Toddler Bag

My 2 year old has taken to wanting to carry his own bag around when we go out so we packed it up with his favorites and a few extras. Think of it as a mini diaper bag just for him. He loves it too! He will open it up and grab what he wants from it. 

My parents bought the boys bags for Christmas and was able to find this one (click here) in toddler size. I was surprised by how much we could fit into it and how sturdy it is. The front shell is a harder material and the back and straps are padded for comfort. There are two mesh pockets on the sides for his sippy or water bottle. 

 Inside we have enough diapers for the day, a change of clothes, full pack of wipes, snacks, hungry hippo like game, sun glasses and his pencil bag filled with toys. He likes finger puppets, a couple cars and the frogs.

Walmart Baby Box

We received a Walmart baby box in the mail and it was filled with some nice samples like the other boxes/bags we have gotten but this one also had a few new items that we are excited to try and use. Like the other packages you have to make a registry and then you request the box online. It takes a couple weeks according to their website but ours came within a week. 

 Outside box has a cute owl and confetti printing on it. It came wrapped in plastic but the plastic didn't protect it fully from our Michigan rain. We had a few wet spots where it had torn or the edges had been sealed 

opening and looking inside the box

Some of the same samples from before. We don't usually use bottles so this will get added to the bottle stash we have and I will use it in Diaper Cakes and Baby shower gifts. I do plan to breastfeed again so I'm excited to have more storage bags and nursing pads. 

 This is a new one. Carter's Onsie Size 3M. It is a star print and in grey so it can be used for boys or girls. We LOVE carters clothing and this is a definite worth it! 

Another New sample to us is the NanoBebe pack. Inside was their milk storage bags, nursing pads and a binky. The binky is in a gumdrop binky type of shape and we have heard good reviews on them. The storage bags are in the same shape as the bottles and I am interested to see how they are in use. I am also curious to try the bottles once we get to that point. 

Repeat samples. Again I love having the laundry soap samples for when we travel. usually we don't do laundry on the road but you never know when that one time you need it happens. These are perfect for the duffel bag or back pack. One time use and toss. 

Diapering samples. This box had size 2 samples! Pampers pure diapers and wipes in the bag and then a sample pack of wipes. We use these in our diaper bag if it's a quick run I can even toss them in my purse with a single diaper for in the store. 

We also had travel sample for Aveeno Baby, perfect for the diaper bag. New Sample: a travel size Desitin. We have had to use our fair share on the boys after having allergic reactions to several diaper brands. We have also used it on diaper heat rash to help sooth the discomfort. 

  

Sample and coupon flyers

Another Fun find in the box was this cute envelope. In the envelope was cards for monthly milestones and a few development milestones. Cute idea for pictures of baby as they grow.

Gifts for Those Who Have It ALL

OK So I am trying to help my mom with a birthday gift shopping. The challenge is: The pre-teen birthday girl comes from a well off family and she tends to get really nice and lots of gifts from family. 

What is your solution for shopping trips like this? I have the same problem for a few people who tend to buy what they want or need when they want or need it.... can you say PAIN IN THE BUTT to shop for?

Anyway this was a couple ideas I found for my mom and her pre-teen gift:

* Nail Polish

* Toe Separator

* Polish Remover

* Nail Gems/ Stickers

* Lotion 

* Journal

* Gel Pens/ Color Pens

* Cute Socks/ Flip Flops

* Round Beach Towel

* Hair Ties/ Head Bands

I told her to skip the makeup because you never know what another mom wants her child to wear or if she is ready for her daughter to be seen out and about with it on. Leave that one to mom, After all that's how she was with my 2 sisters and I. 

Another hard person I have to shop for several times a year are my in-laws. What ever we get we have to ship or have delivered to them. I am a crafter and love to make things personalized so having to buy it off Amazon and then ship it is hard for me, Although Nate Loves it because it costs WAY LESS. So how do we shop to fit them? 

We try to shop their interests, for my father in law he loves Harry Potter so we have bought HP Swag. The kids call him PAPA so we have done the PAPA Bear Shirts. My Mother in Law loves the Beach and anything relating to it so we have made a beach themed wreath. She also loves photos of the grand kids around so she now has several photo holders she can change the prints out of. 

My parents have a lot of remodel work at their home so we try to find something they need for a project they are working on or something to go with the project. We've gotten tools, supplies, kitchen items (several got lost in a move). 

So to recap Shop the persons:

* Age (check with Mom and Dad for littles)

* Interests/ Hobbies

* Nick Names

* Photos

*Projects 

* Things They Lost

When all the above fail and you can't think of anything unique buy a visa gift card or a card to their favorite store, gaming system or movie theater and put it into some kind of fun packaging.  

What are your tips and tricks for shopping for your difficult people?

Summer Fun List

How do you make the best our of your Summer? How do you make it so you don't fall into the bland and then realize that summer is half gone? For us we make a list. We have done this since we got married and each year is a little different. Let me walk you though this years process. 

We gathered our kids up in one place. We live in the country so this was easy to do on a car ride, it takes us about 20-30 minutes to get anywhere. Entertainment for the kids and a to do list made for summer. Our kids are 6, 4 and 2 all boys and a baby girl on the way so their ideas were all over the place. 

Summer Fun List

□   Go to the Zoo

□   Go to the Aquarium

□   Go Camping

□   Go to the Beach

□   Go Fishing

□   Go to the Splash Pad

□   Go to the Fair

□   Eat at Food Truck Rally

□   Find Shells/Rocks

□   Go on a Hike

□   Monster Truck show

□   Tye-Dye

□   Drive-In Movie

□   Water War

□   Fireworks

□   BBQ with Friends

□   Watch a Parade

□   S’mores

□   Go Bowling

□   Family Photos

□   Berry Picking

□   Make Ice Cream

□   Sell Lemonade

□   Road Trip

□   Decorate Flip Flops

□   Eat Root beer Floats

□   Ice Cream Parlor

□   Ride a Train

□   Picnic

□   Go to a Carnival

□   Send Postcards

□   Paint Rocks

□   Make Sidewalk Art

□   Go to a Petting Zoo

□   Read/ Listen to a Book

□   Squirt Gun Painting

□   Scavenger Hunt

□   Cook on Fire

□   Have a Family Game Night with Friends

□   Fly a Kite

□   Plant Flowers

□   Go to a Great Lake

□   Star Gazing

□   Build Something with Wood

□   Sew Something

□   Eat Smoothies

□   Glow Sticks

□   Visit a Historical Site

□   Car Wash

□   Eat Watermelon

□   Camp in the Yard

□   Day of Service

□   Take Pictures of the sun Setting

□   Make a Book

□   Play Mini Golf

□   Scrapbook it all

I typed up the list and printed it on sticker paper and then Stuck that to a fun scrapbook paper and pinned it to our pin board with all the other event flyers and invitations we have for the summer. I also printed a smaller copy and put it into my planner for when we are out and about. I also keep my planners from year to year as a family history log (I'm not the best at keeping a daily journal) 

 

Here are some other ideas for your summer plan making. 

https://www.unoriginalmom.com 

Designate each day of the week with a theme and then make a list of things that can fall under each one. Look for community events and things you can do at home within your budget. 

https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com

Make up some punch cards and mark off as kids finish each and turn their cards in for outings, events or prizes. You can set each card up based on their age and interests