Monday Musings {because I forgot to publish this on Friday}

I totally meant to post this as a 5 on Friday post, but guess who forgot? Yup. Pregnancy Brain at it's finest. So I'm throwing this at you as a "Monday Musings" and we'll just go with it because there is alliteration involved ;)

1) Star Spangled Kids link up is baaaack! And I am so excited to cohost again. Link up with us July 1st- 7th and show off all that glorious Americana goodness! And use #starspangledkids on Instagram!

hosted by:

Liz from Ellie And Addie // Jen from And Hattie Makes Three  // Kristy from Seven Graces Blog // Sarah from Seeing All Sides // Brettni from Honeysuckle Avenue // Whitney from Work It Mommy // Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me // Jessica from Secrets of a Stay at Home Mom

2) Visit me over on The Vintage Honey Shop blog! I'll be gust posting there for the next couple of months! Seriously, thee cutest handmade teething necklaces ever and the sweetest Sister-in-Law girl bosses to boot. My first post is all about my minimalist hospital packing list!

3) Summer clothes have me like whoa. I'm loving Gymborees shorts and knee highs!

Figure8 Maternity has some amazing maxis right now (just what this pregnant mama needs) and have you seen the new Freshly Picked x Care Bears collab?! Throwing it back and I am loving it!

source

4) Rae Dunn. Do I need to say more? With the opening of a HomeGoods right down the street from our Marshall's my hunting grounds just doubled.

5) Potty Training. SUCCESS. We've been at it all week with nary an accident in sight! To say I'm proud/elated/thankful is an understatement. Waiting til Brielana was older (versus when we trained Kinsey at 2.5) really made that big of a difference; she is more body aware and can even go without a diaper during naps/night time. We did the trial walks around the neighborhood and then ventured out to the beach and did some shopping (with travel potty in tow just in case) and she rocked it all! The only spill was the one she took in the ocean. This picture makes me laugh wayyyy too much (is that mean?)

I hope you have a great week!

Linking up here.

   

   

Final Rewind Friday // Halloween Slime

A few months ago I was brainstorming ways to get fresh eyes on some loved but overlooked content. I shared with a few of my blogging buddies and this link up was born. As my days have gotten busier with work, Kinsey's school and PTA obligations and the holidays approaching, Beth, Meghan, Stephanie and I have decided to end Rewind Friday. I want to thank each and every one of you who has joined us these past few months and for making my little idea a reality. So I'm going out with a bang and sharing 5 things this Friday!

(1)

The first thing is an archived post. I wanted to share a fun and easy Halloween sensory recipe for this final link up! Halloween Slime uses only six ingredients and keeps littles engaged and occupied for ages! Have fun!

(2)

Last weekend we had the privilege of seeing Disney on Ice: Passport to Adventure at SAP Center in San Jose. This was the very first time I have ever seen any ice dancing and since it was Disney it was chockful of magic! At one point (during the Little Mermaid segment) I was actually crying tears of joy. Yup. Big ole ugly cry of joy. I can't exactly explain why but just being able to experience this awesome show with my Family was epic.

Not only was the show impeccably executed but the "extras" were spectacular; there was snow, bubbles and sparks going off during each segment. I felt like a giddy little kid! The other great surprise was the line up- The Lion King, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid and Frozen were showcased and those are all our family favorites! 

I can't say enough wonderful things about Disney on Ice: Passport to Adventure. Do yourself a favor and see it if it's in a town near you! We all pretty  much agreed that we need to see all the other Disney on Ice performances that come into town now :)

Sorry for the horrible pictures- we had great seats but the lights paired with my iPhone lens and I got kinda crummy pictures, it is by far more magical in person! And now you can save 25% off Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure with promo code MOM2

http://www.ticketmaster.com/Disney-On-Ice-presents-Passport-To-tickets/artist/1704479

(3)

I got to chaperone Kinsey's first field trip to the pumpkin patch and we ended up going to The Farm! I had such a great time hanging out with Kinsey and her bestie the whole day.

(4)

I've been busy party planning for Kinsey's Kindergarten Halloween party and it is finally coming all together! I spent I don't even know how long putting these Mummy Favors together but they turned out so dang cute!

(5)

Kinsey's Dorothy costume arrived from Arkansas and Aunt Cindy did an impeccable job! I'm a little late in finding ruby slippers so I'm trying to convince Kinsey to wear her too small ones (not my finest moment) but I know we'll make it work.

Just ignore the crazy mess that is our couch, mkay? ;)

Have a great weekend, friends! Thanks for joining Beth, Meghan,Stephanie and I! Now it's your turn to add your link below! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Beth Our Pretty Little Girls

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Meghan The Adventure Starts Here

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Stephanie Wife Mommy Me

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Whitney Work it Mommy

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Linking up here.

   

   

Rewind Friday // Crafting with Nature

Welcome to Rewind Friday #5! This month seriously snuck up on me and I feel both relieved it is over (because, worst month of my life #overlydramaticbutappropriate) and excited to welcome October! So onto my flashback post :)

Fall is the perfect time to go outdoors and find natural items to craft and create with! We love talking a walk and collecting leaves, sticks, rocks, feathers, flowers- basically anything that catches our eye can be repurposed and used to create seasonal works of art. This was originally published on September 19, 2014!

"Using natural materials in arts and crafts isn't new but it adds a wonderful element in creative play. Not to mention its free. And tactil-ly pleasing. It also enhances observational skills and fosters a love for the outdoors." {Read more Crafting with Nature}

Last month's Spotlight blogger post was Life Breath Present's 5 Ways to a Great Home Environment!

If you want to be our Spotlight Post, just link up an oldie but goodie with us the last Friday of every month! Thanks for joining Beth, Meghan,Stephanie and I! The next Rewind Friday will be on Friday, October 28th. Now it's your turn to add your link below! Also join us on IG using #RewindFridayParty.

Beth Our Pretty Little Girls

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Meghan The Adventure Starts Here

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Stephanie Wife Mommy Me

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Whitney Work it Mommy

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Linking up here.

   

   

Rewind Friday // Back to the Classroom

Welcome to Rewind Friday link up #4! So glad your'e joining us! Friends, I just finished my first week back in the classroom! Granted, I didn't have my students in there yet, it has still been a whirlwind experience! In preparation of me going back to the classroom I'm sharing two posts for this month's Rewind Friday.

First up is the ABCs of  Preschool. I shared this last year before back to school and it is all the things that make Preschool special and near and dear to my heart! 

A alphabet:  A big part of preschool is exposure to the alphabet.  This may look different depending on the age of your child but in my classroom (2.5- young 4) we start letter recognition by using the child's name; it's personal so it's important to the child and it's not too long.  
   
art:  art is a huge learning opportunity.  It's sensory, visual, creative and there is no wrong way to do it!

B boundaries: being in a room full of children, you quickly learn about boundaries.  Be it personal boundaries (sitting too close to someone, or talking to loudly) to physical boundaries (no hitting), boundaries keep us safe and comfortable. 

C circle time: one of my favorite things to do with my student is have circle time.  We sing songs, have discussions, play games and do yoga stretches.  It's our chance to come together as a group and share the same experience. {Read more here}

And the second is all about my Favorite Teacher Supplies: because being unprepared is my worst nightmare. {Read more here}

Last month's Spotlight blogger post was Klein Dot Co 5 Tips for 5am Pure Barre!

 If you want to be our Spotlight Post, just link up an oldie but goodie with us the last Friday of every month! Thanks for joining Beth, Meghan,Stephanie and I! The next Rewind Friday will be on Friday, September 30th. Now it's your turn to add your link below! Also join us on IG using #RewindFridayParty.

An InLinkz Link-up

Beth Our Pretty Little Girls

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Meghan The Adventure Starts Here

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Stephanie Wife Mommy Me

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Whitney Work it Mommy

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Linking up here.