Mommy * Page 5 of 13 * Little Miss…

During our visit to Sweet Petes Candy Shop, we decided to get some food at the new 10/6 Grille. It has an Alice in Wonderland which is one of my favorite stories. My husband’s birthday is coming up soon and I was hoping that this would be somewhere we’d be able to take him for brunch that day because it was so different than your average restaurant.

The decoration inside the restaurant is done well and captures the essence of the Lewis Carrol classic. It’s whimsical and fun which also works perfectly with

Sweet Petes. The concept of the two businesses fit well together.

I thought the set up of the keys, clocks, hearts, and chairs on the ceiling was a nice touch to the Alice in Wonderland decor. The kids loved the look of the restaurant!

The Menu

Our Order

It was 11 am, and the kids aren’t big breakfast eaters so they decided to go with lunch. My daughter chose the cheeseburger and fries while my son chose the chicken tenders and fries. I wasn’t super hungry and had been wanting some beignets so when I noticed them on the menu I couldn’t help but get them.

The burger was good, my daughter wasn’t thrilled because it had cheddar cheese on it but she really loved the fries and ranch dressing. The chicken fingers (as well as the fries) were really good and were a hit with my son. The beignets looked fantastic and were cut into these adorable hearts covered with powdered sugar and included a fruit puree on the side. However, the taste was where things took a turn. It is very possible it was an off day or an off order but it tasted like the beignets were fried in the same oil as fish. I had excitedly tried one and was quickly done.

It was early when we went in so they weren’t super busy however it did seem to take a longer than average time to get our food. Then again, sometimes with well-done burgers, it does seem to take longer so that could have played a part. By the time the food came my 6-year-old was getting good and hangry and I was having to start threatening that I would pay for our drinks and we would go home.

Thoughts on the 10/6 Grill

It’s really cute inside and as I mentioned the chicken fingers were really good. There were a couple other menu items that I think would be worth trying there and am open to going back again one day. I think because it is Alice in Wonderland theme I had built it up in my mind a lot and was let down a little. The only thing I can say for sure is that I won’t try the beignets again.

Have you tried the 10/6 Grill? Have a favorite dish?

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Alice in Wonderland DIY Table Alice in Wonderland Themed Baby Shower

It can be frustrating and hard to find beauty products that work. It is helpful when you can find a person who has actually used the product and can give an opinion on it. As a mom, I tend to pick and choose when I spend on myself carefully so it’s also important to me that I don’t just buy stuff. That is why I decide to share some of my absolute favorite products. This isn’t a sponsored post, however, for convenience, there are some links (including a couple affiliate ones) in case you are interested in them, but they are products that I tend to always have on hand and have even used as gifts. These are my must have beauty products worth buying.

6 Must-Have Beauty Products

Heir Atelier Lip Primer

If you hate wearing lipstick because of the way it feels dry on your lips this product solves that! As you can see by the mini lipstick from Bobbi Brown I previously didn’t wear a whole lot of lipstick… that one came in a sample. It works great under lipstick or even alone to be completely honest. Heir Atelier Lip Primer helps to moisturize your lips and leave them feeling silky smooth.

Best Primer- Heir Atelier Face Primer

It is all about the base! I was in Sephora one time and overheard trainee ask an associate “what is a good kind of make-up for me to buy and wear?” The associate replied, “Honestly, it doesn’t matter which kind you buy, it’s all about the skin you are putting the makeup on and a using a high quality primer.” This primer gives your skin a smooth feel and makes sure your makeup goes on nice and evenly. The Heir Atelier Face Primer is one of the only primers I have used where I have noticed a difference on how my makeup looks with it vs without it.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Do you have an issue with makeup rubbing off on your shirt? If you have never had it happen to you count yourself lucky! I have bought high-end makeup and still had a problem with this until I tried Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation. There is no rub off or transfer that happens…which is a big deal when you’ve had to deal with makeup stains on white shirts. It has a medium coverage (so you don’t look like you have a mask on). It does feel thick but on your skin, it does not feel cakey or weighed down.

Younique Moodstruck 4D Mascara

This mascara will make your eyelashes pop! I have a friend who sells Younique makeup (check her out on Facebook- Younique by Charity) which is why I tried it to begin with. Well, that and I’m always on the lookout for good mascara. This one is as close to it looks like I bought false lashes as I’ve ever come across. It’s definitely worth a try and as a bonus you’ll be happy to know that Younique supports fighting sexual abuse through their Younique Foundation and Defend Innocence.

Kendra Blow Dry Spray

This stuff is a lifesaver for those of us with thick hair. If there is one hair product that I would say is a MUST have, it’s this one. It cut my blow dry time in half and it doesn’t take as much effort to get it all dry using the Kendra Blow Dry Spray. It is light and smells so good! I’ve used this for a couple years now and was introduced to it by my hair dresser. She was amazed at the amount of time it saved to dry my hair as well.

Brazilian Blowout Acai Brazilian Dry Oil

Acai Brazilian Dry Oil is another product that is fantastic for women with thick hair. It helps to smooth hair and make it feel soft and touchable. My hair is naturally curly and course so just a pump to a pump ½ works great without making my hair look oily. For those with not so thick hair it could feel too heavy or if too much is used, make it feel oily. It’s one of those products where a little goes a long way for sure. A friend of mine who has much thinner hair than mine had purchased it but felt it left her hair feeling heavy which is how I got my first bottle of the dry oil.

Kopari Coconut Body Milk Lotion

This Coconut Lotion is like magic to dry skin. I follow The Chic Mamas on Instagram and she talks a lot about skin care. She has three young kids so I figured who better to ask about my son’s super dry skin? It was so bad he was scratching and leaving marks on his back so I asked her if there was something she’d recommend for really dry skin and she mentioned Kopari Coconut Body Milk. I bought some and within days I could see a big difference. My skin gets dry in the winter especially, causing my legs to itch and this lotion takes care of that. It has a light scent and isn’t greasy. My husband was working with some concrete so his hands were very dry and he used some of this and was amazed at how much it helped. He swears by it. He has tried using Aquaphor to help the dryness and it took a few days to help whereas with this there was a difference almost immediately. Which says a lot because we are big fans of Aquaphor too.

Have you tried any of these? Let me know your thoughts or favorite products!

Don’t forget to Pin the image below! 🙂

There’s no denying the benefit of reading for kids. Whether reading to your toddler or an older kid reading themselves, the benefits have been shown many times. It can be fun to sit and read books as a family or as a bedtime routine.

Now that school has started and my youngest is in kindergarten, we’ve been reading a lot more. Below are some great books to read with your kids that are even fun for kids (who can read) to do so out loud, which by the way is also helpful when there are younger siblings. They are a sure way to help increase your child’s love of reading and will entertain you both along the way!

The Legend Of Rock Paper Scissors

Author: Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex

You’ve played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began . . .

This book is clever and full of sharp wit! It is the story (well an imaginary one) of how the legend of the popular kids game Rock, Paper, Scissors came to battle and who vanquishes whom. It’s entertaining and includes some silly “trash talk” with others who want to fight each competitor. The book is filled with fun silly scenarios. Paper battles a printer, Scissors challenges a tape dispenser and Rock challenges an apricot, just to name a few of the battles you’ll read.

There are sayings like “drop that underwear and battle me, you ridiculous wooden clip man!” (said by Rock to a clothespin) that will have kids rolling with laughter. It leads up to the point where each (Rock, Paper and Scissors) meet their match. Each is incredibly happy and grateful to have met a worthy opponent.

The book is best read out loud and don’t worry, the expressive fonts and incredible illustrations will help you get into character to read it. You may even find yourself putting on a full performance as you read it! This is definitely one of those books that is fun for kids and adults!

Mother Bruce

Author: Ryan T. Higgens

Bruce is a grumpy bear that becomes a parent to baby geese. In life, Bruce gets enjoyment out of cooking eggs. He’s particularly fond of “free-range organic” eggs. He spends his time collecting eggs from around the forest and looking up recipes online. One day however, four of his eggs hatch baby geese and they are convinced that Bruce is their mother.

He tries his best to rid himself of the baby geese but they are not going so he takes on his role as Mother Bruce. It even follows them from “annoying baby geese” to the struggles Bruce faces with “stubborn teenage geese” all the way to “boring adult geese” who don’t understand the concept of migration so Bruce finds a solution. The book is cute and comical, parents will be able to relate to some of the concepts and kids will find them funny as well.

More Reviews of Mother Bruce

Extension Activities with this book

There’s a Monster in Your Book

Author: Tom Fletcher

Some books were made to be read out loud.

A monster has invaded the pages of your book! You have to try and get him out by following interactive instructions such as tilting, spinning and shaking the book to get the mischievous little monster out. What do you do once he’s out though?

This bedtime story is fun and is great to read to your child. The book does a great job of being exciting but also helping your child get ready for bed. If your child is a new reader this is a great book for them to read out loud for practice. The book’s fun and interactive making reading feel less like work and more like a discovery. No worries, after the excitement of getting the monster out of the book it does wind down to bring calm to bedtime.

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The after-school chaos can make it tough to get everyone settled down for homework. The right study area can help your kids get comfortable and stay focused. If you’re worried because you only have a corner of the living room to dedicate to homework, there’s hope. While a separate room is ideal, it’s in no way absolutely necessary for a successful study area. We’ve got a few tips to help you get started.

You can’t set up a study area just anywhere. It should be somewhere that’s fairly quiet. However, if you don’t have an unused nook or cranny, you can make one. Is there a corner of your family room or kitchen that’s relatively dead space? Or an area that’s away from foot traffic? Sometimes entryways have an unused corner or you can convert part of a formal dining room.

If you really don’t have any extra space, consider setting up a cart with everything your child needs. Once it’s study time, you can roll the cart out to the kitchen table. It may not be ideal, but it will help get your child transition into homework mode and get some work done.

Declutter

You’ve decided on the space, now it’s time to declutter. Clutter can actually contribute to anxiety and depression. It probably doesn’t bother your children as much as it does you. However, you want their study space to be as distraction-free as possible. If there’s already furniture, make room for a desk and chair. For those of you cleaning an entire room or loft, have three boxes labeled keep, throw, and donate to make the sorting easier.

Stock It Right

Now for the fun part. You can really tailor this space to your children. A desk or table and comfortable chair are a must. Children with attention issues or autism may need a special chair or other equipment to help them focus.

Children will use anything, like wandering through the house looking for a ruler, as an excuse to get out of homework. Stock this area with all the supplies your child might need. You can also have a few fun supplies so your child can be creative—glue, scissors, markers, and plenty of paper.

Older children may need a charging station for their devices while younger kids may need a file cabinet for all of their artwork. A wastepaper basket is also a good idea if you want to keep everything clean and tidy.

Set the Right Atmosphere

Part of setting up a good study area is understanding how your children learn. Some children love studying to music while others don’t. After sitting at a desk all day, some kids may prefer the sofa or floor over more time at a desk. Provide a few options to give your kids some variety.

It can be hard for some kids to focus, especially after a long day at school. Calm and quiet is the most helpful. If you have younger children who don’t have to do homework, set out puzzles, crayons, and paper, or books to reduce noise levels.

Conclusion

Once you’ve got everything set up, it might take some adjustments to get it just right. Have fun. Involve your kids if you want. Your children may not love to study, but a space that’s designated specifically for them might help alleviate a few battles.

About the Author:

Heather Viera is a lifestyle expert and researcher for FamilyLivingToday.com. She is dedicated to achieving a balanced lifestyle, even with two small children and a full-time career. In the little free time she has, she enjoys hiking with her partner and taking her dog to the beach.

The word stems from the Greek word ennea (nine) and grammos (a written symbol). You just pictured the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding didn’t you?

Back to the question- The nine-pointed Enneagram symbol is used to represent nine distinct strategies for relating to one’s self, others and the world. Each one of these types has a different pattern of thinking, feeling and acting that comes from a deeper inner motivation or view.

How does The Enneagram Relate to Me?

I find it absolutely fascinating that answering a few questions I can get insight on my deeper inner thoughts and feelings. To put it differently, I can better understand the answers to why I do things, feel things in situations. It’s not that the test told me I was something that I didn’t know, it is that it said here are your tendencies; this is where you have strengths and this is your weakness.

Once you understand your Enneagram type, you can then study other people’s and how you relate to them. What you perceive one way someone else does totally different. It can help you see it from their point of view.

Do you ever find yourself feeling like you’re being held back from creating the life you want because of fear and self-doubt? Feeling like you want to improve but don’t know where or how to begin? The Enneagram can help you understand and create a roadmap that best works for you to reach your goals and gain confidence. That being said, it’s not an excuse. “Oh well, I’m this way because I’m a (insert Enneagram Type).” Once you understand the type there are ways and methods to help you learn how to best strengthen those areas of weakness.

How I found Enneagram Personality Test

It’s funny how scary accurate it can be. My sister had taken the test online and told me about it so I decided to give it a try. Because it nailed my personality, it also allowed me to look at the other types and relate them to people in my life which gave me a better understanding of the best methods of communication with those people.

My Top 3 types were: Type 5, Type 3, and Type 6. My wings were 5w4 and 5w6.

Test Online

There are various test out there, I’ve taken a couple and they gave me the same conclusions. The ones that I used were free. There’s The FAST Enneagram Testas well as Your Enneagram Coach. There is also a paid test ($10) through Enneagram Institute.

The Nine Types

The Reformer- the rational and idealistic type, principled, purposeful, self-controlled.
The Helper- the caring and interpersonal type, generous, people-pleasing
The Achiever (or Motivator)-the success oriented and pragmatic type, adaptable, excelling
The Creative (or Individualist)- the sensitive and withdrawn type, dramatic, temperamental
The Investigator (or Thinker)- the intense and cerebral type, innovative, perceptive
The Loyalist (or Skeptic)- the committed and security oriented type, responsible, engaging,
The Enthusiast (or Generalist)- the extroverted and spontaneous type, versatile, acquisitive
The Challenger (or Leader)- the powerful and dominating type, self-confident, decisive
The Peacemaker- the easy going and self-effacing type, reassuring, complacent, receptive.

It’s common to see some of yourself in all nine types, although one should stand out as be the closest to yourself.

Enneagram Wings

Not only do you have your main type, but it has been found that usually you will have characteristics of one of the types that lie adjacent to your main type. This is known as a “wing.” For example, you may be a type 5 and have a wing of a 4 or 6. This would be shown as a “5w4” and “5w6.” If you do not have a dominant wing, it is said that the wings are balanced.

Enneagram Instagram Accounts to Follow

Your Enneagram Coach Instagram– This Instagram account has a lot of good information and post about supporting other types. It focuses especially on marriages.

Social Enneagram– This Instagram account is all about conversation! There is tons of helpful and insightful information. Definitely a favorite to check out!

Enneagramandcoffee– This is another favorite account with lots of great information. Including…. Disney Princess Enneagrams!! Yes, I said Disney Princess!

It’s amazing how it can help you better understand yourself and the people you interact with. Enneagram is a fantastic way to help you do that! What’s your type?