Hey, It's Jade! and family

Friday, September 2, 2011

Rockin' The Heelys!

Safety first!
My son and I were so excited to pick out a pair of Heelys for review!  I let him look at his options and make the decision, and he chose this pair in dark gray and teal called "Wave."  Ordering online was quick and easy, and they arrived within just a few days!  I opened the box, took 'em out and put in the wheels while he disappeared.  The shoes come with a plug so that you can wear them like regular shoes.  You also get a tool which helps you remove the plug so you can insert the wheels.  The wheels easily snap in and stay put!  When Preston returned, he had found his old bike helmet!

Getting the hang of it!
I read over the card that comes with the shoes, explaining how to use them, and then he tried to stand up!  When you stand up with your feet flat on the ground, you don't go anywhere.  It's when you lift your toes a bit and try to balance on the wheels in your heel, that you start moving.  My son is 5 1/2 years old, let's just say that balance is not his strongest skill at this point.  The boy falls down just standing still sometimes.  But, with the counter or me holding onto him, he was able to feel how the shoes work.

The silly boy was sorely disappointed to realize that this was something he is going to have to work at.  He assumed he would just put on the shoes and be skating around instantly!  He has been a bit less than enthusiastic about practicing on his Heelys every day.  He wants to do it and is excited about knowing that once he gets it down, he'll have a blast with these shoes.  He just doesn't like the idea of having to work for it.  Lol.  He does get a little more confident and stable each time we practice though, so I'm sure it won't be long before he's got it!

I was hoping that by the time we posted this review, he would have a better grasp on it and be able to show his skills in a video.  But, he still needs a lot of work.  Take a look:



Quite honestly, Heelys are probably not the wisest choice for a child as young as my Preston.  He's not quite coordinated enough to pull it off. I know he will be soon, so I'm hoping that happens before he outgrows this pair!  I guess we'll see!  I found out that there are another type of Heelys available that are probably better for a younger child.  They are called the HX2 and have two wheels in each shoe!  I should have requested those to review and my son would probably be skating like a pro by now!  Oh well, maybe I can take advantage of Heely's current sale (see below for details on that!).

I really like the way these Heely's look, they make great every day shoes without the wheels, so that's a plus. They are sturdy and sure to last... hopefully we'll be able to pass 'em down to Little Brother in a few years!  Preston enjoys showing off that the wheels are teal!

Looking good!
Teal wheels!

Heelys is throwing a Back-To-School and Labor Day special! Between Sept 2nd and Sept 5th: Buy one pair of Heelys, get the second pair for only $30!  AND, as an added bonus for bloggers (or those reading blogs!), Heelys is throwing in FREE SHIPPING!  Use discount code: HeelysLovesBloggers.  All you have to do is go to the Heelys Store, put two pairs of Heelys in your cart, and at the top of the cart page you will see a place to enter a discount code, make sure to hit apply to make it work! So, if you can't decide whether to get your kid a pair or yourself, now you can easily get both!  Happy Heely-ing!

[I was provided with a free pair of Heelys through a Business2Blogger campaign.  The statements above are my own words and opinions.]

Homeschool Mother's Journal, September 2nd

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: Summer Edition, a link-up with The Homeschool Chick.

In my life this week...
- I worked at the station two afternoons this week so that little bit of change threw off my schedule pretty good.  Man, I am soooo bad with "change."  I like new experiences and all, but I am very much a creature of habit... I like my "routine" and feel totally off when it's disrupted.  But, it was nice to get back on the radio for a few days anyway!
- I also had an Usborne team meeting on Monday and a mom's support meeting with our homeschool group.  I feel like this week was super busy!

In our homeschool this week...
- Just preparing last minute things, because this time next week we'll be in the midst of our second day of school!  EEEKKK!

My favorite thing this week...
- Getting to meet more of my Usborne teammates.  Turns out they are the presidents of a homeschool group in the area I almost joined last year.  They were really sweet people, and I am looking forward to getting to know my team a lot more as we embark on some fun events together in the next several months!

I'm grateful for...
- My husband!  He did major daddy-duty this week, watching the kids while I was gone to meetings and work and things.  He has been so super awesome and supportive with everything, I can't thank him enough!

Questions/Thoughts I have...
- Just wondering how things are going to go with our new curriculum.  I am so excited about using My Father's World.  I'm just trying not to let my zeal get out of hand, because it's very likely that I will be met with resistance.  I am also worried about how are days are going to look, and being able to take care of everything... school, business, household responsibilities and everything else! I just get really nervous about change, but what I learned at Women of Faith last weekend is that "Change can be good!" and I'm going to keep repeating that to myself!

A photo to share...
I love my guys!!!
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P.S. While you're here, do you mind "liking" my Usborne FB Page?  Thank you!!!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

30 Days of September...

september
Tina over at September, is doing a fun '30 Days of September' meme and giveaway. Since today is the first day of September, I wanted to tell you what I love!  I love FALL!  You guys should know that by now.  Lol.  I am so glad that Fall is on it's way.  I could surely use a break from this 105-degree weather we've had for like 65 days in a row or whatever.  YUCK!  Oh my word, I can't wait for Fall to really set in.  The weather, the feeling, the sounds, the smells, the tastes!!!  Even though it's gone faster than I expected, good riddance August, hello September!  Tina will be giving away a box of things she loves.  How fun is that?  I'm in!

Tweets to Remember, August 2011

Aug 1st - Am I the only one who wakes up singing The Mike & Mati Show theme song? I mean, really? Anybody?

Aug 2nd - Yesterday was full of potentially good news (in 3 different areas of life even!), so praying they all come to fruition (and soon!).

Aug 2nd - I'm about to walk down to the mailbox. If you don't hear from me again soon, I probably spontaneously combusted because of the heat.

Aug 4th - Looking forward to catching up with a friend and letting the kids play (inside, in the dark, w/the A/C on full blast).

Aug 5th - So... how DO you keep a toddler from climbing up onto the kitchen table? I am at a loss at this point.

Aug 5th - Next year, we're schooling through the summer and breaking through the Fall. Hmph.

Aug 5th - Making this cake for Michael's bday is harder than I thought, it reminds me of my GML... the last time I made it was for her. =(

Aug 9th - I am the worst voice-mail-leaver ever. I get tongue-tied, lose my train of though, totally babble. What's the deal?

Aug 11th - Thinking the tub of blocks for Callen here in the kitchen was a bad idea. Kitchen floor = now constantly covered in crumbs & blocks!

Aug 12th - Congratulations! You did it! World's best cup of coffee!

Aug 12th - Dear Friday Nite, you used to be something awesome. Now you're just the same as every other evening 'round here. ?

Aug 13th - Under 90degrees? We r out for a walk/ride!

Aug 14th - It is not ok that it is 90 degrees INSIDE and out. Crap!

Aug 17th - Breakfast picnic & park time before it gets hot! It's nice out here!

Aug 20th - Sooo.... I hate it when I've lost something INSIDE my house. There are several things I KNOW are in here, but I can't find them! Grr!

Aug 28th - Oh my word, the boys are so loud this morning! But at least it's squeals of laughter & delight, I can't complain about that!

Aug 29th - Prestonism: "I sure hope my favorite color likes me too!"

Aug31st - Uh oh, Jade has taken over afternoon drive. Watch out, ya'll!