The Crocheting Mom

Hey there, crochet friends! 💕 I can’t even tell you how much fun it’s been seeing all of you create the cutest, coziest things from my patterns! From giggly kids to proud makers showing off their projects, these five crochet patterns have completely stolen the show. Each one links right to my Etsy shop so you can grab your favorite and start hooking up something special today! 🛸 Crochet Lightsaber Pattern – For Every Little Jedi This one makes me smile every single time! My Crochet Lightsaber Pattern is perfect for the little Star Wars fans in your life, or the big kids who never grew out of their Jedi dreams. ⚡ It’s beginner-friendly, colorful, and totally safe for playtime duels. The best part? You can whip up a whole collection in all your favorite colors faster than you can say “May the yarn be with you!” 🎀 Crochet Curly Q Wig Pattern – Instant Giggles...

My daughters both have June birthdays, and this year they turned 12 and 8!  Where has the time gone?  With everything going up in flames this year, and everything closing, we had to cancel our summer trip back to Rhode Island.  We can't do many of the fun things we would've done such as birthday parties, The Children's Museum , the Indianapolis Zoo, or even the public pools.  We wanted to get the girls something that would get them outside.  We wanted it to be exciting for them and something that (GASP) they could do together! 

I am part of the MyMagazine Sharing Network, and for my honest review, they send me free products to try out. When I was offered the option of trying out Stok Cold Brew coffee, I accepted immediately.  I love coffee.  I live on coffee.  If it wasn't for coffee, I don't think I would make it through my day.  Seriously.  With the three kids, two school-aged and one toddler, I need coffee to give me the energy to get everything done in the day.  Between carting the kids around to activities, regular household duties, crocheting, blogging and everything in between, I have a lot to get done each day.  

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and as a mom who knows how hard it can be to find the perfect gifts for Father’s Day (yep, I said it 😅), I thought I’d help some of you out. I’ve put together a list of gifts that I have found on Etsy, with various price ranges, that I believe any mom would love. I know I’d love to get any of these items (hint hint to the husband…). I have listed them in no particular order, so enjoy! One thing to note: When I emailed all these sellers about permission to use their photos, they all responded within a few hours!!! Great customer service!

I have kids, hence the Mom Blog.  With kids, comes messes.  I have a few stains on my carpets, that regular cleaner has not been able to get out.  They have been there for a couple months, and I have not wanted to fork over $100 to have someone come in and professionally clean my carpets. So when I was offered a free bottle of STAINMASTER Carpet Cleaner , for my honest review, I was eager to try it.  I hate paying for stuff that I don't know is going to really work or not,  so it's hard for me to find something that I can have as a go-to.  I'm writing this review to hopefully help others out there with the same problem.   Kids .  Oops, I mean, the MESSES that kids leave!

I finally got a goodie box!  I have been commenting on their Facebook page for a couple months, and I finally lucked out and got one sent to me.  They said it would be about 3-4 weeks before I got it, which was fine by me, because I actually won one!  I feel like it took a while, but in all reality, a couple of weeks isn't that long. Anyways, it came in the mail the other day, and it was like Christmas morning for me, checking it all out, excited about trying everything, all the while swatting away my children who were trying to grab it all from me.  LOL.

My 8 year old daughter LOVES to play games.  It started way back when she was younger with memory.  A great game for her, because she found something she can always beat Mommy at!  She was drawn to most games, naturally because her parents are also very competitive. Board games, card games, mental games (I spy...) and physical games (basketball) were all fair game for games.  Lately, she really enjoys playing card games though.  Maybe it's because she's realized that I will say yes more often than not to card games, because I love them as well.  Playing cards reminds me of when I used to sit and play double solitaire and cribbage with my Grandfather.  So when she asks, it's usually a YES of course!

Do you need more energy during the day?  I know, that's just a silly question.  It's more rhetorical than anything.  Whether your a parent, a student, or just someone who works hard for the money..(sorry, had too), we all need a little pick me up throughout the day.  There are many people who have a strong aversion to coffee, and some who can only drink maybe one cup of it a day.  Then there are people who LOVE tea, and people who can't stand it, like me.  So what is one to do, when one has had enough coffee, and doesn't like tea?  I have the answer for you!

I love Melissa and Doug products! They are so well made, and are very educational and developmentally appropriate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  As an affiliate with Melissa and Doug, they have given me permission to let you all know about an amazing deal they are having right now!!!!  By clicking on my link posted in this article, you will receive 20% your total order over $50!! Those are amazing savings.  Hint, Hint:  It's never too early to start Christmas shopping!!

I was reviewing some of my older posts earlier and one in particular caught my eye.  I had written about things that are not needed when preparing for a new baby.  While that is important information (that can be read here ) so that you don't waste your money, I thought it would be even smarter to inform all of the new parents of items that are essential.  I have 3 children, and while I am definitely not a parent expert, I have been around the block a few times, and have learned the ins and outs of what's really needed.

I was very excited to try out my newest product I received in the mail the other day.  As a member of BzzAgent , I get free product samples in return for my honest opinion.  When I was asked to join this campain, I eagerly accepted.

     It's in a pouch so it's gotta be good right??      Well, as a member of BzzAgent, where I receive free items in exchange for reviewing them, I recently got the new version of GoGo Squeeze.  My girls have always loved food in a pouch, even since they were babies.  We have often picked up the applesauce varieties of GoGo squeeze at the supermarket.  So, when I received these that also have veggies, I knew my girls would love them.  And they did!  We picked out the Boulder Berry flavor, but they also come in Pedal Pedal peach (apple, peach, and sweet potato), Zippin" Zingin' Pear (apple, pear, and carrot), and Great'full Grape (apple, sweet potato, and grape)

     I am a part of a site called BzzAgent. They send me free products to try out, in exchange for me doing a review. Recently, I was given a can of Dove's Dry Spray Antiperspirant. I was a little leery about trying this deodorant at first. I have had bad experiences in the past with deodorants that just do not last long enough on me, or are not strong enough. Especially while I'm pregnant and nursing, all my hormones are out of whack, and I really need a strong deodorant to get me through the day. I usually have to use the Mitchum brand, because it's the only one that is strong enough. So, although I love the Dove brand for other products such as shampoos and body wash, I just wasn't sure about this.

If you are a parent of a toddler, you know the struggle of sippy cups. Sure, they are advertised as spill proof, but are they really? If you are like me, you've gone through a variety of brands that just don't seem to work great. Either the child figures out how to manipulate the spout to make milk come out, or likes to shake it upside down to make it “rain.” How about the dreaded instance when she throws the cup down so she can see a white puddle form at the base of the table? All of these situations are definitely not ideal. Don’t even get me started about the fear of giving your toddler a milk cup in the car! Who wants spilled, smelly milk all over your upholstery? I sure don't!

     As being part of the Bzz Agent community, they send me free products to try out and review.  Recently, I was given an art set.  I was really excited about this, because one of my 6 year olds favorite things to do is art!  When the mail came, Ashley and I were happy to review Doh Vinci .

      I got to try another great items thanks to BzzAgent. The Special K Moments, indulgent snack bites, arrived at my door and I was excited to try them out, as always.         They claim that these are 3 bite snacks and are only 70 calories.  If you are looking for something small that's sweet and can cure the common sweet tooth, then these are your snacks!  The are small, in my opinion only 2 bites, snacks that are quick to eat, without the guilt of consuming a lot of calories.  I've tried them both, and they both have the consistency of a rice krispy treat, airy and light.  I enjoyed both flavors.  The caramel pretzel bites had a great sweet and salty combination, while the dreamy coconut flavor had more of a rich sweetness.  

     As a member of BzzAgent, I have received a free Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza for free, to try and then review.  From what I understand, those on a gluten free diet, are not allowed anything made with wheat, which includes pizza dough, until now.  Now Freschetta has come up with a way for people who want to, or have to, live a gluten free life, to still enjoy a slice of pizza.  Because who doesn't love pizza right?

     For lent this year, my husband and I went on Nutrisystem , so basically we gave up food!  My husband had done it the previous year for a few months, and had good results, so both him and I decided to do it again for a few months.  First of all, if you are going to do it, you might as well commit to  at least two months.  They make it cheaper if you sign up for automatic renewals, which means a second  month must be added.  

     I am a member of BzzAgent, who graciously give me free items in exchange for a reviews.  This time, I gladly received a 3 pack of BIC Soleil Glow razors .  I alway like receiving these types of items, because, as most people probably do, you find one you like and stick with it.  This forces me to try other brands and see what else is available to me!

     Ever since we got our dog, Daisy, she has been a fast eater.  I've seen dogs eat quick before, but this is crazy.  I swear she doesn't even chew her food.  It's gone in about 10 seconds.  We got her from the pound when she was 2, so maybe she didn't get much food before.  Who knows what her life was like.  Maybe she had to fight for food, so the quicker she ate it, the more she would get.  Or maybe, she's just a fast eater.