Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Mother/Daughter Valentine's Day Apron ~ Giveaway --- CLOSED!!!

In Celebration of Valentine's Day, I am going to Giveaway these Adorable Ruffled Holiday Print Mother and Daughter Aprons that I made!!!

(close up of the fabrics)


To enter:
Leave a comment.
 Like Adventures In Mommy Land via GFC
Follow Adventures In Mommy Land on twitter
Like Adventures In Mommy Land on facebook

You can also share this post on twitter or facebook, if you like.

Leave a comment for each entry.

 Contest will run until Tuesday, February 7, 2012 midnight est.
Winner will be chosen via random number generator.

*U.S. shipping addresses only, please.

Good Luck!!!!

this giveaway is now closed, winner will be announced upon verification.  thank you to all who participated!

Moms That Blog (The Interviews)

Introducing.....Shelley - she's a stay at home mother of two, who enjoys cooking and trying new recipes.  She also loves sharing her love of cooking with her children and they can often be found in the kitchen right by her side as she cooks and shares her fab recipes and that's what makes her a great Mom That Blogs.


Tell us a bit about yourself.....I am a thirty something stay at home mom with two kids - a five and a half year old daughter and a one year old son. My husband and I eloped in Jamaica, which was pretty much the best thing ever. We've been married for almost ten years now. I have an MBA with a concentration in marketing, and I was a Marketing Manager at a Fortune 500 company. And, though I loved that job, nothing compares to being a Mommy. I can't imagine not being there to watch my kids grow and learn. I love to read, and I dabble in all kinds of crafts, though I am much better at beginning projects than at finishing them sometimes. The other thing I love to do is dance. I danced growing up, danced competitively in college, and will bop around to just about any song I hear.


Tell us 3 fun facts we might be surprised to learn about you......Fun facts, huh? Hmm... well, most people are surprised to hear that I was born in Puerto Rico. My birth certificate is in Spanish and everything. I'm an American citizen, but can still count myself as Puerto Rican if I want to!

I am a twin, which fascinates many people, but to me it's just what it is! The funniest part about that, though, is that my parents didn't know they were having twins until my sister (five minutes older) was born. For a while my name was "surprise!" I have been asked so many times "What is it like to be a twin?" but I have no idea what it is like to NOT be a twin, so it is hard for me to give a real answer.

And I have never been to the West coast. As a matter of fact, I have never been further west (within the US) than Atlanta. Crazy, huh?


When did you first start blogging.....I started blogging in January 2010. I actually started my blog specifically to be able to join the Daring Kitchen - an online community that hosts baking and cooking challenges monthly. While a blog is not mandatory for joining, it is generally intended as a food-blogger community. But now the blog is so much more than just the Daring Kitchen, and I love sharing my crazy kitchen adventures with whoever stumbles across the site.

What is your blog about......My blog is a food blog, but one that incorporates my life as a mommy. I like to incorporate my kids in my cooking and baking, and I feel like both they and I gain so much from the shared experience.


Why do you blog......I blog mostly for fun, but also as a creative outlet. I love my kids and my family, but it is nice to have a challenge for myself outside of that, and for me, taking the pictures, writing up the posts and learning new things has really been a fun challenge.

Must read blogs that you visit daily.....Oh man, well, I have so many friends with blogs, and reading their blogs help me feel like I am keeping up with their lives, even when we live far apart and during those hectic times when we can't really call each other that often. And, as I am always looking for new recipes, I am always finding new food blogs. There is just so much out there!


What inspires you.....So many things inspire me.

Food inspires me - we have to eat three times a day, might as well have fun with it, right?

Nature inspires me - I love using fresh ingredients, and, beyond that, just being outside in the sunshine (well, when it's warm!).

And most of all, my kids inspire me. They keep me motivated and always looking for new and fun projects, both in the kitchen and in life.

Do you have a bucket list, name a few things on it......I don't have a bucket list per se, but there are so many things I want to accomplish in life.

I want to travel - see the world and all of the beautiful places there are. I think the best would be to travel to as many tropical islands as possible with my husband. That would be heavenly.

I want to continue learning new things every day. I don't even care what those things are, I just want, when I think about each day as I am getting into bed, to know that I learned something new.

I want to watch my kids grow into happy, productive, proud adults. Obviously I want them to have happy childhoods - it's what I try to provide them with every day! But furthermore, I want them to be strong, independent people who can be confident in themselves and in the fact that their mommy loves them and trusts them.

Do you have any blogging advice that you would like to share......Be yourself on your blog. I know that so many people like to hide themselves in the online world and put forth the image of themselves that they'd like others to believe, but being yourself, online as in real life, is really the best way to be. I think that the most successful bloggers are those who tell it like it is, warts and all, and who know how to laugh at themselves in the process.


To learn more about Shelley and try her super awesome recipes...check out her blog C Mom Cook
You can also like her fan page on facebook.


Monday, January 30, 2012

Tiny Prints Valentine's Day Cards

Do you remember when you were a child how much fun it was to pick out your valentines?
Did you look for special ones to give to special people?
A secret crush, perhaps?

Do you remember designing and decorating your valentines box?
Did you use an old shoe box?
Did you design something elaborate or just simply wrap your box with paper and put stickers all over it?

Did you scour your valentines looking for clues and hoping to discover you had a secret admirer?
Did you dress up on party day?
Make your own valentines?

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays.
I mean, aside from Christmas and Halloween
I seriously love decorating the house in pink and red hearts.

This year, I was given the opportunity to purchase personalized valentines for the boys from Tiny Prints.


I didn't know that Tiny Prints even sold valentines, did you?
I thought they just did Christmas cards or birth announcements and the like....
but as it turns out, not only do they sell invitations and stationary, they sell

Valentine Cards
and
Valentines Day Greeting Cards

They have so many cute choices to choose from too.

Boy or Girl

You can personalize them with your child's name and/or picture.

Nathan is loving these dinosaur ones 

Reptile Rapture

and these

Silly Monster ones


Nicholas likes these Rock and Roll ones

Rock Ballad

and these

Pirate ones


Whichever one they choose, I'm sure they will be thrilled when that little box comes addressed to them in the mail....almost as much as passing their valentines out to their classmates and friends.

Please take a moment to follow Tiny Prints on Twitter
Like Tiny Prints on Facebook
and if you are on Pinterest, you can follow Tiny Prints boards there as well.


*Disclosure: I will be receiving free valentines day cards from Tiny Prints for sharing this with all of you.

Hey Mom, Look What I Did (#16)

Welcome to week #16 of Hey Mom, Look What I Did!!!

This week Nathan and I worked on his "100 Day of School" project. 


We took 2 large sheets of blue construction paper glued together and cut them into a fish bowl shape.


Then we drew a sandcastle on a sheet of sandpaper and cut it out and glued it to the bottom of the bowl with a strip of sandpaper to represent a sandy tank bottom.


We used "tacky" glue to hold 100 "swedish" fish to the paper.




To make it more sturdy and easier to carry we glued the fishbowl to a sheet of poster board.


That's what WE did this week

how about you...

What did YOU do this week?

Please share your craft projects, baking activities and other fun adventures. Grab the link button and put it on your blog, if you like, so that others can share in the fun too. Also, I invite you to follow this blog via GFC, facebook and twitter..to keep up with our latest activities.



Thanks for joining us....Hope to see you again soon!!

I would also like to extend an invitation to join us for the Momma's Show & Share linky...Where the Moms get to show off what they've been doing all week as well!



Adventures In Mommy Land



Friday, January 27, 2012

Weekend Show & Share

Welcome to the first ever Weekend Show & Share brought to you by Adventures In Mommy Land


Adventures In Mommy Land
 
We've seen what the kids can do...
 
Now it's time to let the mommas have a turn.
 
So.....
 
Moms, what have YOU done this week?
 
Come
 
Show & Share
 
The link party will be up all week....I only ask that you link back to Adventures In Mommy Land.
 
and please spread the news....
 
the more link ups - the more ideas!
 
 ************************************
I've been up to my eyeballs in fabrics and trims sewing, what else...
 
 Aprons
 

I simply can not wait to see what everyone else has been doing!!! I'm Soooo excited!!!


*Just wanted to add that I will be picking some of my favorites to feature on next week's post and/or sharing on my facebook page all week.*
 

Today's Guest Blogger is Lisa....from The Party Works

Lisa is here today to share fun children's activities that you can incorporate and use for birthday parties or as snow day activities to keep the kiddos busy during these cold dreary months.....


Fun Activities for Winter Parties


Whether you have a child with a January birthday, or you just want to throw a party this winter, you may want to plan some activities to keep the children occupied, happy, and having fun. Here are some cold weather crafts that will keep you and your family giggling until spring.

Make Snowflakes

If you have kids that are old enough to handle scissors, you can make snowflakes and put them up as decorations. All you have to do is start with a square piece of paper, fold the paper into a triangle, and then fold it again to make a smaller triangle. From there you can cut your triangle into different shapes. This will allow you and your children to create beautiful, symmetrical snowflakes that you can string together and hang in the kitchen or kid rooms during the winter months.

Cotton Snowmen

When it’s too chilly to make a real snowman outside, you can always grab some construction paper and cotton balls to make craft snowmen/women.

Winter Treats

A great way to teach kids how to cook early is to make cooking fun, and there’s no better time than the winter season to cook up a storm! Brownies can be cut out in the shape of snowmen and powdered with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. Make your latkes smile with a red pepper smile and green pea eyes. Pretzels can be dipped in meltable white chocolate (fondue chocolate works the best for this activity) then decorated with blue sprinkles.

Snow Globe

If you’ve never made a snow globe, now’s your chance! Just take a small jar with a lid, forest clay, a small winter figurine, and white and silvery glitter for your snow. Attach your figurine to the jar lid, fill the jar with water and glitter, and watch your snow globe come to life.

About the Author: Lisa is a guest writer and mother who loves to use Super Mario Bros party supplies to throw parties for her three sons.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Introducing.....

Adventures In Mommy Land
 
 
I have really enjoyed doing the weekly children's activity link so much, that I decided it was time for the mommas to shine.
 
Starting this weekend I will be starting a new link party for all the crafty moms to share their crafts, recipes and diy or upcycled projects.
 
That's right....if you are a crafty mom - I want you to join us.
 
It's YOUR time to show off
 
I only ask that you grab the button and link back to Adventures In Mommy Land.
 
I can't wait to see what you've been up to...especially with Valentine's Day right around the corner!!!
 
the link will be up tomorrow night...so get to work!
 
*I seem to be having a bit of trouble with the code box...if I haven't fixed it by tomorrow, just copy and paste my blog's web address in your post when you link back.  Thanks, Char

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Moms That Blog (The Interviews)

Introducing.....Tyson - she's a busy stay at home mom of three cute little boys who knows how to throw an awesome party, an interior designer by trade and a mom who loves to dabble in do it yourself projects (when she finds the time).  And that's what makes her a great Mom That Blogs.


Tell us a bit about yourself....I'm a stay at home mom... but I like to call myself the ringmaster of our family circus! My husband and I are in our 30's and our children are Jake - 5 years old (we call him the mastermind), Evan - 3 years old (he's the bull yet a charmer), and Luke is 7 months old (he's the spitfire!). We're born and raised midwesterners, but have been living in Texas for 3 years now and we love it! Sometime this year we'll be moving to our nation's capitol. So I'm sure I'll be rapid fire blogging about the changes to our lives and making our house a home (as we've done with our current one).... once I find my laptop and some time after that move.


Name 3 Fun Facts about yourself.....1. Once while spring breaking on South Padre Island, I turned down a dance with ole Justin Timberlake himself. I KNOW, right? In my defense it was right when their "Bye-bye-bye" song came out... and boy bands were not "in" yet. He came up and asked me, and I said no and walked away! My one claim to fame! Makes for a good story though. 


2. My mom was going to name me Tyson whether I was a boy OR a girl. Lucky me. I've had sooo much trouble with my name. I even had a warrant out for my arrest in college because some idiot at the university "corrected" my gender to male and so therefore I was an 18 male that had not signed up for the draft! I have a million little stories like this.

3. I have a bachelors degree in Interior and Architectural Design with a minor in Facilities Management and Architectural Drafting. However, I'm more of a "meat & potatoes" designer... space planning, kitchen & bath design, flooring selection, and paint & trimwork. I actually really have zero clue about curtains, hanging stuff on the wall, how to decorate a sofa table or bookcase... but that's what people usually ended up asking me about. I think people are shocked to come into my home to learn I was an Interior Designer in a past life. I mean my home is nice... but I think they're expecting WOW.

When did you first start blogging.....I started blogging long ago... 2008. It was when regular people were just starting to blog for journal or to keep up with family. I actually made my blog for family originally... yet hardly any of them read it! They'd get all confused about it (not sure why)... but now my following is IRL friends and my online friends :) I'd love to get to meet some more people through my blog.


What is your blog about.....The H Family Happenings pretty much covers a little bit of everything. Therefore not exactly excelling or standing out for one thing... but that's just kind of me! It can be anything from what we've done lately, anything I've created or designed, to my thoughts and worries... along with good news and fun things to share.



Why do you blog......That's a good question. I can't say for sure WHY I blog, but I know I like it. I like a place to call my own... talk about the kids, my thoughts, my creations, share news, etc. Lately I haven't been very good about it. Still feel like I'm playing catch up from the holidays!

Must read blogs that you visit daily......I can't say there's a specific one I visit everyday. I browse my reading list until something catches my eye. I used to be all over reading the "big blogs"... but frankly I got tired of them acting like they're the end all be all of blogging. I like neat family stories, frugal tips, craft & home decor ideas!

What inspires you.....REAL people doing REAL things. People with faults achieving great things. I'm tired of people portraying that they're always butterflies & roses, never have a down day (year!), and have super powers (not that super powers wouldn't be SO cool).

Do you have a bucket list.....I have a HUGE bucket list. A few of the things include... hike in Alaska, swim in Hawaii, and check out all the places that are the backdrop for the Outlander Series (by Diana Gabaldon) in England & Scotland.

Do you have any blogging advice that you would like to share.......I like when word verification is turned off and I think it's great to always acknowledge those that share along with you!


You can read more about Tys and her beautiful family by visiting her fun family blog H Family Happenings

Monday, January 23, 2012

Hey Mom, Look What I Did (#15)

Welcome to this week's Hey Mom, Look What I Did!!!

Take a look at this week's featured posts....


Looks like fun, Doesn't it?




Hilarious post written by a blogger's 8 year old son...must read, you know in case you ever need to hypnotize a chicken.



Oh how I love me some cupcakes....even the paper kind!



I love polar bears and Eric Carle books

As you know this week I helped out in Nathan's classroom....it was so much fun!

While I was there and chatting with some of the other moms, there was one mom who shared a fun activity that she does with her daughter.  It's called Sticker Club.  Each week she hosts a get together with her daughter's friends.  They each have sticker books and they share stickers with each other, and if time permits they do a craft and eat a snack.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

I can't wait to hear about all your crafty fun and adventures!

so, what did YOU do this week?

Please share your craft projects, baking activities and other fun adventures. Grab the link button and put it on your blog, if you like, so that others can share in the fun too. Also, I invite you to follow this blog via GFC, facebook and twitter..to keep up with our latest activities.

Thanks for joining us....Hope to see you again soon!!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

stuff....

I am having so much fun making these....

Can't wait to "debut" my store and share these with everyone.

These cute little girl ruffle ones


and these cute simple boy ones


Here is Nathan modeling the boy apron....it's super cute and he loves it so much, already tried it out while we made pizza last night.

Thursday, I helped out in Nathan's class room.

They had craft time and made sock snowmen.


I swear this is the BEST first grade class EVER

the kids were so well behaved and listened to the directions...awesome.


I went back on Friday and read to the classroom.

While I was there, the kids showed me the craft that they were making.

It was a picture of the beach.

they took blue tissue paper and glued it to a piece of cardboard

and glued some sand and seashells to the paper.

And then they drew a picture of palm trees and the sunshine.


they were so excited, they showed me the different types of shells and corals and natural sponges.

I read the book My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Angela McAllister


The kids liked looking at the pictures.

The book is about a little boy who thinks his mom has superpowers.

because she knows where he is and what he's up to all the time....so she must have them, right?



I asked the kids if their mom had any superpowers, they all said no

LOL!

Little do they know

huh?

I gave Nathan's teacher the book to keep for the class room.

I was given extra copies of some paperback books from Tiger Tales and decided to share them.


Did you know that Thursday was National Popcorn Day?

I wonder who comes up with these things???

not that I'm complaining, mind you
and not that I need an excuse to make and eat popcorn

;)

I made some cheddar popcorn...


and

we also made chocolate popcorn

I know it sounds weird

looks even weirder (is that a word?)


but it tasted pretty darn good!

Nathan brought home this chocolate popcorn mix that he got at school during Christmas.

I saved it, because I wasn't sure anyone would eat it.

then I found out about popcorn day and thought that was the perfect time to try it.

I also baked some of these....


chocolate cupcakes with cream filling....yum!

Does that mean I qualify as a "super" mom now???

__________________________________

*Disclosure: I was given the book My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Tiger Tales for review purposes only.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Fat Quarter Shop

If you haven't noticed, I have a new sponsor...



I LOVE this shop!!

Since I started sewing I have discovered a Major Love of fabric...of all kinds.

I find myself checking out fabric stores on line or in person.

I like looking at all the cute designs and touching the material.

I like thinking of ways to use what I find...

I have also become somewhat of a hoarder (I can think of worse things to have piling up around the house)

once I find something I love, I hate to use it LOL!

Yeah, I'm weird like that!

(but from my past posts, you already knew about the hoarding - remember my cupcake liners and baking supplies??)

at any rate....

Fat Quarter Shop has so many fabulous fabrics, patterns, notions and many more.  The fabric comes in different cuts or sold by the yard.

Here are just a few samples of the fun and totally gorgeous fabrics...

fat quarters



jelly rolls

kits.....like these for table runners


and these for quilts



For all your sewing needs.....please check out the Fat Quarter Shop!!

And thank you Fat Quarter Shop for being one of my very first sponsors!





Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Hey Mom, Look What I Did (#14)

Welcome to Week #14 of Hey Mom, Look What I Did!!!


Adventures In Mommy Land


There were so many cute crafts made this week.  Here are a few of my faves.....


This looks like it would be a total blast to try!! Wonder if it would clean my microwave while we experimented?


Painting With Jello

Oh, I would so be licking that paper....LOL!




math and art? Love it!



I thought this was a cute idea...love the different materials that were used.



I LOVE this...what a fabulous idea!! I can't tell you how many times, Nathan has grabbed a touch and feel book for me to read to him.


So many AWESOME ideas...Can't wait to see what everyone has done this week!!

We played with our food, as you can see here.


That's what WE did this week

how about you...

what did YOU do this week?

*************

Please share your craft projects, baking activities and other fun adventures. Grab the link button and put it on your blog, if you like, so that others can share in the fun too. Also, I invite you to follow this blog via GFC, facebook and twitter..to keep up with our latest activities.

Thanks for joining us....Hope to see you again soon!!