Madelyn's first ballet recital

Madelyn has been in ballet for this school year, and she loved it!  I believe she is a natural when it comes to being a ballerina.  She had a wonderful teacher who loves her.  I love that her teacher prays with the girls and just loves on them.  Maddy's teacher worked with a few students this year, and the youngest two were Maddy and her little friend, "E". 

Mega Bloks Dora Bath Time

My daughter loves playing with Dora sets, and we recently received the new Bath time set from Mega Bloks.  Maddy loves playing with the snap together blocks and changing Dora's outfit.  Changing the clothes is really easy to do, with just a snap, you can change Dora's skirt.  All the accessories to have Dora get ready for the day, or get ready for bed, makes the Dora's Bath Time buildable set really fun to play with.

I like that the set is complete for a time of play, and not too big to make a big mess with.  There are other Dora buildable sets to get to add to the collection for a bigger play set area, so we can add on to the Bath Time, if we want. 

Maddy loves to get Dora ready, and loves to pamper Dora in her bathroom.  Dora can take a bath in the tub, along with her little ducky, as well as comb and hair dry her hair.  I love that the hair dryer and the comb fits into Dora's hand~ which makes the Dora doll more fun to play with.  The Dora bathroom set is easy to set up, and there are several ways that a child can put together the bathroom area to make different scenes.  Maddy likes to have Dora look at herself in her mirror and she also likes putting the little hangers on the rack with a skirt on it.  I like that this set encourages Maddy to use her imagination, and it also fine tunes her motor skills with building and managing the smaller parts.  I recommend this play set, and I love that the price is affordable, and that my kids enjoy playing with it.
Dora's Bath Time (estimated retail value $14.99) is available at Kmart, Toys "R" Us (U.S.A, Canada and online), Wal-Mart (U.S.A, Canada and online), select Target locations and Amazon.com.  Geared toward ages 3+

MEGA Brands Inc., has launched the Mega Bloks Family Club.  Members receive: *A printable coupon for $5 off any $30 or more Mega Bloks purchase, *other exclusive offers, contests, sweepstakes and promos on Mega Bloks toys, *information on NEW Mega Bloks toys for kids ages 1-6, *an educational and informative blog by a leading panel of mom bloggers with articles on the benefits of construction toys, product reviews, pictures and more, * and a free e-mail newsletter with great new building ideas, toys for kids ages 1 and up.
For more information about MEGA Brands and The Mega Bloks Family Club, visit familyclub.mega bloks.com

I was sent the Mega Bloks Dora's Bath Time buildable set from Mega Bloks and Team Mom.  I was not compensated for my time or written review.  The thoughts and opinions in this review are of my own and written by me.

Olivia's 2-in-1 playset and plush from Spin Master!

Madelyn loves doll houses, and is at the age when make believe toys are some of her favorite activities. I was excited to review the new Olivia 2-in-1 transforming play set from Spin Master. This is a very unique play house, and I thought it was a very creative toy. It is one that my son likes to play with, too, and doesn't consider it to be too "girlie."
Olivia's transforming 2-in-1 play set is just what the name implies, you get two adventures in one play set. With just the slide of a latch, you can open up Olivia's home.
Included in Olivia's home is a table, two chairs, two plates, ...
a bed, a desk, a couch, a mini table, lamp and more. Also, there is a sheet full of stickers that kids can accessories and add to the pieces or walls of their home to make it customized to their liking.
Madelyn has so much fun with her Olivia set. Unfortunately, she has had so much fun with it, I can't show you the adorable Olivia figurine that is included in this play set. Olivia has a dress that she wears, and it is removable. Olivia is about 2-3 inches tall, and her arms and legs are able to pose. She also has a stand that is included in this set for standing her upright in her home.

Then, if you shut Olivia's home, and turn it toward the back side, you click open the other latch. Opening it up, you will see a whole new scene...
A pirate ship is a fun adventure for Olivia to walk around on. Included in the pirate ship is a pirate hat for Olivia to wear and an eye scope to see what is out on the waters.
Raise the "O" flag high into the sky from the mast. Olivia can be up high to search what is coming, and her little parrot friend can sit next to her to keep her company.
If Olivia heads for shore, she can take a swim in the waters, or sun herself on the shore under the tree. The Pirate side is what my son likes to play with. He loves pirate-y things. :) The 2-in-1 Transforming Play set includes an Olivia figure and base, 23 accessories and one sticker sheet. The play set is available from Toys "R" Us, Target and Kmart.
I also got an Olivia Plush doll to review. This plush is adorable, and she is all dressed up like a cow. She can perform on her stage and be a new animal in her cow outfit. There are other Olivia plush dolls, and they are all dressed differently: Artist, Opera Singer, Cow and Outfits. I think the cow Olivia is really cute, and she even has bows in her hair.

The Plush Olivia is 8 inches tall and she is available at Toys "R"Us, Target and Kmart.

My daughter loves the 2-in-1 transforming play set and the plush Olivia doll. I hope that Olivia will show up somewhere in our house. I saw that there are other figures I can purchase to go with the play set, as well.

This review was provided from Team Mom and Spin Master. They have provided me with an Olivia 2-in-1 Play set and Olivia Plush doll to review and information to share with my readers. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Madelyn is three~

I know that I am way behind on posting about Madelyn turning three, and actually I did Cole's turning 1 on her birthday. I do have to post about Caleb turning 5, too. Ahhh, the life of a Mom is never boring or ahead of the game. However, I want to make sure that I write a post for each kid when they reach another year. So, to Madelyn...
Madelyn is, for the most part, a very "girly girl"...she loves the princess, make up, finger nail polish, shoes and dresses...but she also loves to get into the dirt and play. She really isn't a fan of her hands getting dirty, but that annoyance really doesn't apply when she is out in the mud. This spring Madelyn, her siblings, and some of her friends had a great time playing in the dirt, which lead to mud, and ended up in the tub. It was great fun!

Daddy brought home flowers for his littlest sweetheart on her third birthday. Can a mom be jealous of her daughter? :) I was OK with it, because I thought it was totally sweet that he thought to bring flowers to his little girl for her birthday.

Last summer we went to the Minnesota Zoo, and Madelyn loved the sheep. She was so excited to be at the farm at the zoo because she could pet & feed the animals. Madelyn is a big animal lover....cats, dogs, sheep, cows, horse, birds...you name it, she "needs" one of them. (that's what she tells us).

Along the topic of loving animals, to start of the spring/summer, Madelyn had a little baby Warbler bird land on her head. It was super crazy to walk out and see a bird on top of Madelyn's head. The little bird didn't want to leave, either.
Madelyn loves to dress up in clothes. I think dress up and playing mom is her favorite thing to do. She played dress up at her friend, Claudia's house.
I think she looks like Cinderella in this picture...I just think she is adorable!
Madelyn got out of the bathtub a month (or so) ago, and she wanted to comb her own hair. So, I handed her the comb and she did this:
She was holding her chin to comb her hair, because sometimes I hold her chin to comb her hair. I think that is so cute!
Here are some of the things Madelyn does: She knows her numbers, colors, shapes, how to jump on one foot, how to climb, slide, and how to do the splits (I know...ouch!). I hope to get her in a gymnastic class and/or ballet class. She is very flexible, graceful and tiny. She can literally run in heels, and run up/down the stairs in them. She loves to copy what Mom does...and is requesting my make up. She is really starting to use her imagination, because today she came up the stairs saying she was going to bring her sister with. I asked her what she meant, and she held up her doll and asked if she could bring her sister with. No, she does NOT want a little sister (I asked her), and NO we aren't planning on any more kiddos. :) (for now anyway) She loves to be with Caleb, and that is her buddy. If she sees something neat, is going to eat or watch something, or for any other reason, she calls Caleb so he doesn't miss out on it. Madelyn loves when we snuggle her, and if she had it her way, she would sleep in our bed every night. She loves to hold our hand, be hugged/kissed, or any kind of affection. She is so much sugar and a bit of spice. I just keep thinking God has something big planned for her someday.
She is full of life and loves to have a great time. She is all about fun and playing with her siblings, cousins and friends. We were at a friend's house this summer and she was rolling down the hill (well, Madelyn rolled sideways).
Madelyn is a silly girl, and loves to make people giggle. She has a pretty contagious giggle and many people laugh with her when they hear her laugh.
Happy (belated) Birthday to my little princess. I am so thankful to be chosen to be your mom. You are a precious blessing, and I pray that you will honor God with all you do. I love you dolly!

Build-A-Bear's New Movie: Holly & Hal Moose~Our Uplifting Adventure

I was invited to attend a special private premiere viewing of the new Build-A-Bear movie: Holly & Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Adventure. We went to the Mall of America and saw the hour long movie in the theater. Holly and Hal Moose were there to greet us. I was fortunate to go with two of my other blogging friends.

Madelyn just loved Holly Moose. She was so smitten with her. She was a bit bashful with Hal.
Holly and Hal were there to greet all the kids, and they were also there in the theater to introduce the movie. This is Build-A-Bear's first movie.
ABC Family and Build-A-Bear Workshop came together to create this movie. I thought the movie was super cute, and the animation was adorable. Holly and Hal are just cute! Plus, the other characters: Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elfs, Robot Hal, the reindeer...they are cute, too. Madelyn and the other kids in the theater were very drawn into the story. Holly & Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Adventure is about Holly and her little brother Hal. Holly is suppose to watch her brother, but she would rather be at her friend's party. Hal wonders off, and Holly goes on the search to find her brother. They find each other and end up in Santa's neighborhood. The story reveals so much about loyalty, believing in yourself, and making your dreams come true. I really like how the movie portrays Holly as an obedient child, even though you know she would like to do something different. This is an adorable movie, and I recommend it. After the movie, we went to visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop. We each made a Holly and Hal Moose. Maddie picked out the animals from the bin...we waited in line,
then, she got to work the foot pedal to stuff the bears/moose. She thought that was so cool!
I think the kids had a great time watching their Holly and Hal Moose animals fill up and look more like stuffed animals.
After Holly and Hal were stuffed, we put in the hearts. The kids kissed the hearts, so their moose pets were kissed/made with love. At this point, kids can add sounds to their bears. I choose not to add sound.
After the bears from BABW are stuffed, they get sewn up. Madelyn loves her new friends! She carries Holly with her everywhere. Holly ventured to the clinic with us yesterday.
We walked over to brush out Holly and Hal under the dryers. Madelyn loved this part. I think she thought she was really fixing/brushing their hair out.
This is my blogging friend, Jeannie's grandson, Christian. He had a great time with the fun day!
Madelyn was very happy with her finished result. We had to get Holly some clothing. We picked out her puffy red coat, and winter stripped hat. I opted not to get the jeans and UGG boats (even though those are super adorable). Maybe we will have to go shopping for more clothes for Holly in the future. Build-A-Bear has a great selection of clothing and accessories for your bears. Guess what? Hal's Christmas lights on his antler's really light up, and you can change the batteries when they run out of juice! He is super cute, too!
Christian, Madelyn and Sam had a great time in the BABW! Thank you Build-A-Bear Workshop for creating such a fun and engaging atmosphere for our kids! The picture below is my friend, Lisa's little boy, Sam. He is 4 1/2 months older than Madelyn.

Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure premiered last night on ABC Family (sorry I didn't post this earlier, but my daughter was sick). However, there is a second premiere on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 AM ET/PT. Today, Wednesday, Nov. 25, this DVD movie is available to buy, which includes a beary special Build-A-Bear Workshop offer, an exclusive virtual gift to use at buildabearville.com and a FREE download of the movie’s signature song. SRP: $14.99 Check it out!