Update on the girls

Last week was a busy week. The girls completed volleyball tryouts and they both made the team. Chardie will be on Varsity and Brie will play JV and will also get to join in on Varsity practice as well as get a little play time if they need her. They are both pretty happy and are excited about the season. They also picked up their schedules and got all the classes they needed. Remember in past posts how happy I was to finally have both girls in one place so I don't have to be scattered around all over town? Well they will be going to the same school and will playing the same sport except their schedules are very different. One has early bird and the other doesn't. One will have early dismissal second semester and the other one doesn't. So, you know what this means.... yep, scattered around again. We came up with a solution for mornings though. I will take them at the 2 different times for a couple weeks until Brie becomes comfortable with her new school and then she will get dropped off early with her sister. She will be able to go to the library at that time. It still freaks me out that both my girls are in high school! As far as afternoons go I still have about 4 months before that happens. I am looking forward to the girls going back to school in a week so I can focus more on teaching little Will his school lessons at home.

Has school started back in your city yet? Are you prepared?

Orbeez Review

I recently received an Orbeez Light-up Star Lamp to review. This toy came with packets of these itty bitty pellets called Orbeez that come in a variety of colors. When you soak them in water for 3 hours or overnight they grow into cool gel-like balls. With the Orbeez Light-up Lamp you choose 3 colors (must include clear as one) and once you "grow" your Orbeez, you drain them and fill them in the star container.

Once the star is filled you screw on the light-up cap and turn it onto the base (requires 3 AAA batteries not included). Now you just flip the switch and watch the Orbeez light up and change colors. It is such a cute item and I think any girl would like this. Although my daughters are teenagers this still appeals to them. Come to think of it, I am 37 and I want one for my desk!

Orbeez items can be purchased at Amazon.com, Kmart, Walmart, Target and ToysRUs (online and in stores for some major retailers)

Check Orbeez out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

These are amazing!

I received these Orchard Bars from Liberty Orchards to try out. Whenever I read certain things like: all-natural, good source of protein, high in Omega 3, rich in antioxidants, 60% organic ingredients, gluten-free, no trans fats, low sodium, no cholesterol, vegan, non-GMO, no preservatives.... I get a little scared that it is not going to taste good at all.

The back of the label listed some of the ingredients and then it ends with~ "And the best part? You won't believe how good they taste!" I had to see for myself. I tried the Pineapple, Coconut & Macadamia variety. I am not lying when I tell you it is the BEST energy bar I have EVER tasted! The texture, the sweetness, the REAL taste of the ingredients and the fact that it is actually good for you really took me by surprise! If you are interested in trying them out for yourself you can order them here. You can even get FREE gift wrapping!

New Carmex flavors and a giveaway!

Contest Closed
Winner is #81 Shelly~ Congratulations!

I am so excited about the latest Carmex Blog Squad kit. I received a super cute picnic blanket with the famous Carmex logo, a stick of Moisture Plus Hydrating Lip Balm and two new flavors of Carmex click sticks~ Lime Twist and Vanilla.


I am both a lime and vanilla girl and as always these new lip balms did not disappoint! They both have a subtle flavor and make your lips super soft. They contain 15 SPF sunscreen and of course that awesome Carmex tingle that we all love! I can't decide which one I like better! These premium lip balms contain 3 additional moisturizers not found in the original line. They are available at Walgreens, Walmart and CVS.



Check out this super cute Carmex picnic blanket. It is portable and comes with a small zippered pouch attached with a carrying handle. Perfect for stashing a tube or stick of Carmex :-) It has vinyl underneath so moisture won't mess your blanket up. It folds back neatly and stays intact with Velcro. It is perfect to keep in the trunk of your car.


Our friends at Carmex are providing one gift pack just like the one I received for one lucky Momfiles reader. Just let us know which new flavor of Carmex you would like to try as well as what your favorite Carmex products are.

For extra entries you can do any of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each entry to count.

~ "like" Carmex and Momfiles on Facebook
~ Share this giveaway on FB and leave a link to your post
~ Follow Carmex and Momfiles on Twitter
~ Tweet this giveaway (once daily) and leave a link to your Tweet:

Enter to win a @CarmexLipBalm prize pack @momfiles http://tinyurl.com/44tn799 #giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on August 19, 2011 at 9:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. Please leave your email address in your comment if you do not have a Blogger Profile. Good luck!

Disclosure: I received products samples for review. All opinions are 100% mine as always.

Wordless Wednesday | Waiting for sisters

Oldest child = Guinea pig

I was listening to the girls having a conversation the other day about high school issues. Chardie was explaining to Brie how good she has it since her big sister has already been there and done that. Chardie said that it is not fair that she is the guinea pig for everything and then Brie seems to have things so easy. It is hard being the oldest sibling according to Chardie. You work so hard to figure things out and it seems as if things are just handed to your younger siblings. We always have to remind Chardie that this is nothing new. It has been this way forever and she is not the only big sister to go through it. Hey, at least Brie has an excellent role model! Chardie makes Brie want to be even better. You can't beat that!!

The girls are having volleyball tryouts this week. They are both very excited about it and I look forward to the upcoming season. At least this year I will be at ONE location only. I am SO happy about that!

Have a great week my friends :)