Bath and Body Works Coupon!

Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend.  I have been looking around at coupons and special deals for the holiday season and ran across this awesome deal from Bath & Body Works.

Use coupon code fl02776 to get $10 off your $30 order! This coupon code is valid from 11/8 – 12/13!

It's hard to think about Christmas when it's 64 degrees out, but the forecast is calling for SNOW this weekend...

46 Days 'Til Christmas...

Have a good day!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Countdown to Christmas: What Peanut is Getting

I just realized...WOW, ONLY 48 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS???

It has been on my mind, especially since it's Peanut's Very First Christmas (Haha, like I how capitalized it, like it's a movie?)  I just did not think about how close it really is.  I mean, I better get my Thanksgiving menu planned.  Yikes, we're running out of time!  Just kidding.

I am excited because we just purchased Peanut's first Christmas gift...

A SING-A-MA-JIG!!! 

Here is the product description:  Get ready to meet The Sing-A-Ma-Jigs, the new free-spirited, offbeat characters that set off unexpected laugher and excitement with every interaction! The Sing-A-Ma-Jigs enjoy nothing more than singing together, and just to prove it, they harmonize with each other in perfect pitch every time. The more you collect, the larger the chorus! Their zany looks are unique to them, and when they sing you can't resist when their little mouths open wide for each note! Every Sing-A-Ma-Jig has three modes of play where they chatter, sing their own song, or sing in harmony with their other Sing-A-Ma-Jig friends!

Have you seen these things?  They are so cute and addicting!  We literally could not pry ourselves away from the display, we were having so much fun with them.  Bad news though, I think they're going to be hard to get as we get closer to the holiday season.  The display was already half-empty and I just checked some online retailers and they are selling out.

We only grabbed one Sing-A-Ma-Jig, thinking that we'd have plenty of time to pick up a couple more.  They're way cuter when you have more than one because they harmonize when they sing and chatter together.  The one pictured above is the exact one that we got for Peanut.

They are really getting high ratings and "toy experts" call them one of this year's top sellers.

Be sure to get your "Sing"...before they're all gone!!!

Happy Weekend,

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"



Movie Review Friday

Happy Friday Everyone!

Before I go to sleep at night, I think about the next day's blog post.  Last night was a no-brainer.  Immediately after we finished our "Family Movie Night", I knew that I had to do a post on my new Pixar favorite, "Toy Story 3."

I understand that I am a little behind on this one, but Peanut was too little for us to go see it in the theater when it was playing.  We decided to wait until it came out on DVD.

Before I talk about this movie, I just want to mention what we had for dinner, because I am going to share a quick recipe at the end of this post.  Peanut's Dad has his top 5 or 6 dinner favorites that he will suggest every time I ask him what he wants for dinner.  In fact, if he could have tacos every single day, he would.  BUT, no tacos last night.  We had one of his other favorites...burgers and fries.  I do not wish to mislead you or pick on Peanut's Dad here, because I love burgers and fries too.  Lately, I have been cutting my own "fries" into wedges and "frying" them in the oven.  (Recipe at the end of this post.)

Peanut's Dad has drill this weekend (he is a Senior Chief in the Navy), so we planned for a "Family Movie Night" after dinner.

I will admit, I have always been a Pixar fan, almost any of their movies are loved in this household.  I actually thought that maybe since it was the THIRD ONE, it wouldn't be as good as the first.  Movie trilogies are like that...SOMETIMES.  Not this time.  I. LOVED. IT.

There are many reasons why I loved this movie.  I understand that I need to be careful with what I type, in case one of my readers have not seen it yet. (NO SPOILERS IN THIS BLOG)

I absolutely loved each and every one of the new characters...especially these two...

Barbie and Ken in this movie are not quite what I had in my childhood mind, but their personalities and behaviors are SO FITTING, especially watching this as an adult.  I'm still laughing...

I already told myself that this should not be a lengthy post, so I will not gush and carry on about ALL of the aspects that I loved...but I really saw some strong examples of great life lessons we all should be practicing.

LOYALTY:  These toys are friends, such close friends that they are like family.  They stick together and have each others' backs.  This is an element missing in many families today.  It's a very powerful example for our children.  To feel like you're important and you belong is key to a healthy life.  I will ALWAYS be there for my children and they will ALWAYS feel that they belong in this family.

ANTI-BULLYING:  This is a tough one to talk about, because it will give away the story line.  Let me just say that one of the new characters shows clear traits of a bully and I applaud Pixar for showing a zero-tolerance for bullying in the other characters.

LOVE:  This goes hand-in-hand with loyalty, but many, many times throughout the movie, you get a true sense of how the characters (toys and human "owners") love each other so much that they would do anything for each other, even if that means being as unselfish as possible.

RESPECT:  There is an instance where the toys are put into a different situation and they are not treated with care and respect.  I believe that any child that sees this movie will put some thought into treating their own toys, along with the property of others, a little better.  I also believe that this important lesson will carry over into how our children treat others as they grow older.

Okay, enough of that.  Please see the movie.  Watch it with your children, watch it with your spouse.  We will watch it many, many times in the "Peanut" household.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

P.S. As promised...the recipe for oven-fried potato wedges...(By the way, MUCH HEALTHIER than regular french fries!!!)

Ingredients:

Potatoes (Use 2-3 potatoes per person)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

Wash potatoes and slice into 8 wedges each.

Spread wedges onto cookie sheet. 

Drizzle with approximately 1/2 cup of olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes and then flip wedges and bake for another 15-20 minutes* until golden brown.

*BAKE TIME CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR CRISPINESS.

ENJOY!!! =)

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Today's post is dedicated to Peanut's Grandma, Jane.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA (MOM)...

HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A GREAT DAY!!!

Love,

Chris, Jaime, Dylan and Braelyn

EVERYONE ELSE:  STAY TUNED...GIVEAWAY IS COMING...

Mom, What's For Dinner? (AND Winner Announcement...)

Happy Wednesday Everyone,

I have been asked a few times for a recipe (more of a method, really) of how to make the perfect steak INDOORS, now that winter is just around the corner. 

PERFECT STEAK

Ingredients:

2-3 rib eye steaks or 2-3 New York strip steaks, 1 1/2-inch thick (I am sure any other cut would work)

Olive oil or Vegetable oil, to coat

Salt & fresh ground pepper

Directions:

1. Remove steak(s) from fridge and start bringing them to room temperature.

2. After 30 to 45 minutes, place a 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet in oven and heat oven to 500 degrees F.

When oven reaches temperature, remove the pan and place it on a burner over high heat.

3. Coat steaks lightly with oil and season both sides with a generous pinch of salt. Grind on black pepper to taste.

4. Immediately place steaks in the middle of the hot, dry pan. Cook 30 to 60 seconds without moving. Turn the steaks with tongs and cook another 30 to 60 seconds, then put the pan straight into the oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Flip steaks and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. (The time in the oven depends on how rare you like your steaks. The time given is for medium, but depends on number of steaks, etc. as well.)

5. Remove the steaks from the pan, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 2 minutes.

6. Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto plate.

DRUM ROLL...AND NOW FOR THE WINNER OF MY FIRST CONTEST:

Congratulations to Heather, one of my newest followers!!!  Heather is expecting her first baby, a little girl, so I am sure this gift card will come in handy!!!  Heather, I will e-mail you for details by end of today...choice of gift card, address, etc.

I am working on another giveaway, so please stay tuned for more information!

Have a great day,

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

P.S. Be sure to check out www.TopMommyBlogs.com ... Bringing Up Peanut is ranked at #11 in the Stay-At-Home Mom Category!  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE remember to vote for us by clicking on the link at the top righthand corner (the brown box with the cartoon mom picture). 

YOU CAN VOTE FOR US ONCE PER DAY!!! (Pretty please???)

Election Day and Product Review

Happy Election Day!

Please, please vote...every vote really does count.  I am going to take Peanut to the Town Hall later today for her first time "voting".

I have decided to do my first product review also.  This item was something that was given to us this past weekend and I absolutely LOVE IT.  Even better, PEANUT LOVES IT.

Ladies and Gentlemen...let me introduce, the JUMPEROO!!!

My cousin, Erin, has a little girl who is older than Braelyn and she sent me a text on Saturday that said, "Do you have a decent Jumperoo for Braelyn?"  I'm thinking, Johnny Jump-Up?  Exersaucer?  Yes, she does have both of those.

"No, that is not a Jumperoo."  Erin sent me a picture text showing me what she was talking about.  "Yes, we would love that!" I said.  I just didn't know how much "we" would love it.

Peanut spent most of her Sunday in this Jumperoo.  Well, not most, but she spent a lot of time in it.  It is so cute, makes fun "horsey" noises and is such a great workout for her little legs. 

I strongly recommend that every new parent invests in a Jumperoo.  I could not find this specific model and style for sale on Amazon or Fisher Price's website, but there are many other styles out there.  Thanks Erin, we're having a blast with it!

Get jumping...and GO VOTE!

Tomorrow is the big drawing for my giveaway...you can enter up until midnight tonight.

Have a great day!
Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

First Words!!!

Good Morning,

Big news...Peanut said her first words.  Just a few days ago, she said "Da-Da".  Yesterday, on Halloween, she said "Mama"!!!  This morning, she is saying "Mama" constantly.  I love every minute of it!

Peanut celebrated her 1st Halloween this past weekend.  She went as a ballerina and was super adorable.  I only have a couple of pictures of her that turned out.

Here are a few costumes photos from this past weekend...

Chris went as Richard Simmons and was the big hit of the party.  I went as a Solid Gold Dancer.  Peanut was a Ballerina and Dylan opted to not dress up.  (I was sad about that one...)