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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Crazy 8 sale!!

Okay guys you have to check out this amazing sale from Crazy 8!!



Whats that you have never heard of them? Well you are slacking :) They are only the best children's shop since Gymboree!

Take a look at some of these amazing deals going on right now! Crazy 8 Pick Your Markdown Sale!

$3.99 - Tees, Tanks & Knit Shorts
$4.99 - Skirts & Polo Shirts
$6.99 - Woven Shorts

Seriously $3.99 for tees and tanks?? Come on where else can you find that?

For this week only, Crazy 8 is offering you the chance to Pick Your Markdown with categories priced from just $3.99 to $6.99! Don't miss your chance to stock up on tops, shorts, skirts and more! This offer is only valid for one week and while supplies last, so be sure check out Crazy 8 today!



Oh and don't forget to stop by on Monday and link up your favorite Crock Pot recipe!! We look forward to see your amazing ideas :)

Have a great day!! And seriously go check out the sale!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Little Man Dictionary

Okay so I was thinking the other day of all the crazy words my little man tends to come up with and thought I need to start a dictionary...So here goes.
  • Gully gully-pacifier (NO IDEA!!)
  • Hot Dog - Mickey Mouse or Ketchup
okay so let me explain this one...obviously if you have seen my previous posts my little man is obsessed with Mickey Mouse. There is a song they sing at the end of every show.....



And that is why he calls it Hot dog!
As for the Ketchup well his favorite food is also Hot Dogs so any chance he gets to eat them he is all over it! What does he eat with his hot dogs? Ketchup...so now every time he sees Ketchup he thinks of Hot Dogs.
  • I-yay-ya - Izaiah
  • Stacy- any one of my three sisters (Sorry Des and Torrie)
  • Kar-yee - karli
  • Harp Harp- Harper
  • Cup-a-cup - sippy cup
  • Fiyou - Mixture of Phil and Matthew (Yes he calls them both this!)
  • Shooks- Shoes or Socks (Shoe+Sock)
  • Sing - Swing  
  • Bite-Bite - Food (obviously)
  • Dayay - Daddy
  • Fi - Levi (his dog)
  • Phee-Phee - Pee Pee 
  • Boop - Poo Poo (Sorry TMI)
  • top tart- Pop Tart
  • Cayay - Candy
  • OOTT - Hot
  • Baph - Bath
 
 
Some of his favorite phrases are:
 
I Be Back - Yea he is apparently a Terminator fan.
Where You At
Where Sissy
I need Cup-a-cup
Stop Dayay that Hurts (They play wrestle and this is his cop out so he can jump back on top and win)

I am sure I will have plenty more to add in the near future!
 
Yea he is one unique individual.....And I would not trade him for anything in this world. We are so blessed to have his presence in our life and he never ceases to make us laugh every single day! 
 
Mommy Loves you Bubb :)








Monday, July 29, 2013

Mouthwatering Mondays {Linkup #3}

Welcome to the Third edition of....


Mouthwatering Mondays

I along with 8 other ladies have joined forces to bring you this exciting weekly linkup. Every week we will have a theme to follow. The schedule for the coming weeks will be posted at the bottom of the linkup so you can plan out your posts in advance. Find your favorite recipes to go along with the theme and be sure to take lots of pictures!!

There are only a couple rules to play by!

1. Follow all your beautiful Hosts using at least one of the methods provided below.

Babies Bosses & Boyfriends: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Rhyme and Ribbons: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
A Beauty Moment: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Bailey Dailies: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
The Active spirit: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
The Campbell's: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Well Worn Soles: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Caravan Sonnet: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Lost in Boston: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

2. Grab a button, place it on your blog, and link up your post for your favorite recipe following the weekly theme!
Mouthwatering Mondays


3. Check out some of the other fantastic links & Have a blast!

And it is as easy as that! So get your favorite recipe book out and practice up! NO strings attached just a fun and friendly weekly linkup for working moms, single moms, Stay at home moms, housewives, or even the single lady looking for a great idea!!

The schedule for the coming weeks:

  • July 29: Quick & Easy Appetizer
  • Aug 5: Favorite Crockpot Recipe
  • Aug 12:  Favorite Side-dish

My absolute favorite appetizer of all time and for any occasion is.....

7 Layer Bean Dip 

 

Ingredients

1 (16 oz) can of refried beans
1  pkg taco seasoning
8oz cream cheese softened
1 can (4.5 oz)  chopped green chiles 
1 cup Thick 'n Chunky salsa (any variety)
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups shredded Cheddar or Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
1 can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained (1/2 cup) OPTIONAL
1 medium tomato, diced (3/4 cup)
Tortilla chips

Directions

In medium bowl, mix refried beans and taco seasoning mix. Spread mixture on large platter. 
  In another medium bowl, mix cream cheese and chiles. Carefully spread over bean mixture.  
Top with salsa, lettuce, cheese, olives and tomato. Refrigerate until serving time. Serve with tortilla chips. 

LOVE THIS STUFF!!! YUMMM
 
Link up your Appetizer recipe below!!


Friday, July 26, 2013

A week of Milestones

Well it is Friday again and like always we have had a very eventful week!!

1. Little Man's 2nd Birthday was a success!! He LOOOVED the Mickey themed party.




2. Em Learned to roll over!! Ans she has now started the decent towards crawling :/ Bittersweet

3. She sat in her Jumperoo for the first time and absolutely LOVES it!! (PS Little Einsteins Jumperoo 2010-2013 is on recall so make sure to check yours against THIS information to see if yours is included.)

4. Apparently I teach my children to do this when they are young....they make the exact same face!!

5. I just love how much my babies love each other!! They both cannot get enough of each other. She is constantly grabbing and reaching for him and he is constantly kissing on her. So sweet!

That was our week. Hope yours was fantastic as well!!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Royal Nursery

How would you decorate baby George's Royal Nursery?? Here is my take on it. I just love grey!! This dark blue and grey screams royal baby worthy to me!!



Don't Forget to stop by and enter HERE to win a $25 gift card to Etsy!! And also stop by on Monday for our Mouthwatering Monday's linkup and join us in linking up your favorite Appetizer!!


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Etsy Gift Card Giveaway!!! :)

Okay Ladies if any of you out there are like me you are an Etsy-a-holic!! I have a problem (Seriously it is bad!) I order everything from my sons birthday shirts to the wreath on my front door and all my daughters special occasion outfits. I just LOVE the place.




I cannot get enough of all the handmade gorgeous pieces and if you have read my blog lately you will know that my baby girl is a cover photo on VioletsPlayground Etsy shop :) Yea that's how much I buy...whoops :)

So if you are an addict like me, love to decorate, put your kids through torturous pictures with bunny ears (like me), or just love to shop this giveaway is for you.

I am giving away a $25 Etsy gift card. Hey if you don't want the gift card I will send you the cash!


Here are the rules....THERE ARE NO RULES!!

Just enter using he rafflecopter below and Good Luck!!I will be leaving it open for one week. All entries must be in by 4:00 pm on Tuesday July 30.

Hope you all have a great week :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, July 22, 2013

Mouthwatering Mondays {Linkup #2}

Welcome to the Second edition of....


Mouthwatering Mondays

I along with 8 other ladies have joined forces to bring you this exciting weekly linkup. Every week we will have a theme to follow. The schedule for the coming weeks will be posted at the bottom of the linkup so you can plan out your posts in advance. Find your favorite recipes to go along with the theme and be sure to take lots of pictures!!

There are only a couple rules to play by!

1. Follow all your beautiful Hosts using at least one of the methods provided below.

Babies Bosses & Boyfriends: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Rhyme and Ribbons: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
A Beauty Moment: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Bailey Dailies: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
The Active spirit: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
The Campbell's: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Well Worn Soles: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Caravan Sonnet: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Lost in Boston: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

2. Grab a button, place it on your blog, and link up your post for your favorite recipe following the weekly theme!
Mouthwatering Mondays


3. Check out some of the other fantastic links & Have a blast!

And it is as easy as that! So get your favorite recipe book out and practice up! NO strings attached just a fun and friendly weekly linkup for working moms, single moms, Stay at home moms, housewives, or even the single lady looking for a great idea!!

The schedule for the month of July:

  • July 22: Favorite BBQ/Picnic Recipe
  • July 29: Quick & Easy Appetizer 



You can find my Favorite Picnic recipe HERE :) It is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive! 
 Now bring on those tasty Picnic style recipes!


Thursday, July 18, 2013

Photoshop: My new best friend

No its not what you are thinking! I am not one of those crazy people all worried about my body in a bikini so I am Photoshopping that belly lab....although when I get really good at this that doesn't sound half bad!

So little man's Birthday is coming up (can't wait to write that post....look for it next week!!) and of course it is "Hot Dog" themed. I know you are thinking who in the world would let their kid have a Hot Dog themed Birthday party....it is not Hot Dog it is.....

♪ Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog! Now we got ears it's time for Cheers! ♪



 
  Mickey Mouse!!

So I have been looking at ways to make this party more of a DIY and less of a take all my money and throw it down the toilet for some paper products that will get used for two hours....and so far it has been great! Photoshop has been my best friend!!!


Here is a sneak peak at one of the projects I made for his party :) 

I saw this listing on Etsy for a Hot Diggity Dog Bar Sign and do you know how much they wanted for a downloadable piece of paper?? $8.00 to download a piece of paper and use your own printer and ink to print it. FOR REALLL???

So I used Photoshop and the good ole Internet and made my own!!

I think it turned out well!





Don't worry I will be posting more next week and some cute pictures of my little man as well :)

So stay tuned!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Baby Angels: Receiving their wings.

Do you ever have those days where your heart is so full that you just want to write....So you sit down to write and nothing comes out? My feelings today exactly!
I have seen so much heartache so many sad stories and watched the news the past couple of days to only lead to more sad thoughts. What is wrong with people these days? If we lived long ago half the country would either be hanged or stoned to death!

Four times in the past two months FOUR I have read of little babies less that a year old dying because of abuse and neglect! Seriously? One was left in a hot car in greater than 90 degree weather because the mother "forgot" he was in there....How in the world do you forget where your 9 month old is long enough for him to suffocate to death in a hot car?? I just do not understand the mentality of some people.

Two other times I have read of babies who have been beaten by a babysitter or family member. Beaten in the face smashing their skull and leaving them brain dead only to die a couple days later....I am in such a state of shock over all these cases it is unbelievable.

My babies mean the world to me and I could not imagine losing them..let alone having them beaten to death or known that they suffocated because of my ignorant self. I pray that the Lord be with these families as they are struggling with these losses. I cannot imagine the pain and hurt they are going through because of the selfish acts of others. Rest in Peace little Angels. God has a better plan for you.

Tonight I will hold both of my babies a little tighter and remember that they are only little for a while and could be taken from this world in the blink of an eye.



Monday, July 15, 2013

Mouthwatering Mondays [Linkup #1]

Welcome to the First edition of....


Mouthwatering Mondays

I along with 8 other ladies have joined forces to bring you this exciting weekly linkup. Every week we will have a theme to follow. The schedule for the coming weeks will be posted at the bottom of the linkup so you can plan out your posts in advance. Find your favorite recipes to go along with the theme and be sure to take lots of pictures!!

There are only a couple rules to play by!

1. Follow all your beautiful Hosts using at least one of the methods provided below.

Babies Bosses & Boyfriends: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Rhyme and Ribbons: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
A Beauty Moment: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Bailey Dailies: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
The Active spirit: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
The Campbell's: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Well Worn Soles: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Caravan Sonnet: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter
Lost in Boston: Blog / Bloglovin / Twitter

2. Grab a button, place it on your blog, and link up your post for your favorite recipe following the weekly theme!
Mouthwatering Mondays


3. Check out some of the other fantastic links & Have a blast!

And it is as easy as that! So get your favorite recipe book out and practice up! NO strings attached just a fun and friendly weekly linkup for working moms, single moms, Stay at home moms, housewives, or even the single lady looking for a great idea!!

The schedule for the month of July:

  • July 15: Summertime Sweets
  • July 22: Favorite BBQ/Picnic Recipe
  • July 29: Quick & Easy Appetizer
 Now bring on those tasty Summertime Sweets recipes :)


Here is my favorite Summertime Dessert!

Peach Cobbler
Photo credit : Allrecipes.com

Ingredients
4 cups sliced peaches
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
8 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups self rising flour 
1 1/2 cups milk
Ground Cinnamon

Directions
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  • Combine the peaches, 1 cup sugar, and water in a pan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. 
  • Put butter in a baking dish and place in oven to melt.
  • Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir. 
  • Spoon fruit mixture over top. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon. 
  • Bake for 30-45 minutes

Scoop onto a plate while still warm and top with vanilla ice cream! 
Photo credit: Cookitquick.org


YUMMMMMM

(Sorry these pictures are not mine. Peaches are not in good this summer yet.)

Can't wait to see your yummy summertime sweets!!
 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday fever!!



It's that time again! Time to recap the week with 5 of my favorite pictures and memories :) so here goes!! 

1.my big boy loves his baby sister!! Aren't they the sweetest thing? 
2. Cereal face..this was only her second time eating with a spoon and she was loving it!!!
3. Me and my little man had a movie night! Despicable Me and The Lorax  :) 
4.look at that sweeeet face!! She looks just like her daddy more and more every day. 
5. I sliced my finger open doing laundry. :( ouch!!

Well that was our week... How was yours??

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Throwback Thursday

It has been a solid week of pure craziness at my house! Nothing has gone right and no one is happy. So I tried to lighten the mood a little and dug up some old pictures.... Here you go! Happy Thursday! (It is almost Friday!!!)


There was that time these three were inseparable!!


Then there was that time in college we went to the beach on Spring Break...


Wish I had that body back!!

And the time my sister was little and wanted to be just like me!!





 And finally there was the time I was a Subway sandwich artist....


That is commercial worthy right there! lol

Have a great day!!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Coming Soon :)

You know that nervous exciting feeling in your gut that you get when you have some big secret that you cannot wait to let out? That permanent smile you have plastered on your face because you know something that no one else does??

That is currently how I feel! :)

No its not another little bundle of joy....its a new weekly linkup :)

I along with 9 other wonderful co-hosts have created a weekly recipe linkup. Mouthwatering Mondays will begin Monday, July 15!!!

So get your favorite recipe book out and practice up! NO strings attached just a fun and friendly weekly linkup for working moms, single moms, Stay at home moms, housewives, or even the single lady looking for a great idea!!


Here is the current schedule. 

July 15: Summertime Sweets
July 22: Favorite BBQ/Picnic Recipe
July 29: Quick and Easy Appetizers

I cannot wait to start this segment on the blog and I hope you all will come out and link up your favorites as well!!


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Guest Post:Creating a Celebrity Summer for Your Family


 I am very pleased to introduce you all to my new bloggie friend Ariana! Arianna is a full-time mom and a fashion-lover, world traveler, animal lover, and family woman extraordinaire. She loves to cook and bake, travel to new places, share great fashion finds, and spend time doing crafts and projects at home with her kids. She’s got a crazy busy life, but she wouldn’t have it any other way!

Be sure to check out her blog Ariana Knows Best and follow along! 

Now I will hand it over to her for some amazing Celebrity Summer ideas!



Summer is always a time for fun, relaxing with friends and spending some quality time by the pool. With so much activity, there are times that all I wish for is a little quiet.

My girlfriends were comparing notes while watching our kids on the playground last week and all of us agreed it would be wonderful to take off on an exotic vacation. But with play dates and our other daily obligations, we realized that the only vacation we would have this summer was when Grandma takes the kids for the weekend!

Instead of going on trip to a different location, we decided to create our own fun in our backyards! Here are some great ideas for celebrity-inspired activities that you could do at home for a fun and budget friendly summer!


CELEBRITY SUMMER: WEEKEND IN THE HAMPTONS
Celebrities love this cozy hotspot! With an endless array of charity events and cocktail parties to fill up calendars, superstars like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez have recently become homeowners in the area. Exclusive guest lists, private beaches, and the charm of a small town continue to draw more stars to the Hamptons every summer!



   
REALITY SUMMER: BED & BREAKFAST
Take a mini road trip and head to a bed and breakfast in your area! You'll feel like you're on vacation without the hassle of flight delays and squeezing your shampoo into TSA approved bottles! Many locations offer activities too, like golfing for the hubby or spa treatments for you. A weekend getaway is the perfect refresher for the crazy week ahead!





CELEBRITY SUMMER: PRIVATELY OWNED EXOTIC LOCALE
I have read about celebrities who own their islands, and I have to admit that I get a little jealous. For most of us (especially with small children), it’s a challenge to get away to a resort or renting a condo on the beach. But having the option to charter a private jet and owning your own island is a fantasy that stars like Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry, and Leonardo DiCaprio get to live out everyday!





REALITY SUMMER: LOCAL & SECRET LOCALE
Whether it’s a tropical island or a local spot down the road, fun in the sun can be had anywhere! Local beaches, lakes and even water parks are great ways to enjoy a sunny afternoon! Many places offer other activities from sailing classes, to snorkeling and miniature golf, so the whole family can enjoy the day wet or dry!



CELEBRITY SUMMER BIRTHDAY PARTY: ALL-OUT KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY
What kid wouldn't want a party with professional acrobats and circus performers as the entertainment? Children's birthday parties have come a long way from ice cream, cake, and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong recently spent $60,000 on a party for her 4-year-old daughter! If that’s their birthday party, I can’t imagine what a Sweet Sixteen would cost!




REALITY SUMMER BIRTHDAY PARTY: DIY AROUND THE WORLD BIRTHDAY PARTY
My mom did this for me as a kid and I loved it! Send out a postcard invitation for an "Around the World" themed party! Create stations with activities related to different cultures, such as a piƱata or practicing with chopsticks. Serve foreign inspired cuisine such as chocolate croissants and tacos! With more than enough countries to choose from, the possibilities are endless!



Make sure to stop by and follow along on the blog :)