Jumpin-Beans

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. If you follow me on Instagram , you know that we were recently "adopted" Echo to join our family...  It was cute.  Broxton received a book bag and inside it was a PLUSH ECHO with an adoption certificate. He was so excited and immediately wanted to take him everywhere with him.  Every single day he was asking to take him with him... and yes, he even had to introduce him as his brother when we were in public!    I was able to explain how he "adopted" him and that he was from the movie, Earth to Echo that had recently been released.  Adults laughed, kids loved him and a few friends asked who he was, since they were not familiar with him... I remember when Marc was deployed, he took a littl...

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. If you remember, a few weeks ago we were invited to go to The Rock Ranch for a media event and we were beyond thrilled to go and check the place out.  We returned home and it has been a very talked about trip on numerous occasions...  To say we had a blast was an understatement.   We knew we wanted to get back soon... and we finally did. The thing about it?  We didn't just "go to The Rock Ranch" ... We went to The Rock Ranch and I got to mark off a bucket list item.   I am in my mid-thirties and I have NEVER seen a Hot Air Balloon!  I used to say I wanted to go in a Hot Air Balloon Ride - but once I became a mom, I decided to stay more "grounded" in my wishes (literally)  That b...

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. A few weeks ago, we were invited to go to a local mall to celebrate the upcoming release of The Book Of Life.  They had a little "carnival" celebration going on that day...    They had a section of the mall blocked off with lots of fun activities for the kids... They could color and decorate a bag to use as a trick-or-treat bag for Halloween.  They could get their face painted (and cute little manicures for the girls too!).  They could get balloon animals (of course my son ended up with a sword)  They also had an area where they could decorate a cookie to eat there or to take home. The plan was for him to take it home (he wanted to) but the line was so long to get that balloon sword tha...

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. Each year, we add a special new ornament to our tree.  We have been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Ornament s With Love for a couple years now and they never cease to amaze me with their wide selection and great quality.  I am not sure what year I decided to order our first family ornament, but as soon as it arrived and the boys saw it, we knew it was the ornament that we would most look forward to each year.  To the point that they have to search the tree to see the previous years ornament and then talk about our newest one!   Now, we have a tradition that I enjoy and it is something we can look back on and remember the great things that happened that year.  Is it weir...

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. With Halloween right around the corner, you can bet that there will be plenty of candy sold... and that means plenty of candy eaten!  I know that some dentists offices work out trades where they will "buy" the trick or treat candy from their patients and then they send it to soldiers overseas.  I think that is a great deal and pretty amazing for people to do that... For those of us that enjoy in the Trick or Treating (and especially the treats) of the night ... We need to make sure that proper oral hygiene is being done.  Broxton used to love to brush his teeth... He would want to brush his teeth several times a day... now, not so much.  He acts like it is pure punishment whenever I mention brushin...

Can you believe it is almost November? Know what that means, right? Christmas time is almost here! I am not sure about your house, but ours is starting to get full of "I need to add that to my Christmas list" or "Maybe I can get that for Christmas." Infomercials are the worst, because I am a sucker for most of them and sadly, Broxton has decided to pick up that trait from his mama, since every commercial ends up with "we NEED that!" Since it is almost November, you also know what is headed our way right?????  The 2014 Holiday Gift Guide!!!!  Stay tuned!   Great Giveaways and reviews are headed this way! Side note, if you have a product that you would like to see about including in this years gift guide, please email me and lets see what we can do about that!   A huge thanks to one of my best friends, Brooke, for allowing me to use her photo for this years gift guide.  She has an amazing eye (I am trying to get her to start an Etsy store!)

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. In today's world it seems so much is about technology...  Between cell phones and tablets and you name its... then with the holidays it is all about the best gifts...  That was something that I really enjoyed in the book we just read...   The Best Part of the Day   In this book (by Sarah Ban Breahnach, a new to me author)  we get to see the seasons as they change. The book starts with a little quote from William Butler Yeats... "I sigh that kiss you,  For I must own That I shall miss you When you have grown."  Then, as we turn the pages we are greeted with Autumn.  Perfect timing for us to start this book, so I really liked that too! The book starts with discussing...

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 LEGO ®  KidsFest kicks off its seventh year on the road with new tour stops in St. Louis and Nashville and a return to some popular markets. The 2015 tour stops include Phoenix, AZ ( Feb. 27 – March 1 ), St. Louis, MO ( March 20 – 22 ), Nashville, TN ( April 17 – 19 ) and Austin, TX (Sept. 4 –  6 ). In its seventh year of touring, LEGO KidsFest is visiting a few less markets this year to focus on its new LEGO Creativity Tour. “With the pilot of the LEGO Creativity Tour in Biloxi, Mississippi in December, we expect to be sharing some news about new tour dates early next year,” said Vince Rubino, Events Manager for LEGO Systems, Inc. “Right now through year’s end, our focus is on testing new c...

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. Image - Amazon Want to get your kids to thinking?  Look at  What's the Big Idea, Charlie Brown ?  In this book, we get to see Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and the gang.  They want a party. They want music, They want posters.  So, they come up with a contest (with Snoopy and Woodstock being the judges)  It is BIG IDEA DAY!  They have to come up with one of the best inventions that was made.  Talk about a great and fun way to introduce history!  Look and see who comes up with what... and what will win the contest?  There is even a section in the back for your child to come up with what they think is the best!  I think this is such a cute book and a great way to te...