Early Reading Skills with the story of NOAH.

We have a reader in our home! I can hardly believe it but our little girl is reading. It's been so fun these last few weeks to watch her grow in this skill. I've enjoyed many days us curling up on the couch to read books. 

It's hard to believe that just a few months ago I was reading to her, as they say readers are born on the laps of their parents. This is so true. 

We've been choosing some early reader books with small words and easy sentences for her to learn on. This book from B&H Publishing is great for early readers, it's from their 'Little Words Matter' collection: Noah's Ark.

With just a few short words we can get the full story of Noah, and it's a great companion tool for parents to help teach their children about the story of Noah. 

I love that my girl was able to practice her reading skills with this story and also learn Biblical truths at the same time.

Do you have a reader in your home? Wanna WIN a copy of Noah's Ark for your family? Simply comment below your favorite children's books and I'll pick a winner Wednesday. 

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Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book as apart of the B&H Bloggers program. All opinions are my own. 

My Lil' Kickers + A Giveaway

For the past six weeks we've been testing the waters in soccer. My kiddos have been attending the Lil' Kickers program at the American Sports Center in Avondale. Lil Kickers is designed with classes in mind for children between the ages of 18 mo- 9 years. 

With a variety of classes to choose from, and well trained coaches we thought this would be the perfect way to introduce our kiddos to the sport. 

We love that each of our kiddos could go at the same time to an age appropriate class. We could sit and watch both of them and they each had their own class and experience which was fun for them. 

Ava really excelled and loved soccer these last few weeks, even keeping up with all the boys and being the only girl in her class. 

This was the first time Zane had tried any organized sport or class of this type and for the most part at two and a half he did pretty well. He enjoyed being able to run around and play with other kids. 

We really enjoyed our experience with Lil Kickers and the American Sports Centers in Avondale and can't wait to try out more classes. What I really love about their Lil Kickers program is that they fun for 6 weeks, take a week off and start back again. So you're able to try out classes for a session but if you're child needs to take a break or doesn't like their class they aren't committed for an entire year. Classes start back up again on December 1st. To find out more about the Lil Kickers program visit their site here. 

American Sports Centers in Avondale and the Lil Kickers program is generously offering one of my reader 6 FREE Sessions to their Lil Kickers program! Use the Rafflecopter below for your entries. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclosure: I was offered 6 complimentary sessions for the purpose of this review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Fall To-Do List.

Fall is my most favorite time of year. Although, it doesn't seem like Fall here in Phoenix until about November I still love "everything Fall."

It's the start of the holiday season that leads us right into Thanksgiving & Christmas. I love the smells of Fall, boots, comfy sweaters and all the PSL I can handle! Here's some things I'm craving to do this fall:

• Take a weekend trip to the mountains.
• Visit the pumpkin patch.
• Make Carmel apples.
• Have a cookie decorating party with friends.
• Decorate pumpkins.
• Dress up for Halloween.
• Make homemade cider.
• Have a Fall bonfire with friends.
• Get our pictures taken for our holiday card.
• Find the perfect Fall scent for our home.

Those are just a few fun things I've got on my mind this Fall most of all which revolve around food and decorating something! Something about this season makes me want to create with my hands a lot and make sure we have tons of memories doing so.

What's on your Fall to-do list? 

Because She's Only Five Once.

Ava and I snuck away last week together and did a little photo shoot. I love taking yearly pictures of my kids, it's something we love doing each year. One of the things that I'm most thankful for is that I learned how to use my camera well and even though I'm not doing photography "professionally" anymore I can still use my skills and have beautiful photographs of my family.

I've been taking their pictures since they were babies and then some and I love filling our home with their faces. 

Ava loved the focused one on one time with me. Which ended with a shopping trip & ice cream! I love her so, and most days I just look at her and can't believe how grown up she's gotten. 

I love that I was able to capture her missing tooth as well in these pictures. Another new phase and a beautiful way to remember it. 

Ava's outfit: dress| zulily headband | Banner Boutique

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Potty Training Help with Pampers Cruisers

We've begun potty training with Zane, this is probably one of my most difficult challenges as a mom. He's been super interested in going potty for a while now, so we took the plunge and started the process. He's two and a half and showing all the signs he's ready. 

We've been setting a timer each day and he's been going to the bathroom most of the time. We had a bit of a challenge because we started right before vacation and then he regressed a bit while on vacation and wasn't going as often, or shall I say telling us he was needing to go. 

So once we got back from vacation we have been working on it. So even though he's going to the potty during the day he's still not potty trained at night. 

This was the part that took the longest with Ava as well, so I sorta expected it. Both my kiddos are seriously hard sleepers and them getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is pretty slim at first. 

Special promotions! August 23- August 29, Buy 3 Pampers Giant Packs Get a $25 Gift Card, August 30 – September 5, Buy 2 Pampers Giant Packs Get $10 Gift Card. Giant Packs include: Pampers Cruisers and Pampers Swaddlers diapers and both offers will be available in store and online

So we headed to Target to pick up some essentials for potty training. One of those is their new Pampers Cruisers! I've been a Pampers fan since Ava was a baby, they were the only diaper brand that didn't make her break out into a rash with her super sensitive skin. 

Couple things I love most is their absorbent channels to distribute wetness evenly, no more saggy diaper butts! Also the way they stretch and fit great around the waist! I love that I can trust he'll wake up with no leaky diapers or wet clothing, especially sleeping all that time and not using the bathroom. 

Pampers Cruisers also have some fun designs on them, we love making changing time a little more fun by finding and calling out the names of the Sesame Street characters on them. 

Yay for Elmo! 

So even though we're getting our feet wet in this potty training business, I know that Zane will wake up from nap time & bed time dry and ready to conquer the rest of potty training. 

One of the biggest things I've learned as a mom over these last 5 years is to do what works for you and your family and especially what works best for your kiddos. 

Ok, mamas? Raise your hand if you're with me on this potty training gig? What are some of your best potty training tips for getting your kiddos to wake up dry in the morning or potty training tips in general? 

Ready, go! 

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.