Jumpin-Beans

Okay, so we all know that Valentine's Day is slowly approaching... Do you buy gifts for your Valentine? I remember growing up that I would wake up and my mom and dad would have a heart shaped box of chocolates and a card for me... Every single year! Although I was not the nicest one growing up... My mom still loved me, although I know she did not always like me. Well, if you are one to buy gifts, but you want to get something a bit off the "traditional route"... I want to share one of my finds for a great gift! A book. Not just any book, but a book of triumph, trials and most of all, LOVE. This Path We Share by Lois Hjelmstad . In my opinion, this is a great book to give to any woman in your life. The back of the book says it would be great for a new bride, but I think it extends way more than that! I loved that this book starts at the beginning of their journey and shares with us all of the roads they traveled down... Literally. Lois was 16 when she met her future. He w...

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. My question to you: Do you watch American Idol? Have you in the past? My answer: I have watched off and on for years... I did watch each week when a friends friend was on there... (Michael Johns) I did however start watching this year... Did you see the night with Chris Medina? If not, look HERE . Also, will you help me out? I am hosting a giveaway for 4 tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - IN ATLANTA I would love it if you would tweet it to your followers, this is to good not to have someone win! Thanks: Please RT Atlanta? Enter to# win 4 Tix to Barnum's Funundrum#giveaway@Jumpinbeans09 @ PhilipsArena http://tinyurl.com/4n7sltw Feel free to tweet about the Pa...

Did you see American Idol last night? OH. MY. GOODNESS. I cried... Yes, it was great... This shows TRUE LOVE Hope you have your tissue handy if you have not seen it... (Although I cry everytime I see it... )

Working with CSN and sharing all their stores with you has shown me that I can pretty much buy anything from them... and in doing so, I can know that I will have great customer service. My product will arrive on time and in great condition! So, imagine my surprise when I found out that CSN also carries swing sets for kids !!!! Now, I know I have blogged about my brother from time to time... But, this was just too great to pass up! Let me tell you a great story about him... (When he was younger... and when he loved his big sister!) Stay with me... You will see where this is going in regards to CSN ... So, I finished the first two years of college at a very small arts school... I was moving to Atlanta to finish a 4 year degree... We had mostly everything we needed... But, we still needed a washer and dryer. Well, that sweet kid brother of mine... He traded his swing set for a washer and dryer! Granted, he was getting a bit to big for it, but still... I thought it was sweet, family fri...

Remember when I shared with you about the Atlanta Palooza ? Well, I just wanted to let you know that one lucky reader is going to win a 4 pack of tickets! Yes!!!! How fun? Think about it! One of you can win FOUR tickets to come and spend the day! What all is going on? Well............ For starters... Those of you that like to win prizes will have a hey day! They have all sorts of giveaways going on... Just a few companies sponsoring different giveaways: ~ Carousel Designs ~ Kokopax ~ Kushies ~ Medieval Times ~ Cobb Children's Theater ~ Georgia Aquarium Worried that your little one might not have a great time? They also have tons of activities for the family to enjoy... Just a handful of all the activities going on: ~ Rock Band Atlanta Event ~ Meet and Greet with Universal Pictures upcoming movie HOP ~Princess Story Time and Crown Crafts from Medieval Times ~ Game Truck ~ Radio Disney ~ Circus Camp ~ Tumblebus For the Parents... Lots of great Speakers/Workshops! Some of the informat...

Broxton loves to be outside... Even when it is cold out... So, not always a good thing... When it is time to come in, he still wants to stay... Always. But, it is great that we can go and color on the porch! He loves it... and we have to lay all the crayons on a piece of paper first... Then, he lays down... and we color... I love it... and love the time I get to spend with this sweet baby! I think this is one of my favorite pictures of him! I love this because it shows how he has to lay out and color!! Happy Wednesday all!!!!

My friend Sara over at All In an Iowa Mom's Day posted a recipe for Pizza Casserole . I saved it because I knew it looked EASY and like something that would go over well in this house. We made it... and boy, it is good... but it makes a ton ! So, if you are making for 2 and a toddler that eats random meals... This is going to give leftovers... or a freezer meal for down the road. If you are making it for a house of hungry children... Such as when the boys are here... This is perfect! I was going to add a salad to go with it, but this was plenty and I had no room left over! LOL Thanks Sara !

Now that the holidays are over and people have settled back down into some what of a routine... Well, you know, minus the whole Ice Storm and Winter Weather shutting things down... Any who ... Keep game night alive and the fun flowing! We were able to review Ratuki over the holidays... The boys LOVED it! Over and over again, they would ask... Can we play Ratuki ?! It was so easy and fun... I played at first, but Broxton did not like feeling left out! So, I played with Broxton and the boys played the game. Just what is Ratuki ? Well, it is just the fastest, most fun card game out right now! You see, each player gets their cards... Then, you race to see who gets the top card and win the pile! You see, there are the same number of "piles' as there are players... Then, once the game starts.. The fun begins! You have to pile cards in order... You can place either the card before or after. (If there is a 3, you can play a 2 or 4) You go on until you get 5. Then...... You slam it ...

I remember going to the circus when I was younger... and I knew that whenever I became a mommy, I would want to take my little one as well. It is just so fun! The atmosphere! It is just full of excitement and so much going on... Like pure OVERLOAD for a child! When Marc first returned from his deployment, there was a tiny travelling circus that came to my home town... We tried to take Broxton , but it got rained out! It just was not meant to be! Imagine how excited I was to see that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey were heading our way! Not just any old circus... THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH! This particular show is "200 years in the making." Wow... Now, this should be fun! No pressure! Also, I learned that an hour before show time, you can go for a "behind the scenes!" Yes! They have an " All Access PreShow !" You can meet the performers! Get autographs! Learn the "tricks of the trade." Take pictures! Whew... With all this excitement... Who...

Remember me showing you Broxton in his cute Kidorable jacket and boots? Well, Kidorable wants your little Valentine to have warm (and absolutely ADORABLE) hands! So, they are offering you a FREE pair of these loveable Heart Knit Gloves . You know you want a pair for your Valentine! How do you get them? Just place an order at Kidorable for $20 or more... (Jackets/Scarves/Boots, they have what you need to have your KID- ORABLE !) Then, place the heart knit gloves in your cart. Once you get to checkout... Enter code: LOVEYOU THIS ENDS February 14th. Pretty easy... and what a cute reward!! FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

The weather outside is frightful... Okay, I know you do not come here for me to sing. But seriously, you know with all this cold weather... That means you have your heat running... That in turn dries out your nose... SO..................... Have you heard of Ocean Saline ? It is a NON Medicated SALINE Nose Spray. I have had bad ear/nose/throat problems as long as I can remember... Well, a few years ago, a doctor told me to make sure to always keep a thing of Saline Nose Spray for keeping my nose moist. I buy some from time to time, but normally do not think about it until I am in pain. Well, now I have Broxton . :) We keep Saline around for him.. You know, to clean his nose... and to keep his nose moist while we have the heat on. I really do not want him to ever suffer like I did! Ocean Saline Spray comes in Premium . This is the one I use... It is to help moisturize my nose as well as helps with flu like symptoms. (It doesn't hurt that the doctor recommended this brand!) Ocean Sal...

People have asked before, but why are there only 8 hot dog buns to a pack but there are 10 hot dogs in a pack? Why can't all gas tanks be on the same side? I hate trying to remember what side for the car I am in... Why do most apartments have their eating area's carpeted? It would be much easier if it wasn't carpet, then I wouldn't have to worry about stains as much. Why do most apartment have peepholes on the doors, but you hardly see one on a door to a house? Why does it seem like I can never find my sunglasses? I have two pair that have been missing for a bit & one that just recently became missing. ** Update on this... I had a NEW PAIR, that Broxton wanted to wear and then Marc stepped on and broke... So, the need for sunglasses continues!! Why do some celebrities think they are better than everyone, yet they would not be famous without us everyday folks! Just how much money is in one of those money trucks? Like, what is the highest amount and does it ever g...

My mom carries a little string of dental floss with her at all times. We keep those pre-flossed toothpick things at home. Recently we were able to review the BrytonPick Flosser . I was a bit unsure at first, being that it was a thin piece of steel that I would be using. Well, I of course had to try it... It worked, after the initial nervousness wore off. I mean, a little piece of steel? Wouldn't it cut me? Not if you are careful! :) I like that it is so small and that it comes with its own carry case! Also, it is reusable, so it lasts for 30 days... Less trash! Oh... and talk about a great item for anyone you know with braces! Take it from me... You can not floss with braces... Now you can!!! Check it out... BrytonPick Go ahead and get a few for your whole house!!!! FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own a...

Marc and I wanted to get one of those baby carriers when Broxton was born. I thought I would love being a baby wearing moms... You know, throw the carrier on and go about my day, having Broxton snuggled up close to me? Well, we could not find one that we liked that we thought would work. Sure, we saw several of them, but they seemed rather pricey for just a piece of fabric. Also, some did not seem like they would last long with us. I mean, Broxton was a BIG baby... That weight limit would surely be hit earlier than most! Now, you know... Since he is ALMOST two.. (Next month, don't remind me... It will make me cry) We finally found THE CARRIER. Hey! This is one that lasts... Also, who says we can not go ahead and start planning for baby number 2? Nope, not pregnant yet... but I know what we will be using! Boba Baby Carrier! Let me tell you what I love about this... One - The colors. Very much neutral based... Mommy and Daddy can BOTH wear it w...

I FINALLY remembered to link up for MMMM at XMAS DOLLY !!!! It is Freebie week!!!! So, to decide what I want to share... This is Van Tramp - they are from England. The lead singer is WONDERFUL! I met him in NYC, he played in RENT. Met him after the show, got to talking... Ordered his CD ... And the rest is history!!! They have so many great songs!!!!! (The whole cd is awesome!)

Okay, so I have been reading all of the Chicken Soup Books lately... I am so glad that I have the opportunities to share them with you! I have not finished Chicken Soup for the Soul - Family Matters, YET... But, I just had to go ahead and tell you about what could be my favorite story so far! It is one of the first ones in the book. (That is another thing I love about their books, you can skip around!) Anyways, the story... It is called The Optimist by Garrett Bauman . This is one of those stories where you literally laugh OUT LOUD. It is about a dad that has the horror story for everything... Be careful of such and such, because this might happen... You know what I mean? Well, I laughed reading it... So of course, I had to read it to Marc. I had to stop several times because I was laughing so hard! It was that funny... Well, at least to me! I hope there are more stories that funny! Let me tell you about the book. This is one of the latest Chicken Soup For The Soul Books. It is Family...