In The Book Allows Your Child to Be The Star of The Book!

One thing that always makes me happy is how much Jack enjoys reading.  Just like how we did for Scarlett, we have a bookshelf filled with books about animals, nature, nursery rhymes, and so much more.  Jack of course has his favorites which he requests that you read over and over.  I always try to rotate his books and make sure he doesn't lose interest, since reading is so important.  Make sure your child always has new books to use their imagination with.

There's something so exciting and unique about having a personalized item.  It could have something to do with the fact that it's a one-of-a-kind object that you can't go to the store and buy.  If you're looking to purchase something that no other child will have, I have the perfect pick for you.  In the Book allows your child to become the magical star of a personalized book.  Your little one's eyes will light up when they see their name on the cover or in the book.  

There are book choices from birth to age 7 for boys or girls.  Any child would be delighted to have a personalized book about unicorns, dinosaurs, the zoo, and much more.  There's even a Disney, Marvel, Build a Bear, and Frozen line too! You can put a dedication in the front cover of the book as well as a picture of the child too.  This would make a truly special birthday or Christmas gift, as well as a gift for any other occasion too.  You can guarantee the recipient will smile each time they read it.

I chose a book for Scarlett and Jack to add to their bookshelves.  Scarlett received My Personalized Unicorn Adventure Book while Jack was sent a Personalized Pet Dinosaur Story Book. 

Both books arrived extremely fast and came in gift boxes to protect them.  As soon as Scarlett saw her book she was immediately interested.  What 6 year old girl doesn't love unicorns? The colors in the book are bold and bright and draw you in.  Scarlett loved the clear picture of herself in the book and thought that was so fun! 

The story is very cute and would definitely keep a reader engaged.  I thought that it was exciting for Scarlett to have her name written in so many different forms like flowers and smoke, among others.  She couldn't believe how many times her name was mentioned, it's safe to say her mind was blown! The treasure map at the back produced a lot of smiles from her.

Scarlett immediately put the book on her shelf and said it was her new favorite one.  I had an inscription placed in her book so she'd always remember it by! 

Since Jack is so young, I'm waiting to introduce his book to him until he's a little older.  Since it's a special book, I don't want any pages ripped or the book thrown around.  His dinosaur book was just as interesting and I know he'll enjoy it when the times comes for me to show it to him.  Every boy loves dinosaurs.  I also had a picture put of him at the back and the same inscription as Scarlett's at the front.  There are dinosaur facts in the book as well.

I'm happy that my kids have a special personalized book that they'll always cherish from their mom and dad.  

If you're looking to give a special boy or a girl a present unlike any other, it's time to place an order today.

*DISCLOSUR* Thank you to In The Book for providing product samples in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 

Jack is 20 Months Old!

I haven't done one of these posts in a long time, but I thought it would be a perfect time to update everyone on how Jack is doing.

Jack will be two on August 8th.  I am not sure where the time has gone, but I honestly can't believe he's turning two.  I know every parent says this, but it's truly mind blowing.  It really does feel like I was just in the hospital having him! Wow. We are going to try to visit my parents in August and celebrate his birthday there.  It is still up in the air though.

There's no denying Jack is a boy.  He absolutely loves being outside and can't get enough of it.  He happily will dig in the dirt and is happy just to run around in the backyard.  When it's time to go inside he cries hysterically.  That part is never fun.  Jack is a big fan of cars and trucks.  He will stop what he's doing and watch them drive down our street when he's in the front yard.  Jack also enjoys looking out the window at any passing cars as well.

Jack seems to be following in Scarlett's footsteps in terms of milestones.  He walked at 15 months which is on the later side, and is also going to be a late talker it seems like too.  He says Mama and Dada and that's it.  He understands many things so I know there's no comprehension issue, but I'll be bringing this up at his 2 year checkup in August with the doctor.

I'm happy to report that Jack is still a very good eater and is not too picky.  He enjoys a wide range of foods and of course loves cookies and treats like his big sister! Jack is a fruit and veggie eating machine.

One thing that is shocking to me is how much Jack still sleeps.  Scarlett dropped her morning nap at 13 months old.  He still takes a morning nap from 8:30-10:30 and then takes an afternoon nap from 12-2:30.  He requires a lot of sleep.  Jack goes to sleep for the night at 6:30 and sleeps until 6:30 the next morning.  He's a sleep unicorn!

Books are one of Jack's biggest loves right now.  He shoves books in my face all day and demands me to read.  He has his select favorites which he enjoys hearing no less than 75 times a day.  He often shoves a new book in my face as I'm reading the previous one he asked me for.  Silly!

Elmo remains a constant comfort item in Jack's life since birth. He carries a tiny stuffed Elmo around everywhere and cannot sleep without it.  If it's not in his crib, he will cry until you give it to him.  Since it's carried everywhere, it's been lost in the house many times and we scramble to find it at bedtime! Not stressful at all, right? It's cute to see him holding Elmo's arm as he walks everywhere.

Jack is not too into TV and likes to watch a few minutes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before walking away.  That's the only show he seems to care about, but Mickey always puts a big smile on his face.

My husband is Jack's favorite person (and has been for a long time now!) and it's clear that he's a daddy's boy through and through.  Jack has a gigantic smile on his face whenever he sees his Dad.  I'm happy he loves him so much.

I am looking forward to spending a ton of time with Jack this summer and seeing how he grows and changes.  He starts preschool in September!

5 Ways Painting Can Relieve Stress

5 Ways Painting Can Relieve Stress

Is your child is a mini-Picasso or a master of stick figures? Either way, painting is a fabulous stress reliever for people of all ages and all artistic skill levels. If your child is experiencing anxiety, you may want to explore arts and crafts for stress relief for a variety ideas.

Making time daily to be creative gives you the ability to:

1. Escape

Everyone needs to set aside time for themselves each day, even if it's only for a tiny portion of the day. Taking a little break from the daily routine, including school work and other obligations can give your child a chance to unwind. This break can actually help them regain focus and work more efficiently on their required tasks. 

2. Truly Express Yourself

People operating in a creative mode are completely expressing their true self. You must learn to let yourself go to accomplish this. Focusing on mistakes or imperfections inhibits your ability to let go. Children need this, especially older kids who tend to struggle with self-esteem and find it challenging to put their feelings into words. 

3. Feel an Overall Sense of Well-Being
Being creative keeps you strictly in the moment, similar to a meditative state. Like meditation, art is excellent for centering yourself. It can provide you with a greater peace of mind and sense of well-being. Getting into "the zone" as you're creating relaxes your mind. Older kids typically have more demanding lives than younger children; more complex schoolwork, deciding what to do after graduation, stresses about getting into college, etc. can be counteracted a bit with a little healthy escape. Discovering how to help high school students with anxiety, combined with encouraging painting can significantly benefit a teenager's life. 

4. Gain Self-Awareness and Build Resilience

Using your imagination to paint frees your mind from everyday life, including thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that occur during routine daily tasks. Your child can gain more control over anxiety by learning to create without thinking about the result. They won't feel like they have to have to have control over everything all the time or fear that they're not good enough. People can practice this new awareness to make better choices, while anxiety and stress gradually subside. Part of being creative means you're not always going to achieve the results you anticipate. If you're painting, you can't erase; you have to adapt throughout the process.

5. Boost Confidence

As your child is working on their art, they're learning decision-making skills, even if the choices seem insignificant at the time. Small decisions lead to more significant ones. Your child will probably notice a gain in decision-making confidence. Unexpected outcomes in life will no longer cause them to feel excessive stress. There's also a good chance your child will discover they're a better artist than they thought, generating a sense of pride. They may even discover a lifelong passion. If your child could use further help dealing with stress, check out Brillia natural anxiety medication. This product can be an excellent alternative to prescription medications without adverse side effects.