Another WINNER

Congratulations to:

Anne Molino

You have won the Anne Maddox Boutique Giveaway!! 

Please check your email, or email me!!

Thanks and Congrats!!!

Yellow Friday Shopping!!!

SHOP YELLOW FRIDAY at  The Chirping Moms!

Yellow Friday, Spring Fling edition, has FINALLY arrived!
All shop deals are revealed below.  In the next few hours, keep an eye on the blog   for follow-up posts  with more information about each shop and details on their deal.  All deals will run through Sunday at midnight. There are LOTS of great deals at fantastic stores.  If you have any questions, feel free to email the chirpingmoms@gmail.com. We are so excited to bring this fun shopping extravaganza to you!
EVERY shop is using the same code:  yellowfriday 
Anne Riggs Designs:  Spend $50 in shop and get a free set of 25 makeup/facial pads AND mesh laundry bag, value $16 The BBQ Pantry:  20% off Baxter & Beatrice:  25% off The Beaufort Bonnet Company:  15% off  Carly Megan:  25% off Dolphin Organics:  25% off sunscreen and aloe based lotion The Idea Box:  25% off The Little Crane:  10% off London Times:  30% off Love Bubs:  20% off Messy Kids Designs: Buy One Shirt, Get Another One 50% off Mis-Tee-V-US:  25% off Miss Monogram:  15% off and Free Bow when you spend over $100 Missy Madewell:  25% off Olivia and Owen:  20% off Posh Princess Bowtique:  20% off The Recycled Bin:  "Spend More, Save More" deal...see detailed post for more info! Refined Inspirations:  20% off Ruffles and Twirls:  20% off Sila Boutique:  15% off Simply (Darr)ling:  20% off Smock Your Tot Website or Etsy Shop or Facebook:  20% off Snapping Turtle Kids:  30% off Starlight Woods:  15% off Owl Be Sweatin:  15% off Wild Sprout Design:  20% off
Again, EVERY shop's coupon code:  yellowfriday.
Thank you for shopping with The Chirping Moms!
Earn entries in the giveaway below by shopping or sharing these deals on social media! You could win a $25 Amazon.com gift card!  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Time: Anne Maddox Boutique

May has become giveaway month here on Life with Leahy!! 

One door closes and another opens!! 

Last month I teamed up with the FABULOUS Anne Maddox Boutique! 

She has simply amazing creations in her Etsy store... headbands, shirts, dresses... CUTE!!

She recently sent me this adorable shirt and headband set for Mckenna

I talked about them HERE

And GUESS WHAT?!?
Now's your chance to win!!

Good luck!!
Winner will be chosen on the 23rd!

Visit Anne Maddox Boutique on FACEBOOK or ETSY!!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners

I have realized that I never posted any of the winners of my giveaways on my blog. I have been posting them on my Facebook page and the winners have claimed immediately, so I have totally forgotten to post them here. 

I am so sorry!! I will be sure to change that in the future!!

Winners:

Tabitha K. - Shutterfly Giveaway

Rachel S - O Jolie Designs

Sara N - Stitched 4 Ewe

Andrea R - Origami Owl

Lindsay P - Giggly Gumdrops

Thanks for everyone that has entered!! More fun giveaways to come!!

Five Fabulous Friday Finds

Welcome for another addition of Five Fabulous Friday Finds! 

Today I am featuring 5 fun finds from a new blogger share event! My blogger friend Leslie (she designed my super cute blog) has started hosting a blog share party on Thursday's! I headed over to her post to share a few projects and found some amazing finds!! Hope you enjoy them! 

Visit Leslie's blog HERE!

So I found Carrie's blog where she has started a 30 day challenge wearing only 30 different pieces of clothing for those 30 days! Wow! Not sure I could do that Carrie!!

 

 Source: 30x30 Day Challenge

I LOVE using my crockpot!! Here are 7 new crockpot recipes! 

These look like some new yummy recipes! 

 

Source: 7 Easy Crockpot Recipes

Thai Chicken Salad! Sure sounds like a yummy dinner on a summer evening!

 

Source: Thai Chicken Salad

I am ALL ABOUT play spaces for kids!!! Love this one on Jessica's blog!!

Source: Toddler Play Area

I love star decor. I have none in my home. Maybe that should change!

Source: Yardstick Star

Reader Creations: Elephant Birthday Party

I am back with another edition of Reader Creations! 

This week I am featuring my blogger friend Holly and her son Caleb's First Birthday Party!

Holly blog's over at The Morrison's.... swing on by and tell her you saw her feature here!

Holly's son Caleb turned 1 back in March and she hosted an elephant party for him! 

 

She chose an elephant theme, as all of his monthly growth pictures were taken next to a 

stuffed elephant!! So cute!

They hosted their party in the banquet room at the country club, so I love how she used such classy decor, that was simple, tasteful, yet fit so perfectly with the theme!! 

Love these favor bags and favors! 

 

And what about this high chair decor!

 

 There's the cutie pie birthday boy in the shirt his Mama made him!

 

Okay, so she has lots of pictures on her blog about this party! 

I just love it!! Swing on by to check them out!! 

Thanks Holly (and Caleb) for letting me feature your party!! 

Guest Post and Giveaway!!!

Today my guest post on Fireflies and Jellybeans was posted!!!! 

Go check it out!!!

Also, don't forget about our giveaway going on HERE!!!

Leibster Award

I am thrilled to announce that I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by 

Abbi from Seasons of a Homemaker!

Abbi's blog is GREAT! It has some AMAZING printables to get you organized and on track. She has recipes, weight loss tips organizational tips, marriage support links, and so much more! You have to check out her blog!! Thanks for the nomination Abbi!

So what exactly is a Liebster Award, you ask? Great question! First, Liebster is German for "sweetheart" or "dearest." The Liebster Award is given to up-and-coming blogs of less than 200 followers. Once you have been nominated for a Liebster award, your standard bloggy protocol is as follows:

• Thank your nominator! Include a link back to their blog in your verbal hug :)
• Answer the 11 questions given to you by your nominator
• Post 11 facts about yourself
• Nominate 5-11 {I've seen various numbers} other up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers for the award--no tag backs!
• Come up with 11 questions for your nominees to answer
• Let your nominees know you nominated them so they too can pass on the Liebe! {German for "Love"}

My 11 questions answered:  

1. Why did you start your blog? What were your goals? I started my blog as a fun way to document my daughter, Mckenna's, growth and milestones. I enjoyed reading other "Mommy Blogs" and thought it would be fun. My goal was to post 1-2 times per week and document the stuff we did. That was it!
2. Who are your blogging role models? I love reading Kelly's Korner, The Francis Family, Lambert's Lately, and The Busy Budgeting Mama. I love how these ladies share about their daily lives and all the good "Mommy" stuff they are going through! Now that I am blogging about other things than my sweet kiddos, I love seeing how Leslie and Natalie have a business side to their blog. 
3. Your perfect day would be? A lazy, easy going morning at home with my girls and hubby, followed by a fun afternoon out and about on a little outing.
4. Food you would pack for one year? Well, if you ask Mckenna, all I need is Coffee and Salad... but if I had to make some choices, they would be coffee, pizza, and greek salads. Weird and random!
5. Favorite quote? My quote that I framed in my kitchen for the year is, "Slow down... you might miss something important." So important with little kiddos!
6. Blog post or posts your proud of? I love that I have documented similar events from year to year (first spring trip to the zoo each year), so I can look back and see how much we've grown! This was my first post that I wrote that someone pinned my project to Pinterest! That was fun to be told!
7. What made you fall in love with your husband? Wow! I have no clue how to answer this one! Ha! Sorry honey. We've been together so long (14 years) I don't remember not loving him! That sounds really corny!!
8. Money was no object and you already had the education necessary, what would you do when you grew up? Right now I would love to have my own business doing whatever I felt like doing! Photography, party planning, something crafty, creative.... which really is the complete opposite of my career!
9. Guilty pleasure? Ummm.... sitting on the computer late at night on the couch while my whole family sleeps (right now I'm doing this). I'm so tired, but it's quiet and I can think!
10. Favorite charity to donate to? Why? I don't really have a favorite charity, though we mostly donate to organizations that benefit families and children. We do quite a few 5K's that benefit various organizations. We also support organizations that have deep meaning to several of our friends... Autism Speaks, Ronald McDonald House.
11. What is the BEST thing about you? I am really bad at these questions.... So I will stick with that I love my girls and I love enjoying fun experiences with them. I'm a Mom who wants to do activities with my kids, experience and explore with them and see the world thru them.

Questions for my nominees....

1. Best book you've ever read?
2.  Blog post/project you're most proud of? 
   
3. Accomplishment you're most proud of?
4. First blog you remember reading?
   
5. Favorite childhood memory? 
   
6. Your biggest pet peeve? 
7.  Best vacation you've ever had?  
8. Beauty product you couldn't live without?
   
9. Choose two different scoops of ice cream for one cone. What are they? 
   
10. Something you've learned recently? 
11. Describe your perfect date night

11 facts about me

1. I'm obsessed with organization projects.
2. I love having a kegerator in my back yard!
3. My bedroom is always a disaster!
4. I hate working out.
5. I drink coffee all the time.
6. I have 3 tattoos.
7. I started a garden... I know nothing about gardening.
8. I hate doing laundry.
9. I dream of winning the lottery... but I don't play the lottery! Ha!
10. I love Vince Vaughn. I hate Will Farrell. (I'm watching a Vince Vaughn movie right now)
11. I used to be on the Chevy Pride Crew for the Chicago White Sox... I would average attending/working 60+ games a season during those years.

I nominate:

Brianne from Life as We Know it with Autism and Allergies
Sarah from The Family Dunkley
Tamara from The Workout Mama
 Holly from The Morrison's Blog

Kids Crafts

Today on Kelly's Korner she is doing a feature on Kids Crafts. 

As you know, we do a lot of crafting around here! 

Many days Mckenna is asking for crafts by 7am... fun!

I find a lot of (most of) our crafts on Pinterest. 

I have several different Pin Boards devoted to various kids crafts. 

Because my little crafting queen likes crafts so much, I usually try to have 3-4 different types of crafts or crafty activities planned for during the week. This usually just involves me flipping through my Pinterest boards on Sunday night thinking of what we could make and what supplies we have. 

Here are a few that we have made recently:

            

I recently added a link to my header that features a link to my "For the Kids" activities. Find it HERE

I also wrote a while back about how we organize our art supplies. You can find that post: HERE

Now don't get me wrong, we do the simple things like color, playdoh and paint, as well... but Mckenna would seriously sit and color or do playdoh ALL DAY! 

Sometimes we all need a little change! 

Have a great day!

Five Fabulous Friday Finds

 

 Here are Five Fabulous Finds of my week! 

I hope you enjoy them as much as I am!!

FREE Spring Printable Banner

 

Dressing Up Rice Krispy Treats

 

Peanut Butter Pretzel Caramel Magic Bars 

 

ABC Tree 

 

 Autism Awareness Printables

Our Favorite Kids Books

This week on Kelly's Korner she is featuring posts about kids books.

At our house we LOVE books! We have baskets and baskets of books. A lot of these are from my baby shower when I was pregnant with Mckenna. The great hostesses had each guest bring a book instead of a card. I know this is a growing trend... And I just love it! What a perfect way to start a book library!

Now that Mckenna has gotten older, our book choices have slowly grown and changed. Although she loves some of our classics (Brown Bear and Snuggle Puppy) because she can "read" them, our nightly reads currently involve princesses, Pinkaliciois, and any other Disney character!

A BIG favorite at our house are these sets of Disney "Me-Readers". Have you seen them before?? They are perfect for little ones! Mckenna got her first set around 2 1/2... And we have collected all three sets they make! I highly recommend them!

They are a set of 8 books with a "remote", as Mckenna calls it. The remote is a little electronic device that reads the books to the kids. The device has a shape that coordinates with a shape on the page in the book, so the kids know which page they are on and can follow along. Mckenna will sit and "read" book after book! A great way to get kids excited to read and build confidence doing it independently! As they get older the device could get put away and the books read aloud!

They make a princess set, a Disney Pixar set and a Disney Classics set. We love them all!
We've gotten them from Amazon and at Kohl's!

Happy reading!!


Linking Up:
No Time for Flash Cards

GIVEAWAY: Origami Owl Gift Certificate

It's that time again... GIVEAWAY TIME!

Erica Petro, Independent Designer of Origami Owl 

has graciously offered a $20.00 gift certifcate 

to one lucky Life with Leahy reader!!

Are you ready to design your own locket!! These lockets are so cute! 

Perfect for Mother's Day! 

It's only a month away!!

Maybe you will win the gift certificate... Bam! 

Mother's Day gift ready to go!

And even if you don't win... check out Erica's website to see what you could design today! 

Click the image above to be taken directly there!

GOOD LUCK!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway






 

Linking Up: Homemaker on a Dime
Someday Crafts

Little Bit of SPONSOR LOVE!

APRIL

A new month... and that means a few NEW sponsors to Life with Leahy, 

along with a few RETURNING sponsors! 

Please join me in welcoming them all!
Click on any of the images to be taken directly to their website/store!

Giggly Gumdrops is returning for another fun month at Life with Leahy!
Thank you to Crystal for my first giveaway in March! We had a great time launching it!

Giggly Gumdrops has adorable vinyl creations that are affordable for any budget!
She will create custom pieces, as well, so you can personalize anything for your home!

Visit Giggly Gumdrops by clicking on the image above or visit them on Facebook!




Stitched4Ewe is back, too!
Have you been keeping up with her on Facebook!
She has just gotten some FABULOUS new products in!
Look at these Shabby Chic Clips! Perfect for Spring!
I can't wait to get my hands on some for a couple of little girls I know!

 

As a special for Life with Leahy readers, Jenn is offering FREE shipping on any domestic orders of $15.00 or more!! Just enter the code: LIFEWITHLEAHY at checkout!
Visit Stitched4Ewe on Facebook, too! 

Be on the lookout for a giveaway from Stitched 4 Ewe later this month!!!

 

Origami Owl - Erica Petro Independent Designer
Origami Owl is back again for the month of April!
Have you looked into these lockets yet? They are SUPER cute! And they are designed by YOU!
Origami Owl gives you the chance to build your own jewelry! You can personalize a locket for yourself using different charms, chains, stamped plates and cute dangles! 
What a perfect gift for Mother's Day!!

Look for a giveaway from Origami Owl starting.... TOMORROW!
Visit Erica's Origami Owl site!  Check her out on Facebook HERE!!




WELCOME to our NEW Sponsors!

Kim Viravec is a new Disney Travel Specialist.
She can assist you with planning and booking your trips to any Disney location!
Best of all - her services are FREE!!
Disney has promotion going on right now for up to 30% off of select resorts when traveling this summer!

My favorite thing about using a Disney Travel Specialist... you can get any new deals if they are released after you book! No more waiting and shopping around for the "best" prices!!
Contact Kim by clicking on the Mickey head above! It will take you right to her Facebook page!




O'Jolie Designs offers hand stamped jewelry for Men, Women and Children!
All of the pieces are hand crafted sterling silver. From the hand-cut circles, to the hand-stamped letters on each piece, the designs are all custom made for YOU!

Back for Father's Day I got Jim one of their hand-stamped Men's bracelets, similar to this...
I had both girls names stamped onto it. It is awesome!



 O'Jolie pieces would make great Mother's or Father's Day gifts!!
Visit O'Jolie Designs on Etsy by clicking the picture above, or visit their Facebook page HERE!
Erin will be hosting a giveaway on her Facebook page next week... and hosting a giveaway on
Life with Leahy in the next couple of weeks!! Be on the lookout!

Once Upon a Lens Photography is a little project I have been working on! 

It is MY new photography business!
If you are local to the Chicago area (and the surrounding suburbs) and interested in an in-home
or on location photo shoot of your children or family, please check out my site!
Don't forget about all of those special events coming up, too!
First Communion, Graduation, Senior Pictures and Prom

Additionally, I am featuring Small Event Photography.
So, if you have an upcoming birthday party, bridal/baby shower or graduation party coming up,
let me be the one responsible for capturing all the special moments!

What a fun line up of sponsors!! I am beyond thrilled to feature all of these great businesses!!
Keep on the lookout for all of the great giveaways coming soon!!

 

I will be accepting new additional sponsors for May-August.
Please email me or comment on this post for more information!

5 Fabulous Friday Finds

Fabulous Friday Finds! 

Here are some fun things I have scoped out this week!! 

 Fun tips, recipes and cute ideas!! 

Skinny Au Gratin Potatoes

These look super yummy!! And a skinny recipe!

Find them HERE

 

I have never heard that you should wash strawberries in vinegar to keep them fresh longer!
Find it HERE

 

What an AMAZING idea for a photo background!!
Want to know a secret project I have been working on??? Go HERE!!
Shh!! More info coming soon!!
Find the photo background idea HERE!

I have a little open space on my canvas gallery wall that I REALLY want a wood sign for....
now I just need to find some old wood!
Find it HERE

What a cute little bunny craft. My kiddo BEGS for crafts ALL. DAY. LONG!!
HERE it is!

FIVE FABULOUS FRIDAY FINDS!!!

My Favorite Vacation Destination

 This week Kelly is doing a feature on favorite vacation spots... click HERE to check them out!
She featured vacations a couple of years back and I shared about our FAVORITE vacations!!!
I can't resist sharing again!! We love Hawaii!

If you know me at all, then you already know about my favorite vacation spot! Hawaii!!!
We have been to 4 of the Hawaiian islands (so far!). Maui is our favorite!

Our first trip to Maui & Oahu was for our honeymoon in 2005!

This is at the Old Lahaina Luau

View from our condo in Maui - 2005

View of Honolulu from top of Diamondhead Volcano

Our second trip to Hawaii came 3 years later in 2008. For this trip we spent 18 days traveling the Big Island, Kauai and Maui. It was an amazing trip!

Our first stop... Big Island
Beautiful sunset

Snorkeling with sea turtles! They were right up near the shore! Amazing!
Hiking through lava tubesGolfing

Visiting the active volcano - we even saw lava flowing into the Pacific - truly amazing
The next island we hopped over to was Kauai. Going from an island which has been covered in lava to a lush, green beautiful place was amazing!

Sunset near Hanalei

Gearing up for our helicopter ride

Landing area for the helicopter
Near the waterfall where we ate lunch and swam in the middle of the helicopter flight

Gorgeous waterfalls everywhere!

Amazing views!

Storm blowing in while golfing the Princeton course
Snorkeling and swimming near a Queen's Bath...

Hiking
Breathtaking views from near our condo in Princeville

Hiking down to the beach from our condo - We stayed on the north shore of Kauai which is elevated in the cliffs. The beaches on the north side are down lower from "ground level"

Yep, still hiking down to the beach

View of our beach from the cliff above
Yes, we hiked over all of that lava rock to get to the beach

Beach down on the south end of Kauai
Flying on over to Maui
Dinner at our favorite restaurant - Kimo's

I had more pictures of Maui, but suddenly they are gone :( Perhaps too many pictures in the post?! Maui is gorgeous! We love it there. The perfect mix of beauty like Kauai, but with a bit more activity like the Big Island!