Lil' Sprinkles of Joy

Bubble Valentine Free Printables!

2014-02-05T17:18:00.002-08:00

Looking for another quick and easy Valentine card idea? Earlier this week I shared my free printables for Fun Dip or other candy cards How about one that does not include candy? During the preschool years, I have found that bubbles make the perfect addition to Valentine cards and Target has the cutest set of bubble wands for $3 in the holiday section that are easily attached to these cards. Alas, this is the only photo I managed to snap during the mad rush to complete these last year and it was not the greatest on my iPhone.

All you need is to print out these adorable cards HERE, cut them out and attach the bubble wands with double sided tape. What a great way to celebrate the holiday!

~Ila~

Linking up here:

52 Mantels

Fun Dip Valentine with Free Printable

2014-02-03T19:00:00.001-08:00

Looking for a way to dress up those candy valentine cards? How about these adorable Fun Dip Valentines? Last year my son picked out Fun Dip candy to share and I decided to make my own tags after battling with a sharpie on the actual candy! This was a very quick craft that he even helped me out with...stapler and all!

All you need is some card stock and these adorable tags found HERE. Make a pocket with the card stock and staple and attach the tags with double sided tape. Easy and a great way to dress up those fun dips or any other candy options this Valentine's Day!

Hope your Valentine's Day is super sweet!

~Ila~

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Clean Eating Banana Oatmeal Muffins

2014-01-21T19:32:00.001-08:00

Snowy days often get me in baking mood and today was the perfect day to whip up a batch of muffins. Since I usually have a bunch of overripe bananas taking up space in my kitchen, why not try a healthy twist on one of my favorite recipes.

These muffins are absolutely delicious and make the perfect snack anytime of day...adding a few dark chocolate chips only adds to their yumminess. Of course, they quickly vanished in my house today right out of the oven...I'm guilty of at least two muffins today!

Oh...and did I mention these are actually pretty healthy too???

Clean Eating Banana Oatmeal Muffins Recipe

3 cups quick cooking oats

2-3 very ripe bananas

1 cup nonfat greek yogurt

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup honey or sweetener of choice

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup chocolate chips or nuts or blueberries or whatever else you wish to throw in....

-Preheat oven to 350

-Place oats in blender or food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds

-Place bananas in bowl and beat for 30 seconds, add greek yogurt, eggs, vanilla, and honey and mix well.

-Add in baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and oatmeal and mix until just combined.

-Stir in chocolate chips

-Scoop into prepared muffin pan about 3/4 of the way full

-Bake 10-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean

Enjoy these delicious treats!

~Ila~

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My Favorite Winter Running Gear

2014-01-18T20:11:00.003-08:00

Cold weather have you in a running rut? If you are like me, I use to avoid running outside at all costs during the colder months but at the same time I could not manage a good run on a treadmill either. So, this year I buckled down, invested in some quality outdoor gear and hit the ground running.....What keeps me going when the weather dips into the 20s, through snow and a little wind? These are my favorites so far:

Nike Women's Thermal Tech Printed Run Gloves

I love these gloves so much that I use them as my normal everyday winter gloves too. They definitely keep my fingers nice and warm even on the coldest of days.

Under Armour Women's ColdGear Infrared Storm Beanie

Since most of your body heat can escape through your head, it is essential to keep your head covered in colder weather. This beanie will not disappoint and the ponytail holder in the back is an added bonus.

Nike Women's Pro Hyperwarm Fitted Compression Tights

I tried on several brands of tights when purchasing cold weather gear and these have not been a disappointment. These were by far the most comfortable tights I found and I love the color variety!

GapFit Motion Graphic Long Sleeve T

These are my favorite base layer tees for winter running, especially if the weather is primarily in the 20s and 30s. I love the thumbholes too.

Under Armour Women's Compression Mock Neck

During the coldest of days, including snow and wind, these compression mocks keep me warm and dry. They also come in handy for other outdoor adventures during the colder months.

Nike Women's Element Half Zip Running Shirt

This is my new favorite running shirt. I have it in several colors and love using it as a jacket over my base layer or when running errands or heading to the gym. It is super comfortable, keeps me warm and dry and stylish all around.

SmartWool PhD Running Light Micro Socks

Yes, your toes need to be warm & dry when running too! These smart wool socks are my favorites and I am a very picky person when it comes to socks (I rarely wear them).

ASICS Women's GT-2000 Running Shoes

It never fails but every year I buy these shoes in the latest style. I have found these to be the lightest and most comfortable shoes.

What winter running gear do you turn too to keep you going during the colder months?

~Ila~

A Mom's Getaway

2014-01-14T16:58:00.001-08:00

Sometimes mom just needs a break and a little getaway...right? In the midst of a hectic schedule full of school, homework, sports, and a traveling husband, a getaway helps to restore the balance of the craziness, at least that is the hope. So, somehow I was amazingly able to coordinate with three other moms (our husbands are all friends from college) and meet up in New York City for a quick two night trip. I'm still in shock that something major didn't come up that prevented any of us from making the journey.

So, what exciting things did we manage to do in 2 short nights?

Of course we enjoyed the view of Times Square from our room at the Marriott Marquis.

Some fabulous burgers and drinks at Five Napkin Burger. It's located in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York City and highly recommended. If you are in the area and craving some delicious fare, this will not disappoint.

A pre theater meal at Bond 45. Honestly, you can not go wrong with this amazing Italian restaurant located just off of 45th and 7th Ave near Times Square. I think we are all still dreaming about the mouth watering open faced lasagna and homemade tiramisu.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder was a delightful Broadway show that provided some laughs and comedy along the way. One little warning: the theater is very small and seating a little crowded but still worth it to see this amazing show.

Of course a few toasts to enjoying a wonderful two nights away from our fabulous kids and our husbands that were able to manage and hold down the fort while we were away. It definitely was a much needed few days/nights of relaxation. Of course, the wonderful foggy weather at JFK airport extended my weekend one additional night...but I'm already asking....when can we go again?

~Ila~

Honest Company Brand Review

2014-01-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

With a New Year we often reflect upon making changes in our lives whether it is organization of our household, exercising more, eating healthier or just becoming more health conscience in general. As a mom to 3 little boys, I am always trying different products that are more "green" and with less chemical additives in them. This past summer I decided to try out Jessica Alba's The Honest Company and I was instantly hooked.

Since this summer, I get my bundle every 6 weeks and love being able to pick and choose my own products each month. Plus, this past December as a holiday gift you could add an additional item for free. So far, I have tried a number of their products and all have become regular in our household.

Here are my favorites so far:

Honest Laundry Detergent

I am very sensitive to laundry detergent and this one does not disappoint for the the power of cleaning and lack of irritation. Plus the mild smell is wonderful!

Honest Bubble Bath

A capful of this bubble bath easily provides a great bubble bath for a toddler who loves bath time. Sometimes I order two of these just to be on the safe side.

My two favorite cleaners have quickly become their Multi Surface Cleaner and the Bathroom Cleaner. I seriously use the multi surface cleaner everywhere especially in my kitchen. It works great on granite, our smooth top range and the kids toys! The Bathroom Cleaner does a great job of breaking down those hard to clean residues left my 3 little boys...

need I say more!

Kids Toothpaste

This is one of the newest products we have tried and our boys love the strawberry taste. My oldest son who is very picky likes it much more than the Tom's of Maine he says.

As you can see in the photo above, my free product I chose was the Organic Dish Towel. I have only had these for a few days but already love them! The turquoise color fits right at home in my kitchen too!

Hope you've enjoyed this brief overview of the Honest Company!

I was not paid by The Honest Company to review these products nor did I receive these products for free. This is part of my monthly bundle and all opinions expressed are solely mine.

~Ila~

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Planning A Master Bath Remodel

2014-01-02T18:52:00.001-08:00

If finding the perfect Christmas gift wasn't a difficult task, I decided to kick 2014 off with our master bathroom remodel. Since we moved into our house about 18 months ago, I've been carefully pinning away ideas, products, etc. to make this 20 year old space into a serene escape. Now that crunch time is here I never knew how difficult it would be to decide on light fixtures and faucets. Besides the endless possibilities that exist, finding the price differential across the board has been amazing. So before this big project gets underway, here are a few inspiration photos for our bathroom!

This master bath from Brooklyn Limestone I adore especially those basket weave floors.

Golden Boys and Me did an awesome job on her bathroom remodel. I love the freestanding tub!

Another beautiful job and freestanding tub option over at Living Beautifully

La Dolce Vita has some beautiful tiled walls in her master bathroom.

So....stay tuned for some decisions to be made, some progress, and of course the ultimate before/after photos. Can't wait to share this space with you.

~Ila~

My Favorite Posts of 2013

2013-12-30T18:54:00.001-08:00

Where has 2013 gone? It seems like yesterday I was rocking a baby to sleep as it turned the midnight hour and 2013 came calling. It has been a busy year and since I started this blog in September, a wonderful journey that I can't wait to continue in 2014. When I sat down and started looking back on my blog posts, I came up with a few of my favorites.....drum roll.....and let's go....

1. 1st Birthday Party Wishes

2. Football Subway Art Printable

3. Fall Subway Art

4. Spinach Artichoke Dip

5. Boy's Trestle Desk

6. No Sew Superhero Capes

7. Powder Room Makeover

8. Butterfinger Poke Cake

9. Superman Shield Piñata

10. Holiday Chevron Art

Looking forward to a fantastic 2014 and many more posts to come. Thanks for following along..

~Ila~

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Lemon Tree Dwelling

Happy Holidays!

2013-12-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

I know it is a few days late to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.....so instead I will throw out a general Happy Holidays to everyone! When I started this blog back in September, I never imagined I would receive so many wonderful comments on many of my posts...it has been a joy so far to share with all of you! I look forward to continuing and growing in 2014 and I hope you all will stay tuned for much excitement to come.

As you can see from above, my life is filled with the chaos and joys of 3 boys! I absolutely adore this wonderful family photo taken by the talented Kerri Gibbs over at With Love Photography. Kerri did an awesome job dealing with the joys of a toddler, freezing temperatures and 3 boys! Thanks again for taking the time to read my posts, pin my projects, and follow along our crazy adventures. I hope all of you enjoy the final few days of 2013 and look forward to an amazing 2014!

Favorite Christmas Books

2013-12-23T16:39:00.003-08:00

One of our favorite holiday traditions is reading the pile of Christmas themed books that are scattered throughout our house. Each year, our boys pick a new favorite it seems and we also grab a new book or two while out and about shopping. It really is fun to put away the normal bedtime storybooks for a few weeks and imagine a world of candy canes and sugar plum ferries. Here are the current favorites in our house!

The Story of Christmas

This is an excellent version for young children to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Our older boys loved how our Elf, Jingle Bam, was reading this story to our Little People friends one morning.

The Night Before Christmas

As our boys have gotten older, they look forward to this story more and more. Of course, it is a definite read for Christmas Eve.

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

This was the new book our boys selected this year. We are big Pete the Cat fans and enjoy all of his books. Definite must have addition to your holiday library.

The Polar Express

Another favorite for our young boys. They love this story just as much as the movie!

Snowmen at Christmas

We own quite a few of the Snowmen series books and this is a great picture book and adventure for young readers. Between this and Frosty the Snowman, I think our boys often wonder if their snowmen come alive at night.

The Gingerbread Pirates

If you have boys, especially ones that love pirates, then this book is for you. I bought this book when my oldest son was in kindergarten to read as the guest reader and all the boys were tuned in for the adventure. Our boys have decided this year they want to make gingerbread pirates of their own.

What are your family's favorite holiday stories? I can't wait to hear what you share and hope to find some amazing new books for next year!

~Ila~

Last Minute Gifts Ideas for Those Men in Your Life!

2013-12-18T20:25:00.001-08:00

I'm usually not a huge procrastinator when it comes to gift giving but at times, the holiday craziness gets the best of me and I put off some gifts to the last minute. Although my husband and I usually don't buy huge quantities of gifts for each other, our kids magically find a way to shop (mostly online), wrap (in beautiful paper and ribbon) and pay for some pretty nice gifts for mom & dad. I guess it must be some of that Christmas magic, right?

So, if you are looking for some options for those special men in your life and are approaching the midnight hour, here are a few suggestions for you....you can thank amazon later!

JBL Flip Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

My husband received this as a gift from a work conference and this is one of my favorite hot holiday gifts right now. This tiny speaker is easily portable and has a great sound. My kids have been rocking to Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas Album quite often lately!

Anker Astro Battery Backup Charger for Iphone, Ipad, etc..

Is my husband the only one that loses his charger or forgets to charge his phone? Since he travels often for business, this will make the perfect little companion when an extra battery is needed. Plus it can charge multiple devices at the same time.

Dan Brown: Inferno

My husband will attest to not being a reader at all; however, he has definitely gotten into the Dan Brown books and this one does not disappoint! I highly recommend any of his novels!

Duck Dynasty Duck Commander Collection

The Robertson family is taking the nation by storm and my brother is a huge fan of the show. I am sure this collection would be a welcome present under the tree!

Star Wars Moleskin Large Notebook

If that man in your life is always looking for a cool notebook to jot down the latest and greatest information, than this awesome edition by Moleskin will be sure to please!

Gift Cards!

Of course when all else fails, gift cards do make the perfect option!

Happy last minute shopping!

~Ila~

My Christmas Wish List

2013-12-17T18:44:00.002-08:00

Every year my husband and I say we are not going to give gifts....but that never happens as somehow our "boys" manage to drive themselves to some pretty nice stores or shop online, pay for all these gifts and magically wrap them! Now if my three boys were in their teens I could see some of this coming true; however, my oldest is only seven and I am sure he would just wrap up a pearler bead project if that was the case!

So, what are some of my wishlists items for this holiday season..

Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition

I adore this movie and loved seeing it live on stage in London before it closed. As an added bonus my kids also love singing along to "Just a Spoon Full of Sugar" and another one of my favorites: The Sound of Music!

Flour Bakery Cookbook

The banana bread recipe I use is from this amazing bakery in Boston and I would love to whip up some new treats from this awesome cookbook!

Jo Totes Rose Camera Bag in Teal

This has been on my wish list since last summer....I love a pop of teal every now and then!

Pottery Barn Antique Mercury Glass Candlesticks

I love Mercury Glass and have the perfect spot waiting in my dining room for these beautiful candlesticks!

And the ultimate wish list item!

MacBook Pro

My old PC laptop died about 2 years ago so I've been using my Ipad and our every so slow desktop since then....Maybe Santa will be nice to me this year?

~Ila~

Ho Ho Ho Snack Mix & Free Printable

2013-12-16T19:05:00.001-08:00

Looking for a quick & easy yummy gift. Maybe you need something for your babysitters, teachers, neighbors or just because...well this super simple snack mix is the answer for you. As an added bonus, you can also download the labels to add to your packaging.

What will you need?

3 Simple Ingredients

Popcorn: 2 bags: Anytime I make popcorn mixes I use this natural popcorn without butter

Candy Melts: I love the coloburst brights version but plain vanilla will also work

M&Ms: plain or pretzel are my favorites!

Step 1: Pop 2 bags of popcorn and remove all extra kernels

Step 2: Melt white chocolate candies and pour over popcorn mixture

Step 3: Add M&Ms

Step 4: Spread out and allow to cool onto wax paper sheets

Step 5: Package and attach Ho Ho Ho Snack Mix labels!

I usually package my popcorn gifts in either clear cellophane bags or mason jars! Either way these HO HO HO Snack Mix Labels will be a perfect addition to your gift.

Either click the link above or go HERE and download them today!

Hope you enjoy!

~Ila~

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Our Bright & Cheery Living Room Mantel

2013-12-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

Our house has a huge formal living room space and one that we currently use as a home office/piano space. We are also fortunate enough to have 2 fireplaces in our home although we do not use the one in this space for actual fires at this time. So, when the holidays roll around I love decorating this mantel with a bright and cheery theme to match our tree in the room. This year I added a few new touches....

When I walk by this room each day I just smile because I love how bright & cheery this fireplace looks right now! We bought the garland last year at Target and used 3M hooks to attach it to the top and sides of the mantel. The stockings also came from Target last year. The 2 big silver trees were Homegoods finds and the 3 glitter presents are from Pier One.

The holiday chevron art was my creation this year and I love how well they turned out. You can read the quick and easy tutorial HERE.

The Santa was another Pier One find and the glitter trees are all from Hobby Lobby.

I added a small vase of Christmas ornaments with fake snow for an extra pop of color!

Don't you just love how festive it looks!

~Ila~

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Holiday Chevron Art

2013-12-15T17:41:00.002-08:00

We have two fireplaces in our current home which means two mantels to decorate at Christmas!! This year I was looking for a new addition to our living room fireplace and decided to take my love for chevron and create some new mantel art.

I am in love with this new pop of color! It was very easy to make and ended up being a quick evening project after the boys went to bed one night.

Supplies:

2 16x20 canvases ( I already had this size laying around but you could substitute)

Frogtape Shape Tape Chevron: purchased at Lowes

Gray/Silver Acrylic Paint purchased at Michaels

Red Chipboard Glitter Letters purchased at Michaels

White paint for touchups

Step 1: I measured and taped off the chevron lines using the chevron shape tape. I basically used an extra piece to space the lines evenly.

Step 2: Next, I used a foam brush to paint on the gray paint and removed the shape tape as soon as I was finished painting

Step 3: I touched up with white paint and a small brush

Step 4: Waited 15 minutes and attached the chipboard letters! You may need to use some additional glue to stick to the canvas

Step 5: Display! I will be showing additional photos soon of the completed fireplace look

Hope you've enjoyed this quick & easy chevron art tutorial.

~Ila~

Linking up here:

I Should Be Mopping the Floor

From My Front Porch to Yours

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

2013-12-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

Our wonderful little elf friend, Jingle Bam, returned to our house last week. You can read about his grand re-entry here and how he reminded our boys about the true meaning of Christmas! Well, this week he has been up to a lot of fun and I'm always amazed how quickly my boys are up and ready for school just so they can see what Jingle Bam has done overnight. If only my mornings were this easy every week!

Jingle Bam did his own repelling upside down (aka Bridge jumping) on Day two!

He got into the surprise donuts and also turned the milk green for a midnight snack....

He decided to catch a football game and show he was still a Mountaineer fan despite a rough season and a rough game!

He got into a little trouble playing with the toys and apparently the Playmobil Pirates tied him to the train tracks!

A snowball fight with our other favorite mascot, Otto!

He read "The Story of Christmas" to some of our favorite Little People friends

I guess he decided that song needed new lyrics!

Last night he was jamming on the piano! My middle son even said, "I thought I heard the piano in the middle of the night! So cute!

Hope you've enjoyed Jingle Bam's adventures this week!

~Ila~

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The Story Behind Our Christmas Tree Ornaments....

2013-12-05T19:56:00.001-08:00

When my husband and I were first married, we started the tradition of putting up two trees in our house. That has now grown to three trees but more on that later. One tree was a theme tree and I remember our first year together, I made all the ornaments via salt dough and cute ribbon and our main tree was just filled with ornaments of variety. One thing we started doing was collecting ornaments from places we had visited or important events in our lives and that has quickly flourished into my favorite tree! I love opening the ornaments each year and saying to the kids "Remember when we went there" or "this ornament is from before you were born". It is one of the highlights of the holiday season and I love that our family room tree truly is a story to tell. Here are a few of my favorites:

When we lived in England, our first trip out of the country was to Belgium and I fell in love with everything that was made of Belgium lace. This ornament is a true testament to the lace making industry there.

We lived very close to Canterbury during our stay in England and it was my favorite cathedral of all the ones we visited.

Our family loves to go to Disney and one of my boy's favorite movies is Peter Pan. These unique "ears" ornaments are numbered and it has become our new tradition when we go to Disney.

My oldest son loved visiting the Johnson Space Center in Houston and he was truly disappointed when we told him that the space shuttles would no longer be going up in space. I am thankful that he was alive to watch the last few shuttle launches and now we are close enough to visit the Space Shuttle Discovery anytime we want.

Our first zoo lights experience was during our time in Phoenix and our boys loved going to the Phoenix zoo. They could never understand why the animals were not out when it was so hot in the summer though.

My husband and I went on a getaway to San Francisco and Napa a few years ago with some good friends. I absolutely adore this city!

This Angel ornament is one I treasure the most because it was from my paternal grandparent's tree. We spent our Christmas holidays with them almost every year and it is one of the few ornaments I remember from the tree.

Hope you've enjoyed a brief tour of a few of my favorite ornaments.

~Ila~

Peppermint M&M Brownies

2013-12-01T18:35:00.002-08:00

I have a sweet tooth for anything mint related...mint chocolate chip ice cream, peppermint patties, thin mint cookies....the list goes on and on. So, when I saw the mint M&Ms at Target last week, I knew they would be a big hit in my house. My oldest son is also a huge fan and asked me if I could whip up some brownies using this latest find.

Don't these look delicious!

I always have a brownie mix on hand (something my grandmother taught me to have in the pantry at all times) and my favorite brand is definitely Ghiradelli! Thankfully, I usually stock up on the big box at Costco!

Follow the directions as listed on the brownie mix, bake as directed...allow to cool for 5 minutes out of oven

Next, place peppermint M&Ms throughout the warm brownies and gently press into the top of the brownie. We do this all the time with chocolate chips too.

Grab a nice big glass of cold milk and enjoy this awesome combination of chocolate and mint....just the perfect combo for this holiday season.

~Ila~

Linking up here:

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Butterfinger Poke Cake

2013-12-01T07:16:00.000-08:00

This cake is quickly becoming one of my go to favorites for a nice easy dessert that is a great crowd pleaser. I first made it at Easter this year then replicated again for our family gathering at Thanksgiving....again, a big hit!

This really is an easy recipe to whip up for your next holiday or celebration.

All you need is a few simple ingredients: a cake mix (I prefer marble), caramel topping, condensed milk, butterfingers and cool whip....

Crush up those butterfingers: I used 10 fun size butterfingers all together

Mix cake ingredients as stated on the back of the box, bake and as soon as you remove it, poke holes all over with a fork...you could use a wooden spoon handle but I prefer the fork so more of the creamy caramel mixture gets into the cake.

Combine the condensed milk and caramel topping together

Pour it all over the cake mixture (yes, it will look like a flood) but don't worry...it will all soak into the cake later

Top with half of the Butterfinger bars you have crushed up and place in fridge to cool for about 15 minutes.

Add cool whip and the remaining Butterfingers...then cover and refrigerate overnight.... As much as you may want to eat it right away...step away...it is so much better once everything has soaked into the cake.

Butterfinger Poke Cake

ingredients:

1 Cake mix & the ingredients to make the cake

1 jar of caramel ice cream topping

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 small container of cool whip

10 fun size butterfingers

directions:

-Preheat oven to temperature as directed on cake mix

-Prepare baking dish

-Mix cake mix as directed and bake for required time

-While cake is baking, crush butterfingers ( I used a pampered chef chopper)

-As soon as cake comes out of oven, move to a cool rack and poke holes throughout the whole cake using a fork

-Combine condensed milk and caramel topping together in a bowl with a whisk

-Pour entire mixture over warm cake

-Sprinkle half of cake crushed Butterfinger bars onto warm cake

-Place in Refrigerator and allow to cool for about 15 minutes.

-Spread cool whip over entire cake and top with remaining Butterfinger mixture...

-Cover cake and Refrigerate overnight or at least 12 hours....

-Slice it up and enjoy!

~Ila~

Linking it up here:

Alderberry Hill
Kleinworth & Co
Home Stories A to Z
Pint Sized Baker
Ladybug Blessings

Jingle Bam the Elf returns!

2013-11-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

Last year our boys received the infamous "Elf on the Shelf" just a few days prior to Christmas. It was a gift from their grandparents and they definitely enjoyed his antics. For the past few days, I have been trying to think how "Jingle Bam" would return but also wanted to remind them about the true meaning of Christmas as we've had our fair share of bickering, whining, and so forth lately. So, last night they watched the "Elf on the Shelf" show on television and my husband said that the elf better return soon.

Apparently, our toys decided Jingle Bam needed a chartered jet from the North Pole.

He brought back plenty of snow to get us in the holiday mood!

That sneaky little elf even made a Welcome Back sign with his favorite treat.

Jingle Bam also brought a letter to Santa reminding us all about the best Christmas gift ever, the birth of baby Jesus and how he wanted us to remember all about showing God's love this holiday season. He also reminded our boys that they were very special and that sometimes Jingle Bam gets into trouble but God and his Elf parents still love him very much!

Needless to say, the excitement was overwhelming this morning. The boys were running up and down the stairs saying "Jingle Bam is back". Oh, how I love the magic of the holidays!

~Ila~

Teaching Kids to Help Others: Our Operation Christmas Child Boxes

2013-11-24T19:26:00.001-08:00

Every year my husband and I try to come up with a variety of ideas for our kids to give back and help others. We like to remind them, especially close to the holiday season, how fortunate they are to have so many wonderful blessings. One of our favorite traditions has become our Operation Christmas Child boxes. Our boys love to shop for these gifts and with the Dollar Sections at Target, Michaels and local Dollar Stores, it has become easier than ever to fill the boxes with a reasonable cost. Of course, this also allows for us to fill more boxes each year!

I love how our boys can select items that they would actually like themselves and choose the appropriate age level for the gifts.

This is such a wonderful experience for our kids and one that you can easily start planning for next holiday season. In fact, we start picking up items when we start shopping for school supplies as it has become a habit! Hope you've enjoyed one of the ways we give back. How does your family teach your kids to help others?

~Ila~

A Roundup of Disney Travel Sweepstakes

2013-11-21T17:08:00.002-08:00

Do you love to travel as much as I do? Always looking, searching and trying to figure out your next getaway? I am always out for a great deal and a hot bargain but wouldn't it be awesome to actually win a vacation for FREE! Not just any vacation but a Disney vacation! As the craziness of the holiday season approaches, why not take your chance and enter one of these sweepstakes today and maybe you will win a much deserved and needed vacation for the year ahead. Hey, you are never to old to wish upon a star!

The Children's Place Disney Aulani Sweepstakes

Enter through Nov. 27 to win a trip for 4 to Disney's amazing vacation club property on the island of Oahu.

HGTV Ears To You Sweepstakes

Enter once a day through Dec 16 for a chance to win a trip to Disneyworld or Disneyland.

Coca-Cola Holiday Magic Sweepstakes

Open to Florida residents only through Nov. 30. Enter to win a 3 night vacation package including 4 annual passes to Walt Disney World

Pixie Vacations 365 Days of Mickey Sweepstakes

Enter weekly through Dec 31, 2013 for a chance to win a magical vacation.

Little Mermaid Adventure At Sea Sweepstakes

Win a 4 night cruise aboard the Disney Dream along with other prizes. Enter now through Jan 31, 2014.

Don't forget to enter often and you never know, you may be headed somewhere fun in 2014.

~Ila~

Welcome Baby Printable Sign

2013-11-20T18:28:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I journeyed to West Virginia to help my dear friend from college celebrate her impending bundle of joy! Her shower was held at the The Bridge Road Bistro in Charleston, WV. It was a great space for hosting an afternoon luncheon and the food was delicious. Amazingly, I was so excited to get a kid free weekend that I bolted out of my house without my camera :( So the few photos I did snap were courtesy of my trusty iPhone. I was able to help out from afar by doing a few minor decorations to celebrate the event. As an added bonus, I am sharing the Welcome Baby sign with all of you!

The adorable cake!

Her color scheme was orange, aqua and gray so I came up with these simple Mason Jar centerpieces to add some color. I love using Mason Jars to decorate!

Here is the first part of the Welcome Baby Sign I created at the last minute!

The second part of the sign!

So, I'm sharing this adorable sign with all of you for free!

Click on Welcome Baby Sign below and you can download yours today!

Welcome Baby Part 1

Welcome Baby Part 2

Welcome Baby Part 3

Welcome Baby Elephants

~Ila~

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Thanksgiving Photo Cards

2013-11-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

One of my adventures along with blogging has been to slowly open my own little Etsy shop with some more customized printables. Like I said, it is a work in progress and one that I am adding to little by little as time permits. However, I wanted to share my Thanksgiving card designs that are available for anyone looking to make a last minute card for the holiday all about giving thanks for the blessings in our lives.

Give Thanks Chevron Style

A Stitched Thanksgiving

We Are Thankful

All of the cards can easily be customized to your liking in either a 5x7 or 4x6 style. The best part is you don't have to wait for them to arrive in the mail....just wait for the email file and then print them at home, Costco, Walgreens, etc...and let everyone know how thankful you are for having them in your life!

~Ila~

A Busy Mom's Thanks!

2013-11-20T17:44:00.000-08:00

It's the season for giving thanks, for expressing our gratitude for all the joys and blessings we have been given. Like any mom, I am very thankful for so many things in my life; some on the more serious side, others on the light hearted side of life. My husband travels quite frequently for work so some days I am more thankful for things that just get me through the day without a complete meltdown and today was one of those days....so here is this busy mom's list:

1. My family: without them I wouldn't be the person I am today..

2. My husband: because although he travels a lot, he is my listening ear via text, email, facetime, etc...(now granted those frequent flyer miles are nice also)

3. My kids: they keep me on my toes, make me smile and always help me find joy in the day

4. Our health, happiness, home, food, clothing, shelter, etc.... I think I covered it all there

........Now for some things that help me make it through the crazy days........

5. Caffeine in any size, shape, and form: if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have the ability to do half the tasks I somehow manage to complete during the day.

6. Having 3 boys: because honestly, the fact I'm not battling getting hair in a ponytail, braids, or some other style in the morning gives me 15 extra minutes of sleep minimum.

7. School uniforms: another 15 minutes of sleep since I'm not battling the "I don't have anything to wear" conversation each morning.

8. Disney Junior: why you may ask? Because when it's 3am and your toddler has thrown up on everything, it is the one thing that makes him smile!

9. Pizza Delivery: Where would I be without this? I do not have time to whip up a homecooked meal every night, let's be honest, so this saves the day when its 7pm and you haven't eaten anything but the leftover crumbs from breakfast

10. Any type of portable food: granola bars, drink yogurt, squeeze applesauce, etc....so when we are running out the door late for school, I feel that I have at least accomplished breakfast.

11. My minivan equipped with blind spot monitors, heated seats and DVD player: it's a lifesaver in the best way possible!

12. Origins No Puffery Cooling Roll-On for Puffy Eyes: Yes, this works and at least I don't feel like the over tired mom going through carpool line each morning

13. Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix: because some days you just need chocolate!

14. Amazon Prime: if you aren't a member you don't know what you are missing.....it is way too easy to order so much stuff from there...especially when it arrives in 2 days.

15. Online shopping: why go to the mall when you can have your own personal fashion show at home and forego the dressing room lighting

16. My Target Redcard and Target Cartwheel......because one can't simply spend enough time in Target, might as well save why you are shopping...

17. Pinterest: where else can I find how to make a last minute cute craft with only popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners.

18. Wine: because after a long day, I just need a break...

19. My DVR: so when my chocolate brownies are done, I can have a glass of wine and catch up on all my favorite shows again and again...

20. NAPTIME: because I'll be honest, when toddler goes down, this mama takes a nap!

What busy mom thanks do you have to share?

~Ila~