Houston Axe Throwing

When your kids get older, the kiddie adventures are no longer fun.  We have been there and done that.  Are you looking for a family fun activity or outing for your older kids?

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with USFG and Houston Axe Throwing.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.   

In our family, we are very competitive.  We love sports.  You know that saying a family that plays together, stays together.  I love playing fun activities that we can all enjoy.  But once the kids get  older, it gets hard to come up with things to do that they have already not done a million times.  Have you ever heard of axe throwing?  Obviously if you live in the city or the suburbs, you don't have to chop wood.  So why would you need to know how to axe throw?

This is why!  The thrill of a bulls eye.  I released my inner lumberjill.  It is an AXEperience you will never forget and get hooked to try again.

Houston Axe Throwing is Houston's first indoor urban axe throwing range and the first axe throwing club in Texas.  Our axe throwing session was run by a trained Axepert who showed us how to safely handle an axe and chuck it..  We received tips and tricks on how to hit the illustrious Bullseye!

You get to pick really cool names like Blades of Glory, Axe-actly, Woodie, and Absentree.  Learning the technique, mastering it and releasing our inner lumberjack/jill that was AXEsome.  We played several games Hang man, Tic Tac Toe, and we also competed in a Tournament against each other.

I did tell you this was a family friendly activity.  Children ages 12+ can participate with a parent/guardian if they are with a parent/guardian at all times, and it is a 1 adult to 1 child aged 12+ ratio.  NO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 WILL BE ALLOWED ON SITE AT ALL.  Obviously you can see why this is not a place for younger kids.  Axe throwing is safe.  

You can bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and napkins.  You could even host a party.  There is plenty of room.  There are games in the lounge sitting area.  You can also play your own music.  

For more information, go to Houston Axe Throwing.  Thanks to USFG you can take $5 off admission to a 2.5 hour session using the offer code USFAMILY at checkout expires May 1, 2018.

Poster My Wall Offer

I love to chronicle the life of my children.  Growing up my parents didn't have money or time to.  If you ask me for pictures on Throwback Thursday, there are only a handful that I can pull out.  So it was important to me to make sure, I cherish those moments in my children's lives.

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with USFG and Poster My Wall.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Poster My Wall gives us cool and creative ways to stay on top of our collage projects.  We can be the hero at our son/daughter team meetings.  Or have the perfect gift for any grandparent.

Check out this amazing deal on Posters - 1/2 OFF Printable Downloads that you can create in just minutes.  For more information, go to Poster My Wall.

This would make a perfect gift.

Making your Kids Early Readers with Fun Children's Magazines

My daughter is at that age where she wants to start learning how to read.  She pretends and story tells.  As her proud mom, I love that she likes Reading.  Reading has not been a popular subject for myself or my son but apparently daddy and daughter do love this subject.  So of course, I want to support her joy.  I have been looking for literature she can enjoy.

Note-I am a USFG blogger.  I received some Redan Publishing Magazines for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

When you subscribe and you'll get:

• FREE delivery before it's in stores
• Lock in low price
• FREE to switch magazine titles at any time
• Available in the US only

I like that these magazines are kid friendly.  They are age appropriate.  They have many different titles to choose from.  You can find your child's favorite characters.

Each magazine will have activities, stories, crafts, posters, and so much more.  You can also win prizes in the Readers' picture gallery. 

 

My daughter is not in school yet and does not have to do homework.  So everyday she picks a different page from the magazine for us to do.  Some pages she can do on her own, other she needs my help.  

This is a perfect activity for weekends, school breaks, or holidays.  Go to Redan.com for more information or to place your order today.      

Bulu Box Review

***Disclosure-I am a USFG member.  I received a 3 month subscription for review on the blog.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Bulu box is a monthly box of healthy products.  The box is $10 a month and you get free shipping.

1. TRY SAMPLES- discovering new products, see which products don't work for you

Try 4-5 samples based on your profile before buying full-size so you don't waste your money

2. EARN POINTS-Each month you can earn up to 100 Rewards Points (that's $10!) just for subscribing and sharing your thoughts. 

Log in to your account to fill out your sample surveys about the products you just tried

3. CASH OUT-Once you've earned Rewards Points you can use them like actual cash towards a full-size purchase of your new favorite product. You can get your order completely free!

There are 2 different kind of boxes-

Bulu Box Original: This box provides a well-rounded sampling of all things health and nutrition. Each box contains 4 to 5 premium samples such as sports nutrition, sleep, and healthy snacks. Plus lifestyle extras like gym gift cards or DVDs to cover all aspects of health!

Bulu Box Weight Loss: Designed specifically to help with the varying factors of weight loss, this box contains 4 to 5 premium weight loss items such as energy aids, healthy snacks, sleep aids and fat-burners. Plus bonus weight loss items like fitness gear and kitchen tools.

I liked getting new products that I had never heard of.  I got to try them out.  I hate buying full size products that I do not like.  Wasting money.  This way I was able to try what I liked and didn't like. 

For more information, go to www.bulubox.com

Tips to DIY Photo Shoot

Have you ever had a photo session?  I have been to the places at the mall which are not too expensive.  But now with all of the Pinterest ideas, who wants plain studio pictures when you can do full photography sessions.  I can't afford those.  So I am trying to learn how to do a session myself.  Here are some tips from what I have learned from my very first session with my daughter for her birthday pictures:

1)  Camera-I borrowed my friend's camera.  I cannot take professional photos with my cell phone.  Well at least those pictures will not have good pixels for when I want to print or enlarge those pictures.  My very own camera is on my Christmas list this year.

2)  Battery-Make sure your camera is charged.  When I called my friend to borrow her camera she mentioned needing to charge it.  This has happened before that when you need the camera it is not charged.  So plan ahead and charge your battery.

3)  Memory Card-Make sure your memory card is not full.  Download your pictures after each session.  Delete the ones you don't need before downloading.  Then you don't use up space on unwanted pics.  This will also prevent your session from being cut short.  No space, no pics.

4)  Theme-What are your pictures going to be for?  This will help with the next tip...  

5)  Location-Find a location that works for you.  A park, your house, your favorite spot.

A place that goes with the theme.  We have a favorite park that we have done pictures for many different reasons.  I love the landscape there and the pictures always come out great.

6)  Outfit-Coordinate your outfit with your theme.  Christmas pictures-maybe wear green, and red. Birthday or Anniversary-your favorite colors.  

7)  Props-Your theme may call for props.  Bring some mistletoe, a blanket, or accessories, etc..

8)  Assistant-You may need help taking pictures, carrying the props, or outfit changes.  It is also good to have someone assist when you are working with kids.  Help fix hair, fluff dresses, or make the person in the picture laugh.

9)  Fun-I always say, if something is a chore then don't do it.  Leave it to the professionals.  Taking a picture is capturing a moment in time.  Portraying a memory.  Giving someone your vision through an image.

10)  Display-Print your art.  The pictures you take are an artwork.  Your own.  Print out wallets for family.  Enlarge the print you took and display it.    

This is our masterpiece.  Our theme for this birthday is Ariel the Mermaid.  This was our favorite photo of our daughter.  So powerful.  We went ahead and printed it so we could display it for her birthday and also in our home.  We went online to AdoramaPix as a metal print.  It came out great.

Metal Prints

Your images are infused right into the surface of a solid sheet of metal, resulting in bright vivid colors, a rich iridescent sheen, incredible depth of detail, and outstanding durability.

You can pick the shape of you print to be a square, rectangle, heart, panoramic, round, oval or a designer shape.  We did rectangle because of the angle of the picture.  This print is actually  11 X 17.  Do not let the big candlestick holder fool you.  The candlestick holder is huge as well.  This is a prop for her party and it works perfect for her theme.

For more information, go to  www.adoramapix.com

AdoramaPix Holiday Gift Idea

***Disclosure-I am a USFG member.  This is a compensated post.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Are you looking for a great Christmas gift?  Pictures capture moments and they tell a story.  Have you ever thought about giving this as a gift?

AdoramaPix helps people turn their digital photographs from abstract computer files into beautiful keepsakes designed to last a lifetime.  Their contemporary metal prints capture memories in rich color and vibrant detail.

Because your images are infused right into the metal, and not painted on the surface, their metal prints are extremely durable.  Not only will your metal image be water and weather proof, but scratch resistant as well.  You can even clean it with glass cleaner. Your memories deserve to live in true, archival luxury with AdoramaPix metal prints.

You can find all the fun gift ideas HERE:
http://www.adoramapix.com/app/home/

Independentmami readers get to save 35% off all metal prints by using code: pxusfam35m
 expires 12/15/2015.

Mom's Ice Chest Challenge #BahnCooler

***Disclosure-This is a USFG sponsored post.  As always, any and all opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Summer is here and it is HOT.  All I want to do is hit a water park.  Just this weekend my husband was asking me when are we going to go to Schlitterbahn.  Schlitterbahn is so close to home.  Like I have told you before their water park is huge and it has outdoor and indoor amenities.  The last time we visited we brought our ice chest full of food to fuel us for the day.  We didn't have to wait in line when it was time to eat.  And I had healthy snacks for everyone to enjoy.

One of my favorite things I like doing is freezing fruit.  This also works to keep anything else in the cooler cool all day because you know at the water park you lose track of time.  And when the kids get hungry, especially my little toddler, they just want to grab and go back to the water.  Putting fruit on popsicle sticks is so easy and you can do many combinations.  You not only can do fruit but you can make a fresh snack.  When I was little we use to make these all the time.

Charamuscas (Icee To Go)

Items Needed:
-plastic bags (sandwich size)
-drink, juice, etc

Instructions:
Make any kind of juice you want.  I like making fresh juice on my juicer.  Chop up some fruit.  Fill the plastic bag with drink and fruit.  If you do not want fruit, then skip adding fruit.  Tie the bag and stick in the freezer.  These do not take long to make and are so good.  We can pack them in your ice cooler as a drink and it also acts like ice for the cooler.

We love making these in the summer for the kids to just grab and go.  You can also do milk for the toddler.  My mom use to make use strawberry milk of chocolate milk ones growing up.  If anything by the time you are ready to eat you can use it as a drink if you didn't want it frozen.

I need to ask the kids which ones they want and make some prior to our trip to Schlitterbahn.  Packing our picnic of food and drinks is always a family affair, so everyone gets what they want.  So glad we can bring ice chest, that is one less thing I have to worry about, oh and parking fees too.

Do you have any recipes to share?  I would love to see what you all pack, maybe I can add it to my picnic.

Tasty Thursday-eMeals New Dessert Plan #USFG (spon)

***Disclosure-I am a USFG member, I will receive FREE 3 Month dinner and dessert meal plan for sharing this information with you.  All opinions stated are my own.

eMeals is launching their new dessert plan! Get inspired each week to make incredible desserts. With mouth-watering recipes like Chocolate Pretzel Slab Pie, Buttery Toasted Vanilla Clusters or Crunchy Streusel Pumpkin Loaf, this plan is perfect for the dessert lover in all of us. Receive 3 indulgent dessert ideas every week including a mix of Crowd Pleasers, Quick & Easy options, and Skinny Sweets. This variety of sweet endings will fit the bill for weeknight desserts, casual entertaining and even healthy treats.

To celebrate their dessert launch, eMeals is also offering a Target gift card giveaway and more via a Pinterest contest! Go here (http://blog.emeals.com/emeals-pinterest-contest/) to enter to win!

What is eMeals?

eMeals, the leader in online meal planning, is a comprehensive meal planning resource that helps provide healthy and delicious dinners for busy families and individuals. 


eMeals weekly dinner plans include grocery shopping lists and recipe instructions that are simple and easy to follow.

What does this mean for you, you ask? In my house, it means even if I work late meals do not have to wait for me.  The family can be taken care of and I can have no worries at all.  How easy would that be for your family to adjust to?  I know mine would go for it.  The dessert plan can be a plus plus for the entire family.  My husband's schedule just got changed and now we arrive within 15 minutes of each other, so no time for cooking.  An eMeal plan would help get dinner on the table faster, cause less stress, and less going out to eat.

And just because I am sharing this with you if you sign up NOW you get 15% off eMeals with the code USFG!

What Does a Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Have in Common?

Fall time is here.  The leaves are falling.  The air is changing.  And it is time to have some fun at Fall Festivals.  I love Fall Festivities.  I remember last year we were having a hard time looking for some place to go.  We were stumped.  We wanted to take the kids to see the pumpkins and take their pictures.  But it does not have to be that hard when you have a list of places available to you.

Below is a great list of Corn Maze Coupons and Fall Festival savings nationwide. It is as easy as finding your state and city to see what is near you.  And not only am providing you a list, make sure to download your coupons for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches and Fall Family Activities.
Arizona
Schnepf Farms - Queen CityTolmachoff Farms- Glendale, AZ

California
Forneris Farms - Mission Hills

Colorado
Anderson Farms - Erie
Flat Acres Farm - Parker
Fritzler Maze - La Salle
Sunflower Farm - Longmont
Mile High Farms - Bennett
Wishing Star Farm - Calhan
Harvest Farm - Wellington

Texas
Devine Acres Farm - Devine
Fiesta Farm - San Antonio
Yesterland Farm - Canton
South Texas Maize - Hondo
Dewberry Farm - Brookshire
Brazos Valley Maize- Brenham

Louisiana
CM Farms - Dry Creek

Georgia
Lane Southern Orchards - Fort Valley
Poppell Farms - Odum

FloridaHarvestmoon Farm- Masaryktown FL


Michigan
Farmer Charley's Corn Maze Adventure - Monroe

Indiana
Amazing Fall Fun - Waterloo
Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch - Lowell
Hobson's Fun Farm - Rockville
Guffey Acres- Kokomo

Illinois
All Seasons Orchard - Woodstock
Kuipers Family Farm - Maple Park
Odyssey Fun Farm - Tinley Park
Siegel's Cottonwood Farm - Lockport

Maryland/DC
Summers Farm - Fredrick County

Massachusetts
Sauchuk Farm - Plympton

Missouri/Kansas
KC Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze - Gardner
Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch - Pleasant Hill

Mississippi
Seward Farms Maze - Lucedale

Minnesota
Afton Apple Orchard - Hastings

Montana
The Maize at Grandpa's Farm - Billings

Nebraska
Camp Fontanelle - Nickerson

NewJersey
VonThun Farms - Monmouth Junction
Sahl's Father Son Farm - Egg Harbor City

New York
Wright Family Farm - Warwick
Harbes Family Farm - Mattituck

North Carolina
Patterson Farm Market and Tours - Mount Ulla

Ohio
The Corn Maze at the Sharp Run Market - Millersburg
Meadow View Growers - New Carlisle
Oregon
The Maize at The Pumpkin Patch- Portland
Pennsylvania
Hurricane Hill Farm - CoatsvilleTriple B Farms - Pittsburgh
Reillys Summer Seat Farm - Pittsburgh
Rhode Island
Confreda Greenhouses & Farms - Hope (Western Cranston)

Virginia
Cows-N-Corn - Midland
Wayside Farm Fun - Berryville
Belvedere Plantation - Fredericksburg

Utah
Cornbelly's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Fest - Spanish Fork

For Daily Updates on these coupons and coupons for other family attractions please visit and bookmark: http://www.usfamilycoupons.com