3 Before You Shop Back-To-School Tips with Dick's Sporting Goods + 5 Giftcard Giveaway
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this post is sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods® and VocalPoint. all opinions and photos are my own!
welp, we made it through the very first week of school, y'all! hoping and praying that us newbies, veterans-- everyone has a fantastic school year. my Kindergartener was crazy excited and prepared for his very first day and beyond, thanks to Dick's Sporting Goods®!
this Fall 2016, six locations will open up in/around the Houston area:
Baybrook Mall
Deerbrook Mall
First Colony Mall
The Woodlands Mall
Willowbrook Mall
we stopped by one of the largest locations to come above, The Shoppes at ParkWest (across I10 from Katy Mills Mall) for a quick pic, and we can't wait to actually go inside soon!
until then, online back-to-school shopping it was. less stress for me = no gas used, no getting in and out of the Texas heat, and no lines to stand in with 2 rambunctious boys and a baby bump. 
besides, what kid doesn't love to receive packages in the mail and tear open their 'gifts'!? everything was for Chiso's big Kinder debut, but of course we've gotta involve lil' bro.
he chose a fresh pair of kicks,
a super-fly book bag, and a lunch box to match.
3 money-saving before-you-shop tips:
- shop your child's closet with them and take inventory of what they already have. i wanted to make our online experience fun and let Chiso pick things he loved, but i made sure he knew we were only purchasing items we truly needed for the new school year.
- buy with 'hand-me-down' in mind (especially if you have younger siblings of the same gender of course). i try not to buy super trendy items (ex. t-shirts with current sayings, sneakers with outlandish colors/patterns, etc.) and stick to classic colors and designs for the most part. i'm not saying i don't ever buy those types of items because that's no fun, but they are rare and usually reserved for special occasions. i should definitely credit Hubs for that tip, so i will ;) Dego (2) has plenty to mix and match from for a good while!
- splurge on the high quality, durable items that will be used daily. else you'll possibly be buying those same items several times a year. this might be a no brainer, but i think of the things Chiso will be carrying daily (lunch box, back pack) and how often they get thrown around, banged up, and used in general. i treat those items just like i would my sports bra purchases. when i buy them cheap, i can't be mad when the support is basically non-existent after a couple uses and washes! it's something i truly need and use daily, so spending the money on a few quality bras is the best investment. the same applies here.
ready.
i was too! #NoTears
off he went. 1 week down, 17 years left to go, haha.
shop DSG for back-to-school for book bags, lunch boxes, casual to athletic sneakers & clothes and beyond! i do believe this will help ;)
we are giving away 5, yes, * F I V E * 50.00 Dick's Sporting Goods® gift cards to * F I V E * readers!!
K E E P U P W I T H U S !
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Chiso had WAY too much fun and was in his own little world on that thing. it's all good cause i was actually able to focus get a fantastic, #staycaytion workout in while the other 2 bears (Sonny & Dego) snoozed, so win-win. about that workout, here it is, Preggos:
3 words. christmas in july! they were crazy excited when i told them this bright orange box was filled with goodies just for them. receiving mail with my name on it as a child always made me feel so special. even if it was junk mail, haha. 
is summer vacation not the perfect time for a play day?! my boys know how important getting out from in front of the TV and going outside is to me, and well, they show me daily that they’re listening. they are constantly asking to go 'somewhere fun' and the park is usually their number one choice. it's definitely one of their favorite past times. i hope staying active continues to be something they enjoy doing throughout their lives. 
Gymboree's activewear collection, 
Chiso is such an accessories type of guy. the hat, the shades; he's gotta wear it all at once to complete his look. as hot as the texas summer heat is, i don't blame him!
the eye-catching, bold, bright colors stood out to me the most. matches their little rambunctious personalities perfectly! the breathable, cool fabric is a plus as these guys sweat a ton when they play. heck, we work up a sweat just getting in and out of the car down in texas.
Dego's, "who's about to go run out there in this heat? not me." look. smart man.
they kicked the soccer ball around for a while but then we took a much-needed water and snack break. ice cream cookie sandwiches on deck! err, ice cream cookie soupwiches.
i could learn a thing or two from this kid when it comes to posing! i asked Chiso what he loved most about his 
4 things you need when staying active while pregnant! i put the 
built-in bras fail me left and right, even when i'm not preggo. but not this 3 in 1 tank. no need to buy a sports bra, belly band, and a maternity tank separately ever again. i've actually never worn a belly band before, but the 
the thick, soft, double wide, criss cross strap design provided maximum support without digging into my shoulders.
