Happy Campers: Gluten Free Camp Scholarships from @Rudi's!

Being a gluten free kids is serious business. Having to stop at ask an adult if something is gluten free can kinda be a pain in the butt. Sitting on the side lines at birthday parties and picnics watching family and friends eat all the delicious cupcakes and breads can be a lot to handle. I have watched this first hand with Owen and I have to say being dedicated to a new way of life can be so challenging for these little people. Owen has the self control of a saint when it comes to these situations. He never gets upset and NEVER complains. It is simply amazing to me and a testament to his personality. I believe this also stems from the way he feels- he remembers being sick all the time. No matter what as a parent, even knowing how good he feels food allergies and something like celiac disease is stressful to handle daily.

Rudi's Gluten free is offering 10 scholarships to kids this summer! These camps are awesome because they are gluten free!! I can only dream of sending my Owen away and knowing that his diet is being controlled properly by someone else! What a stress relief. This may sound crazy, but until I started to write this post, I had no idea how much Owens diet consumes me. I have to research restaurants, talk to friends who invite us over, watch over the food tables at parties and pot lucks, bake alternative items for gatherings, bring separate snacks to school for him to enjoy...the list goes on. It is exhausting and overwhelming at times. Oh what a relief it would be to send him to a camp that was worry free! He would run around all day making friends and then eat with out worry at all the meals! Amazing!!

Now, Owen isn't old enough for these scholarships- but I bet you know someone who is! Please share this with them, because I know the mother in their life will be forever grateful! Just click the above image to enter or follow this link.

SweetTrio {Review, Promo Code and 25$ Giveaway} #MothersDay

Can you believe Mothers Day is upon us?! Once again this year is speeding by! If you are looking a great way to spoil you mom this year----you have to check out SweetTrio. I'm not one to treat myself to fancy chocolates, I may have my husband grab me a chocolate bar every once in a while, or a bag of skittles. But to really treat myself to rich, yummy chocolates, never. Even when Valentines Day comes around, I typically do not indulge in the chocolates. When I was contacted to try some amazing goodies from SweetTrio, I just had to say yes. I am pretty sure my children are happy that I did. Before I could blink a eye the kids dove in to the box of chocolates. I has to act fast and rescue the ones that I could! After all I hadn't even taken pictures. Once I saved a few untouched chocolates and photographed them, I decided to take my first bite. All I can say is these are not meant to be shared. These are 100% take them and run, hide and do not let the littles or your husband touch them.

I was so happy with my little treats and very excited to cut into our beautiful chocolate caramel apple. We waited a day to indulge some more. Then as a family, we sliced that beauty up and enjoyed every little bite. SweetTrio is local to me which is wonderful and yet very dangerous! Although, Chris and Nedra are located here in the greater Milwaukee area, they will ship all over the country and particularly the Mid West. SweetTrio is dedicated to providing you with affordable indulgences. So, this Mothers Day support this local shop instead of heading out to the department stores and give mom a truly indulgent treat!

Call SweetTrio and mention this blog, Simple City Life and receive 20% off anything on their website! you can reach SweetTrio at  ‪‪(877) 376-8746. Hurry though, this offer is only valid for two weeks!! You can also enter to win a 25$ gift certificate to SweetTrio. Just fill out the form below! 

GoGo Thomas tour is coming to Green Bay!

A Larger than Life Train for the Ride of Their Life.  The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013, visiting the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI on June 12-16, 2013. This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends series. Children will take a ride along with their favorite engine friend on his latest adventure and participate in Thomas-themed activities including:

* A 25-minute (approximate) ride with
Thomas the Tank Engine
* Meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway
* A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets
* Storytelling
* Video viewing and much more

The GO GO Thomas Tour 2013, visiting the National Railroad Museum on June 12-16, 2013. http://www.nationalrrmuseum.org/

Nine.

It just does not seem possible that I can have a nine year old! It feels like yesterday I was getting married and starting on this whole motherhood adventure. In a flash of light, I have a little girl who is half way to adulthood. I have to say though this has been the best nine years with her! She is to say the least a spitfire. Full of life with a amazing brain on her shoulder. She looks at life differently that most kids I know and truly has a desire to serve others. She is a challenge, pushing me beyond my breaking point at times, but it is a good kind of pushing. The push and stretch that make you see what is important in life. Elliott is a helper and compassionate. She takes care of her littlest brother like no ones business, needless to say she spoils him! He simply adores her. In the last few months she has stepped up around the house and will jump right in when things need to get done. And when she isn't being a big sister, she is a amazing at TaeKwonDo!

Tradition Birthday Pancakes

This was Elliott year for a Birthday Party! We rotate each year as a way to not go completely broke! Elliott chose a Rick Riordian themed party, her favorite author. He writes two series based on Greek and Egyptian Mythology. They are really fun and creative books. It still blows my mind that she reads so much! I hated reading as a kid and am pretty sure I never read a book over 100 pages till high school!  She flies through 400+ page books on a regular basis.

Egyptian Buried Treasure Cupcakes

A feast for the little goddesses. ;) 

 We had the girls do two fun toilet paper games, one Greek and one Egyptian. They had to partner together and wrap each other as mummies and then in a Greek toga. It was hilarious and the girls loved every moment! Who would have though toilet paper would be such a hit for a birthday party!

 After the wrapping was complete, the girls played "Freeze Like a Egyptian" freeze dance. These girls can dance and dance and dance some more! It was great!

 Elliott's biggest request was henna. She loves getting henna from our friend Liz. It was a hit with the girls! Having Liz here was the perfect addition for Elliott's Big party. The girls loved getting the henna.

 Of course, Elliott recieved a bunch of awesome presents! She has been in heaven! Books, crafts and some spending money. She saved her spending money and was able to purchase a Nook. She has been loving everything she received.

 Thanks to all the girls who came and made Elliott's day so special!

Enjoy this Summer at Circle R Ranch.

Circle R Ranch is a youth camp located in central MN. We offer a rustic ranch experience for children ages 7-17. Week long sessions offer an array of activities, including horseback riding, arts & crafts, yard games,  bumper boats or slideing down the water slide into our heated swimming pool. The fun never stops as kids enjoy karaoke, improv., an over night camp out with your horse nearby and a dance at the end of the week. Parents and the public are invited to our horse shows on Saturdays at 11am throughout the summer as the kids showcase their horseback skills they have learned throughout their time at Circle R Ranch. Circle R Rach now offers online registration.

Each child is paired up with a horse for the week. They will be instructed with these horses and enjoy riding the trails. The afternoons at camp will be full of activities such as Bareback riding, Pony Carts, Tennis, Swimming, Archery, Aquatic Sports, and a variety of other activities! Join us this summer for this amazing adventure.



Sign up before May 15th to receive a $50 discount off the normal camp fee! Click here for your 50$ off coupon!

It's your right! Vote.

I hope I have your attention now! I am very excited to say that Simple City Life was nominated as Circle of Moms Top 25 Eco Friendly Blogs. I was very shocked when I received my email the other morning. I wasn't able to do anything right away since we had a unfortunate event in our family that took me away for my uncles funeral. Now that I am back home and working, I wanted to share this great news...cause after last week I need some great news! If you could find a minute, please vote for Simple City Life! I am very proud of the community I have here and have worked very hard to build it. you can vote one time or every day until voting closes- either way, I am so very thankful for each and every vote.

Just click on the button and scroll down till you see Simple City Life. Thank you so much- my readers ROCK!

Enjoy The Dark Side With Balance Bar Dark {Review and #Giveaway}

Balance Bar, founded in 1992 is one of the original makers of energy and sport bars. Balance bars are founded on their 40-30-30 nutrition to help you stay balanced through out your day. Balance Bar makes a variety of flavors for several different needs. What I am excited to share with you today is their new line, Balance Bar Dark! I don't know about you but I love anything with dark chocolate. And if you are going to put some yummy chocolate on a healthy energy bar, I may just kiss your feet. Maybe.

Well, this new line of Balance Bar is simply awesome! I typically do not enjoy energy bars. Something about the texture and fake flavors always turn me off. I had honestly never tried a balance bar before these, as far as I know. I was pleasantly surprised at the taste and texture of these bars. These we not too gritty. Maybe it is just me, but other energy bars I have tried are really gritty. A little like sand. Being that these are gluten free, I was expecting their to be a lot of grit as that seems to be common among gluten free things. Thankfully, I didn't have to deal with that! These bars are very tasty. They are not overly sweet either, making them a great balance for a light afternoon snack. Of course I had to keep them well hidden from the kids, because you just say chocolate around them and they start to act like lunatics. Especially Owen. That kid love dark chocolate, just like his mama! Thankfully I was able to let him enjoy a couple bars since they are gluten free! Not only are the gluten free, but that have a ingredient list that my nine year old can read and pronounce!

So, if you are a dark chocolate lover who is in need of the perfect pick me up snack, you have to try Balance Bar Dark. These pars are packed with Antioxidents, 13g. of Protein  100% Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa, 4g of fiber and Kosher! The Rainforest Alliance supports and ensures environmental responsibility, social equality and economic viability. Are you drooling now? Have no fear you can pick up Balance Bar Dark at several retailers and you can win a pack right here!

A new meal plan and my sanity.

The husband has been after me for a very long time to set up a meal plan. I hate cooking and having to spend time thinking about cooking makes my head spin. I was sharing these thoughts with my friend. She shared with me a genius idea that she picked up from a book. Now, to many of you this is not genius at all I get that, so go ahead and laugh. But instead of planning out exact meals, I just have a daily theme. So far this has been the new meal plan that is working very well for us.

Mondays: Meatless
Tuesday: Taco{ish}
Wednesday: Eggcellent
Thursday: Roasting
Friday: Leftover!
Saturday: Soupy
Sundays: Potato Bar. 

Taco Tuesday: Mexican chicken, bean and kale soup. 

I have to admit the part of me that hates cooking is the day in and day out kitchen cleaning. The mess that occurs and the complaints every single meal. I understand not loving a meal, but the sense to control the tongue isn't well know in this house. We have put the smack down on this kind of behavior. So far implementing this new menu has helped the kids prepare for the basic structure of the meals. I can be as creative as I want, but the theme is there and helpful.

Gluten Free Veggie Lasagna

This past week the kids have tried and for the most part fully enjoyed every meal! Since this is a new plan, we have had to arrange and swap days to accommodate after school activities and such. To help us be fully prepared for this new plan, we did join our local Costco. After pouring over sites and price comparison, it just made sense for us. The bulk of our grocery shopping is meats and produce. Thankfully Costco offers a large amount of Organic meats and produce. To save even more money we purchased bulk bags of organic frozen vegetable and fruit. Needless to say- we have a ton of veggies and meat in both of our freezers. We did not purchase organic meat this time as it was just not in the budget. When we go back this next grocery trip we will not be going on a Saturday morning! It was insane. I feel like we rushed a bit because of this.

Meatless Quinoa Meatballs

So, all that to say that having a meal plan or guideline is helping me a ton! I am still allowed to be creative {aka, last minute panic, throw something together for dinner}. Since I have a theme to go from, it makes it really easy to plan out my actual recipe. I have made some great new recipes this week and will be sharing them as soon as I put them together. :)

I have the cutest wet bag. {Gen-Y Review and Giveaway}

Yep. It is true. I'm not normally one to brag, but hands down this is the cutest wet bag! When Dawn contacted me about this amazing new wet bag I couldn't resist this adorable pattern...

Now, I know we are no longer in diapers...but let me tell you I have a deep love for wet bags and have found several must have uses for them. Here are a couple of my top uses for wet bags in my cloth diaper free house:

Swim Suites. I keep one of my beloved wet bags packed with the kids swim suites. When we are ready to go I grab the bag. Once swim time is over they change their clothing and plop their wet little suites back in the bag for a drip free ride home. I can then toss everything in the washer for a spin cycle.

Laundry. Being a reusable family, we go through a ton of cloth napkins, rags and dishcloths. I keep a wet bag on the kitchen door knob to collect these items. Since most of the time they have food or spilled beverages on them I do not want them in the regular laundry. This way I can keep everything sorted and toss the whole load in together.

Trash. Yep, I even use my wetbags for a portable trash can. It is great in the car for snack wrappers, especially those messy ones like go go squeezes and "go gurts". I will also toss in a apple core of orange peels too. When we get to out destination I can wipe it out or toss it in the wash when we get home.

Snack/Picnic. No worries about containers leaking all over in your wet bag! If they do it will all be contained and not leak all over your purse or diaper bag. Great wat to transport water bottles and sippy cups!

Needless to say I love my wet bags and have found ways to reduce waste by using them every where I go! Oh ya, the gym too! ;) So even if you are on your way out of cloth diapers do not think for one minute that this giveaway isn't for you!

Now, lets talk about Gen-Y's newest wetbag, the Go Bag. This bag is a great on the go bag. I brought this along on my spring break trip. I was able to fill the front pouch with the kids overnight items and fill the wet bag portion with their dirties. Since we have been home this is my staple kitchen laundry bag. Clean kitchen linens are kept in the front pouch and the soiled ones inside.

The interior wet bag portion is made with nice thick PUL fabric that truly locks and seals! The interior pocket is 16x14 while the outer pocket is 12x14. The front pocket is not lined with the PUL and is nice and roomy! It snaps closed to keep your items tucked inside just right. You will also find a great easily adjustable strap for carrying over your shoulder or clipping onto other things. There is a loop on the handle that also snaps closed for attaching a toy, keys or hanging up! Like I have said I adore this bag! I love the print as well as the overall design. The only thing I would adjust is the one lose end of the strap. It just hangs there for adjusting. It doesn't truly bother me, it's just the only thing I would think to change on the design!

So, now that you know that this item should be added to your wish list, enter below for your chance to win a Go Bag for yourself!