Stocking Stuffers for Little Sugar Plums!

Christmas is ONE week away!

If you are not finished shopping, don’t get your tinsel in a tangle....I’ve got you covered! 

In our home, Santa brings one BIG gift and fills the stockings. 

Nothing crazy. Nothing big. Just a few things we need, themes they’ll love, and something fun!

Stocking stuffer ideas...all under $10!

•Toothbrushes (Super Hero & Princess)

•Bandaids (Spider Man & Little Mermaid)

•Lip Smackers (Spider Man & Princess)

•Hair Bows & Hat

•Small Toy (Spider Man, Elsa, & Anna)

A few other ideas:

•Play-doh

•Coloring Books

•Crayons

•Chalk

•Paint

•Sticker

Happy Shopping, Mommas!

Here’s to you and the hard work you put in every year to make this season magical ❤️❤️❤️

Gift Guide for HER

Today, I've rounded up a few of my favorite gift ideas for the special gals on your Christmas list....wife, gf, mom, bff...I’ve got you covered!

1. Coffee Mug

No explanation needed. Duh....Coffee done in style. Anything better?! Nope. 

The cutest mug and the absolute cutest shop! 

For those of you shopping...Save 20% off this shop with code SANTABABY ❤️❤️

2. Candles

These candles are delicious, hand poured, and natural....Seriously, they’re good! The perfect gift that keeps on giving. 

3. Nena & Co. Bag 

The most beautiful and unique handmade bags. Literally a work of art. 

4. Daniel Wellington Watches 

The most timeless watches...beautiful, classic, and a must have every day staple. 

Use code JUSTINEV for 15% off your purchase!

5. Cozy Sweatshirt 

Everyone loves a cozy sweatshirt and this one is a favorite on my weekly rotation. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Hashtag Mom Life! 😉

It's the absolute coziest while still being super cute and it’s from the sweetest shop. 

Hope this helps you make someone’s day a little extra merry and oh so bright!! ❤️

Winter Bucket List

Winter isn't officially here but tomorrow is the 1st of December!  

A day that marks the change in season and spirits!

Just writing this gets me feeling all holly & jolly. 

The lights. The music. The smells. And...the magic of the season. 

So grab your peppermint mocha, a candy cane, and print out this bucket list to help you make the most of the season!

Our Family Bucket List to help us squeeze every ounce of fun out of this magical time of year.

Enjoy this special time making spirits bright! ❤️

Want, Need, Wear, Read

Lights are being hung, halls are being decked, and Mommas (& dadas) are working like elves to make this season merry and oh so bright!

To help you with your list this year, I thought I’d share how we Gift in our home....

In our home, we do the 4 Gift Method Of Giving to our little sugarplums!

Each little receives 4 presents from Mom & Dad on Christmas morning...something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.

AND...Santa brings each child a large gift and fills their stockings (stocking post coming later)!

It’s simple and meaningful and it works for us.

1. Something they WANT: this is a fun gift. Something they asked for...or something you know will bring a HUGE smile to their face. For us...it’s a glow in the dark race track, princess dresses, and shimmeez because who doesn’t love two-toned color changing plushies that are covered in sequin!

2. Something they NEED: this is something practical...whatever that may be. It could be anything your little one needs! For us....it’s undies  Don’t think it can get more practical than that. 😉

3. Something to WEAR: this can be clothing, accessories, hats, shoes, backpack, etc. For us....it’s Rainboots! 

4. Something to READ: this is always my favorite...books! I try to find interactive books that go with what they are into right now. Usborne has a FABULOUS selection of interactive and engaging books and the Dino Sports Series are favorites in our home!

I love this method of gift giving. For us, it brings a sense of intention...each gift has to be thoughtful, since you are only giving 4! 

Hope you all have yourselves a merry little Christmas!!!

***Santa always brings an unwrapped big gift and fills the stockings. This year he is bring Drew a bike and the girls are getting bitty baby dolls! 

Thankful. Grateful. Blessed

I wish I was better at remembering to be thankful more than just when Thanksgiving is near. 

I think I get caught up in the laundry, picking up, wiping little tushies, and handling the mood swings of toddlers....that I forget to stop and remember that I am very blessed. 

This year, I thought I'd share just what I am most thankful for....

Motherhood. Being a momma is a gift. I am thankful for the little boy and little girls who fill our home with laughter, screams, roars, and even tears. I am thankful for the early mornings and up all nights. I am thankful for the messy meals, dirty dishes, loads of laundry, dirty diapers, and crayon on the walls. I am thankful for little voices who fill our home with stories of Lightning McQueen, Dinosaurs, Elsa, and Ninjas! I am thankful for the meltdowns and cuddles. I am thankful for the hard days so I can appreciate the good ones. I am thankful for these little people who fill our arms and hearts. 

Marriage. You don't see much of Andrew on my little "squares." He hates pictures. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 But he is always there. On the sidelines. Refusing to take another photo. Making dinner. Mowing the lawn. Pouring the wine. Playing with the kids. Making smart ass remarks. Making me laugh while rolling my eyes. He is a damn good husband and even better dad. He puts up with my crap...there’s a lot of crap and a little bit of attitude. And, he works hard so that I can stay home with our babies. 

I know I don't tell him enough but I am thankful for my husband. I could not do this thing called life without this man...or the wine. 😘

Family. I am thankful for our family. Thank you for loving us, helping us, and giving so selflessly. Thank you for being here even when you are driving me crazy. 😉 I don’t know what we’d do without you....all of you. 

Friends. I am so thankful for my friendships. My best friends. Thank you for continuing to be there for me through all the good, exciting, mundane, and hard. Thank you for continuing to love me, no matter how bad I am at texting back. 

You. I am truly thankful for all of you and this cozy place on the internet. Thank you for reading along and supporting me. Thank you for every like, comment, and every single message when a link is not working! Thank you for the love and encouragement. 

My little space on the internet would not be possible without all of you. 

Wishing you all the Happiest of Thanksgivings! 🧡 

Gift Guide for Kids Ages 2-5

It's the most wonderful time of the year...especially for your little sugar plums! 

To help you find the perfect gift for every little on your list...I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite children’s gifts.

We’re basically toy experts over here...Santa status.

And...We own all but one of these. They are the items that get the most use and we love each and every one.  

1. Strider Bikes...the coolest bikes that teach children how  to balance at their own pace, they gain confidence, and when they are ready...take off on wild adventures. Drew is ready to take off and the girls are at various stages of learning to balance. Love the concept and love watching my little riders have fun! 

2. Dress Up Items for Pretend Play...Little Adventures is one of my favorite companies. These products are well made, machine washable, comfy, and they have tons of options from super heroes to villains to princesses and more! Encourages kids to use their imaginations, play, explore, and dream! 

3. Magnet Tiles...magnet tiles are played with every day and keep all three of my littles entertained! Not only are they fun and engaging but help foster imagination, creativity, problem solving, and math skills through constructive play and P L A Y is our favorite way to learn! All three of my littles will play with these FOREVER!

4. Kitchen Helper...just what it says...helper in the kitchen. The perfect way to let littles safely join in on all the fun in the kitchen and a great way to spend quality time with each little in your life....baking, making play dough, and creating yummy masterpieces. 

5. Easel...This easel is an absolute steal at only $19.99. Chalkboard on one side and dry erase board on the other...kids can explore their artistic side with various mediums. Perfect for encouraging creativity. This is an absolute favorite in our home!

6. Nugget Co. Four-piece foam kids couches that can be transformed and rebuilt to become castles, spaceships, forts, and so much more! The perfect couch for jumping, sliding, reading, and adventure! Drew would absolutely love this!

7. Play Kitchen...this was our big Santa gift to the kids two years ago and there isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t play with it. The little chefs in your life will love being able to cook up a feast for the whole family. I love the sweet colors and adorable details. Since it comes in two pieces, it’s perfect for any size play area.

Hope this helps you all bring that holly jolly Christmas magic to each of the tiny tots in your life. Xo ❤️❤️❤️

Modern Little Boy Sports Room

When we moved to Ladera, we decided to put the girls together and that meant it was finally time for Drew to have his OWN big boy room.  

No more sisters. No more sharing. Boys ONLY!

What better way to commemorate this huge first than with a full blown big boy makeover! 

Our little slugger is a sports fanatic and I knew we could hit this theme out of the park! Guaranteed slam dunk! The true G.O. A. T! Ok...I’m done. 

Bedding:

Bed and bedding were the first things we tackled!

We are further away from my family so we knew we wanted a full size bed in case anyone spent the night. 

Beddy’s was a no brainer. The bedding is super soft and fits over the top of the mattress just like a fitted sheet. There aren’t any messy blankets hanging off the bed which makes the room look super put together. It literally looks like all the bedding is neatly tucked completely around the mattress! Winning!!

The best part is....Drew loves chores! Yup, you read that correctly...he’s a keeper! He can make his own bed and actually looks forward to it every day and it’s so easy. 

Zip. It. Up. 🙌🏼

Threw in the soccer pillow in honor of Drew’s favorite sport!

Dresser:

Our locker-inspired dresser added the right modern sporty touch with tons of extra organization! 🙌🏼 

Reading Corner: 

These stadium seats are actually from the old Dodger Stadium. Andrew and I were dating when they began renovating the stadium and Andrew had to get these bad boys! We drove out, picked these out, and had no clue where we’d put them until now. 

Now...we get to put them in our little guys room. 

Pretty cool, if you ask me!

Perfect place for our little slugger to sit, relax, read, and hang out!

Nightstands:

The nightstands are filled with vintage baseballs, LA Rams football, and vintage hockey sticks that were Andrew’s as a little boy! I think it gives the room a fun boyish feel.

Decorations:

PLAY Galvanized Metal Letters

The wooden round “Drew” sign is one of my favorite touches. Not only is it perfect for this stage...recognizing his name, letters, and writing his name...but has a classic masculinity that will transition as he gets older!

Wooden Sign 

Drew loves reading and his current favorites are Lisa Wheeler’s Dino Series! A fun read for Dino lovers and sports enthusiasts alike! 

Cheers to Drew having a ball and enjoying a space he can call all his own!

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*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but all thoughts and opinions in this post are my own.*

Photos courtesy of Brenda Munoz Photography 🖤

Potty Training

This week, I broke out the potty, undies, bribes, and cleaning supplies....it was potty training time!

Potty Training can be SUPER intimidating so I decided to throw together my must have items, best potty training tips, and some pretty cute pics of my naked baby going potty! 

Potty Training Essentials: 

1. Training Pants & Undies

-Take your toddler to Target and let them pick out a fun pack of underwear! Having your little pick out these essential potty training items helps get them excited about the potty training process. We also made a big deal about giving diapers to the babies in our life since we don’t need them anymore. Training Pants to start are a lot more absorbent than regular undies and are great for accidents...less clean up. 

2. Treats

-Make it fun! Kids do best with positive reinforcement. We do one treat (M&M) for pee pee and two for poo poo! That’s the equivalent of winning the baby lotto!

3. Travel Potty & Bags

-Travel Potty’s are HUGE once you leave the house. When your Little has to go, they have to go! We used this one with our older two and keep it in our car at all times. It folds and fits perfectly under the drivers seat and is small enough to throw into your diaper bag. 

4. Step Stool

-Have a step stool to help your little easily reach the sink to wash their hands. When you transition to the BIG potty, you’ll need this so your little can get on the potty all by themselves.

5. Potty 

-I love Summer Infant’s My Size Potty  The foam potty topper is super soft and comfy, the guard is high enough so littles boy won’t pee out the front (that’s huge Boy Moms), it’s super easy to clean, and the potty topper is removable and fits a regular toilet to make transitions to the real potty a breeze! It even comes with a storage hook for the potty topper so that it can easily hang on the adult size toilet when not in use. The back of the potty fits a full pack of Wipes making it easy for cleaning cutie little booties! My kids love that it flushes like a real potty! Cool, right?!

My best Potty Training Tips:

•Prep your Little for this huge milestone. I was nervous with both of my little ones and to be honest, my kids weren’t totally interested in the potty so we had to do a little work....potty talk, read, watch shows. We read books, watched Daniel Tiger Has to Go Potty, and talked about how big boys/girls go pee pee and poo poo on the potty!

•From the moment your little wakes up, NO MORE DIAPERS! Go nakey and remind those babes that diapers are a thing of the past! We did the 3 day method...no pants, no undies, no carpet, and no leaving the house (play in the backyard in a long sleeve shirt and shoes...Bea prefers to be totally naked 🙈).

•Stay consistent to ensure success: Put them on the toilet every 20 minutes. Constantly ask if they have to go potty...to the point where you’re sick of saying it. Keep the potty close by. Potty goes where naked baby goes!

•Praise: When your little uses the potty, make a BIG DEAL! You are their hype girl!! Hype them up!! Littles get so excited when they potty because WE get so excited.  My favorite phrase while potty training is “I  am so proud of you!!”

•Reward: Treat right away! We did one treat for pee and two for poop!

Be Warned...

•No matter how great it's going, it's important to remember, ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. Accidents are inevitable! Kids kind of panic when they have an accident so stay calm and say something like "accidents are ok. We can clean it and next time use the potty." There will be accidents. This is normal. Try to stay positive, not get frustrated, and most importantly DO NOT give up. 

Good Luck, Mommas & Sweet Babes! Do what works for you family and your little. 

May the odds be ever in your favor 😉

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but all thoughts and opinions in this post are my own.*

A Wicked Bash

A wicked night full of Halloween fun!

One of my favorite October Traditions is our annual Cousin Halloween Par-tay! Getting my nieces, nephews, and God-children together is my favorite. 

The Monsters 🧟‍♀️

Spooky Decorations 👻 

Replay Recycled is on of my favorite companies (OG blog post here . The Snack Stacks added a pop of color and doubled as favors! We filled these bad boys up with tons of Wickedly fun and oh so yummy treats!

Our Guests 🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

Bone Chilling Games ☠️

Skeleton Scavenger Hunt

Toss the Pumpkin 

Hot Pumpkin (you know like hot potato)

The most serious competitors I ever saw. 😉

A Devilishly Yummy Spread 💀

Never tricks at the Vidovich House...ONLY Treats 👻

And no party is complete without a hell raising dance party!

Watch my IG stories for a booty poppin’ fun time 😂

This was Spooktacular night full of family fun. 

Wishing you all a Fangtastic Halloween with tons of batty memories! 🖤

 

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Witch Bows and Bat Bows courtesy of Golly Gee Goodies. 

Favors courtesy of Replay Recycled.