#Sponsored Let's Talk about Long Term Care #LetsTalk #MC

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Genworth. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.


There are certain topics that NO ONE wants to bring up with family.

#GoBackHealthy Back-To-School

Disclosure: Special thanks to CVS and MinuteClinic for sponsoring this post. 

I hate to even utter the words but in a month, it's back-to-school time. 

Portrait of an Artist

My daughter has been working on this chalk project in our backyard this morning. She becomes so intense and in a zone of her very own when she is working on her art.  

I love seeing my daughter as she brings her creative ideas to life! 

Review: Jockey Bra - Volumetric Fit System

Disclosure: Special thanks to Jockey for sponsoring this post. 

A few nights ago, I was invited to a fun Bras and Blowouts event by Jockey at the Dailey Method on Damen. After a Dailey Method workout, guests were treated to blowouts and manicures thanks to Mario Tricoci - I tried something different and now have a metallic mani. I also had a professional bra fitting. The biggest takeaway for me from my evening with Jockey: I've been wearing the wrong size bra all along. 

Review - Part 2: Jump Start Swimming Lessons at Goldfish Swim School

Disclosure: We received one week of Jump Start lessons at Goldfish Swim School in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own as always!

My daughter graduated from her week in the Jump Start program at Goldfish Swim School! I am so proud of her, but more importantly, she is so very proud of herself!

Transformers: Age of Extinction - in theaters 06.27.14!!!

Disclosure: This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Paramount Pictures blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.


Transformers: Age of Extinction is hitting theaters on Friday and we can't wait!

Many of the scenes were filmed in Chicago, so we're looking forward to seeing the Transformers take over our hometown! It will be so cool seeing them stomp through familiar streets. The Chicago Tribune captures some of the filming in photos here.

My son, now 13, has enjoyed the Transformers since he was a little boy. He loved pretending to be an Autobot and he always forced me to be the bad guys (Decepticons). I can't even tell you how many times I ran around our home trying to catch my little Autobot. He would often build an Autobot den out of sofa cushions. While my Autobot is all grown up now, he still loves the Transformers. My son and his friends already have their Friday night all planned out!

Check out this sneak peek: 

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history…while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans (led by Mark Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet.  In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world. This is the fourth film in director Michael Bay’s global blockbuster franchise, and it stars Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Li Bingbing , Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, T. J. Miller, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor and Titus Welliver.

Transformers: Age of Extinction is in theaters 06.27.14, and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language and brief innuendo.

Who is your favorite Transformer??? I will always have a soft spot for this guy!

Official site: TransformersMovie.com

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie

Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformers

Jump Start Swimming Lessons at Goldfish Swim School

Disclosure: We received one week of Jump Start lessons at Goldfish Swim School in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own as always!

My daughter started swimming lessons today! She is taking part in the Jump Start program at Goldfish Swim School and will be attending every day for the entire week. The goal is to have her swimming a (Jr. size) pool's length by the end of the week.  I'll be updating on Friday to see if she reaches her goal!

We are a very active family and in the summertime, we spend a lot of time at the pool and beach. My daughter has zero fear of the water: as far as she's concerned, she's been an Olympic ready swimmer since the day she was born. Being at the beach with her can be nerve-wrecking: she LOVES the water and loves venturing out into the deep. 

I'm going to save these froggy goggles for her to wear when she competes in the 2024 Summer Olympics

Her teacher today, Coach Joe, was super encouraging, friendly, and had high expectations. By the end of the lessons, she was able to swim a half-length of the pool. Tomorrow she will be  working on getting her head face down in the water and using her newly-learned swim strokes. I will feel so much better taking her to the swimming pool knowing that she can swim and get herself out of the pool. 

Goldfish Swim School is dedicated entirely to indoor swim classes and programs for children 4 months and up. The pool area is colorful and fun, and the teachers are trained to work with even the littlest tots. I highly recommend Goldfish Swim School for kids of all ages and swim-levels.

Here are some of the Facility Features:

• Year-round swim instruction for children 4 months and up.
• Small class sizes. (Max 4:1 student to teacher ratio)
• Two heated indoor swimming pools kept at 90 degrees. (Air temperature kept at 92 degrees!)
• Experienced staff of Red Cross certified swim instructors.
• Proud member of the United States Swim School Association.
• State-of-the-art pool water purification system.
• Air conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons.
• Tropical decor.
• Unique and educational teaching equipment.
• Activity area for birthday parties and events. (i.e. Girl Scout parties, Sweet 16 parties, school year end parties)
• Snack Bar and Pro Shop. (Perfect for that after lesson snack or fun pool toy!)

This week, she is taking part in a Goldfish Swim School’s Jump Start Clinic.

What are the clinics?

•       One 30-minute lesson per day for 5 consecutive days (Monday through Friday) for levels Mini 3 through Pro.

•       Your child will have the same teacher, classmates and class time each day to help boost the learning process, to overcome a specific skill or to get a jump start on learning how to swim.

•       The class ratios are the same as our regular lessons: 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio for our Junior 1 – Pro classes, and 3:1 ratio for our Mini 3 classes.

•       Your child will receive a report card on Friday at the end of each clinic to update you on their progress.

    When are the clinics?

•       Every week this summer, starting the week of June 16 and ending the week of August 11. (There will be no clinic the week of July 4, as we will be closed on Thursday and Friday.)

•       Classes will run every half hour between 9 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

How much does a clinic cost?

•       Each 5-day clinic costs $100/week

•       We are happy to grant you a 7% sibling discount for each additional child you enroll in a clinic.

Looking to get your kids in the swim of things this summer? Check out the Goldfish Swim School in your area!