FINDING THE RIGHT FOOD POUCHES FOR YOUR BABY

Going back on one of my last post to what are the best choices to feed your children I am happy to partner with Happy Baby Brands for this post. So I know I have mentioned before already how hard it is to get my boys to eat everything we give them. The boys have really always given me a hard time since they were young. I mean I literally have to beg them to eat their veggies. Although I have learned a few tricks here and there on how to sneak them in their food it can still become a headache. For me, as a parent, making sure they are getting the proper nutrition will always be one of my main concerns. Which is why I am so big on picking natural, real, organic transparent food. We obviously will continue our weekly runs to our nearest Chick Fil A of course (okay I am not perfect) but I am always cautious of their food choices. 

One of the brands I been trusting for a while and Elyse will take from her brother ( I have to add she's the good one here who loves her fruits and veggies) are the Happy Baby Clearly Crafted™ Organic Pouches. As a first time mom there were many things I was not aware of. For example thinking of all the factors that come to play when purchasing baby food- what brand can I trust? What brand offers real fruits and vegetables? What brand is organic and delicious? As a mom I know when caring for our babies how much transparency matters. Which is why Happy Baby Clearly Crafted™ Organic Pouches are the perfect fit for us. The fact that they are clear and you can see everything that is inside them makes it so much better and brings in the feeling that you can trust in a brand like Happy Family. 

Yes making your own at home is always best but let's be real with multiple kids at home this can be unrealistic at times for some mothers who have their hands full already with cleaning, laundry, work, and preparing meals all this can wear you out. This is why I find it necessary to have a brand you can trust and support like Happy Family. What convince me into purchasing Happy Baby Clearly Crafted™ Organic Pouches was their honest REAL high quality value with recipes labeled that included all organic ingredients. And as a mom what makes me feel more safe and less skeptical is that they now also come in clear transparent pouches. So you can see yourself what goes in your child's mouth. I think that is one common mom mistake, not taking the proper time in reading baby food labels. But with these pouches you can turn it around and read the delicious recipe with all the ingredients that are included. Their recipes are quite impressive as it features wholesome organic fruit, vegetable puree and many more like gluten free and no added sugars. All trustworthy ingredients.

Be sure to visit your nearest Walmart where you can purchase all 20 different flavors. Click here to learn more about Happy Baby’s Clearly Crafted™ organic and their brand of trustworthy ingredients and their commitment to transparency.


 Also here is an exclusive $1 off coupon for 3 Clearly Crafted™ pouches at Walmart. 

I'll love to know what you think and what flavor your child loves best!

5 THINGS TO DO AT HOME & ENJOY SOME 'ME-TIME'

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CraftYourCool #CollectiveBias

I want to share one of the best things about motherhood and that is having your kids take a nap. Sounds horrible! But it is a breath of fresh air. I feel all moms with kids at home this summer will agree we look forward to nap time. I basically everyday look forward to lunch time because I know soon after my little one will be out for a good while. 

Since nap time is a must and basically sacred to us all  I want to share 5 things you can do at home to enjoy some "me" time. Sometimes we have to skip the cleaning, washing, and leave the dirty dishes in the sink and simply enjoy summer time in any way possible.

• First thing coffee. I like to head to the kitchen and get my cold coffee. I have been an iced coffee lover for a very long time now. For many years I hated hot coffee and could not stand taking one sip. Pouring it with cold ice cubes or blending it with a mix of crushed ice was the way to go for me. It wasn't until last year that my husband got me hooked on hot coffee and I haven't looked back since. So now I am enjoying the best of both worlds. Iced or sizzling hot I love it 'cause I am all about needing my morning coffee to get me through the day. Some days, okay, most days I look forward to the kids early nap time to get some alone time and do some "me" time. I mean from the moment we are up it's constantly all about our mom duties and keeping up with the family. Making sure everything is clean and everyone is where they need to be. To be honest, there are some days when all I have managed to drink is coffee and as soon as my little one is down napping that's when I start prepping my first meal. I can't ever eat until I am alone. The struggles I tell ya!

•  Turn on the TV and watch your favorite TV shows. Okay there are some shows I don't like to press play on while my kids are around. It is just so much better when I can fully engage and listen to the show from beginning to end without pausing every two minutes and that's when I am alone. I have an addiction to reality shows and one of my favorites is the Bachelorette. I can catch up on it and enjoy the peace and quiet with the new Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® iced coffee is one of my best ways to relax on the living room couch. 

• Read a book. Right now I am addicted to Little Big Lies. I watched their miniseries on HBO and was hooked  since week one. I have heard the book goes in much more detail so I currently added it to my summer reading list. 

• Exercise. I know I sound crazy because I haven't been doing it myself. However right now I am about to have a big reality check as I need to fit into my bridesmaid dress next month for my best friend's wedding. With that said I am about to commit my kid's nap time into a 30 min workout. A little cardio and physical exercise is way over due for me and I know it will do my body good. 

• Find a new recipe. I think we are all finding ourselves searching through Pinterest in hopes of finding a new dinner recipe that the whole family will enjoy. This is usually the best time for me to browse the internet and pin new fun ideas and plan your grocery list for the week and don't forget to add your favorite Starbucks® Bottled Frappuccino® Coffee Drink

Right now Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drink is NEW at your local Walmart. You can find it in the coffee aisle as shown above. There is a special offer when purchased at Walmart. Buy 3 ready to drink products and receive 35 stars ( In- store only, receipt verification)  If you are a Gold Star Rewards member this is so convenient to fuel up and collect all your stars. With my purchased I also grabbed a Mocha which is also my all time favorite to take and blend at home with my Ninja blender, there is always a variety to choose from. 

*Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drink 13.7 oz Single Serve item only (not available in 4-pack) 

Now tell me when you get alone time what is your favorite thing to do to? I'd love to know in the comments below. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR KIDS

Taking pictures of my kids is one of my favorite things to do. To capture their sweet faces on camera is the absolute best. I am no photographer by any means. I am just a mom with a camera. A camera that I enjoy bringing along. Something that has become a hobby. Snapping photos on regular basis has gotten my kids to become comfortable with it. But that doesn't mean we also don't have bad days.. because with kids you are guaranteed at  least one tantrum for the day. Yet that doesn't stop me from planning photo sessions with our photographer- who I tend to call every month for new photos.  But that ugly truth is it can be quite a struggle. It can become painful if your kids are not in the mood for photos. So if you scheduled a session with a professional photographer start planning ahead. You have to keep in mind that photos cannot be forced because kids cannot be staged. You might have a certain pose in mind and you might want to follow through with it but chances are it may not happen.  Keep in  mind not to get disappointed.  Also planning their outfits to coordinate with each other is a top on the to do list. Start with the youngest or with yourself and focus on that person as the main focal point. Plan the pattern and colors as you are putting only one outfit in your mind and go from there.  With all that in mind I want to share the "behind the scenes" of the not so pretty out-takes that my husband took while we went out for lunch. You know the ones that don't make it out on social media because.. 

KIDS will be KIDS! Here are some tips to get your kids to smile when you have a photo session: 

• Let Them Be-  the best advice is to stay away from poses, or the famous saying of "cheese" just don't. Let them act silly, be themselves. Candid shots capture your child's personality the best. When they act themselves you are able to get the most innocent moments. 

• Get Social- start talking to your kids. Distract them so they relax and get comfortable. Ask them about their day, or what they want to eat after they are done with their pictures. Snapping the genuine expressions on their faces are quite irresistible for us parents. 

•  Make it Fun- Let them run wild if you have to. The best way to capture those smiles is when they are naturally smiling and laughing. You don't have to force it, it'll come on its own. 

• Bring Your Diaper Bag Packed- Get your everyday essentials. All the things you know your kids will need to calm them down and stay entertained ex: snacks, juices, an iPad, and also can't forget the wipes to clean them up for photos, the hand sanitizer and those Kleenex Go Anywhere packs to wipe their noses or dirty face. With allergy season here I know it can get messy so why not stay prepared with something easy to take on the go plus it's gentle on your kid's faces. Going out with all kids can get hectic so wipes, sanitizer and Kleenex tissues are a must for me! All I do is strap it my Lily Jade diaper bag and I am ready to go. 

Find your #KleenexGoAnywhere Packs at your local Walmart and save .50 cents by clicking here

How do You plan photos with kids? What tips have helped you accomplished family sessions with good results?