The Juno Company Review

Dave and I are not musical type people. We don’t play instruments; we listen to music on the Sirius through Direct TV. There aren’t many concerts that we will attend and over all, are more technologically connected to music than any other way.

So when I received The Juno Company gift pack I was thrilled to have a way for my children to start experiencing music and appreciating the emotions and fun that can come from listening to music made for children. My toddlers were mesmerizing by the songs and the story. I can always tell if it’s a success because my 3 year old keeps asking if she can “see her movie”. “The Day the Music Stopped” is a story about when Bunny presses the big red button on Murphy's Shush Machine; she inadvertently silences the town of Harmonia Springs. Juno realizes that, in order to bring life back to the town, she and her friends have to create their own music through melody, harmony, rhythm and – most of all – friendship.

Juno is a six-year-old girl with a passion for music. While practicing the piano in her bedroom, Juno and her two-year-old brother, Rai Rai, are transported to the imaginary, magical, musical world of Harmonia Springs. Trees are made of cellos, cars are shaped like bass clefs and lamp posts like French horns, street signs flash "Waltz" and the train that takes them on their journey is made up entirely of musical instruments.What were Juno's pets in the real world suddenly become her puppet friends in Harmonia Springs. Through their journeys, the characters learn new musical concepts as they sing to the original, orchestral music composed by Belinda Takahashi Ph.D.

I received the movie and a sturdy tote bag (which can be used to carry our books during the weekly library trip) right after the holidays, which was a nice quiet, educational time to spend with my daughters to help them wind down from the busy holiday season.
If you are looking for a way to quiet down your kids minds without traditional TV and for them to learn something in the process, I would suggest looking into The Juno Company, they have many ways to educate our children on music, emotions and friendship.

(Many thanks to the US Family Guide for the opportunity to review for The Juno Company, my opinions were not swayed by the product offer.)

Tie the Knot Thursdays - 1/6/11

Since getting engaged in December I’ve been trying to come up with at least one day a week that I’m going to devote to weddings. All weddings… not just mine but of course that is at the foremost of my mind most of the time these days! So… Tie the Knot Thursdays were born!

If you have wedding photos, items, magazines (which are the most addicting things next to weddings blogs), blog or other wedding ideas, I’d love to hear them. Feel free to email me at: Suzanne -Crunchygreenmom(at)gmail(dot)com

This past week I was introduced to a wonderful designer by a fellow Social Media Mom -Theresa Seid (TwitterID: @RockOnMommies).

Her name is Renee Pawele and her work is exquisite, the designs are original and if you are looking to be a one of a kind bride (who isn’t?), then you need to check her out at Renee Pawele Bride.

I believe that you “know” the items you want, if you are walking through a store and see a dress you love... it’s “the one”. That is the same for relationships, jewelry and kids. (But honestly… who hasn’t seen their child and had their breath taken away?)

I saw these Pearl Cluster earrings on the Renee Pawele Bride site and fell instantly in love. They are elegant, not too flashy and with a tanned completion they would pop beautifully.

(Photo taken from Renee Pawele Bride)

Love them right? Paired with a Mini Flirt Veil it’s *the* combination!

(Photo taken from Renee Pawele Bride)

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Photos 2010

Go ahead and visit 5 Minutes for Mom to link up to other Wordless Wednesdays.

Everything happens for a reason

“Everything happens for a reason”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that to my kids, my friends and to myself while I’m walking away from a relationship or a bad job interview.

It is the one phrase that makes things better for me when I’m in doubt about myself or an action I have made.

“You never know what the fates have planned for you until you can sit back and see it for what it is”

Every job I have not gotten was because I’m supposed to be at the one I’m at. It is not the most exciting work, but it pays the bills, give my kids insurance and retirement for me is building every paycheck.

“It is okay to doubt the reasoning of the “powers that be” if you acknowledge them when the answers become clear.”

We are human and have every right to doubt what is in store for us. We can sit back and wonder if anything has our best interest in mind, other than us. However we owe it to them to give them a nod of appreciation when we understand what is happening

In my life time I’ve learned many life lessons on the idea that.. “Everything happens for a reason”…

· I was a single mom (again) at 34 and 5 months pregnant, It allowed me to take the time off I needed to start blogging, to learn to love myself and to finally date the man I’m going to marry.
· The wild spirit in me understands my kids, and I can compromise, without suffocating them or coming off controlling which only pushes them away.
· Every relationship teaches us something, an abusive boyfriend, a weak willed soul, unhealthy habits or offensive addictions. I learned what I loved in people, what I saw in myself and what to avoid. I also learned what to love, what to allow my children to see and what I can improve on in myself.

No matter the situation, good or bad, we are going to learn something from it. Make sure you take note of what it is… sometimes they are simple lessons, but lessons none the less.

Love words - Week 1

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

-St. Augustine

(I got this idea from my favorite wedding blogger Jes, A Mountain Bride)

My first photos of 2011

LaLa being very silly

Issa trying to tell me something

Goodness he's a handsome man!!

Issa starting her EMO self today

1/1/11 - The beginning of something new!

It is a new year!

Last night was a quiet night for my fiancee (hehehe.. I like saying that) and I. We put the kids in bed by 9pm and took a shower, watched some TV and got to be in one another's arms for the ball dropping. It was exactly as I wanted to spend the New Year.. with him whispering sweet nothings in my ear.

My New Years resolutions are pretty simple, but things that need to be done, for me and my family.

* Learn how to deal with my kids without any yelling when I need them to listen to me. I can do that right?? Not yell?

* Take one photo a day... of something, my kids, nature... myself.

* Not be so moody when it comes to Dave, sometimes I need to stop and remember that he's my sanctuary.

*Lose 20 pounds by this summer. That gives me 6 months to lose some of my overall weight in my "Shedding for the Wedding" plans!

Normally I only do one resolution and it's a big one, like I need to conquer the world in one year. it takes time and I am certain next year, one of these resolutions will be back on my list. But it's a start right?