Let GoodNites help you #RestEasyTonight

As moms we are constantly on demand. Our to do list is filled with a million and one things we still can't seem to remember ! From the morning struggle to get the kids to school, all the way to the end of the night. Sadly it doesn't stop once they fall asleep sometimes. Let's face it bed time is a task that is on a whole other level. Just getting them to lay down can take a couple hours .. so once they are sound asleep you would want to keep it that way.

We started potty training the boys at the age of two. Because for the most part you are told that is when you should start right ? So with my first I struggled really hard to meet that deadline society gives you ... because the last thing I wanted was to be a "bad mom". Luckily potty training wasn't too bad with them , but they both till this day have a tough time with night time potty training. Who even knew these were two different challenges, because I sure didn't. I swore it came as a packaged deal once they mastered one they would master the other. Unfortunately I learned this wasn't true with one too many bed wetting accidents during the night. It is no fun for them and no fun for us ! They would wake up crying and uncomfortable.. and I would have to wake up to take the sheets off , spray the mattress and put new clean sheets on. It was a huge process that nobody enjoyed. It also made our laundry load even more gigantic then it was to begin with. We tried everything they tell you to do - like no liquids after a specific time ; wake them up in the middle of the night to use the potty ..... they were all FAILS. It was no use anymore, it was driving us crazy and I'm sure it was stressing them out as well. We stopped worrying about what others would say about it ; and all the pressure society puts on potty training and just threw in the towel and started using GoodNites night time pampers. They give us peace of mind that we can all sleep soundly without any accidents. I have to remember they only stay little for so little time , so why rush the process if it's not harming anyone!

I was so happy to attend the #RestEasyTonight event with The Moms Network. I have been a big supporter of GoodNites for some time now, and would be lost without them. So I am happy that they are showing other moms out there that even at six years old it is okay to not be all the way potty trained yet. They had it all set up as "Camp GoodNites" with yummy snacks and SMORES! ( That was a big hit with my little ones!) They then had different Activity pods in which the boys were able to create their own water bottle holders and flashlights. It was a perfect set up for the kids to get creative, and have a camp like experience. We got a lot of insight on potty training, bed wetting, and we were given so much positive feedback from Tamera Mowry-Housley. She was super sweet, and went around and spoke to all of us mommas, and the kids as well. My little one was absolutely love struck when he saw her, and got lucky with a big hug at the end of the event.




Accidents happen, but with GoodNites you no longer have to worry about them at 3AM!
Let GoodNites help you #RestEasyTonight

(Thanks to The Moms Network for inviting me and my family at this awesome event)

#EmojiMovie Arts & Crafts: Emoji Jars

     

The long awaited Emoji Movie comes out in theaters on Friday, July 28th. I have yet to meet a person who is not excited about this movie. So many amazing actors and actresses. If you know me, you know I love me anything with Sofia Vergara. Colombia represent!! Not only does it look hilarious, but relatable for all ages. I can not wait to take my little ones to go see it.

So to kick things off we decided to do a little arts and crafts fun to celebrate. Me and the boys had so much fun making these cute jars, and you can use them for just about anything! It was also a very easy craft to do with a 6 year old, just as much as it was with a three year old. They love anything emojis, so they both chose their two favorite emoji faces and created the jars with a little acrylic paint, and sharpies.

1. To start things off we got some baby food jars and peeled off the labels. Once they were nice and clear we poured some yellow acrylic paint into the jars and put back the lids so we could shake them up until they were completely yellow!

2. After they were dry on the inside we used sharpies to create our best emoji faces! I think they came out pretty awesome! We let them sit to dry again, until it was time to figure out what we would use them for.

3. Jace actually needed somewhere to store his crayons and pencils for his homework desk, so that worked out great. Caleb on the other hand wanted to use them for sweets, so he filled his up with emoji lolipops (his favorite sweet of all!)

It was a fast and easy DIY creation to do with them that they enjoyed as much as I did.

What is your favorite Emoji DIY? Share them with me in the comments below! And dont forget to go and check out The Emoji Movie - in theaters this week!!!!

*(This post was sponsored, but all opinions are of my own.)*

WIN a Family of Four Ticket Pack to Blue Man Group

Last week I had an amazing time at Blogger Bash 2017, thanks to Bloggin Mamas for allowing me to join as part of their team.

I was invited to Astor Place Theatre to watch The Blue Man Group show, and honestly had no idea what I was in for. I heard from friends that it was a great interactive show - but being there and experiencing it first hand was on a whole other level. I loved every minute of it , and would go again and again to see it.

After the show we were invited to VIP access to get to know the blue men, and ask them any questions we had. It was such an awesome experience. They were all so nice!

Thanks to Blue Man Group I will be giving away a "Family of Four Pack" of tickets to my viewers in either New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, or Orlando. This is definitely a show you would really enjoy with your kids, it is colorful, energetic, and super funny.

Sign up below for your chance at this giveaway. Winner will be chosen on August 1st !!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!!

PRIZE RESTRICTIONS

THE FULFILLMENT PERIOD BEGINS JULY 12, 2017 FOR SELECT PERFORMANCES ONLY, AND TICKETS MUST BE REDEEMED BY JULY 1, 2018. ALL 

REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND MUST BE SUBMITTED A MINIMUM OF TWO (2) WEEKS IN ADVANCE. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR BLUE MAN GROUP PERFORMANCES TO SELL OUT, SO ADVANCE PLANNING IS REQUIRED. THE BEST SEATS AVAILABLE ARE LIKELY TO BE SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY SHOWS.HOLIDAY  BLACKOUT  PERIODS  VARY  BY  CITY,  AND  THE  CERTIFICATE  IS  NOT  VALIDE  DURING  THOSE  BLACKOUT  PERIODS

OR  ON  SATURDAYS.  THE CERTIFICATE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR CHOICE. CERTIFICATE HAS NO CASH VALUE AND IS  NON-TRANSFERABLE.  VALID  FOR  THE  BLUE  MAN  GROUP  SHOW  ONLY  WITH  SEATING  LOCATION  AT  THE  DISCRETION  OF THE  BOX  OFFICE.  NOT  VALID FOR  VIP  UPGRADES,  THEME  PARK,  CLUB  OR  SPECIAL  EVENT  ADMISSION.  PARKING  IS  NOT  INCLUDED.  THERE  ARE  NO  REFUNDS  OR  EXCHANGES  ONCE TICKETS  HAVE  BEEN  ISSUES.  ALL  REDEMPTIONS  ARE  FINAL.  NO  SUBSTITUTIONS,  CASH  EQUIVALENTS  OR  TRANSFERS  ARE  PERMITTED.  NOT  FOR  RESALE. CERTIFICATE IS  NOT VALID AFTER EXPIRATION DATE OF JULY  1, 2018. BLUE  MAN GROUP IS  NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING LOST OR STOLEN  TICKETS AND/OR VOUCHERS.

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VED.

You can call me the pushy mom!

 

This week we went on our first real family vacation. I say real because we have gone to places that we're driving distance like Philly or Atlantic City, but this was the boys first time on a airplane; and my first time as a mom. This week was filled with lots of first for them; and many of them they weren't too interested in experiencing or a bit nervous to try. But I was the mean mom that didn't give them much of a choice ... and guess what ?! They ended up loving it and learning from it.

I push them to do things out of their comfort zone daily , because if I don't they will just do the same thing over and over again. I am that extra push they need to try something new; that they didn't even expect to enjoy in the first place. It may seem mean at first but I do it with them in mind always. Sure it's more work for me because I have to deal with the complaining and whining - but I think about the smiles at the end & the proud moment they feel when they do something they thought they had no chance doing. 

My oldest was pretty terrified about going on a plane for the first time so you better believe I hyped it up to be the most awesome experience ever! When it came time to board he was set to sit at the window seat to watch the clouds in the sky. It took some days of convincing- but let's just say airplanes are on his top five favorite things now. 

My youngest hated the beach last year when we went ; so when we told him we were going again he remembered the experience he had before and decided he wasn't going. Again he wasn't given a choice - we went anyway ; and after a good five hours there ; he was so upset we had to leave. He enjoyed the water just as much as the sand playing! He learned that sometimes you don't like something but it can change after a couple years. 

I think it's so important as a parent to let your child know that they can try new things before they stand by an opinion right away. If I don't broaden their horizons; they will walk the same path in  circles. I want to be able to keep pushing them to open their minds and expand their confidence in them. We know they are capable of so much but as their mom I have to remind them to believe it too ! At the end of the day I give my boys the chance to make choices and decisions a lot ; but when it comes to first times and experiences I make that choice. All that matters is their safety and that they know you will always be there to help them with many first. They are not in it alone and at the end of it they will thank you for being their biggest supporter! So here's to many first time experiences that they will most likely complain about, because you're not really a child if you don't have a complaint every hour on the hour right?!