Disclosure: I received these products complimentary for review purposes. Although I receive these benefits I always share an opinion that is 100% mine.  

With summer right around the corner, I am sure you have seen all the Summer Toy Products displayed at your local retailer, from sand toys to bubbles, goggles, and chalk.

Many times I will recommend the Dollar Store for toys and items that are inexpensive.  Especially if you are going on a trip and you think the item may not return with you.  A thing to keep in mind is you get what you pay for.  So although I frequent the Dollar Store, most Dollar Store toys won't make it through the season.  

It pays to invest a little bit more money on a good quality set of sand toys and goggles if you want to use them ALL summer long.  This is one thing that I do every year, I would rather get some quality summer toys that will last, then have to make numerous stops picking up another set, especially since I have 4 BOYS!!!!  I've grabbed the cheap goggles and later regretted it, I remember a time, we bought cheap goggles and after one time jumping in the pool, they broke, others don't do the job of sealing out the water. That is never fun trying to explain to your kids.

We will use sand toys a lot with Summer Break, we frequent our local parks, our local lakes (Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma), we have beach trips planned and we have a sandbox in our backyard so these will be used daily. 

When you have multiple children and are going to use it all summer long, spending a little bit more money for something that will last is totally worth it in my opinion so for $14.99 for this Jumbo Beach Basket set at Sam's Club, I definitely recommend it.

In an upcoming blog post, one of my tips is to have a Kids Fun Kit.  A kit with things you bring out to entertain the kids if you are hosting a party.  These products would be great to add to your Kids Fun Kit or your birthday gift closet stockpile. Do you have one of those? Comes in handy with the wave of summer birthday party invites that can happen.

I love this NextWave Jumbo Beach Basket.  The basket is helpful when it's time to clean up, all the sand toys go right into the basket, it has a lid that snaps on and a carrying strap.  The basket has holes which makes it easy to shake off excess sand.  It's bright, colorful and sturdy.  


My boys thought the Aqua Creature Water Squirterz are really fun.  They love squirt guns, but this is something a little different.  This works best in a pool or in the bathtub, where you have plenty of water to refill it.  When the boys used it in the backyard, they grew tired of refilling it, but it's perfect for swimming pool fun and bath time where you have easy access to refill it.  It was easy to refill and squirt, you just submerge in water and squeeze to fill.  My three older boys ages 10, 8, and 6 had no problem filling it up.  


The Aqua Creature Swim Mask is fun, it's not your plain regular goggles.  My boys love animals and are fans of the Wild Kratts, so these goggles helped play right into their imaginative play.  They feel strong and durable and I love all the details.

You can find these Amloid Toys at Walmart and the NextWave Jumbo Beach Basket at Sam's Club.  See our YouTube videos below!

The latest from Amloid – a fourth-generation, family-owned toy company that’s been making a wide range of fun, innovative and value-driven toys for more than 100 years – include the all-new NextWave™ Jumbo Beach Basket, Aqua Creatures Swim Masks & Water Squirterz and the Play Day™ Character Beach Basket for beach and water play, all of which are now available at retail.


NextWave™ – Jumbo Beach Basket
Get ready to have tons of fun in the sun with the all-new, totally redesigned NextWave™ Jumbo Beach Basket from Amloid! This bright and colorful activity set is packed with play value with all the accessories kids need to spend hours at the beach or in the sandbox with new sand forms and a collection of multifunctional sand tools. New features include a sturdy nylon shoulder strap along with a comfort grip handle for easy on-the-go portability. And the collapsible folding case makes clean up a breeze by shaking out water and sand when its time to go. Plus, the cover detaches from the basket to double as a super-sized animal sand form! Whether little ones are creating cool castles or sculpting masterpieces in the sand, parents will love the quality and value of this Jumbo Beach Basket set from a trusted brand name in Amloid. The 15-piece set comes complete with assorted sea creatures and nautical forms, bucket with handle, castle molds, rake, roller, sand spinner, sifter and shovels in a variety of sizes. Available in 3 styles: Flamingo (pink), Whale (purple) and Shark (teal).  Ages: 2+  Price: $14.99  Available: Now @ Sam’s Club

Play Day™ – Character Beach Basket
Amloid’s newest beach play set packs fun with functionality at an amazing value! The new Play Day™ Character Beach Baskets features a trio of creatures to choose from to take on any adventure: Turtle, Clown Fish or Crab.  Children will have a super fun time with the assortment of brightly-colored, durable and essential sand tools to add endless enjoyment to any beach escape. The collapsible folding case cover detaches from the basket to double as a large-sized animal sand form, while the enclosed basket makes clean up a breeze by shaking out water and sand when its time to go. Plus, a comfort grip handle makes for easy on-the-go portability and travel. This 6-piece activity set is the perfect accessory pack to start shaping creations in the sand with a pail, castle mold, shovel and sifter. Available in 3 styles: Turtle (green), Clown Fish (blue) and Crab (red).  
Ages: 2+  Price: $4.96  Available: @ Walmart

Aqua Kidz - Aqua Creatures Swim Masks
Take a dive on the wild side and discover the underwater world in a whole new way with the Aqua Creatures Swim Masks from Amloid! Kids can explore their animal alter-egos with a quality mask that will keep their eyes protected and will surely bring loads of fun to pool and water activities. Each version features unique creature characteristics as the shark mask comes complete with a fin on top, realistic eyes and jagged teeth over the lens, while the crocodile mask is decked out in reptile scales, spooky yellow eyes and spikey teeth. The one-size-fits-all mask features an adjustable strap to fit kids ages 5-and-up along with a durable, high-quality kid-safe lens.  Available in 3 styles: Crocodile (green), Shark (pink) and Shark (blue)  Ages: 5+  Price: $9.97  Available: @ Walmart

Aqua Kidz - Aqua Creatures Water Squirterz
Talk about a wet and wild sneak attack! With Amloid’s Aqua Creatures Water Squirterz, kids will have a blast battling each other to see whose predator is the pack leader. Just place the hand-held launcher under water and squeeze the compression pump to fill it up, then squeeze again to soak your target. Available in ferociously playful shark and crocodile editions, each squirterz can launch a steady stream of water up to 10 feet! Whether outside in a pool or inside in a bath, the Aqua Creatures Squirterz will take the fun to a whole new level. The one-size-fits-all squirterz are the perfect accessory to add to any water toy box this spring. Available in 3 styles: Crocodile (green), Shark (pink) and Shark (blue)  Ages: 5+  Price: $7.68  Available: @ Walmart

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.

Amloid Toy Review

Disclosure: I received these products complimentary for review purposes. Although I receive these benefits I always share an opinion that is 100% mine.  

With summer right around the corner, I am sure you have seen all the Summer Toy Products displayed at your local retailer, from sand toys to bubbles, goggles, and chalk.

Many times I will recommend the Dollar Store for toys and items that are inexpensive.  Especially if you are going on a trip and you think the item may not return with you.  A thing to keep in mind is you get what you pay for.  So although I frequent the Dollar Store, most Dollar Store toys won't make it through the season.  

It pays to invest a little bit more money on a good quality set of sand toys and goggles if you want to use them ALL summer long.  This is one thing that I do every year, I would rather get some quality summer toys that will last, then have to make numerous stops picking up another set, especially since I have 4 BOYS!!!!  I've grabbed the cheap goggles and later regretted it, I remember a time, we bought cheap goggles and after one time jumping in the pool, they broke, others don't do the job of sealing out the water. That is never fun trying to explain to your kids.

We will use sand toys a lot with Summer Break, we frequent our local parks, our local lakes (Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma), we have beach trips planned and we have a sandbox in our backyard so these will be used daily. 

When you have multiple children and are going to use it all summer long, spending a little bit more money for something that will last is totally worth it in my opinion so for $14.99 for this Jumbo Beach Basket set at Sam's Club, I definitely recommend it.

In an upcoming blog post, one of my tips is to have a Kids Fun Kit.  A kit with things you bring out to entertain the kids if you are hosting a party.  These products would be great to add to your Kids Fun Kit or your birthday gift closet stockpile. Do you have one of those? Comes in handy with the wave of summer birthday party invites that can happen.

I love this NextWave Jumbo Beach Basket.  The basket is helpful when it's time to clean up, all the sand toys go right into the basket, it has a lid that snaps on and a carrying strap.  The basket has holes which makes it easy to shake off excess sand.  It's bright, colorful and sturdy.  


My boys thought the Aqua Creature Water Squirterz are really fun.  They love squirt guns, but this is something a little different.  This works best in a pool or in the bathtub, where you have plenty of water to refill it.  When the boys used it in the backyard, they grew tired of refilling it, but it's perfect for swimming pool fun and bath time where you have easy access to refill it.  It was easy to refill and squirt, you just submerge in water and squeeze to fill.  My three older boys ages 10, 8, and 6 had no problem filling it up.  


The Aqua Creature Swim Mask is fun, it's not your plain regular goggles.  My boys love animals and are fans of the Wild Kratts, so these goggles helped play right into their imaginative play.  They feel strong and durable and I love all the details.

You can find these Amloid Toys at Walmart and the NextWave Jumbo Beach Basket at Sam's Club.  See our YouTube videos below!

The latest from Amloid – a fourth-generation, family-owned toy company that’s been making a wide range of fun, innovative and value-driven toys for more than 100 years – include the all-new NextWave™ Jumbo Beach Basket, Aqua Creatures Swim Masks & Water Squirterz and the Play Day™ Character Beach Basket for beach and water play, all of which are now available at retail.


NextWave™ – Jumbo Beach Basket
Get ready to have tons of fun in the sun with the all-new, totally redesigned NextWave™ Jumbo Beach Basket from Amloid! This bright and colorful activity set is packed with play value with all the accessories kids need to spend hours at the beach or in the sandbox with new sand forms and a collection of multifunctional sand tools. New features include a sturdy nylon shoulder strap along with a comfort grip handle for easy on-the-go portability. And the collapsible folding case makes clean up a breeze by shaking out water and sand when its time to go. Plus, the cover detaches from the basket to double as a super-sized animal sand form! Whether little ones are creating cool castles or sculpting masterpieces in the sand, parents will love the quality and value of this Jumbo Beach Basket set from a trusted brand name in Amloid. The 15-piece set comes complete with assorted sea creatures and nautical forms, bucket with handle, castle molds, rake, roller, sand spinner, sifter and shovels in a variety of sizes. Available in 3 styles: Flamingo (pink), Whale (purple) and Shark (teal).  Ages: 2+  Price: $14.99  Available: Now @ Sam’s Club

Play Day™ – Character Beach Basket
Amloid’s newest beach play set packs fun with functionality at an amazing value! The new Play Day™ Character Beach Baskets features a trio of creatures to choose from to take on any adventure: Turtle, Clown Fish or Crab.  Children will have a super fun time with the assortment of brightly-colored, durable and essential sand tools to add endless enjoyment to any beach escape. The collapsible folding case cover detaches from the basket to double as a large-sized animal sand form, while the enclosed basket makes clean up a breeze by shaking out water and sand when its time to go. Plus, a comfort grip handle makes for easy on-the-go portability and travel. This 6-piece activity set is the perfect accessory pack to start shaping creations in the sand with a pail, castle mold, shovel and sifter. Available in 3 styles: Turtle (green), Clown Fish (blue) and Crab (red).  
Ages: 2+  Price: $4.96  Available: @ Walmart

Aqua Kidz - Aqua Creatures Swim Masks
Take a dive on the wild side and discover the underwater world in a whole new way with the Aqua Creatures Swim Masks from Amloid! Kids can explore their animal alter-egos with a quality mask that will keep their eyes protected and will surely bring loads of fun to pool and water activities. Each version features unique creature characteristics as the shark mask comes complete with a fin on top, realistic eyes and jagged teeth over the lens, while the crocodile mask is decked out in reptile scales, spooky yellow eyes and spikey teeth. The one-size-fits-all mask features an adjustable strap to fit kids ages 5-and-up along with a durable, high-quality kid-safe lens.  Available in 3 styles: Crocodile (green), Shark (pink) and Shark (blue)  Ages: 5+  Price: $9.97  Available: @ Walmart

Aqua Kidz - Aqua Creatures Water Squirterz
Talk about a wet and wild sneak attack! With Amloid’s Aqua Creatures Water Squirterz, kids will have a blast battling each other to see whose predator is the pack leader. Just place the hand-held launcher under water and squeeze the compression pump to fill it up, then squeeze again to soak your target. Available in ferociously playful shark and crocodile editions, each squirterz can launch a steady stream of water up to 10 feet! Whether outside in a pool or inside in a bath, the Aqua Creatures Squirterz will take the fun to a whole new level. The one-size-fits-all squirterz are the perfect accessory to add to any water toy box this spring. Available in 3 styles: Crocodile (green), Shark (pink) and Shark (blue)  Ages: 5+  Price: $7.68  Available: @ Walmart

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.
The Sacramento County Fair is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-28, 2018.  I will be attending a media night next week before the fair is open to the public and will share on my blog and social media channels all my fun finds, be sure to follow along on social media and check back on the blog.   

Find me on Facebook | @theblogaboutitall
Twitter | @blogaboutitall
Instagram | @blogaboutitall


Excitement, anticipation, and exhilaration await attendees of the 82nd Annual Sacramento County Fair! The family-friendly event will take place May 24-28, 2018 on the grounds of Cal Expo. Every day is KIDS day at the Sacramento County Fair as kids 12-and-under receive FREE Fair admission, and adult admission is only $6.00! 

Over 100,000 guests are expected to come and enjoy the great food, live music, high-octane motorsports, electrifying bull riding, educational exhibits, and spectacular carnival rides that the Sacramento County Fair is famous for. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to learn from 4-H and FFA students about agriculture and visit barns full of chickens, goats, rabbits, turkeys, pigs, sheep, horses, and cows. Fair guests are encouraged to roam through the barns and engage with the 3,000­ plus youth exhibitors as they care for and show their animals.

The Fair opens its gates for FREE school tours on Thursday, May 24, 2018, and Friday, May 25, 2018. During the school tours, nearly 10,000 Sacramento County students will learn about food sources, wildlife conservation, be treated to special entertainment, and enjoy everything else that the Fair has to offer.

“The Sacramento County Fair is eager to return this year and continue its promise of providing families with a safe, fun, and affordable way to create a lifetime of memories. For years, the Fair has been the perfect example of education through entertainment. From eating your first funnel cake to the hands-on student agricultural programs to taking a spin on the newest, scariest carnival ride—there is something for everyone to enjoy,” says Sacramento County Fair CEO, Pamela Fyock. “This year, the Fair has over 40 activities, shows, and events that are free with Fair admission.”

This year’s Grandstands will be full every night over Memorial Day weekend, with heart-pounding events that are sure to keep fairgoers on the edge of their seats. One event that is sure to thrill is The Toughest Monster Truck Tour on Friday, May 25 with notable trucks like Bigfoot, Tailgator, and Dirt Crew. Returning on Saturday, May 26 is Lasher’s Stars & Stripes Bull Riding; pitting cowboys against bulls in the toughest 8 seconds in any sport.

Tickets for the Fair and Grandstand events will be available for purchase online at  www.sacfair.com or at the Sacramento County Fair office. Remember, fair admission is only $6 and children 12-and-under are admitted free every day!

For more information on the Fair and a daily schedule please visit www.sacfair.com #ShareTheFair and follow us on social media:

Getting to the Sacramento County Fair at Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815. Vehicle entry through Gate D at Exposition Blvd and Challenge Way. Gate admission is located at the entrance to the Cal Expo Rodeo Arena. 

Fair Admission | Kids 0-12: FREE | Admission: $6.00

Parking | $10.00

Bike Parking | Limited bike parking is available near the Rodeo Gate Entrance. 

The Sacramento County Fair is a Smoke-Free Fair!
Please smoke before entering the Fair. A designated smoking section is located prior to entry.

Mommy Lounge - Bldg C | A private place for nursing moms enjoying the Fair

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.

2018 Sacramento County Fair

The Sacramento County Fair is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-28, 2018.  I will be attending a media night next week before the fair is open to the public and will share on my blog and social media channels all my fun finds, be sure to follow along on social media and check back on the blog.   

Find me on Facebook | @theblogaboutitall
Twitter | @blogaboutitall
Instagram | @blogaboutitall


Excitement, anticipation, and exhilaration await attendees of the 82nd Annual Sacramento County Fair! The family-friendly event will take place May 24-28, 2018 on the grounds of Cal Expo. Every day is KIDS day at the Sacramento County Fair as kids 12-and-under receive FREE Fair admission, and adult admission is only $6.00! 

Over 100,000 guests are expected to come and enjoy the great food, live music, high-octane motorsports, electrifying bull riding, educational exhibits, and spectacular carnival rides that the Sacramento County Fair is famous for. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to learn from 4-H and FFA students about agriculture and visit barns full of chickens, goats, rabbits, turkeys, pigs, sheep, horses, and cows. Fair guests are encouraged to roam through the barns and engage with the 3,000­ plus youth exhibitors as they care for and show their animals.

The Fair opens its gates for FREE school tours on Thursday, May 24, 2018, and Friday, May 25, 2018. During the school tours, nearly 10,000 Sacramento County students will learn about food sources, wildlife conservation, be treated to special entertainment, and enjoy everything else that the Fair has to offer.

“The Sacramento County Fair is eager to return this year and continue its promise of providing families with a safe, fun, and affordable way to create a lifetime of memories. For years, the Fair has been the perfect example of education through entertainment. From eating your first funnel cake to the hands-on student agricultural programs to taking a spin on the newest, scariest carnival ride—there is something for everyone to enjoy,” says Sacramento County Fair CEO, Pamela Fyock. “This year, the Fair has over 40 activities, shows, and events that are free with Fair admission.”

This year’s Grandstands will be full every night over Memorial Day weekend, with heart-pounding events that are sure to keep fairgoers on the edge of their seats. One event that is sure to thrill is The Toughest Monster Truck Tour on Friday, May 25 with notable trucks like Bigfoot, Tailgator, and Dirt Crew. Returning on Saturday, May 26 is Lasher’s Stars & Stripes Bull Riding; pitting cowboys against bulls in the toughest 8 seconds in any sport.

Tickets for the Fair and Grandstand events will be available for purchase online at  www.sacfair.com or at the Sacramento County Fair office. Remember, fair admission is only $6 and children 12-and-under are admitted free every day!

For more information on the Fair and a daily schedule please visit www.sacfair.com #ShareTheFair and follow us on social media:

Getting to the Sacramento County Fair at Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815. Vehicle entry through Gate D at Exposition Blvd and Challenge Way. Gate admission is located at the entrance to the Cal Expo Rodeo Arena. 

Fair Admission | Kids 0-12: FREE | Admission: $6.00

Parking | $10.00

Bike Parking | Limited bike parking is available near the Rodeo Gate Entrance. 

The Sacramento County Fair is a Smoke-Free Fair!
Please smoke before entering the Fair. A designated smoking section is located prior to entry.

Mommy Lounge - Bldg C | A private place for nursing moms enjoying the Fair

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. www.BlogAboutItAll.com.
Have you checked out the new Lucky California? (2840 Dublin Blvd. in the Fallon Gateway Center) Explore a whole new shopping experience with unique product offerings inspired by the diverse flavors and lifestyles of California.

I am excited about partnering with Lucky California and sharing with my readers the great prices and meal inspiration for your weekly menu.  I am hosting a $25 Gift Card Giveaway right here every week for the next six weeks! (Gift cards valid at Lucky California, Save Mart and Food Maxx)

You can find their weekly ad right here: https://www.luckysupermarkets.com/weekly-ad
Their ads run Wednesday through Tuesday, this week’s ad is for May 16, 2018-May 22, 2018.
These are a few of my favorite deals this week:
Sweet California Grown White Corn 4 for $1
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb.
Extra Meaty Pork Backribs $1.99 lb.
Whole Seedless Watermelon $4.88 ea.
Gala Apples .99 lb.
Kellogg's Cereal $1.99 when you buy in multiples of 3
Mott's Apple Juice, Pouches, Bottles and Kool-Aid Jammers are Buy 1 Get 1 Free

While you shop visit Peets Coffee right inside for a Buy One Get One Free Blended Coffee Drink this week!

Keep your eye out for extra savings with their 3-Day Sales!

I love the ready-made Meal Solutions Lucky California has to offer and one of our family favorites is the grab and go Rotisserie Chicken.  These come in handy as a soccer mom when I need something quick to pick up.  They have a great variety of savory meals, fresh salads and grab and go options sure to excite and delight every palate.

If you have the time to cook one of the neat features of the store is there Easy Dinner Inspiration Spot.  They have a display area with a list of ingredients, how long the meal takes to prepare and ideas for more recipe inspiration. 

While I was in the store recently they had a recipe for Cilantro Chicken with California Avocado, yum! The best thing is the ingredients were right there, no need to search the store for anything.  





You can find more recipes on their website: https://www.luckysupermarkets.com/recipes  
Most families have a handful of meals they rotate for their menu.  A great tip is to always shop and cook what is in season and browse the weekly circular and utilize what’s on sale to help stretch your family grocery budget.  Right now we have a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

After seeing this week’s ad one of the meals I will be preparing for my family this week is: Grilled BBQ Ribs with Sweet California Grown White Corn, a salad, and watermelon for dessert. 

Since the weather is nice I will be slow cooking my ribs with my BBQ grill.

We are trying to be a little healthier which is why I’m going the watermelon route, but I thought I’d mention they have an amazing bakery with ready-made cakes, pies, and treats.

You can follow me on social media and see when my weekly meal inspiration posts go live!
Instagram: @blogaboutitall
Facebook: @theblogaboutitall
Twitter: @blogaboutitall

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in exchange for my time and efforts in reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers.  Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 

Easy Dinner Inspiration | Lucky California Dublin, CA

Have you checked out the new Lucky California? (2840 Dublin Blvd. in the Fallon Gateway Center) Explore a whole new shopping experience with unique product offerings inspired by the diverse flavors and lifestyles of California.

I am excited about partnering with Lucky California and sharing with my readers the great prices and meal inspiration for your weekly menu.  I am hosting a $25 Gift Card Giveaway right here every week for the next six weeks! (Gift cards valid at Lucky California, Save Mart and Food Maxx)

You can find their weekly ad right here: https://www.luckysupermarkets.com/weekly-ad
Their ads run Wednesday through Tuesday, this week’s ad is for May 16, 2018-May 22, 2018.
These are a few of my favorite deals this week:
Sweet California Grown White Corn 4 for $1
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb.
Extra Meaty Pork Backribs $1.99 lb.
Whole Seedless Watermelon $4.88 ea.
Gala Apples .99 lb.
Kellogg's Cereal $1.99 when you buy in multiples of 3
Mott's Apple Juice, Pouches, Bottles and Kool-Aid Jammers are Buy 1 Get 1 Free

While you shop visit Peets Coffee right inside for a Buy One Get One Free Blended Coffee Drink this week!

Keep your eye out for extra savings with their 3-Day Sales!

I love the ready-made Meal Solutions Lucky California has to offer and one of our family favorites is the grab and go Rotisserie Chicken.  These come in handy as a soccer mom when I need something quick to pick up.  They have a great variety of savory meals, fresh salads and grab and go options sure to excite and delight every palate.

If you have the time to cook one of the neat features of the store is there Easy Dinner Inspiration Spot.  They have a display area with a list of ingredients, how long the meal takes to prepare and ideas for more recipe inspiration. 

While I was in the store recently they had a recipe for Cilantro Chicken with California Avocado, yum! The best thing is the ingredients were right there, no need to search the store for anything.  





You can find more recipes on their website: https://www.luckysupermarkets.com/recipes  
Most families have a handful of meals they rotate for their menu.  A great tip is to always shop and cook what is in season and browse the weekly circular and utilize what’s on sale to help stretch your family grocery budget.  Right now we have a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

After seeing this week’s ad one of the meals I will be preparing for my family this week is: Grilled BBQ Ribs with Sweet California Grown White Corn, a salad, and watermelon for dessert. 

Since the weather is nice I will be slow cooking my ribs with my BBQ grill.

We are trying to be a little healthier which is why I’m going the watermelon route, but I thought I’d mention they have an amazing bakery with ready-made cakes, pies, and treats.

You can follow me on social media and see when my weekly meal inspiration posts go live!
Instagram: @blogaboutitall
Facebook: @theblogaboutitall
Twitter: @blogaboutitall

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in exchange for my time and efforts in reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers.  Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
Today is National Shrimp Day! I love shrimp, it cooks really fast and is delicious.  Here are two delicious shrimp recipes with Cucina Antica’s authentic Italian cooking sauces!  These recipes would be great to make tonight for dinner or even this weekend for Mom since it's Mother's Day weekend!  

Here are some Shrimp Facts:
  • Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood!
  • Shrimp is considered a health food because it’s low in calories and high in omega-3’s, calcium, iodine and protein.
  • The word “prawn” is used loosely to describe any large shrimp, sometimes known as “jumbo shrimp.” Some countries use the word “prawn” exclusively for all shrimp.
  • There are many ways to cook shrimp. Standard methods of preparation include baking, boiling, broiling, sautéing, frying and grilling.
  • One billion pounds of shrimp are eaten every year by Americans!
The one thing I love about cooking is you can change it up to make it your own.  You could totally change out the Linguine in this pasta recipe and use Spaghetti Squash or Zoodles if you are trying to eat healthier.  A lot of my friends and family are on the Keto or Low Carb Diet so that would be a simple way you could still enjoy this recipe.  All of Cucina Antica sauces are made with imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes, no artificial preservatives, no added sugar, no added water and no tomato paste, providing home-chefs with sauces they can feel good about feeding their families. 


Shrimp Linguine a la Cucina Antica
Ingredients:
6 Tbsp. Cucina Antica Imported Extra Virgin Olive Oil
25 oz. jar Cucina Antica Tomato Basil Sauce
8 ounces uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. linguine (or spaghetti squash/zoodles)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tsp. dried crushed red pepper
3 Tbsp. parsley

Directions:
1.  In a large sauté pan, heat 3 teaspoons of olive oil, add garlic and crushed red pepper. Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp is opaque (about 4-5 minutes). Stir in Cucina Antica's Tomato Basil sauce and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
2.  As the sauce simmers, cook linguine al dente, drain and return to pot.
3.  Plate pasta and top with sauce. Top with fresh parsley as desired.
Spanish-Italian Rice with Shrimp
Ingredients:
1 25 oz. jar Cucina Antica Fresh Spinach sauce
1 can 14.5oz. of chicken broth
1/4-1/3 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup of rice
Frozen peas, thawed
Shrimp

Directions:
1.  Add 3 teaspoons of olive oil, add green onions (white part) and rice and a sprinkle of garlic salt, saute onion and lightly toast rice, add in the can of chicken broth and 1 cup of Cucina Antica Fresh Spinach Sauce.
2.  Cover bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
3.  Once rice is cooked, add thawed peas and cooked shrimp.

4.  Top with green onions and serve.
I cooked my shrimp separately in a pan with 2 tablespoons of butter for 4-5 minutes. Then added the shrimp on top of finished rice. 
This would be a fun dish to serve in a Pineapple Bowl if you are entertaining or for mom this Mother's Day weekend!
You can find Cucina Antica at Whole Foods, Raley’s and Bel-Air, Sprouts, Safeway, Target and Save Mart.  Learn more about Cucina Antica at https://cucina-antica.com/.

Another great thing about Cucina Antica Sauces is that it is not just for pasta, they have a variety of sauces that can be used as cooking sauces, great for soup, dip and so much more.
Find Cucina Antica on social media:

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 

I shared these recipes live on Fox 40 News in the morning here are some more pictures!

National Shrimp Day | 2 Shrimp Recipes to Enjoy with your Family!

Today is National Shrimp Day! I love shrimp, it cooks really fast and is delicious.  Here are two delicious shrimp recipes with Cucina Antica’s authentic Italian cooking sauces!  These recipes would be great to make tonight for dinner or even this weekend for Mom since it's Mother's Day weekend!  

Here are some Shrimp Facts:
  • Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood!
  • Shrimp is considered a health food because it’s low in calories and high in omega-3’s, calcium, iodine and protein.
  • The word “prawn” is used loosely to describe any large shrimp, sometimes known as “jumbo shrimp.” Some countries use the word “prawn” exclusively for all shrimp.
  • There are many ways to cook shrimp. Standard methods of preparation include baking, boiling, broiling, sautéing, frying and grilling.
  • One billion pounds of shrimp are eaten every year by Americans!
The one thing I love about cooking is you can change it up to make it your own.  You could totally change out the Linguine in this pasta recipe and use Spaghetti Squash or Zoodles if you are trying to eat healthier.  A lot of my friends and family are on the Keto or Low Carb Diet so that would be a simple way you could still enjoy this recipe.  All of Cucina Antica sauces are made with imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes, no artificial preservatives, no added sugar, no added water and no tomato paste, providing home-chefs with sauces they can feel good about feeding their families. 


Shrimp Linguine a la Cucina Antica
Ingredients:
6 Tbsp. Cucina Antica Imported Extra Virgin Olive Oil
25 oz. jar Cucina Antica Tomato Basil Sauce
8 ounces uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 lb. linguine (or spaghetti squash/zoodles)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tsp. dried crushed red pepper
3 Tbsp. parsley

Directions:
1.  In a large sauté pan, heat 3 teaspoons of olive oil, add garlic and crushed red pepper. Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp is opaque (about 4-5 minutes). Stir in Cucina Antica's Tomato Basil sauce and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
2.  As the sauce simmers, cook linguine al dente, drain and return to pot.
3.  Plate pasta and top with sauce. Top with fresh parsley as desired.
Spanish-Italian Rice with Shrimp
Ingredients:
1 25 oz. jar Cucina Antica Fresh Spinach sauce
1 can 14.5oz. of chicken broth
1/4-1/3 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup of rice
Frozen peas, thawed
Shrimp

Directions:
1.  Add 3 teaspoons of olive oil, add green onions (white part) and rice and a sprinkle of garlic salt, saute onion and lightly toast rice, add in the can of chicken broth and 1 cup of Cucina Antica Fresh Spinach Sauce.
2.  Cover bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
3.  Once rice is cooked, add thawed peas and cooked shrimp.

4.  Top with green onions and serve.
I cooked my shrimp separately in a pan with 2 tablespoons of butter for 4-5 minutes. Then added the shrimp on top of finished rice. 
This would be a fun dish to serve in a Pineapple Bowl if you are entertaining or for mom this Mother's Day weekend!
You can find Cucina Antica at Whole Foods, Raley’s and Bel-Air, Sprouts, Safeway, Target and Save Mart.  Learn more about Cucina Antica at https://cucina-antica.com/.

Another great thing about Cucina Antica Sauces is that it is not just for pasta, they have a variety of sauces that can be used as cooking sauces, great for soup, dip and so much more.
Find Cucina Antica on social media:

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 

I shared these recipes live on Fox 40 News in the morning here are some more pictures!

I am very excited to share with you about the all NEW Lucky California in Dublin.  This grocery store is absolutely gorgeous and has amazing prices.  It reminds me of a Sprouts and Whole Foods Market but with Lucky prices.  If you live in Dublin, Livermore, or the Bay Area make this your go-to store for all your grocery needs.

Lucky  Supermarkets debuted the first all-new Lucky California grocery store in Dublin after the successful launch of its new concept stores in Daly City and Carmel. The Dublin store is located in the Fallon Shopping Center, 2840 Dublin Blvd. in the Fallon Gateway shopping center off of 580 which also has a Target right next door.  As a busy mom with four boys, it is a dream to be able to stroll through Target and then accomplish my grocery shopping at Lucky California right next door!
I am excited about partnering with Lucky California and sharing with my readers the great prices and meal inspiration for your weekly menu.  I am hosting a $100 Gift Card Giveaway right here!  There are multiple ways to enter! Enter here first with your e-mail and then you can get an extra 5 entries by posting a picture of you shopping at Lucky California and using the hashtag #LuckyCalifornia share via (Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook).   You can post a selfie in the store, a pic of what's in your cart or basket, a picture of your favorite deal/sale that week.  Just be sure and first enter here, so I have your e-mail address and use the #LuckyCalifornia so I can see your pictures.  You only have to enter your e-mail once here, but you can enter multiple times for the $100 gift card by posting pictures each week you shop.  I will choose a random winner on Friday, June 29, 2018.
Every Wednesday for the next (6) weeks I will also be sharing weekly meal inspiration and the best deals you can find at Lucky California!  With each post, we are giving away $25 gift cards, one each week!  So be sure and look for the weekly meal inspiration every Wednesday for the next six weeks. 

On my recent tour of the store everyone was very friendly and helpful, store manager Ann Bradford expressed “I’m excited to open our doors and offer our customers the all new shopping experience Lucky California brings, with this new location, Dublin shoppers will have a one-stop shop for all their meal solutions.”
Lucky California is inspired by the Bay Area’s unique food culture and aims to bring people together around that shared love of food. Here, Lucky California will introduce customers to an entirely new grocery shopping experience that makes each trip an opportunity for discovery. From the fresh salad and hot soup stations to the ready-to-eat meals and fresh juice bar, Lucky California is infused with unique flavors, organic and better-for-you items.

In addition to their expanded food services, Lucky California proudly brews Peet’s Coffee and Tea and houses a Golden Gate Market section that offers customers a wide variety of local products with a premium placed on farms and producers from regions throughout Northern California and the Central Valley. I love that they support local farmers and growers sharing the wonderful flavors of California.
They have indoor and outdoor seating, which is free for the public to use.  It makes a great social spot to meet a friend for coffee or get some work done on your laptop and then check off your grocery list. 

They have an easy to use Mobile App, you can see the weekly ad, load digital coupons, create a shopping list right on your phone and more!

Download on the App Store here: https://apple.co/2hzXHSF
With a square footage of approximately 47,000, the all-new Lucky California grocery store is located on 2840 Dublin Blvd. in the Fallon Gateway shopping center off of 580.

This is the first all-new grocery store that The Save Mart Companies, the parent company of Lucky Supermarkets, debuts in almost a decade. With 70 store locations, Lucky Supermarkets is a name residents of the greater Bay Area have known for decades. Lucky California transforms the grocery shopping experience by embracing California’s spirit, identity, and flavors.
You can see this week's ad prices effective May 9th-15th right here: https://bit.ly/2Igg7b5
You can follow me on social media and see when my weekly meal inspiration posts go live!
Instagram: @blogaboutitall
Facebook: @theblogaboutitall
Twitter: @blogaboutitall

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in exchange for my time and efforts in reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers.  Even though this is a sponsored post, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.


Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lucky California | Dublin, CA

I am very excited to share with you about the all NEW Lucky California in Dublin.  This grocery store is absolutely gorgeous and has amazing prices.  It reminds me of a Sprouts and Whole Foods Market but with Lucky prices.  If you live in Dublin, Livermore, or the Bay Area make this your go-to store for all your grocery needs.

Lucky  Supermarkets debuted the first all-new Lucky California grocery store in Dublin after the successful launch of its new concept stores in Daly City and Carmel. The Dublin store is located in the Fallon Shopping Center, 2840 Dublin Blvd. in the Fallon Gateway shopping center off of 580 which also has a Target right next door.  As a busy mom with four boys, it is a dream to be able to stroll through Target and then accomplish my grocery shopping at Lucky California right next door!
I am excited about partnering with Lucky California and sharing with my readers the great prices and meal inspiration for your weekly menu.  I am hosting a $100 Gift Card Giveaway right here!  There are multiple ways to enter! Enter here first with your e-mail and then you can get an extra 5 entries by posting a picture of you shopping at Lucky California and using the hashtag #LuckyCalifornia share via (Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook).   You can post a selfie in the store, a pic of what's in your cart or basket, a picture of your favorite deal/sale that week.  Just be sure and first enter here, so I have your e-mail address and use the #LuckyCalifornia so I can see your pictures.  You only have to enter your e-mail once here, but you can enter multiple times for the $100 gift card by posting pictures each week you shop.  I will choose a random winner on Friday, June 29, 2018.
Every Wednesday for the next (6) weeks I will also be sharing weekly meal inspiration and the best deals you can find at Lucky California!  With each post, we are giving away $25 gift cards, one each week!  So be sure and look for the weekly meal inspiration every Wednesday for the next six weeks. 

On my recent tour of the store everyone was very friendly and helpful, store manager Ann Bradford expressed “I’m excited to open our doors and offer our customers the all new shopping experience Lucky California brings, with this new location, Dublin shoppers will have a one-stop shop for all their meal solutions.”
Lucky California is inspired by the Bay Area’s unique food culture and aims to bring people together around that shared love of food. Here, Lucky California will introduce customers to an entirely new grocery shopping experience that makes each trip an opportunity for discovery. From the fresh salad and hot soup stations to the ready-to-eat meals and fresh juice bar, Lucky California is infused with unique flavors, organic and better-for-you items.

In addition to their expanded food services, Lucky California proudly brews Peet’s Coffee and Tea and houses a Golden Gate Market section that offers customers a wide variety of local products with a premium placed on farms and producers from regions throughout Northern California and the Central Valley. I love that they support local farmers and growers sharing the wonderful flavors of California.
They have indoor and outdoor seating, which is free for the public to use.  It makes a great social spot to meet a friend for coffee or get some work done on your laptop and then check off your grocery list. 

They have an easy to use Mobile App, you can see the weekly ad, load digital coupons, create a shopping list right on your phone and more!

Download on the App Store here: https://apple.co/2hzXHSF
With a square footage of approximately 47,000, the all-new Lucky California grocery store is located on 2840 Dublin Blvd. in the Fallon Gateway shopping center off of 580.

This is the first all-new grocery store that The Save Mart Companies, the parent company of Lucky Supermarkets, debuts in almost a decade. With 70 store locations, Lucky Supermarkets is a name residents of the greater Bay Area have known for decades. Lucky California transforms the grocery shopping experience by embracing California’s spirit, identity, and flavors.
You can see this week's ad prices effective May 9th-15th right here: https://bit.ly/2Igg7b5
You can follow me on social media and see when my weekly meal inspiration posts go live!
Instagram: @blogaboutitall
Facebook: @theblogaboutitall
Twitter: @blogaboutitall

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in exchange for my time and efforts in reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers.  Even though this is a sponsored post, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.


Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Here is an easy Mother's Day gift idea! Print out these FREE printables and take a picture of your child or children holding the sign they choose.  You could make a photo backdrop, or go outside with natural photo lighting.  

I teach a Sunday School class of 1st through 3rd graders at my local church and I am using these printouts with the kids in my class.  I took the kids pictures in front of this beautiful photo wall we used at a Mother's Day Breakfast we had this past weekend. I will print the photos out to go with the card the kids are making for their moms and it will be a nice photo for the moms to keep.  Hopefully, they will put it somewhere they will see it daily and are reminded how great they are. 

A couple of weeks ago, I asked the kids in my class for words that describe their mom, and they came up with this beautiful list of words.  Words like Fierce, Beautiful, Fun, Loving, Spectacular, Kind, Fun, Teacher, Joyful, and Awesome.

Download the free printables here: https://bit.ly/2HKa6jd
Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 


Celebrate Mom | Download this Mother's Day Free Printable

Here is an easy Mother's Day gift idea! Print out these FREE printables and take a picture of your child or children holding the sign they choose.  You could make a photo backdrop, or go outside with natural photo lighting.  

I teach a Sunday School class of 1st through 3rd graders at my local church and I am using these printouts with the kids in my class.  I took the kids pictures in front of this beautiful photo wall we used at a Mother's Day Breakfast we had this past weekend. I will print the photos out to go with the card the kids are making for their moms and it will be a nice photo for the moms to keep.  Hopefully, they will put it somewhere they will see it daily and are reminded how great they are. 

A couple of weeks ago, I asked the kids in my class for words that describe their mom, and they came up with this beautiful list of words.  Words like Fierce, Beautiful, Fun, Loving, Spectacular, Kind, Fun, Teacher, Joyful, and Awesome.

Download the free printables here: https://bit.ly/2HKa6jd
Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 


National Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday of the first full week in May, the entire week is celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week.  This year it is celebrated May 7th through May 11th. If you need some ideas here's what I am doing this Teacher Appreciation Week.

Teachers are such a gift I am sure you know they are some of the hardest working people, just like a mom's work never ends, it is the same for teachers. I frequently see them grading, and planning on their lunch break, taking home more work that needs to be done after hours.  


I love that we have designated weeks and days it is a great reminder to stop and honor those special people in our lives.  Plan for Teachers Appreciation Week it helps if you budget to give gifts throughout the year, it makes gift giving easier if it's planned.

Take some time and think of ways your family can show appreciation to your kids' teachers.  It can be small gifts every day this week or maybe a larger gift you have in mind. Depending on your budget it can be a handwritten note or picture drawn by your child, don't limit showing appreciation to needing to spend a lot of money and don't limit it to just your family you can get the other parents involved. You organizing something is a great way to show appreciation.

This year I got together some of the parents and each grade is going to take a day of the week the Kindergarten and 1st Grade class parents are providing all the things for a Teachers Appreciation Breakfast to kick off the week.

Another day of the week my son's third-grade class is going to make a Taco Bar Luncheon for all the teachers and staff.  

In the past I've made themed gift baskets, gift cards are always a favorite.  One year I made these super cute DIY Crayon Wreath's.  Inspired by the crayon wreath and some other crayon creations I saw on Pinterest this year I also made this easy DIY Crayon Pencil Holder.  

I used a tin can that I emptied, washed and dried.  Then I hot glued this ABC Themed Ribbon on the top and hot glued crayons all around.  I love the way it turned out.  I am going to give this to my son's 1st-grade teacher.  Inside I put a ruler, glue, pencils and dry erase markers which teachers always need. I'll include a gift card with it but I had everything else to make this, this is an easy DIY and fun way to bless a teacher.

This year I wanted to paint some mason jars and use succulents.  I thought these would make a nice gift they could keep on their desk or also take home and display on a mantle or shelf.  On Pinterest there are some really cute Teacher themed painted mason jars, made to look like a pencil, ruler, etc. I wanted to go with a more neutral theme.  I think they probably receive plenty of teacher themed gifts.

I found these mini 2 1/2" succulents for $3 at my local Orchard Supply Hardware Store.  I already had the mason jars, paint, and ribbon. I also saw some artificial succulents at Target for $3 you could also use artificial plants or flowers. 

I washed and dried the mason jars, used a paper towel and rubbing alcohol over them, I've heard that tip somewhere whenever you paint glass. I did two coats of paint on these and then used twine on the top part.  I was going to distress the jars a bit using sandpaper but I didn't find any sandpaper at my house, maybe I'll do that later.



Although I had planned on using the mason jars, I was at the 99 Cent Only Store and they had these cute galvanized flower pot sets for only $1.99. So I picked up a couple of these too.  Any of these gifts would be great for Teachers Appreciation Week or for an end of the year thank you to your teachers and administrative staff. Don't forget the administrative staff who keep everyone in the loop with school newsletters and lunch menus. 

I used larger 9" succulents for these galvanized flower pots they were on sale at Orchard Supply Hardware 3 for $12, great deal! You can make these a variety of ways with burlap and ribbon, you could paint them.  I only painted the top rim part, because I personally like the metal look.  


I hope these ideas help you in blessing your kids' school teachers and staff this year and hopefully encourages you to help plan something for next year.  All the parents I spoke with about getting involved with the breakfast and lunch were super excited about helping and so glad we were doing something as a group.

Here is the link to the DIY Crayon Wreath I made a couple of years ago. 

More Gift Ideas:
Fresh Flowers
Starbucks Gift Card or Bring in drinks for all the teachers. 
Gift Card to a nice Restaurant
Gift Card to Michael's or Dollar Store (I know many teachers who would appreciate this.)
A DIY Gift Basket (Treats, Replenish School Supplies, Pamper Yourself Theme, etc.)
Bring in breakfast or lunch for all the teachers and staff.  
(You could get other parents involved to help with these meal ones.)
Make your own Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Salad Bar for lunch, Taco Bar, or BBQ.

Note: This post is NOT sponsored or paid in any way, I just like to share where I found the products I'm using. I welcome sponsored posts that can be a nice benefit in blogging but know I always share my own opinion with my readers regarding my experience with companies and products.

Here are some more ideas I found online.
A Girl and a Glue Gun: Cutsified Clorox Container

The Lovebugs Blog: 10 Poems About Teachers

The Dating Divas: 101 Teacher Appreciation Ideas

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 

Teacher Appreciation Week 2018

National Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday of the first full week in May, the entire week is celebrated as Teacher Appreciation Week.  This year it is celebrated May 7th through May 11th. If you need some ideas here's what I am doing this Teacher Appreciation Week.

Teachers are such a gift I am sure you know they are some of the hardest working people, just like a mom's work never ends, it is the same for teachers. I frequently see them grading, and planning on their lunch break, taking home more work that needs to be done after hours.  


I love that we have designated weeks and days it is a great reminder to stop and honor those special people in our lives.  Plan for Teachers Appreciation Week it helps if you budget to give gifts throughout the year, it makes gift giving easier if it's planned.

Take some time and think of ways your family can show appreciation to your kids' teachers.  It can be small gifts every day this week or maybe a larger gift you have in mind. Depending on your budget it can be a handwritten note or picture drawn by your child, don't limit showing appreciation to needing to spend a lot of money and don't limit it to just your family you can get the other parents involved. You organizing something is a great way to show appreciation.

This year I got together some of the parents and each grade is going to take a day of the week the Kindergarten and 1st Grade class parents are providing all the things for a Teachers Appreciation Breakfast to kick off the week.

Another day of the week my son's third-grade class is going to make a Taco Bar Luncheon for all the teachers and staff.  

In the past I've made themed gift baskets, gift cards are always a favorite.  One year I made these super cute DIY Crayon Wreath's.  Inspired by the crayon wreath and some other crayon creations I saw on Pinterest this year I also made this easy DIY Crayon Pencil Holder.  

I used a tin can that I emptied, washed and dried.  Then I hot glued this ABC Themed Ribbon on the top and hot glued crayons all around.  I love the way it turned out.  I am going to give this to my son's 1st-grade teacher.  Inside I put a ruler, glue, pencils and dry erase markers which teachers always need. I'll include a gift card with it but I had everything else to make this, this is an easy DIY and fun way to bless a teacher.

This year I wanted to paint some mason jars and use succulents.  I thought these would make a nice gift they could keep on their desk or also take home and display on a mantle or shelf.  On Pinterest there are some really cute Teacher themed painted mason jars, made to look like a pencil, ruler, etc. I wanted to go with a more neutral theme.  I think they probably receive plenty of teacher themed gifts.

I found these mini 2 1/2" succulents for $3 at my local Orchard Supply Hardware Store.  I already had the mason jars, paint, and ribbon. I also saw some artificial succulents at Target for $3 you could also use artificial plants or flowers. 

I washed and dried the mason jars, used a paper towel and rubbing alcohol over them, I've heard that tip somewhere whenever you paint glass. I did two coats of paint on these and then used twine on the top part.  I was going to distress the jars a bit using sandpaper but I didn't find any sandpaper at my house, maybe I'll do that later.



Although I had planned on using the mason jars, I was at the 99 Cent Only Store and they had these cute galvanized flower pot sets for only $1.99. So I picked up a couple of these too.  Any of these gifts would be great for Teachers Appreciation Week or for an end of the year thank you to your teachers and administrative staff. Don't forget the administrative staff who keep everyone in the loop with school newsletters and lunch menus. 

I used larger 9" succulents for these galvanized flower pots they were on sale at Orchard Supply Hardware 3 for $12, great deal! You can make these a variety of ways with burlap and ribbon, you could paint them.  I only painted the top rim part, because I personally like the metal look.  


I hope these ideas help you in blessing your kids' school teachers and staff this year and hopefully encourages you to help plan something for next year.  All the parents I spoke with about getting involved with the breakfast and lunch were super excited about helping and so glad we were doing something as a group.

Here is the link to the DIY Crayon Wreath I made a couple of years ago. 

More Gift Ideas:
Fresh Flowers
Starbucks Gift Card or Bring in drinks for all the teachers. 
Gift Card to a nice Restaurant
Gift Card to Michael's or Dollar Store (I know many teachers who would appreciate this.)
A DIY Gift Basket (Treats, Replenish School Supplies, Pamper Yourself Theme, etc.)
Bring in breakfast or lunch for all the teachers and staff.  
(You could get other parents involved to help with these meal ones.)
Make your own Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, Salad Bar for lunch, Taco Bar, or BBQ.

Note: This post is NOT sponsored or paid in any way, I just like to share where I found the products I'm using. I welcome sponsored posts that can be a nice benefit in blogging but know I always share my own opinion with my readers regarding my experience with companies and products.

Here are some more ideas I found online.
A Girl and a Glue Gun: Cutsified Clorox Container

The Lovebugs Blog: 10 Poems About Teachers

The Dating Divas: 101 Teacher Appreciation Ideas

Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends. 
www.BlogAboutItAll.com. 

Latest Videos

@instagram