I have to say that this Easter was one of the best ever! I had so much fun playing Easter bunny and seeing the excitement on Garrett's face as he dug into Easter basket after Easter basket. He is a very spoiled loved little boy! It was also nice to have the four days off and actually be able to enjoy all of the Easter festivities! Usually I end up working at least part of each holiday meaning I either miss the get together with my family or my in-laws. So, it was such a blessings to be able to be there for each and every moment this year! The weather was also fairly nice so it allowed for us to spend some time outside. I'll try to keep this short & sweet but I can't promise that it won't be a complete photo overload. Don't say I didn't warn you. 

Thursday night we spent some time outside soaking up the sunshine. We plopped Garrett down in the grass and surprisingly he didn't try to eat it and didn't hate it one bit. I think our little guy is going to be an outdoors lover!

Friday both Steve & I had off work. We spent the day doing a little cleaning, playing with Garrett, getting ready for Easter dinners, coloring eggs and snapping some Easter photos. Garrett is so incredibly adorable {biased much Stormy?!} already but plunk a set of bunny ears on him & his cuteness level goes through.the.roof! I snapped plenty of bare bottom photos too but I'll keep those for future girlfriend eyes only ;)

 We grabbed lunch with friends at a local establishment that was closing the next day. It's been a favorite place of mine for years as they make the most delicious peach margaritas. I may or may not have had three of them with my lunch as a final farewell.

Saturday was Easter with Steve's family. We whipped up some healthy Easter inspired deviled eggs to bring along. We headed out around 11:30am and enjoyed an afternoon with his grandmother, his parents, his sister and three nephews. Let me tell you a house with four boys under the age of seven gets insane real quick. Garrett was a total nap refuser that day and tuckered out with all the excitement real quick.

That night we had our first bonfire of the season with some of our closest friends. We decorated the patio just a bit and had drinks & snacks for all ages. Garrett fell in love with bonfires and sat so content the whole time {even though it was past his bedtime!} 

Sunday started bright & early per Garrett's schedule. It was so exciting to see Garrett's excitement when we gave him his Easter basket! His little eyes where beaming and his hands where flying in the air. He dug each thing out, held it out towards us and then made sure to give it all a good chew. Steve loved his basket as well and couldn't wait to try out more exotic jerkies. I whipped up a batch of bunny pancakes which I'm thinking will have to become a tradition-so cute! 

Then we headed to my grandparents for Easter dinner! My family is absolutly smitten with Garrett and it's so cute to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins love on him! He sure soaks up the attention! My parents and sister spoiled him a bit more with two more Easter baskets which he happily spilled all over! We headed home and let Garrett tucker himself out while playing with all his new toys. He had a hard time keeping his eyes open around dinner time & actually slept fairly well that night. {Maybe the key to getting him to sleep well is to have Easter be every single day?!}

All in all it was a wonderful weekend. Time with family. Good food. Lots of laughs and baby smiles. And the memories of it all. Garrett's first Easter is something I will always remember.

Easter Baket Making

I was so excited to make Garrett's Easter basket this year but I couldn't resist making one for the husband too. I mean let's face it, spoiling my boys is what I like to do. I knew exactly what I wanted to do for Garrett's basket. I searched high and low for a basket I liked and didn't find a single one. So, I settled on a galvanized bucket instead. I liked the fact that it wasn't so "cute" or "kiddy" and is something I can use for him for years and years to come! 

Filling Garrett's basket was such fun! I had loads and loads of ideas but stopped myself before I went totally overboard. Momma loves her baby boy what can I say?!?! ;) Garrett's basket had some Gerber Organic Yougurt Melts, Happy Baby Banana Puffs, three Ella's Kitchen pouches, a set of whale bath toys {which he is obbessed with}, a "My First Easter" bib, an Easter outfit, two books {You Are My Sunshine & Runaway Bunny}, a chick toy, and a set of bunny ears. Easter wouldn't be Easter without a cute babe in bunny ears!

Steve's basket was a little more tricky. I wanted it to be something he'd enjoy but something practical too. I'm all about practicality can't you tell?! So his "basket" was made out of a six pack of beer. I removed three of the beers and stuffed it full of all things tasty. Exotic jerky and some of his favorite treats. Not pictured is a big ole' jug of homemade maple syrup...one of his favorites!

Like I said...I had a total blast putting together their Easter baskets this year! Here's hoping I can one up it next year though! Challenge accepted!

Pits & Peaks {Round Four}

We've chatted all things Easter this week: basket inspiration, snack mix treats, adorable Easter tassel garland & I don't know about you but I have loved every stinking little minute of it! Today I'm here with another round of:

Pits & Peaks

Peak:  Four day weekend for the win! I'm beyond excited that I get to spend Garrett's first Easter with him! And even more than that I get to attend Easter with my family and my in-laws! Throw in the fact that it's a four day weekend and that is just icing.on.my.cake.people.

Peak: I had so, so much fun putting together Easter baskets for my boys! I'd been thinking of ideas for quite some time now and everything came together just as I had planned! I am so excited to see Garrett's smiles when he sees his basket! Hubby doesn't know that I whipped up a "basket" for him either so I'm looking forward to surprising him!

Peak: I mentioned that we're looking to list our home for sale last week and since we've started meeting with realtors to get the ball rolling my anxiety level has been through the roof. I usually handle stress well but this is a whole new, life changing event and I've been less than stellar with handling it thus far. I think it's mainly because I am the type of person who really watches our finances and plans for the future. I obviously want to have more children and know that the costs of a family can be large so I'm worried if we're making the right choices at the right time. Thankfully {this is a peak & not a pit I promise} I have plenty of Advocare Oasis to mellow me out. And, every realtor that has come through our home has been blown away! I'm hoping things work out like we'd like them to! Cross your fingers & throw up a prayer for us okay? We could use it!

Peak: I managed to spare 10 minutes to myself yesterday for a little at home pedicure! I'm obsessed with my rose-y, mint & lilac toenails! I don't make nearly enough time for myself these days. 

Pit: While everyone is getting excited for Easter egg hunts, delicious meals and time with family there are so, so many patients at the hospital right now! I can't believe how busy we've been this past month or so! We've had overflow units open and at times nurses have 5-6 patients a piece. Yikes! While I too was looking forward to Easter all this week, it was a rough week at the same time. I had a patient who was relatively healthy up until two weeks ago when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since then it was discovered that it has spread to her kidneys, bone and most recently her brain. The brain mass is affecting her the most at this time and the poor girl can't remember things that she literally just did. It's hard to watch cancer take a hold of someone right in front of your eyes. I feel terrible for her family as I know that this Easter won't be the most enjoyed one for them.

Peak: We've worked out the babysitter thing. My parents where dying to spend more time with Garrett so they offered to take on watching him while I'm at work and I am beyond grateful for that! I love being able to go to work and not worry about him, knowing he is in good hands. My parents have done so much for me and my little family and I'm just incredibly grateful for them.

Alright, sweet thangs! Enjoy your weekend! Give your family tight hugs! 

Homemadexojules: Review & Giveaway

I love decorating for holidays and aside from Christmas I really think that Easter is one of my favorites! There's something about the tiny bunnies, fun plastic eggs & darling pastels that just gets my heart! Etsy is full of shops packed full of wonderful decor that is perfect for Easter and today I'm sharing one of my all time favorites! 

Homemadexojules is honestly one of my all time favorite Etsy shops! Her tassel garlands are something I wouldn't mind having strung all over my house! Jules is amazingly creative, so sweet & so easy to work with! She graciously sent me her Radiant Orchid Tassel Garland to review! And let me tell you it is beautiful! Her products are excellently made and I can only imagine the time and energy she puts into making them ever so perfect! When I received the package I was blown away by it! 

While I'm dying to hang this above a crib {fingers crossed my uterus births a baby girl someday} it's also perfect for Easter! I have it hung across the bookshelves in our hallway and it brightens up that little space so, so much! Garrett is overly obsessed with it as well and he's constantly trying to reach for it to pull it down! I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the Radiant Orchid Tassel Garland is the mylar cranberry & silver colors on it! Our hallway gets some great afternoon sun and when it hits the mylar tassels just right it throws color all across the hallway walls. 

Another thing I also really love about Homemadexojules garlands is the versatility! Baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers, nursery decor, gender reveals, engagement parties, weddings, office decor, photography props and home decor are just a few uses I can think of for these amazing tassel garlands! Homemadexojules has more than just tassel garlands though! She also creates balloon tassels, tassel cake toppers, hairbands & tassel backdrops! Here are a few other things I'm loving from her shop:

I'm seriously thinking I might have to make a deal with Jules about Garrett's first birthday decor! Jules ya up for it?! ;) Jules is so amazing that she's giving one of my lucky readers a $10 credit to her shop to use on whichever of her amazing pieces you'd like! Enter via Raffelcopter below! Good luck! 

Easter Bunny Snack Mix

And our week of all things Easter continues! Today I'm sharing one of the most simple {yet adorable} Easter treats! Each ingredient is bunny shaped and cannot get any cuter!  Fluffy bunny marshmallows, crisp salty bunny shaped pretzels  and three flavors of delicous bunny shaped graham crackers!

With no baking or heating involved this is the perfect lil' treat to have the kiddos help with! It would make the most adorable little treat for a child's Easter party or package it up in Mason jars for a little spring treat! As I mentioned this is so simple to make!

I picked up the Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallows, Market Pantry Bunny Shaped Pretzels & Annie's Bunny Grahams from Target. Mix them all together & voila! I stuck with just the three ingredients but as a snack mix you really could add in whatever you'd like. Malted milk balls, jelly beans, spring colored M&M's are just a few others things that could be added. 

Next step?? Package this cute little bunny mix up and share it with your co-workers, friends and family!  I’m pretty sure my neighbors wouldn’t mind finding a little bag of this hanging on their door, either! And, be sure to toss a little baggy of goodness into lunch for the littles!

Easter Basket Goodness

I remember how magical Eastertime was for me as a child. We'd spend an afternoon before Easter dunking eggs into cups filled with dye. We always tried to see who could make the "coolest" egg and then forbid our parents from eating our favorite ones. On Easter morning we'd wake early and tip toe around the house searching high and low for our Easter baskets all while attempting not to wake our parents. When we'd exhausted our searches we'd finally give in and wake them knowing full well that their adult Easter basket hunting skills where much greater than our child ones. {Never mind the fact that I now know that their skills where only greater because they where the ones doing the basket hiding. Tricky, tricky mom and dad!} Once we found our baskets we'd crack open each plastic egg to reveal the goodies inside. We'd load inside the car then and make the treck to my grandparents where we'd enjoy a Easter feast and time with family! The afternoon sometimes involved an Easter egg hunt which meant more magical finds inside those tiny plastic eggs. 

Those are some memories that I'll forever carry with me. And memories that I can't wait to recreate with Garrett! I can't wait to see the smile on his face when he cracks those plastic eggs open for himself & jelly beans spill onto the floor!
I know that Garrett won't understand or remember Easter this year but do I care?! Nooooope. We are going all out!

Here are some ideas for Easter basket goodies for those littles!

Happy Baby Puffs l BlaBla Rabbit Doll l Tale Of Peter Rabbit l Stacking Bath Toys

Metal Bucket l My First Easter Bib l Rabbit Sippie l Nick Lachey: A Father's Lullaby l Easter Pj's

Happy Baby Puffs l Ragtails Fifi Rabbit l My First Easter Bib l Stacking Bath Toys

Felt Tulip Basket l Fancy Nancy's Elegant Easter l Triple Bow Bracelet l Rabbit Sippie l Easter Pj's 

I don't know about you but I'm dying over each and everything up there. Holidays as a child where always super exciting but I'm totally digging this holiday as a parent thing too! It may be jumping the gun totally a little but I've already thought of a few things to include in next years basket. Ekk. So much fun! We'll also start a fun Easter's Eve tradition this year! Some of you may have heard of it: you "plant" magic jelly beans on Easter's Eve and they "grow" into lollipops just in time for Easter morning. 

Oh.mmm.gee

You better believe I'll be all ova that! {never mind the fact that G babe can't enjoy magic beans or lollies yet}. 

So, scoot yourselves to Target. Beans & Lollis my friends. Beans & Lollies.

Ragtales Fifi the Rabbitdd

Ragtales Fifi the Rabbit

Pits & Peaks {Round 3}

Oh Friday we meet again! We've got gleams of sunlight shining from the sky and it's already almost 50*! Yesterday we opened all the windows and aired out the house! The breeze through the window felt incredible! It was long awaited for sure! I'm keeping up with the Pits & Peaks today as I have so, so much to be thankful for this week! I hope that you'll link up as well so I can read all about your week!

Pits & Peaks

Peak: While I'm incredibly nervous about jinxing any good luck that may be coming our way I've decided to share some HUGE news with you all...or at least little bits and pieces of it for now. I know that I've talked moving for quite awhile and even shared some of the houses I've fallen in love with {and had my heart broken over when I see the "sold" sign in the yard}. I think the selling & buying a new home is about to become a reality though! We're meeting with a few realtors this week & next to start the process! So, I'm looking for any/all advice on selling a home, buying a new home and the moving process! Any tips/tricks you found useful? We've spent the past two nights on the internet searching for a new home and driving around scouting out areas. Such fun!

Pit: I feel like I never have enough time in the day lately! There are SO many things I'd like to get done & I never seem to get anything done! I have crafts & recipes galore that I'd like to create, and so many fun things I'd like to do! I guess it doesn't help that I'm working a full time job and am a wife & momma. And, on top of that I'm doing my best to squeeze in precious blogging time & run a home business {Advocare} on top of it! I love everything I do so much though that I can't stand to give any of it up! 

Peak: Having today off to spend with my precious baby! Time seems to fly faster & faster as Garrett grows! This month he seems to be learning & changing SO rapidly! The house is spotless so today is all about doing a little shopping & a whole lotta playing!

Peak: I work this weekend {pit} but have Easter weekend off! I am so, so excited for Garrett's first Easter! Though he won't understand it in the least I'm more than excited for the two of us! I also looked ahead on my schedule and I'm off Mother's Day weekend! 

Pit: PMS week. Enough said. 

Peak: My vacation request for September was approved! As was hubby's! Now we just need to find somewhere to go! I would love, love to head to Mexico again but we're not sure that we're ready to take Garrett on a long flight & out of the country quite yet. I think Florida would be perfect! We just need to find "activities to keep busy with" as my husband isn't one to lay around on the beach and relax. Waaahh. That's my favorite part of vacation!

Also, be sure to enter the Beadsoul giveaway and the Bands or Babes giveaways! Both are fabulous shops & I'm so excited to have the honor of sharing them with you! Next week is going to be a fun week here at Life's A Dance! It will be a week packed full of Easter goodness! There will be crafts, treats, Easter basket ideas & some adorable Etsy shop goodness! You won't want to miss the newest edition to the Etsy Extravaganza either so be sure to visit next Thursday!

& there ya have it friends another round of Pits & Peaks! I'd love for you to link up with me so I can read all about the ups & downs of your week! 

Bands for Babes: Review & Giveaway

As a boy momma I don't worry so much about accessories, hair styles, or fashion for my little one. Because let's face it...baby boys are freaking cute in jeans & flannel...simple as that. I know though, that someday {hopefully} we'll have a baby girl and that all of those things will suddenly be beyond important. So, I'm always keeping my eyes open for darling shops for girls to, for when that day comes ya know. 

Today I've got an adorable shop to share with you: Bands for Babes! Carmela is a mommy to three & the creative mind behind Bands for Babes! She was first mommy to two boys & when her daughter arrived she began creating her favorite lil' girl accessory-hair bands. This led to opening her very own Etsy shop which is packed full of adorable things that every lil' girl needs! Carmela graciously sent me a headband & hair clip to review and then give away to one of my readers! 

These are the most darling little things! Carmela does an incredible job on making some of the cutest, most well made items! These are study, cute and her shop is BEYOND affordable! 

In fact, if you still need to do some Easter shopping for your little one be sure to check out her shop! Here are some more things I'm loving:

Seriously? Could headbands get any more adorable? I may or may not have numerous items saved in my Esty cart. And by may or may not I mean most certainly do! I'm just trying to figure out how I can order them and have them delivered without my husband finding out...he wouldn't be too happy to hear "bbbuuuttt I'm saving them...for the ffuuutttuuurrree" 

Anyway, one of you lovely ladies is about to get real lucky and win the above headband and hair clip for your little! Enter via Raffelcopter below! Good luck! 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway