One Step Ahead Contest

The ladies over at MomDot are having a contest to win a stepping stone playmat from One Step Ahead. All you have to do is post a picture of the one who would be getting this mat.

Here is my little cutie.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party- Day 3

Day Three Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Appledonia, Hippos Toes and My Bag

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Do you budget for the holidays? Do you always stick to your budget? Share with us any budgeting tips you may have!

I just barely started my Christmas shopping a few weeks ago. I usually wait until November or Decemeber to do it. As time goes on though, and we have more kids, I know I will start picking things up as I see them on sale throughout the year. I'm still getting used to going into the toy section. It's an area I avoided for a long time, since I had no need for it, so I'm slowly getting used to checking it out when I go into a store.

As for a budget, no, we don't have a budget. My husband and I usually spend about $50 on each other, and that's about it. For our family we try to go cheap, but nice, because there's no way we can afford $30 gifts for all my siblings and the one sibling on his side. (We do a gift exchange thing on his side, because there are way to many siblings, so we only buy one sibling, and their spouse, a gift each year) But once again, as time goes on and we have more kids, I'm sure we'll have a budget and try to stick to it.

By the way, don't forget to enter my contest for a Twilight Inspired Perfume Spray!

How to Make a Halter Tutu Dress: Version 2

This post has been moved to here: How to Make a Layered Tutu
I apologize for the inconvenience!

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party- Day 2

Well, day one was such a huge success, it's now time for day 2. I tried to make it to as many blogs as I could yesterday, but I only made it to about 40. I'll try for more tomorrow!

Todays question is sponsored by LaPlates and Lets Go Strolling and Natitys Design
"Traditions, what are some of your favorite family traditions? What are some traditions you want to begin?"

I am a huge fan of traditions. For Thanksgiving we always went to my Grandma's house in San Diego. If felt so weird the first time after I was married and didn't go to San Diego. And we always have turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, cranberry slices (the kind from a can), fruit salad, and crescent rolls. My first Thanksgiving felt weird with different food.

Then for Christmas we have lots of traditions. We always bake goodies such as fudge, toffee, caramel, cookies, and who knows what else. We like to make plates to take to our friends in the area. Oh, and we always pick out a tree and decorate it the first or second weekend in December. There's no fancy decorations, mainly ones that we've made over the years- a mish mash of everything. And our tree is ALWAYS real. The first Christmas we didn't visit my family and there was only a fake tree was so sad for me. I miss the smell of a real tree.

On Christmas Eve we would all bundle up in the car and drive around to look at Christmas lights. There used to be a street called Candy Cane lane where they would decorate all the trees to look like candy canes. They stopped doing it now, but that was on of my favorite places to go. Since then, a new street decorates to the max. It's in their HOA that they have to go full out. And they do! Sayings on the roofs in lights, the whole yard filled with Christmas decor, banners spread across the entrance to the street, music playing, a Santa dressed up handing out candy canes. It's a cul-de-sac, so everyone enters on one side of the street, and drives about 5 miles an hour down the one side, and up the other. If you don't get there early enough, you can wait in line for an hour to get to see this street. (I grew up in the desert of CA, so there is never any snow) It's fun to see the new things they add every year, but I can't imagine their electricity bill!

When we get home we take turns hanging our stockings on the fireplace, with the youngest going first. They have to stand and say one thing they want for Christmas before taping it on. We do this with my whole family. Then we go and watch "White Christmas" on the TV.

Christmas morning growing up we would all wake up early, but the rule was we couldn't wake up mom and dad until 6am. So we'd all gather in one room and take turns telling stories till it was 6. Then we'd go wake up mom and dad, and we'd have to wait while dad went and lit the fire and got the camera ready. My parents always pinned a sheet up in the hallway so we could never peak. Then when Dad was ready we'd walk out youngest first to see the gifts Santa had given us. These were all unwrapped, sitting in piles on the couch for each person, with their stocking in the front. We always got an orange in our stocking, and for breakfast we'd cut them into wheels and sprinkle powdered sugar on them. Then the adults would go back to bed, while the kids played with their toys.

We always had a fancy lunch, usually with ham and scalloped potatoes. After lunch we would sort the presents under the tree into piles for each person, and sit in a circle and take turns opening the gifts one at a time. This was nice, because it spread the gifts out over the whole day, and we had more time to appreciate what you got.

I don't know many of my in-laws traditions, since all of their kids are older than 21 now, but they always get together on Thanksgiving for lunch, and they love to go to a Christmas concert that goes on early in December. Oh, and on Christmas Eve they get together with family and have a large party, with the kids (now grandkids) acting out the Christmas Story. They are a very musical family, so lots of singing goes on. Then when all the extended family has left, each grandkid gets to open one gift from their cousins.

We're still making our traditions, and I really love all of them that both of our families have, so we'll see what happens over the years.

Blog Party Day 1

Day One Blog Party Question is Brought to you by La Belle Toile and This and That by Randi

Hi everyone! If this is your first time to my site, welcome! I hope you enjoy it here and come back again. If you've been here before, welcome back! Always good to see you again!

Well, since today is all about introductions, let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Trisha, and I'm a 25 year old stay-at-home mom to an 18 month old little girl "K." My husband and I have been married for 5 years next week. We only have one car, so I'm stuck at home all day, and that's how I got into blogging. I needed contact with other adults! I started this blog in August, and I love it. I am slighted addicted to blogging, and spend most of the day on the computer when I'm not playing with my daughter. I also have a small boutique, Cutie Covers, where I sell nursing covers and baby leg warmers for a lot cheaper than some of the name brands out there. I wanted to make them affordable for everyone.

Here are some pictures of last year. This was K's first Thanksgiving, and yes, she spit up sweet potatoes all over her shirt. That's why it looks wet. She was constantly spitting up everything.

Then this was her first Christmas. She could pretty much care less about unwrapping presents. Maybe she'll have more fun this year.

Wordless Wednesday- Zombie Me!

Trying to peel that off afterwards was not fun!

See more WW posts at MomDot!

The Magic of Macy's at Christmas

In 1897, a little girl named Virginia wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun to ask if Santa really existed. This was his response:

This holiday season, Macy’s is asking America to Believe. Macy’s wants everyone - from the most enthusiastic to the most cynical- to Believe in and embrace the holiday spirit of love and charity.

Writing letters to Santa Claus is an age-old Christmas tradition for children all over the world. Macy’s is collecting these letters in a special Santa letterbox at all Macy’s stores. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Believe Meter will measure America’s belief, based on our collective spirit – including the amount of letters received and other current events that reflect the season’s generosity.

So please, everyone, let's help make some dreams come true for some deserving little children. It doesn't take very much effort on your part. Just a letter. Let's try to keep that holiday spirit of love and charity alive. I believe, do you? For more information, check out the Macy's Believe site.

Christmas of Dreams Giveaway!

Hi everyone. I don't know if you've heard about this or not, but MomDot is having a Christmas of Dreams giveaway where one lucky winner will win a Christmas of their Dreams!

Here is a list of sponsors that they currently have:

* Dyson
* BabyPop
* The Shrunks
* Soda Club
* Kadi Prescott
* Uncommonly Cute
* Lollipop Book Club
* Kuster
* Silly Monkeez
* LA Plates
* Natitys Design
* Little Black Box
* Koshas
* Kidz Sunglasses
* JAS Creations
* Appledonia
* LeapFrog
* Mutsy
* Kushies
* Huddy Buddy
* Mimsi-Bags
* BottleWise
* Lets Go Strolling
* DaBib
* Sassy Baby
* Baby Legs
* Scentsy
* FeeFiFoto
* Randi100
* Organic Blankees
* Shi Shu Style
* Georgie Tees

Wow, look at this list! Some of my favorite things are this kitchen from Modern Tots, or the rocker. It looks easy enough for my 18 month old to climb on and off by herself. I love all the shirts from Appledonia, especially the frog, or the turkey, or even the penguin! Who doesn't love Leap Frog toys? My daughter saw this at someone's house and fell in love with it! Check out this rocker from Kushies! I love it! Oh, and check out these couch blankets from Organic Blankees. I love that they are so big!

Go check out these wonderful sponsors and don't forget to enter the blog party at Momdot that starts tomorrow!

Another Twilight Frangrance Giveaway!

Remember back in September when I did a giveaway for a Twilight Fragrance sample pack from Custom Scents Online? Well, you're in luck! In honor of the movie coming out next week, (do you have your tickets yet? I do!!) I am giving away a full size perfume spray to one lucky reader!

To enter:

• Visit her Twilight scents here, and let me know your favorite scent.
  

For extra entries:

• Blog about this contest with a link to my blog, and a link to Custom Scents Online. (worth 3 extra entries!) Make sure you leave a separate comment for each of these three entries

Contest will end November 19th at midnight. Open to US residents only. Make sure you leave me a way to contact you, either with your email, or through your profile. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me, or I will draw a new winner.

If you haven't read the books yet, why are you waiting? You can order the The Twilight Saga of all four books, or you can order them individually ( Twilight,New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn)