CRASH TEAM RACING NITRO-FUELED

I was given products in this post for the purpose for review.

My kids love playing racing games.  When we go to he arcade it is one of the first things they go to.  I on the other hand hate the ones at the arcade, I spend most of my time trying to get back on the road.  If it were possible I'm sure I would be lapped several times.

I do like racing games at home though as well, I even have the old Nintendo 64 Diddy Kong racing (vintage games are the best!)  Speaking of vintage games not to long long ago one of my childhood favorites was remade "Crash."  I was pumped that I was going to be able to share this game with my kids.  Now I'm not sure how many of you remember the racing levels but the were the best.  Does anyone else remember the sister (or was she a girlfriend) on the tiger.  She wasn't racing other people, instead she was racing ahead and unable to stop.  That was so my favorite level!!!  

Okay enough about my childhood and more about the all new Crash game!

Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is now available for the PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® 4 Pro, Nintendo Switch™, and the family of Xbox One devices from Microsoft, including the Xbox One X. Then, the fur did fly on July 3rd when the game’s Grand Prix kicks off with free downloadable seasonal content for anyone who has purchased the game, including a newly themed track each season, as well as themed characters, karts and other customization items that players can earn when connected to the internet. Developed by Beenox and Published by Activision, a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is built from the ground up and remasters the original CrashTM Team Racing game by bringing the characters, karts, tracks and arenas to modern console HD graphics. In the game, the stakes are high and the competition is fierce as players race with a variety of Crash BandicootTM series characters, including Crash, Coco, Dr. Neo Cortex and others against the egomaniacal Nitros Oxide to save our planet from destruction. In the game, fans will be able to see Crash and friends’ expressions and antics in beautiful fur-k detail as they blast each other with power-ups and whiz around the corners in all the tracks from the original CTR game, as well as reimagined tracks and karts from Crash™ Nitro Kart. What’s more, the legendary kart racer debuts competitive online gameplay just in time to celebrate its 20th anniversary. For the first time in 20 years, Crash Team Racing fans will have the opportunity to customize their karts and characters in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! The remastered game will offer players a variety of ways to mix and match kart bodies, wheels, paint jobs, stickers, and even add decals to karts. Now fans – both new and those who first fell in love with the ’90s classic -- can create a sweet looking ride! Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled - Nitros Oxide Edition (digital deluxe) are now available worldwideInformation about Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled can be found at www.crashbandicoot.com/crashteamracing. 

Globber Primo 3-Wheel scooter

I was given products in this post for the purpose of review. I was not paid to write this review

The theme of my blog today seems to be summer fun!  My boys are off with their grandparents so I have some time to catch up on posts.

So many of you may not know this about me, but I work at a school with special need kids.  I love my job, I wake up everyday excited to go to work and see my work family.  And I go home most nights feeling like a made a difference, like what I do matters.  I say most nights, because I there is those days when it feels like nothing got done and I spent most of the day trying to keep up.  That is okay though!  Now I love my job, I love my work kids, but I also cherish my summer with my boys.  We do so much and most of it is on the cheap (one of the down sides to not working in the summer is no pa lol)  We do have our vacations, but I think my boys like the little things more.  We have a garden that we check on everyday, we do outdoor scavenger hunts, ride our bikes and scooters, we have game days, craft days and so much more.  I have some of my most meaningful conversations with my kids when we are doing the little things.

Last week my sons new Globber Primo 3 wheel scooter arrived and we finally got the chance to take it for a ride (yes rain I'm scowling at you right now.)

The Globber Primo 3-Wheel is the perfect scooter that’ll grow with your child. 

With a modifiable design, low deck for stability, and adjustable handlebars, your little one will be scooting along in no time!  So the first thing we loved was the handle bars, the make a great no slip grip.  My son also says they are comfortable.  Plus I have a 8 year old and an 11 year old.  The adjustable height is a must.

Offering a range of patented innovations without compromising on style or functionality, the Primo 3-Wheel is guaranteed to deliver ultimate value for money!

Make sure to check out the patented secure Direction Button Lock which keeps the scooter moving in a straight line to help your child learn balance and gain confidence while riding!  So I thought for sure we wouldn't need this feature.  As I said my kids are 8 and 11, but I noticed my oldest putting it on when he goes down hills.  I asked why, and he told me that instead of worrying about steering he can just now go down the hills as fast as possible.  After my mini mom heart attack I had to smile, leave it to my son to turn a safety feature into a dare devil feature!

Now the do come in many colors, we did request a red, but were accidentally sent purple.  After several pleading moments I convince my sons it was cool to ride a purple scooter.  I'm glad I did, because now that they are on it they are having some much that the don't even remember its purple!

Crayola Take Note!

I was given products in this post for the purpose of review  I was not paid to write this review

My boys are so upset that they only have 6 1/2 weeks left of summer!  I work in a school, I'm a bit bummed my summer with my kiddos is ending....  But I miss my school kids as well (shhh don't tell my boys)  Every year the one thing that kind of softens the blow of going back for my kids is Back to School shopping.  Everyone likes getting new stuff :)!!!  

This year Crayola has a whole new line up for great back to school items. 

 And the best part is they are perfect for every age.  I have a little guy going to 3rd and a big guy going to 6th.  Crayola has stuff that both of them can use.  (I even snuck a few things from the review box for myself)

Here is a few of the products

Crayola Take Note! Permanent Markers

With Crayola Take Note! Permanent Markers, teens, tweens and adults can create intense color and permanence on a variety of surfaces including plastic, metal, wood, canvas, fabric and more. Crayola Take Note! Permanent Markers create smooth, fine lines and feature a comfort grip for easy usage. Crayola Take Note! Permanent Markers are available in 8-count, 12-count and 24-count packs. BENEFITS • Aids in Memory Retention and Organization: Using color for notetaking is proven to aid in memory retention, and can be helpful for organizing tasks and notes • Color Consistency: The colorful inks stay put with their fine tip and smooth lines • Writes on most surfaces: Excellent adhesion to all surfaces including plastic, metal, wood and fabric • Low Odor: Low odor, felt tip and features a comfortable grip • Vibrant Color: Create any design with bold colors using 24 vibrant colors 

Crayola Take Note! Highlighter Pens

The two-in-one tool features a bold felt tip pen on one side and chisel tip highlighter on the other in six vibrant Crayola colors. Take Note! Highlighter Pens make organization and notetaking a breeze! Students can use the fine line end that’s perfect for writing and then switch to the wide tip end for highlighting. They are available in 6-count packs. BENEFITS • Aids in Memory Retention and Organization: Using color for notetaking is proven to aid in memory retention, and can be helpful for organizing tasks and notes • 2-in-1 Lines: 0.4mm Ultra-Fine marker pen perfect for writing and chisel tip highlighter in vibrant colors • Multi-colors: Featuring 12 colors with two, unique colors per pen to keep your writing on point • Chisel Tip: Embraces curvature of books and notebooks

Crayola Take Note! Dry Erase Markers

Ideal for brainstorming, notetaking and more, Take Note! Dry Erase Markers feature vibrant colors that dry quickly and easily erase. Additional features include low odor ink and an ink level indicator that will show when the marker is almost finished so you never run out! Crayola Take Note! Dry Erase Markers are available in 12-count Broad Line, 4-count Broad Line and 4-count Fine Line. BENEFITS • Aids in Memory Retention and Organization: Using color for notetaking is proven to aid in memory retention, and can be helpful for organizing tasks and notes • Visual Ink Indication: The design shows ink level indicator so you know before the ink gets too low • Low Odor: The ink contains low odor presenting the ink that doesn’t stink • Ease of Erase-ability: The ink is able to easily erase so starting over is just a wipe away • Boldness of Color: Create any design with vibrant and bold colors

Crayola Take Note! Washable Felt Tip Pen

With the Crayola Take Note! Washable Felt Tip Pens, capture your thoughts, notes and important things to remember with a washable felt-tip pen that’s bold and vibrant and features a smooth laydown! Get ready to leave your mark, using six colorful felt-tip pens ideal for color coding notes and bullet journaling. BENEFITS • Aids in Memory Retention and Organization: Using color for notetaking is proven to aid in memory retention, and can be helpful for organizing tasks and notes • Washable: Ink is best in class and can easily be removed from furniture, clothing and skin • Smooth Lines: The felt tip uses smooth strokes to create precise lines • Vibrant Color: Create any design with bold colors • Quick Dry: Ink does not smear or smudge with its quick drying abilities 

Crayola Take Note! Washable Gel Pens

Each washable gel color lays smoothly and streak-free with a cool click of these ergonomic, cushioned-gripped pens. Crayola Take Note! Washable Gel Pens are perfect for taking notes, art projects, organizing documents by color and creating colorful outputs, all with the washability you expect from Crayola. BENEFITS • Aids in Memory Retention and Organization: Using color for note taking is proven to aid in memory retention and can be helpful for organizing tasks; Take Note! is the perfect line of writing tools to help kids stay on track • Quick Dry Formula: Take Note! Washable Gel Pens feature a quick-dry formula for rich, bold color that won't smear • Washable: Colors stay on page, not on clothes • Comfortable Grip: With a .7mm tip and easy-to-hold grip, writing is made easy and comfortable 

And guess what parents these are not just fun at school.  My boys and I live in PA so during the summer it rains about 40% of the summer.  That is okay though because we have become quite the crafters.  Crayola makes it fun and are products we can always trust to give great quality.  And I'm going to have a mommy moment here, sometimes sitting at home and coloring with my boys is the most excitement we will have for the week.  They don't care, because at the end of the it is my time and love they want.  Your time, you could be on a grand adventure, you could be on a beautiful beach vacation or you could just be sitting in your loving room making fun art...  Kids just want your time the place doesn't matter, the love behind the action does.  No need to run yourself ragged!

This summer Be Bold! Be You! grab some super fun Crayola Take Note! products and have a fun craft day with your kids.  

Get Ready For The Ultimate Collector’s Quest!

I was given products in this post for the purpose of review.  I was not paid to write this review.

I'm not sure how many of my followers know this about me, but I work in a school with special need kiddos.  I love my job and come home everyday feeling like what I do really matters.  With that being said I still look forward to the summer and spending time with my boys.  This summer I had us all set to fight off boredom.  We had out of state trips planned, camping a season pass to Hershey.

I was really counting on the Hershey we were going to go twice a week.  Mother nature had other plans though and it has rained almost everyday since my summer began!

That is okay though, because on those days we play board games, cards and my boys have more toys than they know what to do with.  One of their favorite ways to pass time is to look at their card  collections.  I like to yard sale and the one way I can get them to go with me is to agree to buy them cards if we find any.

My boys hit the jackpot this summer with all the fun card and other collectables below:

The Secret Life of Pets 2 Value Box

Everyone’s favorite domesticated-talking pets are hitting the big screen again in The Secret Life Of Pets 2! Show off your excitement for Max, Gidget, and the gang with the all-new The Secret Life of Pets 2 Value Box! This fun filled package contains 8 random items, including Dog Tags, puzzle erasers, keychains, and Plush. Over $25 in value fun!  If you have a Secret Life of Pets fan in your house this is the box for you!  My kids had so much opening the packages inside and seeing which items they got.  Out of all the items we only got one double, which in my opinion is pretty good!  

Pokemon Sun and Moon - Unbroken Bonds

When you have a partner you can count on, nothing can stop you! The TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX in the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds expansion shows the colossal power of teamwork! With over 210 cards to collect, 7  brand-new TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX, more than 25 Trainer cards, a new Special Energy card -- your opponent won’t stand a chance against your experience!  Plus, with the Elite Trainer Box, you’ll find collectible dice, condition makers, energy cards, and much more! With trust and practice, these Pokémon can tackle just about anything!  So Pokémon have been around since I was a kid.  I love that my boys are so into them and I can actually understand what they are talking about.  (Yeah I so get the 3billion hour explanation about their fortnite and have no clue what they are talking about lol).  So Pokémon cards can be played with, traded and collected.  Making them a 3 for 1!

Topps 2019 Series 2 Fat Pack

It's Game Day! The 2019 Topps Series 2 Fat Pack is perfect for any MLB fan. Keep an eye out for relic and autograph relic cards that can be found in almost each pack and many more fan favorites amongst the 34 cards to collect! Also keep a lookout for contest cards that can be found inside! Topps hits a home run with this one!   Okay I'm not going to pretend to know anything about sports cards.  I do know my hubby and boys collect them and I have lost an entire section of my storage area to them.  Once a week they get some down and go through them.  They even check how much they are worth online.... And then never sell them!  But the collecting them bring them so much joy, and I get excited when they get a player they really wanted.

Don't let rainy days bring your family down!  Start a collection!  

Restoration House: Creating a Space That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter by Kennesha Buycks

I was given a copy of this book to provide my honest feedback

I just wasn't impressed.  Most of what was in this book is just plain common sense or something that is easily found on he internet for free.  For example before you restore a piece of furniture clean it....  Or the page about low maintenance plants, this could easily be found with a google search.  I just feel like there wasn't enough to this book.  The reason I gave it two stars instead of one is there is some good advice about being yourself and making room for God.  But I was looking more for a DIY home book.  It fell short on that mark