A Cheesy Valentine's Party!

And by cheesy, I mean Chuck E. Cheese-y!

Aubrey and I hosted a little Valentine Party for our beloved playgroup last Friday.
It was SO fun.

We had Valentine bags for each munchkin to take all their goodies home.

 

Oh, and I had to show a little love to the Mamas...Pinkitzel Cupcakes...Mmmm!

{Goodness knows we all needed an extra dose of sugar (and Tylenol) after this party! Haha!}

Overall, I'd say it was a fantastic day! 

 {I promise Aubrey wore shoes -- she had just been playing in the playground area (no shoes allowed)
 when she spotted Chuck E and made a mad dash over to him.}

The kids ate lunch and played their hearts out -- and I didn't have to mop my kitchen floor before or after! :)
Gotta LOVE that!

Thanks, Chuck!
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Party P.S. Birthday party prices can be $$ at Chuck E. Cheese, but it's less than half the price when you book an "organizational" party. By the way, "Playgroup" fall under that category. :) For less than $6 per child it included: 2 slices of pizza, a drink (with refills), 16 tokens, 90 minute table reservation.

Party P.S.S. Parties on a weekday during the day are THE best. We practically had the whole place to ourselves!

Lundi Love

Disclaimer: This last Lundi Love isn't exactly lovey-dovey / warm-fuzzy.

My sweet niece, Anna, sent me an email about an organization called Love146 and thought I might want to feature it on the blog. I just recently finished this book, so this particular issue has been in the forefront of my mind lately.
I don't believe in coincidence -- her email/my book completion combined were providential.

So, what is Love146?
It's an organization aimed at ending child slavery and exploitation. Nothing less.

So, what does it have to do with Valentine's Day?
Well, each Valentine's Day, Love146 marks that day to celebrate broken hearts in supporting the on-going efforts to end child slavery and exploration. The motto of their Broken Hearts Club:

When is a broken heart worth celebrating?

When it changes the world.

A broken heart is the only qualification needed to join the fight to end child slavery and exploitation. 

If we celebrate our broken hearts, they will be our best tools to change our world.

This is Modern Day Slavery we're talking about. 
It's real. It's awful. And it makes people squirm when you bring it up.
But we HAVE to talk about it -- our hearts HAVE to break.
According to UNICEF, 1.2 MILLION children are trafficked each year.
1.2 MILLION CHILDREN.

Instead of buying flowers and chocolate this Valentine's Day to show your love, maybe you'll consider sending one of these?

Here's a quick video on how Love146 got their name. 

(You can also click here to read it).

Love146 History from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

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The protection of children isn't charity. It isn't part of a political program fitting somewhere between tax cuts and gun rights or between carbon emission caps and a national service corps. It's spiritual warfare. 

-- Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore

Sunday Snapshots

Better get those lips ready...Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

Lundi Love

Last  Monday, I woke up to our heater not working. {Brrr.}

This Monday, I woke up to our fridge not working. {Drip. Drip.}

It would have been much more convenient if both had given out on the same day. 

Then I could have just salvaged our food by setting everything out around our frigid house. 

Oh well.

There are bigger problems in the world. 

We'll be just fine. 

Except for the ice cream. 

It's a goner.

So.

With it being kind of a crazy morning, this Lundi Love is gonna be pretty random (as if you couldn't already tell...).

With all things turning sour over here by the minute, let's focus on something sweet shall we?

Maybe some chocolate-covered strawberry cakeballs or strawberry fudge or double chocolate brownies?

Now that we've covered some tasty treats, why not find something fun to wear!

Have you heard of Ordinary Hero?
Their mission is to inspire and empower ORDINARY people to make an EXTRAORDINARY difference in the life of a child in need. They have some very Valentine-y apparel for you and your munchkin. Check it out.

By the way, I think the girl on the right has a sugar problem too.
But I like her spunk and that shirt, so I ordered it.
I'm actually wearing it right now as I type this...wanna see my pose?
{That ILOVEYOU is for you, Marjie.}

That naked, dancing munchkin also has a sugar problem.
We're working on it.
Well...starting after we make a quick trip to get more ice cream...
;)

Sunday Snapshots

 

In 500 Days

So, what's this "big news", you ask?

Well...

Daniel just accepted a musculoskeletal (aka: MSK) radiology fellowship position from July 2013 through July 2014 in...

  {image via}

Cleveland, OH.

This means that in less than a year and half, we'll be packing our bags and moving.
To a city I've never set foot in.
Or ever wanted to live in.

But the strangest thing is...
I am so, so, so excited.
Because the road only God could have navigated us down, lead us straight to this city.

More to come.

Lundi Love

We are barely two weeks away until Valentine Classroom Party Time!

So, in light of that, I recently received an email from Tiny Prints asking if I would blog about their Valentine cards. Considering I blogged about their Christmas cards and received 50 free; it would be insane for me to not show them some love when it comes to Valentine's Day too!

After drooling over the classroom Valentine Card selection on Tiny Prints' site (you all know I have a stationery obsession as it is...), I came up with some simple, affordable, girl/boy, non-sugary (except for one) classroom Valentine ideas that I think are beyond SWEET!

Now, sure you can just pick up a box of cards at the store, write each kid's name on the front, have your child scribble their John Hancock, maybe tape a sucker to it, and call it a Happy Valentine's Day.

But after this post, maybe you'll come away with a little bit of Valentine inspiration.

So, are you ready to think outside the {heart-shaped} box?!

Extra Sweet :: football card with mini football.

Lasso'ing Love :: cowboy card with red bandana (maybe wrap some treats inside?)

O'FISH'ally in love :: fish card with fish bath sponges.

LOVE-ly Princess :: princess card with glow-in-the-dark wand.

(I was WAND-ering if you'd be my Valentine?)

 

Higher Love :: heart balloon card with latex heart balloon (not inflated when given)

 Play it cool :: penguin card with flavor-ice popsicle (given unfrozen, of course)

Head in the clouds :: airplane card with mini gliders.

 

Queen of Hearts :: royal highness card with deck of playing cards.

Love Bot :: robot card with candy robot puzzle (remember these from the Robot Party?)

 

I can't hide my love :: jungle card with kid binoculars.

 

Groovy kind of love :: Surfer card with heart shaped sunglasses.

Love like a Rockstar :: Rocking card with echo microphone.

Dino-mite Delivery :: T-Rex card with mini plush dino.

Toad-ally in love :: frog card with stretchable flying frogs.

 

Love Saves the Day :: superhero card with color your own mask.

Love You to the Moon :: astronaut card with glow-in-the-dark ceiling solar system.

So, what do you think?!


Click on over to Tiny Prints and check out the amazing selection of Valentines cards.

You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Pinterest.

Sunday Snapshot

We just landed some big news this past week.
A full update is on the horizon.
:)

Lundi Love

So, remember when I said there was an explanation for this picture?

Well, today is the day I explain why my 3-year-old daughter was generously applying lipgloss with my permission.

So, what is it?!

Well, Aubrey was working on a special delivery package:

A Hug and Kiss via USPS!

This project was actually for my dad who had surgery last week (he's doing great, in case you were wondering...), but it's so cute that I thought it would make a perfectly sweet Valentine to send to out-of-town family/friends.

It's so simple...

Roll out craft paper or gift wrap:

(I snagged a fun roll of Valentine wrap from Target's $1 bins)

By the way, is my child the only one who prefers to wear nothing but panties when at home?!

Trace the cute, little bod with outstretched arms and then let them add as much "detail" as they want:

(Aubrey thought it was very "tickle-y" when I traced her arms/sides, hence the "deformities". :))

{My munchkin decided she only wanted to add hair. No eyes, nose, necklace, shirt -- nothing. I guess, since she was in her undies, I should just be glad she didn't insist on adding nipples. But, honestly, the creative options are endless. Maybe even drawing a shirt that says: I {heart} Grandma (or whomever) to make it more personalized?}

Apply a generous amount of lipstick* and give the face a big smooch-a-roo:

 *I don't recommend using lipgloss (turns into a grody grease spot), we ended up using a print-out of some kissy lips to cover it up:

Lastly, just cut around the traced body and gently fold the arms and head so that it slides into an 8x11 envelope: 

(I covered the outside of the envelope with the gift wrap. Obviously.)

And that's it!

 A big hug and kiss to the ones you love!

{My dad LOVED getting this in the mail. I hear it's on full display in my parents' kitchen. :)} 

______________________________________________________________

Okay, I just had a last minute thought:
How insanely sweet would this be for a child to send to his/her parent serving our country overseas?!
Imagine the mom or dad opening it up, unfolding the delicate little arms, and hugging their paper-sized child...

And now I'm emotionally done for the day.

Sunday Snapshot

My Little Romper

With some of Aubrey's Christmas money from generous relatives, I decided to enroll her in the 3-year-old Romper Gymnastic class instead of spending it on a year's supply of socks and undies.

Well, I cannot tell you how excited this girl has been to start.

We've been on a countdown to the magnificent day, and she couldn't have been more pumped...

(Sorry for the abrupt ending -- I'm figuring out the video recording setting on the point and shoot camera.)



So, about the first day.
We were 2 minutes late.
I could go into a rant about a crazy SUV-driving mother* who flat-out stole my parking spot, but I won't go there.
{Deep breath in...deep breath out...}
But. Like I said, we were 2 minutes late.
I hate being late.
Probably my biggest pet peeve ever.
{Again...deep breath in...deep breath out...}

As we booked it inside, a lady at the front desk offered, "I'll take her on to her class while you finish up the registration..."
Aubrey went with her, but I felt like I needed to go to make sure she was in the right group and meet the "coach". So, I abandoned my spot in line and entered the bouncy-foam floor of Tumbletown.
By the time I navigated my way through the mass of preschool monkeys, I walked up on Aubrey as she was announcing, "My name is Aubrey Riherd. A-U-B-R-E-Y. I am super excited about this gymnastics class!"

Oh, my little Miss Independent.

And since she's a big 3-year-old, that means I stay behind the glass wall during the class.
Seeing that I was clearly not needed, Aubrey had it all under control, off I went (unintentionally) bounding my way back across Tumbletown to the Parent Room.

I fully intend to use this gymnastics class time to leisurely read (ah, a lovely daytime break!), but for the first day I was more than antsy to "see" Aubrey in a class/peer/instructor setting. I've often wondered what she's like at MDO, and this was about as close as I could get to being a fly on the wall.


First observation (not that I didn't already know this): Aubrey is most certainly Type A.

 

She's a rule-follower and a good listener.

She even covered her mouth when she hacked up a lung coughed!
You have no idea how many times I have to remind her at home. It was joyous to see that she did it without me there to give a prompt reminder. There was also no booger or wedgie picking. Major parental successes in my book.

Aubrey did everything with gusto.

 

Aubrey is a sweet encourager. She doled out hugs to the other girls (and the one boy) after they finished each station, and she was constantly cheering on the others with "Good job!" the entire time. 

(She told the girl in pink, "I like your pretty swimsuit!" :))

After 55 minutes of non-stop activity (well, 2 short water fountain breaks), a stamp on both hands and feet, and a high-five from her coach -- Aubrey informed me that she'd like to go home to get her pillow/lovey/and blankie so that she could come back and spend the night at gymnastics.

I'd say she liked it.

Much more than any socks or undies, that's for sure.

_____________________________________________________________________________

*Now, I didn't get a close look at the SUV mom from the parking lot, but this could very well have been her.
Out of ALL the seats, she chose the one DIRECTLY in front me and my view of the class.

I wonder if this gym offers adult wrestling classes?

Hmmmm...

;)

Lundi Love

We're a month away from one of my most favorite holidays ever...

Valentine's Day!

Oh how I love love love it.

Candy. Chocolates. Roses. Lace. Romance. Candles. Sappy songs. Love letters. Gushy poems. Sweet gifts. Dinners for two.

Ahhhh....looooooooooooooove...

So, in honor of my beloved holiday, I have decided to feature something Valentine-y each Monday.
{P.S. Those of you who picked Spanish in school, Lundi is French for Monday. Thus, Lundi Love.}

Now, since I just decided to do this whole "Lundi Love" thing at 6:57 a.m., that left me with 3 measly minutes to think up something before the morning announcement at precisely 7:00 a.m.: MAMA! MY CLOCK IS YELLOW!

Then I remembered a recipe I flagged awhile back...
Easy Strawberry-Coconut Pound Cake from Tasty Kitchen.
A perfect Valentine-y treat!

Strawberry + Coconut + Icing Glaze = Delight!

    love.

   And oh, so delicious...

 Feel free to give it a try! 

{Click here if you can't read the recipe.}

Trust me, it's so easy, even a 3-year-old can do it!

____________________________________________________________

Endnotes:
*This was the first time I have ever had a "bundt" cake actually dislodge perfectly. It was gloriously satisfying.
**I whisked  powdered sugar and milk together for the icing glaze. I then added a drop of red food coloring to make it pink. Just for funsies.

Sunday Snapshot

{There's actually an explanation for this, but I'll save it for another day...}

And the winner is...

I called in my trusty robot to select a winner for the $50 Erin Condren stationery giveaway. I put all the names in her robot container and told her to give it a little shake, draw a name, and show me who she picked...

In case you can't read robot computations...the winner is...

EM!

Congratulations, Em! I'll send you the voucher today!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Happy Friday the Thirteenth!

From A to Zulily

If you have children, obsess over cute kid clothes, and love a good bargain -- you've probably heard of Zulily.

If not, I'll give you the quick rundown: Zulily is an online store that offers daily sales on a range of things such as clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods/decor, games/books (all for babies, toddlers, kids, and moms). Members get up to 90% off the retail prices. Oh, and it's free to join -- all you have to do is enter your name, email, and a password.

Sounds easy enough, right?

Well...let me give you this warning:
Zulily is extremely DANGEROUS.

If you struggle with impulse shopping -- do NOT become a member.

There are only a certain number of items in stock, so you gotta make quick decisions if you see something you want. In five minutes, the item could very well be sold out.

There is a wide variety of brands -- some really trendy, some really traditional, some really cute, and some really ugly. And, for all my Southern Smock Addicts: you need an additional level of warning. The site features LOTS of smocked clothing each week. Try to avoid bankruptcy. Please.

I am a conservative shopper/spender, and Daniel had to stage an intervention after a few months of my membership.

Because I'm now at a "healthy" place when it comes to shopping on Zulily, I feel the need to pass along my acquired wisdom.

Here are my 5 Rules of Zulily:

1. I ask myself the following questions before completing an order:

• Is this something Aubrey needs or something I just want to buy her because it's so freaking cute?
• Does Aubrey already have something like this in her closet?
• Is this style something that would even look good on Aubrey?
• Will I have to buy something else (hairbow/shoes/leggings) to complete the outfit?
• Will I have to iron this after washing it? (That's usually the final deal-breaker for me.)

2. Don't forget you pay shipping costs, which is usually a minimum of $6. So, that adorable pink ruffled top marked down from $42 to $19.99 is actually over $25 once you check out. For me, it's always hard to pay more than $20 for something that has a 92% chance of getting stained within the first 3 hours of wear and will more than likely be worn a maximum of 2-3 times before it's too small.

3. From my experience, if I order something on December 5th, I won't actually receive it until January 5th. It's typically a full month of waiting. Keep this in mind when buying seasonal items* or items intended for someone's birthday. I ordered a precious Easter dress for Aubrey last year that came 9 days AFTER Easter. I also bought a cute cupcake necklace for one of Aubrey's friends that arrived one week POST birthday party. Not good.
(*Before Christmas, there were items marked with a guarantee to make it before Dec. 25th.)

4. If you aren't familiar with a brand, be careful of sizing. I've had two items (at least) that arrived and didn't fit Aubrey properly. It's one of those things that I would have known if I was at a store looking at the item, but online -- you just have to make a click of faith. This stinks, especially because you can't return these items. Big time bummer. Also, check the brands to see if your local stores carry it. One of the first purchases I made was an outfit that I later found on JC Penney's clearance rack. Nothing against JCP, but I felt like I had been duped. The outfit online looked so boutique-y on Zulily, yet there it was dangling from a broken plastic hanger with a marked down price of $7.99. Lesson learned.

5. Budget for it. I allow myself one purchase a month, and the whole order must be under $50. This way, I have to really think about the purchase before ordering. Is it really worthy of the one-time monthly allowance? Because of this, there have been months when I didn't buy anything. And that is absolutely FINE. Aubrey has never not had something to wear.

Okay, I think that's all the wisdom I have to depart.

Now, I'd like to end this post by giving back...

With a $50 voucher to the personalized stationery site: ErinCondren.com. 
The site offers lots of "organizational" items that would be a great way to start off the New Year -- especially if one of your resolutions is to stay on top of things!

I purchased this voucher on Zulily awhile back and realized I absolutely do not need a single thing from the website. Oh I want practically every single thing, but I don't NEED it. (I have a very deep and strange addiction to all things stationery.) So, I want to offer it to one of you! There's all kinds of cuteness that can be personalized with name and/or photos: gift labels, calendars, journals, address books, gift wrap, invitations/announcements, We've Moved cards, lucite trays, growth charts, book plates and more.
Here are just a few pics to see a sample of the goods...

 {Gift Wrap}

{Invitations}

{Address Book}

 

{Family Calendar}

{Jumbo Calendars}

{Life Planner}

 [More info on the life planner. It's pretty spiffy -- watch the clip.]

{Sorority themed items/stationery}

Okay, I must stop before I delete this post and order one of everything on that darn site!
So...
Just leave a comment, and you're entered!
(Make sure I know how to contact you in the event your name is drawn!)
I'll announce the winner on Friday, January 13th. 
Hopefully it'll turn that unlucky day into something fun!
Good luck!

____________________________________________________________

Overall, I think Zulily is fantastic.
If you want to join (and help a former addict out), you can click here.