Elf on the Shelf ??

So what do all you parents out there think about the Elf on the Shelf? I must have had my head barried in the sand forever because I just found out about this little guy after Christmas last year. I am a big one for holiday traditions and think this one would be really fun. Growing up we never had a little elf, but my mother did tell us that Santa assigned every family an elf. Our family elf's name is/was Sebastian. She would tell us that Sebastian watched over us all year, but definitely more as the holiday season grew near. Then Sebastian reported back our behavior to the big guy!! Basically the same concept as Elf on the Shelf except with the elf you have a visual reminder, and a fun holiday tradition of finding the elf when you wake up in the morning, or see where he moved when you get home from school etc.

Naturally, with it being so similar to our own family tradition I wanted to give it a try. My son is about two and a half now and think it would be a good time to start a tradition like that. So gearing up for the holidays (already, I know) I started to do some research on the topic just to find it is quite controversial!! Apparently there are some parents that really hate this tradition. I actually read a blog earlier today that made me really sad for the mom. I guess these parents are all up in arms because of the "overachieving parents" and how they position their elves... It is popular, I guess, to position your elves to do "naughty" things like draw funny faces on family pictures with a dry erase marker... Of course others are more extreme. Some make big messes... Which I understand is a pain because you are making the mess and then you have to turn around and clean it up. I guess the way I feel about it is if you want to do it.. do it. If not then don't.

I think each family can make it their own. One mom was talking about how she just moves its spot in the house, doesn't position him in any special way or make him do funny or naughty things. I think that is fine, it would still be fun for the children to find him in a different spot each day. Some may prefer to go about it in a more unique way and make the tradition more elaborate. Either way, I think if your family has fun with it then its a win! I know I am going to be labeled as one of those "overachieving parents" who drive everyone else crazy, and I'm personally fine with that! I tend to be more elaborate in my traditions, everyone always makes fun of me for my Easter bunny tracks and half eaten cookies from Santa etc. Its not for everyone, but I think that it is fun.


At the end of the day if you are doing what makes your family happy, its a good day! I look forward to making this a fun tradition with my son, but that's just me. What do you guys think? Real parents out there what are your thoughts on the topic?? Please feel free to share ideas and opinions and as always make it a great day! TGIF everyone!!

Fall Frolic

And with the nip in the air it is becoming apparent that Fall is here... Now Fall is definitely my favorite season. Nothing is better than boots, jeans, hoodies, sweaters, bon fires, well, you get the picture. As I was pulling out all of my boots and hoodies last night I got thinking about my fall bucket list. I always try and make everything fun for our little guy. Everyone seems to think that I go a tad overboard... But I think that its the little things that you remember from your childhood. I will never forget all the fun and awesome things my mom did for my brother and I.

For example: My mother every St. Patrick's day would dye the milk in our cereal green and put jelly beans in our shoes (kind of gross thinking back on it now.) Of course we thought that was so cool. Valentines day I can remember making heart shaped pizza with her. We always put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, and much more. I love being able to look back on those memories fondly, and hope some day B will feel the same warm fuzzies when he thinks about his childhood. This got me to thinking aside from Thanksgiving and Christmas why not make the whole season fun, therefore I compiled a bucket list. I may add to it or tweak it a bit but I thought that I would share in hopes that you find something fun to do with your children!!

1. Go to the Apple Orchard. We have went every year since I can remember, sometimes twice. It is definitely a tradition.

2. Bake with mom. Cookies, cake, banana bread, it doesn't matter just spend some time with the little one and let them get down and dirty in some flour.  My little one loves to help in the kitchen and baking is his favorite, mostly because he knows he will get to lick the beaters.  :)

3.Go to the Pumpkin Patch. Its just fun to let the kids romp and play, and make sure to pick a pumpkin while you are there!!

4. Carve/decorate a pumpkin. This one is especially fun to let them get elbow deep in some goo. Carve a pumpkin together as a family and roast the seeds after. Maybe even let the kiddos decorate their own. Not carve but decorate :)

5. Make Carmel apples and give them to friends and neighbors. Nothing screams fall like a good ole Carmel apple!! Make them together and then show them that sharing is caring and give them to your closest friends, family and neighbors.

6. Go on a fall picnic. Pic a day where the sun is shining and go on a picnic. There is just something about a fall picnic that is so peaceful. Maybe its the fact that there are less bugs around.

7. Make some s'mores. Light a nice fire and make some s'mores. Not only are they delicious but everyone loves a good bon fire!

8. Jump in a good pile of leaves. I know sometimes it seems kind of boring to rake leaves... But it could be more fun if you knew you could jump in them after so, at least once Let the kids jump in a big pile of leaves... Heck why don't you give it a try as well??

9. Organize a kid friendly game of football with friends and family. Fall means football season, why not get your nearest and dearest together and for a game?

10. Last but not least have some Halloween fun! Now I know some people don't believe in celebrating Halloween, but I think its fun! It doesn't have to be scary. Have fun trick or treating, or even handing candy out the the kids of the neighborhood. If you do it as a family its bound to be fun!!

I hope you have enjoyed our fall bucket list ideas! I hope this encourages you to try one or try them all!! Please feel free to comment and put your own fall bucket list ideas down. As always have a wonderful day!

Food for thought

Today I came across a quote that I really love, so I thought I would share!

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice
-- Jim Rohn

When I read this quote this morning, It was really what I needed to read. Sometimes we all need a little reminder not to let the little stuff get in the way of having a good and happy life. Sometimes life gets so busy between work, friends, family, and extra curriculars that its hard to keep up. When everything gets piled up around you.. you tend to get stressed out right?? I know I do.

When you start to feel overwhelmed just know that you cannot do everything in one day. Its impossible to be superman or woman!! Just do the best you can... Just keep swimming and remember that your life is what you make it!! Happiness is by choice. So don't worry.. Get happy!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming~~~~~

On the move!

Well it seems I have taken a little break! For that I am sorry. My family and I just moved into our first house! As exciting as that all seems, it was pretty exhausting too. For anyone that is moving hopefully this post will help. I found a few things that made our transition a bit easier.

1. We didn't wait until last minute to pack our things. We stated packing the things we don't use everyday etc about two weeks in advance. Packed up the hall "junk" closet in boxes and left them in the closet etc.

2. As the time got closer to moving, we decided to make sure that everything was packed. We packed up everything in every room except the things that we might need before we moved. Example: We packed the whole bathroom except shampoo conditioner, Q tips, toothbrushes, some towels and other things that we need daily.  We kept an open box or something like that for each family member to put a week and a halves worth of clothes in there, my son kept some night time story books in there. etc

3. I labeled everything "excessively" according to my husband :) I labeled each box with what room it went in on all sides of the box and then made a quick list of what things were in the box. As much as my husband thought it was excessive and a waste of time it actually helped in the long run! As we were unpacking the truck, no matter how the boxes were in there or no matter what side was facing out you always knew right away what room they go to. The lists helped a lot because there is nothing worse that needing to find something and having to open six or seven boxes just to find it. If you label your boxes you will know what box your coffee maker is in, and wont be so cranky the next morning.

4. Have an open first box. The open fist box helped us so much. We put things like paper plates, plastic silverware, cups, our toothbrushes and toothpaste, Always put any daily medicine you take in this box, pajamas, etc.  Just anything we would need our first night in the new home. It was great at the end of that long day to be able to just go to bed after a long night of moving rather than have to unpack twelve boxes to get plates to eat off of, another box to find PJ's, another to find our toothbrushes, etc.

All in all our move went pretty smoothly! We are currently living in the new house and I only have two boxes left to unpack!!! Whoot :) anyways I hope this helps anyone that is moving in the future to make it a smooth transition for your family.