Must have fashion fix for your jeans!

Jean MUST HAVES for every girls wardrobe! Love them...

I am short, so anyone who is short like me, knows that you have a love/hate relationship with the length in your jeans. Most of the time I will wear tall heels when I wear my jeans out, but every once in a while, I would like to throw on a pair of flip-flops on, but I can't because my jeans would drag on the ground and get frayed. So I have jeans that I wear with heels, and jeans I wear with flip-flops or flats. Well, how great are these fashion finds...

They are called Hem Gems, and they come in 4 different gems.
All you do is fold, clutch, tuck and fasten your gems to the bottom of your jeans, and there you go,  you have the perfect tailored jeans.

Hurry up ladies, grab yourself some Hem Gems...fall is around the corner...time to get ready for "jean season".

Photo: from Hem Gems


|| Your Desert Momma ||

Fun Scottsdale Toddler Classes - some of our fav's...



It's back to school time for our little ones in school.

But what about all the toddlers out there?

Fall classes for the little ones are starting up soon too.

Hurry, register for some fun classes for you and the little ones.



Waterbeads - great sensory activity for our tots! {Pinterest}



  

Scottsdale Parks and Recs



One of my favorite resources for some great classes in Scottsdale,

is through the Scottsdale Parks and Recreation.

You do not even need to be a Scottsdale resident to register.



Where to register and look up classes?:

Go to the Scottsdale Parks and Rec's main website: click here

Then you can start browsing through the activities they offer. Classes are very reasonable $45 and up for several weeks of fun!

Here are some of the classes that we have tried and loved:

Gym-Mania - 6 week class/1 hr/wk 

Moovin and Groovin - 18mo-35mo

Twoosy Doodler (Abrakadoodle) - art class for toddlers...love it.

Some other popular classes they offer include Messy Art for tots, Sportball Jr. for tots, and lots more.

No Account?Call (480)312-7957 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm to get one or email lhildenbrand@scottsdaleaz.gov with your name, address and phone. Please include immediate family members who live at your address and their birthdates if they are under 18 that you plan to register for a program, now or in the future.



Painting a butterfly in Kindermusik!



What about a music class? We love Kindermusik!



There are classes all over the valley: go to their website here, and look up one close to you. You will love them, and so will your toddler!

Click here for a free trial class.

And...I have already mentioned how much I love our new ISR swim class..and I am going to mention it again. It is a must do class, for anyone who wants their child to learn how to respect and survive in the water. Infant Swim Self Rescue Website

Have a fun this fall in your classes!

|| Your Desert Momma ||

National Coffee Month





Pinterest



Did you know that August is National Coffee Month. Yes that is right, coffee month in the middle of hot, sweltering month of August. Do you see something wrong with this picture? Well, lets talk coffee and such then...

One of my new favorite apps these days is my Starbucks Card Mobile...

With Starbucks for iPhone, Starbucks Card Mobile for iPhone and BlackBerry, and Starbucks for Android™, you can check your balance, reload your card with any major credit, view your transactions and conveniently track your Stars is the My Starbucks Rewards program on your BlackBerry, Android and iPhone or iPod Touch! Just scan and go.

Starbucks Card Mobile for iPhone: Click here for App

Starbucks Card Mobile for BlackBerry: Click here for App

Starbucks Card Mobile for Android: Click here for App



And if you want to make some yummy Iced Blended Coffee drink....try this:



Pinterest



Make a batch of coffee, twice as strong as you like it, or cold brew some coffee till nice dark color.

 Pour coffee into ice cube trays and freeze.

Place frozen coffee ice cubes in your blender. Once frozen, add several cubes to blender, and add any flavored syrup, etc if you want. Add half and half (or milk), just to cover the cubes. Then just blend. Adjust the syrup and milk if needed to taste. Yum!

The coffee iced cubes are great, to add to any iced coffee recipe, especially when it's over 100 degrees out there, and the ice melts faster than you can drink it! Cheers!

|| Your Desert Momma ||

Summer is almost over...but drownings never end...

 Before my daughter was born, I was getting advice about what swim lessons I should start her in. Being in a town, where practically every backyard has a pool, swim lessons are a must for our kids.

Early this spring, I started her in toddler group swim classes and she was not a big fan. She cried every class for the entire thirty minutes, it was so sad, and I wasn't convinced she was really learning how to cope and respect the water.

Over the summer, it was very scary for her to be around water. She would always jump in the pool and if I wasn't there, she would sink right down to the bottom. She was not afraid of the water at all, and that was scary for me. I decided to take my friends advice, and signed her up for the ISR-Infant Swim Self Rescue classes. That has been the BEST thing I have ever done, EVER! The best money we have spent on her to date. She is on her second week of lessons, she can know jump off the edge, and swim to steps, all by herself. It's so crazy. I recommend this class to anyone who has children. The class is ten minutes per day, everyday for 6-8 weeks. Our instructor comes to our house, it's very easy and we love it.

Here is a video of her just at two weeks into the six week class. AMAZING.

|| Your Desert Momma ||

A big thank you to my dear friends Carrie and Meredith for pushing me to do this class. Thank you.

Caterpillars...Butterflies...sent from above!



Butterfly coloring page

This is a really fun project to do with your little one to get us through these last few weeks of summer. Witness the wonder of the butterfly life-cycle. It is so much fun to have your little one, watch the caterpillars transition as it grows, changes into a chrysalis, and finally emerges into a beautiful butterfly. It usually takes about 3 weeks to become a butterfly, and you store inside and the release butterfly outside.

To get started:



1. You will need, your larvae, and a mason jar.
2. You can have your little one decorate the mason jar while you wait for the little insect to come.
3. For the lid, you can use a very breathable fabric to allow circulation.

**Order your little future butterfly at Insect Lore: Click on Insect Lore.

Here is also a great video on this experience you can share with your little one:

Caterpillar to Butterfly

Here are some pics from our experience.



Caterpillar in her cocoon.



It hatched!





Hatched, but hasn't opened her wings yet!





Finally...a Beautiful Butterfly!



 

So much fun, we are thinking about doing it again! Hope you are having a great summer.

| Your Desert Momma |

On a personal note: My daughter recently brought her little larvae home from class this summer. We had so much fun checking on it everyday. We stored it in our laundry cabinet, and everyday she would go, "Moma...buga" and go to the laundry to see how the caterpillar changed. Then on June 26th my grandmother suffered a severe stroke, and was unresponsive in the hospital. My family and I, hopped on a plane to be by her side as she prepare to rest in peace. On June 30th, my grandmother became our angel from above and went to heaven. On that same day, my daughter's butterfly hatched at our home. I believe in my heart that my daughter's "GG" to come and say "hello" to her in the way of the butterfly. So now, every time my daughter and I see a butterfly, I know and say, that "GG's" with us.

If you would like to read more on how butterflies connected to my family, during death...you can visit my personal blog http://toggwithlove.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/butterfly/

This was dedicated to my Grandmother and GG, Melba. We will always love you.



Quick break -

I wanted to send a quick note, to let all you loyal fans and family out there..that I have not gone away, rather, I have had a death in the family...and I am planning to start this blog back stronger than ever, in the near future. Recent events, may have shaken me a bit, but will never waiver in my passion. And that passion is what I am doing with you all. I will be talking to you all soon. Keep positive! And to put a quote in for my late Grandmother..."if I could make up a holiday, I would make up a, "Mind your own business" day. :) It might not have anything to do with this blog..but love her quotes, so had to put it. :) Live your dream, forget the rest!
Thank you for all your support,
| Your Desert Child |

Fun 4th of July Jell-O treats!

Need something fun to bring to your 4th of July parties this weekend?

How about a Jell-O shot (or Jell-O snack for kiddos)?

There are several versions of this cute little treat, but here is what I came up with...

Watermelon Shooters

1 pckge of Watermelon Jello-O

1 Cup Boiling water

1 Cup Malibu Rum-Island Melon Liquor

Optional: 1 tsp Organic Blue Agave - (I used Strawberry)

Optional: Chia Seeds (I found mine at local Sprouts Farmers Market)

or you could use choc covered sunflower seeds, or basil seeds, even poppy seeds would work.

4-5 Limes -cut in half, pulp removed

Combine Jell-O mix with boiling water until powder is dissolved. 

Add cold Rum (preferably cold). Add Agave nectar.

Align the lime "cups" close together in a shallow pan, so all the limes hold each other up. Slowly spoon the Jello-O mixture into the cups. (If a little goes into pan, it's okay). Freeze for up to two hours or refrigerate for 4+ hours. Once Jello-O is set, cut the lime halves into quarters. I found it best to do this Jello-O side down, using a serrated knife to cut through the lime. Once all Jello-O limes are quartered, then lightly sprinkle black seeds to make the image of watermelon seeds. Enjoy!

If you would like to make virgin shooters....



Jello Shooters- Fun

Follow instructions on Jell-O package, but pour in hollowed out orange or lemon rinds. Cute! 

Happy "Shooting"!



| Your Desert Momma |