Christmas Book Advent

      I have finished collecting books for Owen's Christmas Book Advent Calendar. I began buying books in October and with the help of some of our family members, I was able to easily collect twenty-four books over the past month. I used a mixture of Christian and secular Christmas books and some that were just winter-themed. 

      I saw this idea on Pinterest last year and thought that it seemed like a cute idea. Now that I have a toddler who loves reading, I just know that it is the perfect idea for us to count down the days until Christmas. I can't wait until Saturday!

      I have wrapped all the books, labeled them with numbers and placed them in a basket. Starting on December 1, Owen will unwrap one book per day until Christmas. I may even plan some activities to do with Owen that relate to certain books and we may watch a movie or two based on the books (like the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas). After Owen unwraps them, I will store the books in a basket so that we can read them again and again throughout the holiday season. 

       Here's the order that Owen will be unwrapping his books this year. That way, if you contributed to our Christmas Book Advent activity, you will know the exact day that Owen will be unwrapping and reading the book(s) you gave him. 

Dec. 1: "Stable in Bethlehem" by Joy N. Hulme.

Dec. 2: "The Littlest Angel" by Charles Tazewell

Dec. 3: "One Christmas Night" by M. Christina Butler

Dec. 4: "The Christmas Baby" by Marion Dane Bauer. (Given to us by my mom)

Dec. 5: "If You Take A Mouse to the Movies" by Laura Rumeroff.

Dec. 6: "Room for a Little One" by Martin Waddell. (Given to us by my mom)

Dec. 7: "Dream Snow" by Eric Carle. (Given to us by Owen's Aunt Leah)

Dec. 8: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss.

Dec. 9: "The Gingerbread Pirates" by Kristin Kladstrup. (Given to us by my mom)

Dec. 10: "Christmas in the Manger" by Nola Buck and Felicia Bond.

Dec. 11: "You Are My Miracle" by Maryann Cusimano.

Dec. 12: "God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Tawn Bergren.

Dec. 13: "The Mitten" by Jan Brett (Mine from childhood)

Dec. 14: "Away in a Manger" by Sarah Hayes (mine from childhood)

Dec. 15: "The Polar Express" by Chris Allsburg. (Given to us by Owen's Aunt Leah)

Dec. 16: "Snowmen at Christmas" by Caralyn Buehner. (Given to us by Owen's Aunt Leah)

Dec. 17: "Who is Coming to Our House" by Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff (Given to us by my mom)

Dec. 18: "The Christmas Quiet Book" by Deborah Underwood

Dec. 19: "Song of the Stars" by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Given to us by my mom)

Dec. 20: "Bear Stays Up for Christmas" by Karma Wilson

Dec. 21: "Charlie and the Christmas Kitty" by Ree Drummond (Given to us by my Aunt Twyla)

Dec. 22: "The Christmas Story" by Patricia Pingry (Given to us last year by Tim's mom)

Dec. 23: "Mortimer's Christmas Manger" by Karma Wilson.

Dec. 24: "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clark Moore. (Given to us by Owen's Aunt Leah)

Citrus Lane coupon codes

    

    If you have been on the fence about trying a subscription box service for your toddler or baby, Citrus Lane is currently offering a great deal for current and new subscribers. It is the best deal I have seen them do in the entire six months I have been a member! It's awesome! It would make a great Christmas present or baby shower gift or just a fun surprise for you and your little one each month. 

For existing customers, use the code GIFT4U for a six month subscription for $90. That's $15 dollars a box! A discount of about $10 per month and $35 less than a normal six-month subscription. It's a 40 percent discount!

For new customers, use the code GET3 to receive a three month subscription for $65. That's just over $21 a box and a discount of $10 from the normal three-month subscription. 

For new customers, use the code GET4 for a six month subscription for $99. That's just $16.50 per box and a discount of $26 off the normal six-month subscription. 

      Use this link to sign up today! (It's my referral link and I'd be so happy if you used it!)

Citrus Lane review (November box)

      My November Citrus Lane box arrived on Thursday and I wanted to share all the goodies we received in this month's "Fun with Food" box. Owen is 19 months old so we got the younger-range toddler box, I think. The boxes are filled with items based on your child's age and gender, so Owen receives different things than an 8-month-old or a 3-year-old might get. 

     Here's the description of the theme for this month from Citrus Lane: "With Thanksgiving around the corner, we can't stop thinking about food! This month, we've gathered up some of our favorite food-inspired toys as well as practical, useful, and adorable items for feeding. Gobble gobble." This month it seemed like Citrus Lane did a better job of executing their theme and pretty much everything in the box fit with the theme well. 

     Owen, of course, adored opening the box and pulling out all the items. There was only one toy this month so his favorite thing in the box was probably the squeezie pack of baby food. He grabbed that pretty quickly and insisted on eating it immediately. 

      Here are some cute pictures of him opening the box and exploring what he found inside. Scroll further and you can see pictures and descriptions of each of the items inside.

Here's what came inside our box this month:

• Plan Toys Fruit and Veggie Play Set: These sturdy, sustainable wooden fruits and veggies by Plan Toys really add to the fun of imaginary play with their bright colors and satisfying crunch when they are cut with the toy knife. This is a super cute toy and a fun play on words for the theme of the month. We received the pretend knife, a tomato, a kiwi, and an orange. Others I've seen online received other fruits and veggies. I haven't let Owen play with his yet because I am saving them for his Christmas stocking. But I am excited to see how he will like them, particularly if I bring them out when I'm making dinner so that he has something to occupy him while I cook before Tim comes home from work. Retails for $8.50.

• Green Eats set of four snack bowls: These bowls are made in the USA from recycled milk cartons and sized perfectly for a little one's hands. Made by Green Toys, these BPA free bowls are tough and can handle anything a kid can dish out. We received the blue set of bowls and they seem really sturdy and cute. They are great for when I give Owen cut up fruit or Goldfish crackers as a snack. It's really funny because after Owen finishes his snack, he will go in the kitchen into his drawer and pull out another bowl and bring it to me for a refill. A coupon code for 10 percent off an order with Green Toys was also included. Retails for $6.99.

• Goodbyn Small Meals container: This BPA free container keeps food fresh and protected from being crushed. It is lightweight and comes in a variety of colors. I received the red tray. It seems like it will be great for if I need to pack a lunch for Owen if we will be eating outside of the house or for traveling. We haven't had the opportunity to use it so far. Includes a coupon code for 25 percent off at goodbyn.com. Retails for $6.49.

• Plum Organics Tots Mish Mash (strawberry flavor): These combinations of fruits and grains are made for older palettes and are full of natural ingredients. We have bought these before and Owen really likes them. They are great for a snack on the go. Retails for $1.69.

• Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer: This organic moisturizer is calming, hydrating, and packed with all-natural oils and antioxidants. I don't really come to Citrus Lane for products for me and I'd rather receive stuff for Owen generally. It's the first time in six months of receiving boxes from them that I got something for me though, so it's not that common. But now that I've tried it, I really like Juice Beauty and I would love to have some more products from them. It's a really thick moisturizer and it has a pleasant fruity scent. Includes a coupon code for $10 an order with Juice Beauty. Retails for $9.00.

• Tiny Prints coupon code for 20 percent off and free shipping on holiday cards: Tiny Prints features premium-quality photo prints, an easy-to-use website, and helpful customer service. This is a really great addition to the November box, but I noticed when I was checking out the card designs from Tiny Prints that they had a 20 percent off special advertised on the website for anyone to use, so this isn't that special. 

   Overall, I was pleased with this month's box. I hope they will ease up on the number of containers for the next couple months, but they are useful. I was disappointed to not receive a book this month since I've gotten one in each of my last three boxes. But I understand that not everyone loves to get books. We are definitely in the pro-book camp. Do you subscribe to Citrus Lane? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this month's box. 
     If you would like to check out my previous reviews of Citrus Lane, check them out here: June, July, September, and October. 
     If you don't subscribe and want to, check out these deals. They are available through December.

• For existing customers, use the code GIFT4U for a six month subscription for $90. That's $15 dollars a box! A discount of about $10 per month and $35 less than a normal six-month subscription. It's a 40 percent discount!
• For new customers, use the code GET3 to receive a three month subscription for $65. That's just over $21 a box and a discount of $10 from the normal three-month subscription. 
• For new customers, use the code GET4 for a six month subscription for $99. That's just $16.50 per box and a discount of $26 off the normal six-month subscription. 
• If you would rather get just one month to try it out, use the code TAKEHALF to receive your first month for half off. That's just $12.50. Your subscription will renew each month unless you e-mail or call to cancel. 

      Use this LINK to sign up today! (It's my referral link and I'd be so happy if you used it!)

Random Friday

1. Cute pics of Owen

          The two photos of Owen from this week that were super cute are from our fingerpainting session last week and a dinner late last week. Owen used his paints made from powdered vegetables which are safe and nontoxic for babies. Which is a good thing because Owen did taste them and rubbed them all over himself. He is big on rubbing stuff into his hair at the moment. Peanut butter, paint, whatever. He enjoys painting, but more on other surfaces than the paper in front of him. His finished painting is on our fridge. The other photo is from pizza night. We put Owen on the countertop so he could help put toppings on our pizza. He loved throwing cheese on the pizza, but when it came to pepperoni, none of them made it to the pizza, just his mouth. Haha. What a stinker. 

2. Julep polishes of the month.

       I received my November Julep Maven box recently. I chose the It Girl box which included two nail colors: Hailee, a khaki green suede and Nora, a silver aubergine suede. The box also included a matte top coat and three nail polish remover pads. The colors are really gorgeous and the suede finish is really neat by itself and with a shiny topcoat. The problem with the polishes is that they chip very easily. So it almost makes them unusable unless you are willing to touch them up on a daily basis or change your polish frequently. I have tried all the tips and tricks to try to make the manicure last longer, but nothing seems to make a big difference in their ability to last. 

     I am really looking forward to seeing Julep's nail colors for December. From the sneak peaks I've seen on Facebook, I think they are going to be glitter polishes and they are going to be so beautiful. If you want to join in time to get a December box, you need to do so before November 20. It's the best (and cheapest) way to buy Julep products because you get discounts on everything and access to colors before everyone else! Plus, you can join now for just a penny (see the code below). Here are some others benefits of the Julep Maven program. 

• $40-$60 worth of nail products delivered to your door each month for only $19.99.
• You get to preview the colors you will receive each month.
• You can skip receiving a box if nail polish isn't in your budget for the month or you dislike all the colors. 
• You can earn a free month by referring two friends to the program using your referral link. (Mine is below and I'd be so happy if you used it!)
• You can cancel at anytime simply by giving Julep a call.

     Sound good? Then fill out a style quiz HERE so Julep can tailor your boxes to your personal style and use the code COLOR2012 or PENNY to receive your introductory box for just a $0.01. 

3. House projects.

       We haven't done much work inside our house for a while, but we were able to finally do some more painting this past weekend. I have had our hallway taped off with painter's tape since August (embarrassing, I know) and we finally just now got around to matching the paint color from our kitchen/dining area through the hallway. The previous owners had painted the kitchen and dining area a dark green color and the hallway was a yellowy beige color. We thought it looked weird since the walls connect to have them painted two different colors, so we decided to paint it the same color as our kitchen. We also bought paint for our living room so I hope we will be able to tackle that job soon. 

4. Christmas planner.

        Last year I made a Christmas planner to keep track of all my purchases, to do lists, and menus for the holidays. When I saw online that the bloggers who created the design for my planner last year had made a new design for this year, I was excited to make another. But then the realities of my lack of time and Owen's now shorter naptime made me realize that making an entirely new planner was kind-of silly. Instead, I just tore out the pages from last year and replaced the 2011 decorations with the new 2012 ones. And what was a couple hour project last year became a five minute project this year. Bam! If you are interested in making a similar planner, check the blog Eighteen25. 

5. Advent update. 

        Now that I have all the books I need for our Christmas book advent, I have started wrapping the books up and labeling them for each day. I am also starting to investigate some craft ideas and recipes to go with some of the books so we can have even more fun with our advent idea. I also figured we could watch some of the movies based on the books too, like Polar Express and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. I found the numbers on Pinterest and if you are searching for printable colored numbers, you can find them here. 

6. What I'm reading now. 

      I am finished reading "Broken Harbor" from last week and boy, did it not disappoint! It was such a suspenseful creepy book to read before bed. And it definitely ended completely different from how I thought it would end. I recommend it. Now, I decided to switch it up with something a little lighter - "When In Doubt, Add Butter" by Beth Harbison. Here's the synopsis: "As far as Gemma is concerned, her days of dating are over. In fact, it’s her job to cater other peoples’ dates, and that’s just fine by her. At thirty-seven, she has her own business, working as a private chef, and her life feels full and secure. She’s got six steady clients that keep her hands full. For Gemma, cooking is predictable. Recipes are certain. Use good ingredients, follow the directions, and you are assured success. Life, on the other hand, is full of variables. So when Gemma’s takes an unexpected turn on a road she always thought was straight and narrow, she must face her past and move on in ways she never would have imagined. Because sometimes in life, all you need is a little hope, a lot of courage, and—-oh yes—-butter." It is pretty funny so far and I'm definitely digging the sense of humor of the main character's romantic interest as well. 

7. We won!

      Earlier this week, I submitted a photo of Owen for a contest on Facebook for the company Stork Stack and was surprised when I found out that we were one of the winners. Stork Stack had joined with Funny Face Cranberries to give free product to 10 randomly selected winners. Everyone was asked to post a photo of their child making a funny face so I sent in a photo of Owen making his "sour face." And then on top of that, they chose Owen's photo when they announced the winners. Check it out! 

The Honest Company Review: Part 2

    

      Now that I have been a subscriber to The Honest Company since July, I have been able to try out a ton of their products and I thought I would post a review of my thoughts on each of the ones that I've tried. I have tried at least 14 of their more than 20 products. I haven't found one product that I disliked enough to never want to order it again. And many have become my favorites, particularly their healing balm and bubble bath. We are also still loving our diapers and wipes bundle. The diaper line has recently released new patterns that are really cute and a new limited edition holiday diaper with snowflakes is available now. 

From left to right, hand soap, dish detergent, and fruit and veggie wash. Not pictured: Honest Rinse Aid.

• Honest hand soap: This 12-ounce hand soap is infused with organic lemongrass oil and grapefruit seed botanical extracts to protect, clean and soften hands. The low-suds lather is non-toxic, ph neutral, safe, and effective. The lemongrass scent is clean and refreshing. I really like this handsoap. It doesn't seem like it leaves my hands feeling dry after I wash them time after time all day long. And the scent is really pleasant. It's not overpowering, but makes my hands smell clean. Retails for $5.99.
• Honest dish soap: This 16-ounce dish soap easily penetrates foods, milk and formula residue, and general household messes. The ultra-concentrated formula features tons of suds. It is hypoallergenic and free of synthetic dyes and fragrances. It leaves dishes streak free and spotless. I love the white grapefruit scent. And it's gentle on my hands while still getting my dishes squeaky clean. You could also use it as hand soap if you prefer the grapefruit scent to the lemongrass scent of the hand soap. Retails for $5.95.
• Honest Fruit + Veggie Wash: This 8-ounce 100 percent plant-based non-toxic fruit and vegetable wash safely removes toxic pesticides and chemical residues along with pathogens, waxes, dirt, oils, and bacteria surface contaminants. It leaves no taste or odor behind and is significantly more effective than rinsing foods with water alone. It also inhibits browning and helps produce to last 200 percent times longer. I am in love with this fruit and vegetable cleaner. It is super easy to use. Just throw the produce in a colander, spritz it with the cleaner, wait a few minutes and then scrub and rinse off with water. It has a pleasant citrus-y scent. Retails for $6.99.
• Honest Rinse Aid: This pure rinse formula safely cleans and adds sparkle to dishes, eliminating haze, spotting, streaking, and calcium deposits. Dishes and glassware come out clean without any chemical residue left behind. Its gentle enough to wash china, silver, and porcelain. The bottle contains enough rinse aid for 75 loads depending on your dishwasher's average release amounts. This rinse aid works okay. I have noticed a difference in our glasses since I began using it. We do have an older dishwasher that needs replacing though so I can't speak to how well this would do with a better dishwasher. Retails for $5.95.

The Honest Company dryer sheets and laundry detergent. Not pictured is the all purpose spray cleaner.

• Honest Laundry Detergent: This 70-ounce laundry detergent cleans stubborn stains, dirt, food, and other messes. It's also suitable for more delicate laundry and rinses away clean leaving clothing softer, brighter, and cleaner. The detergent is unscented and dye-free to avoid causing reactions in those with sensitive skin and babies. The 2X ultra-concentrated formula can wash 70 high efficiency loads using just a small amount per load. This detergent is great. I can feel a difference in the softness of my clothes and I am so impressed with how little I need to use to clean my clothes. I ordered a bottle in my first family essentials order back in July and still have not run out. I also like that it scent-free so that it is hard on dirt, yet gentle on our clothes and skin. Retails for $12.95.
• Honest Dryer Cloths: These innovative "wet" dryer cloths are specially formulated with plant-based ingredients to gently infuse softeners directly into fabrics. They are free of animal by-products which can leave a sticky, gummy residue that causes fabric colors to dull over time. Clothing feels extra-soft, naturally fresh, and static free after use. Each pack contains 32 dryer cloths. Each one can be used up to two times. These dryer sheets work really well with the exception of being a little fragile. In a load of heavy towels, they sometimes get completely destroyed and turn into fluff. And remembering to find the dryer sheet and reuse it after the first time is a little inconvenient. But otherwise, they leave my clothes feeling really soft and static-free. I just wish that more came in the package. Retails for $6.95.
• Honest Multi-Surface Cleaner: This 24-ounce plant-based cleaner effectively penetrates and emulsifies dirt, grime, and fingerprints. Great for cleaning all surfaces and leaves no toxic residue behind. Grapefruit scent. I really love this cleaner. It works well and smells great. I keep it on the counter so that I can wipe down my kitchen counters throughout the day and clean up all kinds of Owen-related messes. Retails for $5.95.

From left to right, sun screen, shampoo and body wash, bug spray, conditioner, and face and body lotion. Not pictured is the healing balm/diaper rash cream and bubble bath.

• Honest Sunscreen: This 3 oz. sunscreen is broad spectrum SPF 20, fragrance free and water resistant. It contains no petrochemicals like those in most conventional, mass-market sunscreens. The zinc-oxide formula is safe for use on infants. This sunscreen is really great. The SPF isn't as high as I would normally like, but that's fine if I reapply to Owen frequently. The formula is really thick and creamy and can leave a white-ish residue look to his skin, but it seems to soak in well and isn't greasy. We had no baby burns when using this in Florida. Retails for $13.95. 
• Honest Shampoo and Body Wash: This 6.8 fl. oz. shampoo and body wash smells like sweet orange vanilla. It is ph-balanced, and non-irritating and contains vitamin E, aloe, and calendula to moisturize and hydrate hair and skin. It contains no harsh chemicals and is sensitive enough for daily use. This shampoo and body wash is one of my favorite Honest products. It's especially important because we like to give Owen a bath before bed every night to calm him down and this doesn't dry out his skin with daily use like other baby washes we have used before. Plus, it smells absolutely delicious! My only problem with this product is the small size of the bottle. If I were to use this on myself, Tim, and Owen, we would run through it really quickly and have to order at least a couple bottles each month. [Update: The Honest Company recently increased the size of the bottle for the shampoo and body wash.] Retails for $9.95.
• Honest Bug Spray: This 4 oz. bug spray DEET-free bug spray contains no harsh, synthetic or petroleum-based ingredients. Formulated with essential oils to naturally repel buys, it smells like rosemary, citronella, and wintergreen. It repels bugs like mosquitoes and stable flies for up to four hours. I love this bug spray because it is so hard to find one that is safe for use on small kids. This one smells pleasant and is effective from what I could tell when using it on Owen. Retails for $12.95.
• Honest Conditioner: This conditioner compliments the shampoo and body wash. It contains no harsh chemicals and is hypoallergenic and tear-free. I have used it on my hair and it really works well. It leaves my hair feeling really soft and I don't have to use a ton of it.  Retails for $9.95.
• Honest Face and Body Lotion: This 6.8 oz. lotion uses calendula and botanicals. It is hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and approved, and non-toxic. Appropriate for babies and adults. I really like this lotion for me. The only problem I have with the one I received is that is smells like roses, which really ruins Owen's yummy creamsicle scent when I use it on him after baths. The Honest Company website states that this lotion is unscented so maybe they have changed their formula and it no longer smells like roses. I don't use it on Owen, but on myself currently because I don't like the rose scent for him. It isn't too thick and rubs in well. It isn't greasy and leaves no weird feeling on my skin after I apply it.  Retails for $9.95.
• Honest Bubble Bath: This 12 ounce bubble bath smells like tangerines. It is ultra-pure and soothing and will not dry or irritate skin if used daily. This is the best bubble bath ever! We love it. It only takes a few capfuls to fill the tub with bubbles and I don't have to agitate the water with my hand to make them appear, just pour it under the running faucet and it does the trick itself. The bubbles last the whole bath and don't disappear once I start using soap on Owen and he loves them. Retails for $11.95.
• Honest Healing Balm: This 3 ounce fragrance free diaper rash cream is filled with USDA certified organic essential oils like sunflower, olive oil, chickweed, and tamanu. Castor oil helps to heal existing diaper rash and serves as an excellent urine barrier. It contains no preservatives or synthetic scents to soothe delicate skin. It is also versatile and can be used on minor scrapes and burns as well. This healing balm is one of my absolute favorite Honest Company products. It works so very well and doesn't have a disgusting scent like most other diaper rash creams. And it works so well. Owen had an raw place on his boy parts a couple months ago and after using the healing balm, it only took three days for it to be completely healed! It was a miracle. I cannot recommend this product enough. Retails for $12.95.

Owen sporting The Honest Company's reusable swim diaper in the breton stripe pattern.

• Honest Swim Diaper: This swim diaper is made of stretchy, waterproof, and hygienic polyester knit. It works better than disposable swim diapers and meets health standards for all public pools. It is chlorine and fade resistant. It has an adjustable waist with ties and non-chafing elastic around the legs for a custom fit. It can be machine washed and air dried so it can be used over and over. Comes in two patterns. It can also be used for potty training. We really love our reusable swim diaper. It worked great when we went to Florida this year and Owen looks super cute in it. It doesn't get super bulky and waterlogged like disposable swim diapers. Retails for $12.95. 

      The next new products that I have ordered and that are set to arrive soon are the body oil, hand sanitizer, and lip balm. The company is frequently releasing new products and making improvements to old ones. For instance, the next round of baby wipes are supposed to be interlaced to make them easier to remove from the wipes container. The company has also changed the increments by which you can receive your bundles. Now you can change your schedule to receive bundles on a monthly, 6-week, or 8-week basis. I love this because we have never used an entire month's supply of diapers before we receive new diapers so I've spread our deliveries out. The company has also recently started a gifting program where you can buy 1, 3, or 6 months of the bundles for a friend or family member. This would make a really great baby shower gift. Another bonus for this company is their great customer service. If you want to make a change to your bundle that isn't an option on the website, you can just call and ask. For example, I was able to split my diaper bundle into two sizes when I was trying to see if Owen was ready for size four diapers so that I got half size threes and half size fours. I was also able to add one package of size 1 diapers into my order one month when I wanted to gift them to a friend who is having a baby. 

      If you are interested in trying The Honest Company, they offer a free trial pack of products and diapers and wipes for just $5.95 shipping. If after seven days, you decide you love the products, you will be automatically enrolled in their monthly delivery system. If you decide the products aren't for you, you can just cancel before the week is up. To check out The Honest Company for yourself, click here. The link will take you to my referral so I can earn money toward my subscription. I'd be so happy if you used it! For a limited time, if you sign up with my link, you will earn a $10 credit to your account after making your first purchase. 
      Are you an Honest member? What are your favorite products? 

UPDATE: I have tried out even more Honest Company products now and you can see the reviews HERE.