Pottery Awesomeness + Giveaway

It's been a while since we featured someone in our Mix & Mingle series. We love shopping and sharing small businesses - especially businesses run by fellow moms. When we met Stephanie of Pottery Awesomeness we knew we wanted you to love her just as much as we do, and thought this was the perfect way for you guys to get to know her better. 

Stephanie has a love for art and kids that is infectious. She owns a paint your own pottery studio called York River Pottery Co. in Virginia (stop by and say hi to her if you are in the Gloucester Point area!). After seeing the joy brought to children in her studio (including her own), she decided to start Pottery Awesomeness. 

First let's get to know a little bit about this fabulous lady behind the paint brush. 

What has been your favorite part of owning Pottery Awesomeness? 

My favorite part of creating Pottery Awesomeness has been the idea that I will be able to connect with and bring joy to so many more people (especially children) than I originally thought possible.  I run a "paint your own pottery" studio in a small town in Virginia and see first hand, every day, how much joy painting pottery brings to kids.  When the idea for Pottery Awesomeness came to me, it was like a lightning strike!  I thought... "That's it!" That's how I can reach more people.  I don't think in this digital age that kids are exposed to enough art.  It's my personal mission to change that as much as I can!  I even offer school fundraising to further that reach even more.

Do you have a personal favorite kit or pottery piece? Your Kids Favorite? 

Choosing a favorite kit for me is hard, as I have created characters out of each of them.  They are all a part of #TeamAwesome and "work" at Pottery Awesomeness Headquarters (my house).  If you follow my Instagram feed, it's like a soap opera, lol.  Robotron currently has the hots for Shelley, but he's afraid to tell her.  I can tell you that my daughter's favorite is Shelley (the mermaid) and my son's is Robotron.  He makes me tape cardboard around his legs so that he can't bend his knees and is forced to walk like a robot... and fall. A lot. So, yeah, he's into robots - haha.

If you could have dinner with any famous person in the world, who would it be? 

If I could have dinner with any famous person in the world, I think it would be Kristen Bell.  I was a huge fan of hers from way back when she was Veronica Mars and have had a huge girl crush on her ever since.  She's smart, funny, beautiful, talented, but the kicker for me is that she is so likable!  You can't not like her!  I can't speak for her, but at least I would be entertained.

You're trapped on an island. What is the one thing you must have with you that you can't live without? 

If I were trapped on an island today, I would want my knitting with me with a magically endless ball of yarn.  I taught myself to knit from YouTube a couple of years ago and go through spurts where I can't put it down and then when I just don't have time, but still dream about it.  I find it to be such an amazing form of meditation.  I am also not very good at it, lol. So, I assume the whole island thing would give me the time to master it.

What book or TV show can you not stop reading/watching right now? 

I am absolutely loving the book, "Gus" by Kim Holden.  It's actually the sequel to "Bright Side".  I read "Bright Side" a little over a year ago and even though it seems like an unassuming love story about a college-aged girl, it literally changed the way I looked at life on a daily basis for the past year.  It's a book about gratefulness and sometimes, all you need is a shift in perspective when the going gets tough.  This book has made me look at every "rough patch" through some seriously rose colored glasses and that's pretty powerful stuff!!  Oh and Gus is a fun read too... he's a handsome, talented, "needs to find the right girl" rock star... what's not to like?

Pottery Awesomeness provides mail order painting kits for children. Each kit is set up to have everything your child needs from start to finish for their project. It's like having a personal painting studio in your own home. Being a mom, Stephanie has taken her own personal experience, as well gotten tons of input from her own young children, to create the perfect painting kit for your own little ones. 

Each kit comes with all the supplies your child will need to create their own custom pottery piece. You chose from one of the custom curated pottery boxes available. From unicorns to dinosaurs - there are so many adorable options! 

We gave the Valentine's Day kit a try, and our kids loved it! 

From the paint to the instructions, we loved it too. The kit was so user friendly and easy to use - which was so hopeful to this non-craftsy mom. 

As the kids were painting they kept asking if they could give one to their friends. We totally agreed  - because now getting the chance to experience Pottery Awesomeness at home we realize it totally lives up to its name. Pottery Awesomeness is great gift idea! 

Once the painting is done the fun doesn't stop there. When we say Stephanie has thought of everything, she literally has thought of everything when coming up with the perfect pottery kit for your little one. The kit comes with crayons and is shipped in a box that your kids can color as well as play a seek and find game with characters on the box. Such a great way to extend the creative play time for your child! 

POTTERY AWESOMENESS GIVEAWAY

Now to extend the fun to YOU! Stephanie rocks in many ways, but one is her giving heart. She wanted to give one lucky Magnolia Mamas reader a chance to give their kids the gift of a Pottery Awesomeness kit. 

To enter...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on February 14, 2020. Winner must be over 18 and a resident of the United States. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be announced. 

Good luck everyone! 

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The BEST Golden Goose Dupes

Today's post has been a collection of months of my internet searching. I've mentioned this before, but I REALLY want a pair of Golden Goose sneakers.  I am currently obsessing over THESE with the cute gingham star.  Wouldn't they be perfect for spring?!

As much as I love them and know I would wear the heck out of them, it just isn't going to happen. The price is just WAY too steep for me, so unless I can find a pair on major sale, I am going to have to settle for a dupe. The good news is there are a LOT of great dupes out there and so many cute styles, colors and patterns that you don't have to spend a crazy amount to get the same look.  

Metallic Star Sneakers//Black Denim//White Tee//Cardigan (similar) 

I bought THESE from Amazon just to sort of test the waters and see how much I would actually wear them.  The answer is, I wear them a ton! I feel like I can wear them with casual outfits and it looks a little more put together than wearing a running shoe.  To me they are the shoe that describes my style perfectly...casual, but just a little bit fancy. 

I've been on the hunt for another great dupe and have the very BEST ones to share with y'all today.  So many of these options come in different colors and patterns.  The prices range anywhere from around $30 - $130 depending on the brand and now my only problem is deciding which ones to order because I really love them all! 

1. Pink Pink  ($115) - I would LOVE this pink pair for spring and summer. THESE are cute too! 

2. Neon Yellow/Snake Skin ($132) - I have seen these in person and they look really good.  They have the worn/scuffed look just like Golden Goose and the colors are really fun.

3. Glitter Star ($50) - Love the glittery look of these! These are fun too!

4. Leopard Star ($85) - These are maybe the best dupe for the price that I have seen. They already have the worn look Golden Goose is known for and come in several different colors.

5. Animal Print ($150) - When I saw these I did a double take. I love the animal print, the blue laces and just feel like these are different in a really good way. (Note - these have very limited sizes left. Another great option is this pair.)

6. Metallic Gold ($35)  - Comes in a bunch of different metallic and glitter options.

7. Multi-Color Snakeskin with Star Studs ($145) - Not sure what it is about theses, but I love them!  I like the high-top option and feel like this is something JEM and the Holograms would wear. (Note - these have very limited sizes left. We like THIS PAIR too!)

8. Glitter High-Tops ($68) - These have amazing reviews and have the patch on the tongue and the scuffed/worn marks just like the real deal. (If you are willing to go a little pricier THIS PAIR is a cute option too!)

9. Zebra Print ($105) - I thought these were fun for people who like color and patterns.  (Note - these have very limited sizes left. THESE PAIRS are fun too!)

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Slow Cooker Pizza Pasta Recipe

Easy dinner alert!! Naturally I'm not a food person. I eat like a five year old, and my cooking skills are about equivalent. I have friends that are excellent cooks, and have tried to teach me their ways, share their dinner secrets, and even bring me meals because otherwise they know my poor family would be eating tacos Monday through Friday.

Not that there is anything wrong with tacos. Because...well, tacos.

But, long time readers know I love a good slow cooker recipe. Carrie Beth and I both do. As busy moms who play mom taxi from 2-9p.m. respectively each nice, it's nice to just take a handful of ingredients, throw them in a pot and call it a day. Or in this case dinner.

A few weeks ago, I was looking for a recipe on Pinterest to shake things up in my slow cooker repertoire, and I found a recipe called "Pizza Pasta". I screen shot the recipe on my phone or else I would go back and give the creator a huge shout out. 

The Slow Cooker Pizza Pasta was a huge hit amongst the entire family. Even Mr. Magnolia. And he's a tough sell when it comes to all things involving a crockpot. 

It is really really simple (see those five year old cooking skills) and easy to adjust to your own tastes. 

And it tastes like pizza. Which everyone knows is the second major food group behind tacos. 

Here's the quick and easy recipe...

SLOW COOKER PIZZA PASTA

Prep Time - 10 mins

Total Time - 1.5 hours

INGREDIENTS

• 1 jar of pizza sauce
• 1 box of penne pasta
• 1 pound of ground meat (I used a mixture of ground sausage and ground turkey.)  
• 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• Optional: sliced pepperoni 

INSTRUCTIONS

• Cook pasta according to instructions.
• Brown meat(s).  

• Mix pasta, meats, and sauce in a large bowl. 

• Layer pasta mixture with cheese in slow cooker.  

• Cook on low for 1 - 1.5 hours.  

• Serve and enjoy! 

Have any slow cooker recipes that even a five year old can make? If so, share with me! It's always good to have a little something up my sleeve to really "wow" the fam. ;) 

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Book Club: February 2020

Happy February friends! January always seems like the longest month out of the year. It's a good recovery and refresh month (especially when it comes to our homes and project list!), but it also tends to drag with its cold, dreary weather. 

So, we are pumped to put it behind us and move on to February. And to one of our favorite posts out of the month...

...Book Club! 

We were both on the reading wagon this month, and can't wait to share! 

Also, please send in suggestions because we need to keep this train rolling. Or at least be able to tune out for a few minutes the constant sounds of YouTube and TikTok that emit from various devices around us. 

WHAT WE READ...

CARRIE BETH

This month started out STRONG for me when I listened to Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

I loved this book!  It tells about the rise and fame of a 70's rock band on their way to being world famous and explains the mystery behind their prompt breakup. It is told through an interview style and reads as if it is a biography or memoir. Because there are many different narrators and the text is all very conversational, it tells the story in a way that feels SO real.  I even Googled at one point to see if this was about a real band (it wasn't), but the way it was written and told made you think it was.  I would 100% recommend listening to this because I think the different narrators totally made this book and I'm not sure I would have been as into it if I was reading it myself. This was so different than a typical novel and so creatively written. It is going to be hard to top this one as my favorite book of the year! 

Next up for me was Colleen Hoover's newest novel, Regretting You. I haven't read a Hoover novel  that I didn't enjoy.  I feel like a lot of her writing is very similar in style, but I like it so always come back to her novels. 

This one follows a mother and her teenage daughter as they learn some devastating news that will change their futures. As they begin to uncover a hidden secret it makes them question everything they thought they knew about the man that was the husband/father in their life.  As each of them deals with grief in their own way, they also learn to be open to loving again.  It felt a little predictable and was kind of forgettable.  It kept me me listening non-stop, but it was just OK. It was a typical Hoover novel so if you like that style you'll like this one. 

Some of you may remember that I named American Royals as my favorite book of 2019, so when I heard that The Royal We was pretty similar, I couldn't wait to add this one to my list. 

It is the classic American girl meets a prince and falls in love kind of story. This particular story follows the two lovebirds and their real life ups and downs over many years. They fall in love, they break up and they fall in love again.  It's a peek into what royal life is like and shows the struggles of falling in love with such a high profile person who is tied to the crown.  I really liked this book and was excited to learn that there is a sequel coming out this summer titled The Heir Affair. I will definitely be listening to this one, too.   

JEN

As I settled down to write this post I thought I wouldn't have much to say. But, then I looked back at my reading list I keep and realized I read more than it felt. Especially because I got so sucked into a few new shows I've been watching. 

January is such a looooooong month. It's the one month that seems to stretch forever to me. Looking back I did most of my reading/listening at the beginning of the month, while my children were still on holiday break. I'm not sure about you, but Christmas already feels like forever ago. But, somewhere between packing up holiday decor and entertaining my three Mini Magnolias, I managed to sneak in some reading.  

Because I can't stop watching Virgin River on Netflix, I decided to read the next two books in the Virgin River series. The show kind of mixes all these books together and diverts a little from the text. So, it was fun for me to read a little bit more about the characters in depth. All the books in the series are stand alone novels, but the characters all intertwine and lead back to the main characters in the first book. Much like Virgin River, Shelter Mountain and Whispering Rock have a little bit heartache, a whole lot of drama, a bit of mystery, and a lot of romance intertwined in them. They are fun books, and ones I'd put on your list if you have a Winter Break or Spring Break on the horizon. I took a break from the rest of the series, but plan on picking it back up soon. 

For my next book, I changed things up a bit and picked this historical fiction novel. The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff was recommended to me by a friend. It was so good! And one of those books that will stick with you for a while long after its gone. The story follows Grace who is a recent widow in the 1940's post WWII. Grace finds an abandoned suitcase in Grand Central Station, and decides to open it. Inside she finds photos of young women, and is intrigued. Grace's life then becomes wrapped up in war, spies, and mystery. It was such an interesting story, and at times I felt like it was a little rushed, even though you are being given a ton of information, but I couldn't put it down. I later learned this was a fictional story but was based on true events. That was fascinating to me! I really enjoyed the book, and if you like historical fiction mixed with mystery and a bit of romance this would be right up your alley. 

(This book would be perfect for Beatriz Williams lovers! Very similar style writing and wit.) 

Carrie Beth texted me one day and asked, "Have you read Daisy Jones & The Six? If not, you need to! It might be my favorite book of the year!".  

Considering it was only January - the beginning of January - I knew she meant business. 

So, I downloaded the Audible of  Daisy Jones & The Six. One because at this point school was back in, and two Carrie Beth did the Audible version and I felt like then we would have the same experience. I love Taylor Jenkins Reid novels, but they are all so different to me. So you never know what you are walking into. Daisy Jones & The Six was no exception. Carrie Beth already gave you the run down of the premise behind the novel, and just as she said - it was so different it made you love it. I think listening to it was the right way to go. There are a ton of different characters, and the book being written interview style...well, it just makes it feel more real maybe. Each character is read by a different actor - so different than most Audibles. So it seems as you are listening that it's a real live interview happening or a podcast that you are listening to. Very interesting and one I would definitely put on your "read"/listen list ASAP. 

WHAT'S UP NEXT...

CARRIE BETH

I am about to start Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. 

It is a novel based on the true story of an unthinkable American scandal where a director of an adoption agency kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families. I have a feeling this one is going to pull at my heartstrings, but I'm excited to dive into it! 

JEN

Colleen Hoover novels tend to never let me down, so I have ready to go on my Kindle her latest - Regretting You. I haven't read her last few since they had mixed reviews, but fingers crossed this one is as good as her earlier novels that we all came to love. I'll let you know next month! 

Now what else should we put on our reading lists this month? What good books have you read lately? Share with us! 

BOOK CLUB 2020

| January |

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HAPPY READING! 

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Organization Tips for Busy Moms

A few weeks ago a friend and I were chatting about how we stay organized with all of our kids crazy schedules.  We compared what type of calendars we kept, if we were list makers, and just other general things we did to try to keep it all together without forgetting something important.  I loved hearing what she did and she loved hearing mine so I thought this might be a fun topic for a blog post.

1. Get a planner. 
I am a paper planner kind of girl. I know some people think that is just crazy and part of the dark ages, but it works for me. I have tried doing a digital calendar and I know people who have family shared calendars, but I like having a physical planner.  I like to have everything written down so I can see it in front of me, know what my week looks like, and make sure I'm not missing anything.

For at least six years I used an Erin Condren planner and it was my life. I loved the vertical daily display to keep my days organized, but eventually I found that I preferred to have something a little smaller so that I could easily keep it in my purse without it weighing a ton so this past year I bought THIS brand on Amazon.  It had the weekly display that I liked and has worked great!

2. Use an academic year planner. 
Because my family has school aged children, my brain works on the school calendar.  Of course we love celebrating the New Year every January 1st, but to me the new year starts August 1st when school begins.  I prefer a school year planner that runs July-June. That way I can have all of their sports schedules, school holidays, my PTA responsibilities, etc. written in one planner for the entire school year.

3. Write EVERYTHING down. 
I know you think you will remember things and it might be true that your daughter has soccer practices on the same day at the same time every week. BUT, it helps your brain to plan and organize your week if you see it written down. I literally write down everything in my planner...appointments, school responsibilities, kids practices, my blog due dates...everything! It might not be neat, but at least I have it all in once spot!

4. Use different colored pens.  

I don't do this as constantly as I would like, but I do try to keep things written in different colors. It helps me to easily see who has what on which days without even reading it. For example, my daughter's team color is purple, so I try to write all of her practices in purple.  

5. Keep an constant to-do list going. 
I keep a post-it note on the inside of my planner and have a constant to-do list there. Any little thing I think of that I need to do gets written down there. Once most things are crossed off that list, I copy the uncrossed items onto a new post it and will add to it.  Some things will stay on my list for weeks if I don't have time to get to them (like organizing a closet), but if it is written down it is a constant reminder and eventually I will find or make time for it!

6. Use the notes feature on your phone. 
Just because I like to write things down doesn't mean I don't use my phone at all to stay organized. I love using the notes feature on my phone. I will put things there I want to remember long term and/or have quick access to things when I'm away from home. Anytime the kids mention something they would like I add it to an ongoing list so I have gift ideas for birthdays, Christmas, etc. I keep a list of books I want to read/listen to when someone recommends them so I don't forget, I keep a list of blog post ideas, I keep our pool's address so I can remember it when we order pizza there in the summer. Just random types of things I want to have quick access to.

7. Email yourself things. 
If for some reason I don't have my planner with me I will email myself things I need to remember to do.  Most often this happens late at night when I'm getting ready for bed several things will pop in my head that I want to try to get done the next day or errands I need to run.  I'll email them to myself so when I see it the next morning I can add it to my to-do list and make sure I don't forget anything!

8. Have a family calendar displayed for everyone to see. 
I'm heading to Target this afternoon and hoping to pick up one of these chalkboard wall calendars.

I've realized that while I know what is going on, my kids are constantly asking me "What do we have today?" I feel like this would be an easy way to have their schedules displayed so they can take a look and know what our week will look like.  I'll report back after I get it and let you know how it works out!

Other Organization Tips 

*When the mail comes in the house I sort it right away. I throw away junk mail, file bills, etc.

*I do the same thing with school papers.  I'll file, sort, trash things right away. If a permission slip needs to be returned, I fill it out immediately and put it right back in their backpacks so it doesn't get lost under other papers or forgotten about.

*I keep a magnetic notepad on the side of our refrigerator for anyone to add items to.  If someone's favorite snack is gone...they write it on the list. My husband needs more coffee...he writes it on the list. I realize we are down to our last few ziplock bags while packing lunches...I write it on the list.  If I didn't do this I would constantly have my family asking why I didn't remember to get what they told me they wanted at the grocery store and it just kind of puts the responsibility on them.  If you want it, don't tell me...just write it on the list!

Do you have any great organization tips?!?  Please share them with us!!! 

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Shows We Can't Stop Watching

Stop the Internet, grab your remotes, your favorite binge watching snacks, and settle in for this post. We are  chatting all about the shows we just. can't. stop. watching. 

Largely we aren't big T.V. watchers. If we do get a free moment to sit down and watch something, our T.V.'s are usually set to sports or one of the kids' shows while we snuggle and read a book next to them. Lately though, we've found ourselves tuning in a little bit more. We'd be at dinner with friends or sitting on the sidelines of our kids' sports teams, and inevitably talk of popular shows would pop up. We'd feel so lost when people would chat about Stranger Things or say "Winter is Coming".  

So, we decided when people told us to watch a few things to jump right in. Some shows we enjoyed, some we LOVED, and some we found on our own and our now our new favorites. All are watchable from apps on our phones via Prime Video, Netflix, or Apple TV. So that has helped us watch more during our normal routines. We can sneak a few minutes here or there like we do when we read or prop up our phones on the treadmill when we are doing our daily walk/run in the gym. 

Here are the ones we just can't stop watching. Also, if the good people of Amazon, Apple, and Netflix can get on making some more seasons ASAP, it would be most appreciated. 

SHOWS WE CAN'T STOP WATCHING

• Cheer (Netflix) - We both watched this Netflix docuseries following the National Champion Cheer team from Navarro College right when it came out, and just like Reese Witherspoon, JJ Watt, Chrissy Teigan, and the rest of America - we couldn't get enough!
  
  Carrie Beth's Review: When I learned about this new show the week before it released I downloaded Netflix to my phone, called the Mr. for our log-in and was ready to see what it was all about.  This was my first ever Netflix series and after about 5 minutes I was hooked!!!  I watched it while I was folding laundry, I watched while I was packing lunches, I watched every second I got until I could finish it.  Then I texted all of my cheer mom friends and told them to watch it, too!  I mentioned this before, but the world of competitive cheer is just crazy and this was the first show I have seen that did it any justice.  It shows the hard work, dedication, crazy training schedule, athleticism and stamina that is expected of these athletes.  They work harder than you would ever imagine and put more heart into the sport they just adore. It also shows some very rough backgrounds that some of these college kids came from and it makes you just want to root for their success. I fell in love with everyone on the team for different reasons and cried when they celebrated their success at the end. Not to spoil anything, but when something didn't go their way during their competition my heart dropped just as if it was my own daughter's team out there. It has been so much fun to see this show explode and gain such a following!
   
  Jen's Review: Carrie Beth texted me and told me I needed to start watching Cheer ASAP. So I did. And I couldn't look away. I watched the whole season (six episodes) in one day. One. Why? I'm not really sure. My daughter is also in competitive cheer, and I enjoy it. But, would I normally eat, sleep, and breathe it? No. But for some reason the Navarro College Cheer Team had me from episode one. I had all the feelings. I want Monica to be my life coach. I want Jerry to walk around with me on the daily mat talking me through life. I want to know why all these kids don't have parents. I wanted to give Gabi a hug. And a donut. Because girlfriend just wants a break. And some calories. I want to know what FIOFMU means. And bless them, because who wouldn't want to frolic in the ocean following 2 minutes and 15 seconds of flipping, lifting, being tossed in the air, risking detrimental injury (and defying it) to beat out every single college in the United States? I felt uplifted, entertained, and even teary eyed . It was a great peek into how hard cheerleaders on the competitive level work, and I hope they do a second season (although I'm not sure what else they could show us without it dipping into reality television).
• Virgin River (Netflix) - We read the book first (see our review here), and then heard a show was created on Netflix based off the book. We loved the book so much, we couldn't wait to see how it was portrayed as a show. IT. IS. SO. GOOD! It differs from the book in some major ways, but from start to finish it is definitely a new favorite and we can't wait to see season two. The series follows Mel, a nurse practitioner/midwife, as she leaves Los Angeles behind for a simpler life in the remote town of Virgin River. Tragedy, romance, drama - these series has a little bit of everything. 

• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video) - This show is just plain fun. It follows the story of Midge Maisel, a housewife in the 1950's who stumbles into a life of stand up comedy. We weren't sure what to think about the show at first. But it's entertaining and kind of a different twist to most shows that are out today, so it's refreshing. It has drama, humor, and romance all wrapped into one.
• Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime Video) - This is a show friends of our told us they watched as a couple. It's based off of author Tom Clancy's infamous Jack Ryan series. Honestly, we only caught a couple of episodes, but so far it's really good. And really intense. The only reason we've only caught and episode here or there is because Mr. Magnolia decided he just couldn't resist watching an episode or two (ahem, the whole season) while on the road for a work trip. Jack Ryan is fast paced, and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. 

• The Morning Show (Apple TV) - This was one of those shows we heard a lot of buzz about and wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. Verdict: it has. Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Anniston headline it as news anchors, and it's been interesting to see them in different roles than you are used to. The show is based on a book, and it supposed to show the behind the scenes of what goes on in the morning show news world. It's fictional, but at the same time reminds me of a scenario that happened not to long ago in real life. It's jam packed with drama, and very addicting. A second season is supposed to be in the works and we already can't wait. 

SHOWS YOU CAN'T STOP WATCHING

We wrapped up watching all the available seasons of these shows, and then hit a slump. We wanted a show we could totally get sucked into. So we polled our Facebook and Instagram friends and these were the top suggestions of "must watch" shows. 

• The Boys (Amazon)
• Hart of Dixie (Netflix or Amazon)
• You (Netflix)
• This was by far the most recommended show. We've tried watching this before, but it was so intense we ditched it after two episodes. We need our stalkers a little less creepy. But, based on the sheer amount of people who recommended it, we wonder if we should push through and pick it up again? 
• Dare Me (Netflix) 
• This is also a show based on a book (see the premise here).  Jen is listening to the Audible now, and we're curious how it will translate to a show. 
• Northern Rescue (Netflix) 

What are your current "must watch" shows? 

We're looking to add something new to our queues! 

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Friday Favorites: Gift Ideas for Boys

Happy Friday!!!  I always love seeing another weekend roll around, and this one came especially quickly since it was a 4-day school week. If you have kids then your weekends are likely to involve some birthday parties. I feel like it sort of comes in waves, but the birthday party circuit is going strong around here.  Often times we just do gift cards for my kids' friends, but if I'm feeling on top of it I will stock up on gifts to have on hand.  Today for Friday Favorites I thought it might be kind of fun to share some of our favorite gift ideas for boys.  Some of these are items my son has had for a while and some are gifts they he got for Christmas and has just LOVED.  

1. Cotton Candy Maker ($29.99) and Supplies ($18.99): My son got this cotton candy maker for Christmas and all of my kids have loved it! It's so fun to see the cotton candy form right in front of their eyes and also a fun treat to make when they have friends over.  It's small enough to stick under a cabinet or in your pantry when you aren't using it and I have been impressed with how well it works and how easy it is to clean up when they are done. 

2. Slushy Maker Cup ($23.99): My kids all over these slushy maker cups. You keep the inner cup part in the freezer and when you are ready to make a slushy you put whatever kind of drink you want in it and continue stirring/scrapping the sides for about 5-10 minutes until it is frozen.  It's a fun after school treat and perfect in the summer when it is SO hot!  

3. Dig It Up Dinosaur Eggs ($25.99): These little eggs each contain little dinosaur figurines and the kids have to chip away using the given tools to find what is inside.  This kept my son entertained for what felt like HOURS.  He loved seeing what was in each one. It's a bit messy so I would recommend setting them up outside or make sure you cover their work surface, but such a fun activity. 

4. Alexa Echo Dot ($34.99): Quite possibly one of his favorite gifts was his Echo Dot which he calls his Alexa.  I hear him up in his room talking to Alexa all the time. He asks her what the weather is, he uses it as his alarm clock, he has it play music and he just talks to it like a friend. When he leaves he tells Alexa goodbye and she tells him jokes, sings him songs, etc. It was so easy to set up using my Amazon account and my daughters already had them so he loves being able to "drop in" on their rooms to talk to them. I was hesitant about him having one, but it has been the the greatest! 

5. Alpha Rouge Blaster with Scope ($9.97): My son will get hooked on something and WILL NOT stop talking about it.  He played with this dart gun at a friend's house and when he came home it was all I heard about. We searched and searched and finally found it!  He spent some of his Christmas money on it and has used it every day since. It isn't a NERF brand, but it fits the NERF darts  and he loves it because of the scope and the way it loads the darts.  It is a great value and has held up really well, even with all of his rough play. 

6. Over the Door Basketball Hoop ($24.99): This is one of those things we have had for several years now and something he still uses daily.  We used to keep to in our playroom, but moved it to the back of his bedroom door and he will constantly shoot baskets when he is getting ready for bed or when he is just hanging out in his room. He'll try all sorts of different "trick shots" from all over his room.  It has little rubber backers so it doesn't damage the door.

7. Zipline ($99.95): This one is definitely pricier, but would be a great gift to get your own child for a birthday if you have the space for it.  We installed this just after Christmas and all of the kids love riding on it.  It is a legit zipline and I couldn't get over having something like this in our yard!  Such a fun thing for kids to play on and something that will keep them outdoors! 

8. Dino Fossil Kit ($7.99): I was SO impressed with this National Geographic Dino Fossil kit. My son LOVED using the little tools and chipping away to find the treasures inside. Every kit contains part of a dinosaur tooth, bone and even dino poop which he got a kick out of.  This would be a fun add on to a gift since the price is so affordable or you could buy several and use it as a party activity for your dinosaur loving kids! They make several other similar kits (gemstones, shark fossils, fools gold) and I imagine they would all be just as good. 

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