Carolina Panthers Future Fanatic

This is my two year old who is become a fast future fanatic of the Carolina Panthers now that we've moved to the Charlotte area. He and his papa Brian cheer and shout for our Carolina Blue clad players. Here he is giving a big 'touchdown!!' shout while sporting his vintage Jake Delhomme jersey. 

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STEM Summer Camp at Club Scientific

We're several weeks into summer vacation and I'm beginning to hear the whispers of boredom from my 5 year old. 'What are we going to do TODAAAY Mom??' Apparently my fire juggling act from yesterday is going to be a tough one to top... In my search for an experience that was equal parts fun, excitement and education I came across a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) camp provided by South Charlotte Club Scientific. 

Club Scientific is a hands-on, minds-on, challenging science program for girls and boys (ages 4-14) that lays the foundation for creative minds and problem solvers of the future through art, science and engineering.  They believe that every child is a scientist and that they can make children even better scientists! The themes of the camp make ME want to enroll -Jr. Video Game Maker, Little Scientist, Robotics, Jurassic and Little Scientist just to name a few. Why didn't they have this kind of stuff when I was little?? Your budding scientists will carry out experiments, engage in team activities and see just how science works in the real world. Club Scientific's camp Directors are highly trained college graduates assisted by currently enrolled college students that have been trained by Club Scientific, and have a max 9:1 student counselor ratio. All counselors also have had background checks (yes - I AM that paranoid mama that had to inquire).
  

Lucky for us last minute moms - they still have spots available for their camps running the weeks of 7/28, 8/4 and 8/11. South Charlotte Club Scientific is located at the British American School of Charlotte in Ballantyne, near the intersection of 521 and 485. Camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm with the options for before and after care.

Even bigger bonus? When I spoke with the owner she offered a $25 coupon code for all MomAboutCharlotte.com and MomFavorites.com readers with the code: MOMMIES14 at registration! I love me some coupons.

I'm a scientist by trade, and I feel that involving your children in the STEM's at an early age and throughout their lives helps them build confidence, develop critical thinking and enjoy learning about their world. This camp may spark the imagination of YOUR future scientist or engineer! 

You can check out summer camps at South Charlotte Club Scientific here, 'like' their facebook here, or give them a call at 704-566-9001.  

British American School of Charlotte
7000 Enhaven Lane, Charlotte NC 28277 - See more at: http://www.southcharlotte.clubscientific.com/campLocations.php#sthash.DVUwbC9a.dpuf

Club Scientific is providing a camp experience for us to facilitate another blog about the experience at Club Scientific, but as always all opinions are my own.

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15 Ways Being a #SAHM is Like Living on an Episode of #OITNB

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

My sister and I, both stay-at-home-moms (SAHM), have just finished watching the second season of Orange is the New Black (OITNB) on Netflix after putting the kiddos to bed. After many laughs we started discussing all the ways that being a SAHM is like being on an episode of OITNB. There are many more, but here are our favorites..

1. It's customary to see food being thrown at meal time.

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

2. You never shower alone, and often there isn't any hot water left. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

3. You grow oddly comfortable with doing #1 or #2 while making eye contact with another human. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

4. Potty training exploits can often end with toddlers urinating on the floor like Crazy Eyes. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

5. Certain guards (dads) are constantly smuggling in contraband (candy) for the prisoners (kids).

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

6. We rarely get furlough unless it involves a trip to the grocery store or Costco.

Image captured from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Costco_SSF_aisle.JPG

7. During transport all kids are on lock down. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

8. Visitors are eagerly anticipated, but they usually can't stay very long. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

9. We are constantly yelling 'No Touching!' 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

10. The kids all have nicknames that aren't their given names (bubs, macaroni, Lilly-face)

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

11. Toddlers are always looking for an escape route from their child proofed areas. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

12. The picky eaters will often make you think they've joined the hunger strike with Soso and Sister Jane.

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

13. The territorial battle between V and Red have nothing on two toddlers locked on being in control of the iPad. 

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

14. Someone is always screaming in the background or cutting off your phone conversations.

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

15. We have our own SHU for bad behavior - TIME OUT!!

Image captured from OITNB on Netflix.com

Can you relate?? Comment below with your likenesses between life as a SAHM/Mom and OITNB!

Images captured from Netflix.com. 

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{WIN} Jamberry Nails Mommy Daughter Pedicure and Vlog

Welcome to our first vlog (video blog)! With summer upon us it's flip flop and sandal time causing toes to be bared. This is a great opportunity to feature one of my new favorite products - Jamberry Nail Wraps. My five year old and I are obsessed - check out what all the fuss is about by watching the vlog. 

If you want to get a jump on summer toes by purchasing a set of your own Jamberry Nails Wraps then click on over to www.HeatherBare.JamberryNails.net and check out Heather's selection of nail wraps. They offer wraps that are subtle, trendy, loud and even football - there is a wrap for everyone! You can also connect with her by 'liking' her on Facebook or follow her on Pinterest.

MomAboutCharlotte.com Disclosure: I was given a set of Jamberry Wraps and Jamberry Juniors to facilitate my review (but I was already obsessed with them) and I was also provided with a set for the giveaway from Heather. I only share what I love with my readers! 

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Pinspiration for the Master Bedroom

Hello, my name is Lareina and I'm a pinner.

Hello Lareina. 

Pinterest is my favorite go-to-place in my efforts to make dinner that's not baked chicken every night, and decorate my home so it doesn't look like I'm still in college.

Both are a challenge, because I don't enjoy cooking -  and with two kids I don't have as much time to shop for decor. So I've resorted to pinspiratons on Pinterest to tackle these endeavors and more.

Since moving into our house I've decorated and themed both of the kid's rooms, their bathroom and the common areas. But our poor master bedroom has been put on the back burner. I decided to do some pretty direct steals (pinspiration) from bloggers/decorators with far more talent than myself. 

Here is my first go at the wall over our master bed. All items were purchased at Hobby Lobby, except for the swirly frame which is from Michaels. The bed is from Wayfair.com, but I bought it for a reduced price on Joss&Main. The top is my pinspiration from HouseOfRoseBlog.com, the bottom is my go at it. 

I'll add pictures as I complete the room! 

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Carolinas Aviation Museum

Aaaa-bane! Aaaa-bane! (Airplane) My almost 2 year old shouts whenever we're outside and catch one skimming across the sky. Little boys just adore airplanes, so last Saturday we corralled the kids and headed to the Carolinas Aviation Museum.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum is located near the Charlotte airport. They offer a hands-on education workshop for kids several times a month. This Saturday they were making bottle rockets. The kids chose their water bottles and scrawled a rocket worthy design before handing it over to the professionals to load them with vinegar and toilet paper enclosed baking soda. They were put on the launching pad and - boom! They took off into the sky. You can see in the video below (please excuse my cackling laugh).

At the top of the hour we were able to get up close and personal with several airplanes behind the chain linked gates. We strolled through the gigantic hangar that houses over a dozen different types and sized planes. The Carolinas Aviation Museum has the plane that was part of the 'Miracle on the Hudson', on exhibition as well as a fighter plane like the one from Top Gun. The hubs and kids took turns posing for pictures in one of the fighter jets.

It was a fun and educational experience for everyone, the kids really loved the workshop and learning about all the different ways planes are used. The Carolinas Aviation Museum is hosting Time Warner Cable Night on Thursday, June 26th from 5-9pm. They are offering free admission with a current TWC bill and $4 for all others.

If you can't make it that Thursday night, then mark your calendars to bring the kiddos and check out one of their upcoming hands-on educational workshops.

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The Tail of My Little Mermaid

Do you remember the 80's movie Splash with Darryl Hannah, and her long blonde hair and exotic mermaid tail? It was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I loved the idea that an elegant mythical creature like a mermaid could exist and walk among us. I wanted to be a mermaid and explore the magical oceans with all of the unique sea creatures I'd only ever glimpsed from the other side of the aquarium glass.

When I saw that Brandy, owner of Wild Tails, was creating adorable swimmable mermaid tails (starting at $29.99), I wanted one for myself. How fun?! What a perfect idea for a long summer at the pool! Alas, I decided the neighbors at the pool probably already thought I was weird enough, and bought one for my 5 year old daughter instead.
 

The swim tails are made of durable swim-suit like material and can be ordered for your little mermaid (or merman) in several colors and patterns. My daughter chose hers in perfect purple. The cool thing about these tails are that they have a hidden foot hole so your mer-kid can walk around when not swimming like a fish. As always, caution should be taken when using the swimmable mermaid tail with young swimmers and all swimmers using the mermaid tails should be closely supervised by an adult. Per my paranoid mama M.O., we always stay within an arms length of our daughter any time she is in the water. 

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