The many uses of the Origami box - make one yourself!

If you’re a regular over here at Cropped Stories, I bet you read my post title and are thinking this is random.  Yes, it is unlike the usual topics I cover over here, but I felt the need to share something creative and artsy with you today!  With that said, I have a little secret to tell you… 

I like to dabble in the creative world of Origami.  In fact, I published a post in August of last year, Getting my craft on, showing off some of my work.  I was so excited with my creations that I had to share them with my readers!  And being that it was my first attempt at the craft, I was  especially proud of myself!  I was surprised how addicting it was and have been doing it sporadically throughout the year.  When I first started, I was addicted to making pinwheels and flowers.  They were the perfect party décor for my toddler’s 2nd birthday!

Princess party decor!

Last weekend we had a party for Alivia’s 3rd birthday!  I still can’t believe my baby turned 3!  It seems like yesterday I was holding an infant in my arms mesmerized by my doe eyed girl looking curiously back at me!  I remember her blinking slowly until they became fewer and far between and the next thing I knew she had drifted off to asleep.  I didn’t think anything could top those moments of mother daughter bonding as I held her close to my chest and watched her for hours.  It was then I realized I was truly happy!

Yet each day she continues to amaze me. And although I try to prepare myself for the milestones, accomplishments, efforts, silliness, passion, curiosity, and everything else she has grown to be in the last 3 years, I realize it’s an impossible and unrealistic task.  And I’m okay with that.  In fact, I’ve come to love the spontaneity of it all!

We can all benefit from eye exercises; especially our children!

Maybe you guys have been following my Intermittent Exotropia journey with Alivia, maybe you haven’t.  Regardless, though, did you know eye exercises are extremely beneficial even for children that don’t have an eye condition?  Even if your child has pretty good vision (meaning they don’t require glasses) there is always room for improvement.  Eye exercises, in addition to improving vision, can also improve hand-eye coordination, inattentiveness, and depth perception!

2 Giveaways; 1 Post!!!!

Now I’m sure crazier things have happened, but certainly not better than this:

 

2 GIVEAWAYS; 1 POST = 2 CHANCES TO WIN

That’s right!  That means not 1, but 2 chances to win something amazing including a $200 Amazon Gift Card and a box of 6 Woolzies (see below for more details)!  How amazing is that?

 

Speaking of giveaways: need an extra $100?  In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out my current giveaway for your chance to win a $100 Virtual VISA Gift Card!  You still have time but, I’d hurry, it ends on the 2oth (yeah, that’s tomorrow)!

Your kids will burn up with these HOT Back to School supplies

I feel like a ridiculously premature Fall clothing line in a one of your local retailers (you know the ones that had their Fall clothing line available at the beginning of the Summer)?  Now I walk into stores and there’s limited Summer apparel but boat loads of clothing I can’t even wear yet unless I’d like to sweat my hiney off in a pair of corduroy pants and a thin knit sweater!  It’s sort of a pet peeve of mine.  And now here I am publishing this post on back to school supplies and we are barely into August.  I’ve just become my worst nightmare!

HOT BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Nah, I’m just kidding.  I’m well aware of the benefits of being proactive (since I am myself) and feeling the satisfaction of crossing off an item on your to do list.  For those out there with school age kids that haven’t shopped for back to school supplies yet, I hope you’ll find this post helpful!  You’ll find my list of items are affordable, fun, trendy and, like my post title describes them, HOT! 

LeapFrog Learning Activities by MEGA Brands

I have a wonderful Pre-K educational product recommendation for you today!  I received a LeapFrog Product Kit by Mega Brands in the mail several days ago and I was very impressed with the learning assortment they provided.  The activities were both fun and educational at the same time.  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that thought so.  Alivia, my 3 year old, has been asking to use it everyday!  I don’t think “obsessed” is too dramatic of a word when referring to her persistence to use the products on a daily basis!  In fact, her enthusiasm for learning is more than I could ever imagine!  She especially loves the activities like the Colors, Shapes & Numbers Book and the Dry Erase Practice Board that require the use of dry erase crayons and a marker!  The dry erase writing utensils easily wipe clean from just about any surface including your child; a SUPER bonus!

Tarnished Royalty: Jewelry to Cherish

If you like jewelry (or perhaps are a jewelry addict like myself),  I have a special treat for you today!  I don’t know about you, but I can’t go anywhere without jewelry and when it comes to choosing a piece, I’m all about making a statement!  If you like unique pieces that make a statement, I have a feeling you are going to love the one of kind hand crafted pieces that Ann over at Tarnished Royalty designs herself from bits of old hardware, lace, broken jewelry, and other found objects.  Ann loves to reclaim weathered objects and transform them into original pieces of art.  Each and every product that Ann designs has a little part of her and lots of love poured into it!   

If you missed my previous introductory post on Ann, feel free to catch up HERE.  She is one of my July sponsors!  Even more important, she just happens to be one of my first sponsors ever so I’m extremely excited to be sharing some additional tidbits about Ann with you today!

Get Festive with this 4th of July Decor!

With Independence Day being right around the corner it got me thinking about how I wish I was going to be home to host it this year!  Instead, the hubby and I have a wedding to attend on the 4th.  Of course that wasn’t going to stop me from browsing online for patriotic decor!  No way!  I have too much fun doing it every year!  That’s just another great thing about having a blog!  The browsing, ogling, bookmarking, and pinning certainly wouldn’t go to waste when I have all of you to share my favorite party decor ideas with – so thank you!

Simple and Inexpensive Toys are Sometimes the Best Kind!

Some of the best toys are the ones that happen to be simple, the least inexpensive, and keep my little one entertained for hours.  Do you find this to be true?  

It seems like I'm always concerned with purchasing educational, highly rated and recommended, or consumer reviewed toys when it comes to my toddler.  And although a lot of these purchases end up being smart purchases in that my little one plays with them often, there are some that just sit in the toy box collecting dust leaving me questioning why. What's more is that most of the time these toys are among the most expensive purchases and I can't help to think  - what a waste.

Toddler Clothing: Recommendations from an Experienced Shop-a-holic!

Do you have a shopping addiction?  I sure do!  Before I had my first child, Alivia, it was a handbag and shoe addiction.  Now that I have Alivia, it's an addiction to little girl's clothing!  The beautiful colors, enticing trims, fun prints, and soft fabrics always seem to call my name when I walk by.  And because Alivia loves clothing, shoes, and accessories just as much as me if not more makes it almost impossible to fight the urge to buy her pretty things!  Let me tell you how bad it's gotten.

Book Recommendations for your Toddler

In case you didn't see it, I posted a poll in my sidebar (to the right).  I hope you'll take a view seconds to vote!  I would really appreciate it!

Lately, the little one (Alivia) and I have been doing a lot of reading.  And I mean A LOT!  10 books in one sitting wouldn't be unheard of in our house and not just once but at least twice a day.  At least!  It's a good thing Alivia has good taste in books or I may have considered this a monotonous task to read the same ol' books over and over again!  Instead, we have such a great time during our reading adventures.  I love to use silly voices and get really animated while I read to her.  I'm pretty certain she appreciates my efforts or I don't think I'd be getting as many smiles, giggles, and requests to read them just one more time!  Reading is such a great opportunity to bond with your children.  As a bonus, they get to learn as well and there is nothing better than that!

My Top 15 Men’s Gift Recommendations

With the hubby’s birthday coming up soon, it got me thinking about men’s gifts.  I almost love shopping for the hubby more than myself!  Almost.  With Father’s Day around the corner too, I thought this would be an excellent time to publish a post on my top choices for men’s gifts!  Ladies, we can’t forget about the men in our lives.  They deserve a little spoiling too right?!  I know Mother’s Day hasn’t even passed, but I like to get a head start on my shopping!  I’m not very good under pressure.  I’d hate to think of what it would be like shopping for a gift at the last minute.  It gives me anxiety just thinking about it!

Shopping early also gives me the opportunity to take my time and do it stress free!  I am able to put a lot of thought into finding the perfect gift!  So today, I’m excited to share a list of the Top 15 items I would recommend for men!  If you are looking for something affordable, I have you covered.  Want to splurge a little?  No worries, I have you folks covered too!  You’ll find everything from electronics, tech toys, and clothing, to jewelry, accessories, and gaming tools, etc. so I hope you are ready to do some clicking!