Halloween Fun!

Halloween is right around the corner. It's time to find that perfect Halloween costume for your little one! There's so many cute costumes to choose from too. My two oldest children have specifically chosen their costumes this year. My six-year old is going to be Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe and my four-year old daughter is being a witch. Lucky for me, I get to dress the baby however I want! I've decided to go with Darth Vader. It's funny because he loves his older brother's Star Wars figures so it was an easy choice. I was pretty lucky to hit Target at the end of season sale last year and got his costume 75% off.  I love Halloween because it lets me feel like a kid again. I love seeing how excited my kids get. It seems like Halloween kicks off the rest of the holidays that are just right around the corner. My kids are already singing Christmas songs! I love seeing the world through the eyes of my kids. Especially around the holidays!

What are your kids being for Halloween this year?

Halloween Party Ideas

I think Halloween themed parties are so much fun. There's so many great ideas out there right now. We have been to a few Birthday/Halloween parties and my kids had a blast. Here's some great ideas for a Spooky Halloween Bash!

Party Food

Try food that's fun and creepy. You can use Halloween cookie cutters and cut out sandwiches in the shapes of ghosts or goblins or even pumpkins! You could even serve cheese and crackers and cut out the cheese in the shapes of mini pumpkins too. Serve with a skewer of olives to look like eyeballs!

For dessert try gummy fingers in dirt! You can use a hollowed out pumpkin to serve this or even just a simple clear bowl. Just bake a chocolate cake. Break up the cake and layer with chocolate pudding and crushed Oreo's on top. Add ghoulish gummy worms or gummy fingers. Kids will get a kick out this idea.

For a Witch's Brew the kids will enjoy, try this recipe!

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries, thawed
• 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice
• 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 2 liters ginger ale
• 2 liters sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic)
• 6 gummy snakes candy

What's your favorite Halloween party idea?

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Jessica

by Jessica GPosted in Babies, Holidays, Mothers

Baby Must Haves!

There are some baby items I just couldn't live without. There are also some items that have managed to collect an inch of dust in my attic!

Let's take the items I thought would be would be a hit.

1. The Diaper Genie

I used this for six months with my son and it eventually made no sense to me. Why keep dirty diapers in a pail and let them ferment over the course of a few days? Talk about a stench when I went to get out the bag! I found that tying those dirty diapers up in a plastic bag and carrying them to the trash made more sense. You have do it anyways right? Plus, I was tired of buying those refill bags all the time.

2.Wipes Warmer

I used this for my first son only. I thought this was a fantastic invention at first. The baby would wake in the middle of the night and hate having his diapers changed. The warm wipe was fantastic. Until I forgot to continuously pour water in and I eventually burnt out the pad. I never looked back. Not only that, I was sleep deprived. Had I been more on top of this, maybe I would have changed my mind.

3. Bottle Warmer

The idea is great, don't get me wrong. But it took too long to heat up a bottle. I found pouring the formula into a microwave safe cup and using the microwave was much easier. I couldn't bear to keep my kids from crying so long waiting for the bottle to warm up. Thankfully, I did nurse all three kids for a while so that made it much easier.

4.Co-sleeper 

I never did have one of these and I never understood the concept. I have friends that loved it. To me it was more baby gear I just didn't need. I did however use a pack n play for a good six or seven months with two of my children and kept it right next to my bed. I could use the bassinet top until they reached the weight limit and then transfer them to the bottom. Plus, I like the idea of a play pen too. I'm really big on products that have multiple functions!

5. Multiple strollers 

In all shapes and colors. I have to admit, I'm a stroller junkie! I bought four strollers with my first son. I had the combo car seat stroller, the umbrella stroller, the jogging stroller and the stroller I thought I had to have because it was on sale stroller! When my daughter came, I bought a side by side double stroller and a sit and stand. When my youngest came, I bought the expensive double jogging stroller. Lucky for me my daughter decided she wanted to walk instead so now I use the other side for my junk. That's a total of seven strollers! Sign me up for strollers anonymous because this Mama obviously has a stroller addiction! :)

Here's the list of baby items I couldn't live without.

1. Onesies!

Short sleeve, long sleeve and long sleeve with hand mittens.

2. Fisher Price Papasan Swing

Love this swing. In fact loved it so much my third child finally blew out the motor. The best thing about this swing is that you can recline it in two positions and also move the cradle to swing in two different directions. Plus, the seat is super comfy too and the music is very peaceful.

3. Play yard

This is definitely a product I swear by. It's a portable fenced in area for your child to play and stay safe. I use this inside and outside which is great. I also took it apart and blocked off half of my room so my son had free reign in a bigger area. Worth the money and you can buy extensions too.

4. Bathtub ring

I have used this product for all three children until they try to climb out. I love the idea of a safe spot for my child can sit while bathing. Not only that, I can give another child a bath at the same time.

5. Changing Pad

I love this invention. I think it's a fantastic idea. I still use this for my 18 month old unless he tries to run away while I'm changing him. Then I have to change his diaper standing up!

6. Sleep Sack!

I adore these. They are so great for babies who can't keep blankets on. I loved them so much I even went as far as getting my 3-year-old to wear one at the time. They actually make them with feet for bigger kids!

7. Portable or stationary jumpers

I am a huge fan of these. My kids loved this. Not only was it great exercise, it also made them sleep better. ;)

8. Bottle brush

I love this invention too. I love the Dr.Brown's bottles but they come in so many pieces. The little brush they give is great but I find it's not enough. I couldn't live without this item.

9. Bundle Me

I love this idea. I got to use it for only one of my children but I loved it so much. It's great because you can unzip this down if they get too hot. It's really cozy for those cold days too!

10. Sling

I loved my Baby Bjorn. I found that my kids loved being with me at all times. And still do! They loved being able to see what was going on and hang out with me too.

What are some baby things you can or can't live without?

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Jessica

by Jessica GPosted in Babies, Baby must haves

10 fun things to do with pumpkins!

1. Plant the seeds and watch them grow! Or do it the old-fashioned way like I do and let the old ones replant themselves for next Halloween!
2. If you can’t plant your own, go pick them! My kids love picking pumpkins. They get so excited going to the local farm every year. We make it a game too. We say “Let’s see who can pick the prettiest or the biggest pumpkin!”
3. Decorate the house with pumpkins. Add haystacks and gourds and maybe a scarecrow too!
4. Carve your pumpkins. My kids love doing this. They get such a kick out of lighting the pumpkin and shutting off the lights.
5. If you don’t want to carve your pumpkins just yet, paint them! We paint silly faces on some of our pumpkins.
6. Bake pumpkin seeds! After you carve your pumpkin, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place on a baking sheet and spread them apart separating fibers. Rinse and dry with a paper towel. Coat 1 ½ cups of seeds with tsp of olive oil. Cover with salt if desired and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Make pumpkin pie! My daughter loves to help me cook. This year we’ve decided we’re going to bake a home-made pumpkin pie. See recipe below.
8. Make pumpkin dip! Also see recipe below!
9. Use your hollowed out pumpkins as a candy server for Halloween. Kids will think it’s super cute too.
10. Smash your pumpkins! That’s right. Take a shovel and smash them where you want to replant for next year. You know the old-fashioned way of growing pumpkins! ;)

 Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups of pumpkin pulp purée from a sugar pumpkin* or from canned pumpkin purée
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream or 1 12 oz. can of evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs plus the yolk of a third egg
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1 good crust

Pumpkin Dip Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gradually mix in the pumpkin. Stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and orange juice until smooth and well blended. Chill until serving.

Serve with graham crackers or pumpkin bread.

If you need anymore pumpkin ideas, you could always try using a pumpkin as a prop like the picture above!

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Jessica

by Jessica GPosted in Welcome