Coffee With The Mrs.

Ever Evolving, Ever Changing

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:24:00 +0000

We all reach times in our lives when we can feel it's time to shift into a new gear. That exact feeling is what I've been pondering presently. In more ways than one, I know something new is on the way for me and my family.

In the fall, I'll begin homeschooling my little ones and I'll be spending this summer in preparation for that. This is an obvious gear shift, though. It's something that's been on my radar for a few months now.

I feel the big changes live under 2 different umbrellas...and can mean many different things for my family. The first is our house hunt and the second is the son or daughter who only lives in my heart for now. We continue to search for the home God has for us. It seems that they're selling pretty quickly...so quickly that the most recent one we saw was pending an offer the very day we saw it {probably as we were looking at it. lol}. This house hunt is teaching us how to wait on God's leading so we're thankful for the process. And yes, I did say something about adding another child to the family. This is not a biological child, though. This is the child we will adopt.

My heart feels so heavy for this 4th child. I'm not sure where he or she will fall on our timeline but I know that I'm already in deep thought and prayer for him or her. The possibilities for this addition are many. We could adopt after getting settled into our new home or as late as when the kids are grown and gone...only God knows when. But the thing about this unknown child is the hubster and I have wanted him or her since before we had our own children. Yes, this has been on our hearts for around 6 years now.

The anticipation of all this change is so high for me right now. It's like the last bit of "clicks" up the hill before going over the edge on a roller coaster. I'm excited for the new things coming our way and wonder what it all means.

Paint Chip Bouquet DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Are you looking for a completely cute but inexpensive gift to bring to a teacher, friend, or hostess? I have JUST the idea for you {and it's not too shabby, if I do say so myself}.

I wanted to come up with something clever that was my friend's style so I could have something to give her when my family went to her home for a visit. I know she likes the paint chip DIY projects on Pinterest and I prefer to bring flowers. Combine the two things and, "Voila!" you have yourself a neat little DIY gift.

What you'll need:

Paint chips {good news! These are free! Just don't go crazy, mmmkay?} I used the Behr paint chips that are short and wide.
Scotch Tape
Floral Tape
Straight Drinking Straws
A Vase {I picked mine up at the dollar store!}

And should you choose to make a little personalized note like I did, you'll need a machine that can embroider letters.

Take the paint chip and cut some fringe on this. Now, I did this by hand with scissors but some crafters have handy, dandy paper cutters that may be able to do this a lot faster.
When I cut the fringe, I tried to make sure the cuts ended at the same point and were about the same width.

2. Tightly roll up the paint chip, colored side in, along the portion that was not cut.

3. Holding the rolled up paint chip tightly, tape it into place.

4. Gently pull out the separate pieces to open up the flower and then run your thumbnail along the back of each piece to give it a slight curl.

**For variation in size, I cut some paint chips to be a little smaller.

**Now...it's time to grab your floral tape and straws.

5. Put the straw in the bottom of the flower and...

tape it into place.

6. Twist the floral tape tightly around the base of the flower and all the way down the straw.

At this point, your flowers are good to go! I had to add a finishing touch to my project, though, as it was for a dear friend. So, I grabbed yet another paint chip and headed to my Brother Laura Ashley Innov-is machine.

This is what I made. {The scripture referenced here says "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you".}

So, by selecting "Character/Decorative" on the touch screen, I found letters to use,

typed it out,

and that was it! I trimmed the threads, cut it down to size, added a couple hole punches, and tied it with ribbon to the vase.

And that is my finished look!

Alright, now. Go create some of your own and have fun!

Putting HUGGIES To The Test! {review}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:45:00 +0000

When it comes to diapers, I'm pretty picky. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg but I also need to consider my kiddos. For example, my second born child has very sensitive skin. It seemed most diapers gave her a rash and we had to stick with a brand we could trust. HUGGIES is a brand that never upset her skin or gave us a problem otherwise. Since learning that, we've bought this brand time and time again with confidence.

I was recently sent the new Snug & Dry diapers to try with Mikayla. Since she's 4 months old, she's not very mobile. However, she does lay down on her gym mat, sit in her supported seat, ride in a baby carrier, and spend a lot of time in her car seat as we travel around. Some of these positions put us at risk for a "blow out" situation but I can tell you, I never once had a problem with these diapers while trying them out. There were no leaks, no rashes, and Mikayla seemed quite comfortable in them. These diapers feature a leak lock system that locks wetness away to prevent leaks. They also have a SnugFit Waist to get the best fit possible.

In addition to the diapers, I was also sent wipes to try out. The One & Done Refreshing Wipes I tried out were scented with Cucumber and Green Tea. The scent wasn't overpowering at all and was actually very clean smelling. Beyond using them for diaper changes, I used the wipes on hands and faces as well. What I like about these wipes is that they're thick so they can handle a big cleanup while being gentle enough for delicate bottoms.

Overall, we've had a pretty good experience with the new HUGGIES Snug & Dry Diapers and One & Done Refreshing Wipes. Add these to my shopping list!

What do you look for when choosing diapers/wipes for your family?

Psst...Keep up with HUGGIES on Facebook and Twitter.

**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central for Huggies. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

We're Growing Butterflies With Insect Lore!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

So, I told you all about how we're going to begin homeschooling in the fall. My son will be in Kindergarten but we want to do learning activities during the summer months as well to get us into the swing of things before we officially begin. One of the ways we're doing this is by using the Butterfly Garden Pavilion from Insect Lore.

Our kit arrived not too long ago. Inside, we found 2 jars of caterpillars, 5 in each jar, the butterfly pavilion, and special instructions on how to care for our caterpillars, their chrysalises, and the butterflies. Also, there was a great catalog of items available from Insect Lore. Alex wants one of everything, I think. That makes me excited to try different kits as we go through our homeschooling years.

These tiny caterpillars came with their own food. All the kiddos had to do was handle the jar carefully as they observe their new friends. At the top of the jar is paper for the caterpillars to attach to when they're ready to form their chrysalis. That paper is then removed and pinned to the inside of the pavilion.

There is a zipper on top of the pavilion to make attaching the paper an easy task. Just open it up, pin the paper to the side of the pavilion, and zip it shut.

And when we need to add food to the pavilion for the butterflies to eat, I can open the bottom zipper to safely put food in without disturbing the butterflies too much. {Our butterflies haven't arrived yet but I'll be sure to share photos once they do.}

The pavilion neatly collapses to make storing it away easy. This means we can use it year after year!! I'm really happy about this and my kids are loving the experience so I know they'll look forward to doing it again.

Here is a look at the instructions that come with the caterpillars. I like the pictures included as it helps the little ones understand not to put them in the sunlight and what the caterpillars will look like when they're ready to form their chrysalis. There are also some fun facts about Painted Lady butterflies in the booklet. Alex is still in awe at the fact that they have 10,000 eyes. {Me too!}

Our caterpillars grew and grew! Then, they began to form chrysalises and I was able to transfer them to the pavilion.

I was waiting on the caterpillars in the second jar to finish up. Surprisingly, we still have one caterpillar that is not in a chrysalis yet. I call him a late bloomer or "slow to grow" while Alex calls him Wilbur since it's a "runt". lol

We have had so much fun so far with watching our caterpillars grow and make their chrysalis. It was exciting every single time one caterpillar began to transition into the next stage. As I said earlier, I'll be sure to share photos once the butterflies emerge.

Whether you're homeschooling or not, this is just too miraculous to miss. I give Insect Lore and their Butterfly Garden Pavilion two thumbs up! The experience is amazing and we're having a great time learning about the life cycle of a butterfly.

Buy It! You can purchase your own Butterfly School Kit with Live Caterpillars for $52.99. There are other kits available as well that are not as large or as costly.

**Thanks to Insect Lore who supplied the items to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

25 Years Of The Graco Pack'N Play {GIVEAWAY!}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Alright, mamas...or mamas to be...it's time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Pack'N Play from Graco! For 25 years, they've been providing a cozy place for little ones to rest and play while also making it portable so it can be used anywhere. The Pack'N Play has become a "Must Have" on Baby Registries and is probably near the top of any expecting mom's list while she's preparing for baby.

This year's newest style of the Pack'N Play is the Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer {pictured in Soho Square}. While I've never used this particular style, I've always used a Pack'N Play with my little ones and have loved the convenience of owning one. We've used ours in the home, taken it to use in a 5th Wheel Camper, used it in a hotel, and while visiting with family at a park and in their home. It's been used for naps, playtime, and diaper changes. Really, I can't imagine parenting through babyhood without a Pack'N Play.

Here are some fun facts about the newest Pack'N Play for you {courtesy of Graco Baby}

MSRP: $99.99

Available: Online and in stores at Babies ‘R Us, Target, Walmart, Amazon.com, GracoBaby.com,  Buy Buy Baby and specialty retailers

Features: 

The first playard to feature a reversible napper

and changing station, all-in-one

Toy bar features soft toys to amuse baby
Removable, full-size bassinet provides an

extra-comfy spot for infants to nap

Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage
Beautifully-styled, soft fabric cuddles baby for

naps while the wipe-clean fabric resists messes

THE GIVEAWAY!!

As a proud member of Graco Nation, I have been given one Pack'N Play Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer to giveaway!! {Pattern preferences can be requested but not guaranteed to be in stock.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Thanks to Graco Baby who supplied the item to facilitate this giveaway. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Join In The American Girl Read-A-Palooza! {giveaway}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:48:00 +0000

photo credit: American Girl

In our home, literacy is a pretty big deal. It's something we want our children to love as it is a gateway for their personalities to flourish as well as their comprehension and communication skills. With a solid base in reading, I believe little ones will go very far.

This summer, American Girl has launched a Read-a-palooza, aimed at girls ages 8-12, in an effort to encourage literacy and support the cause of Save The Children's U.S. Literacy program. By visiting AmericanGirl.com/reading, you will find bookmarks to create, ideas on how to begin a book club, a schedule of free reading events at your local American Girl store to fill up your summer, and more! American Girl also offers a large selection of books to choose from in topics like fiction stories to craft ideas and beyond.

Also, when purchasing books on American Girl's website, keep in mind that $1 from every book sold will go to Save The Children's U.S. literacy program {from now until Sept. 3}. So by stocking up for the read-a-palooza in your home, you're also helping to make a difference in the lives of little ones who live in impoverished communities and are in need of learning materials. I love this idea and see it as a "win, win" for all who want to get involved.

THE GIVEAWAY!!

American Girl wants to help get one of you off to a great start for a Read-a-palooza in your own home! The winner will receive the books pictured below {a $60 value!}.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Thanks to American Girl who supplied the items to facilitate this review and giveaway. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items/event mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Her Essence Is "Joy"

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I just had the most fun experience with my little Mikayla and I, like a good blogger, wanted to come here and share it right away.

Before I get to the sharing, though, I want to just chat about little "Mik" for a moment.

This girl...

She is her mother's daughter.

She looks like me and I'm beginning to see sparks of my personality in her lately too.

In a conversation the other night, the hubster was talking about the difference between Mikayla and Eliana. Our Eliana is a sweet, sweet girl. She's very loving, loves to take care of everyone around her, and has this contented spirit about her. That's not to say her big brother can't ruffle her feathers and get her mad from time to time. That's just to say, she's overall a very pleasant little girl. {And she's a girly girl too!}

Mikayla? We describe her as being "pure joy". She just oozes this essence of joy and it is very contagious. When she smiles, look out. If you were trying to stay in a bad mood, you just can't after Mikayla smiles.

What is so wonderful about the hubster and I landing on the word "joy" when talking about Mikayla is a memory of mine from my childhood. I had some pretty cool Aunts, Uncles, and cousins growing up but one of my favorite homes to visit was that of my Dad's sister Carol and her family. This family knew how to have fun and knew how to laugh...oh, how we would laugh when we got together.

I remember this one time we arrived at their home. I went up to say "Hi" to my Uncle Eddie and he smiled and said "Hi, Joy". I laughed and corrected him to which he responded that I was the one who needed to be corrected. When he saw me, he saw joy.

Now, I was very young when he said that and as you can see, I carried that with me throughout my life...even through those really ugly times. When my Uncle saw me, he saw joy. I hope people still see joy when they look at me but I'm just tickled to see it in my Mikayla.

Speaking of "Joy", I was supposed to share some with you. {My apologies for it being so shaky. I was laughing so hard. LOL}

enJOY!

Walk A Mile In My Shoes Walk-A-Thon 2012 {We Need Your Help}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:09:00 +0000

As some of you may recall, Alex and I did a walk-a-thon last year to raise money for Grace Centers of Hope and the daycare center they offer to help hopeless families get back on their feet. If the children can be taken care of in a safe environment and at no cost to the parents, then mom and/or dad can find good work and begin saving money toward a home of their own.

The mission of this walk is a very big deal to Alex. He has a hard time comprehending how it is that some children have no home, no bed, and no toys of their own. This really sunk in after our walk last year to the point of tears for him. He really wants to help and I'm so moved by his big heart.

Last year's walk was very successful and we raised almost $300 between the two of us when our goal was $200. This year, our goal is to raise $300.

We'll be walking at the Detroit Zoo on June 2nd {rain or shine}!!

Please watch the attached video so you can hear Alex talk about it. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDDKEdnvGI&feature=g-upl

And if you'd like to make a donation, please visit this page http://gch.convio.net/site/TR/Events/General?team_id=1353&pg=team&fr_id=1040

You should see our team name "Too Fast Tennies" and see a picture of Alex and I. Scroll to the bottom to click on either his name or mine and make a donation by following the prompts.

Also, if you know someone who would like to donate, please share this information with them.

We're excited!

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Send Mom Flowers from ProPlants {review}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:35:00 +0000

There's something so special about hearing a knock at the door and seeing a box like this one left with your name on it.

Flowers?

For me?

{Squeee!}

Can you relate?

I just love getting flowers, no matter the occasion. It's just something that makes me feel loved and puts an instant smile on my face.

The flowers I received from ProPlants are actually a potted plant. I love the idea of giving a Mom something she can enjoy in her garden for years to come and these pink roses are just perfect.

They arrived in an adorable, antique styled tin too! Really, these could not have been more "me". Now, don't worry if the Mom you're shopping for would not necessarily care for the tin as much as she would the roses. There are other base options...as well as many other Mother's Day plants and flowers.

What will you choose to send?

**Thanks to ProPlants who supplied the items to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Make Mother's Day Personal With Personal Creations {review}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

This is my first time sharing with you about the online store, Personal Creations and I'm excited to tell you about my great shopping experience with them. For this review, I was given a gift code and was asked to shop in the Mother's Day gifts section of the website.

I immediately found two items that screamed my name and was so excited to order them. What made them even more special to me was that fact that I was able to personalize both of them. That means they're just for me and in a house of 5 people, it's nice to have something all my own.

{What a great way to pamper a mom for Mother's Day...just sayin'.}

Upon checkout, I was given the option to personalize a card at no additional cost, so I did just to see what it would look like if I shipped it as a gift to someone. The cards were attached to each item upon arrival so the recipient would be sure to see them.

Here's the first item I selected and I love it! A pink mug with a big "A" on it is just perfect. I love the bling look of it. I'm sure you all know how much I love coffee but this is the first personalized mug I've ever owned. It's a fast favorite of mine and puts a little grin on my face each time I use it.

The second item I chose was this purple travel blanket. It can be used as a blanket or a wrap and its purple color reminds me of royalty. I had my initials embroidered on it too! The wrap is made of a very soft jersey knit and comes with a carry case to make packing for travel easier.

Now, picture this...a pink, rhinestone studded mug and a cozy wrap inviting me to get comfortable, kick my feet up, and relax with a cup-o-Joe and a good book or movie. It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? You can pick out these same items and offer that to a mommy you know for Mother's Day. I'm sure she would think it's just a wonderful idea.

If you don't think these items suite the taste of the Mom you're shopping for, there are many other wonderful ideas at Personal Creations to explore. Get your order in today!

**Thanks to Personal Creations who supplied the items to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Mother's Day Gift Ideas from Red Envelope

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:50:00 +0000

If you're looking for some cute Mother's Day gifts {Mother's Day is May 12th!}, hop over to Red Envelope and see the many choices there. There's ideas for every Mom, from the gardener to the jewelry collector and everything in between.

Me? I fell for these simply lovely silk pajamas.

Oh, yes I did.

I'm the kind of Mom who loves to be comfortable and a great pair of pajamas is so wonderful.

For this review, I chose to get the pajamas gift wrapped since I had a little extra money left over and I wanted to see how Red Envelope does with something like this. Here's the box I received.

It looked amazing and I can definitely recommend their gift wrap option if you're shipping your gift purchase directly to the recipient.

Here's a look at the way the pajamas were packaged up. They were folded nicely inside this silk pouch. {Quite the presentation, no?}

These pajamas are so very soft and I love the detail on them.

The drawstring pants make these pajamas even more comfortable as they can keep up with me on days I'm bloated or ate a bit too much {we all have been there one time or another} but at the same time, they fit great on my normal days too.

These are perfectly feminine and very cozy {and on sale for $59.99}. I have a new excuse to have a "pajama day" from time to time.

Thanks, Red Envelope, for the early Mother's Day gift!

**Thanks to Red Envelope who supplied the items to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the items mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

Ready For A Day Out With Thomas At The Henry Ford?

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:19:00 +0000

image from thehenryford.org

We are!!!

Yes, it's time again to head over to Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI and hop aboard Thomas' train! My kiddos are excited to go this weekend as I'm sure any kiddo would be.

At Greenfield Village, this day is much more than a train ride. Children receive a map upon entering the park with places they should visit and get a stamp from. The map actually moves them through all of the activities going on and helps you, as a parent/guardian, be sure you're not missing any of the fun. Little ones will find coloring, temporary tattoos, pedal cars, bubbles, train tables, Mega Bloks, stories, puppet shows, music, and much more! When the map is full of stamps, turn it in for a fun prize. {Alex is already asking me what it's going to be this year. lol}

While you're in the village, why not take a walk around and learn something new about a key person in our history? From Edison, to Ford, to the Wright Brothers and beyond, there's a story for everyone to hear and appreciate along with a glimpse at how our past heros lived.

What do you need to know?

Thomas will be visiting Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford on Saturdays and Sundays April 28-29, May 5-6, 12-13, 2012. The train leaves from Smith's Creek Depot {which is near the back of the park} and you choose the time of departure when you purchase tickets for your train ride.

For pricing and other details, please visit The Henry Ford's website. Also, be sure to check out the Railroader's Breakfast option. We've attended that a few times and really enjoyed it...plus, it's nice to get the first train ride of the day. :)

Don't miss it!

**Thanks to The Henry Ford who provided media passes to enjoy the day in exchange for me sharing info and my review following our time there. I received no other compensation. The thoughts and opinions shared are mine and mine alone. Others may disagree.

The Art Of Love And Respect

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:15:00 +0000

I've been taking a class at my church on Wednesdays that is based on the book {and workbook} Love And Respect {author: Eggerichs} . In this class, I'm not just learning information, I'm learning a different way to think, act, and behave.

Here's the part where I'm supposed to tell you that I'm learning all about how to show my husband respect and it's going just swimmingly well. I tell him nice things, he brings me flowers. I learn to button my lips and he takes me shopping for shoes.
...
Can you hear the sarcasm?

That's because nothing comes that easy. No, friends. This is work.

But it's worth it.

As I'm learning what it means to respect my husband, and I mean really respect him, I'm learning...well...a lot of things. There are some secret "man-code" things I'm learning that help me approach him the right way or respond to him in a way that shows him love. But beyond the light-hearted things, I'm learning that my words can be venomous. {Oh, how venomous my words have been.} I'm also learning that...well...I can be pretty spoiled. And while it is so wonderful of the hubster to be so good to me, I need to not come to rely on that. Finally, I'm learning the art of shutting my mouth and turning the other cheek. As in, I'm learning to not participate in conversations that can turn ugly and not return "an eye for an eye" with him.

If I can be blunt, I've never lacked love from my husband but he has lacked respect from me. Sure, there have been times when I felt he was unloving but I've never felt unloved. This truth reaches into the core of me and causes me to change...To do better...To be better...To give him all I have.

He's worth all of this and more.

Have you learned a powerful truth like this in your own relationship?

The Day After My #inRL {in}Courage Meetup

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:29:00 +0000

Yesterday was such a fun and surprising day for me. I chose to host a meetup for (in)RL and opened the doors of my home to whosoever would register to join in.

Allow me to back up a bit for a minute, though.

Do you remember when I shared with you the word I felt challenged with this year? Yes, "engage", that's the one. Right after that, I stumbled upon a blog with something about a conference on the sidebar and decided to give it a click. From that click, I learned about (in)Courage and the un-conference they were putting together. The catch was, if you couldn't find a meetup in your area, you were encouraged to host it.

Lo and behold, there were no local meetup hosts in my area.

Umm....I think I'm supposed to do this. *gasp* I think I'm supposed to do this!

So I signed up to host. No biggie, right? No one will even come...

The day I signed on to the hosting website to cancel my host listing {due to all sorts of excuses I had come up with}, I saw that people were coming...people I didn't even know were coming.

Oh, dear. Now I have to host this.

I took it as a sign and decided to get excited about it and give these ladies my best effort at hosting. I know I sure wanted to enjoy the conference and I was positive they would feel the same way. I went out and bought a couple gift items, a few things for "beach house" decor {that was the theme of the conference}, some snacks, and a hook-up from my laptop to my television and put my energy into putting everything together.

Then yesterday arrived and so did my guests.

And wow. Just, wow.

God brought someone who reminded me of a close friend my mom had {who now lives out of state} but she also reminded me of a dear friend I have {who lives out of state}. And here she was, with the sweetest presence about her and I was so happy she was in my home. Then, God brought someone else from right up the road who has an awful lot in common with me. I felt a sense of peace with her here and a bit of relief, truth be told {she's going to begin homeschooling her son this fall, too.} My mom was the final person to show up but the 4 of us certainly had a wonderful time together.

As we watched the videos together and had our discussions, we learned about each other as we also learned about ourselves. It was a special and sweet time and we're already talking about when we can get together next!

My friends, if you ever feel prompted to do something like I did, just do it. Don't second guess yourself. Don't doubt yourself. Just do what you know you're supposed to do and in your obedience you will find blessing.

I can't believe I almost missed out on meeting 2 extraordinary women...

5 Minute Friday: Community

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:28:00 +0000

This is my first time writing a 5 Minute Friday Post but I could not have stumbled upon it at a better time.

Tonight, I watched with many women, from all over the globe, in preparation for a day of {in}RL time tomorrow...that's "In Real Life".

{p.s. it's lead by the community at www.incourage.me and is a conference hosted in volunteered homes everywhere, tomorrow...mine is one of those homes}

Anyway, where was I?

5 Minute Friday...Tonight's webcast...

Community.

You know? That word kind of freaks me out a little {if I can be honest}. I'm someone who longs for friendships but am also very self conscious at the same time. And why, you ask? I'm a WOMAN...and if we can be transparent for a moment, we can all admit that women can be...well...all over the map at times. We can be driven by our emotions and our thoughts and our fears and our desires...

but it's all a wonderful thing, isn't it? We're all "fearfully and wonderfully made".

I shared not to long ago about feeling challenged by the word "engage" this year. My very first step at accepting that challenge was volunteering to host for this conference and welcoming people I don't yet know into my home. The women who will be here all live in the same area I do and I want to welcome each of them warmly, creating an atmosphere of acceptance, and "You're OK just as you are".

The webcast this evening inspired me so greatly. I need to cherish the women that God has placed in my life. I need to nurture those friendships and reach out to new ones. I need to be vulnerable and let my guard down.

I need to choose joy. {I could write an entire post on the word "joy". I think I will sometime.}

This is my heart on my sleeve.

Dropping my guard. Choosing Joy. Living out loud.

Summer Reading Ideas from American Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:59:00 +0000

Summer is always a time of fun for the kiddos. They don't have to go to bed early for school the following day. There are vacations, pool parties, and fun activities galore. {I remember my childhood summers with fondness.}

While all the fun times are great, there is a lot of down time too. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate with plans. Sometimes those nasty summer colds hit. Sometimes the days are just lazy. These are the perfect moments to bring in some fun with reading and keep those little minds sharp.

American Girl has some new books that would work perfectly for your little lady. Among these are titles like
A Smart Girl's Guide to Liking Herself-Even on the Bad Days, The Cameo Necklace: A Cecile Mystery, and The New Girl. Also, you should consider a subscription to American Girl Magazine as a great source of stories, ideas, and inspiration for girls all year long.

Here's a brief synopsis on each title. {Taken from the press release}

"As Cecile exits a crowded showboat after enjoying a lavish Floating Circus, she stumbles-and when she gets up, she realizes that the cameo necklace she borrowed from her aunt is no longer on her neck. Knowing that the necklace was the last gift Tante Tay's husband gave her before he died, Cecile is desperate to find it. As she tracks down the people in the crowd who were near her when she fell, her search takes her into many corners of New Orleans, from a society tea party to the crowded French Market, even the dangerous cypress swamps...and deep in to secrets she never imagined! An illustrated "Looking Back" nonfiction essay provides facts about the 1850's."

"Each Reader can imagine herself as the main character of this interactive story set in the world of Innerstar University. She thinks Zoe', the new girl, is brave for coming all the way from her home in France. She wants to get to know Zoe', but she also feels a bit jealous about all the attention the new arrival is getting. When a couple of girls start to tease Zoe', she feels torn-can she find the courage to speak up for what she knows is right? With more than 20 different endings, girls will enjoy reading this story again and again to see how their decisions change the story. Plus, this book comes with a secret access code to unlock additional endings online."

"Written by licensed child psychologist Dr. Laurie Zelinger, the interactive guide offers girls ages 10 and up smart advice about self-esteem-what it is, where it comes from, and how it can change with each new experience. Girls will learn the difference between high and low self-esteem, how their moods can affect how they feel about themselves, the role family and friends play in shaping self-esteem, and tips for boosting their confidence and being their best every day."

"Created as an age-appropriate alternative to teen magazines, American Girl is the largest bi-monthly publication dedicated exclusively to girls ages 8 and up. The magazine has won numerous awards for its content and design, including 15 from Parents' Choice Foundation."

I remember reading my books about Kirsten when I was a little girl and looking forward to reading other books as they came out. I also remember when the American Girl magazine was first introduced. What sets this brand apart is their ability to communicate to girls right at their level and encourage strong self-esteem, individuality, creativity, friendship, and other values like these.

The mentioned titles are just a few of the new books available. Be sure to visit American Girl online and check your local book store for even more reading choices!

I look forward to sharing books just like these with my daughter as she grows with American Girl.

**I received the mentioned books for this review from American Girl. Beyond the review items, I received no compensation for this post. This is my opinion and other opinions/experiences may vary.

Butterfly Kisses

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:49:00 +0000

For the longest time, I've been in love butterflies. It's not just because they're beautiful. It's mostly because I see my life when I look at them and it makes me so happy...so at peace.

I've wanted to share about this here but I had to think carefully about how I would approach the topic. Honestly, I could say 1,000 things about them and how I relate to them.

For the purpose of this post, I think I'll just stick with looking at the life cycle of a butterfly.

The Egg:

Before I was even born, God had a plan for my life. He knew my journey would be incredible and at times difficult. Still, he knit me together and put his thumbprint on my life.

The Caterpillar:

Goodness. This stage is hard for me to look at in great detail. This is the part of my life that I spent "getting fat" on what the world had to offer me. Have you ever read the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar? One day the caterpillar enjoys one thing and the next 2, and the next...you get the idea. Indulgence. I spent so much time indulging in myself and my desires. I was hurt so many times and by my own choices too. I unfortunately suffered scars of molestation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, rape, being cheated on {a few different times}, broken promises, a suicide attempt, anorexia, depression, anxiety...the list goes on and on. So I had to indulge in things that made me feel good as a means of escape.

And God said "Enough".

The Chrysalis:

I met my husband and felt like I was finally tucked away from those painful shards of memories. I was "tucked in" to feelings of peace, grace, hope, happiness, love, and more. But being "tucked in" was not enough to remove the pain.

No, my friends. The pain can only be removed with time.

So I waited...and waited...and tried everything I knew to rid myself of the pain from my past. While being securely held by love, I learned that I couldn't run from anything or "get rid" of anything. No. I had to face it and it was like I was having a bad dream.

I went through a twelve step study called Celebrate Recovery and it was at this time that I began to heal from those wounds. I was pregnant with my first child and I was desperate to shake off the shards and splinters so I could be a healthy mom. I learned to face it...and forgive...and let go...and take responsibility...and cling to God's love like never before...and heal.

And one, glorious day...

The Butterfly:

I emerged a changed person. I was completely different in every way, yet, I was still the same person. You see, inside every butterfly lives a caterpillar story. And when they flutter around so freely, there is still the past where they were crawling the ground and indulging...in something...as a means of escape...from something. The difference is in the chrysalis stage. Everything changed when I surrendered it all and took time to heal.

The promise of the butterfly is:

"I will never be the same again".

And I'm free.

Now I see butterflies all the time. I see them in the trees. They flutter across the hood of my car while I'm stopped at a light. Heck, one jumped out of a box when we raised two of them in our home recently. This butterfly walked right up onto my hand and stayed there until I put it down outside...and it fluttered away. These are what I call "butterfly kisses". I remember my past but in such a happy way now. If not for the caterpillar, I would never experience the sweet,simple freedom of the butterfly.

Playtex Baby Contest!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:30:00 +0000

What did you least expect when you were pregnant or a new Mom? Me? Well, If I can be honest, I wasn't really ready for the whole "mucus plug" bit. Oh, boy...I was so grossed out and I remember calling my mom and saying "Why did you not warn me about this?!?". {Don't you think it a little important to give first-timers a "heads up" about this kind of thing? LOL}

We all have great stories to share, and PlaytexBaby wants to hear them! Starting April 16th Playtex Baby is holding a contest on their Facebook page, asking Moms to share candid, unexpected moments of pregnancy and motherhood. They will be selecting daily winners, as well as a grand prize winner who will be flown to LA for the premiere of What To Expect When You’re Expecting. The film will feature Playtex Baby products including thePlaytex® Nurser with Drop-Ins® Liners and the Playtex® Diaper Genie® Disposal System! So what are you waiting for – log on and share your story today!

https://www.facebook.com/PlaytexBaby/app_321062914616209

**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Playtex Baby. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Angry Birds Birthday Cake and Cookies {Step-by-Step}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:26:00 +0000

Every year I make cakes customized to my little ones' likes and requests. This year, for Alex's 5th birthday, I made a black Angry Bird cake. And while I was chatting with him about how we could make this cake for him, he reminded me that angry birds MUST have pigs to go with them.

Well, I put on my thinking cap and came up with and idea on how he could have both the bird and the pigs without

1. Breaking the bank
2. Becoming too great of a project for me

The green pigs would be cookies...and not even cookies I had to bake. Thank heavens too...the pigs were more tedious than I imagined they would be...but they were worth the effort.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

White fondant
green, black, and yellow food coloring gels

Use these to make A LOT of black, a little green, and even less yellow fondant

Vanilla or Butter Cream Frosting
A rolling pin {to roll out fondant}
Powered sugar {for rolling out fondant}
Oreo cookies
Cake mix {I made 2, 8 inch cakes}
Circle cutter {for the cookies and eyes}

Green Pig Cookies:

I started with a pack of Oreo cookies, some vanilla frosting {you can also use butter cream} and white fondant that I tinted green with food coloring. The white fondant can be bought by the box in stores like Michael's and Party City. {$6-$8 a box and also available in other colors from Wilton}.

I grabbed my clump of fondant, which I had colored green, and rolled it out. I used a fondant rolling pin and powdered the pin and rolling surface with powdered sugar.

I lucked out when I found that a Play-Doh cutter would make circles that perfectly covered the face of the Oreo cookie, leaving just the edge visible.

The trick in getting the fondant to stick to the cookie is in using frosting as "glue". I spread a small layer on the fondant and then centered it on the cookie.

After the cookies had their fondant circles, it was time to add in some detail. I used only my fingers to pinch a bit of fondant from the clump and make ears and a nose. Then, using the tip of a steak knife {if you'd like to be safer than me, you can use a skewer or anything less...um...stabby}, I gently carved into the fondant to make the details in the ears and nose. THIS was the tedious part because I tend to be a perfectionist and had to make them look "just so".

Oh! I should add...keep a small dish of water nearby for adding fondant details. By wetting the back of the detail pieces, you'll be able to stick it into place and it won't budge once the water dries. You only need a little bit.

I grabbed white for the eyes and looked at a picture of one of the Angry Bird pigs to find out where I should place them.

Finally, I used a bit of the black I made {adding black coloring to white fondant} to finish the eyes.

That's it! The pigs were ready to meet their match!

For the black Angry Bird, I made a double-layer cake. Sometimes people ask how I make the layers flat for stacking so I thought I'd share that with you. ...I think it's pretty simple.

After the cakes are completely cooled in their pans, I grab a bread knife and lay it on the edge of the pan. I use the pan as my guide as I slowly cut off the top of the cake.

Then I take the layer off...and eat it like a giant cookie. LOL.

No, really...

K...the top layer is off and then I just take the cake out of the pan, face down, frosting the "bottom" of the cake. There are far less crumbs and mess this way and the cake isn't rounded or tilting to one side, more importantly.

Bakers call frosting the cake "dirty icing" but I'm going to go ahead and say...

Frost the cake.

Earlier I mentioned tinting white fondant with black coloring to make it black. Just be fore-warned...you're hands will turn black too.

See?

K...now that the fondant was black, I rolled it out so that it would completely cover the cake with fondant to spare. It's far better to have more than enough than not enough.

After covering the cake and trimming the excess, I used my circle cutter to cut out 2 white circles and hand-cut a rectangle in black fondant for the feather on the bird's head. Then, I rolled a small bit of black fondant in my hands and flattened it out to make a pupil for each eye.

I used one of my kid's toys to prop up the feather as I wanted it to curl upward when it dried.

Finally, it was time to grab my yellow fondant and make this bird Angry! I rolled it out, cut a square for the top of the feather, 2 large, long ovals for eyebrows, and cut out a beak shape, free-hand. I wet the backs of the shapes and put them on the cake.

I was finished! And Alex LOVED his cake and cookies!!

P.S. The Oreo cookies taste like they just have an extra layer of filling with the fondant on top. Yum-to-the-O.

Don't Think "Duggar"

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Ha!
Right after typing that, I thought, "Everyone's probably going to assume I'm pregnant again or something".

If that's what you're thinking,

rewind
don't go there
and
try again

When I think "Duggar" or "Duggar family", I think of many children and HOMESCHOOLING.

Allow me to key in on that last word for the remainder of this post.

Homeschooling.

The hubster and I have thought about this in great detail. We've discussed it, visited schools, and ended up deciding that we will be homeschooling our family. Alex will begin kindergarten this fall and Eliana will be introduced to preschool where she'll go at her own pace {she wouldn't begin preschool for another year in a formal school}.

No, I don't think schools are evil. No, I don't think less of those who send their children to school. No, I don't want to raise my children in a bubble. No, I don't want to brain-wash them. No, I don't worry about "socializing" my children {I plan to keep them active and give them a healthy world-view}.

The truth is, I've wanted to be a teacher since I was little. Well, I wanted to be a teacher and a mom. I believe God will show us what we're to do with our lives and I'm excited that I have an opportunity to do both things at the same time. Not to mention, I was taking college classes to teach. If I was willing to go to the trouble of planning for and teaching a whole classroom of children, it only made sense that I would be willing to do the same for my own children.

Is this a forever thing?

Believe me, I kind of start hyperventilating when I think, "I'll be teaching in my home for the next 18 years". What's the sense in that kind of pressure? My husband and I decided to have a conversation at the close of the school year. In that chat, we'll decide if we should enroll our kiddos in school the following year or do another year at home. We've talked about trying to teach from home until junior high, but WOW...that's a long ways away. It's better that I focus on the year ahead of me and nothing more.

I'm currently shopping for my curriculum and had an opportunity to take some workshops recently. I know that we're doing the right thing for our family and I'm SO excited about it. When we find a home to move to {yah...still hunting}, I'll be setting up my classroom and will share all of that with you too. I've been drawing a lot of inspiration from Pinterest for activities and such.

I know there are going to be hard days. I know on some days, my husband will come home to find me walking around with eyes as big as saucers and hear about how I've hit a wall. "Mama said there'd be days like this". But with the good comes the bad and with the path we're taking comes work. The benefits are worth it. My kiddos are worth it. My family is worth it.

**Someone screen shot that and save it so you can remind me when I hit a wall. Mmmkay?**

Do you homeschool? Any helpful hints? {I'll take all the advice I can get.}

Our Smiles-Centered Easter Baskets {review}

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:32:00 +0000

I just love holidays, like Easter, that give me an opportunity to buy fun things for my kiddos. I'm a gift-giver and always look for ways to personalize gifts and tailor them to my children's specific interests. On Easter, I like watching the kids run around the house looking for hidden Easter eggs and opening Easter gifts. These traditions mean so much to me as these are days I don't get to do-over, I only get to enjoy them again next year...and my "little ones" won't be as little then.

The other day, I took Alex with me to Walmart to gather items for Easter baskets. Our main goal was to find a Nickelodeon themed Colgate toothbrush for the kiddos and make them Easter baskets to encourage healthy #EasterSmiles.

Right at the store's entry, we found this pallet of Colgate oral health items. It was packed with Nickelodeon characters like Spongebob Squarepants, Dora, and Diego on items like toothpaste and toothbrushes. Alex was very excited and wanted to pick out his toothbrush right away. After selecting Spongebob for himself, he chose a Dora toothbrush for his little sister in her favorite color of pink.

We shopped around the store and finished selecting items for Easter Baskets. I tried to steer clear of sweets and looked more for things that my kiddos would enjoy playing with. Really, my goal was to stock up on items that promote smiles in my home. Instilling healthy oral care habits and limiting the candy is a great way to do that. {Don't you think?}

I spent just over $50 and was able to get great items for all three of my kiddos. I'll be honest and say that I felt really good spending that money on items they'll enjoy using rather than spending it all on candy. I think this is a wonderful idea and I fully intend to stick with this in the future.

If you'd like to see more about my shopping experience with Colgate and Walmart, see my Google+ album.

For Mikayla, I grabbed this adorable "Easter chick" onesie and headbands. Every baby needs a "baby's first" outfit and this was a steal at only $3.25 for the onesie and just under $3 for the pair of headbands.

Alex and Eliana both received a new toothbrush and small toys that fit their unique tastes.

Alex really loved the Spiderman bucket he found. He really enjoys a good superhero and has been running around our home acting like he's Spiderman since he found this. He also found a Fisher-Price Batman toy, a cute puzzle and wind-up bunny toy, a Nascar toy filled with candy, and {his favorite} a Spongebob Colgate battery-powered toothbrush.

Would you like to hear something wonderful about Alex's Easter items? He's been begging me to use his toothbrush since we bought it. I put all his items aside for Easter morning but I just know that he's going to want to use his new toothbrush right away. Also, his toothbrush matches his toothpaste that he currently uses every day. It's true. We're big Colgate fans in this house and Alex loves picking out his favorite toothpaste and toothbrush.

Eliana's bucket has all of her favorite things in it. It's filled with Disney Princesses and the color pink. Her favorite princess is Sleeping Beauty and I was excited to find items in Walmart featuring that princess. Also, we found an adorable set of hairclips for her with bright colors perfect for the Spring and Summer.

Making our way around Walmart to fill our buckets for Easter was easy as they have something for everyone. Also, being able to find items for my kiddos to enjoy that aren't strictly candy makes me feel great as a mom. I know these baskets will bring many smiles to my kiddos and their Colgate toothbrush will keep those smiles healthy while making oral health fun for them.

What are your traditions? Do you make Easter baskets for your family? How would you incorporate a Colgate toothbrush into your gifts?

Be sure to follow Colgate on Twitter and Facebook.

**This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.

#CBias All opinions are 100% my own. Others may have a different experience.

Decorating My Table The #KmartEaster Way! {and a tutorial} #cbias

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:21:00 +0000

I recently made a trip to my local Kmart store in search of items to use in decorating my table for Easter. I also needed to get Easter baskets for Eliana and Alex. I know this is a store I can count on to offer me a great price and the pre-packaged baskets can prove to be quite the time-saver for this mom of three.

In our home, holidays like Easter are a pretty big deal and just packed with activity and visiting. I enjoy adding things to my home to make it feel festive and get the kiddos excited for the day. And since the table is somewhere we spend plenty of time eating/snacking, I like to dress it up while still making it kid friendly.

Anyway, I found everything I needed at Kmart and enjoyed all of the deals I found while I was there.

I have to admit, this wall of pre-made Easter baskets was quite wonderful. They had all different styles, sizes, and price points to choose from. As you can see, the ones in this picture were all $9.99. There were also a few other price points gathered on the shelves and I believe they went up to $19.99 in price.

I found the Celebrations by Radko line of accessories to be super cute. I bought a few different items from this line to use on my table. They're great for Easter but I also thought they were perfect for a family table. They're really nice to have out but they're not too formal for little ones. Everyone can enjoy these.
{...And seriously, look at how darling that candy dish is.}

I was spoiled by my company when I was shopping too. Eliana loved helping me pick things out for Easter...especially candy. She told me what she liked and didn't like and even chose to sing a few songs to me while we shopped. It doesn't get any better than that. :)

If you'd like to read more about our shopping trip, please see my Google+ album.

Once I got home, it was time to unpack my bags and start decorating! {I LOVE this kind of thing!!}

I was able to turn all of this...

into this.

The Celebrations by Radko dishes looked so sweet at the center of my table with my DIY centerpiece.

Yes, I love candy and I thought it would be fun to put it out on the table prior to the big, holiday meal being served. And really, jelly beans are harmless. Right?

This is as close as I get to having my own Easter basket this year so I wanted to "go big". ;)

You must take a look at the Celebrations by Radko egg holders I found for Alex's and Eliana's plate. The little girl matches my candy dish perfectly and the little boy is a perfect compliment to her. For now, I placed the Easter eggs I purchased in the holders but these will be holding the eggs we dye soon.

On Easter morning, Alex will find this basket at his seat

and Eliana will find this one.

The toys in these baskets are things I just know my kiddos are going to like playing with, the price of $9.99 a piece was PERFECT, and there are just a few, small candy items at the bottom of the basket for them.

At the end of my shopping trip, here's how I did. {Drum Roll, Please...}

I received a $5 gift card to the store and saved over $20 otherwise. I also stored up a lot of rewards points and I'm very excited for that! Many of the Easter items I purchased gave me double points. If you're not familiar with the Shop Your Way Rewards program, you have to check it out. It's free to sign up so you have nothing to lose.

PS...Keep up with Kmart on Twitter and/or Facebook to find out the latest and greatest deals.

Now, did you want to see how I put together my centerpiece?

I started with a glass pitcher {$6.99 at Kmart} but you could use a glass hurricane or vase if you like.

Put a pinch of Easter grass in the bottom of the pitcher.

Pour a bag of jelly beans over the grass.

Using the bunny Peeps, stand them up at the inside edge of the pitcher. I used 2 rows of attached bunnies and one bunny from the third row in the package.

Here's what it looks like looking inside the pitcher.

Stuff Easter grass in the middle of the bunny circle and let it spill over the top of them.

Pour a bag of jelly beans over the top of the Easter grass.

Phew! All of that work made me want to sit down. When I sat down, my new candy dish offered me some jelly beans.

"I don't mind if I do, bunny. I don't mind if I do."

**This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. The opinions and experience shared are 100% my own. #CBias

She's Three Months Old!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:53:00 +0000

I can't believe my baby girl is already 3 months old. Technically, this happened on March 26th, but we can cut me a bit of slack, no? I am parenting 3 kiddos...

Anywho, Let me be the first to say, she is a delight and a pure joy. She's exactly what I needed and I didn't even know I needed her until I met her.

At three months, Mikayla is sleeping pretty well at night {anywhere from 7-8 hours of sleep, wake to eat, sleep 4 more hours}. She can pick up her head, though she isn't a big fan of tummy time. {Sometimes her tummy time happens on my bed so I can kneel down beside the bed and be at her eye level.} She attempts to roll over but always gets stuck half-way over. lol

Mikayla is also pretty petite. At her 2 month appointment, she was between the 10th and 25th percentile for her weight and height. She's still wearing size 0-3 months in clothes {3 month size in Carter's brand} and I call her our petite miss.

Her hair is strawberry blonde...heavy on the strawberry...and I suspect she may have curly hair just like her mama. :) It seems to be the same texture as mine and gets what I call "furly" {frizzy and curly} as it's growing out.

She's very patient and really has blended in to the family quite perfectly. I love what she has added to our lives and how she brings out our best characteristics.

Eliana {age 2 1/2} does a pretty good job as a big sister. She's not competitive at all but she has this nurturing spirit about her that can be a bit much for a baby sometimes. lol I love to hear her sing to Mikayla and especially love the way she greets the baby each day with a high pitched, "Hewo, Mikay-wa!" or "Hi Mickey-Pie!".

Her big brother, who will be 5 tomorrow {don't get me started on that}, is her biggest fan and her protector. He loves to talk to her and hold her. Of course, little Mik knows her brother's voice and always has a smile for him.

And if she happens to get fussy...

Alex can calm her down with just a kiss on her forehead.

Life with three kiddos is full and busy but I'm in love with the busyness of three kiddos.

Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters ~ Review and Giveaway!I

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Both my son and daughter love playing with toys that move around. They like racing them, or crashing them, or even just watching them go. That's why I knew they'd love the new Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters from Innovation First Labs {the makers of HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures}.

We were sent a store, a starter set, and a Moshling to play with and my kiddos couldn't wait to crack into them when they arrived. The store and starter set each came with a Moshling so my little ones had 3 to play with. We decided that "Cutie Pie" from the Ice-Scream store would be Eliana's and Alex could play with "Rocky" and "Squidge".

Our Moshling, Rocky

Our store

Our starter kit

Eliana and I decided to begin with setting up the Ice-Scream store. I emptied out the contents of the box and started putting it together. Everything "clicked" and "snapped" right into place and she was able to play with it right away.

Isn't it cute? The nice thing about these is how easy it is to switch things around if you get bored with your current set-up. After Eliana and I had a chance to play, and Alex came home from school, we opened the starter kit and extra Moshling. What happened next was simply wonderful; Alex and Eliana played together with their Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters for a very long time. If you happen to have 2 or more children of your own, you may be familiar with the expectancy of a fight at some point. This didn't happen!! It seems they were too busy enjoying their new toys to have a disagreement. {I'm looking into buying more. LOL}

Anyway, I wanted you to have a chance to see the toy in action. I shot a short video with my phone so you can see how fun these little guys are. There's no telling which way they'll go and that is what my kiddos really seem to enjoy.

BUY IT: You can find the mentioned items in Target and ToysRUs stores for ranging prices, depending on the item, starting at $5.99. Great gift idea for Easter!

THE GIVEAWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
** Thanks to Bobble Bots and Mom Select for the items to review. This review is based strictly on my experience and opinion. I was not compensated in any way for the review itself or to influence my choice of words. Others may not agree or may have a different experience.**

Crest & Oral-B Pro-Health Plaque Control Test Drive Program #CrestSponsored

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Clary) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:14:00 +0000

Each and every day, I begin and end by flossing and then brushing my teeth for two minutes. On rare occasion, I have to rush through the process or skip flossing in the morning {depending on the kiddos} and I just can't stand the feeling. {Most of the time, I'll go back and brush again in the afternoon if this happens.} I guess you can say, I really like the "clean" feeling as I also like the store-bought products that can help me accomplish this.

You know the "clean" feeling I'm talking about, right? It's the one that you feel after a dentist appointment...and then wait 6 months {for another appointment} for your mouth to feel clean again. It seems almost impossible to achieve that on your own right? {I know I'm not alone here.}

Because I feel this way about oral care, I've been testing out the new Crest & Oral-B Pro-Health Plaque Control items. I've been using the items pictured above routinely and am already enjoying them. I'll be sharing more about that at another time.

Today, I want to tell you about an incredible opportunity to win with Crest and Oral-B Pro-Health! How does a trip to London to see the Olympic games sound? Amazing, right? You can enter the Pro-Health Clinical Olympic Games Sweepstakes by clicking the link. And if you don't win the big prize, you could still win one of the weekly drawings for the full product line. The sweepstakes ends on May 31st so head over there and enter!!

I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and Oral-B and received product samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a promotional gift to thank me for taking the time to participate.