So I changed my plans this morning and started looking at my comments. Who were my top readers? 

To me, this award isn't about who commented most often (although, I'm thankful for each one) it's about the readers who really READ my posts and shared their viewpoints. 

 A few of my readers aren’t bloggers so I can’t share this award with them, but I thank them for reading and commenting!

Here are my nominees. Each have a unique writing style and are true blogging friends. Please visit them.  I am happy to share this award with them. 

Blessings!

Happy Monday! This is the first “full” day of school for my daughters. The new school year usually runs smoothly here at Casa Kinsman (feel free to chat with my long about March to see if I’m eating those words), and while I do miss my girls today, I am glad summer has ended and we are getting back to a regular routine.

But, I know some of you Moms have a few days (or weeks) left before school begins and along with the hot August days, your kiddos may be dancing on your nerves right about now. It’s okay, you are among friends you can admit it and nod at the screen… kids dance on nerves, it’s what they do. 

That’s why I’ve chosen The Odd life of Timothy Green as my first movie review. 

About The Odd Life of Timothy Green:

Released: August 15, 2012

“Disney brings enchantment home with The Odd Life of Timothy Green, an inspiring, magical story for the whole family starring Jennifer Garner.

Cindy (Garner) and Jim Green are a happily married couple who can't wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim - and their small town of Stanleyville - learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.

 From Academy Award^® -nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (About A Boy, Best Adapted Screenplay, 2002; Dan In Real Life; What's Eating Gilbert Grape) - and complete with engaging bonus features - it's a heartwarming celebration of family as only Disney can deliver.” 

Director: Peter Hedges

Cast:

Jennifer Garner

Joel Edgerton

CJ Adams

Ron Livingston

Dianne Wiest

Odeya Rush

Rosemarie DeWitt

Lin-Manuel Miranda

M. Emmet Walsh

Lois Smith

David Morse and Common

My Review:

 Recently we chose this movie as our Friday family movie night and were not disappointed. What we as parents liked were the gentle reminders that being parents is a gift. Having kids is a gift. Trust me; this is the movie to watch as a family if you are short on patience with your kids right now.

What the kids liked was Timothy’s unflappable personality. He just didn’t let things bother him, even when things didn’t go well.

Yes, this is a sappy, feel good movie and yes Jennifer Gardner (Cindy) and Joel Edgerton (Jim) have zero on screen chemistry and may have been a bit miss-cast. However, these fine actors superbly portray their rather dull, childless life and later, their total lack of parental experience.

Timothy (C.J. Adams) shows up like a breath of fresh air and the movie awakens with him. Watching him interact with his parents and extended family and then the towns-folk is joyful in his innocence.

Timothy touches everyone he meets; sort of shining the light on those parts of ourselves we think we have well hidden.

You may even notice some of the characters from the movie bear a striking resemblance to family and friends within your own community. Jim’s Dad didn’t have a good relationship with his son so when he shows up there is concern and tension. Cindy’s sister, Miss Perfect Mom, PTO leader, Soccer Mom (you know the kind) was played so perfectly by RoseMarie DeWitt that I swear I have met her somewhere! Then there’s the angst filled teen, mid-drift baring girl who befriends Timothy, much to the dismay of Cindy.

This truly is a heartwarming family movie that may have you hugging your kids and your spouse just a little tighter after watching.

To learn more about The Odd Life of Timothy Green, you can watch the movie trailer or visit Disney.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my first movie review. Stay tuned for our thoughts on Percy Jackson and the sea of Monsters!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post and is in no way associated with Disney. I just wanted to share our family night movie experiences. All opinions are 100 % my own and may differ from yours.

Material Disclosure: Sneaky Pete’s sent me 5 free products to facilitate my review and provided products for my giveaway.  No compensation was provided and all opinions are 100 my own. 

Before Sneaky Pete’s contacted me to consider doing a product review I had never heard of them. I was intrigued by the idea of drinking an Oat beverage that’s good for you. I figured this product may be a good option for school mornings when my daughters don’t feel like eating much. I could add a piece of toast to this drink and feel pretty good about their meal.

The timing was perfect for us to try them, as today was the first day of school for them.  Be sure to enter the giveaway below, but first, let me introduce you to Sneaky Pete’s.

About Sneaky Pete’s: 

Courtesy: Sneaky Pete's Sneaky Pete's Oat Beverage, developed from a 100 year old family recipe is all natural, vegan and such an excellent source of fiber. Sneaky Pete's does not contain any artificial colors/additives and is a great alternative to high calorie juices or sports drinks. It's available in 5 flavors: Apple, Mango, Raspberry, Peach and Grape- all with only 40 calories each!

You can learn more about Sneaky Pete's many health benefits by visiting their website and liking them on Facebook. 

My Review:

We couldn't wait to give these a try!

I love when we get to try products as a family. Since Sneaky Pete’s comes in 12 oz. bottles, it was easy for all of us to get a good taste of each of the 5 available: Raspberry, Mango, Apple, Peach and Grape.

We chose Peach first and overall gave it high marks.  My daughters think it tastes yummy, like Peach Oatmeal, but in a good way. My husband and I agreed. It really does taste like you are drinking peaches and oatmeal. We would but this flavor again.

 Next came Mango which can best be described in one word: YUMMY!  We want more of this flavor.

The following day we gave Apple at try: We loved it too! It tastes like Apple Cider. So good and apple-y!  We would buy this flavor again as well.

 So, far so good.  And with the exception of a little bit of an aftertaste, we didn’t have any complaints.

That is until the next day we tried Raspberry. Oh how my oldest daughter had been looking forward to Raspberry day. Sadly all four of us thought Raspberry was terrible! Even though it wasn’t too sweet, which was good, (some of these flavors run on the sweet side) we just could not drink Raspberry. It tasted like lipstick. I dumped it all out and hoped for a better result with Grape.

Grape didn’t let us down! It tastes like Grape Kool-Aid both daughters said.  The kids really liked this one and the hubby and I enjoyed it too. 

*We highly recommend 4 out of the 5 flavors Sneaky Pete’s has to offer.* Who knows, you may even like Raspberry!

The Giveaway:

Enter to win a case of Sneaky Pete's in mixed flavors!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Open to legal residents of US who are 18 years or older. Full terms available on Rafflecopter form below. My WAHM Plan is not responsible for shipping of prize.

I hope you found this review helpful and will consider adding a Sneaky Pete’s beverage to your meals.

Disclosure: Sneaky Pete’s sent me 5 free products to facilitate my review and provided products for my giveaway.  No compensation was provided and all opinions are 100 my own. Thank you Sneaky Pete's for your generosity. 

Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in exchange for a product review. However, all opinions expressed here are my own. Purex also provided 4 coupons for a free product for me to give my readers.

We used to use dryer sheets exclusively a few years ago so I was happy to try out Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in Mountain Breeze scent as part of the Purex Insider blogger team.

About  Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets:

New, Improved formula with 3X the fragrance helps you add freshness and softness throughout your household. Reduce Static Cling. Repel pet hair and lint. You can learn more about the Purex brand by visiting their website here or on Facebook.

My Review:

Purex really did amp up the scent in these dryer sheets! This is by far the best smelling box I've received in the mail.  

They smell really good, making me smile every time I walk into my laundry room. 

But, I noticed that each dryer sheet feels full of product, like it was soaked in fabric softener and dried, which made me wonder if it would leave a residue on my dryer and clothes. 

 After using 3 dryer sheets on loads of varying drying temperature needs, I concluded that yes, these dryer sheets were leaving a bit of a residue which I didn’t care for.  I first noticed this change by the difficulty I was having removing the lint from my lint filter.

 Also, my sensitive skin family members started itching! That’s no fun, so I stopped using this product in my dryer ASAP. I can’t use these dryer sheets in my laundry, but if you don’t have sensitive skin issues then you may like them. 

 I have lots of other uses for these wonderful smelling dryer sheets like: