DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com. I received free admission to the Harlem Globetrotters for me and my family in exchange for promoting the 2025 World Tour. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

The last two times we had seen the Harlem Globetrotters, we saw them in Virginia. Even though it was a little farther away, parking was free and easier. This third time, I chose to see them in DC. It was definitely a different experience! Since my kids are older now, I was only able to convince three out of four of my kids to come.

 

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Bestway and Tryazon in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

We visit the beach every summer and usually the house we rent has a hot tub. My family enjoys spending time in them. But, that's usually the only time we get to use one. So, we were super excited to be chosen to receive a free inflatable hot tub. I had actually thought about buying one of these when everything was shut down during COVID, but we never got around to doing it. We were sent the Coleman SaluSpa Bahamas AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub.

 

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Tryazon and The Op Games in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

My family loves board games. It's a great way for us to spend some time together and they make family gatherings so much fun. We have our favorites but always enjoy finding new games to play. We were excited to try Mish Match and Tapple 10.

 

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Tryazon and Drinkmate in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

We aren't big soda drinkers in our household. But, I do like to enjoy one every now and then. When presented with an opportunity to make my own carbonated beverages from home, I was intrigued. So, I applied and was selected to host a Drinkmate - Sparkle Your Summer Party.

I received a free Drinkmate OmniFizz Special Bundle, which included:

• Drinkmate OmniFizz
• Fizz Infuser
• 1 L Carbonation Bottle
• 0.5 L Carbonation Bottle
• 60 L CO2 Cylinder

DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com. I received free admission to see the Harlem Globetrotters for me and my family in exchange for promoting the 2023 World Tour. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

We had another chance to see the Globetrotters this year. Last year was our first time attending and it was enjoyable, so I was glad to be offered another chance to go see them play.

I had to work the day of the event, so we arrived just in time to buy some snacks from the concession stand and find our seats before it started.

My kids aren't super into sports at all but they had a good time. The comedic interludes and ball tricks helped make it more entertaining than just a regular basketball game 

 

I say this every January, but, how is it 2023? That doesn't even look right to me.

Every year, around this time, I reflect back on the previous year and set some goals for the New Year. I started out last year with a sprained ankle, which actually turned out to be a fracture. It took a long time to get over that injury. I was still doing PT during the summer. So, a lot of what I was focused on, especially at the beginning of the year, was just getting better and being able to walk and drive again.

Last year, I set out to continue my fitness journey, work to become independent and to spend more time with my friends and family. Looking back, I feel I did a fairly good job at accomplishing those goals. Once I was able to walk again, I started working out again and even ended the year completing an 8 week Get Fit and Moving Challenge from Chloe Ting. Though, I did end up hurting my knee, so we'll see what happens with that. I also feel like I progressed in my goal to be more independent. I'm not 100% where I want to be, but I'm getting there. As for spending time with friends and family, I definitely feel like I took more time to hang out with people or at least reach out to people more regularly and I will continue to do that this year.

So, for goals this year...

1)  Continue my fitness journey - Yes, this is the same goal as last year. I started working out regularly in 2020 and I want to continue that this year. I want to work on getting stronger and more toned and maintaining my weight. I plan to continue my home workouts, but also look into adding some other physical activity. A friend and I were talking about maybe taking Pilates together. She also has been trying to get me to go to her Orange Theory classes. So we'll see!

2) Make more time for my hobbies - I find it relaxing to knit and crochet. So, this year, I want to make more time for that. I enjoy making things. I like making things to wear and little toys for the kids. And I feel like the more I do it, the better I'll get at it. Goal is to try and do some knitting or crocheting at least once a week. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through social media, I should be working on my knitting or crocheting. 

3) Be more social - This goes along with the goal last year to spend more time with people I care about. I can be so antisocial and often turn down invites to hang out. I'm an introvert and sometimes I'm happiest just being by myself. But I will make an attempt this year to hang out more. Do things with people. Make lunch and dinner dates. 

4) Travel more - I love traveling. We usually go to same places every year. This year, I'd love to have a chance to visit somewhere new. I always hear stories from people about all the places they've visited, and I get so jealous. I need to see if I can travel somewhere different this year. Start out with something small. Maybe a weekend trip to a city that I haven't been to. A solo trip has also been on my bucket list. So maybe this will be the year! We'll see!

I think that's a good start to some goals. Hopefully I can accomplish these. 

Do you set goals for yourself at the beginning of the year? What are you hoping to accomplish in 2023?

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Bestway and Tryazon in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

The holidays are upon us. And for many people, that either means family and friends are coming into town and are needing a place to stay, or maybe you're the one traveling and hoping to avoid shelling out money for a hotel. Either way, someone is going to need a bed to sleep on. A great option to consider would be an inflatable bed!

DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com. I will receive free admission to see the Harlem Globetrotters for me and my family in exchange for promoting the 2023 World Tour. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour, presented by Jersey Mike's, is coming with game like never before! Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism and a non-stop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world's winningest team! 

In 2023, every fan is getting in on this action...that means YOU, so get ready! It's GLOBETROTTER game time!

Tickets are now on sale! Save up to 20% with code USFAM. http://www.usfamilyguide.com/coupon.php?bid=13043&dealid=2964

Bringing world-class basketball showmanship to arenas all over the U.S.

TOUR SCHEDULE: https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Tryazon and The Op Games in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Last month we held a game night and had such a fun time that we decided it should be a regular thing. So, we were pretty excited when we were selected again to host another game night. Both games were new to us. My family enjoys word games so both looked like they would be perfect for us!

Who Is The Op?

Telestrations and Blank Slate are both from The Op, a company that specializes in board games like Clue. Trivial Pursuit, and Jenga, as well as other games like puzzles and chess sets.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Tryazon to try and review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Gabby's Dollhouse is a series on Netflix geared towards preschoolers. The TV show features Gabby and her cat friends as they go on adventures in her dollhouse.

ABOUT GABBY'S PURRFECT DOLLHOUSE

• OVER 2 FEET TALL: With its cat-inspired shape and colorful details, Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse looks just like the one from the show. It’s the ultimate setting for your exciting pretend play adventures!
• ELEVATOR AND DELIVERY TOWER: Play on 4 floors and explore 7 different rooms! Drop deliveries in the tower, ride the Cat-A-Vator to each floor, discover hidden surprises on the room backdrops and more! 
• 15 PIECES: Play right out of the box with Gabby and Pandy Paws, 2 Dollhouse Deliveries, 3 accessories and 8 furniture pieces, including a couch, slide, table that flips from breakfast to dinner and more! • 
• 8 SOUNDS AND PHRASES: Press the button in front of the dollhouse to hear music, sounds and phrases from the show, including the theme song! This exciting kids' toy requires 3 AAA batteries (not included). 
• TOYS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGES 3 AND UP: Gabby’s dollhouse dolls, doll house furniture, stuffed animals and kids toys are great gifts for birthdays and your holiday toy list, for kids ages 3 and up. 
• Includes: 1 Dollhouse, 1 Gabby Girl Figure, 1 Pandy Paws Figure, 8 Furniture Pieces, 2 Dollhouse Deliveries, 3 Accessories, 1 Instruction Sheet

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A post shared by Bernadette Nunez (@mandarin831)

Growing up, I remember seeing commercials for the Harlem Globetrotters on TV. I remember the theme song and players doing tricks with the red, white and blue ball and thinking they must be fun. But I never got a chance to see them. Until last week!

I got the whole family -- including the teenagers -- to come see the show. We really hadn't been out together as a family since before COVID so it was nice to get a chance to do something with all the kids.

I really didn't know what to expect and so couldn't really explain what it would be like to the kids other than it not being like a real basketball game and that it would be funny. All I knew is that I wanted to buy a Harlem Globetrotters ball.

 

I honestly cannot believe it's 2022 already. I feel like 2021 went by pretty quickly.

I started 2021 with no real goals. Only with the intention of living in the moment. I'm not really sure I accomplished that. But I sure did end the year in a big way. Falling and spraining (or fracturing? Not sure yet) my right ankle pretty badly! I haven't been able to put weight on it or walk in three weeks!

But, even with that, I am going to set some goals for this year. Not sure how this year will turn out, but hopig I can accomplish these before the year ends.

1.  Continue Working Out

I had started to get pretty regular with working out before I fell. I was feeling stronger and felt like I was getting more toned. When my foot is better, I am hoping to be able to pick that back up and grow even stronger.

2.  Be More Independent

This not being able to walk or drive or do things for myself has been super frustrating. Once my foot is better, I want to be able to do more things for myself. Stop being scared to drive to new places. Learn to actually cook more than just spaghetti! Go on more solo trips.

3.  Spend More Time With The Ones I Care About

People come and go in your life and I want to appreciate those who are in my life now. I hope to plan more lunch dates and weekend trips. Mom and daughter and Mom and son outings. Show the people I care about how much they mean to me.

I think those are some good goals to start out with. Though the main goal for me right now is to have my ankle heal!

Have you set any goals for the year?

 

DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com. I will receive free admission to see the Harlem Globetrotters for me and my family in exchange for promoting the Spread Game Tour. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS SPREAD GAME TOUR

SpreadGame is what the Globetrotters do best; it's what they've done best for 95 years. Bringing light, laughter and love on the court that extends off the court in the smiles families bring home or the stories fans tell their friends.

SpreadGame is excellence shown through basketball wizardry night after night and demonstrated through years of commitment to unsurpassed entertainment.

The Globetrotters SpreadGame through every slam dunk, killer pass and magic fadeaway; and through every smile for a child and every achievement within the communities they visit.

Light, laughter, love. Hope. SpreadGame.

Don't miss your chance to see The Harlem Globetrotters! Purchase your tickets today! Use this coupon and promo code USFAM and save up to 20%.

Find a show near you:

https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Tryazon in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

My kids love scooters. They all learned to ride scooters well before learning how to ride a bike. While they've used several different brands of scooters, their favorite by far have come from Razor. Recently, we had a chance to throw a Razor Block Party, thanks to Tryazon and Razor. We received a Razor Sonic Glow Electric Scooter to review and share.

 

DISCLOSURE: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) in exchange for my honest review. Compensation was provided and post may contain affiliate links.

A few years ago, I was introduced to Pact, a brand of organic clothing. I received a set of apparel and underwear from Moms Meet to review and the company quickly became a new favorite. So, I was excited to learn they also have a line of kids clothes!

About Pact

Pact is on a mission to be Earth's Favorite Clothing Company. All of their products are made with organic cotton, which does not use any toxic chemicals and uses 91% less water than non-organic cotton. Their products are Certified Organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard.

Pact partners with Fair Trade Certified factories, who have met several rigorous standards that include safe working environments, sustainable livelihoods and fair wages.

Pact offers clothing lines for women, men, kids and babies/toddlers, as well as organic bedding.

DISCLOSURE: I received free product from Tryazon in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

If your kids are like mine, then they've been attending school virtually and spending countless hours inside and on a screen. With the weather warming up, I want to try and get them out of the house and away from the screens. South Beach Bubbles WOWmazing kits are a great way to get the whole family outside. Who doesn't love bubbles?!

Happy New Year! I haven't blogged about anything in so long. I just did not have any motivation last year and honestly, wasn't sure if I was going to keep this blog up or just take it down.

I reread my goals post from the beginning of 2020 and I was so hopeful. I mean I guess I did accomplish some of them. I definitely tried to work out more and participated in a few Chloe Ting Challenges. But, still not on a regular basis.

I wanted to be present with my family more and ha, those six weeks that our office was closed, I definitely did get to spend a lot more time with them!

With 2021 not really being too different from 2020 so far, I wasn't sure if I was even going to set any goals. Who knows how this year will turn out?

So, for now, I am just going to try and Live In The Moment. Stop trying to plan for things so much and just try and enjoy each day as it comes. Hard to do but will definitely try.

DISCLOSURE: I received free books in exchange for my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

The schools closed in our state a little over a month ago. While they have given us packets and some general guidelines on what we should be teaching them, I've struggled with other ways to keep my kids engaged and interested. Sometimes the material in the packets would be too tedious and my kids would get tired or bored.

Recently, I had the chance to review two books from a new series from Happy Fox Books, called Find Me! They were a happy distraction for my kids from their usual math and reading assignments. And it also kept them occupied for a bit, which allowed me to get some work done. That was greatly appreciated, now that the kids are here all the time!

About a month ago, my husband and I decided we were going to give Blue Apron a try. We had been playing around with the idea of signing up for a meal delivery service for a couple years after we had had the chance to try a different meal delivery service. We liked the convenience of it. Now, given the current circumstances and stay-at-home order issued by our state, our Blue Apron box came at a perfect time.

Blue Apron is one of many meal delivery services currently available. They deliver the ingredients and the recipe for the meals you choose each week. You can choose how often and how many meals you want to receive. You can even choose which recipes you want to try.

Our first box included everything needed to prepare three different meals. We chose a 4 serving plan. Even though we are a family of six, our kids are pretty picky and we knew they all wouldn't always be willing to try everything that came.