Book Review: My Name is Memory

This lovely book was one I picked up from the garage sale my friends and I had before the hurricane.

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares is an intriguing story that really gets your brain thinking. Along with a charming love story of the times!

Ann Brashares is the same author who wrote The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, her smooth easy to read narrative is very similar in this book!! Worth reading for a nice story, but the little surprise of the interesting time traveled and tested relationships that you meet through out the story gives this book the feel of something new!!

It was a great read that I really enjoyed while stuck without power and then stuck in a hotel room! Another 10 out of 10 review!! Plus I think it may be a movie so check it out!!

More travel Blogs next week!!

Traveling with Kids: Colonial Williamsburg

I am excited to make this blog mostly about travel!! There will of course be some family things, and occasionally book reviews or recipes if I feel they really need to be talked about but my passion has always been for TRAVEL.

So if you love travel as much as I do be sure to check out the travel link above for all our old adventures mostly around Europe!!

Now onto this actual post!!

A couple weeks ago my mom was here visiting and we didn't want to spend the whole time she was here at home. We had just survived the big hurricane that his North Carolina and so beaches here were out of the question!! So instead we decided a weekend trip to Virginia would be perfect!! Both her and I LOVE history stuff so going to Williamsburg was a no-brainer!!

Walking into Colonial Williamsburg for the first time. I think the kids weren't really sure what to expect. We had tried to explain to them that it was still running the same as it did back when people used to live there during the colonial times. 

We started the day out with a fun horse drawn carriage ride. I highly recommend adding this to your day if you are able to because it isn't a really long ride but gives you a nice tour of the whole town so you can decide which houses and shops you want to visit.

We paid for the sampler ticket which allowed us to do 4-5 of the homes or shops just not the  Governor's Palace, the Capitol, or the Art Museums. This ticket was just the perfect amount of locations however when traveling with younger children!! It kept us busy the entire day, and there was plenty that you could do to keep them entertained and learning.

Our carriage and driver!!

Governors Palace. We didn't get to see this one this trip but it was really pretty from the outiside

The Randolph House it has an awesome guided tour you will see more pictures below from the inside!! It is one of 3 houses that are completely originals.

Interestingly some homes are used as guest houses for guests if you want the FULLY EMERGED experience, other homes are now used as housing for people who work on the grounds. That would be such a cool job!

Three generations of us LOVE horses

In the square near the courthouse there is of course a few different ways people were punished available to try out...I might need to make one of these for time out corner!

During the visit there are both self guided and fully guided tours of shops and homes. It was really interesting to get a close up idea of how people lived compared to how they do now. There was lots of people working on the grounds who were more than willing to explain things, talk to your kids at their age level and tell them things about how kids used to live in that time to.

They also have a shuttle service that runs around the parameter of the ground that makes moving from one side and back much easier as little legs start to get worn out. With many food options, and snack bars you are never far from a quick bite either. We ate at Chowning's Tavern and everyone loved their meals, and the staff stayed in character the whole time truly adding to the experience.

 

If you love learning about history and are looking for a way to really emerge yourself in it. You should really visit Williamsburg!! It has something for everyone and could be a fun multiple day trip and just a few mins away from Jamestown which I hear is equally fun and interesting!!

Book Review: Branding Yourself

So this book... It was my hurricane reading material!! I started reading it during Hurricane Florence and I finally finished it today while watching Hurricane Micheal run through North Carolina! That may seem like a long time to finish a book, but this book is so jam packed with information I was constantly taking notes and attempting to try out methods suggested in the book so you only get through a few pages at a time!

Branding Yourself by Erik Deckers and Kyle Lacy is an incredible source of knowledge for anyone who runs a business or simply wants to land a new job! They provide details on all of the leading social media sites, but also include how to bring your brand into the real world.

I could reread this book 10 times and purchase still get more information that is useful to me each time!! They include up to date sources and links to allow you to further advance the information they provide!!

So if you are looking to invent yourself or your business this is the perfect book for you to read!! 10/10 recommend it!!

1st Grade Interview!!

How is she in 1st grade, and almost 9 weeks into it too!! Time is flying and this poor blog really has gotten the worst of it!! I say this all the time but I am going to try to make a come back. Its officially in the planner so that has to mean something right!

How old are you? 6

What is your favorite show right now? Discovery Animals

What is something you like to do? Paint and Draw pictures of the World.

What is something you are good at? Sports

If you could pick another name what would it be? Alicia

Favorite colors? All of them, but just dark pink no light pink.

Favorite toys? Animal Toys

What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian and an animal scientist.

What do you like to take to bed with you? Monkey and Mermaid Stuffed Animal

What is your favorite book right now? The bug book.

What is your favorite movie? Avengers

What is your favorite season? Fall when its cool.

What is your favorite food? Salad

What is your favorite Animal? Baby horse and Dolphins

What is your favorite sport? Soccer and Karate

Who is your best friend? Colbey and David and Kaseey

What is your favorite holiday? Valentines Day DUDE!!

Where is the coolest place you went this year? The mountains in Colorado.

My Curly Girl Journey

Hey Everyone!!!

I haven't written on my blog in forever, I always have good intentions but life is busy and this gets put to the back burner, which really a shame because every post no matter how sporadic gets tons of views!!

But anyways here I am because I have been getting a ton of interest from other people over how my hair looks so healthy and my waves are so much more defined, so I am here to explain Curly Girl Method to the best of my ability!!

Curly Girl Method is a method of caring for your hair (usually for curly girls, but can be used by other people). It is as simple as cutting shampoo out of your regimen, and can be as complex from there as you choose to make it. For me I like low maintenance so my routine is very minimal. Others really like definition and their routine can take hours it just depends on your hair type and what you are expecting your hair to look like afterwards.

Here is a Link to a Curly Girl Page: https://curlyhairlounge.com/the-curly-girl-method-explained

It goes way more into detail, but there is also a Curly Girl Facebook Page which makes its much easier as they have a list of products that are safe to use: https://www.facebook.com/groups/707494335965428/

My before Hair!

As Far as What I Do!!

When I first started it is advised to do a final wash, they have suggested products for this, I chose to go with Baby Shampoo as I had it on hand. This helps get out any build up from products you had used previously.

Next I looked through their albums for what type of hair I have. I have Type 2 Wavy hair. This allows you to understand your hair texture more. But having your hair on your head your whole life you probably have an idea of if you have dry hair, greasy hair etc. I have very fluffy dry hair.

Then I went through their albums to find a conditioner that was fitting. I went with something very lightweight Whole Blends Papaya and Milk. I chose the lightweight because to me it was a good starter conditioner that would work for both co-washing and conditioning until I could see what my hair needs more of.

I have so far chosen to just continue using this product. I have very thick hair and this doesn't weigh me down. I am thinking about adding a bit thicker conditioner when cold weather comes back around to keep it from drying out.

I occasionally use a Mousse from the approved list as well.

My Routine:

I wash my hair with the conditioner like I usually would have with shampoo. I hear this question the most (doesn't it make your hair greasy?) and no it doesn't because as long as you rinse it out of your roots well it doesn't cause any problem. Conditioner is still a cleanser.

Then I apply more conditioner to the bottom half of my hair and let it sit for a few mins. When I am about to get out of the shower I flip my head upside down and rinse about 70% out I do this while scrunching (this and the remaining steps are really only for curly girls).

I leave my head upside down and continue to scrunch as much water out of my hair as I can. Then if I am going to apply the Mousse I do so while my hair is still wet.

I get out and dry my body off with a towel ***NO TOWELS FOR CURLY HAIR** then I take a t-shirt (one of my husbands) Lay it on the bed with the collar closest to me. I then Plop my curls down on top of it so they are all scrunched up. I use the sleeves of the tshirt to tie it around the back of my head and then tuck the body of the shirt into the part around my head.

I leave my hair up in this while I finish getting ready, or a while longer if I don't have plans. When its mostly dry I let it down, help it settle where I like it. And I am done!!

My hair today on second day hair!

The Main Rules:

1. NO POO (shampoo)
2. Conditioners that are approved. (easy list on the facebook group I shared ^^)
3. Only comb with a WIDE comb in the shower while conditioner is applied, other wise NO BRUSHES OR COMBS!
4. Approved Styling products only. (using ones with sulfates, or drying alcohols will just make your hair build up and damaged and you will have to start over with a cleanser)

Even after a day at the beach my hair is happy to keep its curls!

 It may seem complicated but really it isn't and my hair is getting thicker, stronger, smoother, just over all healthier and I use cheaper products now, and only difference really is not using Shampoo.

Kyra is 6!!

Nicknames: Kyra, Bug, Princess, Sissy

Clothing Size: 6/7

Personality: Seriously the most well meaning girl around, just a complete doll. You are always looking out for others and trying your best to include everyone. You are a lover and show your affection with everyone.

Things I Could Do Without: Lying but I think that is a natural thing as a human to do.

Item/Toy We Love The Most: I love books, I am just mind blown by the fact you can suddenly read so well!! You are so amazingly smart!!

Item/Toy You Love The Most: Probably your tablet you got for Christmas, but also Barbies

Things I’m Loving Most Right Now: Spending time with you just talking. You learn so many things and always have little tidbits to tell me about. You love to tell stories and make shows and I love getting to know who you are becoming as a person!

Things You’re Loving Most Right Now: Mom time, and the Chickens. You also really love to go on adventures and see new places.

Darren turns 3!!

Nicknames: Dare Bear, Bubba, Dare, Monster

Clothing Size: 4t Everything but soon to go into 5t shirts!

Personality: You are my little comedian, you love to make faces, say funny things, and all around love to make people laugh! You are talking so much now and although you can he hard to understand sometimes we love hearing the cute things you have to say!! I am loving getting to know you so much more now.

Things I Could Do Without: The stubborn attitude about some things you think should go your way. However, it has been getting much better of the last month!

Item/Toy We Love The Most: The new airplane you got for your birthday, such a neat toy.

Item/Toy You Love The Most: Right now, anything to do with Lightning McQueen or Cars in general.

Things I’m Loving Most Right Now: Just watching you learn, you are understanding so much more. And tell us about everything you see. I love also that you and Kyra can go off and play imagination games together for hours even if sometimes it means dealing with silly ways of playing. Cars in doll houses and dolls going down car ramps! I also love how much better you are getting about listening to mom!

Things You’re Loving Most Right Now: Playing with Cars, and anything to do with imagination. You go on crazy adventures I just wish I knew what was going on in your mind!! You love all things Ninja Turtles, and Cars!!