Happy Halloween!!

Since most people will be out after dark...I figured it was a good day for a flashlight post!!


The top two are great choices for toddlers and preschool kids. I think every kid should have a flashlight next to their bed. Just in case the power goes out, or to protect them from monsters:) I also remember some of my favorite days as a child were making forts with flashlights, and exploring outside after dark.



The last choice is great for infants and toddlers. I bought my son the seahorse when he was born. We were driving home after dark, and it scared me that I could not see him in his seat. Now he gets scared in the dark. We turn on his seahorse, and it glows like a campfire...and plays soothing music that even makes me want to go to sleep. The seahorse also works as a great night light or bed time pal.

Lucky Kid Returns...

Lucky Brand has brought back their kids line. Although the line is still limited, they have some great boy picks. http://www.luckybrand.com/Lucky-Kid/kids,default,sc.html.

Their jeans and thermals are great basics, that always fit well.

If you sign up to receive emails from them, you will get an immediate 10% code emailed to you.

What are your thoughts on Lucky??

Keepin it warm...

Stylish Tan Kids Fedora, Toddler & Baby Fedoras, $28
Gymboree.com - Baby Hats, Baby Boy Shoes and Baby Accessories at..., $6.49
Gap Shearling Trapper Hat, $20
Amazon.com: San Diego Hat Company Cotton Chenille Bear Hat, Brown:..., $500
Old Navy Monkey Beanies For Baby, $13
Gymboree.com - Baby Hats, Baby Boy Shoes and Baby Accessories at..., $15
Old Navy Performance Fleece Santa Hats For Baby, $7.94
Mom Tattoo Baby Hat & Beanie, $20
Gap Dinosaur Hat, $17
Amazon.com: Mud Pie Baby-boys Infant Baseball Hat: Baby, $15
Gymboree.com - Baby Hats, Baby Boy Shoes and Baby Accessories at..., $19
Gap Sherpa Driving Hat, $20

**Mommy Deals**

Babies R Us- 20% off all gear and furniture & Free Huggies Santa Diapers with a $75 purchase

Shutterfly- sale on most items this weekend & free shipping with code Ship30 ($30 minimum purchase)

Snapfish- 40% of all calendars Calandar40

Macys- 20% off kids items with code Party (through October 30, 2011)

Leapfrog- “My Own Story time Pad” Free shipping with code Storytime

Mybambino.com- 12% off orders- 12fall (through October 28, 2011)

Children’s Place- 20% off all orders G4F2011

Steve Madden- free shipping with $75+ order Smfreeship

M Fredric- 20% off with code giveme20

Trick or Treat:)

Aren't these so cute for trick or treaters??!!
I am not sure how parents would feel about open food in them (not sealed). If I was having a party I may put open items like cookies in them. For trick or treaters I think I would stick to candy in them.

Halloween Dessert

Ingredients

• 2 dozen cupcakes from your favorite recipe
• 3.4-ounce box of vanilla-flavored instant pudding
• green food coloring
• 1 cup of green melting candy (we used Wilton Candy Melts)
• 24 large marshmallows
• skewers

• waxed-paper-lined baking sheet
• M&M's Minis
• small serrated knife
• chocolate frosting
• black gel
• 2 green Tic Tac mints

Instructions

1. Bake and cool 2 dozen cupcakes from your favorite recipe. Prepare a 3.4-ounce box of vanilla-flavored instant pudding. Stir in drops of green food coloring until you have a shade you like, then place it in the refrigerator to chill.

2. Next, microwave 1 cup of green melting candy (we used Wilton Candy Melts, available at party supply stores) for 1 minute at 50 percent power, then stir. If necessary, heat in 15-second intervals until completely melted. One at a time, spear 24 large marshmallows with a skewer and roll them in the melted candy, coating the sides. Set them on a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet, add M&M's Minis for eyes, and place them in the refrigerator to chill.

3. With a small serrated knife, remove a 1-inch-wide chunk from the center of each cupcake. Fill each hole with a tablespoon or so of the pudding, then spread chocolate frosting around each pudding hole.

4. Cover each pool of pudding with a chilled marshmallow. Add black gel facial features and 2 green Tic Tac mints for bolts.

5. Finally, top each monster head with a bit of frosting and muss with your finger or a fork. Keep the cupcakes chilled until serving time.

http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-recipes/halloween-cupcakes/sweet-monster-cupcakes-683517/

Halloween Dinner

It is always so hard to get kids to eat on Halloween, so finding a fun dinner really helps. You can make these with your kids, and they are a quick clean up. Throw chicken or vegetables in them for extra nutrition. Something needs to absorb all of that sugar they are about to be eating;)

Ingredients

• 16 (8-inch) flour tortillas, preferably red or orange
• 8 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups grated pepper Jack cheese (12 oz.)

Preparation

• Preheat broiler to high and place an oven rack about 5 inches from heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil and mist with nonstick cooking spray. Stack 8 tortillas on a cutting board and use a sharp paring knife to trim away some of top, leaving a 1-inch "stem" so tortillas are shaped like pumpkins. Repeat with remaining 8 tortillas. Use a knife to cut two triangles for eyes and a crescent for a mouth into 8 tortillas.
• Warm 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add a tortilla without eyes and mouth, sprinkle with a scant 1/2 cup cheese. Cover with cutout tortilla. Cook until underside is golden, 1 to 2 minutes, slide onto baking sheet, and repeat to make three more quesadillas.
• Place baking sheet under broiler and broil until tops are golden. Slide onto a serving platter and loosely tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese. Serve immediately.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/jack-o-lantern-quesadillas-10000001875798/

Yo Gabba Gabba!!

We are not even huge Yo Gabba Gabba fans yet (I say yet because my son just discovered this show- yet he seems hypnotized when he watches it), but I love these shoes. They are so cute!

My son hadn't seen the show yet, when we first saw them. He immediately started reaching for them. The colors are so vibrant, and the characters are so cute. Of course since they are Vans, the cuts/styles are great. My son already has some other Vans, and loves them. I line up his shoes in the morning, and let him pick out what he wants to wear. He often picks his Vans. We are definitely going to have to get him a pair of the Yo Gabba Gabba Vans.

Here is a promo code in case anyone wants them- freeship100 (free shipping on orders over $100)

Night and Day...

True Religion Brand Jeans 'Baby Billy' Jeans (Infant) New Dark..., $79
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $65
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $55
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $40
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $30
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $37
Peek Football T-Shirt (Infant) Green X-Large, $34
Peek Football T-Shirt (Infant) Navy Large, $34
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $27
Gymboree.com - Infant Boy Clothes, Newborn Boy Clothes and Newborn Boy..., $22
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $19
Gymboree.com - Baby Clothes, Baby Boy Clothes, Infant Clothing and..., $15
Old Navy Herringbone Pants For Baby, $15

grooooooowing.....

I have been searching for a cute growth chart for my son's room. I wanted something cute for now (he is 7 1/2 months), but still boyish enough for when he gets a bit older and doesn't want nursery decor. I stumbled upon this adorable fireman one. I love how he is able to "save another person" with each growth spurt :) It is from the Land of Nod, and currently on sale too. They have a ton of great boy items on their site. http://www.landofnod.com/kids-growth-charts/kids-room-decor/fireman-growth-chart/f151

bibs bibs bibs!!

Target:ULUBULU Sillybib - Shark, $8.99
Target:Skip Hop Zoo Bib - Monkey, $7.99
Amazon.com: Neat Solutions 3 Pack Applique/ Print Interlock/ Knit..., $500
Baby Hat and Bib Set with Name | Cool Baby Stuff, $36
Blue Elephant Appliqued Bib by Zebi Baby, $18
Terry Bib 2-Pack - Accessories Baby - RalphLauren.com, $18
Dex Baby Big Mouth Lion Bib - Dex Baby Products - Babies "R" Us, $100
Green Sprouts Zodiac Organic Absorbent Bib - Pisces - Unisex - Stage..., $75

Cleanin Up!!

These are my absolute favorite organizational item. I have my entire pantry done in these. Food stays fresher longer, and looks way more appetizing when it is organized in them.

When I had my son, I bought a special set just for him. I store his cereal, pacifiers, toys, first aid items, and all of the fresh food that I make for him. They are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe...so they make feeding time so easy!! You can get them directly from the Lock & Lock site http://www.locknlockplace.com/, but I buy mine through QVC because they have the best deals on sets. http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=class|4531&rewrite=no

Infant Carseat Covers

Boys Infant Animal Print Car Seat Cover - Boys Infant Pony Print..., $198
Baseball Infant Car Seat Covers, $120
Blue Zoo Infant Car Seat Covers - Ships Today Only 1 Left, $74
Camoflauge Infant Car Seat Covers- Slip Covers, $74
Black Skulls Infant Car Seat Covers, $74

Toddler Carseat Covers

Unique Baby Gifts | Children's Boutique | Baby Boutique Pirate Prince..., $179
Amazon.com: Toodler Car Seat Cover: Daddy Camo with Blue Trim: Health..., $82
Britax Marathon Cover in Chocolate, $78
Britax Boulevard Cover in Blueberry- Ships Today, $78
Amazon.com: Jeep Car Seat Cover: Baby, $20

**Mommy Deals**

Here are some deals to help with your weekend shopping:)


Gap- 35% off your purchase GAPNOW (thru 10/22)

Old Navy-25% off your purchase ONAUTUMN (thru 10/22)

Babies R Us- 15% off all BOB strollers (online only)

Kids Woot- First Years Reversible Stroller $99 for today (10/21 only)

Sears- $5 off of $50 purchase SEARS2011

One Step Ahead- Free shipping SHIP85 (min $85)

Albee Baby- 15% off order Fall15

Hanna Andersson- Dress and Sweater Sale (no code needed)

Booo!!

I was searching for a fun Halloween project that I can do with a 7 month old. I found this great one on Pinterest. My favorite part of this project is that it becomes a keepsake. I think I will do this every year, and then have them bound into a book.

I have pinned a bunch of other fun Halloween projects on my Pinterest. Check it out!! http://pinterest.com/buckleyf/

Cha-ching!!!

This is one of my favorite baby shower gifts. I give everyone the large bank. Although it is a bit more pricey, it is so worth it. These pigs really stand out in your child's room. The site has a lot of masculine design options too. I love personalized gifts, because I feel like they last forever. When I use things with my son, I think of the person that gave us that gift.

You can buy your own pig, and a ton of other great personalized items at http://www.mybambino.com. . Here is a current promo code to use on the site- 15% off all orders. Enter code:15fall in your cart. No minimum purchase required! Offer expires Friday, October 21, 2011.Make sure to sign up on their website, because they send a lot of promo codes.

zzzzzz.....

Items in this set: Gap Smiling Reindeer Sleep Set, Gap Milk & Cookies Space Sleep Set, Gap Firefighter Sleep Set, Boys - Cars - Boys' Cars Step-In Slipper - Payless Shoes, stride rite Lighted Moose Slipper - Stride rite, Amazon.com: NoJo Jungle Babies Freddie The Frog - Stuffed Animal: Baby, Amazon.com: Boys - slippers / Kids & Baby: Clothing

sleepy time.. by buckleyf on polyvore.com

Yo ho ho...

My son is obsessed with Jake and the Neverland Pirates on Disney Junior. The show is still pretty new, so there are not very many products available yet. However when browsing Ikea's website I found this treasure chest that looks just like the one that they put their "gold doubloons" in. We now use it to store his "downstairs toys." (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30079407/)