Our trip to Build a Bear Workshop!

This weekend, we did something new and fun. We took the kids to make some bears at Build a Bear Workshop! This was a first for both me and the kids.  Bryleigh had been given a gift card to Build a Bear for Christmas, so it was a good excuse to go and do something fun as a family.  

Overall, it went great, but I can tell you one thing I learned- DO NOT go to the Mall of America on a Saturday and not expect a long line at the Build a Bear Workshop!  We got there and were mildly shocked by how many people were in line.  But, we'd driven over an hour to get there, so this was going to happen.

We took our place in line and though the kids got a little antsy, they generally held themselves together pretty well!  Once we got into the store, we let Brennan begin browsing for which animal he wanted to build.  It was a hard choice, but after a couple of mind-changes, he decided on an adorable monkey that will go great in his new jungle room.  (The jungle room is all painted, by the way, and now we are just waiting for the paint to cure to apply the decals.  Pictures will be coming soon!)  We let Brennan help pick out an animal for Bryleigh, too.  We all decided on an adorable tan bear with swirly minky fur.  She is SO soft.

Finally, after a bunch more waiting, it was our turn to get stuffed!  Brennan got to put a heart into his monkey and step on the pedal to blow the stuffing into him.  After the worker was mostly done stuffing B's monkey, she had Brennan give him a hug to see if he was firm enough.  In classic Brennan style he says nope and she continues to fluff him a little more.  She tied the monkey shut and then, B helped the worker stuff Bryleigh's bear, too.

 

 Next we gave the animals a quick air bath and found an outfit for each of them.  Brennan picked out a red fireman's outfit for his monkey and I found a pink plaid dress for Bryleigh's bear.

The last step was to name them.  Brennan thought outside the box and named his monkey 'Fireman', or 'Fireman Engine' to be exact!  So funny.  And Bryleigh didn't have a lot of input, so I named her bear 'Daisy'.  They both turned out adorable and it was a fun time for all of us.  

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Toddler Talk Tuesday- B's Imagination

Today's Toddler Talk Tuesday is a little different format than I normally do, but I wanted to share how imaginative Brennan is becoming!  He has started using stuffed animals to act out scenes from movies and books.  Today he had a stuffed lamb and a baby doll.  They were Buzz Lightyear and Jesse, respectively.  It was so cute listening and watching how he made them talk and follow along with the story he was creating.

This evening, we went on a verbal adventure as Mickey, Daisy, and The Golden Boo Boo (you'll only get this if you watch the show).  The funny part was that he was Daisy, I was Mickey, and Bryleigh was The Golden Boo Boo.  He went along with the story, not only through bath time, but even as I left his room after tucking him in, he says, "Tell me, 'Goodnight, Daisy!'"  So I told Daisy goodnight and he, of course, replies, "Goodnight, Mickey!"  So cute.

And now from the cute, to the not-so-cute.  Today, after using the potty, he looks in and goes, "Oh!  It's a shark poop!"  At first I didn't get it, but after further inspection, I could definitely see the resemblance.  Brennan was pretty impressed with himself and his "loooong shark poop".  Boys.

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My Experience with Kids Sleeping Through the Night

I've heard many, many times that kids will sleep through the night when they are ready.  I've been told that sometimes it happens gradually and that sometimes it happens all at once, but I've always had a hard time believing that it can really happen so suddenly. 

I believe it now.

Bryleigh has suddenly become a wonderful sleeper.  The day we moved into or new house, almost 2 weeks ago, she spent the entire night in our bed, which was normal and routine for her.  The 2nd night in our house, she stayed in her own crib all night long!  She has NEVER done this before in her 10.5 months of life.  I heard her make a few whines a couple of different times, but that was it.  This has become her new normal and I can't describe how happy it makes me!!!

Most nights, I nurse her to sleep and then lay her in her bed.  Almost every night that is the last I hear her until morning.  She was a baby who used to almost never sleep in her crib and I just can't explain the sudden transformation!

Brennan didn't sleep well through the night until he was over 2, either.  With him, good sleep has happened very gradually.  I'd say that he has become a good sleeper over the course of the last year.  With him, the key seemed to be getting a great bedtime routine that slowly worked him from being cuddled to sleep to being able to fall asleep in his bed on his own. 

My experiences have been so different with each child, but one thing is the same.  I do not miss getting up in the middle of the night!

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Simply Perfect Kids Shirt Review and Giveaway!

I've been given the pleasure of doing a review for another cool shop- Simply Perfect Kids!  This time, Brennan is my little test dummy.  He's been wearing the review item- a monster birthday shirt to commemorate his 3rd birthday!  Where did the time go?

Here's a little background info on Simply Perfect Kids.  Opened in August 2011, Simply Perfect Kids has a great track record with 100% positive feedback.  They have excellent communication and are very accommodating!  They also have a lot of very awesome shirt designs for any kid!  Here are a few of my favorites.

Brennan was pretty excited to receive a monster shirt with his name and I was happy that the design made him smile.  The shirt was soft, about average thickness, and the size I chose for him (2T) fit true to size.  The design was cute and very child-friendly.  There were easy-to-follow care instructions included with the shirt, as well.  The only thing that surprised me a little was that I had assumed that the design to be printed on somehow, because the item description hadn't specified how it was applied.  It is actually heat pressed on.  I have noticed that this is stated on many item listings now.  This definitely isn't a big deal, just something to note.

Here are a few pictures of my little model in his shirt!

Simply Perfect Kids has one huge advantage over many competing shops- their price point is much lower than that of many of their competitors!  I've seen many personalized kids' shirts selling for easily more than twice as much as Simply Perfect Kids.  Their shirts (at least most of them) sell for $14, which is a steal in the personalized shirt market.  I really hope you'll check them out!

Who wants a chance to win one personalized shirt from Simply Perfect Kids for a special kid in their life?  Just fill out this form to enter!  I'd love it if you would be sure to swing by Simply Perfect Kids Facebook page and say thanks, too!

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Our new home!

I promise that I'll have more blogging time very soon!!!  I just wanted to share a photo of our new house, that's been occupying ALL of my time!

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