Experiencing Music Together

I received complimentary products to provide this post. All opinions are my own.

Peanut is almost two, but he is going through a "stranger danger" phase. One of my new year resolutions was to make sure I did something every day with my children. Take them to the park, take them to story time, etc. Peanut has issues when we go out in public and meet other children. If they look at him wrong, his feelings get hurt. I feel socialization and meeting other children is the only way to resolve this. He does love to sing and dance whenever he hears music, so when I was offered the chance to experience a Music Together class, I jumped at the chance.


Music Together is an internationally recognized music program for children from birth through age 7—and the adults who love them. Their Mixed-Age classes, for children from birth to age 5, are the perfect way to introduce babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to the joys of making music.

LOVES Giveaways Hop Event, Ends 2/14

Welcome to the BMN Loves Giveaways Hop, hosted by Lindsey Blogs and Viva Veltoro. We're celebrating the upcoming holiday with something everyone loves... giveaways! Be sure to hop around to all the bloggers involved in the Hop, including the two Grand Prize giveaways, in the linky below!
 
 
My son and I recently had the opportunity to go to a Music Together class. We had a great time and you can read all about our experience HERE. From babyhood through the elementary years, Music Together nurtures each child's natural musicality. In family classes, adults learn together with their chidlren and then re-create the fun at home with recordings and songbooks. Music Together's curriculum for schools is deeply integrated into the classroom experience all day long and then continues at home as family members use music and home materials to further engage children and experience some of the fun, too! Today, Music Together classes are found in more than 2500 communities in 41 countries around the world.
 
 
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Our Formula for Happiness



When I was pregnant with my son, I was worried how a new little person would fit into our family. Newborns need so much attention and I was worried how my toddler would feel. But as soon as we came home from the hospital, my little man fit into our family. We have a system set up and it has helped us find our formula for happiness.
 

Pictures by Peach and Oak Photography
 

Protecting Against the Sun with Blue Lizard Sunscreen


Did you know that snow and ice actually reflect the sun so you are hit with UV rays twice? Did you know that even on cloudy days you are exposed to the sun?


This  is why it is so important to still wear sunscreen even in the colder winter months. When you wouldn't normally think about sunscreen. I was recently sent different sunscreen products from Blue Lizard. I have heard about their products for a while now and even received a sample in the Sun & Fun Box from 16 Minute Club. I was excited to try what else they had to offer.

Top 20 Binge Worthy Shows on Netflix

I am a member of the Netflix StreamTeam. Full disclosure at the bottom.

I asked on my personal Facebook page what is your favorite thing to binge watch on Netflix and these are the answers that were the most popular. If you have some other favorites, please feel free to share in the comments below!

Top 20 Binge Worthy Shows on Netflix

This isn't an official list or anything. This is just my friends and I have come up with it. But these are highly recommended. So I definitely would check them out if you are looking for something to watch next! Since this was made of so many different people's suggestions, I like to think this list has a little something for everyone!

Send Sweet Valentine Treats with PEEPS® + Giveaway

The PEEPS & COMPANY® products, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by PEEPS & COMPANY®.

Most of you know this is my daughter's second year in school. Last year they we made Valentine Boxes for them to store their valentine goodies in. I was especially proud of our Princess Castle Valentine Box. This year they are making them at school, but we are still sending in Valentines for the kiddos to pass out.

 
I have decided this year to do something extra special and pass out PEEPS®!
PEEPS® has so many great Valentine gift ideas for anyone who you'd like to show some extra special Valentine love to this year.

DIY Copy-Cat Baby Food Recipes {Plus Tips for Making Your Own}

This post contains affiliate links.
DIY Copy Cat Make Your Own Baby Food Recipes



Making your own baby food is not only economical but you also know what is going in your child's food. I recently received a Magic Baby Bullet Baby Care System which I love! And so I did a little Pinterest research and, thus, this little copy-cat baby food recipes list was born.
The thing is, my daughter ate TONS of other baby food products. And I wanted to know what was in her food and that there were no preservatives. Now I must admit, I didn't do the best at making ALL of her baby food, although I did try (of course I only had a blender because lightning struck my food processor after one use, no joke). But I did try and buy organic when I could. But that can be pricey. But if you are on a budget (and who isn't, these days?), making your own baby food is definitely the way to go. So here's a list I have found of my daughter's favorite baby food items, but the Pinterest-found copy-cat version! PLUS some other fun tips and tricks to help you with making your own!

Handy Apps for Frugal Moms


As a frugal mom myself, I am so grateful for the invention of smart phones. I have no idea how people saved money with out them (maybe because prices weren't so high?). I have compiled a list of my favorite frugal apps and hope you might like them too. :)




This post contains affiliate links, but these are all apps I use myself. This post was originally published in 2012 and I have updated because many of these apps I sill use today!

Educating Children with Silver Dolphin Books & the Smithsonian + Giveaway

I received complimentary products to provide this post. All opinions are my own.
 
Silver Dolphin Books, publisher of high-quality, activity-based books for children aged 2-12, is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new series of educational books in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex, and child literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein: Smithsonian Readers (Paper over board; $14.95; 200 pages). This series is designed to strengthen reading comprehension with structured levels that build upon previous skills, paired with informative content that will keep even the most reluctant readers engaged – from outer space to dinosaurs to Ancient Egypt.
 
 

Keeping Naturally Clean with Murchison Hume + Giveaway

I received complimentary products to provide this review. All opinions are my own.

One of my New Year Resolutions was to keep my house cleaner. I am going to turn 30 this year and I am to old to have a messy home. But especially with two small children in the house, I don't want them exposed to harsh fumes from cleaning products. That's why I was excited to try out the Murchison-Hume Starter Kit through Moms Meet.


 Made in the USA, Murchison-Hume products are powerful, natural germ fighters that also eliminate odors without the use of harsh chemicals. Murchison-Hume cleaning products are 99% or more natural and are always free of ammonias, bleach, dyes, formaldehyde, parabens, and phthalates.

Our New Bedroom: Decluttering, Organizing, and More

I received complimentary products from Cariloha mentioned in this post. All opinions are my own.
 
Since so many of you have been asking for pictures about our new room since our massive purge and my sneak peak pictures on Instagram, I thought I would share with all of you. We organized a ton and still have a ways to go. We did the most work on our room. It was the room we were ignoring the most, so it was time. We also bought a new bedroom suit from Rooms-To-Go since we have never bought one for ourselves and our mattress was over 20 years old...YUCK! This was our Christmas, Birthdays, and Anniversary present to our selves. LOL

 
We also got some new bed sheets from Cariloha. I received the Classic Bamboo Bed Sheets Set in Ivory to review. Cariloha specializes in making products out of bamboo fabric such as clothing, sheets, towels, etc.

Word of the Year: Balance #BehindTheBlogger

Dear 2016 Me,

Your word of this year is Balance. I know you don't normally do a word of the year, but I have seen others do them and writing New Year Resolutions down, I've realized that BALANCE should be your goal word of the year.


Word of the Year: Balance #BehindTheBlogger


You need a more balanced diet, making progress with simple steps will help. You need to balance your time better so you can spend more of it with your family, in order to find my family's Formula for Happiness.
 



Taking small steps to your goals is how we are going to find balance this year. Planning ahead and scheduling will help, but living in the moment isn't a bad idea either. We are gearing up for our best year yet. There are so many opportunities ahead and things we have planned. You turn thirty this year. So let's end our twenties with a bang!

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#BehindTheBlogger Sidebar Button Thank you for reading a story from #BehindTheBlogger Hop. Every 2 weeks a group of bloggers is given a writing prompt. These prompts are very open ended, so our bloggers can write about whatever they desire. The main rule is that their blog post directly relates to the topic of that week. The point of this hop is for our readers to get to know us on a personal level.  Please hop along and read all of the blog posts in this weeks hop. Just click the links below. If you want real and raw emotion, then you will find it here. After you read each post, please comment and share. We want to get to know you too!

LEGO FRIENDS: Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray and LEGO Set Giveaway

Warner Bros. Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.

There are few things as important in life as your friends. No matter how old you are, your friends are there to help you when you’re down, support you when you make mistakes, and be your rock when the going gets tough.


The new movie, LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE, is all about friendship, trusting yourself and standing up for what’s right no matter what the cost. All set to an awesome rock soundtrack you’re going to love! Join Olivia, Stephanie, Emma, Mia and Andrea as they learn that fame isn’t important, it’s your friends that count! Own LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE on digital HD 1/19 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD 2/2. Stream LEGO Friends now on Netflix.

Making New Year Resolution Progress with Progresso + Giveaway



I have always tried making New Year resolutions that would stick. And it seems great and really easy at first because you are motivated, but then by week three of the new year you are back to old habits. That's why I have decided to make smaller goals for myself this year, instead of traditional "resolutions". Easy to set, so I won't be weighed down by the heavy obstacle.

My 2016 New Year Goals:


When Children Need Extra Vitamins

This is a sponsored guest post.

When Children Need Extra Vitamins
 
As your children grow up, you need to make sure they’re getting the vitamins and minerals they need to develop healthy and strong bodies and minds. Indeed, there’s a wealth of information dedicated to the subject of children’s nutrition. Knowing where and when to get the necessary vitamins for children who need extra minerals is something parents should learn, in order to give their kids the best chance in life as they can.

Natural New Year Giveaway Hop, Ends 1/18

 
Natural New Year Giveaway Hop
Thank you for stopping by the Natural New Year giveaway hop! Hosted by The Anti-June Cleaver,

We have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you a variety of prizes to help you bring in the new year naturally. All of the prizes in this hop will be natural, organic, and/or eco-friendly. After you have entered a giveaway visit the linky at the bottom of each post to visit the other blogs for more great prizes, including three grand prizes from each of the hosts.

I am excited to be giving away a trial pack from Buttons Diapers, which includes 1 one-size diaper cover and 3 daytime diaper inserts. I love cloth diapering. I think it's not only more natural, but a great way to save money on baby! And I have a few cloth diapers from Buttons Diapers. You can read my review HERE.


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LuLaRoe Leggings Giveaway {Winter Wonders Giveaway Hop, Ends 1/16}

Have you checked out my review of LuLaRoe yet?
Wendy was so nice to let me provide another giveaway for all of you! And I know you are going to absolutely LOVE these leggings! They are so soft and comfy. You can dress them up or wear them down, whichever, wherever, whatever you want.



I could wear my LuLaRoe leggings every day. They are #likeButter. They feel absolutely amazing and you will never ant to wear anything else either.

Enter to #WIN $15 PayPal! {Jeepers! It's January Giveaway Hop, Ends 1/18}

Welcome to “Jeepers! It's January” Giveaway Hop!

Hosted By:

This event runs January 4-18, 2016!

Can you believe that it is January already?! I am excited to be participating in a giveaway hop to start out the new year with some wonderful fellow bloggers. The linky at the bottom of this post has a different giveaway with a family friendly prize. So make sure to enter for your chance to win some awesome goodies!


Enter to WIN!