Coming to Texas-The One I Wrote For You

***Disclosure-I received a preview copy to review.  All opinions stated are my personal opinion based on my experience.

Tis the Season for family!  One of our favorite things to do is watch movies.  Taking the family out for a family is such a treat for all of us.  Spending time together is such a luxury now a days.  I have been working 12 hour days and traveling that it seems like I am never home.  But trying to be a mami, putting food on the table, and keeping our shelter is not going to do itself.  Yesterday, I left work a little earlier than usual and only worked 10 hours.  I met all my deadlines and just wanted to go home to my hubby and kiddos.  I received a review copy of a new movie coming to Texas theaters tomorrow called The One I Wrote For You.  Watch the trailer.

A family film about the healing power of LOVE.  This was exactly what I needed. 

The Story Behind The One I Wrote For You

Ben had bigger dreams than serving chai lattes to hipsters. He had wanted to be a singer and a songwriter. But life doesn’t always follow the script we try to write. Ben has a family and bills to pay. So when he’s offered a manager position at the coffee shop, his financial problems seemed to be solved. Then a new reality television show—the Song—comes to town. Without him knowing it, Ben’s precocious 10-year-old daughter has entered Ben in the competition. Now Ben must decide if he’ll pick up the microphone, along with a shattered relationship he left behind, to pursue the life he was meant to lead. “The One I Wrote For You” is a family centric, feature-length film by David Kauffman. The film has broad audience appeal with messages about the challenges of choice that ring strong and true. The story encourages viewers to live authentically in pursuit of their unique passion and identity. The film also points out, however, that in following your dream, it’s important not to lose yourself.

Did you read that last part?   Following your dream does not mean losing yourself....just last week my future became a little brighter with hopes of me going back to school to get my degree in the degree I am already working in.  Lately I just seemed to be going into a drone phase and had not been myself.  This movie reminded my husband and I what all our hard work is about.  As we sat together watching this movie, it all just made since.  FAMILY = LOVE

A side note-this is a Texas based Indie Family film.....releasing exclusively to Texas on December 5.  Do you need a breather?  Are the holidays, work, life getting to you?  Take the family to watch this movie and remember what it is all about.  Sometimes that is all we need. 

Bulu Box Discount Code

***Disclosure-Sponsored-I will receive a FREE 3 subscription in return for this post, as part of a USFG campaign.

It is not too late to get on track.  Making the decision to live a healthier life is a today decision.  Are you making changes?  Don't wait until 1/1/2015 to make changes.  Start today.

Have you ever tried or heard of Bulu Box?  What is Bulu box?

The perfect partner in the pursuit of a healthier you, Bulu Box is like having a personal trainer and a nutritionist as a best friend. Each month, a box of healthy discoveries is shipped right to your door for just $10. You learn about that month's 4-5 premium samples, try each one and see what fits into your individual healthy lifestyle.

For sharing your opinions on each month's samples through a quick survey, we will give you 50 Rewards Points (that's $5!) to use in our shop to get more of your favorites.

 I cannot wait to get my 1st Bulu Box.  My health is my priority.  And I am not waiting for the New Year to make a resolution to change my lifestyle.  Do you want to try Bulu Box?

Independentmami readers special offer-3 Month Subscription for just $10 (regularly $30)! at Bulu Box - Use code WOWZA

What are you waiting for?

Wordless Wednesday - Miercoles Mudo - My 1st Christmas Tree

A New Garza Christmas Tradition

***Disclosure-I received sample product for review.  All opinions expressed are my own based on my personal experience.

I love Christmas time.  The time to enjoy with our families.  I love seeing all the lights, and decorations everywhere.  It is about traditions, old and new.  I like starting new traditions with our family that my kids can cherish for the rest of their lives and pass on to their kids in due time.  This year, a new tradition will be started...The Elf on the Shelf.  Do you know about the elf?  I always wondered about this little elf and what was the whole idea.

The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition

The Elf of the Shelf comes with a book that shares the Christmas tradition story.  Carol shared her family tradition with us and now we can join in this tradition with our families.  Have your kiddos asked you how Santa knows if they are naughty or nice?  The scout elf is hard at work at Christmas time going back and forth to the North Pole letting Santa know if they have been naughty or nice.  At the end of the book, your family can adopt the scout elf.

The scouts can be boys or girl...you can pick the gender of your scout elf.

When you give your scout elf a name and adopt him or her into your family, they get their Christmas magic.  Then your scout elf can fly back and forth to the North Pole to let Santa all about the day's adventures.  Then in the morning the scout elf returns and guess what?  They will be in the different fun spot for the kiddos to find.  This sounds like so much fun to me. 

Today is the day our scout elf joins our house.  I can't wait.  Do you have a scout elf in your home this Christmas? 

Sofia The First Preschool Playdate #DisneyKids

***Disclosure-thanks to Disney Parks and MomSelect for sending me a Sofia The First Preschool Playdate party kit.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Did you have a 4 day weekend like I did?  Bored out of your minds, why not plan a preschool playdate for your little princess and princes?  That is exactly what we did.  We received a party kit with all the things with needed to entertain some of our daughter's preschool friends.  Mu daughter was excited when the package came in.  She rip the box open and started pulling all its content out on our couch.  Party planning time....

First we made a list of friends we wanted to share the fun with, and invitations went out.  We wanted to find a perfect day for everyone to come and enjoy themselves.

 I made labels for the water bottles that read "Gia's Royal Water".  I made magic wands for each person to enjoy.  I made rice krispie crowns too and place them in plastic sandwich bags I found at the dollar store.  I also covered the cupcake tower that came in the party kit with a custom made Sofia the First sign so it all would match.  It was all too perfect for the princess and princes showing up to have some fun with us.

 We also sampled some cheezy crisps that are Gluten FREE, whole grain, and actually good.  I like how cheesy and crispy they are.  What kiddo doesn't like cheese?

Playing games is always alot of fun.   Fun with Doc McStuffins puzzle sure had us thinking hard.  Helping the kids find like shapes and matching colors had them working together.

Next we took a break and tried Clif Kid Zbar Protein.  These have protein, fiber, and are made with organic whole grains.  The kiddos didnt even know these are good for them, it just tasted like chocolate to them.  My kiddo loves chocolate, so to her it was like having a candy bar.

These kids have so much energy.  Keeping preschoolers busy can be hard most of the time.  We decided to let the kids dig for gems and jewels in Kinetic Sand.  This stuff is amazing.  I do not like sand and kids and sand do not mix in my book.  But this stuff is awesome.  No mess at all.  It does not stick to them or make a mess.  It does not fry out which is a plus for me.

We also watch Sofia the First - The Curse of Princess Ivy.  This is my daughter's favorite show.  And apparently, she is not the only one.  Games, food, and lots of fun....too bad they all had to go home.

Playdates are so much fun....especially when my daughter doesn't have any sisters to play with.  This is a great way if you need a playmate for your kiddos.  You can take turns playing at each others' houses.  One of our friend's said mommy needed a break.  The holidays are here and these times can be overwhelming for us.  But they can also be overwhelming for the kiddos.  They are use to their schedule at preschool.  Playing with others helps them burn energy they have built inside.  Playdates don't have to be a full day.  They can be as long as you want them or care for them to be.  Most of the kiddos did not want to leave our house, but most kids never want to leave our house.  I love that our house is a playhouse.  We are already planning more playdates with all this Holiday time coming and the kiddos school's being closed. 

Do you do playdates?  What games do you play?  What food do you serve?