Enjoy Your Life!

Tonight I realized time flies whether you're having fun or not so you might as well sit back and enjoy your life. I was downloading videos from my Flip when I started to view some old videos of when my lil one was super little. I started to cry, I cried because I could not believe it was the same lil girl who talks in full sentences, and can get dressed and undressed alone and is so independent. The baby on the video was a baby I will never ever gonna get back. She's older now, and will continue to get more older.

Here's the reality of life people we rush through it wondering what our next move will be, we get angry if we aren't where we think we should be. We fight with our spouses over the tiniest things that at the time seem so huge. We waste our energy watching the time pass by that we do not realize it until it is long gone. We put so much pressure on ourselves that we forget to enjoy the little things.

That baby in the video only needed my love, food and attention. That was it. And I am not saying I did not enjoy my moments with her because I truly did, but seeing how much she changed made me realize that I needed to change. I need to slow down and appreciate the little things more.

Take my lesson and enjoy your life. Really really try to enjoy every minute of it, I for one know it gets hard when things do not go our way, but please try to especially if you have children because they grow so fast, within a matter of just 5 months my lil one went from saying words to full sentences, and those moments of stress from work or having to take care of the dogs and clean the house aren't going to be the memories that stick with us. Choose your time wisely and do not regret anything. Enjoy your life!!!

Saying I Love You Quote

"You may say it but if you do not show it then saying I love you is just a phrase. To have a successful relationship your significant other must feel it without having to hear you say it."

Feel Good Song: Pink One Last Kiss

What Makes One Person Happy Doesn't Make Another Quote

"One person's perception of happiness is another person's perception of unhappiness."

We Survived Disney World

Last year when my husband and I were lying on the beach in Cape Cod we decided that in 2012 we were going to take our little girl to Disney World and boy am I glad we did!

Disney World is very magical. It is clean and everyone is so friendly and it brings out this happiness in children. I have never seen my daughter smile so much. She lite up whenever she saw a character, every time she did that my husband and I looked at one another with a big smile on our face pleased with this big trip we took.

Luckily I had a lot of friends who helped make sure I knew what were the major things we needed to do there. Again my little one is only 3 1/2 so we did not have to go too crazy in the things we did, even though she kept asking if she could go on splash mountain-which of course we didn't let her. Below are some great tips in helping your Disney experience be as magical as ours was. We are planning on heading back in 3 years when our little one is older to have her experience different things she could not experience at this age.

Must Do Activities When Visiting Disney World:

• Book a breakfast/lunch or dinner with the Characters. This is something you need to do 3-6 months in advance but it is so much fun! I booked a breakfast where my lil one met Jake the Pirate (which she has a crush on) Oso, Handy Manny and June from lil Einsteins. She loved it. Each Character comes to your table so your child guarantees to get a pic and autograph with them. The food was excellent and they even do a little dance party where the kids can go up and dance with them. It was a lot of fun and well worth it.
• Character Spot in Epot. Some people criticized my idea about visiting Epot because they did not think there were things for kids to do.I say shame on them because it was GREAT and believe it or not my daughter ended up seeing most of her favorite characters there vs. Magic Kingdom. My fav is the Character Spot, here you can meet Mickey and all his buddies, you have to wait in line but it is in doors and air conditioned. Your child gets a pic with every character and an autograph. So much fun and worth the wait.
• Disney Photopass: This is a great service they have. What you do is around the parks are photographers they will give you a photo card and take pictures of your family in the park, when meeting the characters ect...At the end of the trip log in and you can purchase these professional photos. Of course some of a little pricey but you can't put a price on memories.
• Food: Delicious food is an under statement for Disney World. EVERYTHING is sooo good and yes  a little pricey but not too bad, figure after visiting Yankee Stadium nothing seems as pricey as there! Must eat foods: Turkey legs- these are sooo good. For $10 one can feed 2 people. In Japan they have this frozen rainbow iced flavored goodness that is so refreshing on a hot day. France has my fav ham and cheese croissants at their cafe. Even the popcorn was delicious. You can not go wrong!

Disney brings out the kids in all of us and I am so glad we took the time to do this with our little one this year. It was a great time for us to bond as a family and do something magical for our daughter!

Disney 2012



Be You Quote

"Be yourself, love yourself and be true to yourself, if someone doesn't agree or is constantly tyring to change you then they obviously aren't meant to be in your life and you do not need them in your life."

Vacation Bucket List

Every year we rented a house in the Cape with my little one, which we love but wanted a change. Last year we decided this year we needed to do a big trip so we went to Disney World and let me tell you my little one just loved it. So my husband and I decided to create a vacation bucket list. This list is something we thought would be cool to do with our child every year, something different, somewhere new for her, something special she could look back on and say I went here and thanks mom and dad for taking the time to expose me to different things. As a child my parents took me all over the place. Every year we went somewhere new and even though as a kid all you want to do is play in the pool I am glad I got to see all the different places.

So I started my research and there are sooo many really cool places to go to that I hope to be able to bring her one day. Below are just a sneak peak!

• Yellowstone National Park: My husband always wanted to go here. I figure this is a trip we can take when my little one is a little older and will appreciate the great outdoors.
• Down South: I love down south and road trips so after a horrible flight to Florida we decided next trip we will drive down south and stop is Georgia, Myrtle Beach and end up in Florida.
• Amish Country, PA: As a kid my parents took me here even though at the time I wasn't too crazy about it's the experience stayed with me and I still always talk about it. Then we could head over to Hershey park and Sesame Place for some child like fun!

So even though my list seems silly and not that adventurous it's a list we made together and look forward to sharing the experience with our child. Being a family means creating experiences and memories with one another and vacations are a perfect time to do just that! Be creative with your own family and create your own unique vacation experiences.

Try not to be like the others and try to do something adventurous that your child will appreciate experiencing!


What's on your Vacation Bucket List?

To Be Young Again Quote

"Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life." Herbert Henry Asquith

Welcome to Connecticut: Great things to do with Kids

We always think we need to go on a plane of drive hours and hours away to entertain our children. Well after some research I found there are a ton of GREAT things to do right here in Connecticut. Many parents can not afford big trips or to send their kids to camp, but these day trips are just as fun and do not cost that much to do.

Great Activities to do with kids in Connecticut:

Mystic: I love Mystic, CT! The aquarium is always tons of fun and the Steak Loft is a great place to grab lunch or dinner.

Maritime Aquarium: Located in South Norwalk is filled with awesome animals and sea animals. You can spend a whole day walking around and even get to see Seal feedings and if you want their IMAX theater has awesome shows.

Stepping Stones Museum:  Located in Norwalk. This Museum has a lot of interactive, fun, learning activities to do with your children. They hold Summer Jams and puppet shows. Really cute for kids of all ages!

Quassy Amusement Park: Located in Middlebury, CT. This amusement park is filled with activities and rides for children and adult of all ages.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo:  Located in Bridgeport, CT. They have over 300 different types of animals and even a carousel.

Learn more activities to do in CT here: http://attractions.uptake.com/connecticut/family.html 

Feel Good Song: Celine Dion a New Day

8 Years Today

A great home, beautiful child, two crazy dogs and 8 years of good times. Happy Anniversary to the guy you stood by me through it all!

S'more Brownies

These brownies are awesome and a crowd pleaser for sure.

Ingredients:

• Box of dark chocolate brownie mix
• chocolate chips
• 24 marshmallows cut in half
• 7 sheets of graham crackers (I separate them into individual pieces)

Follow the recipe behind the brownie box and bake. Once toothpick comes out clean when testing them take out of oven. Coat top with a layer of chocolate chips. Put cut marshmallows over chocolate chips and top with a graham crackers. Bake for 3 mins, or until marshmallows are melted. Cute into bars with a plastic knife once cooled. Amazing!

Feel Good Song: American Baby by Dave Matthews Band

Feel Good Song: Neon Trees - Everybody Talks

Parents Stop Comparing!

As an adult I see more and more how parents cause so much harm when they compare their children to one another and I do not mean just their young children but their adult children as well. As children we are compared with siblings without even thinking it will do harm, who walked first, who is more musically talented, who is better in sports etc...What parents tend to forget is that when you carry on as your children are adults it is causing harm in these siblings relationships.

I notice it doesn't just happen with the same sex children either, if you have a sons and daughtesr I see parents comparing what their children do with their own families and it is wrong. We are ALL different. I come from a family of three girls. All three of us are very different. To compare is silly because what one person enjoys is not what another person would enjoy.

I started reading some articles about this and it happens alot when one sibling is more successful than another or if a parent feels one child should have the experience another child is having. I say Parents Stop! Love your children for who they are, be glad they are all different, just because one person is doing something does not mean you need to push the other to do the same. What parents do not realize is that you are causing competition between these siblings, you are causing jealousy and we all know jealously does not lead to anything good. You are causing them to compete which is what causes tensions in families. What you need to do is push your child to be independent, rely on themselves and be original.

It is ok for one person to have more or do more over another as long as they work hard to earn it. Just because a parent thinks they know what a child needs doesn't mean it is what the child wants. Back off and let your children be individuals. If you want them to get along them stop trying to make them get along!

Especially with your adult children. Stop comparing what they do with their own children, stop making them copy everything their sibling does, stop making everyone feel like one is better than the other. You are causing damage in their relationship and friendships! To be a happy family stay out of it, stop pushing your kids to do what you think they should do. That is what creates a happy family: when you fully accept what and who your children really are!

Connecticut Fireworks Schedule for 2012

HAPPY 4th of JULY Everyone! Below is a schedule of upcoming fireworks. Have a happy and safe holiday!
Tuesday, July 3rd 2012:

Danbury Mall
Norwalk
Shelton
Straford
Westport

Wednesday, July 4th 2012:

Fairfield
Ridgefield
Rowayton Civic Association
Weston
Wilton

Saturday, July 7th, 2012

New Milford



Source: http://www.ctcalendar.com/home/details/44753-ct-fireworks-and-holiday-events.html

Believe Quote

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." Audrey Hepburn