Happily Ever Mock

Kid Valentine Ideas

Love day is almost here! Hallie and I enjoy creating the perfect Valentine each year to share with her sweet friends! Today I am sharing all of the Kid Valentine ideas we have made in the past, then a cute idea for this year.

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Finger Painted Valentines:

When Hallie was a baby/toddler, I put a few drops of paint on thick paper.  Then I let her go to town finger painting.  After her artwork dried, I cut hearts out of it to let her hand out to family and friends.  This is a hit, personal and so very easy!

 

Heart Shaped Crayons:

For Toddlers this is a fun Valentine to make and to receive! Purchase a heart shaped mold, similar to this one.  Sort broken crayons by color, remove from wrapping, and fill molds just over halfway full.  Melt at 350 for 10 minutes (or until fully melted) in the oven.  Wait until fully cooled before removing from mold.  Hallie loved sharing these with all of her friends!

Donuts and Milk: 

This was the Valentine we shared a couple years ago with playgroup and it turned out so cute! I just bought milk bottles, paper straws and dipped mini donuts in sprinkles.  I let her friends choose between strawberry or white milk and it was a total hit! You can print the Donut Tags we made here.

Ice Cream Valentines:

Last year since we had school friends and Playgroup friends to share with, I needed an easy and cost effective idea! I got some adorable valentines from Raeannekelly on Etsy. (unfortunately these aren’t available this year, but here is an adorable substitute!) Then I ordered color changing spoons from Amazon.  I just attached the spoons with a hole punch and some ribbon for the next time our friends eat some ice cream! You can even attach a free ice cream coupon from chick fil a or Baskin Robbins if you want to add a little something extra to it!

Sunglasses Valentines:

This year Hallie wanted to give out “Ash Sunglasses”- Have you seen Sing? If not it’s still a precious idea.  I created this little printable and I am attaching a pair of heart shaped sunglasses for each kiddo. What do you think?

What kinds of Valentines are your kiddos sharing with their friends this year? I can’t wait to hear!

Baby Sprinkle

Elise Claire you are already one loved little girl!

On Saturday my friends and family got together and threw a little baby sprinkle in honor of our sweet baby girl. It was so beautiful and the food was delicious! I was so blown away that everyone was so willing to spoil us. Everyone was so thoughtful!  A huge thank you to my very best friend Joyce, my Auntie Janie and my Stepmom Linda for hosting! All of your hard work did not go unnoticed! We feel so loved!

Also thank you to my sweet Mother in law Beth, my cousin Karley and friend Sindi who traveled to make it to the shower! You guys are the best!

Enjoy these sweet photos from the sprinkle!

 

Baby #2 Registry and Hospital Bag Checklist

My third trimester is winding down and my to do list is growing longer.  I meant to post “Must needed items for baby #2” and a “hospital bag checklist” in 2 separate posts but… Here we are at 34 weeks and I am running out of time.  So here is a fun dual post for you today!

(This post contains affiliate links.)

Baby #2 Registry- Our most needed items for second baby.

We are so lucky to be having another girl because we can reuse so much! Basically we added things that we couldn’t find in our storage unit, items we wanted to replace and a few long sleeve options for baby girl since Hal was a Summer babe.  Oh and of course you can’t go wrong with diapers, honest company products and Dreft for all of that baby laundry!

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To view the rest of our registry, check our our BabyList.  If you are expecting, definitely set up a Babylist.  It is so convenient! You can add items from any shop you want! Like this precious Candy Kirby baby gown. 

Is there anything else you Moms of 2 recommend that will make the transition easy?

Hospital Bag Checklist:

For Mommy:

  • Open Front Pajamas-For Pumping and Nursing
  • Bathrobe
  • Camera
  • Phone Charger
  • Toiletries- Dry Shampoo, Hair ties, Toothbrush/paste, Brush, Body wash, Razor, pads, chapstick, Deodorant
  • Panties- Granny panties…size up to make room for plenty of pads
  • Flip Flops-For the shower
  • Socks
  • Pillow
  • Snacks- For Daddy and for After birth
  • Something to wear home- Joggers and a Sweater will do fine

For Baby:

  • Baby Book– For prints
  • Bottle if you are not nursing
  • Pjs/Onesies/Gowns/ Going home outfit
  • Hats/Bows- I brought bows to the hospital with Hallie and girlfriend got used to them always being on her head so she never pulled them off
  • Swaddle Blankets
  • Nursing Pillow
  • Socks

What am I missing Mommas? Anything you would recommend?

All About Big Sister- Hallieisms

As the clock ticks and my due date nears I thought I would share a little post all dedicated to big sis Hallie.  I am so proud of Hallie.  She is so excited to be a big sister, and is already picking out outfits for the baby.  Elise is going to be one lucky little sis.  I am trying hard to soak up these last few days with just her and I.

Hallie is 4 1/2 and learning so much every day! I am constantly amazed with the lessons she brings home from preschool.  She is currently learning all about space and informed Daddy and I at dinner the other night that Pluto is a “Dwarf Planet even though we grew up thinking it was a real planet.” Hallie still loves animals.  Her favorite show is Wild Kratts and she memorizes all the facts she learns about them and can’t wait to tell everyone she knows.  She is so smart!

Not only is Hallie rocking it at school, but she is almost a green belt in karate! She just started black belt training and got a 1st place trophy this passed year at her first karate tournament.  She is also still loving her ballet class and is going to be in her very first recital this Spring.  After every class she spends the next few hours prancing around the house on her tippy toes and I never want to forget it!

For Christmas Hallie asked Santa for an Art set and has been making all kinds of drawings and creations.  She loves to bead, play with playdoh and color with her new oil pastels.  Sweet girl even made all of her own thank you notes for every gift she received.

She still wants to be a vet and was so helpful to me when Stella recently had to get stitches.  I expected her to be grossed out by the blood, but she was more worried about caring for Stella.  She even told the vet that she wanted to be just like her!

Three was really hard for us, but four has been so sweet.  She has the best personality.  Though she still is fiercely independent and tests limits at every turn, she keeps Daddy and I laughing all the time.  She is incredibly thoughtful.  One of her favorite things to do is make cards and gifts for us and enjoys putting on performances in her favorite pink tutu.

Here are some of my favorite Hallieisms from the passed year:

  • We were getting Daddy some coffee to go with a gift.  I asked her what flavor coffee we should buy.  After thinking about it for a minute or two she proudly proclaimed, “Meat!”
  • She was playing puppy and told me “I have to go! I have puppy school at this many o clock” Holding up a few fingers
  • Noticing some mosquito bites, “Mom! I am turning into a leopard!”
  • When I ask her to watch something for me she will say: “I’ll keep me an eye on it!”
  • A backhoe is a “Digger rigger”
  • She told dad “I need to give Mom some of my brains so she can be smart” Clearly this pregnancy is getting the best of me.
  • She will inform us when the other parent walks in the room by saying “Dad your wife just got in here!”
  • I told her she got chocolate on her dress and she shrugs and says “It happens”
  • We were swimming at my Dads and I got out of the pool to take a picture.  I was dripping wet and said “Say cheese” Hallie says “Cheeeese….uh Mom, you’re peeing!”
  • When we told her about being a big sister she looked up at the ceiling and said “Thank you God!” and it melted my heart into a bowl of mush!
  • She looked at my growing belly and told me “Mom, you’re just getting fatter and fatter…like Santa!”

Sweet Hallie is my partner in all I do and while I am so excited for Elise to join our family, I am going to miss our days with just the two of us.

Swaddle Designs 3 Step Safe Sleepwear-Review and Giveaway

Happy Friday! Today you are in for a treat readers.  We are teaming up with Swaddle Designs for a really great giveaway!

I used Swaddle Designs products with Hallie from infant to toddler stages.  In fact they are so beloved in our house, Hallie still uses them to wrap her baby dolls in, and I am having a hard time sneaking them away to wash for our baby girl on the way.

While Swaddle Designs offers many great products, I can’t wait to try this adorable Transitional Swaddle Sack with Elise.

With the Transitional Swaddle Sack, Swaddle Designs is bridging the gap from swaddling to sleep sack.  This is a perfect option for babies who enjoy the feeling of being swaddled, but are starting to roll over.  The Transitional Swaddle Sack has “Arms Up Sleeves” with fold over mitten cuffs to keep baby warm while keeping hands free to lift their torso and re-position their head to breathe.  Medical professionals recommend this transition around 3 months.

Hospitals across the country embrace Swaddle Designs 3 Step Safe Sleepwear and pediatricians often recommend them as well.  Due to the unique design, the baby’s arms are positioned close to body when the cuffs are closed to help suppress the Moro (startle) reflex. However, arms are still free to prevent suffocation if they were to roll over.  The Transitional Swaddle Sack also features a 2-way zipper making late night diaper changes super convenient.

I can’t wait to snuggle Elise into one of these precious Swaddle Sacks. If you are looking for a great gift Swaddle Designs also offers gift wrapping.  Your product will arrive with a lovely hand tied bow and hand written card.  Perfect for a baby shower or a last minute holiday gift.

Swaddle Designs was kind enough to gift one of you lucky readers a Transitional Swaddle Sack of your own.  Just Follow the Rafflecopter below.  This contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada and will run from 12-21-2018 – 12-24-2018.  I will contact the winner by 12-26-2018 with directions to claim their prize.

To learn more about Swaddle Designs are the amazing products they offer, be sure to visit their Website and sign up for their Email Updates! Swaddle Designs is also on Instagram and Facebook.  Good Luck!

To enter, Follow the Rafflecopter and follow all the steps.

Hallie’s Stocking-2018

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Counting down the Christmas Clock!  Less than 2 weeks to go until Christmas day! My shopping is almost complete, and I am ready to fill Hallie’s stocking! Because of the new addition to the family after Christmas, my goal for this years stocking was to pack it with activities to keep Hallie busy at times I’m busy with baby.  I am also adding hair ties because where do all of the hair ties go!? Seriously! Then of course the card games for us to play during Elise’s naps.

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Hallie is really into Arts and Crafts right now! She can spend hours coloring, cutting and pasting or molding dough! This foam dough along with these precious confetti crayons and stackable crayons are sure to keep her busy while I tend to the baby.

I can’t wait to spend Elise’s nap times playing card games with Hallie.  Spot it is a great game for her age and the card holder is genius! Usually she has a hard time keeping all of her cards in her hand at once.

Dressing up is another favorite past time of Miss Hallie! I can’t wait for her to try these stick on earrings! I have such sweet memories of wearing them when I was a kid. Also how cute are these Ryan and Wren hair clips! If you want to snag some of these for your little girl (of course you do!) make sure to order them immediately.  Tomorrow (12/12) is the last day to order and ensure delivery on time for Christmas!

I am topping off the stocking with a few books and some stickers! Just can’t wait for her to open it Christmas morning! What are you putting in your kids stockings this year?

Favorite Christmas Kids Books

Something magical happens at Christmas time.  Christmas carols are everywhere and lights turn on all around town.  In the Mock household we try and catch each and every Christmas special, and the books at bedtime are almost always Christmas tales. So today I am sharing some of our favorite Christmas books, we just can’t wait to cozy up and read!

1.Bear Stays up for Christmas / 2. The Jolly Christmas Postman / 3. Pick a Pine Tree / 4. Olivia Helps with Christmas /

5. Christmas in a Manger / 6. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas / 7. Snowmen at Christmas/

 8. Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas 

Hallie loves “The Jolly Christmas Postman.” It is full of games, puzzles and sweet surprises! It is sure to delight any child.  I can’t wait for Hallie’s elf Jovie to bring “Pick a Pine Tree” this year.  The illustrations are beautiful and the story is just precious! Do you have any favorites we should add to our reading list? Let me know in the comments.

Ps. To get some other Elf ideas, check out my latest post for Dallas Mom’s Blog: A Simple 25 Day Guide to Elf on the Shelf. 

Girls Christmas Pajamas-2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Something we do this time of year, is spend lots of time in cozy pjs! Today I am rounding up my favorite picks for girls Christmas Pajamas to prepare for the holiday season.

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Any of these cute PJ sets will leave you with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head! I personally am a sucker for anything Nutcracker print, but you can’t go wrong with any of these.  Have you picked your kid’s Holiday Pajamas yet? Are there any other cute PJ sets I need to add to my list? Tell me! ‘Tis the Season for all the cozy pajamas!

Flower Girl

Over the weekend, Hallie was a flower girl in my cousin Bryant’s wedding.  It was a beautiful wedding and he chose the most precious bride.  Hallie was ecstatic to wear a princess gown and be part of their special day! Here are some photos of the beautiful weekend!

At the Bridesmaids Lunch

With the beautiful Bride to be

At the Rehearsal

Hallie with Auntie Janie (Mother of the Groom)

Getting Ready for the Ceremony

Hallie and the Groom

Momma, Hallie and Baby

Hallie and Cousin Karley

The beautiful Bride and Groom

  The gorgeous Flower Girls

We were so lucky to be a part of the beautiful day for the precious couple! To many more years of love!

Eat Like a Gilmore- Mocha Crunch Cream Cake

Lorelai Gilmore said it best, “If Eating Cake is Wrong, I don’t want to be right!” I learned a lot from the Gilmore Girls in the 7 incredible seasons, but most importantly, how to eat.  When Kristi Carlson announced the 2nd Eat Like a Gilmore Cookbook, Daily Cravings, I couldn’t wait to get cooking!

The 2nd official cookbook comes out today, November 6th, but author Kristi Carlson, was kind enough to share this recipe for the Mocha Crunch Cream Cake with me.  And oh my, let’s just say, she nailed it!

As an avid Gilmore fan, you’ll remember this cake from Season 2 Episode 3 “Red Light on the Wedding Night.” The episode opens with Lorelai and Rory taste testing cakes for Max and Lorelai’s wedding, at Weston’s.  Fran has a large assortment of cakes in front of the girls when Rory questions the morality of sampling wedding cakes at Weston’s when Sookie is making Lorelai’s Wedding cake.  Upon hearing Fran exclaim that she is bringing out a “Mocha Crunch Cream Cake” Rory abandons her ethics for the love of cake.  Who wouldn’t after tasting this cake?

The cake blends Lorelai and Rory’s 2 favorite things: Coffee and Chocolate into the most delectable and rich confection.  I may have slipped a bit with the coffee, but as Lorelai says.  “Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!” And she’s right, as a mom, can you really ever have enough?

This cake is so moist and creamy with just a hint of crunch thanks to the espresso. Kristi has mastered the Gilmore’s favorite foods and shares them with her readers in easy to follow instructions.  Now anyone can eat like a Gilmore.  Now, if only I had their metabolism!

To get this recipe along with almost 100 other recipe’s from the show, grab Kristi’s newest cookbook today!   I know I can’t wait to add it to my Christmas List! Which recipe are you anxious to try?