ABCya

December 8, 2013 by


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ABCya!  ABCya is an educational site that we found for Xavier and he loves it.  He’s outgrown Nick Jr. so this site is the replacement.  The site has educational games and activities for Kindergartner’s through fifth grade, and has become the leader in on-line education for kids.  One of the great things about the site is that you don’t have to create a username or password to access it.  The site was created by teachers and it’s goal is simply to assist parents and children with education.       


The site has math and language arts as well as basic computer skills. Many of the kindergarten and first grade activities are equipped with sound to enhance understanding. You can found holiday activities in the grade sections as well. 

Xavier has become astute in navigating the site.  We use it primarily for spelling, math and occasionally game play.  The site makes learning fun.  There’s Bingo to help with spelling and math.  There’s an app for sight word recognition, learning the coins and how to tell time.  

ABCya.com has been featured by Apple, The New York Times, Disney Family Fun Magazine and Fox News and has received many awards.  I understand why.  I suggest that you introduce your child to this site.  They will love learning in a creative and fun way. 

                                                                    

Filed Under: ABCya, educational websites, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Virginia Beach Parade of Lights

December 2, 2013 by


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Virginia Beach Parade of Lights

Live in the Hampton Roads area?  If you do, please add the Virginia Beach Parade of Lights to your list holiday activities.  I’ve decided to make it annual trip for my family, it’s such a wonderful sight to see.   It’s a great family outing if you’re in the area and want to entertain the children for an hour or two.  They have more than 250 animated light displays and 100,000 plus visitors to view them annually.  




                                      parade of lights



It’s the only time of year that cars are allowed on the boardwalk.  You can order hot chocolate, popcorn and hot dogs for your trip or bring your own goodies to munch on while you watch the show.  Each car is provided a free CD of holiday music to get you in the mood as you cruise.  You can drive at your own pace and hop out for a picture or two.  The Parade of Lights is sponsored by McDonald’s.  Approximately 30,000 cars make the trip each year. There are displays to be enjoyed by everybody.  Drive slowly, you’ll find displays on both sides and in front of you. 



                                       things to do in Virginia Beach





You can find fish jumping out of the ocean, dinosaurs, Santa, soldiers and the list goes on.  I look forward to seeing these great displays, but most importantly I look forward to seeing my grandchildren in awe of the lights.  Isn’t that what Christmas is about?  The excitement and the looks on little faces.  We’ll be taking Zarriah for the first time this year.  She’s enjoying the lights on the Christmas tree, I’m sure she will enjoy the displays as well.  I’m getting excited myself.  I love bringing joy to my grandchildren.   





The lights will be on display until Wednesday, January 01, 2014.  The event has been named American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events in North America”!  Our family likes to go on Christmas Eve if we have Santa’s cookies baked.  Otherwise, we head out Christmas evening.  Mark your calendar this year.  Your kids will love it.    


Filed Under: Christmas, Christmas activities, family, holiday activities, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Great Find – Mother and Grandmother’s Bracelet

December 1, 2013 by


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We found the perfect gift for your mom or mother-in-law.  I designed this mother/grandmother’s bracelet at Pearls by Laurel.  The center pearl is, Zarriah’s birthstone, August and the Sapphire is Xavier’s and mine, September.  I love it. 

The price is excellent, $33.90 for the 3 stones which includes shipping.  The bracelet is handmade from Swarovski pearls (not fresh water pearls) and rhinestones.  It’s also made in the USA.  You can order sizes small – XX large.  For those who have a high PH, the company offers an alternative silver component which prevents the silver from touching the skin and causing a reaction.  I would recommend measuring your wrist to ensure a proper fit.  If the size is off, the company will resize for free.  In addition to free resizing, if the bracelet breaks the replacement is free.  This company vigorously stands behind its work.   

You can design the bracelet on-line using up to 6 pearls; otherwise, you must contact the company.  The site is easy to navigate and designing the bracelet is quick and easy.  You just drag the pearl that you choose to where ever you wish to place it on the bracelet.  You can play with it until you’re satisfied with design/color placement. 

If you click on this link, Pearls by Laurel and make a purchase of more than $20.00 you will receive free shipping.  This is an elegant gift that every mother or grandmother would love.  It’s a great gift for Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthdays or just because.  If you get in a bind for a last minute gift, you can order up to December 17 for delivery by December 24.  They have Priority Mail shipping for $6.95. 
                                                                  

Filed Under: family, grandmothers bracelets, holiday gift ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Hunt Club Farm Christmas Displays

November 30, 2013 by

 

 

Hunt Club Christmas Displays

The holiday season officially starts for my family Thanksgiving Day.  The tree goes up and we’re planning holiday activities.  My daughter lives in Virginia Beach, VA.  A mile down the road is Hunt Club Farm.  They sit on 23 acres and cater to children all year.  Each year we take the grandchildren to see the Christmas displays.  Their displays are amazing.  They are full of automated elves, soldiers, reindeer and everything else you can image.  It’s a child’s delight.  Here are some of the displays from last season: 

 

Virginia Beach Hunt Club farm

 

It’s a great place for photo opportunities as you can see.  My granddaughter is not into picture taking for some reason.  She doesn’t like to cooperate for the camera, so I’m hoping I can get a few good shots.  This is my grandson last year in front of their Christmas tree.  Amazing how much he has grown in a year.  Precious I might add. 

 

If the weather is nice we move on to the Petting Zoo.  This is Mr. Llama.  He was on display last year.  The great thing about the Petting Zoo is you never know what animals you will come across.  The have great displays there too.  Last year they had an adorable little building that housed Santa.  Xavier was a little shy, but he gave Santa his wish list.  

 

We end our trip at the fire pit roasting hot dogs and making S’mores.  They have a stand that sells the hot dogs and buns and everything needed for the S’mores.  The roasters come with the package.  You can pick up hot chocolate or apple cider to wash it down.  If you live in the Hampton Roads area, plan a trip.  It’s a great way to start the holiday season and makes great memories for the kids.  

 

 

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Travel Tagged With: , ,

Calendar Gift Ideas

November 27, 2013 by


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2014 Calendar

I just made a calendar for one of my daughter’s Christmas gifts at Shutterfly.  I had so much fun going through pictures and finding ones that fit perfectly into each month of Xavier and Zarriah.  Although it’s not clear, this is the cover of the calendar.  The picture was taken at Zarriah’s Christening.  About 20 family members from my daughter and son-in-law’s side of the family attended.  The picture is a beautiful memory. 

This calendar will make a beautiful keepsake.  I’m thinking of making another for my office.  For January I selected a picture of Xavier playing in his first snow.  It was a great moment, January 2009.  My daughter and her family were visiting for a week-end and it snowed.  Xavier had just turned 1 the previous September.  I had a great time watching him play and trying to figure out what that white stuff was.   

                                                                 

                                                                       

How could I leave out Zarriah’s first birthday party, August 2012, and her looking at the clown.  OMG, it was hilarious.  The pictures brought back so many memories.  I’m hoping the calendar will do the same with daughter and son-in-law. 

I’ve been thinking of this calendar for years as a gift, but never made the effort to complete the calendar.  Finally in 2013 I do just that.  The Shutterfly site is easy to navigate.  To cut down on time, I would suggest that you go through your pictures and make a note of which ones you would like to use for what month.  If you’re like me, you have thousands of photos to choose from, so it can become time consuming. 

Shutterfly is currently offering free shipping.  Use Promotion Code SHIP30.  Also, new customers get 50 prints free.  The free shipping offer ends 12/23/13.  This is a great idea for your mom, a friend or yourself.  The calendar comes in 2 sizes:  8 x 11 and 12 x 12.  I choose the 8 x 11 for $21.99.  The 12 x 12 is $29.99.  They have numerous designs and layouts to choose from.  Check it out. 


                                                                    

Filed Under: calendar gift ideas, family memories, Great Finds, holiday gift ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Toddler Girls Garanimal Sets

November 21, 2013 by


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Garanimals Baby Girls' 2 Piece Graphic...
We found these adorable 2 piece Garanimal sets at Wal-Mart on-line.  I’ve been a big fan of Garanimals since Xavier was a baby.  I purchased these for Zarriah to knock around in on the week-ends or lazy days.  They’re great for everyday play wear and adorable enough to head to the mall or grocery store when you have to run errands. 

I have found that Garanimals hold up well on the playground, lounging around the house and through the wash.  This I’m so Sweet set include a fleece top and pants, so Zarriah will be nice and toasty this winter while playing with her Disney Princesses. 


Garanimals Baby Girls' 2 Piece Graphic...

I fell in love with the Double the Fun set too.  This set is made of fleece as well.  Both will look adorable with a pair of sneakers or flats if your heading to the mall or grocery store.  I purchased both sets for $7.76 each.  I ordered additional items, so I was able to get free shipping to my house.  I love a bargain, especially when I don’t have to pay a fortune for cloths that my little sweeties will grow out of in months. 

Filed Under: Garanimal clothing, Great Finds, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Great Find – Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel

November 19, 2013 by


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Melissa and Doug easel

Christmas is around the corner and Mother 2 Mother is in search of great finds.  I purchased Melissa and Doug’s Deluxe Standing Easel for my little Picasso Xavier for $57.00.  As a Prime member, shipping was free.  Xavier loves to paint, so this will be a perfect gift for him.  The easel is listed as one of Amazon’s 2013 best gifts for kids.  I agree. 


The easel includes extra-large chalkboard, dry-erase board, and easy-load paper roller.  You will need to buy the accessories kit for an additional $27.00.  The kit includes: 

  • 4 Bottles of Poster Paint and 4 Spill-Proof Paint Cups
  • Easel paper roll, chalk, paint brushes, dry-erase marker and eraser


    • The easel alone usually runs around $80.00, so this is a Great Find.  If your child enjoys drawing and writing, I encourage you to check out this deal and have Santa deliver this great gift Christmas Eve.  Your child can look forward to hours of entertainment on those cold, snowy, winter days.  This item is appropriate for ages 3 and up. 

    Filed Under: children's easels, Great Finds, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

    Girls Holiday Hair Styles

    November 13, 2013 by
    With holidays on the horizon, you and your brood have plenty
    of parties to attend, and you know what that means—picture time! This holiday
    season, it’s easy to keep your little angel looking cute, coifed and
    camera-ready with simple yet stylish hair looks from Cozy
    Friedman, author of Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’
    Hair    .

    The French Braid Headband

    Besides being a great fuss free style, this braided band
    makes its own accessory. Girls can wear it with their hair hanging down in back,
    or with a ponytail. Complete this look for the holidays with fun beads or
    barrettes.

     

    The French Braid Headband

     

    Props:

    Wide-tooth comb
     
    Fine-tooth comb

    Ponytail holders

    Jaw clip

    Decorative bobby pins

     

    Step 1: Start with damp hair (either towel –dried or
    misted) and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair.

    Step 2: Use a fine-tooth comb to draw a horizontal
    line across the crown from the top of one ear to the top of the other ear. From
    the line, comb the hair forward to the face. Pull the hair in back of the line
    into a ponytail holder or jaw clip so it stays out of your way.

    Step 3: Choose which ear you want the braid to start
    from. Tilt the head so the ear you’ve chosen is facing up toward the ceiling.
    With your child’s ear tilted up, being making the braided headband using the
    hair in front of the part.

    Step 4: Once you’ve reached the other ear, secure the
    braid with a ponytail holder. If you like, tuck it behind the ear and pin it in
    place with a few bobby pins. Remove the ponytail holder or jaw clip use in Step
    2 and style as you like. Finish by adding sparkly or decorative hairpins through
    different parts of the braid.

     
    The Heart Braid

    This is a
    must-have look for the holidays. To really make this look extra special add a
    clip to the end of the heart that coordinates your child’s holiday outfit. You
    can also use a colorful ponytail holder at the end or add decorative beads in
    the braid.

     

    The Heart Braid Compressed

    Props:

    Wide-tooth comb

    Fine-tooth comb

    Decorative hair clip

    Ponytail
    holders

     
    Step
    1: Starting with damp hair (either
    towel-dried or misted), use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair.  Then, using
    a fine-tooth comb, part the hair down the middle of the head.  Clip one side up
    right above the ear.

    Step
    2: On the other side of the part, use the
    fine comb to gather a thin section of hair from the crown.  This section should
    measure about 2 inches from the hairline to the top of the
    head.

    Step
    3: Divide this section into three, and
    begin a French braid starting at the crown and curving toward the temple, then
    toward the back of the head, like the top lobe of a heart.  You will be lifting
    hair into the braid only from this side of the part.  Leave no loose hair in
    front of the ears.

    Step
    4: When you reach the center part at the
    back of the head, secure the braid with a ponytail holder.  If the hair is very
    long, end the braid about midear; the ends will hang down the
    back.

    Step
    5: Unclip the hair on the other side of
    the part and repeat the process.  Secure with a ponytail
    holder.

    Step
    6: Join the ends of the braids together in
    the back with a decorative bow or ponytail holder to form the bottom point of
    the heart.
    Cozy Friedman is the creator of the So Cozy product line and
    founder of Cozy’s Cuts for Kids. She is an expert authority on cool,
    childhood style     and recognizes – and celebrates – that children today are
    more style-conscious than ever. Decades ago, getting a child to take a bath was
    a challenge but now, thanks to places like Cozy’s Cuts for Kids and
    product lines such as So Cozy, children are embracing grooming from a
    very young age    . Cozy has coined this trend the “metro mini”
    phenomenon     and believes that encouraging it in a healthy way allows
    children to be expressive and self-confident    .

     

    FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.socozy.com.



     


    Filed Under: Cozy's Cuts for Kids, French Braid Headband, girl holiday hair styles, Heart Braid, holiday hair styles, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

    Boo – Happy Halloween!

    November 1, 2013 by

    My adorable Minnie Mouse and Ninja.  Happy Halloween from my family to yours. 
                                                                                 

    Filed Under: Halloween, Halloween costumes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

    Fabulicious Finds – Sports Tees for Boys

    October 3, 2013 by


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    I’ve been a big fan of Boscov’s Department Store for the past six years.  I started shopping on this site when my grandson was born and I’m still finding great buys.  I like quality at a good price, and I’ve always been able to find it at Boscov’s. 


    My grandson is transitioning from Nick Jr. characters to name brand sports apparel.  Yep, at the ripe old age of 6.  What does a parent do, accommodate him.  I do, because I shop for quality items in my price range and I’ve always been able to find what I’m looking for. 

    I love Boscov’s because they offer fast shipping, their site always has items on sale, and they offer quality products.  I ordered 5 tees for my grandson all at half price, and he loved them.    Two are shown.  The market is flooded with adorable items for little girls, but shopping for boys can be difficult, especially if you’re looking for stylish items.

    My grandson is playing flag football and basketball now.  These tees where a great boost for him, and he sees them as being cool.  They’re made by Addias, so they’re quality items.  He loved the graphics and messages on the tees, Bring the Noise and Dominate the Game.  The other have Undefeated, Built to Win and Respect the Game. 

    Cool and affordable!  My kind of shopping.  If you haven’t checked out Boscov’s for your son or grandson’s apparel, you must pay them a visit.  The have soccer and baseball tees available as well.  I’m sure you’ll find a deal that you will love too.  Where do you find stylish clothing for your son/grandson?  Please leave us a comment so we can share with other readers. 

    Filed Under: Addias tees, Boscovs, boys sport tees, cool boys tees, Great Finds, how to dress boys, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,