What's In The May Kawaii YumeTwins Box

It's that time again!

We get to see what's in Natalie's YumeTwins box. It's full of kawaii goodies from Japan. My daughter is aching to go to Japan one day. For now though, she has her YumeTwins box.

So first she got this chick kitchen spoon. She was more excited about it than she looks but, you know, she's a tween now, so I get the 'tude at random parts of the day.

Seriously, I get 'tude. She's not always happy in photos. She'll suddenly be all, "I didn't like the way you looked at me two days ago."

But then she'll cheer right up again. This is such a FUN parenting stage, really.

Moving on.

Natalie also got this Japanese Canvas Tote bag with sumo wrestlers on it. Natalie found it amusing. "Look at these men fighting in their underwear!"

This is called a Kawaii Leisure Sheet. It sounds so fancy.

Natalie leisurely checked it out and found her favorite character. She named him Bub because Omekashi is hard to say. She liked his top hat.

Natalie adored these Cafe Holographic Stickers. "I'll stick them on my face one day and go to school." Okay then. At least she outgrew her stage of putting stickers on the cat.

Kids are crazy about squishies, so Natalie was excited to get a Taiyaki Squishy to add to her growing collection. (They are basically just stress balls in the shape of things. I don't get the craze.)

Finally, she got a Pompomurin Roll Cushion. She says she likes her beret.

You can get your own YumeTwins box here for less than $40! (Just click YumeTwins on the top left hand corner.) They feature brands like Pokemon, Disney, and Gudetama. (Plus many others!) You'll usually get 6-8 items in each box. You can save $3 by using the code AML3.

Oh and yes, she IS wearing a shirt from The Greatest Showman, plus ears. We go to Disney World in October and are already planning what she wants to wear.

What's your favorite item in the YumeTwins box this month?

Hey, It's Okay

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. You can link up any day of the week. All you have to do is make a list of what you're okay about. Simple! Please do not link up a post that has nothing to do with Hey, It's Okay. It's rude and I'll delete the link.

Hey, It's Okay....



....to have not done much over Memorial Day weekend. We did say a thank you to the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, because I feel it's important for kids to know why we there is a Memorial Day.



....to not be watching The Bachelorette. I can't stomach it anymore. Granted, I do watch Real Housewives and Teen Mom, which aren't much better.



....to really need to start making lists when I go to the grocery store. Otherwise I come home with lots of cookies and chips.



....to hope I don't melt this week. It's supposed to get up to 105! I need to stock up on ice cream. I tend to get whiney when it's incredibly hot. Ice cream helps.



....to have taken Natalie out for a girls day when the boys went to see Deadpool. We went to Olive Garden and tried their new Apple Fizz drink. It tastes like an apple Jolly Rancher with cotton candy on top.

What To Get A Picky Man For Father's Day (+ $300 Gift Card Giveaway To My Gift Stop!)

This post was written in collaboration with My Gift Stop, but my opinions are my own.

Father's Day is coming, and I have no idea what to get my husband. He's a difficult man to shop for. I ask what he wants, and he's all, "Surprise me." It's irritating, but he does a lot for his family. And the kids adore him.

Natalie, especially. She's a total Daddy's girl. Although it might get tricky when she starts to date.

I need to get him something spectacular. Something that says, "Thank you for all you do." Thankfully there's My Gift Stop, an online shop that has luxury goods. With each sale they make, they donate 5% to the global medical relief nonprofit, Direct Relief.

You can buy all sorts of fabulous last minute gifts from watches to handbags to shoes at great prices for men and women. If for some reason you do not like something you order, you can easily return it.

I was impressed by the items My Gift Stop had and decided to make a list of gift ideas for Father's Day if you have a picky guy like I do.



1. A Citizen's Men's Chronograph Watch. My Gift Stop has tons of choices. I'm pretty sure my husband will love this style.

I know people are all, "Why do you need a watch when your phone tells the time?" but my husband is at work sometimes and isn't allowed to pull out his phone. He needs an easy way to know what time it is.



2. Oakley Sunglasses. My husband goes through sunglasses a lot since he's always moving around in his job. He's always loved Oakleys. They hold up well! These are under $200 which is a great deal!

3. Cologne. There's a variety of colognes from Calvin Klein to Ralph Lauren to BURBERRY, which is what I'd want to give to my husband. I like him to smell good.

Even better, this is currently on sale with the coupon code DADGRAD31 for only $21.99!



4. Writing instruments. My husband always needs to have a pen on hand when he's at work. He's forever signing things. Or filling papers out. I like this S.T. Dupont Ballpoint Pen. It looks sleek and manly.

There are many more options at My Gift Stop!

And even better? You can win a $300 Gift Card to My Gift Stop.

Enter here!

Good luck!

I can't wait to surprise my husband with an amazing gift on Father's Day, because he truly does deserve it.

What are you planning on getting your father or husband for Father's Day?

Cool Things About Military Kids

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way, a TRICARE breast pump provider. All opinions are entirely my own.



Being a military kid is pretty cool. I know for a fact because I was one. I got to live all over the world. Now my kids get to do the same. Oh sure, some might argue that it's a tough life because the kids always have to move, and it's true. I remember shedding tears when I had to leave my friends behind, but I always adapted.

My children are proud to be military kids.

There are many reasons why military kids are cool, and here are some of them:

1. Military kids can get a Tricare breast pump through 1 Natural Way. Well. Their parents can. But the pump will benefit them, obviously.

It's pretty cool, because 1 Natural Way has a bunch of the popular breast pumps such as the Medela, Spectra, and Kiinde brands. I personally used the Medela one, and I loved it.

You can get a TRICARE breast pump in less than FIVE minutes, which is a plus, because after you've had a baby, you're exhausted, so you want things to move quickly.

As I mentioned before, the Tricare insurance plan covers the breast pumps. There is no out of pocket expense for you. You can get ANY of the models! Plus, 1 Natural Way also has breast pump accessories, compression socks, and supplies you might need after having a baby. It's amazing how many things you need after you have one of these. Thank goodness they are cute.

2. They feel pride in their family.

I know my kids are proud of their father. They understand that sometimes he has to go away for a bit, but it's because he's helping to keep his country safe.



3. Military kids have friends all over the world! It's pretty neat. Some might not even be American. When I lived in Belgium, I had some Belgian friends. Tommy had a British friend when we were in England.


4. Most military kids will be able to adapt to changes easily. This is an important lesson when they get older. I know it helped me a lot. When my husband comes home and says, "Hey, I'm deploying next month!" it's tough, but I can handle it. Military life is always changing. You never know what's around the corner.

5. As I mentioned above, military kids get to travel the world! I got to live in New Jersey, Italy, Germany, California, Belgium, and Massachusetts. My kids got to live in Nebraska, England, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Texas. It's always fun to learn about different cultures. I can't imagine staying in one place my entire life.

Yes. There are many reasons why military kids are cool. They go through all sorts of changes. They get to have amazing experiences in other countries. There are many goodbyes.

But there are also many hellos. And most military kids wouldn't have it any other way.

To learn more about 1 Natural Way, you can check them out at the following: 

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Hey, It's Okay

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. You can link up any day of the week. All you have to do is make a list of what you're okay about. Simple! Please do not link up a post that has nothing to do with Hey, It's Okay. It's rude and I'll delete the link.

Hey, It's Okay....





....to have only watched bits and pieces of the royal wedding. I caught it on repeat but it got rather boring at parts, so I read.



....to be ready for Bruce Wayne to turn into Batman on Gotham. I think that'll happen next season. (The final season! Boo!)



....to be sad that The Middle is over. It was such a hilarious show!




....to also be bummed that most of my shows have ended for the season. What do I watch now? I guess Little Women: LA.




....to love all the Mickey stuff that Target has out. I love this bottle. Have you seen the Mickey items yet?

Why I'll Miss The Middle

I'm sad.

One of my favorite shows The Middle on ABC is ending.

Tuesday, May 22nd, is the very last episode. I've watched from the very beginning.

It's a hilarious TV show about the Heck family: Frankie, Mike, Axl, Sue, and Brick. It's an honest take on family life, which is what I love about it.

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Here are reasons why I'll miss The Middle.

1. Mike Heck, the husband, reminds me so much of my own husband.

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He rarely smiles. He doesn't get excited. Just like my husband.

This was taken on his birthday. You'd think he'd be thrilled, but no.

2. Sue Heck, the middle child, tries out for everything in high school and keeps going even when she doesn't make the teams. She started her own cheerleading team called The Wrestlerettes to cheer on the wrestling team. She never gives up. I love that.

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2. Brick Heck, the youngest son,  loves to read. I love to read! Books are MY best friends too.

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3. I don't have much in common with Axl Heck, the eldest, since he's into sports and all of that, but he has a great sense of humor. Plus I like how he rarely had pants on when he lived at home and would constantly be sitting there in his underwear. He behaved like a typical teenager, which is how I think my daughter will be. (Only she'll wear pants.)

4. The house doesn't look immaculate.

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It distracts me when homes look super clean, especially when the people complain that they don't have any money. This house is nice, but you can tell they aren't wealthy people. My home looks the same. We aren't wealthy people either. And we don't have the green walls. But there is clutter because it's Real Life. Not Instagram Life.



5. Frankie Heck, the mother, is relatable. She yells. She doesn't always understand or want to be around her kids. Sometimes she even forgets her kids. She says "I made dinner" and plucks down fast food bags on the table.

6. Brick Heck has quirks and reminds me of my son Tommy, who has autism.

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Brick was never diagnosed with autism, but he has issues with social skills, is obsessed with fonts (my son has odd fascinations..he used to love power lines), whispers under his breath (and at one point, he had a tick where he'd randomly go "WHOOP"), and, AND, instead of going to his high school prom, he went to the library because he loves to read. YES! (He found a girlfriend who is also quirky. I hope my son finds someone for him as well.)

Thank you for the laughs, The Middle. I will still watch the show on re-runs. (Currently I've found it on the Hallmark channel from 8-10 central.)

Thank you for being honest. For telling it like it is.

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For reminding me that it's okay to turn to a can of frosting when you've had a rough day.

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I'll miss you.

It has been, as you say, a one heck of a ride.

The Fifth Grader Who Rocked It

Remember some months ago when Natalie auditioned for the school play?

Remember when she found out she didn't get a speaking part and was bummed? But then I told her that she should rock her part in the choir?

Well.

She listened. (That's Natalie in all pink.)

Her school play was last week, and true, she didn't have speaking lines. But she had to memorize songs and the movements. And she did.




The play, by the way, was At The Bandstand, and it's set in the 50s.

This is why most of the kids are in poodle skirts. Here is Natalie's costume:

All the kids did a spectacular job.

I gave Natalie a coupon for a free taco for a job well done because once again, I forgot to bring flowers. It just never occurs to me.

However, it worked out, because Natalie loves tacos. She took the coupon and showed her friends. "Look, my Mom gave me a coupon for a free taco!" Some parents raised their eyebrows at me, and I waved. Not everyone has to bring flowers, Janet.


But don't worry. Natalie did get her flower because my Mom, Uncle Bob, and Aunt Vicki came to see the play the next night.

I think the play was a wonderful lesson for kids: you might not always get the part you want. But you should always do your best in what you do get and be happy for the people who might have gotten the part you wanted. Natalie did that. After the play, she went up to her friends with lines and told them they did a great job.

"You see? You did it."

Basically?


Always rock it. No matter what. If you fail, keep going.

Because you never know what's around the corner.