Happy Father's Day!

Wishing all of the Men that take the responsibility of raising their children a great Father's Day. 

My baby girl is a very lucky girl to have a great dad. 

Father's Day!

Father's Day is around the corner and I could not figure out what to get the hubby. I looked on Pinterest and got a few ideas but yet nothing that I thought would be creative and fun. I wanted something that Ari could be part of. Then it came to me... since my hubby loves his ties and bow ties I thought I would do a photo shoot with Ari wearing his tie and bow tie. (This turned out to be way too much fun). My plan is to edit the pictures and make a super cool collage and save it to his screen saver so when he opens up his laptop he will get to see the cool pictures. Then of course I needed some assistance with the tie and bow ties so his best friend Andero stopped by to lend a hand (he is great). The pictures came out cuter than I expected and was very inexpensive the letters were  purchased at Michaels for $2.99. Everything else was straight from the hubby's closet. Of course the hubby will get something as a gift but this I think is the best gift of all!

Even the one with her crying is super adorable! 

How to add a logo to your photographs!

Lately, I heard of a few bloggers who run into trouble with strangers using their child's photo as their own. Therefore, a friend caution me to make sure that I put my logo on my photographs. I started doing my research and found a super easy way to edit and add a logo or text to any photographs. I ended using Ipiccy.com a super easy site that will take a matter of minutes to edit your photo exactly how you want it. So I decided to do a tutorial to help anyone else that would like to add a logo to their photos. Even if you do not have a blog but have your precious pictures on the internet this tutorial may be very beneficial. The first thing you will need to do is either make a logo or buy one. Make sure that your logo is a PNG file. I purchased one since its the end of the school year and I do not have time to play and make my own (maybe at a later time I will make my own). I purchased a logo for $5 on ETSY and it was made and delivered within 24 hours.

Ok so let's get started...

1. First thing you need to do is register on the ipiccy.com website. (It's free!)

2. Click on upload photos. Select the photos that you would like to add. If you would like to add more than one photo click the ctrl key on your keyboard. Also make sure to click on the PNG files (logo) that you would like to add to your photograph.

3. Click the first photo that you want to edit and hover over it with your mouse. You will notice that it will have a blue highlight around it. On the bottom right corner you will see a button and you will click it. Then 3 options will come up and you will click on EDIT.

4. At this point you can also do any additional editing that you would like to do to your photos such as framing, adjusting colors, etc. When you are ready to add your logo click on the blend tab on the top toolbar.

5. Now you will go to the second toolbar and click on the photo icon. A sidebar will appear on your left with all the photos and images you have uploaded.

6. No click on your logo which should be located on the sidebar and continue holding down your mouse button while you drag the logo and place anywhere on your photo.

7. Make sure to click on save photo!

What do you think of my new logo?

Pretty simple! Below you can also watch my step by step quick  tutorial  video.

 

Little Model in the Making!

After today, I am convinced that I probably have taken way too many pictures of my baby girl. This morning Ari saw the camera and started saying, "Mommy picture..cheeseeeee!" Immediately, I began to smile because at the young age of two she is ready to pose and smile for the camera. Therefore, what is a mommy supposed to do? Get the camera and run before she changes her mind. Her hair was already done and I already knew the perfect cute outfit to use for the photo shoot since I've been dying to take a picture using this outfit since I bought it. Here is the super cute pictures from our photo shoot this morning.

 

 

Have a Great Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I must admit that as Ari continue to grow and become her own person, Mother's Day becomes that much more special. I absolutely love being a mommy. Growing up,I always knew I wanted to have children but never did I imagine how special I would feel to have a little person calling me mommy and sharing all her love with me. This year for Mother's Day I decided to begin vlogging since Ari is beginning to have conversations with us. I figured that I will continue to video record her and see how her responses change from year to year. This year I tried to keep it simple with two questions: 1. Do you love mommy? and 2. Who is your mommy? (Let me remind you that she just turned 2). To my surprise her response to number one was "yup" and her response to number two was "doggie." Yup mommy apparently is a doggy. However, she is so darn cute that I could not keep from laughing and decided to keep the footage. When she gets older I can use it against her (lol).

 

Then, I decided instead of sending out text messages that I would send a video of Ari wishing everyone a "Happy Mommy's Day!"

 

 

I am extremely thankful for my mother because even though she is not biologically my mother her influence has truly help shape me into the mom I am today to my daughter. One relationship which is always with us is the one we share with our mothers. They are our guiding force and are responsible for making us who we are. Mothers also shape our lives and our personalities and crediting them for the same is something one should do at every opportunity.

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

 

 

Made my Mother's Day video using Magisto again. I absolutely love their work... Check the video below and then check them out!

 

 

 

 

 

Easter and New Traditions!

 

Easter 2014 was pretty fun I must admit. Ari actually got to hunt for eggs and she really did enjoy the egg hunting.  Easter kind of crept on me and I was not quite prepare for it. Originally, I wanted to plan a super cute Easter egg hunt for my close friends and I. My hopes were to start new traditions that could be completed year after year. However, do to a lot going on it completely passed me by and I decided to search for other Egg hunts to attend. The first egg hunt that we attended was done by a recreational center. They had super cute games to play, face painting, bounce houses and of course the Egg hunt. I really loved that their egg hunts were divided by age groups so Ari was in the 0-2 egg hunt. This turned out great because it was her first egg hunt and at first she didn't quite understood why everyone was running but quickly she got into it.

 

On Easter my friend Tamasha and I made big plans to attend one of the biggest Easter celebrations in our area but it was not what we planned. First, we were late and completely missed the egg hunt and then, the lines were super long to the point that we only go to participate in a few activities. So... we ended coming home and having our own little egg hunt at my friends house. After our adventure, we decided that we will start this tradition and next year instead of trying to find other egg hunts we will have our own. The funny part is that we went right after Easter and purchased a bunch of eggs and goodies on clearance to use next year. I think a nice Easter brunch in our preparation will be nice as well. I am super excited for next year!

Here are some of my ideas so far:

1. Egg Hunt
2. Host an Easter Brunch
3. Record Family Dyeing Eggs
4. Create Easter Arts and Crafts
5. Snapping lots of pictures of course!

 

A Birthday Letter to My Daughter!

As a tradition I began to write a birthday letter to Ari every year on her birthday. Last year's letter was sweet and very emotional because my baby was no longer a baby. This year I wanted to celebrate all of Ari's accomplishment. It is my hopes that as an adult she can read all of my letters and get a glimpse on how loved she is.

 

My Little Arianna,

Today you are two. Two! It’s unbelievable to think just two years ago you graced us with your presence. Honestly, I can’t even remember much of life before you because you are my entire life now and I can’t imagine ever being apart from you.

The past year has been crazy for you I can imagine. You have learned SO much, made lots of new friends, you moved to a new school, got rid of the paci, moved to a toddler bed and managed not to be disturbed one bit. You are becoming a little girl. You play pretend, laugh while singing your ABCs, dance to any sound of music, call every color ‘orange’ and you make faces to ham it up and make daddy and I laugh. You are obsessed with Dora and go into a dance whenever you hear the Dora theme song (even Daddy and I have memorized the song). It has gotten to the point that I try to avoid Dora at the stores because I know that you will immediately run to it screaming..."DORA."

But, you still love to give us hugs and kisses and I love to cuddle with you. I love that at night while you are watching your favorite show-Dora you enjoying cuddling with your daddy and I. Whenever you are near I breathe in the your sweet smell and vow to never forget these precious moments. Nearly daily, my eyes well with tears due to the awareness of how fast you’re growing. I apologize in advance for being “that mom” who cries at every school play and dance recital. I also apologize for being "that mom" that will go to school and make a complaint whenever I feel that the best is not being done to meet your needs.

Your language development has been astounding. Each day you amaze us with some new word of phrase. Your passion for books and reading is evidently helping. We giggle as you talk in true two-year-old fashion, and are so focus on getting your message across. Some of your other favorite phrases include: “That's not nice”, ”Hold it mommy” and ”My turn.” But the biggest heart-melter is how you’ve figured out how to say “I love you” and use it in context. When you look me in the eyes and say it, I turn into a little puddle of mush. I remember the first time you said I love you I could not even hold my tears from coming down. I hope you continue to keep such intense love for life in your heart as you grow into an adult.You also are starting to love to say “Mine.” Apparently, everything in our home belongs to you. I have to continue to remind you that I bought it so technically everything is ours (lol).

Watching the joy you have brought to your grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and even the family that is not blood but will do anything for you (our friends) has been so rewarding, too. You are SO incredibly loved by every single person who encounters you, and each leaves you happier than when they came. You are an abundant ray of sunshine; please keep sharing it with others.

I hope this year continues to fill you with happiness and that you continue to learn and grow from all the blessings that surround us. Thanks for continuing to show daddy and I how to really live. Through fun, laughter and your zest for life that is absolutely contagious. Continue being this intelligent, independent and sassy little gal and I have no doubt you will grow with the strength to move mountains! Mommy is so very proud of you!

Love you forever,  Thanks for being the best gift I’ve ever received.

Hugs & Kisses,

Mommy