Little Monkey Bizness

Little Monkey Bizness, A place for parents, A place for kids.

Little Monkey Bizness™ (by the creators of Monkey Bizness™) is a new concept for parents and “little” kids. Moms and Dads can indulge themselves in a full-service gourmet coffee bar complete with a variety of fresh, healthy food choices and then sit back and relax in the comfortable café style seating area overlooking a 3,000-sq-ft play area. Bring the “Little” ones in for a “Little” Monkey Bizness, have a “Little” gourmet coffee and enjoy a “Little” conversation…That’s Little Monkey Bizness!

You can receive a coupon for $1.50 off regular admission on all open play times and save 10% on parties at any Denver location.  Just click HERE to print out your coupon.  

Disclaimer:  I received a free voucher for one free day of fun from Little Monkey Bizness in exchange for this post.  Regardless, I only post information on my blog that I feel my readers will enjoy and benefit from.  

Disney Store Sneak Peak At Park Meadows

The Disney Store at Park Meadows will be celebrating their grand opening on June 9, 2012.  On Tuesday, Baby C and I were blessed to receive an invitation for an exclusive store preview.   As we entered the newly designed, magical and interactive Disney Store, we were greeted with a swag bag that included a Mickey Mouse doll almost the size of Baby C.

We took a grand tour of the store with the Disney Store executive.  Our first stop was the Disney Princess Castle with the Magic Mirror.  Once a child enters the castle, he/she encounters the magic mirror and with the wave of a wand, the princess appears in the mirror, allowing the child to become part of the story.

Throughout the store, there are Magical Trees that help create the mood and play a role in the storytelling.  The Magical Trees will change with the four seasons, play a part in one of the many celebrations with fireworks, or simply display the franchise focus.  

Our favorite part of the store was the Disney Store Theatre.  It's like a giant video library containing Disney film trailers, film clips, music videos, classic animation and so much more.  As guests, we were able to choose from over 50 clips which we viewed on a 12-foot long, curved screen.  There is new content that is continually added.  The Disney Theatre also acts as a community center where family activities and events, such as Disney Character drawing workshops, storytelling experiences, and trivia events take place.  

There are currently over 200 Disney Store locations in North America that offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney.  A unique opening ceremony takes place every single day at every new Disney Store.  One lucky child is chosen to take part in the opening ceremony and officially "Unlock Imagination" with an oversized lock and key.  The child also receives their very on replica key to take home as a keepsake to remind them of their special day.  Each store contains a Pixie Dust Trail that indicates there is something magical about to happen along your path, as well as, a Custom Skyline that perimeters the store.  The skyline includes landmarks from around the world and changes colors along with the Magical Trees.

Does all this magic have you excited?  Come check it out for yourself!

Grand Opening: Saturday June 9, 2012

• 10am - Disney Store Grand Opening Ceremony and two local Make-A-Wish children "Unlock Imagination."  Free gift to the first 500 guests.
• 12pm - 4pm Meet and Greet with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the mall's Vistas Court.

Where:

Disney Store Meadows Center Drive, Space 1425

Lone Tree, CO 80124

Disney Store's new design concept aims to deliver "the best 30 minutes of a child's day" through storytelling neighborhoods featuring a Disney Princess with magic mirror, translucent trees, and the Disney Store Theatre featuring the latest Disney entertainment.  With each new store opening in 2012, Disney Store will donate 10 percent of grand opening day's sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the United States.

Our Week In Review {Insta-Friday}

On Sunday, we took Baby C to a kid's event down town.  It was much further away then I thought it was.  And though the flyer advertised ages newborn to 8, there wasn't much for Baby C to do.  In fact, the only thing she was able to do, was the Petting Zoo.  Check out the smile on her face.

Baby C hasn't felt very good all week.  I tried to keep her home as much as we could possibly stand.  We opened the windows, let in the fresh air, and played with everything in sight.  Baby C loves to play on her toddler computer.  I don't know if she takes after her daddy, the System's Admin, or her mommy, who enjoys blogging.

With all this staying inside, getting healthy business, we are so excited for Grandma to come next weekend so we can have fun in the mountains!

Since we didn't do much playing outside, Baby C created a playground inside.  Yes, she taught herself to climb onto the coffee table by using a bucket for a stool.  As if she wasn't busy enough, I now have to worry about her great climbing abilities.  She definitely takes after her daddy in this department.

We finished up our last week of waddler "gymnastics" yesterday.  She learned how to walk the balancing boards and loved it.  That was the longest I have seen her spend on one activity.

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged for Insta-Friday!

Welcome To Motherhood

Sometimes it's tough being miles and miles away from my best friends.  One of them was on my heart and mind all of yesterday.  My dear friend gave birth to her first baby boy.

I wish I was there

to help welcome him into the world.
to bring a warm meal when she's too tired to cook.
to do the laundry when clothes are piling up.
to watch her precious baby while she naps after being up all night.
to listen when she has questions.
to remind her to simply smile and nod when she receives unwanted advice (especially from those without children).
to give her a hug and let her know she's doing a great job.
and to cry and laugh or do both with her as body returns to "normal."

I can't wait to meet you, sweet baby boy.  God has choosen the best for you.  Welcome to the 'hood my friend.  The Motherhood!

Dear Lord,

Bless my friend with enough strength to balance family, spouse, new baby boy, and all other duties as she heals from her pregnancy.  Give her rest, support, patience and love as she recovers fully.  Comfort her in every mood and energize her tired body.  Thank you for the gift of this baby boy and bringing him safely into this world.  Guide him to grow healthy, loving and strong.

In Your Precious Name,
Amen!

Nap Time Transitions

When you are a mommy, doesn't it always seem like there is a new concern about your child?  Everything from something as serious as an illness to as silly as (but still serious) pooping.  My latest worrisome for Baby C is wondering if she is getting enough nap time in.  Recently, Baby C transitioned from a morning and afternoon nap, to one.

I knew this transition would be tricky.  Baby C is usually on a good schedule, so when I switched it up a bit, she was exhausted by the time I lay her down.  The problem is, she can't seem to sleep a good 2 hours each time.

With only an hour nap, she is really tired again by late afternoon.  She gets a little loopy and clumsy.  And more and more accidents happen, which leaves her in tears.  Sometimes, I end up putting her to bed early.  

So what's a mommy to do?  What is your advice, tips or tricks you have used when making your nap time transition?    

Guest Post {expandng}

I am so honored to be a guest at expandng.com today!  Lisa is one of my favorite bloggers for so many reasons.  She definitely knows how to make her readers feel special and she has a cute, toddler very close in age to Baby C.  Lisa is also a great photographer who shares her fantastic tips with her readers.  So head on over to read my guest post! 

Mother's Day {Wordless Wednesday}

Okay, so this isn't wordless today.  But I just had to share that I received some pretty amazing books on Sunday.  Baby C carried them to me in a bag that probably weighs more than she does.  And when I hit the grocery store, I treated myself to a cupcake splurge.  Yum!

What made your Mother's Day special? 

Unexpected Blessings of Motherhood {Review and Giveaway}

I can't even begin to put into words how much I love my daughter.  I didn't even know this kind of love existed before she was born.  And the heartache I feel any time she is in pain can sometimes be overbearing.  I knew motherhood wouldn't be a cake walk, but I never expected it to be filled with so many challenges and yet, so many great blessings!

To watch my baby girl suffer from Bacterial Meningitis as newborn, and see how God has completely  healed her, brings me to tears every time I think, speak or write about it.  His awesome power is beyond my understanding.  And there is nothing I can do to repay Him.

With my new role as a mom, God has opened my eyes and heart to other mommies.  It's like this "sisterhood" that I was meant to be apart of, but just didn't understand it, until I was in it.  The Lord has brought so many special mommies into my life, both online and in real life, to grow with, learn from and support one another.

Since Baby C was born (less than 2 years ago), we have moved 4 times.  Each move brings new mommies and friends in and out of my life, each of them blessings.  In just a couple months, we will finally settle into our new home.  A home that will be filled with many memories and blessings.

In our new home, I am looking forward to hanging this beautiful piece of art above my fireplace.  It will be the center of our lives as we gather to play, laugh, love eat, and enjoy each other's company.  It will be a reminder, that all blessings come from above.  The blessings of family, friends, memories and motherhood.   And when there are challenges and trials, it will be a reminder that the Lord will bless our home.

DaySpring is giving away a Bless This Home wall art to one blessed reader.  Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  There are no mandatory entries, however, the more you complete, the better your chances at winning.  Please note that the shipping cost is the responsibility of the winner.  Want to purchase the wall art?  Throughout the month of May, the Bless This Home wall art is on sale for $20 off!

Disclosure: I received a free product from DaySpring to review and was not compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by outside sources.  

Thank You Mom

Mom helping me on my wedding day.

Thank you Mom

for loving me.

for your sacrifices.

for your commitment.

for your gentle heart.

for your patience.

for your support.

Thank you Mom

for reading Uncle Wiggly endlessly.

for the special birthday parties and sleepovers.

for my education.

for staying up late until I came home.

for your Sunday afternoon college visits.

for comforting me in times of anxiety.

for sharing in my wedding day.

for holding my hand while giving birth.

Thank you Mom

for never letting go.

for your weekly phone calls and emails.

for your love of my family.

for teaching me to love unconditionally.

Holding Baby C just after she was born.

A mother’s labor and delivery never ends and for years she has to remember to just take a deep breath. Whole battles can be won by one breath and a prayer at a time. ~Ann Voskamp

How She Rolls {Wordless Wednesday}

Cruising in Home Depot

Harlem Globetrotters Summer Skills Clinics

For the first time, the Harlem Globetrotters are conducting summer skills clinics to bring boys and girls ages 6-14 behind the curtain to see the Globetrotters’ electrifying skills and tricks, while also having fun staying active.

Each participant receives:

• A free ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2013 World Tour
• Autographs and photos with the stars!
• 3-day trial pass to 24 Hour Fitness

Clinic Locations:(These are just the clinics - the games for your tickets are in 200 cities)

Phoenix       Houston     San Francisco       New Jersey

Denver        Dallas        Los Angeles         Seattle

St Louis       Miami        Las Vegas

Save $10 on registration! Enter the Coupon Code USFAMILY on the cart page after completing your registration or mention when calling 1-800-641-HOOP (4667) click here!

Disclaimer: I received Harlem Globetrotters family tickets in exchange for this post.

Saving Memories

Once Baby C turned 1, I boxed up her baby clothes that no longer fit, and sent them away.  My suite mate from college received her clothes and created something beautiful out of them.  Kate lovingly created a quilt out of Baby C's precious, tiny clothes.  A beautiful quilt that will remind me of her baby sweetness for a life time.  And a quilt that will make many memories to come.  Today, we received this handmade goodness in the mail.  And I must say, we love it!

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." ~Kevin Arnold

What did you do with the baby clothes your child has outgrown?  

Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway

Welcome to the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway!

Bright Starts and Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom have teamed to offer an amazing Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Collection giveaway to one lucky reader!

This includes the Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair, Playard, Plug in Sway & Swing, Portable Swing and Saucer making this truly the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift.

Special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who made this possible including our co-hosts: To Sew with Love, The Lucky Ladybug and Mom Blog Society.

It is Sweet Tiny Blessings pleasure to be apart of such a special giveaway to bless someone with these baby gifts!

Big smiles and bright adventures go hand in hand in this exciting, fun-filled collection!

Take a walk on the sunny side-where baby gear goes together in delightful new ways. It's a win for infants and parents alike, with irresistable jungle characters adorning an array of fun coordinated products you'll use every day. Each piece of the collection does its job charmingly, with non-stop fun at an unbeatable value.

The Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection is available at Wal-Mart!

Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair
A good high chair is a must for moms, and Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair is as good as they come! It does what a full-sized model does and more, adjusting to four different heights (and nearly any table), reclining to three positions, and converting to a booster seat for smooth transition to the toddler years.
The reversible seat pad is made of stain-resistant fabric you can wipe clean or machine-wash. The removable Stay Level Tray™ remains flat even when the seat is reclining. All this, plus the friendly characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Make mealtime and snack time more enjoyable for baby and you. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Convenient 2 piece reversible seat pad is made of stain resistant fabric that is wipeable and machine washable
• 4 height positions to fit most table sizes
• 3 position recline
• Removable Stay Level Tray™ remains level even when seat is reclined
• 3 locking positions to grow with baby
• Built-in holders are convenient for drinks or snacks
• Converts to booster for easy toddler transition
• 5 point convertible safety harness

Sunnyside Safari™ Playard
A bright, sunny place for baby to rest, play, get a quick diaper change and spend a few moments with some friendly jungle pals! That's the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Playard. This playard includes a removable bassinet with our time-saving One Less Step™ feature for easy fold-and-go mobility.
There's a convenient changing table, a handy side storage pocket, easy-roll wheels, a travel bag, plus a colorful toy bar to delight baby. And like all Bright Starts™ products, this playard is an unbeatable value. Part of our coordinated Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Removable bassinet with One Less Step™ to quickly fold and go
• Convenient changing table
• Toy bar with 2 fun toys
• Side storage pocket
• Wheels for easy portability
• Includes travel bag

Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™
Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby's weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby.
The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions
• TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way
• 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off
• AC adaptor saves money on batteries
• Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing
Find baby's favorite speed with this innovative portable swing. The Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing is a win for parents and babies—from its machine-washable padded seat right down to its bright yellow, non-slip feet. With six distinct speeds to choose from, you'll find it easy to suit your little one's mood—and our patented TrueSpeed™ technology keeps those speeds consistent even as baby grows.
The Comfort Recline™ seat gives you a choice of two positions, and WhisperQuiet™ operation makes this swing silent in use. Wrap it all up in the super-fun animal decor and you've got a perfect travel companion. Part of Bright Starts™’ Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Features:

• TrueSpeed™ Technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Comfort Recline™ seat with 2 positions
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• Easily folds for storage or travel
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer
This is where babies go for serious fun. A Walmart exclusive, the 7-activity Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer offers entertainment options galore—and a lighthearted jungle theme with fun characters you'll adore.
The seat rotates a full 360° for endless interaction with the activity stations. Twin overhead toy arms provide even more entertainment options. And the three different height positions make this one saucer your baby won't soon outgrow. Four link loops mean still more toys can be attached. Part of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection, this saucer will quickly become a family favorite. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• 3 adjustable height positions allows entertainer to grow with baby
• Seat rotates 360° for nonstop interaction with 7 activity stations
• 2 overhead toy bar arms with mirror, hanging toy and fabric crinkle leaves
• Hanging elephant toy
• Bendy giraffe teething stalk
• Bead chaser with easy to grip textured beads
• Lion popper with spiraling beads
• Rotating ladybug barrels with fun textures and beads
• Rocking toucan on leaf stalk
• 4 link loops for attaching more toys
• Lays flat for storage
• Built-in toy tray is easy to clean

Giveaway starts on May 7 at 12:01AM and ends May 28 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway including the Sunnyside Safari Collection on the rafflecopter form below.

Champion Me Books Review and Giveaway

Baby C has always loved books.  Maybe because I was an Assistant Kindergarten teacher and she heard me reading daily when she was in my belly.  She will often sit inside her book box and babble on and on, like she is reading out loud to her students.  Having the opportunity to review Champion Me Books was a pleasure for both Baby C and I!

Champion Me Books is an award winning company for personalized children's books.  The first step is choosing a book to customize.  There are four to choose from.  And trust me, it's a tough choice.  I selected Baby C vs. The Scribble Monster because Baby C is learning how to scribble color.  After deciding which book I wanted, I answered simple questions and created my character, Baby C, with face, hair and costume features.

These personalized children's books come in hard, soft or ebook format.  I choose the ebook because we needed more children's books for our iPad.  So let's get to it.  Did Baby C approve of her personalized book?  You bet she did!  I don't think she understood that she was the character in the book, but as she heard her name being read over and over, she was intrigued.  

I am certainly impressed by how well written the book is.  The story is very creative and funny.  It also has attractive illustrations.  I have a feeling that this is going to be one of Baby C's favorites even has she gets older.    

Get a personalized children's book of your own and enter the code {blessings} at check out to receive $5 off your order.  Don't forget to connect with Champion Me Books on Facebook!

Win It!  Champion Me Books is giving away a $10 Gift Card to one blessed reader.  This will cover the price of an ebook or discount the price of a hard/soft covered book!  Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  There are no mandatory entries, however, the more you complete, the better your chances at winning.  Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received a free ebook for review.  All opinions are my own and were not influenced by outside sources.

Summer Celebration Giveaway Hop {Blogger Opportunity}

Wow!  Can you believe summer is almost here?  I'm looking forward to all the fun and sun summer has to offer.  And I'm thrilled to be teaming up with Happy Mothering, Eco-Crazy Mom and Organic Mama  to bring you the Summer Celebration Giveaway Hop, which will run from June 21, 2012 12:01 AM EST to June 29, 2012 11:59 PM EST. The hosts are accepting blogger sign-ups right now!  Click here for more information and to sign up!


The Summer Celebration Giveaway Hop is a "Green" giveaway event that will feature eco-friendly products for the whole family.  If you have an eco-friendly product that you would liked featured on Sweet Tiny Blessings for the hop, contact me today!  

Say Cheese {Wordless Wednesday}