Our Five Ring Circus

Friday, June 24, 2016

Friday Favorites

Hello, Friday! I'm so glad you're here!

My week started out a bit rough. I woke up on Monday morning feeling so nauseated. I actually pulled back my hair because I thought things were going to escalate. I had a brief moment of panic because it reminded me so much of the severe morning sickness I get when I'm pregnant.

It definitely wasn't that!  Liam ended up sleeping until 12:30 PM and when he woke up, he just wouldn't smile. That is always a clear indicator that something is wrong! I assumed he had the same thing I did judging by how he was acting and how he looked. Those eyes, though...

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Thankfully, we both started feeling completely fine a few hours later, just in time to go to the funeral home to say our final goodbyes to my great uncle.

The rest of our week was very busy with very little sleep (for me), but we made it to the weekend!

Here's what I'm loving this week:

{ONE}

I love Summer! It's my absolute favorite time of the year. I definitely need to move to a state where it's warm year round! I'm also loving this sweet boy...just look at that face!!! I shared this picture on Instagram yesterday along with a bit of my heart. I will never understand how human beings can be so hateful and judgemental.

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{Shirt-TJ Maxx / Shorts-Old Navy / Shirt & Bow Tie-Old Navy / Moccs-Olly Oaks / Shorts-Kardashian Kids}

{TWO}

I have an addiction to the Target Dollar Spot! I can't go into Target without browsing through that section first. Even though school just let out a little over 2 weeks ago, all the Back to School stuff was in the Dollar Spot. I couldn't resist stocking up!

I found adorable Back To School Chalkboards for the kids to hold on the first day of school. I'm still on the hunt for one more!

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I bought some dry erase learning boards and a To Do Chart for Lily.

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I also bought a bunch of learning items which I plan on using for another fun project! That post will be going up on the blog next week.

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{THREE}

My kids (and then some) are having so much fun with Camp Mom this Summer! Here's a sneak peek at something we did this week. It involved turning bars of Ivory soap into "clouds." I'll be sharing this idea along with our full week of activities on Tuesday morning!

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{FOUR} 

Have you ever heard of Watchitude? Dylan and Lexie LOVE these slap watches!  Watchitude generously sent over 2 slap watches for my big kids to wear (review coming soon). To say that they love them is an understatement! They both wear them 24/7, and now Lily is begging for one.  Here's a little glimpse of their awesomeness!

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{FIVE}

I recently won an incredible giveaway! In addition to several other great prizes, I won a Newlie diaper bag. This bag has been on my wishlist for a few months and when I entered the giveaway, I never expected I would win. But I did, it's here and I LOVE it!

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{SIX}

I love the fact that my kids have such big hearts! Last night, Lexie ran into the house screaming that Dylan found a baby animal in our yard. When I walked out, he had the tiniest little critter cradled in his hands. It was soaking wet from the rain and shaking from cold and fear. I told Dylan to let it go, so he sat it back down in the yard. It just sat on the ground, shaking.  It was so helpless. As a mom, this broke my heart.

Lexie, who is my nurturer, insisted that we had to save it. I gently explained that it was very young and would probably die. I swear my kid is wise beyond her years. She stared up at me and asked, "Is it better for it to die warm, dry and safe or die cold, scared and alone?" I couldn't argue against that.

So we currently have a little mouse living in a spare hamster cage. I told the kids not to get their hopes up, but wouldn't you know it? The tiny thing is warm and dry, and is eating and drinking!

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So that's the end of our crazy week! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  What do you have planned?



LET'S CONNECT!






Thursday, June 23, 2016

Strawberry Picking: A Favorite Summer Tradition

Every year, in the middle of June, we head to a nearby farm for a favorite Summer tradition: Strawberry Picking! 

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Strawberry Picking is our usual group outing to kick off Summer. Going with friends definitely makes the tradition more fun!

Last Wednesday, I herded 5 little humans out the door as quickly as possible and battled crazy traffic to get to the farm in time to meet our friends. As soon as I got out of the SUV, I realized that we forgot one vital thing...the baskets! I even reminded the kids several times before we rushed out the door. But we still forgot them. Of course. 

Thanks to the organization system in my SUV, I had a tote filled with beach toys. SO. Beach pails it was!  I started laughing as our friends walked toward us with beach pails in their hands, too. Frazzled moms unite!

Since it was a weekday morning, the farm wasn't very crowded yet. We got our baskets-er, beach pails-weighed and rode the rickety wagon up to the strawberry fields.

Strawberry Picking

It was the noisiest wagon ride.  I'm not sure why...

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As soon as we got to the field, everyone scattered in different directions and Liam kept trying to run back down to the farm. It was an adventure!

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Strawberry Picking
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Strawberry Picking

Liam finally stopped exploring and decided to see what everyone else was doing! After watching his big sister, Lexie, and his beloved cousin, Aubrey, for a few minutes, he caught on to what he was supposed to be doing!

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Strawberry Picking 

After he tired of that, he decided to spread a little love!

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Strawberry Picking
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The big kids worked so hard picking the perfect strawberries. In less than 20 minutes, my crew picked 5 lbs of strawberries! It was definitely time to head back down to the farm!

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By that point, the kids were hot, tired and thirsty but that didn't stop the noise on the wagon ride back down!

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We had so much fun picking strawberries with some of our best friends! 

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Did you pick strawberries this year? 

LET'S CONNECT!



Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Healthy Snacks for Busy Toddlers

My toddler is a whirlwind! Liam is on the move from the moment he wakes up until the moment he goes to bed, which earned him the nickname "The Toddler Tornado."

Life in a family of six is very much the same. Many days, we are in the SUV for hours on end, rushing from one place to another. I initially worried how Liam, who has special needs, would fit into our on the go lifestyle,. There was no need to worry! He adapted quickly to life with three busy older siblings.  He happily keeps up with all of us and is learning the importance of quality family time during all of our adventures!

Eating mini-meals on the go is a necessity at times. I'm always looking for healthy snack options to add to my shopping list. For a snack to be toddler AND mom approved, it can't be messy, it must stay fresh while stored in the car or diaper bag, it has to be ready to serve and it needs to be healthy.  Gerber Lil' Beanies is the perfect healthy snack option for busy toddlers!

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Gerber Lil' Beanies is a new baked snack made with navy beans! It has 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber per serving. It doesn't have any genetically modified ingredients and doesn't include artificial flavors, colors or preservatives! Gerber Lil' Beanies is available in 2 flavors: ORIGINAL and WHITE CHEDDAR & BROCCOLI.

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Healthy Snacks for Busy Toddlers

Liam and I recently headed to our local Target to purchase some new snacks. After a brief (but expensive) stop at the Target Dollar Spot, we headed over to the Baby food aisle. I easily spotted Gerber Lil' Beanies on the shelf. The product was positioned at eye level, so it immediately caught my attention. Liam grabbed a can right out of my hands. He obviously couldn't wait to try this new snack!

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He didn't have to wait long to try Gerber Lil' Beanies!

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 Gerber Lil' Beanies
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Although he liked both varieties, he couldn't get enough of the ORIGINAL flavor. Toddlers can be so picky, so I was thrilled to find another healthy snack option that he loved!

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Life can get a bit crazy at times, but I embrace the chaos.  Our lives are full of love and we sure are having fun! My main goal is to show this little man what life is all about and establish the fundamentals so he can live a long, happy, healthy life. He truly deserves the best!

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Gerber Lil' Beanies for Busy Toddlers

Gerber Lil' Beanies fit in perfectly with our on the go lifestyle. The can fits so nicely in my diaper bag for easy access. It's a healthy snack option that I feel 100% comfortable feeding to my child. Plus, they can be easily eaten on the go with minimal mess and it's a mom-approved snack which Liam loves!

Here are a few of my favorite on the go toddler essentials that make life just a bit easier:
  • Backpack Diaper Bag
  • Diaper, Wipes & Large Changing Pad
  • Complete Change of Clothes & Pajamas
  • Large Muslin Swaddle Blanket
  • Small Toys & Books
  • Gerber Lil' Beanies
  • Snack Cup or Small Bowl with Lid
  • Straw Cup
  • Sippy Cup Strap 
  • Bib
  • Reusable Roll-up Placemat
  • Face Wipes
  • Travel First Aid Kit ($1 in travel section at Target)
  • Small Bottle of Tylenol & Children's Benadryl

Thank you to Gerber for sponsoring today's post and for inspiring us to try Lil' Beanies! Liam is a big fan!

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Has your toddler tried Gerber Lil' Beanies yet? Visit your local Target store to purchase a can!