Books in a box countdown to Christmas Day 4

Today's book was "Stop Monkeying Around" by Christine Swift. It was a quick read but the girls loved it!

Books in a box countdown to Christmas Day 3

Only 1 book today! At first the girls were a little disappointed but quickly adjusted, they sat and unwrapped it together. Today's book was "WHY?" by Richard Torrey, the girls loved it.

Crayola Air-Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments

If you're looking for a Christmas craft to do with your children look no further. Check out these easy to make Christmas ornaments. All you need is some Crayola Air-Dry Clay which you can get at Target, Walmart, or a craft store. I got a large one from Jo-ann Fabric & Craft Store for under $10 on sale. You will also need cookie cutters, paint (I used water colors) and wax paper to prevent the clay from sticking to the surface. I added a little bit of water to my clay as needed to make it more manageable. Another alternative is to make the ornaments from salt dough, check out Penniless Parenting for a no bake recipe: http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2011/08/salt-dough-frugal-kids-craft.html

The first ornament below was made using everyone's finger print which I made to look like a bouquet of flowers. You will need a thin tipped paint brush for writing which I find can be quite difficult and challenging for the kids. Sharpies are much easier for them to write with. I had everyone make their first initial and then paint it, it takes about 24 hours to dry. I used the end of the paint brush to make the little hole at the top so they can be hung on the tree. Plastic ribbon works well for the ties but you can use whatever you like, be creative! You can also do baby hand/foot prints using this method.

Books in a box countdown to Christmas Day 2

Today was a great day, the girls loved their books. They unwrapped "Ladybug Girl at the beach" by Jacky Davis & "Five Silly Monkeys" by Steven Haskamp. I am so thrilled with the books I got so far, they love them but today was extra special. Victory sure loves Monkeys : )

Books in a box countdown to Christmas Day 1

So today there were 2 books to unwrap which made the girls very excited. We decided to do it right after supper in our living room by the tree. Victory unwrapped "Tinkering Tink"  an embossed storybook by Laura Driscoll and her sister Jaden got "My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle's Magical Journey" by Hasbro. They couldn't wait to read them! Jaden read the My little Pony one and daddy read the Tinkerbell one. It was great, they wanted to keep on going though, lol. Tomorrow will be day 2, stay tuned!

Books in a box countdown to Christmas!

Today starts the books in a box countdown to Christmas in our home. I bought over 30 books, some that are Christmas related and some that aren't. I wrapped them and labeled them from 1-25. I also decorated a box to put the books in under the tree. Each day starting today the kids will unwrap a book or 2 or 3 depending on how many are labeled with the days' date and we will read them together. I decided to do more than just the 25 books because I have 2 young children and wanted them to have more turns at unwrapping. This is a "Victory Test" twist on the "25 books to Christmas" tradition that is normally seen. I will share daily as we unwrap and embark on the adventures that each book will bring. Have a Merry Read!


The emptier the box gets the closer we are to Christmas!

Honest Diapers & Training Pants

When I saw the Honest diapers by Jessica Alba on sale I had to try them! What I first noticed was the super cute colorful creative patterns. Upon further observation I learned that not only did they look good but were also free of harsh chemicals such as: fragrances, lotions, latex and chlorine. I also noted that they are made with plant based and sustainable materials. Victory is on the petite size and weighs only 26 pounds but the size 5 diapers fit her well, she appeared to be very comfortable while wearing them. As far as absorbency goes they seem to be comparable to the Huggies snug and dry. The stretchy waist band was a plus for Victory's small waist and the bloom pattern was also very cute. In addition to the diapers I also purchased the training pants in size 2T-3T which are also plant based, eco-friendly and have a nice cloth like feel to them. They do not have the same easy open sides as the Huggies pull ups however they can easily be torn for quick clean ups. The princess pattern is so adorable and Victory actually looks forward to wearing her "princess undies". As far as absorbency is concerned I would say that they are average and prefer the toughness of the Huggies pull ups. That being being said you cannot compare Huggies, Pampers, Luvs, etc which contain chemicals to the eco-friendly Honest Brand. I compare the absorbency between the 2 brands in this review so that you can get an idea of what you're getting. The training pants are not meant for overnight or long periods of time as they will leak. They are best if used as a potty training tool in conjunction with frequent trips to the potty and changed immediately if any accidents occur. I recommend these diapers to any mama that is looking for a chemical free alternative or for any baby with sensitive skin.The Honest Diapers/Training pants also come in a variety of colors/patterns.