Creating a Diaper Cake #SharetheLuv

 Have a friend or family member having a baby? Trying to think of a creative gift to give them? I love creating these fun diaper cakes you see all over Pinterest!  When I first saw one, I just about fell over, thinking is was too hard! My friends, it is not as hard to make one, as you might think!

“This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”
What you will need:

❊ Diapers ( we use Luvs because they are great for sensitive skin, have the absorbent night lock preventing leaks & are easy to roll) You can use any size!!

(for this cake I used two packages)

❊ Small rubber hair bands- I found these Goody brand at Dollar Tree!
❊ Large rubber bands

❊ Ribbon & Decorations - again you can use any color, size etc.
❊ Luv diapers are softer and more absorbent than ever before, with large stretch tabs for easy fastening, ultra-leakage protection and a money-back guarantee!!

 ❊ travel size wipes, powder, baby trinkets to add as decor
❊ two baby bottles if you make a three tier cake.

 First roll the Luvs diapers one by one. Wrap rubber bands around them as shown above. Do this in three different locations, as shown above.

 This is the most time consuming part! I wrapped some, got up, stretched, did laundry, came back to break it up a bit.

Our Stay at 1837 Cobblestone Cottage Bed & Breakfast

Have you ever needed to take a break? Just shut off your phone, close your laptop and relax? After a stressful couple of months with a major health scare with or son we needed just that! To rest, relax, recharge and reconnect. I searched around our area and found the 1837 Cobblestone Cottage bed & breakfast! Nothing could have really prepared me for the weekend we were about to have.

 The establishment sits alongside the Canandaigua Lake and is minutes from downtown. As we drove up the driveway to check in I saw some deer in the yard! I knew this would be the place to leave my technology aside and explore!

 I threw my small bag, I packed, in our room and was ready to recharge my batteries by relaxing with a cup of coffee on the front porch! 

Is your child reaching their Milestones?

As your child begins to grow it is expected you have worries. As a parent you worry if they are growing up too fast, not fast enough. You worry about if they are eating enough meat, fruits and vegetables. Another fear you may have are if your young child is reaching his or her milestones. I want to introduce you to a program that will help you to know if your child is hitting milestones at the right time. It also provides invaluable checklists, videos, and activity ideas will set your mind at ease, letting you when to expect important developmental milestone as well as what to do if you have any concerns.

This post is made possible with support from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. All opinions are my own.
Let's take some time and explore the age of a two year old. 

12 Top Medical Shows on Netflix

Have you ever realized all those Medical dramas on TV? There is so many and I never realized we were so addicted to them. It wasn't until Netflix homepage stated "Shows you might like" and every single one was medically themed. So if you are like us and enjoy them here are 15 Top Medical Shows on Netflix you might also enjoy!

**I received a free subscription to Netflix to facilitate my review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. 

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken & Rice

 I have gotten a few new things for my kitchen in the last week that I wanted to try out and use. First up I got some new Moore's Marinades to play around with and create new recipes for our weekly meal plan. 

Second, I got this amazing VitaClay Rice Cooker that has been all over my Social Media feeds and inter-webs. Along with some great products from Lundberg Family Farms to help create this recipe! I swear everyone has one of these and I might be the last to jump on the band wagon but so glad I did! This thing is pretty awesome and makes my busy Mom life super easy to manage!!

What you will need:

2 eggs ( I just cracked and whipped them in a bowl)

Pancko Bread crumbs

1 Cup flower

Boneless Chicken breast

Honey

Moore's Buffalo sauce

Lundberg Family Farms Short Grain rice ( I love the flavoring of this)

Something to cook rice in, I used my VitaClay Rice Cooker

Family Fun in Fort Wayne, Indiana

 During Spring Break we decided to try a new location. 
Experience new things with my family and we picked Fort Wayne.

Where to stay? We decided to take the advice of some locals and stay at the Ramada Plaza/Hotel Fort Wayne. It was conveniently located near many of the vacation activities we booked as well as by many restaurants for easy meal choices.

DIY: Teacher Appreciation

As a fellow education professional and Mom, I believe appreciating our teachers is vital. They help our children grow. If you are super lucky to have one that your child adores as well even better. After getting our new HP ENVY we put it right to work! Also find more ideas here.

 Teachers are so important we should take the time to "Thank Them". 

 What you will need:

A straw

Ribbon or Straw string

Tape

"GROW" Printable 

Plant 

How we enjoyed Toledo, Ohio

Traveling is such a vital part of our lives. Only 25% of US workers take all the vacation that they are entitled to. Come on, people – use your vacation days! For Spring Break this year we broke out of the norm and decided to go somewhere new. I searched around our area and found some locations closer to home that offered activities we enjoyed doing. Toledo, Ohio was on the way to our final destination. I didn't realize when I booked a few nights how much we would enjoy the area and want to stay longer.

On our first day we visited the Toledo Zoo. Now, I wrote a full review on them but I still want to mention a few vital points in case you missed that post. First up it is HUGE! Plan a head to be there for a good day. Actually we could spend more than one day because there is so much t see, do, experience, touch and feed!

Let's Celebrate Donut Day

Happy Donuts Day! I had never heard of national donuts day until last year. I was introduced to my all time favorite donut flavor, Maple bacon. Ever since I have been all about anything "donut" related. Here are some great examples of some fun donut themed items you can use everyday!

How Planned Parenthood Services caught my Cancer

My grandmother, Helen, was an instrumental person in my life. She was blessed with both beauty outside and in. She helped found a Christian Camp, that services hundreds of young adults still to this day. She worked to build what is now the Seneca, five Nations in Allegheny, NY. As a small child she taught me so much but it wasn't until her battle with breast cancer I would learn hard life lessons. Beauty and strength comes from within. She fought daily as she lost parts of her women hood. I remember riding to her treatments listening to "He has the whole world in his hands" thinking she is so brave.

This post is made possible with support from the Mission List. All opinions are my own.
My grandmother lost her life to cancer but through it changed mine forever. I hope to be a fraction of what she was to me to someone else. My first step was getting a breast exam and pap smear when I became of age. Planned Parenthood has many of these great services you can utilize. Cancer has run in my family and let me tell you getting tested can be vital. I am not a doctor nor do I have medical training but from what I have experienced early detection is key.