Texas Proud

  The saying goes, "You don't just move into Texas, it moves into you," and that's definitely been true for our family. From our children saying y'all to our love for TexMex, we have settled here both physically and in our hearts. 

One thing we've learned about Texans is that they love their state. They put the shape of the state on everything and they have fierce Texan pride. Here, the Texas flag flies side by side with the American flag, and everyone proudly claims their home state wherever they go.

Since we love Texas too, we have been making some Texas themed items we want to show you. We also want to share some of the other Texas things we've seen.

The Texas waffle maker is ubiquitous at the hotels here. They probably taste better than regular waffles, too.

Even the stamps on the eggs are Texas shaped!

We made some Texas magnets for out last craft fair.

And we don't want to forget the Texas Tic-Tac-Toe.

So many businesses have the shape of Texas in their logos, it would be hard to share them all.

Some other things Texas is famous for: Longhorns, armadillos, the Alamo, Bluebell Ice Cream, delicious barbecue, pecans, bluebonnets, and football! If you ever come to the Great State of Texas, be ready for some hospitality and lots of state pride. Happy Thanksgiving y'all.

One-Liners for Laser Engravers

Looking for some great one-liners to put your your laser engraved items? Here are a few we haven't seen very often to get you started.

For Water Bottles or Mugs

If there is magic in this world, you will find it in water.

Have you heard the joke about dehydration?

No? That's because there's nothing funny about it.

HIJKLMNO

Water = H to O

Blood is thicker than water (with a vampire graphic.)

Life is Brew-Tea-Ful

Steeped in Happiness

A Few Sips of Serenity (or Sereni-tea)

For Pet Items

My cat Fluffy ate a ball of yarn. She had mittens.

No Pupperazzi, please

The Weiner Takes it All

Don't let my cat use the TV remote. She always hits paws.

You're My Pup of Tea

Don't stop retreivin'!

Come to the Bark Side

About Kids

Our child has a great deal of willpower—and even more won’t power.

I'm more of an Amazon Prime mom than a Pinterest mom.

I tuck my kids in at night and say "See you in the morning." And then we all laugh.

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." -JFK

"Little boys should never be sent to bed. They always wake up a day older." -Peter Pan

 “Play is the work of childhood.” – Jean Piaget

For Teachers

Big hearts can shape little minds.

Without geometry, life is pointless.

I'm not yelling. I'm speaking in italics for emphasis.

"Nine-tenths of education is encouragement." –Anatole France

Teaching: the only profession where you steal things from home and bring them to work.

Dude. Show your work.

Please do not wipe your tears on the exam paper.

11 Gifts for Athletes that are $25 and Under

Runners, cyclists, football players. They all have different needs and preferences when it comes to their gear, diet, and workout regime. Here are a few gifts that almost any athlete would enjoy, and you can usually find them for under $25!

1. A fancy water bottle.

But not too fancy. Like, an under $25 fancy water bottle. Make it more special when you personalize it with their name in vinyl or a motivational quote sticker.

2. A comfy workout shirt.

This is another gift you can personalize with a name, or you could find one that says something appropriate, like "Not All Athletes Wear Shoes," for a swimmer. If you are a DIYer you could do a vinyl transfer of a map of a marathon route that a runner has completed or a list of games a player has won.

3. Slides

They may not be stylish with socks, but they are definitely comfortable for after workouts and games. A middle-of-the-line pair should be the right price. If you're looking for brand name deals, try a store like Ross Dress for Less or TJ Maxx.

4. Recovery Aids

A gift bag with some recovery items would be very appreciated. Some ideas of what to include are soothing bath bombs, Epsom salts, muscle rubs, massagers, cooling towels, or other things to help an athlete relax after a workout.

5. Food!

Those protein bars can get expensive, so help your friend out with a few healthy extras they can enjoy. Other ideas are electrolyte tablets, vitamins, or protein powder. The food should be specific to their workout, sport, or diet they are following.

6. A Cookbook or Health Magazine

These can be digital or paper. Again, get something specific to your friend or family member's sport or workout. Cookbooks can have good ideas for meals that they've never thought of and magazines will  have current ideas and recipes.

7. Socks, socks, socks.

Athletes go through a lot of socks. One more pair would always be welcome. Find out what brand your athlete likes best. People can be picky about their socks. Or just go with the ones with the best reviews.

8. Gloves

Keep those fingers warm with gloves that you can use on a smart phone. Winter sports can be hard on hands, and people always need gloves. They disappear almost as often as socks do. If it's in the budget, a matching scarf and hat would be great too.

9. A bag.

This could be a bag to put around a runner's waist, a bag to carry a water bottle easily, a wet bag, or whatever kind of bag your athlete most needs for their sport. (Sometimes it's a laundry bag.)

10. Safety Gear.

Reflectors for a bike, sunscreen, or a bright running vest are great ideas for gifts. Keep your athlete safe with the gear they need for their sport.

11. A Fitness App.

Fitness apps can be really helpful for workouts, at-home or otherwise. Choose the subscription that would be best for your athlete. There are apps for golfers, cyclists, you name it. Some of them are free with in-app purchases, and others have monthly, weekly, or yearly fees. Do some research online to get the best value for your money.

Good luck gifting! We're sure your athlete will be thrilled with your thoughtful presents! Let us know what you decided on in the comments below.

Holiday Travel Ideas to Make that Drive Seem Shorter

 

When our children were younger we would always be a little nervous before a long road trip. Who would say they were bored first? Who would poke someone else in the eye? And worst, who was going to throw up after being in the car for five minutes?

Some simple precautions helped give us a little peace of mind. First, each kid had their own Ziploc bag for car sickness emergencies. That's saved us a few times. (That, plus a little Dramamine.) Keeping the kids busy was a little more difficult. 

So, we thought we'd share a few holiday travel ideas that have helped us and our children have a more pleasant road trip experience. As for how to get along with your family once you arrive at your destination, well, you're on your own there.

1. Music and Audio Books

So this was hit or miss with us. One of our kids loves music and singing along. One of the others is okay with music, but goes ballistic when his sister sings in the car for too long. Music is still a sore point now that our kids are teenagers, but headphones help. The same goes for audio books. Sometimes they are in the mood, and sometimes they aren't. It's usually worth a try.

Some of our favorite audio books are Harry Potter, The Terrible Two, and The Worst/Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

2. Bribery Bags

Yes, you heard us right, bribery. Before our trip we would prepare small paper bags for each child to open every hour of the trip. In each bag we would put something small and new to (hopefully) keep them occupied and happy for a while. 

Some of the things we've included in the bags were suckers or other candy, a snack, a small toy, a game, coloring, or tiny toy sets. The dollar store is a great place to find items for your bags.

3. Family Games

First of all, Beaver. This is a game passed down from the grandparents. Whenever you see a yellow, diamond-shaped sign, you yell, "Beaver!" That's it. It's simple and noisy, but the kids enjoy it. 

Other noticing games for readers are the license plate game and the alphabet game. Eye-spy is a staple. For fewer arguments, set the rules beforehand. 

The singing game. To play this, family members take turns picking a word and then each take a turn singing a line from a song with the word in it. Whoever can't think of a new song on their turn is out. The last person out is the winner and gets to choose a new word.

4. The Last Resort

You've probably already thought of this one, but screen time is a good way to get some peace and quiet if you need it. We tried not to have our kids on devices too much, but sometimes everyone needs a break. Remember those charging cords!

Have any good car trip ideas to share? Comment below and let us know!