“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever” – Walt DisneyÂ
I love this quote because I believe it in every way. Children are so incredible because they have a way of making things fun, no matter where they are or what they are doing! My goal as a mom is to find new, fun, and interesting toys for my kids to help their imaginations soar (and keep them away from the TV)!Â
I found a toy that can hold my toddlers attention and it gets their imagination going! It’s a Magnetic Dollhouse by Build and Imagine – and it is amazing! Gabriel and Sofia love it so much! We took it out of the box and they immediately started playing with it. The magnetic pieces are easy to put together in a number of configurations.Â
My kids are playing with the Creativity Castle which is one of 7 building sets (there is also a great carrying case with additional characters). I chose the castle for the kids because I knew my 4 year old son would love the knight and my 2 year old daughter would love the princess (though they play with all the characters). You can see the concentration on their little faces as they build their castle and decide where to put the magnetic dolls.Â
I should point out that this toy is listed as being for children ages 4 – 8 due to the small pieces. I was sitting with them to ensure Sofia was being safe with any of the small pieces/accessories (although she doesn’t put things in her mouth anymore).Â
One of the best features, in my opinion, is the fact that it doesn’t need to be a castle. No matter what set you get, the kids can build anything they want. At one point, Gabe decided he wanted to build a rocket ship for the princess and knight to fly to the moon. He let his imagination run wild and made a really great rocket ship! The possibilities are endless – they can literally create something new each time they play!
The way Gabe showed his little sister how to build with the larger pieces, and how to dress up the magnetic dolls, was absolutely precious! The only thing better than watching these two play together is how long they actually played with this set! I’m so sick of toys that hold their attention for 5 minutes and take up a ton of space! This building set comes apart (big win) and they can’t get enough of it!Â
They play hard all day, running from toy to toy making a big mess along the way. My rule about putting a toy away before taking another out doesn’t always work…anyone else in the same boat? 😉 This toy was the only thing Gabe wanted to play with for an entire afternoon. That is a long time for a 4 year old boy! When he was done, it was a snap to take it apart and put away. It’s not a huge castle taking up space in my living room! Yay for me! Haha!
Build & Imagine has found a way to mash up building blocks, a dollhouse and dress-up dolls. Each set includes adventurous characters and rich illustrated details that inspire all children to build and imagine.
Watching my kiddos combine shapes to form three dimensional structures is helpful in so many ways! It’s fun but it also helps them develop foundation skills for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Skills like spatial reasoning, problem solving, creativity, and design. They don’t look at it as a learning tool because it really is a toy!Â
Being a mom of a little girl, it was exciting to see Sofia making the princess into a hero! I want her to know that she can do incredible things, and that princesses can save the day! Truthfully, I want both of my kids to know that they can do great things, help others, and save the day.Â
Watching them play and use their imaginations, while also creating scenarios where they help people, makes me really happy. The princess can save the knight. The knight can cook in the kitchen. The kids can get creative and see how each character has many roles, not just the traditional ones that are in so many storybooks.Â
Build & Imagine is women-owned and mom-invented. Laurie Peterson is the mastermind behind this toy and she knocked it out of the park! She came up with a building toy that is fun for girls and boys, inspires imagination, helps kids to gain new skills, and is fun! Did I mention the over 25 awards these playsets have already gotten?Â
This is the perfect gift for the holidays, a birthday, or just because. As mentioned above, I’m always on the hunt for toys that are good for my kids minds, are fun, and can keep their attention. This is it and I can’t wait to get another set so we can build larger and even more interesting structures and worlds!
You can buy Build & Imagine right now on Amazon!Â
And don’t forget to check them out on Instagram and Facebook! As a mom – I can honestly say I this toy is worth it! I hope your little ones enjoy building, learning and using their imaginations as much as my kids! Happy Holidays! xo
Quality time with those you love is so important! Life gets busy – we need to slow down and take the time to do the simple things like snuggle, do puzzles, or BAKE! This banana bread is simple and fun to make. My 4 year old is an excellent baking helper. Scroll down for this holiday banana bread recipe – and click HERE to shop out PJs! Muah!
Ingredients
- 3 Ripe bananas
- 2 Eggs
- 1/3 Cup Coconut oil (vegetable oil will work as well)
- 1/3 – 1/2 Cup honey or light agave (depending on how sweet you like it)
- 1/4 Cup water
- 1 3/4 Cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 Cup dried cranberries (I like using the juice sweetened ones)
- Butter to put on top of your warm delicious banana bread!Â
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit Â
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. I usually use baking spray that has flour in it, which can be found in most grocery stores (especially during the holidays).
- In a bowl, mash all 3 bananas with a fork and set aside.
- In a larger mixing bowl, whisk together the oil and honey.Â
- Add the eggs to the oil and honey mixture and whisk well.Â
- Add the mashed bananas and water. Use the whisk to mix thoroughly.Â
- Whisk in the baking soda, vanilla, and salt.Â
- Stir in the flour with a large mixing spoon or baking spatula until it is just combined (you will have lumps).Â
- Fold in your dried cranberries using the spoon or spatula.
- Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan.
- Bake for roughly 55 to 60 minutes. It may take longer so be sure to insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf to see if it comes out clean. If not, bake for another couple of minutes and check again until the toothpick does come out clean.Â
- Once the loaf is ready, take it out of the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before taking it out (you don’t want it to fall apart).Â
- Let the bread cool on a cutting board or wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and enjoy with or without butter! Yum!!!
Make time to do something special each week. Baking is fun for little ones because they can dump and stir ingredients while you give them simple instructions. If you don’t have time to bake from scratch, consider a great boxed mix. Scroll down to see my fave boxed mix and some fun holiday baking accessories! Have fun, eat up and Happy Holidays!
Who doesn’t love a good pajama party? This momma is all about it! Whether you want PJs for yourself, your BFFs, something to match your family or fur baby – I’ve got you covered!
This holiday gift guide is filled with my fave PJs and other cozy accessories. To find a gift for everyone on your list, scroll down. Now…back to our pajama party! Yay!Â
Pajamas
Accessories For Her
Accessories For Him
Accessories & Treats For Kiddos
Accessories & Treats For Fur Babies
These are quick, easy, fun, NO BAKE, holiday cookies! Aren’t these honestly the cutest!?! Anyhoo…I made these with my kiddos tonight and they were a big hit. If my 2 year old and 4 year old can do it, I feel like they have to be pretty fail proof! 😉 To learn how to make these cute cookies, scroll down to watch our video how to’s! Keep scrolling down for a list of ingredients. Enjoy!Â
- Chocolate covered biscuit cookies for the chimney – We used TimTams and they were $2.99 at the grocery store and Target
- Milk Duds for the shoes
- White and Red frosting – I purchased the ready made frosting from the grocery store so I could keep it easy and store what wasn’t used for later. You can easily make your own as well. Use the white frosting to put together chimney and shoes. Use red frosting to hold the legs and act as the bottom of Santa’s jacket.
- Red licorice for the legs – Twizzlers pull and peels can be cut to size and are the right thickness. The brand is not important. They just need to be thick enough around to hold the milk duds on top.Â
- Shredded coconut for the snow
Happy No Baking! Haha! 🙂
We had Black Friday, then Cyber Monday, and now it is time for my favorite of these special days…Giving Tuesday!
Yup, it is always good to give back 🙂 Being busy is in my mommy job description. I used to love to volunteer my time, but these days, donations are a better and easier way for me to get the job done. Yes, man hours are a great way to give back and also teach kids the value of helping others. That being said, my kids are 2 and 4, so many of the “in person” volunteer opportunities will have to wait until they are a little bit older.Â
If you are like me and are short on time, or have little ones that can’t volunteer as easily, donating on Giving Tuesday is a FANTASTIC option. It is also a favorite for me because there is an opportunity to make a larger impact. Every little bit helps, but many of the organizations looking for donations have matching programs on special days like today.Â
If you are looking for a way to get the most bang for your donation buck – look no further! I’ve put together a short list of organizations in various categories that you can give to and make a big impact. Most have donation matching today, so you are helping those in need even more! Yay!
If you’re looking for a more local organization to give to, check HERE!
You can also click HERE to see if your employer will match your donation – helping event MORE! 🙂
- Feeding America:Â $1 = 20 meals this #GivingTuesday
- UNICEF Back To School:Â Donate today and send critical supplies to kids around the world
- International Rescue Committee: Tax deductible and Triple your impact by donating today
- World Wildlife Fund:Â Tax deductible and worldwideÂ
- Farm Sanctuary:Â Donate today with matching $1 for $1 up to $20,000
- ASPCA and Humane Society: Two fantastic organizations helping those without a voice!
- National Parks Conservation Association:Tax deductible and being matched $1 for $1 up to $25,000 if you donate today!
- Oceana:Â Saving our oceans – a worldwide effort and something we all need
- The Nature Conservancy: Tax deductible and Double your impact by donating today
For more information on what Giving Tuesday is, how it started, etc. – click HERE.
Happy #GivingTuesday xoxo
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Can we talk about how exhausting it is to be a woman these days..? Is it just me? The last 10 days have been a mixed bag of emotions. I’ve felt incredibly energetic and proud of my accomplishments. I’ve felt so tired that all I want to do is stay in bed and let the kids watch cartoons next to me, just so I can sleep (unfortunately that did not happen). I’ve felt motivated and ready to tackle anything that comes my way, and yet the next day the feeling switches to overextended because my to do list is way too long. Why does the list keep growing..? I’m knocking things off the list and for every one thing I get done, three more pop up! What’s happening?
Nobody tells you that being a mom really means being a million different things at once. “Mom” actually stands for boo boo kisser, storyteller, juggler, chef, maid, master lego builder, chauffeur, broken toy fixer, water cup holder, booger wiper, personal shopper, therapist, stylist, snack provider, snuggle machine and unconditional love giver. I am most definitely missing a few others on the list, but I’m too tired to care! Ha! 😉
The truth is, I love all the job titles that fall under being “mommy.” Finding some me time in there can be tough though. Truthfully, the only thing I wish I had more of is consistent energy. Man oh man, how I wish I was one of those people who jumped out of bed in the morning and was ready to take on the world (and that growing to do list). Instead, it takes some serious motivation (and coffee) to get me up. Instead of going to bed early (which I tell myself to do each and every day), I stay up and check email, pack lunches, do laundry and dishes, and then watch a show that makes me laugh but does not have Mickey Mouse in it.
Finding ways to stay motivated can be a challenge. My motivation is a mix of things. I want to be healthy, get stronger, feel better, and have that little bit of me time to be a the best mom that I can be. I find that making a little time for myself helps me to do all of those things. The kind of me time I’m talking about is working out. Yes, I would love a spa day or to sit and read a book uninterrupted. All of those things sound lovely and are included on my list of things I want to find time for. That being said, the little bit of me time that I carve out is for the gym. Because I want to be healthy, get stronger and feel better, I prioritize the gym. It is the way I keep my sanity – which makes me a better person and mommy.
I worked out at home for the last 4 years because Gabriel and Sofia were still little and I wanted to be home with them. We created a home gym in our garage and it worked great for me. I worked out during naps which was my window for a sweat session and shower. Haha! Now that Gabriel is in preschool, and Sofia is just starting, I actually have days where I can go to the gym. I LOVE it! I’m lifting weights and learning how to get stronger each time. It is amazing how much change I’m seeing in my body – and how much better I feel about myself. My back pain is gone and I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin. Yes, I’m still tired and lack motivation some days. But because I know how fantastic I’ll feel when I’m done, I push even harder to get up and go. It is worth it and I only hope that every woman out there takes a little time to do what they need to feel better. That “me” time is important and should be a priority.
What is your motivation? A reunion, wedding or other upcoming event? Long term fitness goals around overall health and wellness? The satisfaction of more energy and feeling good in your own skin? Whatever it is, I hope you find it and hang on to it!
Being that it was just Thanksgiving and we all most likely overindulged, I put together some of my current fave fitness items. This time of the year can be really challenging. People get busy with holiday parties, eating delicious treats, baking, and celebrating a little too much. To help balance things out a bit – and maybe even throw some motivation your way – take a look at the items below. Maybe you’ll find something you love and can use in your next workout. Personally, I plan to do some toddler yoga and other family friendly workouts with my kids to stay active during the holidays. The gym will still be a priority – but bringing a little bit of family fitness into the mix is a fun way to get everyone involved.
Have a happy and healthy holiday season everyone! xoxo
Pink isn’t just a color…it’s an attitude. My daughter loves pink, and I am happy to fully embrace it. It’s sassy, saucy, bright, and has this amazing power to it. Hot pink gives me a girl boss feeling that I love! It is such a fun pop of color for the holiday season.
This pink and black combo is the first in a series of holiday looks that I will be sharing over the next few weeks. It is a favorite of mine, and I hope you love it as much as I do.Â
I’ve linked the exact boots I have on below. If you’re a shorty like me (I’m 5’2″), know that these work well without overwhelming my legs. The heel height is around 4″ but they are actually comfortable to walk in being a little thicker heel. There is a tie at the top so you can tighten them. I found that the ties were helpful with both jeans on and a skirt. The boots stay up well and are overall very comfortable. They seem to run true to size as well as I purchased them in a size 7, which is my usual shoe size. These boots are a must have and if you get them in black – they will match everything!
My top has fun tiered and flared sleeves and looks absolutely beautiful on! It works with jeans and skirts, and it can be dressed up or down depending on the event. I am usually an XS and I got this top in a small due to the size chart. It was comfortable, easy to tuck in, and I was able to move around in it without it being too tight. I would size up for comfort unless you want it tight. It’s also under $15 which is a total steal for a top this cute and versatile!
The hot pink skirt I have on is sold out, so I linked to two similar styles. They have that flattering a-line in hot pink, and the length is perfect for OTK boots. Both of these options are perfect for the holidays and can be dressed up or down depending on what you pair them with.
If you’re looking for something fun for your little one – I’ve got you covered! I linked to the exact skirt Sofia has on in these photos. It is currently on sale for under $13 and selling fast! The material is nice and thick, it has an exposed zipper on the back which is very pretty, and it washes like a dream (a must for toddler and kids wear)! Get it before it sells out! If you would like the exact black boots Sofia has on, they are linked below as well. Super cozy and can easily work for dressier outfits or with jeans and a cute sweater.
As for accessories – I linked to our exact sunglasses (under $20) as well as some other fun options. The bags are completely adorable and will work with any outfit, and you can twin it up with your little one!
Everything linked is budget friendly, and being solids, will work with many other things in your closet. Hope this first holiday look brings you some holiday cheer! Happy shopping!
xoxo
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Shop Sofia's Look
Happy Thanksgiving! What a year it has been. Like any other year, there were ups and downs. The kids grew, are talking more, are becoming more independent, and have more personality than ever. Honestly, they crack me up! Knock knock jokes are a big thing in our house lately – and I love it. If you are looking for a great one – give this a try!
You: Knock knock
Kid: Who’s there?
You: Bed
Kid: Bed who?
You: Better get to bed – right now!
Both: Ahahahahahaha!
Ok…that might have been a silly tangent, but it was so worth it. My 4 year old thinks that one is too funny! 🙂 Anywho – back to what the year has been like…
Just over a year ago, my grandma Eleanor passed away. She had a long life, lived it well, and was very loved. Last Thanksgiving was our first holiday without her (although I know she was keeping an eye on us from heaven). I made her famous rice crispy treats, mandarine orange Jello salad, and turkey casserole. The only thing I didn’t make was her lemon bars (I need to learn how). Grandma was a great cook and an amazing person. She was the cutest person in the world. She liked her coffee super hot, she always checked her receipts before leaving the store (very good at math), she had a strong love for pink and purple, she could harmonize beautifully, she loved going to church, had amazing taste in neck scarves, and loved her family to pieces. We miss her terribly, and I think of her even more around this time of the year.
Other events from the last year include selling our house (we are still house hunting…arg), moving to a new neighborhood that we absolutely love, sending the kids to a new preschool, and our big trip to Hawaii. Phew! It has been busy, and there are no signs that things are going to slow down. There is no perfect year…there is no perfect family…but I am so Thankful for the imperfect life I am living.
Each year brings new loss, new challenges, and new things to overcome. It also brings new life, new love, and things to be grateful for. This Thanksgiving, try to do something new as a family. For my family, I am surprising the kids with new board games. At ages 2 and 4, I had to look for games that I know they can both play and enjoy. My goal is to make this Thanksgiving all about family time. Yes, we will be eating lots of yummy food together, but it’s the quality time I want most for the kids. The memories we’ll make laughing and being silly together.
I’ve put together a short list of ways you can spend Thanksgiving together as a family, that doesn’t even involve food. Take a gander and look for something new to do.
- Play board games as a family. I’ve included the ones I found to play with my littles ones below.
- Do a fun craft. Click HERE for details on how to make a beautiful Fall leaf wreath for your window or door.
- Service. Giving back is a wonderful way to celebrate any day of the year. So many organizations are always looking for help. Nursing homes are a wonderful place to volunteer because many of the residents don’t have family to visit them. Bringing your family in to cheer them up with stories, games and laughs is a fantastic and easy way to give back.
- Go on a neighborhood adventure. Look up a new park or place near by and walk there (if you can). Being outdoors and going on an adventure as a family is fun and exciting.
- Get comfy, make a fort and watch movies! There are so many family friendly holiday movies out there. What a fun way to watch them as a family from the comfort of your own blanket fort! Building it is half the fun! Turning the lights down and snuggling up for a movie is the other half.
You can shop our family look, board games and other goodies below. Happy shopping! XO
The Fall Leaf Wreath activity is perfect for younger children. It is also a simple activity for adults to pull together with minimal resources. I wanted to do something fun with Sofia (age 2) while her brother was at preschool. I used a couple of items that were already on hand and we went on an adventure to find leaves in the neighborhood for our Leaf Wreath.
Sofia had no idea what we were going to do with the leaves, but she did know we needed to find lots of colors and shapes. I gave her a small paper bag and asked her to look for her favorite leaves to put in the bag. We walked around the neighborhood pointing out all the red, brown, yellow, orange and green leaves on the ground. She had so much fun finding really big ones, small ones, leaves with more than one color on them, crunchy ones, etc.
Once we collected the leaves, we went back inside for the activity portion. I made a “wreath” shape out of a paper plate. I gave Sofia some school glue and let her put some onto the “wreath” shape. Then she was able to pick which leaves to put onto her wreath. We spent time looking at areas that needed more leaves, where we needed more glue, and where we could use different colors.
It was a very simple activity that took a nice amount of time, combined outdoor exploration with indoor activity time, and really didn’t require a lot in terms of materials or cost. Plus – you can use a ribbon to hang your completed Leaf Wreath in a window or on a door. Super festive and a great way to show your little one how proud you are of their work.
I’ve put what you will need for the activity and simple instructions below. I hope you enjoy this fun and simple activity – and please comment if you give it a try! I would love to know what you think, how the wreath turned out, and what other activities you may want to see moving forward! Happy Fall!
What You Need:
- 1 Small paper bag
- School Glue (liquid glue works best for this activity)
- 1 Paper plate
- Scissors (safety scissors work well if your child is old enough to help cut the plate)
- Leaves in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes
- Newspaper or junk mail to protect your work surface
- 1 Ribbon to hang your leaf (roughly 1 yard long)
What To Do:
- Give your child the small bag and head outside for a “leaf hunt”
- Take your child on an adventure to find leaves of different colors, shapes and sizes. Take this time to help them explore their surroundings. Ask them to find leaves as if it is a scavenger hunt. Ask them to look for specific qualities…a yellow leaf, a tiny leaf, a really big leaf, a red and orange leaf, an old leaf, etc. Let them show you which ones are their favorites, and ask them why.
- Once you have enough leaves – and a good variety – head back inside for the activity portion.
- Put some newspaper or junk mail down on the table to create a work station and protect your table surface from the glue/mess.
- Take your paper plate and scissors, and cut a hole out of the center so you have a “wreath” shape. If your child is old enough to use safety scissors, they can help you with this task as well. You may want to help them make a small opening so they are able to cut more easily in the middle of the plate.
- Give your child the school glue and have them put some on about 3-4″ of the wreath. They can do this in sections.
- Next have your child select leaves for the wreath. You can do a scattered wreath where it is a mix of colors, shapes and sizes all over. You can also do an hombre wreath where you can start with the darker colors like the deep reds and work our way around to orange and then yellow. Depending on the age of your child, you can decide what is appropriate. We did the more scattered approach since she is only 2 and I wanted her to pick the leaves she wanted to put on it.
- Help your child find little spots that could use more glue and/or more leaves so it gets nice and full.
- Let the wreath sit flat to fully dry. You may want to keep some newspaper underneath to catch any glue drips.
- Once the wreath is fully dry, use the ribbon to hang it on a door or in the window. Your child can help find a special place to hang it, and even tie the ribbon if they are old enough and are practicing how to tie things like their shoes.
- Have fun and enjoy your new Fall Leaf Wreath!
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Ok…I can admit it. I am a big fan of pretty much any opportunity to dress up! It is SO much fun! Halloween is not a fun time of the year to get the whole family involved in the festivities! I’m a firm believer that no matter the age, Halloween must be celebrated! Each year we pick something new and fun to dress up as. The best part is that our son is old enough to help pick out our costumes now. Last year he was 3 years old and decided that we were going to do a Star Wars theme, and he picked which character we were each going to be. It was a blast and he was super into it!
Below are some fun and family friendly costume ideas to give you Halloween inspiration! Have fun!! xoxo
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears:
This was the most comfortable costume ever! It was like wearing PJs 🙂 If you are looking for something simple, cute, and cozy for your family – this is a big win! I’ve added links to bear and Goldilocks costumes, and a possible yarn wig option. I ordered the yarn wig for Sofia from Easy but the option I included below is on Amazon for faster shipping since Halloween is right around the corner.
Star Wars:
The costumes were inexpensive, comfortable and I was able to put the kids in warm clothing underneath which was great for trick or treating. I’ve included links to several costume options that should be able to ship in time for Halloween. Yay!
Farmers:Â
This is a big win because most people have at least one pair of jeans and one flannel. 🙂 I’ve included links to some cute hats to make the costume complete. As a bonus – these work well for pumpkin patch photos.
Other FUN ideas include…
- The Scooby Doo Crew  Â
- The Simpsons  Â
- Peanuts  Â
- Shrek  Â
- Wizard of Oz  Â
- The Adams Family  Â
I hope this gives you some costume ideas and inspiration for your family! Happy Halloween!
xoxo