Super Stocking Stuffers: Me & Marie Review and Giveaway!

I have a ton of activities that I want to do with Izzie this holiday season, but I could use a few more hours in the day and extra hands to get everything accomplished. Thankfully, I have received help from Me & Marie! She has created a fun and educational 12 Days of Christmas Learning Pack that includes twelve daily lesson plans that are full of activities, crafts, and songs.

The creator of Me & Marie is a former teacher with an Early Childhood certificate, who now stays at home caring for her beautiful little tot. She specializes in creating learning aids for little ones.

Me & Marie had this to say, "This pack is a fun way to get your little elf in the holiday spirit! The 12 Days of Christmas Pack was designed to be used on the 12 days leading up to Christmas. This pack is bursting with fun! Each day in the 12 Days of Christmas Pack you will find a lesson plan (short and simple), a song, a hands-on activity or craft and a clue hunt. The clue hunt has your little detective on the look out for clues that Santa and his helpers have taken a visit to your house to see if you have been naughty or nice! It's the perfect way to share some fond memories with your child and maybe even start a 12 Days of Christmas Fun tradition, all while adding a little learning in as well!"

The 12 Days of Christmas Learning Pack is huge! This pack features the adorable artwork from www.digiwebstudio.com

Here's a peek of a few items:

Christmas Clue Book, Holiday Recipe, and Holiday Time Patterns

Candy Cane Colors Match and Elf Stick Puppets

Counting Presents, To & From Tags, 12 Days of Lessons, Christmas Bingo

Christmas Card, Roll A Christmas Tree, Reindeer Hop, and Countdown Chain

I am so excited to use the 12 Days of Christmas Learning Pack with Izzie. Basically, Me & Marie has done all the work and has left all the fun for us! Now, I don't have to rush around and try to quickly put together activities for Izzie. Instead, we can simply complete the 12 Days of Christmas Learning Pack!


Each learning pack from Me & Marie is in PDF format. When you receive your learning pack via e-mail, all you have to do is print (laminate if desired) and start sharing the fun with your child.

Me & Marie is offering a Cyber Monday Sale on Monday, November 30. Buy one and get one FREE! The free item must be of equal or lesser value. *Buy only one item- then tell Me & Marie in the 'Buyer's Message' which item you would like FREE!

In addition, Me & Marie has agreed to giveaway the 12 Days of Christmas Learning Pack to one lucky reader!

You have 10 chances to WIN:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Mandatory: Visit Me & Marie and choose an item that you would like to create for your child's stocking.

2. Make a purchase from Me & Marie during the giveaway period.

3. Follow Me & Marie's store blog at www.meandmarielearning.blogspot.com

4. Follow Me & Marie on Twitter: http://twitter.com/meandmarielearn

5. Publicly follow my blog (Izzie, Mac and Me).

6-10. Post about the Me & Marie giveaway on your blog. (Be sure to leave a link and you will need to leave 5 separate comments, which can be short and simple, such as #1, #2, etc).

The giveaway will close at 10pm (EST) on Sunday, December 6. One lucky reader will be randomly drawn.

Disclaimer: The product reviewed was provided for me free of charge in return for writing a review and hosting a giveaway.

Christmas Gift Reviews: Art and Crafts

It's that time of year again, when I start researching for Christmas gifts. I'm always curious to know what other parents are buying for their children. I read countless reviews on toys that I'm considering to buy because I want to know the pros and cons for each toy. The best way to really discover a toy is to ask other parents and children too. I would love to know what your children favorite toys are. So, each week, I will have a different category to review. Click here for the category list and dates. Please feel free to share your views about toys in each category too.

This week's theme is Art and Crafts.

We normally make most of our crafts from recycled materials around the house. Izzie art supplies mostly consists of crayons, markers, and washable finger paints.

Izzie's favorite markers are the Do-A-Dot Art Markers.


Pros: These markers are large and easy to hold. They are non-toxic and will not dry out when the lid is accidentally left off. In addition, these markers are great to use on magnet pages for pre-writing skills.

Cons: Expensive at $14.99 for a pack of six. I buy them at Michael's with a 50% off coupon.


I've been looking for a wooden art easel for Izzie. I found this one at Ikea that she'll be receiving for Christmas.

Pros: It's inexpensive ($14.99) and it's made out of renewable wood. It has 2 sides (one with a magnetic dry-erase board and the other side is a chalkboard), a place for the drawing paper roll, and a tray to hold materials.

Cons: Not available to be ordered on-line and shipped. I had to travel to pick it up at our nearest Ikea store, which is 3 hours away! Luckily, we made it a weekend trip.

Disclaimer: I did not contact or receive any products from the above companies. These are my opinions, which may vary from your experience with these products.

Please link your child's favorite Art and Craft items too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pay It Forward...Giveaway!

I recently participated in a Pay It Forward giveaway hosted by Tired, Need Sleep. She sent a goodie package to the first 3 readers that commented on her post regarding her pay it forward package that her son received. We were so excited to be one of the three readers!

Several weeks ago, Izzie received her package and was thrilled with all the goodies!

She is having so much fun with the adorable finger puppets! She also received a growing giraffe, stencils, and a sticker book. She loves stickers!

Now, it's our turn to Pay It Forward...

Since, I have been hosting Stocking Stuffer giveaways for the past few weeks, I thought I would continue with the theme and giveaway format.

I will randomly choose 3 readers to receive a a goodie package. If you are randomly chosen, please "Pay It Forward* too!

So, if you would like to receive a package of stocking stuffers for your little one...

Please leave a comment for each entry.

1. Mandatory: Agree to *Pay It Forward* to 3 of your readers.

2. Tell me the age of your child(ren).

3. Publicly follow Izzie, Mac, and Me.

4. Grab my new button for your sidebar.

The giveaway will end on Sunday, November 29, at 10pm (EST). Three random readers will be chosen.

Homemade Christmas Gifts: Week 3

I have a huge list of projects that I want to make this year for Christmas. To encourage me to finish at least one project per week, I've decided to share each week what I've made. I would love to see what everyone else is making too...I love sharing and receiving ideas!

This week I started several Christmas projects and unfortunately, I did not complete any! However, I have a good start on the ABC pillow that I'm making for Izzie and Mac.

I found my inspiration and alphabet template here. I am doing a few things differently. Instead of using a decorative pillow and fleece fabric to make a pillow case, I'm using a extra pillow that I currently have and a pre-made pillow case.

This is what the finished product will look like...plus, buttons and a pillow inside.

I had no idea how long it would take to cut out 26 letters! I've measured and marked on the pillowcase where the remaining 24 letters will go, but have not sewn on the buttons.

I would LOVE to see your homemade Christmas gifts too! Please feel free to link below.