Did you comics as a kid? I did and though my teacher raised her eyebrows at me considering the shortened words and peppered slang not good reading material, they were the sprinkles to my ice-cream. I was a last-minute study kind of girl, and I still thrive on deadlines, but since I was wicked smart I did well each time. I remember studying for my matric examination, which were stressful since these results affected you getting into college, and I decided Archie comics would be my reward. In an age (18) where teens maybe look to a night at a club or something similar as their unwinding treat, I looked at these comics. I loved them dearly and I would often purchase them and create a huge stack to be read after exams. That visual of the books was all the inspiration I needed to toil the nights away studying crazily, even with my non-sympathetic sister who would keep the tv blaring, I kept on it. I never ventured into other types of comics as they seemed to have tiny writing which looked cramped, yeah not very sophisticated reason to not read them, but give me a break, I was young and did not need deep reasons to like or not like something.

Anyway, I have to admit I never fully introduced my kids to Archie, as much as I loved it I did not want it to be their 1st reading experience. But then I heard of the DVD of Archie’s Weird Mysteries I could not help myself. I have seen it myself and it has a retro feel to it.  In fact it is available on special from $12.98, it is now going for $9.99. Don’t you love it when you can share a piece from your past?

Here is the sypnosis from the site:

Things are getting weird in Riverdale, home of all-American boy and high school newspaper reporter, Archie Andrews. Ever since an experiment in the high school physics lab went awry, Riverdale has become a magnet for the stuff of which “B-Movies” are made. A swamp creature has taken up residence in the old swimming hole! Frankenstein’s monster is hanging out on Lover’s Lane! Mad scientists, werewolves, vampires, giant ants, UFO’s and zombies are invading Riverdale. It is thrills, chills and a whole lot of laughs. Join Archie and his pals – beautiful Betty, sexy Veronica, devious Reggie and eccentric Jughead – as they do their best to unravel ARCHIE’S WEIRD MYSTERIES.   Get all 40 episodes in this monster collection!

I was a total Betty fan and felt like clobbering Archie each time he ditched her and went with Veronica. Jughead was so much my favorite that my friends called me that at college since my last name sounded similar.

Disclosure: I received this DVD to review.

For a long time I have been extra careful about exposure to the music pumped out today. If you scrutinize the lyrics you could forgive this mama for that. Of course deciphering the lyrics itself is a mighty task on its own and was a reason I considered to just let it be. Then I realized kids seem to have the natural ability to unlock the words that frankly sounded like another language muffled under a thick winter scarf to me. That alone was an incentive to explore Kidz Bop.

I explored another CD in the Kidz Bop series earlier and it became a firm favorite but I was dying for something new we could both sing to. While my younger kid moves naturally to music, I could see the same could not be said for her older sister who has Autism. I clearly have seen her try to grasp the rhythm and move awkwardly to the music. I consider music to be therapeutic so I kept with it. Then slowly I saw her get into it, I mean REALLY get into it. Her favorite at the moment is Adele and I have to admit she introduced me to her music else I would not have stopped to appreciate it.

Favorites like “Put a ring on it”, “Soul sister”, “Dynamite” and more make this easily a CD you will not get a chance to put back in the cupboard. This Kidz Bop is similar to the one I mentioned except it is one of those collections that you can easily grab and go for a road trip or a short jaunt to the supermarket. And you know what? I don’t mind leaving it playing even when the kids are not around. Shhh, don’t tell them!

Here are the details:

KIDZ BOP Ultimate Hits

Street Date: May 8^th

SRP:13.98
Complete Track Listing:

1.      Tik Tok

2.      Dynamite

3.      California Gurls

4.      I Gotta Feeling

5.      Billionaire

6.      Party In The USA

7.      Break Your Heart

8.      Hey Soul Sister

9.      DJ Got Us Falling In Love

10.    Fire Burning

11.    You Belong With Me

12.    Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

13.    Fireflies

Disclosure: I received the product for review purposes

I have bare minimum staples that I rely on, especially in winter. Jeans seems to be the order of the day and if you find one that fits you perfectly, it is worth its weight in gold. But nothing screams summer like a summer dress. Now since I grew up in South Africa in Durban which is on the beach and we had tropical weather (I know, you hate me right?) dresses were a huge part of the wardrobe and were on sale there in every season, and to be honest there are only 2 seasons there: a little hot or a lot hot (jealous again are we?).

In Boston we see every season clearly and fashion is molded around that. So when summer rolls around you can bet we will be looking forward to those new dresses hitting the shelves. Shopping is not an activity that is easy in stores because if I don’t have my kids with me I am normally working. This is why I love checking out the clothing at Fresh Produce.  I remember a cardigan that I reviewed from there 2  years ago still gets rave reviews and it is my go-to item especially if I am on camera.

So naturally I was excited to check out a new summer dress, I already had some fab summer sandals to go with. I gravitate towards black, my daughters mock me for this, yet to me it is a safe color. Also I was once told it has a slimming effect and of course that would make anyone want to use it. Since my closet is a bit saturated with black clothing and I wanted to be brave and add some color. Besides, a good friend told me black is not my color (sheesh, I know) so I picked the brightest color. I thought if I felt self-conscious in it, I could just get over it.

So I tried it and though I have yet to get the right weather to wear it out and about, my younger audience gave it the thumbs up. Maybe it was the fact that they were so happy it was not black or may just because they are girly girls and love dresses. I just love that it is comfortable dress with extremely soft fabric. The no-nonsense style makes it easy to dress down during the day or up to a snazzy party at night. Thankfully it does not cling ridiculously to those extra curves I still possess and the best part is I can survive without having to iron it.

Disclosure: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. 

Dear Mom,

For several years after you passed away I hated Mother’s Day. I know I should not, but every time I saw people go on about Mother’s Day it bothered me and reminded me that I did not have a mom (or a dad for that matter). I would not cry, to do so would be to embrace the pain. I found distraction a much better vice.

Then 7 years ago I became a mother. I found a different reason to love the day. Of course the 9 months before I missed you more than ever as there is nothing more you want when you are pregnant than your mama. I had no idea what I was doing. Sure I missed that you never met my sweetheart or that you could not dance at my wedding but there is something that happens when you are becoming a mama, you need your own.

In these 7 years while you remained in my heart you seemed to travel all over me. Sometimes I would catch you in my head as I told my girls memories of you playing 3 tins in the backyard. Sometimes I would see you in my hands that look a little worn out from taking care of everyone but yet still capable. Sometimes my feet would remember you as I pushed myself further than I ever thought possible, and when  think I can’t move anymore, I push some more. The surprise place I found you the most though was in my voice.

I swear I could hear you when I chastised my girls when they were mean to each other, reminding them their sister was their best friend. You can be sure I warn them the same way about not stepping in the puddle with new shoes, and yes like me my kiddo does it anyway. Or when I broke the news to them that sometimes life is unfair but that does not mean we have to be. It must be your voice I hear when I explain to them that my life is empty without them in it.

And you know what mom? They adore me. Me! Just like I adore you. I guess I must be doing something right. I understand now that you will live forever because I am your legacy just like they will be mine. Welcome back mom, glad to have you here. Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Love

your daughter, who is still convinced that I was your favorite!

Two years ago I did a What Mom Bloggers want for Mother’s Day  post and it was so fun to not only write but to read it, I decided to do it again this year.

Stacie (Divine Miss Mommy)

Grey Goose Vodka,  something to give me fresh orange juice (where I would put my vodka) and for juicing in general – I have wanted one for a while, and finally, a moment of silence to enjoy it all!

Piera (Jolly Mom)

My wish for Mother’s Day this year is that I get to wake up (after 9 am) to the sound of bacon sizzling in the kitchen and the smell of coffee brewing in my Keurig and of course, lots of hugs and smooches from my little guy (and my big guy). I want to spend theday relaxing and reading the “The Girl Who Played with Fire” by Stieg Larsson, which has been sitting on my nightstand untouched for several months because I’m too exhausted to read. No cooking or cleaning or whining allowed…all day. Pure bliss.

Felicia (Go Graham Go!)

I’m not going to lie.  I bought my own Mother’s Day present this year.  It should be here in 7-10 business days!  I’ve had my eye on these gorgeous watches from La Mer for about a year now

Desiree (Stress Free Baby)

My Mother’s Day wish is actually something I need to give myself, and that’s permission to not be perfect, to let other’s down when I simply can’t do more, and to remember my children are only with me for a little while. I want this time to be something they look back on with full hearts.

Danielle (Extraordinary Mommy)

I truly don’t ‘want’ for anything, so my Mother’s Day wish is not material in any way.  It is strictly to enjoy, to appreciate, to embrace every hour I have as a mom on Mother’s Day.  I want time to move slowly, to creep by, if you will.  I want to watch my small people, I want to smile and laugh, I want to revel in the peace of ‘no where to be’.  I want to relax and snuggle.  I want to be offline, to eat, drink and hear not. one. argument.  And?  I would really, really like everyone to be healthy.  I’m not asking too much, am I?

Jamie (Blond Mom Blog)