Lalaloopsy Doll Giveaway

Giveaway Sponsored by Lalaloopsy

Giveaway Hosted by It’s a Mom Thing Reviews & More

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Lalaloopsy Babies Newborns are perfect stocking stuffers! They also come at a very cute price, only $7.99 at Toys ‘R’ Us stores!

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Mommy, Why Doesn’t Our Elf Talk?

‘Tis the season for Christmas trees, candy canes, Santa Claus, and Elf on the Shelf, of course.

Ours just came to visit this week. We try to prolong it as long as we can so that we don’t run out of places to put her and don’t forget to move her every night.

Sweet Abigail, that’s what my kids named her, is the belle of the ball in my house. To say my girls love her would be an understatement. Forget, “Good Morning Mom”. It’s more like “Where is she?”

I don’t even need to ask who they’re talking about because I know they’re looking for Sweet Abigail.

All was sugar and spice, coating with Christmas cookie goodness, until my five-year-old started asking questions. A lot of questions.

“Mommy, is she real?”

About as real as Santa and Tooth Fairy, I wanted to answer. Instead, I went with a simple “Of course she is honey”.

“Mommy, why can’t I touch her?”

“Because you can’t. That’s the rule, remember?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Mommy, if she’s real, why doesn’t she talk back to us?”

For the love of candy canes and gingerbread houses! Are you working undercover for the reindeer network or something little girl?

Trying to think of something quickly, I said, “Santa told her she can’t talk to the kids. She just has to watch and listen to what’s going on so she can go back to tell Santa.”

She’s not buying it.

“Are you sure she’s real?”

“Yes.”

Just a little white lie honey, sorry.

Please stop asking questions! Thank God my three-year-old isn’t as inquisitive. She takes more things at face value. A stuffed elf that’s real and flies back and forth to the North Pole every night. Sure Mommy, whatever you say.

But not my little detective in training. She’s not buying the magical story I’m selling. Let the elf be! Leave Sweet Abigail alone!

After my daughter finally stopped giving me the third degree about this little freaky being, I began thinking about the whole thing.

It is kind of crazy that we expect our kids to believe that this little elf flies all the way to the North Pole every night to report to Santa and makes it back inside their homes, finding a new place to park it for the day, only to do the same thing once night falls. Talk about some serious frequent flier miles! Not only does our elf do this, but so does every other elf on the shelf. It’s like they’re part of some crazy gang, minus the spray paint and secret handshakes. The whole thing sounds believable, right?

Then again, we tell our kids that a jolly old man named Santa works in the North Pole where he has more elves that make toys for the boys and girls. He somehow comes down the chimney, or finds another way to force his way into the house without turning on the alarm, just to leave toys. Somehow he makes all the rounds to all the kids….everywhere.

I’m not trying to be a kill joy or anything, but it is kinda funny if you think about it. So, maybe my daughter isn’t too far off asking me so many questions about our precious little Elf on the Shelf. I’ll be curious to see what other questions she comes up with as the season continues. Should be interesting!

Giveaway by The Second Hand Goddess

Whew! What an awesome giveaway! Here’s a chance to win some cool stuff! The Mommy Rundown is helping to promote this giveaway! The Owner of the Etsy shop, SecondHandGoddess, has put together a huge giveaway for her fans! Enter to win below for your chance to win an item from Second Hand Goddess. The best part? You get to choose! Also, there will be not one, but TWO lucky winners!

SecondHand Goddess Giveaway (2 Winners)

Good luck to all who Enter!

Review: Sands Alive!

If you’re like me, the thought of your child playing with sand inside your house makes you want to curl up into a ball and hide under a table. Sweeping…vacuuming…more sweeping…an endless clean-up will await you all in the name of your child’s “fun”.

Right?

Actually, wrong. Kids playing inside with “sand” doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

My kids and I recently tried out Sands Alive! by Laddine. The sand isn’t like the stuff you’d find at the beach, but it’s still pretty darn fun. It’s moldable, allowing your kids to make different shapes, but still feel like they are playing with sand.

Our set came with a roller, cutter, and a few tools for molding. I simply opened the package, poured it out onto a tablecloth and let them get crazy! They were able to roll it and do just about anything else they wanted without making a major mess!

We’ve honestly played with similar play sand sets that claimed to be “mess-free”. Let me tell you, that was a lie. We played with it inside and outside on a patio table and the sand went all over the place and was a real pain to clean. The Sands Alive! product was much better. Don’t get me wrong, some dropped on the floor. But, I was able to easily clean it up without having to sweep numerous times to catch every single particle.

The best part….my kids really loved it! It kept them occupied and entertained while allowing them to be creative.

If you’re looking for a unique, cost-friendly gift for the holidays, this should definitely be on your list.

*I was compensated with the product to complete this review.

Every Ornament Has a Story

I’m a sucker for Christmas. I love everything about it.

I love the feelings of tranquility and happiness of the season.

I love the decorations, the smell of a fresh tree, the shopping, the wrapping, the Christmas cards, the visits to Santa, and all the other special little events that go along with it. If I could bottle up Christmas and save it all year long, I would.

One of my most favorite Christmas things to do is to decorate the tree. Now that my kids are old enough to help without me yelling (too much), it’s even more special.

As I was taking each ornament out of its box this year, I started to get really nostalgic. Of course we have the generic ball ornaments and candy canes, but while unwrapping the rest of the ornaments, I started to realize that each one has its own story. We don’t just buy ornaments to buy them. There’s always a reason behind them or a reason why someone else decided to buy them for us.

There’s the custom-made wedding ornament that my old college roommate and bridesmaid gave to me for my wedding shower. It has our names painted on it with out wedding date. It’s crazy to think that it’s now ten years old.

There’s the Santa in a hula skirt from our Hawaiian honeymoon. I think back and remember how we said we were going to go back on our five year anniversary. Safe to say, that did not happen!

There are the baby’s first Christmas ornaments. The ones with the girls’ pictures and the other ones with their names, dates of birth, and other information painted on. To say these are special would be an understatement.

There’s the “sisters” ornament that my old college friend gave to me. While we were away, we had our own “fake families” and she was my pretend sister.

There’s the “Mommy’s First Christmas” ornament that my friend of thirty years gave to me when my first daughter was born. I remember thinking how I had never seen an ornament like that for moms.

There’s the “Dirty Dancing” ornament that says quotes from the movie. I bought this one for myself because it’s one of my favorite movies and “no one puts baby in the corner”.

There’s the Clark Griswold ornament that says “Alleluia” when the lights turn on. I bought this one for my husband because his love for Christmas lights reminds me of Clark Griswold.

There’s the sunflower ornament my aunt bought me because sunflowers are my favorite flower.

There are the handmade ornaments my girls made. They help me track their artistic progress each passing year.

There are the Dora and Doc McStuffins ornaments sprinkled about because those were there favorite characters last year. Funny how no “Frozen” ornaments made their way on the tree this year.

There are the countless Elvis ornaments because my husband loves Elvis.

There’s the salami and deli meat ornaments…they’re a new addition…don’t ask!

Each ornament is not simply “just” a decoration. Each ornament has its own story, its own memory that will forever be engrained in my heart and mind.

Do you have special ornaments that tell a story?

$50 Target Gift Card & General Mills Giveaway

$50 Target Gift Card + General Mills Prize Pack Giveaway

Giveaway Time!

One lucky winner can win their own set of General Mills Mega Bloks collectible car kit PLUS a $50 Target gift card!! The Mommy Rundown is helping to spread the word! Entering is simple using the widget below.

Rules: This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is drawn. US only. Daily Deals From a Nerd Mom and all bloggers involved are not responsible fr prize shipment. General Mills will be in charge of that.

GOOD LUCK!

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Thankful for All the “Little & Annoying” Things

So, it’s the time of year when we are supposed to be thankful for all of our blessings and show our gratitude by eating enough turkey to put us into a food coma until it’s time to hit the Black Friday sales, right? Well, not necessarily.

While we’re all thankful for our families, our homes, our jobs, etc., have you ever thought about all those little daily “annoyances” that are really blessings in disguise? I know I usually don’t because I’m too busy complaining about them. Lately, I’m trying to not see them as “annoyances”, but rather moments and so-called “little things” that I should be thankful for each day.

I’m thankful for my daughter’s incessant pleas for me to play school with her. I should be glad she actually likes to learn.

I’m thankful for all the dust bunnies and loads of laundry. There are so many people who don’t have a house to clean or clothes to put on their backs.

I’m thankful for cooking dinner, although I’m not the best chef. There are people who don’t know where their next meal is going to come from.

I’m thankful for my children running around the house and jumping on the furniture. There are children who are too sick and don’t have the energy to even open their eyes.

I’m thankful for the mess of toys that are constantly around my house. There are parents who can’t even afford one toy for their child, let alone several.

I’m thankful that my children call “mommy” for every little thing. There are so many women who struggle to have kids.

I’m thankful that my husband works so much. There are so many lazy husbands out there who don’t support their families.

I’m thankful for the never ending stream of questions my children bombard me with every day. There are some children who could really care less to ask just one question.

I’m thankful for my kids’ visits to my room in the middle of the night. The days are going to come when I’ll have to fight them for just one hug.

I’m thankful for all my failures and doors that have been shut in my face. They’ve only taught me to fight harder and prevail.

I could really go on and on, but I think you all get the point. These are just a few…and I mean a few, of the things I complain about pretty frequently. It’s sad to admit, but it’s the truth. These are all blessings in disguise. Things to truly be grateful for.

I’m sure if you think about it, you have a list like this too. I think we are too quick to complain and too slow to be give thanks.

What are you thankful for these days?

Monday’s Mommas: Anne from “Just Only Home”

It’s Monday and I have another great blogger to introduce you to this week.

I’m going to let her just take it away….

Hello! I am Anne from Just Only Home and I want to say a big “Thank You!” to Kristina for having me as a guest here on her wonderful blog. I am a wife and mother to 4 wonderful girls, bonus mama to 3 more. I love being a stay at home mom and making life beautiful for my family. I love cooking and fun activities with my children. I feel one of my greatest responsibilities is using our limited budget to its fullest potential. This is my career, making the most of what my husband makes.

Mom Monday My Way

Since it is Monday I thought I would share my take on “Mom Monday”. I know we never REALLY get a day off… but I think it’s important to have a day where self expectations are lowered. I know that for me personally weekends are everyone else’s day off in my home. This means busy busy busy for Mama. There is always the expectation for fun and getting things done that my family members aren’t able to do on their busy week days, and as the center of the family it is often my job to facilitate that. Bu Monday morning I am ready for a vacation!
I am a list maker and my daily schedule is full and busy.

Regularly Scheduled Programming:

5Am – wake up so I can actually have a shower and some bathroom time before the teenagers take over. Make the bed, pick up the bedroom, and bring the laundry down.
6Am – Empty the dishwasher and toss in the strays, throw the laundry in the washer, and get some breakfast made for the kiddos
6:30 – Time to wake up my 4 gals. Get them sitting up to the table with breakfast and pack lunches and backpacks.
7Am – Time to get the kiddos dresses, hair done, teeth brushed, in their gear and out the door. I’ll be done dropping them off around 8
8Am – Now time to run any errands that need running and get supper into the crock pot.
9Am – Noon – Blogging time! Writing, responding to emails, and finding out what’s new on social media. Plus I need to make sure to visit a few of my favorite bloggers!
Noon – Lunchtime for me, the little one, and my home schooling high schooler.
12:30-3Pm – Time for helping out with home schooling and doing personal projects/planning projects for Just Only Home.
3-5Pm – Kiddos need picking up from school, whatever running they need to do, and then help with homework or maybe a fun activity with the little ones.
5 Pm – Dinner
6PM – Housecleaning
7PM – Bathing, reading to, and tucking in the little ones.
8Pm – Fold and put away that laundry that I washed today and making sure I have the dishwasher loaded and ready to empty by morning and a load of laundry sitting in the washer waiting to start in the morning.
9Pm – Time with my teenagers and/or hubby or on the rare night that they all have something else to do maybe some time with a book by myself
10PM – To bed! Must be rested to start all over tomorrow!

And THAT is on a day with no appointments or events! If you think of everything we have to accomplish as moms of COURSE we need to take a breather day. Now for my Monday schedule.

My Mom Monday:

6:30Am – Sleep in a bit and throw on the yoga pants and a pony tail, wake the kiddos and have a quick breakfast and get ready.
7:30Am – get the kiddos to school by 8. No errands or appointments get made on Mondays so I am free to get home and start drinking that pot of coffee I have made for myself.
8Am – Noon – Doing what I want to do! I’ll probably still check my emails and browse some blogs that I have been wanting to, or find some new ones. Play around on Pinterest or visit my favorite CafeMom groups; Make Life Beautiful and Cuties with Cloth Booties. That is where mommy’s friends live!
Noon – Light lunch for us, leftovers or sandwiches. Ask high schooling home schooler if she needs any assistance. Since she knows it’s Mom Monday she will usually decline, having planned being self-taught on Mondays into her schedule.
1-3Pm – Hmmm, time for maybe a snooze and a snuggle with my 4-year-old? A movie we can watch together? Maybe a little more computer time? Oooh, my book! Yes, please.
3-7Pm – Pick up the kiddos from school, we try not to plan much on Mondays as the into to the week so it’s home we go. Do a little home work help and chillin’ with my gals, maybe Uno, maybe a movie. My high schooling home schooler takes Monday night dinners for her cooking class so no worries about what to eat, that has been planned in advance in our Meal Plan. All the kids and hubby pitch in and clean up after supper as a thanks for my doing it the rest of the week. They know I need a Mom Monday!
7PM – Sometimes hubby or one of the teenagers takes over bath time but I of course still need to be a part of tucking in.
8-10PM – The rest of the night is for reading or hanging out with hubby and my big girls.
10PM – Off to bed because it’s back to the race tomorrow!

I feel blessed to have a family that supports my day off. I also LOVE being able to be in control of my own schedule.

Do you have a day that you take for yourself?

Review: Pearl & Clasp Earrings

What girl doesn’t like jewelry, right? So when I was asked to try out a new pair of pearl earrings from Pearl & Clasp, how could I say no?

With that said, I have to admit I don’t wear pearls on a daily basis. My position as Household CEO really doesn’t require pearls.Nevertheless, I wore them while in the trenches of motherhood. For someone who usually wears a pair of silver hoops, the button pearl earrings were a nice change.

The earrings themselves are so light that you don’t even feel like you’re wearing anything at all. Also, the backs are extremely durable so you don’t have to worry about losing an earring. That’s a big deal when you’re around kids all day and just about anything can and does happen.

The black pearls also pretty much go with anything, making them a must have item for your jewelry box. They are also a great accessory, especially with the holidays coming up.

I’m looking forward to wearing these earrings in the future, perhaps for a little night out?

* I was compensated with a pair of earrings to complete this review.

The Mommy Rundown

As a mom, the rundown of your day’s activities can make you feel so run down you want to scream. When I can’t scream, I write, laugh, and drink plenty of coffee!

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