Search Results for: creativity

Turn It Up Tuesday – Week 38

Welcome to the 38th week of Turn It Up Tuesday!
Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!

As you may know, Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic…and having fun! Link up your favorite posts and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!

SPONSOR OF THE MONTH

Bex from Futures

BADGE

Bex is a fashion, beauty & lifestyle blogger from the UK. She writes about just about anything & everything: her current day-to-day life, updates on Jack, reviews, shopping hauls, books she’s currently reading. Thank you so much Bex for being our sponsor!

Are you interested in having your blog or website featured in this spot? Then, sponsor Turn It Up Tuesday for a month! Click here! It’s only $5 for an entire month!

Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday!

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(from the top – left to right)
Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures | Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings | Jessica from The Wondering Brain | Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise | April from 100lb Countdown | Becka from Probably Craftin | Carolyn from A Lavender Life | Margaret from The Mother Rising | Kae from Where’s My Pacifier? | Rachel from Craving Some Creativity | Cindy from Mom Maven | Shana from Organized Chaos | Rhonda from Mother 2 Mother | Lisa from The ‘Fix It’ Stitch | Karen from Quinton Wench | Jillian from Baby Doodah | Katy from Chaos & Kiddos | Tenns from New Mama Diaries

And welcome our awesome guest hosts for June!

TUT Jun 2014 (3)

(from the top – left to right)
Debbie from Heartbeats Soul Stains | Katie from View From The Fridge | Elie from Organizer By Day | Shana from Technotini | Kimberly from Keystrokes By Kimberly | Ce Ce from A Chicago Mom | Sherry Ann from Teach, Inspire, Love, Raise | Rebecca from Futures

Interested in being a guest host or becoming a permanent co-host?

Complete the form here! Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis.  We’re now accepting guest hosts for July & August.

Here are the Featured posts from last week!

family time
Tenns chose Time Management for Bloggers Part 4-Family Time from The Mom Maven. “I chose this post, because I think bloggers are always looking for better ways to balance the world of family and other priorities. It can be challenging at times, especially with some many things being very time consuming. This post gives a great breakdown of the different things bloggers can do ahead of time to keep a balance and not get overwhelmed or burnt out. Time management is crucial for all of us, but especially for those of us that wear multiple hats and have a full plate.”
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Debbie chose Picasso Flower Art with 1st Graders from Krafts & Kiddos. “I love this idea of using hands to create such sweet pictures. I adore things that incorporate the hands and feet so one day when the kiddos are grown and big we can see just how tiny they were.”
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Katie chose Mud Pit to Built-In Bench from The Coconut Head’s Cancer Survival Guide. “What a transformation! I would love to do something similar in our backyard! The space went from a useless mudpit (literally) to a gorgeous patio space for relaxing and entertaining! Looks like something out of a magazine!!”
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Katy chose Make Your Own Pinterest Board Covers from Houseologic. “MAJOR FAVE!!!! Can’t wait to tackle this. :)”
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Carolyn chose Setting Parenting Goals from Travel Parent Eat. ” I though Anne made a lot of good points about not only setting goals for parenting, but achieving them as well!”
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Cathy chose Banana Caramel Cupcakes from Annie’s Noms. “Banana Caramel Cupcakes sound like the perfect dessert for hubby and I. I love bananas and he loves caramel. I can’t wait to make these!”
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Jillian chose Just The One from Boogers Are Yucky. “She write about her feelings towards having a second child, and why she’s sticking with just the one. It really hit a chord with me because I continue to go back and forth about having more kids. Such a great read!”
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Rebecca chose 8 Tips for Affording A Large Family from Fruitful Families. “I chose this because although I only have one child (and I sometimes find it a struggle with just him!), I have always wondered how both mine and my partners large families could afford the essential items such as food, household items etc and this shows just how to cope with having a larger family.”
Jessica also chose this post. “I love this post because it works for EVERY family big and small. As someone who has been laid off on a few occasions, the tips have helped me try to stay afloat, even now with a job! Thanks for sharing!”
acowboyslife raisingboys
Cindy chose Why I Love Raising a Boy from A Cowboy’s Life. “As a mom of 2 boys, now ages 19 and 21, this post made me smile. I would add that the bond between a mom and her boys is something special. Even now that my 19yo is a full-time missionary traveling the US telling teens about Jesus and my 21yo is getting married in a few months, the bond we have and the time we spend together is precious. Boys of all ages love to have fun and they have very little drama. I love being a mama to boys!”
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Rhonda chose A Stroll Through The Garden from The Coconut Head’s Cancer Survival Guide. “This post was very welcoming and lifted my spirits. I really wanted to enter her garden, the roses were stunning. Great photography skills!”
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Stacey chose “I said WHAAAT?!” Sometimes Moms Say the Darndest Things, Too from Just a Touch of Crazy. “This is amazing and just goes to show that once we become parents we just lose our minds! What a great post and thank you so much for sharing!”
Natasha also chose this post. “It’s so true – children can make you really say the darndest things.  I have said almost everything on this list at some time, but I loved reading about another mom saying the same things! Great post!”
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Rachel chose Free Nursery Printables {SohoSonnet Guest Post} from View From The Fridge. “These are gorgeous! It is so well done and the paper looks like real wood!”
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Ce Ce chose Strawberries and Graham Crackers from Home Is Where The Heart Is. “I love her little ideas on food for kids!”
How to Resell Your Used Items and Buy (1)
The post with the most clicks is How to Store and Prepare Your Used Items for Resale from Chaos & Kiddos: Mommy’s Survival Guide.
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
Epic Mommy Adventures
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And the Best of the Best is…

 

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Mud Pit to Built-In Bench from The Coconut Head’s Cancer Survival Guide
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Just The One from Boogers Are Yucky
As the Best of the Best, you win free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 30 days! Please showcase the badge below with pride on your blog!
Please send an e-mail to Natasha at 1EpicMommy @ gmail.com and she will provide you with all the details!
Epic Mommy Adventures
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So now that you’ve seen the Featured and the Best of the Best and met our hosts and co-hosts…

let’s get started!

  • Show some love to your hosts and co-hosts simply by following them on social media and leaving a comment so they can follow you back.
  • Link up as many posts as you’d like! The more, the merrier!
  • Check out some of the other posts and make some new friends!
Grab the button below and showcase on your sidebar! Invite your fellow bloggers to join the fun!
Epic Mommy Adventures
<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitup1_zps05216d89.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesday! We will feature the favorite posts each week!

Never miss another Turn It Up Tuesday! Sign up for reminder e-mails!

Interested in reading all of the Featured Posts on Turn It Up Tuesdays? Or do want to know if your post was featured before we go live next week? Follow Natasha Peter’s board Featured on Turn It Up Tuesdays! on Pinterest.

Turn It Up Tuesday – Week 37

Welcome to the 37th week of Turn It Up Tuesday!
Thanks so much to everyone that joins us each week and makes this blog hop the best that it could be!

As you may know, Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic…and having fun! Link up your favorite posts and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!

SPONSOR OF THE MONTH

Bex from Futures

BADGE

Bex is a fashion, beauty & lifestyle blogger from the UK. She writes about just about anything & everything: her current day-to-day life, updates on Jack, reviews, shopping hauls, books she’s currently reading. Thank you so much Bex for being our sponsor!

Are you interested in having your blog or website featured in this spot? Then, sponsor Turn It Up Tuesday for a month! Click here! It’s only $5 for an entire month!

Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday!

Untitled design

(from the top – left to right)
Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures | Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings | Jessica from The Wondering Brain | Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise | April from 100lb Countdown | Becka from Probably Craftin | Carolyn from A Lavender Life | Margaret from The Mother Rising | Kae from Where’s My Pacifier? | Rachel from Craving Some Creativity | Cindy from Mom Maven | Shana from Organized Chaos | Rhonda from Mother 2 Mother | Lisa from The ‘Fix It’ Stitch | Karen from Quinton Wench | Jillian from Baby Doodah | Katy from Chaos & Kiddos | Tenns from New Mama Diaries

And welcome our awesome guest hosts for June!

 

TUT Jun 2014 (2)

(from the top – left to right)
Debbie from Heartbeats Soul Stains | Katie from View From The Fridge | Elie from Organizer By Day | Shana from Technotini | Kimberly from Keystrokes By Kimberly | Ce Ce from A Chicago Mom | Sherry Ann from Teach, Inspire, Love, Raise | Rebecca from Futures

Interested in being a guest host or becoming a permanent co-host?

Complete the form here! Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis.  We’re now accepting guest hosts for July & August.

Here are the Featured posts from last week!

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Having Kids
Carolyn chose 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Having Kids from Superheroes in Jammmies. “I could really relate to these ten things and the post had adorable pics to boot!”
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Rhonda chose Water Safety Tips that Parents Need to Know from Kinder Keepsakes. “I selected this post because it only takes a second for an accident to happen in pools or at the beach. This post offers great tips on what parents should do be before entering or allowing their children to enter the water.”
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Jillian chose How To Write An Email That Won’t End Up in Spam from Blog U. “I chose this post because I know how important it is to grab someone’s attention right from the start and to convince them to work with you. That can be tough to accomplish, this has some great tips on what to do so you don’t end up in someone’s “spam.”
SS Stuffed Cabbage Rolls CU1
Shana chose Southern Style Stuffed Cabbage Rolls {Granny’s Recipe} from Cooking with K. “These Southern Style Stuffed Cabbage rolls are not only simple but perfect for a tasty dish! Whether you decide to serve up some sides and make a meal out of it or bring it along to your next potluck these are sure to win over a few tummies!”
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Cindy chose Think Outside The Toybox…Glow Sticks Ideas for Kids from our very own Katie from View From the Fridge. “My boys would have loved making these when they were younger. I may be babysitting a 7yo friend this summer and I am collecting ideas of things we can make together and I think he would love these glow stick lightning bugs.”
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Cathy chose Orange Bundt Cake / Pound Cake from Sumee’s Culinary Bites. “I love to make breakfast from scratch on weekend mornings; when hubby and I have time to eat together. I love baking muffins and breads. I can’t wait to make this recipe this weekend!”
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Katie chose Rustic DIY Wood Plank Clock from Making It In the Mountains. “I am in love with this rustic clock! What a statements piece! Looks like she paid big bucks for this, but Kristi did a great job with this DIY version from pallet wood! It turned out simply stunning!”
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Gurvy chose How To Create An Impressive Email Signature from Blog U. “I admire the simplicity of the tutorial and the choices she’s displayed with examples. I haven’t tried it yet, but you’ll see my signature upgraded by next week :)”
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Debbie chose Beat the Blogging Mental Game with This Awesome Free Printable from HobbytoHot.com. “I absolutely loved this post as I was able to read it just at a time when I needed it most. It’s so easy to get in a blogging rut or feel you aren’t succeeding and this is a great bunch of printable affirmations.”
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Natasha chose Credit Card Lessons for Kids Before They Use Them! from Pragmatic Mom. “This is such a great post with great tips! Since I was taught about money and debt, I had to learn the hard way. I want to make sure that my son is properly educated on all money matters. This post is definitely a great start.”
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The post with the most clicks is How To Rock Your Blog With Image Maps from Joyful Life.
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
Epic Mommy Adventures
<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitupbuttonfeature1_zps09bd5c75.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

And the Best of the Best is…

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10 Things Nobody Tells You About Having Kids
10 Things Nobody Tells You About Having Kids from Superheroes in Jammmies
As the Best of the Best, you win free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 30 days! Please showcase the badge below with pride on your blog!
Please send an e-mail to Natasha at 1EpicMommy @ gmail.com and she will provide you with all the details!
Epic Mommy Adventures
<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitupbuttonbest_zps00692ef1.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

So now that you’ve seen the Featured and the Best of the Best and met our hosts and co-hosts…

let’s get started!

  • Show some love to your hosts and co-hosts simply by following them on social media and leaving a comment so they can follow you back.
  • Link up as many posts as you’d like! The more, the merrier!
  • Check out some of the other posts and make some new friends!
Grab the button below and showcase on your sidebar! Invite your fellow bloggers to join the fun!
Epic Mommy Adventures
<div align="center"><a href="http://epicmommyadventures.com" title="Epic Mommy Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://epicmommyadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/200pxturnitup1_zps05216d89.png" alt="Epic Mommy Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Link up your posts, make some friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesday! We will feature the favorite posts each week!

Never miss another Turn It Up Tuesday! Sign up for reminder e-mails!

Interested in reading all of the Featured Posts on Turn It Up Tuesdays? Or do want to know if your post was featured before we go live next week? Follow Natasha Peter’s board Featured on Turn It Up Tuesdays! on Pinterest.

Why You Should Listen to Your Instinct

 

Do you know the difference between intellect and instinct?  I hear you grumbling, who doesn’t know that right.  Our intellect
is information that we have gathered and retained over the course of years.  However, our instinct is what drives us to put that information to use. Bishop T.D. Jakes says “Your intellect tells you to load the gun, your instinct tells you to pull the trigger”.   Today we we’re going to discuss tips on empowering yourself.  Furthermore, those tips include why you should listen to your instinct.
Unfortunately, most of us ignore our instinct better known as  a “gut feeling”.   You know that funny feeling that you get about something or someone.  Sometimes our instinct tells us when something could possibly be wrong, but it also tells us when something could be right.  So many times we end up in bad relationships or miss out on opportunities because we ignored our gut feeling.  When we look back, we realize all the signs were there.  We stomp and get angry because we ignored what we saw or heard and tell ourselves over and over, I should have listed to my gut.
Our instinct could lead you to your passion or better yet your destiny.  At this point in my life, I’m not sure if I have arrived at my destiny, but I have arrived at quite a few of my passions.  Fortunately, I have arrived in a much calmer place and I’m able to see things clearer.  I arrived here because I learned to listen to my instinct and than connect to my intellect.  Once I connected to my intellect and instinct, I learned to sit still and think about what I’m feeling and why.  Know that you’re feeling some kind of way for a reason.  Think about what you may have seen or hear or if you’re happy, sad or
fearful.
Because I’m now in tune intellectually and emotionally, I have learned to remove myself from unhealthy relationships.  I have learned to say no, I need to take care of me and not feel guilty.  Here’s how I learned to empower myself:
1. I learned that what someone else is doing may not be my destiny.  I use my creativity and make things work for me in my way and style.

2. I thought about what I liked and what I wanted to do.  This helped me to develop a map and determine the roads that I needed to take to arrive at my passions.  I am still working on my destiny.

3. I started asking questions and answering them honestly.   This will help you decide what direction you should go in.  You may need to leave a relationship, company or situation and at the very least change some things in your life.

4.  If you’re not feeling good about your relationship, job or whatever you’re involved in you may need to reassess it.  Don’t second guess yourself, it’s your institution talking to you.  You should be happy or have a feeling of satisfaction about what you’re doing or involved in.  If not, why do it or stay in.

 

Turning Wedding Gowns Into Angel Gowns: NICU Helping Hands

preemies, NICU

I wanted to share a story with you that touched my heart in so many ways.  These beautiful gowns that you see on the left were made for babies who never make it home from the hospital.  They are made from donated wedding gowns, so the mothers can use them to send their precious babies home to be with the Lord.
As many of you know, my Zarriah was a preemie.  She entered the world at 31 weeks weighing 2lbs. 10ozs, and fought for her life for 3 months in the NICU at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Norfolk, VA.  I’m proud to say that she is still fighting and gets time out quite often, lol.  I must also say those were 3 of the most heart wrenching months of my life.  I will always be grateful for the nurses in the NICU for their skills and the love they show the babies and parents. I am most grateful that my Zarriah survived, but my heart still bleeds for those precious babies who do not.

A lady by the name of Lisa Grubbs, founder of Angel Gowns at NICU Helping Hands, came up with the idea of turning wedding gowns into Angel Gowns to help grieving mothers in 2013.  Her husband is a specialist for premature babies.  The gowns are provided free of charge to families and hospitals across the country.  The tears are flowing as I write this post, because I can’t imagine any loss greater than the loss of a child.  I understand the fight, and I cry for those who loss their precious baby.  I also cry for those who fought the fight and won.  I understand the confusion, the despair, the desperation, sleepless nights and the many prayers.

I also know that a mother and father would be grateful to have a picture of their angel in one of these beautiful gowns as a memory, and to be able to send them on to their Heavenly Father in one will certainly help ease the pain if only for a moment.  

I’m always amazed at other’s creativity and their thoughtfulness of others.  I’m hoping that my daughter will donate her wedding gown, as she too understands the fight.  The organization is able to make approximately 12 “Angel Gowns” from one wedding dress, and all work is done by volunteers.  They are shipped across the country to hospitals for families who request them.  
I will continue to pray for families who are fighting the fight.  May each and every one be blessed in their despair or victory.    


Note:  Photo courtesy of NICU Helping Hands.  

10 Benefits of Vegetable Gardens

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on the benefits of vegetable gardens.  Backyard gardening is a rewarding experience.  And, there’s nothing better than fresh vegetables in the summer and throughout the winter months.  My grandfather had huge gardens when I was growing up. He planted enough vegetables for his kids and their kids. There was a catch, the grandchildren had to help weed the field, I mean garden.  It looked like a field and felt like one when we had to walk it and pull weeds. But, backyard kitchen gardening becomes a part of your soul.  You connect with nature and the earth.  

 

benefits of vegetable gardens

 

 

I remember the garden holding tons of tomato plants, green beans, peas, onions, corn, greens and the list goes on. The garden became a part of my soul. For as long as I can remember, I thought about my own vegetable garden.  I decided to finally put one in several years ago, and I look forward to digging in the dirt each spring.

It’s time for me to decide what I want to grow this season.  I planted garlic in the fall, and I saw green sprouts yesterday.  I was unsuccessful last year, so I’m really excited.  My freezer is full of squash, peppers and, zucchini now, so I was thinking that I wouldn’t plant any. It dawned on me that others aren’t as fortunate, they would love to have fresh veggies this summer.  So, for the veggies that I don’t use or give to my family, I can take to a food bank.

 

benefits of vegetable gardens

 

 

Benefits of Vegetable Gardens:

  1. Saving on your food bill.
  2. Having delicious vegetables for summer gatherings and snacking.
  3. Making your own tomato sauce for pizza and pasta.
  4. Freezing vegetables for use during the winter.
  5. Sharing your bounty with neighbors, family and friends.
  6. It’s a great way to exercise and get fresh air.
  7. It’s a great way to relieve stress.
  8. Learning to grow a variety of vegetables is educational.
  9. Provides an opportunity to bond with my grandchildren.
  10. Growing produce from seed is challenging and rewarding.

 

Finally, Urban Gardening has become popular too. So, growing fresh vegetables in small places is possible.  A little creativity, and you can have fresh garden vegetables at your door. Fresh vegetables are being grown on decks, patios and balconies. How you ask?  In containers.  Furthermore, the containers can be paint buckets from Lowe’s or Home Depot, planters, or old whiskey barrels. Use your imagination.  Grow lettuce, peppers, tomatoes or herbs.  Herbs can be grown in small flower pots and don’t take up much space.  You can place these in your kitchen window, and they really enhance dishes.  Start small, but start growing your own greens.  See my post on vertical gardening.

 

Help Me Improve Mother 2 Mother Blog

I’ve asked this question a hundred times, how do I increase my followers?  I’ve also asked this question, how do I get my readers to comment?  I decided to go to my readers for the answers, after all, you’re following me and at times you leave comments.  

What enticed you to follow Mother-2-Mother blog?  What type of posts do you find interesting on the blog and what would you like to see more of?  A new year is on the horizon and I would like to implement your ideas in 2011, so please feel free to be honest and help me get my creativity on.     

Little Miss Perfect

Little Miss Perfect! Have you watched the show? I watched two shows last night for the first time, and frankly I found them appalling. The shows were reruns, the new season hasn’t started yet, but it gave me an opportunity to decide whether or not I would watch the new season. Little Miss Perfect is the typical pomp and pageantry where little girls are made up like grown women, wearing hair extensions and $500 – $1000.00 dresses and outfits. It made me think of JonBenet Ramsey. Maybe that’s why I have a problem with it.
One of the shows that I watched featured a mother who was upset because she had to explain to her daughter why the judges didn’t think she was pretty enough to win. Here’s the story. The little girl’s name is Shelby. Shelby’s parents live in Florida where they bred and raise reptiles. They didn’t appear to have much money or they are extremely budget conscious, which was surprising because everybody knows that pageants are an expensive business.

During a segment of the pageant, the girls are suppose to wear an outfit that will “Wow” the judges. Shelby’s mother purchased her daughter’s “Wow” outfit from the local Goodwill Store. Once she got it home, she realized that it would not be good enough for the pageant so she asked her husband for advice. Dad suggested that Shelby pose with her pet Python on stage. The mom decides to put together a pair of khaki shorts and irons the letters “Jr. Zoo Keeper” on the shirt for the competition. The python would be the attraction rather than the outfit. I have to give mom and dad credit for creativity. I would have been Wowed by a little girl with a python hanging around her neck. One of the judges thought that it was a great routine and loved it. Another judge felt the python was used because she didn’t have anything else, i.e. talent.

Shelby’s other dresses and outfits for the pageant were made at home by her mother as well. She was adorable, but she was no match for little girls whose moms have spent hundreds of dollars on dresses, hair extensions, professional make up artists, tanning sessions etc.  Why would you expose your daughter to this kind of competition and than be upset when they don’t win? I understand that every mother wants opportunities for their daughter and little girls especially should be taught that beauty is skin deep, but you don’t teach this lesson in the beauty pageant world. Mothers are serious about their daughters winning and they mean business. There is no expense spared, and you have to be able to compete on that level. Shelby’s mother stated that she put her in the pageant to win money for her college fund. She didn’t want her working in a convenience store when she grows up. 

I didn’t place my daughter in pageants although I believe she could have won if I had taken that route.  She choose ballet and cheer leading instead and believe me that world was bad enough. I spent thousands of dollars on ballet lessons and costumes. I actually felt sorry for Shelby’s mom, but there was a moment when I just wanted to slap her and ask what she was thinking. Why would you go up against these women and expose your daughter to this? She was clearly out of element, and now you’re standing here crying because you have to explain why she didn’t win. Wake up honey and get real. The pageant is called Little Miss Perfect. Next time do your home work before you enter your daughter into this type of pageant.

Anyway I won’t be watching the next season’s shows. These two episodes were enough for me. I hope Shelby’s mother recovers from the harsh reality of the pageant world and Shelby finds a place where she’s comfortable. She did a great job.  What’s your opinion of beauty pageants for children?

My Little Picasso – Crayola Paint Review

Look at my little Picasso, he’s creating a master piece. I decided to introduce Xavier to finger paints. He had a ball. I purchased the No Mess Crayola Finger Paint set and I loved it as much as he did. The paint showed up only on the paper. I did put an old sheet under him, I just had hardwood floors installed and I didn’t want to take any chances, but there was truly no mess.

The set comes with an adorable tray in the shape of a hand with 5 paint colors, red, yellow, green, blue, orange, and 12 double wide sheets of the Wonder paper. I like he fact that the hand is sturdy and stays in place on the table. The lids covering the paint are easy to open; however, for a 2 year old they will need assistance.
Xavier enjoyed sticking his fingers into the paint and was amazed when the colors magically appeared on the paper. He was so funny using the sponge. I tried to get him to wipe his fingers with it, but he wasn’t interested. I decided to show him how to sponge paint. He’s only 2, I didn’t think it would hold his interest. Wrong. He’s quite astute, and caught on quickly as to how he should dip the sponge into the paints and than apply it to the paper.

Here’s my Little Picasso taking a break. Painting makes baby thirsty. This set is recommended for 3+, but Xavier didn’t have a problem using the set. I like to challenge him with toys (as long as they don’t contain small parts), books etc. that are recommended for children a year or 2 older than he is. I believe it helps with a child’s advancement.

I would highly recommend this set to any parent who is looking for a rainy day activity or who just wants to expose their child’s creativity on paper. They have the Gel Paint refills, which includes the classic colors shown and additional tropical colors. Purchasing the set will be money well spent.

Paci Clip Give Away

Look what we’ve found. You’re going to love them. Adorable Monkey Tails at BlueZoo Boutique. When owner Laurie Chau contacted me about her Monkey Tails, I just had to spread the word to my readers. They’re available in a variety of designs and colors. My favorite is the Aqua and Chocolate Monkey Tail with the aqua pacifier. It gets 3 snaps and a booty shake. It goes in grandma’s bag of fabulicious finds.

If you like unique, you’ll love the Diaper Pockets and Swaddle Wraps at the BlueZoo Boutique The Diaper Pocket holds a wipe case and 2 – 3 diapers. The Swaddle Wraps can be found in a variety of fun fabrics.

Laurie’s creativity doesn’t end there. She has fabulous Paci Pockets too. You’re wondering what a Paci Pocket is right? Well, I’m not going to tell you. You have to check this site out for yourself. I will tell you this, BlueZoo Boutique is offering one of our readers a personalized Monkey Tail. You choose the Monkey Tail and Laurie will personalized it up to 8 letters. Aren’t you glad you follow Giggles & Sugar Kisses and you’re one of the first to know about this great give away.

Here’s how you could become a winner: visit BlueZoo Boutique and leave us a comment on your favorite item. If you’re a subscriber of our blog, double your chances to win and enter twice. If you’re a subscriber to Giggles & Sugar Kisses’ Newsletter and the blog, you can become a triple threat and enter three times.

This give away ends January 5, 2009 and is open to US Residents 18+ only. Failure to leave a comment and a valid email address will result in disqualification. Have fun browsing BlueZoo Boutique and good luck.