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As I’m sure everyone is aware, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is now playing in theatres everywhere! If you haven’t seen it yet, I promise it will live up to your wildest expectations! And don’t be afraid of sellout shows as theatres across the country are adding show times left and right to keep up with the demand! And to stay away from spoilers, I highly recommend going to see the film ASAP!
We went to see it yesterday and was excited that we live in a smaller community and had plenty of seats left in the theater…no elbow to elbow for us!
We sat there patiently waiting, well mostly, for the movie to begin. All of a sudden the lights went down and the legendary ENTRO & Star Wars Logo pops up on screen…then we are given the scrolling “catch up” to where the movie begins…
Oh the emotions that awake watching those hit the screen!
In THE FORCE AWAKENS, we return to a galaxy far, far away thirty years after the events of RETURN OF THE JEDI. The stories of our heroes from the past have become little more than the stuff of myth and legend. The happiness and celebration that closed-out the RETURN OF THE JEDI was only temporary, as we see what was left of The Galactic Empire regrouped and created what is now The First Order. A new generation of heroes will assemble, finding themselves thrust into a whole new galactic adventure.
If your children have already seen the previous Star Wars movies (or similar in action) there is absolutely no reason that they would not be wowed and completely enthralled in the movie. I’m taking my 6, 10 & 13-year-old on Wednesday…and that’s all I hear about.
This film seamlessly combines old and new heroes to create a movie any generation will enjoy. It’s both action packed and emotional…you’ll want to take the ride over and over.
The Walt Disney Studios announced today that STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS has set a new all-time domestic debut record with an estimated $238M. With a five-day international debut of $279M, the film has taken in $517M globally.
“Our sole focus has been creating a film that delivers that one-of-a-kind Star Wars experience, and director J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and the Lucasfilm team have outdone themselves,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “To all of the fans around the world who not only came out in Force to make this such an exciting and astronomical debut but who treated this film as their own and helped preserve the experience for their fellow fans by not spoiling it – thank you, we do.”
The Force is strong with critics and audiences, whose enthusiastic reactions have powered a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and an excellent A CinemaScore, with an A+ among women and younger audiences, for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.
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STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is in theaters everywhere!
*Images & Stats were provided by Disney & LucasFilm to share with my audience.

Even though my hubby works in the tire industry, they are required to keep a professional appearance which includes shaving daily. I’ve bought him a few travel electric razors in the past for those days where he’s running late and needs a shave on the go, but he didn’t seem to care for either of them very much. Lets face it, the world has gone tech, so I was excited to try out the ShaveTech electric razor.
This innovative electric razor will revolutionize your shaving experience, whether you are at home or traveling the world! Its sleek, fashion forward design is no larger than a smart phone, making it the must-have grooming accessory for every tech savvy man on-the-go.
The ShaveTech is available in two sleek colors, lustrous black and fresh white, both of which are trimmed in brushed silver.
Before he even used the razor he thought it was pretty cool. It’s pretty small, sleek and convenient to carry, plus the ShaveTech uses USB powered state-of-the-art technology, so that you can charge it anywhere! So if he forgets to bring it in and charge it he can use the usb charger in the truck or even the one at work! No batteries to buy is a major plus for me!
This has been the only travel razor that he doesn’t complain about, he actually likes it! He said it doesn’t hurt his face and leaves him with the professional look that he needs. I’m thinking he might need another one, because I know he’s going to use the heck out of this one!
If you have a man who you are looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for, check out ShaveTech! It’s innovative and practical.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post is sponsored by the vision council, all information comes from their findings, however all opinions in this post are 100% my own. When it comes to protecting your eyes, do you know all the facts? If your like me chances are the answer is NO! Below you will find some facts, what to look for and advice on what to do to protect your child’s eyes!
Little Man is wearing some styling sunglasses from Baby BanZ!
UV radiation endangers an unprotected eye in ways that can lead to vision impairment. Just small amounts of intense UV exposure can cause short-term problems, ranging from irritating to overtly painful. The following symptoms may indicate over-exposure to UV.
Bloodshot Eyes
Swollen Eyes
Hyper-Sensitivity to Light
The most extreme of these temporary problems is photokeratitis, which is sunburn of the eye. While it can result in vision loss for up to 48 hours, symptoms will dissipate eventually. If your child has suffered a bad sunburn on his or her face, & Complains of the following symptoms they should be taken seriously and a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Red Eyes – Skin around the eyes is red and appears to be sunburned
Extreme Sensitivity to light – constantly tearing
Disrupted Sleep – Feeling that eyes are burning, itching, or scratchy
Severe eye pain & spasims of the eye or eye lid
Over time, the cumulative effects of sunlight can lead to eye diseases and conditions later in life. While some damage can be reversed through surgery, other conditions, like cataracts and macular degeneration, may result in permanent vision loss. It is never too early or too soon to protect your children’s eyes from UV exposure. Now that you know what to look for, what can you do to help your little one and yourself?
Limit outdoor time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the UV radiation is strongest. Sometimes this isn’t an option and thats when a good pair of UVA/UBV Sunglasses come into play!
Have your child wear their UVA/UVB Sunglasses anytime they are outside, sunny or cloudy, the UV rays still come through on cloudy days ( I never knew!)
Now you’re probably wondering what to look for when buying sunglasses, you don’t want to waist your money on something that isn’t going to help, right?!
Look for the UVA/UVB Sticker
Shop a credable source, chances are those vendors in the middle of the mall or the sidewalk don’t have true UV protection.
Make sure they are comfortable…you wont wear something that isn’t comfortable, neither will your child!
Sunglass options for Kids
But how do I get them to wear them? They keep taking them off….Routine, Routine, Routine! Every time you head outdoors put them on, make sure they see you put yours on. Once they feel the difference from direct sun to the sunglasses they will more than likely catch on and leave them on. Don’t be fooled by price! Expensive does not mean better! Plastic sunglasses are inexpensive and come in many colors and styles. Also look for Polycarbonate lenses if your child is rough or into sports they are more able to withstand rough play. Look through the sunglasses before you buy them..see if they distort what your child is looking at, I know I wouldn’t want to walk around in a distorted world! We use Baby BanZ & KidZ BanZ because they have a comfortable strap to hold them on little mans face.
My other little man rocking his KidZ BanZ
LEAD BY EXAMPLE! I LOVE my sunglasses! I have many different styles including these Vestry Sunglasses from Nicole Miller! One of my favorite pair Kids learn by watching their parents…what better way to teach them to wear sunglasses than by wearing your favorite pair and protecting your eyes as well!
Hats should never be used instead of sunglasses, UV can reflect off of surfaces like sand, water & even concrete…here are a few fact you may not know, I sure didn’t! Frequent sunglass use comes with practice. Reinforcing healthy behaviors by making your kids routinely wear sunglasseswill help to get them in the habit of protecting their eyes. Set an example by always remembering to wear your own shades. How often do you or your children wear sunglasses? Were you surprised by any of the stats?
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links with fund the Mom of 4 Boys blog. All opinions seen in this publication are those of the writer and may differ from your own. Momof-3boys.com received compensation as a condition of this publication. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to have your product featured on Mom of 4 Boys, email Becky at [email protected]..

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This travel was #Hosted which means The company who sponsored it compensated me via all expenses paid trip, cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
San Antonio welcomes millions of visitors each year that come to enjoy the hot Texas sun, Tex Mex, the River Walk, and a few theme parks that make this city a must visit for anyone traveling through the lone star state. San Antonio has been a city that I’ve visited at least once a year since I was 5. I love visiting the River Walk, it’s one of my favorite places…but even out of all that time I hadn’t been during the holidays until last year. We absolutely LOVED it so much that we decided it would be an annual trip….Holidays In San Antonio.
Instead of just a one night trip, this year we decided to make it a weekend. We packed our R2D2 suitcase from American Tourister and headed out of town Saturday morning on our two-hour trek to a weekend of fun and adventure!
We stayed at the Red Roof Inn Plus Downtown…it was fairly easy to find and had plenty of parking with the included garage. The lobby was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the staff was super courteous and got everyone their rooms quickly. We took our things up to our two rooms which were across the hall from one another. Our room overlooked downtown where we could see the last of the runners from the Rock N Roll Marathon finishing their last mile. Both room were furnished with two full sized beds, a chair, a built-in desk & dresser and a flat screen tv. I loved the farmhouse sink that was in the bathroom, I would love one of these in my bathroom at home!
After we got everything settled in the room we headed off to Sea World for their Christmas Celebration. The boys were so excited to see the place decked in lights and do the many things we had on our itinerary. First off we took our picture in front of the tree up front. Every time we visit Sea World we have to get our picture taken here (normally it’s a fountain). We had a full day of adventure and fun, after which we had to swing by Target because someone forgot their toothbrush…yep, that would be me…I can grab everyone else’s, but can’t remember my own!
The next morning we woke rested and headed down to the free breakfast that is served from 6-9 every day. We grabbed some bagels, danishes, fresh fruit and waters then headed back up to the room to get ready for our day. Today we were exploring the downtown riverwalk area & Alamo. Since it was early the river walk was quite dead so we started off by walking the river center mall, enjoying a massage “kiosk” and taking photos in a photo booth.
After checking out a few stores (like the Disney Store..a must do for us since we don’t have one in Corpus) we headed over to the Alamo…another one of my favorite places in SA…perhaps because I used to come here all the time as a kid. Out in front in the plaza they had a large Christmas tree decorated with SA Spurs decor. The Alamo was buzzing with tourists like always. We headed on inside to remind the boys about the battle and all that the missionaries and soldiers sacrificed.
NOTE: Please DO NOT TOUCH the walls of the Alamo! It is quite old and just your touch could affect the mortar and stones. Please be respectful of this historic site.
Yes, I say this because I saw a man talking on the phone just walking along and touching the walls as he talked…I’m assuming it was just fidgeting like we all do on the phone, but finally a volunteer went over and asked him not too…he looked confused and said “all I’m doing is touching the walls.” I used that as a lesson for the boys of course and went on our way through each room viewing the beautiful found wall murals in some of the rooms then on to the “museum” part to view all the weapons and memorabilia from the period. My husbands family bible is located there. His Great Aunt Nancy Gage was a nurse at the Alamo and this is the page that is viewable in the case.
About the end of our walk through the Alamo, we were all getting hungry so we headed over to Rita’s On The River, who would be hosting us for lunch. This spot on the river walk is just gorgeous! So many large trees, greenery, small waterfall and of course the river.
“Rita’s on the River is a Tex-Mex restaurant on the Riverwalk known for the Texas-sized Margaritas, ice cold beer and delicious, sizzling fajitas with Texas-sized portions and beautiful Riverwalk views!”
As soon as you walk up to Rita’s you really get that TexMex feel with the music, bright decor and heavenly smell. We decided to sit outside and enjoy the view and people watching. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the food. We all quickly found what we wanted to eat even though there was so much goodness to choose from.
While we waited a lady came around letting us sample some homemade tortillas! OMG! It’s been so long since I’ve had homemade tortillas…the hubby and I were in food heaven!
After that a mariachi band started making their rounds from table to table working for tips…after hearing La Cucaracha, Labumba and a few others it was our turn…since after all it was the holidays I requested Feliz Navidad.
I just love the sound of a Mariachi and we couldn’t help but sing along. It wasn’t long after that that our food arrived. The aroma was overwhelming and had our mouths watering. The portions were quite large, I knew most of us wouldn’t finish, but we tried, just because it was so good! The tacos were cooked with peppers and onions which I usually don’t care for (weird I know, I hear it all the time), but the way this was cooked, it just added to the deliciousness and I didn’t mind at all! As we sat there eating and discussing how good it was we all started to realize we were getting full and would have to leave a lot of the food behind. Normally I would take it home, but we didn’t have a fridge or microwave in the room so there was no point…trust me, it killed me!
After that deliciousness, we were quite full so we headed back to the hotel for the boys (ok all of us) to take a nap before finishing the afternoon fun. After the nap, we decided to hang around the room a little since the boys were a little worn out from walking everywhere.
After a while, we headed back out as it was just about dinner time, but we wanted to see some of the lights along the way. We went by the Alamo to see the tree lit up then walked along the river walk a bit before arriving at our host for the evening, The Hard Rock Cafe.
The Hard Rock Cafe has always been one of my favorite spots to eat. In the past we’ve sat outside with the boys, but this time I really wanted them to experience what makes the Hard Rock…the Hard Rock! The were so excited to see all the musical instruments on the walls…although my youngest two didn’t understand that they were from someone famous they still enjoyed looking at them.
I was quite surprised that they were pretty slow, normally it takes so long to get a table and they have all floors and outside full. They only had the downstairs and outside open, so I was free to walk around upstairs and take pictures without bugging people. There were some pretty awesome things to see from artists like ZZTop, Elvis & Eddy Van Halen to name a few. The restaurant was decorated for the holidays as well with garland lights and a tree next to the stairs…we were definitely in a happy place.
Our waitress was like one in a million…(I believe here name was Hollie)…I can literally count on one hand how many time I’ve had a waitress as knowledgeable and fun as her. She talked us into adding the Nachos as an appetizer along with our potato skins and we were so glad she did..they were delicious! The entrees were to die for too…I had the Little Rock Burger…and even through it was a smaller portion, it was still almost too much for me! My little guys LOVED their guitar shaped plates. The ketchup was in spots in the neck and their fries and pizza were in the body. My oldest who usually devours anything in site didn’t even finish his meal…he actually got full!
After dinner we walked along the river walk to enjoy all the beautiful lights and luminaries, as we headed back to the hotel for our last night in SA. If you have the chance, be sure to take a night “cruise” on the river walk boats. You’ll learn a little history about San Antonio and get to see the beautifully lit River Walk.
The next morning we packed up our things enjoyed some breakfast and checked out of the hotel. We really enjoyed our stay and was a little sad to go. Before we headed back home we decided to take the boys to the Missions in San Antonio. Even though they were missing school for it, I felt it was a great excuse as they were learning about Texas History, hands on. My 10 yr old and 6 yr old even earned their Jr. Ranger badges at the second Mission. The boys were very well behaved in each mission we went into, very respectful and in awe of the history and stunning beauty inside the churches.
I want to give special thanks to Red Roof Inn Plus, Sea World, Rita’s on the River & Hard Rock Cafe for helping make this weekend a one of a kind.