Easter with Great Value, Part 2

March 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Wondering what to do with your leftover Easter ham?  Our kids will tell you that one great way to use it up is to make some yummy Ham and Cheese Pockets using Great Value brand crescent rolls from Walmart.  Check out how much they loved them when we whipped up a batch for them!

Ham and Cheese Pockets

 

If you have kids, maybe you are wondering what to do to keep them busy while you are getting Easter dinner all ready.  We like to put ours to work!  The work has to be a little fun for them, though.  While I’m getting dinner together, Beth can take the kids aside and let them help make dessert!  She made a great big Easter Bunny cookie cake that needed decorating.  See how much fun they had making a mouth, ears, bowtie, and whiskers?  How much fun would your kids have doing this?  Look out for Matthew…he’s getting caught trying to sneak a piece.  After dinner, Bubba, after dinner.

Easter Bunny Party

 

As much fun as they had decorating, that cannot compare to the sheer joy of eating cookie covered in frosting and candy!  That poor bunny just never had a chance!  Thankfully, we did this on bath night, because all three of them just had frosting everywhere!

Easter Bunny Snack

 

 How do you use your Easter leftovers?  Do you put your kids to work on Easter?  How do you keep them occupied while you fix dinner?  Leave us a comment and keep the conversation going!

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A Week Ago We Lived in a Winter Wonderland

March 13, 2013 By 2 Comments

Last Wednesday we had over 10″ of snow on the ground. The ice that came first snapped trees though. There are still so many down trees as a result of the winder wonderland we had. We had two losses in our yard.

The last pear tree will need to be cut down. We had five when we moved here and there will be none now. They are weak trees and are the end of their life expectancy since they are so week. :(

 

The willow out back lost some branches too. (This picture was two days later and you can already see grass!)

The  kids thought the snow was too deep to play in but Buddy had fun …

Matthew is a bad little brother and just wanted throw snowballs at his sisters. He has good aim for a three year old!

Hopefully before Brian takes off to Chile we can get the trees cleaned up in the yard. Thankfully our neighbors understand why the limb is still hanging from the pear tree and no one can see the willow! Anyone want to come create a burn pile with us?! ugh.

Do you often have storm damage at your house? How do you deal with it? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Ready for Spring Showers with Kidorable

February 26, 2013 By 78 Comments

We have had some rainy days here lately in Virginia  The rainy days pointed out that Sophie’s rain coat was too small so when hunting for a new one, I turned to Kidorable to check out their girl rain coat collection.

Last fall, I had ordered Matthew the Dinosaur Rain Coat. Prior to starting preschool he didn’t have a big need for a rain coat so he didn’t even have one. I realized then how hard it is find rain coats for kids at that point. Matthew loves his Dinosaur Rain Coat so I was hopeful to find something Sophie would like at Kidorable too. I wanted an option that could take her into Kindergarten next year. I thought she might like the butterfly design …

or even the fairy design …

but she latched onto the Dora the Explorer Kidorable rain coat when she saw it on the webpage. She said she loved the butterfly on the hood. 

I was worried that she would think it was for a younger kid but she really does like her new rain coat. The sizing is generous enough to fit her for a little while which as a budgeting family we love the opportunity for a specialty item such a rain coat to last more than one season! The quality of these rain coats is really great and holds true for Matthew’s that we bought and Sophie’s that we reviewed as part of this promotion. My only regret is that I wish the sizing went up larger in size because Sophie’s coat is the largest size they make so once she outgrows this rain coat, I am not sure where I will turn for a new one!

Kidorable has offered one of readers the opportunity to win a umbrella of the winner’s choice. I know our kids would have a hard time picking from the dinosaur, Dora, and even fairy designs that carry over into the Kidorable product line! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review Disclaimer

Filed Under: Giveaways, Kids, Promotional, Reviews, Simply Family Tagged With: , , , ,

Kohl’s Cares Dr. Seuss Collection

February 25, 2013 By 6 Comments

We are excited to work with the Kohl’s Cares program on the latest book and plush collection featuring Dr. Seuss books and characters!

Did you know?

The Kohl’s Cares program which donates 100% of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide!

This collection has four books and their plush characters including …

  • Dr. Seusss’ A B C’s
  • Horton Hears a Who!
  • The Cat in the Hat
  • Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book

The Kohl’s Cares books and plush animals make great gift ideas for kids. At times it can be hard to find the perfect gift for a child that we don’t know real well … especially a gift that fits in our budget! The great news about the Kohl’s Cares program is that the books and plush characters are only $5 each! Knowing that a donation is being made as part of each purchase is a great added benefit to support the Kohl’s Cares program. The Kohl’s Cares collections do change so if you are in love with one of these books and plush characters, be sure to get them before they change to the next collection!

Grace found these books when they came. She loves to read through them on her own and with her brother and sister. I have to admit that I love to listen her say the rhyming Dr. Seuss words as reads aloud because it just makes me smile!

I am going to have to look for the Horton Hears a Who book and plush character during my next trip to Kohl’s. Matthew loves that movie and I am sure he would love to have the book and plush to enjoy as he gets closer to the age of being able to read.

I admit that The Cat in the Hat is my favorite from this collection as I remember reading it over and over and over again as a child. Which Dr. Seuss book from the Kohl’s Cares Dr. Seuss Collection is your favorite? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Review Disclaimer

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Recap LEGO KidsFest Richmond, VA

February 21, 2013 By 6 Comments

We had the opportunity to take the kids to Richmond, VA to the LEGO KidsFest this past weekend. We were surprised by the traffic getting to the convention center but we made it and found parking in the one parking garage I know from Brian’s Richmond Half Marathon runs. We were right next to the Convention Center so the walk was easy with the kids. We noted that this was one of first no stroller events so that was exciting for our family of five!

The kids loved the large LEGO statues that were positioned around the hall. Grace touched all over the Friends statue to see that it was little LEGO bricks. She loved the puppy dog!

The hands on portion of the LEGO KidsFest was really great for the kids. Grace is our oldest and is 6.5 years. Brian and I decided she is just below the prime demographic of the event. She had fun, as did the other kids, but we saw that 7 – 9 year olds that LOVE LEGOs were the ones that were totally in their element at the event. The favorite spot for all of the kids was the DUPLO section which was a surprise. I thought the girls would the love the FRIENDS area but I think it was too busy for them. Matthew found the animals and the girls love the princess area in the DUPLO area. This section was less crowded so we let them play in this area twice!

The store at the event was so busy. We let the kids look but when saw the line was over at thirty minutes long to buy items, we told them they could use their spend money at Walmart to buy LEGO sets, which they did later that day. I know they were a bit bummed over this as were we but standing that long in the line seemed to miss the purpose of the trip and the event for us.

We knew it was time to leave when Matthew broke down in the DUPLO area over sharing his pile of animals with another little girl. He just wanted ALL of the animals he could find. He was in love with the animals. We made the right call because he was happy to to get the van and rest with his snack. As a demonstration of their love of the event, the girls wore their hats all the way home. They loved those hats so much that we had convince them they couldn’t wear them on the cold, windy afternoon at the Girl Scout cookie booth!

The kids really enjoyed this event. We would take them back for sure and I think at that point they would enjoy it even more! Check to see if the LEGO KidsFest is coming to a town near you!

Have you ever been to a LEGO KidsFest event? What is your favorite LEGO series? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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RSV Awareness

February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We were asked to share some information to promote RSV Awareness. When I told Brian this, he asked what RSV was. We have been blessed to have Brian at home with kids since Grace was born so we have encountered few of the daycare spread illnesses. I knew what RSV was from all of my girlfriends that have had a baby diagnosed with RSV. I have watched them miss a lot of work and be stressed as taking care of a sick baby not only wears on your nerves but your own health. It is important for us to spread the work and make sure more parents know what RSV is and how they can work to prevent its spread. Be sure to spread word yourself so you can continue to share the RSV Awareness mission we accepted!

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common, seasonal virus that affects two-thirds of all infants by age one and almost 100% of babies by age two, because it’s highly contagious.

Did you know? …

  • Once contracted, there is no treatment for RSV. 
  • Almost every baby will contract RSV by age 2, but only 1/3 of moms say they’ve heard of the virus.
  • RSV can live on surfaces (doorknobs, counter tops, toys, bedding) for several hours and is often spread through touching, hugging and kissing.

Check out all of the facts in this RSV Awareness Infographic …

Did you learn something new? I learned that the RSV symptoms resemble a common cold in many cases.  Ready to learn more? Be sure to check out the RSVProtection.com site so you learn more!

Has RSV had an impact on your family? What tips do you have to offer other parents concerning RSV protection or awareness? Leave us a comment at let us know!

NOTE:  ”I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

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LEGO KidsFest – Richmond, VA February 15-17, 2013 SOLD OUT!

February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

We were so excited to giveaway TWO tickets to the Friday, February 15th session of the LEGO KidsFest in Richmond, VA recently!

The sad news for everyone is that tickets for ALL FOUR sessions of the LEGO KidsFest in Richmond are SOLD OUT! We really hope that you got your tickets to this event already!

If you are going to the LEGO KidsFest in Richmond or another stop on the tour, what will you find at the LEGO KidsFest?

Activities include …

  • LEGO DUPLO®: younger visitors can explore imagination through building
  • LEGO Model Gallery: 40 life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks
  • Brick Pile: a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment
  • Race Ramps: build your own custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family
  • PLUS many more activities!!!

Will you be at LEGO KidsFest in Richmond? Have you been before and loved the event? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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A Virginia Snow Day – January 2013

January 24, 2013 By 10 Comments

All of the kids didn’t have school today … we actually had snow this was a big fun Snow Day! We had between 2-3 inches of snow … and yes that is enough to cancel school here!

This didn’t do much good for Brian’s to-do list. I decided to not chance the still snow covered roads this morning and stayed home too. I took a morning break to go outside with everyone to play in the snow. The best part of the snow playing was that for the first time in six years, none of the kids screams at being out in the snow! YAY!!!

Here is the snow adventure in pictures …

 

 

Our backyard … do you see our dog in the picture? ;)

Don’t all kids play on the playground in the snow?!

 

Do you have snow on the ground where you live? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Filed Under: Charlottesville, Kids, Simply Family, Simply Local Tagged With: , , , , ,

This is Happiness …

January 23, 2013 By 3 Comments

Some days you actually get to create the gift of happiness. This was Grace showing off her Tooth Fairy pillow that I made over the weekend. She is one excited little girl. (Tutorial to come!)

 

Have you had the opportunity to create the gift of happiness lately? What did you do? Leave me a comment and let me know!

 

 

Filed Under: Kids, Memes, Simply Family, Wordless Wednesday Tagged With: , , , ,

LEGO KidsFest – Richmond, VA February 15-17, 2013 + Winner Announcement

January 23, 2013 By 3 Comments

Remember the giveaway for two tickets to the Friday, February 15th session of the LEGO KidsFest in Richmond, VA? We are excited to post a winner announcement! Wendi S. from Port Royal, VA is our winner! Congratulations, Wendi!! You will have so much fun a the Greater Richmond Convention Center with your guest for the FIRST session of the LEGO KidsFest tour!

The good new for everyone else is that tickets are still on sale!

Five identical sessions are available. Tickets are $18 for kids and $20 for adults. We have a special offer for this event for our readers!  For a limited time, you may use this unique SAVINGS code to SAVE $2 per ticket, valid on tickets purchased January 1-31, 2013!

We have received word that the tickets are selling at a lightning speed; they are very close to selling out of both sessions on Saturday, February 16th. Only a limited number of tickets remain for Saturday, February 16th so go buy your tickets today!

What will you find at the LEGO KidsFest in Richmond, VA?

Activities include …

  • LEGO Model Gallery: 40 life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks
  • Race Ramps: build your own custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family
  • LEGO DUPLO®: younger visitors can explore imagination through building
  • Brick Pile: a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment
  • PLUS many more!!!

Will you be at LEGO KidsFest? Have you been before and loved the event? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Filed Under: Kids, Promotional, Simply Family Tagged With: , , , ,
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