Thursday, September 29, 2011

Deployment Survival Kit (Terrific Idea and Giveaway)

In the Know Mom is giving away a TERRIFIC Kid's "Deployment Survival Kit"!

a doll from Hugs to Go, a Daddy Doll, A Paper Hug, Operation: Celebration, The Celiac Kid, Boo Boo Bear’s Mission, and A Very Long Time

When Hubby leaves in the next year, this would make the transition of Daddy being gone just a little bit easier on Toddler and Baby Girl. 

Enter HERE!
Ends October 9th!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Toddler Activites: Paper Dolls

Because I'm a perfectionist, prep for this activity took a whole 90 minutes last night. Ridiculous. I could have made it only 20 minutes if I wanted to. 

I needed internet access, the printer, cardstock scissors, double sided tape and decorative additions (stickers, foam and crayons to let toddler have fun with the clothing).

I used this template HERE for the doll bodies and clothing printables.

For preparation, I simply cut out the bodies, clothing and hair. I pre-taped the hair to the doll and added faces so the process could go just a little bit faster and Toddler would stay interested.

I made one of the dolls so Toddler could see a finished version of what she was creating. She went to town adding stickers to a dress.

Crayons made shoes "perfect" (as Toddler put it lol)

Her first finished doll.

   
A few of the dolls. We made 6 in all and she had a lot of fun!
I am fully aware that paper dolls are not completely age appropriate for a toddler. I do not expect them to last long now that she's playing with them. It was mostly for the fun of the activity. Cardstock made them study enough to stand up without "wilting". And she loved the random faces and expressions I drew on the dolls. 

I love that she had to think about how the items went onto the dolls. She chewed her tongue in concentration while carefully centering and placing each item . It was a creative learning experience!

All in all, a success!

Wordless Wednesday: Grandpa's Buddy

Grandma & Grandpa visited and we went to the zoo

Grandpa had a shadow the entire day!

And I got a lot of practice nursing and walking. I'm getting really good at it, as is Baby Girl!

Friday, September 23, 2011

I've bitten off much more than I can chew.

.. and I'm scaling back a bit on my blog subscriptions. 200+ emails a day could make anyone go crazy and I've got enough on my hands. I don't enjoy getting stressed and feeling guilty that I'm not keeping up with ALL the blogs I read when *life* happens in my home.

The straw that broke the camel's back: my daughters and I have a stomach bug. I've been dealing with fatigue, crabby kiddos and baby & toddler spew and diarrhea. I can't even keep up with my personal correspondence because it's buried in blog mail. So I'm toning it down and sticking to RSS and my blogger Dashboard to keep up with blogs. I'm also scaling back on the giveaway link posts. Since we aren't really in NEED of anything, I don't feel the need to enter as many giveaways, thus less links for you.

It sounds like a stupid thing to get hung up on, but I get addicted to something and feel this unrealistic devotion to it. I shouldn't feel guilty about not recieving and reading an uncountable amount of emails, but I digress.

I hope you'll be hooked on my up and coming interest in DIY projects and crafts. My Pintrest is out of control! {Can you detect the addictive behavior already?}

Fabulous Finds Friday: Rainbows of Color

I've been inspired by  
*BRIGHT BOLD COLORS*  
this week!

I'd love to make a few of these to dress up a drab canvas bag!
This would be PERFECT for toddler's room!
I can see a toddler project of Colored Pencil Necklaces in our future!
I've always wondered how Rock Candy is made, now I can do it myself!
Toddler would be ECSTATIC if I made this Rainbow Wrap Skirt for her!
These Felt Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers are adorable and fun!
I love the idea of these colorful rosettes to make a child's shirt special!
Add the above shirt to this Colorful Tutu & Wand and you've got the perfect birthday girl outfit!
These colorful Chocolate Covered Oreos would make a great addition to a party!
This Colored Rice make a much more fun version of our usual bean and lentil indoor "sandbox"!
And this Rainbow Cake in a Jar tops it all! I LOVE it!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aria Twin 60-40 Stroller Giveaway {Mama to 4 Blessings}

Mama to 4 Blessings is giving away a Peg Perego Aria Twin 60-40!


Enter HERE!
Ends October 31st!

Mamas & Mamas Stroller Giveaway {A Mom's Balancing Act}

A Mom's Balancing Act is giving away a Mamas & Papas Trip Lightweight Stroller!


Enter HERE!
Ends October 7th!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Happy Heinys Diaper Giveaway {Sugar Pop Ribbons}

Sugar Pop Ribbons is giving away a Happy Heiny's Diaper from Maine Cloth Diapers!


Enter HERE!
Ends October 4th!

Snazzy Minky Diaper Giveaway {Adventures in Fluff}

Adventures in Fluff is giving away a Kawaii Baby Snazzy Minky Pocket Diaper!

I love the Violet Damask Burst Print!
And the Kinsenka Print from the Japanese Flower Collection!

Enter HERE!
Ends September 30th!

Camera Strap Giveaway {Mom and More}

Mom and More is giving away a Capturing Couture Camera Strap!

Enter HERE!
Ends September 28th!

Wordless Wednesday: Playing in the Rain

It rained a LOT this past week!


Toddler took advantage of it. She had a ball!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Bla Bla Pillow/Blanket Giveaway {In The Know Mom}

In The Know Mom is giving away a BlaBla Hold Me Tight Pillow & Blanket!

Enter HERE!
Ends September 25th!

Glow Bug Diaper Giveaway {Mommy of 1 & Counting}

Mommy of 1 and Counting is giving away a Glow Bug Cloth Diaper!


Enter HERE!
Ends Today!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Beanie Designs Giveaway {I'd Rather Be Changing Diapers}

I'd Rather Be Changing Diapers is giving away a Hat of Choice from Beanie Designs!

I absolutely ADORE the Organic Cotton Ear Flap Flower Hat in Brown & Pink!
But the Organic Cotton Brown & Pink Bear Ear Flap Hat is so so so cute!
Enter HERE!
Ends September 22nd!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Mei Tai Carrier Giveaway {Mommy & Me Giveaways}

Mommy and Me Giveaways is giving away a Cat Bird Baby Mei Tai Carrier!

Enter HERE!
Ends September 19th!

Book Sling Giveaway {Happenings of the Harper Household}

Happenings of the Harper Household is giving away a Book Sling from Etsy's Shop With Compassion!

I've been meaning to make a few of these for my girls, but with the two of them, I just don't have time lately!

Enter HERE!
Ends Sept 30th!
Letters from Momma is giving away a 45/90 load bag of Rockin' Green in choice of formula and scent!


Enter HERE!
Ends Sept. 15th!