Easter is right around the corner and I've had several people ask me what exactly I'm "loading" Ava's Easter basket with this year. With Justin being gone, I really procrastinated with brining her basket together (sorry Ava bug), but none the less it is prepped and ready to go for the weekend. I started out by using our Pottery Barn Easter Basket Liner, so all I had to do was look for a new basket. We still have her basket from last year, but I ended up using it as a prop for her Easter pictures. We definitely skipped the Easter bunny this year after last year's fiasco. The liner has her name monogrammed on it, and I love that we can use it annually. It's pretty, pink, and definitely fitting for my sweet girl. The next thing I did was hop on amazon. This is my go to site for all things toddler related. With Amazon prime, we get free two day shipping.. I love it more than going to a retail store (most of the time). Amazon had a wide variety of potential goodies for us this year. I started out with looking through their books. We love giving Ava bugs on any occasion.. even just a Tuesday. Last year we only bought books that were about Easter, this year I bought books that were sequels to books she already had. I also added some egg chalk to be festive, bunny bubbles, a bunny stuffed animal, bunny ears, and tons of Easter eggs.

We don't give Ava chocolate or any other candies, so the eggs are filled with stickers! She loves playing with them, and I do think it'll be fun for her to find them through the yard. This year we have three Easter's to attend and Ava's first Easter sermon. I'm excited to be spending this very special holiday with those we love most, while enjoying good company and good food as well. So there you have it, the bulk of things that we put in our child's Easter basket. I've really loved packing it up with things that aren't perishable, things that she can use right now, and items that we can keep forever. It really makes loading up the basket so much more fun.

What are some of the things that you put in your child's Easter basket? Does your family have some type of tradition? Let me know in the comments below or by email! In the meantime, check out the amazon links I provided for some of the things I've listed. Feel free to try out Amazon prime two day shipping with their *30 day free trial*

Happy Friday all!

♥- Leilani

Why I love Halloween

I can't believe this will be my last blog post for the month of October! This time of year always flies right on by, but I am loving every single second of it. I'm super excited for today, but not for the reasons many may think. Of course most enjoy the creative costumes, overload of candy, and Halloween party festivities occurring, but for my family that isn't the case. Halloween is special because some pretty monumental things have occurred on this day. Halloween 2010 was the first time Justin told me he was in love with me. He came home from a Halloween party on post covered in green cupcake (him and his battles had a cupcake war in the car), and he had the biggest smile on his face. I had no clue he was going to say it, but it was one of the sweetest, most tender moments in our relationship. That was the first time Justin really allowed himself to be vulnerable with me.

Today also marks the third birthday of our dog, Cooper. Oh, Cooper. He was the first baby I ever got to really mother. He taught me (some) patience, responsibility, and lots and lots of love. I remember Justin begging for a dog, and I was all too reluctant. I'm so glad he's apart of our family now and I can't believe our little boy is three! Cooper does so well with Ava bug and I couldn't be more thankful for the patience and love this pup gives to our little girl. I never thought I'd ever be that person that treated her animals like people, but they kind of are. They have their own emotions and thoughts, and Cooper is all too handy with letting us know what kind of mood he is in.

This Halloween is also the first time Ava bug is dressing up AND handing out candy. Last year, we had her in a "my first halloween" onesie and tutu. She was like a my first halloween ballerina! I think she had a tutu for every month and every single holiday (thanks Victoria)! This afternoon we are FINALLY carving our pumpkins, (if you are a Facebook friend, look out for those pictures later) and taking Halloween pictures of our sweet girl. Justin even purchases goodies to make pumpkin bars, and I'm sure we'll be roasting the pumpkin seeds shortly after. I'm super excited for all the fall festivities that will be occurring in our home today.

Take a look at my flashback Friday photo! It's crazy that the first picture was taken over four years ago.

Happy Halloween all!

♥- Leilani