Don’t Stress About Your Holiday Party Plans With These Tips Throwing a holiday party is a great way to bring your friends and family members together for an evening of fun and fellowship. If you are planning on hosting your own event, chances are that you may find yourself stressed out trying to plan the event. If that sounds like you, then there are a few simple tips that you can keep in mind to make sure your party is a success without all of the stress. If you are planning your party don’t be afraid to ask your guests to help out. It’s common to have these parties be a potluck style affair. Create a list people that have confirmed attendance and ask them to bring either a dish, appetizer, dessert of bottle of wine. While you should still be providing a bulk of the food, having guests bring some appetizers or finger foods is a great way for you to instill some ownership in the group. If you are making food, then you may want to get your ingredients well ahead of time. You can … [Read more...]
Chicken Soup for the Soul Merry Christmas
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Chicken Soup for the Soul Merry Christmas Christmas is the best time of year. People seem to be more friendly and helpful. They have joy and magic in their hearts and things just seem to be more peaceful. I love this time of year and the uplifting movies and stories that go along with it. This year I was so happy to read Chicken Soup for the Soul Merry Christmas. There were so many stories that uplifted me and really helped to get me in the Christmas Spirit. I also enjoyed reading many of these stories out loud with my daughter. We started reading one each day in December to help get us in the mood for Christmas. It was such a special way to start our days. Thanks Chicken Soup for the Soul! We love this book! On The Back The elves at Chicken Soup for the Soul have done it again, with a … [Read more...]
Celebrate Las Posadas With This Easy Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe!
Celebrate Las Posadas With This Easy Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe! Las Posadas is such a great holiday. It helps me and my family put focus on the real reason for the season. To me Christmas is about the birth of our Savior and also about family, friends and loved ones. During the holiday season I try to spend as much time as I possibly can with my loved ones. Especially for Las Posadas which is a holiday that is centered around family and friends. I love the tradition of visiting family members houses during #LasPosadas. It is a great time to catch up and make memories but is also a great time to eat some amazing food. Thanks to #HERDEZ I am always able to create a great dish for my family and loved ones. This year I decided to make Mexican Shrimp Cocktail! It is a family favorite and something extra special for Las Posadas! Ingredients: 2 lbs Jumbo Shrimp (cooked) 3 medium tomato diced 2 cucumbers seeded and sliced 1 small white onion diced 1/2 cup finely … [Read more...]
Disney’s Sheriff Callie’s Wild West!
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Disney's Sheriff Callie's Wild West! My Thoughts This is the first time I have heard of or seen Sheriff Callie's Wild West. I was so thrilled to be able to share this new animated cartoon with my kiddos. I also love that she is a member of the Wild West as my kids think they are cowboys/cowgirls! Sheriff Callie is all about girl power as she works hard to keep her town safe and take down the outlaws. Alongside her friends Peck and Toby you will be able to watch Sheriff Callie learn many lessons and teach a few as well. Kids will learn about courage, fairness, bravery and honesty. I love how the kids will be learning important life lessons and skills while being fully entertained with great story lines and characters! This is a show the whole family will enjoy. On the Back Yippee-ki-yally! For the first time ever, … [Read more...]
My Babies First Month With Members Mark Advanced Infant Formula
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Perrigo, the makers of Members Mark Infant Formula for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. “This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Perrigo, the makers of Members Mark Infant Formula. All opinions are 100% mine.” My Babies First Month With Members Mark Advanced Infant Formula Some of you might remember my post last month about the Sams Club Members Mark Advantage Infant Formula. I told you all about how I was stocking up before the birth of my daughter. Well I am so happy to say that on November 6th at 9:38am she was born! She weighed in a whopping 9lbs 6.6oz. That was a huge difference compared to my first daughter who weighed 7lbs 9oz at birth. Little L is perfect and we would not change a thing about her! Meeting Sister For the First Time The first two nights were tough with this little one. All she wanted to do was eat! Before we left the hospital the nurses weighed her and we discovered that our … [Read more...]
Chicken Soup for the Soul Raising Great Kids
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Chicken Soup for the Soul Raising Great Kids Raising kids is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It is not easy being a parent and coming up with discipline methods, knowing when to discipline and when to hold your tongue. It is also not easy to teach kids the important things like stranger danger, being kind to others, staying positive asking for forgiveness or forgiving those who have hurt you. Thank goodness Chicken Soup for the Soul wrote this inspiring book to help me along my journey of parenting. Plus this book really helped to comfort me and show me that I am not alone and as long as I do my best my kids will turn out just fine! On The Back We all want to give our kids the best possible start in life, and that means sharing our values with them. Parents and grandparents teach children to become the best … [Read more...]
Yet Another Month and My Dog Still Loves Her IAMS™!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of IAMS™ for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Yet Another Month and My Dog Still Loves Her IAMS™! As most of you know I have a new baby due any day now. Because of this mixed with the fact that the temps cooling off I have not been able to get my dog out as much as I like. But that does not mean that we can't get out and enjoy some quality time and exercise with our dog. In fact we have been focusing all of our spare time on getting in as much fresh air as possible before the snow flies. One of the ways we have been getting out is with my husbands Remote Control Car. My dog absolutely loves chasing it around the back yard and it is a great family activity. Plus it gets us and our dog moving which is really important! I love all this energy that she has and I am so glad that I can see the difference that IAMS™ quality dog food is making on my pet. This added to her shiny new coat and better digestive quality and it's almost … [Read more...]
Disney Pixar Inside Out
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. Disney Pixar Inside Out My Thoughts I could not wait for Disney Pixar's Inside Out to be released. As soon as I seen the trailer I knew it would be a hit. In fact my family and I stood in line to see it on opening night in the theater and we loved it! There are so many emotions that a child goes through. Many of them can be very confusing to a child and as parents it is hard to know sometimes just what our children are thinking and feeling. I was so happy to see that Disney made a movie that focuses on the emotions of children. It was not only fun to watch but it also helped to open up a conversation between my oldest daughter and I. We were able to talk about her feelings on different things and how we should react to some of the feelings we might feel. I loved getting to know my daughter better and I know that this is a conversation I would not have had with her without this movie. … [Read more...]
Star Wars View Finders In Select Big G Cereals!
#starwarscereal #starwars #theforceawakens Star Wars View Finders In Select Big G Cereals! When I was a kid my brothers and I used to fight over the toys in the cereal boxes. We would rip the boxes open as soon as we could and dig to the bottom to find the precious toy that was featured on the front of the box. It actually got to be such a big competition that my parents had to make a rule that there was to be no more digging in the box for the toy. We were to pour the cereal into our bowl without reaching our hands inside and whom ever's bowl the toy landed in is who got to keep the toy. This seemed to work for awhile until we learned that if we shook the box around we could uncover the toy enough to insure it landed in our bowls. We were clever little boogers! I had completely forgot those memories until I seen that Big G had placed some awesome Star Wars View Finders in their Specially marked boxes of Reese's Puffs™, Mini … [Read more...]
Why I’m Stocking Up On Members Mark Advantage Infant Formula
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Perrigo, the makers of Members Mark Infant Formula. All opinions are 100% mine. Why I'm Stocking Up On Members Mark Advantage Infant Formula As most of you know I am currently expecting a baby. Just one more week and my bundle of joy will be here. Ever sine the day I found out about my baby last March I have been doing everything I can to stock up on the items I will need once she arrives. One of the most important items on my list is Members Mark Advantage Infant Formula. When I had my daughter a few years ago I had all these dreams of breast feeding only. But unfortunately I did not make enough milk to support my child's nutrition the way that I needed to. I am doing to make sure I am ahead of the game with this baby and I will have everything on hand that I need. Plus having Member's Mark Advantage 1 Infant Formula around will also help out my husband a lot on his nights of feeding our little one. So why am I … [Read more...]
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities
** I was sent a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities My daughter loves the Ripley's Believe it Or Not books. This years Eye-Popping Oddities is no exception. It is so much fun to read and hear about the facts and oddities around the world. I love that this is a book that is not only opening my daughters eyes and teaching her things. But it is a book that she takes everywhere. Some of the weird facts you and your child will love reading about are based off of animals, the human body, pop culture, transport, art, food and more. I can promise you that your mind will not only be blown but you will say to yourself "WHAT?" and read each story in disbelief. From Monster sized earthworms ( that totally gave me nightmares) to learning about the Mega Migration of Stingrays. Each and every page is worth the read! So how did Ripley's Believe It Or Not … [Read more...]
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey’s Monster Musical
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey's Monster Musical It has been WAY too long since I watched a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse movie. I am so happy that in just over a week I will be having another little one added to my family. That means I will get to watch these fun-loving cartoons all the time again! Not just on the days I am blessed to baby sit little ones. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Mickey's Monster Musical is a great movie to watch with your family and is just in time for Halloween. In this adventure you will watch as Mickey and Minnie embark on a special picnic. But unfortunately they don't make it before the car breaks down and leaves them stranded at an ooky spooky castle. Thank goodness they make friends really quick and are able to make a bargain. If they get help fixing the car then they will help their new friends find out where … [Read more...]
Chicken Soup for the Soul Dreams and Premonitions Review & Giveaway
** I was provided with a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Chicken Soup for the Soul Dreams and Premonitions Review & Giveaway My Thoughts Ever since I was a young child my Grandmother has told me about the importance of remembering my dreams. I remember that as soon as I was old enough to read she got me a dream book. I used to like reading about what my dreams meant in that book. It was neat. Now that I have grown I still believe that I can learn a lot about myself and my life in my dreams. It is interesting where your mind can go when you are asleep and interesting the things that I have learned about life. I loved reading these 101 inspiring stories about dreams and premonitions. Especially the ones about infertility. As most of you know I dealt with infertility for 10 years. I am finally going to have a baby and she is due in just 2 weeks!! One of the things that got me through … [Read more...]
Jim Henson’s 60th Anniversary!
** I was provided product for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. Jim Henson's 60th Anniversary! I have loved Jim Henson since I was a little kid. I remember watching his cartoons in the mornings with my Mom and little brothers. That is a tradition that I have continued with my daughter and will continue with this baby who is set to arrive any day now. Although the cartoons are a little different today. The Jim Henson company still remains the same. After 60 years they are still making some of the best cartoons that a child can ask for. Recently I was sent an amazing package of Jim Henson products for the purpose of this review. I was able to get to know some of the Jim Henson characters all over again and I can't wait to share them with my little one. Cartoons and books like Sid the Science Kid (who was my daughters favorite when she was a toddler.), Dinosaur Train, Doozers and Pajanimals. There is even some … [Read more...]
A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller
** I was sent a copy of this title for the purpose of this review. However, my own opinion was used and not influenced in any way. A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller My Thoughts I can't imagine having my life turn upside down the way that Sadie Schrock's life is in this book. What a turn of events that make her face something she has been afraid to face since she was 16 years old. I am so glad that I got to review A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fulller. It was a book that captivated my attention from the very start and I could not put it down. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing where the events in their life took them. My heart broke as Sadie's broke when she was 16. I wanted to reach out and comfort her. It broke again when she was told about her parents...and then my heart started to fall in love with Aden just as her's did. Life was not at all what Sadie thought it would be.....but could it have actually lead her where she needed to be? … [Read more...]