7 Reasons to try Baketivity // baking subscription kit

This post is sponsored by US Family Guide. As always all opinions are my own. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!    

Ever since Bea was five years old, she has been dreaming about opening up her own bakery and restaurant in her garage. She talks about her menu items on a weekly basis, thinks of plating designs and pairings and tells us about her ideas. If that isn't entrepreneurship than I don't know what is.

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible {a review}

I received this book for review purposes but all opinions are my own. Thanks to ZonderKidz for sponsoring this post.

The Siblings Smith

Nothing is more special than seeing siblings together. Knowing I grew each one inside my body, birthed them and then introducing them to the world are all miracles in and of themselves. Seeing how unique their personalities are is mind blowing. But having them connect and relate to each other? Pure magic. 

My biggest concern when I was pregnant with Brielana was how Kinsey was going to cope with sharing her parents. And that transition has been the hardest to date. Not just for Kinsey but for myself. Mom guilt was STRONG during the first year and I am so relieved it has passed. And I wonder in hindsight, if my worries and fears somehow transferred onto Kinsey, making that time that much more difficult(?)

I am relieved to say adding Clark to our family has been so much easier! I don't know if it's because Brielana is so different personality-wise or if its due to his gender, but throwing in a third kid to this mix has been a blessing.

Kinsey is still rocking the best big sister role. She craves her Clark cuddles and is upset when she has to relinquish her time with him (usually for a feeding, so what can you do?)

Brielana vacillates between calling him “Baby Brother” and “Baby Clark” or “that boy” depending in the situation lol. She loves petting his soft hair and cheeks and is the go-getter of diapers and pacis.

I don't want to sound like we have everything down; we're still dealing with some night waking from Brielana and a bit of 6-going-on-16 sass from Kinsey, but as far as everything baby-related goes, we are all just smitten. I guess it doesn't hurt that the guy sleeps like 90% of the time ;)

But in all honesty motherhood has been the single most important gift in my life and I couldn't have been blessed with better babes. God certainly knows what He is doing!

Linking up here.

   

   

Star Spangled Kids 2017

Welcome to Star Spangled Kids 2017! I am honored to be co-hosting again this year (check out last years post for a fun flashback) and find that I look forward to this summer holiday for two reasons:

1) Brielana shares her birthday with Independence Day (Happy 3rd Birthday, B!)

2) patriotic clothing is just stinking adorable.

Ok and I love BBQ and fireworks so lets round to a good four reasons, mmmkay? ;)

I went big this year and purchased the girls play dresses from my favorite kids apparel June & January. **If you want to get 15% off your first June & January order of $50 or more please use my referral code!** And threw in the American flag for good measure.

And no worries, that flag never touched the ground #respect.

Thanks for joining us 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 for Star Spangled Kids! Link up below and tag us on Instagram using  #StarSpangledKids

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up here.

   

   

The Girls Behind the Blog // January

I have been looking forward to this Kid's Behind the Blog link up since last month! Why, you ask? Well, Brielana was finally included in the interview! I will make note to ask the girls at separate times going forward since Kinsey kept trying to lean over and whisper answers in Brielana's ear ;)

What’s your favorite thing to do or play inside?

Kinsey: Play with my Magic Clips! I like my plastic toys in the house. 
Brielana: Ummmm toys.

Have you ever seen or played in snow?  If so, what’s your favorite snow activity? 
Kinsey: No
Brielana: nods her head yes (haha)

What was your favorite Christmas or holiday gift you received?
Kinsey: Who got us the lip balm?
Me: mommy.
Kinsey: Ok, the lip balm.
**It should be noted that she was all about her lightsaber so I'm including it below.
Brielana: Something that's mine, the lipstick (not to be confused with the lip balm that Kinsey is talking about, but a small Finding Dory lip gloss from her great gramma.) 

What’s your favorite winter vacation you went on? Why?
Kinsey: Um home! We stayed home.
Brielana: uh, Halloween!
In her defense, I had said "holiday" by mistake, haha.

Would you rather live where it’s warm all year round or have the seasons? 
Kinsey: Season's because it's fun sometimes. (says the girl whose never seen snow.)
Brielana: Uh, I want a 'nack. 
Me: Ok, but first, sun or seasons?
Brielana: Sun all da time.
**Growing up in California we know no season's except that is rains a little in the winter and spring. But this winter it has actually gotten pretty cold (in the 40's) and a few times last week I had to scrape ice off my window shields with a Macy's gift card, no less. This question about "seasons" is very elusive for us!

Have you filled out my Blog Questionnaire yet?

Linking up here.

   

   

Kinsey and Brielana's Christmas Pajama Party // a link up

It's Christmas Pajama Party day!!! I'm pretty sure pajamas are my favorite things: they're comfy. They're cute. And they can be worn forever. Or in our case, until Kinsey grows out of hers and then we pass it down to Brielana, haha. It seems though that these days it's getting harder to photograph both girls so these pictures we're taken over a period of five weeks. Yes, you read that right. And I still have reservations about them but I take what I can get!

Brian and Brielana picked these sweet nightgowns out at Target in November. Perfectly coordinated, sparkly and festive (I can't get enough of saying "festive" during this time of year, anyone else?)

Anyone notice that brown stain on Brielana's collar? She had been guzzling cocoa and left the evidence. The girl is prone to stains and I really need to up my stain-removal skills.

Oh sweet sisters.

And now a little trip down memory lane... 

My have those girls grown! Kinda makes me a bit emotional. Last years Pajama Party can be found here and 2014's can be found here.

Thank you for joining Jess, Crystal, Jen, Liz, Ashley, Meghan, Chrissy, Amy, Julie, Natasha, Sara and me for the Christmas Pajama Party! Add your link below so we can get this jammie party started!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up here.