Super Cute Grandparent Gift Idea {I Made This!}

While browsing the most addicting site known to man, aka Pinterest, I ran across a cute idea--but then I made my own spin and did my own thing with it.

What I loved about this craft was that my girls could be a part of it and actually help create an adorable gift idea for their grandparents. So much of Christmas can be purchased at the store and I wanted something special and unique from the girls to their grandparents.

Here are their fingerprint snowman ornaments:

Cute, right? Here are the supplies that you'll need:

*Wood shape of choice. These can be found at any craft store (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc)

*Child safe paint. We used washable paints because my girls are a little paint happy.

*Paint pen

*Ribbon (I used scrapbook ribbon)

*Sharpie

*Mod Podge

*Hot glue gun

After you have all of your supplies, give your child(ren) a paint brush and a little of the paint. Have them paint the wood shape in color of choice.

Once the ornament shape is dry you then pour out some white paint onto a plate. Spread it out some and place child's finger into paint.

Press the finger down firmly enough onto the ornament to make the snowman's body.

Repeat for however many little ones that you have. Since I have three girls we have three snowmen.

Once the snowmen are dry, write the year on top of the ornament. I chose a silver paint pen but any color will do.

Using the sharpie draw on your snowman eyes, mouth and arms.

Once you have the snowmen complete, Mod Podge the ornament. I did this just as a sealant for the ornament.

After Mod Podge is dry cut your ribbon to the desired length. Fold into a loop and hot glue onto back.

And...that's it! Super easy, super cute and my girls are so proud that they helped make their grandparents' gift.

Infantino Sync Carrier

I have been searching for a baby carrier for quite some time and I am starting to think that my list of requirements is what is making it so difficult for me to pick a carrier.

First and foremost on my list is safety. I realize that is a given for all of us as parents, but you would be surprised at how many carriers are not worn safely.

My second requirement is comfort. Not just for me, but for Brynlie as well. Carriers that pull on my back and shoulders won't do me any good. I have a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a 6 month old--I must have all of my muscles working properly in order to keep up with these three while out and about.

And my final (personal) requirement? Cute. It must be something cute.

When I pulled my Infantino Sync Carrier out of the package I was both excited and confused. Excited because this was the type of carrier that I had just been looking at. Confused because of the straps and where to put what.

After reading the instructions over for quite some time I recruited my husband to assist me. I honestly wasn't comfortable doing this alone for the first few times--and even now that I have had it and used it for a few weeks I am not comfortable using it alone quite yet. You need to be able to pull the straps tight and I still don't think I am at the level in order to do that while holding onto her at the same time.

I loved this carrier for a variety of reasons. The Infantino Sync Carrier met all of my above requirements. Once Brynlie was snug and secured inside I LOVED it. The carrier was extremely comfortable. I have used carriers in the past that killed my back and shoulders. Not true with this one. It is so comfortable and Brynlie was also comfortable.

It's really cute! I love the red and black floral combination. A lot of my clothes are black so it compliments them perfectly.

And finally, most importantly, I could feel and see that Brynlie was secure. She was strapped so tight, but not tight enough to make her fuss and be uncomfortable. I did some squatting, leaning over and walking around with her. She loved it all! Remember to ALWAYS read your instructions first and utilize any videos that the baby carrier may come with. Your baby's safety is the most important thing always.

You can view and purchase the Infantino Sync Carrier from Amazon. There you can find reviews and read what other moms thought of the carrier in addition to my review. Want to see the Infantino Sync Carrier in action? Check out their YouTube video here.

What to be kept in the know with Infantino? Find Infantino on Facebook, follow Infantino on Twitter and/or subscribe to the Infantino YouTube channel.


I am a participant in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products as part of my participation. 

I think a redo is in order...

I am not sure if I want this photo to be the photo that all of my family will receive for our Christmas card.

However, it's almost too funny for it not to be, right?

Book Pick of the Week: Chosen by Chandra Hoffman

I love finding a book so invigorating that I cannot put it down. It is while reading these types of books that the exhaustion the next day is well worth it.

Chosen by Chandra Hoffman was one of the above. This book was so intense and had me wanting, no, needing, to find out what was going to happen next. My heart would pound and I would read every chance that I got. I found myself staying up until midnight to squeeze in those next pages and chapters.

Here is a brief description as told on the book jacket:

It all begins as a fantasy...


A caseworker in her "paperwork-signing" suit alongside beaming parents cradling their adopted newborn: this is the blissful picture that keeps Chloe Pinter, director of Portland's Chosen Child domestic adoption program, happy as she juggles the demands of her boss and the incessant needs of adoptive and biological parents. 


But the dream job that offers Chloe refuge from her turbulent personal life soon becomes a nightmare involving three very different couples" the college sweethearts who, after suffering fertility problems, are now expecting their own baby' the wealthy husband and desperate wife for whom adoption is a last chance; and the couple who has nothing--except the baby everyone wants. But when a child goes missing, perceptions of family and future are challenged, posing the questions: What happens when you get what you thought you wanted? How far would you go if it wasn't what you wanted after all?


Right when I read the book jacket I knew in my heart that I had to read this book. As a mother who has struggled with unexplained infertility, as a sister to four adopted siblings, I knew that this book would be a great read.

The characters were so believable--it was as if I actually knew them. Once I started to get deeper into this book I saw that some of the characters were not who they seemed to be on the outside. I could relate to a few of the characters, but I think that the characters whom I could not relate to are what kept me captivated the most.

I could not imagine having to make a sacrifice so large such as putting my child up for adoption. Chandra Hoffman made me feel as if I were the mom who was placing my child with their forever family. The ache in their hearts--you truly get to see a point of view that many of us do not get to witness every day.

When I got to the portion of the book where the child goes missing, I felt sick to my stomach. Once the parent of the missing child realized that the child has disappeared, I once again felt like I was this character. The panic. The heart racing. The collapsing onto the ground--it was written in such a believable manner and had me feeling as if I had to hug my daughters that much closer.

All in all? I loved this book. Chandra Hoffman's writing skills are phenomenal. The characters did not seem to be stereotyped as they sometimes do in books that have well defined characters who play a certain role. It was as if I knew all of the characters in my own life.

I highly recommend this book to all of my blog readers and friends. I cannot tell you how many times that I told my Mom that she must read this book. I raved about it so much and she is now going to read it. I loved Chosen and hope that once you read it, you will understand when I say that I could not put this gripping read down.

Chick Lit Plus is hosting an Amazon gift card giveaway! Simply visit the Chosen blog tour page and leave a comment. Super easy!


Want to learn more about Chandra Hoffman and keep up with her social networks? You can "like" her on Facebook and/or follow her on Twitter.

A huge thank you to Chick Lit Plus for this amazing reading and review opportunity! I received the book to read and no other compensation was given. All opinions expressed above are my own.