Charlie's First Day in 2nd Grade is tomorrow.

All I can say is how can he be in 2nd grade? Where did the time go? Is there a way to go backwards because before we know it he will be grown and married.

So I have been planing on a "Back to School Party" since the beginning of Summer when we held a
End of Year Party"!! Only Charlie decided at the last moment he did not want one. Nor did he want to do anything special. So we stayed home and AJ and Charlie just played in the yard.

So David ran to the store to get some Dog Food and a couple other items we needed. While there he picked a cake up because he knew how bad I wanted to get one for Charlie. Which totally surprised me and Charlie.

Especially since it had the Whipped Icing I liked. As well as his name done in the shade of blue Charlie likes. As well as a picture of a Owl on it because this is what my mom liked and collected when I was a child.

So this cake meant a lot to me as it will be two years on the 25th that my mom has been gone. She missed Charlies first day of school which I hated. Because she had waited for it for ever. So today Charlie and I would like to invite you to have a piece of cake with us.

Let me tell you both David, Charlie and I had a slice and it was so "YUMMY"!! I could have eaten more of it!!!

CRAZY MIMI!! 

I love you and miss you so much!!

I wish I could give you one more "Hug!!

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates 

fibroidsmiraclepdfreviews.com/

CD Space Ship Craft is something Charlie and I will make.

With us redoing Charlies room we had been looking for something neat and unusual to hang from the Ceiling and when browsing online we found a site called "About Com" which you can find at http://www.about.com  While on it we found a Craft called "CD Sace Ship" and it will help with 2 problems we was facing which was sprucing up a boring ceiling and finding a night light that would allow Charlie to feel like a grown up but not make him feel like a baby.

Since About.com showed us exactly how to make the CD Space Craft and we had quite a few old CD's lying around I told Charlie he could invite some of his friends over and we would have a "Back to School Party" and make them for there rooms. Charlie was so excited he wanted to run out and tell everyone right then. But I begged him to wait till we could make some snacks and get the tables ready to make them on. Boy was waiting killing him? Yes, it was!! LOL!

So today Charlie, David and I  wanted to share with you the link for the CD Space Ship Craft with you so you and your friends and family can check out the CD Space Ship Craft as well as the other Crafts listed on this site.  http://familycrafts.about.com/od/cdcrafts/a/cdspaceship.htm  As there might be some you or your friends and family would like to do together. As a "Craft Night" is a great way to bring families together.



What do you think of the CD Space Ship Craft? Is this something you would make? If not or why not? If so why?

Did you notice that most of the items used in this Craft is things you would already have in your home? Such as the left over Easter Eggs no one ever knows what to do with? Or at least I do not. LOL

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates

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Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates 

I am Sad but Happy for Charlie as school starts soon!!

As today is the 7th of August and Charlie starts school on the 24th. I have a

2nd grader. Where did time go?? How can it be the end of Summer already?? I want my baby back. or at least the beginning of Summer. Because it gets so lonely when Charlie is in school.

But it gives David and I time together which is nice as he works nights. So we can have a date with out Charlie finally. Which we do need. But the nights will be lonely as Charlie will have to be in bed by 8 to be asleep by 9. So I will be up by myself. But that can be a "GOD send" as I will have a lot more time to work on my blog. and I need that. Because I want to get back into more events, Blog Hops and Reviews and Giveaways. Which will help me with my Stats and things and it will show the companies I want to work with that I am back and I am serious about Blogging. So in just 12 days I will be back full time!!! Be watching!!!

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates 

Back to School Sales!!

This year I am so lucky to be able to say Charlie is ready for School. Supplies are purchases as well as the clothes he needed. Plus 2 pairs of shoes. Now there is a couple things I may pick up later but as for now he is "READY"!! I am so proud of myself as this doesn't usually happen.

So today I thought I would share some sales with you. This may save you some money!!



Your kids will rule the school when they hit the halls again this year with the hottest electronics, cute outfits and must-have discount school supplies at unbeatable savings. With Back to School Sales and Double Cash Back at Ebates, you can tackle that seemingly endless list of school supplies and come up under budget with back to school coupons, promo codes and free shipping offers from top stores like Kohl's, Nordstrom, Walmart and more!

Back to School Sales (August 4 - 17)
http://www.ebates.com/back-to-school-sales.htm

Microsoft Store – was 3.5%, now get up to 5.0% Cash Back
JCPenney - was 3.0%, now 6.0% Cash Back
AT&T U-verse - was up to $75.00, now get up to $300.00 Cash Back
New Balance – was 5.0%, now get 10.0% Cash Back
LivingSocial – was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back
TOMS Shoes – was 5.0%, now get 10.0% Cash Back
Kohl's– was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back
Sears – was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back
Nordstrom – was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back
Macy's – was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back
Expedia – was up to 4.0%, now get up to 5.2% Cash Back
eBags – was 6.0%, now get 12.0% Cash Back
Pacsun – was 4.0%, now get 8.0% Cash Back
CUSP by Neiman Marcus – was 4.0%, now get 8.0% Cash Back
Samsung – was 1.5%, now get 4.5% Cash Back
Neiman Marcus – was 4.0%, now get 8.0% Cash Back
Converse – was 3.0%, now get 12.0% Cash Back
Dell Small Business – was 2.0%, now get 4.0% Cash Back
Shoebuy – was 6.0%, now get 12.0% Cash Back
Lenovo – was 3.0%, now get 5.0% Cash Back
Osh Kosh B'Gosh - was 2.5%, now get 5.0% Cash Back
Walmart - was 1.0%, now get 2.0% Cash Back
L.L. Bean - was 2.0%, now get 4.0% Cash Back
AERO - was 2.0%, now get 4.0% Cash Back
eBay - was 0.0%, now get up to 3.0% Cash Back
Amazon – was 0.0%, now get up to 5.5% Cash Back

Upcoming Double Cash Back

http://www.ebates.com/promotions/dailydouble/index.htm

Tuesday, August 4th - Puritan's Pride
Was 5.0%, now get 10.0% Cash Back

Wednesday, August 5th - Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th
Was 4.0%, now get 8.0% Cash Back

Thursday, August 6th - Nike
Was 4.0%, now get 15.0% Cash Back

Friday, August 7th - American Apparel
Was 1.5%, now get 3.0% Cash Back

Saturday, August 8th - Kohl's
Was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back

Sunday, August 9th - Lancôme
Was 4.0%, now get 8.0% Cash Back

Monday, August 10th - Horchow
Was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back

Kohl's - 20% off Back to School items.
Code: BTS20
Expires: 8/6/2015
Was 3.0%, get 6.0% Cash Back

Old Navy - 25% off any order, 30% off $75+, or 40% off $100+ order.
Code: MATH
Expires: 8/5/2015
Get 2.0% Cash Back

Overstock.com - $20 off $200+ order through this link
Code: No Code Required
Expires: 8/6/2015
Get 3.0% Cash Back

Hotels.com - Extra $40 off $250+ order. Travel by 9/13.
Code: HURRYSAVE40US
Expires: 8/5/2015
Was 3.0%, now get 6.0% Cash Back

Puritan's Pride - Semi-Annual Sale! Save 80% + EXTRA $10 off $59 + Free shipping! Puritan's Pride brand.
Code: SEMSALE
Expires: 8/6/2015
Was 5.0%, now get 10.0% Cash Back

American Eagle - Take 50% off AE.com clearance. Exclusions apply.
Code: No Code Required
Expires: 8/4/2015
Get 2.0% Cash Back

Ann Chao | 415.908.2275 | achao@ebates.com

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates

God opens a door when your not expecting it!! French Toast

The past couple weeks I have been struggling with the Blog. I was wondering if anyone even reads what I write. Or if companies even notice. Then out of the clear blue sky I received a email on my blog from Julie Reis. Mrs. Reis is with French Toast which is a children's clothing store online. They offer School Outfits and so much more.



So once I returned her email I was allowed to chose 4 items for Charlie to try out. As well as host a Giveaway on my blog. So I thought I would show you the four items I chose to review and once they arrive Charlie will do a Fashion Show for us and give us his thoughts.

It was so much fun checking out French Toast site that I was going to pick out the items myself and surprise Charlie. But I decided that I would let him help me chose what he would like to try. Now we have not told David that clothes for Charlie will be arriving as Charlie wanted to surprise David.

So as we was on the site we found a pair of Dress shoes Charlie fell in Love with. Because his first year of school my mom and dad bought him a pair. He called them his dancing shoes and is still wearing them. So he chose them for the review but I did not get them as I want to purchase them for him for Christmas. As he does go to Church and they will be perfect for it. But I thought you might like to see the ones he chose and the ones I liked. As he wanted something different than what I chose. But that is OK as he is growing up.
                  
What I chose is this pair.                                           Charlie chose this pair.

Then I chose Socks as I knew Charlie would like the style and color of these I found on French Toast.




As well as this Belt. Which I was so happy to pick out as Charlie has no behind and also no waist. Charlie is so skinny it is hard to find pants and shorts that fit. But we will not have a problem now that we have this fun belt. I like that it comes in a couple different colors and that they have more than one style because I will be purchasing more of the belts in the Future not only for Charlie but for my Nephew as well.

Then I chose a pair of Track pants for Charlie. Because these have always been his favorite type of pants. As he says they are not hot. Plus they are more comfortable than Jeans. I picked out a blue pair. But I know if Charlie could he would like a red pair as well. As he loves red. Which is natural as it is both my mother and mother n laws favorite color.



The last thing we chose was a pair of shots. It took a while to pick out a pair as Charlie could not decide which pair he wanted. Then when he decided he could not decide on what color. But that was OK as it gives me a ideal of some items to order for his Birthday and Christmas as well.



So if you have boys and girls do not let "French Toast" fool you because it says school uniforms. Because Charlie does not have to wear uniforms in his school and we still found plenty of clothes he would like to have. Plus I found quite a few items I will be purchasing to give as Christmas Gifts for the Children in our family.

If you like to shop online like I do the site is easy to navigate. I like that they have a variety of payment options including paypal. So what is stopping you? Check out Frech Toast now and let's get your "BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING" done now!!!

So once again I would like to thank Mrs Reis as it has helped us as we was not even sure we would be able to purchase one outfit for Charlie and now thanks to French Toast and Mrs Reis I have a clothes for Charlie and I know he will be the envy of his friends.

http://twitter.com/FrenchToastcom

https://www.facebook.com/frenchtoastuniforms

http://www.frenchtoast.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/FTSchoolWear

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates 

Brownies On A Stick By Betty Crocker

                                                                  Brownies On A Stick!!

Don't they look "YUMMY"!! I wish I had some right now. How about you???

Ingredients

1

box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix 

Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box

15

craft sticks (flat wooden sticks with rounded ends)

2/3

cup semisweet chocolate chips (4 oz)

1 1/2

teaspoons shortening

Assorted Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors candy sprinkles

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray. Make brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• 2 Place brownies in freezer for 30 minutes. Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies. Cut brownies into 15 rectangular bars, 5 rows by 3 rows. Gently insert craft stick into end of each bar, peeling foil from bars. Place on cookie sheet; freeze 30 minutes.
• 3 In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High about 1 minute; stir until smooth. If necessary, microwave additional 5 seconds at a time. Dip top 1/3 to 1/2 of each brownie into chocolate; sprinkle with candy sprinkles. Lay flat on waxedpaper or foil to dry.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/brownies-on-a-stick/d03cb0c5-d1d2-4d6c-ada9-0831f47613f6

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates

SummerFest at Gaylord Texan would be fun for Charlie!!

Do you have a child in your home who loves to cook? Then I think you should check out this discount. As I know Charlie would love it. He has taken cooking classes in the past and misses being able to. So even David and I are thinking of checking into it. As it would be something fun for Charlie to do before school starts back.

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates

Charlie is getting ready for Back to School Breakfast with Poptarts

Charlie has been asking me for the past month when does he go back to school. Which I keep telling him in August. But he is ready to go back now. So as we are out shopping for things Charlie keeps finding items he says he needs for school. So at least I will be ready as I know what he wants. Now all I have to do is go and pick them up.

This includes foods for Breakfast as he showed me the Cereal he would like to have. Plus he picked out a box of Poptarts he would like. Which is fine with me as it is fast and he can eat it on the way to school. With a glass of milk as I walk with him every morning and can bring the glass back home.

So with all the different flavors of Poptarts out on the Market you would think we would not run out of ones for him. Plus there would be something David would eat. But all Charlie want's is Strawberry or Blueberry.

Now my sister likes the Chocolate ones so I will pick a box up for her to because sometimes she walks Charlie to school and they will be able to share and make memories this way. As for David he will eat any of them but he wants his toasted as does Debbie. But not Charlie he just opens the package and eats them.

As for me I am not a Poptart eater and even if I was I could not have them as I am on a diet. Which does upset Charlie sometimes as he wants us all to eat them with him. But he has gotten use to me not eating them and does not ask me to anymore.

I also know once school is back in that Charlie will bring children home with him so this will make a nice afternoon snack. Plus Charlie eats them before bed. So no matter what time of the day if you ask Charlie they make a perfect snack and I agree with him. As I do not have to cook. Plus he does not make a mess with the Poptarts.

So all in all we will be using Poptarts for a long long time. If you have not tried them why not? If you have what do you like about them and why? Do you toast yours or not? What is your favorite flavor and why?

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates 

Paper Mate Highlighters Back to School

I have always loved going back to school just so I could go shopping. So when I ended up having Charlie and Suzzane we have always made a day out of it. Plus I included Leslie in this as her mom would not go school supply shopping and would have David's mom do it. So before I married David she had never got to pick out her own supplies.

So this year Charlie will be entering second grade and we are purchasing some items for the Teachers to help them out as most of them end up using there own money to purchase things for there room. So the other day when we was in Walmart Charlie found some Highlighters made by Paper Mate that he asked if he could get.

So we picked a packet up for him and a couple for the teachers But before we left the store I went back and picked up a pack for myself as well. As I loved the colors inside the pack. Plus I do not like sharing my pens and pencils. As I never get them back. So this pack I will put inside my laptop case so when I am out and about I will always have them.

Once Charlie got home we opened them up and he got out his favorite books and started to highlight things in it he did not want to forget. Plus later that day I saw him practecing his writing with them. Then the next day he was using them to draw with. So I knew they was a huge hit. As he was even sharing them with his friends.

I love how easy they are to use to highlight items in the books I read. The line is not to think that it covers the words up. Plus it is not dark so we can not see through the lines which I was glad to know. Plus knowing these was made by Paper Mate I knew they would last. As I have Paper Mate pens I have had for at least 3 to 4 years and this includes markers.

Charlie likes the pocket clip on them as he clips them to his pocket and always has one with him. I like that they are a fluorescent color and that they dry quickly. Plus if you get them on your hands it comes off easily.

Knowing Paper Mate offers a guarantee is another reason I always purchase Paper Mate products. Because if anything is wrong with them I can take them back and they will fix the problem or replace them for us.

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates

Welcome to the Back to School Blast!

Welcome to the Back to School Blast!

Getting your family prepared to head back to school, can be difficult especially after a long, fun-filled summer. Here are a few of our favorite Back to School Tips to help you along the way.

1. Back-to-School Supplies Checklist - Backpack? Check. Pencils? Check. Safety scissors? Not Yet. Use the same checklist each time you head out to grab supplies, to keep track of what you have already purchased and the things you still need to. These are also handy if you have more than one child. Simply print 2, 3, 4 list and add their name to the top.

2. Introduce them to the other students

3. Look at last years supplies to see if they can be used in place of new purchase

4. Look for sales and deals at at Dollar Store

The Back to School Blast was organized by Mom Powered Media.

Please take a moment to also visit our lovely co-hosts, whom without them great things such as these would not be possible: My Vegan Gluten-Free Life, Plum Crazy About Coupons, Capri's Coupons, Downshifting - Your Family, Your Home, Your Life, Jack of all trades, Master of Mom™, Quick Tattletails, Mew Review and Iowa Mom.

One lucky winner will receive a $1,000 Visa Gift Card!

Giveaway ends August 15th at 11:59pm, open worldwide, ages 18+. If the winner resides outside of the US, they will receive Paypal cash. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

Disclosure: Mommies Point of Review is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Back To School Bonanza

Welcome to the Back to School Bonanza organized by Moms Do It Better! This is a giveaway hop where all participants will have a giveaway with prizes to help you send your kids back to school! There is a grand prize of $150 {PayPal or Amazon Gift Card - Winners Choice} 

which may be entered here.  

 

Prize Being Offered By Mommies Point of View is

$15.00 from Usborne Books 

 When you're done entering the giveaway here be sure to 

hop over to the others for even more prizes and chances to win! 

6 Ways to Go Green for Back to School April Davis

Green Goes Simple: Family Footprints

6 Ways to Go Green for Back to School

By April Davis for Green Goes Simple




When I was a kid, the very best thing about a new school year was all the new stuff that went with it: new pencils, new notebooks and new clothes. Come late August, you went shopping for all the supplies -- regardless of what was left over from last June.

But times have changed, and so should the back-to-school routine. Maydelle Fason, a green-living mother of two and a former horticulturist, offers some tips for preparing your kids while protecting the environment.

Clothing Swap
About that new wardrobe ... skip it! The best way to outfit the little ones is a friendly neighborhood clothing swap. It’s a win-win: The kids get new-to-them styles and parents avoid the madness of back-to-school shopping (and even better, they save money!). If new duds are a must, Fason suggests buying clothing that is made from natural fibers and manufactured sustainably.

My Box Is Metal
Bring back the 1970s by giving your kid a retro lunch box instead of a disposable bag to tote back to school. Better yet, use pretty, insulated lunch sacks made from recycled materials. For sandwiches or snacks, opt for easy-to-clean, reusable cloth bags or sturdy reusable containers.

Getting There
With schools cutting back on bus service to lower costs, many parents are faced with few transportation alternatives. Fason lives in New York City and is able to take her daughter to school via subway. (As a bonus, the two read books on the way.) If public transportation isn’t an option for you, try riding bikes to school or organizing a carpool with other parents.

I'm Thirsty!
It's important to keep kids hydrated, and sending your child to school with a reusable bottle keeps trash out of landfills. Make it even more fun by letting her pick it out herself!

Still Useful
Resist the urge to buy all-new school supplies. (Junior's crayons don’t need a perfectly pointy tip to create his masterpieces). Gently used binders and book bags can easily last a second -- or third -- year. And investing in sturdy, simple backpacks that go the distance means you can skip that hot-today-gone-tomorrow celebrity product (sorry, Justin Bieber!). For supplies that must be replenished -- like paper -- look for post-consumer recycled options.

Increase Your Impact
Greening your children’s back-to-school routine is a great start. But your best move is to encourage local administrators to reduce, reuse and recycle at school. Ask them to email rather than send paper notes home, and encourage an all-school recycling program. Be the spark that gets your school going!
April Davis is a writer and elementary school teacher. She writes a monthly column for the TriCity News, a weekly paper on the Jersey Shore. She has also worked for CBS News and MSNBC.