Summer days

Has it really been nearly 2 months since I last blogged here?

I've hit a rut.

I think about it at least once a day, but something ... else ... always gets in the way. Or I open up a new post and stare at it, waiting for something to come. But nothing does. Which is crazy because it isn't like we aren't doing anything. We have been on the go more than we are home lately.  Homeschool is finished. And I feel like THIS



Al and I have managed to get out a little bit. I had almost forgotten how nice it feels to spend some time without the boys in tow here and there.

 

We hosted a 6 boy sleepover a few weeks ago. Um ... we might be waiting for our next - bigger - house to host one of those again ... but the kids had a great time! (Right up until they finally fell asleep at 2am.)

 

 

The boys spent an afternoon with some friends helping to feed the homeless last weekend. We were so proud of what a great job all the kids did.

 

 

The boys and I have been hitting up the beach. Three times in less than a week ... and I wish it was more. Hello Summer! Love my little surfers.

Even though it was cool outside this morning I was ready to pack the car, call my sister in law, and drag them all down anyway ... till the boys revolted and decided to stay home. Um, who are these kids. They can't be mine because I could spend Every summer day beaching it.

Instead we stayed home (minus the trip to the market to order the twins cake).

There is something that is breaking me down. The twins turning 7.

For more than a few reasons I feel like I have not been able to get out of my own way lately. Being in limbo over the house being sold, where the boys will be in school for September, backup plans for everything ... I even skipped the gym Wednesday night, missing the workout with the girls. And I really look forward to that workout.

As I sat home beating myself up over what was wrong ... it started to hit me. All the things I mentioned are definitely contributing, but oh my god, my babies are turning 7 next week. Officially. SEVEN. How do I have babies that are going to be 7. I don't even think I can take it ... because you know, they were just ....

this big and all like yesterday. Wasn't it?

Right now we are planning for their friend party this weekend, and I am telling myself that I will be OK next week when the actual day hits. Because right now, they are still 6. And maybe I can find a way to stop time over the next few days.

I have also been struggling a little with what exactly to Put in this Space of mine. Once upon a time I blogged nearly everything. Very little was off limits. As the boys get older, they have started to tell me what I can blog, Facebook, Tweet ... it's sort of funny.

Put this online.

Don't put that online though. (And so on.)

The more things that happen with their careers as well, I know I will have to re-examine things. No new movies yet, but the Doodle Bop has done a few commercials and actually caught the first one airing last week while he happened to be watching TV.

It's a pretty quick one, but here is the one I could pull from YouTube.



For now, I'm just going to take things slow. Blog here and there, see what comes. Re-evaluate as we go along.

Marvel Super Hero Mashers giveaway! #MyMashup

**Disclosure: Hasbro sent us one Marvel Super Hero Mashers action figure assortment and one battle upgrade in exchange for our social media promotions and review. Opinions are all our own. (Stick with us for a giveaway below!)


My kids have been sick on and off for weeks. Finding this package on our doorstep totally perked them up. They had seen the commercials for the Marvel Super Hero Mashers and wanted them more than anything. It was a total coincidence that on the day the box arrived, the twins were already wearing their favorite super hero shirts. We are all about super heroes over here!

They tore into the box to find... the Iron Patriot and Captain America!

As we all know, a hero always lends a hand. Or a leg. Or a head! Hasbro’s all-new MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS action figure line features your favorite MARVEL Super Heroes and Villains with completely interchangeable parts and accessories, so kids can create their very own ridiculously silly heroes! With more than 20 unique MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS characters planned for 2014, there are tons of silly ways to mash them all.

They spent the rest of the night playing together, making all different combinations. The boys could not stop telling me how awesome it was because superheroes could be all mixed up, making different super heroes.

My oldest made the final creation. He named it "Captain Iron" and put it in front of our flag for photos.

More than 20 unique mashers are planned for 2014 and the boys can't wait to add to their collection.

The boys and I get to give away one MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS BATTLE UPGRADE figure to a lucky reader. To enter, comment below with your favorite Marvel Super Hero. Giveaway open to US residents only - prize will be mailed by Hasbro. Giveaway closes 8pm on Sunday, March 2. For a second entry, tweet about this giveaway (link to this post included) and leave an additional comment with the link to the tweet.







MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS Action Figures Assortment
(Ages: 4 & up /Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Now!)
Would a hero with SPIDER-MAN’s body and HAWKEYE’S head shoot arrows or webs? With MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS, the possibilities are colossal for you to make YOUR mash-up! Thirteen figures will be available in this assortment in 2014, featuring favorite Marvel characters like CAPTAIN AMERICA, SPIDER-MAN and GREEN GOBLIN. Each figure is sold separately and comes with an accessory. 

MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS BATTLE UPGRADE Action Figures Assortment
(Ages: 4 & up /Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Now!)
Each MARVEL SUPER HERO MASHERS BATTLE UPGRADE figure comes with multiple Battle Gear pieces, including a launching missile, for even more crazy combinations! Seven figures will be available in this assortment in 2014, featuring favorite Marvel characters like HULK, THOR and VENOM. Additional Mash up arms included with Wave 2 figures. Each figure sold separately.

Danny and the terrible horrible no good very bad week - or two

The last 3 weeks have been a whirlwind of sickness around here.

The Doodle Bop would be sick for a few days, get better, then get sick. Repeat. 

Last Tuesday night he started complaining at wrestling practice that he didn't feel good and sat out for awhile. Looking completely fine, I made him get back to practice after a half hour. A few hours after he went to bed that night? Hit with what I thought was a stomach bug. Complete with the I told you I didn't feel good tears.

Mommy guilt like you wouldn't believe.

Once his stomach started to get better, he ended up with a pretty good fever and missed the rest of the week at school. He and Cappy spent days on the couch watching the Olypmics I would DVR for him, or the Cartoon Network.

We skipped out on Sunday's wrestling tournament just to make sure everyone was healthy once and for all. He was finally feeling good but I wasn't taking any chances. At some point on Sunday, I started to notice a rash popping up. He has had them after fevers before so I wasn't too concerned. Until he fell asleep and didn't remember ... and continued to get more itchy.

Monday morning I took him right into the pediatrician. I started to wonder if I had missed cox sackie (which made an awful appearance last summer). No, it was Scarlet Fever. Like in the Velveteen Rabbit. Who knew people still got that! While he never complained about his throat hurting, he had strep ... which likely caused what I thought was the stomach bug ... and the fevers ... and now the rash (still following me?) ... which turned into Scarlet Fever.

I wanted to cry for my poor baby. How did I not see this. Antibiotics, no school or sports till Wednesday at least the pediatrician said ... but maybe wait till Thursday depending on how he feels. As much as I wanted him back in school, he was still so itchy and miserable I kept him home Wednesday. I can not say enough good things about Aveeno Naturals anti-itch cream and their soothing bath treatments. I discovered the bath treatments when the boys were babies and always have some on hand at home. This was our first time using the cream they make.

Snow day Thursday which worked out just fine. Weeks ago, Channel 10 had made an appointment to come interview the boys. I mistakenly made it for during the day because I was thinking it was February vacation. The Doodle Bop was FINALLY better and it was going to be an exciting day!

The news truck pulled up in front of our house and when one of the boys called out that they were here, the Doodle Bop went running to see. Only he slipped, fell and cracked his chin open on the tile floor - at the moment they were walking in the door.

Because of course.

It's almost funny. I didn't know what to do ... cancel the interview? We put a band aid on it and iced his chin while we watched them do a weather report outside of our house.

Then we sat down to the interview (which will run next week sometime).

Once we were done, I took another look at his chin and it was still bleeding. Despite his protests, we grabbed a few things and I headed out with him in the storm to go get it checked at Hasbro. Three stitches to the chin.

I nearly passed out trying to hold his hand and watching them stitch him as he cried. They had given him a medicine to make him a little loopy but I think he had so much anxiety it didn't completely work ... until After they had finished.

Mommeeeee! My head is so heavy. I Can't Lift it! HAHAHA

We had to have at least 4 conversations about what was on his chin and why it was bandaged. Followed by a shocked and teary I got stitches? What?! When did that happen!

I carried my baby into the car, and then the house when we got home. He hugged me, looked into my eyes on the steps and said Mommy I'm sorry you have to do this for me.

My heart just about exploded. Oh no baby, I said. I would do anything for you. 

I sat him on the couch and his brothers were excited to help 'take care' of him. Handing over his video game controllers, tissues, anything he needed till he was feeling better. Daddy went out and picked up the pizza and cheesy bread sticks of his choice for dinner.

It was incredibly hard for me to drop him off at school today. He needs to get back into the routine, but after being out sick over a week, plus a snow day, plus stitches? Why was I sending him back for just one day when 3pm starts February vacation for the kids.

Because he needed the routine. And his friends.

I cancelled an appointment I was really looking forward to this morning, because as much as he wanted to go in he was still pretty teary on and off ... and I just knew he could be calling me to come back and get him. Only it's now almost lunch, and the school has not called.

I guess I need to remember he is tougher than I think.

My poor guy is out of wrestling for a minimum of a week - if not two. Due to where the stitches are, he needs to be healed enough before he can get back to practice and tournaments. Gymnastics and swim are OK for next week, but no wrestling per the doctors. He's hoping he can wrestle in next weekend's tournament. If we do allow it, that will most likely be his first time back on the mats in weeks.

I am so proud of him though. He loves wrestling more than anything and while he is upset he has to take a break, he is still going to practice tonight to sit with his team and watch. And he understands that he will have to cheer his brothers and friends on from the sidelines this Sunday.

He suddenly seems older than six to me.

Transformers Construct-bots from Hasbro - Giveaway

One of the many things my boys are obsessed with are Transformers. My husband grew up with them and he passed his love for them right on to the boys. When the Transformers Construct-Bots package showed up in the mail a few weeks ago, there may have been some screams of joy. But then that happens around here any time a package from Hasbro arrives.

*Disclosure: The boys and I were given two Construct-Bots sets from Hasbro to review, in exchange for a blog post and social media promotions. Stick with us - there is a giveaway at the end you won't want to miss!

Just what are the Construct-Bots? For the first time, Transformers fans can construct, customize and convert their very own Bots! The newest innovation from Hasbro, each Transformers Construct-Bots figure includes a robot frame, armor, weapons, and accessory parts to let kids build and customize their own robot action figure. To enhance the play experience, each CONSTRUCT-BOTS figure can quickly and easily convert from robot to vehicle and back - without taking it apart.

The best part? All of the parts are interchangeable between *all* Transformers Construct-Bots figures, so there is almost no limit to what kids can create!

And you know there's an app for that too! Free on the App Store or Google Play, you can play on your tablet or mobile device. Construct and customize your Transformers robots on the go by entering codes found in the toys to unlock Part Packs. Part Packs let you construct and customize bigger, stronger bots to help you get further in the game. The boys have actually been having so much fun playing with the Construct-Bots that we haven't even gotten to the app just yet.

This is WheelJack - from the Elite Action Figure Set.  (55 pieces, ages 6+)  The set came with a super cute red storage set to keep the pieces in.

This is IronHide - from the Scout Action Figure set. (45 pieces, ages 6+)

I think the Big Guy liked it best when he converted WheelJack into the car. After the boys spent some time playing with each one separately, they got together with Daddy to work on constructing something brand new. They used pieces from each of the two sets (both WheelJack and IronHide) and came up with their very own custom creation.

I present to you ... Iron Jack - as named by the boys. And yes, he has two heads.

How awesome is he!

The boys give the Construct-Bots two thumbs up!

Now who wants to win a Transformers Construct-Bots Triple Changer Set from Hasbro?! Open to US residents only, comment below on this post and tell me who you would like to win this for. For a second entry, comment again below and tell me who your favorite Transformer was growing up and why. Remember to leave an email address. 

Winner will be notified by email. Prize will be sent directly from Hasbro. Giveaway closes at 8am on Wednesday, December 4th when the winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Star Wars Angry Birds Telepods - Giveaway!

So it's no secret my boys are obsessed with all things Angry Birds Star Wars. They were thrilled with the last review we did, and pretty much freaked out when the Telepods arrived in the mail recently.
Mommy!!! The new app was available on September 19th! - from my child who had been watching all the commercials and waiting.

They tore into the box to see which one we had been sent to review this time. Disclosure: We were sent the items in the photo below for review. Opinions are, as always, all our own.

We present to you, Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods - Endor Chase.

Angry Birds Star Wars Telepods from Hasbro let kids play TWO WAYS. (That was huge with my kids.) It not only comes with a classic stack and launch game featuring iconic Angry Birds Star Wars vehicles and environments, but each Telepods figure can be used with the included Telepods base and a compatible smart device to "teleport" the character directly into the new app. This marks the first time Angry Birds players get the chance to customize their line-up, and the first time they can play as the "Pork Side" and fling the pigs.
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The boys loved setting the pieces up any way they wanted. They could make the set up different almost every time.

Look closely, one of the boys launched his piece and it's knocking everything down. Favorite part right there. Never gets old they tell me.

With so many different pieces you can purchase to choose from, the boys are all over the selection and planning out which ones they want to buy next to add to their collection.

They wanted to show everyone how they play the game. They prefer to do it on the iPad for the most space, although you can do it from most cell phones as well if you install the app. (Check starwars.hasbro.com for smart device compatibility.)



The one part I still haven't told the boys yet? You can TELEPORT YOURSELF into the game! How exciting is that?! You can be an angry bird!

And now for my favorite part, we get to give one game away to another Star Wars Angry Birds lover! To enter, just leave a comment below (with an email address so I can contact you if you win) and tell me who you want to win this for. For one extra entry, tweet this giveaway out on Twitter. Come back and leave me the link in comments. Contest closes on 10/23/13 at noon.

ANGRY BIRDS^TM STAR WARS® TELEPODS^TM VEHICLE PACKS

(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & Up)

Stack these structures to recreate iconic ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS scenes, place your Rebel Bird in the vehicle, pull back and send him launching off the ramp to defeat the evil Pig Empire with an epic crash! Each set comes with two figures – one of which is exclusive.

ANGRY BIRDS^TM STAR WARS® TELEPODS^TM FIGURE PACK

(Approximate Retail Price: $5.99; Ages: 5 & Up)

The perfect way to start building your collection of Rebel Birds and Imperial Pigs! 

Hasbro: It's a summer destination too!

We never did make it to the beach last week.

The next morning, the Doodle Bop woke up with blood sugar issues (from dropping weight earlier in the week I am sure) that I had not seen in over two years with him. Then? He started breaking out like crazy. We could only use the Benadryl every six hours, but less than four would go by and he would be all blotchy. I called the pediatrician and spoke with the nurse. They said I could not under any circumstances give him more Benadryl before the six hours was up and assured me he would be fine.

But he was looking like this...

And this. And crying that he was oh so itchy. As time went on, I started to panic.

I took the boys to Al's office because the Doodle Bop was missing Daddy. When I got there, Danielle called me to come over so she could take a look at him. Once she saw him, she agreed he should go to the hospital. These photos don't even really do what he looked like justice. She and her husband kept my other two guys and off to Hasbro the Doodle Bop and I went.

Everyone was so nice. They got us in immediately upon seeing him. I was showing everyone I could some of the photos I had taken of him as the week went along. I do document so many things with the boys, but not usually stages of sickness. Something about this time though, made me feel like I needed to keep photos of what I was seeing. Something felt so... off. Yes we had been to the doctor's office twice and I had called in on the other days ... but something made me store photos here and there on my cell.

The first doctor didn't seem very concerned, she told me the same thing my pedi's office had. It was the second doctor who finally put me at ease. I hear you have some pictures, he said ... and he asked me some questions before he took a look at them. As I answered, he was telling the intern with him it sounded like a classic case. He needed to see the photos to be sure.

I showed him what his throat had looked like, along with the progression of the splotches.

Yes, the other doctor's had all been right - the irritation he was having now was an overactive auto immune response to his body trying to fight off the germs. But what everyone else missed? Was that it started with Coxsackie. In his throat only.

Because of course. Because the Doodle Bop always has his two fingers in his mouth...which is how he got hand foot and mouth when he was two. I am always warning this child he is going to get sick from picking up germs like that.

While it would not have changed anything medically, had we known about the Coxsackie, I never would have exposed him to other kids that morning when we thought he was no longer contagious. I couldn't help feeling mad. How did 3 other doctors miss what another could tell just by looking at some cell phone photos (photos that 2 of those 3 doctors saw in person).

More Benadryl, a Popsicle and a few hours later, we were sent home with a script for something similar to Benadryl but stronger. And a warning that he would still be considered contagious till Monday. It was awful having to give up taking everyone to Boston on Saturday to see some old friends from college. We sent Al to represent the family and spent the day on the couch.

Today is the 9th day since the Doodle Bop got sick. The Big Guy fought off what I think was the start of the same thing, the Bunny Bee never got it. Tomorrow we can go back to our old routine. Tuesday means swim lessons, then wrestling practice. While I cancelled all appointments through today, I decided we were close enough and the boys had been stuck inside enough.

We took off to the beach for a few hours.

The crew.

They were all pretty low key today, but the water was cold and I think they were still moving a little slow from being home for so long. They actually asked to leave the beach. Usually it's me trying to drag three boys out who do.not.want.to.leave.yet.Mommy!

I think we will head back again tomorrow. For however long they want to stay - but not all day - because we have swim and wrestling to get back to. I think it will be good for them. No matter how sick they were over the last week, it never fully stopped them from randomly practicing wrestling and gymnastics moves.

I am so looking forward to being back in the swing of our normal routine, as busy as it is. I feel like I need to soak up every last bit of summer over the next few weeks. 

May the fourth be with you - Angry Birds Star Wars giveaway!

Last week the boys and I arrived home from swim lessons to find a very exciting package sitting on our steps. A package so exciting, they all screamed. What was it you ask?

None other than ... The Angry Birds Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bounce game from Hasbro. (And an Angry Birds Star Wars Chewbacca Bird foam flyer too!)

The boys informed me they had been dying for these... ever since they started seeing the commercials on their favorite kids' channels. It was incredibly hard to get them to bed that night so I could take a look at the directions and set the Millennium Falcon Bounce game up for the next day.

While ages 8+ are recommended, I still felt like this was perfect for my twin 5 (almost 6) year olds and my 7 year old. I took care of the assembly, which was just putting a few cardboard and plastic pieces together and adding the stickers. The next day I walked the boys through the game. With supervision, they picked it up very quickly. So quickly in fact, it has become their new favorite game.

You win by being the first one to hit 30,000 points. I admit, I thought oh my God this game will never end! But I was completely wrong. Each player gets a chance to bounce 3 balls. Points are scored for:
knocking down the pigs (1,000 each)
getting the ball in the center (3,000 each)
ball in cockpit (5,000 each)
Believe it or not those points add up quickly with 3 boys competing for the win. Since my guys are still a little small, I added a notepad and paper so we can keep score together. I kind of like that it even gets them to practice a little math in the process!

The game even comes with a unique code to unlock app content online. The Millennium Falcon Bounce game retails for aprox. $19.99 (and the foam flyer aprox. $9.99) and is available now in stores, as well as online with Hasbro.

Want to see a little more? The boys made a short video explaining how they play the game.



In honor of May 4th, Hasbro wants to spread some of the fun around so you too can have a chance for the fourth to be with YOU! I get to give away an Angry Birds Star Wars product on my blog! To enter, leave me a comment below telling me who you would give the game to. For an additional entry, tweet this blog post link to the giveaway - and make sure you come back to leave an additional comment with your twitter handle for verification purposes.

This is a quick one y'all. Contest closes at 3pm on May 4, 2013. Winner will be notified by email and must provide their mailing address. Angry Birds Star Wars product (of Hasbro's choice) will be sent directly to the winner from Hasbro.

Good luck, and may the fourth be with you!

Tomorrow ONLY (May 4th) - Use the Promo Code SWFANDAY for 20% off any Star Wars toy on HasbroToyShop.com ... pick up some of Hasbro's great Angry Birds Star Wars games and toys, based on the hit mobile game from Rovio Entertainment!

***Disclosure: We were provided with both the Millennium Falcon Bounce game and the Chewbacca foam flyer by Hasbro, in exchange for our honest review. Opinions are, as always, all our own.***