Best place to find vinyls: Radio-Active Records

Just fell in love with a store.  An old school indie record store.  The most amazing record store in Florida.  Radio-Active Records, located in Fort Lauderdale, has the biggest collection of vinyl records I have seen in Florida.

Almost every music genre is here.  Records from Ella Fitzgerald to AC/DC to Beethoven are available to purchase.  In fact you can listen to any record before buying.

One of my favorite parts about Radio-Active Records is the rummaging and discovering new music. You can happily spend hours digging through the record bins.

Radio-Active Records offers both new and used records for competitive prices.

In the corner there are two turntables to listen to records before buying them.

The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable.  Whenever I am in the store they are helping anyone with questions.  Natalie was super helpful.

And awesome shirts are available!

Back of the store has parking spaces.  

Music trivia fact: Adrian Grenier's (Entourage star) band the Honey Brothers shot a music video in Radio-Active Records!

Shop small business and support your local record store!

Wire and Honey: Where cutenss and social change meet

Wire and Honey has become one of my favorite online/instagram store.  The shirts are cute with unique messages.  Started by a mom (Rah) who couldn't find "offbeat style" clothes for her adorable son. One of my favorite shirts is:

What an important message!! In this time that we are living in, with so much misinformation available, we need this message.  In fact, Wire and Honey came underattck because of these shirts.  In May, Wire and Honey's facebook account came under attack by hateful misinformed people.  Anti vaccinators started posting untrue and abhorrent messages.  Instead of attacking back, Rah donated a Super Hero Pack to UNICEF in their names!  That act is taking the high road to a whole new level and really solidifed my love for Wine and Honey.  

Our first S.T.E.A.M class

Searching for fun and educational events is my full time job as a SAH (stay at home) mom.  Scouring Facebook, parenting magazines and local blogs helps me find many exciting activities.  On the top of my list was S.T.E.A.M classes.  S.T.E.A.M which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathmetics.  I loved the idea and knew my son would be as excited.  The Schoolhouse Children's Musuem and Learning Center has developed a summer long S.T.E.A.M curriculum.  We joined in with our first class just a few days ago.  It was S.T.E.A.M. Creepy Crawlies Class. First the kis created cricket hats, had story time, watched a video about crickets and learned some interesting facts about crickets. 

Adorable Cricket hat

Did you know crickets dont have "ears" but "hear" through their knees.  Then the kids practiced "cricket jumps" and made crickets sounds.  

Lerning interesting Cricket facts

The last part of class included examing a real life cricket using a magnifying glass.

Close up of a Cricket

So excited for our the next S.T.E.A.M. class!!!

   

Running as life

Running first became a priortiy in my life when I needed stress relief.  Stress was a daily occurence while in college, studying premed classes.  Running allowed me to be in silence, to think through problems or even not to think at all.

Compeitive running came much later.  After having a baby I wanted my body back.  I set a goal - to run a half marathon.  A HALF MARATHON! My mind could not wrap around the magnitude of my endeavor.  I ran 5ks, maybe a 10k here and there, but never anything close to 13 miles.  I researched and talked with anyone that had any knowledge of long distance running.  I joined running groups online and runing teams in person.  I streamlined my diet and became all about running.  Slowly I began to lose weight.  Losing weight was amazing but what happened after was even better.  I found my tribe aka my running family.  Having met so many people along the way with the goal of incorporating running into our daily routine.

My top 4 tips to anyone just starting out would be:

1) Research, research, research - make sure you read about the different running methods, long distance running plans, etc.

2) Join a running team.  I have met my closest friends through the running community.  The encourgagment from my running family has made this running journey the best undertaking in my life.

3) Pick a race that excites you.  My first half marathon was in Disney.  Why? Because I love everything Disney! Disney races enterain in almost every mile.  From characters (Mary Poppins dancing with penguins) to DJs thoughout the course. RunDisney always has a charity attached to every race which makes me feel great supporting them.

4) Make sure to get fitted for your running shoes. Go to a local run store and have an expert check your gait and suggest the perfect shoe for you.  Then buy it there.  Help support our running community!



One of my favorite local races has to be the Fort Lauderdale Public A1A Half Marathon.  The best part, besides being local, the beautiful beach scenery. 

My awesome Publix A1A Half Marathon medal

Mini Maker Faire is the best fair in town

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium's impressive flyer caught my eye and I needed to know more.  The flyer detailed the Palm Beach's first Mini Maker Faire hosted by South Florida Science Center in partnership with HackLab North Boynton held on May 14, 2016.

Let me confess something first.  I had no idea what a Maker Faire was or what it entailed.  Was I blown away!  The original Maker Faire launched in 2006 to inspire hands on demonstration of artists and scientists under one roof.  Everyone from crafters to hobbyists to engineers come to exhibit new ideas and show case their hard work.


The event was beyond anything my son or I could have imagined.  A short list of what was included:


3D printing

3D printing

Drone demonstrations

Trying to run the drone

Do it yourself maze setups

Very intricate maze

Soldering classes

First time soldering!

Lego robotic machines (my son's favorite)! Local junior and high school students competed in robotics competition to build working lego machines that accomplished multi tasks like for example a garbage scooper.

Cleaning up the "beach"

Or a "live" lego snake with sensors that could "bite."

Star Wars characters

Even Darth Vader participated in the science exhibit

Nitrogen combustion

We spent the whole time 10-4pm exploring all the faire had to offer.  As a Homeschool parent, I search far and wide to expose my son to every learning event possible.  The Palm Beach Mini Maker Faire was one of the best events.  We can't wait to go back to the South Florida Science Center to take advantage of the rest of what the museum has to offer.  

Homeschool Coop: Octopus counting game

This month's Homeschool coop theme was "Oceans"! Our kids learned about mollusks, the ocean zones, coral reefs, crustaceans.  Class today we worked gluing, counting, and pincer movements in this specific project.

Octopus Counting game

Homeschool Subject: Space the final frontier

As the months went by and my son's friends started school I realized my time was running out.  No more sleeping in. No more schedule free days.  No more sitting at the park at 9 am without the craziness.  My days were numbered.  Truthfully I knew nothing about homeschooling and what exactly it entailed. So what do I do when I am unsure - I wing it.  Fake it to you make it!

Space was the theme for the month of February.  Our kids learned about the planets, details about the Sun, specifics about Asteroid belts and Nebulas, and so much more.  I think we have a few future Astronauts in our midst.

One fun project was the messy demonstration of a Sun.

This project needed white construction paper (cut in a circle), black construction paper, red/yellow/orange paint, saran wrap, and q tips.

First cut the white construction paper into a circle which will then be the Sun.  Then place a quarter size amount of yellow, orange and red paint on separate areas of the white circle.  Cover the Sun with saran wrap and let your child squish until all the paint is mixed.  Make sure there is no white paper left.

Kids loved squishing the paint

To help with easier cleaning, place newspaper or old paper grocery bags under the Sun before "squishing" the paint. 

It can get messy easily

After the paint has dispersed remove the saran wrap.  Glue the Sun on the black construction paper.  Dip the q tips into the red, orange or yellow paint. To make the Sun rays, move the q tips across the Sun and onto the black construction paper.

Final product

Wonderful and fun craft to conclude our Sun class.  

Kicking butt in the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

Disney fanatic does not even begin to describe me.  I love Disney; anything and everything to do with Disney.  Disney World is my happy place.  Epcot is my passport to the world.  Animal Kingdom is my zoo.  Magic is palpable throughout Walt Disney World.  So it stands to be true that as a runner I would participate in every single Disney race (on the East coast).

Disney Hollywood Studios Osborne Lights

This past weekend I ran the Disney Enchanted 10k.  Last year I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  I was looking forward to running a different type of race.  Enchanted 10k was one of the shortest races that I've run.  Dressed as the Little Mermaid (Ariel) I was ready to rock this race! Character stops, which are a big draw for Disney races, was a bit sparse due to the distance.  My only character stop was with Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio. Genie dressed like Goofy, Luminere and Cogsworth from the Beauty and the Beast, Tinker Bell were the other character stops that I skipped.  Running through Epcot proved to be fun.  Not being able to run through Magic Kingdom was the one disappointment.  As a "Princess" orientated race, running through the castle in Magic Kingdom would have been perfect.  But alas we just ran though Epcot and the Boardwalk.

Sleeping Beauty Aurora (pre race)

Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio

Lumiere and Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast

Last but not least my post race picture...

Texas trip - Mardi Gras parade

Going home can bring up a lot of emotions.  Some amazing memories flood back.  A few sad recollections arise.  But overall going home, for me, cleanses my soul.  Bringing my son to my old stomping grounds is important.  I want him to experience other areas, cultures, smells, etc.  Growing up in Texas makes me very proud.  My favorite saying is that I was born and bred in Texas.

During our last trip to Texas, we visited an area of Dallas called Oak Cliff.  Oak Cliff is an amazing and eclectic neighborhood.  We lucked out and attended an amazing Mardi Gras parade.  The Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade was the perfect mix of New Orleans meets Texas.  Where is could you experience motorcycle Elvis, marching bands, dancing sharks, a pink dog car and pounds of beautiful beads! @oakcliff

 More details of our trip to Texas to come!

Rainy Days

Perfect way to spend a rainy day. Legos!

I am a Marathoner

Certain characteristics are foreign to me.  Tall, brilliant mathematician, amazing dancer are just a few adjectives that I will never claim.  Marathoner was also included in that group of words. Until just a few weeks ago.  I ran a marathon! Me! Even I am in shock.

Homeschool

I have several passions including running, my kids, etc.  While training for this current marathon season I also started a Homeschool group.  My curious, vibrant LO needed more of an educational structure.  The thought of homeschool frightened me.  I am not a traditional teacher, and at first didn't know many other moms interested in homeschooling.  I researched, read and asked questions.  Our class formed.  Over time our group grew.  Now we are 9 strong.  Teaching children, especially your own, can be overwhelming but yet exciting.  But imagine 9 rightfully opinionated parents, moms specifically, all with the noble goal with providing the best education possible.  No small task let me tell you.  We are in our sixth month and still going through many growing pains. 

Chasing the Bling

This is my first attempt at a half marathon.  Before this last month the longest race was a 5K. A 5K!!!  Training started last March.  I wanted to start slow and easy.  After researching many training protocols I ended up with the Galloway program.  It has been working out well.  At first I was a bit disappointed that I was not training to run the whole half marathon.

Running is therapy

Starting my running journey was, at least in the beginning, challenging.  Surprisingly, coming from an active athletic background helped mildly. My journey began in 2014. My goal - to run one Half Marathon.  That Half Marathon goal snowballed into 7 Half Marathon, a 10 miler, 10K and a few 5k races.  I just could not help myself. Signing up for races had become an addiction.  Especially the sell out races.  You know what I mean.  You have to be at your computer at a certain time and a certain day.  Your heart is racing, fingers trembling.  That huge sigh of relief you expel when you finally get in.  Yes those races (ie Disney races).  While there are many similar sell out races out there, Disney takes the cake. 

My Disney love started long before my running journey even entered my mind. It is the Happiest Place on Earth! So if I was going to start this fitness journey I might as well do it at happy place. One crazy morning I decided to sign up for the Disney Half Marathon held every year in January. Rumor was that in order to sign up I would need to be at my computer sell day at noon. I was ready. My credit card in hand. Both RunDisney and Active websites up and ready.  Refreshing the page every 3 seconds. Then finally the registration form came up.  With lightning fast speed I typed every bit of information that was needed. And then like that...I WAS IN!!! Me! The girl who had never ran more than 3 miles was going to run 13.1 miles.