#springintocarters

"I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Carter’s. I received a complimentary gift card to facilitate my review and thank me for my participation."

As soon as I found out Elinor might be a girl, we went straight to Carter's to buy her first dress. I had been walking by for months wanting to buy everything in there. We have been big fans of the cute styles and prices since then.

I planned a special day with just me and Elinor for our shopping spree. She was so excited. We haven't gone on a shopping spree in a long time and I decided to just let her pick whatever she wanted. She is very sure of what she likes. The days of me picking clothes for her are already long gone.

How perfect to have this below the register? No chasing kids around while trying to pay.

The sales associates were so sweet. They asked what we were looking for and Elinor yelled "pretty dresses!". She laughed and directed us to the display of spring and Easter dresses. She also mentioned all the amazing sales that were going on that day. Not only tees and shorts are $6 each or $8 for one, but the swimsuits and dresses were on sale that day!

Grumpy kid wanting to try on all of these clothes! Hurry up mom!

Elinor was grabbed a blue airy dress. Which was strange to me because with her, the bigger the puffy dress with big prints, the better. Which they had plenty of too. She also needed a blue sweater to go with it. I wasn't sure and suggested the white one. She was right though, the blue looked really good together.

I later realized she thought this was similar to a Cinderella dress.

She had a hard time choosing a swimsuit. There were so many options but it came down to which one had a skirt on it. She's funny. There was also a really cute hooded towel with a mermaid on it. There was a pirate one too. They were so cool! I wish we got one. Best part for mama, all suits are UPF 50+ and the sun hats too!

We finished off our trip with some shoes, sunglasses, hat, skirt and yoga pants. I can't believe how much we got for only $100. Elinor was begging to try everything on right away. I promised a fashion show when we got home.

The $6 each or $8 for one mix and match shorts and tees is only until March 25, so hurry! Go snag up some super cute outfits and use this coupon!

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My gym

*we were invited to a complimentary class at my gym. All thought and opinions are my own.

Last week we were invited to check out My Gym in Springfield. I've seen it before and wanted to check it out but you know, life. I was so excited to finally go. I knew Elinor would love it.

They ran a demo class for us starting with a circle time. Going around the circle asking everyone's name and what they had for breakfast. Elinor told everyone she just had berries which wasn't true. It's funny to see what kids come up with on the spot. Then they jumped right into warming up their bodies with some dancing around, stretching, and wiggling. Elinor was in and out of the circle. The staff was great with letting kids play around on their own and guiding them back into the group when they seemed ready.

My Gym staff had a great balance of free play while they set up the next activity. Elinor really seemed to enjoy the format. Everyone was so encouraging. Sometimes Elinor gets a little nervous doing something new by herself. She seemed to not have a problem at all. Especially on the zip line! She is really nervous about heights but when it was her turn she walked right up the steps and went for it (with staff help of course).

We had a great experience at My Gym. I was surprised to find out how many classes they offered for ages 6 months-10 years old. They also offer summer camp, parent's night out, and birthday party packages.

Get $25 off a birthday party or classes online or in person by using the promo code "fun4kids"

 

 

 

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The Bubba Fairy

I'm so behind and so many things have happened. A few months ago, I decided we really need to kick Elinor's bubba (pacifier) to the curb. I think she knew it was coming. She had started becoming so obsessed with it, more than ever before. She wasn't sleeping through the night because she would wake up and couldn't find it.

A friend had told me that the pacifier fairy came to their house. Why hasn't anyone told me about this before?!! I started bringing the fairy up every once in awhile, asking Elinor what she wanted from the fairy. Build a bear! She had been begging for a my little pony build a bear for weeks. How perfect?

 

Finally one night I asked her if she wanted to write the fairy a note. She said yes! I let her write a note and she read out loud "bubba fairy, please take all my bubbas and give them to Sophia and janelles baby. I would like money to go to build a bear. Love Elinor". It was so sweet. We put all the bubbas in a box and left the note out.

 

The next morning she found her empty box and note from the fairy! We headed straight. to the mall. She loved the whole process of building her pinkie pie. She told the worker about her bubbas and how the fairy left her money. At the end she pulled out her $20 and paid for her own pony. She was so proud.

 

Since then she has only half asked for her bubba. She remembered quickly where they went. It was one of the quickest, easiest transitions ever.

Have you ever had to take a pacifier away at some point? How did you do it?

 

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gardening

We tried to have a garden when we lived in Salem. We got a few tomatoes and herbs but the seagulls would steal everything faster than we could pick it. Our garden this year is really coming along. Everyday Dave brings in a handful of little tomatoes. Our bigger tomatoes are looking good. The kale and rainbow chard is probably ready too but we haven't wanted to disturb it. A few weeks ago Dave picked a little carrot. He keeps forgetting to involve Elinor in the process of picking! She gets so picky with foods randomly. I am hoping that seeing where it comes from and being a part of the process will keep her interested.

Playing in the backyard the other day, I helped her pick another carrot. This one was a lot bigger than last time. She tried eating it right away all covered in soil. We came inside, she cleaned it almost all by herself and ate it. She's been on a carrot strike lately so I was happy.

Now if we can remember to take advantage of having these treats outside! We wanted to make a smoothie the other morning but needed mint. Dave reminded me we have plenty of it in our garden!

working

I've been working more and missing Elinor terribly. Besides teaching, I have been helping out working the counter at the gym. It's been nice to have more adult interaction but I can't stand missing my baby! She has been a little more demanding and baby talking lately. I have to think it is because I'm not there.

giving her everything because I feel guilty.

I'm planning a new schedule for us soon. I'm terrible at keeping a set schedule so it will be pretty flexible. I just want to add more structure and activities for her. I think it will help with the acting out. Especially if Dave keeps up with it the days I'm at work.

On pinterest, I found this great blog for ideas. I'm excited to try these out.

Anyone have any great links for homeschool preschool ideas?

care bears

How much fun is it seeing your child with one of your favorite toys? I loved Care Bears and My Little Pony growing up.

Thanks to our Blogger Bash box, Elinor now had Care Bear and My Little Pony. I also won a bigger Care Bear from Just Pretend Products at Blogger Bash. I remember my sister and I playing with our Care Bears. We would build an epic fort and lay in there all day with our Care Bears and books. I wish I still had mine. Do you remember what they look like?? The new ones are way cuter.

2 beach trips and a show

Rest stop break

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Boston. Well, not Boston but it's so much easier to say than listing the towns we went to in MA. Dave was playing a show and had to do some work. Elinor and I tagged along to meet up with some friends and go to the beach. I miss the beach a lot. I'm really a stay at the beach all day type of person. I think that's why I miss being so close. We would go to the beach sometimes for only a hour or 2 and it was so much fun and didn't take hours to get there.

We ended up making to the beach 2 days for a few hours each. It was so nice. Elinor made friends the first day. I didn't bring any toys so when we set our blanket next to a group of moms and their kids (and toys), I sent Elinor over to ask if she can play too. I know, I'm the worst but the kids ending up being so sweet. They all worked on digging a hole for 2 hours. I somehow forgot how rocky some northshore beaches are and I didn't pack her water shoes. I felt so bad. I had to carry her over the rocks to put her in the water.

We got to eat a ton of good food that you can reread over here and we also went to Dave's show. Since the venue was in the same town that Dorie and Henri live in, I was able to miss out on the beginning of the show to hang out with them and some other friends. I miss that area. Everything is so close and there are awesome playgrounds everywhere! Elinor and I made it back to the venue in time to see Daddy play. She was not into it this time. We were stuck on the stage as I held her from running away. We were both sweaty messes. After they played, we got ice cream and all was good. She was a maniac jumping on the couch behind the merch. I can't imagine what she thinks about the things she gets to do.

Hanging out with friends. Thanks Nancy and Stacy for coming to play too!

I always wonder if she will think that our music is so lame when she gets older or if she will think it's cool she got to travel so much. 

sleeping with one of her favorite puppy friends

bonus vine videos from the show 

fairy and wizard festival

 Last Sunday we went with Mum (Dave's mom) to Tyler Arboretum for their Fairy and Wizard Festival. It was just as magical as it sounds. Little kids in fairy wings, costumes, wizard hats, and wands. There were crafts, music and of course everything to see at the arboretum. We haven't been since Elinor was tiny. I don't think she was even walking yet. She loved running around and finding new tree houses or other activities to do. She made so many little fairy friends. It was so cute to see her go up to them and with barely saying anything, they would be holding hands and running away.

Looking for fairies in their houses.

 She found a fairy hanging from a tree!

 This must be where the princess fairies live

We thought she would like to act out the troll from Dora but she was too nervous and thought a real troll was going to pop out.

 This tree has bells attached to branches way up high. There is rope the kids can pull to ring the bells.

 Surprise! The pink frog was her favorite. There were a group of kids at this one and of course no one at the others.

 We convinced her to try out the green one too.

 There weren't too many butterflies in the butterfly house. Elinor was interested in this super pink bench anyway.

 She made a mushroom out of a paperbag and danced with the other fairies

I love this one

We haven't ventured too much on the trails but I love that Tyler Arboretum has so much for the kids. I'm sure we haven't even seen everything there. It's such a pretty setting and I love going there.