{ On Summer Break... }

The Mom Connection is on summer break!

We hope you have enjoyed all the topics we have discussed this school year. The Mom Connection will resume end of August with a new panel of moms and fresh new parenting advice.

Hope to see you back in the Fall!

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Click here to catch up on all the past Mom Connections.

Want to be part of the next Mom Connection?

Or have suggestions on topics?

Email

Naptime Review

julie_marling@yahoo.com

for details!

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

It's my favorite time of the week! Happy Friday :)  

It's time to share my inspirational pins from this week!

We've been in full force of outdoor projects at our house this week!

We started painting our shutters black, ahh!! They're looking great and I can't wait to see finished the finished result! Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with the latest, I'm alway posting pics!

Anyways, lets get to it...

1. source   2. source

3. source   4. source

1. I don't know what it is about white, but I'm super crazy about it right now! I think it's only because I know it wouldn't last ten seconds in my house with two busy kids and a nosey dog! But a girl can dream, right?! I just love the cozy look for this beautiful tufted chair and matching ottoman. And those wood-planked walls aren't too bad either ;) 

2. Sigh, yet another beautiful kitchen with butcher block countertops! Don't worry, I'm not complaining (too much!) these are on our to-do list! I think they add so much character to a kitchen and give it a warm, rustic feel. I really, really do love them!

3. I love a beautiful outdoor space! I think I would spend most of my days outside if I had a space like this! It's truly magical! It would be a great place to make memories with the kids, have fun family dinners, host one-of-a-kind parties and relax with the neighbors! We've been working on our yard and won't get to our deck and backyard landscaping until next year, but this is such inspiration for what I want!

4. This bedroom is my shabby chic dream! I can't wait until the day I can own a piece of glass furniture of my own! I don't dare buy one with my kids as little as they are still, but the glass wall table makes this room! Really loving the sequined comforter too!!

Unfortunately, this week I wasn't able to find original sources for most of the featured pins. Please be sure to visit the source links I've provided above! 

I'd love to have you follow me on Pinterest !!

DIY Terrarium

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Looking for a fun project to do with the kids this Summer? Why not make your own terrarium to watch grow! The kids will have a blast putting it all together, adding some character and enjoy it everyday!

Here's what you're going to need:

• pebbles
• Moisture Control Potting Mix
• glass container
• succulants and/or cactus
• spray bottle of water
• toy figurines for the kid to personalize with (optional)

You're bound to have a glass container that needs put to use ( I seem to have many!). If you're not able to find something you already have, check out the local thrift store or Marshalls. Line the bottom of your container with a layer of pebbles. Next begin with a small amount of your Moisture Control Potting Mix. Arrange your plants and add some remaining potting mix to hold into place. I added thyme to mine and I can't wait for the frangant aroma to fill the kitchen! Allow the kids to each make their own and add a few of their figurines to personalize it!

Terrariums require little water, so grab your spray bottle and mist the plants daily, not saturating the soil. If your container is enclosed, mist with water and cover. A closed terrarium recylces moisture  and doesn't require watering for months!

Are you looking to start a garden? Check out the latest product from Miracle-Gro. An entire garden in one simple kit! To feed your flower and vegetable garden,  use LiquaFeed All Purpose Plant Food Advance Starter Kit or Shake’n Feed All Purpose Plant Food. It's the easiest way to feed your plants!

I will be sure to keep you all updated on more tips of fun terrarium fun :) In the mean time make sure to stay connected and follow Miracle-Gro via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterst and YouTube. For more ideas and to share yours too, check out  fun garden projects!

And be sure to join the The Gro Project, check out the video!

Well what are you waiting for, get growing!

{ A Shabby Chic 2nd Birthday }

I had so much fun sharing bits and pieces of Isabella's second birthday party with you guys and now it's time to share it entirely! We had a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends!

The color scheme was turquoise, pinks and neutral tones and the theme was shabby chic. You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a party look great and well- thought out. I get a lot of my stuff from Michaels dollar bins, dollar stores, Target dollar corner, etc. Once you've chosen your theme and colors, you'd be surprised how great things start coming together :)

Tags labeling food & drinks

Homemade birthday cake

Fresh flowers

Display from her photo shoot!

Thank you bags 

Attempting to sneak a cupcake!

For the tutorials on the rag banner & skirt:

Vintage Chic Rag Banner

Adorable Birthday Tutu

Cupcake wrappers & straws from JoAnn Fabrics

Small white metal pale & bucket from Target

Mini picture frames from Michaels

Pink silverware lanterns from Michaels

Wooden silverware set from Pick Your Plum

Sharing this fun party at these great blogs!

{ MC: Helpful Tips for Traveling With Small Children }

I am part of an AWESOME mommy panel with Cassie from Two In Diapers Julie from Naptime Review.

Each Saturday, we will bring you fresh new ideas and advice about motherhood.

If you enjoyed what you read, we encourage you to tweet about it!

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Now on to this week's topic!

What are your helpful tips for traveling with small children?

Here is what Mom Connection shared:

Welcome! I'm Julie over at Naptime Review. I am a mom of two wild, crazy and beautiful girls. My oldest just turned 4 and my baby is 16 months old. This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We all know the stress that traveling with kids can bring. Many of times before we boarded an airplane, I prayed for nice and understanding people on our flight.

Every time I have traveled I have enlisted the help of friends and family for some tips and secrets. Here are a few things that have helped keep our sanity over the last 4 years when it comes to traveling with little ones.

1. Plan Travel Around Nap Time: When we drove to Florida, we pulled an all-nighter. It was great. Averie slept the whole drive. Now, when we arrived Mommy and Daddy were tired and Averie was well rested but we made great time with only a few stops.
2. Purchase New and Exciting Stuff: I hit the dollar bins every time we travel. I buy new snacks and some new toys to entertain. When traveling by air, I always make sure to have a drink box or sucker for the kids to help with air pressure.
3. Pack Car seat and Boppy Pillow: The car seat was a must-have when we flew to Florida last Thanksgiving. We knew our rambunctious toddler needed to be strapped in at all costs. We were also comfortable with the fact she knew what was expected behavior in her car seat. Now, the bobby pillow comes in handy for babies. It was great for traveling when Averie was 6 months old. It supported her in the seat next to me and provided myself with comfort when holding her on my lap for 4 hours.
4. Ask Your Doctor: I had a pediatrician recommend Benadryl for Alice’s first flight. She did great on the trial run at home but was wide awake on the plane. Go figure!! However, I have heard urban legends of kids doing well with a little Benadryl cocktail.
5. Technology Makes A Great Babysitter: Pack portable DVD player, Ipads, and Leap Pads. I always download a few new games when we travel.

Good luck when traveling this summer! Hopefully, these tips will elevate some of the stress that travel can bring. When all else fails, just remember it is only a phase and one day travel will be easier!

Hi! I'm Cassie from Two In Diapers, and I'm a mommy to three sweet babies, ages 5, 3, and 2. This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We just returned from Florida, which was a vacation that included two four-hour flights with all three kids! I am happy to report that both flights went as smoothly as possible!

One major thing that makes our travels with children a bit less painful is our general attitude. When we travel, my husband and I try to keep the mood to a lighthearted and excited one, instead of the way we usually really feel - tired and stressed. :) Since our littles feed so much off of the tone we set in our family, this helps a ton right from the start. We try to point out every little exciting thing about the trip. Kids are so easily excited, so why not make the trip as fun as possible?

For this last flight, I raided the dollar section at Target. I found all kinds of travel-safe toys for super cheap! Tiny dry-erase boards, flash cards, books, etc. I individually wrapped each item and marked it with the child's name and the order in which they were to be opened, which I arranged strategically (for example, least exciting toy first because at that point they're just excited to open a present). I made sure NOT to tell the kiddos that they had a bag full of presents so that they wouldn't always be looking for the next one, and believe it or not, we didn't even get halfway through the presents on the trip there! This worked out perfectly because we had a few for the trip back also. 

We definitely also packed lots of snacks... snacks are a great distraction for kiddos! Especially the ones that you can play with - animal crackers, scrabble Cheez-Its, etc.

My final piece of advice is... don't plan on reading a book or closing your eyes for even a few minutes. Set realistic expectations for the trip and plan on playing with the kids. Make it fun for everyone!

My name is Alexa from No Holding Back. I am the mom of Nayner Bug (male, 5), Jelly Bean, (female, 3) and Tiny (female, 1). This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We have some experience in this since we drive from South Carolina to Upstate NY once, if not twice a year to visit my husband’s family. 16 hours in the car! This summer will be the first time we do it with three children, and I’m not looking forward to it at all! But this is how we survive:

-          In vehicle entertainment systems are a must! DVD players, good music, anything to keep their minds off of the road

-          Pack lots of snacks! When all else fails, I give them a treat!

-          Plan to stop at rest areas that have room to run. Pack a ball or something that they will enjoy playing with and let them run around for a little while.

-          If you stop for fast food, make sure to stop at a place with a playground!

-          Make a “travel kit” with books, coloring books and crayons, and some of their favorite toys. This works for car or airplane.

-          Perhaps invest in a new toy or something that, if all else fails, you can whip out and give to them! (Not bribery, just positive reinforcement for behaving!)

If you have never traveled with small children before, the key to survival is the realization that you may have to make frequent stops and you are going to have to be patient. It is easier for us to travel on a plane with them than in a car, because there are so many distractions on a plane. But, we have found ways to keep them entertained on long car trips.

And you never know what may provide entertainment. On our first drive to NY when my oldest child was about 18 months old, he had a big time with a roll of paper towels. He must have played with it for over an hour, maybe two. First unraveling it, then ripping it to shreds. We had a mess to clean up, but he was entertained and happy!

My name is Fotini! I blog over at Glamorous, Affordable Life. I am the mom of (Isabella 2 years and Christian 6 years). This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We love to take family vacations at least every year so it’s important that the kids adjust, so it’s enjoyable for all of us! First things first, I make sure there are plenty of activities to keep them busy while we drive or even fly.

Coloring books, dry erase boards, chalkboards, road trip bingo and other fun games here, magnetic puzzle boards and books.

Prepare snacks ahead of time. It will save you money while on the road plus you won’t have to stop quite as often and they’ll be satisfied! I pack a small cooler full of sandwiches, their favorite snacks, juice, frozen yogurt sticks and water.

If your vehicle doesn’t have a built in dvd player, invest in one! Our van doesn’t have them, so last summer we bought a dual headrest dvd player so they both get their own screen to watch their favorite movies. I try to surprise both of them the day we leave with a new movie. That keeps them quiet for the first couple of hours!

I try my best to make the environment familiar for both of the kids, but especially Isabella since traveling is still new to her. I bring things from home that she’s close to, like her favorite blanket, babies and a couple toys. I’ve found every time we’ve traveled and I’ve stuck as close to our at-home routine as possible, everything goes really smooth, including bedtime! That makes it so nice for Daddy and I. :)

Your Turn:

What advice do you have on traveling with small children? Leave us a comment; we love to read your tips and advice!

Need advice? Check out these previous Mom Connection topics:

Setting Goals with Your Children

Teaching Your Kids to Share

Getting your Preschooler Dressed

Balancing Blogging and Motherhood