Of course, any good adopted snail needs a comfortable place to rest his shell. So, I decided that we would build the snails a terrarium. The kids thought it was cool too – especially once they figured out how to pronounce terrarium. Say that one 5 times fast.

After school last week we headed to Walmart to drop off some prescriptions, and while we waited for them to be filled we cruised around and collected the items that we needed to make our own terrarium.

Everything you see here was purchased at Walmart. Here is the rundown of what we used:

• 1 Gallon Penny Candy Jar ($6)
• 5 lb bag of decorative stones ($5)
• Cactus Soil ($3)
• Small pot with a variety of succulents from the Garden department ($7)

We started by lining the bottom of the jar with some rocks to ventilate the soil and allow for some room for water to collect at the bottom, if necessary (I have been known to overwater my plants). Once the bottom of the jar was completely covered with a layer of stones, we moved on to the soil.

To make it easier on the kids, I dumped some of the soil into a glass bowl and used a measuring cup for them to dump the soil on top of the rocks. We ended up using about 6 cups of soil.

This is about what it should look like after you’ve added the soil – you want to leave lots of room at the top for the plants!

I chose to use succulents because they have small root systems and they don’t need a ton of water. It’s good for someone like me who either overwaters her plants, or totally forgets to water them for 2 straight weeks. For this project, I had purchased two small pots with a variety of succulents mixed together. At this point, we covered the table with paper bags and separated out the different plants from the pot. As I already mentioned, I purchased two of these, but we only ended up needing one. The other one has found a permanent home in my kitchen.

I took the plants that I separated out and placed them in the bowl with the remaining soil while we figured out a plan to replant them.

Once we had decided on our layout, we had the kids dig a shallow hole with their hands, then place the plants in their respective places. Then we just made sure each plant was surrounded by enough soil and everyone was happy with the placement before moving on.

At this point, the plants are in and all that is left to do is decorate! We chose a few of our favorite rocks from the bag to serve as decoration, but also to give the inside of the terrarium some character. Each of the kids chose a few of their favorite rocks and got to place them wherever their little hearts desired.

Ta-da! And this, my friends, is how you make a terrarium with your kids! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! I was really pleased with the result.

The kids loved it too! This was a really quick project by the way – it took 20 minutes tops from start to finish – and probably even less if you’re not taking photos with every step!

And last, but not least, meet our snails – Teach and QT (cutie). They eat tons of lettuce and apple slices and I’m pretty sure they think that they now live in snail heaven. The kids are completely fascinated by them.

We had so much fun making this terrarium with the kids, and a week later it still seems to hold just as much appeal as it did the first day. I’ve been watering the plants every other day, but after the first two weeks I plan to back it off to just twice a week. Obviously I can’t use the lid that came with the jar, so we ordered some mosquito netting to put over the mouth of the jar that keeps the snails in but still allows everyone to breathe.

What do you think – would you make a DIY terrarium?

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post by Walmart as a part of my role in the Walmart Moms. All opinions, and ideas are 100% my own.

Read the original Make Your Own Terrarium: A Fun Weekend Project With Kids on Chic Shopper Chick.

Designed for pre-schoolers, the app offers a variety of games that younger kids will love including: memory matching, jigzaw puzzle, find the difference between two images, and a coloring book. In addition, they have a fun game where kids are asked to make faces, and the ability to capture those moments is worth the price of the app itself. As Erika and I have begun to research more educational and entertaining apps for our kids, we’ve found that they can really vary in quality and value. Pip and Posy: Fun and Games is definitely at the top of the heap.

What? Pip and Posy: Fun and Games App / Nosy Crow / $2.99

What’s Chic? The charming illustration, delightful narration and thoughtful attention to detail make this an app worth having for your pre-schoolers.

What’s Weak? We just wish they made one for slightly older kids! Our soon-to-be-kindergarteners handled the most advanced levels with relative ease.

When our kids use the iPad we want to ensure that they’re getting something out of it. Educational apps, problem solving apps, language and math skills, letter-writing and more, we want interactive time to be a mentally stimulating experience where they can work on skills that they’ll need while encouraging them to explore subjects that might one day become their passion. That’s not always easy to find in apps made for kids; but Nosy Crow has really delivered an app that you can feel good about letting your pre-schooler play. It has great brain-stimulating games like memory, jigsaw puzzles and coloring, and it’s wrapped in a thoughtfully designed and whimsical world of Pip and Posy, a lovable bunny and mouse who transition from lead characters in the popular books into playmates in the app.

See the app in action here:

The Pip and Posy: Fun and Games App comes with the following:

• Jigsaw puzzles of scenes from Pip and Posy books
• Spot the difference game to find the differences between two photos
• Memory matching game with 8, 16 or 24 cards
• Coloring pages of Pip and Posy
• Copy the faces of Pip and Posy

Each game (except for coloring and copy the faces) has three levels. They start of relatively easily and then increase in complexity with the hardest being at level three. You can see this particularly in the jigsaw as the number of pieces increase, and in the memory matching as the number of pairs increases. This is a great way to let your younger children find success, while keeping the app fresh and engaging as they build their skill. As I mentioned, our kids, 5 and 6, found level 3 the one most interesting, as the other levels were too easy; but for younger preschoolers the app seems perfectly balanced. I wish they had this when our kids were a bit younger, as I’m sure it would’ve provided hours of entertainment. But even now, the kids really enjoy the Level 3 games.

One of our favorite parts of the app is a game where you make faces that mimic Pip and Posy, and then capture the picture with the iPad camera. You can then save it to your iPad, to email it, etc. It’s a ton of fun and we had a great time playing with it. I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of it too.

Audrey Grace making a Happy Face

Does Chic Dad Recommend?

Absolutely. The attention to detail and care that went into making Pip and Posy: Fun and Games App is apparent. It’s well done and perfect for kids 3 to 6. Pip and Posy are the perfect playmates in this well-designed and delightfully-illustrated iPad app. It really is one of the best children’s apps we’ve had the pleasure of playing with. Alex Scheffler and Nosy Crow are known for their thoughtful children’s books, and they’ve made the leap to game design seem like second nature. As I mentioned, I hope Nosy Crow continues to invest and develop children’s games and apps. Our family will be anxiously awaiting future titles. But until then, we’ve got Pip and Posy: Fun and Games to keep us all entertained.

Want to know more about Pip and Posy? Watch this brief video:

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this app at no charge. Opinions are my own.

Read the original Pip and Posy: Fun and Games, a Delightful App for Little Ones on Chic Shopper Chick.

For the first two nights we were home, I didn’t even sleep when she slept. I was afraid something would happen to her.

You’ve heard it before and it’s true – babies don’t come with instruction manuals. Baby’s first year, especially for a first-time parent is exhausting and full of questions. Even though I didn’t know much about what I was doing, I was thankful for the awesome gifts that I had received that made Audrey Grace’s first year easier – a pack and play that doubled as a bassinet for my bedroom, a swing, a high chair, and a play mat for tummy time and stimulation.

My sweet girl, at 3 months old, in her Fisher-Price Rainforest Swing.

I eventually figured out that when I needed to take a shower I would put the swing on the carpet right next to the bathtub and turn it on so that I could rinse off but still have her close by. As she grew older, I would put a few toys in the pack and play and let her sit in there and play while I folded laundry. There were hours of sweet baby giggles during play time on the playmat, and lots of messy moments in her high chair.

When I look back on those early months, there is one thing that was a constant. All of those things – the pack and play, the swing, the high chair, and the play mat – were made by Fisher-Price. So, when they reached out to me about a month ago to ask if I wanted to share my first-year experience and must-have baby items with you, I couldn’t resist because their awesome products have been such an integral part of my life.

7 days old, swaddled and peaceful in her Rainforest Bassinet by Fisher-Price

If you’ve found this post because you’re pregnant – congratulations! You are embarking on an amazing journey. If you’re searching to figure out what you need for your baby’s first year, I can help!

Here are the top 10 items that new moms say were the most crucial during their baby’s first year of life, ranked in order of importance!

#1. Swing. (My personal #1 as well!)

#2. Bouncer.

#3. Sleeper.

#4. Feeding support pillow.

#5. Carrier.

#6. High Chair.

#7. Activity Gym.

#8. Jumperoo.

#9. Breast Pump.

#10. Play Mat.

You can read more about the list, and what moms are saying about each item on the First Year Favorites landing page on Fisher Price.

As a part of this campaign, I was sent the Fisher-Price Kick and Play Piano Gym to review. This product is all kinds of awesome – here’s why:

1. It grows with your child. Start them out on their back with the overhead gym and they piano facing their toes. For tummy time the bar adjusts and lays flat. When they are big enough to sit on their own, the piano adjusts up so they can sit and play. One investment, many uses.

2. I love the mirror on the activity bar (babies are so fascinated by their own reflection, and the soft teething bird toy. Lots to look at and play with.

3. The piano makes me happy. I love music, and it gives them something to touch with their toes and get instant gratification when they do. Wait until you see all of the giggles that your baby gets out of this toy.

4. The music lasts for up to 15 minutes – so you don’t have to push the button every 30 seconds when your baby cries for more!

At 5 and 6, both of our kids are too old for this now, but I so wish they had it when they were little. They both would have loved it.

Win it! Are you interested in winning a Kick and Play Piano Gym of your own? We are excited to say that we have another one to give away, courtesy of Fisher-Price! Just use the form below to enter – and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fisher-Price, but Fisher-Price is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this post. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of Fisher-Price.

Read the original Fisher-Price BabyGear is A Life Saver For Baby’s First Year {Giveaway CLOSED} on Chic Shopper Chick.

Either way, when I heard that Walmart was introducing a new AR app (that’s ‘augmented reality’, for those of you who are clueless like I was before our resident Chic Dad explained it to me) to celebrate The Avengers coming to a theater near you, I knew the Superhero fans in the house would want to check it out. So today we loaded up the family and headed to our local Walmart where we had an absolute blast taking photos with our favorite superheros. Even the resident princesses in our family got in on the fun!

As you can see, the app has a photo-taking portion which places life-sized versions of the Superheroes next to you in the store. People in the store were looking at us like we had lost our marbles, mostly because to passers-by it looked like we were just posing with a random in-store Avengers display. Luckily, my entire family marches to their own beat and we just laughed it off. The photos are totally awesome and our kids got a huge kick out of seeing themselves with the Superheroes. I did notice that we are a bit blurry in each of the photos, and I wish that there was a way to remedy that within the app (touching to focus as I normally would didn’t seem to change that), but it didn’t diminish the overall awesomeness of taking photos with our favorite Superheros!

The app also comes with a game, which Morgan said was “actually pretty cool”. Apparently when he played it here at home, it looked like there were ships and bad guys trying to attack him in our living room. Check out the video below, which will tell you more about it:

While I think the app is pretty cool overall, there are a couple of things that I feel could be improved – namely that the app is huge, so takes up a good bit of memory on your phone, and that it takes a while to initialize – so if you’re going to use it I would advise downloading it and initializing it before you go to the store. My other complaint is that the download button on The Avengers page on Walmart.com brings you to a PDF with a QR code, which you then use to download the app. To me that entire process is a little clunky, and I’d much rather have a direct link to the App Store. Once you get past the initial download process and initializing of the app, the whole experience is pretty awesome.

If you have gamers or SuperHero fans in your home, you’ll definitely want to check out the SuperHero AR App that is available now in the app store or on Walmart.com.

Read the original ‘The Avengers’ Augmented Reality App Review on Chic Shopper Chick.

Considering all of this, last week I looked at Morgan and I said “I think now is the perfect time for us to visit SeaWorld in San Diego” – and he agreed! So, thanks to the folks at SeaWorld, we are going to do just that tomorrow! I know that the first place we will make a beeline for is the Rocky Point Preserve – the kids are especially curious about dolphins right now and I want to make sure they get to spend time there early in the day before they are totally exhausted. I’m not sure what the feeding schedule looks like there, but I’m hoping the kids might even get to feed them.

I’m also excited because we’re planning to “Dine with Shamu” – the kiddos will not only get the chance to be about 4 feet away from Shamu, but they’ll get to ask their (millions and millions) of questions to the trainers about what they eat, how they learn, etc. We are also looking forward to seeing the Blue Horizons show with the dolphins, and Sea Lions LIVE – I am giddy just thinking of the excitement on their faces when they see this:

Here are my tips for planning a trip to SeaWorld San Diego with two preschoolers:

1) Check out the park schedule online. The schedule was super helpful in planning our day, and also in choosing which seating of “Dine with Shamu” we wanted to check out.

2) Pack a poncho. Oh yeah baby, I’m one of those. I don’t dare deprive my kids of the joy of being “in the splash zone” but I also have this fabulous hair that needs protecting. So, I’ll split the difference and sit in the splash zone – I’ll just be wearing a poncho when I do.

3) Pack extra clothes for everyone – right down to their shoes and socks. I’ve heard there are more than a few “wet” opportunities and the last thing I want are two tired, soggy kiddos who are too miserable to enjoy dinner with Shamu. Or a soggy miserable mommy. She is no fun, either.

4) Bring your own strollers. SeaWorld has strollers for rent ($12 for a single, $17 for a double), but I like to bring my own because I can keep pushing the kids virtually all the way to our car at the end of the day. Plus, it’s one less line to stand in.

5) Wear and bring sunscreen. The high tomorrow is 70, so it should be a perfect day, but both of our kids are fair and will burn easily. Also, I’m not a fan of cancer so I plan on slathering it on myself as well. Probably Morgan too, if he’ll let me.

6) Pack water bottles. You can’t bring snacks or food into SeaWorld, but you can bring your own water, which will be a huge help for us since we have two kids who get “sssooooo ttthhiiirrssssttttyyyy” at the most inconvenient times.

7) Buy tickets online. We actually already have our tickets, but if you’re looking to skip the lines and make your day go much more smoothly, consider buying your tickets in advance. It’s actually a no brainer, especially when you consider that you can save $10 by purchasing online!

The trip to SeaWorld tomorrow is a surprise for both of the kids – I’m so excited to see their reaction. Follow @ErikaB and @MorganB on Twitter tomorrow – we’ll be updating throughout the day!

Disclosure: The folks at SeaWorld are providing us with tickets for tomorrow. Our excitement however, is all our own. Ahhh! We’re going to SeaWorld!

Read the original 7 Ways To Get Ready For A Trip To SeaWorld With The Kids on Chic Shopper Chick.

What? Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland (iOS app) / $5.99 / Frantic Goose Applications

What’s Chic? Over 950 questions and 74 in-line scavenger hunts help your family battle the fiercest lines in Disneyland.

What’s Weak? The graphics and user experience could use some polish.

As Southern California residents, the Lehmann/Brown clan tout four, heavy-duty, annual passes to Disneyland (including parking, thank-you-very-much) and spend a decent chunk of our free time at the park. As kids who grew up no closer than a plane ride to the nearest Disney park, Erika and I take great joy in being able to take the kiddos whenever we feel like it. And while Disneyland is a magical experience, the biggest complaint we have are the lines. Particularly on popular days and during breaks, these lines can get north of an hour for the popular rides.

That’s where Lots To Do In Line comes in to save the day. With more than 950 questions across every conceivable Disneyland ride, the Lots To Do In Line app allows families to challenge one another to trivia about the ride and the line that they’re in. Part “I Spy” part trivia, these questions are fun and appropriate for every age member of the family. My favorite part? Everyone can play. Too many iPhone apps are one-person experiences. But this game is made to be played like a board game, with everyone playing together. Instead of isolating each other in their own worlds on their devices, Lots To Do In Line puts fun together at the heart of it all.

The game comes with a full-on park-wide scavenger hunt as well, and other challenges that add another layer to your Disneyland experience. If you have some adventurers in your clan, the scavenger hunt is a great way to learn more about what the park has to offer.

The app boasts:

• Over 950 questions that can only be answered in line at Disneyland
• 74 in-line treasure hunts and a park-wide scavenger hunt
• Collections of things you’ve seen in the park

My only complaint is that the design and user experience could use some help. The fonts, navigation and other elements are inconsistent, and lack polish. The way you track and keep and see scores is a bit confusing as well, and spelling and grammar issues that take away from the overall experience. But while it’s not the most polished app in the app store, these issues don’t take the fun and value out of the app. It still provides a great way for families to enjoy their time together in line.

Does Chic Dad Recommend?

I do. Even with the design nits that I mentioned above, the app seems like a great way to make lines a part of the experience instead of just dead time between the attractions. After playing with it with Erika, we can’t wait to give it a run for its money in the park. We think it’ll be a great way to keep the kids engaged and entertained while waiting in line. Lots To Do In Line is a refreshing app in its approach to entertainment. Instead of sucking one individual player into their own world, Lots To Do In Line brings the whole family together. I’m excited to try it out line, and I think you’ll find it a great addition to your Disneyland experience too.

Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of the app to review. All opinions are my own.

Read the original Lots To Do In Line Turns Long Disneyland Lines into a Game on Chic Shopper Chick.

What? Transformers the Ride 3D at Universal Studios Hollywood

What’s Chic? Autobots, Decepticons and a 3D fueled romp that puts you in the driver seat of a brand new Transformer, EVac.

What’s Weak? It’s only at Universal Studios Hollywood. East Coasters welcome to Hollywood!

Not only was I a major Transformers fan growing up, but the recent movies have led to a resurgence of these awesome machines, which means that my son is all about Transformers as well. And while he may prefer Bumblebee over Optimus, we can both agree that Transformers are awesome. Universal Studios released a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Transformers the Ride 3D, and it’s well worth the 2:45 to check it out.

Check out the video below:

The best part of the video, learning that Peter Cullen is the voice of Optimus Prime…”Autobots, roll out!” But I digress. The new ride puts you right in the middle of the action as you ride shotgun on the newest Autobot, Evac as the battle continues between good and evil. After seeing this video, a trip back to Universal Studios is now at the top of the Chic Dad Summer to-do list.

I think my son will get a kick out of it, and I definitely know that I will as well. I remember my first visit to Universal Studios as a young kid, taking the tram ride through the Battlestar Galactica attraction and shrieking in pure terror and delight when Jaws came jumping out of the water as the tram passed through Amityville. Things have come a long way now, with the rides being made with the same thought and production values as the movies themselves, and I can’t wait to share the joy and magic of the Transformers with Banks.

Does Chic Dad Recommend?

Absolutely. I can’t wait to ride Transformers the Ride 3D at Universal Studios Hollywood myself, and I’m sure the Transformer fan in your family would be thrilled to experience their favorite extraterrestrial transforming robots in a whole new way. I haven’t been to Universal Studios in a while, but after watching the behind the scenes trailer I’m excited to go and see and experience the rides all over again. Let me know if you decide to go too. See you in Hollywood!

Read the original Chic Dad’s To-Do List: Transformers the Ride 3D on Chic Shopper Chick.

From Audrey Grace dancing to music on Spotify to Banks racing around on Mario Kart for his Nintendo 3DS, to Erika and I on the tablets and phones, technology is part of who we are and what we do. Because it’s so core to our lives, we’re always on the lookout for the new gadgets, apps, tech-based toys and learning opportunities. My goal is to help you sift through everything that’s out there to find the best technology for you and your family. I’ll be reviewing and sharing our experiences about the different new technology, apps, games and toys to hopefully help you decide what to pick and what to skip. So without further ado, let’s get started…

What? Wonders of the Universe iPad app / $6.99 / Apple AppStore / BBC & Discovery Channel

What’s Chic? 20 hours of video, stunning photos of the universe, easy-to-understand and beautifully-shot video explanations

What’s Weak? Not much, but if I had to find one, its lack of audience focus makes content tough on kids and leaves adults wanting more

Wonders of the Universe

The new iPad app, Wonders of the Universe, delivers a self-guided tour through our Universe including our solar system, galaxy and beyond. It’s the follow up to the very successful BBC/Discovery Channel mini-series of the same name. Professor Brian Cox returns to guide us through the wonders of the universe, from the sub-atomic to the galactic. The app has over 20 hours of videos and hundreds of images taken of the cosmos that accompany text that explains everything from sub atomic particles to the largest black holes to the beginning of the universe and time itself. Think of it as the space version of the BBC’s The Planet with you in the driver’s seat. The app is available in the iTunes App Store and costs $6.99.

What I love about this app is that it makes space and the concept of our universe accessible and manageable. By breaking out each piece of the puzzle, and then drilling down in greater detail to specific topics it puts the user in control of where and how much time is spent with each subject. Fascinated by nebulae but not sub atomic particles? No problem, get the overview on the quarks and then go nuts learning all about the different nebulae in our galaxy. It’s also easy to pick up and put down. So you can learn a bit about the Andromeda galaxy and then move on to something else.

The content itself is excellent as well. Each video snippet is a compelling nugget of information and Professor Cox, located in various settings to demonstrate his points, is engaging and compelling. He’s like the Mac persona if Bill Nye was the PC Science Guy. Combine those video vignette with amazing captures from space and thoughtful motion-graphic demonstrations, and you have a powerful new way for anyone to grasp the enormity and beauty of the universe we live in.

What’s Chic?

What’s chic about his app is that it’s packed with fascinating photos and videos that are divided up into bite-sized chunks of information, perfect for shorter attention spans of young minds. And by covering a topic as expansive as the universe there is no shortage of interesting topics to dive into for yourself and for your kids. We have a five and six year old, and we’ve watched some of the videos together. It’s great for inspiring the awe and curiosity that makes learning a ton of fun. Plus it’s written in plain English, so it’s easy for even younger readers to work through.

What’s Weak?

The app is really well done; but if I had to nitpick here’s what I’d say: it’s not clear who this app is designed for. Is it for adults? Is it for kids? Is it for teenagers? The content kind of shoots for the middle, so you might find it a bit over the heads of younger kids, and also find it a bit lacking in detail for yourself or high school kids and up. The navigation is a bit tricky too. I’m an experienced iOS user and the multiple swiping, chapters and up/down motions got me turned around the first few times I used it.

Does the Chic Dad Recommend?

I do recommend! At $6.99 it’s expensive as far as apps go, but hey, anything that gets the kiddos interested and excited about science is a win in my book. The stunning photos and explanatory videos, compiled with the wide range of content make it a great primer to the mysteries of the universe and the budding astronaut in your home. If you’re looking to pique your kids’ interests in the cosmos this is a great place to start.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this app to review for free. All opinions are my own.

Read the original “Wonders of the Universe” Delivers Wonderment on the iPad on Chic Shopper Chick.

So armed with my gift card, I hurried to my local Walmart to check and see if was possible to find great quality clothing for my kids at an awesome price. And oh boy, was there ever. Actually, there were so many great outfits that we had trouble choosing. I settled on this adorable white and pink tulle Easter dress for my daughter, and a 3 piece set including shirt, vest, and pants, for my son. They both look so adorable that I bribed them with stickers to come to the park with me in their Easter best so that I could take their photos.

I seriously have such cute kids. I mean, clearly everyone thinks that their kids are cute.

The thing is that mine really are.

And of course, here they are, with the Easter Bunny – the classic shot!

Audrey Grace’s dress was just over $16, and Bank’s 3 piece set was $16 on the nose. I was amazed (and thankful). Have you checked out the clothes in the kids section lately? There are a ton of cute options – my daughter LOVES Hello Kitty, and they had so much Hello Kitty stuff that it made my head spin. They also had lots of cute outfits that included the matching one for the doll – my daughter loves dressing up her doll just like her.

So if you’re in need of an outfit for Easter, be sure to check out Walmart!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Walmart but all opinions are my own.

Read the original Easter Style – Adorable and Affordable at Walmart on Chic Shopper Chick.

I’m sure they mean it in a very endearing way. Right?

So, as you can imagine, I was delighted when I received an invitation from the folks behind the Milk Mustache campaign to attend a (what else?) breakfast in honor of the launch of The Breakfast Project. So why The Breakfast Project? It’s easy – and the tagline says it all — “Because every good day starts with milk.”

Me: Yum, yum! Here’s your breakfast!
Kids: Yay!
Me: Ok, come eat. Please? Can you eat?
Kids: (staring at their food and playing with action figures)
Me: No really, can you eat? We’re gonna be late.
Kids: (pushing food around) How many bites?
Me: *whimper*

Ellie also introduced me to the idea of breakfast cookies which are full of all of the good stuff that my kids should eat, but don’t. They are lightly sweetened and they are so good that I may or may not have eaten 6 out of the first 9 that I made. Ahem. Oops.

What can I say? They just go so well with a glass of milk.

Oh yeah, and we were able to meet her! Cool, right?

PS – Random and very geeky, but be sure to go check out The Breakfast Project’s website. It does this awesome parallaxing thing that looks totally slick – plus it’s chock-full of amazing ideas, facts, and stories.

Read the original Milk, Breakfast, and Salma Hayek (oh my!) on Chic Shopper Chick.

Ok, so there are a lot of fun recipes out there, but being that I’m not super domestic and don’t have a lot of time – I didn’t make my own cake batter. I used store-bought white cake batter and cream cheese frosting that I grabbed, along with some cupcake wrappers, and gel food coloring at my local Walmart.

The materials:

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Walmart.

Read the original Rainbow Cupcakes For St. Patrick’s Day on Chic Shopper Chick.

First of all, I used a template from Craft Project Ideas, which gave a list of suggested items. However, when I went to my local Walmart, they were completely out of the regular 100 pack of poms, so after a bit of deliberation, I decided that I could easily complete the same project with pipe cleaners. I actually ended up liking the way it looked even better because the lines were more “rainbow-ey”. Either way, all of the materials were purchased in the craft section of Walmart!

Here is a photo of all of the materials that we used:

Her favorite part was gluing on the blue glitter pom poms for the cloud, and the gold poms for the “gold” at the end of the rainbow!

Read the original Fun and Easy Rainbow Art For St. Patrick’s Day on Chic Shopper Chick.

Dear Audrey Grace,

This last year has gone so fast. It seems like just yesterday that we were bouncing and sliding around in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse bouncer for your 4th Birthday and now here we are, with another year under our belt. Five. FIVE. Wow. You are growing so fast and while I have a blast watching you grow, part of me desperately wants you to slow down so that I can savor one more snuggle, one more hug, one more pout, one more smile. Sometimes I ask you to turn around and come back to me, to give me another hug or some more love and you oblige me, but now that you’re older you have a distinctive “my mom has lost her mind” look on your face.

I can only imagine what your teenage years will bring.

Yesterday you chose your Mickey Mouse dress from your 4th birthday party to wear to school, since it was your “last day of being four”. As soon as we got out of the car you started telling everyone who would listen – “it’s my last day of being four!” with the kind of glee that is usually reserved for a trip to the beach or a visit with Mickey Mouse. Moments like this make me giggle, because you are far from what most people would consider a shy child. As a matter of fact when, a month into the school year, you teacher told me that you were one of the quietest girls in the class I worried that something was terribly wrong. You’ve since made up for it, and they are now trying to figure out how to make you pipe down during circle time. Your Italian heritage has served you well – you are a child who talks frequently and uses her hands for emphasis. I have no idea where you get that from.

This year has brought so many changes for the two of us. For starters, we uprooted our lives from the only place either of us had ever known — Louisiana — and moved out to sunny southern California. You haven’t missed a beat – you dove headfirst into your new school, made new friends, and oftentimes I think you know the way home even better than I do. You love living close to the beach and to Disneyland – and we find ourselves at both of those places pretty often. Sometimes it makes me sad that you will probably not remember a time when you were a full-time resident of Louisiana, but I’m thankful that the frequent trips home means that you’ll always be a Louisiana girl at heart.

You love our little family out in California even more than I ever expected. You have embraced “Misser Morgan” and “Beezie Boy” with a big, open heart as if they have always been a part of your family. You have called Banks your brother from the near start, and a few months ago I sat you down to explain that he wasn’t your brother just yet, but that he would be in September when Mommy and Mister Morgan get married. You looked at me with those clear blue eyes and simply said “but I can call him my brother anyway, can’t I?” Your love for him melts my heart – you are so happy to have him in your life. Every morning you wake up and ask “is it a Banks day?” and my answer either excites you or disappoints you – but you ask again the next morning just the same. It is my wish for both of you that you will always be close – it is not blood but love that binds us all. You will always have each other.

For the first time this year, you had to deal with heartbreak. Our sweet dog Lilly passed away a month after we moved to California. It took me two whole weeks to compose myself enough to be able to tell you what happened. When I told you that Lilly had gone to heaven you seemed sad, but fine. And then you turned to me and asked how long it would be until she came back from heaven. Fighting back tears, I told you that she would never come back. And then you cried. You cried hard, taking big gulping breaths in between sobs. I couldn’t help it – I cried too. And so for almost 2 hours we sat together and I stroked your hair and we cried. Seeing you so heartbroken just about killed me. I would do anything to protect you from such pain, but there was no way to do that. I’m sure it will be the first of several times in your life where I feel totally helpless, and I hate it.

This year you have been full of questions. Why do we put conditioner on my hair, mommy? How does it work to make my hair soft? What sound does Mickey Mouse start with? Are there rules in heaven? When I get older mommy, can I still follow you? Why doesn’t my hair glow like Rapunzel’s? When I get older, can I be a Princess? Is chocolate healthy for you? Who am I going to marry one day? Some of your questions make me giggle and some of them really make me think, but I love that all of them give me a glimpse into your mind and your heart. You have always been so curious, so analytical. Even though you can be a little incredibly hard-headed, I think that your persistence and inquisitive nature will serve you well, and so I do my best to encourage it.

Remember how last year you had gradually started moving toward loving all things girly? Well this year marked the full-on girlfication of Audrey Grace – Princesses, Hello Kitty, Barbie, and anything else pink are all at the top of your list. Speaking of last year – I also promised that this would be the year that I would cut your hair for the first time. Well, I was wrong. You still have every bit of hair that you were born with. It’s super long and a bit wild, but I just can’t bear the idea of parting with your curls. It works out because you aren’t any more interested in having it cut than I am in cutting it – so we can both just pretend that you are a real-life Rapunzel for a bit longer.

Audrey Grace, you are the most thoughtful little girl that I have ever known. You bring me flowers, draw pictures for me almost every day, and write letters to all of your friends. You worry about kids that you see who aren’t wearing jackets, remember to call and check on family members when they are sick (even when I forget), and point out things that you know your friends and family would like when we are in the store. One of your favorite parts of Christmas this year was buying toys for the other kids – you still ask once a week at least when we can buy some more toys for the kids who don’t have any. You are so full of love for everyone and I couldn’t be more proud of that.

I can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that being your mommy is the most difficult job that I’ve ever had. That’s not to say that it is hard to love you because it’s not – on the contrary, loving you is probably the easiest thing I’ve ever done. But the day to day responsibility of making you into the best possible human being that you can be is one that I don’t take lightly. I have so many hopes and dreams for you, and I also realize that you will (and already do) have so many of your own. All that I want is to be able to raise you in a way that equips you with all that you need to realize those dreams on your own. Of course, I’ll be there every step of the way to cheer you on – I’m your biggest fan.

Audrey Grace, I love you more than I think I will ever be able to put into words. You bring so much joy into each and every single one of my days. I cannot believe that it has been five whole years since Dr. Striplin first placed you into my arms. You didn’t know it, but on that day you taught me how to love unconditionally. I am so proud to be your mommy. Out of everything I’ve accomplished in my life, you are what I’m most proud of.

I love you my angel.

Love always,

Mommy

Read the original Happy 5th Birthday Audrey Grace! on Chic Shopper Chick.

Read the original Holiday Gift Guide: Littlest Pet Shop Magic Motion Treehouse on Chic Shopper Chick.

Then the folks at The Brainy Company contacted me about their Glowberry Bears and I just knew that Audrey Grace would love it. They sent us the light blue Glowberry bear, and I’ve discovered that it works in 3 settings:

• Bear to Bear – There’s a chip located in the bear’s foot and when placed in close proximity of another Glowberry Bear, they communicate with each other. We only have one bear so I cannot attest to the quality of this feature, but it sounds pretty cool!
• Nighttime – This setting transitions our bear into a night light – pressing the bear’s tummy makes it light softly from within and the glow will last for 3 minutes.
• Bear to Child – The bear talks to us, and even has a name! If you press its hand it will say things like, “Hi, I’m Twinkleton. What’s your name?” Pressing its other hand makes the nightlight light up, and tickling its tummy makes it giggle.

Read the original Holiday Gift Guide: Glowberry Bears {A Giveaway} on Chic Shopper Chick.