Mail Call: Nov. 21 - 26

Good Afternoon! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I am very thankful for my beautiful family and friends who make life worth living for.

We went to Bass Pro Shops this past week, and got to see Santa Claus. And neither one of the girls cried! I couldn't believe it! We also got some great pics which I will post later on.

Here is what came in my mail box this week, feel free to share yours too:

• $10 Target Giftcard that I got for hosting a MAM party
• My National Consumer Panel hand scanner kit
• 10 free cards from MyPublisher

• 9 free PINK shirts (Variety Pack) from Hanes (contest I won via One2OneNetwork.com) and a $50 GC to Hanes catalog - Woo hoo!

• Decorative Ceiling Tile (PR for FFF)

• Pine Bros Softish Throat Drops (freebie)
• Canale Orignials Bracelet Mate (PR & Giveaway for FFF0
• Tiny Prints birthday card (freebie)
• Chiefs Dog Jersey from Pet Super Store.com (PR & Giveaway for FFF)

Until next time, have a wonderful week!

Updates on the girls

I know that I have really been slacking on my blogging for the past month or more..so I thought I would take the time to update everyone on the girls. 

Arwen is now 15.5 months old. She never ceases to amaze us with her incredible vocabulary. She is learning so much everyday, and is so much like her big sister as this age (very high maintenance!). This past week she learned to say "mommy" (instead of just mom/mama) and "daddy" (instead of just dad/dada). She also can say several animal names/sounds, "please", "thank you", "up/down", and many other words.

Although it seems very early, she seems to be interested in going potty like her big sister. So we may start potty training soon! She already "tried" a handful of times with no luck, but still likes to try it out. She can bring me diapers when she is wet/dirty, and tells me when she goes...so is already showing signs for the transition.

The last few days, she has been fighting a cold...so sleeping at naptime/bedtime has been rough. But for the most part, Arwen is still an amazing sleeper and sleeps in her bed all night (STILL, since she was 6 weeks old!).

Destin is now 33 months old. She is such a brilliant preschooler. And I say preschooler, and not toddler...because she seems so much older than she really is. She absolutely loves her new television that we bought her last week, and I can't be sure, but I think that is why she has found a NEW way to show her independence! We cannot believe it...but for the past 4 nights, Destin has actually slept in her bed, in her ROOM, all night long! WOW! I can't tell you how long I have wanted for her to outgrow wanting to sleep with us. She has been sleeping in our bed since before Arwen was born!

And now...for the first time in a very LONG time, Destin actually WANTS to sleep in her bed! I am so incredibly proud of her. Each night, we read 2-3 bedtime stories, give hugs/kisses, turn on her nightlight, and music...and she falls asleep ON HER OWN within fifteen to twenty minutes. It truly is a miracle!! Patrick and I are so incredibly excited! She truly has taken a VERY BIG step to being a big girl, that we knew she could be.

Besides that BIG NEWS...Destin has been very interested in her usual ~ painting, drawing, playdoh, watching cartoons, going to story time at the library (we made turkeys this week), and more. I am hoping that over the next couple months, I can start teaching her to write her letters/numbers. As she can already recognize and recite them all.

That's all I can think for right now...we are planning on a small Thanksgiving with Pat's brothers and his mom later on this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, if I don't post again between now and then.

Take care, Melissa

Mail Call: Nov 14 - 19

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! The girls have both caught a cough/cold again...so we have been dealing with that! Yuck! I am planning on writing up an update for the blog, so that is all I am going to share for now. Here is what came in my mail box this week:

• LL’s Magnetic Clay (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• 2 Gray Shirts from Cheapetees.com (PR for FFF)


• Shutterfly Christmas cards (freebie – just had to pay S&H)


• Shutterfly holiday book w/coupons


• USPS holiday info


• Skintactix – set of 3 (PR for FFF)


• MyPublisher holiday info w/code for 10 free cards


• Babiators Sunglasses (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Snuggle Exhilarations (full bottle from Smile.ly – freebie)


• Style Me Up Diamond Tags (PR for FFF)


• Promdress from Promgirl (PR for FFF)


• “His Little Princess” (BR for FFF from Blogging for Books)


• Cookbook kit from Morris Press Books (freebie) – came w/three sample cookbooks and a “how-to” make your own cookbook


• Parents Magazine (December 2011)


• QwikShower Big Wet Wipes (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Boot Stroot (PR for FFF)


• Slowcolor Scarf (PR for FFF)


• Tom’s toothpaste sample (freebie)


• $25 Am. Express GC (payment for a post on FFF)


• 2 bags from Reuseit.com (PR for FFF)


• “The Way of the Happy Woman” (BR for FFF)


I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving week! Take care, Melissa

Mail Call: November 7 - 12

We really didn't have a super exciting week...Pat got rained out a couple times. On Tuesday, I voted in this week's election (one right that I will never take for granted). Funny thing is, there was only one thing on the ballot ~ Tax Increase for the KC Zoo. Which was passed - yay! Our family absolutely loves the Zoo, and this means we will get all sorts of NEW exhibits, animals and more! Thursday, we did our weekly visit to the Library and story time.

This week we also got Destin's TV set (which was an adventure...of driving to three different places, ordering it online, then taking it back, then traveling some more, and then finally buying the set at Best Buy), and set up Dish Network for her room. Yeah, shes only 2...but its nice to have her watch her favorite shows in her OWN bedroom. I did want to give her an ultimatum of sleeping in her room to earn the TV, but that has not worked so far. :( I am just hoping that by the time her birthday gets her, she will be ready.

Now for this week's mail call...

• Mederma Gift “basket” w/Mederma Stretch Marks cream, Mederma Scar Gel, Mederma Scar Cream + SPF, and Mederma for Kids (Giveaway for FFF)
• Shirt from FiveFingerTees.com (PR for FFF)
• SweetPea3 MP3 Player (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Mediflow Pillow (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Uglee Pens (PR for FFF)
• Skincare for Athletes (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• “Train Your Brain to Get Rich” (BR for FFF)
• Crest complete sample from VocalPoint
• Jet Dry (full size) w/coupon (freebie)
• $10 Visa Giftcards x 3 from State Farm
• Shutterfly birthday card for a friend (freebie)
• Canker Spanker ~ cold sore pills/chapstick (PR for FFF)
• Longshot Golf samples (freebie)
• Natural House Trashy, Stinky & Flushy (PR & Giveaway for FFF)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Take care!

Stationery card

Family Highlights Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mail Call: Oct 31 - Nov 5

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We drove out to Cabellas and drooled over furniture at Nebraska Furniture Mart with the girls on Saturday. Other than that, we just stayed home :)

Here is what I got in mailbox this week:

• Personalized Christmas board book for Arwen from I See Me (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• LL Bean catalog
• Disney princess vitamin gummy sample (freebie)
• Coupon for a FREE Kefir product (freebie)
• Post it super sticky notes (freebie)
• Twinings of London tea samples x 3 (freebie)
• Colorforms Magic Fashion Show toy (PR for FFF)
• Alaska catalog (freebie)
• Christmas card for Veteran from TinyPrints (freebie)
• Bracelets & pens I ordered from Pure (deal from SaveMore that I purchased & got for FREE w/referrals)
• Bracelets from Live Worldly (PR for FFF)
• Slice Safety cutter (PR for FFF)
• Bracelet from my cousin Denise to promote Breast Cancer Awareness :D
• Puzzle from Piczzle (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Mrs. Cubbison’s stuffing & crispy onions (PR for FFF)
• Star of David necklace from Alef Bet by Paula (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Story Harbour Vol. 1 CD (PR for FFF)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Take care, Melissa

Happy Halloween 2011!

Happy Halloween 2011!

The girls both dressed up as pirates this year - and they were so cute :) Just see for yourself...

We all ventured out across the street as a family...Arwen lasted about two houses and she was done. She had candy and did not want to be held all night. So Daddy & Arwen went home to pass out/eat candy ~ while Destin and I went to about 20 houses or so (until it got dark outside).

I was really surprised by the number of houses that DID NOT pass out candy. Our neighborhood just isn't really that friendly with one another - in fact, we have lived here for 5 years, and have yet to really have a "real" conversation with any of our neighbors :( Its pretty sad...

But on a happy note, the girls had a lot of fun, and we probably had about 50+ Trick or Treaters. Not sure what the plan is for next year. I am thinking we might go somewhere else that is more kid friendly for our girls. It just seems like the kids were very pushy, not very thankful and really not considerate for little ones.

AND we also went to Boo at the Zoo with Gma Melanie and Joe over the weekend. I forgot my camera :( so the only ones I got were on my phone...oh well! I will try to post some here soon!

Besides Halloween...I don't really have a whole lot to report. The girls are finally getting over their colds that we got last week. And I have lost my voice off/on the last few days - which is not fun. Patrick says he has a sore throat too. I am not sure if its the weather being so up/down, or if we really did just catch a cold.

Oh, we also got a new fish! And then he died 2 days later..so now we are on to "Nemo 8" (or 9). I have lost count...but at least this new one has lasted more than 2 days. Yay!

Last week, I attended a FREE parenting class called Love & Logic. I recall bits and pieces of it from my student teaching and while I was teaching using some of it...but now I am a parent, I want to learn it again. It was nice to get away by myself for a little bit. As selfish as that sounds, it is just what I need. Even if it was just for a couple hours. I hope to take more classes in the future...maybe it will put my stress and anxiety at ease.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween! Take care, Melissa

P.S. Is anyone counting down to Christmas yet? They already have all the decorations, music and YES, even Santa coming to KC soon! Yikes! I am planning on going through my totes later on this week!

Mail Call: October 24 - 29

Happy November! I know this post is coming out a little late, but better late than never, right? My mailbox was pretty full this week - mostly products up for review w/FFF, but great ones nonetheless :D I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Check out what goodies I got in my mailbox this week:

• Vegetarian Journal magazine (Vol. XXX, No. 4)
• Mini Paper Shredder & Pencil Sharpener from Karma Kiss (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Little Pim Spanish Gift Set (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• OB Tampon container w/tampons (freebie)
• All Terrain Herbal Armor Insect Repellent DEET-FREE Pump Spray (PR for FFF)
• Candy containers w/girls pic on them from Partybeans (PR for FFF)
• Lighten Up (BR for FFF)
• Roots Only (PR for FFF)
• Fan Stamp Instant Press On Eye Shadow (PR for FFF)
• Elle Décor Magazine (freebie)
• Bookmarks from the author of “Go For It” (BR for FFF)
• My Caring Cross (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Bully Free It Starts with Me kit, which came w/pin, sticker and poster (freebie)
• Birthday card from Cards Direct (freebie)
• Vajazzling.com stickers & info (PR for FFF)