Monday, August 20, 2012

LeapFrog Human Body Discovery Pack #LeapFrogTag #spon

Thank you to LeapFrog for sponsoring this review.  For more information about the LeapFrog Tag Human Body Discovery Pack, please visit their website #LeapFrogTag #spon

My kids were very excited to open the Human Body Discovery PackThe set comes with a two-sided chart, game board, stickers, and interactive growth chart. There are over 300 interactive responses and over 40 learning activities that cover body systems, body facts, health and nutrition. The long, fold out pages caught my eye first, they are so different than a regular book. My 6 year old jumped right in and within 30 minutes he was reciting exactly how the nervous system works, seriously! 


We started with the body systems. The pen navigated my son through the pages by asking him questions and telling him where to go next. I wanted to see if he would ask me for help and he didn't He could open the book and do everything himself. A total win/win for both of us.

The Making Healthy Choices game was awesome-- I watched my son answer questions like "Should you wear a helmet while riding your bike?" So glad to see all our safely lessons paid off. He was thrilled he knew the right answer and it reinforced all the safety lessons we as parents try to teach!


The jumbo sized inside your body chart is so easy to read and learn from. At bath time my son stood up and pointed to his lungs, liver, heart, and phalanges.  Quick no peeking, do you know where your phalanges are?!!!! I love that he was able to figure out where on his own body the organs were located from a 2D model. 



The growth chart was a really nice bonus. It came with 3 sheets of stickers (including glow-in-the-dark bone stickers, a huge hit!) that the kids could also run their Leap pens on! They loved applying the stickers carefully to the correct places. Then we hung up their chart and measured how tall they each were. The growth chart brought all the concepts about healthy living and nutrition full circle. Clearly my son was thinking about this because he announced he was ready for bed. He needed good rest to grow!



The human body is complex and LeapFrog has found a way to make it simple, understandable, and fun. I am astounded by how much information my son absorbed in a short amount of time. Honestly, I never would have thought to buy this book. If I saw this in the store, my son would have steered me to the Scooby Doo or Cars book. This book has sparked an interest in Science for my son and I am so grateful. It has taught me to walk past the character books, he is ready for more advanced topics than I had realized. Our family gives the Human Body Discovery Pack an A+++!

Excited that he won the game with his "healthy choices"

For more information and a behind the scenes video about the Tag Human Body, visit here!

I was selected for this opportunity as a compensated member of Clever Girls Collective and received free product from LeapFrog to review. The content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #LeapFrogTag #spon

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Helium Shortage {Behind the Scenes of the Roller Skate Shoot}

Has the helium shortage impacted your parties? All the stores around here are out of helium which means I had to get a little creative with my party styling. The party must go on and I still needed to get a good shot of my favor bags attached to the balloon tassel and 36" round balloon!


So I had a little helper...

My helper stood on top of the wall and held the balloon!
Creative, no?

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Backdrop FAIL {Behind the scenes of the Roller Skate Shoot}

Yesterday, I posted a picture from my Roller Skate shoot for Bird's Party Magazine. Today I thought I'd share a few behind the scenes moments. One thing is for sure, my creative process is just that, a process. I find that my sketches don't always translate into great designs. My original idea was to create a backdrop that looked like a laced up skate using ribbon and fabric. I started with a big piece of white foam board...


Then laced red ribbon through the fabric, nope not quite right. 

Maybe a big tie at the top will help? Nope.

 I had another piece of fabric, maybe the lace needed layers? The lacing looked better, 
but it was still a huge FAIL. Looked too much like a corset.

I tore everything apart after hours of lacing (painful, yes). Then I had a light-bulb moment, crepe paper!
Instead of actually lacing the backdrop, I created the same look with pieces of crepe paper. 
The crepe paper was much wider than the ribbon and created a much bolder look. 
Finally, the backdrop was complete! If only I had thought of that first I would have saved myself a lot of time and ribbon!

You can read more about this party in Bird's Party Magazine, Fall Issue #6

What has been your worst craft fail?



Monday, August 13, 2012

Bird's Party Magazine- Issue 6 Now Out!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, well it is for me because it's Fall Party Magazine time!
Come check out the latest and greatest issue of Bird's Party Magazine

Browse Bird's Party Magazine - Issue 6

View Larger - Buy Paper Issue - Past Issues

My Roller Skate Party is featured on pages 19-24
Hope you will drop by to see all the details!

A huge shout out to my fabulous party vendors:

Styling and Photography: Jenny Dixon
Printable Collection: Bird's Party
Desserts: Samantha's Sweets
Kusudama Flowers: Origami Delights
Fondant Cupcake Toppers and Roller Skates: Edible Details
Fondant Cake Topper and Flowers: Love and Sugar Kisses
Balloons, Spoons, Bottle Caps, Gumball Necklaces: Whimsical Printables
Balloon Tassels: The Flair Exchange
Milk Glass Cake Plates: Mosser Glass 
Lip Balm Party Favors: Zaaina

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Olympic Inspired 4th Birthday Party

Lil Bugger's best friend turned 4 during the Summer Olympics this year. His mom decided to throw him an Olympic Inspired Birthday Party. We collaborated on some ideas, but Emily gets ALL the credit. She did the entire party prep herself (I just took pictures and ate lots of food!) on this adorable, FUN, activity filled party. The Olympic Medal Gold count for this party: 12 for USA!

Party Theme: Olympics
Party Colors: Blue, Black, Red, Yellow, and Green
Activities: Opening Ceremonies, Olympic games, and awarding of the medals
Party Highlights: Olympic Cookie Medals, Official Olympic Podium, and Olympic Rings Cupcakes



Color while you eat, design a flag activity 

Let the Games Begin!
Opening ceremonies began with the kids marching out waving flags to our National Anthem 
Games included a bean bag toss, discus throw, baton relay, javelin toss, and balloon relays
Left, my lil bugger getting his medal, couldn't be more proud! Right, my buggers in the balloon relay race


Each child stood on the podium and was awarded an Olympic Medal of Participation, 
an Olympic COOKIE medal that is!
The birthday boy and his sister receiving medals

Party Sources:
Olympic Party Printable Collection: Bird's Party
Olympic Medal Cookies: Frog Prince Cake and Cookie Design
Cupcakes: Samantha's Sweets
Official Party Planner: Liam's mom, Emily
Podium Builder: Liam's dad, Adam
Photography: Me

Friday, August 10, 2012

The Lorax Peg Doll

Is anyone else excited about The Lorax coming out on DVD? We are!
Lil Bugger requests this book every single night. He has memorized it and says the lines along with me. 


{Keeping it real}

J Bugger was not happy that I painted the Truffula Trees on the Lorax, ha! He thought I should paint some pegs separately as trees. 

Point noted. 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Thrift Finds in Real Life

Remember the little Nantucket boat that I found for my nephew's Nautical 1st Birthday Party?  It was sitting on the shelf at at my local thrift store... in Pennsylvania. I bought it immediately (a whopping $.25) and placed it on my dessert table.  My brother was so excited to see my find. This is actually a replica of a real boat that resides only miles from their house in Rhode Island. Crazy, no?


My sister-in-law sent me this picture, here's the proof!

Here's the whole table again

And here's lil bugger behind the scenes photographing the table for me, so sweet

Birthday Week & 2 Giveaways over at Piggy Bank Parties

Wishing Do Driver from Piggy Bank Parties a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today! Head over to Oink to join in the birthday fun. There are currently 2  now THREE fantastic giveaways going on!!!


Seriously, look at the adorable graphics Piggy Bank Parties created for this week!





Sunday, August 5, 2012

Arboretum Inspiration

I love taking the kids to this beautiful Arboretum.  The Arboretum encompasses 35 acres and contains over 17,000 individual plants.  Such a tranquil and peaceful place to find inspiration. Thought I would share our stroll through the various gardens with you. 

Overlook Pavillion, 
Imagine getting married here? Swoon.


Photo of mommy by J Bugger, thanks kiddo!

Annuals Garden

Lotus Pond

Succulents 

Children's Garden


Thanks for strolling with me!

Friday, August 3, 2012

celebraTORI book signed {Special Moments Captured}

I was so honored to guest post on Tori Spelling's ediTORIal website this Spring right around the time celebraTORI was released. I immediately read the book cover to cover and fell in love with it. I totally could  relate to Tori's passion for parties, crafts, and most importantly a love of the creative process.


I was soooo excited when this arrived on my door step. My own copy, signed from one crafty mama to another. I'm not sure which is more exciting, this...


or this...


Thanks again T. You have made this crafty mama a very happy mama!
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