Monday, August 31, 2015

The Beach DC: National Building Museum

If you live or have visited Washington D.C. at all you have heard about #TheBeachDC.
I mean, why have you not gone yet? Really. It's ok, no judgement here.
You should go though-- it's the last week and it is sure to be packed with labour day coming up.
(here is also another dc event-- enter a giveaway for 2 National Tickets)

How much time can you spend just in one exhibit in the museum?

What is Ward Day?

Why should you really go?

Would you enjoy it as much as your kids do?

Is there educational benefit to those homeschooling families?

Is it worth it?


Yes, yes, and yes!!
You can spend ALL DAY here!
Yes, you will LOVE it yourself.
Let that inner kid loose!

Of course, be careful of kids. We had a young adult thinking they could own the beach and jumped on a kid, but that was one person out of thousands that had been in and out all day. The kid was okay and everyone had a ton of fun.

Sorry for the in action fuzziness- brought to you by my daughter 

I thought we would show up and the kids would be bored after an hour or so.

We show up at 930am and get our ward day tickets (more on that in a second).

We played on the beach for hours...and hours...and hours!

I made them get out to get snack, water then let them run back in.

Got them out for lunch.

They jumped back in.

They made new friends who came and went before they were done playing.


They ran into a few friends as well (and some fellow Girl Scouts)!



I made them get out, go to the other exhibits and like a true homeschooling mum looked at the exhibits while they walked around, got our their field trip journals and wrote 6 questions for them on the history of building blocks since before 1900s all the way up to the new robotic lego set.


They were less than thrilled about doing that. They did it though with the assurance they would get to go back to #TheBeachDC.

I also made them play with the video game that you had to stand still on this mat to read your body shape and it projected it. It tried to fill in your body shape with blocks. Most kids did not get this, including my young one, who thought the legos were building so he can be a ninja and karate kick the blocks. He would proceed to run to others and do the same to theirs LOL.



There was a huge block building section where they can build life size contraptions. They really had to work with many other kids to try to build something. Some were more creative than others.



They was a table with miniature building foam blocks with plastic tubes of all shapes and sizes. The things the kids would build were incredible. They had some pictures on the wall and it was really cool.


They even had lincoln logs too. I always think this is the toy that keeps giving.

Then we went back to #TheBeachDC and played in there until 5.
They had to kick us out.
It's so much fun they jump in after we leave.

Okay, so what is "ward day"?

There are 8 wards in DC.
The easiest way to explain it is like counties in a state.
They have different police, fire, representatives, school boundaries.

I don't know who came up with the brilliant idea, because it truly is, to do a ward day but I love it.
Partly the amazing exhibit and the fact that ward gets in FREE that day but also meeting your councilman.  They even took my email for my girl scout troop down to share. They really want to engage with the community and grow their visibility within the community. Whether a political antic to offer a free day for ward residents, I am very happy because my kids LOVED it.

First in, Last out. Just our style!

We hope you enjoy going as well-- It ends this weekend, so go!

And don't forget to enter the giveaway for 2 National Tickets!

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You should visit #TheBEACHDC! It ends at the end of the week so go! You won't regret it- find out how fun it is! #DC--...
Posted by Via Bella on Monday, August 31, 2015
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Friday, August 28, 2015

2 Nationals Tickets Giveaway

Come enter a giveaway!
We are giving away a pair of Nationals Tickets.
27 September is the game at 1pm.
They are one of my favourite teams!
We would love to see you there!



a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Come enter to win an awesome giveaway! A pair of #Nationals tickets a #giveaway! It is located at the Giveaway Tab on...

Posted by Via Bella on Friday, August 28, 2015
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

12 Days in Africa~ Book Review


A-mazing read, as if I were sitting next to and listening to Lisa tell me her story herself. 

I now would like to go and experience all parts of the world. 
I always wanted to so on my own, but this makes that want deeper. 
This especially as someone who grew up disadvantaged in many ways. 
I feel the pain that this woman feels-- both as a mother and someone who has been rock bottom (not of my own doing as a child, so identifying with a few of the small things I can, I can only imagine).

Seeing everyone working for Hope4Kids and Hope4Women knowing every single name of people they came in contact with shows the amazing hearts of those in Uganda loving the people they come in contact with. Changing lives and encouraging kids and women to better their lives. It is amazing to hear their stories and to imagine the change on a grander scale. 

Smile Africa, has my heart. Kids come from surrounding villages to be part of this day care and get one meal a day. Their parents have abandoned them because they come to get a meal instead of going through trash to sell things for the family. If that does not show why their work is important, I don't know what will! To find out more, that clean water is such a necessity to their livelihood and their daily safety to and from school! Why, as one story of a follow new friend in her book, who does a walk to raise money to make sure that kids have clean water (instead of walking miles to carry disease infected water back) in his late wife's honour shows that every bit we do does count. 

There are stories from the people who work with these amazing organisations, as well as those kids who have grown up and been affected by these organisations. I think it is a great fast humble read for everyone (I would suggest for school aged kids that they be in high school to read it to fully understand it and as some things in there do talk of adult nature things briefly but realistically). 

Even as it is written, with some religious content in it, I never read it that way. It was a humble book, a personal reflection of a life changing journey. I say this as a person who is spiritual and believes in God, but do not like reading books that try to over do with "God" and verses. It really bugs me. This book does not do this or focus on it. 

You will overlook the small grammatical errors (which do need fixing and are noticeable, but that is not why she wrote this book) that are in there, if you read that way, as the heart of a woman is revealed. You are walking through the journey with her. 

She, Lisa, as a mother whose sons have gone to college, after the feeling of the empty nest, or emptiness, to find something a new. A new adventure. A new open to a new path where one's "calling" is. 

She not only found it within, she found it without. She is now employed with Hope4Kids. 
I applaud her for following her heart and I do encourage you to read it with an open heart and mind.

All profits from the book go to help build water wells in Africa for children who need clean water desperately. So order your book here: 12 days in Africa (on Amazon, e book or paperback).

I can completely support that- especially as a Girl Scout Leader and taking my kids to protect the water and how we are so lucky to have clean water. 
I will soon post about their Wonders of Water Journey and keep these precious kiddos in mind. 

* I was given the e book to review in exchange for my HONEST opinion of the book. While I received the e-book for free, my review does not get swayed either way by that. 
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#12DaysinAfrica is a mother's story and journey through Africa and serving children and women to better their lives....
Posted by Via Bella on Wednesday, August 26, 2015
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Saturday, August 22, 2015

Coconut Oil: Simple Breakfast Boost


coconut oil, breakfast, weight loss

While there has been a lot of talk about studies and whether people see real benefit or not, I can first hand say, it does. 

I am a pretty skeptical person, but it really does work.
* By the way, not paid by Quaker Oats nor is it intended as a advertisement 

Inside and out (no, not the movie, although I may just have gotten it stuck in your head, my bad!)

Why is coconut oil so awesome and amazing?!
Let me tell you just a few things! 
It helps rev up your metabolism.
It helps curb hunger.
It is a healthy fat. 
Makes you regular. 

So how do I get my daily dose of it? 

I add a tsp in here and there to my foods.

Let's start with breakfast!

I put it with Chia Seeds into my Oatmeal.
I add in a tsp or two into my oatmeal.
(People have added in to other foods as well.)

That simple, my friends!

What do you do for your breakfast boost?

Check out my other post on Coconut Oil!
 Coconut Sugar Body Scrub

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How can you start everyday with coconut oil? It is super easy! #coconutoil #breakfastpower #health
Posted by Via Bella on Saturday, August 22, 2015
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Coconut Sugar Face & Body Scrub

Coconut Oil, DIY, Homemade, Natural, Saving Money, Health and Wellness

So, any one who knows me knows I am like the dad in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in the sense of his Windex is my Coconut Oil. I use it for EVERYTHING.
There are seriously a hundred plus ways to use it!
I plan to post some of my favourite ways! 

This is one of the simplest ways I use it!
A scrub that can be made on the go- so no need to worry about it going bad! 


Coconut Oil, DIY, Homemade, Natural, Saving Money, Health and Wellness

2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp Sugar

Mix and use for your face and body!
Of course, rinse off after.

It is soothing, natural, good for you.

You are concerned about oily skin? No worries.
I have mixed skin type and have oily skin often.
This is still a huge help.
And it micro cleans your skin and leaves your skin moisturized.
If you are concerned, after, use a gentle facial cleanser to wash after too.

What I like about it, is not only is it a great moisturizer, it has has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. Can be ingested without harm- important if you have kids- and is natural.
Not many skin products that help your skin, keep it nice, and clean it are as good as coconut oil in my opinion. It is the best! 

Coconut Oil, DIY, Homemade, Natural, Saving Money, Health and Wellness


This is enough for your entire body and leaves you feel so fresh and clean!

My kids would also like to point out that it is also edible and yummy LOL

Check out my other Coconut Oil Posts on my quest to share my love of coconut oil!
 Coconut Oil: Simple Breakfast Boost
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#CoconutOil rocks! Find out why it is one of my most loved things! A simple, less than two minutes, facial and body scrub you can make!



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Monday, August 10, 2015

My Toddler Broke My Phone & I am Thankful (Best Cell Phone Deals)


You, I bet, have not had a toddler break your phone...until now...

Like me.
(We have so much in common). 

Took the third kid to have a child break one of my cell phones.
It survived white water rafting in the Grand Canyon but not a toddler-- irony! 
Of course, it had the perfect timing too. 

I was traveling from my in laws house to my parents' house. 
Stopped off to a friends' place and that is when it happened. 

Doomed cell phone. Cue sad face and a lot of deep breaths.  

I was getting my toddler out of the car, helping him, with cell phone in the other hand, and he threw a fit and smacked my phone out of my hand... and it was doomed.

My Google Nexus, which I paid $300 for brand new, fell face first on the asphault. It had a protector on it. It had withstood drops/falls before. What happened this time?

My educated guess is that the heat from being in the car + the drop is what caused it. 

However, I was traveling.
That phone held numbers, address', pictures. I needed that phone.
I panicked because how would I get a hold of anyone?!

Maybe this is part of a bigger plan of learning to let go and unplug. 
I will admit, being unplugged in the Grand Canyon was awesome and cut short. 

Seriously, thank God I wrote down address' before I left. 
Thank God my phone broke as I got to my friends' house. 
He let me take his phone (ironically cracked as well but functioning with tape) and look up the directions from his place to my sisters' place and then to my parents' place. 

I did make it old school style, with using directions written down, but it does make you realise a few things. 

1) How much you rely on technology
2) How much more limited you are on "going on the fly" to do things because you can't look up things near you
3) How much some things need to be done old fashioned ways to save you headaches, esp when traveling. 

Most importantly, NEVER EVER will I ever (seriously!!) buy a phone full price again! 
Like Taylor Swift says: 
(Dear Cell Phone Biz/Companies) "We are never ever getting back together"

Why? 

I bought a $300 cell phone that when dropped and broken, I had insurance on. Now, the phone is not worth what the deductible is to replace the phone especially given what they send you is a refurbished phone. While some see no problems with that and I support that (recycling phones), charging a high price on it when you are making a lot of money on it, makes money sense but not consumer sense to me. A quick way to lose customers, especially when they figure out the game being played. 

I went and bought me an over the counter cell phone at Wal Mart. 
Honestly, I was leery of buying over the counter phones.
Worried about their capability and if they would work/last.
Not any more. 
They have gotten better. Plans are comparable. 
It was a smart phone. Android.
Synced my contacts. 
I can take pictures (have yet to truly test ability, quality, and quantity) 
I can check email.
I can text.

Why won't I ever pay $300 for a phone again?
I paid $35 for a smart phone and own it free and clear now.
Everything has a silver lining. 


If kids mess with it, oh well. It was $35. I can replace that (without a financial heart attack).
There are cheaper ones I will try and update you on.

So dear company, we are never ever getting back together!

I am calling as soon as I get the chance and will ask for all the money I have paid to insure my phone back or an upgrade to a better sturdier phone. 

Insurance on your phone is a rip off in my opinion.
Unless you plan on breaking the phone within 6-12 months, it is a rip off. 
Don't get it. 
By the time you need to replace your phone, your deductible will not be worth it. You will have more than paid for the phone as if it were brand new. 

Not happening in this house. Nope! 
No more. 

Just buy the pre paid phones and drop your SIM in to the phone and viola!
A great back up phone too when you need a phone. 

Also, carry a phone book with important numbers and addresses when you travel so you are not left adrift! 

I will update the blog as needed and will let you know the experience I have with this phone long term, but thus far, no issues. 
So far, sounds like a better deal and I am all about being smart with my money.

*Not paid for any of these opinions
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So..my toddler broke my cell phone and I learned a lot from it-- like how to save money! In the words of #TaylorSwift, "...
Posted by Via Bella on Monday, August 10, 2015
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Saturday, August 8, 2015

DIY: Make Any Patch Iron On (& How To Properly Iron On Patches)


 So, I received patches for my Girl Scout Troop 5823 for Thank You Day 2015. 
LOVE the program and the patch!
(Look it up).
I went to iron the patch on the "fun" (meaning her 1st one got full, so I had to buy another) tunic for my daughter, and lo and behold, I could not!

There was no iron on capacity on the back.
I therefore needed to come up with a way to iron it on before handing it out to parents or give them the know how to do it themselves.

Also, this is for any patch, not just for scouts!

You can use this for any patch, those that don't initially have iron on capacity or those patches that don't have the best iron on capacity (some do, but is so thin it does not work).

I will also show on this post how to iron a patch on so it stays! 
If you are a scout leader or scout parent, you know how valuable that information can be!

So here are the steps:
(less than 10-15 minutes and much easier than it looks, wanted to be detailed so you don't miss a step)


Step 1: 
Get all your materials together


 Step 2: 
Using a glue gun, slowly and evenly put hot glue on the entire back of the patch (not the border stitching).
* It is very important to do this quickly as the hot glue does dry quickly


Step 3:
Have your scout learn how to do it as well. 
Be there to guide them.


Step 4: 
If you look closely you can see the difference in the patches. 
Top one has no hot glue and you would have to sew on.
The middle one is the DIY one.
The bottom is the patch itself. 


Step 5: 
After it dries, choose your location to put the patch.


Step 6: 
After putting the patch to the side, iron the back for 45 seconds and then the front for 45 seconds before putting the patch back in the spot you chose. 


Step 7: 
Very carefully place your patch in it's spot. 
The glue will adhesive very quickly, so be careful as the spot will be hot.


Step 8: 
Put a white or light coloured cloth over the patch and put the iron on top. 
Let sit for a 30 seconds while on stand by. 
Then iron and follow the corners to make sure to get all parts of the patch.


Step 9: 
Flip the uniform over.
Put the wash cloth underneath.
Put the iron on for 15-30 seconds and be on standby.
Iron the entire patch and follow the corners. 
Flip again.


Step 10: 
After you flip it again, iron the entire patch quickly without the washcloth. 
Then follow the corners and press to get all the corners ironed on.
Let sit and dry for a few minutes.


VIOLA! 
In less than 10 minutes:
a) you have made a non iron patch into an iron patch
b) you saved money
c) You have ironed on your patch

Also, to be 100% that it stays on, and I say this to all my parents, iron them and sew them on.
It can be a pain and take a lot of time but it is absolutely worth it. 
These are keepsakes they will treasure forever. 

What handy thing do you do when putting patches on?
Comment Below...
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#DIY: Make any patch iron on & how to properly iron on patches so they stay! #savemoney #doneinminutesWhat is your...
Posted by Via Bella on Saturday, August 8, 2015
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Also, There are posts that are sponsored by companies/business' in which I review (and sometimes) giveaway products/books/services. Each relevant post will have the disclaimer.