Mom, Did You Know? #StreamTeam

"Mommy, did you know..."

I'm always amazed at the random facts my kids toss out in their day.  From the littlest to the oldest, I love learning what they know!

Violet loves to sing songs and even hmmm hmmm hmmms the music correctly when she watches anything. Lily is fascinated by the world around her and shares info about the solar system, math, things like the Liberty Bell, and even yesterday asked me if I knew George Washington when I was little.  I'm not that old, kid.

Andrew enjoys watching movies on Netflix like Back to the Future and then we have conversations about technology and capabilities and comparing decades.

Let's face it, kids learn all kinds of things from their environments. Tv is definitely one of those tools that teach. And as a mom and a teacher, I'm totally ok with that. Netflix, you can totally help me teach my kids!

The girls have been watching a lot of PowerPuff Girls or as Violet calls them, "Supah Girls."  I asked Lily why she likes the show and she simply replied, "Because girls can stop the bad guys too." Empowering girls? I'll take it.


Another favorite of Lily's is Monster Math Squad! She talks about math a lot and says, "I'm impressed with how smart these monsters are."  Teacher in the making, I think. :)

They've also really been enjoying the new Jim Henson Company Netflix original Word Party! Violet loves to sing her ABCs (hence her love of music), but she's beginning to recognize letters correctly too. The show follows Kip, Franny, Lulu, and Bailey as they learn new words. The idea is to foster a fun, simple learning environment and help little ones vocabulary grow!

Coming on 8/3, a perfect show for my little music lovers. Beat Bugs which features songs of the Beatles. I can't wait!

What are your kids learning on Netflix? Did you know? Watch together, learn together. These six fun facts found on Netflix are sure to impress.

Fuller House: Season 1, Episode 2

Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show: Season 1, Episode 5

Cupcake Wars: Collection 2, Episode 15

LEGO Friends: The Power of Friendship - Season 1, Episode 2

Little Einsteins: Season 2, Episode 15

The Deep: Season 1, Episode 1

New on Netflix for Kids, Tweens, Teens and Families

Hey Arnold! The Movie - Now on Netflix (7/1) Popples: Season 3 (7/24)

Home: Adventures with Tip and Oh (7/29) LEGO Bionicle: The Journey to One: Season 2 (7/29)

Disclosure: As a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam I was provided subscription to Netflix and also exclusive insights or other products. All opinions are my 100% my own and I was already a proud Netflix subscriber prior to this opportunity. Please see my full disclosure.

I Wish I Weren't a Stepmom

I wish I weren’t a stepmom.

The weight that fell off my shoulders upon expressing those words is truly indescribable.

It’s taboo to say them out loud, of course,–words only shared in the darkest of moments with close friends who love and accept you no matter what or with someone carrying the same weight.  Instead, that thought and feeling remains inside strangling your insides like a cobra that has slithered and wrapped itself around you leaving you unable to breathe.

Read the rest over at Pittsburgh City Moms Blog...

Where Do You Do It? #StreamTeam

Man, summer is definitely in full swing in our house.  4 kids home all day.  This is a big change from our quiet afternoons during the school year where I could easily have an hour to myself every day.  Now I'm lucky to find a spare moment for me throughout the day. Netflix is running on PowerPuff Girls, Hotel Transylvania 2, and Care Bears these days between Lily and Violet and whose ever turn it is to choose first.

Also during the school year, the kids are in bed early so my "me time" comes earlier.  Summertime brings the sun setting after 9pm and staying up late simply enjoying the simple things like catching lightning bugs and front porch sitting thus having "me time" much later.

I lovelovelove my Netflix time! Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved watching tv in bed.  It's just one of those comfort things that I have always loved.  Netflix makes it so easy to continue a binge watch, watch one episode, or watch a movie.

Sometimes I find myself during the midst of the screaming {seriously why do girls scream and squeal soooooo loudly and high pitched?!} where I just need a break.  I grab my laptop, ipad, or in dire situations just my phone and some headphones and find a quiet place to indulge in my latest binge on Netflix.

The bathroom, door locked, in the bathtub is my ultimate getaway. Headphones on and I am no longer a part of what is going on outside of that tiny room. Lately I have found myself immersed in a world of Red Reddington and Elizabeth Keen hunting bad guys on The Blacklist.

The front or back porch is also a place I've been found hiding while I have indulged in 11 seasons of Criminal Minds.

For those regular days after I put the kids to bed, I generally crawl into my own and cozy up with something like Orange is the New Black or Bloodline.  Both original Netflix series and both two of my top favorites!!  Seriously Bloodline, Season 2?!?!  Did ANYONE see that coming in the final episode?!?   I may have screamed out loud!!

Where's your fave place to sneak in your Netflix without kids?  My husband's is the garage & he thinks I don't know. :)

The Netflix Sneak Go ahead and try it out with some of your favorites:

Orange is the New Black: Season 4 (6/17)

Bloodline: Season 2 - Now on Netflix Voltron: Legendary Defender (6/10)

Scandal: Season 5 (6/11) Chelsea - Now on Netflix Grey’s Anatomy: Season 12 (6/17)

New on Netflix for Kids, Tweens, Teens and Families:

Pretty Little Liars: Season 6 - Now on Netflix The Giver (6/15)

LEGO Friends: The Power of Friendship: Season 2 (6/10) All Hail King Julien: Season 3 (6/17) Justin Time GO!: Season 1 (6/24) Dragons: Race to the Edge: Season 3

Disclosure: As a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam I was provided subscription to Netflix and also exclusive insights or other products. All opinions are my 100% my own and I was already a proud Netflix subscriber prior to this opportunity. Please see my full disclosure.