Expecting or Need Baby Shower Gift Ideas? Check out the Cute New Precious Moments Overflowing With Love Collection (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Last week I was sent a few pieces from the Precious Moments Overflowing with Love collection, which is now available for purchase at over BedBathandBeyond.com.  Included in the box were these adorable products, which would make the perfect gift to give someone you know who is expecting, or to add to your new baby's nursery, as you eagerly await your bundle of joy's arrival, or celebrate their recent birth....

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"Whether it’s a welcome home or a first birthday gift, the sweet animals on this collection will warm the heart of mom and baby alike.  The Precious Moments Overflowing with Love collection is the perfect, classic addition to your modern nursery, adding a pop of color and fun to every little one’s room."

"Add a sweet touch to your nursery decor with the Noah's Ark Picture Frame from Precious Moments. Featuring Noah's menagerie on the bottom corner, this ceramic frame surrounds your photo with a precious message on the front."

Buy now from Bed Bath and Beyond for only $20.99

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"Add a touch of faithful style to your home with this Precious Moments Noah's Ark Waterball. Features Noah and his ark filled with all of God’s creatures beneath a musical snow globe that plays the tune “Jesus Loves Me".

Buy now from Bed Bath and Beyond for only $40.99

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"Help your little one feel content and comfy as they lay to sleep with the Precious Moments Noah's Ark Nightlight. Featuring an adorable hand-painted design on porcelain, this sweet accent utilizes LED lighting for a long-lasting glow."

Buy now from Bed Bath and Beyond for only $36.99

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Aren't these just the cutest?  You really have to see them up close to enjoy their true beauty.  They are so precious, and make you smile instantly just looking at them. :-)

I wish I could tell you my girls smiled the first time they saw them, but they were a little confused and upset.  They saw me pulling the Overflowing With Love Nightlight, Overflowing With Love Waterball, and Overflowing With Love Ceramic Frame out of their boxes to take a closer look, and wondered if I was keeping a secret from them. They knew these were gifts for a new baby, and wondered if it was for a new member of our family.  

I just had to share and the photo below I took of my oldest holding the ceramic frame.  You can see the "Oh no, what is going on?" look, followed by the eyes like "What aren't you telling me, Mom?"  :-)

Their daddy jokes all the time about getting a new baby, and that would mean they would have to share a room, less toys, and helping with diaper duty...and whenever he talks about it, you can see it bothers the girls.  They are content with being the two girls in the house and don't want to make room for another.  While it would be nice to have another baby, I am all set with the up all nights, diaper changes, potty training, etc.  The girls are now at the age that they are can do things on their own, and are also learning at the same pace, which helps with our homeschooling.  But, I will not lie...looking at these baby products from the Precious Moments Overflowing With Love collection, made me wonder what if would be like if we had another baby.  But, I happy with our little family, and wouldn't change it for the world. :-)

After reassuring my girls that they were not going to have to welcome a new baby into the house, they quickly changed their reaction and were all smiles, looking at the waterball, nightlight and ceramic frame.  

They asked what I was planning on doing with them, and if they could keep them.  I had a Noah's Ark theme for them when they were little and still have some of their nursery stuff on display in their playroom.  

Savannah wanted me to capture photos showing the Overflowing With Love Nightlight in the light, and when it was lit up in the dark....

My oldest daughter wanted the nighlight, while my youngest wanted the musical waterball.  She likes the “Jesus Loves Me" tune that this musical waterball plays, and said she would be extra careful with it, as not to drop and break it.  

I was thinking to gift these Overflowing with Love products to a dear friend who was welcoming her first baby and wasn't sure of a baby theme, but after seeing the girls get excited about the products, I decided to let them keep them, so that they and I could enjoy them. :-)  I will be buying these pieces, though, to gift to my friend, as they really are cute, and would make a great baby shower gift.

If you are expecting or have to buy for an upcoming baby shower, why not consider shopping the Precious Moments Overflowing With Love collection, available now at BedBathandBeyond.com?  I have been a fan of Precious Moments for forever and really love these new collections.  They really are adorable, and a gift that will be treasured for years to come.  To learn more about these and other new additions to the Precious Moments line, head on over to https://www.preciousmoments.com/ today.

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Young Girls with "Shine Bright" with the Playful and Fun Collection from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection - Available Now at Hallmark.com (Review)

Disclosure: I was provided with samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

It was so nice to see my girls wake yesterday feeling a little better.  They no longer were tearing up because of a painful sore throat that had started a couple days earlier.  Yes, they still had a runny nose and were a little tired, but they had that twinkle in their eye and more energy - maybe it was the medicine that gave them an energy boost :-)  - but, they were ready to tackle the day and hoped to make it to girl scouts and ballet classes.  My oldest woke early just to pack her leotard and ballet slippers in her new  “Sparkle” Ballerina Duffel Bag, from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection, all while snuggling up to her oh so adorable “I Believe In You” Precious Fancy Pal Stuffed Animal and “Little Dancer” Precious Dancer Doll Huggable Friend.

 plush toys she was eagerly waiting to show off to her friends, as she knew they would love them just as much as she does.

Last week, I was sent a box of goodies (see below) from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection which are available on Hallmark.com, for the girls to help me review.  

"Precious Moments Young Girls Collection offers affordable gifts for girls that sparkle with delightful details and inspirational words that encourage little dancers and big dreamers to believe in themselves and their precious dreams."

As soon as they saw me taking the ballet-themed/little dancer themed items out of the box, their eyes lit up, just like they did yesterday morning when they woke feeling better.  My girls started doing ballet and tap a couple years ago, and go twice a week to a dance studio. They love their teacher, Ms. Meghan, and have friends they look forward to seeing and dancing with.  My girls kept saying, "Oh, look how cute," or "Isn't that adorable," when I showed them each of the affordable gifts for girls from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection.  

Their favorite was the cute music jewelry box,which they had me capture video so you could hear the pretty song it played. :-)

They knew their dance friends and teacher would be just as excited and they were counting down the days until class to bring their new Sparkle Ballerina gifts to show off.  But, when they woke Monday with a fever, runny nose and raw sore throat, the first thing they asked was if they would be better for ballet and tap classes at the end of the week.  I told them that I didn't know and that we would have to wait and see, while resting and drinking lots of fluids.  Unfortunately, my girls are still not 100%, so they had to miss ballet tonight, and I will probably keep them home tomorrow from tap, as not to get the other kids sick, or pick up any more germs that make my girls sicker while they are battling this cold they have.  Because I knew they would be disappointed when I said we wouldn't be making class, I told them I had the next best thing...I would take photos of them showing off their new Precious Moments Young Girls Collection gifts and send to their ballet/tap teacher, who would then show their friends at class.  And, then, next week when they returned back, they could bring in and let their friends and teacher see their stuff up close.   

While it wasn't as good as being able to go to class, my girls agreed to pose for photos and have me send them off. I told the I was also sharing a post for my blog, so my readers would also be seeing their fancy gifts from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection, perfect for that special dancer/ballerina in your life.

Here are the photos I took - You will notice only my oldest daughter is in the photos, as my youngest didn't want to me to share hers. She said she wanted to wait and show her friends in person, before I could share online -- in case they or their moms were reading my blog.  She wanted it to be a special unveiling I guess. :-)  I will share her photos on my social media channels after class next week, as she looked adorable snuggling up with the “I Believe In You” Precious Fancy Pal Stuffed Animal, “Little Dancer” Precious Dancer Doll Huggable Friend.  I was only sent one of each, and knew my girls would each want their own, so I ordered another set, so there was no fighting.  These gifts are so affordable, that you can't go wrong in picking up another set, especially if you have two dancers/ballerinas in your life, who wouldn't want to share. :-)

In addition to the products I mentioned and shared photos above, there are also other affordable gifts from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection worth checking out....

Products from this collection include; “Shine Bright” Tutu, “Shine Bright” Unicorn Duffel Bag, “Sparkle” Ballerina Duffel Bag, “Dream Big” Unicorn Photo Frame, “Dance” Ballerina Photo Frame, “Believe” Ballerina Musical Jewelry Box, “I Believe In You” Precious Fancy Pal Stuffed Animal, “Little Dancer” Precious Dancer Doll Huggable Friend.

"Shine bright and dream big with whimsical, yet practical accessories from Precious Moments. Your daughter will head to play dates and after school activities in style with this collection that is perfect for dance classes and beyond. From tutus to duffel bags and stuffed animals, this young girl’s collection is perfect as a gift for little ones who love to perform at recitals, play dress-up and dream big!"

With the holidays fast approaching, these Precious Moments Young Girls Collection products would make for a great gift for that special "Shine Bright" dancer/ballerina in your life.  Their eyes will light up and sparkle when they unwrap these special gifts they will cherish.  Like I said, you can find the whole Precious Moments Young Girls Collection over at Hallmark.com.  So, what are you waiting for?  Why not get a jump start on your holiday shopping now, and get ready to hear "This is the best gift ever!" when you surprise that special girl in your life with gifts from the Precious Moments Young Girls Collection, this holiday season. :-)

Disclosure: I was provided with samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Mark Your Calendars...SMALLFOOT, the Upcoming Animated Movie Starring Channing Tatum, Zendaya, LeBron James, Gina Rodriguez, and Danny DeVito Arrives in Theaters on Sept. 28th!!

Disclosure:  I was provided with promotional product in exchange for promoting upcoming theatrical release.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.

My girls first started asking to see SMALLFOOT when they saw Channing Tatum get pummeled with snow at the Kids' Choice Awards, and then went to check out the movie trailer (scroll down to see official trailer).  After watching a few times and showing me, they went to our calendar and added SMALLFOOT's movie release on Sept. 28th. And, they have been counting down the days and know that we have a play date planned with a few of their friends to see this movie after it releases and when public school kids are at school.  My girls love walking into a theater when school is in session and having it all to themselves, instead of trying to find a good seat right when a movie releases.  And, another perk at our nearby theater is that they get free popcorn refills with our membership. Come on, who doesn't love movie theater popcorn?  I could eat this ever day if given to me. :-)

The other day I shared a post about how people think homeschooling kids lack socialization skills or a close knit circle of friends, or that they don't get sick as much.  I shared how right now both of my girls are sick, and home resting.  They must have picked up a cold when out at the different classes they attend or one of the many sports or extra curricular clubs they are apart of. They are always around kids every day -- either in classes or sports outside the house, or meeting up with friends after we finish school.  Like I said movie days and even field trips to aquariums and museums are the best during this time of year when kids are in public school, as they are less crowded and we have the places all to ourselves to truly enjoy and also learn at the same time.  

I had a reader email me and thank me for sharing about my homeschool experience as they were thinking about homeschooling their two children, but had resistance from friends and family, who questioned how they would socialize and keep friends if they weren't in school. I reminded her that school isn't a hang out place to be with friends all day. You are supposed to be sending your kids there to learn.  But, the beauty of homeschool is that learning takes place all around you, and your kids don't have to be stuck sitting at a desk 6-8 hours a day.  In a given week, my girls are taking nature classes, sailing and rowing classes, meeting up with girl scouts who are also homeschooled, and doing sports and even cooking classes with friends from preschool that they still keep in touch with, as well as friends they have made over the years they met at summer camps and sports.  

You don't need a school setting to make friends.  And, kids love being around other kids, even in new settings, to just play and have fun.  I love it when we go places and I see kids come up to my girls, or vice versa, and ask if they want to be friends and play together.  Then, they go run off and play for hours, as if they were friends forever.  And, while they may never see them again, if it isn't a weekly meetup, they still enjoyed the time with their "new" friends, and look forward to another time when they return and get to play and make new friends.

So, to say that homeschool kids don't have friends because they don't see them every day on the school bus or in class, is a misrepresenation. More and more people are choosing to homeschool their children because of the violence we are seeing in school, bullying, or the way kids are taught through common core and testing.  But, parents and children should not be looked at differently because they choose this education option for their kids.  My girls have flourished and are doing 4th grade work, and are only 6.5 and 8 years old.  Instead of being kept back because they love to learn, they are learning at their own pace and skill set, and loving every minute of it, while also having time during the day to read books that they want, take classes like rowing or sailing, or meetup with friends to see fun new movie releases like SMALLFOOT. :-)

I could go on and on about the benefits of homeschooling and how my girls have a great group of friends they have made along our homeschooling journey, but if you homeschool or know people who do (and accept their choice) then you know just how great an experience this learning can be.

Maybe we will see you at the empty movie theater after SMALLFOOT releases, to enjoy this soon to be hit movie. :-)

More about this movie:

"An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, “Smallfoot” turns a myth upside down when a bright young yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human.

News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

“Smallfoot” stars Channing Tatum (“The LEGO® Batman Movie,” the “Jump Street” films) , Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”), Common (“Selma”), LeBron James (upcoming “Space Jam 2”), Danny DeVito (“The Lorax,” Oscar nominee for “Erin Brockovich”), Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), and Yara Shahidi (TV’s “Black-ish”).  It debuts in theaters on September 28."

Disclosure:  I was provided with promotional product in exchange for promoting upcoming theatrical release.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.

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