I remember playing games with my family since I was little and to this day, it is one of our favorite things to do.  Now that I have kids, I love them even more.  Not kidding – this is just the grown-up games.

Top 8 Reasons Board Games Rock for Families:

1.  They do not cost a bajillion dollars a game.  In fact, many are really inexpensive, especially for kids’ games and they can be played over and over.  Perhaps because it is people playing board games with each other and not a computer, they just don’t get old.

2.  They are fun!  Yes, playing games with other people is awesome.  Families sometimes get stuck in ruts together and everyone goes their own way.  Throw everyone on the floor or around the table and play with each other.  This is one of those times when people come together and have fun.  Yippee!

3.  This is healthy competition.  Instead of who is better at soccer or piano or who has the better job or is the better cook – just throw out some chips and play a fair game that determines who rules the world at Monopoly (my husband) or Boggle (me) or Scrabble (toss up).

4.  You totally learn things.  Even as a grown-up I learn facts in games like Trivial Pursuit, strategy in Monopoly or Axis and Allies, and words in my favorites, boggle and scrabble.  Play some operation and learn body parts!  Guess what, your small children can learn too!  With games like Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land the kids learn counting and rules.  They learn directions like forward and backward.  They learn coordination with a lot of building games.  They also learn to fly solo and be their own character for the game.  Without mom or dad, they can play and win or lose.  This is no small thing.

5.  Everyone can play.  Using teams, even our kids can join in on fun with harder games and they love being part of the grown-up activities.  They can move the piece, roll the dice, be the money keeper.  This way you don’t have to play Candy Land all day and your kids can still play with you!  When visiting my 96 year old grandfather I realized how important games are.  He can still play them.  He remembers the rules and you don’t need to talk that much to play.  He doesn’t hear well.  My husband and I spent an entire day with him playing games and enjoying his company.

6.  Board games make better people.  You know with games and cards, kids learn really fast how to cheat.  They want to win and of course, no one wins all the time.  Very early on, Sophia bent the edge of a certain Candy Land princess card accidentally because she used to carry the card around.  Then, I figured out that she was purposely looking for that card and pulling it.  We talked about cheating.  We talked about winning and losing.  I bent a lot more cards to make it fair.  It is interesting because I have totally seen grown ups try to bend the rules of board games and flat out cheat.  Playing in a group and talking with your kids about games helps them to grow and learn.  It also reminds and grown ups that playing fair is always the best way to play.

7.  Board games can travel.  At a big family get together bring one or two along and you will be set for some great entertainment.  They easily pack in the bottom of a suitcase.  Sometimes you need to leave the box at home but hey – whatever brings the bonding, right?

8.  Board games make great memories and make people want to get together.  This is real quality time.  Get to know your family all over again.

A Few Tips for Board Games with Smaller Children:

1.  Store your board games where they cannot reach them.  Many a game has been destroyed using the pieces in the dollhouse and the money in the dress up purses.  I used to find cards all over the house and never be able to put a whole game back together.

2.  Don’t push them too far.  If kids aren’t having fun the game really may be above them or frustrating them because it is too complicated.  As long as people are having fun, keep going, but consider choosing a different game or switching to a puzzle if kids are not happy.

3.  Consider some house rules.  Think about the game and maybe simplify it a little.  It works for a lot of games.  Basically you just take out some of the work or strategy.  Maybe people can see what other people have.  Perhaps you shorten the game.  Many games come with a shortened version.  It is easy to use the board and the pieces and make up some rules.  Try it sometime!

I hope you have a wonderful time playing games with your own family and friends.  Unplug and enjoy a little good old fashioned fun!

How are board games a bonding experience for your family? Reply for a chance to win one of five ultimate LEGO® Games prize packs!!  The prize pack includes 3 LEGO Games, a $30 iTunes gift card and a copy of Gourmet Game Night!

LEGO® Games are the world’s first collection of board games that can be built, played and changed, that delivers a whole new way for families to have fun together the LEGO way.  Whether challenging friends or family to a LEGO Game in a variety of themes and types – guessing, strategy, memory, logic and chance – no two LEGO Games experiences are ever the same!  Check out the Minotaurus game!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LEGOSystems. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the LEGO Brand. Official Contest Rules

American Express asked me how to share my online shopping mistake last week and now how I would spend $500 on must have’s for fall.  I think I found some great pieces that are missing from my wardrobe and would love to hear what you would add with some extra money this fall!  Don’t forget American Express is giving one of my readers $250 in merchandise and / or gift cards so you could have some additional money to spend!

My Five Must Haves for Fall

Jeans!

I want to start by saying that jeans are a must have for me every fall.  I don’t spend a lot of money on them either.  I am petite and curvy and I find that The Gap and Banana Republic both have jeans in petite sizes for well under $100.  I adore the Gap’s 1969 Curvy Jeans and for $69.95 they look awesome and leave room for some special pieces that may cost a little more.

Flirty Top

I am very basic on the bottom but I love a really pretty top.  I am cool with layering so I tend to choose short sleeve shirts and throw a very thin long sleeve on when it gets chilly or rock an awesome jacket.  This Trifecta Tee from Anthropologie totally works for my body shape and my style.  I love that it is loose and covers the top of my arms and will highlight my curves without being too sexy.  The embroidery is so pretty and the orange is my favorite color!  It is also perfect for fall.  Usually when I find a shirt I like this much I get it in more than one color.  In this case I adore both the orange and the blue and the shirt is just $58, a reasonable price at Anthropologie! Two shirts I will wear all the time for $116.  Wahoo!

The Little Black Skirt

I need a new one and this fits the bill.  As short as I am, I need petite sizes and you can put anything with a black pencil skirt.  The reviews on this baby are awesome and again, the Gap Pencil Skirt delivers for just $49.95.

Sassy Shoes

I am always in flats.  When I put n nice clothes I always wish I had a pair of comfortable casual shoes that would make my 5’2″ frame a little taller.  I found these Zara Zip Up Wedge Boots and think they would be perfect.  I love the grey brown color and the fact that they are a wedge and not a heel.  Also, for $99 I am not blowing a huge amount of money on a pair of shoes that for me will not be for every day.

The Bag

As some of you may know, I rarely carry a purse.  I am a really simple person accessory wise and the only make-up I wear is Clinique Black Honey on my lips and mascara (which I do not re-apply).  I usually have a little pouch thing that hikers use that fits my few credit cards, ID, phone, lip gloss and a tiny notebook.  When I am out with the kids all of their stuff goes into one bag and then I just throw in my little pouch.  The only issue is my camera.  I take it everywhere and I need something to keep from just lugging it around on my neck.  It would be great if I had a bag that was stylish, made for a camera and had room for the items from my pouch.  Well, I totally found it!  I think it may fit a diaper and small wipes case too!  Meet the Epiphanie Stella Bag!  This sassy bag has room and cushion for my cameras plus my little stuff and boy do I love it!  It is my priciest item at $164.99 but considering I do not send much at all on accessories like bags, I think this is a totally worthwhile investment for someone like me!

There you have it.  $500.79 for six great pieces that will totally take my style up a notch this fall.  I do a lot of shopping online and have a few personal tips for you to stay safe and make your dollar go as far as possible!

My Personal Online Shopping Tips

First, always shop at sites you trust and that have good ratings with the BBB.  Be wary of great deals on sites that look a little sketchy.

Check out the return policy.  I like to shop at sites that have an adequate return policy and will make returns as easy as possible.  For some stores, that means I can skip shipping back and take them to my local store for returns.  For other stores it means I can print off a shipping and returns label at home or it is included in the box.  Online shopping means you have not seen the item so it is best to be able to return it.  If you shop with an American Express you can be protected for up to 90 days after purchase even without a return policy.  How cool is that?

Don’t forget to google coupons!  The best thing about shopping online besides not dealing with the mall is getting a great deal.  I now there are lots of daily deal sites out there but I always just google the name of the store I am shopping at and coupon and I almost always find something.  It is common to find free shipping and 10 or 15% off but I have hit the jackpot sometimes with 30% off!

In addition to googling free coupons, you can also purchase coupons on sites like ebay.  There are tons for large merchants like Lowes, Home Depot, the Gap, Gymboree and more.  Check out the seller rating so you feel comfortable and then spend a couple bucks on a coupon that can save you a heck of a lot more!

I gave some other great tips last week when I shared my online shopping tips but I want to remind you to shop with a credit card online to protect yourself.  A debit card does not make it easy to get your cash back!  A card like American Express not only provides the standard purchase protection but an additional 90 days coverage for you to return an item…on them.  They also have a gajillion awesome things to buy as part of their Membership Rewards Program.   I have been a card holder for more than a decade and I use my American Express whenever possible.

Win a $250 Prize from American Express!

American Express is giving one lucky Mommy Words reader $250 in gift cards or merchandise or a combination of both!  Be sure to comment on this post with your biggest online shopping mistake and then check out all the extra entry options.  You can leave a comment here with your fall must have for an extra entry!  Good luck!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by American Express and is compensated. The opinions expressed are my own.

Sophia absolutely loved it…and the yummy brownie.

This year as we were strolling along the beach we stopped strolling when we saw something sticking out of the tide as it rolled out.  It looked like the top of a large shell to me.  We eagerly started digging and found a giant conch shell!  As the morning progressed we dug up at least 40 huge conch (with nothing left inside except sand of course) and collected them to make a giant palace.  As we were admiring our hard earned shells, Sophia said she wanted a sea-shell treasure hunt at her birthday party.  With that, the ocean theme was born.

With every birthday party for young kids we try to have activities to keep them all busy and we always involve the kids in the planning and execution.  They love having a hand in their parties!  For the ocean theme we decided on simple blue and green ribbons, streamers and balloons for decoration highlighted by our DIY carnival style ocean games.  There is no need to go overboard with decor.  I promise – your kids will love balloons.  You already knew that though, didn’t you?

Here’s the lowdown on how we put together the party!  I will be posting a full DIY on the Octopus, Mermaid and Jellyfish so stay tuned!

The Invitations

We made these clam shell invitations on the computer and printed them out on some excess gold sparkly paper I had from my wedding!  Actually, this was the last of the paper but we have used it for every girl’s birthday party yet!  A little glitter paper and a little sparkle go a LONG way.

The Party Girl

As usual, Sophia wanted to be in costume.  This time she was a mermaid and for the first time in her life, she had the long hair she has been longing for since she was not even two.

Activities

We had a ball with these games…both making and playing them!

Ocean Freeze Dance – We made a huge ocean mix of fab songs like Wipe Out and Teenie Weenie Bikini and all things Nemo and Little Mermaid.  It was the soundtrack for the whole party.

Octopus Toss (Like Bean Bag Toss / Cornhole for kids) – we had fun making this and the kids still play with it every day!

Sea Shell Throw (Like the old Bozo Buckets)

Pin the Shell on the Mermaid – we made this gorgeous mermaid for this game and Sophia will hang it in her room as soon as I build a frame.  It was so simple and cheap and she really is a beauty!

Sea Sketch (Simple ocean outline with a pile of sidewalk chalk for kids to draw ocean creatures)

Jellyfish Pinata

Seashell Flashlight Hunt with Glow Necklaces and Necklace Flashlights – this was a HUGE hit.  We ordered glow necklaces in bulk and let the kids put them together as we waited for the sunset.  Then we handed out tiny necklace flashlights that were $7 for a dozen!  We hid hundreds of clam shells all over the yard and had the kids search for them.  Here is Miles in his necklace.

Food

We fed the kids dinner as the party was at 5:30 p.m.  It was simple: hot dogs, fruit, goldfish and macaroni and cheese.  The kids munched away and were rewarded with the goodies from the Jellyfish pinata and the Mermaid Fin brownie!  Yum!

Party Favors

The kids took home their glow necklace and flashlight as well as a giant conch they got to choose out of a big basket.  We wrote Love, Sophia on the inside with gold paint pen.

Overall the party was a big hit and once again, I am so glad to have not only the memories of Sophia and all her friends at the party, but of all the projects we did together getting ready for her big day!

Well, we use a lot paint, collect a lot of dirt, dump a lot of toys and miss a lot of toilet bowls but hey – I am teaching these kids to clean.  Sophia is 5.  Miles is 3.  Violet is 21 months.

How are we teaching them to do these dreaded tasks?  I have a couple of tips and I would love to hear yours!

First – taking responsibility for themselves and their things.

Have you ever said “I am not your slave?”  I have.  My mother did.  And guess what, sometimes I feel like it.  I get dragged around picking up after messes I did not make and it can make me mad.  Well, I told my two older kids to take care of their stuff including their beds, their clothing, their art boxes, their backpacks and their messes.  I was very clear and kept instructions simple.  I am not a total witch about it, especially since they are young, but we will delay play time until they have put their items in the laundry and yanked their sheets up.  I will always help as long as they are working.  You know what, this works.  They can do these things and it takes a little pressure off me.  These are not like allowance chores – these are just the basic things a person does to keep from living in filth.

Second – actually teach your kids to clean.

If you need to, teach your husband at the same time.  Today I gave him a toilet bowl lesson.  Kids cannot get excited about doing something well if they do not know how to do it.  I find that most little kids ask to help with what they consider “grown-up” tasks.  So, if you can pick out a few small things and show them the right way, you could end up with one less thing to worry about.  For example, my kids LOVE to dust.   I showed them everything that needs dusting and does not require them to climb on anything and they go at it.  I am impressed.  We gave them those swifffer wands and they are in heaven.  Some possible tasks for little kids include dusting, wiping off the kitchen table, sweeping with a small broom and anything else that is non-toxic and easy.  Oh – also – little kids can wipe pee off the toilet seat and / or the floor before they wash their hands.  It is just the right thing to do, you know?  Just teach them how and watch them do it and in time they will learn and be confident that they can help out.

Third – give them some cleaning goodies!

I already said how much the kids like dusting.  A big part of that is the dusting wand they use to do it.  It is not expensive and means they don’t need to spray anything to get the job done.  They each also have their own spray bottle that we usually fill with just water.   I am happy to go back over a wiped down surface with cleaning fluid.  They are over the moon when they are spraying down a table and then wiping it off.   Everyone is a fan of the little broom we have and they have tiny dustpans with brooms at Ikea for a couple of bucks.  So. Worth. It.  Sophia is 5 so she is allowed to help with the floors and the spray mop if I am there.  She also has an actual job.

Fourth – give them a job and hold them responsible.

Depending on their ages, kids can have a job or  number of jobs that are totally doable.  Sophia, at 5, is officially our Bathroom Counters Girl.  She also does toilet seats.  What a dear.  Basically, after teeth brushing is done Sophia takes a wipe and cleans the bathroom counters, sinks and faucets in the kids’ bathroom.  Miles can help at 3, but this is her job.  This way you never have any toothpaste buildup and believe me, small kids like to wipe things.  You could use a bath wipe or a baby wipe or the trusty water spray bottle with a sponge.  Your counters will be clean.  The key to this is its simplicity.  It is short, we need it done and she can do it herself with no frustration and no distraction.  We do it before bed so that there is no play time looming over her head.  You could have your own countertop kid or laundry sorter or baseboard duster extraordinaire in no time!

Fifth – make it fun!

When we are actually picking up a whole room mess (which happens all the time) or cleaning the whole house (this rarely happens) we like to shake it to some music on the old ipod.  My kids like to dance and sing as much as I do and it helps the time pass.  We also like to tell them how awesome they are when they do clean.  You know, brag on them a little.  They beam and we have made them happy to help again.   We do have rewards and are starting to offer Sophia some moolah for extra jobs.  The chore charts we have are not the most helpful for us, but simple rewards for a job well done are much appreciated and easier for us to manage than a big chart.  They know what jobs they are responsible for and they do put their little magnets on the chore chart, but we dole out rewards in more of a potty training type way.  Treats or stickers for a great job or extra playtime or an extra book for being extra helpful.  Incentive, however you choose to implement it, will help.  I have head with teenagers it is basically mandatory, so I am starting early.

Finally – manage your expectations.

Kids are kids – not professionals.  Small children can’t make a bed with nurse’s corners.  I am okay with them putting any blankets and pillows back on the bed and pulling the sheets and blankets up.  If I want a perfect bed, I will make it.  When my kids make the ugliest bed I have ever seen, I will gush and hug about how awesome they are.  In fact, Sophia has asked me about my special corners and baby, I cannot wait to show her how!  Small children may not put everything away in the perfect place, but if they are working at it who cares if some of the legos are in the dinosaur bin or a few pairs of socks are in the underwear drawer.  Set yourself up for small victories and rejoice in them.  You are teaching them to respect their home and their possessions and take care of things.  You are not trying to teach them to be perfect, because no one is, and then they are set up to fail.  If your small children are helping at all – consider this a big win!

Hopefully these tips will help you teach your little ones about keeping a picked up and clean house.  Now, just in case you have ever wanted a real professional to clean your house (angels are singing, right?), you have that chance right now!  Maybe you could have your kids watch them and learn a few tips!

Share your tips on teaching and encouraging kids to clean and win!

Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Of course you do! Tell us how you have taught and encouraged your kids to clean and be entered to win one of two prizes!

• First Prize: House Cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from GreatCleaners.com.
• Second Prize: A Copy of the Book Over 100 Helpful Household Hints

With GreatCleaners.com Clean Club, you’ll never have to shop for cleaning products again. With the simplicity of automatic shipments that fit your schedule and free shipping on every order, plus 25% off your first order, you’ll never have to be without your favorite, essential cleaning products. Click here to join the Clean Club today!

You need to respond in the Blog Frog Community box below and you will be entered to win!

Curious:  Natalie Style

I was always too tentative and unsure of myself to be curious when I was a kid.

I was scared that I would break something if I tried to figure out how it worked.

I was scared to venture too far from home because I didn’t want to get lost.

I was scared to be the first one to peek into the window of the “haunted” building at the end of the street for fear of what I might see.

I left curiosity up to others. Just tell me what I need to know, I don’t want to figure it out myself. That was how I thought about it, and that was a huge mistake.

Being curious, stepping out of the known into the unknown, is what helps you learn and grow. Webster’s defines curiosity as: Disposition to inquire, investigate, or seek after knowledge; a desire to gratify the mind with new information or objects of interest; inquisitiveness

Apparently, I lacked the inquiring disposition that came so easily to others. I was always so fearful, so self conscious. Where did it come from? Did it come from my parents saying “Because I said so” when I asked “Why?” Or did it come from my shyness, from being an introvert? From the fear of being wrong?

I don’t know, but what I do know is that I really want my kids to be curious. I want them to experience life to inquire, investigate and seek knowledge. Ask why and keep pushing for an answer. Find out how things work. Venture out and away from me to learn how to stand up on their own two feet.

I guess to me, curiosity comes with confidence…somehow I see them as going hand in hand. To be curious, you have to be willing to fail; maybe you won’t be able to figure out how something works. Maybe you’ll break it. But at least you tried. And that was a trait I didn’t nurture and learn to love until much later in my life.

But curiosity is also such a beautiful thing to watch somebody else experience! Watching the kids outside looking at a plant sprout and trying to understand how that little green leaf will turn in to a carrot. Or how a bee can land on a flower and then make honey. Seeing the ocean for the first time and being scared of it. Trying to put together a puzzle and figuring out how the pieces all fit together. Finding the confidence to jump from the side of the pool for the first time to see what it feels like to “fly” through the air and land in water.

And as they get older, it will mean that they will do things they know they shouldn’t do simply to see what it feels like.  This kind of curiosity is one that I am not looking forward to.

Curiosity is learning, and I hope that it’s a trait that my kids will embrace, experience and enjoy.

Now it’s your turn! Link up your post on the word Curious anytime this week and include the badge above linked back to this site. The code is available on the sidebar. Please visit a few other posts and show some love. If you are tweeting about your own post or a post you found and love, please use the #whatsyourword hashtag so we can all follow along. If you are seeing the series for the first time, check out the What’s Your Word page for a little more information. If you have a word you know you want to be all yours, just shoot me an email to be the featured post for the week.

Show me your Curious and get ready for another round.

Next Week’s Word is Manners!

How do you roll in your house?  Old school or new school?  How important are manners to you and which ones do you emphasize?  You can write or post a photo or vlog.  This week I will probably vlog it as I have some funny stories on this subject.

Now Link Up for What’s Your Word?  The Curious Edition!

Here’s the deal.  I am going to find things that I love as a mom as part of the My Life on Points program and one of you lovely readers will win a $100 American Express gift card for telling me what you would choose.  How fun is that?

The membership rewards program is simple.  You earn points for every dollar you spend with no limit and no expiration date.  We sometimes save for a long time to get something we really want.  The points can be used for virtually anything, especially since they can be converted to gift cards or used directly at Amazon.com.  How cool is that?  Also, when you shop through the site there are bonus places where you can earn up to 10x the points.  Can you say awesome?

I actually love (which means I smiled and teared up when I saw it) the new campaign American Express has.

A Social Currency for a Social World.  Say Hello to Possibilities.

They’re for capturing smiles or creating them.

They’re for rocking the new generation or every generation.

They’re for flying to Napa or flying Napa to you.

Now, Let’s Do Some Window Shopping So You Can Win!

Over the next 3 weeks I will be showing you some of the amazing ways you can redeem you American Express Membership Rewards at each of 3 levels.  25,000 points, 50,000 points and 75,000 points.  There are tons of items below these levels too but let’s have a little bit of fun, shall we?

Here’s what I would buy for 25,000 points or less.  Check them out and then head over to American Express Membership Rewards and tell me what you would choose.  Let me know in the comments for your chance to win!

Vivitar 12.1MP HD Underwater Digital Camera with 2.4” Color LCD & 4GB SD Card/Starter Kit

Oh yeah baby.  Most of have a camera or a smart phone to take all those great pics but you can’t toss that phone in the pool with your kids.

Dive in, and capture it all in High Definition (HD) 12.1 Megapixel stills and video. At the beach, pool, or on the slopes, you’ll never fear taking a camera along again. water-resistant up to 10 ft, with a host of hi-tech features: The 4x one-touch digital zoom will get you close to the action. A large 2.4″ color LCD monitor lets you preview and then review your shots., Even record digital video underwater or on land in any weather. Anti-shake and red-eye insure in-focus photos and PictBridge lets you print from camera to printer without a PC.

KitchenAid® Metal Toaster 4-slot/4-slice – 19,600 Points

You think a fancy toaster is silly until you have 3 kids and 2 big people who all love the tasty toasty goodness that comes out of it.  A few high end gadgets in a kitchen go a long way, and this is one we would use every single day.  It’s digital people.  That’s like a magic toaster, right?

• Four Slice Auto-Lift Toast/cancel button automatically lowers and raises toast.
• Defrost.
• Digital LCD display keeps track of toasting time and settings.
• Toast what you want, the way you want.

Singer® 2932 Sewing Machine – 23,600 Points

I have great plans for making pillows and maybe a quilt for my kids.  Also, I stopped growing at 5’2″ so I would love to be able to hem my own pants.  Or fix a zipper or any of the other things that can break on otherwise perfectly good clothes.  I figure if I can build furniture I can learn how to sew.  This little baby seems perfect.  Check out the description and all the times its says automatic.  Yes, please!

Easily update stitch and length control, fix buttons with a fully automated one-step button hole process, no hassle tension with automatic tensions control, easy bobbin winding and drop feed dogs with a push of a button for machine quilting or stippling. Features: 35 Built in Stitches, Fully Automatic Built in Buttonhole, Automatic Needle Threader, Drop Feed, Heavy duty Metal Frame, 25 Year Limited Warranty.

GPX Wine Cooler Silver & Black 16 Bottle – 20,600 Points

I’ve got kids.  If the party comes to me it saves the money on a sitter and this little cooler is very attractive.  My love of wine…well known.  Need I say more?

This compact wine cooler takes up little space but offers big storage. A convenient and economical alternative to chilling wine in the fridge. Highly efficient, thermoelectric cooling does not use a compressor or refrigerants and offers a vibration-free operation that leaves bottle sediments undisturbed. Without vibration, stored wine can age naturally. Adjustable temperature controls, allow you to place your bottle of red wine, white wine or champagne in the Wine Chiller and relax knowing that we’ll take perfect care of it until you’re ready to serve. Multiple, adjustable shelving allow for a wine cellar in your kitchen. Featured soft interior lighting that enhances the display from behind the thermopane glass door.

Apple TV – 20,800 Points

Everyone and their brother has told me to get the Apple TV.  I am totally sold, especially if I can get it with points.  I love the idea of streaming my media through this and being able to access not only movies or TV for rent but also my entire iTunes library of more than 10,000 songs.  Wine, check.  Music, check.  Party is on!  This little box is tiny but packs a big entertainment punch.

Everything you want to watch — movies, TV shows, photos, and more — streams wirelessly to Apple TV. That way you don’t have to worry about managing storage or syncing to your iTunes library. HD movie and TV show rentals play over the Internet to your widescreen TV, while music and photos stream from your computer. Either way, all you have to do is click and play. Since Apple TV features a powerful A4 chip, it streams everything effortlessly, without frozen screens or stutters. Video looks crisp and clear.

Now It’s Your Turn to Window Shop and Win a $100 American Express Giftcard!

Head on over to American Express Membership Rewards (it’s like a giant fabulous mall) and tell me what YOU would choose in the 25,000 or less point range.  It’s simple – just put 25,000 in the search by points box in the upper right and hit go.  Let me know your pick in the comments.  This is your entry. The winner of the $100 American Express Giftcard will be drawn at the end of May from entries on this post and the other 2 point range posts using random.org.  You may enter at any point during the series on any post.  That’s more chances for you to win!

Check out what I would choose for 50,000 points for another chance to win!

Check out what I would choose for 75,000 points for a final chance to win!

About Membership Rewards

The Membership Rewards program is a built-in feature of most American Express® Cards — you may already be enrolled.  Once enrolled in the Membership Rewards program, you can earn points virtually every time you use your Card. Using your Card for every day purchases is a fast and easy way to earn points. You can also explore opportunities to earn bonus points with select partners at membershiprewards.com or at the Bonus Points Mall® website (bonuspointsmall.com).  Learn more by visiting the American Express Facebook Page.

Disclosure:  I am being compensated for my participation in American Express’ Membership Rewards Program through complimentary Membership Rewards Points. Thanks to American Express for providing the $100 American Express Gift Card giveaway prize. Information about the Membership Rewards Program has been provided by American Express and product information from the rewards site is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Make it a date night or take the kids because Mama Ricotta’s here in Charlotte is offering $20 for just $5 through Juice in the City. Jump on this one. 75% off people.

Everyone loves to suck up some noodles and meet in the middle for a smooch or a giggle and this is your chance to grab the fun without the mess! Click on the pic to check out their menu.

I grabbed mine so don’t delay. And please, if you have not signed up for Juice in the City yet, do yourself and your family a favor and get the best deals on everything for you and the rest of your brood delivered to your inbox each day! Sign up for Juice in the City today!

Disclosure: I am a Juice in the City Ambassador and am compensated for helping spread the word on this fantastic launch. All of the opinion I present are my own. Yep, I, like you, love a good deal. The juicier the better.

Exhibit A:  I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Exhibit B:  This Beach is Super Fly Man

Exhibit C:  Dance Parties by the Pool are Super Cool

Exhibit D:  Getting All This Water on the Sand Will Take Forever

So you can see we are very busy.  The beach is huge and gorgeous and we are working very hard to get as much water as possible to our area of the sand.  It’s not easy.

We will spend the rest of our time eating wonderful food and exploring and of course, trying to get a picture of all 5 of us smiling.  Attempting the impossible, I know.  A girl can dream, right?

I will be back next week with the What’s Your Word Series on Monday!  Remember, the word of the week is GLEE!  I know, easy for me with all this wonderfulness.  Get ready to link up!

Thanks for understanding.  You know I love you.

I am so excited to start the What’s Your Word? series off with one of my favorite bloggers and a super swell friend, Melissa from Adventuroo!  There could not be a better lady to feature for the the word Adventure.  Melissa is the mom of two budding adventurers under five. When she’s not cleaning dirt out from under little fingernails, she blogs at Adventuroo and Momcomm, a new blog devoted to can-do blogging tips.  She is also super fun to tweet with and can be found @adventuroo.

Please welcome Melissa and don’t forget to link up your own posts! 

Adventure.

It’s meaning morphs and twists as we make our way through life.

When I was a kid, adventure meant making forts out of tattered blankets, jumping in puddles in the backyard and the occasional trip to an amusement park. We didn’t do many outdoorsy things when I was younger but that didn’t matter. When you’re a kid, adventure is sprinkled with imagination. Grab a large cardboard box and you’ve got anything from a castle to a race car.

When I was a teenager, adventure meant sneaking out an open window with my cousin to go toilet paper someone’s house with our friends. Or jumping off a highway bridge into a lake forty feet below. Um, let me just block this portion of my life out or I’ll sear my mind with futuristic images of my little boys as grown teenagers, doing dumb, dangerous things like that. Moving on…

When I was in college, adventure took many forms. One weekend it consisted of red Solo cups and free-flowing beer. The next weekend? Inhaling the summer air at the nearby lake.

What about those married years before children were even twinkles in our eyes? We climbed rocks, hiked canyons, traveled to new places and even hit Vegas a few times (if you’ve been there, you can’t argue- it’s an adventure).

I also had a huge bucket list tinged with danger: bungee jumping, skydiving, hiking the Grand Canyon from Rim to Rim. The only one of those I crossed off was the last one (and many, many other hiking trips). Nevertheless, I wanted all the thrilling stuff. The things that would give me an adrenaline rush.

And now? We have two young boys. The thought of bungee jumping scares the bejeezus out of me.

Instead, we’ve circled back to the things we enjoyed as kids. The things that fuse adventure and imagination together. Big Roo makes a mean “yucky soup” and Little Roo loves letting different-textured plants slip through his fingers as his stroller whizzes past them on our afternoon walks.

I’d argue that even taking the kids out to eat is an adventure. Although it isn’t necessarily always a positive one (squealing baby, anyone?).

We go on hikes but they don’t require navigating over boulders or camping ten miles away from any road.

Adventure these days? It’s smaller in many ways. It’s definitely less dangerous (and less dumb – oh those teen years). But it’s meaning is oh-so-much bigger.

Technology may change (my son’s never seen a VCR), music may evolve, but adventure comes full circle. I tuck my adventurous memories in the back of my brain and watch my kids experience it all for the first time.

I shape the way our children enjoy the world. I watch their curiosity bud.

Who knew so much was packed into one nine-letter word?

Now it’s your turn!  Link up your post on adventure and include the badge above linked back to this site.  The code is available on the sidebar.   Please visit a few other posts and show some love.  If you are tweeting about your own post or a post you found and love, please use the #whatsyourword hashtag so we can all follow along.  If you are seeing the series for the first time, check out the What’s Your Word page for a little more information.  If you have a word you know you want to be all yours, just shoot me an email to be the featured post for the week.

Show me your adventure and get ready for another round.

Next week’s word is Glee!  And don’t just think it’s a word full of honey.  Glee is defined both as great merriment and malicious satisfaction.  Take the word any which way!

Starting next Monday, there will be a new weekly feature here called What’s Your Word?  Each week a new word will be our focus and we will share our thoughts about that word and how it relates to us.  Words are powerful.  They are emotional.  They spark memories and ignite conversation. Word by word, we will learn about each other, share our lives and make new friends.  I am sure we will laugh and cry on this journey.

The concept is simple.

Each Monday I will announce a new word with some basic ideas and thoughts on how that word is relevant and exciting to explore.  That post will be our word / topic for the next week.  So you will have a week to work on your post.

Then, I will present a featured post on the word of the week. This post might be from me but I would just love if it was from you!  I want to feature other writers or vloggers or photographers!   Oh yes, this is a mixed media project.  Your post might be written or it may be a video or a photo.  It can be long or short.  Whatever works for you works for this.  And no, you do not have to be a blogger at all.  If you have a post on the word just link up and start checking out the other What’s Your Word entries for the week!

I can’t wait to see the meaning of these words to different people.  Even a simple word like Happy can mean so many things to different folks.

So yes, this is my first meme here at Mommy Words.  But it’s not just memememe it’s us!  Please join me!  Head on over to the What’s Your Word? page and check out some of the words or pick one of your own and send me an email with your choice!

I am new at all this, so please help me spread the word!  All your support is much appreciated!