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  • Disney•Pixar ‘s Cars 3 Road to the Races Tour Fast Pass Giveaway + Free Printables

    This giveaway is sponsored by DisneyᐧPixar.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that keep YUMMommy running.

    Disney·Pixar’s Cars 3 rolls into theaters nationwide on June 16, 2017.  It’s been all JJ and Moo have talked about since they saw the first teaser trailer months ago.  The kids aren’t the only ones excited though.  I’m a Cars fan as well and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to our fave Lightning McQueen and his racing career not that he’s no longer a spring chicken.  To celebrate the upcoming Cars 3 movie release, we’re attending the Cars 3 Road to the Races Tour this weekend!!
    Yep, Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm are rolling into Charlotte, NC from May 19th to May 20th.  McQueen and the gang will be hanging at out the Charlotte Motor Speedway from noon to 5 PM both days.  Fans can get their pictures taken with the life-size Cars 3 stars, enjoy smoothies, try their hands at changing a race car tire and more.  Find out more details in my previous Road to the Races Tour post.
    This event is sure to be jam packed!  Thankfully Disney was generous enough to give me some Fast Passes to giveaway to you guys.  Two families will win 5 Fast Passes each to use.  These Fast Passes will be good for Saturday, May 20, 2017 from noon to 4 PM only!  With these passes you and your family will be granted quick event entry and be allowed to skip any existing lines.  Just use the widget below to enter to win.  I’m also giving away another set of tickets on my Instagram account!
    Meanwhile, you can have some Cars 3 fun at home before and even after the movie comes out with these FREE Cars 3 activity printables.  Just right click the images to save and print.  Enjoy!!

    Who’s your favorite Disney·Pixar Cars character?

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  • Thankful Thursday | A Weekly List of Gratitude

    Happy Thankful Thursday YUMMs!  I’m in the middle of trying purge our apartment still of all the things we don’t need.  It seems to be a never ending task.  For example, the kids got rid of a trash bag and half of toys already.  However, their toy bins to seem to be even fuller than they were before.  How Sway? I can’t even believe how much stuff we’ve accumulated.  Pray for us as we continue to sort through our belongs.  

    What I Am Thankful For This Week

    New Friends |  So remember I was telling y’all about me participating in #BookBuddyAthon last week?  Well, I’m so happy that I did it.  There’s no shame in admitting that I’m a book nerd.  And to be taking part of something with so many other book nerds is amazing!  The best part of this readathon is that my book buddy and I have completely bonded.
    Despite her living in the Middle East and there being an almost ten year age difference (she’s 22, I’m 31) between us we have similar taste in books and have had a blast messaging and chatting with each other.  I’m excited to learn more about culture.  Like did you guys know their equivalent to our Halloween is celebrated in May in some of their countries?!  She wants to visit the US soon and I confessed that the Middle East is actually on my travel bucket list.  
    So, here’s to our future upcoming in person meetups.  We’ve decided to continue chatting with each other until then so that we can continue getting to know each other.  And we’re already planning our next buddy read just because. 
    Doing The Right Thing|  This week was a tough one for Moo in terms of going to school.  She started this week off tired because they’ve been testing since last week.  She asked if she could stay home Monday.  Then, she witnessed her first school fight between two of her class mates.  She said some of the other kids were just standing around, but she ran to get her teacher.  I’m so proud of her for doing the right thing.

    We live in a society where too folks keep their mouths closed when it comes to wrong things.  A lot of people pass this same bad habit down to their kids.  Thus, you get a situation where kids would rather watch their class mates beat each other down than do right thing.  With the help of two other teachers, her teacher got the boys separated.  One boy’s eye was injured, but thankfully it wasn’t anything too serious.

    Needless to say, if she wasn’t already over school before, she was definitely OVER it after that!  A feeling of safety and security has always been something Moo’s needed.  She’s always felt that at school until recently when some kids in her class started acting out aggressively, but after this witnessing this physical altercation, she said she doesn’t feel safe at all anymore.  It breaks my heart, but thank God there’s only three weeks of school left.  May they fly by super fast and without any further incidents.


    Siblings |  I love my siblings.  We stan for each other for the way some folks stan for Beyonce.  LOL.  Seriously, though I’m thankful that they’re always there for me and my family.  I’m grateful that we talk and text each other daily.  And we have an upcoming sibling’s trip!  It’s still a few months off, but I can’t wait for us all to be in the same city so we can let loose.

    I hope you guys have had a great week and have lovely weekend!

    What are you thankful for this week?

  • 25 Books To Add To Your May TBR

    The weather has warmed up and the sun is shining.  That means it’s finally safe to enjoy some outdoor leisure time.  So whether you’re soaking up Vitamin D from your patio or the beach, these 25 books are sure to be great company.  Grab some sunscreen, a comfy lounge chair, a nice cold drink and get your read on!

    In the spirit of full disclosure, I do want to mention that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that should you click on any of the links below and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to help with the upkeep of YUMMommy.  Thanks for the support!

    • Given To The Sea by Mindy McGinnis |  Khosa was born to be fed to the sea to prevent it from destroying her village as it did once before.  However, before she can be given to sea, she must birth an heir. Will Khosa deliver an heir and end up given to the sea or will she be saved by unexpected knight in shining armor?
    • A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas |   Feyre, Rhysand and the gang are back in the third book of the ACOWAR series. Feyre returns to the Spring Court to gather intel about the looming war.  In the process she has to discover who she can and can’t trust, but her deceit could very well cost her her life.
    • Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys |  Four strangers from all walks of life fight to escape to freedom during World War II in this heartbreakingly beautiful war novel.  
    • Coral and Bone by Tiffany Daune |  Described as X-Men meets sirens, evil mermaids and shifters, Tiffany Daune’s debut novel is a fantasy lover’s delight.  Halen’s world is turned upside down when she finds out that her whole life has been one big lie and that her mother has been keeping a huge secret about her identity.
    • The Lies by Christina C Jones |  Sometimes no matter how much you lie to yourself or put up a front to the world, there’s always that one person who sees through everything.  Christina is serving up Black love greatness again in her 30th novel.
    • When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon |  Arranged to be married by their parents, Dimple Shah and Rishi Patel end up meeting a summer camp.  These two couldn’t be more different from each other.  Will opposites clash or will this end up being a match made in heaven?

    • Flame In The Mist by Renée Ahdieh |  Hailed as a Mulan retelling, Mariko is arranged to marry the son of the emperor’s favorite consort.  However, her convoy is ambushed during their trip to the imperial city.  Mirako then decides to go undercover and dins about why the Black Clan tried to kill her.
    • Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys |  Get your Kleenex handy.  Ruta Sepetys is the master at capturing all of the heartbreaking and horrifying aspects of what life was like for those caught in the middle during World War II.  This story follows fifteen year old Lina as she and her family are forced to live in a work camp in Siberia.  
    • Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig |  Ludwig takes us on a journey as we follow the life of Ginny Moon, an autistic teenager who’s had a not so good start in life.  All Ginny wants more than anything is accepted and not feel like an outsider.
    • Into the Water by Paula Hawkins |  Author of  The Girl on the Train, Hawkins is back with another spellbinding thriller.  Secrets will be revealed after a single mother and a teenage girl are found dead at the bottom of town river.  Were their deaths accidents or has a killer from the past returned to town? 
    • Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman |  When a socially awkward Eleanor and her coworker Raymond save an elderly man after a nasty stumble, three unexpectedly develop a bond and friendship.  Soon Eleanor starts to realize that life becomes worth while when we take risks even if some risks could lead to heartbreak. 
    • I Found You by Lisa Jewell |  What would you do if you found a man on the beach who couldn’t remember who he was?  Even worst, what would you do if your husband went missing and you found out that the person claimed to be wasn’t actually a real person at all?
    • The Widow of Wall Street by Randy Susan Meyers |  When Phoebe’s husband gets caught running a Ponzi scheme, she has to choose between standing by her husband’s side as their world crumbles or leaving him in order to have a relationship with her children.  Which will she choose and will she end up going down with her husband in the end?
    • The Color Purple by Alice Walker |  In this critically acclaimed and award winning novel, Alice Walker chronicles the lives of two sisters who separated by distance, time and more, but still manage to defeat odds and sustain their unbreakable bond.

    • Don’t Settle For Safe by Sarah Jakes Roberts |  How many times have we told someone to take a leap faith, but yet continue to play it safe in our own lives?  If you’re finally ready to break mold, this is the book for you.
    • Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi |  This award winning novel follows the lives of two half-sisters and the different directions of each of their lives takes during the 18th century.  Be prepared to go on journey from Ghana to Harlem and to explore topics of race and sex in this historical masterpiece.
    • The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty |  Espionage, war, and romance.  What happens when Sage Fowler goes from being a matchmaker’s apprentice to a military spy?  Will each secret that she uncovers lead or save her kingdom from going to war?
    • As Old As Time by Liz Braswell |  Calling all Beauty & the Beast fans, have you ever wondered who the enchanted sorceress was that cursed Beast?  What do you think would happen if Belle found out that person was her mother?  Would she still find her happily ever with him?
    • Royce Rolls by Margaret Stohl |  Bentley Royce is teenage realty super star.  As is the case with most things, everything that glitters isn’t gold.  Bentley is over the spotlight, but if her family’s show doesn’t get renewed for a sixth season, she’s afraid her family will drift apart.  She has to choose between leaving the cameras behind or doing what she can to get her family’s show renewed.

    • Every Body Yoga by Jessamyn Stanley |  For years there’s been this myth that you have to look or have a certain body type to do yoga.  Jessamyn Stanley is shattering the myth and proving that no matter what shape or size your body is, with the right techniques and determination, anyone can master the art of yoga.
    • Clean Cooking by Elisabeth Johansson |  Eating healthy is easier when you have a cookbook full of yummy recipes to pick from.  Elisabeth Johansson proves that eating gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free doesn’t mean you have to eat yucky food.  I highly recommend this cookbook for families and individuals with food allergies.
    • Our Short History by Lauren Grodstein |  This heartbreaking novel is about a who mom who walked out on her ex after he “made it clear that fatherhood wasn’t in his plans” when he found out she was pregnant.  Fast forward a few years and Karen finds herself dying and struggling with trying to decide if her ex should be a permanent fixture in their son’s life after she’s gone.
    • The Trophy Child by Paula Daly |  Deception, murder and suburbia.  Find out what happens when one mom pushes her family too far over the edge in this new thriller. 
    • Bowls! by Molly Watson |  As of late I’ve been all about one-pot and bowl meals.  In this book Molly Watson shares one-dish meals that are both delicious and healthy.
    • The Big Life by Ann Shoket | Former editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine, Ann Shoket talks why it’s important to have a “squad” as well as giving tips and advance on relationships, side hustling and more.  And how cool is it that Michelle Phan wrote the Foreword?!
    What’s your favorite beach or tropical read?

  • Thankful Thursday | A Weekly List of Gratitude

    It’s official y’all!  Only four more weeks of getting up to take Moo to school and then we’ll be on Summer Break.  She’s been asking to join her brother at home doing homeschool and I think we’re going to give it a try.  There are a lot of positives to having her at home as well and I can’t wait to see how it goes.  

    What I Am Thankful For This Week

    #BookBuddyAthon |  If you’ve been around here long enough, it’s literally NO secret that I’m a bookworm.  It’s a trait I inherited from my mom’s side of the family.  Anyways, last year I really wanted to participate in #BookBuddyAthon, but couldn’t find a book buddy in time.  This year I tweeted and put it out there that I was looking for buddy.  Dreams come true when you put them out into the universe, right?
    Long story short, last week someone finally reached out to me and asked to be my book buddy!  Our reading tastes are similar and we can both talk books for hours it seems.  The readathon starts this Saturday and I can’t wait!  I think I’ve found a lifelong book friend you guys.
    Teachers |  This week I finally got to meet Moo’s talent development teacher.  We had met in passing a few weeks before Christmas, but it was literally a “Hi” and “Bye” type of meeting.  She held meeting for parents to talk to us more about the Gifted and Talented program and give us some tips on what the next stage of our children’s education should be among other things.  Can I just say that I love her!!  
    Seriously, her passion and excitement for working with kids radiates off of her.  Also, she looks like Tracee Ellis Ross and has the vibrant personally to match.  I wish I could afford to hire as a private teacher for Moo on our homeschooling journey.  One day, one day…

    More Homeschool Progress |  My little guy is reading.  By himself y’all!!  We read together for bedtime every night.  On Monday, he asked if he could read and I said sure.  You guys he surprised me when he read a whole sentence without any help!  This is major, especially if you know his journey from being a nonverbal communicator until now.
    My heart is so full as I continue to watch my precious little guy knock down barriers and achieve milestones.  I’m so thankful that I made the choice to homeschool him.  He’s not stressed out and has been able to learn at his own pace.

    What are you thankful for this week?

  • Whoa, Baby! Book Review + Giveaway

    Disclosure:  This review and giveaway are sponsored by Da Capo Press.  I received a copy of Whoa, Baby! from the publisher to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Also, this post contains affiliate links.

    When it comes to motherhood, why are mothers often the least talked about?  Sure there are tons of books and articles out there that tell us how to mother/parent and even more that judge how some of us parent/mother.  But what about the books that focus on and go into candid detail about the physical, mental and emotional aspects of being a mom, especially surrounding new motherhood?  Having once searched for those books for months almost nine years ago, I can tell you that there aren’t many.  Thankfully, new moms like Kelly Rowland and her OB/GYN, Dr. Tristan Bickman, are changing that with her new book, Whoa, Baby!: A Guide For New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out.

    When I first heard that Kelly Rowland was writing a book about new motherhood with OB/GYN, Dr. Bickman, I got a little bit excited.  While I wasn’t a 100% certain that the majority of this book wasn’t going to be about how to parent, I knew that since Dr. Bickman is on OB/GYN and not a pediatrician that this book was probably going to tackle some issues that related specifically and solely just to moms.  Now, having read Whoa, Baby! fully, I can assure you that this is not yet another how to parent book.

    Instead, Whoa, Baby! is a welcomed breath of fresh air when it comes to guides for new moms in my opinion.  Kelly Rowland gets very candid and open about a lot of topics that I feel either get glazed over, swept under the rug or just not talked about at all.  I love her honesty in talking about the pain our vaginas go through after birth not only from the act of just pushing our babies out, but also from the vaginal tearing that happens to roughly 95% of us birth our children vaginally.  When I flash back to talking about my labor and delivery with my first OB/GYN before I delivered Moo, she made vaginal tearing sound like something that could happen, but probably wouldn’t.

    Boy, was she wrong.  I ended up with an almost third degree tear folks.  And let me tell you ladies, there ain’t nothing comfortable about having stitches in your lady bits.  I definitely wish I had known that tearing was the norm for first time moms and not as rare as my doctor had made it seem because I feel like I could have better prepared myself mentally for the pain afterwards and would have actually stocked up on items like an inflatable donut and those ice-pack underwear.

    Aside from vaginal tearing, Kelly Rowland also shares her struggles with constipation, worrying breastfeeding after getting breast implants, sex after baby, and her battle to love her post baby body.  She even talks about postpartum depression, a subject that even today is still considered a bit taboo to talk openly about.  And throughout all of her sharing, Dr. Bickman interjects her professional opinions and advice in way that is seamless and doesn’t take away from the intimate feeling of the book.

    And while we’re on the subject of Dr. Bickman, I just want to say that I wish I had the opportunity to have her as my OB/GYN.  She has a tone/personality that comes across as no non-sense, straightforward and brutally honest, but with a little humor sprinkled in.  You can definitely tell that she’s seen and heard it all and is completely comfortable talking about any subject, regardless of how embarrassing, with her patients.  You can also tell that she values her patients and has no problem being an advocate for them when needed.

    Seriously, I’m more than a little bummed out that Kelly Rowland didn’t have child before I did because I could have totally used Whoa, Baby! before and even after I had Moo.  Rowland talks about how we as moms don’t really talk about the not so pretty aspects of new motherhood, even with our close friends and family members.  This got me to thinking and she’s right.  I had two girlfriends who had children before I did, they never warned me about the stuff that Rowland and Dr. Bickman talk about.

    While I’m glad new moms and moms-to-be now have Whoa, Baby!, I can’t help but encourage moms to start talking to our close friends and family about these things when they ask what our experiences were like.  It’s time to stop being ashamed or embarrassed to talk about our needs and struggles.  It’s time to keep it all the way real so that we’re not sending our loved ones into this experience blind.

    I appreciate Rowland’s openness and willingness to share what her experience was like.  I enjoyed the tone of this book and how it felt like she was confiding in me as friend and not just a reader.  Whoa, Baby! is definitely a must-read for new moms and moms-to-be.  I’d even recommend this book to not-so-new moms like myself who’ve always wanted a book that gets real about our needs and experiences as new moms, but couldn’t find the right one.

    GIVEAWAY

    The lovely folks from Da Capo Press were nice enough to allow me to giveaway two (2) copies of Whoa, Baby! to two (2) lucky YUMMommy supporters!  All you have to do is use the giveaway widget below to enter.  This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years old or older ONLY.
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Also, you can purchase your own copy of Kelly’s Whoa, Baby! on Amazon, Walmart.com, Book Depository and Target.com.

    What is one thing you wish you knew/want to know about becoming a new mom?

  • How To Mom In Comfort & Style

    Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog.  The opinions posted are my own.
    There was a time when I didn’t mind sacrificing comfort for style.  These days not so much.  I’m a mom of two who works from home, volunteers in my community and more.  With so much on my plate and constantly being on the go, I’m dressing in clothing that is comfortable, but still stylish.  Over the years I’ve learned that beauty doesn’t haven’t to equal pain and looking great doesn’t have to equal being uncomfortable.  This is why I was delighted to partner with Moms Meet and prAna to try out some of their clothing. 
    prAna, launched in 1992,  means breath, life, and vitality of the spirit.  While they started off making clothing targeted mostly for climbers and yoga doers, they’ve since added more pieces that suit those of us who aren’t climbers or yoga doers, but still want to be comfortable and look good.  I wanted pieces that were comfortable, fit my new body well and that I could interchange with pieces from my wardrobe that I already owned.  So, I chose the Cleo T-shirt in Coal and the Mantra Pant in Black Herringbone.

    Listen, the Cleo T-shirt just might be the softest and most comfortable t-shirt I’ve ever worn.  It’s definitely the my new favorite t-shirt and I’ve already hinted at the Mr that I want the Summer Peach and Vortex Blue ones as well for Mother’s Day.  After all I am working on adding more color into my wardrobe.

    With a classic baseball tee style, the Cleo T-shirt is very lightweight, breathable and has a great feminine fit.  I loved the way hugged and draped over my body.  Because it’s a baseball style t-shirt it covers the waist band of pants.  So I don’t have to worry about showing any accidental skin when I’m at the park with kids and need to bend down to tie someone’s shoe or pick up a stray ball.  Gotta keep it classy at playdates folks.
    And you can totally dress this outfit up.  When we went to check out the Veteran’s Memorial in Mint Hill, I dressed my outfit up by adding some cute strappy heels.
    Made of soft hemp mixed with stretch fabric and trimmed with organic cotton, I love the overall fit of the Mantra Pant.  And the best thing is that this pant comes with a drawcord/drawstring waist!!  I don’t shy away from pants with drawstings folks.  When you have an amble bottom and thighs coupled with a smaller waist, you struggle to find pants that fit properly.  Having a drawstring helps to make sure my pants don’t have gaps in the waist or look too bunched.
     Also, I loved that the pieces I picked out could mixed and matched with pieces I already owned.  It was like getting double the outfits.  This gray and white striped tee looks great paired with my Mantra Pant.
    How cute is the Cleo T-shirt with my skinny jeans and loafers?!!  Stylish right?  And I was definitely comfortable.  Totally nailing this momming in style and comfort thing.

    At the end of the day, I’m grateful to have been introduced to a new brand that understands that comfort and style can coexist.   Also, prAna makes their clothing using sustainable materials with Fair Trade and Renewable Energy initiatives.  This is an added plus and puts my mind ease about where my clothing are coming from and how much of a carbon footprint is being made to create these pieces.

    If you have a mom uniform that isn’t stylish or if you’re still sacrificing comfort to look good, I hope that you will check out what prAna has to offer.  In fact, the lovely folks at prAna are offering 15% off regular price merchandise using discount code MOMSYM.   Mother’s Day is coming up so slip this discount code along with your favorite prAna items to the Mr, family and friends.  And don’t forget to check out prAna on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    Has your style changed over the years?

  • 25 Books To Add To Your April TBR

    April is has arrived and this month has already showered me with both rain and good books.  Since I love you guys, I decided to share the love and give you a list of 25 great books that you can add to your April TBRs as you pass the time indoors where it’s dry as well.  Some of these books I have read, some of I’m in the process of reading and others were recommended to me by fellow Booktubers.  So put the kids down for a nap or to bed early, curl up on the sofa with a nice warm cup of tea and prepare to escape to different worlds.

    In the spirit of full disclosure, I do want to mention that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that should you click on any of the links below and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to help with the upkeep of YUMMommy.  Thanks for the support!

    • Whoa, Baby! by Kelly Rowland:  Motherhood isn’t all butterflies and roses.  In her debut novel, Rowland (along with Dr. Tristan Bickman) give first time moms the low down on what it really feels like to be a new mom.
    • I Am Number 8 by John Gray III:  An underdog and often overlooked most of his life, Gray reflects on what it felt like to be a David and how God helped him to move from being invisible to becoming a leader for others.  If you’ve ever felt alone, neglected or wondered if God has forgotten about you, this book is a must-read for you then. 
    • The Falconer by Elizabeth May:  Set in Scotland, Aileana’s life has been turned upside down ever since the day an evil fae ripped her mother’s heart from her chest.  With the help another fae, Kiaran, she will stop at nothing to avenge her mother’s death and save her town from falling into the grips of other faeries. 
    • An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir:  What happens when defiance equals death, but you have to risk it all to save someone you love dearly?  Prepare to go on a journey in this epic fantasy meets espionage novel. 
    • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas:  Based on the Black Lives Matter Movement, this book is about Starr, who witnesses the shooting of her unarmed best friend Khalil by a White cop.  Starr’s immediately thrust into an unwanted spotlight as this case makes headlines around the world.  There’s so much riding on her testimony, will Starr crumple under pressure?  Will justice for Khalil for be served?
    • Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland by Carroll Lewis:  This classic gets a new makeover with manga style graphics created by Kriss Sison.  
    • 50 States, 5,000 Ideas by Joseph R. Yogert:  Are you looking for a list of endless family adventures?  Then, this book is for you.  Go ahead and get ready to plan a summer vacation of epic roadtrips and sight seeing.
    • Stay The Path by Bobbie Houston:  Do you struggle with finding your purpose and confidence in your ability to be leader?  Well, Houston is here with tips and personal stories to help you grow your leadership skills, confidence and how to uncover your life’s purpose in Christ.
    • Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho:  In this John Green meets Sarah Dessen novel, two best friends struggle with unrequited love, self-identity and learning to accept the consequences that come from making unwise decisions.
    • Lola by Melissa Scrivner Love:  A gang gets in over their heads and everything and everyone are not what or who they appear to be in this griping thriller.
    • 20 Ways To Make Every Day Better by Joyce Meyer:  Have the trails and daily stresses of life robbed you of your joy?  Meyer gives you 20 steps/tips to help you restore joy and excitement into your day.
    • The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May:  Aileana struggles to find way to save two worlds in this sequel to The Falconer.
    • The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon:  Moving and awe-inspiring, this is the story of two teens, Daniel and Natasha, and how the universe bringing these young lovers together will change their lives forever. 
    • The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid:  Nemesis, a Diabolic, will go to the ends of the galaxy to protect her human, Sidonia.  When the evil Emperor requests that Sidonia parents send her to court, Nemesis goes in her place instead in an effort to not only save Sidonia, but their entire empire.  Be prepared to not be able to put this book down!
    • Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge:  If you’re a fan of Beauty and the Beast, you will love this spellbinding retelling.
    • The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead:  An Oprah Book Club pick this book follows Cora, a slave, on her journey to escape the clutches of slavery in the South.  Graphic, but uplifting, Whitehead gives readers and non-whitewashed look at how cruel and barbaric slavery really was.
    • 101 Organic Gardening Hacks by Shawna Coronado:  Help your organic garden flourish this spring and summer with this helpful hacks and tips.
    • Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah:  The hardest part of life for Amber Miyamoto, a biracial preteen, is not having a father.  He walked out of the door of their home one night and never came back.  His abrupt disappearance has left Amber with a thousand questions, feeling like an outsider and emotional scars.  Get your Kleenexes ready for this beautifully written story.
    • The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco:  Tea’s gift of necromancy leaves her ostracized by her own coven.  She (and her brother) are taken under the wing of another bone witch, but will Tea master how to properly use her powers before an evil force descends upon them?
    • Very Good Lives by J. K. Rowling:  In this transcript of her 2008 Harvard University commencement speech, Rowling reminds us that failure is part of reaching success and that having an imagination is timeless.
    • Everyone We’ve Been by Sarah Everett:  What you do found out you specific memories about a specific boy erased from your mind, but you can’t remember why?  This book will have you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who the boy is right along with Addison.
    • Into White by Randi Pink:  From LaToya to Toya, this book explores topics related to racism, social class, and gender as Pink chronicles what happens when LaToya wakes up finds her prayers to be “anything but Black” answered.
    • The Story of Moana by Disney Book Group:  If you loved Moana the movie, then you’re love this junior novelization that has a few added/altered “scenes.”
    • You Can’t Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson:  This New York Time bestseller tackles issues related to Black hair, racism, feminism and more in a way that will have laughing while saying Amen.
    • The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue:  A beautifully funny novel about two opposite sex gay couples who come together to form one big family, this book will have you examining the bonds of your own family.
    What was the last good book you’ve read?

  • Thankful Thursday | A Weekly List of Gratitude

    How did April get here so fast?  With the days flying by, it finally hit me this week that we’re saying goodbye to calling the Queen City our home.  I get a little emotional sometimes thinking about it and have to quickly refocus my mind on something else.  Why didn’t I remember how bittersweet moving can be?  Pray for us guys that this will be a smooth transition for our family, especially Moo.  While she was initially excited to be moving, it’s finally hit her that she has to leave her best friend and other two close friends behind.

    In the spirit of full disclosure, I want to let you know that this post contains affiliate links.  This just means that I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you should you click on one of my affiliate links and make a purchase. 

    What I Am Thankful For This Week

    Nature Trails |  It’s been storming off and on this week.  Seeing all of this heavy rain made me grateful that the kids and I were able to hit up our favorite nature trail last weekend.  It felt so good to unplug from technology.  It was also nice to visit one our favorite spots before it’s time to pack up.  I’m hoping that we can get in a few nature walks before say farewell though.  It really is peaceful and just allows me a moment of tranquility where I’m basking completely in the awesomeness of God’s creations and the overwhelming joy I feel about being a mom.

    Reading Discoveries |  You guys already know that I’m a book nerd and reading is one of my absolute favorite things to do.  Sometime around Christmas of last year I fell into a bit of reading slump.  This week I went to library solo and spent almost an hour looking around.  I ended up picking up almost 30 books.  Two of those books were from Elizabeth May’s Falconer series.

    I’m almost finished with the first book and I am hooked!  I’m all about fantasy and high fantasy right now.  I’m also reading The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid and it has me hooked as well so far.  Sony is actually developing it into a movie.  I’m hoping someone will purchase the rights to May’s Falconer series as well.  I’m so thankful to be out of my reading slump because I got lots of book mail this week, too.  Expect to see some book reviews soon.

    Homeschool Progress |  When I first made the decision to homeschool JJ, I had so many emotions going through my mind.  A lot of it was self-doubt.  While I knew traditional schooling wasn’t right for him, I wasn’t 100% confident in my ability to teach my little guy.  Well, summer is almost here and I’m so thankful that I took the risk.

    My little guys is talking machine with a great vocabulary.  He’s writing his full name by himself, knows his birthday, can do simple addition and subtraction and more.  He’s becoming quite the little artist as well.  I’ve exposed him to Spanish and science.  Moo’s in traditional school and won’t be exposed to foreign language until high school!  I’m seriously leaning towards just having her join us at home next school year.

    I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your week.  We’re officially on Spring Break and keeping our fingers crossed the rain will take a rest so that we can get to the pool this weekend.

    What are you thankful for this week?

  • SMURFS: The Lost Village Movie Review

    This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Sony Pictures.  I received information to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.  As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.
    The Smurfs are back!!  Can you guys hear me shouting and jumping with joy?  Seriously, if you were a kid during the 80s and up until 2003, you should definitely be familiar with the Smurfs.  Growing up I always felt like a cross between Brainy and Smurfette.  So  I was stoked to find out that Smurfette, Brainy, Hefty, Clumsy and the rest of the gang were coming to big screen in their new fully animated movie SMURFS: The Lost Village on April 7th.  

    Armed with a mysterious map, besties Smurfette, Hefty, Clumsy and Brainy find themselves on a race through the mystical Forbidden Forest.  The four friends are trying to save a mysterious lost village of magical creatures from falling into the clutches of the evil wizard Gargamel and his goons.  However, once the Smurfs reach the lost village, they make a discovery that will change their lives forever! 

    Why Your Family Should See SMURFS: The Lost Village

    Thankfully, the kids and I don’t have to wait until the 7th to see the new Smurfs movie.  We got to screen it early this past weekend.  Below is what we loved about it and why we think every family should make plans to head to the theaters this Friday and watch it as well.
    Cast | I’ll be honest and admit that I wasn’t thrilled initially when I found out that Katy Perry wouldn’t be returning as the voice of Smurfette.  However, Moo was over the moon that Demi Lovato was bestowed the honor.  She’s Disney Channel royalty and my kids are all about their Disney stars.  Overall, I can see now that Lovato was a great choice.
    The all-star cast doesn’t stop there.  There’s Mandy Patinkin as Papa Smurf, the hunky Joe Manganiello as Hefty, Jack McBrayer as Clumsy, Rainn Wilson as Gargamel and Danny Pudi as Brainy.  As soon as Brainy Smurf spoke, Moo exclaimed, “That’s Fix-It Felix’s voice!”  She LOVES Wreck-It Ralph and I wasn’t sure if she was going to recognize Pudi’s voice.
    Also, new to cast was the hilarious Ellie Kemper as SmurfBlossom, Ariel Winter (more Disney Channel royalty) as SmurfLily, the lovely Meghan Trainor as SmurfMelody, Michelle Rodriguez as SmurfStorm and the uber talented Julia Roberts as SmurfWillow!  Honestly, my mind was a little bit blown when I found out Julia Roberts had joined the Smurf crew.  She’s beyond talented and her character really fit what I envision her real life personality to be like.  Kudos to Sony for putting together such an amazing band of actors to voice over these characters.
    Overall Animation |  You guys may not know this about me, but art was one of my favorite electives in junior high school.  I was disappointed when I discovered I couldn’t continue taking art classes in high school.  As a result of my early love of drawing, I’ve always been slightly obsessed with the animation of cartoons.  In my personal opinion, I think the artists absolutely nailed the overall animation for SMURFS: The Lost Village!
    The kids really loved all of the scenes in the Forbidden Forest because of all of the vivid colors that were used. We definitely wish the Forbidden Forest existed in real life because it was simply beautiful.
    Life Lessons |  I’m always a sucker for a movie that contain important life lessons and positive messaging, especially when it comes to family movies.  My favorite lesson from the movie was:

    No one can define your purpose or who you are!

    If you know anything about the Smurfs or have seen any of the previous Smurf movies, you know that Smurfette was originally created Gargamel to help him capture the Smurfs.  With the help, love and kindness of Papa Smurf, she changed from evil to good.  At the opening of this movie, we saw Smurfette struggling with defining and figuring who she and what her purpose was.  After she wasn’t a Smurf, but a Smurfette.
    And not just any Smurfette either.  She was created from a lump of blue clay using evil magic.  We saw her so desperately trying to fit in and be like her brothers.  Then, in a run-in with the evil Gargamel, he taunts her by saying that her purpose will always be ruin the Smurfs and involuntarily help him carry out his evil plans because that’s what he created her to do.  This declaration on made Smurfette question her purpose and identity even more.
    I think kids and even some of adults can really relate to Smurfette’s self-identity and purpose struggle.  As a mom, I know I’ve really struggled with maintaining an identity that doesn’t consist of JUST being a mom.  I’m more than that.  While raising amazing and compassionate children is one of my biggest purposes in life, it’s not my only purpose.
    Again there are many lessons and opportunities for discussion and even self-reflection that can be found in these best friends’ journey to selflessly save strangers they never knew existed. 
    All in all, this is an excellent movie to see with your family (or friends).  I loved it, the kids definitely loved it.  We give it two thumbs up.
    I’d like thank the lovely folks at Sony for sponsoring a SMURFS: The Lost Village Prize Pack giveaway!  One lucky YUMMommy reader 18 years or older from the US will win all of these goodies above.  All you have to do is use the widget below.
    SMURFS: The Lost Village Prize Pack Giveaway
    And if you haven’t already, go check out my SMURFS-tastic Freeze Ball Punch Recipe!  It’s a delicious and refreshing color-changing, frizzy drink that everyone is sure to love.  Also, you can find out more about the new Smurfs movie, print activity pages for the kids and more here.  Don’t forget to follow the Smurfs on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on any new Smurf movie releases and events.

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  • Get Ready To Fuel Up With Disney•Pixar ‘s Cars 3 Road to the Races Tour

    This post is sponsored by DisneyᐧPixar.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that keep YUMMommy running.

    Calling all DisneyᐧPixar’s Cars fans!  5-time Piston Cup champion #95 aka Lightning McQueen is come the Carolinas!!!  This is HUGE news in my household as JJ is obsessed with anything that has to do with Lighting McQueen or the Cars crew.  I wish you guys could have heard his squeals of glee and saw his reaction when I told him that #95 was making a pitch stop here in Charlotte on May 19th-20th from noon to 6 PM (entry ends at 5PM) at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  In celebration of Cars 3 coming out June 16th, stars of the movie – Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm – are on a 27 cities Road to the Races Tour from the West Coast to the East Coast.

    As excited as my little guy was, I think I was equally excited because Lighting is rolling into town just in time for JJ’s birthday!  He said he didn’t want a party, so this will be the next best way to celebrate his turning six.  The Road to the Races Tour will also be rolling into Greensboro, NC on May 18th at Mack Trucks Brand & Product Line.  
    Seriously, if you are in the Carolinas and have Cars fan, you should definitely make plans to attend one (or both) of these tour stops.  Not only will we get to hang out with life-size versions of our favorite Cars character and his new buddies, but there will also be a variety of activities that the whole family can enjoy thanks to sponsors of the event.  The Alamo Rent-A-Car℠ booth will be passing out pencil pack souvenirs and giving families a change to color a part of a giant Lightning McQueen mural.
    The folks from Coppertone® will be giving families the ultimate pit crew experience by sponsoring a tire-changing and photo-sharing activity where we can try our hands at changing a race car tire.  I have to admit that I’m really excited about this activity.  I’ve always wanted to know what it was like changing a tire on a race car.  The pit crews make it took so effortless on television.
    We will also be able to create a digital postcard featuring Lightning McQueen of course thanks to Crest® and Oral-B®.  They will also be handing out Cars themed oral care products as well.  Once we’ve finished posing from the cameras, Mattel will have an interactive play area where the kids can play with a gravity dropper and new play sets featuring locations from the Cars 3 movie.  There will also be a display of die cast racers from the previous and upcoming Cars movies.  This will be a good way to test your child’s (and your own) Cars character knowledge.  
    And because May is usually when the hit starts to pick up here in the Carolinas, Dole® will be on hand with some high-octane fruit and veggie smoothies!!  I do love smoothies!  They’ll also be sharing recipes inspired by Cars 3 as well as some tips for how we can make healthy living fun and easy for our families.
    Before we leave, we’ll be sure to stop by the Cinetransformer Mobile Movie Theater to catch a sneak peak of Cars 3!  We’ve already seen the trailers for the movie on the Disney Channel and I can’t wait to see what else they’re going to reveal to us in the sneak peak.  You guys, this event is going to be EPIC!  We’re literally counting down the days.
    If you’re in the Charlotte area and are planning on attending send me a tweet and let me know.
    Who is your child’s or your favorite Cars character?