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Parenting, Printables, Real Life, Travel

Baby Travel Checklist – Free Printable: What to Pack for Babies

Baby Travel Checklist: This baby traveling checklist free printable can be your lifesaver! Free download, just print and check off! Traveling with a baby, can be super stressful at times. But honestly, that never kept us from planning a last minute trip with the baby, to get outta dodge. So if you're notorious for planning last-minute trips, or you're the "planner," type... my free baby travel checklist can be a HUGE life saver for you. Baby Travel Checklist - Free Printable Download A couple of weeks ago, I shared my updated "Toddler Packing List." After updating that free printable, I knew the Baby...

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House + Home, Organization, Parenting, Printables, Real Life, Travel

Free Toddler Travel Packing List

Free Toddler Packing List: This checklist has saved my sanity a TON! No frantic, last minute things to worry about forgetting. Our family loves to travel, and about 90% of the time, it's last minute. So I've learned to save my sanity, by always having my toddler travel packing list, for our toddler's items to pack his bags super quick. {This is a snapshot of me and my little guy, when we visited Gulf Shores Alabama, when he was just an itty bitty guy. I was also horribly sick with morning sickness, at 3 months along with baby #2, so excuse the pale skin color.... Toddler...

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Parenting, Real Life

Toddler Lunch Ideas

Toddler Lunch Ideas: A fun collection of foods that I have found that work well for my toddler. Healthy, quick, and FUN! I have had the PICKIEST eater in the world! Trust me, I could TOTALLY put him in a contest for pickiest eater, and win... hands down. His favorite diet consisted of pb&j's, grilled cheeses, green beans and carrots. Repeat. After a recent medical scare with him, it was time to change my sons eating habits. One day soon, I'll be sure to share with you the tactics I used to add variety to his favorite food choices. But for now... I'm...

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Parenting, Printables

On the Farm – Free Printable Kids Activity Sheets

Free "On the Farm" printable kids activity sheets: A great way to entertain and teach kiddos the basics of writing and learning with fun graphics! My kiddo LOVES working in his activity books. But if you're like me, and you're SUPER tired of spending an arm and a leg on those workbooks in the store, FREE printable kids activity sheets like these, can come in VERY handy. It's so easy. Just download, print, and let the kiddos get to work! On the Farm: Free Printable Kids Activity Sheets Here are 3 of the pages that are included in the SEVEN activity sheets! They can...

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Health + Fitness, My Style, Style

“Starbuff” Tank – She Must Workout…

No... I don't really "workout," at a gym. But at home, I'm: • Running after two toddlers • Squatting & Lifting 30 lb. todders • and bending over, picking up, scrubbing, the house all day long... so I like to say I "work out." Which TOTALLY justifies wearing this shirt. The moment I saw it, I HAD to have it. {And you know I can't find something I love, WITHOUT sharing it with you.} "Starbuff" Tank You know I have a passion and love for Starbucks & well... coffee in general. This tank couldn't have been more perfect, unless it literally had my name on it. :) I can't even...

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Adult Themes, Entertaining, Kids

Nacho Bar Ideas: It’s “Nacho,” Birthday, It’s Mine!

Nacho Bar Ideas: An easy "serve yourself," style of food bar for a party or event. Topping ideas, my favorite way to serve the cheese, and just how much our guests loved it! I'm totally guilty of not designing a HUGE party for my 2 year old's birthday party this year. BUT... in all fairness, my oldest didn't get a big shindig for his second either. But as a party planner at heart, I couldn't go without a little bit of a celebration, and decided to style an easy nacho bar! Nacho Bar Party Ideas We invited a few of our closest friends...

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Organization, Parenting

The Smart Way to Pack for Baby or Toddler

Ever since creating the baby & toddler packing list for you {ahem, years ago...}, I've wanted to fill you in on the SMARTEST way that I know how to pack my little guys. I'm certain that this one little life-changing tip, will CHANGE the way you pack for your baby or toddler. The SMART Way to Pack a Baby or Toddler: 1. Start by sorting the clothes that you plan to take with you. I do this by pulling articles of clothing out in categories. For instance: I start with onesies & shirts. I pull them out of the closet, and place them in a...

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Halloween, Holiday, Parenting

Halloween Activity for Kids: Candy Apple Decorating

If you're like me, I'm always looking for activities for my kids to do, especially around the holidays. Granted, you can make candy apples any time of the year, but there's just something special about whipping them up in the Fall. Get ready to get sticky... Halloween Activity for Kids: Candy Apple Decorating Let's face it. Creating candy apples isn't rocket science. However, giving you the idea is what I'm here for. :) Items Needed: • Apples {we used small apples, for our little kiddos, but huge apples can be FUN} • Caramel candies • Baking Candies, Sprinkles, Candy • Water for melting caramel • Wooden skewers or lollipop sticks •...

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Organization, Parenting, Review

Restaurant Kit: Toddler Busy Bag

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone, promise! #MARVELSnackBar #CollectiveBias Sometimes I wonder what in the heck we were thinking when we decided to go out to eat with two little boys. Forcing them to sit still for a long period of time, is almost a cruel joke. Since the majority of the time, we decide to eat out at the last minute, I may not have time to round up toys & snacks for a restaurant trip. So the new trick up my sleeve, (thanks to Blue I Style) is my...

Parenting, Real Life, Self Improvement

The SAHM’s Guide to Staying Active

I'm a Stay at Home Mom {SAHM} ... well... Kind of. I guess you could call me a, "Work at Home Mom," {WAHM} too. I'd say it's a healthy mix of both. Lucky you, I don't hide A THING, and show you a reality video clip of my typical mornings, below. No matter what abbreviation you are...if you're a mom, who is in her home most of the time, you may find it a challenge to stay active. Trust me when I say, I HEAR you. Loud and clear. A few days a week, I have someone come to my house and watch...

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Parenting, Real Life

Febrile Seizures, What all Parents Should Know

Disclaimer: I am NOT a health/medical professional. I am simply telling the story of what we experienced as parents, with our little boy that day. Scariest day of my life. Still. Three years later, still the scariest day of my life. As a mom, as a human. It was Thanksgiving, 2012. My 17 month old toddler was safely strapped in to his carseat, in the back of our Yukon, as we were traveling down unfamiliar highways, on our way to Alabama for a first time Thanksgiving celebration at my sister's house. The tv was playing his favorite Thomas the Train movie, and I would...

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Parenting, Real Life

I Took a Nap with my Toddler Today…

I took a nap with my toddler today. Ok... I didn't fall asleep. But I had every intention of taking a nap with my toddler today. Have you ever done this? Have you ever laid down with full intentions of stepping in to this heavenly thought of, I'll just lay down with him, we'll both take a beautiful long nap, and then we'll both wake up, staring in to each other's well-rested eyes, saying to each other, "Let's get up and enjoy the rest of our day!" Yeah. Me too. The Reality of Taking a Nap with a Toddler Yeah... look at him laying all...

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Parenting, Real Life

Toy Time Out – A Positive Parenting Tip for Toddlers

I have a three, and a one year old. {Can that be the end of my post? I mean, no explanation necessary, right?} Kidding... I really do have GREAT kids. But of course there are times when their sweet little minds are learning, and they try to test me as a parent. So to help with this thing we call "Parenting," I wanted to share with you my latest; Toy Time Out - A Positive Parenting Tip for Toddlers If you read my post on "Why I had a Yes Day for my Kids," you know how I talked about always having to say...

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Parenting, Real Life

Why I had a “Yes Day,” for my Kids

After having a Yes Day for my kids, I was completely shocked at what they requested. I learned a huge lesson as a mom too. My husband looked at me like I was crazy. "A yes day, for the kids, Jessica? Why would you do that to yourself?" "I want to see if I can do it, and see how spoiled the kids really are." :) Why I Had a "Yes Day," for my Kids A while back, I had heard of another mom having a "Yes Day," for her kids, and I thought it was the coolest thing. I do remember thinking: Holy...

Parenting, Real Life

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell my Toddler…..{Part 2}

You all loved Part 1 of, "I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell my Toddler..." and low and behold, I've had my toddler do enough since then to create a part 2! Not hard to believe, right? What's even better? My second little boy is turning in to a little toddler man, and he's pulling some ah-mazing stuff as well. Perfect timing for "I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell my Toddler... Part 2." Now, although I've been known to be the "Helicopter Mom," I find myself saying the oddest things, when my eyes aren't on them every second. It's those...

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Food + Drink, Main Dishes

Quick Alfredo Pasta and Polish Sausage Recipe

Quick Pasta and Polish Sausage Recipe: A dish that I whipped up with what I had on hand, so I wouldn't have to run out to the grocery store on a Saturday. I'm stopping everything I'm doing and telling you about my Quick Alfredo Polish Sausage Pasta recipe. Something this easy and good, should NOT be kept to myself. Quick Alfredo Pasta and Polish Sausage Recipe You know when it's been WAAAY too long since you've went grocery shopping, and your family keeps opening up the cabinets and refrigerator, hoping new food will just appear? I'm there. Like, really there. I think my 1...

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Parenting, Real Life

Dear New Mom of 2…

I was exhausted. Some days I'm still exhausted. Being a new mom of 2, can definitely make you want to hide in the panty some days and cry your eyeballs out. (Insert my memory of the Sex and the City 2 movie, where Charlotte goes in the pantry and cries for just a moment, because her kiddos are stressing her out.) Dear New Mom of Two... The Ages: I'll begin by saying that my two boys are 2 1/2 years apart. Moms with kids that have a bigger age gap may be completely different. If so... I'd love to hear about it in...

Favorite iPad apps for Toddlers and Kids

I'm SUPER excited to share with you, a list of Favorite iPad apps for Toddlers and Kids, from Amy at "A Cup Full of Sass!" I consider her one of my "blogging sistas," and rank her in my "Top 5 Favorite Bloggers," {I'll be sharing the other 4 bloggers with you VERY soon in an upcoming post, so stay tuned for those!} I think Amy is right on with theses apps, because my kiddos LOVE them too! So without further ado ===> "Let’s face it. Today’s world is all about technology. It is our present and our future. We are...

Parenting, Real Life

All Time Favorite Baby Learning Tool: Baby Sign Language

I'm surrounded by women producing babies. I guess it's the stage of life that I'm in, because it seems like so many of our friends are having little precious bundles lately. You know, before you have kids, you think to yourself how you'll do this and that, to make your baby the smartest, and most well behaved baby that anyone knows? Yeah, I had those thoughts too. I told myself I'm going to make homemade baby food, he'll be speaking Spanish by the age of two, and that he will NEVER act like those other kids in public that scream and...

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Parenting, Real Life

15 Things I’ve Learned as a Mom

Being a mom comes with a lot of surprises, and teaches us new things no matter how old our children get. These are the 15 things I've learned as a mom so far! Photo Credit: Roussin Photography 15 Things I've Learned as a Mom Oh the things I've learned as a mom... here we go! One. I CAN survive and function on little sleep. I may look a little rough some days, and may not make exact sense when I come up with a new way to make the business plan more efficient at the office... But I survive. Two. Shopping alone feels weird. I'm excited...

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Parenting, Real Life

I Wish I Didn’t have to Tell my Toddler…

Oh the joys of raising kids. Boys... the joy of raising boys. When I first became pregnant back in 2010, I secretly wanted a baby girl. Looking in the stores at all of the pink frilly tutu's, flower hair accessories, and pink EVERYTHING! But I'm telling you, when my little boy was born, my world and attitude changed. I all of a sudden didn't care if he was a boy or girl, he was PERFECT. {Still is} :) Now, if someone were to ask me, "Don't you want a little girl Jessica?" I almost get this rush of anxiety thinking...

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