DIY Headbands using your Silhouette machine

Just finished making our "Shop with Santa" gifts. If you don't know what it is, it is an event coming up on Saturday, December 1st where kids can shop for homemade gifts (made by 4-H families) with assistance from a 4-H member and have them wrapped by an adult. Most gifts are priced around $1-2. This allows kids to pick out affordable presents for their family and have it be a surprise.

My daughter and I made these together. You can see the other (Name) headbands I created in the post Silhouette Heat Transfer Gifts Created for Tweens. There are some other fun ideas there too.

Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp

"I loved it!!!! I definitely want to do this again next year."

That was the quote from my son when I picked him up after the last day of soccer camp. I had the unique opportunity of allowing him to go to camp for free in exchange for providing a review on my blog.

My son loves soccer. It was something he really wanted to play and he played summer and fall soccer last year in one town and then this past year he did spring soccer in a different town and then summer and will do fall soccer in the same town as last year. There is just something about soccer that he gravitates toward and when I told him I had the opportunity for him to take this camp that was half a day, 3 hours a day, he was very excited about it.

He had a week break from Summer soccer and then it was back on the field again for this British Soccer Camp in a completely different town then the two he has done soccer in before.



 It was a great camp for building both skills and character. The camp does lots and lots of drills of various kinds but they also play games against each other. This particular Camp had 15 participants ranging in age from 6 to 12 with most of them being six seven or eight years of age.

On the first day of camp when they start playing games against each other they are split into teams. My son was on Team Brazil. Because there wasn't an even number of participants there had to be one team with only three players and the rest had four, his was that team but they didn't let themselves be defeated by having a smaller number. Coach Oli told them about the World Cup and how they would be playing for their own World Cup but they didn't earn points just on winning games they also earned it by showing good character and good sportsmanship having good Hustle and participating in the extra activities he asked them to do at home.

The other activities they were asked to do was to learn more about there team countries period on one day they were asked to come up with three different

facts to share with the group. And another day they were asked to bring or make their team country flag. These were optional activities but help them score more points for their World Cup status. It also gave them the opportunity to learn more about other parts of the world that play soccer.

During this 3-hour can they had the opportunity to take multiple water breaks which was much needed on the first 3 days that was temperature in the 80s and relatively high humidity those days. Then about two hours into Camp they would take a 15 minute break to have a snack that they brought.

The first day of camp was a bit of chilly and drizzle weather but they still play and kids just dress appropriately for the weather. They only cancel or delay Camp is if there is lightning. The last day of camp could not have had more perfect weather with temps between 65 +72 during the duration of the camp.

On the last day of camp the kids received their Camp t-shirts that are included in the fee. They also received a poster that had comments from the coach on the back side with ideas of what they can work on and what they did well at an additional General comments from the coach. On the first day of camp they received they're British soccer camp soccer ball and brought that with them to Camp every day.

When you register online through Challenger sports at least 45 days in advance you have the opportunity to get a jersey for the cost of just shipping and handling which was $7.95. I did buy one for my son and he was the only child who had one but the coach had the same Jersey and so every night I had to wash that Jersey so that my son could wear to Camp so he would match his coach who he looked up to as a role model.

There was the opportunity to add on a half-day goalie Camp after the morning soccer camp which I opted not to do because I thought 3 hours might already be enough for my son but after this year we have now talked about that we might pay that additional small fee to have him do the goalie camp and learn how to be a better goalie. He has been a timid goalie in the past but he gained some confidence in being a goalie during this camp and I can only imagine if he has spent more time practicing goalie skills how much he would have improved.

The skills of the kids at the camp ranged greatly from kids who had never really done soccer before two kids who had a fair amount of experience in soccer.

Because the smaller number of kids on a team it meant they couldn't separate into offense and defense like he did during his soccer games in spring and summer. Each kid had to play both offense and defense and run the field the entire time unless they were the goalie. Since my son's team only had three people on it if he was on the field it meant he had to work very hard and had plenty of opportunity to make cool shots, which he did and he was very pleased to be experiencing what it was like to be successful on the offense.

This year he had tended to gravitate towards wanting to play defense most often and does a good job at at but he gravitates towards that because he feels successful there. This Camp really made him think about the positions differently and experience them differently. And because the teams were smaller and they had to play the entire field the fields were about half the size then they would have been when he plays soccer on the school teams.

I do plan to look for Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp to sign him up in the future. If you want to find out which communities are hosting them you can find it on the Challenger sports website.

Next year he may just try goalie Camp as well. I am not sure if the opportunity will be there for me to review this Camp again but I know there is a possibility that I can sign up to be a coach post and then the your child gets to attend the camp for an $80 discount (will cover about half the price of a half day camp.)

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Harlem Globetrotters Game at SCSU

We had the opportunity to go see the Harlem Globetrotters again tonight. We took my son last year and he had a blast. Last year we saw it at Target Center and it will be there this weekend as well. We went to see it at Saint Cloud State University as it was mostly on our way up North and it gave my daughter the opportunity to see a game as well. She was bummed that she missed it last year.

The Harlem Globetrotters are also going to be in Duluth and Rochester Minnesota this week as well. So if you are in other parts of the state and not in the cities you have a chance to go see it as well.

The score showed here is from half-time. And a couple of selfies with my kids individually and a family picture above. I had seen the Globetrotters once before when I was in high school. I think a lot of people have memories of seeing it from their youth because the Harlem Globetrotters have been around for a long time. In fact, this year is their 90th year anniversary. It was certainly a good experience to be able to share this with our kids and they can have a shared memory of when they saw the Globetrotters that they might share with their own family in the future.

My husband and I both remember that there was a lot more tricks during the game and ball spinning and more basketball playing then skips throughout the game. We all agreed they don't need to Mike the person that is blowing a whistle because that is too loud. We enjoyed our seats at Target Center more than at st. Cloud State University because we had seat backs there. At the University general admission was sitting on bleacher seats. After a two hours of entertainment you start to get a sore back. 

Here is just a picture of all the official merchandise that is available for purchase. They offer three different types of basketballs including a mini basketball for $20 a regular size basketball for $25 and a game ball basketball for $60. You can also buy jerseys and shorts a stuffed Globie, sweatband (cheapest item at $10) and t-shirts. At the end of the game they do an autograph session and you can bring any of this to get signed.

Check out the Harlem Globetrotters with your family and friends too!

British Soccer Camps for ages 3-18 - Get a free jersey, ball, t-shirt & poster!

British Soccer Camps are the most popular soccer camp in the US. With an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, The British Soccer Camp provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert's right in the heart of their own community. In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun your child can have learning the sport they love! Enroll you child in a British Soccer Camp today

REGISTER FOR CAMP & GET FREE SOCCER JERSEY, SOCCER BALL, T-SHIRT & a POSTER with code: CAMP17 

REGISTER HERE!!!

If you live near me, the 2 closest camps are in Northfield and in Byron. Both programs have half day morning programs for ages 6-16 and a First Kicks program for ages 3-5 that is one hour long. There is also an add-on camp for Golden Goal that is in the afternoon. The half day camp is in the morning. There are LOTS of camps in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota, in fact there are over 30 communities hosting British Soccer Camp.

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Faribault Archery Club

Did you know there are programs out there where your child can be taught archery? They may even provide the necessary equipment, like the Faribault Archery Club does. My daughter started out taking weekly lessons several years ago at a different club, but then a friend told us about this one and they lesson have a longer duration and are on a drop-in basis so we didn't need to worry about committing to a weekly lesson if we had other things to do, and this we sure do between cheerleading, swim, cabin time and other obligations.

Archery is something that may be available as a club or sport in some schools like they are around here. Kids can even participate in Regional shooting tournaments and move on from there. Archery might be an interest a kid might have and not even know they could be good at. The Fariabult Archery Club offer a Kids Shooting Event every Saturday, January - March. There is no need to commit to going to a set number of lessons. They could come every week or just once. Also, once every month they have a 3D shoot (3D animals, not paper targets) that they can shoot at on Saturday or come later on Saturday or on Sunday to shoot their first round for free (adults do have to pay).

There are even some 4-H organizations that will teach your children archery. It's worth checking out if there is a club, 4-H or school that teachs archery to kids. Who knows, they could be the next Katniss Everdeen!

Water Balloon Baseball

This is a super fun way to get wet and run around without having to feel like someone is giving up on you in a water balloon fight. Our rules were that if you hit the water balloon and broke it you were able to run the bases and score a point for yourself. Parents did the pitching and the kids competed against each other. We used an old stump as a Podium for winter pictures. It was a fun variation on playing with water balloons that allowed the kids to get wet and allow for the parents to play with their kids but not have to get wet.

Thrifty Thursday: FREE Youth Bowling Classes at J&J Bowling & OTHER FREE CLASSES

This if for the bowling alley in Faribault, MN called J&J Bowling, but I encourage you to call your closest bowling alley and see if they offer youth bowling class and if they have a free trial class. J&J Bowling is offering a free class before the start of each league, which is a good way for kids to try it out and see if this is something they might like. Bowling classes with peers can be a very different experience than when they have gone to birthday parties at the bowling alley or going bowling with their family.

I really appreciate when organizations offer a free trial class. If you think your child might be interested in trying a sport, ask if they have a free trial class day, they just might. Besides bowling, I have also seen free tennis lesson trial day around us.

Or ask up front what their refund policy is if after 1 or 2 classes if your child doesn't enjoy the class and doesn't want to pursue it. I did this with swim team (which my daughter does enjoy and has begun her 2nd year on swim team and just moved up a level) and while they don't advertise a trial basis, I asked about one and they were willing to let her try it out for 2 weeks and just hold my check until after that. I wouldn't have known if I didn't ask.

If they are interested in gymnastics, maybe see if they have an open gym time that you can drop-in to to just try out the equipment once without signing up for a whole class yet.

I have also seen around us that one of the figure skating places has a "Bring a Friend FREE" day as part of their classes. So, you might want to talk among your friends (post on FB if that works) and see who you know that might be offering it.

I also just learned of a Martial Arts class that I am going to enroll my son in that you pay every class they attend (plus a $5 reg fee at the first class). So, if after a couple classes I am only out the $5 reg fee and not the rest of the weeks in the session.

Come back on Oct 2nd and I am going to share some information about free hockey lessons in our area for ages 3-10.

Let me know if you live in our area and what more information about the places I have referenced and I will get you information. If you don't live around me, just ask. You might never know if you don't ask.

GIVEAWAY (3 WINNERS!!!) and Review: Online Martial Arts Classes

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I was pretty excited to get the opportunity to  review the online classes of Martial Arts for Kids with my son. For the last year and a half he has been taking Tae Kwon Do classes through a community education program, but in the summer they don't offer them through community education and if I keep his preschool schedule next year as I have it set up, he won't be able to take it at all because the schedule is built around the school schedule of the community it is in, which is not where we live and it doesn't work with our school schedule. So, I thought this would be a good way for him to continue learning about martial arts in the flexibility of our home and around our schedule.

Our home is no stranger to online classes, we have done online classes for other things we want to learn. They are a great way to fit them to your own schedule and to work at your own pace.  With Martial Arts for Kids, you pay only $27 and you have lifetime access to 13 classes, a student handbook, and a Certificate of Completion when you are finished. My son is looking forward to being able to print off that Certificate and I assured him we had nice paper to print it on. He wants to show off and be proud of his accomplishment. Like I said, you can work at your own pace. What I haven't told you is that you can replay them over and over and over until you feel you have really mastered the technique. Or better yet, you can have multiple kids take the classes and play them over and over for them.

Some of the classes are quite short and some are the length of a traditional class that my son might take. The total length of all the classes does equal about what 5 classes are through the community education program and at about the same cost, but the benefit is that we can fit this in to our schedule this summer and next school year. This is a beginner class, so no prior knowledge is needed. I really like martial arts for my son because it teaches him respect, patience and how to control his own body.

Also, you can access these classes iPad, iPhone and Android, as well as on your computer.

I have the opportunity to award some of my readers, 3 of you to be precise, with your own FREE enrollment in the class. ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW!!!

3 WINNERS!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wordless Wednesday: Sledding at Straight River Park

Wordless Wednesday: Ice Skating at Medford Ice Park

I feel very fortunate that our little city decided to put the ice park in again this year. There are 2 rinks, one for skating and one for ice hockey and we have a staffed warming house (during staffed hours). It is a nice addition to our community and I think it helps develop pride in our community and support community involvement, especially among families. I hope we can get there many more times this season to skate!

Wordless Wednesday: Tubing at Buckhill

I took my daughter Tubing at Buckhill for her first time. The weather was wonderful at 40 degrees. Hard to believe we were -18 on Monday.

$5 Friday - Kayaking & Canoeing

Ok, technically I didn't pay anything to kayak, except maybe $5 in gas money to get me there if we want to get technical. I own my kayak and paddle & life jacket, so I had it to bring along. We went kayaking at Sakatah State Park in Waterville, MN. State Parks in MN do have an admission free of $5 a daily or a yearly pass for $25. So, if you had your own kayak & supplies you would only pay $5 to enter. We have a yearly state park pass, which we have used many times over now so that our cost per use is probably around $3 right now.

My friend who I went kayaking with did not own one, but she could rent one from the park office (pictured above) and the cost of that came out to less than $5 for 2 hours. It was $10 for up to 4 hours (so, you can't really pay for 2 hours) or $20 for 4 - 8 hours. It is the same price for a canoe that you can have up to 4 people in, so in that case you would end up paying $2.50 a person for 4 hours. Good deal! All paddles & life jackets are included.

Of course there are other places you can rent kayaks and canoes from, but I am giving you an idea on a place to do it that helps you save some green in your pocketbook.

Review: Eclipse Sun Sleeves

I was so excited when I found out I was being sent a pair of Eclipse Sun Sleeves for free to review them on my blog. Sleeves were not even on my radar as a product I needed for outdoors sports until I started training for my first half marathon. It was then that I noticed on my my running partners would wear them as a layer.

We were training in the winter and spring and she wore them as a layer when her jacket became too warm but still needed another a layer on her arms after taking off her jacket in the winter. Then in the spring it was the only layer that she had on her arms that she wore for some protection from the wind and sun and then could easily remove them and tuck in her pockets if she wanted. I admit, I was jealous. It is a brilliant idea and I saw so many people wearing them, including the 2 friends I was running that half marathon with. It was the product I didn't know that I always wanted.

Eclipse Sun Sleeves are not a one-size fits all product, like so many other sleeves are. And why should they be? We don't all have the same size arms and hands. If my husband wore a one-size sleeve and then I did, it would probably be stretched out, not to mention it would probably cut off his circulation at the top of his arm. I was able to choose the correct size I needed that is fitted to my body and fits over my hand. Speaking of hands, I love that there is a thumb hole to use and then your sleeves cover over your wrists and part of your hands. As someone with long arms, having your wrists exposed is annoying, so I love that it has the feature that keeps the sleeve in place over your hand.

I was also able to choose the color I wanted. I chose aqua because I was trying to match it to much of my biking gear. In the pictures I am wearing one of my biking tops and my biking jacket is a simialr jacket as well. My road bike is white but has a teal-aqua detailing. I am not sure it matters at all to y performance but I feel better when my clothes looked somewhat coordinated and if I feel better, I have to believe I will perform better.

They are easy to put on and off and are made of a dri-fit material that keeps your skin cool in the summer and warmer in the winter and wicks away sweat from your skin, in addition to being a SPF 50 material and offering your skin protection from the sun without added bulk or weight.

I also really like that they are a Made in the USA product and is machine washable. As a busy mom I don't have time for dry-clean or handwash products and when you sweat in something you are washing it often, so who wants to the hassles of anything that can't be machine washed.


I also love how long they are, which is part of the sizing feature, I can pull them all the way up under my shirt sleeve so that I don't have any skin exposed between my sleeve of my shirt and the Eclipse Sun Sleeve.

You can buy Eclipse Sun Sleeves on their website or on Amazon.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.