Disney on Ice Presents: Follow Your Heart

It’s that time of year again friends! Disney On Ice is coming back to the Queen City! You can’t miss this one. It’s all about following your heart. It’s just about impossible to think about Disney and not feel some sort of sparkled dance across your skin. The magic of childhood comes alive in every heart, no matter your age, at just the mere mention of the word! 

Disney on Ice Presents: Follow Your Heart

It will be showing at the Time Warner Cable Arena / September 28- October 2, 2016

. “Each element of this show was carefully planned so our fans could experience favorite Disney moments while believing in their own destiny.”said Executive Vice President of Feld Entertainment and Producer of Disney On Ice

Follow your heart straight to adventure at Disney On Ice! Just keep swimming with Dory and new pal, Hank from Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Dory” as they set out to find her parents. Cheer with the Emotions from Disney/Pixar’s “Inside Out.” Venture to wintery Arendelle where Olaf and Kristoff help reunite Anna and Elsa and learn love is the most powerful magic of all.

See the Disney Princesses achieve their dreams through bravery, kindness and perseverance. And celebrate true friendship with the “Toy Story” gang. Make unforgettable memories with Mickey and your Disney friends when Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart skates into your hometown!

 

I’m a frequent Disney on Ice fan. I think they are one of the best entertainment values out here.

Follow Your Heart allows families to join in on the deep-sea adventure as Dory comes off the screen and onto the ice. Way to go Feld Entertainment . I am clearing my camera’s memory as I type.

Tickets are now available. Sure you could buy them now, or go to my Facebook page for contest details! 

 

 “Hoo-hoo! Big summer blowout!” – Oaken

Friday Four: Homeschooling Shortcuts

I confess. I did NOT like  homeschooling at first.Even now, I do it out of necessity. We live in a unfavorable school zone and I refuse to send any of my  children to the designated schools. It would be five steps backwards, educationally, mentally, socially, and physically. Homeschooling has proven to be a asset for our super busy life and a way to give my children what I think they need in this world.

Oh, and it can be very expensive with four boys in four different grade levels. Thank goodness for short cuts and other resources to help us along the way. Maybe you can use a few.

Here’s 4 of my top online resources for home learning. Enjoy! 

1.Push them off on a smart friend. 

 

My guys learned -HTML, CSS, and  RUBY in  5 WEEKS  for  FREE!

Kids Code is offered in 5 week stints, and occurs on Mondays or Tuesdays, depending on each location. Kids Code is from 4:00pm – 5:30pm, and doesn’t cost a thing!

2. ONLINE 

Khan Academy tutorials have revolutionized the way that people think about teaching and learning online. This non-profit educational website was started by MIT grad Salman Khan. He began using the internet as a way to tutor a young relative and people found his video tutorials so useful that he quit his job and began making educational resources full time. The site now provides more than 3,000 free educational videos on a range of topics including mathematics, economics, history, and computer science.

Duck Duck Moose is now part of Khan Academy – qcsupermominfo@gmail.com

We’re excited to announce that Duck Duck Moose, an award-winning developer of children’s learning apps, is now part of Khan Academy! Since we believe every child should have access to the best learning resources, we’re making all 21 of Duck Duck Moose’s apps FREE.

Getting online is a part of our day! It allows me to homeschool four children at a time, clean the house and return business calls. We have just 2 laptops, 1 Ipad and 2 phones available for the kids. Including technology helps me stay organized and on track all day long!

3. In The Community

We have:

Discovery Place is a science and technology museum for visitors of all ages located in the Uptown area of Charlotte, Address: 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 Phone: (704) 372-6261 Founded: 1981

ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center is a collaborative venture of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and the Children’s Theater of Charlotte. Address: 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202  Phone: (704) 416-4600

The Charlotte Nature Museum features interactive nature exhibits and live animal displays, including a butterfly pavilion, and more. Address: 1658 Sterling Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209 Phone: (704) 372-6261

Queen City Stay At Home Moms-  It’s what you get when you combine a group of moms from different backgrounds with the same common goal; to navigate through motherhood with amazing support.

We get together and share the joys, adventures, burden and unseen blessings  of mothering.  Some are former teachers, current students, grandparents, chefs, coaches……  and everything in between. Each of them have something to share with our children . .  Everyone brings their own strengths to the group for all to enjoy. It’s like having  the privilege to pick your family and selecting only the smartest, sweetest, most resourceful and creative members.

4. Local Stores

Lakeshore Learning– The BEST Spot EVER! They have EVERYTHING  for education.    SEE their YouTube Channel: Click here

They have been in the education game since 1954. They were also major gifters for our last Total children’s wellness Fair. We got to see so many of their awesome manipulatives and other incredible mental enhancers.

Five Below – If we are traveling and I have forgotten to bring their workbooks, I make one stop at my local Five Below and pick up just what I need for the trip. They never disappoint!
The Dollar Store is a great resource as well. 

Homeschooling is an adventure you do not have to take alone. I hope this helps!

Wednesday Wow: TCWF 2016

Thanks again to The Preparedness Consulting Group, Utz chips and Keith Clinic for being our top sponsors. 

The 6th annual Total Children’s Wellness Fair is off the ground.And We Are Off To EXPLORE!

Every fair has a theme and target market. We don’t want to be like the “Southern Women’s Show” or “For Sister’s Only”.They are both great fairs., but it’s not what we are best at,.

At the 6th Total Children’s Wellness Fair you won’t see high priced celebrities, or preservatives loaded popcorn. But you will discover real solutions for average families by amazing vendors, local entertainers and delicious clean edible treats.

 

This fair is a direct representation of our diverse city, it’s mom powered by Queen City Stay At Home Moms, – moms of the QC!

We know our audience,and the people we see everyday: other parents, the unborn to the college student. The mission is to provide  fun atmosphere where the family can affordably, easily and quickly find local holistic services and products that will enhance their wellness on all seven (7) levels {Socially, Spiritually, Environmentally, Educationally, Physically,Nutritionally, and Financially.}

We do this by practicing collective efforts. Our vendors pay a tiny fee to help cover space rental, marketing, decoration, refreshments and other administrative expenses. . We hire community teens to greet, direct and engage during the event to help keep the energy family friendly and happy. We have a Re-Fashion Show, Cooking With Kids Challenge, a live DJ, and a professional fitness coach to give everyone a fun workout. It’s always free to enter, shop and enjoy.

We have been copied but never duplicated. Why? Because we use the experience and connections of mom power.! Our moms come from every level of motherhood and educational background.

I’m sure one day this fair will travel and empower more mothers and teens to invest in their financial future, but for now we  are enjoying  building it here  in our amazing Queen City.  Our passion is true. Help us spread the world. Vendor and sponsorship packets are available.. To join us, please fill out this vendor packet. HERE. (For Sponsorship or other questions message Kelle  at QCSupermomInfo@Gmail.com )    

This years fair will be on November 19, 2016 from 11am -6pm. Rocky River High School. Come out! 

 

 

Fade Away Sleep Sounds WORKS!

Do you have a fussy baby or a busy mind?

(Yes, keep reading) (No, you will if you’re lucky, so keep reading) I have found the complete solution to them both. It’s a company called Fade Away Sleep Sounds.

Ultimately it’s has been a God send for me more than for the children. When it rains here in Charlotte unlike others, I don’t try to hide from it. I do the opposite. I open the window and may even go sit on the porch. The sound of rain, thunderstorms, wind chimes just soothes me. It’s the same sounds I can listen to everyday via Fade Away Sleep Sounds.

Have you heard of white noise /sounds? I’ll explain, White noise is a type of noise that is produced by combining sounds of all different frequencies together. If you took all of the imaginable tones that a human can hear and combined them together, you would have white noise.

I love the way Fade Away Sounds explains it: See below. https://www.facebook.com/fadeawaysleep/videos/10154432454291052/

 

When asked my moms friends of Queen City Stay At Home Moms how they enjoyed it I got responses all across the board. Since we have 5 babies aged 10 months and below, we thought it would be cool to try the white sounds on our little ones.

But after 4 weeks of consistently using the Fade Away Sleep Sounds, the common response was “it works!”  The babies love white noise. And it makes sense. They’ve just spent their entire life in the womb. And the womb is deafeningly loud. I guess you can say White noise sounds like “home” to a baby.

Here’s what my mom friends have shared:

Kim said she was able to do laundry, and have an uninterrupted lunch date with her husband while the baby slept soundly in the next room..

Tina shared, “As a homeschooling mom, having her little one nap at a certain time every day makes life much easier.”

Lisa messaged me and said the she wants to try more. She wrote, ” It helps not only her twins, but her husband too!”

These sounds are  a way cheaper  and less toxic option than running your actual water or burn gas driving in circles till Little Bruce falls asleep.

They have so many sounds. Don’t miss any of them.

Follow them on twitter (@fadeawaysleep) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/fadeawaysleep ).  and  thier YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUhfGgLBRV4TbxAyRFIZkA …) –

Also, Fade Away Sleep Sounds are available on most all of the streaming and music download sites, listen in at  Spotify!

and Apple Music

Personally I suggest you  buy and download the sounds (as opposed to online streaming), from their  the website (http://www.fadeawaysleepsounds.com )

Parents, you are gonna LOVE this. Be sure to share it with you baby for a full night sleep.

Enjoy!

Jabela

Oh, also see- 10 Facts About Baby Sleep You Never Knew You Knew   

 

 

Disclosure: This has been another honest but paid review by the moms of Queen City Stay At Home Moms. The opinions are all ours.

Breastfeeding Starter Kit

Yippee! It’s World Breast Feeding Week! This year,my daughter will be sharing her amazing Breastfeeding Starter Kit  with local mom at the BIG Latch On!

Here’s how I celebrated it last week  (click here!) This year should be amazing!Here in Charlotte, it’s such a little community of like minded mamas here and it’s getting more and more connected with every event. I love it!!!-  shared byShelly Bloser Boyce

“CLC and runs the local normalize breastfeeding group here in Charlotte. Less impressive, but I’ve nursed my one child. It was really freaking hard and worth every tear”. Shelly

In spite of my husband saying “all you have to do is pop the tit out and give it to the baby. No complicated procedure there.” Thank God all men do not think like him.

For those that really need help with increasing you milk supply keep reading.

Nursing Pads-When you begin nursing a baby you quickly figure out that you need nursing pads to protect your clothing (and pride!) from leaks. There are some good disposable ones, but most are scratchy and uncomfortable, and if you use them as much as I did with my first baby – you end up spending a fortune. The reusable fabric ones are therefore a Godsend

Here, try to make it your self. I found an excellent tutorial by DIY Materintiy

Lactation Cookies–It’s a sweet snack full of goodies thought to help breastfeeding mamas keep up their milk supply and produce more nutritious milk. Do they really work? Well I think so. I have used them  while nursing six of my nine babies and my daughter uses them for her clients. This recipe is a tried, true:

Lactation Cookie

Prep Time:15 Min Cook Time:35 Min Total Time:50 Min

Serves 20

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or coconut oil at room temp (coconut oil will make the cookies dairy free)
• 1/2 cup flax seed meal
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 3 cups oat flour
• 2 cups rolled gluten free oats
• 1 bag dark chocolate chips (look for aa high cocoa percentage to keep the chips dairy & soy free)
• 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes (or Brewers Yeast – type will dictate if it is gluten free or not)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 9 x 13 pan

Instructions

• Preheat oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit
• Mix flax seed meal in the water and set aside for 3-5 minutes.
• Cream coconut oil (or butter) and sugar.
• Add flax seed mixture and nutritional yeast flakes. Mix until light and fluffy.
• Add coconut and oat flour and mix well.
• Add baking soda, salt & rolled oats. Mix well.
• Add chocolate chips and mix well.
• If your mixture seems dry add in a little more water a tablespoon or two at a time.
• Spread evenly in a 9×13 pan and bake at 325 for 30-40m minutes.
• The edges should be golden brown and the middle should be set.
• Let cool (if you can resist the urge to cut into them right away) and cut into bars.
• Enjoy!

Lactation Tea-It’s is a mild galactagogue (a substance that can be used to increase milk supply). Its main milk-boosting ingredient is fenugreek, an slightly bitter-tasting. Some moms find that sipping a few cups of this tea a day is an easy way to help their bodies make more milk. Some drink it hot, some drink it iced, and some mix it with milk or  apple juice. Another bonus is that the tea bad (if used is good for sore nipples- just insert your nursing pad to avoid staining your shirt.)  

Shopping List-

Guess What?  your milk will probably be just right for your baby regardless of what you eat. Your body knows exactly what nutrition your baby needs at every stage of development.But eating healthy  while nursing builds a stronger body and has incredible results long term.

Order your Lactation treats and tea from Cassie’s Sweetz.

Win a  vegan Smash Cake*here!

If you are in Charlotte this weekend, visit Cassie’s Sweetz at the Big Latch On at Baby & Co. this Saturday from 10am- 1pm. She will have Breastfeeding Starter Kits available for sale.

Details? Click the image below. See You There!

My Son, The Professional European Basketball Player

Well, they don’t call me QC Supermom for nothing!  I’ve earned this name time and time again. As of Sunday July 31 2016, I am the teen mom of a professional International Basketball player. Without doubt, I know it has been for grace and mercy!

For that last 3 weeks I have been crunched up on the 2nd floor of the hospital visitors lounge. Just keeping hopeful and eager for some good news. All of a sudden my phone rings, it’a my son. He tells me his departure date has been moved up and he’s leaving for Dresden Germany two weeks early.

At first I was sad because I want all of my son out of the U.S. But then extremely happy because he will be doing what he loves and in spite of the fact that  we will miss him, I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What was I to say other than, “I’ll wash your laundry tonight.”?  After all, I gave him the wings. Now was not the time to lock him in a cage from flying. With that, I escorted him to the Charlotte Douglas airport.

Whew! I was so happy when he face called me after the 15 hr flight safely. I remember going almost 2 decades ago and recalled the huge planes, how good the food was and small the toilets were. With a time difference of 6 hours behind us, I asked him what differences have he noticed between the USA and Berlin.  He replied,”Everything over here is small mom.”
—-well yeah, to him, I bet so.He’s 6’8 after all.
These guys must stick out like orange mailboxes.

Because I didn’t want him to forget any of the lessons he has ever learned so , I called in back up. My friends sent him away with tons of advice. See below….

My folks added ;

Valarie -No “Anchor Babies”? Love it! Amen….. that’s a legacy statement right there.

JabeLa – I have never sugar coated a thing to them. Now is not the time to do so. YES…”..

TC Cooper LOL Love it!
.Cooper- Thanks for the invite to share. I’m just so very proud of your guy!!
Cooper -Be curious enough to ask lots of questions and especially listen to answers. Be wise enough to run everything you hear and see through the filter of your faith in God and the values by which you’ve been raised.
Cooper-  Finally … Always remember that God has not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. God is for you; therefore, NOTHING and NO ONE can prevail against you. Work hard and live out the experience to its fullest.
Robert  -Girl you know I’m proud as hell for you son. I’m happy he’s taking his skills to another level. I have confidence in him and know that he’ll do a great job. Congratulations!

Burkes We are all one family. Stay open to life, love and work, wherever you find it and can be the most useful. Gift someone with your smile! Look for God’s grace and love everywhere. There are always more things to learn, places to discover and people to know, so stay curious and open.

Rich- Remember God has your back. Keep him first in your life. your family is so proud of you and love you .
Pressley- Yoooooo!!!!
JabeLa -Lassen Sie sich nicht auf Ihre Mutter gemein sein

                                      Ich überlebte ein Teenager Mutter zu sein!