Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Teaching Little Learners One Book At A Time

I received these books for free from Moms Meet for my honest review. Compensation for this post was provided, and this post may contain affiliate links.

Coen has been in quarantine for 1/3 of his life. ONE THIRD. There are so many valuable learning experiences he missed out on over the past 6 months, like visits to the library, having hands-on experiences at museums, exploring favorite spots in our city, and discovering animals at the zoo. One thing he did not miss out on, however, was reading. At 17 months old, Coen absolutely loves books, and happily flips through books every single day!

During those 6 months of social distancing, Coen flipped through every children's book in our house (and we have a lot) from cover to cover. We read to him multiple times a day, but lately, it seemed like it was the same books on repeat. We also had to remove some books from his collection, because he was ripping the pages. It was time to update his bookshelf with some sturdy board books that would pique his interest!

The Priddy Books Early Learning Collection arrived at the perfect time! Priddy Books, who is currently celebrating their 20th anniversary, publishes unique books for babies, toddlers, and young children that help boost their development. We already own quite a few beloved titles from their Alphaprints series, Touch and Feel Series, and See Touch Feel series, so we were excited to add some new favorites to our collection!

3 Can't-Put-Them-Down Books That You Must Read This Summer

Before I had kids, I read a book every 1-2 days. Then I had a baby. And another baby. And another and another and another! Needless to say, my free time for reading was GONE, and I was lucky if I was able to get through a few books a year!

One good thing about social distancing, is that I suddenly had a little bit of extra time, because I'm not constantly driving kids around. I'm not reading a book every day or two, but I am going through at least one book a week now! I have a long list of books that I wanted to read, so I have been checking those off of my list.

Most of the books I've read were really good, but three recent ones stand out. I know just how hard it is to find time to read when you're a busy mom, so I narrowed my much longer list of recent favorites to a list that's actually doable! One is a bestseller that's being made into a movie, one is fast paced and full of twists, and the last one has a slow build to a twist that I never saw coming. All three made the list, because I could not put them down!

Life Before Baby #5

As a mom, it seems like I measure time in life before baby arrived, and life after. I have been a mom for 14 1/2 years, and I truly can't remember what life was like BEFORE I had kids! Now here I am, trying to play catch up for the last year that flew by while I was pregnant or adjusting to life with five kids!

I was so sick during my pregnancy with Coen, just like I was with every other pregnancy. Every single day I battled morning sickness until the day I delivered him. When you are that sick, it's truly a struggle to make it through the day, let alone blog. BUT...I want to catch up on some of the life posts that slipped by while I was sick since this is partially a journal of our lives.

I did so well documenting weekly life for the first 6 weeks of 2019, and I'm determined to finish it. I'm definitely a visual storyteller (or so Facebook tells me), so I might not remember the exact details of the last two weeks before Coen was born, but with the help of all the pictures I took and my beloved Cozi calendar, I just might be able to do a somewhat decent job. All I know is that I was miserably pregnant for those last two weeks of my pregnancy. I was still sick, I was contracting all the time, and I knew my baby was huge. (Spoiler alert: I was right.) The next document life post I will be sharing is Coen's CRAZY birth story, so stay tuned!

The Best Winter Books for Kids

Like much of the country, we were hit with REALLY cold temps from the polar vortex! While we didn't get hit as hard as many others, those negative temps don't happen often in Pittsburgh. The -20 windchill shut down our schools, and my kids were so excited to get three days off in a row! We were snuggled up in the warmth of our home for the past few days, so it seemed like the perfect time to share our Winter Book Crate and our picks for the best winter books for kids!

I'm an avid reader, so I fill our home with books! I think developing a love for reading is incredibly important, and I'm working hard to raise readers. I introduce books to my children when they are infants, read to them every day, encourage their love of reading, and rarely say no when they ask for a book. We support school book fairs, purchase from the Scholastic flyers, visit our library regularly, and have books in every room in our home.

I shared our seasonal/holiday book crate on the blog before, and it's a beloved staple in our living room! I rotate the books every season and every holiday, and my kids love reading the books that fill it. Once the Christmas books were packed away, the book crate got filled with their Winter favorites! (In our opinion), here are the BEST Winter books for kids...

It's Almost Fall Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, my friends! The official start of Fall is just over two weeks away, but it doesn't feel much like it right now. We had temperatures over 90 degrees most days this week, and I just might be wishing away Summer for the first time ever! I am ready to decorate, embrace the upcoming holiday season, and put on some cozy clothes!

Although I can't fully get in the Fall spirit just yet, I've been sneaking in a few favorites, both old and new, over the past few days. I might still be wearing Summer clothes, but it sure is starting to look and smell like Fall in my home! It has been a few weeks since I last shared a Friday Favorites, so I figured I would share a few of my Fall Favorites today!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!!! If you read my post on Tuesday, you know we're recovering from a tough two weeks. The good news is Liam is on the mend, he's done taking steroids (YAY!!!), and today is Lily's 7th Birthday! We have a LOT to celebrate!

I'm keeping this week's Friday Favorites short and sweet, and sharing 5 awesome things that we are currently loving!

What's Up Wednesday - Life Lately in July

There are only 6 more days left in July, and the first day of school is exactly 5 weeks away. Summer is passing by so quickly, and I feel it slipping from my fingers. The next time I share a What's Up Wednesday, it's going to be the first day of school, and I will most likely be a worried, sobbing mess, because it will be Liam's first day of Kindergarten!

Before I focus too much on what's to come, here's what we have been eating, watching, reading, wearing, listening to, and loving...

What's Up Wednesday? ~ June Edition

It's the last Wednesday of the month which means it's time for What's Up Wednesday! Is it just me, or did June fly by ridiculously fast?!? I can't believe the month is almost over, and July is arriving next week!

On the last Wednesday of each month, I share a life lately post. It's a great way to share what my family is up to! Not just the daily recap, but the things we're eating, watching, listening to, reading, wearing, and more...

Friday Favorites: Five Things I'm Currently Loving

Happy Friday, my friends! Life is super busy right now, which is why I'm writing this post at 3 AM. I had some HUGE collaborations to work on this week, and Liam had his June summer session of preschool, so there wasn't much time left over for anything else! All I can say is TGIF!

7 Awesome Ways To Build Language and Early Reading Skills with Dr.Seuss

We are celebrating National Read Across America Day today, which is the birthday Dr. Seuss! Between four kids, we have an expansive book collection, and some of our favorite books were written by this beloved children's author. Reading is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so it's essential to encourage this habit while kids are young. Boosting language and early reading skills will help kids become confident and successful readers for life!

Life Lately/Currently Loving in January 2018 ~What's Up (& WELCOME) Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Can you believe it's the last day of January already? The first month of 2018 flew by! I'm usually not a big fan of January, but for some strange reason, it wasn't so bad this year. Perhaps I'm just getting older and starting to appreciate every gift life has to offer! (Although I AM finding it a bit difficult to appreciate weather below 32 degrees...just saying.) Because it's the last day of January, I thought it would be perfect to share a life lately/currently loving post!

Mom Life Must Haves: Things I'm Currently Loving

DISCLOSURE: A few of the featured items were sent to me free for review. I only share the things I truly love!

Happy Thursday, my friends! I can't believe we are over halfway through October, and that Halloween is less than 2 weeks away. This year flew by faster than ever before! It has been a few weeks since I last shared the things that I'm currently loving, so I figured I would put together a Mom Life Must Have list!

Life with four kids is non-stop, and I feel like we completely missed out on Fall fun due to our busyness and, well, the lack of Fall weather. Other than a few chilly mornings, it still doesn't feel much like Fall here. We've even had a few 90 degree days this month, which is unheard of for Pittsburgh this time of year. It feels more like late Spring than Fall. Most of the leaves fell off the trees weeks ago, due to lack of rain, so one of my favorite things about Fall never really happened. If you can't tell, I'm kind of bummed about this!

As every mom knows, motherhood isn't always cupcakes and rainbows. Sometimes it's just plain tough! Sometimes you just need to escape or spoil yourself with something that helps you feel like a normal human being again. (I've been there...often.) And sometimes, you just need something to keep your little ones busy so you can breathe! I put together a fun list of the things that help make mom life just a bit easier! And if you're NOT a mom, there are still a few things on here that you might like. Clothes and books, anyone?

A Few Of My Favorite Things: End Of Summer Edition

DISCLOSURE: I received several of the items below free for review, but loved them so much that they made it into my favorites list!

Happy Monday, my friends! I spent the past week fighting off a nasty migraine each day, so that's why I've been MIA. Thankfully, the pain has decreased to a dull ache, which means I can actually function. I figured I would ease my way back into a full blogging schedule by sharing a few of my favorite things!

I don't know about you, but I can't believe Summer is coming to an end. I'm feeling very sad about it! Technically we still have over a week left of Summer, but the kids have been back in school since August 24th, and it's starting to FEEL like Fall. Although the afternoons warm up, and we typically have temperatures in the seventies, mornings and evenings are cool. Yesterday morning we actually had to turn on the electric fireplace in our living room!

So without further ado, here are a few of my favorite things that I'm loving right now!

Mom Love Fellowship

Just before Summer began, I signed up with Little Dove Blog to participate in the Summer Mom Love Fellowship. My partner for the Summer was Courtney! Last week, Courtney sent me a sweet care package. I have plans to wear those earrings this week for Moms Night Out, and I'm excited to try the Rodan + Fields samples that she included!

Flats

After a Summer of sandals and flip-flops, I'm starting to wear flats again. I rarely shop at Walmart, but I scored these on clearance for $3! I spotted them as I was walking through the store, and these ones (and a pink pair) ended up in my cart. They match everything, and I seriously couldn't pass them up for that price!

TotLogic Products

I am always on the lookout for great, natural products for my kids. Logic Products sent over two products from their TotLogic line for us to try! TotLogic products are gentle and non-toxic. The products are free of sulfates, phthalates, and parabens (to name a few).

I love the 2-in-1 Wash & Shampoo for Liam. It is gentle on his sensitive skin and has a very light scent.

While we were at the beach, we also used TotLogic sunscreen on Lily and Liam. The natural zinc oxide formula is SPF 30 and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Not only did it protect their skin from the harmful rays, but it also kept their skin moisturized!

Currently Reading

I branched off from the type of books that I usually read to try The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey. I like it more than I expected, and I'm almost finished! If you are a fan of The Walking Dead or Fear The Walking Dead, this is a must read. But even if you're not, it's still really interesting!

And while you're at it, buy a Bubba cup! It keeps my drink cold for HOURS.

Halloween Attire

Trendy Bubs has some adorable Halloween attire this year!!! Too soon? I think not! As always, use the code liamff to save 20% at checkout.

{Leggings & Hat - Trendy Bubs / Shirt - Target / Shoes - H&M}

Bunny Love

Last week, I shared my new baby bunny, Arya. She has been with us a little over a week and is settling in nicely. Arctic, who is completely separated from all of her babies, happily took over mothering this little one! (They are big fans of Liam's new train set. I'm not even kidding. Arya climbs the tracks and Arctic pushes the balls around!)

Lovebug Probiotics

I am a fairly new probiotics user, but I am loving the line from lovebug probiotics. With lovebug probiotics, you are able to choose your plan, so everything you want is delivered to your door each month.

Now that my kids are back in school and cold season is approaching, I am a big fan of Colds Suck. Three of my kids already fell victim to the back to school cold, so I am taking Colds Suck each day! Lovebug Probiotics also offer products for kids. I can't wait to try them for Liam, who has a delicate digestive system!

Clutch Love

A dear friend of mine bought me the sweetest gift! I think he felt bad for me after watching me haul my 20 pound purse around. I keep this beautiful baby in my purse, filled with all the necessities, and take it out when I go somewhere alone (or into a store alone). It isn't often, but when I'm without kids, it's nice to leave my gigantic purse behind!

Perfectly Posh

I was recently introduced to the Perfectly Posh brand! Perfectly Posh pampering products are naturally based and made in the USA using sustainably sourced, cruelty-free ingredients. Everything is free of phthalates, parabens, paraffins, and soy-gluten and there are many vegan options as well. Jordan, who is a fellow rockin' mama (she also has a child who is rocking an extra chromosome), sent me two products to try.

The My Hands Are Thaied hand creme leaves my hands feeling so soft, and I absolutely love the scent! This hand creme is richer than many others I have tried, but absorbs into the skin quickly, and leaves my hands feeling hydrated.

When I put on the Hot and Gold face mask, my girls couldn't stop looking at my face. They loved the gold shimmer! I loved the fact that the mask didn't make my skin feel tight, cold or uncomfortable while I was wearing it, which is why I tend to avoid masks. It just felt nice, and it left my skin with a soft glow after I washed it off!

To browse these products in Jordan's shop, click HERE! You can also join her VIP Facebook Group!

Soccer Mom

I am officially a soccer mom! Haha! My sweet Lexie decided she wanted to play soccer, and that landed her on a travel team with girls who have been playing for 4-5 years. We were worried about how she would do, but she loves it!

Lexie's first game was on Sunday. Her coach originally said she would sit on the bench for the entire game to observe, but she ended up on the field for half of the game and even had control of the ball several times.

Lexie is fast and has the endurance. Once she understands the rules of the game, I have a feeling she's going to be fierce on that field!

Mug Love

I recently added another mug to my collection! (Can't stop, won't stop!) It was on clearance at Cracker Barrel and I couldn't pass it up!

Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate

Even though Liam is 4, he still likes to toss his plate if you don't take it from him fast enough when he's done. Suction tableware is officially my best friend! From plates to bowls, we have it all. A recent addition to Liam's meals is the Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Bear Character Section Plate.

This 100% silicone section plate sticks to flat, smooth surfaces. It's perfect for kids 6 months and up, and is safe because it is BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free. It wipes clean easily, and is also dishwasher AND microwave safe!

The section plate is perfect for picky kids who don't like their food to touch! Liam is a big fan of the bear shape. Using the Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate eliminated messes for me to clean up, and makes mealtime more fun!

(Available at Babies R Us)

Connect with Nuby:

FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // PINTEREST

17 Years

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw that Grant and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on Saturday! We were teenagers when we started dating, and we were married young, so it truly feels like we've been together forever!

A post shared by Stefanie 💖 | Blogger (@lexieloolilyliamdylantoo) on Sep 9, 2017 at 9:49pm PDT

For our anniversary, we escaped from the kids for a few hours to go out to dinner, then we all went to watch our township's community day fireworks (which were AMAZING) together as a family!

A sweet family member gifted us with a thoughtful present for our anniversary. It just serves as a reminder of just how much we have accomplished in 17 years. We are incredibly blessed!

On that note, I should probably crawl out from under my warm blanket, and get on with my day! If you try (or have already tried) a few of my favorite things, let me know what you think!

A Few Of My Favorite Things - Product Roundup

On another note, you can find an interview with me on The Sirois Family today! If you don't already read Johanna's blog, head over now to meet this sweet mom blogger!

You might also like:

A Few Of My Favorite Things: July Roundup

TUESDAY TALK

It's time for Tuesday Talk! Grab the button, link back to your hosts and add your blog post link on the widget below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, July 31, 2017

A Few Of My Favorite Things - July Roundup + Book Giveaway {Tuesday Talk}

I am in complete denial that July is almost over! Although there is so much to look forward to in August, Summer is coming to a rapid end, and it really is bittersweet. My days with four kids at home are fun, but so busy that I don't have as much time to blog. I miss writing my favorite things roundup each week, so I decided to share a few of my favorite things from July to end the month!

One of my favorite things about blogging and social media is discovering awesome products and companies that I might never have even known existed. Social media influence really is a powerful thing! It has definitely worked on me many times. Some of the products can even be life-changing, so when I discover something that works for me or my family, I love to share with others!

A Few of My Favorite Things - July Roundup

DISCLOSURE: I received some of the items listed below complimentary. I ONLY share it if I truly love it, and believe it could be beneficial to my readers!

Lillebaby CarryOn Toddler Carrier

I am a big fan of extended baby wearing! Although Liam is small for his age, at almost 4 years old, he was getting too big for our beloved carrier. Liam's tendency to run is a safety issue, especially while I'm trying to keep my eyes on three other kids!

A friend recommended the Lillebaby CarryOn Toddler carrier, and it is the life-changing product I mentioned! It is designed specifically for kids who wear 2T pants and above, up to 60 lbs. It can be used for a front, hip or back carry, and features lumbar support that makes it unbelievably comfortable to wear your child.

The wide, padded waist belt and shoulder straps help distribute the weight (an added bonus is no tummy bulge or muffin top) and the 3D mesh promotes airflow. The carrier also features a removable sleeping hood and a large pocket to safely store belongings.

Since I received this carrier, I've been wearing Liam so often! It makes quick trips to the store, walks around the neighborhood and our family outings so much easier. It's the most comfortable carrier I've ever used, and I love the fact that I will be able to safely wear Liam for a few more years!

Nike Air Max Running Shoes

I'm one of those people who become attached to comfortable running shoes, and wear them until they fall apart! I never get blisters or sore feet from running, so I dread giving up a pair of beloved shoes and breaking in a new pair.

After many miles in my favorite running shoes, I finally had to toss them. My dear friend bought me a pair of Nike Air Max running shoes to replace my old ones, and I love them! I was so worried about the change, but they fit just as well as my previous pair of Nike shoes, and I'm running comfortably and pain-free!

Origins GinZing

I'm not getting much sleep right now! These products from the Origins GinZing collection, which I received free for review from Influenster, are amazing! They are formulated with coffee and help wake my skin up. Do you know how your skin just feels really good after using a product? That's what these do! Plus, my skin looks brighter, so I don't look like a Mombie, even if I feel like one!

A post shared by Stefanie 💖 | Blogger (@lexieloolilyliamdylantoo) on Jul 26, 2017 at 11:29am PDT

Book of the Month

I'm still making my way through my Summer Reading List! Although I would love to read one book a week, it just isn't happening right now. I finally finished Into The Water by Paula Hawkins. I didn't love it as much as The Girl on the Train, but it was my favorite read in July. It's definitely suspenseful, it held my interest, and I LOVED the twist at the very end, even if I did predict it! It's the perfect pool/beach read!

Nuby Thirsty Kids Flip-It Active

We are always on the go in the Summer, so I tell my kids to grab their reusable water bottles as we run out the door! Lily is 5, but she still prefers straw cups, and I insist on a cap and a no-spill design. We BOTH love the Nuby Thirsty Kids Flip-It Active water canteen!

Made for kids 18+ months, this 12 oz cup comes in a variety of colors for boys and girls, and the prints are more grown up. It's BPA Free, made from durable tritan plastic, has a silicone band for gripping, and is no spill when the cap is closed.

Lily loves her pretty purple cup! It has already gone on many adventures with us this Summer, and will be joining us in a few weeks on our road trip to the beach!

Connect with Nuby:

FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // PINTEREST

Gloves In A Bottle

My hands get so dry these days! I never used to have this problem, but it started about a year ago, and it can be really uncomfortable. I'm always on the lookout for a good moisturizer, and I loved Gloves In A Bottle!

This lotion is different from others because it is a shielding lotion. It means it bonds with the outer layer of dead skin cells and protects the skin so it can heal using its own natural oils and moisture. I have been using Gloves In A Bottle every night before bed, and I noticed a big difference after just a few days!

Block Island Organics Mineral Sunscreen

My family spends so much time outdoors in the Summer. We love to go to the park or to the pool!
All the time outdoors means sunscreen is a must. We love this all natural mineral sunscreen from Block Island Organics!

I do worry about all the chemicals in regular sunscreen, so I prefer to use mineral sunscreen. This SPF 30 formula for face and body is free of phthalates, sulfates, parabens, dyes, artificial fragrances and petrochemicals! It's kid tested × 4 AND mom approved!

A post shared by Stefanie 💖 | Blogger (@lexieloolilyliamdylantoo) on Jul 29, 2017 at 8:04pm PDT

Natasha and the Christmas Wish + Giveaway

Ever since I had Liam, I became very passionate about Down syndrome awareness and adoption, particularly special needs adoption. Right now isn't the time for our family, but I do hope that one day we might have room in our home for another little one who is blessed with Down syndrome, and needs a loving family!

Sometimes the thought of all the kids out there who need a loving home is too much to handle. Kids with special needs, like Down syndrome, are especially unwanted. If I could find a way to shower them all with love, I would!

I was recently given the chance to review an incredibly moving book called Natasha and the Christmas Wish. It's a story about Natasha, who has Down syndrome and lives in an orphanage in Russia, and the family who is desperately trying to adopt her, but couldn't bring her home due to the Russian adoption ban.

Spoiler alert: This is a true story, and I had to choke out the story through tears as I read it to my kids for the first time. Katrina Morriss, who is one of the authors, is still fighting against the adoption ban 5 years later. Purchasing this sweet and beautifully illustrated book will help benefit Downside Up, which is an organization that provides resources to families who have a child with Down syndrome in an effort to keep them out of orphanages. Proceeds from purchasing this book will help Downside Up AND help bring Natasha home to her loving family!