Baby Girl is Here, So It Is Time for Some Shopping

Baby K arrived August 6th and has been a joy ever since.  That is if you consider the screams that only a child with reflux could produce.  I never understood the dire need for bibs until my third child came around.  She is as adorable as I could have imagined any child of mine to be and I am so happy to have a little girl to spoil with the cutest clothes money can buy (or most cute of the time can't buy).

Her brothers are keen to spoil her along with me and can't get enough of all the added accessories that come with a baby girl.  Headbands--each has tried on numerous ones while being given the shake of the finger by mom and dad alike.

Well, with a baby comes the lack of time to get anything done...along with being a stay at home mom and freelance editor--nothing goes by the wayside.  That is what I get for trying to start back up my blog right before having a tiny, new little bundle.

Well, I do have time for one thing...to bring you the cutest fashions for this winter. 

How adorable is this little reversible swing dress by Right Bank Babies.  You can find it on Zulily.

And you have probably heard that Crew Cuts is now selling baby clothing!  A little expensive, but adorable.

My one splurge for the season, these adorable sleepers from Hanna Andersson.

They can double as not only a sleeper but going out gear...because hey, they are way too adorable.

Summer Kid's Style

This is always one of my favorite kinds of posts, especially now that I know I am expecting a little girl in the next few weeks.  I always loved all the little boy's clothes, but I am obsessed with baby girl clothes!  There are just so many options to choose from.  You can go the cute and pretty little princess route, the sophisticate toddler route, or even dab into some shabby chic style so popular these days!

Here is a bunch of options I have scoured around to find for both the boys and girls as my inspiration.

I have been super into vintage style baby clothes and I fell in love when I saw this one from ZoesBoutique2013 on Etsy

or how about this sun hat by SewCuteQuilts

As always, I could always enjoy some cute Mini Boden attire:

Who could forget Gap.  The styles this summer are so bright and retro.  Loving all of them.

Can't forget the boys!

I always love the Crew Cuts Tees.  They are so creative.  This little Jedi one is adorable.

 Are stripes ever not in? This ones from Mini Boden

Here are some summer classics from Gap. Brights are great, even for the lads.

Summer Time Kids Activities: Baked Cotton Balls

We all know how long the days can be when all the children are home -- for the whole summer.  We all know it can be great fun filled with tons of beach and park days, ice pops, pools, and tired boys and girls at the end of the day; but we could also use a little advice.  What else do we do with them?

I have two boys four and two.  So, for the most part I am home with them everyday, all day.  My older one is in school two mornings a week which does switch things up a little.  Last summer was our first summer in our new house, but also our first summer away from our old beach house.  We had some adjusting to do.  We did manage to keep our days busy with the help of some of these summer crafts and activities.  I hope to update these activities regularly, I sure will be needing some new ones myself!

Here was one of my favorites:


Baked Cotton Balls

This was so simple and fun.

All you need are cotton balls, 1 cup of water, 1 cup of flour, and food coloring

1. Mix the flour and water.
2. Pour the mixture into separate bowls.  I used muffin tins and it worked well.
3. Make the individual bowls different colors.
4. Let the kids dunk the cotton balls in the colors and make a "cake" once all dipped.  Put them on a greased surface in any shape or design you want.  You can do letters, make a car pattern.
5. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.

You want to make sure the balls are dipped very well, don't leave any white spots! You want them nice and moist!  Afterwards you can even let your kids go to town with a hammer, or just sit back and admire.

My Funny Valentine: A Tribute to Preschool Valentines

Since the introduction of Pinterest a few years back moms everywhere have felt inspired in all areas of life.  One of these areas is school valentines. Unfortunately, my child started preschool right at the start of this, last year.  I couldn't let him go to his preschool Valentine's Day Party without a cute and clever Valentine.  I was able to find the cutest and simplest valentine card.

All that it required was cutting a sponge into the shape of a heart, dabbing it in some paint, and voila! It was easy and fun for my son.

I would love to get a little more creative this time around, but I do like the simplicity of last year's card.  I may just do it again.

Here are some super cute ideas that I was able to track down on Pinterest. What will you be doing for your child's class?

 Heart Crayons

 "I'm glad we are in the same school."

"Owl always love you!"

A New Beginning

I've been here before.  Determined to continue on a new journey with this blog.  Feeling energized as ever and ready to take on the blogosphere.  Well, here it goes again.  I remember a time when I just had one child.  I was convinced that I knew everything there was to know about babies.  So, I started a blog.  Why not share my ever growing knowledge with the rest of the world.  Or at least those who were willing to listen?

That was until child number two made his appearance.  I couldn't keep up with the real world anymore, and everything I thought I knew about babies went out the window with that one.  I don't think I got more than four hours of sleep at a time with the second one.  It took it's toll and things I loved like sharing on this blog fell behind.

I wish I had stuck with it.  It took a little nudging from my husband to remind me to find something for myself.  Here I am, 4 months into my THIRD pregnancy finding myself without a passion.  Sure, my kids are my passion.  I love reading.  But there needs to be more.  I want somewhere to go that is my own.  Something to do while the kids are napping to save a little piece of me.  Hence, why I come back to this blog.

It has been about four years since I started it.  I have learned a lot and grown even more as a person and a parent.  I hope I can make this new journey and continue with more than before.  I could always use some advice, though.  Are blogs better when they keep on tune with only one aspect of life, say for instance, children.  Or is it okay to talk about everything of interest?  I sure do love interior design and fashion just as much as I love Kids.  So, what do you all think?

Holidays and Birthdays Galore

Ahh, being a mom of two young ones.  Nothing is the same these days.  I used to tackle spring cleaning in one week.  After the first born it turned into one month.  It's going a little longer these days.  This is the first year that I don't exactly have a plan in place.  I do what I can when I can.  So far I have organized a few cabinets, dusted a few baseboards, and even cleaned the bathroom!  Spring cleaning has been put on hold this past week, though.  It was finally time to decorate some Easter eggs this past weekend.  We also celebrated my husband's grandmother's 83rd birthday.  This of course led to some Pinterest love where I finally got to use some of the children's crafts projects!

Here is the cutest art project to keep some amazing memories of your little one's hands and feet.  Who would ever want to forget how tiny they once were?  Of course, my three year old's feet are beginning to look like grown man's feet and I think we may need to stop this soon!

And who could resist, I had to post some pictures of the little ones on Easter!

My Journey With Photo Editing

About a year ago I found a great photo editing site named Picnik.  Many of you have heard of it and surely fell in love with it as well.  Unfortunately, Picnik is closing it's doors.  The creator is going to be putting his time working more with Google Plus and Picassa.  I am sure I will fall equally in love with Picassa...but I sure will miss the ease of Picnik.  I am especially getting spoiled now with having FREE access to all premium features.  Be sure to check Picnik out.  It is closing on April 19th...but until then you will have free access to all premium features.  Needless to say I have had a blast the past few days editing some of my favorite pictures.  Here are just a few.

Photography is one of my passions, and being able to take two things I already love (photography and my kids) and mix them together...nothing is better!

My New Fascination: H & M Kids

I don't know what it was that kept me away from checking out this store recently.  Before they got a kids section I was a little hesitant of their women's clothing because sometimes to me, cheap prices = cheap clothes.  I have to say though I have been presently surprised.  I have still steered away from the women's clothing because I feel the clothes are a little too snug fitting...but this does inspire me to get more toned.  The kid's clothes....too die for.  You can't beat the prices and some of the designs are so original.  So although N hasn't outgrown his summer clothes from last year, L could use a few outfits that aren't hand me downs.  So, out shopping I went.  Here are some of the finds on my trip.

 This top reminds me of a top I saw at Mini Boden for 24.99.  This one here, 6.95!

Spring In the Air

Where did the winter go?  I remember late October coming and thinking I sure don't want winter.  We had the most amazing summer and the thought of snow, and staying indoors just wasn't sitting well with me.  To be honest, I can't tell you where the winter went...and I am sure happy about that.  I walked outside today, our daffodils are blooming, it was moist and beautiful out...and it is time for spring!  My favorite part about spring is the new flowers blooming, the crisp smell of the air, getting outside more, and of course getting ready to clothes shop for the boys!  I am so excited.  Stay tuned int he next few weeks for any sales that I can track down.  I don't like to buy anything for the boys that is not on sale.  There are always such great sales, why not wait for the perfect chance??  Here are some of the cutest things that i plan on picking up for the boys:
Children's Place: They are having a 25 percent off sale now...These shorts you can snatch up for about 9 dollars.

 Gap

 JCrew
 

Requirements to be a Stay at Home Mom: Fitness Required

When I first started this blog when my oldest was about a year old I don't think I quite understod how much coffee would play a part in my life.  I mean, I sort of knew.  Thus, why I picked the title for this blog.  Bud did I really know?  Not really.  Not until I had my second...and actually not until my second started walking.  Sure, the job got a little easier, I no longer had to lug my child around like a sack of potatoes (oh wait, is this really true because I'm pretty sure L doesn't like being put down).  Really, though, it got way more physical.  From putting one up in the high chair, chasing the other one to get him in the kitchen to eat, running up and down the stairs when the little guy wakes up from his nap way too early.  Man, it's exhausting.  I honestly believe unless I was a physical trainer or something along those lines...no one requires more physical fitness then a mom to two young children.

I sat down to write this after one of the most exhausting weeks.  It feels like Friday but it is still only Thursday.  I finally got N down for his nap for the first time this week, right after getting L down.  I decided that I really needed a nap myself.  Of course, this ended up feeling a little bit more like the torture treatment I saw on an episode of Homeland.  Everytime I dozed...I was awoken by a screaming baby.  I eventually gave up, and here I am.  I finally realized that the poor little guy is getting a molar, but still!  Come on little one...don't you know momma needs a break too!

So now onto search other blogs on quiet time activities for N because at a little over 3 I think he is outgrowing his nap...it's been great.

At Home Classroom: Winter Wonderland

When N was little, before I had L, N and I used to do every kind of activity imaginable.  The first year of L's life though wiped me clean.  I finally feel like a human.  N is in his first year of preschool so I didn't feel so horrible laying off the learning activities but lately since L has become more manageable I've made it a goal to start doing more lessons at home.  I am a big follower of the play to learn approach.  Even Nick's preschool is play based.  At this age I feel that is the best way to approach learning.  The near mention of teaching something to N scares him off...so I have to disquise it.  I can see I am going to struggle with him in school! 

This week we are working with a theme.  I figured I should start with this before it is too late!  Our poor daffodils have already been fooled into thinking it's spring!  Our focus is on the letter W and the number 2.

Our first big activity for the week was our winter sensory table.  I used cotton balls and twigs...I sprinkled some cinnamon and ginger in there to make it smell nice and kind of bring in more of the senses.  The kids, especially the little guy, are having a blast.  We also went went on to making a snowman out of cotton balls, singing some snow flake songs, and today, tracing the letter W and the number 2.

We have a chalkboard wall in our kitchen where I wrote the letter and the number and I have N trace it using a wet paint brush.  He enjoys watching the paint turn to water...and then disappear. 

In the end, my play based approach is paying off!  Nick was able to spot the letter W in the alphabet today!  He calls it the triangle letter!  It's a start!

Here are some pictures.

I've also included an idea I got from Pinterest.  We made a roadway/town(with a land for dinosaurs) on craft paper.  It was a big hit!

Planning a Playroom

You don't actually need space in order to plan a playroom, right?  Unfortunately I don't foresee a playroom in our near future.  I've asked my husband if we could maybe move our dining room set into the basement and replace the dining room with a play room...but that didn't go over so well.

It's okay to dream though.  Here are some amazing ideas I have found around the web.  I hope to incorporate a few of these ideas when I eventually get my kids their playroom!

These three I found over at Apartment Therapy.  I especially love the firestation/kitchen under the stairs!  So creative!  There is also nothing wrong with making an office into a playroom/office.  Nothing better than being able to have your little ones playing while you are getting to work...or playing yourself!

This amazing pirate playroom is from Luxury Property.  I don't think I will ever be having something like this...but again, it's okay to dream

This playroom from Elle Decor is just simply amazing.  I love the big ceilings, and the art on the wall.
And finally, via OhDeedoh...my kids would LOVE  slide like this in their playroom...it would provide endless hours of play!