Stamp out Hunger!

Saturday, May 11th is the annual STAMP OUT HUNGER FOOD DRIVE! 

For the 21st year, Campbell has teamed up with the National Association of Letter Carriers to collect food donations in order to provide food to the millions of Americans who are struggling with hunger. This is the largest one-day food drive held in the country and the simplest too. All you have to do is collect non-perishable food items in a bag and leave at your mailbox on Saturday, May 11th. Your mail carrier will pick up and deliver the food to a local food bank. How easy is that?

My family and I participate in this food drive every year. I have the kids help me collect the food items and place outside by the mailbox. It teaches them to help out their community. 

Some examples of non-perishable items that can be included in your bag are:

• Peanut butter
• Canned soup
• Canned meats and fish
• Canned vegetables, fruits and juices
• Boxed goods (such as cereal
• Pasta and Rice

In 2012, more than 70 million pounds of food were collected. Campbell Soup Company will kick off this year’s food drive with a pledge to donate one million pounds of food to Feeding America member food banks.

Please participate, it only takes a few minutes to go into your pantry or cupboard and pull out a few items to donate. 

For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hungerfood drive, ask your letter carrier, contact your local 

post office or visit either www.helpstampouthunger.com or www.facebook.com/StampOutHunger, and follow 

the drive at www.twitter.com/StampOutHunger.

We Are Friends!

So, a couple of weeks ago, I posted about how difficult it is being a step-mother. You can read that post here.  That was my "freeing" post. I wrote what I felt and didn't care what anyone thought of me. I received awesome feedback form some really amazing women who have gone through or are going through the same situation as I am. It felt so good to finally get all those feelings out and have someone understand.

Well, last night I had a moment. A moment I thought wouldn't happen. Amberly, my 7-year old stepdaughter called ME to chit-chat. Yes me! I was in shock when she called her Dad and asked to speak to me. She really didn't have anything to say, she just wanted to chat. Honestly, I was in such shock, I can't even remember if I "chatted" back. At that moment, I realized "WE ARE FRIENDS!" She likes me and trusts me.   I have been anxiously awaiting this moment and it just happened. It feels GREAT!!!

I hope to continue this relationship with her. I want to be her friend. I want to be that person she can come to with anything, especially during those dreaded teen years. I am loving this moment and will try to ride it out as long as I can!

It's me, MARIO!!!

I love birthday parties. Everything about them appeals to me! I believe every child should have at least one in their lifetime. Adrian has been a lucky boy,  in that he has had themed parties every year, check out his Avengers party here. Well Gian hadn't had one so we decided to have a Mario-themed party for him (he is obsessed with Super Mario Bros). I desperately needed JC's help here since I have only ever played one game of Mario in my life and had no idea what it entailed. After some "Mario lessons" I was ready to start planning.

As usual, we DIY'd almost everything. It's a lot to describe so I will just let you see all the work in the pics:

Birthday boy

JC created the cupcake toppers

I made the cake

and these star cookies

the piñata was created from a cardboard box and filled with LOADS of candy

we rented a bouncehouse and created a scene from the game over the cake table

Yoshi Treat Bags

Pirahna plants in pipes

Princess Peach Castle/Cake-Cupcake Holder

Gian and JC

My favorite pic of that day!

For food, we kept the Italian theme and I made baked ziti and we ordered pizza for the kids. Adrian, Gian, JC and Amberly all wore Mario-themed shirts.

Gian loved his party and still talks about it. That was a tough weekend since Adrian's birthday and Gian's birthday were the same weekend and they each wanted a party. It was a lot of work but I would definitely do it again (and probably will!)

If you have any questions on how to make something from this party, please feel free to email me.

C'mon: Take the Challenge!!

We all know that texting while driving is a big No-No. I mean come on, we have those precious little beings in the car with us, wouldn't want anything to happen to them right? So today, I am asking you to please Take the Pledge: I WILL NOT TEXT AND DRIVE!!

To take the pledge, you can click on the button above or go to: http://creeandscooter.com/take-the-pledge

I took the pledge last month and have been text free ever since! I am doing it for the safety of my children and everyone else on the road!

A Day At The Pool

Today has been the first day this year that we have been able to have "a day at the pool." We went to soccer in the morning and have been at the pool for the past 3 hours. Three hours of swimming, diving, cannonballs and belly flops. It has been a great day and hopefully this will tire out  these three kids and they sleep like angels tonight!

Charity Miles

Today I wanted to share my new favorite app, Charity Miles! 

Charity Miles is a free app that empowers you to earn money for charities while walking, running or biking-- everyday.

Just choose a charity:

-Freedom America

-Autism Speaks

-Wounded Warrior Project

-Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

-Stand Up To Cancer

-(RED)

-World Food Programme

-The Nature Conservancy

-ASPCA

-Habitat for Humanity

-Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

-Partnership for a Healthier America

-Pencils of Promise

-Girl UP

-Shot @ Life

-Nothingbutnets.net

-Ironman Foundation

-Every Mother Counts

-Achilles International

-Dosomething.org

and hit the streets. As you walk, run or bike, the app will track your distance and you'll earn money for your charity: 10¢ per mile for bikers; 25¢ per mile for walkers and runners, all up to $1,000,000 courtesy of their corporate sponsors.

So please join the movement and share with your friends and family. You will be raising money for charity and exercising to keep your body healthy at the same time!!!

This app is available for free for iphone (itunes) and android phones (google play). 

This is NOT a sponsored post. I am sharing this app with you since I use it and am sharing my own honest opinions. 

10 Things You Didn't Know About iPhone Cases

If you have ever wondered if you were the only one who dropped their iphone in the toilet (it happens to us all!) or if you were the only one who owned 10 different cases, here's some interesting info for you:

This infographic is provided to you by Shutterfly, a leader provider of photo books, custom iPhone cases & more!

Our Date Days!!

Sometimes when you are a single mom and then get into a relationship, your child becomes a little jealous. OK, very jealous in Adrian's case. There is misbehaving, bad attitudes and bad manners all over the place. I decided that maybe if I dedicated some mommy and me time to him the misbehaving would subside a little. So on Saturday and Sunday, Adrian and I went on dates. On Saturday, we went out for pizza and then the Children's museum. We had so much fun and he behaved so well all day! It was nice, just me and him.

On Sunday, I took him bowling for the first time. He loved every second of it, bumpers up and all. He made TWO, count it TWO strikes!!

His behavior has improved a bit but I think we have some major attachment now. I'm sure it will fade as the week goes by, but for now everything is "Just me and mommy!"  

Wordless Wednesday-Lakeview

Gorgeous Lakeview from our porch!

Build 'Em Up Series: Remembering You!

November 10, 2006 was the day that forever changed my life. I gave birth to my son, Adrian. Since then, I have been Mama, Mommy or Mom. It has definitely been the most difficult and memorable journey of my life. I love my son but in the process of becoming a mom, the real me has disappeared. I used to be thinner, do my hair, wear make-up, dress-up and wear heels. Now, I throw on the first thing I find, haven't worn make-up in weeks and live in flats. I feel like I cannot find time for myself but somehow always have time to coordinate Adrian's outfits and make sure he gets out for play and exercise. I know most of it is laziness, I do not want to get up an extra hour early!

I was reading Kelly's blog today, Kelly's Korner, and she has a new series called "Build 'Em up," meant to empower women to better themselves. Today's topic is "Remembering you" and I have had a moment. That moment when you realize that you need to change something. I had that. So my fellow mom bloggers, I am taking this post as a challenge to Remember myself. Starting today, I will do the following:

1. Get up an hour earlier and dress up! Wear those heels that have been collecting dust in the closet!
2. Take an hour off of being a mom when we get home and do some form of exercise, whether its walking or yoga or swimming!
3. Watch what I eat, NO MORE JUNK!
4. I am going to go buy makeup. Yes, I am going to go out and only buy something for ME!

I am tired of what I see in the mirror everyday! I am going to better myself which I know will make me a better mom. New me, here I come.........

Weekend Recap 04/06-04/07

Hello all! I had a busy weekend.....it was my first wedding coordination! I've coordinated/planned bridal showers, baby showers and parties but never a wedding and never so last minute! It did come out beautiful and since it's not my wedding, I only took a couple of pics of the table setups so you can see what I was up to. JC stayed with the kids on Saturday while I was at the wedding (he's great, isn't he?) and then he and I hung out on Sunday, strolled Tar-jay and had some friends over for a BBQ.

Here's some pics:

Adrian had his first brownie on Friday...loved it!

Adrian and Gian were "beating" each other (mind u...it's broken), I really hope they learn to read soon!

I made the kids pancake pops before I left on Saturday morning. They were quite a hit!

Amberly saw this heart braid on Pinterest and insisted that I try it out on her. Not too bad!

 
Table setups at the wedding (it was an the Ancient Spanish Monastery so everything looked so beautiful and ethereal!

Aren't these roses gorgeous?

Well that was my weekend! Did you do anything fun?

DIY Beach Shack Playset

Hi! I'm very excited to announce that I was chosen to participate in the Mom Trusted Kids Craft Blogger Challenge. I am always up for a good challenge and this one was especially fun! I was sent popsicle sticks and asked to create a kid-friendly craft. Sure, I could have made a frame or ornament, but we decided to go full out and make something Amberly could use for her dolls. The dolls of the moment are the Lalaloopsies. She has the big ones, the minis, the Lala-oopsies and the playhouses, but was constantly telling me she missing a place for her minis to "hang out." (Seriously? the houses weren't enough?)

So, as soon as I received the package in the mail, I knew we would create a beach shack for the minis to hang out at. It took about two hours, but turned out AMAZING!!!

Isn't it cute? It reminds me of restaurants in the Keys.

To make your own:

Materials used:

Large Popsicle Sticks
Medium Popsicle Sticks
Small Popsicle Sticks
Paint
Paint brushes
Hot Glue Gun
Wood Glue

First, you build the frame using the large popsicle sticks.

Next, have your child paint the roof slats while you paint the frame.

Then, cut out a piece of cardboard as the floor base. Of course, with JC being an architect and all, it was decided that the base needed to have the "hardwood floor look." Seriously, this was the reason it took two hours....

We then had Amberly paint the floor. She chose all the colors, made sure they were bright and colorful to match her Lalaloopsies. 

Then we just glued it all together, add some shells (to give it the beachy feel) and TADA.........

DIY Beach Shack Playset

This was a fun project to do together. We had all the materials on hand so it was cheap, actually free! 

Try it out with your little ones and let me know how it turns out.

If you want to see other popsicle stick projects, especially for the pre-school crowd, check out Early Teacher. They have lots of fun projects to try out!

Free Printable

In honor of Mother's Day (yes, coming up soon) I created this free printable for my fellow mommy bloggers:

This quote reminds me of when children are babies, can't talk and yet as a mother you know what they need. A mother's bond with her child is truly special!

Download here

Zoo Fun

On Sunday, Adrian asked to go to the zoo for Easter. His wish was my command that day. We woke up early and headed on out to the zoo. It was PACKED! Zoo Miami hosts an Egg Safari on Easter with egg hunts, bounce houses and treats for the animals. When we got there, we decided to forgo the egg hunt since there was a 4 hour wait in line to get in. Adrian wanted to see the animals. Besides, he was going to an Easter party with my sister after the zoo and would have an egg hunt there.

Back to the zoo..........Binoculars ready, basket ready..........

It was great sunny weather so we walked and walked and saw so many animals. Also, Adrian rode a camel and fed/petted a rhinoceros. I think that was his favorite part of the day! I mean seriously, who gets to pet a rhinoceros?

We also took these super cute pictures in a dinosaur bird's nest:

And a fun carousel ride:

After the zoo, my sister took him to an egg hunt and JC and I finally had a date night. We went to the movies, saw OZ (amazing movie) and then went to dinner. Since Lent was officially over, I got to have wine, YAY!

Pure joy on my face!!

We had a really great day. It was a little weird not hosting the annual egg hunt at my house but I think Adrian was ready for something different this year. 

If you are ever in Miami, Zoo Miami is definitely a great place to take the kids. Not only do they get to see and pet all sorts of cool animals, they have a couple playgrounds and splash parks. Be aware though, it is an ALL DAY adventure!