Recs: Games for 8 Year Old Boys

A friend asked for some game recommendations for an 8 year old boy, and since that's just what P is, I thought I'd do a post on some games he likes to play.

P loves Rush Hour- we have the junior version, which is aimed toward ages 6-8, and the regular version is for 8 and up. He is still enjoying the junior version.

Battleship is always a favorite at our house.

Card games are great- Uno is definitely a fave.

I picked up Snap Circuits Jr for him this Christmas for $15.71 . Looks like something he will enjoy.

I also ordered Blokus when I saw it at $16. I have heard great things about this game.

Yesterday Simon Flash was just $10, and it looked age-appropriate, so I ordered that one too.

And although we don't have it, I have heard great things about Qwirkle.

Happy shopping! If you have other suggestions, leave them in the comments!

GDA: Simon Flash and Scrabble Flash

Simon Flash is one of the hot new games this year... at $10, I am getting it for P and think it will be great for visual/memory exercise.

Scrabble Flash is just $10 too.

Christmas Reading

Along with getting out our Christmas decorations and putting up our tree this weekend, I got out my collection of Christmas books for the kids. I love reading to them at bedtime, and I especially enjoy reading holiday-themed books this time of year. Here's a list of our family favorites.

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas

Nancy is a family favorite, and this book doesn't disappoint. This book is heavy on family and traditions, and the illustrations are delightful. It always fun to look closely at the pictures and see what we can discover.

Merry Christmas, Curious George

I have loved Curious George as long as I can remember, and this book is a favorite in my collection. George is as adorable as ever.

Mater Saves Christmas

Such a cute story- Santa is a car of course, and his reindeer cars use special fuel that helps them fly. Chick Hicks is stealing the fuel, in hopes of using it to finally beat Lightning in race. Mater saves the day!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Such a holiday classic- and Dr. Seuss stories are such fun to read.

The Night Before Christmas

I've got a more traditional copy of this story, but I am thinking of ordering Mary Englebreit's illustrated version- it looks beautiful!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Of all our Christmas books, this is my favorite. The story is funny, easy to read, and touching. Some of the references are dated, but my kids still enjoy it. We started it last night and are reading a chapter each night before bed.

Do you have a favorite book we need to add to the Sasha Family collection?

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon referral links.

Ebates Black Friday

Ebates has quite a few stores with increased cash back for Black Friday.... I was most excited by Sephora- 10% back! (Ebates link is a referral link.... but you get a $5-10 bonus too if you sign up using that link!)

And Sephora has quite a few gift sets that ship free- even if the cost is under the normal free-shipping threshold of $50.

Remember the Benefits "I Glam Therefore I Am" set I am hoping for? At $36, it's included in the free shipping offer if you use code HOLIDAYSHIP.

Isn't that a gorgeous set?

Shopping

I just got this unicorn pillow pet for WC for just $10.39. There are a few others are this price, and these are the 18" ones.

Do you have any Black Friday shopping plans? I don't have anything specific I am looking for, but I getting together with some college friends at 10 tonight, and I am so excited to see them!

Dear Santa,

I've been busy Amazon shopping for all the kiddos in the fam, and yesterday the Mr. asked me what was on my list this year. And I had no idea!

I have the first Zumba Wii game and it is fabulous! I work up a major sweat and get to use those dance muscles I haven't used in 20 years or so! And from the comments on Amazon, Zumba 2 has many enhancements and improvements, so I'm really hoping to get this.

You knew there would be some makeup on my list, right? I am a collector of Benefit's boxed blusher/powders, and when I saw there was a new one in the I Glam... Therefore I Am set $36 at Sephora), it called my name.

What's on your list?

12 Days and Counting

My friend Amanda pointed out to me last Friday that White Rock was about 2 weeks away... which meant I only had about 2 weeks to finish training for my 3rd half marathon! Cue shock and horror. Hard to believe it's so close.

My biggest training problem has been that we haven't had a treadmill. It died during the summer and we just hadn't had the time to replace it. It was a great Reebok model that we bought about 9 years ago and lasted both of us through many many Couch to 5K runs.

But treadmills don't seem to be made like the used to be, and we had a hard time finding a model wtih a big enough HP for our liking.

After much research (seriously, the Mr. ought to go to work for Consumer Reports, he is SO good at researching products), he bought the Sole F80.

And I love it! It's quite sturdy and I think it will serve us well for a long time.

(source)

Trolling Pinterest (seriously, it's an addiction), I saw an interval program and thought I've give it a try for some treadmill runs. After following the pin, I decided to give the beginner one a try first! I have done the one above a few times and really like it- I don't use an incline though because I am prone to shin splints. Last night I actually did it twice and felt like I got a great 40 minute workout in. And for me, it was a bit of a speed workout- my legs are short and running at 6.5 is like someone is chasing me!

I did 9.5 miles on Saturday, and plan on doing 11 this weekend, so hopefully I'll be ready and make it through. I got some new insoles at a local running store and I really think they are going to help my arch problems and foot pain. Yay for local businesses!

Review: Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase

In March I posted about the launch of Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase...... a drugstore version of one of my favorite high-end lines, Kinerase. The Dr. LeWinn line is carried at Walmart and Walgreens.
(Note that the prices at Walmart appear to be a bit better.)

Here's why I was (and still am) so excited about this new line... the Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase products are budget-friendly versions of the very-very-very expensive products in original Kinerase line. I even did a little comparison for you.

I was recently invited by BzzAgent to join in a campaign for this line, and I jumped at the chance. I have faithfully been using the Under Eye Recovery since I purchased it in March and I still love it. I've been wearing contacts for over 25 years, so my eyes can be a bit sensitive to eye creams. This eye cream doesn't irritate me in the least, yet still seems to be effective.

Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Under Eye Recovery

$25 for .5 oz

A few weeks ago I was visiting my mom and dad and my mom mentioned needing some eye cream. Luckily I had one of the $5 coupons that BzzAgent provided me to pass on to friends with me, so we went to Walgreen's and picked up a tube for her. I asked her last week what she thought, and she reported that she really liked the cream and would definitely be re-purchasing it because it was working well for her.

For you locals, I still have four coupon booklets available, and they have a sample of two other products in them: Instant Dermal Wrinkle Filler, and Lift & Resculpt Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream. If you would like one, just holler at me and I'll pass one on to you!

Disclosure: BzzAgent provided me a full-size product for review and word-of-mouth purposes.

Are You An "Ally McBeal" Fan?

The newest Glee CD (Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2) has a fabulous version of Joni Mitchell's River sung by Lea Michele. Love love love that song.

I also love that after I watched a concert recording of Joni's original version on youtube, it suggested I view Robert Downey Jr's cover from Ally McBeal. I am obsessed with RDJ- love love love his singing.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon referral links. You know that by know, right???? :-)

Two Movie GDAs

Despicable Me DVD for $6

Rio DVD for $9- the BluRay/DVD version is $12

P and WC's New Favorite Show

Last week I ordered the first season of Full House from Amazon because it was priced at just $7.68 and includes 22 episodes. Since our family LOVES family comedies like Good Luck Charlie, I figured this would be a big hit. AND IT WAS. I got it out this weekend and they can't get enough.

The second season is just $8.24, so I'm picking that up today as a stocking stuffer since the show was a big hit.

What family comedies do you recommend?

GDA: $5 Magazine Subs

Here's a link to some $5 Magazines at Amazon - there's 16, including Cosmo, Woman's Day, and Popular Mechanic.

Marie Claire is just $5 as well.

These are all auto-renewals, so your safest bet to not renewing at a higher price is to turn off the auto renew option once your first issue arrives.

Amazing Glee Mashup

I am so far behind on Glee... I still have two epis from last season to watch.

But.... this mashup for Rumor Has It and Someone Like You is amazing! Totally gets me razzed to catch up on my viewing ASAP.

GDA: Stila Nail Polish special and FREE shipping

Stila is offering both of their new nail polish sets for $24. AND if you use code SFCGGDY3ET , you will get free shipping on EVERYTHING, no minimum! Hell of a deal.

Also, Stila participates in Ebates, so you can also get 6% back if you start there. Ebates is also offering a great holiday referral special- if you have 5 friends sign up through your referral link. you'll get $75! So even if you already are signed up, remember to pass on to your friends about Ebates for their holiday shopping.

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link for Ebates. However, those signing up under my link will also get a sign-up bonus from Ebates (typically $5-10).

GDA: Lego Advent Calendar $26.XX

If you haven't gotten your advent calendar yet, jump on this deal! The Lego Advent Calendar is down to $26.23. Sadly, I paid $31.50 when I got it! Sniff sniff!

Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon referral link.

Biscuit Waffles (alternatively titled The Laziest Breakfast Ever)

Y'all. Pinterest rocks my world. Such amazing ideas, and yesterday's breakfast at the Sasha's proves it!

Biscuit Waffles!

The cast of characters:

Pack of refrigerated biscuits

Pam

Waffle Maker

Spray generously with Pam, then slap a biscuit in there and close.

Voila!

Isn't that amazing? And they were fabulous. Perfect size for the kiddos, and tasted great.

So what fabulous ideas have you found on Pinterest?

Two Quick Amazon Deals

$31.50 for TEN Stanley Kubrick movies- The Shining, Eyes Wide Shut, etc. Freaky movies, but if you know a fan, this would make a great Christmas gift.

Just $4 for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Shopping tip: Sign up for Amazon Mom (sign up your husband if you have already used your free trial) and that way you can take advantage of the small deals like $4 movies, without having to spend $25 to get free shipping.

Kisses to Buford Betty!

Buford Betty, I am giving you big smooches today! You are my fashion hero!

I wear black slacks and dress shoes most days to work, so I am always on the lookout for a cute, comfy shoe with some sort of heel- being only 5'2", I need a little height. And last March I posted about my latest find, the Madden Upskale pump.

They are absolutely darling and so so comfy. I love the little ruffle and think it gives it a little "something".

Last week Buford Betty posted about some of her baby shower outfits (yay for the soon-to-arrive Buford Betty Baby!), and LOOK LOOK LOOK, she found the same shoe, called Sondra Ruffle, at Target in PEWTER! And RED! AND ONLY $20!!!!!!!

I am sure it goes without saying to say that I ordered them. In two colors.

They arrived last night and fit PERFECT and are exactly like the $50 Maddens. So today I am sporting the Pewter ones along with a company grey cardi and I look FAB. Well, as fab as you can look in company garb.

So I just wanted to give Buford Betty a big shout-out and pass on this fabulous find.

One quick on-line shopping note: Ebates offers 3% back for shopping at Target, so be sure and start your shopping there. And if you are new to Ebates, we'll each get a sign-up bonus of at least $5. (Disclosure: The link to Ebates is a referral link.)

Today

Turns out the frame is bent on the family van, so they are totaling it out.... which means I am in the market for some new booster seats.

So I'm ordering some new boosters today.

WC has been cruising around in a Britax Parkway SGL. It's got some great features that our family Safety Patrol Officer, Mr. Sasha, loves.

ISOFLEX Flexible Lower LATCH System Secures Booster
An easy-to-use connection system, the ISOFLEX Flexible Lower LATCH Connection System works to secure the booster seat to your vehicle. Two clicks and a pull on either side of the booster seat provide a firm anchor that stabilizes the seat during a crash and prevents it from becoming a projectile when not in use.

SecureGuard Technology Keeps Your Child Safely in Place
In addition, the PARKWAY SGL features SecureGuard technology, which works with your vehicle's own safety belt. The SecureGuard clip holds the lap portion of the seat belt in place, preventing submarining--when a child slides under the lap belt--and reducing the risk of abdominal injury.

True Side Impact Protection
The PARKWAY SGL Booster Seat is ideal for parents concerned with providing proper safety and posture-support for their child during car rides. Offering True Side Impact Protection, this seat delivers superior protection if you happen to face an unexpected side-impact accident. If such an event takes place, the solid head support and deep side walls work efficiently to distribute crash forces, shield the child from vehicle intrusion, contain the head and body, and keep the head, neck, and spine aligned to limit injury.

Although I love the seat itself and all it's safety features, we've had a problem with the belt guides.

I found this comment on Amazon: Also the belt guides are over-designed and can cause the belt to jam, depending on the position of the belt and with what force it retracts. This is a serious safety issue if the kid leans forward and the belt does not retract. Luckily the belt guides from Parkway SG model can be retrofitted to it (they fit perfect).

So it's not just us! Luckily, I am getting enough from insurance to go ahead and get two new seats, along with replacement belt guides from the Britax website ($9.99 each).

HOWEVER, all that being said, I haven't hit submit yet on my order, so if you have another seat you'd suggest I check out, please let me know in the comments PDQ!

Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon referral link.

How Did I Miss "Show Me Where Ya Noms At"????

A Few Amazon Deals to Start Your Day

$6.50 for Home Alone.... the kids haven't seen it, but I am thinking they would love it! I am getting it for them.

$36 the the complete Married... With Children series, would make a great Christmas gift if you know a fan.

A Few Amazon Deals

This Dora kitchen is down to $60. From what I find, this is the lowest it's been- it's been at $90 and $80 for a while and dropped to $60.

Blokus has dropped to $16, which is the lowest it's been. It's average price on Amazon is about $23. I think P, who is 8, will love this- and I think this will be beneficial for his vision therapy too.

Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon referral link.