For those of you who have kids that like to bake and have limited baking capabilities like me, I found this store bought mix that is inexpensive, easy to make and actually taste good. It’s the Martha White Muffin Mix. I got them on sale at a local Ralphs for $1.00. We chose to make the Chocolate Chip Muffin since it was the safest way to go among all of their different varieties. All you have to do is add ½ cup of milk, mix and you are ready to bake. The package also comes in smaller batches and by putting it in a bigger bowl with the milk saves you from cleaning up a mess from the kids mixing it. Kids like to do everything by themselves. Right?
We poured them 2/3 into cupcake cup liners and baked them at 425 degrees for 14 to 17 minutes. This was also the perfect size for a toaster oven. It was quick and easy to do for me even on a weeknight. Try them out. They are great as snacks and also as something to do for the family. Maybe next time we will explore with different add-ins to the recipe and see how that goes. Check out their different products on their website.

We recently had a chance to see Disney Live! Presents Three Classic Fairy Tales. It was such a nice show, Cyrille and I loved it.  Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy starts off each story by introducing then narrating parts of the 3 Classic Fairy Tale adventures of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They engaged the kids in the audience and made them part of the story experience. They were asking questions and making them repeat popular lines and phrases. This show is a great way to introduce kids to a more theatrical experience of their favorite fairy tales. I as an adult loved it as well. 

Below is a description of the experience from their website.

Prepare to step into a world of wonder where wishing is only the beginning and dreams really do come true in Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairy Tales Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they bring the timeless fairytale adventures of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfsto life right in your hometown. Featuring dynamic storytelling, award winning music, stunning costumes and glittering special effects, audiences will be captivated by the humor, fun and adventure of these spellbinding stories. Dream with the princesses, cheer for the heroes as they conquer evil villains, and marvel as these classic tales are brought to life in a theatrical experience that’s pure magic.

​I highly recommend watching this show. Check out their calendar for shows near you.

The best thing about summer for me is the end of the season sale. I got this felt kit from Micheal's for 89 cents. They are clearing out their summer inventory at a huge markdown. Craft stores usually stock up on activity kits for kids to work on during the summer break, then puts them on sale by the end of the season. So its a good time to stock up on these. I use the age recommendation as a guide to stock up on things that Cyrille can work on throughout the year. It also lets me know how she is progressing on her activities. Kits are a great way to save money since all you need are inside the package rather than buying them one by one. The pictures on the package also gives the kids an idea of what their finished product will be.

Another great place to visit in Las Vegas, Nevada is the M&M's World along the Las Vegas strip. This location that is open from 9 am to 1 am has four levels with tons of merchandise for sale and everything M&M. You can even mix and match your M&M's and buy them by weight. And you even personalize them too. They also have a photo booth that creates a great souvenir for your visit along with different photo spots you can take pictures with.

The highlight of this visit is their FREE 3-D movie, " I Lost My "M" in Vegas" starring Red and Yellow daily. The 3-D movie is open until 8 pm Saturday, Sundays and Mondays, until 6 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. So time your visit within those times to take advantage of this experience. Cyrille had fun watching the show and wearing the 3-D glasses.

Don't forget to visit the full-sized 18 Nascar on the 4th level for some pictures and check out the merchandise from M&M's Racing Team. 

I am so excited to be nominated for the Liebster Award by Nikki of A Mama Happily Interrupted. Please check out her site for lots of crafty ideas and recipes. She is awesome.

The way this works is that she was nominated by another blogger, she in return gets to nominate other bloggers from which I was one of them. She gets to ask me 11 questions and I wanted to share my answers with you all. 

1. What is one item of clothing you could not live without? 

Boyfriend T-Shirts. They are my go-to wardrobe when I am too lazy to think about what to wear. I have tons of them in different colors.
      
      2.   What is your favorite holiday memory?
Food. Tons of Food. That's my favorite holiday memory and something I look forward to every holiday season.


      3.   What is your favorite kind of music?
As I'm getting older, I feel like my taste in music has changed. It has mellowed down. Right now, I like a lot of acoustic music.


       4.  Toes painted or not?
As I am writing this, toes are not painted but definitely if I have the time I would always like them to be painted. 


       5.  What is your least favorite food?
I have to really think about this since I love to eat. I definitely do not like exotic foods or anything out of the ordinary.


       6.  What was your first thought when you got up this morning?
My first thought this morning was if Cyrille was going to pre-school today. She has been sick with fever for the past few days so I wasn't sure if she felt better today or if I need to keep her home.


       7.  What is your worst habit?
I procrastinate. I need to be more on top of things. Thought when I am on to something I am focused.


       8.  If you could be anyone for a day who would you be?
This is a good question that I have never thought about that. Probably Oprah Winfrey.


       9.  When it comes to sweets what is your guilty pleasure?
Cupcakes. I love Cupcakes. Sprinkles Cupcakes, Georgetown Cupcakes and Magnolia Bakery to name a few. Cyrille loves them too, I think she got it from me.


      10. Have you ever danced in the rain?
No, but would love to try it. 


      11. When your favorite song comes on do you belt it out or groove inside?
Definitely groove inside. I wish I had the confidence to belt it out though.


I still have to come up with my nominees. But so grateful to Nikki for the questions and for thinking of my blog. Please check her out. A Mama Happily Interrupted.

Whenever we get a chance to visit Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a must see for us. This summer 2015, their theme is under the sea and its gorgeous. If your kids like Little Mermaid, Nemo or Bubble Guppies like Cyrille, this place is a great way to bring it to life for the kids and introduce them to their home. On view until September 12, 2015, there are tons of sea creatures, a beautiful mermaid, a Bellagio sand castle, sunken sea vessel, treasure chests and an animated sea clam that opens and closes much to Cyrille's amazement.

Cyrille asked to borrow my phone camera so I let her take pictures and channel her creativity towards her surroundings. She was looking at her angles and focusing on her subjects. It was nice to see her making that much effort. Bellagio changes their display every season so there is always something new to see. And its always FREE to visit.

Most of us have heard of American Girl and how expensive they are. For moms on a budget, its a secret wish that your daughter does not get into them. They have a 2 level store at The Grove in Los Angeles called American Girl Place. It has a huge shopping area for kids of different ages, personal shoppers to assist, doll hair salon with stylists and a restaurant cafe. It's hard to miss this store walking towards the Farmers Market. The storefront display is enticing for little girls like Cyrille, it's as if the store is physically pulling her in. I prepped Cyrille as we walked in that she can look, touch the dolls and toys but that we could not buy any and that we had to go when it was time. I waited for her to say yes knowing she would keep her word and off she went without wasting any precious time. She looked at the dolls, touched their dresses and showed me which ones were her favorites. They even had outfits that the owners can wear to match their dolls.  She was amazed at the doll houses, its furniture and accessories. Its a little girls dream to be surrounded with all of these things and best part of it all is that it does not cost anything to go in. Free!

American Girl encourages every girl's imagination and pretend play. Cyrille particularly loved the bedroom set, She fixed their pajamas, tucked them into bed and sang them a bedtime song. She even told them its was time for their dog to go to bed too. She then moved on to the french bakery La Patisserie and pretended to bake cupcakes and pastries. She even asked me what I liked then put them in plates and trays for me. The furniture and accessories looked so real that it brings the imagination to life. Cyrille had a good time playing in the store. The sales staff were very friendly and welcoming the kids to play and explore. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon and just to let Cyrille play and express her herself.

We recently have some guests over and took them visit the Getty Center Museum. I love that the admission to the Getty is free and that you only have to pay for parking at $15. And after 5:00 pm which was the time we went, parking was $10. We normally visit the family room where Cyrille gets to explore the different sections of the room and make a project. She loves to sit on the bed and read a book. She said this makes her feel like a princess. 

But during this visit we discovered The Sketching Gallery. This is on the second floor above the family room. Its geared towards an older age group mostly artists who practice sketching from the artwork on the wall. But a few know that they welcome children to sketch as well. They will give you a huge clipboard with sketching paper and supplies you may need to create your work and they are all free to use. After you have finished, they will stamp your work with Made at the Getty Center and roll them up nicely to take home. I am posting her pictures at work below and her finished product. Its a great activity to channel your child's creativity and to get motivation by looking at or copying other people at work. I mostly sat watching her and cheering her on.