Monday, May 23, 2016

The Summer Scoop 4 Moms {Giveaway}



Happy Monday! We are pretty pumped about summer around here. Preschool is officially done and there are only 3 more days of school for the big kids. Then, we'll be saying goodbye to lunch boxes and back packs and hello to the lazy days of summer. Y'all might remember that on Friday we teased about a big week we had coming up this week. Well, because we love summer SO much we thought what better way to share our excitement than with a fabulous summer giveaway!!! As much as we love summer and all of the fun this time of year brings, it can be quite a task for moms. We have teamed up with some super savvy ladies to bring you the Summer Scoop Giveaway for Moms! This giveaway has everything you need to make the most of this summer with your kids. Oh, and it is really BIG, too...like over $2,300 in prizes big. All of the details are below and you can enter to win at the bottom of this post!


Summer Scoop- BabyBjorn Image.jpg


BABYBJӦRN Baby Carrier One Outdoors


Introducing the newest baby carrier from BABYBJÖRN. Designed to help you share an active, open-air lifestyle with your child, the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One Outdoors ($260) is the ultimate ergonomic choice for active families. The Outdoors Carrier features a sporty design, high-quality materials and functional details, while offering all of the best features of the Baby Carrier One. The carrier has an extra-sturdy waist belt for added weight distribution and pressure relief, padded form-fitting shoulder straps to help you comfortably and safely carry a growing child from newborn up to the age of three years, and four ergonomic front and back carrying positions. Perfect for parents who want optimal comfort and functionality while they are exploring the magic of the outdoors with their children, the Baby Carrier One Outdoors is made of breathable and water-repellent materials and includes a waist belt pocket and loops on the shoulder straps for easy access to keys, credit cards, baby accessories and more. Baby Carrier One Outdoors also comes with a practical storage bag that protects the carrier when it is not in use.




Summer Scoop- Babymoov Anti-UV Tent.jpg


Babymoov Anti-UV Tent


Babymoov’s Anti-­UV Tent ($40) takes the hassle out of Baby’s beach trips by protecting Baby from the elements and blocking 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Ventilated mesh will keep Baby shielded from the sand and wind, while still providing comfortable airflow on hot days, and a built-­in mosquito net keeps the pesky bugs at bay. Tie back the tent’s mesh entrance or secure it shut when the wind starts to pick up. The tent’s large capacity gives Baby ample room to play, while still being light­weight for parents. A pop-­up system and transport bag allow for set­up in as little as three seconds, with four tent poles to anchor it securely to the ground.




Summer Scoop- Cybex Image.jpg


Cybex Agis M-Air3/Aton 2 Travel System


The CYBEX Agis M-Air3 Stroller & Aton 2 Infant Car Seat Travel System ($600) allows parents to have an all-in-one, on-the-go system to allow them to explore with their little one. At Cybex, safety comes first and it shows in the features of their Aton 2 Infant Car Seat. Made for children 4-35 pounds and up to 30-inches tall, this car seat has innovative Linear Side-Impact Protection, while still being one of the lightest car seats on the market, weighing in at just under 9 pounds. The accompanying stroller fits children up to 55 pounds and is the perfect way to get around the city with your Aton 2 Infant Car Seat. Moms will love that you only need one hand to operate its key features — it only takes one hand to fold it into a standing position or recline the seat for Baby.




Summer Scoop- Lily Jade Image.jpg


Lily Jade Diaper Bags


When Meggan Wood's oldest daughter, Caroline, was born, Meggan found herself frustrated by the lack of beautiful, leather diaper bags. She wanted a bag that was stunning and hardworking, and one that would last long enough to still carry all those precious memories beyond the baby years. She sketched the perfect diaper bag design to her husband, Landon, and the rest is history! The real genius behind Meggan's idea is the "Baby Bag," a removable, washable organization insert included with every Lily Jade. This amazing engineering feat allows mommies to move from diaper duty, to meetings, to date nights. Lily Jade's most popular styles convert to backpacks with the flick of a clasp, and can be worn over the shoulder and crossbody as well. Lily Jade supports its rapidly growing community of moms with by encouraging them to tell their #storyofmotherhood and giving bags away as often as possible!




Summer Scoop- Platypus Australia Image.jpg


Platypus Australia Swimwear


Platypus Australia is a leading Australian UPF50+ swimwear brand for children from babies through to size 14. Designed to mix-and-match, Platypus Australia is for little ones who like to be active, comfortable and stylish yet protected from the sun. But, just because these swimsuits for babies and kids come from the other side of the world doesn’t mean you can’t get them for your own little sun worshippers. Easy shipping is available to both the U.S. and Canada… and, it’s free if you spend over $80.




Summer Scoop- gb Child Pockit.png


gb Child Pockit Stroller


Designed for frequent travelers, the gb Child Pockit Stroller ($250)  in Monument Black quickly folds into an ultra-compact package, shaped like a handbag, for simple transport on airplanes and more. The stroller offers a self-standing folded option for added versatility when you and Baby are dining out. When in use, the Pockit offers a height-adjustable harness that is easy to tighten or loosen to secure your little one properly. Front swivel wheels make maneuvering simple and you can lock the tires for stability when strolling along uneven paths. Easily push your little bundle of joy with one hand in this compact stroller.




Summer Scoop- STIYA Image.jpg


STIYA Memory Keeping App


What’s the name of that lunch place? Where was that fun park? Ever wondered why you can search any data in the world except for your own memories? You had a fun day... how can you share the details with a friend?  Meet the newest app on the block, Stiya. Stiya stands for ‘Stories In Your Attic,’ bringing those precious ​stories from the attic of your memories into your to your pocket, making us all storytellers in a click. Stiya is a silent app that is completely private, capturing your memories and experiences — such as where you dined, walked, took a photo, and more — into beautiful journals that are searchable and, if desired, shareable via text, email, Facebook, or Twitter. We can’t wait to see where you’ve been making memories! (Note: Stiya currently only available via iTunes.)




Summer Scoop- Ubbi Image.JPG


Ubbi Snack Tweats


The Ubbi Snack Tweat ($10 each) is an innovative snack container that combines playfulness and functionality making snack time enjoyable for both parents and children. Fitted for a small child’s hand, the bird shaped Ubbi Tweat stores and seals snacks to keep them fresh. Cleverly designed, the lid remains attached when open and the weighted base leans and wobbles to prevent the container from tipping over. The Tweat opening has a practical soft spill guard and is large enough for easy snack access.




summerscoop-giveaway-sponsor.jpg


Enter to win the Summer Scoop grand prize


One winner will receive all of the products in the #SummerScoop4Moms:


BABYBJӦRN Baby Carrier One Outdoors in Turquoise or Black ($260 value)
Babymoov Anti-UV Tent ($40 value)
CYBEX Agis M-Air3/Aton 2 Travel System in Moon Dust ($600 value)
Lily Jade Bag of Your Choice (Up to $375 value)
Platypus Gift Certificate ($100 value)
gb Child Pockit Stroller ($250 value)
iPhone 6s from STIYA ($649 value)
Ubbi Snack Tweat Collection ($50 value)


Total prize value: $2324

Please enter using the Gleam form below. You must be a U.S. resident and at least 18-years-old to enter and win. Winner will be contacted via email after the close of the giveaway. Please allow 4-6 weeks for prizes to arrive. All entries will be verified.

Summer Scoop

Friday, May 20, 2016

Friday Favorites: End of School Year Edition

YES!!! We have officially called a wrap on the 2015/2016 school year! And this is how we feel about it...


Well that's how mommy feels about it. My kids love school, but summer means swimming, going to the beach, water balloons, and playing with their friends all day everyday - so they are are excited too.

Bye-bye alarm clock - see you in August!

Now to end the week with some of our favorites lately. Linking up as usual with some of our favorite bloggers today, and hold on because I've had a lot of favorites this week!


ONE
Cute graduated from pre-K! Oh my, wasn't he just born yesterday?? I've been ignoring the fact that he has gotten so big, but it hit me this week. We were able to participate in his end of the year party, where he and his friends played games, built legos, and generally ran around like the crazy boys that they are. Following the party we were able to watch a little graduation ceremony. I can't believe my sweet baby boy will be in kindergarten next year! 


While it makes me sad to see how fast he is growing up, it definitely was one of my favorite moments this week. 

TWO
Normally at the end of the year I make fun little themed gift baskets for the teachers, complete with a well coordinated printable. Well this year mama didn't have time for that!  I did find these super adorable stainless steel water bottles, and attached a gift card. 



Seriously, how cute are these???
If I didn't live in the land of five million cups, and continuously have to battle my husband's Yeti obsession I totally would have grabbed one of these for myself. They had a ton of fun colors and patterns for summer. 

THREE
Like the end of most school years, things have been crazy these last few weeks. Even though everything is fun, it is exhausting! It's been hard to sneak in even a few minutes of "me time" in anywhere to rejuvenate, but this week I made a conscience effort to do a little something here and there - even if it is just for a few minutes. I realize my sanity depends on it, and there is only so much wine drinking that is acceptable.



One of my favorite new finds is this Barre3 app. We've professed our love for barre classes before, but sometimes it's hard for me to work a class into my schedule. The app has some fabulous mini workouts, and most can be done in just minutes.


 I love the kitchen ones!


FOUR
Last week, Mr. Cute decided our house needed a technology upgrade. With that we switch cable providers, and I am absolutely clueless as to what any channels are, and long gone are some of my recorded shows. Everything is complicated and voice activated and completely overwhelming right now - not that I have much time to sit and actually watch TV. However, this little technology bump ended up causing one of my favorite moments this week.

Late the other night, I decided to sneak in a quick walk on the treadmill. Once I finally figured out how to turn on the TV, the first thing that popped up was one of my all time favorite movies - Sweet Home Alabama! I was able to catch the last 20 minutes of it, and I completely forgot how much I love that movie!


Fun fact: Part of the movie was filmed at the college I graduated from during my Freshman year. The white mansion throughout the movie was on our campus, and several students were even able to be extras during filming.

Second fun fact: It's also where Remember the Titans was filmed. 


FIVE
Monday was particularly a crazy day. Normally this is my grocery shopping day, but last minute I had to take Baby Cute to the doctors and it took up a good portion of our free time. On our way home from our excursion, I was all prepared to order some pizza delivery when I pulled into the driveway and saw this...

(Hi Max! We see you!)
I thought I had paused our HelloFresh box for the week, knowing how crazy it would be, but I have never been so glad to be scatter brained in my life.

(Sausage Bolognese - with hidden veggies! The kids were clueless.)
Such a lifesaver, and so yummy! 
I was totally able to put off my pizza delivery ordering until Wednesday. ;)

SIX
Our weather has been finicky here lately, but that hasn't stopped me from breaking out all the summer gear. For Mother's Day, Mr. Cute and the kids gave me these adorable flip flops. 

| Bag | Nail Polish | Earrings (similar) | Watch | Shorts | Scarf (similar) |
They were so excited because they were pink (my favorite color), but I'm so excited because they are SO comfortable! They feel and wear very similar to Rainbow flip flops. I usually wear a 6.5 and my husband grabbed these in a 7 and they are perfect! They also come in a ton of fun colors. Definitely my new favorite!

Ok, now to officially kick off our summer with a fun weekend ahead!

And we have some HUGE things for you next week to celebrate with us.
Seriously - HUGE!!!

We are so excited! Until then - Happy Weekend!!

 photo jensig.png

Follow us on Pinterest HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
Follow us on Facebook HERE. 
Follow us on Twitter HERE. 

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Summer Bucket List 2016

Well, I blinked and just like that my little guy is wrapping up his last day of Pre-K today.  I mean, I swear he was just two years old and starting pre-school.  He is doing a young five's program at our preschool next year so he isn't heading off to Kindergarten just yet, but still, I can't believe he is getting so big.

Today being his last day means SUMMER is almost here.  To me summer isn't marked by a date on the calendar, but instead it is when all of my kids are home with me with no school, no activities, and nothing to do but have fun!  :-)

The girls finish up in the middle of next week and then the real fun begins.  Last year I made a summer bucket list.  It helped us have all sorts of fun and kept us busy (in a good way) all summer long.  We went to the World of Coke, had shaved ice snow cones, ran through the Centennial Fountains, played in the sand and so much more.  We had so much fun and I can't wait for those lazy days of summer to be here for us again.






I decided to make another bucket list for this year.  Some of the items on the list are things we didn't get to last year, some are repeats, and some will be brand new adventures for our us!

* Lots of pool time
* Visit Six Flags
* Take a beach trip
* Teach Little Mama to sew
*  Take a lake trip on a house boat
*  Eat at The Varsity
*  Ride Sky View Atlanta (ferris wheel)
*  Explore Consolidated Gold Mine
* Visit Tellus Museum
* Eat snow cones
* Make home-made ice cream
* Work on summer school work
* Have sleepovers
* Go to a Braves game
* Attend a fun VBS
* Celebrate Little Mama and Boo-Boo's birthdays with fun parties
* Go to a food trucks event
* Jump at an indoor trampoline park
* See summer movies
* Run and splash through the Centennial Park fountains

I'm so excited about spending the summer with my kiddos and for us to really make some wonderful memories together.  This is my absolute favorite time of year and I'm hoping this will be the best summer yet!

 photo cbsignature.jpg

Follow us on Pinterest HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
Follow us on Facebook HERE. 
Follow us on Twitter HERE.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Kitchen Confessions: Paleo Whole30 Chicken Fingers

Last week I mentioned how I have been in a dinner rut, and shared how I was combating this issue by ordering healthy dinners straight to my doorstep.  Aside from hiring a personal chef though, I still have most nights of the week to plan, shop, and make dinner myself.

Whomp. Whomp.

The hardest part about dinner other than time for me, is finding something everyone can agree on while taking into account all allergies. Some nights I feel like I am making four dinners just to appease everyone!

Craziness! Who has time for that?!?

I was browsing Pinterest, and this recipe for Paleo Whole30 Chicken Fingers popped out at me from Jay's Baking Me Crazy blog.

Now if I know anything, chicken fingers is a dinner my family will gladly get behind. The fact that these were healthy chicken fingers made me a little nervous they would revolt, but I decided that was privileged information and they just needed to know they were chicken fingers.

Well let me just tell you, not only did everyone eat these, they asked for more. Then, two days later, they asked me to make them again. They are that good.

The nice thing about this chicken finger recipe is that it only takes a few minutes to make. Easy, quick, and yummy? Sign me up!!



PALEO WHOLE30 CHICKEN FINGERS
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10-15 mins
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients: 
  • 1 1/2 lbs of chicken (Note: I purchased the pre-sliced ones from our grocery store to save a step, and just bought two packs.)
  • 1 cup of almond flour
  • 1/3 cup of coconut flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon of non-dairy milk (I used Coconut milk)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne (optional - although I added it and it was yummy!)


Instructions: 
  • Preheat oven to 425. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (Note: I didn't have any on hand, so I just greased with coconut oil.)
  • Get three shallow dishes or bowls out for your breading station.
  • Put the coconut flour in dish number one. 
  • Whisk eggs and milk together in dish number two. 
  • Place almond flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and cayenne in dish number three. 
  • Taking one strip of chicken at a time dip into the coconut flour first (making sure it's coated entirely), then dip into your egg mixture second, and then your almond flour mixture third. 
  • Place on cookie sheet and repeat until done. 
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then flip over for remaining five. 
  • Optional: Turn oven up to 500 for an additional five minutes to make them golden brown. (Note: We did this for two minutes and it was just right.)

Trust me - make these and you will not be disappointed! 

 photo jensig.png

Follow us on Pinterest HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
Follow us on Facebook HERE. 
Follow us on Twitter HERE. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Make the End of the School Year Sweeter with Cruchkins™


The end of the school year is crunch time.  Moms of school aged kids everywhere know this time of year is exhausting.  We are in the final countdown with just a few days left and while you think this should be a somewhat relaxing time leading into summer break, it is actually quite the opposite.

This is the time of year that schools, teachers, and teams jam pack everything into the last few weeks before summer.  It's all fun stuff, but it can all start to add up.  There is everything on the calendar from school events like book fairs, field trips and field days to extra curricular things like dance recital rehearsals and soccer team parties.  Let's not forget the regularly scheduled activities like sports practices, dance classes, tumbling lessons and homework to help with.  Pretty much it's go, go, go in these last few weeks of school with very little downtime.  However, the promise of the sweet days of summertime help us to get through these jam packed days and some sweet treats along the way don't hurt either!

If there is one thing my kids got from me, it's my sweet tooth.  The four of us would pretty much always give up salty snacks for something sweet and one of our new favorites are Crunchkins™.  These dessert-favored poppers have a creamy candy coating and a light crunchy center.  The best thing of all about Crunchkins™ are that they come in some of our favorite dessert flavors: Birthday Cake, Fudge Brownie and Glazed Donut.  Hello!  Candy that taste like a donut?!?!  Yes, please!


This busy time of year not only takes a toll on us moms, but it can also affect the kids.  The anticipation of summer is exciting, but kids sometimes feel rushed and over-scheduled at this time of year.  I like to do little things for them each day that will bring a smile to their faces and help them just slow down and enjoy each moment.  Sneaking a special dessert-flavored candy like Crunchkins™ into their lunch boxes brings an extra little sweetness to their day and one bag is plenty to split between each kiddo's lunchbox.

1 oz. serving of Crunchkins™ shown in lunchbox

I also love Crunchkins™ as a quick after school treat before we head off for the afternoon's activities.  The 3 oz. share packs are perfect for just that...sharing! Each pack has an assortment of all three flavors so it's just enough to give all of us a tasty treat before we have to head on our way.




I've also been know to pop a few Crunchkins™ during carpool, too!  It's a yummy motivation to get me through the daily grind.


No matter how we enjoy Crunchkins™, one thing is for sure: they will make the crunch time at the end of the school year a little bit sweeter for all of us!


 photo cbsignature.jpg

Follow us on Pinterest HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
Follow us on Facebook HERE. 
Follow us on Twitter HERE.


I was selected for this opportunity by Crunchkins™ as a member of Clever Girls but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Newborn Skincare with Baby Pibu

Happy Monday sweet friends!
We are beyond excited about this week because this week is our last week of school before summer break - WAHOO! This week is filled with tons of fun and then time can slow way down. I absolutely love the lazy fun filled days of summer.

Time also needs to slow down because I can hardly believe this little cutie is three and half months old. She is trending just like her siblings and is an easy, happy, predictable baby - which means I've got a good year before that sweetness wears off and the sassiness kicks in! She smiles at anything and everything these days, I could just eat her with a spoon when I see those sweet dimples appear. 


Her absolute favorite thing is getting a bath. She could be screaming her head off, but the moment she hears the water turn on, she instantly squeals and starts kicking her legs. It is the cutest thing ever! She is a water baby through and through. 

Of my three though, she has the most sensitive skin ever! She has eczema flair ups, which I never had issues with the first two, and super dry skin. I've tried a few different things to combat it, but unfortunately all the sudden we will wake up one day and her face and neck are so red. 

There's nothing sadder than seeing that sweet soft baby skin look so uncomfortable. Like any parent I want her to feel her best, and making sure I am taking the best care of her possible. 


I've tested quite a few products, but I have grown to love this organic newborn skincare line - Baby Pibu. Bonus - it is a local company as well! 


I am sharing all my thoughts and love for Baby Pibu over on Savvy Sassy Moms today. Make the hop


Did, or does, your little one suffer from eczema? Would love to hear what tips or tricks you have to combat it!

 photo jensig.png

Follow us on Pinterest HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
Follow us on Facebook HERE. 
Follow us on Twitter HERE. 

Related Posts

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...