December 8, 2015 by DancingInCarseats - 0 comments

Gift Guide

Every little girl has sugar plum dreams about the goods on her list for Santa. Is the little girl in your life a girly-girl, crafter, sporty, bookworm or misfit… maybe? The “Christmas Wishlist for Girls” that my CarseatDancers and I have put together has something that every type of little girl would adore. Here’s our list of Christmas Must-Haves for girls from 5 to 12.

1. Book: The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name
A personalized gift is something that will be cherished forever. The creativity in this collection of books is phenomenal. Each story is different, as the main character searches for the letters to spell the name of the child who receives it.

2. Globe – Elenco 5″ Political Globe:
Kids who dream about adventure and love to explore will be filled with excitement with the World at their fingertips.

3. American Girl Doll:
“American Girl’s mission is to celebrate girls. We embrace who they are today and look forward to who they will become tomorrow.”
Since 1986, American Girl has inspired girls of ALL walks of life. Online & in store you will find an amazing selection of dolls, books, clothes, toys, and accessories. My CarseatDancers LOVE American Girl. ❤️
Here’s my sweet AKA7 with Grace. Grace is 2015’s Doll of the Year.

4. Penny Board
These cute little skateboards are the newest trend. We are absolutely loving that they have made these a little bit more girly but still PERFECT for the sporty girl in your life. Remember to pick up elbow & knee pads and a helmet if you decide to grab or customize one of these boards.

5. Seedling‘s – My Mini Masterpiece
“Our Kits + Your Imagination = Endless Play”
Painting is one of our favorite indoor craft activities. With this sweet little ARTIST kit your sweetie will create a masterpiece perfect for any wall.
KIT INCLUDES:
Wooden Easel
Canvas
Artist Quality Acrylic Paints
Paint Brush
Instructions

6. Hammond’s Candy Cane
Since 1920, Hammond’s has been creating the best Christmas treats. This JUMBO candy cane is a must-have stocking stuffer!

7. LEGO – Disney Princess – Rapunzel’s Tower
Your little one will build this cool Lego tower as Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, & Pascal the chameleon watch.

8. Justice- Fashions
The perfect Christmas outfit for my little firecracker came from Justice. They have a lovely selection of fashions for the girl in your life.

Happy Shopping & Merry Christmas!
❤️🎄🎅🏻
Jen & my Carseat Dancers

March 9, 2015 by DancingInCarseats - 0 comments

Tips & Tricks to Show Your DisneySide @ Home

Our family adores everything Disney and as a Disneyland Passport holder we are regularly displaying our Disney Side there. But why should you have to leave your Disney Side at the parks? Our celebration, as shown here, can easily be duplicated with just a few tips , tricks & Disney Magic.

When I heard that I could host a Disney Side @Home Celebration for family and friends my girls and I squealed with glee! Disney is more than just a place, it’s a magical feeling… one that you can share, at home.
I received an exclusive Disney Side Princess Party Kit filled with all of the necessary party planning tools needed to spread our Disney magic, at home. And with just a pinch of Pixie Dust and imagination our Valentine’s Day Disney Side Princess Party was a ROYAL success.

Photo Tip: Squat down at your child’s level for a better shot.

My girls were eager to open the box, get started with the guest list and create handmade invitations for their fellow princess friends.

Tip: Allow your kids to help decorate the invitation. I made a prototype that my five-year-old could easily copy.

Let’s Party!
Valentine’s Day 2015

10 little Princess were invited to join in the festivities. We had sweet plans for our Princess Brunch. Our dining table was covered with an array of princess decorations. We had Sophia the First snack bowls, napkins, placemats, cups and plates on the cutest Sophia the First tablecloth. The centerpieces were delightful… surrounding them, we placed our collection of princess toys.

Decorating Trick: It’s fun to incorporate the toys that you already have.

In the mix we displayed the prizes and party favors. Each girl went home with a little something special. Our Disney Side @Home Celebration Kit came chalk full of goods for the At-Home-Princess.

The Palace Pets were a huge hit!
& Lucky us, the owner of Pegatopia sent over some of her adorable, hand painted, peg Princess dolls as prizes too. Check out her adorable Etsy shop!
Our takeaway favors included a plastic princess cup (I bought the cups for $1 at Target.) overflowing with goodies! Complete with a lipgloss, nail polish & nail file, stickers, tiny Disney Princess themed heart-shaped-candy box, tiara, pencil and wand.

Party Favor Tip: Place take away items in something that guests can look at and remember over and over when used. i.e. Cup
We served breakfast treats for even the most picky of princesses.
On the Menu:
❤️ Pastries
❤️ Olaf Noses (Mini Carrots)
❤️ Fresh Fruit
❤️ Princess Punch

💛 Twinings Tea for the moms. My fave was “Nightly Clam.” Shhh… I had a second helping when the party was over. One lucky mom went home with a box of teas.

Guest Tip: Moms of partygoers love a little attention too!

Let the games begin!
With a slight amount of preparation, all of our guest princesses had a ball playing these games:
💛 PinThe Smile on Mickey
💛 Disney Parks BINGO
💛 Fortune Tellers
💛 FROZEN Bowling

Our day came to a close after a stroll through the wildflowers.

Trick: Add an element of the outdoors to your party and create a carefree full-circle ending to their magical day. Lastly, an Ode to the fabulous Sleeping Beauty. Clearly, my preschooler had a dreamy day.
Cheers to celebrating your Disney Side @Home!
❤️ Jen

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate a Disney Side @Home Celebration, with the expectation that I would share this experience with my readers. All expressed opinions are strictly mine.

January 6, 2015 by DancingInCarseats - 0 comments

2015 // New Year // New Resolutions

Just before the new year I read something about “investing in yourself.” I took this mantra to heart when coming up with my New Year’s resolutions.
Laugh More
Not that I don’t. Laugh, that is. LOL! I just felt like I could spend less time being frustrated with the normal “mom life” things & “busy teacher” things and laugh, more.
Hike
I am literally surrounded by breathtaking valley and mountain views {in every direction} with room to roam. I rarely take advantage of going outside to exercise, for FREE! This year, I vow to take regular hikes with my family. I’m a tad sore from yesterday’s hike… but I feel fantastic!
Organize
I started with my closet, then my daughters’. We’ve already given away the bags of goods. 😊 Next, the girls’ toys. We will donate what’s purged. This works perfectly just after Christmas. I even think they’ve forgotten about some of their “old toys.” Out with the old & in with the new. They are totally fighting over, I mean loving Addison’s Merida Archery Set.
I was laughing {more} when Delaney, 5, asked, “Mommy, who’s A-N-D-Y & why did they write on Jessie‘s boot?!”

Conquer A Fear
Not sure what this is yet. All I know is that it will have NOTHING to do with snakes or skydiving! Really.

Take An Important Risk
So, I purchased all of the necessary materials to get my real estate license. Why not? I’ll certainly let you know how that risk goes come summer. {I’m excited but need time to focus on this venture.} Heck! People have always told me that I can sell anything. Did you know that I once sold the shirt off my back?

Cheers to 2015 & your Resolutions!
Remember: “Invest in yourself.”
❤️ Jen

April 3, 2014 by DancingInCarseats - 1 Comment

Stroller Review // Joovy TooFold Double Stroller // Link to Giveaway

Having more than one little darling requires a stroller that can accommodate more than one kid. A double stroller is essential for a growing family. Often double strollers are heavy and cumbersome, taking up a ton of space. I was thrilled when I was “introduced” to the lightweight, all-in-one, all-terrain, Joovy TooFold that can easily be converted into a double stroller. Even though the TooFold is lightweight it is still very functional and fashionable. {Both important factors in my Mommy Manual.❤️} Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a link to a giveaway that Joovy is doing on their blog.

Stroller Checklist:

Is the price point under $500?
Not this one folks, the $799.99 price tag on the Joovy TooFold is comparable, but on the lower end of that spectrum, to all of the other high end strollers on the market. The unique, all-in-one, all-terrain abilities of this particular ride is well worth the price. And it’s lightweight frame is perfect for traveling families and those, like mine, always on the go.

Can it be folded with the seat attached?
This stroller can be folded with the main seat attached. However, the seat for the second child must be removed prior to folding.

Does it have a cup holder?
There is 1 cup holder conveniently located on the side of the canopy {My average sized water bottle fit well.} I like that the cupholder is made of material and not hard plastic like on some strollers. I just wish it had one more. The zippered storage pocket perfect for my mommy essentials is a nice bonus.

Are the tires foam or need air?
Joovy thought of everything this time! The TooFold comes equipped with a tiny stroller pump for the back tires since they may require air. Brilliant! The front tires are foam.

Is the seat forward and rear facing?
Both seats are forward facing.

Is the storage space large enough to hold a bag of groceries?
The under storage has an extended wheel base that is large enough for one bag of groceries. One super cool, extra feature, that the TooFold has is a unique cross-body, XL, zippered backpack that can be carried or attached to the stroller. {On our trip to Disneyland we were able to store all of our snacks, jackets and my purse in this bag.}

Can I fold it with one hand?
The TooFold has a unique, patented, one-hand quick folding frame that even STANDS alone when folded. Impressive!

Can I push it with one hand?
Pushing with one hand is no problem when only one child is riding. With two kids on board, it takes a little bit more effort & really requires two hands for the long-haul.

Can it be used from birth?
This stroller can accommodate a baby as small as 3 months old and holds a combined seat weight of 90 lbs. Perfect for a growing family.

Will it fit in the trunk of my car?
With folded dimensions of: 17.5″L x 19″W x 41.25″H it fits nicely into the trunk of an average car.

Bonus Question:
Is it easy enough for my tall husband to push?
The rotating handlebars with quick release handle adjustment & multi-position handles make pushing comfortable for all parents. No hunching over for those over 6 ft. tall. No back pain. It’s perfect for travel and leisure and everyday use as it is incredibly light. FYI: Just last week I had to carry it up four flights of escalator stairs, at Disneyland, while my husband carried our sleeping preschooler. {Everything at the resort was nonoperational after an earthquake.} Let me just say, I felt like Supermom! It didn’t even phase me. 😉

Room for improvement?
I love that the TooFold has a built-in stand-on board for older children, but if a kid is standing on the board and there’s nobody in the front seat the stroller tips backwards. This is just something you need to acclimate yourself to and is not a huge issue.

Interested in joining the Joovy Family too? Visit the Joovy website. Plus check out my “Mommy on the Go” post where I style the Joovy TooFold with on trend fashions and accessories.

I was provided with a stroller but, did not receive compensation for this post.

Happy Strolling! ❤️Jen

Excellent news! Do you want to try to win this GREAT stroller? Joovy is sponsoring a #giveaway over on their BLOG! Hurry! Good luck! 😊 {Say Jen @CarseatDancers sent you.}

http://blog.joovy.com/2014/04/time-for-a-serious-all-terrain-stroller-joovy-toofold-joovyrush/
—> You have until Easter Sunday, 11:59 PM CST.

Go! What are you waiting for? – Jen

April 21, 2013 by DancingInCarseats - 0 comments

Dollhouse vs. LEGO Duplo

July 17, 2012 by DancingInCarseats - 0 comments

Toddler Trend Tuesday | vol. 24 | featuring: Disney’s Ariel

Our 3-year-old Carseat Dancing Princess just learned to swim “WIFFOUT floaties!” Thanks to our swimming EVERY-single-day of summer vacation. Are you in the same proverbial boat? Here’s a collection of more summer fun that you could grab for your ‘lil princess. {To purchase items, just click on the link below the photo.}

Fish Sticks!

Items in this set Include:

$19 – cutesense.com Disney Little Mermaid Ariel School Backpack
$39 – asos.com Disney Couture Little Mermaid Seahorse Set
$18 – zappos.com Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Polish
$8 – nordstrom.com Boon ‘Catch’ Bowl
$6.50 – disneystore.com Ariel Flatware Set — 2-Pc.
$6.50 – disneystore.com The Little Mermaid Ariel Cup
- $42 – dsw.com Skechers Sneakers
- $16 – walmart.com Little Golden Book
- $11 – target.com
- $9.50 – disneystore.com Mini Ariel Plush Doll — 12” H
- lemonadecouture.com Sophisticated Girl’s Skirt
- fab.com Balance Bike
- disneyclips.com
- gmpopcorn.com Shave Ice Machine
- kidcuisine.com Fish Sticks Meal
  
  Happy summer!
  
  xo Jen

July 10, 2012 by DancingInCarseats - 1 Comment

Toddler Trend Tuesday | vol. 23 | Astronaut

This trendy little Astronaut is, as Disney’s Buzz Lightyear would announce, headed “To infinity and beyond!”

tems in this set

$69 – ray-ban.com

Ray-Ban RB9506S Sunglasses
$30 – nordstrom.com

Bailey ‘Salem’ Straw Hat
$2.49 – target.com

Mott’s 4 Tots Apple Juice – 64 oz. : Target
ethicalsuperstore.com

Ella’s Kitchen Spinach, Apples Swede Ella’s Kitchen
$75 – toysrus.com

Disney Pixar Toy Story 3 Lil’ Quad Power Wheels from Fisher- Price Power Wheels

$20 – threadless.com

Funkalicious
$15 – crazy8.com

Crazy 8
- ebay.com
  
  NWT BABY GAP BOYS SPACE BACKPACK glow in the dark backpack
- $7.99 – amazon.com
  
  Air and Space Board Book
- $37 – walmart.com
  
  Disney Toy Story CD Boom Box
- museumofflightstore.org
  
  Black Space Kid’s Wallet
- elegantwordart2.blogspot.com
  
  Elegant WordArt 2: Steer by the Stars
- heelys.com Style #7739 Stingray

June 28, 2012 by DancingInCarseats - 0 comments

Mommy on the Go… Inspired by a book: Snow White | vol. 21

With “Snow White And The Huntsman” in theaters and being a die-hard Disney fan I had to create a collection inspired by Snow White. This is for the Disney Mommy on the Go…