Summer 2014 Ice Cream Tour #7- Country Style

Yes, we still have more places to try for ice cream in this area!   YUM! 

This week we went to Country Style where they had old fashion and soft serve ice cream.   

I fell in love with the little store.  The colors are awesome and the hanging doors are a great decorative touch.   They also had two separate sections with a comfy leather couch and chair.  :)  This is a place where I would want to come back because I enjoy the atmosphere. 

Back to the ice cream!  Everyone gave it a thumbs up!   My husband and our church intern both ordered a quart of ice cream and they ate it all!   How can someone sit down and eat an entire quart of ice cream?  

Yes, with all this ice cream eating we are trying to burn those calories!   We went for a nice walk on one of the walking path's in Davenport! 

The Ozeri Body Tape Measure and Body Fat Test Caliper Combo Pack REVIEW

• Package includes a Body Tape Measure for waist, thigh, arm and other physique measurements, and a Body Fat Test Caliper to confirm weight management progress as your muscles grow and your unwanted body fat goes away.
• Body Tape measures up to 78 inches (200 cm), and features push-button locking and retraction for easy and accurate measuring.
• Body Fat Test Caliper employs a simple and time-tested mechanical means of determining body fat, without relying on electrical and battery powered devices.
• Body Tape measures in both inches (in) and centimeters (cm), and is made of ABS with a vinyl tape for long lasting use.
• Body Fat Test Caliper includes a body fat chart for men and women that categorizes and helps you understand your body fat levels.

Product Description

The Ozeri Body Tape Measure and Body Fat Test Caliper empower you with the critical tools needed to measure and track your weight management program. These tools provide a simple and accurate method of determining your waist and other critical measurements, along with your actual body fat. Measuring in both inches and centimeters the Body Tape measures up to 78 inches (200 cm), features push-button locking and retraction for easy and accurate measuring, and is constructed with a durable ABS Cover and Vinyl Measuring Tape for long lasting use. The Body Fat Test Caliper employs a simple and time-tested mechanical means of determining body fat, without relying on electrical and battery powered devices. It includes a body fat chart for men and women that categorizes and helps you understand your body fat levels. Best of all, the Ozeri Body Tape Measure and Body Fat Test Caliper take seconds to use, and everything can be done from the convenience and privacy of your home. Simply EVERYTHING you need, backed by Ozeri's 100% Hassle-Free Satisfaction Guarantee.

My Review:
If you are ready to set some goals for weight loss and healthy eating it might be a good idea to get some numbers for measurement to see the changes that your body makes. 

The caliper is easy to use but it does give a little pinch.   There are detailed directions to show you how and where to measure yourself.  

The price for this packaged is currently onsale so head over to Amazon and pick it up today. 

Children's Museum-Minnesota

Still trying to catch up on some posts from the fun we had when we were visiting family in Wisconsin and Minnesota.   I finally took my kids to the St. Paul Children's museum!   I don't remember the last time I went... has to be when I was a kid.

The kids had a ton of fun playing in the water area.  There were several water stations from boats to bubbles to balls floating.

Put on some costumes and get creative with your imagination.  I love watching my kids role play.      

 Thomas the Train was an exhibit there and my son loves trains so he was a happy camper.  There was a huge set of train tracks and trains for the kids to play with.  Then there was a section about the history of Thomas the Train.  I learned a lot! 

My favorite exhibit was the ant area.   They created a pretend ant hill so the kids could climb around and pretend they are ants.   I will admit my knees were very sore at the end of the day from crawling around! 

Book Review: The Berenstain Bears- God Shows the Way

Now in a convenient 3 stories in one collection, young readers will learn from the Berenstain Bears just how important it is to serve and love one another. Written in level one of the I Can Read standards, this bind-up of stories from the Berenstain Bears Living Lights I Can Read series is sure to please young, emergent readers as well as parents and grandparents looking for good quality reading that will help practice early reading skills as well as teach lessons about serving and caring for others. Included in this collection are the following titles: Faith Gets Us Through, Have No Fear, God Is Near, and Piggy Bank Blessings. 

Faith Get's Us Through: The Bear Scouts are ready to earn their Cave Adventure Merit Badges.  How will Scout master Papa Bear help the cubs.  
This first book in the series had me laughing at Papa bear as he shows his confidence but after many hurdles finally gets out of the cave.  My children enjoyed the laughs through this story but it also was great to teach about faith and trust.   

Have no Fear, God is Near:  Sister Bear has overcome many fears like bugs, big dogs and storms.   But even with the reminder that God is always watching over her, there are some things that still scare the young cub. Will sister remember to trust in God when something spooky startles her?  
I enjoyed this story because many kids still have a fear even when they know and understand that God is near them.   My daughter is 6 and is very afraid of anyone in a costume when you can't see the person's face.   Going to parades and amusement parks has turned into uncontrollable shaking and crying from her.   She has had this fear for as long as I can remember.   It is very strange because she never had a bad or scary experience in her past.   In fact we have never ever done Santa or Easter bunny pictures.   We have always avoided them and always kept our focus on the true meaning for the holiday.  I like this story because it shows sister bear overcoming the fear!   

The last one is Piggy Bank Blessings:  Mama Bear thinks it is time to teach the cubs about saving money for something special.   Even the Bible says each one of us should put aside some of our earnings!   But will the bugs listen to Mama and Scripture, or will they spend their money on things they do not need? 
This story is great in teaching saving but I wish it would have touched more on our tithe to the Lord.   

Overall these books are fantastic and I love that they are the "I can Read" easy readers.   My daughter is still learning to read and these books are a great encourager to her.  This book was just released in June so go pick it up today

Summer 2014- Ice Cream Tour #6- Nelson's Ice Cream in Minnesota

This is already #6 in our Ice Cream tour!  Yes this is Nelson's Ice Cream and there are only two locations for this family run business, Stillwater Minnesota and St. Paul Minnesota.  

If you are looking for old fashion ice cream and a huge portion then this is the place to go!   Nelson's offers over 40 flavors of ice cream and the amount you get huge and the price is fantastic! 

We all ordered the kid size and none of us finished the monster portion size.   

So since my ice cream was overflowing the cup I put half of it in a bowl.   I finished all of the monster cookie flavor but became to full to eat the butter brickle flavor.  I loved the monster cookie ice cream a lot, probably because it had a lot of peanut butter and I have become a peanut butter addict!  My kids shared the ice cream flavor which actually has real gum in it.  

I am so thrilled to recommend you all to plan a trip to Minnesota and go here for some great ice cream!  :)  Truly this child size was only $3.50... and most people can split it! :) 

Nelson's also has a food challenge and since my husband was not on our road trip we are planning a time to go back so he can tackle the "Lumberjack" challenge.  What exactly is the challenge?  5 softball size scoops of ice cream any flavor with three toppings!  If you can finish the huge portion you get your picture on the "wall of fame!"  So yes you better believe my husband is very excited for this challenge.    

First Things First- GIVEAWAY

Keep reading because you can enter to win 2 boxes of Moonpies and 2 t-shirts! 

About First Things First

First Things First (FTF) is an award winning not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families in Chattanooga, Tennessee. FTF is a resource that collaborates with and is supported by a broad cross-section of community organizations, groups and individuals. FTF accomplishes it mission through meaningful media messaging and skill building classes. Did you know: • 24 million children are growing up in homes without their biological fathers. • Only 30% of divorces are due to infidelity, addiction or abuse, 70% of divorces are due to couples feeling disconnected. • Couples who manage to devote time specifically to one another at least once a week are markedly more likely to enjoy high-quality relationships and lower divorce rates, compared to couples who do not devote as much couple time to one another. • Fathers provide unique benefits to their daughters through their active and positive presence from the time of birth all the way through adulthood.

Before entering lets take a look at the Families First Videos!  I loved this video on how dad's play with their kids.  I absolutely agree that mom's and dad's do play differently with their children.   I am the more protector play nice where dad is more of a rough housing be wild at moments kind of dad.   I love all the neat things this dad did with cardboard!  :)  They definitely  made some loving memories with each other. 

  

There are several other great videos to watch and pick your favorite one or find one that sounds like you or your family.   I also enjoyed the Daddy/Daughter one.   My husband takes my daughter out for dates and it is always very precious to both of them.   He really treats her like the princess she is and I believe it will help my daughter find a man one day who will love and respect her as much as her daddy does.   

Save Your Marriage- http://firstthings.org/fm/learn/courses/course/fight-for-your-marriage/page/intro

Lost in Translation- http://firstthings.org/fm/learn/courses/course/lost-in-translation/page/intro

Daddy/Daughter Relationships- http://firstthings.org/fm/learn/courses/course/daddy-daughter/page/relationships

Dad's Way- http://firstthings.org/fm/learn/courses/course/dads-way/page/intro

Date Your Spouse**- http://firstthings.org/fm/learn/courses/course/dating-your-spouse/page/intro

So what video is your favorite?   Take a second to enter the giveaway below to win moon pies and t-shirts.   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: 

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) First Things First Moon Pie Prize Pack via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Praises of a Wife and Mommy is not responsible for prize shipment! 

 The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please. Please note that the assets included within this message were delivered to you to promote First Things First. Any actions (including contest and competitions) that you complete with the provided assets are your liability, and should comply with both local and international laws. Also, please remember to disclose that you are working with First Things First, or that First Things First supplied these materials to you if required by local law.