Edaville Festival of Lights

We were super lucky to be invited to check out Edaville's Festival of Lights this season. 

I have never been and with Emma's love of Christmas lights, it was perfect!

David had to work and my best friend was home visiting from Las Vegas so we met up to take the kids even though it was raining a bit.

We arrived just after 6 pm and were able to quickly walk in because the line moved super fast.

Our first stop was the carousel! The Princess just LOVES carousels!

A short walk led us to a building with a huge sign for Santa!

Inside the building they also had model trains set up, holiday decorations, and the second floor was full of carnival rides like another carousel, a ball pit, a car track, and a party room! They were even showing How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

We could have spent all night just playing on the second floor but the Festival of Lights train left at 7 pm so it was time to head down! We passed by more carnival games, a ferris wheel, lots of lights, and a couple of food vendors on our short walk to the train. 

We grabbed a brownie and some hot cocoa from the depot next to the trains and hopped right on!

The train ride lasted just about a half hour, weaving through lots of light displays.  My three year old would get excited and call out what was coming next before we even got there! She loved it!

Even with the rain, it was a magical night at Edaville Railroad!

I can't wait for Edaville to reopen in the Spring so we can go to even more events!

7 (and a half) Months

This is the most super late month post I've ever done... deal with it. ;)

Growth:

This kid won't stop growing! He's between 6 month and 9 month clothes and is becoming us a little person.

Looks:

He still is rocking his gorgeous red hair.  It's the first thing everyone notices at stores followed by how beautiful his eyes are.  

Firsts and Milestones:

A week before he turned 7 months, he had just started really crawling, moving one knee and one arm at a time. He was trying to pull himself up to stand.

At 7 1/2 months he is full blown crawling, pulling himself up to stand and beginning to move his feet while holding onto the couch!!  Yikes!

Sleep:

We're in the crib a whole lot more but still not through the whole night.  Nap times during the day are pretty regular with a long nap around 9 am and then a shorter nap around 2 or 3 when I get home and nurse him.

Food:

He loves food! Corn, puffs, yogurt drops, bread, pasta, turkey, chicken, spaghetti... I'm amazed at how much he likes to eat! And how much he eats! He took an 11 oz bottle the other day!

Language:

Still just shrieks of laughter when he's happy and lots of crying when he's frustrated (mostly when it comes to not standing anymore after he's pulled himself up). No words yet.

His favorites:

He LOVES the Little People Santa's Village that we have.  He also loves bouncing in his jumperoo and eating. Chasing the cat and Emmalee are enjoyable to him also. 

My favorites:

I still love the nursing snuggles, as I know they are short lived.
His snuggles into my shoulder when he is tired are pretty amazing too.

So we'll see you here in about a week for his 8 month update! Ha!

A 30 by 30 Update!

I'm happy to say I have crossed off 2 more items from my 30 by 30 list!

16. Adopt a family for Christmas

Every year we do a couple of shoe boxes full of toys for my school's project and buy for a few Salvation Army angels but this year we went above and beyond. We bought gifts for a family we were introduced to by a mutual friend and after hearing her story, dropped off gifts for both of her children and her.  It's tough to be a mom, tough to be a single mom, and tough to feel like you're not enough of a mom.  She doesn't know it was us and that's how I hope it stays. I don't want or need anything back from her.

22. Buy brand new furniture.

Granted, our new furniture is from Ikea but it is all brand new furniture, not hand me downs from anyone else! I just have this vision of what I want my living room to look like and I'm getting so close to having that vision realized!

New curtains and rug, and a couple of throw pillows and I'll have my dream living room!

28. Buy an original piece of art and frame it in our house

I was at a craft fair at my school a few weeks back and feel in love with two pieces of art that she had.  She had hand painted the images and then made prints.  The art pieces were far too large for what I wanted, but the prints were perfect.  I picked up inexpensive frames at the Christmas Tree Shop and I'm obsessed with them!

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So, here's how the list looks right now:

1. Be an English Teacher (have my own classroom)
2. Have baby #2.
3. Buy a house.
4. Own a pair of Manolos.
5. See a show ON Broadway.
6. Run a 5k.
7. Weigh 150 lbs again.
8. Get my Masters degree.
9. Do a photography challenge for a month.
10. Pay for someone else in the drive through behind me.
11. Get my palm read/fortune told.
12. Go to a blogging conference.
13. Re-learn how to sew and make a blanket from Em's old clothes.
14. Own a car that's less than 5 years old.
15. Go for a weekend trip to Martha's Vineyard.
16. Adopt a family for Christmas.
17. Buy a bicycle. A regular old fashioned bicycle.
18. Go to Vegas for my 30th! (even if it's only for 1 night!)
19. Start (and keep) a vegetable garden.
20. Spend a day getting pampered.
21. Learn to crochet or knit.
22. Buy brand new furniture.
23. Have dinner out with my husband at Top of the Hub or go to Blue Man Group (he's never been!)
24. Wear a bikini to the beach... no cover up.
25. Bring Emmalee to see the Rockafeller Christmas Tree.
26. Do a boudoir photo shoot.
27. Go to a group fitness class.
28. Buy an original piece of art and frame it in our house.

29. Go on our first family vacation (must be out of state, can't be CT)

30. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy.

Influenster #ModaVoxBox

I've written about Influenster before and I just LOVE the company.  I received their #ModaVoxBox in the mail and am just obsessed with what I got!

From Influenster.com:

resource® Natural Spring Water

refresh. revitalize. replenish. Discover resource® Natural Spring Water…it’s good for you and mindful of the environment. resource is a sustainably sourced 100% Natural Spring Water from carefully selected sources with naturally occurring electrolytes for a clean, refreshing taste. resource comes in a bottle made with 50% recycled plastic* and is 100% recyclable.  Thanks to your recycling efforts, resource can keep re-using your recycled plastic. refresh yourself with resource® Natural Spring Water.

Puffs SoftPack

Outside, its flexible design holds up better than an ordinary tissue box. Inside, it’s the soft Puffs tissues you love from the only national brand dermatologist tested to be gentle.

Rimmel London introduces new Moisture Renew Lip Liner, a totally clear lip liner that defines lips and prevents colour from feathering. The perfect liner for any shade of lipstick, Moisture Renew Lip Liner coats, primes and outlines your pout with a transparent moisturizing barrier - no colour-matching required! Result: your lipstick resists smearing and disappearing so you can wear all of the season’s most vibrant, on-trend shades with total confidence.

As honey coats to protect and apricot oil hydrates for softness, the Hair Food Moisture Hair Mask contains essences of these ingredients, conditioning and coating each strand to help repair and smooth the protective outer layer. The formula helps provides rich moisture protection from everyday styling for smooth, manageable hair while adding softness, smoothness and radiant shine.

Moisture Renew Lipstick by Rimmel London for lips drenched in moisture and a brilliant burst of rich, pure colour. 9 out of 10 Agree* Moisture Renew moisturizes without compromising on colour.

•  Intense colour pay-off

•  Ultra-creamy, soft texture moisturizes lips

•  Vitamins A, C, E help care for lips

•  Available in 24 shades

JERGENS® Ultra Healing® Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer

Repairs, heals, and deeply nourishes extra dry skin to reveal visibly luminous, healthier skin.

Best for: Extra dry skin, including heels, elbows, and knees.

Improves skin‘s tone, texture, and luminosity.

Contains a unique illuminating Hydralucence blend and Vitamins C, E, and B5. 

Heals dryness at the source by penetrating through five layers of the skin‘s surface.

Absorbs quickly and locks in moisture for up to 48 hours.

Scandaleyes Rockin’ Curves Mascara by Rimmel London.

Our first broken heart-shaped brush creates a fringe of big, curvy, rockin’ lashes. This cleverly-shaped applicator twists and curves to hug the lash line; the thin tip grabs hard-to-reach inner lashes, while the amplified base pulses lashes with incredible volume and curve. Lashes are plumped and lifted in one clean stroke.

Product Features & Benefits:

Delivers loud, curvy and rockin’ lashes

Our first broken heart-shaped brush curves to the lash line to grab your lashes and pump them up

Rockin’ lashes at a heartbreaking value

Red and black snakeskin colours will make you want to Rock Out!

Black, Extreme Black, Carbon Black

 

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The cocoa disappeared the night I got the box and I've been using the Rockin' Curves Mascara since I got it! I just love it!

Thanks Influenster!

Countdown to Christmas: Printables

This month, I've teamed up with more than 70 other bloggers to bring you TONS of holiday crafts this December!

You can check out all the other posts here:



But today I'm sharing 2 different EASY countdowns and a free printable letter to Santa!

My three year old is SO excited for Santa that we had to come up with something to get her to stop asking every day "Is Santa coming today?!".  I went on to PicMonkey and put together two super quick printables!

The first is so easy it's not even funny.

Print this out, put it in a frame and use a dry erase marker to X off each day as it goes by! When there are no more numbers to X, Santa is on his way!

The second one involves a little more crafting!

Print this image on heavy cardstock.

You'll want it to be on cardstock so it holds its shape better!

Then get 4 pieces of craft paper.  I used holiday craft paper but you could use red and green construction paper, or even just white printer paper if it's all you have!

I cut my 4 pieces of paper (in the long) direction multiple times to make 4 strips out of each piece of paper!

Using tape or glue (tape works faster-- just saying!), make a circle from one strip of paper.  Loop another strip through that circle and secure the second strip into a circle using more tape or glue.  Continue making this chain until you have enough "links" to represent how many days are left until Christmas Eve!

Hang it up and every morning have your little one rip off one "link". When there are no more links, it's time for Christmas!

And lastly, because it's not the holiday season without a letter to Santa, here's a quick one to print off and send! Isn't it cute?

If you have an awesome holiday craft, I'd love if you left a link in my comments so I can check it out!

And don't forget, I'm still giving away a stick horse from my Holiday Gift Guide post!

The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

I've put together a short list of some of the best holiday gifts to purchase this year!

Gifts For Infants

I find I purchased a lot of gifts that my 6 month old son can "grow into".  Anything by Fisher Price, VTech, and Infantino are always a good bet! These toys are all gender neutral too so they work both boys and girls!
I am excited to see my little man play with these toys for years to come!

Chatter Telephone  | Block and Stack Set  | Stride and Ride Elephant | Poppin Pals
Disney Little People |  Count and Color Sorter | Squeeze and Stack Blocks

Gifts For Toddlers
I could just keep shopping for my 3 year old, it is SO easy to find toys she will love! I always gravitate towards toys that will encourage pretend.

Snow Glow Elsa |  Joovy Race Car Ride On | LeapTV | Palace Pets Dancing Pumpkin | Joovy Toy Bundle
Stick Horse | Doc Mobile | Step2 Kitchen

Gifts For Women
These gifts could be for any woman you know- a teenage daughter, a babysitter, a mom, or a wife! I know I'd love to get any of them!

 Slippers | Fit Bit Charge | Fancy Perfume
Lilly Pulitzer Thermal Mug | Blanket Scarf | Statement Necklaces | Kate Spade Purse

For Men

These could be for any guy you know-- your twenty-something son, your dad or your husband!

Homeowner's Tool Kit | Dress Shirts | Amazon Fire Tv
 GoPro | XBOX One | On Field Hat

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And to get you started on your shopping, the Montana Toy Company has graciously donated a $30 Stick Horse of your choosing to one of my readers!
Must be a US Resident. Winner must respond within 48 hours of being notified of win or they will forfeit the prize.

GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's a Half Birthday! 6 Months!

Growth:

I go back and forth between thinking he's a peanut and thinking he's this baby giant! He's grown so much in 6 months!

He's up to 15 lbs 9.5 oz and 27 1/2 inches. The doctor said he is tall (75th percentile) but is on the small side for weight (20th percentile).  There is no cause for concern right now but they did tell us that we could add some solids to his diet and we would weigh him again at his next appointment.

Looks:

he still looks just like daddy and I don't think that red hair is going anywhere! We used to joke around that we would be so upset if we had a little redhead but his hair is just so adorable and everyone comments about how cute it is! It grows so fast too! it's already starting to look like it needs a trim.

He's constantly scooting around with a cut on his face. Whether he gets his face with his own nails, or bumps into something as he flies across the floor, he is all boy and bumps. He's wearing 3-6 and 6-9 month onsies and pants for the length, but they waistbands are too big so most of his outfits are one pieces sleep n plays lately. 

Firsts and Milestones:

We're doing the worm!
It's hilarious! He goes up on his knees like he's going crawl and then does this ridiculous looking worm dance movement and he's off! Sometimes he pushes off too hard and face plants, but he gets right up and starts going again.  He moves especially fast for cell phones, keys, and remotes. Typical.
He's also started pushing himself up on things.  If you're kneeling next to him, he'll use your knees to push his whole body up onto his knees.
He also sits up on his own, going from his belly to sitting on his bum. He'll then sit unassisted!

Sleep:

Some nights are better than others.
Some nights are still 2-3 hours of sleep, followed by 20 minutes of nursing and repeat, but there have been a few nights where I'll get 4-5 hours of sleep but those have become few and far between since about 5 months.

He usually takes one good nap between 8 am and noon, waking up to nurse and then goes back to sleep.  Then he's up until 7 or 8 pm.  he does not like naps but will fall asleep in the car every time.

Food:

We have started trying food.  We do some purees but just like his sister, he prefers to just eat real food. So far he's tried some oatmeal, bread, carrots, potatoes, pancakes, arrowroot cookies, mum mums, chicken, and turkey.

He loves feeding himself and will try and pull himself out of his chair to get food that is out of reach. He likes to hold spoons and his own food and anything he can get his hands on, goes in his mouth!

Language:

I have never met a more smiley little guy.  All day.  He is a super flirt with all of his nonverbal language. No real words but he screeches in excitement or if he's angry. He lets you know if he's hungry and rubs his eyes when he's sleepy.  he might be saying anything, but we know exactly what he wants.

His favorites:

Cellphones.  He LOVES them! He will scootch himself worm style until he gets to it! 

And food, obviously. He loves food. 

He is a big fan of his toys lately as well! If it's small enough to chew on or if it makes noise, he loves it! 

He's a big fan of Mommy and Emma's singing as well and his face just lights up!

And the cat provides hours of entertainment for him!

My favorites:

When I scratch/rub his head while he's nursing, his eyes roll into the back of his head and this huge smiles stretches across his face.  He just looks so happy and content in that moment!

Our Leap Into Gaming #LeapTV Party!

I received free products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Have you heard about one of the HOTTEST toys for this holiday season?

It's the new LeapTv from LeapFrog!

According to their website:

LeapTV from LeapFrog gets kids into the action while teaching core skills across a variety of subjects including: reading, mathematics, science and problem solving. Designed for kids ages 3-8, the system uses a motion-sensing camera and controller that fits small hands. Audio instruction makes it simple for even the youngest kids to play solo or with a friend!

With a library of 9 cartridge games at launch and 100+ LeapFrog educator-approved games and videos available by year-end, kids never run out of fun! Games adapt to each child’s level-starting with the most basic skills and then automatically adjusting the learning for the perfect challenge. Titles included popular characters like Sophia the First, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Bubble Guppies, Spider Man, and Pixar favorites!

We were thrilled when we were asked to host a MommyParty and try it out!

The three year old has been asking for "bideo games" for a couple months but the XBOX Kinect was a little too difficult for her.  

The LeapTv is designed for little ones just her age and she LOVED it!

We decided to have a few little friends over so they could try it out too!

The kids had a blast having dance parties and watching themselves on the screen!

We can't wait to add more games to our collection!

Be sure to like LeapFrog, and MommyParties on Facebook!

You can follow @LeapFrog on Twitter and @LeapFrogOfficial on Instagram

Target + TOMS

This Sunday morning, Target will be rolling out its newest collaboration with TOMS!

While I love the items they'll be selling I love that for each item purchased, Target will donate a blanket, one week of meals, or shoes to those in need!

A few of my favorite items:

Women:

$16.00

SLOUCHY HAT IN OATMEAL

$20.00

SCARF IN GRAY *ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

$22.00

MARLED SWEATSHIRT IN GRAY *ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

$15.00 EACH

BRACELET SETS (SET OF 3)

$26.00POPOVER SHIRT IN CHAMBRAY DOT

$48.00SHOE IN BLACK

Men:

$16.00LOGO TEE IN GRAY

$48.00SHOE IN CHAMBRAY

$16.00 EACHBEANIES IN BLACK AND GRAY

$20.00 EACHSCARVES IN BLACK AND GRAY

Kids:

$38.00SHOE IN TRIANGLE PRINT

$38.00SHOE IN CHAMBRAY

$10.00 EACHSLOUCHY HATS IN MULTI-COLOR AND NAVY

$12.00 EACHCONVERTABLE MITTENS IN MULTI-COLOR AND NAVY

Home:

$15.00STONEWARE MUG SET

$12.00STONEWARE COFFEE MUG WITH COVER

$15.00 EACHBEVERAGE BOTTLES

$10.00MINI JOURNAL SET

$20.00 EACHPOUCHES IN NATURAL, CANVAS GRAPHIC, LIGHT BLUE AND BLACK.

While I love the water bottles, toddler shoes, and the comfiness of that sweater! I just want it all!!