was particularly surprised, and pleased, to see a part that was dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ. There were scenes set up to show important events like the Last Supper. 

You don't see things like this often. It was almost like a gospel presentation, but in an entertaining way that isn't hard to handle. I really loved that.  

I highly recommend a trip to Ripley's! No matter the age. No matter your interests. I think there is something for everyone! Let me know what you liked from what you could see. Or let me know if you have been. I'd love to hear from you! Until next time, my friends. Keep it weirdly real out there.  

What Are You Doing This Summer??

It is time to dive into some amazing fun! Summer is here, it is hot outside (my car was reading 117 yesterday), and the kids need something that tears them away from the screen. So I have a suggestion on one of your next destinations! If there is one near you, why not try a Ripley's Believe It Or Not?? Have you ever been to one of these? My Mom took my sisters and I once to the one in Florida near her. They are FANTASTICALLY FUN! There is something for everyone, of every age. But not just fun... They sneak in learning in ways that the kids don't expect it. Everything has a weird-but-true story attached. 

Okay, okay - so maybe oddly true facts don't seem like enough education to make that a selling point. For me, just having the kids out of the house, but inside where it is cool, and away from the video games for a bit is a sell I can't pass up! I'm looking for ways to beat the heat, but make some great memories. 

And best of all?? They are offering you some great coupon deals! Why?! Because you are my readers, of course! 

Don't wait, get your tickets! Then come back and tell me about your amazing trip. I can't wait to share mine! My local Ripley's is in Grand Prairie (The DFW area), but there are others, so don't let the location ward you off in the provided information they asked me to share with you. Other locations are also hosting similar deals, so check your local bloggers.  

One of DFW's Top Family Fun Attration's - Experience five extra-odd-inary attractions under one roof at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Grand Prairie! Be astounded by hundreds of artifacts, incredible art, pop-culture memorabilia, and interactive games in Ripley's Odditorium! With more than 200 lifelike wax figures, strike a pose and take a selfie with your favorite superstars in Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax! Embellished with LED lights and infinity mirrors, challenge your perception and sense of direction in Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze. Feel every twist and turn while you compete to get the highest score in Ripley's 7D Moving Theater! And enter the Ripley's Power Up arena and immerse yourself in our all-ages, group gaming experience. Make lifetime memories and experience the excitement of Ripley's Grand Prairie, your one-stop destination for family fun!
$5 OFF Ripley's Attractions Combo Ticket with code DFWKIDS - Show this coupon at the ticket counter or use code DFWKIDS to buy online and SAVE $5 on a 5-Way Super Combo ticket!

Ticket includes admission to FIVE attractions: (1) Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Explore hundreds of oddities, artifacts, memorabilia, and more from around the world! (2) Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax - Strike a pose with over 200 lifelike figures, from the famous to the infamous! (3) Ripley's Power Up - Battle it out against friends and family in this virtual, all-ages gaming experience! (4) Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze - Find your way out or lose yourself in seemingly endless hallways of lights and mirrors! (5) Ripley's 7D Moving Theater - Become part of the movie in this full-throttle, interactive motion simulator ride!

Children 3 & under are FREE!
Visit: https://www.ripleys.com/grandprairie/
Coupon to Share: https://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=13445&dealid=3359

Minecraft Party! (With Game Reviews)

Tryazon and Ravensburger are back with some board games to celebrate your love of Minecraft! And I'm going to share them with you. But first....

*Disclaimer: I was sent these games in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. All opinions shared are mine or my guests. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed.*

With that out the way, it is time to dive in!

Part of the deal in getting these games, is that I will host a party. As such, I took the time to do some research and get some ideas. If you are interested in doing something similar, there are LOTS of ideas out there. They fit all budget needs. I like to keep my parties sorta simple. For time, money and energy are easily expendable in this house. I printed off these water bottle labels to use.  I also got the invitations from that website.

I like that these are not just birthday invitations, which was what I mostly found while I was searching. I decided to host my party during the week for other homeschool families to join in. 

Once that part of my planning was finished, it was time to create a menu. Since I'm showcasing both a board game and a card game, I decided to keep things finger-friendly and less messy. But I still wanted things that pointed back to the awesome online game we love so much. So here are the food choices I went with. 

Pretzels = Sticks                                       Goldfish = Fish

Chocolate chip cookies = Cookies            

A fruit tray was thrown in, with Watermelon and Apples among the choices. The green grapes represented Slime Balls. 

Water bottles with the Creeper labels and some juice bottles provided hydration to our party goers. 

Like a dummy, I forgot to snap a picture before my guests arrived of the table layout. So just imagine it being awesome. 

Time to party!

Once everything for the party was gathered, it was time to host. We set up and awaited the arrival of our guests. The kids and I had already tried out the game before hand so we would be able to explain it to the others. Heroes of the Village and Minecraft Explorers are up to 4 players each. So I decided to have them play in rounds, which meant we only managed to play the first one this time. 

You set up the main piece to be your Village. Illagers are on their way to attack. You and your team have to take action! You get a character and a pet to help you in some way as you explore, gather material blocks fight mobs and build defenses. It really does require team efforts to accomplish a common goal as no one person can do it all before the Illagers take you out. 

The world grows as you explore, opening more possible places to gather building blocks from. Gathering blocks to be brought back to the village provides others with the ability to build during their turns as well. 

Heroes of the Village was met with great enthusiasm. I will say that kids who have difficulty sitting still for more than 20 minutes, might not enjoy this one so much. But even the most wiggly of our group were able to enjoy the fun and try to save the village.

We are looking forward to trying the Minecraft Explorers next. Sadly, we ran out of time at this party.

If you are interested in finding these games for yourself or to give as a gift, please check out the links below!

Ravensburger - You can find both games at THIS LINK. Plus others they offer. 

Walmart - Heroes of the Village

                 Minecraft Explorers

A Life On Hold

It feels like forever since I was posting on here. But that is what happens when you are flailing through life. These days, I'm constantly tugged one way or another. 

 

I have teenage boys that I need to get through their final high school lessons. They are struggling with the Algebra. Moms nemesis in school subjects. So we have a lot of days of failed tests and "I hate my life" speeches that I have to listen to. 

I have two girls who are only 4 years apart and yet may as well be 10 years in difference some days. They are constantly getting on each others nerves. 

And then there is the husband. In the south we have a term... God bless his poor little heart! He is generally patient. But even his patience seems to have dwindled since the high school saga began. Can't tell you how many days I have felt as though I'm walking this path alone. House full of people, but only one me to keep the balance. Gets tiring. Must be showing. I had a lady at church tell me she thought she needed to take me out of the house for a while. 

We don't do school on Fridays. Why? Because when else am I going to catch up on housework, bake for the weekend, and reset my brain to 'social' mode? Monday to Thursdays, I'm not a very social person. I'm holding on to that thin thread of sanity while trying not to decide if all 4 kids need to survive to adulthood. *Edit - NO, I'm not considering which kids to sacrifice to maintain my sanity. It was meant as a joke. Watch Jeff Allen and Tim Hawkins sometimes, people.* On Fridays, we sometimes go to Bible study (been missing a lot of those lately). I have to get myself psyched up to smile and chat and answer all the questions I can otherwise avoid. On Saturdays, I can get errands done. My husband will take me to any of the places we can't get to during the week, but he has this weird thing about being home and done by 3PM. I feel like Saturday is a race. How quickly can I run through stores and find what I'm looking for? Can I be done before he checks the time on his phone, or makes the motion of looking at the invisible watch on his wrist? Then comes Sunday. We have church in the morning, and unless it is an absolute NEED, we don't go out any more. 

This is where my husband shares his concerns that I'm at home too much. And it makes me crazy. See above and insert *I wonder why...* to the thought train.

All this to say, my crafting and my blogging have taken to the very back of the bus. Unless I'm working on a review that requires a blogged bit, there is a good chance you won't see very many posts popping up in your feed until life reaches a more.... balanced era. So if you like what you see, savor each one while you can. 

Until next time!

Quick: I Need An APP Maker!!

Recently, I was talking to someone about my Little Library. It has had a positive impact in lives of people who have come to our home (not even realizing we had the library!). They either took books, left a book, or said they would be coming back. It makes me happy to have something that affects others in our community. All while fulfilling a wish I've had for years. 

One of these recent conversations I had, was about how there should be a game app for Little Libraries. Picture it as a sort of Hide-n-Seek thing. Like Geocache. Like Pokemon GO. But for BOOK LOVERS! Can you imagine how much fun that could be?! Okay, I'm calm now. Excited, but calm. Let's rationalize such a thing. 

But they have a locator for Little Free Libraries, you say.

Sure they do. But in order to have your library on their locators and app, you have to pay for it by purchasing a charter sign. And honestly, people like me can't afford that. Who is paying to have their little book nook featured these days with our broken economy? So here is where I'm proposing something totally different. 

A free app. That people can create an account with. It will have map functions that allow you to search your area and find Little Libraries - FOR FREE! If you have an account that is showing your library, you'd have a photo so people know what they are looking for. Maybe tell what ages your included books are for. Let people know if you prefer they exchange, borrow, or just take books. Personally, I prefer people take a book. I have told locals that I talked to that I want them to take a book and not worry about bringing it back. Share the books with others. Find their new favorites. If they feel like dropping another book in, great! Maybe I will find a new favorite for myself or my kids. 

Step up the fun factor a notch!

Maybe set up events sometimes for a search. Find this little library and sign a log. Or enter a giveaway. I don't know. But make it a challenge that others can enjoy. See who can find the most maybe? Especially during summer and winter breaks. This gets parents more involved too. I know that seems like a foreign concept to so many, but if a parent promoted reading more, their kids would show improvements in other areas of their lives. Reading is proven to have positive results in grades, learning, and just in living. Reading takes us all to another place, to be someone else for a while, to live a different life. It teaches us new things that can be useful in real living. 

One final note...

There is another benefit to this idea. It would bring the community together more. There are a lot of things said about how a Little Library has brought people to meet each other. Neighbors meet neighbors. Discover things they share in common. Look out for each other more. Could you imagine the changes your own street might see if that were the case? We have amazing neighbors! I know 3 of them by name. And we are getting to know them better as time goes on. One of the families on our street has even talked about homeschooling their grandson and asked about getting help from me. See? Finding things we will have in common! This is something we all should want to cultivate in today's world. There are just so many reasons we want to avoid each other. But that just makes more issues. We need to be coming together more. Building each other up more. 

What if creating such an app could do just that? Can you imagine it? Because I could... 

Leave me a comment below letting me know your thoughts. And if you have heard of something like this already started, please let me know so I can join the fun!

Reusable Water Balloons?!

Did you play with the water hose as a kid? Chasing siblings or friends? Maybe jumping through the sprinkler system? How about water balloons? Did you love throwing them at others and hoping to get hit in turn? I did! And so, apparently, do at least some of my children. You know what I didn't like? I didn't enjoy having to pick up the balloon pieces afterwards. Tiny bits of busted rubber, a rainbow of colors everywhere! Reminded me of that part in Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters where his very important job was to clean up after the Hero Games were over...

 So, what if I told you that there were alternatives? Like... reusable water balloons? No, I'm not talking about sponges filled with water that you throw at each other! I'm talking about a soft silicon-like container with magnets that keep the top half attached to the lower half. And actually do pretty good at keeping the water inside until they hit someone and splash!

It is a very clever concept called Hydrobursts Balloon by Relatable toys. I got this through Influenster. But when I attempted to look them up, I learned they are just too new! So I'm letting you know what we think for when they start hitting the store shelves.

*Disclaimer: I was sent this product for free in exchange for sharing my reviews. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are my own.*

As a mom, I don't want something that is going to make a horrendous mess in my yard. I don't want bits of rubber everywhere that is dangerous for pets or babies. That makes my yard look trashy. I also prefer toys that are economical. We don't have money to buy tons of new balloons just to throw and pop in a couple seconds. 

These are soft, so the hit won't hurt. Even the ridge with built-in magnets isn't that hard. My 7 and 11 year olds both had a blast tossing them at each other. 

I suggest having a water-filled bowl or bucket to keep the fun going. They are easy to refill like that. 

This is going to make the summer so much more fun! And also give us a good reprieve from the Texas heat. Definitely an amazing product that we enjoyed testing out!

A Time Out for the Midland County Fair

Our family has had a lot going on. But we still try to take out a moment for fun as a unit. Our most recent adventure? Going to the Midland County Fair! 

This is the first time we have been able to do so. We were pretty new in town last year. Going to and from work, my husband was able to watch the transformation of the Midland County Horseshoe as the rides for the carnival went up.  

In case you are interested in what they offer, here is the official website. You know me, I'm a planner. So I check into an event as much as I possibly can before we go. These are the posted rules:

Things to know:

You can't bring in food and drinks. They have vendors there for that. More on those options below.

You can purchase a VIP Pass for unlimited carnival rides. These are bought on site, or just buy tickets for a few rides. The VIP pass is $35. Individual tickets are $1 each. Rides are about 3-5 tickets each. My husband couldn't wait for us all to try out the centrifuge ride called Starship 4000. 

He had been on one a long while back. You all stand against the wall of this round ride and it spins around, pinning you in place! This ride cost 5 tickets per person. So it turned out to be the only one we rode this time. This was the enclosed version. They had an open air one too. It was quite warm in here. And I definitely had to close my eyes a couple times.

Foods were plentiful! There were food trucks and then, in the carnival, you had the types of foods you would expect to see. We preferred trying the food trucks this time. There were so many options! So let's break it down... We tried some amazing juices and lemonades. My husband and I loved the mango one. My oldest son says the cherry lemonade was divine. My oldest daughter got a Root Beer Float from the Hawaiian Shaved Ice truck.

We tried fried Oreos and Twix bars. 4 fried Oreos or 2 Twix bars were $10 each.  I told my husband I can officially knock that off my bucket list. One son had curly fries. He wasn't as thrilled with those as they were made straight up from potatoes cut in a curling pattern. But they were quite the serving for $10. The Mini Donuts truck had some delicious tiny donuts that my youngest enjoyed. She got the Banana Cream Pie ones. You get 12 for $9. The nachos my other girl got were also $10 for a decent serving. My favorite? Steak on a Stick! $10 got us a delicious ribeye steak that was cut into chunks and grilled to perfection. My husband and I shared one.

Bringing cash is better. Using the card means you will pay additional fees or even just $1 more per item.

They have vendors inside. This is also where they had the Pet Parade and information on the various shows you could check out. Or the contests that were being held. We didn't spend much time in here, but it was still pretty interesting to see various types of things that were being sold. 

Overall, it was a fantastic experience that the whole family enjoyed. We were a little fried by the end of our time there. After all it was 104 degrees out there. But it was worth it. The kids are even asking to go back next year!