TheMorrisonFamilyBlog

 Summer just wouldn't be the same without water fun at our house. The kiddos catch every opportunity to splash in puddles, run through sprinklers and swim in the pool. They always remember to pack a swimming suit when we travel because water is what the ultimately seek.   Li'l Man is golden brown this summer from living in his swimming trunks. He wears them in the sandbox, rides his bike in them and wastes no time stripping off his shirt and using them for the activity they were intended for...water!   These days he's loving his Finn Swim Trunks by  VroomVroom. He is a kiddo that thinks everything goes with Camo and Finn takes that look to the next level. Looks are quite deceiving because this camouflage pattern is actually cars! The Finn trunks are lined, making certain he's covered inside and outside the water. He loves how soft they are and the 100 percent microfiber dries lickity-split!   The Divine Miss M is my child who takes her clothing seriously. It's an i

 If something saves me time and money I'm typically willing to try it out. This week I've been using RedLaser, a free app available for download for Android, iPhone and Windows phones. It's quickly become my secret weapon for smart shopping. Using it to scan or search for items it makes certain I have ratings, price comparisons and product details. RedLaser App is a virtual shopping assistant.   I want to stretch our family budget as far as possible and RedLaser App shows me where the deals are, both online and in-store.   Here are some of my favorite features of RedLaser: Scan and search for products using the bar code scanner. Compare prices online and at local retailers, so you’ll know you’re getting the best deal. Find out which stores stock what you’re looking for by searching for a product locally. No need to drive around town searching for what you need! Browse product reviews and ratings. Buy directly from your phone using PayPal mobile express checkout and you can

 Do you fear  Beginning The Discussion With Your Daughter?  It's a big step. As the mother to many, I'm going to tell you that talking to your children is one of the most important things you can do for them. There are so many people I hear who are scared to have this talk with their daughters. Is it because we view it taboo? C'mon, it's a natural part of being a girl. I've always been outgoing and I doubt anyone has ever used the word "shy" to describe me. I'm confident going into the discussion about menstruation with The Beauty Queen and The Divine Miss M. Ours started in public. We were shopping for a bra for me. I asked The Beauty Queen if she was ready for one and she flat out said, "No!" The Divine Miss M, however, saw one in teal and peace signs and thought I should extend the offer to her. When I told her it wasn't her time she asked, "How do you know, Mom?" And then it began. Remember last month I shared how my mom too

 This summer will be our sixth summer in our home, and although we bought our home dreaming of all of the parties we would be hosting in our backyard, it is virtually impossible to entertain guest without any outdoor furniture.  Like many other families we purchased our home at the peak of the economic boom and since we both worked in the mortgage industry our incomes were hit pretty hard as the housing market collapsed.  Fortunately we have managed to maintain our home, but our plans for entertaining and splurging outdoor furniture were temporarily placed on hold.    Last year my sister purchased two Adirondack chairs from Ace Hardware and gave them to me for my birthday. Although, I am ashamed that I didn’t put the chairs together immediately, I am thrilled to have them be a part of our backyard makeover this summer. I love a good DIY project and these chairs were perfect because they came unassembled and unfinished.  I will admit, seeing all of the pieces was a little overwhelming b

  Celebrate National S’mores Day with Balance Bar on August 10 th S’mores is a delicious gooey combination of Graham Crackers, Chocolate and Marshmallows.  The origin of this delightful treat is unknown, but you can find the recipe documented in a Girl Scout Publication as early as 1927, originally referred to as “Some More”. This may be the reason we associate S’mores with camping, or perhaps it’s because roasting the marshmallow makes it taste so much better. This traditional campfire treat has become so popular in the United States that it now has its own Holiday. Celebrate S’mores Day on August 10th! Although I love s’mores just as much as my children, I rarely indulge because of the need to watch what I eat.  Now I can enjoy this campfire treat every day because Balance Bar has recreated this wonderful taste bud sensation as a nutritious energy bar, Balance Bar S’mores. Balance Bar S’mores has a crisp layer of graham cracker topped with a light marshmallow filling and covered wit

 My husband ALWAYS carries a first aid kit and parachute rope. He packs ready for anything. In 2003 we went to Zion National Park with the kiddos. I was pregnant with MacKenzie. Dad, Jake and Zac all headed up a rock, while The Beauty Queen and I waited at a picnic table below. Here is a picture of what some of the formations in Zion National Park look like:     We were in an area where the rocks were smooth, like these above. Jake had just turned fourteen. At some point in this supervised adventure, Jake happened to look down and realize he was WAY up on the rock. He panicked and said to his brother and Dad, "You go ahead. Save yourself!"   From there it just perpetuated until Jake was belly down on the rock trembling in fear. The edge was more than 20 feet from him. My husband stayed Jake's side, while Zac bolted down the rock and hollered for me to "get Dad's backpack". Within a few minutes, Zac and the backpack arrived next to Jake and my husband tied pa

 Sometimes there's a brand that is useful and fun. It blazes through social media sites. Right now, Diamond Candles is a brand on fire! We had to find out why. Our addiction began with this: The Lavender Lemon candle. When it arrived, the noses of all family members sniffed and declared it smelled really, really good. We set it on the mantle and lit the wick. My kiddos tend to gravitate to a flickering flame. They are cautious but are mesmerized by the dancing flame. They also want to be the one who gets to put the candle out when it's time. That's when they noticed this: The Divine Miss M read it and then shouted, "Mom! There's a ring in this candle and it could be a $5,000 one!" It's true. Every Diamond Candle comes with a ring nestled inside the soy candles with a surprise value of $10, $100, $1,000 or $5,000! Unlike their boxes of cereal with a hidden surprise, the candle created the issue of "How the heck do we get it out?" And then one ni

 As a nursing mom for the fourth time, I have had my share of nursing bras - ugly stiff nursing bras.  They aren't fun to buy and definitely not fun to wear.  Cake Maternity has taken nursing wear to the next level with beautiful, comfortable underwear for pregnant and nursing moms. I recently tried the new luxurious Cotton Candy racerback nursing bra and panties.  Silky soft & built for comfort, its carefully positioned double-layered side sling, strength panels and T-back structure are designed to maximize lift and support.  I not only love the color - what girl doesn't find joy in cotton candy pink? - But I love the soft fabric that really supports my chest.  I like the racerback design too.  It is sleek, and it works well with a wide variety of shirts, especially those tank tops that we have to wear in SC!  It is easy to use as a nursing bra too.  The hooks easily come undone, and it's a breeze to get Clara eating in no time!  The T-back offers good support for my

 Summer is a time of vibrant colors and fun. There's festivals and time just strolling along the river. The Divine Miss M is going through a hippie phase where everything is about peace and love and I wanted to fit in, so we did a review of the Groovey Mama Costume from www.PlusSizeCostumeSuperCenter.com . I love the selection of their Plus size costumes. From superheroes to traditional witches it's all in one place. I wanted something that said summer fun and surprised The Divine Miss M with my laidback hippie vibe in the Groovy Mama costume. The long tye dye skirt with peace signs and hippie flowers attracted me to it. When it arrived The Divine Miss M fell in love with the tiered bohemian hem and purple trim. It is bright and happy and I love how it flows. The costume also includes a long sleeve, low cut black shirt with slit sleeves, gathering at the next and a trim that matches the skir around the sleeves, neckline and bustline. There is a matching long tie under the bust

 No matter how gifted the child, everyone needs some extra help every now and again. You want to give your kids every opportunity to succeed and thrive, but sometimes the limits of the pocketbook get in the way. The public school still offers a great education, but what if your child needs some tutoring? Sure, you could hire someone, but you don't always have room in the monthly budget to pick up that extra bill. Luckily, there are several opportunities for tutoring that are either very inexpensive or completely free.If your child needs a little extra help with his schoolwork, but you simply don't have the cash to hire someone, here are a few free tutoring options. How to Find a Free Tutoring Program for Your Child Sure, you could hire someone, but you don't always have room in the monthly budget to pick up that extra bill. Luckily, there are several opportunities for tutoring that are either very inexpensive or completely free. If your child needs a little extra help with

Healthy To Go Trim Energy has changed my thinking. Growing up my Mom always made sure that we had a complete meal with all of the food groups for dinner every night. At the time, I was a pretty picky eater and I never understood why it was so important that we eat the things that she cooked. I have many memories of sitting at the table long after everyone else had been excused to finish the plate of liver and onions, which I could only choke down if I drowned them in ketchup.  Now as an adult, I realize the importance of balanced nutrition, but I rarely cook a meal with all of the food groups and I know that sometimes my family does not get all of the essential vitamins and minerals that we need through food alone. Therefore, I am always looking for ways to sneak vitamins and minerals into our diets.  To Go Brands offers easy ways to add those necessary nutrients without eating those foods that we find unappealing. Healthy To Go Trim Energy Offers 4 servings of Fruits and Vegetables I

 Any big change in life is inherently stressful. Changing jobs. Getting married or divorced. A big swing in your financial situation. They all take adjustment. But one of the most stressful changes can be a large, long distance move. Let's be honest, moving is a nightmare , and your kids can be especially affected. They're leaving behind the home you've all created together, which could very well be the only home they know. They're changing schools, having to meet new friends, and maybe even adapting to much different weather. Your kids may approach the move with excitement, apprehension or sadness, but whatever their feeling about things, there's a lot you can do as their parent to help them adjust. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind as you're preparing for, and recovering from a big move . First off, try to situated in your new neighborhood before your move if at all possible. There will be so much that's unfamiliar to your child when you get there, and

 Although it may not be regularly discussed in Forbes magazine or on the news, some of the most powerful business people are not just stockbrokers or CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. No, some of them are right in our midst daily. They're called WAHM, which stands for Work At Home Moms. What makes them powerful is that they are the core of what keeps many families together. And just like other people who tirelessly serve at their jobs, these women should also have a financial plan in place, including investment strategies that they can implement to help to secure their future — perhaps investing in one or many of the top 500 largest stocks. If you are a "WAHM" or if you know one, feel free to pass these five tips for beginning investors along. Beginner Investment Strategies for WAHMS Have solidified goals. We all have heard it said before: " Those who fail to plan, plan to fail ." It's not good enough to just "want to do some investing." There also

 Finding the perfect bathing suit is a grueling process; it is probably the only shopping event of the year that I actually dread.  Searching through racks of swimwear that range from ultra-skimpy to frumpy is frustrating and usually leaves me feeling utterly depressed. Since I have entered motherhood, my body just isn’t the same as it was ten years ago, and although the mirror is telling me I can’t wear that string bikini anymore, my ego is not quite ready to banish my bikini.  This year Essential Swimwear has saved me from this dreaded experience. The Chocolate Brown Twist Front Top has rapidly become my go-to swimsuit this year. With its retro-style look, and its magical ability to hide my flaws, I feel confident and sexy as I soak up the rays.  The top was designed using extra fabric, which makes it perfect for my long torso. The additional fabric is also great because it creates ruffled pleats around my waist, which helps to camouflage my not so tight middle.  The twist top desig

The  Tykoon  website and/or app is helping my children learn about money and responsibility. It's an important lesson and one so many people missed out on considering the average American’s amount of debt is $10,000 ( Money Talks News ).  Tykoon is a fun way to teach about money and goes beyond How Much Allowance Money Should I Give My Child . The user simply logs in to the website and sets up an account. From there, you add any or all of your children and set up an allowance for them, or set up how your child's earnings will be allocated. Like the book Three Cups , Tykoon helps teach children about saving, giving, and spending, and the user determines the percentage of earning to go to each of those three categories. My kiddos loved the wish-list area where they were able to goal-set for more significant items or drop hints about what they wanted to earn. It stirred some great conversation. My eight-year-old wanted concert tickets to see Katy Perry, who is only performing over

 The Q2 Internet Radio is one of the few items that has had my husband excited. It is absolutely awesome and getting a lot of use at our house! If you have never heard of Q2, allow me to show you just how cool (and cute) it is: This little box proves dynamite comes in small packages, at just four inches square, and is available in five fun colors, the Q2 has no button, no switches, no dials, and no screens. It's 100% motion-controlled, making this radio an interactive experience. It requires a wi-fi connection and allows you to listen to local, national or international radio stations. I use mine to tune into Adam Corolla and Joe Rogan's podcasts and the kiddos claim it to listen to Radio Disney . There are no service fees or subscriptions, which you gotta love! [caption id="attachment_15668" align="aligncenter" width="431"] The five colors available for the Q2 Internet Radio[/caption] The Q2 works with a PC or a Mac and offers incredible sound an