Cheerio.

Cheerios. 

From as far as I can remember a Cheerio was just a Cheerio. It was something that reminded me of a baby's first food, and something I never really wanted in the cereal isle as a kid unless it was coated with sugar. Was something frequently squished up on my mini van floor, and something used for funky rainy day crafts. Was something cheery British people say and something that kept your heart healthy according to the brands commercials. Speaking of commercials, it became one of the first noticeable biracial commercials that really spoke volumes to me as a mother in an interracial family. But, that's about all a Cheerio has amounted to in my life. Oh and those Cheerio family boxes, you know.. More for less type of thing, was just another way to drop 5 bucks real quick. Just a Cheerio. It wasn't until a typical let's hurry in and out of this grocery store please kids with no begging, trip my three and I made, that I realized a plain little Cheerio was the foundation of a new tradition. Our tradition.

My nearly three year old ninja fighting Nerf gun shooting, baseball playing, monster chasing, dragon scarring son & I, started having impromptu cereal dates. Waking up at midnight because he wanted cereal, eating cereal for breakfast way too early, or randomly wanting a snack after some serious zombie punching. It slowly became our thing. Eventually we got tired of all the creative sugary colorful cereals & opted for plain boring little O's. We set sail on these O's, we became pirates on these O's, we bombed these O's, and we ate these O's off each others spoons. The instant my son would ask "Mommy, cereal date?!?" I knew exactly what bowls to grab and what seat he expected me to be in, and I would get there. We would speak about superheroes and baseball and how girls have cooties. We would burst out in laughter and there were a few times milk nearly spit out of his nose. He would burp and fart, crack up and then sneeze. Everything a typical man does, only while melting your heart at the exact same time, with squinted eyes and milk all over his face. Our conversation over a bowl of Cheerios became a new anticipated adventure every time, and a chance to fall more in love with my son again and again. 

This past grocery run, as we hit the cereal isle, I saw my sons little brown hands reaching a little higher, for the big box. The family Cheerio box. He looked at me after he stood on his tippy toes to reach it and said, "Mama, how many dates me get wiff you out dis box?" You know those moments in life where something smacks you upside the head with pure joy?  (Insert melting heart here) That was right now. My son didn't care about more Cheerios in a box, he cared about more time with his Mommy. 

It's been said time and again that it doesn't matter what you buy your children, it matters the amount of time and love you give to them. You could say a Cheerio is a Cheerio, that's it, that's all it is. But with a little boy, his mother, and a lot of loving imagination, a Cheerio becomes anything that little boy wants it to be; even the wingman to a date with his mom. 

I can only pray that over the years of homework, girlfriends, sports, dreams, new cars, life challenges and goals, that he and I will continue our Cheerio dates for a lifetime. A Cheerio will never be just that, again. 

check out forty toes huge giveaway

WINNER TAKES ALL
http://momof40toes.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-giveaway-by-forty-toes.html?commentPage=2

worth checking out!!

Sassy lil thangz ***

Sassy-lil-thangz

Visit their Facebook page!

::Click the link above::

Do you have a little Diva in your life?

If so, you cannot go wrong by stopping by Sassy lil thangz! The name says it all! 

*UniQuE, UnIqUe, uNiQuE*

This is not your average bow & tutu site, but the site of a very talented lady who can probably make just about anything! Of course, she even does custom orders.

Here are some of her dresses & hair bows that were posting on my page awhile back.

Check out the Thanksgiving themed items! Love them!

Gobble Gobble (:

See the rest of the pictures here!

 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.172216069529696.46249.120569074694396&type=3

Yours Truly Creations

YOURStrulyCREATIONS 

Clink the link above to see their Facebook shop!

This lady is extremely talented! I definitely would rate her a 10 plus plus PLUS on the way she does her business! She is SO sweet, and extremely friendly! One of my TOP sweetest pages for sure!

She makes many things, but one of them are decorative blocks! I'll have another blog write up with pictures on the ones she made for me!  In the meantime, go see her great work! 

My favorite thing she makes however, are Chinese take out boxes! Check these out! They were custom designed for my daughter's 2nd Birthday party.  You all know I love mustache's... so the party of course was rainbow & mustache themed! LOVE these boxes, who wouldn't?! The quality of them are AWESOME as well!  All of the kids played with these boxes, and literally not a single one broke.  You will be amazed at the price.. I feel like its a year round clearance sale! 

Seriously, right?

Beyond adorable!

Go to her page and request your very own take out boxes! Let me know which styles you get! I'd love to see! 

Wonderfully made! 

Any Occasion Creation Review..a MUST SEE!

I had the wonderful opportunity to review a beautifully made hanger from this super sweet shop! Once you take a look at these pictures, I'm sure you too will fall in love.  Any Occasion Creation makes hangers for.. GET THIS.. any occasion!! ;) You pick the word & even the hanger type/color! So fun!

I personally think this is one of the best gifts I have ever given.. and I am amazed at the prices! I figured a custom made thing such as this, would cost much more than it actually does. See for yourself! You can visit them on Facebook at the link here. aNYoCCASIONcREATION

I had the hanger made for my Sister-in-Law to be at the time.  She loved it!

 It's a wedding gift that is oh so cute, but can also be kept and even used for years to come! It's unique without being questionable if the recipient will like it or not...Obviously! :) 

These gifts are GREAT ideas for baby showers also! You will definitely stand out at any party you bring one to! I am so glad to have this as one of Young Mama's Fun Finds! Great products, awesome service, & a memory to last! 


Want to follow their Etsy shop? Here you go! 
http://www.AnyOccasionCreation.etsy.com

Sugar Dumplins** Cuteness OVERLOAD!

Many have already seen & liked Sugar Dumplins on FB from me posting about them so much! If not, here's the link, go check them out! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sugar-Dumplins/155302554534358


First of all, the Mama who runs it all is a complete busy bee, but she gets the job done....& nicely!  She is super sweet & i'm glad she found me! I know it's hard to trust people on pages often, but you have my word 100% she is so great!!


There are lots of people out there making tutu's, bow's, & all that girly stuff, so I know it's hard to stand out.  One look at her pictures & you'll know why I fell in love with her things right away. She makes many things such as a braided headband (which I love) to fuzzy bows, to tutu outfits! She makes sets for all holidays & occasions.


Here are a few pictures of some of her pieces she has to offer! She does custom orders too! If interested in Halloween gear such as this she may have some in stock! Yippee for cuteness! (:

Even the grumpiest of our diva's will still look adorable in her things! ;) The cute little spider actually has googly eyes.  That was my daughters favorite part! Here is a close up of the sweetly made shirt.

By far, this Mama is one of my favorite with awesome designs!

*******

Don't take my word for it, go check out all Sugar Dumplins has to offer! Let me know what you think!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sugar-Dumplins/155302554534358

Review on Mommy & Daughter bracelets(:

I had so much fun discovering Ro's Bows !!


 Dont let the name fool ya, she makes many different things! One of them being super cute Mommy & me bracelets! Every daughter wants to be like her Mommy right? Now they can! I think this is a perfect idea! 

There is a lot of detail on these pieces, check them out here in the below photo.

Seriously, how cute is that? If you and your little girl like these, i'd check out her album on her Facebook page! You could pick them out together! 

The bracelets are great quality.  My crazy 5 year old flipped & flopped around in this field for hours & never ruined the bracelet..its Aubrey proof. That approval is VERY hard to get..she breaks everything! Haha!

The sweet Mommy is very easy to work with as well! It's always great when you find a page where their service is so wonderful! 

anyhourgifts.com review, come see!!!

I had SO much fun working with Jeanette!  I must say, even when I love a product, I can easily walk away if the service is a bummer, but she was spectacular! I can't say enough how easy and friendly this wonderful women was to work with! Super sweet!!

I had the honor to review an AWESOME tote! anyhourgifts.com custom made one for me with my son's face on it.  I know those of you who are my age may be thinking.. ehh, personalized picture totes aren't my thing.. but seriously, I am in LOVE! I am 23, and will be sporting my new "diaper bag" very proudly! I am beyond happy with the quality of the finished product.  Actually, it's amazing a picture can be printed onto a bag and be so clean cut. Check out these pictures I took below! Anyhourgifts.com specializes in dog and animal lover gifts, but they can do anything with a picture of your choice! They have such a HUGE variety of products they offer.. you really need to check out their page because I could go on and on!

Hehe, what a picture huh?..more like WHAT A TOTE!!! ;)

I made the picture black & white, but it's just another way to show you how CLEAR it came out!

Here is my son sitting by the tote...gives you an idea of how big it is. I must say, I was so surprised with the size...my big "little man" could fit into it! 

One more picture...

Really a GREAT product! They were even gracious enough to give all my readers and fan page followers a discount code! If you are interested in making something with any picture of yours be sure to check out with code ***photo20*** 20% off! How awesome is that?

CONTACT OR CHECK THEM OUT HERE::

Website!

http://www.anyhourgifts.com/

Website!

**

Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/anyhourgiftsLLC 

Facebook!

If you visit, leave some time to tell them Young Mamas Fun Finds sent you!! Hope you will have as much fun picking out a gift for yourself or someone else as I did!

My Sister, I Love Her!!

I've been contacted by someone and was asked to see if I could get some more followers on my blog, so that I could to reviews and bigger giveaways for them. Of course, I am now determined to do so, just because I find it entertaining! I needed something cute to "blog about" and there is nothing more cute in my life(besides my kids) than my baby sister! (okay, she's no longer a baby, and is about to leave me for college)

After all the info, there will be a way to enter to win a random "freebie pack." Just a little something filled with coupons, samples, and whatever I have in my freebie/coupon/extra boxes that fit what interests you. Small random things. (:

We're going into my sissy's bedroom.. because she really has the most unique things ever!! Or maybe just the fact of where these "normal" things actually came from..

Had to post this first, that adorable pink couch you see is mine, and she totally confiscated it and is going to fabric it in black velvet. Love her though, and the idea.

***

Moving onto her huge bookshelf. I think she only has about two books on here.. the rest is filled with stuff like this.. another reason why I love her. It's perfect for keeping her Maid of Honor bouquet from my wedding on display. My mom made them by the way, and they turned out gorgeous! 

 

I really feel like only my sister would own a cheetah print stapler.. haha!

For some reason I just love this.. I never would have thought hanging a necklace on a picture frame would be so cute. Turns out to be a great way to keep your necklaces from getting all tangled and thrown all over the place!!

Closet time.. which by far has my favorite thing...

                                                    ...I bet you can guess she is one of those people who would come to your house filled with kids, and start folding your laundry right? My husband pays her to organize his side of the closet..LOL! Either she is THAT good, or I am a slacker!! (:

She owns tons and tons of sunglasses and 

super big jewelry. Ahh, she is so darn cute!!!

***

She picked this up at Hobby Lobby... They have great 

deals esp. when they have things on sale for 50% off!!

***

Now to my absolute favorite... 

The thing on our left, is a picture frame. She has her hair flowers on one side and made the other side into an earring holder.. close up coming.. I am still amazed what she made it out of.

Any guesses?? A BROKEN WINDOW!! One of the dogs jumped onto the screen of the window, so I guess my sister looked at it and decided it would be part of her new earring holder!!? Haha, how creative and SO CUTE is that?

***

She made this little tact board into a calendar holder...

 and she sewed all her pillows(: She even glued rhinestones on some of them.. yep, shes that cool! (:

That's it for the pictures.. so here is your question. How do you think this room describes my sister? Please include physical features, personality traits, and anything else that you think will help you win that freebie pack! I will pick the winner after we get more blog followers, so that is your only requirement to win..follow the blog! 

Paisley Card Co. winners

FIRST PRIZE TOTAL FREEBIE WINNER IS:: ASHLEY DONSON

SECOND PLACE WINNER W/PERCENTAGE OFF DESIGN IS:: DANIELLE PATCHELL

THIRD PLACE WINNER WITH PERCENTAGE OFF DESIGN IS::  MELISSA PALMER

Please contact the sponsor & let her know you won! To the 2nd & 3rd place winners, I'm sure you can use yours whenever if interested.. just ask her for details <3

L'ovedbaby

I came across this line of clothing while I was at one of my baby doctor appointments, looking through magazines. I saw the cutest child in a hat and went home and looked their things up online. I fell in love! I ordered a blue hat and blue newborn sleeper for my sons take home outfit and it was the cutest thing ever. Usually clothing fits newborns way too big and it looks like the baby is swimming in his clothes. L'ovedbaby fit my son perfectly and he weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. I was looking at some pictures from a few months ago, so I had to share some for all my soon to be mommy friends. You need to get you some L'ovedbaby!

 the *best* take home outfit! Soft & cute..plus your newborn will love you for keeping him super comfy! ;)

 *Oh by the way, I highly recommend Peg Perego baby gear..so cool!

It was a sad day when he grew out of his very first L'ovedbaby clothes, but it's always fun shopping for more!

You can check them out on facebook...sometimes they offer free shipping codes and other fun things! 

https://www.facebook.com/lovedbaby

Mustache.

I am obsessed with mustaches. LOL. Fake ones.. & only for girls. I know that is a little bit creepy.. but ever since I saw the stash of staches (bahaha) at the gas station on our sibling vacation.. I love them!!

Layla is going to be 2 in FOUR months.. (wow, my little peanut is getting so big) and I had the great idea to have her party be mustache themed. Once again, I know that sounds creepy but seriously.. look at these.

Mustache baby leggings. Seriously? I am getting these.

I love them!

AND

It gets better..

MUSTACHE SWEATER? are you KIDDING? LOL.. getting this too.

Who would have thought a mustache could be so cute!?

(Steph... i'm going to need you to be thinking of designs for invites and Amy.. im going to need you for my.. yeah you guessed it babyyy, MUSTACHE CAKE!)

Layla is going to be mustached out by the time i'm done with her! Hahaha. Wow.

I thought these were cute too.. too bad I dont have a tiny little girl to wear them anymore :)

oh my gosh.. this is hilarious!!

stash necklace? hahaha!

So who wouldn't want to be invited to a mustache party? I am soo doing it!

;)

HUGGIES diaper deal @ CVS

First, go click here to print $3/1 Huggies while they are available

Huggies Jumbo Pack diapers, pull-ups, or goodnites $8.99

Use the $3/1 diapers coupon

PAY =$5.99

Get back $2 in Extra Care Bucks (Limit 1)

FINAL COST = $3.99

<3 <3 <3

Today, I fell in with Dandelions (:

..Yes, Dandelions!! Whoever said they were useless, pests, & ugly needs to smile & learn how to be happy!! ;)

Most reading this, probably know that I just had a baby. Well, about 5 weeks ago! Wow, time flies! I've been trying to get in a routine lifestyle and have been trying to handle all of the chaos among the newest addition, my husband off patrolling the streets with all his overtime, my 18 month old who thinks she is a goddess, & a super hyper 5 year old who should rest as much as she can due to her health ordeal, but instead flips & flops off couches all day long.  My life is hectic to say the least.  The new one (my first, and last son) has severe acid reflux, so he seems like a colic baby alllllllllll day long.  I'm usually a very positive person.. but I've been so overwhelmed I've been fighting myself on being negative.. its not a good look for me, but I've been having trouble getting out of that funk.  Today, I changed my attitude permanently though.


After throwing (not literally) the kids in the van, and making a desperate trip to the car wash to clean it out, and to give the kids a break from crying & whinning so much, I saw a huge field of nothing but grass & dandelions.  I decided to stop on the side of the road, and let Aubrey out to pick them. (She's always loved picking flowers, and collecting things from the trees and ground) She has so much fun, and so did I.. just running around picking dandelions! It only lasted about 2 minutes until the baby started to cry again, but thats okay.. because I learned that those two minutes would be a forever memory, and yes, ill take it! 

 This is the reason I have decided Dandelions are now my new "flower." This sweet little face giving me my surprise that she had hidden under her shirt. She picked extra for me! Children are so sweet! Would anyone else but a child hide flowers up their shirts with little bugs on them just to surprise you? Probably not. :)

                      Layla following in her sisters footsteps, collecting things.

Aubrey thought her baby brother, who she calls  "Big Time" needed decorated. lol (:

When we got home, the sisters were still bored, so we came up with the cool idea of painting with dandelions.

This was a lot of fun, & the girls loved it. It was also free, & of course something i'll be keeping forever. :)

Another reason why today was such an eye opener to me is because of the dead dandelions. Yep! Aubrey loves those, they are HER favorite. You can always take something negative, and turn it into a positive. Perfect example right here. Dead dandelion = free wishes! :D

Listening to my daughter make wishes as she blew her dead dandilion seeds, was the sweetest thing ever. She does this every year, and I have a feeling dandelions will always remind me of her.  This time, I heard her wish that 1. Mimi would never have to go to work again, and could play with her whenever she wanted. 2. None of the kids in the world would ever have to see a doctor, or go to a "ridiclee-ous" hospital. 3. She would find more Justin Bieber stickers.  Life as a 5 year old has to be a great thing.  Yes, a lot of you know the struggles Aubrey has been through, and how grown up she acts, but at heart, she is a tiny little 5 year old who just wants to be happy! She loves life. I am 23, and today she really showed me how to smile, what love is, and that the best things in life really do come free. No one could pay me any amount of money to trade for today. Next time you start to be negative, or think things will never stop going wrong, pretend you are a child with a dandelion. I mean really, how corny is that?... but at the same time, how perfect! <3


I love today! Even with my crazy life, my husband working a double leaving me to feel like a single mama for the day, & my 3 nutto children whom I love EVERY minute with! Even the negative moments, because they will always happen!.. Enough negative ones will bring you *absolutely perfect, imperfect days like mine today that you will learn to cherish.  


Even after having such an awesome "moment" ... it never ends.. this is what I get to walk back in the room to after getting a drink!.. lol

                                                                           Cheese.

           & more cheese... it was even dumped all over Braylon. Thank you Layla!! This makes for my 3rd vacuuming of the living room in 8 hours. (:

Life is crazy, but i've 100% learned to love crazy.