For bigger bubbles, give him a bowl of water mixed with dish soap and a straw. (Just make sure he knows he can’t drink it!)

Sometimes with boys it’s the messy but simple activities that keep them entertained. My son prefers this to art projects any day.

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I have been a fan of Neflix for a long time so I jumped at the chance to write this sponsored post.

Before I had kids I always wondered about the parents who got upset about the content shown on TV. “Simply watch TV with your child and turn it off if there’s anything inappropriate” I thought. Again, that was before I had kids.

Now I realize that usually when I turn the TV on for my son it’s because I really need to get something done – like nurse my baby – so I need quality programming that keeps his attention. Here my 2-year-old son watches his Netflix show on our iPad while his 5-year-old cousin watches on his. (Talk about not having to fight over the remote).

That’s why I was so happy when I discovered Netflix has a “Just for Kids” section. In this dedicated section you can find shows appropriate for children ages 2- 12.  The content is selected with help from Common Sense Media to provide ratings, reviews and information so parents can easily make choices for their kids!

I was thrilled when Netflix began carrying my son’s favorite shows from Disney Jr. and PBS. I love being able to turn on Curious George, Justin Time, Mater’s Tall Tales, or Jake and the Neverland Pirates whenever he wants to watch them.

You can stream Netflix on so many devices. I like to let my son navigate Netflix on our iPad when I’m busy with the baby but we also love watching movies on our TV together as a family. The popcorn mess is totally worth the family time.

Just last night we watched Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. What a cute movie! Since my son is getting older (and his attention span is getting longer) we’re able to start having movie nights. I love not having to run out and rent a movie because I never know if we’ll actually watch the whole movie. Even the baby is loving movie night . . .

What are you watching on TV with your family? Netflix has family favorites from Disney, Disney Jr., Hasbro, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks that are available to stream anytime, anywhere.

And streaming is easier than you think! Download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device, go to the website on your computer – and you’re in business. Check it out here!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

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He loved seeing the bubbles. When he started to get bored I added a drop of food coloring and we made colored bubbles.

After a while he began experimenting on his own – what would happen if I add some of my juice? Mom’s water? My bagel? Most of the time nothing happened but to each of his questions I simply replied “I don’t know. Let’s find out.” He loved experimenting and it kept him entertained for quite a while.

You know an activity is a success when it requires little advance planning, can be cleaned up easily and is so much fun that your little one asks to do it again.

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You know. Those days when your 2 year old learns how to unlock the front door and decides to take a trip to a neighbor’s house while you’re busy nursing the baby.

Those days when said 2 year old may or may not have had any clothes on.

You know those days where you know you should take a break, take a breath, a bath or a walk and instead find yourself raiding the pantry for the chocolate chips.

Those days when you lose it. You yell. You feel yourself doing outrageous things like screaming “close your eyes and take a nap now” while realizing that no one could go to sleep when being yelled at like that.

Those days when you begin counting down to bedtime and it’s not even noon.

Those days where you disregard all grammar rules and nouns become verbs as you yell “do NOT eye your baby brother ever again!”

Those days when you feel like you’ve failed as a mother.

And at the end of one of those days your sweet little boy gives you the world’s biggest hug while saying “I love you so much, Melanie.” (yep, he’s still calling me by my first name).

I love you too my son. I’m sorry I was having “one of those days.” Thank you for loving me anyways. I will try to be better tomorrow.

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I made this adorable birthday banner for my son this year.  It was so easy and turned out so cute.  Plus I’ll be able to reuse it for other family member’s birthdays.

Supplies needed:

• 12×12 scrapbook paper (I used three different colors)
• twine
• clothespins
• letters

To cut the triangles, I folded the 12×12 paper in half, then cut three triangles from each half (so you get six per sheet of paper).  To cut the letters I used my Cricut which I got for Christmas.  At the craft store, they also have lots of alphabet stickers that you could use.

Then I used the clothespins to attach the triangles to the twine.  Simple as that!

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