10 Valentine’s Day gifts for your toddler that don’t involve sweets

10 Valentine's Day gifts for your toddler

I absolutely love any excuse to buy gifts (it is totally my love language!) so there is no forgetting Valentine’s Day. And while I will gift my hubby something thoughtful, I love including my toddler in gift giving.

Growing up, my parents always gave me a box of chocolate and another small gift. I want to always show my love to Jericho, but without sweets. We are a sugar-free family, after all!

Last year’s gift guide was a big hit-including in our house! This year I wanted to share some of our current top favorite gifts that would be perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift for your 3-year-old. I’ve broken it down my category just for you, mama!

Keeping my family well during Cold & Flu season with Physician 360

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At Home Strep Test

You know that moment you are really sick but the last thing you want to do is go to a doctor’s office?

Yeah, me too. Especially with a toddler. I am convinced if he or I need to go to the doctor, we will both catch something else. I’m just not down with that!

Days after Christmas, Jericho and I both came down with a cough. He got it, then I got it, then he was better, then I, then we both caught it again. I was convinced it was strep….because without meds it can be the gift that keeps on giving.

Wardrobe edit, part 5: Create outfits with this wardrobe planning app

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There are a number of wardrobe and outfit planning apps out there. I used to use an app loyally a couple of years ago, then I lost all the data and they didn’t back it up! So now I have tried many different versions and have found the one that I highly recommend, YourCloset. I am not an affiliate, nor is this sponsored – it is just my favorite option available out there!

You should know I am an android user, so there may be a plethora of options I’m not even aware of. When looking for a wardrobe app (if you want to look around) read the reviews and figure out what is most important to you when selecting the app.

You may be wondering – what is a wardrobe planning app? In a nutshell, its an electronic wardrobe to catalog what you have, keep track of when you’ve worn certain garments and even style pieces together to create outfits.

Toddler fashion: The cutest duds for your dapper 3-year-old dude

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It is no surprise that fashion is priority, even for my little family. I married a man who likes to look good too, so it is always important to us to dress our toddler accordingly!

Boy fashion is hard. There isn’t nearly as many options out there, and they tend to all feature the same superhero characters. It takes additional effort to put an outfit together. But, I love it!

I’ve written two more posts similar to this featuring toddler boy clothes and the looks I love, and I couldn’t resist doing a new, fresh post for winter wardrobes.

So sit back, relax and enjoy a little toddler retail therapy!

The Best Christmas Children’s Book

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I have always been a lover of all things Christmas. It is the most exciting time of the year for me. Even before I was a Believer, it was the holiday I looked forward to January through November.

Now, as a mom, I have a whole new outlook on this amazing holiday. We take in all the local events, share the story of Jesus and enjoy shopping for gifts. Our three-year-old is beginning to love the season, too!

Here are a few traditions we hold dear to our hearts, and I hope it helps inspire you to build memories with your kiddos.

14 gift ideas for your party host or hostess (on any budget)

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It’s the most exciting time of the year! And with the holidays comes lots and lots of parties.

You may find yourself at many a soiree that include a gracious hostess. How do you thank them? I think the art of etiquette has been lost on many through the generations, so if you are not one to give hostess gifts I hope you will reconsider this year!

I’ve pulled together some of my favorite, thoughtful host gifts in many price points.

Santa’s coming to town: Where to see Santa in New Braunfels

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BabyCoolJ celebrating his first Christmas in Austin, 2015

It is my favorite time of year! I love the fall and lead up to Christmas. It all starts with BabyCoolJ’s birthday in September, our anniversary and pumpkin patches in October, my birthday and fall festivals in November….then DECEMBER! From Christmas events to gift exchanges, Santa sightings and holiday movies, our Christmas activity advent calendar and ultimately celebrating the birth of Jesus. I absolutely love Christmas!

It is our first Christmas in New Braunfels and I’ve curated an inclusive list of places you can catch Santa – and maybe Mrs. Clause or an elf!

Lisa’s Loves: what I heart in October

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Can y’all believe it is already going to be November? This year has flown by – but I also look forward to this month for a few reasons! If you have hung out with me on Instagram or Facebook, you know I absolutely love the fall. So much to celebrate: the leaves changing, the quiet outdoors, cool breezes, pumpkins, light sweaters (hopefully – I am in Texas!) and it is my anniversary month!

We had an exciting October, although none of it went as planned. I had pumpkin patches and fall festivals scheduled for every weekend in October, but we were sidetracked along the way. After our 3-day trip turned into 2 weeks, our plans were set aside. But, the most amazing silver lining is I was able to get in a lot of online courses. I am a total nerd when it comes to personal development. Always a fangirl of conferences, I love that there is a plethora of information on the internet. It can be information overload, but when you find the best coach for you and your brand, it is like getting front row seats to your favorite concert! Goals, goals, goals here I come.

While I mostly include fashion, beauty and mom-stuff on this list, I want to kick off my October loves with this amazing online course & coaching…

Affordable kids’ clothes: Where I find the best deal on Toddler clothes

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Affordable Kids Fashion

Fashion means everything to me, and keeping my toddler hip & cool can come at a pretty penny!

I love finding awesome deals and still have some retailers for toddler boy clothes I totally dig, but after discovering Kids on 45th, my life will forever be changed…for the better.

Y’all, I know subscription boxes are all the rage. But, let me tell you why this one is SO MUCH BETTER. You’ll thank me soon enough.

How to overcome guilt or judgement by spending time in Romans 14

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It’s been so long since I’ve written a faith centered post… (here’s the last one) and I have felt the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart this last month.

I find it ironic that I am the first person to build people up and tell them they can do anything, yet I find myself crippled by sharing anything lately. Not because I have fear or self-consciousness, I mostly have suffered a writer’s block of sorts. I have been so dedicated to reading my Bible this year, despite getting a late start after taking months off. #truth