New in 2012: Box Play for Kids

Not long ago, my sister-in-law and I were talking. I swear to you, Robbie is obsessed with boxes! For Christmas it's ALL he wanted to play with. Every time we get a package, he just wants the box! My SIL was telling me, that her sons are the same way.

My SIL made a wonderful discovery last year. Box Play for Kids. Have you heard about them? It's a company, that sells stickers. Not just any stickers. But stickers to put on boxes, egg cartons, milk cartons, and toilet paper rolls. Which turn the boxes into new toys! Yes, they are adorable! And guess what, my SIL sent my kiddos a bunch! This is what we got to try out this week! Just look at what we got. :)



Remember, they were mostly for Robbie. My boy. So this tractor was just perfect! And only $5. It's made for hours, and hours of good playtime!



How about a cow? Around our family, this is the best $8 you could spend! We're all about farm animals!



Let's play doctor. This eye chart is too cute! And just $6. I can hear my twins, for hours, playing with this box. I'm not lying. They even hold a cup over one eye! :)



How about a $5 piano? This is one of Abby's favorites! She sings to herself, and pretends to play. She even tells Billy, that she's practicing to be in the BBs!!!



A $5 camera! This one, all 3 of my kids love! I'm kinda of wanting to order a couple more of these. Because they go around, "snapping pictures," all day long!



How about bowling? This set is only $4! And has given our family, hours of fun. We actually got 3 sets of these. And set it up, in our hallway. Literally, our kids could play for hours!



An $8 pink refrigerator. Where was this, when we were buying stuff for Lauren's Little Pink Playhouse? Could have saved us some serious money!



How about a Bento Box for pretend play? This one is $6. And I see Lauren and Abby "feeding" their babies for hours and hours. So cute!



I'm not going to lie, after my SIL told me about this website, I went to peak around. I bookmarked it. And said I was going to order a few things. That was before the holidays. And just the other day, I was thinking about this website. And I figured that I'd order some stuff, for Easter.

But after we got our gifts, I went back to the website. I'm telling you, my kids are in LOVE with these stickers! And guess what I found? Some free Valentine's! Immediately, I downloaded the file. This was one of the gifts we gave our kids. :) Filled with lots of goodies. I also made some, for our friends' kiddos!

Who in the world, would have thought, my kids would LOVE these so much! I'll never look at a toilet paper roll the same way again. Never! Are there any fun toys or crafts, that you've found. Or think we should take a look at. Please let me know!

~Manders

Lalaloopsy Sew Cute! Playhouse...and Abby!!!

J is always calling me. Wanting to steal Abby, for a few hours. He's such a wonderful Godfather to her. Honestly, Abby just lights up, when her Godparents are around!

Usually J and Abby just hangout at the Ranch. She always comes home exhausted! Telling me about all the animals, the swimming pool, and the Big Red Barn! J is just like us. And that's what makes him such a great friend!

I'm not going to lie. J has a habit of spoiling Abby. All our kiddos actually. But Abby has a nice stash of toys, at his house. Even in his office. :) But I was shocked to see this playhouse the other day!



I know that Abby is head over heels in love, with all dolls. Dollhouses are the bees knees to her. We've been thinking of buying her, a playhouse for her birthday. But this is a little over the top! Even for my sweet girl. A $170 toy, for my not yet 2 year old daughter. Given to her, by her Godfather, not us.



Yes, she loves it! And is so good about playing in her playhouse. Billy and I sat there, just watching her play. She was so into it! Had absolutely no clue, that we were there! Talking away to herself. Just playing. Sitting her dolls here and there. Having the time of her life! Really? Yes, she was in love!

J reassured us. It's just a special present. He doesn't regularly buy her these types of toys. It's just something they saw, one day, on a trip to the store. And well, he couldn't resist. Yes, my daughter has her Godfather wrapped around her teeny, tiny, little finger!

I felt better, when we were leaving. And she carefully "put away" her playhouse. And picked up her rag doll. The one that J bought her when she was just days old!

But I still have to laugh, when I think about the scene in J's office! You'd think he was a father of 10! We love you J. But you really don't have to spoil Abby so much. I will say this, we appreciate everything you do, especially the way you love our family! :)

~Manders

Once Upon a Time

I've ALWAYS had a soft spot for fairy tales. When I was little, I still remember a trip to an Antique Store. My mom had taken my brother and I. And there was this big book of Fairy tales. Printed in the 1950s. And I wanted it! So badly!!!

But before we had even gone inside, my mom had told us, we each had $5 to spend. That was it. Because she was there to buy a dresser. For our new baby! My dear book, was $10. Because it was gigantic! My brother had found, a big yellow dump truck. He really wanted his toy too!

I think you know by now, that my big brother and I, were super close. He was just so good to me. Always taking care of me. Robert, was seriously, the best big brother you could dream up! Well, he saw me. Pining over my book...

He came up to me, and asked me what was wrong. I told him, that I wanted this book. It had all these stories. All about princesses, and far off places. The pictures were amazing! But I didn't have enough money. He put down his truck. And picked up my book. I remember him studying it. With such intensity. Then he took my hand, and told me that we'd buy it.

I was in shock! 4 years old, and in shock! I didn't want him to miss out on his truck. But Robert insisted, this was much more important. So I helped him hide his truck. I promised myself, that I'd buy it for him. For his birthday. (I did! And I'll have to blog about that, another day.) And we bought our book.

From then on, we would sit and read together. Robert would read me 1 story, every day. Well into the time, he started middle school. Once, when I had gotten my heart broken, my brother had gone to search for our book. It had been a few years since we had read from it. I was a teen already. And Robert read to me, while I cried. I remember this. Because it was so incredibly sweet!

And after Robert past away, I found myself, going to his grave. To read to him. It made me feel close to my big brother. And it always comforted me. I still have this book. It's so special to me! And I read to my kids, out of the book, that my brother bought me. :)

As you can tell, I've always had this soft spot for fairy tales. When I heard about Once Upon a Time, I just had to watch it! I've quickly become a HUGE fan! For about 3 months now, I've never missed an episode!



I'm telling you, you need to watch this show. It's like the adults' version of our most beloved Fairy tales. I LOVE it! It's like the background, to all of our favorite stories. It's funny, every time that I watch this show, I think of my brother. I think of all those nights, when he'd read me a new story. And in some way, I feel close to him again. Like we're watching this together!

~Manders

Soda Fountain Dress

Do you ever get an idea in your head, and you can't get it out? I've been hunting for a cute dress. Something with a classic shape. But a fun color.

I thought I found that dress, at JC Penney. But it turned out, to be a disaster for me. That gorgeous magenta sheath dress, was just not meant to be. I couldn't find it in my size. There was one a size too big, and plenty that were a size too small. And let me tell you, I searched everywhere! I really wish that I could find that dress!

Right before Christmas, Lizzie emailed me. A link to this cute dress! But it was before Christmas. And I didn't want to spend any money on myself. 2 days ago, Lola performed in this color. And I just fell in love with it! After the show, I was telling her, that she needs to buy that dress. It was just perfect on her. The right color, style, and fit.

It only got me thinking, about this dress again. The color, is so saturated. And I think it looks amazing, against dark hair! Lola and I got to talking about this dress. And I'm 100% positive that this man found out about it. He just adores his precious girlfriend. And this morning, a box arrived. With 2 of these dresses. One in each of our sizes!



I was so shocked! I definitely didn't expect it. And I'm positive that Lola didn't either. But let me tell you, this is one of my favorite dresses! I can't wait to wear it. Maybe Billy and I should plan a date! :)

~Manders

Special Gift

When Lauren was born, my mom got me this amazing stained glass window hanging. Of a baby girl. Pink bonnet and all! I cherish it. And it is hung, in the window, of my makeup room. Well, my mom had been telling me, that she had a present for me. But she couldn't find it. I'd forgotten about it. Until today...



My mom not only found my present, but mailed it to me. 2 more babies for my window! These cuties are being hung in our kitchen nook window. I just love that my mom thinks of such wonderful and meaningful gifts. Thank you momma!

~Manders

Crafting

Lauren really enjoys her "Craft Time." She's always talking about what she wants to make next. And always making and giving things out to our family and friends. Recently, Lauren got a present in the mail. For this cute kit. Auntie Lizzie sent it special for Miss Lauren.

And little Miss has been so antsy to get busy. Today, we're going to craft. And this kit, it's on our list! I just can't wait to see what my little girl creates. She is so artsy. And I enjoy this so much! What kinds of things do your kids do for "Craft time?"

~Manders

Abby's Baby

Since I told you about Lauren and Robbie's favorite Christmas presents, I wanted to show you Abby's. Funny how she is just "Over the Moon" about this little dolly! I just love "baby's" hair. :)



Abby got this doll from her Godmother (Nana) for Christmas. This cuddle-y dolly is just Abby's favorite thing ever! She has to have her baby with her at all times. To sleep, to go in the car, to go everywhere and anywhere that we go!

My little girl is a very simple gal. I'm thinking that she is already so much like her Nana. Easy going, loving, and just 100% incredible! My favorite, is to watch Abby with her baby. She gives her lots and lots of loves. Plenty of sloppy, "baby kisses." And just tons and tons of big 'ol hugs!

It's funny how different, yet similar our kiddos are. I really enjoy spending this time with them. Watching them grow and love. And just seeing them play. They love each other. And they are all so independent of one another. It's really amazing! Thanks Lola for Abby's present. I'm sure that Abby's baby will be with us for a very, very long time!

~Manders

Children's Nativity Scene

With Christmas just around the corner, our house is completely decked out! Those are Billy's words, not mine! But we have everything up. It looks beautiful. :)



And the newest addition to our decorations, this cute Nativity Scene that my parents bought the kids. It's "Child Friendly." And just perfect. In fact, my parents read to the kids tonight. From their "Children's Bible." And all 3 of our kids held tight to a few pieces. I can see this set getting used plenty while they are growing up! Definitely an addition to our holiday traditions.

~Manders

Baby Alive

My parents came over recently. Loaded with gifts for our kiddos. Lots of them. Clothes, toys, and yummy snacks. Isn't that what grandparents are for? That's what they tell me. To spoil their grandkids. So I don't say much.

Lauren got this "Baby Alive" doll with all these doctor supplies. She loves it! She keeps telling me that she is taking care of her baby like T-Lo takes care of the babies at the hospital. It really is cute. She wants a doctor's coat now. Um, where would you find one? Why am I asking? My dad is probably already on it.

But honestly, this is providing hours and hours of entertainment for my little girl. She even tried to feed her baby like mommy. How do you explain that one? I'm breastfeeding the twins. I didn't know what to say. So I'm letting her. I just told her that she can only do that at home. :)

~Manders

Lauren's House of Dolls

This is what my sister got Lauren. Why? For being her flower girl. She got it the night of the rehearsal dinner. And she couldn't wait to play with it. Can you blame her? I can't! But she had to wait a few days. It was a busy weekend. My sister was married that Saturday, the twins were baptized on Sunday, and we had a party on Sunday.

Early Monday morning, Lauren comes pulling this into our bedroom. She needed help opening it. I don't think Billy ever opened his eyes. But he managed to open the box. And Lauren, she's been playing with these little dolls ever since!

I don't know where my sister got it. Or how much it costs. The only thing that I know is, my daughter loves it! Thank you sissy!

~Manders

A Package

We got a big package in the mail today. So big, the big mail truck came to deliver it. I was surprised. I didn't think Billy had ordered anything. And I knew I hadn't. So I had the mailman put it in the front entry.

I figured, when Billy got home, we'd figure it out. It turned out to be a package from my in-laws. Loaded with gifts! For all of our kids. Lauren was so excited. I don't know if she was more happy over her cowboy boots, or her new doll carriage. I'm thinking this one won out. Being that she's been pushing around all her dolls around the house. I can hear her from the time Billy gets up in the morning, until we tell her it's bedtime.

Who would have thought? She really does love this toy!. And to my in-laws, thanks so much for everything! I promise I'm getting pictures out. I'm just a little slow. But the twins look adorable in all their new western clothes. :)

~Manders