Sunday Brunch #PampersFirsts

Today I was invited to a Sunday brunch with fellow blogger Independentmami.

She hosted us with yummy breakfast while all the mommies talked about their babies firsts from first kicks in the belly to first steps and all that comes in between!

 

We watched a tear jerking video about A Newborn Journey Of Firsts

and was quickly reminded of many of my babies firsts.

 

My babies are so dear to me, no matter how big they'll get they will always be my babies! Always!

I held them first, I kissed them first, they are my all.

I knew I loved them from the moment I heard their heartbeat.

I remember both their first giggles, first steps, their first words.

My heart is full of love for them, no words can explain that.

A mothers love goes unmeasured.

 

 

Thanks to Pampers for sponsoring this event!

and thanks for the goodies for my baby!

 

-Unconventional Maria

Exploring Houston With City Pass

***No monetary compensation was received. I received 2 complementary City Passes in exchange for this post. All opinions stated are strictly my own. ***


Houston is my city! I live in Houston! My city is the 4th largest city in the United States so, great tourism is given with being a big city. We have an eclectic variety of dining, shopping and night life attractions.

Houston is always and constantly changing and always growing, so every once in a while I have to go out and explore the new and the renovated.

I believe a City Pass is definitely a great savings if you wanna get to know houston. You have 9 days to use your admissions so no pressure to go all in 1 day.
City Passes are also available for these other cities Atlanta-Boston-Chicago-Hollywood-New York-Philadelphia-San Francisco-Southern California-Toronto

Here is a virtual scrapbook of our adventures....



With your Houston City Pass you have general admissions to the following choices.
-SPACE CENTER HOUSTON -DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM -HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE -HOUSTON ZOO OR KEMAH BOARDWALK -THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON OR MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON

Blog Free Houston Holiday Event

Yaaay! Its my favorite time of year. The holidays are here!
Are the holidays special to you?
What's your favorite part? Decorating? Food? Presents? Or just spending time with loved ones?
Like everyone I like all those! But did you know 2 in 10 people are struggling to put dinner on the table?
Yes 2 in 10!
Hunger is a big crisis here in the U.S as well!
I've been there, I've been that person. I know how it feels. It's the worst feeling to always worry whether there would be enough to eat. Not only to eat but for gas, for clothes, for bills, not to mention unexpected expenses!
Charity is something I would one day want to be big on. I've even given from my own EBT benefits to help out a person in need. Because even though things were tight I knew somehow we would make it by.
We've never been homeless but going through what we've been through my heart has a special place for people in need.

So next time you're in line to pay for your groceries and you see someone not having enough, having to need to put things back to have enough, will you help? Do a good deed? Put a smile on someone's face, make a difference? Will you?

Star of Hope Mission is a Christ-centered community dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless men, women and their children.
Positive life changes are encouraged through structured programs which focus on spiritual growth, education, employment, life management and recovery from substance abuse.
Star of hope is funded through public and private donations, the United Way, churches, civic/community groups, corporations, grants and foundations and are assisted by more than 7,000 volunteers. But they are always in need of supplies!

This year I am glad to be apart of a group of bloggers(Blog Free Houston) and we all got together to might I say #payitforward. We did not do this to just get together and socialize but we all gathered donations to help Star of Hope


The event was also hosted at the beautiful 4 star Royal Sonesta Houston . The Royal Sonesta Houston has been newly renovated and might I say, it's gorgeous! With great rooms, great food, great service, and overall great features I definitely recommend this Hotel. I can also say it's kid friendly, the staff loved our babies and were happy and willing to help with anything we needed. It was definitely a great stay.



Independent Mami and I loved the great lighting on the restroom that does a great help with getting ready.
The rooms were nice and roomy with a nice sized tv and a desk that my son was able to do homework on. Decor was nice and not boring or over the top.

I have to thank Lisa Carey from Money Saving Parent for putting everything together! She's super great!

Goosebumps Haunted Halloween Family Vacation SWEEPSTAKES

***DISCLOSURE *** NO monetary compensation was received. Coupon was provided by BzzAgaent.

Enter to win a trip to Hollywood, for a terrifying behind-the-scenes tour of FOX Studios! Plus, you'll visit old town Pasadena for a frightening special effects experience. Just enter codes found on caps of specially marked Halloween Edition TruMoo® and your family * could be taking a private tour full of haunted Hollywood magic! Plus, receive a printable coupon for any Goosebumps® DVD when you enter.




Register now
http://www.trumoo.com/goosebumps/

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Ends on 10/31/13 at 11:59:59 pm PT. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Void in CO & where prohibited.

Fall Family Fun With Dewberry Farm

***Disclosure*** Informational post only. No monetary compensation was received. My family and I will receive passes in exchange for post.

Fall has begun and this girl here is super excited for what comes the next few months!

We live in Houston so we don't really cool down for fall, but that never stops us from participating in all the activities that come with.

If you know us, we love our family time, so soon we will be hitting up the Dewberry farm! Follow our fall journey!



Dewberry Farm is an "Agri-tainment" Farm just west of Houston. They offer over 30 activities, including an 8-Acre Corn Maze, 8-Acre Pumpkin Patch, wagon rides, trains and a new carousel. Dewberry Farm has a variety of snack and meal options so you can come and spend the entire day enjoying fall family fun.



Open to the public WEEKENDS only!  September 28 – November 10 Saturdays – 10am to Dusk       Sundays – Noon to Dusk        Open Columbus Day Monday, October 14: 10am to 6pm Tickets may be used for any Saturday or Sunday or on Columbus Day during the 2013 fall season.

Save $2 dollars off admission here http://houstonkidsguide.com/coupon.php?bid=11327&dealid=1388®ionid=410

Fall Festival Deals

Fall is upon us! Which means cute boots, scarfs, and warm clothes!

This also means falling leaves and pumpkin patches!

Ready for some Fall Festival Deals!  I have put together a great list of Corn Maze Coupons and Fall Festival savings nationwide.  Download valuable coupons for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches and Fall Family Activities. 

Arizona

Schnepf Farms-Queen City

California

Forneris Farms-Mission Hills

Colorado

Anderson Farms-Erie

Flat Acre Farms-Parker

Fritzler Maze-La Salle

Sunflower Farm-Longmont

Mile High Farms-Bennett

Wishing Star Farm-Calhan

Harvest Farm-Wellington

TEXAS

Devine Acres Farm-Devine

Fiesta Farm-San Antonio

Yesterland-Canton

South Texas Maize-Hondo

Dewberry Farm-Brookshire

Brazos Valley Maize-Brenham

LOUISIANA

CM Farms-Dry Creek

GEORGIA

Lane Southern Orchards-Fort Valley

Poppell Farms -Odum

MICHIGAN

Farmer Charley's Corn Maze Adventure-Monroe

INDIANA

Amazing Fall Fun-Waterloo

Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch-Lowell

Hobson's Fun Farm-Rockville

ILLINOIS

All Seasons Orchard-Woodstock

Odyssey Fun Farm-Tinley Park

Kuipers Family Farm-Maple Park

Siegel's Cottonwood Farm-Lockport

MARYLAND/DC

Summers Farm -Fredrick County

Massachusetts

Sauchuk Farm-Plympton

MISSOURI/KANSAS

KC Pumkin Patch and Corn Maze-Gardner

Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch-Pleasant Hill

MISSISSIPPI

Seward Farms Maze-Lucedale

MINNESOTA

Afton Apple Orchard-Hastings

MONTANA

The Maize at Grandpa's Farm-Billings

NEBRASKA

Camp Fontanelle-Nickerson

NEW JERSEY
VonThun Farms-Monmouth Junction
Sahls Father Son Farm-Monmouth Junction

NEW YORK
Wright Family Farm-Warwick
Harbes Family Farm-Mattituck

NORTH CAROLINA
Patterson Farm Market and Tours-Mount Ulla

OHIO
The Corn Maze At The Sharp Run Market-Millersburg
Meadow View Growers-New Carlisle

PENNSYLVANIA
Hurricane Hill Farm-Coatsville
Triple B Farms-Pittsburgh
Reillys Summer Seat Farm-Pittsburg


RHODE ISLAND
Confreda Greenhouse & Farms-Hope (Western Cranston)

VIRGINIA
Cows-N-Corn-Midland
Wayside Farm Fun-Berryville
Belvedere Plantation-Fredericksburg

UTAH
Cornbellys Corn Maze & Pumpkin Fest-Spanish Fork

Easy Canvas Prints Review and Giveaway

**DISCLOSURE*** NO monetary compensation was received. I received sample product for this post.

Turn your photos to canvas with Easy Canvas Prints™. Their photos on canvas are great for decorating your home or office, and perfect as photo gifts! With their easy to use canvas prints designer, you can turn your very own image into a stunning work of art on canvas!

Here you can see the canvas I picked out for this picture of Julian that I so dearly love.

The canvas prints are printed and stretched in-house by their canvas professionals, and come ready to hang or display with a classic semi-gloss finish.
Just choose your canvas size and wrap thickness, upload your pictures or art, and choose your border for a personalized canvas print of your own.
My thouths:
It's very good quality and easy to do! I am sure these canvases will be past down for generations to come.

You can even use the pictures off your Instagram!

Here you can see how I worked it in with my other pictures.
Easy Canvas Prints Recommends:

Photo Printing
Printing from your iPhone or iPad is easier than you've ever imagined. Run Printopia on your Mac to share its printers to your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Add unlimited virtual printers to save print-outs to your Mac as PDF files.



If you'd like to see more go to Easy Canvas Prints
Thanks to Easy Canvas Prints my readers can win a 8x10 canvas! It's easy just enter the Rafflecopter form below.
★GIVEAWAY RUNS★[9/16 - 9/30] Only open to those in North America. MUST be 18 or older.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Minted.com Giveaway

Momandchild1215 is participating in a Minted.com Giveaway hosted by Money Saving Parent.Thank you to the sponsor Minted. The holidays are just around the corner.  For our family that means Halloween greeting cards, birthday party invitations, Thanksgiving and Christmas greeting cards.   That's a whole lot of cards!  I was thrilled to find out about Minted.com where I can find greeting cards for every occasion and for every style I may have in mind.     Minted offers the high quality greeting cards as well as paper, prints, and party decor.  Don't miss out on recording your thoughts on your wedding journal or share those important moments like your baby's birth announcement or your big move.   I fell in love when I visited their Pinterest site, because it's so much more than greeting cards!  I found all these amazing holiday decor and entertaining ideas, so many that I just can't wait to start planning some amazing, fun filled holiday parties!   I personally love these holiday cards, so cute and good quality. I'll be getting so me done for my family.

Money Saving Tip:  Get five free samples of the wedding invitations so you know before you buy what type of paper and products you want!

  If you too are getting ready to meet and greet your friends and family during this holiday season you will love this giveaway as well as all the helpful tips, advice and quality products that Minted has to offer.    Thanks to our generous sponsor Minted, one lucky reader will be the winner of $50 to spend however they choose on the Minted website.  Select from photo cards for every occasion, from baby announcements to graduation, paper products like business cards, letterhead and stationary or holiday cards.  With $50 you have a whole lot of celebrating to do!  It's fun and it's easy.  Just use the Rafflecopter form below and get started!  Make sure to pin the items you really like when you visit their website or pinterest board so you can come back for more ideas that don't cost a mint!   Fine print: Terms and conditions are stated on the form but here's a quick recap. Open to US addresses only. Money Saving Parent is not responsible for shipping. Must be 18 or older to enter. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Twitter. One random winner will be chosen.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

We did it!!!! 5k Happiness....♥

I am so happy to say that I finally completed my first 5k. I didn't do it alone either, I had 2 of my boys with me! My hubby, my oldest and I had the best time ever. We were also Joined by our team, The Rainbow Brites.


This was all of us before and after.

A friend of ours started the group, little by little our group grew. We were 20+ not including all the kids. There were probably around 30 of us!

I loved the idea of having my boys there. My son was so excited to get started and get paint all over him.



We didn't take this 5k on to race or time our running abilities, but to have a good time together. After all what's life without a little family fun! So we started off running and not even half way in ,we decided to stroll our way through the color stations, chat with fellow race participants, and and lastly the finish line.


Some of us got together to make tutus, hence the name Rainbow Brites. We also got creative and cut up the provided tshirt we got with registration.



I have many runner friends and family members that always tell to give it a try. So with my hubby cheering me on to do it, and with him even volunteering to run it with me. We took the plunge, together!


My baby got a bit tired in the last mile so daddy stepped up to help his son out.


My baby loved running through all the color stations and spending time with mommy and daddy.













What are you waiting for!? Get moving. Get out there!

We completed the Run or Dye 5k in Houston. Run or Dye Houston benefited the Susan G. Komen foundation. Run or Dye is the most colorful 5k!!

Netflix for Legos whaaaa!? Pleygo!

Is your home a Lego filled home? Do your kids love building blocks?

I have a 7 year old that loves to build, he can get lost for hours building away and letting his imagination run wild and free. Even my 10 month old shows interest with his Duplo blocks. He tries to connect the pieces as if he knew exactly what he's doing.

But as many of you might know, Lego sets can pile up and clutter the house...
It's can be a pain. If this sounds like you Pleygo might be your cure.

Pleygo is a Net-Flix like service for Legos!  Subscribe, rent, play, and exchange sets of LEGOs unlimited times per month.  Shipping is always free both ways and sets are sanitized when returned.  We offer a convenient, quick, and inexpensive solution that relieves clutter and saves space at home while saving money.  Co-Founded by influential parenting blogger and creator of A-List mom Elina Furman, Plegyo is the perfect way to supply your child with endless developmental tools and allow for that much needed quiet time at home!







 Three levels of subscription starting at just $15 allow you to find the plan that best suits you.  We offer credit towards you account for sets and mixed bricks that you donate to us, and we provide the shipping label too!  Pleygo is a perfect gift for a family friend, loved one, or birthday party - especially when you don't know what to get them!  Purchase a gift subscription and send it with a special message from you!  We are constantly expanding our inventory with more sets!

Receive your First Month FREE at  http://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=11329&dealid=1389®ionid=75 or directly at www.Pleygo.com to register!

Massage Envy Spa Giveaway ($49 Value)

Tired, stressed, aching?
If you're anything like me, then you know lifes endeavors can really make you physically ill at times. School is back in session, so getting back to a scheduled routine can make you stress. My infant has been a cry baby lately so I need one ASAP!


But you might be in luck! Our host Money Saving Parent (http://moneysavingparent.com) and our sponsors Massage Envy Spas of the greater Houston area in providing you with this giveaway! 



Not sure if you would enjoy a massage?  Find out exactly how relaxing and rejuvenating they can be in this review and then link to  http://wp.me/p22NBw-71E 

You must be 18+ to enter this giveaway. The certificate is valid only at Houston area locations. If chosen, you will receive your certificate via email. You will be responsible for making your appointment and for paying tip/gratuity. All other terms and conditions as stated in the Rafflecopter code.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
-Form

Disclosure: No compensation was received in exchange for hosting this giveaway.  The participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment.