Jumpin-Beans

 Snacks..  We all love them, lets just go ahead and be honest.  At work, if a patient or a rep brings a snack of ANY type in, the breakroom looks like it was attacked by vultures with everyone going to check and see what is back there... Same can be said at my house sometimes... We don't have pets to run when they hear a wrapper, but you can guarantee SOMEONE in the house is going to ask what is being opened.  W-I-T-H-O-U-T FAIL!!!!! 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.  Recently, Savannah decided she wanted to order some of the little Jesus figures and leave them around town.  We loaded up and hit a few spots to "Spread a Little Jesus" in our community.  No matter if you are doing a quick errand in town, or...

There is just something about a new baby... Those little feet, tiny toes, strong little hands, cute little nose!  I just have to check them out from one end to the other... and I love every little part of them!  I know I am kind of picky when it comes to books and I know I am always honest- so hold your hat for this one!!  I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the These Little Feet book.  It was absolutely precious and a GREAT GIFT to give at a baby shower, if you ask me...  I just think it is the sweetest book! Now, Our Unbreakable Thread is a different story.  When we first started reading it, Savannah was like wow mom, that is us!  We have an unbreakable thread!  I was like you are right!  Always and forever my girl!  But, as we kept reading it - it went on to talking about death and a funeral and that just did not sit right with me for a kids book.  It reminded me of another kids book ( I will not mention) that was also a bit odd to me - but eithe...

Babies... There isn't anything quite like them.  They are just so sweet and innocent and I just love the baby smell and snuggles!  I'm out of the baby making stage of life- and my kids are too young to be in it yet... but, my coworkers are and Marc's boys are... and I just love my little nephew.  Granted he just turned 2, so he isn't a "baby" these days.. but he is my sweet baby boy when I get to love on him!  I was introduced to Muslin blankets when Savannah was born and I just don't know how I lived without them with Broxton!  They are perfect and I honestly think they are a great gift.  First time parents and seasoned ones can enjoy and benefit from the array of Muslin blankets in the drawers!!!!  ( I have a large one on my amazon wish list .. not even gonna lie!)   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 pur...

My little girl is growing up.  Yep, I hate to admit it, but she is... She used to want to play video games and cartoons... Now she likes to pamper - and play spa with me.  I love it, but it just goes to show - you can't keep them little for long.   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. She is turning 9 this year- I was surprised when she asked for a squish mallow cake.  We are lucky that one of my close friends is AWESOME at making cakes and makes her what she wants each year...  The other thing she wanted?  Make up and all that fun stuff!   I was lucky to have the chance to work in a review of Onyx with their  Skin Care / Nail Care line.  Savannah and I have both loved it all.  This ...

UPDATE:  This seems to be doing a great job, and wanted to reshare with you all with the holidays getting closer!!!! Calling all moms of boys....  HELLO?!  I know I can't have the only stinky boy around... Right??  When Marc and I were married, I quickly learned how stinky teenage boys could be... and I was surprised... so when Broxton started to smell a bit, I was prepared for it... but not really.  Why?  Because it is easy to get things for girls... but harder to find geared towards boys.  I mean, I could go grab a mans deodorant, but I wanted something to be more "for him" at his age... Know what I mean? So, when I heard about STRYKE - I wanted to check it out for him!   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. ...

Let me start this post by saying I am not good when it comes to measurements and things like that.  I know who I am and that will never change.  There are just things I do and don't do, and that is one of them. When I hang pictures, I just kind of eye it and hope for the best, my mom on the other hand gets out tape measures and levels and all sorts of things... But anyways, I have been known to order things and when they come in I have been a bit shocked at what I actually got. Oh well, it is just a surprise...  That being said, let me tell you about my latest review.   I was given the chance to review product from The Imani Collective... Keep reading...  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. Okay, so my kiddos mean the world ...

 Entertaining people means making sure the home is inviting!  One way to do that is to make sure you have a welcoming scent!  I know when I walk into my parents house, I will always be welcomed with a fresh smelling house... When you come into my home, it will also have a scent, but  you never know what scent it will be.  I love candles and they are all through my house.  Want to know something I love even more?  Reed diffusers!  They smell so good and are always giving off a smell.  You also don't have to worry about "did I leave candle lit?"  I was not familiar with TOCCA until I was given the chance to review them... and I am glad I did get the chance!  Love it!  The house smells great and it is such a nice addition!  If you are looking to give a great gift (to a friend or yourself) make sure to check it out and buy a few!   FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were ...

 Small kids are not the best at keeping up with things... The same could be same for big kids too, but for this, I am talking about my small one!  Savannah has left her jacket at school I don't know how many times... and let me not forget the water bottle!   Lucky for us, we have Mabel's Labels to help us know what is hers!   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. Like I said, she has returned home from school many times missing something.  I can't say anything, because Broxton was the same way.  Still is, if I am telling the truth. I learned years ago that Labeling items worked great for us.  The thing with Mabel's Labels is they last.  I don't have to go writing in sharpie and then never being...

UPDATED:  With Christmas getting closer and closer, I wanted to remind everyone of a favorite kids author in our house.  Josh Funk!  We have gifted his books to friends and have kept books for our own library!  I heard once that some people did 4 gifts at Christmas: 1- to wear, 2 - something to read, 3- something you want, 4 - something you need.  If you give books and you have younger readers...  Make sure you check out Josh Funk!    As I have mentioned again and again, the kids and I love the author, Josh Funk!   His books are fun to read and when I was able to be room mom for Broxton, the kids and I all love when I had a Josh Funk book to read!    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 compensati...

When I was younger, I remember that on Halloween, we went by to see my grandparents, then we went trick or treating in the neighborhood.  When Broxton was born, we started that tradition with him.  Luckily for him, he had a few years where he not only got to go by and see his grandparents before going in the neighborhood, he actually got to see one of his great grandmothers too!  It was the sweetest thing, she had gone and got him a stuffed animal for his treat (He was not even a year old) and be being the sentimental person, I still have it today!  Anyways, with Broxton and Savannah both trick or treating, I don't go giving them candy for anything... Between Halloween parties/ trick or treating, then Thanksgiving goodies and then Christmas parties and goodies... we do fine on sweet treats!    ( Not to mention, when more candy is in the house, it calls our name to eat ALL-THE-TIME and we don't need anymore temptation! ha ha ha!)  That being said, I was...

 Everyone is either having a baby or has just recently had a baby, at least that is how it seems around here.  It is always nice to give a gift from the heart.  I know some people like to give a gift that is fun (think toys) or a need (think diapers) but sometimes you want to give something to keep and cherish for years to come.  BabyPlaque does just that!   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. When you go to the BabyPlaque website, you get to totally customize your keepsake.   You start with picking the color of the plaque you want to use.   Then you fill our information on the baby: Name, birth date/time, birth location, height/weight, birthstone and custom message. I love it.  It isn'...

It seems like everyone is either pregnant or just had a baby these days!   When I was pregnant with Broxton, my best friend Cindy asked for everyone to give a book instead of a card for my gifts.  That set up a great library for us and it was great to be able to have these books out with sweet messages, instead of in a box just packed away. Now, I try to give books for part of the gifts whenever it is for a baby or a young one.  I love that idea!   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. Join Bear and friends in these colorful board book adventures all in the shape of a child's favorite vehicle! The perfect size for preschoolers and early readers to take with them wherever they go - in the car, at the beach, in...

If your house is anything like mine, you have plenty of "things."  Why not change it up this year and give more "memories" or experiences?  We recently had the invitation to go see what all is going on at The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.  The kids and I have been in the past and had a great time, so this time we wanted to invite the biggest College Football Fan we knew... my dad!   The kids were SO EXCITED to get to take him somewhere and it was a trip that they had been looking forward to.   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 . As you enter the building, you are greeted with a massive wall that has a helmet that represents each college football team.  Yes, over 700 fo...

Ryan's World.  Yep, I said it!!!  Are you familiar with this kid?  Well,let me back up.. do you have a small child in your life?  Do they watch You Tube?  If so, you have probably heard of Ryan.  He has a channel and Savannah loves watching it.  She put Ryan's World Toys on her Christmas list and looking at  the kids in her class, she isn't the only one!  (I even noticed one had on a Ryan's World t-shirt at school!)  When I heard that Ryan's World now had a gift pack in collaboration with Colgate, I knew I would want to get one for her.  Lucky for her, we received one for review, so she got an early surprise this holiday season!   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. ...

Backpack!  Backpack!!!  I will go ahead and tell you that we never were much on Dora or Diego around here.  I mean, honestly, I thought Diego was her brother...  but when we saw the previews for the Dora Movie, we put that on our list that we just had to watch!  Unfortunately, we had a few set backs and didn't make it to the movies, but I was thrilled at the chance to have a movie night at home with the kids and watch!  (Oh, and to learn that Diego is actually her COUSIN.  oops!)  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. Broxton is at the age now where it is "girl stuff" and he doesn't think ANY-THING-AT-ALL IS COOL if Savannah likes it.  When I told them we were going to watch Dora and the Lost ...

As long as I have been a mom, I have known of Thomas and Friends. When I was pregnant with Broxton,  I had Marc read books to him.  When Broxton was born, I kept reading the books and he ended up loving the TV show.  We watched all of them.  We had so many of the DVD's to enjoy, not to mention toys... lots and lots of toys!!!!  We were lucky to even get to go ride Thomas when it came near us (on more than one occasion!)  Saying all of that, when we were given the chance to review a new Thomas and Friends toy, we were all about it, especially considering we now have Savannah to get aboard! (Notice my sad excuse at a mom joke!)  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. Thomas the Tank Engine™  was originally ...