Family Christmas Card Ideas, 2015 #Shutterfly

This post brought to you by Shutterfly.// Happy Monday! Can you believe how close we're getting to Christmas? Are you in the holiday spirit yet? Receiving cards from friends and family during the holidays always brings a smile to my face and some cheer to our space, as I display them for us to enjoy throughout the month. This year, I partnered with Shutterfly to create a personalized Christmas card to send out.

For me, the beauty of browsing Shutterfly's selection of holiday cards is that it's a "one stop shop." This is such a busy time of year with birthdays, dance team, Nutcracker rehearsals, school projects, and more. I love that Shutterfly makes shopping so easy with quick ways to search and filter through the many colorful and trendy designs they offer.

This year, Shutterfly has a gorgeous add-on option of lined envelopes, which I think is a lovely little detail. They also have matching address labels, gift stickers, and new ornament cards! Quality paper, pretty detailing on the edges, very sturdy. You can really tie in the whole package with your holiday theme.

My favorite feature is that you can add photos, quotes, verses, greetings, and more to the back of your cards now.

I chose the Beautiful Bough Border design this year. It took me ages to make up my mind, but I decided on this one because I loved the whimsical garlands. The quote I chose to add to the back of our card design is from Dickens.

“Christmas time! That man must be a misanthrope indeed, in whose breast something like a jovial feeling is not roused— in whose mind some pleasant associations are not awakened— by the recurrence of Christmas.”

I took the photos again myself this year, no small feat in that it was just myself and the three kids, wandering the grounds of a local historic home. It's never easy to get a shot where all three are smiling and looking in the right direction, but I managed a couple.

If the idea of holiday cards makes you nervous, I highly recommend letting Shutterfly give you a hand. I consider our cards to be a keepsake that I can treasure in our family album years down the road.

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.



 Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Shutterfly, but all opinions are 100 percent my own.

Snack Station for On the Go Kids

Keep reading to see how Honey Maid Go Bites fit in with our on the go snack routine.

I'm a dance mom. There, I said it. Okay, maybe not like those dance moms you see on TV...the ones who sit rigidly through their childrens' modern dance classes, their hawk eyes peeled for any little minutiae of a mistake that they can rehash with their child over and over in the parking lot while the sun sets. But I am a mom. A mom who used to dance and enjoy dancing. A dance mom. And now my two lovely daughters dance and enjoy dancing. Ballet, Jazz, and Musical Theatre. It makes me proud to see them practice and perform.

The only real drawback is the time we spend in the car, shuttling to and from the dance studio. With two girls, and five dance classes a week...we're lucky the studio isn't far! Being on the go during those weekday afternoons means that we have to be quick with our after-school routine on dance days. 

The only thing more annoying than "What?! We're having that for dinner?" is the "We don't have any good snacks."

The girls gave the new Honey Maid Go Bites the after school snack test last week, and they were a hit! Even their baby brother loved them. Seriously, he stands in front of the cabinet, pointing up, and grunting small manly baby grunts.

I use little plastic containers to fill up with a few snacks before it's time to leave, so there's no rushing around or frantic tossing things together at the last minute. Stashing them in a cute metal snack station on our kitchen sideboard makes everything easy.

These are more of a treat than my kids normally get for snacks, so we add fresh fruit or veggies. Paired with a water bottle, banana, carrot sticks, raisins, or some apple slices, my girls are fueled up and ready for an hour or two of dance before dinner.

We keep the snack station on hand for those "grab and go" days. Making up the little snack containers beforehand also keeps portions under control. (I'm guilty of over-snacking by eating right out of the box so it's really more for me...who said moms can't enjoy a snack now and then too?)

As a mom, what do I love about our new snack?

• No high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors
• 5 grams for protein per serving
• 7 grams of whole grain per serving

And my kids just plain love the taste.

We're happy to have a fun new snack to make dance afternoons a little bit easier!

What do your kids love to snack on after school?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments, Facebook shares, and Tweets!

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

LeapFrog LeapTV Review {Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids}

This post brought to you by LeapFrog.// I had the good fortune of being asked to write up a review of what my kiddos thought of LeapFrog's new LeapTV gaming system. I'm going to tell you why this toy was a hit with my kids...and me.

If you haven't heard about the new LeapTV, it's an all new gaming system designed to get minds and bodies moving. Although it was created for kids ages 4 to 7, my 8 year old had just as much fun playing as did my 6 year old and their 4 year old cousin.

What makes LeapTV special?

• 3 ways to play: body motion (the camera catches them and they can see themselves on the TV!), classic control (it can tilt and shake for gaming fun), and pointer play (the control transforms into a pointer!)
• Designed specifically for young children with age-appropriate games
• Reinforces learning through movement (kids wiggle, jump, point, and swipe to play)
• Games adapt to your child (the games automatically level as your child's progresses in proficiency)

Why did my kids (even the 8 year old!) love it?

Set-up only took a couple of minutes, so they didn't have to bounce around waiting. They figured out how to use the controls themselves in no time at all, and had a blast choosing from fun games to play. Our system came loaded with Kart Racing, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sofia the First, and some others. These were pre-loaded for review purposes, but all are available in the library of 100+ game cartridges (approved by educators!), downloads, and videos! The system has WiFi, so you can download games with your account without having to be at your laptop.

My problem solver oldest loved that she had to answer some math questions in order to play the racing game, and the creative middle child enjoyed practicing her reading skills with Sofia. The dog even looked interested (see above), and so did the baby, who picked up the TV's remote control and tried to swipe it around.

Why did I (mom) love LeapTV?

As a mom who is conscious of the ever encroaching toy clutter around this time of year, I had to do a little cheer when I saw how small and unobtrusive the gaming system is. No big, unwieldy plastic pieces that require their own shelf on the media center. Everything goes neatly back into the media center when they're finished playing.

Another plus? It’s super easy to put together, and the kids were able to figure out how to navigate between games soon after we took it out of the box. Nice graphics, although the sound was a bit off on the initial run…could have been our TV though.

While I limit my kids’ screen time already, I like that when they do have LeapTV time, they are generally up and moving. No sitting like bumps on a log, staring at a screen.

This is a great Christmas purchase, especially if you have more than one kiddo in the 4 to 7 age range…they will love playing against each other…alongside some of their favorite characters!

Well done, LeapFrog! Their new gaming system would make an excellent addition to a Christmas wish list for kids 4 to 7.

What's the top toy on your kiddos' wish list this year?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.



Disclosure: LeapFrog provided my family with a LeapTV system for review purposes, but I was not paid to write this post. All opinions are, as always, 100 % my own.

Interview with Mia Hamm: Parenting, Exercise, and Technology!

This post brought to you by LeapFrog.// The folks at LeapFrog recently gave me the chance to interview soccer legend Mia Hamm, and as a huge UNC fan, of course I jumped at the chance! Mia was one of the main guests at LeapFrog's recent "Fit Made Fun" day, so I sent her a few of my own questions about the challenges of  raising active, healthy kids in a world that depends increasingly on technology. Mia's interview was videotaped, and you can view it below!

{If you're reading this post in a reader or email, you'll have to click over to the blog to view the video. Or you can view it here if for some reason the video doesn't pop up.}

Well, I think she pretty much hits the nail on the head, don't you? It's up to me as a mom to set a good example for my children. This was somewhat convicting for me to hear. I do a pretty good job of encouraging my kiddos to eat healthy and stay active...but I do not do a great job of it myself.

I love that Mia shares her own personal experience and tips as a mom of two girls. I like her practical tips for getting the family moving together. Thanks, Mia! (Go 'Heels!)

I'm excited to see that not only is LeapFrog remaining committed to their goal of providing educational toys, but now they're venturing into the world of exercise! I've mentioned before that I limit my kids' screen time. I prefer to have them focus on reading, homework, imaginative play, etc. after so many hours in a classroom each day. They stay pretty active with play time and three days of dance a week, but we could be doing a better job of staying active as a family and/or getting moving at home.

The new LeapBand is a wearable activity tracker that gets kids moving with 50 different activities and challenges. The more they engage in active play, they get to interact with their own virtual pet. They get to have fun and track their progress!

I'll have a full review of the LeapBand up on the blog in a week or so, but for now I can say that this is a fantastic item to put on your "must-buy" list for a special child's Christmas this year!

How do you encourage healthy habits in your home? Let's encourage each other today!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.



Disclosure: This post was sponsored by LeapFrog, but all opinions are 100% my own. I was not financially compensated for this post, but will receive a LeapBand in exchange for my interview post.

Nesting Fever: A Swiffer Bissell Steamboost Giveaway!

This post brought to you by Swiffer. In the last weeks of a pregnancy, many moms experience a slightly insane urge to clean, purge, organize, and straighten. I have been no different. Today I'm partnering up with Swiffer and Bissell to give away a new Swiffer Bissell Steamboost. Keep reading enter and to see how this baby can bring some shine to your home, just in time for the holidays.

We live in a 1970s Colonial. I'm not sure how old our vinyl flooring is, but it was here when we moved into the house 10 years ago. It's an off-white and gray combo. Between two adults, two small kids, one tiny fluffball dog, and one large messy dog, it can be a disaster area. German Shepherds are prone to shedding, and if I don't keep up with it, the kitchen sports tumbleweeds of dog hair and paw prints. Blech.

Not the environment I want to bring my new baby home to.

But a new steam mop could help, right?

No pricey cleaning solutions are needed. You just fill the Steamboost tank with water, attach the special steam pad, plug the unit in, and you're ready to do some steam cleaning in about 30 seconds. Dirt doesn't stand a chance! Swiffer tells me that the Steamboost is safe for linoleum, vinyl, ceramic tile, marble, stone, and sealed hardwood floors.

Whether you're welcoming guests into your home this holiday season, bringing home a new addition, or you are just plain tired of wrestling with your old mop and bucket, the Swiffer Bissell Steamboost would be a fantastic purchase. Consider adding it to your wishlist for Santa!

I'm giving away 1 Swiffer Bissell Steamboost to a lucky Serenity Now reader!

Please use the rafflecopter widget below to enter (and note that I do verify enteries):
-UPDATE: GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Giveaway open until 12 am EST on Saturday, November 16th! Please see the rafflecopter widget above for sweepstakes rules.

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.





Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post, but Swiffer did send me a Steamboost in exchange for this Giveaway. All opinions are 100 percent my own, as always.

Shutterfly Holiday Cards and Photo Gifts (Giveaway!)

This post brought to you by Shutterfly. It's that time of year again. I know I'm not the only one planning ahead for Christmas outfits, cards, and gifts. With a new baby on the way this month, I'm scouting out card and gift choices ahead of time. Fortunately, Shutterfly has a fantastic line up of holiday cards and adorable photo gifts to choose from. As a Shutterfly customer, I couldn't wait to share this year's options with you. And guess what? One lucky reader will win for $50 off his/her order total and free shipping! Keep reading to enter....

There are plenty of designs to choose from this year that are both stylish and affordable!

New card design styles for 2013 include a 5x7 folded tri fold as well as back-of-card designs!

Here are a few of my faves from the card and photo gift lines:

It's a Wonderful Life Flurries:

Captured Moments:

Winter Wonderland Wreath:

Photo Necklace (I own one and get compliments on it all the time!):

Holiday Snowflakes Deco Rectangle Metal Ornament:

This is what you can expect from Shutterfly's holiday card collection:

• Classic: Traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes, monogram  

• Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter, Instagram pictures are perfect for this style

• Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments 

• Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun

• Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas 

• Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights

You guys know I don't endorse companies or products that I don't care for. Shutterfly has been my go-to spot for Christmas cards, photo gifts, and a yearly calendar gift for years now. I love their products! Here's what our Christmas card looked like last year (names blocked out):

Now for the fun part! 

-Shutterfly is offering 1 Serenity Now reader $50 off an order, plus free shipping!-

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter and note that I do verify entries:

-UPDATE: GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open until 12 am EST on November 11, 2013. See widget for details.

*Don't forget that Shutterfly is hosting a Twitter Party on November 15th at 8 pm ET, #PhotosYouLove. Be sure to RSVP to the @ResourcefulMom sign up page.

Good luck!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.




Disclaimer: I will be compensated for this post with product, but as always, all opinions are 100 percent my own!

Organizing Shelves and Bins for Craft Supplies (Utilizing My WorkBox)

This post brought to you by The Original ScrapBox. Have you been following my journey to an organized family space for crafting and play? Things are slowly but surely coming together with my new WorkBox from The Original ScrapBox! I think I might just get it all done before the baby gets here if I keep plugging away. A few of you wondered about the ease of adding the shelving and bins to the WorkBox, so I thought I'd share a few quick pics and a quick video.

It's a bit daunting to look at an empty WorkBox and see all those little holes waiting to be filled with the plastic shelf brackets:

My top tip? Look at the instructions! They will tell you exactly which holes to place the brackets in to properly fit every bin. You can always customize later, but I found it was easiest to follow the directions and go from there.

I had T help me install some of the shelves, especially the ones that I had a hard time reaching (baby belly kept me from getting into the back of the highest spots). The bins were a breeze! Along with the velcro pouches, the bins come flattened in boxes like this:

Putting them together is as simple as opening the bin, slipping the sturdy lined bottom piece in, and popping it onto a shelf. The skinny bins also have a "stabilizer" that goes into the back; just a quick extra step, but it helps them hold more.

I won't lie. It was pretty exhilarating to look at that big WorkBox full of empty bins, just waiting to be filled with crafty goodness. I know I can't be the only one who gets a kick out of empty bins, right? Right?

Here's a very quick video I put together to show you just how easy the shelves and bins are. It was hard to film one-handed, but I wanted to give you a close-up look before the big reveal. (You'll have to click over to the blog to see the video if you're viewing this in a reader or email! I had some trouble with it last night, but hopefully it will work today)

                        

I'm almost finished adding my stuff to the WorkBox...I can't believe it! Stay tuned for a look at how we will use our extra space for a mom and kid play area. And there just might be a fun little Giveaway from my friends at The Original ScrapBox!

What's your favorite part of the organizing process?

(Side note: Please do keep us in your thoughts and prayers today. I have an ultrasound scheduled to take a peek at baby boy's kidneys. Thank you!)

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.





Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by The Original ScrapBox, but I was not financially compensated for this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

LeapFrog Prize Pack Giveaway!

This post brought to you by LeapFrog. Last year's LeapFrog Prize Pack Giveaway was such a success that I agreed to run another one this year. If you read Tuesday's post, then you know that LeapFrog toys, games, and apps are developed and designed by learning experts...content is key for kids! This year, one lucky Serenity Now reader will win an awesome pack of LeapFrog items. Believe me, it will make for a very happy little boy or girl on Christmas morning! Keep reading to enter to win....

This year, LeapFrog is generously offering the following prize pack:

- 1 LeapPad 2 Power
- 2 Games (to be chosen by LeapFrog)
- 1 $20 app card

Valued at $170.00!

Pretty awesome, huh? This pack takes care of a big chunk of Christmas for someone. Or you could split the games and apps between multiple children if you already own LeapFrog gaming systems. (And you know how fab they are!)

*Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the Giveaway, and note that I do verify entries!*

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Giveaway is open until 12:00 am on Monday, October 14, 2013. Please see the Rafflecopter widget for complete sweepstakes rules.

*Be sure to stop by tomorrow morning at 8 am EST to share your best post of the week at my weekly link party, Weekend Bloggy Reading. Features go up every Monday morning!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.



Disclaimer: I will receive a LeapFrog Prize Pack in exchange for this post, but it is not financially compensated. All opinions are, as always, my own.

Choosing an Educational Toy for Kids (Holiday Shopping)

This post brought to you by LeapFrog. With baby number three arriving before Christmas this year, I want to complete my gift shopping early to reduce my stress levels! Today's post has some tips for choosing the right educational toy for kids. I hope that they will helpful to any parent, family member, or friend who has special boy or girl to shop for this holiday season. Last week, I interviewed Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos, a childhood and learning expert, and she shared some insight with me on behalf of LeapFrog, which is my favorite source for educational kids' toys. And be sure to stay tuned this week for a fun LeapFrog Prize Pack Giveaway!

My questions for Dr. LeVos included:

1. What are the benefits to a child having his/her own electronic gaming system versus just playing on mom and dad's phone or tablet?

2. For readers on the fence about purchasing a LeapFrog product with separate games/apps, what is the difference between LeapFrog games/books and apps or games you can download to a phone or tablet?

3. What is an appropriate time limit to give young kids for screen time?

4. Can you recommend any specific games or apps that will challenge a young student in their reading or math skills?

5. How can parents reinforce the reading/learning skills that a child is growing through playtime with LeapFrog?

Here is her brief video response (you'll need to click over to the blog if you're viewing this post in a reader):

I hadn't thought about the fact that LeapFrog has really done the work for me...distributing apps and games that are designed and/or approved by an educator. Like most parents, I've tried wading through the free app choices on my phone and have wondered just how "educational" they are...even though they may be marketed as such!

I most appreciated her suggestion of allowing screen time as part of a "balanced diet." Someone affiliated with a company that distributes electronic toys for kids could have easily plugged "stay plugged in, all the time," but Dr. LeVos cautioned against that mentality.

If you have time to watch the short interview video above, I highly recommend it. She gave some great insight to adults looking to purchase educational toys this upcoming holiday season!

Thanks to Dr. LeVos and LeapFrog for sharing with us today!

What's your number one criteria for choosing an educational toy or app?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.




Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by LeapFrog in exchange for product. It is not a financially compensated post. My opinions are, as always, my own.

My New Fall Bag (Thirty-One's Vary You Versatile Bag)

This post brought to you by Thirty One. When I have things organized and I'm not in a rush to get out the door for school pick-ups and drop-offs, dance, church, or an event, I like to switch my handbags around. I'm not generally picky about brand, I like color, and I really really like bags that can accommodate all my stuff. 'Cause this mom has lots of it! When the folks at Thirty-One asked if I'd like to try out the new Vary You Versatile Bag from the new Girl on the Go line, I agreed in a heartbeat. Because "Girl on the Go" describes me to a "T." Keep reading to see why this bag is so cool!

The bag is versatile in more than one way:

Size:
It's large enough to serve as a diaper bag, carry-all tote, travel bag (I'd use it as a carry on), or an every day purse.

Form:
You know those plastic transforming toys that boys are crazy about? Well, this bag is a transformer for girls! I thought that it was so cool that with a quick tuck of the top and straps, you have an entirely new shape...and a new bag.

The fabric is sturdy and looks like it could handle a quick scrub in case of spilled coffee or ground-in cracker crumbs. Because we all know that real life looks like that! I also like the extra pocket on the outside. It's the perfect size for my e-reader and a small electronic toy to keep the girls busy during appointments:

I fell in love with the color, the perfect deep shade of teal for Fall. It would look great with a pair of skinny jeans, a cute sweater, and some riding boots.

The Vary You Versatile Bag retails for $75 and you can order one through any Thirty-One consultant, or you can host or attend a home party and order one that way! The September special is to get 50% off a classic organizing style with every $35 spent. You can find more details here.

Thirty-One sent me a quick little video to show you what I was talking about with versatility. (You'll have to click over to view it if you're seeing this post in a reader)



I own several Thirty-One bags and have always been pleased with the quality, design, and I especially love the monogramming option. You can read my review of the fab camera backpack here.

What does your ideal handbag look like?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.



Disclosure: Thirty One sent me this bag for review purposes, but all opinions are completely and 100% my own, as always. I was not financially compensated for this post.